Heavy metal (HM) contamination from mining poses a long-term threat to agricultural soils. This study assessed the impacts of long-term HM exposure on soil microbial communities by comparing contaminated and uncontaminated agricultural soils from northwestern China. Using physicochemical analyses and high-throughput amplicon sequencing of bacterial and fungal communities, we assessed impacts on microbial community composition, co-occurrence networks, and predicted functions. HM contamination significantly reduced fungal α-diversity and altered the composition of both bacterial and fungal communities. The relative abundances of Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Chloroflexi increased significantly in contaminated soils. Fungal communities were markedly enriched in Mortierellomycota. Notably, HM contamination substantially reduced the complexity of microbial co-occurrence networks, as indicated by fewer nodes, edges, and keystone taxa. Predictive functional profiling suggested an increased predicted abundance of functions related to HM resistance and detoxification, alongside shifts in core nutrient cycling potentials. Specifically, carbon and nitrogen metabolic pathways were altered, and the proportion of saprotrophic fungi increased, suggesting changes in organic matter decomposition dynamics. In conclusion, long-term HM stress is associated with a shift toward a simplified state, characterized by taxonomic restructuring, less complex co-occurrence networks, and a functional shift toward stress resistance and altered nutrient cycling.

This study investigates the effects of long-term heavy metal exposure on the oral mucosal microbiota in women. By measuring both external environmental heavy metal exposure and internal heavy metal exposure indicators in the human body, it aims to elucidate the complex interactions between external environmental exposure and internal exposure, as well as their potential association with menopausal status. We analyzed oral microbial composition, function, and co-occurrence networks in 47 women from polluted and control areas. Heavy metal exposure significantly altered oral microbial diversity and functional pathways, with molybdenum (Mo) exhibiting a uniquely strong influence. Key metabolic pathways related to cardiovascular disease and carbohydrate metabolism were enriched in specific groups. Network analysis revealed a loss of keystone species and structural simplification in postmenopausal women from the polluted area. These findings suggest that heavy metal exposure alters oral microbial communities, and these alterations correlate with shifts in host metabolic pathways that are known to be associated with menopausal hormonal changes, potentially impacting women's health during this transition.IMPORTANCEThis study reveals, for the first time, how chronic heavy metal exposure and menopause interact to disrupt the female oral microbiome. We identify Mo as a key metal, correlating strongly with specific bacteria and linked to downregulated cardiovascular and metabolic pathways. Critically, postmenopausal women in polluted areas exhibit a severe loss of keystone species and a collapsed microbial network structure. These findings position the dysregulated oral microbiome as a potential mechanistic link between environmental metal exposure and the heightened systemic risks-such as metabolic disorders and chronic inflammation-observed in postmenopausal women, highlighting new targets for preventive health strategies.

Background Long-term heavy metal exposure poses health risks, and non-invasive biomarkers for early detection are needed.Objective This study investigated whether oral microbiome alterations can serve as a non-invasive indicator of long-term HMs exposure and associated early biological effects.Design Soil, buccal mucosa, blood, and urine samples were collected from contaminated (CA) and uncontaminated (UA) areas. Soil contamination was assessed, and internal biomarkers were measured. Oral bacterial diversity was analyzed using metagenomic sequencing.Results Severe Cd and Pb contamination was found in CA soil. Participants in CA had elevated internal Cd levels, renal impairment, and immune alterations. Oral microbiome analysis revealed decreased alpha diversity, reduced network complexity, and a shift from beneficial to pathogenic keystone taxa in CA. Functional analysis showed enrichment of stress-response pathways, suppression of metabolic pathways, and increased pathways linked to human diseases. Specific bacterial taxa correlated with internal biomarker levels.Conclusions There is a close association between long-term HMs exposure and reproducible, multi-faceted shifts in the oral microbiome. The oral microbiome may represent a promising, non-invasive biomarker for assessing environmental exposure and its early biological impacts.

