ORCID Profile
0000-0002-8337-7633
Current Organisation
Nanchang University
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Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-05-2020
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 07-2019
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2018-022399
Abstract: To describe distributions and concordance of retinal microvasculature measurements in a population-based s le of Australian parent–child dyads at child age 11–12 years. Cross-sectional Child Health CheckPoint study, between waves 6 and 7 of the national population-based Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC). Assessment centres in seven Australian cities, February 2015–March 2016. Of the 1874 participating families, 1288 children (51% girls) and 1264 parents (87% mothers, mean age 43.7) were analysed. Diabetic participants and non-biological pairs were excluded from concordance analyses. Retinal photographs were taken by non-mydriatic fundus camera. Trained graders scored vascular calibre using semi-automated software, yielding estimates of central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) and arteriolar–venular ratio (AVR). Pearson’s correlation coefficients and multivariable linear regression models assessed parent–child concordance. Survey weights and methods accounted for LSAC’s complex s ling, stratification and clustering within postcodes. Mean (SD) of CRAE and CRVE were larger in children (159.5 (11.8) and 231.1 (16.5) μm, respectively) than parents (151.5 (14.0) and 220.6 (19.0) μm), yielding similar AVR (children 0.69 (0.05), parents 0.69 (0.06)). Correlation coefficients for parent–child pairs were 0.22 (95% CI 0.16 to 0.27) for CRAE, 0.23 (95% CI 0.17 to 0.28) for CRVE and 0.18 (95% CI 0.13 to 0.24) for AVR. Mother–child and father–child values were similar (0.20 and 0.32 for CRAE, 0.22 and 0.29 for CRVE, respectively). Relationships attenuated slightly on adjustment for age, sex, blood pressure, diabetes and body mass index. Percentiles and concordance are presented for the whole s le and by sex. Arteriolar and venular calibre were similar to previously documented measures in midlife adult and late childhood populations. Population parent–child concordance values align with moderate polygenic heritability reported in smaller studies.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.ATHEROSCLEROSIS.2019.04.212
Abstract: Pro-inflammatory diet may be a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We examine associations of two inflammatory diet scores with preclinical cardiovascular phenotypes at two life course stages. Participants: 1771 children (49% girls) aged 11-12 years and 1793 parents (87% mothers, mean age 43.7 (standard deviation 5.2) years) in the Child Health CheckPoint Study. 23 items in the Australian National Secondary Students' Diet and Activity (NaSSDA) survey were used to derive two inflammatory diet scores based on: 1) published evidence of associations with C-reactive protein (literature-derived score), and 2) empirical associations with CheckPoint's inflammatory biomarker (glycoprotein acetyls, GlycA-derived score). Cardiovascular phenotypes assessed vascular structure (carotid intima-media thickness, retinal vessel calibre) and function (pulse wave velocity, blood pressure). Linear regression models were conducted, adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic position and child pubertal status, plus a sensitivity analysis also including BMI (z-score for children). In adults, both inflammatory diet scores showed small associations with adverse cardiovascular function and microvascular structure. Per standard deviation higher GlycA-derived diet score, pulse wave velocity was 0.17 m/s faster (95% CI 0.11 to 0.22), mean arterial pressure was 1.85 mmHg (1.34-2.37) higher, and retinal arteriolar calibre was 1.29 μm narrower (-2.10 to -0.49). Adding BMI to models attenuated associations towards null. There was little evidence of associations in children. Our findings support cumulative adverse effects of a pro-inflammatory diet on preclinical cardiovascular phenotypes across the life course. Associations evident by mid-life were not present in childhood, when preventive measures should be instituted.
