Loureirin B inhibits the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells and the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway by regulating miR-148-3p.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the activity of loureirin B against liver fibrosis and the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) from Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with different concentrations of loureirin B. We used the MTT assay to determine HSC proliferation, flow cytometry to analyze apoptosis, and western blot to determine the expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, Wnt1 and ß-catenin. Real-time PCR was used to determine the expressions of Wnt1 and miR-148-3p. RESULTS: The MTT assay showed that loureirin B treatment significantly inhibited the proliferation of HSCs in time- and dose-dependent manners. Loureirin B significantly promoted the apoptosis of HSCs, increased the expression of Bax and decreased the Bcl-2 level. Western blot analysis showed that the expressions of Wnt1 and ß-catenin were obviously lower in the loureirin B treatment group than in the control group. We also found that loureirin B could decrease the Wnt1 mRNA level and increase miR-148-3p expression. Knockdown of miR-148-3p using inhibitor could reverse the effects of loureirin B on the proliferation and apoptosis of HSCs and the expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, Wnt1 and ß-catenin. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that loureirin B inhibited the proliferation and promoted the apoptosis of HSCs, and suppressed the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway via regulation of miR-148-3p.

Circulating Hepatocellular Cells are a Bad Prognostic Factor for HCC Patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Circulating hepatocellular carcinoma cells (CHCCs) may be detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We investigated the relationship between CHCCs and hepatoma patients' survival period after different managements. METHODOLOGY: Peripheral blood (5 ml) samples were obtained from 93 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and from 33 control subjects (9 with liver cirrhosis after hepatitis B, 14 with chronic hepatitis B, 10 with healthy people) between January 1st, 2009 and December 31, 2012. To detect CHCCs in peripheral blood, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) messenger RNA (mRNA) was amplified from total RNA extracted from whole blood by RT-PCR. RESULTS: AFPmRNA was detected in 49 blood samples from the HCC patients (49/93, 53.0%). In contrast, there were no clinical control subjects whose samples showed detectable AFPmRNA. The presence of AFPmRNA in blood seemed to be correlated with the tumor stage (by TNM classification) of HCC, the serum AFP value, and the presence of intrahepatic metastasis, portal vein thrombosis, tumor diameter and/or distant metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of AFP mRNA in peripheral blood may be an indicator of CHCCs, which might predict hematogenous spreading metastasis in patients with HCC and may be as a bad prognostic factor for HCC patients.

[Gut flora and gut-derived endotoxin in minimal hepatic encephalopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of gut flora and gut-derived endotoxin with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE). METHODS: Patients with hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis (HBV-LC) were screened for MHE using the number connect test-A (NCT-A) and digital symbol test (DST) and divided into the following groups: HBV-LC with (+) MHE (n = 26) and HBV-liver cirrhosis without (-) MHE (n = 25); in addition, one healthy immediate family member of each patient in the HBV-LC + MHE group was enrolled as a control. Each participant provided fecal and blood samples. PCR amplification and 454 pyrosequencing were used to detect bacterial 16S rRNA in feces. Turbidimetric Limulus amebocyte lysate assay was used to detect level of endotoxin in serum. The significance of inter-group differences was assessed by one-way ANOVA or Student's t-test. RESULTS: The three groups showed different distributions of gut flora. The differences in the microbial communities' members and distributions were related to disease or health status, but not to the patient's genetic makeup or diet. In particular, the HBV-LC + MHE patients showed significantly lower amounts of different bacterial species and abundance of these species than the other two (non-MHE) groups (P less than 0.05). The healthy control family members had a richer diversity of gut flora than their counterparts with HBV-LC + MHE (P less than 0.05). The HBV-LV + MHE patients also had higher serum levels of endotoxin. CONCLUSION: Development of minimal hepatic encephalopathy in patients with HBV-LC may be related to a gut flora disorder or higher levels of endotoxin in serum.

Polygalaqii, a new species of Polygalaceae from limestone landform in Southern Hunan, China.

