Dry environment on the expression of lacrimal gland S100A9,Anxa1,and Clu in rats via proteomics

●AIM:To investigate the underlying mechanism of dry environment(autumn dryness)affecting the lacrimal glands in rats.●METHODS:Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups.The rats were fed in specific pathogen free environment as the control group(n=10),and the rats fed in dry environment as the dryness group(n=10).After 24d,lacrimal glands were collected from the rats.The tissues morphology was observed by hematoxylineosin(HE)staining.Tandem mass tags(TMT)quantitative proteomics analysis technology was used to screen the differential expressed proteins of lacrimal glands between the two groups,then bioinformatics analysis was performed.Further,the immunohistochemical(IHC)method was used to verify the target proteins.●RESULTS:In dryness group,the lacrimal glands lobule atrophied,the glandular cavities enlarged,the sparse nuclear distribution and scattered inflammatory infiltration between the acinus were observed.The proteomics exhibited that a total of 195 up-regulated and 236 downregulated differential expressed proteins screened from the lacrimal glands of rats.It was indicated that the biological processes(BP)of differential expressed proteins mainly included cell processes and single BP.The cellular compositions of differential expressed proteins mainly located in cells,organelles.The molecular functions of differential expressed proteins mainly included binding,catalytic activity.Moreover,the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analysis showed that the differential expressed proteins mainly involved lysosome,complement and coagulation cascade,and ribosome pathway.The IHC result verified that the up-regulated expression proteins of Protein S100A9(S100A9),Annexin A1(Anxa1),and Clusterin(Clu)in lacrimal glands of rats in dryness group were higher than control group.●CONCLUSION:The up-regulated expression proteins of S100A9,Anxa1,and Clu may be the potential mechanisms of dry eye symptoms caused by dry environment.This study provides clues of dry environments causing eye-related diseases for further studies.

Targeting epigenetic mechanisms in amyloid-β-mediated Alzheimer’s pathophysiology:unveiling therapeutic potential

Alzheimer’s disease is a prominent chronic neurodegenerative condition characterized by a gradual decline in memory leading to dementia.Growing evidence suggests that Alzheimer’s disease is associated with accumulating various amyloid-βoligomers in the brain,influenced by complex genetic and environmental factors.The memory and cognitive deficits observed during the prodromal and mild cognitive impairment phases of Alzheimer’s disease are believed to primarily result from synaptic dysfunction.Throughout life,environmental factors can lead to enduring changes in gene expression and the emergence of brain disorders.These changes,known as epigenetic modifications,also play a crucial role in regulating the formation of synapses and their adaptability in response to neuronal activity.In this context,we highlight recent advances in understanding the roles played by key components of the epigenetic machinery,specifically DNA methylation,histone modification,and microRNAs,in the development of Alzheimer’s disease,synaptic function,and activity-dependent synaptic plasticity.Moreover,we explore various strategies,including enriched environments,exposure to non-invasive brain stimulation,and the use of pharmacological agents,aimed at improving synaptic function and enhancing long-term potentiation,a process integral to epigenetic mechanisms.Lastly,we deliberate on the development of effective epigenetic agents and safe therapeutic approaches for managing Alzheimer’s disease.We suggest that addressing Alzheimer’s disease may require distinct tailored epigenetic drugs targeting different disease stages or pathways rather than relying on a single drug.

Influence of environmental factors in the development of inflammatory bowel diseases

Idiopathic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are multifactorial diseases that are manifested after disruption of a genetic predisposed individual and its intestinal microflora through an environmental stimulus. Urbanization and industrialization are associated with IBD. Epidemiological data, clinical observations and family/immigrants studies indicate the significance of environmental influence in the development of IBD. Some environmental factors have a different effect on the subtypes of IBD. Smoking and appendectomy is negatively associated with UC, but they are aggravating factors for CD. A westernized high fat diet, full of refined carbohydrates is strongly associated with the development of IBD, contrary to a high in fruit, vegetables and polyunsaturated fatty acid-3 diet that is protective against these diseases. High intake of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug and oral contraceptive pills as well as the inadequacy of vitamin D leads to an increased risk for IBD and a more malignant course of disease. Moreover, other factors such as air pollution, psychological factors, sleep disturbances and exercise influence the development and the course of IBD. Epigenetic mechanism like DNA methylation, histone modification and altered expression of miRNAS could explain the connection between genes and environmental factors in triggering the development of IBD.

