National Trends of Meniscectomy and Meniscus Repair in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Meniscus surgeries are frequently performed in orthopaedics. However, their current status is not well known in many countries, including Korea. This study aimed to investigate the national trends of meniscus surgery in Korea. METHODS: Information from the national database was acquired through the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service from 2010 to 2017. All cases coded as meniscectomy or meniscus repair were included. The total number and incidence of cases of meniscus surgery per 100,000 persons were determined, and the results were stratified by age and gender. The meniscus repair ratio for the total number of meniscus surgeries was evaluated. RESULTS: The total number and incidence of meniscectomy cases were 65,752 and 137, respectively, in 2010, which increased to 74,088 and 154, respectively, in 2017. The number of meniscectomies increased by 12.67% in 8 years. The total number and incidence of meniscus repair cases were 9,055 and 18, respectively, in 2010, which increased to 14,947 and 31 in 2017. The number of meniscus repairs increased by 65.04%. The meniscus repair ratio was 12.1% in 2010, which increased to 16.8% in 2017. The highest peak was noted for patients who underwent meniscus surgeries in their 50s and 60s. Meniscectomy was performed more frequently in women (57%) than in men (43%), whereas repair was performed more frequently in men (54%) than in women (46%) over the study period. CONCLUSION: The total number and incidence of meniscus surgeries increased from 2010 to 2017; the number and incidence of meniscus repair procedures increased more rapidly than those of meniscectomy, with the peak treatment age for both surgeries being in the 50s and 60s. The current study will contribute to understanding the epidemiology of meniscus surgery, its prevention, and cost-saving measures in Korea.

Interactive effects of nonylphenol and bisphenol A exposure with oxidative stress on fetal reproductive indices.

Nonylphenol (NP) and/or bisphenol A (BPA) may have reproductive effects. Although the mechanisms of action remain unclear, steroid hormones biosynthesis, hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis activity, oxidative stress, and crosstalk interaction of NP and BPA mixture and its pathways may play a contributory role. This cross-sectional study examined whether the interactive effects of NP/BPA and oxidative stress biomarkers played a role in reproductive indices (penis length and anogenital distance (AGD)) in 244 mother-fetus pairs. Four biomarkers of oxidative stress, (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), 8-nitroguanine (8-NO2Gua), 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-isoPF2α), and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-mercapturic acid (HNE-MA)) were simultaneously analyzed using the high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method. No significant associations were found between reproductive indices and NP/BPA or oxidative stress biomarkers. Maternal exposure to a mixture of NP and BPA may enhance 8-OHdG. Interactive effects were found in the high 8-isoPF2α group, and prenatal NP exposure was inversely associated with penis length (ß = -3.68 mm; p = 0.01). Similar results were noted among boys who were born to mothers in the high 8-isoPF2α group, in which BPA was inversely associated with penis length (ß = -4.43 mm; p = 0.005). Our findings suggest important implications for prenatal exposure to oxidative stress, as evidenced by the 8-isoPF2α level. Thus, NP and BPA may interact to shape fetal reproductive tract development, particularly in boys. The interactive effects of NP/BPA, oxidative stress, and reproductive indices should be considered.

Prenatal Nonylphenol and Bisphenol A Exposures and Inflammation Are Determinants of Oxidative/Nitrative Stress: A Taiwanese Cohort Study.

Prenatal exposure to nonylphenol (NP) and/or bisphenol A (BPA) has been reported to be associated with adverse birth outcomes; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The primary mechanism is endocrine disruption of the binding affinity for the estrogen receptor, but oxidative stress and inflammation might also play a contributory role. We aimed to investigate urinary NP and BPA levels in relation to biomarkers of oxidative/nitrative stress and inflammation and to explore whether changes in oxidative/nitrative stress are a function of prenatal exposure to NP/BPA and inflammation in 241 mother-fetus pairs. Third-trimester urinary biomarkers of oxidative/nitrative stress were simultaneously measured, including products of oxidatively and nitratively damaged DNA (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and 8-nitroguanine (8-NO2Gua)) as well as products of lipid peroxidation (8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-isoPF2α) and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-mercapturic acid (HNE-MA)). The antioxidant glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and inflammation biomarkers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and a panel of cytokines (interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)), were analyzed in maternal and umbilical cord plasma samples. In adjusted models, we observed significant positive associations between NP exposure and 8-OHdG and 8-NO2Gua levels, between BPA and 8-isoPF2α levels, and between maternal CRP levels and HNE-MA levels. Additionally, BPA and TNF-α levels in cord blood were inversely associated with maternal and GPx levels in cord blood as well as maternal TNF-α levels were inversely associated with maternal GPx levels. These results support a role for exposure to NP and BPA and possibly inflammation in increasing oxidative/nitrative stress and decreasing antioxidant activity during pregnancy.

