Whether supplementation of curcuminoids decreases serum adipocyte-fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) level and whether this decrease benefits glucose control is unclear. One-hundred participants (n=50 administered curcuminoids, n=50 administered placebo) from our previous report on the effect of curcuminoids on type 2 diabetes in a 3-month intervention were assessed for levels of serum A-FABP, oxidative stress, and inflammatory biomarkers. Curcuminoids supplementation led to significant decreases in serum A-FABP, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 levels. Curcuminoids supplementation also significantly increased serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The change in serum A-FABP levels showed positive correlations with changes in levels of glucose, free fatty acids (FFAs), and CRP in subjects supplemented with curcuminoids. Further stepwise regression analysis showed that A-FABP was an independent predictor for levels of FFAs, SOD, and CRP. These results suggest that curcuminoids may exert anti-diabetic effects, at least in part, by reductions in serum A-FABP level. A-FABP reduction is associated with improved metabolic parameters in human type 2 diabetes.
Biomarkers ; blood ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Curcumin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins ; blood ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Obesity ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; immunology ; Treatment Outcome

Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disorder and a number of bacterial pathogens are involved. However, 30%-40% of sputum and purulent samples in good quality failed to grow any pathogenic bacteria, making it difficult to confirm the pathogen. In this study, we collected bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from a bronchiectasis patient undergoing acute exacerbation, and sent for 16S rDNA pyrosequencing by a 454 GS Junior machine. Metagenomic analysis showed the composition of bacterial community in sample was complex. More than a half of reads (51.3%) were from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This result was corresponding with the culture result but came out 2 d earlier, which is meaningful for early diagnosis and treatment. The detection with 16S rDNA pyrosequencing technology is more sensitive and rapid than routine culture, and can detect the co-infection or symbiosis in airway, giving us a novel and convenient approach to perform rapid diagnosis.
Bronchiectasis ; microbiology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; microbiology ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Metagenome ; genetics ; Metagenomics ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Pseudomonas Infections ; microbiology ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; genetics ; Time Factors

In 2013, the first dengue fever (DF) outbreak in central China was reported in the central of Henan province, northern temperate regions, although they have been sequentially recorded in Southern China. 106 suspected DF cases were reported and 73 patients were confirmed dengue virus type 3 (DEN-3) infections. 62/392 (15.8%) local health persons showed DEN antibodies positive. To this day Henan is the northernmost province in China which has been reported about outbreak of DF and what is important is that it warns us the endemic range of DF has been expanded geographically in China.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Dengue ; epidemiology ; virology ; Dengue Virus ; isolation & purification ; Disease Outbreaks ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Serologic Tests ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEThe protozoan Toxoplasma gondii expresses large amounts of a 37 kDa Type 2C serine-threonine phosphatase, the so-called TgPP2C which has been suggested to contribute to parasite growth regulation. Ectopic expression in mammalian cells also indicated that the enzyme could regulate growth and survival. In this study, we aimed to investigate the interaction of TgPP2C with human SSRP1 (structure-specific recognition protein 1) and the effects of TgPP2C on cell viability.

METHODSThe yeast two hybrid system, His-tag pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation assays were used to confirm the interaction of TgPP2C with SSRP1 and determine the binding domain on SSRP1. The evaluation of cell apoptosis was performed using cleaved caspase-3 antibody and Annexin-V/PI kit combined with flow cytometry.

RESULTSWe identified human SSRP1 as an interacting partner of TgPP2C. The C-terminal region of SSRP1 including the amino acids 471 to 538 was specifically mapped as the region responsible for interaction with TgPP2C. The overexpression of TgPP2C down-regulated cell apoptosis and negatively regulated apoptosis induced by DRB, casein kinase II (CKII) inhibitor, through enhanced interaction with SSRP1.

CONCLUSIONTgPP2C may be a parasitic factor capable of promoting cell survival through interaction with the host protein SSRP1, thereby creating a favorable environment for parasite growth.

Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Flow Cytometry ; HeLa Cells ; High Mobility Group Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunoprecipitation ; Phosphoprotein Phosphatases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Phosphatase 2C ; Toxoplasma ; enzymology ; Transcriptional Elongation Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Two-Hybrid System Techniques

OBJECTIVEThis paper is to assess the current status of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) contamination in the environment in China and estimate the exposure to PBDEs in non-occupational populations.

METHODSA total of 80 research papers published from January 2001 to October 2013 were selected. Geographic information system (GIS) was used in mapping PBDE concentrations and distributions in environmental media. Ni's model was applied to calculate ∑PBDE-intake via the intakes of contaminated food, water and air in the Pearl River Delta and Yangtze River Delta.

RESULTSBDE-209 was found to be the major PBDE congener in the environmental media and food in China. PBDE concentrations varied among different areas, among which the contamination in Guangdong Province was most serious. Daily intake of ∑PBDEs was 225.1-446.0 ng/d for adults in the Pearl River Delta, which was higher than the intake for those living in the Yangtze River Delta (148.9-369.8 ng/d).

CONCLUSIONAtorvastatin can attenuate LPS-induced TNF-α expression and production by activating HO-1 via the ERK and p38 MAPK pathways, suggesting that atorvastatin can be used in treatment of inflammatory diseases such as sepsis, especially in those with atherosclerotic diseases.

China ; Diet ; Environmental Pollutants ; analysis ; Food Contamination ; analysis ; Geographic Information Systems ; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers ; analysis ; Humans ; Inhalation Exposure ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo understand drug resistance prevalence among treatment-failure and treatment-naïve HIV-positive individuals in China.

METHODSWe searched five electronic databases (Wanfang, CNKI, CQVIP, SinoMed, and Pubmed) for studies of HIV drug resistance. Random-effects models were carried out to estimate the prevalence of drug resistance among treatment-failure and treatment-naïve individuals, respectively.

