Migration of (non-) intentionally added substances and microplastics from microwavable plastic food containers.

Microwavable plastic food containers (MPFCs) are extensively used for food storage, cooking, rapid heating and as take-out containers. There is an urgent need to investigate whether MPFCs pose potential health risks, as a result of the migration of chemicals into foods. Herein, 42 intentionally added substances (IAS) and > 100 non-IAS (NIAS) migrating from MPFCs were identified in food simulants according to Regulation (EU). The migration of major IAS and NIAS was higher in 95% ethanol compared to other simulants, and gradually decreased following repeated use. NIAS, including Cramer class III toxic compounds, such as PEG oligomers of N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) alkyl(C8-C18)amines, isomers of hexadecanamide and oleamide, and Irgafos 168 OXO were detected and exceeded the recommended limits in some MPFCs. Furthermore, microplastics (MPs) were detected with high values of over one million particles/L in some MPFCs in a single test, and migration behaviors of MPs in different MPFCs were diverse. Surprisingly, this rigorous migration might result in an annual intake of IAS/NIAS up to 55.15 mg and 150 million MPs particles if take-out food was consumed once a day. Multi-safety evaluation studies on the migration of various chemicals from MPFCs to foodstuffs during food preparation should be assessed.

Lack of associations between lactoferrin (LTF) and mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) gene polymorphism and dental caries susceptibility.

OBJECTIVE: With the development of human genomics, the genetic factors associated with dental caries have receiving increasing attention. This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between lactoferrin (LTF) and mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and dental caries susceptibility in Chinese children. METHODS: This prospective case-control study included 360 unrelated children (aged 12-15 years) who received oral health examinations and questionnaire surveys. The children were divided into two groups by counting the numbers of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT/dmft): case group (n = 162, DMFT/dmft ≥ 1) and control group (n = 198, DMFT/dmft = 0); non-invasive saliva samples were collected to extract genomic DNA. Six SNPs (rs2073495C/G, rs1042073C/T, rs10865941C/T, and rs1126477A/G in LTF; rs7096206C/G and rs7095891G/A in MBL2) were tested by mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The study included 360 individuals with (85 boys and 77 girls) and without a history of caries (96 boys and 102 girls). There were no statistically significant differences in alleles and genotypes among the six SNPs between the two groups. CONCLUSION: There is no evidence that polymorphisms of LTF and MBL2 genes are associated with dental caries susceptibility in populations from northwest China; further confirmation is needed with larger sample sizes.

Association of ENAM, TUFT1, MMP13, IL1B, IL10 and IL1RN gene polymorphism and dental caries susceptibility in Chinese children.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in six candidate genes (enamelin [ ENAM]; tuftelin 1 [ TUFT1]; matrix metallopeptidase 13 [ MMP13]; interleukin 1 beta [ IL1B]; interleukin 10 [ IL10]; interleukin 1 receptor antagonist [ IL1RN]) and dental caries in children from northwest China. METHODS: This case-control study enrolled children (12-15 years) who underwent routine dental examinations. The children were divided into two groups based on the presence of dental caries. A saliva sample was collected and seven SNPs (rs3806804A/G in ENAM, rs3811411T/G in TUFT1, rs2252070A/G and rs597315A/T in MMP13, rs1143627C/T in IL1B, rs1800872A/C in IL10 and rs956730G/A in IL1RN) were genotyped. RESULTS: A total of 357 children were enrolled in the study: 161 with dental caries and 196 without dental caries. No significant difference was found in the alleles and genotypes of five genes ( ENAM, TUFT1, MMP13, IL10 and IL1RN) between those with and without dental caries. A significant relationship was found between the IL1B rs1143627C/T polymorphism and dental caries susceptibility with those carrying the rs1143627CT genotype having a lower risk of dental caries compared with those carrying the CC genotype (odds ratio 0.557; 95% confidence interval 0.326, 0.952). CONCLUSION: The IL1B rs1143627C/T polymorphism may be associated with dental caries susceptibility in children from northwest China.