Luteolin-7-diglucuronide attenuates isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury and fibrosis in mice.

Myocardial injury and ensuing fibrotic alterations impair normal heart architecture and cause cardiac dysfunction. Oxidative stress has been recognized as a key player in the pathogenesis of cardiac injury and progression of cardiac dysfunction, and promoting fibrosis. In the current study we investigated whether luteolin-7-diglucuronide (L7DG), a naturally occurring antioxidant found in edible plants, could attenuate isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial injury and fibrosis in mice and the underlying mechanisms. Myocardial injury and fibrosis were induced in mice via injection of ISO (5 mg·kg-1·d-1, ip) for 5 or 10 d. Two treatment regimens (pretreatment and posttreatment) were employed to administer L7DG (5-40 mg·kg-1·d-1, ip) into the mice. After the mice were euthanized, morphological examinations of heart sections revealed that both L7DG pretreatment and posttreatment regimens significantly attenuated ISO-induced myocardial injury and fibrosis. But the pretreatment regimen caused better protection against ISO-induced myocardial fibrosis than the posttreatment regimen. Furthermore, L7DG pretreatment blocked ISO-stimulated expression of the genes (Cyba, Cybb, Ncf1, Ncf4 and Rac2) encoding the enzymatic subunits of NADPH oxidase, which was the primary source of oxidant production in mammalian cells. Moreover, L7DG pretreatment significantly suppressed ISO-stimulated expression of collagen genes Col1a1, Col1a2, Col3a1, and Col12a1 and non-collagen extracellular matrix genes fibrillin-1, elastin, collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 and connective tissue growth factor. In addition, L7DG pretreatment almost reversed ISO-altered expression of microRNAs that were crosstalking with TGFß-mediated fibrosis, including miR-29c-3p, miR-29c-5p, miR-30c-3p, miR-30c-5p and miR-21. The current study demonstrated for the first time that L7DG is pharmacologically effective in protecting the heart against developing ISO-induced injury and fibrosis, justifying further evaluation of L7DG as a cardioprotective agent to treat related cardiovascular diseases.

Nonylphenol in pregnant women and their matching fetuses: placental transfer and potential risks of infants.

As the predominant environmental biodegradation product of nonylphenol (NP) ethoxylates and with proven estrogenic effects, NP is formed during the alkylation process of phenols. The purposes of this study were (1) to examine maternal and prenatal exposure to NP in Taiwan, (2) to determine the level of placental protection against NP exposure as well as the level of NP in breast milk, and (3) to assess the potential risk for breastfed newborns exposed to NP through the milk. Thirty pairs of maternal and fetal blood samples, placenta, and breast milk during the 1st and the 3rd months of lactation were collected. External NP exposures of these specimens were then analyzed by using high-performance liquid chromatography coupling with fluorescence detection. Next, the socio-demographics, lifestyle, delivery method, dietary and work history were collected using a questionnaire. In addition, the daily intake of NP from consuming breast milk in the 1st and 3rd months for newborns was studied through deterministic and probabilistic risk assessment methods. The geometric means and geometric standard deviation of NP levels in maternal blood, fetal cord blood, placenta, and breast milk in the 1st and 3rd months were 14.6 (1.7) ng/ml, 18.8 (1.8) ng/ml, 19.8 (1.9) ng/g, 23.5 (3.2) ng/ml, and 57.3 (1.4) ng/ml, respectively. The probabilistic percentiles (50th, 75th, and 95th) of daily intake NP in breast milk were 4.33, 7.79, and 18.39 µg/kg-bw/day in the 1st month, respectively, and were 8.11, 10.78, 16.08 µg/kg-bw/day in the 3rd month, respectively. The probabilistic distributions (5th, 25th, and 50th) of risk for infants aged 1 month old were 0.27, 0.64, and 1.15, respectively, and that for infants aged 3 month old were 0.31, 0.46, and 0.62, respectively. Through repeated exposure from the dietary intake of expectant mothers, fetuses could encounter a high NP exposure level due to transplacental absorption, partitioning between the maternal and fetal compartments. Daily NP intake via breast milk in three month-old babies exceeded the tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 5 µg/kg bw/day indicated a potential risk for Taiwan infants.

