Long-term associations of PM1 versus PM2.5 and PM10 with asthma and asthma-related respiratory symptoms in the middle-aged and elderly population.

Background: Few studies have compared the associations between long-term exposures to particulate matters (aerodynamic diameter ≤1, ≤2.5 and ≤10 µm: PM1, PM2.5 and PM10, respectively) and asthma and asthma-related respiratory symptoms. The objective of the present study was to compare the strength of the aforementioned associations in middle-aged and elderly adults. Methods: We calculated the mean 722-day personal exposure estimates of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 at 1 km×1 km spatial resolution between 2013 and 2019 at individual levels from China High Air Pollutants (CHAP) datasets. Using logistic regression models, we presented the associations as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals, for each interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM1/PM2.5/PM10 concentration. Asthma denoted a self-reported history of physician-diagnosed asthma or wheezing in the preceding 12 months. Results: We included 7371 participants in COPD surveillance from Guangdong, China. Each IQR increase in PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 was associated with a greater odds (OR (95% CI)) of asthma (PM1: 1.22 (1.02-1.45); PM2.5: 1.24 (1.04-1.48); PM10: 1.30 (1.07-1.57)), wheeze (PM1: 1.27 (1.11-1.44); PM2.5: 1.30 (1.14-1.48); PM10: 1.34 (1.17-1.55)), persistent cough (PM1: 1.33 (1.06-1.66); PM2.5: 1.36 (1.09-1.71); PM10: 1.31 (1.02-1.68)) and dyspnoea (PM1: 2.10 (1.84-2.41); PM2.5: 2.17 (1.90-2.48); PM10: 2.29 (1.96-2.66)). Sensitivity analysis results were robust after excluding individuals with a family history of allergy. Associations of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 with asthma and asthma-related respiratory symptoms were slightly stronger in males. Conclusion: Long-term exposure to PM is associated with increased risks of asthma and asthma-related respiratory symptoms.

Comparative analysis of different treatment strategies for septic spondylitis: a retrospective study of one hundred and twelve patients.

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical efficacy and prognosis differences between conservative treatment and surgical treatment in patients with non-serious neurologically intact pyogenic spondylitis (Nsi-Nsni-PS), and to provide theoretical reference for the clinical treatment of Nsi-Nsni-PS patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 112 cases of Nsi-Nsni-PS patients treated in our hospital from June 2016 to June 2021. According to different treatment methods, they were divided into conservative treatment group (53 cases) and surgical treatment group (59 cases). The general data, laboratory tests, imaging examinations, length of hospital stay, duration of antibiotic use, VAS for pain before and after treatment, ODI, local kyphotic angle correction of diseased vertebrae, and recurrence rate were collected and analyzed in both groups. SPSS 26.0 statistical software was used for analysis. Measurement data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation, and independent sample t-test or rank sum test was used for comparison between groups, while variance analysis was used for intra-group comparison. Count data were expressed as number (%) and compared between groups using chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Mann-Whitney U test was used to evaluate the changes in local kyphotic angle between the two groups. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in general data and imaging characteristics between the two groups (P > 0.05); there were no statistically significant differences in the positive culture rate of pathogens, length of hospital stay, duration of antibiotic use, treatment complications, WBC, CRP, ESR levels at admission and discharge, VAS and ODI at admission and last follow-up between the two groups (P > 0.05). The WBC and CRP levels of patients in the conservative group at discharge were lower than those in the surgical group (P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in the decrease in inflammatory indicators (WBC, CRP, ESR) between the two groups (P > 0.05). By the last follow-up, the neurological function of patients in both groups had significantly improved compared to admission (P < 0.05), with 12 out of 15 ASIA grade D patients in the conservative group recovering to grade E, and 21 out of 25 grade D patients in the surgical group recovering to grade E, with no worsening of neurological function in either group. The differences in VAS and ODI scores at the last follow-up compared to before treatment were statistically significant in both groups (P < 0.05), and all patients regained normal activity. Compared with before treatment, the correction degree of local kyphotic angle in the surgical group at the last follow-up was 0.93 ± 4.94°, slightly higher than that in the conservative group (-0.83 ± 3.37°), and the difference was statistically significant(P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: During our follow-up, we found that both conservative and surgical treatments achieved satisfactory clinical outcomes in patients with Nsi-Nsni-PS. Compared to conservative treatment, surgical intervention did not demonstrate significant advantages in reducing hospitalization time and antibiotic usage duration, increasing pathogen culture positivity rate, lowering treatment complications, or controlling recurrence. However, surgical intervention showed superiority in correcting the local kyphotic angle of spinal lesions, albeit with relatively increased surgical trauma, risks, and treatment costs. At the last follow-up, the surgical group did not exhibit better long-term efficacy. Therefore, when formulating clinical treatment strategies for patients with Nsi-Nsni-PS, it may be preferable to prioritize conservative treatment, supplemented by the use of sensitive or empiric antibiotics for infection management, to improve patient prognosis.

