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Background: We aimed to explore the association between long-term exposure to particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components including fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood pressure, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and waist circumference among adults and elderly in south China.Methods: We surveyed 6628 participants in the chronic disease and risk factors surveillance conducted in 14 districts of Guangdong province in 2015. MetS was defined based on the recommendation by the Joint Interim Societies' criteria. We used the spatiotemporal land-use regression (LUR) model to estimate the two-year average exposure of ambient air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and O3) at individual levels. We recorded other covariates by using a structured questionnaire. Generalized linear mixed model was used for analysis.Results: A 10-μg/m3 increase in the two-year mean PM2.5 exposure was associated with a higher risk of developing MetS [odd ratio (OR): 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01, 1.35], increased risk of fasting blood glucose level. (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.36), and hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.18, 1.58) in the adjusted/unadjusted models (all P < 0.05). We found significant interaction between PM2.5 and the region, exercise on the high TG levels, and an interaction with the region, age, exercise and grain consumption on FBG (P interaction < 0.05).Conclusions: Long-term exposure to PM2.5 was associated with MetS, dyslipidemia and FBG impairment. Efforts should be made for environment improvement to reduce the burden of MetS-associated non-communicable disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We hypothesized that exposure to polluting fuels for cooking was associated with abnormality of glucose metabolism and diabetes mellitus (DM) in south urban China. 3414 residents were surveyed in 14 urban areas of Guangdong Province in 2018. We recorded polluting fuels for cooking exposure, different DM status (DM, prediabetes), fasting blood glucose (FBG), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and other covariates by using a structured questionnaire. We conducted logistic regression model and multivariate linear regression model based on propensity‐score method (inverse probability of weighting) to examine the effect of polluting fuels for cooking exposure on DM and glucose metabolism. Exposure to polluting fuels for cooking was associated with DM (odds ratio: 2.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.71 to 3.86) and prediabetes (odds ratio: 1.98, 95% confidence interval: 1.52 to 2.58) in both the adjusted and unadjusted models (all p < 0.05). Exposure to polluting fuels for cooking was significantly associated with an increase of FBG (β: 0.30 mmol/L, 95% confidence interval: 0.22 to 0.38 mmol/L). Sensitivity analysis showed that the results were not substantially changed. There was an increased risk of DM, prediabetes and high levels of FBG, OGTT, and HbA1c among participants aged ≥ 40 years with exposure to polluting fuels for cooking. We demonstrated that exposure to polluting fuels for cooking was associated with higher levels of FBG, which contributed to the increased risk of DM and prediabetes in middle‐aged elderly Chinese population living in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The epidemiological evidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) mortality in mainland China is lacking. We aimed to assess the trends of TBI and SCI mortality, and their association with sex, age, location and external causes of injury in south China.Methods: Mortality data were derived from the Disease Surveillance Points (DSPs) system of Guangdong province between 2014 and 2018. We examined the trends in mortality with Cochran-Armitage trend test, and the association between the socio-demographic factors and the TBI and SCI mortality by using negative binomial models. Subgroup analysis was performed by stratifying the external causes of TBI and SCI.Results: The age-standardized TBI mortality remained relatively stable (from 11.6 to 15.4 per 100,000), while the SCI mortality increased by 148.3% from 2014 to 2018. Compared with females and urban residents, the adjusted mortality rate ratios of males and rural residents were 2.3 and 2.0 for TBI, and 2.2 and 4.6 for SCI, respectively. TBI and SCI mortality increased substantially with age. Motor vehicle crashes and falls were the leading causes of TBI mortality in residents aged under 75 years and over 75 years, respectively. Falls were the most important external cause for SCI death of all ages.Conclusions: Being male, rural and elderly residents are at higher risk of dying from TBI and SCI. The substantial burden of TBI and SCI caused by road traffic crashes and falls has called for the urgent need to improve injury prevention, pre-hospital aid, hospital treatment and recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We sought to investigate the association between active cigarette smoking (ex‐ and current smokers) with or without exposure to biomass fuels and respiratory symptoms/lung function in middle‐aged adults and