Arthroscopic treatment of chronic calcific tendinitis with intraosseous migration: a case report.

We present a case of calcific tendinitis in the shoulder, where calcifications were observed within both the tendon and the adjacent bone. At the time of acute onset, radiographs (including a plain radiograph) and magnetic resonance imaging revealed calcific tendinitis with intraosseous migration. The patient's symptoms did not improve after 5 months of conservative treatment. The patient underwent arthroscopic debridement of the calcific deposits, and the defect was repaired using the double-row repair technique. The patient's symptoms improved 3 months after arthroscopic treatment. We share our unusual experience with arthroscopic debridement in the treatment of chronic calcific tendinitis with intraosseous migration.

Prenatal and childhood neonicotinoid exposure and neurodevelopment: A study in a young Taiwanese cohort.

Neonicotinoid insecticides (NEOs) dominate the global pesticide market because of their low cost and effectiveness. However, epidemiological studies regarding the potential adverse health effects of exposure to NEOs before birth and in early childhood are limited. Therefore, this study investigated the associations between NEO exposure before birth and during early childhood and neurodevelopment. A total of 273 mother-child pairs were enrolled in this study. Mothers provided urine samples in the third trimester and breast milk during the first and third months of lactation. Their children provided urine samples and were evaluated for neurodevelopment by using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition at 2-3 years (N = 96) and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV) at 4-6 years (N = 63). The sum of the concentrations of seven NEOs (ΣNEOs) and the relative potency factor of NEOs, based on comparison with imidacloprid (IMIRPF), were used to assess total exposure to NEOs. Multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the associations between prenatal and childhood exposure to NEOs and neurodevelopment. The results of the analysis revealed that clothianidin (CLO) and thiamethoxam were the most common NEOs to which children in the Taipei metropolitan area were exposed and that exposure concentrations were high in the Taipei metropolitan area. Imidacloprid was the most frequently detected NEO during the postnatal period. Additionally, exposure to NEOs through breast milk was low. Exposure to CLO, ΣNEOs, and IMIRPF in boys aged 4-6 years was negatively correlated with WPPSI-IV Fluid Reasoning Index. The results of this study indicate that exposure during the third trimester to NEOs does not affect neurodevelopment but that childhood exposure to NEOs may, especially for boys. Further studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm the sex-specific associations between NEO exposure and neurodevelopment.

Prenatal to preschool exposure of nonylphenol and bisphenol A exposure and neurodevelopment in young children.

BACKGROUND: Nonylphenol (NP) and bisphenol A (BPA) are produced in large quantities worldwide as multipurpose agents. However, studies on relations between NP and BPA exposure and childhood neurodevelopment are few, and the results are inconsistent. This study aimed to investigate associations between prenatal and early childhood NP and BPA exposure and neurodevelopment in mother-child pairs. METHODS: Pregnant women at 27-38 weeks' gestation were recruited, as were children 2-3 years of age (n = 94) and 4-6 years of age (n = 56) years. Urine was collected to assess NP and BPA exposure. Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (3rd edition; Bayley-III), Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (4th edition), and the Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (WPPSI-IV-FSIQ) were used to assess the neurodevelopment of the children. RESULTS: The detection rate and concentration of NP and BPA in the urine of children 4-6 years old were higher than in those 2-3 years old. Children were divided into a high concentration group (3rd tertile) and a reference group (1st and 2nd tertiles) based on natural log-transformed urine concentration of NP and BPA. Girls' Bayley-III motor scores in the high concentration group were higher than those of the BPA reference group of urine of mothers (ß = 6.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.58-12.13). Boys' FSIQ in the higher concentration group were significantly lower than those in children 2-3 years old in the NP reference group (ß = -11.29, 95% CI: -18.62 to -3.96) (all, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal and childhood exposure to NP and BPA may have different effects on the neurodevelopment of young children, and there are no consistent effects between boys and girls.

