A method of back-calculating the log odds ratio and standard error of the log odds ratio from the reported group-level risk of disease

In clinical trials and observational studies, the effect of an intervention or exposure can be reported as an absolute or relative comparative measure such as risk difference, odds ratio or risk ratio, or at the group level with the estimated risk of disease in each group. For meta-analysis of results with covariate adjustment, the log of the odds ratio (log odds ratio), with its standard error, is a commonly used measure of effect. However, extracting the adjusted log odds ratio from the reported estimates of disease risk in each group is not straightforward. Here, we propose a method to transform the adjusted probability of the event in each group to the log of the odds ratio and obtain the appropriate (approximate) standard error, which can then be used in a meta-analysis. We also use example data to compare our method with two other methods and show that our method is superior in calculating the standard error of the log odds ratio.

Chestnut extract but not sodium salicylate decreases the severity of diarrhea and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F4 shedding in artificially infected piglets

The development of alternatives to antibiotics is crucial to limiting the incidence of antimicrobial resistance, especially in prophylactic and metaphylactic use to control post-weaning diarrhea (PWD). Feed additives, including bioactive compounds, could be a promising alternative. This study aimed to test two bioactive compounds, sodium salicylate (SA) and a chestnut extract (CE) containing hydrolysable tannins, on the occurrence of PWD. At weaning, 72 piglets were assigned to four treatments that combined two factors: CE supplementation (with 2% of CE (CE+) or without (CE-)) and SA supplementation (with 35 mg/kg BW of SA (SA+) or without (SA-)). Then, 4 days after weaning, all piglets were infected with a suspension at 10⁸ CFU/ml of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC F4ac). Each piglet had free access to an electrolyte solution containing, or not, SA. This SA supplementation was administered for 5 days (i.e., from the day of infection (day 0) to 4 days post-infection (day 4). During the 2 weeks post-infection, supplementation with SA had no effect (P > 0.05) on growth performances nor on fecal scores. A significant SA × time interaction (P < 0.01) for fecal scores and the percentage of diarrhea indicated that piglets with SA did not recover faster and did have a second episode of diarrhea. In contrast to SA treatment, inclusion of CE increased (P < 0.05) growth performances and feed intake. In the first week post-infection, CE decreased (P < 0.001) the overall fecal scores, the percentage of piglets with diarrhea, the days in diarrhea, and ETEC shedding in the feces. There was a SA×CE interaction (P < 0.05) for ETEC shedding, suggesting a negative effect of combining SA with CE. This study highlighted that, in contrast to SA, CE could represent a promising alternative to antibiotics immediately after weaning for improving growth performance and reducing PWD.

Genomic origin and EGFR-TKI treatments of pulmonary adenosquamous carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) of the lung is a heterogeneous disease that is composed of both adenocarcinoma components (ACC) and squamous cell carcinoma components (SCCC). Their genomic profile, genetic origin, and clinical management remain controversial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Resected ASC and metastatic tumor in regional lymph nodes (LNs) were collected. The ACC and SCCC were separated by microdissection of primary tumor. The 1021 cancer-related genes were evaluated by next-generation sequencing independently in ACC and SCCC and LNs. Shared and private alterations in the two components were investigated. In addition, genomic profiles of independent cohorts of adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas were examined for comparison. We have also carried out a retrospective study of ASCs with known EGFR mutation status from 11 hospitals in China for their clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

The most frequent alterations in 28 surgically resected ASCs include EGFR (79%), TP53 (68%), MAP3K1 (14%) mutations, EGFR amplifications (32%), and MDM2 amplifications (18%). Twenty-seven patients (96%) had shared variations between ACC and SCCC, and pure SCCC metastases were not found in metastatic LNs among these patients. Only one patient with geographically separated ACC and SCCC had no shared mutations. Inter-component heterogeneity was a common genetic event of ACC and SCCC. The genomic profile of ASC was similar to that of 170 adenocarcinomas, but different from that of 62 squamous cell carcinomas. The incidence of EGFR mutations in the retrospective analysis of 517 ASCs was 51.8%. Among the 129 EGFR-positive patients who received EGFR-TKIs, the objective response rate was 56.6% and the median progression-free survival was 10.1 months (95% confidence interval: 9.0-11.2).

