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The corresponding relationships between temperature, precipitation, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentration in a typical ombrotrophic peatland in Dajiuhu, Shennongjia, were quantitatively characterized by field sampling tests validated with simulation experiments. The PAH concentrations of peat cores in Dajiuhu peatland ranged from 262 to 977 ng·g

Objective: To analyze the short-term clinical effect of radioactive iodine-125 seed implantation (125I-SI) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and explore the correlation between the related metabolic parameters of pretreatment FDG PET-CT and the short-term efficacy of 125I-SI in patients with NSCLC, so as to provide useful reference for 125I-SI treatment. Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on 46 patients with NSCLC, who received 125I-SI treatment for lung tumors in Tianjin First Central Hospital from January 2016 to December 2018. The correlation among D90, gender, pathological pattern, age, maximum tumor diameter, MTV, SUVmax, SUVpeak, SUVmean, TLG, High metabolic tumor cell ratio (HMR) and CEA with short-term efficacy of 125I-SI was analyzed by two independent-sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test or Chi-squared test and binary logistic regression. Results: One month after 125I-SI, 0 cases were CR, and 4 cases were PR, and the total effective rate was 8.7%. After 3 months, there were 2 cases of CR, and 25 cases of PR, with a total effective rate of 58.7%; after 6 months, there were 5 cases of CR, and 27 cases of PR, with a total effective rate of 69.6%. D90 (P = 0.028, OR:1.075,95%CI:1.008-1.147), MTV (P = 0.026, OR: 0.918,95%CI: 0.851-0.990), HMR (P = 0.020, OR: 0.003,95%CI: 0-0.407) were independent predictors for the short-term efficacy. The predictable accuracy of MTV was medium (AUC=0.781; cutoff value=44.58). However, the predictable accuracy of D90 and HMR was low, with both AUC of 0.650 (the cutoff =127.8Gy and the cutoff=0.27, respectively). Conclusion: 125-SI is an effective therapy with few complications in NSCLC patients. Small MTV, high D90 and low HRM were linked with better local control of 6 months after 125-SI.

The 7th Military World Games held in Wuhan (WH) in Oct 2019 provided an opportunity to clarify the impact of short-term control measures on air quality. Fine particulate matters (PM

Winter haze events are frequent occurrences in central China, however, their characteristics and formational mechanisms in the region are still poorly understood. In this study, we conducted continuous observations of PM2.5 during a haze event (from January 13 to 24, 2018) in Huanggang in central China to identify the characteristics of water-soluble inorganic ions (WSIIs) associated with PM2.5. The observation period was divided into the pre-haze episode (Pre-HE, January 13 to 14), haze episode (HE, January 15 to 21) and post-haze episode (Post-HE, January 22 to 24). The daily average PM2.5 mass concentration during the Pre-HE, HE and Post-HE was 51.7, 134.9 and 92.2 μg m−3, respectively. The WSIIs accounted for 57.3% of the total PM2.5 content throughout the entire observation period and were predominantly composed of nitrate, sulfate, and ammonium. During the HE, the major ions predominantly occurred in the form of (NH4)2SO4, NH4NO3, NH4Cl, and HCl. Moreover, the sulfur oxidation ratios and nitrogen oxidation ratios were relatively high, inferring the high contribution of secondary transformation. During the HE, homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions played an important role in the formation of nitrate and sulfate in PM2.5, respectively. The results of the principal component analysis-multiple linear regression suggest that the major sources of WSIIs were secondary inorganic aerosols, combustion and dust. The results of the backward trajectory analysis and the potential source contribution function model infer the strong influence of both local and regional air masses on haze formation and dissipation in Huanggang.

Variations of levels, possible source and air mass transmission were investigated for 16 USEPA priority-controlled PAHs in PM2.5 during 2018 Chinese Spring Festival (CSF) in Xiangyang City, central China which is the North-South pollutant airmass transport channel of China. Totally 37 samples were collected. Mass concentrations of Σ16PAHs for the Pre–CSF day (Pre–CSFD), during the CSF day (CSFD) and after the CSF day (Af–CSFD) are 33.78 ± 17.68 ng/m3, 22.98 ± 6.49 ng/m3, and 8.99 ± 4.44 ng/m3, respectively. High resolution samples showed that Σ16PAHs are higher in the morning (06:00–11:00) or afternoon (11:30–16:30), than those in the evening (17:00–22:00) and at night (22:30–05:30), whereas the result is reversed during the CSFD. Fireworks burning can obviously increase the mass concentration of PAHs. Air mass trajectory indicated that Xiangyang is a sink area of pollutants for northwest and southeast, and the sources of the northeast and southwest. The air mass only can be transmitted out through northeast and southwest. It is effective for improvement of air quality in Wuhan and Hunan to control fireworks emission in Henan and local areas. Fireworks burning was an important source for PAHs during CSFD, biomass, coal combustion, and traffic emission were the main sources of PAHs for Pre–CSFD and Af–CSFD periods. The health risk on the CSFD was higher than the acceptable levels, especially during the intensive fireworks burning, the risk value far exceed 1.0 × 10−4, controlling burning fireworks is required.

