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Abstract Background Natural compounds can positively impact health, and various studies suggest that they regulate glucose‒lipid metabolism by influencing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). This metabolism is key to maintaining energy balance and normal physiological functions in the body. This review explores how SCFAs regulate glucose and lipid metabolism and the natural compounds that can modulate these processes through SCFAs. This provides a healthier approach to treating glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in the future. Methods This article reviews relevant literature on SCFAs and glycolipid metabolism from PubMed and the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). It also highlights a range of natural compounds, including polysaccharides, anthocyanins, quercetins, resveratrols, carotenoids, and betaines, that can regulate glycolipid metabolism through modulation of the SCFA pathway. Results Natural compounds enrich SCFA-producing bacteria, inhibit harmful bacteria, and regulate operational taxonomic unit (OTU) abundance and the intestinal transport rate in the gut microbiota to affect SCFA content in the intestine. However, most studies have been conducted in animals, lack clinical trials, and involve fewer natural compounds that target SCFAs. More research is needed to support the conclusions and to develop healthier interventions. Conclusions SCFAs are crucial for human health and are produced mainly by the gut microbiota via dietary fiber fermentation. Eating foods rich in natural compounds, including fruits, vegetables, tea, and coarse fiber foods, can hinder harmful intestinal bacterial growth and promote beneficial bacterial proliferation, thus increasing SCFA levels and regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. By investigating how these compounds impact glycolipid metabolism via the SCFA pathway, novel insights and directions for treating glucolipid metabolism disorders can be provided.

Abstract Background Significant scientific research has been conducted concerning menopausal syndrome(MPS), yet few bibliometric analyses have been performed. Our aim was to recognise the 100 most highly cited published articles on MPS and to analytically evaluate their key features. Methods To identify the 100 most frequently cited articles, a search was conducted on Web of Science using the term 'menopausal syndrome'. Articles that matched the predetermined criteria were scrutinised to obtain the following data: citation ranking, year of publication, publishing journal, journal impact factor, country of origin, academic institution, authors, study type, and keywords. Results The publication period is from January 1, 2000, to August 31, 2022. The maximum number of citations was 406 and in 2012. The median citations per year was 39.70. Most of the articles focused on treatment and complications. These articles were published in 36 different journals, with the Journal of MENOPAUSE having published the greatest number (14%). Forty-eight articles (48%) were from the United States, with the University of Pittsburgh being the leading institute (9%). Joann E. Manson was the most frequent first author (n = 6). Observational studies were the most frequently conducted research type (n = 53), followed by experimental studies (n = 33). Keyword analysis identified classic research topics, including genitourinary syndrome of menopause, bone mineral density (BMD), and anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) loci. Conclusion Using bibliometrics, we conducted an analysis to identify the inadequacies, traditional focal points, and potential prospects in the study of MPS across current scientific areas. Treatment and complications are at the core of MPS research, whereas prediction and biomarkers have less literature of high quality. There is a necessity for innovative analytical metrics to measure the real effect of these papers with a high level of citation on clinical application.

Background: Huashi Baidu granule (HSBD), an approved herbal formula for treating COVID-19, demonstrates safety and efficacy. Despite its market approval, the detailed methodology and identification of its active components remain unexplored, leaving its bioactive constituents and action mechanisms unclear. Methods: This study investigated the potential mechanisms of HSBD’s active ingredient in treating COVID-19. Our approach integrated various techniques, including the UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS method, analysis of the GEO database, network pharmacology, surface plasmon resonance, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, to formulate a comprehensive research strategy. Results: The UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS method employed for HSBD analysis proved stable, reliable, and reproducible. We identified 25 principal components in HSBD, with 7 compounds detected in plasma, namely Pogostone, P-Hydroxybenzoic acid, Paeoniflorin, Rhein, Emodin, Ephedrine hydrochloride, and Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride. Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network analysis identified MMP9 as a pivotal target. Surface plasmon resonance analysis revealed that Paeoniflorin and Rhein exert their antiviral effects by interacting with RBD and ACE2. In contrast, Emodin’s antiviral mechanism predominantly involves binding to MMP9. Molecular docking results indicated strong binding affinities of Rhein and Paeoniflorin to the hACE2 protein, and high binding affinities of Emodin to the MMP9 protein, all of which were corroborated by molecular dynamics simulations. Conclusion: We investigated the methodology and identified the active components of HSBD, focusing on those absorbed into the plasma, to elucidate the effective material basis of HSBD in the treatment of COVID-19, our research offered insightful exploration into its mechanisms of action against COVID-19.