CONCLUSIONS

The ACC and SCCC share a monoclonal origin, a majority with genetically inter-component heterogeneity. ASC may represent a subtype of adenocarcinoma with EGFR mutation being the most common genomic anomaly and sharing similar efficacy to EGFR TKI.

Low expression of lncRNA MEG3 promotes the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma by targeting miR-21

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore whether maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) could facilitate the proliferation and migration of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells by selectively binding to miR-21, thereby participating in the progression of OSCC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression levels of MEG3 and miR-21 in OSCC tissues and normal control tissues were detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The effects of MEG3 and miR-21 on cell proliferation and migration were examined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), transwell, and scratch assay, respectively. Meanwhile, cell cycle was detected using flow cytometry. The binding relationship between miR-21 and MEG3 was confirmed by dual luciferase assay. In addition, MEG3 and miR-21 were simultaneously knock-down to figure out whether MEG3 could regulate the proliferation and migration of OSCC cells through targeted binding to miR-21.

RESULTS

QRT-PCR results indicated that MEG3 expression in OSCC tissues was remarkably lower than that of normal control tissues. However, the expression of miR-21 was significantly higher in OSCC tissues. Meanwhile, it was found that inhibiting MEG3 expression in OSCC cell lines could significantly promote cell proliferation and migration, while the simultaneous inhibition of miR-21 showed the opposite effect. Dual Luciferase assay results revealed that MEG3 could selectively bind to miR-21. In addition, we demonstrated that the knockdown of MEG3 in Tca-8113 and CAL-27 cells partially reversed the inhibitory effect of downregulated-miR-21 on cell proliferation and migration. These results further suggested that MEG3 might regulate OSCC cell proliferation via selectively binding to miR-21.

CONCLUSIONS

Low expression of MEG3 can promote the proliferation and migration of OSCC cells through targeted binding to miR-21.

Phosphorylation of nucleopolyhedrovirus 39K is essential for the regulation of viral gene transcription in silkworm cells

39K protein was proven to be the most notable hyperphosphorylated protein of Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV), since its amino acid 136 has the highest phosphorylation ratio (16.683) among all of BmNPV phosphorylated proteins (Shobahah et al., 2017). Therefore, we inserted positive (mimicking phosphorylation) and negative (mimicking dephosphorylation) mutants of the highest phosphorylated site of 39K and the wild type 39k into the 39k-ko-Bacmid using the Bac-to-Bac system. These three kinds of recombinant Bacmids along with wild type and knocked-out Bacmid were then transfected into the Bombyx mori cells (BmN) and further investigated by qPCR analysis. The results of the qPCR showed that 39K phosphorylation had no significant effect on viral genome replication, unlike the positive mutation that reduced the viral gene transcription drastically compared to the wild type. Thus, phosphorylation of BmNPV 39K protein does not appear to be the essential mechanism for viral genome replication, even though it has an important role in the viral gene transcription. Keywords: BmNPV; 39K; phosphorylation; virus replication; virus transcription.

Application of 18S rDNA Clone Library to Detect Diatom Population Diversity in Dianchi

Abstract

Objective To detect the diatom population diversity in Dianchi by constructing a 18S rDNA clone library. Methods DNA from diatoms in 6 water samples of Dianchi was amplified with diatom 18S rDNA specific primer.The 18S rDNA clone library was constructed, and clones were randomly selected for sequence. Sequence alignment was performed by BLAST. The diatom population distribution in Dianchi was analyzed and the phylogenetic tree of diatom 18S rDNA in Dianchi waters was established with the MEGA v7.0.14 software. Results Two hundred and forty clones were sequenced, with 167 diatom sequences obtained, including 11 diatom species such as Stephanodiscus, Diatoma, and Melosira. There were certain differences in diatom population distribution among the 6 samples. Conclusion The population distribution of diatom species in Dianchi shows unique features and the sequence analysis of diatom 18S rDNA has a certain reference value to the inference of forensic drowning sites.