the elderly. In the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease surveillance conducted in six cities of Guangdong province, China, we surveyed 1986 residents aged 40‐93 years. We recorded respiratory symptoms, smoking status, use of biomass fuel, and other covariates by using a structured questionnaire. All models were adjusted for second‐hand smoking. Active smoking with or without exposure to biomass fuels was significantly associated with wheezing, chronic cough, and phlegm (all P <.05). Active smoking alone with or without exposure to biomass fuels was associated with 2.5% and 0.6% reduction in the mean forced vital capacity predicted, 6.8% and 4.2% reduction in the mean forced expiratory volume in one second predicted, and 9.0% and 4.7% reduction in the mean maximal mid‐expiratory flow predicted compared with the exposure to neither smoking nor biomass fuels, respectively. However, exposure to biomass fuel alone was associated with neither greater lung function impairment nor respiratory symptoms except for chronic cough. Efforts should be made to protect home owners and their family from adverse effects of indoor air pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite increased understanding of how viral infection is involved in asthma exacerbations, it is less clear which viruses are involved and to what extent they contribute to asthma exacerbations. Here, we sought to determine the prevalence of different respiratory viruses during asthma exacerbations. Systematic computerized searches of the literature up to June 2017 without language limitation were performed. The primary focus was on the prevalence of respiratory viruses, including AdV (adenovirus), BoV (bocavirus), CoV (coronavirus), CMV (cytomegalovirus), EnV (enterovirus), HSV (herpes simplex virus), IfV (influenza virus), MpV (metapneumovirus), PiV (parainfluenzavirus), RV (rhinovirus) and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) during asthma exacerbations. We also examined the prevalence of viral infection stratified by age, geographic region, type of respiratory secretion, and detection method. Sixty articles were included in the final analysis. During asthma exacerbations, the mean prevalence of AdV, BoV, CoV, CMV, EnV, HSV, IfV, MpV, PiV, RV and RSV was 3.8%, 6.9%, 8.4%, 7.2%, 10.1%, 12.3%, 10.0%, 5.3%, 5.6%, 42.1% and 13.6%, respectively. EnV, MPV, RV and RSV were more prevalent in children, whereas AdV, BoV, CoV, IfV and PiV were more frequently present in adults. RV was the major virus detected globally, except in Africa. RV could be detected in both the upper and lower airway. Polymerase chain reaction was the most sensitive method for detecting viral infection. Our findings indicate the need to develop prophylactic polyvalent or polyvirus (including RV, EnV, IfV and RSV) vaccines that produce herd immunity and reduce the healthcare burden associated with virus-induced asthma exacerbations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulating studies have shown that bats could harbor various important pathogenic viruses that could be transmitted to humans and other animals. Extensive metagenomic studies of different organs/tissues from bats have revealed a large number of novel or divergent viruses. To elucidate viral diversity and epidemiological and phylogenetic characteristics, six pooled fecal samples from bats were generated (based on bat species and geographic regions characteristic for virome analysis). These contained 500 fecal samples from six bat species, collected in four geographic regions. Metagenomic analysis revealed a plethora of divergent viruses originally found in bats. Multiple contigs from influenza A virus and coronaviruses in bats shared high identity with those from humans, suggesting possible cross-species transmission, whereas a number of contigs, whose sequences were taxonomically classifiable within Alphapapillomavirus, Betaretrovirus, Alpharetrovirus, Varicellovirus, Cyprinivirus, Chlorovirus and Cucumovirus had low identity to viruses in existing databases, which indicated possible evolution of novel viral species. None of the established caliciviruses and picornaviruses were found in the 500 fecal specimens. Papillomaviruses with high amino acid identity were found in Scotophilus kuhlii and Rhinolophus blythi, challenging the hypotheses regarding the strict host specificity and co-evolution of papillomaviruses. Phylogenetic analysis showed that four bat rotavirus A strains might be tentative G3 strains, according to the Rotavirus Classification Working Group classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, where air pollution has become a major threat to public health, public awareness of the detrimental effects of air pollution on respiratory health is increasing-particularly in relation to haze days. Air pollutant emission levels in China remain substantially higher than are those in developed countries. Moreover, industry, traffic, and household biomass combustion have become major sources of air pollutant emissions, with substantial spatial and temporal variations. In this Review, we focus on the major constituents of air pollutants and their impacts on chronic respiratory diseases. We highlight targets for interventions and recommendations for pollution