Effect of ß-Blocker Therapy on the Level of Soluble ST2 Protein in Pediatric Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Background and Objectives: A prognosis for kids with pediatric dilated cardiomyopathy (PDCM) is urgently needed to identify high-risk patients. This study aimed to determine the association of levels and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) and medical therapy of ß-blocker inhibitors with the risk of adverse events in PDCM. Materials and Methods: A total of 124 patients with PDCM were enrolled after admission from 2 centers in China and followed up for adverse events (death, cardiac transplantation, and heart-failure-related rehospitalization). Based on a median sST2 level and the usage of ß-blocker inhibitors, patients were divided into four groups. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the risk of incident adverse events. Results: The median level of sST2 was 23.77 ng/mL, and 53 (42.7%) patients received ß-blocker treatment. Over a median follow-up of 678 days, 37 (29.8%) adverse events occurred. Compared with patients with sST2 < median and without ß-blocker, patients with sST2 ≥ median and without ß-blocker (HR: 7.01; 95% CI: 1.21−40.45), followed by those with sST2 ≥ median and use of ß-blocker had the highest risk of adverse events (hazard ratio (HR): 5.51; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17−25.84). However, a significant association was not observed in patients with sST2 < median and use of ß-blocker. These associations were consistent across different subgroups. Conclusions: A higher level of sST2 was associated with a higher risk of adverse events in patients with PDCM, and ß-blocker treatment for children with high levels of sST2 can effectively avoid adverse events.

Long-term outcomes of percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus associated with unilateral absence of a pulmonary artery.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of patients with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) associated with unilateral absence of a pulmonary artery (UAPA). METHODS: Patients diagnosed with PDA associated with UAPA between January 2005 and June 2019 were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Demographic and clinical characteristics, treatments, and follow-up information were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 11 patients were diagnosed with PDA associated with UAPA. Percutaneous closure was successfully conducted in nine patients. The mean diameters of the PDA measured by aortogram and occluders were 5.3 ± 1.8 mm and 11.5 ± 3.9 mm, respectively. The median pulmonary systemic flow ratio (Qp:Qs) in five patients was 1.41, and the median total lung resistance was 12 Wood Units. The mean systolic pulmonary artery (PA) pressure was 68.3 ± 19.1 mmHg. In five patients with pre- and postprocedure catheter data, the systolic pulmonary arterial pressure decreased significantly after closure (from 77.0 ± 20.2 to 58.8 ± 17.5 mmHg; p = .024), as did the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (from 58.2 ± 14.6 to 39.0 ± 14.1 mmHg; p = .18). The PA pressure and heart size gradually decreased to normal levels in eight patients, and their quality of life was significantly improved. The ratio of lung to systemic circulation pressure was less than 0.75. CONCLUSIONS: In appropriate patients with PDA associated with UAPA, transcatheter closure of PDA has the potential to improve PA hypertension. A ratio of lung to systemic circulation pressure less than 0.75 may be an important reference index for predicting whether PA pressure can be reduced to a normal level after occlusion.

Sludge aging stabilizes heavy metals subjected to pyrolysis.

In this study, we analyzed the effects of sludge aging pre-treatment on the stabilization mechanisms of heavy metals during sludge pyrolysis. First, the form of copper (Cu) and chromium (Cr) was conducted using the sequential extraction procedure proposed by the European Community Bureau of Reference (BCR). The stabilization mechanisms for the sludge pyrolysis of Cu and Cr were then analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results indicate the following: 1) with aging pre-treatment, the improvement in adsorption performance and the formation of newly crystallized materials, like polyhydroxy copper phosphate and chromium phosphate minerals, occur concurrently with the stabilization of heavy metals during pyrolysis; 2) after four weeks of aging, active functional groups like amino and carboxyl groups were significantly sharpened, and caused sustained complexation of the heavy metals. Results suggested that the aging pre-treatment aided the stabilization of heavy metals during sludge pyrolysis. Notably, the aging effect can decrease the potential ecological risk of heavy metals.

Pretreatment with Ochrobactrum immobilizes chromium and copper during sludge pyrolysis.

