Unraveling paraquat-induced toxicity on mouse neural stem cells: Dose-response metabolomics insights and identification of sensitive biomarkers for risk assessment.

Exposure to pesticide could contribute to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Notably, research suggests that prenatal or early postnatal exposure to paraquat (PQ), an herbicide, might trigger neurodevelopmental toxicity in neural stem cells (NSCs) via oxidative stress. However, the molecular mechanisms of PQ-induced perturbations in NSCs, particularly at the metabolite level, are not fully understood. Using a dose-response metabolomics approach, we examined metabolic changes in murine NSCs exposed to different PQ doses (0, 10, 20, 40 µM) for 24h. At 20 µM, PQ treatment led to significant metabolic alterations, highlighting unique toxic mechanisms. Metabolic perturbations, mainly affecting amino acid metabolism pathways (e.g., phenylalanine, tyrosine, arginine, tryptophan, and pyrimidine metabolism), were associated with oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell cycle dysregulation. Dose-response models were used to identify potential biomarkers (e.g., Putrescine, L-arginine, ornithine, L-histidine, N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine, thymidine) reflecting early damage from low-dose PQ exposure. These biomarkers could be used as points of departure (PoD) for characterizing PQ exposure hazard in risk assessment. Our study offers insights into mechanisms and risk assessment related to PQ-induced neurotoxicity in NSCs.

Does eco-friendly tourism necessary for entrepreneurship? The role of tourism and innovation in sustainable development.

Recent years have seen a surge in international interest in the connections between tourism, technological development, and climate change. This research looks at how increased innovation and tourism might help the economies of the Group of Seven to grow sustainably. Multiple panel unit root tests confirmed the unit root properties of the variables, and the cross-sectional dependency of the panel data from 2000 to 2020 was analyzed. Pedroni and Kao's tests reveal a co-integration link between the variables. Full-modified OLS and dynamic OLS studies show that innovation, as measured by patents and scholarly papers, is associated with economic growth and reduced pollution. In order to estimate the variables, this research makes use of the augmented mean group (AMG) and CCEMG. These findings demonstrate tourism's enormous positive effect on lowering pollution levels and growing economies, two key indicators of sustainable progress. According to the study's findings, asylum seekers did not help boost national economies or participate in national environmental improvement initiatives. Evidence suggests that primary enrollment levels promote sustainable development by reducing environmental degradation and fostering economic growth. The findings suggest that the G7 economies would benefit from increased investment in innovation, tourism infrastructure, and technical higher education. These results provide valuable input for businesses, politicians, and the G7 economies' sustainable development goals.

Endoscopic grading of gastric atrophy and histological gastritis staging on risk assessment for early gastric cancer: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the predictive value of endoscopic grading of gastric atrophy using Kimura-Takemoto classification, histological grading systems of operative link on gastritis assessment (OLGA) and operative link on gastric intestinal metaplasia (OLGIM) on risk stratification for early gastric cancer (EGC) and other potential risk factors of EGC. METHODS: A single-center, case-control study was retrospectively conducted including 68 patients with EGC treated with endoscopic submucosal dissection and 68 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Kimura-Takemoto classification, OLGA and OLGIM systems, and other potential risk factors were evaluated between the two groups. RESULTS: Of the 68 EGC lesions, 22 (32.4%) were well differentiated, 38 (55.9%) were moderately differentiated, and 8 (11.8%) were poorly differentiated, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed O-type Kimura-Takemoto classification (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.282, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.106-9.744, P = 0.032) and OLGIM stage III/IV (AOR 17.939, 95% CI 1.874-171.722, P = 0.012) were significantly related to a higher risk of EGC. Especially, O-type Kimura-Takemoto classification within 6-12 months before EGC diagnosis (AOR 4.780, 95% CI 1.650-13.845, P = 0.004) was independently associated with EGC risk. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the three systems for EGC were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic Kimura-Takemoto classification and histological OLGIM stage III/IV are independent risk factors for EGC, which may reduce the need for biopsies in risk stratification of EGC. Further multicenter prospective studies of large sizes are needed.