Oral fungal homeostasis is closely related to the state of human health, and its composition is influenced by various factors. At present, the effects of long-term soil heavy metal exposure on the oral fungi of local populations have not been adequately studied. In this study, we used inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to detect heavy metals in agricultural soils from two areas in Gansu Province, northwestern China. ITS amplicon sequencing was used to analyze the community composition of oral buccal mucosa fungi from local village residents. Simultaneously, the functional annotation of fungi was performed using FUNGuild, and co-occurrence networks were constructed to analyze the interactions of different functional fungi. The results showed that the species diversity of the oral fungi of local populations in the soil heavy metal exposure group was lower than that of the control population. The relative abundance of Apiotrichum and Cutaneotrichosporon was higher in the exposure group than in the control group. In addition, Cutaneotrichosporon is an Animal Pathogen, which may lead to an increased probability of disease in the exposure group. Meanwhile, there were significant differences in the co-occurrence network structure between the two groups. The control group had a larger and more stable network than the exposure group. Eight keystone taxa were observed in the network of the control group, while none were observed in that of the exposure group. In conclusion, heavy metal exposure may increase the risk of diseases associated with Apiotrichum and Cutaneotrichosporon infection in the local populations. It can also lead to the loss of keystone taxa and the reduced stability of the oral fungal network. The above results illustrated that heavy metal exposure impairs oral fungal interactions in the population. This study extends our understanding of the biodiversity of oral fungi in the population and provides new insights for further studies on the factors influencing oral fungal homeostasis.

Growing evidence highlights the role of heavy metals in driving the co-selection of an-tibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and the human oral cavity is an important reservoir of ARGs. This cross-sectional study investigated the effects of heavy metal exposure on human oral microbiota and ARGs, collecting buccal mucosal and blood samples from residents in a heavy metal-contaminated area (Baiyin City) and a non-contaminated area (Yuzhong County, Lanzhou City). The results showed heavy metal exposure is associated with altered alpha and beta diversity of bacteria and ARGs in human oral cavities, with bacterial compositional shifts being the main factor in ARG variation. Metagenomic analysis revealed heavy metal exposure is linked to modifying the interactions in the bacterial community and between ARGs and metal resistance genes (MRGs), shown by simplified topological structures in bacterial and resistome networks, along with enhanced positive correlations among nodes. Neisseria, Haemophilus, Morococcus, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Mycobacteroides as potential hosts for resistance genes in human oral cavity. Furthermore, blood metal quantification revealed distinct associations with resistance patterns. This study demonstrates significant associations between environmental heavy metal exposure and the oral resistome and emphasizes the role of bacterial community composition.

Social isolation and loneliness are associated with an increased risk of various diseases and all-cause mortality. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the main cause of heart disease deaths worldwide, which affects people's quality of life and longevity. However, the causal relationship between social isolation, loneliness, and CHD remains uncertain. This study aims to explore the potential impacts of social isolation and loneliness on the risk of CHD, thereby helping identify those most susceptible to these conditions. A total of 442,811 individuals (mean and sd of age = 56.24 ± 8.07, 55.8% women, 91.5% white) were included in the study. The UK Biobank cohort study documented 25,120 CHD cases during a mean follow-up of 14.77 years. The relationship between loneliness, social isolation and CHD were first examined using the COX proportional risk model. A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study was then conducted to further the association. We found that the hazard ratio (95% CI) of coronary heart disease (CHD) when comparing the most socially isolated groups to the least was 1.15 (1.05-1.26; P = 0.0017). Additionally, the hazard ratio (95% CI) for comparing the presence of loneliness to its absence was 1.15 (1.10-1.20; P < 0.001).Subgroup analyses showed that the risk of CHD was higher in individuals with low sleep quality who experienced social isolation and in women who experienced loneliness. MR analyses further revealed that individuals who felt lonely (OR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01,1.06) and those less involved in sports/social activities (OR = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.00,1.04) had a higher likelihood of developing CHD. MR provided further evidence supporting the causal relationship between social isolation, loneliness and CHD risk. Our findings suggest a significant association between social isolation, loneliness and increased risk of coronary heart disease. These findings suggest that both social isolation and loneliness are critical risk factors for CHD.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between extreme temperature and the risk of hospitalization for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). A distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) in combination with a quasi-Poisson regression model was employed to assess the relationship between extreme temperature and risk of hospitalization for CVDs. This approach can be utilized to deal with lag and nonlinear effects. By comprehensively leveraging data information, it can explain the influencing factors from multiple aspects. Due to the complexity of the model, parameter estimation and model fitting typically require significant computational resources and extended processing time. Additionally, we identified the sensitive populations through subgroup analyses based on age and sex. Extremely low temperature (≤-10℃) (Relative Risk (RR) = 1.156, with a 95

