pLoc_Deep-mHum: Predict Subcellular Localization of Human Proteins by Deep Learning

Recently, the life of human beings around the entire world has been endangering by the spreading of pneumonia-causing virus, such as Coronavirus, COVID-19, and H1N1. To develop effective drugs against Coronavirus, knowledge of protein subcellular localization is indispensable. In 2019, a predictor called “pLoc_bal-mHum” was developed for identifying the subcellular localization of human proteins. Its predicted results are significantly better than its counterparts, particularly for those proteins that may simultaneously occur or move between two or more subcellular location sites. However, more efforts are definitely needed to further improve its power since pLoc_bal-mHum was still not trained by a “deep learning”, a very powerful technique developed recently. The present study was devoted to incorporate the “deep-learning” technique and develop a new predictor called “pLoc_Deep-mHum”. The global absolute true rate achieved by the new predictor is over 81% and its local accuracy is over 90%. Both are overwhelmingly superior to its counterparts. Moreover, a user-friendly web-server for the new predictor has been well established at http://www.jci-bioinfo.cn/pLoc_Deep-mHum/, which will become a very useful tool for fighting pandemic coronavirus and save the mankind of this planet.

Prediction of treatment response to antipsychotic drugs for precision medicine approach to schizophrenia:randomized trials and multiomics analysis

Background:Choosing the appropriate antipsychotic drug(APD)treatment for patients with schizophrenia(SCZ)can be challenging,as the treatment response to APD is highly variable and difficult to predict due to the lack of effective biomarkers.Previous studies have indicated the association between treatment response and genetic and epigenetic factors,but no effective biomarkers have been identified.Hence,further research is imperative to enhance precision medicine in SCZ treatment.Methods:Participants with SCZ were recruited from two randomized trials.The discovery cohort was recruited from the CAPOC trial(n=2307)involved 6 weeks of treatment and equally randomized the participants to the Olanzapine,Risperidone,Quetiapine,Aripiprazole,Ziprasidone,and Haloperidol/Perphenazine(subsequently equally assigned to one or the other)groups.The external validation cohort was recruited from the CAPEC trial(n=1379),which involved 8 weeks of treatment and equally randomized the participants to the Olanzapine,Risperidone,and Aripiprazole groups.Additionally,healthy controls(n=275)from the local community were utilized as a genetic/epigenetic reference.The genetic and epigenetic(DNA methylation)risks of SCZ were assessed using the polygenic risk score(PRS)and polymethylation score,respectively.The study also examined the genetic-epigenetic interactions with treatment response through differential methylation analysis,methylation quantitative trait loci,colocalization,and promoteranchored chromatin interaction.Machine learning was used to develop a prediction model for treatment response,which was evaluated for accuracy and clinical benefit using the area under curve(AUC)for classification,R^(2) for regression,and decision curve analysis.Results:Six risk genes for SCZ(LINC01795,DDHD2,SBNO1,KCNG2,SEMA7A,and RUFY1)involved in cortical morphology were identified as having a genetic-epigenetic interaction associated with treatment response.The developed and externally validated prediction model,which incorporated clinical information,PRS,genetic risk score(GRS),and proxy methylation level(proxyDNAm),demonstrated positive benefits for a wide range of patients receiving different APDs,regardless of sex[discovery cohort:AUC=0.874(95%CI 0.867-0.881),R^(2)=0.478;external validation cohort:AUC=0.851(95%CI 0.841-0.861),R^(2)=0.507].Conclusions:This study presents a promising precision medicine approach to evaluate treatment response,which has the potential to aid clinicians in making informed decisions about APD treatment for patients with SCZ.Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry(https://www.chictr.org.cn/),18 Aug 2009 retrospectively registered:CAPOC-ChiCTR-RNC-09000521(https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=9014),CAPEC-ChiCTRRNC-09000522(https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=9013).