Polygalaqii, a new species, is described and illustrated from limestone landform in southern Hunan, China. The new species resembles P.fallax and P.arillata in flower structure of the plants, but readily differs from the latter two in having erect and shorter inflorescences (0.2-1cm VS 10-15cm VS 7-10cm), and fewer flowers (1-5 flowers VS 10-30 flowers VS 10-20 flowers), and the latter two have a later flowering period (late March to mid-April VS May to August VS May to October). And it is an extremely unique new species that will hibernate in the hot summer of July and August. Following the IUCN Red List Criteria, P.qii is assessed as 'Data Deficient (DD)'.

Walnuts improve semen quality in men consuming a Western-style diet: randomized control dietary intervention trial.

We tested the hypothesis that 75 g of whole-shelled walnuts/day added to the Western-style diet of healthy young men would beneficially affect semen quality. A randomized, parallel two-group dietary intervention trial with single-blind masking of outcome assessors was conducted with 117 healthy men, age 21-35 yr old, who routinely consumed a Western-style diet. The primary outcome was improvement in conventional semen parameters and sperm aneuploidy from baseline to 12 wk. Secondary endpoints included blood serum and sperm fatty acid (FA) profiles, sex hormones, and serum folate. The group consuming walnuts (n = 59) experienced improvement in sperm vitality, motility, and morphology, but no change was seen in the group continuing their usual diet but avoiding tree nuts (n = 58). Comparing differences between the groups from baseline, significance was found for vitality (P = 0.003), motility (P = 0.009), and morphology (normal forms; P = 0.04). Serum FA profiles improved in the walnut group with increases in omega-6 (P = 0.0004) and omega-3 (P = 0.0007) but not in the control group. The plant source of omega-3, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) increased (P = 0.0001). Sperm aneuploidy was inversely correlated with sperm ALA, particularly sex chromosome nullisomy (Spearman correlation, -0.41, P = 0.002). Findings demonstrated that walnuts added to a Western-style diet improved sperm vitality, motility, and morphology.

Reproductive hormones and interleukin-6 in serious leisure male athletes.

Lifestyles associated with different types and intensities of exercise result in improved health including positive changes in chronic low-grade inflammatory biomarkers. Alternatively, some forms of exercise adversely affect reproductive health of men, including changes in circulating reproductive hormones. To explore the associations between exercise intensity and circulating levels of reproductive hormones, and inflammatory analytes in serious leisure athletes (triathletes and cyclists) and recreational athletes. Male athletes 18-60 years old, 16 triathletes, 46 cyclists and 45 recreational athletes, were recruited to provide plasma for the measurement of total testosterone, estradiol, follicular stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), cortisol, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) levels, and calculation of free androgen index (FAI) and the estradiol:SHBG ratio (ESR). Plasma estradiol concentrations were more than two times higher in cyclists than in triathletes and recreational athletes (p < 0.01). Testosterone levels were also higher in cyclists than recreational athletes (p < 0.01), but not significantly different from triathletes. SHBG levels were higher in triathletes and cyclists than in recreational athletes (p < 0.01). LH levels were lower in cyclists than in recreational athletes (p < 0.05). IL-6 and IL-1ß levels were each two times lower in triathletes than in cyclists (p < 0.05) and IL-6 levels were lower in cyclists than in recreational athletes (p < 0.01). IL-1ß levels were two times lower in triathletes than in cyclists (p < 0.05). Circulating estradiol and testosterone levels were elevated in serious leisure male cyclists. This effect is discussed in light in the absence of a substantial concomitant change in gonadotropin levels and other variables.

Cyborg Moth Flight Control Based on Fuzzy Deep Learning.

Cyborg insect control methods can be divided into invasive methods and noninvasive methods. Compared to invasive methods, noninvasive methods are much easier to implement, but they are sensitive to complex and highly uncertain environments, for which classical control methods often have low control accuracy. In this paper, we present a noninvasive approach for cyborg moths stimulated by noninvasive ultraviolet (UV) rays. We propose a fuzzy deep learning method for cyborg moth flight control, which consists of a Behavior Learner and a Control Learner. The Behavior Learner is further divided into three hierarchies for learning the species' common behaviors, group-specific behaviors, and individual-specific behaviors step by step to produce the expected flight parameters. The Control Learner learns how to set UV ray stimulation to make a moth exhibit the expected flight behaviors. Both the Control Learner and Behavior Learner (including its sub-learners) are constructed using a Pythagorean fuzzy denoising autoencoder model. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach achieves significant performance advantages over the state-of-the-art approaches and obtains a high control success rate of over 83% for flight parameter control.