Toxic metals are vital risk factors affecting serum ion balance; however, the effect of their co-exposure on serum ions and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. We assessed the correlations of single metal and mixed metals with serum ion levels, and the mediating effects of mineralocorticoids by investigating toxic metal concentrations in the blood, as well as the levels of representative mineralocorticoids, such as deoxycorticosterone (DOC), and serum ions in 471 participants from the Dongdagou–Xinglong cohort. In the single-exposure model, sodium and chloride levels were positively correlated with arsenic, selenium, cadmium, and lead levels and negatively correlated with zinc levels, whereas potassium and iron levels and the anion gap were positively correlated with zinc levels and negatively correlated with selenium, cadmium and lead levels (all P < 0.05). Similar results were obtained in the mixed exposure models considering all metals, and the major contributions of cadmium, lead, arsenic, and selenium were highlighted. Significant dose–response relationships were detected between levels of serum DOC and toxic metals and serum ions. Mediation analysis showed that serum DOC partially mediated the relationship of metals (especially mixed metals) with serum iron and anion gap by 8.3% and 8.6%, respectively. These findings suggest that single and mixed metal exposure interferes with the homeostasis of serum mineralocorticoids, which is also related to altered serum ion levels. Furthermore, serum DOC may remarkably affect toxic metal-related serum ion disturbances, providing clues for further study of health risks associated with these toxic metals.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) represents a deleterious effect on acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but few relevant studies have been conducted in China. We aim to evaluate the acute effects of NO2 exposure on hospitalization for AMI in Lanzhou, China. In this study, we applied a distributional lag nonlinear model (DLNM) to assess the association between NO2 exposure and AMI hospitalization. We explored the sensitivity of various groups through stratified analysis by gender, age, and season. The daily average concentration of NO2 is 47.50 +/- 17.38 mu g/m3. We observed a significant exposure-response relationship between NO2 concentration and AMI hospitalization. The single pollutant model analysis shows that NO2 is positively correlated with AMI hospitalization at lag1, lag01, lag02, and lag03. The greatest lag effect estimate occurs at lag01, where a 10 mu g/m3 increase in NO2 concentrations is significantly associated with a relative risk (RR) of hospitalization due to AMI of 1.027 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.013, 1.042]. The results of the stratified analysis by gender, age, and season indicate that males, those aged >= 65 years, and the cold season are more sensitive to the deleterious effects caused by NO2 exposure. Short-term exposure to NO2 can enhance the risk of AMI hospitalization in urban Lanzhou.Implications: Exposure to particulate matter can lead to an increased incidence of AMI. Our study once again shows that NO2 exposure increases the risk of AMI hospital admission. AMI is a common and expensive fatal condition. Reducing NO2 exposure will benefit cardiovascular health and save on healthcare costs.

