Heavy Metal Exposure and Cardiovascular Disease

The controllable fabrication of AIE gold nanoclusters and utilizing as portable ultrasensitive detection sensor for silver ions via smartphone

Heavy metal pollution is life-threatening, the detection of heavy metals is crucial to human health and environment. In this work, AIE featured LA-stabilized gold nanoclusters (NL-AuNCs) were designed and fabricated by modulating precursors in various reaction conditions, and utilized as an efficient fluorescent sensor for portable detecting Ag+ with high sensitivity and selectivity. The NL-AuNCs exhibited intense red fluorescence at 625 nm via the secondary reducing agent N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), achieving a quantum yield (QY) of 15.7 %. Notably, the introduction of Ag+ enhanced the red fluorescence intensity of NL-AuNCs on account of the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) process, rendering NL-AuNCs uniquely capable of detecting Ag+ with the ultralow detection limit of 1.3 nM within a wide concentration range of 0.002-200 μM. Furthermore, the handheld intelligent sensing strategy was constructed by integrating the smartphone App, which enabled swift portable monitoring and convenient readout by visual assessment of color evolution. The acceptable recoveries of 94.6 % to 114.9 % were attained from testing real water, indicating the excellent environmental tolerance of NL-AuNCs, which allowed the possibility for practical in-situ detection.

DNA nanosphere-enhanced DNAzyme system for sensitive and rapid detection of lead contamination in water and living cells

Lead (Pb2 +) contamination poses significant risks to human health and the environment, necessitating the development of sensitive and rapid detection methods. In this study, we present a DNA nanosphere-enhanced substrate strand-DNAzyme (DS-Sub-Dz) system for the efficient detection of Pb2+ in both environmental and biological samples. The DS was constructed by annealing single-stranded DNA with four palindromic regions and extending sequences at the terminals, simplifying the process and reducing costs compared to traditional long DNA strands. The Sub-Dz, modified with fluorophore (FAM) and quencher (BHQ1), was then grafted onto the DS surface, forming the DS-Sub-Dz system through a hybridization reaction. This system utilizes spatial confinement and a cleavage recycling reaction to amplify the fluorescence signals of FAM, enabling highly sensitive and rapid detection of Pb2+ over a range of 2 nM to 40 μM. With a detection limit (LOD) of 2.0 nM-1000 times lower than the control Sub-Dz system-the DS-Sub-Dz demonstrated exceptional sensitivity. Further tests confirmed its ability to distinguish between various heavy metal ions in tap water. The enhanced cell internalization efficiency, accelerated reaction kinetics, and improved biostability of the DS-Sub-Dz system also enabled successful Pb2+ detection in both water samples and intracellular imaging, showcasing its potential for monitoring lead contamination in environmental and body safety applications.

Exposure to toxic metals might accelerate aging

BACKGROUND

Biological aging (BA) trajectory can capture the characteristics of the dynamic process of aging. Although toxic metals were associated with various health effects, there was limited study of their single and joint effects on BA trajectory.

METHODS

A total of 2688 community-based older adults (≥65 years) were enrolled in this study, and we measured a composite BA indicator based on 9 clinical and anthropometric measures using Klemera and Doubal methods at four time points from baseline to the last follow-up. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify the aging trajectories. The associations between toxic metals and BA trajectories were analyzed by multivariable multinomial logistic regression. Quantile g-computing was used to explore the mixed effect of toxic metals. Pairwise interactions of toxic metals were further assessed.

RESULTS

Three BA trajectories including slow aging, normal aging, and accelerated aging were identified in this study. Quantile g-computing showed toxic metals mixture was associated with higher risk of being in normal aging trajectory (OR = 1.14, 95%CI: 1.01, 1.29) or accelerated aging trajectories (OR = 1.53, 95%CI: 1.25, 1.88), with Pb as the dominant contributor. An interquartile range (IQR) increase in ln-transformed Pb was associated with an increased risk of being in normal aging (OR = 1.21, 95%CI:1.08, 1.35) or accelerated BA trajectory (OR = 1.54, 95%CI:1.31, 1.82) compared with slow aging trajectory. Similarly, per IQR increase in As was associated with a higher risk of being in accelerated BA trajectory (OR = 1.18, 95%CI: 1.01, 1.39). The interaction between toxic metals exposure was not significant.

CONCLUSION

This study identified three BA trajectories and found the association between mixed toxic metals and increased risk of accelerated BA trajectories, with Pb as the dominant contributor. These findings highlight the importance of reducing toxic metals in the environment and may assist in developing effective anti-aging interventions in older adults.

Association between brominated flame retardants and heart failure in U.S. adults: A cross-sectional analysis of national health and nutrition examination survey 2005-2016

BACKGROUND

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are environmental pollutants widely used in consumer products, which accumulate in human tissues. Despite their prevalence, the potential impact of BFRs on cardiovascular health, particularly heart failure (HF), remains insufficiently explored.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate the association between BFR exposure and the prevalence of HF in U.S. adults.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2016. To assess the relationship between BFR exposure and HF prevalence, weighted generalized linear regressions (GLMs) were applied. Restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to examine potential nonlinear associations. Additionally, quantile-weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression and quantile g-computation (QGC) analysis were performed to evaluate the overall effect of BFR mixtures on HF.

RESULTS

A total of 6,931 individuals participated, with 219 diagnosed with HF. In the adjusted Model 3, BFRs including PBDE28, PBDE47, PBDE85, PBDE99, PBDE100, PBDE154, and PBB153 were significantly associated with increased odds of HF (all p < 0.05). RCS analysis revealed a significant nonlinear relationship between serum BFRs and HF. The WQS analysis showed a positive association between combined BFR exposure and HF (OR: 1.694; 95 % CI: 1.264, 2.270; p < 0.001), and QGC analysis similarly showed a significant positive association (OR: 1.365; 95 % CI: 1.094, 1.705; p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests a link between BFR exposure and an increased risk of HF. Further research is needed to explore the causal relationship and underlying mechanisms.

