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Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a pathogen that causes severe abortions in sows and high piglet mortality, resulting in huge economic losses to the pig industry worldwide. The emerging and novel PRRSV isolates are clinically and biologically important, as there are likely recombination and pathogenic differences among PRRSV genomes. Furthermore, the NADC34-like strain has become a major epidemic strain in some parts of China, but the characterization and pathogenicity of the latest strain in Inner Mongolia have not been reported in detail. In this study, an NADC34-like strain (CHNMGKL1-2304) from Tongliao City, Inner Mongolia was successfully isolated and characterized, and confirmed the pathogenicity in pigs. The phylogenetic tree showed that this strain belonged to sublineage 1.5 and had high homology with the strain JS2021NADC34. There is no recombination between CHNMGKL1-2304 and any other domestic strains. Animal experiments show that the CHNMGKL1-2304 strain is moderately virulent to piglets, which show persistent fever, weight loss and high morbidity but no mortality. The presence of PRRSV nucleic acids was detected in both blood, tissues, nasal and fecal swabs. In addition, obvious pathological changes and positive signals were observed in lung, lymph node, liver and spleen tissues when subjected to hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC). This report can provide a basis for epidemiological investigations and subsequent studies of PRRSV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small cell carcinoma (SCC) in the nasal cavity and sinuses is extremely rare. The clinical data of 15 patients with primary SCC in nasal cavity and sinuses were analyzed retrospectively. All patients were treated with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Of the 15 patients, 2 patients are alive for more than 6 years, and 5 patients died after the median follow-up period (11 months). Most of our patients represent the later stage (73% presented at stage III or IV) and had surgery combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy; however, nearly half of patients have tumor recurrence and/or distant metastasis. SCC of nasal cavity and sinuses often invades surrounding tissues, and the long-term curative rate is generally low. Early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment are key to improve survival. Although the overall survival time of SCC is not optimistic, it is still recommended that patients take comprehensive treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Our objective is to validate the effectiveness of the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria in malnutrition diagnosis compared with Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and assess the impact of malnutrition diagnosed using GLIM criteria on the clinical outcomes of patients with GC.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 895 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. Nutrition assessment was performed on all patients according to the GLIM criteria and PG-SGA. The κ statistic was used to evaluate the agreement between two methods. Multivariate logistic regression and Cox regression based on single-factor analysis were used to predict postoperative complications and overall survival rates.Results: Based on the GLIM criteria, 38.3% of the patients were diagnosed as malnourished, including 21.7% Stage I (moderate malnutrition) and 16.6% Stage II (severe malnutrition). GLIM criteria had a moderate agreement with PG-SGA (κ = 0.548). Patients in the Stage II malnutrition group had a higher incidence of complications, a longer postoperative length of stay, and higher hospitalization costs. Logistic regression showed that Stage II malnutrition was an independent risk predictor of postoperative complications (odds ratio, 3.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.18-4.94). Furthermore, Cox regression analysis showed that both Stage I (hazard ratio [HR], 1.52; 95% CI, 1.11-2.07; P = .009) and Stage II (HR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.34-2.53; P < .001) malnutrition were independent risk predictors of overall survival.Conclusion: Diagnosis of malnutrition according to the GLIM criteria is useful in predicting the adverse postoperative clinical outcomes of patients with gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several large Ag‐polymetallic deposits have been newly discovered in the eastern segment of the East Kunlun Orogen, with the largest one being the high‐grade Nagengkangqieergou deposit (3,017 tons Ag at 310.04 g/t). The Ag ore veins are hosted in the Palaeoproterozoic Jinshuikou Group and Upper Triassic Elashan Formation, principally along NW‐trending faults and volcanogenic ring fractures. Alteration and mineralization processes occurred in two periods (J and E), which are hosted in two different ore‐bearing sequences (Jinshuikou Group and Elashan Formation respectively). These two periods can be subdivided into Stages J‐I, J‐II, J‐III, and J‐IV and Stages E‐I, E‐II, and E‐III. Fluid inclusions in the ore‐bearing quartz and calcite comprise predominantly of vapour‐rich two‐phase (vapour + liquid) type and minor pure‐liquid type. Fluid inclusions in Stage J quartz and calcite homogenized mainly at 270–330°C, 250–310°C, 250–290°C, and 170–250°C, with salinities of 5–6 wt.