Search Results (1,059)

Background: Microplastics (MPs) have rapidly emerged as pervasive environmental contaminants with growing implications for human health. Evidence now shows that MP exposure may begin during pregnancy and extend into infancy. Foetal exposure to MP raises questions about MP presence within reproductive organs, maternal–foetal MP transfer and the potential impact of MP on women’s reproductive health. Objectives: To synthesise current evidence on the presence and distribution of microplastics in the female reproductive system and pregnancy-related organs. Methods: A systematic review of literature was conducted using Embase and Medline databases, supplemented by reference screening and manual searches. Studies were eligible if they examined MP in human female reproductive organs or pregnancy-related tissues and were published in English. Results: Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Across studies, MP detection varied substantially due to differences in sampling protocols, analytical techniques, and particle size detection thresholds. Cross-contamination and analytical method variability remained major methodological concerns. MP were consistently identified in follicular fluid, placental tissue, amniotic fluid, cord blood, and meconium. Conclusions: The presence of MP in both maternal and foetal compartments supports the possibility of in utero maternal-foetal MP transfer. A standardised protocol should be used to assess MP presence and MP’s impact on organs and tissues. The current variability of diagnostic tests, the lack of cofounding variables control and the reduced sample sizes limit the ability to determine how clinically relevant MP exposure is during pregnancy and to women’s reproductive health. Full article

Predicting the maneuverability of ships equipped with twin azimuth thrusters remains challenging due to their complex hydrodynamic interactions. This study develops an integrated framework that combines Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) with an enhanced Manoeuvring Mathematical Group (MMG) Model. Using the platform supply vessel Hai Yang Shi You 661 as a case study, all requisite hydrodynamic derivatives and propeller coefficients were efficiently obtained through CFD-based captive model tests, including oblique towing and Planar Motion Mechanism tests, conducted in STAR-CCM+ 2206. A core contribution of this work is the systematic evaluation of how hydrodynamic model fidelity affects prediction accuracy. Numerical turning circle simulations were executed with three models of increasing complexity: one with only linear derivatives, a second incorporating nonlinear higher-order terms, and a third, full model that additionally includes nonlinear velocity coupling terms. The results, rigorously validated against full-scale trial data, demonstrate that while the basic CFD-MMG approach is feasible, the inclusion of nonlinear coupling terms is critical for achieving accurate predictions in large-amplitude maneuvers. This enhancement reduced the maximum error in tactical diameter prediction from over 25% to approximately 11.8%. Consequently, this study provides a validated and cost-effective framework for maneuvering the prediction of azimuth-thruster vessels and offers clear, quantitative guidance on the necessary level of model complexity for practical engineering applications. Full article

This study, based on the characteristic that a small number of hydrocarbon-rich sub-sags control the majority of oil and gas reservoirs discovered in the HZ sag, establishes a foothold on the HZ26 sub-sag—the most prolific hydrocarbon-generating sub-sag in the HZ sag, focuses on WC formation of its peripheral structures, and discusses the hydrocarbon accumulation mechanism of WC formation in the HZ sag. Hydrocarbon charging periods were determined through an integrated analysis of homogenization temperatures of brine inclusions coexisting with hydrocarbon inclusions, stratigraphic burial and thermal history, and hydrocarbon generation stages of source rocks. A multiphase fluid charging physical simulation experiment was conducted to establish a covariant relationship between reservoir permeability and hydrocarbon charging pressure difference. Based on the residual pressure history and reservoir property evolution, a coupling relationship was established between the hydrocarbon charging driving force and resistance during hydrocarbon charging periods. The covariant relationship between reservoir permeability and hydrocarbon charging pressure difference and the coupling relationship between hydrocarbon charging driving force and resistance during hydrocarbon charging periods were then integrated to reconstruct the hydrocarbon charging process. The results reveal a mechanism for large-scale hydrocarbon charging and differential accumulation under the influence of overpressure. Full article

