Mitochondrial GRIM19 Loss Induces Liver Fibrosis through NLRP3/IL33 Activation via Reactive Oxygen Species/NF-кB Signaling.

Background and Aims: Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a critical step in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Gene associated with retinoid-IFN-induced mortality 19 (GRIM19), an essential component of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I, is frequently attenuated in various human cancers, including HCC. Here, we aimed to investigate the potential relationship and underlying mechanism between GRIM19 loss and HF pathogenesis. Methods: GRIM19 expression was evaluated in normal liver tissues, hepatitis, hepatic cirrhosis, and HCC using human liver disease spectrum tissue microarrays. We studied hepatocyte-specific GRIM19 knockout mice and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein-9 (Cas9) lentivirus-mediated GRIM19 gene-editing in murine hepatocyte AML12 cells in vitro and in vivo. We performed flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and pharmacological intervention to uncover the potential mechanisms underlying GRIM19 loss-induced HF. Results: Mitochondrial GRIM19 was progressively downregulated in chronic liver disease tissues, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and HCC tissues. Hepatocyte-specific GRIM19 heterozygous deletion induced spontaneous hepatitis and subsequent liver fibrogenesis in mice. In addition, GRIM19 loss caused chronic liver injury through reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated oxidative stress, resulting in aberrant NF-кB activation via an IKK/IкB partner in hepatocytes. Furthermore, GRIM19 loss activated NLRP3-mediated IL33 signaling via the ROS/NF-кB pathway in hepatocytes. Intraperitoneal administration of the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 dramatically alleviated GRIM19 loss-driven HF in vivo. Conclusions: The mitochondrial GRIM19 loss facilitates liver fibrosis through NLRP3/IL33 activation via ROS/NF-кB signaling, providing potential therapeutic approaches for earlier HF prevention.

Efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for synovial hyperplasia.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of synovial hyperplasia in the knee joints of antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) model rabbits. METHODS: Forty Japanese large-eared white rabbits were divided into AIA and control groups. After successful induction of the AIA model, the knee joints were randomly assigned to RFA and non-RFA groups. The RFA group underwent ultrasound-guided RFA to treat synovial hyperplasia in the knee joint. Dynamic observation of various detection indices was conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the RFA procedure. RESULTS: Successful synovial ablation was achieved in the RFA group, with no intraoperative or perioperative mortality. Postoperative the circumference of the knee joint reached a peak before decreasing in the third week after surgery. The incidence and diameter of postoperative skin ulcers were not significantly different compared to the non-RFA group (p > .05). Anatomical examination revealed an intact intermuscular fascia around the ablated area in the RFA group. The ablated synovial tissue initially presented as a white mass, which subsequently liquefied into a milky white viscous fluid. Gross articular cartilage was observed, along with liquefied necrosis of the synovium on pathological histology and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the surrounding soft tissue. CONCLUSION: The experimental results demonstrated that ultrasound-guided RFA of the knee in the treatment of synovial hyperplasia in AIA model animals was both effective and safe.

Separation and purification of benzylester glucosides and derivatives from tubers of Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R. Br. by linear gradient counter-current chromatography combined with elution-extrusion mode.

Tubers of Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R. Br. (Orchidaceae), a traditional medicine and food homologous plant, has a broad application and development prospect in the food and drug industries. Benzylester glucosides, the main effective active components in this plant, are difficult to separate due to their similar structures and high polarity. In this study, linear gradient counter-current chromatography was used to separate benzylester glucosides and derivatives, combined with elution-extrusion mode. The main separation parameters were optimized, including the ratio of mobile phase and sample loading. Finally, seven compounds were successfully separated, including 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (1), 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (2), dactylorhin B (3), loroglossin (4), dactylorhin A (5), 4-(ethoxymethyl) phenol (6), and militarine (7). The structures were analyzed by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. According to our findings, the established method was an efficient approach to separate benzylester glucosides and derivatives from tubers of G. conopsea. The established strategy could be applied to purify other similar high-polarity compounds from complex natural products.

Association of Gaseous Ambient Air Pollution and Dementia-Related Neuroimaging Markers in the ARIC Cohort, Comparing Exposure Estimation Methods and Confounding by Study Site.