%, 4–6 wt.%, 4–5 wt.%, and 3–5 wt.% NaCl equiv., respectively. Fluid inclusions in Stage E quartz homogenized mainly at 210–250°C, 170–230°C, and 150–170°C, with salinities of 6–7 wt.%, 4–5 wt.%, and 1–2 wt.% NaCl equiv., respectively. δ13C and δ18OSMOW values of the calcite samples are of −6.0‰ to −2.8‰ and 5.2‰ to 20.5‰, respectively. The results indicate a mantle‐derived magmatic source and low temperature alteration. and δDV–SMOW values of the quartz and calcite from the Jinshuikou Group vary from −1.9‰ to 9.0‰ and −116.5‰ to −69.3‰, respectively, whilst those of δ18OH2O quartz from the Elashan Formation vary from −11.6‰ to 7.8‰ and −99.7‰ to −86.7‰. The results indicate that the ore‐forming fluids are of medium‐low temperatures and low salinities and were originated from magmatic water to meteoric water. Sulfide δ34SV–CDT values of the Jinshuikou Group and the Elashan Formation are of −6.1‰ to 0.8‰ and −3.4‰ to 0.9‰, respectively, suggesting a mantle‐derived magmatic source. Sulfide 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb ratios of the J‐period ores (18.190–18.622, 15.598–15.725, and 38.383–39.103, respectively) and E‐period ores (18.408–18.420, 15.746–15.758, and 38.879–38.895, respectively) are similar to those of granodiorite porphyry and Elashan Formation (sub)‐volcanic rocks, respectively, indicative of genetic connections between them. Integrating new evidence from fluid inclusions and C–H–O–S–Pb isotopes, we suggest that (a) mantle‐derived materials and their mixture with crust‐derived ones were critical to the ore formation, (b) the Nagengkangqieergou deposit was formed in a magmatic system and a (sub)‐volcanic system under the syn‐ and post‐collisional tectonics of the East Kunlun Orogen, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Hongge intrusion (SW China) hosts both Fe-Ti oxide and Ni-Co sulfide mineralization. • Concentric tube flow of hydrous melts formed gabbro-hosted oxide ore. • Hydrous melt recharge into fossilized mush formed massive oxide ore. • Previous sulfide segregation scavenged Cu and PGEs from the magma. • Coexisting oxide-sulfide ore formed due to the lack of S-rich wall rock assimilation. The Panxi (ultra-)mafic intrusions are relatively small compared with world-class ore-related (ultra-)mafic intrusions, but they host several super-large Fe-Ti oxide deposits and few small Cu-Ni (PGE) sulfide deposits. The mechanisms that concentrate huge amounts of oxide minerals into these small intrusions and form the distinct oxide and sulfide mineralization remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate the magma dynamics that produced extensive Fe-Ti oxide and coexisting Ni-Co sulfide mineralization in the Hongge intrusion of Panxi region, based on detailed field cross-cutting relations and petrographic observations, bulk-ore/rock geochemistry, and in-situ LA-ICP-MS magnetite trace element analyses. The Fe-Ti oxide ores include magnetite-poor (<60 vol%) disseminated and magnetite-rich (>60 vol%) massive types, with the former further divided into the gabbro-hosted (GH) and (olivine-)pyroxenite-hosted (OPH) subtypes. The GH oxide ores have Cr-poor (median 86.9 ppm) magnetite and abundant apatite interstitial to silicate minerals. In contrast, the OPH and massive oxide ores have Cr-rich (median 13,956 ppm) magnetite that envelops resorbed silicate minerals. Principal component analyses of bulk-ore and magnetite elemental contents reveal genetic links between the OPH and massive oxide ores, but remarkable genetic distinction from the GH oxide ores. Considering the overall lopolith-shape orebody geometry of several branch intrusions, the GH oxide ore formation may have involved spontaneous development of concentric tube flow zones within the cooling crystal mush. However, the lower P but much higher Cr-Cu-Co-Ni contents than the GH oxide ores and the sharp intrusion of massive oxide ores into the OPH oxide ores suggests that the OPH and massive oxide ores were probably formed by upward percolation and later intrusion of hydrous Fe-rich melts from a deep-seated magma reservoir into semi-solidified and fossilized mush, respectively. In addition, sulfide ores occur mainly as irregular/lenticular aggregates in massive oxide ores and are depleted in Cu and platinum group elements (PGEs), indicating early, deep-level sulfide segregation that scavenged the Cu and PGEs from the magmas. Hence, we envisage that the assimilation of S-deficient wall-rocks into basaltic magmas may have induced the early sulfide saturation and retain the majority of Fe for later precipitation as principal oxide and