[Characteristics and Planting Safety Assessment of As Content in Dryland Soil and Maize in Guizhou Province].

In order to understand the distribution characteristics of As content in dryland soils and maize seeds in Guizhou province and to evaluate the safety of maize cultivation, 468 natural soil samples, 1260 dryland surface soil samples, and 980 corresponding maize seed samples were systematically collected to determine their As content and basic physicochemical properties. The degree of contamination of the samples was evaluated by using the single-factor contamination index method. The results showed that: ① the range of ω(As) in dryland soil was 0.35-758.53 mg·kg-1, with a geometric mean of 23.28 mg·kg-1. The independent sample T-test showed that the As content of dryland soil in Guizhou province was significantly higher than that of natural soil ω(As) 21.29 mg·kg-1 (P<0.01), indicating the existence of arsenic accumulation effects in dryland soil; compared with the screening value of the "Agricultural Land Soil Pollution Risk Management and Control Standard" (GB 15618-2018), the excess rate of soil samples was 33.81%. ② Corn seed ω(As) ranged from 0.001 to 0.868 mg·kg-1, with a mean value of 0.064 mg·kg-1, and 0.61% of the corn seed samples exceeded the limit value of "Limits of Contaminants in Foods" (GB 2762-2017), with the exceeding points distributed in Bijie City, Qianxinan Prefecture, and Tongren City. ③ When corn seeds were used as feed and grain, maize could be safely grown in dryland soils in Guizhou province. This study showed that the soil As pollution in the dryland of Guizhou province was relatively serious, and overall safe maize cultivation can be achieved; however, the cultivation of maize around the As-related non-ferrous metal mining areas is still of concern.

Patient-derived cell-based pharmacogenomic assessment to unveil underlying resistance mechanisms and novel therapeutics for advanced lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: A pharmacogenomic platform using patient-derived cells (PDCs) was established to identify the underlying resistance mechanisms and tailored treatment for patients with advanced or refractory lung cancer. METHODS: Drug sensitivity screening and multi-omics datasets were acquired from lung cancer PDCs (n = 102). Integrative analysis was performed to explore drug candidates according to genetic variants, gene expression, and clinical profiles. RESULTS: PDCs had genomic characteristics resembled with those of solid lung cancer tissues. PDC molecular subtyping classified patients into four groups: (1) inflammatory, (2) epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like, (3) stemness, and (4) epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR)-dominant. EGFR mutations of the EMT-like subtype were associated with a reduced response to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. Moreover, although RB1/TP53 mutations were significantly enriched in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) PDCs, they were also present in non-SCLC PDCs. In contrast to its effect in the cell lines, alpelisib (a PI3K-AKT inhibitor) significantly inhibited both RB1/TP53 expression and SCLC cell growth in our PDC model. Furthermore, cell cycle inhibitors could effectively target SCLC cells. Finally, the upregulation of transforming growth factor-ß expression and the YAP/TAZ pathway was observed in osimertinib-resistant PDCs, predisposing them to the EMT-like subtype. Our platform selected XAV939 (a WNT-TNKS-ß-catenin inhibitor) for the treatment of osimertinib-resistant PDCs. Using an in vitro model, we further demonstrated that acquisition of osimertinib resistance enhances invasive characteristics and EMT, upregulates the YAP/TAZ-AXL axis, and increases the sensitivity of cancer cells to XAV939. CONCLUSIONS: Our PDC models recapitulated the molecular characteristics of lung cancer, and pharmacogenomics analysis provided plausible therapeutic candidates.

Real-Time Depth of Anaesthesia Assessment Based on Hybrid Statistical Features of EEG.

