The egg ribonuclease SjCP1412 accelerates liver fibrosis caused by Schistosoma japonicum infection involving damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs).

Schistosomiasis, a parasite infectious disease caused by Schistosoma japonicum, often leads to egg granuloma and fibrosis due to the inflammatory reaction triggered by egg antigens released in the host liver. This study focuses on the role of the egg antigens CP1412 protein of S. japonicum (SjCP1412) with RNase activity in promoting liver fibrosis. In this study, the recombinant egg ribonuclease SjCP1412, which had RNase activity, was successfully prepared. By analysing the serum of the population, it has been proven that the anti-SjCP1412 IgG in the serum of patients with advanced schistosomiasis was moderately correlated with liver fibrosis, and SjCP1412 may be an important antigen associated with liver fibrosis in schistosomiasis. In vitro, the rSjCP1412 protein induced the human liver cancer cell line Hep G2 and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells apoptosis and necrosis and the release of proinflammatory damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). In mice infected with schistosomes, rSjCP1412 immunization or antibody neutralization of SjCP1412 activity significantly reduced cell apoptosis and necroptosis in liver tissue, thereby reducing inflammation and liver fibrosis. In summary, the SjCP1412 protein plays a crucial role in promoting liver fibrosis during schistosomiasis through mediating the liver cells apoptosis and necroptosis to release DAMPs inducing an inflammatory reaction. Blocking SjCP1412 activity could inhibit its proapoptotic and necrotic effects and alleviate hepatic fibrosis. These findings suggest that SjCP1412 may be served as a promising drug target for managing liver fibrosis in schistosomiasis japonica.

Nitrogen-rich based conjugated microporous polymers for highly efficient adsorption and removal of COVID-19 antiviral drug chloroquine phosphate from environmental waters.

Chloroquine phosphate (CQP) has been suggested as an important and effective clinical reliever medication for the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19). Nevertheless, its excessive use will inevitably cause irreparable damage to the entire ecosystem, thereby posing a considerable environmental safety concern. Hence, the development of highly-efficient methods of removing CQP from water pollution sources, e.g., effluents from hospitals and pharmaceutical factories is significant. This study reported the fabrication of novel C-N bond linked conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) (BPT-DMB-CMP) with multiple nitrogen-rich anchoring sites for the quick and efficient removal of CQP from aqueous solutions. The irreversible covalent C-N bond linked in the internal framework of BPT-DMB-CMP endowed it with good chemical stability and excellent adsorbent regeneration. With its predesigned functional groups (i.e., rich N-H bonds, triazine rings, and benzene rings) and large area surface (1,019.89 m2·g-1), BPT-DMB-CMP demonstrated rapid adsorption kinetics (25 min) and an extraordinary adsorption capacity (334.70 mg·g-1) for CQP, which is relatively higher than that of other adsorbents. The adsorption behavior of CQP on BPT-DMB-CMP corresponded with Liu model and mixed-order model. Based on the density functional theory (DFT) calculations, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and adsorption comparisons test, the halogen bonding, and hydrogen bonding cooperates with π - π, C - H···π interactions and size-matching effect in the CQP adsorption system on BPT-DMB-CMP. The excellent practicability for the removal of CQP from real wastewater samples verified the prospect of practical application of BPT-DMB-CMP. BPT-DMB-CMP exhibited the application potentials for the adsorption of other antiviral drugs. This work opens up an efficient, simple, and high adsorption capacity way for removal CQP.

