bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolomic Analysis of Severe Osteoarthritis in a Spanish Population of Women Compared to Healthy and Osteoporotic Subjects
Authors: Pertusa Clara , Mifsut Damián , Morales José Manuel , Tarín Juan J. , Cano Antonio , Monleón Daniel , García-Pérez Miguel Ángel
Published: July 2022

Bone pathologies such as osteoporosis (OTP) and osteoarthritis (OA) are rising in incidence with the worldwide rise in life expectancy. The diagnosis is usually obtained using imaging techniques such as densitometry, but with both being multifactorial diseases, several molecular mechanisms remain to be understood. Metabolomics offers the potential to detect global changes which can lead to the identification of biomarkers and a better insight in the progress of the diseases. Our aim was to compare the metabolic profiles of a cohort of 100 postmenopausal women, including subcapital hip fragility fracture patients, women with severe OA of the hip that required the implantation of a hip prosthesis and controls, to find altered metabolites and networks. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to obtain the metabolomic profiles of peripheral blood derived serum, and statistical analysis was performed using MATLAB V.6.5. 30 of the 73 metabolites analysed showed statistically significant differences in a 3-way ANOVA, and 11 of them were present in the comparison between OA and controls after adjustment by covariates, including amino acids, energy metabolism metabolites and phospholipid precursors. PLS-DA analysis shows a good discrimination between controls and fracture subjects with OA patients, and ROC curve analysis demonstrates that control and fracture subjects were accurately discriminated using the metabolome, but not OA. These results point to OA as an intermediate metabolic state between controls and fracture, and suggest that some metabolic shifts that happen after a fracture are also present at weaker intensity in the OA process.
NMR and Metabolomics—A Roadmap for the Future
Authors: Wishart David S. , Cheng Leo L. , Copié Valérie , Edison Arthur S. , Eghbalnia Hamid R. , Hoch Jeffrey C. , Gouveia Goncalo J. , Pathmasiri Wimal , Powers Robert , Schock Tracey B. , Sumner Lloyd W. , Uchimiya Mario
Published: July 2022

Metabolomics investigates global metabolic alterations associated with chemical, biological, physiological, or pathological processes. These metabolic changes are measured with various analytical platforms including liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). While LC-MS methods are becoming increasingly popular in the field of metabolomics (accounting for more than 70% of published metabolomics studies to date), there are considerable benefits and advantages to NMR-based methods for metabolomic studies. In fact, according to PubMed, more than 926 papers on NMR-based metabolomics were published in 2021—the most ever published in a given year. This suggests that NMR-based metabolomics continues to grow and has plenty to offer to the scientific community. This perspective outlines the growing applications of NMR in metabolomics, highlights several recent advances in NMR technologies for metabolomics, and provides a roadmap for future advancements.
Preanalytical Pitfalls in Untargeted Plasma Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Metabolomics of Endocrine Hypertension
Authors: Bliziotis Nikolaos G. , Kluijtmans Leo A. J. , Tinnevelt Gerjen H. , Reel Parminder , Reel Smarti , Langton Katharina , Robledo Mercedes , Pamporaki Christina , Pecori Alessio , Van Kralingen Josie , Tetti Martina , Engelke Udo F. H. , Erlic Zoran , Engel Jasper , Deutschbein Timo , Nölting Svenja , Prejbisz Aleksander , Richter Susan , Adamski Jerzy , Januszewicz Andrzej , Ceccato Filippo , Scaroni Carla , Dennedy Michael C. , Williams Tracy A. , Lenzini Livia , Gimenez-Roqueplo Anne-Paule , Davies Eleanor , Fassnacht Martin , Remde Hanna , Eisenhofer Graeme , Beuschlein Felix , Kroiss Matthias , Jefferson Emily , Zennaro Maria-Christina , Wevers Ron A. , Jansen Jeroen J. , Deinum Jaap , Timmers Henri J. L. M.
Published: July 2022

Despite considerable morbidity and mortality, numerous cases of endocrine hypertension (EHT) forms, including primary aldosteronism (PA), pheochromocytoma and functional paraganglioma (PPGL), and Cushing’s syndrome (CS), remain undetected. We aimed to establish signatures for the different forms of EHT, investigate potentially confounding effects and establish unbiased disease biomarkers. Plasma samples were obtained from 13 biobanks across seven countries and analyzed using untargeted NMR metabolomics. We compared unstratified samples of 106 PHT patients to 231 EHT patients, including 104 PA, 94 PPGL and 33 CS patients. Spectra were subjected to a multivariate statistical comparison of PHT to EHT forms and the associated signatures were obtained. Three approaches were applied to investigate and correct confounding effects. Though we found signatures that could separate PHT from EHT forms, there were also key similarities with the signatures of sample center of origin and sample age. The study design restricted the applicability of the corrections employed. With the samples that were available, no biomarkers for PHT vs. EHT could be identified. The complexity of the confounding effects, evidenced by their robustness to correction approaches, highlighted the need for a consensus on how to deal with variabilities probably attributed to preanalytical factors in retrospective, multicenter metabolomics studies.
Margaritaria nobilis L.F. (Phyllanthaceae): Ethnopharmacology and Application of Computational Tools in the Annotation of Bioactive Molecules
Authors: Santiago Johan Carlos C. , Albuquerque Carlos Alberto B. , Muribeca Abraão de Jesus B. , Sá Paulo Roberto C. , Pamplona Sônia das Graças Santa R. , Silva Consuelo Yumiko Y. e , Ribera Paula Cardoso , Fontes-Júnior Enéas de Andrade , da Silva Milton Nascimento
Published: July 2022

