Scalable Dual In Situ Synthesis of Polyester Nanocomposites for High-Energy Storage.

Incorporating ultralow loading of nanoparticles into polymers has realized increases in dielectric constant and breakdown strength for excellent energy storage. However, there are still a series of tough issues to be dealt with, such as organic solvent uses, which face enormous challenges in scalable preparation. Here, a new strategy of dual in situ synthesis is proposed, namely polymerization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) synchronizes with growth of calcium borate nanoparticles, making polyester nanocomposites from monomers directly. Importantly, this route is free of organic solvents and surface modification of nanoparticles, which is readily accessible to scalable synthesis of polyester nanocomposites. Meanwhile, uniform dispersion of as ultralow as 0.1 wt% nanoparticles and intense bonding at interfaces have been observed. Furthermore, the PET-based nanocomposite displays obvious increases in both dielectric constant and breakdown strength as compared to the neat PET. Its maximum discharged energy density reaches 15 J cm-3 at 690 MV m-1 and power density attains 218 MW cm-3 under 150 Ω resistance at 300 MV m-1, which is far superior to the current dielectric polymers that can be produced at large scales. This work presents a scalable, safe, low-cost, and environment-friendly route toward polymer nanocomposites with superior capacitive performance.

Enhanced dielectric constant and breakdown strength of sandwiched polymer nanocomposite film for excellent energy storage.

Enhanced dielectric constant and high breakdown strength offers immense promise for excellent energy storage performance, which is of critical significance in modern electronics and power systems. However, polymer nanocomposites with traditional routes have to balance between dielectric constant and breakdown strength, hence hindering substantive increases in energy density. Herein, a sandwiched polymer nanocomposite film has been constructed to take full advantage of the individual component layers. BaTiO3 nanoparticles are coated with a fluoropolymer to form core-shell structures and then introduced into a polymer as the top and the bottom layers of a sandwich film for enhancing polarization. Moreover, boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) in the middle layer of the sandwich film exert positive effects on the inhibition of current leakage for high breakdown resistance. The breakdown strength increases from 480 MV m-1 of the neat polymer to 580 MV m-1 of the sandwiched film. Additionally, the film exhibits a higher dielectric constant in comparison with the neat polymer. The sandwiched film displays a superior energy density (15.75 J cm-3), which is about 1.9 times that of the neat polymer. This work proposes a feasible route to achieve excellent energy storage of polymer dielectrics by synergistically introducing insulating fillers and additional dipoles in a sandwiched polymer nanocomposite film.

Cathepsin K inhibition alleviates periodontal bone resorption by promoting type H vessel formation through PDGF-BB/PDGFR-ß axis.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effects of cathepsin K (CTSK) inhibition on type H vessel formation and alveolar bone resorption within periodontitis. METHODS: Conditioned media derived from preosteoclasts pretreated with the CTSK inhibitor odanacatib (ODN), ODN supplemented small interfering RNA targeting PDGF-BB (si-PDGF-BB), or PBS were prepared, to assess their proangiogenic effects on endothelial cells (HUVECs). A series of angiogenic-related assays were conducted to evaluate HUVEC proliferation, migration, and tube formation abilities in vitro. In addition, qRT-PCR and Western blot assays were employed to examine the expression levels of genes/proteins related to PDGF-BB/PDGFR-ß axis components. A mouse periodontitis model was established to evaluate the effects of CTSK inhibition on type H vessel formation. RESULTS: CTSK inhibition promoted PDGF-BB secretion from preosteoclasts and proliferation, migration, and tube formation activities of HUVECs in vitro. However, the conditioned medium from preosteoclasts pretreated by si-PDGF-BB impaired the angiogenic activities of HUVECs. This promoted angiogenesis function by CTSK inhibition may be mediated by the PDGF-BB/PDGFR-ß axis. Functionally, in vivo studies demonstrated that CTSK inhibition significantly accelerated type H vessel formation and alleviated bone loss within periodontitis. CONCLUSION: CTSK inhibition promotes type H vessel formation and attenuates alveolar bone resorption within periodontitis via PDGF-BB/PDGFR-ß axis.

G-quadruplex structural variations in human genome associated with single-nucleotide variations and their impact on gene activity.