Developing a Subjective Evaluation Scale for Assessing the Built Environments of China’s Hygienic City Initiative

Objective To develop a preliminary subjective evaluation scale for assessing the built environments of China’s Hygienic City Initiative and to evaluate its reliability and validity.Methods The initial items of the scale were determined based on a review of policy documents and consultations with experts. The final items of the scale were confirmed through individual interviews with residents combined with the discretetrend method, critical ratio method, correlation coefficient method, and factor analysis method. Then, the dimensions of the scale were determined using exploratory factor analysis(EFA). The Cronbach’s α coefficient, split-half reliability coefficient, and confirmatory factor analysis(CFA) were used to assess the reliability and validity of the scale.Results A scale containing five dimensions with 22 items was established, including urban lifestyle,governance, basic functions, environmental sanitation, and amenities. The Cronbach’s α coefficient of the scale was 0.876, and the split-half reliability coefficient was 0.796. The CFA results indicate that each inspection level was within the standard limit.Conclusion The preliminarily subjective evaluation scale for assessing the built environments of China’s Hygienic City Initiative demonstrates a high level of reliability and validity. Additional empirical studies should be carried out to further verify the value of the scale in terms of practical application.

Molecular mechanisms underlying the neuroprotection of environmental enrichment in Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is the most common movement disorder,affecting about 1%of the population over the age of 60 years.Parkinson’s disease is characterized clinically by resting tremor,bradykinesia,rigidity and postural instability,as a result of the progressive loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons.In addition to this neuronal cell loss,Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the accumulation of intracellular protein aggregates,Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites,composed primarily of the proteinα-synuclein.Although it was first described almost 200 years ago,there are no disease-modifying drugs to treat patients with Parkinson’s disease.In addition to conventional therapies,non-pharmacological treatment strategies are under investigation in patients and animal models of neurodegenerative disorders.Among such strategies,environmental enrichment,comprising physical exercise,cognitive stimulus,and social interactions,has been assessed in preclinical models of Parkinson’s disease.Environmental enrichment can cause structural and functional changes in the brain and promote neurogenesis and dendritic growth by modifying gene expression,enhancing the expression of neurotrophic factors and modulating neurotransmission.In this review article,we focus on the current knowledge about the molecular mechanisms underlying environmental enrichment neuroprotection in Parkinson’s disease,highlighting its influence on the dopaminergic,cholinergic,glutamatergic and GABAergic systems,as well as the involvement of neurotrophic factors.We describe experimental pre-clinical data showing how environmental enrichment can act as a modulator in a neurochemical and behavioral context in different animal models of Parkinson’s disease,highlighting the potential of environmental enrichment as an additional strategy in the management and prevention of this complex disease.

An enriched environment improves cognitive performance in mice from the senescence-accelerated prone mouse 8 strain Role of upregulated neurotrophic factor expression in the hippocampus

In this study,we examined 3-month-old female mice from the senescence-accelerated prone mouse 8 strain and age-matched homologous normal aging female mice from the senescence accelerated-resistant mouse 1 strain.Mice from each strain were housed in an enriched environment（including a platform,running wheels,tunnel,and some toys）or a standard environment for 3 months.The mice housed in the enriched environment exhibited shorter escape latencies and a greater percentage of time in the target quadrant in the Morris water maze test,and they exhibited reduced errors and longer latencies in step-down avoidance experiments compared with mice housed in the standard environment.Correspondently,brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA and protein ex- pression in the hippocampus was significantly higher in mice housed in the enriched environment compared with those housed in the standard environment,and the level of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein was positively correlated with the learning and memory abilities of mice from the senescence-accelerated prone mouse 8 strain.These results suggest that an enriched environment improved cognitive performance in mice form the senescence-accelerated prone mouse 8 strain by increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in the hippocampus.

