Decreased Treg cells induced by bisphenol A is associated with up-regulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and Foxp3 DNA methylation in spleen of adolescent mice.

The current study aimed to explore whether bisphenol A (BPA) exposure aggravated the decrease in Tregs induced by ovalbumin (OVA) in adolescent female mouse models of asthma, and whether the process was associated with mTOR-mediated signaling pathways and DNA methylation levels. A total of 40 female C57BL/6 mice at the age of four weeks were used and divided into five groups after 1 week of domestication. Each group consisted of eight mice: the control group, OVA group, OVA + BPA (0.1 µg mL-1) group, OVA + BPA (0.2 µg mL-1) group, and OVA + BPA (0.4 µg mL-1) group. Results revealed that Foxp3 protein levels decreased in the spleens of mice exposed to BPA compared to those in the OVA group. After an elevation in BPA dose, the mRNAs of methyltransferases (Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, and Dnmt3b) were gradually upregulated. The mechanism was related to the activity of TLR4/NF-κB and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways and the enhancement of Foxp3 DNA methylation. Our results, collectively, provided a new view for studying the mechanisms underlying BPA exposure-induced immune dysfunction. Investigation of the regulatory mechanisms of DNA methylation in the abnormal Th immune response caused by BPA exposure could help reveal the causes and molecular mechanisms underlying the high incidence of allergic diseases in children in recent years.

Urinary concentrations of bisphenol A and its alternatives: Potential predictors of and associations with antral follicle count among women from an infertility clinic in Northern China.

BACKGROUND: Experimental studies have suggested exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and its alternatives, such as bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS), may exert adverse effects on ovarian reserve, but human evidence is limited. Moreover, the potential predictors of exposure to bisphenols among women seeking infertility treatment have not been reported. OBJECTIVE: To explore whether individual or mixture of BPA, BPF, and BPS were related to antral follicle count (AFC), and further identify the predictors of exposure to bisphenols among women seeking assisted reproductive treatment. METHODS: A total of 111 women from a reproductive center in Shenyang, China were enrolled in this study from September 2020 to February 2021. The concentrations of urinary BPA, BPF, and BPS were measured using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadruple mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). AFC was measured by two infertility physicians through transvaginal ultrasonography on the 2-5 days of a natural cycle. Demographic characteristics, dietary habits, and lifestyles were obtained by questionnaires. The associations between individual and mixture of urinary bisphenols concentrations (BPA, BPF, and BPS) and AFC were assessed by the Poisson regression models and the quantile-based g-computation (QGC) model, respectively. The potential predictors of exposure to bisphenols were identified by the multivariate linear regression models. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounders, elevated urinary concentrations of BPA, BPF and BPS were associated with reduced AFC (ß = -0.016; 95%CI: -0.025, -0.006 in BPA; ß = -0.017; 95%CI: -0.029, -0.004 in BPF; ß = -0.128; 95%CI: -0.197, -0.060 in BPS). A quantile increase in the bisphenols mixture was negatively associated with AFC (ß = -0.101; 95%CI: -0.173, -0.030). Intake of fried food had higher urinary concentrations of BPF, BPS, and total bisphenols (∑BPs) than women who did not eat, and age was related to increased urinary BPF concentrations. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that exposure to individual BPA, BPF, BPS and bisphenol mixtures were associated with impaired ovarian reserve. Furthermore, the intake of fried food, as identified in this study, could serve as an important bisphenols exposure route for reproductive-aged women.

Nrf2-mediated protective effect of alpha-lipoic acid on synaptic oxidative damage and inhibition of PKC/ERK/CREB pathway in bisphenol A-exposed HT-22 cells.

