Levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in settled house dust from urban dwellings with resident preschool-aged children in Nanjing, China.

We investigated the levels and possible determinants of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the settled house-dust (SHD) of urban dwellings with resident preschool-aged children in Nanjing, China. The possible neurodevelopmental effects of house-dust PBDEs were also explored. SHD was collected from 216 urban houses. Levels of 8 PBDEs were measured by gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry. The Child Behavior Checklist and the Gesell Development Inventory were used to evaluate the child's development. BDE47, BDE99, BDE153, BDE18, and BDE209 were detected in the SHD of >90 % of houses, of which BDE209 predominated. Most PBDEs were found at significantly greater levels in indoor than in outdoor dust (P < 0.05). Levels of BDE28 and BDE154 in houses with solid-wood floors were significantly greater than those in houses with plywood floors (P < 0.05). BDE154 levels in houses with wallpaper were significantly greater than those without wallpaper (P < 0.05). Greater BDE47 concentrations were found in houses with less natural ventilation time (linear trend P < 0.05). After dichotomization at the geometric mean concentration, BDE209 and total BDEs showed significant risks for depressed behavior problems and lower personal social developmental quotients (DQs); BDE99 and BDE153 indicated a risk for lower personal social DQs. In conclusion, PBDEs (especially BDE209) are ubiquitous in urban SHD in Nanjing residences. Natural ventilation and floor materials potentially influence PBDE levels in SHD. The potential adverse effect of postnatal exposure to PBDEs on the behavior and neurodevelopment of preschool-age children requires follow-up in larger studies.

Changes in the Non-targeted Metabolomic Profile of Three-year-old Toddlers with Elevated Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons.

Objective: To investigate changes in the urinary metabolite profiles of children exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during critical brain development and explore their potential link with the intestinal microbiota. Methods: Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine ten hydroxyl metabolites of PAHs (OH-PAHs) in 36-month-old children. Subsequently, 37 children were categorized into low- and high-exposure groups based on the sum of the ten OH-PAHs. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to identify non-targeted metabolites in the urine samples. Furthermore, fecal flora abundance was assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing using Illumina MiSeq. Results: The concentrations of 21 metabolites were significantly higher in the high exposure group than in the low exposure group (variable importance for projection > 1, P < 0.05). Most of these metabolites were positively correlated with the hydroxyl metabolites of naphthalene, fluorine, and phenanthrene ( r = 0.336-0.531). The identified differential metabolites primarily belonged to pathways associated with inflammation or proinflammatory states, including amino acid, lipid, and nucleotide metabolism. Additionally, these distinct metabolites were significantly associated with specific intestinal flora abundances ( r = 0.34-0.55), which were mainly involved in neurodevelopment. Conclusion: Higher PAH exposure in young children affected metabolic homeostasis, particularly that of certain gut microbiota-derived metabolites. Further investigation is needed to explore the potential influence of PAHs on the gut microbiota and their possible association with neurodevelopmental outcomes.

A novel HLA-C*07 allele, HLA-C*07:1024, was identified in a Chinese individual.

One nucleotide replacement at nucleotide 397 of HLA-C*07:02:01:01 results in a new allele, HLA-C*07:1024.

Genomic full-length sequence of the HLA-B*13:64 allele was identified in a Chinese bone marrow donor.

Genomic full-length sequence of HLA-B*13:64 was identified in a Chinese individual by sequence-based typing.

Genomic full-length sequence of the HLA-A*11:264 allele was identified in a Chinese bone marrow donor.

Genomic full-length sequence of HLA-A*11:264 was identified in a Chinese individual by sequence-based typing.

Genomic full-length sequence of the HLA-B*44:127 allele was identified in a Chinese bone marrow donor.

Genomic full-length sequence of HLA-B*44:127 was identified in a Chinese individual by sequence-based typing.

Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in settled house dust from urban dwellings in China and their neurodevelopmental effects on preschool-aged children.

We investigated the levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in settled house dust (SHD) from urban dwellings with resident preschool-aged children in Nanjing, China. The possible neurodevelopmental effects of house-dust PCBs were also explored. SHD was collected from 114 urban houses. The levels of 39 PCB congeners were measured by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The Child Behavior Checklist and the Gesell Development Inventory were used to evaluate the child's development. All 39 target congeners measured were detected. The mass percentage of di-PCBs was the highest at 47.8%, followed by tetra- and tri-PCBs at 16.8% and 13.0%, respectively. Spearman's rho correlation showed that di-, tri-, hexa-, hepta-, nona- and total PCBs were positively associated with somatic, thought problem and total problem scores (0.24