CDT1, transcriptionally regulated by E2F2, promotes lung adenocarcinoma progression.

CDT1, a gene that shows excessive expression in various malignancies, functions as a pivotal regulator of replication licensing. In this study, we observed a positive correlation in expression between CDT1 and E2F2 among patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Our findings substantiated that E2F2 directly interacted with the promoter region of CDT1, as confirmed by ChIP-qPCR assays, and depletion of E2F2 resulted in a downregulation of CDT1 expression in LUAD cell lines by gene interference technology. Furthermore, we identified an upregulation of CDT1 mRNA level in Chinese LUAD samples. Notably, in the loss-of-function assays, depletion of CDT1 in LUAD cell lines inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Concurrently, it promoted cell apoptosis and induced G0/G1 phase arrest using MTT, flow cytometry, and Transwell assays, reinforcing its role as an oncogene.Furthermore, enhanced tumor ablation was determined in a CDT1-downregulated LUAD tumor-bearing nude mouse model. Collectively, our results strongly suggest that E2F2 positively regulates CDT1 expression and actively participates in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma, thereby providing valuable insights into identifying novel therapeutic targets for LUAD treatment.

Changes in the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Community in the Roots of Eucalyptus grandis Plantations at Different Ages in Southern Jiangxi, China.

Eucalyptus roots form symbiotic relationships with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in soil to enhance adaptation in challenging environments. However, the evolution of the AM fungal community along a chronosequence of eucalypt plantations and its relationship with soil properties remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated the tree growth, soil properties, and root AM fungal colonization of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden plantations at different ages, identified the AM fungal community composition by high-throughput sequencing, and developed a structural equation model among trees, soil, and AM fungi. Key findings include the following: (1) The total phosphorus (P) and total potassium (K) in the soil underwent an initial reduction followed by a rise with different stand ages. (2) The rate of AM colonization decreased first and then increased. (3) The composition of the AM fungal community changed significantly with different stand ages, but there was no significant change in diversity. (4) Paraglomus and Glomus were the dominant genera, accounting for 70.1% and 21.8% of the relative abundance, respectively. (5) The dominant genera were mainly influenced by soil P, the N content, and bulk density, but the main factors were different with stand ages. The results can provide a reference for fertilizer management and microbial formulation manufacture for eucalyptus plantations.

[High Resolution Emission Inventory of Greenhouse Gas and Its Characteristics in Guangdong，China].

Based on the typical city survey data and statistics of Guangdong Province， a 2018-based 3 km×3 km gridded greenhouse gas emissions inventory was developed for Guangdong Province using the combination of top-down and bottom-up emission factor methods. The inventory covered the CO2， CH4， and N2O emissions from energy， industrial processes， agriculture， land use change and forest， waste management， and indirect sources. The results showed that estimates for CO2， CH4， and N2O in Guangdong Province for the year 2018 were 8.5×108， 1.9×106， and 1.1×105 t， respectively， and 8.5×108， 4.0×107， and 3.4×107 t by equivalent carbon dioxide， totaling 9.2×108 t. CO2 was the main greenhouse gas in Guangdong Province， accounting for 92.0% of the total emissions. Energy and indirect sources were the main emission sources， accounting for 77.9% and 7.6%， respectively， totaling 85.5%. Spatial distributions illustrated that most grids were greenhouse gas emissions， whereas some others were greenhouse gas sinks； the greenhouse gas emissions were distributed mainly in the Pearl River Delta region and had certain characteristics of distribution along the road network and channels. The greenhouse gas grids of high emission were mainly the locations of high energy-consuming enterprises such as large power plants， steel mills， and cement plants.

Rapid Access to Chiral Spiro[2.3] Lactams: Stereoselective Hydroborylation and Hydrosilylation and Remote Control of Axial Chirality by Copper-Catalyzed Desymmetrization of Spirocyclopropenes.

