Association between urinary arsenic and diabetes mellitus in the Korean general population according to KNHANES 2008

Introduction

We present data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2008 on the associations between urinary arsenic and diabetes mellitus in a representative sample of the adult Korean population.

Methods

This study was based on data obtained in KNHANES 2008, which was conducted for three years (2007-2009) using a rolling sampling design involving a complex, stratified, multistage, probability-cluster survey of a representative sample of the noninstitutionalized civilian population of South Korea.

Results

Geometric means of total urinary arsenic concentration in females and total participants with diabetes mellitus were significantly higher than in participants without diabetes mellitus after adjustment for covariates, including age, seafood consumption, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, area of residence, regional area, education level, and smoking and drinking status. Multiple regression analysis after similar adjustment showed that total urinary arsenic concentration was associated with diabetes status in the females and total participants. In addition, after similar adjustment, the odds ratios (ORs) for diabetes mellitus in female participants and all participants were 1.502 (95% CI, 1.038-2.171) and 1.312 (95% CI, 1.040-1.655), respectively, for doubling of the level of urinary total arsenic concentration.

Conclusion

This study showed an association between total urinary arsenic concentration and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in a representative sample of the adult population, especially women, with environmental arsenic exposure after adjustment for seafood intake and relevant diabetes risk factors.     

Studying associations between urinary metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and cardiovascular diseases in the United States

The association between background, enduring environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and cardiovascular diseases has not been well studied in the general population. In this study, we used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2004 to investigate the associations between eight monohydroxy PAHs (OH-PAHs) and self-report CVD. In a logistic regression model adjusting for cigarette smoking and other covariates, phenanthrene metabolite, 2-hydroxyphennathrene (2-PHEN), was significantly associated with self-report CVD. Compared to subjects within the lowest tertile of 2-PHEN, subjects within the middle and highest tertiles had higher self-report CVD (the 2nd tertile: AOR = 1.29, 95%CI: 0.97-1.72; the 3rd tertile: AOR = 1.45, 95%CI: 1.01-2.07; p for trend = 0.04). In addition, fluorene metabolite (i.e. 2-hydroxyfluorene) also showed a marginally significant linear trend with self-report CVD (p for trend = 0.07). Further studies are necessary to explore the associations between these highly prevalent pollutants and CVD.     

Assessment of environmental tobacco smoke exposure: urinary cotinine concentrations in children are strongly associated with the house dust concentrations of nicotine at home

In the present study the possibility of using nicotine in house dust as an index of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure was evaluated in an environmental investigation of 23 children with asthma. A standardized procedure for house dust sampling of nicotine with a filter holder connected to a vacuum cleaner, for a defined time and area was developed (F-nicotine). Also, house dust sampling was carried out from the vacuum cleaner bags of the homes (VC-nicotine). There was a larger variation in VC-nicotine (13-655, median 66 microg/g) compared with F-nicotine (15-393 median 156 microg/g). There were statistically significant associations between an inquiry data based ETS exposure index on the one hand, and urinary cotinine concentrations in children (U-cotinine), F-nicotine and VC-nicotine of their homes, on the other. The strong correlation between U-cotinine and F-nicotine (rs = 0.93; P < 0.0001) indicates that the new standardized house dust sampling method should be useful in ETS exposure assessment. However, further validation by a larger sample size with repeated measurements in the same homes is needed.     

协会企业联手唱戏——"金特建材"硅酸钙板/纤维水泥板产品与应用技术推介会举行

建筑业历来是混凝土与水泥制品行业非常重要和主要的市场,后者的兴旺发达与其有着千丝万缕的联系.在"十一五"完美收官、"十二五"已经开启的时候,本刊记者就有关话题采访了长期从事建筑业改革发展和工程建设监管研究的住建部政策研究中心建筑业处处长李德全.     

