[Spatial and Temporal Distribution Characteristics of Ozone Concentration and Population Health Benefit Assessment in the Yangtze River Delta Region from 2017 to 2020].

In recent years, the ozone (O3) concentration has showed a rising trend in China, becoming second only to PM2.5 as an important factor affecting air quality. To grasp the spatial-temporal variations characteristics of O3 and the associated health impacts during the implementation of the three-year plan on defending the blue sky in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region, data collected from 210 monitoring stations in the YRD from 2017 to 2020 were analyzed using the global Moran's index and Getis-Ord Gi* index methods, and the associated health benefits of reduced O3 exposure were evaluated using the health risk and environmental value assessment methods. The results showed that during the study period, the interquartile range (IQR) of the annual average O3 concentration and that of the warm season both presented a declining trend. The average O3 concentrations in both warm and cold seasons showed a similar spatial distribution pattern, with the northern part exhibiting the higher concentrations and the southern part showing the lower concentrations. Furthermore, the O3 concentrations in the warm season were characterized by high O3 concentrations clustering in the northern and central part of the region. The proportion of the population exposure to annual average O3 concentration over 160 µg·m-3 decreased from 72.3% in 2017 to 34.8% in 2020 in the YRD. Although the population-weighted annual mean O3 concentration in the whole YRD region showed a downward trend, some cities in western Anhui province, northern Jiangsu province, and central Jiangsu province showed fluctuations and even an increasing trend. In terms of health benefits, there were 3782 cases (95% CI:2050-5511 cases) of avoided premature deaths associated with reduced O3 concentrations in the warm season in 2020 compared to 2017. The total health benefit was 26198 million yuan (95% CI:14201-38175 million yuan). Compared to the cost of the main O3 precursor emission reduction, the cost-benefits ratio was 1:1.67 to 3.23.

[Chemical Composition and Characterization of Nitroaromatic Compounds in Urban Areas of Shanghai].

The compositional characteristics, concentration of nitroaromatic compounds(NACs) in PM2.5 in urban Shanghai, and their correlation with gaseous precursors were investigated. A total of 39 winter and 46 summer PM2.5 samples from 2020 to 2021 were collected using a high-flow sampler and analyzed via ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ESI-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Orbitrap-HRMS). Quantitative analysis was performed on 12 NACs compounds, combined with backward trajectory meteorological elements, molecular composition, and classification analysis of CHON substances. The results showed that a total of 12 NACs had an average concentration in winter of 17.1 ng·m-3, which was three times higher than that in summer(5.7 ng·m-3), mainly due to air masses in winter coming primarily from the northern part of China with more biomass burning, whereas more air masses in summer came from the cleaner southeastern ocean. 4-Nitrophenol was the most abundant species of NACs in winter, whereas 4-nitrophenol(clean days) and 4-hydroxy-3-nitrobenzoic acid(polluted days) were the most abundant species in summer. Qualitative analysis based on features such as aromatic ring equivalence number(Xc), O/C, and H/C values for the identification and characterization of monocyclic and polycyclic aromatic compounds showed that CHON compounds were mainly aromatic compounds in winter and summer in urban Shanghai. The number and abundance of CHON compounds detected on PM2.5 polluted days were 2 and 1.5 times higher(winter) and 2.5 and 2 times higher(summer) than that on clean days, respectively. Comparing the analysis results of clean and polluted days in winter and summer, it was found that 80% of the CHON compounds with a relative abundance in the top 10 had O/N ≥ 3 and RDBE values between 5 and 8. The results suggest that these highly abundant CHON analogs may have had mononitro- or dinitro-substituted benzene rings. Correlation analysis between gaseous precursors and NACs indicated that oxidative reactive formation of VOCs(benzene, toluene, etc.) from anthropogenic emissions was the main source of NACs in summer. By contrast, it was influenced by a combination of biomass combustion emissions and secondary formation of oxidative NOx from anthropogenic VOCs in winter.

[Characteristics and Cause of PM2.5 During Haze Pollution in Winter 2022 in Zhoukou, China].

