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Recent research has reported positive associations of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) with hyperuricemia. However, most of these studies have primarily focused on the individual effects of PCB/OCP exposure. We aimed to explore the associations of both individual and combined PCB/OCP exposure with hyperuricemia and examine whether such associations could be modified by lifestyle factors. The cross-sectional study recruited 2032 adults between March and May 2019 in Wuhan, China. Logistic regression and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression were applied to explore the relationship of individual and combined PCB/OCP exposure with hyperuricemia, while considering the modified effects of lifestyle factors. Of the 2032 participants, 522 (25.7%) had hyperuricemia. Compared with the non-detected group, the detected groups of PCB153 and PCB180 exhibited a positive association with hyperuricemia, with OR (95% CIs) of 1.52 (1.22, 1.91) and 1.51 (1.20, 1.90), respectively. WQS regression showed that PCB/OCP mixture was positively associated with hyperuricemia (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.58). PCB153/PCB180 exposure, combined with an unhealthy lifestyle, has a significant additive effect on hyperuricemia. Overall, PCB/OCP mixture and individual PCB153/PCB180 exposure were positively associated with hyperuricemia. Adherence to a healthy lifestyle may modify the potential negative impact of PCBs/OCPs on hyperuricemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Telomere length (TL) is considered a marker of biological aging and lifetime health, and some epidemiological studies report that the environmental exposures may influence TL at birth. We aimed to investigate the associations between prenatal rare earth elements (REE) exposure and newborn TL. A total of 587 mother-newborn pairs were recruited during 2013 to 2015 in Wuhan, China. Maternal urinary concentrations of REE collected during three trimesters were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to measure relative cord blood TL. The trimester-specific associations between prenatal REE exposure and cord blood TL were evaluated using multiple informant models. Weighted quantile sum regression was used to estimate the mixture effect of urinary REE on cord blood TL. After adjustment for potential confounders, per doubling of urinary REE (Dy, Yb, Pr, Nd, and Tm) concentrations (μg/g creatinine) during the second trimester was respectively associated with 1.94% (95% CI 0.19%, 3.72%), 2.10% (95% CI 0.31%, 3.92%), 2.11% (95% CI 0.35%, 3.89%), 2.08% (95% CI 0.01%, 4.20%), and 1.38% (95% CI 0.09%, 2.70%) increase in cord blood TL. Furthermore, exposure to the mixture of REE during the second trimester was also significantly associated with increased cord blood TL (percent change 1.20%, 95% CI 0.30%, 2.11%). However, these associations were not statistically significant in the first and third trimesters. This study provides new evidence on the potential effect of prenatal REE exposure on the initial (newborn) setting of offspring's telomere biology. Further epidemiological studies are warranted to confirm our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies suggest that environmental exposures, including air pollution, may influence initial (newborn) telomere length (TL), which has important implications for lifetime health. However, the effect of prenatal ozone exposure on newborn TL is unclear. This study aimed to examine the association of ozone exposure during pregnancy with newborn TL. We used data from a birth cohort study of 762 mother-newborn pairs performed in Wuhan, China, during 2013–2015. Land-use regression models were used to assess prenatal ozone exposure. Newborn TL was quantified in cord blood by qPCR assay. We applied multiple informant model to explore the relationship of prenatal ozone exposure with newborn TL. After adjustment for potential confounders, an interquartile range (IQR) increase in ozone exposure during the 2nd trimester, 3rd trimester, and whole pregnancy were associated with 6.00% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.59%, 10.62%), 12.64% (95% CI: 7.52%, 18.00%), and 7.10% (95% CI: 4.09%, 10.20%) longer cord blood TL, respectively. In contrast, an IQR increase in ozone exposure during the 1st trimester was associated with a 8.39% (95% CI: − 12.90%, − 3.65%) shorter cord blood TL. In multipollutant models, consistent associations were observed between ozone exposures during the 2nd trimester and whole pregnancy and cord blood TL, but not significant for the 1st and 3rd trimesters. In conclusion, our findings suggest positive associations of ozone exposure during the 2nd trimester, 3rd trimester, and whole pregnancy with newborn TL and a negative association during the 1st trimester. This study provides new evidence in humans for a potential "programming" mechanism linking maternal ozone exposure to the initial (newborn) setting of offspring's telomere biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imbalance or deficiencies of essential metals can lead to oxidative stress, that can damage mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) molecule. Knowledge on effects of exposure to essential metals and their mixture remains limited. We aimed to evaluate individual and joint associations of prenatal essential metals with neonatal mtDNA copy number. We recruited 746 mother-newborn pairs from a birth cohort study conducted in Wuhan City, China, and collected trimester-specific urine and cord blood samples. We measured the concentrations of seven urinary essential