Margaritaria nobilis is a shrubby species widely distributed in Brazil from the Amazon to the Atlantic Rainforest. Its bark and fruit are used in the Peruvian Amazon for disinfecting abscesses and as a tonic in pregnancy, respectively, and its leaves are used to treat cancer symptoms. From analyses via UHPLC-MS/MS, we sought to determine the chemical profile of the ethanolic extract of M. nobilis leaves by means of putative analyses supported by computational tools and spectral libraries. Thus, it was possible to annotate 44 compounds, of which 12 are phenolic acid derivatives, 16 are O-glycosylated flavonoids and 16 hydrolysable tannins. Among the flavonoids, although they are known, except for kaempferol, which has already been isolated from this species, the other flavonoids (10, 14, 15, 21, 24–26, 28–30, 33–35, 40 and 41) are being reported for the first time in the genus. Among the hydrolysable tannins, six ellagitannins present the HHDP group (6, 19, 22, 31, 38 and 43), one presents the DHHDP group (5), and four contain oxidatively modified congeners (12, 20, 37 and 39). Through the annotation of these compounds, we hope to contribute to the improved chemosystematics knowledge of the genus. Furthermore, supported by a metric review of the literature, we observed that many of the compounds reported here are congeners of authentically bioactive compounds. Thus, we believe that this work may help in understanding future pharmacological activities.
Simulation and Test of a MEMS Arming Device for a Fuze
Authors: Qin Yu , Shen Yanbai , Zou Xiannan , Hao Yongping
Published: July 2022

To solve the structural strength problem of a MEMS arming device for a fuze, a kind of arming device applied to a certain type of 40 mm grenade is designed. This paper introduces the working principle of the arming device; simulates the shear pin, rotary pin and locking mechanism in the device; designs a variety of different test tools for test verification; and further increases the explosion reliability and arming safety tests. The results show that the arming device improves the structural strength and can meet the action requirements of a certain type of 40 mm grenade for safety release, as well as the application requirements of explosion reliability and arming safety.
Experimental Investigation of Relationship between Humidity Conditions and Degradation of Key Specifications of 0.1–1.2 GHz PA in 0.18 μm CMOS
Authors: Zhou Shaohua , Yang Cheng , Wang Jian
Published: July 2022

The specification of power amplifiers (PA) is closely related to humidity variation, and few reports on the humidity properties of PA are available in the literature. Therefore, an experimental study of PA specifications was conducted under different humidity conditions to elucidate the relationship between the degradation of PA specifications and humidity conditions. This paper studies and provides results of the degradation of a PA subjected to different humidity levels. The experimental results show that the S21 and output power decrease with the increase in humidity. The main cause of this degradation is the decrease in oxide capacitance and increase in threshold voltage with increasing humidity, resulting in a reduction of transconductance and an increase in on-resistance. The results of this study can guide designers in designing compensation circuits to achieve some degree of compensation for the degradation of PA specifications.
Free-Surface Velocity Measurement Using Direct Sensor Orientation-Based STIV
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Zhao Lijun , Liu Boyuan , Jiang Tiansheng , Cheng Ze
Published: July 2022

Particle image velocimetry (PIV) is a quantitative flow visualization technique, which greatly improves the ability to characterize various complex flows in laboratory and field environments. However, the deployment of reference objects or ground control points (GCPs) for velocity calibration is still a challenge for in situ free-surface velocity measurements. By combining space-time image velocimetry (STIV) with direct sensor orientation (DSO) photogrammetry, a laser distance meter (LDM)-supported photogrammetric device is designed, to realize the GCPs-free surface velocity measurement under an oblique shooting angle. The velocity calibration with DSO is based on the collinear equation, while the lens distortion, oblique shooting angle, water level variation, and water surface slope are introduced to build an imaging measurement model with explicit physical meaning for parameters. To accurately obtain the in situ position and orientations of the camera utilizing the LDM and its embedded tilt sensor, the camera’s intrinsic parameters and relative position within the LDM are previously calibrated with a planar chessboard. A flume experiment is designed to evaluate the uncertainty of optical flow estimation and velocity calibration. Results show that the proposed DSO-STIV has good transferability and operability for in situ measurements. It is superior to propeller current meters and surface velocity radars in characterizing shallow free-surface flows; this is attributed to its non-intrusive, whole-field, and high-resolution features. In addition, the combined uncertainty of free-surface velocity measurement is analyzed, which provides an alternative solution for error assessment when comparing measurement failures.
Multiobjective Optimization of Chemically Assisted Magnetic Abrasive Finishing (MAF) on Inconel 625 Tubes Using Genetic Algorithm: Modeling and Microstructural Analysis
Authors: Singh Gurpreet , Kumar Harish , Kansal Harmesh Kumar , Sharma Kamal , Kumar Raman , Chohan Jasgurpreet Singh , Singh Sandeep , Sharma Shubham , Li Changhe , Królczyk Grzegorz , Królczyk Jolanta B.
Published: July 2022