Effects of leaf litter extraction fluid from dominant forest tree species on functional characteristics of soil microbial communities

The effects of extraction fluids from the leaf litter from different dominant tree species on the functional characteristics of the soil microbial community were studied to understand how changes in soil quality and synergism between plants and soil contribute to the process of forest succession. Leaf litter from dominant tree species at different stages of succession were collected and extracted with sterile deionized water. After treating the soil of abandoned land with the different extraction fluids, we analyzed changes in carbon utilization of the soil microbial community in Biolog EcoPlates, then considered these results with those of our previous study on forest vegetation succession in the Malan forest. The leaf litter enhanced the metabolic capacity and functional diversity of the soil microbes, especially in the following combinations： the leaf litter of Quercus liaotungensis-Pinus tabulae- formis, P. tabulaeformis-Betula platyphylla, Q. liaotun- gensis and P. tabulaeformiss. Second, when litter from onespecies evaluated, the species enhanced metabolism and diversity in the order of their successional relationship： B. Platyphylla 〈 P. tabulaeformis 〈 Q. liaotungensis. After soils were treated with different leaf litters at 25 ℃ for 7 days, the sorting pattern of the PCA values, based on the similarity of carbon source utilization by the soil microbes, corresponded to the successional pattern on the basis of the similarity of community composition of forest plants. Thus, changes in soil properties caused by leaf litter from different dominant trees probably play a unique role in the successional pattern of a forest community. We thus pro- pose a successional mechanism that underlies the natural succession process within the Malan forest region. When the dominant forest species of the climax successional stage develops during the early successional stages, its forest litter probably alters soil properties such that the soil becomes unsuitable for the gradual growth and regenera- tion of the original dominant tree species but promotes the growth and establishment of later-invasive plants. In this way, the originally dominant species is replaced by the newly dominant tree species during forest succession.

pLoc_Deep-mPlant: Predict Subcellular Localization of Plant Proteins by Deep Learning

Current coronavirus pandemic has endangered mankind life. The reported cases are increasing exponentially. Information of plant protein subcellular localization can provide useful clues to develop antiviral drugs. To cope with such a catastrophe, a CNN based plant protein subcellular localization predictor called “pLoc_Deep-mPlant” was developed. The predictor is particularly useful in dealing with the multi-sites systems in which some proteins may simultaneously occur in two or more different organelles that are the current focus of pharmaceutical industry. The global absolute true rate achieved by the new predictor is over 95% and its local accuracy is about 90%?-?100%. Both have substantially exceeded the?other existing state-of-the-art predictors. To maximize the convenience for most?experimental scientists, a user-friendly web-server for the new predictor has been established?at?http://www.jci-bioinfo.cn/pLoc_Deep-mPlant/, by which the majority of experimental?scientists can easily obtain their desired data without the need to go through the?mathematical details.

pLoc_Deep-mGpos: Predict Subcellular Localization of Gram Positive Bacteria Proteins by Deep Learning

The recent worldwide spreading of pneumonia-causing virus, such as Coronavirus, COVID-19, and H1N1, has been endangering the life of human beings all around the world. In order to really understand the biological process within a cell level and provide useful clues to develop antiviral drugs, information of Gram positive bacteria protein subcellular localization is vitally important. In view of this, a CNN based protein subcellular localization predictor called “pLoc_Deep-mGpos” was developed. The predictor is particularly useful in dealing with the multi-sites systems in which some proteins may simultaneously occur in two or more different organelles that are the current focus of pharmaceutical industry. The global absolute true rate achieved by the new predictor is over 99% and its local accuracy is around 92% - 99%. Both are transcending other existing state-of-the-art predictors significantly. To maximize the convenience for most experimental scientists, a user-friendly web-server for the new predictor has been established at http://www.jci-bioinfo.cn/pLoc_Deep-mGpos/, which will become a very powerful tool for developing effective drugs to fight pandemic coronavirus and save the mankind of this planet.

含垂直裂纹的厚热障涂层的热稳定性及力学性能(英文)

采用循环热暴露及热震试验研究含或不含垂直裂纹的厚热障涂层的热稳定性和失效机制。先采用空气等离子喷涂技术在基体表面制备150μm厚的连接涂层,再在该涂层上采用空气等离子喷涂技术制备2000μm厚的热障涂层。含或不含垂直裂纹的热障涂层的粘附强度分别为24.7和11.0 MPa,表明含垂直裂纹的热障涂层的界面稳定性更高。循环热暴露及热震试验表明其热稳定性更高。含或不含垂直裂纹的热障涂层的硬度分别为6.6和5.3GPa,经循环热暴露试验后分别升高至9.5和5.5 GPa。实验表明上层涂层中垂直裂纹的存在有利于延长热障涂层高温环境的寿命。

