Objective: To evaluate the implementation process of a school-family collaborative "online+offline" tobacco control intervention program in junior high school in Beijing and to explore the execution status, influencing factors and sustainability potential of the intervention, so as to provide evidence for optimizing youth tobacco control strategies. Methods: In November 2024, using the random number table method, four first year junior high school classes were selected from three schools each in Fengtai District, Tongzhou District, and Fangshan District of Beijing. One class served as the control group, while the other three classes were designated as intervention groups (one each for online intervention, offline intervention, and combined online offline intervention). The control group received only conventional education.The online intervention group was engaged in WeChat push interventions, including watching micro videos, viewing promotional materials, participating in online quizzes and mini games; the offline intervention group attended knowledge lectures, played peer games, and participated in offline knowledge competitions; the combined online offline intervention group integrated all the aforementioned online and offline intervention measures. The intervention period was from November 2024 to June 2025, spanning a total of 7 months. Based on the Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model(PRISM) framework, a qualitative research design was employed to conduct semi structured interviews with 48 participants (12 in each of the intervention groups and 12 organizational staff members) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 3 districts and 3 sampled schools. The interview outlines were designed according to the intervention plan. Data was managed using Nvivo 12.0 software and analyzed following Colaizzi s seven step phenomenological analysis method. Theoretical saturation was assessed using a reserved subset of transcripts. Results: Four core themes were identified in the tobacco control intervention process. Overall fidelity of intervention implementation was largely consistent with the original plan, and students showed strong willingness and positive evaluations toward interactive formats such as knowledge contests and peer games, though occasional breakdowns in school-family communication and blurred boundaries between online and offline components were observed; the participants showed a polarized response in terms of satisfaction and participation, most students and parents recognized the significance of the activity, and some parents observed a reduction in smoking behavior; the implementation of internal tobacco control policies in the school was strict, and the atmosphere was favorable, but there was still room for improvement, such as the scarcity of community tobacco control activities and the difficulty in implementing smoke free units; implementation and sustainability infrastructure were preliminarily established, such as through homeroom teacher supervision and training student assistants to assisted in activities, while the sustainability support system required further refinement. Conclusion The school-family collaborative "online+offline" tobacco control intervention has demonstrated significant positive effects, but further optimization of activity design, enhancement of community reward mechanisms, and standardized training are required to improve the efficacy and sustainability of the intervention.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and their associated factors among students in Zhejiang Province, so as to provide evidence for targeted prevention strategies. Methods: A stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 23 829 college students and primary and secondary school students aged 11-22 years in Zhejiang Province from December 2019 to February 2020. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Three machine learning algorithms, including Logistic regression, random forest, and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), were applied to construct predictive models, and key associated factors were identified by comparing model performance. Results: The detection rate of depressive symptoms among students in Zhejiang Province was 19.92%; the rates were 17.20% in boys and 22.87% in girls( χ 2=164.89, P <0.05). The CES-D total score was 9.00(4.00,13.00). Multiple Logistic regression analysis revealed that loneliness had the strongest association with depressive symptoms ( AOR =9.58, 95% CI =8.90-10.30), while bullying exposure ( AOR =4.39, 95% CI =4.02-4.80), female students( AOR =1.81, 95% CI =1.68-1.94)，never eating breakfast ( AOR = 2.34，95% CI =2.00-2.67) and overweight/obesity( AOR =1.10，95% CI =1.08-1.12) were significant associated factors of depressive symptoms among students (all P <0.05). Analysis based on the XGBoost model produced highly consistent results, identifying the above 5 factors as the core features with the highest correlation strength (all P <0.05). Conclusions Female, loneliness, bullying exposure, frequency of weekly breakfast and BMI are strongly associated with depressive symptoms among students. Mental health education for high risk groups should be strengthened, and coordinated prevention efforts between families and schools are recommended.

Tuberculosis (TB), a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is primarily airborne and remains a global health problem, especially in resource-limited countries and regions. The emergence of drug resistance in M. tuberculosis has rendered the existing means ineffective in the treatment of TB. Therefore, research in new therapeutic directions has become imperative. In this review, we outline functional peptides in terms of the mechanisms of action, anti-TB attempts, advantages and disadvantages, and latest advances, aiming to analyze the research progress in anti-TB peptides. Furthermore, we investigate the potential applications of bioactive compounds found in traditional Chinese Medicine within the context of peptides.

