Hydraulic properties and drought response of a tropical bamboo (Cephalostachyum pergracile).

Bamboo plants are an essential component of tropical ecosystems, yet their vulnerability to climate extremes, such as drought, is poorly understood due to limited knowledge of their hydraulic properties. Cephalostachyum pergracile, a commonly used tropical bamboo species, exhibited a substantially higher mortality rate than other co-occurring bamboos during a severe drought event in 2019, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the leaf and stem hydraulic traits related to drought responses, including leaf-stem embolism resistance (P50leaf; P50stem) estimated using optical and X-ray microtomography methods, leaf pressure-volume and water-releasing curves. Additionally, we investigated the seasonal water potentials, native embolism level (PLC) and xylem water source using stable isotope. We found that C. pergracile exhibited strong resistance to embolism, showing low P50leaf, P50stem, and turgor loss point, despite its rapid leaf water loss. Interestingly, its leaves displayed greater resistance to embolism than its stem, suggesting a lack of effective hydraulic vulnerability segmentation (HVS) to protect the stem from excessive xylem tension. During the dry season, approximately 49% of the water was absorbed from the upper 20-cm-deep soil layer. Consequently, significant diurnal variation in leaf water potentials and an increase in midday PLC from 5.87 ± 2.33% in the wet season to 12.87 ± 4.09% in the dry season were observed. In summary, this study demonstrated that the rapid leaf water loss, high reliance on surface water, and a lack of effective HVS in C. pergracile accelerated water depletion and increased xylem embolism even in the typical dry season, which may explain its high mortality rate during extreme drought events in 2019.

Association between childhood obesity and gut microbiota: 16S rRNA gene sequencing-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify characteristic gut genera in obese and normal-weight children (8-12 years old) using 16S rDNA sequencing. The research aimed to provide insights for mechanistic studies and prevention strategies for childhood obesity. Thirty normal-weight and thirty age- and sex-matched obese children were included. Questionnaires and body measurements were collected, and fecal samples underwent 16S rDNA sequencing. Significant differences in body mass index (BMI) and body-fat percentage were observed between the groups. Analysis of gut microbiota diversity revealed lower α-diversity in obese children. Di-fferences in gut microbiota composition were found between the two groups. Prevotella and Firmicutes were more abundant in the obese group, while Bacteroides and Sanguibacteroides were more prevalent in the control group. AIM: To identify the characteristic gut genera in obese and normal-weight children (8-12-year-old) using 16S rDNA sequencing, and provide a basis for subsequent mechanistic studies and prevention strategies for childhood obesity. METHODS: Thirty each normal-weight, 1:1 matched for age and sex, and obese children, with an obese status from 2020 to 2022, were included in the control and obese groups, respectively. Basic information was collected through questionnaires and body measurements were obtained from both obese and normal-weight children. Fecal samples were collected from both groups and subjected to 16S rDNA sequencing using an Illumina MiSeq sequencing platform for gut microbiota diversity analysis. RESULTS: Significant differences in BMI and body-fat percentage were observed between the two groups. The Ace and Chao1 indices were significantly lower in the obese group than those in the control group, whereas differences were not significant in the Shannon and Simpson indices. Kruskal-Wallis tests indicated significant differences in unweighted and weighted UniFrac distances between the gut microbiota of normal-weight and obese children (P < 0.01), suggesting substantial disparities in both the species and quantity of gut microbiota between the two groups. Prevotella, Firmicutes, Bacteroides, and Sanguibacteroides were more abundant in the obese and control groups, respectively. Heatmap results demonstrated significant differences in the gut microbiota composition between obese and normal-weight children. CONCLUSION: Obese children exhibited lower α-diversity in their gut microbiota than did the normal-weight children. Significant differences were observed in the composition of gut microbiota between obese and normal-weight children.

