Seroprevalence,disease awareness,and risk factors for Toxocara canis infection among primary schoolchildren in Makoko,an urban slum community in Nigeria

In this study, we investigated the seroprevalence of Toxocara canis infection in southern Nigeria, which previously was unknown, in addition to evaluating disease awareness and potential risk factors for schoolchildren in an urban slum community. In total, 366 primary schoolchildren were investigated for the presence of anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies. Blood was collected and screened by a Western blot analysis based on the excretory–secretory antigens of larval T. canis (TcES), targeting low molecular weight bands of 24–35 kDa specific for T. canis. Children were considered seropositive if their serum reacted with TcES when diluted to a titer of 1:32. Questionnaires concerning possible risk factors were given to the schoolchildren to acquire data on this infection. The overall seroprevalence of Toxocara infection was 86.1% (315/366). The logistic regression analysis of risk factors showed that children's age (odds ratio (OR) = 2.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.08–7.66, p = 0.03), contact with dogs (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.28–0.94, p = 0.03), the age of the dog (OR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.18–0.68, p = 0.002), the feeding location of the dog (OR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.12–0.79, p = 0.01), the consumption of raw vegetables (OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.54–1.48, p = 0.004), and the drinking of unboiled water (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.26–0.90, p = 0.02) were risk factors associated with Toxocara infection. Although there was a high awareness of dogs being hosts of some parasites in this study, not much was known about T. canis. This is the first serological investigation of T. canis infection among primary schoolchildren in southern Nigeria. The high seroprevalence recorded is an indication of high transmission with the consequent risk of visceral or ocular larval migrans and neurologic toxocariasis in these children. Our findings suggest the need for prompt interventional measures, particularly health education on personal hygiene.     

First report of Babesia bigemina infection in white yaks in China

White yaks, a unique yak breed and the pearl of the plateau, only live in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County (TTAC), Gansu Province, northwest China, contributing significantly to local economy. However, there was no information on the prevalence of Babesia bigemina in white yaks. In this study, a total of 974 serum samples collected from white yaks in TTAC were examined for specific antibodies against B. bigemina using a commercially available ELISA kit. The overall seroprevalence of B. bigemina in white yaks was 17.76% (173/974). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the risk factors associated with B. bigemina seroprevalence, and the results indicated that age, gender and the numbers of pregnancies of white yaks were not the significant risk factors. However, the white yaks in spring (OR = 3.523, 95% CI = 1.899–6.538, P < 0.001) and summer (OR = 3.439, 95% CI = 1.909–6.193, P < 0.001) encountered higher risk of being exposed to B. bigemina than that in winter. Thus, season was considered as a risk factor associated with B. bigemina infection. This is the first survey of B. bigemina seroprevalence in white yaks in China, which extends the host range for B. bigemina and provides useful information for controlling B. bigemina infection in white yaks.     

Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic sika deer (Cervus nippon) in northeastern China

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which can infect warm-blooded animals and humans. A serological survey was undertaken to examine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in sika deer in northeastern China. 114 (13.46%, 95% CI 11.16–15.76) out of 847 serum samples were positive to T. gondii by modi?ed agglutination test (MAT) at a 1:25 cut-off, with titers of 1:25 in 44, 1:50 in 32, 1:100 in 17, 1:500 in 11, 1:1500 or higher in 10. These samples were collected between November 2012 and October 2013 from Inner Mongolia, Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces in China. However, statistically signi?cant differences were not observed between T. gondii seroprevalence and genders or regions of sika deer in the logistic regression analysis (P > 0.05) and left out of the ?nal model. Seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in male sika deer was 14.07% (95% CI 11.14–17.01), slightly higher than that in the female (12.38%) (95% CI 8.69–16.06) and seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in Harbin, Changchun city, Jilin city and Chifeng city were 12.02% (95% CI 7.60–16.44), 15.51% (95% CI 11.52–19.50), 12.27% (95% CI 7.23–17.31) and 12.50% (95% CI 7.38–17.63), respectively. Seasons of sampling were considered as main risk factors associated with T. gondii infection, autumn (15.32%) were more than two times (OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.18–3.33, P = 0.01) at risk of acquiring T. gondii infection compared to winter (8.37%). Our results indicated a widespread exposure to T. gondii among sika deer in China. To our knowledge, this is the first report of T. gondii seroprevalence in sika deer in China.     

