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The Dendrolimus houi, a phytophagous pest, displays a broad range of adaptations and often inflicts localized damage to its hosts. Cupressus funebris, an indigenous timber species in China, is significantly impacted by D. houi. Investigating the suitable habitat distribution and changes in D. houi and its host plant, C. funebris, within the context of climate warming, is essential for understanding D. houi's development and providing novel insights for managing D. houi and conserving C. funebris resources. In this study, MaxEnt was employed to simulate the distribution of D. houi and its host plant, C. funebris, in their suitable habitats, evaluating the influence of environmental factors on their distribution and determining changes under a warming scenario. MaxEnt model parameters were adjusted using the Kuenm data package based on available distribution and climatic data. The minimum temperature of the coldest month emerged as the primary environmental factor influencing the distribution of a suitable habitat for D. houi and C. funebris, with a percentage contribution of environmental factors over 60%. There was a substantial similarity in the suitable habitat distributions of D. houi and C. funebris, with varying degrees of expansion in the total habitat area under different temporal and climatic scenarios. Intersection analysis results indicated that the 2041–2060 period, especially under low (SSP1-2.6) and high (SSP5-8.5) emission scenarios, is a critical phase for D. houi control. The habitat expansion of D. houi and C. funebris due to climate change was observed, with the distribution center of D. houi shifting northeast and that of C. funebris shifting northwest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of obese children in China is increasing, which poses a great challenge to public health. Gut microbes play an important role in human gut health, and changes in gut status are closely related to obesity. However, how gut microbes contribute to obesity in children remains unclear. In our study, we performed shotgun metagenomic sequencing of feces from 23 obese children, 8 overweight children and 22 control children in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. Results: We observed a distinct difference in the gut microbiome of obese children and that of controls. Compared with the controls, bacterial pathogen Campylobacter rectus was significantly more abundant in obese children. In addition, functional annotation of microbial genes revealed that there might be gut inflammation in obese children. The guts of overweight children might belong to the transition state between obese and control children due to a gradient in relative abundance of differentially abundant species. Finally, we compared the gut metagenomes of obese Chinese children and obese Mexican children and found that Trichuris trichiura was significantly more abundant in the guts of obese Mexican children. Conclusions: Our results contribute to understanding the changes in the species and function of intestinal microbes in obese Chinese children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yangtze River Basin, one of China's five major watersheds and a primary source of drinking water for the country, is experiencing serious environmental pollution as heavy metals are discharged into its rivers. To evaluate the water quality of the river, determined water quality parameters were compared with the maximum permissible limit values recommended by the World Health Organization and Chinese drinking water standards. Physical and chemical analyses were conducted on water samples taken from 19 locations along the river's path. The study quantified the contents of sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), lithium (Li), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), scandium (Sc) and mercury (Hg). The results show that the average values of Mg, Sr, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn and Sc are higher than the historical background values. Moreover, through a correlation analysis it was concluded that these nutrients and trace metals have high values due to anthropogenic pollution in the study area. The computed WQI values range between 9.59 and 20.26, indicating excellent water quality in the river basin. Finally, hazard quotient (HQ) values show that exposure to the detected pollutants will have no adverse effects on human health and does not pose a potential non-carcinogenic risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer, human vision limitations may lead to higher miss rate of lesions; artificial intelligence (AI) assistance has been demonstrated to improve polyp detection. However, there still lacks direct evidence to demonstrate whether AI is superior to trainees or experienced nurses as a second observer to increase adenoma detection during colonoscopy. In this study, we aimed to compare the effectiveness of assistance from AI and human observer during colonoscopy. Methods A prospective multicenter randomized study was conducted from 2 September 2019 to 29 May 2020 at four endoscopy centers in China. Eligible patients were randomized to either computer-aided detection (CADe)-assisted group or observer-assisted group. The primary outcome was adenoma per colonoscopy (APC). Secondary outcomes included polyp per colonoscopy (PPC), adenoma detection rate (ADR), and polyp detection rate (PDR). We compared continuous variables and categorical variables by using R studio (version 3.4.4). Results A total of 1,261 (636 in the CADe-assisted group and 625 in the observer-assisted group) eligible patients were analysed. APC (0.42 vs 0.35, P  =   0.034), PPC (1.13 vs 0.81, P  <   0.001), PDR (47.5% vs 37.4%, P  <   0.001), ADR (25.8% vs 24.0%, P  =   0.464), the number of detected sessile polyps (683 vs 464, P  <   0.001), and sessile adenomas (244 vs 182, P  =   0.005) were significantly higher in the CADe-assisted group than in the observer-assisted group. False detections of the CADe system were lower than those of the human observer (122 vs 191, P  <   0.001). Conclusions Compared with the human observer, the CADe system may improve the clinical outcome of colonoscopy and reduce disturbance to routine practice (Chictr.org.cn No.: ChiCTR1900025235). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the association of early-pregnancy serum C-peptide with incident gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and the predictive ability of maternal C-peptide for GDM. Methods: A nested case–control study of 332 GDM cases and 664 controls was established based on the Tongji-Shuangliu Birth Cohort. The GDM cases and controls were matched at 1:2 on maternal age (± 3 years) and gestational age (± 4 weeks). Multivariable conditional logistic regression was applied to assess the association of C-peptide with risk of GDM. Partial Spearman's correlation coefficients were estimated for the correlations between C-peptide and multiple metabolic biomarkers. C-statistics were calculated to assess the predictive ability of early-pregnancy C-peptide for GDM. Results: Of 996 pregnant women, median maternal age was 28.0 years old and median gestational age was 11.0 weeks. After adjustment for potential confounders, the odds ratio of GDM comparing the extreme quartiles of C-peptide was 2.28 (95% confidence interval, 1.43, 3.62; P for trend < 0.001). Partial correlation coefficients ranged between 0.07 and 0.77 for the correlations of C-peptide with fasting insulin, homeostatic model of insulin resistance, leptin, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, glycosylated hemoglobin, waist–hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P ≤ 0.025), and were − 0.11 and − 0.17 for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and adiponectin (P < 0.001). Serum C-peptide slightly improved the predictive performance of the model with conventional predictive factors (0.66 vs. 0.63; P = 0.008). Conclusion: While the predictive value for subsequent GDM should be validated, early-pregnancy serum C-peptide may be positively associated with risk of GDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background socioeconomic inequity in mortality and life expectancy remains inconclusive in low- and middle-income countries, and to what extent the associations are mediated or modified by lifestyles remains debatable. Methods we included 21,133 adults from China Health and Nutrition Survey (1991–2011) and constructed three parameters to reflect participants' overall individual- (synthesising income, education and occupation) and area-level (urbanisation index) socioeconomic status (SES) and lifestyles (counting the number of smoking, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet and bodyweight). HRs for mortality and life expectancy were estimated by time-dependent Cox model and life table method, respectively. Results during a median follow-up of 15.2 years, 1,352 deaths were recorded. HRs (95% CIs) for mortality comparing low versus high individual- and area-level SES were 2.38 (1.75–3.24) and 1.84 (1.51–2.24), respectively, corresponding to 5.7 (2.7–8.6) and 5.0 (3.6–6.3) life-year lost at age 50. Lifestyles explained ≤11.5% of socioeconomic disparity in mortality. Higher lifestyle risk scores were associated with higher mortality across all socioeconomic groups. HR (95% CI) for mortality comparing adults with low individual-level SES and 3–4 lifestyle risk factors versus those with high SES and 0–1 lifestyle risk factors was 7.06 (3.47–14.36), corresponding to 19.1 (2.6–35.7) life-year lost at age 50. Conclusion this is the first nationwide cohort study reporting that disadvantaged SES was associated with higher mortality and shorter life expectancy in China, which was slightly mediated by lifestyles. Risk lifestyles were related to higher mortality across all socioeconomic groups, and those with risk lifestyles and disadvantaged