Emission factors and source profiles of VOCs emitted from coke production in Shanxi, China.

Coking plants in China generate a substantial amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The emission factors (EFs) of VOCs from coking plants are not well known, and thus, this study characterized the VOCs in the emissions from four coking plants in Shanxi, China. The EFs of VOCs from different stages of the coking process were calculated, and coal charging exhibited the highest EFs of VOCs, followed by the flue gases from combustion of coke oven gas, wastewater treatment, coke pushing and chemical byproduct recycling. The VOCs in emissions differed by coking process. Alkanes, aromatics and alkenes were the main VOCs emitted during the coking, wastewater treatment and chemical byproduct recycling processes, respectively. To effectively control the contribution of VOCs from coking processes to secondary organic aerosols and ozone formation, attention should be given to wastewater treatment and coal loading processes. The mean annual weight of VOCs emitted from coking plants in China from 2019 to 2021 was estimated to be 32.91 Gg with coking, chemical byproduct recycling, and wastewater treatment processes accounting for 91.34%, 7.85%, and 0.80% of total VOCs, respectively. An uneven spatial distribution of VOCs emissions in China was identified, with Shanxi, Shaanxi, Hebei, Inner Mongolia and Shandong being the largest contributors.

Characterization and emission factors of carbonaceous aerosols originating from coke production in China.

Coking is a substantial source of carbonaceous aerosols in China, but the emission characteristics and pollution levels of coking-produced organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) remain unknown, causing considerable uncertainty in emission estimates. In this study, the emission factors of OC (EFOC) and EC (EFEC) of typical coking plants in Shanxi, China, were measured. The measured EFEC and EFOC from fugitive emissions (7.43 and 9.54 g/t) were significantly higher than those from flue gas (1.67 and 3.71 g/t). The technological conditions of coke production affect the emissions of OC and EC. For example, the total emissions from coke plants that use 3.2-m-high coke ovens were greater than those from plants that use 4.3- and 6-m-high ovens. The EFOC and EFEC for plants conducting stamp charging were considerably higher than those for plants using top charging. The stable carbon isotopes of total carbon (δ13CTC), OC (δ13COC), and EC (δ13CEC) for fly ash during coking were -23.74‰ to -24.17‰, -23.32‰ to -23.87‰, and -23.84‰ to -24.14‰, respectively, and no clear isotopic fractionation was found during coke production. Different EC/OC ratios from different emission pathways and the carbon isotope signature of coke production should be considered when investigating the sources of carbonaceous aerosols. The total estimated EC and OC emissions from coke production in China were 3.93 and 5.72 Gg in 2017, and Shanxi, Hebei, and Shaanxi made the largest contributions.

ClC-5 alleviates renal fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction mice.

Renal fibrosis is the major feature of end-stage renal disease with high mortality. Chloride (Cl-) moving along Cl- channels has been suggested to play to an important role in renal function. This study aims to investigate the role of ClC-5 in renal fibrosis in unilateral ureteral occlusion (UUO) mice. C57BL/6 mice received UUO surgery followed by delivery of adeno-associated virus encoding ClC-5 cDNA (AAVClC-5). Western blotting, real-time PCR and histological analysis were used to investigate the effects of ClC-5 on renal fibrosis and underlying mechanisms. The expression of ClC-5 was significantly decreased in renal cortex of UUO mice and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1)-stimulated HK2 cells. Overexpression of ClC-5 in vivo markedly ameliorated UUO-induced renal injury and fibrosis. The increased expressions of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1, connective tissue growth factor, collagen III and collagen IV were also inhibited by ClC-5 upregulation. Moreover, UUO-induced immune cell infiltration and inflammatory cytokines release were attenuated in mice infected with AAVClC-5. In addition, the in vivo and in vitro results showed that ClC-5 overexpression prevented epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), concomitantly with a restoration of E-cadherin expression and a decrease of vimentin, α-SMA and S100A4 expressions. Furthermore, ClC-5 overexpression inhibited UUO- or TGF-ß1-induced increase in nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) acetylation and matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) expression. However, downregulation of ClC-5 in HK2 cells further potentiated TGF-ß1-induced EMT and increase in NF-κB acetylation and MMP-9 expression. ClC-5 upregulation ameliorates renal fibrosis via inhibiting NF-κB/MMP-9 pathway signaling activation, suggesting that ClC-5 may be a novel therapeutic target for treating renal fibrosis and chronic kidney disease.

