Hair as a noninvasive biomarker of human exposure to the endocrine disruptors polybrominated diphenyl ethers: a meta-analysis.

Several epidemiological studies with small sample sizes have suggested that hair is a promising biomarker of exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). We reanalyzed the data from human studies to investigate correlations between the concentrations of the five main congeners in hair and serum. We searched medical article databases for articles that reported correlation coefficients for concentrations of PBDEs in hair and serum. The methodological quality of the included articles was fully assessed. Then, the correlation coefficients were used for our analysis. Seven epidemiological studies were included in our analysis using the random-effects model. Significant positive relationships were found between the concentrations of the five congeners (BDE28, BDE47, BDE99, BDE100, BDE209) in serum and hair. The results of this study show that hair may be a promising biomarker for the biomonitoring human exposure to the five congeners of PBDEs within a certain detection range. Studies with a larger sample size are needed to explore the detection range.

Development of a multimetric index based on benthic macroinvertebrates for the assessment of urban stream health in Jinan City, China.

Assessment of the health of urban streams is an important theoretical and practical topic, which is related to the impacts of physiochemical processes, hydrological modifications, and the biological community. However, previous assessments of the urban water quality were predominantly conducted by measuring physical and chemical factors rather than biological monitoring. The purpose of this study was to develop an urban stream multimetric index (USMI) based on benthic macroinvertebrates to assess the health of aquatic ecosystem in Jinan City. Two hundred and eighty-eight samples were collected during two consecutive years (2014-2015) from 48 sites located within the city. Metrics related to the benthic macroinvertebrate richness, diversity, composition and abundance, and functional feeding groups were selected by using box-plots and the Kruskal-Wallis test. The final index derived from selected metrics was divided into five river quality classes (excellent, good, moderate, poor, and bad). A validation procedure using box-plots and the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test showed that the USMI was useful to assess the health of urban streams.

Mendelian randomization analyses for the causal relationship between early age at first sexual intercourse, early age at first live birth, and postpartum depression in pregnant women.

Introduction: There are insufficient epidemiological studies on the impact of age at first sexual intercourse (AFS) and age at first live birth (AFB) on postpartum depression (PPD) in pregnant women, and the conclusions of these studies are inconsistent. Methods: We performed a Mendelian randomization (MR) study to determine the causal relationship between AFS or AFB and the risk of PPD. The summary data were extracted from genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary datasets. We selected the instrumental variables according to the P value of exposure-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (P<5 ×10-9 for AFS and P<5 ×10-8 for AFB) and estimated the linkage disequilibrium using the clump parameter (10,000 kb, r2 < 0.001). Single nucleotide polymorphisms were considered instrumental variables that were significantly associated with exposure factors without linkage disequilibrium. The F-statistics of the instrumental variables should all be larger than 10. A random-effects model of IVW was constructed as the main method in our study. Results and discussion: MR studies based on GWAS data revealed that both AFS (OR = 0.4, P <0.001) and AFB (OR = 0.38, P <0.001) were negatively correlated with the risk of PPD. Early AFS and early AFB should be studied as possible risk factors for PPD in the future. Public health departments should attach importance to sex education for young girls. The results of our TSMR should be verified by high-quality prospective epidemiological studies in the future.

Treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus using the traditional Chinese medicine Jinlida as an add-on medication: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Numerous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in China have shown that jinlida granules are a promising traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Controversial results have been reported in different RCTs. The aim of our study was to evaluate the adjuvant hypoglycemic effect of jinlida granules on persons with T2DM and to explore the source of heterogeneity between these RCTs. Materials and methods: Medical article databases were individually searched by two authors for RCTs that provided data regarding the effect of jinlida granules in the treatment of T2DM before 1 June 2022. The methodological quality of the included RCTs was comprehensively assessed by two authors. Data from RCTs with low risk of bias were pooled using Stata SE 12.0 (random-effects model). Evidence derived from the meta-analysis will be assessed according to the GRADE system. Results: Twenty-two RCTs were eventually included in the systematic review and three RCTs with low risk of bias were analyzed in the meta-analysis. Compared with the control groups, significant changes were found in lowering glycosylated hemoglobin a1c (mean difference -0.283 with 95% CI -0.561, -0.004; P=0.046), and were not found in lowering 2-hour postprandial glucose (mean difference -0.314 with 95% CI -1.599, 0.972; P=0.632) and fasting blood glucose (mean difference -0.152 with 95% CI -0.778, -0.474; P=0.634) in the jinlida groups. The GRADE-assessed evidence quality for the outcomes was moderate. Conclusion: The adjuvant hypoglycemic effect of jinlida granules on adult Chinese persons with T2DM was statistically found in lowering HbA1c and was not statistically found in lowering FPG and 2h-PG. Evidence grading should be considered moderate, and the results should be interpreted cautiously. Whether the efficacy of HbA1c-lowering related to clinical significance remains to be investigated in future RCTs. Differences in HbA1c, FPG and 2h-PG at baseline and high risk of bias were important source of heterogeneity between these RCTs. In order to objectively evaluate the efficacy of jinlida granules on T2DM, it is urgently needed that high-quality RCTs evaluating the hypoglycemic effect of jinlida granules in the treatment of qi-yin deficiency pattern T2DM. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42018085135.

