Addressing adsorption and catalysis of lithium polysulfide via electronic distribution of molybdenum carbide host.

Heterostructure engineering is considered a crucial strategy to modulate the intrinsic charge transfer behavior of materials, enhance catalytic activity, and optimize sulfur electrochemical processes. However, parsing the role of heterogeneous interface-structure-property relationships in heterostructures is still a key scientific issue to realize the efficient catalytic conversion of polysulfides. Based on this, molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) was successfully partial reduced to molybdenum metal (Mo) via a thermal reduction at high-temperature and the typical Mo-Mo2C-based Mott-Schottky heterostructures were simultaneously constructed, which realized the modulation of the electronic structure of Mo2C and optimized the conversion process of lithium polysulfides (LPS). Compared with single molybdenum carbide, the modulated molybdenum carbide acts as an electron donor with stronger Mo-S bonding strength as well as higher polysulfide adsorption energy, faster Li2S conversion kinetics, and greatly facilitates the adsorption → catalysis process of LPS. As a result, yolk-shell Mo-Mo2C heterostructure (C@Mo-Mo2C) exhibits excellent cycling performance as a sulfur host, with a discharge specific capacity of 488.41 mAh g-1 for C@Mo-Mo2C/S at 4 C and present an excellent high-rate cyclic performance accompanied by capacity decay rate of 0.08 % per cycle after 400 cycles at 2 C. Heterostructure-acting Mo2C electron distribution modulation engineering may contributes to the understanding of the structure-interface-property interaction law in heterostructures and further enables the efficient modulation of the chemical behavior of sulfur.

Lactic acid bacteria reduce bacterial diarrhea in rabbits via enhancing immune function and restoring intestinal microbiota homeostasis.

BACKGROUND: Numerous previous reports have demonstrated the efficacy of Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in promoting growth and preventing disease in animals. In this study, Enterococcus faecium ZJUIDS-R1 and Ligilactobaciiius animalis ZJUIDS-R2 were isolated from the feces of healthy rabbits, and both strains showed good probiotic properties in vitro. Two strains (108CFU/ml/kg/day) were fed to weaned rabbits for 21 days, after which specific bacterial infection was induced to investigate the effects of the strains on bacterial diarrhea in the rabbits. RESULTS: Our data showed that Enterococcus faecium ZJUIDS-R1 and Ligilactobaciiius animalis ZJUIDS-R2 interventions reduced the incidence of diarrhea and systemic inflammatory response, alleviated intestinal damage and increased antibody levels in animals. In addition, Enterococcus faecium ZJUIDS-R1 restored the flora abundance of Ruminococcaceae1. Ligilactobaciiius animalis ZJUIDS-R2 up-regulated the flora abundance of Adlercreutzia and Candidatus Saccharimonas. Both down-regulated the flora abundance of Shuttleworthia and Barnesiella to restore intestinal flora balance, thereby increasing intestinal short-chain fatty acid content. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that Enterococcus faecium ZJUIDS-R1 and Ligilactobaciiius animalis ZJUIDS-R2 were able to improve intestinal immunity, produce organic acids and regulate the balance of intestinal flora to enhance disease resistance and alleviate diarrhea-related diseases in weanling rabbits.

Tuning Redox Behavior of Sulfur Cathodes Via Ternary-Coordinated Single Fe Atom in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Modulating the coordination configuration of single Fe atom has been an efficient strategy to strengthen the redox dynamics for lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) but remains challenging. Herein, the single Fe atom is functioned with nitrogen and carbon atoms in the first shell, and simultaneously, oxidized sulfur (─SOx) in the second shell, which presents a lower antibonding state and well address the redox activity of sulfur cathodes. In the ternary-coordinated single Fe atom catalyst (FeN2 C2 -SOx-NC), the binary structure of FeN2 C2 provides a lower Fe-S bonding strength and d-p orbital hybridization, which obviously optimizes the adsorption and desorption behavior of sulfur species during the reduction and oxidation reaction processes. Simultaneously, the ─SOx redistributes the electron density of the coordinating nitrogen atoms, which possesses high electron-withdrawing ability and develops electrocatalytic activity. As a result, the sulfur cathodes with FeN2 C2 -SOx-NC present an excellent high-rate cyclic performance, accompanied by a capacity decay rate of 0.08% per cycle for 500 cycles at 4.0 C. This study provides new insights for optimizing the redox dynamics of sulfur cathodes in LSBs at the atomic level.

