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With the continuous development of modern life, people have paid more and more attention to the needs of healthy and comfortable outdoor activities. The traditional static recuperation mode has been impacted, and the modern dynamic leisure agricultural tourism health care mode is more and more popular. Horticultural therapy improves people’s cognitive, psychological and physiological functions and provides people with positive values through plant-related sensory activities and horticultural operations. Therefore, horticultural therapy has become a product of the idea that designers have been exploring new forms of landscape architecture, trying to create a more comfortable environment and maximize the benefits of people in landscape architecture. In recent years, the theoretical and empirical studies of complex networks provide an important means to reveal the complexity of complex systems. As a new and active field of scientific research, complex networks have been introduced into the empirical research of real-world networks for a long time. At present, more and more people pay attention to computer science, social science, biological science, management science and many other fields. This paper constructs a BIM horticultural therapy health environment analysis system based on complex network model. The experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively analyze the application of BIM horticultural therapy in healthy environment.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Children In this report, investigators in Wuhan, China, describe the spectrum of Covid-19 illness in children under the age of 16 years. Of 1391 children assessed and tested...

Exposure to mixtures of personal care product chemicals (PCPCs) is commonplace among the Chinese population; yet, limited data are available on the variations, determinants, and coexposure patterns of PCPCs, particularly among pregnant women at multiple time points during gestation. Here, we measured concentrations of 11 most common PCPCs (five parabens, five benzophenones, and triclosan) in 2823 urine samples collected from 941 pregnant women over three trimesters. Based on the quantification results, we calculated the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to assess within-person variability of targeted compounds, applied linear mixed mode models to explore associations between urinary concentrations of PCPCs and exposure-related factors, and used percentile analysis to evaluate exposure to specific or multiple chemicals at one or three trimesters. Seven targeted compounds: methylparaben (MeP), ethylparaben (EtP), propylparaben (PrP), 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4-OH-BP), 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (BP-1), 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP-3), and triclosan (TCS) were detected in over 66% of samples. The median urinary concentrations (ng/mL) of MeP, EtP, PrP, 4-OH-BP, BP-1, BP-3, and TCS were 15.44, 0.49, 0.61, 0.16, 0.25, 0.53, and 0.48, respectively. We observed that benzophenones (ICC: 0.46-0.55) and triclosan (ICC: 0.50) were less variable than parabens (ICC: 0.35-0.40). Urinary levels of parabens were related to physical activity frequency; urinary levels of benzophenones were associated with the refurbishment of homes and household income, and urinary levels of triclosan were contingent upon the personal basic information (prepregnancy body mass index and age). Notably, higher levels of benzophenones and triclosan but lower paraben levels were observed in summer than in winter. Both coexposure to high percentiles of multiple pollutants at one trimester and exposure to one pollutant at high-dose through three trimesters were rare in the study population. Our findings suggest that these exposure-related factors should be taken into consideration, and health risks should be assessed on mixtures of pollutants in future epidemiological studies.

Background: Benzophenones (BPs), parabens, and triclosan (TCS) are widely used in personal care products and may be neurotoxic to children, but limited studies have estimated the associations between exposure to these potential endocrine disrupting chemicals during pregnancy and child neurocognitive development. Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the relationships of prenatal exposure to BPs, parabens and TCS with child neurocognitive development at age 2. Methods: From 2014 to 2015, 478 mother-child pairs from a longitudinal prenatal cohort in China were included in present study. We quantified BPs, parabens and TCS in three spot urine samples during pregnancy (in the first, second, and third trimester). The Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) test to children was performed at 2 years. Multivariate linear regression models and generalized estimating equations were used to examine changes in mental developmental index (MDI) and psychomotor development index (PDI) per 2-fold increase in averaged and trimester-specific maternal urinary phenols, respectively. Results: In the adjusted models, each 2-fold increase in average prenatal paraben concentration was associated with lower MDI scores among girls [−1.08 (95% CI: −2.10, −0.06) and − 1.51 (95% CI: −2.69, −0.32) for methyl paraben (Mep) and Σparabens, respectively], but the association was not statistically significant among boys [−0.24 (95% CI: −1.46, 0.99), Psex-int = 0.37 and 0.18 (95% CI: −1.28, 1.64), Psex-int = 0.10 for Mep and Σparabens, respectively]. Increasing urinary 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4-OH-BP) concentration was associated with lower PDI scores among boys [−2.96 (95% CI: −4.48, −1.45)], not girls [−0.07 (95% CI: −1.57, 1.43)] and the association was significantly different in boys and girls (Psex-int = 0.01). No significant associations were observed between the average prenatal TCS exposure and BSID results. In trimester-specific analyses, increasing parabens was associated with lower girls' MDI only in the second trimester, while increasing 4-OH-BP was associated with lower boys' PDI in each trimester. Conclusion: Our results suggest that prenatal exposure to BPs and parabens may be associated with impairment in child cognitive abilities at 2 years. Further human and animal studies are needed to verify our results and elucidate the biological mechanisms involved in these associations. Keywords: Benzophenones, Parabens, Triclosan, Child neurocognitive development

Background: Widespread exposure to parabens has been a concern, especially among pregnant women. Only one study reported that parabens are associated with glucose levels among pregnant women. However, studies on parabens exposure and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are lacking. Objectives: This study investigated whether exposure to parabens in early pregnancy is related to GDM. Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 1087 pregnant women from a single tertiary medical center between 2014 and 2015 in Wuhan, China. Parabens [methyl paraben (MeP), ethylparaben (EtP), propylparaben (PrP), butylparaben (BuP), and benzylparaben (BzP)] concentrations were measured in spot urine samples collected between 8 and 16 gestational weeks. GDM was diagnosed according to the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups Consensus Panel (IADPSG) recommendations. We used the Poisson regression with a robust error variance with generalized estimating equations (GEE) estimation analyses to evaluate associations between parabens exposure and GDM risk. Results: A total of 103 (9.5%) women were diagnosed with GDM. We evaluated the associations of GDM risk with urinary MeP, EtP, and PrP (detection rate: >90%), but not with BuP and BzP due to the relatively low detection rate (

