[Effects of Application of Different Organic Materials on Phosphorus Accumulation and Transformation in Vegetable Fields].

Presently, the improvement of soil organic matter is the basis to ensure food security, but the accumulation and transformation characteristics of soil phosphorus (P) as affected by organic matter remain unclear. The accumulation, transformation, and migration characteristics of soil P in different soil layers of vegetable fields were researched under the application of organic materials. Six treatments were set up in the experiment:control (no fertilization), traditional fertilizer application by farmers, biochar, chicken manure, food waste, and straw application. Available phosphorus (Olsen-P), water-soluble phosphorus (CaCl2-P) content, soil phosphorus forms, soil organic matter (SOM), and pH were determined during the pepper harvest period. In the 0-5 cm and 5-10 cm soil layers, the available phosphorus content of traditional fertilization of farmers was higher, and the available phosphorus content of the four organic materials was in the order of straw > biochar > chicken manure > food waste. Compared to that with food waste, the straw and biochar treatments increased soil available phosphorus by 59.6%-67.3% and 29.1%-36.9%, respectively. The straw treatment could easily enhance the soil labile P pool, and soil labile P in the 0-5 cm soil layer increased by 47.3% and 35.1% compared with that under the chicken manure and food waste treatments, respectively. With the increase in soil depth, the proportion of available phosphorus in the chicken manure treatment decreased the least, and available phosphorus of the 20-30 cm soil layer accounted for 55.9% of the topsoil layer but only accounted for 16.0%-34.0% under treatment with the other three materials. Compared with that under the traditional fertilization of farmers, the pH significantly increased by 0.18-0.36 units after the application of organic fertilizer, and the pH of the chicken manure and food waste treatments was significantly higher than that of biochar and straw (P < 0.05). SOM content under the biochar treatment significantly increased by 7.7%-17.6% compared to that under the other three organic materials. Among the four organic materials, the straw treatment boosted the labile P pool the most, which was conducive to the rapid increase in plant-available P. Phosphorus was most likely to migrate downward under the chicken manure treatment. In the field management based on soil fertility enhancement, the application of biochar could not only improve soil pH and SOM but also avoid excessive accumulation of phosphorus in the surface layer, which decreases environmental risks.

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi alleviates Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea and its modulatory effects on the gut microbiota.

The growing incidence of Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) underscores the urgency for potent treatments. This research delves into the therapeutic potential of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Lamiaceae) root (SR) in addressing CDAD and its influence on gut microbiota. Using a CDAD mouse model and fidaxomicin as a control, SR's impact was measured through diarrhea symptoms, colonic histopathology, and C. difficile toxin levels. Employing the PacBio platform, 16S rRNA full-length gene sequencing analyzed the gut microbial composition and the effect of SR. Results revealed SR considerably alleviated diarrhea during treatment and restoration phases, with a marked decrease in colonic inflammation. C. difficile toxin levels dropped significantly with SR treatment (P < 0.001). While SR didn't augment gut microbiota's overall abundance, it enhanced its diversity. It restored levels of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, reduced Akkermansia spp. and Enterococcus spp. proportions, and modulated specific bacterial species' abundance. In essence, SR effectively mitigates CDAD symptoms, curtails inflammatory reactions, and beneficially restructures gut microbiota, suggesting its potential in advanced CDAD clinical intervention.

Acupuncture modulates the gut microbiota in Alzheimer's disease: current evidence, challenges, and future opportunities.

Alzheimer's disease, one of the most severe and common neurodegenerative diseases, has no effective cure. Therefore it is crucial to explore novel and effective therapeutic targets. The gut microbiota - brain axis has been found to play a role in Alzheimer's disease by regulating the neuro-immune and endocrine systems. At the same time, acupuncture can modulate the gut microbiota and may impact the course of Alzheimer's disease. In this Review, we discuss recent studies on the role of acupuncture on the gut microbiota as well current challenges and future opportunities of acupuncture as potential treatment for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Research and Optimization of High-Performance Front-End Circuit Noise for Inertial Sensors.