minor PGE-Cu-depleted sulfide ores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate the carcinogenic risk of PAHs in the drinking water of counties along the Huai River in China and study their associations with high cancer incidence in local population. We investigated 20 villages with high cancer incidence rates as the risk group and 20 villages with low rates as the control group. Water samples from each village were collected in the winter and summer seasons to analyze the concentrations of 16 PAHs. The carcinogenic risks of the PAHs were calculated for each village using a health risk assessment approach. Results showed that PAHs concentrations in 27.2% of the water samples were higher than the allowable values in China. However, no significant difference in water PAHs concentrations was observed between the risk and control groups (P>0.05), and no correlation was found between water PAHs concentrations and cancer incidence in these villages. The average upper bound carcinogenic risks were less than 1×10-4 in both groups. In conclusion, PAHs were present in the drinking water of the studied villages, but their carcinogenic risks remained within acceptable limits. PAHs in local drinking water might not be the major environmental cause of the high cancer incidences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remobilization of upper crustal crystal-rich magma reservoirs ("crystal mush") following melt extraction has been widely invoked in the formation of crystal-rich erupted products. However, the melt storage duration and conditions, and the pre-eruptive magma chamber processes remain poorly understood. Here, we present new whole-rock elemental and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope data, and zircon U-Pb-Hf isotope and trace element data of the Nageng (sub-)volcanic complex in the East Kunlun Orogen of NW China. This complex consists of the highly-evolved (high SiO 2 , Rb/Sr) crystal-poor rhyolite and less-evolved crystal-rich rhyodacite and dacite porphyry. These rock types are genetically linked, based on their similar chondrite-normalized REE patterns and Nd Hf isotopes, and their linear correlation trends of 208Pb/204Pb and 207Pb/204Pb vs. 206Pb/204Pb. Their depleted whole-rock ε Nd (t) (−9.74 to −7.37) and zircon ε Hf (t) (−7.16 to −3.48) values, together with their Proterozoic two-stage Hf model ages (1707–1474 Ma), are indicative of an ancient lower crustal magma source. The overlapping zircon ages but distinct composition (74–80 vs. 60–66 wt% SiO 2) and crystallinity (~5 vs. 30–40 vol%) between the crystal-poor rhyolite and dacite porphyry can be explained by melt extraction from the crystal mush zone. The lack of resorption texture and large age interval (~8 Myr) between the zircon core (ca. 228 Ma) and rim (ca. 220 Ma) indicate that the crystal mush remained partially molten for protracted duration. The melt storage condition was constrained by Ti-in-zircon thermometry to be low-temperature, around the granitic solidus (650–700 °C). The crystal-rich nature and slightly negative Eu anomalies suggest that the dacite porphyry was formed in the roof zone (solidification front) of the crystal mush. The occurrence of resorbed zircon core (ca. 220 Ma) overgrown by much younger rim (ca. 213 Ma) for the crystal-rich rhyodacite demonstrates long-term rejuvenation of a semi-solidified crystal mush. The similar zircon core-rim Ti contents and Th/U, Yb/Gd, Zr/Hf ratios preclude that the crystal mush was rejuvenated by hotter, more mafic magmas. However, the widespread fluorite-rich magmatic-hydrothermal veining, combined with the reduced nature (indicated by the zircon Ce4+/Ce3+ drop from core to rim) of the crystal-rich rhyodacite, imply that the volatile-rich fluid influx may have been important in reactivating the crystal-mush for later crystal-rich rhyodacite eruption. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The Nageng marcasite contains potentially-economic silver resource. • Solid-state diffusion (cf. dissolution-reprecipitation) favors metal re-enrichment. • Ore fluid component and physiochemical state control the replacement reaction trend. • Sulfide S-isotope data imply episodic fluid incursion and oxidation. Mineral replacement reactions (dissolution-reprecipitation and solid-state diffusion) have been reported in various types of hydrothermal deposits. However, the metal transfer and partitioning between the parent and daughter minerals and the role of different replacement reactions in silver enrichment remains poorly understood. Here we present the petrographic textures, major and trace elements, and sulfur isotopes of different generations of pyrite and marcasite associated with replacement reactions from the Nageng epithermal Ag-polymetallic deposit, East Kunlun Orogen (EKO, NW China). The mineralization includes the pyrite-quartz (I), quartz-siderite-sulfides (II), quartz-fluorite-rhodochrosite-sulfides-sulfosalts (III), and quartz-calcite (IV) stage. This deposit is characterized by a