Publisher: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Date: 08-2020
Abstract: To examine how overweight and obesity at specific ages and overall BMI growth patterns throughout childhood predict cardiometabolic phenotypes at 11 to 12 years. In a population-based s le of 5107 infants, BMI was measured every 2 years between ages 2 to 3 and 10 to 11 years. We identified 5 BMI trajectories using growth curve models. At ages 11 to 12 years, 1811 children completed assessments for metabolic syndrome risk scores, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, and carotid intima-media thickness. Multivariable regression models were used to estimate associations, adjusted for potential confounders (eg, age, sex, smoking exposure, and small for gestational age). Overweight and obesity from early childhood onward were strongly associated with higher cardiometabolic risk at 11 to 12 years of age. At age 6 to 7 years, compared with those with a healthy weight, children with overweight had higher metabolic syndrome risk scores by 0.23 SD units (95% confidence interval 0.05 to 0.41) and with obesity by 0.76 SD units (0.51–1.01), with associations almost doubling by age 10 to 11 years. Obese (but not overweight) children had higher outcome pulse wave velocity (0.64–0.73 SD units) from ages 6 to 7 years and slightly higher outcome carotid intima-media thickness (0.20–0.30 SD units) at all ages. Cumulative exposure to high BMI from 2 to 3 years of age carried the greatest cardiometabolic risk, with a gradient of risk across trajectories. High early-childhood BMI is already silently associated with the development of cardiometabolic risk by 11 to 12 years, highlighting the urgent need for effective action to reduce overweight and obesity in early childhood.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 25-11-2021
Abstract: To investigate relationships between takeaway food and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption with cardiometabolic phenotypes during childhood and mid-adulthood. Design: Cross-sectional Child Health CheckPoint within the national population-representative Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Participants: 1838 children (mean age 11.5 years 49.1% female) and 1846 adults (mean age 43.7 years 87.6% female). Exposures: Self-reported takeaway food and SSB consumption (‘frequent’: ≥ weekly). Outcomes: Functional (pulse wave velocity (PWV), blood pressure (BP)) and structural (carotid intima-media thickness, retinal microvascular calibre) preclinical cardiovascular phenotypes lipids (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides). Analysis: Linear regression (exposure: takeaway or SSB consumption, in idually or together) adjusted for age, sex and socio-economic position and mediation analysis for body mass index (BMI). Associations were small among children (standardized mean difference (SMD) ≤0.15). In adults, associations were stronger with functional, but not structural, cardiovascular phenotypes and lipids, particularly for frequent takeaway food consumption (e.g. PWV (0.20 m/s 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03 to 0.37) systolic (3.3 mmHg 95% CI 1.3 to 5.3) and diastolic BP (1.4 mmHg 95% CI 0.2 to 2.6) LDL (0.10 mmol/L 95% CI 0.02 to 0.18) HDL (−0.14 mmol/L 95% CI −0.19 to −0.10) and triglycerides (0.30 mmol/L 95% CI 0.12 to 0.48)]. BMI mediated associations between takeaway food consumption and PWV, BP, HDL and TG (proportion of mediation 34% to 75%), while mediation effects were smaller for SSB consumption. Frequent takeaway food consumption in adults was associated with adverse blood lipids and vascular function (mainly via BMI). Lack of strong associations in children highlights opportunities for prevention.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 19-03-2020
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-020-61801-W
Abstract: Obesity predicts adverse microvasculature from childhood, potentially via inflammatory pathways. We investigated whether inflammation mediates associations between obesity and microvascular parameters. In 1054 children (mean age 11 years) and 1147 adults (44 years) from a cross-sectional study, we measured BMI (z-scores for children) and WHtR, Glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA), an inflammatory marker, and retinal arteriolar and venular calibre. Causal mediation analysis methods decomposed a “total effect” into “direct” and “indirect” components via a mediator, considering continuous and categorical measures and adjusting for potential confounders. Compared to normal-weight BMI children, those with overweight or obesity had narrower arteriolar calibre (total effects −0.21 to −0.12 standard deviation (SD)): direct (not mediated via GlycA) effects were similar. Children with overweight or obesity had 0.25 to 0.35 SD wider venular calibre, of which 19 to 25% was mediated via GlycA. In adults, those with obesity had 0.07 SD greater venular calibre, which was completely mediated by GlycA (indirect effect: 0.07 SD, 95% CI −0.01 to 0.16). Similar findings were obtained with other obesity measures. Inflammation mediated associations between obesity and retinal venules, but not arterioles from mid-childhood, with higher mediation effects observed in adults. Interventions targeting inflammatory pathways may help mitigate adverse impacts of obesity on the microvasculature.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.ACAP.2019.01.010
