Mendelian randomization analysis reveals a causal relationship between preterm birth and myopia risk.

Background: Preterm birth has been associated with an increased risk of myopia, but the causal relationship between these two factors remains unclear. Traditional epidemiological studies are limited by confounding factors and reverse causality. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, utilizing genetic variants as instrumental variables, provides a robust approach to investigate causal relationships. In this study, we aimed to explore the potential causal link between preterm birth and myopia risk using a two-sample MR analysis strategy. Methods: We conducted a Mendelian randomization study to investigate the causal relationship between preterm birth and myopia risk. Genetic variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs) were used as instrumental variables, and summary data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were utilized. Four regression models, including MR-Egger regression, weighted median regression, inverse variance weighted regression, and Weighted mode regression, were employed to validate the causal relationship. Sensitivity analysis was performed using the leave-one-out method. At the same time, the funnel diagram and MR-Egger test were used to judge the stability of the research results. Results: The MR analysis revealed a significant causal effect of preterm birth on myopia risk. Both the inverse variance weighted regression and weighted median regression models showed a p-value less than 0.05, indicating a robust association. The risk of myopia increased by approximately 30% for everyone standard deviation increase in preterm birth. Sensitivity analysis, funnel plot and MR-Egger test all confirm the stability of the research results. Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence supporting a causal relationship between preterm birth and myopia risk. Preterm infants are at a higher risk of developing myopia, and this association is not likely to be influenced by confounding factors or reverse causality. The SNP loci rs6699397, rs10871582, and rs2570497 should be closely monitored as they may lead to abnormal concentrations of intraocular cytokines, particularly vascular endothelial growth factor, potentially elucidating one of the pathogenic mechanisms contributing to the higher incidence of myopia in preterm infants. However the complex interconnections involved extend beyond these factors alone.

A study exploring the causal relationship between glaucoma and anxiety disorders.

Background: Glaucoma, a leading cause of global blindness, is characterized by optic nerve damage and visual field loss. Previous studies have suggested a potential association between glaucoma and anxiety disorders. However, the causal relationship between these two conditions remains unclear. Methods: In this study, we conducted a Mendelian Randomization analysis to investigate the causal relationship between glaucoma and anxiety disorders. We sourced Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) datasets for glaucoma and anxiety with the largest sample sizes from the Integrative Epidemiology Unit OpenGWAS (IEU OpenGWAS) project website. Instrumental variables were selected based on specific criteria, and statistical analyses were performed using the R programming language. Results: After filtering and merging the datasets, a total of 60 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) were obtained for analysis. Regression models were applied to assess the causal relationship between glaucoma and anxiety disorders. The results from all four methods indicated that glaucoma does not cause anxiety disorders (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Through rigorous Mendelian Randomization analysis, our findings indicate that glaucoma is not a causative factor for anxiety, with minimal influence from confounding factors in this study. These findings enhance our understanding of the relationship between glaucoma and anxiety.

Changes in proteomics profile during maturation of marrow-derived dendritic cells treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein.

Increasing evidence suggests that dendritic cells (DCs) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) participate in atherosclerosis. However, few data on the molecular mechanisms of this process are available. To address this question, we used iTRAQ labeling followed by LC-MS/MS analysis to identify many proteins that changed markedly during the maturation of dendritic cells stimulated with ox-LDL. Among a total of 781 identified proteins, 93 were upregulated and 100 were downregulated. The major and significant changes in upregulated proteins were that ox-LDL not only affected the levels of intracellular cathepsins G, Z, D and S, but also significantly enhanced cathepsin S secretion by the treated cells. Our results may provide clues for a more comprehensive understanding the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Ox-LDL can enhance the interaction of mice natural killer cells and dendritic cells via the CD48-2B4 pathway.

