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Simple Summary: The diversity and specificity of the genetic structures of rare and endemic endangered goose (Anser cygnoides) breeds continue to be significant focal points of global concern. In this study, the mitochondrial genome was sequenced from six endemic endangered goose breeds to compare and assess the genetic structures of the rare bird breeds (♂:♀ = 1:1). The research results show that there are 81 haplotypes among the six endemic endangered goose breeds in China. At the same time, a historical dynamic analysis of the migration of endemic endangered goose breeds was conducted. The Wright's fixation index of endemic endangered goose breeds in China is significantly lower than that of European goose breeds. This indicates that the adaptability of endangered breeds in China is relatively low, which can easily affect the long-term survival and reproductive ability of the population. The conservation and exploitation of waterfowl genetic resources leverage the intra- and inter-population variations to enhance the traits relevant to human interests. Hence, there is an urgent need to strategically plan and safeguard the genetic resources of Chinese goose breeds while also devising suitable protection strategies. The analysis of the genetic diversity and historical dynamics of endemic endangered goose breeds structure has attracted great interest. Although various aspects of the goose breed structure have been elucidated, there is still insufficient research on the genetic basis of endemic endangered Chinese goose breeds. In this study, we collected blood samples from Lingxiang White (LX), Yan (YE), Yangjiang (YJ), Wuzong (WZ), Xupu (XP), and Baizi (BZ) geese (Anser cygnoides) and used Sanger sequencing to determine the partial sequence of the cytochrome b (CYTB) gene in a total of 180 geese. A total of 117 polymorphic sites were detected in the 707 bp sequence of the mtDNA CYTB gene after shearing and correction, accounting for approximately 16.55% of the entire sequence. The AT content (51.03%) of the processed sequence was slightly higher than the GC content (48.97%), indicating a preference for purine bases. The YJ, YE, and WZ breeds had the highest population genetic diversity, with a haplotype diversity greater than 0.9 (Hd > 0.9) and average population nucleotide difference of 8.01 (K > 8.01). A total of 81 haplotypes were detected and divided into six major branches. Among the six goose breeds, there were frequent genetic exchanges among LX, YJ, YE, and WZ geese (Nm > 15.00). We analyzed the distribution of base-mismatch differences in goose breeds and tested their historical dynamics for neutrality in Tajima's D and Fu's Fs. For YJ and WZ geese, Tajima's D > 0, but the difference was not significant (p > 0.05). The actual values for the two breeds exhibited multimodal Poisson distributions. The population patterns of the WZ and YJ geese are purportedly relatively stable, and the breeds have not experienced population expansions or bottleneck effects, which is consistent with the neutrality test results. This study provides new insights into the diverse genetic origins and historical dynamics that sustain endemic endangered goose breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a shift in focus toward environmentally and economically sustainable forms of economic growth known as High-quality economic development (HQED). However, this study analyzes the impact of tourism development (TD) and renewable energy consumption on HQED in 30 provinces of China, while covering the time period from 2007 to 2021. TD and HQED has been measured with help of Global Moran Index. This study has used dynamic spatial Durbin model (SDM) to measure the dynamic impact of TD index and renewable energy consumption on HQED along with green finance, foreign direct investment and investment in education. The findings from empirical analysis shows that TD has negative impact on HQED and in more developed regions, the relationship is positive, while in the less developed western part of China, the U-shape has been reversed. Central and northeastern China have a U-shaped connection, while it has been noticed the interaction term of TD and renewable energy endorses HQED. In addition, renewable energy consumption, green finance and increase in education investment have positive and significant impact on HQED while foreign direct investment has negative impact on HQED in China. Therefore, in the light of this study policymakers should focus on the quality of tourism industry, green finance for renewable energy supply and enhancing education investment in China to attain the goal of HQED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste is a feasible method