Characteristics of B,Zn and Se in stream sediments of Tanzania and their agricultural applications:Based on 1∶1000000 geochemical survey

Tanzania is located in eastern Africa with a predominantly agricultural ecomomy,the potential for developing and utilizing cultivated land are promising,but scientific guidance is required.B,Zn and Se are essential micronutrients for plants and human body with crucial biological functions,in particular,Se is significant for human health and considered as“the king of anti-cancer”.As these elements required by human or plants are mainly absorbed from soil directly or indirectly,therefore,it is important to understand the contents and distributions of them in the soil of cultivated land for guiding agricultural production.In this work,low-density geochemical survey at the scale of 1∶1000000 was carried out in Tanzania,and the results show that the concentrations of B,Zn and Se in stream sediments are low and their distributions are heterogeneous.According to the distributions of geological units,the existing cultivated land resources can be divided into five regions in Tanzania.Compared with the national background values,the concentrations of B,Zn and Se are insufficient overall but enriched locally in these regions.In general,element concentrations in stream sediments and soil have a positive correlation because of their similar sources,which is essential in agriculture application.Based on the information provided by low-density geochemical data and maps,the Se-sufficient and Se-rich regions were delineated in Tanzania,where can be used to develop Se-rich industries.Finally,this paper believes that geochemical survey is a powerful tool for cultivated land evaluation,agriculture management and land development.

Gold enrichment characteristics and exploration prospects in Zambia: Based on 1∶1000000 geochemical mapping

The 1∶1000000 geochemical mapping of Zambia provides catchment sediment geochemical data for 58elements including Au from 746 sediment samples at 736 sampling sites,corresponding to a sampling density of about one site per 1000 km2.Under strict quality control using field duplicates,certified reference materials,and analytical replicate samples,the Au was determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry(ICP-MS).The detection limit of Au was 0.20×10^(-9).The 95%range(2.5%–97.5%)of Au concentrations was from 0.24×10^(-9) to 1.36×10^(-9),and the median value was 0.40×10^(-9).The most noticeable Au distribution patterns shown on the map are mainly located between Lusaka and Ndola(Lufilian Arc Belt).In addition,several high Au value areas occurred in Mansa,Muyombe,Chipata,and Livingstone.The spatial distribution patterns of Au in tectonic units,drainage basins,and geomorphological landscapes could be related to the Lufilian Arc Belt and Bangweulu Block.The Au concentrations show metallogenic belts between Muyombe and Mbala areas,between Mansa and Ndola areas,and between Lusaka and Kasempa areas.

Effects of smartphone-based interventions and monitoring on bipolar disorder:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Recently,there has been a range of studies about smartphone-based interventions and monitoring for reducing symptoms of bipolar disorder(BD).However,their efficacy for BD remains unclear.AIM To compare the effect of smartphone-based interventions and monitoring with control methods in treating patients with BD.METHODS A systematic literature search was performed on PubMed,Embase,Clinical trials,psycINFO,Web of Science,and Cochrane Library.Randomized clinical trials(RCTs)or single-group trials in which smartphone-based interventions and monitoring were compared with control methods or baseline in patients with symptoms of BD were included.Data were synthesized using a random-effects or a fixed-effects model to analyze the effects of psychological interventions and monitoring delivered via smartphone on psychiatric symptoms in patients with BD.The primary outcome measures were set for mania and depression symptoms.Subgroups were created to explore which aspects of smartphone interventions are relevant to the greater or lesser efficacy of treating symptoms.RESULTS We identified ten articles,including seven RCTs(985 participants)and three single-group trials(169 participants).Analysis of the between-group study showed that smartphone-based interventions were effective in reducing manic[g=-0.19,95%confidence interval(CI):-0.33 to-0.04,P=0.01]and depressive(g=-0.28,95%CI:-0.55 to-0.01,P<0.05)symptoms.In within-group analysis,smartphone-based interventions significantly reduced manic(g=0.17,95%CI:0.04 to 0.30,P<0.01)and depressive(g=0.48,95%CI:0.18 to 0.78)symptoms compared to the baseline.Nevertheless,smartphone-based monitoring systems significantly reduced manic(g=0.27,95%CI:0.02 to 0.51,P<0.05)but not depressive symptoms.Subgroup analysis indicated that the interventions with psychoeducation had positive effects on depressive(g=-0.62,95%CI:-0.81 to-0.43,P<0.01)and manic(g=-0.24,95%CI:-0.43 to-0.06,P=0.01)symptoms compared to the controlled conditions,while the interventions without psychoeducation did not(P>0.05).The contacts between therapists and patients that contributed to the implementation of psychological therapy reduced depression symptoms(g=-0.47,95%CI:-0.75 to-0.18,P=0.01).CONCLUSION Smartphone-based interventions and monitoring have a significant positive impact on depressive and manic symptoms of BD patients in between-group and within-group analysis.

