Nanoparticles Induce Protein Corona Conformational Change to Reshape Intracellular Interactome for Microglial Polarization.

Nanoparticles bind to proteins in cells selectively and form a protein corona around them. However, the mechanisms of protein conformational changes underlying the interactions between nanoparticles and protein coronas remain poorly understood. In this study, we prepared small molecule self-assembled nanoparticles (Aloin NPs) as a research tool to investigate the allosteric mechanism of protein coronas.

Long-term PM exposure impairs lung growth and increases airway inflammation in Taiwanese school children.

Rationale: Prolonged exposure to particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter <2.5 µm (PM) may aggravate asthma, impair lung development and increase airway inflammation. This study investigated the impact of long-term PM exposure on respiratory health, lung function growth and fractional exhaled nitric oxide ( ) in a large longitudinal cohort of school children.

Urinary phthalate metabolites associate with blood levels of estrogen quinone-derived hemoglobin adducts in Taiwanese pregnant women.

In this study, we aimed to analyze the background levels of estrogen quinone-derived adducts in hemoglobin (Hb) obtained from pregnant women in Taiwan (n = 394) and to investigate the associations of these adducts with levels of urine metabolites of phthalates. Both 17β-estradiol-2,3-quinone (E-2,3-Q) and 17β-estradiol-3,4-quinone (E-3,4-Q) are reactive metabolites of estrogen that are thought to be responsible for the estrogen-induced genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. Results confirmed that levels of estrogen quinone-derived adducts in pregnant women, including E-3,4-Q-2-S-Hb and E-2,3-Q-4-S-Hb, were detected at concentrations comparable with those of non-pregnant women with mean levels at 165 (range 108-428) and 97.

Association of multiple environmental toxicants with markers of early kidney injury in pregnant women: an exposome approach.

Pregnant women are regularly exposed to a variety of environmental toxicants in daily life, posing a potential threat of kidney injury before presence of clinical manifestations. As there is a paucity of studies employing an exposome-based approach of kidney health in pregnant women, this study utilizes the above-mentioned strategy to identify the most significant environmental toxicants associated with early kidney injury in pregnant women in the cohort of TMICS (Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study). A total of 1,139 third-trimester pregnant women (weeks 29-40) were recruited between 2012 and 2015, and one-spot urine samples were successfully collected for study.

Exploring the Link between Hypertension and Cerebral White Matter Changes in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: Patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at a higher risk of encephalopathy, a condition exacerbated by the presence of various chronic diseases. Hypertension is a significant risk factor for brain damage in the general population but is limitedly discussed in patients with CKD. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an excellent tool for evaluating cerebral white matter lesions.

Socioeconomic status in the association between use of personal care products and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in pregnant Taiwanese women.

Background: Maternal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), particularly those found in personal care products (PCPs), may affect child development. Socioeconomic inequalities in EDC exposure warrant further investigation. This study assessed the role of income and education in the association between PCP use and exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and parabens in pregnant women.

Sex-specific association of co-exposures to melamine and phthalates in children with their early renal injury.

Studies concerning the effect of co-exposure to melamine and phthalates on kidney function in children are rare. Thus, this study examines the above-mentioned relationship and their sex-different effect. Whether the exposure of the two chemicals from their mothers, when children were in the womb during the third trimester, affected renal injury markers in children afterwards is also examined.

White matter microstructural integrity mediates associations between prenatal endocrine-disrupting chemicals exposure and intelligence in adolescents.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are well-known endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that potentially affect child neurodevelopment. We aimed to investigate the effects of prenatal exposure to PFAS and PAEs on macro- and micro-structural brain development and intelligence in adolescents using multimodal neuroimaging techniques. We employed structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and various diffusion MRI techniques, including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI), and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI), to assess the gray-matter macrostructure and white-matter microstructural integrity and complexity.

DNA methylation at birth and IgE trajectories from birth to adolescence, different patterns between White and Asian.

Aim: We aim to assess association of DNA methylation (DNAm) at birth with total immunoglobulin E (IgE) trajectories from birth to late adolescence and whether such association is ethnicity-specific.

Methods: We examined the association of total IgE trajectories from birth to late adolescence with DNAm at birth in two independent birth cohorts, the Isle of wight birth cohort (IOWBC) in UK ( = 796; White) and the maternal and infant cohort study (MICS) in Taiwan ( = 60; Asian). Biological pathways and methylation quantitative trait loci (methQTL) for associated Cytosine-phosphate-Guanine sites were studied.

Maternal phthalate exposure and BMI trajectory in children-an 18-year birth cohort follow-up study.

Background: Obesity is a major health concern worldwide. Previous studies have suggested that phthalate plasticizers are obesogens. However, the relationship between early-life phthalate exposure and long-term obesity development remains unknown.

Prenatal phthalate exposure and sex steroid hormones in newborns: Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study.

Background: Newborn anogenital distance (AGD) has been associated with prenatal exposure of phthalates. The association between prenatal phthalate exposure and sex steroid hormones in newborns is unclear.

Object: This study aimed to examine whether cord-blood sex hormone levels were associated with prenatal phthalate exposure and newborn anogenital distance (AGD).

Long-term PM exposure is associated with asthma prevalence and exhaled nitric oxide levels in children.

Background: Exhaled nitric oxide concentration (FENO) is a marker of airway inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the association of air pollution exposure with FENO levels and asthma prevalence with respiratory symptoms in school children.

Methods: We analyzed 4736 school children who reside in six townships near industrial areas in central Taiwan.

