No Alteration Between Intrinsic Connectivity Networks by a Pilot Study on Localized Exposure to the Fourth-Generation Wireless Communication Signals

Neurophysiological effect of human exposure to radiofrequency signals has attracted considerable attention, which was claimed to have an association with a series of clinical symptoms. A few investigations have been conducted on alteration of brain functions, yet no known research focused on intrinsic connectivity networks, an attribute that may relate to some behavioral functions. To investigate the exposure effect on functional connectivity between intrinsic connectivity networks, we conducted experiments with seventeen participants experiencing localized head exposure to real and sham time-division long-term evolution signal for 30 min. The resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected before and after exposure, respectively. Group-level independent component analysis was used to decompose networks of interest. Three states were clustered, which can reflect different cognitive conditions. Dynamic connectivity as well as conventional connectivity between networks per state were computed and followed by paired sample t-tests. Results showed that there was no statistical difference in static or dynamic functional network connectivity in both real and sham exposure conditions, and pointed out that the impact of short-term electromagnetic exposure was undetected at the ICNs level. The specific brain parcellations and metrics used in the study may lead to different results on brain modulation.

The bisphenol F and bisphenol S and cardiovascular disease: results from NHANES 2013–2016

Background Bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS) have replaced bisphenol A (BPA) in the manufacturing of products containing polycarbonates and epoxy resins; however, the effects of these substitutes on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, heart attack, and stroke, have not been assessed. Objective To examine the association of urinary BPS and BPF with CVD risk in a U.S. representative U.S. population. Methods Cross-sectional data from 1267 participants aged 20–80 years from the 2013–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analyzed. Survey-weighted multiple logistic regression was used to assess the association between BPA, BPF, BPS and CVD. The Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model was applied to assess the mixture effect. Results A total of 138 patients with CVD were identified. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the T3 tertile concentration of BPS increased the risk of total CVD (OR: 1.99, 95% CI 1.16–3.40). When stratified by age, we found that BPS increased the risk of CVD in the 50–80 age group (OR: 1.40, 95% CI 1.05–1.87). BPS was positively associated with the risk of coronary heart disease, and the T3 tertile concentration of BPS increased the coronary heart disease risk by 2.22 times (95% CI 1.04–4.74). No significant association was observed between BPF and CVD. Although the BKMR model did not identify the mixed exposure effect of BPS, the risk of CVD increased with increasing compound concentration. Conclusion Our results suggest that BPS may increase the risk of total CVD and coronary heart disease in the US population, and prospective studies are needed to confirm the results.

Association of Rare Earth Elements with Passive Smoking among Housewives in Shanxi Province, China

Background: Rare earth elements (REEs) are emerging contaminants. Previous studies reported the association between REEs and active smoking, but little is known about the effects of passive smoking on this condition. In China, female passive smoking is widespread, particularly in rural areas. Objective: This study aimed to estimate the relationship between REEs accumulation and passive smoking among rural housewives. Methods: We recruited 385 subjects in Shanxi Province of northern China, of whom 117 housewives were exposed to passive smoking, and 268 were not. We analyzed 15 REEs in the hair of housewives with ICP–MS, including lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, and yttrium. Results: The results indicated higher levels of 14 REEs except for Sm in both the univariate and adjusted models among the housewives exposed to passive smoking. The increasing linear trend of adjusted odds ratios of 15 REEs supported their association. The Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models showed that 15 REEs had a significant overall effect, and Eu had a single-exposure effect with passive smoking. Conclusion: We concluded that passive smoking might be associated with increased exposure to REEs among rural housewives.

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activity of γ-Oryzanol Compared to Rice Bran Oil to Repair Ovarian Histological Structure from One Push Transfluthrin Exposure Effect