To increase the degree of immobilization of heavy metals subjected to sludge pyrolysis, we investigated the effects of pretreating sludge with Ochrobactrum supplementation on the immobilization of chromium (Cr) and copper (Cu) during sludge pyrolysis. The sequential extraction procedure was used to test the metallic forms of Cr and Cu. The immobilization of Cr and Cu was characterized with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, etc. Results show that: 1) the addition of Ochrobactrum (1-8%) can accelerate the mineralization process in blank sludge and can accelerate the conversion of the oxidizable forms of Cr and Cu into the residual forms subjected to pyrolysis; 2) pretreatment with Ochrobactrum supplementation can inhibit the volatilization of Cr and Cu during sludge pyrolysis, particularly in the case of a high concentration of Cu. Notably, the pretreatment with Ochrobactrum can reduce 20.38-85.09% of the potential ecological risk of Cr and Cu. The pretreatment with Ochrobactrum contributes to the immobilization of Cr and Cu subjected to sludge pyrolysis and thus can prevent pollution of the environment. The results of this study can be used for harmless disposal of municipal sludge.

Probing size characteristics of disinfection by-products precursors during the bioavailability study of soluble microbial products using ultrafiltration fractionation.

Soluble microbial products (SMPs) discharged into surface water may increase the formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs) in downstream drinking water treatment plants. In this study, ultrafiltration (UF) fractionation was used to separate SMPs into homogenous components. An aerobic microbial experiment was conducted to evaluate the bioavailability of individual molecular weight (MW) fractions of SMPs in surface water and the impact on their DBP formation, facilitating the interpretation of SMPs characterization and DBPs reactivity. For SMPs, organics with MW < 1 kDa were the primary fraction, containing the most abundant humic substances. The 30 kDa < MW < 100 kDa fraction was the lowest in SMPs but had the highest SUVA values. After biodegradation, the bioavailability of physical fractions increased with the increasing MW size. However, the SUVA value, except for MW < 1 kDa, increased in individual fraction after biodegradation. Low molecular weight SMPs fractions (MW<10 kDa) were major precursors for DBP in which trichloromethane (TCM) was the most abundant. The 10 kDa  100KDa had relative abundant dichloroacetonitrile (DCAN) formation. After biodegradation, TCM precursors with MW < 1 kDa were removed by approximately 20%, whereas the increase of TCM formation was observed in 1 kDa < MW < 100 kDa fraction. CH formation from 1 kDa < MW < 10 kDa increased considerably, but those from 10 kDa < MW < 30 kDa decreased after biodegradation, as a result of the biotransformation of large organic acids to small organic acids. In terms of DBP reactivity, the TCM yield for the MW < 1 kDa fraction had no significant change while the 30 kDa < MW < 100 kDa fraction exhibited the greatest increase (approximately 8 times) in TCM yield.

Adsorption of soluble microbial products by sediments.

As major precursors of disinfection by-products (DBPs), soluble microbial products (SMPs) generated by sewage discharge can adversely affect drinking water quality. It is essential to understand the adsorption behaviours of SMPs onto sediments and the effect of DBPs formation. In this study, the adsorption ability of sediments was evaluated by adsorption isotherms with respect to temperature and salinity. Adsorption behaviours were investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electron microscopy analysis, and excitation emission matrix fluorescence analysis. Chlorination was also employed to explore the influence of sediment adsorption on drinking water quality. The results indicated that the maximum adsorption potential of sediments to SMPs was 1.60 mg/g, which involved exothermic processes. SMPs adsorption declined with increasing temperature and salinity, and fulvic acid and protein in SMPs were more readily adsorbed on sediments than was humic acid. Correlation analysis results indicated that adsorption behaviours of sediments to SMPs could significantly reduce the generation potential of DBPs (r = 0.882-0.938, p < 0.01). In addition, the decrease of C-DBPs was considerably greater than that of N-DBPs. These research findings are of importance to assessments of the fate and transport of SMPs in water-sediment systems, as well as the effect of following DBPs formation in the drinking water supply.

Copper-resistant mechanism of Ochrobactrum MT180101 and its application in membrane bioreactor for treating electroplating wastewater.

It is necessary to study the mechanism of resistance to heavy metals in microbiological processes. In this study, Ochrobactrum MT180101 was used as the microbial source of an membrane bioreactor to investigate its degradation efficiency for electroplating wastewater and the copper-resistant mechanism. Meanwhile, excitation emission matrix-parallel factor, scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and proteome analyses were applied to explain the comprehensive mechanism of the Ochrobactrum MT180101 resisting heavy metal toxicity. The results indicated that the Ochrobactrum MT180101 resisted heavy metal toxicity with the following pathways: i) binding metal cations on cell wall surfaces, ii) generating microbial products such as protein to chelate and stabilize the metal cations, iii) bio-transporting heavy metals from the intramembrane to the outer membrane by means of intracellular transport, and iv) reducing heavy metals through enzyme-mediated biotransformation. The results ensure that Ochrobactrum MT180101 was a copper-resistant bacterium that can be used in the pretreatment or deep treatment of electroplating wastewater.

