Farmland soil of the Yarlung Zangpo River basin plays an important role in crop cultivation and highland barley is one of the staple foods of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau residents. This study assessed the current situation of heavy metal pollution in soil-highland barley system of farmland in the Yarlung Zangpo River basin. The pollution of As and Cr were found in farmland soil and highland barley, respectively. Soil heavy metals ranged from unpolluted to moderately polluted. The HI and TCR values for residents were above 1.00 and 1.00 × 10–04, with As and Cr being the dominant contributors, respectively. Furthermore, identified non-carcinogenic risk and carcinogenic risk were also manifested by the result of Monte Carlo simulation. The source apportionment of soil heavy metals indicated that Cd primarily originated from industrial activities, Hg was the result of atmospheric deposition, As may stem from agricultural production, and other metals could be attributed to the natural factors. In conclusion, heavy metal pollution was found in soil-highland barley system of Yarlung Zangpo River basin and the pollution posed identified non-carcinogenic risk and carcinogenic risk to the adults and children. Among the studied metals, As and Cr should be the priority control objects.

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal that is important to consider because of its health risks to humans. Prolonged exposure to Cd in humans presents significant health hazards, including renal, hepatic, and neurological damage, and may also result in carcinogenic effects. This study aims to assess the health risks associated with Cd exposure via multiple media and pathways among preschoolers in a mining city in northwest China. This objective was accomplished by collecting and analyzing samples of commercial food, soil, air PM10, and tap water to determine Cd concentrations. The study also assessed the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks resulting from Cd exposure via multiple media and pathways, as quantified by hazard quotients (HQ) and carcinogenic risk (CR), respectively. The uncertainty and sensitivity of the relevant parameters were quantified using Monte Carlo simulation. The findings indicated that the concentrations of Cd in mung beans, shiitake mushrooms, carp, and air PM10 exceeded national safety standards. The HQ∑ for boys and girls was 6.64 and 6.39, respectively, while the CR∑ for both sexes was 2.29 × 10–4. Inhalation (> 89

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are associated with the development and function of the placenta, oxidative stress, and hormones vital for the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). However, studies on the effects of PBDEs exposure on PE or the mediating effects of hormones are limited. This study involved 376 pregnant women from Dongguan, China. Maternal serum was analyzed for four PBDE congeners using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Notably, 19 hormones were detected using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. BDE-138 exhibited the highest serum level (245.50 ng/g lipid). High levels of BDE-138 exposure may increase risk of PE (odds ratio [OR] = 2.74, 95

The Lhasa River basin, a crucial agricultural area in Tibet, faces significant metals and metalloids pollution risks. To evaluate this, 60 soil samples were analyzed for metals and metalloids concentrations. Results showed that Zn and Hg exceeded Tibet's background values, with Cd surpassing risk screening thresholds. The ecological risk (Er) assessment identified Cd and Hg as the main pollutants threatening the environment. Using Monte Carlo simulation for human health risk assessment, findings indicated acceptable non-carcinogenic risk levels for adults and children . However, concerning carcinogenic risks were identified, particularly for children aged 6-17 and 3-5, with total carcinogenic risks of 3.45E-04 and 6.39E-04, respectively, primarily driven by Ni. Furthermore, dermal exposure presented a considerable carcinogenic threat for younger children aged 3-5. Source analysis through principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that Zn, Cu, and Pb were mainly attributed to industrial and mining activities, while Ni, Mn, Cr, and naturally occurring As resulted from natural sources. Cd pollution was linked to agricultural practices, and Hg and anthropogenic As were likely due to traffic emissions and coal combustion. To mitigate metals and metalloids exposure in the Lhasa River basin, enhancing green infrastructure in heavily polluted areas is recommended.

This study analyzed surface water and sediment samples from 20 sites along the Yarlung Zangbo River's main stream, assessing the spatial distribution, pollution status, and sources of heavy metals (HMs-Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, As, and Hg), providing a basis for the ecological protection of plateau rivers. The results revealed that the pollution level of HMs in surface water ranged from unpolluted to moderately polluted, showing a decreasing trend from upstream to downstream, with Hg exhibiting a higher pollution level. The pollution level of HMs in sediment also ranged from unpolluted to moderately polluted, presenting considerable ecological and toxic risks, with Cd and Hg showing higher pollution levels. The positive matrix factorization (PMF) model identified four major sources of HMs. Geogenic-industrial superimposed sources primarily originate Ni, Pb, and Cr, while agricultural activities primarily source Cu and Mn. The primary sources of Ni, Hg, and As are mining and geothermal activities, whereas Cd and Pb predominantly stem from atmospheric deposition. These four sources account for 23.4 %, 30.3 %, 26.7 %, and 19.6 % of the PMF model, respectively.

