Objective Our objective is to build a model that explains the association between the exposure to trace elements in the soil and the risk of neural tube defects. Methods We built a function with different parameters t...Objective Our objective is to build a model that explains the association between the exposure to trace elements in the soil and the risk of neural tube defects. Methods We built a function with different parameters to describe the effects of trace elements on neural tube defects. The association between neural tube defects and trace element levels was transformed into an optimization problem using the maximum likelihood method. Results Tin, lead, nickel, iron, copper, and aluminum had typical layered effects （dosage effects） on the prevalence of neural tube defects. Arsenic, selenium, zinc, strontium, and vanadium had no effect, and molybdenum had one threshold value that affected the prevalence of birth defects. Conclusion As an exploratory research work, our model can be used to determine the direction of the effect of the trace element content of cultivated soil on the risk of neural tube defects, which shows the clues by the dosage effect of their toxicological characteristics. Based on our findings, future biogeochemical research should focus on the direct effects of trace elements on human health.展开更多
Information was obtained from the same questionnaire (23 risk factors listed) of cases and controls. We used a multivariate logistic model, which described variables significantly increased risk of birth defects....Information was obtained from the same questionnaire (23 risk factors listed) of cases and controls. We used a multivariate logistic model, which described variables significantly increased risk of birth defects. The risk factors included maternal educational levels, medicine taken during pregnancy and antenatal care. It was suggested to strengthen antenatal care was the main preventive measure against birth defects.展开更多
The present study involved a questionnaire survey of 156 mothers that gave birth to children with neural tube defects or had a history of pregnancy resulting in children with neural tube defects （case group） and 156...The present study involved a questionnaire survey of 156 mothers that gave birth to children with neural tube defects or had a history of pregnancy resulting in children with neural tube defects （case group） and 156 control mothers with concurrent healthy children （control group） as well as detection of mitochondrial membrane transporter protein gene [uncoupling protein 2 （UCP2）] polymorphism. The maternal UCP2 3＇ untranslated region （UTR） D/D genotype and D allele frequency were significantly higher in the case group compared with the control group （odds ratio （OR） 3.233; 95% confidence interval （C/） 1.103 9.476; P= 0.040; OR： 3.484; 95% CI： for neural tube defects 2.109 5.753; P 〈 0.001）. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis of risk factors for neural tube defects showed that a matemal UCP2 3＇ UTR D/D genotype was negatively interacted with the mothers＇ consumption of frequent fresh fruit and vegetables （S = 0.007）, positively interacted with the mothers＇ frequency of germinated potato consumption （S = 2.15） and positively interacted with the mothers＇ body mass index （S = 3.50）. These findings suggest that maternal UCP2 3＇ UTR gene polymorphism, pregnancy time, consumption of germinated potatoes and body mass index are associated with an increased risk for neural tube defects in children from mothers living in Shanxi province, China. Moreover, there is an apparent gene-environment interaction involved in the development of neural tube defects in offspring.展开更多
Abstract Objective To develop a new technique for assessing the risk of birth defects, which are a major cause of infant mortality and disability in many parts of the world. Methods The region of interest in this stud...Abstract Objective To develop a new technique for assessing the risk of birth defects, which are a major cause of infant mortality and disability in many parts of the world. Methods The region of interest in this study was Heshun County, the county in China with the highest rate of neural tube defects （NTDs）. A hybrid particle swarm optimization/ant colony optimization （PSO/ACO） algorithm was used to quantify the probability of NTDs occurring at villages with no births. The hybrid PSO/ACO algorithm is a form of artificial intelligence adapted for hierarchical classification. It is a powerful technique for modeling complex problems involving impacts of causes. Results The algorithm was easy to apply, with the accuracy of the results being 69.5%＋7.02% at the 95% confidence level. Conclusion The proposed method is simple to apply, has acceptable fault tolerance, and greatly enhances the accuracy of calculations.展开更多
基金supported by the National "973" project on Population and Health (No. 2007CB5119001)the National Yang‐Zi Scholar Program, 211 and 985 projects of Peking University (No. 20020903)
文摘Objective Our objective is to build a model that explains the association between the exposure to trace elements in the soil and the risk of neural tube defects. Methods We built a function with different parameters to describe the effects of trace elements on neural tube defects. The association between neural tube defects and trace element levels was transformed into an optimization problem using the maximum likelihood method. Results Tin, lead, nickel, iron, copper, and aluminum had typical layered effects （dosage effects） on the prevalence of neural tube defects. Arsenic, selenium, zinc, strontium, and vanadium had no effect, and molybdenum had one threshold value that affected the prevalence of birth defects. Conclusion As an exploratory research work, our model can be used to determine the direction of the effect of the trace element content of cultivated soil on the risk of neural tube defects, which shows the clues by the dosage effect of their toxicological characteristics. Based on our findings, future biogeochemical research should focus on the direct effects of trace elements on human health.
文摘Information was obtained from the same questionnaire (23 risk factors listed) of cases and controls. We used a multivariate logistic model, which described variables significantly increased risk of birth defects. The risk factors included maternal educational levels, medicine taken during pregnancy and antenatal care. It was suggested to strengthen antenatal care was the main preventive measure against birth defects.
基金sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 31140012, 31040056,31140079the Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province,No. 2006011113
文摘The present study involved a questionnaire survey of 156 mothers that gave birth to children with neural tube defects or had a history of pregnancy resulting in children with neural tube defects （case group） and 156 control mothers with concurrent healthy children （control group） as well as detection of mitochondrial membrane transporter protein gene [uncoupling protein 2 （UCP2）] polymorphism. The maternal UCP2 3＇ untranslated region （UTR） D/D genotype and D allele frequency were significantly higher in the case group compared with the control group （odds ratio （OR） 3.233; 95% confidence interval （C/） 1.103 9.476; P= 0.040; OR： 3.484; 95% CI： for neural tube defects 2.109 5.753; P 〈 0.001）. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis of risk factors for neural tube defects showed that a matemal UCP2 3＇ UTR D/D genotype was negatively interacted with the mothers＇ consumption of frequent fresh fruit and vegetables （S = 0.007）, positively interacted with the mothers＇ frequency of germinated potato consumption （S = 2.15） and positively interacted with the mothers＇ body mass index （S = 3.50）. These findings suggest that maternal UCP2 3＇ UTR gene polymorphism, pregnancy time, consumption of germinated potatoes and body mass index are associated with an increased risk for neural tube defects in children from mothers living in Shanxi province, China. Moreover, there is an apparent gene-environment interaction involved in the development of neural tube defects in offspring.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41101431)the fourth installment special funding of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.201104003)+1 种基金China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.20100470004)the State Key Funds of Social Science Project(Research on Disability Prevention Measurement in China,No.09&ZD072)
文摘Abstract Objective To develop a new technique for assessing the risk of birth defects, which are a major cause of infant mortality and disability in many parts of the world. Methods The region of interest in this study was Heshun County, the county in China with the highest rate of neural tube defects （NTDs）. A hybrid particle swarm optimization/ant colony optimization （PSO/ACO） algorithm was used to quantify the probability of NTDs occurring at villages with no births. The hybrid PSO/ACO algorithm is a form of artificial intelligence adapted for hierarchical classification. It is a powerful technique for modeling complex problems involving impacts of causes. Results The algorithm was easy to apply, with the accuracy of the results being 69.5%＋7.02% at the 95% confidence level. Conclusion The proposed method is simple to apply, has acceptable fault tolerance, and greatly enhances the accuracy of calculations.