Prognostic factors affecting structural integrity after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a clinical and histological study.

BACKGROUND: Tendon degeneration contributes to rotator cuff tears; however, its role in postoperative structural integrity is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with postoperative structural integrity after rotator cuff repair, particularly focusing on the histology of tendons harvested intraoperatively. METHODS: A total of 56 patients who underwent primary arthroscopic rotator cuff repair between 2009 and 2011 were analyzed. A 3-mm-diameter sample of supraspinatus tendons was harvested en bloc from each patient after minimal debridement of the torn ends. Tendon degeneration was assessed using seven histological parameters on a semi-quantitative grading scale, and the total degeneration score was calculated. One-year postoperative magnetic resonance imaging was used to classify the patients based on retear. RESULTS: The total degeneration scores in the healed and retear groups were 13.93±2.03 and 14.08±2.23 (P=0.960), respectively. Arthroscopically measured anteroposterior (AP) tear sizes in the healed and retear groups were 24.30±12.35 mm and 36.42±25.23 mm (P=0.026), respectively. Preoperative visual analog scale pain scores at rest in the healed and retear groups were 3.54±2.37 and 5.16±2.16 (P=0.046), respectively. Retraction sizes in the healed and retear groups were 16.02±7.587 mm and 22.33±13.364 mm (P=0.037), respectively. The odds of retear rose by 4.2% for every 1-mm increase in AP tear size (P=0.032). CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative structural integrity of the rotator cuff tendon was not affected by tendon degeneration, whereas the arthroscopically measured AP tear size of the rotator cuff tendon was an independent predictor of retear.

Arthroscopic supraspinatus advancement for retracted rotator cuff tears: a technical note.

Irreparable rotator cuffs with retracted torn ends remain a significant challenge for most shoulder surgeons. Since repairs are preferable to reconstruction or replacement whenever possible, studies for anatomical reductions with minimal tension and secure fixation are important. In this study, the authors introduce an arthroscopic supraspinatus advancement (ASSA) procedure for retracted rotator cuff tears that could not be adequately reduced to the original footprint. Using modified long, narrow, curved Cobb elevators, procedures can be performed through lateral portals without any additional skin incision. Following meticulous stepwise three-compartment elevation procedures based on the supraspinatus insertion anatomy, the supraspinatus muscle could be safely elevated from the fossa and sufficiently advanced laterally. The authors suggest that ASSA could be a useful procedure for management of challenging retracted rotator cuff tears by maximizing lateral excursions that could convert irreparable tears to reparable tears in select patients.

The sex-specific association of prenatal phthalate exposure with low birth weight and small for gestational age: A nationwide survey by the Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study (TMICS).

The Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study (TMICS) was launched with the aim to assess the effects of prenatal exposure to phthalic acid esters (PAEs) on infant health. A total of 1102 pregnant women were enrolled in this study from 2012 to 2015. All participants completed a structured questionnaire, and provided urine specimens. The urinary concentrations of PAE metabolites in the third trimester were measured using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Generalized additive model-penalized regression splines and logistic regression models were employed to determine the risk for low birth weight (LBW) or small for gestational age (SGA) among pregnant women exposed to PAEs. After adjustments for other covariates, each incremental unit of ln-transformed mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) for pregnant women increased the odds of SGA in male neonates by 1.44 (95% CI: 0.92-2.23). An inverse association between SGA and maternal MnBP exposure level was observed in female neonates. An increase in one ln-transformed MnBP concentration unit decreased the risk of female SGA to 0.50 (95% CI: 0.24-0.97). In the penalized regression splines, increased risks of LBW/SGA in male neonates were presented while pregnant women exposed to increased MnBP levels. However, an association in the opposite direction was observed between maternal MnBP and LBW or SGA for male and female neonates. This study indicated that high maternal MnBP exposure in the third trimester was associated with LBW or SGA for male infants. Adverse effects on susceptible populations exposed to high levels of PAEs should be of concern.

