[Spatio-temporal Change in City-level Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste Sector in China During the Last Decade and Its Potential Mitigation].

The waste sector is a significant source of greenhouse gas(GHG) emissions and clarifying its emission trends and characteristics is the premise for formulating GHG emission reduction strategies. Using the IPCC inventory model, the GHG emissions from the municipal solid waste(MSW) sector in China during 2010 to 2020 were estimated. The results showed that GHG emissions increased from 42.5 Mt in 2010 to 75.3 Mt in 2019, then decreased to 72.1 Mt in 2020. MSW landfills were the main source of GHG emissions. Further, with the increase in the proportion of waste incineration, the proportion of GHG incineration increased rapidly from 16.5% in 2010 to 60.1% in 2020. In terms of regional distribution, East and South China were the regions with the highest emissions, and Guangdong, Shandong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang were the provinces with the largest GHG emissions. Implementing MSW classification, changing the MSW disposal modes from landfilling to incineration, improving the LFG collection efficiency of landfills, and using biological functional materials as the cover soil to strengthen the methane oxidation efficiency are the main measures to achieve GHG emission reduction in waste sectors.

Inhibition of DRP1-dependent mitochondrial fission by Mdivi-1 alleviates atherosclerosis through the modulation of M1 polarization.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation and immune dysfunction with classically activated macrophages(M1) infiltration are important mechanisms in the progression of atherosclerosis (AS). Dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1)-dependent mitochondrial fission is a novel target for alleviating inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effects of DRP1 inhibitor Mdivi-1 on AS. METHODS: ApoE-/- mice were fed with a high-fat diet supplemented with or without Mdivi-1. RAW264.7 cells were stimulated by ox-LDL, pretreated with or without MCC950, Mito-TEMPO, or Mdivi-1. The burden of plaques and foam cell formation were determined using ORO staining. The blood lipid profles and inflammatory cytokines in serum were detected by commercial kits and ELISA, respectively. The mRNA expression of macrophage polarization markers, activation of NLRP3 and the phosphorylation state of DRP1 were detected. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mito-ROS), mitochondrial staining, ATP level and mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by mito-SOX, MitoTracker, ATP determination kit and JC-1 staining, respectively. RESULTS: In vivo, Mdivi-1 reduced the plaque areas, M1 polarization, NLRP3 activation and DRP1 phosphorylation at Ser616. In vitro, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) triggered M1 polarization, NLRP3 activation and abnormal accumulation of mito-ROS. MCC950 and Mito-TEMPO suppressed M1 polarization mediated foam cell formation. Mito-TEMPO significantly inhibited NLRP3 activation. In addition, Mdivi-1 reduced foam cells by inhibiting M1 polarization. The possible mechanisms responsible for the anti-atherosclerotic effects of Mdivi-1 on reducing M1 polarization were associated with suppressing mito-ROS/NLRP3 pathway by inhibiting DRP1 mediated mitochondrial fission. In vitro, similar results were observed by DRP1 knockdown. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of DRP1-dependent mitochondrial fission by Mdivi-1 alleviated atherogenesis via suppressing mito-ROS/NLRP3-mediated M1 polarization, indicating DRP1-dependent mitochondrial fission as a potential therapeutic target for AS.

Indirect Ventral Brainstem Decompression by Posterior C1-C2 Distraction and Fixation for Basilar Invagination.

OBJECTIVE: Basilar invagination usually shows a decrease of clivus axis angle (CAA), which could give rise to progressive neural compression. Exploring a safe and effective fixation technique to achieve atlantoaxial stability and neural decompression remains necessary. In this study, we introduce a modified posterior C1-C2 distraction and fixation technique by which we obtained indirect ventral neural decompression and atlantoaxial stability in a series of patients with decreased CAA. METHODS: Thirty patients of basilar invagination were enrolled in our series. All patients underwent thin-slice computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging, and dynamic plain radiography examinations before surgery, at discharge and during the follow-ups. Posterior C1-C2 facet joint release and intraoperative reduction by fastening rods were performed in all patients. The CAA was measured on midsagittal CT scans. Patients' neurologic status was evaluated by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score. RESULTS: No neurovascular injury and serious postoperative complication occurred in all patients. Complete ventral brainstem decompression was achieved in 20 patients and partial in 10 patients. The mean postoperative CAA significantly improved to 132.6 degrees compared with the preoperative 123.6 degrees (P < 0.01). The bone fusion was confirmed in all patients on the basis of the last follow-up spine CT scans. CONCLUSIONS: Indirect ventral brainstem decompression by posterior C1-C2 distraction and fixation is a safe and effective technique for treatment of basilar invagination.