metal zonation from deep-level Cu-Pb-Zn mineralization to shallow-level Ag-Pb-Zn mineralization, which correspond to main ore stages II and III, respectively. Stage II ores contain the colloform pyrite (Py1) and porous pyrite aggregate (Py2), both of which have higher Co, Ni, and W contents than stage III pyrite (Py3 and Py4) and marcasite (Mc1 and Mc2). In contrast, stage III pyrite/marcasite are enriched in Ag and other ore metals (e.g., Pb, Zn, Sb, Mn, and Sn). The sharp contact between Py3 and Py4/Mc1, together with the porosity in Py4/Mc1, suggests that Py3 and Py4/Mc1 represent the parent and daughter phase of dissolution and reprecipitation. The crystallographically-oriented and metallic inclusion-rich Mc1 has higher Ag concentrations (median 246 ppm) than Py3 (median 180 ppm), and commonly occurs in breccia-type ores related to hydraulic fracturing. This suggests that (i) the dissolution-reprecipitation reaction may have remobilized and concentrated silver and associated ore metals, and (ii) the fluid oxidation related to hydraulic fracturing may contribute to dissolution-reprecipitation reaction. However, the randomly-oriented Mc2 is porous and has homogeneous compositions. This, together with the prevailing occurrence with rhodochrosite in vein-type ores, indicates that Mc2 was transformed from Mc1 via Mn-rich fluid-driven solid-state diffusion under relatively mild physicochemical changes. Mc2 has the most homogeneous and highest Ag concentrations (avg. 1142 ppm) and other ore meals among all the studied Fe disulfides, suggesting that the marcasite has higher trace element compatibility than pyrite, and that the solid-state diffusion reactions promoted Ag enrichment more efficiently than dissolution-reprecipitation reactions. The mostly positive δ34S values (−1.09 to 8.50‰) of the Nageng pyrite and marcasite are consistent with a magmatic origin. The δ34S variations among different pyrite and marcasite generations are attributed to the fluctuations between episodic replenishment of magmatic fluids and subsequent oxidation in respond to hydraulic fracturing and mixing with meteoric water. Our findings reveal higher Ag compatibility of marcasite over pyrite, and that replacement reactions (especially solid-state diffusion) greatly promote ore metal enrichment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In 2008, a waste-heat utilization heat pump system was designed and constructed at the Beijing Olympic Village to use the energy in the treated sewage water (a bioenergy source) as a green approach for urban heat recovery. However, the treated sewage contains components that cause biofouling, such as heterotrophic bacteria, microbial nutrients and suspended substances (inorganic particles). The fouling deposited on the plate heat exchanger using the treated sewage as the heat transfer medium could sharply reduce by 60% the heat transfer coefficient in the plate heat exchanger within 40 days. Thus fouling is a composite material consisting of biological and inorganic substances. A novel combined plate heat exchanger and flow cell system was constructed to simulate the industrial treated sewage source heat pump system in the Olympic Village to better understand the biofouling characteristics. A plate heat exchanger was used to replace the actual plate heat exchangers with the same plate type, the same corrugation spacing between plates and the same material. Two flow cells with insertable studs were designed to simulate the flow in the plate heat exchanger. The effects of SiO2, the most common inorganic particles in the treated sewage, on the biofouling of the heat exchanger surface were studied. The results showed that the SiO2 particles influenced the biofilm development, further impacting the resulting heat transfer degradation. An increased biofouling mass was observed with increasing SiO2 concentration; however, the highest organic substance level in the biofouling and the highest biofouling heat transfer resistance were achieved at intermediate SiO2 particle concentrations. The inorganic particles led to expansion of the biofouling layer structure, which further affected the rate of biofouling buildup. Filaments and net biofouling structures were observed with the SiO2 particles, leading to increased heat transfer resistance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Calc-alkaline andesitic rocks are a major product of subduction-related magmatism at convergent margins. Where these melts are originated, how long they are stored in the magma chambers, and how they evolved is still a matter of debate. In this study, we present new data of whole-rock elemental and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope compositions, and zircon U-Pb-Th isotopes and trace element contents of Nageng (basaltic-)andesites in the East Kunlun Orogen (NW China). The similar age and whole-rock elemental and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope contents suggest that the Nageng andesite and basaltic andesite are