New energy landscape architecture is a new energy building integrated with aesthetics and art design, which can meet people's dual needs of low energy consumption and architectural aesthetics. In recent years, the development speed of new energy landscape architecture is increasing, and the design and research of new energy landscape architecture has become a hot spot. In the era of media and information, the thinking mode, aesthetic concept and living space demand of the public and landscape architects are changing. The new values, aesthetics, technology and design concepts will always stimulate and promote the urban landscape design to constantly enrich itself. Therefore, it is a new exploration direction to shape new urban landscape design through multimedia technology. Multimedia technology uses computer to process text, graphics, images, sound, animation, video and other information to establish logical relationship and human-computer interaction. The virtual reality technology in multimedia integrates the latest development achievements of computer graphics, multimedia, artificial intelligence, multi-sensor, network, parallel processing and other technologies. Multimedia technology makes the color of the landscape form the most visual impact factors, it is easy to leave a deep impression on people, to achieve the visual effect of the landscape. Therefore, this paper studies the multimedia assisted landscape design of new energy production based on environmental analysis and artificial intelligence.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are widespread environmental chemicals that are often considered as risk factors with weak activity on the hormone-dependent process of pregnancy. However, the adverse effects of EDCs in the body of pregnant women were underestimated. The interaction between dynamic concentration of EDCs and endogenous hormones (EHs) on gestational age and delivery time remains unclear. To define a temporal interaction between the EDCs and EHs during pregnancy, comprehensive, unbiased, and quantitative analyses of 33 EDCs and 14 EHs were performed for a longitudinal cohort with 2317 pregnant women. We developed a machine learning model with the dynamic concentration information of EDCs and EHs to predict gestational age with high accuracy in the longitudinal cohort of pregnant women. The optimal combination of EHs and EDCs can identify when labor occurs (time to delivery within two and four weeks, AUROC of 0.82). Our results revealed that the bisphenols and phthalates are more potent than partial EHs for gestational age or delivery time. This study represents the use of machine learning methods for quantitative analysis of pregnancy-related EDCs and EHs for understanding the EDCs’ mixture effect on pregnancy with potential clinical utilities.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate whether PM2.5 exposure in a highly polluted area (>100 µg/m3) affects glucose and lipid metabolism in healthy adults.MethodsWe recruited 110 healthy adults in Baoding city, Hebei, China, and followed them up between 2017 and 2018. Personal air samplers were used to monitor personal PM2.5 levels. Eight glucose and lipid metabolism parameters were quantified. We performed the linear mixed-effect models to investigate the relationships between PM2.5 and glucose and lipid metabolism parameters. Stratified analyses were further performed according to sex and body mass index (BMI).ResultsThe concentration of PM2.5 was the highest in spring, with a median of 232 μg/m3 and the lowest in autumn (139 μg/m3). After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that for each twofold increase in PM2.5, the median of insulin concentration decreased by 5.89% (95% CI −10.91% to −0.58%; pConclusionsExposure to high PM2.5 may have deleterious effects on glucose and lipid metabolism. Females, overweight and obese participants are more vulnerable.

Background Exposure to per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) can disrupt endocrine hormones in humans. Prior studies have focused on the harmful effects of the two traditional per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Other PFASs, used as the replacements of PFOS and PFOA, are widely and increasingly detected in humans. Whether these replacements influence glucocorticoids and progestogens in newborns remains unknown. Objective To investigate the associations between exposures of PFOS, PFOA and their replacements and glucocorticoids and progestogens in newborns. Methods We measured the concentrations of 13 PFASs, 3 glucocorticoids (11-deoxycortisol, cortisol and cortisone) and 2 progestogens [progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP)] in the cord sera of 374 neonates in a birth cohort from Wuhan, China, between 2013 and 2014. We evaluated the associations of each PFAS with glucocorticoids and progestogens using multiple linear regression models, and multiple comparisons were additionally corrected via false discovery rates (FDR). Results Out of the 13 PFASs, 9 were detected in over 95% of cord sera. The Chinese specific PFOS replacement − 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA, trade name F-53B) was positively associated with 13.13% change in cortisol in girls (95% CI = 4.47%, 22.52%, for each IQR increase in 6:2 Cl-PFESA). Seven PFASs had positive associations with the precursor of cortisol, namely 11-deoxycortisol (percent change ranged from 6.41% to 11.24%, for each IQR increase in PFASs). Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) in cord sera was positively associated with progesterone in the linear model, whereas PFOS and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) levels were associated with progesterone in the quartile models. No PFASs were related to 17OHP or cortisone. Conclusions In this study, PFOS, PFOA and/or their replacements were positively associated with progesterone, cortisol and 11-deoxycortisol in newborns. These results suggested that not only PFOS and PFOA, but also other PFASs have potential impacts on glucocorticoids and progestogens in newborns.

Given that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) exhibit different distribution in the serum and semen of adult men, improving our understanding of the predictors of PFAS concentrations in paired serum and semen samples from an individual is essential. Here, we investigated and compared the effects of emerging and legacy PFAS concentrations in serum and semen on reproductive hormone levels in serum within a Chinese adult male population. We explored the relationships among perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorononanoate (PFNA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA) in serum and semen with reproductive hormones in serum among 651 adult men from Nanjing, China. Significant relationships among all analyzed serum and semen PFASs and decreased total testosterone (total T) were found. Serum and semen PFOA levels were associated with significant decreases in free T. Furthermore, the levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were significantly decreased in association with PFNA, PFOS, and 6:2 Cl-PFESA exposure. Negative relationships between the total T/luteinizing hormone (LH) ratio and semen concentrations of selected PFASs were also observed. After adjustment of PFAS concentrations (in both semen and serum), stronger associations of PFASs with total T, free T, estradiol (E2), SHBG, and total T/LH were observed in semen than in serum. We found that 84.8% of the associations between serum PFOA with total T were mediated by semen PFOA. Thus, elevated PFAS exposure may have negative effects on male reproductive health, and semen PFAS may be a better exposure indicator for the male reproductive system than serum PFAS.

Previous studies have proven the endocrine-disrupting properties and health hazards of parabens, triclosan, and benzophenones, but their relationship with blood pressure during pregnancy remains unknown. Therefore, we investigated the associations of repeated measures of urinary parabens, triclosan, and benzophenones with blood pressure during pregnancy and evaluated whether the associations were modified by fetal sex. From a prospective birth cohort in Wuhan, China, we collected urine samples from 644 pregnant women in the first, second, and third trimesters between 2014 and 2015. Five parabens, triclosan, and three benzophenones were quantified in all urine samples. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured in each trimester after urine sampling. Mixed linear models were used to estimate the associations between urinary chemical levels and blood pressure during pregnancy among all pregnant women and subgroups stratified by fetal sex. In the women carrying male fetuses, urinary triclosan and selected benzophenone concentrations were associated with a slight change of SBP during pregnancy. In the women carrying female fetuses, no chemical was associated with SBP, while urinary concentration of triclosan was inversely associated with DBP, though the magnitude was small. Urinary paraben levels weren't associated with blood pressure during pregnancy. Our results suggest that triclosan and selected benzophenone exposure might be associated with blood pressure during pregnancy in a potential fetal sex-different manner. Replicated research studies in pregnant women with higher triclosan and benzophenone exposure levels are needed in the future.

Background: Benzotriazoles (BTRs) and benzothiazoles (BTHs) are emerging contaminants with high production volume worldwide, which exhibit potential health risk to human. To date, little is known about the exposure of BTRs and BTHs (BTs) on human, especially in the context of pregnancy. Objectives: We aimed to characterize the exposure profiles, temporal variability, and potential predictors of urinary BTs during pregnancy. Methods: Between 2014 and 2015, we recruited 856 pregnant women in Wuhan who provided urine samples at three trimesters (13.1 ± 1.1, 23.7 ± 3.2, and 35.7 ± 3.4 gestational weeks). We measured the urinary concentrations of five BTRs (1‑H‑benzotriazole, 1‑hydroxy‑benzotriazole, xylyltriazole, tolyltriazole, 5‑chloro‑1‑H‑benzotriazole) and five BTHs (benzothiazole, 2‑hydroxy‑benzothiazole, 2‑methylthio‑benzothiazole, 2‑amino‑benzothiazole, 2‑thiocyanomethylthio‑benzothiazole) to characterize the exposure profiles of BTs. We calculated the intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) to assess the temporal variability and investigated potential predictors of urinary BTs by using the mixed models. Results: Most of the targeted BTs were detected in over 50% of urine samples, except for 5‑chloro‑1‑H‑benzotriazole (9.3%) and 2‑thiocyanomethylthio-benzothiazole (1.4%). The predominant BTRs in urine was 1‑hydroxy‑benzotriazole [Geometric Mean (GM): 0.77 ng/mL]. Benzothiazole was the major derivative in urine samples with a GM concentration of 1.6 ng/mL. Correlations among BTHs (r = 0.04–0.39) were higher than that among BTRs (r = 0.02–0.14). The exposure pattern was constant at low level and co-exposure to all the targeted compounds was infrequent during pregnancy. Urinary concentrations of BTRs exhibited considerable within-subject variation (ICCs: 0.12–0.56) during pregnancy. Relatively high temporal reliability was observed for urinary concentrations of BTHs with ICCs ranging from 0.42 to 0.85. It was found that parity, household income, pregnancy occupational status, sampling season and menstrual cycle were associated with urinary concentrations of BTs in pregnant women (P

