[Prevalence and influencing factors of intestinal parasitic diseases among rural children in Henan Province]

OBJECTIVE

To understand the epidemic status and influencing factors of intestinal parasitic diseases among rural children in Henan Province.

METHODS

According to the Scheme for The National Survey on Current Status of Major Human Parasitic Diseases in China, the survey counties were selected based on the ecological zones and economic levels in Henan Province between 2014 and 2015. Then, the included counties were stratified according to the topography and economic levels. A township was randomly sampled from each stratum, and a village was randomly sampled from each township as the study site. Finally, a total of 104 study sites from 35 counties were enrolled for the survey of intestinal parasitic diseases in children. At least 250 fresh stool samples were collected from each study site for detection of intestinal helminth eggs with the Kato-Katz technique, for the identification of Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale with the fecal culture method, and for the detection of intestinal protozoa trophozoite and cyst with the physiological saline smear and iodine staining techniques. In addition, the Enterobius vermicularis and tapeworm eggs were detected in children aged 3 to 6 years using the adhesive cellophane-tape perianal swab method.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was 3.21% (214/6 671) among rural children in Henan Province, and the prevalence of intestinal helminthes (2.62%, 175/6 671) was higher than that of intestinal protozoa (0.60%, 40/6 671). A total of 12 species of intestinal parasites were found, including 4 nematodes species, one trematode species, and 7 protozoa species, and the highest infection was seen in E. vermicularis (2.47%, 161/6 671). Among the four ecological zones in Henan Province, the greatest prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was detected among children in the Qinba Mountain Ecological Zone (5.85%, 90/1 538). There was no gender-specific difference in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in children (P > 0.05); however, there were age- (χ² = 32.762, P < 0.05) and education level-specific differences in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in children (χ² = 67.507, P < 0.05), with the greatest prevalence of E. vermicularis infection seen in all species of intestinal parasites in children at all age groups. Multivariate non-conditional logistic regression analysis showed that high education level, high coverage of harmless toilets, drinking tap water and deworming were protective factors for intestinal parasitic infections in children in Henan Province. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections appeared a tendency towards a gradual decline among children in Henan Province as compared to the previous two surveys.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections shows a tendency towards a remarkable decline among children in Henan Province. E. vermicularis infection should be given a priority for future parasitic disease control activities among rural children in Henan Province.

[Epidemiological characteristics and correlated factors of habitual snoring among Chinese aged 30 to 79 year-old]

Objective: To describe the characteristics of habitual snoring among adults from 10 regions engaged in the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) study. Methods: The baseline survey of CKB was conducted from 2004 to 2008. Data was collected regarding the information on socio- demographic characteristics, lifestyle, sleeping habits, and results from the physical examination of the participants. Logistic regression models were used to compare the regional differences and to estimate the associations of other baseline characteristics on snoring habit. Results: A total of 512 713 participants were included in this study. The overall prevalence of habitual snoring was 21.2%, higher among men, in south regions and urban areas, but no difference observed among people with different socioeconomic status after adjusting for age, regions, BMI, waist circumference or lifestyle factors. Results showed that the prevalence of habitual snoring under the multivariable adjusted model increased among current and ever smokers, also among current and ever alcohol consumers. The risk of habitual snoring was increased by 19% per 1 kg/m(2) and 6% per 1 cm increment in BMI or waist circumference, respectively. Among participants with similar BMI, central obese individuals were more likely to be habitual snorers. For individuals with similar waist circumference, the prevalence of habitual snoring was higher among those with higher BMI. Conclusion: The prevalence of habitual snoring varied across regions. Substantial differences in habitual snoring were also seen among people with different lifestyles and body sizes.

A scoring model combining serum alpha-fetoprotein and tumor size and number predicts prognosis in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma patients after curative hepatectomy

Background

More in-depth models, such as biomarker and anatomical information, are needed to predict individualized prognoses of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative liver resection. alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has conflicting value in predicting prognosis. We aimed to investigate the significance of an AFP score model as a potential predictor of prognosis after radical resection in patients with HBV-related HCC.

Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed 397 patients with HBV-related HCC who underwent hepatic resection between 2001 and 2013. Serum AFP level, tumor size, and tumor number were calculated by adding individual points for the AFP score model. Patient and tumor characteristics were tested for prognostic significance using ANOVA and chi-squared test, respectively. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to identify the AFP score model with or without other risk factors to discriminate patients. Kaplan-Meier and Cox’s analyses were performed to pinpoint risk factors for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in the patients.

