摘要：
The toxicity of formaldehyde (FA) has always been of great concern, particularly since its use is unavoidable. On the other hand, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), an active substance in tea polyphenols, has been shown to demonstrate physiological protective functions by in both epidemiological and zoological studies, particularly in the nervous system. The study described here, aims to explore whether EGCG can alleviate the neurotoxic effects induced by formaldehyde. After 14 days of exposure to 3 mg/m(3) formaldehyde, mice exhibited significant cognitive impairment. In the FA group, a significant increase in iNOS level compared with the control group was observed. The reduced GSH level was significantly decreased. The levels of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and Caspase-3 were obviously raised, while H&E and Nissl staining illustrated significant neuronal damage. After administering EGCG as a protective agent, all the above observed changes were reversed, and the protective effect of EGCG became gradually evident in the 20-500 mg/kg range. Immunohistochemistry results showed that EGCG could activate the Nrf2 signaling pathway, thus alleviating the oxidative damage caused by formaldehyde.
摘要：
From October 2010 to April 2012, we conducted a cross-sectional study of associations between household environments and childhood health among preschool children in eight Chinese cities. Here, we analyze associations of early household renovation with preterm birth (PTB), low birthweight (LBW), term low birthweight (Term-LBW), and small for gestational age (SGA). Parents responded to questions about household renovation and their children's gestational age and birthweight. In the multivariate logistic regression analyses, household renovation in the year before pregnancy was significantly associated with LBW (sample size: N = 25 813; adjusted odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 1.23, 1.01-1.50) and Term-LBW (N = 24 823; 1.29, 1.01-1.67). Household renovation during pregnancy was significantly associated with PTB (N = 25 202; 1.28, 1.01-1.69). These significant associations were also found in the two-level (city-child) logistic regression analyses and in the sensitivity analyses among 21 009 children with complete data in all studied variates. Stronger associations were found in certain subgroups. Our findings indicate that household renovation within one year before pregnancy might be a risk factor for LBW and Term-LBW, while household renovation during pregnancy could be a risk factor for PTB.
关键词：
Air pollution;Cockroaches;Home environment;Incense burning;Redecoration;Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)
摘要：
Few studies exist from China on associations between home environment and adult health. We studied associations between home environment factors (other than dampness and mould) and rhinitis, throat and dermal symptoms and headache and fatigue among young parents in six cities across China (N=36,541). They were recruited as parents from day care centers selected randomly and answered a questionnaire on medical symptoms and the home environment. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated by multilevel logistic regression adjusting for gender, atopy, smoking, home size and dampness/mould. Overall, 4.8% had skin symptoms 3.1% rhinitis, 2.8% eye, 4.1% throat symptoms, 3.0% headache and 13.9% had fatigue (all as weekly symptoms). Redecoration was associated with rhinitis, eye and skin symptoms, headache and fatigue. New furniture was associated with eye, throat and skin symptoms and fatigue. Gas cooking was associated with eye and throat symptoms, headache and fatigue. Biomass cooking was associated with eye and throat symptoms and headache. Burning incense was associated with eye, throat and skin symptoms, headache and fatigue. Presence of cockroaches and mosquitos or flies was associated with all six symptoms. Rats or mice were associated with eye and dermal symptoms. Cat keeping was associated with eye symptoms while dog keepers had less fatigue. Living near major roads was associated with rhinitis, eye, throat and skin symptoms and fatigue. Daily cleaning, a mechanical ventilation system in the kitchen or in the bathroom, living in older buildings and living in less urbanized areas were protective factors. In conclusion, urbanization, traffic exhaust, indoor emissions from redecoration and new furniture, gas cooking and air pollution from burning incense and biomass may cause dermal and mucosal symptoms, headache and fatigue among adults in China. Indoor animals (cats, mice/rats, cockroaches) were other risk factors. Daily cleaning, mechanical ventilation and living in older buildings can be protective.
