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The dry mass and the orientation of biomolecules can be imaged without a label by measuring their permittivity tensor (PT), which describes how biomolecules affect the phase and polarization of light. Three-dimensional (3D) imaging of PT has been challenging. We present a label-free computational microscopy technique, PT imaging (PTI), for the 3D measurement of PT. PTI encodes the invisible PT into images using oblique illumination, polarization-sensitive detection and volumetric sampling. PT is decoded from the data with a vectorial imaging model and a multi-channel inverse algorithm, assuming uniaxial symmetry in each voxel. We demonstrate high-resolution imaging of PT of isotropic beads, anisotropic glass targets, mouse brain tissue, infected cells and histology slides. PTI outperforms previous label-free imaging techniques such as vector tomography, ptychography and light-field imaging in resolving the 3D orientation and symmetry of organelles, cells and tissue. We provide open-source software and modular hardware to enable the adoption of the method.

BackgroundSalt intake in China is over twice the maximum recommendation of the World Health Organization. Unlike most developed countries where salt intake is mainly derived from prepackaged foods, around 80% of the salt consumed in China is added during cooking. ObjectiveAction on Salt China (ASC), initiated in 2017, aims to develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive and tailored salt reduction program for national scaling-up. MethodsASC consists of six programs working in synergy to increase salt awareness and to reduce the amount of salt used during cooking at home and in restaurants, as well as in processed foods. Since September 2018, two health campaigns on health education and processed foods have respectively started, in parallel with four open-label cluster randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in six provinces across China: (1) app-based intervention study (AIS), in which a mobile app is used to achieve and sustain salt reduction in school children and their families; (2) home cook-based intervention study (HIS), in which family cooks receive support in using less salt; (3) restaurant-based intervention study (RIS) targeting restaurant consumers, cooks, and managers; and (4) comprehensive intervention study (CIS), which is a real-world implementation and evaluation of all available interventions in the three other RCTs. To explore the barriers, facilitators, and effectiveness of delivering a comprehensive salt reduction intervention, these RCTs will last for 1 year (stage 1), followed by nationwide implementation (stage 2). In AIS, HIS, and CIS, the primary outcome of salt reduction will be evaluated by 24-hour urinary sodium excretion in 6030 participants, including 5436 adults and 594 school children around 8-9 years old. In RIS, the salt content of meals will be measured by laboratory food analysis of the 5 best-selling dishes from 192 restaurants. Secondary outcomes will include process evaluation; changes in knowledge, attitude, and practice on salt intake; and economic evaluation. ResultsAll RCTs have been approved by Queen Mary Research Ethics Committee and the Institutional Review Boards of leading institutes in China. The research started in June 2017 and is expected to be completed around March 2021. The baseline investigations of the four RCTs were completed in May 2019. ConclusionsThe ASC project is progressing smoothly. The intervention packages and tailored components will be promoted for salt reduction in China, and could be adopted by other countries. Trial RegistrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry. AIS: ChiCTR1800017553; https://tinyurl.com/vdr8rpr. HIS: ChiCTR1800016804; https://tinyurl.com/w8c7x3w. RIS: ChiCTR1800019694; https://tinyurl.com/uqkjgfw. CIS: ChiCTR1800018119; https://tinyurl.com/s3ajldw. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/15933