The demand for the surface integrity of complex structures is drastically increasing in the field of aerospace, marine and automotive industry. Therefore, Inconel alloy, due to its superior attributes, has a wide scope for the improvement in surface integrity. To achieve the precise surface finish and enhance the process performance, process optimization is necessary. In current paper, chemically assisted MAF process parameters were optimized using the genetic algorithm (GA) approach during finishing of Inconel 625 tubes. Regression models were developed for improvement in internal surface finish (PIISF), improvement in external surface finish (PIESF), and material removal (MR) using Design expert software. Then, the surface microstructure of Inconel 625 tubes was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). ANOVA analysis predicts that processing time and abrasive size have the highest percentage contribution in improving the surface finish and material removal. Multioptimization results suggested to set the level of processing time (A) at 75 min, surface rotational speed (B) at 60 RPM, weight % of abrasives (C) at 30%, chemical concentration (D) at 500 gm/lt and abrasive size (E) at 40 microns to obtain optimal parameters for PIISF, PIESF and MR responses.
Compensation of the Stress Gradient in Physical Vapor Deposited Al1−xScxN Films for Microelectromechanical Systems with Low Out-of-Plane Bending
Authors: Beaucejour Rossiny , D’Agati Michael , Kalyan Kritank , Olsson Roy H.
Published: July 2022

Thin film through-thickness stress gradients produce out-of-plane bending in released microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) structures. We study the stress and stress gradient of Al0.68Sc0.32N thin films deposited directly on Si. We show that Al0.68Sc0.32N cantilever structures realized in films with low average film stress have significant out-of-plane bending when the Al1−xScxN material is deposited under constant sputtering conditions. We demonstrate a method where the total process gas flow is varied during the deposition to compensate for the native through-thickness stress gradient in sputtered Al1−xScxN thin films. This method is utilized to reduce the out-of-plane bending of 200 µm long, 500 nm thick Al0.68Sc0.32N MEMS cantilevers from greater than 128 µm to less than 3 µm.
THz Filters Made by Laser Ablation of Stainless Steel and Kapton Film
Authors: Han Molong , Smith Daniel , Ng Soon , Vilagosh Zoltan , Anand Vijayakumar , Katkus Tomas , Reklaitis Ignas , Mu Haoran , Ryu Meguya , Morikawa Junko , Vongsvivut Jitraporn , Appadoo Dominique , Juodkazis Saulius
Published: July 2022

THz band-pass filters were fabricated by femtosecond-laser ablation of 25-μm-thick micro-foils of stainless steel and Kapton film, which were subsequently metal coated with a ∼70 nm film, closely matching the skin depth at the used THz spectral window. Their spectral performance was tested in transmission and reflection modes at the Australian Synchrotron’s THz beamline. A 25-μm-thick Kapton film performed as a Fabry–Pérot etalon with a free spectral range (FSR) of 119 cm−1, high finesse Fc≈17, and was tuneable over ∼10μm (at ∼5 THz band) with β=30∘ tilt. The structure of the THz beam focal region as extracted by the first mirror (slit) showed a complex dependence of polarisation, wavelength and position across the beam. This is important for polarisation-sensitive measurements (in both transmission and reflection) and requires normalisation at each orientation of linear polarisation.
Prevalence of pvmrp1 Polymorphisms and Its Contribution to Antimalarial Response
Authors: Yin Yi , Chen Gangcheng , Nyunt Myat Htut , Zhang Meihua , Liu Yaobao , Zhu Guoding , He Xinlong , Tian Fang , Cao Jun , Han Eun-taek , Lu Feng
Published: July 2022

As more sporadic cases of chloroquine resistance occur (CQR) in Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) malaria, molecular markers have become an important tool to monitor the introduction and spread of drug resistance. P. vivax multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (PvMRP1), as one of the members of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, may modulate this phenotype. In this study, we investigated the gene mutations and copy number variations (CNVs) in the pvmrp1 in 102 P. vivax isolates from China, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Myanmar, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Pakistan, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (PRK), and Cambodia. And we also obtained 72 available global pvmrp1 sequences deposited in the PlasmoDB database to investigate the genetic diversity, haplotype diversity, natural selection, and population structure of pvmrp1. In total, 29 single nucleotide polymorphisms reflected in 23 non-synonymous, five synonymous mutations and one gene deletion were identified, and CNVs were found in 2.9% of the isolates. Combined with the antimalarial drug susceptibility observed in the previous in vitro assays, except the prevalence of S354N between the two CQ sensitivity categories revealed a significant difference, no genetic mutations or CNVs associated with drug sensitivity were found. The genetic polymorphism analysis of 166 isolates worldwide found that the overall nucleotide diversity (π) of pvmrp1 was 0.0011, with 46 haplotypes identified (Hd = 0.9290). The ratio of non-synonymous to synonymous mutations (dn/ds = 0.5536) and the neutrality tests statistic Fu and Li’s D* test (Fu and Li’s D* = −3.9871, p < 0.02) suggests that pvmrp1 had evolved under a purifying selection. Due to geographical differences, genetic differentiation levels of pvmrp1 in different regions were different to some extent. Overall, this study provides a new idea for finding CQR molecular monitoring of P. vivax and provides more sequences of pvmrp1 in Asia for subsequent research. However, further validation is still needed through laboratory and epidemiological field studies of P. vivax samples from more regions.
Resveratrol-Schiff Base Hybrid Compounds with Selective Antibacterial Activity: Synthesis, Biological Activity, and Computational Study
Authors: Sánchez-González Rodrigo , Leyton Patricio , Aguilar Luis F. , Reyna-Jeldes Mauricio , Coddou Claudio , Díaz Katy , Mellado Marco
Published: July 2022