The characteristics and main factors of causes of haze in Zhoukou in January 2022 were analyzed. Six air pollutants, water-soluble ions, elements, OC, EC, and other parameters in fine particulate matter were monitored and analyzed using a set of online high-time-resolution instruments in an urban area. The results showed that the secondary inorganic aerosols(SNA), carbonaceous aerosols(CA, including organic carbon OC and inorganic carbon EC), and reconstructed crustal materials(CM, such as Al2O3, SiO2, CaO, and Fe2O3, etc.) were the three main components, accounting for 61.3%, 24.3%, and 9.72% in PM2.5, respectively. The concentrations of SNA, CA, CM, and SOA were increased, accompanied with higher AQI. The sulfur oxidation rate(SOR) and nitrogen oxidation rate(NOR) in January were 0.53 and 0.46, respectively. The growth rates[µg·(m3·h)] of sulfate and nitrate were 0.027(-5.89-9.47, range) and 0.051(-23.1-12.4), respectively. During the haze period, the growth rates of sulfate and nitrate were 0.13 µg·(m3·h)-1and 0.24 µg·(m3·h)-1, which were 4.8 and 4.7 times higher than the average value of January, respectively. Although the sulfur oxidation rate was greater than the nitrogen oxidation rate, the growth rate of nitrate was approximately 1.8 times that of sulfate owing to the difference in the concentration of gaseous precursors and the influence of relative humidity. The growth rates of nitrate in SNA were significantly higher than those of sulfate on heavily polluted days. The values of SOR, NOR, and concentrations of SNA and SOA during higher AQI and humidity periods were higher than those in lower AQI and humidity periods. The Ox(NO2+O3) decreased with the increase in relative humidity. The SOA was higher at nighttime, increasing faster with the humidity than that in daytime. Under the situation of lower temperature, higher humidity, and lower wind speed, the emission of gaseous precursors of SNA requires further attention in Zhoukou in winter. Advanced control strategies of emissions of SO2 and NO2, such as mobile sources and coal-burning sources, could reduce the peak of haze in winter efficiently.

Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of depression: a study protocol for a double blinded randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Depressive disorders are the most common form of mental disorders in community and health care settings. Unfortunately, the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is far from satisfactory. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a relatively new and promising physical treatment for depressive disorders. One particularly appealing element of VNS is the long-term benefit in mood regulation. However, because this intervention involves surgery, perioperative risks, and potentially significant side effects, this treatment has been limited to those patients with treatment-resistant depression who have failed medication trials and exhausted established somatic treatments for major depression, due to intolerance or lack of response.This double-blinded randomized clinical trial aims to overcome these limitations by introducing a novel method of stimulating superficial branches of the vagus nerve on the ear to treat MDD. The rationale is that direct stimulation of the afferent nerve fibers on the ear area with afferent vagus nerve distribution should produce a similar effect as classic VNS in reducing depressive symptoms without the burden of surgical intervention. DESIGN: One hundred twenty cases (60 males) of volunteer patients with mild and moderate depression will be randomly divided into transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation group (tVNS) and sham tVNS group. The treatment period lasts 4 months and all clinical and physiological measurements are acquired at the beginning and the end of the treatment period. DISCUSSION: This study has the potential to significantly extend the application of VNS treatment for MDD and other disorders (including epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and morbid obesity), resulting in direct benefit to the patients suffering from these highly prevalent disorders. In addition, the results of this double-blinded clinical trial will shed new light on our understanding of acupuncture point specificity, and development of methodologies in clinical trials of acupuncture treatment. TRIALS REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials. ChiCTR-TRC-11001201 http://www.chictr.org/cn/

[Characteristics of Nitroaromatic Compounds in PM2.5 in Urban Area of Shanghai].

Nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) are an important class of nitrogen-containing compounds in fine particles. The investigation of characteristics and seasonal variation of NACs in PM2.5 increases our knowledge about nitrogen-containing compounds and contributes to the scientific basis in formulating reduction policies of NOx in urban areas. In this study, we analyzed the chemical composition of PM2.5 samples collected from March 2018 to February 2019 in an urban location in Shanghai. A total of 2439-3695 organic molecular formulas were detected using UPLC-Orbitrap MS. Nine NACs were quantified using an internal standard method. In spring, ρ(NACs) ranged from 3.12 to 16.76 ng·m-3, and the average concentration was 9.31 ng·m-3. In summer, it ranged from 1.05 to 9.70 ng·m-3, and the average value was 4.16 ng·m-3. In autumn, it ranged from 2.87 to 36.27 ng·m-3, and its average was 9.84 ng·m-3. In winter, it ranged from 4.83 to 56.23 ng·m-3, and the average was 22.37 ng·m-3. 4-Nitrophenol accounted for more than 25% of the quantified NACs in different seasons. In summer, the concentration of 5-nitrosalicylic acid accounted for 36%, but it decreased to 19% in winter. NACs in summer mainly originated from secondary formation, as evidenced by their clear correlation with the oxidant level, whereas biomass burning became the main source of NACs in winter.

