Effects of urinary organophosphate flame retardants in susceptibility to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in school-age children.

Our previous studies have revealed a correlation between urinary phthalates (PAE) metabolites and parabens and PM exposure and susceptibility to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in school-age children. Our goal was to examine the relationships between urinary organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) and their metabolites and the susceptibility to ADHD in the same cohort of children. We recruited 186 school children, including 132 with ADHD and 54 normal controls, living in southern Taiwan to investigate five OPFRs (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl phosphate (TDCPP), tri-n-butyl phosphate (TnBP), tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP), and triphenyl phosphate (TPHP)) and five OPFR metabolites (bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCPP), di-n-butyl phosphate (DNBP), bis(2-chloroethyl) hydrogen phosphate (BCEP), di-(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (DBEP), and diphenyl phosphate (DPHP)) in urine.

MicroRNAs in Umbilical Cord Blood and Development in Full-Term Newborns: A Prospective Study.

Background: Exploring the epigenetic regulations, such as microRNA, in newborns holds significant promise for enhancing our ability to address and potentially prevent early-life developmental delays.

Objectives: Hence, this research seeks to investigate if the expression of miRNA in the umbilical cord blood of infants can forecast their developmental outcomes as they grow older.

Design And Method: We enrolled 143 full-term newborns, delivered either via cesarean section (CS) or through natural spontaneous delivery (NSD).

Organophosphate esters in water and air: A minireview of their sources, occurrence, and air-water exchange.

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) have received considerable attention in environmental research due to their extensive production, wide-ranging applications, prevalent presence, potential for bioaccumulation, and associated ecological and health concerns. Low efficiency of OPE removal results in the effluents of wastewater treatment plants emerging as a significant contributor to OPE contamination. Their notable solubility and mobility give OPEs the potential to be transported to coastal ecosystems via river discharge and atmospheric deposition.

Persistent Halogenated Organic Pollutants in Deep-Water-Deposited Particulates from South China Sea.

POP data are limited in the marine environment; thus, this study aimed to investigate background persistent organic pollutant (POP) levels in oceanic deep-water-deposited particulates in the South China Sea (SCS). Six POPs, including polychlorinated dibenzo--dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polybrominated dibenzo--dioxins/dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs), polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PCDEs), and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), were investigated in eight pooled samples from the SCS from 20 September 2013 to 23 March 2014 and 15 April 2014 to 24 October 2014 at depths of 2000 m and 3500 m. PBDEs were the most predominant compounds, with the highest mean ΣPBDE of 125 ± 114 ng/g dry weight (d.

Urinary levels of organophosphate flame retardants metabolites in a young population from Southern Taiwan and potential health effects.

Background: Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are widely distributed in the environment and their metabolites are observed in urine, but little is known regarding OPFRs in a broad-spectrum young population from newborns to those aged 18 years.

Objectives: Investigate urinary levels of OPFRs and OPFR metabolites in Taiwanese infants, young children, schoolchildren, and adolescents within the general population.

Methods: Different age groups of subjects (n=136) were recruited from southern Taiwan to detect 10 OPFR metabolites in urine samples.

The effects of using Tempeh as a supplement for type 2 diabetes.

Studies suggest that the consumption of Tempeh can improve abnormal blood glucose and lipid parameters, although it remains still unclear as to whether Tempeh can improve tissue damage. In our study, db/db obese diabetic mice were given Tempeh 1 (300 mg/kg) and Tempeh 2 (600 mg/kg) for 3 months. The tissue samples collected were stained using different tissue-staining methodologies and were compared with the diabetic control group that was not given any Tempeh.

Investigating the associations between organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) and fine particles in paired indoor and outdoor air: A probabilistic prediction model for deriving OPFRs in indoor environments.

Contaminants of emerging concern such as organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are associated with atmospheric fine particles (PM), which pose the greatest health risk in the world. However, few surveys have explored the interaction between PM and OPFRs in residential paired indoor/outdoor environments. 11 priority OPFRs and PM were investigated across 178 paired indoor and outdoor air samples taken from 89 children's households in southern Taiwan, across cold and warm seasons.