Background: Previous studies have suggested that phthalates might disrupt fetal steroidogenesis. However, the evidence of the effects of prenatal phthalate exposure across pregnancy on fetal glucocorticoids was insufficient. Objective: We investigated the associations between urinary phthalate metabolites across pregnancy and cord blood glucocorticoids in a prospective birth cohort. Methods: Our study included 553 mother-infant pairs from a prospective birth cohort conducted in Wuhan, China. Maternal urine samples were collected at 14, 24 and 36 weeks of gestation (mean). Urinary phthalate metabolites and cord blood glucocorticoids (cortisol and cortisone) were measured. Generalized estimating equation models were conducted to explore the relationships of phthalate metabolite concentrations at each trimester and glucocorticoid levels. Results: Among the participants, mono‑benzyl phthalate (MBzP) in the first trimester was associated with higher cortisol/cortisone ratio concentrations, and mono‑(2‑ethyl‑5‑carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP) and mono‑(2‑ethyl‑5‑oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) measured in the third trimester were associated with decreased cortisone. Moreover, the associations between phthalates and glucocorticoids varied by sex. Among the female infants, each 10-fold increase in several maternal urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations in 1st and 3rd trimester was associated with the increased glucocorticoid levels with percent changes ranged from 16.2%–55.9%. However, among male infants, each 10-fold increase in maternal urinary MECPP, mono‑(2‑ethyl‑5‑hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) and MEOHP in 3rd trimester was associated with 20.8%–36.3% decreased cortisol and cortisone levels, respectively. Conclusion: We have shown that prenatal phthalate exposure during early and late trimester disrupted the infant steroidogenesis and these associations might be modified by infant sex. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate phthalate exposure at three trimesters during pregnancy in relation to infant glucocorticoids. Keywords: Phthalate, Glucocorticoid, Prenatal exposure, Trimester-specific

There is a proposed link between prenatal nickel (Ni) exposure and preterm low birth weight (PLBW); however, this association remains unclear. Selenium (Se) may modify this relationship by protecting against Ni toxicity. Concentrations of Ni and Se were measured in urine samples collected from 408 pregnant women (102 PLBW cases and 306 matched controls) in China. Conditional logistic regression was utilized to explore the association between Ni levels and PLBW, as well as the effect modification by Se on this association. A significant association was observed between higher maternal urinary Ni levels and risk of PLBW [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.80 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.44, 5.44) for the highest tertile], and this association was more apparent among female infants than that among male infants. Further analyses showed that mothers with high urinary Ni and low urinary Se levels had a significantly increased risk for PLBW [adjusted OR = 2.87 (95% CI: 1.09, 7.56)] compared with the mothers with low urinary Ni and high urinary Se levels. Our study indicates that prenatal exposure to Ni was a risk factor for PLBW. Se might provide protection against the toxicity of Ni.

Maternal arsenic exposure leads to adverse birth outcomes, but the critical window of this susceptibility keeps unclear. To determine whether the associations between maternal arsenic exposure and birth outcomes were trimester-specific, we conducted a birth cohort study of 1390 women from 2014 to 2016 in Wuhan, China. We examined associations between total urinary arsenic concentrations in three trimesters and birth weight, birth length and the risk of small for gestational age (SGA), and the differences of these associations across trimesters using generalized estimating equations. Maternal urinary arsenic concentrations varied across trimesters and were weakly correlated. Arsenic concentrations in the 3rd trimester, but not in the 1st and 2nd trimesters, were associated with birth outcomes. For each doubling of arsenic levels in the 3rd trimester, birth weight was decreased 24.27 g (95% confidence interval (CI): −46.99, −1.55), birth length was decreased 0.13 cm (95% CI: −0.22, −0.04), and the risk for SGA birth was increased 25% (95% CI: 1.03, 1.49). Further, stratified analyses indicated that these associations were only observed in female infants. Our findings indicate maternal arsenic levels in the 3rd trimester seemed to have significant impacts on birth outcomes, and also emphasize the public health interventions relevance to arsenic exposure in late pregnancy.

Previous studies provided a strong evidence of the association between environmental exposure to cadmium (Cd) and hypertension in the general population. However, the role of Cd in pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) remains unclear. A total of 5429 pregnant women was selected from a birth cohort in Wuhan, China to investigate the association between Cd exposure and risk of PIH. Among them, 199 (3.7%) women were diagnosed with PIH. The Cd concentrations in maternal urine collected at delivery were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Multivariable logistic regression was performed on Cd concentrations as a continuous variable (natural logarithm transformed) or as a categorical variable (tertiles). For about 3-fold increase in urinary Cd concentrations, there was 75% increase in the odds of PIH after adjusting for potential confounders (odds ratio (OR) =1.75; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.45, 2.11). Women in the highest tertile of urinary Cd had 2.2-fold increased OR of PIH, compared with women in the lowest tertile (2.24; 95% CI: 1.47, 3.41). Furthermore, we found a significant interaction between Cd exposure and maternal socioeconomic status on PIH (P for interaction=0.04). Our findings indicate that higher Cd exposure might increase the risk of PIH, and the association might be modified by socioeconomic status.

Triclosan (TCS) is a suspected endocrine disrupting chemical which is widely used in consumer products as an antibacterial agent. But findings in human studies focusing on the fetal developmental effects of prenatal TCS exposure were rare and inconsistent. This study aimed to determine maternal urinary TCS and investigate its association with birth outcomes. Pregnant women (n = 1006) were randomly selected from the prospective Healthy Baby Cohort (HBC) enrolled in 2014. TCS levels were determined in maternal urine samples collected at delivery and recorded birth outcomes were obtained from the medical records. Multiple linear regressions were applied to evaluate associations of maternal urinary TCS levels with birth outcomes including birth weight, birth length, and gestational age. Logistic regressions were used to evaluate associations with preterm birth, late term birth, and low birth weight. The geometric mean concentrations for TCS and specific gravity (SG) adjusted TCS in maternal urines were 0.73, 0.78 ng/mL, respectively. In the crude model, one ln-unit increase of urinary SG-adjusted TCS concentration was associated with a 0.30-day [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.00, 0.60] increase in gestational age; however, the associations were not statistically significant after adjustment for covariates. No significant associations of SG-adjusted TCS concentrations with birth weight and birth length were observed. Maternal SG-adjusted TCS concentrations were not related to preterm birth, late term birth, and low birth weight (all p > 0.10). Our findings reported a relatively low level of TCS among Chinese pregnant women. With such exposure level, we did not find strong evidence for associations between maternal TCS exposure and birth outcomes. Longitudinal studies concerning about different potential effects of TCS on perinatal health are necessary.

