[Review of Comprehensive Evaluation System of Vehicle Pollution and Carbon Synergistic Reduction].

Vehicle emissions have become one of the most important air pollution sources in China. Promoting vehicle synergistic reduction of pollution and carbon is the key to improving regional environmental quality and achieving the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. Building a collaborative evaluation system and comprehensive quantitative method is an important prerequisite for scientific and effective implementation of vehicle pollution and carbon synergistic reduction. Therefore, it is significant to extensively review existing synergistic evaluation methods and comprehensive environmental benefit accounting methods of atmospheric pollution and carbon reduction. On this basis, we focused on vehicle emission characteristics, systematically organized the key indicators of vehicle collaborative reduction evaluation, and summarized quantitative methods of policy effects from three aspects (health exposure cost, climate change cost, and pollutant control cost), to provide theoretical support for policy formulation, schemes selection, and their effect evaluation. For the future, the assessment of vehicle coordinated emission reduction is proposed to accelerate unified index system establishment, deeply analyze the spatial distribution of environmental benefits, focus on the pollution transfer caused by vehicle electrification, and explore the quantitative methods of climate change cost due to extreme weather.

[Railway Emission Trends in China Based on Fuel Life Cycle Analysis].

Railway transportation is one of the main modes of modern transportation. Under the dual constraints of air quality improvement and carbon neutrality achievement, clarifying the emission trend of CO2 and pollutants in railway transportation is of great significance for pollution and carbon reduction in the transport sector. In this study, the CO2 and pollutant emission characteristics of Chinese railways from 2001 to 2018 were analyzed based on the fuel life cycle method. Then, railway emission trends from 2019-2030 were assessed combined with scenario analysis. The results showed that with the advancement of railway electrification, the use of new diesel locomotives, and the continuous upgrading of fuel standards, the total CO2 and pollutant emissions in the fuel life cycle of railway transportation showed an upward and downward trend, respectively. In 2018, the total emissions of CO2, NOx, CO, BC, and SOx from railway transportation were 3780.29×104t, 11.98×104t, 3.94×104t, 0.20×104t, and 3.08×104t, respectively. Accelerating the improvement of power structure and reducing unit energy consumption were the best single control strategies to reduce railway emissions of CO2, SOx, NOx, BC, and CO, respectively. Under the comprehensive scenario of actively responding to railway pollution and carbon reduction, the emission reduction rates of CO2, NOx, CO, BC, and SOx could reach 35%, 37%, 39%, 32%, and 45%, respectively. The stagnation of power structure reform or the railway electrification process will lead to a significant increase in total emissions of railway transportation. Therefore, the pollution and carbon reduction of railway transportation requires continuous attention.

Aminoacylase-1 plays a key role in myocardial fibrosis and the therapeutic effects of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 in mouse heart failure.

