Spatiotemporal variations of air pollution and population exposure in Shandong Province, eastern China, 2014-2018.

To clarify the characteristics and interannual variation of air pollution since the implementation of China's clean air actions, hourly in situ measurements of six gaseous and particulate criteria pollutants at 100 sites in Shandong Province were studied during 2014-2018. General decreasing trends in the concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, and CO were observed, while O3 increased continuously. In 2018, the annual average PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, and CO concentration in Shandong was 50, 100, 35, 16 µg m-3, and 1.5 mg m-3, representing decreases of 39%, 30%, 24%, 73%, and 35% from 2014, respectively. These decreases occurred throughout the province. Seven "2 + 26" cities (in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and its surrounds) in western Shandong had higher average concentrations and greater reductions than other areas. In contrast, O3 concentration rose, with occurrences of the 90th percentile of all daily maximum 8-h averages increasing by 12% from 159 to 181 µg m-3, during 2014-2018. From May to September, O3 pollution dominated as the sole primary pollutant on non-attainment days, and PM2.5 contributed to more than 90% of polluted days in wintertime months. Population exposures were investigated based on high-resolution monitoring data and population distribution, and high exposure to pollution was displayed. The population-weighted exposure to PM2.5 in Shandong was 50 µg m-3, a decrease of 33%. Eighty-nine percentage of the provincial population was exposed to PM2.5 > 35 µg m-3, while for 99.2% of population in the seven "2 + 26" cities, PM2.5 exposure exceeded 50 µg m-3.

Effect of TRF1 rs3863242 polymorphism on telomere length in omethoate-exposed workers.

Telomere length was found to be associated with omethoate exposure and polymorphisms in certain genes among occupational workers. However, whether the polymorphisms in telomere-binding protein genes influence telomere length remains unclear. To explore the correlation between telomere length and polymorphisms in telomere-binding protein genes, telomere length in peripheral blood leukocytes was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in 180 omethoate-exposed workers and 115 healthy controls. Polymorphisms in 10 pairs of alleles were detected using flight mass spectrometry or polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. The results showed that individuals with GG genotype in TRF1 rs3863242 had longer telomere lengths than those with AG + AA genotype in the control group (p = 0.005). The multiple regression analysis suggested that both omethoate exposure (b = 0.526, p < 0.001) and TRF1 rs3863242 GG (b = 0.220, p = 0.002) were related to a longer telomere length. In conclusion, GG genotype in TRF1 rs3863242 is linked to prolongation of telomere length, and individuals with GG genotype are recommended to strengthen health protection in a Chinese occupational omethoate-exposed population.

Study on the Relationship of Ions (Na, K, Ca) Absorption and Distribution to Photosynthetic Response of Salix matsudana Koidz Under Salt Stress.

To identify the key indicators for salt tolerance evaluation of Salix matsudana Koidz, we explored the relationship of ion absorption and distribution with chlorophyll, fluorescence parameters (leaf performance index, maximum photochemical efficiency), and photosynthetic gas parameters (net photosynthetic rate, transpiration, stomatal conductance, intercellular carbon dioxide concentration) under salt stress. We established 4 treatment groups and one control group based on salinity levels of NaCl hydroponic solutions (171, 342, 513, and 684 mm). The Na+/K+, Na+/Ca2+, chlorophyll fluorescence, and photosynthetic parameters of leaves were measured on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 8th, 11th, and 15th days to analyze the correlations of chlorophyll, chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic parameters to the ion distribution ratio. The results showed that (1) The ratio of the dry weight of roots to leaves gradually increased with increasing salt concentration, whereas the water content of leaves and roots first increased and then decreased with increasing time. (2) The content of Na+, Na+/K+, and Na+/Ca2+ in roots and leaves increased with increasing salt stress concentration and treatment time, and the difference gradually narrowed. (3) Ca2+ was lost more than K+ under salt stress, and Na+/Ca2+ was more sensitive to the salt stress environment than Na+/K+. (4) Because the root system had a retention effect, both Na+/K+ and Na+/Ca2+ in roots under different NaCl concentrations and different treatment times were higher than those in leaves, and Na+/Ca2+ was much higher than Na+/K+ in roots. (5) Na+/K+ had a higher correlation with fluorescence parameters than Na+/Ca2+. Among them, Na+/K+ had a significantly negative correlation with the maximum photochemical efficiency, and the correlation coefficient R 2 was 0.8576. (6) Photosynthetic gas parameters had a higher correlation with Na+/Ca2+ than with Na+/K+. Among them, significantly negative correlations were noted between Na+/Ca2+ and Gs as well as between Na+/Ca2+ and E under salt stress. The correlation between Na+/Ca2+ and Gs was the highest with a correlation coefficient of 0.9368. (7) Na+/K+ and Na+/Ca2+ had no significant correlation with chlorophylls. Na+/Ca2+ was selected as a key index to evaluate the salt tolerance of S. matsudana Koidz, and the results provided a reference for analyzing the relationship between ion transport and distribution for photosynthesis.

