Soybean PHR1-regulated low phosphorus-responsive GmRALF22 promotes phosphate uptake by stimulating the expression of GmPTs.

Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and development. Rapid alkalisation factors (RALFs) play crucial roles in plant responses to nutrient stress. However, the functions of Glycine max RALFs (GmRALFs) under low P (LP) stress remain elusive. In this study, we first identified 27 GmRALFs in soybean and then revealed that, under LP conditions, GmRALF10, GmRALF11, and GmRALF22 were induced in both roots and leaves, whereas GmRALF5, GmRALF6, and GmRALF25 were upregulated in leaves. Furthermore, GmRALF22 was found to be the target gene of the transcription factor GmPHR1, which binds to the P1BS cis-element in the promoter of GmRALF22 via electrophoretic mobility shift assay and dual-luciferase experiments. Colonisation with Bacillus subtilis which delivers GmRALF22, increases the expression of the high-affinity phosphate (Pi) transporter genes GmPT2, GmPT11, GmPT13, and GmPT14, thus increasing the total amount of dry matter and soluble Pi in soybeans. RNA sequencing revealed that GmRALF22 alleviates LP stress by regulating the expression of jasmonic acid- (JA-), salicylic acid- (SA-), and immune-related genes. Finally, we verified that GmRALF22 was dependent on FERONIA (FER) to promote Arabidopsis primary root growth under LP conditions. In summary, the GmPHR1-GmRALF22 module positively regulates soybean tolerance to LP.

Blood Glucose Levels Moderate the Associations Between IGF-1 Levels and Choroidal Metrics in Patients With Diabetes With Acromegaly Without Diabetic Retinopathy.

Purpose: To examine the effects of serum growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on choroidal structures with different blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) with acromegaly without diabetic retinopathy. Methods: Eighty-eight eyes of 44 patients with acromegaly were divided into a nondiabetic group (23 patients, 46 eyes) and a diabetic group (21 patients, 42 eyes). Forty-four age- and sex-matched healthy controls and 21 patients with type 2 DM without diabetic retinopathy were also included. Linear regression models with a simple slope analysis were used to identify the correlation and interaction between endocrine parameters and choroidal thickness (ChT), total choroidal area (TCA), luminal area (LA), stromal area (SA), and choroidal vascular index (CVI). Results: Our study revealed significant increases in the ChT, LA, SA, and TCA in patients with acromegaly compared with healthy controls, with no difference in the CVI. Comparatively, patients with DM with acromegaly had greater ChT than matched patients with type 2 DM, with no significant differences in other choroidal parameters. The enhancement of SA, LA and TCA caused by an acromegalic status disappeared in patients with diabetic status, whereas ChT and CVI were not affected by the interaction. In the diabetic acromegaly, higher IGF-1 (P = 0.006) and GH levels (P = 0.049), longer DM duration (P = 0.007), lower blood glucose (P = 0.001), and the interaction between GH and blood glucose were associated independently with thicker ChT. Higher GH levels (P = 0.016, 0.004 and 0.007), longer DM duration (P = 0.022, 0.013 and 0.013), lower blood glucose (P = 0.034, 0.011 and 0.01), and the interaction of IGF-1 and blood glucose were associated independently with larger SA, LA, and TCA. As blood glucose levels increased, the positive correlation between serum GH level and ChT diminished, and became insignificant when blood glucose was more than 7.35 mM/L. The associations between serum IGF-1 levels and LA, SA, and TCA became increasingly negative, with LA, becoming significantly and negatively associated to the GH levels only when blood glucose levels were more than 8.59 mM/L. Conclusions: Acromegaly-related choroidal enhancements diminish in the presence of DM. In diabetic acromegaly, blood glucose levels are linked negatively with changes in choroidal metrics and their association with GH and IGF-1. Translational Relevance: We revealed the potential beneficial impacts of IGF-1 and GH on structural measures of the choroid in patients with DM at relatively well-controlled blood glucose level, which could provide a potential treatment target for diabetic retinopathy.

Microwave ablation on ex vivo porcine pancreas: The influence of ablation parameters on ablation results and fat liquefaction.