[Role of the Notch signaling pathway in children with tuberculosis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of molecules associated with the Notch signaling pathway in children with tuberculosis, as well as the role of this pathway in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis in children. METHODS: A total of 62 children who were diagnosed with tuberculosis from June 2017 to December 2018 were enrolled as the case group, and 64 healthy children were enrolled as the healthy control group. Peripheral venous blood samples with a volume of 2 mL were collected, and quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of the molecules associated with the Notch signaling pathway (receptors Notch1-4, ligands Jagged1/2 and DLL1/3/4, and downstream target genes Hes1 and Hey1) in leukocytes. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy control group, the case group had significant increases in the mRNA expression levels of Notch1, Notch2, and DLL4 in leukocytes (P<0.05), while there were no significant differences in the mRNA expression levels of Notch3/4, Jagged1/2, DLL1/3, Hes1, and Hey1 between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There are significant increases in the mRNA expression of Notch1/2 and DLL4 in children with tuberculosis, while there are no significant changes in the expression of downstream target genes, suggesting that the Notch signaling pathway, which is activated by the interaction between Notch1/2 and DLL4 after Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, may play a role in childhood tuberculosis by acting on other target genes, and further studies are needed for clarification.

Identification of WHO II/III Gliomas by 16 Prognostic-related Gene Signatures using Machine Learning Methods.

BACKGROUND: It is found that the prognosis of gliomas of the same grade has large differences among World Health Organization (WHO) grade II and III in clinical observation. Therefore, a better understanding of the genetics and molecular mechanisms underlying WHO grade II and III gliomas is required, with the aim of developing a classification scheme at the molecular level rather than the conventional pathological morphology level. METHODS: We performed survival analysis combined with machine learning methods of Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator using expression datasets downloaded from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas as well as The Cancer Genome Atlas. Risk scores were calculated by the product of expression level of overall survival-related genes and their multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression coefficients. WHO grade II and III gliomas were categorized into the low-risk subgroup, medium-risk subgroup, and high-risk subgroup. We used the 16 prognostic-related genes as input features to build a classification model based on prognosis using a fully connected neural network. Gene function annotations were also performed. RESULTS: The 16 genes (AKNAD1, C7orf13, CDK20, CHRFAM7A, CHRNA1, EFNB1, GAS1, HIST2H2BE, KCNK3, KLHL4, LRRK2, NXPH3, PIGZ, SAMD5, ERINC2, and SIX6) related to the glioma prognosis were screened. The 16 selected genes were associated with the development of gliomas and carcinogenesis. The accuracy of an external validation data set of the fully connected neural network model from the two cohorts reached 95.5%. Our method has good potential capability in classifying WHO grade II and III gliomas into low-risk, medium-risk, and high-risk subgroups. The subgroups showed significant (P<0.01) differences in overall survival. CONCLUSION: This resulted in the identification of 16 genes that were related to the prognosis of gliomas. Here we developed a computational method to discriminate WHO grade II and III gliomas into three subgroups with distinct prognoses. The gene expressionbased method provides a reliable alternative to determine the prognosis of gliomas.

Influence of TiCN addition on the microstructures and mechanical properties of the AZ31 alloy.

The microstructure and mechanical properties of extruded AZ31 + xTiCN (x = 0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2 wt%) were investigated, and the strengthening mechanism was discussed. X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed that the Al4C3 and Al2MgC2 duplex phase particles were generated in situ by TiCN and Al particles, which act as the nucleation precursors of Mg grains during solidification. The grain size decreased and then increased with increasing TiCN addition. The yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) increased with increasing TiCN addition reaching a maximum (217.5 MPa) at 0.4 wt%, and in contrast, the elongation index (EI) continuously decreased with increasing TiCN addition.

Magnetic compression anastomosis for rectal atresia following necrotizing enterocolitis: A case report.

RATIONALE: Rectal atresia caused by necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious and rare complication in children. Magnetic compression anastomosis (MCA) has been effectively applied in children with congenital oesophageal atresia and biliary atresia. Herein, we reported a case of successfully application of MCA in an infant with rectal atresia following NEC. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 30 weeks premature birth female fetal infant was transferred to our neonatal intensive care unit due to premature delivery, low birth weight, and neonatal respiratory distress. On postpartum day 11, the infant developed abdominal distension and mucosanguineous feces. This infant was then clinically diagnosed as NEC. She underwent anesthesia and intestinal fistula operation on postpartum day 11 because of NEC. DIAGNOSIS: After 3 months, radiographic examination revealed rectal atresia and stricture. INTERVENTIONS: This infant was successfully treated with MCA following a cecum-rectal anastomosis and ileocecal valve was reserved. OUTCOMES: On postoperative day 9, she passed the 2 magnets per rectum. In addition, there were no difficult defecation or fecal incontinence or other short-term complications. After the 7-month follow-up, the patient had an excellent clinical outcome. LESSONS: MCA is a feasible and effective method for treating rectal atresia in infants.

