Objective This study aimed to explore the association between humidity exposure and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), utilizing follow-up data and relative humidity (RH) metric assessments.Methods We extracted the baseline data from the China Hypertension Survey (CHS) of 24,510 enrolled participants aged ≥ 35 years without a history of CVD between 2012 and 2015 and followed them up from 2018 to 2019. The National Meteorological Information Center (NMIC) of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) provided the quality-controlled relative humidity (RH) datasets. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for CVD in relation to RH.Results During the follow-up period (2018–2019), 973 patients with CVD were identified. The HR of CVD risk was 1.17 (95% CI: 1.04–1.31) per 10% increase in summer mean RH. Compared with participants in the 3rd quintile group, those in the 1st and 5th quintiles of RH had a higher risk of CVD. For summer mean RH, the HRs (95% CIs) for the 1st and 5th quintiles were 1.34 (1.04–1.71) and 1.44 (1.14–1.83), respectively. The relationship (“U” shape) between summer mean RH and the risk of CVD was nonlinear. Stratified analyses indicated that the risk of CVD was substantially influenced by the summer mean RH in female, older individuals, and those in southern China.Conclusion Unsuitable (too high or low) humidity environments affect the risk of CVD. Our study highlights those future policies for adapting to climate change should consider the humidity–CVD relationship.
Objective Evidence that long-term exposure to ambient air pollution increases mortality among older adults, particularly those residing in low-level air pollution locations, remains scarce. This study investigated the potential links between long-term low-level air pollution exposure and mortality among Chinese older adults.Methods A population-based study with 317,464 individuals aged ≥ 65 years was conducted in Shenzhen, China during 2018 and 2020. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the associations between long-term exposure to air pollution and all-cause mortality, as the primary outcome, as well as non-accidental, cancer and cardiovascular mortality.Results Significant associations of PM1, PM2.5, PM10, SO2, CO, and O3 exposures with a higher risk of all-cause mortality were found. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) for each 1 µg/m3 increment was 1.49 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.46, 1.53] for PM1, 1.30 (1.27, 1.32) for PM2.5, 1.05 (1.04, 1.06) for PM10, 5.84 (5.39, 6.32) for SO2, 1.04 (1.04, 1.05) for CO, and 1.02 (1.00, 1.03) for O3, respectively. Long-term PM1, PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and CO exposures also elevated the risks of non-accidental, cancer and cardiovascular mortality.Conclusion Long-term low-level air pollution exposure was associated with an increased mortality risk among Chinese older adults.
Objective This study investigated the association between household chemical use and respiratory disease (RD) in older Chinese adults.Methods The data were from the 2018 China Longitudinal Health and Longevity Survey (CLHLS) database, which included 12,866 participants aged ≥ 65 years. The prevalence of RD was based on self-reported medical history, and patients were divided into diseased and non-diseased groups. The frequency of household chemical usage was divided into four categories, and a total score for eight household chemical usage categories was constructed. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between the frequency of household chemical use and RD, and a restricted cubic spline was used to determine the dose-response association.Result After adjusting for all covariates, regular use of repellents [odds ratios (OR) = 1.28, 95% CI 1.06–1.55] and oil removers (OR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.03–1.58) were associated with RD. There was a dose-response association between the total score of household chemicals usage and RD risk (P non-linearity > 0.05, P for trend < 0.01). Using patients with the total score below 9 as a reference, the OR for patients with the total score ranging from 25 to 32 is 2.33 (95% CI 1.25–4.09).Conclusion Regular use of repellents and oil removers increased the risk of RD, and the dose-dependent relationship was also observed.