Ceratopteris chunii and Ceratopteris chingii (Pteridaceae), two new diploid species from China, based on morphological, cytological, and molecular data.

Understanding how natural hybridization and polyploidizations originate in plants requires identifying potential diploid ancestors. However, cryptic plant species are widespread, particularly in Ceratopteris (Pteridaceae). Identifying Ceratopteris cryptic species with different polyploidy levels is a challenge because Ceratopteris spp. exhibit high degrees of phenotypic plasticity. Here, two new cryptic species of Ceratopteris, Ceratopteris chunii and Ceratopteris chingii, are described and illustrated. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that each of the new species form a well-supported clade. C. chunii and C. chingii are similar to Ceratopteris gaudichaudii var. vulgaris and C. pteridoides, respectively, but distinct from their relatives in the stipe, basal pinna of the sterile leaf or subelliptic shape of the fertile leaf, as well as the spore surface. In addition, chromosome studies indicate that C. chunii and C. chingii are both diploid. These findings will help us further understand the origin of Ceratopteris polyploids in Asia.

A preliminary phylogenetic study of Paraphlomis (Lamiaceae) based on molecular and morphological evidence.

Paraphlomis is a genus of Lamiaceae with about 30 species distributed mainly in subtropical China. In this study, we carried out the first molecular phylogenetic analyses to elucidate the relationships within the genus based on two nuclear and four plastid DNA regions. Our results, which recovered a species of Matsumurella within Paraphlomis, indicate that the genus is not monophyletic. The two sections and most of the series previously described within the genus are also shown to be polyphyletic. Combining with morphological evidence, our study indicates that nutlet morphology rather than calyx morphology is of phylogenetic value for the infrageneric classification of Paraphlomis. Moreover, P. jiangyongensis, a new species from southern China, is here described, and P . coronata, formerly treated as a variety of P . javanica, is here resurrected as a distinct species within the genus.

Multi-Objective Optimization of Integrated Civilian-Military Scheduling of Medical Supplies for Epidemic Prevention and Control.

In a large-scale epidemic, such as the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), there is huge demand for a variety of medical supplies, such as medical masks, ventilators, and sickbeds. Resources from civilian medical services are often not sufficient for fully satisfying all of these demands. Resources from military medical services, which are normally reserved for military use, can be an effective supplement to these demands. In this paper, we formulate a problem of integrated civilian-military scheduling of medical supplies for epidemic prevention and control, the aim of which is to simultaneously maximize the overall satisfaction rate of the medical supplies and minimize the total scheduling cost, while keeping a minimum ratio of medical supplies reservation for military use. We propose a multi-objective water wave optimization (WWO) algorithm in order to efficiently solve this problem. Computational results on a set of problem instances constructed based on real COVID-19 data demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Spiradiclis tubiflora (Rubiaceae), a new cave-dwelling species from southern China.

Spiradiclis tubiflora, a new Rubiaceae species, is described from a limestone area of southern China. It is similar to Spiradiclis glandulosa and S. umbelliformis, but differs from the latter two in its linear stipule, short peduncle and tubular-funnelform corolla with a distinctively enlarged tube. The colour photograph, illustrations, detailed descriptions and conservation status of the new species are provided.

Y:X sperm ratio in boron-exposed men.

