Correlations between growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) serum levels and gene polymorphism with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Purpose: To date, the relationship between Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF-15) gene polymorphism and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has not been clarified. Our study aims to explore the association between serum GDF-15 levels and related gene polymorphism with the risk of T2DM in a Chinese rural Yao population. Methods: This was a 1:1 case-control study with 179 T2DM patients and 179 age- and sex-matched control participants. Serum GDF-15 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and polymorphisms (rs1059519, rs1059369, rs1804826 and rs1054564) were genotyped by MassArray mass spectrometry. Results: Serum GDF-15 (sGDF-15) levels were higher in patients with T2DM and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 6.5 % compared to that in controls (p < 0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) corresponding to sGDF-15 levels was 0.626. Serum GDF-15 was positively correlated with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (rs = 0.150, p < 0.001) and HbA1c (rs = 0.160, p < 0.001). The frequency of GDF-15 gene rs1054564 GC + CC genotype was significantly associated with increased risk of T2DM compared to GG genotype (OR = 1.724, 95CI: 1.046-2.841, p = 0.033). Frequencies of rs1804826 T allele (ß additive = 113.318, p = 0.026) and rs1054564 C allele (ß additive = 247.282, p = 0.001, ß dominant = 286.109, p = 0.001) was significantly correlated with higher sGDF-15. The rs1059519 C allele was negatively correlated with FPG (ß recessive = -0.607, p = 0.047) and HbA1c (ß recessive = -0.456, p = 0.020). Conclusion: Serum GDF-15 levels were positively correlated with FPG and HbA1c. The GDF-15 rs1054564 GC + CC genotype was associated with a significantly higher T2DM risk. The rs1059519 C allele was negatively correlated with FPG and HbA1c.

Association between multiple-heavy-metal exposures and systemic immune inflammation in a middle-aged and elderly Chinese general population.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to heavy metals alone or in combination can promote systemic inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate potential associations between multiple plasma heavy metals and markers of systemic immune inflammation. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional study, routine blood tests were performed on 3355 participants in Guangxi, China. Eight heavy metal elements in plasma were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Immunoinflammatory markers were calculated based on peripheral blood WBC and its subtype counts. A generalised linear regression model was used to analyse the association of each metal with the immunoinflammatory markers, and the association of the metal mixtures with the immunoinflammatory markers was further assessed using weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression. RESULTS: In the single-metal model, plasma metal Fe (log10) was significantly negatively correlated with the levels of immune-inflammatory markers SII, NLR and PLR, and plasma metal Cu (log10) was significantly positively correlated with the levels of immune-inflammatory markers SII and PLR. In addition, plasma metal Mn (log10 conversion) was positively correlated with the levels of immune inflammatory markers NLR and PLR. The above associations remained after multiple corrections. In the mixed-metal model, after WQS regression analysis, plasma metal Cu was found to have the greatest weight in the positive effects of metal mixtures on SII and PLR, while plasma metals Mn and Fe had the greatest weight in the positive effects of metal mixtures on NLR and LMR, respectively. In addition, blood Fe had the greatest weight in the negative effects of the metal mixtures for SII, PLR and NLR. CONCLUSION: Plasma metals Cu and Mn were positively correlated with immunoinflammatory markers SII, NLR and PLR. While plasma metal Fe was negatively correlated with immunoinflammatory markers SII, NLR, and PLR.

Association between plasma and dietary trace elements and obesity in a rural Chinese population.

Trace elements may play an important role in obesity. This study aimed to assess the plasma and dietary intake levels of four trace elements, Mn, Cu, Zn and Se in a rural Chinese population, and analyse the relationship between trace elements and obesity. A cross-sectional study involving 2587 participants was conducted. Logistic regression models were used to analyse the association between trace elements and obesity; restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were used to assess the dose-response relationship between trace elements and obesity; the weighted quantile sum (WQS) model was used to examine the potential interaction of four plasma trace elements on obesity. Logistic regression analysis showed that plasma Se concentrations in the fourth quartile (Q4) exhibited a lower risk of developing obesity than the first quartile (Q1) (central obesity: OR = 0·634, P = 0·002; general obesity: OR = 0·525, P = 0·005). Plasma Zn concentration in the third quartile (Q3) showed a lower risk of developing obesity in general obesity compared with the first quartile (Q1) (OR = 0·625, P = 0·036). In general obesity, the risk of morbidity was 1·727 and 1·923 times higher for the second and third (Q2, Q3) quartiles of dietary Mn intake than for Q1, respectively. RCS indicated an inverse U-shaped correlation between plasma Se and obesity. WQS revealed the combined effects of four trace elements were negatively associated with central obesity. Plasma Zn and Se were negatively associated with obesity, and dietary Mn was positively associated with obesity. The combined action of the four plasma trace elements had a negative effect on obesity.