The pancreas is adjacent to critical organs; excessive microwave ablation (MWA) can result in serious complications. The purpose of this paper is to provide the reference data of pancreas MWA for clinicians, analyze the ablation outcomes under different ablation parameters, and determine the critical temperature of pancreatic surface fat liquefaction outflow. Combinations of two power levels (30 W and 55 W), three antenna diameters (1.3 mm, 1.6 mm, and 1.9 mm), and three ablation times (1 min, 1.5 min, and 2 min) were applied to an ex vivo pig pancreas. Temperature measurements were taken at four thermocouple points. The center point is located 5 mm horizontally from the antenna slot, with a temperature measurement point located 5 mm above, below, and to the right of the center point. Main effect analysis and variance analysis were used to quantify the influences of each factor on the ablation outcomes. At 30 W, the antenna diameter contributing the most at 48.5%. At 30 W-1.3 mm-1 min, the spherical index (1.41) is closest to 1. At 55 W, the coagulation zone size was almost only affected by the ablation time, with a contribution rate of 28.7%, the temperature at point C exceeds point B. On the surface of the ex vivo porcine pancreas, the fat outflow temperature was 54ã. Ablation combinations with low power, short duration, and small antenna diameter results in a more nearly spherical coagulation zone. When performing MWA on the pancreas, it is advisable to avoid areas with higher fat content, while keeping the pancreatic surface temperature below 54°C.

Associations of muscle mass, strength, and quality with diabetes and the mediating role of inflammation in two National surveys from China and the United states.

AIMS: The evidence for joint and independent associations of low muscle mass and low muscle strength with diabetes is limited and mixed. The study aimed to determine the associations of muscle parameters (muscle mass, strength, quality, and sarcopenia) and sarcopenia obesity with diabetes, and the previously unstudied mediating effect of inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 13,420 adults from the 2023 China National Health Survey (CNHS) and 5,380 adults from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included in this study. Muscle mass was determined using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in the CNHS, and whole-body dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in the NHANES. Muscle strength was assessed using digital hand dynamometer. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations of muscle parameters and sarcopenia obesity with diabetes. Inflammatory status was assessed using blood cell counts and two systemic inflammation indices (platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and system inflammation response index (SIRI)). Mediation analysis was conducted to examine inflammation's role in these associations. RESULTS: Low muscle mass and strength were independently related to diabetes. Low muscle quality was associated with elevated diabetes risk. Sarcopenia has a stronger association with diabetes compared to low muscle strength alone or mass alone (CNHS, odds ratio (OR) = 1.93, 95 % confidence interval (CI):1.64-2.27; NHANES, OR = 3.80, 95 %CI:2.58-5.58). Participants with sarcopenia obesity exhibit a higher risk of diabetes than those with obesity or sarcopenia alone (CNHS, OR = 2.21, 95 %CI:1.72-2.84; NHANES, OR = 6.06, 95 %CI:3.64-10.08). Associations between muscle parameters and diabetes were partially mediated by inflammation (mediation proportion: 1.99 %-36.64 %, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Low muscle mass and muscle strength are independently or jointly associated with diabetes, and inflammation might be a potential mechanism underlying this association. Furthermore, the synergistic effects of sarcopenia and obesity could significantly increase diabetes risk.

Insulin resistance, combined with health-related lifestyles, psychological traits and adverse cardiometabolic profiles, is associated with cardiovascular diseases: findings from the BHMC study.

The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index is a reliable marker of insulin resistance; however, its combined impact with modifiable lifestyle risk factors and psychological traits on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between the TyG index, various behavioral factors, psychological traits, and CVDs. A total of 77 752 adults aged 18 and over from the baseline survey of the Beijing Health Management Cohort study were investigated. Associations of the TyG index, body roundness index (BRI), dietary habits, psychological traits, and sleep habits with CVDs were estimated using multivariable logistic regression models. Compared to the Q1 level, the Q4 level of the TyG index had an odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of 2.30 (1.98-2.68) for CVD risk in men and 2.12 (1.81-2.48) in women. Compared to a sleep duration of more than 7 hours, a sleep duration less than 5 hours had a 32% (8%-61%) higher risk in men and 22% (1%-48%) in women. The ORs (95% CIs) for fast eating compared to normal speed were 1.47 (1.23-1.76) in men and 1.17 (1.05-1.29) in women. Compared to individuals with a passive and depressed psychological trait, those who were positive and optimistic had a 47% (36%-56%) decreased risk in men and 43% (31%-53%) in women. In the age-stratified analysis, a higher BRI level showed a sex-differential effect on CVDs, which is potentially related to a lower risk of CVDs in elderly men. A high level of the TyG index combined with unhealthy lifestyle factors indicates a higher risk of CVDs, while maintaining a positive and optimistic psychological trait acts as a protective factor. These findings may be valuable for identifying high-risk populations for CVDs in community settings.

