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To solve the problem of poor thermal stability of the current D-allulose 3-epimerase (DAEase), the ancestor sequences of DAEase with different catalytic domains were reconstructed by big data mining, reasonable modification and ancestor sequence reconstruction (ASR) strategy under the guidance of phylogenetic information. The expression vectors of the ancestor sequences were constructed, and DAEase A13 with significantly enhanced thermal stability was screened by recombinant expression and molecular docking, and its enzymatic properties were characterized. In addition, the molecular mechanism of thermal stability enhancement of DAEase A13 was revealed based on structural analysis and molecular dynamics. The results showed that the half-life of A13 constructed based on ASR strategy could reach 8.4 h at 70 ℃, indicating that its thermal stability was significantly enhanced compared with that of wild-type (WT) enzyme. The maximum conversion rate of A13 reached 31%, indicating that the catalytic activity of A13 was slightly higher than that of WT enzyme. The structural and molecular dynamics analysis revealed that the increase in hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction in ASR A13 was the main factor responsible for maintaining the stability of the enzyme's molecular structure at high temperatures. The results showed that ASR strategy could modify DAEases to enhance the stability, activity or hybridity, which could provide superior biocatalyst sources for various industrial applications of functional sugars.

ObjectiveTo study the combined use of preservatives in food in China and to evaluate the intake level of common preservatives and their cumulative exposure risk.MethodsThe exposures of common preservatives were calculated by simple distribution assessment method based on the maximum allowable usage of preservatives of National Food Safety Standards the Use of Food Additives GB 2760—2014 and consumption data from the fifth Chinese Total Diet Study. The cumulative exposure risk was evaluated by the hazard index method （HI） based on the combined use of preservatives in Chinese food in the global new product database， the exposures and acceptable daily intake （ADI） of preservatives.Results43.36% of foods that use preservatives in China use two or more preservatives， the highest utilization rate is binary combination （31.78%）， with a maximum of 6 combinations. Consider only the population exposure risk of one preservative alone， the daily average exposure in the diet of the general population and the high food consumption group （P95） in sodium benzoate， potassium sorbate and sodium diacetate were lower than their corresponding ADI. The daily average exposure in the diet of the general population in nisin， sodium nitrate and sodium dehydroacetate were lower than their corresponding ADI， but the high food consumption group （P95） were higher than their corresponding ADI. Cumulative assessment shows that the average exposure of the most common binary and ternary preservative combinations in the general population has an HI of less than 1， but the mean value of HI of the most common quaternary and quintuple and the P95 of HI of binary， ternary， quaternary and quintuple preservative combinations in the general population has an HI of greater than 1. Cumulative assessment shows that the preservatives of common preservative combinations are used alone， and some individuals have the problem of excessive intake， but if used in combination， there may be 1.47~1.75 times the health risks of individuals.ConclusionFood preservatives are often used in combination in China. The cumulative exposure risk of the most common binary， ternary， quaternary， and quintuple preservative combinations has gradually increased. Cumulative assessment shows that the use of the most quaternary and quintuple preservative combinations has created health risks for some people， and practical usage of these preservatives should be monitored and more accurately evaluated. When the food additives with the same anticorrosive function are mixed， each of which accounted for the maximum use of their dosage should not exceed 1.

Objective To investigate the surgical treatment effect of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) combined with bile duct tumor thrombus and the impact of Satoh classification on patient prognosis. Methods The clinical data of 29 patients with HCC combined with bile duct tumor thrombus who underwent radical surgery (anatomical liver resection/irregular liver resection + bile duct incision and embolectomy) in the Affiliated Huai'an No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2010 to October 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. According to Satoh classification, there were 9 cases of type Ⅰ, 6 cases of type Ⅱ, and 14 cases of type Ⅲ. Results All 29 patients successfully completed the operation, with perioperative death in 1 case (type Ⅲ) and loss to follow-up in 1 case (type Ⅱ). The overall 1-year and 3-year survival rates of patients after surgery were 60.7% and 53.6%, respectively. The 1-year disease-free survival rates of types Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ were 6/9, 3/5, and 6/14, respectively, and the 3-year disease-free survival rates were 5/9, 2/5, and 3/14, respectively. Conclusion For HCC patients combined with bile duct tumor thrombus, active anatomical liver resection/irregular liver resection + bile duct incision and embolectomy can achieve good surgical results. Satoh classification has certain guiding significance for judging patient prognosis.

Abstract Grasping detection, which involves identifying and assessing the grasp ability of objects by robotic systems, has garnered significant attention in recent years due to its pivotal role in the development of robotic systems and automated assembly processes. Despite notable advancements in this field, current methods often grapple with both practical and theoretical challenges that hinder their real‐world applicability. These challenges encompass low detection accuracy, the burden of oversized model parameters, and the inherent complexity of real‐world scenarios. In response to these multifaceted challenges, a novel lightweight grasping detection model that not only addresses the technical aspects but also delves into the underlying theoretical complexities is introduced. The proposed model incorporates attention mechanisms and residual modules to tackle the theoretical challenges posed by varying object shapes, sizes, materials, and environmental conditions. To enhance its performance in the face of these theoretical complexities, the proposed model employs a Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) to extract features from RGB and depth channels, recognising the multifaceted nature of object properties. Subsequently, a feature fusion module effectively combines these diverse features, providing a solution to the theoretical challenge of information integration. The model then processes the fused features through five residual blocks, followed by another CBAM attention module, culminating in the generation of three distinct images representing capture quality, grasping angle, and grasping width. These images collectively yield the final grasp detection results, addressing the theoretical complexities inherent in this task. The proposed model's rigorous training and evaluation on the Cornell Grasp dataset demonstrate remarkable detection accuracy rates of 98.44% on the Image‐wise split and 96.88% on the Object‐wise split. The experimental results strongly corroborate the exceptional performance of the proposed model, underscoring its ability to overcome the theoretical challenges associated with grasping detection. The integration of the residual module ensures rapid training, while the attention module facilitates precise feature extraction, ultimately striking an effective balance between detection time and accuracy.