Results

The cutoff value for the AFP score model was set at 2 using the ROC curve, with good specificity and sensitivity for OS and DFS. According to the AFP score model, 185 patients were in the AFP score >2 group, and 212 were in the AFP score ≤2 group. The median OS in the AFP score ≤2 and AFP score >2 groups were 173.4±1.00 vs. 50.30±8.67 m, respectively (P=0.000). The median DFS in the AFP score ≤2 and AFP score >2 groups were 17.20±3.66 vs. 73.7±10.39 m (P=0.000), respectively. Analyses from Cox’s multivariate proportional hazard model indicated that AFP score (HR =0.563, 95% CI: 0.398–0.798, P=0.001), MVI (HR =0.653, 95% CI: 0.441–0.967, P=0.033), and cirrhosis (HR =0.358, 95% CI: 0.185–0.696, P=0.002) were risk factors for OS. The multivariate Cox model identified MVI (HR =1.589, 95% CI: 1.496–2.854, P=0.003) and AFP score (HR =0.876, 95% CI: 0.404–0.925, P=0.040) as risk factors of DFS. According to the stratification by the AFP score with MVI, the mean OS in the AFP score >2 group combined with the MVI group was significantly shorter, compared with that in the AFP score >2 group without the MVI group (65.58±9.18 vs. 94.21±8.25 m, P=0.024). The mean OS in the AFP score >2 group combined with the cirrhosis group is significantly shorter than that in the AFP score ≤2 group without the cirrhosis group (64.08±7.38 vs. 145.31±8.38 m, P=0.000).

Conclusions

The AFP score model categorizes HCC patients with relatively good liver function after radical resection with low- and high-risk prognosis.

Abnormal methylation of spermatozoa induced by benzo(a)pyrene in rats

Epigenetic mutations caused by pollutants are possibly linked to many diseases. Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is one of the most representative air pollutants and has aroused wide concern because of its strong carcinogenicity. The reproductive toxicity induced by BaP has been identified, but little is known about the characteristics of the methylation changes induced by BaP. In this study, a methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing method was used to detect the methylation of sperm DNA of rats exposed to BaP. Compared with the respective genes in normal rats, there were 3227 hypomethylated genes and 828 hypermethylated genes after BaP exposure. Gene ontology enrichment analysis reported that differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were enriched in the localization, single-multicellular organism process and plasma membrane. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed that the DMGs were significantly enriched in the Ras signalling pathway, Rap1 signalling pathway, pancreatic secretion and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction. DisGeNET disease spectrum analysis showed that DMGs were associated with infertility and certain genetic diseases. Further research needs to be done to explore whether these abnormal methylation are transgenerational.

[Levels of skeletal muscle mass and handgrip strength in adults from 10 regions of China]

Objective: To describe the regional and population-related differences in skeletal muscle mass and handgrip strength across the 10 regions of China. Methods: 24 533 participants aged 38-88 years from the second resurvey of China Kadoorie Biobank were included in our analyses. Appendicular and trunk skeletal muscle mass were assessed using the bioelectrical impedance analysis (TANITA). Handgrip strength was measured using Jamar hand-held dynamometer. Low muscle mass and low muscle strength were defined as the lowest quintile of height-adjusted appendicular muscle mass or handgrip strength according to the Consensus Report of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. We analyzed the mean value of absolute muscle mass, height-adjusted muscle mass, weight-adjusted muscle mass and handgrip strength. We also reported the prevalence of low muscle mass and low muscle strength. Results: The average appendicular and total skeletal muscle mass were (22.0±0.02) kg and (49.7±0.05) kg in men, which were higher than in women [(15.9±0.02) kg and (37.2±0.04) kg, respectively]. The handgrip strength was (32.6±0.06) kg in men, which was higher than (19.9±0.05) kg in women. The absolute muscle mass was higher in north area and urban region (P<0.001). The weight-adjusted muscle mass showed reverse patterns of regional difference compared with height-adjusted muscle mass. Both muscle mass and handgrip strength decreased by age (trend P<0.001), with a larger decline observed in handgrip strength. According to AWGS criteria, the proportions of low muscle mass and strength increased by age. Among participants over 80 years old, the prevalence of low muscle mass and strength were 56.2% and 74.5% in men, and 35.7% and 66.0% in women. Conclusions: Levels of skeletal muscle mass and strength varied greatly among people from 10 regions and among participants with different demographic characteristics. The prevalence of low muscle mass and strength was extremely high in elderly.