Yuan-Yuan Li and colleagues argue that the limited evidence supports cold chain logistics as a transmission route for SARS-CoV-2

Background Parabens are suspected to impair fetal growth because of their endocrine disrupting effects. Epidemiological studies regarding the effects of prenatal exposure to parabens on birth outcomes are limited. Objectives Our aim was to evaluate the association between prenatal paraben exposure and size of infants at birth. Methods Within the longitudinal Healthy Baby Cohort (HBC) in Hubei Province, China, we randomly selected 1006 mother-infant pairs recruited in Wuhan City in 2014. Concentrations of parabens were measured in maternal urine collected before delivery. General linear models were used to analyze the associations of maternal parabens exposure levels with birth weight and birth length. Results The specific gravity adjusted geometric means for urinary concentrations of methyl paraben (MeP), ethyl paraben (EtP), and propyl paraben (PrP) were 5.41, 0.11, and 0.94 ng/mL, respectively. Maternal urinary concentrations of parabens tended to be positively associated with birth weight in boys, while opposite trends were found in girls, though these associations were not significant. Higher maternal urinary levels of MeP were positively associated with birth length in boys (β = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.58 for the medium tertile, and β = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.58 for the highest tertile compared to the lowest tertile); however, no significant associations with birth length were observed in girls. Conclusions Maternal urinary levels of MeP were positively associated with length at birth in boys. Besides, we did not find strong associations of the current exposure levels of parabens in Chinese pregnant women with size of infants at birth.

Uranium (U) is a well-recognized hazardous heavy metal with embryotoxicity and fetotoxicity. However, little is known about its association with adverse birth outcomes. We aimed to investigate the potential correlation between prenatal U exposure and birth outcomes. Urine samples of 8500 women were collected before delivery from a birth cohort in Wuhan, China. Concentrations of urinary U and other metals were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. We used multivariable logistic regressions to evaluate the associations between urinary U concentrations and adverse birth outcomes, such as preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA). Associations of urinary U concentrations with gestational age, birth weight, and birth length were investigated by linear regressions. The geometric mean of U concentration was 0.03 μg/L. After adjustment for potential confounders, we found each Log2-unit increase in U concentration was associated with a significant decrease in gestational age [adjusted β = −0.32 day; 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.44, −0.20] and a significant increased likelihood of PTB (adjusted OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.29). This birth cohort uncovered an association of maternal exposure to U during pregnancy with decreased gestational age and increased risk of PTB. Our findings reveal an association of maternal exposure to U during pregnancy with decreased gestational age and increased risk of PTB. Keywords: Adverse birth outcomes, Gestational age, Prenatal exposure, Preterm birth, Uranium

Background: Benzotriazoles (BTRs) and benzothiazoles (BTHs) are emerging contaminants with potential insulin modulation activities. Pregnancy exposure to BTs (BTRs and BTHs) may be a risk factor for the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, epidemiological studies are limited. Objectives: We prospectively investigated the associations of exposure to BTs at early pregnancy with the blood glucose levels and the risks of GDM. Methods: A prospective cohort of 1770 pregnant women who were free of diabetes at baseline was established between 2013 and 2015 in Wuhan, China. Urine samples collected at 13.1 ± 1.1 weeks of gestation were analyzed to estimate the exposure level of BTs. The diagnosis of GDM was based on a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) conducted at 26.4 ± 2.4 weeks of gestation. We examined the associations between urinary concentration of BTs and blood glucose levels by linear regression models. The associations of urinary BTs concentrations with the relative risk (RR) of GDM were evaluated by generalized estimating equations with Poisson regression. Effect modifications by fetus sex and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) were further evaluated in the sensitivity analysis. Results:A total of 147 (8.31%) pregnant women were diagnosed with GDM. Median concentrations of urinary BTs did not differ significantly between pregnant women with and without GDM. It was found that urinary levels of benzothiazole and 2-hydroxy-benzothiazole (2-OH-BTH) were positively associated with 2-hour blood glucose (p for trend

Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), including gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, accounts for the majority of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Strontium (Sr) has been recently associated with preeclampsia in a small group of women; however, the role of Sr in PIH is not fully understood and warrants further investigation. In this study, we examined the association between urinary Sr levels and PIH, and assessed the effect of maternal age on the association. Urinary Sr concentrations were measured in 5423 pregnant women before delivery by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Logistic regression analysis adjusting for potential confounders was applied to explore the association between Sr and PIH, and to evaluate the Sr-PIH relationship stratified by maternal age. Among the participants, 200 (3.83%) women were diagnosed with PIH. Compared with non-PIH women, women who developed PIH had lower urinary Sr concentrations (131.26 vs. 174.98 μg/L creatinine, P

Prenatal exposure to particulate matter (PM) in ambient air has been linked to changes in newborn mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn), but the effects of exposure are inconsistent. We aimed to investigate the effect of weekly PM exposure during pregnancy on newborn mtDNAcn. The present study included 762 mother-infant pairs who were recruited in a birth cohort established between November 2013 and March 2015 in Wuhan, China. Mother’s prenatal daily exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 was calculated using a spatial-temporal land use regression model. Relative mtDNAcn in cord blood leukocytes was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Distributive lag regression models (DLMs) were applied to estimate the association between PM exposure and newborn mtDNAcn. In the adjusted models, prenatal PM2.5 exposure during 25–32 weeks and PM10 exposure during 25–31weeks were significantly associated with decreased cord blood mtDNAcn. PM2.5 exposure during the third trimester was related to decreased mtDNAcn (cumulative percent change: −8.55%, 95% CI: −13.32%, −3.51%). We also identified other exposure windows (17–22 and 11–22 weeks) in which PM exposure was positively associated with mtDNAcn. Overall, exposure to particulate air pollution during mid-to-late gestation is significantly associated with alterations in newborn mtDNAcn, potentially suggesting an enhanced sensitivity to PM exposure during this period.

While increasing evidence has shown that prenatal bisphenol A (BPA) exposure is adversely associated with child neurodevelopment, little is known about the neurodevelopmental effects of BPA alternatives, such as bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF). We aimed to evaluate the relationships of repeated measurements of bisphenol exposure during pregnancy with child neurodevelopment. From 2014–2015, 456 mother-child pairs were included in the present study. Each had a spot urine sample in the first, second, and third trimester, respectively, during pregnancy for BPA, BPS, and BPF measurements. Children’s neurodevelopment was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 2 years. In adjusted models, children’s psychomotor development index scores decreased across quartiles of BPS concentrations [-5.52 (95 % CI: -10.06, -0.99) in the 4th quartile vs. 1 st quartile, P-trend = 0.01]. Each 10-fold increase in BPA concentrations was related to lower mental development index scores only in the second trimester [-2.87 (95 % CI: -4.98, -0.75), Ptrimester-int = 0.04]. However, prenatal BPF exposure was not significantly associated with child neurodevelopment. We provide evidence that prenatal exposure to BPA and BPS may affect child neurodevelopment.

Parabens, a group of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, have been associated with obesity in previous studies. However, there is a paucity of literature regarding the effects of paraben exposures on gestational weight gain (GWG), a considerable predictor of obesity risk in both mothers and offspring later in life. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the associations between urinary paraben concentrations and GWG during the three trimesters of pregnancy. We collected urine samples from 613 pregnant women during the first, second, and third trimesters of their pregnancies between 2014 and 2015 in Wuhan, China. The urine concentrations of five parabens, including methylparaben (MeP), ethylparaben (EtP), propylparaben (PrP), butylparaben, and benzylparaben, were measured. Gestational weight in each trimester and prepregnancy weight were used to calculate trimester GWG. Linear mixed models were used to evaluate the trimester-specific and overall associations between paraben exposures and GWG rate (trimester GWG divided by the gestational week of the weight measurement, kg/week). We performed stratified analysis to further explore the potential effect modification by prepregnancy BMI. In the trimester-specific association analyses, the first-trimester concentrations MeP, EtP, PrP, and ∑parabens (sum of all five parabens’s molar concentrations) were associated with an increased first-trimester GWG rate, and these associations were stronger than those of the second or third trimesters. The overall association analysis showed that increased trimester GWG rates were associated with the combined effects of exposure to MeP, PrP, or ∑parabens during all three trimesters. Stratified analysis showed that higher paraben exposures were associated with higher trimester GWG rates among overweight/obese women that among normal-weight or underweight women. Our results showed that paraben exposures were positively associated with trimester GWG rate during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. Replicated research in populations exposed to higher paraben levels is needed in the future.

