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This article aims to estimate the effects of air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and NO2) on the hospitalization expenses of adult patients admitted due to asthma. The data is sourced from the medical health database of a city in Southwest China, which involves approximately 14 million residents. A generalized additive model using a Poisson distribution was utilized to identify the effects of air pollution on the cost of hospitalization due to asthma. Hospital admissions were stratified by sex, age, season, and type of medical insurance to specialize the results. Air pollution significantly affects hospitalization expenses for asthma. These effects were more significant in the male, non-senior subgroups than in the female, senior subgroups. The difference also significantly existed in different insurance type subgroups. Air pollution has adverse effects on hospitalization expenses for asthma. Climate change is now deeply affecting the world in the aspects of economy and health. Based on our research, policymakers can establish more effective air pollution reduction policies and measures that can control the levels of ambient air pollutants, which help save health care resources and improve the welfare of the population by easing the climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Aberrant promoter methylation has been considered as a potential molecular marker for gastric cancer (GC). However, the role of methylation of FLNC, THBS1, and UCHL1 in the development and progression of GC has not been explored. Methods. The promoter methylation status of UCHL1, FLNC, THBS1, and DLEC1 was assessed by quantitative methylation-specific PCR (QMSP) in the serum of 82 GC patients, 46 chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) subjects, and 40 healthy controls. Results. All four genes had significantly higher methylation levels in GC patients than in CAG and control subjects. However, only UCHL1 methylation was significantly correlated with the tumor stage and lymph node metastasis. While THBS1 methylation was altered in an age-dependent manner, FLNC methylation was correlated with differentiation and Helicobacter pylori infection. DLEC1 methylation was only associated with tumor size. Moreover, methylated UCHL1 with or without THBS1 in the serum was found to be significantly associated with a poor prognosis. Conclusion. The promoter methylation degree of FLNC, THBS1, UCHL1, and DLEC1 in serum could tell the existence of GC and only UCHL1 in the serum was also associated with poor prognosis of GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To explore effectiveness and mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) add-on treatment in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. Methods. Fifty PD patients were randomly assigned to drug plus EA (D + EA) group and drug alone (D) group. Subjects in D + EA group received stimulation in points of bilateral fengfu, fengchi, hegu, and central dazhui. Participants were evaluated by scales for motor and nonmotor symptoms. Levels of neuroinflammatory factors and neurotransmitters in serum were detected. Results. EA add-on treatment remarkably reduced scores of Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) III and its subitems of tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia and conspicuously decreased UPDRS III scores in patients with bradykinesia-rigidity and mixed types and mild severity. Depression and sleep disturbances were eased, which were reflected by decreased scores of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and elevated noradrenaline level. Effects of EA add-on treatment on motor symptoms and sleep disturbances were superior to drug alone treatment, markedly improving life quality of PD patients. EA add-on treatment decreased nitric oxide level in serum. Conclusions. EA add-on treatment is effective on most motor symptoms and some nonmotor symptoms and is particularly efficacious in PD patients at early stage. Antineuroinflammation may be a mechanism of EA add-on treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is experiencing one of the fastest growing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemics in the world. Condom use is consistently low among Chinese college students. The purpose of this study was to identify the predictors that determine the intention to use condoms among Chinese college students applying the theory of planned behavior (TPB). A non-probability convenience sample of 433 participants was drawn from three universities in Central, Eastern, and Southwestern China, respectively. An anonymous written questionnaire was self-administered. Data were collected and analyzed descriptively and statistically using Predictive Analytical Software 19.0. Multiple linear regression was performed to identify the predictors among 402 participants with non-missing data. Eighteen percent (78/433) of the participants reported being sexually active in the past 6 months. The percentage of times these individuals reported using condoms during intercourse was 38.19 %. Intention to use condoms was statistically significantly (R = 50.4 %) predicted by attitudes (β = 0.213), subjective norms (β = 0.259), and perceived behavior control (PBC) (β = 0.332). All predictors were statistically significant at the 0.001 level ( p < 0.001). PBC was the strongest predictor of intention to use condoms. The study findings indicated that the TPB could be used as a framework to determine the predictors of intention to use condoms among the Chinese college students. It is recommended that the HIV education programs should increase the intention to use condoms through promoting positive attitudes, subjective norms and PBC of condom use in Chinese college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Nateglinide is commonly used in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Our objective was to assess the association between CYP2C9 and SLCO1B1 polymorphisms and the metabolism of nateglinide in healthy Chinese male volunteers. Methods: A total of 35 healthy Chinese male volunteers with different CYP2C9 and SLCO1B1 genotypes were given a single oral dose of 120 mg nateglinide. Plasma concentrations of nateglinide and blood glucose level were measured up to 8 h. Results: In subjects with the CYP2C9*1/*3 & 521TT, CYP2C9*1/*1 & 521TC/CC and CYP2C9*1/*3 & 521TC genotype, AUC of nateglinide