Evaluation of Total Hydrocarbon Contents in the Leaves of Selected Crops Grown on Crude Oil Polluted Agricultural Soil

Aim: The Total Hydrocarbon Content (THC) levels in the leaves of three edible plants (Allium cepa, Telfairia occidentalis and Zea mays) grown on soil polluted with 100 ml of crude oil were examined. Study Design: This experiment was conducted in two groups where the soil samples were polluted before planting (PB) and polluted 2 weeks after planting (PA). Place and Duration of Study: The research was carried out at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Imo State, Nigeria, within a period of 4 weeks based on each group’s pollution time. Methodology: The tests for total hydrocarbon content (THC) were analyzed at different wavelengths for polluted soil and leaf samples using UV-Vis spectrophotometric method. Soil THC tests were determined on days 0, 14 and 28 respectively while THC tests on leaves of study plants were assessed on day 14 and 28. Results: The total hydrocarbon content values of the unpolluted soil (UPS) and the non-planted polluted soil (PS) subjected to this analysis on day zero were (UPS = 96.38 mg/kg; PS = 1082.80 mg/kg). However, results obtained on day 14 and 28 showed significant difference (P < 0.05) between the unpolluted soil sample (UPS) and all the planted polluted soil for Telfairia occidentalis (TOPB, TOPA), Allium cepa (ACPB, ACPA), Zea mays (ZMPB, ZMPA) as well as, the non-planted polluted soil (PS). For the leaf samples, TOPB had the highest THC value of 14.47mg/kg and 36.73 mg/kg for day 14 and 28 respectively while ZMPB had the lowest value of 5.38mg/kg at day 14 and ZMPA, the least THC value of 7.76mg/kg at day 28. Conclusion: Based on the varying THC levels observed in the leaves of crops used for this study; it was connoted that, bioaccumulation of hydrocarbons depends on the plants phytoremediation capability and the mode of pollution as observed in TOPB.

Identification of involatile chemical components from Moutai-flavored distiller’s grains / 中国药科大学学报

@#In order to study the involatile chemical components in Moutai-flavored distiller’s grains, the Moutai-flavored distiller’s grains were extracted with 75% ethanol, followed by extraction with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol. Silica gel, ODS, sephadex LH-20, and preparative HPLC were used to separate and identify the petroleum ether and ethyl acetate layers.ESI-MS and NMR were used to identify the compounds, which were respectively identified as pentadecanoic acid (1), palmitic acid (2), trans-2-decenoic acid (3), n-nonyl octadecanoate (4), ethyl octadecanoate (5), ethyl linoleate (6), luric acid (7), 1, 3-dicaprylyl-2-linoleylglycerin (8), cyclic (phenylalanine-proline) (9), cyclo-(proline-leucine) (10), 3, 6-bis-(2-methylpropyl)-2,5-dione piperazine (11), 4-hydroxyphenethyl alcohol (12), 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (13), stigmasterol (14), 2-furancarboxylic acid (15), valine (16), L-alanine acyl-L-proline (17), dihydroquercetin (18), 5, 7, 3'', 4''-tetrahydroxyflavonoids (19), quercetin (20), and naringenin (21). Compounds 1-21 were isolated from distiller’s grains for the first time.

Condiciones de salud de los indígenas hitnü potencialmente expuestos a petróleo crudo (Arauca, Colombia) / Health conditions of Hitnü indigenous people potentially exposed to crude oil in Arauca, Colombia

Introducción. El pueblo hitnü vive en condiciones sanitarias precarias, con inseguridad alimentaria y víctima de la violencia sociopolítica en Arauca (Colombia). Además, se sospecha que pueden estar afectados por la exposición a los hidrocarburos del petróleo. Objetivo. Identificar los eventos de salud del perfil de morbilidad y mortalidad de los indígenas hitnü que podrían asociarse con la exposición a petróleo crudo. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio transversal con indígenas hitnü, durante febrero y marzo de 2021, época de sequía. Se aplicó un cuestionario de hogares y uno individual para recolectar datos del ambiente peridomiciliario, ocupaciones y otras actividades, así como datos sociodemográficos, signos, síntomas y hallazgos de un examen médico. La potencial asociación con los hidrocarburos se exploró considerando tres grupos, según su localización: cabecera de Arauca, resguardo Aspejená (no expuestos) y resguardos de San José del Lipa y La Vorágine (expuestos por su cercanía al río Ele y afluentes). Con listados libres, se exploraron las causas de muerte. El estudio incorporó un riguroso manejo intercultural en todos sus componentes. Resultados. Participaron 576 indígenas de 16 asentamientos. El agua consumida pudo servir como medio de exposición a los hidrocarburos. Los problemas de salud fueron muy variados e incluían enfermedades infecciosas y crónicas, malnutrición y trauma. Las masas en el cuello se asociaron con residir en los resguardos ancestrales (RP=3,86; IC95% 1,77-8,39), territorios potencialmente expuestos al petróleo. Las causas de muerte más relevantes fueron el homicidio, los tumores y la tuberculosis. Conclusión. Por su posible asociación con los hidrocarburos, es prioritario el estudio intercultural de linfoadenopatías entre indígenas potencialmente expuestos al petróleo.