An inertial sensor is a crucial payload in China's Taiji program for space gravitational wave detection. The performance of the capacitive displacement sensing circuit in the low-frequency band (0.1 mHz to 1 Hz) is extremely important because it directly determines the sensitivity of the space gravitational wave detection missions. Therefore, significant, yet challenging, tasks include decreasing the low-frequency noise in capacitive displacement sensing circuits and improving the capacitive sensing resolution. This study analyzes the noise characteristics of the pre-amplifier circuit within the capacitive sensing circuit, achieves precise tuning of the transformer bridge, and examines how transformer parameters affect noise. In addition, this study introduces a method using a discrete JFET to reduce the operational amplifier current noise and analyzes how feedback resistance and capacitance in TIA circuits affect the overall circuit noise. The proportional relationship between different transformer noises and TIA noise before and after optimization was analyzed and experimentally verified. Finally, an optimized TIA circuit and a superior transformer were utilized to achieve an increase in the capacitive sensing resolution from 1.095 aF/rtHz @ 10 mHz to 0.84 aF/rtHz @ 10 mHz, while improving the performance by 23%. These findings provide valuable insights into further decreasing circuit noise and increasing the capacitive sensing resolution.

The Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine Across Multiple Cardiovascular Diseases: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews of Randomized Controlled Trials.

ABSTRACT: Traditional Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been extensively used in cardiovascular disease (CVD) in modern clinical practice, alone or in combination with conventional treatment. However, its efficacy has not been assessed extensively. From inception until August 2023, we systematically searched 5 public literature databases to conduct the umbrella review. The inclusion criterion is systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of CHM in the contemporary management of CVDs. The quality of the included systematic reviews, the certainty of the evidence, and the potential risk of bias were assessed. Five hundred and thirty-nine systematic reviews, including 346 studies in Chinese and 193 in English, were selected before the quantitative synthesis. The methodological quality was generally moderate, with a median value of 11. The favorable efficacy of CHM was primarily presented on 5 main conditions: coronary artery disease, hypertension, heart failure, restenosis, and angina pectoris. CHM, with or without conventional treatment, showed a consistent beneficial effect in various CVDs. Nevertheless, the magnitude of the effect requires further investigation as the lack of relevant research and the complexity of the clinical practice of CHM.

Leritrelvir for the treatment of mild or moderate COVID-19 without co-administered ritonavir: a multicentre randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial.

Background: Leritrelvir is a novel α-ketoamide based peptidomimetic inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 main protease. A preclinical study has demonstrated leritrelvir poses similar antiviral activities towards different SARS-CoV-2 variants compared with nirmatrelvir. A phase 2 clinical trial has shown a comparable antiviral efficacy and safety between leritrelvir with and without ritonavir co-administration. This trial aims to test efficacy and safety of leritrelvir monotherapy in adults with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. Methods: This was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre phase 3 trial at 29 clinical sites in China. Enrolled patients were from 18 to 75 years old, diagnosed with mild or moderate COVID-19 and not requiring hospitalization. Patients had a positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test (NAT) and at least one of the COVID-19 symptoms within 48 h before randomization, and the interval between the first positive SARS-CoV-2 NAT and randomization was ≤120 h (5 days). Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive a 5-day course of either oral leritrelvir 400 mg TID or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was the time from the first dose to sustained clinical recovery of all 11 symptoms (stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath or dyspnea, cough, muscle or body aches, headache, chills, fever ≥37 °C, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea). The safety endpoint was the incidence of adverse events (AE). Primary and safety analyses were performed in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05620160. Findings: Between Nov 12 and Dec 30, 2022 when the zero COVID policy was abolished nationwide, a total of 1359 patients underwent randomization, 680 were assigned to leritrelvir group and 679 to placebo group. The median time to sustained clinical recovery in leritrelvir group was significantly shorter (251.02 h [IQR 188.95-428.68 h]) than that of Placebo (271.33 h [IQR 219.00-529.63 h], P = 0.0022, hazard ratio [HR] 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.35). Further analysis of subgroups for the median time to sustained clinical recovery revealed that (1) subgroup with positive viral nucleic acid tested ≤72 h had a 33.9 h difference in leritrelvir group than that of placebo; (2) the subgroup with baseline viral load >8 log 10 Copies/mL in leritrelvir group had 51.3 h difference than that of placebo. Leritrelvir reduced viral load by 0.82 log10 on day 4 compared to placebo. No participants in either group progressed to severe COVID-19 by day 29. Adverse events were reported in two groups: leritrelvir 315 (46.46%) compared with placebo 292 (43.52%). Treatment-relevant AEs were similar 218 (32.15%) in the leritrelvir group and 186 (27.72%) in placebo. Two cases of COVID-19 pneumonia were reported in placebo group, and one case in leritrelvir group, none of them were considered by the investigators to be leritrelvir related. The most frequently reported AEs (occurring in ≥5% of participants in at least one group) were laboratory finding: hypertriglyceridemia (leritrelvir 79 [11.7%] vs. placebo 70 [10.4%]) and hyperlipidemia (60 [8.8%] vs. 52 [7.7%]); all of them were nonserious. Interpretation: Leritrelvir monotherapy has good efficacy for mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and without serious safety concerns. Funding: This study was funded by the National Multidisciplinary Innovation Team Project of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Science and Technology Foundation, Guangzhou Science and Technology Planning Project and R&D Program of Guangzhou Laboratory.

