Investigation of health risk assessment and odor pollution of volatile organic compounds from industrial activities in the Yangtze River Delta region, China.

To investigate composition characteristics and assess occupational health risks and odor pollution of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from industrial activities in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region, China, one-year field measurements of VOCs were conducted simultaneously at an iron and steel industrial park (ISP), one chemical industrial park (CMP) and one petrochemical industrial park (PCP) from September, 2018 to August, 2019. The concentrations of VOCs were 80.2 ± 67.9 ppbv, 28.1 ± 27.2 ppbv and 144 ± 378 ppbv for ISP, CMP and PCP, respectively. Aromatics, alkanes and alkenes were the major components of VOCs at ISP, CMP and PCP, respectively. Moreover, the toluene to benzene ratios were 0.330 ± 0.302, 4.31 ± 6.48 and 1.84 ± 3.34, which generally showed the characteristics of combustion source for ISP, industrial activities for CMP and petrochemical industry for PCP, respectively. The hazard index values were 0.752 ± 0.438, 0.108 ± 0.248 and 0.090 ± 0.260 at ISP, CMP and PCP, which were generally lower than threshold limit value, suggesting a low noncarcinogenic risk for workers. Meanwhile, the 95th percentile LCR values of VOCs were 8.76 × 10-5, 1.15 × 10-5 and 1.00 × 10-5 at ISP, CMP and PCP, respectively, which were also under acceptable risk level, indicating a low carcinogenic risk. Benzene and 1,3-butadiene were main harmful substances for both noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of VOCs. The odor levels of VOCs were 2.12 ± 4.21, 12.5 ± 28.7 and 1.01 ± 7.84 at ISP, CMP and PCP, respectively. Aromatics for ISP and sulfide compounds for CMP and PCP were primary pollutants for odor pollution. This work could improve the understanding of risk levels and odor characteristics of VOCs and benefit policy development on alleviating odor complaints and health risks for workers in YRD region, China.

Mutation screening of the PRRT2 gene for benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes in Chinese mainland population.

Proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 gene (PRRT2) mutations are reported to cause common paroxysmal neurological disorders and show a remarkable pleiotropy. Benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) is considered to be the most common epilepsy syndrome in childhood. It is placed among the idiopathic localization related epilepsies. Recently, it was reported that a girl with a PRRT2 mutation c.649_650insC developed infantile focal epilepsy with bilateral spikes which resembled the rolandic spikes. Hereby we performed a comprehensive genetic mutation screening of PRRT2 gene in a cohort of 53 sporadic BECTS patients. None of the 53 sporadic BECTS patients and other 250 controls carried mutations including c.649_650insC in PRRT2. Our data indicated that the PRRT2 mutations might most likely not be associated with BECTS in Chinese mainland population.

[Construction of Vectors Expressing Inhibiting Peptides for Nuclear Import and Its Effect on Growth and Migration of HeLa Cell].

OBJECTIVE: To construct the expression vectors for red fluorescent protein fused with inhibiting peptides for nuclear import (Bimax),and explore the location of Bimax and its potential effects on cell proliferation and migration in HeLa cells. METHODS: Two kinds of polynucleotide encoding inhibiting peptides for nuclear import were synthesis respectively and subsequently annealed for inserting into vector pDs-Red-C1. The recombinant plasmids were transfected into competent bacterial DH-5α. After transfection,the positive bacteria were picked up for DNA sequencing. The recombinant plasmids pDs-Red-Bimax2,pDs-Red-Bimax1 and negative plasmid pDs-Red-C1 were transfected into HeLa cells respectively according to Lipofectamine2000 protocol. After transfection,the expression and location of red fluorescent protein were observed with fluorescence microscope. Furthermore,MTT assay and cell-migration assay were used to detect the proliferation and migration of Bimax transducted cells. RESULTS: DNA sequencing showed that the polynucleotides encoding Bimax1 or Bimax2 were inserted into pDs-Red-C1 vector successfully. After transfected into HeLa cells,the inhibiting peptide induced red fluorescent protein locating in nuclear. Furthermore,either the fusion protein RFP-Bimax1 or RFP-Bimax2 can suppress the proliferation and migration of HeLa cells. CONCLUSION: The expression vectors for red fluorescent protein fused with inhibiting peptides for nuclear import were successfully constructed. In addition,the fusion proteins were expressed and located in nuclear and suppressed the proliferation and migration of tumor cells.