BackgroundPreeclampsia (PE), a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity, remains poorly understood mechanistically. While metal elements like manganese (Mn) are critical for placental function, their interplay with gut microbiota in PE pathogenesis is underexplored. This study evaluates placental heavy metal exposure—particularly Mn—and its interaction with gut microbiota in modulating PE risk.MethodsThe study included 21 healthy pregnant women (Control group), and 21 pregnant women diagnosed with PE (PE group). Placental samples were collected to measure metal elements concentrations, while fecal samples were obtained to assess gut microbiota composition. Associations between gut microbiota, PE, and placental Mn levels were analyzed using the Analysis of Composition of Microbiomes with Bias Correction 2 method. Additionally, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was conducted to identify metabolic pathways linked to PE and Mn levels.ResultsMn levels were significantly lower in the PE group compared to the Control group (p = 0.002). Gut microbiota diversity showed no significant differences between groups, but specific genera were linked to PE and Mn levels: Campylobacter and Porphyromonas were positively correlated with PE and negatively with Mn, while Coprobacillus showed the opposite pattern. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis identified eight metabolic pathways negatively associated with PE and positively linked to Mn, including the degradation of aromatic compounds.ConclusionOur findings suggest that Mn may serve as a protective factor against PE within a certain concentration range. Interactions between Mn and specific bacterial genera (Coprobacillus, Campylobacter, and Porphyromonas) appear to influence PE development by altering gut microbiota metabolic activities. These findings underscore the potential significance of the gut microbiota-Mn interplay in PE pathogenesis.

In order to assess the association between urinary heavy metals and early childhood caries (ECC), a survey of deciduous tooth decay and urinary heavy metal concentrations of 408 children was conducted in a typical industrial and mining area. The results indicated that urinary heavy metal concentrations were ranked as Zn > Fe > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cd > As > Cr > Mn > Hg. The zero-inflated negative binomial model identified Hg as a significant risk factor for ECC (P25 P75, OR = 3.499; > P75, OR = 3.184). Bayesian kernel machine regression further revealed that Pb, Cd, and Hg were positively correlated with ECC. Additional analysis using the Wilcoxon rank sum test and restricted cubic splines confirmed a positive correlation between the urinary concentrations of Pb, Cd, As, and Hg and the number of ECC (p < 0.05). Moreover, Bayesian kernel function regression and weighted quantile sum regression indicated that combined exposure to heavy metals was positively associated with ECC, with Hg (0.420) being the most dominant contributor, followed by As, Pb, and Cd. In conclusion, this study demonstrated a significant positive correlation between urinary heavy metals and both the occurrence and severity of ECC, with Hg identified as the most influential factor. It was recommended to minimize children’s exposure to heavy metals to protect their dental health.

OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to explore the relationship between urinary cadmium (U-Cd) and biomarkers of renal injury, identify sensitive biomarkers associated with cadmium-exposure-related renal injury, and evaluate the optimal cut-off value for U-Cd in preschool children. METHODS:Morning urine samples were collected from 420 preschool children (231 boys and 189 girls) to detect urinalysis, U-Cd, and renal injury biomarkers, including urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (UNAG), urinary β2-microglobulin (Uβ2-MG), and urinary retinol-binding protein (URBP). Pearson correlation, quantile regression, and logistic regression models were utilized to explore the relationships between U-Cd and the renal injury biomarkers. Receiver operating characteristic curves were employed to determine the optimal cut-off value of U-Cd for inducing abnormalities in renal injury biomarkers. RESULTS:U-Cd demonstrated positive associations with UNAG, Uβ2-MG, and URBP. The optimal cut-off values of U-Cd for inducing abnormalities in UNAG, Uβ2-MG, URBP, and combined biomarker were 7.78, 14.74, 12.75, and 10.42 μg/g cr, respectively. When the sensitivity was set at 95 %, the cut-off values were adjusted to 4.70, 10.42, 11.07, and 5.18 μg/g cr, respectively. CONCLUSION:U-Cd was significantly associated with renal injury biomarkers. Our findings suggest that the appropriate cut-off value for U-Cd should be established based on the sensitivity and specificity of various renal injury biomarkers.

