BackgroundInfluenza-like illnesses (ILI), a subset of acute respiratory infections (ARI), are a significant source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. ILI can be caused by numerous pathogens, however; there is limited information on the etiology and epidemiology of ILI in China.MethodsWe performed a one-year surveillance study (2010) of viral etiology causing ILI and investigated the influence of climate on outbreaks of ILI attributed to viruses at the Outpatient Department of Zhuhai Municipal People’s Hospital in Zhuhai, China.ResultsOf the 337,272 outpatients who sought attention in the Outpatient Department of Zhuhai Municipal People’s Hospital in 2010, 3,747 (1.11%) presented with ILI. Of these patients presenting with ILI, 24.66% (924/3,747) had available samples and were enrolled in this study. At least one respiratory virus was identified in 411 patients (44.48%) and 42 (4.55%) were co-infected with two viruses. In patients co-infected with two viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was detected in 50% (21/42). Among common viral pathogens detected, significant differences in age distributions were observed in seasonal influenza virus A (sFulA, H3N2) and B (sFluB), pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza viruses (H1N1pdm09), RSV, and adenovirus (ADV). Infections with sFluA (H3N2), sFluB, RSV, and human metapneumovirus (HMPV) had characteristic seasonal patterns. The incidences of sFluA (H3N2), ADV, and RSV correlated with air temperature. Alternatively, the incidence of sFluB correlated with relative air humidity.ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that a wide range of respiratory viral pathogens are circulating in Zhuhai city. This information needs to be considered by clinicians when treating patients presenting with ILI.

BackgroundParticulate air pollution has been recognized to be associated with a wide range of adverse health effects, including increased mortality, morbidity, exacerbation of respiratory conditions. However, earlier physiological or pathological changes or long-term bodies’ reaction to air pollutants have not been studied in depth in China. The Wuhan-Zhuhai (WHZH) cohort study is designed to investigate the association between air pollutants exposure and physiological or pathological reactions on respiratory and cardiovascular system.Methods/DesignThe cohort is a community-based prospective study that includes 4812 individuals aged 18–80 years. The collections of data were conducted from April to May 2011 in Wuhan city and in May 2012 in Zhuhai city. At baseline, data on demographic and socioeconomic information, occupational history, family disease history, lifestyle, cooking mode, daily travel mode, physical activity and living condition have been collected by questionnaires. Participants underwent an extensive physical examination, including anthropometry, spirometry, electrocardiography, and measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, exhaled nitric oxide and carbon monoxide. Potential conditions in the lung, heart, liver, spleen, and skin were synchronously performed. In addition, samples of morning urine, fasting blood serum and plasma were collected during physical health examination. DNA were extracted and were stored at -80°C. Environment concentrations of particulate matter and chemicals were determined for 15 days in each of four seasons. Participants are followed for physiological or pathological changes or incidence of cardiopulmonary diseases every 3 years.DiscussionThe results obtained in WHZH cohort study may increase a better understanding of the relationship between particulate air pollution and its components and possible health damages. And the potential mechanisms underlying the development of cardiopulmonary diseases has implications for the development of prevention and treatment strategies.

The relationship between selenium and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been discussed controversially, and limited studies have examined the associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms in selenoproteins genes with MetS. Hence, to examine the associations of plasma selenium concentrations and selenoprotein P rs7579 polymorphism with MetS, a case-control study of 1279 MetS cases and 1279 sex- and age- (±2 years) matched controls was conducted based on the baseline data of the Tongji-Ezhou Cohort study. Plasma selenium concentrations were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. MetS was defined using the definition of the Joint Interim Statement, adjusted for the Chinese population. In addition, the rs7579 polymorphism was genotyped by the Agena MassARRAY System. Plasma selenium concentrations in the MetS group were higher than in the control group (93.88 μg/L (83.17-107.41) vs. 92.66 μg/L (82.36-103.53), P<0.05). Compared with quartile 4 (≥103.53 μg/L), the multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) associated with MetS were 0.79 (0.59-1.06) for quartile 1 (<82.36 μg/L), 0.75 (0.56-1.01) for quartile 2 (82.37-92.66 μg/L), and 0.61 (0.45-0.83) for quartile 3 (92.67-103.52 μg/L). The cubic spline analyses revealed a U-shaped association between plasma selenium and MetS, with the lowest risk at around 93.69 μg/L. Moreover, in cubic spline analyses, plasma selenium showed U-shaped associations with central obesity and high blood pressure, positive associations with hypertriglyceridemia and hyperglycemia, and a negative association with low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Additionally, both the GA and GA+AA genotype carriers were associated with increased ORs of MetS comparing with the GG genotype carriers. Our findings suggested a U-shaped association between plasma selenium and MetS and diverse associations between plasma selenium and components of MetS. Furthermore, our study found that the A allele of rs7579 was associated with higher odds of MetS. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

BackgroundThe potential effects of pulmonary dysfunction on cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are receiving attention. We aimed to investigate and quantify the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between lung function and overall cardiovascular risk among Chinese general population.MethodsWe studied 4019 participants from the Wuhan-Zhuhai cohort, with a follow-up of 3 years. A multivariable risk algorithm generated from the Framingham study was used to calculate individuals’ overall cardiovascular risk i.e. 10-Year CVD Risk, which was further classified into 2 categories: low (< 10%) and high (≥10%) CVD risk. General linear model and logistic regression model were separately used to assess the associations of lung function with continuous and dichotomous 10-Year CVD Risk.ResultsCross-sectionally, each 5% decrease in FEV1/FVC was associated with a 0.47% increase in 10-Year CVD Risk (P < 0.001). The adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) for the prevalence of high CVD risk (10-Year CVD Risk≥10%) was 1.12 (1.07, 1.17) corresponding to each 5% decrease in FEV1/FVC. The OR (95% CI) for high CVD risk in the lowest group of FEV1/FVC (< 70% i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]) was 2.37 (1.43, 3.91) when compared with the highest group. Longitudinally, the adjusted risk ratio (RR) (95% CI) for the incidence of high CVD risk was 1.14 (1.03, 1.25) with each 5% decrease in baseline FEV1/FVC. Compared with the highest group of FEV1/FVC, the RR (95% CI) for high CVD risk in the lowest group (COPD) was 4.06 (1.46, 11.26). Analyses of 10-Year CVD Risk with FVC or FEV1 showed similar trends and significant associations (all P < 0.05).ConclusionReduced lung function was cross-sectionally and longitudinally associated with increased cardiovascular risk in Chinese general population.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12931-018-0920-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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