GTS-21 attenuates ACE/ACE2 ratio and glycocalyx shedding in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury by targeting macrophage polarization derived ADAM-17.

Acute lung injury (ALI) has received considerable attention in intensive care owing to its high mortality rate. It has been demonstrated that the selective alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist Gainesville Tokushima scientists (GTS)-21 is promising for treating ALI caused by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). However, the precise underlying mechanism remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the potential efficacy of GTS-21 in the treatment of ALI. We developed mouse models of ALI and alveolar epithelial type II cells (AT2s) injury following treatment with LPS and different polarized macrophage supernatants, respectively. Pathological changes, pulmonary edema, and lung compliance were assessed. Inflammatory cells count, protein content, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were analysed in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), ACE2, syndecan-1 (SDC-1), heparan sulphate (HS), heparanase (HPA), exostosin (EXT)-1, and NF-κB were tested in lung tissues and cells. GTS-21-induced changes in macrophage polarization were verified in vivo and in vitro. Polarized macrophage supernatants with or without recombination a disintegrin and metalloproteinase-17 (ADAM-17) and small interfering (si)RNA ADAM-17 were used to verify the role of ADAM-17 in AT2 injury. By reducing pathological alterations, lung permeability, inflammatory response, ACE/ACE2 ratio, and glycocalyx shedding, as well as by downregulating the HPA and NF-κB pathways and upregulating EXT1 expression in vivo, GTS-21 significantly diminished LPS-induced ALI compared to that of the LPS group. GTS-21 significantly attenuated macrophage M1 polarization and augmented M2 polarization in vitro and in vivo. The destructive effects of M1 polarization supernatant can be inhibited by GTS-21 and siRNA ADAM-17. GTS-21 exerted a protective effect against LPS-induced ALI, which was reversed by recombinant ADAM-17. Collectively, GTS-21 alleviates LPS-induced ALI by attenuating AT2s ACE/ACE2 ratio and glycocalyx shedding through the inhibition of macrophage M1 polarization derived ADAM-17.

Bioinformatics reveals diagnostic potential of cuproptosis-related genes in the pathogenesis of sepsis.

Background: Multiple modes of cell death occur during the development of sepsis. Among these patterns, cuproptosis has recently been identified as a regulated form of cell death. However, its impact on the onset and progression of sepsis remains unclear. Method: We screened a dataset of gene expression profiles from patients with sepsis using the GEO database. Survival analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) and prognosis. Hub genes were identified through univariate Cox regression analysis. The diagnostic value of hub genes in sepsis was tested in both training sets (GSE65682) and validation sets (GSE134347). To examine the association between hub genes and immune cells, single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) and Pearson correlation analysis were employed. Additionally, the CRGs were validated in a septic mouse model using real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: In sepsis, most CRGs were upregulated, with only DLD and MTF1 downregulated. High expression of three genes (GLE, LIAS, and PDHB) was associated with better prognosis, but only two hub genes (LIAS, PDHB) reached statistical significance. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for diagnosing sepsis showed LIAS had a range of 0.793-0.906, while PDHB achieved values of 0.882 and 0.975 in the training and validation sets, respectively. ssGSEA analysis revealed a lower number of immune cells in the sepsis group, and there was a correlation between immune cell population and CRGs (LIAS, PDHB). Analysis in the septic mouse model demonstrated no significant difference in mRNA expression levels and IHC staining between LIAS and PDHB in heart and liver tissues, but up-regulation was observed in lung tissues. Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels and IHC staining of LIAS and PDHB were down-regulated in renal tissues. Conclusions: Cuproptosis is emerging as a significant factor in the development of sepsis. LIAS and PDHB, identified as potential diagnostic biomarkers for cuproptosis-associated sepsis, are believed to play crucial roles in the initiation and progression of cuproptosis-induced sepsis.

Identification of potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for sepsis based on machine learning.

