MiR-130/SNAP-25 axis regulate presynaptic alteration in anterior cingulate cortex involved in lead induced attention deficits.

Brain volume decrease in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) after lead (Pb) exposure has been linked to persistent impairment of attention behavior. However, the precise structural change and molecular mechanism for the Pb-induced ACC alteration and its contribution to inattention have yet to be fully characterized. The present study determined the role of miRNA regulated synaptic structural and functional impairment in the ACC and its relationship to attention deficit disorder in Pb exposed mice. Results showed that Pb exposure induced presynaptic impairment and structural alterations in the ACC. Furthermore, we screened for critical miRNA targets responsible for the synaptic alteration. We found that miR-130, which regulates presynaptic vesicle releasing protein SNAP-25, was responsible for the presynaptic impairment in the ACC and attention deficits in mice. Blocking miR-130 function reversed the Pb-induced decrease in the expression of its presynaptic target SNAP-25, leading to the redistribution of presynaptic vesicles, as well as improved presynaptic function and attention in Pb exposed mice. We report, for the first time, that miR-130 regulating SNAP-25 mediates Pb-induced presynaptic structural and functional impairment in the ACC along with attention deficit disorder in mice.

Household cooking oil type and risk of oral micronucleus frequency in Chinese nonsmokers.

Household animal fat has been linked to increased incidence of cancers compared with vegetable fat. However, few epidemiological studies have associated these two cooking oil types with precancerous genotoxic effects, such as occurrence of micronuclei (MN). This study aimed to explore the association between oral MN frequency and household cooking oil type and whether the association can be attributed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We collected information about individual cooking oil use, measured genotoxic effects by MN tests and urinary PAHs metabolites (OHPAHs) in 245 nonsmokers. The associations between household cooking oil type and MN frequency and OHPAHs were analyzed using generalized linear models (GLMs) and logistic regression models, evaluating odds ratios and coefficient (95% confidence intervals) (ORs, 95% Cls; ß, 95% Cls). The odds of animal fat consumers, rather than vegetable fat consumers, was positively associated with higher MN frequency (OR = 1.94, P < 0.05). The associations were discovered in participants only using kitchen ventilation (OR = 2.04, P < 0.05). Animal fat consumers had higher total OHPAHs than vegetable fat consumers (1.58 ± 0.22 mg/mol, Cr vs 1.20 ± 0.12 mg/mol, Cr; P = 0.028). Significant correlations were observed between total OHPAHs quartiles and increased MN frequency (ß = 0.38, P-trend = 0.026). After stratifying by household cooking oil type, sensitivity analyses showed that the positive association between total OHPAHs quartiles and increased MN frequency was only observed in animal fat consumers (ß = 0.61, P-trend = 0.030). In conclusion, usage of household animal fat was associated with an increased odds of oral MN frequency in Chinese nonsmokers and the odds correlated with increased PAHs exposure. This finding supplemented evidence associating cooking oil type with genotoxic effects and explained its association with PAHs exposure.

[Relationship between pre-exposure prophylaxis and HIV infection: a meta-analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV infection in high risk populations. METHODS: A computerized literature searching had been carried out in PubMed, EMbase, Ovid, Web of Science, Science Direct, Wanfang, Tsinghua Tongfang database and related websites to collect relevant papers (from establishment to June 2012) with the key words of pre-exposure prophylaxis, HIV, AIDS, high risk populations, relative risk, reduction. All randomized controlled trials (RCT) papers about using single or compound antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) orally or topically before HIV exposure or during HIV exposure in high risk populations were enrolled. Meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 10.0 to calculate the pooled RR value (95%CI). Consistency test was performed and publication bias was evaluated. RESULTS: Finally 5 RCT papers were enrolled, including 10 271 persons who were at high risk of HIV infection. The number of the experimental group was 5929, among which 116(1.96%) became infected. The number of the control group was 4342, among which 201(4.63%) became infected. Meta-analysis showed that the pooled relative risk (RR) and 95%CI was 0.49 (0.39 - 0.61), P < 0.05, indicating that the persons in experimental group had a 0.49 times lower risk of HIV infected, as compared with the control group. Publication bias analysis revealed a symmetry funnel plot. The fail-safe number was 825. CONCLUSION: PrEP was an effective and safe protection measure to reduce HIV infection in high risk populations.

[Acceptability and influencing factors of pre-exposure prophylaxis among men who have sex with men in Guangxi].

