Impact of stress hyperglycemia ratio on mortality in patients with critical acute myocardial infarction: insight from american MIMIC-IV and the chinese CIN-II study.

BACKGROUND: Among patients with acute coronary syndrome and percutaneous coronary intervention, stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) is primarily associated with short-term unfavorable outcomes. However, the relationship between SHR and long-term worsen prognosis in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients admitted in intensive care unit (ICU) are not fully investigated, especially in those with different ethnicity. This study aimed to clarify the association of SHR with all-cause mortality in critical AMI patients from American and Chinese cohorts. METHODS: Overall 4,337 AMI patients with their first ICU admission from the American Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-IV database (n = 2,166) and Chinese multicenter registry cohort Cardiorenal ImprovemeNt II (CIN-II, n = 2,171) were included in this study. The patients were divided into 4 groups based on quantiles of SHR in both two cohorts. RESULTS: The total mortality was 23.8% (maximum follow-up time: 12.1 years) in American MIMIC-IV and 29.1% (maximum follow-up time: 14.1 years) in Chinese CIN-II. In MIMIC-IV cohort, patients with SHR of quartile 4 had higher risk of 1-year (adjusted hazard radio [aHR] = 1.87; 95% CI: 1.40-2.50) and long-term (aHR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.27-2.09) all-cause mortality than quartile 2 (as reference). Similar results were observed in CIN-II cohort (1-year mortality: aHR = 1.44; 95%CI: 1.03-2.02; long-term mortality: aHR = 1.32; 95%CI: 1.05-1.66). In both two group, restricted cubic splines indicated a J-shaped correlation between SHR and all-cause mortality. In subgroup analysis, SHR was significantly associated with higher 1-year and long-term all-cause mortality among patients without diabetes in both MIMIC-IV and CIN-II cohort. CONCLUSION: Among critical AMI patients, elevated SHR is significantly associated with and 1-year and long-term all-cause mortality, especially in those without diabetes, and the results are consistently in both American and Chinese cohorts.

Effect of cumulative radiation exposure from Coronary catheterization on lung cancer mortality.

BACKGROUND: Coronary catheterization (CC) procedure inevitably exposes patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) to radiation, while cumulative radiation exposure may lead to higher risk of cancer. METHODS: This multi-center, retrospective study was based on the CC procedure in Cardiorenal ImprovemeNt II cohort (CIN-II, NCT05050877) among five regional central tertiary teaching hospitals in China between 2007 and 2020. Patients without known cancer were stratified according to the times they received CC procedure. Baseline information from their last CC procedure was analyzed. Cox regression and Fine-Gray competing risk models were used to assess the relationship between cumulative radiation exposure from CC procedures and cancer-specific, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. RESULTS: Of 136,495 hospitalized survivors without cancer at baseline (mean age: 62.3 ± 11.1 years, 30.9% female), 116,992 patients (85.7%) underwent CC procedure once, 15,184 patients (11.1%) on twice, and 4,319 patients (3.2%) underwent CC procedure more than three times. During the median follow-up of 4.7 years (IQR: 2.5 to 7.4), totally 18,656 patients (13.7%) died after discharge, of which 617 (0.5%) died of lung cancer. Compared with the patients who underwent CC procedure once, the risk of lung cancer mortality increased significantly with the increase of the number of CC procedure (CC 2 times vs. 1 time: HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.78, P < 0.001; CC ≥ 3 times vs. 1 time: HR 1.64, 95%CI 1.13 to 2.39, P < 0.05). Similar results were observed in all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality, but not in other cancer-specific mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that substantial proportion of CVD patients are exposed to multiple high levels of low-dose ionizing radiation from CC procedure, which is associated with an increased risk of cancer mortality in this population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05050877; URL: http://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov ; 21/09/2021.