The harmful effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on learning and memory may involve hippocampal oxidative damage; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Antioxidants that antagonize BPA-induced neuronal oxidative damage lack research. This study aimed to develop an in vitro model using the HT-22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cell line to investigate the neurotoxic mechanism of BPA and the protective effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) inhibition. The results showed that ALA reduced BPA-induced reactive oxygen species and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) levels; however, inhibiting Nrf2 weakened the protective effects of ALA. BPA reduced mitochondrial complex I/III activity and ATP levels, but ALA ameliorated this damage. ALA improved the BPA-induced downregulation of the kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (keap1)/Nrf2 system, synaptic-related proteins, and the protein kinase C (PKC)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) pathway; however, the protective effects of ALA were weakened when Nrf2 was inhibited. Our results suggest that BPA causes oxidative damage to HT-22 cells by damaging mitochondrial function, nNOS, and the keap1/Nrf2 system, thereby impairing synaptic-related proteins and the PKC/ERK/CREB pathway. ALA counters BPA-induced damage via Nrf2, which may be a significant target for the protective action of ALA.

Transcriptomic evidence of hypothalamus for maternal fructose exposure induced offspring hypertension through AT1R/TLR4 pathway.

Maternal fructose exposure during pregnancy and lactation has been shown to contribute to hypertension in offspring, with long-term effects on hypothalamus development. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we used the tail-cuff method to evaluate the effects of maternal fructose drinking exposure on offspring blood pressure levels at postpartum day 21 (PND21) and postpartum day 60 (PND60). We employed Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) full-length RNA sequencing to investigate the developmental programming of the PND60 offspring's hypothalamus and confirmed the presence of the AT1R/TLR4 pathway using western blot and immunofluorescence. Our findings demonstrated that maternal fructose exposure significantly increased blood pressure in PND60 offspring but not in PND21 offspring. Additionally, we observed transcriptome-wide alterations in the hypothalamus of PND60 offspring following maternal fructose exposure. Overall, our study provides evidence that maternal fructose exposure during pregnancy and lactation may alter the transcriptome-wide of offspring hypothalamus and activate the AT1R/TLR4 pathway, leading to hypertension. These findings may have important implications for the prevention and treatment of hypertension-related diseases in offspring exposed to excessive fructose during pregnancy and lactation.

Urinary bisphenol A and S are associated with diminished ovarian reserve in women from an infertility clinic in Northern China.

Bisphenol A (BPA) has been demonstrated to cause ovarian toxicity including disruption of steroidogenesis and inhibition of follicle growth. Still, human evidence is lacking on its analogs such as bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS). In this study, we aimed to investigate the associations between exposure to BPA, BPF, and BPS with ovarian reserve in women of childbearing age. We recruited 111 women from an infertility clinic in Shenyang, North China between September 2020 and February 2021. Anti-müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol (E2) were measured as indicators of ovarian reserve. Urinary BPA, BPF, and BPS concentrations were quantified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadruple mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Linear and logistic regression models were applied to assess the associations between urinary BPA, BPF, and BPS levels and indicators of ovarian reserve and DOR, respectively. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were further utilized to explore potential non-linear associations. Our results showed that urinary BPS concentrations were negatively associated with AMH (ß = - 0.287, 95 %CI: - 0.505, - 0.070, P = 0.010) and this inverse relationship was further confirmed in the RCS model. In addition, higher levels of BPA and BPS exposure were associated with increased DOR risk (BPA: OR = 7.112, 95 %CI: 1.247, 40.588, P = 0.027; BPS: OR = 6.851, 95 %CI: 1.241, 37.818, P = 0.027). No significant associations of BPF exposure with ovarian reserve. Our findings implied that higher BPA and BPS exposure may be related to decreased ovarian reserve.

Learning and memory impairment and transcriptomic profile in hippocampus of offspring after maternal fructose exposure during gestation and lactation.