MicroR-9c-5p and novel-mir50 co-target Akt to regulate Lasioderma serricorne reproduction

High fecundity is a common characteristic of insect pests which increases the difficulty of population control.Serine/threonine kinase Akt is an indispensable component of the insulin signaling pathway.Silencing of LsAkt severely hinders reproduction in Lasioderma serricorne,a stored product insect pest.However,the post-transcriptional pathway of LsAkt in L.serricorne remains unknown.This study identified 2 binding sites of miR-9c-5p and novel-mir50 in the coding sequences of LsAkt.The expression profiles of 2 microRNAs(miRNAs)and LsAkt displayed an opposite pattern during the adult stages.Luciferase reporter assay showed that novel-mir50 and miR-9c-5p could downregulate the expression of LsAkt.Overexpression of miR-9c-5p and novel-mir50 by injection of mimics inhibited the expression of LsAkt and reduced oviposition,decreased egg hatchability,and blocked ovarian development.It also decreased the expression of genes involved in ovarian development(LsVg and LsVgR)and the nutritional signaling pathway(LsTOR,LsS6K,and Ls4EBP),and reduced the phosphorylation of Akt.Conversely,injection of miR-9c-5p and novel-mir50 inhibitors induced the expressions of LsAkt,LsVg,LsVgR,LsTOR,LsS6K,and Ls4EBP,enhanced Akt phosphorylation level,and accelerated ovarian development.Injection of bovine insulin downregulated the expression of miR-9c-5p and novel-mir50 and upregulated the LsAkt expression.It also rescued the reproductive development defects associated with miR-9c-5p/novel-mir50 overexpression,forming a positive regulatory loop of insulin signaling.These results indicate that miR-9c-5p/novel-mir50 regulates the female reproduction of L.serricorne by targeting Akt in response to insulin signaling.The data also demonstrate the effects of the insulin/miRNA/Akt regulatory axis in insect reproduction.

SARS-CoV-2 in the ocular surface of COVID19 patients

The 2019 novel coronavirus disease(COVID-19)caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARSCoV-2)has spread globally,while the routes of transmission of this virus are still controversial.We enrolled 33 patients,without any ocular manifestation,with their ocular surface swabs collected for virus detection.RNA was detected strong positive in samples of both eyes from two patients.Therefore,SARS-CoV-2 may exist in the normal ocular surface of COVID-19 patients,suggesting that this virus might be spread through conjunctival contact.

SARS-CoV-2 in the ocular surface of COVID-19 patients

The 2019 novel coronavirus disease(COVID-19)caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)has spread globally,while the routes of transmission of this virus are still controversial.We enrolled 33 patients,without any ocular manifestation,with their ocular surface swabs collected for virus detection.RNA was detected strong positive in samples of both eyes from two patients.Therefore,SARS-CoV-2 may exist in the normal ocular surface of COVID-19 patients,suggesting that this virus might be spread through conjunctival contact.