Ligation of Intersphincteric Fistula Tract vs Ligation of the Intersphincteric Fistula Tract Plus a Bioprosthetic Anal Fistula Plug Procedure in Patients With Transsphincteric Anal Fistula: Early Results of a Multicenter Prospective Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) with an additional plug (LIFT-plug) in the treatment of transsphincteric anal fistula. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Both LIFT and LIFT-plug are recently reported effective alternatives of transsphincteric anal fistula. METHODS: This multicenter prospective randomized study (NCT01478139) was conducted at 5 university hospitals throughout China. A total of 235 patients were randomly assigned to undergo LIFT (118 patients) or LIFT-plug (117 patients) between March 2011 and April 2013. The primary outcome measured was primary healing rate at 6 months postoperatively and healing time. Secondary outcomes included recurrence rate, postoperative pain, and incontinence rate. RESULTS: The LIFT procedure showed shorter operative time than the LIFT-plug procedure (26.7 min vs 28.5 min, P = 0.03). Median healing time was 22 days in LIFT-plug group vs 30 days in LIFT group (P < 0.001). The difference in visual analog scale scores across all time points was not statistically significant between the groups (P = 0.13). The primary healing rate was higher in LIFT-plug group than in LIFT group [94.0% (95% confidence interval 89.7%-98.3%) vs 83.9% (95% confidence interval 77.2%-90.6%), P < 0.001]. There were no reported incontinence and recurrence within the follow-up period of 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with transsphincteric anal fistulas, both LIFT-plug and LIFT are simple, safe, and effective procedures. LIFT-plug has the advantage of a higher healing rate, less healing time, and a lower early postoperative pain score.

The BAG2 and BAG5 proteins inhibit the ubiquitination of pathogenic ataxin3-80Q.

The expansion of a polyglutamine domain in the protein ataxin3 causes spinocerebellar ataxia type-3 (SCA3). However, there is little information to date about the upstream proteins in the ubiquitin-proteasome system of pathogenic ataxin3-80Q. Here, we report that BAG2 (Bcl-2 associated athanogene family protein 2) and BAG5 (Bcl-2-associated athanogene family protein 5) stabilise pathogenic ataxin3-80Q by inhibiting its ubiquitination as determined based on western blotting and co-immunofluorescence experiments. The association of the BAG2 and BAG5 proteins with pathogenic ataxin3-80Q strengthens the important roles of the BAG family in neurodegenerative diseases.

The role of offensive processes and age development for female soccer players' anticipation.

Anticipation has been confirmed as a more valid measure for recognizing talented athletes than pattern recall alone. Anticipation of offensive processes in soccer, such as counter attacks and positional attacks, is essential for the sport. Additionally, the anticipation of elements such as the soccer ball, offensive and defensive players may also be affected by varied offensive processes. In this study, we combined anticipation with the pattern recall paradigm to measure the perceptual-cognitive skills of female soccer players across different age groups and offensive processes. Adult (U23) and adolescent (U15) female soccer players were recruited to complete the pattern anticipation task using coach-rated video segments. Our results show that adult female soccer players demonstrated greater accuracy in anticipating locations during positional attacks compared to adolescents, but no significant difference was observed during counter attacks. Furthermore, location anticipation accuracy is higher in all groups towards elements of the soccer ball and offensive players, but not defensive players, during counter attacks compared to positional attacks. These findings suggest that positional attack is the main advantage in perceptual-cognitive skills for adult female soccer players. Additionally, offensive processes and elements should be carefully considered when measuring perceptual-cognitive skills.

Altered immune pathways in patients of temporal lobe epilepsy with and without hippocampal sclerosis.