Introduction. The Hitnü indigenous people live in precarious sanitary conditions, with food insecurity and being victims of sociopolitical violence in Arauca, Colombia. In addition, it is possible that they may be affected by exposure to hydrocarbons found in oil. Objective. To identify the health outcomes of morbidity and mortality profiles of the Hitnü people that could be associated with the exposure to crude oil. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out with Hitnü indigenous people, during February and March, 2021, time of drought. A household questionnaire was applied, and one individual to collect data from the environment around the house, occupations and other activities, as well as data from sociodemographic, signs, symptoms, and findings of a medical examination. The potential association with hydrocarbons was explored considering three groups: inhabitants in Arauca city, Aspejaná reserve (not exposed), and San José del Lipa and La Vorágine reserves (exposed by the Ele river and tributaries). With free listings, causes of death were explored. The study incorporated a rigorous intercultural management in all its components. Results. A total of 576 indigenous people from 16 settlements participated. The water consumed could serve as means of exposure to hydrocarbons. Health problems were very varied, including infectious and chronic diseases, malnutrition, and trauma. The masses on the neck were associated with residing in the ancestral reserves (PR = 3.86; CI95% 1.77-8.39), territories with potential exposure to crude-oil. The most relevant causes of death were homicide, tumors, and tuberculosis. Conclusion. For its possible association with exposure to hydrocarbons, it is a priority to start the intercultural study of lymphadenopathies in indigenous communities potentially exposed to crude oil.

Study on nephrotoxicity of the extracts from different parts of Miao medicine Wikstroemia indica / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To study the nephrotoxicity of the extracts from different parts o f Miao medicine Wikstroemia indica in healthy rats ，and to provide reference for the study of its toxicity mechanism and clinical drug use. METHODS Using 70％ ethanol as solvent ，total ethanol extract of W. indica was extracted with diacolation method. After dispersing the above extract with water，the fractions of corresponding fractions were obtained with petroleum ether ，ethyl acetate and n-butanol，and the rest was the extract of water fraction. SD rats were randomly divided into total ethanol extract group ，petroleum ether fraction group ，ethyl acetate fraction group ，n-butanol fraction group ，water fraction group and blank group ，with 12 rats in each group （half male and half female ）. The rats in the administration groups were given the corresponding dose of drug solution intragastrically （total ethanol extract 317.520 mg/kg，petroleum ether fraction 7.875 mg/kg，ethyl acetate fraction 78.435 mg/kg，n-butanol fraction 53.865 mg/kg and water fraction 76.545 mg/kg），once a day ，for conse- cutive 2 weeks，and then stopped taking drug for 2 weeks； rats in the blank group were given equal volume of 1.0％ . sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution intragastrically. Duringthe experiment ，the general conditions of rats were observed. The samples of urine （on the 14th and 28th day ），serum and bilateral renal tissues （on the 15th and 29th day ）were taken respectively，the renal index was calculated ，the levels of @qq.com renal function indexes in serum and urine were detected ，and the pathomorphological changes of renal tissues were observed. RESULTS During administration ，compared with blank group ，the rats in the total ethanol extract group and ethyl acetate fraction group showed poisoning behavior and activity characteristics such as mental depression ，decreased activity and diet ，thin stool and decreased body mass. The mental state of the rats in the petroleum ether fraction group ，n-butanol fraction group and water fraction group were slightly worse than that in blank group，and slightly decreased activity and diet as well as thin stool ，and slowly increased body mass were found ；however，there was no significant difference in anal temperature in each group. After 2 weeks of administration ，the renal index in total ethanol extract group ，the serum levels of N-acetylglucosaminidase（NAG），urea nitrogen （BUN）and creatinine （Cr）in total ethanol extract group and ethyl acetate fraction group ，serum level of NAG in n-butanol fraction group and serum level of Cr in water fraction group ，as while as NAG levels in urine of rats in total ethanol extract group and petroleum ether fraction group ，NAG and urinary protein levels in urine of rats in ethyl acetate fraction group were increased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. In the pathomorphological observation ，renal tubules showed different degrees of unclear structure ，cell swelling and a few cell necrosis in the total ethanol extract group ，petroleum ether fraction group and ethyl acetate fraction group ，accompanying by glomerular pyknosis，renal tubular sclerosis and inflammatory cell infiltration ，compared with blank group. After drug withdrawal ，the mental state of rats in the administration groups were significantly improved ，the amount of activity and diet increased ，and the stool tended to be normal. Two weeks after drug withdrawal and recovery ，the levels of above indexes in serum and urine of rats in administration groups returned to be close to that in blank group （P＞0.05）；the glomerular structure of rats in each administration group gradually recovered clearly ，and cell swelling and inflammatory cell infiltration were rare in total ethanol extract group ， petroleum ether fraction group and ethyl acetate fraction group. CONCLUSIONS The total ethanol extract ，petroleum ether fraction and ethyl acetate fraction of Miao medicine W. indica have certain nephrotoxicity and reversibility. The toxic component may