metals, include zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), selenium (Se), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and chromium (Cr), using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and measured cord blood mtDNA copy number using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We estimated the trimester-specific associations of individual essential metal concentrations with mtDNA copy number using a multiple informant model, and assessed their joint association using weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression. For individual essential metal, a doubling of maternal urinary Zn concentrations during the second trimester was associated with a 7.47% (95% CI: 1.17–14.17%) higher level of neonatal mtDNA copy number. For the essential metal mixture, one-unit increased in the WQS index of the essential metals mixture during the second trimester resulted in a 10.41% (95% CI: 3.04–18.30%) increase in neonatal mtDNA copy number. Our findings suggest that exposure to both Zn and essential metal mixture during the second trimester is associated with a higher neonatal mtDNA copy number. Further research should assess whether mtDNA copy number is associated with child health. [Display omitted] • Newborn mitochondrial DNA copy number increased with the mixture of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Se, Cr, and Co. • Single Zn exposure was positively associated with newborn mitochondrial DNA copy number. • The second trimester was the critical window of susceptibility for essential metals exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arterial stiffness is an important indicator of cardiovascular aging. However, studies assessing the association between metal exposure and arterial stiffness are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the independent and joint associations of metal exposure with arterial stiffness. This cross-sectional study recruited 2982 Chinese adults from August 2018 to March 2019 in Wuhan, China. The concentrations of 20 urinary metals were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Arterial stiffness was assessed by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). We used generalized linear model (GLM) to estimate the association of single metal exposure with baPWV. We used weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression to estimate the association of metal mixture with baPWV. In GLM regression analysis, each doubling of urinary copper (Cu) and chromium (Cr) concentrations were associated with 6.48 (95 % CI: 2.51–10.45) cm/s and 3.78 (95 % CI: 0.42–7.14) cm/s increase in baPWV, respectively. In WQS regression analysis, each unit increase in WQS index of the metal mixture was associated with a 9.10 (95 % CI: 2.39–15.82) cm/s increase in baPWV. Cu, Zn, and Cr were the dominant urinary metals associated with baPWV. Metal exposure, both individually and in mixture, was associated with an increased risk of arterial stiffness. Our findings may provide a target for preventative strategies against cardiovascular aging. [Display omitted] • Exposure to copper and chromium were related to higher risk of arterial stiffness. • Metal mixture exposure was associated with an increased risk of arterial stiffness. • Copper, zinc, and chromium contributed the most in metal mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changing the water permeability ratio of urban underlying surface helps alleviate urban flood. This paper designs the swale identification experiment to modify the flood-submerging simulation experiment based on the SCS-CN model and proves that the results generated by the modified experiment better reflect the realities. The modified flood-submerging simulation experiment is then applied to downtown Wuhan to obtain the quantitative data. The data are used to quantify the catchment capacities of the lots. Based on the rainfall collection capacities, the maximum surface rainfall runoff volume that would not cause flood is arrived at using the rainfall runoff formula. The maximum runoff volume represents the rainwater storage capacities of the lot based on the proportion of the green space that is identified within the study area. The results suggest that this rainwater storage capacity evaluation model works efficiently to identify the urban areas with flood risks and provides the rainwater runoff thresholds for different areas. Adjustments in the spatial patterns and proportions of the green space help ensure that the rainwater runoff volume is below the thresholds, thus contributing to the prevention and control of the urban flood risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Telomere length (TL) is a biomarker for biological aging, and the initial setting of TL at birth is a determinant factor of TL in later life. Newborn TL is sensitive to maternal metals concentrations, while study about the association between maternal manganese (Mn) concentrations and newborn TL was not found. Our study aimed to investigate whether newborn TL is related to maternal Mn concentrations. Data were collected from a birth cohort study of 762 mother-newborn pairs conducted from November 2013 to March 2015 in Wuhan, China. We measured the Mn concentrations in spot urine samples collected during three trimesters by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and relative cord blood TL by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). We applied multiple informant models to investigate the associations between maternal Mn concentrations and cord blood TL. The geometric mean of creatinine-corrected urinary Mn concentrations were 1.58 μg/g creatinine, 2.53 μg/g creatinine, and 