[HIV prevalence and correlated factors on male clients of female sex workers in Hekou Yao autonomous county of Yunnan province, 2014-2015]

Objective: To assess the prevalence and related factors of HIV infection among male clients of the female sex workers in Hekou Yao autonomous county of Honghe Hani Yi autonomous prefecture (Hekou county) in Yunnan province in China, 2014-2015. Methods: Serial cross-sectional survey was conducted during June 2014 to November 2015. Convenience sampling methods were used to recruit the male clients for this study. Self-reported information on social-demographic characteristics, with sexual and drug behavior patterns, was gathered. Both blood and urine samples were collected for HIV, with for opiate testing. Multivariate logistic regression and Exhaustive CHAID method were used to determine the correlated factors associated with HIV infection. Statistical analysis was used by SPSS 22.0 software and Clementine 12.0 software. Results: The overall HIV prevalence of male clients was 2.06% (16/776). Male clients who keep using condom with female sex worker was estimated as 68.81% (534/776). The last commercial sexual partner of Vietnamese male clients was all Vietnamese female sex workers. Compared with Chinese male clients, Vietnamese male clients have a higher rate of morphine positive. Factors as: age ≥50 years vs. age <30 years (OR=8.11, 95%CI: 1.26-52.16) and testing for morphine positive vs. morphine negative (OR=7.35, 95%CI: 1.42-38.06) were significantly associated with HIV infection through multiple logistic regression analysis. Through Exhaustive CHAID, it confirmed that age was the primary factor that associated with HIV infection of male clients. Conclusions: Relationship between morphine and HIV infection indicated that HIV prevalence of male clients in Hekou county was influenced by the combined effect of both illegal drug use and commercial sexual behavior. Special attention should be paid to male clients over 50 years of age, on HIV intervention.

6-year change in resting heart rate is associated with incident type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Elevated resting heart rate (RHR) is associated with risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the association of change in RHR (ΔRHR) and incident T2DM is not fully elucidated. We aimed to assess the dose-response association between 6-year ΔRHR and T2DM.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 12155 non-T2DM participants ≥18 years old were enrolled during 2007-2008 and followed up during 2013-2014. ΔRHR was calculated by subtracting the baseline RHR from the RHR value at 6-year follow-up. Age-, sex-, and RHR-specific relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the effect of ΔRHR on incident T2DM were calculated by using modified Poisson regression models. As compared with ΔRHR of 0 beats/min, the adjusted risk of T2DM was significantly increased with RHR increment and reduced with RHR reduction. ΔRHR was positively associated with future risk of T2DM [RR per unit increase: 1.03 (1.03-1.04)]. As compared with stable change in RHR group (-5<ΔRHR<5 beats/min), for ΔRHR ≤ -10 beats/min, -10<ΔRHR ≤ -5 beats/min, 5≤ΔRHR<10 beats/min, and ΔRHR ≥10 beats/min groups, the pooled adjusted RR (95% CI) of T2DM was 0.69 (0.55-0.86), 0.90 (0.73-1.11), 1.31 (1.07-1.61), and 1.90 (1.59-2.26), respectively. This significant association still existed on subgroup analyses based on age, sex, and baseline RHR and sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Dynamic RHR change was significantly associated with incident T2DM. Our study suggests that RHR may be a non-invasive clinical indicator for interventions aiming to reduce incident T2DM in the general population.

Caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee consumption and risk of all-cause mortality: a dose-response meta-analysis of cohort studies

BACKGROUND

Previous meta-analysis showed an inverse association between coffee consumption and all-cause mortality. However, the relationship between caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee consumption and all-cause mortality is inconsistent. We aimed to identify and review the published evidence updating the association between coffee consumption and all-cause mortality and, furthermore, to investigate the association of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee consumption and all-cause mortality.

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed and Web of Science for studies published up to 9 November 2017. Cohort studies in which authors reported relative risks (RRs) of all-cause mortality for at least three levels of coffee consumption were eligible. Random-effects models were used to estimate the pooled RR of all-cause mortality with coffee consumption. Restricted cubic splines were used to model the dose-response association.

RESULTS

We included 21 cohort study articles (10 103 115 study participants and 240 303 deaths). We found a nonlinear association between coffee consumption and all-cause mortality (P_nonlinearity  < 0.001). Compared with no or rare coffee consumption, with a consumption of 3 cups day^-1 , the risk of all-cause mortality might reduce 13% (RR = 0.87; 95% confidence interval = 0.84-0.89).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the present study provide quantitative data suggesting that coffee consumption plays a role in reducing the risk of all-cause mortality. Similar inverse associations are found for caffeinated coffee and decaffeinated coffee.