In order to improve the economic value of Panax quinquefolius L., this study used Panax quinquefolius L. as raw material to solid state ferment Panax quinquefolius L. by Schizophyllum commune, increased the content of active components in Panax quinquefolius L., and optimized the fermentation technology. In this study, the total ginsenoside content of Panax quinquefolius L. was used as the indicator. First, strain 2 was selected from three strains of Streptomyces as the solid state fermentation strain for Panax quinquefolius L.. Then single factor experiment was conducted on four factors affecting total ginsenoside content. The four factors included: fermentation temperature, inoculation amount of Schizophyllum commune, pH value and fermentation time. On the basis of these results, the technology of solid state fermentation of Panax quinquefolius L. by Schizophyllum commune was further optimized by response surface Box Behnken experimental design. The optimized process conditions were determined as follows: inoculation amount of Schizophyllum commune 10.90%, fermentation temperature 31 ℃, fermentation time 10 d, pH value 5.9. Under the above conditions, the total ginsenoside content of Panax quinquefolius L. fermented by Schizophyllum commune was 10.28%, the content of crude polysaccharide was 12.85%, and the content of total flavonoids was 0.67%, which were higher than that of unfermented Panax quinquefolius L., and the contents of macromolecules ginsenoside Rb1, Rg2 and Re decreased, while the contents of micromolecules ginsenoside Rg1, Rc, Rb2, Rd, Rg3, s-Rh2, r-Rh2 and pseudo-ginsenoside CK increased. Among them, rare ginsenoside Rg3, s-Rh2, r-Rh2, and pseudo-ginsenoside CK were new saponins. In vitro antioxidant tests showed that the IC50 values of DPPH and ABTS+ free radicals scavenging ability of the fermented products of Panax quinquefolius L. by Schizophyllum commune were 3165 and 10910 μg/mL, respectively, which were stronger than those of unfermented Panax quinquefolius L.. This study proved that the solid state fermentation of Panax quinquefolius L. by Schizophyllum commune increased the contents of total ginsenoside, crude polysaccharide, total flavone and rare ginsenoside, and enhanced the antioxidant capacity, which provided data support for the development and utilization of Panax quinquefolius L..

Genetically modified microorganism （GMM）， also known as recombinant DNA microorganism， means a micro-organism in which the genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination. Given the fact that the safety management requirements for GMM and related products used in food industry differ among countries， different countries adopt different regulations. Chinese government attaches great importance to the management of GMM and related products used in food industry， and has successively issued a series of administrative regulations， departmental rules， announcements， and standards. This study systematically reviews the safety management requirements from international organizations and Western countries for GMM and related products used in food industry， and provides reference and experience for the management of relevant risks in China.

Abstract Background Ovarian stimulation (OS) during assisted reproductive technology (ART) appears to be an independent factor influencing the risk of low birth weight (LBW). Previous studies identified the association between LBW and placenta deterioration, potentially resulting from disturbed genomic DNA methylation in oocytes caused by OS. However, the mechanisms by which OS leads to aberrant DNA methylation patterns in oocytes remains unclear. Methods Mouse oocytes and mouse parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells (pESCs) were used to investigate the roles of OS in oocyte DNA methylation. Global 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) levels were evaluated using immunofluorescence or colorimetry. Genome-wide DNA methylation was quantified using an Agilent SureSelectXT mouse Methyl-Seq. The DNA methylation status of mesoderm-specific transcript homologue (Mest) promoter region was analyzed using bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction (BSP). The regulatory network between estrogen receptor alpha (ERα, ESR1) and DNA methylation status of Mest promoter region was further detected following the knockdown of ERα or ten-eleven translocation 2 (Tet2). Results OS resulted in a significant decrease in global 5mC levels and an increase in global 5hmC levels in oocytes. Further investigation revealed that supraphysiological β-estradiol (E2) during OS induced a notable decrease in DNA 5mC and an increase in 5hmC in both oocytes and pESCs of mice, whereas inhibition of estrogen signaling abolished such induction. Moreover, Tet2 may be a direct transcriptional target gene of ERα, and through the ERα-TET2 axis, supraphysiological E2 resulted in the reduced global levels of DNA 5mC. Furthermore, we identified that MEST, a maternal imprinted gene essential for placental development, lost its imprinted methylation in parthenogenetic placentas originating from OS, and ERα and TET2 combined together to form a protein complex that may promote Mest demethylation. Conclusions In this study, a possible mechanism of loss of DNA methylation in oocyte caused by OS was revealed, which may help increase safety and reduce epigenetic abnormalities in ART procedures.

Food contamination has emerged as a significant global health concern, posing substantial challenges to the food industry. Bacteria are the primary cause of foodborne diseases. Consequently, it is crucial to develop accurate and efficient sensing platforms to detect foodborne bacteria in food products. Among various detection methods, biosensors have emerged as a promising solution due to their portability, affordability, simplicity, selectivity, sensitivity, and rapidity. Electrospun nanofibers have gained increasing popularity in enhancing biosensor performance. These nanofibers possess a distinctive three-dimensional structure, providing a large surface area and ease of preparation. This review provides an overview of the electrospinning technique, nanofibers and nanofiber-based biosensors. It also explores their mechanisms and applications in the detection of foodborne bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Pseudomonas putida (P. putida).

Smoking is prevalent among people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and it increases morbidity and mortality in this population. However, due to ethical constraints, there is limited information on the effects of smoking on susceptibility to HIV infection. To investigate whether smoking is associated with an increased susceptibility to HIV infection, we conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies of individuals of European ancestry who have ever smoked (n = 99,996) and have HIV (n = 412,130). The random-effects inverse-variance weighted estimation method was used as the study’s primary approach, with the MR-Egger regression and the weighted-median method as complementary approaches. Using 100 single-nucleotide polymorphisms of genome-wide significance as instrumental variables for smoking, we observed a significant association between smoking and HIV infection (odds ratio 5.790, 95% confidence interval [1.785, 18.787], and p = 0.003). Comparable results were obtained using the weighted-median method. Our findings implied that smoking is probably associated with increased susceptibility to HIV infection. Given the exploratory nature of this study, further research is needed to confirm this relationship.

Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) is a geo-authentic crude medicinal plant that grows in China, Korea, Russia, and Japan. AS contains bioactive compounds such as eleutherosides, polysaccharides, and flavonoids. It is also a key traditional herb in the Red List of Chinese Species. AS is mainly distributed in Northeast China, specifically in Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning provinces. Its active compounds contribute to significant biological activities, including neuroprotective, antioxidant, anti-fatigue, and antitumor effects. However, the extraction methods of active compounds are complex, the extraction efficiency is poor, and the structure–activity relationship is unclear. This study focused on the nutrients in AS, including protein, carbohydrates, and lipids. Particularly, the active ingredients (eleutherosides, polysaccharides, and flavonoids) in AS and their extraction and purification methods were analyzed and summarized. The biological activities of extracts have been reviewed, and the mechanisms of anti-oxidation, antitumor, anti-inflammation, and other activities are introduced in detail. The applications of AS in various domains, such as health foods, medicines, and animal dietary supplements, are then reported. Compared with other extraction methods, ultrasonic or microwave extraction improves efficiency, yet they can damage structures. Challenges arise in the recovery of solvents and in achieving extraction efficiency when using green solvents, such as deep eutectic solvents. Improvements can be made by combining extraction methods and controlling conditions (power, temperature, and time). Bioactive molecules and related activities are exposited clearly. The applications of AS have not been widely popularized, and the corresponding functions require further development.

