A Prospective Cohort Study of Antimony Exposure and Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults — China, 2017–2021
A pioneering study published in the Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study (HABCS) explores the link between antimony (Sb) exposure and cognitive impairment in older adults in China. This prospective cohort study involved 1,333 participants aged 65 and older, monitored from 2017–2018 through to 2020–2021. Utilizing inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, researchers measured blood and urine Sb concentrations and assessed cognitive function via the Mini-Mental State Examination. Findings revealed a significant correlation: for each e-fold increase in urine Sb, the risk of cognitive impairment rose by 56.5%, and a 52.3% increase for blood Sb. These results underscore the potential neurotoxic effects of Sb, especially in regions with high environmental Sb pollution. The study's insights into the detrimental impact of Sb on cognitive health, particularly among older adults, highlight the urgent need for measures to reduce Sb exposure to mitigate cognitive decline risks. This research stands as a critical call to action, aiming to protect and improve cognitive health in aging populations, potentially influencing public health policies and environmental standards to address and minimize Sb exposure.
动物实验研究表明，锑是一种影响神经功能的新型神经毒物，但其暴露在人群中的健康危害尚不清楚。因此，本研究旨在探索锑与老年人认知功能损伤的关联关系。本研究基于老年健康生物标志物队列研究项目（Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study, HABCS）（2017/18-2020/21）开展前瞻性队列研究。采用电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定血锑和尿锑浓度。使用简易智力状态检查量表评估认知功能状态。采用Cox比例风险模型探索锑暴露与认知功能损伤的关联关系。使用限制性立方样条模型探索锑与认知功能损伤之间的非线性关系。在4,972.1人年的随访中，共记录认知功能损伤患者241例。校正潜在协变量后，发现尿锑每增加一个自然对数（e）倍，老年人认知功能损伤风险增加56.5%（HR=1.565，95% CI：1.230, 1.991）。与尿锑低水平组（<0.10 μg/L）相比，尿锑高水平组（0.19-2.17 μg/L）与认知功能损伤的多重协变量校正后HR为2.456（95% CI：1.536, 3.927）。血锑结果与尿锑相似。血锑每增加e倍，老年人认知功能损伤风险增加52.3%（HR=1.523，95% CI：1.100, 2.109）。限制性立方样条显示锑暴露与老年人认知功能损伤呈线性单调递增关系。我们的研究表明，锑可能是认知功能损伤的危险因素，减少锑暴露可能会在未来减轻与认知功能损伤的相关疾病负担，特别是在锑的高污染地区。
For more information: https://weekly.chinacdc.cn/en/article/doi/10.46234/ccdcw2024.104


Potential Adverse Outcome Pathways of Chlorinated Organophosphate Flame Retardants
The study presents new toxicological insights on chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants (Cl-OPFRs), which are persistent pollutants found in various consumer products and identified in human tissues. A particular focus is given to reproductive health risks associated with Cl-OPFR exposure. Developing an adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework, the research identifies gene expression disruptions through Cl-OPFR exposure that could potentially impact reproductive development. The higher proportion of reproductive toxicity-related phenotypes in females suggests an elevated risk for women. The credibility of the AOP model is confirmed by moderate to high evidence levels using criteria like biological plausibility and empirical data. Although the study highlights alarming potential health impacts, it calls for more extensive multinational studies to further verify these findings and adapt regulatory measures accordingly. This research contributes considerably to the understanding of Cl-OPFRs’ risks, advocating for a refined risk assessment approach to address the pervasive and insidious threat these compounds pose, particularly to reproductive health.