Reversal of Platinum-based Chemotherapy Resistance in Ovarian Cancer by Naringin Through Modulation of The Gut Microbiota in a Humanized Nude Mouse Model.

As a chemotherapy agent, cisplatin (DDP) is often associated with drug resistance and gastrointestinal toxicity, factors that severely limit therapeutic efficacy in patients with ovarian cancer (OC). Naringin has been shown to increase sensitivity to cisplatin, but whether the intestinal microbiota is associated with this effect has not been reported so far. In this study, we applied a humanized mouse model for the first time to evaluate the reversal of cisplatin resistance by naringin, as well as naringin combined with the microbiota in ovarian cancer. The results showed that naringin combined with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis NCU-01 had an inhibitory effect on the tumor, significantly reducing tumor size (p<0.05), as well as the concentrations of serum tumor markers CA125 and HE4, increased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides, inhibit Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)-induced intestinal inflammation and increase the expression of intestinal permeability-associated proteins ZO-1 (p<0.001) and occludin (p<0.01). In conclusion, the above data demonstrate how naringin combined with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis NCU-01 reverses cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer by modulating the intestinal microbiota, inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and modulating the p38MAPK signaling pathway.

Phase separation of RNF214 promotes the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors, and the expression and function of an uncharacterized protein RNF214 in HCC are still unknown. Phase separation has recently been observed to participate in the progression of HCC. In this study, we investigated the expression, function, and phase separation of RNF214 in HCC. We found that RNF214 was highly expressed in HCC and associated with poor prognosis. RNF214 functioned as an oncogene to promote the proliferation, migration, and metastasis of HCC. Mechanically, RNF214 underwent phase separation, and the coiled-coil (CC) domain of RNF214 mediated its phase separation. Furthermore, the CC domain was necessary for the oncogenic function of RNF214 in HCC. Taken together, our data favored that phase separation of RNF214 promoted the progression of HCC. RNF214 may be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.

Alterations of resting-state network dynamics in Alzheimer's disease based on leading eigenvector dynamics analysis.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease, and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is considered a transitional stage between healthy aging and dementia. Early detection of MCI can help slow down the progression of AD. At present, there are few studies exploring the characteristics of abnormal dynamic brain activity in AD. This article uses a method called Leading Eigenvector Dynamics Analysis (LEiDA) to study resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data of AD, MCI, and cognitively normal (CN) participants. By identifying repetitive states of phase coherence, inter group differences in brain dynamic activity indicators are examined. And the neurobehavioral scales were used to assess the relationship between abnormal dynamic activities and cognitive function. The results showed that in the indicators of occurrence probability and lifetime, the globally synchronized state of the patient group decreased. The activity state of the limbic regions significantly detected the difference between AD and the other two groups. Compared to CN, AD and MCI have varying degrees of increase in default and visual regions activity states. In addition, in the analysis related to the cognitive scales, it was found that individuals with poorer cognitive abilities were less active in the globally synchronized state, and more active in limbic regions activity state and visual regions activity state. Taken together, these findings reveal abnormal dynamic activity of resting-state networks in patients with AD and MCI, provide new insights into the dynamic analysis of brain networks, and contribute to a deeper understanding of abnormal spatial dynamic patterns in AD patients.

