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To explore the impact of air pollutants exposure during pregnancy on infant DNA methylation, we identified correlated methylated genes in maternal and cord blood samples using the Illumina Human Methylation 27 k BeadChip. Quantitative methylation-specific PCR (QMS-PCR) was performed to validate the target gene methylation pattern in 568 participants. Then the association between air pollutants exposure and DNA methylation level in the target gene was investigated. The GPR61 gene with a higher methylation level both in mothers and newborns was identified as the target gene, and we found a positive mother-infant DNA methylation correlation in the promoter region of GPR61. Air pollutants exposure during entire pregnancy was associated with maternal and infant GPR61 DNA methylation. After adjusting confounding variables, maternal air pollutants exposure was still associated with infant GPR61 DNA methylation. In summary, GPR61 methylation in cord blood may be a potential target of prenatal exposure to air pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the association between fluoride exposure and children's behavioural outcomes, we recruited 325 resident school-age children (7–13 years old) lived in Tongxu County of Henan Province in China. We measured urinary fluoride (UF) concentrations using the ion-selective electrode method. Children's behavioural outcomes were assessed by Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised, including conduct problems, learning problems, psychosomatic problems, impulsive-hyperactive, anxiety, and ADHD index. It turned out that each 1.0 mg/L increment in UF concentration corresponded with an elevation in the psychosomatic problem score of 4.01 (95% CI: 2.74, 5.28) and a 97% (OR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.19, 3.27) increase in the prevalence of psychosomatic problems after adjusting for potential influencing factors. The sensitivity analysis results were consistent with those observed in our preliminary analysis. Our study suggests that fluoride exposure is positively related to the behavioural problem in school-age children, psychosomatic problem in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the poor living and healthcare conditions, preterm birth (PTB) in rural population is a pressing health issue. However, PTB studies in rural population are rare. To explore the effects of air pollutants on PTB in rural population, we collected 697,316 medical records during 2014–2016 based on the National Free Preconception Health Examination Project. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between air pollutants and PTB and the modifying effects of demographic characteristics. Relative contribution and principal component analysis-generalized linear model (PCA-GLM) analysis were used to explore the most significant air pollutant and gestational period. Our results demonstrated that PTB risk is positively associated with exposure to air pollutants including PM 10 , PM 2.5 , SO 2 , NO 2 , and CO, while negatively associated with O 3 exposure (P < 0.05). In addition, we found that NO 2 was the largest contributor to the risk of PTB caused by air pollutants (26.5%). The third trimester of pregnancy was the most sensitive exposure window. PCA-GLM analysis showed that the first component (a combination of PM, SO 2 , NO 2 , and CO) increased the risk of PTB. Moreover, we found that rural women who are younger, had higher educated, multi-parity, or smoke appeared to be more sensitive to the association between air pollutants exposure and PTB (P -interaction <0.05). Our findings suggested that increased air pollutants except O 3 were associated with elevated PTB risk, especially among vulnerable mothers. Therefore, the effects of air pollutants exposure on PTB should be mitigated by restricting emission sources of NO 2 and SO 2 in rural population, especially during the third trimester. [Display omitted] • PTB risk was positively associated with prenatal exposure to PM, SO 2 , NO 2 and CO. • Exposure to relatively low concentrations of O 3 can decrease the risk of PTB. • Among pollutants explored, exposure to NO 2 and SO 2 was the major risk factor for PTB. • The third trimester is the most sensitive window for PTB caused by air pollution. • The effect of air pollution on PTB risks varies with an individual's characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a non-invasive tool that provides real-time microscopic images and relatively high-resolution tissue images. This technique provides a link between clinical examination and histopathology. RCM has been used to detect skin diseases and has also recently been applied to diseases of the oral mucosa. The present study aimed to explore the features of oral lichen planus (OLP) using RCM. A total of 47 patients with OLP exhibiting a reticular pattern, were included in the present study. The lesion sites and healthy adjacent sites were examined using in vivo RCM, with the lesion being histopathologically confirmed after RCM examination. The confocal images were reviewed, and the features were described. Sensitivity and specificity analysis of the RCM features was also performed. RCM examination presented parakeratosis, acanthosis and connective tissue papillae disappearance, with the presence of large melanocytes and roundish inflammatory cell