[Spatiotemporal Differentiation and Degradation Analysis of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Sediments of Shanmei Reservoir and Its Inflowing River, Quanzhou, China].

To investigate the spatiotemporal differentiation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in urban water-source reservoirs and degradation sources of BDE homologues and their contributions, we analyzed the contents, pollution degrees, spatial distributions, hydrological period changes, inventories, profiles, and degradation source contributions of PBDEs in the surface sediments of Shanmei Reservoir and its inflowing river, Quanzhou, China. The results showed that the median ∑PBDEs (1072.1 ng ·g-1) in the inflowing river sediment was 6.7 times than that of the reservoir (160.4 ng ·g-1) and the total amount of ∑PBDEs in sediments per unit area (80.3 kg ·km-2) was 6.3 times than that of Taihu Lake and 188 times than that of the Great Lakes in North America. The pollution degrees of PBDEs in Shanmei Reservoir were more severe than those of most lakes and reservoirs at home and abroad, which was dominated by BDE-209 (84.5%-99.2%). Most of the sampling sites in the reservoir (r 0.564-0.994, P<0.034) and the inflowing river (r 0.953-1.0, P<0.000) had high similarity in the composition of PBDEs. Significantly positive correlations (r 0.779-0.964, P<0.005) were observed between the reservoir entry area and river sampling sites, which were stronger than the other functional areas, indicating that the inflowing river was a major pollution source of PBDEs in the Shanmei Reservoir. The tail region of the reservoir had low correlations with the inflowing river (r 0.454-0.915, P≤0.128), and was relatively much more affected by Jiudu Town. The changes in hydrological period of the ∑PBDEs were relatively consistent at each sampling site (r 0.617-0.714, P≤0.077), but the impact of the changes in the hydrological period on the ∑PBDEs was not statistically significant (P=0.178, Two-Way ANOVA). However, the site changes had a significant influence on the ∑PBDEs (P=0.0001), and significant or nearly differences were observed between the reservoir entry area and other functional areas (P 0.019-0.061), indicating that the spatial distribution variations of the PBDEs in reservoir sediments were greater than the changes in hydrological period. The natural degradation of the PBDEs gradually increased from the river to the reservoir entry area and then to the central reservoir area. The reductive debromination rates varied at different brominated levels, and some BDE homologues accumulated due to their slowly continued degradation velocities. Research on abundance ratios indicated that the lower brominated BDE homologues were mainly derived from the natural degradation of decabromodiphenyl ether by stepwise reductive debromination. Approximately 70% of Nona-BDE produced by Deca-BDE degradation could rapidly be degraded to form Octa-BDE. Approximately 85% of BDE-208 was derived from the degradation of BDE-209. During the degradation process from Octa-BDE to Penta-BDE, some Octa-BDE and Hexa-BDE homologues accumulated due to relatively slower degradation velocities, and the degradation rates of Penta-BDE to Tri-BDE were above 70%.

The application value of capsule endoscopy in diagnosing small intestinal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the clinical value of capsule endoscopy in the diagnosis of small intestine neoplastic lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 108 patients who underwent capsule endoscopic examination in the Endoscopy Center of Xinxiang Central Hospital from February 2010 to January 2014. The characteristics of different small bowel diseases were observed, and the prevalence rates of different small bowel lesions were calculated. RESULTS: Of the included 108 patients who received capsule endoscopic examination, 74 cases showed lesions, with a detection rate of 68.52%. Of these 74 patients, 56 cases (51.85%) suffered from small bowel diseases and 18 cases (16.67%) were manifested with other gastrointestinal lesions. Moreover, obvious lesion was not observed in 34 cases (31.48%). Among the patients with lesions, we observed seven cases of submucosal tumor in small intestines, five cases of small intestinal carcinoma, two cases of small intestinal polyps, two cases of small intestinal roundworm, eight cases of small intestine ulcer, one case of Crohn's disease, 18 cases of enteritis, two cases of small intestine diverticula, four cases of small intestine hemangioma, one case of small intestine vascular malformation, one case of intestinal lymphangiectasia, one case of small intestine compression, two cases of small intestine hemorrhage, and two cases of small intestinal lipoma. Among the patients who showed other gastrointestinal lesions, we observed one case of esophageal diverticula, three cases of gastric erosion, six cases of superficial gastritis, four cases of gastric ulcer, one case of pyloric ulcer, one case of colonic polyps, and two cases of colon tumor. CONCLUSION: Capsule endoscopy demonstrated a high diagnostic value for various small bowel diseases, including both tumor and inflammatory lesions. Given its simplicity, safety, and reliability, capsule endoscopy was an important examination tool for the diagnosis of small bowel diseases.

