Inflammatory stress response in A549 cells as a result of exposure to coal: Evidence for the role of pyrite in coal workers’ pneumoconiosis pathogenesis

On the basis of a recent epidemiological study it is hypothesized that pyrite content in coal is an important factor in coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) pathogenesis. While the role of pyrite in pathogenesis remains to be resolved, the ability of the mineral to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) through various mechanisms is likely a contributing factor. The aim of this study was to elucidate the importance of the pyrite content of coal in generating an inflammatory stress response (ISR), which is defined as the upregulation of ROS normalized by cell viability. The ISR of A549 human lung epithelial cells in the presence of natural coal samples with variable pyrite contents was measured. Normalized to surface area, five particle loadings for each coal reference standard were analyzed systematically for a total of 24 h. The ISR generated by coals containing 0.00, 0.01, and 0.49 wt.% pyritic sulfur is comparable to,though less than, the ISR generated by inert glass beads (299% of the control). The coals containing 0.52 and 1.15 wt.% pyritic sulfur generated the greatest ISR (798% and 1426% of the control, respectively).     

Low dose effects and non-monotonic dose responses for endocrine active chemicals: Science to practice workshop: Workshop summary

A workshop was held in Berlin September 12–14th 2012 to assess the state of the science of the data supporting low dose effects and non-monotonic dose responses (“low dose hypothesis”) for chemicals with endocrine activity (endocrine disrupting chemicals or EDCs). This workshop consisted of lectures to present the current state of the science of EDC action and also the risk assessment process. These lectures were followed by breakout sessions to integrate scientists from various backgrounds to discuss in an open and unbiased manner the data supporting the “low dose hypothesis”. While no consensus was reached the robust discussions were helpful to inform both basic scientists and risk assessors on all the issues. There were a number of important ideas developed to help continue the discussion and improve communication over the next few years.     

Effect of dimethoate on the immune system of female mice

Abstract

The functional status of the immune system of female mice exposed to a single oral dose of dimethoate (16 mg / kg) was evaluated by assessing cell mediated and humoral immune responses, in addition to the effect of dimethoate on spleen and body weights after different time intervals. The data showed that dimethoate caused a time ‐ depended decrease in spleen weights in the absence of a change in body weights. The immunologic effect of dimethoate to female mice produced a dose‐dependent decrease in the number of the rosette forming cells (total and active erythrocyte rosette). The ability of splenocytes to proliferation in response to mitogens; phytohemagglutinin (PHA) for T cell and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for B cell were significantly decreased at the different times. As compared to control, a significant decrease in serum total immunoglobulins (Ig) and IgM was found, while IgG was non‐significant deceased. Results of this study also revealed that dimethoate caused a significant decrease in the number of plaque forming cell (PFC / 10⁶ splenocytes) in a time dependent manner.     

爆炸荷载作用下砌体结构响应的有限元分析

对墙体模型进行简化,用单个混凝土砖块宽度的墙来代替所要分析的整面墙,并采用有限元分析软件LS-DYNA对砌体墙的破坏模式进行数值模拟分析。LS-DYNA的数值模拟结果显示,混凝土砌体墙在不同爆炸荷载作用下会发生不同程度的破坏,破坏的产生首先从墙体中部开始;随着爆炸荷载峰值的提高,砌体墙的破坏逐渐由中间向两端发展,当爆炸荷载峰值压力达到0.36 MPa及以上时,墙体会发生破坏,有块体飞出,并在重力作用下发生倒塌。数值模拟的结果与文献提供的试验结果比较吻合。     

圆形和直墙拱形地下隧道地震反应数值模拟对比分析

考虑土与结构动力相互作用的影响,将地基土—地铁区间隧道结构体系视为平面应变问题,建立了土—地铁区间隧道非线性动力相互作用的有限元分析模型,对圆形和直墙拱形隧道的地震反应进行了数值模拟;分析了在相同的埋深和场地条件的情况下不同隧道结构形式在不同地震动作用下的应力、加速度和相对水平位移反应特性。结果表明:圆形隧道结构的应力和相对水平位移反应明显小于直墙拱形隧道。从抗震设计角度考虑,选择隧道形状时应优先采用圆形隧道。     