Ion absorption, distribution and salt tolerance threshold of three willow species under salt stress.

To investigate the response mechanism and salt tolerance threshold of three willow seedlings (Salix matsudana, Salix gordejevii, Salix linearistipularis), the absorption, transport and distribution of salt ions (Na+, K+, Ca2+) were studied under hydroponic conditions with different salt concentrations (CK, 171, 342, 513, and 684 mm) and treatment times (1, 3, 5, 8, 11, and 15 days). Salix linearistipularis has the weakest ability to maintain its apparent shape, while Salix matsudana has the strongest ability. The three plants have a certain Na+ interception ability, and the interception abilities of Salix matsudana and Salix gordejevii are higher than that of Salix linearistipularis. The leaf S AK,Na of Salix linearistipularis were higher than those of Salix matsudana and Salix gordejevii. The leaf selection ability was the highest, and the selection ability of the root system was the lowest in Salix linearistipularis. The long-term low salt concentration and the short-term high salt concentration can increase the root and leaf salinity. Salix matsudana grows more stably in a long-term high-salt stress environment, and Salix gordejevii grows stably in a short-term high-salt stress environment. However, Salix linearistipularis is more suitable for planting as an indicative plant because of its sensitivity to salt stress. The root Na+ content of Salix matsudana and Salix gordejevii was 34.21 mg/g, which was the maximum root retention capacity. Once the accumulation of Na+ content in roots exceeds this value, the rejection capacity of roots is broken through, and the selective ion absorption capacity will rapidly become weak, which easily leads to the death of plants.

Effects of salt stress on the photosynthetic physiology and mineral ion absorption and distribution in white willow (Salix alba L.).

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the adaptive mechanism underlying the photosynthetic characteristics and the ion absorption and distribution of white willow (Salix alba L.) in a salt stress environment in cutting seedlings. The results lay a foundation for further understanding the distribution of sodium chloride and its effect on the photosynthetic system. METHOD: A salt stress environment was simulated in a hydroponics system with different NaCl concentrations in one-year-old Salix alba L.branches as the test materials. Their growth, ion absorption, transport and distribution in the roots and leaves, and the changes in the photosynthetic fluorescence parameters were studied after 20 days under hydroponics. RESULTS: The results show that The germination and elongation of roots are promoted in the presence of 171mM NaCl, but root growth is comprehensively inhibited under increasing salt stress. Under salt stress, Na+ accumulates significantly in the roots and leaves, and the Na+ content and the Na+/K+ and Na+/Ca2+ root ratios are significantly greater than those in the leaves. When the NaCl concentration is ≤ 342mM, Salix alba can maintain relatively stable K+ and Ca2+ contents in its leaves by improving the selective absorption and accumulation of K+ and Ca2+ and adjusting the transport capacity of mineral ions to aboveground parts, while K+ and Ca2+ levels are clearly decreased under high salt stress. With increasing salt concentrations, the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (E) and stomatal conductance (gs) of leaves decrease gradually overall, and the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) first decreases and then increases. When the NaCl concentration is < 342mM, the decrease in leaf Pn is primarily restricted by the stomata. When the NaCl concentration is > 342mM, the decrease in the Pn is largely inhibited by non-stomatal factors. Due to the salt stress environment, the OJIP curve (Rapid chlorophyll fluorescence) of Salix alba turns into an OKJIP curve. When the NaCl concentration is > 171mM, the fluorescence values of points I and P decrease significantly, which is accompanied by a clear inflection point (K). The quantum yield and energy distribution ratio of the PSⅡ reaction center change significantly (φPo, Ψo and φEo show an overall downward trend while φDo is promoted). The performance index and driving force (PIABS, PICSm and DFCSm) decrease significantly when the NaCl concentration is > 171mM, indicating that salt stress causes a partial inactivation of the PSII reaction center, and the functions of the donor side and the recipient side are damaged. CONCLUSION: The above results indicate that Salix alba can respond to salt stress by intercepting Na+ in the roots, improving the selective absorption of K+ and Ca2+ and the transport capacity to the above ground parts of the plant, and increasing φDo, thus shows an ability to self-regulate and adapt.

Preclinical systematic review of ginsenoside Rg1 for cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease.

