Article
Medicine, Legal
Caroline Ring, Alexander Blanchette, William D. Klaren, Seneca Fitch, Laurie Haws, Matthew W. Wheeler, Michael DeVito, Nigel Walker, Daniele Wikoff
Summary: In 2005, the WHO re-evaluated the TEFs for dioxin-like compounds based on an updated database, which identified the need for a consistent approach for dose-response modeling and addressed the heterogeneity and quality issues of the database. To address this, a multi-tiered approach combining Bayesian modeling and machine learning was developed to predict the relationship between each congener and its reference and derive TEF uncertainty distributions. This workflow improved the TEF methodology by incorporating expert panel recommendations and providing transparent and reproducible results.
REGULATORY TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Grazia Barone, Arianna Storelli, Rita Garofalo, Maria Maddalena Storelli
Summary: The levels of non-dioxin-like PCB indicators were determined in food samples to evaluate the exposure of adult and elderly population. The results showed that none of the samples exceeded the maximum permissible limits for human consumption established by the European Union legislation, except for salami samples. Seafood was found to be the major contributor to PCB exposure, indicating the need for further efforts to protect consumers from these harmful chemicals.
JOURNAL OF FOOD QUALITY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Angela M. Gutierrez, Thomas D. Dziubla, J. Zach Hilt
Summary: The environmental conditions of groundwater and surface water vary greatly depending on the location, which can affect the physical and chemical properties of nanocomposites and pollutants used in remediation. In this study, magnetic nanocomposite microparticle (MNM) gels were used as sorbents for remediating PCB 126 as a model organic contaminant. The effects of ionic strength, water hardness, and pH on the sorption efficiency of the MNMs for PCB 126 were studied. The results showed that ionic strength and water hardness had minimal effects on the sorption of PCB 126 by MNM gels, while an increased pH resulted in a decrease in binding, likely due to anion-pi interactions.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Tyler J. Hannah, David Megson, Courtney D. Sandau
Summary: There is an increasing awareness of paints and pigments as a source of by-product PCBs in the environment. This review identified the presence of 149 different PCBs in paint samples, which is more than what has been reported in commercial Aroclor formulations. The study also provides valuable information on the mechanisms of PCB formation in pigments, dyes, and paints, as well as additional classes of pigments that are expected to contain PCBs.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jon A. Doering, Donald E. Tillitt, Steve Wiseman
Summary: In 1997, the WHO organized an expert meeting to develop TEFs for mammals, birds, and fishes to assess risks posed by mixtures of DLCs. This study reevaluated the TEFs for fishes based on an updated database of RePs for DLCs. The updated TEFs offer greater confidence and can be considered by those who value a larger database and increased confidence in TEQs.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Di-Hua Zhu, Fang-Hong Nie, Min Zhang, Wan Wei, Qing-Lang Song, Yao Hu, Dan-Ju Kang, Zhi-Bao Chen, Hong-Ying Lin, Jin-Jun Chen
Summary: This experiment evaluated the effects of PCB exposure on the intestines of zebrafish. The results showed that PCBs exposure led to intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress in zebrafish, while also disturbing intestinal metabolites and microbiota, highlighting the consequences of PCB exposure.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Na Liu, Fangjing Lin, Jie Chen, Zexi Shao, Xinru Zhang, Lizhong Zhu
Summary: In response to organic pollutants, rice plants activate defense systems including cytochrome P450s, glutathione S-transferases, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis to reallocate metabolites and improve adaptability. This novel strategy enhances crop outputs and quality in environments impacted by organic contaminants.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Thibault Fiolet, Yahya Mahamat-Saleh, Pauline Frenoy, Marina Kvaskoff, Francesca Romana Mancini
Summary: The study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the relationship between polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and mortality risk in the general population, finding that background exposure to PCBs may increase the risk of cardiovascular-specific mortality.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rosalinda C. Montone, Mariana B. Alonso, Marcos Cesar O. Santos, Paula Mendez-Fernandez, Satie Taniguchi, Ana Paula M. Barbosa, Renato M. Goncalves, Janeide de Assis Padilha, Carolina Bertozzi, Josilene da Silva, Juliana Marigo, Antonio Derley S. Pereira, Rafael A. Lourenco
Summary: This study analyzed the concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Franciscana dolphins from three regions in Brazil. The results showed that PCBs and DDTs were the predominant pollutants, with the highest PCB concentrations observed in highly urbanized and industrial areas. The sex and maturity of the dolphins had significant effects on the POPs concentrations. Although the concentrations of POPs are declining, PCB levels remain high and pose adverse health effects on the dolphins.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shuduan Mao, Shuren Liu, Yuting Zhou, Qi An, Xuji Zhou, Zhouying Mao, Yiting Wu, Weiping Liu