Objectives: To comprehensively analyze the randomized controlled clinical trials of integrated traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and western medicine in the treatment of metabolic syndrome (MetS), and to explore the clinical efficacy and safety of different TCM combined with western medicine for MetS. The purpose of this study is to provide specific suggestions for clinical guidance in the treatment of MetS. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted across several databases, including China Knowledge Network, Wanfang Data, VIP Information, China Biomedical Literature Service System, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science, up to October 2023. The scope of this review was confined to RCTs focusing on the treatment of metabolic syndrome through an integrated approach of TCM and Western medicine. The primary efficacy endpoints analyzed were clinical efficacy, fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Data synthesis and analysis were performed using Stata 16 and RevMan 5.4 for both traditional and network meta-analyses. Results: The findings from both traditional and network meta-analyses reveal that the combination of JiangZhiHuoXue pills (JZHX) + Conventional Western Medicine (CWM) significantly reduces FBG levels. Similarly, the AnShenNingXin capsules (ASNX) + CWM combination markedly lowers TG levels, while the FuFangQiMa capsules (FFQM) + CWM combination shows enhanced efficacy in elevating HDL levels. Notably, the combination of KangNing capsules (KNJN) + CWM demonstrates a more pronounced clinical effect compared to CWM/placebo alone. Conclusions: The study concludes that the synergistic combination of TCM and Western medicine exhibits superior therapeutic benefits in treating MetS compared to CWM/Placebo treatments alone. The combinations of JZHX, AXNX, FFQM, and KNJN with CWM emerge as potentially effective treatments.

BackgroundCoatomer protein complex zeta 2 (COPZ2) is a member of heptameric coatomer protein complex I and has been reported to be involved in various tumors. However, COPZ2’s potential involvement in glioma remains to be explored.MethodsThe COPZ2 expression and related clinical data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). TIMER2.0 and the Ualcan database were utilized to assess the COPZ2 expression in various tumors. Univariable, multivariate Cox regression, Kaplan–Meier methods, nomogram analysis, and ROC curve analysis were carried out to assess the relationship of COPZ2 and other prognostic factors with glioma. The LinkedOmics database was used to predict the potential biological mechanism of COPZ2 in glioma. We also conducted in vitro experiments to evaluate the functional role and mechanism of COPZ2 in glioma cell lines.ResultsWe found that COPZ2 was highly expressed in glioma and it was associated with age and WHO grades. Kaplan–Meier survival curves, Cox analysis, nomogram analysis, and ROC curve showed that COPZ2 was a disadvantageous factor in poor glioma prognosis. The functions of COPZ2 and co-expression genes were significantly associated with neutrophil-mediated immunity, granulocyte activation, and response to interferon-gamma. In addition, COPZ2 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioblastoma cells. Mechanistically, COPZ2 suppressed tumor development by participating in the regulation of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway.ConclusionOur results demonstrated that the elevation of COPZ2 was associated with the prognosis and progression of glioma, and it might be a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for glioma.

Parkinson's disease can affect not only motor functions but also cognitive abilities, leading to cognitive impairment. One common issue in Parkinson's disease with cognitive dysfunction is the difficulty in executive functioning. Executive functions help us plan, organize, and control our actions based on our goals. The brain area responsible for executive functions is called the prefrontal cortex. It acts as the command center for the brain, especially when it comes to regulating executive functions. The role of the prefrontal cortex in cognitive processes is influenced by a chemical messenger called dopamine. However, little is known about how dopamine affects the cognitive functions of patients with Parkinson's disease. In this article, the authors review the latest research on this topic. They start by looking at how the dopaminergic system, is altered in Parkinson's disease with executive dysfunction. Then, they explore how these changes in dopamine impact the synaptic structure, electrical activity, and connection components of the prefrontal cortex. The authors also summarize the relationship between Parkinson's disease and dopamine-related cognitive issues. This information may offer valuable insights and directions for further research and improvement in the clinical treatment of cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease.

In recent years, the Piezo1 channel has attracted great attention. Piezo1’s research has made remarkable advance in many aspects. However, the overall trends and knowledge structures have not been systematically investigated from a worldwide viewpoint. Therefore, it is important to fill this knowledge gap and utilize a proper tool to show the research status, hotspots, and frontiers in the Piezo1 channel. In order to better investigate the hotspots and frontiers of the Piezo1 channel research, we retrieved relevant literature from Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) and applied CiteSpace to perform a bibliometric analysis. Our findings might serve as a reference for future research in this area.