Analysis of lung cancer screening through low-dose spiral computed tomography among petroleum company staffs in Sichuan-Chongqing Area in 2020 / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To provide scientific evidence for early lung cancer screening, to analyze the incidence of pulmonary nodules among petroleum company staffs in Sichuan-Chongqing Area. Methods: In January 2021 , 6002 petroleum company staffs in Sichuan-Chongqing Area which scanned by low-dose spiral computed tomography (LDCT) of chest in medical examination center in 2020 were retrospectively collected as objects. Their imaging and clinical data were collected. χ(2) test was used to analyze the differences in the detection rates of lung nodules and suspected lung cancer nodules among workers in petroleum company staffs of different genders, ages and types of work. Results: Among the 6002 objects, 3853 (64.2%) were male and 2149 (35.8%) were female, with an average age of (47.25±12.13) years old. A total of 431 cases (7.2%) of pulmonary nodules and 57 cases (0.9%) of suspected lung cancer nodules were detected. 45 cases were followed up with surgical treatment, and 41 cases (91.1%) of lung cancer were diagnosed by postoperative pathology. There were significant differences in the detection rates of pulmonary nodules and suspected lung cancer nodules between different age groups (χ(2)=51.23, 18.81 , P<0.001). The detection rates of pulmonary nodules in the age groups 51-60 years old and ≥61 years old were higher than those in the age groups≤40 years old and 41-50 years old (P<0.05). The detection rate of suspected lung cancer nodules in the age group≥ 61 years old was higher than those in the age groups≤40 years old, 41-50 years old and 51-60 years old (P< 0.05) . And the detection rate of suspected lung cancer pulmonary nodules in oil workers was higher than that of ordinary workers (P<0.05) . Among female objects, the detection rate of pulmonary nodules in oil workers was higher than that in ordinary workers (χ(2)=8.09, P=0.004) . The detection rate of pulmonary nodules in oil workers aged ≥61 years old was higher than ordinary workers (χ(2)=37.94, P<0.001) . Among male objects, the detection rate of suspected lung cancer pulmonary nodules in oil workers was higher than that in ordinary workers (χ(2)=8.42, P=0.004) . The detection rates of suspected lung cancer pulmonary nodules in oil workers aged 51-60 years old and ≥61 years old groups were higher than those of ordinary workers (χ(2)=4.70, 8.74; P=0.030, 0.003) . Conclusion: LDCT is suitable for early lung cancer screening for petroleum company staffs. During the clinical screening process, LDCT should be used as a routine physical examination item for petroleum workers older than 51 years old.

Desastres com petróleo e ações governamentais ante os impactos socioambientais e na saúde: scoping review / Oil disasters and government actions in the face of social, environmental, and health-related impacts: A scoping review

RESUMO Este artigo teve por objetivo analisar as ações desenvolvidas pelos governos para o enfrentamento dos impactos socioambientais e na saúde em decorrência dos desastres envolvendo petróleo no mundo. Trata-se de uma revisão de escopo realizada na Bireme, Lilacs, SciELO, PubMed, Cochrane Library e Embase, considerando artigos publicados entre 1973 e 2021. As buscas efetuadas nas bases de dados resultaram em 22 artigos sobre 10 desastres de petróleo ao redor do mundo em três continentes (Ásia, América e Europa), cujas causas dos desastres foram encalhe (3), naufrágio (1), colisão (2), derrame (3) e explosão (1). As ações desenvolvidas foram caracterizadas como intersetoriais, econômicas, ambientais e na saúde, sendo que as mais frequentes foram ações ambientais e econômicas. Nas ações desenvolvidas, observaram-se críticas ao controle, mitigação ou prevenção dos danos instantâneos ou futuros decorrentes dos desastres por petróleo, sendo essa uma agenda ainda em aberto para os movimentos sociais na luta pela garantia de um ambiente saudável, promotor de saúde e com preservação de toda a sua biodiversidade. Conclui-se que as ações para o enfrentamento dos desastres por petróleo nos diferentes países parecem ter sido incipientes, revelando uma incapacidade governamental de orientar o enfrentamento dos impactos desse evento inusitado.