for solving the problem of spent fuel storage in China. High-level radioactive waste releases heat during the decay process, which increases the temperature of the surrounding rock in the repository, resulting in a significant increase in radon concentration. In this study, the surrounding rock (granite) of a high-level radioactive waste repository was taken as the research object and, based on the similarity principle, an orthogonal test designed. Similar materials of uranium-containing granite were prepared in the laboratory and the physical and mechanical properties and cumulative radon concentration of granite samples assessed under different temperatures (25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 °C). The results showed that, with increased temperature, the compressive and tensile strengths of samples gradually increased and their pore volume gradually decreased. After heat treatment, the longitudinal wave velocity and thermal conductivity of samples decreased linearly with increased temperature. The radon exhalation rate first increased and then decreased, with the rate reaching a maximum at 100 °C. The radon exhalation rate of single-sided and double-sided samples was 0.00914 and 0.00460 Bq·m−2·s−1, respectively. When the temperature was 25–100 °C, the dominant stage was pore water. The radon exhalation rates of samples were positively correlated with compressive and tensile strengths and negatively correlated with pore volume, longitudinal wave velocity, and thermal conductivity. The temperature of 100–200 °C was range of the dominant stage of pore structure. The conclusions obtained in this study can provide theoretical support for radon reduction and radon control of granite in high temperature environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) is largely underdiagnosed and undertreated in China where few patients achieved recommended target levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). We conducted the first randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial in Chinese patients with HeFH to assess the efficacy and safety of tafolecimab, a novel fully human proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) monoclonal antibody. Methods: Patients diagnosed with HeFH by Simon Broome criteria and on a stable lipid-lowering therapy for at least 4 weeks were randomized 2:2:1:1 to receive subcutaneous tafolecimab 150 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W), tafolecimab 450 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W), placebo Q2W or placebo Q4W in the 12-week double-blind treatment period. After that, participants received open-label tafolecimab 150 mg Q2W or 450 mg Q4W for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the percent change from baseline to week 12 in LDL-C levels. Secondary endpoints included proportion of participants achieving ≥50% LDL-C reductions and proportion of participants with LDL-C <1.8 mmol/L at week 12 and 24, the change from baseline to week 12 in non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein(a) levels, as well as the change from baseline to week 24 in lipid levels. Results: In total, 149 participants were randomized and 148 received at least one dose of the study treatment. At week 12, tafolecimab treatment induced significant reductions in LDL-C levels (treatment difference versus placebo [on-treatment estimand]: −57.4% [97.5% CI, −69.2 to −45.5] for 150 mg Q2W; −61.9% [−73.4 to −50.4] for 450 mg Q4W; both P <0.0001). At both dose regimens, significantly more participants treated with tafolecimab achieved ≥50% LDL-C reductions or LDL-C <1.8 mmol/L at week 12 as compared with corresponding placebo groups (all P <0.0001). Meanwhile, non-HDL-C, apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein(a) levels were significantly reduced in the tafolecimab groups at week 12. The lipid-lowering effects of tafolecimab were maintained till week 24. During the double-blind treatment period, the most commonly-reported adverse events in the tafolecimab groups included upper respiratory tract infection, increased blood creatine phosphokinase, increased alanine aminotransferase, increased aspartate aminotransferase and hypertension. Conclusions: Tafolecimab administered either 150 mg Q2W or 450 mg Q4W yielded significant and persistent reductions in LDL-C levels and showed a favorable safety profile in Chinese patients with HeFH. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04179669. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No-tillage with straw mulching (NTS) during the fallow period is an effective measure for storing precipitation and reducing soil water evaporation on the Loess Plateau of China. However, the duration of this effect of NTS during the fallow period in different cropping systems and different precipitation types is unclear. Therefore, a 12-year field experiment of two tillage methods (NTS; and conventional tillage, CT), in three cropping systems (winter wheat monoculture, WW; spring maize monoculture, MM; and winter wheat-spring maize rotation, WM) were conducted to evaluate the effect of NTS on grain yield, precipitation storage, soil water status, soil evaporation rate and cumulative soil evaporation during the fallow period in different precipitation types. Additionally, the duration for which NTS reduced soil evaporation was calculated using the linear-platform model. Our results showed that compared to CT, NTS increased precipitation storage by 35.3, 47.1 and 53.5 mm under WW, by 31.5, 31.5 and 40.4 mm under MM and by 53.2, 30.2 and 50.3 mm under WM in the wet, normal and dry fallow periods, respectively, at depths of 0–200 cm. As a result, the soil water storage at sowing was higher under NTS than that under CT. The linear-platform model showed that NTS was effective in reducing soil water evaporation for 86, 95 and 126 days under WW, 87, 81 and 110 days under MM, and 95, 104 and 121 days under WM in wet, normal and dry fallow periods, respectively. Additionally, we found that there was a large amount of cumulative soil water evaporation after the abovementioned durations in MM and WM. The path analysis indicated that NTS improved grain yields indirectly by reducing cumulative soil evaporation and increasing the soil water status at the sowing stage. Capturing precipitation when the fallow period is > 125 days may further improve yield. • NT improved grain yield by reducing soil water evaporation in the fallow period. • NT reduced soil water evaporation for 80–125 days in different fallow periods. • Capturing precipitation when the fallow period is > 125 days may further improve yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water deficit and conventional production mode limited agriculture sustainable development on the Loess Plateau. Crop rotation and conservation tillage appears to serve as an effective strategy to optimize water resources distribution and utilization. From 2007–2019, a 12-yr in-situ experiment consisting of three cropping systems (winter wheat continuous cropping, WW; winter wheat-spring maize rotation, WM; spring maize continuous cropping, MM) and two tillage methods (conservation tillage, subsoiling, ST; conventional tillage, plowing, CT) were conducted in a semi-arid region, and grain yield, economic profit, water use, precipitation storage and loss, soil water balance were analyzed to explore the mechanism and potential of crop rotation and conservation tillage regulating soil water balance and increasing farmland productivity. Our results show that compared to WW, WM and MM significantly enhanced grain yield by 4358 and 8791 kg ha−1 in 2-yr rotation cycle, respectively. And ST increased grain yield after 3 cycles with 979 kg ha−1. WM and MM with ST significantly reduced precipitation loss (78 and 135 mm) during the fallow period, and increased WUE (6.5 and 10.8 kg ha−1 mm−1), compared to WW-CT. With the passage of time, soil water storage of WW and MM showed a decreasing trend in 100–200 and 0–100 cm layers compared to pre-experiment, with the rate of 18.1 and 13.6 mm per cycle. And ST could ease the downward trend, relative to CT. However, the WM-ST maintained soil water balance by regulating water use and precipitation storage, compared to the two continuous cropping systems. Additionally, correlation analysis showed that evapotranspiration was positive to soil water balance and we should consider crop water use when designing cropping system to prevent soil water deficit. Overall, the WM-ST achieved better soil water sustainability, on the basis of sacrificing grain yield partly (4646 kg ha−1 in 2-yr rotation cycle) compared to MM-ST, which perhaps more eco-friendly and sustainable agricultural technique to replace WW-CT in the Loess Plateau of China. • WM and MM with ST increased yield and WUE compared to WW-CT. • Maize and wheat continuous cropping resulted in soil water deficit. • Subsoiling and wheat-maize rotation could maintain soil water balance. • Wheat-maize rotation and subsoiling are recommended, but maize continuous cropping is not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Euonymus alatus (Celastraceae) is widely cultivated in China for its economic value and landscape benefits. Euonymus alatus dieback occurs due to members of Cytospora and has become one of the most severe diseases affecting its cultivation in China. In this study, we examined the causal agent of bough dieback on campuses of University Road, Beijing, China. Among the strains, three were morphologically