Background: To identify potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of the early stage of sepsis. Methods: The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between sepsis and control transcriptomes were screened from GSE65682 and GSE134347 datasets. The candidate biomarkers were identified by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and support vector machine recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) analyses. The diagnostic and prognostic abilities of the markers were evaluated by plotting receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA) were performed to further elucidate the molecular mechanisms and immune-related processes. Finally, the potential biomarkers were validated in a septic mouse model by qRT-PCR and western blotting. Results: Eleven DEGs were identified between the sepsis and control samples, including YOD1, GADD45A, BCL11B, IL1R2, UGCG, TLR5, S100A12, ITK, HP, CCR7 and C19orf59 (all AUC>0.9). Furthermore, the survival analysis identified YOD1, GADD45A, BCL11B and IL1R2 as the prognostic biomarkers of sepsis. According to GSEA, four DEGs were significantly associated with immune-related processes. In addition, ssGSEA demonstrated a significant difference in the enriched immune cell populations between the sepsis and control groups (all P < 0.05). Moreover, YOD1, GADD45A and IL1R2 were upregulated, and BCL11B was downregulated in the heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys of the septic mice model. Conclusions: We identified four potential immune-releated diagnostic and prognostic gene markers for sepsis that offer new insights into its underlying mechanisms.

The use of bioinformatics methods to identify the effects of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses on the regulation of gene expression in patients.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection is a respiratory infectious disease similar to influenza virus infection. Numerous studies have reported similarities and differences in the clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, and mortality between these two infections. However, the genetic effects of coronavirus and influenza viruses on the host that lead to these characteristics have rarely been reported. Methods: COVID-19 (GSE157103) and influenza (GSE111368, GSE101702) datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Ominbus (GEO) database. Differential gene, gene set enrichment, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, gene regulatory network, and immune cell infiltration analyses were performed to identify the critical impact of COVID-19 and influenza viruses on the regulation of host gene expression. Results: The number of differentially expressed genes in the COVID-19 patients was significantly higher than in the influenza patients. 22 common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between the COVID-19 and influenza datasets. The effects of the viruses on the regulation of host gene expression were determined using gene set enrichment and PPI network analyses. Five HUB genes were finally identified: IFI27, OASL, RSAD2, IFI6, and IFI44L. Conclusion: We identified five HUB genes between COVID-19 and influenza virus infection, which might be helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 and influenza. This knowledge may also guide future mechanistic studies that aim to identify pathogen-specific interventions.

Dihydroxanthene-Based Near-infrared Fluorescent Probes for Monitoring Mitochondrial Viscosity in Living Cells and Mice.

Aberrant mitochondrial viscosity is closely associated with many diseases and cellular malfunctions. Thus, the development of reliable methods for monitoring mitochondrial viscosity variations has attracted considerable attention. Herein, through stepwise structural modulation of the dihydroxanthene fluorophore (DHX), we developed three NIR fluorescent probes, named DHX-V-1-3, for detecting mitochondrial viscosity. Among them, DHX-V-3 displayed the highest signal-to-noise ratio (67-fold) for viscosity with outstanding selectivity and showed excellent mitochondria targeting and immobilization ability. At the cellular level, the DHX-V-3 probe was successfully applied to image the mitochondrial viscosity in live cells upon treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or nystatin. Moreover, benefiting from its NIR emission and the increased depth of tissue imaging, DHX-V-3 demonstrated the ability to visualize the increased viscosity in LPS-treated mice.

Natural glycosidic antioxidants from Cynanchum atratum roots.

Two new rhamnosides, 18-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosylabietic acid (1) and (E)-3,5-dimethoxystilben-4'-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (2), five known glucosides (3-7) along with three others were isolated from Cynanchum atratum roots. The structures of new compounds were elucidated by physical data analyses such as NMR, UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, as well as acid hydrolysis. All of them were assessed for their antioxidant activities through 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical ion (ABTS•+), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl radical (DPPH•) and 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl 3-oxide radical (PTIO•) assay, with l-ascorbic acid used as the positive control. As a result, compounds 3-5 exhibited obvious antioxidant activities. These bioactive components could be promising antioxidants.

Characterization and source apportionment for light absorption amplification of black carbon at an urban site in eastern China.

The mass absorption efficiency (MAE) of black carbon (BC) could be amplified by both internal mixing and the lensing effect from non-absorbing coating, which could intensify the global warming effect of BC. In this study, a two-year-long continuous campaign with measurements of aerosol optical properties and chemical composition were conducted in Nanjing, a typical polluted city in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region. Relatively large MAE values were observed in 2016, and the high BC internal mixing level could be the main cause. The strong positive correlation between the ratio of non-absorbing particulate matter (NAPM) over elemental carbon (EC) and the MAE value indicated that the coating thickness of BC largely promotes its light absorption ability. The impacts of chemical component coating on MAE amplification in autumn and winter were greater than in other seasons. Multiple linear regression was performed to estimate the MAE amplification effect by internal mixing and the coating of different chemical components. Nitrate coating had the strongest impact on MAE amplification, followed by organic matter. The effects of organic matter and nitrate coatings on MAE amplification increased with the internal mixing index (IMI). Based on the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model, it was found that large decrease in the contribution of industrial emissions and coal combustion to PM2.5 from 2016 to 2017 was the main cause for MAE reduction. The novel statistical model developed in this study could be a useful tool to separate the impacts of internal mixing and non-absorbing coating.