A signal amplifying MOF-based probe:on-site and ultrasensitive dual-channel portable detection of Hg2+ in groundwater through a fluorimetrically and RGB-based sensing assay

Mercury (II) ions (Hg2+) are a significant source of heavy metal contamination in groundwater, posing a serious threat to human health and the environment. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of a new detection technique with high sensitivity for monitoring Hg2+ in contaminated groundwater. Here, we developed a signal amplifying MOF-based probe (NXS@ZIF-8) for on-site and ultrasensitive dual-channel portable detection of Hg2+ in groundwater. The successful grafting of the fluorescent probe (NXS) onto ZIF-8 effectively enhanced the enrichment of the NXS probe, thereby amplifying the detection signal for Hg2+. Upon exposure to Hg2+, NXS@ZIF-8 quickly emits fluorescent signals, which can be easily detected using portable laser-induced fluorescence spectrometers (LIFs) with a low detection limit of 0.30 ppb. Importantly, the platform enables on-site detection of Hg2+ in groundwater samples and direct on-site and in-situ detection of Hg2+ in contaminated groundwater, achieving acceptable results. Furthermore, NXS@ZIF-8 was fabricated as a paper-based sensor and integrated into a portable smartphone device for visual detection of Hg2+ in contaminated groundwater. This work presents an approach for on-site, in-situ and highly sensitive portable detection of heavy metals in contaminated groundwater, eliminating the need for access to specialized laboratory equipment.

Cadmium exposure and health outcomes:An umbrella review of meta-analyses

OBJECTIVE

This umbrella review synthesizes evidence from meta-analyses to assess the health outcomes associated with cadmium (Cd) exposure.

METHODS

Literature search was conducted in four Databases: PubMed, Embase, APA PsycNe, and the Cochrane Databases. Evaluating evidence strength via Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2), umbrella review methodology and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE).

RESULTS

Our review encompassed 79 non-overlapping studies, investigating 48 unique health outcomes through 113 independent effect sizes. Using the AMSTAR 2 tool, we found that 2 (3 %) meta-analyses were rated as high quality, 6 (8 %) as moderate quality, 38 as low quality, and 33 as very low quality. Applying the GRADE criteria, we observed that 1 (1 %) effect size was rated A (male fertility), 8 (7 %) were rated B (breast cancer, prostate cancer, hypertension, stroke, urolithiasis), 30 were rated C, and 74 were rated D. According to the umbrella review methodology, 5 (4 %) outcomes provided highly suggestive evidence, 13 (12 %) provided suggestive evidence, 51 provided weak evidence (class IV), and 44 had insufficient evidence for statistically significant results (class V). Meta-analyses on circulatory diseases, pregnancy outcomes, perinatal outcomes, skeletal and connective tissue diseases, neurological disorders, urinary system diseases, and male fertility had >80 % statistically significant results, while endocrine system diseases and mental and behavioral disorders had <33 %.

CONCLUSION

Cd exposure is significantly linked to various health outcomes, with implications for clinical practice and public health recommendations.

Recent advancements in the application of multi-elemental profiling and ionomics in cardiovascular diseases

BACKGROUND

Trace elements and minerals are crucial for human growth and health, whose imbalance is associated with a variety of diseases. Recently, multi-elemental profiling and ionomics have been rapidly developed and widely used to study the distribution, variation, and interactions of various elements in diverse physiological and pathological conditions. By utilizing high-throughput elemental analytical techniques and bioinformatics approaches, researchers can uncover the relationship between the metabolism and balance of different elements and numerous human diseases.

METHODS

The presented work reviews recent advances in multi-elemental and ionomic profiling of human biological samples for several major types of cardiovascular diseases.

RESULTS

Research indicates distinct and dynamic patterns of ion contents in these diseases. Accumulation of copper and environmental toxic metals as well as deficiencies in zinc and selenium appear to be the most significant risk factors for the majority of cardiovascular diseases, suggesting that an imbalance in these elements may play a role in the development of these illnesses. Furthermore, each type of cardiovascular disease exhibits a relatively unique distribution of ions in biofluid and hair samples from patients, potentially serving as indicators for the specific disease.

CONCLUSION

Multi-elemental profiling and ionomics not only enhance our understanding of the association between elemental dyshomeostasis and the development of cardiovascular diseases but also facilitate the discovery of novel diagnostic and prognostic markers for these conditions.

Are Hair Scalp Trace Elements Correlated with Atherosclerosis Location in Coronary Artery Disease?

Coronary artery disease is among the leading current epidemiological challenges. The genetic, clinical, and lifestyle-related risk factors are well documented. The reason for specific epicardial artery locations remains unsolved. The coronary artery topography and blood flow characteristics may induce local inflammatory activation. The atherosclerotic plaque formation is believed to represent inflammatory response involving enzymatic processes co-factored by trace elements. The possible relation between trace elements and coronary artery disease location was the subject of the study. There were 175 patients (107 (61) men and 68 (39) females) in a median (Q1-3) age of 71 years (65-76) admitted for coronary angiography due to chronic coronary syndrome. The angiographic results focused on the percentage of lumen stenosis in certain arteries and were compared with the results for hair scalp trace elements. The correlation between left main coronary artery atherosclerotic plaques and nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and antimony (Sb) hair scalp concentration was noted. The analysis revealed a positive relation between left descending artery disease and chromium (Cr), sodium (Na), arsenic (As), and molybdenum (Mo) and a negative correlation with strontium (Sr). The atherosclerotic lesion in the circumflex artery revealed correlations in our analysis with sodium (Na), potassium (K), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As), and negative with strontium (Sr) (r) hair scalp concentrations. The negative correlations between right coronary artery disease and magnesium (Mg) and strontium (Sr) concentrations were noted. The possible explanation of different epicardial artery involvement and severity by atherosclerotic processes may lay in their topography and blood rheological characteristics that induce different inflammatory reactions co0factored by specific trace elements. The trace element concentration in the hair scalp may correlate with a particular coronary atherosclerotic involvement, including the severity of lumen reduction. This may indicate the missing link between the pathophysiological processes of atherosclerosis development and its location in coronary arteries.

Beyond Cholesterol: Emerging Risk Factors in Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis remains a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide, traditionally linked to elevated cholesterol levels, particularly low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). However, despite aggressive lipid-lowering strategies, residual cardiovascular risk persists, underscoring the need to explore additional contributing factors. This review examines emerging risk factors beyond cholesterol, including chronic inflammation, gut microbiota composition, oxidative stress, and environmental exposures. Inflammation plays a pivotal role in atherogenesis, with markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) serving as indicators of disease activity. The gut microbiome, particularly metabolites like trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), has been implicated in vascular inflammation and plaque development, while beneficial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) demonstrate protective effects. Oxidative stress further exacerbates endothelial dysfunction and plaque instability, driven by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation. Additionally, environmental factors, including air pollution, heavy metal exposure, endocrine disruptors, and chronic psychological stress, have emerged as significant contributors to cardiovascular disease. Understanding these novel risk factors offers a broader perspective on atherosclerosis pathogenesis and provides new avenues for targeted prevention and therapeutic interventions.

