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[Objective] The Yangtze River is an important ecological security barrier in China. Analyzing the spatial-temporal changes of ecosystem services and the driving force of land use change in the Yangtze River Basin is conducive to the coordinated development of ecology and economy in the region. [Methods] Based on remote sensing data from 2000 to 2020, the RUSLE model and the InVEST model were used to calculate the amount of soil retention, water yield, and carbon sequestration in the Yangtze River Basin. The Sen trend method and hotspot analysis method were used to analyze changes in ecosystem services. Partial correlation analysis was used to analyze the tradeoff-synergy relationships between services, and the reasons for change in ecosystem services were analyzed from the perspective of land use change. [Results] (1) From 2000 to 2020, the trends of change of average annual soil retention, water yield, and carbon sequestration in the basin were about 1.75 t/(hm2·a), -1.33×103 m3/(km2·a), and 1.62 gC/(m2·a). Except for water yield, which showed a decreasing trend in some areas, other services showed an increasing trend in most areas. The overall area of ecosystem services hotspots was expanded, especially those dominated by carbon sequestration and water yield services. (2) Soil retention and water yield were mainly in an insignificant tradeoff relationship, soil retention and carbon sequestration were mainly in a significant synergistic relationship, and carbon sequestration and water yield were mainly in an insignificant synergistic relationship. (3) The conversion from cropland to forestland had a greater impact on soil conservation services, the conversion from cropland to grassland had a greater impact on carbon sequestration services, and the conversion from grassland to cropland had a greater impact on water yield services. (4) Soil retention, water yield, and carbon sequestration services tended to be synergistic when cropland was converted to forest and grass areas, and tended to be tradeoff when the forest and grass areas were turned to cropland. [Conclusion] The ecosystem services in the Yangtze River Basin have improved in general. The increase in forest and grass area in land use change had a positive effect on the improvement of ecosystem services and the coordinated development between services. The game between land development and ecological protection has led to dynamic changes in ecosystem services. Considering the importance of regional economic development, it is necessary to balance development and protection, and achieve green and sustainable development.

Aim: To investigate the effect of metabolic syndrome (MetS), genetic predisposition, and their interactions, on the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: Cohort analyses included 287 868 participants from the UK Biobank Study. A genetic risk score for COPD was created using 277 single nucleotide polymorphisms. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for COPD in relation to exposure factors. Results: During 2 658 936 person‐years of follow‐up, 5877 incident cases of COPD were documented. Compared with participants without MetS, those with MetS had a higher risk of COPD (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.17‐1.32). Compared to participants with low genetic predisposition, those with high genetic predisposition had a 17% increased risk of COPD. In the joint analysis, compared with participants without MetS and low genetic predisposition, the HR for COPD for those with MetS and high genetic predisposition was 1.50 (95% CI 1.36‐1.65; P < 0.001). However, no significant interaction between MetS and genetic risk was found. Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome was found to be associated with an increased risk of COPD, regardless of genetic risk. It is crucial to conduct further randomized control trials to determine whether managing MetS and its individual components can potentially reduce the likelihood of developing COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This study aimed to examine the interactions between ultraprocessed food (UPF) consumption and genetic predisposition with the risk of gout. Methods This prospective cohort study analysed 181 559 individuals from the UK Biobank study who were free of gout at baseline. UPF was defined according to the NOVA classification. Assessment of genetic predisposition for gout was developed from a genetic risk score of 33 single nucleotide polymorphisms. Cox proportional hazards were used to estimate the associations between UPF consumption, genetic predisposition and the risk of gout. Results Among the 181 559 individuals in the study, 1558 patients developed gout over 1 648 167 person-years of follow-up. In the multivariable adjustment model, compared with the lowest quartile of UPF consumption, the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI of the highest UPF consumption was 1.16 (1.01, 1.33) for gout risk, and there was a non-linear correlation between UPF consumption and the development