Objective Because of the limited number of studies and small sample sizes, whether metabolic syndrome (MS) leads to the occurrence and progression of osteoporosis and the possible underlying mechanisms require further investigation. This study aimed to investigate the association between MS and osteoporosis, along with its influencing factors.Methods This observational cross-sectional study included 139,470 individuals aged ≥ 18 years who underwent health examinations from September 2014 to March 2022. Based on bone mineral density (BMD) screening results, the participants were categorized into a suspected osteoporosis or non-osteoporosis group (control). Participants were further divided into those who met 0 MS criteria, 1 MS criterion, 2 MS criteria, and ≥ 3 MS criteria (MS group). Participants who had undergone health examinations at least twice formed the follow-up cohort; a self-matched analysis was performed on those with follow-up periods ≥ 5 years and unchanged MS grouping.Results Several examination indicators in the suspected osteoporosis group showed statistically significant differences compared with the control group. The proportion of suspected osteoporosis in the MS group was significantly increased compared with that in the 0 MS criteria group (odds ratio [OR]: 1.215, Z = 29.11, P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval: 1.199–1.231). After adjusting for age, sex, smoking, and alcohol consumption, the 2 MS criteria group and MS group still had OR values > 1 (P < 0.001). In the follow-up cohort, the proportion of suspected osteoporosis increased gradually with an increase in the number of MS criteria met at baseline and during each follow-up visit (P < 0.05), with the highest proportion observed in the MS group. However, the proportion of suspected osteoporosis did not increase significantly over time in the different MS groups (P > 0.05). In the follow-up cohort, the proportion of individuals transitioning from normal BMD to suspected osteoporosis was higher in the MS group after ≥ 5 years of follow-up compared with the group meeting 0 MS criteria (0.08% versus 1.15%, χ2 = 10.76, P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in BMD values for the 0 MS criteria group after 5 years (P > 0.05), whereas the other three groups experienced a significant decrease in BMD values after 5 years (P < 0.05).Conclusion MS is an independent risk factor for osteoporosis, and the effect of risk factors related to MS on osteoporosis may exceed that of aging alone. The specific mechanisms warrant further investigation.
Objective N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a common epigenetic modification in eukaryotes. In this study, we explore the potential impact of m6A-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (m6A-SNPs) on heart failure (HF).Methods Data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) investigating HF in humans and from m6A-SNPs datasets were used to identify HF-associated m6A-SNPs. Their functions were explored using expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL), gene expression, and gene enrichment analyses. Mediation protein quantitative trait locus (pQTL)-Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to investigate the potential mechanism between critical protein levels and risk factors for HF.Results We screened 44 HF-associated m6A-SNPs, including 10 m6A-SNPs that showed eQTL signals and differential expressions in HF. The SNP rs1801270 in CDKN1A showed the strongest association with HF (P = 7.75 × 10−6). Additionally, MR verified the genetic association between the CDKN1A protein and HF, as well as the mediating effect of blood pressure (BP) in this pathway. Higher circulating level of CDKN1A was associated with a lower risk of HF (odds ratio [OR] = 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69 to 0.99). The proportions of hypertension, systolic BP, and diastolic BP were 48.10%, 28.94%, and 18.02%, respectively. Associations of PDIA6 (P = 1.30 × 10−2) and SMAD3 (P = 4.80 × 10−2) with HF were also detected.Conclusion Multiple HF-related m6A-SNPs were identified in this study. Genetic associations of CDKN1A and other proteins with HF and its risk factors were demonstrated, providing new ideas for further exploration of the molecular mechanisms of HF.
Objective The present study aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity of BA.2 variant receptor binding domain (RBD) recombinant protein formulated with CpG 1826 plus alum dual adjuvant.Methods The BA.2 variant RBD (residues 308-548) fusing TT-P2 epitope was obtained from prokaryotic expression system, purification technology and dialysis renaturation, which was designated as Sot protein. The soluble Sot protein formulated with CpG 1826 plus alum dual adjuvant was designated as Sot/CA subunit vaccine and then the BALB/c mice were intramuscularly administrated with two doses of the Sot/CA subunit vaccine at 14-day interval (day 0 and 14). On day 28, the number of effector T lymphocytes secreting IFN-γ and IL-4 in mice spleen were determined by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assay. The serum IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, the level of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) induced by Sot/CA subunit vaccine was also evaluated by the microneutralization assay.Results The high-purity soluble Sot protein with antigenicity was successfully obtained by the prokaryotic expression, protein purification and dialysis renaturation. The Sot/CA subunit vaccine induced a high level of IgG antibodies and NAbs, which were of cross-neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 BA.2 and XBB.1.5 variants. Meanwhile, Sot/CA subunit vaccine also induced a high level of effector T lymphocytes secreting IFN-γ (635.00 ± 17.62) and IL-4 (279.20 ± 13.10), respectively. Combined with a decreased IgG1/IgG2a ratio in the serum, which indicating Sot/CA subunit vaccine induced a Th1-type predominant immune response.Conclusion The Sot protein formulated with CpG 1826 plus alum dual adjuvant showed that the excellent cellular and humoral immunogenicity, which provided a scientific basis for the development of BA.2 variant subunit vaccines and references for the adjuvant application of subunit vaccines.
Martins-Gomes C, Silva TL, Andreani T, et al. Glyphosate vs. glyphosate-based herbicides exposure: a review on their toxicity. J Xenobiot, 2022; 12, 21−40.. doi: 10.3967/bes2024.178.
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