Chiral spirocyclopropyl ß-lactams are common motifs in bioactive compounds and pharmaceuticals. Here we disclose a diastereoselective and enantioselective hydroborylation and hydrosilylation of spirocyclopropenes, via a Cu-catalyzed desymmetrization strategy, for the rapid preparation of enantio-enriched spirocyclopropyl ß-lactams. The efficient desymmetrization strategy allows the remote control of axial chirality, offering the borylated and silylated products bearing central, spiro, and axial chirality. The combination of multichiral elements would provide a novel motif for biological evaluation in potential drug discovery.

[Emission Trends and Reduction Potential of VOCs from Printing Industry in China].

The printing industry has always been the key source of volatile organic compound(VOC) emissions in China. However, owing to the complexity of raw materials and processes, the fine emission inventory and its future emission reduction potential of VOCs from the printing industry have not been well characterized. In this study, the existing VOCs emission factors of the printing industry were improved, considering the neglected semi/intermediate VOCs(S/IVOCs). An emissions inventory of VOCs from the printing industry in the period of 2011-2020 in China was compiled. Through scenario analysis, the emission of VOCs under different scenarios in 2030 was predicted, and the emission reduction potential was analyzed. VOCs emissions from the printing industry in China increased first and then decreased in the period of 2011-2020. Compared with that in 2011, VOCs emissions increased by 29.6% in 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 3.0%. This was mainly due to the increasing consumption demand in the printing industry market and the lack of effective measures for integrated management of VOCs. The VOCs emission of the printing industry in China in 2020 was 861 Gg. Gravure printing and packaging processing were the two most important processes, accounting for 52.0% and 28.7%, respectively. Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang were the largest contributors to VOC emissions, accounting for 44.12% of the total emissions. VOCs emissions of the printing industry in 2030 were 1187 Gg, 684 Gg, and 362 Gg for the baseline scenario, the general control scenario, and the strict control scenario, respectively. Compared to that in 2020, emissions under different control scenarios in 2030 increased by 37.9% and decreased by 20.6% and 57.9%, respectively. Gravure printing and packaging processing are still the focus of emission reduction.

Transition-metal-free and additive-free intermolecular hydroarylation of alkenes with indoles in hexafluoroisopropanol.

Hydroarylation of alkenes is one of the most straightforward and atom-economical strategy for the construction of multi-aryl-substituted alkanes, but systematic studies have been limited to transition metal catalysis. Here we report a hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP)-promoted hydroarylation of alkenes with indoles without the presence of transition metal catalysts or any additive. HFIP was the only reagent used in this work, and could be easily removed via evaporation, and recovered via distillation in industry settings. This reaction was shown to provide an efficient, clean and operationally simple procedure with a remarkable substrate scope and versatile transformations, delivering a variety of multi-aryl alkanes incorporating the indole motif. In preliminary studies, several of these products showed biologically activity against cells from an array of human cancer cell lines. A mechanistic study was also carried out and suggested that the quinone methide might be the key intermediate. And in contrast to the conclusions of a previous report, the current work suggested that protonation by HFIP might not be the rate-determining step.

Tuning ferroelectric photovoltaic performance in R3c-CuNbO3 through compressive strain engineering: a first-principles study.

Most ferroelectric oxides exhibit relatively wide bandgaps, which pose limitations on their suitability for photovoltaics application. CuNbO3 possesses potential ferroelectric properties with an R3c polar structure that facilitate the separation of charge carriers under illumination, promoting the generation of photovoltaic effects. The optical and ferroelectric properties of R3c-CuNbO3, as well as the effect of strain on the properties are investigated by first-principles calculation in this paper. The calculated results indicate that R3c-CuNbO3 possesses a moderate band gap to absorb visible light. The interaction of Cu-O and Nb-O bonds is considered to have a crucial role in the photovoltaic properties of CuNbO3, contributing to the efficient absorption of visible light. The bandgap of CuNbO3 becomes smaller and the density of states near the conduction and valence bands becomes relatively uniform in distribution under compressive conditions, which improves the photoelectric conversion efficiency to 29.9% under conditions of bulk absorption saturation. The ferroelectric properties of CuNbO3 are driven by the Nb-O bond interactions, which are not significantly weakened by the compressive strain. CuNbO3 is expected to be an excellent ferroelectric photovoltaic material by modulation of compressive strain due to the stronger visible light absorption and excellent ferroelectric behavior.

