, Available online , doi: 10.3967/bes2025.121
Objective Post tuberculosis lung disease (PTLD) manifests in various forms, including tuberculosis-associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (TB-COPD), yet the clinical features of PTLD remain undercharacterized. This study aimed to assess longitudinal changes in lung function over a 5-year period and to identify predictors of airflow obstruction in a cohort of patients treated for active pulmonary TB. Methods Patients with active pulmonary TB were enrolled in this study and were followed during treatment, at treatment completion and five years post-treatment. Assessments included lung function and chest CT, analyzing longitudinal trends and airflow obstruction risk factors. Results Among 53 patients (mean age 36.9 ± 13.9 years; 64.2% male), 7 patients (13.2%) exhibited airflow obstruction. At the 5-year follow-up, the mean FEV1/FVC declined significantly (76.27% ± 12.04% vs. 80.23% ± 11.02%, P < 0.001) and 9 patients (17.0%) exhibited airflow obstruction. Seven of these patients predominantly showed air trapping consistent with small airway disease on chest CT, aligning with TB-COPD phenotype. Notably, four young-to-middle-aged patients (< 60 years old) had persistent obstruction over the five years. Conclusion The initial test revealed that 13.2% of patients presented with airflow obstruction. By the 5-year follow-up, this proportion had increased to 17.0%, with most cases demonstrating imaging findings aligning with TB-COPD, even among younger, non-smoking individuals. These findings emphasize the importance of long-term follow-up and routine lung function assessments in TB survivors.
, Available online , doi: 10.3967/bes2025.090
Objective We examined the associations between obesity-related indices and the risk of diabetes progression from prediabetes in older adults, comparing the differences in using the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Methods Data were obtained from the Healthy Aging Evaluation Longitudinal Study conducted in China. At baseline, prediabetes (in participants without diabetes) was classified based on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels using both criteria. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were categorized according to data distribution and diagnostic cut-off values, respectively. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for obesity-related indices and diabetes progression from prediabetes. Results Among the 1,127 participants classified as prediabetic according to the ADA criteria, 474 met the WHO criteria. Under ADA-defined prediabetes, the highest WC quartile (≥ 93 cm) was significantly associated with an increased diabetes risk (aHR 1.93 [1.06, 3.53, P < 0.05]), whereas BMI-related and cut-off-based abdominal obesity demonstrated no significant associations (P > 0.05). Under WHO-defined prediabetes, both the high tertile of WC (≥ 90 cm) and general obesity (BMI ≥ 28.0 kg/m2) were significantly associated with progression to diabetes (P < 0.05), with aHR 2.13 (1.06, 4.27) and 2.44 (1.19, 5.01), respectively. However, cut-off-based abdominal obesity and the high BMI tertile (≥ 25.75 kg/m2) were not significantly associated with diabetes progression (P > 0.05). Conclusion Elevated WC, rather than BMI-based indices or cut-off-based abdominal obesity, was significantly associated with diabetes progression according to the ADA-defined prediabetes criteria. However, both the evaluated WC and general obesity predicted progression to diabetes according to the WHO criteria.
, Available online , doi: 10.3967/bes2025.064
Objectives This study aimed to quantify the impact of major chronic diseases on changes in healthy life expectancy (HLE) from 2011 to 2020 in China using an age-specific disability weights (DW) estimation method. Methods HLE at age 60 (HLE60) was used as the indicator of HLE in China. Cause-specific mortality rates were obtained from the cause-of-death database of the National Health Commission. Self-reported disease and disability status were derived from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. A total of 55,861 participants were included for DW estimation. Rates of disability, which was assessed using the Activities of Daily Living questionnaires, were estimated using data from 5,465 participants in 2011 and 9,910 participants in 2020. Age-specific DWs were calculated using a Bayesian logistic regression model. Changes in HLE60 were decomposed into mortality and disability effects by cause, based on the estimated DWs. Results HLE60 in China increased by 0.83 years from 2011 to 2020. Ischemic heart disease (IHD) contributed the most to the decline in HLE60, remaining the leading cause of reduction in terms of mortality effects. Diabetes showed the greatest impact on HLE60 due to disability, followed by stroke. The largest sex disparities in HLE60 were associated with disability from arthritis. Conclusion HLE60 in China improved from 2011 to 2020 and IHD remained the leading contributor to its decline, particularly through increased mortality. Disabilities related to diabetes, stroke, and arthritis had significant negative impacts. These findings highlight the need to strengthen integrated chronic disease prevention and rehabilitation services at community health centers.