Health risk assessment of toxic VOCs species for the coal fire well drillers.

In this study, the health risk of toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) species for well drillers, working at an exposure site around a well of underground coal fire site, was presented in a case of Shanxi province. The samples were collected by Teflon sampling bags and measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that isopropyl alcohol was the most abundant compound of VOCs, with the geometric mean concentrations of 1700.38 µg/m(3). The geometric mean concentrations of individual BTEX compounds obtained in all of the sampling campaign were 131.64, 10.15, 15.53, and 25.38 µg/m(3) for benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene, and xylenes, respectively. Relative proportion of BTEX averaged as 8.5:0.7:1:1.6. High B/T ratio (13.0) and low T/E ratio (0.7) was observed in this study. For non-cancer risk in this study, the hazardous quotient (HQ) of 1,2-dibromoethane, 1,3-butadiene, and benzene was 17.91, 1.71, and 43.88, respectively, mean their non-cancer risk was at the level of definite concern. The HQ sum of 20 VOCs was 64.94, much higher than 1. The cancer risk values of benzene (7.01E-04), 1,2-dibromoethane (1.91E-04), carbon tetrachloride (1.55E-04), and 1,3-butadiene (1.09E-04) were greater than 10(-4), indicating that they were all definite risk. The total cancer risk of all VOCs species was 1.39E-03, almost 14 times more than the level of definite risk. The stochastic exposure assessment of all VOCs species total cancer risk using the Monte Carlo simulation analysis shows that 5 and 95 % cancer risks were predicted to be 7.60E-04 and 2.75E-03, respectively. The cancer risk for all VOCs species is unacceptable. The results of sensitivity analysis show that benzene, carbon tetrachloride, and 1,3-butadiene exposure account for more than 98 % contributions to the estimated risk for drillers, indicating that those VOCs species exposure has greater impact than other species on risk assessment. Both combined effects and independent effects of each VOCs species have to be considered.

[Characteristic of elements in PM2.5 and health risk assessment of heavy metals during heating season in Taiyuan].

The fine particulate matter (PM2.5) sampled during heating season in Taiyuan city and nineteen samples were used to investigate elemental concentrations and its source potential ecological risks of heavy metals, and to assess human exposure and health risk. The result indicated that main elements were Si, Ca, Al, Na, Mg, K, Fe in PM2.5. The main sources of elements in PM2.5 were divided into five categories including soil dust (43.46%), coal burning (15.69%), vehicle emission (13.41%), industrial dust (9.89%) and the construction cement dust (9.03%). Moreover, the order of potential ecological risk index of heavy metals in PM2.5 was Cd > Ni > Hg > Pb > Cu > Zn > As > Co > Cr > Mn, and the ecological hazards were high. The main exposure of heavy metals in atmosphere was respiratory inhalation . The exposure quantity for children was significantly higher than that for adult. The hazard index values suggested a potential non-carcinogenic risk in PM2.5.

[Aerosol size distribution of organic carbon and elemental carbon on the top of coke oven and in the plant area].

