Ozone pollution and hospital admissions for cardiovascular events.

AIMS: The available literature on morbidity risk of cardiovascular diseases associated with ambient ozone pollution is still limited. This study examined the potential acute effects of exposure to ambient ozone pollution on hospital admissions of cardiovascular events in China. METHODS AND RESULTS: A two-stage multi-city time-series study approach was used to explore the associations of exposure to ambient ozone with daily hospital admissions (n = 6 444 441) for cardiovascular events in 70 Chinese cities of prefecture-level or above during 2015-17. A 10 µg/m3 increment in 2-day average daily 8 h maximum ozone concentrations was associated with admission risk increases of 0.46% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.28%, 0.64%] in coronary heart disease, 0.45% (95% CI: 0.13%, 0.77%) in angina pectoris, 0.75% (95% CI: 0.38%, 1.13%) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 0.70% (95% CI: 0.41%, 1.00%) in acute coronary syndrome, 0.50% (95% CI: 0.24%, 0.77%) in heart failure, 0.40% (95% CI: 0.23%, 0.58%) in stroke and 0.41% (95% CI: 0.22%, 0.60%) in ischemic stroke, respectively. The excess admission risks for these cardiovascular events associated with high ozone pollution days (with 2-day average 8-h maximum concentrations ≥100 µg/m3 vs. < 70 µg/m3) ranged from 3.38% (95% CI: 1.73%, 5.06%) for stroke to 6.52% (95% CI: 2.92%, 10.24%) for AMI. CONCLUSION: Ambient ozone was associated with increased hospital admission risk for cardiovascular events. Greater admission risks for cardiovascular events were observed under high ozone pollution days. These results provide evidence for the harmful cardiovascular effects of ambient ozone and call for special attention on the control of high ozone pollution.

Ambient PM2.5 components and prevalence of chronic kidney disease: a nationwide cross-sectional survey in China.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health concern, and accumulating evidence has indicated that air pollution increases the odds of CKD. However, a limited number of studies have examined the long-term effects of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) components on the risk of CKD among general population; thus, major knowledge gaps remain. METHODS: Using data from a nationwide representative cross-sectional survey in China and a validated PM2.5 composition dataset, we established generalized linear models to quantify the association between five major components of PM2.5 and CKD prevalence. RESULTS: There were significant associations between long-term exposure to three PM2.5 components [including black carbon (BC), sulfate (SO42-), organic matter (OM)] and increased odds of CKD prevalence. Along with an interquartile range (IQR) increment in BC (3.3 µg/m3), SO42- (9.7 µg/m3), and OM (16.2 µg/m3) at a 4-year moving average, the odds ratios (ORs) for CKD prevalence were 1.28 (95% CI 1.07, 1.54), 1.23 (95% CI 1.03, 1.45), and 1.23 (95% CI 1.02, 1.47), respectively. We did not detect any significant association of the other two PM2.5 components [nitrate (NO3-) or ammonium (NH4+)] with CKD prevalence. Stratified analyses revealed no differences (P ≥ 0.05) in the effect estimates of subgroups based on administrative region, sex, age, and other demographic characteristics. For instance, along with an IQR increment in BC at a 4-year moving average, the ORs of CKD prevalence among males and females were 1.30 (95% CI 0.98, 1.73) and 1.29 (95% CI 1.01, 1.65), respectively. The odds of CKD were generally higher with increasing PM2.5 composition concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that long-term exposure to specific PM2.5 components including BC, SO42-, and OM increased CKD risk in the general population. This study could provide new insights into source-directed PM2.5 control and CKD prevention.

Preclinical evaluation of Mito-LND, a targeting mitochondrial metabolism inhibitor, for glioblastoma treatment.

