Silicosis caused by inhalation of silica particles leads to more than ten thousand new occupational exposure-related deaths yearly. Exacerbating this issue, there are currently few drugs reported to ...effectively treat silicosis. Tetrandrine is the only drug approved for silicosis treatment in China, and despite more than decades of use, its efficacy and mechanisms of action remain largely unknown. Here, in this study, we established silicosis mouse models to investigate the effectiveness of tetrandrine of early and late therapeutic administration. To this end, we used multiple cardiopulmonary function test, as well as markers for inflammation and fibrosis. Moreover, using single cell RNA sequencing and transcriptomics of lung tissue and quantitative microarray analysis of serum from silicosis and control mice, our results provide a novel description of the target pathways for tetrandrine. Specifically, we found that tetrandrine attenuated silicosis by inhibiting both the canonical and non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome pathways in lung macrophages. Taken together, our work showed that tetrandrine yielded promising results against silicosis-associated inflammation and fibrosis and further lied the groundwork for understanding its molecular targets. Our results also facilitated the wider adoption and development of tetrandirne, potentially accelerating a globally accepted therapeutic strategy for silicosis.
Silicosis is a global occupational disease characterized by lung dysfunction, pulmonary inflammation, and fibrosis, for which there is a lack of effective drugs. Pirfenidone has been shown to exert ...anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties in the lung. However, whether and how pirfenidone is effective against silicosis remains unknown. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of pirfenidone in the treatment of early and advanced silicosis in an experimental mouse model and explored its potential pharmacological mechanisms. We found that pirfenidone alleviated silica-induced lung dysfunction, secretion of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and deposition of fibrotic proteins (collagen I and fibronectin) in both early and advanced silicosis models. Moreover, we observed that both 100 and 200 mg/kg pirfenidone can effectively treat early-stage silicosis, while 400 mg/kg was recommended for advanced silicosis. Mechanistically, antibody array and bioinformatic analysis showed that the pathways related to IL-17 secretion, including JAK-STAT pathway, Th17 differentiation, and IL-17 pathway, might be involved in the treatment of silicosis by pirfenidone. Further in vivo experiments confirmed that pirfenidone reduced the production of IL-17A induced by silica exposure via inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation. Neutralizing IL-17A by anti-IL-17A antibody improved lung function and reduced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in silicosis animals. Collectively, our study has demonstrated that pirfenidone effectively ameliorated silica-induced lung dysfunction, pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in mouse models by inhibiting the secretion of IL-17A.
Lignites are important raw materials for obtaining clean liquid fuels and value-added organic chemicals. On the basis of conforming to the global concept of green and sustainable development, the ...focus should be on the current low feedstock-to-product conversionand added value. Therefore, directional conversion from lignite to downstream products is promising for coping with these challenges. Starting from the identification of lignite structural characteristics, chemical degradation methods, compositional analysis of organic matter, and comprehensive utilization of lignite-based derivatives are mainly discussed in this review. Special attention is also paid to the application and related catalysis in lignite conversion. Combined with future research directions, several points for the efficient conversion of lignites were proposed. Key breakthroughs could also be achieved by using several feasible pathways introduced in this review. This review also aims at increasing the ongoing discussions on new technologies for efficient conversion of lignites to downstream value-added products.
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•Feature identification of OCBDs and aromatic units in lignite needs to be focused.•For obtaining various SPs, the directional cleavage of OCBDs is a breakthrough.•Rapid enrichment is a promising direction for efficient classification of SPs.•The system construction of group classification is a prerequisite for upgrading.
The Daye district represents one of the largest concentrations of skarn deposits in eastern China. There are two major types of skarn deposits (Fe skarn vs. Cu skarn) within this district, both ...genetically related to late Mesozoic high-K calc-alkaline granitoids. In this study, we present in situ compositional and Sr–Nd isotopic investigations of apatite from granitoids associated with Fe skarn and Cu skarn deposits to put constraints on the magma source, evolution, and volatile composition, which provide significant new insights into the genesis of the two contrasting mineralization styles in the Daye district. Apatite from granitoids related to Cu skarns and Lingxiang Fe skarn has
ε
Nd
(
t
) values of − 8 to − 4, similar to that of the contemporaneous mafic rocks in the Daye district, which were dominantly derived from an enriched lithospheric mantle source. Apatite in granitoids associated with the Chengchao Fe skarn has lower
ε
Nd
(
t
) values of − 15 to − 9, suggesting larger degrees of contaminations from ancient lower crust materials. Fractionation models based on apatite Sr/Y and Eu/Eu* ratios, suggest that magmas related with the Cu skarns have experienced amphibole-dominated fractionation under high pressure and hydrous conditions, whereas those associated with Fe skarns have undergone plagioclase-dominated fractionation at relatively low pressure and dry conditions. Based on results of apatite compositional analysis and apatite-melt partitioning data, the estimated magma Cl contents for the Fe skarn range from 3260 to 13,940 ppm, significantly higher than those for the Cu skarn (Cl = 430–5990 ppm). Apatite from Fe skarn-related intrusions has (
87
Sr/
86
Sr)
t
ranging from 0.7073 to 0.7082, whereas the variety from Cu skarn-related intrusions displays lower (
87
Sr/
86
Sr)
t
of 0.7054–0.7061. These Sr isotope data, combined with whole-rock S isotopes of this study and previous investigations suggest that the Fe skarn-related intrusions have assimilated larger amount of evaporite-bearing carbonate during magma ascent and emplacement. The assimilation process may have not only promoted magmatic water exsolution but also provided sufficient amount of Cl
−
and
SO
4
2
-
, which facilitated effective complexation and transportation of Fe
2+
and subsequent oxidization of ferrous Fe to precipitate magnetite, respectively. We suggest that evaporite assimilation into the granitoid magmas has played a crucial role in the large-scaled Fe skarn mineralization in the Daye district. This study highlights that apatite is a sensitive petrogenetic-metallogenic indicator for granitoids and thus can be useful in mineral exploration.