Epidemiological studies of migration and environmental risk factors in the inflammatory bowel diseases

Inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD)are idiopathic chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract well known to be associated with both genetic and environmental risk factors.Permissive genotypes may manifest into clinical phenotypes under certain environmental influences and these may be best studied from migratory studies.Exploring differences between first and second generation migrants may further highlight the contribution of environmental factors towards the development of IBD.There are few opportunities that have been offered so far.We aim to review the available migration studies on IBD,evaluate the known environmental factors associated with IBD,and explore modern migration patterns to identify new opportunities and candidate migrant groups in IBD migration research.

Lithological and Si–O–S isotope geochemistry:constraints on the origin and genetic environment of the selenium(Se)-rich siliceous rocks in Enshi,Hubei Province,China

Se-rich black rock series of the Middle and Late Permian system is widely distributed in Enshi Prefecture with an exposed area of 850 km~2,among which the unique Yutangba black rock series independent selenium deposit with industrial mining significance in the world is produced.However,the source and metallogenic mechanisms of Se are still controversial.In general,terrestrial weathering and submarine hydrothermal processes are the main source end members of Si and Se,and the related siliceous rocks record the deposition process of Si and Se from different sources.The study of lithofacies and paleogeography shows that western Hubei belongs to the near eastwest turn of the Yangzi platform in the Middle and Late Permian and becomes an inter-platform basin with nearly north-south direction.Therefore,the comparative study of the Yutangba deposit and the selenium-rich black rock series in the northern Shadi with high selenium content is expected to reveal the provenance evolution of the two sections in space,and further restrict the Se mineralization mechanism in the Enshi basin.From the element geochemistry study,the black rock series in two study areas may have formed in a transitional position of either the continental margin or continental slope,in the process of sedimentary,more terrigenous clastic materials entered.They are rich in lithophile elements V and Cr.δU>1.0,U/Th and V/(V+Ni)ratio indicate that the Se-rich strata of black rock series in the Enshi areas occurred in an anoxic reducing environment and formed in an environment between the ocean basin and the continental margin.From Si-O isotope geochemistry,the original Si source of the study area is thought to relate to a volcanic eruption,which leads to the enrichment of Si in the seawater.The determined values of S isotope in the black rock series of the two study areas both show the characteristics related to organic reduction/biogenic.

New Attempt for Building Rural Water Environment Management System Based on the Investigation and Analysis of Water Environment in Xianxia Town, Yudu County

Water environment is a part of ecological environment, and conservation of water environment has always been a focus of public attention in China, but water environment management in the vast countryside has been stuck in bottleneck. Based on the fi eld investigation in Xianxia Town, Yudu County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, this paper explored the current situation of local water environment and the management diffi culties, then introduced the holistic view to integrate the linkage of government, market and society, proposed the universality of the individual case, and the new attempt centering on urban-rural integrated water environment management system with public participation mechanism, management subjects' benefit balance and coordination system, marketing operation mechanism and economic incentive mechanism as the extension.

Tectonic Environments of the Yan-Liao Rift during Earth's Middle Age(1.7～0.75 Ga): Evidence from Mafic Dyke Swarms in Eastern Hebei, North China

During the past decade,generations of Precambrian mafic dykes/sills have been investigated and revealed in the North China Craton(NCC).Researchers identified more than 20 episodes of Precambrian dyke swarms,

The Transformation of Environmental Governance from the Point of the Interaction between Government and National People's Congress

Taking cadmium pollution in X River as an example, the interaction between National People＇s Congress and local government was de- scribed. How the local government transforms its role in environment protection with the help of several deputies to National People＇s Congress was expounded from the angle of social construction, which also enlightened the way to build an environment protection road with Chinese characteristics.