Over the past decades, the immune responses have been suspected of participating in the mechanisms for epilepsy. To assess the immune related pathway in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), we explored the altered immune pathways in TLE patients with and without hippocampal sclerosis (HS). We analyzed RNA-seq data from 3 TLE-HS and 3 TLE-nonHS patients, including identification of differentially expressed RNA, function pathway enrichment, the protein-protein interaction network and construction of ceRNA regulatory network. We illustrated the immune related landscape of molecules and pathways on human TLE-HS. Also, we identified several differential immune related genes like HSP90AA1 and SOD1 in TLE-HS patients. Further ceRNA regulatory network analysis found SOX2-OT connected to miR-671-5p and upregulated the target gene SPP1 in TLE-HS patients. Also, we identified both SOX2-OT and SPP1 were significantly upregulated in five different databases including TLE-HS patients and animal models. Our findings established the first immune related genes and possible regulatory pathways in TLE-HS patients and animal models, which provided a novel insight into disease pathogenesis in both patients and animal models. The immune related SOX2-OT/miR-671-5p/SPP1 axis may be the potential therapeutic target for TLE-HS.

MBNL1­AS1 attenuates tumor cell proliferation by regulating the miR­29c­3p/BVES signal in colorectal cancer.

Dysregulation of long non­coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is involved in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). In the present study, the identification of muscle blind like splicing regulator 1 antisense RNA 1 (MBNL1­AS1) lncRNA was reported. Firstly, Cell Counting Kit­8, EdU and colony formation assays were uesed to explore the role of MBNL1­AS1 in regulating the proliferation of CRC cells. According to TCGA database, it was found that MBNL1­AS1 was correlated with microRNA (miR)­29c­3p and blood vessel epicardial substance (BVES) expression in CRC cells. Then, the regulation among MBNL1­AS1, miR­29C­3P and BVES was detected by dual luciferase reporter assay and the function of MBNL1­AS1/miR­29C­3P/BVES axis was explored by rescue assay. The results demonstrated that MBNL1­AS1 expression was decreased in CRC and was associated with the size of tumors derived from patients with CRC. Functionally, the upregulation of MBNL1­AS1 suppressed CRC cell proliferation in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in vivo, while knockdown of MBNL1­AS1 expression caused the opposite effects. MBNL1­AS1 expression correlated with BVES expression in CRC tissues and MBNL1­AS1 enhanced the stability of BVES mRNA by functioning as a competing endogenous RNA to sponge miR­29c­3p; the latter directly targeted MBNL1­AS1 and BVES mRNA 3'UTR. Collectively, the results indicated that MBNL1­AS1 suppressed CRC cell proliferation by regulating miR­29c­3p/BVES signaling, suggesting that the MBNL1­AS1/miR­29c­3p/BVES axis may be a potential therapeutic target for CRC.

Two-dimensional and three-dimensional multiple object tracking learning performance in adolescent female soccer players: The role of flow experience reflected by heart rate variability.

Three-dimensional multiple object tracking (3D-MOT) has been used in various fields to mimic real-life tracking, especially in perceptual-cognitive skills training for soccer. Yet, the learning efficiency in 3D-MOT tasks has not been compared with 2D-MOT. Further, whether the advantage can be reflected by heart rate variability (HRV) based on the neurovisceral integration model should also be examined. Therefore, we used both 2D- and 3D-MOT in a brief adaptive task procedure for adolescent female soccer players with HRV measurement. A faster tracking speed threshold of participants was found in the 3D- compared to 2D-MOT, as well as average tracking speed in the last training period of 3D-MOT. Moreover, lower low frequency (LF) components of HRV in the 3D-MOT indicated a flow experience, demonstrating the provision of more attentional resources. Therefore, we observed that adolescent female soccer players demonstrated higher learning efficiency in 3D-MOT tasks in virtual reality (VR) through a higher flow experience. This study examined the learning efficiency between the two MOT tasks in the soccer domain using evidence from HRV and highlighted the utility and applicability of 3D-MOT application.

Genetic and Neuroimaging Analysis of SIGMAR1 for Frontotemporal Dementia.