Summary: Recent studies have shown that unintentionally produced PCBs are major contributors to atmospheric PCBs and are controlling PCB burdens in agricultural soils across China. The dominant contributors to PCBs in Chinese agricultural soils are the legacy of historically produced and used commercial PCB mixtures, especially high-chlorinated congeners. Unintentional sources, such as pigment/paint, combustion-related sources, and polymer sealants, account for a significant portion of total PCBs in Chinese soils.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Business
Richard T. Melstrom
Summary: This paper examines the effect of removing pollutants on home prices in Great Lakes Areas of Concern. The results show that home prices near the water increased significantly and that remediation did not change pre-existing inequalities.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Angeline Andrew, Jie Zhou, Jiang Gui, Antoinette Harrison, Xun Shi, Meifang Li, Bart Guetti, Ramaa Nathan, Maeve Tischbein, Erik Pioro, Elijah Stommel, Walter Bradley
Summary: This study used geospatial estimation to assess the exposure of ALS patients to airborne contaminants and found that airborne lead and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may be associated with an increased risk of ALS. The main sources of these contaminants include small aircraft, power plants burning biomass, and industrial boilers. The association with a residential history of lead exposure was confirmed in two additional cohorts.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mandar Bokare, Nathalie Lombard, Samuel Magee, Dev Murali, Upal Ghosh
Summary: This study used passive samplers to measure the concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the air of Washington DC and quantified the air-water exchange by comparing it with measurements in the water phase. The results refute the long-standing understanding that air is a source of PCBs to the river, and the volatilization rate is lower than previously estimated.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jessica Palladini, Elisa Terzaghi, Renzo Bagnati, Alice Passoni, Enrico Davoli, Angelo Maspero, Giovanni Palmisano, Antonio Di Guardo
Summary: Two new classes of PCB metabolites, sulfonated-polychlorinated biphenyls (sulfonatedPCBs) and hydroxy-sulfonated-polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-sulfonated-PCBs), have been recently discovered. They are more polar than their parent compounds, but little is known about their chemical identity, ecotoxicity, or toxicity. This study provides the first evidence on the fate of these metabolites in the environment and presents results from various experiments to evaluate their soil partition coefficients, degradation after rhizoremediation, uptake by plants and earthworms, and an analytical method for extracting and concentrating these compounds from water.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
David Megson, Thomas Brown, Gareth Rhys Jones, Mathew Robson, Glenn W. Johnson, Guuske P. Tiktak, Courtney D. Sandau, Eric J. Reiner
Summary: PCBs play a crucial role in understanding the bioaccumulation and biomagnification of POPs in marine mammals. This study found that the concentrations of PCBs in most samples exceeded toxic thresholds for marine mammals, indicating the health risk they face from PCB exposure. A novel PCB signature was identified in a sei whale, highlighting the importance of considering atmospheric deposition as a significant source of exposure.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Takanori Ito, Vy H. Nguyen, Taku Tanaka, Huiyul Park, Ming-Lun Yeh, Miwa Kawanaka, Taeang Arai, Masanori Atsukawa, Eileen L. Yoon, Pei -Chien Tsai, Hidenori Toyoda, Jee-Fu Huang, Linda Henry, Dae Won Jun, Ming -Lung Yu, Masatoshi Ishigami, Mindie H. Nguyen, Ramsey C. Cheung
Summary: This study analyzed 1489 patients with NAFLD and found that FIB-4 had higher diagnostic efficacy for F3-4 fibrosis compared to NFS and HFS. However, this difference varied greatly by age, BMI, and T2DM, and all NITs including FIB-4 had unacceptably poor performance in young or obese diabetic patients.
CLINICAL GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology
I-Fan Lin, Perng-Jy Tsai, Jiunn-Liang Wu, Wei-Shan Chin, Cheng-Yu Lin, Yue Leon Guo
Summary: This study aimed to differentiate noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) from age-related hearing loss by examining the characteristics of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). The results showed that DPOAEs and DPOAE signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) were correlated with age at all frequencies, and were correlated with both age and noise exposure at 2 kHz, 3 kHz, 4 kHz, and 6 kHz. The difference between DPOAE SNRs at 1 kHz and 3 kHz showed significant correlation with noise exposure but not with age.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AUDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Rou-Shiuan Huang, Yi-Chuan Chen, Shang-Yin Tsai, Yan-Siang Eason Huang, Yue-Liang Leon Guo
Summary: This study examined the sleep problems among firefighters in Taiwan and identified the factors associated with poor sleep quality. The results showed that more than three-quarters of firefighters had poor sleep quality and it was influenced by demographic characteristics such as age, working tenure, having children, and chronotype, as well as work-related characteristics including shift schedule and incomplete off-duty hours. The study suggests that firefighters should have complete off-duty days to avoid poor sleep quality and recommends implementing appropriate shift schedules to ensure adequate rest time.