Biosorption behavior of the Ochrobactrum MT180101 on ionic copper and chelate copper.

To study the biosorption behaviors of bacteria on heavy metal chelators, the biosorption kinetics, biosorption thermodynamics and pH influence tests of the Ochrobactrum MT180101 on ionic and chelate copper were investigated. Furthermore, the biosorption mechanisms of the Ochrobactrum MT180101 on ionic copper and chelate copper were explained by means of an excitation emission matrix as well as infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results indicated the following. 1) The biosorption on chelate copper was needed to destroy the complexation group first through metabolic and secretory activities. 2) The biosorption mechanism of the Ochrobactrum MT180101 on copper involved surface biosorption, extracellular chelation and bienzyme-mediated biotransformation. The results suggested that Ochrobactrum had a superior biosorption efficiency to ionic and chelate copper.

Anti-HPV-E7 seropositivity and risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a high-risk population in China.

Results of previous serologic studies on the association of human papillomavirus (HPV) with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have been inconsistent. From 2007 to 2010, the authors collected blood samples and relevant demographic data from 1435 patients with ESCC and 2071 age- and sex-matched normal controls from Anyang, China. HPV-16, 18 and 57 E7 antibodies were evaluated with the glutathione-S-transferase capture ELISA. The proportions of subjects who were positive for antibodies against these three HPV antigens in the case group were all significantly higher than those in the control group. In multivariate analysis, the presence of HPV-16 E7 antibody was associated with an increased risk of ESCC [odds ratio (OR) = 3.6, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.5-5.0], whereas the presence of HPV-18 (OR = 1.1, 95% CI: 0.7-1.7) and HPV-57 (OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 0.9-1.9) antibodies were not significant after adjustment for HPV-16. In multiple cutoff value analysis, the lowest OR for HPV-16 was obtained with the standard cut point mean + 3 SD. This study provides serological evidence in support of HPV-16 infection playing a role in the occurrence of ESCC in a high-incidence area of China.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in ambient aerosols from Beijing: characterization of low volatile PAHs by positive-ion atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) coupled with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance.

Aromatic fractions derived from aerosol samples were characterized by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS), high temperature simulated distillation (SIMDIS), and positive-ion atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS), respectively. It was found that about 27 wt % compounds in aromatic fractions could not be eluted from a GC column and some large molecule PAHs were neglected in GC-MS analysis. APPI FT-ICR MS was proven to be a powerful approach for characterizing the molecular composition of aromatics, especially for the large molecular species. An aromatic sample from Beijing urban aerosol was successfully characterized by APPI FT-ICR MS. Results showed that most abundant aromatic compounds in PM2.5 (particles with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 µm) were highly condensed hydrocarbons with 4-8 aromatic rings and their homologues with very short alkyl chains. Furthermore, heteroatom-containing hydrocarbons were found as the significant components of the aromatic fractions: O1, O2, N1, and S1 class species with 10-28 DBEs (double bond equivalents) and 14-38 carbon numbers were identified by APPI FT-ICR MS. The heteroatom PAHs had similar DBEs and carbon number distribution as regular PAHs.

Microbial arsenic methylation in soil-water systems and its environmental significance.

In this review, we have summarized the current knowledge about the environmental importance, relevance, and consequences of microbial arsenic (As) methylation in various ecosystems. In this regard, we have presented As biomethylation in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems particularly in rice paddy soils and wetlands. The functions of As biomethylation by microbial consortia in anaerobic and aerobic conditions are extensively discussed. In addition, we have tried to explain the interconnections between As transformation and carbon (C), such as microbial degradation of organic compounds and methane (CH4) emission. These processes can cause As release because of the reduction of arsenate (As(V)) to the more mobile arsenite (As(III)) as well as As methylation and the formation of toxic trivalent methylated As species in anaerobic conditions. Furthermore, the sulfur (S) transformation can form highly toxic thiolated As species owing to its interference with As biomethylation. Besides, we have focused on many other mutual interlinks that remain elusive between As and C, including As biomethylation, thiolation, and CH4 emission, in the soil-water systems. Recent developments have clarified the significant and complex interactions between the coupled microbial process in anoxic and submerged soils. These processes, performed by little-known/unknown microbial taxa or well-known members of microbial communities with unrecognized metabolic pathways, conducted several concurrent reactions that contributed to global warming on our planet and have unfavorable impacts on water quality and human food resources. Finally, some environmental implications in rice production and arsenic removal from soil-water systems are discussed. Generally, our understanding of the ecological and metabolic evidence for the coupling and synchronous processes of As, C, and S are involved in environmental contamination-caused toxicity in human food, including high As content in rice grain, water resources, and global warming through methanogenesis elucidate combating global rice safety, drinking water, and climate changes.