HD-Zip (Homeodomain-Leucine Zipper) is a family of transcription factors unique to higher plants and plays a vital role in plant growth and development. Increasing research results show that HD-Zip transcription factors are widely involved in many life processes in plants. However, the HD-Zip transcription factor for cannabis, a valuable crop, has not yet been identified. The sequence characteristics, chromosome localization, system evolution, conservative motif, gene structure, and gene expression of the HD-Zip transcription factor in the cannabis genome were systematically studied. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to verify its function. The results showed that cannabis contained 33 HD-Zip gene members. The number of amino acids is 136–849aa, the isoelectric point is 4.54–9.04, and the molecular weight is 23264.32–93147.87Da. Many cis-acting elements are corresponding to hormone and abiotic stress in the HD-Zip family promoter area of cannabis. Sequencing of the transcriptome at 5 tissue sites of hemp, stems, leaves, bracts, and seeds showed similar levels of expression of 33 members of the HD-Zip gene family at 5 tissue sites. Bioinformatics results show that HD-Zip expression is tissue-specific and may be influenced by hormones and environmental factors. This lays a foundation for further research on the gene function of HD-Zip.

The recycling of industrial solid by-products such as red mud (RM) has become an urgent priority, due to their large quantities and lack of reutilization methods can lead to resource wastage. In this work, RM was employed to fabricate green hydrochar (HC) to prepare zero-valent iron (ZVI) modified carbonous materials, and conventional iron salts (IS, FeCl3) was applied as comparison, fabricated HC labeled as RM/HC and IS/HC, respectively. The physicochemical properties of these HC were comprehensively characterized. Further, hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) removal performance was assessed (375.66 and 337.19 mg/g for RM/HC and IS/HC, respectively). The influence of dosage and initial pH were evaluated, while isotherms, kinetics, and thermodynamics analysis were also conducted, to mimic the surface interactions. The stability and recyclability of adsorbents also verified, while the practical feasibility was assessed by bok choy-planting experiment. This work revealed that RM can be used as a high value and green fabricant for HC the effective removal of chromium contaminants from the wastewater.

Abstract Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a severe chronic interstitial lung disease with high mortality, and there is currently a lack of definite and effective treatment methods. Studies have found that gentiopicroside, a secoiridoid glycoside compound derived from plants of the Gentiana genus, can significantly improve pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis lesions in mice with pulmonary fibrosis. However, the mechanism of its anti-fibrotic effect is unclear. Therefore, in this study, we employed network pharmacology's virtual computer technology to investigate the potential mechanism underlying the anti-pulmonary fibrosis effect of Gentianae Radix et Rhizome (Longdan in Chinese, GRR). Our findings offer valuable theoretical insights and serve as a guiding reference for future experimental investigations. A total of 10 active compounds and 920 drug-target proteins were identified from the TCMSP database. The compound-target-pathway-disease network showed that GRR could potentially treat PF by regulating the MDM2, ERBB2 and VEGFA, signaling pathways through its key targets, including AKT1, TNF, and MAPK1. The protein‒protein interaction network revealed that these targets had strong interactions with each other, indicating a potential synergistic effect of GRR in treating PF. The GO and KEGG enrichment analyses further supported the potential anti-pulmonary fibrosis mechanisms of GRR, including regulating the inflammatory response, ECM-receptor interaction, and TGF-beta signaling pathways. Our study provides a systematic analysis of the potential anti-pulmonary fibrosis mechanisms of GRR based on network pharmacology. These findings could contribute to the development of novel treatments for PF and provide a basis for further experimental studies.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to provide valuable insights into the current state and research trends of clinical trials involving probiotics in infant foods. The analysis of Chinese and English articles sheds light on critical areas for the development of clinical trial guidelines for probiotic use in infant foods in China.MethodsA comprehensive analysis was conducted on journal articles reporting clinical trials of probiotics in infant foods obtained from databases such as PubMed and CNKI. Co-word analysis and cluster analysis were employed to explore research themes and trends.ResultsChinese publications in this field outnumbered English publications by a factor of 10. Italy， China， and the United States were the top three countries contributing to this research. Foreign research institutions were predominantly universities， while Chinese research institutions were primarily hospitals and maternal and child health hospitals. Foreign research hotspots included the use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri strains in managing conditions like diarrhea， infantile colic， and neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis. In China， the primary research focus areas included the application of Peifeikang for necrotizing enterocolitis， Miya for diarrhea， and Siliankang in combination with phototherapy or traditional Chinese medicine for neonatal jaundice.ConclusionChina should enhance supervision and approval procedures for clinical trials involving probiotics in infant foods and promptly establish corresponding clinical trial guidelines.

ObjectiveTo assess the risk of exposure in the population in 7 provinces and cities in China， the intake of glutamates （calculated for glutamic acid） in Chinese restaurant diners was calculated and compared with the recommended intake.MethodsA multi-stage stratified and population-proportional whole-group random sampling method was used to randomly select condiments in seven provinces/municipalities： Beijing， Chongqing， Liaoning， Shandong， Guangxi， Jiangsu， and Shaanxi. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was used to determine the glutamate content of collected condiments. The glutamate intake was calculated based on individual consumption and body weight data obtained during the investigation based on a simple distribution model of restaurant diners.ResultsThe highest levels of glutamates were found in flavoring agents and enhancers， followed by chicken essence/chicken powder， solid compound condiments other than chicken essence， liquid compound condiments， soy sauce， semi-solid compound condiments based on animal ingredients， spices， and brewing preparation sauces， etc. The lowest levels of glutamates were found in salt and salt substitutes. The mean glutamate intake of a meal for restaurant diners was 47.87 mg/kg·BW， accounting for 39.89% of the ADI set by JECFA. The mean glutamate intake for a day was 61.33 mg/kg·BW when considering food consumed outside the restaurant during the day， accounting for 51.11% of the ADI. Among diners of different restaurant sizes， medium-sized restaurants had the highest intake of glutamates during a meal， with a median intake of 44.46 mg/kg·BW， followed by large restaurants and small restaurants， with significant differences （P0.05）， and the mean values as a proportion of ADI were