Pregnant women are widely exposed to organophosphate (OP) pesticides, which are potentially neurotoxicant for the developing fetus. We aimed to identify principal demographic and dietary predictors of OP pesticide exposure among 450 pregnant women participating in the New York University Children’s Health and Environment Study (enrolled 2016–19). Urinary concentrations of six dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites (3 dimethyl (DM) metabolites and 3 diethyl (DE) metabolites) of OP pesticides were determined at three time points across pregnancy. At mid-gestation, the Diet History Questionnaire II was used to assess women’s dietary intake over the past year. Demographic characteristics were obtained using questionnaires and/or electronic health records. We used linear mixed models to evaluate the associations of demographic and food groups with DAP metabolite levels, and partial-linear single-index (PLSI) models to analyze the contribution proportions of food groups to DAP metabolite concentrations and the dose-response relationships between them. We observed that pregnant women in NYC had lower levels of OP pesticide metabolites than pregnant populations in Europe, Asia, and other regions in the U.S. Having lower pre-pregnancy body mass index and being Asian, employed, and single were associated with higher DAP metabolite concentrations. Fruit and grain intakes were associated with higher ∑DM, ∑DE, and ∑DAP levels. ∑DE concentrations increased 9.0% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.2%, 17.4%) per two-fold increase in dairy consumption, whereas ∑DE concentrations decreased 1.8% (95%CI = −3.1%, −0.4%) per two-fold increase in seafood consumption. The PLSI model indicated that among the food mixture, fruit and grains were the main food groups contributed to higher levels of ∑DAP, while meat contributed to lower levels of ∑DAP. The contribution proportions of fruit, grains, and meat were 18.7%, 17.9%, and 39.3%, respectively. Our results suggest that fruit, grains, and meat are major dietary components associated with OP pesticide exposure in urban pregnant women.

Experimental studies suggested per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) may disrupt estrogens in animals, however, the epidemiological evidence on the associations of PFASs with estrogens is sparse. We investigated the associations of legacy PFASs and their alternatives, including F-53B, the perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) replacement that is specifically and commonly used in China, with estrogen concentrations in newborns. We quantified six PFASs and three estrogens in the cord sera of 942 newborns from a birth cohort in Wuhan, China, between 2013 and 2014. After adjusting for confounders and correcting for multiple comparisons, we observed that both legacy PFASs and their alternatives were associated with higher serum levels of estradiol (E2). Some of the PFASs were associated with increasing levels of estrone (E1) and estriol (E3). Analysis of PFASs in mixture using weighted quantile sum regressions showed that F-53B contributed 20.1% and 48.5% to the associations between PFASs and E1 and E2, respectively. This study provided epidemiological data on the associations between common PFAS exposures and estrogens in newborns. Additional toxicology studies are needed to fully understand the effects of PFASs on estrogens and the mechanisms.

New media technology creates a new feeling, new experience and new ways of thinking, nowadays, life everywhere is full of digital signal, urban landscape as we live the main environmental space, with its highly sensitive of science and technology and unavoidable by the impact of digital technology. In this paper, we analyze the application of digital multimedia technology and virtual simulation in urban landscape design. On the one hand, the computer digital mapping tools provide a more effective way to deal with threedimensional space, so it is very popular in the landscape design. On the other hand, the advent of digital technology makes urban landscape design no longer simply rely on real physical space, modern city landscape design always made use of digital multimedia technology, makes the urban landscape design space is more complex. In addition, the digital multimedia technology not only brings the technical support to the urban landscape design, but also reflects its value in the aspect of appearance, color and so on.

From the point of view of digital product development, this paper makes a deep discussion and research on the key technologies of pipeline layout design, pipeline layout optimization, and assembly simulation in the process of complex product development. We introduce an automatic pipe layout techniques based on improved rapidly exploring random tree, it could able to quickly establish the framework model of pipeline system, on this basis are discussed a pipeline of the simulated annealing algorithm based on automatic optimization algorithm, and interactive pipeline layout method, using computer artificial intelligence and design personnel manual intervention method to improve the quality of pipe layout. Also, we make the system realization of automatic layout of pipe line, and put forward related Suggestions.

5 G-demand service is the key feature of the network, the network function virtualization (NFV) to provide services through the virtualization of existing 5 G network infrastructure. NFV created on a shared physical network a variety of virtual network, but one of the main challenges of the future 5 G network is a virtual network function (VNF), less manual intervention. And automatically end network service (NS) orchestration modeling. Wetlands has been more and more important. It is the only nature conservation area. Search in the storm of sand entering from the road. Wetlands, it is northwest ecological shelter and is the first circle of protection band, under the influence of the powerful Force factor, resources and structures are quietly changed in the last ten years, and it has threatened the healthy development. Use the 5 G network and FPGA system resources and sensing technology, it gave a field environment monitoring. Through this research, the area of the wetlands had declined more than half. In addition, there is a tendency that the environment is degraded. Analyzed the reason for the wetland dynamics. This is the base for the recovery and protection of wetlands. Construction of savings and friendly Wetland Park in the environment of the resource will be able to promote the sustainable development of the fact park.

Increasing evidence shows that exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), common and persistent anthropogenic pollutants, may affect glucose homeostasis. However, data is limited for pregnant women, and it is less clear how novel fluorinated pollutants affect glucose homeostasis during pregnancy. Our goal was to investigate the relationships of exposure to13 PFASs including some novel fluorinated pollutants with blood glucose in 874 Chinese pregnant women from the general population. We measured blood glucose following an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in the second trimester and quantified PFAS concentrations in umbilical cord blood. The associations of PFAS exposure with fasting, 1-h OGTT and 2-h OGTT glucose were examined using the general linear regression model. For every doubling of perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), a short-chain PFAS, the 1-h and 2-h OGTT blood glucose increased 0.09 mmol/L (β = 0.09, 95%CI: 0.02, 0.17) and 0.07 mmol/L (β = 0.07, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.13), respectively. In addition, perfluoroheptanoate (PFHpA), an alternative of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), was positively associated with fasting glucose (β = 0.07, 95%CI: 0.02, 0.13; high vs low). Higher levels of PFAS exposure were related to increased blood glucose in pregnant women, indicating PFAS exposure may impair glucose homeostasis during pregnancy.

As endocrine disrupting chemicals, hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers were reported to impair the intrauterine growth. Although the findings of HCHs with preterm birth were well established, the associations with gestational age were limited. In the present study, we examined whether exposure to HCHs would influence gestational age. The study population included 1028 pregnant women and their offspring who were born in 2014–2015 from a birth cohort in Wuhan, China. Associations of the cord serum HCH levels with gestational age were estimated using generalized linear models. We found higher HCH levels in pregnant women, who were elder, had higher body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy, received higher education, or were exposed to smoking passively. For term birth, the 3rd tertiles of α-HCH and γ-HCH were significantly associated with shorter gestational age [crude β = −1.017, confidence interval (CI): − 2.017, − 0.018 for α-HCH, crude β = −1.068, CI: − 2.067, − 0.070 for γ-HCH], and relationships were similar after adjusted by covariates. Stratified analysis showed positive associations between α-HCH and gestational age for mothers younger than 25 years old (adjusted β = 0.610, CI: 0.061, 1.158), while showing negative relationships for mothers elder than 35 years old (adjusted β = −1.365, CI: −2.414, −0.317). In summary, our results indicated cord serum levels of HCHs were associated with gestational age at birth.