co-magmatic. Their low initial 87Sr/86Sr (0.7084–0.7086) but negative εNd(t) values (−10.61 to −9.49) are consistent with a magma source from the juvenile mafic lower crust, possibly related to the mantle wedge with recycled sediment input. The U-Pb age gap between the zircon core (ca. 248 Ma) and rim (ca. 240 Ma) reveals a protracted magma storage (~8 Myr) prior to the volcanic eruption. When compared to the zircon rims, the zircon cores have higher Ti content and Zr/Hf and Nb/Ta ratios, but lower Hf content and light/heavy rare earth element ratios, which suggests that the parental magma was hotter and less evolved than the basaltic andesite. The plagioclase accumulation likely resulted in Al2O3-enrichment and Fe-depletion, forming the calc-alkaline signature of the Nageng (basaltic-)andesites. The magma temperature, as indicated by the zircon saturation and Ti-in-zircon thermometry, remained low (725–828 °C), and allowed for the magma chamber to survive over ~8 Myr. The decreasing εHf(t) values from zircon core (avg. 0.21, range: −1.28 to 1.32) to rim (avg. −3.68, range: −7.30 to −1.13), together with the presence of some very old xenocrystic zircons (268–856 Ma), suggest that the magma chamber had undergone extensive crustal contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Magmatic volatile phase (MVP) accumulates and migrates in granitic reservoirs before exsolution and crystallization of high-evolved granite. • Li-poor pegmatites' heavy Li signature may be directly related to MVP accumulation. • Low δ7Li values in Li-rich pegmatites imply that MVP migration has the potential to cause the diversity of rare-metal mineralization. Lithium (Li) isotope behavior during fractionation of highly-evolved granitic pegmatites and associated rare metal mineralization remains unclear, especially concerning the relative importance of magmatic versus metasomatic processes. In this study, we investigated the geochemistry and Li isotopes of the giant Renli-Chuanziyuan lithium-niobium-tantalum (Li-Nb-Ta) deposit in the Mufushan batholith (South China). We found that muscovite granite in the Mufushan complex can be divided into two groups (high-Li and low-Li). δ7Li value of the high-Li and low-Li group increases and decreases, respectively, with increasing Li content, which is likely resulted from fractional crystallization and/or magmatic volatile phase (MVP) exsolution. The MVP exsolution began with the solidification of muscovite granite, as evidenced by the zoned micas. The Li isotope fractionation, modeled by Rayleigh distillation during MVP exsolution, is consistent with the δ7Li value of Li-poor pegmatite, indicating that MVP exsolution is related to the pegmatite formation. The Mufushan Li-poor and Li-rich pegmatites have very high and low δ7Li value, respectively. Based on the Δ7Li (bulk-mica) value and numerical simulation, we suggest that the pegmatite formation at Mufushan could be linked to extensive MVP accumulation, while the different Li elemental and isotopic compositions of the two types of pegmatite are probably caused by MVP migration. In fact, published granite-pegmatite data worldwide also show negative Li vs. δ7Li correlation, indicating that such MVP exsolution, accumulation and migration are probably a common phenomenon for evolution of granitic pegmatite. Therefore, the different Li isotopes and Li-Rb-Cs proportion of Li-poor and Li-rich pegmatites indicate that MVP exsolution, migration and accumulation are key to rare metals enrichment and distinguish various types of rare-metal mineralization (Li and Nb-Ta). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to an article "Autophagy modulates osteoarthritis-related gene expression in human chondrocytes," by H. Sasaki and colleagues in the June 2012 issue.

[Display omitted] • Pyrite of Huayuan formed from metals recycled from sedimentary rocks. • Ore sulfur of Huayuan derived from the Qingxudong Formation (δ34S ΣS = 34.3–34.4 ‰). • Two-fluid mixing model was responsible for Huayuan Pb-Zn ore deposition. The Huayuan Zn-Pb orefield in the southeastern Yangtze Craton contains over 20 Mt Zn + Pb metal resource @ 4%, including several large, Lower Cambrian carbonate-hosted deposits classified as Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT). The source of zinc and lead and the ore-forming processes involved are still unclear. Trace elements and sulfur isotope compositions of sulfides from the large-scale Limei and Danaopo Zn-Pb deposits in the orefield favor a fluid-mixing metallogenic hypothesis. Alteration/mineralization occurred in three stages (S1-S3), forming pale-yellow sphalerite (S1: Sp1), yellow–brown sphalerite and pyrite (S2: Sp2-Py2), and galena-pyrite (S3: Gn-Py3). Syn-sedimentary fine-grained pyrite (Py1) in the Lower Cambrian Qingxudong Formation (Fm.) algal limestone has high Co, Ni, and As concentrations, whereas hydrothermal Py2 and Py3 in sulfide-calcite veins are rich in Zn and Pb, respectively. All the pyrites have low Co/Ni ratios (<2), indicating that