Clinical evaluation of targeted sedation nursing combined with comprehensive nursing in children with severe pneumonia.

The severity of severe pneumonia in children depends on the degree of local inflammation, spread of lung inflammation and systemic inflammatory response. Appropriate care can effectively reduce the mortality of children with severe pneumonia. This study was designed to explore the nursing effect of targeted sedation nursing and comprehensive nursing intervention in children with severe pneumonia. Eighty children with severe pneumonia who complained of the main complaint were selected, and they were evenly distributed to receive comprehensive care (control group) and targeted sedation care and comprehensive care (observation group). In each group, different degrees of sedation, pain scores, and changes in adverse reactions were evaluated. Before nursing, the sedation and pain scores of the 2 groups of children were not statistically significant; after nursing, the sedation and pain scores of the 2 groups of children improved with time, and the sedation effect of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control. In the group, the pain score was lower than that of the control group, indicating improvement. The SAS and SDS of the observation group were lower than those of the control group, while the social support score was significantly higher than that of the control group. The difference was statistically significant (P < .05). The accidental extubation, delirium, respiratory depression, and laryngospasm of the 2 groups of children were significantly improved, and the observation group was significantly less than the control group. This difference was statistically significant (P < .05). Targeted sedation nursing and comprehensive nursing intervention can effectively reduce the incidence of adverse reactions in children with severe pneumonia, reduce the pain and discomfort of children with severe pneumonia, and significantly improve the degree of sedation, which has certain reference value for the care of children with severe pneumonia.

Exploring the efficacious constituents and underlying mechanisms of sini decoction for sepsis treatment through network pharmacology and multi-omics.

BACKGROUND: Traditional Chinese medicine prescription sini decoction (SND) can alleviate inflammation, improve microcirculation, and modulate immune status in sepsis patients. However, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear, and therapeutic effects may vary among individuals. PURPOSE: Through a comprehensive and systematic network pharmacology analysis, the purpose of this study is to investigate the therapeutic mechanisms of SND in treating sepsis. METHODS: An analysis of WGCNA identified CX3CR1 as a key gene influencing sepsis prognosis. A drug-active component-target network for SND was created using the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology (TCMSP) database and Cytoscape software. Shared targets between SND and CX3CR1 high-expression gene modules were found through the GEO database. Gene module functionality was analyzed using GO, KEGG, GSEA, and GSVA. Unsupervised clustering of sepsis patients was performed based on the ferroptosis gene set, and immune cell interactions and mechanisms were explored using CIBERSORT, single-cell sequencing, and intercellular communication analysis. RESULTS: This study demonstrates that high expression of CX3CR1 improves survival rates in sepsis patients and is associated with immune cell signaling pathways. SND contains 116 active components involved in oxidative stress and lipid metabolism pathways. HMOX1, a co-expressed gene in SND and CX3CR1 high-expression gene module, plays a crucial role in sepsis survival. Unsupervised clustering analysis classified sepsis patients into three clusters based on the ferroptosis gene set, revealing differences in immune cell expression and involvement in heme metabolism pathways. Notably, intercellular interactions among immune cells primarily occur through paracrine and autocrine mechanisms in MIF, GALECTIN, and IL16 signaling pathways, modulating the immune-inflammatory microenvironment in sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies CX3CR1 as a crucial molecule impacting sepsis prognosis through WGCNA analysis. It reveals that SND's active component, quercetin and kaempferol, target HMOX1 via related pathways to regulate heme metabolism, reduce inflammation, inhibit ferroptosis, and improve immune function, ultimately improving sepsis prognosis. These findings offer a solid pharmacological foundation and potential therapeutic targets for SND in treating sepsis.