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a brain tumor with the highest level of malignancy and the worst prognosis in the central nervous system. Mitochondrial metabolism plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of cancer, which provides critical substances to support tumor anabolism. Mito-LND is a novel small-molecule inhibitor that can selectively inhibit the energy metabolism of tumor cells. However, the therapeutic effect of Mito-LND on GBM remains unclear. METHODS: The present study evaluated the inhibitory effect of Mito-LND on the growth of GBM cells and elucidated its potential mechanism. RESULTS: The results showed that Mito-LND could inhibit the survival, proliferation and colony formation of GBM cells. Moreover, Mito-LND induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Mechanistically, Mito-LND inhibited the activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, thus promoting ROS generation. Importantly, Mito-LND could inhibit the malignant proliferation of GBM by blocking the Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway. In vivo experiments showed that Mito-LND inhibited the growth of GBM xenografts in mice and significantly prolonged the survival time of tumor-bearing mice. CONCLUSION: Taken together, the current findings support that targeting mitochondrial metabolism may be as a potential and promising strategy for GBM therapy, which will lay the theoretical foundation for further clinical trials on Mito-LND in the future.

Long-term exposures to ambient particulate matter and ozone pollution with lower extremity deep vein thrombosis after surgical operations: a retrospective case-control study in Beijing, China.

BACKGROUND: Lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (LEDVT) after surgical operations is a common and fatal disease leading to unfavorable outcomes including death. Nevertheless, there has been insufficient evidence on the associations between ambient air pollution and LEDVT, particularly studies from developing regions. METHODS: Based on 302 LEDVT cases and 302 controls in a general hospital in Beijing, China, this unmatched retrospective case-control study investigated the associations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), inhalable particulate matter (PM10), and ozone (O3) with odds of LEDVT. RESULTS: Per 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5, PM10, and O3 at 3-month, 6-month, and 2-year average was associated with increased LEDVT odds [odds ratios (ORs) for PM2.5: 1.10 (95%CI: 1.05, 1.14), 1.14 (95%CI: 1.09, 1.18), and 1.30 (95%CI: 1.06, 1.61); ORs for PM10: 1.06 (95%CI: 1.02, 1.10), 1.12 (95%CI: 1.08, 1.16), and 1.29 (95%CI: 1.03, 1.61); ORs for O3: 1.00 (95%CI: 0.96, 1.04), 1.16 (95%CI: 1.02, 1.31), and 2.08 (95%CI: 1.03, 4.18), respectively]. The stratified analyses, exposure-responses curves, and sensitivity analyses further highlighted the robustness of our findings. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term exposures to ambient PM2.5, PM10, and O3 may increase the risk of LEDVT in patients after surgical operations. The results may be implicated in the prevention and control of adverse clinical outcomes of surgical patients associated with ambient air pollution.

Association between short-term exposure to ambient air pollution and biomarkers of coagulation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Ambient air pollution is one of the major global risk factors for cardiovascular health, and coagulation changes have been proposed to mediate this risk. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), von Willebrand factor (vWF), soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin) and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) are major coagulation biomarkers. However, there has been no systematic meta-analysis to summarize associations of ambient air pollution with these coagulation biomarkers. To assess the overall associations between ambient particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and major coagulation biomarkers including PAI-1, vWF, sP-selectin and t-PA based on the existing epidemiological research. We performed a systematic literature search of publications reporting the associations of ambient air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, O3, NO2, and CO) with coagulation biomarkers (PAI-1, vWF, sP-selectin and t-PA) in PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Scopus databases as of April 5, 2022. Then, we performed a random-effect meta-analysis, which included 27 articles, and then identified the potential sources of heterogeneity. The pooled percent changes of coagulation biomarkers per 10 µg/m3 increase in short-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 were 2.43% (95% CI: 0.59%, 4.29%) in PAI-1, 1.08% (95% CI: 0.21%, 1.96%) in vWF and 1.14% (95% CI: 0.59%, 1.68%) in sP-selectin, respectively. We also found significant associations of short-term exposure to ambient O3 with PAI-1 (1.62%, 95% CI: 0.01%, 3.25%), sP-selectin (9.59%, 95% CI:2.78%, 16.86%) and t-PA (0.45%, 95% CI: 0.02%, 0.88%), respectively. Short-term exposures to ambient PM10, NO2 and CO were not significantly associated with changes in coagulation biomarkers. In conclusion, short-term exposures to PM2.5 and O3 are associated with significant increases in coagulation biomarkers, suggesting an activated coagulation state upon air pollution exposure.

