Jonzac Thermal Spring Water Reinforces Skin Barrier Function of Human Skin and Presents a Soothing and Regenerating Effect

The skin is a formidable physical and biological barrier which communicates continuously with the outside of the body. And the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of human epidermis, plays a central role in the interaction between the cutaneous tissue and the external environment. The horny layer, and more generally the whole skin layers, avoid the penetration of harmful exogenous agents, produce molecules named anti-microbial peptides which impact the composition of the cutaneous microbiota, regulate the internal corporal temperature, avoid the water loss from the inside of the body and constitute an incredible efficient anti-oxidant network. Nevertheless, nowadays, the skin is more and more solicited by the different elements of the cutaneous exposome, including atmospheric pollution and solar radiations, which can cause a dramatic acceleration of the skin ageing process. As a consequence, due to the multifunctional protective role of the skin, during the recent decade the cosmetic industry invested massively in the development of new raw materials and end-products (dermo-cosmetics) able to preserve an optimal state of the skin regarding the external environment. Based on their physical-chemical properties thermal spring waters, which are extremely rich in inorganics ions, are interesting and powerful candidates to be part, as integral component, of new efficient dermo-cosmetic formulations dedicated to protect the skin from the external stimuli. The aim of the present work was to investigate and characterize the activity of Jonzac thermal spring water on the skin. Using different models, we proved for the first time that Jonzac thermal spring water reinforces the barrier function of the skin by modulating the expression of key markers including filaggrin and human beta defensin 2 on ex vivo human skin. The ex vivo and in vivo hydration activity, by Raman spectroscopy and corneometry respectively, has been also demonstrated. We have also shown that Jonzac thermal spring water ameliorates significantly the cutaneous microrelief in vivo. To conclude, we characterize the soothing effect of Jonzac thermal spring water by the analysis of histamine release in Substance P treated skin explants and by measuring the redness of the skin following UV exposure of the skin in vivo. We observed that both parameters decreased following a preventive treatment of the skin with Jonzac thermal spring water. Taken together our results indicate that Jonzac thermal spring water is a promising and powerful dermo-cosmetic which can be used to preserve an optimal state of the cutaneous tissue.

Hydrogeochemical and isotopic characteristics of spring water in the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Southwest China

The Yarlung Zangbo River Basin(YZRB)is situated in the southern part of the Tibetan Plateau and remains in a mostly natural state.To understand the chemical characteristics of spring water and its controlling factors in the YZRB,68 sets of spring water samples were analyzed using hydrochemical and isotopic techniques.The spring water was found to be slightly alkaline with total dissolved solids(TDS)below 1000 mg L−1.Major ions were Mg2+,Ca2+,SO42−,and HCO3−.The spring water types in this basin were determined to be HCO3-Ca·Mg and SO4·Cl-Ca·Mg.Ion exchange and dissolution of carbonate,gypsum,and silicate were identified as the prevalent hydrogeochemical processes contributing and defining spring water chemistry in this basin.Saturation indices(SI)of most major minerals studied in this region were below zero,indicating that these minerals remain under-saturated in the spring water in this area.Overall,the rank of different processes in terms of their contribution to the chemical composition of spring water in the YZRB was carbonate weathering>evaporate dissolution>silicate weathering>precipitation input.The content of 18O in spring water ranged from−22.22‰to−14.08‰with a mean of−18.15‰.Samples collected below and close to the local and global meteoric water lines indicated that spring water in this area is derived from meteoric water with chemistry affected by evaporation.

Application of Mulching Materials of Rainfall Harvesting System for Improving Soil Water and Corn Growth in Northwest of China

The ridge and furrow rainfall harvesting（RFRH） system is used for dryland crop production in northwest of China.To determine the effects of RFRH using different mulching materials on corn growth and water use efficiency（WUE）,a field experiment was conducted during 2008-2010 at the Heyang Dryland Experimental Station,China.Four treatments were used in the study.Furrows received uncovered mulching in all RFRH treatments whereas ridges were mulched with plastic film（PF）,biodegradable film（BF） or liquid film（LF）.A conventional flat field without mulching was used as the control（CK）.The results indicated that the average soil water storage at depths of 0-200 cm were 8.2 and 7.3%,respectively higher with PF and BF than with CK.However,LF improved soil water storage during the early growth stage of the crop.Compared with CK,the corn yields with PF and BF were increased by 20.4 and 19.4%,respectively,and WUE with each treatment increased by 23.3 and 21.7%,respectively.There were no significant differences in corn yield or WUE with the PF and BF treatments.The net income was the highest with PF,followed by BF,and the 3-yr average net incomes with these treatments were increased by 2 559 and 2 430 CNY ha-1,respectively,compared with CK.BF and PF had similar effects in enhancing the soil water content,crop yield and net income.Therefore,it can be concluded that biodegradable film may be a sustainable ecological alternative to plastic film for use in the RFRH system in northwest of China.