BACKGROUND Pregnancy hypertensive disorders have impaired neurodevelopment in offspring. We aimed to explore the association of normal range maternal blood pressure (BP) with child neurodevelopment, as well as the possible role of placental 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2) therein. METHODS Among 1,008 mother–child pairs recruited in Wuhan, China, in 2013–2015, we measured maternal third-trimester BP (systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP)) and cord glucocorticoids (cortisol and cortisone), a marker reflecting placental 11β-HSD2 activity. We evaluated child neurodevelopment using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) with obtaining the Mental and Psychomotor Development Index (MDI and PDI). Multiple regression and mediation analysis were performed to estimate the effect. RESULTS Each 5 mm Hg increase in maternal third-trimester SBP was associated with 1.54 points decrease in MDI (95% confidence interval (CI) = –2.60, –0.48) and 1.23 points decrease in PDI (95% CI = –2.14, –0.31); similar association was observed between DBP and BSID (adjusted β = –1.32; 95% CI = –2.53, –0.10 for MDI and –1.37; 95% CI = –2.42, –0.33 for PDI). Also, we found significant associations between cord cortisol/cortisone ratio and PDI (adjusted β = 2.95; 95% CI = 0.91, 4.99), as well as between maternal BP and cord cortisol/cortisone ratio (adjusted β = –0.03; 95% CI = –0.06, –0.01 for both SBP and DBP). Mediation analysis revealed that cord cortisol/cortisone ratio explained 6.29% of the association between SBP and PDI, and 6.85% between DBP and PDI. CONCLUSIONS Increased maternal normal range BP may affect child neurodevelopment. Furthermore, placental 11β-HSD2 activity might be involved in the process.

ContextMaternal thyroid hormones during pregnancy play a critical role in fetal development. However, whether maternal heavy metal exposure affects their thyroid hormones and the effects on fetal growth are still unclear.ObjectiveTo explore the effect of heavy metal exposure on maternal thyroid hormones and the potential mediation role of thyroid hormones on birth outcomes.MethodsConcentrations of heavy metals in urine samples and thyroid hormones in blood samples of 675 pregnant women were measured during early pregnancy in a cohort study conducted in China. Multivariable linear regressions were applied to explore the associations of maternal urinary heavy metal levels with both maternal thyroid hormones and birth outcomes. Mediation analyses were performed to assess the mediation role of thyroid hormones in these associations.ResultsMaternal urinary vanadium (V) exhibited an inverse association with free T3 (FT3) and FT3/free T4 (FT4) ratio levels. Urinary arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) had inverse relationships with FT3. We also observed the positive associations of maternal FT3 and FT3/FT4 ratio with birthweight. The mediation analyses suggested that 5.33% to 30.57% of the associations among V, As, and Pb levels and birth size might be mediated by maternal FT3 or FT3/FT4 ratio.ConclusionsWe have shown that maternal exposures to V, As, and Pb at early pregnancy were associated with decreased maternal FT3 or FT3/FT4 ratio, which might contribute to reduced birthweight. Mediation analyses indicated that maternal thyroid hormone was a possible mediator of the association between urinary heavy metals and birth size.

There has been substantial evidence showing the adverse effects of organochlorine pesticide (OCP) exposure on human, but studies focused on the prenatal exposure effects at low OCP levels on infant birth size were scarce and controversial. In this study, cord serum samples were collected at the delivery from 1028 pairs of mothers and newborns in Wuhan, China and investigated the associations of prenatal exposure to OCPs and birth size. The prenatal exposure of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs), p,p′-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p′-DDT) and its metabolites were analyzed. The associations between birth size and prenatal OCP exposure were examined by multiple linear regressions. A sex-specific relationship between the OCP exposure and birth size was observed. β-HCH was negatively associated with birth weight and ponderal index for boys [adjusted β = −28.61; 95% confidence interval (CI): −54.84, −4.37 and adjusted β = −0.17; 95% CI: −0.32, −0.01, respectively], whilst no significant associations with prenatal exposure of OCPs were found among girls. The inverse association of prenatal exposure to low levels of β-HCH was shown sex-specific difference, which was only observed significantly in boys. The findings strengthened the evidence that the fetal development was influenced by prenatal exposure to certain OCPs and the effects might be different in the newborn sex.

Prenatal life exposure to fine particulate matter (aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 2.5 µm, PM2.5) has been linked with increased risk of adverse fetal development and birth outcomes in previous studies. However, to our knowledge, no study has investigated the association of maternal PM2.5 with the risk of fetal distress, which is a harmful fetal status and may lead to fetal brain damage, even fetal death. Therefore, we conducted a study to determine the association between maternal PM2.5 and fetal distress among 7835 mother-infant pairs from a birth cohort, in Wuhan, China, 2013–2015. The individual daily PM2.5 level was assessed using land use regression model. We evaluated the association of maternal PM2.5 level over the whole pregnancy with fetal distress by logistic regression model, and estimated the risk between PM2.5 exposure in specific trimester and fetal distress using generalized estimating equations. We observed that per 10 µg/m3 change of maternal PM2.5 level over the whole pregnancy was associated with 25% increased risk of fetal distress (95% confidence interval: 1.09–1.44). Further, we found PM2.5 level in the 2nd trimester, but not in the 1st and 3rd trimesters, was associated with fetal distress. Stratified analyses indicated that the association was only significant among infants who were born in cold seasons. Our study suggested that PM2.5 exposure during the whole pregnancy exhibited significant associations with the risk of fetal distress, and exposure in the 2nd trimester maybe the susceptible window. Further stratified analyses indicated that birth season is a possible modifier in the association.

Background: Several studies have reported that cadmium (Cd) is associated with type 2 diabetes. However, little is known about Cd exposure and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Objective: We examined the association between Cd body burden in early pregnancy and the risk of GDM. Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 2,026 pregnant women from a single tertiary medical center between 2013 and 2016 in Wuhan, China. Cd body burden was reflected by Cd concentrations in urine samples collected between gestational weeks 8 and 14. GDM was diagnosed according to International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups Consensus Panel (IADPSG) recommendations. Results: The geometric mean of Cd concentrations in maternal urine of all pregnant women was 0.59μg/L. A total of 198 (9.8%) women were diagnosed with GDM. After adjustment for potential confounders, the risk ratios (RRs) of GDM were 1.04 (95% CI: 0.74, 1.44) for the middle tertile of Cd levels and 1.36 (95%: CI: 0.98, 1.90) for the top tertile compared with the bottom tertile. In addition, we found a significant interaction between fetal sex and maternal Cd levels on the risk of GDM (p for interaction=0.03). Among women carrying male fetuses, the RR of GDM was 1.86 (95% CI: 1.14, 2.93) for the top tertile of Cd levels compared with the bottom tertile. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report of an association between urinary Cd levels in early pregnancy and GDM. Our findings suggest that Cd body burden increases the risk of GDM and that the association may be modified by fetal sex. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP2716

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) had been widely used in China before they were banned decades ago due to the concern of the toxicology to human. Previous reports showed that OCPs were still often detectable in human bodies. However, there is limited study concerning the body burden of OCPs in infants and fetus in China. In this study, the prenatal exposure to OCPs was evaluated by measuring OCPs in cord serum. A total of 1046 cord serum samples were collected in Wuhan during 2014 and 2015, and analyzed for the concentrations of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethanes (DDDs) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylenes (DDEs) by using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The median levels of ∑HCHs and ∑DDTs were 10.1 ng/g lipid (with the range fromLOD to 1910 ng/g lipid) and 35.5 ng/g lipid (with the range from 0.18 to 11,100 ng/g lipid), respectively. β-HCH and p,p'-DDE were found to be the major OCPs presenting in the cord serum samples. A minor positive association between the serum levels of α-HCH and β-HCH was observed, and the concentrations of o,p'- and p,p'-DDT isomers were found positively associated. The OCP exposure levels obtained in this study were comparable to those data from other areas in China and much lower than some of highly polluted countries. The prenatal exposure to OCPs would be of concern since fetuses were more vulnerable than adults and the cord serum is an accurate non-invasive matrix for monitoring of prenatal exposure.