Abstract: Better epidemiologic information on childhood hearing loss would inform research priorities and efforts to prevent its progression. To estimate prevalence and secular trends in children's hearing loss. We searched MEDLINE and Embase from January 1996 to August 2017. We included epidemiologic studies in English reporting hearing loss prevalence. The modified Leboeuf-Yde and Lauritsen tool was used to assess methodological quality. Meta-analyses combined study-specific estimates using random-effects models. Children 0 to 18 years of age. Among 88 eligible studies, 43.2% included audiometric measurement of speech frequencies. In meta-analyses, pooled prevalence estimates of slight or worse bilateral speech frequency losses >15 decibels hearing level (dB HL) were 13.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.0-17.0). Using progressively more stringent cutpoints, pooled prevalence estimates were 8.1% (95% CI, 1.3-19.8) with >20 dB HL, 2.2% (95% CI, 1.4-3.0) with >25 dB HL, 1.8% (95% CI, 0.4-4.1) with >30 dB HL, and 0.9% (95% CI, 0.1-2.6) with >40 dB HL. Also, 8.9% (95% CI, 6.4-12.3) had likely sensorineural losses >15 dB HL in 1 or both ears, and 1.2% (95% CI, 0.5-2.1) had self-reported hearing loss. From 1990 to 2010, the prevalence of losses >15 dB HL in 1 or both ears rose substantially (all P for trend <.001). The studies had high heterogeneity and offered limited information for hearing loss types and secular trend. Childhood slight or worse hearing loss is prevalent and may be increasing. Advances in understanding hearing loss trajectories, causes, and prevention would require international repositories and longitudinal studies with audiometric data beginning in childhood. PROSPERO 2016 CRD42016034148.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-07-2019
DOI: 10.1111/MICC.12557
Abstract: Intermediate phenotypes of microcirculation (retinal microvascular caliber) are associated with cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and independently predict CV events. However, the effect of microcirculation variation on the vascular system is unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies to quantify associations of retinal microvascular caliber (arteriolar, venular caliber, arteriole-to-venule ratio) and preclinical CV measures (large arterial function and structure). We identified studies in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed (1946 to March 2018) studying (a) general population s les and (b) patients with cardiometabolic disease. Study-specific correlation estimates were combined into meta-analysis where possible. Of 1294 studies identified, 26 met inclusion criteria (general population 16, patients 10), of which five studies were included in meta-analysis. Most studied middle-aged adults cross-sectionally, with one childhood study. Large arterial function and structure were predominantly assessed by pulse wave velocity and carotid intima-media thickness, respectively. Only arteriolar caliber was consistently associated with arterial function and structure, with stronger associations observed in cardiometabolic patients. Narrower (worse) arteriolar caliber was associated with faster (poorer) pulse wave velocity (correlation coefficient (r) -0.17, 95% CI -0.25 to -0.10) and greater (poorer) intima-media thickness (r -0.05, 95%CI -0.09 to -0.02) across all adult participants. Retinal arteriolar, but not venular caliber, was modestly associated with large arterial function and weakly associated with large arterial structure, with stronger evidence in patients with cardiometabolic disease. This suggests that preclinical changes in large arteries and the microcirculation have some shared but mainly unique pathways to associate with cardiovascular disease.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2021
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 20-05-2016
DOI: 10.3390/NU8050312
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-04-2021
DOI: 10.1038/S41366-021-00800-X
Abstract: To investigate associations between early-life diet trajectories and preclinical cardiovascular phenotypes and metabolic risk by age 12 years. Participants were 1861 children (51% male) from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. At five biennial waves from 2-3 to 10-11 years: Every 2 years from 2006 to 2014, diet quality scores were collected from brief 24-h parent/self-reported dietary recalls and then classified using group-based trajectory modeling as 'never healthy' (7%), 'becoming less healthy' (17%), 'moderately healthy' (21%), and 'always healthy' (56%). At 11-12 years: During children's physical health Child Health CheckPoint (2015-2016), we measured cardiovascular functional (resting heart rate, blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, carotid elasticity/distensibility) and structural (carotid intima-media thickness, retinal microvasculature) phenotypes, and metabolic risk score (composite of body mass index z-score, systolic blood pressure, high-density lipoproteins cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose). Associations