[Exposure Levels, Sources, and Health Risks of Heavy Metal Components of PM2.5 in Housewives in Rural Shanghai].

To investigate exposure characteristics and potential health risk of PM2.5-bound heavy metals in housewives in rural areas, 265 personal exposure samples from 143 subjects were collected in the Songjiang district, Shanghai from February 2017 to June 2018. Mass concentrations of 13 elements in PM2.5 were determined by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (ED-XRF). The sources of heavy metal components in PM2.5 were analyzed using positive matrix factorization (PMF). The inhalation health risks of exposure to Ni, V, Cr, Mn, As, and Pb were analyzed using the US EPA health risk assessment model. The results showed that the average concentration of personal exposure to PM2.5 was 40.61 µg·m-3 in housewives, which was higher than the concentration at peripheral monitoring stations. The carcinogenic risks of Cr(Ⅵ)and As exceeded the acceptable risk level (10-6). The non-carcinogenic risks of V, Cr(Ⅵ), Mn, Ni, and As were all below the safety threshold, while the total non-carcinogenic risks of these five elements were higher than the safety threshold (>1). The results of PMF indicated that resuspended dust and indoor dust(43.8%), the metallurgy industry(34.6%), coal combustion(14.5%), and fossil-fuel combustion(7.2%)were the major sources of ten elements (Al, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, As, and Pb) in PM2.5. Based on the results of health risk assessment of pollution sources, control measures on the metallurgy industry and fossil-fuel combustion should be further strengthened.

[Health Benefit Analyses of the Clean Air Action Plan Implementation in Shanghai].

To understand the public health benefits of the Clean Air Action Plan implemented in Shanghai from 2013-2017, the changes of the PM2.5 exposure levels and related health and economic benefits were quantitatively evaluated by using air quality numerical modeling, health risk assessment, and environmental valuation methods. The results show that the proportion of the population exposed to a mean annual PM2.5 concentration lower than or equal to 35 µg·m-3 has increased from 1.62% in the base year to 34.06% in the control year. The death risk attributable to ambient PM2.5 exposure decreased from 15.2% in the base year to 11.9% in the control year. The total health benefits are approximately 11.841 billion RMB(95% CI:5.024-17.819 billion RMB), accounting for 0.55%(95% CI:0.23%-0.82%)of Shanghai's GDP in 2013. The implementation of the action plan has a positive effect on the protection of the health of the population. Health benefits in areas with dense populations and high PM2.5 declines are more pronounced within the outer ring line of Shanghai City.

[Analysis of Non-polar Organic Compounds in PM2.5 by Rapid Thermo-desorption Method Coupled with GC/MS].

Non-polar organic compounds (NPOCs) associated with PM2.5 in the atmosphere were analyzed by automated thermo-desorption (TD) coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS). The analyses for a total of 72 NPOCs were reviewed, including 34 PAHs, one Debenzothiophene, 27 alkanes (C10-C34), 5 hopanes and 5 steranes. Through this improved TD method, operation of filter loadings, TD condition and sample introduction were optimized. The MDL were 0.01-1.0, 0.1-8.0 and 0.50-2.0 ng·m-3 for PAHs, alkanes, hopanes and steranes, respectively. Calibration curve linearities were above 0.9 for all compounds. The TD efficiencies were 95%-100% for PAHs, 81%-100% for alkanes and 83.1%-100% for hopanes and steranes. PM2.5 samples were pretreated by TD and ultrasonic extraction methods separately and analyzed by GC/MS in two laboratories. Results from these two methods were comparable, as the relative biases were less than 30% for most compounds. Analysis results of PM2.5 samples from Linan and Shanghai showed that NPOCs were higher in winter than that in summer. Alkanes were predominant among NPOCs, followed by PAHs. Source analysis by PAH characteristic ratios indicated that fossil fuel burning and coal burning were the main sources of NPOCs in the two sites during the sampling periods.

