Search

Background: Enterobius vermicularis infection is a prevalent intestinal parasitic disease in children. In this study, we explored the epidemiological status and risk factors for E. vermicularis infection in children in southern China. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in Gaozhou city, Guangdong province, China, in December 2011. Children aged 2-12 years from five schools participated in the study. The adhesive cellophane-tape perianal swab method was applied to detect E. vermicularis infection, while a questionnaire was sent to each child's guardian(s) to collect demographic and socioeconomic data, as well as hygiene behaviors, pertaining to each child. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to capture the potential risk factors. Results: Out of the 802 children surveyed, 440 were infected with E. vermicularis, with an average prevalence of 54.86%, and a range from 45.96 to 68.13%. The age variable was found to be statistically significant, whereas the sex variable was not. It was found that a mother's education level (low) and not washing hands before dinner were major risk factors in all children (802). After stratification by age, a father's education level (primary or below) and biting pencils (or toys) were significant risk factors in the younger children (508), while not washing hands before dinner and playing on the ground were important risk factors in the older children (294). Conclusion: This study demonstrates the prevalence of E. vermicularis infection in children in Gaozhou and reveals underlying risk factors. Most importantly, it reveals that risk factors differ among the different age groups, which indicates that different control measures targeted at particular age groups should be implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aging is associated with physiological or pathological left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) cardiac changes. Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure is associated with pathological LVH. The action mechanism in cardiac concentric hypertrophy from SHS exposure is understood, but the transition contributed from SHS exposure is not. To determine whether exposure to SHS has an impact on age-induced LVH we examined young and old hamsters that underwent SHS exposure in a chamber for 30 mins. Methods: Morphological and histological studies were then conducted using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson's trichrome staining. Echocardiographic analysis was used to determine left ventricular wall thickness and function. LVH related protein expression levels were detected by western blot analysis. Results: The results showed that both young and aged hamsters exposed to SHS exhibited increased heart weights and left ventricular weights, left ventricular posterior wall thickness and intraventricular septum systolic and diastolic pressure also increased. However, left ventricular function systolic and diastolic pressure deteriorated. H&E and Masson's trichrome staining results showed LV papillary muscles were ruptured, resulting in lower cardiac function at the myocardial level. LV muscle fiber arrangement was disordered and collagen accumulation occurred. Concentric LVH related protein molecular markers increased only in young hamsters exposed to SHS. However, this declined with hamster age. By contrast, eccentric LVH related proteins increased in aging hamsters exposed the SHS. Pro-inflammatory proteins, IL-6, TNF-a, JAK1, STAT3, and SIRTI expression increased in aging hamsters exposed to SHS. Conclusions: We suggest that SHS exposure induces a pro-inflammatory response that results in concentric transition to aging eccentric LVH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Change in knee cartilage volume is frequently used as a proxy for change in knee joint space width over time, but longitudinal data on these associations is limited. We aimed to determine whether change in knee cartilage volume, new or worsening meniscal extrusion (ME), meniscal tears and cartilage defects over 2.4 years correlated with change in joint space width (JSW) over 5 years in older community dwelling adults.Methods: Participants (n = 153) had their right knee imaged using MR imaging and x-ray at baseline, and after 2.4 years (MRI) and 5 years (x-ray). Cartilage volume, cartilage defects, meniscal extrusions and meniscal tears were assessed on sagittal T1-weighted fat-suppressed MRI. JSW was assessed using standard fixed semi-flexed view radiographs, and scored on those with adequate alignment.Results: Participants were 51-79 (mean 62) years old; 48% were female. Cartilage volume reduced over time (medial -134 ± 202 μL/year, lateral -106 ± 165 μL/year, p < 0.001), as did JSW (medial -0.05 ± 0.16 mm/year, lateral -0.12 ± 0.24 mm/year, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, the only consistent predictor of change in JSW was new or worsening ME (medial tibia R(2) 3.1%, p = 0.031; medial femur R(2) 3.2%, p = 0.024); change in cartilage volume correlated with change in JSW laterally (R(2) 4.8%, p = 0.007) and was borderline medially (R(2) 2.2%, p = 0.064); there was no association for meniscal tears or cartilage defects. The magnitude of these associations were similar albeit somewhat greater for ME in participants with radiographic OA (R(2) 6.2%, p = 0.017).Conclusion: Change in ME and cartilage volume weakly predict change in JSW, but the vast majority of the variation remains unexplained. Since MRI examines cartilage directly while radiographs examine it indirectly, these results cast doubt on the validity of using JSW as a proxy measure of cartilage loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although approximately 50% of Chinese with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients have vitamin D deficiency, studies regarding vitamin D supplementation on insulin resistance (IR) have mainly focused on non-Asians. Endurance exercise training (ET) enhances insulin-mediated glucose metabolism, which plays a critical role in T2DM prevention and control. However, the combined effects of vitamin D supplementation and ET on IR in T2DM patients are unclear. The objectives of this study is to investigate the synergistic effect of vitamin D supplementation combined with exercise training intervention on IR in T2DM patients., Methods and Analysis: We propose a 3-month randomized controlled trial among 60 T2DM patients