First-of-Its-Kind: Nationwide meta-analysis of microplastic pollution and risk assessment in Thailand.

Thailand ranks as the sixth largest contributor to global microplastic pollution, which is exacerbated by extensive plastic use. Despite rising concerns, no comprehensive review is available on microplastic contamination and its potential risk in Thailand. This review synthesised data on microplastic abundance and characteristics within the country from 118 peer-reviewed publications (2017-2024). We found predominant microplastic presence in crustaceans (1.69-160.15 items/g), followed by Mollusca (0.03-9.5 items/g) and fishes (0.01-28.17 items/g), with higher abundances in wastewater (4 × 102 to 6.09 × 105 items/m3) compared to that in freshwater (1.44-2.92 × 106 items/m3) and seawater (2.70 × 10-1 to 6.25 × 104 items/m3). Marine sediments (48.3-2.13 × 104 items/kg) also showed significantly higher microplastic concentrations than terrestrial sediments (3-2.92 × 103 items/kg). Predominant microplastics were identified as fibers (59.36% and 35.05% for biological and environmental samples, respectively) and fragments (24.14%, 30.68%) in blue (25.95%, 18.64%), and colourless/transparent (20.01%, 14.47%), primarily composed of polyethylene terephthalate (19.46%, 9.19%), nylon (3.23%, 9.99%), polypropylene (19.78%, 24.23%), and polyethylene (14.81%, 11.66%). The potential ecological risk was low in all ecosystems except for wastewater. Shrimp and fish were more susceptible to microplastics compared to other studies in the region. Additionally, the sources, transport, and pathways of microplastic pollution in Thailand's aquatic territories and the current measures and policies implemented by the government to address plastic pollution are discussed. This review has compiled up-to-date insights into the prevalence, distribution, and risks associated with microplastics, which is instrumental in formulating effective strategies for contaminant control and ultimately reducing plastic pollution.

Acupuncture for obesity：study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a major public health issue in China and around the world. While acupuncture is often used in clinical practice, there is a lack of conclusive evidence for its weight-loss effect. Thus we will conduct a parallel, randomised, sham-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for treating obesity. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A total of 160 eligible participants with obesity will be randomly assigned to the verum acupuncture group or sham acupuncture group at a ratio of 1:1. All participants will be treated three times a week for a duration of 12 weeks, and followed up for another 16 weeks. The primary outcome is the percentage change in body weight from baseline to Week 12. The secondary outcomes include body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), body fat percentage (BF%), blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, glycosylated haemoglobin A1c, blood lipids, and physical functioning score on the Short Form 36 Health Survey. Other secondary outcomes including psychological and social functions will also be evaluated using the body image scale, psychological function scale, and social function scale of the BODY-Q, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire. BMI, WC, BF% and blood pressure will be evaluated at Week 0, 4, 8, 12 and 28. Other secondary outcomes will be measured at Week 0, 12 and 28, respectively. Adverse events will be recorded in detail during the trial. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval of this trial was granted by the Ethics Committee of Chengdu Sport University (2023-102). Written informed consent will be obtained from study participants before enrolment. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200062092).

Gut antibiotic resistome during pregnancy associates with the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: New evidence from a prospective nested case-control study.

Antibiotic resistome has emerged as a global threat to public health. However, gestational antibiotic resistome and potential link with adverse pregnancy outcomes remains poorly understood. Our study reports for the first time an association between gut antibiotic resistome during early pregnancy and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) based on a prospective nested case-control cohort including 120 cases and 120 matched controls. A total of 214 antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) subtypes belonging to 17 ARG types were identified in > 10 % fecal samples collected during each trimester. The data revealed dynamic profiles of gut antibiotic resistome through pregnancy, and significant positive associations between selected features (i.e., ARG abundances and a GDM-ARG score which is a new feature characterizing the association between ARGs and GDM) of gut antibiotic resistome during early pregnancy and GDM risk as well as selected endogenous metabolites. The findings demonstrate ubiquitous presence of ARGs in pregnant women and suggest it could constitute an important risk factor for the development of GDM.

Historical sedimentary and evolutionary characteristics of POPs and EDCs in typical regions of the three Gorges reservoir, China.