BACKGROUND: Fertility is affected by both the reproductive organs and external factors (genetics, hormones, radiation exposure, use of insecticides, and nutrition). The histological structure of the ovaries is an indicator of reproductive function. Insect repellent use with pyrethroid active ingredients and its impact on health has become a discussion in the medical sector for years. Disruption of the reproductive system homeostasis may cause several issues, from disruption of ovarian function to infertility. γ-Oryzanol has higher antioxidants than vitamin E. It is found mostly in rice bran oil (RBO). Researchers have investigated the effectiveness of RBO and γ-Oryzanol, but the number of studies focusing on the reproductive system is very limited. Results of in silico showed anti-inflammatory potential, and nitric oxide γ-Oryzanol is stronger than the antioxidant activity. It also showed γ-Oryzanol bond with Foxo3a and Growth Differentiating Factor 9 (GDF9), indicating the γ-Oryzanol potential for reproductive health (women). Studies also reported that γ-Oryzanol administration caused anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity compared to RBO in improving ovarian physiological function using tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels, Foxo3a expression, and GDF9 expression exposed to one push transfluthrin as the parameter. AIM: We aimed to investigate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of γ-Oryzanol compared to rice bran oil to repair ovarian histological structure from one push transfluthrin exposure effect. METHODS: Experimental research, post-test only control group design approach, with a completely randomized design, consisted of 6 (six) groups of Wistar strain female rats. They were exposed to one push with the active ingredient of transfluthrin 21.3%, by inhalation for 6 hours, RBO 0.3 mg/g/ body weight (BW)/day, γ-Oryzanol 3.75 ml/g/BW/day. Statistical analysis was done with the Mann Whitney’s posthoc Kruskal Wallis test with IBM SPSS version 25 software. RESULTS: γ-Oryzanol had more potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity than RBO in improving the ovarian histology structure (including maintaining ovarian weight, increasing follicular growth, and suppressing follicular abnormalities) through decreased TNF-α levels and decreased Foxo3a expression, and increased GDF9 expression. CONCLUSION: The administration of γ-Oryzanol improves the ovarian histological structure from free radicals effects, namely exposure to one push of transfluthrin.

The Effect of UV Exposure on the Service-life of Thermochromic Microcapsules Integrated into the Epoxy Matrix

The effect of ultraviolet (UV) exposure on the service-life of thermochromic microcapsules integrated into the epoxy matrix was investigated. The microcapsules of the formaldehyde shell contain the core of thermochromic leuco dye. Seven sets of epoxy resin samples filled with concentrations from 0 to 10 wt.% of microcapsules were investigated. The composite samples were exposed to UV for approximately 1000 h. For the quantitative evaluation of colour change under UV, a fast and simple original procedure based on samples’ image treatment was developed. With the exposure time intervals of 50 h, samples were taken out from the UV light chamber to evaluate the exposure effect on their reversible thermochromic ability and mechanical properties. Periodical evaluation of the UV light effect on mechanical properties during the exposure was performed by microhardness tests. Tensile tests of the samples till the fracture were performed every 200 h. The critical time under the exposure of the UV lamp that destroys the reversible thermochromic reaction of the microcapsules was defined as 200 h. At the same time, it has been found that the mechanical properties of the epoxy resin under the same UV source were not strongly affected after 1000 h of irradiance and changed in the frame of ~ 10 %.

The Effect of Co-exposure to Glyphosate, Cadmium, and Arsenic on Chronic Kidney Disease

The usage of glyphosate is increasing worldwide. Glyphosate and its major metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), are of potential toxicological concern in unknown chronic kidney disease (CKDu). As with Cd and other elements, glyphosate exposure has been reported as risk factor for CKDu in farmers. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of co-exposure to glyphosate and heavy metals in chronic kidney disease. In this study, the urine samples from 55 patients with CKD and 100 participants without CKD were analyzed for glyphosate, As, Cd, and Pb concentrations, and eGFR. Negative associations between glyphosate, AMPA, As, and Cd concentrations in the urine and eGFR were found for study subjects (p < 0.05). With regard to the effect of co-exposure, the odds ratios (OR) for subjects with an eGFR of < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 was significant because of the high Cd concentration (> 1 µg/g creatinine; OR = 7.57, 95% CI = 1.91–29.95). With regard to the effect of co-exposure, the OR for subjects with an of eGFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 was significant at high glyphosate concentration (> 1 µg/g creatinine; OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.13–2.16) and As concentration (> 1 µg/g creatinine; OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 1.00–1.02). These results showed that glyphosate, AMPA, As, and Cd have an effect on CKD; notably, Cd, As, and glyphosate exposure can be important risk factors after stage 3a of CKD, and that there was a co-exposure effect of As and glyphosate in CKD after stage 3b. The potential health impacts of glyphosate should be considered, especial for patients with CKD and eGFR below 45 mL/min/1.73 m2.

