Zinc deficiency affects the physical and intellectual development of school-age children, while studies on the effects on intestinal microbes and metabolites in school-age children have not been reported. School-age children were enrolled to conduct anthropometric measurements and serum zinc and serum inflammatory factors detection, and children were divided into a zinc deficiency group (ZD) and control group (CK) based on the results of serum zinc. Stool samples were collected to conduct metagenome, metabolome, and diversity analysis, and species composition analysis, functional annotation, and correlation analysis were conducted to further explore the function and composition of the gut flora and metabolites of children with zinc deficiency. Beta-diversity analysis revealed a significantly different gut microbial community composition between ZD and CK groups. For instance, the relative abundances of Phocaeicola vulgatus, Alistipes putredinis, Bacteroides uniformis, Phocaeicola sp000434735, and Coprococcus eutactus were more enriched in the ZD group, while probiotic bacteria Bifidobacterium kashiwanohense showed the reverse trend. The functional profile of intestinal flora was also under the influence of zinc deficiency, as reflected by higher levels of various glycoside hydrolases in the ZD group. In addition, saccharin, the pro-inflammatory metabolites, and taurocholic acid, the potential factor inducing intestinal leakage, were higher in the ZD group. In conclusion, zinc deficiency may disturb the gut microbiome community and metabolic function profile of school-age children, potentially affecting human health.

Introduction: Long working hours are likely associated with the decreased of kidney function, while physical activity (PA) was linked to improvements in kidney function. However, whether PA can offset the negative impact of long working hours on kidney function was unclear, which is the focus of this study.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Three approaches were adopted to distinguish the association between long working hours and regular working hours. Moderate to vigorous physical activity (PA) was assessed by a structured questionnaire. eGFR and chronic kidney disease (CKD) or not were utilized to evaluate the kidney function. Linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between weekly working hours, PA, and kidney function.Results: A total of 18,431 adults were enrolled in this study, including 9981 males (54.2%) and 8450 females (45.8%). The average eGFR was (99.54 ± 17.55 mL/min/1.73 m²). The people worked more than 40 h/wk (98.89 ± 17.06 mL/min/1.73 m²) had lower eGFR compared to those worked less than 40 h/wk (99.93 ± 17.83 mL/min/1.73 m²) (p < 0.05). Individuals working longer hours exhibited lower eGFR (β = -0.772, 95% CI: -1.241, -0.303, for > 40 h/wk compared to working ≤ 40 h/wk). Engagement in moderate to vigorous PA was associated with higher eGFR values (β = 1.159, 95% CI: 0.699, 1.619) compared to low PA (< 150 minutes/wk), but this association did not reach statistical significance for the prevalence of CKD. Furthermore, PA was insufficient to reverse the decline of eGFR related to prolonged working hours.Discussion: Prolonged working hours were associated with a decline in eGFR, while PA was found to have a protective effect on kidney function. However, PA alone may not fully mitigate the negative impact of prolonged working hours on renal health. More robust measures to protect renal function should be implemented to mitigate the damage caused by prolonged working hours.

Long working hours may be associated with adverse health outcomes among ride-hailing drivers. The study aims to examine the associations between long working hours, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and occupational stress. Additionally, it explores the association between long working hours and the co-occurrence of WMSDs and occupational stress. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 668 ride-hailing drivers in Beijing, China, from August to October 2024. WMSDs were assessed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Occupational stress was assessed using the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ). In this study, co-occurrence was defined as the joint classification of WMSDs and occupational stress in the same individual. Participants were categorized into groups of <55 and ≥55 working hours per week. Binary and logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between weekly working hours and health outcomes. Overall, 77.8% of participants worked ≥55 h per week. The prevalence of WMSDs and occupational stress was 53.0% and 56.4%, respectively. Weekly working hours ≥55 h were significantly associated with higher odds of occupational stress after full adjustment (aOR = 3.99, 95% CI: 2.59–6.13), but were not significantly associated with WMSDs (aOR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.74–1.70). Occupational stress was associated with higher odds of WMSDs (aOR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.11–2.18). Compared with drivers working <55 h per week, those working ≥55 h per week had higher odds of having one condition (aOR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.21–3.14) and co-occurrence of occupational stress and WMSDs (aOR = 4.64, 95% CI: 2.57–8.36). The prevalence of co-occurrence was 37.9% in the ≥55 h group and 16.2% in the <55 h group. Long working hours were associated with occupational stress and with the co-occurrence of occupational stress and WMSDs among ride-hailing drivers. However, no independent association was observed between long working hours and WMSDs. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive occupational health interventions targeting ride-hailing drivers.