OBJECTIVE:Chronic exposure to cold temperature is known to elevate blood pressure, leading to a condition known as cold-induced hypertension (CIH). Our previous research suggested correlations between alterations in gut microbiota, decrease in butyrate level, and the onset and progression of CIH. However, the role of butyrate in CIH and the underlying mechanisms need further investigation. METHODS:We exposed Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) rats to continuous cold temperature (4 ± 1 °C) for 6 weeks to establish a CIH rat model. Rats were divided into different groups by dose and duration, and the rats under cold were administered with butyrate (0.5 or 1 g/kg/day) daily. We assessed hypertension-associated phenotypes, pathological morphological changes, and endocrine-related phenotypes of brown adipose tissue (BAT). The effects of butyrate on gut microbiota and intestinal content metabolism were evaluated by 16s RNA sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics, respectively. RESULTS:The systolic blood pressure (SBP) of rats exposed to cold after supplemented with butyrate were significantly lower than that of the Cold group. Butyrate may increase the species, abundance, and diversity of gut microbiota in rats. Specifically, butyrate intervention enriched beneficial bacterial genera, such as Lactobacillaceae, and decreased the levels of harmful bacteria genera, such as Actinobacteriota and Erysipeiotrichaceae. Cold exposure significantly increased BAT cells and the number of mitochondria. After butyrate supplementation, the levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1a and fibroblast growth factor 21 in BAT were significantly elevated (P < 0.05), and the volume and number of lipid droplets increased. The levels of ANG II and high-density lipoprotein were elevated in the Cold group but decreased after butyrate supplementation. CONCLUSION:Butyrate may attenuate blood pressure in CIH by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and the secretion of beneficial derived factors produced by BAT, thus alleviating the elevation of blood pressure induced by cold. This study demonstrates the anti-hypertensive effects of butyrate and its potential therapeutic mechanisms, offering novel insights to the prevention and treatment of CIH in populations living or working in cold environments.

IntroductionLong-term heavy metal contamination of soil affects the structure and function of microbial communities. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of soil heavy metal contamination on microorganisms and the impact of different heavy metal pollution levels on the microbial interactions.MethodsWe collected soil samples and determined soil properties. Microbial diversity was analyzed in two groups of samples using high-throughput sequencing technology. Additionally, we constructed microbial networks to analyze microbial interactions.ResultsThe pollution load index (PLI) < 1 indicates that the area is not polluted. 1 < PLI < 2 represents moderate pollution. PLI was 1.05 and 0.14 for the heavy metal contaminated area and the uncontaminated area, respectively. Cd, Hg, Pb, Zn, and Cu were identified as the major contaminants in the contaminated area, with the contamination factors were 30.35, 11.26, 5.46, 5.19, and 2.46, respectively. The diversities and compositions of the bacterial community varied significantly between the two groups. Compared to the uncontaminated area, the co-occurrence network between bacterial and fungal species in the contaminated area was more complex. The keystone taxa of the co-occurrence network in the contaminated area were more than those in the uncontaminated area and were completely different from it.DiscussionHeavy metal concentrations played a crucial role in shaping the difference in microbial community compositions. Microorganisms adapt to long-term and moderate levels of heavy metal contamination through enhanced interactions. Bacteria resistant to heavy metal concentrations may play an important role in soils contaminated with moderate levels of heavy metals over long periods of time.

Soil pollution by heavy metals can cause continuing damage to ecosystems and the human body. In this study, we collected nine fresh topsoil samples and 18 maize samples (including nine leaf samples and nine corn samples) from agricultural soils in the Baiyin mining areas. The results showed that the order of heavy metal concentrations (mg/kg) in agricultural soils was as follows: Zn (377.40) > Pb (125.06) > Cu (75.06) > Ni (28.29) > Cd (5.46) > Hg (0.37). Cd, Cu, Zn, and Pb exceeded the Chinese risk limit for agricultural soil pollution. The average the pollution load index (4.39) was greater than 3, indicating a heavy contamination level. The element that contributed the most to contamination and high ecological risk in soil was Cd. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Pearson’s correlation analysis indicated that the sources of Ni, Cd, Cu, and Zn in the soil were primarily mixed, involving both industrial and agricultural activities, whereas the sources of Hg and Pb included both industrial and transportation activities. Adults and children are not likely to experience non-carcinogenic impacts from the soil in this region. Nonetheless, it was important to be aware of the elevated cancer risk presented by Cd, Pb, and especially Ni. The exceedance rates of Cd and Pb in corn were 66.67% and 33.3%, respectively. The results of this research provide data to improve soil protection, human health monitoring, and crop management in the Baiyin district.

