Objective:To study the relationship between the levels of multiple elements in urine and the risk of arsenic poisoning in populations exposed to drinking water arsenic in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (Inner Mongolia).Methods:From April 2023 to January 2024, a case-control study method was used to select 128 individuals with a residence time of ≥10 years in drinking water arsenic exposed areas in Inner Mongolia as study subjects. Eighty-one individuals diagnosed with arsenic poisoning were selected as the case group, and 47 healthy individuals were selected as the control group for urine sample collection and questionnaire survey. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was employed to determine the levels of 10 elements (chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, molybdenum, cadmium and lead) in urine. The levels of each element in urine were divided into four groups ( Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups) based on quartiles. The associations between the levels of various elements in urine and the risk of arsenic poisoning were studied using binary logistic regression model and restricted cubic spline (RCS). Results:The age of the control group and the case group [ M ( Q1, Q3)] were 61 (53, 69) and 61 (56, 67) years old, respectively. There were 19 and 43 males, and 28 and 38 females, respectively. There was no statistically significant differences in age and and gender composition between the two groups ( Z = - 0.39, P = 0.700; χ 2 = 1.91, P = 0.167). The levels of urinary copper and cadmium of the case group were higher than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z = - 2.66, - 2.16, P < 0.05). The results of univariate logistic regression analysis showed that urinary copper was an influencing factor for arsenic poisoning ( P = 0.017). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that after adjusting for covariates, urinary copper and arsenic were independent influencing factors of arsenic poisoning ( P < 0.05). Taking Q1 group as a reference, urinary copper in Q3 group [ OR (95% CI) = 8.23 (1.81, 37.39), P = 0.006] increased the risk of arsenic poisoning, while urinary arsenic in Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups [ OR (95% CI) = 0.24 (0.06, 0.92), 0.12 (0.03, 0.53), 0.15 (0.04, 0.63), P < 0.05] decreased the risk of arsenic poisoning. After adjusting for covariates, RCS did not show a dose-response relationship between urinary copper, urinary arsenic, and arsenic poisoning ( P > 0.05). Conclusion:Urinary arsenic and copper are associated with the risk of arsenic poisoning in the drinking water arsenic exposed areas of Inner Mongolia, copper exposure may contribute significantly to arsenic poisoning.

Objective:To investigate the influencing factors of adult dental fluorosis in drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis areas of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.Methods:A case-control study was conducted in January 2024 to select adult fluorosis patients (case group) and healthy individuals (control group) from the drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis areas in Helinger County, Hohhot City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region as the survey subjects. Urine samples were collected to determine urinary fluoride concentration. A questionnaire survey was conducted. SPSS 25.0 software was used for χ 2 test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) was used to analyze the association between urinary fluoride concentration and the risk of dental fluorosis in adults. Results:A total of 161 individuals were included in the survey, including 100 in the case group and 61 in the control group. The results of univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in the distribution of gender, smoking, and urinary fluoride concentration between the case group and the control group (χ 2 = 7.54, 5.02, 9.69, P < 0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that gender ( OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.18 - 0.73, P = 0.005) and urinary fluoride concentration ( OR = 3.08, 95% CI: 1.46 - 6.67, P = 0.003) were the influencing factors of adult fluorosis. RCS analysis showed a significant linear dose-response relationship between the risk of dental fluorosis and urinary fluoride concentration ( Poverall trend = 0.001, Pnonlinear = 0.071). When the urinary fluoride concentration was greater than 1.57 mg/L, the risk of dental fluorosis increased with the increase of urinary fluoride concentration. Conclusion:Gender and urinary fluoride concentration are the risk factors of dental fluorosis in adults in drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis areas of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Objective:To