[Association between the frequency of bowel movements and the risk of colorectal cancer in Chinese adults]

Objective: To examine the association between the frequencies of bowel movement (BMF) and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: In this study, 510 134 participants from the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) were included, after excluding those who reported as having been diagnosed with cancer at the baseline survey. The baseline survey was conducted from June 2004 to July 2008. The present study included data from baseline and follow-up until December 31, 2016. We used the Cox proportional hazards regression models to estimate the HR and the 95%CI of incident CRC with BMF. Results: During an average follow-up period of 9.9 years, 3 056 participants were documented as having developed colorectal cancer. In the site-specific analysis, 1 548 colon cancer and 1 475 rectal cancer were included. Compared with participants who had bowel movements on the daily base, the multivariable-adjusted HR (95%CI) for those who had more than once of BMF were 1.24 (1.12-1.39) for CRC, 1.12 (0.95-1.31) for colon cancer, and 1.37 (1.18-1.59) for rectal cancer. We further examined the association between BMF and CRC, according to the stages of follow-up, the corresponding HR (95%CI) for CRC, colon and rectal cancer were 1.59 (1.36-1.86), 1.43 (1.14- 1.80), and 1.76 (1.41-2.19) for the first five years, while such associations became statistically insignificant in the subsequent follow-up (P for all interactions were <0.05), as time went on. As for CRC, colon or rectal cancers among participants who had lower bowel movements, the risks were not significantly different from those who had bowel movements everyday. Conclusions: Participants who had BMF more than once a day, appeared an increased risk of CRC in the subsequent five years. Since abnormal increase of bowel movements is easily recognizable, programs should be set up on health self- management and early screening for CRC.

[Clinicopathologic features and prognosis of patients with IgA nephropathy superimposed on transplant glomerulopathy]

Objective: To observe the clinicopathologic features and prognostic of patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) superimposed on transplant glomerulopathy (TG+ IgAN). Methods: Electronic medical records of Jinling Hospital were searched for TG+ IgAN patients that was diagnosed during January 2004 to December 2016. Clinicopathologic features and prognoses information were retrieved and analyzed. The primary outcome was initiation of replacement therapy or an eGFR declined to<15 ml·min(-1)·(1.73m(2))(-1). Results: A total of 49 patients with pathologically confirmed TG+ IgAN were enrolled in this study. The median time from renal transplantation to allograft biopsy was 85 months. There were 131 patients with TG in the control group. There was no statistical difference in the age, gender, and immunosuppressive regimen during renal biopsy in the two groups. In TG+ IgAN patients, the median serum creatinine level was 175 μmol/L, the median urinary protein was 1.45 g/24 h, and 16.3% of the patients had nephrotic range proteinuria, the incidence of microscopic hematuria was 40.8%, and the average hemoglobin was 105 g/L. In terms of pathology, the degree of glomerular mesangial matrix hyperplasia in the TG+ IgAN group was significantly heavier compared with TG group (P=0.004), and the degree of hyaline degeneration of the small arteries was lighter (P=0.043). There was no significant difference in interstitial inflammation (i), tubulitis (t), glomerulitis (g), peritubular capillaritis (ptc) and intimal arteritis (v). Calculated by Kaplan-Meier method, the median survival time of 49 patients with TG+ IgAN was 36.9 months, and there was no difference in survival rate of allografts compared with TG group. Conclusions: Compared with TG patients without IgA, TG+ IgAN patients had higher incidence of microscopic hematuria, more severe glomerular mesangial matrix hyperplasia, and no significant differences in other clinicopathological features. The prognosis of TG+ IgAN patients was not significantly different from those without IgAN.

[Epidemiological characteristics of household fuel use in 10 areas of China]

Objective: To describe the characteristics of cooking and heating fuel use in participants from the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) study. Methods: The CKB study recruited 512 891 adults from 10 areas in China during 2004-2008. Information on cooking fuel and heating fuel was collected using a questionnaire in baseline survey. The proportions of various fuels used in different areas, in different populations, and at different time points were calculated and compared. Results: Overall, 52.1% participants used solid fuel for cooking or heating. Rural areas had higher prevalence of solid fuel use than urban areas. The percentage of participants using solid fuel for cooking was 36.1% (coal 20.1%, wood/charcoal 16.0%); The percentage of participants using solid fuel for heating was 36.7% (coal 22.7%, wood/charcoal 14.0%). The prevalence of solid fuel use and the fuel type mainly used varied widely across 10 areas. The proportion of clean fuel use was lower in less-educated and lower-income people. Household coal and wood/charcoal use showed a declining trend, which was more remarkable in urban areas. Conclusion: There are still a large number of rural residents and people with low income relying on solid fuel in China, which is a serious public health concern.