Urinary cadmium (U-Cd) values are indicators for determining chronic cadmium toxicity, and previous studies have calculated U-Cd indicators using renal injury biomarkers. However, most of these studies have been conducted in adult populations, and there is a lack of research on U-Cd thresholds in preschool children. We aimed to apply benchmark dose (BMD) analysis to estimate the U-Cd threshold level associated with renal impairment in preschool children in the cadmium-polluted area. 518 preschool children aged 3–5 years were selected by systematic sampling (275 boys, 243 girls). Urinary cadmium and three biomarkers of early renal injury (urinary N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase, UNAG; urinary β2-microglobulin, Uβ2-MG; urinary retinol-binding protein, URBP) were determined. Bayesian model averaging estimated the BMD and lower confidence interval limit (BMDL) of U-Cd. The medians U-Cd levels in both boys and girls exceeded the recommended national standard threshold (5 μg/g cr) and U-Cd levels were higher in girls than in boys. Urinary N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (UNAG) was the most sensitive biomarker of renal effects in preschool children. The overall BMDL5 (BMDL at a benchmark response value of 5) was 2.76 μg/g cr. In the gender analysis, the BMDL5 values were 1.92 μg/g cr for boys and 4.12 μg/g cr for girls. This study shows that the U-Cd threshold (BMDL5) is lower than the national standard (5 μg/g cr) and boys’ BMDL5 was lower than the limit set by the European Parliament and Council in 2019 (2 μg/g cr), which provides a reference point for making U-Cd thresholds for preschool children.

Sewage irrigation solves rural water problems, pollutants in wastewater are retained in agricultural soils and enter the human body through crops, jeopardizing human health. Here, contamination features, source apportionments, and associated health risks from agricultural soils were systematically investigated in the Dongdagou Watershed. According to descriptive statistics and heavy metal evaluation, Dongdagou Watershed were mainly polluted by Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, and As, to different degrees. Health risk assessment results showed that the total hazard indices (THI) for preschool children were 3.20–4.11 and the total carcinogenic risks (TCR) were 9.09 × 10–5 to 1.38 × 10–4. Monte Carlo simulation showed that THI values of 83.16–92.87

In this study, the pollution characteristics and risks of heavy metals in road dust from long-term polluted areas were investigated. Fifteen road dust samples were collected from five villages along the Dongdagou Stream in Baiyin, China. All samples were tested for heavy metals using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). Results showed that the concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, As, and Hg in the samples were 67.59 ± 6.01, 414.10 ± 31.62, 171.75 ± 25.92, 91.36 ± 118.56, 369.92 ± 504.87, 2.94 ± 4.37, 71.27 ± 76.56, 6.37 ± 2.55 and 1.46 ± 2.61 mg/kg, respectively. The Nemerow integrated pollution index (NIPI) showed that Minle (ML), Liangzhuang (LZ), Shuanghe (SH), Minqin (MQ) and Shapogang (SPG) villages were heavily polluted, with Hg being the main pollutant. Risk index (RI) results indicated that all the five villages were at considerable or high ecological risk. Hg was the main contributor to the potential ecological risk, accounting for 75.82

Objective To investigate the physical growth and development of children between 0 and 6 years in Baiyin city, and to provide a reference for further improving children’s health care in the region. Methods From July to November 2021, a census method was used to investigate and evaluate the physical growth and development of resident children between 0 and 6 years in Baiyin city. Results The physical development of children conformed the objective law in Baiyin city and had an increasing trend month by month. The detection rates of low body weight, growth retardation, emaciation, overweight,obesity, small head circumference and excessive head circumference were 3.98%, 4.64%, 7.18%, 8.83%, 4.23%, 12.65%, and 2.70%, respectively. The detection rates of growth retardation, small head circumference, and overweight in boys were higher,whereas obesity and excessive head circumference were lower compared with girls. In addition, the study found that the month-age, ethnicity, gender, family annual income, and birth length were influencing factors of status of physical growth and development. Conclusion The physical growth and development of children aged 0-6 in Baiyin city was at the middle or lower-middle level in our country. As a result, continuous monitoring of growth and development of children was essential to avoid the adverse outcomes in the future.