investigate the influencing factors of adult dental fluorosis in drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis areas of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.Methods:A case-control study was conducted in January 2024 to select adult fluorosis patients (case group) and healthy individuals (control group) from the drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis areas in Helinger County, Hohhot City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region as the survey subjects. Urine samples were collected to determine urinary fluoride concentration. A questionnaire survey was conducted. SPSS 25.0 software was used for χ 2 test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) was used to analyze the association between urinary fluoride concentration and the risk of dental fluorosis in adults. Results:A total of 161 individuals were included in the survey, including 100 in the case group and 61 in the control group. The results of univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in the distribution of gender, smoking, and urinary fluoride concentration between the case group and the control group (χ 2 = 7.54, 5.02, 9.69, P < 0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that gender ( OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.18 - 0.73, P = 0.005) and urinary fluoride concentration ( OR = 3.08, 95% CI: 1.46 - 6.67, P = 0.003) were the influencing factors of adult fluorosis. RCS analysis showed a significant linear dose-response relationship between the risk of dental fluorosis and urinary fluoride concentration ( Poverall trend = 0.001, Pnonlinear = 0.071). When the urinary fluoride concentration was greater than 1.57 mg/L, the risk of dental fluorosis increased with the increase of urinary fluoride concentration. Conclusion:Gender and urinary fluoride concentration are the risk factors of dental fluorosis in adults in drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis areas of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Objective:To study the relationship between the levels of multiple elements in urine and the risk of arsenic poisoning in populations exposed to drinking water arsenic in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (Inner Mongolia).Methods:From April 2023 to January 2024, a case-control study method was used to select 128 individuals with a residence time of ≥10 years in drinking water arsenic exposed areas in Inner Mongolia as study subjects. Eighty-one individuals diagnosed with arsenic poisoning were selected as the case group, and 47 healthy individuals were selected as the control group for urine sample collection and questionnaire survey. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was employed to determine the levels of 10 elements (chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, molybdenum, cadmium and lead) in urine. The levels of each element in urine were divided into four groups ( Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups) based on quartiles. The associations between the levels of various elements in urine and the risk of arsenic poisoning were studied using binary logistic regression model and restricted cubic spline (RCS). Results:The age of the control group and the case group [ M ( Q1, Q3)] were 61 (53, 69) and 61 (56, 67) years old, respectively. There were 19 and 43 males, and 28 and 38 females, respectively. There was no statistically significant differences in age and and gender composition between the two groups ( Z = - 0.39, P = 0.700; χ 2 = 1.91, P = 0.167). The levels of urinary copper and cadmium of the case group were higher than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z = - 2.66, - 2.16, P < 0.05). The results of univariate logistic regression analysis showed that urinary copper was an influencing factor for arsenic poisoning ( P = 0.017). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that after adjusting for covariates, urinary copper and arsenic were independent influencing factors of arsenic poisoning ( P < 0.05). Taking Q1 group as a reference, urinary copper in Q3 group [ OR (95% CI) = 8.23 (1.81, 37.39), P = 0.006] increased the risk of arsenic poisoning, while urinary arsenic in Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups [ OR (95% CI) = 0.24 (0.06, 0.92), 0.12 (0.03, 0.53), 0.15 (0.04, 0.63), P < 0.05] decreased the risk of arsenic poisoning. After adjusting for covariates, RCS did not show a dose-response relationship between urinary copper, urinary arsenic, and arsenic poisoning ( P > 0.05). Conclusion:Urinary arsenic and copper are associated with the risk of arsenic poisoning in the drinking water arsenic exposed areas of Inner Mongolia, copper exposure may contribute significantly to arsenic poisoning.