Radio Frequency Magnetron Sputtering of GdBa2Cu3O7 - δ/ La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 Quasi-bilayer Films on SrTiO3 (STO) Single-crystal Substrates.

Here, we demonstrate a method of coating ferromagnetic La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (LSMO) nanoparticles on (001) SrTiO3 (STO) single-crystal substrates by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. LSMO nanoparticles were deposited with diameters from 10 to 20 nm and heights between 20 and 50 nm. At the same time, (Gd) Ba2Cu3O7-δ ((Gd) BCO) films were fabricated on both undecorated and LSMO nanoparticle decorated STO substrates using RF magnetron sputtering. This report also describes the properties of GdBa2Cu3O7-δ/ La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 quasi-bilayer films structures (e.g., crystalline phase, morphology, chemical composition); magnetization, magneto-transport, and superconducting transport properties were also evaluated.

[Health Assessment of the Stream Ecosystem in the North Canal River Basin, Beijing, China].

With increasing urbanization, the stream ecosystem in Beijing has faced great challenges. Phytoplankton, benthic macroinvertebrates, and water quality were investigated based on 25 sampling sites in the North Canal River basin in July 2015, and the quality of the habitat was assessed in situ. A total of 22 metrics, including aquatic organism, hydrology, water quality, and habitat, were calculated to be the candidate indicators. A principal component analysis (PCA) and correlation analysis were used to select the core metrics from the candidate indicators, and the weight of each core metric was estimated by using the entropy method. The integrated index of stream ecological health was constructed to assess the health condition of the North Canal River basin. The results of the PCA and correlation analysis showed that nine metrics were selected as the core metrics to construct the integrated index of stream ecological health, i. e., the Shannon-Wiener diversity index of phytoplankton and benthic macroinvertebrates, water temperature, BOD5, NH4+-N, F-, Zn, petroleum, and the qualitative habitat evaluation index (QHEI). According to the results of the health assessment, 12% of the sampling sites in the North Canal River basin were considered to be healthy (Ⅰ) or sub-healthy (Ⅱ), and more than half were poor (Ⅳ) or bad (Ⅴ). Therefore, the aquatic ecosystem in the North Canal River basin was generally unhealthy. The upstream was better than the midstream and downstream, where the spatial heterogeneity of the health condition was strong. The health condition in the Nansha River, the midstream of the Qinghe River, and the main stream of the Tonghui River were poor, while the upstream of the Liangshui River and the tributaries of the Wenyu River were good. In general, the condition of the stream ecosystem in the North Canal River basin was relatively complicated.

Study on the relationship between manganese concentrations in rural drinking water and incidence and mortality caused by cancer in Huai'an city.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a significant disease burden in the world. Many studies showed that heavy metals or their compounds had connection with cancer. But the data conflicting about the relationship of manganese (Mn) to cancer are not enough. In this paper, the relationship was discussed between Mn concentrations in drinking water for rural residents and incidence and mortality caused by malignant tumors in Huai'an city. METHODS: A total of 158 water samples from 28 villages of 14 towns were, respectively, collected during periods of high flow and low flow in 3 counties of Huai'an city, along Chinese Huai'he River. The samples of deep groundwater, shallow groundwater, and surface water were simultaneously collected in all selected villages. Mn concentrations in all water samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS 7500a). The correlation analysis was used to study the relationship between the Mn concentration and cancer incidence and mortality. RESULTS: Mn concentrations detectable rate was 100% in all water samples. The mean concentration was 452.32 µg/L ± 507.76 µg/L. There was significant difference between the high flow period and low flow period (t = -5.23, P < 0.05) and also among deep groundwater, shallow groundwater, and surface water (F = 5.02, P < 0.05). The ratio of superscale of Mn was 75.32%. There was significant difference of Mn level between samples in the high flow period and low flow period (χ(2) = 45.62, P < 0.05) and also among deep groundwater, shallow groundwater, and surface water (χ(2) = 10.66, P < 0.05). And also we found that, during the low flow period, Mn concentration has positive correlation with cancer incidence and mortality; for a 1 µg/L increase in Mn concentration, there was a corresponding increase of 0.45/100000 new cancer cases and 0.35/100000 cancer deaths (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In Huai'an city, the mean concentration of Mn in drinking water was very high. Mn concentration correlated with cancer incidence and mortality.

