Association between PM2.5 and hypertension among the floating population in China: a cross-sectional study.

Few studies have investigated the association between PM2.5 and hypertension among floating populations. We therefore examined the relationship using binary logistic regression. Each grade of increment in the annual average PM2.5 (grade one: ≤15 µg/m3; grade two: 15-25 µg/m3; grade three: 25-35 µg/m3 [Excluding 25]; grade four: ≥35 µg/m3) was associated with an increased risk of hypertension (odds ratio [OR] = 1.081, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.034-1.129). Among the female floating population (OR = 1.114, 95% CI: 1.030-1.204), those with education level of primary school and below (OR = 1.140, 95% CI: 1.058-1.229), construction workers (OR = 1.228, 95% CI: 1.058-1.426), and those living in the eastern region of China (OR = 1.241, 95% CI: 1.145-1.346) were more vulnerable to PM2.5. These results indicate that PM2.5 is positively associated with hypertension in floating populations. Floating populations who are female, less educated, construction workers, and living in the eastern region of China are more vulnerable to the adverse impacts of PM2.5.

The compound artemisinin-hydroxychloroquine ameliorates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats by inhibiting TGF-ß1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a lethal disease characterized by a progressive decline in lung function. Currently, lung transplantation remains the only available treatment for PF. However, both artemisinin (ART) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) possess potential antifibrotic properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of a compound known as Artemisinin-Hydroxychloroquine (AH) in treating PF, specifically by targeting the TGF-ß1/Smad2/3 pathway. To do this, we utilized an animal model of PF induced by a single tracheal drip of bleomycin (BLM) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The PF animal models were administered various doses of AH, and the efficacy and safety of AH were evaluated through pulmonary function testing, blood routine tests, serum biochemistry tests, organ index measurements, and pathological examinations. Additionally, Elisa, western blotting, and qPCR techniques were employed to explore the potential molecular mechanisms of AH in treating PF. Our findings reveal that AH effectively and safely alleviate PF by inhibiting BLM-induced specific inflammation, reducing extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, and interfering with the TGF-ß1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway. Notably, the windfall for this study is that the inhibition of ECM may initiate self-healing in the BLM-induced PF animal model. In conclusion, AH shows promise as a potential therapeutic drug for PF, as it inhibits disease progression through the TGF-ß1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway.

Conformational Dynamics of the Activated GLP-1 Receptor-Gs Complex Revealed by Cross-Linking Mass Spectrometry and Integrative Structure Modeling.

Despite advances in characterizing the structures and functions of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), our understanding of GPCR activation and signaling is still limited by the lack of information on conformational dynamics. It is particularly challenging to study the dynamics of GPCR complexes with their signaling partners because of their transient nature and low stability. Here, by combining cross-linking mass spectrometry (CLMS) with integrative structure modeling, we map the conformational ensemble of an activated GPCR-G protein complex at near-atomic resolution. The integrative structures describe heterogeneous conformations for a high number of potential alternative active states of the GLP-1 receptor-Gs complex. These structures show marked differences from the previously determined cryo-EM structure, especially at the receptor-Gs interface and in the interior of the Gs heterotrimer. Alanine-scanning mutagenesis coupled with pharmacological assays validates the functional significance of 24 interface residue contacts only observed in the integrative structures, yet absent in the cryo-EM structure. Through the integration of spatial connectivity data from CLMS with structure modeling, our study provides a new approach that is generalizable to characterizing the conformational dynamics of GPCR signaling complexes.

Association between exposure to ambient PM2.5 and the health status in the mobile population from 338 cities in China.

There are limited studies investigating the relationship between exposure to PM2.5 and the health status among the mobile population. A cross-sectional analysis was performed in a nationally representative sample (2017 China Migrants Dynamic Survey data) consisting of 169,469 mobile population. The ordered logistic regression model was used to examine the association between PM2.5 and the health status in mobile population. Stratified analyses were performed to identify whether the association varied across gender, age group, and regions in China. Overall, every 10 µg/m3 increment in annual average PM2.5 was associated with increased risk of poor self-reported health (OR = 1.021, 95% CI: 1.012-1.030). Mobile population aged 31-49 years and living in the central region suffers the highest PM2.5-associated health risk (OR = 1.030, 95% CI: 1.019-1.042; OR = 1.095, 95% CI: 1.075-1.116). Our study suggests that PM2.5 exposure was associated with an increased risk of poor self-reported health in mobile population, particularly among the population aged 31-49 years and people living in the central region of China. Policymakers should pay more attention to the vulnerable mobile population to tackle the health burden of ambient air pollution.

The interaction effects between exposure to ambient PM2.5 and economic development on the settlement intention for floating population in China.

Limited studies examined the interaction effects between exposure to ambient PM2.5 and economic development on the settlement intention of floating population. We used binary logistic model to examine the association of PM2.5, per capita GDP (PGDP), PM2.5 [Formula: see text] PGDP on the settlement intention. Additive interaction term of PM2.5 and PGDP level was used to investigate their interactive effects. Overall, each one grade increment in annual average PM2.5 was associated with decreased probability of settlement intention (OR = 0.847, 95%CI: 0.811-0.885). The interaction effect between PM2.5 and PGDP on settlement intention was significant (OR = 1.168, 95%CI: 1.142-1.194). The stratified analysis showed PM2.5 exhibits lower settlement intention in the aged 55 years or above, engaged in low-skilled works, and living in the western China. This study indicates that PM2.5-exposed will decrease the settlement intention of floating population. High economic development level can weaken the relationship between PM2.5 and settlement intention. Policymakers should balance the socio-economic development and environmental health and focus on vulnerable population.