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 carry out a quantitative estimate that related to the effects of short-term exposure to PM(2.5) on all-cause mortality and emergency visits in China by using the systematic review and Meta-analysis. Methods: We selected all the studies published before March 2018 from China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, PubMed and EMBASE and data on relative risk (RR), excess risk (ER) and their 95%CIs: appeared in these papers were extracted. According to the differences in the size or direction (heterogeneity) of the results, we computed summary estimates of the effect values using a random-effect or fixed effect model. We also conducted the subgroup analysis and Meta-analysis to have assessed the selected studies for the evidence of study bias. Results: A total of 33 original studies, indexed in databases, were identified. Among those studies, 39 sets of data on mortality and 4 sets of data on emergency were valid to show that within the daily concentration range from 47.7 to 176.7 μg/m(3), for 10 μg/m(3) increases in PM(2.5) concentrations, it would increase the daily numbers of deaths by 0.49% (95%CI: 0.39%-0.59%) and 0.30% (95%CI: 0.10%-0.51%) for all-cause deaths and all-cause emergency-room visits, respectively. For subgroup analysis, the combined effect of PM(2.5) in causing short-term all-cause deaths in the northern areas (ER=0.42%, 95%CI: 0.30%-0.54%) seemed lower than that in the southern areas (ER=0.63%, 95%CI: 0.44%-0.82%). The combined effect of PM(2.5) concentration below 75 μg/m(3) (ER=0.50%, 95%CI: 0.37%-0.62%) was higher than that of PM(2.5) concentration ≥75 μg/m(3) (ER=0.39%, 95%CI: 0.26%-0.52%). Conclusion: Within the concentration range from 47.7 to 176.7 μg/m(3), short-term exposure to current level of PM(2.5) might increase both the all-cause daily mortality and daily emergency visits in China.
Air Pollutants ; Air Pollution/statistics & numerical data* ; China ; Databases, Factual ; Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data* ; Environmental Exposure/statistics & numerical data* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Particulate Matter/toxicity* ; Time Factors

<p>OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of novel P2Y(12) receptor inhibitors including prasugrel or ticagrelor on platelet reactivity in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and provide clinical data for novel oral P2Y(12) receptor inhibitors use among Chinese patients.p><p>METHODSBetween October 2011 to February 2014, 174 consecutive patients (135 males; (67.8±11.8) years old) with ACS undergoing PCI in Kiang Wu Hospital, Macau were prospectively enrolled in this study. Oral aspirin and one P2Y(12) receptor inhibitor were administered for 5 days or above after PCI, patients were divided into clopidogrel, prasugrel and ticagrelor groups in accordance with the agent administered. Platelet reactivity of the patients was detected by VerifyNow P2Y(12) reaction unit (PRU); and the high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) and non-HPR were defined as PRU≥208 and PRU<208 respectively. Patients with HPR during clopidogrel therapy were switched either to prasugrel or ticagrelor, or continued the same treatment; and then the platelet reactivity was monitored again.p><p>RESULTSThere were 113 clopidogrel cases (64.9%), 20 prasugrel cases (11.5%) and 41 ticagrelor cases (23.6%). Fifty-seven cases (32.8%) were defined as HPR post P2Y(12) receptor inhibitor use, in which 55 cases (55/113, 48.7%) were treated with clopidogrel. The degree of inhibition of platelet reactivity was significantly different in patients on clopidogrel, prasugrel and ticagrelor therapy, percent inhibition assayed by the VerifyNow P2Y(12) system was 28.2%±23.5%, 61.4%±26.7% and 81.3%±19.8% respectively (P<0.05). Different degree of platelet reactivity was achieved by the 3 P2Y(12) receptor inhibitors at multiple time points. The among-group differences in platelet reactivity became apparent at the early treatment stage (P<0.05). Platelet aggregation decreased significantly in patients switched from clopidogrel to prasugrel or ticagrelor (P<0.05).p><p>CONCLUSIONNovel oral P2Y(12) receptor inhibitors are more effective in inhibiting platelet reactivity in ACS patients, and our results show that novel oral P2Y(12) receptor inhibitors provide a new option for ACS patients with HPR post clopidogrel or high-risk features of ischemic complications, including stent thrombosis and post-PCI ischemic events.p>
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Adenosine ; analogs & derivatives ; Aged ; Aspirin ; Blood Platelets ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Platelet Aggregation ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; Platelet Function Tests ; Prasugrel Hydrochloride ; Prospective Studies ; Ticlopidine ; analogs & derivatives