BACKGROUND: Recently, Sigma nonopioid intracellular receptor 1 (SIGMAR1) variants have been shown harboring C9orf72 pathogenic repeat expansions in some frontotemporal dementia (FTD) cases. However, no SIGMAR1 genotype analysis has been reported in a cohort absent of C9orf72 pathogenic repeat expansions to date. OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the contribution of SIGMAR1 independent of C9orf72 gene status to FTD spectrum syndromes. METHODS: We directly sequencing the entire coding region and a minimum of 50 bp from each of the flanking introns of SIGMAR1 gene in 82 sporadic FTD patients (female: male = 42 : 40) and 417 controls. For the patient carrying SIGMAR1 variant, a follow-up 3T MR imaging was performed in the study. RESULTS: Gene sequencing of SIGMAR1 revealed a rare 3'UTR nucleotide variation rs192856872 in a male patient with semantic dementia independent of C9orf72 gene status. The MR imaging showed asymmetrical atrophy in the anterior temporal lobes and the degeneration extends caudally into the posterior temporal lobes as the disease progresses. ESEFinder analysis showed new SRSF1 and SRSF1-IgM-BRCA1 binding sites with significant scores, which is predicted to affect normal splicing. CONCLUSION: We found a novel SIGMAR1 variant independent of C9orf72 gene status associated with semantic dementia phenotype.

Existence of memory in membrane channels: analysis of ion current through a voltage-dependent potassium single channel.

Ion current fluctuation of voltage-dependent potassium channel in LßT2 cells has been investigated by autocorrelation function and DFA (detrended fluctuation analysis) methods. The calculation of the autocorrelation function exponent and DFA exponent of the sample was based on the digital signals or the 0-1 series corresponding to closing and opening of channels after routine evolution, rather than the sequence of sojourn times. The persistent character of the correlation of the time series was evident from the slow decay of the autocorrelation function. DFA exponent α was significantly greater than 0.5. The main outcome has been the demonstration of the existence of memory in this ion channel. Thus, the ion channel current fluctuation provided information about the kinetics of the channel protein. The result suggests the correlation character of the ion channel protein non-linear kinetics indicates whether the channel is open or not.

[The expression of nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase and vascular endothelial growth factor-A in gastric carcinoma and their clinical significance].

OBJECTIVES: To study the expression of nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase (Nampt) and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) in gastric carcinoma and investigate their correlations to clinicopathologic features and prognostic significance. METHODS: The proteins of Nampt and VEGF-A in 68 specimens of gastric carcinoma and 59 specimens normal gastric tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry during January 2000 to December 2004, and the 68 patients were followed up. RESULTS: Nampt protein was detected in the cytoplasm of both tissues, and Nampt in gastric carcinoma (13 ± 5) were significantly higher than that in normal gastric tissue (6 ± 3) (t = 7.46, P < 0.01). The expression of Nampt was correlated to invasive depth (F = 4.693, P = 0.034), lymph node metastasis (F = 4.027, P = 0.049), clinical TNM stage (F = 9.979, P = 0.002), but not to gender, age, tumor location, tumor size, differentiation (P > 0.05). The expression of Nampt is correlated with survival of patients that underwent surgical resection for gastric cancer. The survival rate of patients in negative of Nampt was very higher than that of the positive patients, and its co-expression with VEGF-A showed a trend towards poorer survival. The positive correlation was found between the expression of Nampt and VEGF-A in gastric carcinoma (r = 0.293, P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of Nampt is positively correlated to that of VEGF-A in gastric carcinoma. The correlation between the expression of Nampt and VEGF-A in gastric carcinoma plays an important role cooperatively in carcinogenesis, development and metastasis of gastric carcinoma.

Mobile monitoring of VOCs and source identification using two direct-inlet MSs in a large fine and petroleum chemical industrial park.

