Search

To obtain a consistent estimate of the impact of digital economy on the carbon total factor productivity (CTFP) is important not only in the academic field but also for the policymakers. However, the existence of endogeneity issue makes it challenging. This paper constructs a novel analysis framework that can measure the CTFP as well as the impact of digital economy simultaneously after addressing the endogeneity. By employing the endogenous stochastic frontier analysis method, the findings indicate that digital economy has a positive and significant effect on CTFP, which persists when different production functions and instrumental variables are employed. Mechanism analysis reveals that the positive impact is facilitated by changes in production methods and improvements in urban environmental regulatory governance. Moreover, the effect of digital economy on CTFP is more pronounced in regions with higher environmental awareness among residents, lower resource abundance, and higher levels of human capital. The results provide valuable policy insights into the utilization of the digital economy to achieve green and high-quality development in China, including to promote the regional balanced development of digital economy and so on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the status quo of cognitive appraisal of health and its influencing factors among pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey was conducted from June 2020 to November 2020. Participants were recruited from a tertiary hospital by a convenient sample method. A total of 300 pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus completed the survey, including self‐compiled individual information questionnaire, Cognitive Appraisal of Health Scale, Pregnancy Stress Rating Scale and General Self‐Efficacy Scale. Results: For cognitive appraisal of health, the median score of challenge dimension was 3.75 (3.50, 4.00), benign/irrelevant was 2.75 (2.00, 3.50), harm/loss was 2.38 (2.00, 3.00) and threat was 2.40 (2.00, 2.80), respectively. Regression analyses showed that gestational age, mode of conception, history of abortion, insulin usage, pregnancy stress and self‐efficacy were the predictors of cognitive appraisal of health. Conclusions: This study revealed that pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus tended to make positive cognitive appraisal of health. And healthcare providers need to make full use of their predictors of cognitive appraisal of health to improve cognitive appraisal to manage stress and ameliorate pregnancy outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characteristics of high emissions and high energy consumption in metallurgical industry have brought great challenges to the green and low carbon transition in China. As a low-carbon economic instrument, carbon tax is generally considered to be an effective way to reduce CO 2 emissions through raising energy cost, but whether it will promote the green total factor productivity (GTFP) of China's metallurgical industry is still unanswered. Under this background, this paper uses provincial panel data over years 2000–2015 to investigate the impact of carbon taxation on GTFP of metallurgical industry from the perspective of inter-fuel and inter-factor substitution. The lock-in mechanism is also incorporated in the three-stage estimation model to better reflect the asymmetric price response of factors and fuels. The results reveal that the slow marketization process of energy price and the rigid demand for energy in China's metallurgical industry hinder the substitution effect of energy. The implementation of carbon tax has limited effect on energy-saving and CO 2 reduction in the metallurgical industry of China and levying a carbon tax has a negative effect on GTFP during the research period. Therefore, the government should not achieve CO 2 reduction targets at the expense of green economic growth. GTFP is suggested to be considered in future assessment criteria in the process of transforming to low-carbon economy. Image 1063 • We estimate the inter-fuel and inter-factor substitution in China's metallurgical industry. • The Sequential- Malmquist-Luenberger index is used to measure GTFP. • The impact of carbon tax on GTFP of China's metallurgical industry is measured. • The government should not reduce CO 2 emissions at the expense of green economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although existing studies have paid a great deal of attention to the impact of government policy instruments on environmental governance, they failed to explore the relationships and differential effects of major government instruments on environmental performance. In this study, the panel data of 31 Chinese provinces over the 2004–2015 are utilized to investigate the impacts of performance assessment and public participation on environmental performance. Statistical data of four kinds of pollutants emissions were used to measure environmental performance. We collected the performance assessment data from China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Provincial Environmental Protection Bureau, and the official statistical yearbook data of petitions and environmental non-governmental organizations were used to measure public participation. We empirically confirm that performance assessment is only significantly correlated with binding high-visibility environmental pollutant emissions (e.g., sulfur dioxide), while it exhibits less influence on low-visibility binding environmental pollutant emissions (e.g., chemical oxygen demand). Public participation has differential effects on environmental performance. Environmental petitions are significantly