Several epidemiologic investigations have shown shifts in sex ratios at birth toward females in populations with relatively high boron exposure. To investigate the paternal origin of these shifts, we assayed sperm Y:X ratio in men exposed to a range of environmental and workplace boron. Participants included 63 workers in boron industry: 39 men living in an area of high environmental boron but not employed in boron industry, and 44 controls living in an area of low environmental boron. Total daily boron exposure was calculated as the sum of boron in 24-hour duplicate food and fluid intakes plus personal air sampling for workplace inhalable dust. Internal dose was measured in blood, urine, and semen. Sperm were analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization for Y- versus X-bearing cells. Potential confounders were identified using a questionnaire. Total exposure was correlated with internal dose (Pearson correlation for total exposure and boron in blood = 0.63, P < .0001; semen = 0.80, P < .001; and urine = 0.79, P < .0001). Linear regression of logged boron in biologic fluids on Y:X ratio was significant for blood P = .02, semen P = .0003, and urine P = .005. Additionally, when subjects were categorized by exposure group, decreased Y:X sperm ratio was found for boron workers compared with men in a high boron environment and controls (P < .0001). Exogenous environmental or workplace boron exposures were associated with decreases in Y- versus X-bearing sperm. This may explain earlier findings from us and others showing changes in offspring sex ratios at birth for men exposed to boron.

Biomarkers of environmental and workplace boron exposure.

The purpose of this work was to identify an accurate, noninvasive biomarker of boron exposure that could be used in worker populations. Occupational exposure to boron is of concern due to high numbers of workers exposed, animal toxicity data suggesting reproductive effects, and lack of human studies. Total daily boron exposure was determined from duplicate samples of 24-hr food and fluid intake, plus workplace personal air monitoring in boron workers and comparison groups in northern China during 2003 and 2004. Boron was also measured in blood, semen, creatinine-corrected postshift urine, and 24-hr urine. Total daily boron exposure (mg/day) averaged 41.2 for men working in the boron industry and 2.3 for the comparison group. Boron concentration in postshift urine was correlated with 24-hr urine boron concentration (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.85, p < 0.0001). Boron concentration in postshift urine was correlated with total daily boron exposure measured through food, fluid, and personal air monitoring (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.83, p < 0.0001). Boron concentration in postshift urine was also correlated with internal dose measures of boron in blood and semen (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.85, 0.80 respectively, p < 0.0001). This work suggests that creatinine-corrected, postshift urine boron concentration can be used as a biomarker of human boron exposure in worker populations.

Optimal medial transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion approach with five extensive options: A simulated study on three-dimensional digital reconstructed images.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to use 3D digital lumbar models to investigate and simulate the optimal posterior operative approach for safe decompression and insertion of an interbody cage. METHODS: Thirty lumbar spine (L3-S1) computed tomography data are collected for 3D reconstruction. We cut medial half part of the superior facet and define the distance between the margin of the operative side of the spinous process and the medial margin of the cut superior facet as "medial distance (MD)". Then, we cut the total superior facet and define the distance between the margin of the operative side of the spinous process and the lateral side of the junction of the pedicle and the vertebral body as "extend distance (ED)". The feasible insertion of the current standard width size (10 mm and 12 mm) interbody cages was assessed by the two aforementioned MD and ED approaches. Besides the ED, we also simulate four other extensive options of lateral upper, lateral lower, vertical upper and lower and transmedian contralateral decompression on 3D digital lumbar model. RESULTS: The MD increased from 13.48 ± 1.28 mm at L3/4 to 18.05 ± 1.43 mm at L5/S1, and the ED increased from 16.64 ± 1.34 mm at L3/4 to 21.12 ± 1.62 mm at L5/S1. To insert a 10-mm-wide cage, 16.7% (left) and 13.3% (right) of MD for L3/4 is not enough, 60.0% (left) and 46.7% (right) of MD for L3/4 is subsafe, 13.3% (left) and 16.7% (right) of MD for L4/5 is subsafe and all others are safe. To insert a 12-mm-wide cage, 76.7% (left) and 60.0% (right) of MD for L3/4 is not enough, 20.0% (left) and 30.0% (right) of MD for L3/4 is subsafe, 13.3%% (left) and 16.7% (right) of MD for L4/5 is not enough, 63.3% (left) and 56.7% (right) of MD for L4/5 is subsafe and 6.7% (left) and 10.0% (right) of MD for L5/S1 is subsafe, whereas 33.3%% (left) and 30.0% (right) of ED for L3/4 is subsafe, 3.3% (left) and 3.3% (right) of ED for L4/5 is subsafe and all others are safe. Besides the ED, on 3D models, four other extensive options could be simulated too and may need to be performed for different special individuals. CONCLUSION: Our 3D digital image study provides a feasible optimal medial transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion approach with five extensive options on lower lumbar region. It can provide safe lumbar decompression and interbody fusion in most population. In addition, surgeons can choose the different extensive options for special individual conditions. THE TRANSLATIONAL POTENTIAL OF THIS ARTICLE: Transforminal lumbar interbody fusion is very common used for lumbar degenerative diseases. The optimal medial transforminal lumbar interbody fusion with five options provide a safe and precise approach for surgeons in treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases.