Co-exposure to multiple air pollutants and sleep disordered breathing in patients with or without obstructive sleep apnea: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Air pollution may be a contributing risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the health effects of co-exposure to multiple air pollutants on OSA patients remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: To assess the joint effect of multi-pollutant on sleep disordered breathing (SDB) parameters in patients with or without OSA and identify the dominant pollutants. METHODS: A total of 2524 outpatients from April 2020 to May 2021 were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Ambient air pollutant data were obtained from the nearest central monitoring stations to participants' residential address. SDB parameters were measured by the ApneaLink devices, including apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), hypopnea index (HI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI), average oxygen saturation (SpO2), percentage sleep time with <90% saturation (T90), and desaturation. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) was applied to evaluate the effects of multiple pollutants. RESULTS: Significant associations were observed between air pollutants and SDB parameters (including increases in AHI, HI, ODI, and desaturation) among patients with OSA. Co-exposure to air pollutants was positively correlated with AHI, HI, and ODI. PM10 and O3 dominated the effects of pollutant mixtures on OSA, with the highest posterior inclusion probability (PIP) values of 0.592 and 0.640, respectively. Stratified analysis showed that, compared to male patients with OSA, stronger effects on the SDB parameters were observed in female patients. Stronger associations were also found in the warm season than those in the cold season. CONCLUSION: Co-exposure to air pollutants was associated with SDB parameters among patients with OSA, PM10 and O3 might play the dominant roles.

Associations between personal noise exposure and heart rate variability were modified by obesity and PM2.5: The study among obese and normal-weight adults (SONA).

Noise pollution has been documented to increase the risks of cardiovascular disorders, which can be predicted by heart rate variability (HRV), nevertheless, there has been limited evidence on the modifiers of noise pollution. Environmental fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and obesity status are both growing major concerns of cardiovascular disease burden. Our study aims to investigate whether these two factors may modify the associations between noise exposure and HRV indices. An investigation was performed on 97 (53 normal-weight and 44 obese) participants aged 18-26 years, with continuous 5-min personal exposure assessment and ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring for 24 h. This study found that personal exposure to noise was associated with decreased HRV level and imbalanced cardiac autonomic function, as indicated by decreases in standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), square root of the mean squared differences of successive intervals (rMSSD), the percentage of R-R intervals that differ from each other by more than 50 ms (pNN50), low-frequency (LF) power, high-frequency (HF) power, and increases in LF-HF-Ratio. Stronger associations between personal noise exposure and HRV indices were observed among obese participants and participants with higher PM2.5 exposure levels compared to their counterparts. For SDNN, a 1 dB(A) increment in personal noise exposure at 3h-average was associated with a 1.25% (95%CI: -1.64%, -0.86%) decrease among obese participants, and a 0.11% (95%CI: -0.38%, 0.16%) decrease among normal-weight participants (P for subgroup difference<0.001); and a 0.87% (95%CI: -1.20%, -0.54%) decrease among participants with higher PM2.5 exposure levels, and a 0.22% (95%CI: -0.58%, 0.14%) decrease among participants with lower PM2.5 exposure levels (P for subgroup difference = 0.008). Obesity and PM2.5 may aggravate the adverse effects of noise on HRV, which has implications for targeted prevention of cardiovascular disease burden associated with noise pollution.

Ambient particulate air pollution, blood cell parameters, and effect modification by psychosocial stress: Findings from two studies in three major Chinese cities.