Differences in the clinical presentation and the frequency of complications between elderly and non-elderly scrub typhus patients

Age can affect the clinical features and severity of infectious disorders, such as scrub typhus. We performed this study to examine differences between elderly and non-elderly scrub typhus patients, and to identify risk factors predictive of disease outcomes. This retrospective study included patients admitted to a tertiary hospital with scrub typhus between 2001 and 2011. A total of 615 patients were enrolled in this study, 328 of which were >65 years of age. Of the elderly patients, 46.0% (151/328) experienced at least one complication compared to only 23.0% (66/287) in younger patients. A linear trend was observed between age and complication rates (p = 0.002). The most common complication in elderly patients was acute kidney injury (75, 22.9%). Treatment failure was reported in 10 elderly patients (3.0%) compared to one non-elderly patient (0.3%). Mental confusion and dyspnea of clinical manifestations at admission were common in elderly patients. Frequency of fever, rash, and eschar were similar in both groups. The following four factors were significantly associated with severe scrub typhus in elderly patients: (1) white blood cell (WBC) counts > 10,000/mm³ (OR = 2.569, CI = 1.298–5.086), (2) MDRD GFR < 60 mL/min (OR = 3.525, CI = 1.864–6.667), (3) albumin ≤ 3.0 g/dL (OR = 4.976, CI = 2.664–9.294), and (4) acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score > 10 points (OR = 3.304, CI = 1.793–60.87). Complications and mortality were more common in elderly patients, often associated with delays in diagnosis and treatment.     

Perceived sleep quality is associated with depression in a Korean elderly population

Our study aimed to examine the relationship between perceived sleep quality and depression using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Cole's model to materialize the concept of perceived sleep quality in the non-cognitively impaired elderly. Older adults aged 60+ were recruited from the baseline study of Suwon Project (SP) between 2009 and 2011 (n = 2040). Perceived sleep quality was measured using the Korean version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI-K), and depression was accessed using the Korean version of the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (SGDS-K). We excluded the cognitively impaired elderly using the Korean version-Mini Mental Status Examination (K-MMSE) score less than or equal to 17. In multivariable adjusted logistic regression related to PSQI-K components, poor perceived sleep quality, including poor subjective sleep quality (Odds ratio (OR) = 1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01–1.61), longer sleep latency (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.13–1.55) and the frequent use of sleeping medication (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.10–1.53) were significantly associated with depression after adjusting for age, sex, education, living status, current smoking and current alcohol drinking, the number of comorbidity and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). PSQI-K global score also had greater odds of reporting depression (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.07–1.16). These results suggested that poor perceived sleep quality was associated with a greater level of depression in the elderly.     

Association between rs13266634 C/T polymorphisms of solute carrier family 30 member 8 (SLC30A8) and type 2 diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, type 1 diabetes--a meta-analysis

Aims

To investigate the association of solute carrier family 30 member 8 (SLC30A8) rs13266634 C/T polymorphism with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and type 1 diabetes (T1DM).

Methods

We searched all the publications about the association between SLC30A8 and diabetes from PubMed, and evaluated the association between SLC30A8 rs13266634 C/T polymorphism and T2DM, IGT and T1DM, respectively, by meta-analysis of all the validated studies. Allelic and genotypic comparisons between cases and controls were evaluated.