Serum exosomal microRNA-146a as a novel diagnostic biomarker for acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as potential biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases. However, few studies have focused on the role of exosomal miRNAs in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The purpose of this study was to explore weather serum exosomal microRNA-146a (exo-miR-146a) could be used as a novel diagnostic biomarker for ACS and to investigate its relationship with inflammatory response. METHODS: A total of 63 ACS patients and 25 patients with normal coronary arteries (Control) were enrolled respectively. The serum exosomes were isolated and then identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), western blot, and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). The expression levels of exo-miR-146a in serum were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and the expression levels of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in serum were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Spearman's correlation analysis was used to appraise the potential factors related to serum exo-miR-146a and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was applied for predicting the accuracy of ACS via the area under curve (AUC). RESULTS: Exosomes isolated from serum were of typical cup-like shape, with 50-150 nm diameter, and expressed CD9, CD63, CD81, and HSP70. The expression levels of serum exo-miR-146a, IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α were significantly increased in ACS patients compared with the control group, Spearman's correlation analysis indicated that exo-miR-146a expression was markedly positively correlated with IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α. The ROC curve analyses revealed that exo-miR-146a could distinguish ACS patients from their normal controls. CONCLUSIONS: The serum exo-miR-146a may be used as a novel diagnostic biomarker for ACS patients, and it is also associated with inflammatory response.

A Supplemental Technique for Preoperative Evaluation of Giant Intracranial Aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative planning mainly relies on digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and computed tomography angiography. However, neither technique can reveal thrombi in giant intracranial aneurysms (GIAs). In this study, we aimed to reconstruct the circulating and noncirculating parts of GIAs with the time-of-flight (TOF) and motion-sensitized driven-equilibrium (MSDE) sequences with 3D Slicer to reveal an integrated presentation of GIAs, compare its accuracy, and validate the usefulness for preoperative planning. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with GIAs who were treated with microsurgery in our department were included in this study. Both the TOF and MSDE sequence data for each patient were loaded into 3D Slicer for reconstruction and segmentation. The parameters measured by 3D Slicer were compared with those measured by DSA. RESULTS: The mean diameter for all GIAs was 28.7 ± 1.5 mm (range, 25.9-31.9 mm). The mean diameter for all GIAs measured by DSA and 3D Slicer was 24.46 ± 5.25 and 28.66 ± 1.48 mm, respectively (t = 4.948, p < 0.01). When only the nonthrombotic GIAs were included, the mean diameter measured by DSA and 3D Slicer was 28.69 ± 2.03 and 28.97 ± 1.79 mm, respectively (t = 1.023, p = 0.323). The mean aneurysmal volume was 8,292.6 ± 1,175.1 mm3 and the mean thrombotic volume was 3,590.0 ± 1,003.7 mm3. CONCLUSION: The MSDE sequence brings diagnostic benefits as a comparison to other MRI sequences. Reconstruction of GIAs with 3D Slicer is a low-cost, dependable, and useful supplemental technique for surgical planning.

Long noncoding RNA XIST regulates the EGF receptor to promote TGF-ß1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study focuses on the lncRNA XIST (X inactive-specific transcript), an lncRNA involved in multiple human cancers, and investigates the functional significance of XIST and the molecular mechanisms underlying the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in pancreatic cancer (PC). METHODS: Clinical specimens from 25 patients as well as 5 human PC cell lines were analyzed for XIST, YAP, and microRNA(miR)-34a by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. To investigate how XIST influences cell proliferation, invasiveness, and apoptosis in PC, we performed the CCK-8 assays, Transwell assays, and flow cytometry. Luciferase reporter assays, qRT-PCR, and Western blot were applied to prove that miR-34a directly binds to XIST. RESULTS: Up-regulation of XIST and Yes associated protein (YAP) and down-regulation of miR-34a were consistently observed in the clinical specimens and PC cell lines. Silencing XIST reduced the expression of YAP and suppressed transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1-induced EMT, while over-expression of XIST increased the expression of YAP and promoted EMT. In addition, inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) hampered the XIST-promoted EMT. The results from the luciferase reporter assays confirmed that miR-34a directly targets XIST and suggested that XIST regulates cell proliferation, invasiveness, and apoptosis in PC by sponging miR-34a. CONCLUSIONS: XIST promotes TGF-ß1-induced EMT by regulating the miR-34a-YAP-EGFR axis in PC.