ObjectiveTo investigate the contamination levels of anthraquinone （9，10-anthraquinone as representative） in tea for sale in border areas in China， and to assess the exposure level and health risk of anthraquinone for residents.MethodsThe content of anthraquinone （9，10-anthraquinone as representative） in samples of tea for sale in border areas was determined by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （GC-MS/MS）. Based on food safety risk monitoring data of 9，10-anthraquinone in tea for sale in border areas from 2016 to 2017， combined with the consumption data of tea for sale in border areas for residents in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region， the Tibet Autonomous Region， and Qinghai Province， the exposure level of residents to anthraquinone through the consumption of tea for sale in border areas was estimated by deterministic estimate methods. Exposure results were compared with the acceptable daily intake （ADI： 6.8 µg/kg·BW）.ResultsAmong 141 samples， the anthraquinone detection rate was 75.18%， and the average content was 0.029 2 mg/kg. Up to now， the limit standard for anthraquinone has not yet been set in China. The maximum residue levels （MRLs）of anthraquinone in tea are set at 0.02 mg/kg by European Union （EU） No 1146/2014. The total over-standard rate was 57.45%. In addition， the over-standard rate of stereotyped packaging and bulk packaging was 64.63% and 47.46%， respectively. The results of the deterministic evaluation show that the average daily exposure of anthraquinone from tea for sale in border areas of the whole population in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region， the Tibet Autonomous Region， and Qinghai Province in China was 9.37×10-4 µg/kg·BW， 0.013 8% of the ADI. High consumer exposure （95th percentile， P95） was 3.12×10-3 µg/kg·BW， 0.045 9% of the ADI. Among the different sex-age groups， the average daily exposure and P95 daily exposure of women in the age group of 45-59 years were the highest， which were 1.41×10-3 and 6.16×10-3 µg/kg·BW， respectively. However， neither exceeded the ADI.ConclusionThe results of the exposure assessment showed that the health risk for the residents of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region， the Tibet Autonomous Region， and Qinghai Province due to dietary exposure to anthraquinone through tea for sale in border areas was low and at an acceptable level. As anthraquinone contamination is prevalent in tea for sale in border areas， it is necessary to identify the source of anthraquinone residue， and some effective measures should be taken to control it. In addition， to respond positively to the limits of anthraquinone content in tea from China exported to the EU and other countries， it is recommended that the relevant authorities should study reasonable limits for anthraquinone in tea as soon as possible.

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton is an annual herb plant of the Perilla genus in the Labiatae family, which is commonly utilized as an edible and medicinal resource. Polysaccharides are among the major components and essential bioactive compounds of P. frutescens, which exhibit a multitude of biological activities, including antioxidant, antitumor, anti-fatigue, immunoregulation, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering effects. As a natural carbohydrate, P. frutescens polysaccharide has the potential to be utilized in the development of drugs and functional materials. In this paper, we provide an overview of progress made on the extraction, purification, structural characterization, and bioactivity of polysaccharides from different parts of P. frutescens. The challenges and opportunities for research are discussed, along with the potential development prospects and future areas of focus in the study of P. frutescens polysaccharides.

D-Allulose has become a promising alternative sweetener due to its unique properties of low caloric content, moderate sweetness, and physiological effects. D-Allulose 3-epimerase (DAEase) is a promising enzyme for D-Allulose production. However, the low catalytic efficiency limited its large-scale industrial applications. To obtain a more effective biocatalyst, a putative DAEase from Christensenellaceae bacterium (CbDAE) was identified and characterized. The recombinant CbDAE exhibited optimum activity at pH 7.5°C and 55°C, retaining more than 60% relative activity from 40°C to 70°C, and the catalytic activity could be significantly increased by Co2+ supplementation. These enzymatic properties of purified CbDAE were compared with other DAEases. CbDAE was also found to possess desirable thermal stability at 55°C with a half-life of 12.4 h. CbDAE performed the highest relative activity towards D-allulose and strong affinity for D-fructose but relatively low catalytic efficiency towards D-fructose. Based on the structure-guided design, the best double-mutation variant G36N/W112E was obtained which reached up to 4.21-fold enhancement of catalytic activity compared with wild-type (WT) CbDAE. The catalytic production of G36N/W112E with 500 g/L D-fructose was at a medium to a higher level among the DAEases in 3.5 h, reducing 40% catalytic reaction time compared to the WT CbDAE. In addition, the G36N/W112E variant was also applied in honey and apple juice for D-allulose conversion. Our research offers an extra biocatalyst for D-allulose production, and the comprehensive report of this enzyme makes it potentially interesting for industrial applications and will aid the development of industrial biocatalysts for D-allulose.

Cancer is a leading cause of human death worldwide, and the modulation of the metabolic properties of T cells employed in cancer immunotherapy holds great promise for combating cancer. As a crucial factor, energy metabolism influences the activation, proliferation, and function of T cells, and thus metabolic reprogramming of T cells is a unique research perspective in cancer immunology. Special conditions within the tumor microenvironment and high-energy demands lead to alterations in the energy metabolism of T cells. In-depth research on the reprogramming of energy metabolism in T cells can reveal the mechanisms underlying tumor immune tolerance and provide important clues for the development of new tumor immunotherapy strategies as well. Therefore, the study of T cell energy metabolism has important clinical significance and potential applications. In the study, the current achievements in the reprogramming of T cell energy metabolism were reviewed. Then, the influencing factors associated with T cell energy metabolism were introduced. In addition, T cell energy metabolism in cancer immunotherapy was summarized, which highlighted its potential significance in enhancing T cell function and therapeutic outcomes. In summary, energy exhaustion of T cells leads to functional exhaustion, thus resulting in immune evasion by cancer cells. A better understanding of reprogramming of T cell energy metabolism may enable immunotherapy to combat cancer and holds promise for optimizing and enhancing existing therapeutic approaches.

Sequencing-based genetic association analysis is typically performed by first generating genotype calls from sequence data and then performing association tests on the called genotypes. Standard approaches require accurate genotype calling (GC), which can be achieved either with high sequencing depth (typically available in a small number of individuals) or via computationally intensive multi-sample linkage disequilibrium (LD)-aware methods. We propose a computationally efficient two-stage combination approach for association analysis, in which single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are screened in the first stage via a rapid maximum likelihood (ML)-based method on sequence data directly (without first calling genotypes), and then the selected SNPs are evaluated in the second stage by performing association tests on genotypes from multi-sample LD-aware calling. Extensive simulation- and real data-based studies show that the proposed two-stage approaches can save 80% of the computational costs and still obtain more than 90% of the power of the classical method to genotype all markers at various depths d≥2.

