Physical and chemical characteristics of PM2.5 and its toxicity to human bronchial cells BEAS-2B in the winter and summer / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

With the increasing occurrence of haze during the summer, the physicochemical characteristics and toxicity differences in PM2.5 in different seasons are of great concern. Hangzhou is located in an area that has a subtropical monsoon climate where the humidity is very high during both the summer and winter. However, there are limited studies on the seasonal differences in PM2.5 in these weather conditions. In this test, PM2.5 samples were collected in the winter and summer, the morphology and chemical composition of PM2.5 were analyzed, the toxicity of PM2.5 to human bronchial cells BEAS-2B was compared, and the correlation between PM2.5 toxicity and the chemical composition was discussed. The results showed that during both the winter and summer, the main compounds in the PM2.5 samples were water-soluble ions, particularly SO42-, NO3-, and NH4+, followed by organic components, while heavy metals were present at lower levels. The higher the mass concentration of PM2.5, the greater its impact on cell viability and ROS levels. However, when the mass concentration of PM2.5 was similar, the water extraction from the summer samples showed a greater impact on BEAS-2B than that from the winter samples. The cytotoxicity of PM2.5 was closely associated with heavy metals and organic pollutants but less related to water-soluble ions.

Seasonal Difference of Nutrient Intake, Serum Lipid and Antioxidative Index in Female College Students / 대한지역사회영양학회지

To evaluate the seasonal differences of nutrient intake and serum biochemical indices (total cholesterol, HDL-, LDLcholesterol, TG, MDA:malondialdehyde, TAS : total antioxidant status, folate) in Korean college women with a mean age of 20.15y, this study was conducted twice: once in winter and a second time in summer. Anthropometric assessment was also measured in the two seasons. As a result, body fat mass (p < 0.05), body fat% (p < 0.05), and abdominal fat% (p < 0.01) in the summer were significantly lower than those in winter. Intake of fat (p < 0.05), polyunsaturated fatty acid (p < 0.01), zinc (p < 0.05), and vitamin E (p < 0.05) were at significantly higher levels in the summer period compared with the winter period. In addition, nutrients with an intake level less than 75% RI of KDRIs were folate in winter and calcium, and folate in the summer. Total cholesterol (p < 0.05) and HDL-cholesterol in summer, according to lipid profiles, were significantly lower than those in winter. Although MDA, one of the products of lipid peroxidation, remained unchanged, TAS was significantly higher in summer than in winter. The level of folate in summer showed significantly lower than that in winter. The present study suggests that nutrient intake of college women women differs according to the seasons and anthropometric indices and serum biochemical indexes were associated with seasons. Thus nutritional education programs on the basis of season are needed for college women.

A Study on the Food Habit and Seasonal Difference of Nutrient Intake of Adult Working Women / 대한지역사회영양학회지

To assess the food habits and the seasonal differnces of nutrient intakes and diet qualities of adult working women aged 30 - 49y in Busan, dietary survey was conducted in summer and in winter by a questionnaire and two-day food record. Anthropometric assessment was also investigated in two seasons. 91.8% of those skipped breakfast in the main. 44.3% had irregular meals. The mean daily energy intake was 1725.8 kcal with 63.3% of energy intake being supplied by carbohydrates, 14.7% by protein, 22.3% by fat in summer and 1598.4 kcal with 62.1% of energy intake being supplied by carbohydrates, 15.6% by protein, 22.1% by fat in winter. Over 70% of iron intake came from plant origin in two seasons. The mean intakes of energy, calcium, iron and vitamin A in summer and energy, calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin B2 in winter were below Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for Koreans. As well as insufficiency in iron, the bioavailability of iron is considered to have been low because most of iron intake came from plant origin in two seasons. For calcium and iron in summer and calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin B2 in winter, proportions of subjects with intake levels less than 75% of RDA were over 40% in summer and over 50% in winter, respectively. The nutrient adequacy ratios (NAR) were below 0.75 for calcium and iron in summer and calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin B2 in winter. NARs of iron (p < 0.05), vitamin A (p < 0.01) and vitamin B2 (p < 0.001) in winter were significantly lower than those in summer. The mean adequacy ratios (MAR), an index of overall dietary quality were 0.85 in summer and 0.80 in winter. The MAR in winter was significantly lower than that in summer (p < 0.05). The indexes of nutritional quality (INQ) were below 1 for calcium and iron in summer and calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin B2 in winter. The intake (p < 0.05) and NAR (p < 0.05) of vitamin B2 showed positive significant correlations with height in winter. In conclusion, nutrient intake and diet quality of adult working women were different between the summer and the winter. So nutritional education programs for summer and winter are needed for adult working women.