This paper proposed a new depth of anaesthesia (DoA) index for the real-time assessment of DoA using electroencephalography (EEG). In the proposed new DoA index, a wavelet transform threshold was applied to denoise raw EEG signals, and five features were extracted to construct classification models. Then, the Gaussian process regression model was employed for real-time assessment of anaesthesia states. The proposed real-time DoA index was implemented using a sliding window technique and validated using clinical EEG data recorded with the most popular commercial DoA product Bispectral Index monitor (BIS). The results are evaluated using the correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman methods. The outcomes show that the highest and the average correlation coefficients are 0.840 and 0.814, respectively, in the testing dataset. Meanwhile, the scatter plot of Bland-Altman shows that the agreement between BIS and the proposed index is 94.91%. In contrast, the proposed index is free from the electromyography (EMG) effect and surpasses the BIS performance when the signal quality indicator (SQI) is lower than 15, as the proposed index can display high correlation and reliable assessment results compared with clinic observations.

Designing cross-region ecological compensation scheme by integrating habitat maintenance services production and consumption-A case study of Jing-Jin-Ji region.

Establishing a practicable ecological compensation scheme is crucial to raise sufficient funds for habitat conservation. This study proposes a cross-region ecological compensation scheme by integrating habitat maintenance services production and consumption. In addition, the suitability evaluation method and InVEST model of habitat quality were employed to estimate the habitat maintenance services production and consumption, respectively. We used 1980 as the benchmark year and applied the scheme to a three-level hierarchy of the Jing-Jin-Ji region for 2000, 2008 and 2013. At the provincial level, Beijing paid the most habitat maintenance services ecological compensation, with an increasing trend from 1.64 × 109 RMB to 2.22 × 109 RMB, and Hebei received the most, from 2.06 × 109 RMB to 2.72 × 109 RMB. At the municipal level, Chengde, which is the most underdeveloped region in Hebei, was the largest beneficiary, receiving 1.31 × 109 RMB, 1.42 × 109 RMB and 1.46 × 109 RMB, respectively, and the ratio of ecological compensation to fiscal revenue was 7.59%. At the county level, Fengning and Weichang, the top two underdeveloped counties in Chengde, received the highest compensation. The results are consistent with each region's ecological function positioning and economic development status of the Jing-Jin-Ji region. This study can clarify the ecological responsibilities and rights, and provides the suggestions for establishing the cross administrative region ecological compensation scheme and long-term funding mechanism for habitat conservation.

Electrochemical-assisted ultraviolet light coupled peroxodisulfate system to degrade ciprofloxacin in water: Kinetics, mechanism and pathways.

The persulfate advanced oxidation is an emerging and efficient pollutant treatment method, but usually requires the help of other materials or energy to catalyze and produce highly oxidizing active substances. In this paper, electrochemical-assisted ultraviolet light coupled peroxodisulfate system (E-UV-PDS) was used to degrade ciprofloxacin (CIP), and it was determined that electrolysis and ultraviolet photolysis were synergistic by calculation. The effects of initial pH, voltage, peroxodisulfate dosage, CIP concentration and coexisting anions on the degradation process were explored. The quenching experiments showed that 1O2, ⋅OH and SO4-⋅ were the main active oxygen species. Under the following conditions, ultraviolet light = 6 W, voltage = 4 V, [peroxodisulfate] = 20 mM, [pH]0 = 7 and [CIP] = 100 mgL-1, the degradation rate of CIP reached about 100% after 120 min, and the influence of inorganic anions was also discussed. Several intermediate products were identified by LC-MS, and three degradation pathways were speculated for CIP degradation. Finally, economic evaluation of the E-UV-PDS system was made, and it was useful to construct environmentally friendly and low-cost catalytic processes for the efficient degradation of organic pollutants.

Risk assessment of cadmium intake via food among residents in the mining-affected areas of Nandan County, China.

