Background The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is a vast area with a wide array of ecological environments, resulting in considerable regional variations in air pollution characteristics. Current research is limited by a scarcity of systematic, region-wide studies and risk assessments. Objective To assess the health risks associated with inhalation exposure to nine heavy metal and metalloid elements in atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) for the population of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Methods From the 10th to the 16th of each month throughout 2023, atmospheric PM_2.5 samples were collected at designated monitoring sites in 12 leagues (cities) across the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to analyze the characteristics and trends in concentration. The health risk assessment model developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency was employed to evaluate both the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with the heavy metal elements beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), hydrargyrum (Hg), plumbum (Pb), manganese (Mn), and nickel (Ni) and the metalloid elements stibium (Sb) and arsenic (As). Results In 2023, a total of 1206 valid PM_2.5 samples were analyzed from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The annual average PM_2.5 concentrations in Inner Mongolia, as well as in the cities of Ordos, Wuhai, and the Alxa League, all exceeded the national limit of 35 μg·m⁻³. The PM_2.5 concentrations across the leagues (cities) exhibited a clear seasonal variation, peaking in winter, followed by spring, and reaching a minimum in summer and autumn. The median PM_2.5 concentration in Ordos throughout the year was higher than that in the other leagues (cities) of the region. Concerning health risks, the non-carcinogenic risks associated with the 9 elements detected in each league (city) were all below 1, indicating acceptable levels. However, the non-carcinogenic risk values for Mn, Cr, and As were relatively high; specifically, Ordos City displayed the highest non-carcinogenic risk values for Mn (7.74×10⁻¹) and Cr (2.97×10⁻²), while Chifeng City recorded the highest value for As (2.34×10⁻³). The carcinogenic risk values for As, Cd, Cr, and Ni fell within the range of 1×10⁻⁹ to 1×10⁻⁵, representing an acceptable level. The health risks varied with age, and the elderly residents faced the highest non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks. Conclusion While the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks from heavy metals and metalloids within atmospheric PM_2.5 in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region are generally within acceptable limits, the potential risks that Mn, As, and Cr pose to the health of elderly people warrants particular attention, and Ordos and Chifeng cities exhibit notably higher health risks among other areas. It is recommended that regular, long-term monitoring be conducted, taking into account the specific conditions at monitoring sites across each league (city), and that targeted air quality management strategies be implemented to protect public health.

Objective:To investigate the longitudinal trajectory and influencing factors of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in breast cancer patients during chemotherapy.Methods:From March 2019 to January 2020, breast cancer patients in Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Peking Union Medical College Hospital were selected as the research objects to conduct follow-up investigation. The survey tools included general information questionnaire, Cancer-related Fatigue Assessment Scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale.Results:A total of 91 patients were included in the study. The incidence of severe CRF at each time point before chemotherapy, 3 weeks after chemotherapy and 6 weeks after chemotherapy were 1.1% (1/91), 8.8% (5/57) and 2.1% (1/48), respectively. The results of the generalized estimation equation showed that the trajectory of the total score CRF firstly increased and then decreased, reaching a peak at 3 weeks after chemotherapy (35.45±13.07), and mild CRF change showed statistical difference ( P<0.05). In addition, BMI and sleep and daytime dysfunction were the influencing factors of the total score of CRF. Disease stage, sleep disturbance and daytime dysfunction were the influencing factors of CRF with different severity. Conclusions:CRF is a prominent problem in breast cancer patients during chemotherapy. Attention should be paid to high-risk individuals with abnormal BMI and daytime function by medical staff.

Objective To explore the effect of high sn-2 palmitate infant formula (HPIF) on stool frequency and consistency,fatty acids,calcium and magnesium contents in infants.Methods A prospective,double-blind,randomized,controlled clinical study was conducted including 94 healthy mature infants of single birth and appropriate for gestational age,born from June 2013 to December 2014.All eligible infants were enrolled within 21 days after birth.All the infant formula fed subjects were divided randomly into two groups as standard infant formula (IF) group and high sn-2 palmitate infant formula (HPIF) group.Breast-fed infants were enrolled as control group (BF group).All infants were followed up until 90 days old.The growth indexes and defecation status of the three groups were monitored dynamically.Meanwhile,stool fatty acid profile and mineral contents were also detected.Results There was no significant difference in head circumference,body length and body weight among the three groups at enrollment,42 days and 90 days old.The stool frequency and mushy stool frequency of HPIF and IF groups were significantly lower than that of BF group at 42 days and 90 days old;formed stool frequency was higher in HPIF and IF groups than in BF group.The fecal palmitic acid level in dry feces was significantly higher in HPIF and IF groups than in BF group [(31.1 ± 9.8),(30.9± 10.7) vs.(10.8± 8.8) mg/g] at 42 days old.At 90 days old,the fecal palmitic acid level in dry feces was significantly lower in HPIF group than in IF group [(24.3± 9.8) vs.(29.9± 7.9) mg/mg],while was significantly higher in both infant formula fed groups than in BF group [(8.9± 8.4) mg/g].The fecal calcium level in dry feces of HPIF and IF groups were significantly higher than that of BF group [(38.3± 14.0),(38.8± 15.5) vs.(21.3± 13.7) mg/g] at 42 days old.At 90 days old,the fecal calcium level in dry feces of HPIF group was significantly lower than that of IF group [(31.1 11.2) vs.(45.9 ± 16.5) mg/g,dry stool] and significantly higher than that of BF group [(21.5 ± 9.9) mg/g].The fecal magnesium level was similar between HPIF and IF groups,and significantly higher than that of BF group at 42 days and 90 days old.The fecal calcium level was positively correlated with the content of fecal palmitic acid among three groups (r =0.43,P＜ 0.01).Conclusions Breast milk is the best food for infants.Compared with standard infant formula,feeding with high sn-2 palmitate infant formula can reduce the fecal excretion of calcium and palmitic acid,making it closer to the level of breast-fed infants.

Objective　To study the role of placental leptin in intrauterine cord leptin production and its relationship with neonatal anthropometry. Methods　Forty women and their babies (40) were enrolled in this study. Placental tissues were assayed for leptin mRNA by reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR), and assayed for the obese gene protein leptin by Western-blot and immunohistochemistry. Blood was taken from the umbilical cord of the babies at delivery. Serum leptin was measured by radio-immunoassay. Neonatal anthropometric measurements were recorded within 48 hours after delivery. Linear regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between placental leptin, cord leptin and neonatal anthropometric measures. Results　The obese gene was expressed in placental tissue at comparable or greater levels than that in adipose tissue. The placentas of the small for gestational age (SGA) neonates expressed leptin mRNA and protein at significantly lower levels than those of the appropriate for gestational age (AGA) neonates (P=0.0034 and 0.0076), while the placentas of the large for gestational age (LGA) neonates expressed leptin mRNA and protein at significantly higher levels than those of the AGA neonates (P=0.043 and 0.021). Linear regression analysis showed placental ob gene transcription and leptin translation correlated significantly with cord leptin (r=0.39 and 0.43), and neonatal Ponderal Index (r=0.66 and 0.69). Conclusion　The placenta provides a source of leptin for the growing fetus, and this placental leptin might be a growth factor in intrauterine fetal development.