Increased fructose intake is a global issue, especially in mothers. Maternal fructose exposure during gestation and lactation can affect learning and memory in offspring; however, the detailed mechanism is still unknown. The hippocampus is a mind locale liable for learning and memory. Here, we established a maternal high-fructose diet model by administering 13% and 40% fructose water, applied the Morris Water Maze test on postnatal day 60 offspring, and performed full-length RNA sequencing using the Oxford Nanopore Technologies platform to explore the changes in gene expression in the hippocampus. The results showed that learning and memory in offspring were negatively affected. Compared with the control group, 369 differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) were identified in the 13% fructose group, and 501 DETs were identified in the 40% fructose group. Gene Ontology enriched term and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enriched pathway analyses identified several terms and pathways related to brain development and cognitive function. Furthermore, we confirmed that the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway was down-regulated and neuron degeneration was enhanced. In summary, our results indicate that maternal fructose exposure during gestation and lactation can impair learning and memory in offspring and affect brain function at the transcriptome level.

Efficient Perovskite Indoor Photovoltaics with Open-Circuit Voltage of 1.15 V via Collaborative Optimization of CsPbI2 Br Layer and Hole Transport Layer.

All-inorganic CsPbI2 Br perovskite has attracted great attention due to the stable crystal structure and moisture resistance, and its 1.91 eV bandgap is close to the optimal bandgap of indoor artificial light sources, making it be the best candidate for the indoor photovoltaics (IPVs) to power a wide range of internet of things related electronic devices. Herein, we report on the preparation of CsPbI2 Br with α-phase and the improvement of its phase stability by adding lead acetate in the CsPbI2 Br precursor. A series of dopant-free conjugated polymers (P3HT, PBDB-T, and PM6) with different highest occupied molecular orbital energy levels are introduced as hole transport layers for building IPV devices. The PM6 based devices having better energy alignment with perovskite demonstrate best indoor photovoltaic performance, giving a remarkable open-circuit voltage of 1.15 V and high fill factor of 81.86% under 1000 lux (330 µW cm-2 ) light-emitting diode illumination, and finally realizing a decent power conversion efficiency of 33.68%. Our findings suggest that collaboratively optimize the CsPbI2 Br layer and hole transport layer is an effective approach to realize high performance IPVs.

Exercise-Induced Browning of White Adipose Tissue and Improving Skeletal Muscle Insulin Sensitivity in Obese/Non-obese Growing Mice: Do Not Neglect Exosomal miR-27a.

Exercise is considered as a favorable measure to prevent and treat childhood obesity. However, the underlying mechanisms of exercise-induced beneficial effects and the difference between obese and non-obese individuals are largely unclear. Recently, miR-27a is recognized as a central upstream regulator of proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) in contributing to various physiological and pathological processes. This study aims to explore the possible cause of exercise affecting white adipose tissue (WAT) browning and reversing skeletal muscle insulin resistance in obese/non-obese immature bodies. For simulating the process of childhood obesity, juvenile mice were fed with a basal diet or high-fat diet (HFD) and took 1 or 2 h swimming exercise simultaneously for 10 weeks. The obese animal model was induced by the HFD. We found that exercise hindered HFD-induced body fat development in growing mice. Exercise modified glucolipid metabolism parameters differently in the obese/non-obese groups, and the changes of the 2 h exercise mice were not consistent with the 1 h exercise mice. The level of serum exosomal miR-27a in the non-exercise obese group was increased obviously, which was reduced in the exercise obese groups. Results from bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-27a targeted PPAR-γ. Exercise stimulated WAT browning; however, the response of obese WAT lagged behind normal WAT. In the HFD-fed mice, 2 h exercise activated the IRS-1/Akt/GLUT-4 signaling pathway in the skeletal muscles. In summary, our findings confirmed that exercise-induced beneficial effects are associated with exercise duration, and the response of obese and non-obese bodies is different. Exosomal miR-27a might be a crucial node for the process of exercise-induced browning of WAT and improving skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity.

Blood uptake and urine excretion of nano- and micro-plastics after a single exposure.