Surfactant lavage decreases systemic interleukin-1 beta production in meconium aspiration syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Surfactant lavage has been used to remove meconium debris in meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), but the influence of surfactant lavage on pro-inflammatory cytokines and cellular apoptosis is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the response of pro-inflammatory cytokine and the influence on alveolar cellular apoptosis using therapeutic bronchoalveolar lavage with diluted surfactant to treat MAS. METHODS: Twelve newborn piglets were anesthetized, intubated via tracheostomy, and artificially ventilated. MAS was induced by intratracheal instillation of 3-5 mL/kg of 20% human meconium. The piglets were then randomly assigned to a surfactant lavage group (n= 6) or a control group (n= 6). Piglets in the lavage group received bronchoalveolar lavage with 30 mL/kg diluted surfactant (5 mg/mL) in two aliquots. Cardiopulmonary parameters were monitored continuously. Serum was obtained hourly to measure concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-I beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Lung tissue was histologically examined after experiments, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling assay for apoptotic cell death was also performed. RESULTS: The animals in the lavage group displayed significantly better gas exchange and lower serum concentrations of IL-1 beta than the animals in the control group (P < 0.05). The number of apoptotic cells in lung tissues was significantly lower in the lavage group than the control group, and also in the nondependent than the dependent site. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic surfactant lavage improves oxygenation, decreases production of systemic pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1 beta, and alleviates the severity of lung cell apoptosis in newborn piglets with experimentally-induced MAS.

Paget's Disease of Bone Affecting Peripheral Limb: Difficulties in Diagnosis: A Case Report.

In terms of management of Paget's disease of bone (PDB), early diagnosis and proper management achieving remission is essential with lifelong specialist follow-up. We present the case of a 40-year-old woman with PDB affecting mainly the distal extremities (ankle and wrist). The patient visited our hospital in 2012 with heel pain. Plain radiography revealed osteoporosis, and a bone scan revealed hot uptake. Initial laboratory investigations showed normal serum calcium, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone levels; however, osteocalcin, C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, and bone alkaline phosphatase levels were elevated. A bone mineral density scan showed T- and Z-scores of -2.5 and -2.7, respectively, and bisphosphonate treatment was initiated. Biopsy performed on the calcaneal lateral wall revealed inconclusive findings. Follow-up biopsy on the left distal radius was performed 7 years later to investigate wrist pain, and this examination led to a final diagnosis as PDB. We suggest inconclusive biopsy result during the early phase of PDB and highly recommend follow-up evaluation in osteoporosis with atypical behavior.

Differences in patient and injury characteristics between sports- and non-sports related distal radius fractures.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of distal radius fractures (DRFs) is increasing as the number of people in recreational or sporting activities rises, due to a combination of increased leisure time and greater public awareness of the health-related benefits of sports. Despite the increases in sports-related distal radius fractures (SR-DRFs), there are limited studies regarding the characteristics of treatment and recovery. HYPOTHESIS: There are characteristics specific to SR-DRF treated with conservative or operative management. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective review was carried out between January 2010 and December 2017. Overall, 1706 patients were included in the study analysis. Among them, 317 patients were injured during sports activity (18.6%) and 1389 were injured during non-sports activity (81.4%). Demographic data were compared between the two groups. The type of sports was investigated in SR-DRF. Also, we compared surgically treated DRF patients to describe differences in patient characteristics, fracture characteristics, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: The mean age of patients with SR-DRFs was significantly younger (28 vs. 52 years). The proportion of men was also significantly higher in SR-DRF group compared to NSR-DRF group (62.8 vs. 33.8%). We identified 27 kinds of sports associated with DRFs and the 5 sports topping the list associated were soccer (22.7%), cycling (17.7%), snowboarding (11.0%), ice-skating (9.1%), and mountain hiking (9.1%). There was no difference in terms of the treatment method. However, SR-DRF group had higher proportion of AO/OTA type A fracture (32.6 vs. 13.7%), and NSR-DRF group had higher proportion of type C fracture (79.5 vs. 64.2%). Postoperative complications showed no significant differences, except higher implant removal rate in SR-DRF. DISCUSSION: Patients with SR-DRF were significantly younger and had higher proportion of men. Proportion of AO/OTA type A was higher in SR-DRF group and proportion of AO/OTA type C was higher in NSR-DRF group. Proportion of surgical treatment was similar in two groups. Given the growing population participating in sports activity worldwide, SR-DRFs are predicted to increase and further study is required. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III; retrospective, epidemiological study.

