Search

Abstract Assessing groundwater quality is critical to regional water resource conservation and human health safety, especially in areas with co-existence of toxic constituents fluoride (F−) and arsenic (As). In this study, fourteen groundwater samples were collected in Feng County, Northwestern Jiangsu Province to identify dominant contaminants and their spatial distribution and health risk. The composition and variation characteristics of major ions (K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−, SO4 2−, HCO3 −, and NO3 −) and trace elements (F−, As, and Mn) were analyzed. The hydrochemical results revealed that high F− groundwater was mainly distributed in the northern areas whereas As-riched groundwater was primarily distributed in southern areas. Notably, over 85.7% and 21.4% of the shallow groundwater samples exceeded the drinking water quality standard of 1.5 mg/L for F− and 10 µg/L for As, respectively. Based on the water quality index (WQI) appraisal result, 71.4% of the groundwater in the study area is classified as “poor”, and thus unsuitable for drinking directly. We assessed the human non-carcinogenic health risk of F− (HQFluoride) and As (HQArsenic) and the carcinogenic health risk of As (CRArsenic). The calculated hazard quotient (HQ) for F− indicated nearly all groundwater samples have an unacceptable risk (HQ > 1) for each age group. However, HQArsenic values revealed that 28.6%, 21.4%, 21.4%, and 21.4% of groundwater samples posed potential non-carcinogenic health risks for infants, children, females, and males, respectively. The calculated results of CRArsenic showed that 0%, 21.4%, 28.6%, and 28.6% of groundwater samples posed unacceptable health risks (CR > 1.0 × 10−4) to infants, children, females, and males, respectively. The groundwater irrigation suitability assessment results showed that 21.4% of samples were doubtful to unsuitable for irrigation, and 85.7% owed magnesium hazards. The findings of this study will assist policymakers in formulating proper remedial policies and mitigation strategies to ensure the safety of drinking and irrigation water.

Under the background of the worsening global food and water crisis, efficient agricultural practices have become increasingly important. This study investigated the impact of different irrigation and cultivation modes on rice growth parameters, gas exchange, rice yield components, and water footprints in Jiangsu, China. Four treatments were employed in a randomized complete block design with three replications: (i) transplanted rice with frequent shallow irrigation (T-FSI), (ii) transplanted rice with rain-catching and controlled irrigation (T-RCCI), (iii) direct-seeded rice with frequent shallow irrigation (D-FSI), (iv) and direct-seeded rice with rain-catching and controlled irrigation (D-RCCI). The results revealed that the D-RCCI treatment significantly improved growth and physiological parameters. The D-FSI treatment drastically increased rice yield whereas T-RCCI increased the stem bending resistance and reduced lodging risk. The water footprint analysis showed significant water savings by optimized management practices. Compared to T-FSI, the T-RCCI, D-FSI, and D-RCCI treatments reduced the blue-green water footprint by 33%, 25%, and 25%, respectively. Additionally, water production efficiency increased by 13%, 106%, and 154% for T-RCCI, D-FSI, and D-RCCI respectively. The water footprint per unit yield of T-RCCI, D-FSI, and D-RCCI treatments was significantly reduced by 12%, 5,3%, and 63% compared to T-FSI. Overall, D-RCCI is the optimal strategy for rice cultivation in Jiangsu province and similar climatic areas due to its positive impact on yield, water savings, and environmental benefits.

The continuing degradation of ecosystem functioning, particularly in areas of fast-growing economies, is a common challenge facing humanity today and a focus of global research on sustainable development. A typical fast-developing economic region in Southeastern China, namely Sunan Canal Basin of Jiangsu Province (SCBJ), was selected for this study. Based on remote sensing monitoring data of land use for five periods of 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2019, the ecosystem service value (ESV) of SCBJ was measured using the equivalent factor method, and the spatial and temporal evolution of the ESV was analyzed using contribution and spatial statistical methods. Panel quantile regression was employed to explore in depth the segmental effects of the ecosystem service influencing factors and to increase the understanding of ecosystem service influencing mechanisms. Our results showed the following: (1) From 2000 to 2019, the land use structure was stable, and the comprehensive land use dynamic degree was continuously reduced. There were significant differences in the single land use dynamic degree of each land type, especially for built-up land. (2) During the study period, the total ESV increased first and then decreased, with the decreasing regions mainly distributed in the southeast of SCBJ and the urban rapid expansion areas on both sides of the canal. (3) In areas with different levels of ESV, the influencing factors had different impact effects. The mean proximity index (MPI), i.e., land use integrity, had a significant enhancement effect at the low ESV region and a significant dampening effect at the high ESV region. As the quantile points increase, the positive effects of the annual mean temperature (ATE), annual mean precipitation (APR), and net primary productivity (NPP) on ecosystem services gradually increase, which increased the gap between high and low ESV areas, creating a “natural Matthew effect”, while the negative effects of economic density (GDP) and population density (POP) on ecosystem services gradually decreased.

