Neutralization of interleukin-11 attenuates silica particles-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in vivo

Environmental exposure to crystalline silica particles can lead to silicosis, which is one of the most serious pulmonary interstitial fibrosis around the world. Unfortunately, the exact mechanism on silicosis is unclear, and the effective treatments are lacking to date. In this study, we aim to explore the molecular mechanism by which interleukin-11 (IL-11) affects silica particles-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis. We observed that IL-11 expressions in mouse lungs were significantly increased after silica exposure, and maintained at high levels across both inflammation and fibrosis phase. Immunofluorescent dual staining further revealed that the overexpression of IL-11 mainly located in mouse lung epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Using neutralizing anti-IL-11 antibody could effectively alleviate the overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α) and fibrotic proteins (i.e., collagen type I and matrix metalloproteinase-2) induced by silica particles. Most importantly, the expressions of IL-11 receptor subunit α (IL-11Rα), Glycoprotein 130 (GP130), and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) were significantly increased in response to silica, whereas blocking of IL-11 markedly reduced their levels. All findings suggested that the overexpression of IL-11 was involved in the pathological of silicosis, while neutralizing IL-11 antibody could effectively alleviate the silica-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis by inhibiting the IL-11Rα/GP130/ERK signaling pathway. IL-11 might be a promising therapeutic target for lung inflammation and fibrosis caused by silica particles exposure.     

Duplication of chromosome 11 centromere in fetal and maternal karyotypes: A new variant?

Fetal chromosome analysis in a 39-year-old mother revealed a chromosome 11 aberration interj ireted as a duplication of the centromere. This was also found in the mother's karyotype, raising the possibility that the abnormality was a new variant of no clinical consequence.     

Interstitial deletions without phenotypic effect: Prenatal diagnosis of a new family and brief review

A 39-year-old woman (G4P1SAB2) was referred for amniocentesis for advanced maternal age. An interstitial deletion of the G-dark band 11 pi 2 was found in the fetus. Blood from the mother and her previous son was cultured and the same deletion was found in both. The absence of phenotypic effect in this family further confirms that G-dark euchromatic deletions are compatible with a normal phenotype, and underlines the importance of checking familial karyotypes even when apparently unbalanced structural rearrangements are found at prenatal diagnosis.     

Vehicle emissions of primary air pollutants from 2009 to 2019 and projection for the 14th Five-Year Plan period in Beijing, China

Over the past decade, the emission standards and fuel standards in Beijing have been upgraded twice, and the vehicle structure has been improved by accelerating the elimination of 2.95 million old vehicles. Through the formulation and implementation of these policies, the emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) in 2019 were 147.9, 25.3, 43.4, and 0.91 kton in Beijing, respectively. The emission factor method was adopted to better understand the emissions characteristics of primary air pollutants from combustion engine vehicles and to improve pollution control. In combination with the air quality improvement goals and the status of social and economic development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period in Beijing, different vehicle pollution control scenarios were established, and emissions reductions were projected. The results show that the emissions of four air pollutants (CO, VOCs, NO_x, and PM_2.5) from vehicles in Beijing decreased by an average of 68% in 2019, compared to their levels in 2009. The contribution of NO_x emissions from diesel vehicles increased from 35% in 2009 to 56% in 2019, which indicated that clean and energy-saving diesel vehicle fleets should be further improved. Electric vehicle adoption could be an important measure to reduce pollutant emissions. With the further upgrading of vehicle structure and the adoption of electric vehicles, it is expected that the total emissions of the four vehicle pollutants can be reduced by 20%-41% by the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan period.     

资源型省份环境形势分析及“十三五”环境保护策略

在对历史环境问题进行梳理回顾的基础上,对新常态下作为典型资源型经济省份的山西省面临的环境保护形势进行了分析,并从实施绿色发展战略、改善环境质量、深化环境管理体制创新、加强环境监管、培育生态环保市场主体5个方面给出了基本的策略建议,以期为制定山西省"十三五"环境保护规划提供参考。     

济南市“十三五”环境保护所面临的形势研究

随着我国经济发展进入新常态,"十三五"期间的环境保护工作也进入新阶段,为准确制定济南市"十三五"环境保护规划,文章对济南市经济总体发展情况,农业、工业和服务业发展情况,以及能源消费情况等方面进行了全面分析和预测,对"十三五"期间济南市环境保护工作面临的问题进行了识别,以期对济南市"十三五"环境保护所面临的形式做出全面准确的研判。     

