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In recent years, significant breakthroughs have been achieved in shale gas exploration and exploitation of marine and continental shales in petroliferous basins of China. As an important petroliferous basin in China, marine–terrestrial transitional shale was widely distributed among the Southern North China Basin (SNCB). However, biomarkers distribution characteristics of marine–terrestrial transitional shale in the SNCB, which can reveal the organic matter inputs and paleoenvironmental characteristics, is not widely concerned. In general, organic matter in a transitional environment can be affected by the amounts of organic matters input from fresh water and aquatic organisms from the sea. To systematically investigate the organic geochemical characteristics of biomarkers in marine–terrestrial transitional shale from SNCB, core samples from the Upper Shihezi, Shanxi and Taiyuan formations were obtained from a single borehole in the SNCB. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis was conducted on the saturated hydrocarbons. n‐Alkanes, acyclic isoprenoid alkanes, terpanes, and steranes were detected to study the change in organic matter inputs and sedimentary paleoenvironment of the marine–terrestrial transitional shale. The results reveal that organic matter inputs obviously changed during the sedimentary period in the study area of the SNCB. In addition, the terrestrial higher plants contributed more organic matter to shale from the Upper Shihezi Formation compared to the Taiyuan Formation and the Shanxi Formation. The shift of organic matter inputs is consistent with marine regression in the Early Permian period, which may significantly influence the organic matter input characteristics. Meanwhile, the marine–terrestrial transitional shale, including samples from the Taiyuan, Shanxi and Upper Shihezi formations, was deposited in a relatively oxic condition during the depositional process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organic‐rich shale of the Shanxi and Taiyuan Formation of the Lower Permian deposited in a marine‐continental transitional environment are well developed in the Ordos Basin, NW China, which is considered to contain a large amount of shale hydrocarbon resources. This study takes the Lower Permian Shanxi and Taiyuan shale collected from well SL# in the Ordos Basin, NW China as an example to characterize the transitional shale reservoir. Based on organic geochemistry data, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) observations, the desorbed gas contents of this transitional shale were systematically studied and the shale gas potential was investigated. The results indicate that the Lower Permian Shanxi and Taiyuan shale has a relatively high total organic carbon (TOC) (average TOC of 4.9%) and contains type III kerogen with a high mature to over mature status. XRD analyses show that an important characteristic of the shale is that clay and brittle minerals of detrital origin comprise the major mineral composition of the marine‐continental transitional shale samples, while the percentages of carbonate minerals, pyrite and siderite are relatively small. FE‐SEM observations reveal that the mineral matrix pores are the most abundant in the Lower Permian shale samples, while organic matter (OM) pores are rarely developed. Experimental analysis suggests that the mineral compositions mainly govern the macropore development in the marine‐continental transitional shale, and mineral matrix pores and microfractures are considered to provide space for gas storage and migration. In addition, the desorption experiments demonstrated that the marine‐continental transitional shale in the Ordos Basin has a significantly potential for shale gas exploration, ranging from 0.53 to 2.86 m3/t with an average value of 1.25m3/t, which is in close proximity to those of terrestrial shale (1.29 m3/t) and marine shale (1.28 m3/t). In summary, these results demonstrated that the Lower Permian marine‐continental transitional shale in the Ordos Basin has a significantly potential for shale gas exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Transcription factor AP-2 alpha (TFAP2A) is an important transcriptional factor involved in various aspects of embryo development including neural tube closure. Tfap2a deficiency led to the failure of cranial neural-tube closure in mice and other model organisms. However, it remains largely unknown about the relationship between TFAP2A variants and human cranial neural tube defects (NTDs). The aim of this study was to find the association between TFAP2A intronic SNP rs3439413 and NTDs and to explore its function. Methods: We found an indel polymorphism rs3439413 in TFAP2A intron-5 from our previous target sequencing project. In this study, we validate its association with human NTDs in Shanxi group containing 266 NTD cases and 295 matched controls. Then, we investigated its function on transcriptional activity by dual-luciferase assays and EMSA. Results: The minor allele of rs34396413 significantly increased the risk of NTD in a Han Chinese population of Shanxi Province (P = 0.0082, OR = 1.45, 95%CI = 1.10–1.90), especially the risk of encephalocele for female (P = 0.0064, OR = 2.46, 95%CI = 1.22–4.94). Functional analysis revealed the minor allele of rs34396413 decreases transcriptional activity and attenuates transcription factor binding affinity. Conclusion: We have demonstrated that the minor allele of rs34396413 was a risk factor of NTD in the Shanxi group, providing new insight into the study of NTD etiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shanxi aged vinegar (SAV) is a traditional Chinese grain vinegar proven to be rich in ferulic acid (FA). However, most of the FA present in SAV is in a bound state, reducing its nutritional value. Aspergillus awamori possessed remarkable abilities in producing ferulic acid esterase, which could effectively break ester bonds within plant cell walls to release FA. In this study, A. awamori biofortification was implemented as a strategy in SAV production to increase FA and improve the quality of SAV. Firstly, the levels of basic physicochemical indicators and organic acids were monitored. Additionally, levels of total polyphenols and total flavonoids were measured. These results indicated that biofortified fermentation did not exhibit any significant difference from traditional fermentation; however, the quality of SAV was improved. HPLC was subsequently performed to quantify the amount of FA, and the results in the leaching vinegar reached 