We previously found that the levels of metabolite N-acetylglutamine were significantly increased in urine samples of patients with heart failure (HF) and in coronary artery ligation (CAL)-induced HF mice, whereas the expression of its specific metabolic-degrading enzyme aminoacylase-1 (ACY1) was markedly decreased. In the current study, we investigated the role of ACY1 in the pathogenesis of HF and the therapeutic effects of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 in HF experimental models in vivo and in vitro. HF was induced in mice by CAL. The mice were administered Rg3 (7.5, 15, 30 mg · kg-1· d-1, i.g.), or positive drug metoprolol (Met, 5.14 mg · kg-1· d-1, i.g.), or ACY1 inhibitor mono-tert-butyl malonate (MTBM, 5 mg · kg-1 · d-1, i.p.) for 14 days. We showed that administration of MTBM significantly exacerbated CAL-induced myocardial injury, aggravated cardiac dysfunction, and pathological damages, and promoted myocardial fibrosis in CAL mice. In Ang II-induced mouse cardiac fibroblasts (MCFs) model, overexpression of ACY1 suppressed the expression of COL3A1 and COL1A via inhibiting TGF-ß1/Smad3 pathway, whereas ACY1-siRNA promoted the cardiac fibrosis responses. We showed that a high dose of Rg3 (30 mg · kg-1· d-1) significantly decreased the content of N-acetylglutamine, increased the expression of ACY1, and inhibited TGF-ß1/Smad3 pathway in CAL mice; Rg3 (25 µM) exerted similar effects in Ang II-treated MCFs. Meanwhile, Rg3 treatment ameliorated cardiac function and pathological features, and it also attenuated myocardial fibrosis in vivo and in vitro. In Ang II-treated MCFs, the effects of Rg3 on collagen deposition and TGF-ß1/Smad3 pathway were slightly enhanced by overexpression of ACY1, whereas ACY1 siRNA partially weakened the beneficial effects of Rg3, suggesting that Rg3 might suppress myocardial fibrosis through ACY1. Our study demonstrates that N-acetylglutamine may be a potential biomarker of HF and its specific metabolic-degrading enzyme ACY1 could be a potential therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of myocardial fibrosis during the development of HF. Rg3 attenuates myocardial fibrosis to ameliorate HF through increasing ACY1 expression and inhibiting TGF-ß1/Smad3 pathway, which provides some references for further development of anti-fibrotic drugs for HF.

[Economic Benefit of Air Quality Improvement During Implementation of the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan in Beijing].

Air quality in Beijing has been improved significantly since the implementation of the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan ('Action Plan'). To evaluate the effect of the Action Plan, the cost-of-illness, human capital, and market value approaches were used to estimate air quality improvement benefits including human health, agriculture, building materials, and cleanliness. The policy benefit through monetization was also evaluated, which can affirm the positive effect of air pollution prevention and control by local government. The results illustrated that:① Since the policy implementation, air quality in Beijing has improved significantly and the improvement efficiency had been growing steadily. From 2013 to 2017, air quality had reached -1.982, -1.893, 15.707, 15.264, and 22.330 billion yuan respectively, accounting for -0.85‰, -0.81‰, 6.68‰, 6.16‰, and 8.77‰ of GDP in the fiscal year. The total profit during the five years was 49.426 billion yuan, accounting for 4.11‰ of the 5-year total GDP; ② The total improvement benefit was mainly linked to reductions in health and cleaning costs, primarily associated with a reduction in particulate matter concentrations; and ③ The majority of 16 administrative regions in Beijing reached an ideal level of benefit during the late stages of policy implementation, including Yanqing, Miyun, Pinggu, Changping, Tongzhou, Shijingshan, and Chaoyang Districts, which have retained a positive improvement index for five years. In contrast, Chaoyang and Haidian Districts have benefited relatively little as a result of the exposure of high-density populations to atmospheric pollution. These research results demonstrate the effectiveness and necessity of the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan in Beijing.

Mental health among left-behind preschool-aged children: preliminary survey of its status and associated risk factors in rural China.

OBJECTIVE: A large proportion of preschoolers have been left behind due to parental migration in rural China. We conducted a preliminary cross-sectional survey to investigate the mental health of these left-behind preschool-aged children (LBPC) and associated risk factors. METHODS: A total of 750 LBPC, comprising 217 and 433 children left behind as a result of migration of either or both parents, respectively, and 100 controls were enrolled from two counties in Anhui province, China. Their caregivers completed questionnaires on demographics, the Family Support Scale, the Parenting Self-efficacy Scale and the Preschool-aged Child Mental Health Scale. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in mental outcomes among the three groups. However, male LBPC who were younger, fostered by caregivers with lower levels of life satisfaction and parenting efficacy, and came from poorer families with less social support, experienced more mental health problems than other children. CONCLUSIONS: LBPC did not have worse mental well-being than their control counterparts, but some subpopulations were at potential risk of mental health problems compared with other LBPC. More research on other underlying factors and strategies to prevent the development of psychopathology is urgently needed.

Blood lead levels among children aged 0 to 6 years in 16 cities of China, 2004-2008.

