A prediction model for neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm and very low birth weight infants.

Objectives: Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe gastrointestinal disease that primarily affects preterm and very low birth weight infants, with high morbidity and mortality. We aim to build a reliable prediction model to predict the risk of NEC in preterm and very low birth weight infants. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of medical data from infants (gestational age <32 weeks, birth weight <1,500 g) admitted to Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. We collected clinical data, randomly dividing it into an 8:2 ratio for training and testing. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to identify significant predictors for NEC. Principal component analysis was used for dimensionality reduction of numerical variables. The prediction model was constructed through logistic regression, incorporating all relevant variables. Subsequently, we calculated performance evaluation metrics, including Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and confusion matrices. Additionally, we conducted model performance comparisons with common machine learning models to establish its superiority. Results: A total of 292 infants were included, with 20% (n = 58) randomly selected for external validation. Multivariate logistic regression revealed the significance of four predictors for NEC in preterm and very low birth weight infants: temperature (P = 0.003), Apgar score at 5 min (P = 0.004), formula feeding (P = 0.007), and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM, P = 0.033). The model achieved an accuracy of 82.46% in the test set with an F1 score of 0.90, outperforming other machine learning models (support vector machine, random forest). Conclusions: Our logistic regression model effectively predicts NEC risk in preterm and very low birth weight infants, as confirmed by external validation. Key predictors include temperature, Apgar score at 5 min, formula feeding, and GDM. This study provides a vital tool for NEC risk assessment in this population, potentially improving early interventions and child survival. However, clinical validation and further research are necessary for practical application.

Epidemiology of birth defects based on a birth defects surveillance system in southwestern China and the associated risk factors.

Background: Birth defects (BDs) are associated with many potential risk factors, and its causes are complex. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the epidemiological characteristics of BDs in Guangxi of China and the associated risk factors of BDs. Methods: BDs data of perinatal infants (PIs) were obtained from the Guangxi birth defects monitoring network between 2016 and 2020. Univariate Poisson regression was used to calculate the prevalence-rate ratios (PRR) to explore the changing trends of BDs prevalence by year and the correlation between the regarding of characteristics of BDs (including infant gender, maternal age, and quarter) and BDs. Clinical characteristics of PIs with BDs and general characteristics of their mothers were documented, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the potential associated risk factors of BDs. Results: Between 2016 and 2020, 44,146 PIs with BDs were monitored, with an overall BDs prevalence of 121.71 (95% CI: 120.58-122.84) per 10,000 PIs, showing a significant increase trend (PRR = 1.116, 95% CI: 1.108-1.123), especially the prevalence of congenital heart defects (CHDs) that most significantly increased (PRR = 1.300, 95% CI: 1.283-1.318). The 10 most common BDs were CHDs, polydactyly, congenital talipes equinovarus, other malformation of external ear, syndactyly, hypospadias, cleft lip with cleft palate, cleft lip, hemoglobin Bart's hydrops fetalis syndrome (BHFS), and congenital atresia of the rectum and anus. BDs were positively correlated with pregnant women's age (R = 0.732, P < 0.01) and education level (R = 0.586, P < 0.05) and having pre-gestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM)/gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (R = 0.711, P < 0.01), while when the pregnant women had a family history of a dead fetus (R = -0.536, P < 0.05) and a birth of a fetus with BDs (R = -0.528, P < 0.05) were negatively correlated with BDs. Conclusion: A significant increase in the prevalence of BDs was detected between 2016 and 2020 in Guangxi, especially the prevalence of CHDs that most significantly increased. Older maternal age, higher maternal education level, and having PGDM before pregnancy or GDM in early pregnancy were the risk factors for BDs.

Relationship between exposure of alkylphenols in serum of pregnant women during early pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes.

Alkylphenols are a type of endocrine disruptors, which are commonly found in personal care products, food, and water and are more harmful to the human body. To investigate the relationship between exposure of alkylphenols in serum of pregnant women during early pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes, a total of 2035 healthy pregnant women and their neonates were recruited in the birth cohort of Zhuang nationality in Guangxi from 2015 to 2018. The peripheral venous blood samples were collected from pregnant women in early pregnancy; the concentrations of nonylphenol (NP), 4-nonylphenol (4-N-NP), 4-tert-octylphenol (4-T-OP), and 4-n-octylphenol (4-N-OP) in serum were detected by ultra-performance liquid performance chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Binary logistic regression showed that NP [OR = 1.40 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.94)] was positively associated with preterm birth. Restricted cubic spline analyses showed that logNP and log4-T-OP had non-linearity associations with preterm birth (logNP: Poverall = 0.006, Pnon-linear = 0.003; log4-T-OP: Poverall = 0.004, Pnon-linear = 0.002). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that maternal serum concentration of NP was negatively associated with birth weight of perinatal infants (ß = -14.68, 95% CI: -29.18, -0.19), which may be sensitive in male neonates (ß = -26.18, 95% CI: -47.33, -5.02). The findings demonstrate that nonylphenol is a risk factor of preterm birth, and nonylphenol is negatively associated with the birth weight in male infants.

A cohort study of dysmenorrhea and risk of low birth weight.