Geochemical Constraints on the Origin and Evolution of Spring Waters in the Changdu-Lanping-Simao Basin, Southwestern China

Chemical and isotopic data were measured for 51 leached brine springs in the Changdu-Lanping-Simao Basin(CD-LP-SM),China.The predominance of Cl and Na,saturation indices of carbonate minerals,and Na/Cl and Ca/SO4 ratios of^1 suggest that halite,sulphate,and carbonate are the solute sources.Integration of geochemical,δ18 O,andδD values suggests that springs are mainly derived from meteoric water,ice-snow melt,and water-rock interactions.B concentrations range from 0.18 to 11.9 mg/L,withδ11 B values of-4.37‰to+32.39‰,indicating a terrestrial source.Theδ11 B-B relationships suggest B sources of crustal origin(marine carbonates with minor crust-derived volcanics);we did not identify a marine or deep mantle origin.Theδ11 B values of saline springs(+4.61‰to+32.39‰)exceed those of hot(-4.37‰to+4.53‰)and cold(-3.47‰to+14.84‰)springs;this has contributed to strong water-rock interactions and strong saturation of dissolved carbonates.Conversely,the global geothermalδ11 B-Cl/B relationship suggests mixing of marine and non-marine sources.Theδ11 B-Cl/B relationships of the CD-LP-SM are similar to those of the Tibet geothermal belt and the Nangqen Basin,indicating the same B origin.These differ from thermal waters controlled by magmatic fluids and seawater,suggesting that B in CD-LP-SM springs has a crustal origin.

Groundwater contributions in water-salt balances of the lakes in the Badain Jaran Desert,China

Groundwater-fed lakes are essential for the ecology in arid and semiarid regions.As a typical arid region,the Badain Jaran Desert （BJD） is famous in the world for the presence of a large number of groundwater-fed saline lakes among the mega dunes.Based on the up to date geological surveys and observations,this study analyzed the groundwater contributions in water-salt balances of the lakes in the desert.We found different types of springs,including the sublacustrine springs that indicate an upward flow of groundwater under the lakebed.A simplified water balance model was developed to analyze the seasonal variations of water level in the Sumu Barun Jaran Lake,which revealed an approximately steady groundwater discharge in the lake and explained why the amplitude of seasonal changes in lake level is less than 0.5 m.In addition,a salt balance model was developed to evaluate the salt accumulations in the groundwater-fed lakes.The relative salt accumulation time is 800–7,000 years in typical saline lakes,which were estimated from the concentration of Cl-,indicating a long history evolution for the lakes in the BJD.Further researches are recommended to provide comprehensive investigations on the interactions between the lakes and groundwater in the BJD.

Effectiveness of Rain Classroom Intelligent Teaching Design : A Case Study of the Course of Spring Water Tourism Resources

[Objectives]To evaluate the effectiveness of Rain Classroom intelligent teaching in the course of Spring Water Tourism Resources.[Methods]The course of Spring Water Tourism Resources in the course of Overview of Tourism Resources was taken as an example,the pre-class preparation,in-class teaching,and after-class evaluation links were designed separately through the Rain Classroom platform.Then,a questionnaire survey was carried out for the students of Spring Water Tourism Resources.[Results]About 58.3%of the students believed that the greatest advantage of using the Rain Classroom teaching platform is that the learning method is flexible and can improve the ability of independent learning;61.78%of students stated that playing 3D animation in the classroom has the best effect for learning different tourism resources;with the aid of the Rain Classroom platform,the communication between teachers and students becomes more timely,and the students' ability to deal with practical problems can be practiced.[Conclusions]This study is intended to build an intelligent classroom model suitable for tourism management department based on the Rain Classroom platform.It is recommended to promote and apply this model in the teaching of tourism management.

Phytoplankton ecology in the adjacent waters of the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station in Guangdong in spring

The purpose of this study is to detail the ecological characteristics of phytoplankton in waters around the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station in Guangdong (GNPS) (Fig. 1) in spring, the bloom period of algae. The collections with a small temporal scale of every three days were made during 30 cruises from March to May in 1987. Such an investigation has never been carried out before in China except that the seasonal distribution and composition of phytoplankton in these regions were reported in

Evaluation of Pencil Lead Based Electrodes for Electrocardiogram Monitoring in Hot Spring

Electrocardiogram(ECG)electrodes are conductive pads applied to the skin to measure cardiac activity.Ag/AgCl electrodes are the commercial product which widely used to obtain ECGs.When monitoring the ECG in a hot spring,Ag/AgCl electrodes must be waterproofed;however,this is time-consuming,and the adhesive may tear the skin on removal.For solving the problem,we developed the carbon pencil lead(CPL)electrodes for use in hot springs.Both CPL and Ag/AgCl electrodes were connected to ECG100C’s cables.The Performance was evaluated in three conditions as following:hot spring water with and without bubble,and in cold water.In each environment,the procedure was followed by three different protocols that are recording from the dry condition,hot spring water immersion with and without movement,post hot spring water condition.Under dry and wet conditions,both electrodes can obtain the waveform of the ECG signal in which all PQRST waves were identifiable.Nevertheless,the signal quality of both types of electrodes was different in water immersion with and without movement.The overall morphology obtained by Ag/AgCl electrodes was unstable higher than that of CPL electrodes in immersion without movement condition.The CPL electrodes provided better ECG waveform quality compared to Ag/AgCl electrodes in which the ECG signal had high waveforms distortion in water immersion with movement condition.