The associations between particulate matter (PM) exposure, psychosocial stress and blood cell parameters are bringing novel insights to characterize the early damage of multiple diseases. Based on two studies conducted in three Chinses cities using cross-sectional (Beijing, 425 participants) and panel study (Tianjin and Shanghai, 92 participants with 361 repeated measurements) designs, this study explored the associations between short-term exposure to ambient PM and blood cell parameters, and the effect modification by psychosocial stress. Increasing PM2.5 exposure was significantly associated with decreases in red blood cell (RBC) count and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and increases in mean corpuscular volume (MCV), platelets count (PLT) and platelet hematocrit (PCT) in both studies. For instance, a 10 µg/m3 increment in PM2.5 concentration was associated with a 1.04% (95%CI: 0.16%, 1.92%) increase in PLT (4-d) and a 1.09% (95%CI: 0.31%, 1.87%) increase in PCT (4-d) in the cross-sectional study, and a 0.64% (95%CI: 0.06%, 1.22%) increase in PLT (1-d) and a 0.72% (95%CI: 0.33%, 1.11%) increase in PCT (1-d) in the panel study, respectively. In addition, stronger increases in MCV, PLT, and PCT associated with PM2.5 exposure were found in higher psychosocial stress group compared to lower psychosocial stress group (p for interaction <0.10), indicating that blood cell parameters of individuals with higher psychosocial stress might be more susceptible to the early damages of PM2.5 exposure.

Effects of ambient temperature on hospital admissions for obstructive nephropathy in Wuhan, China: A time-series analysis.

Under the background of global warming, it has been confirmed that heat exposure has a huge impact on human health. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of daily mean ambient temperature on hospital admissions for obstructive nephropathy (ON) at the population level. A total of 19,494 hospitalization cases for ON in Wuhan, China from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018 were extracted from a nationwide inpatient database in tertiary hospitals according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)- 10 codes. Daily ambient meteorological and pollution data during the same period were also collected. A quasi-Poisson Generalized Linear Model (GLM) combined with a distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) was applied to analyze the lag-exposure-response relationship between daily mean temperature and daily hospital admissions for ON. Results showed that there were significantly positive associations between the daily mean temperature and ON hospital admissions. Relative to the minimum-risk temperature (-3.4 â„ƒ), the risk of hospital admissions for ON at moderate hot temperature (25 â„ƒ, 75th percentile) occurred from lag day 4 and stayed to lag day 12 (cumulative relative risk [RR] was 1.846, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.135-3.005, over lag 0-12 days). Moreover, the risk of extreme hot temperature (32 â„ƒ, 99th percentile) appeared immediately and lasted for 8 days (RR = 2.019, 95 % CI: 1.308-3.118, over lag 0-8 days). Subgroup analyses indicated that the middle-aged and elderly (≥45 years) patients might be more susceptible to the negative effects of high temperature, especially at moderate hot conditions. Our findings suggest that temperature may have a significant impact on the acute progression and onset of ON. Higher temperature is associated with increased risks of hospital admissions for ON, which indicates that early interventions should be taken in geographical settings with relatively high temperatures, particularly for the middle-aged and elderly.

Nitrate dynamics in the streamwater-groundwater interaction system: Sources, fate, and controls.

Nitrate (NO3-) pollution has attracted widespread attention as a threat to human health and aquatic ecosystems; however, elucidating the controlling factors behind nitrate dynamics under the context of changeable hydrological processes, particularly the interactions between streamwater and groundwater (SW-GW), presents significant challenges. A multi-tracer approach, integrating physicochemical and isotopic tracers (Cl-, δ2H-H2O, δ18O-H2O, δ15N-NO3- and δ18O-NO3-), was employed to identify the response of nitrate dynamics to SW-GW interaction in the Fen River Basin. The streamwater and groundwater NO3- concentrations varied greatly with space and time. Sewage and manure (28 %-73 %), fertilizer (14 %-36 %) and soil organic nitrogen (12 %-28 %) were the main NO3- sources in water bodies. Despite the control of land use type on streamwater nitrate dynamics in losing sections, SW-GW interactions drove NO3- dynamics in both streamwater and groundwater under most circumstances. In gaining streams, streamwater nitrate dynamics were influenced either by groundwater dilution or microbial nitrification, depending on whether groundwater discharge ratios exceeded or fell below 25 %, respectively. In losing streams, groundwater nitrate content increased with streamwater infiltration time, but the influence was mainly limited within 3 km from the river channel. This study provides a scientific basis for the effective management of water nitrate pollution at the watershed scale.

Characteristics and sources of chemical composition in precipitation on the Loess Plateau of China.

