Feminine Hygiene Products-A Neglected Source of Phthalate Exposure in Women.

Phthalates have been associated with reproductive toxicity and precocious puberty in females, but the occurrence of these toxicants in feminine hygiene products is rarely reported. In this study, eight phthalates were determined in 120 feminine hygiene products (56 feminine care products and 64 sanitary napkins) collected from China. Phthalates were found in 86% and 98% of feminine care products and sanitary napkins, respectively, with the total concentrations varying between not detectable and 813 µg/g (median: 0.26 µg/g) and 0.25 and 8.76 µg/g (1.43 µg/g), respectively. Diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, and bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate were the major compounds, accounting for >60% of the total concentrations. The plastic materials used on the top and bottom layers and the hot melt adhesive used during the manufacturing process are the potential sources of phthalates in sanitary napkins. The range of daily exposure doses of phthalates in women from the use of feminine care products and sanitary napkins was <0.001-0.156 µg/kg-bw/day and <0.001-0.731 µg/kg-bw/day, respectively. Sanitary napkins contributed to 8.2% of the total exposure, and the levels of exposure to several phthalates from sanitary napkins were much higher than those reported from indoor dust ingestion but were lower than those of dietary intakes. Our study confirmed a new source of women's exposure to phthalates, sanitary napkins.

Integrated Giant Magnetoresistance Technology for Approachable Weak Biomagnetic Signal Detections.

With the extensive applications of biomagnetic signals derived from active biological tissue in both clinical diagnoses and human-computer-interaction, there is an increasing need for approachable weak biomagnetic sensing technology. The inherent merits of giant magnetoresistance (GMR) and its high integration with multiple technologies makes it possible to detect weak biomagnetic signals with micron-sized, non-cooled and low-cost sensors, considering that the magnetic field intensity attenuates rapidly with distance. This paper focuses on the state-of-art in integrated GMR technology for approachable biomagnetic sensing from the perspective of discipline fusion between them. The progress in integrated GMR to overcome the challenges in weak biomagnetic signal detection towards high resolution portable applications is addressed. The various strategies for 1/f noise reduction and sensitivity enhancement in integrated GMR technology for sub-pT biomagnetic signal recording are discussed. In this paper, we review the developments of integrated GMR technology for in vivo/vitro biomagnetic source imaging and demonstrate how integrated GMR can be utilized for biomagnetic field detection. Since the field sensitivity of integrated GMR technology is being pushed to fT/Hz0.5 with the focused efforts, it is believed that the potential of integrated GMR technology will make it preferred choice in weak biomagnetic signal detection in the future.

Long-term stability of several endocrine disruptors in the first morning urine samples and their associations with lifestyle characteristics.

Parabens, triclosan (TCS), bisphenols, benzophenones, and phthalates are typical endocrine disruptors (EDs) with short half-lives in the human body. The concentration levels of those EDs in a spot urine sample are frequently used in exposure assessment studies, and the reproducibility of urinary levels of these nonpersistent EDs should be considered. In the present study, we consecutively collected 45-day first morning void (FMV) urine samples, as well as daily questionnaires, in six recruited participants and measured the urinary concentrations of six parabens, TCS, nine bisphenols, five benzophenones, and ten phthalate metabolites by using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. MeP, EtP, PrP, TCS, BPA, BPS, BPF, and most phthalate metabolites were frequently detected (over 62 % of samples). The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for ED concentrations in FMV urine samples ranged from fair to excellent for MeP (0.683), EtP (0.702), BPA (0.505), BPS (0.908), BPF (0.887), BP-3 (0.712), mMP (0.661), mEP (0.523), mBP (0.500), miBP (0.724), mBzP (0.961) and all metabolites of DEHP (0.867-0.957), whereas they were low for PrP (0.321) and TCS (0.306). After creatinine adjustment, the values of ICCs for most target EDs were increased with mild to significant improvement. The stability of ED concentrations was affected by daily diet (MeP, TCS, BPA, mMP, miBP, mBP and mBzP), food containers (PrP and mECPP), use of personal care products (HMWP metabolites), pharmaceuticals (EtP) and recorded activities (BPS, mEHP, mBzP, mEHHP and mEOHP), as confirmed by a general linear mixed model. Furthermore, extending the FMV sampling period improved the probability of acceptable reproducibility (ICCs > 0.40) of MeP, EtP, BP-3 and mEP concentrations. For BPS, BPF and HMWP metabolite concentrations showed high probabilities (>80 %) of acceptable reproducibility in the last three days, and the increasing sample size slowly improved the ability to discriminate the subjects. The results were exactly the opposite for BPA concentrations.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure and DNA oxidative damage of workers in workshops of a petrochemical group.

