IL6 receptor inhibitors: exploring the therapeutic potential across multiple diseases through drug target Mendelian randomization.

Background: High interleukin-6 levels correlate with diseases like cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infections. IL-6 receptor inhibitors (IL-6Ri), used for rheumatoid arthritis and COVID-19, may have wider uses. We apply drug-target Mendelian Randomization (MR) to study IL-6Ri's effects.

Elevated methylmercury in Antarctic surface seawater: The role of phytoplankton mass and sea ice.

Methylmercury is a neurotoxin that is biomagnified in marine food webs. Its distribution and biogeochemical cycle in Antarctic seas are still poorly understood due to scarce studies. Here, we report the total methylmercury profiles (up to 4000 m) in unfiltered seawater (MeHg) from the Ross Sea to the Amundsen Sea.

Mixing state and distribution of iodine-containing particles in Arctic Ocean during summertime.

Iodine chemistry plays a key role in ozone destruction and new aerosol formation in the marine boundary layer (MBL), especially in polar regions. We investigated iodine-containing particles (0.2-2 μm) in the Arctic Ocean using a ship-based single particle aerosol mass spectrometer from July to August 2017.

The observation of isotopic compositions of atmospheric nitrate in Shanghai China and its implication for reactive nitrogen chemistry.

The occurrence of PM pollution in China is usually associated with the formation of atmospheric nitrate, the oxidation product of nitrogen oxides (NO = NO + NO). The oxygen-17 excess of nitrate (ΔO(NO)) can be used to reveal the relative importance of nitrate formation pathways and get more insight into reactive nitrogen chemistry. Here we present the observation of isotopic composition of atmospheric nitrate (ΔO and δN) collected from January to June 2016 in Shanghai China.

The role of sulfate and its corresponding S(IV)+NO formation pathway during the evolution of haze in Beijing.

To better understand the role of stationary sources during the evolution of haze, we investigated sulfate formation characteristics at different stages of four haze events in Beijing, China. The mass fraction of sulfate in PM increased while that of nitrate declined slightly during the worsening process of most haze events, consistent with higher ratios of SO/NO on haze days (0.50 on average) than those on clean days (0.

Composition and spatial distribution of elements and isotopes of a giant human bladder stone and environmental implications.

The composition and spatial distribution of minerals, trace elements, as well as carbon and nitrogen isotopes from the outer crust to inner nucleus of a 20-year old giant human bladder stone comprising thirteen layers were intensively investigated. Calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) was found to concentrate in the inner and middle layers, struvite was concentrated in middle and outer layers, and fluorapatite occurred in almost all layers. The spatial distribution of minerals has the potential to provide preliminary knowledge regarding the long-term urine composition, or even the physiological condition of the patient.