Association Between Night Shift and Hypertension: A Cross-Sectional Study in Chinese Adults.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of night-shift work on the risk of hypertension for improving workers' health. METHODS: A total of 10,038 Chinese participants were constituted in the cross-sectional study. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline were used to estimate the effect of night shift on hypertension. RESULTS: There were higher odds of having hypertension in any night-shift workers (odds ratio [OR], 1.16 [95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.30]) when compared with day workers. Having 5 to 10 night shifts per month were significantly more likely to be hypertensive (OR, 1.19 [95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.38]). The OR for hypertension increased as the number of night shifts increased as the result of the restricted cubic spline. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the hypothesis that night shift is associated with an elevated risk of hypertension.

Exposure to multiple trace elements and thyroid cancer risk in Chinese adults: A case-control study.

The incidence of thyroid cancer (TC) has increased rapidly in last decades. Multiple trace elements in the external environment have important effects with thyroid function. However, the evidence for these on TC risk were rarely reported. A total of 585 newly diagnosed TC patients and 585 healthy controls were included in this study, and 14 urinary elements were measured to explain the fixed-exposure effect on TC risk. Conditional logistic regressions were used to reflect the multi-element associations, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) was applied to show the tendency of mixed effects. Furthermore, the interaction effects were examined by Generalized linear model (GLM). The levels of lithium (Li), cobalt (Co), strontium (Sr), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) had negative effects with TC risk, nevertheless lead (Pb), arsenic (As) and chromide (Cr) showed positive effects. The BKMR and GLM models reflected the effect fluctuations of different elements, and there was a slight interaction effects between Li and Cr, Co, Zn and Pb. Further study is required to confirm these results in the future.

Associations between environmental exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers and nodular goiter risk: A case-control study.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widespread and persistent environmental contaminants, but their association with nodular goiter (NG) remains unknown. The present case-control study of 179 NG cases and 358 matched normal controls aimed to investigate the association between PBDEs and risk of NG. The plasma concentrations of 8 PBDEs congeners (BDE-28, -47, -99, -100, -153, -154, -183, and -209) were determined by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. Conditional logistic regression model was used to evaluate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association between each PBDEs congener and NG. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) was used to evaluate the association between overall levels of 8 PBDEs mixture and NG. The results of logistic model suggested that increased risk of NG was associated with elevated concentrations of all PBDEs congeners, except for BDE-209. In BKMR model, the risk of NG increased with the increase in overall exposure level of 8 PBDEs mixture. Compared to when all PBDEs mixture were at their median value, the risk of exposure-response function for NG increased by 0.34 units when all PBDEs were at their 75th percentile. In women, the results showed similar trends after additional adjustment for age at menarche and menopausal status. These findings provide novel epidemiological evidence for the prevention of NG. However, larger prospective studies are required to address the associations between PBDEs exposure and NG risk.

Body mass index and weight gain after middle adulthood are associated with risk of papillary thyroid cancer: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether weight change after middle adulthood influences the risk of thyroid cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between the risk of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and body mass index (BMI) and weight change after middle adulthood (age 35). METHODS: A matched case-control study based on three hospitals included 516 pairs of cases newly diagnosed with PTC and controls. Current height and weight after defecation in the morning were measured by trained nurses. During measurement, all subjects were requested to wear lightweight clothing and no shoes. Weight at age 35 was self-reported. BMI and weight change were modeled as continuous and categorical variables. Conditional and unconditional logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) for the association between BMI and weight change after middle adulthood and PTC. RESULTS: After adjustment for covariates, measured BMI at the time of current diagnosis was positively associated with PTC (OR 1.16, 95%CI 1.10-1.21). According to WHO BMI guidelines for Asia-Pacific populations, the OR (95%CI) for PTC risk in obesity was 2.99 (1.92-4.67) compared to normal weight (p-trend <0.001). Moreover, PTC was positively associated with BMI at age 35; the OR (95%CI) for PTC risk per unit increase in BMI was 1.06 (1.02-1.11). Compared to stable weight (changed <0.5 kg/year), weight gain ≥1.0 kg/year after middle adulthood was positively associated with PTC (OR 2.57, 95%CI 1.39-4.76, p-trend <0.001). Compared to maintaining non-overweight status, the PTC risk was significantly increased in those individuals who gained weight and became overweight after middle adulthood (OR 3.82, 95%CI 2.50-5.85). CONCLUSION: This study showed that high BMI and obesity were positively associated with increased risk of PTC, and weight gain after middle adulthood also could elevate the PTC risk.