aged 40-65, newly diagnosed with T2DM ≤ 1 year, and with stable HbA1c level (≤ 8.0%) in the past 3 months. The participants will be randomly allocated to the vitamin D group, vitamin D combined with exercise training group, exercise training group, and control group (CG) using a computer-generated random number sequence. At baseline, participants will undergo a medical review, anthropometric measurements, dual X-ray absorptiometry, a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), ankle-brachial index measurements, and physical fitness measurements and will complete related lifestyle questionnaires. Fasting blood lipid and glucose levels were also measured. In a 3-month intervention period, vitamin D intervention group will receive a dose of 1000 IU daily; exercise group will perform a 1-h endurance exercise 3 times per week (maximal heart rate, 60-80%), and the control group will receive apparently identical tablets. Additionally, all participants will be advised to maintain their normal diet and physical activities during the intervention. All measurements will be repeated at 3-month follow-up after the intervention with the primary outcome measure expressed as a change from baseline in insulin sensitivity and secretion. Secondary outcome measures will compare the changes in anthropometry, ankle-brachial index, and physical fitness factors (e.g., peak oxygen uptake, hand grip strength). Data will be managed and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences., Discussion: This is the first study to conduct a randomized trial to clearly determine the independent and combined effects of vitamin D supplementation and endurance exercise trial on IR in Chinese T2DM patients as measured by OGTT. The findings from the proposed study will not only provide new evidences that vitamin D supplementation plays an important role in IR management but also develop a simple and efficient method to improve IR-associated metabolic diseases for T2DM patients., Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1800015383 , Registered on 28 March 2018., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background: Insomnia is very common in current society, and patients are often accompanied by a certain degree of anxiety, depression, etc. Recent studies have found that the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis excitement-inhibition state is an important indicator of sleep quality. Wrist-ankle acupuncture (WAA) is safe and effective for insomnia. Based on WAA theory, the acupressure wrist-ankle straps are portable WAA point compression straps that can treat diseases by automatically applying pressure to the treatment location and being operated by patients themselves. We design this trial to evaluate the clinical effect of the acupressure wrist-ankle strap in the treatment of mild insomnia patients with anxiety disorders., Methods/design: This trial is a parallel-design, patients-assessor blinded, randomized, sham-controlled. In total, 114 patients diagnosed with mild insomnia and anxiety disorders will be randomly assigned into two groups, the acupressure wrist-ankle strap group or the non-acupressure wrist-ankle strap group; they will receive treatments for eight weeks with five sessions each week. Rating scales, sleep monitors, and laboratory tests will be used to observe the clinical effect. From the perspective of the circadian secretion of peripheral blood-related hormones in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the possible mechanism of acupressure wrist-ankle straps for treating insomnia is studied., Discussion: The results of this study will confirm the efficacy of acupressure wrist-ankle strap in treating mild insomnia patients with anxiety disorder and whether its mechanism is related to the HPA axis. The acupressure wrist-ankle strap may become a pure physical, no side effect treatment of mild insomnia., Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000039352 . Registered on 24 October 2020., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background: Physical activity has many health benefits for children and adolescents. However, the prevalence of physical inactivity in school-aged children and adolescents remains high in China. Many factors impact the levels of moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among students. This study investigated the factors associated with students' MVPA levels and the determinants of changes in their MVPA behaviour., Methods: This is a longitudinal study with a 12-month follow-up. The study samples were obtained from 2016 and 2017 Physical Activity and Fitness in China-The Youth Study, and they included 1597 students (aged 9-18 years) from 31 primary, junior high, and high schools in Ningxia Province. Factors related to the individual (Age, Sex, BMI and attitude to PA), school (school exercise facility, PE class, teacher support, PA time and PA environment) and neighbourhood (free skill training, sport events, sport organization, sport facility) factors were measured via questionnaire at baseline and after 12 months. Multiple logistic regression was performed to examine the factors that impact students' MVPA level and the determinants of changes in students' MVPA behaviour., Results: There was no difference in students' MVPA levels between 2016 and 2017. Boys were more physically active than girls at baseline (RR 1.55, 95% CI 1.10, 2.20). Neighbourhood factors associated students' MVPA levels were significant, but all of these factors (neighbourhood sport events, organizations, facilities, etc.) were removed from the longitudinal model. Individual and school factors were important for students' MVPA maintenance and positive development (e.g., gender, attitude, school PE class and PA time)., Conclusions: In conclusion, both neighbourhood and school factors may affect students' MVPA, but school appears to plays a more critical role in maintaining and promoting students' MVPA levels. In addition, individual factors may be more important than school and neighbourhood factors in influencing students' MVPA levels. Our research demonstrates that students' attitudes towards PA and school factors should be considered targets for future intervention programmes to promote MVPA. More education programmes may help enhance students' attitudes towards PA, but more studies with large samples and objective assessments are needed to explore the determinants of MVPA.