Bisphenol S (BPS) has been progressively used due to the potential safety problems of bisphenol A (BPA). Thus Human studies are needed to investigate the developmental effects of BPS. In this study, the impact of maternal BPS exposure on birth outcomes was evaluated with linear and logistic regression models. BPS was analyzed in spot urine samples collected from 985 pregnant women at admission to labor. It was found in 93.7% of the urine samples with the specific gravity adjusted geometric mean concentration of 0.17 μg/L. One ln-unit increase in urinary BPS was associated with a 0.72-day increase in pregnancy duration (95% CI: 0.34, 1.09). When stratified by fetal sex, each ln-unit increase in maternal urinary BPS was significantly correlated with increased gestational age [adjusted β = 1.02, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.47, 1.57] and increased odds of late term birth [adjusted odds ratio = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.67] for girls, but not significantly for boys. Including maternal urinary BPA and BPS in one model did not change the results. Associations of BPS with birth weight or length were not observed. This is the first report about BPS exposure for pregnant women from China. Higher maternal urinary BPS concentrations were associated with increased gestational age, suggesting maternal BPS exposure may interfere with pregnancy duration. The findings require replication but reveal the probable risks posed by the developmental BPS exposure.

Background: Cadmium (Cd) has been associated with type 2 diabetes in general population. However, the role of Cd in the occurrence of Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains unclear. Objectives: Our study was aimed at investigating whether Cd exposure during pregnancy was associated with increased risk of GDM. Methods: Cd concentrations were measured in urine samples from 6837 pregnant women in Wuhan, China, from 2012 to 2014. A “modified Poisson” model with a robust error variance was used to examine the association of GDM with continuous natural logarithm (ln) transformed urinary Cd or quartiles of urinary Cd levels. Results: For about 3-fold increase in Cd concentrations, there were 16% [relative risk (RR) =1.16; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03, 1.33] increase in risk of GDM. Compared with women in the lowest quartile of urinary Cd levels, women in the highest quartile had 1.30 higher risk of GDM [95% CI: 1.05, 1.61; p-trend

Prior studies have suggested the reproductive effects of nickel; however, few epidemiological studies have investigated the associations of maternal exposure to nickel with preterm delivery. To investigate prenatal exposure to nickel as a risk factor for preterm delivery (37 weeks) in a large birth cohort. A total of 7291 pregnant women participated in the study were recruited between September 2012 and October 2014 in the longitudinal Healthy Baby Cohort (HBC) in Wuhan, China. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry was employed to examine levels of nickel in urine from pregnant women collected before labor. The median urinary creatinine-corrected nickel was 5.05 creatinine μg/g with an inter-quartile range of 2.65-9.51 creatinine μg/g. We adjusted for potential confounders and found that each doubling in concentration of maternal urinary nickel was associated with an increase of 16% in adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for preterm delivery (95% CI: 1.08, 1.24). The associations were consistent for both spontaneous and iatrogenic preterm delivery. Our findings suggest that higher maternal urinary nickel concentrations were associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery.

Thallium (Tl) is a well-recognized hazardous toxic heavy metal that has been reported to have embryotoxicity and fetotoxicity. However, little is known about its association with preterm birth (PTB) in humans. We aimed to evaluate the predictors of Tl exposure and assessed its relation with PTB. The study population included 7173 mother-infant pairs from a birth cohort in Wuhan, China. Predictors of Tl concentrations were explored using linear regression analyses, and associations of Tl exposure with risk of PTB or gestational age at birth were estimated using logistic regression or generalized linear models. The geometric mean and median values of urinary Tl concentrations were 0.28 μg/L (0.55 μg/g creatinine) and 0.29 μg/L (0.53 μg/g creatinine). We found that maternal urinary Tl concentrations varied by gestational weight gain, educational attainment, multivitamin and iron supplementations. Women with Tl concentrations higher than 0.80 μg/g creatinine were at higher risk of giving birth prematurely versus those with Tl concentrations lower than 0.36 μg/g creatinine [adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval (CI)): 1.55 (1.05, 2.27)], and the association was more pronounced in PTB with premature rupture of membranes (PROM) rather than in PTB without PROM. About 3-fold increase in creatinine-corrected Tl concentrations were associated with 0.99-day decrease in gestational length (95% CI: −1.36, −0.63). This is the first report on the associations between maternal Tl exposure and the risk of PTB.

Background: Vanadium, an important pollutant produced from anthropogenic activities, has been suggested to be embryotoxic and fetotoxic in animal studies. However, little is known about its effects on humans. We aimed to assess the association of prenatal exposure to vanadium with the risk of adverse birth outcomes in babies born to women in China. Methods: For this population-based cohort study, the Healthy Baby Cohort, women were recruited from three cities in Hubei Province, China. Women included in this analysis were recruited from Wuhan Women and Children Medical Care Center, Wuhan. We measured urinary concentrations of vanadium and other metals simultaneously using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. We used multivariable logistic regressions, with adjustment for potential confounders, to estimate the associations of natural logarithm transformed creatinine-corrected urinary vanadium (Ln-vanadium) concentrations as continuous variables and categorised into quartiles (Q; Q1: ≤0·84 μg/g creatinine, Q2: 0·84–1·40 μg/g creatinine, Q3: 1·40–2·96 μg/g creatinine, Q4: >2·96 μg/g creatinine, with the lowest quartile set as reference) with preterm delivery, early-term delivery, low birthweight, and being small for gestational age. We applied restricted cubic spline models to evaluate the dose-response relationships. Findings: Data from 7297 women recruited between Sept 22, 2012, and Oct 22, 2014, were included in this study. Urinary Ln-vanadium concentrations showed non-linear dose-response relationships with risk of preterm delivery (S-shaped, p

Research findings on effects of prenatal phthalate exposure on fetal growth were inconsistent. Increasing evidence from animal studies has indicated a potential sex-specific effect of phthalates on fetal growth, but the current human data was limited. In this study, we aimed to estimate the relationships between maternal phthalate exposure and infant birth size. Six major phthalate metabolite levels of urine samples were measured among pregnant women ( n = 1002) from the Healthy Baby Cohort (HBC), China. The associations between urinary phthalate metabolites levels and birth size (birth weight, birth length, birth weight z-scores and ponderal index) were estimated using linear regression models. In boys, the ln-transformed di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) metabolite levels were significantly associated with increased birth weight and birth weight z-scores. Additionally, each ln-unit increase in mono-(2-ethyl-5-carbox-ypentyl) phthalate (MECPP) was associated with a 0.25 kg/m 3 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03, 0.47] increase in ponderal index in boys. However, we did not observe any significant association of maternal phthalate metabolite levels with any of the outcomes in girls. Our data suggested potential sex-specific associations of maternal phthalate exposure with increased birth weight and ponderal index, which were merely apparent in boys.