This study focused on α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregation in the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) so as to investigate its role in the cognitive flexibility of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Here, we investigated the cognitive flexibility by assessing reversal learning abilities in MPTP-induced subacute PD model mice and in C57BL/6J mice with α-syn aggregation in the DMS induced by adenovirus (AAV-SNCA) injection, followed by an analysis of the target protein’s expression and distribution. PD mice exhibited impairments in reversal learning, positively correlated with the expression of phosphorylated α-syn in the DMS. Furthermore, the mice in the AAV-SNCA group exhibited reversal learning deficits and a reduction in acetylcholine levels, accompanied by protein alterations within the DMS. Notably, the administration of a muscarinic receptor 1 (M1R) agonist was able to alleviate the aforementioned phenomenon. These findings suggest that the impaired cognitive flexibility in PD may be attributed to the diminished activation of acetylcholine to M1R caused by α-syn aggregation.

Background: Neonicotinoids are the most widely used insecticides. Laboratory studies have suggested that neonicotinoids are one potential obesogen, but relevant data are limited in human. Objective: To examine the association between exposure to neonicotinoids and childhood obesity. Methods: We investigated 442 children in Shanghai, East China and measured eight neonicotinoids (thiamethoxam, clothianidin, acetamiprid, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, nitenpyram, dinotefuran, and imidaclothiz) and four metabolites (N-desmethyl-thiamethoxam, N-desmethyl-clothianidin, N-desmethyl-acetamiprid, and 5-OH-imidacloprid) in urine. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were used to identify general overweight/obesity and central obesity, respectively. Linear and logistic regression models based on generalized estimating equations were used to investigate the associations of urinary neonicotinoids and metabolites with BMI z-score, WC z-score, general overweight/obesity, and central obesity. Results: Children with a positive detection of clothianidin and its metabolite had a marginally higher BMI z-score (regression coefficient (β): 0.08, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.01, 0.14) after adjusted for relevant covariates. After creatinine-adjusted concentration was trichotomized, compared to children with a negative detection, children in the high urinary concentration of acetamiprid and its metabolite had a low BMI z-score (β: −0.19, 95%CI: −0.30, −0.08), children in the medium urinary concentration of neonicotinoids and metabolites other than thiamethoxam, clothianidin, acetamiprid, and their metabolites had a marginally higher BMI z-score (β: 0.25, 95%CI: 0.03, 0.46), a higher WC z-score (β: 0.24, 95%CI: 0.14, 0.33), and a higher odds of central obesity (odds ratio (OR): 2.16, 95% CI: 1.28, 3.63), and children in the medium urinary concentration of all neonicotinoids and metabolites had a higher odds of central obesity (OR: 1.55, 95%CI: 1.04, 2.33). Some associations showed sex- and age- related differences. Conclusion: Urinary neonicotinoids and metabolites were found to be differently associated with obesity-related indexes, which suggested that exposure to neonicotinoids might have a mixed effect on childhood obesity.

In recent years, AMPK channel has gained considerable attention in a variety of research areas, and several academic journals have published articles on AMPK research. However, few attempts have been made to thoroughly assess the scientific output and current status systematically in this topic from a worldwide viewpoint. As a result, it is critical to adopt an appropriate visualization method to reveal the global status, future research trends, and hotspots in AMPK channel research. To investigate research hotspots/frontiers in certain domains, bibliometric analysis has been frequently utilized to determine the productivity of nations, institutions, authors, and the frequency of keywords. In this work, we used CiteSpace and VOSviewer to conduct a bibliometric analysis of AMPK channel studies from 2012 to 2021 in order to perform researchers with some directions for AMPK channel research.

Aims/hypothesisThrough a comprehensive analysis of the clinical randomized controlled trials of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combined with conventional western medicine (CWM) in treating type 2 diabetes(T2DM) in the past ten years, the clinical efficacy and safety of different TCMs combined with CWM were explored. This study aimed to provide specific suggestions for clinical guidance on treating T2DM.MethodsA literature search was conducted in CNKI, WanFang, VIP, CBM, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. The search time was limited from 2010 to the present time. The literature type was a controlled clinical trial study of TCM combined with CWM intervention in treating T2DM. The outcome indices of the efficacy evaluation included fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2hPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), adverse reactions, and clinical efficacy. Stata 15 and RevMan 5.4 software were used to conduct a network meta-analysis and a traditional meta-analysis.ResultsThe results showed that shenqi jiangtang granule combined with sulfonylurea, shenqi jiangtang granules combined with metformin and jinlida granules combined with insulin had significant effects on reductions in FBG, 2hPG and clinical efficacy compared with western medicines alone, which included fasting blood glucose [MD=-2.17, 95%CI=(-2.50, -1.85)], blood sugar at 2 hours after a meal [MD=-1.94, 95%CI=(-2.23, -1.65)], and clinical curative effect [OR= 1.73, 95%CI=(0.59, 2.87)].ConclusionsTCM combined with CWM has a very significant effect on treating T2DM compared with CWM alone. According to the network meta-analysis, the best intervention measures of different TCMs for different outcome indicators were obtained.Systematic review registrationidentifier 42022350372.