In this study, we explored how cadmium and lead co-exposure affects sleep status among residents of a polluted area and nature reserve in rural northwestern China. Cadmium and lead levels were measured using blood samples, and sleep status was evaluated using sleep questionnaires, with the main sleep indicators including sleep duration, sleep quality, bedtime, and staying up. Furthermore, cadmium-lead co-exposure levels were divided into three groups: high exposure, medium exposure, and low exposure. Subjects in the contaminated area had significantly higher exposure levels (p < 0.001) and more negative sleep indicators (p < 0.01). Significant differences were found for all four sleep indicators in the high exposure group compared to the low exposure group (p < 0.01). Moreover, the overall evaluation of sleep status with high cadmium-lead co-exposure had a negative impact. Our data suggest that cadmium-lead co-exposure has a negative effect on sleep status and may have a synergistic effect on sleep.

IntroductionThe primary objective of our investigation was to assess the repercussions of prolonged exposure to heavy metals and smoking on the microbiome of the oral buccal mucosa. Concurrently, we aimed to elucidate the intricate interplay between external environmental exposures and the composition of the oral microbial ecosystem, thereby discerning its potential implications for human health.MethodsOur study cohort was stratified into four distinct groups: MS (characterized by concurrent exposure to heavy metals and smoking), M (exposed solely to heavy metals), S (exposed solely to smoking), and C (comprising individuals serving as a control group). Specimens of buccal mucosa and blood were systematically acquired from the participants, facilitating subsequent microbial diversity analysis across the four oral buccal mucosa sample cohorts through 16S rRNA gene sequencing techniques. Simultaneously, blood samples were tested for heavy metal concentrations. In addition, we performed topological analyses by constructing microbial networks.ResultsOur findings notably indicate that co-exposure to heavy metals and smoking yielded a more pronounced alteration in the diversity of oral microflora when compared to singular exposures to either heavy metals or smoking. By comparing the oral bacterial communities and functional pathways between the four groups, we found significant differences in bacterial communities and functional pathways between the groups. Notably, the impact of heavy metal exposure overshadowed that of smoking, with concurrent exposure to heavy metals and smoking eliciting marginally greater effects than exposure to heavy metals alone. In addition, our analysis of the correlation between microbiota and blood heavy metal concentrations showed that the heavy metal cadmium (Cd) had a significantly greater effect on oral microbiota than other heavy metals.DiscussionChronic exposure to heavy metals and smoking disrupts the normal bacterial communities in the oral mucosa of residents of contaminated areas. This exposure reduces the complexity and stability of microbial networks and increases the risk of various diseases reduces the complexity and stability.