Effects of long-term PM2.5 exposure on metabolic syndrome among adults and elderly in Guangdong, China.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to explore the association between long-term exposure to particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components including fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood pressure, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and waist circumference among adults and elderly in south China. METHODS: We surveyed 6628 participants in the chronic disease and risk factors surveillance conducted in 14 districts of Guangdong province in 2015. MetS was defined based on the recommendation by the Joint Interim Societies' criteria. We used the spatiotemporal land-use regression (LUR) model to estimate the two-year average exposure of ambient air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and O3) at individual levels. We recorded other covariates by using a structured questionnaire. Generalized linear mixed model was used for analysis. RESULTS: A 10-µg/m3 increase in the two-year mean PM2.5 exposure was associated with a higher risk of developing MetS [odd ratio (OR): 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01, 1.35], increased risk of fasting blood glucose level. (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.36), and hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.18, 1.58) in the adjusted/unadjusted models (all P < 0.05). We found significant interaction between PM2.5 and the region, exercise on the high TG levels, and an interaction with the region, age, exercise and grain consumption on FBG (P interaction < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term exposure to PM2.5 was associated with MetS, dyslipidemia and FBG impairment. Efforts should be made for environment improvement to reduce the burden of MetS-associated non-communicable disease.

Impact of polluting fuels for cooking on diabetes mellitus and glucose metabolism in south urban China.

We hypothesized that exposure to polluting fuels for cooking was associated with abnormality of glucose metabolism and diabetes mellitus (DM) in south urban China. 3414 residents were surveyed in 14 urban areas of Guangdong Province in 2018. We recorded polluting fuels for cooking exposure, different DM status (DM, prediabetes), fasting blood glucose (FBG), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c ), and other covariates by using a structured questionnaire. We conducted logistic regression model and multivariate linear regression model based on propensity-score method (inverse probability of weighting) to examine the effect of polluting fuels for cooking exposure on DM and glucose metabolism. Exposure to polluting fuels for cooking was associated with DM (odds ratio: 2.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.71 to 3.86) and prediabetes (odds ratio: 1.98, 95% confidence interval: 1.52 to 2.58) in both the adjusted and unadjusted models (all p < 0.05). Exposure to polluting fuels for cooking was significantly associated with an increase of FBG (ß: 0.30 mmol/L, 95% confidence interval: 0.22 to 0.38 mmol/L). Sensitivity analysis showed that the results were not substantially changed. There was an increased risk of DM, prediabetes and high levels of FBG, OGTT, and HbA1c among participants aged ≥ 40 years with exposure to polluting fuels for cooking. We demonstrated that exposure to polluting fuels for cooking was associated with higher levels of FBG, which contributed to the increased risk of DM and prediabetes in middle-aged elderly Chinese population living in urban areas.

Health transition of the causes of mortality between 2005 and 2015 in Guangdong, China.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the patterns of transition of health burden for 110 causes of death by stratification of age, sex and geographic regions in Guangdong between 2005 and 2015. METHODS: We analysed the age-specific, sex-specific, region-specific mortality in Guangdong based on assembled databases. County-level surveillance data were calculated to inform city-level changes. RESULTS: The age-standardised mortality of all causes, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), communicable diseases, maternal diseases, neonatal diseases, malnutrition and injury declined progressively. Despite declining mortality of NCDs, the overall burden of disease was dominated by NCDs (ie, cerebrovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) that still accounted for 86.93% and 88.12% of death in 2005 and 2015, respectively. Considerable variations across geographic regions were observed (lowest in Pearl River Delta and highest in west Guangdong). There was a modest shift to transport injuries at younger ages and unintentional injuries in the elderly. CONCLUSIONS: We have documented a dramatic change in the overall mortality and age-specific, sex-specific and cause-specific mortality in Guangdong province between 2005 and 2015. The significant burden of NCDs remains a major healthcare issue despite the notable progress in reducing mortality in Guangdong, China. Our findings highlight important unmet needs to refine healthcare services by taking into account the inequity of age, sex and geographic regions. Identification of the 'treatable' risk factors and improved disease surveillance should be continuously improved to minimised the overall and cause-specific mortality.