Effect of omega-6 linoleic acid on neurobehavioral development in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Linoleic acid (LA, omega-6), an essential polyunsaturated fatty acid, is supplied by vegetable oils such as corn, sunflower and soybean. Supplementary LA in infants and children is required for normal growth and brain development, but has also been reported to induce brain inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. This controversial role of LA development requires further investigation.

7,10,13,16-Docosatetraenoic acid impairs neurobehavioral development by increasing reactive oxidative species production in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Aims: To investigate human breast milk (HBM) lipids that may adversely affect infant neurodevelopment.

Main Methods: We performed multivariate analyses that combined lipidomics and psychologic Bayley-III scales to identify which HBM lipids are involved in regulating infant neurodevelopment. We observed a significant moderate negative correlation between 7,10,13,16-docosatetraenoic acid (omega-6, CHO, the common name adrenic acid, AdA) and adaptive behavioral development.

Chemical decontamination of foods using non-thermal plasma-activated water.

The presence of chemical contaminants in foods and agricultural products is one of the major safety issues worldwide, posing a serious concern to human health. Nonthermal plasma (NTP) containing richly reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) has been trialed as a potential decontamination method. Yet, this technology comes with multiple downsides, including adverse effects on the quality of treated foods and limited exposure to entire surfaces on samples with hard-to-reach spots, further hindering real-life applications.

Gut Microbiota Ecosystem Governance of Host Inflammation, Mitochondrial Respiration and Skeletal Homeostasis.

Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis account for the leading causes of musculoskeletal dysfunction in older adults. Senescent chondrocyte overburden, inflammation, oxidative stress, subcellular organelle dysfunction, and genomic instability are prominent features of these age-mediated skeletal diseases. Age-related intestinal disorders and gut dysbiosis contribute to host tissue inflammation and oxidative stress by affecting host immune responses and cell metabolism.

Rapid Control of a SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant COVID-19 Community Outbreak: The Successful Experience in Pingtung County of Taiwan.

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-associated Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was an outbreak in December, 2019 and rapidly spread to the world. All variants of SARS-CoV-2, including the globally and currently dominant Delta variant (Delta-SARS-CoV-2), caused severe disease and mortality. Among all variants, Delta-SARS-CoV-2 had the highest transmissibility, growth rate, and secondary attack rate than other variants except for the new variant of Omicron that still exists with many unknown effects.

The Impact of Background-Level Carboxylated Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs-COOH) on Induced Toxicity in and Human Cells.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are widely utilized for industrial, biomedical, and environmental purposes. The toxicity of Carboxylated SWCNTs (SWCNTs-COOH) in in vivo models, particularly (), and in vitro human cells is still unclear. In this study, was used to study the effects of SWCNTs-COOH on lethality, lifespan, growth, reproduction, locomotion, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and the antioxidant system.

Interrelationships among growth hormone, thyroid function, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals on the susceptibility to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Abnormal growth hormones and thyroid function may be linked to pathophysiology of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Phthalates and bisphenol-A (BPA), two endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), may affect the human endocrine system. In this study, we aimed to perform a comprehensive investigation of whether growth hormone, thyroid function, and EDCs exhibited differential levels between ADHD patients and healthy controls.

Analysis of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Lipid Composition in Human Breast Milk and Their Correlation with Infant Neurodevelopment.

Breastfeeding is recommended over formula feeding, but human breast milk (HBM) composition varies and can be affected by food additives. Whether flame-retardant polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) found in HBM interact with lipid components of HBM to impede infant neurodevelopment is a critical public health issue. Using lipidomic analysis, we examined the association of PBDEs in HBM and HBM lipid components with infant neurodevelopment.

Levels of Phthalates, Bisphenol-A, Nonylphenol, and Microplastics in Fish in the Estuaries of Northern Taiwan and the Impact on Human Health.

