Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-induced Endothelial Dysfunction Promotes Neointima Formation after Arteriovenous Grafts in Mice on High-fat Diet.

OBJECTIVE: Endothelial dysfunction is one candidate for triggering neointima formation after arteriovenous grafts (AVGs), but the factors mediating this process are unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-induced endothelial dysfunction in neointima formation following AVGs in high-fat diet (HFD) mice. METHODS: CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein-homologous protein (CHOP) knockout (KO) mice were created. Mice were fed with HFD to produce HFD model. AVGs model were applied in the groups of WT ND, WT HFD, and CHOP KO HFD. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured with oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) (40 mg/L) for the indicated time lengths (0, 6, 12, 24 h). ERS inhibitor tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) was used to block ERS. Immunohistochemical staining was used to observe the changes of ICAM1. Changes of ERS were detected by real-time RT-PCR. Protein expression levels and ERS activation were detected by Western blotting. Endothellial cell function was determined by endothelial permeability assay and transendothelial migration assay. RESULTS: HFD increased neointima formation in AVGs associated with endothelial dysfunction. At the same time, ERS was increased in endothelial cells (ECs) after AVGs in mice consuming the HFD. In vitro, ox-LDL was found to stimulate ERS, increase the permeability of the EC monolayer, and cause endothelial dysfunction. Blocking ERS with TUDCA or CHOP siRNA reversed the EC dysfunction caused by ox-LDL. In vivo, knockout of CHOP (CHOP KO) protected the function of ECs and decreased neointima formation after AVGs in HFD mice. CONCLUSION: Inhibiting ERS in ECs could improve the function of AVGs.

[Identification of Soil Heavy Metal Sources Around a Copper-silver Mining Area in Ningxia Based on GIS].

This study area was based on the catchment area of the Yaoxianzi ditch located in the arid region of western China. A total of 194 topsoil samples of 0-20 cm depth were collected using the mesh distribution method. The contents of nine heavy metals (Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Ag, Cr, Cd, Hg, and Pb) were determined using ICP-MS. The source and spatial distribution of heavy metals were analyzed using PMF and IDW. Spatial autocorrelation and clustering and outlier analysis were performed using the Spatial Statistical Analysis tool of ArcGIS. The main sources and distribution areas of heavy metals in the soil were obtained through comprehensive analysis. In the study area, the average values of Hg, Ag, Cd, and Pb were 20.48, 3.13, 2.23, and 1.12 times the background values, and the maximum values of Cd, Cu, Pb, and As were 10.92, 5.52, 2.03, and 1.39 times the filter values, respectively. The coefficients of variation of Cu, Cd, Pb, and Hg were ordered as Cu(283.23%)>Cd(224.77%)>Pb(144.40%)>Hg(67.12%) and were closely affected by human activities. The heavy metals in the soil around mining areas came from four main sources:natural parent material (32%), the mixed source of mining activities and transportation (17.1%), the mixed source of industrial activities and atmospheric sedimentation (40.3%), and the mixed source of agricultural activity and putting sandy gravel in farmland (10.6%). Cr and Ni, As and Cu, Hg, and Cd could represent these four sources of heavy metal pollution, respectively. The main sources of soil heavy metal pollution were mining activities and agricultural activities. The heavily contaminated areas were distributed in the mining areas in the south of the study area and in the planting areas in the eastern, central, and northwestern parts of the study area.

[Spatial Distribution and Source Analysis of Soil Heavy Metals in a Small Watershed in the Mountainous Area of Southern Ningxia Based on PMF Model].