Exposure to biomass fuel is associated with high blood pressure and fasting blood glucose impairment in females in southern rural China.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to investigate the association between household exposure to biomass fuel and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components including blood pressure, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and waist circumference among females in southern rural China. METHODS: We surveyed 1664 residents in the Chronic Disease and Risk Factors Surveillance, conducted in 14 districts of Guangdong province. We recorded the use of biomass fuel, MetS and its components, and other covariates by using a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression model and multivariate linear regression model were adopted for analysis. RESULTS: Exposure to biomass fuel was significantly associated with an increase of systolic blood pressure (SBP) (ß: 2.15, 95% confidence interval: 0.13 to 4.17) and FBG (ß: 0.19, 95% confidence interval: 0.01 to 0.37) in the adjusted and unadjusted models (all P < 0.05). Among participants with exposure to biomass fuel, being overweight or obese was associated with an increased risk of having hypertension (odds ratio: 3.19, 95% confidence interval: 2.13 to 4.76) and higher FBG levels (odds ratio: 2.10, 95% confidence interval: 1.46 to 3.02). Exposure to biomass fuel was significantly associated with a decrease of the prevalence of central obesity (P < 0.05). However, exposure to biomass fuel was not associated with MetS, diastolic blood pressure and TG (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to biomass fuel is associated with an increase in blood pressure and FBG levels, but not MetS per se. Efforts should be made to protect females in southern rural China from the adverse effects associated with biomass fuel pollution.

Trends and external causes of traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury mortality in south China, 2014-2018: an ecological study.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiological evidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) mortality in mainland China is lacking. We aimed to assess the trends of TBI and SCI mortality, and their association with sex, age, location and external causes of injury in south China. METHODS: Mortality data were derived from the Disease Surveillance Points (DSPs) system of Guangdong province between 2014 and 2018. We examined the trends in mortality with Cochran-Armitage trend test, and the association between the socio-demographic factors and the TBI and SCI mortality by using negative binomial models. Subgroup analysis was performed by stratifying the external causes of TBI and SCI. RESULTS: The age-standardized TBI mortality remained relatively stable (from 11.6 to 15.4 per 100,000), while the SCI mortality increased by 148.3% from 2014 to 2018. Compared with females and urban residents, the adjusted mortality rate ratios of males and rural residents were 2.3 and 2.0 for TBI, and 2.2 and 4.6 for SCI, respectively. TBI and SCI mortality increased substantially with age. Motor vehicle crashes and falls were the leading causes of TBI mortality in residents aged under 75 years and over 75 years, respectively. Falls were the most important external cause for SCI death of all ages. CONCLUSIONS: Being male, rural and elderly residents are at higher risk of dying from TBI and SCI. The substantial burden of TBI and SCI caused by road traffic crashes and falls has called for the urgent need to improve injury prevention, pre-hospital aid, hospital treatment and recovery.

The Transcriptome of Cunninghamia lanceolata male/female cone reveal the association between MIKC MADS-box genes and reproductive organs development.

BACKGROUND: Cunninghamia lanceolata (Chinese fir), a member of the conifer family Cupressaceae, is one of the most popular cultivated trees for wood production in China. Continuous research is being performed to improve C. lanceolata breeding values. Given the high rate of seed abortion (one of the reasons being the failure of ovule and pollen development) in C. lanceolata, the proper formation of female/male cones could theoretically increase the number of offspring in future generations. MIKC MADS-box genes are well-known for their roles in the flower/cone development and comprise the typical/atypical floral development model for both angiosperms and gymnosperms. RESULTS: We performed a transcriptomic analysis to find genes differentially expressed between female and male cones at a single, carefully determined developmental stage, focusing on the MIKC MADS-box genes. We finally obtained 47 unique MIKC MADS-box genes from C. lanceolata and divided these genes into separate branches. 27 out of the 47 MIKC MADS-box genes showed differential expression between female and male cones, and most of them were not expressed in leaves. Out of these 27 genes, most B-class genes (AP3/PI) were up-regulated in the male cone, while TM8 genes were up-regulated in the female cone. Then, with no obvious overall preference for AG (class C + D) genes in female/male cones, it seems likely that these genes are involved in the development of both cones. Finally, a small number of genes such as GGM7, SVP, AGL15, that were specifically expressed in female/male cones, making them candidate genes for sex-specific cone development. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identified a number of MIKC MADS-box genes showing differential expression between female and male cones in C. lanceolata, illustrating a potential link of these genes with C. lanceolata cone development. On the basis of this, we postulated a possible cone development model for C. lanceolata. The gene expression library showing differential expression between female and male cones shown here, can be used to discover unknown regulatory networks related to sex-specific cone development in the future.

