Developmental Toxicity of Fine Particulate Matter: Multifaceted Exploration from Epidemiological and Laboratory Perspectives.

Particulate matter of size ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5) is a critical environmental threat that considerably contributes to the global disease burden. However, accompanied by the rapid research progress in this field, the existing research on developmental toxicity is still constrained by limited data sources, varying quality, and insufficient in-depth mechanistic analysis. This review includes the currently available epidemiological and laboratory evidence and comprehensively characterizes the adverse effects of PM2.5 on developing individuals in different regions and various pollution sources. In addition, this review explores the effect of PM2.5 exposure to individuals of different ethnicities, genders, and socioeconomic levels on adverse birth outcomes and cardiopulmonary and neurological development. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms involved in the adverse health effects of PM2.5 primarily encompass transcriptional and translational regulation, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and epigenetic modulation. The primary findings and novel perspectives regarding the association between public health and PM2.5 were examined, highlighting the need for future studies to explore its sources, composition, and sex-specific effects. Additionally, further research is required to delve deeper into the more intricate underlying mechanisms to effectively prevent or mitigate the harmful effects of air pollution on human health.

Frequency of metastases within the hypothalamic-pituitary area and the associated high-risk factors in patients with brain metastases.

Objective: Brain radiotherapy often results in impairment of hypothalamic-pituitary (HT-P) function, which in turn causes secretory dysfunction of related hormones. In this paper, the frequency of metastasis in the HT-P area and its high-risk factors in patients with brain metastasis were retrospectively analyzed, and thus provide experimental evidence for protecting HT-P area during whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the data of patients with brain metastasis diagnosed by cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the First Hospital of Lanzhou University from 2017 to 2020. The anatomical positions of the hypothalamus and pituitary were delineated, followed by their expansion by 5 mm outwards, respectively, in the three-dimensional direction, and the hypothalamus +5 mm and pituitary +5 mm were obtained as the avoidance area, in which the frequency of brain metastasis was evaluated. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the high risk factors of brain metastasis in HT-P area. Results: A total of 3,375 brain metastatic lesions from 411 patients were included in the analysis. The rates of brain metastasis in the hypothalamus +5 mm and pituitary +5 mm in the whole group of cases were 2.9% (12/411) and 1.5% (6/411) respectively; the frequency of lesions was 0.4% (13/3375) and 0.2% (6/3375) respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the number of brain metastases (OR = 14.946; 95% CI = 4.071-54.880; p < 0.001), and the occurrence of brain metastasis in the pituitary (OR = 13.331; 95% CI = 1.511-117.620; p = 0.020) were related to brain metastasis in the hypothalamus, and that the only relevant factor for brain metastasis in the pituitary was the occurrence of that in the hypothalamus (OR = 0.069; 95% CI = 0.010-0.461; p = 0.006). There was no correlation between tumor pathological types, the maximum diameter, the total volume of brain metastatic lesions and the risk of brain metastasis in hypothalamus and pituitary. Conclusion: The frequency of brain metastasis in the HT-P area is extremely low. The risk of brain metastases in the hypothalamus is correlated with their number. The larger the number of metastatic lesions, the higher the frequency of brain metastasis. Protection of the HT-P area during WBRT may be unlikely to compromise the tumor recurrence rate for patients with a relatively small number of brain metastases.

Invisible Hand behind Female Reproductive Disorders: Bisphenols, Recent Evidence and Future Perspectives.

Reproductive disorders are considered a global health problem influenced by physiological, genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. The increased exposure to bisphenols, a chemical used in large quantities for the production of polycarbonate plastics, has raised concerns regarding health risks in humans, particularly their endocrine-disrupting effects on female reproductive health. To provide a basis for future research on environmental interference and reproductive health, we reviewed relevant studies on the exposure patterns and levels of bisphenols in environmental matrices and humans (including susceptible populations such as pregnant women and children). In addition, we focused on in vivo, in vitro, and epidemiological studies evaluating the effects of bisphenols on the female reproductive system (the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and vagina). The results indicate that bisphenols cause structural and functional damage to the female reproductive system by interfering with hormones; activating receptors; inducing oxidative stress, DNA damage, and carcinogenesis; and triggering epigenetic changes, with the damaging effects being intergenerational. Epidemiological studies support the association between bisphenols and diseases such as cancer of the female reproductive system, reproductive dysfunction, and miscarriage, which may negatively affect the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Altogether, this review provides a reference for assessing the adverse effects of bisphenols on female reproductive health.

Pollution abatement reducing the river N2O emissions although it is partially offset by a warming climate: Insights from an urbanized watershed study.