The importance of the interaction between natural killer (NK) cells and dendritic cells (DCs) in the expansion of antiviral and antitumor immune responses is well documented; however, limited information on NK/DC interaction during atherosclerosis is available. Inflammation plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) is believed to play a critical role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. In this study, we developed a NK/DC coculture system to examine the role of ox-LDL in modulating the interaction of mice NK cells and DCs. Fresh NK cells were cocultured with DCs in the absence or presence of ox-LDL. We examined the cytokines released during the interaction. This report provides the first evidence of an enhancement effect by ox-LDL on the NK/DC crosstalk. Notably, we found that ox-LDL significantly promoted the interaction of NK cells and DCs via CD48-2B4 contact-dependent mechanisms. These findings highlight the importance of NK/DCs crosstalk in atherosclerosis and provide new information about the possible mechanisms of atherosclerosis.

[Proliferation and regeneration effects of constructed human beta-nerve growth factor gene on transfected cat corneal endothelial cells in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanisms of proliferation and regeneration effects of a human nerve growth factor (beta-NGF) expression vector (pcDNA4-beta-NGF) on the transfected cat corneal endothelial cells in vitro. To provide a new method for long term cultivation of human corneal endothelial cells in vitro and to establish theoretical basis of gene therapy for corneal endothelial defects. METHODS: It was a experimental study. The human pcDNA4-beta-NGF expression vector was constructed and transfected into cultured cat corneal endothelial cells by Effectene lipofectine transfection technique. The expression of the reporter gene pcDNA4-beta-LacZ expression was used to determine the transfection efficiency 48 hours after the transfection. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry techniques were used to check the transient expression status at mRNA and protein levels in cat corneal endothelial cells. Mitotic index and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) value were measured and cell numbers at different stages of cell cycles were determined by flow cytometer 96 hours after transfection. An in vitro quantitative cat corneal endothelial cell traumatic model was established which was used for observing the effect of human beta-NGF expression product on the DNA synthesis of cat endothelial cells and healing process of traumatized endothelial cells. RESULTS: A human nerve growth factor (beta-NGF) expression vector (pcDNA4-beta-NGF)was successfully constructed and confirmed by sequence analysis. Single layered pure cat corneal endothelial cells were obtained by a modified sliced tissue culture technique and confirmed by morphological analysis, neurone specific enolase immunohistochemistry study and transmission electronic microscope. Effectene lipofectine mediated transfection efficiency of pcDNA4-beta-NGF into cat corneal endothelial cells in vitro was 11.3%. The human beta-NGF could be highly expressed in the transfected corneal endothelial cells at mRNA and protein levels. Mitotic index, MTT value and G1 stage cell numbers, as well as traumatically defected endothelial cells numbers during the healing process of human beta-NGF transfected corneal endothelial cells were statistically differed from the pre-transfected cells and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Effectene lipofectine transfection technique could be effectively used for transfecting pcDNA4-beta-NGF into cat corneal endothelial cells in vitro with good efficacy and the gene could stably express to improve the proliferation and regeneration of the cat corneal endothelial cells. This method could be managed as an experimental basis to be applied in the experimental study for transfecting the human beta-NGF gene into human corneal endothelial cells. Therefore a new method for resolving the problem of impossible regeneration of corneal endothelial cells could become possible.

Progress and future perspective of epidemiological research of air pollution and climate change in the context of achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals / 中华流行病学杂志

Climate change is the great health challenge for human beings in the 21st century. Air pollution is also an important public health problem worldwide. China announced the climate commitment to achieve carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. Achieving these goals would not only have far-reaching effects on air pollution control and climate change, but also improve the population health in China. Air pollution and climate change epidemiology are important aspects of environmental epidemiology. In this paper, we discuss the current status and future development of epidemiological research of air pollution and climate change in the context of achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals to provide ideas and suggestions for environmental and health studies in the future.