correlated with non-binding environmental pollutants (e.g., industrial wastewater). However, environmental non-governmental organizations do not exhibit statistically significant effects on environmental pollutant emissions. Compared with the 11th Five-Year Plan, the environmental performance assessment in 12th Five-Year Plan is more effective. This analysis implies that China should optimize the governmental approach both for the performance assessment and public participation to respond effectively to environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasingly prominent problem of garbage siege in cities, garbage incineration power plants (GIPP) have attracted great attention since they can not only dispose the waste effectively, but also increase electricity supply. However, since GIPP may cause a potential negative impact on the nearby residents, they often receive opposition and strong public resistance, which is also called "Not In My Backyard" (NIMBY) effect. In order to analyze the NIMBY effect and promote the construction of GIPP, we conduct a random survey in China to evaluate residents' attitudes towards garbage incineration power plants. After correcting the potential sample selection bias, it was found that younger people, male, people with under-aged children in the family, owning the property of houses and knowing the potential risk of the GIPP would like to pay more to avoid the construction of GIPP nearby. The estimated NIMBY effect is 0.47 yuan extra for each unit of electricity consumption or 93.2 yuan per month. Some targeted policy suggestions are thus put forward to promote the future construction and development of GIPP in China. The findings can also be extended to other countries due to the universality of NIMBY effect. • The public's perception towards garbage incineration power plants is explored. • A random survey is conducted in four first-tier cities in China. • The sample selection model is adopted to correct possible bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The promotion of carbon label is important to achieve low-carbon transition and carbon neutrality. However, China's carbon labelling system is at an initial stage and consumers' attitude towards carbon-labelled products is still unknown. This paper seeks to explore consumers' willingness to pay for different types of carbon-labelled products and its influencing factors. To fulfill this goal, we design and conduct a random questionnaire survey in four first-tier cities in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen). The results show that 88.39% of consumers are willing to purchase carbon-labelled products. Consumers' premium willingness to pay for carbon-labelled food, electronic, textile, and other consumer products is 8.43%, 8.5% 7.95%, and 8.33% of the original price, respectively. Besides, respondents with the highest premium willingness to pay are mainly concentrated in the age group of 41–50, or males, or families with underage children. On the basis of the findings, some policy suggestions are proposed to provide references for the promotion and pricing of carbon-labelled products in China and other countries. • Consumers' WTP for carbon-labelled products is explored. • A random survey is carried in China's first-tier cities. • Consumers have the highest premium WTP for carbon-labelled electronic products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the background of the new urbanization, this paper performs an empirical analysis of requisition-compensation balance indicators in Chuzhou City, and points out the problems in the land transaction. At the national level, it is necessary to intoduce the measures to regulate the market transactions of requisi/on-compensation balance indicators as soon as possible, put safeguarding the interests of the majority of farmer in the frst place during market transactions, and establish the a unified market pla/orm for the transaction of land-related indicator, so as to boost te urban construction, promote the integration of urban and rural areas, and speed up the new urbanization process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With China's aspiration of building a healthy nation and increasing its average life expectancy, the pharmaceutical industry will continue to grow in the coming years. Considering the high energy consumption and emissions in the pharmaceutical industry, striving for sustainability will be essential to achieving the 2030 target of peaking CO 2 emissions and becoming carbon neutral by 2060. This paper quantifies the reduction potential for CO 2 emissions in the pharmaceutical industry to provide policymakers with some references when decomposing the reduction task. By constructing a non-radical metafrontier Malmquist CO 2 performance index (NMMCPI), we find that the NMMCPI in the pharmaceutical industry is improved from 2005 to 2016. The three main factors influencing the changes are technical efficiency, technological advancement and technological leadership. These three factors have contributed to the growth of NMMCPI in the eastern Chinese pharmaceutical industry; however, the technological leadership effect is lacking in central and western China. There is a huge CO 2 emissions reduction potential in the pharmaceutical industry, which can be compared to UK and Brazilian emissions in 2016. In light of this, we recommend some policy implications to reduce the CO 2 emissions of the pharmaceutical industry in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have not clarified how transportation infrastructure will affect green total factor productivity. In this paper, we examine the impact of transportation infrastructure on green