Synergistic effects of warming and humic substances on driving arsenic reduction and methanogenesis in flooded paddy soil.

Microbially-driven arsenic reduction and methane emissions in anaerobic soils are regulated by widespread humic substances (HS), while how this effect responds to climate change remains unknown. We investigated potential synergistic effects of HS in response to temperature changes in arsenic-contaminated paddy soils treated with humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) at temperatures ranging from 15 to 45 °C. Our results reveal a significant increase in arsenic reduction (5.6 times) and methane emissions (178 times) driven by HS, which can be exponentially stimulated at 45 °C. Acting as a electron shuttle, HS determines microbial arsenic reduction, further stimulated by warming. The top three sensitive genera are Geobacter, Anaeromyxobacter, and Gaiella which are responsible for enhanced arsenic reduction, as well as for the reduction of iron and HS with their functional genes; arrA and Geobacter spp. The top three sensitive methanogens are Methanosarsina, Methanocella, and Methanoculleus. Our study suggests notable synergistic effects between HS and warming in stimulating arsenic reduction and methanogenesis in paddy soils. Overall, the findings of this work highlight the high sensitivity of HS-mediated microbial arsenic transformation and methanogenesis in response to warming, which add potential value in predicting the biogeochemical cycling of arsenic and methane in soil under the context of climate change.

Analysis of clinical features of heart failure in children with cardiomyopathy and improved ejection fraction.

Background: The prognosis of children with heart failure varies considerably. After treatment, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) can be improved in some children. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical features of children with heart failure accompanied by cardiomyopathy and recovered ejection fraction [heart failure with recovered ejection fraction (HFrecEF)] and to identify the predictors of improved LVEF. Methods: Children diagnosed with heart failure in Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from 2018 to 2021 were retrospectively enrolled. According to the baseline and change of LVEF, the patients were divided into two groups: a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) group and an HFrecEF group. The t-test was used to evaluate the difference between the two groups. The predictive factors of ejection fraction improvement were analyzed with a logistic regression model. Results: A total of 72 children were included in this study, including 31 (43.1%) in the HFrEF group and 41 (56.9%) in the HFrecEF group. Compared with children in the HFrEF group, children in the HFrecEF group were younger and had faster resting heart rates, lower creatinine, lower suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) expression, a lower platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLT:LYM) ratio, and smaller left atrial diameter. After a mean follow-up of 35.87 months, 26 cases returned to normal ejection fraction. In the HFrEF group, sudden cardiac death occurred in two cases, and four cases received heart transplantation. Logistic analysis showed that virus infection [odds ratio (OR) =1.279; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.374-4.379; P=0.007], low ST2 expression (cutoff value =1.89 ng/mL: OR =1.042; 95% CI: 1.007-1.082; P=0.032), and treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) (OR =5.077; 95% CI: 1.458-17.684; P=0.011) were predictors of improvement in LVEF in patients with heart failure after treatment. Conclusions: In some patients with HFrecEF, LVEF eventually returned to normal. The combination of viral infection, low ST2 expression, and the application of IVIG therapy were found to be independent predictors of LVEF improvement in patients with heart failure after treatment.

Effects of extreme meteorological factors and high air pollutant concentrations on the incidence of hand, foot and mouth disease in Jining, China.