, Available online , doi: 10.3967/bes2025.127
Objective To assess relationships between cold spells and genitourinary hospitalization risk. Methods Hospitalization records for genitourinary system diseases (GUDs) from 16 districts in Beijing (2013–2018) were analyzed. Cold spells were defined based on varying intensity thresholds. A two-stage analytical method was employed: first, generalized linear models assessed district-specific associations between cold spells and hospitalizations; second, random-effects meta-analysis aggregated the district-level results. Subgroup analyses were performed by admission type (emergency vs. outpatient), age, and sex. Results A total of 271,579 GUD-related hospitalizations were recorded. Cold spells (p1day2, daily mean temperature below the 1st percentiles of the daily mean temperature distribution from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2018, lasting for two or more consecutive days) were linked to a significant rise in hospitalization risks: 1.35 (95% CI: 1.23–1.49) for all GUDs, 1.43 (95% CI: 1.32–1.56) for urinary system diseases, and 1.46 (95% CI: 1.28–1.67) for renal failure, when compared to non-cold spell days. Emergency admissions showed higher risk increases than outpatient admissions. Conclusion Extreme cold spells significantly elevate hospitalization risks for GUDs. This highlights the urgent need for targeted public health interventions to mitigate cold-related health impacts, especially for vulnerable populations.
Milan Jia,
Chenxia Zhou,
Hui Li,
Jing Lan,
Wenbo Zhao,
Lingyun Jia,
Sijie Li,
Changhong Ren,
Chen Zhou,
Lu Liu,
Xunming Ji
, Available online , doi: 10.3967/bes2025.118
Objective Cerebral venous outflow disorders (CVOD) can impair cerebral perfusion and produce diverse, often debilitating symptoms, substantially reducing quality of life. Intermittent hypoxia–hyperoxia training (IHHT) has demonstrated therapeutic potential across various pathologies and may represent a promising non-pharmacological approach for CVOD management. Methods Patients with imaging-confirmed CVOD underwent 14 IHHT sessions, each comprising four cycles of 10-minute hypoxia (11% O2) stimulation and 20-minute hyperoxia (38% O2). Physiological parameters and adverse events were monitored throughout the intervention. Clinical scales, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, blood tests, jugular ultrasound, and perfusion imaging were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results No participants experienced intolerable discomfort or severe adverse events; vital signs remained within normal ranges. No significant changes were observed in 24-hour blood pressure, blood cell counts, lipid profiles, or other blood markers. Notably, 60% of patients (n = 12) reported overall symptom improvement on the Patient Global Impression of Change scale. Headache severity, as measured by the visual analogue scale, significantly decreased (6.33 ± 1.22 vs. 4.89 ± 2.03, P = 0.016). In patients with internal jugular vein (IJV) stenosis, significant improvements were observed in regional cerebral blood flow (including the insula, occipital lobe, internal capsule, and lenticula) and left J3-segment IJV flow volume (107.27 [47.50, 160.00] vs. 140.83 [55.00, 210.00] mL/min, P = 0.011). Conclusion The current IHHT protocol is safe and well-tolerated in patients with CVOD. IHHT may alleviate CVOD-related symptoms by improving oxygen saturation, cerebral perfusion, and venous outflow pattern, supporting its potential as a non-invasive therapeutic strategy.
, Available online , doi: 10.3967/bes2025.117
Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between the levels of 12 cytokines in the cervical microenvironment and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in patients with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection. Methods Female patients (n = 73) with HR-HPV infection were enrolled and divided into a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) group (n = 33) and a non-HSIL (N-HSIL) group (n = 40), which include low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and inflammation. Healthy screening subjects (n = 31) with negative HR-HPV results were enrolled as a control group. We examined contemporaneous plasma and secretory cytokines from 25 study subjects to investigate the difference between systemic cytokine profiles and the local microenvironment immunity using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test. The 12 cytokines from cervical secretions were compared between the three groups using the Mann-Whitney test, and logistic regression was used to analyze HSIL and N-HSIL. Results There were statistical differences in eight cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-12p70, IFN-α, and IL-8) between cervical secretion and plasma of the same patient, and seven cytokines were statistically different between the control and other two groups. We selected four independent variables (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-12p70, and IFN-α) commonly identified by univariate regression analysis and non-parametric tests for multivariate logistic regression analysis. Based on this model, HSIL could be predicted in patients with HR-HPV infection, with the area under the curve being 0.76. Conclusion The systemic cytokine profile cannot reflect the local microenvironment immunity, and the occurrence of HSIL is related to the cytokine levels in the cervical microenvironment.