Outdoor gardening activity with different frequency and duration may be associated with reduction of total and cause-specific mortality risk for general U.S. adults: Findings from the NHANES.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Engaging in recommended levels of physical activity (PA) is associated with reduced overall and cause-specific mortality rates. Our study aims to examine the relationship between gardening-specific PA and all-cause and cause-specific mortality based on representative U.S. adults. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 13,812 adults representing 663.5 million non-institutionalized U.S. adults were included in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Self-reported gardening activity (GA) was assessed by a validated questionnaire, and outcomes of interest were all-cause mortality and mortality specific to certain causes. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using survey-multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. During a median follow-up period of 16.8 years (Interquartile range = 14.8-18.7), there were 3,476 deaths. After adjusting for potential covariates, we found that participants exposed to GA were more likely to have a lower risk of total mortality [HR (95% CI): 0.76 (0.68, 0.85), P-value < 0.001], cancer-specific mortality [HR (95% CI): 0.81 (0.67, 0.99), P-value < 0.05], cardiovascular disease mortality [HR (95% CI): 0.65 (0.53, 0.80), P-value < 0.001], and respiratory disease mortality [HR (95% CI): 0.66 (0.45, 0.98), P-value < 0.05], compared to those without GA exposure. Furthermore, engaging in GA more frequently and for longer durations was significantly associated with a lower total mortality risk. CONCLUSION: Our study provides evidence that engaging in GA is associated with a decreased risk of overall and cause-specific mortality. However, further longitudinal or interventional studies are needed to investigate the potential benefits of GA.

Cumulative inequality in social determinants of health in relation to depression symptom: An analysis of nationwide cross-sectional data from U.S. NHANES 2005-2018.

Social determinants of health (SDoH) have been linked to a higher likelihood of experiencing mental health problems. This study aimed to investigate whether the accumulation of unfavorable SDoH is associated with depression symptom. Data was gathered from a representative population participating in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey spanning from 2005 to 2018. Self-reported SDoH were operationalized according to the criteria outlined in Healthy People 2030, with a cumulative measure of unfavorable SDoH calculated for analysis. The presence of depression symptom was identified using the Patient Health Questionnaire in a representative sample of 30,762 participants (49.2 % males) representing 1,392 million non-institutionalized U.S. adults, with 2,675 (8.7 %) participants showing depression symptom. Unfavorable SDoH were found to be significantly and independently associated with depression symptom. Individuals facing multiple unfavorable SDoHs were more likely to experience depression symptom (P for trend < 0.001). For instance, a positive association was observed in participants exposed to six or more unfavorable SDoHs with depression symptom (AOR = 3.537, 95 % CI: 1.781, 7.075, P-value < 0.001). The findings emphasize that the likelihood of developing depression symptom significantly increases when multiple SDoHs are present, compared to just a single SDoH.

Effects of lianas on forest biogeochemistry during their lives and afterlives.

Climate change and other anthropogenic disturbances are increasing liana abundance and biomass in many tropical and subtropical forests. While the effects of living lianas on species diversity, ecosystem carbon, and nutrient dynamics are receiving increasing attention, the role of dead lianas in forest ecosystems has been little studied and is poorly understood. Trees and lianas coexist as the major woody components of forests worldwide, but they have very different ecological strategies, with lianas relying on trees for mechanical support. Consequently, trees and lianas have evolved highly divergent stem, leaf, and root traits. Here we show that this trait divergence is likely to persist after death, into the afterlives of these organs, leading to divergent effects on forest biogeochemistry. We introduce a conceptual framework combining horizontal, vertical, and time dimensions for the effects of liana proliferation and liana tissue decomposition on ecosystem carbon and nutrient cycling. We propose a series of empirical studies comparing traits between lianas and trees to answer questions concerning the influence of trait afterlives on the decomposability of liana and tree organs. Such studies will increase our understanding of the contribution of lianas to terrestrial biogeochemical cycling, and help predict the effects of their increasing abundance.

Contribution of individual and cumulative social determinants of health underlying gender disparities in periodontitis in a representative US population: A cross-sectional NHANES study.

