Public drinking water can be an important source exposure to lead, which can affect children's cognitive development and academic performance. Few studies have looked at the impact of lead exposures ...from community water supplies or their impact on school achievements. We examined the association between annual community water lead levels (WLLs) and children's academic performances at the school district level.
We matched the 90th percentile WLLs with the grade 3-8 standardized test scores from the Stanford Education Data Archive on Geographic School Districts by geographic location and year. We used multivariate linear regression and adjusted for urbanicity, race, socioeconomic characteristics, school district, grade, and year. We also explored potential effect measure modifications and lag effects.
After adjusting for potential confounders, a 5 μg/L increase in 90th percentile WLLs in a GSD was associated with a 0.00684 0.00021, 0.01348 standard deviation decrease in the average math test score in the same year. No association was found for English Language Arts.
We found an association between the annual fluctuation of WLLs and math test scores in Massachusetts school districts, after adjusting for confounding by urbanicity, race, socioeconomic factors, school district, grade, and year. The implications of a detectable effect of WLLs on academic performance even at the modest levels evident in MA are significant and timely. Persistent efforts should be made to further reduce lead in drinking water.
Two-dimensional (2D) material of Nb2SnC was prepared by a mild and simple solid-state reaction for high performance supercapacitors. The prepared Nb2SnC were etched and further exfoliated in diverse ...solvents. The morphology development was observed by SEM and the results suggest Nb2SnC treated by hydrofluoric solution (HF) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in sequence has a large surface area. Moreover, the phase and chemical properties of treated Nb2SnC were characterized by XRD, EDS and XPS. In this work, the electrochemical performances were recorded by Solartron 1287 Potentiostat Galvanostat workstation. It is revealed that the specific capacitance (Cs) of pristine Nb2SnC is only 25 F g−1 at a scanning rate of 2 mV s−1. Remarkably, the Cs was increased to 128 F g−1 at the same scanning rate after etched by HF for 48 h. Upon optimization, Nb2SnC–HF exfoliated by DMSO exhibits a capacitance of 140 F g−1 owing to the large electrochemical active surface. Promoting for practical applications, Nb2SnC based devices were assemble. The fabricated devices contributed to an energy density of 14.4 Wh kg−1 at the power density of 36 W kg−1 with a good stability within 0 V–0.8 V. Therefore, Nb2SnC is a highly promising candidate for energy storage systems with excellent electrochemical performances.
Nb2SnC was prepared by a simple and mild solid-state reaction; Nb2SnC was etched by HF. A high specific capacitance of 140 F g−1 and a maximum energy density of 14.4 Wh kg−1 were achieved after Nb2SnC was further exfoliated by DMSO. Display omitted
Cooking-related biomass smoke is a major source of household air pollution (HAP) and an important health hazard. Prior studies identified associations between HAP exposure and childhood stunting; ...less is known for underweight and wasting. Few studies had personal HAP measurements.
557 households in rural Guatemala were enrolled in the CRECER study, the follow-up study of the RESPIRE randomized intervention trial. They were assigned to three groups that received chimney stoves at different ages of the study children. Multiple personal carbon monoxide (CO) exposure measurements were used as proxies for HAP exposures. Children’s heights and weights were measured from 24 to 60 months of age. Height-for-age z-score (HAZ), weight-for-age z-score (WAZ), and weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) were calculated based on the World Health Organization’s Multicentre Growth Reference Study. HAZ, WAZ, and WHZ below −2 were classified as stunting, underweight, and wasting, respectively. Generalized linear models and mixed effects models were applied.
541 children had valid anthropometric data, among whom 488 (90.2 %) were stunted, 192 (35.5 %) were underweight, and 2 (0.3 %) were wasted. A 1 ppm higher average CO exposure was associated with a 0.21 lower HAZ (95 % CI: 0.17–0.25), a 0.13 lower WAZ (95 % CI: 0.10–0.17) and a 0.06 lower WHZ (95 % CI: 0.02–0.10).The associations for HAZ were stronger among boys (coefficient = −0.29, 95 % CI: −0.35 – −0.22) than among girls (coefficient = −0.15, 95 % CI: −0.20 – −0.10). A 1 ppm-year higher cumulative CO exposure was associated with a higher risk of moderate stunting among boys (OR = 1.27, 95 % CI: 1.05-1.59), but not among girls.
In this rural Guatemalan population, higher HAP exposure was associated with lower HAZ and WAZ. The associations between HAP and HAZ/stunting were stronger among boys. Reducing HAP might benefit childhood somatic growth in rural populations of low-income countries.
