Search

Breast milk is a unique biological sample that reflects the exposure levels of both lactating mothers and infants. The exposure levels of BPA due to breast milk consumption for infants can be estimated easily, but the method to estimate the total daily intake (TDI) of lactating mothers from breast milk has not yet been established. In this study, BPA concentrations were detected in breast milk samples from 149 lactating mothers from Hunan, China. The median concentration of BPA in breast milk was 0.053 μg/L with a range of 0.001–2.535 μg/L, and a temporal decline trend was found for BPA concentrations in breast milk (p < 0.05). The median intake of BPA via breast milk was 26.8 ng/kg bw/day for 0-3-month-old infants and 7.0 ng/kg bw/day for 4-12-month-old infants. Based on the predicted concentrations of BPA in urine and blood via the conversion coefficients from breast milk, the TDIs of lactating mothers were estimated. The TDIs estimated from the simulated urine concentration were 84.0 ± 175.2 ng/kg bw/day for 0-3-month-old infants' mothers and 36.9 ± 80.8 ng/kg bw/day for 4-12-month-old infants' mothers. The dietary daily intakes estimated from the simulated blood concentration were 579.6 ± 370.8 ng/kg bw/day for 0-3-month-old infants' mothers and 280.1 ± 195.2 ng/kg bw/day for 4-12-month-old infants' mothers. When assuming the dietary daily intakes in Hunan of the fifth total diet study (TDS) as the "true" total dietary intake of our population, the contribution of diet was estimated to be 63.7%, which suggested that non-dietary BPA exposure may be underestimated. [Display omitted] • Estimated the TDIs of BPA for lactating mothers from breast milk firstly. • TDIs estimated from blood concentration were close to the fifth Chinese TDS. • Non-dietary exposure of BPA may be underestimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organic-enriched thick shale at the bottom of Longmaxi Formation is laterally continuous distributed and has been proven to be of good production capability in Fuling of Upper Yangtze. Uplifts that developed during the sedimentation influenced the reservoir characteristics by taking control of the sedimentary environment and provenance. The sedimentary environments are mainly deep-water shelf, shallow-water shelf, and tidal flat. By analyzing reservoir characteristic of these three environments, the deep-water shelf, which dominated the early stage of sedimentation, formed a high-quality reservoir with high TOC (Total Organic Carbon) content, porosity, and brittleness, while the environment was maintained around the basin centre until the Early Silurian. The shales deposited under the shallow-water environment were of low porosity because of the increasing calcareous and argillaceous contents. Sediments which formed on the tidal flat were arenaceous and of the lowest TOC content as the organic preservation conditions deteriorated. The good correlation of graptolite abundance and TOC content, and high porosity within graptolite fossils emphasize the importance of palaeontological development. The argillaceous cap over the Longmaxi shale is of good sealing capability, and the continuous sedimentation zone along southern Sichuan–eastern Chongqing is the best optimized hydrocarbon-bearing system. However, a weak interface on the discontinuity is the potential lateral pathway for gas diffusion at Northern Guizhou and Western Hunan, but on the southeast margin where the dark shale and the tidal sandstone contact, it promises to form a tight gas reservoir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate clinical efficacy and safety of convalescent plasma (CP) therapy in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Methods: We included 4 severe patients and 3 critical patients. The date of admission to hospital ranged from January 30 to February 19, 2020. We retrospectively collected clinical and outcome data. Relative parameters were compared. Results: After CP therapy, the symptoms and respiratory functions were improved. Median PaO2/FIO2 increased from 254 (142-331) to 326 (163–364), and dependence of oxygen supply decreased. Median time to lesion's first absorption was 5 (2–7) days, undetectable viral RNA was 11 (3.5–15.7) days. Median lymphocyte count (0.77 × 109/L vs 0.85 × 109/L) and albumin level (31g/L vs 36 g/L) were elevated, C-reactive protein (44 mg/L vs 18 mg/L), D-dimer (5.9 mg/L vs 4 mg/L) and lactate dehydrogenase (263 U/L vs 245 U/L) decreased. No obvious adverse reactions were observed. At the follow-up on June 14, 2020, 6 patients had completely recovered and one died from terminal disease. Conclusion: CP therapy for COVID-19 was effective and safe. Three patients who did not combine with antiviral therapy after CP also obtained viral clearance and clinical improvement. However, CP therapy failed to save the life of a terminally ill patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]