BACKGROUND: The adverse health effects of lead for children under 6 years are well known. Studies to assess the lead exposure among children in China are small in sample size and lack of national representative data. The aim of this study therefore was to describe blood lead levels and identify risk factors for lead exposure among children aged 0 to 6 years living in 16 cities in China. METHODS: We analyzed data from blood lead levels surveillance in China carried out in 16 large cities between 2004 and 2008. A stratified clustered random sampling strategy was used. A total of 69 968 children aged 0 to 6 years were included. We conducted multiple Logistic regression analyses to explore risk factors to high blood lead level. RESULTS: The geometric mean blood lead level of the children was 4.50 µg/dl (median: 4.90 µg/dl; IQR: 3.20 - 7.00 µg/dl). Overall prevalence of blood lead level ≥ 10.00 µg/dl among 0- to 6-year-old children was 7.57%. But the proportion of blood lead level ≥ 5.00 but < 10.00 µg/dl was 42.12%. Blood lead levels were significantly higher in boys (4.63 µg/dl) than in girls (4.35 µg/dl) (P < 0.0001). The geometric mean blood lead levels and prevalence of blood lead level ≥ 10.00 µg/dl increased with age (P < 0.0001 for the two trends). After controlling for sociodemographic, dietary and behavior factors, multivariable analysis indicated that lower maternal education, male gender, younger age, often biting pencil or/and toys, walking or playing for long time on the street, not washing hands before eating are major risk factors for higher lead levels. CONCLUSIONS: The blood lead levels among Chinese children in urban areas are lower than previous studies but close to those of developed countries. However, children with low lead exposure account for almost half and the sociodemographic factors (age, male sex, and low mother education level) continue to be associated with higher blood lead levels.

[Blood lead status and influencing factors among preschool children in urban areas of China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the blood lead status and influencing factors among preschool children in the sampling city. METHOD: Stratified-clustered-random sampling was used. Standardized questionnaire and peripheral blood samples were obtained from 69 968 children aged 0-6 years in fixed kindergartens and communities of Yinchuan, Xi'an, Chengdu, Wuhan, Hefei, Beijing, Harbin, Zhengzhou, Huhhot, Shijiazhuang, Haikou, Dalian, Qingdao, Guangzhou, Nanning and Changsha from 2004 to 2008, respectively. Tungsten atomic absorbtion spectrophotometry was employed to determine the blood lead level of children. RESULT: The proportion of children with blood lead level ≥ 100 µg/L was 7.57% (among which the proportion of high blood lead level, mild lead poisoning, moderate lead poisoning, severe lead poisoning were 91.0%, 2.76%, 3.32%, 2.93%, respectively) and the blood lead level was lower than those of the past studies. The proportion of high blood lead level has steadily declined from 2004 to 2008 [the proportions were 10.03%, 7.85%, 7.40%, 6.91% and 4.78%, respectively (χ(2) = 297.36, P < 0.0001)]. The proportion of children with blood lead level ≥ 100 µg/L in Haikou, Zhengzhou, Guangzhou, Shijiazhuang, Changsha, Xi'an, Wuhan, Hefei, Chengdu, Yinchuan, Harbin, Beijing, Dalian, Huhhot, Nanning and Qingdao were 12.15%, 10.49%, 10.37%, 9.69%, 9.53%, 9.46%, 9.40%, 8.50%, 7.99%, 7.98%, 7.51%, 6.10%, 3.25%, 2.89%, 2.46% and 2.39%, respectively (χ(2) = 768.21, P < 0.0001). By multiple regression method, the risk factors which influenced blood lead status of children were education status of mother, older children, behavior and dietary habit of children, boy, stay for long time in traffic busy areas, the type of housing, taking traditional Chinese and herbal medicine. The protective factors against lead poisoning in children mainly included scattered living, the nutritional status of calcium, iron, zinc, frequent intake of milk, and older mother. CONCLUSION: The blood lead level of children has decreased, but is still higher than those in developed countries. Lead exposure remains a public health issue which affects children most. The blood lead level of children is affected by multiple factors. Government and the whole society should pay attention to interrupt the lead pollutant and to promote nutritional health education. With all these efforts, it is possible to stop the progress of lead exposure and reduce its hazardous effects on the growth and development of children.

