Inverted U-Shaped Associations between Glycemic Indices and Serum Uric Acid Levels in the General Chinese Population: Findings from the China Cardiometabolic Disease and Cancer Cohort (4C) Study

Objective The relationship between serum uric acid(SUA)levels and glycemic indices,including plasma glucose(FPG),2-hour postload glucose(2 h-PG),and glycated hemoglobin(HbA1 c),remains inconclusive.We aimed to explore the associations between glycemic indices and SUA levels in the general Chinese population.Methods The current study was a cross-sectional analysis using the first follow-up survey data from The China Cardiometabolic Disease and Cancer Cohort Study.A total of 105,922 community-dwelling adults aged≥40 years underwent the oral glucose tolerance test and uric acid assessment.The nonlinear relationships between glycemic indices and SUA levels were explored using generalized additive models.Results A total of 30,941 men and 62,361 women were eligible for the current analysis.Generalized additive models verified the inverted U-shaped association between glycemic indices and SUA levels,but with different inflection points in men and women.The thresholds for FPG,2 h-PG,and HbA1 c for men and women were 6.5/8.0 mmol/L,11.0/14.0 mmol/L,and 6.1/6.5,respectively(SUA levels increased with increasing glycemic indices before the inflection points and then eventually decreased with further increases in the glycemic indices).Conclusion An inverted U-shaped association was observed between major glycemic indices and uric acid levels in both sexes,while the inflection points were reached earlier in men than in women.     

Full-Length Genome Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 Directly from Clinical and Environmental Samples Based on the Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Method

The new coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is spreading worldwide with the number of confirmed cases increasing dramatically[1,2]. Coronaviruses have the largest genome among RNA viruses and have caused two major outbreaks[3,4]. The new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is the third coronavirus spread globally in the past 17 years. According to the World Health Organization, SARS-CoV-2 has affected more than 155.6 millon patients in 222 countries as of 6 May 2021 and has become a major global health concern (https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019).     

National Nutrition and Health Systematic Survey for Children 0-17 Years of Age in China

The main purpose of the National Nutrition and Health Systematic Survey for children 0-17 years of age in China (CNHSC) was to collect basic data on the nutrition, development, and health status for children in different regions across China using evidence-based, reliable, and cost-effective approaches. Children and their parents or guardians from seven regions (south, southwest, north, northwest, eastern, central, and northeast China) in China were recruited. A multi-stage stratified randomized sampling method was used. Two provinces were randomly sampled from each of the seven regions, from which one urban district and one rural country were also randomly sampled, resulting in a total of 28 survey counties/districts. Dietary surveys, health examinations, laboratory testing, and questionnaires were used to collect dietary intake, nutritional status, child development, and health status information. Nutrition, health, and lifestyle assessment of children and their parents was determined using the Knowledge Attitude Practice (KAP) survey. Greater than 100,000 children (38,000 children < 6 years of age and 66,000 children 6-17 years of age) completed the survey. The survey provided comprehensive data on child nutrition and health status for future studies and will serve as the basis for an integrated nutrition and health improvement strategies proposal for children in China.     

Proteomics Study on the Differentially Expressed Proteins in 16HBE Cells Exposed to Beryllium Sulfate

Beryllium (Be) is a non-radioactive element with carcinogenic properties, and presents serious occupational and environmental hazards from its resulting toxicants, which could significantly impact the health of the occupational population[1-3]. Beryllium and its compounds can cause diseases such as acute chemical pneumonia, lung cancer, and chronic beryllium disease, which predominantly occurs alongside either lung granuloma or pulmonary fibrosis[4,5]. Furthermore, the mechanism by which beryllium is toxic has not been fully elucidated; therefore, studies on its health hazards as well of its compounds are important. An in-depth study of the mechanism of beryllium toxicity is especially essential to prevent and control its associated health hazards. Tandem mass tag (TMT) technology is a reliable technology in quantitative proteomics, which can be implemented to perform relative quantification and identification analysis of proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, and other biological macromolecules.     

Identification of Boseongicola sediminum sp. nov., a Novel Decabromodiphenyl Ether (BDE-209)-tolerant Strain Isolated from Coastal Sediment in Xiamen,China

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a group of aromatic organic bromine compounds, which have been used in a broad array of polymeric materials (plastics, foams, resins, and adhesives) as brominated flame retardants. They are used in commercial and household products, including textiles, electronic equipment, airplanes, and automobiles, especially in China and the USA, because they are inexpensive with excellent flame-retardant effects[1]. During the past decade, over 14,000 tonnes of PBDEs have entered the market, and have become ubiquitous environmental contaminants[2].