Changes in the Non-targeted Metabolomic Profile of Three-year-old Toddlers with Elevated Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Objective To investigate changes in the urinary metabolite profiles of children exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)during critical brain development and explore their potential link with the intestinal microbiota.Methods Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine ten hydroxyl metabolites of PAHs(OH-PAHs)in 36-month-old children.Subsequently,37 children were categorized into low-and high-exposure groups based on the sum of the ten OH-PAHs.Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to identify non-targeted metabolites in the urine samples.Furthermore,fecal flora abundance was assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing using Illumina MiSeq.Results The concentrations of 21 metabolites were significantly higher in the high exposure group than in the low exposure group(variable importance for projection>1,P<0.05).Most of these metabolites were positively correlated with the hydroxyl metabolites of naphthalene,fluorine,and phenanthrene(r=0.336–0.531).The identified differential metabolites primarily belonged to pathways associated with inflammation or proinflammatory states,including amino acid,lipid,and nucleotide metabolism.Additionally,these distinct metabolites were significantly associated with specific intestinal flora abundances(r=0.34–0.55),which were mainly involved in neurodevelopment.Conclusion Higher PAH exposure in young children affected metabolic homeostasis,particularly that of certain gut microbiota-derived metabolites.Further investigation is needed to explore the potential influence of PAHs on the gut microbiota and their possible association with neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Identification of key taste components in Baccaurea ramiflora Lour.fruit using non-targeted metabolomics

Among the numerous fruit species of Baccaurea ramiflora Lour.,‘LR’(white flesh)and‘BR’(pink flesh)are two kinds of local strains with high edibility.In order to study the metabolic causes of taste differences,we performed the non-targeted metabonomics analysis of‘LR’and‘BR’using LC-MS/MS.541 metabolites were totally identified,and 45 kinds of metabolites(carbohydrates,fatty acids,flavonoids and terpenoids,etc.)were different between the two strains.The results indicate L-sorbose,D-(+)-glucose,citric acid,L-phenylalanine and oleamide,α-eleostearic acid were the main primary metabolites.The significant difference existed in pathways of unsaturated fatty acids between the studied two strains by pathway enrichment analysis.The results demonstrate that the different in composition,as well as the abundance of primary and secondary metabolites may be the potential causes of taste differences,which provides a new insight into the possible metabolic factors setting off the changing taste of B.ramiflora.

Non-target lung embolization during portal vein embolization due to an unrecognized portosystemic venous fistula:A case report

BACKGROUND Portal vein embolization(PVE)is an effective and relatively safe procedure performed prior to major hepatic resection to enhance future liver remnant.Nontarget embolization during PVE is rare,and if it occurs,it usually affects the future liver remnant.Intrahepatic portosystemic venous fistulas are extremely rare in non-cirrhotic livers.We report a case of non-targeted lung embolization during PVE due to an unrecognized intrahepatic portosystemic fistula.CASE SUMMARY A 60-year-old male presented with metastatic colon cancer of the liver.The patient underwent preoperative right PVE.During the embolization procedure,a small amount of glue and lipiodol emulsion was embolized to the heart and lungs through an unrecognized intrahepatic portosystemic fistula.The patient remained clinically stable and underwent the planned hepatic resection after 4 wk,with an uneventful postoperative course.CONCLUSION Conventional portograms and careful evaluation prior to PVE are advisable to avoid such complications.

Analysis of Differential Metabolites in Selenium-enriched Rice Based on Extensive Non-targeted Metabolome

[Objectives]Selenium(Se)-enriched rice is the main type of Se-enriched agricultural product developed in China,and this study aimed to understand the impact of selenium application on the metabolites in rice.[Methods]Se-enriched rice was prepared by foliar application of a sodium selenite aqueous solution,and high-throughput analysis of differential metabolites in Se-enriched rice was conducted based on extensive non-targeted metabolome.[Results]There were significant differences in metabolites between Se-enriched rice and ordinary rice,and a total of 535 differential metabolites were identified.Among them,420 metabolites in Se-enriched rice were upregulated,accounting for 78.5%,far higher than downregulated metabolites.The enrichment differences of three KEGG metabolic pathways,including cysteine and methionine metabolism,zeatin biosynthesis,and arachidonic acid metabolism,reached a significant level,indicating that selenium enrichment had a significant regulatory effect on the metabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids,the synthesis of natural cytokinin zeatin,and arachidonic acid bioactive components in rice.[Conclusions]The results can provide a theoretical basis for the production of Se-enriched rice.