G-quadruplexes (G4s) formed by guanine-rich nucleic acids play a role in essential biological processes such as transcription and replication. Besides the >1.5 million putative G-4-forming sequences (PQSs), the human genome features >640 million single-nucleotide variations (SNVs), the most common type of genetic variation among people or populations. An SNV may alter a G4 structure when it falls within a PQS motif. To date, genome-wide PQS-SNV interactions and their impact have not been investigated. Herein, we present a study on the PQS-SNV interactions and the impact they can bring to G4 structures and, subsequently, gene expressions. Based on build 154 of the Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Database (dbSNP), we identified 5 million gains/losses or structural conversions of G4s that can be caused by the SNVs. Of these G4 variations (G4Vs), 3.4 million are within genes, resulting in an average load of >120 G4Vs per gene, preferentially enriched near the transcription start site. Moreover, >80% of the G4Vs overlap with transcription factor-binding sites and >14% with enhancers, giving an average load of 3 and 7.5 for the two regulatory elements, respectively. Our experiments show that such G4Vs can significantly influence the expression of their host genes. These results reveal genome-wide G4Vs and their impact on gene activity, emphasizing an understanding of genetic variation, from a structural perspective, of their physiological function and pathological implications. The G4Vs may also provide a unique category of drug targets for individualized therapeutics, health risk assessment, and drug development.

Carbonized Polymer Dots with Controllable N, O Functional Groups as Electrolyte Additives to Achieve Stable Li Metal Batteries.

Electrolyte additive is an effective strategy to inhibit the uncontrolled growth of Li dendrites for lithium metal batteries (LMBs). However, most of the additives are complex synthesis and prone to decompose in cycling. Herein, in order to guide the homogeneous deposition of Li+ , carbonized polymer dots (CPDs) as electrolyte additives are successfully designed and synthesized by microwave (M-CPDs) and hydrothermal (H-CPDs) approaches. The controllable functional groups containing N or O (especially pyridinic-N, pyrrolic-N, and carboxyl group) enable CPDs to keep stable in electrolytes for at least 3 months. Meanwhile, the clusters formed between CPDs and Li+ through electrostatic interaction effectively guide the uniform Li dispersion and limit the "tip effect" and dendrite formation. Moreover, as lithiophilic groups increase, the strong electrostatic interference for the solvation effect of Li+ in the electrolyte is formed, which induces faster Li+ diffusion/transfer. As expected, H-CPDs achieve the ultra-even Li+ transfer. The corresponding Li//LiFePO4 full cell delivers a high capacity retention rate of 93.8% after 200 cycles, which is much higher than that of the cells without additives (61.2%) and with M-CPDs (83.7%) as additives. The strategy in this work provides a theoretical direction for CPDs as electrolyte additives used in energy storage devices.

Stereogenic-at-Cobalt(III) Complex Catalyzed Halocyclization of Alkynes: Enantioselective Access to Axially Chiral ortho-Halo-C2-indoles.

Here, we report an anionic stereogenic-at-cobalt(III) complex catalysis strategy for the enantioselective halocyclization of ortho-alkynylanilines using N-halosuccinimide (NXS) as the halogen source. This protocol provides a distinct atroposelective approach to access the axially chiral ortho-halo-C2-indole skeletons in excellent yields with good to high enantioselectivities (up to 99% yield, 99:1 er).

[Responses of blood parameters and hemoglobin subtypes in plateau zokors and plateau pikas to different altitude habitats].