[Prevalence of 'healthy lifestyle' in Chinese adults]

Objective: To examine the prevalence of 'healthy lifestyle' from data extracted from the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) of 0.5 million adults from ten areas across China. Methods: After excluding participants with self-reported histories of coronary heart disease, stroke or cancer, a total of 487 198 participants at baseline (2004-2008) and 22 604 participants at second survey (2013- 2014), were included for analysis. 'Healthy lifestyle' was defined as haing the following characteristics: a) never smoking or having stopped smoking for reasons other than illness; b) alcohol drinking <25 g/day (men)/<15 g/day (women); c) diet rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes and fish, but low in red meat; d) upper quarter of the physical activity level; e) body mass index of 18.5-23.9 kg/m(2) and waist circumstance <85 cm (men)/80 cm (women). We calculated the healthy lifestyle scores (HLS) by counting the number of all the healthy lifestyle factors, with a range from 0 to 6. Results: At baseline, prevalence rates of the above five healthy lifestyles (except physical activity) were 70.6%, 92.6%, 8.7%, 52.6% and 59.0%, respectively, with the mean HLS being 3.1±1.2. Most participants (81.4%) had2-4 healthy components, while only 0.7% (0.2% in men and 1.0% in women) of all the participants had all six healthy lifestyles. Participants who were women, at younger age, with more schooling and rural residents, were more likely to adhere to the healthy lifestyle. After ten years, the mean HLS showed a slight decrease. Conclusion: The prevalence of optimal lifestyles in Chinese adults appeared extremely low. Levels of 'healthy lifestyle' varied greatly among those populations with different socio-demographic characteristics across the ten areas in China.

H19 serves as a diagnostic biomarker and up-regulation of H19 expression contributes to poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer

Emerging evidences indicate that dysregulated long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are implicated in cancer tumorigenesis and progression and might be used as diagnosis and prognosis biomarker, or potential therapeutic targets. LncRNA H19 has been reported to be upregulated in diverse human cancers; however, its clinical significance in gastric cancer (GC) remains elusive. Expression levels of H19 in 128 pairs of GC and adjacent normal tissues, GC cell lines and GC juices compared to their corresponding controls were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Kaplan-Meier analysis were constructed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic values. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed using the Cox proportional hazard analysis. H19 expression was remarkably increased in GC tissues and cell lines compared with that in the normal control, and its up-regulation was significantly correlated to invasion depth (P < 0.001), advanced TNM stage (P = 0.002) and regional lymph nodes metastasis (P < 0.001) in GC. H19 levels were robust in differentiating GC tissues from controls [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.697; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.636-0.752, p<0.01]. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that increased H19 expression contributed to poor overall survival (P = 0.017) and disease-free survival (P = 0.024) of patients. A multivariate survival analysis also indicated that H19 could be an independent prognostic marker. The levels of H19 in gastric juice from gastric patients were significantly higher than those from normal subjects (P = 0.034). Furthermore, knockdown of H19 expression by siRNA could inhibit cell migration and invasion in GC cells partly via regulating E-cadherin protein expression. H19 might serve as a promising biomarker for early detection and prognosis prediction of GC.

[Relationship between educational level and long-term changes of body weight and waist circumference in adults in China]

Objective: To evaluate the association of educational level with anthropometric measurements at different adult stages and their long-term changes in adults who participated in the second re-survey of China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB). Methods: The present study excluded participants who were aged >65 years, with incomplete or extreme measurement values, or with major chronic diseases at baseline survey or re-survey. The weight at age 25 years was self-reported. Body height, body weight and waist circumference at baseline survey (2004-2008) and re-survey (2013-2014) were analyzed. Results: The present study included 3 427 men and 6 320 women. Both body weight and waist circumference (WC) increased with age. From age 25 years to baseline survey (mean age 45.2±6.5), the mean weight change per 5-year was (1.70±2.63) kg for men and (1.27±2.10) kg for women. From baseline survey to re-survey (53.2±6.5), the mean changes per 5-year for body weight were (1.12±2.61) kg for men and (0.90±2.54) kg for women; and that for WC was (3.20±3.79) cm for men and (3.83±3.85) cm for women. Among women, low educational level was consistently associated with higher body mass index (BMI) and WC at age 25 years, baseline survey and re-survey. Among men, low educational level was associated with higher BMI at age 25 years. At baseline survey and re-survey, the educational level in men was not statistically associated with BMI; but men who completed junior or senior high school showed slight higher WC and increase of WC from baseline survey to re-survey than other male participants. Conclusions: Body weight and WC increased with age for both men and women. The associations of educational level with BMI and WC were different between men and women.

IGFBP2 promotes vasculogenic mimicry formation via regulating CD144 and MMP2 expression in glioma

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) refers to the fluid-conducting channels formed by aggressive tumor cells rather than endothelial cells (EC) with elevated expression of genes associated with vascularization. VM has been considered as one of the reasons that glioblastoma becomes resistant to anti-VEGF therapy. However, the molecular basis underlying VM formation remains unclear. Here we report that the insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) acts as a potent factor to enhance VM formation in glioma. Evidence showed that elevated IGFBP2 expression was positively related with VM formation in patients with glioma. Enforced expression of IGFBP2 increased network formation of glioma cells in vitro by activating CD144 and MMP2 (Matrix Metalloproteinase 2). U251 cells with stable knockdown of IGFBP2 led to decreased VM formation and tumor progression in orthotopic mouse model. Mechanistically, IGFBP2 interacts with integrin α5 and β1 subunits and augments CD144 expression in a FAK/ERK pathway-dependent manner. Luciferase reporter and ChIP assay suggested that IGFBP2 activated the transcription factor SP1, which could bind to CD144 promoter. Thus, IGFBP2 acts as a stimulator of VM formation in glioma cells via enhancing CD144 and MMP2 expression.