Associations of exposure to multiple trace elements with the risk of goiter: A case-control study.

Goiter is one of common endocrine diseases, and its etiology has not been fully elucidated. The changes in trace elements' levels have an important impact on the thyroid. We designed a case-control study, which involved 383 goiter cases and 383 matched controls. We measured these elements in the urine of participants by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) and As3+-Ce4+ catalytic spectrophotometry. Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression was used to select the elements into multi-element models, conditional logistic regression models were applied to analyze the association between elements and goiter risk. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model was used to depict elements' mixtures and evaluate their joint effects. Finally, 7 elements were included in the multi-element model. We found that the concentrations of lithium (Li), strontium (Sr) and barium (Ba) had a negative effect with goiter risk, and lead (Pb) and iodine (I) showed an extreme positive effect. Additionally, compared with the lowest levels, patients with highest quartiles of I and Pb were 6.49 and 1.94 times more likely to have goiter, respectively. On the contrary, in its second and third quartiles, arsenic (As) showed a negative effect (both OR<1). BKMR model showed a certain interaction among Pb, As, Sr and Li on goiter risk. Further large sample studies are needed to confirm these findings in the future.

Thyroid hormones in relation to polybrominated diphenyl ether and metals exposure among rural adult residents along the Yangtze River, China.

Although several studies indicate that exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and metals may influence thyroid function, the evidence is limited and inconsistent in general population. The current study was conducted to determine the levels of plasma PBDEs and urinary metals and evaluate the associations of co-exposure to both with thyroid hormones (THs) among rural adult residents along the Yangtze River, China. A total of 329 subjects were included in current analyses, and 8 PBDEs congeners and 14 urinary metals were measured to reflect the levels of environmental exposure. Multiple linear regression models were used to evaluate the association between PBDEs, metals and THs levels. Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) was used to examine PBDEs and metals mixtures in relation to THs. The geometric mean (GM) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of total measured PBDEs was 65.10 (59.96, 70.68) ng/g lipid weights (lw). BDE-209 was the most abundant congener, with a GM (95% CI) of 47.91 (42.95, 53.26) ng/g lw, accounting for 73.6% of the total PBDEs. Free thyroxine (FT4) was significantly negatively associated with BDE-28, 47, 99, 100, 154, and 183, and urinary strontium [ß (95% CI): -0.04 (-0.07, -0.02)], but positively associated with selenium [ß (95% CI): 0.04 (0.02, 0.06)]. Free triiodothyronine (FT3) was negatively associated with BDE-28 [ß (95% CI): -0.03 (-0.05, -0.01)] and urinary arsenic [ß (95% CI): -0.01 (-0.02, -0.001)]. The current study did not observe a statistically significant association of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) with PBDEs and urinary metals. BKMR analyses showed similar trends when these chemicals were taken into consideration simultaneously. We found no significant interaction in the association between individual chemical at the 25th versus 75th percentiles and THs estimates, comparing the results when other chemicals were set at their 10th, 50th, and 90th percentile levels. Further study is required to confirm these findings and determine potential mechanisms.

