Beyond Immune Balance: The Pivotal Role of Decidual Regulatory T Cells in Unexplained Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion.

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is defined as two or more consecutive pregnancy failures, which brings tremendous stress to women of childbearing age and seriously affects family well-being. However, the reason in about 50% of cases remains unknown and is defined as unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA). The immunological perspective in URSA has attracted widespread attention in recent years. The embryo is regarded as a semi-allogeneic graft to the mother. A successful pregnancy requires transition to an immune environment conducive to embryo survival at the maternal-fetal interface. As an important member of regulatory immunity, regulatory T (Treg) cells play a key role in regulating immune tolerance at the maternal-fetal interface. This review will focus on the phenotypic plasticity and lineage stability of Treg cells to illustrate its relationship with URSA.

Pericytes protect rats and mice from sepsis-induced injuries by maintaining vascular reactivity and barrier function: implication of miRNAs and microvesicles.

BACKGROUND: Vascular hyporeactivity and leakage are key pathophysiologic features that produce multi-organ damage upon sepsis. We hypothesized that pericytes, a group of pluripotent cells that maintain vascular integrity and tension, are protective against sepsis via regulating vascular reactivity and permeability. METHODS: We conducted a series of in vivo experiments using wild-type (WT), platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFR-ß)-Cre + mT/mG transgenic mice and Tie2-Cre + Cx43flox/flox mice to examine the relative contribution of pericytes in sepsis, either induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. In a separate set of experiments with Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, pericytes were depleted using CP-673451, a selective PDGFR-ß inhibitor, at a dosage of 40 mg/(kg·d) for 7 consecutive days. Cultured pericytes, vascular endothelial cells (VECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were used for mechanistic investigations. The effects of pericytes and pericyte-derived microvesicles (PCMVs) and candidate miRNAs on vascular reactivity and barrier function were also examined. RESULTS: CLP and LPS induced severe injury/loss of pericytes, vascular hyporeactivity and leakage (P < 0.05). Transplantation with exogenous pericytes protected vascular reactivity and barrier function via microvessel colonization (P < 0.05). Cx43 knockout in either pericytes or VECs reduced pericyte colonization in microvessels (P < 0.05). Additionally, PCMVs transferred miR-145 and miR-132 to VSMCs and VECs, respectively, exerting a protective effect on vascular reactivity and barrier function after sepsis (P < 0.05). miR-145 primarily improved the contractile response of VSMCs by activating the sphingosine kinase 2 (Sphk2)/sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor (S1PR)1/phosphorylation of myosin light chain 20 pathway, whereas miR-132 effectively improved the barrier function of VECs by activating the Sphk2/S1PR2/zonula occludens-1 and vascular endothelial-cadherin pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Pericytes are protective against sepsis through regulating vascular reactivity and barrier function. Possible mechanisms include both direct colonization of microvasculature and secretion of PCMVs.

Decidual macrophages in recurrent spontaneous abortion.

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is defined as two or more pregnancy loss, affecting the happiness index of fertility couples. The mechanisms involved in the occurrence of RSA are not clear to date. The primary problem for the maternal immune system is how to establish and maintain the immune tolerance to the semi-allogeneic fetuses. During the pregnancy, decidual macrophages mainly play an important role in the immunologic dialogue. The purpose of this study is to explore decidual macrophages, and to understand whether there is a connection between these cells and RSA by analyzing their phenotypes and functions. Pubmed, Web of Science and Embase were searched. The eligibility criterion for this review was evaluating the literature about the pregnancy and macrophages. Any disagreement between the authors was resolved upon discussion and if required by the judgment of the corresponding author. We summarized the latest views on the phenotype, function and dysfunction of decidual macrophages to illuminate its relationship with RSA.

Exploring the Effects of Magnesium Deficiency on the Quality Constituents of Hydroponic-Cultivated Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) Leaves.