total factor productivity in Chinese cities with varying levels of economic agglomeration. We find that when the degree of economic agglomeration is relatively low, the effect of transportation infrastructure on green total factor productivity change is not obvious, but with a higher degree of agglomeration, this effect becomes evident. We thus recommend that the construction of transportation infrastructure may help the government achieve its goal of green and sustainable transformation, but the degree of economic agglomeration should be increased to beyond the critical level in order to make the impact of transportation infrastructure beneficial. • Heterogeneous impacts of transportation infrastructure on GTFP are investigated. • Positive externalities of transportation infrastructure can be emerged only when the economic agglomeration exceeds the critical value. • Parametric and nonparametric techniques are both adopted to avoid model misspecification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon label is an important tool for countries to achieve green economy in the context of global climate change. Since the public is the end consumer of carbon-labeled products, understanding their attitudes towards carbon label is crucial for the future development of carbon labeling system. Under this background, we conduct a survey on consumers' perception of carbon-labeled electrical and electronic products (CEP) in Chinese first-tier cities. Consumers' premium willingness to pay (WTP) for CEP and its influencing factors are explored. After correcting the possible estimation bias by a sample selection model, we find that 85.97% of respondents are willing to pay more for carbon-labeled products. Besides, males, respondents who are younger or richer, or with underage children at home are more willing to pay a premium for carbon-labeled products. The degree of trust and understanding of carbon label also has a positive impact on the premium WTP. As for the specific value of premium WTP, an additional 7.85% of the original price for CEP is willing to be paid. The above findings can provide targeted reference for policymakers in pricing carbon-labeled products, and also yield effective policy recommendations for the future development of carbon label system. • Consumers' perception of carbon-labeled products is explored. • A random survey is conducted in China's first-tier cities. • 85.97% of respondents are willing to pay more for carbon-labeled products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, improving the energy efficiency is considered to be essential to energy saving. However, it may not be as effective as expected due to the rebound effect. Focusing on China's metallurgical industry, this study is targeted to measure the energy rebound effect and investigate whether improving energy efficiency can promote energy saving. A dynamic energy efficiency index, which can take both technological progress and energy utilization efficiency into account is first calculated. Then, the energy rebound effect of China's metallurgical industry from the substitution and output channels is measured, and a better understanding of the energy rebound effect is thus provided. Finally, the influence of energy rebound effect on energy conservation potential is explored. Three main findings are obtained: First, the rebound effect through the substitution channel and output channel in the metallurgical industry are 12.34% and 25.4%, respectively. Second, the energy rebound effect in Eastern China is the largest, followed by Central and Western China. Third, the physical quantities of energy being offset by the rebound effect in China's metallurgical industry are estimated to be 275.7 million tons of standard coal. These results demonstrate that additional measures should be taken in conjunction with energy efficiency improvement policies. • The energy rebound effect in China's metallurgical industry are measured. • The flexibility of producers in response to market signals are explored. • The policy of improving energy efficiency is not as effective as expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental management has evolved from a vertical command and control management model to a more collaborative one. A series of public administration studies take the field of environmental policy as an important background for understanding collaborative governance, yet the theoretical and empirical study of environmental collaborative governance is relatively under-developed. This article begins to fill the research lacuna through the investigation of air pollution collaborative governance practice in Jing-Jin-Ji and surrounding areas. Based on the panel data of 58 regional cities from January 2016 to March 2019, a difference in difference quasi-natural experiment design is employed to explore the effect of environmental collaboration under Chinese authoritarian regime. The analysis shows that environmental collaboration has a positive impact on air quality and exhibits different effects on primary and secondary pollutants. Specifically, it has a greater influence on the emission reduction of NO 2 compared to SO 2 and CO, the positive effects of environmental collaboration on PM 2.5 and PM 10 pollutants are significant, and there is no statistically positive impact on O 3 control. The time trend effect of environmental collaboration varies among pollutants, it presents positive effects on air quality improvement and secondary pollutant control (e.g., PM 2.5 , PM 10) after the fourth month, the mitigation effect of environmental collaboration on primary pollutants represented by NO 2 is more significant and constant in the sixth month. However, the