The Bisphenol F and Bisphenol S and Cardiovascular disease: results from NHANES 2013-2016

Background Bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS) are replacing bisphenol A (BPA) in the manufacturing of products containing polycarbonates and epoxy resins, however, the effects of these substitutes on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) have not been assessed. Objective To examine the association of urinary BPS and BPF with the CVD risk in a U.S. representative population. Method A cross-sectional data with 1,266 participants aged 20 to 80 years from the 2013–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was analyzed. The logistic regression was used to assess the association between BPF, BPS and CVD. The Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model was applied to assess the mixed effect. Results A total of 138 patients with CVD were identified. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, T3 concentration of BPS increased the risk of total CVD (OR: 1.98, 95%CI: 1.20–3.28). When stratified by age, we found that BPS increased the risk of CVD in the 50–80 age groups (OR:1.40, 95%CI: 1.05–1.87). BPS was positively associated with the risk of stroke and T3 of BPS increased the stroke risk by 3.46 times (95%CI: 1.09–10.95). No significant association was observed between BPF and CVD. Although BKMR model did not identify the mixed exposure effect of BPS, the risk of CVD increased, with the increase of compound concentration. Conclusion Our results suggest that BPS may increase the risk of total CVD and stroke in the U.S population, and prospective studies are needed to confirm the results.

Prenatal Exposure to Acetaminophen and Childhood Asthmatic Symptoms in a Population-Based Cohort in Los Angeles, California

Acetaminophen is the most common over-the-counter pain and fever medication used by pregnant women. While European studies suggest acetaminophen exposure in pregnancy could affect childhood asthma development, findings are less consistent in other populations. We evaluated whether maternal prenatal acetaminophen use is associated with childhood asthmatic symptoms (asthma diagnosis, wheeze, dry cough) in a Los Angeles cohort of 1201 singleton births. We estimated risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for childhood asthmatic outcomes according to prenatal acetaminophen exposure. Effect modification by maternal race/ethnicity and psychosocial stress during pregnancy was evaluated. The risks for asthma diagnosis (RR = 1.39, 95% CI 0.96, 2.00), wheezing (RR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.01, 1.54) and dry cough (RR =1.35, 95% CI 1.06, 1.73) were higher in children born to mothers who ever used acetaminophen during pregnancy compared with non-users. Black/African American and Asian/Pacific Islander children showed a greater than two-fold risk for asthma diagnosis and wheezing associated with the exposure. High maternal psychosocial stress also modified the exposure-outcome relationships. Acetaminophen exposure during pregnancy was associated with childhood asthmatic symptoms among vulnerable subgroups in this cohort. A larger study that assessed prenatal acetaminophen exposure with other social/environmental stressors and clinically confirmed outcomes is needed.

Sex-Specific Exposure–Effect Relationship Between Physical Activity and Incident Atrial Fibrillation in the General Population: A Dose–Response Meta-Analysis of 16 Prospective Studies

Background: Since evidence regarding the relationship between physical activity (PA) and atrial fibrillation (AF) incidence is inconsistent among studies, we performed a dose–response meta-analysis to comprehensively evaluate the exposure–effect association between PA and incident AF and the potential sex difference in the general population.Methods: The PubMed and Embase databases were searched for eligible studies published up to July 2020 (PROSPERO: CRD42018091692). The non-linear or linear exposure–effect relationship between PA and AF was examined using the robust error meta-regression method.Results: A total of 16 prospective studies involving 1,449,017 individuals and 39,884 AF cases were included. We observed an inverse non-linear association between PA level and incident AF (I2 = 0%, pnon−linearity &lt; 0.001). In the linear model, a 5 metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-h/week increase in PA was associated with a decreased risk of AF [risk ratio (RR) = 0.992, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.988–0.996, I2 = 0%]. In the sex-stratified analysis, we observed an inverse non-linear relationship between PA level and AF risk in females (I2 = 90%, pnon−linearity &lt; 0.0001) but not in males (I2 = 0%, pnon−linearity = 0.40). In the linear model, a 5 MET-h/week increase in PA was associated with a reduced risk of AF in females (RR = 0.982, 95% CI: 0.975–0.989, I2 = 71%) but not in males (RR = 0.998, 95% CI: 0.994–1.002, I2 = 0%), with a significant interaction observed between the two groups (pinteraction &lt; 0.0001).Conclusion: There was an inverse non-linear relationship between PA level and incident AF in the general population. The beneficial effect of PA in reducing AF risk might be predominantly observed in females.