Composition of gut and oropharynx bacterial communities in Rattus norvegicus and Suncus murinus in China.

BACKGROUND: Rattus norvegicus and Suncus murinus are important reservoirs of zoonotic bacterial diseases. An understanding of the composition of gut and oropharynx bacteria in these animals is important for monitoring and preventing such diseases. We therefore examined gut and oropharynx bacterial composition in these animals in China. RESULTS: Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the most abundant phyla in faecal and throat swab samples of both animals. However, the composition of the bacterial community differed significantly between sample types and animal species. Firmicutes exhibited the highest relative abundance in throat swab samples of R. norvegicus, followed by Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. In throat swab specimens of S. murinus, Proteobacteria was the predominant phylum, followed by Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Firmicutes showed the highest relative abundance in faecal specimens of R. norvegicus, followed by Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria had almost equal abundance in faecal specimens of S. murinus, with Bacteroidetes accounting for only 3.07%. The family Streptococcaceae was most common in throat swab samples of R. norvegicus, while Prevotellaceae was most common in its faecal samples. Pseudomonadaceae was the predominant family in throat swab samples of S. murinus, while Enterobacteriaceae was most common in faecal samples. We annotated 33.28% sequences from faecal samples of S. murinus as potential human pathogenic bacteria, approximately 3.06-fold those in R. norvegicus. Potential pathogenic bacteria annotated in throat swab samples of S. murinus were 1.35-fold those in R. norvegicus. CONCLUSIONS: Bacterial composition of throat swabs and faecal samples from R. norvegicus differed from those of S. murinus. Both species carried various pathogenic bacteria, therefore both should be closely monitored in the future, especially for S. murinus.

Effects of cigarette smoking and biomass fuel on lung function and respiratory symptoms in middle-aged adults and the elderly in Guangdong province, China: A cross-sectional study.

We sought to investigate the association between active cigarette smoking (ex- and current smokers) with or without exposure to biomass fuels and respiratory symptoms/lung function in middle-aged adults and the elderly. In the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease surveillance conducted in six cities of Guangdong province, China, we surveyed 1986 residents aged 40-93 years. We recorded respiratory symptoms, smoking status, use of biomass fuel, and other covariates by using a structured questionnaire. All models were adjusted for second-hand smoking. Active smoking with or without exposure to biomass fuels was significantly associated with wheezing, chronic cough, and phlegm (all P < .05). Active smoking alone with or without exposure to biomass fuels was associated with 2.5% and 0.6% reduction in the mean forced vital capacity predicted, 6.8% and 4.2% reduction in the mean forced expiratory volume in one second predicted, and 9.0% and 4.7% reduction in the mean maximal mid-expiratory flow predicted compared with the exposure to neither smoking nor biomass fuels, respectively. However, exposure to biomass fuel alone was associated with neither greater lung function impairment nor respiratory symptoms except for chronic cough. Efforts should be made to protect home owners and their family from adverse effects of indoor air pollution.

Age-standardized mortality, disability-adjusted life-years and healthy life expectancy in different cultural regions of Guangdong, China: a population-based study of 2005-2015.