Reproductive and menstrual factors for papillary thyroid cancer risk: A case-control study in Chinese women.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid cancer (TC) is threefold more common in women than men. Reproductive and menstrual factors may be related to the onset of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). This study aims to determine the association of reproductive and menstrual factors with PTC in Chinese females. METHODS: A total of 335 histologically confirmed cases of PTC were recruited in this case-control study. The controls were matched for age with a deviation of ± 2 years, which conducted from September 2016 to February 2019. Logistic regression models were applied to identify the association of reproductive and menstrual factors with PTC. RESULTS: After adjustment by some variables, early menarche age (OR ≤ 13 years vs. > 13years = 2.40, 95 % CI 1.12-5.13) and shorter lifetime breastfeeding (OR <6 months vs. ≥ 6 months = 1.99, 95 % CI 1.11-3.55) significantly increased the risk of PTC, whereas younger age at first pregnancy had a protective effect against PTC (OR ≤ 24years vs. > 24 years = 0.66, 95 % CI 0.44-0.98). There was a positive correlation between premenopausal and PTC in the lower age group (OR premenopausal vs. Menopause by natural =2.34, 95 %CI 1.03-5.28). CONCLUSIONS: Early menarche age, abortion, shorter breastfeeding duration and premenopausal may be related to the occurrence of PTC. Early age at first pregnancy and larger number of full-time pregnancies were possible to decrease the risk of PTC.

Exposure to 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, pentachlorophenol and risk of thyroid cancer: a case-control study in China.

Thyroid cancer (TC) has inflicted huge threats to the health of mankind. Chlorophenols (CPs) were persistent organic pollutant and can lead to adverse effects in human health, especially in thyroid. However, epidemiological studies have revealed a rare and inconsistent relationship between internal exposure to CPs and TC risk. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between urinary CPs and TC risk in Chinese population. From June 2017 to September 2019, a total of 297 histologically confirmed TC cases were recruited. Age- and gender-matched controls were enrolled at the same time. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to determine the levels of three CPs in urine. Conditional logistic regression models were adopted to assess the potential association. Restricted cubic spline function was used to explore the non-liner association. After adjusting for confounding factors, multivariate analysis showed that, compared with the first quartile, the fourth quartile concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP), and pentachlorophenol (PCP) were associated with TC risk (odds ratio (OR)2,4-DCP =2.28, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.24-4.18; OR2,4,6-TCP =3.09, 95% CI: 1.66-5.77; ORPCP =3.30, 95% CI: 1.71-6.36, respectively), when CPs were included in the multivariate model and restricted cubic spline function as continuous variables, presenting significant dose-response relationships. Meanwhile, whether in the TC group with tumor diameter > 1 cm or metastatic TC, the changes of 2,4,6 TCP and PCP concentrations were positively correlated with the risk of TC. Our study suggests that higher concentrations of urinary CPs are associated with increased TC risks. Moreover, 2,4,6-TCP and PCP have certain effects on the invasiveness of thyroid cancer. Targeted public health policies should be formulated to reduce the CP pollution. These findings need further in-depth studies to confirm and relevant mechanism also needed to be clarified.

Associations between essential microelements exposure and the aggressive clinicopathologic characteristics of papillary thyroid cancer.

Aim of this study was to evaluate the association between multiple essential microelements exposure and the aggressive clinicopathologic characteristics of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The concentrations of 10 essential microelements in urine [cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), strontium (Sr), zinc (Zn), and iodine (I)] were measured in 608 patients newly diagnosed with PTC, including 154 males and 454 females. Chi square test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used to compare general characteristics among males and females. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations between essential microelements and PTC clinicopathologic characteristics in single- and multi-microelement models. In this study, we only observed that the frequency of lymph node metastasis in males was higher than in females, and males had higher levels of zinc than females, but males had lower levels of iodine than females. It was found that high levels of Fe were associated with decreased risk of PTC tumor size > 1 cm, capsular invasion, and advanced T stage (T3/4a/4b). High levels of Co and Mo were associated with decreased risk of capsular invasion and lymph node metastasis, respectively. However, high levels of Mn and Sr were associated with increased risk of capsular invasion and multifocality respectively, and both were associated with increased risk of advanced T stage (T3/4a/4b). These findings indicated that certain essential microelements might have potential effects on PTC progression and aggressiveness. Further studies are required to confirm these findings.

