The predictive value of anthropometric indices for cardiometabolic risk factors in Chinese children and adolescents: A national multicenter school-based study.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the accuracy of body mass index (BMI) percentile, waist circumference (WC) percentile, waist-height ratio, and waist-hip ratio for identifying cardiometabolic risk factors in Chinese children and adolescents stratified by sex and BMI categories.

Methods: We measured anthropometric indices, fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile and blood pressure for 15698 participants aged 6-17 in a national survey between September and December 2013. The predictive accuracy of anthropometric indices for cardiometabolic risk factors was examined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses.

Endothelial expression of fractalkine (CX3CL1) is induced by Toll-like receptor 3 signaling in cultured human glomerular endothelial cells.

Endothelial expression of membrane-bound fractalkine/CX3CL1 (Fkn) reportedly acts as a strong mediator of inflammation. Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) axes are thought to play some roles in the development of chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) including lupus nephritis (LN). However, detailed mechanism of TLR3-mediated Fkn expression in glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) remains to be elucidated.

Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 1 and Myxovirus resistance protein 1 are induced by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid in cultured hCMEC/D3 human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells.

The molecular mechanisms of antiviral innate immune reactions in brain microvascular endothelial cells remain unclear. Interferon (IFN)-induced transmembrane protein 1 (IFITM1) and Myxovirus resistance protein 1 (MX1), the members of IFN-stimulated genes, are known as antiviral molecules. IFITM1 inhibits virus entry into host cell cytoplasm, whereas MX1 antagonizes virus replication.

Overweight Children at a Primary School in Hirosaki City: A Longitudinal, Individualized, Observational Study.

The 2015 Annual report on growth velocity and physiologic status in schoolchildren revealed that the overweight incidence among fifth grade primary school in Aomori Prefecture was higher than the countrywide average. As a pilot study, overweight fifth grade (age, 10 years) children attending the attached primary school of Hirosaki University, Faculty of Education, were recruited in 2016, after which 6-year longitudinal change in physiological status between the first (age, 6 years) and sixth grades (age, 11 years) were evaluated using somatometric data obtained from the annual health checkup conducted each Spring. Of the 80 fifth graders recruited, none of whom had any underlying diseases affecting physiologic status, 6 (7.

The effect of manganese exposure on GnRH secretion via Nrf2/mGluR5/COX-2/PGE2/signaling pathway.

There are limited studies focused on the precise mechanism of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion dysfunction after overexposure to manganese (Mn). The objective of the present study was to explore the mechanism of Mn disruption of GnRH synthesis via nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor-2 (Nrf2)/metabotropic glutamate receptor-5 (mGluR5)/cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)/prostaglandin E2 (PGE) signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo. Primary astrocytes were cultured and treated with different doses of Mn, tert-butylhydroquinonet (tBHQ; Nrf2 agonists), 3-[(2-methyl-4-thaizolyl) ethynyl] pyridine (MTEP; mGluR5 inhibitor), and celecoxib (COX-2 inhibitor) to measure the levels of COX-2, mGluR5, Nrf2, and Nrf2 target genes.

Cytosolic Sensors of Viral RNA Are Involved in the Production of Interleukin-6 via Toll-Like Receptor 3 Signaling in Human Glomerular Endothelial Cells.

Background/aims: Dysregulation of interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in residual renal cells may play a pivotal role in the development of glomerulonephritis (GN). Given that Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) signaling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of some forms of GN, we examined activated TLR3-mediated IL-6 signaling in cultured normal human glomerular endothelial cells (GECs).

Methods: We treated GECs with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly IC), an authentic double-stranded RNA, and analyzed the expression of IL-6 and the cytosolic viral RNA sensors retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I) and melanoma differentiation associated gene 5 (MDA5) using reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

Risk-Taking Behaviors in Iranian Children and Adolescents: A Latent Class Analysis Approach: Caspian IV Study.

Background: Risk taking behaviors have several negative consequences. This study aimed to identify the subgroups of students based on risk-taking behaviors and to assess the role of demographic characteristics, depression, anxiety, socioeconomic status (SES), physical inactivity and screen time on membership of specific subgroup.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Associations of multiple plasma metals with the risk of ischemic stroke: A case-control study.

Background: Ischemic stroke (IS) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Environmental exposure to metals may be linked to the risk of IS, but the association remains uncertain in Chinese populations.

Objectives: The present study aimed to examine the associations between the concentrations of 11 metals (aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, thallium, and zinc) in plasma and the risk of IS in a Chinese population.

Fisher discriminant analysis for classification of autism spectrum disorders based on folate-related metabolism markers.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders with an increasing prevalence but lack reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis. The present study investigated 13 serological metabolites and 2 genetic variants related to folate metabolism in a total of 89 ASD cases and 89 matched controls. Fisher discriminant analysis was used to establish the classification model to recognize ASD cases and controls.