Stringent pollution control measures are generally applied to improve air quality, especially in the Spring Festival in China. Meanwhile, human activities are reduced significantly due to nationwide lockdown measures to curtail the COVID-19 spreading in 2020. Herein, to better understand the influence of control measures and meteorology on air pollution, this study compared the variation of pollution source and their health risk during the 2019 and 2020 Spring Festival in Linfen, China. Results revealed that the average concentration of PM

In order to investigate the heavy metal pollution level and distribution characteristics in different particle sizes, and to evaluate the health risk, 42 street dust samples were collected in January 2015 from Huangshi, as an industrial city in Central China. The results analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) showed that the average content of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Mn, and Fe in the fine particle diameter (< 25 μm) was 1041.12, 361.64, 890.00, 14.43, 3178.52, and 61841.79 mg kg−1, respectively. Meanwhile, the average content of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Mn, and Fe in the coarse particle diameter (25 < D < 75 μm) was 1628.54, 401.52, 593.16, 9.54, 5316.07, and 76765.37 mg kg−1, respectively. Compared with other cities, the heavy metal pollution of street dust in Huangshi was more serious. The results indicated that heavy metals were more easily enriched in fine grains street dust, except for Cu, Mn, and Fe. The heavy metal elements showed obvious spatial heterogeneity in different regions, and the interference from human sources was greater. Heavy metals in Huangshi street dust are generally at moderate or higher pollution levels (except Fe), of which Cu and Cd are the most seriously polluted. Multivariate statistical analysis shows that the heavy metals in fine-grained street dust mainly come from traffic/industrial mixed sources (74.5%) and industrial sources (25.5%); the heavy-grained street dust heavy metals mainly come from mixed traffic/industrial sources (55.1%) and soil source (44.9%). For non-carcinogenic heavy metals, mainly through the hand-mouth contact pathway into the human body, there are also no non-carcinogenic health risks in both hand-mouth ingestion and dermal contact. For carcinogenic heavy metals, Cd in street dust did not have carcinogenic risk.

Huangshi City in Hubei Province, Central China is one of the most important mineral cities in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, where haze occurred frequently in recent years due to coal-based metalsmelting. A haze was observed from January 13 to January 25, 2018 in Huangshi. To understand the levels, compositions, influencing parameters, and sources of PAHs during a process of haze generation and elimination, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) -bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were high-time-resolution measured (four samples per day) by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The episode divided into three periods including before haze episode (BHE, 10 samples), during haze episode (DHE, 33 samples) and after haze episode (AHE, 4 samples) based on PM2.5 concentration. The average concentrations of Σ15PAHs at three different periods decreased as follows: DHE (30.52 ng m−3) > BHE (29.99 ng m−3) > AHE (14.24 ng m−3). 4- and 5-ring PAHs were the dominant species, and the proportion of 5- and 6-ring PAHs significantly increased DHE probably due to the local emissions (e.g., vehicle emissions) and the poor atmospheric dispersion conditions. PM2.5-bound PAHs were affected by gaseous pollutants (NO2, SO2, O3, and CO) and meteorological parameters (pressure, temperature, wind speed, wind direction, and relative humidity). Results of source apportionment indicated that PM2.5-bound PAHs were similar for three stages of this haze, mainly including vehicle exhaust emission, coal/biomass combustion, industrial process, and coke oven.

Few studies have explored the effect of hydrogen on neuronal apoptosis or impaired nerve regeneration after traumatic brain injury, and the mechanisms involved in these processes are unclear. In this study, we explored neuroprotection of hydrogen‐rich medium through activation of the miR‐21/PI3K/AKT/GSK‐3β pathway in an in vitro model of traumatic brain injury. Such model adopted PC12 cells with manual scratching. Then, injured cells were cultured in hydrogen‐rich medium for 48 hours. Expression of miR‐21, p‐PI3K, p‐Akt, p‐GSK‐3β, Bax and Bcl‐2 was measured using RT‐qPCR, Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining. Rate of apoptosis was determined using TUNEL staining. Neuronal regeneration was assessed using immunofluorescence staining. The results showed that hydrogen‐rich medium improved neurite regeneration and inhibited apoptosis in the injured cells. Scratch injury was accompanied by up‐regulation of miR‐21, p‐PI3K, p‐Akt and p‐GSK‐3β. A miR‐21 antagomir inhibited the expression of these four molecules, while a PI3K blocker only affected the three proteins and not miR‐21. Both the miR‐21 antagomir and PI3K blocker reversed the protective effect of hydrogen. In conclusion, hydrogen exerted a neuroprotective effect against neuronal apoptosis and impaired nerve regeneration through activation of miR‐21/PI3K/AKT/GSK‐3β signalling in this in vitro model of traumatic brain injury.

