Characteristics of Element Migration in the Process of Wall-Rock Alteration in the Shibangou Gold Deposit,Western Henan

Abstract The Shibangou gold deposit in western Henan is associated with irregular quartz veinlets occurring in altered shear zones dissecting a dioritic intrusion. The altered shear zones are characterized by silicification, pyritization, sericilization, chloritization and K-feldspar alteration. Zoning of altered rocks adjacent to the Au-bearing quartz veins is obviously exhibited. Fine-grained sulphides and quartz veinlets of different ages and small-scale fissures are widely distributed in the central part of the altered zones. Major mineralization types in this gold deposit are Au-bearing quartz veinlets and altered rocks in the shear zones. Samples were collected from drilling cores according to the alteration zoning and mineralization type and all samples were analyzed for major and trace elements. Mass balance, volume change (fv=97.3–71.9%) and major element variation sequences are studied in terms of major elements. The changes of mobile components (SiO2, K2O, Fe2O3) and CaO) and immobile component (Al2O3) in the wall-rock alteration are discussed. The gold mineralization is associated with the enrichment of As, Ag, Hg and Pb and depletion of Cu and Zn. The study of compositional variation of altered rocks proves to be a very efficient method for defining the extent of wall-rock alteration, fluid activity and mineralization and enrichment.

GEOCHEMICAL KINETIC SIMULATION ON WALL-ROCK ALTERATION ZONING IN THE BAOBAN GOLD FIELD, SOUTH CHINA

The Baoban gold field, located in the area of Hainan Island, South China, bears three gold de-posits: Tuwaishan, Baoban, and Erjia, which belong to the wall-rock alteration type. In terms of the petrography data, four alteration zones can be recognized from the ore-vein outwards: (1) the silicification zone; (2) the sericitization zone, (3) the chloritization zone; and (4) the calcitization zone. The geochemical kinetic simulation was carried out on sericitization and chloritization . Results of the study showed that the formation of the alteration zones is connected with the properties of hydrothermal fluids: the initial concentration of Al (O H)3, the diffusion coefficient and the velocity of fluid flow. The alteration zones in this field are the result of multiple interaction between hydrothermal fluids and wall rocks.

Effect of Groundwater Radiolysis on the Wall-rock Alteration of Uranium Ore Deposits

Reported for the first the in this paper are the results of simulating experimnts on theγ-irradiation-induced oxidation of Fe2+ under the physicochemical conditions tr= 200℃,P= 50 MPa,Eh= -0.1V, PH=7.2) similar to tfor under which moderate-low temperature hydrothermal uraniumdeposits are formed . Evdence shows that the effect of groundwater radiolysis m to be the majormechanism of wall-rock alteration (hematitizaton ) of hydrothermal uranium deposits.Moreover, adiscussion was made of possible dets of radiolyss of the waterrock system on wall-rock alterationsincluding argillization and decoloration of uranium ore deposits on the basis of the experimentalresults.

Sex-dependent alterations in extracellular vesicles linking chronic spinal cord injury to brain neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration

Traumatic spinal cord injury(SCI)is a devastating exogenous injury with long-lasting consequences and a leading cause of death and disability worldwide.Advances in assistive technology,rehabilitative interventions,and the ability to identify and intervene in secondary conditions have significantly increased the long-term survival rate of SCI patients,with some people even living well into their seventh or eighth decade.These survival changes have led neurotrauma researchers to examine how SCI interacts with brain aging.Public health and epidemiological data showed that patients with long-term SCI can have a lower life expectancy and quality of life,along with a higher risk of comorbidities and complications.