Using machine learning to predict selenium and cadmium contents in rice grains from black shale-distributed farmland area.

Cadmium (Cd) and selenium (Se) are widely enriched in soil at black shale outcropping areas, with Cd levels exceeding the standard (2.0 mg/kg in 5.5 < pH ≤ 6.5) commonly. The prevention of Cd hazards and the safe development of Se-rich land resources are key issues that need to be urgently addressed. To ensure safe utilization of Se-rich land in the CdSe coexisting areas, 158 rice samples, their corresponding rhizosphere soils, and 8069 topsoil samples were collected and tested in the paddy fields of Ankang City, Shaanxi Province, where black shales are widely exposed. The results showed that 43 % of the topsoil samples were Se-rich soil (Se > 0.4 mg/kg) wherein 79 % and 3 % of Cd concentrations exceeded the screening value and control value, respectively, according to the GB15618-2018 standard. Meanwhile, 63 % of the rice samples were Se rich (Se > 0.04 mg/kg) and the Cd content exceeded the prescribed limit (0.2 mg/kg) in Se-rich rice by 26 %. There was no significant positive correlation between the Se and Cd contents in the rice grains and the Se and Cd contents in the corresponding rhizosphere soil. The factors influencing Se and Cd uptake in rice were SiO2, CaO, P, S, pH, and TFe2O3. Accordingly, an artificial neural network (ANN) and multiple linear regression model (MLR) were used to predict Cd and Se bioaccumulation in rice grains. The stability and accuracy of the ANN model were better than those of the MLR model. Based on survey data and the prediction results of the ANN model, a safe planting zoning of Se-rich rice was proposed, which provided a reference for the scientific planning of land resources.

Unraveling the evolutionary dynamics of the TPS gene family in land plants.

Terpenes and terpenoids are key natural compounds for plant defense, development, and composition of plant oil. The synthesis and accumulation of a myriad of volatile terpenoid compounds in these plants may dramatically alter the quality and flavor of the oils, which provide great commercial utilization value for oil-producing plants. Terpene synthases (TPSs) are important enzymes responsible for terpenic diversity. Investigating the differentiation of the TPS gene family could provide valuable theoretical support for the genetic improvement of oil-producing plants. While the origin and function of TPS genes have been extensively studied, the exact origin of the initial gene fusion event - it occurred in plants or microbes - remains uncertain. Furthermore, a comprehensive exploration of the TPS gene differentiation is still pending. Here, phylogenetic analysis revealed that the fusion of the TPS gene likely occurred in the ancestor of land plants, following the acquisition of individual C- and N- terminal domains. Potential mutual transfer of TPS genes was observed among microbes and plants. Gene synteny analysis disclosed a differential divergence pattern between TPS-c and TPS-e/f subfamilies involved in primary metabolism and those (TPS-a/b/d/g/h subfamilies) crucial for secondary metabolites. Biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) analysis suggested a correlation between lineage divergence and potential natural selection in structuring terpene diversities. This study provides fresh perspectives on the origin and evolution of the TPS gene family.

Spatially varying relationships of soil Se concentration and rice Se concentration in Guangxi, China: A geographically weighted regression approach.

In recent years, the biogeochemical behavior and environmental impact of Selenium (Se) on soil-plant systems have received widespread attention, and traditional statistical methods reveal generally positive correlations between rice Se and soil Se. However, that initial positive relationship may have been obscured by local external factors. Using local scale data from the geochemical evaluation of land quality project, this work employed geographically weighted regression (GWR) to examine the spatial variation of rice Se (as the dependent variable) and soil Se (as the independent variable) in Guangxi. Strong and weak correlation coefficients occur between rice Se and soil Se, thereby indicating that their relationships are spatially varying. Guangxi is characterized by significantly positive correlations in most areas, with weak correlations mostly found in the south-western and central-eastern regions. Areas with weak correlation can be divided into two patterns: high soil Se with low rice Se and high rice Se with low soil Se. The unique patterns are correlated with distinct natural factors, particularly the abundance of Fe-rich soils in the carbonate area; by contrast, sandstone areas in central Guangxi may have been affected by anthropogenic activities. To reveal the spatially varying relationships at the local scale, we employed GWR, an effective tool that allowed us to identify the association between environmental variables and influencing factors and explore spatially varying relationships between them. This study breaks through the existing understanding that soil Se is completely positively correlated with rice Se for the first time, and concludes that their correlation is spatially variable, providing an effective approach for the study of complex relationships.