[Characteristics and Health Risk Assessment of Volatile Organic Compounds in Different Functional Zones in Baoji in Summer].

The situation of air pollution in Guanzhong Plain has been increasing in recent years; hence, it is very important to study the characteristics of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and their health risks in urban functional zones. We analyzed 115 VOCs using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/hydrogen ion flame detector (GC-MS/FID) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) at four sampling sites in the traffic, comprehensive, industrial, and scenic zones of Baoji. We analyzed the main components and key species in the different functional zones. Ozone formation potential (OFP),·OH consumption rate (L·OH), and secondary organic aerosol formation potential (SOAFP) were used to evaluate the environmental impact, and the hazard index (HI) and lifetime cancer risk (LCR) methods were employed. The results revealed that the mean values of φ(TVOCs) in the traffic, comprehensive, industrial, and scenic zones were (59.63±23.85)×10-9, (42.92±11.88)×10-9, (60.27±24.09)×10-9, and (55.54±7.44)×10-9, respectively. The dominant contributors at the traffic zone were alkanes, and those at the other functional zones were OVOCs. Acetaldehyde, acetone, n-butane, and isopentane were abundant at different functional zones. According to the characteristic ratios of VOCs, the average ratio of toluene to benzene (T/B) at the traffic, comprehensive, industrial, and scenic zones were 1.84, 2.39, 1.28, and 1.64, respectively, and the ratio of iso-pentane to n-pentane (i/n) was mainly between 1 and 4. The results indicated that VOCs in Baoji were significantly affected by vehicle emissions and gasoline evaporation, biomass and coal combustion, and industrial coatings and foundry. The ratio of m/p-xylene to ethylbenzene (X/E) was lower than 2 at the four functional zones, and the minimum was 1.79 at the scenic zones; the results revealed that X/E was small, and the aging degree of air masses was high, indicating the influence of regional transport. According to the ratio of formaldehyde to acetaldehyde (C1/C2) and the ratio of acetaldehyde to propanal (C2/C3), it was suggested that there may have been evident anthropogenic emission sources, and the photochemical reaction had an important effect on aldehydes and ketones. Environmental impact assessment results revealed that OVOCs and alkenes contributed significantly to OFP and OFP from large to small was as follows:industrial zone>scenic zone>traffic zone>comprehensive zone. The range of L·OH in each functional zone was 8.77-15.82 s-1, with isoprene contributing the most in the industrial zone and acetaldehyde contributing the most at other functional zones. The SOAFP of each functional zone was as follows:scenic zone>comprehensive zone>traffic zone>industrial zone. Toluene, m/p-xylene, and isoprene were the notable species. According to the health risk assessment of EPA, the HI of toxic VOCs in all functional zones was lower than 1, which was at an acceptable level. However, the number of days with HI>1 in industrial zones accounted for 42.86% of the total sampling days, indicating a high risk. The lifetime carcinogenic risk (LCR) of the traffic, comprehensive, industrial, and scenic zones were 1.83×10-5, 1.21×10-5, 1.85×10-5, and 1.63×10-5, respectively, which were all in grade Ⅲ of the rating system, indicating a high probability of cancer risk. Species with LCR greater than 10-6 were formaldehyde; acetaldehyde; 1,2-dibromoethane; 1,2-dichloroethane; 1,2-dichloropropane; and chloroform.

Silver(I)-Catalyzed Diastereoselective Hydroborylation of Cyclopropenes.

