The association between serum copper concentrations and cardiovascular disease risk factors in children and adolescents in NHANES.

Copper is an essential element in human beings, alterations in serum copper levels could potentially have effect on human health. To date, no data are available regarding how serum copper affects cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in children and adolescents. We examined the association between serum copper levels and CVD risk factors in children and adolescents. We analyzed data consisting of 1427 subjects from a nationally representative sample of the US population in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2014. The CVD risk factors included total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, glycohemoglobin, fasting insulin, and blood pressure. Multivariate and generalized linear regressions were performed to investigate associations adjusted for age, gender, ethnicity, poverty:income ratio (PIR), BMI, energy intake, and physical activity. We found significant associations between serum copper and total cholesterol (coefficient = 0.132; 95% CI 0.081, 0.182; P for trend < 0.001), glycohemoglobin (coefficient = 0.044; 95% CI 0.020, 0.069; P < 0.001), and fasting insulin (coefficient = 0.730; 95% CI 0.410, 1.050; P < 0.001) among the included participants. Moreover, in the generalized linear models, subjects with the highest copper levels demonstrated a 0.83% (95% CI 0.44%, 1.24%) greater increase in serum total cholesterol (p for trend < 0.001) when compared to participants with the lowest copper concentrations. Our results provide the first epidemiological evidence that serum copper concentrations are associated with total cholesterol concentrations in children and adolescents. However, the underlying mechanisms still need further exploration.

MTHFR A1298C polymorphisms reduce the risk of congenital heart defects: a meta-analysis from 16 case-control studies.

BACKGROUND: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) plays a crucial role in the hyperhomocysteinemia, which is a risk factor related to the occurrence of congenital heart defect (CHD). However, the association between MTHFR polymorphism and CHD has been inconclusive. METHODS: We conducted an updated meta-analysis to provide comprehensive evidence on the role of MTHFR A1298C polymorphism in CHD. Databases were searched and a total of 16 studies containing 2207 cases and 2364 controls were included. RESULTS: We detected that a significant association was found in the recessive model (CC vs. AA + AC: OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.10-1.73) for the overall population. Subgroup analysis showed that associations were found in patients without Down Syndrome in genetic models for CC vs. AA (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.01-2.14), CC vs. AC (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.00-1.66) and recessive model (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.14-1.82). We conducted a meta-regression analysis, Galbraith plots and a sensitivity analysis to assess the sources of heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our present meta-analysis supports the MTHFR 1298C allele as a risk factor for CHD. However, further studies should be conducted to investigate the correlation of plasma homocysteine levels, enzyme activity, and periconceptional folic acid supplementation with the risk of CHD.

Study of the association between histo-blood group antigens and norovirus infection in Chinese children.

Human caliciviruses (HuCVs) have been recognized as a major cause of sporadic viral diarrhea in children, among which norovirus genotype GII.4 is the most prevalent genotype. Stool and saliva samples were collected from 295 children with acute diarrhea and 150 asymptomatic children at a hospital in China. The HuCV detection rate was 10.85% (32/295) among the children with acute diarrhea, and all of these 32 children were either HBGA secretors (12/32) or partial secretors (20/32). HuCV was detected in two (1.33%) of the 150 samples obtained from the asymptomatic children. Of the norovirus-GII.3-positive children, 60% had blood type O, but only 17.29% of the symptomatic patients had blood type O, indicating that type O individuals could be at higher risk of GII.3 infection. However, due to the limited number of individuals in this study, further studies with a larger number of subjects should be conducted to verify this hypothesis.

Combined immunization of mice with DNA, rMVA and rAd5 expressing HIV-1 structural genes from different subtypes.

The objective of present paper is to study the immunogenicity of combinations of multiple vector vaccines expressing HIV-1 structural genes from different subtypes. Mice were vaccinated with DNA (B'/C) and rMVA (B'/C) vaccines expressing B'/C recombinant subtype gag-pol and env genes, DNA (B') and rAd5 (B') vaccines expressing subtype B' gag gene with different combination schemes. HIV-1 Gag-specific cellular immune responses and P24- specific IgG levels were analyzed by IFN-γ enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) respectively. ELISPOT results indicated that the Gag-specific cellular immune responses induced by combination of three vaccines were much higher than that induced by combination of two vaccines. Among the groups of mice immunized with two vaccines, the groups with rAd5 booster elicited higher cellular immune responses compared with the groups with rMVA booster. All the test groups of three vaccines in combination could induce similar level of cellular immune responses, which did not correlate with the immunization order. ELISA results showed that p24- specific IgG induced by combination of three vaccines were much higher than that induced by combination of two vaccines. It indicates that the combination scheme of multiple vector vaccines maybe a promising AIDS vaccine strategy.

[Isoflurance-based intravenous and inhalation combined anesthesia versus low-dose-ketamine-based total intravenous anesthesia for valvuloplasty in minipigs].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of anesthesia between Isoflurane-based intravenous and inhalant combined approach and low-dose-ketamine-based total intravenous approach for valvuloplasty in minipigs. METHODS: Twenty four minipigs were given 3-5 mg/kg ketamine intramuscularly and 15-20 mg/kg pentobarbital intravenously for anesthetic induction and intubation. They were then randomly divided into two groups, each with 12 minipigs. In group I (isoflurane), the minipigs received isoflurane 1.0-2.0 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC), fentanyl 20-25 microg/(kg x h), midazolam 0.1-0.2 mg/(kg x h) and pipecuronium 0.10-0.15 mg/(kg x h) for maintenance. In group K (ketamine), the minipigs were given ketamine 3-5 mg/(kg x h), pentobarbital 8-10 mg/(kg x h) and pipecuronium 0. 10-0.15 mg/(kg x h) intravenously. The general peri-operation characteristics were recorded. Hemodynamics, blood gas and respirations were monitored. Anesthetic complications were observed. RESULTS: Two minipigs died from causes other than anesthesia. The minipigs in group I had lower mean aortic pressure (MAP) than those in group K during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), but without a statistical significance. The minipigs in group I had significantly lower levels of lactic acid than those in group K after CPB cessation (P < 0.05). The times on analepsia were (21.6 +/- 4.1) min and (67.8 +/- 8.5) min for group I and group K, respectively. The times on ventilator were (281.3 +/- 34.7) min and (330.4 +/- 27.0) min for group I and group K, respectively. The differences were significant (P < 0.05). One minipig in group K was intubated for espiratory depression after surgery. CONCLUSION: The isoflurane-based intravenous and inhalant combined anesthesia was preferable for valvular reparation in minipigs. However, low-dose-ketamine-based total intravenous anesthesia is also a good choice in the circumstance of limited resources.

[Immunogenicity of plasmid DNA and adenoviral vectors encoding HIV-1 subtype B env gene].

OBJECTIVE: To construct DNA and recombinant adenovirus vector vaccines containing an env gene from the prevalent subtype B strain in China and try to use them for therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines. METHODS: The candidate plasmid DNA vaccine pVR-gp160 and recombinant adenovirus vaccine rAdV-gp160 were constructed separately. BALB/c mice were immunized with these two vaccines in different administration schemes. HIV-1 Gp120-specific cellular responses and antibody levels were detected by ELISPOT and ELISA respectively. RESULTS: DNA vaccine alone and combined vaccines in a DNA prime/rAdV-gp160 boost vaccination regimen induced high level of Gp120-specific cellular responses. While low level of Gp120-specific antibodies were elicited in all groups. CONCLUSION: DNA and rAdV vaccines could efficiently express Gp160 protein and activate specific cellular responses.