Liposomal delivery of self-peptide and calcitriol as tolerogenic immunotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis: an exploration using sensory science.

Immunology research holds significant potential for enhanced inclusivity at the beginning of the science literacy journey, but persistent challenges stem from limited awareness that improvement is needed in this field. At the 2023 Monash Sensory Science Exhibition, we had the opportunity to present several tactile posters, using simple materials, for visually impaired participants to showcase our research on the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis as a result of immune tolerance breakdown and liposome-based tolerogenic immunotherapy. The posters stimulated lively discussions about autoimmune arthritic diseases and our research. With consideration of the diversity of the participants, the efforts of scientists in promoting science literacy for the community can promote a more inclusive environment and engage and inspire a broader audience.

Pregnancy Loss and Risk of All-Cause Mortality in Chinese Women: Findings From the China Kadoorie Biobank.

Objectives: Pregnancy loss is a common obstetric complication that may be associated with maternal mortality. However, evidence is sparse and inconsistent. This study aims to investigate the association between pregnancy loss with the risk of all-cause mortality among Chinese women. Methods: Data on 299,582 women aged 30-79 years old from the China Kadoorie Biobank were used. Cox proportional hazard regression was conducted to investigate the association between the occurrence of pregnancy loss and all-cause mortality. Results: Two or more pregnancy losses was associated with long-term all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03-1.18). Specifically, more than one spontaneous abortion or stillbirth was associated with long-term all-cause mortality (aHR 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01-1.21 and 1.14, 95% CI: 1.04-1.25, respectively). When stratified by the presence of cardiovascular disease or diabetes, as well as age at baseline, two or more pregnancy losses in women aged ≥50 diagnosed with cardiovascular disease (aHR 1.32, 95% CI: 1.18-1.48) or diabetes (aHR 1.30, 95% CI: 1.06-1.60) was associated with all-cause mortality. Conclusion: Recurrent pregnancy loss, in particular two or more spontaneous abortions and stillbirths were associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality. The associations between recurrent pregnancy losses and all-cause mortality were more pronounced in women aged ≥50 with cardiovascular disease or diabetes at baseline.

Pornography Consumption, Sexual Attitude, and Condomless Sex in China.

Studies have found that pornography consumption is associated with a higher likelihood of having condomless sex. Past research was primarily conducted with Western populations from developed countries. Consequently, less is known about sexual and reproductive health in developing countries and regions. A national sample of 11,957 university-level students was used to investigate the association between pornography consumption, sexual attitudes, and condomless sex. Our findings suggest that a higher frequency of pornography consumption is associated with an increased likelihood of having condomless sex and more positive attitudes toward premarital sex and one-night stand.

Association between pregnancy and pregnancy loss with COPD in Chinese women: The China Kadoorie Biobank study.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory lung disease characterized by airflow blockage. Pregnancy and pregnancy loss may be related to an elevated risk of COPD, although studies have yet to report on this association. Hence, this study aims to investigate the association between pregnancy and pregnancy loss with the risk of COPD among Chinese women. Methods: Data on 302,510 female participants from the China Kadoorie Biobank were utilized for this study. Multivariable logistic regression, stratified by sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, was employed to obtain the odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between pregnancy and pregnancy loss with COPD. Results: Pregnancy loss was significantly associated with increased risk of COPD (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.13-1.25), specifically, spontaneous (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.11-1.29) and induced abortion (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.12-1.25). Stillbirth, however, was not significantly associated with the risk of COPD (OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.99-1.20). Increasing number of pregnancy losses was associated with increasing risk of COPD (one pregnancy loss: OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.07-1.21, two or more pregnancy loss: OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.17-1.32, and each additional pregnancy loss: OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03-1.09). A single pregnancy was significantly associated with reduced risk of COPD (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.59-0.97), although each additional pregnancy was significantly associated with increased risk of COPD (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.04). Conclusion: Pregnancy loss, in particular, spontaneous and induced abortions are associated with increased risk of COPD among Chinese women. A single pregnancy, however, demonstrated protective effects.

The mediating role of sexually selected traits in the association of androgynous tendencies with lower sexual activeness among Chinese youths.

Androgynous tendencies and persistently low fertility rates have been observed in many countries, causing major social concerns. The theory of sexual selection suggests a possible mechanism between androgyny and decreased sexual activeness, as masculinity and femininity constitute an important aspect of reproductive strategies. This theory has also been proven by evolutionary and societal evidence. Therefore, we investigate the association between masculinity and femininity with sexual activeness, as well as the influence of gender-role conformity on the frequency of sexual intercourse through sexually selected traits among 42,492 Chinese youths. Sexual activeness was measured using sexual attitudes, experience, behaviors, and pleasure. Mediation analysis was employed to investigate the effects of sexually selected traits on the association between masculinity and femininity with sexual activeness, and gender-role conformity with the frequency of sexual intercourse. Low sexual activeness was found to be associated with low gender-role conformity. Our findings also suggest that physical attractiveness, sexual motivation, and interpersonal relationships may mediate the association between sexual activeness and gender-role conformity, supporting the males-compete/females-choose model.