Fasting serum glucose, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and thyroid hormones and risk of papillary thyroid cancer: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: This study was to investigate the association of fasting serum glucose (FSG), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyroid hormones with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). METHODS: A total of 649 participants were included in this case-control study. The associations of FSG, TSH, free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) with PTC were estimated using an unconditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Compared with the lowest quintile of TSH levels, odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for association between PTC risk and highest quintile of TSH levels were 1.67 (95% CI, 0.99-2.83). However, this risk correlation was more significant in PTC cases with ≤1.0 cm tumor size (adjusted OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.08-3.54; adjusted P-trend, 0.05). The PTC risk was also inversely associated with the serum FT3 level in all participants (adjusted P-trend, 0.001), but positively associated with the serum FT4 (adjusted P-trend, 0.001) and FSG (adjusted P-trend, 0.01) levels. Among the participants without diabetes, the individuals with high FSG levels and abnormal TSH concentration had an increased PTC risk (adjusted OR, 3.38; 95% CI, 1.78-6.42). CONCLUSION: The current study provides evidence for the association of FSG, TSH, and thyroid hormones (FT3 and FT4) with PTC risk. However, larger relative studies are needed.

Carotid-Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity in the Prediction of Cardiovascular Events and Mortality: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Arterial stiffness (AS) is a predictor of coronary artery outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) is a commonly used method for assessing AS. This study aimed to assess the relationship between cf-PWV and clinical CVD events. Of the 786 studies identified, 19 studies were included in the final meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed that participants with high cf-PWV by 1 standard deviation (SD), 1 m/s, and cutoff points have a high pooled relative risk for CVD events (1 SD: 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-1.31; 1 m/s: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.07-1.18; and cutoff points: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.45-2.14) and CVD mortality (1 SD: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.15-1.31; 1 m/s: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04-1.14; and cutoff points: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.46-2.24). In addition, we found that the predictive value of increased AS was higher in patients with higher disease risk for total CVD events and CVD mortality than in other patients. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity is a useful biomarker to improve the prediction of CV risk for patients and identify high-risk populations who may benefit from aggressive CV risk factor management.

Molecular Cloning and Characterization of a New C-type Lysozyme Gene from Yak Mammary Tissue.

Milk lysozyme is the ubiquitous enzyme in milk of mammals. In this study, the cDNA sequence of a new chicken-type (c-type) milk lysozyme gene (YML), was cloned from yak mammary gland tissue. A 444 bp open reading frames, which encodes 148 amino acids (16.54 kDa) with a signal peptide of 18 amino acids, was sequenced. Further analysis indicated that the nucleic acid and amino acid sequences identities between yak and cow milk lysozyme were 89.04% and 80.41%, respectively. Recombinant yak milk lysozyme (rYML) was produced by Escherichia coli BL21 and Pichia pastoris X33. The highest lysozyme activity was detected for heterologous protein rYML5 (M = 1,864.24 U/mg, SD = 25.75) which was expressed in P. pastoris with expression vector pPICZαA and it clearly inhibited growth of Staphylococcus aureus. Result of the YML gene expression using quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that the YML gene was up-regulated to maximum at 30 day postpartum, that is, comparatively high YML can be found in initial milk production. The phylogenetic tree indicated that the amino acid sequence was similar to cow kidney lysozyme, which implied that the YML may have diverged from a different ancestor gene such as cow mammary glands. In our study, we suggest that YML be a new c-type lysozyme expressed in yak mammary glands that plays a role as host immunity.

E1 reaction-induced synthesis of hydrophilic oxide nanoparticles in a non-hydrophilic solvent.

In this paper, tert-amyl alcohol was employed to directly react with metal chlorides for the preparation of oxide nanoparticles. Some typical metal oxide or hydroxides with different morphologies, such as TiO(2) nanoparticles, TiO(2) nanorods, FeOOH nanowires, Fe(2)O(3) nanoparticles, and SnO(2) nanoparticles, can be easily fabricated through such simple chemical reactions. E1 reaction was found to play the leading role in the synthesis of metal oxides attributed to better stability of tertiary carbocations in tert-amyl alcohol and the strong interaction of metal chlorides with hydroxyl groups that results in the easy dissociation of carbon-oxygen bonds in tert-amyl alcohol. S(N)1 reaction can also occur in certain reactions due to nucleophilic substitution of chloride ions for hydroxyl groups. As-prepared metal oxides show good compatibility with an aqueous system while they were synthesized in a non-hydrophilic solvent probably attributed to the specific E1 reaction mechanism involving the generation of water, and can be directly incorporated into an aqueous soluble polymer, such as PVA, to exhibit many promising applications.