BACKGROUND: Guangdong province is dominated by three cultural regions: Canton, Hakka and Hoklo. However, little is known about the disease burden within these regions, particularly because different population,environmental and socioeconomic risk factors might cause different patterns of mortality, disability-adjusted life-years (DALY), life expectancy and healthy life expectancy (HALE). We aimed to compare the patterns of disease burden in Canton, Hakka and Hoklo regions between 2005 and 2015. METHOD: We calculated the mortality, YLL, YLD for 116 diseases for different cultural regions between 2005 and 2015. We calculated the DALYs for 116 causes as the sum of YLLs and YLDs. We estimated the life expectancy and HALE by using sex-specific mortality rates and YLDs for the three cultural regions. RESULTS: With a respective reduction of 22.3, 15.8 and 17.8% in 2015 compared with 2005, the age-standardized DALY rates in 2015 was 19,988.0, 14,396.5 and 20,436.6 in Hakka, Canton and Hoklo region. Canton region had a significantly lower mortality and DALYs in most diseases, followed by Hoklo and Hakka regions. The life expectancy and HALE at birth were highest in Canton region in both 2005 and 2015, than in Hoklo and Hakka region. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings call for improved public health care via the refinement of policy and effective measures for disease prevention. Understanding the environmental and culture-related risk factors of diseases in Hoklo and Hakka regions may help inform public health sectors to reduce the disease burden and the between-region inequality.

Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of human parechovirus in individuals with acute diarrhea and healthy controls in Guangzhou, China.

Human parechoviruses (HPeVs) are prevalent in young children; however, their effects are incompletely understood. We investigated the prevalence, genotype distribution, and phylogeny of HPeVs in individuals with diarrhea (n = 430) and healthy controls (n = 93) by the analysis of stool specimens collected from July 2013 to December 2014; 51 (11.86%) and 6 (6.45%) specimens were HPeV positive, respectively. HPeV1A occurred in 28 (6.51%) and 6 (6.45%) individuals with diarrhea and controls, respectively, whereas HPeV1B (3.95%), HPeV3 (0.23%), HPeV4 (0.70%), and HPeV14 (a rare genotype, 0.47%) were only detected in individuals with diarrhea. There was no significant difference in the rate of HPeV detection between the 2 groups; however, the mean age of HPeV infection was significantly lower in males. We conclude that HPeVs may be opportunistic pathogens associated with acute diarrhea. Immunocompromised individuals, such as children aged under 2 years and the elderly, could be vulnerable to HPeV infections.

Regional, age and respiratory-secretion-specific prevalence of respiratory viruses associated with asthma exacerbation: a literature review.

Despite increased understanding of how viral infection is involved in asthma exacerbations, it is less clear which viruses are involved and to what extent they contribute to asthma exacerbations. Here, we sought to determine the prevalence of different respiratory viruses during asthma exacerbations. Systematic computerized searches of the literature up to June 2017 without language limitation were performed. The primary focus was on the prevalence of respiratory viruses, including AdV (adenovirus), BoV (bocavirus), CoV (coronavirus), CMV (cytomegalovirus), EnV (enterovirus), HSV (herpes simplex virus), IfV (influenza virus), MpV (metapneumovirus), PiV (parainfluenzavirus), RV (rhinovirus) and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) during asthma exacerbations. We also examined the prevalence of viral infection stratified by age, geographic region, type of respiratory secretion, and detection method. Sixty articles were included in the final analysis. During asthma exacerbations, the mean prevalence of AdV, BoV, CoV, CMV, EnV, HSV, IfV, MpV, PiV, RV and RSV was 3.8%, 6.9%, 8.4%, 7.2%, 10.1%, 12.3%, 10.0%, 5.3%, 5.6%, 42.1% and 13.6%, respectively. EnV, MPV, RV and RSV were more prevalent in children, whereas AdV, BoV, CoV, IfV and PiV were more frequently present in adults. RV was the major virus detected globally, except in Africa. RV could be detected in both the upper and lower airway. Polymerase chain reaction was the most sensitive method for detecting viral infection. Our findings indicate the need to develop prophylactic polyvalent or polyvirus (including RV, EnV, IfV and RSV) vaccines that produce herd immunity and reduce the healthcare burden associated with virus-induced asthma exacerbations.

Viral metagenomics of six bat species in close contact with humans in southern China.