The plateau zokor (Myospalax baileyi) and plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) are native species unique to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau with successful adaptation to the hypoxic environment. In this study, the number of red blood cells, hemoglobin concentration, mean hematocrit and mean volume of red blood cells were measured in plateau zokors and plateau pikas at different altitudes. Hemoglobin subtypes of two plateau animals were identified by mass spectrometry sequencing. The forward selection sites in two animals' hemoglobin subunits were analyzed by PAML4.8 program. Homologous modeling was used to analyze the effect of forward selection sites on the affinity of hemoglobin to oxygen. The adapting strategies of plateau zokors and plateau pikas to hypoxia at different altitudes were analyzed through comparing blood parameters between the two species. The results indicated that, with increasing altitudes, plateau zokors responded to hypoxia by increasing red blood cell count and decreasing red blood cell volume, while plateau pikas took the opposite strategies to plateau zokors. In erythrocytes of plateau pikas, both adult α2ß2 and fetal α2ε2 hemoglobins were identified, while erythrocytes of plateau zokors only had adult α2ß2 hemoglobin, however the affinities and the allosteric effects of the hemoglobin of plateau zokors were significantly higher than those of plateau pikas. Mechanistically, in the α and ß subunits of hemoglobin of plateau zokors and pikas, the numbers and the sites of the positively selected amino acids as well as the side chain groups polarities and orientations of the amino acids differed significantly, which may result in the difference of the affinities to oxygen of hemoglobin between plateau zokors and pikas. In conclusion, the adaptive mechanisms to respond to hypoxia in blood properties of plateau zokors and plateau pikas are species-specific.

[Comparison of alkaloids in Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix, Aconiti Radix, and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata based on UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS/MS].

UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS/MS was used to systematically analyze and compare the alkaloids in Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix, Aconiti Radix, and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata. After the samples were pretreated in the solid-phase extraction cartridges, 0.1% ammonium hydroxide(A)-acetonitrile(B) was used for gradient elution. The LC-MS method for characterization of alkaloids in the three herbal medicines was established in ESI positive ion mode to collect high resolution MS data of reference substances and samples. On the basis of the information of reference substance cracking behavior, retention time, accurate molecular mass, and related literature, a total of 155 alkaloids were identified in Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix, Aconiti Radix, and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Prae-parata. Specifically, 130, 127, and 92 alkaloids were identified in Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix, Aconiti Radix, and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, respectively. Monoester alkaloids and amino-alcohol alkaloids were dominant in the three herbal medicines, and the alkaloids in Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix and Aconiti Radix were similar. This paper can provide a reference for elucidating the pharmacological effects and clinical application differences of the three herbal medicines produced from plants of Aconitum.

Detection of genomic G-quadruplexes in living cells using a small artificial protein.

G-quadruplex (G4) structures formed by guanine-rich nucleic acids are implicated in essential physiological and pathological processes and serve as important drug targets. The genome-wide detection of G4s in living cells is important for exploring the functional role of G4s but has not yet been achieved due to the lack of a suitable G4 probe. Here we report an artificial 6.7 kDa G4 probe (G4P) protein that binds G4s with high affinity and specificity. We used it to capture G4s in living human, mouse, and chicken cells with the ChIP-Seq technique, yielding genome-wide landscape as well as details on the positions, frequencies, and sequence identities of G4 formation in these cells. Our results indicate that transcription is accompanied by a robust formation of G4s in genes. In human cells, we detected up to >123 000 G4P peaks, of which >1/3 had a fold increase of ≥5 and were present in >60% promoters and ∼70% genes. Being much smaller than a scFv antibody (27 kDa) or even a nanobody (12-15 kDa), we expect that the G4P may find diverse applications in biology, medicine, and molecular devices as a G4 affinity agent.

Factors associated with medical students' self-regulated learning and its relationship with clinical performance: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The importance of self-regulated learning (SRL) has been broadly recognised by medical education institutions and medical professionals. Self-regulated learning, which is a context-specific process, is affected by personal, contextual and social factors. Although many studies on exploring the factors that influenced SRL and the relationship of between SRL and clinical achievement levels have been carried out in western countries, little is known about the factors associated with self-regulated learning and its relationship with clinical performance among medical students in China. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was distributed to 3rd year clinical medicine students who were in the clinical clerkship stage in a medical college in Wuhan. We used Self-regulated Learning Scale for Undergraduates (SLSU) to measure the self-regulated learning of students and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in the national proficiency test to assess the clinical performance of students. The participation rate was 73.95% (193 students). An independent t-test and analysis of variance were used to analyse the factors associated with self-regulated learning. The relationship between self-regulated learning and clinical performance was analysed with multilinear regression analysis. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that having a clear career planning and a professional idol, providing full-time teaching clinical teachers in the clerkship department and seeking the help of the surrounding classmates and the guidance of teachers or senior students were significant predictors of self-regulated learning. Multilinear regression analysis has revealed a positive relationship among extrinsic goals (partial r = 0.171), clinical clerkship evaluation (partial r = 0.197) and clinical performance (F = 4.070, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Motivation-related personal and social factors related to clinical context could promote the SRL level of medical students in China. Extrinsic goals and clinical clerkship evaluation could facilitate students' clinical achievements on clinical skills. External support, such as clinical clerkship management, might improve clinical performance on clinical skills in clinical clerkship context.