Global nitrogen (N) pollution has resulted in increased river nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, which contribute to climate change. However, little is known about how pollution abatement conversely reduces river N2O production in a warming climate. Here, field observations and microcosmic experiments were conducted in a coastal urbanized watershed (S.E. China) to explore the interactive effect of changing nitrate and temperature on river sediment denitrification (DNF) and N2O production. The results showed that urban river reaches (UR) with higher organic carbon content and denitrifying gene abundance in sediments have a greater DNF rate, nitrate removal efficiency (NRE), and N2O concentration than agricultural river reaches (AR). Microcosmic incubation suggested that the DNF rate and associated N2O production decreased under low nitrate addition, wherein the NRE increased. The scenario simulation illustrated a nonlinear response of N2O production to nitrate removal (i.e., ΔN2O/ΔNO3-N) from both UR and AR sediments at a given temperature, and the DNF rate and N2O production increased with increasing temperature. An increase in temperature by 1 degree Celsius would offset 18.75% of the N2O reduction by nitrate removal via DNF. These findings implied that watershed pollution abatement undoubtedly contributes to the reduction in global river N2O emissions although it is partially offset by extra N2O production caused by global warming.

Chest CT findings in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a comprehensive review.

The objective of this review was to summarize the most pertinent CT imaging findings in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A literature search retrieved eligible studies in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science up to June 1, 2020. A comprehensive review of publications of the Chinese Medical Association about COVID-19 was also performed. A total of 84 articles with more than 5340 participants were included and reviewed. Chest CT comprised 92.61% of abnormal CT findings overall. Compared with real-time polymerase chain reaction result, CT findings has a sensitivity of 96.14% but a low specificity of 40.48% in diagnosing COVID-19. Ground glass opacity (GGO), pure (57.31%) or mixed with consolidation (41.51%) were the most common CT features with a majority of bilateral (80.32%) and peripheral (66.21%) lung involvement. The opacity might associate with other imaging features, including air bronchogram (41.07%), vascular enlargement (54.33%), bronchial wall thickening (19.12%), crazy-paving pattern (27.55%), interlobular septal thickening (42.48%), halo sign (25.48%), reverse halo sign (12.29%), bronchiectasis (32.44%), and pulmonary fibrosis (26.22%). Other accompanying signs including pleural effusion, lymphadenopathy and pericardial effusion were rare, but pleural thickening was common. The younger or early stage patients tended to have more GGOs, while extensive/multilobar involvement with consolidation was prevalent in the older or severe population. Children with COVID-19 showed significantly lower incidences of some ancillary findings than those of adults and showed a better performance on CT during follow up. Follow-up CT showed GGO lesions gradually decreased, and the consolidation lesions first increased and then remained relatively stable at 6-13 days, and then absorbed and fibrosis increased after 14 days. Chest CT imaging is an important component in the diagnosis, staging, disease progression and follow-up of patients with COVID-19.

PM2.5 exposure induces age-dependent hepatic lipid metabolism disorder in female mice.

Particulate matter exposure has been described to elevate the risk of lung and cardiovascular diseases. An increasing number of recent studies have indicated positive correlations between PM2.5 (the fraction of airborne particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm) exposure and the risk of liver diseases. However, research on the effects of PM2.5 exposure on liver fat synthesis, secretion, and clearance mechanisms under normal diet conditions is limited, and whether these effects are age-dependent is largely unknown. Female C57BL/6 mice at different ages (4 weeks (4 w), 4 months (4 m), and 10 months (10 m)) were treated with 3 mg/kg body weight of PM2.5 every other day for 4 weeks. Subsequently, the ultrastructural changes of liver, the expression of genes involved in oxidative damage and lipid metabolism in the liver were examined. Observation of hepatic ultrastructure showed more and larger lipid droplets in the livers of 4-week-old and 10-month-old mice exposed to PM2.5. Further analysis showed that PM2.5 exposure increased the expression of genes related to lipid synthesis, but decreased the expression of genes involved in lipid transport and catabolism in the livers of 10-month-old mice. Our findings suggest that exposure to PM2.5 disrupts the normal metabolism of liver lipids and induces lipid accumulation in the liver of female mice in an age-dependent manner, with older mice being more susceptible to PM2.5.