Objective:To investigate the arsenic metabolism pattern and possible influencing factors in the population in drinking-water-borne endemic arsenic poisoning (drinking-water-borne arsenic poisoning for short) areas.Methods:In December 2004, a cluster sampling method was used to select arsenic poisoning population (arsenic poisoning group) and healthy population (control group) in drinking-water-borne arsenic poisoning area of Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region as the survey subjects. A questionnaire survey was conducted. Arsenic content in drinking water at home of survey subjects, the levels of urinary arsenic and its metabolites, including [trivalent arsenic (As Ⅲ), inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylarsenic acid (pentavalent, MMA V), dimethylarsenic acid (pentavalent, DMA V), total arsenic (tAs), percentage of inorganic arsenic (iAs%), percentage of monomethylarsenic acid (MMA%), percentage of dimethylarsenic acid (DMA%), primary methylation index (PMI), secondary methylation index (SMI)] were tested using high performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; nail arsenic and nail selenium levels were tested using atomic fluorescence spectrometer. The influencing factors of arsenic metabolism pattern were analyzed by multiple linear regression. Results:A total of 536 survey subjects were included, including 155 individuals in the arsenic poisoning group and 381 in the control group. The water arsenic level ranged from 0.0 to 825.7 μg/L. Compared with the control group, there was no significant difference in the distribution of gender, education level and dental fluorosis in the arsenic poisoning group ( P > 0.05), but there were significant differences in the distribution of age, marital status, smoking, drinking and water arsenic ( P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the levels of urinary As Ⅲ, iAs, MMA V, DMA V, tAs, MMA%, MMA/DMA and nail arsenic in the arsenic poisoning group were higher ( P < 0.05), while the levels of urinary DMA%, SMI and nail selenium were lower ( P < 0.05); but there was no statistically significant difference in the levels of urinary iAs% and PMI ( P > 0.05). Gender, education level, depth of wells, water arsenic, total number of wells and nail arsenic were the influencing factors of urinary As Ⅲ (β = - 19.82, - 23.83, 0.61, 0.21, 7.26, 2.98, P < 0.05). Age, depth of wells, water arsenic and nail arsenic were the influencing factors of urinary tAs (β = 3.18, 3.25, 1.31, 15.59, P < 0.05). Gender, education level, depth of wells, water arsenic, total number of wells and nail arsenic were the influencing factors of urinary iAs (β = - 20.47, - 25.90, 0.64, 0.25, 7.87, 3.11, P < 0.05). Age, gender, education level, water arsenic and nail arsenic were the influencing factors of urinary MMA V (β = 0.52, - 17.07, - 21.84, 0.22, 2.77, P < 0.05). Age, depth of wells, water arsenic and nail arsenic were the influencing factors of urinary DMA V (β = 2.35, 2.47, 0.85, 9.22, P < 0.05). Conclusions:Compared with healthy individuals, there are differences in arsenic metabolism pattern among individuals with drinking-water-borne arsenic poisoning. Age, gender, education level, depth of wells, water arsenic, total number of wells and nail arsenic may be influencing factors of different arsenic metabolism patterns.

Objective:To analyze the main causes of death of residents in arsenic poisoning areas of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, providing a scientific basis for preventing and controlling the long-term effects of arsenic poisoning and ensuring the health of residents.Methods:The data on the causes of death among residents in arsenic poisoning areas of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2016 to 2021 were collected from the population death information registration management system and the population information system of various league and city statistical bureaus in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Residents were divided into exposed and non exposed groups based on whether they drank high arsenic water. SPSS 25.0 software was used to statistically analyze the crude mortality rate (CDR), standardized mortality rate (SMR), disease-specific mortality rate, proportion of causes of death, and order of causes of death.Results:Over the past 6 years, there was a total of 9 583 deaths, with an average annual CDR of 633.12/100 000 and an average annual SMR of 446.65/100 000. The CDR of each year showed a decreasing trend over time (χ 2 = 1 058.86, P < 0.001). Male CDR was higher than female CDR (χ 2 = 325.04, P < 0.001). Heart diseases and malignant tumors were the main causes of death for residents in arsenic poisoning areas, with proportions of 25.00% (2 396/9 583) and 18.86% (1 807/9 583), respectively. The top three leading causes of malignant tumor death were lung cancer, liver cancer and gastric cancer. Among residents who died from various diseases and malignant tumors, the SMR of the exposed group was higher than that of the non exposed group (χ 2 = 147.08, 26.26, P < 0.001). Conclusions:The main causes of death of residents in arsenic poisoning areas in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region are heart diseases and malignant tumors, with lung cancer, liver cancer, and gastric cancer being the top three leading causes of death for malignant tumors. Although the arsenic poisoning areas in the entire region have basically achieved water improvement, the long-term effects of chronic arsenic exposure still exist.