Mobile monitoring with direct-inlet MS (DI-MS), one of the most direct and effective ways to track emission sources, can effectively serve air quality management in chemical industrial parks (CIPs). Mobile monitoring using a high mass-resolution proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight MS (HMR-PTR-TOFMS) and single-photon ionization time-of-flight MS (SPI-TOFMS) was conducted in a large fine and petroleum CIP in eastern China for three days. The high mixing ratios of aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHs), aromatics, oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs), and nitrogenous VOCs (NVOCs) were found in the northeast, middle, north, and northeast of the fine chemical industrial zone (FCIZ), respectively. OVOCs were the most abundant VOC group in this area. Abnormal emissions of aromatics were universal throughout the CIP. We discovered 38 characteristic VOCs by the HMR-PTR-TOFMS, mainly including C6-C10 aromatics, C2-C6 carbonyls, C2-C3 organic acids, and some NVOCs. The time series and spatial distribution of the TVOCs obtained by the two DI-MSs are generally consistent. A comparison of the speciated VOCs at the TVOC peak points illustrates that the characteristic VOCs obtained by different instruments differed significantly: PTR-TOFMS showed an advantage in measuring aromatics and OVOCs; SPI-TOFMS showed an advantage in measuring aromatics and some Ahs; offline GC-MS showed an advantage in measuring AHs, aromatics, some OVOCs, and halohydrocarbons. Similarities were compared between five positive matrix factorization (PMF) model-based fingerprints of VOCs in a previous study and observed profiles of VOCs from mobile monitoring. The emission sources of the five fingerprints were identified and validated: two were widely distributed, one was a chemical reagent production factory, one was an acrylic fiber production plant, and one was a pesticide factory. This study demonstrated methods for analyzing mobile monitoring data, characterizing the VOCs in the fine and petroleum CIP, correlating the results of stationary observation and mobile monitoring, and integrating the source tracing system with DI-MSs.

Adult-Onset Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis With a Novel DNAJC5 Mutation Exhibits Aberrant Protein Palmitoylation.

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) is composed of a group of inherited neurodegenerative diseases, with the hallmark of lipofuscin deposit (a mixture of lipids and proteins with metal materials) inside the lysosomal lumen, which typically emits auto-fluorescence. Adult-onset NCL (ANCL) has been reported to be associated with a mutation in the DNAJC5 gene, including L115R, L116Δ, and the recently identified C124_C133dup mutation. In this study, we reported a novel C128Y mutation in a young Chinese female with ANCL, and this novel mutation caused abnormal palmitoylation and triggered lipofuscin deposits.

CDX2 as a Predictive Biomarker Involved in Immunotherapy Response Suppresses Metastasis through EMT in Colorectal Cancer.

Background: Studies have confirmed that Caudal Type Homeobox 2 (CDX2) plays a tumor suppressor role in colorectal cancer (CRC) and as a prognostic and predictive marker for colorectal cancer. The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a transdifferentiation process, providing migratory and invasive properties to cancer cells during tumor progression. However, the role of CDX2 during the activation of EMT in CRC maintains controversial. Aim: To investigate whether CDX2 is associated with EMT in CRC. Methods: Forty-six CRC patients were included in the study. Expressions of CDX2, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin in all CRC patients were detected by IHC. ROC assays were applied to detect cut-off points for IHC scores to distinguish high and low expressions of CDX2 in 46 CRC samples. The prognostic value of CDX2 was statistically analyzed. MTT, Western blot, invasion, and migration assays in vitro were employed to explore the function of CDX2. Results: We observed that high expressions of CDX2 and E-cadherin as well as low expressions of N-cadherin were significantly correlated with favorable prognosis. The levels of CDX2 protein exhibited a positive associated with E-cadherin while negative correlation with N-cadherin. Then, the low expression of CDX2 and high expression of CA199 in combination are positively related with poor prognosis. Overexpression of CDX2 reduced expression of MMP-2 and diminished cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, while knockdown CDX2 enhanced MMP-2 expression and increased cell proliferation, invasion, and migration in HCT-116 cells. CDX2 was correlated with expression of EMT markers. Overexpression of CDX2 suppressed the EMT markers indicating that CDX2 suppresses CRC cell viability, invasion, and metastasis through inhibiting EMT. Finally, we found that the expression of CDX2 was negatively associated with Th1 cells, macrophages, Th2 cells, cytotoxic cells, T cells, and T helper cells. Conclusions: These results indicated CDX2 as prognostic biomarkers involved in immunotherapy response for CRC. CDX2 loss promotes metastasis in CRC through a CDX2-dependent mechanism.