Magnesium (Mg) plays important roles in photosynthesis, sucrose partitioning, and biomass allocation in plants. However, the specific mechanisms of tea plant response to Mg deficiency remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of Mg deficiency on the quality constituents of tea leaves. Our results showed that the short-term (7 days) Mg deficiency partially elevated the concentrations of polyphenols, free amino acids, and caffeine but decreased the contents of chlorophyll and Mg. However, long-term (30 days) Mg-deficient tea displayed decreased contents of these constituents. Particularly, Mg deficiency increased the index of catechins' bitter taste and the ratio of total polyphenols to total free amino acids. Moreover, the transcription of key genes involved in the biosynthesis of flavonoid, caffeine, and theanine was differentially affected by Mg deficiency. Additionally, short-term Mg deficiency induced global transcriptome change in tea leaves, in which a total of 2522 differentially expressed genes were identified involved in secondary metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and chlorophyll metabolism. These results may help to elucidate why short-term Mg deficiency partially improves the quality constituents of tea, while long-term Mg-deficient tea may taste more bitter, more astringent, and less umami.

The Protective Effect of a Novel Cross-Linked Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carrier on Hypoxia Injury of Acute Mountain Sickness in Rabbits and Goats.

Hypoxia is the major cause of acute altitude hypoxia injury in acute mountain sickness (AMS). YQ23 is a kind of novel bovine-derived, cross-linked hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC). It has an excellent capacity for carrying and releasing oxygen. Whether YQ23 has a protective effect on the acute altitude hypoxia injury in AMS is unclear. In investigating this mechanism, the hypobaric chamber rabbit model and plain-to-plateau goat model were used. Furthermore, this study measured the effects of YQ23 on the ability of general behavior, general vital signs, Electrocardiograph (ECG), hemodynamics, vital organ injury markers, and blood gases in hypobaric chamber rabbits and plain-to-plateau goats. Our results showed that the ability of general behavior (general behavioral scores, GBS) (GBS: 18 ± 0.0 vs. 14 ± 0.5, p < 0.01) and the general vital signs weakened [Heart rate (HR, beats/min): 253.5 ± 8.7 vs. 301.1 ± 19.8, p < 0.01; Respiratory rate (RR, breaths/min): 86.1 ± 5.2 vs. 101.2 ± 7.2, p < 0.01] after exposure to plateau environment. YQ23 treatment significantly improved the ability of general behavior (GBS: 15.8 ± 0.5 vs. 14.0 ± 0.5, p < 0.01) and general vital signs [HR (beats/min): 237.8 ± 24.6 vs. 301.1 ± 19.8, p < 0.01; RR (breaths/min): 86.9 ± 6.6 vs. 101.2 ± 7.2, p < 0.01]. The level of blood PaO2 (mmHg) (115.3 ± 4.7 vs. 64.2 ± 5.6, p < 0.01) and SaO2(%) (97.7 ± 0.7 vs. 65.8 ± 3.1, p < 0.01) sharply decreased after exposure to plateau, YQ23 treatment significantly improved the blood PaO2 (mmHg) (97.6 ± 3.7 vs. 64.2 ± 5.6, p < 0.01) and SaO2(%) (82.7 ± 5.2 vs. 65.8 ± 3.1, p < 0.01). The cardiac ischemia and injury marker was increased [troponin (TnT, µg/L):0.08 ± 0.01 vs. 0.12 ± 0.02, p < 0.01], as well as the renal [blood urea nitrogen (BUN, mmol/L): 6.0 ± 0.7 vs. 7.3 ± 0.5, p < 0.01] and liver injury marker [alanine aminotransferase (ALT, U/L): 45.8 ± 3.6 vs. 54.6 ± 4.2, p < 0.01] was increased after exposure to a plateau environment. YQ23 treatment markedly alleviated cardiac ischemia [TnT (µg/L):0.10 ± 0.01 vs 0.12 ± 0.02, p < 0.01] and mitigated the vital organ injury. Besides, YQ23 exhibited no adverse effects on hemodynamics, myocardial ischemia, and renal injury. In conclusion, YQ23 effectively alleviates acute altitude hypoxia injury of AMS without aside effects.

Role of AQP3 in the Vascular Leakage of Sepsis and the Protective Effect of Ss-31.

