ObjectiveTo investigate the chemical hazards in the production line of lithium batteries, so as to provide a scientific basis for the management of occupational-health risk and to promote the healthy and sustainable development of the lithium battery industry. MethodsAn on-site survey on the process flow of the production of lithium battery was conducted in an enterprise. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the occupational environment were collected by Summa canisters, carbonates and N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) were collected using activated carbon tubes, and airborne metals were collected using filter membranes. VOCs, carbonates and NMP were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and airborne metal elements in the dust samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). ResultsNon-targeted environmental monitoring results indicated that NMP was detected in the negative /positive electrode coating, assembly and drying filling workstations, dimethyl carbonate (DMC) was detected in the assembly, drying and electrolyte injection workstations, and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) was detected solely in the electrolyte injection workstation. Semi-quantitative analyses of VOCs identified 136 pollutants, including acrylonitrile and halohydrocarbons. Quantitative targeted environmental monitoring results revealed the highest geometric mean (GM) concentration of EMC (31.450 mg·m^-3) was found in the assembly and drying workstations, diethyl carbonate (DEC) was detected in all workstations. While vinylene carbonate (VC) and ethylene carbonate (EC) were detected only in electrolyte injection, assembly and drying workstations. NMP was detected in all positive electrode coating samples, with a GM concentration of 5.68 mg·m^-3 (concentration range: 4.0‒ 7.4 mg·m^-³). Lithium was exclusively detected in dust samples from the liquid injection workstation (GM: 0.014 μg·m^-³). ConclusionNMP, EMC, DEC, and other chemicals are identified at the key workstations such as the positive electrode coating, electrolyte injection, assembly and drying in the lithium production line. Furthermore, semi-quantitative VOCs analyses identified 136 pollutants, demonstrating a characteristic of multicomponent chemical exposure.

Congenital coagulation factor Ⅶ deficiency is a rare autosomal incomplete recessive disorder caused by a defect in the coagulation factor Ⅶ (FⅦ) gene, with an incidence of approximately 1 in 500 000. Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is relatively common and is a common cause of acquired thrombosis. However, the combination of the latter and the former is extremely rare in clinical practice, which brings difficulties to diagnosis and treatment. This article reported the laboratory examination, diagnosis and treatment of a patient with congenital coagulation factor Ⅶ deficiency and antiphospholipid syndrome after portal vein thrombosis, and reviewed the relevant literature.

A 64-year-old male patient with hemophilia A was scheduled for the surgical removal of a pulmonary mass. Preoperative evaluation revealed that the coagulation factor Ⅷ (FⅧ) activity was 0.5%, with an F Ⅷ inhibitor level of 32 BU/ml; the R value could not be detected on the thromboelastogram. Thoracoscopic lobectomy was successfully completed. On the day of the operation and the first day after the operation, 6 mg of recombinant activated coagulation factor Ⅶ (rFⅦa) was intravenously administered every 6 h. On postoperative day 1, the patient’s blood pressure dropped and the HGB gradually declined from 102 g/L to 65 g/L. Chest X-ray revealed a large amount of pleural effusion on the left side, and urgent thoracoscopic thoracic exploration was performed. A total of 3200 mL fresh blood was cleared, and a thoracic drainage tube was placed. On postoperative day 2, the rFⅦa dose was increased to 6 mg, which was intravenously administered every 4 h, and concentrated red cells were intermittently infused to correct anemia. Four days later, due to the inability to obtain rFⅦa, PCC (50 IU/kg every 8 hours) was administered. Additionally, treatment with methylprednisolone (40 mg/d) and cyclophosphamide (200 mg, every 2 weeks) was initiated to remove FⅧ inhibitors. The thoracic drainage tube was removed on postoperative day 9, and the patient was successfully discharged 3 weeks later.

A 64-year-old male patient with hemophilia A was scheduled for the surgical removal of a pulmonary mass. Preoperative evaluation revealed that the coagulation factor Ⅷ (FⅧ) activity was 0.5%, with an F Ⅷ inhibitor level of 32 BU/ml; the R value could not be detected on the thromboelastogram. Thoracoscopic lobectomy was successfully completed. On the day of the operation and the first day after the operation, 6 mg of recombinant activated coagulation factor Ⅶ (rFⅦa) was intravenously administered every 6 h. On postoperative day 1, the patient’s blood pressure dropped and the HGB gradually declined from 102 g/L to 65 g/L. Chest X-ray revealed a large amount of pleural effusion on the left side, and urgent thoracoscopic thoracic exploration was performed. A total of 3200 mL fresh blood was cleared, and a thoracic drainage tube was placed. On postoperative day 2, the rFⅦa dose was increased to 6 mg, which was intravenously administered every 4 h, and concentrated red cells were intermittently infused to correct anemia. Four days later, due to the inability to obtain rFⅦa, PCC (50 IU/kg every 8 hours) was administered. Additionally, treatment with methylprednisolone (40 mg/d) and cyclophosphamide (200 mg, every 2 weeks) was initiated to remove FⅧ inhibitors. The thoracic drainage tube was removed on postoperative day 9, and the patient was successfully discharged 3 weeks later.