OBJECTIVE: To study the acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent the transmission of HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Guangxi, China. METHODS: Snow-balling methods were used to recruit 650 MSM in Guangxi. Questionnaires and interview were administrated to these 650 men, using a self-designed questionnaire and face to face interviews to collect information on HIV-related risk behaviors, knowledge and acceptability of PrEP. RESULTS: After an introduction on PrEP by interviewers, followed by as the statement-'If PrEP was effective, safe and free of charge', 597 (91.9%) of the 650 MSM claimed that they would accept it, with the main reason as the recognition of 'PrEP can decrease the risk of HIV infection'. For those who refused to use it, most of them said that were afraid of the side-effect and doubted on the effectiveness of PrEP. Data from logistic regression analysis showed that those who had found partners through friends (OR = 6.21, P = 0.020) and those who would advise his friend to use PrEP (OR = 39.32, P = 0.000) were more likely to accept PrEP. Those who thought they could protect themselves from HIV infection (OR = 0.32, P = 0.010) or not having sex with the ones who refused to use a condom (OR = 0.34, P = 0.010) were less likely to accept PrEP. CONCLUSION: Effectiveness, safety and cost seemed to be the main influential factors related to the acceptability of PrEP. Peer education might improve the acceptability of PrEP.

[Acceptability of male circumcision among male miners in Baise of Guangxi].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the acceptability of male circumcision among male miners in Baise, Guangxi, China. METHODS: A questionnaire-based survey on the willingness to be circumcised (WTC) and its influential factors were conducted among Guangxi male miners recruited by random cluster sampling. RESULTS: Of 569 subjects who were surveyed, 143 (25.13%) expressed their willingness to be circumcised. Univariate analysis showed that marital status, education level, and the awareness of the hazards of phimosis and redundant prepuce and reasons for circumcision were significantly different between WTC group and the non-WTC group (all P<0.05). Furthermore, the incidence of phimosis or redundant prepuce also significantly differed between these two groups (P=0.0001). Logistic regression analysis found marital status (OR=0.498ì95%CI=0.272-0.913), history of foreskin disease (OR=8.181, 95%CI=4.252-15.741), and awareness of the risk that a redundant prepuce may cause smegma (OR=1.713ì95%CI=1.090-2.693) were significantly correlated with the male miners WTC. CONCLUSIONS: Male miners in this area have low WTC. Education on the basic knowledge of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and circumcision may help promote the application of circumcision.

[Acceptability and influencing factors on pre-exposure prophylaxis programs among female sex workers in Guangxi, China].

OBJECTIVE: To study the acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) program on prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among female sex workers (FSWs) in Guangxi of China. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling was administered among 405 FSWs in Nanning, Liuzhou and Beihai cities of Guangxi, China. Self-designed questionnaire, face to face interviews were used to collect HIV-related risk behaviors, knowledge and acceptability of PrEP. RESULTS: After an introduction on PrEP, presuming that it was effective, safe and free of charge, 85.9% of the 405 FSWs said they would use it. Data from logistic regression analysis showed that significant factors of intent to use PrEP would include the followings: workplace (OR = 2.256, P = 0.009), monthly income (OR = 0.257, P = 0.004), family closeness (OR = 0.338, P = 0.012), knowledge on HIV/AIDS (OR = 2.802, P = 0.028), HIV/AIDS risk was introduced from a strange client (OR = 0.363, P = 0.049), whether the gatekeeper ordering the use of condom (OR = 0.432, P = 0.010), whether consistent using condom with clients (OR = 3.010, P = 0.002), whether ever using drugs to prevent STD infection (OR = 3.570, P = 0.049) etc. CONCLUSION: Awareness on HIV/AIDS knowledge and self-protection seemed the main influential factors while health education might promote the acceptability of PrEP.

[Influencing factors on behavior related to HIV testing among female commercial sex workers based on the Structural Equation Model].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influencing factors on behavior related to HIV testing among female commercial sex workers under Structural Equation Model (SEM). METHODS: In Chongqing, Sichuan, Guangxi, Xinjiang provinces, 1613 female commercial sex workers were participated in a questionnaire survey. Factors on behaviors related to HIV testing among female commercial sex workers were analyzed based on SEM. RESULTS: Influencing factors on behaviors related to HIV testing among female commercial sex workers would include social status, knowledge on AIDS, risk through self-evaluation, condom use, frequency of sexual services etc. GFI, AGFI, RMR were 0.9952, 0.9898 and 0.0115 respectively. CONCLUSION: Social status, knowledge on AIDS, risk through self-evaluation, condom use and frequency of sexual services were affecting the behaviors related to HIV testing among female commercial sex workers.

[Role of reactive oxygen species in sodium selenite induced DNA damage in HepG2 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanisms of sodium selenite induced DNA damage in HepG2 cells. METHODS: HepG2 cells were treated with the designed concentrations of sodium selenite and the selenite (10 micromol/L) added simultaneously with GSH (10 mmol) and NAC (5 mmol). Then the cell viability was detected by MTT, and the flurescent intensity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was determined by flow cytometry, and DNA damage was detected by commet assay. RESULTS: The level of ROS was increased after HepG2 was treated with 5, 10, 20 micromol/L sodium selenite for one hour, and the cell viability was decreased after 12 hours, and the DNA damage was enhanced. Compared with the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05) . GSH and NAC effectively inhibited the ROS increased and cell viability decreased and DNA damage weakened. CONCLUSION: ROS may be the important reason that sodium selenite induced HepG2 cells DNA damage.