This study employed microwave-assisted hydrothermal method to synthesize Ti-MCM-41,which are mesoporous materials with a high surface area and excellent photocatalytic ability. Fourier transform ...infrared spectroscopy（FTIR）, X-ray diffraction（XRD）, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy（XPS）, transmission electron microscopy（TEM）, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy（UV–Vis） were employed. The XRD findings showed that Ti-MCM-41 exhibited a peak at 2θ of 2.2°, which was attributed to the hexagonal MCM-41 structure. The BET（Brunauer–Emmett–Teller） results agreed with the TEM findings that Ti-MCM-41 has a pore size of about 3–5 nm and a high surface area of 883 m-2/g. FTIR results illustrated the existence of Si–O–Si and Si–O–Ti bonds in Ti-MCM-41. The appearance of Ti2 p peaks in the XPS results confirmed the FTIR findings that the Ti was successfully doped into the MCM-41 structure. Zeta（ζ）-potential results indicated that the iso-electric point（IEP） of Ti-MCM-41 was at about pH 3.02. In this study, the photocatalytic degradation of oxytetracycline（OTC） at different pH was investigated under Hg lamp irradiation（wavelength 365 nm）. The rate constant（K′obs） for OTC degradation was 0.012 min-1at pH 3. Furthermore, TOC（total organic carbon） and high resolution LC–MS（liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry） analyses were conducted to elucidate the possible intermediate products and degradation pathway for OTC. The TOC removal efficiency of OTC degradation was 87.0%, 74.4% and 50.9% at pH 3, 7 and 10, respectively. LC–MS analysis results showed that the degradation products from OTC resulted from the removal of functional groups from the OTC ring.
Biliary atresia is the most common cause of death from liver disease in children. Although the Kasai operation before 60 days of age can significantly improve prognosis, delay in referral and surgery ...remains a formidable problem worldwide because of difficulties in differentiating it from benign prolonged neonatal jaundice. We established a universal screening system using an infant stool color card to promote the early diagnosis and treatment of biliary atresia. After a pilot regional study in 2002–2003, a national stool color screening system was established by integrating the infant stool color card into the child health booklet given to every neonate in Taiwan since 2004. Within 24 hours of the discovery of an abnormal stool color, this event is reported to the registry center. The annual incidence of biliary atresia per 10,000 live births in 2004 and 2005 was 1.85 (40/216,419) and 1.70 (35/205,854), respectively. The sensitivity of detecting biliary atresia using stool cards before 60 days of age was 72.5% in 2004, which improved to 97.1% in 2005. The national rate of the Kasai operation before 60 days of age increased from 60% in 2004 to 74.3% in 2005. The jaundice‐free rate (<2 mg/dL) at 3 months after the Kasai operation among infants with biliary atresia in 2004–2005 was 59.5% (44 of 74), significantly higher than the historical data of 37.0% in 1976–2000 before the stool card screening program (P = 0.002). Conclusion: Universal screening using the stool color cards can enhance earlier referral, which may ultimately lead to timely performance of the Kasai operation and better postoperative outcome in infants with biliary atresia. (HEPATOLOGY 2008.)
Health effects resulting from the smoke of carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones) and metal-containing incense particles at temples during incense burning periods were evaluated at temple A ...(without incense reduction activities) and B (with incense reduction activities), Nantou County, in 2018. The predominant size fractions of particles were PM
1
, PM
1–2.5
, and PM
2.5–10
at both temples. The total particle mass at temple A was approximately 1.1 times that of temple B due to incense reduction at temple B. The most abundant metal elements in all particle size fractions at both temples were Fe, Al, and Zn. Metal species of incense smoke are divided into three groups by hierarchical cluster analysis and heatmaps, showing higher metal contents in groups PM
1
, PM
18–10
, and PM
18–2.5
at temple A. In contrast, higher metal contents were observed in PM
18–10
and PM
2.5–1
at temple B. Most of the carbonyl species were formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, released during incense burning periods, with concentrations ranging from 6.20 to 13.05 μg/m
3
at both temples. The total deposited fluxes of particle-bound metals at temples A and B were determined to be 83.00% and 84.82% using the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) model. Health-risk assessments revealed that the risk values of metals and carbonyls were above recommended guidelines (10
−6
) at temple A. Since worshippers and staff are exposed to incense burning environments with poor ventilation over a long period, these toxic organic compounds and metals increase health risks in the respiratory tract. Therefore, incense reduction is important to achieve healthy temple environments.