The historical sedimentary and evolutionary characteristics of persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disruptors in typical regions of the Three Gorges Reservoir are scarcely studied. Herein, the 96-year data on contaminated sediment history were reconstructed using Caesium 137 isotope dating. Polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations in the involved sediment cores ranged from non-detected (ND) to 11.39 ng/g. The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ranged from ND to 2075.20 ng/g and peaked in the 1970s owing to natural, agricultural and human activities. Further, phthalate esters (PAEs) and heavy metals (HMs) were detected at concentrations ranging from ND to 589.2 ng/g and 12.10-93.67 µg/g, respectively, with highest values recorded in the 1980s owing to rapid industrialisation and insufficient management during China's early reform and development stages. PAE and HM concentrations have increased in recent years, suggesting the need to focus on industrial and agricultural activities that have caused this impact. Although current pollutant concentrations in sediments do not pose a risk to the aquatic ecosystem, they should be continuously monitored.

Association of trajectories and cumulative exposure of antenatal depression with high birth weight.

BACKGROUND: Inconsistent associations between antenatal depression and fetal birth weight were reported previously, and little is known about the dynamic changes and long-term cumulative effect of antenatal depression during pregnancy. METHODS: Participants were from the Tongji-Huaxi-Shuangliu Birth Cohort. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in early, middle, and late pregnancy respectively. Trajectories of antenatal depression were assessed using the latent class mixed model. The percentage of days with depression (PDD) and frequency of antenatal depression were measured to assess the cumulative exposure. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations of antenatal depression with macrosomia and large for gestational age (LGA). RESULTS: We identified four distinct trajectories, including the low stable group (n = 1,327, 27.99 %), the moderate stable group (n = 2,610, 55.05 %), the peak group (n = 407, 8.58 %), and the valley group (n = 397, 8.37 %). Compared with the low stable group, the valley group showed a higher risk of macrosomia (OR, 1.98; 95 % CI, 1.17, 3.38) and LGA (OR, 1.44; 95 % CI, 1.002, 2.09); the peak group showed a higher risk of LGA (OR, 1.52; 95 % CI, 1.07, 2.16), but the association was not significant for macrosomia (OR, 1.47; 95 % CI, 0.85, 2.55). Consistently, cumulative antenatal depression was also positively associated with the risks of macrosomia and LGA. LIMITATION: The antenatal depression was self-reported using a screening scale and information bias could not be ruled out. CONCLUSION: Certain trajectories and cumulative exposure of antenatal depression were associated with higher risks of high birth weight.

Relationship between first trimester physical activity and premature rupture of membranes: a birth cohort study in Chinese women.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine prospective associations of different intensity levels and types of physical activity (PA) in early pregnancy with premature rupture of membranes (PROM) among Chinese pregnant women. METHODS: A total of 6284 pregnant women were included from the Tongji-Shuangliu Birth Cohort. Household/caregiving, occupational, sports/exercise and transportation activities during early pregnancy were investigated by the pregnancy physical activity questionnaire (PPAQ), and the diagnosis of PROM was ascertained during the whole pregnancy. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the associations between PA and PROM. RESULTS: Among the 6284 pregnant women, 1246 were identified to have PROM (19.8%). Women undertaking the highest level (3 third tertile) of PA during pregnancy appeared to have a lower risk of PROM [OR = 0.68, 95%CI 0.58-0.80) when compared to those at the lowest tertile of PA. Similarly, women with increased levels of light intensity activity, moderate-vigorous intensive, household/caregiving activity and meeting exercise guidelines during pregnancy were associated with reduced risks of PROM (OR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.59-0.81, OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.60-0.82, OR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.53-0.73 and OR = 0.82, 95% CI 0.70-0.97, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: High levels of PA of different intensities and PA of household/caregiving activities and meeting exercise guidelines during the first trimester were associated with a lower incidence of PROM. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The data of human participants in this study were conducted in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China ([2017] No. S225). All participants provided written informed consent prior to enrollment. A statement to confirm that all methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations.

Isolation, Identification, Phytochemical Characterization, and In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Property of an Endophytic Trametes versicolor CL-1 Isolated from Rosa roxburghii.