Comparison between porous tantalum metal implants and autograft in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: a meta-analysis.

Aim: The objective of this study was to systematically compare the safety and efficacy of porous tantalum metal (TM) implants and autograft in single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Methods: Potential academic articles were acquired from the Cochrane Library, Medline, PubMed, Embase, Science Direct and other databases. The time range used was from the inception of the electronic databases to March 2018. Gray studies were identified from the references of included literature reports. STATA version 11.0 (Stata Corporation, TX, USA) was used to analyze the pooled data. Results: Four randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) were identified according to the retrieval process. There were significant differences in operation time (mean difference [MD]: -28.846, 95% confidence interval [CI: -47.087, -10.604], p = 0.002) and satisfaction rate (odds ratio [OR]: 2.196, 95% CI: [1.061-4. 546]; p = 0.034). However, no significant difference was detected in blood loss (MD: -73.606, 95% CI: [-217.720, 70.509], p = 0.317), hospital stay (MD: -0.512, 95% CI [-1.082, 0.058]; p = 0.079), fusion rate (OR: 0.497, 95% CI [0.079, 3.115]; p = 0.455), visual analog scale (MD: -0.310, 95% CI [-0.433, -0.186]; p < 0.001) or complication rate (risk difference [RD]: -0.140, 95% CI: [-0.378, 0.099]; p = 0.251). Conclusion: Porous TM implants are equally as effective and safe as autograft in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion processes. In addition, porous TM implants could reduce operation time and improve clinical satisfaction significantly.

Incidence of metastatic disease and survival among patients with newly diagnosed primary CNS tumors in the United States from 2004-2013.

Background: Population-based estimates of the incidence and prognosis of metastatic disease at the initial diagnosis of primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors are currently lacking. Methods: A total of 43,455 patients diagnosed with a primary CNS tumor were enrolled to evaluate metastatic rates utilizing the data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. We used multivariate logistic regression to analyze the risk factors associated with the presence of metastasis at the first visit of patients with metastatic medulloblastoma (MB), atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (ATRT), glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), or pilocytic astrocytoma (PA). Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for cancer-specific death (CSD) of patients with these four CNS tumors were analyzed using multivariate Cox regression. Results: In patients with primary CNS embryonal tumors, the metastatic rates of patients with MB and ATRT were 14.51% and 19.25%, respectively. The metastatic rate for MB patients aged 0 to 18 years was 16.69%. In the patients with glioma, the metastatic rates of patients with PA and GBM were 1.55% and 1.39%, respectively. On multivariate logistic regression among patients with glioma, GBM (vs PA; OR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.37 to 3.30; P=0.001) was associated with greater odds of having metastatic disease at diagnosis. On multivariate logistic regression among patients with GBM, MB, or ATRT, MB (vs GBM; OR, 4.66; 95% CI, 2.81 to 7.72; P<0.001) and ATRT (vs GBM; OR, 5.65; 95% CI, 3.27 to 9.75; P<0.001) were associated with greater odds of having metastatic disease at diagnosis. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model for CSD among patients with metastatic GBM or MB at diagnosis, gross total resection/total lobectomy (vs partial resection/partial lobectomy) was not related to a decreased or an increased risk of CSD. In patients with metastatic ATRT, compared to no surgery, gross total resection/total lobectomy or partial resection/partial lobectomy was not associated with a decreased risk of CSD. Conclusions: The findings in this study provide a population-based estimate of the incidence and prognosis of metastatic disease at the initial diagnosis of primary CNS tumors. These survival outcomes are relevant because they will help to prioritize future research directions to improve the treatment strategies of these metastatic CNS tumors.