Prevalence, associated factors, and gene polymorphisms of obesity in Tibetan adults in Qinghai, China.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the prevalence and associated factors of obesity in Tibetan adults in Qinghai, China, and to determine the association between the FTO (rs1121980 and rs17817449) and MC4R gene (rs17782313 and rs12970134) polymorphisms with obesity. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2015 in Qinghai to selected Tibetan adults aged 20 to 80 years. Prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2) and overweight (BMI 24 ~ 27.9 kg/m2) were evaluated. Multivariable logistic models were used to determine the associated factors. Pair-matched subjects of obesity cases and normal-weight controls were selected for the gene polymorphism analyses. Conditional logistic models were used to assess the association between gene polymorphisms with obesity. Additive and multiplicative gene-environment interactions were tested. RESULTS: A total of 1741 Tibetan adults were enrolled. The age- and sex- standardized prevalence of obesity and overweight was 18.09% and 31.71%, respectively. Male sex, older age, heavy level of leisure-time exercise, current smoke, and heavy level of occupational physical activity were associated with both obesity and overweight. MC4R gene polymorphisms were associated with obesity in Tibetan adults. No significant gene-environment interaction was detected. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of obesity and overweight in Tibetan adults was high. Both environmental and genetic factors contributed to the obesity prevalent.

Lifestyle and clinical factors as predictive indicators of cardiometabolic multimorbidity in Chinese adults: Baseline findings of the Beijing Health Management Cohort (BHMC) study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) is increasing globally as a result of lifestyle changes and the aging population. Even though previous studies have examined risk factors associated with CMM, there is a shortage of prediction models that can accurately identify high-risk individuals for early prevention. METHODS: In the baseline survey of the Beijing Health Management Cohort, a total of 77,752 adults aged 18 years or older were recruited from 2020 to 2021. Data on lifestyle factors, clinical profiles, and diagnoses of diabetes, coronary heart disease, and stroke were collected. Logistic regression models were used to identify risk factors for CMM. Nomograms were developed to estimate an individual's probability of CMM based on the identified risk factors. The performance of the model was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS: In men, the top three risk factors for CMM were hypertension (OR: 3.52, 95 % CI: 2.97-4.18), eating very fast (3.43, 2.27-5.16), and dyslipidemia (2.59, 2.20-3.06). In women, hypertension showed the strongest association with CMM (3.62, 2.90-4.52), followed by night sleep duration less than 5 h per day (2.41, 1.67-3.50) and dyslipidemia (1.91, 1.58-2.32). The ORs for holding passive and depressed psychological traits were 1.49 (95%CI: 1.08-2.06) in men and 1.58 (1.03-2.43) in women. Prediction models incorporating these factors demonstrated good discrimination in the test set, with AUC 0.84 (0.83-0.86) for men and 0.90 (0.89-0.91) for women. The sex-specific nomograms were established based on selected predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Modifiable lifestyle factors, metabolic health and psychological trait are associated with the risk of CMM. The developed prediction models and nomograms could facilitate early identification of individuals at high-risk of CMM.

Prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity in China during 2002-2022: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity is common, particularly among elderly people. Restructuring health service systems to better manage this public health issue requires knowledge regarding disease prevalence and patterns. We quantified the epidemiology characteristics of multimorbidity among adults in China to inform policy-making and resource allocation. METHODS: We searched 10 databases for studies (January 2000-October 2023) reporting primary epidemiological multimorbidity data for adults in China. We included observational studies; we excluded duplicate publications and studies investigating a single comorbidity pattern, focused on specific population categories, using medical insurance reimbursement data, and with unclear/incomplete data. We assessed risk of bias using the STROBE checklist and estimated heterogeneity among studies. The prevalence was pooled using the random-effects method and sample size as weight. FINDINGS: Of 13,998 records retrieved, 67 studies (30 in English, 37 in Chinese) were included. The prevalence (95% confidence interval) of multimorbidity was 25.4% (15.1%, 35.7%) among Chinese adults. Among 42 studies reporting age-specific prevalence, multimorbidity prevalence increased rapidly with age: 3.3% (0%, 15.2%) for age 18-29 years, 5.9% (0%, 12.9%) for 30-44 years, 17.6% (6.1%, 29.1%) for 45-59 years, 32.4% (16.1%, 48.7%) for 60-69 years, 38.5% (23.6%, 53.4%) for 70-79 years, and 40.2% (20.8%, 59.6%) for age ≥ 80 years. Overall prevalence of multimorbidity has increased in recent years, with regional disparity. The most common patterns included hypertension with hearing impairment (10.4% [95% CI: 4.3%, 16.5%]), dyslipidemia (8.9% [4.1%, 13.6%]), and diabetes (8.7% [3.7%, 13.8%]). CONCLUSION: Multimorbidity was present nearly one in four Chinese adults, with hypertensive diseases and other comorbidities being the most-observed pattern; the prevalence increased rapidly with increased age. There is huge variation in the prevalence of multimorbidity across China. Coordinated, comprehensive strategies are urgently needed to control the ongoing impact of multimorbidity.

Prevalence and risk factors of oral human papillomavirus infection among 4212 healthy adults in Hebei, China.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is an essential cause of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma that is increasing in incidence worldwide. However, little is known about the epidemiology of oral HPV infection among healthy adults in China. METHODS: A study in northern China was conducted in 2021 as baseline data of Diverse Life-Course Cohort (DLCC). Residents who aged above 20 were eligible to participate. Oral swab specimens and questionnaires were collected from 4226 participants. HPV DNA in oral exfoliated cells was tested by Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction approach and sequencing. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the associations between exposure factors and oral HPV infection. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of oral HPV infection was 4.08% (95%CI, 3.69%-4.68%). The most prevalent HPV type detected was HPV-81 (1.35%; 95% CI, 1.00%-1.70%), followed by HPV-16 (0.64%; 95% CI, 0.40%-0.88%). Oral HPV infection presented a bimodal pattern with respect to age in male and female participants. Oral HPV prevalence of male participants was significantly higher than prevalence of female participants (5.0% versus 3.6%, P = 0.041). Prevalence of oral HPV was higher among current smokers (OR = 1.59; 95% CI, 1.11-2.29; P = 0.039) and current drinkers (OR = 1.60; 95% CI, 1.14-2.25; P = 0.023). Current alcohol consumption was independently associated with oral HPV infection (OR = 1.74; 95% CI, 1.22-2.50; P = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Among healthy adults aged above 20 in Hebei, China, the prevalence of high-risk HPV infection was 1.92% (95%CI, 1.51%-2.34%). Oral HPV prevalence was independently associated with alcohol consumption. More tailored prevention strategies are needed to prevent oral HPV infection through smoking cessation, reduction of alcohol consumption, and HPV vaccination.

The association of nocturnal hypoxemia with dyslipidemia in sleep-disordered breathing population of Chinese community: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there is limited and controversial clinical research on the correlation between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and dyslipidemia. This discrepancy in findings may be because studies that primarily focused on hospital-based populations may not be applicable to community-based populations. Therefore, the primary objective of this research endeavor is to scrutinize the correlation between nocturnal hypoxemia and blood lipid concentrations among adult individuals residing in the community who exhibit symptoms of SDB. Additionally, this study aimed to identify the nocturnal hypoxia parameters having the strongest correlation with this relationship. METHODS: This cross-sectional study collected data from The Guangdong Sleep Health Study, which included 3829 participants. Type IV sleep monitoring was employed to measure hypoxemia parameters, and lipoproteins were evaluated using fasting blood samples. To understand the association between dyslipidemia and hypoxemia parameters, a multivariable logistic regression model was used. Subgroup analyses were conducted to stratify data according to age, sex, waist circumference, and chronic diseases. RESULTS: The age of the individuals involved in the study spanned from 20 to 90 years. The average age of the participants was 56.15 ± 13.11 years. Of the total sample size, 55.7% were male. In the fully adjusted model, the meanSpO2 was negatively associated with hyperlipidemia (0.9303 [95% confidence interval 0.8719, 0.9925]). Upon conducting a nonlinearity test, the relationship between the meanSpO2 and hyperlipidemia was nonlinear. The inflection points were determined to be 95. When meanSpO2 ≥ 95%, a difference of 1 in the meanSpO2 corresponded to a 0.07 difference in the risk of hyperlipidemia. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that higher meanSpO2 is significantly and negatively associated with hyperlipidemia in adult community residents with SDB, particularly when the meanSpO2 exceeds 95. This finding emphasizes the importance of close monitoring for dyslipidemia, which is considered an early indicator of atherosclerosis in patients with SDB who experience nocturnal hypoxia.