This study investigated the dietary structure, Cadmium (Cd) contents in foods and exposure to Cd through diets of the residents in the mining-affected areas of Nandan County in summer 2013 (July to August) and winter 2014 (November to December). The weighing of foods and the chemical analysis of foods were applied to determine the dietary structure, and the concentration of trace element Cd in the diets, respectively, of the residents in the mining-affected areas (Chehe town, Dachang town, and Zhanglao town) and a control area (Liuzhai town), and subsequently the Cd exposure from the diets was estimated. In the mining-affected areas, the geometric mean of Cd in rice and rice products was the highest (0.29 µg/g) among all food types, and it exceeds the value of 0.2ug/g from the China Food Safety National Standard for Maximum Levels of Contaminants in Foods (GB2762-2017). The Cd contents in rice and rice products, vegetables, and beans in the mining-affected areas were significantly higher than those in the control area. The estimated daily food intakes of Cd in the mining-affected areas were higher than the intake in the control area. The THQ in the mining-affected areas of Chehe town, Dachang town, and Zhanglao town was 3.03, 2.31, and 3.27, respectively. All of which were higher than the value of 1.44 in the control area. Thus, the high level of dietary cadmium intakes of residents in this area deserves our attention.

Novel assessment of leukocyte-rich platelet-rich plasma on functional and patient-reported outcomes in knee osteoarthritis: a pilot study.

Background: Leukocyte-rich platelet-rich plasma (LR-PRP) has demonstrated to be beneficial for patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA); however, reliable objective end points to accurately assess its therapeutic effects is lacking. Aim: To investigate the efficacy of LR-PRP as assessed by functional and patient-reported outcomes at early time points (6 weeks). Materials & methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study in 12 patients with diagnosed KOA (Kellgren Lawrence score of II-III), who underwent a single ultrasound-guided LR-PRP injection. Results: There was significant improvement in timed up and go, pain and quality of life scales and balance parameters. There were nonsignificant improvements in range of motion and gait parameters. Conclusion: LR-PRP demonstrates efficacy in meaningful end points for functional and patient-reported outcomes at early time points in patients with KOA.

Occupational Health Risk Assessment of Benzene, Toluene, and Xylene in Shanghai.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to conduct a retrospective and systematic occupational health risk assessment (OHRA) of enterprises that used benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) in Shanghai, China. METHODS: All data for the study were obtained from 1,705 occupational health examination and evaluation reports from 2013 to 2017, and a semiquantitative model following Chinese OHRA guidelines (GBZ/T 298-2017) was applied for the assessment. RESULTS: The selected enterprises using BTX were mainly involved in manufacturing of products. Using the exposure level method, health risk levels associated with exposure to BTX were classified as medium, negligible, or low. However, the risk levels associated with benzene and toluene were significantly different according to job types, with gluers and inkers exhibiting greater health risks. For the same job type, the health risk levels assessed using the comprehensive index method were higher than those using the exposure level method. CONCLUSION: Our OHRA reveals that workers who are exposed to BTX still face excessive health risk. Additionally, the risk level varied depending on job categories and exposure to specific chemicals. Therefore, additional control measures recommended by OHRA guidelines are essential to reduce worker exposure levels.

[Safety Assessment of Rice Planting in Soil Cadmium Geological Anomaly Areas in Southwest Guangxi].

To evaluate the safety of rice planting in cadmium geological anomaly areas, 41 natural soil, 479 paddy soil, and 432 rice samples were collected in southwestern Guangxi. The contents of Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn and soil physical and chemical properties were measured. The single factor pollution index method (Pi) was used to evaluate the degree of contamination of the sample, and correlation analysis were used to explore the main factors affecting the heavy metal content in rice. The results showed that ① soil pH of the paddy field was 6.8; the organic matter content was 39.00 g·kg-1; the risk screening value was based on the soil environmental quality standards for soil pollution risk control and control of agricultural land (GB 15618-2018), the exceeding standard rates of Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn in soil were 60.75%, 2.09%, 0.83%, and 1.88%. ② The over-standard rates of Cd and Ni in rice were 9.03% and 4.39%, respectively. Considering straw as raw material for feed and organic fertilizer, the corresponding over-standard rates of Cd were 6.94% and 1.16%. ③ Correlation analysis showed that soil pH, organic matter, total heavy metal, and available content were the main factors affecting the content of heavy metals in rice. Cd and Ni in the study area all exhibited certain over-standard phenomena, and the low-accumulation rice varieties could be planted to reduce heavy metal content in rice.

[Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Pollution Assessment of Heavy Metals on Farmland of Geochemical Anomaly Area in Southwest Guangxi].

To understand spatial distribution characteristics and pollution status of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in soils within geochemical anomaly areas in southwestern Guangxi, 256 natural and farmland soils were collected, and heavy metal contents in soils were analyzed. The results show the following:① The background values of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in natural soils were 0.890, 32.58, 51.50, 55.57, and 168.1 mg·kg-1, respectively. The pH value of farmland soil (n=193) ranged from 4.8 to 7.9. The geometric mean values of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were 0.637, 30.76, 27.04, 39.59, and 123.9 mg·kg-1, respectively. ② Kriging interpolation results showed that the spatial distribution characteristics of Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn in farmland soils were similar, and high-content areas were mainly concentrated in Chongzuo-Longzhou area. The highest content of Cu was found in Tianlin County, Lingyun County, Baise City, and Tianyang County. ③ Taking the "Standard for Risk Control of Soil Pollution in Agricultural Land of Soil Environmental Quality" (GB 15618-2018) and soil baseline values as evaluation criteria, the above-standard rates of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in farmland were 57.5%, 6.2%, 0.5%, 3.6%, 10.9%, and 4.1%, 14.0%, 0.5%, 2.1%, and 2.1%, respectively. The comprehensive pollution index shows that Tiandeng County, Longan County, Daxin County, Longzhou County, and Chongzuo City have severe combined pollution characteristics. The most important reason behind the high background value (particularly the Cd element) in the geochemical anomaly area of southwestern Guangxi is that the topography of the study area is complex, and the types of heavy metal deposits are numerous, which means that the parent material (rock) itself has a high content of heavy metals, which is weathered into soil. This soil inherits heavy metals from the parent material (rock).

Risk assessment of lead intake via food among residents in the mining areas of Nandan County, China.

This study studied the dietary structure, lead (Pb) contents and exposure of the diets of the residents in the mining-affected areas of Nandan County in summer (July to August) and winter (November to December). The weighing method and the Chemical Analysis Method were applied to determine the daily intake amount of trace element Pb in the diets of the residents in the mining-affected areas and a contrast area, and subsequently estimated the Pb exposure of the diets of the residents. Based on the Provisionally Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) and Margin of Exposure (MoE), the risk of Pb poisoning driven by the dietary intake of the residents in the study areas was determined. Among the food types, rice and rice products, vegetables, meat and meat products were the major contributing factors. In the mining-affected areas, Pb contents in meat and meat products ranked the top (2.47 µg/g) among the food types. The Pb contents in rice and rice products, vegetables, and meat and meat products in the mining-affected areas were significantly different from those in the contrast area. The average intake amounts of Pb in all kinds of food of the residents in the mining-affected areas (Chehe Town, Dachang Town and Zhanglao Town) were 958.6 µg/d, 1178 µg/d and 813.7 µg/d, respectively. According to the MoE method, current study confirmed high health risk due to Pb contamination in the diets of the residents in these mining-affected areas. From the dietary contribution rate perspective, meat was the main source of Pb intake of the residents in the mining-affected areas. To reduce the health risk induced by excessive Pb exposure in the dietary intake, local residents should consume more fish and grains instead of meat.

Low-Cost, Robust Pressure-Responsive Smart Windows with Dynamic Switchable Transmittance.

Mechanically responsive smart windows with adjustable light transmittance have attracted more and more attention due to their great potential in our daily life. However, their fabrication normally requires complicated preparation such as oxygen plasma treatment and high-cost materials (i.e., poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)), which hinders their practical applications. Herein, a principally different mechanically responsive smart window, i.e., a pressure-responsive smart window, is reported, which is achieved by harnessing the synergistic interactions (i.e., hydrogen bonding and surface roughness compensation) between the two constituent parts, i.e., hydrogel and agar films. The pressure-responsive smart window features the ultrafast response time (37.5 ms) and high transmittance changes (∼50%) with excellent repeatability, which can be stained with different colors and operated on a flexible substrate. Since the pressure-responsive smart window enables the utilization of the low-cost material and does not require the external energy input, it is anticipated that it may have great potential in practical applications.