An effective (NHC)AgCl catalysis was developed in the hydroborylation of cyclopropenes with B2pin2, delivering a variety of cyclopylboronates in a stereoselective manner, which could be easily transformed for the construction of versatile cyclopropanes. This protocol works effectively under mild reaction conditions in an open-air atmosphere, and it was easy to apply on a gram scale. This novel method in detail was also explored by control experiments, providing a number of key insights. The kinetic process followed by 1H NMR indicated that the reaction was finished in 15 min. Furthermore, the mechanism of silver(I)-catalyzed hydroborylation of cyclopropenes was proposed, with the protonation by methanol as the rate-determining step.

[Characteristics and Source Apportionment of Volatile Organic Compounds in Zhanjiang in Summer].

Ozone pollution is intensifying in China, and its related studies are weak in non-focus regions and non-focus cities. Here, we investigated the characteristics and sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at three sampling sites in Zhanjiang. We analyzed 101 VOCs using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/hydrogen ion flame detector (GC-MS/FID) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a Summa canister and DNPH adsorption tube. We calculated the ozone formation potential (OFP) of VOCs and used the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model for source apportionment. The results showed that the mean φ(TVOCs) was 1.28×10-7, and the dominant contributors were OVOCs (52%), followed by alkanes (36%), alkenes (7%), halogenated hydrocarbons (2.42%), aromatic hydrocarbons (1.61%), and alkynes (0.78%). The diurnal variation in VOCs was influenced by photochemical reactions; the ratio of aromatic hydrocarbons and alkanes was high in the morning and evening and low at noon, whereas OVOCs had a low ratio in the morning and noon and high in the evening, influenced by primary emissions and the upwind transport of pollutants. The OFP was 3.28×10-7, and the dominant species were formaldehyde, butene, n-butane, butanone, and acetaldehyde.The analysis of X/E values (characterizing the aging degree of air masses) and backward trajectories of air masses showed that during the sampling, when influenced by air masses from the south or southwest, X/E was small, and the aging degree of air masses was high, indicating the influence of regional transport; when influenced by air masses from the east or southeast direction, X/E was large, and the air masses were fresh, and VOCs were mainly from local emissions. Six emission sources of VOCs, including industrial emissions, gasoline vehicle exhaust and gasoline evaporation, regional background and transport sources, biomass combustion, diesel vehicles and marine shipping emissions, and solvent use emission sources, were resolved using the PMF model, with contributions of 36.05%, 28.99%, 13.84%, 10.13%, 7.05%, and 3.95%, respectively.Zhanjiang should strengthen the supervision of formaldehyde, butene, n-butane and butanone, industry sources, and mobile sources as the focus of control.

A comprehensive approach to quantify the source identification and human health risk assessment of toxic elements in park dust.

In this research, enrichment factor (EF) and pollution load index were utilized to explore the contamination characteristics of toxic elements (TEs) in park dust. The results exhibited that park dust in the study area was mainly moderately polluted, and the EF values of dust Cd, Zn, Pb, Cu and Sb were all > 1. The concentrations of Cr, Cu, Zn and Pb increased with the decrease of dust particle size. The investigation results of chemical speciation and bioavailability of TEs showed that Zn had the highest bioavailability. Three sources of TEs were determined by positive matrix factorization model, Pearson correlation analysis and geostatistical analysis, comprising factor 1 mixed sources of industrial and transportation activities (46.62%), factor 2 natural source (25.56%) and factor 3 mixed source of agricultural activities and the aging of park infrastructures (27.82%). Potential ecological risk (PER) and human health risk (HHR) models based on source apportionment were exploited to estimate PER and HHR of TEs from different sources. The mean PER value of TEs in the park dust was 114, indicating that ecological risk in the study area was relatively high. Factor 1 contributed the most to PER, and the pollution of Cd was the most serious. There were no significant carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks for children and adults in the study area. And factor 3 was the biggest source of non-carcinogenic risk, and As, Cr and Pb were the chief contributor to non-carcinogenic risk. The primary source of carcinogenic risk was factor 2, and Cr was the cardinal cancer risk element.