Background: Astragali Radix is regarded as an important traditional medicinal plant and has been widely used as a Qi-Invigoratin medicine for more than 2000 years. However, the mechanism of its medicinal and nutritional components in different accessions is unexplored. Moreover, the lack of SSR markers for Astragali Radix has stalled genetic breeding and variety identification. To develop EST-SSRs, transcriptome sequencing was performed based on the Illumina platform. Results: Approximately 99.6 million raw data points were collected, and 296,618 unigenes with an average length of 1,459 bp were obtained. A total of 71,207 SSR loci within 56,097 SSR-containing unigenes were identified. Of these SSR-containing unigenes, 26,188 (46.7%), 16,736 (29.8%), and 8,858 (15.8%) were related to items in the GO database, KEGG database, and COG database, respectively. The motifs A/T, AG/CT, AT/AT, and AAT/ATT were the most common types, accounting for 39.78%, 19.14%, 10.12%, and 4.60%, respectively, and the average length of the EST-SSRs was 17.16 bp. We acquired 8 functional markers linked to key genes correlated with the biosynthesis of flavonoids. The genetic similarity among the 60 AR varietal resources ranged from 0.2692 to 0.8077, with an average of 0.5742. The dendrogram results indicated that the 60 AR samples tested had high levels of genetic similarity. Conclusions: The 71,207 EST-SSR loci identified here offer valuable source of DNA markers for the genetic diversity identification of 60 Astragali Radix varieties. These results will facilitate genetic map construction, functional gene identification, variety identification, molecular marker-assisted breeding, and genetic diversity analysis in Astragali Radix.How to cite: Jiang M, Yan S, Ren W, et al. Genetic diversity of the Chinese medicinal plant Astragali Radix based on transcriptome-derived SSR markers. Electron J Biotechnol 2023;62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbt.2022.12.001.

In order to improve the economic value of industrial hemp, an active ingredient cannabinoid (CBD) with medicinal value from industrial hemp leaves was extracted by ionic liquid assisted ultrasonic method and the extraction process was optimized. In this study, [C8mim]NTF2 was selected as the best extraction solvent from 16 kinds of imidazole ionic liquids based on the yield of CBD. Then single factor experiment was conducted on six factors affecting the yield of CBD extraction by ionic liquid assisted ultrasonic method. The six factors included: Ultrasonic power, ultrasonic temperature, ultrasonic time, ethanol concentration, molar concentration of ionic liquid and liquid material ratio. And the ethanol concentration was 65%. The ionic liquid molar concentration was 0.3 mol/L (65% ethanol solution preparation). On the basis of these results, four significant factors (ultrasonic power, ultrasonic temperature, ultrasonic time and liquid material ratio) were screened out by Plackett-Burman experimental design. The extraction process was further optimized by response surface Box-Behnken experimental design. The optimum extraction process conditions of CBD significant factors were as follows: Ultrasonic power 280 W, ultrasonic temperature 50 ℃, ultrasonic time 62.5 min, liquid material ratio 25 mL/g. Under the above conditions, the yield of CBD extracted by ionic liquid [C8mim]NTF2 was 7.66%±0.2%, the yield of CBD extracted by methanol was 6.42%±0.3%, and the yield of CBD extracted by 65% ethanol solution was 5.81%±0.2%. The extraction ability of CBD was ionic liquid [C8mim]NTF2>methanol>65% ethanol solution. The CBD degradation experiment showed that the CBD degradation rate of ionic liquid [C8mim]NTF2 was 16.40%±0.3%, which was smaller than that of methanol (24.65%±0.6%) and 65% ethanol solution (32.88%±0.5%). The results showed that adding 65% ethanol solution into ionic liquid [C8mim]NTF2 could not only reduce the degradation rate of CBD, but also increase the yield of CBD. This study proved that ionic liquid was not only a protective agent for CBD, but also an excellent solvent for CBD extraction. The technology of extracting CBD by ionic liquid assisted ultrasonic method was developed, which provided data support for the development and utilization of industrial hemp CBD.

Lappula myosotis V. Wolf 1776 is an annual or biennial plant with important medicinal value. In the present study, we report the complete chloroplast genome data of L. myosotis, which has a length of 146,668 bp, including a small single-copy (SSC) region of 17,059 bp, a large single-copy (LSC) region of 79,691 bp, and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 24,959 bp. A total of 127 genes encoding tRNA and rRNA were annotated. The total CG content of the chloroplast genome was 37.7%. The maximum-likelihood (ML) phylogenetic tree strongly supported that L. myosotis is closely related to Trigonotis peduncularis. The complete chloroplast genome of L. myosotis provides useful information on the evolution and phylogenetic relationship among Boraginaceae plants.

Purpose This study aimed to calculate and analyze the differences in electroencephalogram (EEG) between major depression disorder (MDD) patients and healthy controls using the method of brainwave music to provide evidence of physiological parameters for clinical diagnosis of MDD. Methods We translated the 5-minute resting EEG data of 20 MDD patients and 20 healthy controls, which were collected by Peking University Sixth Hospital, into brainwave music; and calculated the pitch, volume, duration and corresponding scaling exponents to analyze the differences between MDD patients and healthy people. Then combined the analysis methods of nonlinear dynamics and brain network structure to verify the validity of the proposed method. Results The pitch, volume, and Lemple-Ziv complexity (LZC) in the frontal lobe of MDD patients were higher than those of healthy people. In the central, occipital, and temporal regions of the left hemisphere, the scaling exponents, degrees, and clustering coefficient of MDD patients were lower than those of healthy people (P

IntroductionThe potential safety benefits of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) highly rely on drivers’ appropriate mental models of and trust in ADAS. Current research mainly focused on drivers’ mental model of adaptive cruise control (ACC) and lane centering control (LCC), but rarely investigated drivers’ understanding of emerging driving automation functions beyond ACC and LCC.MethodsTo address this research gap, 287 valid responses from ADAS users in the Chinese market, were collected in a survey study targeted toward state-of-the-art ADAS (e.g., autopilot in Tesla). Through cluster analysis, drivers were clustered into four groups based on their knowledge of traditional ACC and LCC functions, knowledge of functions beyond ACC and LCC, and knowledge of ADAS limitations. Predictors of driver grouping were analyzed, and we further modeled drivers’ trust in ADAS.ResultsDrivers in general had weak knowledge of LCC functions and functions beyond ACC and LCC, and only 27 (9%) of respondents had a relatively strong mental model of ACC and LCC. At the same time, years of licensure, weekly driving distance, ADAS familiarity, driving style (i.e., planning), and personability (i.e., agreeableness) were associated with drivers’ mental model of ADAS. Further, it was found that the mental model of ADAS, vehicle brand, and drivers’ age, ADAS experience, driving style (i.e., focus), and personality (i.e., emotional stability) were significant predictors of drivers’ trust in ADAS.DiscussionThese findings provide valuable insights for the design of driver education and training programs to improve driving safety with ADAS.

The New Round of Review and Assessment on Undergraduate Education and Teaching & Learning has set requirements for the construction of quality assurance systems in universities. It emphasizes the focus on the university's teaching quality assurance system, the utilization of quality information in universities, and the improvement of quality and cultural development. This article takes the practice of Chengdu Neusoft University’s teaching quality management and assurance system as an example to explore the quality assurance system in private applied universities. It explains the connotation of the system and analyzes its support for evaluation and assessment, with the aim of providing reference and guidance for the construction of teaching quality assurance systems in private universities.

