Qian Zhao

Background The predictive value of adiposity indices and the newly developed index for cardiometabolic risk factors and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remains unclear in the Chinese population. This study aimed to compare the predictive value of A Body Shape Index with other 5 conventional obesity-related anthropometric indices (body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio) in Chinese population. Methods and Results A total of 44 048 participants in the study were derived from the baseline data of the PURE-China (Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology) study in China. All participants' anthropometric parameters, CVDs, and risk factors (dyslipidemia, abnormal blood pressure, and hyperglycemia) were collected by standard procedures. Multivariable logistic regression models and receiver operator characteristic curve analysis were used to evaluate the predictive values of obesity-related anthropometric indices to the cardiometabolic risk factors and CVDs. A positive association was observed between each anthropometric index and cardiometabolic risk factors and CVDs in all models (P<0.001). Compared with other anthropometric indices (body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and A Body Shape Index), waist-to-height ratio had significantly higher areas under the curve (AUCs) for predicting dyslipidemia (AUCs: 0.646, sensitivity: 65%, specificity: 44%), hyperglycemia (AUCs: 0.595, sensitivity: 60%, specificity: 45%), and CVDs (AUCs: 0.619, sensitivity: 59%, specificity: 41%). Waist circumference showed the best prediction for abnormal blood pressure (AUCs: 0.671, sensitivity: 66%, specificity: 40%) compared with other anthropometric indices. However, the new body shape index did not show a better prediction to either cardiometabolic risk factors or CVDs than that of any other traditional obesity-related indices. Conclusions Waist-to-height ratio appeared to be the best indicator for dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and CVDs, while waist circumference had a better prediction for abnormal blood pressure.

Early detection of acute kidney injury is difficult due to lack of known biomarkers; previous studies have tried to identify new biomarkers for detecting acute kidney injury at an early stage. MicroRNA, a 21-23 nucleotide noncoding RNA molecule, has emerged as a desirable marker in the diagnosis and prognosis of various diseases. This study aims to identify the expression profile of microRNA in ischemia-reperfusion-induced kidney injury and determine the possibility of using the candidate microRNA as biomarker for the detection of I/R-induced kidney injury. Based on the established rat model of I/R-induced kidney injury, a microarray analysis of rat urine was performed at the beginning of operation (0 h) as well as 72 h post operation. To validate the results, urine samples from 71 patients who underwent cardiac surgery were collected, after which urinalysis was conducted to determine the microRNA concentration. An alternative expression profile of microRNAs was detected in rat urine. The quantitative validation of microRNA showed that the expression of miR-30c-5p, miR-192-5p, and miR-378a-3p was elevated significantly in urine post operation, which was consistent with those of the microarray analysis and earlier than kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1). In patients with acute kidney injury, increased levels of miR-30c-5p and miR-192-5p were also detected 2 h post operation, and miR-30c-5p showed preferable diagnostic value compared with protein-based biomarkers. In conclusion, an aberrant expression profile of microRNA was detected in rat urine based on the established ischemia-reperfusion animal model. Both miR-30c-5p and miR-192-5p served as important potential diagnostic markers for I/R-induced kidney injury. Impact statement Firstly, one differentiating factor in our study is that the candidate miRNAs were screened in a controlled animal model rather than in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) to ensure the purity of the cause of disease and to avoid possible effects of comorbidities on the spectrum of urine miRNA. This ensured the presence of only the relevant candidate miRNA (that associated with I/R injury); and what's more, the alterative expression of miR-192-5p and miR-30c-5p in animal model, patients with AKI, and cell model was confirmed simultaneously, which is likely to be more convincing. Secondly, the candidate miRNAs were screened sequentially at regular time points, which covered the initiation, progression, and partial repair stages, thus ensuring that no significant miRNAs were omitted in the screening process, and miR-biomarkers in 2 h post operation showed preferable diagnostic performance.

X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome (XLP) is a rare primary immunodeficiency disease that can be divided into two types: SAP deficiency (XLP1) and XIAP deficiency (XLP2), caused by mutations in the SH2D1A and XIAP genes, respectively. Few cases of XLP (particularly XIAP deficiency) have been reported in mainland China; hence, little is known about the characteristics of Chinese patients with XLP. We identified 13 and 7 patients with SAP and XIAP deficiency, respectively, in our center. Of our 20 patients, 19/20 (95%) presented with disease symptoms at a very early age: six in infancy and 13 in childhood. One XIAP- and three SAP-deficient patients died, while 3/7(42.9%) and 4/13(30.8%), respectively, developed hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection was significantly more common in SAP-deficient 10/13 (76.9%) than XIAP-deficient 2/7 (28.6%) patients, as was hypogammaglobulinemia (10/13 (76.9%) vs. 1/7 (14.3%)). None of the seven XIAP-deficient patients had colitis or lymphoma. Nine SAP-deficient patients and five XIAP-deficient patients showed markedly deficient SAP and XIAP expression, respectively, in lymphocytes. Significantly reduced levels of switched memory B cells were observed in six SAP-deficient patients with persistent hypogammaglobulinemia. One of 13 (7.7%) SAP-deficient patients and 1 of 7 (12.3%) XIAP-deficient patients have received HSCT treatment and are now alive and well; the other alive patients were waiting for HSCT. We also summarized clinical, genetic, and immunological characteristics of all 55 patients (including our 20 patients) reported in the literature in mainland China today.Conclusion: The overall characteristics of SAP deficiency in mainland China were consistent with those in previous reports, whereas manifestations of XIAP deficiency varied significantly. None of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been reported among XIAP-deficient patients in our center; however, whether Chinese XIAP-deficient patients will develop colitis in the future warrants further investigation. HSCT is the only curative therapy for XLP and this therapy should be urgently considered.What is Known:• SAP and XIAP deficiencies share common clinical feature, HLH, whereas they also have their own specific manifestations.• IBD affects 25-30% of XIAP-deficient patients, which has been reported in other countries especially in European country and Japan.What is New:• This is the largest patient cohort study of XLP in China.• We firstly summarized the clinical features and outcomes of Chinese XIAP-deficient patients and found only 1 in 22 patients developed IBD and diet background may contribute to it; Asian SAP-deficient patients carrying SH2D1A R55X mutation were more prone to HLH.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the leading causes of liver cancer, creating enormous economic and social burdens. The Chinese government recommends routine screening of inpatients for HCV before invasive procedures to prevent iatric infections. However, the diagnosis and treatment rates for HCV remain low. The aim of this study was to use available routine screening data to understand the HCV screening of inpatients in different regions of China. METHODS: Inpatient information and HCV screening results were collected from January 2016 to December 2016 at eight tertiary hospitals in different regions of China to compare the HCV-positivity of hospitalized patients among different regions and age groups. RESULTS: The HCV screening rate of inpatients was more than 50%. A total of 467,008 inpatients were enrolled in the study (51.20% were male), and the HCV antibody (anti-HCV) -positive rate was 0.88% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.85-0.91%) among the total population. This rate was significantly higher among all males compared with all females (0.91% vs 0.85%). Moreover, the HCV antibody-positive rate increased with age and was highest for the 60-64-year age group. Notably, 90.14% (3722/4129) of the anti-HCV seropositive patients were 40 years of age or older. HCV screening for people over 40 years old is recommended. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the key role of routine examination for HCV infection in hospitalized patients. Full use of inpatient screening results to manage HCV antibody-positive patients and a screening strategy targeting inpatients 40 years and older were found to be low-cost and effective, which will help to find the missing millions of yet unaware patients and also accelerate the elimination of HCV in China.