Seismogenic environment and mechanism of the Yangbi M_(S)6.4 earthquake in Yunnan,China

The Yangbi M_(S)6.4 earthquake occurred on May 21,2021 in western Yunnan,China,where moderate earthquakes strike frequently.It exhibited a typical“foreshock-mainshock-aftershock”sequence and did not occur on a pre-existing active fault.The seismogenic environment and mechanism of this earthquake have aroused considerable research attention.In this study,we obtain the three-dimensional v_(P),v_(S)and v_(P)/v_(S)images using the v_(P)/v_(S)consistency-constrained double-difference tomography method,which improves the accuracy of v_(P)/v_(S)models.We focus on characteristics of v_(P)/v_(S)images in areas with a lateral resolution of 0.1°,and reveal the seismogenic environment of the Yangbi M_(S)6.4 earthquake.The conclusions are as follows:(1)Low velocity and high-v_(P)/v_(S)anomalies are revealed at different depths around the northern segment of the Red River fault.v_(S)and v_(P)/v_(S)images along the Weixi-Qiaohou-Weishan fault and the buried faults on its west show obviously segmented feature.(2)The source region of the Yangbi M_(S)6.4 earthquake is located in a low-v_(P)/v_(S)zone implying high medium strength.High-v_(P)/v_(S)anomalies in its NW direction indicate cracks development and the existence of fluids or partial melts,which are unfavorable for stress accumulation and triggering large earthquakes.Such conditions have also prevented the earthquake sequence from extending northwestward.(3)With the southeastward extrusion of materials from the Tibetan Plateau,fluid migration was blocked by the low-v_(P)/v_(S)body in the source region.The high-v_(P)/v_(S)anomaly beneath the source region may implies that the fluids or partial melts in the middle and lower crust gradually weakened medium strength at the bottom of the seismogenic layer,and preparing the largest foreshock in the transition zone of high to low v_(P)/v_(S).Meanwhile,tectonic stress incessantly accumulated in the brittle upper crust,eventually led to the M_(S)6.4 earthquake occurrence.

Quantificational Study on Carrying Capacity of the Regional Environment-Taking the City of Dalian as an Example

With the analysis of the connotation and charter of the regional environment＇s carrying capacity, this paper, firstly, establishes the index system on the base of the affecting factors. Secondly, this paper discusses the methods of the quantization of the environment＇s carrying capacity of Dalian. Finaly; this paper predicts the changing tendency of the environment＇s carrying capacity.

The dynamic analysis of natural environment change of nuclear test field in Lop Nur region of China

Using earth satellite observation means, remote sensing information distilled technique and regional research production, we have roundly analyzed and made an integrated evaluation about the Lop Nur nuclear test field in western China. This product reveals the rarely-known nuke explosion effect and response events of geology conditions. It also offers us legible and practical first-hand materials about human extreme effects, important engineering environment and intimidating influence process. By excavating and appraising the materials gradually on the natural environment factors changing in the test field through macroscopic elimination and typical filtration, it can supply basic scientific data for security of national nuclear usage, appraising the nuclear environment synthetically and developing nuclear strategy expediently.

The Beneficial Effect of Enriched Environment on Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease, its main clinical symptoms are the progressive decline of cognitive and memory functions. Enriched Environment (EE) achieves the goal of improving brain cognitive reserve by enhancing the multi-directional stimulation on movement, sensory and cognitive systems of animals. And EE can regulate the levels of various trophic factors in the brain, promote synaptic regeneration and enhance neural plasticity to reduce the loss of neurons induced by inflammation. At present, there is still no effective treatment for AD and the clinical intervention drug is expensive. So it is essential to actively explore non-drug treatment. This review will explain the effects of EE on learning ability, memory ability and mental behavior in AD, and provide a new direction for the treatment and rehabilitation of AD.

On the Development of China's Thermal Power in the 21st Century while Saving the Energy and Protecting the Environment

In light of China s Ninth Five-year Plan (1996-2000) for Electric Power Industry & the Long Term Targets by the Year 2010, the paper considers the strategy for developing China’s thermal power in the 21st century shall be the efficiency and cleaning technology of coal use. Especially important is the structure of power sources and configuration of technology process, and secondly the implementation of energy saving and environmental protection ideology in the various stages of thermal power construction and design work.