An efficient analytical method was developed for simultaneous detection of alkylamines and alkylamides in food packaging plastics using liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry(LC-HRMS).Based on the physicochemical properties of alkylamines and alkylamides,as well as the complexity of plastic samples,sample pretreatment and chromatographic-mass spectrometric parameters were optimized.The samples were extracted by vortex-ultrasonic extraction with a methanol-acetonitrile mixture for 15 min,followed by nitrogen evaporation to concentrate the extract,reconstitution,and analysis.The chromatographic mobile phase consisted of 0.1%formic acid aqueous solution and acetonitrile,and a gradient elution was used.The electrospray ionization(ESI)source was operated in positive ion mode,and mass spectrometry data were collected in full scan and data-dependent acquisition modes.Quantification was performed using an isotope-labeled internal standard method.The results showed that within the quantification range of 1-1000 ng/mL,the calibration curves exhibited good linearity(R2>0.99).Some compounds interfered with the validation experiments at higher concentrations,so only 10 kinds of target analytes were validated.Using a mixed food packaging plastic matrix,the recoveries at spiking levels of 40,400,and 4000 ng/g were mostly between 66.0%and 117.1%,with relative standard deviations ranging from 0.6%to 10.6%.The method was applied to detect 14 food packaging plastic samples,and the results showed that the concentrations of alkylamines and alkylamides ranged from not detected to 8924 ng/g.This method offered high sensitivity and accuracy,and was suitable for the screening and quantitative determination of alkylamines and alkylamides in plastics.

Objective:To investigate the protective effects of p53/glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) regulation on cardiomyocyte injury induced by high glucose combined with hypoxia/reoxygenation.Methods:Human myocardial AC16 cells were treated with 33 mmol/L glucose and a hypoxic chamber to establish an in vitro model of high glucose combined with hypoxia/reoxygenation. Based on the glucose concentration in the medium and hypoxia/reoxygenation conditions, AC16 cells were divided into control group, high glucose group, hypoxia/reoxygenation group and high glucose combined with hypoxia/reoxygenation group. On the basis of high glucose combined with hypoxia/reoxygenation group, cells were transfected with empty vector, p53 small interfering RNA (siRNA), and co-transfected with p53 and GLUT4 siRNA to establish negative control group, sip53 transfection group, and sip53+siGLUT4 transfection group, respectively. Western blotting was used to detect the levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), p53, GLUT4, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), mitofusin 2 (Mfn2), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) and cysteine aspartic acid specific protease-3 (Caspase-3). The levels of reactive oxygen species were detected using the 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate fluorescent probe. Mitochondria were labeled with the Mito-Tracker Deep Red FM fluorescent probe to assess mitochondrial morphology and their related parameters. Mitochondrial membrance potential was meausred using the JC-1 detection kit. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content was determined using an ATP assay kit. Glucose uptake ability was evaluated by measuring the fluorescence intensity of 2-[ N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl) amino]-2-deoxy- D-glucose (2-NBDG) using a multifunctional microplate reader. Apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL assay. Results:The relative expression of HIF-1α protein in the high glucose combined with hypoxia/reoxygenation group was 1.189±0.185, higher than that in the control group (0.086±0.071) ( P<0.05). The relative expression of p53 protein in the high glucose combined with hypoxia/reoxygenation group was 1.248±0.194, higher than those in the control group (0.730±0.184), high glucose group (0.932±0.161) and hypoxia/reoxygenation group (1.109±0.151) (all P<0.05). The relative expression of GLUT4 protein in the high glucose combined with hypoxia/reoxygenation group was 0.407±0.140, lower than those in the control group (1.061±0.060) and hypoxia/reoxygenation group (0.781±0.092) (both P<0.05). The fluorescence intensity of reactive oxygen species in the high glucose combined with