Genetic and epigenetic alterations associated with gestational diabetes mellitus and adverse neonatal outcomes

Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)is a metabolic disorder,recognised during 24-28 weeks of pregnancy.GDM is linked with adverse newborn outcomes such as macrosomia,premature delivery,metabolic disorder,cardiovascular,and neurological disorders.Recent investigations have focused on the correlation of genetic factors such asβ-cell function and insulin secretary genes(transcription factor 7 like 2,potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily q member 1,adipo-nectin etc.)on maternal metabolism during gestation leading to GDM.Epigenetic alterations like DNA methylation,histone modification,and miRNA expression can influence gene expression and play a dominant role in feto-maternal meta-bolic pathways.Interactions between genes and environment,resulting in differ-ential gene expression patterns may lead to GDM.Researchers suggested that GDM women are more susceptible to insulin resistance,which alters intrauterine surroundings,resulting hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia.Epigenetic modi-fications in genes affecting neuroendocrine activities,and metabolism,increase the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes in offspring.There is currently no treatment or effective preventive method for GDM,since the molecular processes of insulin resistance are not well understood.The present review was undertaken to un-derstand the pathophysiology of GDM and its effects on adverse neonatal out-comes.In addition,the study of genetic and epigenetic alterations will provide lead to researchers in the search for predictive molecular biomarkers.

Assessment of skeletal muscle alterations and circulating myokines in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease:A crosssectional study

BACKGROUND Skeletal muscle alterations(SMAs)are being increasingly recognized in patients with metabolic dysfunctionassociated steatotic liver disease(MASLD)and appear to be associated with deleterious outcomes in these patients.However,their actual prevalence and pathophysiology remain to be elucidated.AIM To determine the prevalence of SMAs and to assess the significance of circulating myokines as biomarkers in patients with MASLD.METHODS Skeletal muscle strength and muscle mass were measured in a cross-sectional study in a cohort of 62 patients fulfilling MASLD criteria,recruited from the outpatient clinics of a tertiary level hospital.The degree of fibrosis and liver steatosis was studied using abdominal ultrasound and transitional elastography.Anthropometric and metabolic characteristics as well as serum levels of different myokines were also determined in the MASLD cohort.Statistical analysis was performed comparing results according to liver fibrosis and steatosis.RESULTS No significant differences were found in both skeletal muscle strength and skeletal muscle mass in patients with MASLD between different stages of liver fibrosis.Interestingly,serum levels of fibroblast growth factor-21(FGF21)were significantly higher in patients with MASLD with advanced hepatic fibrosis(F3-F4)than in those with lower fibrosis stages(F0-F2)(197.49±198.27 pg/mL vs 95.62±83.67 pg/mL;P=0.049).In addition,patients with MASLD with severe hepatosteatosis(S3)exhibited significantly higher serum levels of irisin(1116.87±1161.86 pg/mL)than those with lower grades(S1-S2)(385.21±375.98 pg/mL;P=0.001).CONCLUSION SMAs were uncommon in the patients with MASLD studied.Higher serum levels of irisin and FGF21 were detected in patients with advanced liver steatosis and fibrosis,respectively,with potential implications as biomarkers.

Risk stratification for radioactive iodine refractoriness using molecular alterations in distant metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer

Objective: Patients with radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer(RAIR-DTC) are often diagnosed with delay and constrained to limited treatment options. The correlation between RAI refractoriness and the underlying genetic characteristics has not been extensively studied.Methods: Adult patients with distant metastatic DTC were enrolled and assigned to undergo next-generation sequencing of a customized 26-gene panel(Thyro Lead). Patients were classified into RAIR-DTC or non-RAIR groups to determine the differences in clinicopathological and molecular characteristics. Molecular risk stratification(MRS) was constructed based on the association between molecular alterations identified and RAI refractoriness, and the results were classified as high, intermediate or low MRS.Results: A total of 220 patients with distant metastases were included, 63.2% of whom were identified as RAIRDTC. Genetic alterations were identified in 90% of all the patients, with BRAF(59.7% vs. 17.3%), TERT promoter(43.9% vs. 7.4%), and TP53 mutations(11.5% vs. 3.7%) being more prevalent in the RAIR-DTC group than in the non-RAIR group, except for RET fusions(15.8% vs. 39.5%), which had the opposite pattern. BRAF and TERT promoter are independent predictors of RAIR-DTC, accounting for 67.6% of patients with RAIR-DTC. MRS was strongly associated with RAI refractoriness(P<0.001), with an odds ratio(OR) of high to low MRS of 7.52 [95%confidence interval(95% CI), 3.96-14.28;P<0.001] and an OR of intermediate to low MRS of 3.20(95% CI,1.01-10.14;P=0.041).Conclusions: Molecular alterations were associated with RAI refractoriness, with BRAF and TERT promoter mutations being the predominant contributors, followed by TP53 and DICER1 mutations. MRS might serve as a valuable tool for both prognosticating clinical outcomes and directing precision-based therapeutic interventions.

