Xuemei Lu

The National Genomics Data Center (NGDC), which is a part of the China National Center for Bioinformation (CNCB), offers a comprehensive suite of database resources to support the global scientific community. Amidst the unprecedented accumulation of multi-omics data, CNCB-NGDC is committed to continually evolving and updating its core database resources through big data archiving, integrative analysis and value-added curation. Over the past year, CNCB-NGDC has expanded its collaborations with international databases and established new subcenters focusing on biodiversity, traditional Chinese medicine and tumor genetics. Substantial efforts have been made toward encompassing a broad spectrum of multi-omics data, developing innovative resources and enhancing existing resources. Notably, new resources have been developed for single-cell omics (scTWAS Atlas), genome and variation (VDGE), health and disease (CVD Atlas, CPMKG, Immunosenescence Inventory, HemAtlas, Cyclicpepedia, IDeAS), biodiversity and biosynthesis (RefMetaPlant, MASH-Ocean) and research tools (CCLHunter). All resources and services are publicly accessible at https://ngdc.cncb.ac.cn.

Obesity and its complications have become serious global health concerns recently and increasing work has been carried out to explicate the underlying mechanism of the disease development. The recognized correlations suggest oxidative stress and inflammation in expanding adipose tissue with excessive fat accumulation play important roles in the pathogenesis of obesity, as well as its associated metabolic syndromes. In adipose tissue, obesity-mediated insulin resistance strongly correlates with increased oxidative stress and inflammation. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) has been described as a key modulator of antioxidant signaling, which regulates the transcription of various genes coding antioxidant enzymes and cytoprotective proteins. Furthermore, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated that Nrf2 is a pivotal target of obesity and its related metabolic disorders. However, its effects are controversial and even contradictory. This review aims to clarify the complicated interplay among Nrf2, oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, insulin signaling and chronic inflammation in obesity. Elucidating the implications of Nrf2 modulation on obesity would provide novel insights for potential therapeutic approaches in obesity and its comorbidities.

A method for gram-scale synthesis of graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots (g-C3N4QDs) was developed. The weight of the g-C3N4QDs was up to 1.32 g in each run with a yield of 66 wt%, and the purity was 99.96 wt%. The results showed that g-C3N4QDs exhibit a stable and strong ultraviolet photoluminescence at a wavelength of 365 nm. More interestingly, the g-C3N4QDs can be used as a high-efficiency, sensitive, and selective fluorescent probe to detect Fe3+ with a detection limit of 0.259 μM.

Geothermal energy utilization in China had been promoted actively during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016–2020), with resultant achievements showing unique Chinese characteristics. Buildings (measured by areas) heated/cooled by intermediate-to-deep geothermal energy increased more rapidly than those by shallow geothermal energy. Geothermal power generation was restricted by the distribution of the resource and the sufficiency of local power supply. With the proposition of “dual carbon goal” by the central government of China and the coming era of great development of renewable energy, geothermal energy will be provided more development opportunities in room heating/cooling and power generation in the country ever than before. However, tackling technology bottlenecks and introduction of appropriate policy support are still urgently needed for nurturing a healthy environment for geothermal industry. Analysis suggests that a near-to medium-term development of geothermal energy shall be focused on a comprehensive and efficient utilization both through heating/cooling and power generation. Room heating/cooling by intermediate-to-deep and shallow geothermal energy shall be promoted nationwide according to local resource endowment and economic conditions. Geothermal power generation in Yunnan and Tibet shall be pushed forward in an orderly way. For medium- and long-term development, focus shall be put on power generation by using low to medium temperature geothermal energy and hot dry rocks. The "hot spring +" model shall be adapted in steps on a regular basis. To achieve these, measures including attaching importance to tackling key technologies, promoting standards for geothermal energy development and utilization, strengthening geothermal energy exploration and evaluation, and seeking for necessary policy support shall be taken.