INTERNATIONAL ARCHIVES OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Pei-Chien Tsai, Hsing-Tao Kuo, Chao-Hung Hung, Kuo-Chih Tseng, Hsueh-Chou Lai, Cheng-Yuan Peng, Jing-Houng Wang, Jyh-Jou Chen, Pei-Lun Lee, Rong-Nan Chien, Chi-Chieh Yang, Gin-Ho Lo, Jia-Horn Kao, Chun-Jen Liu, Chen-Hua Liu, Sheng-Lei Yan, Ming-Jong Bair, Chun-Yen Lin, Wei-Wen Su, Cheng-Hsin Chu, Chih-Jen Chen, Shui-Yi Tung, Chi-Ming Tai, Chih-Wen Lin, Ching-Chu Lo, Pin-Nan Cheng, Yen-Cheng Chiu, Chia-Chi Wang, Jin-Shiung Cheng, Wei-Lun Tsai, Han-Chieh Lin, Yi-Hsiang Huang, Ming-Lun Yeh, Chung-Feng Huang, Meng-Hsuan Hsieh, Jee-Fu Huang, Chia-Yen Dai, Wan-Long Chung, Chi-Yi Chen, Ming-Lung Yu
Summary: Metformin use reduces hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) after successful antiviral therapy. A simple risk model comprising cirrhosis and DM non-metformin use can predict long-term outcomes in individuals with CHC after sustained virological response (SVR).
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ping Shih, Tung-liang Chiang, Chih-Da Wu, Bih-Ching Shu, For-Wey Lung, Yue Leon Guo
Summary: Exposure to ambient PM2.5 during pregnancy is significantly associated with delay in gross motor, fine motor, and personal-social development in infants.
DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE AND CHILD NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Yue Leon Guo, Maria R. Ampon, Leanne M. Poulos, Sharon R. Davis, Brett G. Toelle, Guy B. Marks, Helen K. Reddel
Summary: This study estimated the contribution of obesity to breathlessness in Australian adults using the population attributable fraction (PAF). The results showed that obesity accounted for approximately a quarter of breathlessness symptoms and had a higher proportion in women.
Letter
Respiratory System
Chen He, Renjie Chen, Ho Kim, Masahiro Hashizume, Whanhee Lee, Yasushi Honda, Satbyul Estella Kim, Yue Leon Guo, Alexandra Schneider, Wenzhen Ge, Yixiang Zhu, Lu Zhou, Haidong Kan
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Daniel Q. Huang, Andrew Tran, Ming-Lun Yeh, Satoshi Yasuda, Pei-Chien Tsai, Chung-Feng Huang, Chia Yen Dai, Eiichi Ogawa, Masatoshi Ishigami, Takanori Ito, Ritsuzo Kozuka, Masaru Enomoto, Takanori Suzuki, Yoko Yoshimaru, Carmen M. Preda, Raluca I. Marin, Irina Sandra, Sally Tran, Sabrina X. Z. Quek, Htet Htet Toe Wai Khine, Norio Itokawa, Masanori Atsukawa, Haruki Uojima, Tsunamasa Watanabe, Hirokazu Takahashi, Kaori Inoue, Mayumi Maeda, Joseph K. Hoang, Lindsey Trinh, Scott Barnett, Ramsey Cheung, Seng Gee Lim, Huy N. Trinh, Wan-Long Chuang, Yasuhito Tanaka, Hidenori Toyoda, Ming-Lung Yu, Mindie H. Nguyen
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the association between antiviral therapy and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with indeterminate-phase chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The analysis of 855 treatment-naive CHB patients showed that antiviral therapy reduced the risk of developing HCC.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Te-Sheng Chang, Chung-Feng Huang, Hsing-Tao Kuo, Ching-Chu Lo, Chien-Wei Huang, Lee-Won Chong, Pin-Nan Cheng, Ming-Lun Yeh, Cheng-Yuan Peng, Chien-Yu Cheng, Jee-Fu Huang, Ming-Jong Bair, Chih-Lang Lin, Chi-Chieh Yang, Szu-Jen Wang, Tsai-Yuan Hsieh, Tzong-Hsi Lee, Pei-Lun Lee, Wen-Chih Wu, Chih-Lin Lin, Wei-Wen Su, Sheng-Shun Yang, Chia-Chi Wang, Jui-Ting Hu, Lein-Ray Mo, Chun-Ting Chen, Yi-Hsiang Huang, Chun-Chao Chang, Chia-Sheng Huang, Guei-Ying Chen, Chien-Neng Kao, Chi-Ming Tai, Chun-Jen Liu, Mei-Hsuan Lee, Pei-Chien Tsai, Chia-Yen Dai, Jia-Horng Kao, Han-Chieh Lin, Wang-Long Chuang, Chi-Yi Chen, Kuo-Chih Tseng, Chao-Hung Hung, Ming-Lung Yu
Summary: The study analyzed the data of Taiwanese patients with chronic hepatitis C infection receiving 8-week glecaprevir/pibrentasvir therapy. The results showed good treatment efficacy with minimal adverse events. This is of great significance for the treatment of patients with compensated cirrhosis.
HEPATOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Ping Shih, Tung-liang Chiang, Ping- Lin, Ming-Yu Lin, Yue Leon Guo
Summary: The study found that higher maternal screen time in early childhood was associated with an increased risk of children developing ADHD, while there was no significant association between children's or fathers' screen time and ADHD. Further research is needed to confirm the specific mechanisms underlying this association.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mu-Jean Chen, Yue Leon Guo, Pinpin Lin, Hung-Che Chiang, Pau-Chung Chen, Yu-Cheng Chen
Summary: The currently used air quality index (AQI) is criticized for its inability to capture the additive effects of air pollution on health risks and reflect non-threshold concentration-response relationships. In this study, we propose the air quality health index (AQHI) based on daily air pollution-mortality associations and compare its validity in predicting daily mortality and morbidity risks with the existing AQI.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Samuel Luthi, Christopher Fairless, Erich M. Fischer, Noah Scovronick, Micheline De Sousa Zanotti Stagliorio Coelho, Yue Leon Guo, Yuming Guo, Yasushi Honda, Veronika Huber, Jan Kysely, Eric Lavigne, Dominic Roye, Niilo Ryti, Susana Silva, Ales Urban, Antonio Gasparrini, David N. Bresch, Ana M. Vicedo-Cabrera
Summary: Current research focuses on the impact of rising temperatures on heat-related mortality, but it is unclear how climate change will exacerbate the effects of extreme summer seasons on human health. This study combines empirical heat-mortality relationships with climate model data to predict future highly impactful summer seasons. The findings emphasize the urgent need for mitigation and adaptation measures to reduce the impact on human lives.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Cong Liu, Renjie Chen, Francesco Sera, Ana Maria Vicedo-Cabrera, Yuming Guo, Shilu Tong, Eric Lavigne, Patricia Matus Correa, Nicolas Valdes Ortega, Souzana Achilleos, Dominic Roye, Jouni J. K. Jaakkola, Niilo Ryti, Mathilde Pascal, Alexandra Schneider, Susanne Breitner, Alireza Entezari, Fatemeh Mayvaneh, Raanan Raz, Yasushi Honda, Masahiro Hashizume, Chris Fook Sheng Ng, Vania Gaio, Joana Madureira, Iulian-Horia Holobaca, Aurelio Tobias, Carmen Iniguez, Yue Leon Guo, Shih-Chun Pan, Pierre Masselot, Michelle L. Bell, Antonella Zanobetti, Joel Schwartz, Antonio Gasparrini, Haidong Kan
Summary: This study investigated the interactive effects of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) on daily mortality at a global level. The results showed a synergistic effect of PM2.5 and O3 on total, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality, particularly in high latitude regions and during cold seasons. This highlights the importance of coordinated control strategies for both pollutants.
BMJ-BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ardha Ardea Prisilla, Yue Leon Guo, Yih-Kuen Jan, Chih-Yang Lin, Fu-Yu Lin, Ben-Yi Liau, Jen-Yung Tsai, Peter Ardhianto, Yori Pusparani, Chi-Wen Lung
Summary: This study aims to detect lumbar disc herniation (LDH) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using deep learning algorithms. The results show that YOLOv5x performs the best in LDH detection, and using a dataset of 550 images with augmentation provides reliable detection in both augmented and non-augmented datasets.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Jee-Fu Huang, Pei-Chien Tsai, Ming-Lun Yeh, Chung-Feng Huang, Ching- Huang, Mei-Hsuan Lee, Po-Yau Hsu, Chih-Wen Wang, Yu-Ju Wei, Po-Cheng Liang, Yi-Hung Lin, Meng-Hsuan Hsieh, Jeng-Fu Yang, Ming-Yen Hsieh, Tyng-Yuan Jang, Ming-Jong Bair, Zu-Yau Lin, Chia-Yen Dai, Ming-Lung Yu, Wan-Long Chuang
Summary: This study examined the disease severity of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) across different diagnostic categories and found that a higher proportion of lean MAFLD patients with metabolic abnormalities had advanced fibrosis. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was significantly associated with advanced fibrosis.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL HEPATOLOGY
(2023)