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the association between maternal history of dysmenorrhea and perinatal outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between maternal history of dysmenorrhea and low birth weight (LBW). METHODS: A total of 6754 pregnant women were recruited from the ongoing prospective cohort study in Guangxi, China, in 2015-2018. Information on the maternal history of dysmenorrhea was obtained by questionnaires including visual analog scale (VAS) questions during the first antenatal care visit. The association of maternal history of dysmenorrhea and LBW was evaluated using logistic regression analyses adjusted for confounding factors (infant sex, maternal age, parity, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2), gestational age, alcohol use during pregnancy, passive smoking, and occupational status). RESULTS: Mothers with a history of dysmenorrhea were more likely to give birth to LBW infants (adjusted odds ratio (OR)=1.44; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12, 1.83). Among women with a history of dysmenorrhea, women ≥29 years old (adjusted OR 1.46; 95% CI 1.02, 2.10), multiparous (adjusted OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.12, 2.25), and women gave birth to female infant (adjusted OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.11, 2.11) had a higher risk of LBW. CONCLUSIONS: As the first cohort study to investigate the association between maternal history of dysmenorrhea and LBW, our study shows that dysmenorrhea may increase the risk of LBW.

Taxonomical study on the newly-recorded genus Falsonnannocerus Pic from China (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Stenochiinae).

BACKGROUND: The genus Falsonannocerus Pic, 1947 (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Stenochiinae, Cnodalonini) includes 13 known species occurring in West Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia. The bionomics of species in this genus are unknown. NEW INFORMATION: The genus Falsonnannocerus Pic, 1947 is recorded for the first time from China, including two species: F.thailandicus Masumoto, 1986 from Yunnan and F.haizhuensis sp. n. from Guangdong. Morphological characters of the two species are illustrated and compared. The photographs of female reproductive system, which were never shown for this genus before, are also presented.

Risk Factors for Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes among Zhuang Ethnic Pregnant Women: A Cohort Study in Guangxi, China.

Risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes among Zhuang ethnic pregnant women are unclear. This study analyzed the incidence and risk factors related to preterm birth (PB), low birth weight (LBW) and macrosomia in Zhuang population. We conducted a prospective cohort study of 9965 Zhuang pregnancy women in Guangxi, China. Information on mothers and newborns was obtained by using questionnaires and referring to medical records. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between related factors and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Our results showed that the incidence of PB, LBW and macrosomia in Zhuang people was 5.55%, 5.64% and 2.19%, respectively. Maternal age ≥36 years (OR=2.22, 95% CI: 1.51-3.27) was related to a higher incidence of PB. Those with pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) <18.5 kg/m2 (OR=1.91, 95% CI: 1.45-2.51), and had a female fetus (OR=1.74, 95% CI: 1.36-2.23) were more likely to have LBW infants. Maternal age between 31 and 35 years (OR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.03-2.99) and pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity (OR=1.79, 95% CI: 1.15-2.80) were associated with a higher risk of macrosomia. The protective factors of macrosomia were maternal pre-pregnancy BMI <18.5 kg/m2 (OR=0.30, 95% CI: 0.15-0.60) and female fetus (OR=0.41, 95% CI: 0.28-0.59). Our study provided a reference for maternal and childcare administration among Zhuang population.

Association of prenatal exposure to bisphenols and birth size in Zhuang ethnic newborns.

Prenatal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogues can affect fetal growth and development. However, epidemiologic findings were inconsistent and there was a lack of study for BPA analogues. We aimed to examine the associations between prenatal exposure to BPA, bisphenol B (BPB), bisphenol F (BPF), bisphenol S (BPS), and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and birth size. 2023 mother-infant pairs were included in this study. The associations between serum bisphenol levels and birth size were analyzed by multivariate linear regression models. After adjusting for covariates, one log10-unit increase in serum BPA was correlated with a 32.10 g (95% CI: -61.10, -3.10) decrease in birth weight for all infants, and the inverse association was only observed in males when stratified analysis by gender. Additionally, higher BPF concentrations were associated with decreasing birth weight (P for trend = 0.031), ponderal index (P for trend = 0.021), and birth weight Z-scores (P for trend = 0.039) in all infants, and the inverse associations were also only observed in males when stratified analysis by gender. Similarly, higher TBBPA levels were also correlated with decreased birth weight (P for trend = 0.023). However, after gender stratification, higher TBBPA concentrations were associated with a decrease in birth weight (P for trend = 0.007), birth length (P for trend = 0.026), and birth weight Z-scores (P for trend = 0.039) in males. Our data suggested an inverse association of prenatal exposure to BPA, BPF, and TBBPA and birth size, which may be more pronounced in male infants.

Biosorption of cadmium(II), zinc(II) and lead(II) by Penicillium simplicissimum: Isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamics.

The isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamics of Cd(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) biosorption by Penicillium simplicissimum were investigated in a batch system. The effects of pH, initial metal ions concentration, biomass dose, contact time, temperature and co-ions on the biosorption were studied. Adsorption data were well described by both the Redlich-Peterson and Langmuir model. Chemical ion-exchange was found to be an important process based on free energy value from Dubini-Radushkevich isotherm for all metal ions. The results of the kinetic studies of all metal ions at different temperature showed that the rate of adsorption followed the pseudo second-order kinetics well. The thermodynamics constants DeltaG degrees , DeltaH degrees and DeltaS degrees of the adsorption process showed that biosorption of Cd(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) ions on Penicillium simplicissimum were endothermic and spontaneous.