Change of Anatomical Location of the Internal Carotid Artery Relative to the Atlas with Congenital Occipitalization and the Relevant Clinical Implications.

INTRODUCTION: The occipitalization of the atlas (OA) is always associated with multiplanar dislocation and olisthy of the C1 over C2 facets, which may change the anatomical relationship between the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the atlas. The purpose of this current study is to identify the location of the ICA relative to the anterior aspect of the atlas in patients with OA and define the clinical implications for screw placement. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the computed tomography angiography data of 86 patients with OA and 86 control subjects. Several parameters were also measured to quantitatively evaluate the mutual relationship. RESULTS: In the OA group, 25.6% of ICAs were located in area 3 and 74.4% in area 2, whereas the percentages were 57.4% and 42.6%, respectively, in the control group. There were 73 (42.4%) ICAs in which the shortest distance between the dorsal surface of the ICA and the ventral cortex of the atlas was less than 4 mm in the OA group and only 50 (29.1%) in the control group. The ideal angulation of C1 screw trajectory was about 5 degrees more medial in the OA group than that in the control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of ICA injury is much higher in OA patients than in non-OA patients during the C1 screw placement. A mean medial angulation about 20 degrees will permit a long and safe screw purchase, but should be individualized. We recommend careful preoperative computed tomography angiography evaluation in all patients before surgery.

The Special Considerations in the Surgical Management of Proximal Anterior Cerebral Artery Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Proximal anterior cerebral artery (A1) aneurysms are difficult to clip because of their frequent proximity to perforators, location behind the parent artery, or adherence to surrounding structures. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of patients with A1 aneurysms and report the clinical status, radiologic findings, treatment methods, and outcome. RESULTS: This series included 19 male and 12 female patients with a mean age of 50 years. The morphology of the A1 aneurysms was fusiform in 2 patients and saccular in the remaining 29 patients. Multiple aneurysms were presented in 9 patients (29.0%). On admission, 26 patients (83.9%) presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage, 3 of whom had an additional intracerebral hematoma. All surgeries were performed with a standard pteriomal craniotomy. The mean Glasgow Outcome Scale score at final follow-up was 4.8 (interquartile range, 5, 5), with 26 patients (83.9%) rated as 5. The mean follow-up time was 38.5 months (range, 12-60 months). CONCLUSIONS: A1 aneurysms are rare but have their own complex characteristics and are difficult to treat. Meticulous analysis of the relevant angiographs is needed for their diagnosis. An important consideration in surgery is the preservation of perforators and prevention of rupture. Wide opening of the sylvian fissure and temporary control of the parent artery can facilitate dissection of the A1 aneurysms dome. Multiple intraoperative monitoring methods, such as microvascular Doppler ultrasonography and somatosensory and motor evoked potential monitoring, can reduce the relevant complications of surgery.

Maternal genetic backgrounds contribute to the genetic susceptibility of tongue cancer patients in Hunan, central of China.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations played crucial roles on affecting the susceptibility to cancer. In this study, to investigate whether mitochondrial DNA mutations contributed to the genetic susceptibility of Chinese tongue cancer patients, mtDNA control regions of 105 Chinese tongue cancer patients were amplified and sequenced, the mutations were recorded by comparing with the revised Cambridge Reference Sequence (rCRS), which were attributed to certain mtDNA haplogroups based on the specific variations motif of each patients. The Miao Chinese group (a Chinese ethnic minority) from surrounding region has no essential difference with tongue cancer group, which was taken as the matched control group with principal component analysis by taking the haplogroups frequency of 105 tongue cancer individuals and 354 healthy individuals of eight groups from the similar geographic regions as input factors. This was supported by the smallest genetic distance between tongue cancer and Miao_2 groups. Further, the statistical analysis based on mtDNA variations of hypervariable sequence I (HVSI) indicated that 13 variations including 16,124, 16,148, 16,182C, 16,183C, 16,227, 16,266A, 16,249, 16,272, 16,291, 16,327, 16,335, 16,497, and 16,519 have significant differences between tongue cancer group and matched control group. Comparison of mtDNA haplogroups between tongue cancer and control groups indicated that mtDNA haplogroups C, F2*, and M10 have significant differences. It's worth noting that 16,327 and 16,291 was the defining variation of haplogroups C and F2*, respectively. Our results suggested that mitochondrial DNA may play a crucial role for the maternal genetic susceptibility of tongue cancer patients from Hunan, central of China.