Background: The evidence on the effects of extreme meteorological conditions and high air pollution levels on incidence of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is limited. Moreover, results of the available studies are inconsistent. Further investigations are imperative to elucidate the specific issue. Methods: Data on the daily cases of HFMD, meteorological factors and air pollution were obtained from 2017 to 2022 in Jining City. We employed distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) incorporated with Poisson regression to explore the impacts of extreme meteorological conditions and air pollution on HFMD incidence. Results: We found that there were nonlinear relationships between temperature, wind speed, PM2.5, SO2, O3 and HFMD. The cumulative risk of extreme high temperature was higher at the 95th percentile (P95th) than at the 90th percentile(P90th), and the RR values for both reached their maximum at 10-day lag (P95th RR = 1.880 (1.261-2.804), P90th RR = 1.787 (1.244-2.569)), the hazardous effect of extreme low temperatures on HFMD is faster than that of extreme high temperatures. The cumulative effect of extreme low wind speeds reached its maximum at 14-day lag (P95th RR = 1.702 (1.389-2.085), P90th RR = 1.498(1.283-1.750)). The cumulative effect of PM2.5 concentration at the P90th was largest at 14-day lag (RR = 1.637 (1.069-2.506)), and the cumulative effect at the P95th was largest at 10-day lag (RR = 1.569 (1.021-2.411)). High SO2 concentration at the P95th at 14-day lag was associated with higher risk for HFMD (RR: 1.425 (1.001-2.030)). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that high temperature, low wind speed, and high concentrations of PM2.5 and SO2 are associated with an increased risk of HFMD. This study not only adds insights to the understanding of the impact of extreme meteorological conditions and high levels of air pollutants on HFMD incidence but also holds practical significance for the development and enhancement of an early warning system for HFMD.

Enhanced corrosion of 2205 duplex stainless steel by Acetobacter aceti through synergistic electron transfer and organic acids acceleration.

Acetobacter aceti is a microbe that produces corrosive organic acids, causing severe corrosion of industrial equipment. Previous studies have focused on the organic acid corrosion of A. aceti, but neglected the possibility that it has electron transfer corrosion. This study found that electron transfer and organic acids can synergistically promote the corrosion of 2205 duplex stainless steel (DSS). Electrochemical measurement results showed that corrosion of 2205 DSS was more severe in the presence of A. aceti. Surface analysis indicated a thick biofilm formed on the steel surface, with low pH and dissolved oxygen concentrations under the biofilm. Corrosion intensified when A. aceti lacked a carbon source, suggesting that A. aceti can corrode metals by using metallic substrates as electron donors, in addition to its acidic by-products.

Enhanced antibacterial and corrosion resistance of copper-containing 2205 duplex stainless steel against the corrosive bacterium Shewanella algae.

2205 DSS is an excellent corrosion-resistant engineering metal material, but it is still threatened by microbiological corrosion. The addition of copper elements is a new approach to improving the resistance of 2205 DSS to microbiological corrosion. In this study, 2205-Cu DSS was compared with 2205 DSS to study its antimicrobial properties and resistance to microbiological corrosion in the presence of the electroactive bacterium Shewanella algae. The results showed that compared to 2205 DSS, the biofilm thickness and the number of live bacteria on the surface of 2205-Cu DSS were significantly reduced, demonstrating excellent antimicrobial properties against S. algae. Electrochemical tests and surface morphology characterization results showed that the corrosion rate and pitting of 2205-Cu DSS by S. algae were lower than that of 2205 DSS, indicating better resistance to microbiological corrosion. The good antimicrobial properties and resistance to microbiological corrosion exhibited by 2205-Cu DSS are attributed to the contact antimicrobial properties of copper elements in the 2205-Cu DSS matrix and the release of copper ions for antimicrobial effects. This study provides a new strategy for combating microbiological corrosion.

A graphene-based electrochemical sensor for rapid determination of phenols in water.

A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) coated with a graphene/polymer film was fabricated for rapid determination of phenols in aqueous solutions. The electrochemical behavior of different phenols at the graphene/polymer-coated GCE was also investigated. In PBS buffer solution with a pH of 6.5, hydroquinone exhibits a well-defined reduction peak at the modified GCE. Based on this, an electrochemical method for the direct determination of phenols is proposed. Investigating different parameters revealed the optimized detection conditions for the electrode are a scan rate of 50 mV/s, dosage of graphene-polyaniline of 8 µL, dosage of tyrosinase of 3 µL, and pH of 6.5. Under the optimal conditions, the reduction peak current varies linearly with the concentration of phenols, with a linear regression equation of I (10(-6)A) = -4.887 × 10(-4)C (mol/L)-5.331 × 10(-6) with a correlation coefficient of 0.9963 and limit of detection (S/N = 3) of 2.00 × 10(-4) mol/L. The electrochemical sensor is also used to detect phenols in actual samples, where it shows great promise for rapid, simple and quantitative detection of phenols.

Molecular characterization of organic aerosol in winter from Beijing using UHPLC-Orbitrap MS.

