[Determination of nine hazardous elements in textiles by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer after microwave-assisted dilute nitric acid extraction].

Textiles are easily contaminated by heavy metals in the course of processing. In order to monitor the quality of textiles, a new method was developed for simultaneous determination of arsenic, antimony, lead, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, nickel and mercury in textiles by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) after microwave-assisted dilute nitric acid extraction. After optimizing extraction conditions, we ultimately selected 5% nitric acid as extractant and 5 min as extraction time with the extraction temperature of 120 degrees C and instrument power of 400W in the microwave-assisted extraction procedure. Nine hazardous elements were detected sequentially by ICP-OES. The results showed that the detection limits were 0.3-15 microg x L(-1) and the recoveries 73.6%-105% with the RSDs (n = 3) of 0.1%-3%. The proposed method was successfully used to determine nine elements in cotton, wool, terylene and acrylic.

Nano-silica particles synergistically IgE-mediated mast cell activation exacerbating allergic inflammation in mice.

Background: Allergic respiratory diseases have increased dramatically due to air pollution over the past few decades. However, studies are limited on the effects of inorganic components and particulate matter with different particle sizes in smog on allergic diseases, and the possible molecular mechanism of inducing allergies has not been thoroughly studied. Methods: Four common mineral elements with different particle sizes in smog particles were selected, including Al2O3, TiO2, Fe2O3, and SiO2. We studied the relationship and molecular mechanism of smog particle composition, particle size, and allergic reactions using mast cells, immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) model, and an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic mouse model in vitro and in vivo, combined with transmission electron microscopy, scanning transmission X-ray microscopy analysis, and transcriptome sequencing. Results: Only 20 nm SiO2 particles significantly increased ß-hexosaminidase release, based on dinitrophenol (DNP)-human serum albumin (HSA) stimulation, from IgE-sensitized mast cells, while other particles did not. Meanwhile, the PCA model showed that Evan's blue extravasation in mice was increased after treatment with nano-SiO2 particles. Nano-SiO2 particles exposure in the asthmatic mouse model caused an enhancement of allergic airway inflammation as manifested by OVA-specific serum IgE, airway hyperresponsiveness, lung inflammation injury, mucous cell metaplasia, cytokine expression, mast cell activation, and histamine secretion, which were significantly increased. Nano-SiO2 particles exposure did not affect the expression of FcϵRI or the ability of mast cells to bind IgE but synergistically activated mast cells by enhancing the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, especially the phosphorylation levels of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2. The ERK inhibitors showed a significant inhibitory effect in reducing ß-hexosaminidase release. Conclusion: Our results indicated that nano-SiO2 particles stimulation might synergistically activate IgE-sensitized mast cells by enhancing the MAPK signaling pathway and that nano-SiO2 particles exposure could exacerbate allergic inflammation. Our experimental results provide useful information for preventing and treating allergic diseases.

Chlorine levels and species in fine and size resolved atmospheric particles by X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy analysis in Beijing, China.

An understanding of the species of chlorine is crucial in the metropolis-Beijing, which is suffering serious haze pollution with high frequency. Particulate Matters (PMs) with five different sizes were collected in Beijing from July 2009 to March 2016, and characterized non-destructively by X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy. PM<0.2, PM0.2-0.5 and PM>2.5 contributed for the major PMs mass in spring and summer, PM0.5-1.0 and PM1.0-2.5 contributed for the major PMs mass in autumn and winter. The concentrations of the three chlorine species were in the order of inorganic chlorine (Clinorg) > aliphatic chlorine (Clali) > aromatic chlorine (Claro), indicating that Clinorg constituted the primary chlorine fraction and less toxic Clali constituted the primary total organic chlorine (Clali + Claro, abbreviated as Clorg) in the PMs in Beijing. In addition, these three chlorine species exhibited identical seasonal variation in PM2.5: winter > autumn > spring > summer. Wet precipitation is an important factor to result in the lower mass concentrations of these three chlorine species in summer. The temporal variations of both size resolved PM mass concentrations and chlorine species concentrations suggested that the air pollution prevention and control in Beijing has just won initial success.

Tyrosine phosphorylation/dephosphorylation regulates peroxynitrite-mediated peptide nitration.

Proteins are targets of reactive nitrogen species such as peroxynitrite and nitrogen dioxide. Among the various amino acids in proteins, tyrosine and tryptophan residues are especially susceptible to attack by reactive nitrogen species. On the other hand, protein tyrosine phosphorylation has gained much attention in respect to cellular regulatory events and signal transduction. Peroxynitrite-mediated nitration of peptide YPPPPPW and phosphopeptide pYPPPPPW were studied at pH 7.4. The predominant nitrated products were separated and identified by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The nitration sites were established by tandem electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A regulatory effect of tyrosine phosphorylation/dephosphorylation on peptide nitration was observed. YPPPPPW was predominantly nitrated at tyrosine residue while pYPPPPPW was nitrated at tryptophan one. Our results can help in understanding the biochemical significance of the relationship of tyrosine phosphorylation and nitration in proteins.

[Vertical Distribution of Heavy Metals and Its Response to Organic Carbon in Red Soil Profile].

