Objective: To analyze the characteristics of super-antigen (SAg) of group A Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS), isolated from patients with scarlet fever or pharyngeal infections in Beijing between 2015-2017. Methods: Throat swab specimens from patients with scarlet fever or pharyngeal infections were collected and tested for GAS. Eleven currently known SAg genes including SpeA, speC, speG, speH, speI, speJ, speK, speL, speM, smeZ and ssa were tested by real-time PCR while M protein genes (emm genes) were amplified and sequenced by PCR. Results: A total of 377 GAS were isolated from 6 801 throat swab specimens, with the positive rate as 5.5%. There were obvious changes noticed among speC, speG, speH and speK in three years. A total of 45 SAg genes profiles were observed, according to the SAgs inclusion. There were significant differences appeared in the frequencies among two of the highest SAg genes profiles between emm1 and emm12 strains (χ(2)=38.196, P<0.001; χ(2)=72.310, P<0.001). There also appeared significant differences in the frequencies of speA, speH, speI and speJ between emm1 and emm12 strains (χ(2)=146.154, P<0.001; χ(2)=52.31, P<0.001; χ(2)=58.43, P<0.001; χ(2)=144.70, P<0.001). Conclusions: Obvious changes were noticed among SAg genes including speC, speG, speH and speK from patients with scarlet fever or pharyngeal infections in Beijing between 2015-2017. SAg genes including speA, speH, speI and speJ appeared to be associated with the emm 1 and emm 12 strains. More kinds of SAg genes profiles were isolated form GAS but with no significant differences seen in the main SAg genes profiles, during the epidemic period.
Antigens, Bacterial/genetics* ; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins ; Bacterial Proteins ; Beijing/epidemiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Exotoxins ; Female ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; Pharyngitis/microbiology* ; Pharynx/microbiology* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/microbiology* ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Scarlet Fever/microbiology* ; Streptococcal Infections ; Streptococcus pyogenes/isolation & purification* ; Superantigens/genetics*

Objective: To study the relations between famine exposure and the risk of chronic diseases as diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, coronary heart disease and stroke in the population of Harbin. Methods: Our data was collected from the baseline survey-the China Kadoorie Biobank project (CKB) in Harbin. Retrospective cohort study design was used. Related risks on chronic diseases including diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, coronary heart disease and stroke, were compared among the famine exposed or non-exposed people, respectively by logistic analysis method. Results: After adjusted for factors as age, sex, physical activity, smoking, alcohol intake, diet, family history of diseases, it appeared that the factor 'famine exposure' had increased the risks of diseases as obesity (OR=1.204, 95%CI: 1.104-1.313, P<0.01), hypertension (OR=1.315, 95%CI: 1.210-1.429, P<0.01) and coronary heart disease (OR=1.495, 95%CI: 1.369-1.632, P<0.01). The lower the age of population being exposed to famine, the greater the risk of the development of all kinds of chronic diseases. Conclusions: Famine exposure appeared a risk factor for obesity, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. It is of great significance to ensure the life-long nutrition of the people, especially in the early and adolescent stages, to prevent obesity, hypertension, and coronary heart disease in their later lives.
Adolescent ; China/epidemiology* ; Chronic Disease/epidemiology* ; Coronary Disease/epidemiology* ; Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology* ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension/epidemiology* ; Obesity/epidemiology* ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Starvation/epidemiology*