Graphitized Carbon-Coated Iron Fluoride Nanocavities for Enhanced Kinetics of Multielectron Cathode Conversion Reactions.

As for the conversion-type iron fluoride (FeF3) cathode material with multielectron reactions for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), sluggish reaction kinetics and low electrical conductivity pose certain limitations for the long-lasting reversible conversion processes. Herein, the three-dimensional porous nitrogen-doped carbon matrix in situ anchoring FeF3 nanocavities coated by graphitized carbon (FeF3/GC) are rationally prepared. Through the Kirkendall effect, the low-temperature fluorination of NF3 enables the resultant hollow FeF3 nanoparticles to possess a large number of lithium storage cavities and outer graphitized carbon structure, further effectively buffering the expansion of volume. The FeF3/GC cathode delivers a superior discharge capacity of 504.2 mAh g-1 after 1200 cycles at 1000 mA g-1, with a capacity decay rate of only 0.01% per cycle. Even at a rate of 5000 mA g-1, the composite cathode still delivers a discharge capacity of 309.6 mAh g-1. Impressively, the existence of graphitized carbon and the short Li+ diffusion length ensure fast electron/ion transfer, which significantly enhances the conversion reaction kinetics. This study aims to provide a promising strategy for the efficiency enhancement of multielectron cathode conversion reactions for LIBs.

Crystal phase engineering of nanoflower-like hollow MoSe2boosting polysulfide conversion for lithium-sulfur batteries.

The battery performance of sulfur cathode has obviously depended on the redox reaction kinetics of polysulfides upon cycling. Herein, an effective strategy was proposed to achieve the conversion from 2H (semiconductor phase) to 1T (metal phase) in hollow nano-flowered molybdenum selenide sphere (HFSMS) through crystal phase engineering. The HFSMS with different phase ratio was realized by regulating the proportion of reducing agents. Specifically, the 1T phase content can reach up to 60.8%, and then subsequently decreased to 59.1% with the further increase of the reducing agent. The as-prepared HFSMS with the 1T phase content of 60.8% showed a smallest Tafel slopes (49.99 and 79.65 mV/dec in reduction and oxidation process, respectively), fastest response time and highest response current (520 s, 0.459 mA in Li2S deposition test), which further exhibited excellent catalytic activity and faster reaction kinetics. This result was verified by electrochemical performance, which manifested as stable cycle life with only 0.112% capacity decay per cycle. It was found that the hollow structure can ensures a rich sulfur storage space, and effectually buffer the volume changes of the active substance. More importantly, the improved performance is attributed to the introduction of the 1T phase, which significantly improves the catalytic activity of MoSe2with promoting the polysulfide conversion.

Toward layered MoS2 anode for harvesting superior lithium storage.

As a typical transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD), molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) has become one of the most promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its desirable electrochemical properties. But the development of commercial MoS2 is limited by the problem of agglomeration. Thus, the production of MoS2 nanosheets with few (<10) layers is highly desired but remains a great challenge. In this work, a facile and scalable approach is developed to prepare large-flake, few-layer (4-8) MoS2 nanosheets with the assistance of ultrasonics. Simultaneously, the as-prepared MoS2 nanosheets and commercial bulk MoS2 were analysed under multiple spectroscopic techniques and a series of electrochemical tests to understand the dependence of electrochemical performance on structural properties. When used as anode materials for LIBs, the obtained MoS2 nanosheets provide a reversible capacity of 716 mA h g-1 at 100 mA g-1 after 285 cycles, and demonstrated an excellent capacity retention rate of up to 80%. Compared with that of commercial MoS2 (14.8%), the capacity retention rate of our MoS2 nanosheets has a significant improvement. This work explored the ability of few-layered MoS2 nanosheets in the field of LIBs while suggesting the commercialization of the MoS2 by an ultrasonicated ball milling exfoliation technique.

Blotting Paper-Derived Activated Porous Carbon/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite Electrodes for Supercapacitor Applications.