SES had much higher mortality risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to prospectively evaluate the associations between the baseline and changes in high-density C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and incident metabolic syndrome (MetS) in China and update the evidence based on a meta-analysis of cohort studies in different populations. Methods: Data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study among adults aged 45 years or older were analyzed. Participants who were recruited in the study in 2011–2012 without MetS and successfully followed up to 2015–2016 were included in our final analysis. Logistic regressions were applied to examine the prospective associations of baseline and changes in hs-CRP with incident MetS and estimate corresponding odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). A meta-analysis was conducted to synthesize effect estimates from our findings and other cohort studies on this topic. Results: Among 4,116 participants, 535 developed MetS after a 4-year follow-up. Compared with the participants with hs-CRP in the lowest quartile, those with hs-CRP in the second, third, and highest quartiles had higher odds of MetS, with multivariable-adjusted ORs (95% CIs) of 1.51 (1.12, 2.06), 1.50 (1.11, 2.04), and 1.83 (1.37, 2.47). For the hs-CRP changes, ORs (95% CIs) were 3.24 (2.51, 4.02), 3.34 (2.56, 4.38), and 3.34 (2.54, 4.40) respectively. One unit (log of 1 mg/L) increase in hs-CRP was associated with 23% higher risk of MetS (OR 1.23; 95% CI 1.10, 1.38). In a meta-analysis of 6 cohort studies, the pooled relative risk for MetS was 1.63 (1.38, 1.93) for the highest versus lowest level of hs-CRP. In addition, the pooled relative risk for MetS was 1.29 (1.05, 1.59) for each unit increase of hs-CRP after log-transformation. Conclusions: Both higher baseline hs-CRP and longitudinal hs-CRP increases were associated with higher risks of incident MetS. Individuals with high hs-CRP levels may need to be closely monitored for future risk of MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To prospectively examine the associations of baseline serum uric acid (SUA) and SUA changes with incident metabolic syndrome (MetS) and update the evidence through a meta-analysis. Methods: Our analyses were based on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study from 2011–2012 to 2015–2016. The exposures were baseline SUA and SUA changes, and the outcome was incident MetS assessed in 2015–2016. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A meta-analysis was conducted to synthesize evidence from all cohort studies on the same topic. Results: Of 3779 participants (47.2% men; mean age: 59.5 years) without MetS, 452 participants developed MetS after a follow-up of 4 years. Compared to the lowest quartiles, the adjusted ORs (95% CIs) for MetS were 1.08 (0.77–1.50), 1.32 (0.95–1.82), and 1.55 (1.12–2.16) for three higher quartiles of baseline SUA, and 1.23 (0.89–1.71), 1.39 (1.00–1.93), and 1.89 (1.38–2.58) for three higher quartiles of SUA changes. Each increment of 1 mg/dL of baseline SUA level was associated with 19% higher odds of MetS (adjusted OR 1.19; 95% CI 1.07–1.33). In the meta-analysis of 24 cohort studies among 140,913 participants, the pooled relative risk (95% CI) was 1.32 (1.25–1.40) for the highest versus lowest SUA category, and 1.15 (1.09–1.21) for each 1 mg/dL increase in the SUA level. Conclusions: Both baseline SUA and longitudinal SUA changes were positively associated with risk of MetS among middle-aged and elderly Chinese, which was supported by findings from a comprehensive meta-analysis across multiple populations. SUA levels might need to be monitored closely for subsequent risk of MetS in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In vitro and in vivo studies suggested that flavonols, flavones, flavanones and flavan-3-ols have preventive effects on breast carcinogenesis. Epidemiological evidence about the associations between these flavonoid biomarkers and breast cancer risk is limited. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum concentration of these flavonoids and breast cancer risk among Chinese women. Methods: This hospital-based case–control study recruited 792 breast cancer cases and 813 age frequency-matched (5-year interval) controls who provided eligible blood samples in Guangdong Province, China. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was used to measure flavonoids. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence internal (CI). Results: Higher concentrations of serum flavonols, isorhamnetin, kaempferol, flavanones and naringenin were significantly associated with lower breast cancer risk, with adjusted ORs (95% CIs) for the highest versus the lowest group of 0.66 (0.49–0.89) for flavonols, 0.52 (0.38–0.70) for isorhamnetin, 0.60 (0.45–0.80) for kaempferol, 0.65 (0.49–0.87) for flavanones and 0.45 (0.34–0.60) for naringenin, respectively. Significant positive associations were observed between serum flavan-3-ols, epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate and breast cancer risk. No significant associations were observed for serum quercetin, flavones, apigenin, luteolin, hesperetin, catechin, epicatechin and epicatechin-3-gallate with overall breast cancer risk. Conclusions: This study suggested that serum flavonols and flavanones were inversely associated with breast cancer risk and serum flavan-3-ols were positively associated with breast cancer risk. Serum flavones were not associated with overall breast cancer risk. These findings warrant further confirmation in prospective studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The total length‐weight relationships (LWRs) were estimated for six fish species from the lower reaches of the Jinsha River, southwest China. Specimens were seasonally collected using gillnets and drift gillnets (mesh size 2~14 cm), benthic fyke nets (mesh size 1 cm), baited hooks (stationary longline) and electricfishing (36 V/12 A, depth 3 m), in six sites from 2016 to 2019. The fish length (TL = total length, standard length (SL) as well as weight (W) were determined to the nearest 0.1 cm and 0.01 g, respectively. The LWRs for Jinshaia abbreviata (Günther, 1892) and Liobagrus marginatoides (Wu, 1930) are newly reported to FishBase. New maximum length or weight values were recorded for Pseudolaubuca engraulis (Nichols, 1925), Pseudobagrus truncatus (Regan, 1913), L. marginatoides, Abbottina obtusirostris (Wu & Wang, 1931) and Pseudobagrus pratti (Günther, 1892). All regressions were highly significant, with the coefficients of determination r2 > 0.950, and b values in the LWRs equations ranged from 2.399 to 3.484. For comparison and conversion, the SL‐TL relationships were also estimated, with r2 values ranging from 0.980 to 0.999. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Consumption of nuts improves cardio-metabolic risk factors in clinical trials and relates to lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in prospective observational studies. However, there has not been an adequately powered randomized controlled trial to test if nuts supplementation actually reduces incident CVD. In order to establish the feasibility of such a trial, the current study aimed to assess the acceptability and adherence to long-term nut supplementation amongst individuals at high CVD risk in China.Methods: This protocol described a 6-month trial performed in Ningxia Province in China among participants with a history of CVD or older age (female ≥65 years, male ≥60 years) with multiple CVD risk factors. Participants were randomized to control (received non-edible gift), low dose walnut (30 g/d), or high dose walnut (60 g/d) groups in a 1:1:1 ratio. Walnuts were provided at no cost to participants and could be consumed according to personal preferences. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 2 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. The primary outcome was fasting plasma alpha linolenic acid (ALA) levels used as an indicator of walnut consumption. Secondary outcomes included self-reported walnut intake from the 24 h dietary recalls. The target sample size of 210 provided 90% statistical power with two-sided alpha of 0.05 to detect a mean difference of 0.12% (as percent of total fatty acid) in plasma ALA between randomized groups.Results: Two hundred and ten participants were recruited and randomized during October 2019. Mean age of participants was 65 years (SD = 7.3), 47% were females, and 94% had a history of CVD at baseline. Across the three study groups, participants had similar baseline demographic and clinical characteristics.Discussion: This trial will quantify acceptability and adherence to long-term walnut supplementation in a Chinese population at high risk of CVD. The findings will support the design of a future large trial to test the effect of walnut supplementation for CVD prevention.Trial Registration: NCT04037943 Protocol version: v3.0 August 14 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cruciferous vegetables contain high levels of glucosinolates (GSL) and isothiocyanates (ITC). ITC are known to induce glutathione S-transferases (GST) and thus exert their anticarcinogenic effects. This study explored the combined effects of cruciferous vegetable, GSL and ITC intake and GST polymorphisms on breast cancer risk. A total of 737 breast cancer cases and 756 controls were recruited into this case–control study. OR and 95 % CI were assessed by multivariable logistic regression. Higher cruciferous vegetable, GSL and ITC intakes were inversely associated with breast cancer risk, with adjusted OR of 0·48 (95 % CI 0·35, 0·65), 0·54 (95 % CI 0·40, 0·74) and 0·62 (95 % CI 0·45, 0·84), respectively. Compared with women carrying the GSTP1 rs1695 wild AA genotype and high cruciferous vegetable, GSL or ITC intake, carriers of the AA genotype with low cruciferous vegetable, GSL and ITC intake had greater risk of breast cancer, with adjusted OR of 1·43 (95 % CI 1·01, 1·87), 1·34 (95 % CI 1·02, 1·75) and 1·37 (95 % CI 1·05, 1·80), respectively. Persons with the GSTM1-null genotype and lower intake of cruciferous vegetables, GSL and ITC had higher risk of breast cancer than those with the GSTM1-present genotype and higher intake, with OR of 1·42 (95 % CI 1·04, 1·95), 1·43 (95 % CI 1·05, 1·96) and 1·45 (95 % CI 1·06, 1·98), respectively. Among women possessing the GSTT1-present genotype, low intake of cruciferous vegetables, GSL or ITC was associated with higher risk of breast cancer. But these interactions were non-significant. This study indicated that there were no significant interactions between cruciferous vegetable, GSL or ITC intake and GST polymorphisms on breast cancer risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few studies have examined the age‐standardized incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) for comparison between populations. Information on delivery outcomes is also lacking for Chinese women with GDM. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine age‐standardized GDM incidence and assess its association with maternal and neonatal outcomes. Methods: A total of 1901 pregnant women were recruited in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. GDM was diagnosed between 24 and 28 weeks' gestation using oral glucose tolerance tests. Age‐standardized incidence rates of GDM were calculated using the direct method. Delivery outcomes were extracted from medical records and compared between the GDM and non‐GDM groups. Results: The age‐standardized GDM incidence was 18.3% (95% CI 15.6‐21.1) and increased with maternal age and prepregnancy body mass index (BMI). Women with GDM experienced longer length of stay in hospital, shorter gestation at delivery, and a higher risk of cesarean delivery. Their newborns were more likely to be macrosomic or small for gestational age, and to require neonatal intensive care. Conclusions: The incidence of GDM was high in Western China, especially among older and overweight women. Moreover, women with GDM had higher rates of adverse delivery outcomes. The findings lend further support for the screening, prevention, and management of GDM in Chinese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the growth trend of children from birth to 2 years old born full-term small-for-gestational-age (SGA) in Chengdu, China.Methods: Full-term SGA infants were prospectively followed from birth to 2 years of age. The weight, length and head circumference were monitored at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Catch-up growth and growth velocity were measured by using standardised z-score and Δz-score. Growth deviation was analysed.Results: A total of 850 full-term SGA infants were involved in our study. There were no significant differences in weight or length at birth between male and female infants. Full catch-up growth was seen in 95.85% of SGA infants within 2 years of life, with no gender differences. The z-score and Δz-score for weight at 3 months were less than those at other ages (P < 0.05). The z-score and Δz-score for length at 3 and 6 months were less than those at other ages (P < 0.05). Smaller z-score for head circumference was seen at 3 and 6 months (P < 0.05). The z-score for body mass index at 6 months was the largest over the period of follow-up. The total prevalence of being overweight or obese fluctuated around 10% at different follow-up stages. Males had a faster growth velocity for length at 12 months compared to females (P < 0.05). The proportion of those who were underweight, of short stature or had a head circumference z-score < -2 significantly decreased between 3 and 6 months. At 24 months, there was an increase in z-score of 0.67 standard deviation for both weight and length in most full-term SGA infants, and the proportion of underweight and short stature was 2.97 and 2.67%, respectively.Conclusions: Most full-term SGA infants undergo catch-up growth during the first year of life. Regardless of gender, the catch-up velocity for weight exceeded that for length at each visit. Additional follow-up studies are needed to determine long-term growth outcomes for full-term SGAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preventive care has an essential role in reducing income-related health inequalities. Despite a general consensus of the need of shifting focus from disease treatment to wellness and prevention, little is known about inequalities in access to preventive care in China. Our study aimed to explore the inequalities in preventive care usage and factors that were associated with such inequalities among Chinese adults.Methods: Multilevel logistic regression analyses were performed using national data from the 2011 Chinese Health and Nutrition Survey. The study sample comprised 13,483 adults who were covered by Basic Social Medical Insurance (BSMI). We analyzed individual socioeconomic status (marital status, education attainment, annual household income per capita, and medical insurance) and contextual factors for their influence on preventive care usage (region of residence and type of community) after controlling for health needs (age, sex, and health condition).Results: Out of the participants, 6.9 % received preventive care services over the past four weeks and 3.9 % went for a general physical examination prior to the survey. We noted regional disparities in the overall use of preventive care and specific use of general physical examination, with residents from central and northeastern regions less likely to use preventive care including general physical examination than in the more affluent eastern region. Lower levels of education and income were associated with reduced use of preventive care. Subscriptions to less generous social medical insurance programs such as Urban Resident-based Medical Insurance Scheme or New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme were associated with decreased specific use of general physical examinations, but not overall use of preventive care.Conclusions: Inequalities in preventive care usage were evident in China, and were associated with health needs and socioeconomic characteristics. Current health insurance arrangements may fail to reduce inequalities relating to preventive care. A fair and more coherent policy across all BSMI schemes is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using data from the China Kadoorie Biobank Study, we conducted a prospective investigation on the association between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cancer risk in Chinese adults. A total of 508,892 participants (mean age = 51.5 (standard deviation, 10.7) years) without prior cancer diagnosis at baseline (2004-2008) were included. We documented 17,463 incident cancer cases during follow-up through December 31, 2013. Participants with T2DM had increased risks of total and certain site-specific cancers; hazard ratios were 1.13 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07, 1.19) for total cancer, 1.51 (95% CI: 1.29, 1.76) for liver cancer, 1.86 (95% CI: 1.43, 2.41) for pancreatic cancer, and 1.21 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.47) for female breast cancer. The associations were largely consistent when physician-diagnosed and screen-detected T2DM were analyzed separately, except for colorectal cancer (for physician-diagnosed T2DM, HR = 0.91 (95% CI: 0.73, 1.13), and for screen-detected T2DM, HR = 1.44 (95% CI: 1.18, 1.77)). In participants without a prior diagnosis of T2DM, higher random blood glucose levels were positively associated with risks of total cancer, liver cancer, and female breast cancer (all P's for trend ≤ 0.02). In conclusion, T2DM is associated with an increased risk of new-onset cancer in China, particularly cancers of the liver, pancreas, and female breast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although previous studies have investigated the association of cruciferous vegetable consumption with breast cancer risk, few studies focused on the association between bioactive components in cruciferous vegetables, glucosinolates (GSL) and isothiocyanates (ITC), and breast cancer risk. This study aimed to examine the association between consumption of cruciferous vegetables and breast cancer risk according to GSL and ITC contents in a Chinese population. A total of 1485 cases and 1506 controls were recruited into this case–control study from June 2007 to March 2017. Consumption of cruciferous vegetables was assessed using a validated FFQ. Dietary GSL and ITC were computed by using two food composition databases linking GSL and ITC contents in cruciferous vegetables with responses to the FFQ. The OR and 95 % CI were assessed by unconditional logistic regression after adjusting for the potential confounders. Significant inverse associations were found between consumption of cruciferous vegetables, GSL and ITC and breast cancer risk. The adjusted OR comparing the highest with the lowest quartile were 0·51 (95 % CI 0·41, 0·63) for cruciferous vegetables, 0·54 (95 % CI 0·44, 0·67) for GSL and 0·62 (95 % CI 0·50, 0·76) for ITC, respectively. These inverse associations were also observed in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Subgroup analysis by hormone receptor status found inverse associations between cruciferous vegetables, GSL and ITC and both hormone-receptor-positive or hormone-receptor-negative breast cancer. This study indicated that consumption of cruciferous vegetables, GSL and ITC was inversely associated with breast cancer risk among Chinese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Nitrogen addition accelerated decomposition of low-quality monospecific litter. • Nitrogen addition shifted synergistic to additive effects during mixed litter decomposition. • Litter quality mediated N addition effects on monospecific litter decomposition. • Nitrogen addition altered