Outcome of School-Based Intervention Program in Promoting Personal Hygiene in Primary School Children of Mumbai, India.

Personal hygiene plays an important role in preventing communicable diseases especially in children. In developing countries like India, the burden of communicable diseases is high which makes an awareness program imperative in school children. The objective was to study the outcome of school-based intervention program in promoting personal hygiene among the primary school children of Mumbai and Thane.

Chloroquine attenuates TLR3-mediated plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression in cultured human glomerular endothelial cells.

Background: Chloroquine, an antimalarial agent, has been reported to prevent the risk of thrombosis and decrease renal damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); however, its detailed mechanisms remain unclear. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is an inhibitor of fibrinolysis and is involved in fibrin deposition in glomeruli. Since upregulation of glomerular Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) signaling reportedly plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN), we examined whether chloroquine affects TLR3-mediated expression of PAI-1 in cultured human glomerular endothelial cells (GECs).

Gnetin C suppresses double-stranded RNA-induced C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and CCL5 production by inhibiting Toll-like receptor 3 signaling pathway.

The innate immune system is a prerequisite for biophylactic ability, but its dysregulation can cause inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. To determine a safe method of controlling inflammatory reactions in the brain, we examined the effects of gnetin C, a natural resveratrol dimer, on C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and CCL5 (pro-inflammatory chemokines) production observed after treatment with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly IC; a synthetic analog of dsRNA as a Toll-like receptor 3 (TRL3) ligand, 30 μg/mL] in cultured human astrocytoma U373MG and neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. The addition of gnetin C (10 μM) to the media moderately reduced the CCL2 production and markedly suppressed CCL5 production in both cells.

Interferon-stimulated gene 60 (ISG60) constitutes a negative feedback loop in the downstream of TLR3 signaling in hCMEC/D3 cells.

Brain capillary endothelial cells are the component of blood brain barrier, and the first line of defense against viruses invading into brain. We demonstrate that treatment of hCMEC/D3 cells, a human brain capillary endothelial cell line, with a Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) agonist polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly IC) induces the expression of interferon (IFN)-stimulated gene 60 (ISG60), and this reaction was mediated by IFN-β. Knockdown of ISG60 increased the poly IC-induced expression of IFN-β and an IFN-β-inducible chemokine CXCL10.

Gnetin C, a resveratrol dimer, reduces amyloid-β 1-42 (Aβ42) production and ameliorates Aβ42-lowered cell viability in cultured SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells.

Accumulation and oligomerization of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides have been known to be a potent cause of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). To expand the possibilities of preventing AD, we investigated the effects of resveratrol dimers, gnetin C and ε-viniferin, on Aβ 1-42 (Aβ42) production and the reduced cell viability observed after Aβ42 treatment (monomers, 10 μM) in cultured SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Among them, addition of gnetin C (20 μM) into the media reduced Aβ42 production most efficiently.

Toll-Like Receptor 3 Signaling Contributes to Regional Neutrophil Recruitment in Cultured Human Glomerular Endothelial Cells.

Background: Given the importance of neutrophil recruitment in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis (GN), the representative neutrophil chemoattractant C-X-C motif chemokine 1 (CXCL1)/GROα and the adhesion molecule E-selectin in glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) play a pivotal role in the development of GN. Endothelial Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) is thought to be involved in the inflammatory response via innate immunity. However, the role of endothelial TLR3 signaling in the expression of neutrophil chemoattractants and adhesion molecules remains to be elucidated.

Genetic polymorphism in the asporin gene is not a key risk factor for osteoarthritis: Evidence based on an updated cumulative meta-analysis.

To provide an evidence-based medical basis for the treatment of osteoarthritis, a meta-analysis was performed to assess the association between asporin (ASPN) gene polymorphism and susceptibility to osteoarthritis (OA). The current study searched the literature from January 1st, 1915 through February 1st, 2017 using the Cochrane Library, PubMed, the Excerpta Medica database (EMBASE) and three main Chinese databases (VIP, CNKI and Wan Fang). Cohort and case-control studies that explored the association between different types of ASPN alleles and OA susceptibility were evaluated.

Key factors for school health policy implementation in Thailand.

Thailand formulated a National School Health Policy (NSHP) in 1998, and it has been widely implemented but has not been evaluated. This case study aimed to identify factors that have influenced the implementation of NSHP in Thailand. For this purpose, we conducted a document review and key informant interviews.

Youth paying for sex: what are the associated factors? Findings from a cross-sectional study in Cambodia.

Background: At-risk male youth in Cambodia who purchase sex are at greater risk for HIV compared to the general population. Factors associated with paying for sex among youth are poorly studied, both globally and in Cambodia. This study aimed to identify specific factors associated with transactional sex with women among most-at-risk male youth in Cambodia.