A facile strategy, engineered for low-cost mass production, to synthesize biomass-derived activated carbon/reduced graphene oxide composite electrodes (GBPCs) by one-pot carbonization of blotting papers containing graphene oxide (GO) and zinc chloride (ZnCl2) was proposed. Benefitting from the water absorption characteristic of blotting papers in which the voids between the celluloses can easily absorb the GO/ZnCl2 solution, the chemical activation and reduction of GO can synchronously achieve via one-step carbonization process. As a result, the GBPCs deliver a large specific surface area to accumulate charge. Simultaneously, it provides high conductivity for electron transfer. The symmetric supercapacitor assembled with the optimal GBPCs in 6 M KOH electrolyte exhibits an excellent specific capacitance of 204 F g-1 (0.2 A g-1), outstanding rate capability of 100 F g-1 (20 A g-1). Meanwhile, it still keeps 90% of the initial specific capacitance over 10,000 cycles. The readily available raw material, effective chemical activation, simple rGO additive, and resulting electrochemical properties hold out the promise of hope to achieve low-cost, green, and large-scale production of practical activated carbon composite materials for high-efficiency energy storage applications.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, biphenyls, and naphthalenes in plasma of workers deployed at the World Trade Center after the collapse.

Blood plasma samples (n = 43) collected retrospectively from New York State employees and National Guard personnel who had been assigned to work in the vicinity of the World Trade Center (WTC) during the week after the collapse of the buildings were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs). On the basis of algorithms developed to rank individual exposures to dust and debris and to smoke, we categorized the samples as: more smoke exposure (MSE), more dust exposure (MDE), less smoke exposure (LSE), and less dust exposure (LDE). Mean concentrations of PCDDs were 1070, 223, 3690, and 732 pg/g lipid wt, and mean concentrations of PCDFs were 910, 1520, 230, and 117 pg/g lipid wt, for the MSE, MDE, LSE, and LDE groups, respectively. The concentrations of PCDFs were higher in the two "more exposure" groups than in the two "less exposure" groups. Calculated TEQ concentrations of coplanar PCBs and PCDD/Fs in plasma samples were, on average, 1.12 and 41.2 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid wt, respectively. TEQ concentrations of PCDFs were higher than those of PCDDs in both "more exposure" groups but lower than those of PCDDs in "less exposure" groups. This result is suggestive of exposure of the WTC responders to PCDFs after the WTC collapse. PCDFs contributed the majority of TEQs and are therefore the critical dioxin-like compounds in MSE/MDE groups, whereas PCDDs are the critical compounds in the LSE/LDE groups.

Preliminary health risk assessment for polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans in seafood from Guangzhou and Zhoushan, China.

Dietary intake is one of the important routes of human exposure to brominated flame retardants (BFRs) such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The use of PBDEs may also result in exposure to polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDDs/DFs), as these compounds are impurities in technical mixtures of BFRs and can also be formed unintentionally by the same processes that generate chlorinated dioxins. This study determined the concentrations of polybrominated compounds in common seafood in Guangzhou and Zhoushan, and assessed the health risks of these chemicals via consumption of contaminated seafood. Seafood samples (fish, bivalves, shrimp, crab, and cephalopods) purchased from local markets in 2003 and 2004 were analyzed for PBDEs and PBDDs/DFs. The highest concentration of total PBDEs (46.3 ng g(-1) lipid wt.) was detected in fish from Guangzhou, in which BDEs 47 and 209 were the two predominant congeners. The total daily intakes of PBDEs, PBDDs, and PBDFs were, 946, 6.39, and 6.54 pg kg(-1) body weight (bw) in Guangzhou, and 489, 4.99, and 7.65 pg kg(-1) bw in Zhoushan, respectively. The hazard ratios for PBDDs and PBDFs were both greater than unity, indicating that these compounds may pose some health risks to the local population.

Health risk assessment for polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, and polychlorinated naphthalenes in seafood from Guangzhou and Zhoushan, China.

This study determined the concentrations of organochlorine contaminants in common seafood in two Chinese coastal cities (Guangzhou and Zhoushan), and assessed the health risk due to the daily consumption of contaminated seafood. Twenty-six pooled samples, belonging to five food categories (fish, bivalves, shrimp, crab, and cephalopods), were purchased from local markets in Guangzhou and Zhoushan in 2003 and 2004. These samples were analyzed for total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), non- and mono-ortho-PCBs (coplanar PCBs), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDDs/DFs). The concentrations of total PCBs and coplanar PCBs in fish samples were higher in Guangzhou than in Zhoushan, while the levels of PCNs and PCDDs/DFs were comparable between the two cities. The total daily intake values of dioxin-like compounds were 1.05 and 0.86pg WHO-TEQ/kg body weight in Guangzhou and Zhoushan, respectively. Hazard ratios of non-cancer risk in the two cities were all less than unity.