mixed litter decomposition by reducing synergistic effects. Litter decomposition is a key determinant of soil organic matter accumulation in boreal peatlands. Climate warming and atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition have recently increased N availability in boreal peatlands. However, how increased N availability alters decomposition dynamics of plant litter is uncertain in these ecosystems, especially for litter mixtures. Here, we collected fresh litter of four common species (Betula fruticosa , Ledum palustre , Eriophorum vaginatum , and Sphagnum palustre) in a poor fen of northeast China, and established an N addition (6 g N m−2 year−1) experiment to assess the effect of increased N availability on monospecific and mixed litter decomposition in the hummocks and hollows after one and three years of decomposition. In both hummocks and hollows, N addition increased mass loss of four monospecific litter after one year of decomposition but only accelerated litter decomposition of E. vaginatum and S. palustre with low litter quality after three years of decomposition. Moreover, N addition effects on monospecific litter decomposition were negatively related to monospecific litter decomposition in the absence of N addition. Irrespective of decomposition position, additive effects were more frequent than synergistic effects during decomposition of litter mixtures. In addition, N addition generally changed synergistic effects to additive effects after one and three years of decomposition, and such changing trends were stronger in hummocks than in hollows. These observations suggest that litter quality mediates N addition effects on monospecific litter decomposition, and highlight that increased N availability will alter mixed litter decomposition by reducing synergistic effects in boreal peatlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have investigated the association between dietary inflammatory potential and the development of cancer. For breast cancer the results have been equivocal. The present study aimed to investigate whether higher Dietary Inflammatory IndexTM (DII) scores were associated with increased risk of breast cancer among Chinese women. A total of 867 cases and 824 controls were recruited into the present case–control study from September 2011 to February 2016. DII scores were computed based on baseline dietary intake assessed by a validated 81-item FFQ. The OR and 95 % CI were assessed by multivariable logistic regression after adjusting for various potential confounders. DII scores in this study ranged from −5·87 (most anti-inflammatory score) to +5·71 (most proinflammatory score). A higher DII score was associated with a higher breast cancer risk (adjusted ORquartile 4 v. 1 2·28; 95 % CI 1·71, 3·03; adjusted ORcontinuous 1·40; 95 %CI 1·25, 1·39). In stratified analyses, positive associations also were observed except for underweight women or women with either oestrogen receptor+ or progesterone receptor+ status (but not both). Results from this study indicated that higher DII scores, corresponding to more proinflammatory diets, were positively associated with breast cancer risk among Chinese women. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose: Choline and betaine are important for DNA methylation and synthesis, and may affect tumor carcinogenesis. To our knowledge, no previous study has examined the association between serum choline and betaine and breast cancer risk. This study aimed to examine whether serum choline and betaine were inversely associated with breast cancer risk among Chinese women. Methods: This hospital-based case-control study consecutively recruited 510 breast cancer cases and 518 frequency-matched (age and residence) controls, and blood samples were available for 500 cases and 500 controls. Serum choline and betaine were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Multiple unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). Results: An inverse association with breast cancer risk was observed for serum betaine (fourth vs first quartile adjusted OR 0.68, 95 % CI 0.47-0.97) and for the ratio of serum betaine to choline (fourth vs first quartile adjusted OR 0.70, 95 % CI 0.48-1.00), but not for serum choline (fourth vs first quartile adjusted OR 0.80, 95 % CI 0.56-1.15). Serum betaine was inversely associated with breast cancer risk in subjects with below-median dietary folate intake (fourth vs first quartile adjusted OR 0.48, 95 % CI 0.30-0.77). Conclusions: This study suggested that serum betaine but not choline was inversely associated with breast cancer risk. This result needed to be further confirmed by the prospective studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a national survey among medical students in China to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and explore associated risk factors based on an established questionnaire composed of demographic information, life events in the past four weeks before survey, and the validated Chinese version of the 21-item Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI). The mean age of enrolled 9010 students was 20.7 (standard deviation: 1.6) years. BDI scores indicated that 19.9% had depressive symptoms based on the cut-off score of 14. Socioeconomic factors and student characteristics such as male sex, low monthly income per capita, father's poor education background, and higher year of study were associated with higher prevalence of depressive symptoms among medical students. Students who studied in comprehensive universities were more likely to have depressive symptoms compared with those from medical universities. Habitual smoking and alcohol drinking, sleep deprivation, and hospitalization or medication for one week or more in the last four weeks also predisposed students to higher risk of depressive symptoms. Our results indicate that depressive symptoms are becoming a highly prevalent health problem among Chinese medical students. Primary and secondary prevention should be prioritized to tackle this issue based on potential risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Choline and betaine are essential nutrients involved in one-carbon metabolism and have been hypothesised to affect breast cancer risk. Functional polymorphisms in genes encoding choline-related one-carbon metabolism enzymes, including phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT), choline dehydrogenase (CHDH) and betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT), have important roles in choline metabolism and may thus interact with dietary choline and betaine intake to modify breast cancer risk. This study aimed to investigate the interactive effect of polymorphisms in PEMT, BHMT and CHDH genes with choline/betaine intake on breast cancer risk among Chinese women. This hospital-based case–control study consecutively recruited 570 cases with histologically confirmed breast cancer and 576 age-matched (5-year interval) controls. Choline and betaine intakes were assessed by a validated FFQ, and genotyping was conducted for PEMT rs7946, CHDH rs9001 and BHMT rs3733890. OR and 95 % CI were estimated using unconditional logistic regression. Compared with the highest quartile of choline intake, the lowest intake quartile showed a significant increased risk of breast cancer. The SNP PEMT rs7946, CHDH rs9001 and BHMT rs3733890 had no overall association with breast cancer, but a significant risk reduction was observed among postmenopausal women with AA genotype of BHMT rs3733890 (OR 0·49; 95 % CI 0·25, 0·98). Significant interactions were observed between choline intake and SNP PEMT rs7946 (Pinteraction=0·029) and BHMT rs3733890 (Pinteraction=0·006) in relation to breast cancer risk. Our results suggest that SNP PEMT rs7946 and BHMT rs3733890 may interact with choline intake on breast cancer risk. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Previous epidemiological studies have revealed the anti-cancer effect of dietary circulating carotenoids. However, the protective role of specific individual circulating carotenoids has not been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to examine whether serum carotenoids, including α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene and lutein/zeaxanthin, could lower the risk for breast cancer among Chinese women. A total of 521 women with breast cancer and age-matched controls (5-year interval) were selected from three teaching hospitals in Guangzhou, China. Concentrations of α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene and lutein/zeaxanthin were measured using HPLC. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to calculate OR and 95 % CI using quartiles defined in the control subjects. Significant inverse associations were observed between serum α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene, lutein/zeaxanthin and the risk for breast cancer. The multivariate OR for the highest quartile of serum concentration compared with the lowest quartile were 0·44 (95 % CI 0·30, 0·65) for α-carotene, 0·27 (95 % CI 0·18, 0·40) for β-carotene, 0·41 (95 % CI 0·28, 0·61) for lycopene and 0·26 (95 % CI 0·17, 0·38) for lutein/zeaxanthin. However, no significant association was found between serum β-cryptoxanthin and the risk for breast cancer. Stratified analysis by menopausal status and oestrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR) showed that serum α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene and lutein/zeaxanthin were inversely associated with breast cancer risk among premenopausal women and among all subtypes of ER or PR status. The results suggest a protective role of α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene and lutein/zeaxanthin, but not β-cryptoxanthin, in breast cancer risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is considered to be one of the most vulnerable drought-prone countries in the world, and it has recently suffered many severe droughts with large economic and societal losses. Drought events in China have been extracted using run theory based on the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index, which covers the period 1961-2013 across 810 stations. The drought events are characterized by three variables: duration, severity and peak. Exponential, Weibull and Pareto functions are then selected to describe the marginal distribution of duration, severity and peak, respectively. The Gumbel-Hougaard Copula was used to construct the joint distribution of Duration-Severity and Duration-Peak, while the Clayton Copula and the Gaussian Copula are used to construct the joint distribution of Severity-Peak and Duration-Severity-Peak, respectively. The results indicate that the return period is dependent on spatial location, variable type and the combination of variables. For extreme droughts, trivariate 'and' return periods are longer, with an average of 42.1 years. The short return period is mainly distributed in southern China, especially on the border between Sichuan and Yunnan, the coastal regions of Guangdong, western Hunan and northern Jiangxi. Studies on the identification of spatial distributions of drought return periods across China have therefore been undertaken for drought mitigation and strategy planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to systematically review economic evaluations of vaccine programs conducted in mainland China. We searched for economic evaluations of vaccination in China published prior to August 3, 2015 in eight English-language and three Chinese-language databases. Each article was appraised against the 19-item Consensus on Health Economic Criteria list (CHEC-list). We found 23 papers evaluating vaccines against hepatitis B (8 articles), Streptococcus pneumoniae (5 articles), human papillomavirus (3 articles), Japanese encephalitis (2 articles), rotavirus (2 articles), hepatitis A (1 article), Enterovirus 71 (1 article) and influenza (1 article). Studies conformed to a mean of 12 (range: 6–18) items in the CHEC-list criteria. Five of six Chinese-language articles conformed to fewer than half of the 19 criteria items. The main criteria that studies failed to conform to included: inappropriate measurement (20 articles) and valuation (18 articles) of treatment and/or vaccination costs, no discussion about distributional implications (18 articles), missing major health outcomes (14 articles), no discussion about generalizability to other contexts (14 articles), and inadequate sensitivity analysis (13 articles). In addition, ten studies did not include major cost components of vaccination programs, and nine did not report outcomes in terms of life years even in cases where QALYs or DALYs were calculated. Only 13 studies adopted a societal perspective for analysis. All studies concluded that the appraised vaccination programs were cost-effective except for one evaluation of universal 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) in children. However, three of the five studies on PCV-7 showed poor overall quality, and the number of studies on vaccines other than hepatitis B vaccine and PCV-7 was limited. In conclusion, major methodological flaws and reporting problems exist in current economic evaluations of vaccination programs in China. Local guidelines for good practice and reporting, institutional mechanisms and education may help to improve the overall quality of these evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Beiya skarn gold deposit is located in the eastern Tethyan orogenic belt in western Yunnan province, China. It is one of the largest gold deposits in China, with significant amounts of silver and base metals. To the end of 2014, the estimated resources are 125 million tonnes (Mt) of ore, grading 2.42 g/t Au, 0.48 wt % Cu, 25.5 wt % Fe, 38.85 g/t Ag, 1.24 wt % Pb, and 0.53 wt % Zn. Skarn alteration and mineralization are related to shoshonitic quartz monzonite porphyries that were emplaced in Triassic carbonates (Beiya Formation). Re-Os dating on molybdenite from a skarn orebody indicates an ore-forming age of 36.82 ± 0.48 Ma, which is consistent with previous dating results of the quartz monzonite porphyries. At least two paragenetic stages of skarn minerals and associated sulfides were recognized, with the early stage typified by garnet ± pyroxene, magnetite, and calcite, and the late stage characterized by epidote, amphibole, chlorite, quartz, and calcite, containing up to 70% sulfides (pyrite, chalcopyrite, and minor pyrrhotite). The early skarn is dominated by anhydrous minerals, which were replaced by hydrous minerals formed during the late stage. The garnet in the Beiya deposit is andradite rich (Ad36-97 Gr3-61), and pyroxene is relatively diopside rich (Di8-91 Hd7-89 ). This mineral assemblage indicates an oxidized skarn system, similar to other Au-Cu, Fe-bearing skarn deposits around the world. Fluid inclusions from pyroxene indicate precipitation from high-temperature and high- to moderate-salinity fluids (420°-530°C, 11.1-43.3 wt % NaCl equiv), which probably results from boiling of a moderately saline magmatic fluid. Cooler (180°-365°C) and moderate- to low-salinity fluids (1.6-16.5 wt % NaCl equiv) were trapped in garnet and quartz and are interpreted to be responsible for gold deposition. Chlorite chemistry indicates ore-forming temperatures between 300° and 340°C, in agreement with fluid inclusion data. It appears that gold was transported as chloride complexes under oxidized conditions and was deposited at temperatures of about 300°C, when transport of chloride complexes as gold carriers was less efficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To investigate the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine–related knowledge and factors associated with the knowledge among parents of young adolescents in China. Methods The study was based on data of a survey carried out in seven geographic regions of China. Parents of students in junior middle school were surveyed during parents' meetings. Results A total of 2895 parents were included in the analyses. Of parents, 38.3% responded with “yes” to more than three of the six knowledge questions, among whom only 4.5% of them correctly answered all six questions. Social benefit programs (41.3%), doctors and/or nurses (39.7%), and newspapers and/or magazines (36.5%) were selected as the top three sources of HPV-related knowledge. Mothers, parents who work in the health care sector, and parents with a higher annual income or with vaccination experience outside the expanded program on immunization showed a better knowledge base. Parents who consented to sex education for children or showed fear of cervical cancer were likely to have more HPV-related knowledge. In particular, the knowledge level of parents with prior consultation regarding HPV vaccines was higher. Conclusions Parents of young adolescents in China possessed a low level of HPV vaccine–related knowledge. Findings highlight the need for tailored health education through different channels to improve HPV-related knowledge among parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The protective effect of dietary carotenoid intake on the risk of breast cancer is inconclusive. Moreover, data on dietary carotenoids in relation to breast cancer in non-Western populations are scarce. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between dietary carotenoid intake and the risk of breast cancer among Chinese women. A total of 561 cases and 561 controls who were frequency matched by age (5-year interval) and residence were recruited in the present case–control study. Dietary intake information was collected by a face-to-face interview using a validated FFQ. The OR and 95 % CI were assessed by multivariate logistic regression after adjusting for various potential confounders. An inverse association was observed between the consumption of α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and lutein/zeaxanthin and the risk of breast cancer. The multivariate-adjusted OR for the highest quartile of intake compared with the lowest quartile of intake were 0·61 (95 % CI 0·43, 0·88) for α-carotene, 0·54 (95 % CI 0·38, 0·78) for β-carotene, 0·38 (95 % CI 0·26, 0·52) for β-cryptoxanthin and 0·49 (95 % CI 0·34, 0·71) for lutein/zeaxanthin. Lycopene intake was not found to be associated with the risk of breast cancer, with the adjusted OR of 0·89 (95 % CI 0·61, 1·30). These inverse associations were more evident among pre-menopausal women and women who were exposed to second-hand smoke. The protective effect of specific carotenoid intake was observed for all subtypes of hormone receptor status of breast cancer. The present study indicated that a greater intake of specific carotenoids was associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer among Chinese women residing in Guangdong. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Cirrhinus mrigala is a fish introduced from India to the south China in 1980s, and a large number of this species is found in the Three Gorges Reservoir of the upper Yangtze River now, which might pose a great threat to the indigenous fish. In this study, we sequenced and characterized the complete mitochondrial genome of C. mrigala from the Three Gorges Reservoir. The complete mitochondrial genome was 16,595 bp in length and contained 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes (12S rRNA and 16S rRNA), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNA) and one non-coding control region (D-loop). The overall nucleotide composition was 32.05% (A), 24.48% (T), 15.49% (G) and 27.98% (C). The phylogenetic tree indicated that C. mrigala was related to Sinilabeo rendahli, Abbottina rivularis and Pseudogyrinocheilus prochilus. The results can provide basic genetic information for subsequent population genetic and phylogenetic researches, which will be helpful for understanding the genetic resource dynamic of C. mrigala in areas outside of its native distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We conducted a nation-wide survey on the perceptions and acceptability of HPV vaccination. [•] We found low acceptability of HPV vaccine among parents of young adolescents. [•] Mothers and well educated parents were less likely to accept HPV vaccination. [•] Knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccine was a positive correlate with vaccination acceptability. [•] Local CDC was selected as the most appropriate venue for HPV vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorption behaviors of Cr(III) from aqueous solution by Gaomiaozi (GMZ) bentonite were studied using equilibrium batch techniques. The effects of shaking time, pH value, adsorbent dose, ionic strength and temperature on adsorption capacity of GMZ bentonite were investigated. The optimum pH value was defined to be 7.0 at temperature 293.15 K. Kinetic and isotherm experiments were carried out at the optimum pH. It was enough to reach the adsorption equilibrium at 2 h and the maximum adsorption capacity was 4.68 mg/g under the given experimental conditions. The equilibrium data were fitted to pseudo-second-order kinetic equation. The Freundlich adsorption isotherm models were conducted for the description of the adsorption process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Aim: Whether the burden of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) accumulation, a marker of oxidative stress, is affected by dialysis modality remains unclear. We compared the serum levels of AOPP in patients on haemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and tested the hypothesis that an accumulation of AOPP was an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Methods: This was a cross-section study. A total of 2095 patients (1539 HD, 556 CAPD) were recruited from the nine largest dialysis centres in China. Persons in medical centres for disease screening were selected as controls. Patients maintained on HD were dialyzed twice or thrice weekly. CAPD patients used lactate-buffered, glucose-containing solutions. The patients' data were abstracted from the medical record. The serum levels of AOPP were determined by spectrophotometric detection. Results: The levels of AOPP were significantly elevated in both HD and CAPD patients compared to healthy controls. Accumulation of AOPP was more significant in HD compared to CAPD population. Meanwhile, AOPP accumulation was associated with the presence of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) only in HD, but not CAPD patients. A higher proportion of IHD was found in the HD population among those with higher levels of AOPP in each category of age and irrespective of the presence or absence of high triglyceride. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that accumulation of AOPP was an independent risk factor for IHD in HD population. Conclusion: Accumulation of AOPP was more significant in HD compared to CAPD patients. The level of AOPP was independently associated with IHD only in HD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yangtze is the largest river in China and the third largest river in the world. Being pregnant with plentiful fish resources, it is not only the representative of the areas with biological diversity, but also a cradle of freshwater fisheries in China. In the Yangtze, at present, the fishery resources are seriously depleted; the fishery yield by fishing is significantly reduced; significant changes have occurred on the structure of fish community, with decrease in migratory fish species, reduction in the quantity of the populations of rare, peculiar and economically important fish species and increase in the number of exotic fish species, and severe trend in fish stunting. Habitat fragmentation and shrinkage, resources overexploitation, water pollution and invasion of exotic species are the main causes for threatening fish stocks in the Yangtze River. Since 1950’s, a lot of scientific researches have been conducted on biology of fishes from the Yangtze River and its fisheries to provide scientific basis for their protection. In recent years, measures such as closed spring, fish reserves, artificial enhancement & release, ecological rehabilitation, fishery management and international cooperation have played important roles. Nevertheless, researches on fishes from the Yangtze cannot adequately meet the demand for their protection. Especially, those in the aspects of population ecology of Yangtze fishes, species endangerment mechanism, ecological effects of large hydraulic projects and protection strategy are not deep enough. It is recommended that scientific researches should be conducted in comprehensive survey of Yangtze fish resources, fish endangerment mechanism, techniques in artificial enhancement and release of key species, risk assessment of exotic species, ecological rehabilitation of major fisheries functional zones, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor environment constitutes an important source of industrial additive chemicals to human exposure. We hypothesized that the influence of residential environment on human exposure varies among different types of additive chemicals and differs between children and mothers. This study determined a suite of additive chemicals in house dust from South China dwellings (n = 47) and urine from child-mother pairs. Concentrations of phthalates (PAEs; median 601 μg/g) were 2–3 orders of magnitude greater than those of parabens (0.82 μg/g), bisphenols (3.31 μg/g), and benzophenone-related chemicals (2.69 μg/g). Urinary concentrations differed between children and mothers, but the pattern of differences varied between chemical groups. Children exhibited greater urinary levels of mono-PAEs than mothers (510 versus 395 ng/mL, p = 0.152), while the latter population exhibited greater levels of parabens and benzophenones. Regression analyses indicate a lack of association between dust and urinary levels for most chemicals, suggesting that other exposure pathways can complicate human exposure scenarios. Indeed, we estimated that the daily intake via dust ingestion only constituted 0.002–0.81% of total daily intake estimated based on urine data for mothers and 0.04–5.61% for children. Future efforts are needed to better characterize source-specific exposure for different populations. [Display omitted] • PAEs, parabens, benzophenones and bisphenols were frequently detected in house dust. • Urinary levels of PAEs, parabens, and benzophenones differed between children and mothers. • Influence of residential environment on human exposure varies among chemicals. • Dust intake contributed a small proportion to the overall exposure of children and mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the prospective associations of nighttime sleep duration, midday napping, and sleep quality during early pregnancy with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk among Chinese pregnant women. Sleep-related information was assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index in baseline surveys during the 6–15 (mean 10.3) gestational weeks. GDM was diagnosed during 24–28 gestational weeks according to the Chinese Guidelines on Diagnosis and Management of Hyperglycemia in Pregnancy (2022). Multivariable logistic regression models with adjustments for socio-demographic and lifestyle factors were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations of sleep traits with GDM risk. We identified 503 incident GDM cases among 6993 participants. Compared with women who slept for 7–9 hours/night in early pregnancy, those who slept <7 hours/night showed a higher risk of GDM (OR, 1.75; 95 % CI: 1.20–2.54), whereas those who slept >9 hours/night showed no significant association for GDM risk (OR, 1.01; 95 % CI: 0.78–1.30). Compared with women with absolutely no napping, those with ≤60 and > 60 min/day midday napping showed no significant association for GDM risk (OR, 0.82; 95 % CI: 0.64–1.05 for ≤60 min/day midday napping; OR, 0.87; 95 % CI: 0.66–1.15 for >60 min/day midday napping). Poor sleep quality was not associated with GDM risk compared with good quality (OR, 0.90; 95 % CI: 0.72–1.12). A short nighttime sleep duration during early pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of GDM, which was independent of midday napping, sleep quality and lifestyle factors. [Display omitted] • The associations of sleep traits with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have not been thoroughly examined. • This study investigated the prospective associations of sleep traits during early pregnancy with GDM risk among Chinese. • Short nighttime sleep duration was associated with an increased risk of GDM in the relatively large prospective cohort. • The study highlights the importance of maintaining adequate nighttime sleep duration during early pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze the growth status and to identify the risk factors that influence the catch-up growth of preterm infants after discharge and to provide evidence for feeding strategies and the need for further research. Methods: A descriptive correlational analysis was applied. The sample consisted of 309 preterm infants and their caregivers selected from June to August 2017 from five women's and children's hospitals. Self-designed questionnaires based on knowledge, attitude and practice and the Health Belief Model (HBM) were used to measure the catch-up growth status of preterm infants after discharge. Logistic regression was used to determine the risk factors for the catch-up growth of preterm infants. Results: The results showed that of 309 preterm infants, only 14 (4.5%) were underweight, and 52 (17.4%) did not meet the criteria for catch-up growth at 12 months of actual age. The logistic regression analysis showed that gestational age, regular health care, caregivers' educational background, mothers' daily contact with the baby, monthly average family income, the addition of a breast milk supplement, and daily milk volume were risk factors that affected the catch-up growth of preterm infants after discharge. Conclusions: The rate of catch-up growth of preterm infants is still not high. We should pay much more attention to preterm infants of small gestational age and guide their child care on a regular basis to detect and correct risk factors in a timely fashion, especially those involving lower daily milk volume, lower degree of culture and family economic difficulties. Second, we suggest that the government publish relevant policy that appropriately increases the length of maternity leave for preterm mothers. Future studies should have larger sample sizes and explore other important factors influencing the catch-up growth of preterm infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the decision of the government in China to integrate the Basic Medical Insurance Scheme and the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme as the main social health insurance schemes in the country. Topics mentioned include the influence of the decision towards universal health coverage with reimbursement rates and the aspects to consider the implementation of the integration, such as routine monitoring of its progress and the absence of progressivity in both schemes.

