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Prior investigations on the associations of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) with fetal growth are mixed. Moreover, little research has accrued pertaining to the association between isomers of PFASs with gestational age and birth weight. To address this gap and present novel information, we conducted a study including 321 pairs of mothers and their infants recruited from Guangzhou, China. High performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was utilized to analyze isomers of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) along with other PFAS levels in cord serum samples. Mothers' and infants' characteristics were gathered from medical records. The resulting data revealed that higher PFOS, PFOA and isomers of PFOS were associated with lower birth weight. Per ln-unit (ng/mL) increase in cord serum total branched PFOS isomers was associated with a 126.3 g (95% CI: − 195.9, − 56.8) reduction in the weight of infants at birth, while an ln-unit (ng/mL) increase of serum linear PFOS isomers ( n -PFOS) was associated with a 57.2 g (95% CI: − 103.1, − 11.3) reduction in the weight of infants at birth upon the subsequent adjustment for potential confounding variables. Notably, the association between cord PFAS level and birth weight was more pronounced in male infants. Furthermore, a positive association among branched PFOS isomers (1m-PFOS and 3 + 4 + 5m-PFOS) and gestational age was found. No associations could be found among other PFASs in conjunction with gestational age or birth weight. In conclusion, this investigation suggests that higher PFAS concentrations are associated with lower birth weight, and branched PFOS isomers show greater impact on infant birth weight than linear PFOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • High number concentration and toxicity of ultrafine particles cannot be ignored. • Monitoring the number concentrations of small particles is important. • Mono-culture exposure to PM may underestimate the true PM toxicity. Epidemiological and toxicological evidence show that PM 1 is a key driver of PM 2.5. However, the particle sizes that play the major damaging role in PM 1 is unclear. Our aims were to (1) explore the concentration and chemical composition of ultrafine particles in PM 1 ; (2) evaluate and compare the differences in toxicity of PM 1-0.2 and PM 0.2 to different airway cell models. We collected PM 1-0.2 and PM 0.2 in Guangzhou in December 2017, monitored and detected their concentrations, size, and components. A549, THP-1 mono-cultures and A549/THP-1 co-cultured cells were exposed to PM 1-0.2 and PM 0.2 , and evaluated for toxicological responses. PM 0.2 contributed to15% PM 1 mass and 87.67% to particle number (PN). Most of PM 0.2 was PM 0.1 (exceed 75%). Structure of particles in PM 0.2 were mostly spherical, whereas in PM 1-0.2 they were more diverse. Within the same mass unit, PM 0.2 contained more chemical components than PM 1-0.2 ; within the same volume, a higher mass of components was found in PM 1-0.2. IL-6 and IL-8 were secreted by co-cultured cells in higher manner compared to mono cell cultures. PM 0.2 -induced higher toxicological responses compared to PM 1-0.2. Our findings suggest that high PN concentration and toxicity of ultrafine or PM 1 cannot be ignored. Mono-cell culture may underestimate the true PM toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]