Systematic and Comprehensive Comparison of Incidence of Restenosis Between Carotid Endarterectomy and Carotid Artery Stenting in Patients with Atherosclerotic Carotid Stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to conduct a meta-analysis to systematically compare the incidence rates of in-stent restenosis after carotid artery stenting (CAS) and restenosis after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for patients with atherosclerotic carotid stenosis. METHODS: We retrieved potential academic reports comparing restenosis between CEA and CAS from the MEDLINE, PubMed, and EMBASE databases and the Cochrane Library from the date of the first CEA (January 1951) to July 20, 2018. The references of the identified studies were carefully reviewed to ensure that all available reports were included in the present study. RESULTS: Our meta-analysis included 27 studies (15 randomized controlled trials, 12 nonrandomized controlled trials) and 20,479 participants with atherosclerotic carotid stenosis. A statistically significant difference was found in the cumulative incidence of restenosis >70% between CEA and CAS (risk difference, -0.033, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.054 to -0.013; P = 0.002). For the restenosis >70% outcomes, although CEA was relevant with a lower rate of restenosis than CAS within 6 months (odds ratio [OR], 0.495; 95% CI, 0.285-0.861; P = 0.013) and 1 year (OR, 0.626; 95% CI, 0.483-0.811; P < 0.001), no statistically significant differences were found at 1.5 years (P = 0.210), 2 years (P = 0.123), 4 years (P = 0.124), 5 years (P = 0.327), or 10 years (P = 0.839). For the restenosis >50% outcomes, a significant difference was found in the rate of restenosis between the CEA and CAS groups within 1 year (OR, 0.317; 95% CI, 0.228-0.441; P < 0.001) but not at 1.5 years (P = 0.301), 2 years (P = 0.686), or 5 years (P = 0.920). No nominally significant effects were demonstrated with respect to the cumulative incidence of occlusion (P = 0.195) or the cumulative incidence of restenosis for symptomatic patients (P = 0.170) between CEA and CAS. CONCLUSIONS: Although CAS was preferred over CEA, regardless of restenosis >50% or >70% after revascularization within 1 year, no significant difference was observed with extension of the follow-up period to >1 year. CAS was not associated with a greater cumulative incidence of occlusion or the cumulative incidence of restenosis for symptomatic patients.

Integrative analysis of gene expression and DNA methylation through one-class logistic regression machine learning identifies stemness features in medulloblastoma.

Most human cancers develop from stem and progenitor cell populations through the sequential accumulation of various genetic and epigenetic alterations. Cancer stem cells have been identified from medulloblastoma (MB), but a comprehensive understanding of MB stemness, including the interactions between the tumor immune microenvironment and MB stemness, is lacking. Here, we employed a trained stemness index model based on an existent one-class logistic regression (OCLR) machine-learning method to score MB samples; we then obtained two stemness indices, a gene expression-based stemness index (mRNAsi) and a DNA methylation-based stemness index (mDNAsi), to perform an integrated analysis of MB stemness in a cohort of primary cancer samples (n = 763). We observed an inverse trend between mRNAsi and mDNAsi for MB subgroup and metastatic status. By applying the univariable Cox regression analysis, we found that mRNAsi significantly correlated with overall survival (OS) for all MB patients, whereas mDNAsi had no significant association with OS for all MB patients. In addition, by combining the Lasso-penalized Cox regression machine-learning approach with univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, we identified a stemness-related gene expression signature that accurately predicted survival in patients with Sonic hedgehog (SHH) MB. Furthermore, positive correlations between mRNAsi and prognostic copy number aberrations in SHH MB, including MYCN amplifications and GLI2 amplifications, were detected. Analyses of the immune microenvironment revealed unanticipated correlations of MB stemness with infiltrating immune cells. Lastly, using the Connectivity Map, we identified potential drugs targeting the MB stemness signature. Our findings based on stemness indices might advance the development of objective diagnostic tools for quantitating MB stemness and lead to novel biomarkers that predict the survival of patients with MB or the efficacy of strategies targeting MB stem cells.