ABSTRACT This article aims to analyze the actions taken by governments to face the social, environmental, and health impacts of oil spill disasters worldwide. This scoping review was conducted in Bireme, Lilacs, SciELO, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases, considering articles published between 1973 and 2021. The database search returned 22 articles on ten global oil disasters in three continents (Asia, the Americas, and Europe), whose causes were grounding (03), shipwreck (01), collision (02), spill (03), and explosion (01). The actions developed were characterized as intersectoral, economic, environmental, and health-related, and the most frequent were environmental and economic actions. In the actions developed, we observed criticisms of controlling, mitigating, or preventing instantaneous or future damages resulting from oil disasters, which is still an open agenda for social movements in the struggle to ensure a healthy, health-promoting environment that preserves all its biodiversity. The actions to face oil disasters in different countries seem incipient, revealing a governmental inability to guide the confrontation of the impacts of this unusual event.

Effect of occupational exposure on hematological and biochemical parameters in workers at oil and gas companies

Petroleum refineries are largest chemical industries that are responsible for emission of several pollutants into the atmosphere. Benzene and its metabolites are regarded as the most hazardous compounds that are emitted by petroleum refineries. These contribute to toxic oxidants, which cause many serious health risks to petroleum refineries workers. This study was aimed to analyze the effects of chemical exposure on hematological and biochemical parameters among workers at Zawia oil refinery and Mellituh oil and gas refinery companies. A total of 200 workers participated in this study which consisting of two equal groups (each group: n = 100). The first group consists of petroleum refineries workers and the second group consists of non-oil work civil servants serving were recruited as exposed and control subjects, respectively. The results of blood picture, liver enzymes and kidney functions were compared between the groups. Mean white blood cells counts, platelet counts, and hematocrit count were significantly higher, while the mean red blood cells count was insignificantly changed in petroleum refineries workers. While the mean hemoglobin and corpuscular hemoglobin concentration levels were significantly lower, whereas the mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin levels were insignificantly changed in petrol refineries workers. Liver enzymes and renal functions were significantly higher in petrol refineries workers. The present findings indicate that occupational exposure to benzene causes significant alterations in hematological and biochemical parameters and workers are at high risk of developing blood, hepatic or renal related disorders. Protection and frequent medical attention should be given to petroleum refineries workers.

Anti-tumor Effect of Draconis Sanguis Petroleum Ether Fraction on Human Gastric Cancer HGC-27 and MGC-803 Cells / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Draconis Sanguis petroleum ether fraction （DSPEF） on the proliferation， apoptosis， migration， and autophagy of human gastric cancer HGC-27 and MGC-803 cells， and preliminarily elucidate its molecular mechanism. MethodCell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay was used to detect the effect of DSPEF at different concentrations （0， 20， 40， 60， 80 mg·L-1） on the proliferation of HGC-27 and MGC-803 cells after 24， 48， 72 h. Hoechst staining and flow cytometry were used to explore the effects of DSPEF at different concentrations on the apoptosis and apoptosis rate of HGC-27 and MGC-803 cells after 48 h treatment， respectively. The wound healing assay and acridine orange staining were used to investigate the effects of DSPEF on the migration and autophagy of HGC-27 and MGC-803 cells， respectively. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of signaling pathway-related proteins in HGC-27 and MGC-803 cells treated with DSPEF for 48 h. ResultCompared with the control group， DSPEF（30 mg·L-1） inhibited the proliferation and migration of HGC-27 and MGC-803 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner （P<0.05）， and induced the apoptosis （P<0.01） and autophagy of HGC-27 and MGC-803 cells. DSPEF （60 mg·L-1） down-regulated the protein levels of phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin （p-mTOR） （P<0.05， P<0.01） and down-regulated phospho-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （p-STAT3） in HGC-27 and MGC-803 cells （P<0.01）， suggesting that DSPEF presumedly inhibited the proliferation and migration of human gastric cancer HGC-27 and MGC-803 cells and induced their apoptosis and autophagy by inhibiting the mTOR/STAT3 signaling pathway. ConclusionThe down-regulation of the mTOR/STAT3 signaling pathway may be involved in the anti-gastric cancer effect of DSPEF. This study is expected to provide a reference for the investigation of the anti-tumor effect of Draconis Sanguis.