infiltration, as well as dilated vessels in the lesion tissue. The sensitivity and specificity of OLP for dorsal tongue lesions were not as satisfactory as those on other sites. The results implied that RCM may be a promising technique to detect OLP non-invasively in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background Objective Methods Results Conclusion Atrophic acne scars (AAS) are disfiguring and permanent changes caused by inflammatory acne. Fractional carbon dioxide is a common ablative device used to treat this condition. However, issues such as unclear effectiveness, frequent treatments, and potential side effects exist. In recent years, recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) has also been frequently reported for its application in the treatment of acne scars.To explore the potential synergistic effect of fractional carbon dioxide laser combined with rhEGF in AAS treatment.We enrolled 15 patients with AAS. They received fractional carbon dioxide laser treatment and were then randomly assigned to receive either rhEGF or a placebo on one side of the face. The procedure was repeated three times, and the results were evaluated using the échelle d'évaluation clinique des cicatrices d'acné (ECCA) score and analyzed using the CBS camera system, 3D analysis (3DMD). Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) examination was also conducted.Both sides exhibited significant improvement in the appearance of the acne scars after treatment, as confirmed by the ECCA score, 3DMD data, and CBS texture score. On the rhEGF‐treated side, the pore number and epidermal pigment area significantly improved as compared to the control side, whereas no significant differences were observed in the other data. Under RCM, a significant increase in epidermal thickness and appearance of reticular collagen fibers in the dermal layer after treatment was observed.Compared to the sole use of laser, the combination of fractional carbon dioxide laser and rhEGF does not significantly enhance scar therapeutic effects. However, it does shorten the recovery period after laser treatment and improves the pore appearance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a risk factor of cardiovascular disease. Associations between PM2.5 compositions and cardiovascular disease are a point of special interest but inconsistent. This study aimed to explore the cardiovascular effects of heavy metal(loid) compositions in PM2.5. Data for mortality, air pollutants and meteorological factors in Anyang, China from 2017 to 2021 were collected. Heavy metal(loid) in PM2.5 were monitored and examined monthly. A Case-crossover design was applied to the estimated data set. The interquartile range increase in cadmium (Cd), antimony (Sb) and arsenic (As) at lag 1 was associated with increment of 8.1% (95% CI: 3.3, 13.2), 4.8% (95% CI: 0.2, 9.5) and 3.5% (95% CI: 1.1, 6.0) cardiovascular mortality. Selenium in lag 2 was inversely associated with cerebrovascular mortality (RR = 0.920 95% CI: 0.862, 0.983). Current-day exposure of aluminum was positively associated with mortality from ischemic heart disease (RR = 1.083 95% CI: 1.001, 1.172). Stratified analysis indicated sex, age and season modified the cardiovascular effects of As (P < 0.05). Our study reveals that heavy metal(loid) play key roles in adverse effects of PM2.5. Cd, Sb and As were significant risk factors of cardiovascular mortality. These findings have potential implications for accurate air pollutants control and management to improve public health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mucosal melanoma (MM) is a rare but devastating subtype of melanoma. Our previous studies have demonstrated robust anti-tumor effects of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK 4/6) inhibitors in head and neck MM (HNMM) patient-derived xenograft models with CDK4 amplification. Herein, we aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of dalpiciclib (SHR6390), a CDK4/6 inhibitor, in HNMM patients harboring CDK4 amplification. Methods: The anti-tumor efficacy of dalpiciclib was assessed by HNMM patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models and patient-derived tumor cells (PDC) in vivo and in vitro. Immunohistochemical analyses and western blot were then performed to assess the markers of cell proliferation and CDK4/6 signaling pathway. For the clinical trial, advanced recurrent and/or metastatic HNMM patients with CDK4 amplification were treated with dalpiciclib 125 mg once daily for 21 consecutive days in 28-day cycles. The primary endpoint was disease control rate (DCR). Secondary endpoints included safety, objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Results: Dalpiciclib profoundly suppressed growth of HNMM-PDX and PDC with CDK4 amplification, whereas it showed relatively weak suppression in those with CDK4 wild type compared with vehicle. And dalpiciclib resulted in a remarkable reduction in the expression levels of Ki-67 and phosphorylated Rb compared with control group. In the clinical trial, a total of 17 patients were enrolled, and 16 patients were evaluable. The ORR was 6.3%, and the DCR was 81.3%. The estimated median PFS was 9.9 months (95% CI, 4.8-NA), and the median OS was not reached. The rate of OS at 12 months and 24 months was 68.8% (95% CI, 0.494–0.957) and 51.6% (95% CI, 0.307–0.866), respectively. The most frequent adverse events were neutrophil count decrease, white blood cell count decrease, and fatigue. Conclusions: Dalpiciclib was well-tolerated and displayed a durable benefit for HNMM patients with CDK4 amplification in this study. Further studies on CDK4 inhibitors and its combination strategy for MM are worth further exploration. Trial registration: ChiCTR2000031608. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health benefits of domain-specific physical activity (PA) on depressive symptoms were inconclusive. Few studies explored PA patterns and depressive symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the associations of PA domains and patterns with depressive symptoms. We conducted a cross-sectional study in China with 5047 adults. Latent class analysis was applied to identify the PA patterns and logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). The ORs (95 % CIs) for the active versus inactive groups were 0.79 (0.69–0.91) for leisure-time PA, 0.57 (0.49–0.65) for transport PA, 0.95 (0.82–1.09) for household PA, and 1.38 (1.18–1.62) for occupational PA. We found non-linear associations between leisure-time PA, transport PA and depressive symptoms, with the lowest risk at 11 METs-h/week of leisure-time PA (equal to 147 min/week moderate PA or 88 min/week vigorous PA) and 23 METs-h/week of transport PA. There was a marginal inverse association with household PA for men while not for women. We identified four PA patterns and found a lower risk of depressive symptoms associated with "low occupational PA pattern" versus "moderate PA level pattern" (0.45 (0.38–0.52)). Given the cross-sectional design, causality cannot be inferred. Our study supported an inverse association of leisure-time PA and transport PA with depressive symptoms and a positive association of occupational PA. The observed inconsistent association of household PA among men and women, and the finding that "low occupational PA pattern" was associated with a lower risk of depressive symptoms warrant further investigation. • Active leisure-time PA and transport PA was associated with lower risk of depressive symptoms. • Active occupational PA level was associated with higher risk of depressive symptoms. • Active household PA was marginally associated with lower risk of depressive symptoms among men, but not among women. • "Low occupational PA pattern" was associated with lower risk of depressive symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Altered rock type deposits are significant gold deposits widely distributed throughout the world, having important economic and industrial value. The Eastern Shandong Peninsula is the third largest gold mining camps in the world with known gold reserves of more than 5300 tons. The majority of the gold deposits here are located in three main orefields, namely the northwest Jiaodong (Laizhou-Zhaoyuan), the Qixia-Penglai-Fushan, and the Muping-Rushan orefields. The Hongbu deposit is a medium-sized altered rock type deposit within the northwest Jiaodong orefield. With decades of mining, the Hongbu deposit faces the dilemma of resource depletion and loss of undigitized data. Therefore, prospecting and exploration have to focus on deep and peripheral areas of known Au mineralization. This study built a three-dimensional model of the Hongbu deposit and sliced it to obtain nine cross-sections to conduct multi-field coupled numerical simulation (including heat conduction, fluid migration, chemical reaction, and material migration). Locations with relatively developed Au mineralization (the top 15 % within the concentration range of Au) are defined as having metallogenic potential, which are highlighted and projected to the geological map of the Hongbu district. The results also show that the spatial distributions of Au mineralization within these nine sections are different, indicating that the formation of Au mineralization is controlled by the morphology of the Hexi fault (other simulation parameters of these nine sections are the same) and the pyrite sericite cataclasite. This research proves that numerical simulation methods is effective in mineral exploration, especially for those areas with insufficient data to use data-driven prospectivity modeling approaches. Future development into both mathematical geosciences and computational science will provide more detailed answers for remaining hot issues related to mineral exploration. [Display omitted] This research highlights the usage of numerical simulation method in analyzing ore-forming processes during the formation of altered rock type gold deposit. Results show that the north and northwestern edges of known Au mineralization show relatively high metallogenic potential, and the Au mineralization is spatially closely related with the Hexi fault. The results also indicate that the fault morphology and the location of pyrite sericite cataclasite control the spatial distribution of Au mineralization. All these results are obtained based on multi-field coupled numerical simulation-based targeting of the Hongbu deposit, providing information for mineral exploration within the northwestern Jiaodong district. [Display omitted] • A 3D model is used to rebuild cross-sections. • Simulation results show the location of Au mineralization. • Faults morphology control the spatial distribution of gold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]