癫痫与血清尿酸水平变化

目的:探讨癫痫与血清尿酸(serum uric acid,SUA)的代谢异常的关系。方法:采用比色法测定70例癫痫和70例正常成人SUA的水平。结果:癫痫组的SUA水平为(399.37±129.23)μmol/L,明显高于正常组的(316.56±66.84)μmol/L,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);癫痫按病因分类后,其SUA水平比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:癫痫患者存在尿酸代谢异常。     

贵阳市部分成人代谢综合征对骨密度的影响

目的了解代谢综合征及其组分对骨密度的影响。方法 2009年11月至2010年2月贵阳市居民健康横断面调查的1 512名20~79岁调查对象(男性636名,女性876名)纳入本研究,受试者平均年龄(45.3±14.4)岁。对所有受试者进行问卷调查及体格检查,用OLYMPUS AU5400全自动生化分析仪检测空腹静脉血糖及餐后2 h血糖、三酰甘油、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、血钙、血磷、血肌酐及血尿酸,用ROCHE化学发光法测定血清胰岛素;用双能X线检测股骨颈、全髋、Wards三角、粗隆及腰椎正位(L1-4)骨密度。结果完成血脂、尿酸、血糖、血钙、血磷、血肌酐、血胰岛素及骨密度检测者1 216名,发现代谢综合征患者356例,患病率为29.3%,其中男性125例(35.1%),女性231例(64.9%);代谢综合征组骨折患病率为5.1%,非代谢综合征组为3.3%;代谢综合征患者全髋及粗隆骨密度较非代谢综合征者高[(0.95±0.15)g/cm2比(0.93±0.14)g/cm2;(0.76±0.13)g/cm2比(0.73±0.12)g/cm2;均P<0.01];校正性别及年龄后,股骨颈、全髋、Wards三角、粗隆及L1-4骨密度值均随代谢综合征患者组份增加而增高(均P<0.01)。结论代谢综合征患者有较高的全髋及粗隆骨密度,但其骨折率亦较高。     

Importance of interactions between the water column and the sediment for microbial concentrations in streams

The effect of interactions between the sediment and water column on concentrations of microbes in streams is quantified with a one-dimensional, steady state model. The effects of nine main parameters describing the flow, sediment transport, and microbial growth and decay are encapsulated in two dimensionless parameters: the Damköhler number Da, or the ratio of the time scales of advection and net growth, and the sediment interaction parameter S, or the ratio of the amount of microbes lost or gained in the sediment and the amount of microbes lost or gained in the water column. Applications of the model illustrate the importance of the sediment and identify parameters that require further study. The model predicts the field measurements of Jamieson et al. (2005b) within a factor of 2 in two of three cases, while concentrations predicted by ignoring the sediment exceed the measured values. In general, the effects of ignoring interactions with the sediment depend on Da and S. The loading predicted to meet water quality standards when the sediment is considered can be either greater than or less than the loading predicted when it is not considered. The applications of the model and an analysis of uncertainty suggest that further work on the settling velocity, attached fraction, resuspension rate, and net growth rate in the sediment would help to improve predictions of the fate and transport of microbes.     

浅析工程质量法律体系与建设标准体系的关系

从工程质量控制的视角,研究了工程质量法律体系、工程建设标准体系的健全和完善,并分析了两大体系内部及其相互之间的关系,指出了两大体系存在着对立统一的关系以及相互协调配合的重要性。     