Arsenopyrite (FeAsS) is an important sulfide that holds gold in orogenic systems. Its arsenic content is often used as a proxy for gold fertility. However, arsenopyrite from the Um Rus gold deposit in Egypt’s Central Eastern Desert shows a complicated gold distribution that makes simple Au-As correlations hard to make. Integrated electron microprobe analysis (EMPA), laser ablation ICP-MS, and principal component analysis (PCA) reveal three unique textural and geochemical domains. Fine-grained arsenopyrite inclusions within pyrite aggregates (28–31 at% As) are devoid of detectable gold; PCA elucidates 84% of their variance through Fe–S versus Co-As substitution (PC1: 61.8%) and Pb-decoupled variability (PC2: 22.2%), suggesting crystallization from a Co-rich, Au-poor fluid. On the other hand, coarse oscillatory-zoned arsenopyrite can hold up to 6154 ppm of invisible gold. This is because of a moderate Au-As substitution (R = 0.41063, p = 0.08074) that was overprinted by a separate Au-Ag-Sb-Te hydrothermal pulse (Au–Ag: R = 0.97762; Au–Sb: R = 0.97608). PCA finds four parts (72.8% variance): Ag-Cu-As associations (PC1: 25.1%), Te versus Bi-Au signatures (PC2: 17.8%), Fe–S stoichiometry (PC3: 17.1%), and an Au versus Pb-decoupled event (PC4: 12.9%). This shows that minerals formed in more than one stage. Irregular As-rich overgrowths, containing ≤950 ppm gold and lacking significant Au–As correlation (R = −0.14011, p = 0.56726), show PCA (74.3% variance) that highlights S-As contrasts (PC1: 25.2%), Co-Ni enrichment (PC2: 18.8%), Cu-Fe-Ni associations (PC3: 16.2%), and a late Au-decoupled event (PC4: 14.2%), indicating barren recrystallization. These results show that just adding arsenic is not a good way to tell if gold is fertile. The highest amounts of invisible gold, on the other hand, are found in oscillatory-zoned domains with Ag-Sb-Te signatures. This research highlights the importance of combining PCA, geochemistry, and microtextures to differentiate auriferous from barren arsenopyrite, thereby enhancing exploration methodologies for structurally intricate orogenic gold systems. Full article

The Mahu Sag, a hydrocarbon-rich depression within the Junggar Basin, hosts significant petroleum resources. Here, the Permian Fengcheng Formation shale oil reservoirs have emerged as a primary exploration target. This study investigates fracture development within these alkaline lacustrine shales, a critical factor governing hydrocarbon migration and accumulation. Through integrated petrographic and geochemical analyses, we elucidate a multifactorial fracture formation mechanism driven by the interplay of alkaline minerals, stress, and fluids. Two distinct fracture types were identified: bedding-complex fracture veins (BCFVs) and Y-shaped high-angle fracture veins (Y-HFVs). Both fracture types result from alkaline fluid–rock interactions, which induce fracture opening along specific orientations, alter fracture angles, and control aperture width and final morphology. Alkaline mineral assemblages further influence fracture evolution via dissolution–precipitation cycles. Concurrently, these assemblages preserve hydrocarbons by inhibiting the thermal maturation of organic matter, as evidenced by variations in fluid inclusion fluorescence. The fracture networks act as crucial migration pathways, with the BCFV containing higher-maturity hydrocarbons (indicated by blue-green fluorescence) and the Y-HFV retaining less mature fluids (indicated by yellow-green fluorescence). This study presents the first systematic characterization of the multifactorial controls on fractures in alkaline lake environments, proposing a cooperative “alkaline minerals–stress–fluids” mechanism. These findings provide a new framework for understanding fracture development in alkaline lacustrine shales and offer valuable insights for shale oil exploration in analogous depositional settings. Full article