Accumulating studies have shown that bats could harbor various important pathogenic viruses that could be transmitted to humans and other animals. Extensive metagenomic studies of different organs/tissues from bats have revealed a large number of novel or divergent viruses. To elucidate viral diversity and epidemiological and phylogenetic characteristics, six pooled fecal samples from bats were generated (based on bat species and geographic regions characteristic for virome analysis). These contained 500 fecal samples from six bat species, collected in four geographic regions. Metagenomic analysis revealed a plethora of divergent viruses originally found in bats. Multiple contigs from influenza A virus and coronaviruses in bats shared high identity with those from humans, suggesting possible cross-species transmission, whereas a number of contigs, whose sequences were taxonomically classifiable within Alphapapillomavirus, Betaretrovirus, Alpharetrovirus, Varicellovirus, Cyprinivirus, Chlorovirus and Cucumovirus had low identity to viruses in existing databases, which indicated possible evolution of novel viral species. None of the established caliciviruses and picornaviruses were found in the 500 fecal specimens. Papillomaviruses with high amino acid identity were found in Scotophilus kuhlii and Rhinolophus blythi, challenging the hypotheses regarding the strict host specificity and co-evolution of papillomaviruses. Phylogenetic analysis showed that four bat rotavirus A strains might be tentative G3 strains, according to the Rotavirus Classification Working Group classification.

Impact of air pollution on the burden of chronic respiratory diseases in China: time for urgent action.

In China, where air pollution has become a major threat to public health, public awareness of the detrimental effects of air pollution on respiratory health is increasing-particularly in relation to haze days. Air pollutant emission levels in China remain substantially higher than are those in developed countries. Moreover, industry, traffic, and household biomass combustion have become major sources of air pollutant emissions, with substantial spatial and temporal variations. In this Review, we focus on the major constituents of air pollutants and their impacts on chronic respiratory diseases. We highlight targets for interventions and recommendations for pollution reduction through industrial upgrading, vehicle and fuel renovation, improvements in public transportation, lowering of personal exposure, mitigation of the direct effects of air pollution through healthy city development, intervention at population-based level (systematic health education, intensive and individualised intervention, pre-emptive measures, and rehabilitation), and improvement in air quality. The implementation of a national environmental protection policy has become urgent.

High prevalence and diversity of viruses of the subfamily Gammaherpesvirinae, family Herpesviridae, in fecal specimens from bats of different species in southern China.

Several studies have reported the detection of herpesviruses (HVs) in bats. However, the prevalence and phylogenetic characteristics of HVs in bats are still poorly understood. To elucidate the epidemiological characteristics of bat HVs in southern China, 520 fecal samples from eight bat species were collected in four geographic regions of southern China. Of these samples, 73 (14.0 %) tested positive for HVs using nested polymerase chain reaction assay. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a high degree of molecular diversity of HVs in bats of different species from different geographic regions. Our study provides evidence for co-evolution of bats and HVs.

Detection of novel adenoviruses in fecal specimens from rodents and shrews in southern China.

The prevalence and phylogenetic characteristics of AdVs in rodents and shrews in China are still unknown. To explore the epidemiological characteristics of rodent and shrew AdVs in southern China, 255 fecal samples derived from four rodent species and 90 from shrews were collected in Xiamen and Guangzhou city of southern China. Amplification of a 314-324-bp fragment from the DNA polymerase gene of AdVs was attempted by using a nested PCR. Twenty-nine (11.4 %) specimens from rodents and one (1.1 %) specimen from shrews were tested positive for AdVs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that nine samples from Rattus norvegicus in Guangzhou city between 2012 and 2013 might be the genuine AdV of R. norvegicus. The same putative AdV sequences were derived from samples of different host species from different/same places. A novel adenovirus was detected in Suncus murinus Linnaeus (SML/14GDGZ72) for the first time. Our findings provide new data on the prevalence and diversity of AdVs in rodents and shrews.

Diversity and recombination of human parechovirus in children with acute gastroenteritis in Guangzhou, China.