Update on volatile organic compound (VOC) source profiles and ozone formation potential in synthetic resins industry in China.

The synthetic resin industry plays an important role in Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions from industrial sources. However, owing to various products and their different emission characteristics, it is extremely difficult to study the source profiles of synthetic resins. In this study, the product-based pollution characteristics of VOCs from eight synthetic resin enterprises were investigated in Shanghai, China. Up to 133 VOCs were identified, including 106 based on the Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) and the Toxic Organics (TO-15) methods, and the remaining 27 were identified based on the new mass spectrometry analysis method. Aromatics (39.7%) and oxygenated VOCs (29.9%) accounted for a relatively high proportion in the synthetic resin industry. The product-based source profiles of each process unit are compiled. Generally, 1,4-dioxane, methyl isobutyl ketone, toluene, benzene, styrene, propane, and dichloromethane are the most abundant species in synthetic resin. Furthermore, the product-based ozone formation potentials (OFPs) and sources reactivity (SR) were calculated, the synthetic resin industry SR range from 0.3 g g-1 to 4.6 g g-1. Results suggest that toluene, benzene, styrene, propylene, ethylene, and oxygenated VOCs (including 1,4-dioxane, methyl isobutyl ketone, and aldehyde) should be preferentially controlled to reduce the OFPs. A three-level classification was established to evaluate the degree of photochemical pollution in different industries. Emission factors were calculated and ranked for eight synthetic resins. A VOC emission inventory of Chinese synthetic resin from 2005 to 2018 was compiled. It is estimated that the Chinese synthetic resin emitted 23.96 Gg of VOCs in 2018. In this study, a product-based VOC source profile and emission inventory of the synthetic resin industry were established for the first time. Finally, combined with product types, processes, and processing equipment, feasible recommendations for reducing VOC emissions in the synthetic resin industry are proposed.

Application of an emission profile-based method to trace the sources of volatile organic compounds in a chemical industrial park.

The accurate source tracing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in complicated source environments is challenging to perform, as similar pollutants may be emitted from different chemical processes. An emission profile-based source tracing method, based on comparing similarities between source profiles and ambient air profiles, was evaluated, and was found to improve the tracing efficiency. Emission profiles were acquired from a typical chemical industrial park in the Yangtze River Delta, China. A total of 30 process-based emission profiles comprising 107 VOC species were investigated and similarities among them were calculated. This analysis demonstrated that the similarities between emissions from various chemical processes are universal. Source tracing was then conducted for six air pollution episodes, based on the emission profile-based source tracing method combined with wind speed and direction data. The results showed that the proposed approach represents an efficient method for source tracing. This study enriches the database of source profiles for petroleum-related industries. The emission profiles from references and the air pollution episodes augment the emission profile database, especially under abnormal emission conditions. The database will more effectively serve future source-tracing cases, creating a virtuous circle that improves source tracing efficiency.

Stationary monitoring and source apportionment of VOCs in a chemical industrial park by combining rapid direct-inlet MSs with a GC-FID/MS.

Fast and comprehensive monitoring of VOCs, required for air quality management in large-scale chemical industrial parks in China, cannot be accomplished by stationary measurements using conventional GC-FID or GC-MS alone due to their low temporal resolutions and limited detectable ranges. Novel direct-inlet mass spectrometry (DI-MS) has been widely applied for real-time monitoring of VOCs. To verify its applicability in industrial settings, high mass-resolution proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight MS (HMR-PTR-TOFMS), single-photon ionization time-of-flight MS (SPI-TOFMS), together with online GC-FID/MS were simultaneously deployed at the boundary of one of the largest chemical industrial parks in eastern China. Aromatics, acetonitrile, acetic acid, ethyl acetate, aliphatic hydrocarbons, 1,2-dichloroethane, and acetone were detected as the main pollutants. These three instruments detected 12 common species, among which ethyl acetate, toluene, C8-aromatics, and methyl ethyl ketone showed similar time series and levels. Acetone, benzene, chlorobenzene, styrene, and C9-aromatics showed only similar time series. The HMR-PTR-TOFMS uniquely detected 14 species, mainly oxidized VOCs, nitriles, and amines, which greatly helps acknowledge the pollutants in the chemical industrial area. Positive matrix factorization, using the HMR-PTR-TOFMS and GC-FID/MS datasets, was used to identify eight sources. Four of the identified sources were mainly detected by the HMR-PTR-TOFMS, with pollutants mainly comprised of nitriles, amines, carbonyls, and organic acids, most of which were hazardous and/or odorous. These four sources accounted for 41.5% and 33.2% of the total VOCs and ozone formation potential, respectively. The complementary nature of GC-FID/MS and HMR-PTR-TOFMS in VOC source apportionment in industrial settings is of great practical use for advanced VOCs abatement. Thus, the high mass resolution DI-MSs are suggested to be a supplementary measurement for fence-line monitoring. Although with a relatively short period attempt, this study has wide implications for the fence-line stationary observational modes and source apportion methods combining with traditional observations.

