Associations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and alternatives with subclinical hypothyroidism in children: A cross-sectional study in China.

There is growing experimental and epidemiological evidence linking perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure to thyroid dysfunction; however, the association between PFAS and their alternatives to subclinical hypothyroidism in children remains to be elucidated. This study investigated the association between 30 PFASs and thyroid function using serum samples from 194 children (aged 3-17 years) who participated in the Zhejiang Human Biomonitoring Program. Various thyroid function indicators, including free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine (FT4), and thyrotropin, were tested, and subclinical hypothyroidism was diagnosed.

Ferroptosis is involved in the damage of ocular lens under long-term PM exposure in rat models and humans.

Epidemiological studies show a positive association between air pollution and age-related cataracts, but the pathogenic mechanism remains unclear. This study first demonstrates that fine particulate matter (PM) induces ferroptosis in the lens, leading to morphological and functional disorders, through human, animal, and cellular samples. In 3-week PM-exposed rat models (10 µl 1 mg/ml PM suspension per eye, 4 times a day), we find that many vacuoles form in the lens equatorial region by analysis of haematoxylin and eosin staining after PM exposure.

Impact of Microplastic Exposure on Blood Glucose Levels and Gut Microbiota: Differential Effects under Normal or High-Fat Diet Conditions.

Microplastics are emerging pollutants that have garnered significant attention, with evidence suggesting their association with the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In order to assess the impact of polystyrene microplastic exposure on alterations in the gut microbiota and the subsequent implications for glucose dysregulation under different dietary conditions in mice, we investigated the effects and disparities in the blood glucose levels induced by polystyrene microplastic exposure in mice fed a high-fat diet versus those fed a normal diet. Using 16S rRNA sequencing and bioinformatics analyses, we explored the dynamic changes and discrepancies in the gut microbiota stability induced by polystyrene microplastic exposure under varied dietary conditions, and we screened for gut genera associated with the potential of polystyrene microplastics to disrupt glucose homeostasis.

Dietary Iodine Intake and Sources among Residents in Zhejiang Province 10 Years after Reducing Iodine Concentration in Iodized Salt.

We aimed to assess dietary iodine intake and sources in Zhejiang Province a decade after a reduction in iodine concentration in iodized salt. Three-day 24 h dietary recall and household weighing were used, complemented by "Chinese Food Composition" data. Household water and salt samples were collected from 5890 residents and analyzed.

Model prediction of radioactivity levels in the environment and food around the world's first AP 1000 nuclear power unit.

Objectives: Model prediction of radioactivity levels around nuclear facilities is a useful tool for assessing human health risks and environmental impacts. We aim to develop a model for forecasting radioactivity levels in the environment and food around the world's first AP 1000 nuclear power unit.

Methods: In this work, we report a pilot study using time-series radioactivity monitoring data to establish Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models for predicting radioactivity levels.

Emerging Contaminants: An Emerging Risk Factor for Diabetes Mellitus.

Emerging contaminants have been increasingly recognized as critical determinants in global public health outcomes. However, the intricate relationship between these contaminants and glucose metabolism remains to be fully elucidated. The paucity of comprehensive clinical data, coupled with the need for in-depth mechanistic investigations, underscores the urgency to decipher the precise molecular and cellular pathways through which these contaminants potentially mediate the initiation and progression of diabetes mellitus.

Acute and continuous exposure of airborne fine particulate matter (PM): diverse outer blood-retinal barrier damages and disease susceptibilities.

Background: The association between air pollution and retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been demonstrated, but the pathogenic correlation is unknown. Damage to the outer blood-retinal barrier (oBRB), which consists of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choriocapillaris, is crucial in the development of fundus diseases.

Objectives: To describe the effects of airborne fine particulate matter (PM) on the oBRB and disease susceptibilities.

Long-term PM2.5 exposure disrupts corneal epithelial homeostasis by impairing limbal stem/progenitor cells in humans and rat models.

Background: Limbal stem/progenitor cells (LSPCs) play a crucial role in maintaining corneal health by regulating epithelial homeostasis. Although PM2.5 is associated with the occurrence of several corneal diseases, its effects on LSPCs are not clearly understood.

Relationship of individual and mixed urinary metals exposure with liver function in the China National Human Biomonitoring (CNHBM) of Zhejiang Province.

Background: Heavy metals have been reported to affect liver function. However, there is currently little and inconsistent knowledge about the effects of combined and individual urinary metals on specific parameters of liver function in the general population. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate their associations.

Are Microplastics Toxic? A Review from Eco-Toxicity to Effects on the Gut Microbiota.

Emerging studies have presented an initial picture of the toxic effects of exposure to environmental micro- and nanoplastics. They have indicated that micro- and nanoplastics may induce toxicity by leading to oxidative stress, energy metabolism disorders, gene damage, and so forth in environmental organisms, marine invertebrates and vertebrates, and laboratory mouse models. In recent years, micro- and nanoplastics have been discovered in human fecal samples, placentas, lung tissue, and even blood; thus, micro- and nanoplastics pose an alarming and ever-increasing threat to global public health.

Levels, sources, variations, and human health risk assessment of Sr and Cs in water and food around Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant (China) from 2011 to 2020.

Objectives: Radioactivity monitoring around nuclear facilities is crucial to provide important baseline data for effective detection of radioactive leakage to the environment. We aim to establish a baseline study for monitoring radioactive levels of Sr and Cs around Sammen Nuclear Power Plant (SNPP) and to assess their associated health impact on surrounding residents.

Methods: In this study, we collected water and food samples around the SNPP from 2011 to 2020 and determined for Sr and Cs activity concentrations.

Recent Development on Determination of Low-Level Sr in Environmental and Biological Samples: A Review.

In the context of the rapid development of the world's nuclear power industry, it is vital to establish reliable and efficient radioanalytical methods to support sound environment and food radioactivity monitoring programs and a cost-effective waste management strategy. As one of the most import fission products generated during human nuclear activities, Sr has been widely determined based on different analytical techniques for routine radioactivity monitoring, emergency preparedness and radioactive waste management. Herein, we summarize and critically review analytical methods developed over the last few decades for the determination of Sr in environmental and biological samples.

Epidemiological characteristics of occupational chemical poisonings in Zhejiang, China from 2006 to 2020: A descriptive analysis.

Objective: As the second most common occupational disease in China, occupational poisoning is one of the major public health problems that seriously affect workers' health. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological and occupational characteristics of acute and chronic occupational poisoning cases in Zhejiang Province, so as to provide a scientific basis for proposing intervention measures and preventive strategies of occupational poisoning.

Methods: The data on occupational poisoning cases in Zhejiang Province from 2006 to 2020 was derived from the National Occupational Disease Network Direct Report System.

Occupational health risk assessment methods in China: A scoping review.

Background: Over the decades, many assessment methods have been developed around the world and used for occupational health risk assessment (OHRA). This scoping review integrated the literature on methodological studies of OHRA in China and aimed to identifies the research hot-spots and methodological research perspectives on OHRA in China.

Methods: A scoping review of literature was undertaken to explore the research progress on OHRA methods in China.

Insights into the health status of the general population living near an electroplating industry zone: metal elevations and renal impairment.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016 in Zhejiang Province, China, to evaluate the body burdens of metals and metalloids associated with renal dysfunction in populations living near electroplating industries. We recruited 236 subjects and performed physical examinations, determined the blood and urinary levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), and selenium (Se) by an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS), and measured three renal impairment biomarkers, namely nacetyl-β--glucosaminidase (NAG), retinol-binding protein (RBP), and β-microglobulin (BMG). The proportion of abnormal nasal symptoms in the exposure group (10.