Biotransformation of sulfamonomethoxine in a granular sludge system: Pathways and mechanisms.

The biotransformation of sulfamonomethoxine (SMM) was studied in an aerobic granular sludge (AGS) system to understand the role of sorption by microbial cells and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and the role of functional microbe/enzyme biodegradation. Biodegradation played a more important role than adsorption, while microbial cells covered with tightly bound EPS (TB-EPS) showed higher adsorption capacity than microbial cells themselves or microbial cells covered with both loosely bound EPS (LB-EPS) and TB-EPS. The binding tests between EPS and SMM and the spectroscopic analyses (3D-EEM, UV-Vis, and FTIR) were performed to obtain more information about the adsorption process. The data showed that SMM could interact with EPS by combining with aromatic protein compounds, fulvic acid-like substances, protein amide II, and nucleic acids. Batch tests with various substances showed that SMM removal rates were in an order of NH2OH (60.43 ± 2.21 µg/g SS) > NH4Cl (52.96 ± 0.30 µg/g SS) > NaNO3 (31.88 ± 1.20 µg/g SS) > NaNO2 (21.80 ± 0.42 µg/g SS). Hydroxylamine and hydroxylamine oxidoreductase (HAO) favored SMM biotransformation and the hydroxylamine-mediated biotransformation of SMM was more effective than others. In addition, both ammonia monooxygenase (AMO) and CYP450 were able to co-metabolize SMM. Analysis of UPLC-QTOF-MS indicated the biotransformation mechanisms, revealing that acetylation of arylamine, glucuronidation of sulfonamide, deamination, SO2 extrusion, and δ cleavage were the five major transformation pathways. The detection of TP202 in the hydroxylamine-fed Group C indicated a new biotransformation pathway through HAO. This study contributes to a better understanding of the biotransformation of SMM.

Natural Antioxidants, Tyrosinase and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors from Cercis glabra Leaves.

Cercis glabra is a plant belonging to the legume family, whose flowers and barks are commonly used as food and traditional Chinese medicines. However, its leaves are usually disposed of as wastes. This research comprehensively investigated the bioactive constituents of C. glabra leaves, and two new phenolic, ceroffesters A-B (1-2) and thirteen known compounds (3-15) were isolated. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods such as nuclear magnetic resonance (1D NMR and 2D NMR), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectra (HR-ESI-MS), optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) and electronic circular dichroism (ECD). All of them were assessed for their antioxidant activities through ABTS, DPPH and PTIO methodologies, and evaluated for inhibitory activities against two enzymes (mushroom tyrosinase and acetylcholinesterase). As a result, compounds 3-6, 10 and 13 exhibited evident antioxidant activities. Meanwhile, compounds 5, 10 and 13 showed the most potent tyrosinase inhibitory activities, with IC50 of 0.64, 0.65 and 0.59 mM, and compared with the positive control of 0.63 mM (kojic acid). In the initial concentration of 1 mg/mL, compounds 3, 5 and 6 demonstrated moderate inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase with 85.27 ± 0.06%, 83.65 ± 0.48% and 82.21 ± 0.09%, respectively, compared with the positive control of 91.17 ± 0.23% (donepezil). These bioactive components could be promising antioxidants, tyrosinase and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

Effects of polygenic risk score of type 2 diabetes on the hippocampal topological property and episodic memory.