降钙素相关基因肽在小鼠巨噬细胞炎症调控中的作用研究

目的探讨降钙素相关基因肽(CGRP)在炎症调控中的作用,验证CGRP可通过活性氧簇-核苷酸结合低聚体结构域样受体3(ROS-NLRP3)信号通路抑制小鼠巨噬细胞炎症因子的分泌。方法实验分为对照组、脂多糖(LPS)100 ng/ml组(LPS组)、CGRP 10 ng/ml组(CGRP 10组)、CGPR 30 ng/ml组(CGRP 30组)、CGRP 100 ng/ml组(CGRP 100组)及CGRP 30 ng/ml+LPS 100 ng/ml组(CGRP 30+LPS组)。作用12 h后,分别收集各组细胞的培养上清,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测上清液中白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)的蛋白表达。同时收集各组细胞,实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(qRT-PCR)检测炎症因子IL-1β、TNF-α和炎症复合体NLRP3 mRNA的表达水平。流式细胞术检测各组细胞内活性氧簇(ROS)水平,Western blotting检测ROS-NLRP3信号通路相关蛋白NLRP3、Caspase-1、IL-1β及TNF-α的蛋白表达。结果与对照组比较,LPS组细胞中IL-1β、TNF-α及NLRP3 mRNA表达水平升高,培养上清液中IL-1β和TNF-α的蛋白表达水平升高,细胞内ROS水平升高,且细胞内NLRP3、Caspase-1、IL-1β及TNF-α的蛋白表达水平升高(P<0.05);与LPS组比较,CGRP 10组、CGRP 30组、CGRP 100组、CGRP 30+LPS组细胞中IL-1β、TNF-α及NLRP3 mRNA表达水平降低,培养上清液中IL-1β和TNF-α蛋白表达水平降低,细胞内ROS水平降低,且细胞内NLRP3、caspase-1、IL-1β及TNF-α蛋白表达水平也降低,所有指标中CGRP 30组降低最明显(P<0.05)。结论CGRP可降低巨噬细胞内ROS和NLRP3的表达,使炎症因子IL-1β和TNF-α的释放减少,CGRP可能在减弱局部炎症反应中发挥重要的调控作用。

Characteristics of macular microvasculature before and after idiopathic macular hole surgery

AIM:To evaluate the macular microvasculature before and after surgery for idiopathic macular hole(MH)and the association of preoperative vascular parameters with postoperative recovery of visual acuity and configuration.METHODS:Twenty eyes from 20 patients with idiopathic MH were enrolled.Optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)images were obtained before,2 wk,1,and 3 mo after vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling.Preoperative foveal avascular zone(FAZ)area and perimeter and regional vessel density(VD)in both layers were compared according to the 3-month best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA).RESULTS:The BCVA improved from 0.98±0.59(log MAR,Snellen 20/200)preoperatively to 0.30±0.25(Snellen 20/40)at 3 mo postoperatively.The preoperative deep VD was smaller and the FAZ perimeter was larger in the 3-month BCVA<20/32 group(all P<0.05).A significant reduction was observed in FAZ parameters and all VDs 2 wk postoperatively.Except for deep perifoveal VD,all VDs recovered only to their preoperative values.The postoperative FAZ parameters were lower during follow-up.Decreases in preoperative deep VDs were correlated with worse postoperative BCVA(Pearson’s r=-0.667 and-0.619,respectively).A larger FAZ perimeter(Spearman’s r=-0.524)and a lower deep perifoveal VD preoperatively(Pearson’s r=0.486)were associated with lower healing stage.CONCLUSION:The status of the deep vasculature may be an indicator of visual acuity in patients with a closed MH.Except for the deep perifoveal region,VD recovers only to preoperative levels.

Efficiency Enhancement of Inverted Polymer Solar Cells Using Ionic Liquid-functionalized Carbon Nanoparticles-modified ZnO as Electron Selective Layer

ZnO thin film was fabricated on tin-doped indium oxide electrode as an electron selective layer of inverted polymer solar cells using magnetron sputtering deposition. Ionic liquid-functionalized carbon nanoparticles(ILCNs) film was further deposited onto ZnO surfaces by drop-casting ILCNs solution to improve interface properties. The power conversion efficiency(PCE) of inverted polymer solar cells(PSCs)with only ZnO layer was quickly decreased from 2.7% to 2.2% when the thickness of ZnO layer was increased from 15 nm to 60 nm. However, the average PCE of inverted PSCs with ZnO layer modified with ILCNs only decreased from 3.5% to 3.4%, which is comparable to that of traditional PSCs with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate) anode buffer layer. The results suggested that the contact barrier between ZnO layer and poly(3-hexylthiophene) and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methylester(P3HT:PCBM)blended film compared to ZnO bulk resistance can more significantly influence the performance of inverted PSCs with sputtered ZnO layer. The vanishment of negative capacitive behavior of inverted PSCs with ILCNs modified ZnO layer indicated ILCNs can greatly decrease the contact barrier of ZnO/P3HT:PCBM interface.

