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.

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.

The interactions among organophosphate pesticide exposure, oxidative stress, and genetic polymorphisms of dopamine receptor D4 increase the risk of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children.

Objective: The aim of this study was to clarify the association between organophosphate pesticides (OPs) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) related to oxidative stress and genetic polymorphisms.

Methods: This case-control study enrolled 93 children with ADHD and 112 control children in north Taiwan. Six dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites of OPs and oxidative stress biomarkers were analyzed.

Associations between urinary total arsenic levels, fetal development, and neonatal birth outcomes: A cohort study in Taiwan.

Background: Arsenic exposure is a global health concern. Several studies have focused on chronic arsenic exposure in adults; however, limited data are available regarding the potential adverse effects of prenatal exposure on fetuses and neonates.

Objectives: To assess which time point maternal arsenic exposure may influence the fetus during pregnancy and birth outcomes.

Indoor Air Quality in the Metro System in North Taiwan.

Indoor air pollution is an increasing health concern, especially in enclosed environments such as underground subway stations because of increased global usage by urban populations. This study measured the indoor air quality of underground platforms at 10 metro stations of the Taipei Rapid Transit system (TRTS) in Taiwan, including humidity, temperature, carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), formaldehyde (HCHO), total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), ozone (O₃), airborne particulate matter (PM and PM), bacteria and fungi. Results showed that the CO₂, CO and HCHO levels met the stipulated standards as regulated by Taiwan's Indoor Air Quality Management Act (TIAQMA).

Quality of Chemical Safety Information in Printing Industry.

Objectives: Employees in printing industries can be exposed to multiple solvents in their work environment. The objectives of this study were to investigate the critical components of chemical solvents by analyzing the components of the solvents and collecting the Safety data sheets (SDSs), and to evaluate the hazard communication implementation status in printing industries.

Method: About 152 printing-related industries were recruited by area-stratified random sampling and included 23 plate-making, 102 printing and 27 printing-assistance companies in Taiwan.

Do the Levels of Maternal Plasma Trace Elements Affect Fetal Nuchal Translucency Thickness?

Objective: Fetal nuchal translucency (NT) thickness is an important marker for prenatal screening; however, studies focusing on the correlation between maternal trace element levels and NT thickness are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate maternal trace element levels during the first trimester and to investigate the association between maternal trace element levels and fetal NT thickness.

Methods: In total, 113 samples were obtained from singleton pregnant women.

The critical fetal stage for maternal manganese exposure.

Prenatal exposure and the health effects of that exposure have been intensively studied for a variety of environmental pollutants and trace elements. However, few studies have compared susceptibilities among the three trimesters of gestation. Manganese (Mn) is a naturally occurring and abundant trace element in the environment.

The association between nonylphenols and sexual hormones levels among pregnant women: a cohort study in Taiwan.

Background: Nonylphenol (NP) has been proven as an endocrine disrupter and had the ability to interfere with the endocrine system. Though the health effects of NP on pregnant women and their fetuses are sustained, these negative associations related to the mechanisms of regulation for estrogen during pregnancy need to be further clarified. The objective of this study is to explore the association between maternal NP and hormonal levels, such as estradiol, testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and progesterone.

Visualized gene network reveals the novel target transcripts Sox2 and Pax6 of neuronal development in trans-placental exposure to bisphenol A.

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous endocrine disrupting chemical in our daily life, and its health effect in response to prenatal exposure is still controversial. Early-life BPA exposure may impact brain development and contribute to childhood neurological disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate molecular target genes of neuronal development in trans-placental exposure to BPA.

The association between maternal nonylphenol exposure and parity on neonatal birth weight: a cohort study in Taiwan.

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the association between NP exposure and parity and their effect on neonatal birth weight.

Methods: A cohort of pregnant women was established in a medical center in North Taiwan. Urinary NP concentration was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescent detection and adjusted using creatinine.

Neonatal outcomes of intrauterine nonylphenol exposure--a longitudinal cohort study in Taiwan.

Background: Nonylphenol (NP) is an environmental hormone with proven estrogenic effects. Although its adverse effects on animals are well documented, the effects of NP exposure on humans remain unclear, and those on the human foetus are completely unknown. This study explores the effects of intrauterine NP exposure on neonates.

The effects of perceived stress and life style leading to breast cancer.

Researchers conducted a study in a Taiwanese medical center from June 2009 to June 2011 to investigate the relations of perceived stress and lifestyle to breast cancer. A total of 157 cases and 314 controls completed a structured questionnaire. Using multiple logistic regression models, high perceived stress (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.

Method development for determining the malodor source and pollution in industrial park.

