Unintentional emissions of polychlorinated naphthalenes in China: Sources, composition, and historical trends.

Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) are detrimental to human health and the environment. With the commercial production of PCNs banned, unintentional releases have emerged as a significant environmental source. However, relevant information is still scarce. In this study, provincial emissions for eight PCNs homologues from 37 sources in the Chinese mainland during the period of 1960-2019 were estimated based on a source-specific and time-varying emission factor database. The results showed that the total PCNs emissions in 2019 reached 757.0 kg with Hebei ranked at the top among all the provinces and iron & steel industry as the biggest source. Low-chlorinated PCNs comprised 90% of emissions by mass, while highly chlorinated PCNs dominated in terms of toxicity, highlighting divergent priorities for mitigating emissions and safeguarding human health. The emissions showed an overall upward trend from 1960 to 2019 driven by emission increase from iron & steel industry in terms of source, and from North China and East China in terms of geographic area. Per-capita emissions followed an inverted U-shaped environmental Kuznets curve while emission intensities decreased with increasing per-capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) following a nearly linear pattern when log-transformed.

Genotype and phenotype analysis of α-thalassemia fusion gene in southern China.

OBJECTIVE: The α-globin fusion gene between the HBA2 and HBAP1 genes, is clinically important in thalassemia screening because this fusion gene can cause severe hemoglobin (Hb) H disease when combined with α0 -thalassemia (α0 -thal). In this study, we evaluate the red blood cell parameters of α-thalassemia fusion gene in southern China. METHOD: Study samples suspected of α-thalassemia fusion gene were collected and confirmed by PCR-sequencing from one medical lab center in southern China. Their genotypes and phenotypes were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 266 cases of α-thalassemia fusion gene were confirmed in our lab from 2017 to 2023, most of them were from Hainan province (169 cases) and Huadu district of Guangzhou (21 cases), the nationality of 143 cases from Hainan was identified, with 71.3% (102/143) being from the Li minority. The Hb, MCV, MCH for αα/(αα)fusion in adult males were 143.5±11.83g/L, 81.51±4.39 fl, and 26.26±1.29 pg, respectively; and in females, they were 126.69±12.89 g/L, 80.10±4.05 fl, 25.8±2.04 pg, respectively. All 12 cases (αα) Fusion/ --SEA showed anemia with decreased Hb, MCV and MCH. CONCLUSION: The carriers of α-globin fusion gene heterozygotes are clinically silent and exhibit an α+ phenotype. Individuals with (αα)Fusion/--SEA show apparent anemia. This α-globin fusion gene is relatively common in southern China, specifically among the Li minority of Hainan province. Therefore, it should be taken into account for genetic counseling purposes.

Foliar Uptake and Distribution of Metallic Oxide Nanoparticles in Maize (Zea mays L.) Leaf.

The foliar uptake of Fe3O4, Cr2O3, CuO, and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) by maize (Zea mays L.) was studied in a lab-scale experiment. The significant increase of Fe concentrations in leaves exposed to Fe3O4 was observed in both stomatal closing and stomatal opening treatments, suggesting the presence of a nonstomatal uptake. In parallel treatments with equal doses of Fe3O4 (∼200 nm), Cr2O3 (∼300 nm), CuO (∼30 nm), and ZnO (∼40 nm) (20-200 µg), the retention percentage of Fe in the leaves (21.0-69.0%) was higher than that of Cr, Cu, and Zn (0.5-14.0%). The steric hindrance effect seems more important for NPs of >200 nm, while hydrophobic surface and negative charge promote the foliar uptake of NPs smaller than 200 nm. The accumulation of NPs in the cuticle was observed through dark-field hyperspectral microscopy. Cr2O3, Fe3O4, and CuO NPs were difficult to penetrate the cuticle. In comparison, ZnO further migrated and distributed within the extracellular space of epidermal and mesophyll cells of the exposed leaf, possibly due to its comparatively higher solubility and hydrophilicity. The findings highlight the potential of the nonstomatal uptake, which might be a critical route for metallic oxide NPs to enter the food chain.

Photo-electrochemical sensor based on BiOI/ZnIn2S4 heterojunction for detecting hydrogen peroxide and dopamine.