Polychlorinated biphenyls and -naphthalenes in pine needles and soil from Poland--concentrations and patterns in view of long-term environmental monitoring.

Pine needles were selected as cost effective and easy collectable matrices suitable for long-term monitoring of the lower troposphere pollution with polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated naphthalenes. The fingerprints of PCNs and PCBs in the top layers of agricultural soils were used for determination of point sources of pollution for terrestrial ecosystems. The new idea based on the use of nona- and decachlorinated isomers fingerprint as an additional tool suitable for the identification of potential point sources of pollution with PCBs, seemed to be a capable tool to identify contamination of soil and ambient air related to former manufacturing and the use of highly chlorinated technical PCB preparations.

Determinations of dioxinlike activity in selected mollusks from the coast of the Bohai Sea, China, using the H4IIE-luc bioassay.

Extracts of mollusks collected from eight cities along the coast of the Bohai Sea, China, were used to determine dioxinlike activity using an in vitro bioassay approach. Dioxinlike activity of total extracts was detected by measuring luciferase activity in a stable transfected rat hepatoma cell line, H4IIE, containing an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-responsive element linked to a luciferase reporter gene. Luciferase activity was expressed as a percentage of the maximum response observed for 2,3,7,8-TCDD (% TCDD(max)). All mollusk samples elicited significant dioxinlike activity except those from Dalian (N1). The greatest magnitudes (+/-SD, data ex N1) of activity observed for these extracts ranged from 4.88+/-0.48% to 11.38+/-1.43% TCDD(max). The mean activity was 7.37+/-1.85% TCDD(max). Concentrations of TCDD-EQs in mollusk extracts were from 227.4 to 547.5 pg g(-1) lipid. The cytotoxic effect of the mollusk extracts on cells was assessed at the same time. Six of the mollusk extracts (N2, N3, N4, S1, S2, and S4) caused noticeable growth inhibition over the exposure period at concentrations higher than 0.33% of the extracts concentrations (0.83 microL extract well(-1)). All the dilutions of sample N1 were cytotoxic to the H4IIE cells.

[Association between genetic polymorphisms in folate metabolic enzyme genes and colorectal cancer: a nested case-control study].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the interrelationship of genetic polymorphisms in folate metabolic enzymes (MTHFRC677T, MTHFRA1298C, MTRA2756G and MTRRA66G) and their combinative effects with colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: A nested case-control study was designed and carried out. 140 CRC patients and 343 control subjects were included in this study. Polymorphisms of folate metabolic enzyme genes were genotyped by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Risk of CRC was estimated by unconditional logistic model, and P value for interaction was calculated by likelihood test. RESULTS: The allele of MTR2756G showed a positive association with CRC (OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.22 - 3.40). Those with MTHFR1298AA and MTR 2756AG/GG genotypes had an elevated risk with CRC (OR = 2.57, 95% CI, 1.42 -4.65), and their combinative effect showed a significant association with CRC (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: MTR2756G allele may be a risk factor of CRC, and interaction may exsit between polymorphisms of MTHFRA1298C and MTRA2756G. Further studies with larger sample and in different ethnic groups are needed.

Persistent perfluorinated acids in seafood collected from two cities of China.

As an initial survey of human exposure to perfluorinated acids through food consumption in China, seven types of seafood collected from fish markets in two coastal cities were analyzed. Nine perfluorinated compounds were determined using HPLC coupled with ESI-MS/MS. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was the predominant fluorochemical and was found in all 27 seafood samples, including fish, molluscs, crabs, shrimp, oysters, mussels, and clams. Concentrations of PFOS in seafood samples ranged from 0.3 to 13.9 ng/g wet weight, with the highest concentration in mantis shrimp. The hazard ratios of noncancer risk through seafood consumption based on PFOS and perfluorooctanoic acid concentrations were calculated and were less than unity.

