Interactive effects of atmospheric oxidising pollutants and heat waves on the risk of residential mortality.

BACKGROUND: The impact of heat waves and atmospheric oxidising pollutants on residential mortality within the framework of global climate change has become increasingly important. OBJECTIVE: In this research, the interactive effects of heat waves and oxidising pollutants on the risk of residential mortality in Fuzhou were examined. Methods We collected environmental, meteorological, and residential mortality data in Fuzhou from 1 January 2016, to 31 December 2021. We then applied a generalised additive model, distributed lagged nonlinear model, and bivariate three-dimensional model to investigate the effects and interactions of various atmospheric oxidising pollutants and heat waves on the risk of residential mortality. RESULTS: Atmospheric oxidising pollutants increased the risk of residential mortality at lower concentrations, and O3 and Ox were positively associated with a maximum risk of 2.19% (95% CI: 0.74-3.66) and 1.29% (95% CI: 0.51-2.08). The risk of residential mortality increased with increasing temperature, with a strong and long-lasting effect and a maximum cumulative lagged effect of 1.11% (95% CI: 1.01, 1.23). Furthermore, an interaction between atmospheric oxidising pollutants and heat waves may have occurred: the larger effects in the longest cumulative lag time on residential mortality per 10 µg/m3 increase in O3, NO2 and Ox during heat waves compared to non-heat waves were [-3.81% (95% CI: -14.82, 8.63)]; [-0.45% (95% CI: -2.67, 1.81)]; [67.90% (95% CI: 11.55, 152.71)]; 16.37% (95% CI: 2.43, 32.20)]; [-3.00% (95% CI: -20.80, 18.79)]; [-0.30% (95% CI: -3.53, 3.04)]. The risk on heat wave days was significantly higher than that on non-heat wave days and higher than the separate effects of oxidising pollutants and heat waves. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, we found some evidence suggesting that heat waves increase the impact of oxidising atmospheric pollutants on residential mortality to some extent.

lncRNA polymorphism affects the prognosis of gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have found that lncRNA polymorphisms are associated with the prognosis of gastric cancer (GC), but the specific roles of many lncRNA polymorphism sites in gastric cancer are still unclear. Our study aims to deeply explore the relationship between genetic polymorphism of lncRNA and the prognosis of GC. METHODS: The genotypes of candidate SNP locus were detected by Sequenom Mass ARRAY SNP. We deeply analyzed the association of lncRNA polymorphisms with GC prognosis by univariate and multivariate Cox regression, stratified analysis, conjoint analysis, and log-rank test. RESULTS: We found that mutations at rs2579878 and rs10036719 loci reduced the risk of poor prognosis of GC. Stratified analysis showed that rs2795025, rs10036719, and rs12516079 polymorphisms were all associated with tumor prognosis. In addition, conjoint analyses showed that the interaction between these two polymorphic sites (rs2795025 and rs12516079) could increase the risk of poor prognosis. Multivariate analysis also found that the AG/AA genotype of rs10036719 and AG genotype of rs12516079 were independent prognostic factors. Moreover, the high expression of both CCDC26 and LINC02122 were shown to be associated with the poor survival status of GC patients. CONCLUSIONS: We find that the genetic polymorphism of lncRNA plays a role in the development of GC and is closely related to the survival time of patients. It could serve as a predictor of the prognosis of GC.

Impact of air pollutants on hospital visits for pediatric asthma in Fuzhou city, southeast China.