Ginseng has been used for the treatment of aging and memory impairment for thousands of years. Several studies have found that ginsenoside Rg1, as one of the main active components of ginseng, could potentially improve cognitive function in several different animal models. A preclinical systematic review to evaluate the efficacy and mechanisms of ginsenoside Rg1 for ameliorating cognitive impairments in Alzheimer's disease is reported here. We searched six databases from their inceptions to January 2019. Thirty-two studies were selected, which included a total of 1,643 animals. According to various cognitive behavioral tests, the results of the meta-analyses showed that ginsenoside Rg1 significantly improved cognitive behavioral impairments in most Alzheimer's disease models (P < 0.05), but there were no significant effects in animals with neuronal degeneration induced by chronic stress or in SAMP8 transgenic mice. The potential mechanisms included antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, amelioration of Alzheimer's disease-related pathology, synapse protection, and up-regulation of nerve cells via multiple signaling pathways.

Discovery of new genetic loci for male sexual orientation in Han population.

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that the genetic factors partly influence the development of same-sex sexual behavior, but most genetic studies have focused on people of primarily European ancestry, potentially missing important biological insights. Here, we performed a two-stage genome-wide association study (GWAS) with a total sample of 1478 homosexual males and 3313 heterosexual males in Han Chinese populations and identified two genetic loci (rs17320865, Xq27.3, FMR1NB, Pmeta = 8.36 × 10-8, OR = 1.29; rs7259428, 19q12, ZNF536, Pmeta = 7.58 × 10-8, OR = 0.75) showing consistent association with male sexual orientation. A fixed-effect meta-analysis including individuals of Han Chinese (n = 4791) and European ancestries (n = 408,995) revealed 3 genome-wide significant loci of same-sex sexual behavior (rs9677294, 2p22.1, SLC8A1, Pmeta = 1.95 × 10-8; rs2414487, 15q21.3, LOC145783, Pmeta = 4.53 × 10-9; rs2106525, 7q31.1, MDFIC, Pmeta = 6.24 × 10-9). These findings may provide new insights into the genetic basis of male sexual orientation from a wider population scope. Furthermore, we defined the average ZNF536-immunoreactivity (ZNF536-ir) concentration in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) as lower in homosexual individuals than in heterosexual individuals (0.011 ± 0.001 vs 0.021 ± 0.004, P = 0.013) in a postmortem study. In addition, compared with heterosexuals, the percentage of ZNF536 stained area in the SCN was also smaller in the homosexuals (0.075 ± 0.040 vs 0.137 ± 0.103, P = 0.043). More homosexual preference was observed in FMR1NB-knockout mice and we also found significant differences in the expression of serotonin, dopamine, and inflammation pathways that were reported to be related to sexual orientation when comparing CRISPR-mediated FMR1NB knockout mice to matched wild-type target C57 male mice.

Clinical and Preclinical Systematic Review of Panax ginseng C. A. Mey and Its Compounds for Fatigue.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue, as a complex, multidimensional symptom, is associated with many physical illnesses. Panax ginseng C. A. Mey (PG) is an important herbal drug which has been used for benefiting Qi for thousand years. Panax ginseng C. A. Mey and its compounds (PGC) possess various pharmacological activities, including anti-fatigue. Here, we conducted a systematic review of both randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and preclinical animal studies to investigate the efficacy and safety of PGC for fatigue. METHODS: Electronic searches were performed in 7 databases from the time of each database's inception to August 2019. The methodological quality of RCTs was assessed using 7-item checklist recommended by Cochrane Collaboration or by the CAMARADES 10-item quality checklist. All the data were analyzed using Rev-Man 5.3 and Stata SE software. RESULTS: Eight eligible RCTs and 30 animal studies were identified. The risk of bias scores in RCTs ranged from 4/7 to 7/7, and of animal studies varied from 4/10 to 7/10. Meta-analyses showed that PGC was superior to placebo according to their respective fatigue scales, heart rate recovery, and clinical effect (P < 0.05). There were a similar number of adverse effects between PGC and placebo group (P > 0.05). Meta-analyses showed that PGC can significantly decrease level of blood lactate, blood urea nitrogen, creatine kinase, malondialdehyde, and lactic dehydrogenase in serum, level of malondialdehyde in liver and level of gamma-aminobutyric acid, 5-hydroxytryptamine in brain tissue, and increase swimming time, level of glutathione peroxidase, glucose, superoxide dismutase in serum, level of glycogen and activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase in skeletal muscle, level of hepatic glycogen in liver and level of dopamine, acetylcholine in brain tissue, compared with control (P < 0.05). Meta-analyses showed no significant difference in animal body weight between PGC and control (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present findings supported, to a certain degree, that PGC can be recommended for routine use in fatigue. The possible mechanism of PGC resists fatigue, mainly through antioxidant stress, regulating carbohydrate metabolism, delaying the accumulation of metabolites, promoting mitochondrial function, neuroprotection, antiapoptosis, and regulating neurotransmitter disorder in central nervous system.

The association between polymorphisms in tankyrase gene and telomere length in omethoate-exposed workers.