Epidemiology of Oral Human Papillomavirus Infection among Diverse Chinese Adults in Typical Areas of China: Findings from the DLCC Study.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a predominant cause of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. However, there is limited knowledge about the epidemiology of oral HPV infections among adults in China. METHODS: We collected data from a prospective cohort that enrolled participants in Mainland China. A total of 9,867 participants ages at least 20 years provided oral swab specimens in typical areas of China (Hebei and Guangdong provinces) in 2021. HPV DNA in oral exfoliated cells was tested using nested PCR and sequencing. Prevalence among subpopulations was compared. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to assess possible factors influencing oral HPV infection. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of oral HPV infection was 3.0% [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.68-3.36]. Among those infected, 1.3% (1.08-1.53) were infected with high-risk HPV types. Men had a higher age-standardized HPV infection prevalence (3.6%, 2.96-4.29) compared with their female counterparts (2.7%, 2.35-3.12). People in Hebei had a higher age- and sex-standardized prevalence (4.1%, 3.50-4.70) than those in Guangdong (2.2%, 1.80-2.56). Generally, men (OR and 95% CI: 1.42, 1.09-1.85) and people in Hebei (2.01, 1.53-2.65) had higher odds of any type of HPV infection. In addition, people living in urban areas had a 2.15-fold (1.43-3.26) higher odds of high-risk HPV infection. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals a low prevalence of oral HPV infection with significant geographic and sex differences among Chinese population. IMPACT: This is the first study to report the epidemiologic characteristics of oral HPV infection among Chinese adults in diverse geographic areas with large sample size.

The development and validation of a non-invasive prediction model of hyperuricemia based on modifiable risk factors: baseline findings of a health examination population cohort.

This study aims to establish a simple and non-invasive risk prediction model for hyperuricemia in Chinese adults based on modifiable risk factors. In 2020-2021, the baseline survey of the Beijing Health Management Cohort (BHMC) was conducted in Beijing city among the health examination population. Diverse life-style risk factors including dietary patterns and habits, cigarette smoking, alcohol intake, sleep duration and cell-phone use were collected. We developed hyperuricemia prediction models using three machine-learning techniques, namely logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), and XGBoost. Performances in discrimination, calibration, and clinical applicability of the three methods were compared. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to assess the model's clinical usefulness. A total of 74 050 people were included in the study, of whom 55 537 (75%) were randomly selected into the training set and the other 18 513 (25%) were in the validation set. The prevalence of HUA was 38.43% in men and 13.29% in women. The XGBoost model has better performance than the LR and RF models. The area under the curve (AUC) (95% CI) in the training set for the LR, RF and XGBoost models were 0.754 (0.750-0.757), 0.844 (0.841-0.846) and 0.854 (0.851-0.856), respectively. The XGBoost model had a higher classification accuracy of 0.774 than the logistic (0.592) and RF (0.767) models. The AUC (95% CI) values in the validation set for the LR, RF and XGBoost models were 0.758 (0.749-0.765), 0.809 (0.802-0.816) and 0.820 (0.813-0.827), respectively. As demonstrated by the DCA curves, all the three models could bring net benefits within the appropriate threshold probability. XGBoost had better discrimination and accuracy. Various modifiable risk factors included in the model were helpful in facilitating the easy identification and life-style interventions of the HUA high-risk population.

Prevalence of common chronic disease and multimorbidity patterns in Guangdong province with three typical cultures: analysis of data from the Diverse Life-Course Cohort study.