ABSTRACT: Aquaporins (AQPs) are a group of membrane proteins related to water permeability. Studies have shown that AQPs play a vital role in various diseases. Whether AQPs participate in regulating vascular permeability after sepsis and whether the subtype of AQPs is related are unknown. Ss-31, as a new antioxidant, had protective effects on a variety of diseases. However, whether Ss-31 has a protective effect on pulmonary vascular permeability in sepsis and whether its effect is related to AQPs are unclear. Using the cecum ligation perforation-induced septic rat and LPS-treated pulmonary vein endothelial cells, the role of AQPs in the regulation of the permeability of pulmonary vascular and its relationship to Ss-31 were studied. The results showed that the pulmonary vascular permeability significantly increased after sepsis, meanwhile the expressions of AQP3, 4, and 12 increased. Among those, the AQP3 was closely correlated with pulmonary vascular permeability. The inhibition of AQP3 antagonized the increase of the permeability of monolayer pulmonary vein endothelial cells. Further study showed that the expression of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) increased and occludin decreased after sepsis. The inhibition of AQP3 antagonized the decrease of Cav-1 and the increase of occludin in sepsis. Antioxidant Ss-31 decreased the expression of AQP3 and ROS levels. At the same time, Ss-31 improved pulmonary vascular permeability and prolonged survival of sepsis rats. In conclusion, AQP3 participates in the regulation of pulmonary vascular permeability after sepsis, and the antioxidant Ss-31 has a protective effect on pulmonary vascular permeability by downregulating the expression of AQP3 and inhibiting ROS production.

Synergistic effects of EMPs and PMPs on pulmonary vascular leakage and lung injury after ischemia/reperfusion.

BACKGROUND: Vascular leakage is an important pathophysiological process of critical conditions such as shock and ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced lung injury. Microparticles (MPs), including endothelial cell-derived microparticles (EMPs), platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) and leukocyte-derived microparticles (LMPs), have been shown to participate in many diseases. Whether and which of these MPs take part in pulmonary vascular leakage and lung injury after I/R and whether these MPs have synergistic effect and the underlying mechanism are not known. METHODS: Using hemorrhage/transfusion (Hemo/Trans) and aorta abdominalis occlusion-induced I/R rat models, the role of EMPs, PMPs and LMPs and the mechanisms in pulmonary vascular leakage and lung injury were observed. RESULTS: The concentrations of EMPs, PMPs and LMPs were significantly increased after I/R. Intravenous administration of EMPs and PMPs but not LMPs induced pulmonary vascular leakage and lung injury. Furthermore, EMPs induced pulmonary sequestration of platelets and promoted more PMPs production, and played a synergistic effect on pulmonary vascular leakage. MiR-1, miR-155 and miR-542 in EMPs, and miR-126 and miR-29 in PMPs, were significantly increased after hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). Of which, inhibition of miR-155 in EMPs and miR-126 in PMPs alleviated the detrimental effects of EMPs and PMPs on vascular barrier function and lung injury. Overexpression of miR-155 in EMPs down-regulated the expression of tight junction related proteins such as ZO-1 and claudin-5, while overexpression of miR-126 up-regulated the expression of caveolin-1 (Cav-1), the trans-cellular transportation related protein such as caveolin-1 (Cav-1). Inhibiting EMPs and PMPs production with blebbistatin (BLE) and amitriptyline (AMI) alleviated I/R induced pulmonary vascular leakage and lung injury. CONCLUSIONS: EMPs and PMPs contribute to the pulmonary vascular leakage and lung injury after I/R. EMPs mediate pulmonary sequestration of platelets, producing more PMPs to play synergistic effect. Mechanically, EMPs carrying miR-155 that down-regulates ZO-1 and claudin-5 and PMPs carrying miR-126 that up-regulates Cav-1, synergistically mediate pulmonary vascular leakage and lung injury after I/R. Video Abstract.

[Effect of Organic Manure Substitution of Synthetic Nitrogen on Crop Yield and N2O Emission in the Winter Wheat-Summer Maize Rotation System].