Association between exposure to a mixture of dichlorophenol and parabens and lung function in adults from NHANES, 2007-2012

BACKGROUND

Few studies have examined the effects of dichlorophenol and parabens on lung function, with most focusing on individual chemicals.

OBJECTIVES

This study analyzes the effects of these chemicals on single or mixed exposures on lung function in adults.

METHODS

We utilized data from the 2007-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), focusing on urinary levels of dichlorophenol, parabens, and lung function measures. The generalized linear regression (GLM), weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were applied to assess the impact of chemical exposure on lung function.

RESULTS

A total of 2,599 adults with complete data were included in the analysis. Detection rates exceeding 75 % for 2,5-Dichlorophenol (2,5-DCP), 2,4-Dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), methyl paraben, and propyl paraben were observed. In GLMs, 2,5-DCP was significantly negatively associated with forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), either as a continuous (FVC: β = -0.012, 95 % CI = -0.018, -0.006; FEV1: β = -0.010, 95 % CI = -0.017, -0.004) or quartile variable (FVC: β = -0.027, 95 % CI = -0.039, -0.016; FEV1: β = -0.024, 95 % CI = -0.036, -0.011). The WQS regression confirmed a negative effect of the chemical mixture on lung function, with significant associations for both FVC (β = -0.013, 95 % CI = -0.018, -0.008) and FEV1 (β = -0.013, 95 % CI = -0.017, -0.007). These results were consistent in BKMR models.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to dichlorophenol and parabens, either individually or in combination, is associated with decreased lung function in humans.

Association Between Multiple Plasma Toxic Metal and Metalloid Exposures and Hypertension in Elderly Chinese Adults

Although environmental exposure to toxic metals and metalloids is linked with the risk of cardiovascular diseases, the evidence is limited in the elderly. We evaluated the associations between 12 plasma metal levels including aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), strontium (Sr), lead (Pb), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), cuprum (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), and selenium (Se) with prevalence of hypertension in the elderly Chinese population. In this study, stratified cluster sampling was conducted among elderly residents in three communities in Gansu province from June to July 2023, with a total of 330 participants included. The concentrations of metals in whole plasma were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to evaluate the dose-response relationship between plasma metal levels and hypertension, with all metal concentrations log-transformed. We applied quantile g-computation (QG-comp) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models to examine the associations of both individual metals and metal mixtures with hypertension. After multivariable adjustments, the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for hypertension associated with the highest quartile of metal concentrations compared to the lowest quartile were as follows: 4.20 (1.36, 12.98) for Sr, 3.95 (1.30, 12.03) for V, 3.43 (1.09, 10.78) for Cr, 3.28 (1.16, 9.28) for Cu, 3.28 (1.13, 9.52) for Zn, and 2.87 (0.94, 8.74) for As. Using BKMR and restricted cubic spline analysis, we found that exposure to metal mixtures was positively associated with an increased risk of hypertension, with Ni, Cr, As, and V being the primary contributing factors. In addition, Zn, Ni, and Sr were significantly and positively correlated with hypertension, while plasma titanium levels were negatively associated with hypertension development. These results suggest a complex interaction between various metals and the risk of hypertension in the elderly. Exposure to metal mixtures was positively associated with hypertension risk in elderly Chinese adults, with Ni, Cr, As, and V as key contributors. In addition, Zn, Ni, and Sr are significantly associated with an increased risk of hypertension, while Ti was positively associated with its development.

Cross-sectional associations between multiple plasma heavy metals and lung function among elderly Chinese

Environmental exposure to heavy metals may adversely affect lung function particularly in the elderly. However, limited data are available directly evaluating the relationship of heavy metal exposures with lung function in Chinese elderly. We aimed to investigate the associations between plasma metals and lung function among Chinese elderly residents. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 308 elderly residents in an industrial area and a non-industrial area in northwest China and estimated the single and combined effects of plasma metals and their interactions with lung functions (forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1], and FEV1/FVC). We analyzed 12 plasma metals and identified 4 metals by lasso regression and BKMR model for further analysis. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) and quantile-g computation (QG-comp) models estimated four metals that had greater importance in lung function indicators, namely strontium (Sr), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni). Subgroup analyses were performed based on the resident areas. Both BKMR and QG-comp models showed metal mixtures was positively associated with FEV1/FVC (0.046 [0.017,0.075]) among all participants but of negative association with FVC, and similar results were found among participants in non-industrial area. The subgroup analysis by region showed higher heavy metal levels in industrial areas than non-industrial area. Sr concentrations were lower in non-industrial area, but they had a negative effect on FVC. In conclusion, plasma Sr, Cr, Co, and Ni levels are significant associated with lung function particularly with restrictive ventilatory dysfunction among the Chinese elderly population.

Single- and combined-heavy metals/metalloids exposures are associated with infertility in US women aged 20-44: NHANES 2013-2020 analysis

Infertility is a major medical and social issue, with environmental factors, including metal exposure, playing a crucial role. This study analyzes how individual metals and their mixtures, which include a selection of heavy metals and metalloids totaling sixteen metals, contribute to infertility risk, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. The study included 1326 women aged 20-44 years, comprising 1145 classified as fertile and 181 as infertile, with data on reproductive questionnaires and covariates. Infertility was defined through self-reported data. To assess the associations between exposure to these elements and infertility risk, we employed logistic regression, principal component analysis (PCA), restricted cubic splines (RCS), quantile regression with group-specific combination (qgcomp), and bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). After adjusting for potential confounders, logistic regression revealed positive associations of blood manganese (BMn) and urinary tin (USn) with infertility, whereas serum selenium (SSe) was negatively associated. RCS analysis demonstrated nonlinear relationships between urinary barium (UBa), urinary molybdenum (UMo), and urinary antimony (USb) and infertility. Potential interactions were identified between the following metal pairs: UMo and urinary cadmium, USb and UBa, and USb and UMo. PCA identified a positive association between PC3 and infertility (OR = 1.17, 95 % CI: 1.00, 1.36). The qgcomp model also indicated a positive association between metal mixtures and female infertility (OR = 1.25, 95 % CI: 1.03, 1.52). In conclusion, this study highlights significant associations between exposure to specific metals and infertility risk among women of reproductive age.

Prenatal exposure to essential metals and blood pressure at preschool age: A birth cohort study

AIMS

To investigate the association between prenatal exposure to essential metals and the offspring blood pressure (BP) at preschool age.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from a birth cohort study including 1113 mother-child pairs were analyzed. The associations between individual prenatal essential elements and offspring BP were analyzed using generalized linear regression models. Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) and weighted quantile sum regression (WQS), were employed to examine the combined effects of prenatal metal exposures on offspring BP. The associations between essential metals and high blood pressure (HBP) of offspring were appraised using logistic regression model.