The Analytical Strategy of "Ion Induction and Deduction Based on Net-Hubs" for the Comprehensive Characterization of Naringenin Metabolites In Vivo and In Vitro Using a UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer.

Naringenin (5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavanone), belonging to the flavanone subclass, is associated with beneficial effects such as anti-oxidation, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic effects. Drug metabolism plays an essential role in drug discovery and clinical safety. However, due to the interference of numerous endogenous substances in metabolic samples, the identification and efficient characterization of drug metabolites are difficult. Here, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry was used to obtain mass spectral information of plasma (processed by three methods), urine, feces, liver tissue, and liver microsome samples. Moreover, a novel analytical strategy named "ion induction and deduction" was proposed to systematically screen and identify naringenin metabolites in vivo and in vitro. The analysis strategy was accomplished by the establishment of multiple "net-hubs" and the induction and deduction of fragmentation behavior. Finally, 78 naringenin metabolites were detected and identified from samples of rat plasma, urine, feces, liver tissue, and liver microsomes, of which 67 were detected in vivo and 13 were detected in vitro. Naringenin primarily underwent glucuronidation, sulfation, oxidation, methylation, ring fission, and conversion into phenolic acid and their composite reactions. The current study provides significant help in extracting target information from complex samples and sets the foundation for other pharmacology and toxicology research.

[Identification of metabolites of imperatorin in rats: based on UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS].

This study aims to identify and analyze the metabolites of imperatorin in rats by UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS. Specifically, after rats were treated(ig) with imperatorin, the plasma, urine, and feces were collected, and the samples were processed by solid phase extraction. Then, UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS was performed. In MS, 0.1% formic acid water(A)-acetonitrile(B) was applied as mobile phase for gradient elution and the data of MS in both positive and negative ion modes were collected. The metabolites of imperatorin in blood, urine, and feces of rats were analyzed to explore the metabolic pathways of imperatorin in rats. According to accurate molecular weight, multistage MS data, MS fragmentation rule of the standard substance, and previous reports, a total of 51 metabolites were identified, with 35, 40, and 16 from plasma, urine, and feces, separately. The main metabolic pathways were oxidization, glucuronidation, isopentenyl removal, sulphation, carboxylation, among others. The conclusion in this study is expected to serve as a reference for the further development and the further pharmacodynamics study of imperatorin.

[UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS/MS-based rapid identification of chemical components in substance benchmark of Kaixin San].

Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field Orbitrap mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS/MS) was used for rapid identification of the chemical components in Kaixin San substance benchmark. The gradient elution was performed through a Waters ACQUITY~(TM) BEH C_(18) column(2.1 mm×150 mm, 1.7 µm) with water-acetonitrile as mobile phase, a column temperature of 30 ℃, a flow rate of 0.3 mL·min~(-1), and a sample size of 1 µL. The scanning was performed in the negative ion mode. The complex component groups in Kaixin San substance benchmark were quickly and accurately identified and clearly assigned based on the comparison of the retention time and MS data with those of the reference substance as well as the relative molecular weight of the same or similar components in the mass spectrum database and literature. A total of 77 compounds were identified, including 26 saponins, 13 triterpenoid acids, 20 oligosaccharide esters, 5 xanthones, and 13 other compounds. The qualitative method established in this study can systematically, accurately, and quickly identify the chemical components in Kaixin San substance benchmark, which can provide a basis for the further analysis of its active components in vivo and the establishment of its quality control system.

[Effects of different drying methods on ginsenosides based on UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS technique].