[Effect of mesenchymal stem cells transfected with human vegf-165 gene carried by adenovirus on revascularization for hind limb ischemic necrosis in rat model].

The aim of study was to explore the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) transfected with recombinant adenovirus-mediated human vascular endothelium growth factor 165 (ad-vegf-165) on treating ischemic necrosis limbs. Adult SD rats were selected for study. Limb ischemic necrosis model was established by right femoral artery ligation in SD rats. 7 days after ligation, MSC, ad-h-vegf-165-MSC and ad-LacZ-MSC labelled by DAPI were injected into ischemic necrosis limb in rats respectively. One week after injection, the expression of VEGF in ischemic necrosis limbs was detected by Western blot. And at 1, 2 or 4 weeks after injection, the expressions of FVIII and myosin on MSC were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The results indicated that the MSC labelled by DAPI could be found in the transplantation site of ischemic necrosis limbs under fluorescent microscope. And the number of MSC in MSC-vegf group was more than that in MSC and MSC-LacZ groups. The VEGF expression in MSC-vegf group was higher than that in MSC and MSC-LacZ groups. More importantly, the number of endothelial cells demonstrated characteristic FVIII positive MSC in MSC-vegf group was more than that in MSC and MSC-LacZ group after injections of 1, 2 and 4 weeks. However, the number of myosin positive MSC among MSC-vegf, MSC and MSC-LacZ groups showed no significant difference. It is concluded that MSC transfected with Ad-vegf promotes angiogenesis to repair ischemic necrosis limbs through the increased expression of VEGF.

High yield synthesis of bracelet-like hydrophilic Ni-Co magnetic alloy flux-closure nanorings.

A simple solvothermal method has been discovered to synthesize single-walled flux-closure Ni-Co magnetic alloy nanorings in high yield, which are directly fabricated in a reaction solution and able to chronically exist in solution.

Heat shock protein 70 expression in the brain of rats with cerebral infarction after receiving vascular endothelial growth factor 165 gene therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in the brain of rats with cerebral infarction after the administration of vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF165) gene therapy, thereby to provide molecular basis for clinical gene therapy of cerebral infarction. METHODS: Twenty-five Wistar rats were divided equally into 5 groups, namely normal control group, sham-operated control group, middle cerebral artery occlusion group (MACO group), eukaryotic expression plasmid group (pUCCAGGS group) and gene therapy group (receiving pUCCAGGS/hVEGF165).Rat models of permanent MACO was established by ligation with nylon suture, and in the latter two groups, pUCCAGGS or pUCCAGGS/ hVEGF165 was directly injected into the infarcted area. Seven days after the infarction, the rats were killed to obtain the brain tissues for immunohistochemical detection of HSP70 expression. RESULTS: In the rat brain cortex of the normal and sham-operated control group, similar low levels of HSP70 expression were detected (P >0.05), while in the MCAO group and pUCCAGGS group, HSP70 levels were both significantly higher (P <0.01), showing no differences between the latter two groups (P >0.05). Most intense HSP70 expression was detected in the gene therapy group (P <0.01). In the penumbra of the infarct area, MCAO, pUCCAGGS, and gene therapy group all had high expression levels of HSP70, which were comparable in the former two groups (P >0.05), with the highest expression levels occurring in the latter group. Within the infarct area, similar expression pattern was observed (P <0.01). CONCLUSION: The elevated HSP70 expression in response to VEGF165 gene therapy in the rats as observed in this study suggests the potency of VEGF165 gene to induce HSP70 expression.