The peripheries of rare-metal metallogenic systems frequently host skarn-type or hydrothermal vein-type Pb-Zn deposits, though their genetic connections with parental systems remain debated. The newly identified Gariatong W-Mo polymetallic metallogenic system in the Lhasa Terrane displays well-defined Nb-Ta-Rb, Mo-W, W-Mo, W-Bi, and Pb-Zn-Ag metallogenic zoning, establishing it as an exemplary site for investigating genetic relationships between Pb-Zn and rare-metal mineralization. This investigation targets skarn-type Pb-Zn deposits spatially associated with rare-metal orebodies at Gariatong, utilizing integrated analytical approaches, including in situ LA-ICP-MS trace-element analysis of sulfides, sulfur isotope geochemistry, and LA-ICP-MS elemental mapping of sphalerite, to constrain metal sources, characterize fluid evolution, and establish genetic correlations with the rare-metal system. Key findings include the following: (1) sphalerite shows enrichment in Fe, Mn, Co, and Cd, while pyrite contains elevated As, Pb, Co, Cu, and Mn. Fe, Cd, and Mn primarily occur as solid solutions or nanoparticles, whereas As and Pb exist as micro-inclusions. (2) Sphalerite Zn/Cd ratios (73.6–184) and Co-Ni-As ternary diagrams confirm a magmatic–hydrothermal skarn origin. (3) Mineralization occurred under moderate-temperature, mildly oxidized conditions, as constrained by sphalerite Fe contents and mineral assemblages. Sulfur isotope compositions (δ³⁴S = −1.0‰ to 3.2‰; mean: 1.9‰) indicate a magmatic sulfur source. This study reveals that the Nb-Ta-Rb mineralization, quartz-vein- and greisen-type W-Mo deposits, and skarn-type Pb-Zn orebodies—all genetically associated with highly fractionated granites—constitute an integrated magmatic–hydrothermal system with vertical (depth-related) zoning relative to the granitic intrusion. These results provide critical constraints for understanding rare-metal–Pb-Zn genetic associations and suggest that Pb-Zn mineralization may serve as a key exploration indicator for rare metals in the Lhasa Terrane. Full article

The northern part of the Great Xing’an Range in China hosts a prominent Au mineralization belt, where Mesozoic clastic rock-hosted Au deposits represent the mineralization type. A study of the Baoxinggou Au deposit in this region might provide new perspectives on the mineralization mechanisms of these Mesozoic clastic-rock-hosted Au deposits. This study investigated the age of mineralization, origins and evolution of the ore-forming fluids, and sources of the ore-forming materials in this deposit. Rubidium–Sr dating of sulfides yielded a mineralization age of 119 ± 2 Ma. Fluid inclusion analyses revealed that the ore precipitated from fluids with temperatures of 105–415 °C and salinities of 4.3–8.8 wt.% NaCl equivalent. Hydrogen and O isotopic data show that the ore-forming fluids were of magmatic origin and, during mineralization, the proportion of meteoric waters increased gradually and eventually dominated the late mineralization stage. Fluid mixing was the primary ore-forming mechanism. Sulfur isotopic data for pyrite and chalcopyrite (δ³⁴S_V–CDT = −4.35‰ to −0.91‰) and Pb isotopic ratios (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.429–18.477; ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.581–15.591) indicate the ore-forming materials were magmatic in origin, with a similar source as an Early Cretaceous diorite and mixed crust–mantle materials. The results indicate the Baoxinggou Au deposit is a magmatic–hydrothermal deposit. Full article

The Huoyanshan Cu-Zn volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit, located in the North Qilian Orogenic Belt, China, is of significant economic importance. This study provides new constraints on the ore-forming processes through high-resolution in situ trace element and sulfur isotope analyses of pyrite and sphalerite using LA-(MC)-ICP-MS. Petrographic and geochemical investigations identified three distinct generations of pyrite (Py l to Py III). Early-stage Py I and Py II are characterized by high trace element contents (Au, As, Bi, Cu, Pb), elevated Co/Ni ratios (>1–10), and enriched δ³⁴S values (+4.98‰ to +7.47‰). These signatures indicate precipitation from high-temperature, reduced magmatic–hydrothermal fluids influenced by thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR). Late-stage Py IIl exhibits markedly lower Co/Ni ratios (<0.1) and lighter δ³⁴S values (+3.72‰ to 3.89‰). This geochemical shift reflects a transition toward a cooler, more oxidized environment driven by the incursion and mixing of ambient seawater as the hydrothermal system waned. Trace element geochemistry of sphalerite reveals an average crystallization temperature of 265.8 °C (derived from the “GGIMFis” geothermometer), consistent with fluid inclusion data and representing a thermal “snapshot” of the waning hydrothermal stage. Systematic discriminant analysis using Ga/In, Ge/In, and Co-Ni-As systematics further confirms a strong magmatic–hydrothermal affiliation. Full article