Theoretical study on the stability, ferroelectricity and photocatalytic properties of CaBiO3.

Materials with high ferroelectric polarization strength and sufficient absorption of visible light have unique advantages in photocatalysis. Based on the results of structure search, phonon frequency, and elasticity coefficient calculations, CaBiO3 has a stable R3 polar structure. First-principles calculations indicate that R3-CaBiO3 is a potentially efficient ferroelectric visible-light photocatalytic material for hydrogen production. CaBiO3 under slight strain can maintain high ferroelectric polarization strength, strong visible light absorption capacity and small effective mass. CaBiO3 under tensile strain has potentially ferroelectric photogeneration of hydrogen with a band edge position that crosses the redox potential of water. These results can expand the application of Bi-based materials in photocatalytic hydrogen production.

Theoretical study on ferroelectric nitrides with super-wurtzite structures for solar energy conversion applications.

Polarized structured nitride semiconductors are attractive due to their unique and environment-friendly electronic properties. The stability, ferroelectricity and photocatalytic and photovoltaic properties of super-wurtzite Mg2XN3 (X = Bi, Mo, Nb, Sb, Ta, Tc and W) were determined based on first principles calculations in this study. The calculated results indicate that Mg2XN3 (X = Sb, Ta, Bi and Nb) are stable polar nitrides by phonon frequencies, elastic coefficients and ferroelectric analysis. Mg2XN3 (X = Sb, Ta and Nb) with large ferroelectric polarization strength could absorb ultraviolet light to promote photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production. Mg2BiN3 is a new excellent photovoltaic candidate due to its ideal energy band, high electron mobility, high absorption coefficient and large ferroelectric polarization strength.

Hepatitis B Virus Infection Promotes M2 Polarization of Macrophages by Upregulating the Expression of B7x In Vivo and In Vitro.

Several studies have reported that hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is mediated by macrophages and that the B7x (B7-H4, VTCN-1) protein plays an important role in immune regulation in HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC). However, the relationship among HBV, macrophages, and B7x has not been studied. In this study, HBV-infected mouse model and coculture of HBV cell lines and macrophages were used to observe the changes in macrophages and the role of B7x after HBV infection. The expression of HBV markers (HBeAg, HBsAg), negative regulator of immunity (B7x), T-helper 17 (Th17)/T-regulatory (Treg)-related cytokines, and macrophage markers, as well as changes in the apoptosis and cell cycle of macrophages were analyzed through reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blot, and flow cytometry. The expression of HBsAg, HBeAg, and B7x increased and the levels of macrophage surface marker and Treg cells secrete related cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-ß) were altered after HBV infection both in vivo and in vitro. Apoptosis of macrophages increased, and cell cycle arrest occurred in vitro. These effects, except those in the cell cycle, were reversed when B7x was knocked down. Thus, HBV infection can promote the expression of B7x, which in turn regulates the Th17/Treg balance and affects the expression of HBsAg and HBeAg. The mechanism used by B7x likely involves the promotion of macrophage polarization and apoptosis. These results suggest that B7x is a novel target for HBV immunotherapy.

Phenolic Constituents, Antioxidant and Cytoprotective Activities, Enzyme Inhibition Abilities of Five Fractions from Vaccinium dunalianum Wight.