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) detection as a potential development strategy for hydrogen peroxide and dopamine sensors has received extensive attentions. Herein, BiOI/ZnIn2S4-X (X = n (BiOI)/n(ZnIn2S4)) heterojunction was synthesized using various molar ratios via a two-step method. A series of characterization techniques were employed to analyze the composition, surface structure, valence state, and optical properties of BiOI/ZnIn2S4-X. The results show that BiOI/ZnIn2S4-X perform significantly better than both BiOI and ZnIn2S4. Furthermore, BiOI/ZnIn2S4-9% exhibits superior visible light absorption capacity and photocurrent response among all of the BiOI/ZnIn2S4-X tested. Therefore, a PEC sensor was developed using BiOI/ZnIn2S4-9% for the detection of hydrogen peroxide and dopamine. The linear detection range for hydrogen peroxide spans from to 1 ~ 40,000 µM, with the LOD of 0.036 µM (S/N = 3). For dopamine, the corresponding values are 2 ~ 250 µM for the linear detection range, and 0.017 µM for the LOD, respectively. The sensor exhibits demonstrates excellent stability, reproducibility and resistance to interference, enabling the detection of real samples and thus holds promising application potential.

Association between ASPECTS region of infarction and clinical outcome in non-acute large vessel occlusion ischaemic stroke after endovascular recanalisation.

PURPOSE: This study retrospectively investigated whether infarction in specific Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) regions is associated with clinical outcome in patients with symptomatic non-acute internal carotid or middle cerebral artery occlusion who underwent endovascular recanalisation (ER). METHODS: Preoperative ASPECTS and region of infarction were recorded before recanalisation. Clinical outcome was evaluated 90 days after the procedure using the modified Rankin Scale; a score>2 was defined as poor outcome. Secondary outcomes included postprocedural cerebral oedema, intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) and symptomatic ICH. RESULTS: Among the 86 patients included, 90-day outcome was poor in 30 (34.9%) and 40 experienced cerebral oedema (46.5%). Multivariate logistic regression models showed that lenticular nucleus infarction (OR 19.61-26.00, p<0.05), admission diastolic blood pressure (OR 1.07-1.08, p<0.05), preprocedural National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (OR 1.96-2.05, p<0.001) and haemorrhagic transformation (OR 14.99-18.81, p<0.05) were independent predictors of poor 90-day outcome. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for lenticular nucleus infarction as a predictor of poor outcome was 0.73. M2 region infarction (OR 26.07, p<0.001) and low American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/Society of Interventional Radiology collateral circulation grade (OR 0.16, p=0.001) were independent predictors of postprocedural cerebral oedema. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for M2 region infarction as a predictor of cerebral oedema was 0.64. Region of infarction did not significantly differ between patients with and without postprocedural ICH or symptomatic ICH. CONCLUSIONS: Lenticular nucleus and M2 region infarction were independent predictors of poor 90-day outcome and postprocedural cerebral oedema, respectively, in patients with non-acute anterior circulation large artery occlusion who underwent ER.

Molecular dynamics simulating the effects of Shockley-type stacking faults on the radiation displacement cascades in 4H-SiC.

Four-layer hexagonal silicon carbide (4H-SiC) is a promising material for high-temperature and radiation-rich environments due to its excellent thermal conductivity and radiation resistance. However, real 4H-SiC crystals often contain Shockley-type stacking faults (SSF), which can affect their radiation resistance. This study employed molecular dynamics (MD) simulation method to explore the effects of SSF on radiation displacement cascades in 4H-SiC. We conducted a comprehensive study of various SSF within the crystalline framework of 4H-SiC, and analyzed their stacking fault energy (SFE). We simulated the radiation displacement cascade in 4H-SiC with SSF and analyzed the effects of SSF on the distribution of radiation displacement defects. We simulated the radiation displacement cascade in 4H-SiC with SSF under different energies of primary knock-on atom (E PKA) and temperatures (T) conditions, and analyzed the variation pattern of the number of radiation displacement defects and clusters. The results indicated that SSF limits defect distribution position. SSF has an effect on the defects and clusters of 4H-SiC in the displacement cascade, and SSF can affect the maximum working temperature of 4H-SiC.

Association between triglyceride glucose-body mass index and all-cause mortality in critically ill patients with acute pancreatitis.