吸烟与脑膜瘤关系的荟萃分析

目的通过系统回顾和荟萃分析研究吸烟与脑膜瘤的相关关系。方法在线检索与主题相关的研究文献,对符合条件的研究进行质量评价和数据提取,采用Stata 12.0软件进行荟萃分析。结果共纳入符合条件的研究文献12篇。Meta分析结果显示脑膜瘤病组与对照组人群中吸烟率的优势比差异无统计学意义(OR=1.03,95%CI:0.95~1.12,P=0.513),男性(OR=1.22,95%CI:1.00~1.49,P=0.046)与女性(OR=0.89,95%CI:0.80~1.00,P=0.046)脑膜瘤病组与对照组之间吸烟率的差异均有统计学意义。在平均每天吸烟包数!烟龄≥13时,脑膜瘤病组与对照组人群中吸烟率的优势比差异有统计学意义(OR=1.20,95%CI:1.04~1.38,P=0.011),男性脑膜瘤病组与对照组之间吸烟率的差异有统计学意义(OR=1.40,95%CI:1.10~1.77,P=0.006),而女性无统计学差异(OR=1.02,95%CI:0.85~1.22,P=0.85)。分别以研究类型(病例对照研究/队列研究)、研究种族、对照人群来源进行亚组分析,结果显示,曾经吸烟与脑膜瘤之间的关联无统计学差异,P>0.05。结论根据现有资料表明,曾经吸烟与脑膜瘤发生没有相关性,而长期大量吸烟有可能是脑膜瘤发生的危险因素之一,对于男性尤为显著,对女性来说,曾经吸烟可能是脑膜瘤发生的一个保护性因素,长期大量吸烟没有相关性。     

Effect of THMs concentrations on the redesigning of Bani Suef water distribution system

Controlling trihalomethanes (THMs) formed in water distribution systems (WDS) is an important issue for producing safe drinking water in the last decades. The main objective of this study is to design WDS to minimize THMs formation. Implemented case of Bani Suef water distribution system (BSWDS), Egypt, was modeled and studied for operating scenarios 2020 and 2040 (case study) using WaterCAD software, alternative [1]. Drinking water samples were collected from fifteen points located on BSWDS according to monthly sampling program performed between February and September 2015. Laboratory analysis showed that the total growth rate coefficient was 1.157 day^?1, used in THMs prediction by WaterCAD. Three design alternatives [2, 3, 4] were prepared to reduce the formed THMs based on WaterCAD results. Alternative [2] represented new design of alternative [1] through using decreased pipes diameters to study the effect of reducing travel time on minimizing THMs. Alternative [3] was prepared by redesigning alternative [1] using extending new pipelines from dead ends. Alternative [4] was prepared by redesigning alternative [1] through replacing asbestos cement pipes with new UPVC ones. Predicted THMs from alternatives [2, 3, 4] are lower about 27.85, 21.82 and 11.4% than alternative [1], respectively, for 2020. While, for 2040, are lower about 26.41, 20.2 and 11.4%, respectively.     

浅谈沥青路面病害与施工工艺的关联

讨论了当前沥青路面施工工艺存在的系统性技术缺陷，以及由此导致沥青路面产生的病害和成因，提出了改进工艺的措施与控制技术，以保证沥青路面的质量，从而保证行车的正常顺利进行。     

Association of ventilation rates and CO2 concentrations with health and other responses in commercial and institutional buildings

This paper reviews current literature on the associations of ventilation rates and carbon dioxide concentrations in non-residential and non-industrial buildings (primarily offices) with health and other human outcomes. Twenty studies, with close to 30,000 subjects, investigated the association of ventilation rates with human responses, and 21 studies, with over 30,000 subjects, investigated the association of carbon dioxide concentration with these responses. Almost all studies found that ventilation rates below 10 Ls-1 per person in all building types were associated with statistically significant worsening in one or more health or perceived air quality outcomes. Some studies determined that increases in ventilation rates above 10 Ls-1 per person, up to approximately 20 Ls-1 per person, were associated with further significant decreases in the prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms or with further significant improvements in perceived air quality. The carbon dioxide studies support these findings. About half of the carbon dioxide studies suggest that the risk of sick building syndrome symptoms continued to decrease significantly with decreasing carbon dioxide concentrations below 800 ppm. The ventilation studies reported relative risks of 1.5-2 for respiratory illnesses and 1.1-6 for sick building syndrome symptoms for low compared to high low ventilation rates.     

Predicted environmental concentrations of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in a model environmental system

A Mackay-type level II fugacity model has been used to predict the behaviour and final concentrations of cocaine (COC) and its main metabolite benzoylecgonine (BE) in a regional environmental system defined according to the European guidelines on Risk Assessment. The model takes into account the initial COC intake, partial degradation of the parent compound to BE, treatment of wastewater and environmental fate of these substances. Predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) lie in the ng L⁻¹ level, with the exception of the air compartment, where the concentrations are negligible. PECs in the water phase are in accordance with measured experimental concentrations in different European rivers. This case study shows that a simple level II fugacity model is suitable enough for modelling the environmental fate of high water soluble and low volatile organic compounds such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products.     