Malodor pollution emitted from industrial park has become an important environmental issue. However, the difficulty in investigating malodor pollution is in determining the malodor source. The objective of this study was to develop a model for determining the malodor source and pollution in industrial park, via multiple time and site measurements of odor intensity and air pollutants, together with wind direction in different seasons, and the critical environmental factors could be also identified by correlating the odor intensities with meteorological conditions and the concentrations of air pollutants.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in foodstuffs from Taiwan: level and human dietary exposure assessment.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) may contaminate food through bioconcentration and biomagnification. PBDEs often exist in the food chain and are consumed by humans. This study aims to determine the concentrations of PBDEs in food intake and to estimate the daily exposure of Taiwanese citizens to PBDEs.

Effects of profuse sweating induced by exercise on urinary uric acid excretion in a hot environment.

In order to determine whether exercise-induced profuse sweating could reduce urinary uric acid excretion, we simulated badminton players training and measured their uric acid in urine, sweat and blood during the training period. Thirteen male volunteers who were well-trained badminton players were recruited in this study. On the first 2 days and the last 2 days of the study period none of the subjects engaged in any intense exercise- or activity-inducing profuse sweat, but they accepted routine training 2 h per day during the middle 3 days.

Increase of urinary concentrations of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in diesel exhaust emission inspector exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to explore the factors influencing urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in diesel engine exhaust emission inspectors (inspectors), the association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure and fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)) levels in diesel exhaust particles (DEPs), and the PAHs exposure levels in diesel vehicle emission inspection stations (inspection stations).

Methods: Twenty-eight inspectors and a control group of thirty-eight individuals matched by age and gender were recruited for this study.

Effects of polybrominated diphenyl ethers on steroidogenesis in rat Leydig cells.

Background: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are brominated flame retardants that have been defined as major environmental pollutants. While previous studies have found that PBDEs may enhance the levels of sex-steroid hormones, their effects on testosterone secretion from rat Leydig cells are unclear. This study investigated the effects and mechanisms of PBDE-710, a mixture of tetra- and penta-PBDEs, on testosterone biosynthesis in rat Leydig cells.

Trajectory of depression symptoms and related factors in later life--a population based study.

Background: A number of studies of elderly depression have examined the association between depression and its related factors; however, they did not observe how the development of related factors influenced elderly depression over time. This study aims to understand the rising trajectory of depressive symptoms found in elderly male and female, and whether the causation of depression due to related factors would be heterogeneous between male and female over a decade from 1993 to 2003.

Method: This study uses the data from the "Survey of Health and Living Status of the Elderly in Taiwan".

Urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine as a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage in workers exposed to ethylbenzene.

This study assessed the relationships between ethylbenzene exposure and levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) among spray painters. Sixty-four male workers employed at a large shipyard were recruited for this investigation. Fifteen spray painters exposed to paint, together with two non-exposed groups, namely 19 sandblasting workers and 30 office staffs were selected as the subjects.

Sulfur-rich geothermal emissions elevate acid aerosol levels in metropolitan Taipei.

Several studies have demonstrated that millions of people globally are potentially exposed to volcanic gases. Hydrogen sulfide is a typical gas in volcanic and geothermal areas. The gas is toxic at high concentrations that predominantly affects the nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems.

Exposure assessment of airborne acrylamide for occupationally exposed workers by using an isotope-dilution gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.

Objectives: To develop a highly sensitive analytical method for very low acrylamide (AA) exposure and to conduct an occupational exposure assessment by the developed method.

Methods: Seventy-five air samples from four plants were collected and analyzed using an isotope-dilution gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS).

Results: This isotope-dilution GC-MS method is sufficiently sensitive for assessing very low AA level as 4.

Exposure assessment of PM2.5 and urinary 8-OHdG for diesel exhaust emission inspector.

Animal studies have shown exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) to induce production of reactive oxygen species (ROSs) and increase levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyquanosine (8-OHdG). Controversial results have been obtained regarding the effects of workplace exposure on urinary 8-OHdG level. This study assessed concentrations of environmental PM(2.

Differential effects of nonylphenol on testosterone secretion in rat Leydig cells.

Nonylphenol (NP), a final metabolite of nonylphenol polyethoxylate, has been reported to interfere with male reproduction. However, its mechanisms are not fully understood. In the present study, we examined the effects of NP on steroidogenesis of testosterone in rat Leydig cells.

Association between nonylphenol exposure and development of secondary sexual characteristics.

Previous studies have reported that p-nonylphenol (NP) can advance the age at vaginal opening in prepubertal rats. A significant exposure levels of NP was found in Taiwanese population even from the prenatal stage. The purposes of this study are to examine the urinary NP concentration of pubertal students in Taiwan and to explore its association with the development of secondary sexual characteristics.