The urban organic aerosol (OA) may pose a serious threat to human health and ecological environment. In order to understand the molecular characteristics of organic compounds in aerosols, atmospheric PM2.5 samples were collected in Beijing and the extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography-Orbitrap mass spectrometry combined with negative-ion electrospray ionization, positive-ion electrospray ionization, and positive-ion atmospheric pressure photoionization sources. The combination of multiple ionization sources realized the comprehensive molecular characterization of organic compounds in OA, and 1976 (+APPI), 3038 (-ESI), and 4376 (+ESI) molecular formulas were identified in this study. Significant differences in the species, abundance, and number of subgroups (CHO, CHN, CHON, CHONS, CHOS, and CH compounds) were clarified. Chemical fingerprinting of organics in the PM2.5 extract were investigated by high-throughput non-target compound analytical methods. Structure induction of organic compounds was realized through fragmentation prediction of MS/MS spectra with Sirius software. Furthermore, a total of 50 nitroaromatic formulas, 285 organosulfates (OS) formulas, 57 nitrooxy-OS formulas, 228 CHO- formulas with carboxyl groups, and 36 monoketone formulas were determined based on diagnostic fragmentation filtering. Our results provide important insights into the molecular composition and structural characteristics of OA, and establish foundation for exploring the interaction between composition and physicochemical properties.

Abundance of organosulfates derived from biogenic volatile organic compounds: Seasonal and spatial contrasts at four sites in China.

Atmospheric organosulfates (OSs) derived from biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) encode chemical interaction strength between anthroposphere and biosphere. We report BVOC-derived OSs in the summer of 2016 and the winter of 2017 at four locations in China (i.e., Hong Kong (HK), Guangzhou (GZ), Shanghai (SH), and Beijing (BJ)). The spatial coverage of three climatic zones from the south to the north in China is accompanied with a wide range of aerosol inorganic sulfate (4.9-13.8 µg/m3). We employed a combined targeted and untargeted approach using high-performance liquid chromatography-Orbitrap mass spectrometry to quantify/semi-quantify ~200 OSs and nitrooxy OSs derived from four types of precursors, namely C2-C3 oxygenated VOCs, isoprene, monoterpenes (MT), and sesquiterpenes (ST). The seasonal averages of the total quantified OSs across the four sites are in the range of 201-545 (summer) and 123-234 ng/m3 (winter), with the isoprene-derived OSs accounting for more than 80% (summer) and 57% (winter). The C2-3 OSs and isoprene-derived OSs share the same seasonality (summer >winter) and the same south-north spatial gradient as those of isoprene emissions. In contrast, the MT- and ST-derived OSs are of either comparable abundance or slightly higher abundance in winter at the four sites. The spatial contrasts for MT- and ST-derived OSs are not clearly discernable among GZ, SH, and BJ. HK is noted to have invariably lower abundances of all groups of OSs, in line with its aerosol inorganic sulfate being the lowest. These results indicate that BVOC emissions are the driving factor regulating the formation of C2-3 OSs and isoprene-derived OSs. Other factors, such as sulfate abundance, however, play a more important role in the formation of MT- and ST-derived OSs. This in turn suggests that the formation kinetics and/or pathways differ between these two sub-groups of BVOCs-derived OSs.

Influence Exerted by the Solvent Effect on the Mobility Peak of 1,8-Naphthalic Anhydride in Ion Mobility Spectrometry.

The collision cross-section (CCS) values of ions determined by ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) can be used to deduce the shape and size of the ions. For each compound, as well as its isomer or tautomer, a unique arrival time peak was obtained in extracted ion mobility (EIM) spectra, which corresponded to a specific CCS value. However, the generation of solvated ions by electrospray ionization (ESI) increases the number of mobility peaks, which makes the EIM spectra difficult to interpret. In this study, solvent clusters formed by acetonitrile and methanol around 1,8-naphthalic anhydride (1,8-NA) cations ([C12H6O3 + H]+1,8-NA) were investigated using trapped ion mobility spectrometry-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TIMS-TOF MS). The effects of infusion flow rate, nebulizer gas pressure, drying gas rate, and drying gas temperature on the formation of solvent clusters from acetonitrile and methanolic solution were systematically studied. The formation of solvent clusters was observed with infusion flow rates increased, which was manifested by the larger experimental CCS values of [C12H6O3 + H]+1,8-NA. Acetonitrile tended to form solvent clusters around ions more readily than methanol. These solvent clusters were stable enough to be detected by TIMS, but they cannot survive under ion activation conditions of mass spectrometry (MS). Increasing the nebulizer gas pressure seems to be a better way to eliminate the formation of solvent clusters in TIMS-TOF MS and give a "cleaner" EIM spectra. The current research demonstrates that more attention should be paid to the solvent effect on CCS values and their interpretation.