Evidence suggests that exposure to coal dust increases immunoglobulin concentration. However, there is a paucity of data reporting immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass in coal workers’ pneumoconiosis ...(CWP). Therefore, this study intended to evaluate potential diagnostic biomarkers for the disease. CWP patients, dust-exposed workers without pneumoconiosis (DEW), and matched healthy controls (HCs) presented to the General Hospital of Datong Coal Mining Group and Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment Hospital of Datong Coal Mining Group between May 2019 and September 2019 were recruited. The serum immunoglobulin concentration was determined by the multiplex immunoassay technique. Totally, 104 CWP patients, 109 DEWs, and 74 HCs were enrolled. Serum levels of IgG1, IgG2, IgM, and IgA were elevated in CWPs compared with those in DEWs and HCs (P<0.05). The order of diagnostic accuracy between CWPs and DEWs depicted by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was IgG2, IgM, IgG1, IgG3, and IgA. Significantly higher IgG1/IgG3 and IgG2/IgG3 ratios were observed in the CWP group than in DEW and HC groups. Based on the IgG2/IgG3 ratio, the area under the ROC curve between CWP and DEW was 0.785 (95% CI 0.723-0.838), with a sensitivity of 73.1% and a specificity of 73.4%. Our findings suggest that IgG1, IgG2, IgM, and IgA are higher in the CWPs than DEWs and HCs. The IgG2/IgG3 ratio provides a viable alternative for the diagnosis of CWP.
The Daye district in eastern China is featured by numerous granitoid intrusions of Early Cretaceous ages that intrude Paleozoic to Early Triassic marine carbonate and clastic rocks. Several dozen ...skarn Cu-Fe-Au deposits occur along the intrusive contact zones of the Echeng, Tieshan, Jinshandian, Lingxiang, Tongshankou and Tonglushan intrusions. However, no economic skarn mineralization has been recognized in other intrusions and whether or not these intrusions are metal fertile remain unresolved. In this paper, we use whole-rock and mineral (zircon, apatite and amphibole) geochemistry to provide significant new insights into the petrogenesis and metal fertility of the Yinzu granitoid pluton.
The Yinzu pluton mainly consists of quartz diorite and diorite phases that have zircon U-Pb ages of 148.4 ± 1 Ma and 146.6 ± 1.6 Ma, respectively. Whole-rock Sr-Nd isotopic compositions ((87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.70635 to 0.70741; εNd(t) = −8.74 to −3.73) and zircon hafnium isotopes (εHf(t) = −9.1 to −4.8) overlap with values of the Cu-fertile Tongshankou and Tonglushan granitoids, implying a common enriched lithospheric mantle source. The whole-rock geochemical data suggest that both the diorite and quartz diorite have experienced variable degrees of fractional crystallization of olivine, amphibole, titanite and magnetite. The Ce4+/Ce3+ ratios (16–445) and oxygen fugacity (logfO2) calculated using trace element concentrations of zircon (ΔFMQ = +0.2 to +2.4) suggest that both intrusive phases crystalized from oxidized melts similar to Cu-fertile magmas in the world, with the quartz diorite being well comparable to the Tongshankou and Tonglushan granitoids. Based on available melt-apatite partitioning models, the estimated S and Cl contents for the magmas parental to the Yinzu pluton are akin to those of the Cu-fertile granitoids in the Daye district. Rocks of the Yinzu pluton display high apatite Sr/Y (0.38–3.01) and Eu/Eu* (0.35–0.71) ratios as well as high zircon Eu/Eu* (0.51–0.86) and 10000*(Eu/Eu*)/Y (2–27) ratios, indicating significant fractionation of amphibole with limited plagioclase fractionation and high magmatic water contents (>4 wt% H2O). This view is consistent with the calculated melt H2O content of 4.3–6.1 wt% based on the amphibole compositions.