[Selection of Priority Contaminants in a Watershed Using Risk Ranking Methodology].

The present study focuses on the risk rankings of different contaminants from Daling River in Liaoning Province, China, for categorizing the environmental risk levels in the river. Eighteen surface water samples were collected from Daling River, which has been polluted by the surrounding fluorine industries for years. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and heavy metals were analyzed, and relevant eco-toxicity data obtained from literatures were considered. The median concentrations of PFOS and PFOA were observed as 0.77-3.57 ng·L-1 and 82.93-344 ng·L-1, respectively, which were lower than the standard limits of the United Kingdom. The concentrations of heavy metals and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were found to be lower than level Ⅳ of the Chinese national environmental quality standards for surface water. The maximum concentrations of mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As) were higher than the standard level Ⅲ. The environmental risks ranged from 1.42×10-6 to 2.3×10-2. The order of the risks by potential environmental contaminants was Cu > Zn > As > p,p'-DDE > p,p'-DDT > Cd > Pb > Hg > PFOA > γ-HCH > Cr > Ni > α-HCH > PFOS. The present findings revealed that the environmental risks of PFOS and PFOA were relatively low and these were not taken as priority contaminants, but the accumulation risks could not be overlooked for a long time. Among the contaminants, copper (Cu) was the priority contaminant of Daling River. Hence, necessary measures are recommended to reduce the potential effects of contaminants on the environment.

Tsoong induces apoptosis and inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells.

The roots of Codonopsis cordifolioidea (classified as campanulaceae cordifolioidea), locally known as Tsoong, have been used as a tonic food. The major components isolated from Tsoong have been demonstrated to present anti­human immunodeficiency virus­1 activities and cytotoxicity against various tumor cell lines. However, the possible effects of the novel compound isolated from Tsoong, cordifoliketones A, on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells, are still unknown. In the present study, cordifoliketones A extractions were prepared from Tsoong, and the possible effects on PDAC cell growth, apoptosis, migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo were exlored. The cytotoxicity assay, apoptosis assay, western blotting, migration and invasion assay, and a PDAC cell (AsPC­1, BxPC­3 and PANC­1) xenograft mice model were employed. The results demonstrated that treatment with cordifoliketones A: i) inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis of PDAC cells; ii) significantly induced apoptosis and altered expression of apoptosis­associated proteins in a dose­dependent manner; iii) suppressed migration and invasion of PDAC cells in a dose­dependent manner; and iv) restrained the growth of PDAC neoplasm in nude mice. Furthermore, cordifoliketones A demonstrated non­cytotoxic activity in a panel of normal human cells, including hTERT­HPNE, 293, hepatocyte HL­7702 and HL­1 cells. Therefore, these data indicated that cordifoliketones A may be a potential candidate compound for the prevention of PDAC cell proliferation and metastasis, presumably by induction apoptosis and inhibiting viability, invasion and migration of PDAC cells.

Single-Drop Raman Imaging Exposes the Trace Contaminants in Milk.

Better milk safety control can offer important means to promote public health. However, few technologies can detect different types of contaminants in milk simultaneously. In this regard, the present work proposes a single-drop Raman imaging (SDRI) strategy for semiquantitation of multiple hazardous factors in milk solutions. By developing SDRI strategy that incorporates the coffee-ring effect (a natural phenomenon often presents in a condensed circle pattern after a drop evaporated) for sample pretreatment and discrete wavelet transform for spectra processing, the method serves well to expose typical hazardous molecular species in milk products, such as melamine, sodium thiocyanate and lincomycin hydrochloride, with little sample preparation. The detection sensitivity for melamine, sodium thiocyanate, and lincomycin hydrochloride are 0.1 mg kg-1, 1 mg kg-1, and 0.1 mg kg-1, respectively. Theoretically, we establish that the SDRI represents a novel and environment-friendly method that screens the milk safety efficiently, which could be well extended to inspection of other food safety.