Abstract Background The PIG-A gene mutation assay is a valuable tool for measuring in vivo gene mutations in blood cells. The human PIG-A assay, used as a potential genotoxicity biomarker, is minimally invasive, sensitive, and cost-efficient; however, the relationship between carcinogen exposure and PIG-A mutations is not well understood. Methods We investigated the genotoxic effect of red blood cells using PIG-A assay and lymphocyte cytokinesis-block micronucleus test in barbecue restaurant workers (N = 70) exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and self-identified healthy control subjects (N = 56). Urinary PAH metabolites were measured to evaluate internal exposure levels. Results Multivariate Poisson regression showed that the PAH-exposed workers exhibited significantly higher PIG-A mutant frequency (MF) (8.04 ± 6.81 × 10− 6) than did the controls (5.56 ± 5.26 × 10− 6) (RR = 0.707, 95% CI: 0.615–0.812, P

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the efficacy and safety of Chinese patent medicine in the treatment of blood glucose, blood lipid and insulin resistance in prediabetic patients through a meta-analysis of clinical trials. Methods: Randomized controlled trials of Chinese patent medicine in the treatment of prediabetes were searched in the databases of CNKI, WanFang, VIP, CBM, PubMed, Web of Science and Embase using the computer with the search deadline on June 2, 2022. The two researchers independently screened the literatures based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, insulin resistance index, blood lipids, prediabetes reversal rate and diabetes conversion rate were used as outcome indicators. The quality of the study was evaluated according to the Cochrane scale, and data were analyzed by RevMan software. Results: Sixteen clinical trial studies were eventually fitted into, and a meta-analysis was conducted on the included studies, and the final results showed as follows: Compared with conventional lifestyle intervention, the remedy of Chinese patent medicine intervention in prediabetes patients had significant effects on the outcome indicators, such as fasting blood glucose [MD = -0.36, 95%CI = (-0.45,-0.26), P < 0.00001], 2 h postprandial blood glucose [MD = -0.71, 95%CI = (-0.99,-0.42), P < 0.00001], glycated hemoglobin [MD = -0.33, 95%CI = (-0.48,-0.19), P < 0.00001], BMI [MD = -0.82, 95%CI = (-1.20,-0.44), P < 0.0001], insulin resistance index [MD = -0.20, 95%CI = (-0.29,-0.11), P < 0.00001], diabetes conversion rate [MD = 0.49, 95%CI = (0.34,0.70), P＜0.0001], and the differences were indicated as a statistically significant. However, the outcome indexes of TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C in blood lipid exhibited no significant effect, and no significant difference. Conclusions: The results indicated that Chinese patent medicine intervention could ameliorate the outcome indicators of prediabetes with significant efficacy and good safety. Its therapeutic effect was mainly manifested in blood glucose, insulin, body weight, and diabetes conversion rate. Chinese patent medicine maybe a promising avenue for prediabetes.

