Refining breast cancer genetic risk and biology through multi-ancestry fine-mapping analyses of 192 risk regions.

Genome-wide association studies have identified approximately 200 genetic risk loci for breast cancer, but the causal variants and target genes are mostly unknown. We sought to fine-map all known breast cancer risk loci using genome-wide association study data from 172,737 female breast cancer cases and 242,009 controls of African, Asian and European ancestry. We identified 332 independent association signals for breast cancer risk, including 131 signals not reported previously, and for 50 of them, we narrowed the credible causal variants down to a single variant.

Quantitative study on hepatic genotoxicity of neodymium and its molecular mechanisms based on Benchmark Dose method.

Introduction: Neodymium, a rare earth element, has been shown to induce genotoxicity in mice, but the molecular mechanisms behind this effect are not fully understood. This study aims to investigate the genotoxic effects of intragastric administration of neodymium nitrate (Nd(NO)) over 28 consecutive days and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Methods: We detected the content of neodymium in mouse liver tissue using ICP-MS and assessed the percentage of tail DNA in mouse hepatocytes using the alkaline comet assay to evaluate genotoxicity.

Role of Individual and Network Factors in HIV Care Continuum Outcomes among PLWH: An Egocentric Network Study in Yunnan, China.

Due to limited data on the determinants of HIV care continuum outcomes among people living with HIV (PLWH) in resource-limited settings, this study aimed to identify individual and social support network factors influencing these outcomes, thereby informing the development of intervention strategies to achieve the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets. PLWH in Yunnan, China, were recruited using convenience sampling at three stages of the HIV care continuum: linkage to care, antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, and viral suppression. An egocentric network design combined with multilevel logit modeling was employed to investigate factors associated with ART initiation and viral suppression.

Joint association of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and heavy metal exposures with sex steroid hormones in children and adolescents aged 6-19 years in NHANES 2013-2016.

Sex hormone homeostasis is crucial for the proper development of children and adolescents. Previous studies have indicated that exposure to heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is linked to disruptions in sex hormone levels in this age group. However, there is limited research on the harm caused by exposure to chemical mixtures.

Childhood and Adolescent Overweight/Obesity Prevalence Trends in Jiangsu, China, 2017-2021: An Age-Period-Cohort Analysis.

Objectives: To investigate temporal trends in childhood and adolescent overweight/obesity in Jiangsu Province, China, evaluating the effects of age, period, and birth cohort.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Sample: Participants were 210,168 students aged 6-17 years from the five waves of the consecutive cross-sectional Jiangsu provincial surveillance project in 2017-2021.

Genome-wide analysis in northern Chinese twins identifies twelve new susceptibility loci for pulmonary function.

Background: Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have established association between genetic variants and pulmonary function across various ethnics, whereas such associations are scarcely reported in Chinese adults. Therefore, we conducted an GWAS to explore relationships between genetic variants and pulmonary function among middle-aged Chinese dizygotic twins and further validated the top variants using data from the UK Biobank (UKB).

Methods: In the discovery phase, 139 dizygotic twin pairs were drawn from the Qingdao Twin Registry.

Differences in people living with HIV (PLWH) population aged over 50 years old receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).

To explore differences among the elderly people (aged over 50 years old) living with HIV (PLWH) who are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), we collected and analyzed data using cross-sectional research methods. Among 520 elderly PLWH on ART, those over 60 years old, compared to those aged 50-60, had lower levels of education, more retirees in occupation distribution, a lower rate of active consultation, a higher proportion of heterosexual transmission, and more complications. Additionally, this study demonstrated a greater incidence of severe disease symptoms and a higher rate of ART failure.

Cadmium biphasically impacts the adaptive immune system via regulating mitochondrial activation of hematopoietic stem cells in mice.

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic metal in human body, and therefore understanding the immunotoxicity of Cd is significant for public health. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in regulating the immunotoxicity of Cd. After exposure to 10 ppm Cd via drinking water for up to 9 months, C57BL/6 mice had a suppressed adaptive immune system at day 135 but had an enhanced adaptive immune system at day 270 during Cd exposure.

