Overview of surface measurements and spatial characterization of submicrometer particulate matter during the DISCOVER-AQ 2013 campaign in Houston, TX.

The sources of submicrometer particulate matter (PM1) remain poorly characterized in the industrialized city of Houston, TX. A mobile sampling approach was used to characterize PM1 composition and concentration across Houston based on high-time-resolution measurements of nonrefractory PM1 and trace gases during the DISCOVER-AQ Texas 2013 campaign. Two pollution zones with marked differences in PM1 levels, character, and dynamics were established based on cluster analysis of organic aerosol mass loadings sampled at 16 sites. The highest PM1 mass concentrations (average 11.6 ± 5.7 µg/m3) were observed to the northwest of Houston (zone 1), dominated by secondary organic aerosol (SOA) mass likely driven by nighttime biogenic organonitrate formation. Zone 2, an industrial/urban area south/east of Houston, exhibited lower concentrations of PM1 (average 4.4 ± 3.3 µg/m3), significant organic aerosol (OA) aging, and evidence of primary sulfate emissions. Diurnal patterns and backward-trajectory analyses enable the classification of airmass clusters characterized by distinct PM sources: biogenic SOA, photochemical aged SOA, and primary sulfate emissions from the Houston Ship Channel. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicates that secondary biogenic organonitrates primarily related with monoterpenes are predominant in zone 1 (accounting for 34% of the variability in the data set). The relevance of photochemical processes and industrial and traffic emission sources in zone 2 also is highlighted by PCA, which identifies three factors related with these processes/sources (~50% of the aerosol/trace gas concentration variability). PCA reveals a relatively minor contribution of isoprene to SOA formation in zone 1 and the absence of isoprene-derived aerosol in zone 2. The relevance of industrial amine emissions and the likely contribution of chloride-displaced sea salt aerosol to the observed variability in pollution levels in zone 2 also are captured by PCA. IMPLICATIONS: This article describes an urban-scale mobile study to characterize spatial variations in submicrometer particulate matter (PM1) in greater Houston. The data set indicates substantial spatial variations in PM1 sources/chemistry and elucidates the importance of photochemistry and nighttime oxidant chemistry in producing secondary PM1. These results emphasize the potential benefits of effective control strategies throughout the region, not only to reduce primary emissions of PM1 from automobiles and industry but also to reduce the emissions of important secondary PM1 precursors, including sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, ammonia, and volatile organic compounds. Such efforts also could aid in efforts to reduce mixing ratios of ozone.

Vehicle Emissions as an Important Urban Ammonia Source in the United States and China.

Ammoniated aerosols are important for urban air quality, but emissions of the key precursor NH3 are not well quantified. Mobile laboratory observations are used to characterize fleet-integrated NH3 emissions in six cities in the U.S. and China. Vehicle NH3:CO2 emission ratios in the U.S. are similar between cities (0.33-0.40 ppbv/ppmv, 15% uncertainty) despite differences in fleet composition, climate, and fuel composition. While Beijing, China has a comparable emission ratio (0.36 ppbv/ppmv) to the U.S. cities, less developed Chinese cities show higher emission ratios (0.44 and 0.55 ppbv/ppmv). If the vehicle CO2 inventories are accurate, NH3 emissions from U.S. vehicles (0.26 ± 0.07 Tg/yr) are more than twice those of the National Emission Inventory (0.12 Tg/yr), while Chinese NH3 vehicle emissions (0.09 ± 0.02 Tg/yr) are similar to a bottom-up inventory. Vehicle NH3 emissions are greater than agricultural emissions in counties containing near half of the U.S. population and require reconsideration in urban air quality models due to their colocation with other aerosol precursors and the uncertainties regarding NH3 losses from upwind agricultural sources. Ammonia emissions in developing cities are especially important because of their high emission ratios and rapid motorizations.

Effect of retained components of excised tumor upon coexisting tumor.

Effects of locally treated and retained tumor tissue on the growth of a tumor at another site were investigated using Lewis rats bearing syngeneic fibrosarcoma. When an established tumor had completely regressed upon repeated intratumoral injections of L-phenylalanine mustard (PhM), the growth of secondarily transplanted tumor cells was inhibited. However, early excision of the PhM-injected tumor prevented the development of this effect. To study this effect directly, we excised one of the two established tumors in each thigh, and reinoculated into the excision wound either freeze-lysed 1 X 10(8) tumor cells (TC) or lysate chemically modified with PhM (PTC). We found that TC inoculation into the excision wound in 7 rats inhibited the growth of the remaining tumor and extended survival time (mean +/- SE, 27 +/- 1 days). With inoculation of PTC into the excision wound, the remaining tumor regressed and survival was significantly prolonged (32 +/- 2 days). In contrast, 7 untreated rats, each bearing two tumors, had a mean survival time of 22 +/- 0.1 days. Excision of one tumor (6 rats) did not affect the growth of the remaining tumor or survival time (23 +/- 1 days). We employed PhM to modify the immunogenicity of TC. However, if PhM dissociates from PTC, its cytotoxic effect may directly inhibit growth of the distant tumor. To examine this possibility, we divided 30 rats who had excision of one tumor, into three groups of 10 10.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Preservation of donor heart function and high-energy stores by continuous perfusion with synthetic plasma at 22 degrees C.

