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Screening of zearalenone (ZEN)-producing species and monitoring of ZEN in feed were performed by using anti-zearalenone monoclonal antibodies. ELISA recoveries of ZEN from corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) feed, corn feed, rice bran, soybean meal, wheat bran and rapeseed dregs were between 78.6% and 88.6%. ZEN recovery from culture media was 96.3% at the spiked level of 500 µg/kg. Eighty-three samples of DDGS feed, corn feed and other fee ingredients were collected from 11 provinces of China and analysed for ZEN. Average ZEN levels were 563.4 µg/kg for DDGS feed, 393.1 µg/kg for corn feed and 65.7 µg/kg for other feed ingredients. EighteenFusariumspecies such asFusarium graminearumwhich could produce ZEN were isolated from corn feed and other feed ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Existence of a highly heterogeneous Neoarchean lower crust beneath the NCC. [•] Identification of considerable recycling of supracrustal materials into Neoarchean lower crust. [•] Homogenization of zircon oxygen isotopes in lower crust indeed happened during the Pb loss. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Mantle xenoliths provide direct information about lithospheric evolution and asthenosphere–lithosphere interaction, and therefore precise dating of the host basalts which carried the xenoliths is important. Here we report 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of phlogopite separates from five spinel lherzolite xenoliths collected from the North China Craton (Hannuoba of Hebei Province, Sanyitang of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Hebi of Henan Province), as well as the groundmass of the host basalts. Argon extraction was performed by conventional step heating technique and ultra-violet laser ablation microprobe (UVLAMP) technique. 40Ar/39Ar incremental heating results on groundmass yielded geologically meaningless ages. However, conventional step heating on phlogopites produced Miocene cooling ages, identical to the eruption ages obtained from the K–Ar dating methods of the Hannuoba and Sanyitang basalts. Adopting procedures to exclude potential influence of excess radiogenic Ar from a deep fluid source on a phlogopite separate from lherzolite yielded results with a good agreement of ages suggesting that the argon isotopes are distributed homogenously in this mineral, with no influence of excess argon. Phlogopites from Hebi yield ages between 6.43 and 6.44Ma which are slightly older than those obtained from K–Ar method on whole-rocks. The discrepancy in the K–Ar ages obtained from the altered whole-rock samples suggests partial loss of 40Ar. As a consequence, phlogopite Ar–Ar ages are considered more accurate than that of the whole-rocks. These results suggest that 40Ar/39Ar chronology of phlogopite provides reliable and precise 40Ar/39Ar ages of host basalts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Geochemical behavior of lithium (Li) in mantle processes is generally explained by: (1) Li diffuses into minerals from melts, faster in clinopyroxene than in olivine, creating isotopically lighter-Li clinopyroxene and heavier-Li olivine; (2) Partitioning of Li changes with temperature, and as cooling proceeds Li diffuses into clinopyroxene from olivine, also resulting in low-δ 7Li clinopyroxene and high-δ 7Li olivine, similar to the result of process (1). Our results obtained from highly carbonatite-metasomatized peridotite xenoliths from the Western Qinling reveal that the minerals of these xenoliths contain extremely high Li in a range of 2–16ppm for olivine, 2–43ppm for orthopyroxene, and up to 75ppm for clinopyroxene. Secondly, olivines have much lower δ 7Li (down to −42‰) relative to co-existent pyroxenes. Above observations provide important insights into the behavior of Li during mantle processes. One explanation is that the fractionation of Li strongly depends on the metasomatic medium. Alkaline melts, particularly Na-rich carbonatitic melts, which have high Li contents (~200ppm) but mantle level δ 7Li (3–5‰), tend to effectively transfer 6Li into olivine and 7Li into pyroxene, while silicate melts behave on the contrary. Alternative might be the existence of a reservoir with a high Li content but low δ 7Li, like eclogite, in the mantle since the 7Li released into the overlying mantle wedge during dehydration. This study reveals the distinctive behavior of Li between the carbonatite and silicate metasomatism in the mantle. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Lithium isotope geochemistry is increasingly being used to trace deep-earth processes, reflecting the observed large variation of Li isotope ratios in mantle-derived rocks, including peridotite xenoliths associated with ancient continents. We briefly review the Li isotopic compositions of major geochemical reservoirs, the assumed mechanisms of Li isotopic fractionation, and, in particular, the origins of isotopically light Li in mantle-derived rocks based on the latest developments in Li isotope geochemistry. Comparison of Li isotope data with existing Sr-Nd isotope ratios reflects the subduction-recycling of ancient oceanic crust and the reappearance of Li in volcanic rocks. This circulation may play an important role in generating the isotopically light-Li component in the mantle - perhaps the enriched mantle end member defined by the Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of oceanic basalts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The formation age of the Hongqiyingzi gneisses is Neoarchean, similar to that of the Dantazi Group. • The Hongqiyingzi Group experienced Paleoproterozoic tectonothermal events, correlating with the final collision of the TNCO at ca. 1.85 Ga. • The gneisses of the Hongqiyingzi Group could represent the upper part of a dismembered ophiolitic mélange. The North China Craton (NCC) preserves important records of Neoarchean crustal growth and Paleoproterozoic metamorphism. Here we investigate a suite of metamorphic rocks belonging to the Hongqiyingzi Group from the northern part of the Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO). These rocks are dominantly composed of amphibole plagioclase gneisses with minor retrograded eclogites and serpentinited peridotites. We employ zircon U-Pb geochronology and Hf-O isotopes on the amphibole plagioclase gneisses to unravel the formation age and metamorphic history. The magmatic zircon cores yield upper intercept ages of 2664 Ma and 2518 Ma, suggesting that the protoliths of the Hongqiyingzi gneisses formed in the Neoarchean. The metamorphic rims with lower U and Th concentration yield upper intercept ages of 1840 Ma and 1847 Ma, constraining the timing of metamorphism as ca. 1.85 Ga. The εHf(t) values of the magmatic zircon grains are dominantly positive, whereas those of the metamorphic grains are negative. Both magmatic and metamorphic zircon grains display a restricted range of δ18O (6.11–7.44‰), slightly higher than the normal mantle value. These isotopic features indicate that the younger metamorphic event did not modify the Hf-O isotopic compositions. The P-T computations yield temperatures of 700–760 °C and pressures to be 5–7 Kbar, suggesting the rocks have been retrograded to amphibolites facies. The retrograded eclogites and serpentinized peridotites of the Hongqiyingzi Group, exposed as tectonic lenses within the amphibole plagioclase gneisses, are interpreted as parts of an ancient oceanic lithosphere, whereas the amphibole plagioclase gneisses represent meta-volcano-sedimentary units. We thus interpret that the Hongqiyingzi Group represents a tectonically dismembered Neoarchean ophiolitic mélange that formed on the continental margin and metamorphosed to eclogite facies during deep subduction in Paleoproterozoic and exhumed during Phanerozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Tengchong Volcano Field (TVF), located at the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, is the only Cenozoic volcanic-related geothermal region around the Himalayan geothermal belt that extends from southwestern Tibet to western Yunan along the Indo-Asian suture zone. The volcanic rock suites from this field are important proxies for the India-Eurasia convergence since the Late Cretaceous. Here, we investigate the melt inclusions hosted in the Tengchong volcanoes from different locations including Qingliangshan, Heikongshan and Dayingshan based on petrological and geochemical data with a view to gain insights on the magma sources and petrogenesis. Olivine (Ol), clinopyroxene (Cpx), orthopyroxene (Opx) and plagioclase (Pl) phenocrysts from basalts and andesites of the Tengchong volcanic rocks carry abundant melt inclusions. These melt inclusions are high in silica and alkali contents, and enriched in light rare earth elements (LREEs) and large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) such as Rb, Th, U, K, Pb, but depleted in high field strength elements (HFSEs) including Nb, Ta, Ti, P, with arc-like signature. The geochemical features of the melt inclusions suggest that the TVF volcanic rocks are possibly cogenetic, but with a progressive increase in the degree of magma evolution from Qingliangshan, through Heikongshan to Dayingshan. Melt and trace element modeling indicates that the magmas probably originated through variable degrees of partial melting of LREE-enriched upper mantle within garnet stability field with significant contributions from subducted oceanic crust. The melts were contaminated with continental crustal during ascent, followed by fractional crystallization. The volcanic activity was controlled by major Late Cenozoic dextral strike-slip faults within an extensional setting related to the geodynamic evolution of India plate. Our study provides insights into the tectonics accompanying the India-Eurasia collision. Highlights • Petrological and geochemical features of melt inclusions from Tengchong volcanoes • Geochemical modeling of magma source and origin of the Tengchong volcanic rocks • Tengchong andesites were formed from evolved alkaline basalts through AFC processes • Implications for geodynamic evolution of the India-Eurasia collision belt [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of emerging