Results

Thirty six studies were included in the meta-analysis: 31 studies were analysed for rs13266634 C/T polymorphism with T2DM, 3 studies with IGT and 4 studies with T1DM. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) for allelic and genotypic comparisons (including additive model, co-dominant model, dominant model and recessive model) showed that rs13266634 C/T polymorphism was significantly associated with increased T2DM risk: OR = 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.13-1.17, P < 0.001, P_{heterogeneity} = 0.041, OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.26-1.41, P < 0.001, P_{heterogeneity} = 0.908, OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.16-1.24, P < 0.001, P_{heterogeneity} = 0.699, and OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.17-1.30, P < 0.001, P_{heterogeneity} = 0.801, respectively. In subgroup analyses, we found that rs13266634 C/T polymorphism was associated with T2DM risk both in Asian and European subgroup (P < 0.001), but not in African (P > 0.05). And the pooled odds ratio (OR) for allelic frequency comparison showed that rs13266634 C/T polymorphism was also significantly associated with IGT: OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.06-1.26, P < 0.001, P_{heterogeneity} = 0.364. Meanwhile, our meta-analysis did not suggest that rs13266634 C/T polymorphism was associated with T1DM risk (P > 0.05): OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.98-1.06, P = 0.328, P_{heterogeneity} = 0.488 for allelic frequency comparison.

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis results revealed the significant association between rs13266634 C/T polymorphism and T2DM and IGT, but did not support the association between this polymorphism and T1DM.     

Thirty-day prevalence of delirium among very old people: A population-based study of very old people living at home and in institutions

Delirium has mainly been studied in various patient samples and in people living in institutions. The present study investigates the 30-day prevalence of delirium in a population-based sample of very old people in northern Sweden and Finland. Seven hundred and eight persons aged 85 years and older from the GErontological Regional DAtabase (GERDA) were assessed. Information was also collected from relatives, carers and medical records. Assessments performed were among others the Organic Brain Syndrome (OBS) scale, the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15). Delirium, depression and dementia diagnoses were based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) criteria. The prevalence of delirium was 17% among 85 year-olds, 21% among 90 year-olds and 39% among participants aged 95 years and older (p < 0.001). Delirium prevalence among individuals without dementia was lower than among those with dementia (5% vs. 52%, p < 0.001). Factors independently associated with delirium superimposed on dementia in a multivariate logistic regression model were depression (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.0, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.2–3.3), heart failure (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.2–3.7), institutional living (OR 4.4, 95% CI = 2.4–8.2) and prescribed antipsychotics (OR = 3.0, 95% CI = 1.5–6.0).     

Seroprevalence and risk factors of Chlamydia psittaci infection in domestic geese Anser domestica, in Hainan province of China

Chlamydia psittaci, the agent of psittacosis in humans, infects a wide range of bird species. To assess the risk of psittacosis posed by domestic geese in China, the seroprevalence of C. psittaci infection in domestic geese in Hainan province, tropical China was examined using indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA). The overall seroprevalence was estimated at 25.6% (461/1800; 95% CI: 23.6–27.6). The C. psittaci seroprevalence ranged from 19% (95% CI: 14.6–23.4) to 34% (95% CI: 28.6–39.4) among different regions in Hainan province, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). The risk factors significantly associated with C. psittaci seroprevalence were the presence of hygiene conditions, age, gender, and environment of geese in the farms. The results of the present investigation indicated the high seroprevalence of C. psittaci infection in geese in Hainan province, tropical China. Close contact with these geese is associated with a risk of zoonotic transmission of C. psittaci. Public education should be implemented to reduce the risk of avian to human transmission of such a pathogenic agent. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report documenting the occurrence of C. psittaci seroprevalence in geese in China.     

LCT-13910C > T polymorphism-associated lactose malabsorption and risk for colorectal cancer in Italy

Background

The activity of epithelial lactase (LCT) associates with a polymorphism 13910 bp upstream the LCT-encoding gene (LCT-13910C > T). The relationship between LCT-13910C > T polymorphism and risk for colorectal cancer is unclear.

Aims

We examined the relationship between the LCT-13910C > T polymorphism causing lactose intolerance and risk for colorectal cancer/polyps onset in the Italian population.

Patients and methods

793 subjects (306 with colorectal cancer, 176 with polyps and 311 controls) were genotyped for the LCT-13910C > T variant by TaqMan real time-PCR.