Whole-lesion histogram analysis metrics of the apparent diffusion coefficient: a correlation study with histological grade of hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The study evaluated the relationship between the histological grade of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the histogram-derived parameters of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) obtained from the whole-lesion assessment of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the liver. METHODS: A total of 51 patients were included. The parameters were correlated with the Edmondson-Steiner grades by using the Spearman correlation coefficient (ρ). The differences of ADC parameters between different tumor histological grades were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. The extent to which each parameter aided in differentiating tumors with poor performance (III, IV) and fair performance (I, II) was assessed by using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (Az). RESULTS: The 25th percentile ADC exhibits the most negative correlation with histological grade (ρ = - 0.397), followed by the 30th percentile ADC (ρ = - 0.395), the minimum ADC value (ρ = - 0.390) and the 20th percentile ADC (ρ = - 0.385), whereas the minimum ADC value yielded the highest Az (0.763) in the discrimination of tumor foci with poor differentiation from fairly differentiated HCCs. The minimum ADC of 4.15 × 10-3 mm2/s or lower was considered to indicate poorly differentiated performance, and the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 66.7 and 90.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The 25th percentile ADC showed a stronger correlation with the histological grade of HCC than other ADC parameters, and the minimum ADC value might be an optimal metric for determining poor and fair differentiations of HCC in DWI.

The Application of Iodine Quantitative Information Obtained by Dual-Source Dual-Energy Computed Tomography on Chemoradiotherapy Effect Monitoring for Cervical Cancer: A Preliminary Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to investigate the potential contribution of the iodine quantitative parameters of dual-phase dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) scanning for chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response monitoring for cervical cancer. METHODS: Patients who were pathologically certified having cervical cancer and intended for concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy were prospectively included in our study. Contrast-enhanced DECT scanning was performed before CRT, which was repeated after 1 month of therapy, using a dual-source CT scanner onset. Changes in tumor size were assessed according to RECIST 1.0. Quantification of volume-normalized iodine uptake (mg/mL) was measured in dual phases and was standardized using the iodine uptake in the iliac artery. The decreased ratio of the standard iodine uptake was calculated and compared with the tumor size for the evaluation of the CRT effect. Data were analyzed using the statistics software SPSS version 19.0. Twenty women who performed normal pelvic contrast-enhanced CT scanning were randomly chosen as the control group for the radiation dose comparison with the dual-energy group. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients who completed therapeutic courses and performed the contrast-enhanced CT scanning were subsequently evaluated. According to RECIST 1.0, 15 cases were classified into the regression (R, including 5 completed regression cases and 10 partial regression cases) group. The remaining 6 cases were classified into the nonregression (NR, including 6 stable disease cases) group. The iodine value decreased ratio in the arterial phase (standardized iodine in arterial phase [SAI]) of the partial regression group was significantly higher than that of the stable disease group (P < 0.01), and there was no significant difference in the venous phase (P > 0.05). In a general quantitative comparison between the R group and the NR group before CRT, we controlled for the maximum diameter, age, iodine uptake in the arterial phase before CRT (pre-SAI), iodine uptake in the venous phase before CRT, and cell differentiated level, and we ultimately found no significant statistical differences except for the pre-SAI. In other words, the iodine value in the arterial phase of the R group before CRT was significantly higher than that of the NR group (P < 0.01). When the pre-SAI was 0.345, the area under the curve was 0.875 for therapeutic effect prediction. The mean effective dose was 5.63 ± 1.68 mSv for the DECT group and 5.37 ± 1.82 mSv for the control group (t = -1.137, P = 0.262), which showed no statistical difference in the radiation dose between the 2 scanning methods. CONCLUSIONS: The iodine mapping can be used to help evaluate the radiochemotherapy response effectively on the basis of tumor size change and can also be helpful in predicting the radiochemotherapy outcome for cervical cancer. The dual-phase DECT scanning did not increase the radiation dose and provided more valuable information, and thus, it was suitable for promotion in clinical application.

Comparison of PET with PET/CT in detecting peritoneal carcinomatosis: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The study aims to perform a meta-analysis to compare the diagnostic value of FDG PET with PET/CT in detecting peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) to identify the potentially most useful diagnostic modality. METHODS: A computer-aided search was performed in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the China Biological Medicine Database, VIP, China National Knowledge Infrastructure database, and Wanfang databases for articles concerning diagnosis of peritoneal metastases with PET or PET/CT. QUADAS was used to evaluate the included articles' quality. RESULTS: On a per-patient basis, the pooled sensitivity of PET/CT (84%) was significantly higher than that of PET (60%), and the pooled specificity of PET (98%) was markedly higher than that for PET/CT (94%). On a per-lesion basis, the pooled sensitivity and specificity of PET/CT were 87 and 95%, respectively. Only 1 PET study on a per-lesion basis, its sensitivity is 65.8 and specificity is 94.1%. CONCLUSIONS: PET and PET/CT are powerful imaging techniques for detection and characterization of PC. PET/CT can be used as a screening tool and it may be acceptable to use PET as a diagnosis tool.