Source apportionment of nitrate in the Pearl River Estuary using δ15N and δ18O values and isotope mixing model.

The mitigation of eutrophication in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) has encountered numerous challenges in regards to source control. Herein, the isotope mixing model (SIAR) was used to quantify the primary nitrate sources in the PRE. The results showed that the nitrate levels were significantly higher in the high-flow season than in the low-flow season. Meanwhile, we found the most important nitrate sources were manure and sewage during the high-flow season, with a contribution ratio of 47 % in the low salt area (LSA) and 29 % in the high salt area (HSA). During the low-flow season, the primary nitrate sources were identified as reduced nitrogen fertilizer in the LSA and manure and sewage in the HSA, which accounted for 52 % and 44 %, respectively. Furthermore, we also suggest that a feasible measure might be to control the pollution caused in the PRE by manure and sewage as well as reduced nitrogen fertilizer.

IL-18BP Alleviates Anxiety-Like Behavior Induced by Traumatic Stress via Inhibition of the IL-18R-NLRP3 Signaling Pathway in a Mouse Model of Hemorrhagic Shock and Resuscitation.

Psychological distress and posttraumatic stress, including anxiety, severely influence life quality. Previously, we reported that interleukin-18 (IL-18) was involved in pyroptosis-induced emotional changes in a rodent model of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HSR). Here, we aimed to continue our investigation on the role of IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP), which exhibits excellent anti-inflammatory effects as an IL-18 negative regulator. Mice were administered with an intraperitoneal injection of IL-18BP after HSR exposure and anxiety-like behavior was examined using the open-field test and elevated plus maze test. Moreover, the following variables post-HSR were measured: (1) the activation of astrocytes; (2) pyroptosis-associated factors including cleaved caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-18; (3) the roles of IL-18 receptor (IL-18R)-NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) signal with the application of the NLRP3 specific agonist or astrocyte-specific NLRP3 knockout mice. IL-18BP administration remarkably alleviated HSR-induced anxiety-like behavior, astrocytic activation, and increases in pyroptosis-associated factors, while NLRP3 agonist nigericin partially reversed IL-18BP-induced neuroprotective effects. Astrocyte-specific NLRP3 knockout mice exhibited relatively less anxiety-like behavior. Similarly, IL-18BP exhibited an anti-pyroptosis effect in astrocytes in an in vitro model of low oxygen-glucose deprivation. These findings offer unique perspectives on HSR-induced posttraumatic stress and indicate that inhibition of IL-18R-NLRP3 signal via IL-18BP can attenuate astrocytic activation and pyroptosis, broadening the therapeutic landscape for patients with psychological distress and posttraumatic stress.

[Observations of Reactive Nitrogen and Sulfur Compounds During Haze Episodes Using a Denuder-based System].

Reactive nitrogen and sulfur compounds are chemically active in the atmosphere and play an important role in secondary particle formation. Among them, sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium (SNA) are important components of particulate matter (PM) that account for approximately one-third of fine particles. The precursors of SNA including HNO3, SO2, and NH3 are all involved in haze formation in China. To date, the concurrent measurements of SNA and their precursors have been limited to single sites and short terms because of the high cost of the instruments. This study aimed to use DELTA (Denuder for Long-Term Atmospheric sampling) to characterize the daily concentrations of reactive nitrogen and sulfur species during haze episodes. The results showed that the background interface of NH4+, NO3-, and SO42- in the denuder was minor and could be used to determine 24-48 h concentrations of NH3, HNO3, SO2, NH4+, and NO3-. However, the SO42- concentrations in the blank filter was so high that they could only be used for sampling weekly or for longer periods of time. During the campaign between May 9 and June 7, 2016 in urban Beijing, the concentrations of NH3, HNO3, NH4+, and NO3- showed distinct daily variations at different wind directions, i.e., higher values were observed during southerly winds and lower values during northerly winds. The time series of these reactive nitrogen compounds coincided with that of PM2.5, CO, SO2, and NO2, indicating the combustion of fossil fuels. The mean concentrations of NH3, HNO3, NH4+, and NO3- were twice the concentrations during clean days, further highlighting the effect of local emissions on the urban environment. The ratios of HNO3/NO3- and NH3/NH4+ were 1.2 and 4.5, respectively, without significant differences between hazy and clean days. The findings demonstrated that both the reduced and oxidized nitrogen were preferred in gaseous phase rather than particulate phase due to relatively high temperatures during the transition season of spring/summer.

[Evaluation of ecosystem service and emergy of Wanshan Waters in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, China].

The method for monetary value and emergy value analysis of ecosystem service was used in this paper to analyze the change in value of marine ecosystem service of Wanshan District, Zhuhai from 2007 to 2012. The result showed that the monetary value and emergy value of marine ecosystem service of Wanshan District, Zhuhai rose to 11512840000 yuan and 1.97 x 10(22) sej from 7721630000 yuan and 1.04 x 10(22) sej, respectively. Both monetary value and emergy value could forecast the change in the value of marine ecosystem service, but they reflected different value structures and ecological energy, which could be used to more objectively evaluate the ecosystem service. Ecological civilization development, as an inherent driving force to impel the development of marine ecosystem service structure, was important for rational exploitation of marine resources and optimization of marine ecosystem service.