Fabrication and characterization of La2Zr2O7 films on different buffer architectures for YBa2Cu3O7-δ coated conductors by RF magnetron sputtering.

La2Zr2O7 (LZO) films were grown on different buffer architectures by radio frequency magnetron sputtering for the large-scale application of YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO)-coated conductors. The three different buffer architectures were cerium oxide (CeO2), yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ)/CeO2, and CeO2/YSZ/CeO2. The microstructure and surface morphology of the LZO film were studied by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The LZO films prepared on the CeO2, YSZ/CeO2, and CeO2/YSZ/CeO2 buffer architectures were preferentially c-axis-oriented and highly textured. The in-plane texture of LZO film on CeO2 single-buffer architecture was ∆ φ = 5.5° and the out-of-plane texture was ∆ ω = 3.4°. All the LZO films had very smooth surfaces, but LZO films grown on YSZ/CeO2 and CeO2/YSZ/CeO2 buffer architectures had cracks. The highly textured LZO film grown on CeO2-seed buffered NiW tape was suitable for the epitaxial growth of YBCO film with high currents.

Dependencies of microstructure and stress on the thickness of GdBa2Cu3O7 - δ thin films fabricated by RF sputtering.

GdBa2Cu3O7 - δ (GdBCO) films with different thicknesses from 200 to 2,100 nm are deposited on CeO2/yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ)/CeO2-buffered Ni-W substrates by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering. Both the X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analyses reveal that the a-axis grains appear at the upper layers of the films when the thickness reaches to 1,030 nm. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement implies that the oxygen content is insufficient in upper layers beyond 1,030 nm for a thicker film. The Williamson-Hall method is used to observe the variation of film stress with increasing thickness of our films. It is found that the highest residual stresses exist in the thinnest film, while the lowest residual stresses exist in the 1,030-nm-thick film. With further increasing film thickness, the film residual stresses increase again. However, the critical current (Ic) of the GdBCO film first shows a nearly linear increase and then shows a more slowly enhancing to a final stagnation as film thickness increases from 200 to 1,030 nm and then to 2,100 nm. It is concluded that the roughness and stress are not the main reasons which cause the slow or no increase in Ic. Also, the thickness dependency of GdBa2Cu3O7 - δ films on the Ic is attributed to three main factors: a-axis grains, gaps between a-axis grains, and oxygen deficiency for the upper layers of a thick film.

Variant rs1421085 in the FTO gene contribute childhood obesity in Chinese children aged 3-6 years.

OBJECTIVE: Childhood obesity has become a public health crisis worldwide due to an alarming increase in its prevalence. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the common variants (rs1421085 and rs17817449) of the fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene are associated with the obesity in adult and children in European. However, these two variants of FTO gene in childhood obesity have not been established in Chinese populations. METHODS: In this population-based case-control study, 158 obese preschooler and 397 normal population controls aged 3-6 years were recruited between June 2007 and April 2008 from 6 kindergartens of Huai-an city in Jiangsu Province, China. All the children were conducted the body examinations and provided blood sample to detect the serum lipid levels and FTO rs1421085 T>C and rs17817449 T>G genetic variances. RESULTS: In the association analysis between the FTO gene variant and risk of childhood obesity, compared with the rs1421085TT wide-type genotype, rs1421085 CC and CT/CC genotypes were associated with 59% and 71% increased risks of childhood obesity (adjusted OR = 1.59, 95%CI = 1.00-2.53 for CC; adjusted OR = 1.71, 95%CI = 1.10-2.65 for CT/CC), while the rs17817449 T > G variant was not associated with the significantly increased risk of childhood obesity. In addition, the higher level of serum TG (>0.64 mmol/l) was associated with 93% increased risk of childhood obesity (adjusted OR = 1.93, 95%CI = 1.30-2.87), and the higher serum HDL-C level (>1.14 mmol/l) was associated with 45% decreased risk of childhood obesity (adjusted OR = 0.55, 95%CI = 0.37-0.81). But the quantitative phenotypes analysis regarding the levels of TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C were not found to be significantly associated with the variants of rs1421085 and rs17817449 both in the cases and controls. CONCLUSION: The FTO rs1421085 T>C polymorphism may modulate the magnitude of dyslipidemia in Chinese early-onset obesity.