Glyphosate exposure in pregnancy and shortened gestational length: a prospective Indiana birth cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Glyphosate (GLY) is the most heavily used herbicide worldwide but the extent of exposure in human pregnancy remains unknown. Its residues are found in the environment, major crops, and food items that humans, including pregnant women, consume daily. Since GLY exposure in pregnancy may also increase fetal exposure risk, we designed a birth-cohort study to determine exposure frequency, potential exposure pathways, and associations with fetal growth indicators and pregnancy length. METHOD: Urine and residential drinking water samples were obtained from 71 women with singleton pregnancies living in Central Indiana while they received routine prenatal care. GLY measurements were performed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Demographic and survey information relating to food and water consumption, stress, and residence were obtained by questionnaire. Maternal risk factors and neonatal outcomes were abstracted from medical records. Correlation analyses were used to assess relationships of urine GLY levels with fetal growth indicators and gestational length. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 29 years, and the majority were Caucasian. Ninety three percent of the pregnant women had GLY levels above the limit of detection (0.1 ng/mL). Mean urinary GLY was 3.40 ng/mL (range 0.5-7.20 ng/mL). Higher GLY levels were found in women who lived in rural areas (p = 0.02), and in those who consumed > 24 oz. of caffeinated beverages per day (p = 0.004). None of the drinking water samples had detectable GLY levels. We observed no correlations with fetal growth indicators such as birth weight percentile and head circumference. However, higher GLY urine levels were significantly correlated with shortened gestational lengths (r = - 0.28, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study of GLY exposure in US pregnant women using urine specimens as a direct measure of exposure. We found that > 90% of pregnant women had detectable GLY levels and that these levels correlated significantly with shortened pregnancy lengths. Although our study cohort was small and regional and had limited racial/ethnic diversity, it provides direct evidence of maternal GLY exposure and a significant correlation with shortened pregnancy. Further investigations in a more geographically and racially diverse cohort would be necessary before these findings could be generalized.

Rat skeletal muscle in culture expresses the alpha1 but not the alpha2 protein subunit isoform of the Na+/K+ pump.

Studies from this laboratory have shown that the physiological expression of the Na+/K+ pump in primary cultures of rat skeletal muscle increases with development. The molecular mechanisms underlying these changes are not known. Therefore, we have examined the expression of alpha and beta subunits of the Na+/K+ pump at both the protein and mRNA levels during myogenesis of primary skeletal muscle cell cultures obtained from newborn rats. Protein isoforms were identified by Western blotting techniques with specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and subunit mRNA was studied with specific cDNA probes. Freshly isolated skeletal muscle from newborn rats expressed both alpha1 and alpha2 protein subunits. From day 1 after plating, primary cultures expressed only the alpha1 protein isoform. In contrast, both beta1 and beta2 isoforms were expressed in freshly isolated muscle and in primary cultures, with beta1 expression being stronger in both preparations. Studies on RNA expression showed that mRNA for alpha1, alpha2, beta1, and beta2 isoforms was identified both in freshly isolated muscle and after plating of cells in culture. These findings indicate that the lack of alpha2 protein expression in primary muscle cell cultures reflects a form of posttranscriptional regulation. There did not appear to be a quantitative difference in isoform expression as a function of age or of fusion in spite of developmental increases in Na+/K+ pump activity and its dependence on cell fusion. The lack of expression of the alpha2 subunit isoform suggests that the developmental changes in physiological expression of the Na+/K+ pump in primary cultures of skeletal muscle may be attributable either to the changes in activity of the alpha1 subunit or to differential activities of alphabeta complexes involving either of the beta subunits.

Sexual knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes of medical students in Kunming, China.

422 medical students at a conservative campus in Yunnan reported their sexual knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes of reproductive health service to help students acquire necessary sexual knowledge and avoid unwanted pregnancy, abortion, and sexually transmitted diseases.

PIP: This study evaluates the current knowledge of sexual behavior, physiology, and attitudes among medical students in Kunming, China. A total of 422 students were surveyed--188 men (44%) and 234 women (55.5%), ages 18-24 years; they were interviewed by questionnaire. Results showed that 40.3% thought that premarital and extramarital sexual behavior was "OK," while 58.3% disapproved of it. Of the men and women, respectively, 31% and 29.7% had experience in sexual petting and kissing a lover, and 1.1% and 0% had had sexual intercourse. Of the women, 82% did not know how to say yes or no if confronted with a request for intercourse and 75% refused for fear of pregnancy. 82% of the students reported feeling shame when buying contraceptives. 52.7% of the men and 19.1% of the women admitted to masturbation. To questions concerning human sexual life, 80.7% gave correct answers, while 1.7% regarded sex as dirty. In addition, the relationship between the menstrual period and contraception was almost unknown, and information on sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS was poor. There was no formal sex education available except from sources such as magazines or booklets (59%) and from movies or radio (25%), limited parental knowledge (3.4%), and school (12%). This research shows that almost half of the medical students have experienced sexual problems. Their sexual knowledge is neither complete nor correct, which may further aggravate their psychological confusion. In view of this state of things, sexual health education among these university students is important.

[Supercritical-CO2 fluid extraction of Allium stativum oils].