Antibody Levels and Infection Status of Pertussis in the Population under Pertussis Resurgence in Guangxi in 2018: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Objective: Pertussis cases have increased markedly since 2018 in Guangxi. The aim of this study was to evaluate antibody levels and the infection status of pertussis in the resident population. Method: A total of 10,215 serum samples from residents were collected from August-November 2018 and tested for anti-pertussis IgG and toxin IgG using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Of the collected samples, 1,833 (17.94%) tested positive for anti-pertussis IgG, with the median concentration of 16.06 IU/mL. Antibody level < 10 IU/mL accounted for more than 60% in children under 4 years of age, but declined with age, whereas the percentages of the other three levels (10-40, 40-50, and ≥ 50 IU/mL) increased almost with age ( P < 0.001). Moreover, 7,924 samples were selected for anti-pertussis toxin IgG, of which 653 (8.24%) tested positive (≥ 40 IU/mL) with the median concentration of 5.89 IU/mL, and 204 participants (2.56%) had recent pertussis infection (≥ 100 IU/mL). Among the different age groups, the highest rates of positivity and recent infection were observed at 11-20 years of age, the lowest positivity rate at 5 years of age, and the lowest recent infection rate at 4 years of age ( P < 0.001, P = 0.005, respectively). Conclusion: The survey results showed that all age groups in Guangxi lacked immunity against pertussis, which was one of the main factors contributing to the resurgence of pertussis in 2018. In addition, the prevalence of pertussis is relatively high in Guangxi, and its incidence is seriously underestimated, especially in adolescents and adults.

Efficacy and advantage of immunotherapy for melanoma via intramuscular co-expression of plasmid-encoded PD-1 and CTLA-4 scFvs.

Immunotherapy, in the shape of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has completely changed the treatment of cancer. However, the increasing expense of treatment and the frequency of immune-related side effects, which are frequently associated with combination antibody therapies and Fc fragment of antibody, have limited the patient's ability to benefit from these treatments. Herein, we presented the therapeutic effects of the plasmid-encoded PD-1 and CTLA-4 scFvs (single-chain variable fragment) for melanoma via an optimized intramuscular gene delivery system. After a single injection, the plasmid-encoded ICI scFv in mouse sera continued to be above 150 ng/mL for 3 weeks and reached peak amounts of 600 ng/mL. Intramuscular delivery of plasmid encoding PD-1 and CTLA-4 scFvs significantly changed the tumor microenvironment, delayed tumor growth, and prolonged survival in melanoma-bearing mice. Furthermore, no significant toxicity was observed, suggesting that this approach could improve the biosafety of ICIs combination therapy. Overall, the expression of ICI scFvs in vivo using intramuscular plasmid delivery could potentially develop into a reliable, affordable, and safe immunotherapy technique, expanding the range of antibody-based gene therapy systems that are available.

Discovery of 2-deoxy glucose surfaced mixed layer dendrimer: a smart neuron targeted systemic drug delivery system for brain diseases.

The availability of non-invasive drug delivery systems capable of efficiently transporting bioactive molecules across the blood-brain barrier to specific cells at the injury site in the brain is currently limited. Delivering drugs to neurons presents an even more formidable challenge due to their lower numbers and less phagocytic nature compared to other brain cells. Additionally, the diverse types of neurons, each performing specific functions, necessitate precise targeting of those implicated in the disease. Moreover, the complex synthetic design of drug delivery systems often hinders their clinical translation. The production of nanomaterials at an industrial scale with high reproducibility and purity is particularly challenging. However, overcoming this challenge is possible by designing nanomaterials through a straightforward, facile, and easily reproducible synthetic process. Methods: In this study, we have developed a third-generation 2-deoxy-glucose functionalized mixed layer dendrimer (2DG-D) utilizing biocompatible and cost-effective materials via a highly facile convergent approach, employing copper-catalyzed click chemistry. We further evaluated the systemic neuronal targeting and biodistribution of 2DG-D, and brain delivery of a neuroprotective agent pioglitazone (Pio) in a pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) model. Results: The 2DG-D exhibits favorable characteristics including high water solubility, biocompatibility, biological stability, nanoscale size, and a substantial number of end groups suitable for drug conjugation. Upon systemic administration in a pediatric mouse model of traumatic brain injury (TBI), the 2DG-D localizes in neurons at the injured brain site, clears rapidly from off-target locations, effectively delivers Pio, ameliorates neuroinflammation, and improves behavioral outcomes. Conclusions: The promising in vivo results coupled with a convenient synthetic approach for the construction of 2DG-D makes it a potential nanoplatform for addressing brain diseases.

Gut microbiota: an ideal biomarker and intervention strategy for aging.