AIM: To examine the impact of both individual and cumulative social determinants of health (SDoH) on the likelihood of developing periodontitis, while also exploring any gender disparities in this relationship. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of self-reported SDoH domains and sub-items based on Healthy People 2030 were obtained from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys between 1999 and 2014. Logistic regression models, weighted by survey responses, were used to examine the relationship between SDoH (including eight sub-items and the cumulative number of unfavourable SDoH) and periodontitis. The results were further analysed by gender. RESULTS: A total of 18,075 participants (8867 males and 9208 females) were included in the main analysis, of which 5814 (32.2%) had periodontitis. The study found that certain unfavourable SDoH were individually associated with higher odds of periodontitis, and the cumulative number of unfavourable SDoH was positively linked to the odds of developing periodontitis. Furthermore, males exposed to more unfavourable SDoH appeared to be more susceptible to developing periodontitis than females. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that unfavourable SDoH, especially when they accumulate, are associated with an increased odds of periodontitis and contribute to gender disparities within the U.S.

Sexual orientation disparities in the prevalence of suicidal ideation among U.S adults aged 20 to 59 years: Results from NHANES 2005-2016.

Existing studies have been limited in providing nationally representative data on the relationship between sexual orientation and suicidal ideation (SI) among adults in the U.S. particularly in terms of gender and racial differences. To fill this research gap, we conducted a study using data from the NHANES conducted between 2005 and 2016. Survey-weighted logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationship between sexual orientation and SI risk. Additionally, we performed further analysis by stratifying the data based on demographic variables and performed sensitivity analysis to ensure the reliability of our findings. This study included a weighted sample of 16,564 adults, representing a noninstitutionalized U.S population of 840.1 million. The overall age-adjusted prevalence of SI was found to be 3.5 %. After adjusting for relevant covariates, the study revealed that individuals who identified as something else, homosexual, and bisexual had a higher prevalence risk of suicidal ideation (SI) compared to heterosexual participants. Additionally, the study found that heterosexual participants were 74.4 % less likely to experience SI compared to bisexual individuals. These findings highlight the urgent requirement for inclusive and supportive prevention strategies to effectively address SI among adult sexual minorities in the U.S.

Leaf nitrogen and phosphorus resorption efficiencies are related to drought resistance across woody species in a Chinese savanna.

Leaf nutrient resorption and drought resistance are crucial for the growth and survival of plants. However, our understanding of the relationships between leaf nutrient resorption and plant drought resistance is still limited. In this study, we investigated the nitrogen and phosphorus resorption efficiencies (NRE and PRE), leaf structural traits, leaf osmotic potential at full hydration (Ψosm), xylem water potential at 50% loss of xylem-specific hydraulic conductivity (P50) and seasonal minimum water potential (Ψmin) for 18 shrub and tree species in a semiarid savanna ecosystem, in Southwest China. Our results showed that NRE and PRE exhibited trade-off against drought resistance traits (Ψosm and P50) across woody species. Moreover, this relationship was modulated by leaf structural investment. Species with low structural investment (e.g., leaf mass per area, leaf dry mass content and leaf construction cost [LCC]) tend to have high NRE and PRE, while those with high LCCs show high drought resistance, showing more negative Ψosm and P50.These results indicate that species with a lower leaf structural investment may have a greater need to recycle their nutrients, thus exhibiting higher nutrient resorption efficiencies, and vice versa. In conclusion, nutrient resorption efficiency may be a crucial adaptation strategy for coexisting plants in semiarid ecosystems, highlighting the importance of understanding the complex relationships between nutrient cycling and plant survival strategies.

Advances in Research on Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 2: Functions and Diseases.

Protein arginine methylation stands as a prevalent post-translational modification process, exerting vital roles in cellular signal transduction, gene expression, and cell cycle regulation. Amidst the protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) family, PRMT2 stands as a less explored constituent. Nonetheless, its regulatory roles in transcriptional regulation, post-transcriptional modification, methylation activity regulation, immunoregulation, and developmental regulation have garnered attention. These capabilities enable PRMT2 to exert pivotal regulatory functions in certain malignancies, metabolic disorders, inflammatory diseases, and atherosclerosis. In this review, we highlight the structure and functions of PRMT2, emphasizing its association with diseases. We also discuss PRMT2 inhibitors and explore the potential for therapeutic targeting.