of gout. In substitution analyses, replacing 20% of the weight of UPF in the daily intake with an equal amount of unprocessed or minimally processed food resulted in a 13% lower risk of gout (HR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.79, 0.95). In the joint-effect analysis, the HR (95% CI) for gout was 1.90 (1.39, 2.60) in participants with high genetic predisposition and high UPF consumption, compared with those with low genetic predisposition and low UPF consumption. Conclusion In summary, UPF consumption was found to be associated with a higher risk of gout, particularly in those participants with genetic predisposition to gout. Our study indicated that reducing UPF consumption is crucial for gout prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Key Ecological Function Zones (NKEFZ) serve as crucial ecological security barriers in China, playing a vital role in enhancing ecosystem services. This study employed the theoretical framework of ecological benefits assessment in major ecological engineering projects. The primary focus was on the ecosystem macrostructure, ecosystem quality, and key ecosystem services, enabling quantitative analysis of the spatiotemporal changes in the ecosystem status of the NKEFZ from 2000 to 2019. To achieve this, remote sensing data, meteorological data, and model simulations were employed to investigate five indicators, including land use types, vegetation coverage, net primary productivity of vegetation, soil conservation services, water conservation services, and windbreak and sand fixation services. The analysis incorporated the Theil–Sen Median method to construct an evaluation system for assessing the restoration status of ecosystems, effectively integrating ecosystem quality and ecosystem services indicators. The research findings indicated that land use changes in NKEFZ were primarily characterized by the expansion of unused land and the in of grassland. The overall ecosystem quality of these zones improved, showing a stable and increasing trend. However, there were disparities in the changes related to ecosystem services. Water conservation services exhibited a decreasing trend, while soil conservation and windbreak and sand fixation services showed a steady improvement. The ecosystem of the NKEFZ, in general, displayed a stable and recovering trend. However, significant spatial heterogeneity existed, particularly in the southern region of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and at the border areas between western Sichuan and northern Yunnan, where some areas still experienced deteriorating ecosystem conditions. Compared to other functional zones, the trend in the ecosystem of the NKEFZ might not have been the most favorable. Nonetheless, this could be attributed to the fact that most of these areas were situated in environmentally fragile regions, and conservation measures may not have been as effective as in other functional zones. These findings highlighted the considerable challenges ahead in the construction and preservation of the NKEFZ. In future development, the NKEFZ should leverage their unique natural resources to explore distinctive ecological advantages and promote the development of eco-friendly economic industries, such as ecological industry, ecological agriculture, and eco-tourism, transitioning from being reliant on external support to self-sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Both absolute (kg) and relative (kg per kg of body weight) handgrip strength (HGS) have been used as indicators of HGS. Multiple studies have explored HGS associations with type 2 diabetes (T2DM); however, prognostic values were inconsistent. We aimed to examine the associations between both absolute and relative HGS and incident T2DM. Methods A total of 12,957 participants aged 40 years and older (mean age 51.0 years, 58.4% men) were followed and enrolled in the Tianjin Chronic Low-grade Systemic Inflammation and Health (TCLSIH) Cohort Study. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine the association of HGS with incident T2DM. Other prospective studies on HGS and risk of T2DM were identified by searching several electronic databases up to November 31, 2021. Meta-analysis was performed by combining the results from the TCLSIH study and previous prospective cohort studies. Results From the TCLSIH Cohort study, after adjustment, relative HGS was inversely associated with T2DM (hazard ratio per 0.1 higher relative HGS 0.667, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.616, 0.722). However, no significant association between absolute HGS and incident T2DM was found. The meta-analyses showed that per 5 kg higher HGS was associated with a 5% (95% CI 2%, 8%) lower risk of T2DM and each 0.1 higher relative HGS was associated with a 22% (95% CI 14%, 29%) lower risk of T2DM. Conclusion The results from our cohort study and meta-analysis suggest that relative HGS was better than absolute HGS in predicting incident T2DM. Adiposity was an important factor that mediates the association between HGS and T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]