Derramamento de petróleo no litoral brasileiro: (in)visibilidade de saberes e descaso com a vida de marisqueiras / Oil spill on the Brazilian coast: (in)visibility of knowledges and disregard for the life of shellfisherwomen

Resumo Em 2019 um derramamento de petróleo de origem desconhecida afetou várias localidades do litoral brasileiro. Nessa pesquisa, objetivou-se apreender as percepções das marisqueiras do estuário do Rio Jaguaribe, Ceará, acerca da exposição ao petróleo e suas consequências. Utilizou-se o grupo focal como técnica para a coleta de dados e o software Iramuteq para o processamento e análise do material. Os resultados apontaram para a criação de duas categorias analíticas: implicações sociais, econômicas, produtivas e de consumo de alimentos das famílias marisqueiras; e os saberes, a participação e a vigilância no contexto de (in)visibilização da exposição ao petróleo. Percebeu-se que as marisqueiras e suas famílias são uma população muito exposta aos impactos negativos causados pelo derramamento de petróleo por se apresentarem significativos sob as perspectivas socioeconômicas, ambientais, produtivas e de saúde. Chama-se a atenção para as políticas de saúde e assistência social para as trabalhadoras, consequências na segurança alimentar, hídrica e nutricional das famílias e sobre o reconhecimento de seus saberes e práticas, construídos dentro de um modo de vida tradicional que produz e reproduz a existência numa estreita relação sociedade/natureza.

Abstract In 2019, an oil spill of yet unknown origin affected several locations on the Brazilian coast. The purpose of this research was to capture the perceptions of women shellfish gatherers in the Jaguaribe River estuary, Ceará, about exposure to oil and its consequences. The focal group technique was used for data collection and the Iramuteq software for the processing and analysis of the material. The results indicated the creation of two analytical categories: Social, economic, food production and consumption implications of shellfish gatherer families; and the knowledges, the participation and the surveillance in the context of (in)visibility of exposure to oil. It was observed that shellfisherwomen and their families constitute a population that is very exposed to the negative impacts caused by the oil spill, as they are significant from the socioeconomic, environmental, food production, consumption and health perspectives. Attention is drawn to health and social assistance policies for these fisherwomen/shellfish gatherers, with consequences on the food, water and nutrition security of families and the recognition of their knowledges and practices, constructed within a traditional way of life that produces and reproduces the existence in a close society/nature relationship.

Estudo de tecnologias de investigação ambiental em alta resolução para refinamento do modelo conceitual — estudo de caso: Duque de Caxias (RJ), Brasil / Study of high-resolution site characterization technologies for the improvement of the conceptual site model — case study: Duque de Caxias (RJ), Brazil

RESUMO Este trabalho apresenta os resultados da utilização de duas técnicas de investigação geoambiental em alta resolução: investigação passiva de vapores do solo e investigação com o uso de Membrane Interface Probe (MIP), em uma área contaminada por hidrocarbonetos de petróleo, localizada no município de Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro. O processo de gerenciamento ambiental da área iniciou-se em 2012 e contemplou as etapas preconizadas nas legislações vigentes. Os resultados obtidos a partir das investigações tradicionais foram insuficientes para a compreensão das características físicas e geoquímicas necessária para o sucesso das fases de diagnóstico e, consequentemente, da remediação. Portanto, duas investigações em alta resolução foram conduzidas com o objetivo de refinar o modelo conceitual de forma a atender adequadamente à Resolução CONAMA nº 420/09 e à Resolução CONEMA nº 44/12, permitindo ações futuras mais eficientes. A investigação passiva de vapores do solo utilizou amostradores compostos por materiais adsorventes granulares, encapsulados em uma membrana microporosa hidrofóbica e quimicamente inerte que permite a difusão dos vapores presentes no meio. Os resultados representam qualitativamente a presença de contaminação no subsolo. O MIP é uma ferramenta de direct push com medição em tempo real, que detecta a presença da contaminação tanto em meios insaturados quanto saturados inconsolidados. A partir dos resultados integrados, foi possível constatar que a distribuição de compostos orgânicos voláteis (volatile organic compounds (VOCs)) em água subterrânea ocorre de forma descontínua ao longo da área, sendo possível identificar cinco hotspots distintos e suas diferentes áreas fonte, incluindo uma região com presença de fase livre.

ABSTRACT This paper presents the results of two high-resolution site characterization (HRSC) techniques: passive investigation of soil vapors and investigation using Membrane Interface Probe (MIP), in an area contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbon, located in the municipality of Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro. The environmental management process in the area began in 2012 and contemplated the stages recommended by the current legislation. The results obtained from the traditional investigations were insufficient for the understanding of the physical and geochemical aspects for the success of the diagnostic phases and, consequently, the remediation phase. Therefore, it was conducted two high-resolution investigations with the objective of improving the conceptual model in order to comply adequately with CONAMA Resolution 420/09 and CONEMA Resolution 44/12, allowing future actions more efficient. The soil gas passive investigation used samplers composed of granular adsorbent materials, encapsulated in a hydrophobic and chemically inert microporous membrane that allows the diffusion of the vapors present in the media. The results qualitatively represent the presence of contamination in the subsoil. MIP is a direct push tool with real-time measurement, which detect the presence of contamination in both unsaturated and saturated media. From the integrated results, it was possible to verify that the distribution of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in groundwater occurs in a discontinuous way throughout the area. It was possible to identify five distinct hotspots and their different source areas, including a region with the presence of free-phase.