Gestational exposure to carbon black nanoparticles triggered fetal growth restriction in mice: The mediation of inactivating autophagy-lysosomal degradation system in placental ferroptosis.

Carbon black nanoparticles (CBNPs) are ubiquitous in our daily ambient environment, either resulting from tobacco combustion or constituting the core of PM. Despite the potential risk of trafficking CBNPs to the fetus, the underlying toxicity of nano-sized carbon black particles in the placenta remains unambiguous. Pregnant C57BL/6 mice received intratracheal instillation of 30 nm or 120 nm CBNPs.

[Fat and fatty acid content in freshwater and saltwater fish in 4 provinces].

Objective: To explore the differences in fat and fatty acids content between freshwater and saltwater fish.

Methods: The fat and fatty acids content in 83 fish meat samples from four regions(Hainan, Jiangsu, Fujian, and Guangxi) were detected by national standard method. Mann-Whitney U tests and t-tests were used to compare the differences in fat and major fatty acid content between freshwater and saltwater fish.

Global analysis of influenza epidemic characteristics in the first two seasons after lifting the non-pharmaceutical interventions for COVID-19.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the global influenza seasonal patterns due to non-pharmaceutical interventions. This study aims to describe the influenza seasonal characteristics in the first two seasons after lifting COVID-19 NPIs and assess shifts before, during, and after the pandemic.

Methods: We analyzed country-specific weekly influenza data (2011-2024) from WHO FluNet and collected COVID-19 NPI timing from official announcements.

Unveiling relationships of human instinctive behaviors and blood pressure in Chinese adults: A network analysis.

Objectives: Human behaviors and blood pressure (BP) are closely intertwined, affecting health. However, few studies have demonstrated their complex relationships. Using network analysis, we aimed to untangle the intricate and potential causal relationships between BP and human instinctive behaviors, identifying potential action points for hypertension prevention and control.

Effects of mixed exposure to PFAS on adolescent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Integrating evidence from human cohorts, toxicogenomics, and animal models to uncover mechanisms and potential target sites.

Extensive evidence suggests a correlation between environmental pollutants, specifically perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aims to investigate the association and underlying mechanisms of PFAS-induced NAFLD in adolescents by employing a comprehensive approach of population-based studies, toxicogenomics, and animal models. A total of 2014 freshmen from Dali University were recruited for this study, with 1694 participants undergoing serum testing for PFAS exposure.

HCV RNA positivity among hepatitis C patients in Chongqing, China from 2004 to 2021: a cross-sectional study.

Background: A substantial number of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections have been diagnosed and reported, yet not all reported patients have received treatment, leading to uncertainties in the progression of the virus within these cases. This study aimed to assess the rate of HCV RNA positivity in the reported cases in Chongqing, China and identify key groups.

Methods: An investigation was conducted on 6,333 hepatitis C cases who were reported in the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention in 17 districts of Chongqing, China from 2004 to 2021.

Epidemiological Analysis of Tuberculosis Infection and Trend Changes - 152 Belt and Road Partner Countries, 2013-2021.

What Is Already Known About This Topic?: The Belt and Road Initiative promotes increased interactions among participating countries, which concurrently elevates the risk of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis (TB). Since TB infection can significantly contribute to the disease burden, it is crucial to delineate the epidemic status and identify the change trends in TB infection among the countries involved in the initiative.

What Is Added By This Report?: TB infection was prevalent in 152 countries along the Belt and Road initiative.

The associations of dietary manganese, iron, copper, zinc, selenium and magnesium with cognitive outcomes in Chinese adults: a cross sectional study in Shanghai.

Introduction: The role of individual nutrients including vitamins and minerals in cognitive function gained increasing attention in recent years. With regard to the association between dietary minerals and cognitive function, the results of human studies are inconclusive. The objective of this study was to explore the association between mineral intake and cognitive function using the data from Shanghai Health and Nutrition Survey (SHNS) in 2018.