Background: Infantile hemangioma (IH) is the most common vascular tumor in children. It is controversial whether IHs has effects on the quality of life (QOL) in patients of whom IH poses no threat or potential for complication. Thus, we conducted this study to evaluate the q QOL in patients with IH and find the predictors of poor QOL.Methods: The PedsQL 4.0 Genetic Core Scales and the PedsQL family information form were administered to parents of children with IH and healthy children both younger than 2-year-old. The quality-of-life instrument for IH (IH-QOL) and the PedsQL 4.0 family impact module were administered to parents of children with IH. We compared the PedsQL 4.0 Genetic Core Scales (GCIS) scores of the two groups. Multiple step-wise regression analysis was used to determine factors that influenced QOL in children with IH and their parents.Results: Except for physical symptom, we found no significant difference in GCIS between patient group and healthy group (P = 0.409). The internal reliability of IH-QOL was excellent with the Cronbach's alpha coefficient for summary scores being 0.76. Multiple step-wise regression analysis showed that the predictors of poor IH-QOL total scores were hemangioma size, location, and mother's education level. The predictors of poor FIM total scores were hemangioma location and father's education level. The predictors of poor GCIS total scores were children's age, hemangioma location and father's education level.Conclusion: The findings support the feasibility and reliability of the Chinese version of IH-QOL to evaluate the QOL in children with IH and their parents. Hemangioma size, location and education level of mother are important impact factors for QOL in children with IH and their parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a review of our recent research in econophysics, and focus on the comparative study of Chinese and western financial markets. By virtue of concepts and methods in statistical physics, we investigate the time correlations and spatial structure of financial markets based on empirical high-frequency data. We discover that the Chinese stock market shares common basic properties with the western stock markets, such as the fat-tail probability distribution of price returns, the long-range auto-correlation of volatilities, and the persistence probability of volatilities, while it exhibits very different higher-order time correlations of price returns and volatilities, spatial correlations of individual stock prices, and large-fluctuation dynamic behaviors. Furthermore, multi-agent-based models are developed to simulate the microscopic interaction and dynamic evolution of the stock markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Our research aimed to prospectively evaluate the association between arthritis and depression among middle-aged and elderly Chinese and confirmed this association in other populations.Methods: Data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were analyzed. Participants were enrolled in this study in 2011-2012 (Wave 1) and followed up in 2013-2014 (Wave 2) and 2015-2016 (Wave 3). Depression was defined as having a score equal to over 10 using the Chinese version of 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. Arthritis was assessed by self-reported physician diagnosis in Wave 1. Cox proportional hazards regression models were fitted to evaluate prospective associations between baseline arthritis status and incident and persistent depression. Summary effect estimates were pooled from our findings and those reported in literature by applying random effects models.Results: The study included 7,386 participants aged 58.48 years (standard deviation, 9.59) for final analyses. Individuals with arthritis had a 35% higher risk (multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23, 1.49) and 50% higher risk (HR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.22, 1.84) of developing incident and persistent depression compared with those without arthritis. The meta-analysis of prospective studies confirmed increased risk of depression in individuals with arthritis (summary HR: 1.42, 95% CI, 1.34, 1.52).Limitations: Depression was assessed by a screening tool and arthritis was assessed by self-reported physician diagnosis.Conclusions: A positive relationship between arthritis and depression was noted in the middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults and other populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine prospective associations of clinically relevant depressive symptoms with cognitive functions and rates of cognitive decline among Chinese adults aged 45 years and older.Methods: Data was from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) with a follow-up of 4 years. Based on the Chinese version of 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10), clinically relevant depressive symptoms were defined with a CESD-10 score≥10 points. Cognitive functions were measured in three domains: episodic memory, mental status and global cognition. Linear mixed models were used to assess the associations between clinically relevant depressive symptoms and cognitive functions.Results: A total of 7335 participants (50.10% men; mean age: 57.47) were included in analyses. Participants with clinically relevant depressive symptoms showed poorer episodic memory (β=-0.35; 95% CI:-0.41, -0.29), mental status (β=-0.48; 95% CI: -0.57, -0.39), and global cognition (β=-0.82; 95% CI: -0.94, -0.70) during the follow-up. Compared with counterparts, rates of decline in episodic memory, mental status, and global cognition increased by 0.04 (β=0.04; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.06), 0.06 (β=0.06; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.09) and 0.11 (β=0.11; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.15) units per year in participants with clinically relevant depressive symptoms.Limitations: A major limitation is that clinically relevant depressive symptoms were assessed by a screening tool and the follow-up was short.Conclusion: More severe clinically relevant depressive symptoms were associated with poorer cognitive functions and moderately faster cognitive decline in episodic memory, mental status and global cognition in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergent processes driving the history are a product of complex interactions among enormous amounts of individuals. To characterize these processes, we reconstruct social maps of cities over a millennium through social associations of more than 14600 elites in ancient China. In specific, the social relations between cities are established by the social associations of elites of their inhabitants. We calculate the topological measures to quantify the structural properties of the social maps. Different centrality measures are introduced to identify the social centers, which evolve dynamically. The deviation between social and political centers implies the existence of de-imperialization, which occurred almost between the 11th and 12th centuries. Significantly, the community structure clustered with the social interconnections relates to the geographic distribution. Closer geographic distances are associated with stronger social strengths between two cities. Finally, the social maps show that ancient China's landscape of culture and politics undergo a metamorphosis from the single-center mode to the multi-center mode. • We reconstruct the social maps of cities in ancient China. • Social centers are identified by different centrality measures. • Community structure in social maps relates to geographic distribution. • China undergo a metamorphosis from the single-center mode to the multi-center mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geography effect is investigated for the Chinese stock market including the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets, based on the daily data of individual stocks. The stocks in the Shanghai city and the Guangdong province are found to greatly contribute to the Shanghai and Shenzhen markets in the geographical sector, respectively. By investigating a geographical correlation on a geographical parameter, the stock location is found to have an impact on the financial dynamics, except for the financial crisis time of the Shenzhen market. Stock distance effect is further studied, with the probability of the short distance observed to be much greater than that of the long distance. The distance is found to only affect the stock correlation of the Shanghai stock