Marker-trait association analysis of frost tolerance of 672 worldwide pea (Pisum sativum L.) collections.

Frost stress is one of the major abiotic stresses causing seedling death and yield reduction in winter pea. To improve the frost tolerance of pea, field evaluation of frost tolerance was conducted on 672 diverse pea accessions at three locations in Northern China in three growing seasons from 2013 to 2016 and marker-trait association analysis of frost tolerance were performed with 267 informative SSR markers in this study. Sixteen accessions were identified as the most winter-hardy for their ability to survive in all nine field experiments with a mean survival rate of 0.57, ranging from 0.41 to 0.75. Population structure analysis revealed a structured population of two sub-populations plus some admixtures in the 672 accessions. Association analysis detected seven markers that repeatedly had associations with frost tolerance in at least two different environments with two different statistical models. One of the markers is the functional marker EST1109 on LG VI which was predicted to co-localize with a gene involved in the metabolism of glycoproteins in response to chilling stress and may provide a novel mechanism of frost tolerance in pea. These winter-hardy germplasms and frost tolerance associated markers will play a vital role in marker-assisted breeding for winter-hardy pea cultivar.

Application value of endoscopic submucosal dissection and endoscopic mucosal resection for treatment of rectal carcinoids.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to explore the clinical effect and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for treatment of rectal carcinoids. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 42 patients with rectal carcinoids who were hospitalized and subjected to surgical treatment in our hospital from January 2010 to November 2015. The patients were categorized into two groups based on treatment received: ESD (n = 22) and EMR (n = 20). The patients were analyzed and compared to determine differences in lesion size, operation time, histopathologically curative resection rate, intraoperative complications, complete lesion resection rate, and postoperative recurrence rate between the two groups. RESULTS: Operation time (25.2 ± 20.1 min) and wound surface diameter (36.2 ± 10.1 mm) were significantly higher in the ESD group than those in the EMR group (12.6 ± 8.4 min and 18.6 ± 5.9 mm, respectively) (P < 0.05). The differences in complete lesion and histopathologically curative resection rates between the two groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Delayed hemorrhage was the primary postoperative complication in both groups. Postoperative follow-up was performed for 3-71 months, and the median follow-up time was 45 months. Recurrence was noted 32 months after surgery in one patient in the EMR group (4.5%), whereas recurrence was not detected in the ESD group. CONCLUSION: ESD and EMR are safe and effective methods for treatment of rectal carcinoids. Moreover, ESD had less risk of recurrence, more complete resection rate which could provide more information for postoperative treatment.

[Indoor Deposition Flux, Seasonal Variations and Human Exposure Levels of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Xiamen, China].

Indoor dust was an important and even a major route of human exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). However, the vacuum dust concentrations were less correlated with indoor residents' serum concentrations of PBDEs, thus inadequat for either estimation of human exposure dose or research of deposition flux and its seasonal variations. Passive sampling of indoo dustfall could offset these shortages. A total of 49 indoor sampling sites including homes, offices, computer rooms and furniture factor were selected in Xiamen, China to collect the four season dustfall samples with glass plates (walled by clean aluminum foil). Deposition flux, concentrations, congener profiles, seasonal variations, and human exposure to PBDEs in the dustfall were studied The geometric means of the yearly round deposition flux of ∑ PBDEs (sum of 16 BDE congeners including BDE-209) in homes offices, computer rooms and furniture factory were 6.1, 3.0, 1.1 and 179.8 ng · (m² · d)⁻¹, respectively. The geometric mea deposition flux of ∑ PBDEs in homes was 2 times of that in offices, but the concentration of ∑ PBDEs in the dustfall from home (445.5 ng · g⁻¹) was only slightly higher than that of offices (384.0 ng · g⁻¹). The ∑ PBDEs deposition flux in homes, offices and computer rooms in Xiamen were at lower level compared with other cities around the world. The PBDEs deposition flux in furnitur factory was much higher than that in the ordinary indoor environment. Autumn was the season with highest deposition flux of ∑ PBDEs. Geometric means of BDE- 209's proportion of the ∑ PBDEs in dustfall in all seasons in the four types of indoo environment were above 80% . The deposition flux of PBDEs was correlated to the dustfall deposition flux in homes, offices and computer rooms, but not that in furniture factory. ∑15 PBDEs in homes and offices were significantly correlated with the age of computers, but not quantities of electrical and electronic products, furniture and interior decoration, etc. Indoor dust was a key route for human exposure to ∑ PBDEs, especially for higher brominated BDEs.