In order to investigate the characteristic of organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) in particles on the top of coke oven and in the plant area, the particle matter samples of five size fraction including < or = 1.4 microm, 1.4-2.1 microm, 2.1-4.2 microm, 4.2-10.2 microm and > or = 10.2 microm were collected using Staplex234 cascade impactor, and OC and EC were analyzed by Elementar Analysensysteme GmbH vario EL cube. The mass concentrations of OC and EC associated with TSP on the top of coke oven were 291.6 microg x m(-3) and 255.1 microg x m(-3), while those in the plant area were 377.8 microg x m(-3) and 151.7 microg x m(-3). The mass concentration of secondary organic carbon (SOC) in particles with size of < or = 1.4 microm was 147.3 microg x m(-3) in the plant area. The value of OC/EC in particles less than 2.1 microm was 1.3 on the top of coke oven. The mass concentration of EC in TSP in the plant area was lower than that on the top of coke oven, while the mass concentration of OC in the plant area was significantly higher than that on the top of coke oven. The mass concentrations of OC and EC associated with particles less than 10.2 microm in the plant area were far higher than those in the atmosphere of area where the coke plant is located. The OC and EC in particles, which were collected both on the top of coke oven and in the plant area, were mainly enriched in fine particles. The size distribution of OC showed a clear distinction between the coke oven top and the plant area, which revealed that OC in the plant area was more preferably enriched in fine particles than that on the top of coke oven, and the same size distribution of EC was found on the top of coke oven and in the plant area. In the plant area, the mass concentration of SOC and the contribution of SOC to OC increased with the decreasing diameter in particles with diameter of less than 10.2 microm.

[Characterization of PAHs in fly ashes from coke production].

In order to investigate the characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in ashes from coking, PAHs in ashes from three coke production plants were analyzed with GC-MS, and the distribution characteristics of PAHs and potential toxicity risk were discussed. The sum of 16 EPA prior PAHs varied from 8.17 x 10(2) to 5.17 x 10(3) microg x g(-1). PAH contents from the coke oven (stamp charging) with the height of 3.2 m were two times higher than those from the one (top charging) with the height of 6.0 m, and PAHs in ashes from coal charging were significantly higher than those from coke pushing in the same plant. Four-ring and five-ring PAHs were the dominant species in ashes from coking and the sum of them accounted for more than 80.00% of total PAHs. Chrysene (Chr), benzo [a] anthracene (BaA) and benzo [b] fluoranthene (BbF) were abundant in all ash samples. The content of total BaP-based toxic equivalency (BaPeq) ranged from 1.64 x 10(2) to 9.57 x 10(2) microg x g(-1). From the carcinogenic point of view, besides benzo [a] pyrene (BaP), dibenz [a,h] anthracene (DbA) contributed most to the overall toxicity of PAHs, followed by BaA and BbF. BaPeq concentration from coal charging was 5.21-fold higher than that from coke pushing, indicating that different reuse ways should be considered based on their specific toxicity profiles of PAHs.

Evaluation of the new classification and surgical strategy for myasthenia gravis.

The aim of this study was to discuss the new methods of clinical classification and staging of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) proposed by our group and to summarize the experiences of surgical treatment of MG with a novel incision by cutting the sternum cross-sectionally at the second intercostal level. A retrospective analysis was made for the clinical data from the patients with MG who underwent thymectomy from July 1988 to May 2009. The surgical procedures were designed into three groups, a group with Osserman classification and median incision of the sternum (Group 1), a group with MGFA typing (Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America) and a small transverse sternal incision at the second intercostal level (Group 2), and a group with new typing and a smaller transverse sternal incision at the second intercostal level (Group 3). Observation of the clinical typing and staging was made in the patients with myasthenia crisis. The parameters such as procedure duration in Group 2 and 3 was significantly lower than those in Group 1 (P < 0.05). The incidence of myasthenia crisis in Group 3 was significantly lower than that in Groups 2 and 3 (P < 0.05). The procedure with a smaller transverse sternal incision at the second intercostal level (Group 3) is a safer method for patients with MG. The combination of this procedure with the new typing and staging methods proposed by our group could facilitate the selection of operation indications and opportunity, resulting in the lower incidence of myasthenia crisis and mortality. Our new procedure is well deserved to be a preferential selection by other hospitals.