Nano- and micro-plastic (NMP) pollution has emerged as a global issue; however, uptake in the blood is controversial. Also, there is no evidence that NMPs are excreted via urine. This study was designed to clarify the time course of NMPs absorption in blood and the excretion in urine. Male mice received a single administration of fluorescent polystyrene (PS) beads (100-nm and 3-µm) via tail vein injection, gavage, or pulmonary perfusion. Blood and urine samples were measured 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h after exposure by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was performed to corroborate the findings. Fluorescence particles were detected in both blood and urine from the 100-nm and 3-µm PS-treated groups after exposure. In the 3-µm PS treated group, particles with corresponding diameters were detected after intravenous injection and pulmonary perfusion, and particles with a diameter <3 µm were detected in blood samples after gavage. The fluorescent signal in urine was particularly weak and the size was <3 µm. Significant time course changes in fluorescence intensity were demonstrated in blood and urine (P < 0.05) after intravenous injection and pulmonary perfusion in the 100-nm PS-treated group. By contrast, significant changes were detected in the urine (P < 0.05), but not the blood, after gavage. TEM confirmed the presence of particles with corresponding diameters in blood samples; however, the excretion in urine was difficult to confirm for nano-plastics (NPs) and micro-plastics (MPs) because all particles with diameters of approximately 100 nm and 3 µm had irregular shapes and no clear boundaries. Our findings revealed that both NPs and MPs enter the blood circulation through digestive and respiratory pathways. Both 100-nm and 3-µm NMPs may be excreted through urine, but further evidence is needed. The physical and chemical properties of MPs may be impacted by digestive processes in vivo.

Effect of different alcohol consumption levels on the left atrial size: A cross-sectional study in rural China.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have investigated the relationship between alcohol and ventricular structure; however, few studies have evaluated the relation between alcohol consumption and the atrium size. In this study, we aimed to test the association between alcohol consumption and left atrium (LA) size in the general population. METHODS: A population-based sample of 10,211 subjects aged ≥35 years and free from hypertension at baseline were followed from January 2012 to August 2013. Left atrial enlargement (LAE) was defined as the ratio of LA diameter to body surface area exceeding 2.4 cm/m2 in both the sexes. Independent factors for LAE were estimated by multiple logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The study included 10,211 participants (4,751 men and 5,460 women). Left atrial diameter/body surface area (LAD/BSA) was higher in the moderate and heavy alcohol consumption groups than in the non-drinker group (non-drinker, 20.5±0.03 cm/m2; moderate, 20.8±0.09 cm/m2; and heavy, 20.6±0.06 cm/m2; p<0.001). Both the groups of moderate and heavy drinkers had a higher incidence of LAE than the non-drinker group (6.9% of non-drinkers, 9.9% of moderate drinkers, and 8.4% of heavy drinkers; p<0.001). After adjusting for related risk factors, multiple logistic regression analyses showed that moderate drinkers had an approximately 1.4-fold higher risk of LAE [odds ratio (OR): 1.387, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.056-1.822, p=0.019] compared with the non-drinkers, and the heavy drinkers had an approximately 1.2-fold higher risk of LAE (OR: 1.229, 95% CI: 1.002-1.508, p=0.047) compared with that of the non-drinkers. CONCLUSION: Both heavy and moderate drinkers had increased odds for LAE compared with participants with no alcohol consumption in the general population.

Sleep time and homework hours/daily are associated with reduced visual acuity among school students aged 9-18 in Shenyang in 2016.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this survey was to explore the prevalence of reduced visual acuity and its associated factors among school students in Shenyang in 2016. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study using data from the Ministry of Education' Student Physical Fitness (MESPF) monitoring in 2016. A total of 13,642 students aged 9-18 years were surveyed in Shenyang. The unaided distance visual acuity was measured, and questionnaire on lifestyle behaviors that may affect visual acuity was investigated among students. The prevalence of reduced visual acuity and its associated factors were analyzed. RESULTS: The average prevalence of reduced visual acuity among students aged 9-18 years was 65.8%, and severe reduced visual acuity was main (42.9%), and there were statistical effect of age, gender, and region on the prevalence of reduced visual acuity. Binary and multi variable logistic regression results revealed that students sleeping <8 h, homework hours ⩾1 h, and parental myopia had an increased risk of reduced visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep time <8 h and homework time ⩾1 h may be associated with reduced visual acuity among students in Shenyang. Therefore, it is benefit for student to get enough sleep and decreasing studying time in order to prevent and reduce poor vision.