Synergistic impact of co-exposures to whole blood metals on chronic kidney disease in general US adults: a cross­sectional study of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2020.

The impact of exposure to metals on chronic kidney disease (CKD) has only been investigated in two-way or single metal interactions in previous studies. We investigated the associations between five single metals in blood and their mixed exposure and CKD by using the machine learning approach. Relevant data were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2011-2020), and the level of five metals in blood detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was considered as exposures, namely, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), total mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), and selenium (Se). The correlations between individual metal and metal mixtures and CKD were then evaluated by survey-multivariable logistic regression (SMLR), generalized weighted quantile sum (WQS), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). Altogether, our study included 12,412 participants representing 572.6 million non-institutionalized US adults. Several single metals with the high quartile of exposure showed a positive association with the CKD ratio including Cd [(AOR = 1.873, 95% CI: 1.537, 2.284), Q4], Pb [(AOR = 1.559, 95% CI: 1.295, 1.880), Q4], and total Hg [(AOR = 1.169, 95% CI: 1.018, 1.343), Q2], while Mn [(AOR = 0.796, 95% CI: 0.684, 0.927), Q2] and Se [(AOR = 0.805, 95% CI: 0.664, 0.976), Q4] were negatively associated with the CKD ratio. In light of the positive fit of the WQS regression model, a significantly positive correlation was found between mixed metals and CKD (AOR = 1.373, 95% CI: 1.224, 1.539) after full covariate adjustment, and a similar finding was also detected in the BKMR model. Our study revealed that each single metal including Cd, Pb, and total Hg might have a positive association with CKD while this association was negative for both Mn and Se. The five metals might have a positive joint effect on CKD.

Hydraulic traits and photosynthesis are coordinated with trunk sapwood capacitance in tropical tree species.

Water stored in trunk sapwood is vital for the canopy to maintain its physiological function under high transpiration demands. Little is known regarding the anatomical properties that contribute to the hydraulic capacitance of tree trunks and whether trunk capacitance is correlated with the hydraulic and gas exchange traits of canopy branches. We examined sapwood capacitance, xylem anatomical characteristics of tree trunks, embolism resistance, the minimal xylem water potential of canopy branches, leaf photosynthesis and stomatal conductance in 22 species from a tropical seasonal rainforest and savanna. The results showed that the mean trunk sapwood capacitance did not differ between the two biomes. Capacitance was closely related to the fiber lumen fraction and fiber wall reinforcement and not to the axial and ray parenchyma fractions. Additionally, it was positively correlated with the theoretical hydraulic conductivity of a trunk and the specific hydraulic conductivity of branches, and showed a trade-off with branch embolism resistance. Species with a high trunk sapwood capacitance maintained less negative canopy water potentials in the dry season, but higher leaf photosynthetic rates and stomatal conductance in the wet season. This study provides a functional link among trunk sapwood capacitance, xylem anatomy, canopy hydraulics and photosynthesis in tropical trees.

Whether weekend warrior activity and other leisure-time physical activity pattern reduce the risk of depression symptom in the representative adults? A population-based analysis of NHANES 2007-2020.

BACKGROUND: The rapid pace of life nowadays has seen a gradual increase in public involvement in weekend warrior (WW), a physical activity (PA) pattern that allows people to exercise once or twice a week, the recommended moderate-to-vigorous PA per week, since regular PA takes much time. We aim at exploring the effect of WW activity and other PA patterns on depression symptoms in U.S adults. METHODS: The level of PA was measured by self-reporting activity patterns, (inactive, insufficiently active, WW and regularly active). Participants with Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores above 10 are considered to have depression symptoms. RESULTS: A weighted sample of 23,258 participants representing 1049.8 million non-institutionalized U.S adults aged from 20 to 80. Compared with the inactive group, general adults who met the PA guidelines with PA once or twice per week [WW, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.790, 95%CI: 0.638, 0.987] or more frequent PA [Regularly active, (AOR = 0.761, 95%CI: 0.671, 0.864)], were inversely associated with depression symptoms, while the association has not been observed in adults with insufficiently active PA (AOR = 0.892, 95%CI: 0.783, 1.017). Increase in minutes, sessions and intensity of PA in regularly active and WW groups brought additional benefits for depression symptoms. CONCLUSION: WW and other equivalent PA intensities patterns may be sufficient to reduce the risk of depression symptom. With the same recommended levels of PA, whether spread over the week or done in fewer days, adults may achieve the same benefits.