Congenital coagulation factor Ⅶ deficiency is a rare autosomal incomplete recessive disorder caused by a defect in the coagulation factor Ⅶ (FⅦ) gene, with an incidence of approximately 1 in 500 000. Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is relatively common and is a common cause of acquired thrombosis. However, the combination of the latter and the former is extremely rare in clinical practice, which brings difficulties to diagnosis and treatment. This article reported the laboratory examination, diagnosis and treatment of a patient with congenital coagulation factor Ⅶ deficiency and antiphospholipid syndrome after portal vein thrombosis, and reviewed the relevant literature.

Background Perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a large group of emerging pollutants, are ubiquitous in the ecological environment. Their multiple organ toxic effects on human body are reported. Understanding the exposure level of PFAS in cord serum and associated influencing factors can provide scientific evidence for studying maternal and newborn health effects and risk regulation. Objective To explore the exposure levels of PFAS in cord serum and potential impact factors. Methods This study was based on the maternal and infant database and the cord serum sample bank of the Sheyang Mini Birth Cohort Study (SMBCS) established in 2009. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect information on sociodemographic characteristics, living environment, and lifestyle of mothers during pregnancy. A total of 1097 cord serum samples were measured utilizing ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-Q-Exactive Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry. Multiple linear regression models were used to identify influencing factors related to PFAS exposure level in cord serum. Results A total of 38 types of PFAS were detected in the cord serum samples, including 20 perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCA), 14 perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSA), and 4 other types of PFAS. The detection rates of 14 PFAS compounds were above 50%. The detection rates of perfluoro-1-hexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluoro-1-octanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUdA) were in the range of 99.18%-100.00%. The median concentrations of PFOA and 6∶2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonic acid (6∶2CI-PFESA) were higher than those of the other compounds, which were 3.76 µg·L⁻¹ and 2.61 µg·L⁻¹, respectively. The correlation coefficients among cord serum PFAS were in the wide range of 0.0911-0.8429 (P < 0.05). The associations between PFHxS and perfluoro-1-heptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS) (r=0.8429, P < 0.05), PFOS and PFHpS (r=0.7012, P < 0.05), and PFUdA and perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) (r=0.7875, P < 0.05) were positive. The proportions of PFCA and PFSA in the cord serum samples were 60.1% and 38.4%, respectively. PFOA and 6∶2 Cl-PFESA were the predominant compounds in the cord serum samples, whose proportions were 37.8% and 19.3%, respectively. The concentrations of specific types of cord serum PFAS had varied associations with the following demographic variables of pregnant women: age, parity, education level, gestational age, and occupation. The multiple linear regression analysis found that the concentrations of 8 PFAS (PFHxS, PFHpS, PFNA, PFOS, PFDA, PFUdA, PFDoA, and 6∶2 CI-PFESA) in umbilical cord serum were lower in pregnant women aged 25 years and older than in those under the age of 25 years; compared to pregnant women with education levels at or below junior middle school, those with education levels at or above high school had lower concentrations of perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA); the concentration of PFHpA in cord serum was negatively correlated with household annual income; multiparous women had higher concentrations of PFNA, PFUdA, and PFDoA than primiparous women; compared to mothers engaged in manual labor, the concentration of perfluoro-1-butanesulfonic acid (PFBS) in umbilical cord serum was lower in mothers engaged in mental labor, while the concentrations of PFBS and PFOA were lower and the concentrations of perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA) and 8∶2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonic acid (8∶2CI-PFESA) were higher in mothers of other occupational types; the concentrations of umbilical cord serum PFOA, PFOS, PFUdA, and PFDoA were positively correlated with the gestational age of pregnant women, while N-methylperfluoro-1-octanesulfonamido acetic acid (N-MeFOSAA) was negatively correlated with the gestational age of pregnant women; PFTrDA was negatively correlated with the birth weight of newborns; compared with those with insufficient gestational weight gain, those with adequate gestational weight gain had lower PFDoA, while those with excess gestational weight gain had higher N-MeFOSAA. Conclusion PFAS compounds exposure is common in the mothers and infants in the study area. PFOA and 6∶2 CI-PFESA are the two main compounds in cord serum. Cord serum PFAS are associated with several demographic characteristics of the pregnant women. Future research needs to pay more attention to PFAS alternatives and other emerging contaminants.