[Association between central obesity and risk for heart disease in adults in China: a prospective study]

Objective: To understand the association between central obesity, assessed by waist circumference, and the risks for ischemic heart disease (IHD), major coronary event (MCE), and IHD death. Methods: After excluding participants with heart disease, stroke, cancer, COPD, and diabetes at baseline survey, we included a total of 428 595 participants from the China Kadoorie Biobank for the analysis. The baseline survey was conducted from June 2004 to July 2008. We used Cox proportional hazards model to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95%CI. Results: During an average 9.1 years of follow-up (3 803 637 person-years), we documented 26 900 incident cases of IHD, 4 320 cases of MCE, and 2 787 of deaths from IHD. After adjustment for possible confounders and BMI, central obesity was found to be associated with increased risks for IHD, MCE, and IHD death. The adjusted HRs (for the participants who had waist circumference of 85.0-89.9 cm in men and 80.0-84.9 cm in women were 1.13 (95%CI: 1.09-1.17) for IHD, 1.15 (95%CI: 1.05-1.26) for MCE and 1.11 (95%CI: 0.98-1.24) for IHD death. The respective HRs for those central obese participants (men ≥90.0 cm, women ≥85.0 cm) were 1.29 (95%CI: 1.24-1.34), 1.30 (95%CI: 1.17-1.44) and 1.32 (95%CI: 1.16-1.51). Further stratification analysis according to BMI showed that the risks for incident IHD, MCE, and IHD death increased along with the increase of waist circumference even in the participants with normal weight. Conclusion: This large-scale prospective study revealed that central obesity was an independent risk factor for IHD in adults in China, and the risk of IHD would increase with the increase of waist circumference.

[Enhancing nutrition and health survey and implementing effective interventions to reduce the incidence of nutritional diseases]

Public nutrition is related to the improvement of population health and the development of social economy. Nutrition and health survey can provide indispensable information for public health and disease prevention and control to improve people's nutritional and health status and support the policy making of food production and chronic diseases prevention and control. In recent years, China's nutritional supply capacity has increased significantly. Our people's nutritional and health status has improved significantly. The articles published in "Nutrition and Health Survey" column come from nutrition surveys both at the national and provincial level. They are making full use of data to give information on not only nutritional and health status of residents throughout the country, but also regional features. These results will provide a detailed and reliable reference for both national and regional nutrition and health policy and strategy making. At present, China's nutrition work faces many challenges. China's Party Central Committee and the State Council always places great emphasis on people's nutritional and health status. In order to promote the health of the whole population in our country, our government has implemented a number of nutrition promotion policies or strategies. Chinese nutrition and health survey will further evaluate the effect of these movements.

[Sex-specific associations between tobacco smoking and risk of cardiovascular diseases in Chinese adults]

Objective: To examine the sex-specific associations between tobacco smoking and risk of cardiovascular diseases in Chinese adults. Methods: The present analysis included 487 373 participants from the China Kadoorie Biobank after excluding those with cancer, heart diseases, stroke at baseline survey. The baseline survey was conducted from June 2004 to July 2008. The number of follow-up years was calculated from the time that the participants completed baseline survey to the time of any event: CVD incidence, death, loss of follow-up, or December 31, 2015, whichever occurred first. We used Cox proportional hazards regression models to estimate the HRs and 95%CI of incident cardiovascular diseases with tobacco smoking. Results: During a median follow-up of 8.9 years(a total of 4.1 million person years), we documented 33 947 cases of ischemic heart diseases, 6 048 cases of major coronary diseases, 7 794 cases of intracerebral hemorrhage, and 31 722 cases of cerebral infarction. The prevalence of smoking was much higher in men (67.9%) than in women (2.7%). Smoking increased risk of all subtypes of cardiovascular diseases. Compared with nonsmokers, the multivariable-adjusted HRs (95% CI) for current smokers were 1.54 (1.43-1.66) for major coronary event, 1.28 (1.24-1.32) for ischemic heart disease, 1.18 (1.14-1.22) for cerebral infarction, and 1.07 (1.00-1.15) for intracerebral hemorrhage, respectively. Female smokers tended to have greater risk of developing major coronary event associated with amount of tobacco smoked daily (interaction P=0.006) and age when smoking started (interaction P=0.011). There was no sex difference in these two effects for ischemic heart diseases, intracerebral hemorrhage and cerebral infarction (all interaction P>0.05). Conclusions: This prospective study confirmed increased risk of all subtypes of cardiovascular diseases in current smokers. Smoking was more harmful to women than to men for major coronary event.