加权有向关联网络构建与表征的水中目标远距离检测

水中目标的远距离检测是海洋防御体系的关键技术之一,对国防及民用领域均具有十分重要的作用。然而,目前尚缺乏行之有效的水中目标远距离检测方法,特别是目标先验信息未知的情况下变的愈加困难。为解决这一问题,提出一种新的方法—加权有向关联网络。通过矢量声信号到加权有向关联网络的映射,将信号检测问题转化为网络拓扑的表征,并通过对网络拓扑的特性分析及特征提取,实现无目标先验信息下的水中目标远距离检测。并通过仿真与实测数据对所提出的方法进行验证。研究结果表明:与现有的窄带互谱检测、冒泡熵等方法相比,所提方法能够检测到更低信噪比的水中目标,实现了无需目标先验信息的水中目标远距离检测;该方法的应用具有一定的实际意义和应用前景,可以为海洋防御和民用领域的水下目标检测提供有效的技术支撑。

Safety Evaluation of Myricetin and Crude Extract from Myrica rubra Leaves on Non-target Organisms

[ Objective] The study aimed to supply important basis for developing environment-friendly pesticides with myricetin and crude extract of Myrica rubra leaves as effective components. [ Method] According to ＂Test guidelines for environmental safety evaluation on chemical pesticides＂, the toxicity of myricetin and crude extract of M. rubra leaves on non-target organisms was determined and the safety evaluation was carried out. [Result] MyriceUn and crude extract of M. rubra leaves had low toxicity on non-target organisms, such as earthworm, silkworm and soil microbes. Myricetin showed low toxicity and the crude extract of M. rubra leaves showed middle toxicity on tadpole. The high-concentration crude extract of M. rubra leaves had some antifeedant effect on silkworm. [ Conclusion] Myricetin and crude extract of M. rubra leaves had low toxicity on non-tar- get organisms in environment and they were relatively safe.

Research and countermeasures on how to improve English parole competence of contemporary college students under non-target language environment

Based on linguistic theories which developed by Saussure and some other contemporary linguists, this article attempts to analyze the factors that cause low English parole competence of the contemporary college students under non-target language environment. It views that how to properly deal with the relationship between langue and parole is still a debating focus in applied linguistics. The result of low English parole competence of contemporary college students is due to the interaction of the contemporary College English syllabus, text books pedagogies and the English language level of both students and teachers. Thus it puts forward some suggestions to improve the college students＇ English parole competence.

Effects of Transgenic Bt+CpTI Cotton on Field Abundance of Non-Target Pests and Predators in Xinjiang, China

Transgenic insect-resistant cotton is being increasingly planted in Xinjiang cotton-planting regions, where geographical climate conditions and species composition of pests and natural enemies are greatly unique in China. Limited studies have been conducted on the ecological impacts of transgenic insect-resistant cotton, especially for transgenic double genes （Bt＋CpTI） cotton, in this region. In this study, the potential effects of transgenic Bt＋CpTI cotton on the seasonal abundance of non-target pests and predators were assessed from 2009 to 2011 in Korla, Xinjiang. The results showed that species composition and seasonal abundance of 5 groups of pests and 5 groups of predators were not significantly different between transgenic Bt＋CpTI cotton and non-transgenic cotton every year. It suggests that transgenic Bt＋CpTI cotton per se does not affect the population dynamics of non-target pests and predators on this crop in Xinjiang.

Impact Assessments of Transgenic cry1Ab Rice on the Population Dynamics of Five Non-Target Thrips Species and Their General Predatory Flower Bug in Bt and Non-Bt Rice Fields Using Color Sticky Card Traps

A 2-yr field study was conducted to assess the effects of transgenic japonica rice（KMD1 and KMD2） with a synthetic cry1 Ab gene from Bacillus thuingiensis Berliner on population dynamics and seasonal average densities of five thrips species including Stenchaetothrips biformis（Bagnall）,Frankliniella intonsa（Trybom）,F.tenuicornis（Uzel）,Haplothrips aculeatus（Fabricius）,Haplothrips tritici（Kurd） and their general predatory flower bug,Orius similis Zheng as compared to the parental control rice line using the white,blue and yellow sticky card traps.Population dynamics and seasonal average densities of these five thrips species and their general predatory flower bug were not significantly affected by rice type.Additionally,the white sticky card trap was suggested to be the most suitable for monitoring the population of these five thrips species and their general predator.These results show that our tested Bt rice lines do not interrupt the population of non-target thrips species and their general predatory flower bug in the field,and also cannot result in more occurrence of these thrips species in the rice ecosystem.