Knowing the sources of precipitation chemical composition is essential to understand the biogeochemical cycle and control air pollution. Despite this issue has been directly investigated with precipitation ion contents, the effects of water vapor transport have not been fully considered. Taking the Loess Plateau of China (LPC) as an example study area, this study established nine precipitation monitoring sites considering the variability in topography and rainfall amounts, and collected 435 precipitation samples during 2020-2022 to measure the chemical composition. The correlation analysis, positive matrix factorization model and backward trajectory model were combined to analyze the characteristics, sources and vapor transport effects of precipitation chemical composition. Seasonally, except for NH4+, the concentration of other ions in the dry season was significantly higher than that in the rainy season. Spatially, the concentrations of Ca2+, Na+, K+, SO42- and NO3- peaked in the Mu Us Sandy Land and industrial areas, while the high level of NH4+ was concentrated in the agricultural areas. The source apportionment found that the primary source of precipitation ions was crust (33 %), followed by coal combustion/vehicle (30 %), aged sea salt (21 %) and agriculture (16 %). The trajectory analysis showed that water vapor paths significantly varied with the seasons, but were primarily dominated by the northwestern air mass with proportions of >40 %. The dust aerosols transported by the northwestern air mass were the main contributor to crust-source precipitation ions. The eastern and southeastern air masses transported anthropogenic pollutants to the LPC, and the southeastern air mass also carried sea-salt precipitation ions. This study provides a framework to incorporate hydrochemical method with vapor source identification method for precipitation chemical source identification, and the results can be a theoretical basis for the treatment of atmospheric environmental problems.

Combined effects of precipitation anomalies and dams on streamwater-groundwater interaction in the Fen River basin, China.

Both water management measures like damming and changes in precipitation as a result of anthropogenic induced climate change have exerted profound effects on the dynamics of streamwater-groundwater interaction (SGI). However, their compound effects on SGI have not been investigated so far. Taking the Fen River of China as an example, this study aims to examine the synergistic impacts of damming and precipitation anomalies on SGI dynamics. The sampling considered the seasonal and interannual variability of precipitation (May and September in 2019 representing a dry year; May and August in 2021 representing a wet year), and long-term daily observational data, including water levels and water discharge, were combined to elucidate the compound effects. Precipitation anomalies and damming exert significant individual and combined influences on SGI. Separately, dams and reservoirs reversed the SGI dynamics, significantly increasing the contributions of streamwater to groundwater from 0 to 29 % to 78 % in the dam-affected areas. Further, the groundwater discharge ratios behind the dam (about 60 %) were three times higher than those in front of the dam. Precipitation anomalies significantly amplified interannual variability in SGI patterns, and groundwater discharge ratios increased by 47 % during the dry period (2019) compared to flood period (2021). The combined influence of precipitation anomalies and dam regulation remarkably changed the lateral, vertical, and longitudinal water exchange dynamics. Precipitation anomalies affected the SGI dynamics at the whole watershed scale, whereas dam regulation regimes exhibited a stronger control at the local scale. The compound effects of dam regulation and precipitation anomalies can result in different SGI patterns under various climate scenarios. More attention should be paid to the interrelated feedback mechanisms between damming, extreme precipitation events, and their impact on the watershed-scale hydrological cycle.

Associations between heat waves and chronic kidney disease in China: The modifying role of land cover.

The increasing frequency of heat waves under the global urbanization and climate change background poses elevating risks of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Nevertheless, there has been no evidence on associations between long-term exposures to heat waves and CKD as well as the modifying effects of land cover patterns. Based on a national representative population-based survey on CKD covering 47,086 adults and high spatial resolution datasets on temperature and land cover data, we found that annual days of exposure to heat waves were associated with increased odds of CKD prevalence. For one day/year increases in HW_975_4d (above 97.5 % of annual maximum temperature and lasting for at least 4 consecutive days), the odds ratio (OR) of CKD was 1.14 (95 %CI: 1.12, 1.15). Meanwhile, stronger associations were observed in regions with lower urbanicity [rural: 1.14 (95 %CI: 1.12, 1.16) vs urban: 1.07 (95 %CI: 1.03, 1.11), Pinteraction < 0.001], lower water body coverage [lower: 1.14 (95 %CI: 1.12, 1.16) vs higher: 1.02 (95 %CI: 0.98, 1.05), Pinteraction < 0.001], and lower impervious area coverage [lower: 1.16 (95 %CI: 1.14, 1.18) vs higher: 1.06 (95 %CI: 1.03, 1.10), Pinteraction = 0.008]. In addition, this study found disparities in modifying effects of water bodies and impervious areas in rural and urban settings. In rural regions, the associations between heat waves and CKD prevalence showed a consistent decreasing trend with increases in both proportions of water bodies and impervious areas (Pinteraction < 0.05). Nevertheless, in urban regions, we observed significant effect modification by water bodies, but not by impervious areas. Our study indicates the need for targeted land planning as part of adapting to the kidney impacts of heat waves, with a focus on urbanization in rural regions, as well as water body construction and utilization in both rural and urban regions.