Collectively, results presented here indicate that magmas generating the Yinzu pluton are hydrous, oxidized and S-rich, characters similar to the Cu-fertile granitoids in Daye and elsewhere. Thus, the Yinzu pluton is considered to be Cu-(Au) fertile. This consideration is partially supported by occurrences of several vein-type Cu prospects within and disseminated Au ores in Silurian clastic sedimentary rocks immediately to the southeast of this pluton. Based on the regional metallogeny and results of this study, we suggest that the Yinzu pluton is a promising target of future Cu-(Au) exploration.
•Zircon and apatite record magma volatile compositions and oxygen fugacity.•Zircon and apatite are useful tools in evaluating magma fertility.•Yinzu pluton is hydrous, oxidized and S-rich.•Yinzu pluton is a promising target of future exploration.
Low-temperature coal tar (LTCT) is a sticky liquid mixture produced mainly from coal pyrolysis, which contains various value-added chemicals (VACs). Liquid-liquid extraction is considered as one of ...the green and effective ways to explore the organic composition and separate the VACs from LTCT. Herein, petroleum ether, methanol, and carbon disulfide were used to extract arenols from a LTCT. As a result, the relative content and absolute content of arenols extracted from the LTCT are
ca
. 96.3% and 85.9%, respectively. Among them,
p
-cresol is predominant, accounting for 22.2%. The isolated contents of arenols are up to 84.6%. Moreover, a kilogram-scale operation was carried out under the same conditions, which offers a potential application in industrial production.
The physical and mechanical properties of shale are significant for completion engineering and fracturing design for shale oil and gas production. To further study the water effect and the ...deformation characteristics of shale, some cylindrical specimens were soaked at three periods (0, 20, and 60 days), the in situ uniaxial compression tests were conducted, and the CT technique was used at different hydration and loading stages. Based on the CT results, the image gray variance value in each hydration specimen was extracted; the evolution results show that the water imbibition has a significant influence on the structure of shale in the early soaking stage, and the influence degree is more evident in the external region. Moreover, the water influence on the mechanical property of shale was analyzed by comparing the failure characteristics of specimens with and without hydration; the CT results show that the hydration treatment affects the failure mode of shale. In addition, a new method based on the CT image was proposed to calculate the lateral strain; the evolution of the axial stress-strain curve reveals that the expansion phenomena exist before failure, and the evolution process includes four stages. At last, the differences in the deformation degree were discussed by analyzing the volumetric strain at different CT scanning layers; the results reflect the expansion or compression degree along with the specimen height. Those conclusions can help us further understand the water effect and the deformation characteristics of shale oil and gas reservoirs.
The saturation of octahydrophenanthrene was the rate-determining step in the hydrogenation process from phenanthrene to perhydrophenanthrene, which was due to the steric hindrance and competitive ...adsorption of octahydrophenanthrene. In this work, a series of Ni/NiAlO
x
catalysts with a uniform electron-deficient state of Ni derived from the nickel aluminate structure was synthesized to overcome the disadvantage of noble catalyst and the traditional sulfided catalysts in the saturation hydrogenation process of phenanthrene. Results showed that the catalyst calcinated at 650°C possessed more Ni
2+
(∼98%) occupying octahedral sites and exhibited the highest r
obs
(1.53 × 10
−3
mol kg
−1
s
−1
) and TOF (14.64 × 10
−3
s
−1
) for phenanthrene hydrogenation. Furthermore, its ability to overcome steric hindrance and promote the rate-determining step was proven by octahydrophenanthrene hydrogenation. Comparing the evolution of hydrogenation activity with the change in the electronic structure of surface Ni sites, it was shown that the increase of metallic electron deficiency hindered the π-back bonding between surface Ni and aromatic rings, which was unfavorable for aromatic adsorption. As a result, the phenanthrene hydrogenation saturation performance can be enhanced by stabilizing the electron-deficient state of surface Ni on an optimal degree.
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•The additive MgO to Ni/SiO2 catalyst could enhance CO2 activation and dissociation.•Nien-0.4 %MgO catalyst possessed high activity and strong coke resistance.•The providing electron ...capacity of additive MgO became stronger as the Ni particle size was smaller.•The smaller Ni particle size and higher Ni electron density promoted CO2 activation and dissociation.
Design and preparation of coke resistant nickel-based (Ni-based) catalyst is the key point for the industrial application of carbon dioxide reforming of methane. In this work, MgO-promoted Ni/SiO2 catalysts with tunable particle size were prepared by the multiple-impregnation method and were employed to catalyze carbon dioxide reforming of methane. Results showed that the additive MgO was an electron donor, and its providing electron capacity to Ni became stronger as the Ni particle size was smaller. Catalytic activity evaluation presented that the Nien-0.4 %MgO catalyst possessed superior catalytic activity (CH4 and CO2 conversions maintained at 83.6 % and 89.9 %) at 750 °C. Its carbon deposition amount was only 0.16 wt.% after 100 h runs. The higher activity and the stronger coke resistance of the Nien-0.4 %MgO catalyst were due to the smaller Ni particle size (8.4 nm) and higher Ni electron density, which could promote CO2 activation and dissociation, and finally balance the formation rates of C species and O species over the MgO-promoted Ni/SiO2 catalysts.
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