Evidence-based identification of breast cancer and associated ovarian and uterus cancer risk components in source waters from high incidence area in the Pearl River Basin, China.

Breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterus cancer are among the most common female cancers. They are suspected to associate with exposures to specific environmental pollutants, which remain unidentified in source waters. In this work, we focused on the Pearl River Basin region in China, which experienced a high incidence of breast, ovarian, and uterus cancers. Combining cancer patient data, mammalian cell cytotoxicity analyses, and exhaustive historical and current chemical assessments, we for the first time identified source water components that promoted proliferation of mammalian cells, and confirmed their association with these female cancers via the estrogen receptor mediated pathway. Therefore, the components that have previously been found to enhance the proliferation of estrogen receptor-containing cells through endocrine disruption could be the crucial factor. Based on this, components that matched with this toxicological characteristic (i.e., estrogen-like effect) were further identified in source waters, including (1) organic components: phthalates, bisphenol A, nonylphenols, and per-/polyfluoroalkyls; (2) inorganic components: Sb, Co, As, and nitrate. Moreover, these identified water components were present at levels comparable to other regions with high female cancer prevalence, suggesting that the potential risk of these components may not be exclusive to the study region. Together, multiple levels of evidence suggested that long-term co-exposures to source water estrogenic components may be important to the development of breast, ovarian, and uterus cancers.

Enhanced mineralization of oxalate by highly active and Stable Ce(III)-Doped g-C3N4 catalyzed ozonation.

The degradation of carboxylic acid has been identified as one of the rate-determining steps in the mineralization of organic pollutants by ozonation. In this study, Ce(III)-doped graphitic carbon nitride (Ce-CN) composites with different Ce(III) contents were synthesized and used as catalysts for the ozonation of oxalate. The morphology and structure of the Ce-CN were comprehensively characterized using various techniques such as SEM, XRD, FTIR, and XPS. The results show that the structure of g-C3N4 provided an ideal site for the accommodation of Ce(III) and thus facilitated the formation of surface hydroxyl groups. With 2.5%Ce-CN as a catalyst, the degradation efficiency of oxalate was increased by 47.1% after reaction for 30 min. The decomposition of ozone was accelerated in the presence of Ce-CN. Hydroxyl radicals were recorded by electron spin resonance and identified as the major actives species. Under the catalysis of 2.5%Ce-CN, the production of hydroxyl radicals was increased by 40%. The Ce(III) and surface hydroxyl groups that distributed uniformly on the surface of Ce-CN were speculated as the dual catalytic sites for the complexation of oxalate and activation of ozone, respectively. Ce-CN had a high stability and reutilization capability. It is proposed that a complex was formed between surface Ce(III) and oxalate, and this complex could be more easily attacked by the surrounding ozone and hydroxyl radicals than free oxalate. As oxalate is a typical recalcitrant carboxylic acid, the findings from this study are expected to promote the application of ozonation in the removal of organic pollutants.

Applicability study on the degradation of acetaminophen via an H2O2/PDS-based advanced oxidation process using pyrite.

H2O2- and PDS-based reactions are two typical advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) with different adaptive pH ranges. However, the underlying mechanisms that caused the distinct applicability of these two AOPs have rarely been explored. Herein, a comparative study of H2O2/PDS-based AOPs employing pyrite as a catalyst to degrade acetaminophen (ACT) was reported. The poor ACT degradation in H2O2/pyrite under alkaline conditions was proven to be caused by a lack of OH production instead of by the weaker oxidation property of OH. The continuous exposure surface behavior induced by the intense acid-production reaction between PDS and pyrite prevented the coverage of iron-containing compounds on the pyrite surface. Therefore, the adaptive pH range in PDS/pyrite could extend from 4 to 10, in contrast to the narrow effective pH range of 4-6 in H2O2/pyrite. Oxidant consumption indicated that H2O2/pyrite possesses a higher oxidation efficiency than PDS/pyrite. The homogenous catalytic effect was non-negligible in PDS/pyrite, whereas heterogeneous catalytic oxidation dominated H2O2/pyrite under acidic conditions. The quenching experiment and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy demonstrated that the dominant radical species in H2O2/PDS-based AOPs via pyrite at a pH of 4 were OH and OH/SO4-, respectively, thus causing different degradation pathways of ACT. In addition, a higher proportion of S consumption was found in H2O2/pyrite, indicating that sulfur also plays a role during the catalytic reaction. The distinct surface reactions between pyrite and H2O2/PDS led to different water treatment applications.

Cor triatriatum sinister: a rare underlying cause of pulmonary hemosiderosis.

Pulmonary hemosiderosis is a disorder with unknown cause and characterized by hemosiderin appreciation in alveolar interstitium from decomposed hemoglobin following alveolar capillary bleeding, which finally leads to pulmonary fibrosis. It can be divided into primary and secondary types in terms of its etiology. While primary types are related to autoimmunity, secondary types can be associated with cardiovascular and pulmonary causes such as mitral stenosis leading to pulmonary congestion. We report a case of cor triatriatum sinister in a child who presented with hemoptysis as a main clinical manifestation and had been previously diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis. Based on clinical signs and imaging examinations, we considered the hemoptysis was most likely due to cor triatriatum. The child underwent corrective surgery with uneventful recovery. The hemoptysis has not recurred any more after operation. Cardiovascular disease including cor triatriatum should be considered with regards to the etiology of pulmonary hemosiderosis.