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Background: In recent years, the prevalence of thyroid nodules (TNs) has been increasing, but the relationship between metabolic abnormalities and the incidence of TNs is not well defined, and there is scant data evaluating this relationship stratified by gender. This study aims to analyze the prevalence of TNs and possible risk factors for TNs across gender lines and various metabolic states in Beijing, China. Patients and Methods: A total of 6001 subjects who underwent thyroid ultrasounds as part of a routine medical checkup at Luhe Hospital between 2017 and 2018 were enrolled in this study. Multivariate adjustment logic was used to analyze possible demographic and clinical risk factors of TN stratified by gender. Results: The prevalence of TNs was 44.1%, of which 45.9% were female and 40% were male. In general, the prevalence of TNs increased in parallel with advancing age. These findings were even starker among females, with TN prevalences of 37.5%, 46.5%, 52.9%, and 54.1%, among participants in <55-, 55-65-, 65-75-, and >75-year-old age groups, respectively. The prevalence of TNs was significantly higher among patients with obesity (46.8% vs. 43%, P = 0.008), central obesity (45% vs. 40.4%, P = 0.005), hypertension (47.1% vs. 42.4%, P < 0.001), metabolic syndrome (MetS) (46.1% vs. 41%, P < 0.001), and low TSH levels (46.5% vs. 37.1%, P < 0.001). MetS and obesity were independent risk factors for the prevalence of TNs (odds ratio [OR] = 1.167, [1.002-1.277] and (OR = 0.038, [1.01-1.396]), respectively). TSH had a protective effect on the prevalence of TNs (OR = 0.664, [0.585-0.75]). Conclusions: The present study supports the existing research that contends a strong correlation between older age, MetS, and other clinical risk factors and the prevalence of TNs. This relationship only persisted among women when stratified by gender. These results set the precedent for further research on how gender influences the incidence of TNs, particularly in the setting of other clinical and demographic risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To assess the relationship between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) morbidity and mortality. Methods A time-series study conducted in Beijing from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2012. Data on 369469 IHD cases and 53247 IHD deaths were collected by the Beijing Monitoring System for Cardiovascular Diseases, which covers all hospital admissions and deaths from IHD from Beijing's population of 19.61 million. Results The mean daily PM2.5 concentration was 96.2 μg/m³ with a range from 3.9 to 493.9 μg/m³. Only 15.3% of the daily PM2.5 concentrations achieved WHO Air Quality Guidelines target (25 μg/m³) in the study period. The dose-response relationships between PM2.5 and IHD morbidity and mortality were non-linear, with a steeper dose-response function at lower concentrations and a shallower response at higher concentrations. A 10 μg/m³ increase in PM2.5 was associated with a 0.27% (95% CI 0.21 to 0.33%, p<2.00×10-16) increase in IHD morbidity and a 0.25% (95% CI 0.10 to 0.40%, p=1.15×10-3) increase in mortality on the same day. During the 3 years, there were 7703 cases and 1475 deaths advanced by PM2.5 pollution over expected rates if daily levels had not exceeded the WHO target. Conclusions PM2.5 concentration was significantly associated with IHD morbidity and mortality in Beijing. Our findings provide a rationale for the urgent need for stringent control of air pollution to reduce PM2.5 concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mercury contamination is a serious problem in Chinese cities. In the present study, mercury contamination was evaluated in topsoil and subsoil samples collected in an urban area of Beijing. The level of total mercury in topsoil ranged from 12.1 to 8,487 ng g−1, and a significant correlation ( R = 0.58145, p < 0.0001) with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was observed. Higher levels were generally observed in the suburbs and urban centers, with the highest levels being observed in the urban centers. The fraction of water soluble, ion exchangeable, Fe-Mn in the oxide-bound and organic phase was 0.78%, 0.18%, 0.25% and 3.42%, respectively. For subsoils, the level of total mercury ranged from 7.0 to 924.6 ng g−1, and the higher levels were primarily located in the suburbs. This study showed that mercury has possibly affected the environmental quality of soil and groundwater in urban areas of Beijing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent, dramatic increases in coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality in China can be mostly explained by adverse changes in major cardiovascular risk factors. Our study aimed to assess the potential impact of subsequent changes in risk factors and population ageing on CHD deaths in Beijing between 1999 and 2010. Methods: The previously validated IMPACT model was used to estimate the CHD deaths expected in 2010, with treatment uptakes being held constant at levels measured in 1999, comparing three scenarios: a) taking into account the ageing of the population but assuming no further changes in major risk factor levels from 1999 or, b) if recent risk factor trends continued until 2010 or, c) if there was a 0.5% annual reduction in each risk factor. Results: Population ageing alone would result in approximately 1990 additional deaths in 2010 compared with 1999, representing an increase of 27%. Continuation of current risk factor trends would result in approximately 3,015 extra deaths in 2010, [a 40% increase]; three quarters of this increase would be attributable to rises in total cholesterol levels. Thus, demographic changes and worsening risk factors would together result in a 67% increase in CHD deaths. Conversely, assumed 0.5% annual reductions in risk factors (a mean population level decline of 0.3 mmol/L for total cholesterol in both genders, and smoking prevalence declining by 3.0% for men and 4.1% for women, body mass index by 1.3 kg/m² for men and 1.4 kg/m² for women, diabetes prevalence by 0.4% in both genders, and diastolic blood pressure by 4.7 mmHg for men and 4.4 mmHg for women) would result in some 3,730 fewer deaths, representing a 23% decrease overall. These findings remained consistent in sensitivity analyses. Conclusion: CHD death rates are continuing to rise in Beijing. This reflects worsening risk factor levels, compounded by demographic trends. However, the adverse impact of population ageing on CHD burden could be completely offset by eminently feasible improvements in diet and smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]