This study delves into the correlation between the triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI) index upon hospital admission and clinical outcomes among this patient population. We investigated the association between TyG-BMI at hospital admission and clinical outcomes in this patient group, and analyzed data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV database, identifying acute pancreatitis (AP) patients admitted to ICUs and stratifying them by TyG-BMI quartiles. We assessed the relationship between TyG-BMI and mortality (both in-hospital and ICU) using Cox proportional hazards regression and restricted cubic splines. The cohort included 419 patients, average age 56.34 ± 16.62 years, with a majority being male (61.58%). Hospital and ICU mortality rates were 11.93% and 7.16%, respectively. Higher TyG-BMI was positively correlated with increased all-cause mortality. Patients in the highest TyG-BMI quartile had significantly greater risks of in-hospital and ICU mortality. An S-shaped curve in the spline analysis indicated a threshold effect at a TyG-BMI of 243 for increased in-hospital mortality risk. TyG-BMI is a reliable predictor of both in-hospital and ICU mortality in severely ill AP patients, suggesting its utility in enhancing risk assessment and guiding clinical interventions for this vulnerable population.

Development and clinical validation of a novel detection kit for α-thalassemia in southern Chinese.

Objective: This study aimed to develop and assess a novel reverse dot blot assay for the simultaneous detection of 10 types of α-thalassemia alleles in the Chinese population, including six common variants of-SEA, -α3.7, -α4.2, αCS, αQS, and αWS, and four rare variants of αααanti-4.2, αααanti-3.7, --FIL deletion and--THAI deletion. Methods: The novel thalassemia gene assay utilized a two-tier multiplex polymerase chain reaction amplification system and one round of hybridization. Genomic DNA samples were sourced from three hospitals in southern China. Each clinically validated DNA sample was re-evaluated using the new multiplex polymerase chain reaction/reverse dot blot assay Ⅲ (M-PCR/RDB Ⅲ). Results: The study analyzed a total of 1,148 unrelated participants, consisting of 810 thalassemia patients and 338 healthy control subjects. Valid hybridization results were obtained for 1,147 samples, with one case (thalassemia carrier) being excluded from the study due to the poor quality of DNA. All 1,147 samples, including those with α heterozygous thalassemia, α homozygous thalassemia, α compound heterozygous thalassemia, and control subjects were accurately genotyped, showing 100% concordance with the reference assays. Conclusion: The novel M-PCR/RDB Ⅲ assay proved to be simple, rapid, and precise, indicating its potential for genetic screening and clinical diagnosis of both common and rare α-thalassemia variants in Chinese populations.

Characterization and mechanism of phthalic acid esters bioaccumulation in dominant mangrove fish at different habitats in the mangrove ecosystem of Dongzhai Harbor, China.

With the wide application of phthalic acid esters (PAEs) in the manufacturing of plastic products, a large number of PAEs were discharged into marine ecosystem and accumulated in fish, which has posed a serious threat to marine ecological environment and fishery resources. However, the bioaccumulation of PAEs in fish in mangrove ecosystem, the most productive marine ecosystem, has not been well characterized. In this study, dominant fish and their potential food sources (including particulate organic matter (POM), sedimentary organic matter (SOM), Metapenaeus ensis (Shrimp) and Oreochromis (Ore)) were collected from Dongzhai Harbor, a typical mangrove ecosystem. The concentrations of nine PAEs in fish and their potential food sources were determined. Then stable nitrogen and carbon isotope analysis, combined with a new Bayesian mixing model (MixSIMMR) was used to quantify the diet compositions of fish and elucidate the effect of dietary habit on PAEs bioaccumulation in fish. The results indicated that the median concentration of ∑9PAEs in fish was 1119 µg/kg ww, positioning it at a moderate to low level in comparison to other regions. di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and diisononyl ortho-phthalate (DINP) were the dominant PAEs in fish. The PAEs concentration in demersal fish was significantly higher than that of pelagic fish, which may be attributed to the substantial contributions of shrimp (28.5 %) and POM (25.3 %) to the diet of demersal fish. This study provided new insights on the bioaccumulation of PAEs in dominant mangrove fish and confirmed that habitat preferences and food sources could significantly influence the bioaccumulation of PAEs in fish.

Calcium enrichment activity initiates extracellular calcium influx-dependent inflammatory response of biologically-derived hydroxyapatite.

