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Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne disease caused by a phlebovirus in the Bunyaviridae family. Infection can result in systemic inflammatory response syndrome with a high fatality rate, and there are currently no treatments or vaccines available. The microbiota has been implicated in host susceptibility to systemic viral infection and disease outcomes, but whether the gut microbiota is implicated in severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) infection is unknown. Here, we analysed faecal and serum samples from patients with SFTS using 16S ribosomal RNA-sequencing and untargeted metabolomics, respectively. We found that the gut commensal Akkermansia muciniphila increased in relative abundance over the course of infection and was reduced in samples from deceased patients. Using germ-free or oral antibiotic-treated mice, we found that A. muciniphila produces the β-carboline alkaloid harmaline, which protects against SFTSV infection by suppressing NF-κB-mediated systemic inflammation. Harmaline indirectly modulated the virus-induced inflammatory response by specifically enhancing bile acid-CoA: amino acid N-acyltransferase expression in hepatic cells to increase conjugated primary bile acids, glycochenodeoxycholic acid and taurochenodeoxycholic acid. These bile acids induced transmembrane G-protein coupled receptor-5-dependent anti-inflammatory responses. These results indicate the probiotic potential of A. muciniphila in mitigating SFTSV infection.

Background Physical activity (PA) and smoking have been reported to be associated with the duration and severity of common cold symptoms. However, few studies have addressed the associations between the frequency of leisure-time exercise, cigarette smoking status and the frequency of the common cold in a cold area. This study was designed to investigate these issues in northeastern China. Methods This cross-sectional study included individuals who participated in a regular health examination conducted in Jilin Province, China. Information on episodes of the common cold, the frequency of leisure-time exercise and cigarette smoking status in the past year were collected by self-administered health questionnaires. Ordinal logistic regression models were used to analyse the associations between the frequency of leisure-time exercise, cigarette smoking status and the retrospective frequency of common cold. Results A total of 1413 employees participated in the study, with an average age of 38.92 ± 9.04 years and 44.4% of them were male. Of all participants, 80.8% reported having experienced the common cold in the past year. After adjustment, the risk of suffering from the common cold more than once (odds ratios (ORs), 1.59; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.27–1.99) in passive smokers was 1.59 times as high as that in non-smokers. Nevertheless, the results of the adjusted analysis showed no statistically significant relation between current smoking and the frequency of the common cold. A high frequency of leisure-time exercise (≥3 days/week) was associated with a 26% reduced risk of having at least one episode of the common cold (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.55–0.98) compared with a low frequency group (

Objectives We evaluated the association between BMI and body weight perception in a sample of children and adolescents. Methods A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted among 7–18 year-olds (N = 9727) from 4 districts in Jilin City, China. We calculated BMI from measured weight and height and assessed body weight perception using a single questionnaire item. We analyzed these data using SPSS version 20.0. Results Approximately 19.8% of these youth perceived themselves as underweight, 57.8% as normal weight, and 22.4% as overweight. In reality, 4.9% were underweight, 64.3% were normal weight, and 30.8% were overweight. Furthermore, approximately 66.4% of these Chinese youth correctly perceived their body image, 28.2% underestimated their true body image, and 5.4% overestimated their weight status. Girls were more likely than boys to overestimate their weight (χ2 = 135.4, p < 0.05). Adolescents 13–18 years old were more likely than children 7–12 years old to overestimate their weight (χ2 = 248.4, p < 0.05). Senior high school students were the most likely to overestimate their weight (χ2 = 297.6, p < 0.05). Kappa tests revealed significant differences in consistency analysis of BMI and body weight perception (Kappa = 0.352, p < 0.05). Kappa < 0.4, the consistency of BMI and body weight perception was poor. Conclusions A mismatch existed between BMI and body weight perception among these children and adolescents. Thus, schools and parents should take steps to help them improve weight management and overall health awareness.

Objectives Metabolic syndrome (MS) is considered to be a cluster of interrelated risk factors for metabolism, which may increase arterial stiffness and cardiovascular morbidity. The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a reliable indicator of arterial stiffness and early arteriosclerosis. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the gender-specific relationship between MS and CAVI in the general Chinese population. Methods A total of 1,301 subjects aged 20 to 60 years participated in this study. CAVI was measured noninvasively using a Vasera VS-1000 device. Blood samples and waist circumference were examined to identify metabolic syndrome according to the criteria set forth in the 2009 Joint Scientific Statement. Results The prevalence of MS in the study subjects was 17.4% (30.7% in males and 7.0% in females, P < 0.001). CAVI values were significantly higher in MS subjects than in non-MS subjects and increased linearly as the number of MS components increased in females, but not in males. Using multiple regression analysis, we found that BMI was correlated with CAVI in the overall population and in both genders, and that high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was associated with CAVI in males, while the number of MS components was related to CAVI in females. CAVI values increased linearly with age in both genders (P-trend < 0.001 for both), and this correlation was stronger in males than in females. Conclusions There are gender-specific differences in the association of MS and CAVI. First, the effects of the number of MS components on CAVI are stronger in females than in males. Second, the effect of each MS component on arterial stiffness may differ in relation to gender. In addition, aging affects arterial stiffness more severely in males, and the increase in arterial stiffness tends to occur at a younger age in males than in females. Larger samples and longitudinal studies are needed to further confirm our results in the future.