2.62 μg/g creatinine in the first, second, and third trimester, respectively. After adjusting for potential confounders, a doubling of maternal urinary Mn concentration during the second trimester was related to a 2.10% (95% CI: 0.25%, 3.99%) increase in cord blood TL. Mothers with the highest tertile of urinary Mn concentrations during the second trimester had a 9.67% (95% CI: 2.13%, 17.78%) longer cord blood TL than those with the lowest tertile. This association was more evident in male infants. No relationship was found between maternal urinary Mn concentrations and cord blood TL during the first and third trimesters in our study. Our findings suggested that maternal Mn concentration during the second trimester was positively associated with newborn TL. These results might provide an epidemiology evidence on the protective role of maternal Mn for newborn TL and offer clues for the early prevention of telomere shortening related diseases. • The first study to assess the effect of maternal manganese concentration on newborn telomere length. • Newborn telomere length increased with maternal manganese concentrations. • The second trimester was the critical window of maternal manganese concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to environmental pollutants and unhealthy lifestyles are key risk factors for metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). While previous studies have suggested links between exposure to organochlorine pesticides (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and MAFLD, the results have been inconsistent. Furthermore, the combined effects of PCBs and OCPs on MAFLD and whether lifestyle factors can modify the associations remain unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the individual and joint effects of PCBs and OCPs on MAFLD and explore the potential modifying role of lifestyle. The study included 1923 participants from Wuhan, China. MAFLD was diagnosed based on ultrasonically diagnosed hepatic steatosis and the presence of overweight/obese, diabetes mellitus, or metabolic dysregulation. Healthy lifestyle score was determined by smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and diet. Logistic regression and weighted quantile sum (WQS) were used to assess associations of individual and mixture of PCBs/OCPs with MAFLD. To explore the potential lifestyle modification, joint associations of PCBs/OCPs and lifestyle on MAFLD were conducted. Single-pollutant analysis showed positive associations of p,p′ -DDE, β-HCH, PCB-153, and PCB-180 with MAFLD, with ORs (95% CIs) of 1.18 (1.05, 1.33), 1.57 (1.20, 2.05), 1.45 (1.14, 1.83), and 1.42 (1.12, 1.80), respectively. WQS regression demonstrated a harmful effect of PCBs/OCPs mixture on MAFLD (OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.24, 2.43), with β-HCH, p,p'- DDE, and PCB-180 being the major contributors. In the joint association analysis, participants with both high PCBs/OCPs exposure and unhealthy lifestyle have the highest odds of MAFLD. In conclusion, exposure to the mixture of PCBs and OCPs was positively correlated with MAFLD, and adopting a healthy lifestyle can mitigate the adverse impact. [Display omitted] • We used single and multi-pollutant models to assess impact of PCBs/OCPs on MAFLD. • Higher p,p′ -DDE, β-HCH, PCB-153, and PCB-180 were related to higher odds of MAFLD. • A positive association between PCBs/OCPs mixture exposure and MAFLD was observed. • Adherence to a healthy lifestyle may mitigate the adverse impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the associations between maternal folic acid (FA) supplementation during different trimesters of pregnancy and newborn telomere length (TL). Data were collected from a birth cohort study of 746 mother-newborn pairs conducted from November 2013 to March 2015 in Wuhan, China. After adjustment for potential confounders, maternal FA supplementation after the first trimester and throughout pregnancy were associated with longer newborn TL [β = 0.29, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.20, 0.38 and β = 0.24, 95 % CI: 0.16, 0.32, respectively]. No significant association was found between maternal FA supplementation in the first trimester and newborn TL. In conclusion, a possible association between maternal FA supplementation during pregnancy with longer newborn TL was suggested in the present study. This study provides insight into the benefit of newborn TL by maternal FA supplementation during pregnancy. • Telomere length is important for age-related diseases. • Folic acid is essential for fetal development. • Maternal folic acid supplementation is associated with newborn telomere length. • Maternal folic acid supplementation after the first trimester is beneficial for offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thallium is a widely known toxic heavy metal that has been reported have embryo toxicity. Objective : We aimed to investigate the relationship of prenatal thallium exposure with neonatal telomere length. Methods: A total of 746 mother-newborn pairs were recruited from Wuhan Children Hospital between November 2013 and March 2015 in Wuhan City, China. Maternal thallium exposure levels were measured in spot urine samples collected during the three trimesters and during hospital delivery using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Neonatal relative telomere length (rTL) was measured by a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay in cord blood. Multiple informant models were used to evaluate the association of maternal thallium exposure with neonatal rTL. Results: After adjustment for multiple potential confounders, each 25% incremental