[Risk Assessment and Risk Management of Chemicals in China].

Risk assessment and risk management have been increasingly approved as an effective approach for appropriate disposal and scientific management of chemicals. This study systematically analyzed the risk assessment methods of chemicals from three aspects including health risk, ecological risk and regional risk. Based on the current situation of classification and management towards chemicals in China, a specific framework of risk management on chemicals was proposed by selecting target chemicals, predominant industries and related stakeholders as the objects. The results of the present study will provide scientific support for improving risk assessment and reasonable management of chemicals in China.

[Classification of Priority Area for Soil Environmental Protection Around Water Sources: Method Proposed and Case Demonstration].

Based on comprehensive consideration of soil environmental quality, pollution status of river, environmental vulnerability and the stress of pollution sources, a technical method was established for classification of priority area of soil environmental protection around the river-style water sources. Shunde channel as an important drinking water sources of Foshan City, Guangdong province, was studied as a case, of which the classification evaluation system was set up. In detail, several evaluation factors were selected according to the local conditions of nature, society and economy, including the pollution degree of heavy metals in soil and sediment, soil characteristics, groundwater sensitivity, vegetation coverage, the type and location of pollution sources. Data information was mainly obtained by means of field survey, sampling analysis, and remote sensing interpretation. Afterwards, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was adopted to decide the weight of each factor. The basic spatial data layers were set up respectively and overlaid based on the weighted summation assessment model in Geographical Information System (GIS), resulting in a classification map of soil environmental protection level in priority area of Shunde channel. Accordingly, the area was classified to three levels named as polluted zone, risky zone and safe zone, which respectively accounted for 6.37%, 60.90% and 32.73% of the whole study area. Polluted zone and risky zone were mainly distributed in Lecong, Longjiang and Leliu towns, with pollutants mainly resulted from the long-term development of aquaculture and the industries containing furniture, plastic constructional materials and textile and clothing. In accordance with the main pollution sources of soil, targeted and differentiated strategies were put forward. The newly established evaluation method could be referenced for the protection and sustainable utilization of soil environment around the water sources.

Copper promotion of angiogenesis in isolated rat aortic ring: role of vascular endothelial growth factor.

Copper stimulation of angiogenesis at the organ system level is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) dependent, but copper stimulation of vascular endothelial cell proliferation in cultures is VEGF independent. The present study was undertaken to use isolated rat aortic rings to understand the seemly controversial observations between in vivo and in vitro studies. The thoracic aorta was isolated from Sprague Dawley rats (8-10 weeks) and sectioned into 1.0-mm thick vascular rings for culturing. Copper sulfide at a final concentration of 5, 25, 50 or 100 µM was added to the cultures and maintained for 8 days. A copper chelator, tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) at a final concentration of 25 µM, was added to some cultures to block the effect of copper. An anti-VEGF antibody was used to determine the role of VEGF in copper promotion of angiogenesis. The data obtained showed that copper at 5 µM in cultures stimulated the vascular formation; an effect was blocked by TEPA. Copper at concentrations above 50 µM lost the proangiogenesis effect. However, copper at 5 µM did not enhance the production of VEGF, and concentrations above 50 µM significantly increased VEGF production. On the other hand, the treatment with anti-VEGF antibody completely blocked the proangiogenesis effect of 5-µM copper. This study thus demonstrates that VEGF is essential for angiogenesis but the proangiogenesis effect of copper does not act through enhanced production of VEGF.

[Risk assessment and countermeasures of heavy metals pollution in Wanquan segment of Yanghe River].