Type 2 diabetes is associated with a higher risk of dementia. The pathogenesis is complex and partly influenced by genetic factors. The hippocampus is the most vulnerable brain region in individuals with type 2 diabetes. However, whether the genetic risk of type 2 diabetes is associated with the hippocampus and episodic memory remains unclear. This study explored the influence of polygenic risk score (PRS) of type 2 diabetes on the white matter topological properties of the hippocampus among individuals with and without type 2 diabetes and its associations with episodic memory. This study included 103 individuals with type 2 diabetes and 114 well-matched individuals without type 2 diabetes. All the participants were genotyped, and a diffusion tensor imaging-based structural network was constructed. PRS was calculated based on a genome-wide association study of type 2 diabetes. The PRS-by-disease interactions on the bilateral hippocampal topological network properties were evaluated by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). There were significant PRS-by-disease interaction effects on the nodal topological properties of the right hippocampus node. In the individuals with type 2 diabetes, the PRS was correlated with the right hippocampal nodal properties, and the nodal properties were correlated with the episodic memory. In addition, the right hippocampal nodal properties mediated the effect of PRS on episodic memory in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Our results suggested a gene-brain-cognition biological pathway, which might help understand the neural mechanism of the genetic risk of type 2 diabetes affects episodic memory in type 2 diabetes.

Research on the mechanism of sodium separation in bauxite residue synergy preparation of potassium-containing compound fertilizer raw materials by the hydrothermal method.

Bauxite residue poses an increasingly serious ecological safety problem in the alumina industry. A novel process for removing sodium in bauxite residue synergistic preparation of potassium-containing compound fertilizer raw materials was proposed to relieve pressure on the fertilizer industry. In this paper, synthetic sodalite and katoite were used to simulate the main mineral phases of bauxite residue to determine the suitable conditions for the method, and the transformation mechanism of the process was researched by analyzing the phase structure and microscopic morphology of the samples using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and specific surface area detection. The results show that the ideal reaction condition is 320 g/L K2O with solid reactants at 200 °C for 1 h. The separation rate of Na in the sodalite-katoite mixture reached 93.60%, with potassium aluminum silicate and katoite being the primary phases of the product, with a mesoporous structure and easy to be absorbed by crops. The bauxite residue transformation residue consisted of katoite and kaliophilite. With a total effective K2O, CaO, and SiO2 content of 38.22%, the Na2O content was 0.54%, meeting the requirements of compound fertilizer content on the market. The transformation mechanism is a dissolution-precipitation controlled sodium-potassium ion replacement reaction. This study provides theoretical guidance for the preparation of mineral fertilizer from bauxite residue and has practical production potential, opening up a new perspective for bauxite residue resource usage in the agricultural field.

Isolation and characterization of antioxidative monoterpenes from Cynanchum atratum roots.

One novel monoterpene rhamnoside (1) and 7 known monoterpenes (2-8) were isolated from the ethanol extract of Cynanchum atratum for the first time. Their structures were identified by comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis such as nuclear magnetic resonance, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectra, optical rotatory dispersion, and acid hydrolysis. In the subsequent antioxidant assay, compound 8 exhibited obvious 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl hydrate radical scavenging activity.

A new comprehensive evaluation indicator of adsorbent for gas separation.

To evaluate and compare the performances of different adsorbents for gas separation, an adsorbent comprehensive evaluation indicator (ACEI) is proposed. In the ACEI, the working capacity, selectivity, adsorption rate, regeneration and circulation parameters, stability during adsorption, and tolerance to impurities are considered, and some exponents are introduced to allow the ACEI to adapt to different adsorbent working conditions. To illustrate the applicability of the ACEI, the adsorption of CO2 and N2 was investigated on two kinds of activated carbons (ACs), which were used for gas purification and bulk separation. The ACEI is a better overall indicator than other currently used indicators to evaluate the performance of adsorbents.

Screening of dicyanoisophorone-based probes for highly sensitive detection of viscosity changes in living cells and zebrafish.

Herein, seven viscosity-sensitive probes were developed via simple structural modification of dicyanoisophorone (DCO)-derived dyes. Among them, DCO-5 significantly enhances (180-fold) the response signal in highly viscous aqueous media while showing insensitivity to polarity changes or pH variations, and enables the successful detection of viscosity changes in nystatin-treated HepG2 cells, PC 12 cells and zebrafish.

Diallyl Disulfide Attenuates Ionizing Radiation-Induced Migration and Invasion by Suppressing Nrf2 Signaling in Non-small-Cell Lung Cancer.