Joint effect of whole blood metals exposure with dyslipidemia in representative US adults in NHANES 2011-2020.

With little knowledge on the joint effects of metal exposure on dyslipidemia, we aimed to investigate the relationship between exposure to metal and dyslipidemia among US adults based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Based on the five NHANES waves (2011-2020), we selected five metals in blood as exposure, namely, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), total mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), and selenium (Se), which were detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Survey-multivariable logistic regression, generalized weighted quantile sum (WQS), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were performed to determine whether dyslipidemia was associated with single metals or mixed metals. Our study included 12,526 participants aged from 20 to 80, representing 577.1 million non-institutionalized US adults. We found a positive association between several metals including Pb [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.332, 95%CI: 1.165, 1.522], total Hg (AOR = 1.264, 95%CI: 1.120, 1.427), Mn (AOR = 1.181, 95%CI: 1.046, 1.334), and Se (AOR = 1.771, 95%CI: 1.576, 1.992) and dyslipidemia. According to the WQS approach, metal mixtures were positively associated with dyslipidemia (AOR: 1.310, 95%CI: 1.216, 1.411) after a full-model adjustment. As is shown in the BKMR model, mixed metals tended to be positively associated with dyslipidemia ratios in a significant manner. Females, non-Hispanic White populations, people aged over 60, and those who did a little physical activity had a greater risk for dyslipidemia. Our findings suggest metals including Cd, Pb, Hg, Mn, and Se and their combinations may adversely affect dyslipidemia among US adults. Due to the cross-sectional nature of the study, it is possible that reverse causation may exist.

Biomarkers of organophosphate insecticides exposure and asthma in general US adults: findings from NHANES 1999-2018 data.

The limited evidence linking exposure to organophosphate insecticides (OPIs) and asthma in the general population prompted us to investigate this association. Our study focused on US adults and utilized representative samples from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). From the 7 NHANES waves (1999-2018), we detected OPIs exposure using the urinary concentrations of six metabolites of dialkyl phosphates (DAPs). To evaluate the relationship between these OPIs and asthma, we employed three statistical methods: survey-multivariable logistic regression (SMLR), generalized weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). Stratified analyses were done based on the relevant variable subgroups, and sensitivity analyses were carried out to evaluate the robustness of findings. A total of 6009 adults aged from 20 to 85 years old, representing the 313.5 million adults in the non-institutionalized US population, were included in our analyses. Among them, 842 participants were determined as asthma patients with an age-adjusted prevalence of 14.2%. Our results showed that dimethyl phosphate (DMP) (adjusted odd ratio (AOR) = 1.471, 95% CI: 1.086, 1.993), diethyl phosphate (DEP) (AOR = 1.453, 95% CI: 1.118, 1.888), dimethyl thiophosphate (DMTP) (AOR = 1.454, 95% CI: 1.071, 1.973), and dimethyl dithiophosphate (DMDTP) (AOR = 1.478, 95% CI: 1.119, 1.953) had a positive correlation with asthma in adults. This association was stronger in females, non-Hispanic White populations and those with a small amount of physical activity. Our study findings indicated that exposure to OPIs may elevate the risk of asthma in US general adults. Specifically, females, individuals from non-Hispanic White backgrounds, and those with lower levels of physical activity are more susceptible to developing asthma when exposed to OPIs.

Can leaf drought tolerance predict species abundance and its changes in tropical-subtropical forests?