Association between Ambient Particulate Air Pollution and Soluble Biomarkers of Endothelial Function: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The burden of cardiovascular diseases caused by ambient particulate air pollution is universal. An increasing number of studies have investigated the potential effects of exposure to particulate air pollution on endothelial function, which is one of the important mechanisms for the onset and development of cardiovascular disease. However, no previous study has conducted a summary analysis of the potential effects of particulate air pollution on endothelial function. OBJECTIVES: To summarize the evidence for the potential effects of short-term exposure to ambient particulate air pollution on endothelial function based on existing studies. METHODS: A systematic literature search on the relationship between ambient particulate air pollution and biomarkers of endothelial function including endothelin-1 (ET-1), E-selectin, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science up to 20 May 2023. Subsequently, a meta-analysis was conducted using a random effects model. RESULTS: A total of 18 studies were included in this meta-analysis. A 10 µg/m3 increase in short-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 was associated with a 1.55% (95% CI: 0.89%, 2.22%) increase in ICAM-1 and a 1.97% (95% CI: 0.86%, 3.08%) increase in VCAM-1. The associations of ET-1 (0.22%, 95% CI: -4.94%, 5.65%) and E-selectin (3.21%, 95% CI: -0.90% 7.49%) with short-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 were statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: Short-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 pollution may significantly increase the levels of typical markers of endothelial function, including ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, suggesting potential endothelial dysfunction following ambient air pollution exposure.

Cardiorespiratory effects of indoor ozone exposure during sleep and the influencing factors: A prospective study among adults in China.

Ambient ozone (O3) is recognized as a significant air pollutant with implications for cardiorespiratory health, yet the effects of indoor O3 exposure have received less consideration. Furthermore, while sleep occupies one-third of life, research on the health consequences of O3 exposure during this crucial period is scarce. This study aimed to investigate associations of indoor O3 during sleep with cardiorespiratory function and potential predisposing factors. A prospective study among 81 adults was conducted in Beijing, China. Repeated measurements of cardiorespiratory indices reflecting lung function, airway inflammation, cardiac autonomic function, blood pressure, systemic inflammation, platelet and glucose were performed on each subject. Real-time concentrations of indoor O3 during sleep were monitored. Associations of O3 with cardiorespiratory indices were evaluated using linear mixed-effect model. Effect modification by baseline lifestyles (diet, physical activity, sleep-related factors) and psychological status (stress and depression) were investigated through interaction analysis. The average indoor O3 concentration during sleep was 20.3 µg/m3, which was well below current Chinese indoor air quality standard of 160 µg/m3. O3 was associated with most respiratory indicators of decreased airway function except airway inflammation; whereas the cardiovascular effects were only manifested in autonomic dysfunction and not in others. An interquartile range increases in O3 at 6-h average was associated with changes of -3.60 % (95 % CI: -6.19 %, -0.93 %) and -9.60 % (95 % CI: -14.53 %, -4.39 %) in FVC and FEF25-75, respectively. Further, stronger effects were noted among participants with specific dietary patterns, poorer sleep and higher level of depression. This study provides the first general population-based evidence that low-level exposure to indoor O3 during sleep has greater effects on the respiratory system than on the cardiovascular system. Our findings identify the respiratory system as an important target for indoor O3 exposure, and particularly highlight the need for greater awareness of indoor air quality, especially during sleep.