Intelligent Vehicle–Infrastructure Collaboration Systems (i-VICS) put forward higher requirements for the real-time security of dynamic traffic information interaction. It is difficult to ensure the safety of dynamic traffic information interaction by means of traditional static information security. In this study, a method was proposed through machine learning-based lane-changing (LC) behavior recognition and information credibility discrimination, based on the utilization and exploitation of traffic business characteristics. The method consisted of three stages: LC behavior recognition based on Support Vector Machine (SVM), LC speed prediction based on Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), and credibility discrimination of speed information under LC states. Firstly, the labeling rules of vehicle LC behavior and the input/output of each stage model were determined, and the raw NGSIM data were processed to obtain data sets for LC behavior identification and LC speed prediction. Both the SVM classification and RNN prediction models were trained and tested, respectively. Afterwards, a model of credibility discrimination speed information under an LC state was constructed, and the real vehicle speed data were processed for model verification. The results showed that the overall accuracy of vehicle status recognition by the SVM model was 99.18%, and the precision of the RNN model was on the order of magnitude of cm/s. Considering transverse and longitudinal abnormal velocity, the accuracy credibility discrimination of LC velocity was more than 97% in most experimental groups. The model can effectively identify the abnormal speed data of LC vehicles and provide support for the real-time identification of LC vehicle speed information under i-VICS.

ObjectiveTo provide a reference for food safety risk assessment and safety assurance for the Winter Olympics and Beijing residents， the exposure level and possible health risks of cadmium （Cd） in main foods in the surrounding areas of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics were evaluated. MethodsBased on the hazard assessment and limit standard analysis of cadmium， the point assessment method was used to assess the dietary exposure risk of cadmium. The 2019 to 2020 on-site sampling survey data of an urban area of Beijing and Zhangjiakou Chongli area and the 2018 Beijing main food consumption survey data were used in this pre-assessment. ResultsThe cadmium provisional tolerated monthly intake （PTMI） established by joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives （JECFA） was 25 μg/kg·BW. The overall average content of cadmium in various foods was 0.010 6 mg/kg， and the overall rate of exceeding the standard was 0.47%. The average exposure of Beijing residents to cadmium through the main food was 5.92 µg/（kg·BW·m）， accounting for 23.66% of the JECFA-recommended provisional tolerable monthly intake （PTMI） of 25 μg/kg·BW. In addition， cereals and vegetable foods were the main sources of dietary cadmium exposure. According to the current limit of cadmium （LOC） in GB 2762—2017 National Food Safety Standards Limits of contaminants in food， except for these two categories of food， the theoretical exposure to cadmium in the rest of the food did not exceed the PTMI. The estimated LOC for vegetables， grains and cereals is 0.172 and 0.199 mg/kg， both of which were less than the maximum limit value stipulated by the national standard. ConclusionThe main food cadmium exposure of Winter Olympics and Beijing residents is generally at a safe level， and the health risk is relatively low.

As the most important nuclear fuel for nuclear power operation, the safe supply of uranium resources is the key to ensure the sustainable development of nuclear power in China. Uranium extraction from seawater has important and longterm strategic significance to ensure the sustainable development of nuclear power in China. With the updating and development of uranium extraction technology from seawater, the research work of uranium extraction from seawater is facing new opportunities and challenges. Based on the research status of uranium extraction from seawater at home and abroad, this paper puts forward the future plan and prospect of uranium extraction from seawater, which is proposed by “Seawater Uranium Extraction Technology Innovation Alliance” led by China National Nuclear Corporation. It points out the research direction of uranium extraction from seawater in the future, and provides technical support for uranium extraction from seawater to industrialization.

Natural uranium is an important material basis to ensure the sustainable and stable development of national nuclear energy. Ocean contains abundant natural uranium resources, and the extraction of uranium from seawater is of great strategic and economic significance for supplementing and improving our country’s uranium supply system and realizing the autonomy of natural uranium supply. In this paper, the latest progress in the research direction of seawater uranium extraction technology in recent years is reviewed. This paper mainly summarizes the research results of adsorption materials and field tests for uranium extraction from seawater at home and abroad, and prospects the future development of uranium extraction from seawater.

In the present research work, the 2.25Cr1Mo0.25V steel plates with a thickness of 112 mm were welded using the multi-pass submerged automatic arc welding process. The creep specimens were prepared from the base metal (BM) and weld metal (WM) in the welded joint after heat treatment process. The uniaxial creep tests were performed to investigate the creep deformation and rupture behaviors at 550°C under different applied stress levels. The microstructure and fracture surface morphology of crept BM and WM samples were also characterized using the scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results showed that typical three-stage creep deformation curves are observed in both BM and WM specimens, and the BM exhibits a faster deformation rate than the WM. Both the creep rupture time and uniaxial creep ductility are found to be increased with a decrease in applied stress. Furthermore, the relationship between the minimum creep rate and time to rupture of both BM and WM samples was obtained, and it can be described using a unified Monkman–Grant equation. In addition, it is found that the creep fractures of the BM and WM are a transgranular ductile failure. The creep damages of both materials are mainly associated with the microstructural degradations, that is, the initiation and coalescence of creep cavities at second phase particles such as carbide and inclusion particles along the loading direction.

In order to provide a theoretical basis for the application of Acanthopanax senticosus leaves in probiotic fermented health products, the Acanthopanax senticosus leaves were used as raw materials, and the three kinds of lactic acid bacteria were used for fermentation, namely Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus plantarum. After that，the changes in the content of bioactive compounds in Acanthopanax senticosus leaves fermented by lactic acid bacteria were studied, and the effect on antioxidant and inhibitory activity of hypoglycemic related enzymes in vitro were evaluated. The results showed that the fermentation abilities of the 3 strains were different. The fermentation of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus acidophilus significantly increased the content of total flavonoids in Acanthopanax senticosus leaves (P

As a special soil with a strong structure, argillaceous sandstone residual soil has the characteristics of strong disintegration, poor erosion resistance and great disturbance, it has great influence on the engineering construction. To explore the mechanism of rainfall erosion of argillaceous sandstone residual soil slopes, a slope rainfall erosion test is designed. The surface erosion effect is analysed by 3D laser scanning technology on site. The infiltration characteristics, surface brush evolution mechanism and erosion failure mechanism of argillaceous sandstone residual soil slopes are further clarified by using a high-density electrical method. The results show that in the initial stage of the experiment, the precipitation was highly permeable and mainly migrated to the foot of the slope, and no obvious rills were formed on the surface of the slope. In the middle period of the erosion test, the soil at the foot of the slope reached saturation first, and slope runoff was formed, and the rill expanded to form small-scale erosion chutes and chip erosion areas.In the later stage of the test, the soil erosion in the middle of the slope and at the foot of the slope was serious. The upwards part of the channel at the foot of the slope extended, and the erosion area expanded, which led to the structural change in the surface soil, and the permeability difference was obvious. The rainfall erosion of argillaceous sandstone residual soil slope was mainly divided into three parts. The soil loss of slope mainly occurred in the last stage, with a maximum rill rate of 16.9% and gully connectivity of up to 0.74.