Nowadays, antimicrobial resistance is a serious concern associated with the reduced efficacy of traditional antibiotics and an increased health burden worldwide. In response to this challenge, the scientific community is developing a new generation of antibacterial molecules. Contributing to this effort, and inspired by the resveratrol structure, five new resveratrol-dimers (9a–9e) and one resveratrol-monomer (10a) were synthetized using 2,5-dibromo-1,4-diaminobenzene (8) as the core compound for Schiff base bridge conformation. These compounds were evaluated in vitro against pathogenic clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus sp., and Listeria monocytogenes. Antibacterial activity measurements of resveratrol-Schiff base derivatives (9a–9e) and their precursors (4–8) showed high selectivity against Listeria monocytogenes, being 2.5 and 13.7 times more potent than chloramphenicol, while resveratrol showed an EC50 > 320 µg/mL on the same model. Moreover, a prospective mechanism of action for these compounds against L. monocytogenes strains was proposed using molecular docking analysis, finding a plausible inhibition of internalin C (InlC), a surface protein relevant in bacteria–host interaction. These results would allow for the future development of new molecules for listeriosis treatment based on compound 8.
Fusarium Graminearum Virus-1 Strain FgV1-SD4 Infection Eliminates Mycotoxin Deoxynivalenol Synthesis by Fusarium graminearum in FHB
Authors: Paudel Bimal , Pedersen Connor , Yen Yang , Marzano Shin-Yi Lee
Published: July 2022

Deoxynivalenol (DON) toxin production during the infection of F. graminearum in small grain crops is one of the most harmful virulence factors associated with economic losses. Metatranscriptome sequencing and RT-qPCR traced back that the only mycovirus infecting an F. graminearum isolate, designated as Fg-4-2, was a novel strain of Fusarium graminearum virus 1 (FgV1), designated as FgV1-SD4. The isolate Fg-4-2 showed significantly reduced virulence against wheat compared to the virus-free culture, designated as isolate Fg-4-1, which was obtained by deep freezing and single conidial germination. Notably, no DON accumulation was detected in the harvested wheat seeds infected by Fg-4-2, whereas ~18 ppm DON was detected in seeds infected by Fg-4-1. Comparison of the genome sequence of FgV1-SD4 with other identified strains of FgV1, i.e., FgV1-DK21 and FgV1-ch, indicates mutations on ORF-2 and the 3′-UTR in the genome that might be associated with hypovirulence. This mycovirus strain alone and specific genetic components of FgV1-SD4 can be further optimized to be developed as a biocontrol agent to reduce Fusarium head blight and to lower the DON accumulation levels in small grain crops due to this fungal disease.
An Age Effect of Rumen Microbiome in Dairy Buffaloes Revealed by Metagenomics
Authors: Li Long-Ping , Peng Ke-Lan , Xue Ming-Yuan , Zhu Sen-Lin , Liu Jian-Xin , Sun Hui-Zeng
Published: July 2022

Age is an important factor in shaping the gut microbiome. However, the age effect on the rumen microbial community for dairy buffaloes remains less explored. Using metagenomics, we examined the microbial composition and functions of rumen microbiota in dairy Murrah buffaloes of different ages: Y (1 year old), M (3–5 years old), E (6–8 years old), and O (>9 years old). We found that Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the predominant phyla, with Prevotella accounting for the highest abundance at the genus level. The proportion of Bacteroides and Methanobrevibacter significantly increased with age, while the abundance of genus Lactobacillus significantly decreased with age (LDA > 3, p < 0.05). Most differed COG and KEGG pathways were enriched in Y with carbohydrate metabolism, while older buffaloes enriched more functions of protein metabolism and the processing of replication and repair (LDA > 2, p < 0.05). Additionally, the functional contribution analysis revealed that the genera Prevotella and Lactobacillus of Y with more functions of CAZymes encoded genes of glycoside hydrolases and carbohydrate esterases for their roles of capable of metabolizing starch and sucrose-associated oligosaccharide enzyme, hemicellulase, and cellulase activities than the other three groups (LDA > 2, p < 0.05), thus affecting the 1-year-old dairy buffalo rumen carbohydrate metabolism. This study provides comprehensive dairy buffalo rumen metagenome data and assists in manipulating the rumen microbiome for improved dairy buffalo production.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Diversity Exploration: A Way to Serve the Three Main Weapons against Epidemics, Hygiene, Vaccine Development and Chemotherapy
Authors: Refrégier Guislaine , Genestet Charlotte
Published: July 2022

As highlighted by the SARS pandemic which is still ongoing, the battle against pathogens relies on three main “weapons”: hygiene, vaccine development and chemotherapy strategies [...]
α-Amino Phosphonic Acid as the Oxidized Ore Collector: Flexible Intra-Molecular Proton Transfer Providing an Improved Flotation Efficiency
Authors: Chen Pan , Wang Jinggang , Sun Yameng , Cheng Shaoyi , Gao Huanzhi , Wang Hongbin , Cao Jian
Published: July 2022

