Obesity in children with different risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea: a community-based study.

This study investigated the association between obesity and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in preschool and school-age children. Parents of obese and randomly chosen normal weight children completed a questionnaire on sleep-related symptoms, demography, family, and medical history. All subjects were invited to undergo polysomnography (PSG). OSA cases were defined as obstructive apnea hypopnea index (OAHI) ≥1. A total of 5930 children were studied with 9.5% obese (11.9% boys/6.1% girls), 205/2680 preschool and 360/3250 school children. There were 1030 children (535 obese/495 normal weight) who underwent PSG. OSA was higher in obese children and obese school children had higher OAHI, arousal index, and shorter total sleep time. However, there was no positive correlation between OSA and body mass index (BMI). The main risk factors for OSA in preschool children were adenotonsillar hypertrophy and recurrent respiratory tract infection. The main cause for OSA in school children was a history of parental snoring and obesity. Mallampati scores and sleep-related symptoms were found to be associated with OSA in both preschool and school children. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated differential risk factors for OSA in obese children, which suggest that a different mechanism may be involved in OSA development in preschool and school-age children. WHAT IS KNOWN: Various risk factors have been reported in obese children with OSA owing to the different age and different study design. Obese children have a higher prevalence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA risk factors in obese children are affected by different ages and study designs. WHAT IS NEW: A differential prevalence and risk factors for obese preschool and school-age children with OSA has been demonstrated.

miR-590-3p Is a Novel MicroRNA in Myocarditis by Targeting Nuclear Factor Kappa-B in vivo.

OBJECTIVE: Nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-954;B)-induced inflammation leads to myocarditis and heart dysfunction. How microRNAs (miRNAs) contribute to this process is poorly defined. The aim of this study was to investigate whether miRNAs regulate NF-954;B-induced inflammation in experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) in vivo. METHODS AND RESULTS: NF-954;B and its related proinflammatory genes, including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), were activated in EAM. Profiling of NF-954;B-related miRNAs revealed that miR-590-3p was strikingly reduced in EAM. We found IL-6-induced proinflammatory signaling via miR-590-3p reduction, p50 induction, NF-954;B activation and IL-6/TNF-a expression. Moreover, a luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that miR-590-3p directly interacted with the 3' UTR (untranslated region) of the p50 subunit, and that miR-590-3p overexpression inhibited p50 expression. Finally, miR-590-3p transfection through adeno-associated virus significantly inhibited p50 expression, suppressed NF-954;B activity and blocked IL-6/TNF-a expression in vivo, reducing the lesion area and improving cardiac function in EAM. CONCLUSION: miR-590-3p is a novel NF-954;B-related miRNA that directly targets the p50 subunit. This may provide a novel strategy for the treatment of myocarditis.

Triglyceride-raising APOA5 genetic variants are associated with obesity and non-HDL-C in Chinese children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Although the association between the apolipoprotein A5 (APOA5) genetic variants and hypertriglyceridemia has been extensively studied, there have been few studies, particularly in children and adolescents, on the association between APOA5 genetic variants and obesity or non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) levels. The objective of this study was to examine whether APOA5 gene polymorphisms affect body mass index (BMI) or plasma non-HDL-C levels in Chinese child population. METHODS: This was a case-control study. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry for an association study in 569 obese or overweight and 194 healthy Chinese children and adolescents. RESULTS: Genotype distributions for all polymorphisms in both cohorts were in accordance with the Hardy-Weinberg distribution. The frequencies of the risk alleles in rs662799 and rs651821 SNPs in APOA5 gene were all increased in obese or overweight patients compared to the controls. After adjusted for age and sex, C carriers in rs662799 had a 1.496-fold [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.074-2.084, P = 0.017] higher risk for developing obesity or overweight than subjects with TT genotype, while C carriers in rs651821 had a 1.515-fold higher risk than subjects with TT genotype (95% CI: 1.088-2.100, P = 0.014). Triglyceride (TG) and non-HDL-C concentrations were significantly different among rs662799 variants and both were higher in carriers of minor allele than in noncarriers for TG (1.64 ± 0.96 vs. 1.33 ± 0.67 mmol/L) (P < 0.001), and for non-HDL-C (3.23 ± 0.92 vs. 3.02 ± 0.80 mmol/L) (P = 0.005), respectively. There was also a trend towards increased TG and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels for rs651821 C carriers (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). Furthermore, to confirm the independence of the associations between APOA5 gene and TG or non-HDL-C levels, multiple linear regression analysis was performed and the relationships were not eliminated by adjustment for age, sex and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest the TG-raising genetic variants in the APOA5 gene may influence the susceptibility of the individual to obesity, which may also contribute to an increased risk of high non-HDL-C levels in Chinese obese children and adolescents.