Background: Variations in the prevalence and pattern of multimorbidity might be attributable to lifestyle and environmental factors. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of common chronic diseases and to reveal multimorbidity patterns among adults in Guangdong province with Chaoshan, Hakka, and island cultures. Methods: We used data collected at the baseline survey (April-May 2021) of the Diverse Life-Course Cohort study and included 5,655 participants aged ≥20 years. Multimorbidity was defined as the presence of two or more of the 14 chronic diseases collected by self-reports, physical examinations, and blood tests. Multimorbidity patterns were explored by association rule mining (ARM). Results: Overall, 40.69% of participants had multimorbidity, and the prevalence among coastland (42.37%) and mountain residents (40.36%) was higher than that among island residents (37.97%). The prevalence of multimorbidity increased rapidly with higher age groups and showed an inflection point at 50 years, beyond which >50% of the middle-aged and older adults had multimorbidity. The proportion of people with two chronic diseases accounted for most cases of multimorbidity, and the strongest association was found between hyperuricemia and gout (lift of 3.26). The most prevalent multimorbidity pattern was dyslipidemia and hyperuricemia in the coastland areas and dyslipidemia combined with hypertension in the mountain and island areas. Furthermore, the most common triad combination consisted of cardiovascular diseases, gout, and hyperuricemia, which was verified in the mountain and coastal areas. Conclusion: These observations of multimorbidity patterns, including the most frequent multimorbidity and associations, will help healthcare providers develop healthcare plans that improve the effectiveness of multimorbidity management.

Association between long-term exposure to ambient particulate matter and pulmonary function among men and women in typical areas of South and North China.

Background: Studies comparing the effects of different sizes and concentrations of ambient particulate matter (PM) on pulmonary function in different regions and sexes remain sparse. Objectives: To investigate the associations of different sizes and levels of long-term ambient PM exposure with pulmonary function among people of different sexes in typical areas of South and North China. Methods: In 2021, a total of 1,592 participants aged 20-73 years were recruited to participate in the pulmonary function test from the baseline survey of the Diverse Life-Course Cohort (DLCC) in typical areas of Guangdong Province and Hebei Province. The three-year (2018-2020) average ambient PM concentrations were assessed from the ChinaHighPM1 dataset, ChinaHighPM2.5 dataset and ChinaHighPM10 dataset. Mean differences in pulmonary function were used in multilevel models for different regions and sexes. Results: We discovered significant associations of ambient PM exposure with reduced forced vital capacity (FVC) and increased forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity ratio (FEV1/FVC) among men and lower levels of FEV1 and FVC among women, such that a 5-µg/m3 concentration increase in PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 was associated with decreases in FVC of 122.1 ml (95% confidence interval (CI): 30.8, 213.4), 54.6 ml (95% CI: 15.8, 93.3) and 42.9 ml (95% CI: 12.7, 73.1) and increases in FEV1/FVC of 2.2% (95% CI: 0.6, 3.9), 1.1% (95% CI: 0.4, 1.9) and 0.9% (95% CI: 0.3, 1.5) among men and decreases in FEV1 of 51.1 ml (95% CI: 9.7, 92.4), 21.6 ml (95% CI: 4.3, 38.9) and 16.7 ml (95% CI: 3.3, 30.1) and in FVC of 77.8 ml (95% CI: 10.0, 145.6), 38.7 ml (95% CI: 9.0, 68.5) and 31.1 ml (95% CI: 8.1, 54.1) among women in Hebei Province. There was no association between ambient PM and pulmonary function in Guangdong Province. Conclusion: Long-term exposure to different sizes and concentrations of ambient PM were associated with FEV1 and FVC among men and women differently. The impact of ambient PM on FVC should be of greater concerned.