Creating an Institutional Environment for Protecting the Rights and Interests of China’s Dispatched Labor

Employment is fundamental in improving the livelihood of the people and social security is the source ofhuman happiness. This is how the international community protects and improves basic human rights. It is also the policy China has adopted to achieve sustainable economic and social development. Furthermore, it is clear evidence of China＇s respect and protection of human rights.

Crohn's disease environmental factors in the developing world: A case-control study in a statewide catchment area in Brazil

To identify environmental risk factors associated with the development of Crohn’s disease (CD) in order to re-assess the hygiene hypothesis. METHODSA hospital-based, case-control study was carried out with CD patients (n = 145) and controls (n = 163) representing a socioeconomically diverse statewide catchment area in Brazil. Controls were recruited from caregivers of patients seen in different outpatient clinics at the same hospital. A multi-item survey with 94 questions regarding family history of CD, perinatal and childhood circumstances, living conditions, tobacco use and familial socioeconomic status was carried out by interviewers. RESULTSOn the univariate analysis, predictive variables for CD included being male, under age of 40, a high education level, urban dweller, smaller family size, exposure to enteric pathogens and user of treated water (P < 0.005). On the multivariate analysis, variables significantly associated with CD were male gender (OR = 2.09), under age 40 (OR = 3.10), white (OR = 2.32), from a small family in childhood (OR = 2.34) and adulthood (OR = 3.02), absence of viral infections in childhood (OR = 2.23), exposure to enteric pathogens (OR = 2.41), having had an appendectomy (OR = 2.47) and prior or current smoker (OR = 2.83/1.12). CONCLUSIONMost variables supporting the “hygiene hypothesis” are associated with the development of CD but are not independent predictors of the diagnosis.

Spatial-temporal distribution and geochemistry of highly evolved Mesozoic granites in Great Xing’an Range,NE China:Discriminant criteria and geological significance

Highly evolved granite is an important sign of the mature continent crust and closely associated with deposits of rare metals.In this work,the authors undertake systematically zircon U-Pb ages and whole rock elemental data for highly evolved granitic intrusions from the Great Xing’an Range(GXR),NE China,to elucidate their discriminant criteria,spatial-temporal distribution,differentiation and geodynamic mecha-nism.Geochemical data of these highly evolved granites suggest that high w(SiO_(2))(>70%)and differentiation index(DI>88)could be quantified indicators,while strong Eu depletion,high TE_(1,3),lowΣREE and low Zr/Hf,Nb/Ta,K/Rb could only be qualitative indicators.Zircon U-Pb ages suggest that the highly evolved gran-ites in the GXR were mainly formed in Late Mesozoic,which can be divided into two major stages:Late Ju-rassic-early Early Cretaceous(162-136 Ma,peak at 138 Ma),and late Early Cretaceous(136-106 Ma,peak at 126 Ma).The highly evolved granites are mainly distributed in the central-southern GXR,and display a weakly trend of getting younger from northwest to southeast,meanwhile indicating the metallogenic potential of rare metals within the central GXR.The spatial-temporal distribution,combined with regional geological data,indicates the highly evolved Mesozoic granites in the GXR were emplaced in an extensional environ-ment,of which the Late Jurassic-early Early Cretaceous extension was related to the closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean and roll-back of the Paleo-Pacific Plate,while the late Early Cretaceous extension was mainly related to the roll-back of the Paleo-Pacific Plate.

Assessment of China's International Environment and U.S. Strategic Trend

It is of great significance to have a clear understanding of the international environment that China faces. But this is an uneasy job. Since September 11, the world situation has become so complicated that it is hard to grasp its essence even with painstaking efforts. To judge such an already complicated international environment from China’s perspective adds more difficulties, for different people usually have different views due to the different angles from which they see the situation and different methods they adopt. This, understandably, leads to hot debates within the Chinese academic circles. To provide a stage for exchange of views, at the invitation of the CIR Expert Forum, some well-known scholars and experts on international relations from Beijing gathered to hold a symposium on November 5, 2002, with the theme of "How to assess the international environment that China faces". The speeches at the symposium will be published in two installments. Following are the first half.