Bisphenol A increases TLR4-mediated inflammatory response by up-regulation of autophagy-related protein in lung of adolescent mice.

In previous studies we found that bisphenol A (BPA) aggravated OVA-induced lung inflammation. The aim of this research was to determine whether BPA exposure alone also induced inflammatory response in the lungs, which mechanism was associated with TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and the activation of mTOR-mediated autophagy. Female C57BL/6 mice aged 4 weeks were randomly divided into three groups (10/group): control group, 0.1 and 0.2 µg mL-1 BPA groups. BPA induced the pathological changes in the lung and increased the levels of cytokines and inflammatory cells, as well as affected autophagy related proteins expression. In addition, the RAW264.7 cell culture experiment was conducted in order to confirm the role of autophagy. We found that BPA can enhance autophagy flux by enhancing autophagosome formation. It was further confirmed the details of the mechanism of action with chloroquine (CQ, a compound that inhibits the fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes) intervention. The inhibition of autophagy led to down-regulation of expression levels associated with inflammation. This research results indicated that BPA induced inflammatory response in vitro and in vivo, and its mechanism may be related to TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and the activation of mTOR-mediated autophagy. After autophagy was suppressed, the inflammatory response also weakened. Our findings provide a new perspective into the mechanisms underlying inflammatory responses induced by the environmental exposure. These findings indicate that therapeutic strategies targeting autophagy may provide a new method for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Combined effects of obesity and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate on testosterone levels and kisspeptin/GPR54 expression in hypothalamus and testes of male mice.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated whether obese male mice exposed to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) showed synergistic effects on testosterone levels and the potential underlying mechanism. METHODS: Forty-eight male mice were assigned to six groups for 12-week treatments as follows: normal, DEHP100, diet-induced obesity (DIO), DIO + DEHP30, DIO + DEHP100, and DIO + DEHP300. Serum hormone levels, including testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), and leptin, were detected by ELISA. The levels of Ob-R, kisspeptin, and GPR54 protein expression in hypothalamus and testicular tissues were measured by western blot. RESULTS: There were significantly lower levels of serum T and LH, higher levels of serum leptin and Ob-R, and kisspeptin and GPR54 protein expression were reduced in hypothalamus and testicular tissues in the DIO and DEHP groups compared with controls. Moreover, serum T and leptin levels were more severe in the combined DIO and DEHP exposure group than in the single exposure groups. Serum LH levels and GPR54 expression in the testis were significantly decreased in DIO + DEHP300 mice compared with DIO mice (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Obesity- and DEHP-only exposure had adverse effects on testosterone levels in mice, which may be due to high leptin levels and decreased Ob-R, kisspeptin, and GPR54 expression. Obesity combined with DEHP exposure had an additive adverse effect on testosterone levels in mice. One of the potential mechanisms is higher leptin levels and decreased GPR54 expression in the testes.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress may be involved in insulin resistance and lipid metabolism disorders of the white adipose tissues induced by high-fat diet containing industrial trans-fatty acids.

BACKGROUND: Consumption of industrially produced trans-fatty acids (iTFAs) can result in alteration to lipid profile and glucose metabolism. Moreover, a diet high in iTFAs could increase the risk of obesity, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Glucose and lipid metabolism are closely linked in white adipose tissue (WAT), yet the underlying mechanisms of the effect of iTFAs in WAT are poorly understood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Parameters of glucose homeostasis, lipid profiles and markers of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress of WAT were measured in rats maintained on a high-fat diet containing margarine (HFD-M) (n=10) compared to controls maintained on standard chow (n=10) over 16 weeks. RESULTS: Fat mass and body weight was significantly increased in rats maintained on the HFD-M compared to controls (P<0.01). HFD-M rats had increased levels of insulin (INS), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and serum lipid profile was significantly altered. The expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and the phosphorylation of inositol-requiring enzyme 1-alpha and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) were significantly increased in subcutaneous and retroperitoneal adipose depots of HFD-M-fed rats. In vitro, wider ER lumens were observed in 100µmol/L elaidic acid (EA)-treated human mature adipocytes. We observed activation of ER stress markers, impaired INS receptor signaling and increased lipogenesis in adipocytes after EA exposure. These effects could be alleviated by inhibiting ER stress in adipocytes in vitro. CONCLUSION: Collectively these data suggest that ER stress may be involved in INS resistance and lipid metabolism disorders induced by high-fat diet containing iTFAs. These findings suggest that WAT could be regarded as a key target organ for inhibiting ER stress to reverse the impaired INS receptor signaling, alleviate lipid metabolism disorders, and provide a novel approach to prevent and treat INS resistance and dyslipidemia-related chronic diseases such as T2MD and CVDs.