The outcomes of percutaneous kyphoplasty in treatment of the secondary osteoporotic vertebral compression factures: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the outcomes of using percutaneous kyphoplasty in the treatment of the secondary osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. METHODS: Eighty-one patients had the secondary single segmental osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures after the initial fractures and treated by percutaneous kyphoplasty were reviewed, 74 of them had minimum 2 years follow-up were included in this study. The 74 patients with primary osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures treated by percutaneous kyphoplasty at the same time period were matched as control group in 1:1 ratio. Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to assess the back pain and functional outcomes. The kyphotic angulation (KA) and compression ratio (CR) of the fractured vertebra was measured too. RESULTS: Both the secondary fracture group and control group had significantly relieved back pain, improved functional outcomes, corrected KA and restored CR after operation, but no difference was found between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that percutaneous kyphoplasty is an effective and safe procedure for patients with secondary single segmental osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures; it can achieve similar clinical outcomes to the primary osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

The compression of L5 nerve root, single or double sites?-radiographic graded signs, intra-operative detect technique and clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The L5 nerve root could be compressed at both L4-5 and L5-S1 regions. If L5 nerve root has confirmed compression at L4-5 level and questionable compression at L5-S1 foramina, performing both surgeries at L4-5 and L5-S1 levels may induce unnecessary extra surgery on L5-S1; however, ignoring foraminal stenosis of L5/S1 may require re-exploration. METHODS: Two hundred seventeen patients with L5 nerve root compressed at L4-5 lateral access were performed with L4-5 decompression and interbody fusion. Lee et al. grade classification was used to assess the foraminal stenosis of L5-S1 preoperatively. Nerve root probe was designed and used to detect if there were foraminal stenosis at L5-S1 level that compressing the exiting L5 nerve root. Visual analog scale (VAS) of low back pain, leg pain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to assess clinical outcomes. RESULTS: For all of 217 patients who underwent L4-5 surgery, L5-S1 foramina were preoperatively assessed as: grade 0: 125 cases, grade 1: 58 cases, grade 2: 23 cases, and grade 3: 11 cases. After intra-operative L5 nerve root detection, 11/11 patients with grade 3 radiographic foraminal stenosis, 6/23 (26.1%) with grade 2 and 2/58 (3.4%) who had grade 1 underwent L4-5 and L5-S1 transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), the others received only L4-5 TLIF. Compared to pre-operative baseline data, both L4-5 TLIF and L4-5 and L5-S1 TLIF groups had significant decreased VAS of low back pain and leg pain, and ODI at 3 and 24 months after operation. CONCLUSIONS: We suggested that our novel nerve root probe combined with pre-operative radiographic grade may be helpful to surgeons to identify the single or double compression of L5 nerve root and make a more precise surgical strategy to improve surgical outcome than the method depended on pre-operative radiographic grade alone.

Genetic characterization of CRF01_AE full-length human immunodeficiency virus type 1 sequences from Fujian, China.

HIV-1 CRF01_AE is the main prevalent HIV-1 recombinant strain in China and the dominant strain in Fujian as well; therefore, obtaining and understanding the genetic characterization of this clade become important. To date only a few full-length HIV-1 CRF01_AE genomes from China have been sequenced. We reported 13 full-length HIV-1 CRF01_AE isolate sequences from Fujian, China. DNA was extracted, the 5' and 3' halves of each genome were separately amplified, and the PCR products were cloned and sequenced. The phylogenetic analysis of the 13 sequences showed that they clustered with HIV-1 CRF01_AE isolates; these isolates were separated into a few distinct subgroups and were dispersed among the Thailand isolates, and the intersample diversity among Fujian isolates was significantly high. The high gene diversity among Fujian HIV-1 CRF01_AE isolates indicates that the HIV-1 CRF01_AE viruses in Fujian may be transmitted from multiple introductions. The work is essential for the design and development of an effective AIDS vaccine for China.