Peripheral blood leukocyte telomere length in omethoate-exposed workers is related to environmental exposure and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes including p21, GSTM1, miR-145, etc. However, the roles of SNPs in tankyrase (TNKS) gene in telomere length are still unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the association between SNPs in TNKS gene and telomere length in omethoate-exposed workers. Telomere length in peripheral blood leukocyte DNA from 180 omethoate-exposed workers and 115 healthy controls was measured using Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genotyping of the selected functional and susceptible SNPs was performed by the flight mass spectrometry based on PCR and single-base extension. The analysis of covariance was performed to find effects of SNPs on telomere length. Generalized linear models were used to analyze the environment, gene, and interaction on telomere length. The results showed that telomere length in the CG + CC genotypes in rs1055328 in TNKS gene was significantly longer than that in the wild homozygous GG genotype both in exposure group (P = 0.017) and in control group (P = 0.038) after adjusting the covariates. The variables kept in the generalized linear models included omethoate-exposure (ß = 0.580, P = 0.001) and rs1055328 (CG + CC) in TNKS gene (ß = 0.339, P = 0.002). The study suggests that the prolongation of telomere length is associated with omethoate-exposure and the CG + CC genotypes in rs1055328 in TNKS gene.

Chinese Herbal Medicine for Wilson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Wilson's disease (WD) is a rare autosomal recessive inherited disorder of chronic copper toxicosis. Currently, Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) is widely used for WD. Here, we conducted an updated systematic review to investigate the efficacy and safety of CHM for WD and its possible mechanisms. Randomized-controlled clinical trials (RCTs), which compared CHM with Western conventional medicine or placebo for WD, were searched in six databases from inception to July 2017. The methodological quality was assessed using 7-item criteria from the Cochrane's collaboration tool. All the data were analyzed using Rev-Man 5.3 software. Eighteen studies involving 1,220 patients were identified for the final analyses. A score of study quality ranged from 2/7 to 4/7 points. Meta-analyses showed that CHM could significantly increase 24-h urinary copper excretion and improve liver function and the total clinical efficacy rate for WD compared with control (p < 0.05). Additionally, CHM was well tolerated in patients with WD. The underlying mechanisms of CHM for WD are associated with reversing the ATP7B mutants, exerting anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-hepatic fibrosis effects. In conclusion, despite the apparent positive results, the present evidence supports, to a limited extent because of the methodological flaws and CHM heterogeneity, that CHM paratherapy can be used for patients with WD but could not be recommended as monotherapy in WD. Further rigorous RCTs focusing on individual CHM formula for WD are warranted.

[Effects of NaCl stress on the exogenous gene expression in transgenic poplar plants].

The expressions of BtCry1Ac insect-resistance genes and rhizogenesis genes and their response to NaCl stress were studied using tissue culture plants of high transgenic insect-resistant 'poplar 741' and transpolygenes 741 (insect-resistant genes and T-DNA of Ri plasmid). The results showed that IAA and GA contents increased quickly, plant root number increased and root length reduced after rhizogenesis and hormone synthesis related gene in Ri T-DNA were inserted into the genome of poplar (Figs.2, 3, 8 and 9). Plant height, root number, chlorophyll content, IAA and GA contents decreased gradually with an increase in NaCl stress intensity (Figs.1, 2, 4-6, 8 and 9). Apiece index change extent of transgenic rol gene plant was smaller than transgenic Bt gene plant and non-transgenic plant. Bt toxin protein content of transgenic rol gene plant increased significantly under NaCl stress (Fig.7). Our results indicate that the expressions of the foreign genes changed with the changes of the environmental conditions.

[Effects of salt stress on physiological characters and salt-tolerance of Ulmus pumila in different habitats].

Taking the Ulmus pumila seedlings from three different habitats (medium-, mild-, and non-saline soils) as test materials, an experiment was conducted to study their salt-tolerance thresholds and physiological characteristic under different levels (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 g X kg(-1)) of salt stress. With increasing level of the salt stress, the seedlings taken from medium- and mild- saline habitats had a lower increment of leaf membrane permeability, Na+ content, and Na+/K+ but a higher increment of leaf proline, soluble sugar, and K+ contents, and a lower decrement of leaf starch content, net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, intercellular CO2 concentration, and stomatic conductance, as compared with the seedlings taken from non-saline habitat. The salt-tolerance thresholds of the seedlings taken from different habitats were in the order of medium- saline habitat (7.76 g X kg(-1)) > mild- saline habitat (7.37 g X kg(-1)) > non-saline habitat (6.95 g X kg(-1)). It was suggested that the U. pumila seedlings in medium- and mild-saline habitats had a stronger adaptability to saline soil environment than the U. pumila seedlings in non-saline soil environment.