RESULTS

In the single-metal models, we found that maternal magnesium (Mg) concentrations were negatively associated with the offspring BP. The results of BKMR and WQS also identified a negative association between maternal essential metals mixtures and offspring BP. Logistic regression showed that compared to the highest quartiles of maternal Mg, the odds ratio (OR) for HBP in the lowest quartiles was 4.27 (95 % CI: 1.84-9.93). No significant associations were observed for other essential metals (all P value > 0.05). Additionally, no significant association was found between umbilical cord blood metal concentrations and offspring BP.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal essential metals mixtures, rather than those in umbilical cord blood, were negatively associated with offspring BP. Besides, lower maternal Mg levels were linked to a higher prevalence of HBP in offspring. Our findings provide significant evidence for exploring the effects of maternal essential metal elements on offspring BP.

The independent and interactive effects of heavy metal pollution and vitamin D deficiency on early kidney injury indicators: analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2004

BACKGROUND

Heavy metals (e.g., cadmium, lead, mercury, etc.) can infiltrate the human body via diverse routes, with a propensity to accumulate in the kidney cortex, thereby precipitating kidney dysfunction. Vitamin D has been implicated in mitigating the oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions triggered by heavy metal exposure. However, the interplay between heavy metal toxicity and vitamin D deficiency in the context of incipient kidney injury remains an underexplored area of research.

METHODS

Utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey spanning from 2001 to 2004, Our methodology leveraged spline smoothing within the framework of generalized additive models to more vividly elucidate the impact of heavy metal exposure and serum vitamin D levels on the trajectory of early kidney injury biomarkers (including albumin-to-creatinine ratio, β-2 microglobulin (B2M), cystatin C (CYST), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (serum creatinine(SCr)-based(eGFR), CYST-based eGFR, and SCr-CYST-based eGFR). Furthermore, we conducted an interaction analysis to assess the combined effects of heavy metal exposure and vitamin D deficiency on early kidney injury.

RESULTS

The cohort comprised 2,422 adults. Our results indicated that cadmium levels were positively correlated with B2M, CYST, and negatively correlated with eGFRc, eGFRs. Similarly, lead levels showed a positive correlation with ACR, B2M, and CYST, and negative correlation with eGFRc, eGFRc&s. In contrast, mercury levels were negatively correlated with B2M, CYST and positively correlated with eGFRc. In addition, there was an interaction between lead exposure and vitamin D deficiency in early kidney injury indicators (P for interaction: B2M: 0.028, CYST: 0.038, eGFRc&s: 0.011).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests a correlation between exposure to cadmium and lead and an increased risk of early kidney injury. It highlights the potential importance of targeted vitamin D supplementation and reduction in lead exposure in mitigating early kidney injury. However, these findings warrant validation through further prospective research.

G-Quadruplex and DNAzyme dual-driven DNA detection system for real-time quantitative detection of environmental lead ions

Lead is a major heavy metal pollutant resulting from industrial activities, such as mining and battery manufacturing. Residual Pb ions pose serious health risks, highlighting the need for accurate monitoring to ensure environmental safety. Although traditional methods, such as inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), are reliable, they require costly equipment, skilled operators, and are time-consuming, making them impractical for rapid field detection. Consequently, research is focused on developing simpler, faster, and more cost-effective detection methods for environmental monitoring and food safety. In this study, we developed a novel G-quadruplex-based detection system using bioenzyme-driven DNA molecular machines aiming to address the complexities of environmental detection and the need for timely monitoring. The unique spatial folding characteristics of G-quadruplexes can significantly accelerate amplification cycles, thereby reducing the dependence on bioenzymes, lowering detection costs, and enhancing the system's resistance to interference in complex environments. Specifically, we designed a dual-drive DNA detection system based on Pb²⁺-specific DNAzyme and G-quadruplex embedded fluorescent probes. In the presence of Pb²⁺, this system responded rapidly, inducing multiple amplification reactions to achieve high sensitivity and high selectivity detection of Pb²⁺. This detection method can detect Pb²⁺ as low as 1.062 × 10-4 mg/L, with a detection linear range of 3.793 × 10-5-1.897 × 10-2 mg/L. Additionally, this platform demonstrated excellent Pb²⁺ specificity and stability in complex samples. We also compared this technology with ICP-MS, and the results showed a high consistency between the two methods for the detection of actual samples. Furthermore, we expanded the application of this technology for quantitative detection in lake water, fish, and soil, providing a new solution for the rapid detection of Pb²⁺ in daily environmental and food samples.

Combined Effects of Arsenic, Cadmium, and Mercury with Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Insights from the All of Us Research Program

BACKGROUND

Environmental exposures to heavy metals/metalloids such as arsenic, cadmium, and mercury have been implicated in adverse cardiovascular health outcomes. Using data from the All of Us research program, we investigated the associations between these metals/metalloids and six cardiovascular-related biomarkers: systolic blood pressure (SBP), HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, C-reactive protein (CRP), total cholesterol, and triglycerides.

METHODS

This study explored the relationship between outcome cardiovascular variables (SBP, CRP, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and total cholesterol) and predictor metal/metalloid variables (cadmium, mercury, and arsenic) among 136 participants (53.4 percent women). We initially conducted linear regression to determine the association between variables of interest. Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) analysis was subsequently performed to capture potential non-linear relationships, as well as interactions among metal/metalloid exposures. In the BKMR analysis, posterior inclusion probabilities (PIPs) quantified the contribution of each metal/metalloid to the outcomes, with higher PIP values indicating a greater likelihood of a specific exposure being a key predictor for a given cardiovascular biomarker. Within the BKMR framework, univariate, bivariate, and overall exposure-response analyses provided insights into the individual and combined effects of metal/metalloid exposures. These analyses identified the factors with the strongest associations and highlighted interactions between exposures.

