Spatiotemporal pattern analysis of scarlet fever incidence in Beijing, China, 2005–2014

Objective: To probe the spatiotemporal patterns of the incidence of scarlet fever in Beijing, China, from 2005 to 2014. Methods: A spatiotemporal analysis was conducted at the district/county level in the Beijing region based on the reported cases of scarlet fever during the study period. Moran’s autocorrelation coefficient was used to examine the spatial autocorrelation of scarlet fever, whereas the Getis-Ord Gi* statistic was used to determine the hotspot incidence of scarlet fever. Likewise, the space-time scan statistic was used to detect the space-time clusters, including the relative risk of scarlet fever incidence across all settings. Results: A total of 26,860 scarlet fever cases were reported in Beijing during the study period (2005–2014). The average annual incidence of scarlet fever was 14.25 per 100,000 population (range, 6.76 to 32.03 per 100,000). The incidence among males was higher than that among females, and more than two-thirds of scarlet fever cases (83.8%) were among children 3–8 years old. The seasonal incidence peaks occurred from March to July. A higher relative risk area was mainly in the city and urban districts of Beijing. The most likely space-time clusters and secondary clusters were detected to be diversely distributed in every study year. Conclusions: The spatiotemporal patterns of scarlet fever were relatively unsteady in Beijing from 2005 to 2014. The at-risk population was mainly scattered in urban settings and dense districts with high population, indicating a positive relationship between population density and increased risk of scarlet fever exposure. Children under 15 years of age were the most susceptible to scarlet fever. © 2016 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Complete revascularization based on angiography derived fractional flow reserve versus incomplete revascularization in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Background: Nearly half of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients present with significant multivessel coronary artery disease, they are at high risk of subsequent adverse events. Whether complete revascularization guided by coronary angiography-derived fractional flow reserve (caFFR) further reduces such events risk is not fully investigated. Methods: In this study, 367 consecutive STEMI patients who underwent successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled. caFFR of all three coronary vessels were measured, including 367 culprit vessels and 703 non-culprit vessels. Complete revascularization was defined as post-PCI caFFR > 0.8 of all three coronary vessels. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE, a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal recurrent myocardial infarction, ischemia-driven revascularization and non-fatal stroke/transient ischemic attacks) during follow-up. Results: At a median follow-up of 3.8 years, MACE had occurred in 39 patients of the 220 (17.7%) in the complete revascularization group as compared with 49 patients of the 131 (37.4%) in the incomplete revascularization group (hazard ratio [HR] 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–3.0; p = 0.005). The incomplete revascularization in culprit vessels evaluated by caFFR showed the highest risk for MACE occurrence. Conclusions: In STEMI patients with multivessel coronary artery disease, incomplete revascularization based on caFFR might contribute to identifying patients at high-risk

White blood cell count predicts the odds of kidney function decline in a Chinese community-based population

Abstract Background Inflammatory processes are very important in the development of kidney disease. Nevertheless, the association between white blood cell (WBC) count and the risk of renal dysfunction has not been well-established, especially in subjects without chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our study investigated the association between WBC count and kidney function decline in a Chinese community-based population with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Methods A total of 3768 subjects who were enrolled in an atherosclerosis cohort in Beijing were included in this study. EGFRs were calculated at baseline and follow-up using the CKD-EPI formula. The outcomes of this study were renal function decline (RFD) (a drop in eGFR stage along with a decline in eGFR of 25% or exceeding 5 mL/min/1.73 m2/year), rapid eGFR decline (an annual decrease in eGFR exceeding 3 mL/min/1.73 m2), and incident CKD (eGFR <60 min/1.73 m2 at follow-up). Multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations between WBC count and each outcome. Results On average, the subjects were 56.6 ± 8.5 years old, and 35.9% were male. Of the participants, 48.6% had hypertension and 17.4% had diabetes. The mean (SD) WBC count at baseline was 6.1 ± 1.5 × 109/L. The mean (SD) eGFR at baseline was 101.1 ± 10.6 mL/min/1.73 m2. After 2.3 years follow-up, the incidence rates of RFD, rapid eGFR decline and new CKD were 7.7, 20.9, and 0.8%, respectively. WBC count was significantly related to RFD, rapid eGFR decline and new CKD in the univariate analyses. Even after adjustment for demographic variables, comorbidities, medications and baseline eGFR, these associations remained. Moreover, similar trends in RFD were observed in nearly all subgroups stratified by each confounding variable. The increase in the odds of RFD associated with each 109/L increase in WBC count was significantly greater in subjects not undergoing treatment with lipid-lowering drugs than those not undergoing this treatment (P-interaction: 0.05). Conclusions In conclusion, elevated WBC count served as a predictor of the odds of kidney function decline in this population, which supports the hypothesis that systemic inflammation may serve as a risk factor for CKD development