Controlling agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, such as N2O, is important in mitigating global climate warming. Through monitoring the dynamics of N2O emission fluxes, we investigated the effect of organic nitrogen (N) substitution of synthetic N on N2O emissions and the yield of winter wheat and summer maize in the Guanzhong Plain of Shaanxi Province, China. The study involved six treatments, consisting of no fertilizer (CK), synthetic N, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers alone (NPK), 75% NPK+25% organic N through manure (25%M), 50% NPK+50% organic N (50%M), 25% NPK+75% organic N (75%M), 100% organic N (100%M). The results showed that the peak value of the N2O emission flux appeared after fertilization, rainfall, and irrigation. In the wheat season, the emission flux of N2O varied from -1.33 to 144.2 µg·(m2·h)-1, with the highest peak value in the NPK treatment. In the maize season, the emission flux of N2O varied from 88.2 to 1800.1 µg·(m2·h)-1, and the 50%M treatment showed the highest peak value. The range in the total amount of N2O emissions from the different treatments in the wheat-maize rotation system was 429.8-2632.1 g·hm-2, and the amount for the treatments decreased in order as follows:50%M > 25%M > NPK > 75%M > 100%M > CK. The yields of wheat, maize, or wheat plus maize were significantly higher in the fertilized treatments compared to the CK. Organic substitution treatments significantly increased wheat yield by 26.1% to 50.0% relative to the NPK treatment. While the maize yield in 50%M and 75%M treatments was similar to that in the NPK treatment, the 25%M and 100%M treatments showed significantly lower yields than with the NPK treatment. The total yield of wheat plus maize varied from 9166 to 17496 kg·hm-2, of which total yield was significantly higher with 50%M and 75%M compared to NPK. Overall, the 75%M treatment is the best measure to guarantee crop yield and to reduce N2O emissions in the wheat-maize rotation system based on a one year study in the Guanzhong plain of Shaanxi Province.

Reliable reference genes for normalization of gene expression data in tea plants (Camellia sinensis) exposed to metal stresses.

Tea plants [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze] are an important leaf-type crop that are widely used for the production of non-alcoholic beverages in the world. Exposure to excessive amounts of heavy metals adversely affects the quality and yield of tea leaves. To analyze the molecular responses of tea plants to heavy metals, a reliable quantification of gene expression is important and of major importance herein is the normalization of the measured expression levels for the target genes. Ideally, stably expressed reference genes should be evaluated in all experimental systems. In this study, 12 candidate reference genes (i.e., 18S rRNA, Actin, CYP, EF-1α, eIF-4α, GAPDH, MON1, PP2AA3, TBP, TIP41, TUA, and UBC) were cloned from tea plants, and the stability of their expression was examined systematically in 60 samples exposed to diverse heavy metals (i.e., manganese, aluminum, copper, iron, and zinc). Three Excel-based algorithms (geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper) were used to evaluate the expression stability of these genes. PP2AA3 and 18S rRNA were the most stably expressed genes, even though their expression profiles exhibited some variability. Moreover, commonly used reference genes (i.e., GAPDH and TBP) were the least appropriate reference genes for most samples. To further validate the suitability of the analyzed reference genes, the expression level of a phytochelatin synthase gene (i.e., CsPCS1) was determined using the putative reference genes for data normalizations. Our results may be beneficial for future studies involving the quantification of relative gene expression levels in tea plants.

[Nondestructive Analysis of Jingdezhen and Longquan Celadon Wares Excavated from Nanhai No.1 Shipwreck].

The provenance study of ancient ceramics, as an important part in archaeological field, is the researching focus for researchers in scientific and technological archaeology. At present, the provenance study of ancient ceramics mainly depends on chemical analysis technologies while non-destructive physical structural analysis of ceramic glaze is relatively lacking. Therefore, it is difficult to have a comprehensive understanding of ancient ceramics. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an emerging non-destructive imaging technology with a high sensitivity. In this paper, the OCT combined with X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) is employed firstly to analyze celadon wares of Jingdezhen and Longquan found in Nanhai No.1 shipwreck which is dated to early Southern Song dynasty non-destructively. First, the glaze cross-section structures and decoration characteristics of the celadon wares of the two kilns, Jingdezhen and Longquan,are studied by OCT.The type,thickness of glaze, the glaze inclusions including bubbles, crystals, residual grains, and the cracks on the glaze surface are analyzed based on the OCT images obtained. The characteristics of glaze cross-section structures for the celadon wares of two kilns are compared, and the decoration technologies of the celadon wares are also determined. Next, the chemical compositions of glaze and body of the celadon wares of the two kilns,Jingdezhen and Longquan, are obtained by XRF and compared. Then, the relationship between the differences of glaze cross-section structures and chemical compositions of glaze are discussed. The results show that the celadon wares from Jingdezhen and Longquan are different in glaze cross-section structures, and are the chemical compositions of the glaze and body. Meanwhile the differences of glaze chemical composition are relevant to the differences of glaze cross-section structures. This paper shows that the combination of OCT and XRF is validate as an effective method to identify the porcelains from different kilns.