time trend effect of environmental collaboration has gradually weakened. This paper concludes with discussions on the direction and implications of improving the performance and sustainability of environmental collaboration in China. • Chinese-style environmental collaborative action and its mechanisms are summarized. • The impacts of environmental collaboration on air pollution control are explored. • Policy implications are proposed from institution, capability, participation aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste incineration power plants have become the best option in face of the increasing amount of garbage in China's cities. However, constructing waste incineration power plants will cause "not in my backyard" (NIMBY) effect in the public. To identify variables causing this effect and measure the effect quantitatively, we designed and carried out a random survey in four metropolises in China. Of the 3133 questionnaires distributed, 3066 are thought to be effective. Males, persons with higher educational levels, or with higher income, or having underaged children in their families, or thinking their neighborhoods are upscale ones are willing to pay more to avoid the construction of waste incineration power plants in their surroundings than others. In addition, provided that the respondents deem that the construction of waste incineration power plants would have an impact on their lives, they are willing to pay more no matter they own their departments or not. Finally, the estimated willingness to pay (WTP) to avoid the waste incineration power plants is 105 yuan to 133 yuan per month. Hence, the government should treat the NIMBY syndrome well in the construction of waste incineration power plants, with WTP being one perspective to persuade the public. • The public's attitudes towards waste incineration power plants are investigated. • A random survey concerning waste incineration power plants (WIPP) is carried. • About 88% of the respondents have NIMBY effect towards WIPP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a typical high-energy consumption industry, the metallurgical industry has brought great challenges to energy saving and emission reduction in the whole China. Reducing the energy intensity of this crucial sector is of great importance to China's green transition. This paper seeks to determine the drivers of the energy intensity change in China's metallurgical industry during 2000–2016. To serve this purpose, we construct a comprehensive framework which combines Index Decomposition Analysis (IDA) and Production Decomposition Analysis (PDA) methods to fully decompose the change of energy intensity, and in this way more complete and in-depth insights can be provided. The results showed that the technological progress effect made the greatest contribution to the decline in energy intensity, with a cumulative reduction of 72.32%, while the labor-energy substitution is the greatest obstacle to the energy intensity reduction. As to the provincial contribution, except for Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia, all the other provinces make positive contributions to the energy intensity reduction in China's metallurgical industry. Therein, Hebei, Hunan and Shannxi provinces rank the top one contributor in Eastern, Central, and Western China, respectively. Based on the empirical results, some targeted recommendations to formulate energy-saving policies for China's metallurgical industry are put forward. Image 1 • Why has the energy intensity declined in the metallurgical industry are explored. • The comprehensive decomposition framework combines IDA and PDA. • Technical progress is the main contributor to the decline in energy intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious bursa disease (IBD) is an acute, highly contactable, lethal, immunosuppressive infectious disease caused by the Infectious bursa disease virus (IBDV). Currently, the emerged novel variant IBDV (nVarIBDV) and the sustainedly prevalent very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) are the two most prevalent strains of IBDV in China. The antigenic properties of the two prevalent strains differed significantly, which led to the escape of nVarIBDV from the immune protection provided by the existing vvIBDV vaccine. However, the molecular basis of the nVarIBDV immune escape remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated, for the first time, that residues 252, 254, and 256 in the P DE of VP2 are involved in the immune escape of the emerging nVarIBDV. Firstly, the IFA-mediated antigen-antibody affinity assay showed that P BC and P DE of VP2 could affect the affinity of vvIBDV antiserum to VP2, of which P DE was more significant. The key amino acids of P DE influencing the antigen-antibody affinity were also identified, with G254N being the most significant, followed by V252I and I256V. Then the mutated virus with point or combined mutations was rescued by reverse genetics. it was further demonstrated that mutations of V252I, G254N, and I256V in P DE could individually or collaboratively reduce antigen–antibody affinity and interfere with antiserum neutralization, with G254N being the most significant. This study revealed the reasons for the widespread prevalence of nVarIBDV in immunized chicken flocks and provided innovative ideas for designing novel vaccines that match the antigen of the epidemic strain. • P DE and P BC of IBDV VP2 affect the antiserum-VP2 affinity, with P DE being more significant. • Residues 252, 254, and 256 in P DE significantly affect the antiserum-VP2 affinity. • Residues 252, 254, and 256 play vital roles in nVarIBDV escaping antiserum neutralization, and