Occupational pneumoconiosis (referred to as “pneumoconiosis”) caused by exposure to occupational dust is the most serious occupational disease in China. Biological monitoring on occupational populations exposed to dust is important for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of pneumoconiosis. Biological monitoring is a systematic engineering process that includes a series of processes such as biological samples selection, selection of biological monitoring indicators, and selection of detection methods. The biological samples for biological monitoring mainly include urine, blood, exhaled breath gas, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, saliva, sputum, and more. The indicators of biological monitoring involve multiple pathways such as oxidative stress, inflammatory response, collagen synthesis/degradation, phagocytic cell apoptosis, and pathways related to the formation of pneumoconiosis. Suitable detection methods need to be determined upon different biological monitoring indicators, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, high-performance liquid chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, etc. Currently, there is a lack of true clinically valuable biological monitoring indicators that can indicate the correlation between dust exposure and the hazards of occupational populations, and there are no systematic and complete biological monitoring methods reported. It is necessary to further standardize the biological monitoring process and search for specific biological monitoring indicators.

Objective: To analyze the impact of persistent obesity on their lung function, so as to offer insights for implementing intervention measures to increase lung function in obese school age children. Methods: A total of 335 children from the Sheyang Mini Birth Cohort established in 2009 in Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province, who participated in the follow up at the ages of 7 years (2016) and 10 years (2019), were selected as the study participants. Physical measurements including height, weight, and lung function were recorded. According to the World Health Organization standard, that is, gender and age specific to correct the body mass index to calculate the body mass index Z score, was used to evaluate the obesity status of children at the age of 7 and 10. Children were divided into four groups, including sustained non obesity group, restored obesity group, newly classified obesity group, and persistent obesity group. Meanwhile, the lung function prediction equations recommended by the Global Lung Function Initiative were used to standardize the lung function indexes of children. Pulmonary function differences among these groups were examined, and the relationship between childhood obesity and pulmonary function was longitudinally analyzed using generalized estimating equations. Results: The prevalence of obesity were 9.0% and 16.1% at the age of 7 and 10 years, respectively. The proportion of both newly classified and persistent obesity group were 8.1%, respectively. The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were (1 269.90±202.70) and (1 415.70±230.00) mL, respectively, at the age of 7 years. FEV 1 and FVC at the age of 10 years were (1 440.80±403.20) and (1 555.60±517.60) mL, respectively. Cross sectional analysis at age 7 showed that forced expiratory flow at 75% vital capacity (FEF 75 ) ( β=-0.52, 95%CI =-0.96--0.07) and maximal mid expiratary flow (MMEF) ( β=-0.45, 95%CI =-0.89--0.00) were significantly lower in obese children compared to their non obese peers ( P < 0.05). Longitudinal analysis indicated that obese children had lower levels of lung pulmonary function, with a statistically significant difference in FEV 1 ( β=-0.44, 95%CI=-0.85--0.02, P <0.05). There was no significant difference among the various obesity groups ( P >0.05), while gender stratified results revealed significant reductions in FEV 1/FVC in newly classified obese girls at age 10 years ( β=-1.76, 95%CI =-3.13--0.38) and in MMEF in persistently obese girls at age 10 years ( β=-1.44, 95%CI = -2.79- -0.09) ( P <0.05). Conclusion Obesity may contribute to reduced lung function levels in school aged children, with newly classified and persistent obesity having more pronounced effects on lung function in girls.

Humans ; Air Pollutants/adverse effects* ; Genotype ; China/epidemiology* ; Hypertension/epidemiology*

Objective:To explore the impact of different autonomous breathing exercises on regional pulmonary ventila-tion using electrical impedance tomography(EIT),in order to provide effective rehabilitation guidance for pa-tients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)in selecting exercise standards and methods. Method:A total of 28 healthy volunteers were recruited in the study,who performed the following breathing exercises in a comfortable standing position:①quiet breathing;②diaphragmatic breathing;③pursed-lip breath-ing;④pursed-lip combining diaphragmatic breathing.The four breathing modes were randomly determined for each subject.Chest EIT was continuously performed during the whole process.The tidal volume(TV),end-ex-piratory lung impedance(EELI),center of ventilation(CoV),global inhomogeneity index(GI)and regional ventilation delay(RVD)were compared during the four breathing modes. Result:Compared with quiet breathing,diaphragmatic breathing,pursed-lip breathing,and diaphragmatic pursed-lip breathing significantly increased TV(P＜0.05),reduced EELI(P＜0.05)and decreased CoV(P＜0.05,with in-creased ventral ventilation).GI of diaphragmatic breathing and pursed lip combining diaphragmatic breathing was significantly reduced(P＜0.05,more uniform ventilation),while RVD of pursed lip breathing and pursed lip combining diaphragmatic breathing was significantly increased(P＜0.05). Conclusion:Diaphragmatic breathing,pursed-lip breathing,and pursed-lip combining diaphragmatic breathing can effectively increase pulmonary ventilation and reduce pulmonary functional residual volume.However,the three breathing exercises have different impacts on pulmonary ventilation:pursed-lip breathing shifts ventilation more significantly towards the ventral side(smaller COV),and has a more significant regional ventilation de-layed(larger RVD),while diaphragmatic breathing improves ventilation homogeneity(smaller GI).Therefore,from the perspective of regional pulmonary ventilation,it is recommended that COPD patients should alternate between diaphragmatic breathing and pursed-lip breathing independently during breathing exercises to achieve better breathing exercise effects.