Results

Lactose malabsorption linked to the CC genotype did not associate with an increased risk for either colorectal cancer (OR = 1.041; 95% CI = 0.751–1.442; p = 0.868) or polyps (OR = 0.927; 95% CI = 0.630–1.363; p = 0.769). There was no association with colorectal cancer/polyps site. 60% of the subjects overall bore the CC genotype.

Conclusion

In the Italian population the LCT-13910C > T polymorphism is not associated to the risk for colorectal cancer or polyps.     

Long-term outcomes of biodegradable polymer versus durable polymer drug-eluting stents in patients with diabetes a pooled analysis of individual patient data from 3 randomized trials

Background

There is ongoing debate on the optimal drug-eluting stent (DES) in diabetic patients with coronary artery disease. Biodegradable polymer drug-eluting stents (BP-DES) may potentially improve clinical outcomes in these high-risk patients. We sought to compare long-term outcomes in patients with diabetes treated with biodegradable polymer DES vs. durable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents (SES).

Methods

We pooled individual patient-level data from 3 randomized clinical trials (ISAR-TEST 3, ISAR-TEST 4 and LEADERS) comparing biodegradable polymer DES with durable polymer SES. Clinical outcomes out to 4 years were assessed. The primary end point was the composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction and target-lesion revascularization. Secondary end points were target lesion revascularization and definite or probable stent thrombosis.

Results

Of 1094 patients with diabetes included in the present analysis, 657 received biodegradable polymer DES and 437 durable polymer SES. At 4 years, the incidence of the primary end point was similar with BP-DES versus SES (hazard ratio = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.74–1.21, P = 0.67). Target lesion revascularization was also comparable between the groups (hazard ratio = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.65–1.22, P = 0.47). Definite or probable stent thrombosis was significantly reduced among patients treated with BP-DES (hazard ratio = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.28–0.96, P = 0.04), a difference driven by significantly lower stent thrombosis rates with BP-DES between 1 and 4 years (hazard ratio = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.03–0.70, P = 0.02).

Conclusions

In patients with diabetes, biodegradable polymer DES, compared to durable polymer SES, were associated with comparable overall clinical outcomes during follow-up to 4 years. Rates of stent thrombosis were significantly lower with BP-DES.     

Socioeconomic and environment determinants as predictors of severe malaria in children under 5 years of age admitted in two hospitals in Koudougou district,Burkina Faso: A cross sectional study

Burkina Faso has a high incidence and death rate of severe malaria, especially for children under 5 years of age. Although the malaria elimination program is a high-priority public health project, finding an effective strategy for managing the problem is a major challenge. Understanding the various factors that contribute to the severity of malaria is essential in designing an effective strategy. In this study, parental and environmental factors associated with severe malaria in Burkinabè children were investigated in two hospitals in Koudougou Health District, Burkina Faso. Between July and September 2012, a cross-sectional study was used to test 510 children under 5 years of age (mean age: 23.5 months) admitted with suspected malaria. Each child was screened using a blood smear to identify whether he or she had severe malaria based on the criteria established by the World Health Organization (WHO). When a child was diagnosed with malaria, either severe or not severe, the parents were interviewed by a trained interviewer using a structured questionnaire. A logistic regression was used to identify the determinants of severe malaria and associated deaths. Of the 510 children having malaria, 201 (39.4%) had severe malaria. Most of the patients (54.9%) lived in rural areas. The main factors associated with severe malaria were low education level of the father, low socioeconomic status [odds ratio (OR) = 4.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.44–11.75], delayed treatment [OR = 4.53, 95% CI = 1.76–11.65], treating children at home as a typical practice when the child has a fever [OR = 3.24, 95% CI = 1.40–7.51], living in rural area [OR = 6.66, 95% CI = 3.36–13.22], and living beside a water gathering pond (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.02–2.74]. Parental and environmental context associated with severe malaria for children under 5 years of age remains a serious public health problem that affects malaria outcomes in resource-limited areas. Promotion of early care is urgently required. Parents should be given information on the risks of not consulting a health facility when children exhibit symptoms of malaria.     