hypoxia/reoxygenation group was 38.31±1.66, higher than that in the control group (11.59±1.02) ( P<0.05). The number of mitochondria in the high glucose combined with hypoxia/reoxygenation group was (62.00±15.26), lower than those in the control group (136.20±23.55) and high glucose group (96.55±13.72) (both P<0.05). The average mitochondrial area in the high glucose combined with hypoxia/reoxygenation group was (7.02±1.38) μm 2, lower than those in the control group [(13.74±0.67) μm 2], high glucose group [(9.27±1.99) μm 2] and hypoxia/reoxygenation group [(9.64±2.36) μm 2] (all P<0.05). The average perimeter of mitochondria in the high glucose combined with hypoxia/reoxygenation group was (9.10±1.14) μm, lower than those in the control group [(13.35±0.69) μm] and the hypoxia/reoxygenation group [(10.83±1.58) μm] (all P<0.05). The number of mitochondrial branches was 53.73±9.49, lower than those in the control group (147.10±25.99), high glucose group (97.08±13.65) and hypoxia/reoxygenation group (104.80±24.92) (all P<0.05). The average branch length of mitochondria in the high glucose combined with hypoxia/reoxygenation group was (1.45±0.26) μm, lower than that in the control group [(2.29±0.52) μm] ( P<0.05). The red-green fluorescence intensity ratio in the high glucose combined with hypoxia/reoxygenation group was 0.580±0.133, lower than those in the control group (2.379±0.242), high glucose group (1.200±0.112) and hypoxia/reoxygenation group (0.883±0.076) (all P<0.05). The ATP content of the high glucose combined with hypoxia/ reoxygenation group was (0.025±0.003) μmol/10 5 cells, lower than those of the control group [(0.137±0.012) μmol/10 5 cells], high glucose group [(0.078±0.003) μmol/10 5 cells] and hypoxia/reoxygenation group [(0.073±0.010) μmol/10 5 cells] (all P<0.05). The fluorescence intensity of 2-NBDG in the high glucose combined with hypoxia/reoxygenation group was 257 315±7 951, lower than those in the control group (339 597±10 165), high glucose group (317 293±8 876) and hypoxia/reoxygenation group (314 611±12 228) (all P<0.05). The relative expression of Drp1 protein in high glucose combined with hypoxia/reoxygenation group was 1.203±0.090, higher than those in the control group (0.705±0.170), high glucose group (0.910±0.106) and hypoxia/reoxygenation group (1.002±0.112) (all P<0.05). The relative expression of Mfn2 protein in the high glucose combined with hypoxia/reoxygenation group was 0.706±0.285, lower than those in the control group (1.988±0.139), high glucose group (1.305±0.076) and hypoxia/reoxygenation group (1.131±0.236) (all P<0.05). The relative expression levels of Bax/Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 proteins in the high glucose combined with hypoxia/reoxygenation group were 2.318±0.216 and 1.076±0.076, respectively, higher than those in the control group (0.281±0.046 and 0.442±0.084), high glucose group (0.673±0.043 and 0.662±0.159) and hypoxia/reoxygenation group (0.807±0.293 and 0.835±0.058), respectively (all P<0.05). The TUNEL fluorescence intensity of the high glucose combined with hypoxia/reoxygenation group was 70.55±7.22, higher than those of the control group (14.10±5.93), high glucose group (36.59±2.56) and hypoxia/reoxygenation group (39.04±6.016) (all P<0.05). The relative expression levels of p53 protein in the sip53 transfection group and sip53+siGLUT4 transfection group were 0.322±0.147 and 0.391±0.149, respectively, lower than that in the high glucose combined with negative control group (1.002±0.035) (both P<0.05). The relative expression of GLUT4 protein in the sip53 transfection group was 1.871±0.123, higher than that in the negative control group (1.281±0.232) ( P<0.05). The relative expression of GLUT4 protein in the sip53+siGLUT4 transfection group (0.951±0.193) was lower than that in the sip53 transfection group ( P<0.05). The fluorescence intensity of reactive oxygen species in the sip53 transfection group (27.73±0.74) was lower than that in the negative control group (38.83±0.83) ( P<0.05). The fluorescence intensity of reactive oxygen species in the sip53+siGLUT4 transfection group (43.12±5.08) was higher than that in the sip53 transfection group ( P<0.05). The number of mitochondria, the average area of mitochondria, the average perimeter of mitochondria, the number of mitochondrial branches and the average branch length of mitochondria in the sip53 transfection group were (92.27±10.10), (9.25±0.42) μm 2, (10.86±0.58) μm, (83.27±13.57), and (1.81±0.21) μm, respectively. They