氯化有机磷阻燃剂（Chlorinated Organophosphate Flame Retardants, Cl-OPFRs）是广泛存在于各种环境介质中，并在生物样本中具有较高检出率，然而目前尚无系统评估其潜在不良影响及毒理机制的研究。本研究旨在采用不良结局途径（Approach-adverse Outcome Pathway, AOP）框架，系统研究Cl-OPFRs的潜在健康影响及其机制。本研究利用比较毒性基因组学数据库中的数据，通过基因本体论富集分析筛选出与Cl-OPFRs具有三次以上交互作用的基因，并鉴定相关表型。根据生物学意义对不良结局和关键事件进行分类。使用Cytoscape和AOP-helpFinder工具构建AOP框架，并根据经济合作与发展组织（Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD）指南进行评估，证据来自PubMed、Web of Science和AOP Wiki数据库。Cl-OPFRs的暴露可能导致多系统毒性，尤其是生殖毒性。通过Cl-OPFRs-基因-表型-不良结局框架和AOP-helpFinder工具，发现五个分子起始事件（IGF1、BAX、AR、MTOR和PPARG）与激素生物过程及生殖系统发育相关，最终可能引起潜在的生殖毒性。根据OECD手册，所构建的框架显示出中到高的可信度。本研究深化了对Cl-OPFRs潜在毒性影响，特别是生殖毒性的理解，有助于制定有针对性的风险评估和适当的监管措施。通过系统评估和机制探讨，本研究为进一步研究Cl-OPFRs的毒理学提供了基础和方向。
For more information: https://weekly.chinacdc.cn/en/article/doi/10.46234/ccdcw2024.105

Relationships Between Meteorological Factors and Mongolian Gerbils and Its Flea Burdens — Xilingol League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, 2012–2021
Recent research examining ten years of data from China’s Xilingol League offers new understandings into how climate, vegetation, and the intricate dynamics of hosts and vectors shape plague risks. Analyzing the monthly behavior of Mongolian gerbils and their flea vectors, the study uncovers correlations influenced by meteorological conditions and vegetation indices. It was discovered that an increase in temperature positively correlates with higher gerbil and flea densities—conditions likely to augment the risk of plague outbreaks. Precipitation, while fostering better conditions for gerbil survival through vegetation growth, also appears to benefit flea populations. Intriguingly, increased vegetation assessed by the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) correlates negatively with gerbil density, likely due to gerbils thriving in sparser vegetation typical of desert grasslands. This study sheds light on the complex web where climatic factors and changing vegetation indirectly determine the density of plague's hosts and vectors. These findings underscore the importance of regularly monitoring environmental factors to predict and manage potential plague risks, particularly under the lens of climate change. By integrating ecological, meteorological, and human activity insights, better predictive and management strategies can be developed to mitigate future outbreaks and safeguard both human health and ecosystems.
鼠疫是一种重要的全球性传染病，其传播与宿主和蚤类的密度有关。气象条件可通过影响蚤数量和宿主密度，进而影响鼠疫的暴发。分析内蒙古鼠疫自然疫源地气象因素、植被覆盖与长爪沙鼠密度及鼠体蚤感染之间的关系，为鼠疫的预测预警和控制提供理论基础。收集研究区域蚤指数、长爪沙鼠密度、气象因素和归一化差异植被指数（NDVI）的月度数据。采用广义可加模型（GAM）分析气象因素对蚤指数和鼠密度的非线性和滞后效应。通过结构方程模型（SEM）分析气象因素、NDVI、蚤指数和鼠密度之间的关系。GAM 结果显示，气温、降水、相对湿度和 NDVI 对长爪沙鼠密度和蚤指数有显著的线性、非线性和时滞影响。SEM 分析表明，气象因素可直接影响长爪沙鼠密度和蚤指数，也可间接影响 NDVI，进而影响沙鼠密度和蚤指数。气象因素主要通过影响 NDVI 和沙鼠密度和蚤指数之间的相互关系间接影响沙鼠密度和蚤指数。这项研究进一步证实了气象因素和 NDVI 对媒介-鼠类系统的重要影响，为预测和管理鼠疫暴发提供了宝贵的见解。
For more information: https://weekly.chinacdc.cn/en/article/doi/10.46234/ccdcw2024.107


Establishment and Application of a Radiation Dose Rate Model for Nuclear Medicine Examinees
Understanding radiation exposure during PET/CT scans is crucial for patient and staff safety. A new study presents a “cylinder integration” method for calculating radiation dose rates around patients who have been administered radioactive isotopes. Unlike complex traditional methods, this innovative technique uses simplified spatial-temporal modeling, integrating cylindrical representations of body parts to estimate exposure more accurately. By aligning organs along a common axis and applying translation methods for non-coaxial parts, the model standardizes individual variations. Despite a potential computational discrepancy of 10.58%, attributed to the cylindrical simplification of the human body, the study reports less than 11% variance when compared to actual measurements at distances from 0.1 to 3 meters, showcasing its viability in clinical settings. Future enhancements require more comprehensive software development and expanded measurements to refine the correction factor for improved precision. This approach has significant implications for radiation safety protocols and can influence guidelines for proximity regulations in medical environments.