The efficient separation of ilmenite is a difficult problem in minerals flotation. For this issue, α-aminooctyl phosphinic acid (APA) was developed as a selective collector to separate ilmenite. The flotation test result showed that APA was more efficient for improving ilmenite recovery compared with octylphosphonic acid (OPA). Adsorption, ZETA and FTIR measurements proved that the chemical interaction between collector APA and the surface of ilmenite was stronger than OPA, while the result is completely opposite in the case of titanaugite. Moreover, XPS test and DFT calculations indicated that the collector APA was coordinated with the surface of ilmenite through P-O-Fe and P-O-Ti bonding. The amine group in the α-site of the phosphonyl group facilitated APA to be a stable zwitterion in the solution, which greatly enhanced the nucleophilicity of the phosphonic acid group. On the other hand, more appropriate coordination energy was another reason for the superior collecting selectivity of APA than OPA.
Geothermal Geological Characteristics and Genetic Model of the Shunping Area along Eastern Taihang Mountain
Authors: Dai Peng , Wu Kongyou , Wang Gang , Wang Shengdong , Song Yuntao , Zhang Zhenhai , Shang Yuehan , Zheng Sicong , Meng Yinsheng , She Yimin
Published: July 2022

Knowledge about subsurface geological characteristics and a geothermic genetic model plays an essential role in geothermal exploration and resource assessment. To solve the problem in the Shunping area along eastern Taihang Mountain, geothermal geological conditions were analyzed by geophysical, geochemical, and geological methods, such as magnetotelluric, gas geochemistry, and structural analysis. The geothermic genetic model was developed by analyzing the characteristics of the heat source, water source, migration channel, reservoir, and cap rock of the geothermal geological conditions. Favorable deep thermal conduction conditions and sufficient atmospheric precipitation in the study area provide an original heat source and water supply for geothermal formation. The faults and unconformities of different scales have become effective channels for the migration of underground hot water. The thermal reservoir formed by marine carbonate rocks with karst fissure development provides suitable space for the storage of underground hot water. Although the Cenozoic strata have good thermal insulation and water insulation function, the thermal insulation and water insulation effect is not ideal because of the shallow coverage in the Shunping area and the damage by tectonic action, which affected thermal insulation and water insulation to some extent, restricting the practical preservation of underground heat energy in the Shunping area. The bedrock geothermal resource in the Shunping area is original from the combined action of multiple indexes of source, transport, reservoir, and cap. The geothermal geologic conditions of source and reservoir in the Shunping area are very similar to those in the Xiongan new area, and have obvious advantages in hydrodynamic conditions. Although limited by the cap’s effectiveness, the geothermal resources in the Shunping area can provide some clean energy support for local production and life, thereby satisfying economic development conditions and encouraging further geological exploration.
Application of High-Temperature Copper Diffusion in Surface Recoloring of Faceted Labradorites
Authors: Zhou Qingchao , Wang Chengsi , Shen Andy-Hsitien
Published: July 2022

Owing to the high market values of natural sunstones in Oregon, a kind of artificially diffused red feldspar exhibited at the Tucson Exhibition at the beginning of this century, whose color origin is the same as that of natural sunstone (copper nanoparticles). However, the details of the artificial diffusion process are less disclosed, there is no systematic method to obtain such gemstones. In this paper, we developed the high-temperature copper diffusion process for the surface recoloring of faceted labradorites, which are partly buried in the diffusant. By optimizing the experimental parameters of high-temperature copper diffusion, we successfully recolored the faceted labradorites to red and light red. The gemological and spectroscopic characteristics of the recolored faceted labradorite were further characterized. The red and light-red faceted labradorites exhibited the unique surface plasmon resonance absorption peaks of copper nanoparticles near 580 nm, which is the origin of red color. The typical inclusions formed in the faceted labradorite is in the shape of “fire cloud”. The interface of red and light-red faceted labradorite that is in contact with the diffusant is less contaminated, we believe that the contamination could be further reduced or eliminated by optimizing the high-temperature copper diffusion process. The way that the sample is in contact with the diffusant partly is versatile and promising in the surface treatment of materials that have already been processed.
Influence of Specific Surface Area on the Strength of Iron Oxidized Pellets
Authors: Dai Meng-Bo , Gu Bao-Shu , Ruan Zhi-Yong , Wang Zi-Hong , Luo Bang-Cao , Chun Tie-Jun
Published: July 2022

Blaine specific surface area (SSA) is an essential physical property of iron concentrate and is availably improved by a high-pressure grinding roller (HPGR) to enhance the pelletability and the qualities of oxidized pellets. In this study, the four concentrates with various SSA were obtained by HPGR treatment to produce the oxidized pellets. The results show that the high degree of lattice deformation corresponds to high SSA which is beneficial for improving the quality of green, preheated, and fired pellets. The compressive strength increases from 600 to 1870 N·pellet−1 for preheated pellets and increases from 2530 to 4270 N·pellet−1 for fired pellets when SSA increased from 849 cm2/g to 1601 cm2/g, under the optimal condition of preheating at 1050 °C for 12 min and firing at 1250 °C for 15 min. The oxidation of magnetite is accelerated. Low porosity and microphotographs with integrated hematite joined crystallization support the strength enhancement by high SSA.
Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications of Early Paleozoic Magmatism in Awen Gold District, South Section of the Truong Son Orogenic Belt, Laos
Authors: Shang Zhi , Chen Yongqing
Published: July 2022