Trace Element Analysis by PIYE and ICP-AES of Raw Material and Ancient Serpentine Artifacts from China.

This work mainly talks about serpentine mineral with the aim to explore the possible raw materials sources of ancient serpentine artifacts by trace element content analysis. The major and trace elements of serpentine samples from several typical deposits in China were nondestructively determined by external-beam proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). For comparison, trace element concentrations were destructively measured by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The results showed the trend of the trace element contents of serpentine jade obtained by the two methods have preferably coherence, which indicate that the nondestructive technique of PIXE can be applied to trace element analysis of serpentine. The relationship between trace element contents and serpentine formation mechanism was discussed. The difference of the trace elements contents in these serpentine minerals is obvious. It can be used to distinguish the different kinds of serpentine formed by different mechanisms. A low amount of Ni and almost no Cr and Co were found in type I serpentine group mineral, whereas significant amounts of Cr, Co and Ni were found in Type II serpentine group mineral. The chemical composition of 18 ancient serpentine artifacts were analyzed by PIXE, they were unearthed from 14 sites and tombs in provinces of Zhejing, Jiangsu, Henan, Anhui and Hubei and dated from Neolithic Age to the Warring States Period (4585 BC­231 BC). By comparing the trace element contents between ancient serpentine artifacts and two kinds of serpentine samples, the provenance of ancient serpentine artifacts were preliminarily inferred. It is beneficial to try to explore the possible raw material of ancient serpentine artifacts based on the relationship between the trace element contents and serpentine formation mechanism in this article.

[Research Method and Spectral Analysis of Ancient Polychromatic Silicate Artifacts].

The spectral properties, chemical compositions and phases of materials constituting the surface of 5 ancient polychromatic silicate artifacts have been analyzed non-invasively with self-built multispectral imaging system, X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF) and laser Raman spectrometer (LRS). Based on spectral response in multispectral images, materials constituting the surface of 5 samples can be divided into different areas, and most of blue, green, purple areas with fluorescence behavior are also mapped. The results of XRF indicate that the chemical compositions of areas are different, but the major compositions of them are SiO(2), PbO, BaO. 5 samples mainly belong to PbO-BaO silicates. The coloring agents of all areas with fluorescence behavior are Cu ions. A variety of mineral phases including vitreous phase, Chinese blue, Chinese purple, quartz, hematite, lead carbonate, amorphous carbon and so on, are also identified by LRS. Chinese blue and Chinese purple can emit infrared radiation when excited by visible LED. The result of LRS is verified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Combining the multispectral imaging area-measurement technique used to research paintings, and XRF, LRS which are usually used to analyze chemical composition of silicate artifacts, the present research proposes a more efficient and non-invasive research method to analyze ancient polychromatic silicate artifacts. Spectral characteristic and chemical composition of the sample are connected when spectral images, X-ray fluorescence spectra and Laser Raman spectra are combined. It has great significance for increasing efficiency of analysis, enhancing the overall understanding of silicate artifacts and decreasing risk of damage.

[Preliminary Research on Bubble Characteristics of Ancient Glaze Using OCT Technology].

