Qiong Wang

The DLK1-MEG3 gene locus on human chromosome 14q32.2 contributes significantly to glucose metabolism and is linked to SGA development, but the role of its methylation in glucose regulation and SGA remains unclear. A nested case-control study of 330 participants (165 SGA, 165 AGA) measured methylation levels of IG-DMR (5 CpGs) and MEG3-DMR (7 CpGs) in umbilical cord blood using bisulfite pyrosequencing. Blood glucose and insulin levels were assessed. Logistic regression and mediation analysis were used. Higher IG-DMR (Pos. 3) methylation level was associated with elevated SGA risk (OR = 1.068, 95% CI [1.002-1.142]) and lower blood glucose (Percentage change = -2.69%, 95% CI [-4.75% to -0.58%]). The average methylation level of MEG3-DMR was negatively correlated with SGA risk (OR = 0.931, 95% CI [0.876 to 0.987]) and positively with insulin (Percentage change = 3.38%, 95% CI [0.23% to 0.63%]). Mediation analysis suggested insulin mediated the effect between the average methylation level of MEG3-DMR and SGA (explaining 11.7%). After excluding preterm infants, the association between the average methylation level of MEG3-DMR and insulin was not significant, while other results remained similar. These results offer new insights into how DNA methylation influences pregnancy outcomes and provide a foundation for SGA management and prevention research. Epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, are believed to play a significant role in regulating intrauterine growth. The DLK1-MEG3 locus, which includes two differentially methylated regions (IG-DMR and MEG3-DMR) is involved in glucose metabolism regulation, a key factor in fetal growth. We identified a marked association of the mean methylation levels of MEG3-DMR and SGA, and insulin may mediate this association. The findings offer novel insights into the epigenetic mechanisms linking DNA methylation patterns with adverse gestational consequences. This research has potential implications for improving the management of SGA risk.

The global prevalence and burden of anxiety disorders (ADs) are increasing. However, findings on the acute effects of air pollution on ADs remain inconclusive. We evaluated the effects of short-term exposure to ambient air pollutants, including fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), inhalable particulate matter (PM₁₀), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and ozone (O₃), on daily hospital visits for ADs. A generalized additive model was used to perform a time-series analysis on data from a Southern China city’s medical insurance system between 1 March 2021, and 31 July 2023. Although the daily levels of most pollutants (PM₁₀, SO₂, CO, NO₂ and O₃) were consistently below China and WHO’s Ambient Air-Quality Standards, significant associations were observed between daily hospital visits for ADs and all six air pollutants. Each interquartile range increase in concentrations resulted in the largest odds ratios of 1.08 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.16) at lag1 for PM_2.5, 1.19 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.34) at lag07 for NO₂, 1.14 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.23) at lag02 for CO, 1.12 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.25) at lag07 for PM₁₀, 1.06 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.12) at lag7 for SO₂ and 1.08 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.15) at lag7 for O₃, respectively. The effects of NO₂ and CO remained robust across subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses. Females and middle-aged individuals showed stronger associations than other subgroups. The findings underscore the necessity for public health efforts to alleviate the impact of air pollution on mental health, even in low-concentration settings.

Background: Anemia significantly contributes to the global disease burden, with its incidence potentially influenced by the trace metal content within the body. Objective: This study aims to examine the associations between trace metals and anemia risk, with a particular focus on investigating the potential mediating roles of iron status and inflammation in these associations. Methods: Five trace metals (Ni, Co, Mn, Se, and Mo) were examined in 1274 US adults, utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017–2020. The individual and combined effects of these metals on anemia were assessed using logistic regression, quantile g-computation (QGC), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). A sex-stratified analysis was conducted to discern any gender-specific susceptibilities. Additionally, mediation analysis was employed to explore the potential mediating roles of iron status and inflammation in the associations between these metals and anemia. Results: Increased risks of anemia were positively associated with Co and Ni levels but negatively correlated with Se and Mn levels (all with p < 0.05). The trace metal mixture was negatively associated with anemia, with the highest weights of Co and Se in different directions in both the QGC and BKMR models. In the sex-specific analysis, we observed less pronounced protective effects from trace metals in females. Moreover, the mediating proportion of the iron status and inflammation in these relationships ranged from 10.29% to 58.18%. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the trace element mixture was associated with decreased anemia risk, among which Se was a protective factor while Co was a risk factor, and females were more susceptible. The effects of these trace metals on anemia may be mediated by the iron status and inflammation.