, Available online , doi: 10.3967/bes2025.113
Objective This study aims to investigate the joint associations of sarcopenia and social isolation with mortality risk. Methods Using data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) and the UK Biobank, sarcopenia was diagnosed according to European and Asian Working Groups for Sarcopenia criteria. Social isolation was assessed using standardized questionnaires, including questions on solitude, frequency of social activities, contact with others, and marital status (for the CLHLS only). Results During the follow-up period, 8,249 deaths occurred in the CLHLS and 26,670 deaths in the UK Biobank groups. While no significant interaction was observed between sarcopenia and social isolation in predicting all-cause mortality in the CLHLS cohort, the association between social isolation and mortality was stronger among individuals with sarcopenia in the UK Biobank (P-interaction = 0.03, relative risk due to interaction: 0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06–0.41). Further joint analyses showed that participants with sarcopenia and high levels of social isolation had the highest mortality risk (hazard ration [HR]: 1.99; 95% CI: [1.74–2.28] in the CLHLS and 1.69 [1.55–1.85] in the UK Biobank) compared to those without either condition. Conclusion The combination of social isolation and sarcopenia synergistically increases the risk of mortality in middle-aged and older adults across diverse populations.
Fayaz Ahmad,
Tahir Mehmood,
Xiaotian Liu,
Xianghao Yuchi,
Ning Kang,
Wei Liao,
Ruiyu Wu,
Bota Baheti,
Xiaokang Dong,
Jian Hou,
Sohail Akhtar,
Chongjian Wang
, Available online , doi: 10.3967/bes2025.102
Objective To investigate hypertension (HTN) trends, key risk factors, and gender disparities in rural China, and to propose targeted strategies for improving HTN control in resource-limited settings. Methods This longitudinal study used data from the Henan Rural Cohort Study, including baseline (2015–2017; n = 39,224) and follow-up (2018–2022; n = 28,621) participants. HTN was defined as systolic/diastolic blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg, self-reported diagnosis, or use of antihypertensive medication. Severity was classified using a 7-tier blood pressure (BP) staging system (optimal, normal, high normal, and HTN stages 1–3). A generalized linear mixed-effects model (GLMM) identified associated risk factors. Results HTN prevalence increased modestly from 32.7% (95% CI: 32.2–33.2) to 33.9% (33.3–34.4%). Awareness and treatment improved from 20.1% to 25.3%, and from 18.8% to 24.4%, respectively, but control rates remained low (6.2% to 12.3%). After adjustment, women had a 1.53-fold higher HTN risk than men (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.43–1.63), revealing gender-specific trends. Key risk factors included alcohol use (OR = 1.37, 1.27–1.47) and overweight status (OR = 1.76, 1.66–1.86). BP staging showed an increase in optimal BP (42.3% to 45.8%), but stagnant management of advanced HTN stages. Conclusion Hypertension in rural China is shaped by behavioral risk factors and healthcare access gaps. Gender-sensitive, community-based interventions, including task-shifting models, are necessary to mitigate the growing burden of hypertension.
, Available online , doi: 10.3967/bes2025.094
Objective The associations of serum trace element levels with disease progression and survival duration were assessed in individuals diagnosed with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS) in China. Methods Clinical data, including diagnostic indicators, clinical characteristics, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) scores, and serum concentrations of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn), were collected for hospitalized patients with sALS between 2018 and 2021. Correlation analysis, random forest analysis, and the Gehan–Breslow–Wilcoxon test were used to evaluate the relations between serum trace element levels, disease progression, and survival duration. Results Lower serum Ca levels and higher Mg levels were observed in patients with ALSFRS-R scores < 39. Serum Mg was significantly negatively correlated with ALSFRS-R, trunk, and respiratory scores. Serum Cu and Zn also showed significant negative correlations with the respiratory score, whereas Ca and Fe were not significantly correlated with the ALSFRS-R score. The serum levels of Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, and Fe remained consistent regardless of the site of disease onset. ALSFRS-R analysis revealed that serum Ca and Mg had a substantial effect on the total ALSFRS-R score, with serum Mg significantly influencing the course of the disease. Notably, low serum Mg levels were associated with extended survival times in patients with sALS. Conclusion Serum levels of Ca and Mg play critical roles in the progression of sALS, and a reduced serum Mg level is related to an extended survival time.