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-associated deaths. Radiotherapy remains the primary treatment method for NSCLC. Despite great advances in radiotherapy techniques and modalities, recurrence and resistance still limit therapeutic success, even low-dose ionizing radiation (IR) can induce the migration and invasion. Diallyl disulfide (DADS), a bioactive component extracted from garlic, exhibits a wide spectrum of biological activities including antitumor effects. However, the effect of DADS on IR-induced migration and invasion remains unclear. The present study reported that IR significantly promoted the migration and invasion of A549 cells. Pretreatment with 40 µM DADS enhanced the radiosensitivity of A549 cells and attenuated IR-induced migration and invasion. In addition, 40 µM DADS inhibited migration-related protein matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 9 (MMP-2/9) expression and suppressed IR-aggravated EMT by the upregulation of the epithelial marker, E-cadherin, and downregulation of the mesenchymal marker, N-cadherin, in A549 cells. Furthermore, DADS was found to inhibit the activation of Nrf2 signaling. Based on our previous results that knockdown of Nrf2 by siRNA suppressed IR-induced migration and invasion in A549 cells, we speculated that DADS attenuated IR-induced migration and invasion by suppressing the activation of Nrf2 signaling in A549 cells.

Effects of INSR genetic polymorphism on hippocampal volume and episodic memory in chinese type 2 diabetes.

AIMS: We aimed to investigate the effect of the type 2 diabetes-specific insulin/IGF signaling genetic variants on the hippocampal volume and their relationships with episodic memory in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Analysis of variance was used to evaluate the genotype-by-diagnosis interaction effect on hippocampal volume in Chinese participants (109 patients with type 2 diabetes, 116 healthy controls). Mediation analysis was performed to test whether the hippocampal volume would mediate the association between genotype and episodic memory in patients with type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: INSR (rs8101064) exhibited a significant genotype-by-diagnosis interaction effect on the bilateral hippocampal volumes (left, P = 0.020; right, P = 0.004, PFDR < 0.05). The T allele carriers exhibited smaller bilateral hippocampal volumes than the CC homozygotes in patients with type 2 diabetes (left, P = 0.004; right, P = 0.002). Mediation analysis revealed the significant mediation effect of the left hippocampal volume on the association between INSR (rs8101064) genetic polymorphism and the short- and long-term memory scores in patients with type 2 diabetes (short-term memory: 95% CI, -2.716, -0.266; long-term memory: 95% CI, -0.823, -0.103). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperglycemia exposure and INSR (rs8101064) genetic polymorphism had an interaction effect on the hippocampal volume, and the T allele of the INSR (rs8101064) may serve as a risk factor for the decreased hippocampal volume in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes. The left hippocampal volume mediated the effect of INSR (rs8101064) genetic polymorphism on episodic memory in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes, which provided a biological pathway for understanding how the INSR (rs8101064) genetic polymorphism affects episodic memory in type 2 diabetes.

[Expression of Ras-Associated Protein 1 in the Vascular Endothelium of Bone Tissue with Non-Traumatic Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head].

Objective: To investigate the difference in the expression of Ras-associated protein 1 (Rap1) in necrotic and healthy areas of non-traumatic osteonecrosis of femoral head (NONFH) patients. Methods: Femoral head tissue samples from 30 cases of NONFH and 30 cases of traumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (TONFH) were collected after hip replacement surgery, respectively. No significant difference of Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) staging was found between the NONFH and the TONFH groups ( Z=-0.769, P=0.442). In the NONFH group, 8 patients were ARCO stage IIIb, 10 were stage IV, and 12 were stage V, while in the TONFH ground, 11 patients were ARCO stage IIIb, 9 were stage IV, and 10 were stage V. There were 19 males and 11 females in the NONFH group, with an average age of 49.6 yr. (26-69 yr.), and 16 males and 14 females in the TONFH group, with an average age of 54.2 yr. (37-68 yr.). There was no significant difference in gender or age between the two groups ( P>0.05). Specimens were collected from different bone areas, including those from the necrotic areas (area A) and the healthy areas (area B) of the NONFH group, and those from the healthy areas (area B') of the TONFH group, i.e., the control group. Western blot and quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to analyze the different expression of Rap1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and Akt protein and their corresponding mRNA in the three areas of bone tissue. HE staining and immunohistochemisty staining were done in order to observe the morphological changes of each area. Results: Western blot results indicated that there was no statistical difference in the relative expression of Rap1, VEGF, PI3K, and Akt proteins ( P>0.05). The relative expressions of Rap1, VEGF, PI3K, and Akt proteins in the area A were lower than those in the area B and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). qRT-PCR results showed that the relative expressions of Rap1, VEGF, PI3 K and Akt mRNA in area A were lower than those of area B, and a statistical difference was found ( P<0.05). The relative expression of the mRNA of Rap1, VEGF , PI3 K and Akt in area B and area B' were not significantly different ( P>0.05). HE staining and immunohistochemisty staining showed that chondrocytes decreased in the necrotic area (area A) of NONFH, chondrocytes nucleus disappeared, subchondral bone trabeculae were broken, bone trabeculae thickened, and empty bone lacunae appeared. Granulation tissues composed of new capillaries and fibrous cells have proliferated and crawled around the necrotic area. Positive expressions of the Rap1, VEGF, PI3K and Akt proteins in area A were weaker than those of the normal area. In addition, there were positive expressions of Rap1, PI3K and Akt on the trabecular bone of both area A and area B at similar intensity of expression. There were strong positive expressions of Rap1, VEGF, PI3K and Akt on the intima of arterioles and venules, and on the peripheral stromal cell membrane, but the positive expression in area A was significantly lower than that in area B. However, the positive expression positions and intensity of all indicators were similar in area B and area B'. Conclusion: The necrosis in NONFH may be related to vascular endothelial damages caused by the inhibition of the Rap1-PI3K/Akt signaling pathways and the subsequent decline in the protein expression.

