Associations between different body mass index and lung function impairment in Chinese people aged over 40 years: a multicenter cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the associations between different body mass index (BMI) levels and different lung function impairment (LFI) in Chinese people aged over 40 years. METHODS: We used a multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method to investigate 3000 residents aged over 40 years from 5 areas in Hubei province of China in 2019-20. The data on questionnaire, physical measurements, and spirometry of the participants were collected. The associations of different BMI levels with different LFI were analyzed using multivariate logistic regressions after complex weighting. The spirometry data were analyzed using one-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA), and post-hoc was performed using the least significance difference (LSD)-t test. RESULTS: A total of 2860 subjects were included. The prevalence (95%CI) of obstructive lung disease (OLD), restrictive lung disease (RLD), mixed lung disease (MLD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), COPD mild, and COPD moderate/severe/very severe were 24.1% (95% CI: 22.2-26.2), 11.6% (95% CI: 10.3-12.9), 4.0% (95% CI: 3.3-4.8), 12.6% (95% CI: 11.0-14.1), 7.2% (95% CI: 6.0-8.4), and 5.3% (95% CI: 4.3-6.4) respectively. After multivariate adjustment, the risk of OLD, COPD, and COPD mild decreased with the increment of BMI levels (both P for trend < 0.05). When compared to the normal weight group, the overweight group and obese group were at lower risk of experiencing OLD than normal group, the ORs were 0.77 (95% CI: 0.59-0.99) and 0.59 (95% CI: 0.40-0.86) respectively. The obese group was at lower risk for people with COPD mild (OR: 0.42, 95%CI: 0.21-0.85). Participants in underweight group were more likely to experience COPD and COPD moderate/severe/very severe, the ORs were 2.82 (95% CI: 1.07-7.39) and 3.89 (95% CI: 1.28-11.87) respectively. CONCLUSION: Higher BMI levels were associated with an decreased risk of OLD and COPD. Obesity had a protective effect on lung function in OLD patients and COPD patients. However, there was no significant difference in RLD and MLD prevalence between different BMI groups.

Reticular Synthesis of One-Dimensional Covalent Organic Frameworks with 4-c sql Topology for Enhanced Fluorescence Emission.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have been extensively investigated due to their unique structure, porosity, and functionality. However, at the topological level, COFs remain as two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) structures, while COFs with one-dimensional (1D) topology have not been systematically explored. In this work, we proposed a synthetic strategy for the construction of 1D-COFs based on non-linear edges and suitable high-symmetry vertices. Compared with their 2D-COFs counterparts, the 1D-COFs with AIEgens located at the vertex of the frame exhibited enhanced fluorescence. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the dimensional-induced rotation restriction (DIRR) effect could spontaneously introduce additional non-covalent interactions between the strip frames, which could substantially diminish non-radiative transitions. This work also provides protocols for the design of 1D-COFs and a guidance scheme for the synthesis of emitting COFs.

Molecular Mechanisms for Anti-aging of Low-Vacuum Cold Plasma Pretreatment in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Cold plasma pretreatment has the potential of anti-aging. However, its molecular mechanism is still not clear. Here, cold plasma pretreatment was firstly used to investigate the anti-aging effects of Caenorhabditis elegans using transcriptomic technique. It showed that the optimal parameters of discharge power, processing time, and working pressure for cold plasma pretreatment were separately 100 W, 15 s, and 135 Pa. The released 0.32 mJ/cm2 of the moderate apparent energy density was possibly beneficial to the strong positive interaction between plasma and C. elegans. The longest lifespan (13.67 ± 0.50 for 30 days) was obviously longer than the control (10.37 ± 0.46 for 23 days). Furthermore, compared with the control, frequencies of head thrashes with an increase of 26.01% and 37.31% and those of body bends with an increase of 33.37% and 34.51% on the fourth and eighth day, respectively, indicated movement behavior was improved. In addition, the variation of the enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) hinted that the cold plasma pretreatment contributed to the enhanced anti-aging effects in nematodes. Transcriptomics analysis revealed that cold plasma pretreatment resulted in specific gene expression. Anatomical structure morphogenesis, response to stress, regulation of biological quality, phosphate-containing compound metabolic process, and phosphorus metabolic process were the most enriched biological process for GO analysis. Cellular response to heat stress and HSF1-dependent transactivation were the two most enriched KEGG pathways. This work would provide the methodological basis using cold plasma pretreatment and the potential gene modification targets for anti-aging study.

NaCl template-assisted synthesis of self-floating COFs foams for the efficient removal of sulfamerazine.