were higher than (52.36±16.87), (7.44±1.49) μm 2, (9.22±1.11) μm, (52.36±16.87), and (1.22±0.26) μm in the negative control group (all P<0.05). The number of mitochondria, the average area of mitochondria, the average perimeter of mitochondria, the number of mitochondrial branches and the average branch length of mitochondria in the sip53+siGLUT4 transfection group were (53.73±9.49), (6.89±0.61) μm 2, (8.88±0.47) μm, (53.73±9.49), and (1.22±0.17) μm, respectively, lower than those in the sip53 transfection group (all P<0.05). The red-green fluorescence intensity ratio, ATP content, 2-NBDG fluorescence intensity and relative expression of Mfn2 protein in the sip53 transfection group were 1.27±0.23, (0.048±0.021) μmol/10 5 cells, 275 923±10 447 and 2.608±0.581, respectively, higher than those in the negative control group [0.53±0.21, (0.020±0.007) μmol/10 5 cells, 254 875±8 078, and 0.687±0.146, respectively] (all P<0.05). The red-green fluorescence intensity ratio, ATP content, 2-NBDG fluorescence intensity and relative expression of Mfn2 protein in the sip53+siGLUT4 transfection group were 0.40±0.08, (0.011±0.012) μmol/10 5 cells, 199 511±6 855, and 0.649±0.070, respectively, lower than those in the sip53 transfection group (all P<0.05). The relative expression levels of Drp1, Bax/Bcl-2, Caspase-3 proteins and TUNEL fluorescence intensity in the sip53 transfection group were 0.759±0.063, 0.446±0.161, 1.048±0.300, and 48.93±1.48 respectively, lower than those (1.065±0.149, 1.197±0.133, 1.847±0.201, and 67.61±9.99) in the negative control group (all P<0.05). The relative expression levels of Drp1, Bax/Bcl-2, Caspase-3 proteins and TUNEL fluorescence intensity in the sip53+siGLUT4 transfection group were 0.958±0.166, 2.660±0.135, 1.587±0.220, and 63.39±12.84, respectively, higher than those in the sip53 transfection group (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Under the condition of high glucose combined with hypoxia/reoxygenation, p53 induces cardiomyocyte injury by down-regulating GLUT4. Inhibition of p53 can increase the expression of GLUT4, thereby reducing cardiomyocyte injury induced by high glucose combined with hypoxia/reoxygenation.

This study aims to investigate the ameliorating effect of Corni Fructus(CF) on the myocardial ischemic injury and the pharmacokinetic properties of characteristic components of CF. The mouse model of isoproterenol-induced myocardial ischemia was established and administrated with the aqueous extract of CF. The general efficacy of CF in ameliorating the myocardial ischemic injury was evaluated based on the cardiac histopathology and the levels of myocardial injury markers: creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I(cTn-I). The metabolomics analysis was carried out for the heart and serum samples of mice to screen the biomarkers of CF in ameliorating the myocardial ischemic injury and then the predicted biomarkers were submitted to metabolic pathway enrichment. The pharmacokinetic analysis was performed for morroniside, loganin, and cornuside Ⅰ in mouse heart and serum samples to obtain the pharmacokinetic parameters of these components. The pharmacokinetic parameters were then integrated on the basis of self-defined weighting coefficients to simulate an integrated pharmacokinetic profile of CF iridoid glycosides in the heart and serum of the mouse model of myocardial ischemia. The results indicated that CF reduced the pathological damage to cardiac cells and tissue(hematoxylin-eosin staining) and lowered the levels of CK-MB and cTn-I in the serum of the mouse model of myocardial ischemia(P<0.01). Metabolomics analysis screed out 31 endogenous metabolites in the heart and 35 in the serum as biomarkers of CF in ameliorating the myocardial ischemic injury. These biomarkers were altered by modeling and restored by CF. Six metabolic pathways in the heart and 5 in the serum were enriched based on these metabolic markers. The main integrated pharmacokinetic parameters of CF iridoid glycosides were T_(max)=1 h, t_(1/2)=(1.52±0.05) h in the heart and T_(max)=1 h, t_(1/2)=(1.56±0.50) h in the serum. Both concentration-time curves showed a double-peak phenomenon. In conclusion, CF demonstrated the cardioprotective effect by regulating metabolic pathways such as taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, and pantothenic acid and coenzyme A biosynthesis. The integrated pharmacokinetics reflect the general pharmacokinetic properties of characteristic components in CF.
