Peripheral blood immune cell dynamics associate with growth of incidental indeterminate pulmonary nodules.

Objectives: Previous studies suggest peripheral blood immune cells associate with the progression and prognosis of lung cancer. The main purpose of this study was to explore the association of peripheral immune cell and its dynamics with the growth of pulmonary nodules.

Materials And Method: Of 9280 subjects whom had blood cell counts and chest CT scan in health check-up, 1068 participants were enrolled with the incidental pulmonary nodules of above 5 mm in diameter and subsequently followed up for 2 years.

Liver fibrotic burden across the spectrum of hypothyroidism.

Background: Data regarding the prevalence of hepatic fibrotic burden across the spectrum of hypothyroidism are scarce. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of liver fibrotic burden across the spectrum of hypothyroidism.

Methods: 30,091 individuals who attended a Health Management Centre between 2019 and 2021 were cross-sectionally analyzed.

Association between multiple metals exposure and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease among Chinese adults.

Background: Previous research has investigated the hepatotoxicity of single metal exposure. However, there is limited evidence about metal mixture and their association with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), particularly in the Chinese population.

Objective: To investigate the individual and combine effects of 20 metals on MAFLD in a large population in China.

Association between multiple metal exposure and bone mineral density among Chinese adults.

Previous studies about metal exposures and bone mineral density (BMD) have mainly focused on individual metals. The objective of this study was to explore the association of single and multiple metal exposures with BMD among Chinese adults. We recruited 2922 participants from Tongji Hospital in Wuhan, China.

The association of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls exposure with dyslipidemia and blood lipids: The mediating effect of white blood cell counts.

Epidemiological evidence regarding the associations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) with lipid metabolism and its potential biological mechanisms remain largely unknown. We intended to explore the associations of OCPs and PCBs with dyslipidemia and blood lipid levels, and further evaluate the mediating role of total and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts. We measured the blood lipid levels, the concentration of OCPs/PCBs and WBC counts in serum among 2036 adults in Wuhan city, China.

Association between organophosphate esters individual and mixed exposure with the risk of hyperlipidemia and serum lipid levels among adults in Wuhan, China.

Toxicologic studies reported that organophosphate esters (OPEs) may disrupt lipid metabolism, thus affecting serum lipid levels. However, epidemiological evidence regarding the association between OPEs and the risk of hyperlipidemia (HPL) as well as serum lipid levels is scarce. In the present study, our aim was to investigate the impact of individual and mixed OPE exposure on HPL.

Individual and joint effects of organophosphate esters and hypertension or diabetes on renal injury among Chinese adults.

Exposure to environmental contaminants and the development of hypertension and diabetes represent crucial risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Toxicological studies have revealed that organophosphate esters (OPEs) impair kidney function. However, the joint effects of OPE exposure on kidney injury and the interactions of OPE exposure with hypertension or diabetes on kidney injury remain unclear.

Associations of exposure to organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls with chronic kidney disease among adults: the modifying effects of lifestyle.

Exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) has been reported to be associated with renal impairment and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Nevertheless, the research results thus far have exhibited inconsistency, and the effect of lifestyle on their association is not clear. In this study, we assessed the correlation between serum OCPs/PCBs and CKD and renal function indicators including estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) among 1721 Chinese adults.

Association between essential metals, adherence to healthy lifestyle behavior, and ankle-brachial index.

Background: Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a noninvasive diagnostic method for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and a predictor of cardiovascular events.

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the association between individual or combined essential metals and ABI, as well as assess the collective impact of essential metals when coupled with healthy lifestyle on ABI.

Methods: A total of 2865 participants were recruited in Wuhan Tongji Hospital between August 2018 and March 2019.

USP25 attenuates anti-GBM nephritis in mice by negative feedback regulation of Th17 cell differentiation.

Purpose: This study aimed to elucidate the role of USP25 in a mouse model of anti-glomerular basement membrane glomerulonephritis (anti-GBM GN).

Methods: USP25-deficient anti-GBM GN mice were generated, and their nephritis progression was monitored. Naïve CD4+ T cells were isolated from spleen lymphocytes and stimulated to differentiate into Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells.

LncTCONS_00058568 is involved in the pathophysiologic processes mediated by P2X7R in the lower thoracic spinal cord after acute kidney injury.

Acute kidney injury (AKI), a prevalent clinical syndrome, involves the participation of the nervous system in neuroimmune regulation. However, the intricate molecular mechanism that governs renal function regulation by the central nervous system (CNS) is complex and remains incompletely understood. In the present study, we found that the upregulated expression of lncTCONS_00058568 in lower thoracic spinal cord significantly ameliorated AKI-induced renal tissue injury, kidney morphology, inflammation and apoptosis, and suppressed renal sympathetic nerve activity.

Exposure to organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls, adherence to an ideal cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness among Chinese adults.

This study aimed to assess the relationships between exposure to individual organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and their mixture and arterial stiffness and explore whether adherence to an ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) could mitigate these associations. The cross-sectional study enrolled 1437 Chinese adults between March and May 2019 in Wuhan, China. OCPs and PCBs concentrations were measured using solid phase extraction coupled with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Associations of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease among Chinese adults: Effect modification by lifestyle.