White blood cell count predicts the odds of kidney function decline in a Chinese community-based population

Background: Inflammatory processes are very important in the development of kidney disease. Nevertheless, the association between white blood cell (WBC) count and the risk of renal dysfunction has not been well-established, especially in subjects without chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our study investigated the association between WBC count and kidney function decline in a Chinese community-based population with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) &gt;= 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Methods: A total of 3768 subjects who were enrolled in an atherosclerosis cohort in Beijing were included in this study. EGFRs were calculated at baseline and follow-up using the CKD-EPI formula. The outcomes of this study were renal function decline (RFD) (a drop in eGFR stage along with a decline in eGFR of 25% or exceeding 5 mL/min/1. 73 m(2)/year), rapid eGFR decline (an annual decrease in eGFR exceeding 3 mL/min/1.73 m(2)), and incident CKD (eGFR &lt;60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) at follow-up). Multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations between WBC count and each outcome. Results: On average, the subjects were 56.6 +/- 8.5 years old, and 35.9% were male. Of the participants, 48.6% had hypertension and 17.4% had diabetes. The mean (SD) WBC count at baseline was 6.1 +/- 1.5 x 10(9)/L. The mean (SD) eGFR at baseline was 101.1 +/- 10.6 mL/min/1.73 m(2). After 2.3 years follow-up, the incidence rates of RFD, rapid eGFR decline and new CKD were 7.7, 20.9, and 0.8%, respectively. WBC count was significantly related to RFD, rapid eGFR decline and new CKD in the univariate analyses. Even after adjustment for demographic variables, comorbidities, medications and baseline eGFR, these associations remained. Moreover, similar trends in RFD were observed in nearly all subgroups stratified by each confounding variable. The increase in the odds of RFD associated with each 10(9)/L increase in WBC count was significantly greater in subjects not undergoing treatment with lipid-lowering drugs than those not undergoing this treatment (P-interaction: 0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, elevated WBC count served as a predictor of the odds of kidney function decline in this population, which supports the hypothesis that systemic inflammation may serve as a risk factor for CKD development.UM-PUHSC joint institute for translational and clinical research [BMU20110177]SCI(E)ARTICLE1

Compactonostoc shennongjiaensis gen. & sp. nov. (Nostocales, Cyanobacteria) from a wet rocky wall in China

Polyphasic taxonomic studies have been extensively carried out in cyanobacteria, resulting in the description of numerous cyanobacterial genera and species. The present study described a new cyanobacterial genus Compactonostoc gen. nov. based on a combination of morphological, genetic, and ecological evidence. The new genus was collected from a wet rocky wall in Shennongjia Forestry District, China. Colonies of the Compactonostoc strain were usually uniseriate or only in short segments biseriate when young, and filaments became densely entangled to form a macroscopic colony when mature; however, the filaments did not form spherical colonies. The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that Compactonostoc formed a unique cluster, separating from the Nostoc sensu stricto' clade and from the clades of the morphologically similar genera Komarekiella, Desmonostoc and Mojavia. The 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) secondary structure of the Compactonostoc strain showed a unique pattern of D1-D1, Box-B and V3 helix, which distinguished it from other heterocystous genera. Compactonostoc shennongjiaensis sp. nov. was designated as the type species of the genus

Elevated Serum Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Alteration of Thyroid Hormones in Children from Guiyu, China

Informal electronic waste (e-waste) recycling results in serious environmental pollution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and heavy metals. This study explored whether there is an association between PBDEs, heavy metal and key growth-and development-related hormones in children from Guiyu, an e-waste area in southern China. We quantified eight PBDE congeners using gas chromatographic mass spectrometry, lead and cadmium utilizing graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, three thyroids with radioimmunoassay and two types of growth hormones by an enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA) in 162 children, 4 to 6 years old, from Guiyu. In blood, median total PBDE was 189.99 ng/g lipid. Lead and cadmium concentrations in blood averaged 14.53 +/- 4.85 mu g dL(-1) and 0.77 +/- 0.35 mu g L-1, respectively. Spearman partial correlation analysis illustrated that lead was positively correlated with BDE153 and BDE183. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was positively correlated with almost all PBDE congeners and negatively correlated with insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), whereas free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) were negatively correlated with BDE154. However, no correlation between the hormones and blood lead or cadmium levels was found in this study. Adjusted multiple linear regression analysis showed that total PBDEs was negatively associated with FT3 and positively associated with TSH. Notably, FT4 was positively correlated with FT3, house functions as a workshop, and father's work involved in e-waste recycling and negatively correlated with vitamin consumptions. TSH was negatively related with FT4, paternal residence time in Guiyu, working hours of mother, and child bean products intake. IGFBP-3 was positively correlated with IGF-1 and house close to an e-waste dump. These results suggest that elevated PBDEs and heavy metals related to e-waste in Guiyu may be important risk factors for hormone alterations in children