RESULTSThe estimated nationwide rates of HIV drug resistance to any-class drugs among treatment-failure and treatment-naïve individuals were 57% (95% CI: 49%-65%) and 3.23% (95% CI: 2.47%-4.07%), respectively. Among the drug classes, the prevalence of resistance to PIs was low (1.45%; 95% CI: 0.73%-2.33%) in treatment-failure individuals, although high rates of resistance to NNRTIs (54%; 95% CI: 45%-63%) and NRTIs (40%; 95% CI: 32%-49%) were found. Resistance to any-class drugs, NNRTIs and NRTIs manifested regional differences, but resistance to PIs did not. Positive correlations were observed between resistance to NNRTIs and NRTIs among treatment-failure and treatment-naïve individuals, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of HIV drug resistance to NNRTIs and NRTIs among treatment-failure individuals was high. In contrast, the prevalence of drug resistance among treatment-naïve individuals was low. The epidemics of drug resistance matched current treatment strategies and interventions in China. Surveillance for HIV drug resistance is necessary to assess the sustainability and durability of current treatment regimens.

Anti-HIV Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; China ; Drug Resistance, Viral ; genetics ; HIV Infections ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Prevalence ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Time Factors ; Treatment Failure

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diversity and the distribution of host animal species of hantavirus and the effect on human health in Jiuhua Mountain area, China.

METHODSThe host animal species of hantavirus was surveyed by using the trap method and the species diversity was evaluated by using the Simpson, Shannon-Weaner, and Pielou indices. Hantavirus antigens or antibodies in lung and blood samples of all the captured host animals were detected by direct or indirect immunofluorescence.

RESULTSNine animal species of hantavirus were distributed in the forest ecosystem of Jiuhua Mountain. Of these, Niviventer confucianus and Apodemus agrarius were predominant, and N. confucianus, Rattus norvegicus, and Mus musculus had relatively large niche breadth index values. The host animals in the eastern and western mountain regions shared similar biodiversity index characteristics, predominant species, and species structures. Hantavirus was detected in 5 host animal species in Jiuhua Mountain area, the carriage rate of hantavirus was 6.03%. The average density of host animals in forest areas of the mountainous area was only 2.20%, and the virus infection rate in the healthy population was 2.33%.

CONCLUSIONThe circulation of hantavirus was low in the forest areas of Jiuhua Mountain and did not pose a threat to human health.

Adult ; Altitude ; Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Vectors ; Hantavirus ; isolation & purification ; Hantavirus Infections ; blood ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Lung ; virology ; Middle Aged ; Population Density ; Risk ; Rodentia ; virology ; Species Specificity ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to explore the prevalent characteristics of HBoV1 and its co-infection.

METHODSPCR was used to detect HBoV1-DNA (HBoV1) and other viruses. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to explore possibility of co-detected for related viruses.

RESULTSThe positivity rates in Nanjing and Lanzhou were 9.38% (74/789) and 11.62% (161/1386), respectively (P>0.05). The HBoV1 positive group was younger than negative group (P<0.05). Seasonal differences were noted, with a higher frequency of infection in December and July. HBoV1-positive children [72.34% (169/235)] were co-infected with other respiratory viruses. Multifactorial analysis showed no correlations between HBoV1 and the clinical classification, region, gender, age, or treatment as an outpatient or in a hospital. Correlations were identified between HBoV1 infections with ADV (OR=1.53, 95% CI 1.03-2.28), RSV (OR=0.71, 95% CI 0.52-0.98), and IFVA (OR=1.77, 95% CI 1.00-3.13).

CONCLUSIONPresence of HBoV1 in nasopharyngeal aspirates did not correlate with region or gender, although the prevalence of HBoV1 was higher in younger children. There were no correlations between HBoV1 and other variables, except for the season and ADV, RSV, or IFVA infections.

Acute Disease ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Comorbidity ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Female ; Human bocavirus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Parvoviridae Infections ; epidemiology ; virology ; Prevalence ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; epidemiology ; virology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the short-term association between outdoor air pollution and outpatient visits for acute bronchitis, which is a rare subject of research in the mainland of China.

METHODSA time-series analysis was conducted to examine the association of outdoor air pollutants with hospital outpatient visits in Shanghai by using two-year daily data (2010-2011).

RESULTSOutdoor air pollution was found to be associated with an increased risk of outpatient visits for acute bronchitis in Shanghai. The effect estimates of air pollutants varied with the lag structures of the concentrations of the pollutants. For lag06, a 10 μg/m(3) increase in the concentrations of PM10, SO(2), and NO(2) corresponded to 0.94% (95% CI: 0.83%, 1.05%), 11.12% (95% CI: 10.76%, 11.48%), and 4.84% (95% CI: 4.49%, 5.18%) increases in hospital visits for acute bronchitis, respectively. These associations appeared to be stronger in females (P<0.05). Between-age differences were significant for SO(2) (P<0.05), and between-season differences were also significant for SO(2) (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONOur analyses have provided the first evidence that the current air pollution level in China has an effect on acute bronchitis and that the rationale for further limiting air pollution levels in Shanghai should be strengthened.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Air Pollutants ; analysis ; toxicity ; Ambulatory Care ; statistics & numerical data ; Bronchitis ; epidemiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cities ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitrogen Dioxide ; analysis ; toxicity ; Particulate Matter ; analysis ; toxicity ; Seasons ; Sex Factors ; Sulfur Dioxide ; analysis ; toxicity ; Young Adult

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; Female ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; transmission ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Models, Theoretical ; Sexual Partners ; Social Networking ; Unsafe Sex ; ethnology ; Young Adult