This study explores the anti-inflammatory potential of an endophytic fungus, Trametes versicolor CL-1, isolated from the fruit tissues of Rosa roxburghii. Morphological and molecular analyses confirmed the identity of CL-1. An ethyl acetate extract (CL-E) from its fermentation broth was subjected to UPLC-HRMS and GNPS molecular networking. The analysis revealed a diverse array of secondary metabolites, including 11 terpenes, 7 flavonoids, 10 cinnamic acid derivatives, 6 oligopeptides, and 9 fatty acids, as verified by LC-MS/MS. Notably, CL-E exhibited significant in vitro anti-inflammatory activity in RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore,  molecular docking studies predicted favorable binding interactions of key compounds 1 within CL-E with the NLRP3 inflammasome (PDB ID: 6NPY). These findings suggest T. versicolor CL-1 as a promising source of natural anti-inflammatory agents and unveil R. roxburghii as a potential reservoir for discovering novel bioactive metabolites.

Landscape of the gut mycobiome dynamics during pregnancy and its relationship with host metabolism and pregnancy health.

OBJECTIVE: The remodelling of gut mycobiome (ie, fungi) during pregnancy and its potential influence on host metabolism and pregnancy health remains largely unexplored. Here, we aim to examine the characteristics of gut fungi in pregnant women, and reveal the associations between gut mycobiome, host metabolome and pregnancy health. DESIGN: Based on a prospective birth cohort in central China (2017 to 2020): Tongji-Huaxi-Shuangliu Birth Cohort, we included 4800 participants who had available ITS2 sequencing data, dietary information and clinical records during their pregnancy. Additionally, we established a subcohort of 1059 participants, which included 514 women who gave birth to preterm, low birthweight or macrosomia infants, as well as 545 randomly selected controls. In this subcohort, a total of 750, 748 and 709 participants had ITS2 sequencing data, 16S sequencing data and serum metabolome data available, respectively, across all trimesters. RESULTS: The composition of gut fungi changes dramatically from early to late pregnancy, exhibiting a greater degree of variability and individuality compared with changes observed in gut bacteria. The multiomics data provide a landscape of the networks among gut mycobiome, biological functionality, serum metabolites and pregnancy health, pinpointing the link between Mucor and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The prepregnancy overweight status is a key factor influencing both gut mycobiome compositional alteration and the pattern of metabolic remodelling during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: This study provides a landscape of gut mycobiome dynamics during pregnancy and its relationship with host metabolism and pregnancy health, which lays the foundation of the future gut mycobiome investigation for healthy pregnancy.

Response of microbial communities and biogeochemical cycling functions to sediment physicochemical properties and microplastic pollution under damming and water diversion projects.

Understanding the interactions among flow-sediment, microorganisms, and biogeochemical cycles is crucial for comprehending the ecological response mechanisms of dams and water diversion. This study focused on the spatial patterns of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur (CNPS) cycle functional genes in the water resource for the middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in China, specifically the Danjiangkou Reservoir (comprising the Han and Dan reservoirs). The investigation incorporated sediment physicochemical properties and microplastic pollution. Numerous microbial species were identified, revealing that microbial communities demonstrated sensitivity to changes in sedimentary mud content. The communities exhibited greater ß diversity due to finer sediment particles in the Han Reservoir (HR), whereas in the Dan Reservoir (DR), despite having higher sediment nutrient content and MPs pollution, did not display this pattern. Regarding the composition and structure of microbial communities, the study highlighted that sediment N and P content had a more significant influence compared to particle size and MPs. The quantitative microbial element cycling (QMEC) results confirmed the presence of extensive chemolithotrophic microbes and strong nitrogen cycle activity stemming from long-term water storage and diversion operations. The denitrification intensity in the HR surpassed that of the DR. Notably, near the pre-dam area, biological nitrogen fixation, phosphorus removal, and sulfur reduction exhibited noticeable increases. Dam construction refined sediment, fostering the growth of different biogeochemical cycling bacteria and increasing the abundance of CNPS cycling genes. Furthermore, the presence of MPs exhibited a positive correlation with S cycling genes and a negative correlation with C and N cycling genes. These findings suggest that variations in flow-sediment dynamics and MPs pollution have significant impact the biogeochemical cycle of the reservoir.