reduction through industrial upgrading, vehicle and fuel renovation, improvements in public transportation, lowering of personal exposure, mitigation of the direct effects of air pollution through healthy city development, intervention at population-based level (systematic health education, intensive and individualised intervention, pre-emptive measures, and rehabilitation), and improvement in air quality. The implementation of a national environmental protection policy has become urgent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have reported the detection of herpesviruses (HVs) in bats. However, the prevalence and phylogenetic characteristics of HVs in bats are still poorly understood. To elucidate the epidemiological characteristics of bat HVs in southern China, 520 fecal samples from eight bat species were collected in four geographic regions of southern China. Of these samples, 73 (14.0 %) tested positive for HVs using nested polymerase chain reaction assay. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a high degree of molecular diversity of HVs in bats of different species from different geographic regions. Our study provides evidence for co-evolution of bats and HVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Air pollution constitutes a significant stimulus of asthma exacerbations; however, the impacts of exposure to major air pollutants on asthma-related hospital admissions and emergency room visits (ERVs) have not been fully determined. Objective: We sought to quantify the associations between short-term exposure to air pollutants [ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter ≤10μm (PM10) and PM2.5] and the asthma-related emergency room visits (ERV) and hospitalizations. Methods: Systematic computerized searches without language limitation were performed. Pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were estimated using the random-effect models. Sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses were also performed. Results: After screening of 246 studies, 87 were included in our analyses. Air pollutants were associated with significantly increased risks of asthma ERVs and hospitalizations [O3: RR(95%CI), 1.009 (1.006, 1.011); I2 = 87.8%, population-attributable fraction (PAF) (95%CI): 0.8 (0.6, 1.1); CO: RR(95%CI), 1.045 (1.029, 1.061); I2 = 85.7%, PAF (95%CI): 4.3 (2.8, 5.7); NO2: RR(95%CI), 1.018 (1.014, 1.022); I2 = 87.6%, PAF (95%CI): 1.8 (1.4, 2.2); SO2: RR(95%CI), 1.011 (1.007, 1.015); I2 = 77.1%, PAF (95%CI): 1.1 (0.7, 1.5); PM10: RR(95%CI), 1.010 (1.008, 1.013); I2 = 69.1%, PAF (95%CI): 1.1 (0.8, 1.3); PM2.5: RR(95%CI), 1.023 (1.015, 1.031); I2 = 82.8%, PAF (95%CI): 2.3 (1.5, 3.1)]. Sensitivity analyses yielded compatible findings as compared with the overall analyses without publication bias. Stronger associations were found in hospitalized males, children and elderly patients in warm seasons with lag of 2 days or greater. Conclusion: Short-term exposures to air pollutants account for increased risks of asthma-related ERVs and hospitalizations that constitute a considerable healthcare utilization and socioeconomic burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a potent inhibitor of allergic diseases, the association between promoter −1082/−819/−592 polymorphisms and asthma susceptibility remains inconclusive. We sought to determine if IL-10 promoter −1082/−819/−592 polymorphisms contribute to asthma susceptibility and are associated with phenotypes of atopic asthma. Methods: Systematic computerized searches were performed. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by using random-effect and fixed-effect models, based on between-study heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses were performed according to age, ethnicity, and atopy. Publication bias was detected by funnel plot using Egger's test. Results: A total of 4,716 asthmatic patients and 5,093 controls were included. The asthma susceptibility correlated significantly with IL-10 promoter gene −1082 polymorphism [OR (95 % CI) 1.26 (1.02, 1.55) for AA vs. AG + GG] and −592 polymorphism [OR (95 % CI) 1.12 (1.07, 1.34) for AC + AA vs. CC] (both P < 0.05), but not with −819 polymorphism ( P > 0.05). Subgroup analyzes suggested that the AA versus AG + GG genotype of −1082A/G polymorphism and AC + AA versus CC genotype of −592A/C polymorphism contributed significantly to increased asthma susceptibility in adults [OR (95 % CI) 1.39 (1.03, 1.87) for −1082A/G and 1.53 (1.25, 1.87) for −592A/C polymorphism]. The Asian population [OR (95 % CI) 1.35 (1.1, 1.7) for −1082A/G and 1.4 (1.12, 1.64) for −592A/C polymorphism] and subjects with atopic asthma [OR (95 % CI) 1.49 (1.18, 1.88) for −1082A/G and 1.23 (1.01, 1.48) for −592A/C polymorphism] also had an increased susceptibility of asthma. No publication bias was detected. Conclusions: IL-10 promoter −1028A/G, −592A/C polymorphisms and their haplotypes, but not −819T/C polymorphism, correlate with asthma susceptibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We sought to investigate the association between household exposure to biomass fuel and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components including blood pressure, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and waist circumference among females