Association of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines with insulin resistance in chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenetic basis for the association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and type-2 diabetes remains uncertain. It has been reported that insulin resistance (IR) plays an essential role. We investigated the association of inflammatory [tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6] and anti-inflammatory cytokines (adiponectin and IL-10) with IR in chronic HCV infection. METHODS: Eighty-one consecutive non-diabetic chronic hepatitis C patients (37 men and 44 women, mean age of 51.9+/-12.2 years) and 40 age, sex and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy individuals were collected. IR was evaluated by the homoeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Serum levels of cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Patients with chronic hepatitis C have a higher HOMA-IR, TNF-alpha, IL-6, adiponectin and IL-10, as compared with controls. By multiple linear regression analysis, moderate/severe steatosis grade, total cholesterol level and adiponectin was significantly associated with HOMA-IR, whereas, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-10 was not. Male gender, BMI and HOMA-IR was inversely correlated with the serum adiponectin level. Serum adiponectin was positively correlated with TNF-alpha level, which was significantly associated with higher degree of hepatic necroinflammation. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that chronic HCV infection is associated with increased IR, which is correlated inversely with the serum adiponectin level. The complex role of adiponectin in the pathogenesis of IR and hepatic necroinflammation in chronic HCV infection merit further investigation.

Associations between prenatal exposure to bisphenol a and neonatal outcomes in a Taiwanese cohort study: Mediated through oxidative stress?

This study determined whether maternal bisphenol A (BPA) exposure influences birth outcomes through oxidative stress and estimated the daily intake of BPA through breast milk for infants. One hundred and eighty-six pregnant women without pregnancy complications were enrolled and maternal urine was collected in the third trimester. Postnatal breast milk was collected in the first and third months after delivery. Concentrations of BPA were determined through ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Generalized additive model-penalized regression splines and a multivariable regression model were employed to determine the effects of BPA exposure and oxidative stress levels on birth outcomes. A causal mediation analysis was conducted to clarify the mediation effects of oxidative stress due to maternal BPA exposure on birth outcomes. The daily intake of BPA in breast milk was calculated using probabilistic risk assessment methods. The geometric means (geometric standard deviation) of BPA levels for maternal urine and first- and third-month breast milk were 2.19 (2.88) µg/g creatinine., 1.35 (3.53) ng/g, and 3.17 (2.97) ng/g, respectively. No significant mediation existed among maternal BPA exposure, oxidative stress level, and neonatal head circumference. Three percent of 1-monthold babies and 1% of 3-month-old babies exceeded the BPA tolerable daily intake of 4 µg/kg-bw/day proposed by the European Food Safety Authority. This study revealed the BPA exposure profile for pregnant women and infants in northern Taiwan. The marginally significant correlation between maternal BPA exposure and neonatal head circumference should be considered.

The sex-specific association between maternal paraben exposure and size at birth.