[Effects of gonadotropin releasing hormone analog and growth hormone on height in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa), by itself alone or in combination with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), on height in young girls (bone age≥10 years) with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP). METHODS: Eighty girls with ICPP (9.0±0.7 years old) from six medical centers across Southeast and Southwest China participated in this study. They were allocated to treatment with GnRHa+rhGH (n=31) and GnRHa (n=49) respectively. Girls in the GnRHa+rhGH group (bone age 11.18 ±0.53 years) were treated with GnRHa for 25.29±6.92 months and rhGH for 12.87±7.02 months. Girls in the GnRHa group (bone age 11.03 ±0.50 years) were treated with GnRHa for 25.96±8.95 months. The height standard deviation for bone age (HtSDS-BA), predicted adult height, near-adult height and net height increase before and after treatment were recorded for girls in both groups. RESULTS: HtSDS-BA was significantly improved after treatment for both groups (P<0.01) and the HtSDS-BA value was superior in the GnRHa+rhGH group over the GnRHa group (P<0.01). Values in near adult height (157±6 cm vs 157±4 cm), net height increase after treatment (4.68 cm vs 3.89 cm), and predicted adult height after drug withdrawal (161±5 cm vs 158±5 cm) were higher in the GnRHa+rhGH group than the GnRHa group, but the differences were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Both GnRHa plus rhGH and GnRHa alone can improve the near adult height in girls with ICPP with a bone age ≥10 years to a similar extent. Adult height predicted based on bone age in ICPP girls following drug withdrawal is usually overestimated and precautions should be taken when this parameter is used.

[Analysis of hepatitis B surface antibody in 3022 children].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the positive rate of hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) in children. METHODS: Blood samples from 3022 children who received a physical examination in outpatient departments from 2009 to 2011 were subjected to serological test using ELISA to measure the positive rate of HBsAb. RESULTS: The positive rate of HBsAb decreased with age (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the positive rate of HBsAb between boys and girls (P>0.05), however the positive rate of HBsAb in boys aged one year and over was lower than in girls of the same age (P<0.01). The positive rate of HBsAb in boys aged between 3 and 4 years was higher than in girls of the same age (P<0.01). The positive rate of HBsAb decreased with age in boys, and was lower in those aged two years and over than in those aged one year and over (P<0.01). The positive rate of HBsAb also decreased with age in girls, with significant differences between different age groups (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The positive rate of HBsAb decreases with age in children, so younger children have a higher risk of infection with hepatitis B virus. Serological monitoring of hepatitis B needs to be enhanced.

Meningoencephalitis caused by Plesiomonas shigelloides in a Chinese neonate: case report and literature review.

The most usual presentation of Plesiomonas shigelloides infection is an acute gastroenteritis, and extraintestinal manifestations are extremely rare. We reported the first neonate with P. shigelloides meningoencephalitis in China and reviewed the twelve cases previously reported. Our report adds further awareness on Plesiomonas shigelloides meningoencephalitis in neonate and points out the importance of an early diagnosis and the use of sensitive antibiotics treatment to this fatal infection.

Association between UCP3 gene polymorphisms and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Chinese children.

AIM: To confirm the hypothesis that polymorphisms of the uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) gene are associated with the occurrence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: A total of 250 NAFLD patients (147 males and 103 females) and 200 healthy individuals who served as controls (control, 109 males and 91 females), aged between 6 and 16 years were enrolled in this study. The four non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the UCP3 gene polymorphisms of rs1726745, rs3781907, rs11235972 and rs1800849, were genotyped using MassArray. Body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference, blood pressure (BP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin and lipid profiles were measured and B-ultrasound examination was performed in all subjects. RESULTS: NAFLD patients showed risk factors for metabolic syndrome: elevated BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, BP, FBG, homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance, total triglyceride, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, while decreased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level compared with the control group. The GG genotype distributions of rs11235972 in the NAFLD group differed significantly from that in the control group. We found that waist circumference between CC (58.76 ± 6.45 cm) and CT+TT (57.00 ± 5.59 cm), and hip circumference between CC (71.28 ± 7.84 cm) and CT+TT genotypes (69.06 ± 7.75 cm) were significantly different with and without rs1800849 variation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A higher prevalence of rs11235972 GG genotype was observed in the NAFLD group compared with the control group. No differences were observed for the other SNPs. However, there was a significant difference in body height in addition to waist and hip circumference between the CC (mutant type group) and CT+TT group with and without rs1800849 variation.

[Effects of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome in children on multiple systems].