The bud of Vaccinium dunalianum Wight has been traditionally consumed as health herbal tea by "Yi" people in Yunnan Province, China, which was locally named "Que Zui tea". This paper studied the chemical constituents of five fractions from Vaccinium dunalianum, and their enzyme inhibitory effects of α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase, antioxidant activity, and cytoprotective effects on H2O2-induced oxidative damage in HepG2 cells. The methanol extract of V. dunalianum was successively partitioned with petroleum ether (PF), chloroform (CF), ethyl acetate (EF), n-butanol (BF), and aqueous (WF) to obtain five fractions. The chemical profiling of the five fractions was analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), and 18 compounds were tentatively identified. Compared to PF, CF, BF and WF, the EF revealed the highest total phenols (TPC) and total flavonoids (TFC), and displayed the strongest enzyme inhibition ability (α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase) and antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP). Furthermore, these five fractions, especially EF, could effectively inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell apoptosis on H2O2-induced oxidative damage protection in HepG2 cells. This inhibitory effect might be caused by the up-regulation of intracellular antioxidant enzyme activity (CAT, SOD, and GSH). The flavonoids and phenolic acids of V. dunalianum might be the bioactive substances responsible for enzyme inhibitory, antioxidant, and cytoprotective activities.

[Effects of Tropical Cyclones on Ozone Pollution in the Pearl River Delta in Autumn].

Based on the tropical cyclone track data in the northwest Pacific Ocean from 2015 to 2020, meteorological observation data, and ozone concentration monitoring data in the Pearl River Delta (PRD), the impacts of four tropical cyclones, namely the westbound tropical cyclone (type A), East China Sea tropical cyclone (type B), offshore tropical cyclone (type C), and offshore tropical cyclone (type D), on ozone concentration in the PRD were analyzed. The results showed that:under the influence of the type A tropical cyclone, the risk of regional ozone concentration exceeding the standard exhibited little change. Under the influence of the type B tropical cyclone, the risk of ozone exceeding the standard in the PRD was obviously increased. Under the influence of the type C tropical cyclone, the risk of regional ozone exceeding the standard obviously increased, but the increase was weaker than that of the type B tropical cyclone. The type D tropical cyclone was far away from the Chinese mainland and had little influence on ozone concentration in the PRD. When the type A or type C tropical cyclones occurred, the average daily maximum 8-hour average ozone concentration (MDA8) in the PRD region increased by approximately 5 µg·m-3, and the ozone MDA8 in some cities may have decreased. When the type B tropical cyclone occurred, the regional ozone MDA8 increased by 19 µg·m-3 on average, and the ozone concentration in all cities increased significantly. Among them, the average increase in ozone MDA8 in Zhuhai and Jiangmen was relatively large, with an increase of greater than 20 µg·m-3. Generally speaking, the ozone concentration in cities in the western PRD was more affected by tropical cyclones. When the type B tropical cyclone occurred, solar radiation increased, sunshine duration lengthened, cloud cover decreased, air temperature rose, and relative humidity decreased in the PRD, all of which were beneficial to photochemical reactions. Meanwhile, downward flow increased in the boundary layer, and downward flow transported high-concentration ozone to the ground, which promoted the increase in ozone concentration on the ground. When type A or type C tropical cyclones occurred, the change in meteorological conditions was not entirely conducive to the increase in ozone concentration, and in some cases, even adverse meteorological conditions such as rainfall occurred, which led to the risk of regional ozone exceeding the standard being less than that of the type B tropical cyclone. Affected by tropical cyclones, sunshine hours and air temperature in western cities of the PRD increased more than those in eastern cities, which was more conducive to ozone generation.

Sequential olefination-dimerisation of benzylic dithioacetals by the nickel-catalysed reaction with methyl Grignard or zinc reagent.

Products of main group elements from cross-coupling reactions have been shown to serve as Lewis acids, mediating further reactions of organic coupling products. Thus, the nickel-catalysed olefination of benzylic dithioacetal with MeMgI in benzene in a sealed Schlenk tube at 130 °C generates magnesium mercaptide which regioselectively converts 2-arylpropene into a dimer in good yield. Aryl iodide reacts with 2-propenylmagnesium bromide in the presence of 1,2-ethanedithiol and NiCl2(PPh3)2 to yield the same dimer. Replacement of the Grignard reagent by an organozinc reagent gives the dimers in a better yield.

Circumferential Decompression Technique of Posterior Endoscopic Cervical Foraminotomy.