BackgroundDiabetic cardiomyopathy is one of the most life-threatening diabetic complications. However, the previous studies only discuss a particular aspect or characteristic of DCM, the current state and trends were explored by limited research. We aimed to perform a systemically bibliometric study of DCM research progress status in the past decade, visualize the internal conceptual structure and potential associations, and further explore the prospective study trends.MethodsArticles related to DCM published from January 2012 to December 2021 were collected in the Web of Science core collection (WoSCC) database on June 24, 2022. We exported all bibliographic records, including titles, abstracts, keywords, authorship, institutions, addresses, publishing sources, references, citation times, and year of publication. In addition, the journal Impact Factor and Hirsch index were obtained from the Journal Citation Report. We conducted the data screening, statistical analysis, and visualization via the Bibliometrix R package. VOS viewer software was employed to generate the collaboration network map among countries and institutions for better performance in visualization.ResultsIn total, 1,887 original research articles from 2012 to 2021 were identified. The number of annual publications rapidly increased from 107 to 278, and a drastic increase in citation times was observed in 2017–2019. As for global contributions, the United States was the most influential country with the highest international collaboration, while China was the most productive country. Professor Cai Lu was the most prolific author. Shandong University published the most articles. Cardiovascular Diabetology journal released the most DCM-related articles. “Metabolic Stress-induced Activation of FoxO1 Triggers Diabetic Cardiomyopathy in Mice” Battiprolu PK et al., J Clin Invest, 2012. was the most top-cited article regarding local citations. The top three keywords in terms of frequency were apoptosis, oxidative stress, and fibrosis. The analysis of future topic trends indicated that “Forkhead box protein O1,” “Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction,” “Dapagliflozin,” “Thioredoxin,” “Mitochondria dysfunction,” “Glucose,” “Pyroptosis,” “Cardiac fibroblast” and “Long non-coding RNA” could be promising hotspots.ConclusionThis study provides meaningful insights into DCM, which is expected to assist cardiologists and endocrinologists in exploring frontiers and future research directions in the domain through a refined and concise summary.

Parkinson’s disease with cognitive impairment (PD-CI) results in several clinical outcomes for which specific treatment is lacking. Although the pathogenesis of PD-CI has not yet been fully elucidated, it is related to neuronal plasticity decline in the hippocampus region. The dopaminergic projections from the substantia nigra to the hippocampus are critical in regulating hippocampal plasticity. Recently, aerobic exercise has been recognized as an effective therapeutic strategy for enhancing plasticity through the secretion of various muscle factors. The exact role of FNDC5—an upregulated, newly identified myokine produced after exercise—in mediating hippocampal plasticity and regional dopaminergic projections in PD-CI remains unclear. In this study, the effect of treadmill exercise on hippocampal synaptic plasticity was evaluated in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced chronic PD models. The results showed that treadmill exercise substantially alleviated the motor dysfunction, cognition disorder, and dopaminergic neuron degeneration induced by MPTP. Here, we discovered that the quadriceps, serum, and brain FNDC5 levels were lower in PD mice and that intervention with treadmill exercise restored FNDC5 levels. Moreover, treadmill exercise enhanced the synaptic plasticity of hippocampal pyramidal neurons via increased dopamine levels and BDNF in the PD mice. The direct protective effect of FNDC5 is achieved by promoting the secretion of BDNF in the hippocampal neurons via binding the integrin αVβ5 receptor, thereby improving synaptic plasticity. Regarding the indirect protection effect, FNDC5 promotes the dopaminergic connection from the substantia nigra to the hippocampus by mediating the interaction between the integrin αVβ5 of the hippocampal neurons and the CD90 molecules on the membrane of dopaminergic terminals. Our findings demonstrated that treadmill exercise could effectively alleviate cognitive disorders via the activation of the FNDC5–BDNF pathway and enhance the dopaminergic synaptic connection from SNpc to the hippocampus in the MPTP-induced chronic PD model.

Background: Constipation is a significant symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). Glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is important for the morphogenesis of the enteric nervous system and plays a critical role in the preservation of mucosal integrity under enteric glia surveillance. The aim of this work was to evaluate the serum levels of GDNF in patients with PD with and without constipation.Methods: This work included 128 patients with PD. The patients were classified into three groups: those with PD but no constipation (nCons-PD) (n = 49), those with prodromal stage constipation (Cons-Pro-PD) (n = 48), and those with clinical stage constipation (Cons-Clinic-PD) (n = 31). The association between serum GDNF concentration and constipation was explored using logical regression.Results: The nCons-PD group's mean GDNF levels were 528.44 pg/ml, which was higher than the Cons-Pro-PD group's 360.72 pg/ml and the Cons-Clinic-PD group's 331.36 pg/ml. The results of binary logistic regression indicated that GDNF was a protective factor in the prevention of constipation. Cons-Clinic-PD group had a higher score of MDS-UPDRS-II, MDS-UPDRS-III, MDS-UPDRS-IV, and a higher H-Y staging as compared with nCons-PD group. Relative to the nCons-PD group, Cons-Clinic-PD had higher NMSS scores, lower MoCA and PDSS scores, and were more likely to have RBD.Conclusions: GDNF serum levels are lower in patients with PD who are constipated. A low GDNF level is a potential risk factor for constipation in patients with PD.