OBJECTIVE: Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) may cause serious morbidities, such as systemic hypertension, diabetes, and cor pulmonale. However, currently no many reports on study of OSAHS in children are available. This study aimed to explore the effects of OSAHS on children's multiple systems. METHOD: A total of 89 cases of children who came to the Sleep Treatment Center in the authors' hospital from March 2009 to December 2010 with snoring were tested with overnight polysomnography (PSG). They were classified into mild OSAHS group (n = 59, mean age of 5.71, SD = 2.46) and moderate to severe group (n = 30, mean age of 5.30, SD = 2.73) based on the PSG results, and 100 healthy children were selected as the control group (n = 100, mean age of 6 years, SD = 2.98). Data including height, weight, body mass index and blood pressure, peripheral blood routine, blood lipids, glucose and insulin, electrocardiogram and echocardiography were collected. Patients' adenoid face and abnormal occlusion were also recorded. Comparisons of the data were made among those groups. RESULT: Mild OSAHS and moderate to severe group had significantly higher prevalence of adenoid face (23.7%, 26.7%), and abnormal occlusion (74.6%, 60.0%) than that in control group (0, 40%) (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in terms of BMI between the OSAHS group and the control group, but the weight (kg) and height (cm) in the mild OSAHS group (23.3 ± 10.1, 114.9 ± 16.2) and moderate to severe group (21.9 ± 8.4, 110.8 ± 13.3) were lower than those of the control group (31.8 ± 10.1, 136.1 ± 15.1) (all P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the level of HDL-C (mmol/L)and insulin (mU/L) in moderate and severe group decreased [(1.20 ± 0.30) vs. (1.40 ± 0.27), 2.79 (0.84 - 16.16) vs. 4.92 (0.76 - 16.80), P < 0.05], while the LDL-C (mmol/L) increased [(2.61 ± 0.75) vs. (2.32 ± 0.62), P < 0.05]. The red blood cell counts (× 10(12)/L) and the blood platelet counts (× 10(9)/L) in the mild OSAHS (4.93 ± 0.37, 292.92 ± 75.64) and moderate and severe OSAHS group (5.23 ± 0.22, 292.50 ± 63.05) were significantly higher in contrast to the control group (4.70 ± 0.31, 255.60 ± 69.12) (all P < 0.05), systolic blood pressure (mmHg) in mild group (98.54 ± 10.44) and moderate to severe group (99.13 ± 19.13) was significantly higher compared to control group (87.88 ± 11.37), and the heart rate (beats/min) in moderate to severe group (94.43 ± 10.64) was higher than those in control group (87.12 ± 16.20) (all P < 0.05). The mild OSAHS and moderate and severe OSAHS group had decreased right ventricular internal diameter [(14.24 ± 1.64) mm, (13.17 ± 2.07) mm ], increased main pulmonary artery diameter [(17.05 ± 3.33) mm, (16.33 ± 3.14) mm] and the thickness of right ventricular wall [(3.43 ± 0.26) mm, (3.57 ± 0.20) mm] compared to control group [ (16.10 ± 2.96) mm, (14.11 ± 2.52) mm, (3.32 ± 0.25) mm] (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: OSAHS in children may be associated with craniofacial malformations, and may contribute to slow growth and development, elevated blood viscosity and blood pressure, metabolic abnormalities, and change cardiac structure.

[Relationship between dyslipidemia and early vascular lesions in obese children and adolescents].

OBJECTIVE: Obese children and adolescents are often complicated with the abnormalities of lipid and glucose metabolism, which are often associated with adulthood hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In this study, the blood lipids, blood pressure and carotid arterial intima-media thickness (IMT) in obese children and adolescents were measured to investigate the relationship between the dyslipidemia and early vascular lesions. METHOD: A total of 580 obese children and adolescents aged from 7 to 17 years of age were enrolled from 3 hospitals from Jan. 2008 to Sept. 2009. They were divided into 2 groups according to their blood lipoid levels. Ortholiposis group included 100 males and 52 females with a mean age of 10.47 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 28.28 kg/m(2). Dyslipidemia group included 305 males and 123 females with a mean age of 10.83 years and a mean BMI of 27.60 kg/m(2). Physical examination, and measurement of blood lipid, glucose and liver enzyme were taken. Carotid IMT was measured for 285 subjects. RESULT: (1) Hypertension was found in 12.5% (19/152) and 20.1% (86/428) patients in ortholiposis and dyslipidemia groups, respectively, with a significant difference (χ(2) = 4.362, P = 0.037). The OR was 1.760 with 95% confidence interval of 1.030 - 3.008. Higher prevalence of hypertension was found in patients with dyslipidemia. (2) The left, right and mean common carotid IMTs of dyslipidemia group were higher than those of ortholiposis group without significant difference (all P > 0.05). The left, right and mean internal carotid IMTs in dyslipidemia group were (0.66 ± 0.15) mm, (0.65 ± 0.15) mm and (0.65 ± 0.15) mm, respectively while these in ortholiposis group were (0.62 ± 0.13) mm, (0.60 ± 0.13) mm and (0.61 ± 0.12) mm, respectively (P < 0.05 for all). (3) Bivariate correlation analysis showed that systolic blood pressure was positively correlated with age, BMI, BMI Z score, waist circumference, hip circumference, uric acid, alanine transaminase, triglyceride, fasting insulin and insulin resistance index (P < 0.05 for all). Moreover, mean carotid and internal carotid IMTs were positively correlated with age, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and triglyceride (all P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that hip circumference and insulin resistance index were independent determinants of systolic pressure. Waist circumference was independent determinant of mean common and internal carotid IMT and triglyceride was independent determinants of mean internal carotid IMT. CONCLUSION: (1) Vascular lesions, including hypertension and thicker tunica intima are common in obese children and adolescents. (2) Vascular lesions are closely related with dyslipidemia, and waist circumference and hypertriglyceridemia are the risk factors.