Blood chromium and lung function among Chinese young adults: A comprehensive analysis based on epidemiology and metabolomics.

Chromium (Cr) exposure is associated with various respiratory system diseases, but there are limited studies investigating its impact on lung function in young adults. The Cr exposure-related metabolomic changes are not well elucidated. This study recruited 608 students from a university in Shandong Province, China in 2019. We used cohort design fitted with linear mixed-effects models to assess the association between blood Cr concentration and lung function. In addition, we performed metabolomic and lipidomic analyses of baseline serum samples (N = 582) using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Two-step statistical analysis (analysis of variance and mixed-linear effect model) was used to evaluate the effect of blood Cr exposure on metabolites. We found that blood Cr was associated with decreased lung function in young adults. Each 2-fold increase in blood Cr concentrations was significantly associated with decreased FEV1 and FVC by 35.26 mL (95 % CI: -60.75, -9.78) and 38.56 mL (95 % CI: -66.60, -10.51), respectively. In the metabolomics analysis, blood Cr exposure was significantly associated with 14 key metabolites. The changed metabolites were mainly enriched in six pathways including lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and cofactor vitamin metabolism. Blood Cr may affect lung function through oxidative stress and inflammation related pathways.

Understanding the feelings and experiences of patients with periodontal disease: a qualitative meta-synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Patients' experiences, feelings, and perceptions play key roles in quality of life and dental care quality, but they are poorly understood in periodontal disease. Therefore, this meta-synthesis aimed to gain deep insights into the feelings, experiences, and perceptions of people living with periodontal disease. METHODS: Electronic database searches in PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Open AIRE were conducted up to December 2021 (updated in June 2022). The JBI Critical Appraisal Tool was used for quality assessment. Then reviewers integrated findings from qualitative studies with a thematic synthesis approach. RESULTS: A total of 567 studies were identified, of which eight involving 131 participants met the inclusion criteria. Studies were conducted between 2008 and 2021within Europe (Sweden and UK), Asia (Korea, Indonesia, and Singapore), and Oceania (New Zealand). Three analytical themes with nine descriptive themes emerged from the qualitative data. The themes were as follows: (1) "pressure (physical, psychosocial, and financial)," (2) "coping and adaptation (avoidance of the status quo, trying to understand it, and taking responsibility for their own)," (3) "reflection and evaluation (exploring the causes, personal control, and calling for better dental care)." CONCLUSIONS: This review provides insights into how patients perceive and cope with periodontal disease. The findings highlighted patient-centered care in PD, and based on the findings, it is possible to provide more precise and efficient interventions for better patient compliance and treatment outcomes.

Whole blood cadmium levels and depressive symptoms in Chinese young adults: A prospective cohort study combing metabolomics.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between Cd exposure and depressive symptoms in Chinese young adults. And to investigate the potential metabolic changes associated with high blood Cd concentrations. METHODS: We conducted a cohort study in 2019 and 2021. Blood Cd and depressive symptoms were collected during baseline and follow-up. The nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scores were used to assess depressive symptoms. We used the generalized linear mixed model to estimate the association between blood Cd levels and depressive symptoms. A metabolomic and lipidomic analysis based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was conducted on a total of 679 blood samples. The metabolomic data were analyzed using variance analysis and linear mixed effects models. RESULTS: Blood Cd concentrations were significantly associated with increased severity of depression symptoms [odds ratio (OR) 2.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-4.11]. Metabolomics analysis found 93 metabolites with significant statistical differences between the lowest blood Cd level group and the highest Cd level group. Among the 93 differential metabolites, 17 were enriched in 7 differential metabolic pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Blood Cd was associated with increased severity of depression symptoms in Chinese young adults. Cd exposure may affect depressive symptoms by inducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and disrupting amino acid metabolism.

Effects of Zn in sludge-derived biochar on Cd immobilization and biological uptake by lettuce.

Considering the high Zn content of municipal sewage sludge and its competition with Cd during plant uptake due to their similar properties, the presence of Zn in sludge-derived biochar (SDBC) may affect Cd immobilization and uptake by plants. To confirm this, SDBC samples with different Zn contents were prepared and characterized. Their Cd immobilization behavior was studied by conducting batch sorption experiments, and their effects on Cd uptake by lettuce were explored by conducting hydroponic experiments. The results reveal that some Zn contained in the sewage sludge was transformed into ZnO during pyrolysis. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of the SDBC samples containing 2324 mg kg-1 Zn (BC-2324) was 18.3 m2 g-1, which was 132% larger than that of the samples containing 1438 mg kg-1 Zn (BC-1438). The SDBC samples containing 1901 mg kg-1 (BC-1901) exhibited the highest Langmuir sorption capacity of 3476 mg kg-1, which is 115% higher than that of SB-1438. Furthermore, the lettuce remedied with SB-1901 exhibited 44% more biomass; lower peroxidase, catalase, and malondialdehyde activity; and 18.4% less Cd in the leaves of the lettuce than the lettuce remedied with BC-1438, suggesting the potential benefits of using Zn-rich SDBC for soil amendment.

Continuous leaching modifies the surface properties and metal(loid) sorption of sludge-derived biochar.

After the application of sludge derived biochar (SDBC) for soil stabilization, it is subjected to continuous leaching that may change its surface properties and metal(loid) immobilization performance. This study simulated the continuous leaching through the fresh SDBC sample in columns with unsaturated and saturated zones under flushing with 0.01M NaNO3 solution (pH5.5) and acidic solution (pH adjusted to 3.2 by HNO3:H2SO4=1:2), respectively. The resultant changes were assessed in terms of the SDBC surface characteristics and metal(loid) sorption capacities. Continuous leaching was found to gradually decrease the density of basic functional groups and increase the density of carboxyl groups as well as cation exchange capacity on the SDBC surface. It was attributed to the surface acidification and oxidation process by the leaching process, yet it occurred to a lesser extent than the atmospheric exposure. Continuous leaching increased Pb(II), Cr(VI), and As(III) sorption capacity of the SDBC, probably because the increase in carboxyl groups promoted inner-sphere complexation and Fe oxidation as revealed by spectroscopic analysis. It was noteworthy that the SDBC in the unsaturated and saturated zones under continuous leaching displayed distinctive effects on metal(loid) sorption capacity than the atmospheric exposure. Future investigations are needed for understanding the fate and interactions of the SDBC under varying redox conditions and intermittent leaching process.

Effects of atmospheric ageing under different temperatures on surface properties of sludge-derived biochar and metal/metalloid stabilization.

Ageing is a common phenomenon during biochar storage and its soil application. In this study, we exposed sludge-derived biochar (SDBC) in the air under 4 °C, 22 °C, and 45 °C for 30-120 d to imitate the ageing process after SDBC production. The aged SDBC was characterized and its sorption capacities for Pb(II), Cr(V) and As(III) were compared with the fresh ones in batch sorption experiments. The results showed an increase in acidity, cation exchange capacity, and carboxyl groups of SDBC surface, but a decrease in alkalinity and Fe(III) species during ageing, indicating the oxidation. In addition, ageing for more than 30 d was found to favor the Pb(II) and As(III) sorption, because of higher density of available oxygen-containing groups. The Cr(VI) sorption was found to be compromised by the ageing, because some reducing agents for Cr(VI) reduction was consumed there. Higher temperatures accelerated the above-mentioned ageing effect. Yet, when the SDBC was applied in the heavy-metal contaminated soil, its performance would be affected by both ageing of SDBC itself as well as long-term interactions among soil components, such as colloids and solution, heavy metals, and SDBC, which require further investigation.