Queimadura por asfalto: relato de caso e revisão terapêutica / Hot asphalt burns: case report and therapeutic review

As queimaduras por asfalto quente representam uma ameaça para a saúde devido ao risco de morte e adesão aos tecidos. Paciente do sexo masculino, 40 anos, vítima de queimadura de 1° e 2° graus por asfalto quente em 20% da superfície corporal. O asfalto aderido na pele foi removido no 4º dia de UTI com vaselina líquida, e as queimaduras, tratadas com cicatrizante tópico. As queimaduras por asfalto quente são graves e representam 1,4% dos casos hospitalizados. Acometem jovens nas regiões da pele e vias aéreas por inalação dos vapores. Remover o asfalto da pele caracteriza-se em grande desafio terapêutico.

Hot asphalt burns are a health threat due to the risk of death and adhesion to tissues. A 40-year-old man suffered first and second-degree burns by hot asphalt on 20% of the body surface area. The asphalt adhered to the skin was removed on the 4th day of the ICU stay with liquid petroleum jelly, and the burns were treated with healing gel. Burns caused by hot asphalt are serious and represent 1.4% of hospitalized cases. They affect young people in the skin and airways by inhaling the vapors. Removing asphalt from the skin is a major therapeutic challenge.

Advances in bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil / 生物工程学报

With continuous improvement of people's living standards, great efforts have been paid to environmental protection. Among those environmental issues, soil contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons has received widespread concerns due to the persistence and the degradation difficulty of the pollutants. Among the various remediation technologies, in-situ microbial remediation enhancement technologies have become the current hotspot because of its low cost, environmental friendliness, and in-situ availability. This review summarizes several in-situ microbial remediation technologies such as bioaugmentation, biostimulation, and integrated remediation, as well as their engineering applications, providing references for the selection of in-situ bioremediation technologies in engineering applications. Moreover, this review discusses future research directions in this area.

Advances in the bioaugmentation-assisted remediation of petroleum contaminated soil / 生物工程学报

Bioremediation is considered as a cost-effective, efficient and free-of-secondary-pollution technology for petroleum pollution remediation. Due to the limitation of soil environmental conditions and the nature of petroleum pollutants, the insufficient number and the low growth rate of indigenous petroleum-degrading microorganisms in soil lead to long remediation cycle and poor remediation efficiency. Bioaugmentation can effectively improve the biodegradation efficiency. By supplying functional microbes or microbial consortia, immobilized microbes, surfactants and growth substrates, the remediation effect of indigenous microorganisms on petroleum pollutants in soil can be boosted. This article summarizes the reported petroleum-degrading microbes and the main factors influencing microbial remediation of petroleum contaminated soil. Moreover, this article discusses a variety of effective strategies to enhance the bioremediation efficiency, as well as future directions of bioaugmentation strategies.

Degradation of petroleum-based plastics by microbes and microbial consortia / 生物工程学报

Along with the increasingly serious environmental pollution, dealing with the "white pollution" issue, which is caused by the worldwide use of not readily-degradable or non-degradable synthetic plastics, has become a great challenge. It is an environmentally friendly strategy to degrade synthetic plastics using microorganisms that exist in nature or evolved under selection pressure. Based on the NSFC-EU International Cooperation and Exchanges Project "Bio Innovation of a Circular Economy for Plastics", this review summarized the screening of bacteria, fungi and microbial consortia capable of degrading synthetic plastics such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PUR), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). We also analyzed the role of various microorganisms played in the degradation of petroleum-based plastics. Moreover, we discussed the pros and cons of using microorganisms and enzymes for degradation of synthetic plastics.

Advances in biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons / 生物工程学报

Petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants are difficult to be degraded, and bioremediation has received increasing attention for remediating the hydrocarbon polluted area. This review started by introducing the interphase adaptation and transport process of hydrocarbon by microbes. Subsequently, the advances made in the identification of hydrocarbon-degrading strains and genes as well as elucidation of metabolic pathways and underpinning mechanisms in the biodegradation of typical petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants were summarized. The capability of wild-type hydrocarbon degrading bacteria can be enhanced through genetic engineering and metabolic engineering. With the rapid development of synthetic biology, the bioremediation of hydrocarbon polluted area can be further improved by engineering the metabolic pathways of hydrocarbon-degrading microbes, or through design and construction of synthetic microbial consortia.