Background: Previous studies indicated that serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations are positively associated with physical activity levels independent of sun exposure. However, the effect of resistance training on serum 25(OH) D concentrations remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to examine the effect of chronic resistance training on serum 25(OH) D concentrations and determine whether 25(OH) D concentration variations are influenced by body composition changes., Methods: Eighteen young men aged 19-39 years were randomly divided into a 12-week resistance training group (RT, n  = 9) and non-exercise control group (CON, n  = 9). The trial was undertaken in Shanghai University of Sport in Shanghai, China. Randomization and allocation to trial group were carried out by a central computer system. Serum 25(OH) D and intact parathyroid hormone concentrations were measured using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry., Results: The average serum 25(OH) D concentrations were 26.6 nmol/L at baseline. After the 12-week intervention program, serum 25(OH) D concentrations significantly increased in both groups. Serum 25(OH) D concentrations at midpoint (6-week) increased significantly only in the CON group ( P  < 0.01). From training midpoint to endpoint, a significantly greater increase in serum 25(OH) D concentrations was noted in the RT group (P-interaction = 0.043); 25(OH) D concentration changes (end-pre) were negatively related to fat-free mass (mid-pre) ( r  = - 0.565, P  = 0.015) and muscle mass (mid-pre) ( r  = - 0.554, P  = 0.017)., Conclusions: There were no beneficial effects of the 12-week resistance training on serum 25(OH) D concentration in vitamin D deficient young men, and an indication that seasonal increase in serum 25(OH) D concentrations during the early phase of resistance training was transiently inhibited, which may partly be attributed to resistance training-induced muscle mass gain., Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000030876. Registered 16 March 2020 - Retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=50504., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© The Author(s) 2020.)

Background: Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and television viewing are independently associated with cardiorespiratory fitness. However, limited evidence is available on their combined effects, specifically of MVPA and watching television, on cardiorespiratory fitness in the young Asian population. Therefore, the present study examined whether MVPA can attenuate the detrimental effects of prolonged television viewing on the cardiorespiratory fitness of Asian adolescents., Methods: This is a cross-sectional study on 9553 adolescents (aged 12-15 years) from 8 Asian metropolitan cities (Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taipei, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, and Singapore). Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by using a 15-m progressive aerobic capacity endurance run (PACER) test. The time spent on MVPA and watching television was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form., Results: MVPA was more closely associated with the PACER score than the duration of watching television. Compared with the reference group (i.e. those with the lowest levels of MVPA [< 30 min/day] and the most sedentary [≥3 h/day of television time]), PACER scores were significantly higher for those who met the physical activity recommendation (≥60 min/day in MVPA), regardless of the duration of television viewing. Conversely, girls in the least active group (< 30 min/day of MVPA) who watched television < 1 h/day demonstrated better PACER scores than the reference group., Conclusions: Sufficient MVPA (≥60 min/day) can attenuate the detrimental effects of excessive television viewing with cardiorespiratory fitness in Asian adolescents. In addition, the duration of television viewing had significant but weaker associations with cardiorespiratory fitness compared to MVPA.