Mineralogical Zonation of Wall-Rock Alteration in Jiaodong Gold Province, North China

Mineralogical zonation of wall rock alterations in Mesozoic granitoids is summarized from 18 gold deposits in Jiaodong gold province on the Asian mobile continental margin of the west circum Pacific rim. This paper deals with wall rock alterations developed around gold mineralizations of the quartz vein type in granitoids and the wall rock alteration type in granitoid basement contacts along Mesozoic fault zones trending mostly NNE SSW and NE SW. Five alteration zones are distinguished from host rock to ore zone, namely the chloritization and sericitization zone, the hematitization rutilization and microclinization zone, the quartz sericitization zone, the pyrite quartz sericitization zone and the pyrite silicification zone. The former two are outer zones marked by incomplete alteration of first mafic and then felsic minerals of the granitoids, while the later three are inner zones marked by complete alteration of both mafic and felsic minerals of the granitoids leading to retrogressive sericitization and progressive silicification with participation of ore elements. The whole process proceeds under dynamometamorphism with high fugacity of volatiles. Wall rock alteration is the intermediate link between unaltered host rock and ore mineralization both in time and space. Development of the alteration zonation and its mineral composition controls genetic type of mineralization, size and grade of the deposit and location of the ore zones.

Hydrothermal alteration of the surface volcanic rocks at the Acoculco geothermal field,Mexico:a multi-parametric approach

The studies on hydrothermal alteration-induced eff ects in surface and subsurface rocks provide useful information in the characterization and exploitation of a geothermal reservoir.Generally,these studies are based on traditional,and reliable methods like petrography(primary and secondary minerals,and grade of alteration),and geochemistry(mobility of elements,changes in mass and concentration of elements,and fluid inclusions).Recently,apart from these established methods,some methods based on the geochemical(Chemical Index of Alteration,CIA;Weathering Index of Parkar,WIP;Loss on Ignition,LOI;and Sulfur,S)and rock magnetic properties(magnetic susceptibility,χlf;and percentage frequency-dependent susceptibility,χfd%)are also being applied in the identification of whether a rock is an altered or a fresh one.The Acoculco Geothermal Field(AGF),Mexico,is characterized by high temperature and very low permeability,and it is considered a promissory Enhanced Geothermal System.The following changes are observed in the rocks as a result of an increase in hydrothermal alteration:(1)an increase in CIA,LOI,and S values,and a decrease in WIP;(2)an increase in quartz and quartz polymorph minerals(silicification),and clay minerals(argillization);and(3)decrease inχlf values.At AGF,the most altered surface acid rocks are characterized by entirely quartz and its polymorphs,and clay minerals.The present study also indicates the applicability of the binary plots of major elements(felsic vs mafic component)and rock magnetic parameters(χlf vs.χfd%).The rock withχfd%value of 2-10 andχlf value<0.5×10^(-6)m^(3) kg^(-1)indicate the presence of single domain and stable single domain grains,which in turn suggests that it is an altered rock.These methods are simple to apply,rapid,reliable,and have the potential to become eff ective tools for the identifi cation of hydrothermally altered rocks during the initial stage of geothermal exploration.