Effect of meteorological factors on influenza-like illness from 2012 to 2015 in Huludao, a northeastern city in China.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to describe the epidemiological patterns of influenza-like illness (ILI) in Huludao, China and seek scientific evidence on the link of ILI activity with weather factors. METHODS: Surveillance data of ILI cases between January 2012 and December 2015 was collected in Huludao Central Hospital, meteorological data was obtained from the China Meteorological Data Service Center. Generalized additive model (GAM) was used to seek the relationship between the number of ILI cases and the meteorological factors. Multiple Smoothing parameter estimation was made on the basis of Poisson distribution, where the number of weekly ILI cases was treated as response, and the smoothness of weather was treated as covariates. Lag time was determined by the smallest Akaike information criterion (AIC). Smoothing coefficients were estimated for the prediction of the number of ILI cases. RESULTS: A total of 29, 622 ILI cases were observed during the study period, with children ILI cases constituted 86.77%. The association between ILI activity and meteorological factors varied across different lag periods. The lag time for average air temperature, maximum air temperature, minimum air temperature, vapor pressure and relative humidity were 2, 2, 1, 1 and 0 weeks, respectively. Average air temperature, maximum air temperature, minimum air temperature, vapor pressure and relative humidity could explain 16.5%, 9.5%, 18.0%, 15.9% and 7.7% of the deviance, respectively. Among the temperature indexes, the minimum temperature played the most important role. The number of ILI cases peaked when minimum temperature was around -13 °C in winter and 18 °C in summer. The number of cases peaked when the relative humidity was equal to 43% and then began to decrease with the increase of relative humidity. When the humidity exceeded 76%, the number of ILI cases began to rise. CONCLUSIONS: The present study first analyzed the relationship between meteorological factors and ILI cases with special consideration of the length of lag period in Huludao, China. Low air temperature and low relative humidity (cold and dry weather condition) played a considerable role in the epidemic pattern of ILI cases. The trend of ILI activity could be possibly predicted by the variation of meteorological factors.

The Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms among Overweight/Obese and Non-Overweight/Non-Obese Children/Adolescents in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

With the dramatic growth of the Chinese economy, the number of children/adolescents with being overweight/having obesity is increasing, which has a certain impact on their psychology, such as depression and anxiety symptoms. Our purpose was to conduct a meta-analysis to assess the prevalence and odds ratios of depression and anxiety symptoms among overweight/obese children/adolescents and non-overweight/obese children/adolescents in China. As of July 2018, the three most comprehensive computerized academic databases in China have been systematically screened, namely China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI) databases, Wanfang databases and Vip databases. The same operations are performed in PubMed and Web of Science (SCIE) databases without language restrictions. Case-control studies on prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms in overweight/obese children/adolescents in China were analyzed. Study selection and evaluation were performed independently by three authors. Unweighted prevalence, pooled random-effects estimates of odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were all calculated. A total of 11 eligible studies involving 17,894 subjects were included. The prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms in overweight/obese children/adolescents was significantly higher than that in non-overweight/non-obese children/adolescents (depression: 21.73% vs. 17.96%, OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.87, p = 0.003; anxiety: 39.80% vs. 13.99%, OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.79, p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses conducted according to scale types showed that scale types have certain significance to evaluate the relationship between depression symptoms and overweight/obesity. The OR of depression symptoms between overweight/obese children/adolescents and non-overweight/non-obese children/adolescents was greatest on the Middle School Student Mental Health Scale (MSSMHS) was 2.06 (95% CI: 1.41, 3.02, I² = 0.00%), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was 1.03 (95% CI: 0.84, 1.25, I² = 0.00%), and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) was 1.21 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.42, I² = 0.00%). We concluded that the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms in overweight/obese children/adolescents in China is higher than that in the non-overweight/obese children/adolescents. The results of the study indicate that the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms among overweight/obese children/adolescents in Chinese medical institutions should receive more attention. Physical exercise and psychological interventions should be strengthened to prevent psychological problems. However, because of some clear limitations (no clinical interview and few studies), these results should be interpreted with caution.