A pair of 1,1′-binaphthalene-bridged bisporphyrins, (R)- and (S)-H1, were designed to examine their chiral discrimination abilities toward a range of model diamines by using UV–vis absorption, CD, ...and 1H NMR spectroscopy with the assistance of DFT molecular modeling. The spectroscopic titrations revealed that (R)-/(S)-H1 could encapsulate (R)-/(S)-DACH and (R)-/(S)-PPDA in the chiral bisporphyrin cavities, leading to the selective formation of sandwich-type 1:1 complexes via dual Zn–N coordination interactions. In particular, the chiral recognition energy (ΔΔG°) toward (R)-/(S)-DACH was evaluated to be −4.02 kJ mol–1. The binding processes afforded sensitive CD spectral changes in response to the stereostructure of chiral diamines. Remarkable enantiodiscrimination effects were also detected in the NMR titrations of (R)-/(S)-H1, in which the nonequivalent chemical shift (ΔΔδ) can reach up to 0.57 ppm for (R)-/(S)-DACH. However, due to the large steric effect, another chiral diamine ((R)-/(S)-DPEA) could not be sandwiched in the chiral bisporphyrin cavity; therefore, (R)-/(S)-DPEA could hardly be discriminated by (R)-/(S)-H1. The present results demonstrate a chiral bisporphyrin host with integrated CD and NMR chiral sensing functions and also highlight the binding-mode-dependent character of its enantiodiscrimination performance for different chiral guests.
Objectives/Hypothesis:
To determine whether the endoscopic or sublabial transseptal transsphenoidal approach for pituitary surgery has superior outcomes or decreased complication rates.
Study Design:
...Retrospective meta‐analysis of literature.
Methods:
A MEDLINE search was conducted identifying all relevant literature in the English language from 1998 through 2010. Studies explicitly identifying pure sublabial or completely endoscopic approaches were included. Meta‐analysis comparing the two techniques was performed for multiple outcome measures utilizing a random effects approach.
Results:
A total of 21 endoscopic studies (n = 2,335) and 17 sublabial studies (n = 2,565) met inclusion criteria. Analysis revealed significantly superior rates of gross tumor resection (79% vs. 65%, P < .0001), as well as lower rates of cerebral spinal fluid leak (5% vs. 7%, P < .01), septal perforation (0% vs. 5%), and postoperative epistaxis (1% vs. 4%, P < .0001) for the endoscopic approach compared to the sublabial approach. There was no difference between the two techniques in the incidence of meningitis, diabetes insipidus, or resolution of hormonal abnormality. Hospital stay (P = .01) was shorter for endoscopic surgery compared to sublabial surgery, and there was no significant difference in terms of length of operation.
Conclusions:
The sublabial transsphenoidal approach has been the gold standard for pituitary surgery for many years. However, meta‐analysis of the recent literature demonstrates superior outcomes and decreased postoperative complications with the endoscopic approach, potentially justifying a shift toward endoscopic pituitary surgery.
Objective
To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of a fully biodegradable poly lactic acid (PLA)‐based occluder for atrial septal defect (ASD) closure in an animal model.
Methods
ASDs, ...approximately 12‐mm in diameter, were generated in sheep (n = 18) by needle puncture and balloon dilatation. For ASD closure, occluders were implanted by percutaneous transcatheter approach under echocardiographic guidance. Outcomes were evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography, electrocardiography, blood testing, and histology within the follow‐up period ranging from 1 month to 2 years.
Results
All occluders were successfully implanted. During follow‐up, no animal died; rectal temperatures, blood test results, and electrocardiograms were within normal ranges; and transthoracic echocardiograms, macroscopic studies, and histopathological and electron microscopic examination demonstrated that the occluders were well positioned, with no shifting, residual shunts, severe inflammation, thrombus formation, atrioventricular valve insufficiency, cardiac erosion or arrhythmias. The occluders gradually embedded into the endocardial tissue of the hosts with complete endothelialization and disk absorption at 12 months, and a distinct molecular weight decrease of the framework (to 9% of initial) at 24 months after implantation.
Conclusions
In a sheep model, the use of totally biodegradable occluders appears feasible, efficacious and safe for ASD closure. Studies in humans are ongoing.
The periodontal ligament is essential for homeostasis of periodontal tissue. A hypoxic milieu of the periodontal tissue is generated under periodontitis or during orthodontic treatment, which affects ...the periodontal and bone remodelling process. Here, we provide a comprehensive proteomic characterization of periodontal ligament cells under hypoxic conditions, aiming to reveal previously unappreciated biological changes and to help advance hypoxia-based therapeutic strategies for periodontal diseases.
Human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) were characterized using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and flow cytometry (FACS). Successful hypoxia treatment of hPDLCs with 1% O
was confirmed by qRT-PCR. Proliferation was evaluated using an MTT assay. The proteomic expression profile under hypoxia was studied with the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) approach followed by protein identification and bioinformatic analysis, and western blot verification was performed.