Objective: To understand the characteristics of new-type drug consumption, sexual behaviors and the prevalence of HIV infection among male new-type drug users in Qingdao, Shandong province. Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted from 2015 to 2016. Participants were recruited from MSM community-based organizations (CBO) and general community through snowball method, relying on volunteers and male peer educators who were on new-type drugs themselves. Face-to-face interview was carried to collect information on drug use and sexual behaviors. Blood samples were collected to test HIV, syphilis and HCV antibodies. Urine samples were collected to test the evidence of new-type drugs. Qualitative variables and quantitative variables were analyzed using Chi-square test/Fisher's exact test and Student's t-test respectively. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze related factors of binary variables. Results: A total of 1 034 newtype drug users were recruited, including 431 (41.7%) MSM population and 603 (58.3%) who were not MSM. Compared with the the group of people who were not MSM, people in the the MSM group were younger, unmarried and with higher level of education. The proportion of methamphetamine users were 49.7% (214/431) and 100.0% (603/603) among the groups of MSM or not MSM, respectively. People in the MSM group, 66.8% (288/431) used 5-Methoxy-N, N-diisopropyltryptamine (5-MeODIPT, "foxy" ) in the last six months. However, none from the not-MSM group ever used 5-MeO-DIPT. In the last six months, proportions of sharing new-type drugs with more than two people in the MSM or not groups were 87.9% (379/431) and 97.7% (588/602), respectively (χ(2)=39.84, P<0.01). Proportions of unprotected sexual behavior among the MSM or not groups were 47.5% (285/600) and 7.4% (32/430) respectively (χ(2)=190.10, P<0.01). The proportions of 'group sex' after using drugs among the two groups were 78.1% (335/429) and 5.5% (33/600) respectively (χ(2)=573.73, P<0.01). The prevalence rates of HIV, syphilis and HCV antibody positive among the MSM or not groups were 2.1% and 0.2%, 3.3% and 6.3%, 0.0% and 0.3%, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of sharing new-type drugs with more than two people was high among male new-type drug users in Qingdao city. Male new-type-drug-users who were MSM, presented both high prevalence of group sex and HIV infection, and with less condom use. Intervention measures towards this sub-population should be strengthened.
Community-Based Participatory Research ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Drug Users/statistics & numerical data* ; HIV Infections/transmission* ; Hepatitis C Antibodies ; Homosexuality, Male/statistics & numerical data* ; Humans ; Male ; Methamphetamine/adverse effects* ; Prevalence ; Risk-Taking ; Safe Sex ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexual Partners ; Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Syphilis/epidemiology* ; Unsafe Sex

Objective: To understand the prevalence of HIV infection and syphilis in clients in Ya'an of Sichuan province. Methods: A survey was conducted in clients recruited through snowball method in Ya'an of Sichuan from April 2014 to December 2015. The information of the clients, including basic demography characteristics, AIDS knowledge awareness, high-risk behaviors and others, were collected through face-to-face interviews. Blood sample (5 ml) was taken from each client to test antibodies against HIV and syphilis. Statistical software SPSS 18.0 was used for data analysis. Results: Among the 708 clients, the constituent ratio of those aged ≥50 years was 51.27% (363/708), those in Han ethnic group was 99.72% (706/708), those with junior high school educational level or below was 90.11% (638/708), those who got married or cohabitated with others was 74.15% (525/708), and those who used condoms at each sex was 27.40% (194/708). Seven HIV positive cases were detected and 4 cases were aged ≥50 years. Seven syphilis cases were detected and all the cases were aged ≥50 year. No HIV-syphilis co-infection case was detected. The prevalence of HIV infection and syphilis were all 0.99% (95%CI: 0.30%-1.70%). Results from the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the clients who had their first commercial sex behavior at age <30 years (OR=6.61, 95%CI: 1.09-40.18) would have higher HIV positive rate. Conclusion: The rate of condom use was low in the clients in Ya'an and they didn't pay enough attention to their self-protection in sexual activities. Especially the clients aged ≥50 years were with low educational level and had high risk commercial sexual behaviors for HIV infection and syphilis. Close attention needs to be paid to them.
Aged ; Coinfection/epidemiology* ; Condoms/statistics & numerical data* ; HIV Infections/ethnology* ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sex Work ; Sexual Behavior/ethnology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Syphilis/ethnology*