Climate change has resulted in an increase in drought severity in the species-rich tropical and subtropical forests of southern China. Exploring the spatiotemporal relationship between drought-tolerance trait and tree abundance provides a means to elucidate the impact of droughts on community assembly and dynamics. In this study, we measured the leaf turgor loss point (πtlp) for 399 tree species from three tropical forest plots and three subtropical forest plots. The plot area was 1 ha and tree abundance was calculated as total basal area per hectare according to the nearest community census data. The first aim of this study was to explore πtlp abundance relationships in the six plots across a range of precipitation seasonality. Additionally, three of the six plots (two tropical forests and one subtropical forest) had consecutive community censuses data (12-22 years) and the mortality ratios and abundance year slope of tree species were analyzed. The second aim was to examine whether πtlp is a predictor of tree mortality and abundance changes. Our results showed that tree species with lower (more negative) πtlp were more abundant in the tropical forests with relative high seasonality. However, πtlp was not related to tree abundance in the subtropical forests with low seasonality. Moreover, πtlp was not a good predictor of tree mortality and abundance changes in both humid and dry forests. This study reveals the restricted role of πtlp in predicting the response of forests to increasing droughts under climate change.

Findings of indoor air pollution and childhood obesity in a cross-sectional study of Chinese schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: Air pollution exposures are increasingly suspected to influence the development of childhood adiposity, especially focusing on outdoor exposure, but few studies investigated indoor exposure and childhood obesity. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to examine the association between exposure to multiple indoor air pollutants and childhood obesity in Chinese schoolchildren. METHODS: In 2019, we recruited 6499 children aged 6-12 years from five Chinese elementary schools in Guangzhou, China. We measured age-sex-specific body mass index z score (z-BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) on standard procedures. Four different indoor air pollution (IAP) exposures, including cooking oil fumes (COFs), home decoration, secondhand smoke (SHS), and incense burning, were collected by questionnaire and then converted into an IAP exposure index with four categories. Association between indoor air pollutants and childhood overweight/obesity as well as four obese anthropometric indices were assessed by logistic regression models and multivariable linear regression models, respectively. RESULTS: Children exposed to ≥3 types of indoor air pollutants had higher z-BMI (coefficient [ß]:0.142, 95% confidence interval [CI]:0.011-0.274) and higher risk of overweight/obesity (odd ratio [OR]:1.27, 95%CI:1.01-1.60). And a dose-response relationship was discovered between the IAP exposure index and z-BMI as well as overweight/obesity (pfor trend<0.05). We also found that exposure to SHS and COFs was positively associated with z-BMI and overweight/obesity (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was a significant interaction between SHS exposure and COFs on the higher risk of overweight/obesity among schoolchildren. Boys appear more susceptible to multiple indoor air pollutants than girls. CONCLUSIONS: Indoor air pollution exposures were positively associated with higher obese anthropometric indices and increased odds of overweight/obesity in Chinese schoolchildren. More well-designed cohort studies are needed to verify our results.