Population aging is a substantial challenge for the global sanitation framework. Unhealthy aging tends to be accompanied by chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, which undermine the welfare of the elderly. Based on the fact that aging is inevitable but retarding aging is attainable, flexible aging characterization and efficient anti-aging become imperative for healthy aging. The gut microbiome, as the most dynamic component interacting with the organism, can affect the aging process through its own structure and metabolites, thus holding the potential to become both an ideal aging-related biomarker and an intervention strategy. This review summarizes the value of applying gut microbiota as aging-related microbial biomarkers in diagnosing aging state and monitoring the effect of anti-aging interventions, ultimately pointing to the future prospects of microbial intervention strategies in maintaining healthy aging.

Large-scale study in Chengdu, China: The prevalence of myopia full-correction decreased with increasing myopia in adolescents.

Myopia is an increasingly serious health issue among children and adolescents worldwide. This study investigated the situation related to myopia among students in Chengdu, a city in western China, and analyzed the prevalence of myopia spectacle wear and myopia full-correction and their influencing factors to understand the current status of myopia prevention. This school-based cross-sectional study investigated 1582 schools in seven districts of Chengdu City, China, enrolling a total of 417,337 students aged 6-18 years (elementary, middle, and high school) from 2020 to 2022. Examination items included uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), slit lamp examination and non-cycloplegic autorefraction. Myopia was defined as non-cycloplegic SE ≤ -0.50 D + UCVA> 0 log MAR (age ≥6). The prevalence of myopia spectacle wear is defined as the number of people wearing glasses for myopia/the number of people with myopia (%) within the study population, and myopia full-correction is defined as normal vision after wearing glasses for myopia (≤0 log MAR for 6 years and above). With the support of the government, this programme is conducted 1-2 times a year. Statistical analyses are conducted to determine the association between myopia and various parameters. The average age of the entire survey population was 10.96 ± 3.5 years, and the overall prevalence of myopia was 48.7%, myopia spectacle wear was 65.7%, and myopia full-correction was 50.5%. With increasing age and educational levels, the prevalence of moderate to high myopia, the prevalence of myopia spectacle wear, and the prevalence of myopia full-correction all rise. The prevalence of mild myopia full-correction (46.5%) was higher than that for moderate myopia (47.1%) and even higher than that for high myopia (39.6%). The correct utilization rate of myopic spectacles was 33.17%, increasing with age and education levels, with the highest correct utilization rate of 40.7% among those with moderate myopia. The prevalence of myopia among children and adolescents in Chengdu is relatively low, and the prevalence of myopia spectacle wear and myopia full-correction need to be improved, and it was found that with the increase of myopia, the prevalence of myopia full-correction among adolescents decreased instead.

Uncovering the immune evasion mechanism of microbial pathogens: lessons from anti-encapsulation strategies adopted by a fungus.

Overview of Hemocytin-Mediated Cellular Encapsulation and Melanization Responses in Insects Against Fungal Pathogens.

Activity of prefrontal cortex serotonin 2A receptor expressing neurons is necessary for the head-twitch response of mice to psychedelic drug DOI in a sex-dependent manner.

Serotonin 2A receptors (5-HT 2A Rs) mediate the effects of psychedelic drugs. 5-HT 2A R agonists, such as (-)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine hydrochloride (DOI), that produce a psychedelic experience in humans induce a head-twitch response (HTR) behavior in rodents. However, it is unknown whether the activity of 5-HT 2A R expressing neurons is sufficient to produce the HTR in the absence of an agonist, or in which brain region 5-HT 2A Rs control the HTR. Here, we use an optogenetic approach to examine whether activation of 5-HT 2A R expressing neurons in the mouse prefrontal cortex (PFC) is sufficient to induce HTRs alone, or may augment the HTR produced by DOI, and if inhibition of these neurons prevents DOI-induced HTRs in mice. We crossed Htr2a -Cre mice to Cre-dependent optogenetic lines Ai32 (channelrhodopsin) and Ai39 (halorhodopsin) to selectively activate and inhibit (respectively) 5-HT 2A R-expressing neurons in the PFC of adult mice. We found that optogenetic stimulation of PFC 5-HT 2A R expressing neurons in the absence of an agonist does not increase HTRs in mice. In both male and female Ai32 mice that received vehicle, there was no difference in HTRs in mice that expressed Htr2a -Cre compared with control mice, indicating that optogenetic activation of 5-HT 2A R+ cells in the PFC was not sufficient to produce HTRs in the absence of an agonist. In female mice, activation of PFC 5-HT 2A R expressing neurons augmented the HTR produced by DOI. However, this result was not seen in male mice. In contrast, inhibition of 5-HT 2A R expressing neurons in the PFC prevented the increase in HTR produced by DOI in male, but not in female, mice. Together, these findings suggest that activation of 5-HT 2A Rs in the PFC is not sufficient to induce HTRs in the absence of a 5-HT 2A R agonist but is necessary for induction of HTRs by a 5-HT 2A R agonist in a sex-dependent manner.