BACKGROUND: Evidence linking gaseous air pollution to late-life brain health is mixed. OBJECTIVE: We explored associations between exposure to gaseous pollutants and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers among Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study participants, with attention to the influence of exposure estimation method and confounding by site. METHODS: We considered data from 1,665 eligible ARIC participants recruited from four US sites in the period 1987-1989 with valid brain MRI data from Visit 5 (2011-2013). We estimated 10-y (2001-2010) mean carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and 8- and 24-h ozone (O3) concentrations at participant addresses, using multiple exposure estimation methods. We estimated site-specific associations between pollutant exposures and brain MRI outcomes (total and regional volumes; presence of microhemorrhages, infarcts, lacunes, and severe white matter hyperintensities), using adjusted linear and logistic regression models. We compared meta-analytically combined site-specific associations to analyses that did not account for site. RESULTS: Within-site exposure distributions varied across exposure estimation methods. Meta-analytic associations were generally not statistically significant regardless of exposure, outcome, or exposure estimation method; point estimates often suggested associations between higher NO2 and NOx and smaller temporal lobe, deep gray, hippocampal, frontal lobe, and Alzheimer disease signature region of interest volumes and between higher CO and smaller temporal and frontal lobe volumes. Analyses that did not account for study site more often yielded significant associations and sometimes different direction of associations. DISCUSSION: Patterns of local variation in estimated air pollution concentrations differ by estimation method. Although we did not find strong evidence supporting impact of gaseous pollutants on brain changes detectable by MRI, point estimates suggested associations between higher exposure to CO, NOx, and NO2 and smaller regional brain volumes. Analyses of air pollution and dementia-related outcomes that do not adjust for location likely underestimate uncertainty and may be susceptible to confounding bias. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13906.

Effect Modification of Heat-Related Mortality Risk by Air Pollutants in Shandong, China.

Although studies have reported the modification effect of air pollutants on heat-related health risk, little is known on the modification effect among various particulate matter with different particle size on mortality. We aimed to investigate whether the associations of hot temperatures with daily mortality were modified by different air pollutant levels in Shandong Province, China. Daily data of air pollutants, meteorological factors, and mortality of 1,822 subdistricts in Shandong province from 2013 to 2018 were collected. We used a time-stratified case-crossover model with an interaction term between the cross-basis term for ambient temperature and the linear function of particulate matter ≤1 µm (PM1), PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone to obtain heat-mortality associations during the hot season. Results showed that the cumulative odds ratio of extreme heat on mortality over 0 to 10 days was 3.66 (95% CI: 3.10-4.31). The mortality risk during hot seasons was stronger at high air pollutant levels. The modification effect of particulate matters on heat-related mortality decreased by its aerodynamic diameter. Females and older adults over 75 years were more vulnerable to the modification effect of air pollutants, and significant differences were detected in the association between temperatures and mortality stratified by PM1 and PM2.5. Higher heat-related mortality risks were observed at high NO2 levels, especially for cardiorespiratory disease. The findings suggest that more consideration should be given to the combined effect of very fine particles and NO2 with ambient heat when developing healthcare strategies, and women and older adults should be given priority in health-related settings.

MRE11 is essential for the long-term viability of undifferentiated spermatogonia.

In the meiotic prophase, programmed SPO11-linked DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are repaired by homologous recombination (HR). The MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) complex is essential for initiating DNA end resection, the first step of HR. However, residual DNA end resection still occurs in Nbs1 knockout (KO) spermatocytes for unknown reasons. Here, we show that DNA end resection is completely abolished in Mre11 KO spermatocytes. In addition, Mre11 KO, but not Nbs1 KO, undifferentiated spermatogonia are rapidly exhausted due to DSB accumulation, proliferation defects, and elevated apoptosis. Cellular studies reveal that a small amount of MRE11 retained in the nucleus of Nbs1 KO cells likely underlies the differences between Mre11 and Nbs1 KO cells. Taken together, our study not only demonstrates an irreplaceable role of the MRE11 in DNA end resection at SPO11-linked DSBs but also unveils a unique function of MRE11 in maintaining the long-term viability of undifferentiated spermatogonia.