the Fe, Co, and Ni are from a sedimentary source. Sphalerites from Limei and Danaopo are rich in Cd, Cl, and Ge but poor in Fe, Mn, and Co. They were formed under low-medium temperature (134–236 °C; determined by the concentrations of Mn, Fe, Ga, Ge, In, and Sb) and in an acidic and low- f O 2 hydrothermal system, which are consistent with typical MVT ores. Lower Cambrian algal limestone (δ34S ΣS = 34.3–34.4‰) contributed most sulfur to the ore sulfides (δ34S = 29.3–37.2‰). Meanwhile, the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Fm. Pb-Zn-rich black shale is likely the main ore metal source, but its limited sulfate content may not be able to provide sufficient sulfur. We propose a mixing between metal-rich brines leached from the basal Niutitang Fm. black shale with H 2 S-rich fluid resulting from thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) of the Qingxudong algal limestone formation, thus destabilizing the base metal chloride complexes and precipitating the Zn-Pb ores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Sulfur of Qixiashan sulfide was likely sourced from seawater sulfate. • Sediments or early pyrite supplied Fe for syn -ore pyrite through replacement. • Magma was unlikely a major source of ore-forming material or fluid. The Qixiashan Pb-Zn-Ag deposit (2.6 Mt at 13.4% Pb + Zn and 3.9 Kt at 236.5 g/t Ag) in the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Valley Metallogenic Belt (MLYRB) is the largest Pb-Zn-Ag polymetallic deposit in Eastern China. The stratabound orebodies are hosted in the Carboniferous carbonate units. Whether this deposit and other sediment-hosted deposits in MLYRB are associated with Late Mesozoic magmatism or Carboniferous sedimentary exhalative events is still disputed, due to the poor constraints on their ore-material source and metallogenic processes. In-situ pre-/ syn -ore pyrite S-isotopic and trace-element data from Qixiashan favor a seawater sulfate origin over a magmatic-hydrothermal one. Framboidal pyrite (Py1) is likely diagenetic, as evidenced by its low Co/Ni ratio (<1), size (∼4 μm), and negative δ34S values (−27.4 to −2.2‰) caused by bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR). Pre-ore colloform (Py2) and massive (Py3) pyrites have high Mn concentrations, whereas syn -ore pyrites (Py4 and Py5) have elevated Pb, Zn and Cu grades. The low Co/Ni values of the pre-/ syn -ore pyrites indicate that both the Fe and base metals are of non-magmatic diagenetic origin. Sulfur isotope fractionation in the fluid may have reached equilibrium in the Pb-Zn-Ag metallogenic stage. Equilibrium fractionation calculation suggests that the positive shift of δ34S values from Py2 to Py5 (10.2 to + 22.2‰) is primarily caused by thermochemical sulphate reduction (TSR). Pre-ore pyrites were likely formed in early carboniferous diagenesis, and then enclosed by epigenetic pyrites. Iron in the syn -ore pyrites was most likely recycled from sediments or pre-ore pyrites via dissolution-leaching or replacement processes. During the Qixiashan Pb-Zn-Ag mineralization, the magmatic-hydrothermal fluid is unlikely a major base metal source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Sulfur of sulfide from Qixiashan deposit derived from seawater sulfate. • Magmatism is not a dominant contribution to mineralization. • Qixiashan Pb-Zn mineralization has an epigenetic replacement origin. The Middle-Lower Yangtze River Valley Belt (MLYRB) in South China contains many stratabound Fe-Cu-Pb-Zn deposits hosted in Middle-Upper Carboniferous carbonates. The origin and nature of the ore fluids are poorly constrained (syngenetic vs. epigenetic). Trace elements and sulfur isotope compositions of sphalerite and galena from the Qixiashan carbonate-hosted Pb-Zn deposit (Eastern of MLYRB) help to clarify the ore-fluid source and metallogenic processes. Three types of sphalerites have been distinguished (black sphalerite a, zoned sphalerite b and light color sphalerite c). High Fe and Mn contents of the early black sphalerite (Sp-a) were possibly derived from preceding Fe-Mn-rich sulfide layer or sediments from ore-bearing strata via replacement at 274–315 °C. The zoned sphalerite (Sp-b) has a dark Fe-Cu-rich core (321–348 °C) overgrown by a light Fe-Cu-poor rim (285–314 °C). The Sp-b rims are compositionally similar to Sp-a, Therefore, zoned Sp-b possibly represents the transition stage from poor copper (Sp-a) to rich copper (Sp-c) fluids. The light-color late sphalerite (Sp-c) is characterized by Fe-Mn depletion, as well as Ga, Cu, Cd and Sn enrichments. The Ga-rich Sp-c was possibly precipitated by the mixing of Ga-bearing sulfate and metalliferous fluid at 146–255 °C. We considered the Qixiashan Pb-Zn deposit to be of epigenetic origin that has undergone multistage ore-forming processes, in which the ore sulfur (δ34S: –3.7‰ to +7.8‰) was sourced from seawater sulfate (+22‰) via thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is increasing. However, there have been few systematic assessments of the quality of reporting of these trials. Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the quality of reporting of RCTs in TCM journals published in mainland China from 1999 to 2004. Methods: Thirteen TCM journals were randomly selected by stratified sampling of the ≈100 TCM journals published in mainland China. All issues of the selected journals published from 1999 to 2004 were hand-searched according to guidelines from the Cochrane Centre. All reviewers underwent training in the evaluation of RCTs at the Chinese Centre of Evidence-based Medicine. A comprehensive quality assessment of each RCT was completed using a modified version of the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) checklist (total of 30 items) and the Jadad scale. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. Results: Seven thousand four hundred twenty-two RCTs were identified. The proportion of published RCTs relative to all types of published clinical trials increased significantly over the period studied, from 18.6% in 1999 to 35.9% in 2004 (P < 0.001). The mean (SD) Jadad score was 1.03 (0.61) overall. One RCT had a Jadad score of 5 points; 14 had a score of 4 points; and 102 had a score of 3 points. The mean (SD) Jadad score was 0.85 (0.53) in 1999 (746 RCTs) and 1.20 (0.62) in 2004 (1634 RCTs). Across all trials, 39.4% of the items on the modified CONSORT checklist were reported, which was equivalent to 11.82 (5.78) of the 30 items. Some important methodologic components of RCTs were incompletely reported, such as sample-size calculation (reported in 1.1% of RCTs), randomization sequence (7.9%), allocation concealment (0.3 %), implementation of the random-allocation sequence (0%), and analysis of intention to treat (0%). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the quality of reporting of RCTs of TCM has improved, but remains poor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Air pollution is a leading public health issue. This study investigated the effect of air quality and pollutants on pulmonary function and inflammation in patients with asthma in Shanghai., Methods: The study monitored 27 asthma outpatients for a year, collecting data on weather, patient self-management [daily asthma diary, peak expiratory flow (PEF) monitoring, medication usage], spirometry and serum markers. To explore the potential mechanisms of any effects, asthmatic mice induced by ovalbumin (OVA) were exposed to PM 2.5 ., Results: Statistical and correlational analyses revealed that air pollutants have both acute and chronic effects on asthma. Acute exposure showed a correlation between PEF and levels of ozone (O 3 ) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ). Chronic exposure indicated that interleukin-5 (IL-5) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) levels correlated with PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations. In asthmatic mouse models, exposure to PM 2.5 increased cytokine levels and worsened lung function. Additionally, PM 2.5 exposure inhibited cell proliferation by blocking the NF-κB and ERK phosphorylation pathways., Conclusion: Ambient air pollutants exacerbate asthma by worsening lung function and enhancing Th2-mediated inflammation. Specifically, PM 2.5 significantly contributes to these adverse effects. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which PM 2.5 impacts asthma., (Copyright © 2024 The Editorial Board of Biomedical and Environmental Sciences. Published by China CDC. All rights reserved.)

The bronze goose-and-fish lamp exhibited in the national museum of China is a 2,000-y-old artifact once used for indoor lighting by nobility in the Western Han dynasty (206 BCE TO 25 CE). The beauty of this national treasure arises from its elegant shape vividly showing a goose catching fish with beautiful colors painted over the whole body. Beyond the artistic and historical value, what enchants people most is the eco-design concept of this oil-burning lamp. It is widely believed that the smoke generated by burning animal oil can flow into the goose belly through its long neck, then be absorbed by prefilled water in the belly, hence mitigating indoor air pollution. Although different mechanistic hypotheses such as natural convection and even the siphon effect have been proposed to qualitatively rationalize the above-claimed pollution mitigation function, due to the absence of a true scientific analysis, the definitive mechanism remains a mystery. By rigorous modeling of the nonisothermal fluid flow coupled with convection-diffusion of pollutant within and out of the lamp, we discover that it is the unnoticeable gap between goose body and lamp tray (i.e., an intrinsic feature of the multicompartmental design) that can offer definitive ventilation in the lamp. The ventilation is facilitated by natural convection due to oil burning. Adequate ventilation plays a key role in enabling pollution mitigation, as it allows pollutant to reach the goose belly, travel over and be absorbed by the water.