关于编制“十二五”环保规划的思考

围绕新形势下创建环保工作新道路这一主线,抓住十二五时期重大环境问题做了深刻思考,提出编制十二五环保规划应建立六个机制,即环境现状的评估机制、总量控制的扩项机制、污染减排的拓展机制、专项规划的环评机制、规划项目的筛选机制、规划执行力的保障机制,对基层工作具有借鉴作用。     

Prenatal DNA diagnosis of Noonan syndrome in a fetus with massive hygroma colli,pleural effusion and ascites

Prenatal molecular genetic diagnosis for Noonan syndrome I is reported. Noonan syndrome was suspected because of large cystic hygroma colli, massive pleural effusion and ascites at 23 weeks of gestation and normal karyotype (46,XX). DNA was prepared from amnion cells and screened for mutations in the PTPN11 gene. In exon 8, a missense mutation (S285F) was found. Delivery was induced at 33 weeks of gestation because of silent cardiotocography (CTG). Despite immediate drainage of the hydrothorax, mechanical ventilation was insufficient and the child died 9 h after birth due to severe pulmonary hypoplasia. Pleural punctate was enriched for small lymphocytes and thus was characterized as chylus. Prenatal ultrasound findings in Noonan syndrome usually are unspecific and rarely lead to a diagnosis. However, with the combination of cystic hygroma, pleural effusion, ascites and normal karyotype Noonan syndrome should be considered and DNA testing for PTPN11 mutations may be appropriate. Malformations of lymphatic vessels and/or chylothorax in Noonan syndrome seem to be more frequent than usually anticipated. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

热盐腐蚀环境对TC11钛合金高温寿命影响规律试验研究

目的 针对发动机钛合金部件在热盐环境与工作载荷下的寿命衰减问题，开展TC11钛合金热盐腐蚀疲劳与应力腐蚀试验，研究腐蚀环境下TC11的高温寿命衰减规律与失效机理。方法 利用喷盐法制备TC11钛合金试验件，研究不同温度与应力水平对TC11腐蚀疲劳以及应力腐蚀的影响规律。利用SEM等观测手段，开展腐蚀疲劳以及应力腐蚀试样断口与表面的形貌分析，分析腐蚀环境下的失效机理。结果 热盐腐蚀环境导致TC11的寿命显著降低，对比450 ℃下无腐蚀寿命，腐蚀疲劳寿命下降了2个数量级，应力腐蚀寿命下降到不足1%，且分散性较大。观察腐蚀疲劳和应力腐蚀的试样可以发现，表面有明显的腐蚀坑，腐蚀坑底发现裂纹。结论 热盐环境下，TC11腐蚀疲劳寿命和应力腐蚀寿命都会明显下降。由于腐蚀导致钛合金试样表面产生许多腐蚀坑，在腐蚀坑局部形成近似缺口，缺口部位的应力集中是导致腐蚀疲劳寿命衰减的重要因素。腐蚀疲劳的寿命低于Kt=1的无腐蚀疲劳寿命，但是要大于Kt=3的无腐蚀疲劳寿命。     

“十四五”生态环境政策和法制宜增强针对性和灵活性

"十三五"时期,我国通过政策和法制改革有效地促进了污染防治和生态环境保护工作。"十四五"时期,须进一步加强政策和法制的针对性和灵活性,从充分性和均衡度两个方面提升我国区域、流域和行业生态环境国家治理的综合绩效。为此,需要发挥党内法规和国家立法的相互支持作用,促进国家立法的有效实施;中央与地方签订行政协议,调动地方深入开展生态环保工作的积极性;推进流域与区域的专门立法或者协同立法,通过体制制度和机制的集成创新促进实际问题的解决;按照流域与区域生态环保目标设立生态环境标准,体现生态环保工作的针对性和因地制宜性;实行"法定义务+企业承诺"履行制度,因企制宜地落实各生产经营单位的生态环保责任;国家需要总结和推广一些地方探索和有效实施的灵活性工作制度,并发挥市场机制对生态环境资源和生态环保产业发展的调节作用。