Airborne oil mist particulate matter (OMPM) is generated during industrial processes such as metalworking and may be associated with pulmonary dysfunction. In this study, we employed the normal human ...bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cell line to elucidate the association between pulmonary toxicity and OMPM of 2.5–10 μm, 1.0–2.5 μm and <1.0 μm particle sizes (OMPM10–2.5, OMPM2.5–1.0 and OMPM1.0). We measured OMPM concentrations at a precision machinery factory to estimate lung deposition rates and select realistic environmental concentrations for testing. All OMPMs (1–50 μg/cm2) significantly decreased BEAS-2B cell viability (>38% of control), except for low-dose OMPM1.0 (1 μg/cm2). OMPM10–2.5 and OMPM2.5–1.0, but not OMPM1.0, induced oxidative stress (1.5–4-fold increase compared with the control) and increased the production of proinflammatory cytokines (1.5–3-fold). However, only OMPM1.0 induced pulmonary epithelial barrier dysfunction via depletion of zonula occludens (0.65–0.8-fold) and α1-antitrypsin proteins (0.65–0.8-fold). In conclusion, a higher risk of lung disease was associated with smaller particle size OMPM. Exposure to OMPM1.0 may be a potential risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The evidence also demonstrates that occupational exposure to OMPM may cause pulmonary disease at very low concentrations.
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•OMPM10–2.5 and OMPM2.5–1.0 induced severe cytotoxicity and inflammatory responses.•OMPM1.0 induced more severe epithelial barrier dysfunction.•OMPM1.0 can stimulate the early progression of lung disease.•Higher risk of lung disease was associated with smaller size-fractionated OMPMs.•Long-term occupational exposure to OMPMs can affect pulmonary health.
Abstract
The ovules and egg cells are well developed to be fertilized at anthesis in many flowering plants. However, ovule development is triggered by pollination in most orchids. In this study, we ...characterized the function of a B
sister
gene, named
PeMADS28
, isolated from
Phalaenopsis equestris
, the genome-sequenced orchid. Spatial and temporal expression analysis showed
PeMADS28
predominantly expressed in ovules between 32 and 48 days after pollination, which synchronizes with integument development. Subcellular localization and protein–protein interaction analyses revealed that PeMADS28 could form a homodimer as well as heterodimers with D-class and E-class MADS-box proteins. In addition, ectopic expression of
PeMADS28
in
Arabidopsis thaliana
induced small curled rosette leaves, short silique length and few seeds, similar to that with overexpression of other species’ B
sister
genes in
Arabidopsis
. Furthermore, complementation test revealed that
PeMADS28
could rescue the phenotype of the
ABS/TT16
mutant. Together, these results indicate the conserved function of B
sister
PeMADS28
associated with ovule integument development in orchid.