11,307.12 μg/100 g, representing a 39.4% increase compared to traditional fermentation. Finally, we utilized GC-MS to analyze the volatile flavor compounds in the leaching vinegar, revealing that adding A. awamori offered SAV more abundant flavor compounds. The present study suggests that A. awamori biofortification gave SAV better nutritional values, providing a potential approach for producing high-quality vinegar. [Display omitted] • Shanxi aged vinegar (SAV) fortified by A. awamori was prepared. • Ferulic acid (FA) in SAV fortified by A. awamori increased by 39.4% compared to control. • Biofortification has a positive influence on the flavor and quality of SAV. • The traditional fermentation of SAV fortified by A. awamori was not affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To provide evidence for more accurate diagnosis of birth defects based on the pathoanatomy of congenital malformations. Methods: Data used in this study were obtained from Luliang City Hospital and three county hospitals of Shanxi province between February 2004 and March 2006. Autopsy and pathological examination of 160 dead fetuses and stillbirths were performed. Photos of dead fetuses and stillbirths were taken, tissues were cut into sections for pathological examination under microscope, all pathological information was recorded, and percentage of birth defects was calculated. Results: The proportion of dead fetuses and stillbirths with or without congenital malformations was 84.4% (135/160) and 15.6% (25/160), respectively. There were 16 categories of major external and internal birth defects in 135 cases of such defects. Congenital heart defects, anencephaly and spina bifida had a higher prevalence rate in the study period. The prevalence rate of non-malformation death and birth defects < 28 gestational weeks and internal anomalies ≥ 28 gestational weeks was 14.61% (61/4175) and 17.25% (72/4175), respectively. A total of 413 in situ anomalies were found in 135 cases of autopsy. Spina bifida, anencephaly, congenital heart defects, aplasia or accessory lobe of lung, renal agenesis and dysplasis and congenital hydrocephaly were more closely associated with severe malformations than with mitis malformations. The cases of dead fetuses and stillbirths with multiple malformations (≥ 2 in situ anomalies) had a higher proportion (74.1%), whereas those with isolated malformations had a lower proportion (25.93%). Conclusion: The occurrence of congenital malformations in different embryonic developmental stages affects multiple organs. Postmortem examination of internal and multiple malformations of fetal deaths and stillbirths can provide more accurate diagnostic information for birth defects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To study the prevalence of different types of neural tube defects (NTDs) in Luliang Prefecture, Shanxi province, where the prevalence of NTDs is unusually high and the correlation between NTDs prevalence and patterns. Methods: A surveillance population-based birth defects was performed in Luliang Prefecture, Shanxi province. Results: The results of our study showed that the prevalence of NTDs was 2-fold higher in Luliang Prefecture than in other areas of Shanxi province. Unusual patterns of NTDs were found, however, multiple NTDs were relatively common in Luliang Prefecture, accounting for over 13% of all NTDs cases in China. Conclusion: The prevalence of NTDs is associated with its patterns. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Anembryonic pregnancy (AP; blighted ovum is the clinical term) is a common presentation of first-trimester abortion in China and affected women usually miscarry at 8–13 weeks. The association of plasma lead and the risk of AP in women from Shanxi Province, China, was examined. A case–control study was conducted, and plasma concentrations of lead were measured in blood obtained from women ( n= 40) with AP and controls ( n= 40) of normal pregnancy at their prenatal examination. AP was diagnosed by ultrasound scanning. The controls were identified and qualified by following up until a normal neonate was born. The mean concentration of lead in patients (53 μg/L, 95%CI: 4.3–6.3 μg/L) was slightly greater than the normal reference (50 μg/L, P < 0.01). The mean concentration of lead was higher in patients than in controls (53 versus 45 μg/L, P= 0.03). The lead concentration may be associated with the risk of AP, and should be paid more attention. Lead concentration that is slightly more than the standard limit may increase the risk of AP, but there may also be some other factors assisting lead to cause the occurrence of AP. Additional studies will be needed to confirm the findings and to find which factors were associated with the risk of AP when plasma lead is present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We explored multiple coexisting factors associated with NTDs. • High tHcy coexisting with inadequate free T4 was 3 times more at risk of NTDs. • High Hcy might affect metabolism of thyroid hormones through modifying genes. This study tested the hypothesis that abnormal maternal metabolism of both homocysteine and thyroid hormone network in pregnant women is associated with neural tube defects (NTDs) in a part of China with high NTD prevalence. A case–control study was performed between 2007 and 2009 in Lüliang Mountains, Shanxi Province. This study included 83 pregnant women who had fetuses with NTDs (cases) and 90 pregnant women with normal fetuses (controls). In addition, a cell model to illustrate the epidemiological findings was established. Fetuses of mother who had both high total homocysteine (tHcy) and inadequate free thyroxine were 3 times more at risk of developing NTDs (adjusted odds ratio = 3.5; 95 % confidence interval = 1.2–10.4; cases vs. controls) using multivariate logistic regression models. Furthermore, biological interaction between metabolisms of Hcy and thyroid hormones was demonstrated in vitro. In homocysteine thiolactone of a metabolite of Hcy-treated mouse embryonic neural stem NE4C cells, genes (Bmp7, Ctnnb1, Notch 1, Gli2, and Rxra) related to both neural tube closure and thyroid hormone network were shown to be regulated by H3K79 homocysteinylation, which increased their expression levels. The effect of maternal serum high tHcy on risk of developing NTDs is depended on maternal serum level of thyroxine. Meanwhile, a higher level of tHcy might also affect both maternal metabolism of thyroid hormone and neural tube closure in embryogenesis through homocysteinylation of histones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]