BART-D2 subtype of EBV encoded BART miRNA cluster 1 region is strongly associated with endemic nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded BamHI A rightward transcript (BART) microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in viral infection and tumorigenesis. The association of sequence variations in the BART miRNA cluster 1 region with diseases remains unclear. Herein, 6 types and 11 subtypes of BART cluster 1 were identified in 354 tumors and healthy donors (HDs) from nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)-endemic and nonendemic China (genotyped data), and 905 EBV genomes retrieved from GenBank from diseased and normal people from around the world (archived data). The distributions of BART cluster 1 types/subtypes between NPC-endemic and nonendemic China; between Asian regions and Africa/Europe & Australia & United States; and among Asian regions (NPC-endemic China, NPC-nonendemic East Asia and Southeast Asia) were significantly different (p < 0.001). The subtype BART-D2 was not found outside Asia and was only common in NPC-endemic China. More importantly, BART-D2 had a higher frequency in NPCs than in HDs in NPC-endemic China (genotyped data, 78.0% vs. 44.1%, p < 0.001; achieved data, 89.3% vs. 43.7%, p < 0.001), and was also more frequent in NPCs than in HDs, gastric carcinomas, and lymphomas in NPC-nonendemic China (genotyped data, 27.9% vs. 1.9%, 2.4%, and 0.0%, p < 0.001). BART-D2 was preferentially linked with the high-risk subtypes for NPC previously reported, 162476C or 163364T, in the BALF2 gene, and was associated with NPC risk (p < 0.01). In vitro experiments showed that BART-D2 affected the expression of some mature BART miRNAs. These findings demonstrate geographically restricted variations of BART cluster 1 and identify distinct subtype that is confined to NPC-endemic China and is associated with NPC.

Spousal Similarities in Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Northern China: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore spousal similarities in cardiovascular risk factors in northern China. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of married couples from Beijing, Hebei, Gansu, and Qinghai provinces between 2015 and 2019. A total of 2,020 couples were included in the final analyses. The spousal similarities for metabolic indicators and cardiovascular risk factors (including lifestyle factors and cardiometabolic diseases) were evaluated using Spearman's correlation and logistic regression analyses, respectively. Results: All metabolic indicators showed positive spousal correlations (p < 0.001), with the strongest for fasting blood glucose (r = 0.30) and the lowest for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = 0.08). Significant husband-wife associations were observed for several cardiovascular risk factors except for hypertension in multivariable models, with the strongest association for physical inactivity (odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals of 3.59 [2.85, 4.52] and 3.54 [2.82, 4.46] for husbands and wives, respectively). In addition, the interaction of age with spousal overweight/obesity status was statistically significant, and the association was stronger in people ≥50 years. Conclusion: There were spousal similarities in cardiovascular risk factors. The finding may have public health implications that targeted screening and interventions for spouses of people with cardiovascular risk factors.

The association between muscle-to-fat ratio and cardiometabolic risks: The China National Health Survey.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between muscle mass and fat mass might be an indicator to assess the cardiometabolic risk independently from overweight/obesity, but evidence from a representative general Chinese population is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To understand the age- and sex-specific associations between muscle-to-fat ratio (MFR) and cardiometabolic risks in Chinese population. METHODS: 31,178 (12,526 men and 18,652 women) subjects from the China National Health Survey were included. Muscle mass and fat mass were assessed by a bioelectrical impedance device. MFR was calculated as muscle mass divided by fat mass. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), serum lipids, fasting plasma glucose and serum uric acid were measured. General linear regressions, quantile regressions and restricted cubic-spline (RCS) regressions were applied to assess the effect of MFR on cardiometabolic profiles. RESULTS: Per unit increase of MFR was associated with a 0.631 (0.759-0.502) mmHg SBP decrease in men, 2.648 (3.073-2.223) in women; 0.480 (0.568-0.392) mmHg DBP decrease in men, 2.049 (2.325-1.774) in women; a 0.054 (0.062-0.046) mmol/L total cholesterol decrease in men, 0.147 (0.172-0.122) in women; 0.084 (0.098-0.070) mmol/L triglycerides decrease in men, 0.225 (0.256-0.194) in women; a 0.045 (0.054-0.037) mmol/L low-density lipoprotein decrease in men, 0.183 (0.209-0.157) in women; a 2.870 (2.235-3.506) µmol/L serum uric acid decrease in men, 13.352 (14.967-11.737) in women; and a 0.027 (0.020-0.033) mmol/L high-density lipoprotein increase in men, 0.112 (0.098-0.126) mmol/L in women. The effect in overweight/obese people was much significant than in under/normal weight counterparts. The RCS curves revealed both linear and non-linear relationships between increased MFR and lower cardiometabolic risk. CONCLUSIONS: Muscle-to-fat ratio is independently associated with multiple cardiometabolic parameters among Chinese adults. Higher MFR is related with better cardiometabolic health, and the effect is much significant in overweight/obese people and women.