In order to investigate heavy metals contamination status in Wanquan segment of Yanghe River, Zhangjiakou, 9 water and sediments samples were collected respectively for analyzing Cu, Ni, Cd, Zn, Cr, Pb, Hg and As, with water quality indicators determined at the same time. The potential ecological risk index (PERI) was then employed to evaluate potential ecological risk of heavy metals in sediments. Results indicated that the concentrations of Cu, Ni, Cd, Zn, Cr, Pb, Hg and As in water samples ranged from 1.28-24.13, 1.13-16.84, 0.08-0.11, 1.80-10.65, 1.40-19.12, 0.13-2.05, 0.06-0.99, 0.46-4.22 microg x L(-1), respectively, which are all below the national water quality standard for the demands of industrial use and agricultural irrigation. Principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to reveal the relationship between water quality indicators and heavy metals pollution in water samples. Concentrations of Cu, Ni, Cd, Zn, Cr, Pb, Hg and As in sediments ranged from 5.90-110.11, 17.34-56.04, 0.07-0.31, 38.71-116.74, 40.39-85.77, 18.65-22.74, nd-0.047, 0.85-9.98 mg x kg(-1), respectively. The descending order of potential ecological risk intensity caused by different heavy metals was: Cd > Cu > Hg > Ni > As > Pb > Cr > Zn, and the average value of each heavy metal was low, while middle-grade risk level of Cd and Hg were also found in several sites. Among all monitoring sites, the descending order of PERI of all target heavy metals was: YH-07 > YH-03 > YH-09 > YH-02 > YH-06 > YH-04 > YH-05 > YH-01, and the average value reached slight grade, while middle-grade risk level was detected in YH-07. Sampling locations in YH-02-YH-03 and YH-07-YH-09 were found with relatively high ecological risk level because of agricultural and anthropogenic activities, respectively. Finally, three risk management regions were figured out and corresponding countermeasures for improving the environmental quality of the watershed were proposed based on the research results.

[Risk assessment and countermeasures of BTEX contamination in soils of typical pesticide factory].

Soil samples around three representative pesticide factories were collected in Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, and analyzed to identify their pollution characteristics and health risk of BTEX by purge-and trap and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy method. Total concentrations of BTEX in soils in Plant A, B and C ranged from 673.50 to 32 363.50 ng x g(-1), nd to 6 461.80 ng x g(-1) and 461.70 to 8 740.80 ng x g(-1), respectively. Concentrations of detected toluene (4 619.50-7 234.30 ng x g(-1)) and ethylbenzene (364.60-7 944.60 ng x g(-1)) had exceeded the Canadian guidelines for industrial land (370 ng x g(-1) and 82 ng x g(-1)), and concentration of xylene (19 799.40 ng x g(-1)) in dust in production area of Plant A was larger than the Dutch soil intervention value (17 000 ng x g(-1)). While concentrationsn of BTEX around Plant A (Region I ) and Plant B and C (Region II) ranged from nd to 645.81 ng x g(-1), and nd to 309.13 ng x g(-1), respectively, which were below the Canadian guidelines for agricultural land. The non-carcinogenic risk of BTEX in Plant A (2.90E-06 -1.32E-04), B (nd -4.30E-05) and C (1.29E-06 -5.64E-05) were all below 1, which suggested that no obvious health risk existed in each plant. The non-carcinogenic risks in Region I (nd -2.02E-06) and Region II (nd -1.10E-06) were below than 1, and also lower than those in factories. High risk areas were mainly concentrated in the downwind, moreover, soils around villages and towns were also with higher risk. In conclusion, soils and dusts in each factory had been polluted and the quality of agricultural land had been partly deteriorated. Finally, environmental management and occupational protection countermeasures were proposed based on the research results.

[Characteristics and countermeasures of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emission in China].

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a kind of irritating, carcinogenic, deforming, mutagenic, flammable and explosive organic compounds which are harmful to human and ecosystem health. In terms of industrial stationary sources, vehicle exhaust sources and domestic emission sources, this paper analyzed the major characteristics of VOCs emissions. The spatial distribution of industrial VOCs emission in China's typical areas were figured out based on the statistic data issued in 2010. The results showed that the emission quantity in eastern areas was higher than that in middle and western areas, not only by total amount but also by unit area, while there was a significant difference among these areas in terms of industrial emission sources. Therefore, the current VOCs governance, including regulations, standards, and existing problems were discussed, and then based on the experiences from the developed countries and regions, the suggestions were proposed to enhance the VOCs management in China.