Background: Severe burn injury activates shock, inflammation, and blood cell system, but inappropriate reactions may lead to adverse outcomes. Soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) participates in apoptosis and inflammatory response. The circulating sFasL levels we investigated in association with the burn severity, shock, inflammation, blood cells, and mortality in patients with severe burns., Methods: A total of 56 patients with severe burns were recruited. The levels of sFasL and the biomarkers reflecting shock, organ damage, inflammation, and blood cells at 48 h postburn were analyzed. We compared the practical situation of patients that stratified by median sFasL levels and investigated the predictive value of sFasL for mortality., Results: High circulating sFasL levels were associated with the higher degrees of burn index, shock index, lactate, N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide, total bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-8, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and complement 3, and the lower degrees of oxygenation index, lymphocytes, and platelets. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the higher tumor necrosis factor-α (P < 0.001) and the lower oxygenation index (P = 0.031) and lymphocytes (P = 0.043) were associated with the higher sFasL. High sFasL (a unit is 50 ng/L) (odds ratio [OR] 5.50 [95% CI 1.04-29.20], P = 0.045) was an independent predictor of increased mortality by multivariate logistic regression analysis., Conclusions: High circulating sFasL at 48 h postburn in patients with severe burns reflect shock, proinflammatory response, organ damage, and lymphocyte reductions and predict 30-day mortality., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objectives: Sarcopenia and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are associated with the prognosis from malignant tumors. However, evidence of the relationship between sarcopenia and MetS among gastric cancer (GC) patients following radical gastrectomy is lacking. This study assessed the association between preoperative sarcopenia and MetS among GC patients and analyzed the prognosis of patients with different malnutrition statuses., Methods: We prospectively assessed the preoperative statuses of sarcopenia and MetS among patients who underwent radical gastrectomy from July 2014 to December 2017. We combined sarcopenia and MetS to generate four groups: MetS-related sarcopenia group (MSS), sarcopenia group (S), MetS group (MS), and normal group (N)., Results: A total of 749 patients with resectable GC were included in this study. Preoperative MetS was associated with sarcopenia (p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression presented that MetS-related sarcopenia (OR = 2.445; p = 0.010) and sarcopenia alone (OR = 2.117; p = 0.001) were independent predictors of grade Ⅱ and above complications, while MetS alone was not (p = 0.342). Cox regression analysis revealed that MetS-related sarcopenia led to the worst prognosis in the four groups (MSS vs MS: HR = 3.555, p < 0.001; MSS vs N: HR = 2.020, p = 0.003; MSS vs S: HR = 1.763, p = 0.021). However, the MetS group had better prognosis than the normal group (MS vs N: HR = 0.568, p = 0.048)., Conclusion: Preoperative MetS was associated with sarcopenia among GC patients. MetS-related sarcopenia resulted in a significantly worse prognosis. The long-term prognoses of patients with sarcopenia were impaired by preoperative MetS, while patients without sarcopenia benefited. Thus, patients with both sarcopenia and MetS require more medical interventions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd, BASO ~ The Association for Cancer Surgery, and the European Society of Surgical Oncology. All rights reserved.)

Burn infections pose a serious obstacle to recovery. To investigate and analyze the antimicrobial resistance and distribution of pathogenic bacteria among hospitalized burn patients. A 3-year retrospective study was conducted in the southeast of China.The electronic medical records system was used to collect all clinical data on 1449 hospitalized patients from Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, the 180th Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), the 92nd Hospital of PLA, and the First Hospital of Longyan City.A total of 1891 strains of pathogenic bacteria were detected from 3835 clinical specimens, and the total detection rate was 49.3% (1891/3835). The main pathogens were gram-negative bacteria (1089 strains; 57.6%), followed by gram-positive bacteria (689 strains; 36.4%), and fungi (113 strains; 6.0%). The predominant five bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus (19.0%), Acinetobacter baumannii (17.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (7.4%), and Enterococcus faecalis (4.5%). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) accounted for 74.1% (265/359) of S aureus isolates. Staphylococcus epidermidis accounted for 40.6% (69/170) of coagulase-negative staphylococcal isolates, 72.5% (50/69) of which were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE). Both MRSA and MRSE were 100% resistant to penicillin and ampicillin. A baumannii was the most commonly isolated strain of gram-negative bacteria with 100% resistance to ampicillin, amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and aztreonam. More than 80% of K pneumoniae isolates were resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin and cefazolin. More than 80% of Escherichia coli isolates were resistant to ampicillin, piperacillin, cefazolin, amoxicillin, tetracycline, and sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim. The detection rates of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) among K pneumoniae and E coli isolates were 44.6% (62/139) and 67.2% (41/61), respectively. Low-resistance antibiotics included teicoplanin, tigecycline, vancomycin, and linezolid.The pathogens presented high resistance to antimicrobial agents, especially MRSA and A baumannii. Monitoring of bacterial population dynamics should be established to inhibit the progression of bacterial resistance.

Aim: To compare the short-term outcomes of patients who underwent proximal gastrectomy with jejunal interposition (PGJI) with those undergoing total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis (TGRY)., Methods: From January 2009 to January 2011, thirty-five patients underwent PGJI, and forty-one patients underwent TGRY. The surgical efficacy and short-term follow-up outcomes were compared between the two groups., Results: There were no differences in the demographic and clinicopathological characteristics. The mean operation duration and postoperative hospital stay in the PGJI group were statistically longer than those in the TGRY group (P = 0.00). No anastomosis leakage was observed in two groups. No statistically significant difference was found in endoscopic findings, Visick grade or serum albumin level. The single-meal food intake in the PGJI group was more than that in the TGRY group (P = 0.00). The PG group showed significantly better hemoglobin levels in the second year (P = 0.02). The two-year survival rate was not significantly different (PGJI vs TGRY, 93.55% vs 92.5%, P = 1.0)., Conclusion: PGJI is a safe, radical surgical method for proximal gastric cancer and leads to better outcomes in terms of the single-meal food intake and hemoglobin level, compared with TGRY in the short term.