Effect of Colored Sticky Cards on Non-target Insects

Field experiments to evaluate four different colored sticky cards for trapping non-target insects were conducted in an organic maize field in the Heinigou region of China. Yellow, blue, green, and red sticky cards were used to trap insects in the field. The total number of insects species caught was 54, with 3,862 individuals recorded. Over half of the specimens caught were non-target insects, including phytophagous insects, particularly dipteran species(including many mosquitoes)(50.3%), followed by target pests(37.0%), and beneficial insects(12.7%). Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in attraction to target pests, non-target pests, and beneficial insects among treatment groups. The results showed that higher numbers of target pests(Myzus persicae Sulzer, Empoasca flavescens Fabricius, Nysius ericaecshinly Schilling) were caught on yellow sticky card traps compared with blue, green, or red sticky card traps, indicating that yellow was the best trap color for target pests, with green and blue being progressively less attractive. For non-target insects, including phytophagous insects, flies, and mosquitoes,higher numbers of were caught on blue sticky card traps compared with yellow,green, or red sticky card traps. Our study indicated that blue was the most attractive color for flies, especially for the housefly, Musca domestica Linnaeus. Our study also showed that most beneficial insects exhibited preferences to particular trap color characteristics: yellow was the most attractive color for parasitic wasps and lady beetles; blue was the most attractive color for hoverflies and honeybees. In contrast,green and red had no significant attraction to beneficial insects.

Non-target Screening and Quantitation of Organic Chlorides in Oilfield Chemicals with Comprehensive Two Dimensional Gas Chromatography Coupled with Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry

Advanced analytical methodology based on comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry(GC×GC-TOFMS) is proposed for investigation of organic chlorides in different oilfield chemicals.The target screening was initially carried out on 8 suspected organic chlorides by evaluating the capability of the enhanced separation and reliable identification at a trace concentration. GC×GC-TOFMS allowed for the fast and automated analysis of organic chlorides at a level of 200 μg/L. This method was subsequently applied for non-target screening of organic chlorides in different oilfield chemicals at various locations across China. 22 organic chlorides were identified and verified by comparison with pure standards in the mixed sample. Finally, this method was used to determine the content of the organic chlorides in individual samples. The result showed that the organic chloride levels in 19 of the 39 tested oilfield chemicals were above the threshold limit of 1.0 mg/L.

Thrips-mediated impacts from transgenic rice expressing Cry1Ab on ecological fitness of non-target predator Orius tantilus(Hemiptera:Anthocoridae)

Various rice lines have been genetically modified with genes from Bacillus thuringiensis（Bt） to continuously produce Bt insecticidal proteins against lepidopteran larvae. The Bt insecticidal protein constantly expresses in the plants to create an opportunity for non-target herbivores to acquire and convey the protein to their predators or parasitoids across trophic levels. This paper evaluates the effects of Bt rice（namely, Kemindao 1（KMD1） and Kemindao 2（KMD2）） expressing Cry1 Ab as compared to its non-Bt control line, Xiushui 11 on non-target predator Orius tantilus（a generalist predatory anthocorid of thrips） under laboratory and field conditions. To measure several biological parameters such as total nymphal duration and fecundity of this bug, it was reared on thrips and pollens of KMD1 and KMD2 as compared to their control under laboratory conditions. By comparison with the control, Bt rice did not significantly affect main life-history characteristics（total nymphal duration, female adult longevity, oviposition period and fecundity） of this anthocorid preying on Bt rice-fed thrips along with Bt rice pollens, except that the fecundity of this predator for KMD1 was distinctly lower as compared with KMD2 or the control. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） results showed that no Cry1 Ab protein was detected in this predator fed on thrips or rice pollen from Bt rice but was in Bt rice pollens. With the beat plate, plastic bag and color trap sampling methods, two-year field monitoring of O. tantilus abundance demonstrated that Bt rice had no significant detrimental effects on the population dynamics and seasonal average densities of this predatory anthocorid as compared with the control. Thus, it is suggested that growing our tested Bt rice（KMD1 and KMD2） producing Cry1 Ab will pose a negligible risk to the anthocorid, O. tantilus.