We evaluated high-energy phosphate (HEP) levels and the ability to perform work in rat hearts preserved by standard techniques (0.9% NaCl arrest and storage at 4 degrees C) and by continuous coronary perfusion at 22 degrees C, pH 7.25, and 55 mm Hg for 4 or 8 hr with Krebs-Henseleit buffer (KHB), modified Morgan's solution (MCS), or a medium developed in our lab (physiologically complete medium or PCM). Cardiac work was evaluated in the rewarmed hearts with use of a working heart preparation at left atrial pressures of 10, 15, and 20 cm H2O, and by measurement of aortic flow, coronary flow, heart rate, and peak systolic pressure. HEP levels in the hearts continuously perfused were significantly higher (p less than .05) than those in the hearts stored at 4 degrees C. The functional recovery of hearts preserved by storage in cold saline for 4 or 8 hr was significantly less (p less than .01) than the recovered function of hearts preserved for comparable periods by perfusion at 22 degrees C with either MCS or PCM. The results indicate that continuous perfusion at 22 degrees C with a more physiologic medium is superior to hypothermic arrest and storage at 4 degrees C for the preservation of donor heart function and HEP levels.

Artificial red cells with crosslinked hemoglobin membranes.

Artificial cells containing concentrated hemoglobin (Hb) solution were prepared by interfacial polymerization of Hb with glutaraldehyde (GA) in liquid membrane capsules (LMC). A solution containing 30% of Hb was emulsified in mineral oil as red cell-size microdroplets, and this emulsion was dispersed in an aqueous phase containing glutaraldehyde to form LMC. The LMC were semipermeable templates that held the microdroplets of Hb in suspension while GA diffused through the oil to the microdroplet surfaces. The GA crosslinked Hb at the surface of each microdroplet to form an artificial red-cell membrane encapsulating Hb solution. A water-soluble surfactant was used to eject the cells from the LMC and suspend them in saline. Several surfactants were evaluated. Cell size was controlled by agitation speed during preparation of the original emulsion. Cells of 2.52 = +/- 1.69 micron were prepared. The encapsulated Hb retained capacity to bind and release O2. The cells had a P50 of 8.9 torr (1200 Pa) and a capacity of 0.55 cc O2/g of total Hb, indicating that the crosslinked portion of the Hb did not contribute to O2 transport.

Measurement of protein synthesis rates with [15N]glycine.

[15N]glycine (95+%) was infused into 170- to 220-g rats at a constant rate of 2-8 mg [15N]glycine/h for 2-24 h. Two sets of experiments were done. In one set, the rats were killed at varying time intervals, the liver was removed, and the fractional rate of liver protein synthesis was estimated from the amount of 15N incorporated into liver protein, the enrichment of the liver tissue free amino nitrogen, and the time course. In the second set of experiments, the rats were killed after a [15N]glycine infusion of 18-22 h. The whole-body protein synthesis rate was estimated from the urinary 15N enrichment at plateau by the method of Picou and Taylor-Roberts (Clin. Sci. 36: 288-296, 1967). It was compared against the value found by measuring the 15N enrichment of the whole-rat homogenate and calculating the synthesis rate from the formula of Garlick et al. [Biochem. J. 136: 935-945, 1973). The results are i) The 15N enrichment of glycine in either liver protein or liver tissue free amino acids was proportional to the 15N enrichment of the mixed protein or tissue free amino acids, respectively. ii) Continuous infusion-isotopic plateau methods underestimate the fractional protein synthesis rate of rat liver. iii) The methods of Picou and Taylor-Roberts and of Garlick et al. gave similar values for the whole-body protein synthesis rate.

Secondary lesions of penetrating cardiac injuries: a frequent complication.

Between July 1962 and July 1978, 29 patients )23 male and 6 female) from 17 to 48 years of age were followed from two weeks to 15 years after penetrating cardiac injuries involving right ventricle (12), right atrium (6), left ventricle (8), left atrium (2), and pulmonary conus (1). Thoracotomies were performed on all patients either in the emergency room during resuscitation or in the operating room. Repair of the injuries were carried out. All patients were followed for presence of residual cardiac damage. To our surprise, secondary complications were noted in 15 of the 29 patients as follows: Coronary damage (3), pseudoanuerysm (2), bullet embolus (1), VSD (4), recurrent pericarditis (1), mitral valve injury (2), aorta caval (1), and aorto pulmonary fistula (1). Between July 1962 and July 1974, only symptomatic patients with subjective and objective findings had detailed cardiac evaluations. Eight of 20 patients were found to have secondary cardiac complications. Since July 1974, seven of nine patients underwent a posttraumatic cardiac evaluation. Six of the seven patients were found to have significant cardiac lesions which were unrecognized at the time of initial operation. The incidence of posttraumatic remediable cardiac lesions is probably higher than previously suspected. An aggressive, detailed postoperative evaluation is recommended for all patients with penetrating cardiac injuries.