To assess the pollution characteristics and health risks associated with street dust exposure among preschool children in typical industrial and mining areas, we analyzed heavy metal concentrations of 20 urban street dusts in commercial area (CA), residential area (RA), scientific and educational area (SEA) and industrial and mining area (IMA) from Baiyin, NW China. The average concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, As and Hg were 614.96, 484.25, 1757.74, 6868.86, 893.19, 77.62, 1473.99, 15.01 and 0.59 mg·kg−1, respectively. The ecological risk indexes for Cd, Cu and Hg were found as 20,075.20, 1425.07 and 1174.86, respectively, and the ecological risk was extremely high. The pollution load indexes (PLI) were > 1 for all four functional areas. The total hazard index (THI) for different functional areas were more than 1, and the main exposure pathway for children was ingestion route. Heavy metals in street dust of the IMA had the highest THI for children (43.88), and HI of Pb was being most significant (17.38). In addition, the carcinogenic risk to children via the respiratory route was acceptable. Furthermore, factor analysis and cluster analysis classified heavy metals into two groups, indicating common anthropogenic sources for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, As and Hg. In conclusion, urban street dusts from industrial and mining area of Baiyin, NW China were found polluted by heavy metals and the pollution would pose an obvious non-carcinogenic risk to preschool children.

The problems of environmental lead (Pb) pollution caused by mining activities have attracted global attention. Preschool children are vulnerable to exposure to Pb from the environment. To investigate the health risk of multiple exposures to Pb via oral ingestion (soil, water, rice, wheat, and vegetables) for preschool children in typical polluted areas, in this study, preschool children in Baiyin city were selected as the potential receptors, Pb concentrations in 28 soil samples and 33 vegetable samples were collected and measured. In addition, the Pb concentrations in local water, rice, and wheat were obtained by searching the literature. The Monte Carlo simulation was used in the uncertainty and sensitivity analysis of the parameters. Results showed that Pb concentrations in spinach, tomato, cushaw, lettuce, broad bean, pea, eggplant, and radish exceeded the standards (GB 2762-2017), and 42.86% of soil samples exceeded screening values (GB 15618-2018). The non-carcinogenic risk was as high as 3.58. Vegetables and wheat were the major contributors in the oral ingestion pathway. Furthermore, the carcinogenic risk of preschool children was 6.02E-06, which was acceptable. Monte Carlo simulations showed that health risk assessment results were most likely to be influenced by Pb concentrations in the media. In conclusion, the food safety of vegetables in soil-polluted areas deserves more attention, and certain measures should be taken to reduce the health risks to preschool children.

Mining activities exert a far-reaching impact on environmental quality, and health problems caused by lead (Pb) pollution have always attracted global attention. In this study, exposure pathways through various media in Baiyin city ( a typical heavy metal polluted area) and health risks of local preschool children to Pb were investigated. Results showed that Pb concentrations of Spinach, Tomato, Cushaw, Lettuce, Broad bean, Pea, Eggplant and Radish exceeded the standards (GB 2762 − 2017), and 42.86% of soil samples exceeded screening values (GB 15618 − 2018). The non-carcinogenic risk was as high as 3.78, and oral ingestion was the main exposure pathway which accounted for 94.60% of non-carcinogenic risk. Moreover, vegetables and wheat were the major contributors in oral ingestion pathway, and the younger preschoolers were, the more susceptible they were to Pb exposure. Furthermore, the carcinogenic risk of local preschoolers was 6.02E-06, which was acceptable. Monte Carlo simulation showed that concentration of medium was the most sensitive parameter on the health risk assessment results. In conclusion, Pb pollution in this area put preschoolers at a non-carcinogenic risk from eating vegetables and wheat.

性与生殖健康是国家首批线下一流课程,对2020年选课的477名学生进行课程思政内容满意度问卷调查,结果显示,通识课性与生殖健康思政教育学生满意度高,基本达到思政育人的效果.

目的 评价典型重金属污染地区学龄前儿童镉(Cadmium,Cd)暴露健康风险.方法 采集某典型重金属污染地区土壤样本和蔬菜可食用部位并检测其Cd浓度,查阅当地空气、小麦、水稻和水的Cd浓度,通过美国国家环境保护局推荐的健康风险评价模型评价当地学龄前儿童的Cd暴露健康风险,分别采用危险系数(hazard quotient,HQ)和终生增量致癌风险(incremental lifetime canc-er risk,ILCR)评估非致癌风险和致癌风险.结果 该地区学龄前儿童总的非致癌风险HQ总为4.14,HQ经口为4.10,HQ小麦为2.77,其他途径和介质HQ均＜1.00.该地区学龄前儿童总的致癌风险ILCR总为1.54×10-3.各途径中ILCR经口为1.53×10-3,各媒介中ILCR小麦 ＞ILCR蔬菜＞ILCR水稻＞ 1.00× 10-4.结论 该典型重金属污染地区学龄前儿童存在Cd暴露的非致癌风险和致癌风险.经口是Cd暴露的主要途径,小麦是非致癌风险的主要贡献者,小麦、蔬菜和水稻是致癌风险的主要贡献者.