Factors associated with COVID‐19 related hospitalisation,critical care admission and mortality using linked primary and secondary care data

BackgroundIt is important that population cohorts at increased risk of hospitalisation and death following a COVID‐19 infection are identified and protected.ObjectivesWe identified risk factors associated with increased risk of hospitalisation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality in inner North East London (NEL) during the first UK COVID‐19 wave.MethodsMultivariate logistic regression analysis on linked primary and secondary care data from people aged 16 or older with confirmed COVID‐19 infection between 01/02/2020 and 30/06/2020 determined odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (CI) and P‐values for the association between demographic, deprivation and clinical factors with COVID‐19 hospitalisation, ICU admission and mortality.ResultsOver the study period, 1781 people were diagnosed with COVID‐19, of whom 1195 (67%) were hospitalised, 152 (9%) admitted to ICU and 400 (23%) died. Results confirm previously identified risk factors: being male, or of Black or Asian ethnicity, or aged over 50. Obesity, type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) increased the risk of hospitalisation. Obesity increased the risk of being admitted to ICU. Underlying CKD, stroke and dementia increased the risk of death. Having learning disabilities was strongly associated with increased risk of death (OR = 4.75, 95% CI = [1.91, 11.84], P = .001). Having three or four co‐morbidities increased the risk of hospitalisation (OR = 2.34, 95% CI = [1.55, 3.54], P < .001; OR = 2.40, 95% CI = [1.55, 3.73], P < .001 respectively) and death (OR = 2.61, 95% CI = [1.59, 4.28], P < .001; OR = 4.07, 95% CI = [2.48, 6.69], P < .001 respectively).ConclusionsWe confirm that age, sex, ethnicity, obesity, CKD and diabetes are important determinants of risk of COVID‐19 hospitalisation or death. For the first time, we also identify people with learning disabilities and multi‐morbidity as additional patient cohorts that need to be actively protected during COVID‐19 waves.     

High prevalence of aspirin resistance in elderly patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and hyperhomocysteinaemia

Although aspirin resistance is well reported in CVD, little is known about aspirin response in elderly patients with hyperhomocysteinaemia. The aim of the present study was to explore the prevalence of aspirin resistance in elderly patients with CVD and hyperhomocysteinaemia. A total of 370 elderly patients with CVD were recruited. The study included 216 patients with hyperhomocysteinaemia and 154 patients with normohomocysteinaemia receiving daily aspirin therapy (≥75 mg) over 1 month. The effect of aspirin was assessed using by light transmission aggregometry (LTA). Aspirin resistance was defined as ≥20% arachidonic acid induced aggregation according to LTA. Aspirin resistance was defined in 48 (13.0%) of 370 patients. The prevalence of aspirin resistance was higher in hyperhomocysteinaemic patients than normohomocysteinaemic patients (16.7% vs. 7.8%, odds ratio (OR) = 2.367; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.188–4.715, p = 0.012). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, hyperhomocysteinaemia (OR = 2.406, 95% CI = 1.201–4.820, p = 0.013) was a significant risk factor for aspirin resistance. A significant number of CVD patients with hyperhomocysteinemia are resistant to aspirin therapy. Hyperhomocysteinemia is a significant risk factor for aspirin resistance in elderly patients with CVD.     

Risk stratification of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy based on signal averaged electrocardiograms

Background

Signal averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG) is a specific and non-invasive tool useful for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) diagnosis. However, its role in risk stratification of patients with ARVC remains largely undefined.

Methods

Sixty-four patients fulfilling Task Force ARVC criteria (mean age: 47 ± 14 years-old, 56% male, 50% definite ARVC) were enrolled. The baseline demographic, electrocardiographic, structural, and electrophysiological characteristics were collected. Patients with SAECG fulfilling all 3 Task Force criteria (3 + SAECG) were categorized into group 1, and those fulfilled 2 or less criterion were categorized into group 2. The study endpoints were unstable ventricular arrhythmia (VA), device detectable sustained fast VA (cycle lengths < 240 ms) and cardiovascular death.