Biologically-derived hydroxyapatite is a widely used biomaterial in various clinical applications including bone augmentation. However, the osteogenic application of biological hydroxyapatite is limited by inflammatory responses, and the underlying mechanism remains unknown. The current study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the inflammatory response to biological hydroxyapatite. Porcine-derived hydroxyapatite (PHA) with two sintering temperatures (800 and 1600 °C), PHA800 and PHA1600, respectively, were prepared. A PHA/macrophage co-culture model was established. Transcriptome, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analyses were used to determine the inflammatory effects and the main pathways activated by PHA800 and PHA1600. Intracellular calcium level, PHA-induced calcium enrichment, and related biological effects were used to determine the molecular mechanism at the PHA-cell interface. PHA800 significantly upregulated a TLR4 mediated inflammatory pathway in a calcium influx-dependent manner, and the calcium enrichment activity on the surface of PHA800 promoted calcium influx. In contrast, the calcium enrichment activity on the surfaces of the PHA1600 and PHA800 pretreated groups was attenuated, resulting in decreased calcium influx and mild inflammatory effects. Our results provide a fundamental basis for the development of novel bone substitutes that elicit low levels of inflammation response.

MISP-mediated enhancement of pancreatic cancer growth through the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway is suppressed by Fisetin.

Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant tumor characterized by high mortality and low survival rates. The mitotic interactor and substrate of Plk1 (MISP) is a cancer-associated protein that regulates mitotic spindle localization and is highly expressed in several malignant tumors, contributing to tumor development. However, the function and regulatory mechanisms of MISP in pancreatic cancer remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed RNA sequencing data related to pancreatic cancer from the TCGA and GEO databases, identifying MISP as a potential prognostic marker for the disease. MISP was significantly upregulated in pancreatic cancer cells and tissues compared to normal pancreatic cells and tissues. Notably, in pancreatic cancer cells, high MISP protein expression promoted cell proliferation and growth. Mechanistically, the upregulation of MISP facilitated the nuclear accumulation of ß-catenin, thereby activating the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway and promoting pancreatic cancer growth. In search of effective inhibitors of MISP expression, we screened an FDA-approved drug library and identified Fisetin as a potential suppressor of MISP expression. Fisetin was found to downregulate the transcription factor MYB, thereby reducing MISP expression. Further experiments demonstrated that Fisetin effectively inhibited the in vitro and in vivo growth of pancreatic cancer by suppressing the MISP/Wnt/ß-catenin signaling axis. In summary, our research has identified MISP as a novel therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer and uncovered its associated regulatory mechanisms.

Melatonin prevents the transgenerational toxicity of nanoplastics in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

As a novel pollutant, microplastic pollution has become a global environmental concern. Melatonin (MT) has a protective effect on the damage caused by pollutants. However, there is still a lack of research on the transgenerational toxicity of microplastics and the alleviation of microplastics toxicity by MT. In this study, the adult zebrafish was exposed to (0, 0.1 and 1 mg/L) polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNP) with or without (1 µM) MT for 14 days, and embryos (F1) were used for experiments. Our study found that long-term exposure of parents to 1 mg/L PSNP reduced fertilization rate and survival rate of offspring, increased the deformity rate and induced embryos to hatch in advance. The growth inhibition of offspring was related to the gene transcription of the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor axis. Moreover, PSNP caused oxidative stress in offspring, damaged immune system, reduced antioxidant capacity and induced apoptosis. MT supplementation could effectively alleviate the developmental toxicity and oxidative damage of offspring, but the negative effects brought by PSNP could not be completely eliminated. Our research provided a new reference for the protective effect of MT on transgenerational toxicity induced by PSNP.

Different coexistence patterns between apex carnivores and mesocarnivores based on temporal, spatial, and dietary niche partitioning analysis in Qilian Mountain National Park, China.

Carnivores play key roles in maintaining ecosystem structure and function as well as ecological processes. Understanding how sympatric species coexist in natural ecosystems is a central research topic in community ecology and biodiversity conservation. In this study, we explored intra- and interspecific niche partitioning along spatial, temporal, and dietary niche partitioning between apex carnivores (wolf Canis lupus, snow leopard Panthera uncia, Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx) and mesocarnivores (Pallas's cat Otocolobus manul, red fox Vulpes vulpes, Tibetan fox Vulpes ferrilata) in Qilian Mountain National Park, China, using camera trapping data and DNA metabarcoding sequencing data. Our study showed that apex carnivore species had more overlap temporally (coefficients of interspecific overlap ranging from 0.661 to 0.900) or trophically (Pianka's index ranging from 0.458 to 0.892), mesocarnivore species had high dietary overlap with each other (Pianka's index ranging from 0.945 to 0.997), and apex carnivore and mesocarnivore species had high temporal overlap (coefficients of interspecific overlap ranging from 0.497 to 0.855). Large dietary overlap was observed between wolf and snow leopard (Pianka's index = 0.892) and Pallas's cat and Tibetan fox (Pianka's index = 0.997), suggesting the potential for increased resource competition for these species pairs. We concluded that spatial niche partitioning is likely to key driver in facilitating the coexistence of apex carnivore species, while spatial and temporal niche partitioning likely facilitate the coexistence of mesocarnivore species, and spatial and dietary niche partitioning facilitate the coexistence between apex and mesocarnivore species. Our findings consider partitioning across temporal, spatial, and dietary dimensions while examining diverse coexistence patterns of carnivore species in Qilian Mountain National Park, China. These findings will contribute substantially to current understanding of carnivore guilds and effective conservation management in fragile alpine ecosystems.