increase of maternal thallium exposure, measured in urine samples collected during hospital delivery, was associated with a 1.85% shortened neonatal rTL (95% CI: −3.62%, −0.05%; P = 0.044). Similarly, mothers in the highest quartile of urinary thallium exposure had a 11.74% (95% CI: −21.57%, −0.68%; P = 0.038) shorter cord blood leukocyte rTL than those in the lowest quartile. However, no significant association was found between neonatal rTL and maternal thallium exposure measured in urine samples collected during the three trimesters of pregnancy. Conclusions: This study reveals that prenatal thallium exposure was related to shortened neonatal telomere length in Chinese population, pointing to the important role of thallium exposure in accelerating biological aging. Image 1 • The first study on the association of maternal thallium exposure with neonatal leukocyte telomere length in China. • Maternal thallium exposure was measured in spot urine samples collected at four sampling time points. • Maternal thallium exposure during the hospital delivery was associated with shortened neonatal telomere length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread exploitation and application of rare earth elements (REE) have led to the risk of human exposure and might result in the adverse health effect on pregnant women. However, no epidemiological studies have explored the associations between prenatal REE exposure and premature rupture of membranes (PROM). We aimed to investigate the associations of maternal urinary REE levels with the risk of PROM. A total of 4897 mother-newborn pairs were recruited from a birth cohort study in Wuhan, China. Urinary concentrations of REE were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The associations of prenatal REE exposure with PROM were evaluated using logistic regression models. False discovery rate (FDR) was applied to adjust for multiple testing. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression was used to estimate the association of urinary REE mixture with PROM. With one unit increase (μg/g creatinine) in natural log-transformed urinary REE levels (Ce, Yb, La, Pr, Nd, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm), the adjusted ORs (95% CIs) for the PROM were from 1.143 (1.078, 1.211) to 1.317 (1.223, 1.419), and the associations were still observed after FDR adjustment (all P FDRs < 0.05). The associations were stronger among male infants than female infants. Furthermore, the urinary REE mixture was also associated with the risk of PROM, a quartile increase in the WQS index of REE resulted in ORs (95% CI) for the PROM of 1.494 (1.356, 1.645) in the adjusted model. Our findings suggested that prenatal exposure to REE (Ce, Yb, La, Pr, Nd, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, and Tm) and REE mixture were associated with the increased risk of PROM. Further studies from different populations are needed to confirm the associations and to explore the mechanisms. • This is the first study to explore the influence of prenatal rare earth elements exposure on premature rupture of membranes. • Maternal exposure of rare earth elements was related to the increased risk of premature rupture of membranes. • The risk of preterm premature rupture of membranes was stronger among male infants than female infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisphenol S (BPS) is a main substitute for bisphenol A, which are ubiquitous in human daily products. Newborn mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) is considered as a marker for biological aging and human health, and has been related to diseases in later life. We recruited 762 mother-newborn pairs in a birth cohort study between 2013 and 2015 in Wuhan, China. Urinary BPS concentrations were detected using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). MtDNAcn from cord blood was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). We applied multiple informant models based on generalized estimating equations to assess the associations between prenatal BPS exposure and mtDNAcn. The median urine concentrations of BPS were 0.32 μg/L, 0.34 μg/L, and 0.36 μg/L in the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively. In the multiple informant models, we observed significant associations between BPS and mtDNAcn among male newborns. Compared with the lowest quarters, the second, third, and the highest quarter of BPS level were associated with 58.00% (95% CI: 76.58%, −24.66%), 64.65% (95% CI: 79.40%, −39.33%) and 59.07% (95% CI: 75.16%, −32.58%) reductions of mtDNAcn in the first trimester, respectively. No significant associations were found in the second and third trimesters. The associations between BPS and mtDNAcn were not found among female newborns. Findings from this study suggested that BPS exposure was related to decreased mtDNAcn in male newborns. The first trimester was identified as the critical windows for BPS exposure during pregnancy. • The urine concentrations of bisphenol S in pregnant women increased with pregnancy. • Bisphenol S had sex specific effect on newborn mitochondrial DNA copy number. • Higher bisphenol S level was associated with lower mitochondrial DNA copy number. • The first trimester was critical window for bisphenol S exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The first study to investigate the associations of prenatal rare earth elements exposure with newborn mitochondrial DNA content. • The decreased newborn mitochondrial DNA content was associated with prenatal rare earth elements exposure. • The third trimester was the susceptible window to rare earth elements exposure. Rare earth elements (REE) have been