Background: Laboratory studies have suggested that triclosan and triclocarban can influence energy metabolism by multiple mechanisms and are potential obesogens, but the effect on obesity risk has not been well investigated in human. Objective: To examine the associations of triclosan and triclocarban in urine with childhood obesity. Methods: We investigated 458 school children aged 7–11 years who entered a dynamic cohort of children established in Shanghai in 2019 and 2020. Triclosan and triclocarban were determined in first morning urine by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were used to identify general overweight/obesity and central obesity, respectively. Logistic regression and linear models of generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to investigate the association between urinary triclosan and triclocarban with obesity prevalence. Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, children with detectable triclocarban in urine had a higher proportion of general overweight/obesity (odds ratio (OR): 1.84; 95% confidential interval (95% CI): 1.19, 2.85) or central obesity (OR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.84). Compared to the low tertile, children in the median tertile of triclosan showed a higher proportion of central obesity (OR: 1.78; 95 %CI: 0.98, 3.24) and children in the high tertile of triclocarban had a higher proportion of general overweight/obesity (OR: 2.25; 95 %CI: 1.31, 3.88) and central obesity (OR: 2.08; 95 %CI: 1.12, 3.87). When the tertiles of triclocarban in urine were treated as a continuous variable, a positive exposure–response relationship was found with general overweight/obesity (OR: 1.50; 95 %CI: 1.15, 1.96) and central obesity (OR: 1.44; 95 %CI: 1.06, 1.95). Multiple linear regression showed a positive exposure–response relationship between triclocarban and BMI (β: 0.45; 95 %CI: 0.11, 0.80) values. Conclusion: Exposure to triclosan and triclocarban was associated with increased risk of childhood obesity. Given the cross-sectional design, more studies are needed to interrogate these findings.

Background: An extensive exposure to antibiotics has been confirmed in children, but the predictors and potential health risk remain unclear. Objective: To investigate the predictors of antibiotics in urine and potential health risk in children of Shanghai. Methods: We selected 284 school children aged 8–11 years from a central area of Shanghai, China, in 2017. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry was used to measure 20 antibiotics, including four human antibiotics (HAs), six veterinary antibiotics (VAs), 10 human/veterinary antibiotics (H/VAs), and three metabolites in first morning urine. Logistic regression model was used to examine the associations of 17 variables related to demographic and socioeconomic factors, recent antibiotic use, drinking water intake, food consumption, and anthropometric measurements with the detection frequency of HAs, VAs, or H/VAs in urine. After daily intake was estimated, health risk was assessed for VAs and H/VAs by using hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) based on microbiological or toxicological effects. Results: The detection frequencies of 20 antibiotics and three metabolites ranged from 0 to 27.8% with an overall detection frequency being 56.0%. The detection frequency of HAs increased with age and screen time at weekend. Sex, age, family income and screen time were positively associated with the detection frequencies of VAs and H/VAs. Children reporting antibiotic use in the past three months had a higher detection frequency of HAs. Children with a higher consumption frequency of dairy products had a higher detection frequency of VAs + H/VAs, but a lower detection frequency of HAs. An increased overall detection frequency of all antibiotics was seen in children with higher consumption frequencies of aquatic products, livestock and poultry meat, or milk and dairy products. HQ >1 was only found for ciprofloxacin (5.6%) and ofloxacin (0.4%) based on microbiological effect. HI >1 was found in 6.0% of children for microbiological effect and none was found for toxicological effect. Conclusions: Predictors for antibiotics in urine for children included sex, age, family income, screen time, clinical use, and animal-derived food consumption. There was potential health risk for children with exposure to antibiotics. Keywords: Antibiotic, Urine, Predictor, Health risk, Chinese children, Shanghai