This study investigated the interactive effects of corn silage and ramie silage on in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics, aiming to provide a scientific basis and empirical evidence for the rational incorporation of ramie into ruminant diets. Four binary substrate mixtures were formulated based on dry matter (DM) mass ratios of corn silage to ramie silage: 100:0 (CON), 60:40 (R40), 20:80 (R80), and 0:100 (R100). Rumen fluid was collected from three adult Liuyang black goats surgically fitted with permanent rumen cannulas, and a standardized 48 h in vitro batch culture assay was conducted. Results demonstrated that increasing the proportion of ramie silage significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the DM degradation rate, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) degradation rate, acid detergent fiber (ADF) degradation rate, and total gas production per gram of substrate DM. Specifically, CON and R40 exhibited significantly higher values for all four parameters than R80 and R100 (p < 0.05). Methane production was significantly reduced in all ramie-containing treatments relative to CON (p < 0.05), whereas hydrogen production increased progressively with ramie inclusion level, with CON yielding significantly less H₂ than both R80 and R100 (p < 0.05). Regarding fermentation parameters, increasing ramie proportion elevated (p < 0.05) both fermentation fluid pH and the acetate-to-propionate ratio, while total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentration declined linearly (p < 0.05). TVFA concentrations did not differ significantly between CON and R40, yet both were significantly greater than those in R80 and R100 (p < 0.05). Collectively, these findings indicate that ramie silage is a nutritionally valuable forage with potential as a high-quality partial replacement for conventional silages in ruminant feeding systems; however, its inclusion in corn–ramie mixed silages should not exceed 40% (on a DM basis) to maintain optimal fermentative efficiency and nutrient degradability. Full article

Diagenetic anomalies within the Upper Paleozoic coal-bearing strata of the Longdong area, Ordos Basin, represent a complex interplay between thermal maturation and fluid evolution, yet their governing mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study integrates petrographic analysis, X-ray diffraction, vitrinite reflectance (Ro) measurements, and fluid inclusion microthermometry to evaluate the discrepancy between organic thermal maturity and mineralogical diagenetic records. The results indicate that the mudstones achieved high thermal maturity, with mean Ro and Tmax values of 2.3% and 555.1 °C, respectively. However, the associated sandstones exhibit anomalous mineral assemblages, characterized by persistent high levels of illite/smectite (I/S) mixed-layer minerals and authigenic kaolinite, which are inconsistent with the anticipated advanced diagenetic stage. Furthermore, homogenization temperatures (Th) of fluid inclusions are significantly lower than expected, implying a localized suppression of illitization. We propose that this atypical diagenetic trajectory is governed by sluggish fluid–rock interactions in a confined diagenetic environment. Specifically, the dissolution of feldspars during acidic diagenesis provided a localized Al³⁺ supply, favoring kaolinite precipitation, while the limited availability of reactive feldspar precursors and pore-fluid retention effectively stalled the progression of illitization. These findings demonstrate that reactant availability and reaction kinetics can decouple mineralogical evolution from organic thermal maturation in coal-bearing sequences. This study provides a novel mechanistic framework for interpreting anomalous diagenetic signatures in heterogeneous sedimentary basins, offering significant implications for reservoir quality prediction in deep-seated, thermally mature strata. Full article