In order to ascertain the distribution characteristics of soil heavy metal pollution and main pollution sources in a small watershed in the southern mountainous area of Ningxia and to ensure the quality of the soil environment, the contents of heavy metals Pb, Ni, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cr, and Cd in 260 surface soil samples (0-20 cm) were collected and determined. Based on the soil background value in Ningxia, the soil heavy metal pollution status and potential ecological risk were evaluated through the single factor index, Nemera composite index, and potential ecological risk index, and the method of combining positive definite matrix factor analysis (PMF) and Kriging interpolation was used to analyze the soil heavy metal spatial distribution and source. The results showed that the average contents of ω(Pb), ω(Ni), ω(Zn), ω(Mn), ω(Cu), ω(Cr), and ω(Cd) were 31.42, 36.22, 62.89, 546.18, 22.26, 61.90, and 0.18 mg·kg-1, respectively. Except for Ni, the other elements were higher than the background value of Ningxia but lower than the background value of agricultural soil pollution risk selection criteria and green food environmental quality standards. The Nemera composite index showed that the proportions of mild, moderate, and severe heavy metal pollution were 71.92%, 19.23%, and 1.54%, respectively. The potential ecological risks were mainly minor risks, accounting for 98.85%. In addition, there were a very small number of samples with medium potential ecological risk levels, accounting for 1.15% of the total number of samples. Source analysis showed that the main sources of soil heavy metals in the small watershed in the mountainous area of southern Ningxia were mixed sources of fertilization and industrial emissions (12.6%), agricultural activity sources (23.5%), natural parent material sources (27.6%), mixed sources of pesticide use and mining development emissions (17.7%), and atmospheric deposition sources (18.6%).

Clinical value of blood markers to assess the severity of coronavirus disease 2019.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is threatening the world with the symptoms of seasonal influenza. This study was conducted to investigate the patient characteristics and clinical value of blood markers to assess the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: 187 patients, diagnosed with COVID-19 (non-severe and severe cases) and admitted to hospital between January 27th and March 8th of 2020, were enrolled in the present study. RESULTS: A higher proportion of clinical symptoms, including cough, expectoration, myalgia, and fatigue were observed in the non-severe group. The level of white blood cell count, neutrophils, CRP, IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly increased, while the platelet count was remarkedly decreased in the severe group. The risk model based on lymphocyte, IL-6, IL-8, CRP and platelet counts had the highest area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC). The baseline of IL-6, IL-8 and CRP was positively correlated with other parameters except in the cases of lymphocyte, hemoglobin and platelet counts. The baseline of the platelet count was negatively correlated with other parameters except in the lymphocyte and hemoglobin counts. Additionally, there was no connection between the severity of COVID-19 and cultures of blood, sputum or catheter secretion. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggested that high leucocyte and low platelets counts were independent predictive markers of the severity of COVID-19.

[Spatial Distribution Characteristics, Source Apportionment, and Risk Assessment of Topsoil PAHs in the Core Area of the Ningdong Energy and Chemical Industry Base].

In order to evaluate the pollution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the topsoil of the core area of the Ningdong Energy and Chemical Industry Base, 146 representative topsoil samples were collected using the grid method and the contents of 16 priority PAHs were analyzed. The results showed that the content of ΣPAHs in topsoil ranged from ND to 123.12 mg·kg-1 with an average of 10.19 mg·kg-1. There were three high PAHs distribution areas in the northwest, southwest, and east of the core area. The source apportionment showed that the sources of PAHs in the Ningdong base were complex, and the main pollution sources were petroleum, coal combustion, traffic, and gasoline, which contributed 39.4%, 33.3%, 19.2%, and 8.1% to the total PAHs sources, respectively. The ecological risk assessment of the quality basis and quality standard method showed that the ecological impact of PAHs in the core area was slight and the possibility of negative ecological effects was low. The results of the health risk assessment showed that the order of exposure of the topsoil PAHs was skin contact > swallowing > respiratory inhalation, and the topsoil PAHs in the core area of the Ningdong base posed no potential carcinogenic risk to people of different ages.

[Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Source Apportionment of Soil PAHs in Shizuishan City Based on GIS and PMF Model].