Organophosphorus and pyrethroid insecticide urinary metabolite concentrations in young children living in a southeastern United States city

Pesticide metabolites are routinely measured in the urine of children in the United States. Although the sources of these metabolites are believed to include residues in food from agricultural applications and residues from applications in everyday environments (e.g., homes), few studies have been able to demonstrate an association between indoor residential pesticide applications and pesticide metabolite concentrations. To better quantify the effects of potential risk factors related to demographics, household characteristics, occupation, and pesticide use practices on urinary biomarker levels, we performed a study in a city (Jacksonville, Florida) previously determined to have elevated rates of pesticide use. We enrolled a convenience sample of 203 children ranging in age from 4 to 6 years; their caregivers completed a questionnaire and the children provided a urine sample, which was analyzed for a series of organophosphorus and pyrethroid insecticide metabolites. The questionnaire responses substantiated much higher pesticide use for the study participants as compared to other studies. Urinary metabolite concentrations were approximately an order of magnitude higher than concentrations reported for young children in other studies. Few statistically significant differences (at the p < 0.05 level) were observed, however, several trends are worth noting. In general, mean urinary pesticide metabolite concentrations were higher for males, Caucasians, and those children living in homes with an indoor pesticide application occurring within the past four weeks. Comparing the urinary pesticide metabolite concentrations in this study to those reported in the NHANES and GerES studies showed that the children living in Jacksonville had substantially higher pyrethroid pesticide exposures than the general populations of the United States and Germany. Further research is needed in communities where routine pesticide use has been documented to obtain information on the most important routes and pathways of exposure and to develop the most effective strategies for reducing pesticide exposures for children.     

Factors influencing relationships between personal and ambient concentrations of gaseous and particulate pollutants

Previous exposure studies have shown considerable inter-subject variability in personal-ambient associations. This paper investigates exposure factors that may be responsible for inter-subject variability in these personal-ambient associations. The personal and ambient data used in this paper were collected as part of a personal exposure study conducted in Boston, MA, during 1999-2000. This study was one of a group of personal exposure panel studies funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Exposure Research Laboratory to address areas of exposure assessment warranting further study, particularly associations between personal exposures and ambient concentrations of particulate matter and gaseous co-pollutants. Twenty-four-hour integrated personal, home indoor, home outdoor and ambient sulfate, elemental carbon (EC), PM_2.5, ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and sulfur dioxide were measured simultaneously each day. Fifteen homes in the Boston area were measured for 7 days during winter and summer. A previous paper explored the associations between personal-indoor, personal-outdoor, personal-ambient, indoor-outdoor, indoor-ambient and outdoor-ambient PM_2.5, sulfate and EC concentrations. For the current paper, factors that may affect personal exposures were investigated, while controlling for ambient concentrations. The data were analyzed using mixed effects regression models. Overall personal-ambient associations were strong for sulfate during winter (p < 0.0001) and summer (p < 0.0001) and PM_2.5 during summer (p < 0.0001). The personal-ambient mixed model slope for PM_2.5 during winter but was not significant at p = 0.10. Personal exposures to most pollutants, with the exception of NO₂, increased with ventilation and time spent outdoors. An opposite pattern was found for NO₂ likely due to gas stoves. Personal exposures to PM_2.5 and to traffic-related pollutants, EC and NO₂, were higher for those individuals living close to a major road. Both personal and indoor sulfate and PM_2.5 concentrations were higher for homes using humidifiers. The impact of outdoor sources on personal and indoor concentrations increased with ventilation, whereas an opposite effect was observed for the impact of indoor sources.     