Background Neuroinflammation is a characteristic pathological change of acute neurological deficit and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Microglia are the key cell involved in neuroinflammation and neuronal injury. The type of microglia polarization determines the direction of neuroinflammation. MiR-21-5p elevated in neurons and microglia after TBI in our previous research. In this study, we explore the influence of miR-21-5p for neuroinflammation by regulating microglia polarization. Methods In this study, PC12 and BV2 used to instead of neuron and microglia respectively. The co-cultured transwell system used to simulate interaction of PC12 and BV2 cells in vivo environment. Results We found that PC12-derived exosomes with containing miR-21-5p were phagocytosed by microglia and induced microglia polarization, meanwhile, the expression of miR-21-5p was increased in M1 microglia cells. Polarization of M1 microglia aggravated the release of neuroinflammation factors, inhibited the neurite outgrowth, increased accumulation of P-tau and promoted the apoptosis of PC12 cells, which formed a model of cyclic cumulative damage. Simultaneously, we also got similar results in vivo experiments. Conclusions PC12-derived exosomes with containing miR-21-5p is the essential of this cyclic cumulative damage model. Therefore, regulating the expression of miR-21-5p or the secretion of exosomes may be an important novel strategy for the treatment of neuroinflammation after TBI.

Despite the decrease in anthropogenic emissions, haze episodes were still frequent in the Fenwei Plain, which was identified as one of the three key areas for air pollution control. Herein, PM

Sleep deprivation (SD) induces systemic inflammation that promotes neuronal pyroptosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an antioxidant modafinil on neuronal pyroptosis and cognitive decline following SD. Using a mouse model of SD, we found that modafinil improved learning and memory, reduced proinflammatory factor (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6) production, and increased the expression of anti-inflammatory factors (IL-10). Modafinil treatment attenuated inflammasome activity and reduced neuronal pyroptosis involving the NLRP3/NLRP1/NLRC4-caspase-1-IL-1β pathway. In addition, modafinil induced an upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and synaptic activity. These results suggest that modafinil reduces neuronal pyroptosis and cognitive decline following SD. These effects should be further investigated in future studies to benefit patients with sleep disorders.

Microplastics (MPs) pollution in Tangxun Lake, the largest urban lake in China, was investigated. The average MPs pollution in sediment (1.81 ± 1.75 × 10

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals (HMs) are persistent environmental issues. Secondary emissions are produced as a result of climate change and human activity. To observe spatio-temporal variations of PAHs and HMs and to discuss the sources as well as the source or sink of PAHs for sediment and peat, twelve surface sediment and surface water sites were chosen along the direction of the flow to down hole in the Dajiuhu area, simultaneously, surface peat and water samples were collected in peatland. Samples were continuously taken for three years (Sep. 2018, Sep. 2019, and Sep. 2020, respectively). The results showed that PAHs and HMs are common in sediment and peat. PAHs concentration is generally higher in peat and water, while HMs concentration is relatively higher in water and relatively low in sediment and peat, and the ecological risk of sediment was low. HMs in sediment are mainly affected by rock weathering, while PAHs are mainly affected by atmospheric deposition, biomass and coal combustion and vehicle emission. HMs and PAHs can be used as an indicator of rock weathering and human activity in Dajiuhu area, respectively. A water-sediment fugacity analysis revealed that peat is a sink for PAHs, confirming that it has a high capacity for adsorbing organic contaminants, and that sediments are secondary sources of PAHs that can release them into water. Attention should be paid to the increased fugacity fraction (ff) value in peatland, indicating that peat might be converted from a sink to a source of PAHs.

Identifying the bioavailability and release-desorption mechanism of heavy metals (HMs) in soil is critical to understand the release risk of HMs. Simultaneously, the mechanistic investigation of affecting the bioavailability of HMs in soil is necessary, such as the grain-size distribution and soil mineralogy. Herein, the bioavailability of HMs (Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in different area soils near a typical copper-smelter was evaluated by the sequential extraction technique (BCR), diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT), and DGT-induced fluxes in sediments (DIFS) model. Results showed that the HMs proportion of the residual fraction in all soils was the highest. The average bioavailability concentration (C

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a long-term environmental problem faced by human society. The sources of involuntary PAHs are complex, moreover, secondary emissions of fixed PAHs in the environment occur due to global change and disturbance of human activities. Samples of three environmental media including soil, air, and atmospheric bulk deposition were collected to observe the spatial distribution and seasonal variation, to discuss the source or sink of PAHs and their association with the air mass transport along the plain (Jianghan Plain, JHP) to mountain transect, and explore the geographic scope of the atmospheric transport influence. The results obtained showed that 16 individual PAHs generally existed in all environmental multimedia being studied, and the PAHs concentration in air, soil and deposition flux of atmospheric bulk was higher in JPH than in “Western Hubei Mountains” (WHMs). Considerably high PAHs concentrations were obtained from the soil, air and atmospheric bulk deposition in winter, summer, and both summer and winter, respectively. The air-soil fugacity fraction of PAHs indicated that the soil of Dajiuhu (DJH) is likely to be a sink. Backward air trajectory simulation confirmed that most of the air mass passes over the JHP before reaching DJH, combined with the (transport and persistence level III) TaPL3 model results JHP are acting as sources. However, seasonal changes lead to a shift in the roles of soil sources and sinks. The TaPL3 model calculated that PAHs are transported through water for a wider range of effects and a longer persistence, even up to 10 years.