摘要：
Coexistence mechanisms for species with similar ecological traits and overlapping geographic distributions are basic questions in ecology and evolutionary biology. Specific habitat requirements often limit distribution range as well as facilitate partitioning resource utilization in ecological similar species. Understanding niche segregation and differences in microhabitat utilization can contribute to identifying coexistence mechanisms between parapatric species. Feirana quadranus and F. taihangnica are two closely related frog species with parapatric geographic ranges and an elongated contact zone within the Qinling Mountains, which is an important watershed for East Asia. Here, we analysed the difference in microhabitat utilization between the two frog species and explored the key ecological factors that induced their microhabitat differentiation based on quadrats sampled in the contact zone. Our comparison of twenty environmental variables showed that both species used microhabitats with alkalescent warm water and gentle slope conditions. The principal component analysis indicated that climate-related variables, vegetation conditions, and river width were the important factors for microhabitat utilization of these species. These findings contribute to our understanding on the coexistence mechanisms of these two related and parapatric Asian mountain frog species. This study can also be helpful for identifying target habitats to conduct conservation actions and management strategies effectively in the face of environmental changes.
摘要：
Formaldehyde (FA), a well-known toxic gas molecule similar to nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), is widely produced endogenously via numerous biochemical pathways, and has a number of physiological roles in the biosystem. We attempted to investigate the vasorelaxant effects of FA and their underlying mechanisms. We found that FA induced vasorelaxant effects on rat aortic rings in a concentration-dependent manner. The NO/cyclic guanosine 5' monophosphate (cGMP) pathway was up-regulated when the rat aortas were treated with FA. The expression of large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BKCa) channel subunits alpha and beta of the rat aortas was increased by FA. Similarly, the levels of ATP-sensitive K(+) (KATP) channel subunits Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 were also up-regulated when the rat aortas were incubated with FA. In contrast, levels of the L-type Ca(2+) channel (LTCC) subunits, Cav1.2 and Cav1.3, decreased dramatically with increasing concentrations of FA. We demonstrated that the regulation of FA on vascular contractility may be via the up-regulation of the NO/cGMP pathway and the modulation of ion channels, including the upregulated expression of the KATP and BKCa channels and the inhibited expression of LTCCs. Further study is needed to explore the in-depth mechanisms of FA induced vasorelaxation.
关键词：
Indoor particulate matter;Oxidative stress;Inflammation;Promote coagulation;3D human microvessel
摘要：
BACKGROUND: A growing body of evidence shows that indoor concentrations of airborne particles are often higher than is typically encountered outdoors. Since exposure to indoor PM2.5 is thought to be associated with cardiovascular disease, the health impacts of indoor air pollution need to be explored. Based on animal models, ambient particulate matter has been proved to promote coagulation which is very likely involved in the pathogenic development of cardiovascular disease. However, animal models are insufficient to predict what will happen with any certainty in humans. For this reason, the precise pathogenic mechanisms behind the development of cardiovascular disease in humans have not yet been determined. RESULTS: We generated a 3D functional human microvascular network in a microfluidic device. This model enables human vascular endothelial cells to form tissue-like microvessels that behave very similarly to human blood vessels. The perfusable microvasculature allows the delivery of particles introduced into these generated human-like microvessels to follow the fluid flow. This exposure path effectively simulates the dynamic movement of airborne nanoscale particles (ANPs) within human vessels. In this study, we first identified the existence of ANPs in indoor air pollution. We then showed that ANPs could activate endothelial cells via ROS induced inflammation, and further resulted in abnormal expression of the coagulation factors (TF, TM and t-PA) involved in coagulation cascades. In addition, we found that a protein could cover ANPs, and this biointeraction could interfere with heparan sulfate (HS). Human organotypic 3D microvessel models provide a bridge for how research outcomes can translate to humans. CONCLUSIONS: The 3D human microvessel model was used to determine the physiological responses of human vessels to ANP stimulation. Based on the obtained data, we concluded that ANPs not only disrupts normal coagulation functions, but also act directly on anticoagulant factors in human vessels. These experimental observations provide a potential biological explanation for the epidemiologically established link between ANPs and coagulation abnormality. This organ-on-chip model may provide a bridge from in vitro results to human responses.
