Molecular toxicity and defense mechanisms induced by silver nanoparticles in Drosophila melanogaster.

The widely use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as antimicrobial agents gives rise to potential environmental risks. AgNPs exposure have been reported to cause toxicity in animals. Nevertheless, the known mechanisms of AgNPs toxicity are still limited. In this study, we systematically investigated the toxicity of AgNPs exposure using Drosophila melanogaster. We show here that AgNPs significantly decreased Drosophila fecundity, the third-instar larvae weight and rates of pupation and eclosion in a dose-dependent manner. AgNPs reduced fat body cell viability in MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assays. AgNPs caused DNA damage in hemocytes and S2 cells. Interestingly, the mRNA levels of the entire metallothionein gene family were increased under AgNPs exposure as determined by RNA-seq analysis and validated by qRT-PCR, indicating that Drosophila responded to the metal toxicity of AgNPs by producing metallothioneins for detoxification. These findings provide a better understanding of the mechanisms of AgNPs toxicity and may provide clues to effect on other organisms, including humans.

Analysis of Dietary Supplement Use and Influencing Factors in the Mongolian Population.

Objective: Dietary supplements (DS) may improve micronutrient deficiencies, but the unique eating habits and cultural customs of the Chinese Mongolian population affect their choice of DS. Therefore, this study adopted a cross-sectional method to explore the current status of DS use and to assess the influencing factors in the Mongolian population in Inner Mongolia, China. Methods: We used a multistage random cluster sampling method to select 1,434 Mongolian people aged ≥ 18 years in Hohhot and Xilinhot, Inner Mongolia. Data regarding general patient characteristics and DS use through questionnaire surveys were obtained, and the blood plasma was collected for biochemical index detection. The binary logistic regression and decision tree algorithm were used to predict the factors influencing DS use among the Mongolian population. Results: Among 1,434 participants that completed the baseline survey, the usage rate of DS was 18.83%, and more women than men used DS (P = 0.017). Higher use of DS was reported among individuals aged ≤ 34 years, but this difference is not statistically significant (P = 0.052). Usage rate was higher among those living in urban areas (P < 0.001), those with higher education (P < 0.001), those engaged in mental work (P < 0.001), and nonsmokers (P = 0.019). The biochemical test results showed that the proportion of people with abnormal total cholesterol levels using DS was lower (P = 0.003), but that of those with abnormal triglyceride levels using DS was higher (P = 0.001), compared with the proportion of those with normal levels in each case. The most commonly used supplement was calcium (58.15%). Education level was the main factor affecting DS intake. The results of the binary logistic regression model and decision tree model both showed that region, educational level, and abnormal triglyceride levels were significant factors influencing DS intake among Mongolians. Conclusion: Findings from this study indicate that DS intake is uncommon in the Mongolian population. In addition, sex, region, education level, and triglyceride levels may influence DS use.

Hypertension among Mongolian adults in China: A cross-sectional study of prevalence, awareness, treatment, control, and related factors: Hypertension among Mongolian adults in China.

The objectives of the study were to comprehend the prevalence of hypertension (HTN) and prehypertension (PHT), awareness, treatment, and control of HTN and its distribution in urban, agricultural, pastoral, and semi-agricultural/semi-pastoral areas, and to explore the related factors of HTN among Mongolian adults in China. From August 2018 to August 2020, a multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method was conducted to investigate the prevalence of HTN among Mongolian adults aged ≥18 years living in China (n = 2558). Inclusion criteria for HTN were systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mm Hg and/or had hypertensive history and/or taking antihypertensive drugs for HTN. The prevalence rates of HTN and PHT were 44.77% and 32.03%, respectively. The prevalence rates of PHT in urban, agricultural, pastoral, and semi-agricultural/semi-pastoral areas were 34.93%, 34.73%, 26.03%, and 33.44%, respectively, and the prevalence rates of HTN were 35.97%, 40.15%, 49.68%, and 48.07%, respectively. The awareness, treatment and control rates of HTN were 66.48%, 58.93%, and 16.48%, respectively. In this survey, the overweight, obesity, and central obesity rates were 34.30%, 30.67%, and 58.08%, respectively. Compared with Chinese adults ≥18 years, the prevalence rate of HTN among Mongolian adults in China aged ≥ 18 years was relatively high; the prevalence rate of PHT and HTN awareness, treatment, and control rates were similar. The prevalence of HTN and the rates of obesity and central obesity were higher in pastoral regions than in the other three types of regions, and the rate of overweight was highest in agricultural regions.

Association between Adiponectin Gene Polymorphism and Environmental Risk Factors of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among the Chinese Population in Hohhot.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between adiponectin gene polymorphisms rs10937273, rs1501299, rs182052, rs2241767, and rs266729 and environmental risk factors of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Hohhot. The study explored different models of gene-environment interactions, aimed at providing approaches for the prevention and control of T2DM in combination with the characteristics of the local population. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted including 406 Chinese participants, comprising 203 cases and 203 controls from various hospitals. Adiponectin (ADIPOQ) gene polymorphisms rs10937273, rs1501299, rs182052, rs2241767, and rs266729 were detected using an improved multiple ligation detection reaction technique. Generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) and logistic regression were conducted to analyze the associations between adiponectin gene polymorphisms and T2DM, as well as the interactions between adiponectin gene polymorphisms and environmental factors. RESULTS: ADIPOQ gene polymorphisms rs10937273, rs1501299, rs182052, rs2241767, and rs266729 were associated with type 2 diabetes. Based on the haplotype of the five adiponectin gene single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci, we found that G-G-A-A-C was a susceptible haplotype of T2DM (P < 0.05). Interaction analyses demonstrated associations between rs1501299 and central obesity (consistency = 80%, P = 0.011) and between rs266729 and rs182052 and central obesity (consistency = 70%, P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that there is an interaction between the ADIPOQ gene and central obesity, which provides new insights into the prevention and treatment of T2DM.