BACKGROUND Traumatic brain injury (TBI) produces a series of pathological processes. Recent studies have indicated that autophagy pathway is persistently activated after TBI, which may lead to deterioration of nerve injury. Our preliminary work found miR-21-5p was upregulated in both in vivo and in vitro TBI models. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) could be loaded into exosomes to perform cell-to-cell interactions. This research aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of neuron-derived exosomes enriched with miR-21-5p on the TBI in vitro and to further explore the possible mechanisms. MATERIAL AND METHODS Brain extracts harvested from an rTBI mouse model were added to cultured HT-22 neurons to imitate the microenvironment of injured brain on in vitro cultured cells. Ultracentrifugation was performed to isolate exosomes. Transmission electron microscopy and Nano sight technology were used to examine exosomes. An in vitro model of TBI was established to study the effect of exosomal miR-21-5p on nerve injury and on neuronal autophagy regulation. RESULTS The expression of miR-21-5p was increased in exosomes derived from HT-22 neurons after treatment with rTBI mouse brain extracts. Autophagy was activated in HT-22 neurons after scratch injury. Exosomal miR-21-5p produced a protective effect by suppressing autophagy in a TBI model in vitro. MiR-21-5p could directly target the Rab11a 3'UTR region to reduce its translation and further suppressed Rab11a-mediated neuronal autophagy. CONCLUSIONS The levels of miR-21-5p in neuronal exosomes increased from the acute to the chronic phase of TBI. Neuronal exosomes enriched with miR-21-5p can inhibit the activity of neuronal autophagy by targeting Rab11a, thus attenuating trauma-induced, autophagy-mediated nerve injury in vitro.

Twenty-one street dust samples were collected in Huanggang City, Hubei Province, Central China. Sixteen priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Concentrations of ∑16PAHs ranged from 622.97 µg kg–1 to 4340.67 µg kg–1 with an average of 1862.10 µg kg–1. Among these PAHs, high-molecular-weight PAHs (four to six rings), which are the predominant PAH contributors in street dust, accounted for 55%–73% of the total PAHs. Mean concentrations of the PAHs among the four functional districts followed the order: education district > traffic area > business district > residential area. However, the individual PAH concentrations exhibited weak correlations with the total organic carbon. Based on the isomer ratios of the PAHs, biomass and coal combustion, and petroleum input were two key factors controlling PAH levels in this study. At a 95% confidence interval, the total incremental lifetime cancer risks for children, adolescents and adults approximated 10–6–1.5 × 10–5. These values were higher than the baseline value for acceptable risk (10–6), indicating a potential carcinogenic risk.

The global pollution of microplastics (MPs) has attracted widespread attention, and the atmosphere was an indispensable media for the global transmission of MPs. With the growing awareness of MPs, atmospheric microplastics (AMPs) have been proposed as a new topic in recent years. Compared with the extensive studies on MPs in Marine and terrestrial environments, the studies of AMPs remain limited. In this study, sampling and analysis methods, occurrence, source analysis and health risk of AMPs were summarized and discussed. According to the different sampling methods, AMPs can be divided into suspension microplastics (SAMPs) and deposition microplastics (DAMPs). Previous studies have shown that SAMPs and DAMPs differ in composition and abundance, with SAMPs generally having a higher fraction of fragments. The mechanism of the migration of AMPs between different media was not clear yet. We further collated global data on the composition characteristics of MPs in soil and fresh water, which showed that the fragment MPs in soil and fresh water was higher than that in the atmosphere. Polymers in soil and fresh water were mainly PP and PE, while AMPs in the atmosphere were mainly PET. The shape composition of the MPs in both atmospheric and freshwater systems suggests that there may be the same dominant factor. The transport of AMPs and source apportionment were the important issues of current research, but both of them were at the initial stage. Therefore, AMPs needs to be further studied, especially for the source and fate, which would be conducive to understand the global distribution of AMPs. Furthermore, a standardized manual on sampling and processing of AMPs was also necessary to facilitate the comparative analysis of data between different studies and the construction of global models.