Measurement(s) Newspaper articles on human-spider encounters Technology Type(s) Manual extraction Sample Characteristic - Organism Spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) Sample Characteristic - Environment Online Sample Characteristic - Location Global

本文透過分析大法官釋字第 261 號出現的政治背景，重新檢視臺灣憲法法院在民主化過程中扮演的角色。釋字第 261 號長期以來被許多法律學者視為是推動臺灣民主化最重要的釋憲案。在這個釋憲案中，大法官為第一屆多年未被改選的中央民代設下了確切的退職期限，促成了國會全面改選。法律學者大多對此釋憲案有很高的評價，認為大法官展現了民主化的機能。本文挑戰這樣的觀點。我們透過分析憲法法院作成釋字第 261 號時的政治脈絡， 論證大法官在民主化過程並非扮演民主倡議者的角色，反之，他們的角色較接近於政治潮流的旁觀者。即使沒有 261 號解釋文，臺灣的民主化進程並沒有太大的影響。我們同時論證 261 號解釋文有下列三個政治功能：第一、為當時的執政者解決一個政治上的燙手山芋；第二、解決臺灣政治上的異常質；第三、合法化政治上的大趨勢。 Most Taiwan law scholars claimed that the Constitutional Court paved the way for Taiwan’s democratization and constitutional reforms. These legal studies consider the J.Y. Interpretation No. 261 as the most critical decision in Taiwan’s democratic transition as this decision provided the constitutional foundations for the retirement of the first-term national representatives and led to subsequent constitutional reforms. In this paper, we challenge this dominant view. We reexamine the political role of the Constitutional Court during the processes of Taiwanese democratization by citing J.Y. Interpretation No. 261 as a hard case. We argue that the Constitutional Court made little contribution to Taiwan’s democratization. This paper shows that the role of Taiwan’s Constitutional Court in the process of democratization has been far more complicated and far less promising than is commonly thought. We also argue that J.Y. Interpretation No. 261 provides at least three political functions for the dominant party: first, it solved a political dilemma for the political elites; second, it helped the political elites to remove the political outliners. Third, it legitimated the ruling party’s political agenda.

Gonadal somatic cell-derived factor (Gsdf) is a member of the TGF-β superfamily, which exists mainly in fishes. Homozygous gsdf mutations in Japanese medaka and zebrafish resulted in infertile females, and the reasons for their infertility remain unknown. This study presents functional studies of Gsdf in ovary development using CRISPR/Cas9 in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The XX wild type (WT) female fish regularly reproduced from 12 months after hatching (mah), while the XX gsdf-/- female fish never reproduced and were infertile. Histological observation showed that at 24 mah, number of phase IV oocyte in the XX gsdf-/- female fish was significantly lower than that of the WT fish, although their gonadosomatic index (GSI) was similar. However, the GSI of the XX gsdf-/- female at 6 mah was higher than that of the WT. The mutated ovaries were hyperplastic with more phase I oocytes. Transcriptome analysis identified 344 and 51 up- and down-regulated genes in mutants compared with the WT ovaries at 6 mah. Some TGF-β signaling genes that are critical for ovary development in fish were differentially expressed. Genes such as amh and amhr2 were up-regulated, while inhbb and acvr2a were down-regulated in mutant ovaries. The cyp19a1a, the key gene for estrogen synthesis, was not differentially expressed. Moreover, the serum 17β-estradiol (E2) concentrations between XX gsdf-/- and WT were similar at 6 and 24 mah. Results from real-time PCR and immunofluorescence experiments were similar and validated the transcriptome data. Furthermore, Yeast-two-hybrid assays showed that Gsdf interacts with TGF-β type II receptors (Amhr2 and Bmpr2a). Altogether, these results suggest that Gsdf functions together with TGF-β signaling pathway to control ovary development and fertility. This study contributes to knowledge on the function of Gsdf in fish oogenesis.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a rare synovial proliferative disease featuring hemosiderin deposits. Calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) is a crystal-induced inflammatory arthritis common in the elderly. We reported the case of a 78-year-old male who was under stroke rehabilitation when acute inflammatory and hemorrhagic knee arthritis of his paretic lower limb occurred. CPPD was proven by synovial analysis. Ultrasonography showed widespread synovial nodular lesions in the affected knee and helped guiding difficult arthrocentesis. These led to a rapid diagnosis of PVNS with magnetic resonance imaging. In elderly stroke patients, knee pain, being a common complaint, warrants a careful diagnosis including adequate imaging. This case demonstrates that ultrasonography is an accessible and useful diagnostic tool.