Effect of nutritional status and 5-fluorouracil on protein synthesis in parenterally alimented LEW/Mai rats.

LEW/Mal rats bearing transplantable adenocarcinomas were maintained parenterally for 4 days on 1) a regimen adequate in amino acids and glucose and 2) severely hypocaloric glucose. Rats from both groups were given 17.5 mg 5-fluorouracil (FUra)/kg/day as a continuous infusion for 3 days. Cumulative nitrogen balance, fractional tissue protein synthesis rates, and liver and muscle distribution of FUra and its metabolites were determined. Results were compared to those found with a series of control rats that were not treated with FUra. No changes attributable to FUra were found in the starved rats (1.25 g glucose/day). In the fed rats (15 g glucose plus 2.5 g amino acids/day), FUra decreased the liver and diaphragm fractional protein synthesis rates and the nitrogen retention.

Relative rates of tumor, normal gut, liver, and fibrinogen protein synthesis in man.

Fractional protein synthesis rates of tumor, normal intestinal tissue, liver, and fibrinogen were measured in a series of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies. Protein synthesis rates were measured by the continuous infusion of 95+% [15N]glycine. Twelve to eighteen hours prior to the clinically indicated surgical excision of the tumor, 1-2 g of 95+% [15N]glycine was infused at a constant rate into each subject. During the surgical procedure, 0.05-2 g of tumor, normal intestinal tissue, liver, and 30 ml of venous blood were obtained. Protein synthesis rates were estimated from the ratio of 15N incorporated into tissue protein to the 15N enrichment of the tissue-free amino acid pool. The major findings were: i) the 15N enrichment of the tissue-free amino acids in malignant tissue was greater than and proportional to that in the corresponding normal tissue (P less than 0.02); ii) tumor protein synthesis rates were greater and proportional to the corresponding intestinal tissue rates (P less than 0.05); iii) the fibrinogen synthesis rate was greater than the liver protein synthesis rate (P less than 0.01), but there was no correlation between them.

Human platelet and fluorochemical interaction.

Since the fluorochemicals have become of interest for the development of artificial red blood cells, oxygenators, liquid breathing, and as a radiographic contrast medium, their interaction with biological substances is of importance. Fresh human platelets were placed in contact with four different fluorochemicals for a period of 50 min. The platelet function as measured by aggregation was determined before and after fluorochemical contact. Appropriate controls were also evaluated. No significant differences were found between the aggregation of platelets contacted with fluorochemicals and the aggregation of platelets from the same donor unexposed to fluorochemicals.

Changes in protein synthesis after trauma: importance of nutrition.

The effect of trauma (femur fracture) on protein synthesis in rats given four different parenterally administered nutrient formulations ("diets") was investigated. Diet I was a maintenance formulation. It contained sufficient amino acids and glucose to keep the rats in nitrogen balance but was inadequate to support growth. Diet II was amino acids only, diet III was severely hypocaloric glucose, and diet IV was diet I minus the amino acids. The rats received parenterally all nutrients for the duration of the 4-5 day study. Twenty-four hours posttrauma, the fractional synthesis rates of liver, lung, heart, kidney, and muscle were estimated by infusing [15N]glycine for 17.5-19 h. (T.P. Stein, J.C. Oram-Smith, M.J. Leskiw, H.W. Wallace, L.C. Long, and J.M. Leonard. The effects of protein and calorie restriction on protein synthesis in the rat. Am. J. Physiol. 230: 1321-1326, 1976.) Two trends were found: i) on the amino acid-containing diets (I and II), most protein synthesis rates were increased posttrauma. Lung was the exception: no change was found; ii) rats on the amino acid deficient diets (III and IV) showed a decrease in the fractional muscle and lung synthesis rates posttrauma. We concluded that in this rat trauma model the requirement is mostly for amino acid nitrogen posttrauma.

Tumor-caused changes in host protein synthesis under different dietary situations.

The effect of the AC33 tumor on protein synthesis in Lewis-Wistar rats was investigated under four different dietary regimens. The four diets used were: (a) 1.25 g amino acids plus 12.5 g glucose per day, (b) 1.25 g amino acids, (c) 1.25 g glucose per day, and (d) 12.5 g glucose per day. The rats were maintained on these four diets for 4 days. On the 5th day, 65 to 75 mg 99.2% [15N] glycine were added to the infusate and infused at a constant rate for the next 18 hr. The rats were then sacrificed and the liver, lung, heart, kidney, anterior tibialis muscle, and tumor were rapidly removed and frozen in liquid nitrogen. The rate of protein synthesis for these tissues was calculated from the ratio of 15N in the tissue protein to that in the tissue intracellular fluid. The protein synthesis rates were compared with the values found for a series of nontumor control rats fed the same diets. Relative to the control rats, muscle protein synthesis decreased on Diet 1, and liver protein synthesis increased with the three deficient diets.