Objective To determine the contribution of pre-packaged foods to population sodium intake in China, and to propose sodium content targets for food subcategories used for the World Health Organization's (WHO's) global sodium benchmarks. Methods The impact of four different approaches to reducing the sodium content of pre-packaged foods on population sodium intake was estimated using data from national databases covering the nutrient content and ingredients of 51 803 food products and food consumption by 15 670 Chinese adults. We recategorized food products using a food categorization framework developed for WHO's global sodium benchmarks and adapted for China-specific foods. Findings Pre-packaged foods, including condiments, contributed 1302.5 mg/day of sodium intake per adult in 2021, accounting for 30.1% of population sodium intake in China. Setting maximum sodium content levels using a 90th-percentile target would reduce sodium intake from pre-packaged foods by 96.2 mg/day, corresponding to a 1.9% reduction in population intake. Using the 75th-percentile, a fixed 20% reduction and WHO benchmark targets would further reduce intake by 262.0 mg/day (5.2% population intake), 302.8 mg/day (6.0% population intake) and 701.2 mg/day per person (13.9% population intake), respectively. Maximum sodium content levels based on revised 20% reduction targets were proposed because they should result in substantial and acceptable reductions in sodium content for most food subcategories: overall sodium intake would decline by 305.0 mg/day per person, and population intake by 6.1%. Conclusion This study provides the scientific rationale for government policy on setting targets for food sodium content in China. Simultaneous action on discretionary salt use should also be taken. [Phrase omitted] Objectifs relatifs a la teneur en sodium des aliments preemballes en Chine: etude quantitative et proposition Objectif Determiner dans quelle mesure les denrees alimentaires preemballees contribuent a l'apport en sodium au sein de la population chinoise et proposer des objectifs pour en limiter la teneur parmi les sous-categories d'aliments reprises dans les criteres de reference mondiaux de l'Organisation mondiale de la Sante (OMS). Methodes Nous avons estime l'impact de quatre approches differentes visant a reduire la teneur en sodium des denrees alimentaires preemballees sur l'apport sode de la population en utilisant les informations issues de bases de donnees nationales sur la teneur en nutriments et les ingredients de 51 803 produits alimentaires ainsi que la consommation en nourriture de 15 670 adultes chinois. Nous avons reclasse les produits alimentaires a l'aide d'un systeme de categorisation des aliments developpe dans le cadre des criteres de reference mondiaux de l'OMS et adapte aux habitudes alimentaires du pays. Resultats Les denrees alimentaires preemballees, y compris les condiments, representaient un apport sode de 1302,5 mg/jour par adulte en 2021, ce qui equivaut a 30,1% de l'apport en sodium au sein de la population chinoise. Etablir un objectif fonde sur le 90e percentile afin de definir une teneur maximale en sodium permettrait de reduire l'apport sode des denrees alimentaires preemballees de 96,2 mg/jour, ce qui correspond a une diminution de 1,9% de l'apport dans la population. Utiliser le 75e percentile, une reduction fixe de 20% et les criteres de reference mondiaux de l'OMS ferait encore baisser l'apport de 262,0 mg/jour (5,2% de l'apport dans la population), 302,8 mg/jour (6,0% de l'apport dans la population) et 701,2 mg/jour par personne (13,9% de l'apport dans la population) respectivement. Enfin, une teneur maximale en sodium inspiree des nouveaux objectifs de 20% de reduction a ete proposee car elle devrait entrainer un recul considerable et acceptable de la teneur en sodium pour la plupart des sous-categories d'aliments: l'apport sode global diminuerait de 305,0 mg/jour par personne et l'apport dans la population de 6,1%. Conclusion Cette etude fournit les arguments scientifiques necessaires a la mise en reuvre d'une politique gouvernementale qui definirait des objectifs relatifs a la teneur en sodium des denrees alimentaires en Chine. Des actions concomitantes en matiere d'utilisation du sel de table et de cuisine devraient egalement etre entreprises. Objetivos sobre el contenido de sodio de los alimentos preenvasados, China: estudio cuantitativo y propuesta Objetivo Determinar como los alimentos preenvasados propician la ingesta de sodio en la poblacion China, y proponer objetivos centrados en el contenido de sodio de las subcategorias alimenticias utilizadas en las referencias mundiales de sodio de la Organizacion Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Metodos Se evaluo la repercusion de cuatro enfoques diferentes destinados a reducir el contenido de sodio de los alimentos preenvasados en la ingesta de sodio poblacional. Para ello, se utilizo informacion de las bases de datos nacionales acerca del contenido en nutrientes y los ingredientes de 51 803 productos alimenticios, asi como sobre el consumo de alimentos de 15 670 chinos adultos. Restablecimos las categorias de los productos alimenticios utilizando un esquema de clasificacion alimenticia desarrollado para englobar las referencias mundiales de sodio de la OMS, adaptado a alimentos especificos de China. Resultados Los alimentos preenvasados, incluidos los condimentos, representaban 1302,5 mg/dia de la ingesta de sodio por adulto en 2021, lo que suponia un 30,1% de la ingesta de sodio de la poblacion China. Establecer niveles maximos de contenido en sodio utilizando como objetivo un percentil 90 reduciria la ingesta de sodio de los alimentos preenvasados en 96,2 mg/dia, lo que corresponde a una reduccion del 1,9% en la ingesta poblacional. Utilizando el percentil 75, una reduccion fija del 20% y los objetivos de referencia de la OMS se seguiria reduciendo la ingesta en 262,0 mg/dia (5,2% de la ingesta poblacional), 302,8 mg/dia (6,0% de la ingesta poblacional) y 701,2 mg/dia por persona (13,9% de la ingesta poblacional) respectivamente. Se propusieron niveles maximos de contenido en sodio basados en objetivos revisados relativos a una reduccion del 20%, lo que supondria una disminucion significativa y adecuada del contenido de sodio de la mayoria de subcategorias alimenticias: la ingesta global de sodio disminuiria en 305,0 mg/dia por persona, y la ingesta poblacional se reduciria en un 6,1%. Conclusion El presente estudio ofrece fundamentos cientificos relevantes para la politica gubernamental, acerca del establecimiento de objetivos centrados en el contenido de sodio alimenticio de productos de China. Asimismo, se deberian adoptar medidas simultaneas relativas al consumo de sal opcional., Introduction Sodium is an essential nutrient for which humans have a physiological need of as little as 200 to 500 mg/day. (1,2) The primary dietary contributor is the salt (i.e. [...]