Pregnancy loss and the risk of rheumatoid arthritis in Chinese women: findings from the China Kadoorie biobank.

Considering the female preponderance of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and disease onset typically after the reproductive years, pregnancy and childbirth may play a role in the aetiology of the disease. Adverse outcomes of pregnancy have been found to precede the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases, including RA, but the evidence is scant and inconsistent. Therefore, we investigate whether pregnancy loss is associated with the risk of RA in Chinese women. Data from the China Kadoorie Biobank, conducted by the University of Oxford and the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, of 299,629 Chinese women who had been pregnant were used. Multivariable logistic regression and stratified analyses were employed to analyse the association between types of pregnancy loss with the risk of RA. Pregnancy loss was significantly associated with increased risk of RA (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.06-1.18), specifically, spontaneous (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.03-1.20) and induced abortions (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.06-1.17). There was no significant association between stillbirth and the risk of RA (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.97-1.18). The risk of developing RA increases with the number of pregnancy losses: one loss confers an OR of 1.09 (95% CI 1.03-1.16), two an OR of 1.13 (95% CI 1.05-1.20), three or more an OR of 1.19 (95% CI 1.10-1.28) and OR of 1.06 (95% CI 1.03-1.08) for each additional. Spontaneous and induced abortions are associated with an increased risk of RA in Chinese women.

Difference in the Sexual and Reproductive Health of Only-Child Students and Students With Siblings, According to Sex and Region: Findings From the National College Student Survey.

Objective: The differences in sexual knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, seeking behaviors for sex-related knowledge, and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes among only-child students and students with siblings in China, was examined for sex- and region- specific effects. Research Design and Methods: Data on 49,569 students from the 2019 National College Student Survey on Sexual and Reproductive Health, conducted across 31 provinces in mainland China was utilized. Multivariable regression and stratified analyses were employed to analyze the differences in sexual and reproductive health between only-child students and students with siblings. Results: Only-child students reported higher sexual knowledge, more liberal sexual attitudes, and fewer adverse SRH outcomes compared to those with siblings. Results were found to be influenced by sex and hometown region after controlling for socio-economic factors, parent-child relationship, and sexuality education. Conclusions: Female students with siblings who resided in rural regions were more likely to have poorer SRH compared to male only-child students who resided in urban regions. Comprehensive sexual education for students should aim to better include females and students from rural areas both offline and online, and public healthcare should offer subsidized consultations and contraceptives.

Influence of Maternal Exposure to Mass Media on Growth Stunting Among Children Under Five: Mediation Analysis Through the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Program.

BACKGROUND: The issue of malnutrition in the Democratic Republic of Congo is severe. Meanwhile, the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene program has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing the rates of growth stunting among children. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore the association between maternal exposure to mass media and stunting in children through water, sanitation, and hygiene behaviors. METHODS: Mediation analysis was conducted using data from the 2018 Multiple Indicators Cluster Surveys. RESULTS: Mothers' exposures to television and the internet in the Democratic Republic of Congo significantly decreases the risk of stunting in children by 5% and 10%, respectively, mediated by household water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities and practices. CONCLUSIONS: These findings could inform interventions and policies to reduce the rate of stunting rate children by promoting water, sanitation, and hygiene through mass media, especially through the internet and television.

Metabolic syndrome and its effect on the outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis in a multi-ethnic cohort in Singapore.

INTRODUCTION: Over-expression of common inflammatory mediators in the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may lead to mutually adverse outcomes. AIM: We investigate the prevalence of MetS in a multi-ethnic population of RA patients and its effect on clinical and patient-reported outcomes. METHOD: Six hundred sixty RA (561 women) patients from a public-sector specialist clinic in a hospital in Singapore were assessed for MetS according to the 2009 Joint Consensus (JC) and the 2004 National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) definitions. Univariable and multivariable regression modelling were used to investigate the associations between patients' demographics with MetS and MetS with RA outcomes. RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS in our RA cohort was 49.4% and 44.9% according to the JC and NCEP ATP III definitions, respectively. The diagnosis of MetS was largely due to hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, and obesity. MetS was associated with older age (OR 1.06 [95% CI 1.04-1.08]), Malay ethnicity (OR 1.78 [95% CI 1.02-3.09]), or Indian ethnicity (OR 3.07 [95% CI 1.68-5.59]). No significant associations between MetS and RA outcomes were observed. RA patients with MetS are more likely to suffer from stroke and ischemic heart disease. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of MetS in RA patients in Singapore was almost double that in the general population. MetS does not adversely affect RA outcomes but raises the risks of stroke and heart disease. RA patients, especially those older and of Indian and Malay ethnicities, should be routinely screened for MetS. Any MetS-defining condition should be actively controlled. Key Points • Approximately half of the RA sample from the Singapore RA population can be diagnosed with MetS. • Older patients, and patients of Malay and Indian ethnicities have higher odds of MetS. • MetS does not adversely affect RA outcomes but raises the risks of stroke and heart disease.