ObjectivesThe aim of our study was to investigate the impact of long-term exposure to heavy metals on the microbiome of the buccal mucosa, to unveil the link between environmental contamination and the oral microbial ecosystem, and to comprehend its potential health implications.MethodsSubjects were divided into two groups: the exposure group and the control group. We collected samples of buccal mucosa, soil, and blood, and conducted microbial diversity analysis on both groups of oral samples using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The concentrations of heavy metals in blood and soil samples were also determined. Additionally, microbial networks were constructed for the purpose of topological analysis.ResultsDue to long-term exposure to heavy metals, the relative abundance of Rhodococcus, Delftia, Fusobacterium, and Peptostreptococcus increased, while the abundance of Streptococcus, Gemella, Prevotella, Granulicatella, and Porphyromonas decreased. The concentrations of heavy metals in the blood (Pb, Cd, Hg, and Mo) were associated with the growth of Rhodococcus, Delftia, Porphyromonas, and Gemella. In addition, the relative abundances of some pathogenic bacteria, such as Streptococcus anginosus, S. gordonii, and S. mutans, were found to be enriched in the exposure group. Compared to the exposure group network, the control group network had a greater number of nodes, modules, interactive species, and keystone taxa. Module hubs and connectors in the control group converted into peripherals in the exposure group, indicating that keystone taxa changed. Metals in the blood (Pb, Cd, Hg, and Mo) were drivers of the microbial network of the buccal mucosa, which can have adverse effects on the network, thus providing conditions for the occurrence of certain diseases.ConclusionLong-term exposure to multiple metals perturbs normal bacterial communities in the buccal mucosa of residents in contaminated areas. This exposure reduces the complexity and stability of the microbial network and increases the risk of developing various diseases.

ObjectiveTo investigate the stability of cadmium-induced renal injury biomarkers in community adults with low environmental exposure. MethodsThe participants of the survey were 80 permanent residents aged 40 – 69 years living in local areas at least 10 years (63 in an area with relatively heavy environmental cadmium pollution and 17 in an area with similar social and economic development to those of the contaminated area but with low environmental cadmium pollution) in Gansu province. Peripheral blood and morning urine samples of the participants were collected three times in November 2019, November 2020 and December 2020, for detections of blood cadmium, urinary cadmium, urinary β2-microglobulin (Uβ2-MG), urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (UNAG), urinary retinol binding protein (URBP), urinary metallothionein (UMT) and urinary micro-albumin (UALB), respectively. Relevant information of the participants were collected simultaneously with questionnaire interviews. Descriptive statistics with variance analysis and Chi-square test were performed on the data collected. ResultsThe main effects of time on blood cadmium, UALB, UMT and URBP were not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). The main effects of time on urinary cadmium, UNAG and Uβ2-MG were statistically significant (all P < 0.001). Pairwise comparison showed that there were no significant differences in blood cadmium, UALB, UMT and URBP levels among detections at the three time points (all P > 0.05); but the levels of urinary cadmium in the second and third detection were significantly higher than that in the first detection (both P < 0.001); the level of urinary cadmium in the third detection was significantly higher than that in the second detection (P < 0.01); the UNAG level of the second detection was significantly higher than that of the first detection and the third detection (both P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in UNAG level between the first test and the third test (P > 0.05). The Uβ2-MG level in the third detection was significantly higher than that in the first and the second detection (both P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in Uβ2-MG level between the first and second detection (P > 0.05). ConclusionBlood cadmium, UALB, UMT and URBP are less affected by time effect and of good stability; while urine cadmium, UNAG and Uβ2-MG are more affected by time effect and of poor stability.

Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are important environmental endocrine disruptors that are associated with adverse health problems. However, the effects of co-exposure to Cd and Pb on glucocorticoids (GCs) in the body at environmental levels are limited. A total of 468 subjects from the Dongdagou-Xinglong cohort (DDG-XL) were included in this study. We measured the serum levels of two representative endogenous GCs [cortisol (CRL) and cortisone (CRN)], and whole blood levels of Cd and Pb. Multiple linear regression models were constructed to explore the associations of single or combined Cd and Pb exposure with serum CRL and CRN levels. The interactive effects of Cd and Pb on GCs were further assessed using mediation analysis and moderation analysis. Single-heavy metal exposure analysis with adjustment for potential confounders showed that the serum CRL level decreased when the blood Cd or Pb concentration gradually increased (P trend <0.01). Additionally, subjects with high Cd or Pb exposure (Q4) had significantly reduced serum CRN levels compared to those with low Cd or Pb exposure (Q1) (P < 0.05). In Cd and Pb co-exposure analysis, significant negative dose-response relationships were observed between co-exposure to Cd and Pb and serum CRL and CRN levels. Furthermore, mediation analysis showed that Cd completely mediated the relationship between Pb and GCs, and moderation analysis suggested that Pb might weaken the negative relationship between Cd and GCs. These findings suggest that single or combined exposure to Cd and Pb interferes with the homeostasis of serum CRL and CRN levels. Furthermore, we innovatively propose that Cd and Pb may have interactive effects on GCs levels, and Pb can antagonize the negative relationship between Cd and GCs, which may provide clues for further studies on endocrine and metabolic disorders related to these heavy metals.