studies suggest that air pollutants such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and ammonia (NH3) may cause a decline in spermatozoa motility. The impact and underlying mechanisms are currently unknown. Boar spermatozoa (in vitro) and peripubertal male mice (in vivo) were exposed to H2S and/or NH3 to evaluate the impact on spermatozoa motility. Na2S and/or NH4Cl reduced the motility of boar spermatozoa in vitro. Na2S and/or NH4Cl disrupted multiple signaling pathways including decreasing Na+/K+ ATPase activity and protein kinase B (AKT) levels, activating Adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN), and increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) to diminish boar spermatozoa motility. The increase in ROS might have activated PTEN, which in turn diminished AKT activation. The ATP deficiency (indicated by reduction in Na+/K+ ATPase activity), transforming growth factor (TGFβ) activated kinase-1 (TAK1) activation, and AKT deactivation stimulated AMPK, which caused a decline in boar spermatozoa motility. Simultaneously, the deactivation of AKT might play some role in the reduction of boar spermatozoa motility. Furthermore, Na2S and/or NH4Cl declined the motility of mouse spermatozoa without affecting mouse body weight gain in vivo. Findings of the present study suggest that H2S and/or NH3 are adversely associated with spermatozoa motility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olivine and orthopyroxene (Opx) are the most abundant minerals in lherzolitic to harzburgitic peridotites, and their compositions represent an important—and sometimes only—source of information for the origin and physicochemical evolution of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM). We report a high‐quality in situ trace element data set for Opx and olivine of well‐characterized spinel‐peridotite xenoliths, including eight lherzolites and four harzburgites, which were entrained in the Cenozoic basalts from Jiaohe, NE China. While the lherzolites and harzburgites show contrasting evolution involving various metasomatic agents, reflected in different trace element relationships, both experienced early cooling followed by recent (pre‐entrainment) heating, as unraveled by a combination of mineral thermometers with inherently different diffusion rates. The sampling depth of spinel‐facies peridotites is obtained by olivine‐spinel thermobarometry, taking into account post‐melting subsolidus processes and pre‐emplacement thermal disturbance, using an empirical correction for the Ca content in olivine, which yields a pressure range of 1.1–2.0 GPa. The V contents (92–116 μg/g) and V/Sc ratios (5.7–6.4) in lherzolitic Opx are higher than those in harzburgitic Opx (V: 56–76 μg/g; V/Sc: 3.4–5.9), qualitatively reflecting the reducing and oxidizing effect, respectively of refertilization versus metasomatic interaction with a small‐volume melt. Thus, comparative thermobarometry, together with trace element systematics of Opx and olivine can be effective tools to reveal the architecture, chemical, thermal, and redox evolution of the shallow SCLM, as sampled by spinel peridotite xenoliths. Plain Language Summary: Peridotite xenoliths entrained in basalts are direct samples of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle, archiving a wealth of information on the genesis, structure, and evolution of this long‐lived terrestrial reservoir. Orthopyroxene and olivine constitute the only rock‐forming minerals in some mantle rocks, such as harzburgites and dunites from which petrogenetic information may be gained. However, until relatively recently, trace element abundances in these minerals have been under‐utilized due to their low abundances and analytical challenges. Moreover, pressure (i.e., depth) estimates for spinel‐facies peridotites have been hampered by the lack of accurate and precise geobarometers. In this study, we determined trace element abundances in orthopyroxene and olivine of well‐characterized spinel lherzolite and harzburgite xenoliths from Jiaohe, NE China by in situ high‐precision analyses. We demonstrate their utility to obtain the xenoliths' depth of origin, and to illuminate the chemical, thermal, and redox evolution of the shallow continental lithosphere, providing a new approach, perspective and impetus to comprehensively study this reservoir. Key Points: Trace element compositions of all minerals are used to unravel the petrogenesis of peridotitesEmpirical correction for Ca in olivine applied for quantitative olivine‐spinel thermobarometryUse of multiple thermometers reveals short‐term perturbations superposed on long‐term continental thermal trends globally [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen fugacity controls the behaviour of multivalent elements and compositions of C-O-H fluids in Earth's mantle, which further affects the cycling of materials between the deep interior and surface of Earth. The redox state of the mantle lithosphere of typical stable cratons has been well documented, but how oxygen fugacity had varied during craton destruction remains unclear. This study estimates the oxygen fugacity