The Kaolinite Crystallinity and Influence Factors of Coal-Measure Kaolinite Rock from Datong Coalfield, China

In order to ascertain the kaolinite crystallinity of Carboniferous Permian coal-measure kaolinite rocks, seven groups of fresh samples were collected from below the ground in the Xiaoyu mine, Datong coalfield. Microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), infrared (IR) spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry methods were applied to the samples. The petrographic analysis results show that the kaolinite rocks are characterized as compact, phaneritic, clastic, sand-bearing, sandy and silty types; the kaolinite content in the Shanxi formation and upper Taiyuan formations was more than 95%, while it was 60–90% in the middle and lower Taiyuan formations. Based on the Hinckley index and the features of XRD, DTA and IR of kaolinites, crystallinity was classified as having three grades: ordered, slightly disordered and disordered. The kaolinites’ SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio was about 1.9–5.7, with a chemical index of alteration (CIA) of about 95.4–99.5. This research suggests that the kaolinite crystallinity correlates positively to its clay mineral content, purity and particle size, which are also related to the SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio and CIA. The original sedimentary environment and weathering have a direct influence on kaolinite crystallinity, and the existence of organic matter is conducive to the stable existence of kaolinite. The study results have significance for the extraction and utilization of coal-measure kaolinite and the development of kaolinite crystallography and mineralogy

Gut microbiota and urine metabolomics based exploration of Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. tea on type 2 diabetic mellitus

Scented tea, as an integral part of tea culture for several centuries, is important to prevent chronic metabolic diseases. Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. (CT) tea is often used to prevent and treat diabetes, but the mechanism of action needs further study. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyze 23 chemical components of CT extracts, and a “compounds-target-healthy function” network was constructed while the pathway enrichment analysis was carried out. Eleven CT compounds, including flavanomarein, luteolin, isookanin, marein, 7,3′,5′-trihydroxy-flavanone, okanin, caffeic acid, cynaroside, acetylcoreopsin, quercetin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, protocatechuic acid, were obtained through network pharmacology screening. The corresponding targets SRC, TP53, HSP90AA1, STAT3, MAPK1, PIK3R1, AKT1 and PIK3CA were associated with anti-glycemic effects. The rat model of type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) was induced by a high-fat diet combined with low-dose streptozotocin injection and biochemical indexes (blood glucose, serum total cholesterol, and triglyceride) were determined. The low-dose water extract of CT can significantly regulate the total cholesterol level of diabetic rats (p < 0.01). 16S rDNA sequencing showed that CT could reverse the imbalance of intestinal flora, especially Lactobacillus, Prevotella, Succinivibrio, unidentified_Ruminococcaceae, and Treponema. Urine metabolomics observed 31 differential metabolites, mainly related to Glycerophospholipid metabolism. The correlation study showed that CT could treat T2DM by modulating the interaction of gut microbiota composition, changes in key bacterial genera, and the levels of endogenous metabolites to act on carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and lipid metabolism pathways. Therefore, CT water extract can effectively alleviate the changes of T2DM may be related to the combined changes of intestinal flora and metabolic characteristics

The Kaolinite Crystallinity and Influence Factors of Coal-Measure Kaolinite Rock from Datong Coalfield, China

In order to ascertain the kaolinite crystallinity of Carboniferous Permian coal-measure kaolinite rocks, seven groups of fresh samples were collected from below the ground in the Xiaoyu mine, Datong coalfield. Microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), infrared (IR) spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry methods were applied to the samples. The petrographic analysis results show that the kaolinite rocks are characterized as compact, phaneritic, clastic, sand-bearing, sandy and silty types; the kaolinite content in the Shanxi formation and upper Taiyuan formations was more than 95%, while it was 60–90% in the middle and lower Taiyuan formations. Based on the Hinckley index and the features of XRD, DTA and IR of kaolinites, crystallinity was classified as having three grades: ordered, slightly disordered and disordered. The kaolinites’ SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio was about 1.9–5.7, with a chemical index of alteration (CIA) of about 95.4–99.5. This research suggests that the kaolinite crystallinity correlates positively to its clay mineral content, purity and particle size, which are also related to the SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio and CIA. The original sedimentary environment and weathering have a direct influence on kaolinite crystallinity, and the existence of organic matter is conducive to the stable existence of kaolinite. The study results have significance for the extraction and utilization of coal-measure kaolinite and the development of kaolinite crystallography and mineralogy