Mechanism of groundwater recharge in the thick loess deposits by multiple environmental tracers.

The loess-covered region accounts for ∼10 % of global land surface. Because of dry climate and thick vadose zones, the subsurface water flux is low but the water storage is relatively large . As a result, the groundwater recharge mechanism is complicated and currently controversial (e.g., piston flow or dual mode with piston and preferential flow). Taking typical tablelands in China's Loess Plateau as example study area, this study aims to qualitatively and quantitively evaluate the forms/rates and controls of groundwater recharge considering space and time. We collected 498 precipitation, soil water and groundwater samples in 2014-2021 for hydrochemical and isotopic analysis (Cl-, NO3-, δ18O, δ2H, 3H and 14C). A graphical method was employed to determine appropriate model to correct 14C age. Dual model exhibited in the recharge: regional-scale piston flow and local-scale preferential flow. Piston flow dominated groundwater recharge with a proportion of 77 %-89 %. Preferential flow gradually declined with increasing water table depths, and the upper depth limit may be <40 m. The dynamics of tracers proved that mixing and dispersion effects of aquifers limited the ability of tracers to capture preferential flow at short-time scales. Long-term average potential recharge (79 ± 49 mm/year) was close to actual recharge (85 ± 41 mm/year) at the regional scale, indicating the hydraulic equilibrium between unsaturated and saturated zones. The thickness of vadose zone controlled recharge forms, and precipitation dominated the potential and actual recharge rates. Land-use change can also affect the potential recharge rates at point and field scales but maintain the dominance of piston flow. The revealed spatially-varied recharge mechanism is useful for groundwater modeling and the method can be referred for studying recharge mechanism in thick aquifers.

[Temporal and Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Source Analysis of Nitrate in Surface Water of Wuding River Basin].

The Wuding River Basin is a first-class tributary of the Yellow River, and the quality of its water ecological environment has a profound impact on the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin. In order to identify the source of nitrate pollution in the Wuding River Basin, surface water samples of the Wuding River were collected from 2019 to 2021, and the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of nitrate concentration in surface water in the basin were explored. Nitrogen and oxygen isotope tracer technology and the MixSIAR model were used to qualitatively and quantitatively determine the sources of surface water nitrate and their contribution rates. The results showed that there were significant spatial and temporal differences in nitrate concentrations in the Wuding River Basin. In terms of time, the mean concentration of NO-3-N in surface water in the wet season was higher than that in the flat-water period; spatially, the mean concentration of NO-3-N in the downstream surface water was higher than that in the upstream. The spatial and temporal differences in surface water nitrate concentrations were mainly affected by rainfall runoff, soil types, and land use types. The main sources of nitrates in the surface water of the Wuding River Basin during the wet season were domestic sewage, manure, chemical fertilizers, and soil organic nitrogen, whose contribution rates were 43.3%, 27.6%, and 22.1%, respectively, and the contribution rate of precipitation was only 7.0%. There were differences in the contribution rate of nitrate pollution sources in surface water of different river sections. The contribution rate of soil nitrogen in the upstream was significantly higher than that in the downstream, which was 26.5%. The contribution rate of domestic sewage and manure in the downstream was significantly higher than that in the upstream, which was 48.9%. To provide a basis for the analysis of nitrate sources and pollution control in Wuding River and even rivers in arid and semi-arid regions.

Obesity-related cardiometabolic indicators modify the associations of personal noise exposure with heart rate variability: A further investigation on the Study among Obese and Normal-weight Adults (SONA).