Passive sampling of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in indoor and outdoor air in Shanghai, China: seasonal variations, sources, and inhalation exposure.

Ninety-seven seasonal, passive indoor and outdoor air samples were collected in Shanghai to study polybrominated diphenyl ethers (ΣPBDEs, 16 congeners including BDE-209), their concentrations, composition profiles, seasonal variations, influencing factors, emission sources, and human inhalation exposure. In summer, median indoor concentrations of Σ 15 PBDEs (excluding BDE-209) were 82 pg m(-3) in offices and 30 pg m(-3) in homes, ∼3 times the winter concentrations. The average summer concentration of 130 pg m(-3) BDE-209 in homes was higher than that in offices (which was 90 pg m(-3)); in winter, home and office concentrations were similar (46 and 47 pg m(-3), respectively). For outdoor air, the median concentration of Σ 15 PBDEs in summer (12 pg m(-3)) was twice the winter concentration (6 pg m(-3)), while the summer median concentration of BDE-209 (398 pg m(-3)) was half the winter concentration (794 pg m(-3)). Higher concentrations of Σ 15 PBDEs indoors compared with outdoors showed that the lower brominated BDEs found were mainly from indoor sources. Meanwhile, the much lower indoor concentration of BDE-209 compared with the outdoors showed that BDE-209 came mainly from outdoor sources. The data set also indicated that electric/electronic appliances were the main sources of indoor ΣPBDEs, and old appliances emitted more lower brominated BDEs, while industrial emissions should be the main source of the outdoor BDE-209. Median daily human exposures to Σ 15 PBDEs and BDE-209 through inhalation were estimated to be 0.23 and 1.73 ng day(-1) in winter and 0.65 and 2.28 ng day(-1) in summer for adults. The human inhalation exposure to ΣPBDEs (3.44 ng day(-1) for adults and 1.33 ng day(-1) for toddlers) was comparable to that from eating contaminated fish for both toddlers and adults in Shanghai.

Tumor suppressor microRNA-27a in colorectal carcinogenesis and progression by targeting SGPP1 and Smad2.

The aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is associated with colorectal carcinogenesis, but the underlying mechanisms are not clear. This study showed that the miRNA-27a (miR-27a) was significantly reduced in colorectal cancer tissues and colorectal cancer cell lines, and that the reduced miR-27a was associated with distant metastasis and colorectal cancer clinical pathological stages-miR-27a was lower at stages III/IV than that at stage II. Bioinformatic and systemic biological analysis predicted several targets of miR-27a, among them SGPP1 and Smad2 were significantly affected. SGPP1 and Smad2 at mRNA and protein levels were negatively correlated with miR-27a in human colorectal cancer tissues and cancer cell lines. Increased miR-27a significantly repressed SGPP1 and Smad2 at transcriptional and translational levels. Functional studies showed that increasing miR-27a inhibited colon cancer cell proliferation, promoted apoptosis and attenuated cell migration, which were also linked to downregulation of p-STAT3 and upregulation of cleaved caspase 3. In vivo, miR-27a inhibited colon cancer cell growth in tumor-bearing mice. Taken together, this study has revealed miR-27a as a tumor suppressor and has identified SGPP1 and Smad2 as novel targets of miR-27a, linking to STAT3 for regulating cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration in colorectal cancer. Therefore, miR-27a could be a useful biomarker for monitoring colorectal cancer development and progression, and also could have a therapeutic potential by targeting SGPP1, Smad2 and STAT3 for colorectal cancer therapy.