The Truong Son orogenic belt (TSOB) is one of the most important orogenic belts in the Indochina block. There are numerous mafic to felsic intrusions in the Early Paleozoic caused by the Tethyan orogeny. However, the tectono-magmatic evolution of the TSOB in the Early Paleozoic is still unclear. In this paper, zircon U-Pb dating, whole-rock geochemistry, and the Sr-Nd isotopic data of the Early Paleozoic magmatic rocks have been systematically investigated to explore the petrogenesis and tectonic significance of these rocks in the TSOB. Based on our new results integrated with previous geological data, four major tectono-magmatic episodes are identified. (1) The Middle Cambrian (~507 Ma) is the early stage of northward subduction of the Tamky-Phuoc Son Ocean. (2) The Early Ordovician to Middle Ordovician (483–461 Ma) is the main subduction stage of the Tamky-Phuoc Son Ocean. The intrusive rock associations imply the closure of the Tamky-Phuoc Son Ocean. (3) The Late Ordovician to Early Silurian (461–438 Ma) is the collision stage of the Kontum massif and Truong Son terrane. (4) The Early Silurian to Late Silurian (438–410 Ma) is the late stage of collision accompanied by slab roll-back.
Charge Distribution and Bond Valence Sum Analysis of Sulfosalts—The ECoN21 Computer Program
Authors: Ilinca Gheorghe
Published: July 2022

The charge distribution (CD) and the bond valence sum (BVS) methods are used to calculate the charges assignable to atomic positions in crystal structures, based on the distribution of bond lengths. Discrepancies between calculated and formal charges may point to errors in the determination of atomic coordinates, in the initial allocation of oxidation numbers, occupancies, or site populations. Unlike the BVS method, which has been frequently used for the validation and interpretation of sulfosalt crystal structures, the CD method has been scarcely and limitedly employed for this group of minerals. In this paper, the applicability of the CD method to sulfosalts is practically tested for the first time. The calculation is made using ECoN21—a novel software tool designed for CD, BVS, and general coordination geometry analysis of crystal structures. The program addresses normal valence compounds with distorted homoligand or heteroligand polyhedra in both cation- and anion-centered descriptions. The program is also able to calculate a comprehensive set of parameters describing the internal and external distortion of coordination polyhedra. The paper presents the background of the CD, BVS, and coordination geometry calculations, as well as several case studies focusing on various applications of these methods to sulfosalts.
Detrital-Zircon Geochronology of Jurassic–Cretaceous Strata in the Turpan-Hami Basin: Implication for the Late Mesozoic Tectonic Evolution of Eastern Tien Shan
Authors: Qin Yang , Liu Chiyang , Yang Lihua , Peng Heng , Jiao Xiaoqin
Published: July 2022

Detrital-zircon U-Pb geochronology is extensively used to imply provenance histories as one of the most common methods to constrain the tectonic evolution of ancient sedimentary systems. The rapid accumulation of detrital-zircon thermochronology data in the eastern Tien Shan region brought great convenience for understanding the basin–mountain evolution in the region. In this work, 41 samples for zircon U-Pb dating from the Jurassic–Cretaceous strata of the Turpan-Hami basin and its adjacent region were compiled. Based on the systematic investigation, comparison, and summarization of Late Mesozoic sources in the eastern Tien Shan region and the quantitative characterization of source variations, we further explored and dissected the Late Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the eastern Tien Shan orogenic belt. Data from detrital-zircon age spectra, KS tests, MDS plots, Monte Carlo simulations, etc., suggested that eastern Tien Shan was also highly active during the Mesozoic, and especially, Bogda was the most remarkable. Moreover, there was a sig-nificant differential segmental exhumation before the Late Jurassic. In general, from the Early Ju-rassic to the Cretaceous, the proportion of Bogda provenance gradually increased, especially the large-scale uplift and denudation that occurred after the development of the Qigu Formation. The provenance of central Tien Shan and Jueluotag gradually stabilized before the Cretaceous. From the Late Jurassic to the Cretaceous, the decreasing tendency of the central-Tien-Shan-provenance percentages decreased, while that of Jueluotag provenance increased. Furthermore, central Tien Shan provenance had a slightly growing trend from the Early Jurassic (38%) to the Middle Jurassic (41.3%) and then gradually decreased to 20.3%. The Central Tien Shan still accounted for a sizeable proportion of the provenance, the genesis of which suggests that it may be that provenance as-cribable to central Tien Shan still crossed the poorly uplifted Jueluotag to the Turpan-Hami basin. Similar to central Tien Shan, the provenance ascribable to Jueluotag gradually decreased from an initial 51.8% to 14.9% in the Late Jurassic, but the proportion of the provenance increased again to 26% during the Cretaceous. These features opened the prelude to the Cenozoic tectonic activities in this region. In addition, the decomposition results revealed that the inverse Monte Carlo mixed model for dissecting the provenance of sandstone samples was subject to large biases in complex geological settings, such as detrital-zircon populations, the age spectra of source areas, contempo-raneous magmatism, and recovered older strata.
Effects of Red Mud on Cadmium Uptake and Accumulation by Rice and Chemical Changes in Rhizospheres by Rhizobox Method
Authors: Meng Xiaofei , Yang Junxing , Zheng Guodi , Xia Tianxiang
Published: July 2022