Traditional Chinese Medicine in the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis, precancerous lesions and gastric cancer.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), precancerous lesions of gastric cancer (PLGC), and gastric cancer (GC), seriously threaten human health. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been employed in the treatment of chronic diseases for a long time and has shown remarkable efficacy. AIM OF THE STUDY: Recently, there has been an increasing use of TCM in treating CAG, PLGC, and GC. The objective of this study is to compile a comprehensive overview of the existing research on the effects and molecular mechanisms of TCM, including formulas, single herbs, and active components. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To obtain a comprehensive understanding of traditional use of TCM in treating these diseases, we reviewed ancient books and Chinese literature. In addition, keywords such as "TCM", "CAG", "PLGC", "GC", and "active ingredients" were used to collect modern research on TCM published in databases such as CNKI, Web of Science, and Pubmed up to April 2024. All collected information was then summarized and analyzed. RESULTS: This study analyzed 174 articles, which covered the research progress of 20 TCM formulas, 14 single herbs, and 50 active ingredients in treating CAG, PLGC, and GC. Sources, effects, and molecular mechanisms of the TCM were summarized. CONCLUSIONS: This article reviews the progress of TCM in the management of CAG, PLGC, and GC, which will provide a foundation for the clinical application and further development of TCM.

Nacre-like Anisotropic Multifunctional Aramid Nanofiber Composites for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding, Thermal Management, and Strain Sensing.

Developing multifunctional flexible composites with high-performance electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, thermal management, and sensing capacity is urgently required but challenging for next-generation smart electronic devices. Herein, novel nacre-like aramid nanofibers (ANFs)-based composite films with an anisotropic layered microstructure were prepared via vacuum-assisted filtration and hot-pressing. The formed 3D conductive skeleton enabled fast electron and phonon transport pathways in the composite films. As a result, the composite films showed a high electrical conductivity of 71.53 S/cm and an outstanding thermal conductivity of 6.4 W/m·K when the mass ratio of ANFs to MXene/AgNWs was 10:8. The excellent electrical properties and multi-layered structure endowed the composite films with superior EMI shielding performance and remarkable Joule heating performance, with a surface temperature of 78.3 °C at a voltage of 2.5 V. Additionally, it was found that the composite films also exhibited excellent mechanical properties and outstanding flame resistance. Moreover, the composite films could be further designed as strain sensors, which show great promise in monitoring real-time signals for human motion. These satisfactory results may open up a new opportunity for EMI shielding, thermal management, and sensing applications in wearable electronic devices.

Asymptomatic multicentric Castleman disease: A potential early stage of idiopathic MCD.

According to the diagnostic criteria for HHV-8 (human herpesvirus-8) negative/idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) proposed by Castleman Disease Collaborative Network (CDCN) in 2017, there is a group of HHV-8 negative multicentric Castleman disease (MCD) patients who do not have symptoms and hyperinflammatory state and do not meet the iMCD criteria. This retrospective study enrolled 114 such patients, described as asymptomatic MCD (aMCD), from 26 Chinese centers from 2000-2021. With a median follow-up time of 46.5 months (range: 4-279 months), 6 patients (5.3%) transformed to iMCD. The median time between diagnosis of aMCD and iMCD in these 6 patients was 28.5 months (range: 3-60 months). During follow-up, 7 patients died; three of them died from progression of MCD. Despite that 37.7% patients received systemic treatment targeting MCD, this strategy was neither associated with a lower probability of iMCD transformation nor a lower death rate. The 5-year estimated survival of all aMCD patients was 94.1% (95% CI 88.8-99.6%). Transformation to iMCD was an important predictor of death (log-rank p=0.01) (5-year estimated survival 83.3%). This study suggests that aMCD patients may represent a potential early stage of iMCD, who may not require immediate treatment but should be closely monitored.