Association between the dietary antioxidant index and relative telomere length of leucocytes in the Chinese population.

Dietary antioxidant indices (DAI) may be potentially associated with relative telomere length (RTL) of leucocytes. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between DAI and RTL. A cross-sectional study involving 1656 participants was conducted. A generalised linear regression model and a restricted cubic spline model were used to assess the correlation of DAI and its components with RTL. Generalised linear regression analysis revealed that DAI (ß = 0·005, P = 0·002) and the intake of its constituents vitamin C (ß = 0·043, P = 0·027), vitamin E (ß = 0·088, P < 0·001), Se (ß = 0·075, P = 0·003), and Zn (ß = 0·075, P = 0·023) were significantly and positively correlated with RTL. Sex-stratified analysis showed that DAI (ß = 0·006, P = 0·005) and its constituents vitamin E (ß = 0·083, P = 0·012), Se (ß = 0·093, P = 0·006), and Zn (ß = 0·092, P = 0·034) were significantly and positively correlated with RTL among females. Meanwhile, among males, only vitamin E intake (ß = 0·089, P = 0·013) was significantly and positively associated with RTL. Restricted cubic spline analysis revealed linear positive associations between DAI and its constituents' (vitamin E, Se and Zn) intake and RTL in the total population. Sex-stratified analysis revealed a linear positive correlation between DAI and its constituents' (vitamin E, Se and Zn) intake and RTL in females. Our study found a significant positive correlation between DAI and RTL, with sex differences.

Association Between Combined Polymetallic Exposure and Osteoporosis.

Combined polymetallic exposure may be an influential factor in osteoporosis. This study aimed to explore the association between polymetallic combined exposure and osteoporosis. A total of 2115 participants were included. Plasma concentrations of 22 metals were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Osteoporosis was defined as a T ≤ - 2.5. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, binary logistics regression, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model were used to explore the association between plasma metals and osteoporosis. LASSO regression showed that 10 metals were associated with osteoporosis in the total population (magnesium, calcium, manganese, nickel, cobalt, arsenic, selenium, rubidium, cadmium, aluminum) and women (magnesium, calcium, molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, arsenic, selenium, rubidium, cadmium, aluminum), and four metals associated with men (magnesium, cobalt, aluminum, iron). Logistics regression showed that in total population, magnesium (ORQ3 = 0.653, 95% CI = 0.446-0.954) was negatively correlated with osteoporosis, while aluminum (ORQ2 = 1.569, 95% CI = 1.095-2.248, ORQ4 = 1.616, 95% CI = 1.109-2.354) and cadmium (ORQ4 = 1.989, 95% CI = 1.379-2.870) were positively correlated; in women, magnesium (ORQ3 = 0.579, 95% CI = 0.379-0.883) was negatively correlated with osteoporosis, while aluminum (ORQ2 = 1.563, 95% CI = 1.051-2.326, ORQ4 = 1.543, 95% CI = 1.024-2.326) and cadmium (ORQ3 = 1.482, 95% CI = 1.003-2.191, ORQ4 = 1.740, 95% CI = 1.167-2.596) were positively correlated. BKMR model showed that combined polymetallic exposure had an overall positive effect on osteoporosis, magnesium was negatively associated with osteoporosis, and cadmium, selenium, and aluminum were positively associated with osteoporosis. Metal mixtures in plasma were associated with osteoporosis risk. Magnesium may reduce the risk of osteoporosis, while cadmium, selenium, and aluminum may increase the risk of osteoporosis. Future studies needed to explore correlations and mechanisms.

Efficacy and safety of treatment with or without pertuzumab for HER2-positive breast cancer: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatment with or without pertuzumab for human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 -positive (HER2)-positive breast cancer and provided evidence-based reference for clinical use. METHODS: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase, Clinical Trials and Web of Science databases were searched for studies published up to July 2022, which reported clinical randomized controlled trials of treatment in combination with pertuzumab (experimental group) and without pertuzumab (control group) for HER2-positive breast cancer. Meta-analysis was performed using R 4.2.1 based on the extraction of the data and the risk of bias assessment under the supervision of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions 5.1.0. RESULTS: The results from this study showed that, the patients in the experimental group showed prolonged progression-free survival [hazard ratio = 0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.65,0.80), P < .01] and overall survival [hazard ratio = 0.80, 95% CI (0.66,0.96), P = .02] than those in the control group. In terms of safety, the incidence of grade ≥ 3 adverse events including diarrhea [risk ratio (RR) = 2.36, 95% CI (1.98,2.81), P < .01] and anemia [RR = 1.43, 95% CI (1.17,1.75), P < .01] in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The incidence of common adverse events, that is rash in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group [RR = 1.62, 95% CI (1.38,1.90), P < .01]. CONCLUSION: These results support that the treatment in combination with pertuzumab is superior to the treatment in combination without pertuzumab in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, but there are some adverse effects such as diarrhea, anemia, and rash, which should be carefully monitored in clinical practice.