Genomic alterations in oral multiple primary cancers

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the predominant type of oral cancer, while some patients may develop oral multiple primary cancers (MPCs) with unclear etiology. This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and genomic alterations of oral MPCs. Clinicopathological data from patients with oral single primary carcinoma (SPC, n=202) and oral MPCs (n=34) were collected and compared. Copy number alteration (CNA) analysis was conducted to identify chromosomal-instability differences among oral MPCs, recurrent OSCC cases, and OSCC patients with lymph node metastasis. Whole-exome sequencing was employed to identify potential unique gene mutations in oral MPCs patients. Additionally, CNA and phylogenetic tree analyses were used to gain preliminary insights into the molecular characteristics of different primary tumors within individual patients. Our findings revealed that, in contrast to oral SPC, females predominated the oral MPCs (70.59%), while smoking and alcohol use were not frequent in MPCs.Moreover, long-term survival outcomes were poorer in oral MPCs. From a CNA perspective, no significant differences were observed between oral MPCs patients and those with recurrence and lymph node metastasis. In addition to commonly mutated genes such as CASP8, TP53 and MUC16, in oral MPCs we also detected relatively rare mutations, such as HS3ST6 and RFPL4A. Furthermore, this study also demonstrated that most MPCs patients exhibited similarities in certain genomic regions within individuals, and distinct differences of the similarity degree were observed between synchronous and metachronous oral MPCs.

Identifying Comprehensive Genomic Alterations and Potential Neoantigens for Cervical Cancer Immunotherapy in a Cohort of Chinese Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Cervix

Objective Genomic alterations and potential neoantigens for cervical cancer immunotherapy were identified in a cohort of Chinese patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma(CSCC).Methods Whole-exome sequencing was used to identify genomic alterations and potential neoantigens for CSCC immunotherapy.RNA Sequencing was performed to analyze neoantigen expression.Results Systematic bioinformatics analysis showed that C>T/G>A transitions/transversions were dominant in CSCCs.Missense mutations were the most frequent types of somatic mutation in the coding sequence regions.Mutational signature analysis detected signature 2,signature 6,and signature 7 in CSCC samples.PIK3CA,FBXW7,and BICRA were identified as potential driver genes,with BICRA as a newly reported gene.Genomic variation profiling identified 4,960 potential neoantigens,of which 114 were listed in two neoantigen-related databases.Conclusion The present findings contribute to our understanding of the genomic characteristics of CSCC and provide a foundation for the development of new biotechnology methods for individualized immunotherapy in CSCC.

Application of Remote Sensing and GIS in Mineral Alteration Mapping and Lineament Extraction Case of Oudiane Elkharoub (Requibat Shield, Northern of Mauritania)

The integration of remotely sensed data allowed the successful characterization of the mineral alteration zones of the Oudiane Elkharoub area in the Northeastern part of Reguibat Shield using image transformation techniques. As both chemical and geochemical analyses showed significant Au, Ag, Cu, Pb, Mn, Cr, Ni, Th and Y anomalies, it’s very interesting to apply the remote sensing and GIS in mineral resources mapping. The remote sensing is a direct adjunct to the field, lithologic and structural mapping, and more recently, GIS has played an important role in the study of mineralization areas. The integration of several evidential maps highlighted the plausible areas with high concentrations of chlorite, epidote, kaolinite, calcite, alunite, hematite, illite and sulfur among other key mineral alterations that reflect the intensity of hydrothermal effects and the probable sites of ore bodies. The methodological approach integrates geological information acquired from Aster and Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS (Operational Land Imager/Thermal InfraRed Sensor) images and a multi-criteria GIS analysis. The superimposition of various lineament and hydrothermal alteration maps and the consideration of precious and base metal indicators allowed the zoning of sites likely to contain mineral concentrations. Remote sensing becomes an important tool for locating mineral deposits in its own right, when the primary and secondary processes of mineralization result in the formation of spectral anomalies. Reconnaissance lithological mapping is usually the first step of mineral resource mapping. This is complimented with structural mapping, as mineral deposits usually occur along or adjacent to geologic structures, and alteration mapping, as mineral deposits are commonly associated with hydrothermal alteration of the surrounding rocks. Ground truthing and laboratory studies including XRD analysis were utilized to verify the results.