in southern rural China. We surveyed 1664 residents in the Chronic Disease and Risk Factors Surveillance , conducted in 14 districts of Guangdong province. We recorded the use of biomass fuel, MetS and its components, and other covariates by using a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression model and multivariate linear regression model were adopted for analysis. Exposure to biomass fuel was significantly associated with an increase of systolic blood pressure (SBP) (β: 2.15, 95% confidence interval: 0.13 to 4.17) and FBG (β: 0.19, 95% confidence interval: 0.01 to 0.37) in the adjusted and unadjusted models (all P < 0.05). Among participants with exposure to biomass fuel, being overweight or obese was associated with an increased risk of having hypertension (odds ratio: 3.19, 95% confidence interval: 2.13 to 4.76) and higher FBG levels (odds ratio: 2.10, 95% confidence interval: 1.46 to 3.02). Exposure to biomass fuel was significantly associated with a decrease of the prevalence of central obesity (P < 0.05). However, exposure to biomass fuel was not associated with MetS, diastolic blood pressure and TG (all P > 0.05). Exposure to biomass fuel is associated with an increase in blood pressure and FBG levels, but not MetS per se. Efforts should be made to protect females in southern rural China from the adverse effects associated with biomass fuel pollution. • This is the first study delineating the association between biomass fuel and multiple MetS components. • Biomass fuel was associated with increased blood pressure and FBG. • Overweight or obese women who were exposed to biomass fuel had a higher risk of hypertension. • Higher FBG associated with biomass fuel exposure was detected in overweight or obese participants. • Biomass fuel exposure was not associated with the development of MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 8- or 24-hour O 3 , NO 2 and SO 2 levels correlated with asthma ERVs and hospitalization. • Heterogeneity was observed in all pollutants except for 8- or 24-hour O 3 and 24-hour NO 2. • There was no major evidence of publication bias. • The certainty of evidence was high for 8- or 24-hour O 3 and 24-hour NO 2. Air pollution is a major environmental hazard to human health and a leading cause of morbidity for asthma worldwide. To assess the current evidence on short-term effects (from several hours to 7 days) of exposure to ozone (O 3), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), and sulphur dioxide (SO 2) on asthma exacerbations, defined as emergency room visits (ERVs) and hospital admissions (HAs). We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and other electronic databases to retrieve studies that investigated the risk of asthma-related ERVs and HAs associated with short-term exposure to O 3 , NO 2 , or SO 2. We evaluated the risks of bias (RoB) for individual studies and the certainty of evidence for each pollutant in the overall analysis. A subgroup analysis was performed, stratified by sex, age, and type of asthma exacerbation. We conducted sensitivity analysis by excluding the studies with high RoB and based on the E-value. Publication bias was examined with the Egger's test and with funnel plots. Our literature search retrieved 9,059 articles, and finally 67 studies were included, from which 48 studies included the data on children, 21 on adults, 14 on the elderly, and 31 on the general population. Forty-three studies included data on asthma ERVs, and 25 on asthma HAs. The pooled relative risk (RR) per 10 µg/m3 increase of ambient concentrations was 1.008 (95%CI: 1.005, 1.011) for maximum 8-hour daily or average 24-hour O 3 , 1.014 (95%CI: 1.008, 1.020) for average 24-hour NO 2 , 1.010 (95%CI: 1.001, 1.020) for 24-hour SO 2 , 1.017 (95%CI: 0.973, 1.063) for maximum 1-hour daily O 3 , 0.999 (95%CI: 0.966, 1.033) for 1-hour NO 2 , and 1.003 (95%CI: 0.992, 1.014) for 1-hour SO 2. Heterogeneity was observed in all pollutants except for 8-hour or 24-hour O 3 and 24-hour NO 2. In general, we found no significant differences between subgroups that can explain this heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis based on the RoB showed certain differences in NO 2 and SO 2 when considering the outcome or confounding domains, but the analysis using the E-value showed that no unmeasured confounders were expected. There was no major evidence of publication bias. Based on the adaptation of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation , the certainty of evidence was high for 8-hour or 24-hour O 3 and 24-hour NO 2 , moderate for 24-hour SO 2 , 1-hour O 3 , and 1-hour SO 2 , and low for 1-hour NO 2. Short-term exposure to daily O 3 , NO 2 , and SO 2 was associated with an increased risk of asthma exacerbation in terms of asthma-associated ERVs and HAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is possible that cross-over studies included in current systematic reviews are being inadequately assessed, because the current risk of bias tools do not consider possible biases specific to cross-over design. We performed this study to evaluate whether this was being done in cross-over studies included in Cochrane Systematic Reviews (CSRs). Methods: We searched the Cochrane Library (up to 2013 issue 5) for CSRs that included at