Exposure to environmental pollutants and unhealthy lifestyles are key risk factors for metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). While previous studies have suggested links between exposure to organochlorine pesticides (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and MAFLD, the results have been inconsistent. Furthermore, the combined effects of PCBs and OCPs on MAFLD and whether lifestyle factors can modify the associations remain unknown.

Identification of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated glomerulonephritis.

Exploring key genes for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis (ANCA-GN) is of great significance. Through bioinformatics analysis, 79 immune protein-differentially expressed genes (IP-DEGs) were obtained. Six hub genes (, , , , , and ) were identified and verified to be increased in ANCA-GN patients.

Associations of polychlorinated biphenyl and organochlorine pesticide exposure with hyperuricemia: modification by lifestyle factors.

Recent research has reported positive associations of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) with hyperuricemia. However, most of these studies have primarily focused on the individual effects of PCB/OCP exposure. We aimed to explore the associations of both individual and combined PCB/OCP exposure with hyperuricemia and examine whether such associations could be modified by lifestyle factors.

The association between urinary metals/metalloids and chronic kidney disease among general adults in Wuhan, China.

The relation between exposure to single metal/metalloid and the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unclear. We aimed to determine the single and mixed associations of 21 heavy metals/metalloids exposure and the risk of CKD. We performed a cross-sectional study that recruited 4055 participants.

Animal models for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis: Are current models good enough?

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a rare and severe systemic autoimmune disease characterized by pauci-immune necrotizing inflammation of small blood vessels. AAV involves multiple organ systems throughout the body. Our knowledge of the pathogenesis of AAV has increased considerably in recent years, involving cellular, molecular and genetic factors.

Interconnections between urolithiasis and oral health: a cross-sectional and bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.

Introduction: Urolithiasis is one of the most common diseases for urologists and it is a heavy burden for stone formers and society. The theory of the oral-genitourinary axis casts novel light on the pathological process of genitourinary system diseases. Hence, we performed this study to characterize the crosstalk between oral health conditions and urolithiasis to provide evidence for prevention measures and mechanisms of stone formation.

Sex-specific associations of single metal and metal mixture with handgrip strength: a cross-sectional study among Chinese adults.

Metallic elements are ubiquitous in the natural environment and always collaborate to affect human health. The relationship of handgrip strength, a marker of functional ability or disability, with metal co-exposure remains vague. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of metal co-exposure on sex-specific handgrip strength.

Association of metal exposure with arterial stiffness in Chinese adults.

Background: Arterial stiffness is an important indicator of cardiovascular aging. However, studies assessing the association between metal exposure and arterial stiffness are limited.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the independent and joint associations of metal exposure with arterial stiffness.

Metabolomics combined with clinical analysis explores metabolic changes and potential serum metabolite biomarkers of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis with renal impairment.

Background: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is an autoimmune systemic disease, and the majority of AAV patients have renal involvement presenting as rapid progressive glomerulonephritis (GN). Currently, the clinically available AAV markers are limited, and some of the newly reported markers are still in the nascent stage. The particular mechanism of the level changes of various markers and their association with the pathogenesis of AAV are not well defined.

Dysregulation of Angiopoietin-like-4 Associated with Hyperlipidemia-induced Renal Injury by AMPK/ACC Pathway.

Background: Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (Angptl4) is a glycoprotein that is involved in regulating lipid metabolism, which has been indicated as a link between hypertriglyceridemia and albuminuria in glomerulonephropathy. Deregulated lipid metabolism is increasingly recognized as an important risk factor of glomerulonephropathy. This study aimed to investigate the Angptl4 expression in renal tissue and podocyte under hyperlipidemia conditions and explore the potential molecular mechanisms.

Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor Contributes to ANCA-positive IgG-mediated Glomerular Endothelial Activation through TLR4 Pathway.

Background: The soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), a biomarker of inflammation, has been found to be a potential prognostic factor of renal function progression. Our previous study showed that plasma suPAR levels were significantly associated with disease activity and prognosis in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-associated vasculitis (AAV).

Objective: This study aimed to explore whether urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) participated in MPO-ANCA-induced glomerular endothelial cell (GEnC) injury, which is one of the most important aspects in the pathogenesis of AAV.

Exposure to Metal Mixtures and Overweight or Obesity Among Chinese Adults.

Previous research has investigated the association between individual metal exposure and overweight/obesity (OW/OB). However, there is limited data about metal mixture exposure and OW/OB. This study aimed to explore the individual and joint effects of 21 metals on OW/OB and its metabolic phenotypes.

Identification and validation of genetic signature associated with aging in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Aging plays an essential role in the development for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to identify and validate the potential aging-related genes of COPD through bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation. Firstly, we compared the gene expression profiles of aged and young COPD patients using two datasets (GSE76925 and GSE47460) from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and identified 244 aging-related different expressed genes (DEGs), with 132 up-regulated and 112 down-regulated.