Rapid social development in China has resulted in severe air pollution and adverse impacts on people's health. Although studies have been conducted on the relationship between exposure to air pollutants and asthma exacerbation, most studies were performed in relatively heavily polluted areas, while little is known about the effect of air pollutants in less polluted areas. We assessed the effects of air pollutants on the risk of asthma-related outpatient and emergency visits of infants and children aged from 0 to 13 years during 2018 to 2020 in Fuzhou city, southeast China. Data of six air pollutants: sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxides (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), daily maximum 8-h average ozone (O3-8 h), particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 µm (PM10), and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5), were obtained from the Environmental Protection Administration of Fuzhou. Data of temperature, humidity, and wind speed were provided by the Meteorological Bureau of Fuzhou. Results revealed that on lag day 6, NO2, SO2, and CO were positively associated with the number of outpatient and emergency visits. Among the pollutants, SO2 had the highest effects on both outpatient visits (RR = 1.672, 95%CI 1.545, 1.809) and emergency visits (RR = 1.495, 95%CI 1.241, 1.800), and its effect on outpatient visits was stronger in children aged 0-4 years than in those aged 5-13 years (RR = 2.331 vs. 1.439). In conclusion, SO2 contributes substantially to the adverse effects of air pollutants on pediatric respiratory health in Fuzhou. Younger children were more affected by air pollution than their older counterparts.

Serum Uric Acid and Cardiovascular or All-Cause Mortality in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Studies have shown inconsistent associations between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. We conducted this meta-analysis to determine whether SUA levels were associated with cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in PD patients. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Database, and trial registry databases were systematically searched up to April 11, 2021. Cohort studies of SUA levels and cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in PD patients were obtained. Random effect models were used to calculate the pooled adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the pooled results. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression analyses were performed to explore the sources of heterogeneity. Funnel plots, Begg's tests, and Egger's tests were conducted to evaluate potential publication bias. The GRADE approach was used to rate the certainty of evidence. This study was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42021268739. Results: Seven studies covering 18,113 PD patients were included. Compared with the middle SUA levels, high SUA levels increased the risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 1.74, 95%CI: 1.26-2.40, I 2 = 34.8%, τ2 = 0.03), low SUA levels were not statistically significant with the risk of all-cause or cardiovascular mortality (HR = 1.04, 95%CI: 0.84-1.29, I 2 = 43.8%, τ2 = 0.03; HR = 0.89, 95%CI: 0.65-1.23, I 2 = 36.3%, τ2 = 0.04; respectively). Compared with the low SUA levels, high SUA levels were not statistically associated with an increased risk of all-cause or cardiovascular mortality (HR = 1.19, 95%CI: 0.59-2.40, I 2 = 88.2%, τ2 = 0.44; HR = 1.22, 95%CI: 0.39-3.85, I 2 = 89.3%, τ2 = 0.92; respectively). Conclusion: Compared with middle SUA levels, high SUA levels are associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in PD patients. SUA levels may not be associated with cardiovascular mortality. More high-level studies, especially randomized controlled trials, are needed to determine the association between SUA levels and cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in PD patients. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021268739, identifier: CRD42021268739.

mGWAS identification of six novel single nucleotide polymorphism loci with strong correlation to gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Metabolite genome-wide association studies (mGWAS) are key for understanding the genetic regulation of metabolites in complex diseases including cancers. Although mGWAS has revealed hundreds of metabolomics quantitative trait loci (mQTLs) in the general population, data relating to gastric cancer (GC) are still incomplete. METHODS: We identified mQTLs associated with GC by analyzing genome-wide and metabolome-wide datasets generated from 233 GC patients and 233 healthy controls. RESULTS: Twenty-two metabolites were statistically different between GC cases and healthy controls, and all of them were associated with the risk of gastric cancer. mGWAS analyses further revealed that 9 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were significantly associated with 3 metabolites. Of these 9 SNPs, 6 loci were never reported in the previous mGWAS studies. Surprisingly, 4 of 9 SNPs were significantly enriched in genes involved in the T cell receptor signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Our study unveiled several novel GC metabolite and genetic biomarkers, which may be implicated in the prevention and diagnosis of gastric cancer.

Combined and interaction effect of chlamydia pneumoniae infection and smoking on lung cancer: a case-control study in Southeast China.

