Dianchang Wang

Introduction: Our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms that govern the development of sexual characteristics in sturgeon, particularly the Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis), is limited. Foxl2, a member of the forkhead/HNF-3-related transcription factor family, is known for its role in precise gene regulation within specific tissues and its control over ovarian aromatase, a key enzyme in ovarian development and maturation. This study aimed to investigate the sexually dimorphic expression of foxl2 during the molecular and morphological sex differentiation stages in Chinese sturgeon.Methods: We successfully isolated the full-length cDNAs of foxl2 in Chinese sturgeon. We then examined the expression profiles of this gene across various somatic tissues in both female and male specimens.Results: Foxl2 was predominantly expressed in the ovulatory organs of two-year-old Chinese sturgeon, with significantly lower expression in other somatic tissues. We observed sexual dimorphism in foxl2 expression within gonads that had achieved morphological differentiation.Discussion: The results suggest that foxl2 expression is intricately linked to the process of ovarian differentiation in Chinese sturgeon. Furthermore, we propose that the mRNA quantities of foxl2 could serve as an accurate biomarker for sex determination in sturgeon during their early growth stages.

The structural performance of buried drainage pipes is gradually deteriorating under the influence of external loads and chemical and microbial corrosion. It is crucial to reinforce them and improve their bearing capacity for safe use. One of the important technologies used to extend the service life of deteriorated pipes is the use of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (FRCC) for spray repair. Combined with the current situation of drainage pipes, this article introduces the basic properties of FRCC, briefly describes the requirements for material performance for drainage pipe spraying rehabilitation, reviews the structural bearing capacity of drainage pipes repaired by spraying with FRCC, and discusses the relevant research and engineering applications of the spraying method. Studies show that FRCC has high strength and corrosion resistance, and excellent sprayability. The structural performance of the host pipe is significantly improved after repair, but measures should be taken to enhance the interfacial bonding performance during the repair. In the design of the liner wall thickness, there is no unified calculation theory, and the existing methods have not considered the influence of secondary load on the structure. It is recommended to combine the type of pipe defects and the degree of deterioration in further study.

Sediment pollution caused by potentially harmful trace elements (PHTEs) has attracted a great deal of attention, due to the persistent risks it poses to human beings and ecosystems. However, the pollution status and source identification of PHTEs from the middle and lower reaches of Huaihe River remains unclear. In this study, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, zinc, lead and isotopic ratios in the lacustrine sediments of this river are investigated to determine the source of, and ecological risk posed by, these PHTEs. The results show that the concentrations of chromium, copper, nickel and zinc are generally close to the background values in the lacustrine sediments, and are assessed as representing a low degree of contamination. By contrast, significantly higher concentrations of arsenic and cadmium are commonly measured in the upper sediments, which are mainly derived from the agricultural application of fertilizers, pesticides and wastewater. Meanwhile, possible atmospheric lead deposition is identified by the isotopic analysis. Among these PHTEs, adverse biological effects of arsenic, chromium, and nickel may occur in lakes according to consensus-based sediment quality guidelines, but cadmium is selected as a PHTE for priority control according to potential ecological risk index. Our study highlights that developing regional sediment quality guidelines and soil restoration in the catchment are crucial for the freshwater ecosystem in the middle and lower reaches of Huaihe River.