of peridotite xenoliths entrained in Mesozoic and Cenozoic basalts on North China Craton (NCC), a typical destroyed craton. The oxygen fugacity vs. Mg# of olivine reveals that the mantle lithosphere beneath the NCC experienced three stages of evolution in terms of oxygen fugacity. First, the refractory and oxidized peridotite xenoliths indicate that the lithospheric mantle experienced a high degree of melt extraction and later long-term and complicated metasomatism before craton destruction. Then, the variations of olivine Mg-number in peridotites and oxygen fugacity reveal significant metasomatism by melts originated from the shallow asthenosphere during the destruction of the NCC since the Mesozoic. The third stage may have occurred when mantle peridotites interacted with silica-undersaturated melts or fluids stemmed from the mantle transition zone where the stagnant Pacific slab underlies. This study further verifies that the asthenospheric convection induced by the roll-back of the subducted paleo-Pacific slab played a crucial role in the destruction of the NCC and helps understand the oxygen fugacity variability during the later life of the craton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To explore the possibility of tracing recycled carbonate by using Mg isotopes and to evaluate the effects of the western Pacific oceanic subduction on the upper mantle evolution of the North China craton, Mg isotopic compositions of the Mesozoic–Cenozoic basalts and basaltic andesites from the craton have been investigated. The samples studied here come from a broad area in the craton with variable ages of 125–6Ma, and can be divided into two groups based on geochemical features: the >120Ma Yixian basalts and basaltic andesites, and the <110Ma Fuxin and Taihang basalts. Our results indicate that these two groups have distinct Mg isotopic compositions. The >120Ma Yixian basalts and basaltic andesites, with low Ce/Pb, Nb/U ratios and lower-crust like Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions, have a mantle-like Mg isotopic composition, with δ26Mg values ranging from −0.31‰ to −0.25‰ and an average of −0.27±0.05‰ (2SD, n =5). This suggests that continental crust contamination may strongly modify their Ce/Pb, Nb/U ratios and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions but do not influence their Mg isotopic compositions. By contrast, the <110Ma basalts from Fuxin and Taihang exhibit lower δ26Mg values of −0.60‰ to −0.42‰, with an average of −0.46±0.10‰ (2SD). Since these basalts still preserve mantle-like Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions and Ce/Pb, Nb/U ratios and have high U/Pb and Th/Pb ratios similar to those of HIMU basalts, the light Mg isotopic composition is most likely derived from interaction of their mantle source with isotopically light recycled carbonate melt. Since the Tethys and Mongolia oceanic subductions from south and north toward the North China craton were terminated in the Triassic and light Mg isotopic signature in basalts did not appear before 120Ma, the subducted Pacific oceanic crust could be the major source of the recycled carbonate. Therefore, this study not only presents an example to trace recycled carbonate using Mg isotopes but also confirms the important role of the western Pacific oceanic subduction in generating the <110Ma basalts in the North China craton. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Harzburgites with high modal orthopyroxene (generally >23 vol%) in Archean craton, mantle wedge and oceanic lithospheric mantle are considered to be produced by the interaction between Si-rich liquids and rocks. However, the absence of samples from continental margin hinders the recognition whether this process is prevalent. Mantle xenoliths entrained in Miocene basalts from the Thrace Basin, the margin of Eurasian continent, are dominated by harzburgites with anomalously high orthopyroxene modes. These orthopyroxene grains closely associate with spinel and occasionally with clinopyroxene. In these orthopyroxene-spinel associations, orthopyroxene grains can be up to 1 cm in diameter and display high Al 2 O 3 contents (1.41–4.61 wt%) and Mg# values (89.6–92.4), while spinel crystals are anhedral and bud-shaped and are commonly foliated, with a wide variation in Cr# values ranging from 7.8 to 52.7. The Fe2+/Fe3+ vs. TiO 2 diagram shows lots of these spinels are "magmatic" (i.e. spinel crystallized from melts). The orthopyroxene grains have LREE diverging from the modelled melting trends, indicating possible metasomatism following partial melting. They are present in elongated shape, cutting across olivine grains and also replacing olivine as surrounding rims. Fine-grained olivine is occasionally enclosed in the orthopyroxene-spinel association. We, therefore, propose that the association of orthopyroxene and spinel developed from the melt/fluid-rock interaction. These features indicate mineral phase transformation from olivine to orthopyroxene, which can be expressed by the equation: 'Mg 2 SiO 4 (Ol) + SiO 2 = Mg 2 Si 2 O 6 (Opx)'. The observed Al-rich rim of spinel and bud-shaped Al-spinel, suggest