The factors of perceived disease knowledge and self-care behavior in type 2 diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease: A cross-sectional study.

Chronic kidney diseases (CKD) is an important public health issue worldwide, and diabetes mellitus is the main cause of CKD. Having sufficient disease knowledge and good self-care behavior both help to prevent the progression of diabetes mellitus and CKD. This cross-sectional study enrolled 181 type 2 diabetic patients with CKD from July 2017 to October 2017.

Low-to-Moderate Arsenic Exposure and Urothelial Tract Cancers with a Long Latent Period of Follow-Up in an Arseniasis Area.

Background: Arsenic exposure can cause adverse health effects. The effects of long-term low-to-moderate exposure and methylations remain unclear.

Objective: This study aims to examine the association between low-to-moderate arsenic exposure and urothelial tract cancers while considering the effects of methylation capacity.

Shared decision-making for renal replacement treatment and illness perception in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease.

Background: Current healthcare trends emphasize the use of shared decision-making (SDM) for renal replacement treatment (RRT) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This is crucial to understand the relationship between SDM and illness perception of CKD patients. Few studies have focused on SDM and illness perception status of CKD patients and the impact of illness perception on RRT after SDM.

[Treg Cells, and TGF-β Expression and Significance in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia].

Objective: To investigate the expression and significance of regulatory T cells (Tregs), FoxP3 and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in different phase of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

Methods: Peripheral blood of 73 CML patients in Department of Hematology, Heze Municipal Hospital from March 2018 to March 2021 were collected. According to patient's period in CML, they were divided into ND CML group (newly diagnosed), CP CML group (chronic period), and BP CML group (blast phase).

Associations of urinary phthalate metabolites with household environments among mothers and their preschool-age children.

Phthalates have become a matter of public health concern due to their extensive use worldwide and negative health effects. The evaluation of potential sources of phthalate exposure is crucial to design prevention strategies, especially for vulnerable populations. This study included 528 mother-child pairs in the Taiwan Mother Infant Cohort Study who were followed up at ages 3-6 years between 2016 and 2020.

Phthalates exposure and pubertal development in a 15-year follow-up birth cohort study in Taiwan.

Purpose: Phthalates are ubiquitous endocrine disruptors that can affect pubertal development in children. The association of fetal and childhood levels of phthalates with pubertal development were explored.

Methods: We conduct a population-based birth cohort study to investigate the association between prenatal and childhood exposure to phthalates and pubertal development.

Serum neurofilament light chain as a predictive marker of neurologic outcome after cardiac arrest: a meta-analysis.

Objective: Recently, an increasing number of studies have suggested using serum neurofilament light (NfL) chain to predict the neurologic outcome after cardiac arrest. However, the predictive ability of this approach remains inconclusive. Meta-analysis was performed on related studies to assess the ability of serum NfL to predict the neurologic outcome after cardiac arrest.

Co-exposure to toxic metals and phthalates in pregnant women and their children's mental health problems aged four years - Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study (TMICS).

Background: Childhood and adolescent mental health problems may increase the global burden of disease. Neurotoxic metals are associated with inflammation and cytotoxicity in the brain. In addition, prenatal phthalate ester (PAE) exposure is associated with cognitive function deficits.

Reference intervals for thyroid hormone, sex hormone, and clinical biochemical tests in cord blood from Taiwanese newborn - TMICS cohort.

Background/purpose: This study aims to establish reference intervals for important biochemical parameters in cord blood of newborn male and female infants in Taiwan and to investigate their sex difference. We also examined the correlation of the same markers between maternal blood levels and neonatal cord blood levels.

Methods: 2,136 pregnant women receiving regular routine prenatal health assessments in their third trimester (weeks 29-40) were recruited from nine hospitals in Taiwan between 2012 and 2015.

Associations between maternal phthalate exposure and neonatal neurobehaviors: The Taiwan maternal and infant cohort study (TMICS).

Previous studies have shown associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and neurobehavioral changes in children. However, few studies have focused on neonatal neurobehavioral development. This study aimed to examine the associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and neonatal neurobehavioral development in the early days of life after birth.

Aspergillus sensitization associated with current asthma in children in the United States: an analysis of data from the 2005-2006 NHANES.

Objectives: This study investigated the association between allergen sensitization and current asthma in children in the United States using data from the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Methods: Children who participated in the 2005-2006 NHANES, aged 6 years to 19 years, were included in this study. A structured questionnaire was used to assess asthma status (without asthma, asthma in remission, or current asthma).

Benchmark dose in the presence of coexposure to melamine and diethylhexyl phthalate and urinary renal injury markers in pregnant women.

Environmental exposures to mixtures of toxic chemicals have potential interaction effects that may lead to hazard index values exceeding one. However, current regulation levels, such as tolerable daily intake (TDI), are mostly based on experimental studies conducted with a single chemical compound. In this study, we assessed the relationships between melamine and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exposure and their coexposure with the early renal injury markers N-acetyl -D-glucosaminidase (NAG), albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR), and microalbuminuria in 1236 pregnant women.

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate exposure links to inflammation and low bone mass in premenopausal and postmenopausal females: Evidence from ovariectomized mice and humans.

Objective: Phthalates induce inflammation and are ubiquitously used in daily life. We aim to study the impact of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exposure on inflammation and osteoporosis in premenopausal and postmenopausal females.

Methods: Female 8-week-old C57BL/6JNarl mice received an ovariectomy (OVX) or a sham operation and were fed with DEHP or vehicle by oral gavage for 4 or 8 weeks.