iATC_Deep-mISF: A Multi-Label Classifier for Predicting the Classes of Anatomical Therapeutic Chemicals by Deep Learning

The recent worldwide spreading of pneumonia-causing virus, such as Coronavirus, COVID-19, and H1N1, has been endangering the life of human beings all around the world. To provide useful clues for developing antiviral drugs, information of anatomical therapeutic chemicals is vitally important. In view of this, a CNN based predictor called “iATC_Deep-mISF” has been developed. The predictor is particularly useful in dealing with the multi-label systems in which some chemicals may occur in two or more different classes. To maximize the convenience for most experimental scientists, a user-friendly web-server for the new predictor has been established at http://www.jci-bioinfo.cn/iATC_Deep-mISF/, which will become a very powerful tool for developing effective drugs to fight pandemic coronavirus and save the mankind of this planet.

Ammonia Removal from Rodent Habitat Operations in Space Using Phosphoric Acid Treated Activated Carbon

To accommodate long duration biology research with rodent habitats on the International Space Station while providing a healthy living and working environment for crewmembers, NASA Ames Research Center developed a new exhaust filter for odor control for the Animal Enclosure Module (AEM), which houses mice and rats. The new exhaust filter uses activated carbon pellets as adsorbents, with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) impregnated on the surface. The deodorization performance of the new exhaust filters for AEM units housed with mice was evaluated. The ammonia breakthrough time of the exhaust filters was also investigated. The results indicated that H3PO4 treated activated carbon exhibited a high ammonia adsorption capacity of more than 90%. Furthermore, the new exhaust filter can effectively control the odor from the AEM units for a 45-day (minimum) flight mission with a given animal biomass.

TRIM27 maintains gut homeostasis by promoting intestinal stem cell self-renewal

Dysregulation of gut homeostasis is associated with irritable bowel syndrome(IBS),a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder affecting approximately 11.2%of the global population.The poorly understood pathogenesis of IBS has impeded its treatment.Here,we report that the E3 ubiquitin ligase tripartite motif-containing 27(TRIM27)is weakly expressed in IBS but highly expressed in inflammatory bowel disease(IBD),a frequent chronic organic gastrointestinal disorder.Accordingly,knockout of Trim27 in mice causes spontaneously occurring IBS-like symptoms,including increased visceral hyperalgesia and abnormal stool features,as observed in IBS patients.Mechanistically,TRIM27 stabilizesβ-catenin and thus activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling to promote intestinal stem cell(ISC)self-renewal.Consistent with these findings,Trim27 deficiency disrupts organoid formation,which is rescued by reintroducing TRIM27 orβ-catenin.Furthermore,Wnt/β-catenin signaling activator treatment ameliorates IBS symptoms by promoting ISC self-renewal.Taken together,these data indicate that TRIM27 is critical for maintaining gut homeostasis,suggesting that targeting the TRIM27/Wnt/β-catenin axis could be a potential treatment strategy for IBS.Our study also indicates that TRIM27 might serve as a potential biomarker for differentiating IBS from IBD.

早产儿出生后早期屈光状态及其影响因素

目的:探讨早产儿矫正胎龄32~40周的屈光状态,评估早产儿屈光发育与出生体质量、出生孕龄以及早产儿视网膜病变(ROP)的相关性。方法:选取2016年3-12月在浙江大学医学院附属妇产科医院NICU及温州医科大学附属眼视光医院杭州院区接受ROP筛查的早产儿为研究对象,对早产儿屈光状态以及相关影响因素进行前瞻性研究。在矫正胎龄32~40周时右眼行睫状肌麻痹下检影验光,再进行ROP筛查并记录。记录早产儿的基本信息如出生体质量、出生孕龄、性别、吸氧史等以及接受检查时的矫正胎龄并进行统计分析。采用Pearson相关性分析来研究等效球镜度(SE)分别与出生体质量、出生孕龄、矫正胎龄之间的关系。采用独立样本t检验来比较矫正胎龄40周时有无ROP的SE差异。结果:共333例早产儿纳入研究,其中男175例,女158例。收集屈光记录542份。早产儿出生孕龄为26~36(31.3±2.1)周,出生体质量为740~3 390(1 643±418)g。SE随着早产儿矫正胎龄的增大而增大(r=0.455,P<0.001)。早产儿出生后4~5周,出生孕龄(r=0.373,P<0.001)、出生体质量(r=0.345,P<0.001)均和SE呈正相关。至早产儿矫正胎龄40周时,SE与出生体质量呈正相关(r=0.197,P=0.021),与出生孕龄无相关性,合并ROP的早产儿相比没有ROP的有较低的SE(t=2.225,P=0.028)。结论:早产儿在出生后早期矫正胎龄32~40周时,屈光状态向远视发展。在出生后4~5周,出生孕龄小或出生体质量低的早产儿更偏向于近视状态。至矫正胎龄40周时,有ROP或者低出生体质量的早产儿有较低的SE,而与出生孕龄无相关性。