[Pollution Characteristics and Ozone Formation Potential of Ambient Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs)in Summer and Autumn in Different Functional Zones of Lianyungang, China].

Atmospheric volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were collected from different functional zones of Lianyungang during the summer and autumn of 2018. One-hundred-seven VOCs species were measured by cryogenic pre-concentration and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The ozone generation potential (OFP) of VOCs was estimated by maximum incremental reactivity (MIR). Results showed that the average volume fraction of VOCs was (22.1±13.1)×10-9. Alkanes and alkenes from C2-C4 as well as acetone and ethyl acetate were the predominant species, accounting for 59.8%-75.8% of TVOCs. The mean volume fraction in the industrial zone was the largest[(28.4±13.5)×10-9], followed by the scenic zone[(21.7±4.4)×10-9] and the traffic and residential mixed zone[(20.8±7.2)×10-9]. The concentration of VOCs in autumn was significantly higher than that in summer. The industrial zone was the site with the highest volume fraction in autumn (35.4×10-9), while the scenic zone had the highest volume fraction in summer (21.5×10-9). Alkane, sulfur, or oxygen containing compounds and halogenated hydrocarbons were the predominant components of VOCs, accounting for 35.3%, 26.9%, and 15.6% of the total amount, respectively. Due to industrial emissions, the content of sulfur or oxygen containing compounds in the industrial zone was significantly higher than that in scenic zone and the traffic and residential mixed zone. The average ratio of T/B (toluene/benzene) indicated that vehicle and solvent use were the main sources of VOCs in the urban area. The highest OFP was found in the industrial zone, followed by the traffic and residential mixed zone and the scenic zone. Alkenes and aromatics were the largest contributors to OFP.

[Composition and Atmospheric Reactivity of Ambient Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs)in the Urban Area of Nanjing, China].

Online gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) systems were employed to observe 56 species of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the environmental atmosphere in Nanjing in 2015. The results showed that the annual volume fraction of VOCs was (17.49±11.35)×10-9. The highest concentration of VOCs was in April (22.21×10-9), and the lowest in July (12.39×10-9). Diurnal values of VOCs concentration had no obvious variations. Alkanes, alkenes, aromatics, and acetylene accounted for 56.51%, 11.06%, 24.62%, and 7.81%, respectively. Propane (15.26%), ethane (14.14%), acetylene (7.81%), toluene (6.97%), n-butane (6.23%), ethylene (5.23%), isobutane (4.34%), propylene (4.13%), isoprene (4.12%), and m/p-xylene (4.06%) were the most abundant VOCs species. The average ratio of toluene/benzene (T/B) was 2.02, indicating that the atmospheric VOCs were mainly affected by emissions of motor vehicles, especially gasoline vehicles. The average ratio of ethane/ethyne (E/E) was 2.24, showing that the plume had aged. The hydroxyl radical (·OH) loss rate(L·OH) and ozone formation potential(OFP)were applied to assess the chemical reactivity of VOCs. The atmospheric activity of VOCs was higher in the winter and spring than in the summer and autumn. Aromatics and alkenes were the most important contributors to L·OH and OFP. Their contributions to L·OH and OFP were 46.96% and 41.58%, and 33.73% and 39.86%, respectively. Propylene, ethylene, and xylene were the most active species.