A nomogram combining plasma fibrinogen and systemic immune­inflammation index predicts survival in patients with resectable gastric cancer.

Hyperfibrinogenemia and cancer-associated systemic inflammatory response are strongly associated with cancer progression and prognosis. We aimed to develop a novel prognostic score (F-SII score) on the basis of preoperative fibrinogen (F) and systemic immunoinflammatory index (SII), and evaluate its predictive value in patients with resectable gastric cancer (GC). Patients diagnosed with GC between January 2012 and December 2016 were reviewed. The F-SII score was 2 for patients with a high fibrinogen level (≥ 3.37 g/L) and a high SII (≥ 372.8), whereas that for patients with one or neither was 1 or 0, respectively. A high F-SII score was significantly associated with older patient age, a high ASA score, large tumor size, large proportion of perineural invasion, and late TNM stage. Multivariate analysis indicated that the F-SII score, histological grade, and TNM stage were independent factors for overall survival (OS). The Harrell's concordance index (C-index) of a nomogram based on the F-SII score and several clinicopathological manifestations was 0.72, which showed a better predictive ability for OS than the TNM stage alone (0.68). In conclusion, preoperative F-SII may serve as a useful predictive factor for OS and refine outcome prediction for patients with resectable GC combined with traditional clinicopathological analysis.

Obesity Potentiates Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Growth and Invasion by AMPK-YAP Pathway.

Obesity could increase the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and affect its growth and progression, but the mechanical links are unclear. The objective of the study was to explore the impact of obesity on ESCC growth and progression utilizing in vivo trials and cell experiments in vitro. Diet-induced obese and lean nude mice were inoculated with TE-1 cells, then studied for 4 weeks. Serum glucose, insulin, leptin, and visfatin levels were assayed. Sera of nude mice were obtained and then utilized to culture TE-1. MTT, migration and invasion assays, RT-PCR, and Western blotting were used to analyze endocrine effect of obesity on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and related genes expression of TE-1. Obese nude mice bore larger tumor xenografts than lean animals, and were hyperglycemic and hyperinsulinemic with an elevated level of leptin and visfatin in sera, and also were accompanied by a fatty liver. As for the subcutaneous tumor xenograft model, tumors were more aggressive in obese nude mice than lean animals. Tumor weight correlated positively with mouse body weight, liver weight of mice, serum glucose, HOMA-IR, leptin, and visfatin. Obesity prompted significant TE-1 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by endocrine mechanisms and impacted target genes. The expression of AMPK and p-AMPK protein decreased significantly (P < 0.05); MMP9, total YAP, p-YAP, and nonphosphorylated YAP protein increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the cells cultured with conditioned media and xenograft tumor from the obese group; the mRNA expression of AMPK decreased significantly (P < 0.05); YAP and MMP9 mRNA expression increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the cells exposed to conditioned media from the obese group. In conclusion, the altered adipokine milieu and metabolites in the context of obesity may promote ESCC growth in vivo; affect proliferation, migration, and invasion of ESCC cells in vitro; and regulate MMP9 and AMPK-YAP signaling pathway through complex effects including the endocrine effect.