Background: We examined the correlations between living arrangement and the physical activity (PA) levels of youth aged 9-19 years while accounting for demographic factors such as age, sex, and socioeconomic status in Shanghai, China., Methods: Cross-sectional analyses of data from the 2014 Physical Activity and Fitness in Shanghai China-The Youth Study was conducted. Participants were 33,213 primary (9-11-year-olds; n = 13,237), junior middle (12-14-year-olds; n = 11,157), and junior high school students (15-19-year-olds; n = 8819). Youth (boys = 49%) and their guardians were randomly sampled from 17 districts in Shanghai, China. Youths' moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) levels, information about living arrangement, and guardians' sociodemographic factors were collected via questionnaires., Results: Only 17.8% of school-aged youths in Shanghai met MVPA recommendations, with significantly more boys (20.6%) meeting recommendations than girls (p < .001). Youths living in rural areas showed an overall significantly higher percentage of meeting MVPA recommendations (20.3%) than those living in urban areas (p < .001). Youths who lived with single parents showed an overall significantly lower percentage of meeting MVPA recommendations (15.3%) than those living with their grandparent(s) or with both parents (p < .001). A logistic regression analysis revealed that, among 9-11-year-olds, children who live with their grandparent(s) were less likely to meet MVPA recommendations than those who lived with both parents (boys: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.61-0.84; girls: aOR = 0.84, 95%CI = 0.72-0.98)., Conclusions: Type of living arrangement was associated with the PA of youth in Shanghai, with no significant gender difference. Youth aged 9-19 years who lived with single parents had the lowest percentage of meeting MVPA recommendations. The probability of achieving 60 min/day MVPA recommendations was significantly lower among 9-11-year-old children living with their grandparent(s) than children living with both parents; however, no such difference was observed among adolescents. Our findings suggest that living arrangement may be an important consideration for promotion of PA among youth in China.

Background: With increases in inactive lifestyles and mounting pressure for academic excellence in Chinese younger populations, lack of physical activity and increased prevalence of obesity have become a major public health concern in China. The purpose of this study is to provide updated estimates on the prevalence of meeting moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and screen viewing time guidelines, and overweight and obesity among Chinese school-aged children and adolescents, with a secondary aim examining variations in prevalence by sex, grade groupings, and residential location., Methods: The study sample came from the 2017 Physical Activity and Fitness in China-The Youth Study, a cross-sectional and national survey of 131,859 students (aged 7 to 19 years) from 986 public schools in China. Measures of MVPA, screen viewing time, and age- and sex-specific overweight and obese body mass index were used to calculate national prevalence estimates of Chinese school-aged children and adolescents., Results: In 2017, 34.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 34.09-34.11%) of children and adolescents met MVPA guidelines and 65.4% (95% CI, 65.39-65.41%) adhered to screen viewing time guidelines. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 15.1% (95% CI, 15.09-15.11%) and 10.7% (95% CI, 10.69-10.71%), respectively. Prevalence estimates differed by sex (boys, girls), grade grouping (primary schools, junior middle schools, junior high schools), and residential location (rural, urban)., Conclusions: There remains a low prevalence of meeting MVPA guidelines and high prevalence of overweight and obesity in Chinese school-aged children and adolescents. Future efforts should focus on monitoring the trend of these behavioral and health risk factors to inform school policies and programs aimed at increasing physical activity and reducing and preventing obesity in younger populations in China.

Background: Interference resolution refers to cognitive control processes enabling one to focus on task-related information while filtering out unrelated information. But the exact neural areas, which underlie a specific cognitive task on interference resolution, are still equivocal. The multi-source interference task (MSIT), as a particular cognitive task, is a well-established experimental paradigm used to evaluate interference resolution. Studies combining the MSIT with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have shown that the MSIT evokes the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and cingulate-frontal-parietal cognitive-attentional networks. However, these brain areas have not been evaluated quantitatively and these findings have not been replicated., Methods: In the current study, we firstly report a voxel-based meta-analysis of functional brain activation associated with the MSIT so as to identify the localization of interference resolution in such a specific cognitive task. Articles on MSIT-related fMRI published between 2003 and July 2017 were eligible. The electronic databases searched included PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and Google Scholar. Differential BOLD activation patterns between the incongruent and congruent condition were meta-analyzed in anisotropic effect-size signed differential mapping software., Results: Robustness meta-analysis indicated that two significant activation clusters were shown to have reliable functional activity in comparisons between incongruent and congruent conditions. The first reliable activation cluster, which included the dACC, medial prefrontal cortex, supplementary motor area, replicated the previous MSIT-related fMRI study results. Furthermore, we found another reliable activation cluster comprising areas of the right insula, right inferior frontal gyrus, and right lenticular nucleus-putamen, which were not typically discussed in previous MSIT-related fMRI studies., Conclusions: The current meta-analysis study presents the reliable brain activation patterns on MSIT. These findings suggest that the cingulate-frontal-striatum network and right insula may allow control demands to resolve interference on MSIT. These results provide new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying interference resolution.