With the acceleration of urbanization and industrialization, the content and pollution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in urban soils have been sources of widespread concern. Taking Shizuishan City as an example, the spatial distribution characteristics of PAHs in 156 surface soil samples (0-20 cm) from eight urban functional areas were analyzed. Single factor and Nemero composite indices, as well as a lifetime cancer risk increment model were used to evaluate PAHs pollution in soils. The sources of PAHs were analyzed using the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model. The results showed that the mean value of PAHs in the surface soil of Shizuishan City was 489.82 ng·g-1 and the coefficient of variation of 15 PAHs except for Pyr were more than 100%, indicating strong variation. The PAH contents of urban surface soils in different functional areas showed the following:traffic area (1217.61 ng·g-1) > industrial area (809.58 ng·g-1) > park (273.66 ng·g-1) > cultural and educational area (268.18 ng·g-1) > commercial area (240.05 ng·g-1) > agricultural area (226.81 ng·g-1) > medical area (211.90 ng·g-1) > residential area (183.49 ng·g-1). The Nemero composite index showed that 82.58% of the samples had no pollution, and the proportion of slight, mild, and moderate pollution were 6.45%, 4.52%, and 0.65%, respectively. Only 5.8% of the samples had serious pollution. The results of health risk assessment showed that skin contact and ingestion were the main routes of PAH exposure in soil, and the health risk was acceptable. Source analysis showed that the main sources of PAHs in Shizuishan City were traffic emissions, coal combustion, mixed biomass/heavy oil combustion, and oil sources, with contribution rates of 10.5%, 36.6%, 50.3%, and 2.6% respectively, and most of the high values were distributed in industrial or coal production areas. These results could provide reference for the study of soil pollution in industrial cities, and play an important role in preventing soil pollution, ensuring the environmental quality of the soil and human health and safety.

[Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Source Apportionment of Soil Heavy Metals in Chinese Wolfberry Land Based on GIS and the Receptor Model].

A total of 119 surface soil samples (depth of 0-20 cm) were collected from a Chinese wolfberry demonstration garden in Zhongning of Ningxia, and samples were analyzed for seven heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cr, and Cd). The single factor index, comprehensive index, and potential ecological risk were used to assess the soil heavy metal contamination with the soil background values of Ningxia as the evaluation standards. The absolute principal component scores and multivariate linear regression (APCS-MLR) model as well as geostatistic analysis were combined to identify and apportion the pollution sources of soil heavy metals. The results showed that the average concentrations of Pb, Ni, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cr, and Cd in soils were 34.78, 52.376, 83.692, 641.114, 38.130, 87.257, and 0.149 mg·kg-1, respectively. The mean concentrations of heavy metals were higher than the local soil background values but lower than the risk screening values for soil contamination of agricultural land. The comprehensive index results showed that the pollution degree of soil heavy metals was at the slightly polluted level in 81.51% of the samples, at the moderately polluted level in 16.81% of the samples, and at the unpolluted level in 1.68% of the samples. The comprehensive index values for potential ecological hazards were less than 60 in 13.45% of the samples, and these values were associated with a slight potential for ecological risks. The comprehensive index values for potential ecological hazards were less than 120 and more than 60 in 86.55% of the samples, and these values were associated with a moderate potential for ecological risks. The four main pollution sources of soil heavy metals in the study area included natural sources, industrial activity, traffic, and agricultural activity. Natural sources were the main source of Ni and Cr with average contribution rates of 55.49% and 64.66%, respectively. Industrial activity was the main source of Pb and Mn with average contribution rates of 46.93% and 42.53%, respectively. Traffic was the main source of Zn and Cu with average contribution rates of 43.51% and 53.71%, respectively. Agricultural activity was the main source of Cd with an average contribution rate of 76.79%. The study results indicated that soil heavy metals have tended to concentrate in the Chinese wolfberry demonstration garden, and the sources of heavy metals were complex and obviously influenced by human activities. Controls should be strengthened for sources that contribute to soil heavy metals to ensure the sustainable utilization of soil resources in the Chinese wolfberry land.