Red mud (RM), a byproduct of aluminum production, is used as amendments to increase the pH and reduce the available Cd in soil, but the effects of RM treatments on rice and rhizosphere chemistry changes at different radial-oxygen-loss (ROL) rates and developmental stages remain unclear. To address this concern, a rhizobox trial was conducted to investigate the effect of 0%, 0.5%, and 1.0% RM, on Cd accumulation by rice cultivars differing in ROL rate (‘Zheyou12’ (ZY12), ‘Qianyou1’ (QY1), and ‘Chunjiangnuo2’ (CJN2)) at two growth stages (tillering and bolting). The results showed that mobility factors of Cd in the soil were decreased significantly at both stages. The Cd mobility factor (MF) of CJN2 was decreased by 33.01% under 1% RM treatment at bolting stage. The pH value was increased by 0.39–0.53 units at two stages. RM contains large amounts of metals, which can increase soil iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) concentrations, reduce redox potential, and transform the available Cd into Fe/Mn oxide-bound Cd. In addition, the Fe plaque further increased to inhibit the transformation of Cd. These changes reduced the available Cd in the soil and further decreased Cd absorption by rice. With the increase in RM concentration, the shoot and root biomass increased, and Cd accumulation in the plant significantly decreased. Compared with that under 0% RM treatment, the shoot Cd concentrations of ZY12, QY1, and CJN2 under 1% RM treatment at the bolting stage decreased by 27.59%, 36.00%, and 46.03%, respectively. The relative Cd accumulation ability of the three rice cultivars was CJN2 < QY1 < ZY12. The ROL promotes Fe plaque formation on the root surface. The Fe plaque is an obstacle or buffer between Cd and rice, which can immobilize Cd in Fe plaque and further reduce Cd absorption by rice. The addition of RM, in combination with a high-ROL rice cultivar, is a potential strategy for the safe production of rice on Cd-contaminated soils.
Using Long-Lived Thorium Isotopes to Quantify the Lithogenic Inputs to the Lakes in Qaidam Basin, China
Authors: Cao Chenyang , Chen Chi , Zhang Pu , Cui Jiahui , Pei Xuezheng , Li Xiangzhong , Cheng Tiane , Liang Lihua , Edwards R. Lawrence
Published: July 2022

In the last decade, the 232Th–230Th system has gained popularity as a tracer to quantify lithogenic sources of trace elements to the marine environment. Thorium (Th) isotopes were utilized to quantify the supply of lithogenic inputs to Keluke Lake and Tuosu Lake in Qaidam Basin, China. A total of 33 water samples were collected from Keluke Lake, Tuosu Lake, and Bayin River to measure the concentrations of dissolved 232Th and 230Th. The relationship of 232Th concentration in the water was in the order Bayin River > Keluke Lake > KLK–TS River > Tuosu Lake, confirming the input of variable lithogenic material sources. Three sources dominate the flux of lithofacies into the lakes: the river input, the deposition of dust and the local input from the sediments surrounding the lakes. On an interannual timescale, the lithogenic flux of Keluke Lake was mainly derived from river input. In summer, the dust flux in the study area could be estimated as 0.133 g/m2/year, while the flux of lithologic material from Bayin River to Keluke Lake was 12.367 g/m2/year. In contrast, the fluvial input to the Tuosu lake was small in comparison to the dust contribution of lithogenic flux. The high Th232-concentration and the vertical sediment flux in this lake may have been caused by resuspension of bottom sediments.
Early Cretaceous Granitoids Magmatism in the Nagqu Area, Northern Tibet: Constraints on the Timing of the Lhasa–Qiangtang Collision
Authors: Wu Kaiyang , Zhong Yun , Yuan Yajuan , Wan Zhifeng , Xia Bin , Wu Tengfei
Published: July 2022

The timing of the Lhasa–Qiangtang collision following the closure of the Bangong–Nujiang Tethys Ocean has not been well constrained. An integrated study of whole-rock geochemistry and zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopes was carried out for Early Cretaceous quartz diorite-porphyrites and granites from the Yilashan and Amdo areas, northern Tibet. LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating reveal that the Yilashan and Amdo granitoids were emplaced at ~121–110 Ma. These granitic rocks display selective enrichment of light rare earth elements, large ion lithophile elements (e.g., Rb, U) and Th, but depletion of Sr and high field strength elements (e.g., Nb, Ta, Ti) compared to its neighboring elements. These new data, combined with regional geological setting, show that these igneous rocks were formed under a geodynamic setting of the Lhasa and Qiangtang (–Amdo) collision with oceanic slab breakoff and asthenospheric upwelling. The BNTO had been closed at ~121–110 Ma in the study area. Yilashan-Amdo granitoids roughly yield high (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios and obvious negative εNd(t) and zircon εHf(t) values along with old Nd TDM and zircon Hf TDM2 ages. Together with their variable U–Pb ages, these features indicate a Precambrian “hidden” crustal source beneath the northern Lhasa and Amdo terranes. The YLSS S-type granophyres were derived from partial melting of Paleoproterozoic lower crustal metagraywackes, whereas the YLSZ quartz diorite–porphyrites and the Amdo I- and A-type granites were mainly derived from partial melting of Paleo–Mesoproterozoic lower crustal mafic rocks with a certain amount of addition of mantle-derived melts. Minor amounts of the materials originated from the Amdo orthogneisses may also be involved in the formation of the YLSZ quartz diorite–porphyrites and the Amdo I-type granites. In addition, the Yilashan ophiolite was intruded by the ~112–108 Ma granophyric and quartz diorite–porphyritic intrusions before its final emplacement into the surrounding strata.
UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS-Based Metabolomics Reveals Chemical Variations of Two Types of Rhizomes of Polygonatum sibiricum
Authors: Luo Gelian , Lin Junhan , Cheng Weiqing , Liu Zhibin , Yu Tingting , Yang Bin
Published: July 2022