The petrochemical industry has promoted the development of economy, while polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) produced by the industry become the threat for environment and humans. Data on human occupational exposure in petrochemical industry are limited. In the present study, urinary hydroxylated PAH metabolites (OH-PAHs) and a biomarker of DNA oxidative damage (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)) were measured in 546 workers of a petrochemical group in Northeast China, to investigate PAH exposure and related potential health risk. The concentrations of ∑9OH-PAH in all workers were 0.25-175 µg/g Cre with a median value of 4.41 µg/g Cre. Metabolites of naphthalene were the predominant compounds. The levels of PAH metabolites were significantly different for workers with different jobs, which were the highest for recycling workers (13.7 µg/g Cre) and the lowest for agency managers (5.12 µg/g Cre). Besides, higher levels of OH-PAHs were usually found in males and older workers. There was a dose-response relationship between levels of 8-OHdG and ∑9OH-PAHs (p < 0.01). No difference was observed in concentrations of 8-OHdG for workers of different gender or ages, work history as well as noise. Furthermore, workers simultaneously exposed to other potential pollutants and higher levels of ∑9OH-PAH had significantly higher levels of 8-OHdG compared with those in the corresponding subgroups. Our results suggested that exposure to PAHs or co-exposure to PAHs and potential toxics in the petrochemical plant may cause DNA damage. We call for more researches on the associations among noise, chemical pollution and oxidative stress to workers in the real working environment.

[Effect of signal transduction inhibitors on human endometrial carcinoma cells with differential PTEN gene expression].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the apoptotic and proliferation effects of signal transduction inhibitors on human endometrial carcinoma cells with different PTEN gene expression. METHODS: PTEN antisense oligonucleotide and pcDNA3.1/PTEN vector contained PTEN gene were transfected into endometrial carcinoma cells (HEC-1A and Ishikawa). The expression of PTEN protein was detected by confocal spectral microscopy. The endometrial carcinoma cells (HEC-1A, HEC-1A-PTEN-null, Ishikawa, Ishikawa-PTEN) were treated with signal transduction inhibitors, RG-14620, SB203580 (SB) and rapamycin, respectively. Cell apoptosis morphology, cell apoptosis and cell cycle were detected by Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry. Cell viability was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. RESULTS: The PTEN protein expression in two endometrial carcinoma cells (Ishikawa, HEC-1A) was exchanged by PTEN antisense oligonucleotide blocked and pcDNA3.1/PTEN stable transfected. After treated with RG-14620, SB and rapamycin, marked morphological changes of apoptosis were observed in HEC-1A-PTEN-null and Ishikawa cells. The cell apoptosis of HEC-1A-PTEN-null and Ishikawa cells exposed to SB were significantly increase [(31.6 +/- 0.8)% and (37.8 +/- 0.8)%, respectively], the G(1) phase cells were increased to (84.1 +/- 3.2)% and (87.5 +/- 1.9)%. While cell viability was significantly decreased in HEC-1A-PTEN-null and Ishikawa cells, the cell viability of HEC-1A-PTEN-null and Ishikawa cells exposed to SB were (54.0 +/- 2.1)% and (49.0 +/- 1.7)%. CONCLUSION: Loss of PTEN in endometrial carcinoma cells may improve the G(1) phase cells and apoptotic effects, inhibit the cell proliferation, which due to the sensitivity of cells to related signal transduction inhibitors.

Hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface soil in an emerging urban conurbation in South China.

To investigate the effects of human activity on contaminants in regional soil, hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs) were measured in 187 surface soil samples of different land-use types collected from the Pearl River Delta (PRD), South China. The concentrations of Σ9OH-PAH (sum of nine target analytes) ranged from 0.36 to 252ng/g (median: 5.98ng/g), with phenanthrene derivatives as the dominant components, accounting for ~70%. Among different land-use types, residency soil contained the highest levels of Σ9OH-PAH (median: 11.3ng/g), followed by landfill soil (9.28ng/g), industry soil (7.51ng/g), agriculture soil (6.04ng/g), forestry soil (4.28ng/g) and drinking water source soil (4.20ng/g). A higher value was also observed in soil from the central PRD (6.94ng/g) than the surrounding areas (5.94ng/g), which indicated a significant impact of human activity on OH-PAH contamination in soil. Correlation and principal component analysis indicated that OH-PAHs in PRD soil are likely derived from the degradation of their parent PAHs in the atmosphere and/or soil and not directly from the same source as the parent PAHs. The ratios of OH-PAHs to their parent PAHs also varied among different land-use types, which may be partly attributed to the different populations of microorganisms in different soil types or the different chemical properties of PAHs and their metabolites.