目的 探讨孕早期血清中汞、锰、镍、铜、锌、砷、镉、铅水平对稽留流产的影响,为稽留流产病因研究提供线索.方法 选取同年龄段、同孕周的稽留流产患者及正常早孕者21对,检测两组孕妇血清汞、锰、镍、铜、锌、砷、镉、铅水平.采用1∶1配比Logistic回归分析模型分析稽留流产可能的影响因素.结果 与正常早孕组相比,稽留流产组血清镍(t=3.57,P=0.002)、铜(t=7.94,P＜0.001)、锌(t=3.60,P=0.002)、镉(t=4.74,P＜0.001)、砷(t=2.82,P=0.011)、铅(t=3.46,P=0.002)水平较高,血清锰水平较低(t=-8.24,P＜0.001);二元多因素Logistic回归分析模型分析结果显示,高血镍(OR=7.83,95％ CI: 1.03～59.68,P=0.037)、高血镉(OR--3.51,95％ CI:2.53～4.87,P=0.004)为稽留流产的危险因素,高血锰(OR=0.68,95％ CI:0.41 ～0.97,P=0.030)为保护性因素.结论 孕妇血清中镍、镉、锰水平对稽留流产的发生有一定的影响,其机理有待于进一步研究.

To estimate the risk of metal (Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd) exposure of tree sparrows through food at different life stages (including nestling, juvenile, adult in summer, and adult in winter), metal daily intake (MDI), metal daily intake per unit of body weight (MDIBW), and exposure risks (hazard quotient and hazard index) of tree sparrows at different life stages from a polluted area, Baiyin, and a control area, Liujiaxia, were assessed. Metal daily intakes and MDIBWs of tree sparrows from Baiyin were higher than those from Liujiaxia, which can be attributed to higher metal concentrations of food sources in Baiyin than those in Liujiaxia. Metal daily intakes and MDIBWs of nestlings were higher than those of adults and juveniles. This difference is observed probably because nonphytophagous invertebrates, the predominant food fed to nestlings, possessed the highest metal concentrations. In addition, adults in summer had higher MDIs and MDIBWs than juveniles and adults in winter. This finding is probably observed because juveniles and adults in winter consumed a higher proportion of maize, which had the lowest metal concentrations. In addition, the biomagnification of 4 metals through the food chain increased the health risks of tree sparrows. Exposure risks of tree sparrows to metals were comparable to those of waterfowl and raptors, even when soil metals were below threshold. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2785–2796. © 2019 SETAC

Environmental metal pollution is known to adversely affect bird reproduction, for which the variations of egg characteristics are considered very important. Our study explored whether variations in egg characteristics, such as egg volume, eggshell spotting pattern, eggshell coloration, and eggshell thickness, were correlated with heavy metal levels (Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd) and Ca levels in the eggshells of tree sparrows (Passer montanus), a widespread passerine species. Eggs were collected from a long-term heavy metal polluted area (Baiyin, BY, northwest China) and a relatively unpolluted area (Liujiaxia, LJX, northwest China). Our results showed that the embryonated (eggshell: Cu: p = 0.003, Pb: p = 0.002) and non-embryonated (egg contents: Pb: p = 0.044, Ca: p = 0.045) eggs collected from BY contained relatively higher metal concentrations than those from LJX. Eggs from BY were smaller in volume (p < 0.01) and thinner in eggshell thickness (p < 0.01) than those from LJX. Mean egg volume increased with clutch size in BY (p = 0.017), which was also accompanied by an increase in the within-clutch coefficient of variation (CV) for egg volume (p = 0.045). Clutches with a higher CV for egg volume tended to contain higher concentrations of Zn and Pb (Zn: p = 0.084; Pb: p = 0.081) in the eggshells from BY. No differences were found in the eggshell spotting coverage ratio of eggs; however, eggshells were much darker in BY than in LJX. A more aggregated eggshell spotting distribution indicated higher eggshell Zn and Pb levels (BY: Zn: p = 0.040, Pb: p = 0.076; LJX: Pb: p = 0.066). The results demonstrate that the egg characteristics of tree sparrows can be used as indicators of metal pollution, especially for the within-clutch CV for egg volume, eggshell spotting pattern and eggshell coloration.