Yun Chen,
Lan Wang,
Mei Zhang,
Sifan Hu,
Yan Shao,
Xiao Zhang,
Chun Li,
Jie Chen,
Zhenping Zhao,
Yanhong Dong,
Lin Lu,
Maigeng Zhou,
Limin Wang,
Junliang Yuan,
Hongqiang Sun
, Available online , doi: 10.3967/bes2025.093
Objectives This study aimed to determine the temporal trends in sleep duration among Chinese adults. Methods In this series of repeated nationally representative cross-sectional surveys (China Chronic Disease and Risk Factors Surveillance) conducted between 2010 and 2018, a total of 645,420 adult participants (97,741 in 2010; 175,749 in 2013; 187,777 in 2015; and 184,153 in 2018) were included in the trend analysis. Linear and logistic regression models were utilized to assess trends in sleep duration. Results In 2018, the estimated overall mean sleep duration among the Chinese adult population was 7.58 (SD, 1.45) hours per day, with no significant trend from 2010. A significant increase in short sleep duration (≤ 6 hours) was observed in the total population, from 15.3% (95% CI, 14.1%–16.5%) in 2010 to 18.5% (95% CI, 17.7%–19.3%) in 2018 (P < 0.001). Similarly, the trend in long sleep duration (> 9 hours) was also significant, increasing in weighted prevalence from 7.2% (95% CI, 6.3%–8.1%) in 2010 to 9.0% (95% CI, 8.2%–9.9%) in 2018 (P < 0.001). Conclusions The prevalence of both short and long sleep durations significantly increased among Chinese adults from 2010 to 2018, highlighting the urgency of health initiatives to promote optimal sleep duration in China.
Zhenghao Tang,
Zhennan Lin,
Jianxin Li,
Fangchao Liu,
Jie Cao,
Shufeng Chen,
Keyong Huang,
Hongfan Li,
Dongsheng Hu,
Jianfeng Huang,
Dongfeng Gu,
Xiangfeng Lu
, Available online , doi: 10.3967/bes2025.089
Objective Evidence suggests that depleted gut microbial α-diversity is associated with hypertension; however, whether metabolic markers affect this relationship remains unknown. We aimed to determine the potential metabolites mediating the associations of α-diversity with blood pressure (BP) and BP variability (BPV). Methods Metagenomics and plasma targeted metabolomics were conducted on 523 Chinese participants from the MetaSalt study. The 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime BP and BPV were calculated based on ambulatory BP measurements. Linear mixed models were used to characterize the relationships between α-diversity (Shannon and Chao1 index) and BP indices. Mediation analyses were performed to assess the contribution of metabolites to the observed associations. The influence of key metabolites on hypertension was further evaluated in a prospective cohort of 2,169 participants. Results Gut microbial richness (Chao1) was negatively associated with 24-hour systolic BP, daytime systolic BP, daytime diastolic BP, 24-hour systolic BPV, and nighttime systolic BPV (P < 0.05). Moreover, 26 metabolites were strongly associated with richness (Bonferroni P < 0.05). Among them, four key metabolites (imidazole propionate, 2-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid, homovanillic acid, and hydrocinnamic acid) mediated the associations between richness and BP indices (proportions of mediating effects: 14.1–67.4%). These key metabolites were also associated with hypertension in the prospective cohort. For example, each 1-standard deviation unit increase in hydrocinnamic acid significantly reduced the risk of prevalent (OR [95% CI] = 0.90 [0.82, 0.99]; P = 0.03) and incident hypertension (HR [95% CI] = 0.83 [0.71, 0.96]; P = 0.01). Conclusion Our results suggest that gut microbial richness correlates with lower BP and BPV, and that certain metabolites mediate these associations. These findings provide novel insights into the pathogenesis and prevention of hypertension.