The N-butyl alcohol extract from Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. flowers enhances healing potential on rat excisional wounds.

ETHNO-PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. (HRS), a folk medicine named Zhujin in China, possess anti-tumor, antioxidant, antibacterial, low density lipoprotein oxidation prevention and macrophage death prevention effects. The leaves and red flowers of HRS have been traditionally used to treat with furuncle and ulceration. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the efficacy and possible mechanism of the N-butyl alcohol extract of HRS (NHRS) red flowers in wound healing by analyzing the collagen fiber deposition, angiogenic activity and macrophages action of the NHRS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In an excisional wound healing model in rats, different concentrations of NHRS, or recombinant bovine basic fibroblast growth factor (rbFGF), were respectively applied twice daily for 9 days. Histopathology was assessed on day 9 via hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson's trichrome (MT) staining, and immunohistochemistry for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) and CD68. Immunomodulation by NHRS was evaluated by a carbon clearance test in mice. RESULTS: Wound healing post-surgery was greater in the rbFGF-control, NHRS-M and MHRS-H groups than in the model and 5% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)-control groups after the third day. By the sixth day the wound contraction of NHRS-M and MHRS-H groups was much higher than the rbFGF-control group. HE and MT staining revealed that epithelialization, fibroblast distribution, collagen deposition of NHRS-M- and NHRS-H-control groups were significantly higher than the model group. Moreover, immunohistochemistry showed more intense staining of VEGF, TGF-ß1 and CD68 in the rbFGF- and NHRS-control groups, compared to that in model and 5% DMSO-control groups. The clearance and phagocytic indices of NHRS-M- and NHRS-H-control groups were significantly higher than that of the carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC) group in mice. CONCLUSION: NHRS accelerates wound repair via enhancing the macrophages activity, accelerating angiogenesis and collagen fiber deposition response mediated by VEGF and TGF-ß1.

Effects of reconstructed magnetic field from sparse noisy boundary measurements on localization of active neural source.

Localization of active neural source (ANS) from measurements on head surface is vital in magnetoencephalography. As neuron-generated magnetic fields are extremely weak, significant uncertainties caused by stochastic measurement interference complicate its localization. This paper presents a novel computational method based on reconstructed magnetic field from sparse noisy measurements for enhanced ANS localization by suppressing effects of unrelated noise. In this approach, the magnetic flux density (MFD) in the nearby current-free space outside the head is reconstructed from measurements through formulating the infinite series solution of the Laplace's equation, where boundary condition (BC) integrals over the entire measurements provide "smooth" reconstructed MFD with the decrease in unrelated noise. Using a gradient-based method, reconstructed MFDs with good fidelity are selected for enhanced ANS localization. The reconstruction model, spatial interpolation of BC, parametric equivalent current dipole-based inverse estimation algorithm using reconstruction, and gradient-based selection are detailed and validated. The influences of various source depths and measurement signal-to-noise ratio levels on the estimated ANS location are analyzed numerically and compared with a traditional method (where measurements are directly used), and it was demonstrated that gradient-selected high-fidelity reconstructed data can effectively improve the accuracy of ANS localization.

Multi-motion robots control based on bioelectric signals from single-channel dry electrode.

This article presents a multi-motion control system to help severe disabled people operate an auxiliary appliance using neck-up bioelectric signals measured by a single-channel dry electrode on the forehead. The single-channel dry-electrode multi-motion control system exhibits several practical advantages over its conventional counterparts that use multi-channel wet-electrodes; among the challenges is an effective technique to extract bioelectric features for reliable implementation of multi degrees-of-freedom motion control. Using both time and frequency characteristics of the single-channel dry-electrode measurements, motion commands are derived from multiple feature signals associated with concentration demands and different eye-blink actions for use in a two-level control strategy that has been developed to control predefined multi degrees-of-freedom motion trajectories. Test paradigms were designed to pre-calibrate the users' feature signals to statistically account for individual variances. Experimental trials were then carried out on able-bodied and disabled volunteers to validate the universal applicability of the algorithms. The classification success rates for two different eye-blink feature signals were approximately 95% with an average time of 2.4 s for executing a concentration feature signal. The single-channel dry-electrode-based technique has been validated on a 6-degree-of-freedom robot arm demonstrating its significant potentials to help patients suffering severe motor dysfunctions operate a multi-motion auxiliary appliance in everyday living where the ease of use is a priority.