Integrated omic profiling of the medicinal mushroom Inonotus obliquus under submerged conditions.

BACKGROUND: The Inonotus obliquus mushroom, a wondrous fungus boasting edible and medicinal qualities, has been widely used as a folk medicine and shown to have many potential pharmacological secondary metabolites. The purpose of this study was to supply a global landscape of genome-based integrated omic analysis of the fungus under lab-growth conditions. RESULTS: This study presented a genome with high accuracy and completeness using the Pacbio Sequel II third-generation sequencing method. The de novo assembled fungal genome was 36.13 Mb, and contained 8352 predicted protein-coding genes, of which 365 carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZyme)-coding genes and 19 biosynthetic gene clusters (BCGs) for secondary metabolites were identified. Comparative transcriptomic and proteomic analysis revealed a global view of differential metabolic change between seed and fermentation culture, and demonstrated positive correlations between transcription and expression levels of 157 differentially expressed genes involved in the metabolism of amino acids, fatty acids, secondary metabolites, antioxidant and immune responses. Facilitated by the widely targeted metabolomic approach, a total of 307 secondary substances were identified and quantified, with a significant increase in the production of antioxidant polyphenols. CONCLUSION: This study provided the comprehensive analysis of the fungus Inonotus obliquus, and supplied fundamental information for further screening of promising target metabolites and exploring the link between the genome and metabolites.

Soil selenium enrichment in the Loess Plateau of China: Geogenic evidence, spatial distribution, and it's influence factors.

The selenium (Se)-deficient soil belt in China has gained widespread attention. During large-scale soil surveys in China, Se-rich soils within low-Se belts have been identified. However, the sources of Se in those soils and the controlling factors for their enrichment remain unclear. Here we summarize Se concentrations and spatial distributions in the Yuanzhou district of the Loess Plateau. We evaluated Se variations in soil profiles, Se migration into water bodies, and considered soil indicators, topographic characteristics and the influence of land-use types on soil Se concentrations. The average Se concentration in the topsoil of the Yuanzhou district was 0.164 µg/g. High-Se soils (>0.222 µg/g) were found in the western valley plain and the southern red bed hilly area, as well as sporadically in higher elevation forestland and grassland areas in the east. Enrichment of Se in the topsoil in the eastern and southern areas was primarily due to Se adsorption and accumulation by soil organic matter as well as enrichment in gypsum, berlinite, and clay minerals during soil formation. Widespread enrichment in the southern area was linked to high Se concentrations in red Tertiary sedimentary rocks. In the western area, enrichment of Se in topsoil was found on both sides of the Qingshui River at low elevations with gentle slopes, with river water being the primary carrier of Se enrichment. These findings provide valuable insights into the epigenetic geochemical behavior of soil Se in China's low-Se belt that accounts for development of Se-rich soils in the region.

Bioinformatic Analysis on the Prognostic Value of Neurotransmitter Receptor-Related Genes in Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma.