[Stratified sampling survey of major human parasitic diseases in Henan province]

Objective: To understand the prevalence of major human parasitic diseases and related factors in Henan province. Methods: This stratified sampling survey was carried out according to the requirement of national survey protocol of major human parasitic diseases, 2014-2015. The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths infection, taeniasis and intestinal protozoiasis were surveyed in 104 sites selected from 35 counties (districts) and the prevalence of clonorchiasis was surveyed in 62 sites selected from 37 townships. In each survey spot, 250 persons were surveyed. A total of 26 866 persons and 15 893 persons were surveyed. Modified Kato-Katz thick smear was used to detect the eggs of intestinal helminthes. Tube fecal culture was used to identify the species of hookworm. The Enterobius eggs were detected in children aged 3 to 6 years by using adhesive tape. The cyst and trophozoite of intestinal protozoa were examined with physiological saline direct smear method and iodine stain method. Results: The overall infestation rate of intestinal parasites was2.02% in Henan, and the worm infection rate was higher than protozoa infection rate. Fourteen kinds of intestinal parasites were found, including nematode (5 species), trematode (2 species), and protozoan (7 species). The infection rate of Enterobius vermicularis was highest, and Qinba Mountain ecological area had the highest infestation rate of intestinal parasites in 4 ecological areas of Henan. There was no significant difference in intestinal parasite infection rate between males and females (χ(2)=3.630, P=0.057), and the differences in intestinal parasite infection rate among different age groups had significance (χ(2)=124.783, P=0.000 1). The infection rate reached the peak in age group ≤9 years and the major parasite was Enterobius vermicularis. Furthermore the overall human infection rate of parasite showed a downward trend with the increase of educational level of the people (χ(2)=70.969, P=0.000 1), the differences had significance (χ(2)=120.118, P=0.000 1). For different populations, the infection rate of intestinal parasites was highest among preschool children. The infection of intestinal helminth was mainly mild, only 2 severe cases were detected. The infection rate of Clonorchis sinensis in urban residents was only 0.006%. Logistic regression analysis showed that being preschool children (χ(2)=15.765, P=0.000 1) and drinking well water (χ(2)=45.589, P=0.000 1) were the risk factors for intestinal parasite infection, and annual income per capita of farmers was the protective factor against intestinal parasite infection. The infection rates of protozoa and intestinal parasites decreased sharply compared with the results of previous two surveys, and the rate of intestinal helminth infection also dropped sharply compared with the second survey. The numbers of protozoa, helminth and intestinal parasites detected in this survey were all less than the numbers found in the previous two surveys. Conclusions: Compared the results of three surveys in Henan, the infection rate of protozoa and intestinal parasites showed a downward trend. The prevention and treatment of Enterobius vermicularis infection in children should be the key point of parasitic disease control in the future.

[Family history and risk of coronary heart disease]

Objective: To evaluate the association of family history with risk of major coronary events (MCE) and ischemic heart disease (IHD). Methods: After excluding participants with heart disease, stroke or cancer at baseline survey, a total of 485 784 participants from the China Kadoorie Biobank, who had no missing data on critical variables, were included in the analysis. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) and 95% CI. Subgroup analyses were performed according to the baseline characteristics. Results: During a median of 7.2 years of follow-up, we documented 3 934 incident cases of MCE and 24 537 cases of IHD. In multivariable-adjusted models, family history was significantly associated with risk of MCE and IHD. The adjusted HRs (95%CI) were 1.41 (1.19-1.65) and 1.25 (1.18-1.33), respectively. History of disease among siblings was more strongly associated with early-onset MCE than parental history (HR=2.97, 95%CI: 1.80-4.88). Moreover, the association of family history with MCE and IHD was stronger in persons who were overweight or obesive, and the association between family history and MEC was stronger in smokers. Conclusion: This large-scale, prospective study indicated that family history was an independent risk factor for MCE and IHD in China. The intervention targeting major known lifestyle risk factors and the management of chronic diseases should be strengthened for Chinese population, especially for the individuals with family history were at high risk.

Improvement in lipids after switch to boosted atazanavir or darunavir in children/adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV on older protease inhibitors: results from the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

Dyslipidaemia is common in perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV) youth receiving protease inhibitors (PIs). Few studies have evaluated longitudinal lipid changes in PHIV youth after switch to newer PIs.