Bilateral meibomian gland morphological alterations in unilateral herpes simplex keratitis based on artificial intelligence analysis

AIM:To explore whether unilateral herpes simplex keratitis(HSK)can cause morphological changes of bilateral meibomian glands(MGs)based on artificial intelligence(AI)analytical system.METHODS:In the retrospective study,29 patients with unilateral HSK and 29 participants matched in terms of age and sex were included as control group.Meibographic images of the upper eyelid using Keratograph 5M and assessed ocular surface parameters including tear meniscus height and tear break-up time.MG density and vagueness values were automatically analyzed and calculated using an AI analytical system.We compared the differences between the affected and the contralateral unaffected eyes in HSK patients,and the normal control eyes.We employed either the paired t-test or the Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare significant difference between the affected and unaffected eyes in HSK patients or between the HSK group and control group.RESULTS:The MG density was 0.19±0.09 in the HSKaffected eye and 0.18±0.07 in contralateral unaffected eye,which had no significant difference(P=0.616).The MG density between the affected eye with HSK and the normal control group was statistically significant(P=0.028).There was a significant difference in MG density between the contralateral unaffected eye and the normal control group(P=0.012).However,no significant difference in vagueness value was observed between the eye with HSK and the control group or between HSK eye and contralateral eye.CONCLUSION:The MG density between the HSKaffected eye and the contralateral unaffected eye don’t significantly differ,whereas there is a significant decrease in the HSK group compared to that of the normal participants.Unilateral HSV keratitis may suffer from bilateral changes of MG morphology indicating bilateral dry eye.Therefore,the fellow eye of patients with unilateral HSK should be considered a potential case of MG dysfunction,necessitating early treatment for bilateral dry eye in the clinic.

Clinicopathological alterations in wild mammals from the reservoir system of Trypanosoma cruzi:a scoping review

Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiologic agent of Chagas disease.This flagellated protozoan is transmitted to humans as well as different species of domestic and wild animals via vectors from the Reduviidae family(known as"kissing bugs").Despite the fact that hundreds of species of wild mammals are part of the reservoir system,the morphologi-cal changes and clinical manifestations resulting from the pathogenesis of the infection have been largely neglected.The aim of this review is to systematically compile the available information regarding clinicopathological altera-tions in wild mammals due to natural infection by T.cruzi.Information was obtained from six online bibliographic data search platforms,resulting in the identification of 29 publications that met the inclusion criteria.Mortality was the most common clinical manifestation,cardiac damage was the main finding at necropsy,and lymphoplas-macytic inflammation was the most frequent microscopic injury.Thus,regardless of its role as a reservoir,T.cruzi has the potential to affect the health status of wild mammals,a situation that highlights the need for further research to analyze,measure,and compare its effects at both the individual and population levels.

Hematological Alterations in an Eastern Sudanese Chronic Kidney Disease Patient Population

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), associated with a slow and progressive loss of kidney function over a period of several years, is an important clinical disaster with an increasing rate of morbidity and mortality especially in the least developed countries. Many hematological parameters are thought to alter dramatically during the course of the disease. These include white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Methods: We tried, retrospectively, to evaluate the peripheral blood hematological alterations in a group of patients undergoing hemodialysis in an eastern Sudan dialysis center to add local medical information. Results: Anemia (Low hemoglobin and hematocrit) was detected in 94% of the patients’ group. Mean Erythrocyte count (3.32vs.4.76 (×109/L)), Hemoglobin concentration (9.4vs.13 (g/dl)), Hematocrit (28.7vs.38.7 (L/L)) and platelet count (296 vs. 238 (×109/L)) were significantly lower in the patients’ group than in the control group (P-values Conclusion: Five out of eight studied parameters (Red cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, and platelets count) have shown a significant alteration in CKD patients. As the complete blood count (CBC) test is the most utilized test in clinical laboratory practice, these alterations may be considered as early indicators for CKD. Furthermore, all patients with CKD must be routinely checked for these alterations.

