Long-Term Exposure to Ambient PM, Sunlight, and Obesity: A Nationwide Study in China.

Background: Accumulated researches revealed that both fine particulate matter (PM) and sunlight exposure may be a risk factor for obesity, while researches regarding the potential effect modification by sunlight exposure on the relationship between PM and obesity are limited. We aim to investigate whether the effect of PM on obesity is affected by sunlight exposure among the general population in China.

Methods: A sample of 47,204 adults in China was included.

Associations between prenatal exposure to cadmium and lead with neural tube defect risks are modified by single-nucleotide polymorphisms of fetal MTHFR and SOD2: a case-control study.

Background: Prenatal exposure to heavy metals is implicated in the etiology of birth defects. We investigated whether concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in umbilical cord tissue are associated with risk for neural tube defects (NTDs) and whether selected genetic variants of the fetus modify their associations.

Methods: This study included 166 cases of NTD fetuses/newborns and 166 newborns without congenital malformations.

Prenatal exposure to organochlorine pesticides is associated with increased risk for neural tube defects.

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most common and disabling fetal congenital defects. Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are ubiquitous in the environment. In this study, 119 women who had NTD-affected pregnancies (cases) and 119 women who delivered healthy neonates (controls) were recruited in a rural area of Northern China.

Estimation of Prevalence of Kidney Disease Treated With Dialysis in China: A Study of Insurance Claims Data.

Rationale & Objective: The national prevalence of dialysis in China has not been well studied. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of kidney disease treated with dialysis and predict the trend using claims data in order to provide evidence for developing prevention strategies.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study of insurance claims.

Executive summary for China Kidney Disease Network (CK-NET) 2016 Annual Data Report.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been recognized as a public health problem globally. The spectrum of CKD in China has been evolving toward that of developed countries, which will have enormous impacts on the health care system. However, there has been no well-established national surveillance system for kidney diseases.

Anemia and Kidney Function Decline among the Middle-Aged and Elderly in China: A Population-Based National Longitudinal Study.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health burden, and anemia is common among patients with CKD. However, less is known regarding the longitudinal association between anemia and deterioration of kidney function among the general population. The China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study is a nationally representative survey for households with members aged ≥ 45 years.

Essential trace elements in umbilical cord tissue and risk for neural tube defects.

Deficient or excessive quantities of essential trace elements (ETEs) in the fetal environment can compromise developmental processes. We investigated whether concentrations of zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), cobalt (Co), molybdenum (Mo), and nickel (Ni) in umbilical cord tissue are associated with risk for neural tube defects (NTDs). Umbilical cord tissues from 166 cases of NTD cases and 166 matched controls were collected and element concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.

The association between reduced kidney function and hearing loss: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The relationship between kidney function and hearing loss has long been recognized, but evidence of this association mostly comes from small observational studies or other populations. The aim of this study is to explore the association between reduced kidney function and hearing loss in a large population-based study among the middle-aged and elderly Chinese.

Methods: Data collected from the Chinese Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2015 were used for analysis.

Executive summary for the 2015 Annual Data Report of the China Kidney Disease Network (CK-NET).

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has received increased attention as a leading public health problem worldwide. Globally surveillance systems for kidney disease are still lacking, especially in developing countries like China, which constitutes an obstacle to develop effective preventive strategies. China Kidney Disease Network (CK-NET) was initiated in 2014 and further developed in accordance with the national strategy of prompting Big Data application in China.