The deubiquitinase OTUD1 inhibits colonic inflammation by suppressing RIPK1-mediated NF-κB signaling

The E3 ubiquitin ligase(E3)-mediated ubiquitination and deubiquitinase(DUB)-mediated deubiquitination processes are closely associated with the occurrence and development of colonic inflammation.Ovarian tumor deubiquitinase 1(OTUD1)is involved in immunoregulatory functions linked to infectious diseases.However,the effect of OTUD1 on intestinal immune responses during colonic inflammatory disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)remains unclear.Here,we show that loss of OTUD1 in mice contributes to the pathogenesis of dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced colitis via excessive release of proinflammatory cytokines.In addition,bone marrow transplantation experiments revealed that OTUD1 in hematopoietic cells plays a dominant role in protection against colitis.Mechanistically,OTUD1 physically interacts with receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1(RIPK1)and selectively cleaves K63-linked polyubiquitin chains from RIPK1 to inhibit the recruitment of NF-κB essential modulator(NEMO).Moreover,the expression of OTUD1 in mucosa samples from ulcerative colitis(UC)patients was lower than that in mucosa samples from healthy controls.Furthermore,we demonstrate that the UC-associated OTUD1 G430V mutation abolishes the ability of OTUD1 to inhibit RIPK1-mediated NF-κB activation and intestinal inflammation.Taken together,our study unveils a previously unexplored role of OTUD1 in moderating intestinal inflammation by inhibiting RIPK1-mediated NF-κB activation,suggesting that the OTUD1-RIPK1 axis could be a potential target for the treatment of IBD.

早产儿出生后早期屈光系统发育及其影响因素

目的:探讨早产儿矫正胎龄32~40周的屈光系统发育情况,评估早产儿眼轴长度与出生体质量及出生孕龄的相关性。方法:系列病例研究。选取2018年3─12月在浙江大学医学院附属妇产科医院以及温州医科大学附属眼视光医院接受早产儿视网膜病变筛查的早产儿为研究对象,在矫正胎龄32~40周时右眼行A超检查并记录,得到前房深度、晶状体厚度、玻璃体长度、眼轴长度等数据。记录早产儿的出生体质量、出生孕龄及接受检查时的矫正胎龄。分别根据出生孕龄(出生孕龄<30周,出生孕龄≥30周)及出生体质量(出生体质量<1500 g,出生体质量≥1500 g)对早产儿进行分组并评估其与眼轴长度的相关性。采用Pearson相关性分析研究屈光系统参数与矫正胎龄的关系,2组间眼轴长度的比较采用独立样本t检验。结果:共496例早产儿纳入研究,收集屈光系统参数1385次。前房深度(r=0.384,P<0.001),晶状体厚度(r=0.295,P<0.001),玻璃体长度(r=0.723,P<0.001),眼轴长度(r=0.782,P<0.001)均与矫正胎龄呈正相关。出生孕龄<30周以及出生孕龄≥30周的早产儿眼轴差异无统计学意义。出生体质量<1500 g的早产儿较出生体质量≥1500 g的早产儿在矫正胎龄38~40周时眼轴更短,差异有统计学意义(t=2.195,P=0.030;t=2.504,P=0.015;t=1.989,P=0.048)。结论:早产儿出生后早期,出生孕龄对眼轴影响不大,极低出生体质量早产儿有较短的眼轴。

CO_(2) hydrogenation to methanol over Rh/In_(2)O_(3)–ZrO_(2)catalyst with improved activity