Exposure to particle-bound metals in oil mist and fine particulate matter (PM
2.5
) may exert harmful health effects. Oil mist and PM samples were collected from metal machining workplaces and areas ...surrounding a precision machining factory using a multistage impactor. Metal-containing particles were analyzed through inductively coupled plasma − optical emission spectrometry. Mean mass concentrations in PM
2.5
were 22.8 ± 8.2 μg/m
3
near the precision machinery factory. The average PM
2.5
constituted 62.8% ± 6.2% of the total particles, ranging from 49.6 to 71.0%. The most abundant metal elements in PM
2.5
were Fe (293.33 ± 123.16 ng/m
3
), Zn (292.39 ± 62.49 ng/m
3
), and Al (115.28 ± 38.81 ng/m
3
) near the precision machining factory. The three most abundant metal elements are similar to those found in a solvent/water-based cutting oil of metal processing workplace, indicating that observations were influenced by workplace emissions. The total cancer risk of six particle-bound heavy metals (Cr(VI), Co, Ni, As, Cd, and Pb) in PM
2.5
via inhalation exposure at the human respiratory systems of residents living near the precision metal machining factory exceeds 10
–6
. Source contributions of related metal machining processes were carbon steel/stainless steel machining emissions (17.20 ± 4.94%) and aluminum alloys/gasoline engine exhaust (27.65 ± 3.90%) using absolute principal component score receptor model in the surrounding atmosphere of the precision machining factory.
The health effects of metal-containing carbon black (CB) particles obtained from the CB feeding area of a tire manufacturing plant were investigated. Atmospheric samples were collected over 24 h for ...20 working days in 2016 using the 12 impaction stages of micro-orifice uniform deposit impactor, and metal-containing particles were analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer. The concentration of total particulate matter in the CB feeding area was 944.8 ± 456.4 μg/m
3
, and the most abundant elements in the samples include Zn (8622.0 ± 5679.0 ng/m
3
), Al (3113.3 ± 2017.1 ng/m
3
), and Fe (1519.1 ± 875.0 ng/m
3
). Carcinogenic metals (Cd, Co, Cr, and Ni) with the mass median diameter were incorporated in submicron particles. The mean total deposition flux in the head airway (HA) region was approximately 16–30 times higher than that in the tracheobronchial (TB) region and alveolar region (AR). The most abundant deposition flux of heavy metals in the AR and TB region was distributed in particles of less than 3.2 μm. The cancer risk presented by carcinogenic metals (Cd, Co, Cr, and Ni) in total particles to CB feeding workers ranged from 5.52 × 10
−4
to 5.65 × 10
−2
, which is substantially higher than the acceptable cancer risk range 10
−6
–10
−4
. In particular, the cancer risk presented by these four metals in ultrafine particles (UFPs) exceeded the 10
−6
benchmark level. These results demonstrate the high health risk presented by particle-bound heavy metals to workers in a CB feeding area via inhalation exposure.
The study investigated the exposure of spray painters to organic solvents, toxic metals, and hexavalent chromium over 21 working days in 2017. The results found these concentrations of 12 VOCs to be ...below the short-term exposure limit (STEL) established by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The mass concentration of total particulate matter (PM) exposure to workers was 20.01 ± 10.78 mg/m
3
, which exceeds OSHA’s permissible exposure level of 15 mg/m
3
. The mean concentration of the total metals for all particle sizes was 109.1 ± 12.0 μg/m
3
, and those for lead (496,017.0 ng/m
3
) and iron (252,123.8 ng/m
3
) were the highest of metal elements. Significantly, the mean concentrations of Pb and As exceeded OSHA’s permissible exposure limits (PELs) of 0.05 and 0.01 mg/m
3
, respectively. The total hexavalent chromium concentration was 1163.01 ng/m
3
, and the individual particle sizes (PM
1−2.5
, PM
1
, and PM
0.25
) were strongly and positively correlated with the Cr(VI) concentrations for PM
2.5
. The study determined that approximately 56.14% of the hexavalent chromium inhaled during the spray-painting process was deposited in the upper respiratory system of the head airway region, followed by the alveolar and tracheobronchial regions, with fractions of 11.93 and 0.05%, respectively. Although the mean ratio of hexavalent chromium to total chromium was only 3.6% for all particle sizes, the cancer risk of the total particles in Cr(VI) (1.6 × 10