widely used in industry and agriculture. Mitochondria are susceptible to environmental exposure and the change of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content is a proxy indicator of mitochondrial response to damage. However, no study has explored the associations between prenatal repeated REE exposure and newborn mtDNA content. We aimed to investigate the trimester-specific associations between prenatal REE exposure and newborn mtDNA content. A total of 587 mother-newborn pairs were recruited from Wuhan Children's Hospital between November 2013 and March 2015 in Wuhan, China. Urinary concentrations of REE collected during 3 trimesters were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to measure relative cord blood mtDNA content. We evaluated the trimester-specific associations between prenatal REE exposure and relative cord blood mtDNA content with multiple informant models. False discovery rate (FDR) was used to correct for multiple testing. After adjustment for potential confounders, prenatal exposure to REE [gadolinium (Gd), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), praseodymium (Pr)] during the third trimester were positively related to cord blood mtDNA content, and the positive associations with cord blood mtDNA content were still observed in Dy, Er, and Pr after FDR correction. This prospective study demonstrated that maternal REE exposure during the third trimester was associated with the increased newborn mtDNA content, and the third trimester might be a potential window for sensitivity of newborn mtDNA content to REE exposure. The results might provide evidence of the potential health effects of environmental REE exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic (As) is a widely distributed environmental chemical with potentially different toxicities. However, little is known about the impact of maternal As exposure on newborn mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn), which may lie on the pathway linking As exposure to adverse health impacts. We aimed to explore whether maternal As exposure was associated with newborn mtDNAcn. We conducted a birth cohort study of 762 mother-infant pairs in Wuhan, China, 2013–2015. Cord blood mtDNAcn was determined using qPCR. Maternal urinary As levels in each trimester were quantified by ICP-MS. Multiple informant models were used to examine the associations of repeated urinary As levels with cord blood mtDNAcn. The median urinary As levels in the first, second, and third trimesters were 17.2 μg/L, 16.0 μg/L, and 17.0 μg/L, respectively. In the multivariate model, each doubling increase in the first-trimester urinary As level was associated with a 6.6% (95% CI: −12.4%, −0.5%) decrease in cord blood mtDNAcn. The highest versus lowest quintile of first-trimester urinary As level was associated with a 19.0% (95% CI: −32.9%, −2.2%) lower cord blood mtDNAcn. No significant associations of urinary As levels in the second and third trimesters with cord blood mtDNAcn were observed. The inverse relationship between first-trimester urinary As level and cord blood mtDNAcn was more pronounced among female infants. First-trimester As exposure was related to decreased cord blood mtDNAcn. The potential health impacts of decreased mtDNAcn in early life need to be further clarified. • First study to assess the associations of trimester-specific As exposure with newborn mtDNAcn. • First-trimester As exposure was associated with decreased newborn mtDNAcn. • The estimated inverse relationship was more pronounced among female infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The first study to investigate the associations between prenatal Ce and Yb exposure and neonatal TSH levels in China. • The higher prenatal Ce and Yb exposure were associated with decreased neonatal TSH levels. • The inverse associations were observed both in male infants and female infants. Prior studies have suggested exposure to heavy metals and endocrine disrupting chemicals could disturb the homeostasis of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), but no epidemiology study concerning the influence of rare earth elements (REE) exposure during pregnancy on neonatal TSH levels. The present study aimed to investigate the relationships between prenatal REE exposure and neonatal TSH levels. A total of 7367 pregnant women were recruited from Wuhan Children's Hospital between September 2012 and October 2014 in Wuhan, China. Urinary concentrations of cerium (Ce), and ytterbium (Yb) were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect neonatal TSH levels. The associations between REE exposure and neonatal TSH levels were evaluated using multivariate linear regression models. The geometric means of maternal urinary Ce and Yb concentrations were 0.060 μg/g creatinine and 0.025 μg/g creatinine, respectively. The results showed that per doubling of maternal urinary Ce and Yb were associated with 4.07% (95% CI: −5.80%, −2.31%), 5.13% (95% CI: −6.93%, −3.30%) decreased neonatal TSH levels respectively in the adjusted model. Sex stratified analysis demonstrated that the decreased neonatal TSH levels were observed both in male infants and female infants, and the decrease was greater in male infants in urinary Ce. There were no significant interactions between maternal urinary Ce, Yb and infant sex (Ce: P for interaction = 0.173, Yb: P for interaction = 0.967). Our findings demonstrated that increased maternal urinary Ce and Yb were associated with decreased neonatal TSH levels. Further researches from different populations are warranted to verify the association and to explore the mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]