The rhizomes of Polygonatum sibiricum are commonly consumed as food and also used as medicine. However, the metabolic profile of P. sibiricum has not been fully revealed yet. Recently, we developed a novel evergreen species of P. sibiricum. The objectives of this study were to compare the metabolic profiles of two types of P. sibiricum, i.e., the newly developed evergreen type (Gtype) and a wide-type (Wtype), by using UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS-based untargeted metabolomics approach. A total of 263 and 258 compounds in the positive and negative modes of the mass spectra were tentatively identified. Distinctively different metabolomic profiles of these two types of P. sibiricum were also revealed by principal component analysis (PCA) and principal coordinates analysis (PCoA). Furthermore, by using partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) modeling, it was found that, as compared with Wtype, Gtype samples had significantly higher content of oxyberberine, proliferin, alpinetin, and grandisin. On the other hand, 15 compounds, including herniarin, kaempferol 7-neohesperidoside, benzyl beta-primeveroside, vanillic acid, biochanin A, neoschaftoside, benzyl gentiobioside, cornuside, hydroxytyrosol-glucuronide, apigenin-pentosyl-glucoside, obacunone, 13-alpha-(21)-epoxyeurycomanone, vulgarin, digitonin, and 3-formylindole, were discovered to have higher abundance in Wtype samples. These distinguishing metabolites suggest the different beneficial health potentials and flavor attributes of the two types of P. sibiricum rhizomes.
Atheroprotective Effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra L.
Authors: Markina Yuliya V. , Kirichenko Tatiana V. , Markin Alexander M. , Yudina Irina Y. , Starodubova Antonina V. , Sobenin Igor A. , Orekhov Alexander N.
Published: July 2022

Cardiovascular diseases associated with atherosclerosis are the major cause of death in developed countries. Early prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis are considered to be an important aspect of the therapy of cardiovascular disease. Preparations based on natural products affect the main pathogenetic steps of atherogenesis, and so represent a perspective for the long-term prevention of atherosclerosis development. Numerous experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated the multiple beneficial effects of licorice and its bioactive compounds—anti-inflammatory, anti-cytokine, antioxidant, anti-atherogenic, and anti-platelet action—which allow us to consider licorice as a promising atheroprotective agent. In this review, we summarized the current knowledge on the licorice anti-atherosclerotic mechanisms of action based on the results of experimental studies, including the results of the in vitro study demonstrating licorice effect on the ability of blood serum to reduce intracellular cholesterol accumulation in cultured macrophages, and presented the results of clinical studies confirming the ameliorating activity of licorice in regard to traditional cardiovascular risk factors as well as the direct anti-atherosclerotic effect of licorice.
Beneficial Effect of Methanolic Extract of Frankincense (Boswellia Sacra) on Testis Mediated through Suppression of Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis
Authors: Alharbi Samir Abdulkarim , Asad Mohammed , Abdelsalam Kamal Eldin Ahmed , Ibrahim Monjid Ahmed , Chandy Sunil
Published: July 2022

Boswellia sacra oleo gum resin (Burseraceae) commonly known as frankincense is traditionally used in many countries for its beneficial effect on male fertility. This study explores its effect on the male reproductive system after a 60-day repeated administration at two different doses to rats (in vivo) and on human Leydig cells (in vitro). The methanolic extract of B. sacra was analyzed for the presence of various constituents by preliminary phytochemical analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) while quantitative analysis of boswellic acids was done by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Administration of B. sacra extract to rats elevated the serum testosterone levels with an associated reduction in serum levels of FSH and LH. An increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase and catalase, was seen. A dose-dependent increase in the sperm count and sperm motility was also observed. The in vivo results were supported by changes in the expression of the Bcl-2 gene and caspase-3 gene in human Leydig cells in vitro. The results of this study support the traditional use of B. sacra to increase male fertility.
Evaluation of Toxicity and Efficacy of Inotodiol as an Anti-Inflammatory Agent Using Animal Model
Authors: Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet , Ban So-Young , Park Kyu-Been , Lee Chang-Kyu , Lee Seoung-Woo , Lee Young-Jin , Baek Su-Min , Park Jin-Kyu , Nguyen My Tuyen Thi , Kim Jaehan , Park Jihyun , Park Jong-Tae
Published: July 2022

Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) comprises polyphenolic compounds, triterpenoids, polysaccharides, and sterols. Among the triterpenoid components, inotodiol has been broadly examined because of its various biological activities. The purpose of this study is to examine inotodiol from a safety point of view and to present the potential possibilities of inotodiol for medical usage. From chaga mushroom extract, crude inotodiol (INO20) and pure inotodiol (INO95) were produced. Mice were treated with either INO20 or INO95 once daily using oral administration for repeated dose toxicity evaluation. Serum biochemistry parameters were analyzed, and the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum was quantified. In parallel, the effect of inotodiol on food allergic symptoms was investigated. Repeated administration of inotodiol did not show any mortality or abnormalities in organs. In food allergy studies, the symptoms of diarrhea were ameliorated by administration with INO95 and INO20. Furthermore, the level of MCPT-1 decreased by treatment with inotodiol. In this study, we demonstrated for the first time that inotodiol does not cause any detrimental effect by showing anti-allergic activities in vivo by inhibiting mast cell function. Our data highlight the potential to use inotodiol as an immune modulator for diseases related to inflammation.