Genetic polymorphisms of the uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A7 and colorectal cancer risk in relation to cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking in a Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: The impact of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A7 (UGT1A7) polymorphisms on genetic susceptibility to digestive system cancer has received close attention since the discovery by Guillemette, the polymorphisms of which may alter enzyme activity. To clarify the allele frequency distribution and its association with risk of colorectal cancer, a population-based case-control study was carried out in Chinese population. METHODS: A total of 140 patients with colorectal cancer and 280 cancer-free frequency-matched controls from a follow-up cohort population established in 1989, were enrolled. For the UGT1A7 polymorphisms analysis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based genotyping techniques including semi-nested PCR, allele-specific PCR and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were developed. RESULTS: The variant allele frequencies in patients and controls were 50.0% and 38.6%, respectively, which were significantly associated with risk of colorectal cancer (odds ratio [OR]: 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-2.13). For the variant genotypes analysis, *2/*2 and *3/*3 exhibited a significant association with risk of colorectal cancer (OR: 7.80, 95%CI: 2.66-22.87; OR: 3.47, 95%CI: 1.51-7.97, respectively). Stratification analysis indicated that in previous-current cigarette smoking (cigarette smoking history), current cigarette smoking (current cigarette smoking status), previous-current alcohol drinking (alcohol drinking history) or current alcohol drinking individuals (current alcohol drinking status), the risk developing colorectal cancer increased: OR (95%CI), 2.81 (0.97-8.11), 3.39 (1.19-9.67), 2.89 (0.99-8.46) and 3.14 (1.09-9.09), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: UGT1A7 polymorphisms may have a significant modifying effect on colorectal cancer risk, which may interact with environmental factors, cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking in colorectal carcinogenesis.

Health risks in infants associated with exposure to perfluorinated compounds in human breast milk from Zhoushan, China.

Recent studies have reported the ubiquitous distribution of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), especially perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), in wildlife and human whole blood or serum. In 2003 a solid phase extraction method was developed, which allowed the measurement of PFCs in human breast milk. In the present study, PFCs in samples of human breast milk from 19 individuals from Zhoushan, China, were analyzed by modifying a previously established method, based on weak-anion exchange extraction. PFOS and PFOA were the two dominant chemicals detected in all the milk samples. Concentrations of PFOS and PFOA ranged from 45 to 360 ng/L and 47 to 210 ng/L, respectively. The maximum concentrations of other PFCs were 100 ng/L for perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS), 62 ng/L for perfluorononanoate (PFNA), 15 ng/L for perfluorodecanoate (PFDA) and 56 ng/L for perfluoroundecanoate (PFUnDA). Statistically significant correlations between various PFCs suggested a common exposure source to humans. No statistically significant correlation was found between concentrations of either PFOS or PFOA and maternal age, weight, or infant weight. Rate of consumption of fish was found to be positively correlated with PFNA, PFDA, and PFUnDA concentrations. Daily intake of PFOS for the child via breast milk with greater PFOS concentrations exceeded the predicted conservative reference dose in 1 of 19 samples, indicating that there may be a small potential risk of PFOS for the infants in Zhoushan via the consumption of breast milk.

Measurement of estrogenic activity in sediments from Haihe and Dagu River, China.

Sediments from two rivers in China, the Haihe and Dagu Rivers, were examined for estrogenic activity using an estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated in vitro bioassay system. ER-active compounds were isolated from sediments by Soxhlet extraction, and the crude extracts were fractionated using a florisil column into three fractions. The estrogenic activity of each extract was detected by measuring luciferase activity in the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 transfected with a luciferase receptor gene. Significant estrogenic activity was observed in each total extract. The 17beta-estradiol equivalents (E2-EQs) ranged from 8.24 to 95.28 ng E2 g(-1) dw. As a result, the relative estrogenic potencies of three fractions in this study descended in the order of Fraction 3>Fraction 2>Fraction 1. The results of the bioassay analysis indicated the heavy pollution status of these sites with estrogenic contaminants. In this study, five selected chemicals, the natural estrogens 17beta-estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1), and the xeno-estrogens 4-octylphenol (OP), 4-nonylphenol (NP), and Bisphenol A (BPA) were also analyzed using the in vitro bioassay. The estrogenic activity of these chemicals were E2>E1>NP>OP>BPA.