A novel agonistic anti-human death receptor 5 monoclonal antibody with tumoricidal activity induces caspase- and mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis in human leukemia Jurkat cells.

An agonistic antibody against TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand death receptor 5 (DR5) is a practicable candidate drug for antitumor therapy. In this study, a novel murine anti-human DR5 monoclonal antibody, mDRA-6(IgG1-κ), has been generated. This study aimed to explore the caspase-dependent and mitochondrial mechanisms of mDRA-6 in inducing apoptosis in human leukemia Jurkat cells. The apoptotic effects of mDRA-6 on Jurkat cells, which express DR5 on the cell surface, were detected by flow cytometry and western blot after exposure to different doses of mDRA-6 and at fixed doses of mDRA-6 at different times. It was demonstrated that mDRA-6 can induce Jurkat cell apoptosis via caspase- and mitochondrial-dependent pathways. These results indicate that the novel antibody mDRA-6 against DR5 has an antitumor function and may provide a new reagent for tumor therapy.

[Synergistic lethal effect of mDRA-6 and nimesulide on human hepatocellular cancer cell line SMMC-7721].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Both mDRA-6, a monoclonal antibody of death receptor 5 (DR5) in human cells prepared by our key laboratory, and nimesulide, a specific cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, can induce apoptosis of some malignant tumor cells. This study was to investigate the lethal effects of mDRA-6 and nimesulide on human hepatocellular cancer cell line SMMC-7721, and explore the possible mechanism. METHODS: The expression of DR5 on SMMC-7721 cells was detected by flow cytometry (FCM). SMMC-7721 cells were treated with mDRA-6 and nimesulide alone or in combination. Cell morphology was observed under microscope with Hoechst33258 staining. Cytotoxicity was examined by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was detected by FCM. RESULTS: The positive rate of DR5 on SMMC-7721 cells was 95.0%. The apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells could be induced by both mDRA-6 and nimesulide: the apoptosis rates were 10.5% when treated with 25 ng/mL mDRA-6 for 12 h, 35.0% when treated with 1 600 ng/mL mDRA-6, 5.0% when treated with 200 micromol/L nimesulide, and 34.0% when treated with 800 micromol/L nimesulide. The combination of mDRA-6 and nimesulide exhibited synergistic effect on the apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells (q=1.23): the apoptosis rates were 31.2% when treated with 200 micromol/L nimesulide and 25 ng/mL mDRA-6 for 12 h, and 91.1% when treated with 200 micromol/L nimesulide and 1 600 ng/mL mDRA-6 for 12 h. CONCLUSIONS: Both mDRA-6 and nimesulide can induce the apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells. The combination of mDRA-6 and nimesulide exhibits synergistic lethal effect on SMMC-7721 cells.

[Leukemic cell apoptosis induced by anti-human DR5 monoclonal antibody mDRA-6].

AIM: To investigate the apoptotic effect of anti-human DR5 (death receptor 5 of TRAIL) monoclonal antibody mDRA-6 on leukemic cells. METHODS: The morphological changes of leukemic cells were observed by fluorescence microscope. The cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of mDRA-6 on Jurkat, HL-60 and K562 cells were detected by MTT analysis and flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. RESULTS: Chromatin condensation, budding and apoptotic bodies were observed in Jurkat and HL-60 cells treated by mDRA-6. Death and apoptosis of leukemic cells treated by mDRA-6 were increased, but the effect of mDRA-6 on K562 cells was not obvious. CONCLUSION: Apoptosis of leukemic cells can be induced by anti-human DR5 monoclonal antibody mDRA-6. Different leukemic cell lines are of different sensitivity to mDRA-6.