The present study quickly identified the ginsenosides in fresh Panax ginseng and specified the effects of different drying methods(50 ℃-drying, 80 ℃-drying, and-70 ℃ freeze-drying) on ginsenosides.Three P.ginseng products by different drying methods were prepared, and the UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap high-resolution liquid mass spectrometry(MS) technique was applied to perform gradient elution using water-acetonitrile as the mobile phase, and the data collected in the negative ion mode were analyzed using X Calibur 2.2.The results showed that 57 saponins were identified from fresh P.ginseng.As revealed by the comparison with the fresh P.ginseng, in terms of the loss of ginsenosides, the dried products were ranked as the dried product at 50 ℃, freeze-dried products at-70 ℃, and the dried product at 80 ℃ in the ascending order.This study elucidated the effects of different drying methods on the types and relative content of ginsenosides, which can provide references for the processing of P.ginseng in the producing areas.

[Research progress of Astragali Radix fermentation].

Astragali Radix is one of traditional Chinese medicines with effects in invigorating Qi for consolidating superficies, inducing diuresis to alleviate edema, promoting pus discharge and tissue regeneration. In recent years, the traditional Chinese medicine fermentation technology has received extensive attentions due to its high efficiency and safety. The pharmacological functions of traditional Chinese medicines could be further enhanced after microbial fermentation, which has a broad development prospects. In this paper, we summarized relevant literatures of Astragali Radix fermentation in such aspects as fermentation strains, fermentation forms, process optimization, active ingredients and pharmacological effects, in the expectation of providing a reference for development and utilization of Astragali Radix.

Infertility and ovarian cancer risk: Evidence from nine prospective cohort studies.

Epidemiological studies have investigated the relationship between infertility and the risk of ovarian cancer (OC); however, the results have been inconsistent. We therefore conducted the first meta-analysis to update and quantify the aforementioned association based on prospective cohort studies. Studies were identified by searching PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science databases up to January 8, 2020. We extracted data from the studies and performed quality assessments. Summary relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Publication bias, and subgroup, meta-regression and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. Nine prospective cohort studies with a total of 10 383 OC cases and 6 278 830 participants were included in the present study. The summary RR of the association between infertility and the risk of OC was 1.51 (95% CI: 1.35-1.69), with low heterogeneity. Positive associations were observed in most subgroup analyses stratified by predefined factors, including region, duration of follow-up, study quality, causes of infertility, invasiveness of OC, infertility treatment status and adjustment of potential confounding parameters. No significant publication bias was detected. Our findings suggest that infertility in women were associated with an increased risk of OC.

On the Regulatory Evolution of New Genes Throughout Their Life History.

Every gene has a birthplace and an age, that is, a cis-regulatory environment and an evolution lifespan since its origination, yet how the two shape the evolution trajectories of genes remains unclear. Here, we address this basic question by comparing phylogenetically dated new genes in the context of both their ages and origination mechanisms. In both Drosophila and vertebrates, we confirm a clear "out of the testis" transition from the specifically expressed young genes to the broadly expressed old housekeeping genes, observed only in testis but not in other tissues. Many new genes have gained important functions during embryogenesis, manifested as either specific activation at maternal-zygotic transition, or different spatiotemporal expressions from their parental genes. These expression patterns are largely driven by an age-dependent evolution of cis-regulatory environment. We discover that retrogenes are more frequently born in a pre-existing repressive regulatory domain, and are more diverged in their enhancer repertoire than the DNA-based gene duplications. During evolution, new gene duplications gradually gain active histone modifications and undergo more enhancer turnovers when becoming older, but exhibit complex trends of gaining or losing repressive histone modifications in Drosophila or vertebrates, respectively. Interestingly, vertebrate new genes exhibit an "into the testis" epigenetic transition that older genes become more likely to be co-occupied by both active and repressive ("bivalent") histone modifications specifically in testis. Our results uncover the regulatory mechanisms underpinning the stepwise acquisition of novel and complex functions by new genes, and illuminate the general evolution trajectory of genes throughout their life history.

The association between glycemic index, glycemic load, and metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies.