Objective:To investigate the association of time in range with metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD) and advanced liver fibrosis in patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods:This study was a retrospective study. A total of 494 type 2 diabetic patients were recruited in the Department of Endocrinololgy of Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from November 2019 to April 2022. Time in range(TIR) was calculated with continuous glucose monitoring data. Abdominal ultrasound scan was used to diagnose fatty liver. Liver stiffness measurement(LSM) by transient elastography was used to evaluate liver fibrosis. Pearson and multivariate linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between TIR and LSM. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association of TIR with risk of MAFLD and advanced liver fibrosis.Results:Pearson correlation analysis showed that LSM was negatively correlated with TIR( r=-0.86, P<0.001) and was positively correlated with homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance(HOMA-IR; r=0.48, P<0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, multivariate linear regression analysis showed that TIR significantly negatively predicted LSM( β=-0.75, P<0.001), and HOMA-IR significantly positively predicted LSM( β=0.21, P=0.025). After adjusting for confounding factors, logistic regression analysis showed that compared with TIR Q4 patients, TIR Q1 patients had an increased risk of MAFLD( OR=1.96, 95% CI 1.07-3.62, P=0.027), advanced liver fibrosis( OR=3.82, 95% CI 1.17-12.50, P=0.027), and HOMA-IR was an independent risk factor for MAFLD( OR=1.22, 95% CI 1.04-1.43, P=0.005) and advanced liver fibrosis( OR=1.26, 95% CI 1.03-1.54, P=0.025). Conclusions:TIR and insulin resistance are independent risk factors for MAFLD and advanced liver fibrosis in patients with type 2 diabetes. TIR has a significant predictive value for MAFLD and advanced liver fibrosis.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the outcome of skin injury and urinary arsenic methylation metabolism levels in people exposed to arsenic through drinking water.Methods:Using cluster sampling method, permanent residents from drinking-water-borne endemic arsenic poisoning areas in Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were selected as survey subjects in 2004 (before water improvement). In 2017 (after water improvement), 74 survey subjects from 2004 were tracked and followed up. Urine samples were collected from survey subjects and high-performance liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to detect the levels of arsenic methylation metabolites in urine. According to the "Diagnosis of Endemic Arsenic Poisoning" (WS/T 211-2015), the clinical grading (normal, suspicious, mild, moderate and severe) of skin injury of the survey subjects and the outcome of 2017 (improved, unchanged, aggravated) were assessed. A database was established and SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results:The clinical grading ratios of skin injuries among survey subjects in 2004 and 2017 were compared, the differences were statistically significant (normal, suspicious, mild, moderate and severe: 38, 18, 4, 14 cases in 2004 and 27, 31, 3, 13 cases in 2017, χ 2 = 53.02, P < 0.001). Compared with 2004, in 2017, the levels of total arsenic (tAs), inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylarsenic (MMA), dimethylarsenic (DMA), percentage of inorganic arsenic (iAs%), and ratio of monomethylarsenic to dimethylarsenic (MMA/DMA) in the urine of survey subjects were low, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z = - 8.24, - 9.07, - 7.81, - 8.04, - 8.24, - 3.56, P < 0.001). The levels of dimethylarsenic percentage (DMA%), monomethylation rate (PMI) and dimethylation rate (SMI) were higher, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z = - 6.39, - 8.24, - 3.52, P < 0.001). In 2004, patients with different clinical grading of skin injuries had different outcomes in 2017 (χ 2 = 30.80, P < 0.001). There were statistically significant differences in tAs, iAs, MMA and DMA variation in urine among skin injury patients with different outcomes ( H = 10.62, 9.35, 8.80, 9.13, P < 0.05). Conclusions:Improving water can significantly reduce the levels of tAs, iAs, MMA, and DMA in the urine of arsenic exposed individuals. The outcome of skin injury in individuals exposed to arsenic through drinking water is related to the variation of urinary arsenic methylation metabolites tAs, iAs, MMA, and DMA.