BATF is a major driver of NK cell epigenetic reprogramming and dysfunction in AML.

Myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) belong to a continuous disease spectrum of myeloid malignancies with poor prognosis in the relapsed/refractory setting necessitating novel therapies. Natural killer (NK) cells from patients with myeloid malignancies display global dysfunction with impaired killing capacity, altered metabolism, and an exhausted phenotype at the single-cell transcriptomic and proteomic levels. In this study, we identified that this dysfunction was mediated through a cross-talk between NK cells and myeloid blasts necessitating cell-cell contact. NK cell dysfunction could be prevented by targeting the αvß-integrin/TGF-ß/SMAD pathway but, once established, was persistent because of profound epigenetic reprogramming. We identified BATF as a core transcription factor and the main mediator of this NK cell dysfunction in AML. Mechanistically, we found that BATF was directly regulated and induced by SMAD2/3 and, in turn, bound to key genes related to NK cell exhaustion, such as HAVCR2, LAG3, TIGIT, and CTLA4. BATF deletion enhanced NK cell function against AML in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, our findings reveal a previously unidentified mechanism of NK immune evasion in AML manifested by epigenetic rewiring and inactivation of NK cells by myeloid blasts. This work highlights the importance of using healthy allogeneic NK cells as an adoptive cell therapy to treat patients with myeloid malignancies combined with strategies aimed at preventing the dysfunction by targeting the TGF-ß pathway or BATF.

Multi-media environmental fate of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in China: A systematic review of emissions, presence, transport modeling and health risks.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) are notorious persistent organic pollutants (POPs) with proven toxicity to human and ecosystems. This review critically evaluates existing research, emphasizing knowledge gaps regarding PCDD/F emissions, environmental behavior, human exposure, and associated risks in China. The current emission inventory of PCDD/Fs in China remains highly uncertain, both in terms of total emissions and emission trends. Moreover, existing monitoring data primarily focus on areas near pollution sources, limiting comprehensive understanding of the overall spatiotemporal characteristics of PCDD/F pollution. To address this, we propose a novel approach that integrates the Multi-media Urban Mode (MUM) model with an atmospheric chemical transport model that includes a dual adsorption model to capture gas-particle partitioning of PCDD/Fs in the atmosphere. This coupled model can simulate the transport and fate of PCDD/Fs in multi-media environments with high spatiotemporal resolution, facilitating a nuanced understanding of the impacts of emissions, climate, urbanization and other factors on PCDD/F pollution. Additionally, dietary ingestion, particularly from animal-derived foods, is identified as the predominant source (up to 98%) of human exposure to PCDD/Fs. While the changes in dietary structure, population distribution, and age structure can influence human exposure to PCDD/Fs, their impacts have not yet been quantified. The proposed model lays the foundation for a systematic assessment of health risks from PCDD/F exposure through various pathways by further incorporating a food chain model. Overall, this review offers a comprehensive strategy for assessing PCDD/F pollution, encompassing the entire continuum from emissions to environmental impacts.

Unveiling the contribution of tumor-associated macrophages in driving epithelial-mesenchymal transition: a review of mechanisms and therapeutic Strategies.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), fundamental constituents of the tumor microenvironment (TME), significantly influence cancer development, primarily by promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT endows cancer cells with increased motility, invasiveness, and resistance to therapies, marking a pivotal juncture in cancer progression. The review begins with a detailed exposition on the origins of TAMs and their functional heterogeneity, providing a foundational understanding of TAM characteristics. Next, it delves into the specific molecular mechanisms through which TAMs induce EMT, including cytokines, chemokines and stromal cross-talking. Following this, the review explores TAM-induced EMT features in select cancer types with notable EMT characteristics, highlighting recent insights and the impact of TAMs on cancer progression. Finally, the review concludes with a discussion of potential therapeutic targets and strategies aimed at mitigating TAM infiltration and disrupting the EMT signaling network, thereby underscoring the potential of emerging treatments to combat TAM-mediated EMT in cancer. This comprehensive analysis reaffirms the necessity for continued exploration into TAMs' regulatory roles within cancer biology to refine therapeutic approaches and improve patient outcomes.