Association of midlife air pollution exposures and residential road proximity with incident dementia: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence links higher air pollution exposures to increased risk of cognitive impairment. While midlife risk factors are often most strongly linked to dementia risk, few studies have considered associations between midlife roadway proximity or ambient air pollution exposure and incident dementia decades later, in late life. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to determine if midlife exposures to ambient air pollution or roadway proximity are associated with increased risk of dementia in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study over up to 29 years of follow-up. METHODS: Our eligible sample included Black and White ARIC participants without dementia at Visit 2 (1990-1992). Participants were followed through Visit 7 (2018-2019), with dementia status and onset date defined based on formal dementia ascertainment at study visits, informant interviews, and surveillance efforts. We used adjusted Weibull survival models to assess the associations of midlife ambient air pollution and road proximity with incident dementia. RESULTS: The median age at baseline (1990-1992, Visit 2) of the 12,700 eligible ARIC participants was 57.0 years; 56.0% were female, 24.2% were Black, and 78.9% had at least a high school education. Over up to 29 years of follow-up, 2511 (19.8%) persons developed dementia. No associations were found between ambient air pollutants and proximity to major roadways with risk of incident dementia. In exploratory analyses, living closer to roadways in midlife increased dementia risk in individuals younger at baseline and those without midlife hypertension, and there was evidence of increased risk of dementia with increased midlife exposure to NOx, several PM2.5 components, and trace metals among those with diabetes in midlife. CONCLUSIONS: Midlife exposure to ambient air pollution and midlife roadway proximity was not associated with dementia risk over decades of follow-up. Further investigation to explore potential for greater susceptibility among specific subgroups identified here is needed.

Exploration of Molecular Mechanisms of Immunity in the Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) in Response to Vibrio alginolyticus Invasion.

Over the years, oysters have faced recurring mass mortality issues during the summer breeding season, with Vibrio infection emerging as a significant contributing factor. Tubules of gill filaments were confirmed to be in the hematopoietic position in Crassostrea gigas, which produce hemocytes with immune defense capabilities. Additionally, the epithelial cells of oyster gills produce immune effectors to defend against pathogens. In light of this, we performed a transcriptome analysis of gill tissues obtained from C. gigas infected with Vibrio alginolyticus for 12 h and 48 h. Through this analysis, we identified 1024 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at 12 h post-injection and 1079 DEGs at 48 h post-injection. Enrichment analysis of these DEGs revealed a significant association with immune-related Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. To further investigate the immune response, we constructed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network using the DEGs enriched in immune-associated KEGG pathways. This network provided insights into the interactions and relationships among these genes, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of the innate immune defense mechanism in oyster gills. To ensure the accuracy of our findings, we validated 16 key genes using quantitative RT-PCR. Overall, this study represents the first exploration of the innate immune defense mechanism in oyster gills using a PPI network approach. The findings provide valuable insights for future research on oyster pathogen control and the development of oysters with enhanced antimicrobial resistance.

Transcriptome-based network analysis reveals hub immune genes and pathways of hepatopancreas against LPS in Amphioctopus fangsiao.

The hepatopancreas is the biggest digestive organ in Amphioctopus fangsiao (A. fangsiao), but also undertakes critical functions like detoxification and immune defense. Generally, pathogenic bacteria or endotoxin from the gut microbiota would be arrested and detoxified in the hepatopancreas, which could be accompanied by the inevitable immune responses. In recent years, studies related to cephalopods immune have been increasing, but the molecular mechanisms associated with the hepatopancreatic immunity are still unclear. In this study, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major component of the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria, was used for imitating bacteria infection to stimulate the hepatopancreas of A. fangsiao. To investigate the immune process happened in A. fangsiao hepatopancreas, we performed transcriptome analysis of hepatopancreas tissue after LPS injection, and identified 2615 and 1943 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at 6 and 24 h post-injection, respectively. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that these DEGs were mainly involved in immune-related biological processes and signaling pathways, including ECM-receptor interaction signaling pathway, Phagosome signaling pathway, Lysosome signaling pathway, and JAK-STAT signaling pathways. The function relationships between these DEGs were further analyzed through protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. It was found that Mtor, Mapk14 and Atm were the three top interacting DEGs under LPS stimulation. Finally, 15 hub genes involving multiple KEGG signaling pathways and PPI relationships were selected for qRT-PCR validation. In this study, for the first time we explored the molecular mechanisms associated with hepatopancreatic immunity in A. fangsiao using a PPI networks approach, and provided new insights for understanding hepatopancreatic immunity in A. fangsiao.