Context: Kidney renal clear-cell carcinoma (KIRC) is a malignant tumor. At an early stage, KIRC patients may experience only mild fever and fatigue or even no symptoms, and these early nonspecific indications can delay treatment. Neurotransmitters and their receptors may be very useful in determining tumorigenesis and predicting metastasis. Objective: The study intended to investigate the predictive value of neurotransmitter receptor-related genes (NRRGs) using public KIRC data, by determining the biological processes that implicate the prognostic NRRGs and establishing a predictive NR-related risk model, to provide an empirical basis for identifying and treating KIRC patients. Design: The research team performed a genetic case-control study. Setting: The study took place at Research Center of Health, Big Data Mining and Applications, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China. Methods: The research team: (1) obtained the transcriptome data related to KIRC from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and ArrayExpress databases; (2) developed the differentially expressed NRRGs (DENRRGs) by identifying the NRRGs that intersected with DEGs in KIRC and normal samples; (3) carried out functional enrichment analyses of the DENRRGs; (4) screened the characteristic genes of the DENRRGs using machine learning; (5) created a predictive model using multivariate Cox analyses of the distinctive genes; (6) obtained independent prognostic factors for KIRC patients and established a nomograph model; (7) investigated the sensitivity of KIRC patients to therapeutic agents to examine the variations in immunological features between high-risk and low-risk individuals. Results: Differential analysis found that 115 NRRGs intersected with 5275 DEGs to provide 52 DENRRGs. Functional enrichment showed that DENRRGs were mainly involved in signal transduction in the nervous system. The machine learning on the 52 DENRRGs filtered out nine characteristic genes. Subsequently, the research team found eight prognostic biomarkers-histamine receptor H2 (HRH2), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor subunit epsilon (GABRE), cholinergic receptor nicotinic delta subunit (CHRND), glutamate receptor ionotropic subunit 2D (GRIN2D), glutamate metabotropic receptor 4 (GRM4), glycine receptor alpha 3 (GLRA3), cholinergic receptor nicotinic beta 4 subunit (CHRNB4), and cholinergic receptor muscarinic-1 (CHRM1)-and established a predictive model. Furthermore, the team precisely predicted the KIRC patients' prognoses using a nomogram that combined their ages, risk scores, and M stages. The infiltration levels of 21 immune cells also significantly differed between the high-risk and low-risk groups, with neutrophils having a significant positive correlation with GABRE and HRH2 and a significant negative correlation with CHRNB4 and GRM4. Finally, the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for various drugs, such as 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-ß-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR), 8-hydroxy-7-(6-sulfonaphthalen-2-yl)diazenyl-quinoline-5-sulfonic acid (NSC-87877), Sunitinib, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor VIII, and tanespimyci (X17.AAG) were significantly lower for high-risk group. Conclusions: By studying the relevance of biomarkers to the immunological microenvironment of KIRC, the current research team was able to propose a new predictive model for KIRC based on NRRGs, to offer a novel viewpoint for investigating KIRC. The study's results suggest new avenues for research into the pathophysiology and therapy of KIRC. Determining the precise molecular processes by which predictive biomarkers regulate KIRC requires further evidence and analysis.

Linking health to geology-a new assessment and zoning model based on the frame of medical geology.

With the growing concerns about the Earth's environment and human health, there has been a surge in research focused on the intersection of health and geology. This study quantitatively assesses the relationship between human health and geological factors using a new framework. The framework considers four key geological environment indicators related to health: soil, water, geological landform, and atmosphere. Results indicate that the atmospheric and water resource indicators in the study area were generally favorable, while the scores of geological landforms varied based on topography. The study also found that the selenium content in the soil greatly exceeded the local background value. Our research underscores the importance of geological factors on human health, establishes a new health-geological assessment model, and provides a scientific foundation for local spatial planning, water resource development, and land resource management. However, due to varying geological conditions worldwide, the framework and indicators for health geology may need to be adjusted accordingly.

Shengjiang Xiexin Decoction ameliorates antibiotic-associated diarrhea by altering the gut microbiota and intestinal metabolic homeostasis.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) has had a significant increase in the last years, with limited available effective therapies. Shengjiang Xiexin Decoction (SXD), a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula for treating diarrhea, is a promising alternative for reducing the incidence of AAD. PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effect of SXD on AAD and to investigate its potential therapeutic mechanism by integrated analysis of the gut microbiome and intestinal metabolic profile. METHODS: 16S rRNA sequencing analysis of the gut microbiota and untargeted-metabolomics analysis of feces were performed. The mechanism was further explored by fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). RESULTS: SXD could effectively ameliorate AAD symptoms and restore intestinal barrier function. In addition, SXD could significantly improve the diversity of the gut microbiota and accelerate the recovery of the gut microbiota. At the genus level, SXD significantly increased the relative abundance of Bacteroides spp (p < 0.01) and decreased the relative abundance of Escherichia_Shigela spp (p < 0.001). Untargeted metabolomics showed that SXD significantly improved gut microbiota and host metabolic function, particularly bile acid metabolism and amino acid metabolism. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that SXD could extensively modulate the gut microbiota and intestinal metabolic homeostasis to treat AAD.