Study on revision of standard limits for nitrogen dioxide in "Standards for indoor air quality（GB/T 18883-2022）" in China / 中华预防医学杂志

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is an important indoor air pollutant, with both outdoor and indoor sources contributing to indoor NO2 exposure levels. Considering the association of high NO2 exposure with adverse health effects, the Standards for indoor air quality (GB/T 18883-2022) have been revised to further restrict indoor NO2 limit values. The 1-h average concentration limit value for NO2 has been reduced from 0.24 mg/m3 to 200 μg/m3.This study analyzed the technical contents related to the determination of the limits of indoor NO2 in Standards for Indoor Air Quality (GB/T 18883-2022), including source, exposure level, health effects, and the process and evidence basis for determining the limit value. It also proposed prospects for the direction for the implementation of the indoor NO2 standard.

Study on revision of standard limits for nitrogen dioxide in "Standards for indoor air quality（GB/T 18883-2022）" in China / 中华预防医学杂志

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is an important indoor air pollutant, with both outdoor and indoor sources contributing to indoor NO2 exposure levels. Considering the association of high NO2 exposure with adverse health effects, the Standards for indoor air quality (GB/T 18883-2022) have been revised to further restrict indoor NO2 limit values. The 1-h average concentration limit value for NO2 has been reduced from 0.24 mg/m3 to 200 μg/m3.This study analyzed the technical contents related to the determination of the limits of indoor NO2 in Standards for Indoor Air Quality (GB/T 18883-2022), including source, exposure level, health effects, and the process and evidence basis for determining the limit value. It also proposed prospects for the direction for the implementation of the indoor NO2 standard.

A panel study on the acute respiratory effects of ambient particles of different sizes on children in Shanghai / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective: To explore the association between size-fractionated particle number concentrations (PNC) and respiratory health in children. Methods: From November 2018 to June 2019, there were 65 children aged 6-9 years from an elementary school in shanghai recruited in this panel study with three rounds of follow-up. The forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), and exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels were measured and buccal mucosa samples of children were collected at each follow-up visit. The level of PNC, temperature and humidity of the elementary school was monitored from 3 days before each physical examination to the end of the physical examination. The linear mixed effects model was used to analyze the association between PNC and indicators of respiratory health in children. Results: Linear mixed effects model analysis revealed that, at lag 2 day, an interquartile range increase in PNC for particles measuring 0.25-0.40 μm was associated with the absolute changes in FVC, FEV1 and abundance-based coverage estimator (ACE) about -60.15 ml (95%CI:-88.97 ml, -31.32 ml), -34.26 ml (95%CI:-63.22 ml, -5.31 ml), -6.00 (95%CI:-9.15, -2.84) and percentage change in FeNO about 12.10% (95%CI: 3.05%, 21.95%), respectively. These adverse health effects increased with the decrease of particle size. Conclusion: The short-term exposure to particulate matter is associated with reduced lung function, buccal microbe diversity and higher airway inflammation level among children. These adverse health effects may increase with the decrease of particle size.

Impact of short-term exposure to ambient nitrogen dioxide on daily outpatient visits in 3 cities of China / 上海预防医学

Objective To explore associations between short-term exposure to ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and hospital outpatient visits. Methods Daily outpatient visit data were obtained from 5 hospitals in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, the three major cities in China.The study period was from 2013 to 2015.The causes of disease were determined in accordance to the International Classification of Disease 10th version, with the codes A00-R99.Daily air pollution data were from the nearest state-controlled environmental monitoring stations.City-level environmental factors were acquired, including temperature and relative humidity.A time-series generalized additive model (GAM) was adopted to explore the effect of daily NO2 exposure on hospital outpatient visits, after controlling the time trends, day of week (DOW), holiday, and environmental factors.Then a random-effect meta-analysis was used to pool the results across cities.We also explored the lag structure, two-pollutant models, and potential seasonal effect. Results During the study period, the average daily outpatient visits were 3 949.The average NO2 exposure level was 55.3 μg/m3.The lag analysis showed that NO2 exposure had the greatest effect on outpatient visits every day. For a 10 μg/m3 increase in NO2, outpatient visits remarkably increased by 0.85% (95%CI:0.51%-1.19%).The associations of NO2 remained robust after controlling co-pollutants, including fine particulate matter, ozone, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide.The effects of NO2 were more in cool seasons, and the exposure-response curves between NO2 and outpatient visits were nearly linear. Conclusions Short-term exposure to NO2 increases the risk of hospital outpatient visits in major cities, suggesting a need to further lower exposure levels of NO2 in China.