RESULTS

In this study, the average age of male participants was 58.2 years, while female participants had an average age of 55.6 years. The study population included 104 individuals identifying as White (mean age: 57.5 years), 10 as Black or African American (mean age: 63.2 years), 7 as Hispanic (mean age: 48.2), 3 as Asian (mean age: 49.7 years), and 12 as Other race (mean age: 48.8 years). In our study, men exhibited higher levels of SBP, triglycerides, mercury, and arsenic, while women had higher levels of CRP, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and cadmium. Black people exhibited higher levels and greater variability in markers of cardiovascular risk and inflammation (e.g., blood pressure and CRP), Asians consistently showed the lowest levels across most biomarkers, while White people, Hispanics, and the "Other" group demonstrated moderate levels with some variability. In linear regression, we identified significant positive associations between mercury and HDL cholesterol, arsenic and triglycerides, and arsenic and total cholesterol. In BKMR analysis, PIP results revealed that mercury had the highest predictive contribution for SBP, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides; cadmium for CRP; and arsenic for LDL and total cholesterol. Univariate and bivariate exposure-response analyses in BKMR demonstrated non-linear exposure-response patterns, including U-shaped and inverted U-shaped patterns for cadmium, particularly CRP and total cholesterol. Traditional linear regression techniques would have missed these patterns.

CONCLUSION

Our study results highlight the influence of environmental metal/metalloid exposures on cardiovascular biomarkers, providing evidence of non-linear and interactive effects that warrant further investigation to understand their role in cardiovascular disease risk better.

Health effects of mixed metal exposure on accelerating aging among the elderly population

BACKGROUND

Human exposure to heavy metals occurs through multiple pathways in daily life. However, the effects of mixed heavy metal exposure on accelerated aging in the elderly U.S. population remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the association between heavy metal concentrations in blood and urine and the onset of accelerated aging.

METHODS

A total of 2530 individuals were included in the blood metals analysis and 716 individuals in the urine metals analysis in this study. GrimAge acceleration (AgeAccelGrim) was calculated as the residuals from regressing DNA methylation GrimAge on chronological age. Weighted multivariable logistic regression models were applied to analyze the relationship between metal exposure with AgeAccelGrim. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) was performed to estimate the effects of individual metals or metals mixtures and AgeAccelGrim.

RESULTS

We found that blood cadmium (Cd) concentration was positively associated with an increased risk of AgeAccelGrim in both females and males, with odds ratios (OR) of 5.73 (95 % confidence interval (95 % CI): 1.88-17.41, P trend = 0.008) and 14.25 (95 % CI: 4.88-41.62, P trend < 0.001), respectively. Moreover, these associations were more pronounced for urinary Cd compared to blood Cd. Blood lead (Pb) was also associated with a 3.52-fold (95 % CI: 1.21-10.24, P trend = 0.007) increase in AgeAccelGrim risk among males. BKMR confirmed the aforementioned findings, identifying Cd as the most significant contributor to accelerated aging.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to heavy metals, either individually or in mixture, was positively associated with accelerated biological aging. These associations were more pronounced in males.

Associations Between Lead and Cadmium Exposure and Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease in U.S. Adults

The impact of lead and cadmium exposure on subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD), indicated by elevated high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTnT) and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) remains uncertain. We analyzed data from participants aged 20 and older, without overt CVD, in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; 1999-2004). Elevated lead and cadmium levels were defined as 3.5 μg/dL and 1.0 μg/L (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) and 3.8 μg/dL and 0.9 μg/L (atomic absorption spectrometry), respectively. Elevated hs-cTnT was ≥ 19 ng/L, and elevated NT-proBNP was ≥ 125 pg/mL. Multivariate logistic regression estimated the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for elevated biomarkers. Among 10,197 participants (mean age 48.8 years; 50.3% female), 5.3% had elevated hs-cTnT and 19.4% had elevated NT-proBNP. Elevated blood lead was associated with increased ORs for elevated hs-cTnT (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.15-1.84) and NT-proBNP (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.40-1.97). The corresponding ORs (95% CI) for elevated blood cadmium were 1.33 (1.02, 1.74) and 1.39 (1.18, 1.65). The effect of elevated blood lead on NT-proBNP was particularly pronounced among non-Hispanic Blacks (OR [95% CI], 3.26 [2.24, 4.74]) compared to Mexican Americans (1.46 [0.99, 2.17]) and non-Hispanic Whites (1.31 [1.02, 1.68]) and was stronger in individuals with impaired kidney function (OR [95% CI], 2.31 [1.43, 3.75]) compared to those with normal kidney function (1.44 [1.18, 1.75]). This study first reveals the association between lead and cadmium exposure and subclinical CVD, underscoring the need for targeted preventive measures to reduce cardiovascular risk and improve health outcomes.

Cadmium exposure induces inflammation, oxidative stress and DNA damage in HUVEC and promotes THP-1 adhesion: A possible mechanism on the formation of atherosclerotic plaque

Observational studies have shown that cadmium exposure increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Atherosclerotic plaque can cause vascular obstruction, which is important for the death from cardiovascular disease. Cell damage and monocyte adhesion are two early events in atherosclerotic plaque formation that can be induced by cadmium exposure, but the mechanism remains to be determined. This study was carried out to investigate the toxicity of cadmium in HUVECs and the effect of cadmium on the adhesion of THP-1 cells, and further explored the possible mechanisms. Rhodamine staining, DCFH-DA staining, Hoechst33258 staining, morphological observation and western blot were used to detect mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS, apoptosis, cell adhesion, signaling pathways and cell adhesion factors respectively. The results indicated that cadmium exposure increased the level of ROS, activated MAPK signaling pathway and resulted in cellular oxidative stress in HUVECs. Exposure to cadmium made nuclear shrinkage, activated DNA damage response pathways and mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptosis pathway in HUVECs. Cadmium exposure activated the NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-κB signaling pathway, led to the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines in HUVECs. In addition, cadmium exposure also upregulated the adhesion factors including ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-Selectin via NF-κB signaling pathway and resulted in the adhesion of THP-1 cells. The present study elucidated that cadmium could damage the HUVECs and promote the adhesion of THP-1 cells, which clarified the toxicity of cadmium in HUVECs and revealed the possible mechanism for the occurrence of cardiovascular disease induced by cadmium.

Salt use patterns and heavy metal urinary excretion

Background

Salt usage patterns have been associated with a risk of multiple diseases; however, their relationship with heavy metal exposure has not been extensively studied.

Methods

This study analyzed survey data from 11,574 NHANES participants. Weighted linear regression models were used to examine the relationship between the type of salt used by participants, the frequency of adding salt at the table, and the frequency of adding regular or seasoned salt to cooking or food preparation, and urinary concentrations of 10 heavy metals. Multiple sensitivity analyses were also performed.