METHODS

We compared longitudinal changes in fasting lipids [total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and TC:HDL-C ratio] in PHIV youth enrolled in the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study (PHACS) Adolescent Master Protocol (AMP) study who switched to atazanavir/ritonavir (ATV/r)- or darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) from an older PI-based ART and those remaining on an older PI. Generalized estimating equation models were fitted to assess the association of a switch to ATV/r- or DRV/r-based ART with the rate of change in lipids, adjusted for potential confounders.

RESULTS

From 2007 to 2014, 47 PHIV children/adolescents switched to ATV/r or DRV/r, while 120 remained on an older PI [primarily lopinavir/r (72%) and nelfinavir (24%)]. Baseline age ranged from 7 to 21 years. After adjustment for age, Tanner stage, race/ethnicity, and HIV RNA level, a switch to ATV/r or DRV/r was associated with a more rapid annual rate of decline in the ratio of TC:HDL-C. (β = -0.12; P = 0.039) than remaining on an older PI. On average, TC declined by 4.57 mg/dL/year (P = 0.057) more in the switch group. A switch to ATV/r or DRV/r was not associated with the rate of HDL-C, LDL-C, or TG change.

CONCLUSIONS

A switch to ATV/r or DRV/r may result in more rapid reduction in TC and the TC:HDL-C ratio in PHIV youth, potentially impacting long-term cardiovascular disease risk.

[Gender differences in stressful life events and depression in Chinese adults aged 30-79 years]

Objective: To investigate gender specific differences in the association between stressful life events (SLEs) and depression in Chinese adults aged 30-79 years. Methods: In the baseline survey during 2004-2008, the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) recruited 512 891 men and women aged 30-79 years from 10 areas of China. Detailed information on SLEs, including demographic and socio-economic status, smoking, alcohol drinking and history of chronic disease, as well as depression symptoms and major depressive episodes (MDEs) in preceding 12 months, was collected by using standardized questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression model was employed to estimate the relative risk ratio (RRR) and 95%CI of SLEs (3 categories, 10 items) on depression and the dose-response relationship between the number of SLEs experienced and depression. The interactions between gender and SLEs on depression were examined with likelihood ratio test. Results: Among the 512 891 participants, 35 085 (6.8%) reported family-related events, 5 972 (1.2%) reported finance-related events, and 4 453 (0.9%) reported other stressful life events. Females had a higher occurrence of family-related events, while males had a higher occurrence of finance-related and other events (all P-value <0.001). After adjusted for potential confounders, SLEs were significantly associated with MDEs (RRR=11.99, 95%CI: 10.49-13.71 for males; RRR=14.15, 95%CI: 12.97-15.43 for females), and with depressive symptoms (RRR=7.43, 95%CI: 6.94-7.95 for males; RRR=8.30, 95%CI: 7.91-8.72 for females). And the associations were stronger in females than in males (P for interaction=0.049). In the three categories of SLEs, family-related events showed stronger association in female (P for interaction <0.001), while no gender specific differences were observed for the other two categories (all P-value>0.05). Furthermore, the effect of the number of SLEs experienced increased in a dose-response manner on depressive symptoms and MDEs for both genders, but no gender specific differences were found. Conclusions: The gender modifies the association between stressful life events and depression in Chinese adults, and women experienced family-related events have a greater risk of depression. The more the stressful events experienced, the more likely to have depression.

[Associations between airflow obstruction and the risks of morbidity on major chronic diseases in Chinese adults: a prospective cohort study]

Objective: To examine the prospective associations between airflow obstruction (AFO) and risks of major chronic diseases morbidity in Chinese adults. Methods: Samples of this study were from the China Kadoorie Biobank. A total of 486 996 participants aged 30 to 79 years (mean 51.5 years) at the baseline study, were included after excluding those who self-reported of having heart disease, stroke and cancer at baseline. AFO was defined under the Global Initiative on Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria and forced expiratory volume per one second in percentage of the expected one (FEV(1)% P). Cox regression models were used to investigate the associations of AFO with incidence rates of ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and lung cancer after adjusted for potential confounders. Results: Over a period of 7 years through the follow-up program, the incident cases of ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and lung cancer appeared as 24 644, 36 336 and 3 218, respectively. Compared with people without AFO, the HR (95% CI) of GOLD-1 to GOLD-4 were 0.89 (0.78-1.01), 1.05 (0.98-1.12), 1.29 (1.18-1.40) and 1.65 (1.42-1.91) respectively for ischemic heart disease. The HR (95%CI) of GOLD-1 to GOLD-4 were 0.96 (0.70-1.26), 1.12 (0.96-1.31), 1.38 (1.14-1.65) and 1.48 (1.05-2.02) respectively for lung cancer. No statistically significant differences in the associations between GOLD level and cerebrovascular disease morbidity were found. However, each 10% decrease in FEV(1)% P was associated with 7.2% (95%CI: 6.4%-8.0%), 3.6% (95%CI: 3.0%-4.3%) and 10.5% (95%CI: 8.4%-12.6%) increased the risks of ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and lung cancer respectively. The results were persistant when stratified by smoking status. Conclusion: Higher degree of AFO seemed to be associated with the risks of ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and lung cancer morbidity among the Chinese adults.