Assessment on the binding affinity between ritonavir with model transport protein: a combined multi-spectroscopic approaches with computer simulation.

The binding affinity between ritonavir (RTV) and model transport protein, BSA was assessed through multi-spectroscopic approaches and computer simulation. The findings revealed RTV statically quenched the fluorescence of BSA and formed the 1:1 RTV-BSA complex with the binding constant (Kb) of 1.06 × 103 ∼ 5.08 × 103 M-1 under the studied temperatures (298 ∼ 310 K). During the interaction of RTV with BSA, the hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces acted as predominant function while the hydrophobicity played an assistant function. Molecular modeling further verified the result obtained from the competitive binding experiments, RTV preferentially fit into in the sub-domain IIIA of BSA. The perturbation in the secondary structures of BSA upon acting with RTV was observed from IR results, whereas synchronous and 3D fluorescence spectral findings unraveled the slight change in the hydrophobicity surrounding Tyr and Trp residues.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

A Revisit of Infinite Population Models for Evolutionary Algorithms on Continuous Optimization Problems.

Infinite population models are important tools for studying population dynamics of evolutionary algorithms. They describe how the distributions of populations change between consecutive generations. In general, infinite population models are derived from Markov chains by exploiting symmetries between individuals in the population and analyzing the limit as the population size goes to infinity. In this article, we study the theoretical foundations of infinite population models of evolutionary algorithms on continuous optimization problems. First, we show that the convergence proofs in a widely cited study were in fact problematic and incomplete. We further show that the modeling assumption of exchangeability of individuals cannot yield the transition equation. Then, in order to analyze infinite population models, we build an analytical framework based on convergence in distribution of random elements which take values in the metric space of infinite sequences. The framework is concise and mathematically rigorous. It also provides an infrastructure for studying the convergence of the stacking of operators and of iterating the algorithm which previous studies failed to address. Finally, we use the framework to prove the convergence of infinite population models for the mutation operator and the k-ary recombination operator. We show that these operators can provide accurate predictions for real population dynamics as the population size goes to infinity, provided that the initial population is identically and independently distributed.

Assessment on the binding characteristics of dasatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor to calf thymus DNA: insights from multi-spectroscopic methodologies and molecular docking as well as DFT calculation.

The binding characteristics of calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) with dasatinib (DSTN), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor was assessed through multi-spectroscopic methodologies and viscosity measurement combined with molecular docking as well as DFT calculation to understand the binding mechanism, affinity of DSTN onto ct-DNA, effect of DSTN on ct-DNA conformation, and among others. The results confirmed DSTN bound onto ct-DNA, leading to forming the DSTN-ct-DNA complex with the binding constant of 4.82 × 103 M-1 at 310 K. DSTN preferentially inserted to the minor groove of ct-DNA with rich A-T region, that was the binding mode of DSTN onto ct-DNA was groove binding. The enthalpic change (ΔH0) and entropic change (ΔS0) during the binding process of DSTN with ct-DNA were 128.9 kJ mol-1 and 489.2 J mol-1 K-1, respectively, confirming clearly that the association of DSTN with ct-DNA was an endothermic process and the dominative driven-force was hydrophobic interaction. Meanwhile, the results also indicated that there was a certain extent of electrostatic force and hydrogen bonding, but they maybe play an auxiliary role. The CD measurement results confirmed the alteration in the helical configuration of ct-DNA but almost no change in the base stacking after binding DSTN. The results revealed that there was the obvious change in the conformation, the dipole moment, and the atomic charge distribution of DSTN in the B-DNA complexes, compared with free DSTN, to satisfy the conformational adaptation. From the obtained fronitier molecular orbitals of DSTN, it can be inferred that the nature of DSTN alters with the change of the environment around DSTN. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

[Cd Content Characteristics and Ecological Risk Assessment of Paddy Soil in High Cadmium Anomaly Area of Guangxi].