sufficient amount of Al in the Si-rich liquids. The mechanism involved here is the consumption of olivine to produce orthopyroxene and spinel as in the equation: 'Mg 2 SiO 4 (Ol) + Al 2 O 3 = MgSiO 3 (Opx) + MgAl 2 O 4 (Sp)'. The Si and Al were enriched in the percolating liquids. Both the high-Cr# and low-Cr# spinels with 'magmatic' features imply the percolating liquids were multi-staged or inhomogeneous Cr contents in the liquids. This melt/fluid-rock interaction may account for the formation of abundant harzburgites with high orthopyroxene modes in the Eurasian continental margin. Thus, it indicates the reacting harzburgites are prevalent in the lithospheric mantle beneath oceanic crust, Archean craton and mantle wedge, as well as in the continental margin. • The Opx-Sp association derives from the interaction between liquids and olivine. • The percolating liquids are rich in Si, Al and S contents. • The percolating liquids may be multi-staged with inhomogeneous Cr contents. • The reactive mantle harzburgite is prevalent in the continental margin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Spinel seams can be formed through interaction between alkali basaltic melts and fertile lherzolite. • Re-classification of chromitite into four types, namely high-Cr, intermediate, high-Al, and extremely high-Al, covering the entire chromite series. • Significant compositional feedback of spinel seam to peridotite. It has long been known that an indisputable fact that chromite/spinel deposits are genetically related exclusively with komatiitic, tholeiitic or boninitic magmas derived from high-degree mantle melting. Here we report formation of a seam of Cr-bearing spinel through interaction between an alkali basaltic magma and fertile lherzolite. The thin seam occurrence of spinel resembles concordant podiform chromitites in ophiolites and stratiform chromitites in layered intrusions. We show that the Cr-bearing spinel seam formed by melt-rock reaction that observed in ophiolitic peridotites. The most significant difference is that the Cr-bearing spinel produced from the alkali basaltic melt-lherzolite interaction is extremely rich in Al with Cr# values of 3–6. We consequently re-classify chromitite into four types based on their Cr# values namely: high-Cr (chromite Cr# > 70), intermediate (Cr# = 70–50), high-Al (Cr# = 50–40), and extremely high-Al (Cr# < 10) with a Cr# gap between 40 and 10. The chromite/spinel compositions correspond closely to diagnostic parental magmas and the lithologies of the host peridotites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), a common air pollutant and toxic gas, is detrimental to organisms and the environment. Exposure to highly concentrated H 2 S can induce oxidative stress and autophagy. However, the mechanism underlying the liver damage caused by H 2 S has not been identified. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the key component of endotoxin, can induce oxidative stress and autophagy. For this experiment, we used one-day-old chickens as model organisms to evaluate the effects of H 2 S combined with LPS on oxidative stress and autophagy. The four groups (control group, LPS group, H 2 S group and H 2 S-LPS group) were observed by electron microscopy, detected by oxidative stress kit, analyzed by quantitative real-time quantitative PCR, and analyzed by Western blot. We found that the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, antioxidant glutathione, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) decreased in the H 2 S group compared to those in the control group; however, malondialdehyde levels in the H 2 S group increased. Molecular-level studies showed that the expression of genes associated with the PI3K/ AKT/ TOR pathways in the H 2 S group decreased, whereas the expression of other autophagy-related genes (Beclin1, ATG5 and the ratio of LC3-II/ LC3-I) increased compared to that in the control group. These findings suggest that H 2 S caused oxidative stress and induced autophagy through the PI3K/ AKT/ TOR pathway in chicken liver cells. Additionally, exposure to H 2 S aggravated LPS-induced oxidative stress and autophagy injury. Capsule: Aerial exposure to H 2 S can cause oxidative stress in chicken livers and induce autophagy through the PI3K/AKT/TOR pathway, and can aggravate LPS-induced oxidative stress and autophagy., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the application of 3-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA) for defining cavernous sinus aneurysms and intradural aneurysms involving the internal carotid artery around the anterior clinoid process., Methods: Results from 42 patients with an aneurysm of the internal carotid artery around the anterior clinoid process who underwent 3D-CTA were reviewed and compared with those of observed clinical operations., Results: Among the 42 patients, there was a total of 45 aneurysms of the internal carotid artery around the anterior clinoid process. After surgery, 33 of the 45 aneurysms were confirmed as intradural aneurysms, and the other 12 were confirmed as aneurysms in the cavernous sinus. 