White blood cell count associates with peripheral arterial disease in a Chinese community-based population

Inflammatory processes play an important role in the development of atherosclerotic disease. However, the relationship between white blood cell (WBC) count and the risk of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is not well established, especially in the Chinese population. A total of 9113 Chinese participants without acute inflammation from an atherosclerosis cohort were included in our analysis. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) was measured using Omron BP-203RPEIII machine. PAD was defined as ABI <0.9. Multivariate regression model was used to evaluate the association of WBC count and PAD status. Mean (standard deviation [SD]) WBC was 6.07 ± 1.59 × 109/L. Mean (SD) ABI was 1.10 ± 0.09 and the prevalence of PAD was 2.4%. WBC count was significantly associated with PAD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16–1.34, P < 0.001) with every 1 × 109/L increase of WBC count. This relationship remained statistically significant (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.10–1.28, P < 0.001) after adjustment for sex, age, body mass index, current smoking and drinking status, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, history of stroke and coronary heart disease, antihypertensive agents, lipid-lowering agents, and hypoglycemic agents. Consistently, PAD ratio was also dose-dependent related to the quartiles of WBC count in multivariate regression model (OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.05–2.64, P = 0.032; OR = 2.51, 95% CI: 1.61–3.92, P < 0.001, for Q3 or Q4 vs. Q1 group, respectively). Elevated WBC count independently associates with high PAD prevalence in a Chinese community-based population, which supports the hypothesis that systemic inflammation acts as a pivotal part in the etiology of the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Effect of baseline resting heart rate on the risk of all‐cause death in Chinese patients with hypertension

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the association between baseline resting heart rate (RHR) and all‐cause death in the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT). A post hoc analysis was conducted using data from 20,648 hypertensive adults without cardiovascular disease in the CSPPT and with baseline RHR data available. Over a median follow‐up duration of 4.5 years, the baseline RHR and risk for all‐cause death had a nonlinear relationship. The risk of all‐cause death was higher in participants with an RHR ≥85 bpm (hazard ratio 1.42; 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.96, p = .031) than in those with a baseline RHR of 75–80 bpm. The effect of RHR on all‐cause death during the treatment period was modified by the folate level (p = .020) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) during treatment(p = .056). The effect of RHR on the risk of all‐cause death was stronger when the folate level was low than when it was high; the risk was higher when the RHR was < 75 bpm or ≥80 bpm than when it was 75–80 bpm. RHR had a greater effect on the risk of all‐cause death when SBP during treatment was well controlled than when it was not; again, the risk was higher when the RHR was < 75 bpm or ≥80 bpm than when it was 75–80 bpm. A higher baseline RHR resulted in an increased risk of all‐cause mortality in Chinese adults with hypertension but no history of stroke or myocardial infarction

Protic ionic liquids with low viscosity for efficient and reversible capture of carbon dioxide

Protic ionic liquids (PILs) are considered as potential solvents for CO2 capture due to their simple synthetic routes and unique properties. In this work, three low viscous PILs, tetramethylgunidinium imidazole ([TMGH] [Im]), tetramethylgunidinium pyrrole ([TMGH][Pyrr]) and tetramethylgunidinium phenol ([TMGH][PhO]) were synthesized and the effect of anions, temperature, CO2 partial pressure and water content on CO2 absorption performance of PILs was also systematically studied. It was found that the PILs with larger basicity show higher CO2 absorption capacity, and [TMGH][Im] simultaneously shows relatively high absorption rate and CO2 absorption capacity of 0.154 g CO2/g IL at 40 degrees C, 1 bar. The addition of H2O has a positive effect on gravimetric absorption capacity of CO2 at the range of 0-20 wt% H2O, and the highest capacity of 0.186 g CO2/g IL was achieved as the water content was 7 wt%. In situ FTIR, C-13 NMR and theoretical calculations verified that more stable bicarbonate are produced during CO2 absorption by [TMGH][Im]-H2O system. However, neat [TMGH] [Im] can react with CO2 to form the reversible carbamate, leading to excellent recyclability after four absorption-desorption cycles. The results implied that neat [TMGH][Im] shows great potentials in CO2 absorption applications