G254N is the most significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airborne particulate matter (PM) is a complex mixture containing various kinds of harmful components. Exposure to air PM is associated with childhood respiratory disease, but epidemiological data are limited concerning the circulating respiratory injury protein on the etiology of childhood respiratory disease. Specifically, the role of PM toxic components or its biological effective dose (adduct) in respiratory injury remains unclear. To demonstrate the dose-response relationship and the main mechanism on circulating club cell secretory protein (CC16) from PM compositions among children, we enrolled 273 boarding schoolchildren in China, including 110 and 163 children of whom were in the low- and high-PM exposed areas, respectively. In this study, we measured the internal exposure levels, including serum polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) adduct, urinary metals, and AhR expression, and detected the serum CC16 level as a lung injury marker. Environmental tobacco exposure in children was assessed by urinary cotinine. We found that significantly higher levels of serum CC16, benzo[a]pyridin-7,8-dihydroglycol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE)-albumin adduct, urinary molybdenum, selenium, arsenic, cadmium and barium, and lower level of AhR expression in high-PM exposed group. There was a good association between serum BPDE-albumin adduct and CC16 (β = 0.222, P = 0.006). There was no association on urinary metals and serum CC16. BPDE-albumin adduct was directly associated with serum CC16 alternation [direct effect = 0.2044, 95% confidence interval (CI) = (0.0426, 0.36)]. PM could cause serum CC16 increased in children. PAH and its adduct might play a key role in lung injury during PM exposure. • PM was associated with significantly increased serum club cell secretory protein in children. • PAH adduct was directly associated with the serum CC16 increment. • PAH and its adduct might play a key role in lung injury during PM exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether constructing more transportation infrastructure can be helpful for the achievement of energy conservation is a long-running and debatable issue. To answer this question, the relationship between transportation infrastructure and energy efficiency must first be clarified. Nonetheless, the existence of the endogeneity problem poses a challenge to defining the relationship. In this paper, an endogenous stochastic frontier analysis method is used to investigate the influence of transportation infrastructure on energy efficiency. Based on the prefecture-city level panel data in China, we find that after addressing the endogeneity problem, the impact of transportation infrastructure on energy efficiency increases dramatically. Moreover, this impact is more pronounced in small-scale cities compared to large and medium-scale cities. Regardless of the measurement of transportation infrastructure, instrumental variable, or production function form, we get the similar conclusions, demonstrating the robustness of our findings. Additional simulation analysis shows that the energy conservation potential would be 1222–2935 million kilowatt hours if the level of transportation infrastructure could be optimized. We recommend accelerating the transportation infrastructure construction, particularly in the small-scale cities so as to boost the energy efficiency and achieve energy conservation targets. • The relationship between energy efficiency and transportation infrastructure is investigated. • The endogeneity of transportation infrastructure is addressed. • A novel framework to analyze the relationship between energy efficiency and transportation infrastructure is proposed. • Accelerating the construction of transportation infrastructure to increase energy efficiency is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We examine PM exposure and inflammation-related miRNAs/mRNAs among children in China. • BPDE-Alb adducts were associated with higher miRNAs and lower mRNAs expression. • Associations were stronger in girls and children with smoking exposure/low folic acid. • Mediation analyses indicated miRNAs could partly mediate the associations with mRNAs. Exposure to particulate matter (PM) has been associated with increased risk of various diseases, possibly through its effect on inflammatory response. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), an epigenetic mechanism regulating gene expression, can affect the expression of pro-inflammatory genes. However, few epidemiological studies have examined the impact of PM on inflammation-related miRNAs and their target mRNAs, especially among vulnerable population. We recruited 160 and 113 children from areas with different PM level in Jinan, China. We measured benzo[a]pyrene-r-7,t-8,t-9,c-10-tetrahydotetrol-albumin (BPDE-Alb) adducts in serum and the expression of 5 candidate miRNAs involved in inflammation regulation and 7 pro-inflammatory genes predicted to be their targets in leukocytes. Generally, children in the polluted area had higher miRNAs and lower mRNAs expression than those in the control area. An interquartile increase of BPDE-Alb adducts was associated with 12.66 %, 14.13 %, and 12.76 % higher of let-7a, miR-146a-5p, and miR-155-5p, as well as 21.61 %, 20.16 %, and 12.49 % lower of IL-6, CXCL8, and TLR2 mRNAs at false discovery rate<0.05, respectively. Additionally, let-7a, miR-146a-5p, and miR-155-5p were found to mediate the associations of BPDE-Alb adducts with IL-6 and/or TLR2 expression. Our findings suggested that PM exposure might attenuate inflammatory response among children