ObjectiveTo study the contamination level of mineral oil hydrocarbons in complementary foods for infants and young children and assess its potential health impact for consumers aged 0­3 years old in China.MethodsThe contents of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons （MOSH） and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons （MOAH） were determined by on­line high­performance liquid chromatography coupled with gas chromatography and flame ionization detector. Based on the food consumption data of Chinese residents in 2015， the exposure to mineral oil hydrocarbons in complementary foods of Chinese infants and young children aged 0­3 years old was assessed by simple distribution method.ResultsThe overall detection rate of MOSH （C16-C35） in 4 types of complementary foods （canned foods， rice flour， noodles， and biscuits or molar sticks） in total of 138 commercially available complementary food samples was 45.65%， and the mean contamination level in different types of complementary foods was in the range of 0.55-4.40 mg/kg. The MOAH was only detected in 1 sample of noodles and 4 samples of biscuits or molar sticks. The overall detection rate of MOAH was 3.62%. The average daily exposure and high food consumption （P95） daily exposure of MOSH （C16­C35） for complementary foods consumer only population were 6.21 and 19.27 μg/kg·BW， respectively. The margins of exposure of all age groups were higher than 100.ConclusionThe health risk from dietary exposure to MOSH by consuming complementary foods is very low for infants and young children aged 0­3 years old in China. Attention should be paid to the contamination of MOAH in complementary foods for infants and young children.

An upflow column reactor packed with nonwoven fabric carrier was used to enrich anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Anammox) sludge. After 101 days, the reactor Anammox sludge concentration increased from 470 to 3,118 mg·L−1. In the stable operating stage, the average total nitrogen (TN) volume loading rate was 818.3 mg·L−1, and the maximum removal efficiencies of NH4+-N, NO2−-N and TN were 65.9, 81.2 and 63.8%, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the cultivated sludge was dominated by a mix of short rod-shaped and spherical bacteria, which accumulated to the typical cauliflower-like aggregates assumed to be the Anammox culture. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis using 16S rRNA showed that the dominant population developed in the reactor when hybridized with both PLA46 and Amx820 gene probes. This indicates that the cultivated biomass may comprise Planctomycetes bacteria. The results of real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) showed that these bacteria formed 45 to 60% of the total bacteria in the Anammox sludge. The study demonstrated successful detection and enrichment of Anammox bacteria in wastewater. HIGHLIGHTS Anammox bacteria was successfully enriched by a designed non-woven membrane reactor.; The maximum TN removal rate was 63.8% in stable operation.; The SEM and FISH analysis showed Anammox bacteria coexisted with the others as the dominant population.; The qPCR results showed a 45% to 60% proportion of Planctomycetes in the culture.;

ObjectiveTo carry out the theoretical risk assessment for food colorants in the National food safety standard-standards for uses of food additives (GB 2760—2014) by Budget method and deterministic assessment.MethodsBudget method was applied for calculating the theoretical maximum daily intake of food colorants which had ADI values and maximum use levels. For the additives whose intakes were higher than their ADIs, simple distribution assessment was performed with food consumption data from a Chinese total diet study in 2012.ResultsThere are totally 21 food colorants have both ADI values and maximum use levels in GB 2760—2014. These 21 food colorants were included in the assessment by Budget method . The maximum theoretical daily intake of 15 food colorants exceeded their ADIs. Then, these 15 food colorants were assessed by simple distribution assessment. The result showed that the average intakes were below ADIs but the P95 intakes of 2 food colorants exceeded the ADIs in the whole population. Among consumers, the average intakes were also below ADIs, but the P95 intakes of 8 food colorants exceeded the ADIs.ConclusionThe health risks of most food colorant intakes in the national standard were at low levels. However, a few food colorants showed a requirement for further assessment with the actual concentrations in foods to confirm their health risk level.

The combined effects of human exposure to chemical mixtures have attracted the attention of government agencies in many countries. Many institutions have carried out a lot of research on the cumulative exposure assessment of the combined effects of chemical mixtures. This article outlines the principles and standards for grouping chemicals with a common action mechanism in the cumulative exposure risk assessment of chemicals, and based on the types of combined effects of chemicals and their judgment method, expounds the Hazard Index method, Cumulative Risk Index method, Relative Potency Factor method, Point of Departure method, combined Margin of Exposure method, reaction addition method based on independent reaction, and hazard index correction method based on interaction, etc. In addition, in the exposure assessment of compound mixtures, the accuracy of physiologically-based toxicokinetic model method and conventional assessment method are analyzed, and a new direction for exploration is proposed for more accurate and scientific assessments in China in the future.

Detecting the infrared characteristics of the contrails is a reasonable approach to tracing the rocket, and the particle properties of the contrails are the basis of the infrared analysis. The conventional numerical approach to obtaining the particle properties is a Euler/Lagrange method or a simple Euler/Euler method, difficultly obtaining more accurate results because it ignores the particle size distribution in parcels or cells. A modified Euler/Euler method is applied to simulate the contrail formation in the near field of a solid rocket motor at different altitudes, which considers the size distribution by adding the first- to second-order particle radius moments based on the simple Euler/Euler method. The simulation results show that the crystals are generated at altitudes from 10 km to 20 km and that the contrails are visible at altitudes from 10 km to 15 km, where the radii of the crystals are from 0.1 μm to 0.3 μm. The visible contrails indicate that aviation vehicles are cruising at altitudes from 10 km to 15 km, and the smaller crystals indicate that the contrails are generated by rockets, not aircraft. Our work can provide important insight for the follow-up infrared analysis of the contrails based on the obtained particle radii.