The preparation of hierarchical porous covalent organic frameworks (HP-COFs) is of great significance due to their inherent porosity and low density. However, it is still very challenging owing to the poor machinability of COFs. Herein, a simple and cost-efficient strategy for the synthesis of HP-COFs was proposed. In particular, p-toluenesulfonic acid and NaCl, both of which can be recycled, are utilized as catalyst and template, respectively. The resulting HP-TpBD-900 featuring abundant macropore and mesopore as well as large specific surface area (~700 m2 g-1) possessed self-floating ability and was turned out to be a promising adsorbent for the efficient removal of sulfamerazine (SMR) in aqueous solution. The maximum adsorption capacity is 168 mg g-1, which is more than twice in comparison to that of material prepared without NaCl template. In addition, no significant decrease in adsorption capacity was observed after 5 cycles. Furthermore, the density functional theory (DFT) method was utilized to elucidate the adsorption mechanism, which could be dominated by hydrogen bonding and C-H···π interaction. This work not only provides a new strategy for the synthesis of HP-COFs, but also contributes to boosting the application of COFs in the field of wastewater treatment.

Scalable Manufactured Self-Healing Strain Sensors Based on Ion-Intercalated Graphene Nanosheets and Interfacial Coordination.

Desirable mechanical strength and self-healing performance are very important to highly sensitive and stretchable sensors to meet their practical applications. However, balancing these two key performance parameters is still a great challenge. Herein, we present a simple, large-scale, and cost-efficient route to fabricate autonomously self-healing strain sensors with satisfactory mechanical properties. Specifically, ion-intercalated mechanical milling was utilized to realize the large-scale preparation of graphene nanosheets (GNs). Then, a well-organized GN-nanostructured network was constructed in a rubber matrix based on interfacial metal-ligand coordination. The resultant nanocomposites show desirable mechanical properties (∼5 times higher than that of control sample without interfacial coordination), excellent self-healing performance (even healable in various harsh conditions, for example, underwater, at subzero temperature or exposed in acidic and alkaline conditions), and ultrahigh sensitivity (gauge factor ≈ 45 573.1). The elaborately designed strain sensors offer a feasible approach for the scalable production of self-healing strain-sensing devices, making it promising for further applications, including artificial skin, smart robotics, and other electrical devices.

CYP1B1 deiciency ameliorates learning and memory deficits caused by high fat diet in mice.

Our previous study showed that Cyp1b1 deficiency could protect male mice from high fat diet (HFD) obesity. In this paper, we aim to explore the role of Cyp1b1 in HFD induced learning and memory deficits in female C57BL/6J mice. METHODS: Female Cyp1b1 knock-out (KO) and wild type (WT) mice were both randomly divided into normal chew (NC) and HFD groups. All mice were fed research diet after weaning for 24 consecutive weeks. Morris Water Maze was carried out to evaluate the spatial learning and memory. Brain lipoxidation status was evaluated by malondialdehyde (MDA) level and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE)-protein adducts in mice cerebral cortex. Both activity and expression of antioxidant enzymes were determined by commercial kits and realtime RT-PCR. ß-amyloid (Aß) was detected in mice brain by immunohistochemistry. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), synaptic plasticity protein Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (ARC), neuronal migration and positioning gene Reelin, and Nrf2, a key transcription factor in oxidative stress, and its downstream targets heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (quinone) (NQO-1) were measured in cerebral cortex. RESULTS: Cyp1b1 deficiency mice performed better on learning and memory tests compared with WT mice after 24 weeks HFD feeding. HFD elevated brain oxidative stress, lipoxidation in mice cerebral cortex, ß-amyloid deposition in hippocampus; suppressed antioxidant genes expression in cerebral cortex, and these effects were ameliorated by Cyp1b1 deletion. BDNF expression increased in Cyp1b1 deficiency mice after HFD feeding compared with WT. HFD activated Nrf2 and its target genes and Cyp1b1 deletion reversed such impact. CONCLUSION: Cyp1b1 deficiency protects mice from HFD induced cognitive impairment. Sustained BDNF expression, reduced ß-amyloid accumulation and brain oxidative stress, and Nrf2 deactivation might be the key events in mice redox system through Cyp1b1-diet interaction.

A new cold-active and alkaline pectate lyase from Antarctic bacterium with high catalytic efficiency.

