Accurate prediction of biliary atresia with an integrated model using MMP-7 levels and bile acids.

Background: Biliary atresia (BA) is a rare fatal liver disease in children, and the aim of this study was to develop a method to diagnose BA early.

Methods: We determined serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7), the results of 13 liver tests, and the levels of 20 bile acids, and integrated computational models were constructed to diagnose BA.

Results: Our findings demonstrated that MMP-7 expression levels, as well as the results of four liver tests and levels of ten bile acids, were significantly different between 86 BA and 59 non-BA patients (P < 0.

[Enrichment Factors, Health Risk, and Source Identification of Heavy Metals in Agricultural Soils in Semi-arid Region of Hainan Island].

To understand the enrichment factors and pollution levels of heavy metals in agricultural soils in the semi-arid region of Hainan island, 1818 surface soil samples were collected in Gancheng Town and analyzed for their heavy metal contents and physicochemical composition. Correlation analysis was used to determine the heavy metal enrichment factors. The geo-accumulation index (), comprehensive ecological risk index (RI), and hazard index (HI), as well as carcinogenic risk (CR), were used to assess the degree of pollution and health risk.

[Accumulation and Health Risk of Heavy Metals in Cereals, Vegetables, and Fruits of Intensive Plantations in Hainan Province].

The accumulation of some harmful elements in plants from intensive production systems pose a serious threat to human health. In this study, seven heavy metals(Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, As, and Hg) and their distribution characteristics in the crops, vegetables, and fruits were analyzed alongside single factor evaluation and Nemero index analysis. Combined with dietary recommended consumption data from the Chinese Nutrition Society, the dietary exposure of heavy metals were further analyzed, and a consequent safety risk assessment was conducted.