Results

During a mean follow-up of 21 ± 20 months, 15 primary endpoints including 12 unstable VAs and 3 device-detected fast VAs were met. One patient died of electrical storm, and one patient underwent heart transplantation. The presence of 3 + SAECG predicted malignant events in all patients with definite and non-definite ARVC (p < 0.01, OR = 30.5, 95% CI = 2.5–373.7) and in patients with definite ARVC alone (p = 0.03, OR = 11.1, 95% CI = 1.3–93.9). Patients diagnosed with non-definite ARVC without 3 + SAECG were free from malignant events.

Conclusions

SAECG fulfilling all 3 Task Force criteria was an independent risk predictor of malignant events in ARVC patients. SAECG may play a valuable role in ARVC risk stratification.     

Risk factors of potentially inappropriate medications among older patients visiting the community health center in rural Taiwan

The adverse drug reactions caused by potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) are closely related to emergency department visits and acute hospital admissions in the elderly population. It has been reported that 11.5-14% of community-dwelling elderly patients were prescribed for at least one PIM, but little is known regarding to it in rural Taiwan. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of PIMs among older patients visiting the outpatient clinic of a community health center in rural Taiwan. In August of 2008, all elderly patients attended the outpatient clinic of a community health center in I-Lan County were enrolled for study. PIMs are evaluated by Beers’ criteria. In total, 327 patients (mean age: 74.8 ± 5.3 years old, 49.5% males) were enrolled, and 27.5% (90/327) of them were prescribed for at least one PIM. The most common PIMs were antihistamines (50.9%) and muscle relaxants (39.0%). In particular, 87.6% of these PIMs were having a high severity potential. Patients had PIMs were significantly older (76.2 ± 6.9 vs. 74.2 ± 6.1 years, p = 0.011), being prescribed for more drugs (3.7 ± 1.4 vs. 2.4 ± 1.7 items, p < 0.001), and more commonly to visit due to acute diseases (64.4% vs. 24.9%, p < 0.001) than those had no PIM. Multiple logistic regression showed that older age (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.00-1.09, p = 0.046), higher number of prescribed medications (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.39-1.98, p < 0.001), and diagnosis of acute diseases (OR = 8.98, 95% CI = 4.71-17.10, p < 0.001) are all independent risk factors for PIMs. In conclusion, the prevalence of PIMs in the outpatient clinic of the community health care center in rural Taiwan was 27.5%. Older age, higher number of prescribed medications and diagnosis of acute diseases are independent risk factors for PIMs in rural Taiwan.     

Body mass index (BMI), body composition and mortality of nursing home elderly residents

The body mass index (BMI) is a key marker of nutritional status among older patients, but does not reflect changes in body composition, The aim of the present study was to investigate BMI levels and body composition in a sample of disabled nursing home residents, and to study possible interrelations between BMI, fat-free body mass (FFM), body fat mass (BFM), skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and 1-year mortality rates. FFM and SMM were assessed by 24-h urine creatinine excretion and BFM as the difference between BMI and FFM. We calculated relative risk (RR) and odds ratio (OR) of 1-year mortality, associated with different levels of BMI, FFM index (where index = value/height²), SMM index and BFM index in 82 disabled institutionalized elderly patients. One-year mortality rate was 29.3%. Adjusted relative risk of mortality of low BMI patients was 1.45 (95% CI = 0.73-2.89; OR = 1.73) and 0.63 (95% CI = 0.33-1.60; OR = 0.72) in high BMI. Risk of mortality was higher in those having low FMM index or SMM index (RR = 2.42, 95% CI = 0.36-16.18; OR = 2.55 and RR = 3.22, 95% CI = 0.78-13.32; OR = 3.67, respectively). It is concluded that low FFM and SMM indexes among disabled nursing home residents are far better predictors than BMI for 1-year mortality estimation.     