Cold-active enzymes have become attractive biocatalysts in biotechnological applications for their ability to retain high catalytic activity below 30 °C, which allows energy reduction and cost saving. Here, a 1041 bp gene pel1 encoding a 34.7 KDa pectate lyase was cloned from a facultatively psychrophilic Antarctic bacterium Massilia eurypsychrophila and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. PEL1 presented the highest 66% identity to the reported mesophilic pectate lyase PLXc. The purified PEL1 exhibits the optimum temperature and pH of 30 °C and 10 toward polygalacturonic acid, respectively. PEL1 is a cold-active enzyme that can retain 60% and 25% relative activity at 10 °C and 0 °C, respectively, while it loses most of activity at 40 °C for 10 min. PEL1 has the highest specific activity (78.75 U mg-1) than all other reported cold-active pectinase, making it a better choice for use in industry. Based on the detailed sequence and structure comparison between PEL1 and PLXc and mutation analysis, more flexible structure and some loop regions may contribute to the cold activity and thermal instability of PEL1. Our investigations of the cold-active mechanism of PEL1 might guide the rational design of PEL1 and other related enzymes.

Sharply Reduced but Still Heavy Self-Harm Burdens in Hubei Province, China, 1990-2015.

The aims of this study were to describe fatal and non-fatal self-harm burdens, as well as burdens from the main preventable risk factors, and to investigate the different suicide methods in Hubei province in central China utilizing data from both Global Burden of Disease Study 2015 and Hubei Disease Surveillance Points system. All self-harm burdens including mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability adjusted life-years (DALYs) consistently demonstrated downward trends in Hubei from 1990 to 2015, with a bigger decline gap observed among females and narrower decreasing amplitudes among the elderly. Hubei experienced much higher age-standardized rates for self-harm mortality (22.0 per 100,000), YLLs (560.1 per 100,000) and DALYs (563.9 per 100,000) than the national (9.0, 292.3 and 295.0 per 100,000 respectively) and global levels (11.5, 453.3 and 457.9 per 100,000 respectively) in 2015. Self-harm burdens have begun shifting from females to males and the elderly suffered more self-harm burdens than other age groups. Alcohol use accounted for 20.9% of all self-harm DALYs for males, whereas intimate partner violence accounted for 24.4% of all self-harm DALYs for females. Poisoning, mainly pesticide self-poisoning, was still the most common method of suicide. Effective interventions by multi-sectoral collaboration are urgently needed to reduce the alarmingly heavy self-harm burdens in Hubei.

Unintentional Poisoning in China, 1990 to 2015: The Global Burden of Disease Study 2015.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the unintentional poisoning burden and risk factors in China from 1990 to 2015. METHODS: We extracted data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015 to compare mortality, prevalence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years of life lost, years lived with a disability, and risk factors of unintentional poisoning in China. We determined the median of the percent change and 95% uncertainty interval for the period between 1990 and 2015. RESULTS: The age-standardized unintentional poisoning death rate decreased by 61.8% from 1990 (4.1 per 100 000) to 2015 (1.6 per 100 000). The age-standardized prevalence decreased from 1990 (87.9 per 100 000) to 2010 (39.0 per 100 000), but rebounded in 2015 (42.6 per 100 000). All risk factors combined accounted for 14.9% of unintentional poisoning DALYs in 2015. The leading risk factors for unintentional poisoning DALYs were alcohol and drug use and occupational risks. CONCLUSIONS: China has made substantial progress in reducing the mortality attributable to unintentional poisoning, but the prevalence and absolute number of patients has been increasing again since 2010. The growing contribution from alcohol and drug use requires increased attention.

CYP1B1 deficiency ameliorates obesity and glucose intolerance induced by high fat diet in adult C57BL/6J mice.

Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) expression increases in multi-potential mesenchymal stromal cells C3H10T1/2 during adipogenesis, which parallel with PPARγ, a critical transcriptional factor in adipogenic process. To assess the role of CYP1B1 in fatty acid metabolism, adult C57BL/6J wild-type and CYP1B1 deficiency mice were fed with high fat diets (HFD) for 6 weeks. CYP1B1 deficiency attenuated HFD-induced obesity when compared with their wild type counterparts, and improve glucose tolerance. The reduction in body weight gain and white adipose tissue in CYP1B1 deficient mice exhibited coordinate decreases in fatty acid synthesis (PPARγ, CD36, FAS, SCD-1) and increases in fatty acid oxidation (UCP-2, CPT-1a) when compared with wild type ones. Lower hepatocyte TG contents were consistent with hepatic Oil-Red-O staining in the CYP1B1 deficiency mice. AMPK, a nutrient sensors for energy homeostasis, was activated in both fat pad and liver by CYP1B1 deficiency. However, in vitro system, knock down CYP1B1 in C3H10T1/2 cells does not abolish adipogenesis induced by adipogenic agents IDM (Insulin, Dexamethasone, Methylisobutylxanthine). Our in vivo and in vitro findings of CYP1B1 deficiency in fat metabolism suggest a complex regulation network between CYP1B1 and energy homeostasis.