Associations Between Anthropogenic Factors, Meteorological Factors, and Cause-Specific Emergency Department Admissions.

Unpredictable emergency department (ED) admissions challenge healthcare systems, causing resource allocation inefficiencies. This study analyses associations between air pollutants, meteorological factors, and 2,655,861 cause-specific ED admissions from 2014 to 2018 across 12 categories. Generalized additive models were used to assess non-linear associations for each exposure, yielding Incidence Rate Ratios (IRR), while the population attributable fraction (PAF) calculated each exposure's contribution to cause-specific ED admissions.

Intravenous fluid therapy in hospitalized adult dengue patients without shock: Impact on subsequent severe dengue and potential adverse effects.

There is a lack of evidence on the optimal administration of intravenous (IV) fluids in hospitalized adult dengue patients without compensated and hypotensive shock. This study utilized a well-established cohort of dengue patients to compare risks of progressing to severe dengue (SD) over time for patients who were administered IV fluid versus others who were not. We included adult patients (n = 4781) who were hospitalized for dengue infection from 2005 to 2008.

TMT-Based Proteomics Analysis of the Intervention Effect of Orlistat on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Rats Induced by Letrozole Combined with a High-Fat Diet.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex gynecological endocrine and metabolic disease. Orlistat as a lipase inhibitor may improve the pathological characteristics of PCOS and is the sole antiobesity agent available in various countries. In this study, the PCOS rat models were established using letrozole and high-fat diet.

Molecular mechanism of di-n-butyl phthalate promotion of bladder cancer development.

Purpose: To determine whether di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) promotes the occurrence of bladder cancer (BCa) and explore the action of DBP acts on BCa cells at the cellular and molecular levels.

Methods: MTT and Transwell assays were used to investigate the tumorigenic actions of DBP on BCa cells. Second-generation sequencing was used to identify differences in gene expression before and after DBP treatment.

New-Onset Diabetes Mellitus in Patients with Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy Undergoing Tacrolimus and Low-Dose Corticosteroid Therapy.

Background: Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults. Although various studies have demonstrated the efficacy of tacrolimus combined with corticosteroids for treating IMN, both tacrolimus and corticosteroids have been shown to be diabetogenic, particularly following organ transplantation. Furthermore, the frequency and risk factors for new-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM) in IMN patients treated with tacrolimus plus low-dose corticosteroids remain unclear.

Di(n-butyl) phthalate exposure impairs meiotic competence and development of mouse oocyte.

Di(n-butyl) phthalate (DBP) is extensively used in industrial applications as plasticizer and stabilizer and its presence in the environment may present health risks for human. Previous studies have demonstrated its mutagenic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic ability. However, its effect on mammalian oocyte maturation remains unknown.

SKAP2 regulates Arp2/3 complex for actin-mediated asymmetric cytokinesis by interacting with WAVE2 in mouse oocytes.

SKAP2 (Src kinase-associated phosphoprotein 2), a substrate of Src family kinases, has been suggested to be involved in actin-mediated cellular processes. However, little is known about its role in mouse oocyte maturation. In this study, we thus investigated the expression, localization, and functions of SKAP2 during mouse oocyte asymmetric division.

Circulating Prolactin and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective Study.

Prolactin plays an important role in maintaining a normal glucose homeostasis during pregnancy and beyond. Studies investigating the association between prolactin and type 2 diabetes beyond pregnancy are rare and none is prospective. We aimed to examine whether prolactin associates with type 2 diabetes prospectively in a Chinese population.

Methoxychlor exposure induces oxidative stress and affects mouse oocyte meiotic maturation.

Methoxychlor (MXC) is used worldwide against insects and other pests. This organochlorine pesticide acts as a xenoestrogen, promotes oxidative stress, and is considered cytotoxic and genotoxic, causing abortions and stillbirths in females. Mechanistically related estrogens and oxidants affect oocyte meiosis, so we investigated the effects of MXC on mouse oocyte meiotic maturation.

Axin-1 Regulates Meiotic Spindle Organization in Mouse Oocytes.

Axin-1, a negative regulator of Wnt signaling, is a versatile scaffold protein involved in centrosome separation and spindle assembly in mitosis, but its function in mammalian oogenesis remains unknown. Here we examined the localization and function of Axin-1 during meiotic maturation in mouse oocytes. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that Axin-1 was localized around the spindle.

Insulin Resistance is Associated With Total Bile Acid Level in Type 2 Diabetic and Nondiabetic Population: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Bile acid metabolism was reported to be involved in glucose metabolism homeostasis. However, the exact relationship between bile acid and glucose metabolism as well as insulin sensitivity is not clarified. Therefore, we sought to investigate the association between insulin sensitivity and hyperbileacidemia in type 2 diabetic and nondiabetic population.