Objective: To explore the relationship of family environment in childhood and adolescence and mental health in adulthood. Methods: A total of 791 subjects aged ≥25 years were selected through the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR). The short-form of Family Environment Scale-Chinese Version (FES-CV) was used to evaluate the family environment during childhood and adolescence in three dimensions: relationship, system maintenance and personal growth. The mental health status in adulthood was assessed with the Chinese version of 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). The generalized linear mixed model was used to examine their relationship. Results: About 4.6% of the subjects reported general or worse mental health status. Compared with the subjects with good mental status, statistical difference was observed only in parenting way among twins (living together or not). After adjusting the potential confounders, such as age, sex, zygosity, education and lifestyle (smoking, drinking and physical activity), good family relationship and system maintenance had a positive effect on mental health, with the OR (95%CI) of 0.66 (0.51-0.87) and 0.70 (0.50-0.98) respectively. Furthermore, parenting way did not modify the effect of family environment on mental health status in adulthood (interaction: P>0.05). In each scale, scores of cohesion and organization were positively correlated with mental health, while the score of conflict was negatively correlated with the mental health. Conclusion: Good family relationship and system maintenance in childhood and adolescence had a positive impact on mental health in adulthood.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; China ; Family Relations ; Female ; Humans ; Interpersonal Relations ; Male ; Mental Health ; Parenting

Objective: To explore the relationship between male sexual function and daily exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) at a reproductive center in Taiyuan. Methods: Male patients who were seeking treatment of infertility due to problems caused by either of the spouse were selected from the Shanxi reproductive center between September 2014 and April 2015. Information on general characteristics, sexual function and fasting venous blood samples were collected. Total scores of sexual function were evaluated by Delphi expert scoring method. Levels of serum BPA were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Data was analyzed by Spearman rank correlation, rank sum test, multivariate logistic regression analysis and χ(2) trend test. Relationship between BPA and sexual function was presented as OR and corresponding 95%CI. Results: Among the 353 participants, 45.0% was defined as sexual dysfunction with low sexual desire (47.3%) as the major reason. BPA was detected in all the 353 patients, with a range of concentration as 0.38-21.93 ng/ml and an average as 5.79 ng/ml. Results from the Spearman rank correlation analysis revealed significant negative correlations between serum BPA and sexual function, sexual desire, erectile ability and ejaculation intensity, while serum BPA was positively correlated with premature ejaculation. According to the four percentile of BPA concentration (ng/ml), the subjects were divided into four groups. Compared with the low concentration group (0.38-3.79 ng/ml), the risk of sexual dysfunction significantly increased in the groups with higher BPA levels. Particularly, in the highest BPA group (8.68-21.93 ng/ml), more obvious effects were seen on sexual dysfunction (OR=1.55, 95%CI:1.00-3.23), reduced sexual desire (OR=4.75, 95%CI: 2.44-9.22), reduced erection ability (OR=2.40, 95%CI: 1.18-4.88), reduced ejaculation intensity (OR=2.53, 95%CI: 1.25-5.16) and premature ejaculation (OR=1.95, 95%CI: 1.02-3.72). Conclusion: Low sexual desire appeared as the main type of male sexual dysfunction, the exposure to higher levels of BPA in daily life might lead to male sexual dysfunction.
Benzhydryl Compounds/toxicity* ; Ejaculation/drug effects* ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Erectile Dysfunction/chemically induced* ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure/adverse effects* ; Phenols/toxicity*