−3
) exceeded the acceptable risk value (10
−6
). The cancer risks of As and Cr(VI) associated with quasi-ultrafine particles, PM
0.5–1
, PM
1–2.5
, and PM
> 2.5
, also exceeded 10
−6
. Comparison of the carcinogenicity risk of VOCs and metals suggests that the adverse health effect of inhaled particles on spray-painting workers is more serious than that from VOC exposure.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Health, industrial pollution-induced health impacts have been the leading cause of death in China. While industrial fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated ...with adverse health effects, the major action mechanisms of different compositions of PM2.5 are currently unclear. In this study, we treated normal human lung epithelial BEAS-2B cells with industrial organic and water-soluble PM2.5 extracts under daily alveolar deposition dose to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying adverse pulmonary effects induced by PM2.5, including oxidative damage, inflammatory response, lung epithelial barrier dysfunction, and the recruitment of macrophages. We found that water-soluble PM2.5 extracts caused more severe cytotoxic effects on BEAS-2B cells compared with that of organic extracts. Both organic and water-soluble PM2.5 extracts induced activation of the RhoA/ROCK pathway. Inflammatory response, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and the activation of NF-кB caused by both PM2.5 extracts were attenuated by ROCK inhibitor Y-27632. This indicated that both PM2.5 extracts could cause damage to epithelial cells through RhoA/ROCK-dependent NF-кB activation. Furthermore, the upregulation of macrophage adhesion induced by both PM2.5 extracts was also attenuated by Y-27632 in a co-culture model of macrophages and the epithelial cells. Therefore, our results support that industrial PM2.5 extracts-induced activation of the RhoA/ROCK-dependent NF-кB pathway induces pulmonary adverse effect. Thus, pharmacological inhibition of ROCK activation might have therapeutic potential in preventing lung disease associated with PM2.5.
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•Water-soluble PM2.5 extracts caused more severe cytotoxic effects than organic ones on BEAS-2B cells.•Both organic and water-soluble PM2.5 extracts induced activation of the RhoA/ROCK pathway.•NF-кB caused by both PM2.5 extracts was attenuated by ROCK inhibitor Y-27632.•Recruitment of macrophages affected by PM2.5 extracts was attenuated by ROCK inhibitor.
The effects of atmospheric pollution from ship emissions have been considered for several harbors worldwide. The health risk assessment and source apportionment of particle-bound metals in a fishery ...harbor were investigated in this study. The most abundant metal elements in particulate matter (PM) on all sampling days in three seasons were Fe (280.94 ± 136.93 ng/m
3
), Al (116.40 ± 71.25 ng/m
3
), and Zn (110.55 ± 26.70 ng/m
3
). The ratios of V/Ni were 1.44 ± 0.31, 1.48 ± 0.09 and 1.87 ± 0.06 in PM
10
, PM
2.5,
and PM
1
, respectively. Meanwhile, the ratios higher than 1 indicated that fuel oil combustion from ship emission in fishery harbor. The highest deposits of total particle-bound metals in the human respiratory tract were in the head airway (HA), accounting for 76.77 ± 2.29% of the total particle-bound metal concentration, followed by 5.32 ± 0.13% and 2.53 ± 0.15% in the alveolar region (AR) and tracheobronchial (TB) region, respectively. The total cancer risk (CR) of inhalation exposure to local residents exceeded 10
−6
. Mean total CR values followed the sequence: autumn (1.24 × 10
−4
) > winter (8.53 × 10
−5
) > spring (2.77 × 10
−6
). Source apportionment of related metal emissions was mobile pollution emissions (vehicle/boat) (37.10–48.92%), metal fumes of arc welding exhaust (19.68–34.42%), spray-painting process (12.34–16.24%), combustion emissions (6.32–13.12%), and metal machining processes (9.04–16.31%) in Singda fishing harbor. These results suggest that proper control of heavy metals from each potential source in fishing harbor areas should be carried out to reduce the carcinogenic risk of adverse health effects.
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