Case report: Dissociative neurological symptom disorder with gait disturbance: taking after the father?

Dissociative neurological symptoms disorder (DNSD), or conversion disorder, frequently manifests with unexplained neurological symptoms, necessitating referral to psychiatry following preliminary diagnosis in neurology. We present a case of an adolescent female patient with gait disturbance as the predominant clinical presentation, and delve into the diagnosis and interdisciplinary intervention process. Given neuroimaging deviations detected and familial similar presentations, the organic etiology was confirmed. However, the aberrant gait remained unexplained ultimately prompting psychiatric consultation resulting in the diagnosis of DNSD. Interventions consisting of health education, suggestive therapy, and physiotherapy notably improved gait disturbance. However, at follow-up, the patient presented with a depressive episode. It was deduced that undiagnosed psychosocial factors, notably familial dynamics, likely contributed to this decline. Eventually, transformed relation patterns among family members as well as antidepressant treatment were instrumental in attaining symptom remission.

Knowledge and thresholds for palliative care and surgery among healthcare providers caring for adults with serious illness.

Introduction: Timely palliative care and surgical interventions improve symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and reduce medical cost for seriously ill adults at end of life (EOL). However, there is still poor delivery and underutilization of these palliative services. We hypothesize that the sub-optimal delivery is due to limited understanding among healthcare providers. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional online survey was conducted among primary and tertiary healthcare providers. The survey assessed challenges faced, palliative education, confidence in managing palliative patients, and knowledge on palliative surgery. Overall palliative care awareness and knowledge was assessed using a 6-point score. Likelihood of considering various palliative interventions at EOL was also determined using a threshold score (higher score = higher threshold). Results: There were 145 healthcare providers who completed the survey (81.9% response rate); majority reported significant challenges in providing various aspects of palliative care: 57% (n = 82) in the provision of emotional support. Sixty-nine percent (n = 97) in managing social issues, and 71% (n = 103) in managing family expectations. Most expressed inadequate palliative care training in both under-graduate and post-graduate training and lack confidence in managing EOL issues. Up to 57% had misconceptions regarding potential benefits, morbidity and mortality after palliative surgery. In general, most providers had high thresholds for Intensive Care Unit admissions and palliative surgery, and were more likely to recommend endoscopic or interventional radiology procedures at EOL. Conclusion: Healthcare providers in Singapore have poor knowledge and misconceptions about palliative care and surgery. Improving awareness and education among those caring for seriously ill adults is essential.

Functional transformation of macrophage mitochondria in cardiovascular diseases.

Mitochondria are pivotal in the modulation of macrophage activation, differentiation, and survival. Furthermore, macrophages are instrumental in the onset and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Hence, it is imperative to investigate the role of mitochondria within macrophages in the context of cardiovascular disease. In this review, we provide an updated description of the origin and classification of cardiac macrophages and also focused on the relationship between macrophages and mitochondria in cardiovascular diseases with respect to (1) proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory macrophages, (2) macrophage apoptosis, (3) macrophage pyroptosis, and (4) macrophage efferocytosis. Clarifying the relationship between mitochondria and macrophages can aid the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular disease.

Wide-field swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) in the assessment of retinal vessel density and thickness in 4-to 16-year-old myopic children.