Objective: To investigate the economic burden of hepatitis C patients and related factors in Guangdong province. Methods: In this study, cluster sampling method was used to select cases, including acute hepatitis C, chronic hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis cases from eligible outpatients and inpatients in 1 or 2 large general hospitals in all the 21 cities in Guangdong province. Questionnaire survey was conducted for all the hepatitis C patients to analyze their economic burden, while multivariate linear regression model was used to identify the related influencing factors. Results: A total of 356 hepatitis C patients were enrolled in the study, with 176 outpatients (49.4%) and 180 inpatients (50.6%) respectively. The average age of the study subjects was (44.79±11.73) year-olds. The annual direct economic costs of patients with acute hepatitis C, chronic hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis were 10 703.22 (IQR: 7 396.75-16 891.91), 14 886.63 (IQR: 7 274.00-30 228.25) and 28 874.00 (IQR: 13 093.69-56 350.00) Yuan (RMB) respectively. The annual indirect costs appeared as 2 426.99 (IQR: 1 912.18-7 354.52), 3 235.99 (IQR: 1 323.81-6 619.07) and 5 442.35 (IQR: 3 235.99-10 296.33) Yuan (RMB) respectively. The annual intangible costs were 5 000.00 (IQR:2 000.00-10 000.00), 10 000.00 (IQR: 4 000.00-30 000.00) and 10 000.00 (IQR: 3 000.00-100 000.00) Yuan (RMB) respectively. The annual total costs were 22 306.17 (IQR: 14 581.24-50 569.17), 38 050.33 (IQR: 17 449.57-68 319.62) and 80 152.18 (IQR: 40 856.09-228 460.79) Yuan (RMB) respectively. Results from the multiple linear regression analysis showed that factors as: annual hospitalization days, annual number of outpatient visits, annual number of hospitalization, type of disease and the levels of the hospitals were related to the economic burden of patients with hepatitis C. Conclusion: Patients with HCV-related diseases presented serious economic problem which calls for close attention in Guangdong province.
Adult ; China/epidemiology* ; Cities ; Cost of Illness ; Female ; Health Care Costs/statistics & numerical data* ; Hepatitis B/epidemiology* ; Hepatitis C/economics* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis/epidemiology* ; Male ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective: To establish a classified evaluation system for recognizing the levels of influenza epidemics and to explore the new reporting system on influenza epidemics. Methods: The following 3 indicators, including 1) the number of influenza-like illness, 2) positive rate of detection on influenza virus nucleic acids, and 3) the number of influenza outbreaks were chosen to calculate the synthetic index and to classify the grades of evaluation. Results: 209 weeks during 2013-2017 were classified into 5 grades: Grade 1 were 110 weeks (52.63%), Grade 2 were 47 weeks (22.49%), Grade 3 were 44 weeks (21.05%), Grade 4 were 8 weeks (3.83%), and Grade 5 were 0 week. Conclusion: This classified evaluation system provided simple, comprehensive and comparable reference indicators and used for the evaluation on influenza epidemics, also providing suggestions for influenza prevention and control accordingly.
Beijing/epidemiology* ; Disease Outbreaks ; Epidemics ; Humans ; Influenza, Human/epidemiology* ; Population Surveillance ; Virus Diseases

Family-based cohort study is a special type of study design, in which biological samples and environmental exposure information of the member in a family are collected and related follow up is conducted. Family-based cohort study can be applied to explore the effect of genetic factors, environmental factors, gene-gene interaction, and gene-environment interaction in the etiology of complex diseases. This paper summarizes the objectives, methods and results, as well as the opportunities and challenges of the family-based cohort study on common chronic non-communicable diseases in rural population in northern China.
China/epidemiology* ; Chronic Disease/ethnology* ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Gene-Environment Interaction ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Noncommunicable Diseases/ethnology* ; Research Design ; Rural Population

Objective: To describe the regional and population-related differences in calcaneus bone mineral density (BMD) across ten regions of China. Methods: Based on the results: from the second Re-survey of China Kadoorie Biobank project, in which 5% of the surviving participants were interviewed during 2013-2014 and 24 677 participants aged 38-87 years were included in the study. We excluded those people with missing data for BMD and important variables. Calcaneus BMD was measured using the quantitative ultrasound bone densitometer. We analyzed four indexes, including broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), speed of sound (SOS), stiffness index (SI), and T score. Results The average calcaneus BMDs of the present population were: BUA (109.7±12.6) dB/MHz, SOS (1 554.7±45.6) m/s, SI (88.3±18.8), T score (-0.74±1.28). Urban residents showed higher calcaneus BMD, so as in men. The calcaneus BMD decreased by age, with a larger decline seen in women. Current smokers and postmenopausal women presented lower calcaneus BMD, while in those who frequently drank milk or yogurt or being physically more active, had higher calcaneus BMD. Conclusion: Calcaneus BMD varied greatly among people from the ten regions of CKB study and among participants having different demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors or health conditions.
Absorptiometry, Photon/methods* ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Density/physiology* ; Calcaneus/diagnostic imaging* ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Residence Characteristics ; Rural Population ; Sex Factors ; Ultrasonography ; Urban Population

Humans ; Lung Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Risk Factors