least one cross-over trial. Two authors independently undertook the study selection and data extraction. A random sample of the CSRs was selected and we evaluated whether the cross-over trials in these CSRs were assessed according to criteria suggested by the Cochrane handbook. In addition we reassessed the risk of bias of these cross-over trials by a checklist developed form the Cochrane handbook. Results: We identified 688 CSRs that included one or more cross-over studies. We chose a random sample of 60 CSRs and these included 139 cross-over studies. None of these CSRs undertook a risk of bias assessment specific for cross-over studies. In fact items specific for cross-over studies were seldom considered anywhere in quality assessment of these CSRs. When we reassessed the risk of bias, including the 3 items specific to cross-over trials, of these 139 studies, a low risk of bias was judged for appropriate cross-over design in 110(79%), carry-over effects in 48(34%) and for reporting data in all stages of the trial in 114(82%).Assessment of biases in cross-over trials could affect the GRADE assessment of a review’s findings. Conclusion: The current Cochrane risk of bias tool is not adequate to assess cross-over studies. Items specific to cross-over trials leading to potential risk of bias are generally neglected in CSRs. A proposed check list for the evaluation of cross-over trials is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Early detection and precise diagnosis are critical for the patients with lung cancer. Increasing evidence has suggested that microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the diagnosis of lung cancer. To evaluate the overall diagnostic performance of sputum miRNAs for the detection of lung cancer, a meta-analysis was performed. Methods: A systematic search for published literature evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of sputum miRNAs in lung cancer was performed to determine pooled sensitivity and specificity. A summary receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed to assess the overall test performance. Subgroup analysis was utilized to explore potential sources of heterogeneity in the included studies. Results: Eight studies with a total of 514 patients and 491 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Sputum miRNAs had a pooled sensitivity of 0.70 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.66-0.70) and a pooled specificity of 0.89 (95% CI: 0.86-0.91) for the detection of lung cancer, with an area under the summary receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.83. Significant interstudy heterogeneity for specificity was observed, with miRNA profiles being a possible source. Conclusion: Sputum miRNAs are potentially useful noninvasive markers for diagnosis of lung cancer. The diagnostic specificity of sputum miRNAs may be influenced by the miRNA profiles. It would be important for further work to evaluate the generalizability of our results by methodologically rigorous studies on a well-defined patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Published data on the rs2910164 in microRNA-146a (miR-146a) are shown to be associated with increased or decreased autoimmune diseases risk. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, we performed a meta-analysis to systematically summarize the possible. A meta-analysis including 11 studies with 3042 controls and 2197 cases was performed for genotypes CC (recessive effect), CC+CG (dominant effect) and C allele in fixed or random-effects models based on between-study heterogeneity. Overall, no significant association between miR-146a G/C rs2910164 polymorphism and autoimmune diseases risk was found in all genetic models when all studies were pooled into the meta-analysis. SLE (OR=0.99, 95% CI: 0.90–1.10), RA (OR=0.98, 95% CI: 0.85–1.14) did not yield statistical significance as for C allele pooled studies. In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, still no significant association was detected in all genetic models. Our meta-analysis suggests that there is no association between miR-146a G/C rs2910164 polymorphism and the development of autoimmune diseases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Japanese encephalitis caused by Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is an endemic zoonotic disease of high public health importance in the Asian Pacific region. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of JEV infection in commensal and field rodents in South China. Materials and Methods: RNA copies of JEV were detected in brain samples of rodents using real-time RT-PCR. Detection of serum against JEV-reactive antibodies was performed using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and microneutralization test. Results: In total, 198 rodents were collected from Guangzhou City and Xiamen City between November 2013 and May 2014. JEV RNA was not detected in 188 brain samples. Forty-four in 96 serum samples (45.8%) were positive for JEV-reactive IgG antibodies. The prevalence of neutralizing antibodies to against JEV-reactive in these serum samples was 61.5% (24/39), with titers ranging from 1:10 to 1:56. Conclusion: Rodents are not known to play a role in transmission of JEV in Asia, nor is there an