Association between polymorphisms in RAPGEF1, TP53, NRF1 and type 2 diabetes in Chinese Han population

Type 2 diabetes is a common complex disorder with environmental and genetic components. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the polymorphisms of RAPGEF1, TP53 and NRF1 and the risk of type 2 diabetes in the Chinese Han population. We genotyped rs11243444 (RAPGEF1), rs1042522 (TP53) and rs1882095 (NRF1) in a case-control study, including 273 type 2 diabetes and 247 healthy controls. A significant association was found in a variant of TP53 (rs1042522, odd ratio (OR) = 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.00-1.64; P = 0.046), whereas polymorphisms in RAPGEF1, NRF1 were not associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, a potential gene-gene interaction showed the odds of being affected with type 2 diabetes was 2.54 times greater in subjects with the TP53 (rs1042522) and RAPGEF1 (rs11243444) risk alleles than those without either (95% CI = 1.34-4.81; P = 0.004) and the NRF1 gene polymorphism reached significance when paired with TP53:(OR = 3.87, 95% CI = 1.87-8.40; P = 0.0006). We demonstrated that the polymorphism in TP53 (rs1042522) was associated with type 2 diabetes, and that potential interaction of TP53 (rs1042522) and RAPGEF1 (rs11243444), or NRF1 (rs1882095) increased the risk of type 2 diabetes.     

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Haemophilus parasuis infection in Tibetan pigs in Tibet

Haemophilus parasuis is the causative agent of Glässer's disease, an important emerging infectious disease, but little is known of H. parasuis infection in Tibetan pigs in Tibet. The objective of the present investigation was to examine H. parasuis seroprevalence in Tibetan pigs in Tibet, China. Serum samples from 423 Tibetan pigs in Nyingchi, Tibet, China from April to December in 2010 were examined independently for the presence of antibodies against H. parasuis. A total of 147 (34.75%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 30.21–39.29) Tibetan pigs were tested positive for H. parasuis antibodies by the indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) using a kit commercially available. 80 of 231 in Nyingchi (34.63%, 95% CI 28.50–40.77) and 67 of 192 in Mainling (34.89%, 95% CI 28.15–41.64) were tested positive, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05, χ² = 0.003). The prevalence ranged from 19.72% (95% CI 10.46–28.97) to 75.00% (95% CI 32.57–100) varying in different age groups, with higher prevalence in breeding boars than in piglets, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The prevalence of H. parasuis infection in males (45.03%, 95% CI 37.57–52.49) was significantly higher than that in the female (30%, 95% CI 22.41–37.59) pigs (P < 0.05, χ² = 7.361). Gender of Tibetan pigs was the main risk factor associated with H. parasuis infection. The results of the present survey indicated a wide distribution of H. parasuis among Tibetan pigs in Tibet, China and further investigation should better assess circulation of H. parasuis in Tibetan pigs. To the best of our knowledge, the present study represents the first report of H. parasuis infection in Tibetan pigs in China.     

Association between polymorphisms in the interleukin-10 gene and susceptibility to human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:This study meta-analyzed the literature on possible association of 3 polymorphisms (-592, -1082, -819) in the interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene with susceptibility to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection.Methods:PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE and Google Scholar were systematically searched to identify relevant studies in English. Meta-analyses were performed to examine the association of IL-10 polymorphisms -592, -1082, and -819 with susceptibility to HIV-1 infection.Results:A significant association between the -592 polymorphism and susceptibility to HIV-1 infection was found in the total population (recessive model, odds ratios (OR) = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.06–1.96, P = .02; homozygous model, OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.02–2.02, P = .04). However, these results were not observed in subgroups based on ethnicity. The -1082 polymorphism was significantly associated with susceptibility to HIV-1 infection in Caucasians (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.05–1.62, P = .02; recessive model, OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.09–2.03, P = .01; homozygous model, OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.01–2.46, P = .04), but not in Asians or the total population. None of the 5 genetic models suggested a significant association between the -819 polymorphism and HIV-1 infection.Conclusion:The available evidence indicates that the AA genotype of IL-10 -592 may confer increased susceptibility to HIV-1 infection, and that the AA genotype of -1082 may confer increased susceptibility in Caucasians. In contrast, the -819 polymorphism may not be associated with HIV-1 infection risk. These conclusions should be verified in large, well-designed studies.