建筑室内外空气真菌浓度相关性案例测试分析

选取某高校学生办公室进行室内外空气真菌浓度相关性和粒径的研究.结果表明:室内空气真菌浓度变化范围为1 698～4 429 cfu/m3,最大值出现在12:00;室外浓度范围为3 569?29 452 cfu/m3,最大值也出现在12:00.室内外空气真菌浓度比值均小于1,Spearman相关性分析显示室内外空气真菌呈显...     

Relationship between trace element concentrations in human blood and atmospheric aerosol

Trace element concentrations in human blood from the U.K., measured by Hamilton et al., are found to be correlated to those of atmospheric aerosol from the U.K., or to an aerosol composition averaged over the globe. The correlation to aerosol is much stronger than to crustal rock or sea water. Elemental enrichment factors for blood are all equal to or greater than those for aerosol. Two possible reasons for the correlation are advanced: aerosol is probably a major source of the trace elements which enter the food chain, and aerosol samples the earth's surface where the food chain originates. The present finding suggests that aerosol plays a major role in the global cycling of the trace elements which enter the blood, with important implications for human health.     

The influence of metabolic gene polymorphisms on urinary 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations in Chinese coke oven workers

Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), a biomarker of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure, may be influenced by metabolic gene polymorphisms. Such knowledge could benefit us in understanding the inter-individual difference in the mechanism of PAHs-induced carcinogenesis. We investigated the influence of gene polymorphisms on urinary 1-OHP concentrations in 447 coke oven workers from two coking plants in south China. After adjustment for age, plant, level of occupational exposure, body mass index, level of education, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking and respirator usage, AhR R554K (rs2066853), UGT1A1 -3263T>G (rs4124874) and GSTP1 I105V (rs1695) were associated with urinary 1-OHP excretion with the p-value of 0.053, 0.006 and 0.021, respectively. The concentrations of urinary 1-OHP (Geometric mean, micromol/mol creatinine) in the homozygous major variant carriers and homozygous minor variant carriers for AhR R554K, UGT1A1 -3263T>G and GSTP1 I105V were listed as follows: 4.20 and 5.12, 5.11 and 3.92, 4.93 and 2.91, respectively. GSTT1 present carriers had a significantly higher urinary 1-OHP level than that in null carriers in the case with AhR R554K GA/AA carriers (5.17 vs. 3.64 micromol/mol creatinine, p=0.038), as well as in the case with UGT1A1 -3263T>G TG/GG carriers (5.67 vs. 3.38 micromol/mol creatinine, p=0.001). These results showed that AhR, UGT1A1, GSTP1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms were associated with urinary 1-OHP concentrations in Chinese coke oven workers. No influence was found in the association between urinary 1-OHP and other genetic polymorphisms such as CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP1B1, CYP2E1, EPHX1, EPHX2 in this population.     

A case-control study of the association between urinary cadmium concentration and endometriosis in infertile Japanese women

Cadmium may act like an estrogen and be a potential risk factor for estrogen-related diseases such as breast cancer and endometriosis. Here, we tested the hypothesis that higher cadmium exposure is associated with endometriosis among infertile Japanese women in a hospital-based case-control study. We recruited consecutive female patients aged 20-45 years who had complained of infertility and presented to a university hospital in Tokyo. The subjects were interviewed and provided a urine sample prior to a laparoscopic diagnosis of endometriosis between January 2000 and December 2001. The severity of endometriosis was then dichotomized into controls (stage 0 and I) and cases (stage II-IV). We finally measured urinary total cadmium concentration in 54 cases and 74 controls as a biomarker of long-term cumulative exposure. Odds ratios were adjusted for average menstrual cycle length, body-mass index and smoking status using unconditional logistic regression. Results showed no association between endometriosis and urinary cadmium concentration. Medians (interquartile ranges) of urinary cadmium concentration in cases and controls were 0.53 (0.40-0.73) and 0.54 (0.34-0.76) microg/g creatinine, respectively (P for difference=0.88). Adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for the highest versus lowest tertile of urinary creatinine-adjusted cadmium concentration was 0.86 (0.30 to 2.49, P for trend=0.79). Our results do not support the hypothesis that higher urinary cadmium concentration is associated with the risk of endometriosis.