Background: Recent studies have suggested an extensive exposure to neonicotinoids in human, but the information on predictors, sources, and health risk remains limited in children. Objective: To explore the predictors, sources, and health risk for exposure of Chinese school children to neonicotinoids by biomonitoring method. Methods: In 2019, 309 school children aged 7–11 years were selected from a dynamic cohort of children established in Shanghai, East China. Eight neonicotinoids and four metabolites were determined in first morning urine. After detailed information on demographic and socioeconomic indices, intake of drinking water, food consumption, and anthropometric measurements was collected, the predictors and sources of exposure to neonicotinoids were explored by binary and ordinal logistic regression models. Health risk was assessed by the hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) based on estimated daily exposure dose. Results: Six neonicotinoids (thiamethoxam, clothianidin, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, nitenpyram, and dinotefuran) and three metabolites (N-desmethyl-thiamethoxam, N-desmethyl-clothianidin, and N-desmethyl-acetamiprid) were detected in 81.3% of urine samples. Children in nuclear family or girls had a higher detection frequency of thiamethoxam. N-desmethyl-acetamiprid was more likely to be detected in children who were older, physically active, or obese. Parents' occupation was heterogeneously associated with the detection of thiamethoxam and clothianidin. Thiamethoxam and clothianidin were more likely to be detected in children consuming more fresh vegetables in all or its specific items of cabbage, nori, and kelp. N-desmethyl-acetamiprid was more likely to be detected in children who drank more tap water. The maximum HQ and HI were 0.3522 and 0.5187, respectively, and 2.8% of children had a HI between 0.1 and 1. Conclusion: Predictors for the exposure of children to neonicotinoids included demographic and socioeconomic factors, physical exercise, and relative body weight. Tap water and fresh vegetables were potential sources. A low risk was posed on children's health by the neonicotinoids.

Background: There is a continued debate and inconsistent findings in previous literature about the relationship of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) susceptibility as well as cognitive dysfunction. To substantiate this existing gap, we comprehensively examine COMT genotype effects on the development of PD and test the hypothesis that the Met158 allele of the COMT gene is associated with cognitive dysfunction by conducting a meta-analysis review.Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane databases search (18/30/08) yielded 49 included studies. Data were extracted by two reviewers and included COMT genotype, publication year, diagnostic status, ancestry, the proportion of male participants, and whether genotype frequencies were consistent with Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Unadjusted odds ratios (ORs) were used to derive pooled estimates of PD risk overall and in subgroups defined by ethnicity, gender, and onset of disease. Moreover, the association of certain cognitive domains in PD and COMT gene type was explored. Meta-analyses were performed using random-effect models and p value–based methods. All statistical tests were two-sided. The present study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018087323).Results: In the current studies, we found no association between COMT Val158/108Met polymorphism and PD susceptibility. However, the gender-stratified analyses revealed marginally significant effects in heterozygote model analyses in women (P = 0.053). In addition, stratification according to onset of PD also shows significant effects of COMT Val158/108Met polymorphism on late-onset population both in recessive (P = 0.017) and allelic (P = 0.017) genetic models. For the intelligence quotient (IQ) score and Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale III (UPDRS III), there was no evidence for genetic association, except in subgroup analyses in Asian populations (IQ score, P = 0.016; UPDRS III, P < 0.001).Conclusion: The COMT Val158/108Met polymorphism is associated with the risk for PD in female or late-onset PD. Methionine/methionine carriers of Asian population performed significantly worse than the valine allele carriers in IQ score and UPDRS III.

Neuronal migration is a critical process in the development of the nervous system. Defects in the migration of the neurons are associated with diseases like lissencephaly, subcortical band heterotopia (SBH), and pachygyria. Doublecortin (DCX) is an essential factor in neurogenesis and mutations in this protein impairs neuronal migration leading to several pathological conditions. Although, DCX is capable of modulating and stabilizing microtubules (MTs) to ensure effective migration, the mechanisms involved in executing these functions remain poorly understood. Meanwhile, there are existing gaps regarding the processes that underlie tumor initiation and progression into cancer as well as the ability to migrate and invade normal cells. Several studies suggest that DCX is involved in cancer metastasis. Unstable interactions between DCX and MTs destabilizes cytoskeletal organization leading to disorganized movements of cells, a process which may be implicated in the uncontrolled migration of cancer cells. However, the underlying mechanism is complex and require further clarification. Therefore, exploring the importance and features known up to date about this molecule will broaden our understanding and shed light on potential therapeutic approaches for the associated neurological diseases. This review summarizes current knowledge about DCX, its features, functions, and relationships with other proteins. We also present an overview of its role in cancer cells and highlight the importance of studying its gene mutations.