The bubble is one of the most common feature in ancient glaze. The size and distribution of bubbles are closely associated with recipes of the raw materials for the body and glaze and the making process. To characterize the bubbles is essential for the study of ceramic production process, production places, times characteristics and so on. In order to explore the possibility of using the optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging technology to characterize the bubbles and the bubble distribution characteristic in glaze of ancient porcelain, sweep frequency OCT imaging system is used to detect five different types ancient porcelain chips. According to the two dimensional sectional images and three dimensional tomographic images of the transparent layer of glaze obtained by the OCT imaging system, the two dimensional sectional images characteristics and three dimensional slices characteristics of the bubbles in glaze are studied. The bubble characteristics in the glaze and its possible causes that gases in the body of the ceramic overflow to the glaze layer in the firing process are comprehensively analyzed. Meantime, the size of bubble is calculated according to the two dimensional sectional images based on pixel, and the result is compared with the traditional microscopic test result. The bubble size, two dimensional sectional characteristics and three dimensional tomographic image characteristics of opaque glaze are also studied. Experimental results show that the bubble characteristics in glaze of different ancient porcelain chips are obvious difference, the result of the bubble size calculated based on pixel coincides with the result of the bubble size observed by traditional microscope with ten times magnification, slices of the body near the body-glaze binding region based on OCT imaging technology three dimensional tomography can effectively reflect the bubble characteristics in glaze. The measurement of using OCT imaging technology to characterize bubble characteristics of the glaze is proposed, and the feasibility and the validity of the measurement are certified, and the nondestructive detection of bubble characteristics in ancient porcelain glaze is realized. Especially for the analysis of bubble characteristics of opaque glaze, the OCT imaging technology overcomes the limitations of using the traditional microscope technology to study the distribution of bubble in glaze in the past, and provides a novel, reliable analysis method for the analysis of ceramic glaze bubble characteristics.

The -137G/C single nucleotide polymorphism in IL-18 gene promoter contributes to tuberculosis susceptibility in Chinese Han population.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin (IL) -18 is crucial to host defense against mycobacterial infections. Recent studies have indicated IL-18 gene polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to several clinical diseases. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the association of IL-18 (-137G/C and -607C/A) gene promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with susceptibility to tuberculosis (TB), and the effects of those SNPs to its protein producing capacity in Chinese Han population. METHODS: 407 TB patients (including 113 children and 294 adults) and 469 healthy volunteers (including 167 children and 302 adults) from Chinese Han population were enrolled. The IL-18 gene promoter polymorphisms at positions of -137 and -607 were determined by sequence specific primer-polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR). The IL-18 levels in the supernatants of PBMCs from 46 healthy volunteers were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The gene distribution of IL-18 -137G/C and -607C/A showed none difference between adult and pediatric population. The frequency of IL-18 -137GG genotype was significantly higher in total TB group than that in total healthy control group (79.1% V 69.3%, P<0.01), while the frequencies of GC genotype and C allele were conversely lower (19.2% V 27.9%, P<0.01; 11.3% V 16.7%, P<0.01 respectively). The difference of the -137CC genotype distribution between patients and controls was not observed. At the -607C/A polymorphic site, patient and control groups had a very similar gene distribution. Isolated PBMCs with IL-18 -137GC/CC genotype were able to produce a higher level of IL-18 than those with IL-18 -137GG genotype, either spontaneously or in response to PMA plus calcimycin A23187. CONCLUSION: IL-18 -137G/C polymorphism contributed to TB susceptibility in Chinese Han population. Allele G might be a predisposing gene of TB, while allele C probably plays a role in preventing mycobacterium tuberculosis infection by promoting more vigorous protein expression.

[Raman and EDXRF Study on Overglaze Decorations of Jingdezhen Ceramics].

Overglaze decoration porcelain is an important category of ancient Chinese ceramics, which has significant artistic value and scientific value. Nondestructive analysis methods such as Raman spectroscopy and EDXRF were used to analyze the overglaze decorations on the Jingdezhen ceramic samples of Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasty. The recipe and color mechanism of the overglaze pigments were discussed according to the chemical composition and phase composition analysis. The study found that dark red overglaze decorations of ancient Honglvcai, Wucai and famille rose in Jingdezhen are colored by hematite, yellow color is lead tin yellow, carmine decoration is colored by gold less than 0. 1 % in concentration, and green decorations are colored by bivalent copper ion. The result also indicates that the effective combination of Raman spectroscopy and EDXRF can play an important role in the deep research on ceramic artifacts, especially for the overglaze decoration pigments which are interveined each other.

[Application of calibration curve method and partial least squares regression analysis to quantitative analysis of nephrite samples using XRF].