Association between Sleep Duration and Overweight/Obesity at Age 7⁻18 in Shenyang, China in 2010 and 2014.

This study was designed to examine the association between sleep duration and being overweight/obese in primary, middle, and high school students. This was a multiple cross-sectional study using data from the 2010 and 2014 National Survey on Students’ Constitution and Health (CNSSCH). A total of 23,602 students aged 7⁻18 years were enrolled in this study. The prevalence of being overweight and obese—stratified by age, gender, and sleep duration—in 2010 and 2014 were compared. Sleep duration was categorized as <7 h, ≥7 to 8 h, ≥8 to 9 h, and ≥9 h. Overweight and obesity were defined according to the cut-point criteria in China. Multivariable logistic regression results in 2010 and 2014 revealed that students sleeping <7 h and aged 7⁻12 years had an increased risk of becoming overweight/obese. In 2010, the adjusted prevalence ratios of overweight for 7⁻12-year-old students sleeping <9 h was 1.196 (95%CI: 1.004⁻1.424) and 13⁻15-year-old students sleeping <8 h was 1.265 (95%CI: 1.023⁻1.565). In 2014, the adjusted prevalence ratios of overweight and obesity for 7⁻12-year-old students sleeping <9 h were 1.295 (95%CI: 1.091⁻1.537) and 1.231 (95%CI: 1.045⁻1.449); 16⁻18-year-old students sleeping <7 h were 1.530 (95%CI: 1.239⁻1.888) and 1.585 (95%CI: 1.270⁻2.081). Our study revealed that different levels of sleep curtailment increased the risk of becoming overweight/obesity in different age groups of students.

Depot-specific inflammation with decreased expression of ATM2 in white adipose tissues induced by high-margarine/lard intake.

A high-fat diet has been recognized as an important risk factor of obesity, with variable impacts of different fatty acid compositions on the physiological process. To understand the effects of a high-margarine/lard diet, which is a major source of trans fatty acids (TFAs)/ saturated fatty acids (SFAs), elaidic acid as a biomarker of margarine intake was used to screen affected adipokines on mature human adipocytes in vitro. Weaned male Wistar rats were fed a high-fat diet enriched with margarine/lard to generate obesity-prone (OP) and obesity-resistant (OR) models, which were then used to explore the inflammatory responses of depot-specific white adipose tissue. Adiposity, glucose and lipid metabolism parameters and macrophage cell markers were also compared in vivo. In the subcutaneous depot, a high-margarine diet induced elevated IL-6, MCP-1 and XCL1 expression levels in both M-OP and M-OR groups. High-lard diet-fed rats displayed higher protein expression levels of MCP-1 and XCL1 compared with the control group. In the epididymal depot, significantly elevated IL-6 production was observed in M-OP rats, and high-lard diet-fed rats displayed elevated IL-6 and decreased XCL1 expression. In the retroperitoneal depot, a high-margarine diet caused higher IL-6 and MCP-1 expression levels, a high-lard diet caused elevated IL-6 expression in L-OP/L-OR rats, and elevated XCL1 expression was observed only in L-OP rats. In general, CD206 mRNA levels were notably down-regulated by high-fat diet feeding in the above-mentioned depots. CD11c mRNA levels were slightly upregulated in the subcutaneous depot of OP rats fed a high-margarine/lard diet. In the epidydimal depot, higher expression levels of F4/80 and CD206 mRNA were observed only in high-margarine diet-fed OP rats. These results suggest that depot-specific inflammation with decreased expression of adipose tissue anti-inflammatory M2-type (ATM2) macrophages could be induced by high-margarine/lard intake.