Introduction: Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is a distressing problem in assisted reproductive technology (ART). Immunity plays a vital role in recurrent implantation failure (RIF) occurrence and development, but its underlying mechanism still needs to be fully elucidated. Through bioinformatics analysis, this study aims to identify the RIF-associated immune cell types and immune-related genes.Methods: The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened based on RIF-associated Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. Then, the enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis were conducted with the DEGs. The RIF-associated immune cell types were clarified by combining single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) and CIBERSORT. Differentially expressed immune cell types-related modules were identified by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and local maximal quasi-clique merger (lmQCM) analysis. The overlapping genes between DEGs and genes contained by modules mentioned above were delineated as candidate hub genes and validated in another two external datasets. Finally, the microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that interacted with hub genes were predicted, and the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network was structured.Results: In the present study, we collected 324 DEGs between RIF and the control group, which functions were mainly enriched in immune-related signaling pathways. Regarding differential cell types, the RIF group had a higher proportion of activated memory CD4 T cells and a lower proportion of γδ T cells in the endometrial tissue. Finally, three immune-related hub genes (ALOX5AP, SLC7A7, and PTGS2) were identified and verified to effectively discriminate RIF from control individuals with a specificity rate of 90.8% and a sensitivity rate of 90.8%. In addition, we constructed a key ceRNA network that is expected to mediate molecular mechanisms in RIF.Conclusion: Our study identified the intricate correlation between immune cell types and RIF and provided new immune-related hub genes that offer promising diagnostic and therapeutic targets for RIF.

BACKGROUND Molybdenum is an essential and beneficial element for humans and crops and has an anti-cancer effect. The content of molybdenum and the pH of the soils are different in different regions, the content of molybdenum in crops varies greatly. At the same time, different crops have a different absorption ability of molybdenum. Studying the rules of molybdenum enrichment in different crops provides a basis for the development of healthy geology, the development of molybdenum-rich agricultural products, the development of functional agriculture, and the adjustment of planting structure. OBJECTIVES To investigate Mo content in different crops and their controlling factors. METHODS This study used the detailed survey area of selenium resources in Luoyang City and other agricultural planting areas as the research object. By collecting 22 kinds of crops and their root soils, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the molybdenum content in soils and crops, and the characteristics and influencing factors of the content of molybdenum in different crops were studied. RESULTS The content of molybdenum in the soil of Luoyang City was relatively high, which was the characteristic area of molybdenum-rich soil in China. Mung bean, cowpea, black bean, yellow bean, red bean and peanuts were the main molybdenum enrichment crops, with average >9mg/kg molybdenum content and enrichment factor >500%, which belonged to the molybdenum hyperaccumulator. Sesame, long bean, millet, wheat, corns and rapeseed had high molybdenum content, which ranged from 0.446mg/kg to 2.437mg/kg, and the enrichment coefficient ranged from 40% to 300%, which were molybdenum rich crops. The content of molybdenum in chili, garlic, sweet potatoes and okra ranged from 0.1mg/kg to 0.3mg/kg, and the enrichment factor ranged from 10% to 30%, which were high-molybdenum crops. The content of molybdenum in apple, pear, grape, pomegranate, cherry and Stachys floridana Schuttl.ex Benth was less than 0.05mg/kg, and the enrichment factor was less than 5%, which was a low-molybdenum crop. The content of molybdenum in most crops was positively correlated with that in root soils, while the content of molybdenum in apple, grape, pomegranate, and cherry was negatively correlated within the molybdenum content in the root soils. CONCLUSIONS Studies have shown that molybdenum in soils is more easily absorbed by crops under an alkaline environment. Compared with other areas in China, the crop in the area is richer in molybdenum, so it is a favorable area for the development of a molybdenum-rich agricultural industry. According to the molybdenum content of different crops, mung bean, cowpea, black bean, yellow bean, red bean and peanuts were selected as the characteristic Mo-rich agricultural products in the study area; sesame, long bean, millet, wheat, corns and rapeseed were Mo-rich agricultural products; pepper, garlic, sweet potato and okra were high Mo agricultural products. The results provide a scientific basis for the development and adjustment of the molybdenum-rich agricultural product planting structure in the study area.

ObjectiveTo explore the concentrations of rare earth elements (Rare earth elements, REEs) in drinking water in rare earth mining and non-mining areas in Shandong, Guangdong, and Jiangxi provinces of China.MethodsTypical rare earth mining areas and 3 non-mining areas in the 3 provinces were selected for investigation. Drinking water of people in mining areas and non-mining areas were collected for 3 consecutive days by duplicate portion method. The contents of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Sc and Y in water samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).ResultsThe detection rate of each REEs in drinking water of mining and non-mining area was 12.98% to 86.64% and 1.07% to 69.04%, respectively. The average content of total REEs in drinking water in the mining area was 6.974 μg/L, with the maximum of 178.290 μg/L. The main elements were Ce, La, Nd, Y, Sc and Pr (≈90.0%). The average content of total REEs in drinking water in non-mining area was 0.772 μg/L, significantly lower than that in mining area (P0.05).ConclusionThe contents of REEs in drinking water of mining area are higher than that of non-mining areas. Risk assessment of REEs exposure by drinking water should be further carried out for residents in mining areas.

The bZIP transcription factor family plays important roles in plant growth and development, response to stress, and regulation of secondary metabolite biosynthesis. The identification and molecular function of bZIP gene have been deeply studied in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, but it has not been reported in the medicinal plant Isatis indigotica. In this study, 65 IibZIP genes were identified in the genome of I. indigotica, which were distributed on seven chromosomes, were highly conserved, could be classified into 11 subgroups. Transcriptomic and metabolomic data for leaves of I. indigotica exposed to salt stress were analyzed to construct an IibZIP gene co-expression network and metabolite correlation network. Seventeen IibZIP genes were co-expressed with 79 transcription factors, and GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that most of these genes were associated with abiotic stress and hormone responses of plants. 17 IibZIP genes regulated 110 metabolites through 92 transcription factor associations. In addition, IibZIP23, IibZIP38 and IibZIP51 were associated with six metabolites including three alkaloids (quinoline alkaloid stylopine, indole alkaloids tabersonine and indole-3-acetic acid), flavonoid myricetin 3-O-galactoside, and two primary metabolites 2-hydroxy-6-aminopurine, 3-dehydroshikimic acid were strongly correlated. This study provides data for identification of the IibZIP gene family and their regulation of metabolites in response to salt stress.

The mitigation of water flooding in the gas diffusion layer (GDL) at relatively high current densities is indispensable for enhancing the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). In this paper, a 2D multicomponent LBM model is developed to investigate the effects of porosity distribution and compression on the liquid water dynamic behaviors and distribution. The results suggest that adopting the gradient GDL structure with increasing porosity along the thickness direction significantly reduces the breakthrough time and steady–state total water saturation inside the GDL. Moreover, the positive gradient structure reaches the highest breakthrough time and water saturation at 10% compression ratio (CR) when the GDL is compressed, and the corresponding values decrease with further increase of the CR. Considering the breakthrough time, total water saturation and water distribution at the entrance of the GDL at the same time, the gradient structure with continuously increasing porosity can perform better water management capacity at 30% CR. This paper is useful for understanding the two–phase process in a gradient GDL structure and provides guidance for future design and manufacturing.