Animals ; Cornus/chemistry* ; Mice ; Metabolomics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia/metabolism* ; Humans ; Troponin I/metabolism* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Biomarkers/metabolism* ; Creatine Kinase, MB Form/metabolism*

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of severe congenital heart dis-ease in Chongqing City during 2007-2023 to provide a basis for its comprehensive prevention and control measures.Methods Based on hospital monitoring data,453 children patients with severe congenital heart dis-ease monitored by the birth defects monitoring institutions in Chongqing city from January 2007 to December 2023 were included in the study.They were grouped by year,perinatal infants gender,maternal permanent res-idence(urban/rural),maternal age,different regions and other categories.The χ2 test was used to analyze the difference in the incidence rate of different categories of severe congenital heart diseases,and the Joinpoint re-gression model was used to analyze the change trend.Results A total of 1 468 005 perinatal neonates were monitored in Chongqing City during 2007-2023 and 453 cases of severe congenital heart disease were found,with an incidence rate of 3.09/10 000,in which the incidence rate of atrioventricular septal defect was 2.16/10 000,the incidence rate of tetralogy of fallot was 0.66/10 000 and the incidence rate of transposition of great ar-teries was 0.27/10 000.The total incidence rate of cities and towns was higher than that in the countryside(χ2=64.08,P<0.001),the urban area was higher than the Chongqing southeast and Chongqing northeast towns cluster(χ2=49.34,P<0.001),the female was higher than the male(χ2=5.63,P=0.018).The inci-dence rates in different ages groups showed the U shape distribution(χ2=31.63,P<0.001).The incidence rate of the pregnant women<20 years old group and pregnant women≥35 years old group was higher,which of the 25-29 years old group was lower.The incidence rate of severe congenital heart disease in Chongqing City during 2007-2023 appeared the turning point,which during 2007-2016 was gradually increased(APC=-15.95),and which during 2016-2023 was gradually decreased(APC=-15.36).Conclusion The incidence rate of severe congenital heart disease in Chongqing city during 2007-2023 was increased first and then de-creased,moreover there were differences in time,region and population.

The accumulation of uremic toxins such as urea nitrogen, blood creatinine, and uric acid of patients with renal failure in vivo would lead to aggravated kidney damage. In this study, coated aldehyde oxy-starch (CAO) was used as an adsorbent to investigate its in vitro adsorption performance on renal failure indexes for urea, indoxyl sulfate (INS), monomethylamine (MMA), dimethylamine (DMA), uric acid (UA), and creatinine (Cr). The effects of variables such as pH, temperature, concentration, dosage, and time on the adsorption capacity of CAO were systematically investigated, employing analytical techniques of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC). The results revealed that CAO exhibited a strong adsorption capacity for urea, INS, and MMA, alongside a moderate adsorption capacity for DMA, UA, and Cr. The adsorption kinetics and thermodynamic studies indicated that the adsorption of urea and UA by CAO were fitted in pseudo-first-order kinetics, and the adsorption isotherm aligned with the Freundlich adsorption model. The enthalpy change ΔH of urea in adsorption was in the range of 40 to 60 kJ·mol^-1, which demonstrated the presence of strong adsorption force due to the interactions of coordinating groups. The ΔH of UA was greater than 80 kJ·mol^-1, indicating the generation of chemical bonds during the adsorption. Both of them, Gibbs free energy ΔG was less than 0, within the range of -20 to 0 kJ·mol^-1, suggested that the adsorption of urea and UA by CAO occurred spontaneously as physical adsorption process. The adsorption entropy ΔS of urea and UA was > 0, which indicated an increase in entropy throughout the adsorption. The infrared spectroscopygram showed the formation of a chemical bond, specifically the imine bond, following the adsorption of urea by CAO, thereby indicating a chemical reaction during the adsorption. This study elucidates the adsorption mechanism of CAO on various indexes of renal failure, providing a scientific basis for its clinical usage.

OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the effects of deep acupuncture at Weizhong acupoint (BL40) on bladder function and brain activity in a rat model of overactive bladder (OAB), and investigated the possible mechanisms around the acupuncture area that initiate the effects of acupuncture. METHODS: Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups, comprising a control group, model group, group treated with deep acupuncture at BL40, group treated with shallow acupuncture at BL40, group treated with acupuncture at non-acupoint next to BL40, and group treated with acupuncture at Xuanzhong (GB39). Urodynamic evaluation was used to observe the urination, and functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to observe the brain activation. The mechanism of acupuncture at BL40 in regulating bladder function was explored by toluidine blue staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the mechanism was verified by stabilizing mast cells (MCs) or blocking tibial nerve. RESULTS: Deep acupuncture at BL40 significantly increased the intercontraction interval in OAB rats and enhanced the mean amplitude of low frequency fluctuation of primary motor cortex (M1), periaquaductal gray matter (PAG), and pontine micturition center (PMC). It also increased the zero-lag functional connectivity between M1 and PAG and between PAG and PMC. Shallow acupuncture at BL40 and acupuncture at non-acupoint or GB39 had no effect on these indexes. Further studies suggested that deep acupuncture at BL40 increased the number and degranulation rate of MCs as well as the contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine, substance P, and histamine in the tissues around BL40. Blocking the tibial nerve by lidocaine injection or inhibiting MC degranulation by sodium cromoglycate injection obstructed the effects of acupuncture on restoring urinary function and modulating brain activation in OAB rats. CONCLUSION Deep acupuncture at BL40 may be more effective for inhibiting OAB by promoting degranulation of MCs around the acupoint and stimulating tibial nerve, thereby regulating the activation of the brain area that controls the lower urinary tract. Please cite this article as: Liu X, Zhang CY, Du XY, Li SS, Wang YQ, Zheng Y, Deng HZ, Fang XQ, Li JY, Wang ZQ, Xu SF, Mi YQ. Acupuncture at Weizhong (BL40) attenuates acetic acid-induced overactive bladder in rats by regulating brain neural activity through the modulation of mast cells and tibial nerves. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 46-55.
Animals ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive/physiopathology* ; Mast Cells/physiology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Female ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Rats ; Brain/physiopathology* ; Tibial Nerve/physiopathology* ; Acetic Acid ; Urinary Bladder/physiopathology*

OBJECTIVE: Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or metal(loid)s individually has been associated with neural tube defects (NTDs). However, the impacts of PAH and metal(loid) co-exposure and potential interaction effects on NTD risk remain unclear. We conducted a case-control study in China among population with a high prevalence of NTDs to investigate the combined effects of PAH and metal(loid) exposures on the risk of NTD. METHODS: Cases included 80 women who gave birth to offspring with NTDs, whereas controls were 50 women who delivered infants with no congenital malformations. We analyzed the levels of placental PAHs using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, PAH-DNA adducts with ³²P-post-labeling method, and metal(loid)s with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Unconditional logistic regression was employed to estimate the associations between individual exposures and NTDs. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) penalized regression models were used to select a subset of exposures, while additive interaction models were used to identify interaction effects. RESULTS: In the single-exposure models, we found that eight PAHs, PAH-DNA adducts, and 28 metal(loid)s were associated with NTDs. Pyrene, selenium, molybdenum, cadmium, uranium, and rubidium were selected through LASSO regression and were statistically associated with NTDs in the multiple-exposure models. Women with high levels of pyrene and molybdenum or pyrene and selenium exhibited significantly increased risk of having offspring with NTDs, indicating that these combinations may have synergistic effects on the risk of NTDs. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that individual PAHs and metal(loid)s, as well as their interactions, may be associated with the risk of NTDs, which warrants further investigation.
Humans ; Neural Tube Defects/chemically induced* ; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/adverse effects* ; Female ; Case-Control Studies ; China/epidemiology* ; Adult ; Pregnancy ; Environmental Pollutants ; Maternal Exposure/adverse effects* ; Metals/toxicity* ; Young Adult ; Risk Factors