[Distributions and associations between duration of sleep, daytime naps and insomnia symptoms among Chinese adults]

Objective: To investigate the distribution of sleep duration, daytime naps habits, and insomnia-related symptoms among participants from the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) study, and to examine the associations between the sleep-associated factors. Methods: A self-designed computer-based questionnaire was adopted to collect social-demographic information and lifestyle-related factors of the participants. A total of 452 829 Chinese adults aged 30-79 years, without self-reported histories of coronary heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases or cancer, were included in this study. General linear regression and multinomial logistic regression models were used to estimate the distributions on duration of sleep, daytime naps habits, and insomnia-related symptoms in different populations, after adjusted for gender, age, and residential regions. Gender-specific logistic regression model was adopted to examine the associations between the above mentioned sleep-related factors. Results: The average sleep duration of the participants was 7.41 hours per day, with 20.3% of them having daytime naps all year round, but 40.1% only had daytime naps in summer, and 39.6% had no habits of daytime naps. 11.0%, 10.0%, and 2.1% of the participants reported having had symptoms as difficulty in falling asleep, waking up too early or with daytime dysfunction, respectively. There were significant differences on the distributions in sleep-related factors between participants with different gender, age, residential areas, education levels,household income, and marital status (P<0.05). Results from the logistic regression showed that longer sleep duration was associated with lower risks of insomnia-related symptoms trend (P<0.001). Factor as without habits of daytime naps seemed to be associated with higher risks of insomnia-related symptoms (P<0.05). Participants with longer sleep duration were more likely to have the habit of taking daytime naps (P<0.05). Conclusions: The distributions of sleep duration, habits on daytime naps and insomnia-related symptoms varied according to the differences on social-demographic factors. There were associations existed between the sleeping-related factors, which would influence the promotion on optimal sleep duration and better quality of sleep.

[Two families of X-linked lymphoproliferative disease type 1 characterized by agammaglobulinemia]

Objective: To investigate the clinical and immunological laboratory features, mutations in SH2D1A gene and SAP protein expression in four children of two families with X-linked lymphoproliferative disease type 1(XLP-1). Method: Four patients (Family A including Patient 1 and Patient 2, Family B including Patient 3 and Patient 4) and their maternal relatives were enrolled in this study. The clinical manifestation, EBV infection status and chest CT scan were analyzed. The absolute and relative numbers of lymphocyte subsets, T lymphocyte proliferative response, SAP protein expression were assessed by flow cytometry. Quantification of signal joint TCR rearrangementexcision circle (sjTRECs), CDR3 spectratyping of TCRvβ and gene mutation of SH2D1A were detected by PCR based on genomic DNA or cDNA. Result: Four male patients from two families were diagnosed with XLP-1. The ages of disease onset were more than 1 year, more than 1 year, more than 1 month and 6 months. The ages at diagnosis were nine years and ten months, sixteen years and eight months, fourteen years and ten months, four years and nine months. All patients had recurrent infections and EBV infection. Patients 1, 2, and 3 had agammaglobulinemia and Patient 4 had hypogammaglobulinemia. Chest CT scan showed all patients had atelectasis and pneumonia, and Patient 3 had bronchiectasis. Patient 3 was diagnosised as Burkitt lymphoma. For immunological function, all patients exhibited reduced CD4/CD8 ratios, increased numbers of exhausted T lymphocyte, decreased number of NK cell. The numbers of total B lymphocyte and naïve B lymphocyte were normal, but the number of memory B lymphocyte declined in all cases. Four patients' copy numbers of sjTRECs were low and CDR3 spectratypings of TCRvβ showed mildly skewed. But their T lymphocyte proliferative response was normal. SAP protein expression in four cases were measured by flow cytometry. Two patients from Family A were absent and two patients from Family B showed decreased values. SH2D1A gene sequence analysis showed that the patients of Family A harbored a nonsense mutation (c.163 C>T; p.R55X) in exon 2. Their mother and two sisters were carriers. A missense mutation of SH2D1A gene (c.278 G>A; p.G93D) in exon 3 was found in the patients of Family B. The mother was carrier. Four patients remain survived, Patient 3 gave up treatment, other three patients received IVIG therapy. Conclusion: Four patients with XLP-1 from two families characterized by agammaglobulinemia have an extreme vulnerability to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. The functions of T cell, B cell and NK cell are impaired at different stages. The detection of SAP protein and SH2D1A gene are the key methods for diagnosis of XLP-1.