Heavy metal (HM) contamination caused by mining and smelting activities can be harmful to soil microbiota, which are highly sensitive to HM stress. Here, we explore the effects of HM contamination on the taxonomic composition, predicted function, and co-occurrence patterns of soil bacterial communities in two agricultural fields with contrasting levels of soil HMs (i.e., contaminated and uncontaminated natural areas). Our results indicate that HM contamination does not significantly influence soil bacterial α diversity but changes the bacterial community composition by enriching the phyla Gemmatimonadetes, Planctomycetes, and Parcubacteria and reducing the relative abundance of Actinobacteria. Our results further demonstrate that HM contamination can strengthen the complexity and modularity of the bacterial co-occurrence network but weaken positive interactions between keystone taxa, leading to the gradual disappearance of some taxa that originally played an important role in healthy soil, thereby possibly reducing the resistance of bacterial communities to HM toxicity. The predicted functions of bacterial communities are related to membrane transport, amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, and carbohydrate metabolism. Among these, functions related to HM detoxification and antioxidation are enriched in uncontaminated soils, while HM contamination enriches functions related to metal resistance. This study demonstrated that microorganisms adapt to the stress of HM pollution by adjusting their composition and enhancing their network complexity and potential ecological functions.

Heavy metal exposure is acknowledged to be associated with decrease of lung function, but the relationship between metals co-exposure and lung function in rural areas of Northwest China remains unclear, particularly in an area famous for heavy metal pollution and solid fuel use. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the effects of heavy metal exposure on lung function and the potential impacts of living habit in a rural cohort of Northwest China. The study area included five villages of two regions in Northwestern China-Gansu province. All participants were recruited from the Dongdagou-Xinglong (DDG-XL) rural cohort in the study area. Urine levels of 10 common and representative heavy metals were detected by ICP-MS, including Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni), Molybdenum (Mo), Cadmium (Cd), Stibium (Sb), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), and Manganese (Mn). The lung function was detected by measuring percentages of predicted forced vital capacity (FVC

Heavy metals are important risk factors for kidney, but their co-exposure effect on kidney and related mechanism remain unclear. This study evaluated the relationship between heavy metals and renal function, and the feasible mediation effect of oxidative stress. Based on the Dongdagou-Xinglong cohort, participants were recruited and their information were collected through questionnaires and physical examinations. The urine concentration of heavy metals like Cobalt, Nickel, Molybdenum, Cadmium, Antimony, Copper, Zinc, Mercury, Lead, Manganese, and renal injury biomarkers like β2-microglobulin, β-N-Acetylglucosaminidase, retinol-binding protein, 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OHG) were measured and corrected by creatinine. Linear regression was conducted to analyze the relationship between metals and renal biomarkers. Bayesian kernel machine regression, weighted quantile sum and quantile-based g-computation were applied to analyze the association between metal mixtures and renal biomarkers. Finally, the mediating effect of 8-OHG was analyzed through the mediation model. We found that these metals were positively related with renal biomarkers, where copper showed the strongest relationship. The co-exposure models showed that renal biomarkers increased with the concentration of mixtures, particularly for cadmium, copper, mercury, manganese. In addition, the proportion of 8-OHG in mediating effect of metals on renal function ranged from 2.6% to 86.9%. Accordingly, the renal function damage is positively associated with metals, and 8-OHG may play an important mediating role.