Ning Gao,
Bin Wang,
Ran Zhao,
Han Zhang,
Xiaoqian Jia,
Tianxiang Wu,
Mengyuan Ren,
Lu Zhao,
Jiazhang Shi,
Jing Huang,
Shaowei Wu,
Guofeng Shen,
Bo Pan,
Mingliang Fang
, Available online , doi: 10.3967/bes2025.087
Objective The study aim was to investigate the effects of exposure to multiple environmental organic pollutants on cardiopulmonary health with a focus on the potential mediating role of oxidative stress. Methods A repeated-measures randomized crossover study involving healthy college students in Beijing was conducted. Biological samples, including morning urine and venous blood, were collected to measure concentrations of 29 typical organic pollutants, including hydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs), bisphenol A and its substitutes, phthalates and their metabolites, parabens, and five biomarkers of oxidative stress. Health assessments included blood pressure measurements and lung function indicators. Results Urinary concentrations of 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (2-OH-PHE) (β = 4.35% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.85%, 7.97%)), 3-hydroxyphenanthrene (β = 3.44% (95% CI: 0.19%, 6.79%)), and 4-hydroxyphenanthrene (4-OH-PHE) (β = 5.78% (95% CI: 1.27%, 10.5%)) were significantly and positively associated with systolic blood pressure. Exposures to 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OH-PYR) (β = 3.05% (95% CI: −4.66%, −1.41%)), 2-OH-PHE (β = 2.68% (95% CI: −4%, −1.34%)), and 4-OH-PHE (β = 3% (95% CI: −4.68%, −1.29%)) were negatively associated with the ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second to forced vital capacity. These findings highlight the adverse effects of exposure to multiple pollutants on cardiopulmonary health. Biomarkers of oxidative stress, including 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and extracellular superoxide dismutase, mediated the effects of multiple OH-PAHs on blood pressure and lung function. Conclusion Exposure to multiple organic pollutants can adversely affect cardiopulmonary health. Oxidative stress is a key mediator of the effects of OH-PAHs on blood pressure and lung function.
Tingting Gao,
Wei Cao,
Titi Yang,
Peipei Xu,
Juan Xu,
Qian Gan,
Hongliang Wang,
Hui Pan,
Yingying Zhao,
Kai You,
Qingbin Xing,
Wenhua Zhao,
Zhenyu Yang,
Qian Zhang
, Available online , doi: 10.3967/bes2025.086
Objective The rising prevalence of childhood obesity is closely associated with suboptimal dietary patterns. To address this public health concern, we conducted a comprehensive study to examine the association between coarse cereal consumption and body fat percentage (BFP) in Chinese children and adolescents. Methods The study included 48,305 children aged 6–17 years from 28 districts/counties in 14 provinces across seven regions of China (24,152 girls and 24,153 boys). BFP was examined using bioelectrical impedance analysis in the early morning. Coarse cereal consumption was assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire and categorized into three groups: 0 g/d/1000 kcal, 0–10 g/d/1000 kcal, and > 10 g/d/1000 kcal (daily consumption of coarse cereals × 1000/total energy consumption). Quantile regression model was used to analyze the association between coarse cereals and BFP, adjusting for potential confounders such as age, pubertal development stage, urban/rural and regional factors, total daily dietary energy consumption, sedentary time, moderate-to-high physical activity, household income, parental education, and consumption of other foods. Results Boys aged 6–10, 11–14, and 15–17 years had median daily coarse cereal consumptions of 6.6 g, 7.1 g, and 5.7 g, with BFP of 19.6%, 19.5%, and 17.5% (all P < 0.05). Girls in the same age groups showed consumption of 7.1 g, 8.4 g, and 6.7 g, with BFP of 20.3%, 26.4%, and 31.0% (all P < 0.05). The quantile regression results for boys showed that daily consumption of coarse cereals was significantly correlated with their BFP in the 0.15, 0.25, and 0.50 quartiles, with regression coefficients of −0.257, −0.221, and −0.330, respectively, after adjusting for potential confounders (P < 0.05). For girls, there was a significant correlation with PBF at the 0.05, 0.15, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 0.85 quartiles, with regression coefficients of −0.258, −0.366, −0.372, −0.431, −0.472, and −0.503 (P < 0.05 for all). Conclusions Coarse cereals consumption among Chinese children and adolescents remains relatively low. Higher consumption was inversely associated with BFP in children aged 6–17 years. Future interventional studies should assess how increased coarse cereal consumption prevents childhood obesity.