Advances in research of effects of ambient ultrafine particles on human health / 上海预防医学

Particulate matters are primary pollutants and ubiquitous in most urban areas of China and prove to be an acknowledged risk to human health, whose degree of harm is realated to the particle size.Ultrafine particles (UFPs) with its diameter less than 0.1 μm may have greater adverse health effects compared with larger ones as fine particulate matters(PM10)and (PM2.5).However, there have been fewer studies and insuffient evidence in this regard.In this review, we analyze recent population-based studies on UFPs exposure and its health impacts and elucidate associations of UFPs exposure with subclinical endpoints changes so as to promote the awreness of UFPs and provide reference for its further research.

[Endothelium-independent vasorelaxant effect of puerarin on rat thoracic aorta].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the vasorelaxant effect of puerarin in rat aortic rings and the mechanism. METHOD: The isolated thoracic aortic rings of male Sprague-Dawley rats were mounted on the organ bath and the contractile responses of the vessel were recorded. RESULT: Puerarin completely relaxed the contractions induced by phenylephrine in a concentration-dependent manner in endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded rat aorta, but it had no effect on those preconstricted by a high concentration of potassium chloride (KCl, 60 mmol x L(-1)). The relaxant effect of puerarin was significantly inhibited by pretreatment of endothelium-denuded aorta with potassium channel antagonists tetraethylammonium, 4-aminopyridine but not glibenclamide. CONCLUSION: Puerarin induces an endothelium-independent relaxation in rat aortic rings. The mechanisms may involve the reduction in Ca2+ influx through the calcium channels operated by alpha-adrenergic receptor and the activation of the potassium channels (Kv and BKca, but not KATP).

A Genetic Susceptibility Study of Lung Cancer Risk Potentially Associated with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Inhalation Exposure / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

To establish a genetic susceptibility assessment model of lung cancer risk potentially associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) inhalation exposure among non-smokers in China, a total of 143 patients with lung adenocarcinoma and 143 cancer-free individuals were recruited. Sixty-eight genetic polymorphisms in 10 pathways related to PAH metabolism and tumorigenesis were selected and examined. It was observed that 3 genetic polymorphisms, along with 10 additional genetic polymorphisms via gene-gene interactions, significantly influenced lung cancer risk potentially associated with PAH inhalation exposure. Most polymorphisms were associated with PAH metabolism. According to the established genetic susceptibility score (GSS), lung cancer risk increased with a rise in the GSS level, thereby indicating a positive dose-response relationship.

Atrioventricular nodal ablation predicts survival benefit in patients with atrial fibrillation receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) benefits patients with advanced heart failure. The role of atrioventricular nodal (AVN) ablation in improving CRT outcomes, including survival benefit in CRT recipients with atrial fibrillation, is uncertain. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of AVN ablation on clinical and survival outcomes in a large atrial fibrillation and heart failure population that met the current indication for CRT and to determine whether AVN ablation is an independent predictor of survival in CRT recipients. METHODS: Of 154 patients with atrial fibrillation who received CRT-D, 45 (29%) underwent AVN ablation (+AVN-ABL group), whereas 109 (71%) received drug therapy for rate control during CRT (-AVN-ABL group). New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram were assessed before and after CRT. Survival data were obtained from the national death and location database (Accurint). RESULTS: CRT comparably improved left ventricular ejection fraction (8.1% +/- 10.7% vs 6.8% +/- 9.6%, P = .49) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (-2.1 +/- 5.9 mm vs -2.1 +/- 6.7 mm, P = .74) in both +AVN-ABL and -AVN-ABL groups. Improvement in NYHA class was significantly greater in the +AVN-ABL group than in -AVN-ABL group (-0.7 +/- 0.8 vs -0.4 +/- 0.8, P = .04). Survival estimates at 2 years were 96.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 88.6%-100%) for +AVN-ABL group and 76.5% (95% CI 68.1%-85.8%) for-AVN-ABL group (P = .008). AVN ablation was independently associated with survival benefit from death (hazard ratio [HR] 0.13, 95% CI 0.03-0.58, P = .007) and from combined death, heart transplant, and left ventricular assist device (HR 0.19, 95% CI 0.06-0.62, P = .006) after CRT. CONCLUSION: Among patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure receiving CRT, AVN ablation for definitive biventricular pacing provides greater improvement in NYHA class and survival benefit. Larger-scale randomized trials are needed to assess the clinical and survival outcomes of this therapy.