consistent with Cytospora, showing hyaline and allantoid conidia. Based on phylogenetic analyses of the concatenated actin (ACT), internal transcribed spacer (ITS), RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1-α) and beta-tubulin (TUB2) gene sequences, along with morphological and physiological features, we propose C. haidianensis as a novel species. It was confirmed as a causal agent of dieback of E. alatus by pathogenicity tests. Mycelial growth of Cytosporahaidianensis occurred at pH values ranging from 3.0 to 11.0, with optimum growth at 8.3, and at temperatures from 5 to 35 °C, with optimum growth at 19.8 °C. We also tested the growth of C. haidianensis in the presence of six carbon sources. Sucrose, maltose and glucose were highly efficient and xylose was the least. The ability of C. haidianensis to grow at 19.8 °C may help to explain its occurrence causing dieback of E. alatus in Beijing during the autumn season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past, humans have adapted their strategies of wood collection to shifts in the surrounding environment. Shifts in wood procurement strategies have been assumed to have been heavily influenced by changes in biomes due to shifts in climate. In these models, wood found on archaeological sites is interpreted as being representative of the surrounding environment. Around the world there is an increasing recognition that human preferences and management strategies impacted forest composition and species harvesting. We evaluated charcoal data gathered from 92 archaeological sites in northern China, with chronologies spanning the period from 6500 BP to 2000 BP. By combining the results of the analysis with published paleoenvironment records and archaeological evidence, we aimed to determine when and how there was an anthropogenic impact on wood procurement strategies. Our results indicated that a distinct spatiotemporal pattern of wood utilisation existed in northern China during the period 6500–2000 BP that could not be fully explained by changes in climate. Spatially, anthropogenically-collected woody assemblages showed remarkable differences in northern China. Northern China's climate gradually became colder and drier during the mid to late Holocene, especially during the period 4000–2000 BP. This appears to have led to a decreased use of Quercus L. in the Loess Plateau and the Guanzhong Basin. However, in the Central Plains and Shandong Peninsula, Quercus L. usage continued and increased in the late Holocene. During the same period, a striking shift in wood procurement occurred in the western part of China. In the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, wood procurement shifted from predominantly coniferous to broadleaved trees, and forest succession caused by anthropogenic collection played the significant role. Paleoclimatic information in Hexi Corridor suggests that some arbour trees in archaeological sites were not locally available, suggesting that human preference for certain wood types led them to engage in long distance transport. This finding indicates that starting after 4000 BP, climatically driven shifts in biomes were no longer a primarily influencing variable in human procurement of trees in north-western and eastern China. Key regional differences in strategy emerged. In Eastern China, wood species which humans preferred were still harvested even when climatic change reduced their availability. In North-western China, however, changes in biomes following 4000 BP meant that people needed to change the species on which they had previously relied and began to engage in long distance transport of wood. • The spatiotemporal differences of wood utilisation could be seen in northern China during the period 6500-2000 BP. • Climatically driven shifts in biomes were no longer a primarily influencing variable in human procurement of trees both in north-western and eastern China after 4000 BP. • Key regional differences in strategy emerged after 4000 BP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intercalation of organic matter in clay minerals is believed to be essential for soil carbon sequestration because nanoscale interlayer spaces can effectively protect organic matter from degradation. However, the lack of a direct method for the detection of interlayer organic matter has limited the identification of organic matter and the evaluation of the properties of organic matter–clay complexes. In this study, the association between the organic matter and hydroxy-interlayered clay minerals (HIMs) in red earth collected from Qiyang County (Hunan Province) in southeast China was investigated by combining X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM)-electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) methods. The