3D-CTA imaging of the medial sagittal plane showed that 31 out of 31 (100%) intradural aneurysms of the internal carotid artery were above the virtual line between the inferior border of the anterior clinoid process and the tuberculum sellae, and 12 out of 14 (86%) cavernous sinus aneurysms were below the virtual line (P < 0.0001)., Conclusions: The virtual line between the inferior border of the anterior clinoid process and the tuberculum sellae on 3D-CTA indicates the proximal dural ring of the internal carotid artery. This line helps differentiate cavernous sinus aneurysms from intradural aneurysms involving the internal carotid artery around the anterior clinoid process., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Due to their small size, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) are readily absorbed and easily cross biological barriers, which make them promising candidates as diet additives. However, some studies have reported that ZnO NPs cause toxicity; therefore, their safety and potency as diet additives for farm animals should be established. This study was the first to fully evaluate the effects of ZnO NPs on the homeostasis of eight elements in seven organs/tissues. The regulation of element homeostasis was found to be organ specific with no influence on oxidation status, anti-oxidation capability, or organ damage. ZnO NPs may specifically regulate the homeostasis of mineral elements and affect the following correlations: (1) between the element content in each organ and the concentration of Zn used in ZnSO 4 or ZnO NP treatments; (2) between ZnO NP and ZnSO 4 treatments for the same element in each organ; and (3) between elements (in each organ in ZnSO 4 or ZnO NP treatments) in layers' organs/tissues. The use of ZnO NPs as diet additives for animals should be implemented cautiously because, among other uncertainties, they may affect mineral element content.

Background: An aging population has become a serious problem in China. Improving the nursing students' care willingness is a critical way to solve this dilemma. Few studies reveal the relationship between the knowledge, care willingness, attitude towards the elderly and gratitude. This research has found that the attitude towards the elderly, the knowledge about aging, and gratitude showed correlation with care willingness., Objective: The purpose of this study is to explore the relationships among knowledge about aging, care willingness, attitude towards the elderly and gratitude., Design: A cross-sectional descriptive design has been used., Methods: From November to December 2015, a total of 382 undergraduate nursing students in China completed the questionnaires. The response rate was 95.5%. Four questionnaires including Care Willingness to the Elderly Scale (CW), Kogan's Attitudes towards Old People scale (KAOP), the Facts on Aging Quiz (FAQ), and the Gratitude Scale. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to explore the relationship among those variables in this study., Results: For Chinese nursing students, the care willingness of elderly was in medium-high level. Their attitude towards the elderly and gratitude were at the medium degree, while the knowledge about aging was at a lower level. The attitude towards older people, knowledge about aging, and gratitude were significantly correlated with care willingness. The knowledge about aging has no relationship with the attitude. Gratitude plays a mediation role between the knowledge about aging and care willingness. The experience of caring the elderly could lead to a positive impact in care willingness., Conclusions: The nursing students' knowledge about aging had a direct influence on their care willingness. Gratitude plays a mediating role between the knowledge about aging and care willingness to the elderly., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Non-starch polysaccharide enzymes (NSPEs) have long been used in the feed production of monogastric animals to degrade non-starch polysaccharide to oligosaccharides and promote growth performance. However, few studies have been conducted on the effect of such enzymes on skeletal muscle in monogastric animals. To elucidate the mechanism of the effect of NSPEs on skeletal muscle, an isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) for differential proteomic quantitation was applied to investigate alterations in the proteome in the longissimus muscle (LM) of growing pigs after a 50-d period of supplementation with 0.6% NSPEs in the diet. A total of 51 proteins were found to be differentially expressed in the LM between a control group and the NSPE group. Functional analysis of the differentially expressed protein species showed an increased abundance of proteins related to energy production, protein synthesis, muscular differentiation, immunity, oxidation resistance and detoxification, and a decreased abundance of proteins related to inflammation in the LM of the pigs fed NSPEs. These findings have important implications for understanding the mechanisms whereby dietary supplementation with NSPEs enzymes can promote growth performance and improve muscular metabolism in growing pigs.