Identification of the spatial patterns and controlling factors of Se in soil and rice in Guangxi through hot spot analysis.

Selenium (Se) is essential to human health, anti-cancer, possessing antioxidant, and antiviral properties. In this study, the spatial patterns of rice Se and their varying relationship with soil Se on a regional scale were studied using hot spot analysis for the agricultural soils in Guangxi. According to the hot and cold spot maps, rice Se correlates positively with soil Se in Guangxi agricultural soils. High rice Se accompanies high soil Se in the central part of Guangxi (e.g., Liuzhou, Laibin), and low rice Se is in line with low soil Se in the western part (e.g., Baise). However, the hot spot analysis maps indicate that southwestern Guangxi exhibits a special characteristic of low rice Se with high soil Se (e.g., Chongzuo). This special pattern is strongly associated with the high concentrations of Fe2O3 (ferromanganese nodules) in the carbonate rock area. The hot spot analysis proves useful in revealing the spatial patterns of rice Se in Guangxi and identifying the hidden patterns.

Biodegradable thermoset poly(lactic acid) resin containing phosphorus: Flame retardancy, mechanical properties and its soil degradation behavior.

With the growing environmental awareness, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is regarded as one of the most promising varieties of bio-based polyesters owing to its environment-friendly and biodegradable advantages. However, poor thermal stability and flammability disadvantages limit the applications of PLA. Herein, a series of biodegradable intrinsic flame-retardant thermoset PLA resins (DMMP-M4sPLA) were designed. DMMP-M4sPLA resins exhibit excellent flame retardancy, achieving UL 94 V-0 rating and limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 28.1 %-31.7 %. Meanwhile, the cured DMMP-M4sPLA resins show a high glass transition temperature and tensile strength. In addition, the resins demonstrate full degradation with no harmful degradation products. This work provides an advanced design strategy to create bio-based and biodegraded resins with superior flame retardant and mechanical performance, holding great potentials in the fields of aviation interior, automotive, etc.

Relationship between dietary patterns and physical performance in the very old population: a cross-sectional study from the Kawasaki Aging and Wellbeing Project.

OBJECTIVES: As the world's population is ageing, improving the physical performance (PP) of the older population is becoming important. Although diets are fundamental to maintaining and improving PP, few studies have addressed the role of these factors in adults aged ≥ 85 years, and none have been conducted in Asia. This study aimed to determine the dietary patterns (DP) and examine their relationship with PP in this population. DESIGN: This cross-sectional study (Kawasaki Aging and Wellbeing Project) estimated food consumption using a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire. The results were adjusted for energy after aggregating into thirty-three groups, excluding possible over- or underestimation. Principal component analysis was used to identify DP, and outcomes included hand grip strength (HGS), timed up-and-go test, and usual walking speed. SETTING: This study was set throughout several hospitals in Kawasaki city. PARTICIPANTS: In total, 1026 community-dwelling older adults (85-89 years) were enrolled. RESULTS: Data of 1000 participants (median age: 86·9 years, men: 49·9 %) were included in the analysis. Three major DP (DP1: various foods, DP2: red meats and coffee, DP3: bread and processed meats) were identified. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that the trend of DP2 was negatively associated with HGS (B, 95 % CI -0·35, -0·64, -0·06). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a negative association between HGS and DP characterised by red meats and coffee in older adults aged ≥ 85 years in Japan.

PLIC11 drives lung cancer progression through regulating the YY1/PIWIL4 axis.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. Nonsmall cell lung cancers (NSCLC), the most common histological type of lung cancer, are known to be less well characterized. Long noncoding RNAs are a new class of cancer regulators. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of lncRNA PLIC11 in NSCLC progression. In our study, we found that PLIC11 was upregulated in lung cancer, particularly in metastatic lung cancer tissues. Overexpression of PLIC11 enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanically, PLIC11 could interact with YY1 and promote PIWIL4 expression by transcription activation. Therefore, PLIC11 upregulation is a potential indicator of aggressive lung cancer, Silencing of PLIC11 has great potential therapeutic strategy in NSCLC.