in China, which was partly mediated by miRNAs regulating pro-inflammatory genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mucormycosis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with hematological malignancies, but its characteristics are not fully understood. This study aimed to gain a better understanding of the clinical features of mucormycosis in patients with hematological malignancies in eastern China., Methods: A single-center retrospective analysis was conducted on the demographic profile, microbiology, management, and 90-day mortality of mucormycosis patients with hematological malignancies between 2018 and 2023., Results: A total of 50 cases were included in the study, consisting of 11 proven and 39 probable cases of mucormycosis. The median age of the patients was 39.98 ± 18.52 years, with 52% being male. Among the cases, 46% had acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 16% had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and 16% had myelodysplastic syndrome. The most common manifestations of mucormycosis were pulmonary (80%), disseminated (16%), and rhinocerebral (4%). The diagnosis was confirmed through histology, culture, microscopy, and molecular diagnostic techniques. The most commonly identified fungal species were Cunninghamella (40%), Rhizopus (26%), and Rhizomucor (22%). Treatment involved antifungals in 84% of cases and surgery in 10% of cases. The 90-day mortality rate was 76%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that treatment with amphotericin B and surgery was associated with improved survival, while neutropenia and administration of voriconazole prior to diagnosis was associated with higher mortality., Conclusions: Mucormycosis continues to have a high mortality rate in patients with hematological malignancies. Early diagnosis using various techniques, including molecular biology, along with the appropriate use of amphotericin B and surgery when possible, is vital for the successful treatment of mucormycosis., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: Long-term exposure to air pollution is known to be harmful to preterm birth (PTB), but little is known about the short-term effects. This study aims to quantify the short-term effect of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM 2.5 ), ≤10 μm (PM 10 ) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) on PTB., Materials and Methods: A total of 18,826 singleton PTBs were collected during the study period. Poisson regression model combined with the distributed lag non-linear model was applied to evaluate the short-term effects of PTBs and air pollutants., Results: Maternal exposure to NO 2 was significantly associated increased risk of PTB at Lag1 (RR: 1.025, 95%CI: 1.003-1.047). In the moving average model, maternal exposure to NO 2 significantly increased the risk of PTB at Lag01 (RR: 1.029, 95%CI: 1.004-1.054). In the cumulative model, maternal exposure to NO 2 significant increased the risk of PTB at Cum01 (RR:1.026, 95%CI: 1.002-1.051), Cum02 (RR: 1.030, 95%CI: 1.003-1.059), and Cum03 (RR: 1.033, 95%CI: 1.002-1.066). The effects of PM 2.5 , PM 10 and NO 2 on PTB were significant and greater in the cold season than the warm season., Conclusions: Maternal exposure to NO 2 , PM 2.5 and PM 10 before delivery has a significant risk for PTB, particularly in the cold season.Key messagesMaternal exposure to NO 2 was significant associated with an increased risk of preterm birth at the day 1 before delivery.Particle matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10 ) showed a significant short-term effect on preterm birth in the cold season.The effects of air pollutants on preterm birth was greater in the cold season compared with the warm season.

Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) is an important component of air pollution and can induce lung inflammation and oxidative stress. We hypothesized that PM 2.5 could play a role in the induction of pulmonary fibrosis. We examined whether multiple intranasal instillation of PM 2.5 can induce pulmonary fibrosis in the mouse, and also investigated the underlying pro-fibrotic signaling pathways. C57/BL6 mice were intranasally instilled with 50 μl of PM 2.5 suspension (7.8 μg/g body weight) or PBS three times a week over 3 weeks, 6 weeks or 9 weeks. To observe the recovery of pulmonary fibrosis after the termination of PM 2.5 exposure, 9 week-PM 2.5 instilled mice were also studied at 3 weeks after termination of instillation. There were significant decreases in total lung capacity (TLC) and compliance (Cchord) in the 9-week PM 2.5 -instilled mice, while there were increased histological fibrosis scores with enhanced type I collagen and hydroxyproline deposition, increased mitochondrial ROS levels and NOX activity, decreased total SOD and GSH levels, accompanied by decreased mitochondrial number and aberrant mitochondrial morphology (swelling, vacuolization, cristal disruption, reduced matrix density) in PM 2.5 -instilled mice. Multiple PM 2.5 instillation resulted in increased expression of TGFβ1, increases of N-Cadherin and Vimentin and a decrease of E-Cadherin. It also led to decreases in OPA1 and MFN2, and increases in Parkin, SQSTM1/p62, the ratio of light china (LC) 3B II to LC3B I, PI3k/Akt phosphorylation, and NLRP3 expression. Intranasal instillation of PM 2.5 for 9 weeks induced lung inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis, which was linked with aberrant epithelial-mesenchymal transition, oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage and mitophagy, as well as activation of TGFβ1-PI3K/Akt, TGFβ1- NOX and TGFβ1-NLRP3 pathways., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)