Effective genetic markers for identifying the Escherichia coli F4ac receptor status of pigs

The F4ac receptor locus (F4acR), which encodes susceptibility or resistance to Escherichia coli diarrhoea, is inherited as an autosomal recessive monogenetic trait. F4acR is localized on pig chromosome 13 (SSC13q41-q44) near the MUC13 gene. Two flanking markers (CHCF1 and ALGA0106330) with a high linkage disequilibrium (LD) with F4acR were found to be effective for the genetic identification of F4ac-resistant pigs in the Swiss Large White breed (one recombinant out of 2034 genotyped pigs). Three recombinant boars, one each from the Duroc, Swiss Landrace and Piétrain breeds, were genotyped with seven different markers and phenotyped by means of a microscopic adhesion test. Only ALGA0072075, CHCF1 and CHCF3 indicated the correct phenotype. To test the effect of the resistance allele on production traits, 530 Large White pigs from the national test station were investigated. A significant difference existed among the F4acR locus genotypes in the intramuscular fat content of the longissimus dorsi muscle, whereas no other production traits were influenced by the resistance allele. The frequency of the CHCF1-C and ALGA0106330-A alleles associated with resistance in the Swiss Large White population was 60%, which is advantageous for implementing this trait in a breeding programme to select for E. coli F4ac-resistant animals. The selection of resistant pigs should start on the male side due to the inability of resistant sows to produce sufficient amounts of protecting antibodies in the colostrum. Selection of genetically F4ac-resistant pigs is a sustainable and suitable alternative to decreasing animal loss and antibiotic use due to diarrhoea.

A J-shaped relation of BMI and stroke: Systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of 4.43 million participants

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Many studies have shown increased risk of stroke with greater adiposity as measured by body mass index (BMI), but questions remain about the shape of the dose-response relation. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies to clarify the strength and shape of the dose-response relation between BMI and risk of stroke.

METHODS AND RESULTS

PubMed and Embase databases were searched for articles published up to May 11, 2018. Random-effects generalized least-squares regression models were used to estimate study-specific dose-response association, and restricted cubic splines were used to model the association. We included reports of 44 prospective cohort studies describing 102 466 incident cases among 4 432 475 participants. With a 5-unit increment in BMI, the summary relative risk for stroke incidence was 1.10 (95% confidence interval, 1.06 to 1.13; I² = 88.0%). The dose-response relation was J-shaped (P_{non-linearity} <0.001). The risk was not increased at the low BMI range (<24 kg/m²), but was increased within the high BMI range (>25 kg/m²).

CONCLUSION

Both overweight and obesity increase the risk of stroke with a J-shaped dose-response relation, and the nadir of the curve was observed at BMI 23-24 kg/m².

Cardiovascular benefits of reducing personal exposure to traffic-related noise and particulate air pollution: A randomized crossover study in the Beijing subway system

To assess the cardiovascular benefits of protecting against particulate air pollution and noise, we conducted a randomized crossover study with 40 young healthy college students from March to May 2017 in the underground subway, Beijing. Participants each received 4 treatments (no intervention phase [NIP], respirator intervention phase [RIP], headphone intervention phase [HIP], respirator plus headphone intervention phase [RHIP]) in a randomized order during 4 different study periods with 2-week washout intervals. We measured personal exposure to particulate matter (PM), noise and electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters (heart rate variability (HRV), heart rate (HR) and ST segment changes), ambulatory blood pressure (BP) continuously for 4 hours to investigate the cardiovascular effects. Compared with NIP, most of the HRV parameters increased, especially high frequency (HF) [21.1% (95% CI: 15.7%, 26.9%), 18.2% (95% CI: 12.8%, 23.9%), and 35.5% (95% CI: 29.3%, 42.0%) in RIP, HIP, and RHIP, respectively], whereas ST segment elevation and HR decreased for all 3 modes of interventions. However, no significant differences were observed in BP among the 4 treatments. In summary, short-term wearing of a respirator and/or headphone may be an effective way to minimize cardiovascular risk induced by air pollution in the subway by improving autonomic nervous function.