Due to the sparsity in knowledge, we investigated the presence of various estrogenic endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EEDCs), including phthalates (PAEs), bisphenol-A (BPA), and nonylphenol (NP), as well as microplastics (MPs) in samples of the most widely consumed fish collected from different estuaries in northern Taiwan. We then proceeded to determine the likely contribution that this exposure has on the potential for health impacts in humans following consumption of the fish. Six hundred fish caught from five river estuaries (producing 130 pooled samples) were analyzed to determine how different factors (such as the river, benthic, pelagic, and migratory species) influence EEDCs' contamination and the possible impacts on human health following typical consumption patterns.

Data on effect of Tempeh Fermentation on patients with type II diabetes.

Type II diabetes (T2D) arises through insulin resistance and a progressive decrease in insulin secretion, which may be partly related to pancreatic beta-cell function decline, obesity, and eventual hyperglycemia [1]. The first line for managing hyperglycemia in patients with T2D includes lifestyle modifications and metformin monotherapy. However, many patients still showed poor glycemic control due to progressive deterioration during the course of T2D [2, 3].

Effect of 9,12-Octadecadiynoic Acid on Neurobehavioral Development in .

Human breast milk lipids have major beneficial effects: they promote infant early brain development, growth and health. To identify the relationship between human breast milk lipids and infant neurodevelopment, multivariate analyses that combined lipidomics and psychological Bayley-III scales evaluation were utilized. We identified that 9,12-octadecadiynoic acid has a significantly positive correlation with infant adaptive behavioral development, which is a crucial neurodevelopment to manage risk from environmental stress.

Study on the correlation of bisphenol A exposure, pro-inflammatory gene expression, and C-reactive protein with potential cardiovascular disease symptoms in young adults.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a plasticizer used in the manufacture of polycarbonate and epoxy resins. It was found that higher urinary BPA levels are more likely to be associated with coronary artery disease (CVD). In recent years, the increasing incidence of CVD among young people is observed, which may be related with inflammation rather than the traditional triple-H risk factors.

Toxicity assessment of electrochemical advanced oxidation process-treated groundwater from a gas station with petrochemical contamination.

Electrochemical advanced oxidation process (EAOP) is known for its efficient and fast degradation of organic pollutants in polluted water treatment. In this study, the EAOP using a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode was applied to treat two-season groundwater samples collected from four sampling wells (GS1 to GS4) with petrochemical contaminants including methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), benzene, toluene, chlorobenzene, total organic compounds (TOC), and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) at a gas station in southern Taiwan. Moreover, toxicity tests (ATP, p53, and NF-κB bioassays) were performed to evaluate the biological responses of raw and EAOP-treated groundwater.

Data on greenhouse gases emission of fuels in power plants in Malaysia during the year of 1990-2017.

Energy has a significant influence on Malaysia's industry. It is used in electricity generation, refineries, gas processing plants and end-user applications such as transportation, residential, agriculture and fishing. These burning fossil fuel activities produce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions.

Development and evaluation of a novel personal sampler for PM using rotating porous media.

A rotating filtration device (RFD) that is filled with porous media is developed for sampling particulate matter with a diameter of 1 μm or less (PM). An experiment is conducted on a test system using corn oil as a test aerosol. The RFD was evaluated using an aerodynamic particle sizer.

Residue Levels of Organochlorine Pesticides in Breast Milk and Its Associations with Cord Blood Thyroid Hormones and the Offspring's Neurodevelopment.

Previous studies have demonstrated that organochlorine pesticide (OCP) exposure has a negative impact on the neurological function of infants. Only a few reports have investigated the thyroid and growth hormones and their relationship to neurodevelopment after human exposure to OCPs, especially in the case of infants. Our goal was to determine whether breastmilk OCP residues were associated with negative impacts and/or alterations in the neurodevelopment of infants among specific southern Taiwanese mother-breastfed infant pairs.

PFLP-Intensified Disease Resistance Against Bacterial Soft Rot Through the MAPK Pathway in PAMP-Triggered Immunity.

Bacterial soft rot is a devastating disease affecting a variety of vegetable crops worldwide. One strategy for controlling this disease could be the ectopic expression of the plant ferredoxin-like protein (pflp) gene. PFLP was previously shown to intensify pathogen-associated molecular pattern-triggered immunity (PTI), an immune response triggered, for example, by the flagellin epitope flg22.