was 56 %, 34 % and 56 % higher ( P = 0.002, P = 0.041 and P = 0.013, respectively), and the CL/F of nateglinide was 35 %, 11 % and 36 % lower ( P = 0.000, P = 0.003 and P = 0.002, respectively) than that in the reference group. When only considering 521 T>C polymorphism, it had no significant association with the pharmacokinetics of nateglinide. CYP2C9*3 and 521 T>C polymorphisms were the significant predictors of the AUC and CL/F of nateglinide (adjusted multiple R = 34 % and 43 %, respectively) according to multiple linear regression analyses, but they have no significant association with changes in the blood glucose-lowering effect of nateglinide. Conclusions: Both SLCO1B1 521 T>C and the CYP2C9*3 polymorphisms can significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of nateglinide, but they could only partially explain the interindividual variability of plasma concentration of nateglinide. Moreover, 521 T>C and the CYP2C9*3 polymorphisms have no effect on pharmacodynamics of nateglinide in healthy Chinese male subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusion: The deficient regulatory T cells may play a role in the development of allergic rhinitis. Objective: A subpopulation of regulatory T cell that produce IL-17a were proved to show an apparent duality of regulatory T cell and effector T helper-17 cells. We studied this subpopulation in patients with allergic rhinitis. Methods: Fresh whole blood from 20 patients with allergic rhinitis and 19 healthy donors was used to investigate the frequencies of CD4+IFN-γ+ T cells (effector T helper-1), CD4+IL-4+ T cells (effector T helper-2) and CD4+IL-17a+ T cells (effector T helper-17) by flow cytometry after stimulation for 4-6 h. Simultaneously, CD4+ T lymphocytes were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and then the frequencies of regulatory T cells and IL-17a-producing regulatory T cells in the allergic rhinitis group were compared with healthy controls after T-cell antigen receptor stimulation for 48 h. The suppressive capacity of CD4+CD25highCD127low regulatory T cells that were stimulated by Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in both groups was isolated and assessed. Results: The frequencies of effector T helper-17 and effector T helper-2 cells were higher in the allergic group compared with healthy controls. Regulatory T cells were similar in both groups, but IL-17a-producing regulatory T cells were increased in the allergic group. In addition, the capacity of regulatory T cells to suppress effector T helper-17 cytokine production was significantly decreased in the allergic group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To assess the associations of oral hygiene and periodontal health with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD) exacerbations. Material and Methods In total, 392 COPD patients were divided into frequent and infrequent exacerbation (≥2 times and <2 times in last 12 months) groups. Their lung function and periodontal status were examined. Information on oral hygiene behaviours was obtained by interview. Results In the univariate analysis, fewer remaining teeth, high plaque index ( PLI) scores, low tooth brushing times, and low regular supra-gingival scaling were significantly associated with COPD exacerbations (all p-values <0.05). After adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, COPD severity and dyspnoea severity, the associations with fewer remaining teeth ( p = 0.02), high PLI scores ( p = 0.02) and low tooth brushing times ( p = 0.008) remained statistically significant. When stratified by smoking, fewer remaining teeth ( OR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.04-4.02) and low tooth brushing times ( OR = 4.90, 95% CI: 1.26-19.1) among past smokers and high PLI scores ( OR = 3.43, 95% CI: 1.19-9.94) among never smokers were significantly associated with COPD exacerbations. Conclusions Fewer remaining teeth, high PLI scores, and low tooth brushing times are significant correlates of COPD exacerbations, indicating that improving periodontal health and oral hygiene may be a potentially preventive strategy against COPD exacerbations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for many years. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the comprehensive therapy based on the three common TCM patterns in stable COPD patients.Methods: A four-center, open-label randomized controlled method was conducted. A total of 352 patients were divided into the trial group (n = 176, treated with conventional Western medicine and Bu-Fei Jian-Pi granules, Bu-Fei Yi-Shen granules, and Yi-Qi Zi-Shen granules based on the TCM patterns respectively) and the control group (n = 176, treated with conventional Western medicine). The frequency and duration of acute exacerbation, lung function, clinical symptoms, 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), dyspnea scale and quality of life were observed during a 6-month treatment period and at a further 12-month follow-up. Results: A total of 306 patients completed the study fully. The full analysis set (FAS) population was 350 and the per-protocol analysis set (PPS) population was 306. After the 6-month treatment and 12-month follow-up, there were significant differences between the trial and control group in the following: frequency of acute exacerbation (FAS: P = 0.000; PPS: P = 0.000); duration of acute exacerbation (FAS: P = 0.000; PPS: P = 0.001); FEV1 (FAS: P = 0.007;PPS: P = 0.008); symptoms (FAS: P = 0.001; PPS: P = 0.001); 6MWD (FAS: P = 0.045; PPS: P = 0.042); dyspnea scale (FAS: P = 0.002; PPS: P = 0.004); and physical domain (FAS: P = 0.000; PPS: P = 0.000), psychological domain (FAS: P = 0.008; PPS: P = 0.011), social domain (FAS: P = 0.001; PPS: P = 0.000) and environment domain (FAS: P = 0.015; PPS: P = 0.009) of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. There were no differences between the trial and control group in FVC, FEV1% and adverse events. Conclusions: Based on the TCM patterns, Bu-Fei Jian-Pi granules, Bu-Fei Yi-Shen granules and Yi-Qi Zi-Shen granules have beneficial effects on measured outcomes in stable COPD patients over the 6-month treatment and 12-month follow-up, with no relevant between-group differences in adverse events. Trial Registration: This trial was registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Register Center, ChiCTR-TRC-11001406. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]