Effective constituents from bulb of Allium stativum were extracted by supercritical-CO2 fluid. These constituents were analyzed by GC-MS. The results showed that oils from SFE-CO2 contained 12 components, two of them were first obtained from the plant.

[Indications for operation in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis].

The opportunity of and indications for operation in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) are still controversial. One hundred and ninty surgical cases of ANP were analyzed. Early operation was performed in 2 weeks from onset, and late operation after 2 weeks. In the early operation, the pancreatic sporadic focal necrosis was found in most cases (75.6%), and main postoperative complications were disturbance of blood circulation and organic function injury of pancreas. The postoperative mortality rate was 28.2%. In the late operation, extensive fusional pancreatic necrosis was found in most cases (53.7), and most complications were located in the organs mear the pancreas. The authors conclude that late operation is better for the treatment of ANP. The indications of early and late operation were discussed.

Characteristics of acupuncture meridians and acupoints in animals.

In recent years, an increasing number of studies has been conducted on the biophysical characteristics of the meridians and acupoints in humans and animals. The authors aim to further illustrate the objective existence and superficial locations of the meridians in various species of animals. Twelve sheep, ten goats, thirteen pigs, eleven cats, eight rabbits and seven donkeys were used to measure low impedance lines (LILs) and high percussion sound lines (HPSLs) on the skin surface of the animals, along the vertical planes of the dorsal line, using electrical impulses and high percussion sound. The results of these studies are given.

A randomized comparative trial of the MLCu375, TCu220C, steel ring and uterine cavity-shaped IUDs.

The Stainless Steel Ring, Uterine Cavity-Shaped Device, TCu220C and MLCu375 IUDs were evaluated in a randomized trial of 1536 women in Guangdong Province, China. The first-year continuation and expulsion rates were significantly lower (p less than 0.05) for the latter 3 IUDs than for the Stainless Steel Ring. The first year pregnancy rates for the MLCu375 (0.76 per 100 women) and TCu220C (1.2 per 100 women) were significantly lower (p less than 0.05) than those of the other two devices (6.1 and 4.1 per 100 women). The results of the study show that the MLCu375 and TCu220C are the most suitable IUDs for women in Guangdong Province.

[Population programme of China].

PIP: Results of population programs started in China during the last decade have attracted worldwide attention. The Chinese population issues are important due to the following characteristics: 1) China is the most populated country in the world, with over 1 billion people (22% of world population), by the end of 1980; 2) its population is 80% rural; 3) despite improved living conditions that have helped lower the mortality rate from over 20/1000 before Liberation to 10/1000 in the 1960s and finally 6-8/1000 during the last decade, the Chinese population has increased from 540 million soon after Liberation to the current 1 billion, with an average yearly growth rate of 2%; 4) China has a young population, with 36.8% under 14 years old and less than 5% over 65, hence education and employment are big issues; and 5) due to longterm backward economy resulting from feudal and colonial influence before Liberation, efforts in developing a strong Chinese economy have met with many obstacles. The above 5 features of the Chinese population have important bearing on solving China's population problems and in building its economy, developing its society, and realizing its 4 modernizations. Although China is self-sufficient despite its large population, it faces many problems and challenges especially in the areas of educating its young population and subsequent employment. To achieve a strong economy and to improve the welfare of its people, China has put efforts into controlling the size and improving the quality of its population during the past decade. Programs in population control will continue to take priority in China.^ieng

[Five recommendations for controlling population growth in China].

PIP: The rapid population growth rate (2% annually from 1949 to 1978) caused great difficulties for China's national economy because it increased the burden of families, communities, and government. It caused employment problems and slowed increases in living standards and educational levels. The best way to control population growth is based on a combination of political education and effective economic measures. The recommendations are: 1) coordinate employment, food rationing, salaries, bonuses, health treatment, age and condition of retirement, preschool care and education with family planning programs, maintain the elderly's living standard, and give preference to childless and single child families; 2) educate people about family planning and incorporate population growth and family planning into political and economics courses in high school and college; 3) incorporate population control into national economic plans; 4) prohibit families with 3 children and advocate 1 child per couple; and 5) establish a permanent population committee to plan, develop, and implement population policies and related research.^ieng

[Population and employment in China].

PIP: The unequal distribution of farmlands in rural areas and the extremely low productivity in the cities were the fundamental causes of unemployment and population problems in old China. Tremendous progress was made after 1949. The serious economic disturbances caused by Lin-piao and the "Gang of Four" caused great unemployment again. The slow development of China's productivity, poor business management, the involvement of women in social activities, the morality rate decrease, and the population growth rate increase are the main reasons for China's unemployment problem. The fundamental solution is to respect the objective laws of nature and economics and to develop social productivity. In the country we should implement the total development of agricultue, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery. In towns and cities service occupations and handicraft industries should be developed, education and humanities need to be improved, and transportation, communications, and many other industries are still backward. There is high potential for development and vast opportunities for additional labor. We should constantly cultivate our high quality workforce to meet the demand of modernization. Population control is important because the higher the population growth rate the slower the accumulation of wealth. Instead of being a producer for the society the additional labor can be a burden. The vital factor in achieving the "Four Modernizations" is not the quantity of labor but the increase in productivity.^ieng