Trends in obesity, overweight, and malnutrition among children and adolescents in Shenyang, China in 2010 and 2014: a multiple cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence, characteristics, and trends in obesity, overweight, and malnutrition among children and adolescents in 2010 and 2014 in Shenyang, China was described. METHODS: This was a multiple cross-sectional study using data from the 2010 and 2014 National Survey on Students' Constitution and Health. A total of 31,031 children and adolescents were included in this survey. Differences in the percentages of obesity, overweight, and malnutrition by age, gender, and living region in 2010 and 2014 were compared using the χ2 test. Stepwise logistic regression was performed to select potential covariates for the dependent variable (overweight, obesity, or malnutrition). RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity and overweight in 2010 was 8.99% and 13.72%, respectively, and 12.64% and 14.06% in 2014, respectively. The prevalence of malnutrition was 10.68% and 10.69% in 2010, and 2014, respectively. In 2010 and 2014, boys and girls 7-11 years of age had higher rates of obesity than other age groups (P < 0.01). The prevalence of obesity and overweight was significantly higher in the urban residents compared to the rural residents, and was also significantly higher in boys than girls (P < 0.01); however, the prevalence of malnutrition was significantly lower in boys than girls (P < 0.01). Compared to 2010, the prevalence of obesity in 2014 increased significantly in boys and girls, and urban and rural residents (P < 0.05), but the prevalence of malnutrition did not change. The prevalence of obesity, overweight, and malnutrition was associated with gender, age, and living region by univariate logistic regressions. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of obesity and overweight has continuously risen since 2010, and there is a low-age trend of obesity and overweight among children and adolescents in Shenyang, China. The increasing rate of obesity and overweight was faster in rural than urban areas. Malnutrition did not significantly decrease during the 4-year period from 2010-2014.

The Association Between Alcohol Consumption and Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction: An Observational Study on a General Population.

The results of previous studies on the relation between alcohol consumption and heart failure (HF) have been inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the association between alcohol consumption and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in a general population.A total of 10,824 adults were examined using a multistage cluster sampling method to select a representative sample of individuals who were at least 35-years old. The participants were asked to provide information about their alcohol consumption. Echocardiograms were obtained, and LVEF was calculated using modified Simpson's rule.Of the 10,824 participants included in the present study, 46.1% were males, and the mean participant age was 54 years; age ranged from 35 to 93 years. The overall prevalence of LVEF< 0.50 and LVEF < 0.40 in the studied population was 11.6% and 2.9%, respectively. The prevalence of LVEF < 0.5 and LVEF < 0.04 was higher in both the moderate and heavy drinker groups than in the nondrinker group (P <0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analyses corrected according to the different levels of alcohol consumption showed that moderate and heavy drinkers had an -1.3-fold and 1.2-fold higher risk of LVEF <0.5, respectively, than nondrinkers (OR: 1.381, 95% CI: 1.115-1.711, P = 0.003 for moderate drinkers; OR: 1.246, 95% CI: 1.064-1.460, P = 0.006 for heavy drinkers). Heavy drinkers had an ∼1.5-fold higher risk of decreased LVEF < 0.4 than nondrinkers (OR: 1.482, 95% CI: 1.117-1.965, P = 0.006). Moderate drinkers did not show a risk of decreased LVEF < 0.4 that was significantly higher than that of nondrinkers (OR: 1.183, 95% CI: 0.774-1.808, P = 0.437).According to these results, we concluded that increased alcohol consumption was associated with decreased LVEF compared with no alcohol consumption in this general population.