[WU Xiao-ren: an outstanding physician of acupuncture and moxibustion].

WU Xiao-ren devoted his whole life into acupuncture practice and education. During his 50 years clinical practice, teaching and researching, he focused on standardization and application of acupuncture manipulations. Through the integration of western and Chinese medicine as well as technique innovation, he developed new therapies for hypertension, stroke and various pain syndromes with the combination of acupuncture and materia medica and various acupoint prescription. He was against parochial prejudice by advocating absorption of others successful experiences and integration of different schools. Moreover, being conscientious and meticulous, WU Xiao-ren was always strict with his followers. He set up examples for his students with both precept and practice, and made great contribution to the inheritance of both acupuncture theory and practice.

Effects of electroacupuncture at auricular concha region on the depressive status of unpredictable chronic mild stress rat models.

To explore new noninvasive treatment options for depression, this study investigated the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at the auricular concha region (ACR) of depression rat models. Depression in rats was induced by unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) combined with isolation for 21 days. Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups: normal, UCMS alone, UCMS with EA-ACR treatment, and UCMS with EA-ear-tip treatment. Rats under inhaled anesthesia were treated once daily for 14 days. The results showed that blood pressure and heart rate were significantly reduced in the EA-ACR group than in the UCMS alone group or the EA-ear-tip group. The open-field test scores significantly decreased in the UCMS alone and EA-ear-tip groups but not in the EA-ACR group. Both EA treatments downregulated levels of plasma cortisol and ACTH in UCMS rats back to normal levels. The present study suggested that EA-ACR can elicit similar cardioinhibitory effects as vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), and EA-ACR significantly antagonized UCMS-induced depressive status in UCMS rats. The antidepressant effect of EA-ACR is possibly mediated via the normalization of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity.

[Composition and characteristics of volatile organic chemicals emission from printed circuit board factories].

Volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) emission were sampled and analyzed from three printed circuit board (PCB) factories in an industrial area in Shanghai. VOCs concentrations, compositions and source profiles were investigated. In September and December, the highest concentration of VOCs from manufacturing spaces in factory A, B and H were (2.94/2.01) x 10(-9), (3.18/1.11) x 10(-6), (0.70/0.18) x 10(-9), respectively; while for the VOCs from the vent of waste gases, they were (0.86/0.90) x 10(-9), (31.2/ 12.0) x 10(-6), (1.24/0.30) x 10(-9), respectively. Factory A total of 67 VOCs compounds of seven classes were detected, such as alkanes and its chlorine substitutes, alkene and its chlorine substitutes, benzene and its chlorine substitutes, ketone group, as well as ester. The highest concentrations in workshop/vent in A, B and H factories were 2-butanone 6.73 mg x m(-3)/2-methyl-n-hexane 5.93 mg x m(-3), ethyl acetate 8.90 mg x m(-3)/propane 9.64 mg x m(-3), and propone 2.04 mg x m(-3)/propone 1.69 mg x m(-3), respectively. With 100% detection rate, the highest and average concentrations of benzene, toluene and xylene of all sampling sites were 0.077 mg x m(-3)/ 0.035 mg x m(-3), 0.56 mg x m(-3)/0.31 mg x m(-3), 0.21 mg x m(-3)/0.12 mg x m(-3) (m-xylene + p-xylene) and 0.081 mg x m(-3)/0.050 mg x m(-3) (o-xylene), respectively. According to the results of source profiles and PCA analysis, benzene, toluene, xylene, acetone and 2-butanone could be defined as the molecular markers for A and B factories. For factory H, molecular markers were alkanes chlorine substitutes and alkene chlorine substitutes, as well as benzene and its chlorine substitutes. Non-point source was located in the workshops and the production lines. Point source pollution of VOCs was from the vent of waste gases.

[Effect of electroacupuncture stimulation of auricular concha region at different time-points on behavior changes in depression rats].

UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of auricular concha region (ACR) on behavior changes of depression rats. METHODS: A total of 80 male Wistar rats were randomized into depression model (model, n = 6), EA-ACR (n = 12), preventive EA-ACR (Pre-EA-ACR, n = 11) and EA-ear-tip (n = 12) groups. Depression model was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress for 21 days and isolated breeding. Open-field test and sucrose solution intake preference test were conducted to assess changes of the rats' behavior activities before modeling and on day 22, 36 and 50 after starting model. For rats of the pre-EA-ACR group, EA (2 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to the bilateral auricular concha area for 20 min, once daily for 14 days, beginning from the 8th day on after starting model preparation till the end of the modeling, and for rats of the EA-ACR and EA-ear-tip groups, EA was given to the bilateral ACR and ear-tips respectively, beginning after modeling, once daily for 14 days. RESULTS: In comparison with pre-modeling, the percentages of sucrose solution consumption in rats of the model group decreased gradually from day 22 to 50 (P > 0.05). Compared with the model group,the percentage of sucrose solution consumption in the EA-ACR group was increased significantly on day 50 (P < 0.05), suggesting an inhibitory effect of EA on the reduction of sucrose intake preference at this time-point. No significant differences were found between the pre-EA-ACR and the model groups and between the EA-ear-tip and model groups as well as between the EA-ACR and model groups at most time-points (P > 0.05). Open-field test showed that in comparison with pre-modeling in the same one group, the total scores, crossing and rearing scores on day 22 were decreased considerably in the model and EA-ear-tip groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), rather than in the pre-EA-ACR and EA-ARC groups (P > 0.05), suggesting a suppressing effect of pre-EA-ACR and EA-ACR on depression behavior. Compared to day 22 in the same one group, the total scores, crossing and rearing scores on day 36 and 50 in the pre-EA-ACR and EA-ear-tip groups were decreased significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: EA of auricular concha region can restrain the development of depression behavioral status in depression rats, which is superior to that of EA of ear-tip.

Distribution, sources, and potential risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in drinking water resources from Henan Province in middle of China.

Distribution and risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in drinking water resources have been carried out for the first time in Henan Province, China. Water samples collected from four river systems and their tributaries, as well as groundwater resources, were analyzed according to EPA method 525.2. Total of 68 water samples were collected in 18 cities in Henan province in May, August and November, 2001. Concentrations of sum of 16 priority PAHs in water samples ranged from 15 to 844 ng/L with a mean value of 178 +/- 210 ng/L (n = 68). The spatial and temporal distribution of PAHs showed that the Huanghe and the Huaihe river systems had relatively higher concentrations of total PAHs. Higher concentrations of total PAHs were observed in August and November than in May, with respective mean values of 262, 232 and 33.6 ng/L. Ratios of Ant/(Ant + Phe) and Flur/(Flur + Pyr) were calculated to evaluate the possible sources of PAH contamination, which indicated that the coal combustion sources were the main contributors to PAHs in most drinking water resources. Some petrogenic (or pyrolytic) sources of PAHs were also found. The toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) were used to calculate benzo[a]pyrene equivalents (BaPE) for water samples. The average value of BaPE was 0.6 ng/L. The values in most stations were much lower than the guideline values in drinking water of Chinese Environmental Protection Agency (CEPA, 2.8 ng/L) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA, 200 ng/L). Overall, the drinking water resources in Henan province showed some carcinogenic potential.

[Correlation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM10- phoenix tree leaves-soil system of a coking & chemical factory in Shanghai].

In order to study the distributions characteristics, sources and relationship of PAHs in PM10- phoenix tree leaves-soil system of a coking & chemical factory in Shanghai, the samples of PM10, phoenix tree leaves and soil around the factory were collected for a year. The concentration of PAHs were analyzed according to the USEPA method 8 000 series. The results showed that the average concentration of PAHs in PM10, phoenix tree leaves and soil were 101.11 ng/m3, 79.45 ng/g and 121.53 microg/g, respectively. Particulate phase (PM10) contained mainly carcinogenic and mutagenic PAHs, among which BaA, BghiP, Flu and BaP were found at significant concentrations. In phoenix tree leaves, Nap,Chy, BaP and BghiP presented a higher level of concentration. In soil, 3 and 4-ring PAHs presented a higher level. PAHs concentrations of phoenix tree leaves were very lower in May. Only Ace (0.16 ng/g) and Pyr (0.63 ng/g) were detected. In July and August the concentrations (39.19 ng/g and 150.94 ng/g, respectively) were uplifted significantly. It could be concluded PAHs was from petroleum and coal-fired compound source. There were very strong positive relationships of 16 PAHs level among phoenix tree leaves, soil and PM10 (p < 0.01).