Association between barium exposed, CYP19A1 and central obesity: A cross-sectional study in rural China.

BACKGROUND: obesity is a major risk factor for many metabolic diseases such as diabetes and cardiometabolic diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the association of plasma and urinary barium concentrations, CYP19A1 gene polymorphisms, and their interaction with central obesity in a rural Chinese population. METHODS: restricted cubic spline model was used to explore the dose-response relationship between barium and the risk of developing central obesity and waist circumference; logistic regression model was used to assess the association between barium, CYP19A1 gene polymorphisms and their interaction with central obesity. RESULTS: the results of the restricted cubic spline model showed that plasma barium concentration was linearly associated with the risk of developing central obesity and non-linearly associated with waist circumference. Logistic regression analysis showed that participants with Q4 plasma barium concentration exhibited a higher risk of central obesity compared to participants with Q1 barium concentration; participants carrying the rs10046-AA gene exhibited a lower risk of central obesity than those carrying the rs10046-G(GG+GA) gene; participants carrying the rs10046-GA genotype showed 1.754 times higher risk of central obesity than those carrying rs10046-GG+AA genotype. There was a significant interaction between plasma barium and CYP19A1 gene polymorphism on central obesity. CONCLUSION: the development of central obesity was associated with plasma barium and CYP19A1.

The relationship between dietary complexity and cognitive function in Guangxi, China: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The composition of the human diet is complex and diverse, and the relation-ship between dietary composition and cognitive decline has not been adequately studied. Therefore, this study explored the possible association between food items and the risk of cognitive impairment. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was based on an ecological longevity cohort and included 2881 participants (1086 men and 1795 women) aged ≥30 years between December 2018 and November 2019. The association between food items and the risk of cognitive impairment was explored using the Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) learning model. RESULTS: Finally, 2881 participants (1086 men and 1795 women) were included. In all participants, the multivariable logistic analysis showed that fresh fruit consumption was associated with cognitive function (OR=0.999, 95% CI: 0.998-0.999, p=0.021). Using the BKMR model, none of the 18 food items were significantly correlated with cognitive function among women. In men, when the other food items were fixed at the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile values (P25, estimate=-0.239; P50, estimate=-0.210; P75, estimate=-0.158), there was a negative correlation between fresh fruit consumption and the predicted risk of cognitive function disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Men displayed a negative association be-tween fresh fruit consumption and the risk of cognitive function disorders, but this was not apparent among women.

Unequal bonding in Ag-CuIn3Se5-based solid solutions responsible for reduction in lattice thermal conductivity and improvement in thermoelectric performance.

Owing to their unique crystal and band structures, in thermoelectrics increasing attention has recently been paid to compounds of the ternary I-III-VI chalcopyrite family. In this work, unequal bonding between cation and anion pairs in Cu1-y Ag y In3Se4.9Te0.1 solid solutions, which can be effectively used to disturb phonon transport, has been proposed. The unequal bonding, which is represented by the difference of bond lengths Δd, Δd = d (Cu-Se) - d (In-Se) and anion position displacement from its equilibrium position Δu = u - 0.25, is created by the isoelectronic substitution of Ag for Cu. At y = 0.2 both the Δd and Δu values reach their maxima, resulting in a remarkable reduction in lattice thermal conductivity (κ L) and an improvement in TE performance. However, as the y value increase to 0.3 both Δd and Δu values decrease, causing the κ L value to increase and the ZT value to decrease from 0.5 to 0.24 at 930 K. Accordingly, unequal bonding might be an alternative way to improve the TE performance of ternary chalcopyrites.

Enhanced thermoelectric performance of a chalcopyrite compound CuIn3Se5-xTex (x = 0~0.5) through crystal structure engineering.

In this work the chalcopyrite CuIn3Se5-xTex (x = 0~0.5) with space group through isoelectronic substitution of Te for Se have been prepared, and the crystal structure dilation has been observed with increasing Te content. This substitution allows the anion position displacement ∆u = 0.25-u to be zero at x ≈ 0.15. However, the material at x = 0.1 (∆u = 0.15 × 10-3), which is the critical Te content, presents the best thermoelectric (TE) performance with dimensionless figure of merit ZT = 0.4 at 930 K. As x value increases from 0.1, the quality factor B, which informs about how large a ZT can be expected for any given material, decreases, and the TE performance degrades gradually due to the reduction in nH and enhancement in κL. Combining with the ZTs from several chalcopyrite compounds, it is believable that the best thermoelectric performance can be achieved at a certain ∆u value (∆u ≠ 0) for a specific space group if their crystal structures can be engineered.