Background: High expression of the long non-coding RNA nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) in whole blood has been reported in colorectal cancer patients; however, its' clinical significance and origin are unclear. We evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic value, and origin of whole blood NEAT1 in colorectal cancer., Methods: Expression of NEAT1 variants, NEAT1&#95;v1 and NEAT1&#95;v2 were determined using real-time quantitative PCR. The diagnostic value of whole blood NEAT1 expression was evaluated in test (n = 60) and validation (n = 200) cohorts of colorectal cancer patients and normal controls (NCs). To identify the origin of NEAT1, its expression was analyzed in blood, matched primary tumor tissues, para-tumor tissues, metastatic tissues, and also immune cells from patients or NCs. Function of NEAT1 in colorectal cell lines was also assessed. The correlation of NEAT1 expression with clinical outcomes was assessed in 191 patients., Results: Whole blood NEAT1 expression was significantly higher in colorectal cancer patients than in NCs. NEAT1&#95;v1 and NEAT1&#95;v2 expression were highly accurate in distinguishing colorectal cancer patients from NCs (area under the curve: 0.787 and 0.871, respectively). Knockdown of NEAT1&#95;v1 in vitro could inhibit cell invasion and proliferation, while knockdown of NEAT1&#95;v2 promoted cell growth. However, whole blood expression was not correlated with matched tissues. An elevated expression was seen in neutrophils from CRC patients. Furthermore, high expression of NEAT1&#95;v1 was correlated with worse overall survival. In contrast, high expression of NEAT1&#95;v2 alone was correlated with better overall survival., Conclusion: Whole blood NEAT1 expression is a novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of overall survival in colorectal cancer. Elevated NEAT1 may derive from neutrophils.

Background: Enterobius vermicularis infection is a prevalent intestinal parasitic disease in children. In this study, we explored the epidemiological status and risk factors for E. vermicularis infection in children in southern China., Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in Gaozhou city, Guangdong province, China, in December 2011. Children aged 2-12 years from five schools participated in the study. The adhesive cellophane-tape perianal swab method was applied to detect E. vermicularis infection, while a questionnaire was sent to each child's guardian(s) to collect demographic and socioeconomic data, as well as hygiene behaviors, pertaining to each child. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to capture the potential risk factors., Results: Out of the 802 children surveyed, 440 were infected with E. vermicularis, with an average prevalence of 54.86 %, and a range from 45.96 to 68.13 %. The age variable was found to be statistically significant, whereas the sex variable was not. It was found that a mother's education level (low) and not washing hands before dinner were major risk factors in all children (802). After stratification by age, a father's education level (primary or below) and biting pencils (or toys) were significant risk factors in the younger children (508), while not washing hands before dinner and playing on the ground were important risk factors in the older children (294)., Conclusion: This study demonstrates the prevalence of E. vermicularis infection in children in Gaozhou and reveals underlying risk factors. Most importantly, it reveals that risk factors differ among the different age groups, which indicates that different control measures targeted at particular age groups should be implemented.

Development of a tumor is a very complex process, and invasion and metastasis of malignant tumors are hallmarks and are difficult problems to overcome. The tumor microenvironment plays an important role in controlling tumor fate and autophagy induced by the tumor microenvironment is attracting more and more attention. Autophagy can be induced by several stressors in the tumor microenvironment and autophagy modifies the tumor microenvironment, too. Autophagy has dual roles in tumor growth. In this review, we discussed the interaction between autophagy and the tumor microenvironment and the paradoxical roles of autophagy on tumor growth at different stages of tumor development.

Background: SIRT1 is a member of the mammalian sirtuin family with the ability to deacetylate histone and nonhistone proteins. The correlation between SIRT1 expression and tumor metastasis in several types of cancer has aroused widespread concern. This study investigated SIRT1 expression and its prognostic value in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The function of SIRT1 in hepatocarcinogenesis was further investigated in cell culture and mouse models., Methods: Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to explore SIRT1 expression in HCC cell lines and primary HCC clinical specimens. The functions of SIRT1 in the migration and invasion in the HCC cell line were analyzed by infecting cells with adenovirus containing full-length SIRT1 or sh-RNA. The effect of SIRT1 on tumorigenicity in nude mice was also investigated., Results: SIRT1 expression was significantly overexpressed in the tumor tissues and HCC cell lines. SIRT1 significantly promoted the ability of migration and invasion in HCC cells. In addition, experiments with a mouse model revealed that SIRT1 overexpression enhanced HCC tumor metastasis in vivo. Furthermore, we demonstrated that SIRT1 significantly enhanced the invasive and metastatic potential by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition in HCC cells. A clinicopathological analysis showed that SIRT1 expression was significantly correlated with tumor size, tumor number, and TNM staging. Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that positive SIRT1 expression was associated with poor prognosis in patients with HCC., Conclusions: Our data suggest that SIRT1 may play an important role in HCC progression and could be a potential molecular therapy target for HCC.