Trends in cardiovascular health metrics and associations with long-term mortality among US adults with coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Our study examined the trends of cardiovascular health metrics in individuals with coronary heart disease (CHD) and their associations with all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in the US. METHODS AND RESULTS: The cohort study was conducted based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2018 and their linked mortality files (through 2019). Baseline CHD was defined as a composite of self-reported doctor-diagnosed coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, and angina pectoris. Cardiovascular health metrics were assessed according to the American Heart Association recommendations. Long-term all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality were the primary outcomes. Survey-adjusted Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals for the associations between cardiovascular health metrics and all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. The prevalence of one or fewer ideal cardiovascular health metrics increased from 14.15% to 22.79% (P < 0.001) in CHD, while the prevalence of more than four ideal cardiovascular health metrics decreased from 21.65% to 15.70 % (P < 0.001) from 1999 to 2018, respectively. Compared with CHD participants with one or fewer ideal cardiovascular health metrics, those with four or more ideal cardiovascular health metrics had a 35% lower risk (hazard ratio, 0.65; 95% confidence interval: 0.51, 0.82) and a 44% lower risk (0.56; 0.38, 0.84) in all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality, respectively. CONCLUSION: Substantial declines were noted in ideal cardiovascular health metrics in US adults with CHD. A higher number of cardiovascular health metrics was associated with lower all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in them.

Association of cardiovascular health metrics with all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in chronic kidney disease: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Since the global burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rising rapidly, the study aimed to assess the association of cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality among individuals with CKD. METHODS AND RESULTS: The cohort study included 5834 participants with CKD from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2018. A composite CVH score was calculated based on smoking status, physical activity, body mass index, blood pressure, total cholesterol, diet quality, and glucose control. Primary outcomes were all-cause and CVD mortality as of December 31, 2019. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the association between CVH metrics and deaths in CKD patients. During a median follow-up of 7.2 years, 2178 all-cause deaths and 779 CVD deaths were documented. Compared to participants with ideal CVH, individuals with intermediate CVH exhibited a 46.0% increase in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.46; 95% confidence interval: 1.17, 1.83), while those with poor CVH demonstrated a 101.0% increase (2.01; 1.54, 2.62). For CVD mortality, individuals with intermediate CVH experienced a 56.0% increase (1.56; 1.02, 2.39), and those with poor CVH demonstrated a 143.0% increase (2.43; 1.51, 3.91). Linear trends were noted for the associations of CVH with both all-cause mortality (P for trend <0.001) and CVD mortality (P for trend = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Lower CVH levels were associated with higher all-cause and CVD mortality in individuals with CKD, which highlights the importance of maintaining good CVH in CKD patients.

Metal exposure and blood lipid biomarkers in early pregnancy: A cross-sectional study.

Recognizing the risk factors for dyslipidemia during pregnancy is crucial for safeguarding the health of both the mothers and the offspring. Growing evidence emerged and suggested links between environmental factors, including metals, and alteration in lipid levels or dyslipidemia in general populations. However, knowledge of the associations during pregnancy remains extremely lacking. Herein, we aimed to explore whether elevated metal exposure constitutes a risk factor for dyslipidemia in pregnant women. Based on the Tongji-Shuangliu Birth Cohort (TSBC), a total of 663 pregnant women were recruited and their urinary levels of 17 metals and blood lipid biomarkers in early pregnancy were measured, namely triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The multivariable linear regression models revealed that exposure to selected metals during early pregnancy was significantly associated with some important biomarkers. In particular, after natural log-transformed for the levels of lipid biomarkers and metals, copper (Cu) exposure was positively associated with HDL-C (ß = 0.024, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.046), while zinc (Zn) was associated with TG (ß = 0.062, 95% CI: 0.013, 0.110) and selenium with TC (ß = 0.028, 95% CI: 0.004, 0.054). Exposure to rubidium (Rb) was positively associated with multiple lipid biomarkers, including HDL-C (ß = 0.020, 95% CI: 0.002, 0.037) and LDL-C (ß = 0.022, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.042). Mixture exposure analysis further identified significant associations between Cu and HDL-C, Zn and TG, Rb and HDL-C, when multiple metal exposures were considered in the Bayesian kernel machine regression model simultaneously. Our findings showed that exposure to several metals during early pregnancy was associated with an increased prevalence of blood lipid abnormalities in pregnant women. These findings underscore the potential impact of metal combinations on lipid metabolism and increase our understanding of the risk factors associated with abnormal lipid metabolism during pregnancy.

Blood Lipids, Lipoproteins, and Apolipoproteins With Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: A Prospective Study Among Racially Diverse Populations.