Parabens are a group of esters of parahydroxybenzoic acid and are utilized as antimicrobial preservatives in the majority of personal care products (PCPs). Epidemiological studies regarding the adverse effects of parabens on fetuses are still limited. The aim of this study was to determine the association between maternal paraben exposure and birth outcomes. One hundred and ninety-nine pregnant women were enrolled, and maternal urine was collected in the third trimester. The urine concentrations of four parabens (methyl (MP), ethyl (EP), propyl (PP), and butyl (BP)) were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Generalized additive model-penalized regression splines and a multivariable regression model were employed to determine the association between paraben exposure levels and birth outcomes. A causal mediation analysis was conducted to determine the mediation effect of oxidative stress on birth outcomes. The geometric means of urinary MP, EP, PP, and BP were 51.79, 1.26, 4.21, and 1.25 µg/g cre., respectively. In the penalized regression splines, sex-specific associations between maternal MP levels and birth outcomes were observed; a downward curvature was observed between the MP level and birth weight, length, head circumference, and thoracic circumference among female newborns. Pregnant women in the group with MP levels above the third quartile had neonates with significantly lower body weight (ß = -215.98 g, p value = 0.02) compared to those in the group with MP levels lower than the third quartile. No significant mediation of oxidative stress was observed between maternal MP exposure and female birth weight. The estimated proportion mediated ranged from -6% to 15%. The negative association between maternal paraben exposure and female birth outcomes in relation to child development should be carefully considered.

[Correlation between the expression of gastrocolic omentum visfatin mRNA and gestational diabetes mellitus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between different expression of gastrocolic omentum visfatin(VF) mRNA and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in late trimester pregnancy. METHODS: One hundred cases of pregnant women in late trimester were divided into two groups, including 45 GDM women (GDM group) and 55 normal glucose tolerance women (NGT group). Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was applied to determine the expression of VF mRNA in gastrocolic omentum. Fast-blood glucose, insulin, cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels were measured. The progestational body mass index (BMI) and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) insulin resistance (IR) were calculated in these cases. RESULTS: The expression of gastrocolic omentum VF mRNA in GDM group and NGT group were 0.8 +/- 0.4, 0.5 +/- 0.3. Fast-blood glucose levels were (4.12 +/- 0.14), (3.65 +/- 0.13) mmol/L. Insulin levels were (72 +/- 5), (61 +/- 5) pmol/L. TG levels were (5.6 +/- 0.3), (3.8 +/- 0.3) mmol/L. TC levels were (5.6 +/- 0.9), (3.9 +/- 0.3) mmol/L. HOMA-IR were 12.5 +/- 5.9, 9.5 +/- 0.8. The progestational BMIs were (22.6 +/- 0.8), (20.9 +/- 0.4) kg/m(2). All the indices in the GDM group were significantly higher than NGT group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the expression of gastrocolic omentum VF mRNA had a positive correlation with BMI (r = 0.32, P < 0.01), but had no association with insulin resistance or metabolic parameters. CONCLUSION: The experiment demonstrates that different expression of VF mRNA has a strong correlation with GDM and obesity.

Prognostic predictors of neurodevelopmental outcome or mortality in very-low-birth-weight infants.

Survival rate of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants has much improved in recent years. However, neurodevelopmental outcomes are still of the most concerned to such infants' parents. In order to survey survival rate, neurodevelopmental outcome and prognostic factors in these infants, we did a retrospective study of VLBW infants who were admitted to neonatal intensive care unit of Taipei City Hospital, Branch for Women and Children from 1st January 2001 to 31th October 2004. We reviewed their medical records and analyzed the data. A total of 68 cases were enrolled in this study, and overall one-year survival rate was 70.3% (45/64). The unfavorable outcome group had lower birth weight, lower gestational age, lower Apgar scores at 1-minute and 5-minute, higher rate of vaginal delivery, more respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), and higher IVH grades (all p value < 0.05). However, with multiple logistic regression analysis, only low birth weight and higher IVH grades were the significant predictors of unfavorable outcome. Univariate analysis showed that RDS increased but Cesarean section (C/S) decreased the risk of severe IVH. According to the result, we can make the conclusion that the survival rate of VLBW infants in our hospital was similar to that in other medical centers in Taiwan. In order to prevent severe grades of IVH and subsequent unfavorable outcome in VLBW infants, prenatal therapies to prevent RDS and perhaps choice of C/S as delivery mode are the best strategies.