Effectiveness of an Internet-Based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention for Reducing Psychological Distress in Health Care Professionals: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Psychological distress is prevalent among health care professionals and can lead to poor-quality patient care. Internet-based acceptance and commitment therapy (iACT) is a promising intervention for improving mental health due to its low cost and easy access. However, there is limited evidence of its effectiveness in reducing health care professionals' psychological distress.

Individual and joint associations between sleep duration and physical activity with cognitive function: A longitudinal analysis among middle-aged and older adults in China.

Introduction: Studies using cross-sectional data or with a short follow-up period fail to distinguish whether the associations between sleep duration and physical activity with cognitive function result from reverse causation.

Methods: The longitudinal study examined the individual and joint associations, with specific temporality, between sleep duration and physical activity with cognitive function, using time-lagged linear mixed models and generalized additive mixed models.

Results: A total of 14,694 participants aged ≥ 50 years were included, with an average lagged time of 4.

Impact of financial support on treatment outcomes of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: A population-based, retrospective cohort study in Shanghai, China.

Background: To date, the prolonged treatment duration and expensive second-line anti-tuberculosis drugs (SLDs) for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) can impose a significant financial burden, which may negatively impact treatment outcomes. This study examines the effect of a subsidy policy on treatment outcomes of MDR-TB patient..

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) induced bone loss by inhibiting FoxO1-mediated defense against oxidative stress in osteoblast.

Exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) has been associated with lower bone density and the occurrence of osteoporosis in human studies, but the effects and mechanisms of PFOS induces bone loss is not well understood. Our research is aimed at examining the effects of PFOS on osteoblastic activity and investigating the toxicological mechanisms of PFOS-induced bone loss. Cell proliferation, ALP activity, bone nodule formation, ROS levels, and cell apoptosis were assessed after treating osteoblasts with different concentrations of PFOS.

Cardiometabolic phenotype linked to fibrosis and mortality in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Background And Aims: Patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) often manifest a combination of cardiometabolic risk factors of varying severity. The cardiometabolic phenotypes and their associations with advanced liver fibrosis and all-cause mortality among patients with MASLD warrant further investigation.

Methods And Results: A total of 4209 and 1901 eligible participants were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and included in the original and replication datasets, respectively.

Interaction between walkability and fine particulate matter on ischemic heart disease: A prospective cohort study in China.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that neighborhoods characterized by higher walkability are related to a reduced risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD), whereas exposure to PM is positively associated with risk of IHD. Nevertheless, their joint impact on IHD warrants further investigation.

Methods: This prospective cohort study was performed in Yinzhou, Ningbo, China, comprising 47,516 participants.

The Effect of Metformin on Radiation-Induced Lung Fibrosis in Mice.

Radiation-induced lung fibrosis (RILF) is a common complication of thoracic radiotherapy. Metformin has been suggested to have a radioprotective effect. This study explored the radioprotective effects of metformin on RILF and its mechanisms.

Menopausal characteristics and hormone replacement therapy in relation to long-term risk of cholecystectomy in women.

Background: Women are known to be at higher risk for gallbladder disease than men, suggesting a role of female hormones in the pathogenesis of gallbladder disease. This study aimed to assess menopausal characteristics, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and their joint effect on long-term risk of cholecystectomy in women.

Methods: A total of 184,677 women were included from the UK Biobank.

Interference Mechanisms of Endocrine System and Other Systems of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Cosmetics-In Vitro Studies.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), found in various cosmetic products, interfere with the normal functioning of the endocrine system, impacting hormone regulation and posing risks to human health. Common cosmetic EDCs, such as ultraviolet (UV) filters, parabens, and triclosan, can enter the human body through different routes, including skin absorption. Their presence has been linked to adverse effects on reproduction, immune function, and development.