were estimated using linear regression models (n = 1100-1800) adjusted for age, sex, and socioeconomic position. Compared to 'always healthy', the 'never healthy' trajectory had higher resting heart rate (2.6 bpm, 95% CI 0.4, 4.7) and metabolic risk score (0.23, 95% CI 0.01, 0.45), and lower arterial elasticity (-0.3% per 10 mmHg, 95% CI -0.6, -0.1) and distensibility (-1.2%, 95% CI -1.9, -0.5) (all effect sizes 0.3-0.4). Heart rate, distensibility, and diastolic blood pressure were progressively poorer for less healthy diet trajectories (linear trends p ≤ 0.02). Effects for systolic blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, and structural phenotypes were less evident. Children following the least healthy diet trajectory had poorer functional cardiovascular phenotypes and metabolic syndrome risk, including higher resting heart rate, one of the strongest precursors of all-cause mortality. Structural phenotypes were not associated with diet trajectories, suggesting the window to prevent permanent changes remains open to at least late childhood.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 25-06-2020
DOI: 10.1111/MICC.12642
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 23-06-2020
DOI: 10.1111/HSC.13054
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-02-2022
DOI: 10.1038/S41366-022-01080-9
Abstract: Obesity is characterized by heightened inflammation, and both phenotypes are associated with hearing loss. We aimed to determine if inflammation mediates the associations between obesity and hearing ability in mid-childhood and mid-life. Participants: 1165 11- to 12-year-old children and 1316 parents in the population-based cross-sectional Child Health CheckPoint within the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Adiposity measures: Body mass index (BMI) classified as normal, overweight and obesity waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) classified as <0.5 and ≥0.5 fat mass index. Inflammatory biomarkers: Serum glycoprotein A (GlycA) high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Audiometry: Composite high Fletcher Index (mean threshold of 1, 2, 4 kHz) in the better ear. Causal mediation analysis decomposed a 'total effect' (obesity on hearing status) into 'indirect' effect via a mediator (eg GlycA, hsCRP) and 'direct' effect via other pathways, adjusting for age, sex and socioeconomic position. Compared to adults with BMI within the normal range, those with obesity had hearing thresholds 1.9 dB HL (95% CI 1.0-2.8) higher on the high Fletcher Index 40% of the total effect was mediated via GlycA (indirect effect: 0.8 dB HL, 95% CI 0.1-1.4). Children with obesity had hearing thresholds 1.3 dB HL (95% CI 0.2-2.5) higher than those with normal BMI, of which 67% (indirect effect: 0.9 dB HL, 95% CI 0.4-1.4) was mediated via GlycA. Similar mediation effects were noted using other adiposity measures. Similar but less marked mediation effects were observed when hsCRP was used as the inflammatory biomarker (6-23% in adults and 23-33% in children). Inflammation may play an important mediating role in the modest hearing reductions associated with obesity, particularly in children. These findings offer insights into possible mechanisms and early prevention strategies for hearing loss.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 17-05-2021
DOI: 10.1017/S0007114521001616
Abstract: Inflammatory diets are increasingly recognised as a modifiable determinant of mental illness. However, there is a dearth of studies in early life and across the full mental well-being spectrum (mental illness to positive well-being) at the population level. This is a critical gap given that inflammatory diet patterns and mental well-being trajectories typically establish by adolescence. We examined the associations of inflammatory diet scores with mental well-being in 11–12-year-olds and mid-life adults. Throughout Australia, 1759 11–12-year-olds (49 % girls) and 1812 parents (88 % mothers) contributed cross-sectional population-based data. Alternate inflammatory diet scores were calculated from a twenty-six-item FFQ, based on the prior literature and prediction of inflammatory markers. Participants reported negatively and positively framed mental well-being via psychosocial health, quality of life and life satisfaction surveys. We used causal inference modelling techniques via generalised linear regression models (mean differences and risk ratios (RR)) to examine how inflammatory diets might influence mental well-being. In children and adults, respectively, a 1 sd higher literature-derived inflammatory diet score conferred between a 44 % (RR 95 % CI 1·2, 1·8) to 57 % (RR 95 % CI 1·3, 2·0) and 54 % (95 % CI 1·2, 2·0) to 86 % (RR 95 % CI 1·4, 2·4) higher risk of being in the worst mental well-being category (i.e. th percentile) across outcome measures. Results for inflammation-derived scores were similar. BMI mediated effects (21–39 %) in adults. Inflammatory diet patterns were cross-sectionally associated with mental well-being at age 11–12 years, with similar effects observed in mid-adulthood. Reducing inflammatory dietary components in childhood could improve population-level mental well-being across the life course.
No related grants have been discovered for Mengjiao Liu.