Pyridine-Bridged Covalent Organic Frameworks with Adjustable Band Gaps as Intelligent Artificial Enzymes for Light-Augmented Biocatalytic Sensing.

One of the biggest challenges in biotechnology and medical diagnostics is finding extremely sensitive and adaptable biosensors. Since metal-based enzyme-mimetic biocatalysts may lead to biosafety concerns on accumulative toxicity, it is essential to synthesize metal-free enzyme-mimics with optimal biocatalytic activity and superior selectivity. Here, the pyridine-bridged covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with specific oxidase-like (OXD-like) activities as intelligent artificial enzymes for light-augmented biocatalytic sensing of biomarkers are disclosed. Because of the adjustable bandgaps of pyridine structures on the photocatalytic properties of the pristine COF structures, the pyridine-bridged COF exhibit efficient, selective, and light-responsive OXD-like biocatalytic activity. Moreover, the pyridine-bridged COF structures show tunable and light-augmented biocatalytic detection capabilities, which outperform the recently reported state-of-the-art OXD-mimics regarding biosensing efficiency. Notably, the pyridine-bridged COF exhibits efficient and multifaceted diagnostic activity, including the extremely low limit of detection (LOD), which enables visual assays for abundant reducibility biomarkers. It is believed that this design will offer unique metal-free biocatalysts for high-sensitive and low-cost colorimetric detection and also provide new insights to create highly efficient enzyme-like COF materials via linkage-modulation strategies for future biocatalytic applications.

The impact of population aging on SME digital transformation: Evidence from China.

Many societies around the world are rapidly aging and this has implications for social and economic development. We collect data on NEEQ-listed enterprises from 2010 to 2021 in China and empirically test the effect of population aging on the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The findings show that population aging has a significant positive impact on SME digital transformation, and private enterprises and enterprises in eastern regions of China tend to benefit more than other regions. The mechanism studies find that population aging positively impacts SME digital transformation by increasing labor costs, facilitating human capital accumulation, and raising savings rates. Furthermore, the threshold effect analyses find that the marginal promotion effect of population aging will weaken with greater aging and will strengthen with a higher level of marketization. Finally, we provide policy recommendations for promoting digital transformation in SMEs against the background of population aging.

A comparison of PM2.5 exposure estimates from different estimation methods and their associations with cognitive testing and brain MRI outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Reported associations between particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5) and cognitive outcomes remain mixed. Differences in exposure estimation method may contribute to this heterogeneity. OBJECTIVES: To assess agreement between PM2.5 exposure concentrations across 11 exposure estimation methods and to compare resulting associations between PM2.5 and cognitive or MRI outcomes. METHODS: We used Visit 5 (2011-2013) cognitive testing and brain MRI data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. We derived address-linked average 2000-2007 PM2.5 exposure concentrations in areas immediately surrounding the four ARIC recruitment sites (Forsyth County, NC; Jackson, MS; suburbs of Minneapolis, MN; Washington County, MD) using 11 estimation methods. We assessed agreement between method-specific PM2.5 concentrations using descriptive statistics and plots, overall and by site. We used adjusted linear regression to estimate associations of method-specific PM2.5 exposure estimates with cognitive scores (n = 4678) and MRI outcomes (n = 1518) stratified by study site and combined site-specific estimates using meta-analyses to derive overall estimates. We explored the potential impact of unmeasured confounding by spatially patterned factors. RESULTS: Exposure estimates from most methods had high agreement across sites, but low agreement within sites. Within-site exposure variation was limited for some methods. Consistently null findings for the PM2.5-cognitive outcome associations regardless of method precluded empirical conclusions about the potential impact of method on study findings in contexts where positive associations are observed. Not accounting for study site led to consistent, adverse associations, regardless of exposure estimation method, suggesting the potential for substantial bias due to residual confounding by spatially patterned factors. DISCUSSION: PM2.5 estimation methods agreed across sites but not within sites. Choice of estimation method may impact findings when participants are concentrated in small geographic areas. Understanding unmeasured confounding by factors that are spatially patterned may be particularly important in studies of air pollution and cognitive or brain health.

Corrigendum: Analysis of risk factors for changes of left ventricular function indexes in Chinese patients with gout by echocardiography.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1280178.].