presence of organic matter in the interlayer space of HIMs was confirmed by HRTEM-EELS for the first time, providing direct visible evidence of interlayer organic matter in the HIMs of red earth. Hydroxy-Al was identified as the interlayer hydroxy cation in the HIMs. The organic molecules were associated with Al-OH in the interlayered hydroxy-Al polymer and exhibited resistance to oxidation by H 2 O 2. Organic fertilization increased the amount of organic matter on the external surface and in the interlayer space of the HIMs, implying the feasibility of enhanced carbon sequestration in red earth. [Display omitted] • Direct visible evidence of interlayer organic carbon in HIM of red earth was provided. • The organic molecule was associated with Al-OH of interlayer hydroxy cations in HIM. • The interlayer organic matter (IOM) of HIM exhibited resistance to oxidation by H 2 O 2. • Organic fertilization increased IOM contents, enhancing soil carbon sequestration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbes serve as important components of ecosystem services and biogeochemical processes in plateau lakes. However, the features of microbiota assembly, abundance and diversity in plateau lakes remain unclear. The microbial communities in surface water from nine plateau lakes in Yunnan Plateau, southwestern China, in the dry and rainy seasons were explored using 16S rRNA gene and 18S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that the bacterial community compositions were homogeneous while those of micro-eukaryotes were heterogeneous in plateau lakes. In both seasons, the bacterial phyla of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota predominated in oligotrophic lakes. The mesotrophic lakes were dominated by Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, Bacteroidota and Cyanobacteria. The eutrophic lakes were mainly dominated by Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota and Cyanobacteria. The phylum SAR_k_norank had the major micro-eukaryotes in these plateau lakes. The alpha-diversity of bacteria declined in the rainy season, while that of micro-eukaryotes varied from lake to lake. The drivers of microbiotic community assembly in the dry season were identified as nutrient level-related factors. In the rainy season, however, the microbiota in oligotrophic lakes were related to nutrient levels. Microbial communities were driven by precipitation in mesotrophic and eutrophic lakes with large water volumes, while those in lakes with small water volumes were regulated by nutrient level-related factors. Our findings pose first and unique insights into the microbiota of the nine plateau lakes in Yunnan Plateau, providing important ecological knowledge for these lakes with different characteristics. [Display omitted] • The microbiota assemblies in surface water from nine plateau lakes in Yunnan Plateau were explored. • The bacterial community compositions were homogeneous in plateau lakes. • The micro-eukaryotic community compositions were heterogeneous in plateau lakes. • The drivers of microbiota assembly in the dry season were nutrient levels. • The lakes with different trophic statuses responded differently in the rainy season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variations in the rainfall distribution during the growing season are a major limiting factor restricting the spring maize yield on the semiarid Loess Plateau of China. Conservation tillage can improve yield and water use efficiency but the specific effects of conservation tillage with differing rainfall distributions during the growing season remain unclear. Therefore, a 12-year experiment was conducted and the data were divided into two categories based on rainfall distribution type. If poor rainfall occurred during the jointing-tasseling stage of the maize growing season and adequate rainfall occurred in the filling-maturity stage, the rainfall was named type-A. In contrast, if adequate rainfall occurred in the jointing-tasseling stage and poor rainfall occurred in the filling-maturity stage during the maize growing season, the rainfall distribution was categorized as type-B. This research used conventional tillage (CT) as a control to study the productivity of no-tillage (NT) and subsoiling (ST) under the selected rainfall distributions. The results showed that the type-B rainfall distribution increased dry matter accumulation, yield, soil water use efficiency (WUE) and precipitation use efficiency (PUE) by 18.9%, 32.0%, 21.7% and 45.1%, respectively, when compared with the type-A rainfall distribution. However, under type-A rainfall distribution, NT increased soil water storage by 3.7% and 4.4% and ST increased the soil water storage by 6.0% and 7.0% in