Twenty-one soil samples and two dominant plant species (Elsholtzia splendens and Imperata cylindrical) were collected in Tonglushan Cu–Fe deposit, central China. Chemical analysis results showed that the soil contained low-level nutrients and high concentrations of potentially toxic metals. The geoaccumulation index results indicated that the study area was polluted by Cu–Zn–Cd–Pb. The levels of Cu in plant species were highest, followed by Zn, Pb, and Cd. The highest levels of Zn (261 mg kg−1), Cd (6.33 mg kg−1) and Pb (12.6 mg kg−1) were found in the leaf of Elsholtzia splendens and the highest concentration of Cu (1158 mg kg−1) was found in the root of Imperata cylindrica. Potentially toxic metals uptake and accumulation abilities were investigated by the bioconcentration factor and translocation factor, respectively. The results suggested that the Elsholtzia splendens may be a suitable candidate for Cd clean up using phytoextraction.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a kind of organic pollutants with carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic effects. This study aims to assess the effects of changes in China's socio-economic indicators represented by energy consumption and number of motor vehicles, on PAHs and black carbon (BC) deposition. For this, a 50-cm peat core from Dajiuhu peatland, Central China, was collected and divided into 50 subsamples to establish a sedimentary record of about 200 years with radioactive 210Pb. The Σ16PAH concentration ranged from 212.67 to 830.10 ng·g-1, mainly composed of 2- and 3-ring PAHs, and BC ranged from 7.89 to 36.48%. The deposition characteristics of BC first increased and then decreased from the core bottom to the top. The predominant of the carcinogenic PAHs (C-PAHs) was Dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (DBA) before 1949, and then changed to Benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF). Ratio of Fla/Pyr, (3+4)-ring/(5+6)-ring PAHs, and BaA/(BaA+Chr), IcdP/(IcdP+BghiP) suggested that long-range atmospheric transmission (LRAT) and pyrogenic were the main PAHs sources, but that local PAH emission contribution gradually increased since 1990, and mixed (petroleum and combustion) sources were the dominant since 2000. The high concentration of Phenanthrene (Phe) and Naphthalene (Nap) were likely from plant product. Furthermore, increased concentrations of 4-, 5-, and 6-ring PAHs showed significant correlations with increased coal and petroleum consumption and the number of motor vehicles, respectively, and this influence has strengthened after 2000. These were caused by rapid urbanization and industrialization following the implementation of the reform and opening up policy in 1978, and a new round of urbanization after 2000.

Objective：Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most serious public health problems in the world. Hydrogen (H2), a flammable, colorless, and odorless gas, has been observed to have preventive ...

The purpose of this study was to assess the human cancer risk due to the exposure to the soil-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from Chengdu Economic Region (CER), western China with the main concern on cancer risk source apportionment. The total concentrations of sixteen PAHs ranged from 12.5 to 75431 ng g–1, with a mean value of 3106 ng g–1, which suggested that the most areas of CER were contaminated. Source apportionment of PAHs was conducted by the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model and the biomass burning contributed most (63.6%) to the total PAHs, followed by petroleum combustion (16.0%), coke source (11.3%), and petrogenic source (9.2%). Results from incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) calculation showed that soil ingestion exerted the highest cancer risk (accounted for 98.1 − 99.3% of the total cancer risk) on human health among three different exposure pathways, followed by dermal contact (0.66 – 1.83%) and inhalation (0.03 – 0.04%). Among different age groups, adult suffered the highest cancer risk via any exposure pathways. Based on PMF and ILCR methods, the cancer risk source apportionment was conducted and the biomass burning showed moderate cancer risk. The petrogenic, coke, and petroleum sources showed low cancer risks to human. To analyze the sensitivity of the parameters used in ILCR calculation, Monte Carlo simulation was employed. The results indicated that the contribution of each source and exposure duration (ED) were the influential parameters on human health associated with soil-bound PAHs. Therefore, much attentions should be paid to biomass burning to avoid cumulative cancer risk.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) improves cognitive function, but its mechanism has not been elucidated. The aim of the study was to explore whether IGF-1 exerted its protective effect on cognitive function and anxiety behavior through the activation of PI3K/Akt/CREB pathway in high-fat diet rats. Neuronal cells HT22 were treated with nothing, IGF-1, IGF-1 + LY294002 or IGF-1 + 666-15. Expressions of p-PI3K, p-Akt and p-CREB were measured using Western blot analysis. Thirty C57BL/6J rats were used. After feeding with high-fat diet, normal saline, PEG-IGF-1, PEG-IGF-1 + LY294002 or PEG-IGF-1 + 666-15 was treated. Cognitive function and anxiety behavior were assessed by Morris water maze and open field test. Several inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers were measured using recognized methods. Expressions of p-PI3K and p-CREB were also measured using Western blot analysis. After IGF-1 treatment in cells, expressions of p-PI3K, p-Akt and p-CREB were increased. Furthermore, LY294002 downregulated the expressions of these three proteins, but 666-15 only inhibited the expression of CREB in the cells. Compared with the control rats, we found abnormalities of cognitive function and anxiety behavior, inhibition of PI3K/Akt/CREB pathway and increase of oxidative stress and inflammation in high-fat diet rats. After PEG-IGF-1 treatment, the changes in high-fat diet rats were reversed. Then, we blocked the pathway and found that these blockers attenuated the protective effects of PEG-IGF-1. In conclusion, IGF-1 improved cognitive function and anxiety behavior in high-fat diet rats and inhibited inflammation and oxidative stress in hippocampus tissue through the activation of PI3K/Akt/CREB pathway.