Background: Evidence from animal and in vitro studies suggest that some metals interfere with normal platelet counts (PLT). However, limited human studies have investigated the association of metals and PLT, a marker of hematologic and hemostatic, particularly in susceptible populations such as pregnant women. Objectives: Our purpose was to investigate the associations of repeated measures of 13 urinary metals with PLT during pregnancy. Methods: The present study involved 3911 pregnant women participating in a prospective cohort study in Wuhan, China, from 2013 to 2016. We measured 13 metals in urine and PLT in blood samples collected in the first, second, and third trimester (median = 13, 24, and 35 weeks of gestation, respectively). Mixed linear models and general linear models were applied to analyze the associations between multiple metals and PLT during pregnancy. The odds ratio (OR) for gestational thrombocytopenia was examined using generalized estimating equations. Results: After adjusting for other metals and covariates, the repeated measure analyses showed that decreased levels of PLT were associated with a 10-fold increase in urinary concentration of cadmium (Cd) [percent difference (%Δ) = −5.02, 95%CI = −9.53, −0.29], manganese (Mn) [percent difference (%Δ) = −4.63, 95%CI = −7.50, −1.67], and arsenic (As) [percent difference (%Δ) = −4.56, 95%CI = −8.11, −0.86]. Cross-sectional analyses by trimesters revealed that Cd was inversely associated with PLT through the three trimesters. In addition, Cd was associated with an increased OR of 1.80 (95%CI: 1.26, 2.56), 1.65 (95%CI: 1.05, 2.59), 1.54 (95%CI: 1.02, 2.33) for gestational thrombocytopenia in the first, second, and third trimester, respectively. Conclusions: Our study suggested an association of Cd, Mn, and As with decreased PLT during pregnancy. Particularly, Cd may increase the risk of gestational thrombocytopenia. Keywords: Multiple metals, Platelet counts, Gestational thrombocytopenia, Pregnancy

Background Phthalates are endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that pose a serious hazard to the human health. Many epidemiological studies revealed a relationship between phthalates exposure and blood pressure in general population, while the relationship in pregnant women remains unknown. Objectives Aimed to elucidate whether phthalate exposure is associated with blood pressure among pregnant women. Methods This study included 636 participants from Wuhan, China. Urine samples were conducted repeatedly in three trimesters, and 9 phthalates were measured in these samples. After each urine was sampled, all the participants completed blood pressure measurements. Associations between repeated measurements of phthalate concentration and blood pressure were evaluated by using generalized estimating equations. Stratified analysis by fetus gender was conducted. Results Among the pregnant women with male fetuses, mono-i-butyl phthalate (MiBP) exposed in the 1st trimester was associated with the increased diastolic blood pressure (DBP) measured in the 2nd trimester, while the environmental risk score (ERS) measured in the 1st and 2nd trimester was positively associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and DBP in the 2nd trimester. No significant relationships were observed among all the population or pregnant women with female fetuses. Conclusions Exposure to higher levels of MiBP may be related to increased blood pressure during pregnancy in pregnant women with male fetuses.

Background: Phthalates are a family of endocrine disruptors with short elimination half-lives in the human body. To date, few epidemiological studies have examined repeated measures of maternal urinary phthalates and the combined effects of prenatal exposure to multiple phthalates on children's neurocognitive development. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the association between children's neurocognitive development at 2 years of age and prenatal phthalate exposure, as assessed by repeated measurements during pregnancy, and to further examine the effects of co-exposure to multiple phthalates using cumulative risk assessment. Method: Within a prenatal cohort in Wuhan, China, we measured five high-molecular-weight (HMW) phthalates and three low-molecular-weight (LMW) phthalate metabolites' concentrations in three urine samples collected in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimester of pregnancy from each mother. We assessed neurocognitive development by Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID) at 2 years of age (n = 476) to obtain the children's mental development index (MDI) and psychomotor development index (PDI). Results: Higher exposure levels to LMW phthalates compared to HMW phthalates were observed in our population. Ln-transformed averaged concentration of mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), a metabolite of the LMW phthalate di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) during pregnancy, was associated with decreased PDI scores in all children (β = −1.90, 95% CI: −3.43, −0.37). Similarly, the averaged sum concentration of ∑dibutyl phthalate (∑DBP) was associated with decreased PDI scores in all children (β = −1.89, 95% CI: −3.63, −0.15). A negative trend of association between exposure to HMW phthalates and PDI scores was observed in girls, while a positive association was found in boys. In cumulative risk assessment analyses, we consistently observed that the hazard quotient of DnBP (the parent compound of MnBP) was inversely associated with PDI scores in all children, whereas the hazard quotient of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), an HMW phthalate, was positively associated with PDI scores in boys only. Conclusions: This study is the first to use repeated measurement of maternal urinary phthalates in all three trimesters to assess prenatal exposure in relation to children's neurodevelopment. Our study suggested a negative association between prenatal exposure to MnBP and children's psychomotor development, and potentially sex-specific associations between HMW phthalates and neurocognitive development among boys and girls. These findings warrant further confirmation. Keywords: Phthalate metabolites, Child neurodevelopment, Prenatal exposure, Trimester-specific, Cumulative risk assessment

Fish species identification and automated fish freshness assessment play important roles in fishery industry applications. This paper describes a method based on support vector machines (SVMs) to improve the performance of fish identification systems. The result is used for the assessment of fish freshness using artificial neural network (ANN). Identification of the fish species involves processing of the images of fish. The most efficient features were extracted and combined with the down-sampled version of the images to create a 1D input vector. Max-Win algorithm applied to the SVM-based classifiers has enhanced the reliability of sorting to 96.46%. The realisation of Cyranose 320 Electronic nose (E-nose), in order to evaluate the fish freshness in real-time, is experimented. Intelligent processing of the sensor patterns involves the use of a dedicated ANN for each species under study. The best estimation of freshness was provided by the most sensitive sensors. Data was collected from four selected species of fishes over a period of ten days. It was concluded that the performance can be increased using individual trained ANN for each specie. The proposed system has been successful in identifying the number of days after catching the fish with an accuracy of up to 91%.

Intelligent odour detection is a challenging research topic and requires an in depth study into types of sensors, advanced signal processing and pattern recognition methods. Electronic nose (e-nose) can be used to identify odour variety, aroma intensity and degree of freshness. The e-nose consists of an array of conductometric chemical sensors which change resistance when exposed to vapours. The applications of commercial e-noses are broad and continuously expanding to various areas such as environmental monitoring, medical instrumentation, and food industries. This paper presents intelligent processing of information collected by a portable 32-sensor e-nose for fish freshness assessment. We used artificial neural networks (ANNs) to design an intelligent system for measuring of the freshness of spoiling fish. It was found that the degree of selectivity and the type of odours that could be detected by the e-nose are largely dependent on the choice and number of sensors in the sensor array. We identified the most sensitive sensors, which provide a good estimation of freshness assessment in a laboratory environment. The information processing method was applied to collected data from four species. The procedure was repeated every day during a period often days after catching the fish. It was found that the proposed intelligent system can successfully identify the number of days after catching the fish with an accuracy of up to of 91%. The results obtained from this research suggest that the proposed assessment method can be used in the design of an intelligent fish freshness assessment system.