A high-quality genome of Actinidia eriantha provides new insight into ascorbic acid regulation

Actinidia eriantha is one of the species of kiwifruit with a particularly high ascorbic acid (AsA) content.However, the molecular mechanism driving AsA richness in fruit remains unclear.In order to reveal the molecular mechanism of AsA richness in A. eriantha, this study constructed a regulatory network related to AsA metabolism by combining genomics,metabolomics and transcriptomics.We assembled a high-quality genome of A. eriantha ‘Ganlv 1’ with only five remaining gaps.The assembly is comprised of 29 pseudochromosomes with a total size of 615.95 Mb, and contig N50 of 20.35 Mb.Among them,24 of the pseudochromosomes were obtained directly from telomere-to-telomere.The LTR assembly index score and consensus quality value were 21.34 and 39.90%, respectively.Subsequently, 61 metabolites and 2 092genes were found to be differentially accumulated/expressed during fruit development by metabolome and transcriptome assays, respectively.AsA metabolism and the cyclic regeneration pathway were found to have high expression levels throughout fruit growth and development,suggesting its crucial role in the regulation of AsA.Furthermore,the AsA contents are highly associated with ascorbate peroxidase genes.The genome obtained in this study provides genomic resources for the genetic and breeding research ofA. eriantha, and the constructed regulatory network can provide a public data platform for future research on kiwifruit.

Rapid Screening of Pesticide Residues in Strawberry Based on HPLC-QTOF/MS SWATH Acquisition Mode

[Objectives]The paper was to establish a rapid screening method of pesticide residues in strawberry based on HPLC-QTOF/MS SWATH acquisition mode.[Methods]The strawberry sample was extracted with acetonitrile,purified with anhydrous magnesium sulfate,sodium chloride and primary secondary amine(PSA)powder,and then loaded on the machine.The full information spectrum was collected by positive ion mode and screened by comparing with the spectrum library,and 20 kinds of pesticide residues were quantitatively analyzed.[Results]The detection limits of 20 pesticide residues were 0.0002-0.0100 mg/kg,and they showed good linearity in the range of 0.0005-0.1000μg/mL(R 2≥0.995).The recoveries ranged from 62.8%to 106.3%.[Conclusions]This method is rapid,simple,sensitive and non-targeted,and can be used for rapid screening of multiple pesticide residues in strawberry.

Semi-volatile organic compounds in a museum in China:A non-targeted screening approach

Non-targeted analysis(NTA)was conducted to identify semi-volatile organic compounds(SVOCs)in a museum in China using the gas chromatography(GC)-Orbitrap-mass spectrometer(MS).Approximately 160 SVOCs were detected,of which 93 had not been reported in previous studies of museum environments.Many of the detected SVOCs were found to be associated with the chemical agents applied in conservation treatment and the materials used in furnishings.The results of hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA)indicated a spatial variation of SVOCs in the indoor air in the museum,but there were no obvious temporal differences of SVOCs observed in indoor dust.Spearman's correlation analysis showed that several classes of SVOCs were well correlated,suggesting their common sources.Fragrances and plasticizers were found to be the primary sources of SVOC pollution detected in the museum.Compared with compounds in outdoor air,indoor SVOCs had a lower level of unsaturation and more portions of chemically reduced compounds.This study is the first of its kind to comprehensively characterize SVOCs in a museum using an automated NTA approach with GC-Orbitrap-MS.The SVOCs identified in the current study are likely to be present in other similar museums;therefore,further examination of their potential impacts on cultural heritage artifacts,museum personnel,and visitors may be warranted.

Functional and numerical responses of Cyrtorhinus lividipennis to eggs of Nilaparvata lugens are not affected by genetically modified herbicide-tolerant rice

To safely and sustainably utilize genetic breeding techniques for crop production, greater understanding of the potential effects of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant（GMHT） crops on the ecological functions of predators is required. In the laboratory, we examined the functional and numerical responses of Cyrtorhinus lividipennis Reuter to eggs of brown planthopper（BPH）, Nilaparvata lugens（St？l）, which were reared on GMHT rice Bar68-1; the untransformed parental cultivar, D68; or a BPH-susceptive rice variety, Taichung Native 1. All stages of nymphs and female adult of C. lividipennis, either on GMHT rice or control plants, exhibited typical type II functional responses when fed on BPH eggs; the attacking rate and handling time of C. lividipennis on GMHT rice Bar68-1 was not significantly different from that on D68. The numerical responses of C. lividipennis on GMHT rice or controls fit Beddington＇s model; there were no significant differences in the parameters of numerical responses between GMHT rice Bar68-1 and D68. The results indicated that the functional and numerical responses of C. lividipennis to BPH eggs are not affected by GMHT rice Bar68-1.

Cry1Ab rice does not impact biological characters and functional response of Cyrtorhinus lividipennis preying on Nilaparvata lugens eggs

One concern about the use of transgenic plants is their potential risk to natural enemies. In this study, using the eggs of the rice brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, as a food source, we investigated the effects of Cry1 Ab rice on the biological characteristics and functional response of an important predator Cyrtorhinus lividipennis. The results showed that the survival ability（adult emergence rate and egg hatching rate）, development（egg duration, nymphal developmental duration）, adult fresh weight, adult longevity and fecundity of C. lividipennis on Bt rice plants were not significantly different compared to those on non-Bt rice plants. Furthermore, two important parameters of functional response（instantaneous search rate and handling time） were not significantly affected by Bt rice. In conclusion, the tested Cry1 Ab rice does not adversely impact the biological character and functional response of C. lividipennis.