Surveillance of childhood blood lead levels in 14 cities of China in 2004-2006.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the blood lead level in children aged 0-6 years in urban areas of China. METHODS: Fourteen cities were selected as sites under surveillance. A total of 44 045 peripheral blood specimens were collected from 2004 to 2006, during which 15 727, 14 737, and 13 584 specimens were tested in 2004, 2005, and 2006, respectively. Tungsten atomizer absorption spectrophotometer was employed to determine blood lead level. RESULTS: The geometric mean blood lead level in the tested children was 47.10 microg/L with 10.10% > or = 100 microg/L, 46.17 microg/L with 7.78% > or = 100 microg/L, and 47.03 microg/L with 7.30% > or = 100 microg/L in 2004, 2005, and 2006, respectively. The blood lead levels seemed to tend to rise in parallel with the increase of age of the children and were higher in boys (48.84 microg/L, 47.56 microg/L, and 47.78 microg/L in the 3 respective years) than in girls (45.00 microg/L, 44.53 microg/L, and 46.13 microg/L). CONCLUSION: The blood lead levels in children in cities of China are lower than those in previous national studies, but higher than those in developed countries. Childhood lead poisoning remains a public health problem in China.

[Evaluation on the case management program of hypertension in Zhongguancun community, Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To explore a suitable model regarding community-based case management of hypertension in the urban areas. METHODS: Based on the guidelines set by the Chinese Hypertension League (CHL), the goal of case management of hypertension was set as: to maintain blood pressure at the normal range. Family doctors were guided to take care of case management. Hypertension patients who had been contracted to the family doctors were followed by a team of family doctors for half a year. RESULTS: After the 6-month intervention, the rate of hypertension under control had increased from 50.44% to 69.84% (P < 0.0001) while the means of systolic blood pressure decreased by 3.72 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure decreased by 2.67 mm Hg (P < 0.0001) respectively. The means of SBP decreased by 8.59 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure decreased by 5.26 mm Hg in patients whose baseline blood pressure were not under control. The rates of smoking, higher salt intake and no physical exercise had significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The mean number of hospital visits in the six-month follow-up period was 7.69 +/- 2.37. The "rate of control" among those who had followed schedule was higher than that of those who were not on schedule (P < 0.0001). The rate among those who had followed the schedule tended to have increased with aging and the level of education (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The community-based case management program on hypertension played an important and effective role in the control of hypertension in urban areas. Patients received great benefit when following the guidance from their doctors.

[Study on blood lead level and related risk factors among children aged 0-6 years in 15 cities in China].

OBJECTIVE: To observe blood lead level and related risk factors among children aged 0-6 years old living in cities in China and to provide data for policy development to the prevention on environmental lead pollution. METHODS: A stratified-clustered-random sampling method was used. 17 141 peripheral blood samples of 0-6 years old children from 15 cities in China were tested. Tungsten atomizer absorption spectrophotometer was employed to determined the blood lead level. Related factors were also studied using a standardized questionnaire. Data were analyzed on related risk factors that affecting blood lead levels through multiple regression method. RESULTS: The mean blood lead level of 0-6 years old children from 15 cities in China was 59.52 microg/L including 10.45% of those > or =100 microg/L, and 0.62% > or = 200 microg/L. However, the blood lead levels seemed to have had a trend of increase parallel to age among 0-6 years-old children and were higher for boys (59.50 microg/L) than girls (54.95 microg/L). The risk factors which influenceing children's blood lead levels would include the type of housing, parent's education levels, social status and hobby, children's behavior habit, dieting habit and nutritional condition. CONCLUSION: The blood lead levels of children in China were lower than data gathered from former national studies but higher than those from developed countries, suggesting that the. Government and the whole society should be aware of the problem on lead poisoning among children during their childhood.