Normative values of hand grip strength in a large unselected Chinese population: Evidence from the China National Health Survey.

BACKGROUND: Hand grip strength (HGS) is a powerful indicator of sarcopenia and other adverse health outcomes. Normative values for HGS for general Chinese people with a broad age spectrum are lacking. This study aims to establish normative values of HGS and explore the correlations between HGS and body composition among unselected people aged 8-80 in China. METHODS: From 2012 to 2017, 39 655 participants aged 8-80 years in the China National Health Survey were included. Absolute HGS was measured using a Jamar dynamometer. The relative HGS was normalized by body mass index. Body composition indexes included body mass index, body fat percentage, muscle mass, fat mass index (FMI) and muscle mass index (MMI). Sex-specific smoothed centile tables for the P1 , P5 , P25 , P50 , P75 , P95 and P99 centiles of HGS and body composition were generated using lambda-mu-sigma method. The correlations between muscle strength and body composition were estimated by partial Spearman correlation analysis. RESULTS: The median values (25th and 75th percentile) of HGS in boys and girls (8-19 years old) were 22 (14, 34) kg and 18 (12, 22) kg, respectively; in men and women aged 20-80 were 39 (33, 44) kg and 24 (20, 27) kg, respectively. Values of upper and lower HGS across ages had three periods: an increase to a peak in the 20 s in men (with the 5th and 95th values of 30 and 55 kg, respectively) and 30 s in women (with the 5th and 95th values of 18 and 34 kg, respectively), preservation through midlife (20s-40 s), and then a decline after their 50 s. The lowest HGS values in both sexes were in the 70- to 80-year-old group, with the 5th and 95th percentile values of 16 and 40 kg in men, and 10 and 25 kg in women. There were substantial sex differences in body composition in the life course (all P values <0.001). In ageing, the decrease of muscle strength was faster than that of muscle mass in both sexes. The correlations between muscle mass and HGS were most robust than other correlations, especially in women (0.68 vs. 0.50), children and adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: Our study established the age- and sex-specific percentile reference values for hand grip strength in an unselected Chinese population across a broad age-spectrum. The rich data can facilitate the practical appraisal of muscle strength and promote early prediction of sarcopenia and other impairments associated with neuromuscular disorders.

Occupational Risk Factors for Physical and Mental Health in Primary Healthcare Providers: A National Cross-Sectional Survey from 62 Urban Communities in China.

Purpose: To understand the physical and mental health status of primary healthcare providers (PHPs) including physicians, nurses and other staff and the workplace risk factors for depression, anxiety and intention-to-leave. Patients and Methods: In December 2021, a national cross-sectional survey was conducted from 62 urban communities in China, and all PHPs were invited to complete a standardized questionnaire. Information on demographic, health-related lifestyle, cardiovascular risk factors and physical health status, occupational stress and intention-to-leave was collected. Depression and anxiety were assessed using the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety/Depression Scale (SAS/SDS). Results: A total of 4901 PHPs were included. 67.0% males currently drank alcohol vs 25.3% in females; 36.0% males currently smoked cigarettes vs 1.4% in females. Notably, more than half males were overweight or obese, but this proportion was 24.2% in females. The prevalence of chronic diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, gout, and disease clustering were higher in males than in females. The prevalence of depression and anxiety were high, 50% had depression, of whom 15.6% had moderate/severe depression. Over 15% participants had varied levels of anxiety, and approximately 4% had moderate/severe anxiety. PHPs who aged 18-29 (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.05-1.64), were males (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.14-1.57), with lower professional title (comparing with staff with senior title, the ORs of the intermedium, junior and none were 1.83, 2.18 and 2.49, respectively), took charge in nursing (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.20-1.65), with higher perceived stress level (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.41-2.34), and suffering from severe fatigue (OR: 2.55, 95% CI: 1.99-3.27) were more likely to have depression. Likewise, PHPs who were younger, with intermedium professional title, had higher perceived pressure level, and higher fatigue levels were more likely to have anxiety. Conclusion: The mental health of PHPs is worrisome, with a high burden of chronic diseases and occupational risk factors. Younger PHPs, nurses, and those with higher levels of work pressure and fatigue are more vulnerable to psychological problems. The high prevalence of intention-to-leave calls for strategies that relieve the workplace stress and enhance the human resource capability.