The authors tried to find a method for quantitative analysis using pXRF without solid bulk stone/jade reference samples. 24 nephrite samples were selected, 17 samples were calibration samples and the other 7 are test samples. All the nephrite samples were analyzed by Proton induced X-ray emission spectroscopy (PIXE) quantitatively. Based on the PIXE results of calibration samples, calibration curves were created for the interested components/elements and used to analyze the test samples quantitatively; then, the qualitative spectrum of all nephrite samples were obtained by pXRF. According to the PIXE results and qualitative spectrum of calibration samples, partial least square method (PLS) was used for quantitative analysis of test samples. Finally, the results of test samples obtained by calibration method, PLS method and PIXE were compared to each other. The accuracy of calibration curve method and PLS method was estimated. The result indicates that the PLS method is the alternate method for quantitative analysis of stone/jade samples.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Shaziling pig.

In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Shaziling pig was reported in Human Province, which was determined through PCR-based method. The total length of the mitogenome is 16,690 bp. It contains the typical structure, including 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and 1 non-coding control region (D-loop region) as that of most other vertebrates. The overall composition of the mitogenome was estimated to be 34.67% for A, 25.84% for T, 26.17% for C and 13.32% for G, with an A + T (60.51%)-rich feature in the Shaziling pig. All the protein initiation codons are ATG, except for ND2, ND3 and ND5 are ATA, ND4L is GTG, ND6 is TTA. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Shaziling pig in Human Province provides an important data set for the study in genetic mechanism.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Ningxiang pig.

In this work, we reported the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Ningxiang pig (Human Province), which was determined through PCR-based method. The total length of the mitogenome is 16,690 bp. The overall composition of the mitogenome was estimated to be 34.70% for A, 25.81% for T, 26.18% for C, 13.30% for G, respectively, indicating that an A + T(60.52%)-rich feature occurs in the Ningxiang pig. It contains the typical structure, including 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and 1 non-coding control region (D-loop region). The arrangement of these genes was the same as that found in the Landrace pig. All the protein initiation codons are ATG, except for ND2. ND3 and ND5 are ATA, ND4L is GTG. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Ningxiang pig in Human Province provides an important data for further study about genetic mechanism.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Daweizi pig.

Daweizi pig is one of the famous native breed in China. In this work we reported the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Daweizi pig in Human Province for the first time. The total length of the mitogenome is 16,690 bp, with the base composition of 34.68% for A, 25.80% for T, 26.21% for C, 13.31% for G and an A + T (60.48%)-rich feature occurs in the Daweizi pig. It is made up of two ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and one non-coding control region (D-loop region). The arrangement of these genes was the same as that found in the Landrace pig. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Daweizi pig provides an important data set for further study on the germplasm resources.

[Nondestructive analysis of the silicate artifacts excavated from Baofeng and Xinzheng, Henan Province].

Nondestructive analysis plays an important role in the studies of ancient artifacts. The present paper reports the chemical compositions and micro-area phases of 21 silicate artifacts samples analyzed by portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer and laser Raman spectrometer. Based on the chemical compositions, these samples can be divided into PbO-BaO-SiO2, K2O-SiO2 glass systems, faience and PbO-BaO glassy faience which were discussed respectively, and preliminary investigation of colorants in different parts of some samples was also involved. By laser Raman spectroscopy, Chinese blue (BaCuSi4O10), Chinese purple (BaCuSi2O6) and Chinese dark blue (BaCu2Si2O7) were identified invasively in the blue pigment of some eye beads and circle beads, and then a variety of mineral phase including quartz, calcite, lead carbonate, burnt umber and terre verte were also analyzed successfully in the same way. According to the archaeological research results, the provenances of these samples were discussed briefly. PbO-BaO-SiO2 glass, K2O-SiO2 ear pendant and PbO-BaO glassy faience were made in China while the faience was suspected to be from the west. Those results illustrated the communications of culture and technologies among different regions of ancient China, and between ancient China and the western regions. The combination of portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer and laser Raman spectrometer can provide chemical and phase information of relics, and has great advantages in scientific analysis of ancient artifacts, which supports future studies of archaeology.