An Integrated Glass Nanofluidic Device Enabling In-situ Electrokinetic Probing of Water Confined in a Single Nanochannel under Pressure-Driven Flow Conditions.

In-situ measurement of streaming currents in a single nanochannel with femtoliter-scale volumes is achieved using an elaborately designed and fabricated glass nanofluidic chip with probe electrodes embedded within the nanochannel. The device and the method suggest a useful nanoscale tool enabling in situ understanding of the unique liquid properties observed in nanofluidic channels.

Free Triiodothyronine Concentrations are Inversely Associated with Elevated Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Middle-Aged and Elderly Chinese Population.

Aim: Increased carotid artery intima media thickness (C-IMT) is an early feature of atherosclerosis. It has been reported to be altered in patients with thyroid dysfunction, and the evidence is still controversial. The present study aimed to explore the relationship between C-IMT and possible variations in thyroid function in Chinese adults aged 40 years and above.

Glycated haemoglobin A1c is associated with low-grade albuminuria in Chinese adults.

Background And Objective: Diabetes is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, whereas few studies have investigated simultaneously the associations of glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (fasting plasma glucose (FPG)) and 2 h postload blood glucose (2 h PG) with low-grade albuminuria, which is an earlier marker of cardiovascular diseases in the general population. Our study aimed to investigate and compare associations of HbA1c, FPG, and 2 h PG levels with risks of low-grade albuminuria in the middle-aged and elderly Chinese.

Design And Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 9188 participants aged 40 years or older.

Associations of smoking and alcohol consumption with impaired β-cell function in Chinese men.

Background: The aims of the present study were to examine the association of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption with impaired β-cell function in Chinese men, particularly the interaction of smoking and alcohol consumption on impaired insulin secretion.

Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was performed in 3957 Chinese men aged ≥40 years. The homeostatic model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β) was calculated, and impaired β-cell function was defined as less than the lowest quartile HOMA-βcut-off point.

Advanced fibrosis associates with atherosclerosis in subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Objective: Nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) with advanced fibrosis usually has a deteriorated prognosis, which was mainly attributed to cardiovascular cause. We investigated whether advanced fibrosis assessed by noninvasive fibrosis markers was associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in NAFLD patients.

Methods: A total of 2550 participants with ultrasound confirmed NAFLD from a community based population study were included in the present analysis.

Awareness, treatment and control of cardiometabolic disorders in Chinese adults with diabetes: a national representative population study.

Background: The diagnosis of diabetes has important clinic implications for the prevention and management of cardiometabolic disorders. We aimed to investigate the awareness, treatment and control of hypertension and dyslipidemia in previously-diagnosed and newly-diagnosed diabetes in Chinese adult population.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in a nationally representative sample of 98658 Chinese adults aged 18 years or older in 2010, using a complex, multistage, probability sampling design.

Impact of the Serum Uric Acid Level on Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Middle-aged and Elderly Chinese.

Aim: The carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is now validated as a sensitive marker of atherosclerosis and is directly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Considering that the independent association between the serum uric acid level and CIMT remains controversial due to the complex interrelationship with other known cardiovascular risk factors, further studies are needed. The aim of the present study is to explore the association between the serum uric acid level and CIMT in a general Chinese population and determine whether the association differs according to varied metabolic status.

Serum lipoprotein (a) concentrations are inversely associated with T2D, prediabetes, and insulin resistance in a middle-aged and elderly Chinese population.

Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], an LDL-like particle, has been proposed as a causal risk factor for CVD among general populations. Meanwhile, both serum Lp(a) and diabetes increase the risk of CVD. However, the relationship between serum Lp(a) and T2D is poorly characterized, especially in the Asian population.

Free triiodothyronine concentrations are inversely associated with microalbuminuria.

Thyroid function and microalbuminuria are both associated with vascular disease and endothelial damage. However, whether thyroid function is associated with microalbuminuria is not well established. The objective was to explore the relationship between thyroid hormones and microalbuminuria in Chinese population.

Association between carotid intima-media thickness and index of central fat distribution in middle-aged and elderly Chinese.

Background: Evidence has demonstrated that central fat distribution produces the most profound metabolic abnormalities and is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to investigate whether the indexes of central fat distribution, including waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and visceral fat area (VFA), were stronger risk factors of subclinical atherosclerosis than body mass index (BMI) in Chinese adults.

Methods: A total of 3381 participants aged 40 years or older without history of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) were enrolled in the present cross-sectional study from the Songnan community, Shanghai, China.

Autonomic dysfunction assessed by EZSCAN and subclinical atherosclerosis.

Background: The present study aimed to explore the association between autonomic dysfunction and measurements of atherosclerosis in a middle-aged and elderly Chinese population.

Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was performed in Shanghai, China, from March to August 2010, with 5076 participants included in the analysis. Autonomic function was assessed by a novel EZSCAN test based on sudomotor function analysis.