Physical Activity Interventions to Alleviate Depressive Symptoms in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance: Depression is the second most prevalent mental disorder among children and adolescents, yet only a small proportion seek or receive disorder-specific treatment. Physical activity interventions hold promise as an alternative or adjunctive approach to clinical treatment for depression. Objective: To determine the association of physical activity interventions with depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. Data Sources: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and SPORTDiscus were searched from inception to February 2022 for relevant studies written in English, Chinese, or Italian. Study Selection: Two independent researchers selected studies that assessed the effects of physical activity interventions on depressive symptoms in children and adolescents compared with a control condition. Data Extraction and Synthesis: A random-effects meta-analysis using Hedges g was performed. Heterogeneity, risk of bias, and publication bias were assessed independently by multiple reviewers. Meta-regressions and sensitivity analyses were conducted to substantiate the overall results. The study followed the PRISMA reporting guideline. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcome was depressive symptoms as measured by validated depression scales at postintervention and follow-up. Results: Twenty-one studies involving 2441 participants (1148 [47.0%] boys; 1293 [53.0%] girls; mean [SD] age, 14 [3] years) were included. Meta-analysis of the postintervention differences revealed that physical activity interventions were associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms compared with the control condition (g = -0.29; 95% CI, -0.47 to -0.10; P = .004). Analysis of the follow-up outcomes in 4 studies revealed no differences between the physical activity and control groups (g = -0.39; 95% CI, -1.01 to 0.24; P = .14). Moderate study heterogeneity was detected (Q = 53.92; df = 20; P < .001; I2 = 62.9% [95% CI, 40.7%-76.8%]). The primary moderator analysis accounting for total physical activity volume, study design, participant health status, and allocation and/or assessment concealment did not moderate the main treatment effect. Secondary analyses demonstrated that intervention (ie, <12 weeks in duration, 3 times per week, unsupervised) and participant characteristics (ie, aged ≥13 years, with a mental illness and/or depression diagnosis) may influence the overall treatment effect. Conclusions and Relevance: Physical activity interventions may be used to reduce depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. Greater reductions in depressive symptoms were derived from participants older than 13 years and with a mental illness and/or depression diagnosis. The association with physical activity parameters such as frequency, duration, and supervision of the sessions remains unclear and needs further investigation.

Impact of inflammatory factors, hemoglobin A1c, and platelet parameters in gestational diabetes mellitus.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship among inflammatory cytokines including hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and platelet distribution width (PDW) in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: Data on 191 pregnant women (96 women with GDM; 95 healthy controls) were extracted from routine prenatal examination records in Nanjing, China. Fasting concentrations of hs-CRP, IL-6, HbA1c, blood cell indices, and glucose at 24-28th gestational weeks were determined. RESULTS: The levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, FPG, PG1h, PG2h, HbA1c, RBC, and PDW significantly were increased (P < 0.05) in GDM group. hs-CRP had a positive correlation with HbA1c and PLT (P < 0.05). The odds ratios of HbA1c and PDW were 7.817 (95% CI 1.921-31.816, P = 0.004) and 1.523 (95% CI 1.158-2.002, P = 0.003), respectively. Furthermore, AUC of the combined diagnosis of GDM including HbA1c, FPG, and PDW reached 0.754, with specificity of 80.0% and sensitivity of 60.4%. CONCLUSION: Our findings support that elevated levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, HbA1c, and PDW at 24-28th gestational weeks even within the conventional normal range, may be implicated in the pathogenesis of GDM and their evaluation should be part of prenatal care routine.

Chronic exposure to indoor air pollutants in association with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in Chinese schoolchildren: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: While increasing studies confirmed the adverse effects of indoor air pollution (IAP) on cardiopulmonary systems, less is known about the impact of IAP on child's brain. OBJECTIVE: To explore the associations between multiple indoor air pollutants exposures and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in Chinese schoolchildren. METHODS: We invited 8630 individuals aged 6-12 years from an ongoing school-based cohort study across Guangzhou from April to May 2019. There are 7495 and 7245 children were respectively evaluated on the parent- and teacher-rated Conner's Rating Scale-Revised, and 7087 children were assessed on both versions. Indoor air pollutants exposures including cooking oil fumes, incense burning, home renovation, and secondhand smoke, were measured using a questionnaire reported by parents and children, and further converted into an index. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were performed to evaluate the associations between indoor air pollutants exposures and ADHD index and the presence of ADHD symptoms. RESULTS: As reported by parents, 321 (4.3%) children had ADHD symptoms. Each of the four pollutants was positively associated with higher ADHD index and higher odds of ADHD symptoms. Children exposed to 1, 2, and ≥ 3 types of indoor air pollutants had higher ADHD index and higher odds of ADHD symptoms than those non-exposed children. For parent-reported ADHD symptoms, the odds ratios ranged from 1.24 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.92-1.67] to 2.73 (95% CI: 1.86-4.01). These associations were consistent in parent- and teacher-reported ADHD symptoms, and the combination of both. CONCLUSION: Indoor air pollutants exposures were positively associated with higher prevalence of children's ADHD symptoms assessed by whether parents or teachers.