, Available online , doi: 10.3967/bes2025.069
Objective Previous studies link lower body mass index (BMI) with increased obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) risk, yet other body mass indicators may offer superior prediction. We dissected the causal association between body fat mass (FM) and OCD.Methods Summary statistics from genome-wide association studies of European ancestry were utilized to conduct two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis. Heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy, and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness.Results The inverse variance weighting method demonstrated that a genetically predicted decrease in FM was causally associated with an increased OCD risk [odds ratio (OR) = 0.680, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.528–0.875, P = 0.003]. Similar estimates were obtained using the weighted median approach (OR = 0.633, 95% CI: 0.438–0.915, P = 0.015). Each standard deviation increases in genetically predicted body fat percentage corresponded to a reduced OCD risk (OR = 0.638, 95% CI: 0.455–0.896, P = 0.009). The sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of these findings with no outlier instrument variables identified.Conclusion The negative causal association between FM and the risk of OCD suggests that the prevention or treatment of mental disorders should include not only the control of BMI but also fat distribution and body composition.
, Available online , doi: 10.3967/bes2025.053
Objective Telomere length is a key aging biomarker, but its sex-specific impact on individualized life expectancy remains uncertain. This study explores sex differences in leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and individualized expected years of life lost (YLL). Methods A prospective cohort of 445,399 participants (203,731 males and 241,668 females) from the UK Biobank was analyzed. LTL values were log-transformed, and YLL was calculated using life tables. Multiple linear regression was applied to examine sex-specific associations. Results In males, each standard deviation (S.D.) increase in LTL was linked to a 0.965-year decrease in YLL (95% CI: –1.025, –0.900; P < 0.001). In females, longer LTL was related to a 0.102-year increase in YLL (95% CI: 0.057, 0.146; P < 0.001). Among postmenopausal females, LTL showed a protective effect similar to that in males (0.387-year decrease, 95% CI: −0.446, –0.328; P < 0.001), while premenopausal females exhibited a detrimental association (0.705-year increase, 95% CI: 0.625, 0.785; P < 0.001). Comparable trends were observed across major aging-related diseases, pointing to a consistent biological pattern. Conclusion The influence of LTL on life expectancy varies significantly by sex, with protective associations seen in males and postmenopausal females. This suggests hormonal involvement in telomere dynamics. The results support integrating sex-specific perspectives into aging and telomere research and clinical practice.
, Available online , doi: 10.3967/bes2025.104
Human cardiac organoids have revolutionized the study of cardiac development, disease modeling, drug discovery, and regenerative therapies. This review systematically discusses strategies and progress in the construction of cardiac organoids, categorizing them into three main types: cardiac spheroids, self-organizing/assembloid organoids, and organoid-on-a-chip systems. This review uniquely integrates the advances in vascularization, organ-on-chip design, and environmental cardiotoxicity modeling within cardiac organoid platforms, offering a critical synthesis that is absent in the literature. In the context of escalating environmental threats to cardiovascular health, there is an urgent need for physiologically relevant models to accurately identify cardiac toxicants and elucidate their underlying mechanisms of action. This review highlights advances in cardiac organoid applications for disease modeling—including congenital heart defects and acquired cardiovascular diseases—drug development, toxicity screening, and the study of environmentally induced cardiovascular pathogenesis. In addition, it critically examines ongoing challenges and underscores opportunities brought by bioengineering approaches. Finally, we propose future directions for developing standardized cardiac organoid platforms with clinical predictability, aiming to expand the utility of this technology across broader research applications.
, Available online , doi: 10.3967/bes2025.120
Ambient air pollution is increasingly being recognized as a risk factor for heart failure; however, its effects on cardiac biomarkers remain unclear. This scoping review assessed the existing evidence on the association between air pollution and cardiac biomarkers in heart failure, described the key concepts, synthesized data, and identified research gaps. Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CNKI databases were searched for studies on air pollution, heart failure, and biomarkers. A total of 765 records were screened, and 81 full texts were assessed for eligibility, resulting in 15 studies. The results showed that the exposure to particulate matter was associated with elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and troponin levels. Several studies have linked particulate matter exposure to a higher cardiovascular risk and heart failure biomarkers. Inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were consistently elevated across studies, supporting the biological relevance of these associations. However, few studies have focused specifically on populations with heart failure or clinically relevant biomarkers, and the evidence for gaseous pollutants remains inconclusive. These findings highlight the need to integrate environmental risk assessment into heart failure care and inform policy efforts to reduce the pollution-related cardiovascular burden. Further research should address these gaps through improved exposure assessments and the integration of mechanistic evidence.
, Available online , doi: 10.3967/bes2025.114
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