Human parechovirus (HPeV), a member of Picornaviridae family, is a widespread pathogen causing a wide spectrum of diseases. Like other picornaviruses, HPeV genome recombination has been detected. A total of 322 fecal samples were collected from children outpatients in Guangzhou, China, including 42 (13.0%, 42/322) HPeV-positive samples detected in most of the infected children less than two years old. Seven HPeV genotypes (HPeV1, HPeV3, HPeV4, HPeV5, HPeV6, HPeV8 and HPeV14) were detected, among which, HPeV14, a rare genotype, was reported for the first time in children with acute gastroenteritis in China. This study revealed recombination events in eight samples. Clinical profiles did not yield statistical significance between children with HPeV infection alone and cases without pathogens detected. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that HPeV circulated in Guangzhou, China is diverse genetically, which provided evidence of recombination in HPeV in China.

The association between C-159T polymorphism in CD14 gene and susceptibility to tuberculosis: a meta-analysis.

The association between CD14 gene C-159T polymorphism and tuberculosis (TB) susceptibility remains inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation of the correlation, we performed a meta-analysis summarize the possible at a systematic manner. PubMed, HighWire and ScienceDirect databases covering all papers (up to November 2012) were searched. Statistical analyses were conducted by Rev-Man and STATA. Random- and fixed-effect models were used to estimate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), based on between-study heterogeneity. Eight published case-control studies investigating the relationship between C-159T polymorphism in CD14 gene and TB susceptibility were included. Results showed that individuals with T allele have an increased risk of TB compared with those with C allele (OR (95% CI) was 1.52 (1.11, 2.08) for TT vs. TC + CC, P < 0.001; 1.27 (1.01, 1.61) for T vs. C, P = 0.04). When stratified by ethnicity, variant TT homozygote carriers had an 86% increased risk of TB in Asians (OR (95% CI) was 1.86 (1.57, 2.20) for TT vs. TC + CC, P < 0.001), but not in Caucasians (OR (95% CI) was TT vs. TC + CC: OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.51-1.21, P = 0.61). This meta-analysis suggests that C-159T polymorphism in CD14 gene is associated with increased risk of TB, especially in Asians, but not in Caucasians.

Interleukin-10 promoter 1082/-819/-592 polymorphisms are associated with asthma susceptibility in Asians and atopic asthma: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a potent inhibitor of allergic diseases, the association between promoter -1082/-819/-592 polymorphisms and asthma susceptibility remains inconclusive. We sought to determine if IL-10 promoter -1082/-819/-592 polymorphisms contribute to asthma susceptibility and are associated with phenotypes of atopic asthma. METHODS: Systematic computerized searches were performed. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by using random-effect and fixed-effect models, based on between-study heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses were performed according to age, ethnicity, and atopy. Publication bias was detected by funnel plot using Egger's test. RESULTS: A total of 4,716 asthmatic patients and 5,093 controls were included. The asthma susceptibility correlated significantly with IL-10 promoter gene -1082 polymorphism [OR (95 % CI) 1.26 (1.02, 1.55) for AA vs. AG + GG] and -592 polymorphism [OR (95 % CI) 1.12 (1.07, 1.34) for AC + AA vs. CC] (both P < 0.05), but not with -819 polymorphism (P > 0.05). Subgroup analyzes suggested that the AA versus AG + GG genotype of -1082A/G polymorphism and AC + AA versus CC genotype of -592A/C polymorphism contributed significantly to increased asthma susceptibility in adults [OR (95 % CI) 1.39 (1.03, 1.87) for -1082A/G and 1.53 (1.25, 1.87) for -592A/C polymorphism]. The Asian population [OR (95 % CI) 1.35 (1.1, 1.7) for -1082A/G and 1.4 (1.12, 1.64) for -592A/C polymorphism] and subjects with atopic asthma [OR (95 % CI) 1.49 (1.18, 1.88) for -1082A/G and 1.23 (1.01, 1.48) for -592A/C polymorphism] also had an increased susceptibility of asthma. No publication bias was detected. CONCLUSIONS: IL-10 promoter -1028A/G, -592A/C polymorphisms and their haplotypes, but not -819T/C polymorphism, correlate with asthma susceptibility.