[Adriamycin enhances anti-human DR5 monoclonal antibody (mDRA-6) induced HL-60 cells apoptosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate synergistic killing effect of anti-human DR5 (death receptor 5 of TRAIL) monoclonal antibody (mDRA-6) and adriamycin(Adr) on HL-60 cells. METHODS: mDRA-6 was prepared by immunizing BALB/c mice with DR5 protein. DR5 expression on Adr-treated HL-60 cells was detected by flow cytometry. Morphologic changes of HL-60 cells were observed under fluorescence microscope. Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of mDRA-6 and Adr on HL-60 cells were measured by MTT analysis. DNA fragmentation was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Adr induce DR5 expression on HL-60 cells. Cell budding, chromatin condensation and apoptotic body formation were observed in HL-60 cells treated by mDRA-6 and Adr. Death and apoptosis of these cells and DNA ladder were exhibited on agarose gel electrophoresis. CONCLUSION: mDRA-6 and Adr have synergistic killing effect on HL-60 cells.

[Cytotoxic mechanism of anti-human death receptor 5 monoclonal antibody mDRA-6].

AIM: To investigate the cytotoxic action and its mechanism of a novel anti-human DR5 monoclonal antibody (mAb mDRA-6). METHODS: The cytotoxic action of mAb mDRA-6 on Jurkat cells and the effects of inhibitors of caspase 8 and caspase 9 on apoptosis of Jurkat cells induced with mAb mDRA-6 were detected by flow cytometry. The effects of mAb mDRA-6 on the morpha of Jurkat cells was observed by fluorescence microscope. The apoptosis of Jurkat cells was detected by flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The DNA fragmentation in Jurkat cells was analysed by agrose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: mAb mDRA-6 exerted cytotoxicity on Jurkat cells in dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. Jurkat cells treated with mDRA-6 exhibited typical apoptostic features in morphology, namely, membrane crenation, bubbling, chromatin condensation, and formation of apoptotic bodies. The flow cytometry analysis showed that phosphatidylserine (PS) was highly expressed in Jurkat cells treated with mDRA-6. Agrose gel electrophoresis indicated that DNA fragmentation occurred in Jurkat cells. Inhibitor of caspase 8 inhibited the apoptosis of Jurkat cells induced with mDRA-6 while Inhibitor of caspase 9 showed less effect. CONCLUSION: mDRA-6 may exert cytotoxicity by inducing Jurkat cell apoptosis through signal transduction pathway of death receptors, which may be a useful tool in treating tumors with DR5 as target molecule and exploring the functional domain of DR5.

[Preparation and characterization of monoclonal antibody against DR5].

AIM: To prepare monoclonal antibodies(mAb) against DR5 and characterize their properties. METHODS: BALB/c mice were immunized with DR5, and then mAb was prepared by hybridoma technique. Ig subclass and specificity of mAbs was analyzed by ELISA and flow cytometry, respectively. The titres of mAbs in ascitic fluid, relative affinity and epitopes recognized by mAbs were determined by indirect ELISA. RESULTS: Four hybridoma cell lines secreting anti DR5 mAbs were obtained. Their Ig subclass belonged to IgG1. The titers of 4 mAbs in ascitic fluid were 1x10(-4) - 5x10(-6). Affinity constant of mAbs were 1x10(9). They recognized 2 different epitopes on DR5 molecule. CONCLUSION: Four mAbs against DR5 are prepared successfully, which provides useful reagent for clinical diagnosis and further research.

Clinical observation on treatment of 2,062 cases of immune infertility with integration of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine.

To study the therapeutic effect of integrated traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine on female immune infertility. 3,496 women suffering from primary or secondary infertility had their ASAb, EMAb, AOAb and ACAb level tested, with the positive rate of 23.11%, 34.95%, 20.77% and 30.41% respectively. 2,062 positive cases were periodically treated with the Chinese drug Xiaokangwan plus dexamethasone, vitamin E and vitamin C for 2 periods as a course of treatment. At the end of a treatment course, the rate for the antibodies to turn negative reached over 85% and the average pregnant rate reached 36.66%. The treatment of immune infertility with the integrated approach can reduce or eliminate the influence of antibodies in the serum of patients on various links of pregnancy, thus reaching the goal of curing infertility.