Results

The weighted regression analysis indicated that participants' salt usage patterns were associated with an increased urinary excretion of certain heavy metals. Specifically, regarding the type of salt used, compared to regular salt, the use of salt substitutes was significantly positively correlated with urinary molybdenum (Mo) levels, while not using salt or substitutes at the table was significantly positively correlated with urinary levels of both Mo and arsenic (As). In terms of the frequency of adding regular salt at the table, frequent addition compared to rarely adding salt was significantly positively correlated with urinary levels of cadmium (Cd), and antimony (Sb), while showing a significant negative correlation with urinary Mo levels. Additionally, when examining the frequency of using regular salt during cooking or food preparation, those who occasionally or very often added regular salt had significantly higher urinary levels of barium (Ba), cesium (Cs), and thallium (Tl) compared to those who never added regular salt during cooking. These associations remained stable in sensitivity analyses.

Conclusion

Our analysis revealed that participants' salt usage patterns are associated with increased excretion of certain heavy metals, suggesting possible increased exposures to these metals. While these findings are concerning, they require validation in other populations and should be confirmed through prospective studies designed based on this hypothesis.

Associations between heavy metal exposure and vascular age: a large cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Heavy metal exposure is an emerging environmental risk factor linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) through its effects on vascular ageing. However, the relationship between heavy metal exposure and vascular age have not been fully elucidated.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 3,772 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2016. We measured urinary concentrations of nine heavy metals and assessed their associations with vascular age, estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) and heart vascular age (HVA). Additionally, sex-stratified analyses, Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regression and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression were conducted to explore the effects of individual and mixed metal exposures.

RESULTS

Exposure to metals such as cadmium (Cd) cesium (Cs), cobalt (Co), and lead (Pb) was significantly associated with increased vascular age, with odds ratios (OR) ranging from 1.05 to 3.48 in full adjusted models. Sex-stratified analyses indicated that individual metal including cobalt (Co) and cadmium (Cd) exposures had a more substantial impact on males. WQS analysis consistently showed combined heavy metals exposure had stronger associations with increased vascular age in men (OR for HVA = 3.89, 95% CI 2.91-5.28).

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights a significant association between heavy metal exposure and increased vascular age. Stratified analyses illustrated men might be more susceptible to the combined effects of multiple heavy metal exposure. The findings underscore the importance of considering sex-specific responses and interventions measures in cardiovascular risk assessments and managements. Further research is needed to validate these findings and to develop more precise public health strategies targeting environmental risks.

Association between exposure to urinary metal and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in US adults

BACKGROUND

Further evidence is required regarding the influence of metal mixture exposure on mortality. Therefore, we employed diverse statistical models to evaluate the associations between eight urinary metals and the risks of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.

METHODS

We measured the levels of 8 metals in the urine of adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2018. Based on follow-up data, we determined whether they died and the reasons for their deaths. We estimated the association between urine metal exposure and all-cause mortality using Cox regression, weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models. Additionally, we used a competing risk model to estimate the relationship between metal exposure and cardiovascular mortality.

RESULTS

Among the 14,305 individuals included in our final analysis, there were 2,066 deaths, with 1,429 being cardiovascular-related. Cox regression analysis showed that cobalt (Co) (HR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.30) and antimony (Sb) (HR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.40) were positively associated with all-cause mortality (all P for trend <0.001). In the competing risk model, Co (HR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.48), lead (Pb) (HR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.37), and Sb (HR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.18, 1.75) were significantly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality (all P for trend <0.001). Sb, Pb, cadmium (Cd), and molybdenum (Mo) had the highest weight rankings in the final WQS model. All metals showed a complex non-linear relationship with all-cause mortality, with high posterior inclusion probabilities (PIPs) in the final BKMR models.

CONCLUSIONS

Combining all models, it is possible that Sb may have a more stable impact on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Meaningful metal effects in individual statistical models still require careful attention.

Evaluation of organ developmental toxicity of environmental toxicants using zebrafish embryos

There is increasing global concern about environmental pollutants, such as heavy metals, plastics, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and pesticides, which have been detected in a variety of environments and are likely to be exposed to nontarget organisms, including humans. Various animal models have been utilized for toxicity assessment, and zebrafish are particularly valuable for studying the toxicity of various compounds owing to their similarity to other aquatic organisms and 70% genetic similarity to humans. Their development is easy to observe, and transgenic models for organs such as the heart, liver, blood vessels, and nervous system enable efficient studies of organ-specific toxicity. This suggests that zebrafish are a valuable tool for evaluating toxicity in specific organs and forecasting the potential impacts on other nontarget species. This review describes organ toxicity caused by various toxic substances and their mechanisms in zebrafish.

Butterfly-Inspired Multiple Cross-Linked Dopamine-Metal-Phenol Bioprosthetic Valves with Enhanced Endothelialization and Anticalcification

Valve replacement is the most effective means of treating heart valve diseases, and transcatheter heart valve replacement (THVR) is the hottest field at present. However, the durability of the commercial bioprosthetic valves has always been the limiting factor restricting the development of interventional valve technology. The chronic inflammatory reaction, calcification, and difficulty in endothelialization after the implantation of a glutaraldehyde cross-linked porcine aortic valve or bovine pericardium often led to valve degeneration. Improving the biocompatibility of valve materials and inducing endothelialization to promote in situ regeneration can extend the service life of valve materials. Herein, inspired by the hardening process of butterfly wings, this study proposed a dopamine-metal-phenol strategy to modify decellularized porcine pericardium (DPP). This is a strategy to make dopamine (DA) coordinate trivalent metal chromium ions (Cr(III)) with antiplatelets (PLTs) and anti-inflammatory properties, and then cross-link it with tea polyphenols (TP) to generate a valve scaffold that is mechanically comparable to glutaraldehyde-cross-linked scaffolds but avoids the cytotoxicity of aldehyde and presents better biocompatibility, hemocompatibility, anticalcification, and anti-inflammatory response properties.

Exposure to Environmental Chemicals and Infertility Among US Reproductive-Aged Women

Environmental chemical exposure has been rising over the past few decades but its impact on fertility remains uncertain. We assessed exposures to 23 common chemicals across a range of sociodemographic characteristics and their relationship with self-reported infertility. The analytic sample was non-pregnant women aged 18-49 years without a history of hysterectomy or oophorectomy (n = 2579) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2016). Environmental chemical exposure was assessed with biospecimens and dichotomized as high and low levels of exposure based on the median. Logistic regression models estimated the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between high levels of exposure and infertility, adjusted for age, race, education level, family income, and smoking status. We observed associations between infertility and cadmium [aOR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.02-3.47] and arsenic [aOR: 1.88 (1.05-3.36)]. Two pesticides hexachlorobenzene [OR: 2.04 (1.05-3.98)] and oxychlordane [OR: 2.04 (1.12-3.69)] were also associated with infertility in unadjusted analyses. There were negative associations with two Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances with n-perfluorooctanoic acid [aOR: 0.51: (0.30-0.86)] and n-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid [aOR: 0.51: (0.26-0.97). Specific chemicals may contribute to infertility risk, highlighting the need for targeted public health strategies to mitigate exposure.