Elucidating the associations between environmental noise and heart rate variability (HRV) would be beneficial for the prevention and control of detrimental cardiovascular changes. Obese people have been found to manifest heightened susceptibility to the adverse effects of noise on HRV. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Based on 53 normal-weight and 44 obese young adults aged 18-26 years in Beijing, China, this study aimed to investigate the role of obesity-related cardiometabolic indicators for associations between short-term environmental noise exposure and HRV in the real-world context. The participants underwent personal noise exposure and ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring using portable devices at 5-min intervals for 24 continuous hours. Obesity-related blood pressure, glucose and lipid metabolism, and inflammatory indicators were subsequently examined. Generalized mixed-effect models were used to estimate the associations between noise exposure and HRV parameters. The C-peptide, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and leptin levels were higher in obese participants compared to normal-weight participants. We observed amplified associations between short-term noise exposure and decreases in HRV among participants with higher C-peptide, HOMA-IR, and leptin levels. For instance, a 1 dB(A) increment in 3 h-average noise exposure level preceding each measurement was associated with changes of -0.20% (95%CI: -0.45%, 0.04%) and -1.35% (95%CI: -1.85%, -0.86%) in standard deviation of all normal to normal intervals (SDNN) among participants with lower and higher C-peptide levels, respectively (P for interaction <0.05). Meanwhile, co-existing fine particulate matter (PM2.5) could amplify the associations between noise and HRV among obese participants and participants with higher C-peptide, HOMA-IR, and leptin levels. The more apparent associations of short-term exposure to environmental noise with HRV and the effect modification by PM2.5 may be partially explained by the higher C-peptide, HOMA-IR, and leptin levels of obese people.

Regional urbanicity levels modify the association between ambient air pollution and prevalence of obesity: A nationwide cross-sectional survey.

Ambient air pollution exposure may increase the risk of obesity, but the population susceptibility associated with urbanicity has been insufficiently investigated. Based on a nationwide representative cross-sectional survey on 44,544 adults, high-resolution night light satellite remote sensing products, and multi-source ambient air pollution inversion data, the present study evaluated the associations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations with the prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity. We further calculated the associations in regions with different urbanicity levels characterized by both administrative classification of urban/rural regions and night light index (NLI). We found that 10 µg/m3 increments in PM2.5 at 1-year moving average and in NO2 at 5-year moving average were associated with increased prevalence of obesity [odds ratios (OR) = 1.16 (1.14, 1.19); 1.12 (1.09, 1.15), respectively] and abdominal obesity [OR = 1.08 (1.07, 1.10); 1.07 (1.05, 1.09), respectively]. People in rural regions experienced stronger adverse effects than those in urban regions. For instance, a 10 µg/m3 increment in PM2.5 was associated with stronger odds of obesity in rural regions than in urban regions [OR = 1.27 (1.23, 1.31) vs 1.10 (1.05, 1.14), P for interaction <0.001]. In addition, lower NLI values were associated with constantly amplified associations of PM2.5 and NO2 with obesity and abdominal obesity (all P for interaction <0.001). In summary, people in less urbanized regions are more susceptible to the adverse effects of ambient air pollution on obesity, suggesting the significance of collaborative planning of urbanization development and air pollution control, especially in less urbanized regions.

UBA1 inhibition contributes radiosensitization of glioblastoma cells via blocking DNA damage repair.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a brain tumor with high mortality and recurrence rate. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy after surgery are the main treatment options available for GBM. However, patients with glioblastoma have a grave prognosis. The major reason is that most GBM patients are resistant to radiotherapy. UBA1 is considered an attractive potential anti-tumor therapeutic target and a key regulator of DNA double-strand break repair and genome replication in human cells. Therefore, we hypothesized that TAK-243, the first-in-class UBA1 inhibitor, might increase GBM sensitivity to radiation. The combined effect of TAK-243 and ionizing radiation on GBM cell proliferation, and colony formation ability was detected using CCK-8, colony formation, and EdU assays. The efficacy of TAK-243 combined with ionizing radiation for GBM was further evaluated in vivo, and the mechanism of TAK-243 sensitizing radiotherapy was preliminarily discussed. The results showed that TAK-243, in combination with ionizing radiation, significantly inhibited GBM cell proliferation, colony formation, cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, and increased the proportion of apoptosis. In addition, UBA1 inhibition by TAK-243 substantially increased the radiation-induced γ-H2AX expression and impaired the recruitment of the downstream effector molecule 53BP1. Therefore, TAK-243 inhibited the radiation-induced DNA double-strand break repair and thus inhibited the growth of GBM cells. Our results provided a new therapeutic strategy for improving the radiation sensitivity of GBM and laid a theoretical foundation and experimental basis for further clinical trials.