The vertical distribution patterns, the source and correlation of heavy metals were characterized in the bulk soil and different soil aggregates of arable red soil profile (0-100 cm) in Hunan province. Their response to organic carbons in proflie was explored as well. Principal component analysis (PCA) suggested that elements could be divided into two principal components, the metals of the first group were Zn,Cu,Pb,As,Cd, and the second group metals were Cr, Ni. Priniciple component elements had similar sources. In 0-30 cm, The first group metals decreased with increasing depth, the second group metals increased with increasing depth. The concentrations of typical heavy metals were in the order of Zn >Cr >Cu >Pb >Ni >As >Cd. Cd in each soil layer was severely polluted, Zn was at level of light pollution, while other metals were at clean levels. In terms of different size of soil aggregate, it was found that colloids played an important role in facilitating transport of heavy metals, such as As, Cu, Zn, Cd, Cr, Ni. While Pb was still mainly enriched in clay component (<53 µm). Infrared spectrum analysis showed that the main functional groups of organic carbon were polysaccharide (22.07%-47.13%), aromatic (13.88%-34.37%) and alcohol (21.04%-59.49%). Correlation analysis showed that stable organic carbon such as polysaccharide and aromatic organic carbon could stablize the metals of first group in profiles, which would delay the migration of heavy metals to deeper soil. However, the active alcohol carbon would enhance the migration.

[Chlorine speciation and concentration in cultivated soil in the northeastern China studied by X-ray absorption near edge structure].

A procedure has been proposed to determine chlorine speciation and concentration in soil with X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), and this method was applied to study the cultivated soil (bog, dark brown and black cultivated soil) in the Northeastern China. Qualitative analysis was carried out by least-squares fitting of sample spectra with standard spectra of three model compounds (NaCl, 3-chloropropionic acid, chlorophenol red). Linear correlation between the absolute fluorescence intensity of a series of NaCl standards and the Cl concentration was used as quantification standard for measuring the total Cl concentration in samples. The detection limits,relative standard deviation (RSD), recoveries were 2 mg · kg(-1), 0%-5% and 77%-133%, respectively. The average concentration of total Cl was 19 mg · kg(-1). The average relative content was as high as 61% of organochlorine with the concentration of 1-2 times as high as the concentration of inorganic chloride. The distribution trend of the total Cl, inorganic chloride and organic chlorine in different types of soil was: bog arable soil > dark brown soil > black soil. In conclusion, XANES is a reliable method to nondestructively characterize the speciation and concentration of chlorine in soil, which would provide some basic data for the future study of the chlorine's biogeochemical transformations.

[Distribution characteristics and environmental significance of heavy metals in soil particle size fractions from tropical forests in China].

Three tropical forest soils were collected from Haikou, Qionghai and Tunchang in Hainan Island. Soil particle size fractionations were conducted using the standard dry-sieving procedure. Distribution of heavy metals in bulk samples and particle size fractions was determined by ICP-MS. The distribution characteristics and the response to organic carbon and iron were discussed. The results showed that the distribution of heavy metals was highly associated with the particle size fractions and variable patterns were found, which decreased with the increasing size. The accumulation of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Cd was predominantly contributed by the particles finer than < 53 microm in diameter, whereas As mainly accumulated in particle size of 53-1 000 microm. Generally, the microaggregate (< 250 microm) contributed 14.38%-65.04% of heavy metals to the contents in bulk soil and the silt-clay aggregates (< 53 microm) contributed 2.61% -32.01%. The content of heavy metals except for As and Cd and Pb in Haikou soil in these different size fractions were controlled by the organic carbon and iron contents, which increased with the decreasing particle size.

[Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in adolescents' hair from Gongzhuling, Jilin].

Adolescents' (12-18) hair samples (n = 23) collected from Gongzhuling Jilin were analyzed for 30 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The distribution characteristics, sources and relationship with genders of PCBs in adolescents' hair were addressed as well. The results indicated that the detection frequency of PCBs were 100% with average concentration of (68.85 +/- 36.72) ng x g(-1) and detection range from 11.66 ng x g(-1) to 127.86 ng x g(-1), respectively. This region was contaminated to some extent. CB-28, CB-52, CB-87 and CB-82 were the major congeners which occupied 62%. Penta-CBs were the dominant contributors (39%), followed by tetra-CBs (29%) and tri-CBs (18%). The different distributions of PCBs congeners in hair from other human tissues and the air are believed to be the fact that PCBs in human hair not only came from endogenous dietary uptake of the contaminants, but also from exogenous atmospheric deposition. The results clearly indicated that these pollutants mainly came from industrial pollution. When gender was considered, significantly higher concentrations for most of the investigated contaminants were found in female compared with male.

[Source and distribution of organohalogens in atmosphere in Shanghai].

Neutron activation analysis (NAA) and gas chromatography (GC) were used to determine organohalogens in air particles and precipitation in Jiading District, Shanghai, collected between December 2004 and August 2005. Analysis of extractable organohalogens (EOX), extractable persistent organohalogens (EPOX), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated diphenyls (PCBs) in atmosphere were presented. Monthly average concentration of EOX in air particles (TSP, PM10) and precipitation were 1425.37 ng x m(-3), 552.78 ng x m(-3), and 815.7 ng x L(-1) respectively, EPOX were 21.18 ng x m(-3), 0.7 ng x m(-3) and ND, OCPs were 64.4 pg x m(-3), 31.00 pg x m(-3) and 7.08 pg x L(-1). Analytical results showed that 80% - 96% of EOX was EOC1, which indicated organochlorine was the major component of organohalogens in atmospheric environment. Most organohalogens were acid-liable and unknown compounds. Correlativity between different size particles and organohalogens concentration implied that fine air particles has the effect of preference for absorbance of organohalogens especially for organobromine and organoiodine. Distribution of PCBs congeners in air particles and precipitation was preliminarily studied, which suggested that air particles were major carrier of OCPs and PCBs absorbed predominantly penta-, hexa-, hepta-, octa-PCBs, DDT and its metabolites, however precipitation contained mainly tri-, tetra-, penta-PCBs and HCH.