The hPDLCs were positive for vimentin, CD73 and CD105 and negative for keratin, CD34 and CD45. After hypoxia treatment, the mRNA expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1a (
was upregulated. The proliferation rate was elevated during the first 6 h but decreased from 6 h to 72 h. A total of 220 differentially expressed proteins were quantified in hPDLCs under hypoxia (1% O
, 24 h), including 153 upregulated and 67 downregulated proteins, five of which were verified by western blot analysis. The Gene Ontology enriched terms included the energy metabolic process, membrane-bound organelle and vesicle, and protein binding terms. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis indicated several involved pathways, including glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, biosynthesis of amino acids, the HIF-1 signalling pathway, and focal adhesion. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network demonstrated the dominant role of autophagy over apoptosis under hypoxia.
The proteomic profile of hPDLCs under hypoxia was mainly related to energy metabolism, autophagy, and responses to stimuli such as adhesion and inflammation. Previously unrecognized proteins including solute carrier family proteins, heat shock proteins, ubiquitination-related enzymes, collagen and S100 family proteins are involved in adaptive response to hypoxia in hPDLCs and are thus of great research interest in future work.
Objective To explore whether electrocardiography (ECG) variables could be used to predict responses to physical treatment in children with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Study design Forty ...children with POTS and 32 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. General information and hemodynamic and supine ECG variables, including QT interval dispersion (QTd), were collected. The children with POTS received physical treatment and 3 months of follow-up. A receiver-operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the value of ECG variables for predicting the effectiveness of physical treatment. Results Compared with the healthy children, the children with POTS had longer baseline QTd and heart rate (HR)-corrected QTd (QTcd), but shorter minimum QT intervals (QTmin) and minimum HR-corrected QT intervals ( P < .05). In children with POTS, responders to physical treatment had a longer baseline time between QRS complexes (RR) interval of minimum QT interval and a longer QTcd compared with nonresponders. A longer QTcd was a significant risk factor for the presence of POTS (OR, 1.022; P = .02) and for undesirable responses to physical treatment in children with POTS (OR, 1.044; P = .03). Baseline QTcd was positively correlated with the HR elevation from supine to upright seen in children with POTS ( r = 0.348; P = .003). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.73, and using 43.0 msec as a cutoff of QTcd yielded a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 60%. Conclusion QTcd might be useful for predicting the effectiveness of physical treatment for POTS in children.
ABSTRACT
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of oral mucosa of unknown cause. Microbial infection and dysimmunity appear to play important roles in its pathogenesis. In this ...study, differences in genetic profiling of salivary microbial communities in two subtypes of OLP and healthy controls were evaluated by means of PCR‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Additionally, ELISA was used to investigate the possible role of Th17 in lesion formation by detecting two related cytokines IL‐17 and IL‐23 in the saliva of OLP patients. When the DGGE profiles were analyzed, the bacterial populations were found to be significantly less rich in subjects with reticular and erosive OLP than in healthy controls. There was significantly less microbial diversity, as denoted by the Shannon index, in saliva samples from subjects with erosive OLP than in those from healthy controls. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis showed that the DGGE profiles formed distinctly group‐specific clusters. Salivary concentrations of IL‐17 in subjects with erosive OLP group were significantly higher than in those with reticular OLP and healthy controls. What's more, significantly positive correlations were observed between salivary IL‐17 concentrations and disease clinical scores. Microbial richness and diversity was negatively correlated with salivary IL‐17 concentrations. These results suggest there is significantly less salivary bacterial diversity and complexity in subjects with OLP han in healthy controls and that the shifted community composition is closely related to an immune cytokine, IL‐17.
Background. Percutaneous occlusion under fluoroscopy guidance has become the preferred method for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). To avoid radiation exposure and contrast agent use, ...PDA occlusion under transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) guidance was conducted. Objectives. We assessed the hypothesis that the success rate of percutaneous PDA occlusion under TTE was noninferior to that under fluoroscopy guidance. Methods. In this single-center trial, 100 patients were randomly assigned in a 1 : 1 ratio to the TTE group (n = 50) or to the fluoroscopy group (n = 50). The primary endpoint was the success rate of occlusion, with the noninferiority margin set at 8% for the between-group difference in intention-to-treat analysis. Secondary endpoints were hospitalization duration, cost, procedure time, and rate of adverse events including occluder migration, hemolysis, peripheral vascular complications, and residual shunt at 1-month and 12-month follow-up. Results. Patient, defect, and device characteristics were similarly distributed between groups. The success rate of occlusion was 98% for the TTE group and 100% for the fluoroscopy group (absolute difference: −2%; 95% confidence interval: −5.9% to 1.9%). Cost and procedure duration were significantly lower in the TTE group, without adverse events in either group at a median of 12.0 months (range, 10.0–15.5 months) of follow-up. Conclusion. Percutaneous PDA occlusion can be performed via TTE guidance safely and effectively, and the success rate of the TTE-guided procedure was noninferior to that under fluoroscopy guidance, with reduced cost and procedure time. The trial is registered with http://www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR-ICR-15006334).
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