BACKGROUND: Lab studies have suggested that ubiquitous phthalate exposures are related to obesity, but relevant epidemiological studies are scarce, especially for children. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of phthalate exposures with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) in Chinese school children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three primary and three middle schools randomly selected from Changning District of Shanghai City of China in 2011-2012. According to the physical examination data in October, 2011, 124 normal weight, 53 overweight, and 82 obese students 8-15 years of age were randomly chosen from these schools on the basis of BMI-based age- and sex-specific criterion. First morning urine was collected in January, 2012, and fourteen urine phthalate metabolites (free plus conjugated) were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Multiple linear regression was used to explore the associations between naturally log-transformed urine phthalate metabolites and BMI or WC. RESULTS: The urine specific gravity-corrected concentrations of nine urine phthalate metabolites and five molar sums were positively associated with BMI or WC in Chinese school children after adjustment for age and sex. However, when other urine phthalate metabolites were included in the models together with age and sex as covariables, most of these significant associations disappeared except for mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) and monoethyl phthalate (MEP). Additionally, some associations showed sex- or age-specific differences. CONCLUSIONS: Some phthalate exposures were associated with BMI or WC in Chinese school children. Given the cross-sectional nature of this study and lack of some important obesity-related covariables, further studies are needed to confirm the associations.

Constipation is a common symptom in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and is often associated with depression. Enteric glial cells (EGCs) are crucial for regulating intestinal inflammation and colon motility, and their activation can lead to the death of intestinal neurons. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been recognized for its neuroprotective properties in various neurological disorders, including PD. This study explores the potential of GDNF in alleviating intestinal reactive gliosis and inflammation, thereby improving constipation and depressive behavior in a rat model of PD. A PD model was established via unilateral stereotaxic injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Five weeks post-injury, AAV5-GDNF (2 ~ 5 × 10 ^11 ) was intraperitoneally injected into experimental and control rats. Fecal moisture percentage (FMP) and colonic propulsion rate (CPPR) were used to evaluate colon motility. Colon-related inflammation and colonic epithelial morphology were assessed, and depressive behavior was analyzed one week before sampling. PD rats exhibited reduced colonic motility and GDNF expression, along with increased EGC reactivity and elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α. Additionally, there was an up-regulation of CX43 and a decrease in PGP 9.5 expression. The intraperitoneal injection of AAV-GDNF significantly protected colonic neurons by inhibiting EGC activation and down-regulating CX43. This treatment also led to a notable reduction in depressive-like symptoms in PD rats with constipation. GDNF effectively reduces markers of reactive gliosis and inflammation, and promotes the survival of colonic neurons, and improves colonic motility in PD rats by regulating CX43 activity. Furthermore, GDNF treatment alleviates depressive behavior, suggesting that GDNF or its agonists could be promising therapeutic agents for managing gastrointestinal and neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with PD., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

The core of clinic treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) is to enhance dopamine (DA) signaling within the brain. The regulation of dopamine transporter (DAT) is integral to this process. This study aims to explore the regulatory mechanism of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) on DAT, thereby gaining a profound understanding its potential value in treating PD. In this study, we investigated the effects of GDNF on both cellular and mouse models of PD, including the glycosylation and membrane transport of DAT detected by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting, DA signal measured by neurotransmitter fiber imaging technology, Golgi morphology observed by electron microscopic, as well as cognitive ability assessed by behavior tests. This study revealed that in animal trials, MPTP-induced Parkinson's Disease (PD) mice exhibited a marked decline in cognitive function. Utilizing ELISA and neurotransmitter fiber imaging techniques, we observed a decrease in dopamine levels and a significant reduction in the intensity of dopamine signal release in the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) of PD mice induced by MPTP. Intriguingly, these alterations were reversed by Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF). In cellular experiments, following MPP + intervention, there was a decrease in Gly-DAT modification in both the cell membrane and cytoplasm, coupled with an increase in Nongly-DAT expression and aggregation of DAT within the cytoplasm. Conversely, GDNF augmented DAT glycosylation and facilitated its membrane transport in damaged dopaminergic neurons, concurrently reversing the effects of GRASP65 depletion and Golgi fragmentation, thereby reducing the accumulation of DAT in the Golgi apparatus. Furthermore, overexpression of GRASP65 enhanced DAT transport in PD cells and mice, while suppression of GRASP65 attenuated the efficacy of GDNF on DAT. Additionally, GDNF potentiated the reutilization of neurotransmitters by the PFC presynaptic membrane, boosting the effective release of dopamine following a single electrical stimulation, ultimately ameliorating the cognitive impairments in PD mice.Therefore, we propose that GDNF enhances the glycosylation and membrane trafficking of DAT by facilitating the re-aggregation of the Golgi apparatus, thereby amplifying the utilization of DA signals. This ultimately leads to the improvement of cognitive abilities in PD mouse models. Our study illuminates, from a novel angle, the beneficial role of GDNF in augmenting DA utilization and cognitive function in PD, providing fresh insights into its therapeutic potential., (© 2024. The Author(s).)