GC-MS Analysis of Petroleum Ether Fraction from the Ethanol Extract of Aconitum sinomontanum before and after Processing / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To compare the chemical constituents of petroleum ether fraction from ethanol extract of Aconitum sinomontanum before and after processing. METHODS ：After A. sinomontanum was purified with water ，the raw product decoction pieces were prepared ；the raw decoction pieces were steamed with licorice juice under high pressure to prepare processed decoction pieces of A. sinomontanum . The petroleum ether fractions of raw product and processed product were obtained after ultrasonic extraction with 95％ ethanol. The chemical constituents in the samples were analyzed by GC-MS. NIST 2014 mass spectrometry database was used to compare and match the components . The peak area normalization method was used to determine the relative percentage content of each component. RESULTS ：Before and after processing ，fatty acids and esters were the main components in the petroleum ether fraction from ethanol extract. Totally 18 chromatographic peaks were detected in the detection pieces of raw product，and 13 compounds were identified ，accounting for 94.60％ of the total content of volatile components. The components with relatively high content were （Z，Z，Z）-9，12，15-octadecatrienoic acid （26.13％），hexadecanoic acid ethyl ester （25.27％）， palmitoleic acid （10.84％），ethyl linoleic acid （10.67％），（Z，Z）-9，12-octadecenoic acid methyl ester （6.66％），pentadecanoic acid（5.11％）and so on. Totally 25 chromatographic peaks were detected in the decoction pieces of processed products，and 18 components were identified ，accounting for 82.40％ of the total content of volatile components. The components with relatively high content were palmitoleic acid （18.95％），（Z，Z）-9，12-octadecenoic acid methyl ester （17.93％），hexadecanoic acid ethyl ester（11.94％），（Z，Z，Z）-9，12，15-octadecatrienoic acid （10.54％），（Z，Z）-9，12-octadecenoic acid （5.51％），（Z）-11-hexadecanoic acid（5.30％）and so on. After processing ，7 new components were added ，5 of which were identified as （－）-eucalyptus globulus alcohol，ethyl 2-methyltetrade-canoate，6-methyl-4-phenylcoumarin，β-sitosterol，heptadecane. After processing ，no components disappeared，and the content of some components increased or decreased. CONCLUSIONS ：After processing ，the volatile components in the petroleum ether fraction from ethanol extract of A. sinomontanum are different ，and（－）-eucalyptus globulus alcohol and other components are added after processing.

Chemical constituents from the stem of Callerya nitida Benth.var.hirsutissima Z.Wei / 中国药科大学学报

@#The chemical constituents from 70% ethanol petroleum ether and n-butanol extractions of Callerya nitita Benth.var.hirsutissima.Z.Wei. were separated by preparative high-performance liquid chromatographic techniques, including repeated column chromatography over macroporous adsorption resin, silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20. The structures of the compounds were identified by their physicochemical properties, spectral data, and mass spectrometry data, in comparison with literature. In our research, one triterpenoids, taraxerone (1), and twenty flavonoids, including genistein-4′-O-β-glucoside (2), 5-hydroxy-4′-methoxyisoflavone-7-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), biochanin A 7-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→5)-β-D-apiofuranosyl- (1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), formononetin-7-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (5), 5,7-dihydroxy-3′,4′-dimethoxyisoflavone (6), biochanin A-7-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), 5, 7-dihydroxyisoflavone-4′-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8), formononetin-7-O-D-apio-β-D-furanosyl(l→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (9), 4′-hydroxy-3′-methoxyisoflavone-7-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (10), prunetin (11), prunetin 4′-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (12), pratensein7-O-β-D-glucoside (13), 8-methoxyisoformononetin (14), genistein (15), 3′-hydroxybiochanin A (16), biochanin A (17), 5,7-dihydroxy-3′,5′-dimethoxyisoflavone (18), ononin (19), isoformononetin (20), 5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxyflavone (21) were isolated from the two extract parts.Compounds 1-10, 12-14, 16-18, 20 were obtained from this plant, and it is the first time to investigate the plant for the first time.

Effect of interaction between sleep and occupational stress on the prevalence of hypertension in petroleum workers / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of the interaction among occupational stress, sleep duration and sleep quality on the prevalence of hypertension in petroleum workers. METHODS: A total of 3 040 workers from six oil field bases in Karamay City were selected as study subjects by multi-stage random cluster sampling method. The Chinese version of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Scale and the revised version of Occupational Stress Scale were used to evaluate their sleep quality and occupational stress status. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the effect of interaction of occupational stress, sleep duration and sleep quality on hypertension. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension in the study subjects was 15.3%(466/3 040), and the detection rates of sleep deprivation, poor sleep quality and high occupational stress were 26.5%, 78.3% and 19.6% respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors such as gender, ethnicity, age, marital status, education level, length of service, professional title, shift work, smoking, alcohol consumption and body mass index, the interaction analysis results showed that the risk of hypertension was higher in the poor sleep quality groups with normal sleep duration, sleep deprivation or longer sleep duration than that in good sleep quality group with normal sleep duration(all P<0.05), respectively. The risk of hypertension was higher in the group with sleep deprivation and high occupational stress than that in the group with normal sleep duration and low occupational stress(P<0.01). In the group with poor sleep quality and high occupational stress the risk of hypertension was higher than that in the group with good sleep quality and low occupational stress(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The interaction among occupational stress, sleep duration and sleep quality may increase the risk of hypertension in petroleum workers.

