The Effects of Cardiometabolic Factors on the Association Between Serum Uric Acid and Chronic Kidney Disease in Chinese Middle-Aged and Older Population: A Mediation Analysis

IntroductionTo explore whether dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia or hypertension has mediating effect on the association between serum uric acid (SUA) and the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD).MethodsWe conducted a mediation analysis to explore the potential mediating effects of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), blood glucose, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) on the association between SUA and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The data were obtained from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), covering 5,762 individuals.ResultsSUA had a negative dose-response total effect on eGFR (β -3.11, 95% CI -3.40 to -2.82, P-value<0.001). The linear regression between SUA and seven potential mediators indicated that blood glucose (β 0.80, 95% CI 0.18 to 1.42, P-value=0.012), TG (β 10.01, 95% CI 8.22 to 11.79, P-value<0.001), TC (β 2.64, 95% CI 1.83 to 3.45, P-value<0.001), HDL-C (β -0.27, 95% CI -0.52 to -0.02, P-value=0.034) and LDL-C (β 1.15, 95% CI 0.49 to 1.80, P-value=0.001) all had significant dose-response association with SUA, but SBP and DBP showed no significant association with SUA. In terms of the association between potential mediators and eGFR, only TG (β 0.003, 95% CI -0.001 to 0.01, P-value=0.117) and HDL-C (β 0.01, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.04, P-value=0.444) did not have significant linear association with eGFR. The linear regression showed that SUA was directly associated with eGFR (P-value<0.001).ConclusionsThis study supported that the association between SUA and the risk of CKD was not mediated by hypertension, hyperglycemia or dyslipidemia

The Fangshan/Family-based Ischemic Stroke Study In China (FISSIC) protocol

Background: The exact etiology of ischemic stroke remains unclear, because multiple genetic predispositions and environmental risk factors may be involved, and their interactions dictate the complexity. Family-based studies provide unique features in design, while they are currently underrepresented for studies of ischemic stroke in developing countries. The Fangshan/Family-based Ischemic Stroke Study In China (FISSIC) program aims to conduct a genetic pedigree study of ischemic stroke in rural communities of China. Methods/Design: The pedigrees of ischemic stroke with clear documentation are recruited by using the proband-initiated contact method, based on the stroke registry in hospital and communities. Blood samples and detailed information of pedigrees are collected through the health care network in the rural area, and prospective follow-up of the pedigrees cohort is scheduled. Complementary strategies of both family-based design and matched case-spousal control design are used, and comprehensive statistical methods will be implemented to ascertain potential complex genetic and environmental factors and their interactions as well. Discussion: This study is complementary to other genetic pedigree studies of ischemic stroke, such as the Siblings With Ischemic Stroke Study (SWISS), which are established in developed countries. We describe the protocol of this family-based genetic epidemiological study that may be used as a new practical guideline and research paradigm in developing countries and facilitate initiatives of stroke study for international collaborations.http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000250034100001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=8e1609b174ce4e31116a60747a720701Genetics & HereditySCI(E)PubMed7ARTICLE60

Social mobilization and social marketing to promote NaFeEDTA-fortified soya sauce in an iron-deficient population through a public-private partnership

Abstract Objective: The present pilot project aimed to assess the effectiveness of social mobilization and social marketing in improving knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) and Fe status in an Fe-deficient population. Design: In an uncontrolled, before-after, community-based study, social mobilization and social marketing strategies were applied. The main outcomes included KAP and Hb level and were measured at baseline, 1 year later and 2 years later. Setting: One urban county and two rural counties in Shijiazhuang Municipality, Hebei Province, China. Subjects: Adult women older than 20 years of age and young children aged from 3 to 7 years were selected from three counties to attend the evaluation protocol. Results: After 1 year, most knowledge and attitudes had changed positively towards the prevention and control of anaemia. The percentage of women who had adopted NaFeEDTA-fortified soya sauce increased from 8?9 % to 36?6 % (P # 0?001). After 2 years, Hb levels had increased substantially, by 9?0 g/l (P # 0?001) in adult women and 7?7 g/l (P # 0?001) in young children. Conclusion: Social mobilization and social marketing activities had a positive impact on the KAP of adult women, and resulted in marked improvements in Hb levels in both adult women and young children. This should be recommended as a national preventive strategy to prevent and control Fe deficiency and Fedeficiency anaemia