目前计算辐射剂量的主要方法有蒙特卡罗法、离散纵标法和点核积分法，但它们存在计算时间过长或计算无解、计算精度不高等问题，本研究另辟蹊径，建立核医学受检者周围辐射剂量率的新的数学模型及其计算方法，以满足实际需要。基于真实人体的体积和高度的等效模型，以及放射成像灰度与其核素活度值的对应关系，将人体的“圆柱体叠加”物理模型与积分分析法相结合，建立了一种新的算法，并开展核医学受检者周围辐射剂量率的实测与验证。建立核医学受检者周围辐射剂量率时空变化数学模型，研究单个受检者和多个受检者周围辐射剂量率分布及其变化的计算方法，并对某医院核医学科室的受检者开展其周围辐射剂量率实际检测，验证该模型的有效性。在0.1–3.0 m的范围内，利用本模型所计算的不同距离下辐射剂量率与实际测量值趋势一致。与实际测量值差异均小于15%，尤其在距离辐射源较近时计算较为准确，在距离辐射源0.1 m时，圆柱体源模型与实际测量值相差 1.55%。该模型及其算法不仅可给出核医学受检者周围辐射场的时空分布规律，该模型和实际测量有很好的吻合性，以作为核医学受检者周围辐射剂量率的计算方法。
For more information: https://weekly.chinacdc.cn/en/article/doi/10.46234/ccdcw2024.108


First Case Report of Cystic Echinococcosis Caused by G7 Genotype Echinococcus intermedius Confirmed by Genetic Sequencing — Southern China, December 2023
In a groundbreaking study, researchers have identified the first laboratory-confirmed case of hepatic echinococcosis caused by the rare G7 genotype of Echinococcus granulosus in Guangdong Province, China. The patient had no travel history to endemic areas, suggesting potential local transmission. Investigators propose two possible transmission patterns: introduction of the pathogen via imported livestock or a low-level local cycle among fauna. The G7 genotype, primarily found in pigs, has only been reported twice before in China. This discovery underscores the need for enhanced prevention and control measures, particularly in non-endemic regions, through stringent livestock quarantine and management. The study highlights the importance of molecular genotyping in understanding the transmission dynamics of echinococcosis and the potential establishment of new endemic foci.
本文明确本例包虫病的诊断和可能的传播模式，为广东省包虫病的预防和控制提供依据。血常规和上腹部计算机断层扫描用于临床诊断。在这次研究中，我们执行了流行病学调查、病例搜索、聚合酶链式反应检测、基因分型、系统发育分析和对犬粪便中的绦虫卵检查。血常规检查单核细胞计数（0.61×109/L）略高；CT显示肝左内叶一型圆形混合密度结节影，大小约24mm×25mm；成功扩增并测序了大小分别为874bp和529bp的两个特定的cox1和nad1 DNA片段；系统发育分析表明，这两个序列与G7基因型关系最为密切。流行病学调查显示，广东省南雄市是最有可能的感染来源地。这是广东省首例细粒棘球蚴（G7基因型）感染的实验室确诊的肝棘球蚴病病例，最可能的传播方式是由流行地区输入后引起的本地感染。
For more information: https://weekly.chinacdc.cn/en/article/doi/10.46234/ccdcw2024.109