Variations of levels, possible source and air mass transmission were investigated for 16 USEPA priority-controlled PAHs in PM

The sedimentary history of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) over the past 140 years in a lake sediment core from Huixian karst wetland was reconstructed. The total PAHs and OCPs concentrations ranged from 40.0 to 210 ng g−1 and 0.98 to 31.4 ng g−1, respectively. The vertical distribution of PAHs and OCPs in different stages was great consistent with the history of regional socio-economic development and the usage of OCPs. As the indicators of socio-economic development, gross domestic product (GDP), population, energy consumption, highway mileage, and private vehicles correlated with the PAHs concentrations, indicating the impact of human activities on PAHs levels. The PAHs and OCPs concentrations were also affected by environmental changes in the wetland, as reconstructed by total organic carbon (TOC), sand, silt, clay, quartz, and calcite in sediments. Redundancy analysis (RDA) results showed TOC was the dominant factor to explain the concentrations of PAHs and OCPs with the explanation of 86.7% and 43.5%, respectively. In addition, TOC content had significantly positive correlation with PAHs (0.96, p

To elucidate the concentrations, spatial distribution, sources, and risk of sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and twenty-four organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), thirteen sites were chosen for collecting water, sediment, and soil samples from Daye lake in April 2019. All pollutants were frequently observed in three media of Daye lake. Higher concentrations of OCPs were determined in the soil whereas PAHs were dominant among sediment samples. However, the water of Daye lake is contaminated with both of the pollutants. In water, ΣDRINs, ΣDDTs, ΣHCHs and LMW PAHs accounted for 22.1%, 19.6%, 17.9% and 85.5%, respectively. Among sediments, OCPs and PAHs were ranged from 1.53–51.38 ng·g−1 and 14.38–4659.66 ng·g−1, respectively. While soil accounted for a larger percentage of heptachlorepoxide i.e. 96.5% and HMW PAHs i.e. 82.7%. Furthermore, the low α-to γ-HCH ratio suggested fresh input of HCH and the higher ratio of (DDE + DDD)/DDT determined the historical use of DDT. Additionally, diagnostic molecular ratio along with principal component analysis evaluated that PAHs mainly came from fossil fuel, biomass, and coal combustion. Moreover, ecological risk assessment of Daye lake indicated that the carcinogenic PAHs in water and soil can pose 10% risk to the environment also OCPs in sediments has a visible effect on ecology. According to incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCRs) evaluation, OCPs have negligible to low cancer risk among all sites for water, soil, and sediments while PAHs value fluctuate in the midst of 10−6 to 10−2 which shows the potential risk of cancer on children as well as adults. Therefore, measures should be taken to control them in time.

Huanggang City in central China, is a regional site connect with the north air mass from Xiangyang and Suizhou in Hubei Province and the eastern air mass from Dabie-shan which located at the junction of Hubei and Anhui Province. To enrich the aerosol database in central China and provide reference for the control of air pollution in Huanggang City and surrounding cities in central China, totally 62 PM2.5 samples were collected during the year 2018 for season variation (January 2018–January 2019, once a week) and 16 priority PAHs were analyzed. The annual average concentrations of PM2.5 and PM2.5-bound PAHs were 60.4 ± 38.6 μg m−3 and 7.35 ± 6.79 ng m−3, respectively. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) model showed that the main sources of PM2.5-bound PAHs were vehicle emissions (56.8%), coal and biomass burning (29.5%) and petroleum sources (13.7%). PM2.5 and PM2.5-bound PAHs in Huanggang were mainly came from local emissions and relatively short-range transport and the high probability areas were concentrated in Hubei and Henan Province. The total incremental lifetime cancer risks (TILCR) values were ranged from 10−4 to 10−6, indicating the potential cancer risk for adults and children in Huanggang. However, ILCRing and ILCRdem were four orders of magnitude higher than ILCRinh, indicating that ingestion and dermal contact were the main exposure routes for cancer. Vehicle emission contributed the most to TILCR (70.9%), followed by coal and biomass combustion (21.8%) and petroleum sources (7.39%).

The spatial distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their source contributions employing receptor models has been widely reported. However, the temporal distribution of PAH source contributions is less studied. Thus, in this paper, three receptor models including principle component analysis-multiple linear regression (PCA-MLR), positive matrix factorization (PMF), and Unmix were used to PAH source apportionment study in a sediment core from Honghu Lake, China. Sixteen USEPA priority PAHs in 37 sliced sediment layers (1-cm interval) were measured, with the concentrations of ∑16PAH (sum of 16 PAHs) ranging from 93.0 to 431 ng g−1. The source apportionment results derived from three receptor models were similar, with three common sources: mixed sources of biomass burning and coal combustion (31.0–41.4% on average), petroleum combustion (31.8–45.5%), and oil leakage (13.1–21.3%). The PMF model segregated an additional source: domestic coal combustion (contributed 20.9% to the ∑16PAHs). Four aspects including intra-comparison, inter-comparison, source numbers and compositions, and source contributions were considered in comparison study. The results indicated that the PMF model was most reasonable in PAH source apportionment research in this study.

Ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy (US-CNB) of thyroid nodules is a relatively new technique used in surgical workup. However, no systematic review of this method has yet been performed. In the present meta-analysis, literature databases consisting of Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, Scopus and Google Scholar were searched. Following eligibility assessments of the studies, quality appraisals were performed on the included studies using the Quality Assessment Tool for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 method. The data were systematically analyzed by using Review Manager (version 5.3) and Meta-Disc (version 1.4). Eight investigations were included, and the study qualities were good. There were 1,621 nodules included in the final meta-analysis. The summary estimated that US-CNB had a sensitivity of 0.96 [95% confidence interval (CI)=0.94-0.97] and a specificity of 0.96 (95% CI=0.94-0.97). Positive and negative likelihood ratios, and the diagnostic odds ratio of US-CNB were 18.20 (95% CI=2.21-156.41), 0.08 (95% CI=0.02-0.27) and 250.60 (95% CI=19.11-3286.76), respectively. The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.979. Therefore, US-CNB may be considered as a reliable method in the assessment of thyroid nodules, and has an acceptable risk of complications.

The paper discussed the distributions, sources and health risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the water-level-fluctuation zone (WLFZ) of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), China, in where the rapid transfer of pollutants between the water and terrene environment cased by the cycle of water fluctuation is of great concern. Twenty-four soil samples were collected in two sampling campaigns, i.e., in September 2012 (the water levels started rising from 145 m) and in June 2013 (the water levels just fell to 145 m), and subsequently they were analyzed for 16 USEPA priority PAHs. Total PAH concentrations (Σ16PAHs) ranged from 18.40 to 392.29 ng·g− 1 (mean 87.66 ng·g− 1) in 2012, and 54.00 to 463.08 ng·g− 1 (mean 133.84 ng·g− 1) in 2013. The concentrations of ΣPAHs in soil sample in 2013 were significantly higher than those in 2012. The concentrations of ΣPAHs in the upstream counties (Banan, Changshou, Fuling and Fengdu) were significantly higher than that in the middle and the lower reaches counties (Zhongxian, Wanzhou, Yunyang, Fengjie, Wushan, Badong, Guizhou and Lanlingxi). The compounds of 3-rings and 4-rings were the major components of PAHs in this area. Individual PAH concentrations were not significantly correlated with total organic carbon (TOC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC), possibly due to the soil microbial mineralized or degraded PAHs and the semi-continuous inputs from anthropogenesis sources. Source identification indicated that PAHs were mainly derived from river transport and combustion. The incremental lifetime cancer risks ranged from 10− 9 to 10− 6, indicated that the carcinogenic risk for the residents was negligible.

Characterization and source identification of PM

Repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (rmTBI) is considered to be an important risk factor for long-term neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, which is characterized by β-amyloid abnormalities and impaired cognitive function. Microglial exosomes have been reported to be involved in the transportation, distribution, and clearance of β-amyloid in Alzheimer’s disease. However, their impacts on the development of neurodegeneration after rmTBI are not yet known. The role of miRNAs in microglial exosomes on regulating post-traumatic neurodegeneration was investigated in the present study. We demonstrated that miR-124-3p level in microglial exosomes from injured brain was significantly altered in the acute, sub-acute, and chronic phases after rmTBI. In in vitro experiments, microglial exosomes with upregulated miR-124-3p (EXO-124) alleviated neurodegeneration in repetitive scratch-injured neurons. The effects were exerted by miR-124-3p targeting Rela, an inhibitory transcription factor of ApoE that promotes the β-amyloid proteolytic breakdown, thereby inhibiting β-amyloid abnormalities. In mice with rmTBI, the intravenously injected microglial exosomes were taken up by neurons in injured brain. Besides, miR-124-3p in the exosomes was transferred into hippocampal neurons and alleviated neurodegeneration by targeting the Rela/ApoE signaling pathway. Consequently, EXO-124 treatments improved the cognitive outcome after rmTBI, suggesting a promising therapeutic strategy for future clinical translation., Graphical Abstract, Ge et al. identify the upregulated miR-124-3p in microglial exosomes after repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (rmTBI) contributes to alleviating neurodegeneration via transferring into neurons and targeting Rela/ApoE signaling pathway. Microglial exosomes with upregulated miR-124-3p are a promising therapeutic tool for rmTBI with clinical application prospects.

Levels, compositions, sources and health risk of PM2.5-bound PAHs were measured at a regional monitoring site of Huang-gang in the winter of 2018. Samples were collected every morning, afternoon, evening and late night (LN). The average concentrations of PM2.5 and PAHs were 110.4 ± 48.3 µg m–3 and 25.6 ± 12.0 ng m–3, respectively. The concentration of PM2.5 was in the order of evening > morning > afternoon > LN, while PAHs concentration was in the order of evening > LN > morning > afternoon. According to PM2.5 concentration and its changing trend, the haze can be divided into three stages: early (low concentration, January 13–15, EHZ), medium (high concentration, January 16–22, MHZ) and late (concentration decreased rapidly, January 23–24, LHZ). A positive correlation (P < 0.01) was observed between PM2.5 and ∑16PAHs concentration only in MHZ. Besides, PAHs concentration was positively related to NOx concentration, CO concentration and temperature but negatively correlated with RH, independent of O3 concentration. The ratios of OC/EC indicated that the secondary aerosol had a great influence on the formation of haze. Three sources of PAHs including traffic emission, coal combustion and biomass combustion were extracted and quantified, accounting for 54.4%, 13.3% and 32.3% of PAHs, respectively. Potential source contribution function (PSCF) and concentration weighted trajectory (CWT) indicated the transmission of PM2.5 from Wuhan and local pollutant emission were crucial to the formation of haze. BaPeq concentration combined with ILCR values was used to evaluate health risk and the results showed this haze had potential health risk to both adults and children.