BACKGROUND: Comprehensive blood lipoprotein profiles and their association with incident coronary heart disease (CHD) among racially and geographically diverse populations remain understudied. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted nested case-control studies of CHD among 3438 individuals (1719 pairs), including 1084 White Americans (542 pairs), 1244 Black Americans (622 pairs), and 1110 Chinese adults (555 pairs). We examined 36 plasma lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins, measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, with incident CHD among all participants and subgroups by demographics, lifestyle, and metabolic health status using conditional or unconditional logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders. Conventionally measured blood lipids, that is, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, were each associated with incident CHD, with odds ratios (ORs) being 1.33, 1.32, 1.24, and 0.79 per 1-SD increase among all participants. Seventeen lipoprotein biomarkers showed numerically stronger associations than conventional lipids, with ORs per 1-SD among all participants ranging from 1.35 to 1.57 and a negative OR of 0.78 (all false discovery rate <0.05), including apolipoprotein B100 to apolipoprotein A1 ratio (OR, 1.57 [95% CI, 1.45-1.7]), low-density lipoprotein-triglycerides (OR, 1.55 [95% CI, 1.43-1.69]), and apolipoprotein B (OR, 1.49 [95% CI, 1.37-1.62]). All these associations were significant and consistent across racial groups and other subgroups defined by age, sex, smoking, obesity, and metabolic health status, including individuals with normal levels of conventionally measured lipids. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlighted several lipoprotein biomarkers, including apolipoprotein B/ apolipoprotein A1 ratio, apolipoprotein B, and low-density lipoprotein-triglycerides, strongly and consistently associated with incident CHD. Our results suggest that comprehensive lipoprotein measures may complement the standard lipid panel to inform CHD risk among diverse populations.

Association between nighttime sleep duration, midday napping, and sleep quality during early pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: A prospective cohort study in China.

AIM: To evaluate the prospective associations of nighttime sleep duration, midday napping, and sleep quality during early pregnancy with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk among Chinese pregnant women. METHODS: Sleep-related information was assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index in baseline surveys during the 6-15 (mean 10.3) gestational weeks. GDM was diagnosed during 24-28 gestational weeks according to the Chinese Guidelines on Diagnosis and Management of Hyperglycemia in Pregnancy (2022). Multivariable logistic regression models with adjustments for socio-demographic and lifestyle factors were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations of sleep traits with GDM risk. RESULTS: We identified 503 incident GDM cases among 6993 participants. Compared with women who slept for 7-9 hours/night in early pregnancy, those who slept <7 hours/night showed a higher risk of GDM (OR, 1.75; 95 % CI: 1.20-2.54), whereas those who slept >9 hours/night showed no significant association for GDM risk (OR, 1.01; 95 % CI: 0.78-1.30). Compared with women with absolutely no napping, those with ≤60 and > 60 min/day midday napping showed no significant association for GDM risk (OR, 0.82; 95 % CI: 0.64-1.05 for ≤60 min/day midday napping; OR, 0.87; 95 % CI: 0.66-1.15 for >60 min/day midday napping). Poor sleep quality was not associated with GDM risk compared with good quality (OR, 0.90; 95 % CI: 0.72-1.12). CONCLUSION: A short nighttime sleep duration during early pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of GDM, which was independent of midday napping, sleep quality and lifestyle factors.

Cost-Effectiveness of a Workplace-Based Hypertension Management Program in Real-World Practice in the Kailuan Study.

BACKGROUND: In 2009, a workplace-based hypertension management program was launched among men with hypertension in the Kailuan study. This program involved monitoring blood pressure semimonthly, providing free antihypertensive medications, and offering personalized health consultations. However, the cost-effectiveness of this program remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: This analysis included 12 240 participants, with 6120 in each of the management and control groups. Using a microsimulation model derived from 10-year follow-up data, we estimated costs, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), life-years, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for workplace-based management compared with routine care in both the study period and over a lifetime. Analyses are conducted from the societal perspective. Over the 10-year follow-up, patients in the management group experienced an average gain of 0.06 QALYs with associated incremental costs of $633.17 (4366.85 RMB). Projecting over a lifetime, the management group was estimated to increase by 0.88 QALYs or 0.92 life-years compared with the control group, with an incremental cost of $1638.64 (11 301.37 RMB). This results in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $1855.47 per QALY gained and $1780.27 per life-year gained, respectively, when comparing workplace-based management with routine care. In probabilistic sensitivity analyses, with a threshold willingness-to-pay of $30 765 per QALY (3 times 2019 gross domestic product per capita), the management group showed a 100% likelihood of being cost-effective in 10 000 samples. CONCLUSIONS: Workplace-based management, compared with routine care for Chinese men with hypertension, could be cost-effective both during the study period and over a lifetime, and might be considered in working populations in China and elsewhere.