PURPOSE: The association of glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) is controversial. Therefore, we conducted this first systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies to quantify these associations. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for relevant studies up to 1 April 2019. Summary odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by a random-effects model. This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019131788). RESULTS: We included eight high-quality (n = 5) or medium-quality (n = 3) cross-sectional studies in the final meta-analysis, comprising 6058 MetS events and 28,998 participants. The summary ORs of MetS for the highest versus lowest categories were 1.23 (95% CI 1.10-1.38, I2 = 0, tau2 = 0, n = 5) for dietary GI, 1.06 (95% CI 0.89-1.25, I2 = 36.2%, tau2 = 0.0151, n = 6) for dietary GL. The summary OR was 1.12 (95% CI 1.00-1.26, I2 = 0, tau2 = 0, n = 3) per 5 GI units, 0.96 (95% CI 0.83-1.10, I2 = 33.4%, tau2 = 0.0059, n = 2) per 20 GL units. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary GI was positively associated with the prevalence of MetS. However, no significant association was found between dietary GL and the prevalence of MetS. Further studies with prospective design are needed to establish potential causal relationship between dietary GI and the MetS.

Maternal preconception and first trimester exposure to PM10 and the risk of oral clefts in offspring: a population-based, case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Current literature describes limited and controversial evidence on the associations between maternal preconception and first trimester exposure to particulate matter with a diameter ≤10 µm (PM10) and the risk of oral cleft (OC). METHODS: We conducted a case-control study involving 3086 OC cases and 7950 controls, registered in the Maternal and Child Health Certificate Registry in Liaoning Province between 2010 and 2015. PM10 concentrations were obtained from the Environment Protection Bureau. The exposure windows included the 3 months before pregnancy, the first trimester and the individual months. Unconditional logistic regression model was performed to estimate the OR and 95% CI for the association between PM10 exposure and the risk of OC, cleft lip only (CLO), cleft palate only (CPO), and cleft lip and palate (CLP). RESULTS: Maternal PM10 exposure was positively associated with an increased risk for OC during the 3 months preconception (per 10 µg/m3 increment: OR=1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.07; highest vs lowest quartile: OR=1.23, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.45) and the first trimester (per 10 µg/m3 increment: OR=1.05, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.08; highest vs lowest quartile: OR=1.37, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.64). Analyses based on individual months presented similar positive associations, particularly in the second month of pregnancy (OR=1.77, 95% CI 1.51 to 2.09) for highest versus lowest quartile. In the subtype analysis, stronger associations were observed for CLO, whereas there was negligible evidence for CPO and CLP. Sensitivity analyses using propensity score matching generated similar findings. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence that PM10 exposure during the 3 months preconception and the first trimester increases the risk of OC.

Association between maternal exposure to PM10 and polydactyly and syndactyly: A population-based case-control study in Liaoning province, China.

BACKGROUND: The number of studies on air pollution with birth defects as the primary outcome has increased dramatically over the past two decades, but the potential role of specific air pollutants in congenital limb anomalies remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate associations between preconception and first-trimester PM10 exposure and polydactyly and syndactyly in a population-based case-control study. METHODS: Polydactyly cases (n = 2605), syndactyly cases (n = 595), and controls without any birth defects (n = 7950) born between 2010 and 2015 were selected from the Maternal and Child Health Certificate Registry of Liaoning Province. The monthly mean PM10 concentrations were obtained from 75 air monitoring stations, and the exposure assessment was based on the mean concentration of all stations in mother's residential city. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: PM10 exposure was positively associated with the risks of polydactyly (preconception: aORT3 vs. T1 = 1.95, 95% CI 1.56-2.45, aOR = 1.06, 95% CI 1.01-1.10 [per 10-µg/m3 increment]; first-trimester: aORT3 vs. T1 = 2.51, 95% CI 2.00-3.15) and syndactyly (preconception: aORT3 vs. T1 = 2.86, 95% CI 1.98-4.13, aOR = 1.11, 95% CI 1.03-1.20 [per 10-µg/m3 increment]; first-trimester: aORT3 vs. T1 = 3.10, 95% CI 2.11-4.56). Analyses based on single month exposure windows basically showed similar positive associations. Additionally, these findings were robust in sensitivity analyses and broadly consistent across subgroups. CONCLUSION: Our study suggest that preconception and first-trimester PM10 exposures are related to increased risks of polydactyly and syndactyly.