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the association between eating out frequency and taste preferences among urban Chinese adults.MethodsA convenient sampling method was employed to select 1 957 adult residents aged 18 to 65 from four urban areas with complete survey data on eating out frequency and taste preferences. The study analyzed the current patterns of eating out and taste preferences and used a multifactor logistic regression model to assess the correlation between eating out frequency and taste preferences.ResultsThe study found that 35.8% of participants ate out less than once a week， 33.5% ate out 1-3 times a week， 18.3% ate out 4-6 times a week， and 12.4% ate out seven or more times a week. Gender differences were observed in taste preferences， with men having significantly higher rates of salty and oily taste preferences compared to women， while women had a higher preference rate of sweet taste. After controlling for relevant confounding factors， urban female residents who ate out 1-3 times a week had a 59% increased risk of salty taste preference （OR = 1.59） compared to those who ate out less than once a week. Similarly， urban female residents who ate out 1-3 times a week， 4-6 times a week， and seven or more times a week had an increased risk of sweet taste preference by 51% （OR = 1.51）， 71% （OR = 1.71）， and 77% （OR = 1.77）， respectively. Moreover， urban female residents who ate out 1-3 times a week and seven or more times a week had an increased risk of spicy taste preference by 54% （OR = 1.54） and 78% （OR = 1.78）， respectively. Compared with urban male residents who ate out less than one time a week， urban male residents who ate out 4-6 times a week have an increased risk of oily and spicy tastes by 61% （OR=1.61） and 85% （OR=1.85）， respectively.ConclusionThe study suggests that the frequency of eating out among urban residents may be associated with their taste preferences. Therefore， there is a need to enhance nutrition education and awareness to encourage the development of healthier eating habits.

Objective To summarize the clinical features of a family with Basan syndrome and to analyze mutation of the SMARCAD1 gene. Methods The Basan family was diagnosed at Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University in 2022. Backgroud data was collected, and clinical and genetic characteristics were analyzed. Meanwhile, a retrospective analysis of features and associated genetic mutations reported in all patients with Basan syndrome was conducted. Results A total of 18 patients with Basan syndrome were identified, including 9 males and 9 females. All 18 patients had no fingerprints at birth (18/18, 100%), and some patients had knuckle pads, palmoplantar hyperkeratosis, nail atrophy, nail separation, and longitudinal nail ridges. Symptoms vary in severity. At the same time, it was found that c.-10+1G > T (as well as c.378+1G > T)mutations appeared on the intron 1 of the SMARCAD1 (NM_020159.5) gene in 7 patients, resulting in abnormal splicing. Conclusions This article provides help for the early diagnosis of Basan syndrome and helps to improve the diagnosis and differentiation level of clinicians.

This study evaluated the correlation of amino acids and amino acid-derived aroma compounds in Chinese Kushui rose petals with soils from different planting locations. The composition of amino acids and amino acid-derived aroma compounds in rose petals from three different production areas (Kushui, Hongcheng and Datong towns) in Yongdeng, Gansu were analyzed by an automatic amino acid analyzer and solid phase micro-extraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS). The chemical composition and pH of soil samples from these areas were determined and the ion composition was measured by ion chromatography. The results showed that the petals of Chinese Kushui rose were rich in amino acids, with significant differences in the content of amino acids being among samples from different planting areas. Glutamate, alanine, lysine and proline were the major amino acids of all rose samples. The contents of glutamate, lysine and proline in rose samples from Datong were highest among the three production areas. A total of 11 amino acid-derived aroma substances were detected in the samples, with differences in their contents being observed among these samples. The content of amino acid-derived aroma substances was highest in rose from Datong. There was no significant similarity in physicochemical indexes among soils from the three production areas. SO42-, effective phosphorus and HCO3- were most affected by the region, and the soil properties were correlated with the contents of amino acids and amino acid-derived aroma components to different degrees.

Low clouds play a key role in the Earth-atmosphere energy balance and influence agricultural production and solar-power generation. Smoke aloft has been found to enhance marine stratocumulus through aerosol-cloud interactions, but its role in regions with strong human activities and complex monsoon circulation remains unclear. Here we show that biomass burning aerosols aloft strongly increase the low cloud coverage over both land and ocean in subtropical southeastern Asia. The degree of this enhancement and its spatial extent are comparable to that in the Southeast Atlantic, even though the total biomass burning emissions in Southeast Asia are only one-fifth of those in Southern Africa. We find that a synergetic effect of aerosol-cloud-boundary layer interaction with the monsoon is the main reason for the strong semi-direct effect and enhanced low cloud formation in southeastern Asia.

Highway alignment design is a nonlinear multi-objective optimization problem. Due to the uncertainty and complexity of the constraints, it is challenging to develop a suitable model for 3D road alignment design. To comprehensively consider the constraints and realize the intelligent design, this study puts forward a novel highway alignment model to optimize the horizontal and vertical alignment design, in which the length utility cost and structure construction cost are projected into the optimization space. Finally, the numerical solution is carried out by MOPSO on MATLAB platform. The results show that this method can effectively solve the problem of highway alignment design under the condition of realizing the highway design specifications, shortening the design cycle, and improving the design quality, which verifies the feasibility of the optimization algorithm for the horizontal and vertical alignment optimization design of highway.