The In_(2)O_(3)supported rhodium catalyst has been previously confirmed to be active for CO_(2)hydrogenation to methanol.In this work,the In_(2)O_(3)–ZrO_(2)solid solution was prepared and employed to support the rhodium catalyst.The deposition-precipitation method was applied to make the Rh catalyst highly dispersed.The catalyst characterization confirms that the use of ZrO_(2)optimizes and stabilizes the oxygen vacancies of In_(2)O_(3),which causes the enhanced adsorption and activation of CO_(2).The highly dispersed Rh catalyst remarkably improves the hydrogenation ability of the In_(2)O_(3)–ZrO_(2)support.Compared to Rh/In_(2)O_(3),the In_(2)O_(3)–ZrO_(2)supported Rh catalyst shows significantly higher activity with high methanol selectivity.For instance,at 300℃ and 5 MPa,the methanol selectivity over Rh/In_(2)O_(3)–ZrO_(2)reaches 66.5%with a space-time yield(STY)of methanol of 0.684 g MeOH h^(-1) g cat-1 and a CO_(2)conversion of 18.1%.The methanol selectivity and methanol STY at 300℃ is 19% and 26% higher than that of the Rh/In_(2)O_(3)catalyst.

LaNiO3 modified with Ag nanoparticles as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for rechargeable zinc-air batteries

No-precious bifunctional catalysts with high electrochemical activities and stability were crucial to properties of rechargeable zinc-air batteries.Herein,LaNiO3 modified with Ag nanoparticles(Ag/LaNiO3)was prepared by the co-synthesis method and evaluated as the bifunctional oxygen catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)and oxygen evolution reaction(OER).Compared with LaNiO3,Ag/LaNiO3 demonstrated the enhanced catalytic activity towards ORR/OER as well as higher limited current density and lower onset potential.Moreover,the potential gap between ORR potential(at-3 mA cm^-2)and OER potential(at 5 mA cm^-2)was 1.16 V.The maximum power density of the primary zinc-air battery with Ag/LaNiO3 catalyst achieved 60 mW cm^-2.Furthermore,rechargeable zinc-air batteries operated reversible charge-discharge cycles for 150 cycles without noticeable performance deterioration,which showed its excellent bifunctional activity and cycling stability as oxygen electrocatalyst for rechargeable zinc-air batteries.These results indicated that Ag/LaNiO3 prepared by the co-synthesis method was a promising bifunctional catalyst for rechargeable zinc-air batteries.

Co-contaminants of microplastics in two seabird species from the Canadian Arctic

Through ingestion and subsequent egestion,Arctic seabirds can bioaccumulate microplastics at and around their colony breeding sites.While microplastics in Arctic seabirds have been well documented,it is not yet understood to what extent these particles can act as transport vehicles for plastic-associated contaminants,including legacy persistent organic pollutants(POPs),trace metals,and organic additives.We investigated the occurrence and pattern of organic and inorganic co-contaminants of microplastics in two seabird species from the Canadian Arctic-northern fulmar(Fulmarus glacialis)and black-legged kittiwake(Rissa tridactyla).We found that fulmars had higher levels of plastic contamination and emerging organic compounds(known to be plastic additives)than kittiwakes,whereas higher concentrations of legacy POPs were found in kittiwakes than the fulmars.Furthermore,fulmars,the species with the much larger foraging range(~200 km),had higher plastic pollution and overall contaminant burdens,indicating that birds may be acting as long-range transport vectors for plasticassociated pollution.Our results suggest a potential connection between plastic additive contamination and plastic pollution burdens in the bird stomachs,highlighting the importance of treating plastic particles and plastic-associated organic additives as co-contaminants rather than separate pollution issues.

互花米草有利于我国海岸带蓝碳功能提升

Spartina alterniflora has rapidly and extensively encroached on China's coastline over the past decades.Among the coastal areas invaded by S.alterniflora,at most 93%are mudflats.However,the effect of S.alterniflora invasion on soil organic carbon(SOC)stocks of coastal mudflats has not been systematically studied on a national scale.Here,we quantified the nationwide changes in SOC stocks in coastal mudflats associated with S.alterniflora invasion between 1990 and 2020.We found that S.alterniflora invasion significantly enhanced SOC stocks in coastal China.Nonetheless,the benefit of S.alterniflora invasion of coastal SOC stock may be weakened by continuing human intervention.We found that S.alterniflora invading mudflats added 2.3 Tg SOC stocks to China's coastal blue carbon,while 1.78 Tg SOC stocks were lost mainly due to human activities,resulted in a net SOC stock gain of 0.52 Tg C.These findings overturned the traditionally thought that S.alterniflora invasion would reduce ecosystem services by highlighting that the historical invasion of S.alterniflora has broadly and consistently enhanced blue carbon stock in coastal China.