market, but has no effect on the Shenzhen stock market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To examine the associations of serum concentrations of adiponectin and leptin and leptin/adiponectin ratio (LAR) in early pregnancy with risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Chinese women. The predictive ability of those biomarkers for GDM was also assessed.Methods: Within the Tongji-Shuangliu Birth Cohort, a nested case-control study was established with 332 GDM cases and 664 matched controls at 1:2 ratio on age (±3 years) and gestational age (±4 weeks). Serum adiponectin and leptin levels were measured in early pregnancy (median gestational week, 11; range, 6-15). Conditional logistic regression models with adjustment for potential covariates were used to evaluate the associations.Results: Multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) comparing extreme quartiles of adiponectin, leptin and LAR were 0.55 (95 % CI, 0.35, 0.85), 1.96 (95 % CI, 1.19, 3.24), and 2.72 (95 % CI, 1.63, 4.54) for GDM, respectively (All P-trend < 0.02). Adding adiponectin and leptin to a conventional prediction model (including traditional risk factors and fasting glucose) increased the C-statistics from 0.708 (95 % CI, 0.674, 0.741) to 0.728 (95 % CI, 0.695, 0.760), and achieved a net reclassification improvement of 0.292.Conclusions: Our findings indicate that adiponectin is inversely associated with GDM, while leptin and LAR are positively associated with GDM in Chinese pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Qinling–Dabie–Sulu Orogen is dotted with Mesozoic igneous rocks and its exact tectonic origin is still controversial, especially the precise timing of initial collision between the North China Block (NCB) and the Yangtze Block (YB) and the subsequent closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean in Qinling, China. This paper presents geochronological and geochemical data for pyroxene andesites in Maixiu area, West Qinling. Laser fusion 40Ar/39Ar dating for matrix glass yields an isochron age of 234±3Ma. The Maixiu pyroxene andesites (MPAs) display a hyalopilitic texture, and the predominant phenocryst phases are plagioclase, orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene. Orthopyroxene generally displays delicately normal zoning, whereas some clinopyroxene grains exhibit reverse zonings. Textural relations indicate that magma mixing plays a key role for the genesis of the MPAs. The MPAs, with 53.75–57.29wt.% SiO2, 0.6–0.82wt.% TiO2 and 48–72 Mg#, are characterized by high magnesium contents in some samples. The MPAs display enriched light rare earth elements (LREEs) and relatively high (La/Yb)N ratios (5–9). Clinopyroxene phenocrysts are depleted in some HFSE (e.g., Nb, Zr, Hf, and Ti) and some LILE (i.e., Ba, K and Sr), and are enriched in some other HFSE (e.g., Th and U), REE (e.g., Nd and Sm) and some other LILE (e.g., Rb and Pb). The MPAs have uniformly low εNd(t) values (−7.74 to −9.27) and high (87Sr/86Sr)t ratios (0.70788 to 0.71225), implying a continental rather than oceanic type magma source. Based on data for clinopyroxene phenocrysts, we estimate a temperature range of 956 to 1087°C with the mean value of 1032±39°C (1σ), and a pressure range from 5.9 to 13.6kbar with an average of 9.8±1.9kbar (1σ). We conclude that the petrogenesis of the MPAs in West Qinling Orogen may have involved magma mixing between melts derived from the sedimentary cover of the northward-subducting A'nyemaqen–Mianlue oceanic slab and peridotite-derived basaltic melts from the overriding mantle wedge during the initial collision stage between the NCB and the YB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity is a major public health issue in China and around the world. While acupuncture is often used in clinical practice, there is a lack of conclusive evidence for its weight-loss effect. Thus we will conduct a parallel, randomised, sham-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for treating obesity., Methods and Analysis: A total of 160 eligible participants with obesity will be randomly assigned to the verum acupuncture group or sham acupuncture group at a ratio of 1:1. All participants will be treated three times a week for a duration of 12 weeks, and followed up for another 16 weeks. The primary outcome is the percentage change in body weight from baseline to Week 12. The secondary outcomes include body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), body fat percentage (BF%), blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, glycosylated haemoglobin A1c, blood lipids, and physical functioning score on the Short Form 36 Health Survey. Other secondary outcomes including psychological and social functions will also be evaluated using the body image scale, psychological function scale, and social function scale of the BODY-Q, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire. BMI, WC, BF% and blood pressure will be evaluated at Week 0, 4, 8, 12 and 28. Other secondary outcomes will be measured at Week 0, 12 and 28, respectively. Adverse events will be recorded in detail during the trial., Ethics and Dissemination: Ethical approval of this trial was granted by the Ethics Committee of Chengdu Sport University (2023-102). Written informed consent will be obtained from study participants before enrolment. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals., Trial Registration Number: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200062092)., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency disease in preterm infants, significantly affecting their growth and development. For preterm infants to flourish physically and neurologically, timely iron supplementation is essential. The main goals of this study were to determine whether the present iron supplementation regimen results in iron overload in late preterm infants and whether it can meet the growth requirements of early preterm infants for catch-up., Methods: We conducted a prospective follow-up study on preterm infants at the Department of Child Health, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, from January 1, 2020, to August 31, 2020. In this study, 177 preterm infants were divided into two groups based on gestational age-early preterm infants (gestational age < 34 weeks) and late preterm infants (gestational age ≥ 34 weeks and < 37 weeks)-to compare the incidence of iron deficiency, iron status, and physical growth of preterm infants receiving iron supplements (2-4 mg/kg/d)., Results: Iron supplementation considerably reduced the incidence of iron deficiency in preterm infants. The prevalence of iron deficiency in early preterm infants and late preterm infants was 11.3% and 5.1%, respectively, at the corrected gestational age of 3 months; at the corrected gestational age of 6 months, the prevalence was 5.3% and 6.3%, respectively. No preterm infants with iron deficiency were detected in either group at the corrected gestational age of 12 months. Ferritin was substantially lower in early preterm infants (36.87 ± 31.57 ng/ml) than in late preterm infants (65.78 ± 75.76 ng/ml) at the corrected gestational age of 3 months (p < 0.05). A multifactorial regression analysis of factors influencing iron metabolism levels in preterm infants revealed a positive relationship between log 10 hepcidin, birth weight, and ferritin, with higher birth weights resulting in higher ferritin levels., Conclusions: Postnatal iron supplementation at 2-4 mg/kg/d in preterm infants significantly decreases the incidence of ID. There were substantial differences in iron levels across preterm infants of varying gestational ages. A tailored iron supplementation plan based on growth, birth weight, and gestational age may be a more suitable route for iron supplementation. Although the current study found that the postnatal iron status of early preterm infants differed from that of late preterm infants, the actual mechanism of action remains unknown, and large-sample, multicenter clinical studies are required to investigate this further., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: The remodelling of gut mycobiome (ie, fungi) during pregnancy and its potential influence on host metabolism and pregnancy health remains largely unexplored. Here, we aim to examine the characteristics of gut fungi in pregnant women, and reveal the associations between gut mycobiome, host metabolome and pregnancy health., Design: Based on a prospective birth cohort in central China (2017 to 2020): Tongji-Huaxi-Shuangliu Birth Cohort, we included 4800 participants who had available ITS2 sequencing data, dietary information and clinical records during their pregnancy. Additionally, we established a subcohort of 1059 participants, which included 514 women who gave birth to preterm, low birthweight or macrosomia infants, as well as 545 randomly selected controls. In this subcohort, a total of 750, 748 and 709 participants had ITS2 sequencing data, 16S sequencing data and serum metabolome data available, respectively, across all trimesters., Results: The composition of gut fungi changes dramatically from early to late pregnancy, exhibiting a greater degree of variability and individuality compared with changes observed in gut bacteria. The multiomics data provide a landscape of the networks among gut mycobiome, biological functionality, serum metabolites and pregnancy health, pinpointing the link between Mucor and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The prepregnancy overweight status is a key factor influencing both gut mycobiome compositional alteration and the pattern of metabolic remodelling during pregnancy., Conclusion: This study provides a landscape of gut mycobiome dynamics during pregnancy and its relationship with host metabolism and pregnancy health, which lays the foundation of the future gut mycobiome investigation for healthy pregnancy., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)