The intensive lamb rearing and finishing systems are usually based on nutritionally balanced concentrate-based rations. However, the inclusion of feed additives is often necessary to avoid possible disturbances of digestibility. Artificial saliva plays an important role in ruminal buffering, improving the digestibility of the feed under conditions where natural saliva production may be insufficient. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary artificial saliva (AS) on the total mixed ration (TMR) on lambs’ growth performance, carcass characteristics and the efficacy of ruminal fermentation. Forty-five male Naemi lambs (mean body weight of 23 ± 1.8 kg) were randomly assigned to five experimental groups (n = 9 per group) and kept in complete confinement with water and adlibitum feeding. During the 84-day feeding period, animals received isonitrogenous and isoenergetic TMRs that vary in AS inclusion by level: T0 (0% AS), T2 (1.5% AS), T3 (3.0% AS), T4 (4.5% AS), and T5 (6% AS). No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in the overall performance parameters. However, lambs fed the control diet (0% AS) had a higher body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and feed intake (FI) than those receiving AS supplementation (p < 0.01). Ruminal pH measured 3 h after feeding and at slaughter remained comparatively stable in lambs fed 3% and 4.5% AS treatments, whereas it declined to 5.21 in the control group. Dietary inclusion of AS at 4.5% significantly increased (p < 0.05 < 0.05) the molar proportions of butyric acid, iso-valeric acid, and valeric acid in ruminal fluid while other levels of artificial saliva were associated with reduced concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). In conclusion, AS effectively functioned as a buffering agent, enhancing dietary safety without adverse health effects. Full article

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder marked by progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and the accumulation of Lewy bodies, intracellular inclusions enriched in α-synuclein. Synphilin-1 interacts with α-synuclein, localizes to Lewy bodies, and has been implicated in inclusion formation and neuroprotection in cellular and animal models; however, its physiological function in vivo remains poorly defined. Here, we generated and characterized a synphilin-1 knockout (Sph-1 KO) mouse by targeted genetic deletion of the Sph-1 locus and performed a comprehensive phenotyping battery including behavioral testing as well as biochemical, histological, structural, and ultrastructural analyses. Sph-1 KO mice survived to nearly two years of age and showed normal body weight, lifespan, motor performance, learning and memory, anxiety-like behavior, attention, and gross brain morphology. Western blot analyses indicated that levels of α-synuclein and synaptic proteins were largely unchanged. While outer mitochondrial membrane proteins were unaffected, the mitochondrial matrix protein HSP60 was reduced, consistent with altered mitochondrial proteostasis in the absence of synphilin-1. Strikingly, histochemical analyses, magnetic resonance imaging, and electron microscopy revealed early-onset hydrocephalus in Sph-1 KO mice associated with severe loss and disorganization of motile ependymal cilia in the ventricular lining, a cell type that normally expresses high levels of synphilin-1. Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical analyses revealed disrupted ependymal architecture, mislocalization of acetylated α-tubulin to the cytoplasm, cellular swelling, and enlarged, aberrant mitochondria, whereas cortical neurons appeared largely structurally unaffected. Together, these findings identify synphilin-1 as a key regulator of microtubule organization and cytoskeletal/organelle homeostasis in ependymal cells, required to maintain motile ciliogenesis, cerebrospinal fluid flow, and ventricular integrity. This unexpected role for synphilin-1 in ciliated brain epithelia, along with a reduction in the critical mitochondrial chaperone HSP60, broadens our understanding of synphilin-1 biology and provides a new framework for its potential relevance to PD-associated pathology. Full article

Background and Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is frequently associated with multiple comorbidities. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) provides additional information on body composition and may contribute to the multidimensional assessment of patients with COPD. This study aimed to explore the relationship between BIA-derived parameters and clinical characteristics in hospitalized patients with COPD. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a prospective cohort was conducted. A total of 72 hospitalized patients with COPD were included, according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. All patients underwent multifrequency BIA using the InBody 380 device. Sociodemographic, clinical, and paraclinical data were collected and analyzed in relation to BIA-derived parameters. Results: Among the bioimpedance-derived parameters, phase angle (PhA) showed a significant correlation with clinical indices of disease severity, including the body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity (BODE) index and the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale. Hydration-related parameters reflecting extracellular fluid distribution were associated with the presence of heart failure as a comorbidity. In addition, the evaluation of body fat using bioimpedance identified a higher number of patients with excess body fat compared with obesity defined according to the classical body mass index–based criteria. Conclusions: BIA may provide clinically relevant information on body composition and fluid distribution in patients with COPD. These findings support the potential role of BIA as a complementary tool in the multidimensional evaluation of multimorbid patients with COPD, although further studies are needed to clarify its prognostic value and clinical applicability. Full article