PURPOSE: To analyze the characteristics of macular retinal vessel density and thickness in children with myopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 228 children aged 4-16 years who visited the Ineye Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September 2022 to November 2023 were included. Those with -0.5D < spherical equivalent (SE) < +2.0D were included in the non-myopia group (150 eyes), those with -3.0D < SE ≤ -0.5D were included in the low myopia group (246 eyes), and those with SE ≤ -3.0D were included in the moderate-to-high myopia group (60 eyes). All subjects underwent cycloplegic refraction, IOLmaster500, and Wide-field SS-OCTA (to exclude some peripheral retinal degeneration). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between macular ETDRS subfield of full retinal thickness (FRT), outer, inner retinal thickness (ORT, IRT), retinal vessel density (VD), deep and superficial retinal vessel density (DVD, SVD), and SE, axial length (AL). RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in FRT in the central fovea (1 mm diameter)and perifovea (Diameter 3 to 6 mm) among the non-myopia group, low myopia group, and moderate-to-high myopia group. The three groups also showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in VD in the central fovea and parafovea with a diameter of 1 to 3 mm (except the lower part). In multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for gender and age, SE and AL were found to be correlated with FRT in all ETDRS regions (except the central fovea) (P < 0.01), and SE and AL were correlated with IRT in the central fovea and perifovea, respectively (ß range -2.302 to 1.652; P < 0.05). SE and AL were also correlated with ORT in the parafovea and perifovea, respectively (ß range -4.371 to -2.344; P < 0.05). AL was negatively correlated with VD in the central fovea and parafovea (except the inferior region) (P < 0.05), as well as with DVD in all ETDRS regions (ß range -1.314 to -1.031; P < 0.05). AL was only negatively correlated with SVD in the parafoveal nasal region (ß = -0.633, P < 0.05). Additionally, the correlation between AL and DVD, ORT was higher than that with SVD, IRT. CONCLUSION: The more severe the myopia, the longer the AL, the thinner the FRT in the perifovea, and the lower the VD in both the fovea and parafovea in children. In addition, DVD and ORT were more significantly correlated with AL, suggesting that they may be more closely related to the growth of AL.

Response of microbial communities in aquifers with multiple organic solvent contamination: Implications for MNA remedy.

The application of Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) technology has been widespread, while there is a paucity of data on groundwater with multiple co-contaminants. This study focused on high permeability, low hydraulic gradient groundwater with co-contamination of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX), chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs), and chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons (CPs). The objective was to investigate the responses of microbial communities during natural attenuation processes. Results revealed greater horizontal variation in groundwater microbial community composition compared to vertical variation. The variation was strongly correlated with the total contaminant quantity (r = 0.722, p < 0.001) rather than individual contaminants. BTEX exerted a more significant influence on community diversity than other contaminants. The assembly of groundwater microbial communities was primarily governed by deterministic processes (ßNTI < -2) in high contaminant concentration zones, while stochastic processes (|ßNTI| < 2) dominated in low-concentration zones. Moreover, the microbial interactions shifted at different depths indicating the degradation rate variation in the vertical. This study makes fundamental contribution to the understanding for the effects of groundwater flow and material fields on indigenous microbial communities, which will provide a scientific basis for more precise adoption of microbial stimulation/augmentation to accelerate the rate of contaminant removal.

How long-term PM exposure may affect all-site cancer mortality: Evidence from a large cohort in southern China.

BACKGROUND: Evidence of a potential causal link between long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM) and all-site cancer mortality from large population cohorts remained limited and suffered from residual confounding issues with traditional statistical methods. AIMS: We aimed to examine the potential causal relationship between long-term PM exposure and all-site cancer mortality in South China using causal inference methods. METHODS: We used a cohort in southern China that recruited 580,757 participants from 2009 through 2015 and tracked until 2020. Annual averages of PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 concentrations were generated with validated spatiotemporal models. We employed a causal inference approach, the Marginal Structural Cox model, based on observational data to evaluate the association between long-term exposure to PM and all-site cancer mortality. RESULTS: With an increase of 1 µg/m³ in PM1, PM2.5, and PM10, the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for all-site cancer were 1.033 (95% CI: 1.025-1.041), 1.032 (95% CI: 1.027-1.038), and 1.020 (95% CI: 1.016-1.025), respectively. The HRs (95% CI) for digestive system and respiratory system cancer mortality associated with each 1 µg/m³ increase in PM1 were 1.022 (1.009-1.035) and 1.053 (1.038-1.068), respectively. In addition, inactive participants, who never smoked, or who lived in areas of low surrounding greenness were more susceptible to the effects of PM exposure, the HRs (95% CI) for all-site cancer mortality were 1.042 (1.031-1.053), 1.041 (1.032-1.050), and 1.0473 (1.025-1.070) for every 1 µg/m³ increase in PM1, respectively. The effect of PM1 tended to be more pronounced in the low-exposure group than in the general population, and multiple sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the results. CONCLUSION: This study provided evidence that long-term exposure to PM may elevate the risk of all-site cancer mortality, emphasizing the potential health benefits of improving air quality for cancer prevention.