Yan Xie

Several observational studies have explored the link between arsenic (As) exposure and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). However, epidemiological findings have been inconsistent, with a wide range of reported heterogeneity. This study aims to systematically evaluate the association between As exposure and IUGR (SGA(Small for gestational age), PTB(Preterm birth), LBW(Preterm birth)) through a meta-analysis. We searched six databases—China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang, VIP Database, PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct—for studies on As exposure and IUGR up to May 2024. After screening and data extraction, a comprehensive bias risk assessment was conducted using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), AHRQ (the assessment tool of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality), and NTP/OHAT (the assessment tool of the National Toxicology Program/Office of Health Assessment and Translation). Meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects models (I² > 50%) or fixed-effects models (I² < 50%) to estimate effect sizes. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression analysis were performed to identify the sources of heterogeneity. Publication bias was assessed using the Egger test, Begg test, and funnel plot. Eleven studies, including 2,183,652 participants from the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa, were analyzed. Results showed a significant association between As exposure and SGA (OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.13), particularly in Asia (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.49). Maternal exposure to higher As levels (10–100 μg/L) was also significantly associated with SGA (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.50). Although PTB (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.99, 1.07) and LBW (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.97, 1.09) did not show overall significant associations, subgroup analyses revealed increased risks under specific conditions. As exposure at 1–10 μg/L significantly increased PTB risk (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.21), while exposure at 0–1 μg/L significantly increased LBW risk (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.21). This study supports a link between As exposure and increased IUGR risk, particularly SGA. Stricter public health policies are needed to reduce arsenic exposure during pregnancy. However, due to heterogeneity and potential publication bias, results should be interpreted with caution.

The health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of college students is not promising and needs to be improved through effective interventions. This study aimed to investigate the associations of nutrition literacy (NL) with HRQOL and anxiety among college students, and to identify the role of anxiety in the relationship between NL and HRQOL. The cross-sectional survey was conducted via the “Wenjuanxing” platform from September to November 2023. The Food and Nutrition Literacy Questionnaire (FNLQ), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) diagnostic tool and the SF-12 scale were used to assess NL, anxiety, and HRQOL, respectively. Logistic regression models, mediation analysis, additive and multiplicative interaction analyses were used. 2066 college students participated in the analysis. After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that college students with higher NL had higher HRQOL (OR = 2.52, 95% CI: 2.09–3.03, p < 0.001) and a lower risk of anxiety (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.39–0.73, p < 0.001). Additionally, anxious college students had lower HRQOL (OR = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.11–0.24, p < 0.001). Furthermore, mediation analysis confirmed that anxiety was a partial mediator of the relationship between NL and HRQOL (β = 0.600, 95% CI: 0.406–0.779/0.430–0.818). Significant additive interactions were found between NL and Anxiety (RERI = 6.96, 95% CI: 2.74–11.17; AP = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.37–0.64; SI = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.58–3.07). Higher levels of NL are associated with better HRQOL and lower anxiety among college students. Additionally, anxiety partially mediated the relationship between NL and HRQOL. Furthermore, there is a synergy between NL and anxiety.

Objective: To analyze the expression and clinical significance of the zinc finger protein ZNF207 gene in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Methods: The mRNA sequencing data of 371 cases of primary liver cancer, 50 cases of normal tissues, and 3 cases of recurrent liver cancer were downloaded from the TCGA database. The corresponding clinical information of the 371 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma was subsequently analyzed. The difference in ZNF207 expression between normal and tumor tissues was analyzed using the UALCAN online database. The impact of ZNF207 expression on survival prognosis was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method in R software. The GO and KEGG pathways of ZNF207 were analyzed. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the prognostic factors of patients with LIHC. RT-qPCR was employed to verify the expression of ZNF207 in LIHC cells. Results: ZNF207 was highly expressed in LIHC tissues and HepG2 cells, with a significant difference (P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that patients with high ZNF207 expression had a significantly shorter overall survival time compared to those with low ZNF207 expression (HR = 1.466, 95% CI: 1.011–2.126, P < 0.05). GO enrichment analysis suggested that ZNF207 may influence the onset and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating mRNA splicing and mRNA transcription processing through the spliceosome. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that ZNF207 might affect the onset and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma through mitophagy, mRNA surveillance, homologous recombination, spliceosome, and nuclear-cytoplasmic transport. Conclusion: The expression of ZNF207 may be an independent predictor of the prognosis of patients with LIHC and could influence the development of hepatocellular carcinoma through various gene functions and pathways. It has the potential to serve as a novel molecular marker for predicting the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

This cross-sectional epidemiological study aimed to investigate awareness regarding human papillomavirus (HPV) and willingness for vaccination among college students with or without medical background in Guizhou Province, China. A logistic regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses of cognition to determine factors influencing willingness for vaccination. In total, 2,540 questionnaires were collected, of which 2,360 were valid. The medical and nonmedical groups included 737 (31.2%) and 1,623 (68.8%) individuals, respectively. The medical group had heard of HPV and its vaccines more frequently than the nonmedical group, with the former also having greater awareness than the latter (P < .001). Females (1,325, 56.1%) had heard of HPV and its vaccines more frequently than males (1,035, 43.9%), with the former also having greater awareness than the latter. The cost, safety, and efficacy of the HPV vaccine and lack of knowledge regarding HPV and its vaccines were the main barriers for vaccination. The overall level of knowledge regarding HPV and its vaccines was lower in the nonmedical group and males than in the medical group and females. To help promote willingness for vaccination among the nonmedical group and males, strategies that deepen their knowledge regarding the HPV vaccine are needed.

The objective of this study was to investigate the parent cognition of information regarding the human papillomavirus (HPV) and their willingness toward HPV vaccination of their middle-school-aged children in Zunyi, Guizhou Province, China.The results provide a basis for improving the awareness concerning HPV-related information as a key vaccination strategy for implementing the HPV vaccine in the local context. Methods include the random cluster sampling method and questionnaires to survey parents. General descriptive and single-factor analyses were used to assess cognition to determine factors influencing vaccine willingness. Of 1,074 parents, 28.2% (302) and 38.0% (408) had heard of HPV and its vaccine before the survey, and when given HPV-related information, 73.9% (794) parents were willing to vaccinate their children. Reasons why parents did or did not want the vaccination were surveyed, with lack of sufficient knowledge about HPV and its vaccine being the primary reason to refuse vaccination. Concerns about safety, effectiveness, and perceiving low risk are the biggest obstacle in promoting vaccination. When the price is <1000, most parents (56.1%) are willing to vaccinate their children; thus, cost is also one of the concerns. Therefore, strategies for improving public awareness regarding the risk of cervical cancer and confidence in vaccination must be considered by policymakers.If the national authority confirms that the vaccine is safe and effective, the vaccine should be included in the national immunization program to increase publicity, address safety concerns, and allow for price regulation.

Sex hormone‐binding globulin, also known as testosterone–estradiol‐binding globulin, is a multifunctional protein synthesised by hepatocytes. Sex hormone‐binding globulin specifically binds and transports sex hormones to regulate plasma bioactive sex hormone levels and affects their bioavailability. As male sex hormone expression is dominated by testosterone, the binding of sex hormone‐binding globulin with testosterone leads to the reduction in bioavailable testosterone, which cannot fulfil its physiological roles, thereby resulting in male infertility, erectile and gonadal dysfunction, prostate cancer and other male reproductive system diseases. Sex hormone‐binding globulin may be involved in the pathogenesis of male reproductive system diseases, seriously affecting the quality of life of men. In this article, we review the association between sex hormone‐binding globulin and male reproductive system diseases.