Association between Biomarkers of Phthalate Exposure and Serum Folate Concentrations in Children: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study of the NHANES from 2011 to 2016.

BACKGROUND: Although adverse health effects of phthalates have been reported, very few studies have assessed the associations between biomarkers of phthalate exposure and serum folate concentrations in children. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to examine the association between urinary phthalate metabolites, as biomarkers of exposure to phthalates, and total serum folate concentrations in children using national data from the United States. METHODS: We conducted cross-sectional analyses of 2100 individuals aged 6-18 y enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011-2016. Multivariable linear regression was applied to examine the relationship between natural logarithm (ln)-transformed urinary phthalate metabolites and serum folate concentrations. The quantile-based g-computation was used to assess the association of urinary phthalate metabolite mixture with serum folate levels. Subgroup analyses were conducted by sex, age, and race/ethnicity, and the interactions were assessed by adding interaction terms of these stratifying variables and phthalates and modeling through the Wald test. RESULTS: In multiple linear regression models, for participants in the highest tertile of MEHHP, MEOHP, DEHP, MCPP, and MCOP, total serum folate concentrations were 1.566 [ß: -1.566; 95% confidence interval: -2.935, -0.196], 1.423 (-1.423; -2.689, -0.157), 1.309 (-1.309; -2.573, -0.044), 1.530 (-1.530; -2.918, -0.142), and 1.381 (-1.381; -2.641, -0.122) ng/mL lower than those in the lowest tertile. The inverse associations were consistent in different subgroups by sex, age, and race/ethnicity (P for interaction ≥0.083 for all). In addition, the phthalate mixture showed a strong inverse correlation with serum folate; a quartile increase in the phthalate mixture on the ln scale was associated with 0.888 (-0.888; -1.677, -0.099) ng/mL decrease in the serum folate. CONCLUSIONS: Higher concentrations of urinary phthalate metabolites were associated with lower serum folate concentrations in children. Although our findings should be validated through additional population and mechanistic studies, they support a potential adverse effect of phthalate exposure on folate metabolism in children.

Inhibitory effect of Incarvillea diffusa Royle extract in the formation of calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis by regulating ROS-induced Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Calcium oxalate (CaOx) kidney stones are widely acknowledged as the most prevalent type of urinary stones, with high incidence and recurrence rates. Incarvillea diffusa Royle (ID) is a traditionally used medicinal herb in the Miao Minzu of Guizhou province, China, for treating urolithiasis. However, the active components and the underlying mechanism of its pharmacodynamic effects remain unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the potential inhibitory effect of the active component of ID on the formation of CaOx nephrolithiasis and elucidate the underlying mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vivo, a CaOx kidney stone model was induced in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats using an ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride protocol for four weeks. Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups (n = 8): blank group, model group, apocynin group, and low, medium, and high dose of ID's active component (IDW) groups. After three weeks of administration, rat urine, serum, and kidney tissues were collected. Renal tissue damage and crystallization, Ox, BUN, Ca2+, CRE, GSH, MDA, SOD contents, and levels of IL-1ß, IL-18, MCP-1, caspase-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in urine, serum, and kidney tissue were assessed using HE staining and relevant assay kits, respectively. Protein expression of Nrf2, HO-1, p38, p65, and Toll-4 in kidney tissues was quantified via Western blot. The antioxidant capacities of major compounds were evaluated through DPPH, O2·-, and ·OH radical scavenging assays, along with their effects on intracellular ROS production in CaOx-induced HK-2 cells. RESULTS: We found that IDW could significantly reduce the levels of CRE, GSH, MDA, Ox, and BUN, and enhancing SOD activity. Moreover, it could inhibit the secretion of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-18, MCP-1, caspase-1, and decreased protein expression of Nrf2, HO-1, p38, p65, and Toll-4 in renal tissue. Three major compounds isolated from IDW exhibited promising antioxidant activities and inhibited intracellular ROS production in CaOx-induced HK-2 cells. CONCLUSIONS: IDW facilitated the excretion of supersaturated Ca2+ and decreased the production of Ox, BUN in SD rat urine, and mitigated renal tissue damage by regulating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Importantly, the three major compounds identified as active components of IDW contributed to the inhibition of CaOx nephrolithiasis formation. Overall, IDW holds significant potential for treating CaOx nephrolithiasis.