the tasseling and grain filling stages, respectively, compared with CT. Moreover, NT and ST increased the dry matter accumulation, yield, WUE and PUE. The relationships among the yield, soil water storage and precipitation showed that the water storage in the sowing stage indirectly affected the maize yield through soil water storage at the tasseling stage, and the increase in precipitation from the jointing to tasseling stages had a directly positive effect on the increase in yield. Based on soil water storage with a value of 202.3 mm in the 0–200 cm soil depth during the tasseling stage, the yield increased by 47.8 kg ha−1 as the soil water storage improved by 1 mm. In conclusion, no-tillage and subsoiling improved the soil water conditions, mitigated the soil drought stress caused by variable rainfall distribution and improved the yield. Therefore, no-tillage and subsoiling practices are recommended for agricultural production in semiarid areas. • Rainfall distribution in the growing season affects maize yield more than the rainfall quantity. • Rainfall and water storage in tasseling stage dominate maize yield. • No-tillage and subsoiling increase yield and WUE in unbalanced rainfall distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Changes in tillage methods varied the C store in the soil. • Both straw return and reduced tillage enhanced C store in occluded microaggregates. • Reduced tillage markedly increased C store at shallow soil profiles but not deep. • Greater C store was found via arranging deep and reduced tillage on the time scale. • C occluded in microaggregates can be used to evaluate the sustainability of tillage. Inadequate soil management strategies weaken soil quality. Soil aggregates and aggregate-associated soil organic carbon (SOC) are important attributes of the soil and can serve as indicators of changes in soil quality. The objective of this study was to optimize an improved soil management that slowed turnover of aggregates and increased SOC storage in Northern China. Four tillage methods were examined: (i) RT (rotary tillage without straw return), (ii) RS (rotary tillage with straw return), (iii) DS (deep tillage with straw return), and (iv) TS (RS applied annually and with DS applied at a two-year interval). The results indicated that straw return treatments increased macroaggregate formation and sequestrated greater SOC. The C inputs among RS, DS, and TS were similar in magnitude, ranging from 8.86 to 8.99 t ha−1 year−1. Compared to RS, DS enhanced the turnover of macroaggregates in the 0–20 cm layers, and led to more SOC loss in occluded microaggregates than in macroaggregates in the 0–30 cm layers, indicating a reduced protection of aggregates to SOC. Similar to DS, the mass of macroaggregates under TS was greater than RS in the 10–30 cm layers. However, TS increased the SOC storage in macroaggregates by 0.66 and 0.90 t ha−1 in the 0–30 cm layers, respectively, compared to RS and DS. Moreover, the SOC storage in occluded microaggregates under TS was 0.52 and 1.06 t ha−1 greater than RS and DS, respectively, in the 0–30 cm layers. SOC variations among treatments in this study were dominated by tillage methods; thus, appropriate soil disturbance in deep layers (TS) has great potential in activating more C sequestration in macroaggregates and occluded microaggregates. These findings are of great importance for formulating soil management strategy and probably beneficial for crop production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I ( COI ) genes of six endangered goose breeds (Xupu, Yangjiang, Yan, Wuzong, Baizi, and Lingxian) were sequenced and compared to assess the genetic diversity of endangered goose breeds. By constructing phylogenetic trees and evolutionary maps of genetic relationships, the affinities and degrees of genetic variations among the six different breeds were revealed. A total of 92 polymorphic sites were detected in the 741 bp sequence of the mtDNA COI gene after shear correction, and the GC content of the processed sequence (51.11%) was higher than that of the AT content (48.89%). The polymorphic loci within the populations of five of the six breeds (Xupu, Yangjiang, Yan, Baizi, and Lingxian) were more than 10, the haplotype diversity > 0.5, and the nucleotide diversity (Pi) > 0.005, with the Baizi geese being the exception. A total of 35 haplotypes were detected based on nucleotide variation among sequences, and the goose breed haplotypes showed a central star-shaped dispersion; the FST values were -0.03781 to 0.02645, The greatest genetic differentiation (FST = 0.02645) was observed in Yan and Wuzong breeds. The most frequent genetic exchange (Nm > 15.00) was between the Wuzong and Yangjiang geese. An analysis of molecular variance showed that the population genetic variation mainly came from within the population; the base mismatch differential distribution analysis of the goose breeds and the Tajima's D and Fu's Fs neutral detection of the historical occurrence dynamics of their populations were negative ( p > 0.10). The distribution curve of the base mismatches showed a multimodal peak, which indicated that the population tended to be stabilised. These results provide important genetic information for the conservation and management of endangered goose breeds and a scientific basis for the development of effective conservation strategies.