Interactive association of metals and Life's Essential 8 with mortality in U.S. adults: a prospective cohort study from the NHANES dataset

BACKGROUND

Life's Essential 8 (LE8) is a novel assessment of cardiovascular health (CVH) by evaluating lifestyle, and reports of the associations between LE8 and urinary metals on mortality have been very limited. This study aimed to conduct a prospective cohort study and investigate the combined effects of metals and LE8 on mortality in U.S. adults.

METHODS

This study enrolled participants with complete information on urinary metals, LE8, mortality status, and confounders from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005-2018). The Cox regression model, adaptive lasso penalized regression, and restricted cubic spline were used to analyze the individual effects of metals and LE8 on all-cause mortality. The additive and multiplicative interaction scales and quantile g-computation were used to evaluate the interaction and combined effects. Stratified analyses were performed to clarify whether metals and LE8 interacted with other variables to influence all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 8017 participants were included in this study. The concentrations of cadmium, cobalt, lead, antimony, and thorium were greater in the low CVH group than in the high CVH group [median (µg/L): 0.29 vs. 0.19, 0.36 vs. 0.35, 0.48 vs. 0.39, 0.05 vs. 0.04, and 0.07 vs. 0.06]. The interaction between cadmium and LE8 was statistically significant, with a synergy index of 1.169 (95% CI: 1.004, 1.361). The stratified analyses showed that the interaction between age and LE8 had an impact on all-cause mortality (P for interaction = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

In this representative sample of the U.S. population, we found that the combined effect of cadmium, lead, thallium, and LE8 was positively associated with all-cause mortality. Furthermore, the interaction between cadmium and LE8 influenced all-cause mortality. So people should adopt healthy behaviors and reduce heavy metal exposure to minimize the risk of adverse health outcomes.

Big Data, Big Insights: Leveraging Data Analytics to Unravel Cardiovascular Exposome Complexities

The exposome encompasses the full range of environmental exposures throughout a person's lifetime and plays an important role in cardiovascular health. Interactions with the social, natural, and built components of the exposome significantly impact cardiovascular disease prevalence and mortality. Robust data analytics, including machine learning and geospatial analysis, have advanced our understanding of how these factors converge to influence cardiovascular disease risk. The integration of multiomics platforms and advanced computational approaches enhances our ability to characterize the exposome, leading to targeted public health interventions and innovative risk reduction strategies aimed at improving cardiovascular health globally. These multiomics platforms that integrate factors such as genomics, epigenomics, clinical data, social factors, environmental factors, and wearable technology will characterize the exposome in greater detail concerning cardiovascular health. In this review, we aimed to elucidate the components of the exposome and discuss recent literature regarding their relationship to cardiovascular health.

Applications of nanomaterials with enzyme-like activity for the detection of phytochemicals and hazardous substances in plant samples

Plants such as herbs, vegetables, fruits, and cereals are closely related to human life. Developing effective testing methods to ensure their safety and quantify their active components are of significant importance. Recently, nanomaterials with enzyme-like activity (known as nanozymes) have been widely developed in various assays, including colorimetric, fluorescence, chemiluminescence, and electrochemical analysis. This review presents the latest advances in analyzing phytochemicals and hazardous substances in plant samples based on nanozymes, including some active ingredients, organophosphorus pesticides, heavy metal ions, and mycotoxins. Additionally, the current shortcomings and challenges of the actual sample analysis were discussed.

The Adverse Impact of Bisphenol A Exposure on Optimal Cardiovascular Health as Measured by Life's Essential 8 in U.S. Adults: Evidence from NHANES 2005 to 2016

Background/Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases are the primary cause of global morbidity and mortality, with cardiovascular health (CVH) remaining well below the ideal level and showing minimal improvement in the U.S. population over recent years. Bisphenol A (BPA), a pervasive environmental contaminant, has emerged as a potential contributor to adverse cardiovascular outcomes. This cross-sectional study delves into the impact of BPA exposure on achieving optimal CVH, as assessed by the Life's Essential 8 metric, among U.S. adults. Methods: Analyzing data from 6635 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected between 2005 and 2016, BPA exposure was quantified through urinary BPA levels, while optimal CVH was defined using the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 criteria, scoring between 80 and 100. Multivariable logistic regression and propensity score matching were employed to evaluate the association between BPA exposure and CVH. Results: This study reveals that individuals in the highest tertile of urinary BPA levels were 27% less likely to attain optimal CVH compared with those in the lowest tertile (OR, 0.73; 95% CI: 0.59-0.92). This negative association persisted across diverse demographics, including age, sex, and race, mirrored in the link between urinary BPA levels and health factor scores. Conclusions: The findings underscore the potential benefits of reducing BPA exposure in enhancing the prevalence of optimal CVH and mitigating the burden of cardiovascular disease. Given the widespread use of BPA, ongoing monitoring of BPA's impact on CVH is essential. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the long-term and causative connections between BPA and CVH. These insights contribute to understanding the complex interplay between environmental factors and CVH outcomes, informing targeted interventions to mitigate cardiovascular disease risk within the population.

Contextualizing toxic elements in the diet: a case for integration of toxic element data into food databases

Food composition data plays a key role in the practice of nutrition. However, nutrition professionals may currently lack the resources they need to integrate information about toxic elements - such as arsenic, cadmium, and lead - in food into the advice they give consumers. Geographic, sociocultural, and individual factors may impact not only the toxic element content of food, but also how the balance between potentially toxic and health-promoting components of food must be weighed. Better integration and contextualization of toxic element data into key food databases could allow for more nuanced, comprehensive nutrition guidance.