No detrimental effect of Bt maize pollen containing Cry1Ab/2Aj or Cry1Ac on adult green lacewings Chrysoperla sinica Tjeder

Adult Chrysoperla sinica Tjeder is a common pollen feeder in maize fields. They are thus directly exposed to insecticidal proteins by consumption of genetically engineered maize pollen containing Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt) proteins. Here we assessed the potential effects of Cry1 Ab/2 Aj-or Cry1 Ac-containing Bt maize pollen on the fitness of adult C. sinica via a dietary-exposure assay under laboratory conditions. Survival, pre-oviposition, fecundity and adult dry weight did not differ between adult C. sinica consuming Bt or the corresponding non-Bt maize pollen. The stability of the Cry protein in the food sources and uptake of the Cry protein by adult C. sinica during the feeding experiment were confirmed by ELISA. These results demonstrate that adult C. sinica are not affected by the consumption of Cry1 Ab/2 Aj-or Cry1 Ac-containing maize pollen, suggesting that production of Bt maize expressing cry1 Ab/2 Aj or cry1 Ac genes will pose a negligible risk to adult C. sinica.

Using transcriptome Shannon entropy to evaluate the off-target effects and safety of insecticidal siRNAs

A recent breakthrough in agricultural biotechnology is the introduction of RNAi-mediated strategies in pest control.However, the off-target effects of RNAi pest control are still not fully understood. Here, we studied the off-target effects of two insecticidal siRNAs in both target and non-target insects. The results revealed that off-target effects of insecticidal siRNAs occur widely in both target and non-target insects. We classified the expression-changed genes according to their homology to the siRNA-targeted gene, related KEGG pathways with the siRNA-targeted gene and continuous matches with siRNAs. Surprisingly, the unintended significant changes in gene expression levels did not strictly match with the number of contiguous nucleotides in the siRNAs. As expected, the expression of small portions of the homologous and KEGG-related genes were significantly changed. We calculated the Shannon entropy of the transcriptome profile of the insects after injecting them with insecticidal siRNAs. Though hundreds of genes were affected in their expression levels post siRNAtreatment, the Shannon entropy of the transcriptome remained unchanged, suggesting that the transcriptome expression was balanced. Our results provide evidence that siRNAs cross-reacted with individual genes in non-target species, but did not have significant effects on the integrity of the transcriptome profiles in either target or non-target species on a genomic scale. The metric we proposed can be used to estimate the off-target effects of insecticidal siRNAs, which might be useful for evaluating the safety of RNAi in pest control.

Assessment of the potential toxicity of insecticidal compounds to Peristenus spretus,a parasitoid of mirid bugs

With the increased cultivation of Bt crops in China,Apolygus lucorum and other mirid bugs have emerged as important agricultural pests because they are insensitive to the Bt proteins.In addition,the reduction of pesticide applications after planting Bt crops also increases the severity of mirid bug outbreaks.Peristenus spretus is a parasitoid of mirid nymphs,but its sensitivity to Bt proteins is not known.In the current study,we developed a dietary exposure assay to assess the effects of Bt proteins(Cry1Ab,Cry1Ac,Cry1F,Cry2Aa,and Cry2Ab)on P.spretus adults using a diet consisting of a 10% honey solution with or without Bt proteins at 400μg g^(-1) diet.The results showed that the survival and reproduction of P.spretus adults were reduced by the cysteine protease inhibitor E-64(a positive control)but were not affected by any of the five Bt proteins.The activities of digestive,detoxifying,and antioxidant enzymes in P.spretus were also unaffected by diets containing the Cry proteins,but they were significantly affected by the diet containing E-64.We then developed a tritrophic bioassay to determine the effects of the five Bt proteins on P.spretus larvae and pupae.In this assay,A.lucorum nymphs fed an artificial diet containing Cry proteins were used as the hosts for P.spretus.The results of the tri-trophic assay indicated that neither the pupation rate nor the eclosion rate of the P.spretus parasitoids were significantly affected by the presence of high concentrations of Bt proteins in the parasitized A.lucorum nymphs.The overall results indicate that these two assays can be used to evaluate the toxicity of insecticidal compounds to P.spretus and that the tested Cry proteins are not toxic to P.spretus.