QI Zhao

Feb 6, 2025 | nature.com | Brennan H. Baker |Theo K. Bammler |Emily S. Barrett |Nicole R. Bush |Brent R. Collett |Daniel A. Enquobahrie | +10 more

Despite evidence linking prenatal acetaminophen (APAP) exposure and adverse neurodevelopment in humans and animals, over half of pregnant women in most populations use APAP. Prior studies could be biased by inaccurate self-reported APAP use, and the molecular mechanisms linking prenatal APAP with adverse neurodevelopment are unknown. Here we estimated associations between maternal plasma biomarkers of APAP exposure, child attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and placental gene expression in 307 African American mother–child pairs. Overall, detection of APAP in second trimester plasma was associated with higher odds for child ADHD diagnosis (odds ratio of 3.15 (95% confidence interval 1.20 to 8.29)). Prenatal APAP exposure and ADHD were associated with placental upregulation of immune system pathways in females and downregulation of oxidative phosphorylation in both sexes. In females only, prenatal APAP was associated with 5.22% higher odds (0.0456–13.1%) of ADHD statistically, mediated through increased immunoglobulin heavy constant gamma 1 (IGHG1) expression. These results highlight placental molecular mechanisms that may underlie developmental toxicity of prenatal APAP exposure. In this study, the authors report that maternal plasma biomarkers of acetaminophen exposure during pregnancy were associated with an increased risk of a diagnosis of child attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The findings suggest that acetaminophen exposure impacts immune pathways and oxidative phosphorylation, potentially mediating neurodevelopmental risks.

Jan 19, 2025 | onlinelibrary.wiley.com | QI Zhao |Youxuan Ni |Yong Lu |Weiwei Xie

Conflict of Interests The authors declare no conflict of interest. Supporting Information As a service to our authors and readers, this journal provides supporting information supplied by the authors. Such materials are peer reviewed and may be re-organized for online delivery, but are not copy-edited or typeset. Technical support issues arising from supporting information (other than missing files) should be addressed to the authors.

Dec 30, 2024 | mdpi.com | QI Zhao

1. IntroductionMental disorders have emerged as a significant contributor to the global disease burden [1]. Between 1990 and 2019, the estimated number of cases of mental disorders increased from 654.8 million to 970.1 million, representing a 48.1% rise [2]. Concurrently, as global aging accelerates, a growing number of elderly individuals are experiencing periods of heightened risk for mental disorders.

Dec 13, 2024 | mdpi.com | QI Zhao

1. IntroductionClassical Western psychology was introduced to China by Jesuit missionaries in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). Its subsequent dissemination in China played a crucial role in the so-called process of “Western learning spreading eastward” (Xixue dongjian 西學東漸). Due to Aristotle’s pioneering role in Western classical psychology, his psychological works1 were widely spread by Jesuit missionary Giulio Aleni 艾儒略 (1582–1649).

Nov 28, 2024 | nature.com | QI Zhao |Yongzhen Peng

AbstractApplying anammox to municipal wastewater treatment promises enormous energy and resource savings; however, seasonally cold conditions pose a considerable challenge, impeding its future applications towards non-tropical regions. In this study, we establish a pilot-scale wastewater treatment plant (50 m3/d) in northern China and implement the partial denitrification coupling anammox process on actual municipal wastewater.