关键词：
dampness;home environment;mold odor;rhinitis;sick building syndrome;water damage
摘要：
We studied dampness and mold in China in relation to rhinitis, ocular, throat and dermal symptoms, headache and fatigue. A questionnaire study was performed in six cities including 36 541 randomized parents of young children. Seven self-reported signs of dampness were evaluated. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs). Totally, 3.1% had weekly rhinitis, 2.8% eye, 4.1% throat and 4.8% skin symptoms, 3.0% headache and 13.9% fatigue. Overall, 6.3% of the homes had mold, 11.1% damp stains, 35.3% damp bed clothing, 12.8% water damage, 45.4% window pane condensation, 11.1% mold odor, and 37.5% humid air. All dampness signs were associated with symptoms (ORs from 1.2 to 4.6; P < 0.001), including rhinitis (ORs from 1.4 to 3.2; P < 0.001), and ORs increased by number of dampness signs. The strongest associations were for mold odor (ORs from 2.3 to 4.6) and humid air (ORs from 2.8 to 4.8). Associations were stronger among men and stronger in Beijing as compared to south China. In conclusion, dampness and mold are common in Chinese homes and associated with rhinitis and ocular, throat and dermal symptoms, headache and fatigue. Men can be more sensitive to dampness and health effects of dampness can be stronger in northern China.
作者机构：
[Li, Yan; Wang, Pengcheng] Wuhan Polytech Univ, Key Lab Deep Proc Major Grain & Oil, Minist Educ, Coll Food Sci & Engn, Wuhan, Hubei, Peoples R China.;[Li, Jinquan; Yang, Xu] Cent China Normal Univ, Hubei Key Lab Genet Regulat & Integrat Biol, Coll Life Sci, Wuhan, Hubei, Peoples R China.;[Wang, Yixin; Gong, Zhiyong; Yang, Wu] Wuhan Polytech Univ, Hubei Key Lab Proc & Transformat Agr Prod, Coll Food Sci & Engn, Wuhan, Hubei, Peoples R China.;[Yang, Xu] Cent China Normal Univ, Coll Life Sci, Wuhan 430079, Hubei, Peoples R China.;[Yang, Wu] Wuhan Polytech Univ, Coll Food Sci & Engn, Wuhan 430023, Hubei, Peoples R China.
通讯机构：
[Yang, Wu] W;[Yang, Xu] C;Wuhan Polytech Univ, Coll Food Sci & Engn, Wuhan 430023, Hubei, Peoples R China.;Cent China Normal Univ, Coll Life Sci, Wuhan 430079, Hubei, Peoples R China.
会议名称：
Joint Symposium of the 9th International Conference of th Chinese-Society-of-Micro-Nano-Technology (CSMNT) / Microsystems and Nanoengineering Summit (MAN)
会议时间：
AUG 17-20, 2018
会议地点：
Hohhot, PEOPLES R CHINA
会议主办单位：
[Li, Yan;Wang, Pengcheng] Wuhan Polytech Univ, Key Lab Deep Proc Major Grain & Oil, Minist Educ, Coll Food Sci & Engn, Wuhan, Hubei, Peoples R China.^[Li, Jinquan;Yang, Xu] Cent China Normal Univ, Hubei Key Lab Genet Regulat & Integrat Biol, Coll Life Sci, Wuhan, Hubei, Peoples R China.^[Wang, Yixin;Gong, Zhiyong;Yang, Wu] Wuhan Polytech Univ, Hubei Key Lab Proc & Transformat Agr Prod, Coll Food Sci & Engn, Wuhan, Hubei, Peoples R China.
关键词：
3D organotypic culture;human lung fibroblasts;MnO2 nanowires;nanotoxicity