Objective: To investigate the association between alcohol consumption and lung cancer risk in Chinese males. Methods: Information on alcohol consumption and outcomes were collected on a biennial basis among males in Kailuan Cohort (2006-2015). In addition, electronic databases of hospitals affiliated to Kailuan Community, Insurance Systems of Kailuan Community and Tangshan were also used for supplementary information retrieval. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95%CI of baseline frequency and type of alcohol consumption associated with lung cancer risk in males. Non-drinkers were used as control group. Results: A total of 101 751 males were included and 913 new lung cancer cases were identified in the Kailuan male cohort study, with a total follow-up time of 808 146.56 person-years and a median follow-up time of 8.88 years by 31 December 2015. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the HR of former drinkers, occasional drinkers (<1/day) and drinkers (≥1/day) were 1.30 (95%CI: 0.90-1.88), 0.80 (95%CI: 0.64-1.01) and 1.04 (95%CI: 0.85-1.27), respectively, compared with non-drinkers. In addition, drinking beer/red wine (HR=0.91, 95%CI: 0.69-1.20) and white wine (HR=0.99, 95%CI: 0.83-1.19) showed no significant association with lung cancer. The results were similar when stratified analysis were conducted. Conclusion: Our study results don't support the hypothesis that alcohol consumption is significantly associated with the risk of lung cancer in males.
Adult ; Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/epidemiology* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Objective: To assess the association and intensity of baseline TC level with the incidence of lung cancer in men in China. Methods: Since May 2006, all the male workers, including the employees and the retirees in Kailuan Group were recruited in the Kailuan male dynamic cohort study. Information about demographics, medical history, anthropometry and TC level were collected at the baseline interview, as well as the information of newly-diagnosed lung cancer cases during the follow-up period. According to guidelines for blood lipids in Chinese adults and the distribution in the population, TC level was classified into five groups as followed: <160, 160-, 180-, 200- and ≥240 mg/dl, with the second quintile group (160- mg/dl) serving as the referent category. Cox proportional hazards regression model and restricted cubic spline (RCS) model were used to evaluate the association and the nonlinear association between baseline TC level and the risk of lung cancer in the men. Results: By December 31, 2014, for the 109 884 men, a follow up of 763 819.25 person-years was made with a median follow-up period of 7.88 years. During the follow up, 808 lung cancer cases were identified. After adjustment for age, education level, income level, smoking status, alcohol consumption level, history of dust exposure, FPG level and BMI, HR (95%CI) of lung cancer for men with lower TC level (<160 mg/dl) and higher TC level (≥240 mg/dl) were 1.34 (1.04- 1.72) and 1.45 (1.09-1.92), respectively, compared with men with normal TC level (160- mg/dl). The results didn't change significantly after exclusion of newly diagnosed cancer cases within 2 years of follow up and subjects with the history of hyperlipidemia. Conclusion: Our results showed that TC might be associated with higher risk of lung cancer. Men with lower TC level or higher TC level had higher risk for lung cancer. Keep moderate TC level might be one of the effective precaution for the prevention of lung cancer.
Adult ; Asian People ; China/epidemiology* ; Cholesterol/blood* ; Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lipids ; Lung Neoplasms/ethnology* ; Male ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

The prevalence of child and adolescent growth and mental-behavior related diseases are increasing, and the pathogenesis are complex. Twins are excellent natural resources for complex chronic diseases research as they share the maternal intrauterine environment, born at the same time and share the same family environment in early years, which could benefit the adjust ment of confounding factors, such as age, genetic factors and early family environmental factors. Birth cohort with twin families involved could be more effective in exploring the genetic and environmental factors for complex chronic diseases at the very beginning of life. This paper summarizes the objective, content, progress, strengths and potential problems of Wuhan Twin Birth Cohort, with emphasis on the overall design and progress of the study.
Adolescent ; Asian People ; Birth Weight ; Child ; China ; Cohort Studies ; Diseases in Twins/genetics* ; Epidemiological Monitoring ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Twin Studies as Topic ; Twins