[Association between genetic polymorphisms of metabolic enzymes and susceptibility of colorectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between CYP1A1, GSTM1, T1, UGT1A7 polymorphisms and colorectal cancer risk. METHODS: A case-control study of 140 patients with cancers and 343 health controls was conducted to investigate the role of CYP1A1, GSTM1, T1, UGT1A7 polymorphisms in colorectal cancer. Gene-gene interactions among CYP1A1, GSTM1, T1, UGT1A7 polymorphisms were detected by case-control study and case-only study. Genotypes of four genes polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and unconditional logistic regression was adopted to analyze the data. RESULTS: The CC, TC and CC genotypes of CYP1A1 T6235C significantly decreased the colorectal cancer risk as compared to TT genotype (OR = 0.493, 95% CI: 0.254-0.956, OR = 0.638, 95% CI: 0.427-0.952). GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotype had no significant association with the increased risk of colorectal cancer while the mutant variants of UGT1A7 might increase the risk of colorectal cancer significantly (OR = 2.501, 95% CI: 1.456-4.296). The CORvalue for the gene-gene interactions between CYP1A1 variant and the null genotype of GSTT1, GSTM1-deleted and GSTT1-deleted genotype in the case-only design were 2.617 (95% CI: 1.015-6.752) and 3.935 (95% CI: 1.323-11.706), respectively. There was no significant interaction between CYP1A1 and GSTM1, CYP1A1 and UGT1A7. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that CYP1A1 and UGT1A7 variants might be associated with colorectal cancer. CYP1A1 and GSTM1 might interact on GSTT1 to influence the risk of colorectal cancer.

AhR-active compounds in sediments of the Haihe and Dagu Rivers, China.

Total concentrations of compounds that can cause activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in extracts of river sediments from various locations in the Haihe and Dagu Rivers, Tianjin, China were determined by use of the in vitro H4IIE-luc cell line. AhR-active compounds were isolated from sediments by Soxhlet extraction, and the crude extracts were fractionated using a Florisil column into three Fractions. The response of samples was compared to the TCDD standard and expressed as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) equivalents (TCDD-EQs). Significant dioxin-like activity was observed in each sample. The TCDD-EQs in crude extracts of sediments (SCEs), as determined with the bioassay were 2-4 times greater than the sum of the TCDD-EQs of the eluent from fractions separated with a Florisil column. The results also showed that Fractions 2 and 3 contained most of the AhR-mediated activity. The results obtained by using the bioassay were compared with those of previous measurements of the concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and the structurally-similar AhR-active polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). It was determined that sediments from the Dagu River contained greater concentrations of TCDD-EQ than did sediments from the Haihe River except at Jingangqiao (location R3), which is associated with industrial activities in the adjacent densely populated area. The concentrations of TCDD-EQs, based on the EC20 and the relative potency ranges, of SCEs ranged from 330 to 930 and 1200 to 13,900 pg TCDD-EQ g(-1) dry wt in Haihe and Dagu Rivers, respectively.

The association between drinking water source and colorectal cancer incidence in Jiashan County of China: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The pollution of drinking water, e.g. from rivers and pools, has long been recognized to be associated with an increased risk for colorectal cancer (CRC), but there are few direct prospective cohort studies related to person-years on the relative risks of different sources of drinking water for CRC, hence the reason for our study. METHODS: Based on a screening for CRC among residents aged 30 years and over in Jiashan County, Zhejiang Province, China, a total of 64,115 residents were classified into five cohorts by their source of drinking water and followed-up from 1st May 1990 to 1st January 2001. Person-years was calculated for every cohort member and Poisson regression was used to control potential confounding variables including demographic variables and smoking history, and to attain crude and adjusted relative risks based on person-years. RESULTS: A trend was seen toward increasing incidence rates for CRC from the drinking water sources of municipal, river, ditch, mixed water to well in turn as shown by relative risk rates of 29.61, 32.67, 33.45, 40.87 and 58.67 per 100,000 inhabitants. Only the role in risk of well water was significantly different from municipal water (P < 0.05). After the confounding variables were adjusted, the significant risk from well water could be seen for colon cancer, rectal cancer as well as CRC. The relative risks were 1.741 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.001-3.029], 2.228 (95% CI 1.432-3.466) and 2.022 (95% CI 1.432-2.854), respectively. CONCLUSION: Drinking well water over a long period was identified as playing a role in the risk for CRC, especially for rectal cancer.