Effect of different treatments and alcohol addiction on gut microbiota in minimal hepatic encephalopathy patients.

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is caused by dysbiosis of gut microbiota, particularly the ammonia-producing bacteria. Given the efficacy of certain treatments on MHE and the connection between alcoholism and MHE, a thorough understanding of how these strategies affect the gut microbiota in patients (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) will facilitate the assessment of their efficacy in the reshaping of gut microbiota. In the present study, a metagenomics approach was adopted to reveal alterations in gut microbiota of 14 MHE patients following treatment with rifaximin alone or rifaximin plus probiotics. Patients were grouped into the alcoholic and non-alcoholic groups to examine differences in terms of their response to treatment. Treatment reduced the overall microbiota diversity and decreased the abundance of certain ammonia-producing bacteria, such as Clostridium, with the treatment of rifaximin plus probiotics presenting a more apparent effect. Non-alcoholic MHE patients responded better to the treatment, as they presented greater reduction in microbiota diversity and a more consistent decline in certain ammonia-producing bacteria genera (such as Clostridium and Streptococcus) belonging to the Firmicutes phylum. In conclusion, treatment with rifaximin alone and rifaximin plus probiotics exhibited a different effect in different MHE patients, decreasing the overall gut microbiota diversity to various extents and reshaping microbiota in different ways. Furthermore, non-alcoholic MHE patients responded better to treatment in microbiota alterations.

Validation of the chinese version of the EORTC QLQ-CR29 in patients with colorectal cancer.

AIM: To assess the validity and reliability of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Colorectal Cancer 29 (EORTC QLQ-CR29) in Chinese patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: From March 2014 to January 2015, 356 patients with CRC from four different hospitals in China were enrolled in the study, and all patients self-administered the EORTC QLQ-CR29 and the quality of life core questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Evaluation of the scores was based on the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS). The reliability and validity of the questionnaires were assessed by Cronbach's α coefficient, the Spearman correlation test and Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: The EORTC QLQ-CR29 showed satisfactory reliability (α > 0.7), although the urinary frequency and blood and mucus in stool dimensions had only moderate reliability (α = 0.608). The multitrait scaling analyses showed good convergent (r > 0.4) and discriminant validity. Significant differences were obtained for each item in the different KPS subgroups (KPS ≤ 80; KPS > 80). Body image and most single-item dimensions showed statistically significant differences in patients with a stoma compared with the rest of the patients. CONCLUSION: The EORTC QLQ-CR29 exhibits high validity and reliability in Chinese patients with CRC, and can therefore be recommended as a valuable tool for the assessment of quality of life in these patients.

Boron workers in China: exploring work and lifestyle factors related to boron exposure.

This article describes the lifestyle patterns of boron mining and processing workers (N=936) and a comparison group (N=251) in northeast China, and explores relationships between boron exposure and reproductive health. An English version of an interview guide addressing areas of work and lifestyle relevant to boron exposure and metabolism was developed by an occupational health research team, translated to Chinese, and translated back, for clarity. Modifications incorporated suggestions from a local community advisory board and boron industry workers; the translation-back translation process was reapplied, and cultural and semantic equivalence was attained. Results from the interviews showed more than 64% of workers and comparison group participants smoked tobacco and more than 92% reported exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. Boron workers and the comparison group varied in their food intake and alcohol consumption, but not in their smoking habits. Thirty-four percent of boron workers reported eating in the contaminated work area. Nearly all boron workers (99%) showered or bathed after work, although approximately 10% redressed in their contaminated clothes. Reproductive health outcomes were explored, including delayed pregnancy, multiple births, spontaneous miscarriages, induced abortions, stillbirths, and an unusual ratio of male to female offspring. Implications for occupational health nurses and recommendations for future research are provided.