To investigate the levels of heavy metal Cd in paddy soils in high cadmium anomaly areas in Guangxi, and to assess their potential ecological risks to the environment. Through preliminary screening and detailed investigation, 912 pieces of soil samples from high-cadmium abnormal area were collected in multiple batches to determine the soil Cd content. The single-factor pollution index method and potential risk index method were used to control the Cd pollution degree of paddy soil. Potential risks were evaluated. The results showed that:① The average Cd values of natural soil, paddy soil, and dryland soil in the initial screening were 0.915, 0.591, and 0.593 mg·kg-1, respectively. ② In the detailed investigation, the soil pH is 4.6-8.7, which is between acidic and weakly alkaline. If the Soil Environmental Quality Standard (GB 15618-2018) is used as the evaluation standard, the Cd of the soil sample in Pingguo County, Tiandong County, Long'an County, and Liucheng County is seriously exceeded, and the soil sample in the paddy field of Rongshui Country is not polluted. Based on the soil baseline value, the Cd in the soil samples of Tiandong County, Liucheng County, and Rongshui County were non-polluting. In the paddy soils of Tianyang County, Pingguo County, Tianxian County, Daxin County, Long'an County, and Rong'an County, the proportion of Cd in mild to moderate pollution was 4.2%, 3.7%, 14.9%, 2.6%, 7.1%, and 1.4%, respectively. ③ Cd in paddy soils of nine counties and cities presents different levels of potential ecological risks. The soil Cd of some paddy fields in Tiandeng County, Daxin County, and Long'an County was at a high ecological risk ratio of 4.3%, 2.6%, and 2.4%. The soil Cd of Tianyang County, Pingguo County, Rong'an County, and Liucheng County was medium-Middle and high potential risks. Tiandong County and Rongshui County are at low potential ecological risks. In conclusion, the overall Cd in the paddy soil of the study area is high, which may affect the safe planting of rice in the long-term. It will eventually pose a health threat to local residents and should be taken care of. It is recommended to carry out research on soil cadmium bioavailability and rice cadmium accumulation in the study area in order to assess its ecological risk and health risk more scientifically and reasonably.

African Orphan Crops Consortium (AOCC): status of developing genomic resources for African orphan crops.

MAIN CONCLUSION: The African Orphan Crops Consortium (AOCC) successfully initiated the ambitious genome sequencing project of 101 African orphan crops/trees with 6 genomes sequenced, 6 near completion, and 20 currently in progress. Addressing stunting, malnutrition, and hidden hunger through nutritious, economic, and resilient agri-food system is one of the major agricultural challenges of this century. As sub-Saharan Africa harbors a large portion of the severely malnourished population, the African Orphan Crops Consortium (AOCC) was established in 2011 with an aim to reduce stunting and malnutrition by providing nutritional security through improving locally adapted nutritious, but neglected, under-researched or orphan African food crops. Foods from these indigenous or naturalized crops and trees are rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidant, and are an integral part of the dietary portfolio and cultural, social, and economic milieu of African farmers. Through stakeholder consultations supported by the African Union, 101 African orphan and under-researched crop species were prioritized to mainstream into African agri-food systems. The AOCC, through a network of international-regional-public-private partnerships and collaborations, is generating genomic resources of three types, i.e., reference genome sequence, transcriptome sequence, and re-sequencing 100 accessions/species, using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Furthermore, the University of California Davis African Plant Breeding Academy under the AOCC banner is training 150 lead African scientists to breed high yielding, nutritious, and climate-resilient (biotic and abiotic stress tolerant) crop varieties that meet African farmer and consumer needs. To date, one or more forms of sequence data have been produced for 60 crops. Reference genome sequences for six species have already been published, 6 are almost near completion, and 19 are in progress.