Polychlorinated biphenyls in the atmosphere of Taizhou, a major e-waste dismantling area in China.

PM2.5, total suspended particles (TSP) and gas phase samples were collected at two sites of Taizhou, a major e-waste dismantling area in China. Concentrations, seasonal variations, congener profiles, gas-particle partitioning and size distribution of the atmospheric polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were studied to assess the current state of atmospheric PCBs after the phase out of massive historical dismantling of PCBs containing e-wastes. The average sigma38PCBs concentration in the ambient air (TSP plus gas phase) near the e-waste dismantling area was (12,407 +/- 9592) pg/m3 in winter, which was substantially lower than that found one decade ago. However, the atmospheric PCBs level near the e-waste dismantling area was 54 times of the reference urban site, indicating that the impact of the historical dismantling of PCBs containing e-wastes was still significant. Tri-Penta-CBs were dominant homologues, consisting with their dominant global production. Size distribution of particle-bound PCBs showed that higher chlorinated CBs tended to partition more to the fine particles, facilitating its long range air transportation.

Diurnal variations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons associated with PM2.5 in Shanghai, China.

Forty-eight daily time interval PM2.5 samples were collected from December 2006 to January 2008 in an urban site in Shanghai, China. Concentrations and compositions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed with GC-MS to study the diurnal and seasonal variations and to identify the main emitting sources. The diurnal variation of the PAHs concentrations was greater in the late autumn and winter sampling days, and was greatly influenced by meteorological conditions such as wind speed and ambient temperature. The concentration of PAHs in the mornings (6:30-10:00) increased distinctly, and was high in the late autumn and winter sampling days, indicating the contribution from vehicle emissions during rush hours. The diurnal variation of the high molecular weight PAHs did not seem to be controlled by the shift of gas-particle partitioning due to temperature variation, instead, it could be indicative of the variation in the source. Statistical analyses showed that the concentrations of PAHs were negatively correlated with temperature and wind speed, and positively correlated with relative humidity. Diagnostic ratios of PAHs suggested mixed emission sources of petroleum and coal/biomass combustion for PAHs in the PM2.5 in Shanghai.

Characteristics of organic matter in PM2.5 from an e-waste dismantling area in Taizhou, China.

Solvent extractable organic compounds in PM(2.5) samples collected in Taizhou, a city famous for its electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) recycling industry in Zhejiang province of China, were analyzed to identify the main emission sources based on molecular markers. Two types of plastics which were most frequently contained in the e-wastes, wires/cables and plastic blocks, were burned in the lab and the particles emitted analyzed. The concentrations of PAHs and phthalate esters at the e-waste dismantling area during our sampling periods were about two times of that at the reference urban site, indicating the high pollution level there. The high concentrations of quaterphenyl found at the dismantling area indicated that burning of plastics or polymers was an important emission source of the PAHs in the fine particles. The diagnostic analysis based on the compositions of alkanes, hopanes and other molecular markers showed that engine exhaust, biomass burning and kitchen emissions were also important emission sources at the e-waste dismantling area. Our results suggested that more effort should be paid to control the correlative emission sources such as transportation and kitchen to achieve better air quality at the e-waste dismantling area besides regulating the recycling activities.

[Indoor deposition flux and congener profiles of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in Shanghai, China].

Indoor dry deposition of eight homes and offices in the urban area of Shanghai, China were sampled with clean glass plate during July to August of 2008 to study the indoor deposition flux and congener profiles of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). 16 PBDEs congeners which including BDE-17, -28, -71, 47, -66, -77, -100, -99, -85, -118, -154, -153, -138, -183, -190 and BDE-209 were measured by GC-MS with negative chemical ionization (NCI) in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The particulate deposition flux of PBDEs in homes and offices were (10.9 +/- 8.2) and (14.2 +/- 11.9) ng x (m2 x d)(-1) respectively. Deca-BDE (BDE-209) was the major compound, accounting for 88.2% -99.2% of the quantified PBDEs. The particulate deposition flux in the offices [(3.1 +/- 2.0) mg x (m2 x d)(-1)] was relatively lower than that of homes, but the concentration of PBDEs in the particles [(3361.6 +/- 1987.4) ng x g(-1)] was significantly higher than that of homes [(1169.1 +/- 647.1) ng x g(-1)]. The concentration of PBDEs in the indoor dry deposition of Shanghai ranked in the middle level comparing with other cities around the world. The indoor deposition flux of PBDEs was mainly correlated with the flux of particle deposition and the usage of electrical and electronic products, but not the interior decoration and the amount of furniture.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the atmosphere of Taizhou, a major e-waste dismantling area in China.