OBJECTIVE: Cervical osseous foraminal stenosis (COFS) results from the uncinate process and facet hyperostosis. Currently, the optimal surgical technique for the treatment of COFS remains controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with COFS presenting radiculopathy underwent posterior endoscopic cervical foraminotomy by the circumferential decompression technique. The neck disability index (NDI), the visual analogue scale (VAS), and the modified MacNab criteria were used to evaluate the outcomes. In addition, the range of motion (ROM) and the slippage distance between the operated vertebrae in flexion-extension position were measured to evaluate the stability of the cervical spine. RESULTS: There were 24 consecutive patients in the study. The mean follow-up period was 16.2 months (range: 12-26 months). The NDI and VAS scores for arm/neck pain improved significantly from preoperatively to the last follow-up. The satisfaction rate by modified MacNab criteria was 91.7% on the third postoperative day and 100% on the day of final follow-up. There were no significant differences in intervertebral ROM or slippage distance between the last follow-up and preoperatively (P = 0.968, P = 0.394). Arm pain occurred in one patient, and sustained fingers numbness in two patients, but these symptoms resolved at the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior endoscopic cervical foraminotomy by the circumferential decompression technique is a safe and effective treatment for COFS. Moreover, it preserves the stability and physiological mobility of the cervical spine.

A comprehensive exploration on the health risk quantification assessment of soil potentially toxic elements from different sources around large-scale smelting area.

Non-ferrous metal smelting activities have always been considered as one of the foremost anthropogenic sources of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). The enrichment factor (EF) and pollution load index (PLI) were used to evaluate the pollution level of soil PTEs; positive matrix factorization (PMF), correlation analysis, and geostatistics were utilized to quantify the sources of soil PTEs; and potential ecological risk (PER) and human health risk (HHR) of different sources from farmland, construction land, and natural land were quantifiably determined via combined PTE sources with PER and HHR assessment models. Taking the smelting area of Daye City as an example, the evaluation results of EF and PLI showed that the soil PTE pollution in the study area was serious, especially Cd and Cu. And four sources were quantitatively allocated as agricultural practices (12.14%), traffic emissions (23.07%), natural sources (33.46%), and industrial activities (31.33%). For PER, industrial activities were the largest contributor to PER, accounting for 55.66%, 56.30%, and 55.36% of farmland, construction land, and natural land, respectively, and Cd was the most dangerous element. In terms of HHR, industrial activities were also the cardinal contributors under the three land use types. Children were exposed to serious non-carcinogenic risks under three land use patterns and slight carcinogenic risk in construction land (1.06E - 04). Significantly, the carcinogenic risk of children in farmland (9.06 × 10-5) was very close to the threshold (1 × 10-4), which requires attention. Both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk for adults were all at acceptable levels. The health risks (carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks) of children from four different sources were distinctly higher than those of adults. Consequently, strict management and control of industrial activities should be given priority, and the management of agricultural practices should not be ignored.

Obstructive sleep apnea and the risk of mortality in patients with lung cancer: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Prior reports have examined the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the mortality rate of lung cancer. However, the findings remain controversial. The present meta-analysis was performed to assess the relationship between OSA and increased risk of mortality in patients with lung cancer. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were systematically searched for the correlative studies. Data were analyzed and pooled to evaluate odds ratios (ORs) of lung cancer mortality related to OSA. RESULTS: From 249 identified studies, 3 met inclusion criteria and were analyzed, including 67 patients with lung cancer and comorbid OSA and 45 patients with lung cancer and no OSA. The meta-analysis indicated that OSA was not significantly correlated with mortality rate in lung cancer (OR = 2.005, 95% CI = 0.703 to 5.715, z = 1.30, p = 0.193). There was no significant publication bias according to Begg's tests (p = 0.296) and Egger's tests (p = 0.097). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that OSA is not significantly correlated with the mortality rate in lung cancer.