Ambient temperature and outpatient visits for acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis in Shanghai: a time series analysis / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

The association between ambient temperature and acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (AECB) was still unknown. Therefore, we performed an epidemiological study in a large hospital of Shanghai to explore the relationship about temperature and outpatient visit for AECB. We adopted a quasi-Poisson generalized additive models and distributed lag nonlinear models to estimate the accumulative effects of temperature on AECB across multiple days. We found significant non-linear effects of cold temperature on hospital visits for AECB, and the potential effect of cold temperature might last more than 2 weeks. The relative risks of extreme cold (first percentiles of temperature throughout the study period) and cold (10th percentile of temperature) temperature over lags 0-14 d were 2.98 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.77, 5.04] and 1.63 (95% CI: 1.21, 2.19), compared with the 25th percentile of temperature. However, we found no positive association between hospital visits and hot weather. This study showed that exposure to both extreme cold and cold temperatures were associated with increased outpatient visits for AECB in a large hospital of Shanghai.

Association between Ambient Air Pollution and Outpatient Visits for Acute Bronchitis in a Chinese City / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the short-term association between outdoor air pollution and outpatient visits for acute bronchitis, which is a rare subject of research in the mainland of China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A time-series analysis was conducted to examine the association of outdoor air pollutants with hospital outpatient visits in Shanghai by using two-year daily data (2010-2011).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Outdoor air pollution was found to be associated with an increased risk of outpatient visits for acute bronchitis in Shanghai. The effect estimates of air pollutants varied with the lag structures of the concentrations of the pollutants. For lag06, a 10 μg/m(3) increase in the concentrations of PM10, SO(2), and NO(2) corresponded to 0.94% (95% CI: 0.83%, 1.05%), 11.12% (95% CI: 10.76%, 11.48%), and 4.84% (95% CI: 4.49%, 5.18%) increases in hospital visits for acute bronchitis, respectively. These associations appeared to be stronger in females (P<0.05). Between-age differences were significant for SO(2) (P<0.05), and between-season differences were also significant for SO(2) (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our analyses have provided the first evidence that the current air pollution level in China has an effect on acute bronchitis and that the rationale for further limiting air pollution levels in Shanghai should be strengthened.</p>

Impact of temperature on mortality in three major Chinese cities / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relation between temperature and mortality by estimating the temperature-related mortality in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data of daily mortality, weather and air pollution in the three cities were collected. A distributed lag nonlinear model was established and used in analyzing the effects of temperature on mortality. Current and future net temperature-related mortality was estimated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The association between temperature and mortality was J-shaped, with an increased death risk of both hot and cold temperature in these cities. The effects of cold temperature on health lasted longer than those of hot temperature. The projected temperature-related mortality increased with the decreased cold-related mortality. The mortality was higher in Guangzhou than in Beijing and Shanghai.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The impact of temperature on health varies in the 3 cities of China, which may have implications for climate policy making in China.</p>

Ambient air pollution and human health in China: The past and future / 第二军医大学学报

Outdoor air pollution is one of the major environmental problems for China, and it has drawn wide concerns. This paper descsibed the current status of air pollution in China and reviewed the research on air pollution and human heaith in China from the followmg perspectives: the acute heaith effects, chronic heaith effects, and interventional research; finally the authors discussed the prospect of future related researches.