Concentrations, congener profiles, gas-particle partitioning and size distributions of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the atmosphere of Taizhou were studied to evaluate the impact of e-waste recycling on the environment. Total concentration of 13 PBDEs near the e-waste dismantling area was 506 pg m(-3) in summer and 1,662 pg m(-3) in winter, about 7 times higher than that of the reference urban site, but much lower than that of Guiyu, another major e-waste dismantling area in China. This should be attributable to the centralized management measures taken in recent years in Taizhou. BDE-209 was the major congener and mainly in coarse particles.

[Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and relationship with mismatch repair gene and microsatellite instability in hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and the relationship between cox-2, mismatch repair gene (MMR) proteins and microsatellite instability (MSI) in HNPCC. METHODS: Twenty-eight cases of adenomas and 14 cases of carcinomas were collected from 33 HNPCC families patients by colonoscopy. Sporadic adenomas (n = 32) and carcinomas (n = 24) were used as a control group. The expressions of COX-2 and mismatch repair gene hMLH1, hMSH2, hMSH6 proteins were examined by immunohistochemistry. MS1 were analyzed by using PCR with BAT25, BAT26, D2S123, D5S346 and D17S250 loci. RESULTS: The COX-2 high-expression rates were 53.6% (15/28) and 42.9% (6/14) in HNPCC adenomas and carcinomas, and were 62.5% (20/32) and 91.7% (22/24) in sporadic adenomas and carcinomas. COX-2 expression was lower in HNPCC carcinomas than that of sporadic carcinomas (P < 0.05). MMR deficiency rate and positive rate of MSI-H were both 71.4% (10/14) respectively in HNPCC carcinomas. It was higher than that in sporadic colorectal carcinomas [both 12.5% (3/24)]. Eight (80.0%) COX-2 low-expression were observed in 10 HNPCC carcinomas with MMR-deficient system while 4 cox-2 high-expression cases were observed in 4 HNPCC carcinomas with MMR-proficient system. COX-2 expression was lower in HNPCC carcinomas and adenomas, sporadic carcinomas with MMR-deficient system than that of MMR-proficient (P < 0.05). The COX-2 low-expression rates were 80.0% (8/10), 66.7% (12/18) and 66.7% (2/3) in HNPCC adenomas, HNPCC carcinomas and sporadic carcinomas with MSI-H. Cox-2 expression was lower in HNPCC and sporadic carcinomas (adenocarcinomas) with MSI-H than that of MSS (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with sporadic carcinomas, the COX-2 expression was lower in HNPCC carcinomas. There was negative correlation between COX-2 expression and MMR-deficient (MSI-H). The detection of COX-2, MMR protein and MSI is of important significance in further studying the pathogenesis and interventional therapy of colorectal neoplasms.

[Mutation of hMLH1 and hMSH2 genes in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer: analysis of 76 probands].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mutations of the mismatch repair genes hMLH1 and hMSH2 in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). METHODS: The DNA samples of 76 probands of HNPCC families underwent PCR amplification and sequencing on 35 exons in hMLH1 and hMSH2 genes. RESULTS: (1) The overall mutation rate of the hMLH1 and hMSH2 genes was 33% (25/76). (2) 22 mutations were found, 16 in the hMLH1 gene and 6 in the hMSH2 gene. (3) The spectrum of mutation type included frame shift, nonsense, splice site, and missense mutations. Missense mutation was the most common mutation type. CONCLUSION: The hMLH1 and hMSH2 mutations in Chinese HNPCC families show a wide spectrum. It seems that hMLH1 gene is involved more frequently than hMSH2 gene. A certain number of HNPCC families can be benefited from the genetic screening for mutation of the mismatch repair genes.