What Can We Learn from the Scalp Hair's Trace Element Content? The Relationship with the Advancement of Coronary Artery Disease

Background: Multiple risk factors for coronary artery disease have been identified without answering one of the leading questions related to the extent of the involvement of the epicardial arteries. Trace elements are involved in various stages of atherosclerotic lesion formation and may play a significant role in the advancement of coronary artery disease. Methods: A total of 157 (92 (59%) men and 65 (41%) women) patients with a median age of 71 (65-75) years presenting with chronic coronary syndrome were enrolled in the prospective single-center analysis. The coronary angiography results were compared with the concentration of trace elements in scalp hair. Results: Through Spearman analysis, a positive correlation between the number of diseased coronary arteries and hair trace element concentration was found for sodium (r = 0.198, p = 0.013), vanadium (r = 0.164, p = 0.040), chromium (r = 0.242, p = 0.002), and nickel (r = 0.176, p = 0.026). A negative relationship was noted between magnesium (r = -0.237, p = 0.003) and calcium (r = -0.217, p = 0.007) and the extent of epicardial lesions. Conclusions: Scalp hair trace element analysis indicates the possible modulatory role of trace elements in advancing coronary artery disease. Since a significant correlation with one- and two-vessel but not with three-vessel disease was noted, it might be considered an "all or nothing" phenomenon. A positive correlation between the number of diseased coronary arteries and sodium, vanadium, chromium, and nickel and an inverse correlation with magnesium and calcium were noted. The presented analysis is hypothesis-generating, and further studies are necessary to corroborate the results from a clinical perspective.

Advances in Hydrogels Research for Ion Detection and Adsorption

The continuing development of heavy industry worldwide has led to an exponential increase in the amount of wastewater discharged from factories and entering the natural world in the form of rivers and air. As the top of the food chain in the natural world, toxic ions penetrate the human body through the skin, nose, and a few milligrams of toxic ions can often cause irreversible damage to the human body, so ion detection and adsorption is related to the health and safety of human beings. Hydrogel is a hydrophilic three-dimensional reticulated polymer material that first synthesized by Wichterle and Lim in 1960, which is rich in porous structure and has a variety of active adsorption sites as a new type of adsorbent and can be used to detect ions through the introduction of photonic crystals, DNA, fluorescent probe, and other materials. This review describes several synthetic and natural hydrogels for the adsorption and detection of ions and discusses the mechanism of ion adsorption by hydrogels, and provide a perspective for the future development.

Associations of serum lead, cadmium, and mercury concentrations with all-cause and cause-specific mortality among individuals with cardiometabolic multimorbidity

Epidemiological evidence indicates an association between exposure to toxic metals and the occurrence of cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs). However, the impact of exposure to harmful metallic elements, such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg), on mortality in individuals with cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) remains uncertain. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed data from 4139 adults diagnosed with CMM from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2016. CMM was defined as the presence of at least two CMDs (hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and coronary artery disease). Over an average follow-up period of 9.0 years, 1379 deaths from all causes, 515 deaths related to cardiovascular disease (CVD), and 215 deaths attributable to cancer were recorded. After adjusting for potential covariates, serum Pb concentrations were not associated with all-cause, CVD, or cancer mortality. Participants exposed to Cd had an elevated risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.23; 95 % CI, 1.16-1.30), CVD-related mortality (HR, 1.23; 95 % CI, 1.12-1.35), and cancer-related mortality (HR, 1.29; 95 % CI, 1.13-1.47). Participants with serum Hg levels in the highest quantile had lower risks of all-cause (HR, 0.64; 95 % CI, 0.52-0.80) and CVD-related (HR, 0.62; 95 % CI, 0.44-0.88) mortality than did those in the lowest quantile. Stratified analyses revealed significant interactions between serum Cd concentrations and age for CVD-related mortality (P for interaction =0.011), indicating that CMM participants aged < 60 years who were exposed to Cd were at a greater risk of CVD-related mortality. A nonlinear relationship was observed between serum Cd concentrations and all-cause (P for nonlinear relationship = 0.012) and CVD-related (P for nonlinear relationship < 0.001) mortality. Minimizing Cd exposure in patients with CMM may help prevent premature death.

An analysis of exogenous harmful substance exposure as risk factors for COPD and hypertension co-morbidity using PSM

Background

Some occupational and environmental exposures could increase the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and hypertension in various work and living environments. However, the effect of exposure to multiple exogenous harmful substances on COPD and hypertension co-morbidities remains unclear.

Methods

Participants were selected from eight hospitals in five provinces in China using a multistage cluster sampling procedure. Participants' demographic, exposure, and disease information were collected through questionnaires, spirometry, and blood pressure examinations. Demographic data were used as matching factors, and 1:1 matching between the exposed and non-exposed groups was performed by employing propensity score matching (PSM) to minimize the influence on the results. A one-way chi-squared analysis and multifactorial logistic regression were used to analyze the association between the exposure to exogenous harmful substances (metals and their compound dust, inorganic mineral dust, organic chemicals, and livestock by-products) and the co-morbidity of COPD and hypertension.

Results

There were 6,610 eligible participants in the final analysis, of whom 2,045 (30.9%) were exposed to exogenous harmful substances. The prevalence of co-morbidities of COPD and hypertension (6.0%) in the exposure group was higher than their prevalence in the total population (4.6%). After PSM, exogenous harmful substance exposure was found to be a risk factor for the co-morbidity of COPD and hypertension [odds ratio (OR) = 1.347, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.011-1.794], which was not statistically significant before PSM (OR = 1.094, 95% CI: 0.852-1.405). Meanwhile, the results of different outcomes showed that the association between hypertension and exogenous harmful substance exposure was not statistically significant (OR = 0.965, 95% CI: 0.846-1.101). Smoking (OR = 4.702, 95% CI: 3.321-6.656), history of a respiratory disease during childhood (OR = 2.830, 95% CI: 1.600-5.006), and history of respiratory symptoms (OR = 1.897, 95% CI: 1.331-2.704) were also identified as risk factors for the co-morbidity of COPD and hypertension.

Conclusion

The distribution of exogenous harmful substance exposure varies in the population, and the prevalence of co-morbidities is generally higher in susceptible populations. Exposure to exogenous harmful substances was found to be a key risk factor after adjusting for demographic confounders.

Environmental Impacts on Cardiovascular Health and Biology: An Overview

Environmental stressors associated with human activities (eg, air and noise pollution, light disturbance at night) and climate change (eg, heat, wildfires, extreme weather events) are increasingly recognized as contributing to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. These harmful exposures have been shown to elicit changes in stress responses, circadian rhythms, immune cell activation, and oxidative stress, as well as traditional cardiovascular risk factors (eg, hypertension, diabetes, obesity) that promote cardiovascular diseases. In this overview, we summarize evidence from human and animal studies of the impacts of environmental exposures and climate change on cardiovascular health. In addition, we discuss strategies to reduce the impact of environmental risk factors on current and future cardiovascular disease burden, including urban planning, personal monitoring, and mitigation measures.