BACKGROUND: This case-control study investigated the role of Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) infection in the pathogenesis of lung cancer and the combined and interaction effect of Cpn infection, smoking, and various environmental factors. METHODS: The study comprised 449 lung cancer patients and 512 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. All participants provided a 5 ml fasting peripheral venous blood sample for testing Cpn-specific IgG and IgA by using micro-immunofluorescence. Besides analyzing the associations between Cpn and lung cancer, combined effect analysis, logistic regression, and the Excel table made by Andersson were used to analyze the combined and interaction effects of Cpn and environmental factors on lung cancer. RESULTS: Compared to those with no evidence of serum Cpn IgA or Cpn IgG, those with both Cpn IgG+ and IgA+ had 2.00 times the risk (95% CI: 1.34-3.00) of developing lung cancer. Cpn IgG+ or IgA+ was associated with a significantly increased risk of lung cancer among smokers; the adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 1.79 (95% CI: 1.10-2.91) and 2.27 (95% CI: 1.38-3.72), respectively. Those exposed to passive smoking with Cpn IgG+ or IgA+ also showed an increased risk of lung cancer; the adjusted OR was 1.82 (95% CI: 1.20-2.77) or 1.87 (95% CI: 1.22-2.87), respectively. Similar results were also observed among alcohol drinkers. Multiplicative and additive interactions were not observed between Cpn infection and environmental factors. The combined effects of Cpn IgG+ or IgA+ with smoking, passive smoking, and family history of cancer on lung cancer were determined. CONCLUSION: Cpn infection is potentially associated with primary lung cancer in the Chinese Han population and has combined effects with smoking, passive smoking, and family history of cancer.

Prognostic Value of MicroRNA-497 in Various Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Some studies showed that microRNA-497 (miR-497) might act as a prognostic biomarker of cancer. However, the conclusion was not consistent. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic role of miR-497 in various carcinomas. METHODS: We systematically searched the databases of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Data to identify relevant studies. Two independent reviewers performed the data extraction and assessed the study quality. Hazard ratios (HRs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival/relapse-free survival (DFS/RFS) were used to assess the associations between miR-497 expression and cancer prognosis. RESULTS: A total of 15 studies involving 1760 participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The lower level of miR-497 expression was significantly associated with shorter overall survival (HR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.84-2.60). No significant association was found between miR-497 expression and DFS/RFS in various carcinomas (HR = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.53-2.57). Subgroup analyses by ethnicity and cancer type showed the consistent results. CONCLUSION: Our studies suggested that miR-497 might be a prognostic biomarker in cancers. However, further multicenter prospective clinical researches are needed to confirm the association between miR-497 expression and cancer prognosis.

miR-300 rs12894467 polymorphism may be associated with susceptibility to primary lung cancer in the Chinese Han population.

OBJECTIVE: The etiology of lung cancer has been attributed to both environmental and genetic factors. In this study, we investigated the association between five miRNA gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the risk of lung cancer, and explored the interaction between genetic and environmental factors in the Han people of China, the ethnic group that represents >90% of the population of the country. METHODS: This case-control study included 1,067 cases and 1,085 controls. Epidemiological data were collected by in-person interviews using a standard questionnaire. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry was applied to genotype the selected miRNA gene SNPs. Unconditional logistic regression and stratified analysis were used to analyze the associations between these SNPs and lung cancer, and to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Crossover analysis, logistic regression, and the Excel table made by Andersson were used to analyze the combined and interaction effects of gene-environment. RESULTS: The rs12894467 CC/CT genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk for lung cancer in women (adjusted OR =1.46, 95% CI=1.01-2.10). Smokers carrying the CC/ CT genotype were associated with a significantly decreased risk of lung cancer, the adjusted OR was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.57-0.98). In the dominant model, rs12894467 and gender were associated with a positive multiplicative interaction; rs12894467 and smoking were associated with a negative multiplicative interaction. CONCLUSION: The rs12894467 polymorphism was potentially associated with primary lung cancer in the Han Chinese population and had an interactive relationship with environmental factors.