河流砷污染事件的应急监测响应与思考

应急监测是突发性环境污染事故处理的前提和关键。介绍丁大沙河含砷废水污染事件的应急监测工作,提出应急监测的方案和方法,应急响应监测对象和范围布设科学,方案调整及时,为迅速正确进行污染事件处理提供了科学快速的技术支持。并从建立应急监测网络,加强领导、强化监测队伍能力建设及加强污染源监控等方面,阐述了做好突发性环境污染事故应急监测工作的建议。     

敏感地图在美国石油泄漏环境应急管理中的应用

阐述了美国敏感地图项目的设计理念、地图集数据结构与产品组成,分别讨论了其在敏感资源保护策略的设计与制定、区域环境分析和污染风险评价,以及污染源管理等领域的应用。提出将敏感地图应用于我国海洋、河流、湖泊的生态环境评价、事故响应预案编制、事故责任与损失评估,为提升环境保护水平提供科学的借鉴平台。     

基于问卷调查的四川民众地震灾害响应能力分区评价

基于前期对四川省德阳市民众地震灾害认知与响应特点与规律的问卷调查数据及分析结果,构建了以性别、年龄和受教育程度为核心评价参数的县市社会民众地震灾害响应能力的综合评价模型;然后将该评价模型应用于四川省,实现了对四川省社会民众地震灾害响应能力大小的分县市计算与评价。结果表明,四川省东部县市民众的地震灾害响应能力普遍比西部县市民众大,省会成都市周围的区、县(市)居民的地震灾害响应能力普遍较强,西部三个自治州民众的响应能力普遍较差,其中,成都市青羊区民众的响应能力最强,凉山彝族自治州金阳县民众的能力最弱,全省呈现出以成都市各区县(市)为中心向周围地区递减的总体趋势。     

土石坝震损机理及震害影响因素研究

汶川8.0级地震造成主震区四川省境内1997座水库的坝体、溢洪道、输水管、管理房等水利设施不同程度的损毁,不仅无法实现水利功能,而且面临洪水威胁.汶川地震中土石坝典型震害包括裂缝、滑坡、渗漏以及坝体沉陷等.在调查主震区土石坝地震损毁特点的基础上,分析了均质土坝、面板堆石坝、心墙坝等坝型主要震害产生的原因,阐述了影响土石坝震害程度的诸多因素及其作用方式,控制性因素主要有外部因素如场地类别、地震动参数,坝体内部因素如坝料特性、坝型及坝高、坝坡坡率等.     

中国财产保险业巨灾损失赔付能力实证分析

商业保险是社会化巨灾风险分散机制的重要组成部分,要在中国现阶段巨灾事件频发的复杂环境中构建合理的损失分摊机制,不能不考虑以损失补偿为主要功能的财产保险业应对巨灾损失的能力。在Cummins、Doherty和Anita的保险赔付能力度量模型框架及改进后的损失对数正态分布假设下,引入1998～2008年中国财产保险业经营数据,对2009年初时点上在中国大陆经营财产保险业务的39家财产保险公司及全行业巨灾损失赔付能力进行了实证分析。结果显示,由于全行业资本与盈余的低水平以及再保险市场发展的严重滞后,在1 200亿到2 000亿元的损失区间内,中国财产保险业的赔付能力缺口在26.8亿到815.6亿元之间,且缺口增长速度大于损失增长速度。通过与2008年初的赔付能力实证分析结果对比发现,灾害频发的2008年客观上显著降低了中国财产保险行业应对极端损失的能力。度量结果从实证基础上昭示了政府大力扶持和参与巨灾保险体系建设的必要性和紧迫性。