Circular RNA circIL21R promotes cervical cancer cells proliferation and migration by sponging the miR-1205/PTBP1 axis.

Increasing research has shown that the abnormal expression of circRNAs is closely related to tumorigenesis, apoptosis, and patient prognosis in cervical cancer. This study aimed to reveal the procancer role of circIL21R in cervical cancer and investigate its related molecular mechanisms. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that circIL21R promotes the progression of cervical cancer via the miR-1205/PTBP1 axis. CircIL21R expression was significantly greater in tumor tissue than in adjacent normal tissue, and higher circIL21R expression indicated shorter survival. We applied MTS assays, EdU assays, and Transwell assays to show that the overexpression of circIL21R promoted cervical cancer cell proliferation and invasion. Mechanistically, circIL21R promoted the expression of PTBP1 by sponging miR-1205. Moreover, rescue assays confirmed that regulating the expression of miR-1205 or PTBP1 could reverse the tumorigenic effect caused by circIL21R overexpression. In addition, circIL21R promoted the tumorigenesis of cervical cancer in vivo. In summary, our study demonstrated that circIL21R was highly expressed in cervical cancer and upregulated PTBP1 expression by acting as a ceRNA for miR-1205, making outstanding contributions to several malignant biological processes in cervical cancers, such as growth, proliferation, and invasion. CircIL21R is a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer.

Characterization, genome analysis, and therapeutic evaluation of a novel Salmonella phage vB_SalS_JNS02: a candidate bacteriophage for phage therapy.

Phage therapy is gaining momentum as an alternative to antibiotics in the treatment of salmonellosis caused by Salmonella. In this study, a novel Salmonella phage, vB_SalS_JNS02, was isolated successfully from poultry farms in Shandong, China. The biological characteristics of vB_SalS_JNS02 were analysed, which revealed a short latent period of approximately 10 min and a burst size of 110 PFU/cell. Moreover, vB_SalS_JNS02 exhibited remarkable stability across a wide pH range (pH 3-12) and temperatures ranging from 30 to 80°C. Genome sequencing analysis provided valuable insights into the genetic composition of vB_SalS_JNS02, which consists of a double-stranded DNA genome that spans 42,450 base pairs and has a G + C content of 49.4%. Of significant importance, the genomic sequence of vB_SalS_JNS02 did not contain any genes related to lysogenicity, virulence, or antibiotic resistance. The phage's efficacy was evaluated in a larval challenge study. Treatment with the phage resulted in increased survival of Galleria mellonella larvae (100, 70, and 85%) (MOI 0.1) in the prophylactic treatment, co-infection treatment, and remedial treatment experiments, respectively. Another in vivo experiment investigated the potential application of the phage in broiler chickens and revealed that a single oral dose of vB_SalS_JNS02 (108 PFU/mL, 100 µL/chick) administered 3 h after S. enteritidis oral administration provided effective protection. The introduction of bacteriophage not only enhances the production of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), but also induces alterations in the composition of the gut microbial community. Phage therapy increases the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, which helps to maintain intestinal barrier homeostasis. However, it is unable to fully restore the disrupted intestinal microbiome caused by S. enteritidis infection. Importantly, no significant adverse effects were observed in the animal subjects following oral administration of the phage, and our findings highlight vB_SalS_JNS02 is a hopeful candidate as a promising tool to target Salmonella infections in poultry.

The impact of smart manufacturing demonstration projects on green innovation of Chinese firms: Based on random forest methods.

Employing the data of Chinese A-share listed firms from 2010 to 2020 and random forest approaches, this paper investigates whether and how smart manufacturing demonstration projects influence green innovation of firms. The main results are as follows. First, smart manufacturing demonstration projects contribute to promoting firms' green innovation. Additionally, information processing capability improvement, innovation efficiency enhancement, public attention increasement, and signal effect are the main channels that improve firms' green innovation. Finally, the positive effect of smart manufacturing demonstration projects on firms' green innovation is pronounced for capital-intensive firms, and firms in western and eastern regions.

[Research Progress in the Roles of MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 Complex and Human Diseases].