Effect of hepatitis B immunoglobulin on interruption of HBV intrauterine infection.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) in interrupting hepatitis B virus (HBV) intrauterine infection during late pregnancy. METHODS: We allocated 112 HBsAg positive pregnant women into 2 groups randomly. Fifty seven cases in the HBIG group received 200 IU (unit) HBIG intramuscularly every 4 wk from the 28 wk of gestation to the time of delivery, while 55 cases in the control group received no special treatment. HBsAg, HBeAg, HBcAb, HBeAb, HBsAb and HBV DNA levels were tested in the peripheral blood specimens from all of the mothers at 28 wk of gestation, just before delivery, and in blood from their newborns within 24 h before administration of immune prophylaxis. RESULTS: The intrauterine infection rate in HBIG group and control group were 10.5% and 27.3%, respectively, with significant difference (P<0.05). It showed ascendant trend as HBV DNA levels in the peripheral blood increased before delivery. CONCLUSION: HBIG is potent to cut down HBV intrauterine infection rate significantly when administered to pregnant women regularly during late pregnancy. The possibility of HBV intrauterine infection increases if maternal blood HBV DNA> or =10(8) copies/mL.

Interruption of HBV intrauterine transmission: a clinical study.

AIM: To investigate the effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) specific immunoglobin (HBIG) and lamivudine on HBV intrauterine transmission in HBsAg positive pregnant women. METHODS: Each subject in the HBIG group (56 cases) was given 200 IU HBIG intramuscularly (im.) every 4 weeks from 28-week (wk) of gestation, while each subject in the lamivudine group (43 cases) received 100 mg lamivudine orally (po.) every day from 28-wk of gestation until the 30(th) day after labor. Subjects in the control group (52 cases) received no specific treatment. Blood specimens were tested for HBsAg, HBeAg, and HBV-DNA in all maternities at 28-wk of gestation, before delivery, and in their newborns 24 hours before the administration of immune prophylaxis. RESULTS: Reductions of HBV DNA in both treatments were significant (P<0.05). The rate of neonatal intrauterine HBV infection was significantly lower in HBIG group (16.1 %) and lamivudine group (16.3 %) compared with control group (32.7 %) (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between HBIG group and lamivudine group (P>0.05). No side effects were found in all the pregnant women or their newborns. CONCLUSION: The risk of HBV intrauterine infection can be effectively reduced by administration of HBIG or Lamivudine in the 3(rd) trimester of HBsAg positive pregnant women.

[A new method for amplification and sequence analysis of the full-length of HBV genome].

OBJECTIVES: To develop a new method for amplifying and sequencing the full-length of HBV genome. METHODS: A pair of primers located at the nick region of HBV molecule and a thermostable polymerase with high fidelity and sensitivity were used. After cloning the PCR products into a plasmid, the sequences of HBV genome were analyzed. RESULTS: The full-length of HBV genome were acquired using this method. The sensitivity and fidelity of the new method were also analyzed. The least quantity of initial templates was 10(2) and the artificial mutation rate was 1.2 bp/kb. CONCLUSION: This method can be used in amplification and sequence analysis of the full-length of HBV genome on a large scale.

ABT-737 induces Bim expression via JNK signaling pathway and its effect on the radiation sensitivity of HeLa cells.

ABT-737 is a BH3 mimetic small molecule inhibitor that can effectively inhibit the activity of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins including Bcl2, Bcl-xL and Bcl-w, and further enhances the effect of apoptosis by activating the proapoptotic proteins (t-Bid, Bad, Bim). In this study, we demonstrate that ABT-737 improved the radiation sensitivity of cervical cancer HeLa cells and thereby provoked cell apoptosis. Our results show that ABT-737 inhibited HeLa cell proliferation and activated JNK and its downstream target c-Jun, which caused the up-regulation of Bim expression. Blockade of JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway resulted in significant down-regulation of ABT-737-induced Bim mRNA and protein expression level. Also, ABT-737 could evoke the Bim promoter activity, and enhance the radiation sensitivity of HeLa cells via JNK/c-Jun and Bim signaling pathway. Our data imply that combination of ABT-737 and conventional radiation therapy might represent a highly effective therapeutic approach for future treatment of cervical cancer.