Protective effects of active compounds from on heart and brain of mice at simulated high altitude / 浙江大学学报·医学版

To investigate the active compounds from on the heart and brain of mice at simulated high altitude.Fifty healthy male adult BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal control group, hypoxic model group, acetazolamide group, petroleum ether extract of (PESI) group and octacosan group with 10 mice in each group. Acetazolamide group, PESI group and octacosan group were treated with acetazolamide PESI (200 mg/kg) or octacosan by single tail vein injection, respectively. Except normal control group, the mice were exposed to a simulated high altitude of for in an animal decompression chamber. After the mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, the heart and brain were histologically observed by HE staining; superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, total anti-oxidant capacity (T-AOC) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma, heart and brain tissues were detected by WST-1 method, ABTS method and TBA method, respectively; lactic acid and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in plasma, heart and brain tissues were detected by colorimetric method and microwell plate method, respectively; ATP content and ATPase activity in heart and brain tissues were detected by colorimetric method. PESI and octacosane significantly attenuated the pathological damages of heart and brain tissue at simulated high altitude; increased SOD activity, T-AOC and LDH activity, and decreased the contents of MDA and lactic acid in plasma, heart and brain tissues; increased the content of ATP in heart and brain tissues; increased the activities of Na-K ATPase, Mg ATPase, Ca ATPase and Ca-Mg ATPase in myocardial tissue; and increased the activities of Mg ATPase, Ca-Mg ATPase in brain tissue. PESI and octacosan exert anti-hypoxic activity by improving the antioxidant capacity, reducing the free radical levels, promoting the anaerobic fermentation, and alleviating the energy deficiency and metabolic disorders caused by hypoxia in mice.

Women's experiences with mixed use of wood and gas cookstoves and fuels in rural Lambayeque, Peru / Experiencias de mujeres en el uso mixto de combustibles para cocinar en una zona rural de Lambayeque, Perú

Introduction: Despite program efforts to encourage use of clean cookstoves and fuels to mitigate climate change, many communities continue to use wood-fueled open fires. Objectives: Describe experiences of participants with mixed use of cooking and fuel technologies (e.g. open fires and chimney stoves using wood and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stoves) in rural Lambayeque, Peru in 2018. Material and methods: Fifteen participants were interviewed using a qualitative exploratory research design. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: Four categories emerged: decisions about acquiring cooking fuels are primarily based on cost; plastic trash is used to light wood-burning stoves; decisions to use gas over wood are based on quick food cooking time; and benefits and health problems are recognized, but mixed use of fuels persist. Conclusion:Use of both traditional wood cookstoves and plastic trash to ignite fires were used frequently because both are free or cheap. The environmental impact of cutting down trees isn't considered important, but interviewees did notice detriments to their wellbeing. Although gas stoves are used and benefits were mentioned, use of traditional stoves persists. We recommend that policy makers in Peru begin to address barriers to full adoption of new clean cooking technologies and consider governmental subsidies to meet families' spending priorities.

Introducción: A pesar de los esfuerzos del programa para alentar el uso de estufas y combustibles limpios para mitigar el cambio climático, muchas comunidades continúan utilizando fuegos abiertos a leña. Objetivo: Describa las experiencias de los participantes con el uso mixto de la cocina y las tecnologías de combustible (por ejemplo, fuegos abiertos y estufas de chimenea que usan estufas de leña y gas licuado de petróleo (GLP)) en la zona rural de Lambayeque, Perú, en 2018. Material y métodos: Quince participantes fueron entrevistados utilizando un diseño de investigación exploratoria cualitativa. Los datos se recopilaron a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas y se analizaron mediante análisis de contenido temático. Resultados: Surgieron cuatro categorías: las decisiones sobre la adquisición de combustibles para cocinar se basan principalmente en el costo; la basura plástica se usa para encender estufas de leña; las decisiones de usar gas sobre la madera se basan en el tiempo de cocción de comida rápida; y se reconocen los beneficios y los problemas de salud, pero persiste el uso mixto de combustibles. Conclusión: El uso de estufas de leña tradicionales y basura plástica para encender incendios se usaba con frecuencia porque ambos son gratuitos o baratos. El impacto ambiental de la tala de árboles no se considera importante, pero los entrevistados notaron daños en su bienestar. Aunque se usan estufas de gas y se mencionaron los beneficios, el uso de estufas tradicionales persiste. Recomendamos que los encargados de formular políticas en Perú comiencen a abordar las barreras para la adopción total de nuevas tecnologías de cocina limpia y consideren los subsidios