Objective: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mazdutide, a once-weekly glucagon-like peptide 1 and glucagon receptor dual agonist, in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes., Research Design and Methods: Adults with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with diet and exercise alone or with stable metformin (glycated hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] 7.0-10.5% [53-91 mmol/mol]) were randomly assigned to receive 3 mg mazdutide (n = 51), 4.5 mg mazdutide (n = 49), 6 mg mazdutide (n = 49), 1.5 mg open-label dulaglutide (n = 50), or placebo (n = 51) subcutaneously for 20 weeks. The primary outcome was change in HbA1c from baseline to week 20., Results: Mean changes in HbA1c from baseline to week 20 ranged from -1.41% to -1.67% with mazdutide (-1.35% with dulaglutide and 0.03% with placebo; all P < 0.0001 vs. placebo). Mean percent changes in body weight from baseline to week 20 were dose dependent and up to -7.1% with mazdutide (-2.7% with dulaglutide and -1.4% with placebo). At week 20, participants receiving mazdutide were more likely to achieve HbA1c targets of <7.0% (53 mmol/mol) and ≤6.5% (48 mmol/mol) and body weight loss from baseline of ≥5% and ≥10% compared with placebo-treated participants. The most common adverse events with mazdutide included diarrhea (36%), decreased appetite (29%), nausea (23%), vomiting (14%), and hypoglycemia (10% [8% with placebo])., Conclusions: In Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes, mazdutide dosed up to 6 mg was generally safe and demonstrated clinically meaningful HbA1c and body weight reductions., (© 2023 by the American Diabetes Association.)

Understanding the spatial and temporal variations of CO 2 column concentration (CO 2 -CCs) is crucial for tackling climate change and promoting sustainable human development. This study provides an in-depth analysis of CO 2 dynamics in the Yellow River Basin, an area significantly affected by both natural and anthropogenic factors. Using data from the Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2 (OCO-2) and the Fourier transformation spectrometer (FTS) of the GOSAT satellite remote sensing sensors, supplemented with ground station data from the Waliguan station, we scrutinized the CO 2 levels in the region from 2013 to 2022. The regional CO 2 -CC displayed a 12-month cyclical variation and a continuous upward trend, escalating by approximately 4.26% over the 10-year period. Spatiotemporal differences were evident in the monthly variation of CO 2 -CC, with peak and minimum values occurring in May and August respectively. Geographically, the highest CO 2 -CC was found in the central part of the basin, while the lowest was in the northern part of Inner Mongolia. This study underscores the increased significance of the region's CO 2 -CC, which showed an increase from 17.0 ppm at the start of the period to 21.0 ppm by the end, representing an overall growth of between 4.35 and 5.25%. The findings highlight the urgency of targeted measures to mitigate CO 2 emissions and adapt to their consequences in the Yellow River Basin, contributing to the global efforts against climate change and towards sustainable development., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Maize productivity in semi-arid regions is increasingly at risk because of the sparse and uneven precipitation, and it is also restricted by excessive or insufficient fertilization management strategies. A 4-year (2016-2019) field experiment was therefore conducted to show the effects of fertilizer with five nitrogen levels (0, 75-90, 150-180, 270, and 360 kg ha -1 , represented as N 0 , N 75-90 , N 150-180 , N 270 , N 360 , respectively) under two variable precipitation patterns (rainy at pre-anthesis in 2016 and 2018 versus dry at pre-anthesis in 2017 and 2019) on soil water storage (SWS), water use efficiency (WUE), nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and maize yield in the Loess Plateau., Results: Nitrogen inputs increased the amount of above-ground dry matter and the WUE for dry matter (WUEd). Dry years at pre-anthesis significantly