Objective:To investigate the association between time in target range and risk of vertebral fracture in patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods:The clinical data of 1 032 patients with type 2 diabetes who were hospitalized in endocrine department of Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from June 2017 to July 2021 were collected. Among which 632 patients were included into final analysis. The diabetes-specific risk score for vertebral fracture was used to assess the risk of vertebral fracture. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to test the association between time in target range and risk score of vertebral fracture. Risk score≥9 was defined as increased risk of vertebral fracture. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the association between time in target range and risk of vertebral fracture. Results:Among the included patients, mean age was(55.0±12.4) years and the percent of male was 72.5%. The mean course of diabetes was(9.4±8.0) years, and mean score of risk of vertebral fracture was 5.6±4.3. Time in target range was negatively correlated with risk score of vertebral fracture( P for trend <0.001), which was independent of potential confounders and continuous glucose monitoring parameters. The included patients were divided into four groups based on quartiles of time in target range. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that the risk of vertebral fracture in the first quartile of time in target range was 4.6 times higherthanthatinthe4thquartile, and the significance remained adjusted for potential confounders, s, CV, or meanamplitudeofglycemicexcursions(MAGE), respectively. Conclusion:Timein target rangewasnegativelycorrelatedwithriskscoreofvertebralfracturein patient with type 2 diabetes. Low time in range level was an independent risk factor for increased risk of vertebral fracture.

Objective:To investigate the association of time in range(TIR) with the severity of coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndrome in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods:A total of 216 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease were recruited and undergone anthropometric and biochemical measurements, continuous glucose monitoring, and calculation of SYNTAX score. TIR was defined as the percentage of time within the glucose range of 3.9-10.0 mmol/L during 24 h. Spearman correlation analysis and multivariate linear regression analysis were used to evaluate the correlation factors of SYNTAX score. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association of TIR with the severity of coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndrome. Results:Compared with patients with mild coronary artery disease, TIR in patients with moderate to severe coronary artery disease was lower[(69.4±17.3)% vs (60.8±17.8)%, t=3.0, P=0.003], and HbA 1C of patients with moderate to severe coronary artery disease was higher [(9.6±1.7)% vs (8.8±1.6)%, t=3.3, P=0.001]. SYNTAX score was negatively correlated with TIR ( r=-0.251, P<0.01) and positively correlated with HbA 1C ( r=0.249, P<0.01). Moreover, compared with HbA 1C (standardized coefficients=0.181, P=0.007), TIR (standardized coefficients=-0.192, P=0.004) had a greater influence on SYNTAX score. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that TIR, HbA 1C, duration of diabetes and smoking were independently correlated with SYNTAX score. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that compared with TIR Q1, Q3 and Q4 were independent protective factors for moderate to severe coronary artery disease (respectively, OR=0.61 and 0.59, 95% CI 0.39-0.96 and 0.38-0.94, P=0.014 and 0.009) and acute coronary syndrome (respectively, OR=0.51 and 0.39, 95% CI 0.32-0.95 and 0.26-0.75, P=0.022 and 0.008). Conclusion:TIR was significantly and independently correlated with the severity of coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndrome in type 2 diabetes mellitus after controlling confounding factors. When TIR level was decreased, the severity of coronary artery disease was aggravated, and SYNTAX score and the risk of acute coronary syndrome was increased.