Objective: Experimental evidence shows that microRNAs play an important role in the initiation and progression of human malignancies. The present study aimed to investigate the expressions of 6 microRNAs in prostate cancer (PCa) and their clinical significance., Methods: We investigated the expression profiles of 6 microRNAs (let-7g, let-7d, miR-98, miR-96, miR-182 and miR-183) using the method of locked nucleic acid (LNA)-modified oligonucleotide in situ hybridization (ISH) and the technology of tissue microarray (TMA) with the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens from 52 patients with PCa and 38 with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Then we analyzed the correlation among the expressions of the 6 microRNAs in PCa and their correlation with the Gleason score and clinical stages of PCa., Results: Compared with BPH, the PCa patients showed decreased expressions of miR-98, let-7d and let-7g, and decreased expressions of miR-96, miR-182 and miR-183, with statistically significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05). The positive rate of the 6 microRNAs was significantly correlated with the Gleason grades of PCa (P < 0.05), but not with the age and serum PSA concentration of the patients (P > 0.05). The expressions of miR-96 and miR-182 were correlated with the clinical stages of the tumor (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation among the expressions of miR-96, miR-182 and miR-183 (P = 0.00, r = 0.41), as well as between the expressions of let-7d and let-7g (P = 0.00, r = 0.46) in the PCa tissues. And the expression of miR-98 was positively correlated with those of let-7d and let-7g (P = 0.00, r = 0.46)., Conclusion: The expression profiles of the microRNAs let-7d, let-7g, miR-98, miR-96, miR-182 and miR-183 reflect the biological behavior of PCa to some extent, and might be important biomarkers for the early detection and prognostic assessment of prostate cancer.

Aim: To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors Fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (FLT-1) and fetal liver kinase 1 (FLK-1) in colorectal carcinoma (CRC), and the blocking effects of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) on VEGF expression in human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells., Methods: Immunohistochemical staining for VEGF, FLT-1 and FLK-1 proteins was performed in 82 cases of CRC and 14 normal colorectal mucosae. A siRNA targeting VEGF was synthesized and transfected into HCT116 cells using lipofectamine 2000. Immunocytochemical staining and Western blotting analyses were performed to detect the expression of VEGF protein. The suppressive effect of the siRNA on cell proliferation was detected using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltertrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cellular apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry (FCM)., Results: The expression of VEGF, FLT-1 and FLK-1 in tumor tissues was significantly higher than that in normal tissues (P = 0.008, P = 0.000, P = 0.000). The expression of VEGF was positively correlated with both lymph node metastasis and clinical stage (P = 0.009 and P = 0.025, respectively). Immunocytochemistry showed that the expression of VEGF was weakly positive and Western blotting indicated a significant reduction in VEGF-siRNA cell protein levels. VEGF-siRNA cell growth inhibition was assessed by the MTT assay, and the tumor cell proliferation rate was significantly different at 24, 48, and 72 h after transfection. FCM results showed that the VEGF-siRNA group had an apparent aneuploid peak., Conclusion: VEGF, FLT-1 and FLK-1 are associated with colorectal carcinogenesis. siRNA silencing of the VEGF gene suppresses proliferation, and induces apoptosis in HCT116 cells. The results suggest that VEGF may be a new gene therapy target for colorectal cancer.