ASTER data processing and fusion for alteration minerals and silicification detection:Implications for cupriferous mineralization exploration in the western Anti-Atlas,Morocco

Alteration minerals and silicification are typically associated with a variety of ore mineralizations and could be detected using multispectral remote sensing sensors as indicators for mineral exploration.In this investigation,the Visible Near-Infra-Red(VNIR),Short-Wave Infra-Red(SWIR),and Thermal Infra-Red(TIR)bands of the ASTER satellite sensor derived layers were fused to detect alteration minerals and silicification in east the Kerdous inlier for cupriferous mineralization exploration.Several image processing techniques were executed in the present investigation,namely,Band Ratio(BR),Selective Principal Component Analysis(SPCA)and Constrained Energy Minimization(CEM)techniques.Initially,the BR and SPCA processing results revealed several alteration zones,including argillic,phyllic,dolomitization and silicification as well as iron oxides and hydroxides.Then,these zones were mapped at sub-pixel level using the CEM technique.Pyrophyllite,kaolinite,dolomite,illite,muscovite,montmorillonite,topaz and hematite were revealed displaying a significant distribution in relation with the eastern Amlen region lithological units and previously detected mineral potential zones using HyMap imaging spectroscopy.Mainly,a close spatial association between iron oxides and hydroxide minerals,argillic,and phyllic alteration was detected,as well as a strong silicification was detected around doleritic dykes unit in Jbel Lkest area.A weighted overlay approach was used in the integration of hydrothermal alteration minerals and silicification,which allowed the elaboration of a new mineral alteration map of study area with five alteration intensities.ASTER and the various employed processing techniques allowed a practical and cost effective mapping of alteration features,which corroborates well with field survey and X-ray diffraction analysis.Therefore,ASTER data and the employed processing techniques offers a practical approach for mineral prospection in comparable settings.

Characterization of Fertility Alteration in 8 Environment-sensitive Genic Male-sterile Lines of indica Rice

Eight indica ( Oryza sativa L.) environment-sensitive genic male-sterile (EGMS) lines, 2-2S, K1405S, F131S, 2136S, Pei-Ai 64S, 1290S, GD-IS and N17S, were sequentially seeded with 10-15 d interval at three sites, Wuhan in 1997, Guiyang in 1997 and Sanya in 1997 and 1998, China. The results of investigations on self-sterilities showed that all of eight EGMS lines had stable sterile periods of longer than 30 d at Wuhan. They can be used for seed production of two-line hybrid rice, but can not reproduce themselves. Their stable sterile periods were shorter than 30 d at Guiyang, they can reproduce themselves and can not be used for hybrid seed production. In Sanya, their stable sterile periods were longer than 150 d, all of eight lines can be used for seed production in summer and autumn and reproduce themselves in winter. The fertility of all eight lines were sensitive to temperature. The sensitive stages, sensitive duration and critical point of temperatures (CPT) of fertility alteration in various lines were different. The sensitive stages of 2-2S and K1405S were from 18 d to 9 d before heading, the sensitive durations were 7-10 d and the CPTs were 23.7-24.5 degreesC. The sensitive stage, sensitive duration and CPT of F131S were from 17 to 5 d before heading, 13 d and 24.3-24.7 degreesC, respectively. The sensitive stage, sensitive duration and CPT of 2136S were from 18 to 12 d before heading, 7 d and 24.6-25.1 degreesC:, respectively. The sensitive stages, sensitive durations of Pei-Ai 64S, 1290S, N17S and GD-1S were from 24 to 13 d before heading and 10-13 d. And their CPTs were 24.6-25.1 degreesC, 25.5-26.2 degreesC, 25.4-26.1 degreesC,, and 24.1-24.7 degreesC, respectively.

Alteration of the esophageal microbiota in Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma

The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma(EAC) has increased in recent decades, and its 5-year survival rate is less than 20%. As a well-established precursor, patients with Barrett's esophagus(BE) have a persistent risk of progression to EAC. Many researchers have already identified some factors that may contribute to the development of BE and EAC, and the identified risks include gastroesophageal reflux(GER), male sex, older age, central obesity,tobacco smoking, Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) eradication, and the administration of proton pump inhibitors(PPIs) and antibiotics. The human gut harbors trillions of microorganisms, the majority of which are bacteria. These microorganisms benefit the human host in many ways, such as helping in digestion, assisting in the synthesis of certain vitamins, promoting the development of the gastrointestinal immune system, regulating metabolism and preventing invasion by specific pathogens. In contrast, microbial dysbiosis may play important roles in various diseases, such as inflammation and cancers. The composition of the microbiota located in the normal esophagus is relatively conserved without distinct microbial preferences in the upper, middle and lower esophagus. Six major phyla constitute the esophageal microbiota, including Firmicutes,Bacteroides, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria and TM7, similar to the oral microbiota. Streptococcus dominates the esophageal microbiota. However, the microbiota varies in different esophageal diseases compared to that in the healthy esophagus. The type Ⅰ microbiota, which is primarily composed of gram-positive bacteria, is closely associated with the normal esophagus, while type Ⅱ microbiota has enriched gram-negative bacteria and is mainly associated with the abnormal esophagus. These increased gram-negative anaerobes/microaerophiles include Veillonella, Prevotella, Haemophilus, Neisseria, Granulicatella and Fusobacterium, many of which are associated with BE. The microbial diversity in the esophagus is decreased in EAC patients, and Lactobacillus fermentum is enriched compared to that in controls and BE patients. Furthermore, the microbiota may be associated with BE and EAC by interacting with their risk factors, including central obesity, GER, H. pylori, administration of PPIs and antibiotics. Therefore, a large gap in research must be bridged to elucidate the associations among these factors. Some studies have already proposed several potential mechanisms by which the microbiota participates in human carcinogenesis by complicated interactions with the human host immune system and signaling pathways. The activation of the LPS-TLR4-NF-κB pathway may contribute to inflammation and malignant transformation. This exciting field of gastrointestinal microbiota allows us to unravel the mystery of carcinogenesis from another perspective. Further studies are needed to explore whether the microbiota changes before or after disease onset, to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis, and to find novel targets for prevention, diagnosis and therapy, which could offer more cost-effective and relatively safe choices.

Surfactant induced reservoir wettability alteration:Recent theoretical and experimental advances in enhanced oil recovery

Reservoir wettability plays an important role in various oil recovery processes.The origin and evolution of reservoir wettability were critically reviewed to better understand the complexity of wettability due to interactions in crude oil-brine-rock system,with introduction of different wetting states and their influence on fluid distribution in pore spaces.The effect of wettability on oil recovery of waterflooding was then summarized from past and recent research to emphasize the importance of wettability in oil displacement by brine.The mechanism of wettability alteration by different surfactants in both carbonate and sandstone reservoirs was analyzed,concerning their distinct surface chemistry,and different interaction patterns of surfactants with components on rock surface.Other concerns such as the combined effect of wettability alteration and interfacial tension （IFT） reduction on the imbibition process was also taken into account.Generally,surfactant induced wettability alteration for enhanced oil recovery is still in the stage of laboratory investigation.The successful application of this technique relies on a comprehensive survey of target reservoir conditions,and could be expected especially in low permeability fractured reservoirs and forced imbibition process.

Shear Alteration, Mass Transfer and Gold Mineralization: An Example from Jiaodong Ore Deposit Concentrating Area, Shandong, China

Taking the gold ore deposit concentrating area of Jiaodong area in Shandong, China for an example, based on geological analysis, and applying Gresens’ equation, Grant’s isocon diagram and O’hara microelement calculation method, a thorough study on shear alteration, mass transfer and gold mineralization was carried out. The authors also made mathematic simulation and geochemical analysis. The work reveals temporal spatial changing regularities of temperature field and velocity field of fluids, and also reveals fluid transport chemical reaction coupling metallogenic dynamics of the Jiaojia gold ore concentrating area. During shear alteration process of the Jiaodong gold ore concentrating area, all kinds of components transferred with different amounts, fluid rock ratio was rather high and volume strain was of dilation type. Fast flow of ore forming fluid favors the occurrence of mixed fluid. Shear fractured zones are places where there was strong transportation reaction coupling mineralization. Ore bodies were located in dilation space of shear structure where there was the greatest fluid flux. After the emplacement of the rock body, a convex heat field was formed around the rock body. It is one of the main metallogenic forces. The major reason for mineralization is the mobilization, migration and enrichment of ore forming elements induced by shear compressive extensional tectonism. Inclusion gold dominant low grade ores were formed in the early ore forming stage, while high grade ores, which contained fissure gold and polymetallic veinlets, were formed in late ore forming stage.