Coupling at the molecular scale between the graphene nanosheet and water and its effect on the thermal conductivity of the nanofluid.

Graphene nanofluid is a promising way to improve heat transfer in many situations. As a two-dimensional material, graphene's anisotropic thermal conductivity influences the heat transfer of nanofluids. In the present study, a nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is adopted to study the interaction between graphene nanosheets (GNSs) and liquid water in water-based graphene nanofluids. Consequently, the coupling interaction between the orientation and length of GNSs and the thermal conductivity of nanofluids is then investigated. We discover that the molecular thermal coupling between GNSs and water can effectively influence the orientation angle of the GNSs. A preferential orientation angle of the GNSs inside the nanofluid is then observed during heat transfer. The preferential orientation angle decreases with the GNS length and has no apparent relation with the size of heat flux in this study. The overall thermal conductivity of the nanofluid decreases as the orientation angle of the GNS rises. Increasing the GNS length not only reduces the preferential orientation angle but also improves the thermal conductivity along the graphene length direction. The thermal conductivity of the nanofluid along the graphene length direction increases from 0.414 to 4.085 W m K-1 as the length increases from 103 to 3274 A. Our results provide the fundamental knowledge of the heat transfer performance of graphene nanofluids.

Rare resistome rather than core resistome exhibited higher diversity and risk along the Yangtze River.

As important freshwater ecosystems, the occurrence and distribution of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in rivers are relevant to public health. However, studies investigating ARGs of different environmental media in river ecosystems are limited. In this study, we analyzed the ARGs of microbes in free-living setting, particle-associated setting, sediment and bank soil of the Yangtze River using metagenomics. Twenty-six ARGs were found in all samples regardless of media (core resistome) with a diversity of 8.6 %-34.7 %, accounting for 22.7 %-89.2 % of the relative abundance of the overall ARGs. The core resistome of the Yangtze River was dominated by multidrug resistance genes consisting mainly of efflux pumps and bacitracin resistance genes. The rare resistome was dominated by multidrug, sulfonamide, and aminoglycoside resistance genes. The core resistome was more prevalent in chromosomes, implying that these ARGs with low diversity and high relative abundance may be intrinsic to microbes in the Yangtze River. The rare resistome was more prevalent in plasmids, suggesting these ARGs with high diversity and low relative abundance were acquired under environmental stresses and had transfer potential. Additionally, we found that core and rare resistome were mainly carried by specific bacteria. Noteworthily, twenty-two ARGs of high clinical concern were identified in rare resistome, especially aac(6')-I, sul1, and tetM, which were plasmid-borne and hosted by clinically relevant pathogens. Both core and rare resistome hosts showed the highest niche breadths in particle-associated setting compared to other media, and particle-associated setting could provide more stable and ideal conditions for resistome hosts to survive. This study elucidated the genetic locations of ARGs and the community assembly mechanisms of ARG hosts in freshwater environments.

Sex-specific associations between skeletal muscle mass and incident diabetes: A population-based cohort study.

AIMS: To investigate the sex-specific associations between predicted skeletal muscle mass index (pSMI) and incident type 2 diabetes in a retrospective longitudinal cohort of Chinese men and women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled Chinese adults without diabetes at baseline from WATCH (West chinA adulT health CoHort), a large health check-up-based database. We calculated pSMI to estimate skeletal muscular mass, and measured blood glucose variables and assessed self-reported history to identify new-onset diabetes. The nonlinear association between pSMI and incident type 2 diabetes was modelled using the penalized spline method. The piecewise association was estimated using segmented linear splines in weighted Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS: Of 47 885 adults (53.2% women) with a median age of 40 years, 1836 developed type 2 diabetes after a 5-year median follow-up. In women, higher pSMI was associated with a lower risk of incident type 2 diabetes (Pnonlinearity = 0.09, hazard ratio [HR] per standard deviation increment in pSMI: 0.79 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.68, 0.91]). A nonlinear association of pSMI with incident type 2 diabetes was detected in men (Pnonlinearity < 0.001). In men with pSMI lower than 8.1, higher pSMI was associated with a lower risk of incident type 2 diabetes (HR 0.58 [95% CI 0.40, 0.84]), whereas pSMI was not significantly associated with incident diabetes in men with pSMI equal to or greater than 8.1 (HR 1.08 [95% CI 0.93, 1.25]). CONCLUSIONS: In females, a larger muscular mass is associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. For males, this association is significant only among those with diminished muscle mass.