Nigella sativa meal (NSM) is a by-product of the oil extraction process with potential use as a functional feed ingredient in ruminant nutrition due to its rich bioactive compounds and nutrient content. Therefore, this replicated (n = 6) completely randomized design (CRD) study aimed to firstly characterize NSM for its the bioactive compounds by chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and liquid chromatography–MS (LC–MS). The effects of its dietary inclusion at 0%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% NSM on in vitro rumen fermentation, gas production, CH₄ production, and rumen degradability were analyzed. Rumen fluid was collected orally from five sheep (body weight 20 ± 2 kg/head) and incubated with basal diets supplemented with pre-determined levels of NSM. The identified bioactive compounds identified included palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, phenolic, flavonoid, thymoquinone, and saponin. The results showed that the dietary NSM supplementation in the diet significantly increased (p < 0.05) gas production at 18 and 48 h, NH₃–N concentration, IVDMD (In vitro dry matter degradability), and IVOMD (In vitro organic matter degradability). However, there was no significant effect (p > 0.05) on gas production at 12 and 24 h, and CH₄ production, pH, acetate, propionate, iso-butyrate, butyrate, iso-valerate, valerate, the acetate-to-propionate ratio (A:P), or total VFA concentration. Rumen fermentation was optimally modulated up to 10% without adverse effects on digestibility or CH₄ production. In this context, NSM acted as a functional feed ingredient in vitro. Therefore, in vivo analyses are required to confirm the efficacy under practical feeding conditions. Full article

The Dongqiyishan W-polymetallic deposit is a large porphyry deposit in the Beishan region, Inner Mongolia. Based on cross-cutting relationships of veins and distinct mineral assemblages, the hydrothermal evolution of the Dongqiyishan deposit can be divided into three mineralization stages, with corresponding characteristic alteration types: (1) early W mineralization stage, dominated by potassic–sodic alteration; (2) main W mineralization stage, characterized by extensive phyllic alteration; and (3) post-W-mineralization hydrothermal stage, associated with quartz–fluorite–calcite alteration. This study employs an integrated approach, including molybdenite Re-Os dating, microthermometry of fluid inclusions, and H-O-S isotopic analyses, to investigate the genesis of the deposit. The results show that: (1) the metallogenic age of the deposit is 222.2 ± 1.5 Ma (MSWD = 0.58; Middle Triassic), which was likely caused by the northward subduction of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean; (2) the metallogenic fluids of Stage I (homogenization temperature 350~400 °C, salinity 6.0~8.0 wt.% NaCl eqv.) and Stage II (homogenization temperature 300~350 °C, salinity 4.0~6.0 wt.% NaCl eqv.) are mainly from magmatic water, and Stage III (homogenization temperature 225~275 °C, salinity 4.0~8.0 wt.% NaCl eqv.) has a mixed fluid of magmatic water and meteoric water; (3) the ore-forming materials were mainly derived from magma, which is supported by the S isotopic results (δ³⁴S = −0.5‰~1.6‰, average 0.93‰); (4) mineralization depths calculated through fluid inclusions are 0.52–1.60 km (Stage I), 0.70–1.80 km (Stage II) and 0.10–0.49 km (Stage III); and (5) Stage I W precipitation was likely driven by fluid boiling and water–rock interaction, Stage II W precipitation by water–rock interaction principally, and Stage III fluorite precipitation by water–rock interaction plus fluid cooling. This research provides theoretical guidance for W-polymetallic prospecting in the Beishan of Inner Mongolia. Full article