Objective: To study the expression of SEL1L (human Sel-1-like gene) mRNA and protein and its significance in esophageal cancer., Methods: Immunohistochemical staining (S-P method) for SEL1L protein was performed in 90 samples of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, 35 samples of normal esophageal mucosa 5 cm away from the tumor, 60 samples of esophageal mucosa adjacent to the tumor and 20 samples of esophageal squamous dysplasia. In situ hybridization for SEL1L mRNA was also carried out in the esophageal carcinoma cases and normal esophageal mucosa distant from and adjacent to the tumor., Results: The positive rate of SEL1L mRNA was higher in esophageal carcinoma (80.0%, 72/90), as compared with that in normal esophageal mucosa distant from (14.3%, 5/35) and adjacent to (16.7%, 10/60) the tumor (P < 0.01). The positive rate of SEL1L mRNA in tumors with lymph node metastasis (92.7%, 38/41) was higher than that in tumors without lymph node metastasis (69.4%, 34/49) (P < 0.01). On the other hand, the expression rate of SEL1L protein was higher in esophageal carcinoma (87.8%, 79/90) and esophageal dysplasia (90.0%, 18/20), as compared with that in normal esophageal mucosa distant from (14.3%, 5/35) and adjacent to (13.3%, 8/60) the tumor (P < 0.01). The expression of SEL1L protein in esophageal cancer however did not correlate with age and sex of the patient, tumor location, tumor size, degree of differentiation, depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis and tumor clinical stage (P > 0.05). A positive correlation was found between the expression of SEL1L mRNA and SEL1L protein (r = 0.492, P < 0.01)., Conclusions: L1L protein expression is regulated at the transcriptional level. The high SEL1L protein expression is mainly the result of increased transcription. Overexpression of SEL1L protein is likely an early event during the pathogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. SEL1L protein may serve as an important biomarker in identifying patients with higher risk of developing esophageal cancer.

Aim: To investigate the expression of tumor suppressor gene p27 and spindle checkpoint gene Mad2 and to demonstrate their expression difference in colorectal cancer and normal mucosa and to evaluate its clinical significance., Methods: Immunohistochemical staining was used for detection of expression of Mad2 and p27 in colorectal cancer and its corresponding normal mucosa., Results: Mad2 was significantly overexpressed in colorectal cancer compared with corresponding normal mucosa (P<0.01, chi(2) = 7.5), and it was related to the differentiation of adenocarcinoma, lymph node metastasis and survival period after excision (P<0.05, chi(2) = 7.72, chi(2) = 4.302, chi(2) = 6.234). The rate of p27 positive expression in adenocarcinomas and normal mucosa was 40% and 80% respectively. There was a significant difference in p27 expression between adenocarcinomas and normal mucosa (P<0.001, chi(2) = 13.333), which was related to the differentiation degree of adenoca rcinoma and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05, chi(2) = 8.901 chi(2) = 4). The positive expression of p27 was not correlated with survival period after excision., Conclusion: Defect of spindle checkpoint gene Mad2 and mutation of p27 gene are involved mainly in colorectal carcinogenesis and associated with prognosis of colorectal cancer.

Aim: To investigate the expression of tumor suppressor gene p53 and spindle checkpoint gene Mad2, and to demonstrate their expression difference in colorectal cancer and normal mucosa and to evaluate its clinical significance., Methods: Western blot and immunohistochemistry methods were used to analyze the expression of Mad2 in colorectal cancer and its corresponding normal mucosa. The expression of p53 was detected by immunohistochemistry method in colorectal cancer and its corresponding normal mucosa., Results: Mad2 was significantly overexpressed in colorectal cancer compared with corresponding normal mucosa (P<0.001), and it was not related to the differentiation of adenocarcinoma and other clinical factors (P>0.05). The ratio of Mad2 protein in cancer tissue (C) to that in its normal mucosa tissue (N) was higher than 2, which was more frequently observed in patients with lymph gland metastasis (P<0.05). p53 protein expression was not observed in normal mucosa. The rate of p53 positive expression in adenocarcinomas was 52.6 %. There was a significant difference between adenocarcinomas and normal mucosa(P<0.001), which was not related to the differentiation degree of adenocarcinoma and other clinical factors (P>0.05)., Conclusion: Defect of spindle checkpoint gene Mad2 and mutation of p53 gene are involved mainly in colorectal carcinogenesis and C/N>2 is associated with prognosis of colorectal cancer.