Current Status of the Chinese National Twin Registry

The Chinese National Twin Registry is the first and largest population-based twin registry in China. It was established in 2001. The primary goal of this program is the establishment of a population-based twin registry of 45,000 twin pairs from several regions representing north, south, urban, and rural areas in China. A secondary goal is to study genetic contributions to complex diseases, and to test associations of candidate genes with related phenotypes. Seven thousand, four hundred and twenty-three twin pairs have been enrolled in the registry in which 1613 pairs have undergone detailed questionnaire assessments and physical examination. Based on the baseline registry, a twin cohort was established. Continued research includes studies on intermediate phenotypes of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and psychological studies in adult twins, studies on growth and development in adolescent twins, and so forth. The current state and future plans for the Chinese National Twin Registry will be discussed in this article.http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000243216600009&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=8e1609b174ce4e31116a60747a720701Genetics & HeredityObstetrics & GynecologySCI(E)PubMed17ARTICLE6747-752

Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Major Gastrointestinal Disorders for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Mixed Treatment Comparison Meta-Analysis

Aim. We aimed to integrate evidence from all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and assess the impact of different doses of exenatide or liraglutide on major gastrointestinal adverse events (GIAEs) in type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Methods. RCTs evaluating different doses of exenatide and liraglutide against placebo or an active comparator with treatment duration ≥4 weeks were searched and reviewed. A total of 35, 32 and 28 RCTs met the selection criteria evaluated for nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, respectively. Pairwise random-effects meta-analyses and mixed treatment comparisons (MTC) of all RCTs were performed. Results. All GLP-1 dose groups significantly increased the probability of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea relative to placebo and conventional treatment. MTC meta-analysis showed that there was 99.2% and 85.0% probability, respectively, that people with exenatide 10 μg twice daily (EX10BID) was more vulnerable to nausea and vomiting than those with other treatments. There was a 78.90% probability that liraglutide 1.2 mg once daily (LIR1.2) has a higher risk of diarrhea than other groups. A dose-dependent relationship of exenatide and liraglutide on GIAEs was observed. Conclusions. Our MTC meta-analysis suggests that patients should be warned about these GIAEs in early stage of treatment by GLP-1s, especially by EX10BID and LIR1.2, to promote treatment compliance

Assessing the association between dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors use and celiac disease through drug adverse event reporting

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) enzyme is an endoprotease that removes N-terminal prolines from intestinal peptides. These peptides include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which, as one of the main human incretin hormones produced by the gastrointestinal system, enhances insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner. Inhibition of DPP4 thus raises GLP-1 levels and has a glucose-lowering effect

Aqueous extract of Amydrium sinense (Engl.) H. Li alleviates hepatic fibrosis by suppressing hepatic stellate cell activation through inhibiting Stat3 signaling

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of the water extract of Amydrium sinense (Engl.) H. Li (ASWE) against hepatic fibrosis (HF) and clarify the underlying mechanism.Methods: The chemical components of ASWE were analysed by a Q-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometer. In our study, an in vivo hepatic fibrosis mouse model was established via an intraperitoneal injection of olive oil containing 20% CCl4. In vitro experiments were conducted using a hepatic stellate cell line (HSC-T6) and RAW 264.7 cell line. A CCK-8 assay was performed to assess the cell viability of HSC-T6 and RAW264.7 cells treated with ASWE. Immunofluorescence staining was used to examine the intracellular localization of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3). Stat3 was overexpressed to analyse the role of Stat3 in the effect of ASWE on HF.Results: Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses showed that candidate targets of ASWE, associated with protective effects against hepatic fibrosis, were related to inflammation response. ASWE ameliorated CCl4-induced liver pathological damage and reduced the liver index and alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels. ASWE also decreased the serum levels of collagen Ⅰ (Col Ⅰ) and hydroxyproline (Hyp) in CCl4-treated mice. In addition, the expression of fibrosis markers, including α-SMA protein and Acta2, Col1a1, and Col3a1 mRNA, was downregulated by ASWE treatment in vivo. The expression of these fibrosis markers was also decreased by treatment with ASWE in HSC-T6 cells. Moreover, ASWE decreased the expression of inflammatory markers, including the Tnf-α, Il6 and Il1β, in RAW264.7 cells. ASWE decreased the phosphorylation of Stat3 and total Stat3 expression and reduced the mRNA expression of the Stat3 gene in vivo and in vitro. ASWE also inhibited the nuclear shuttling of Stat3. Overexpression of Stat3 weakened the therapeutic effect of ASWE and accelerated the progression of HF.Conclusion: The results show that ASWE protects against CCl4-induced liver injury by suppressing fibrosis, inflammation, HSC activation and the Stat3 signaling pathway, which might lead to a new approach for preventing HF