reduced dry matter accumulation and kernel number per plant. However, soil water storage before sowing (SWSs) decreased from 440 mm in 2016 to 384 mm in 2019, and the increase in fertilization resulted in the water imbalance. Both the maximum grain yield and WUE for grain yield were found in N 270 under rainy years at pre-anthesis, whereas in N 150-180  under dry years at pre-anthesis. The average nitrogen recovery efficiency (NRE), nitrogen agronomy efficiency (NAE) and nitrogen partial factor productivity (NPFP) decreased with increases in N application, compared with N 360 , the NRE,NAE and NPFP of N 150-180 increased by 63.5%, 189.2% and 135.5%, respectively., Conclusions: Reducing basal N fertilizers could enhance maize yield and maintain moderate water and nitrogen productivity in years with less rainfall. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Background: Identification of tumor dependencies is important for developing therapeutic strategies for liver cancer., Methods: A genome-wide CRISPR screen was performed for finding critical vulnerabilities in liver cancer cells. Compounds screen, RNA sequencing, and human phospho-receptor tyrosine kinase arrays were applied to explore mechanisms and search for synergistic drugs., Findings: We identified mitochondrial translation-related genes associated with proliferation for liver cancer cells. Tigecycline induced deficiency of respiratory chain by disturbing mitochondrial translation process and showed therapeutic potential in liver cancer. For liver cancer cells extremely insensitive to tigecycline, a compounds screen was applied to identify MEK inhibitors as synergistic drugs to tigecycline-insensitive liver cancer cells. Mechanistically, sustained activation of EGFR-ERK1/2-MYC cascade conferred the insensitivity to tigecycline, which was mediated by enhanced secretion of EREG and AREG. Moreover, glycolytic enzymes, such as HK2 and PKM2 were upregulated to stimulate glycolysisin a MYC-dependent manner. Tigecycline induced respiratory chain deficiency in combination with cutting off EGFR-ERK1/2-MYC cascade by MEK inhibitors or EGFR inhibitors, resulting in decrease of both oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis in liver cancer cells., Interpretation: Our study proved that blocking EGFR-ERK1/2-MYC cascade combined with tigecycline could be a potential therapeutic strategy for liver cancer., Funding: This work was funded by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82073039,82222047, 81920108025), Program of Shanghai Academic/Technology Research Leader (22XD1423100), Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Project (20JC1411100), 111 Project (B21024), Innovative Research Team of High-level Local Universities in Shanghai (SHSMU-ZDCX20212700, SHSMU-ZDCX20210802) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (YG2019GD01)., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Toxic trace elements represent an ongoing environmental problem in aquatic ecosystems. However, a lack of quantitative analysis and accurate evaluation has led to unguided control and water management strategies. Lake Yangzong is the main freshwater resource for nearly one million people in Yunnan Province in southwestern China. It has been heavily contaminated in recent years by significant anthropogenic activities including an industrial phosphor-gypsum spill, sewage effluent, and chemical remediation processes. Herein, we combine eco-environmental indices with multiple statistical analyses to determine the ecological risk and degree of contamination of 11 toxic trace elements in the upper sediments of the lakebed. Local geochemical background concentrations were determined using robust regression models developed from sediment core data. Pollution indices (EF/PLI) indicate that severe As contamination was centralized in the southwestern part of the lake. Other toxic trace elements (e.g., Cd, Cu, Pb) are slightly to moderately enriched, and progressively decrease from the northwestern to the southeastern areas of the lake. A more accurate and sensitive index (PCR) was proposed herein, suggesting that contamination was dominated by As and Pb in different lake sections. The northern section of the lake and the southwestern bay exhibited higher contaminant levels than other regions of the lake. Bio-toxic indices (ERF/PERI) indicate that As and Cd pose a high ecological risk, whereas Cu and Pb pose a low risk to biota. Statistical analyses (PCA/PMF) demonstrate that metal contaminants originated from three types of anthropogenic sources: the smelting of metal ores, the leakage of tailings effluent, and coal consumption., 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 © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.)