DNA is susceptible to various factors in vitro and in vivo and experience different forms of damage,among which double-strand break(DSB)is a deleterious form.To maintain the stability of genetic information,organisms have developed multiple mechanisms to repair DNA damage.Among these mechanisms,homologous recombination(HR)is praised for the high accuracy.The MRE11-RAD50-NBS1(MRN)complex plays an important role in HR and is conserved across different species.The knowledge on the MRN complex mainly came from the previous studies in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Caenorhabditis elegans,while studies in the last decades have revealed the role of mammalian MRN complex in DNA repair of higher animals.In this review,we first introduces the MRN complex regarding the composition,structure,and roles in HR.In addition,we discuss the human diseases such as ataxia-telangiectasia-like disorder,Nijmegen breakage syndrome,and Nijmegen breakage syndrome-like disorder that are caused by dysfunctions in the MRN complex.Furthermore,we summarize the mouse models established to study the clinical phenotypes of the above diseases.

A wafer scale thin film of ultra-small Sc2O3 nanocrystals on a 2D COF with high rigidity.

Scandium oxide (Sc2O3) has a wide range of applications in metallurgy, chemical industry, electronics and many other high-tech fields. However, most Sc2O3 materials exist in the powder or bulk form, while nanostructured Sc2O3 has rarely been reported as there is a lack of a common method to control its dimensionality, hindering the understanding of new properties and potential applications of nano-Sc2O3 materials. In this paper, we establish a procedure to synthesize a two-dimensional (2D) Sc2O3-covalent organic framework (COF) composite film where the crystal size of Sc2O3 domains is as small as ∼3 nm. The composite film is prepared by a Schiff base condensation reaction at the sharp n-pentane/water interface using a combination of surfactant-monolayer-assisted interfacial synthesis and laminar assembly polymerization methods. Then the conditions of nucleation and uniform film formation of the 2D Sc2O3/COF are explored further. Meanwhile, an atomic force microscopy indentation test shows that the material has a high Young's modulus of 89.1 ± 3.8 GPa, which is much higher than those of the majority of reported 2D polymer materials. We further extended this synthesis method to the preparation of Yb2O3 (ytterbium oxide) and/or Er2O3 (erbium oxide)-incorporated 2D COF composite films, verifying the universality of this strategy. This work provides an opportunity to vary the dimensionality of many kinds of metal oxides and explore the potential applications of low-dimensional Sc2O3 materials.

Exposure to low levels of heavy metals and chronic kidney disease in the US population: A cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to heavy metals (cadmium, mercury, and lead) has been linked with adverse health outcomes, especially their nephrotoxic effects at high levels of exposure. We conducted a replication study to examine the association of low-level heavy metal exposure and chronic kidney disease (CKD) using a larger NHANES data set compared to previous studies. METHODS: The large cross-sectional study comprised 5,175 CKD cases out of 55677 participants aged 20-85 years from the 1999-2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [NHANES]. Logistic regression analysis was applied to estimate the associations between CKD and heavy metals [Cd, Pb, Hg] measured as categorical variables after adjusting with age, race, gender, socioeconomic status, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and blood cotinine level as smoking status. RESULTS: Compared to the lowest quartile of blood Cd, exposures to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quartiles of blood Cd were statistically significantly associated with higher odds of CKD after adjustment for blood Pb and Hg, with OR = 1.79, [95% CI; 1.55-2.07, p<0.0001], OR = 2.17, [95% CI; 1.88-2.51, p<0.0001] and OR = 1.52, [95% CI; 1.30-1.76, p<0.0001] respectively. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th quartiles of blood Cd remained statistically significantly associated with higher odds of CKD after adjustment for blood cotinine level, with OR = 2.06, [95% CI; 1.80-2.36, p<0.0001], OR = 3.18, [95% CI; 2.79-3.63, p<0.0001] and OR = 5.54, [95% CI; 4.82-6.37, p<0.0001] respectively. Exposure to blood Pb was statistically significantly associated with higher odds of CKD in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quartile groups, after adjustment for all co-variates (ag, gender, race, socio-economic status, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, blood cadmium, mercury, and cotinine levels) in all the four models. Blood Hg level was statistically significantly associated with lower odds of CKD in the 2nd quartile group in model 2, 3rd quartile group in model 1, 2 and 3, and the 4th quartile group in all the four models. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that low blood levels of Cd and Pb were associated with higher odds of CKD while low blood levels of Hg were associated with lower odds of CKD in the US adult population. However, temporal association cannot be determined as it is a cross sectional study.