Synthesis and Characterization of a Rosmarinic Acid Derivative that Targets Mitochondria and Protects against Radiation-Induced Damage In Vitro.

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role in gamma-radiation-induced mediating oxidative stress. Scavenging radiation-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) can help mitochondria to maintain their physiological function. Rosmarinic acid is a polyphenol antioxidant that can scavenge radiation-induced ROS, but the structure prevents it from accumulating in mitochondria. In this study, we designed and synthesized a novel rosmarinic acid derivative (Mito-RA) that could use the mitochondrial membrane potential to enter the organelle and scavenge ROS. The DCFH-DA assay revealed that Mito-RA was more effective than rosmarinic acid at scavenging ROS. DNA double-strand breaks, chromosomal aberration, micronucleus and comet assays demonstrated the ability of Mito-RA to protect against radiation-induced oxidative stress in vitro. These findings demonstrate the potential of Mito-RA as an antioxidant, which can penetrate mitochondria, scavenge ROS and protect cells against radiation-induced oxidative damage.

[Surgical management of proximal anterior cerebral artery (A1) aneurysms].

OBJECTIVE: To review our experience in surgical management of proximal anterior cerebral artery (A1) aneurysms in 23 patients. METHODS: Between January, 2004 and December, 2014, 23 patients (1.6%) with A1 aneurysms diagnosed by CTA or DSA were treated surgically. The "3H" therapy was adopted for postoperative prevention of cerebrovascular spasm. All the patients were followed up and examined with cerebrovascular CTA at 6, 12, 48 and 60 months after the operation with their Glasgow Outcome Scale score recorded. RESULTS: The patients consisted of 15 men and 8 women with an age range of 16 to 72 years (mean 51.3 years). The average diameter of the aneurysms was 5.8 mm, ranging from 3.2 to 9.7 mm. Twenty-two saccular aneurysms were found in these patients; 21 patients presented with SAH and two had vascular malformation. All the A1 aneurysms were managed through the pterional approach, and the mean postoperative Glasgow Outcome Scale score was 4.8. CONCLUSION: Thorough analysis of the angiographic data is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of A1 aneurysms. Preservation of the perforators and prevention of aneurysm rupture are critical during the surgery. Full exposure of the Sylvian fissure and temporary occlusion of the parent artery ensures safe and effective dissection of A1 aneurysms.

Somatic mutations of mitochondrial genome in early stage breast cancer.

The complete mitochondrial genomes of the primary cancerous, matched paracancerous normal and distant normal tissues from 10 early-stage breast cancer patients were analyzed in this study, with special attempt (i) to investigate whether the reported high frequency of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) somatic mutations in breast cancer could be repeated under a stringent data quality control, and (ii) to characterize the spectrum of mtDNA somatic mutations in Chinese breast cancer patients and evaluate their potential significance in early cancer diagnosis. Two heteroplasmic somatic transitions (T2275C and A8601G) were identified in our samples. The transition A8601G was present in the primary cancerous and paracancerous normal tissues from patient no. 3. Transition T2275C was found in the primary cancerous tissue but not in other normal tissues from patient no. 6; this transition has been reported in the colonic crypts and is located at a highly conserved site in the 16S rRNA gene. Subsequent cloning sequencing confirmed the absence of both mutations in the distant normal tissues from the 2 patients. The overall rate of somatic mutations in our patients was much lower than those of previous studies of breast cancer. Our results gave support to the recent claim that the high frequency of mtDNA somatic mutations in cancer studies is overestimated. Based on the mtDNA mutation pattern in early stage breast cancer observed in this study, we cautioned the enthusiasm and efforts to look for somatic mutations that were of diagnostic value in cancer early detection.