Background: The LigaSure vessel sealing system has been proposed to save operation time and reduce intraoperative blood loss for various surgeries. However, its usage for gastric cancer is still controversial. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to compare the effectiveness of LigaSure with conventional surgery in gastrectomy. Materials and Methods: Sources were retrieved from the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS and Google Scholar until February, 2015. All randomized controlled trials comparing LigaSure with conventional surgery in curative gastric cancer resection were selected. After data extraction, statistics were performed by Review Manager 5.1 software. Results: Three eligible randomized controlled trials were evaluated, with a total of 335 patients. The quality of the included trials was good, yet some methodological and clinical heterogeneity existed. There were no significant differences between the LigaSure and conventional groups in operative time (weighted mean difference [WMD], -22.95 minutes; 95% confidence interval [CI], [-59.75, 13.85]; P = 0.22), blood loss (WMD, -45.8 ml; 95% CI, [-134.5, 42.90]; P = 0.31), nor the incidence of surgical complications (odds ratio, 1.18; 95% CI, [0.68, 2.05]; P = 0.54). But there was a longer duration of hospital stay in LigaSure group (WMD, 1.41 days; 95% CI, [0.14, 2.68]; P = 0.03). Conclusions: All available randomized evidence has been summarized. LigaSure does not confer significant advantage over conventional surgery for curative gastric cancer resection. The usefulness of the device may be limited in gastrectomy. But, more trials are needed for further assessment of the LigaSure system for gastric cancer.

Harmonic scalpel and LigaSure vessel sealing systems have been suggested as options for saving surgical time and reducing postoperative complications. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to compare surgical time, postoperative complications and other parameters between them in for the open thyroidectomy procedure. Studies were retrieved from MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and ISI Web of Science until December 2015. All the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing Harmonic scalpel and LigaSure during open thyroidectomy were selected. Following data extraction, statistical analyses were performed. Among the 24 studies that were evaluated for eligibility, 7 RCTs with 981 patients were included. The Harmonic scalpel significantly reduced surgical time compared with LigaSure techniques (8.79 min; 95% confidence interval, -15.91 to -1.67; P=0.02). However, no significant difference was observed for the intraoperative blood loss, postoperative blood loss, duration of hospital stay, thyroid weight and serum calcium level postoperatively in either group. The present meta-analysis indicated superiority of Harmonic Scalpel only in terms of surgical time compared with LigaSure hemostasis techniques in open thyroid surgery.

Twenty-two street dust samples collected from a small steel city, central China, were analyzed for 16 USEPA priority PAHs to investigate the concentration, spatial distribution relationship with black carbon (BC) and Iron (Fe), and the source apportionment and to assess the health risk of these compounds. The mean contents of PAHs, BC and Fe were 4.43 µg g–1, 12837.97 mg kg–1, 70205.70 mg kg–1, respectively. The highest spot was in the surrounding of the E’zhou Steel Plant and the Steel Rolling Mill of E’zhou. The correlation analysis indicated that there was no obvious relationship between Fe with each other, the PAHs significantly correlated to black carbon (BC), which might be caused by the continuous emission sources of iron and steel production. The results of sources identification suggested that PAHs contaminations in street dust were a mixed source of industrial production and traffic emission combustion. The incremental lifetime and cancer risks (ILCRs) of exposing to PAHs in the street dust of the E’zhou city for the three age groups (namely childhood, adolescence, adulthood) fluctuated with in the range of 10–6 to 10–4, indicating a potential of carcinogenic risk for exposed populations.

Characterization and source identification of PM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are conducted in urban Wuhan (WH), suburban Pingdingshan (PDS), and rural Suizhou (SZ) in China during summer harvest. This study analyzes 16 priority PAHs with 38 PM.2.5 samples in June. PAHs had similar physical-chemical properties like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), which had been listed as Priority Pollutants. The concentration and detection frequency of OCPs and PCBs were considerably lower than those of PAHs in PM2.5. Results indicate that PDS adjoining the highway has the highest PM2.5-bound PAHs. SZ possesses the lowest concentration of PAHs. Principal component analysis and multivariate linear regression model and molecular diagnostic ratio distinguish the sources. Vehicle emissions and coal combustion are extracted in three sites, while the source of PDS also includes gas combustion. SZ was affected by gas combustion and petroleum. The potential source contribution function and the concentration-weighted trajectory track the potential pollution area. The sampling places might be affected by the local sources and short distance transmission cannot be neglected. The incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCRs) model evaluates the exposure risk of PAHs. According to the ILCR model, WH and PDS are exposed to harmful PAHs. By contrast, SZ is a substantially safe place.