Lysosomes are membrane-bound vesicles that play roles in the degradation and recycling of cellular waste and homeostasis maintenance within cells. False alterations of lysosomal functions can lead to broad detrimental effects and cause various diseases, including cancers. Cancer cells that are rapidly proliferative and invasive are highly dependent on effective lysosomal function. Malignant melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer, with high metastasis characteristics, drug resistance, and aggressiveness. It is critical to understand the role of lysosomes in melanoma pathogenesis in order to improve the outcomes of melanoma patients. In this mini-review, we compile our current knowledge of lysosomes’ role in tumorigenesis, progression, therapy resistance, and the current treatment strategies related to lysosomes in melanoma.

Abstract A novel pressure-responsive polymer composite film was developed based on Ag@Au composite nanoplates (NPLs) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) by using Au nanoparticles as concentration reference. The orientation change of Ag@Au NPLs is impelled by the deformation of polymer matrix under pressure, resulting in its localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) intensity change of in-plane dipolar peak. The intensity ratio between plasmon peak of Au nanoparticles and in-plane dipolar peak of Ag@Au NPLs relies on the intensity and duration of pressure. By adjusting the viscosity of the polymer, the orientation change of LSPR may respond to a wide range of stresses. This pressure sensitive film can be utilized to record the magnitude and distribution of pressure between two contacting surfaces via optical information.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are increasingly used in sunscreens, food additives, pigments, rubber manufacture, and electronic materials. Several studies have shown that ZnO-NPs inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis by the production of oxidative stress in a variety of human cancer cells. However, the anti-cancer property and molecular mechanism of ZnO-NPs in human gingival squamous cell carcinoma (GSCC) are not fully understood. In this study, we found that ZnO-NPs induced growth inhibition of GSCC (Ca9-22 and OECM-1 cells), but no damage in human normal keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) and gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1 cells). ZnO-NPs caused apoptotic cell death of GSCC in a concentration-dependent manner by the quantitative assessment of oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Flow cytometric analysis of cell cycle progression revealed that sub-G1 phase accumulation was dramatically induced by ZnO-NPs. In addition, ZnO-NPs increased the intracellular reactive oxygen species and specifically superoxide levels, and also decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential. ZnO-NPs further activated apoptotic cell death via the caspase cascades. Importantly, anti-oxidant and caspase inhibitor clearly prevented ZnO-NP-induced cell death, indicating the fact that superoxide-induced mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with the ZnO-NP-mediated caspase-dependent apoptosis in human GSCC. Moreover, ZnO-NPs significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K kinase). In a corollary in vivo study, our results demonstrated that ZnO-NPs possessed an anti-cancer effect in a zebrafish xenograft model. Collectively, these results suggest that ZnO-NPs induce apoptosis through the mitochondrial oxidative damage and p70S6K signaling pathway in human GSCC. The present study may provide an experimental basis for ZnO-NPs to be considered as a promising novel anti-tumor agent for the treatment of gingival cancer.