evidence to support a role for rodents in transmission of other related flaviviruses in China. However, in the current study, we detected evidence of JEV-reactive antibodies in large numbers of Rattus norvegicus and Rattus losea Swinhoe. Further studies of rodents as potential hosts of JEV or other related flaviviruses are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although inherited and immune disorder factors are known to be involved in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), controversy still exists as to whether maternal autoimmune disease is an independent risk of ASD in offspring. We aimed to quantitatively summarize the risk of ASD in offspring in relation to maternal autoimmune diseases. A literature search in Pubmed, Web of science, Embase, and China national knowledge internet was conducted to identify relevant studies. Pooled odd ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were computed by STATA version 12.0. Nine case-control studies and one cohort studies comprising 9775 cases and 952,211 controls were included in this study. A positive association between maternal autoimmune diseases and the risk of ASD in offspring was identified assuming a fixed effect model (pooled OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.23–1.46; I 2 , 27.9%). There were statistically significant associations between maternal autoimmune diseases developed during pregnancy or maternal thyroid disease and the risk of ASD in offspring (pooled OR, 1.30, 1.29, respectively). Maternal autoimmune disease is likely to be an independent risk factor of ASD in offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background: Fibrin sealant (FS) has been increasingly used on the raw surface after liver resection but its clinical value has not been established to date. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the employment of FS after liver resection. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, CBM and VIP were searched for randomized trials comparing the effect of FS with no FS or any other intervention for patients undergoing liver resection. Primary outcomes included time to hemostasis, hemostatic success, amount of drainage and drainage duration. Results: Eleven randomized controlled trials were included. Meta-analysis suggested that the amount of drainage (standard mean difference -0.30; 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.82 to 0.23) and drainage duration (mean difference [MD] -0.46, 95% CI -0.61 to -1.53) were similar between FS group and no FS group. Compared with topical hemostatic agents, FS could significantly reduce time to hemostasis (MD -208.46, 95% CI -228.22 to -188.70) and increase hemostasis success rate (relative risk 1.35, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.57). Two trials compared FS with argon beam coagulation (ABC), which both suggested that FS could significantly decrease the time to hemostasis. Conclusions: This study demonstrated a modest benefit of FS over no FS, topical hemostatic agents and ABC in controlling intraoperative bleeding from the raw liver surface after liver resection. But there is no evidence that FS is beneficial to patients in reducing amount of drainage and drainage duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rattus norvegicus and Suncus murinus are important reservoirs of zoonotic bacterial diseases. An understanding of the composition of gut and oropharynx bacteria in these animals is important for monitoring and preventing such diseases. We therefore examined gut and oropharynx bacterial composition in these animals in China. Results: Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the most abundant phyla in faecal and throat swab samples of both animals. However, the composition of the bacterial community differed significantly between sample types and animal species. Firmicutes exhibited the highest relative abundance in throat swab samples of R. norvegicus, followed by Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. In throat swab specimens of S. murinus, Proteobacteria was the predominant phylum, followed by Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Firmicutes showed the highest relative abundance in faecal specimens of R. norvegicus, followed by Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria had almost equal abundance in faecal specimens of S. murinus, with Bacteroidetes accounting for only 3.07%. The family Streptococcaceae was most common in throat swab samples of R. norvegicus, while Prevotellaceae was most common in its faecal samples. Pseudomonadaceae was the predominant family in throat swab samples of S. murinus, while Enterobacteriaceae was most common in faecal samples. We annotated 33.28% sequences from faecal samples of S. murinus as potential human pathogenic bacteria, approximately 3.06-fold those in R. norvegicus. Potential pathogenic bacteria annotated in throat swab samples of S. murinus were 1.35-fold those in R. norvegicus. Conclusions: Bacterial composition of throat swabs and faecal samples from R. norvegicus differed from those of S. murinus. Both species carried various pathogenic bacteria, therefore both should be closely monitored in the future, especially for S. murinus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]