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Despite women academics reaching higher positions, in institutional hierarchies they still face multiple tensions that hinder reaching leadership positions.1 This study explores the perception of leadership among Chinese women academics who currently do not hold academic leadership positions. A feminist critical discourse analysis of 14 Chinese women academics' narratives, using Butlerian theory, indicates that institutional discourses have been shaped predominantly by men's norms and preferences, creating challenges for women assuming leadership responsibilities. The findings show that women and men academics appear to have different career trajectories, with men taking on more administrative roles and advancing further in their academic careers. For many women, leadership conflicts with family obligations, as families often take priority, consistent with gender norms. This study also reveals how social and institutional regulatory power, such as gender norms and institutional discourses, constitutes and shapes a gendered structure of academic leadership positions in Chinese universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faculty of color are constantly experiencing trauma and racial inequities in inherently Eurocentric educational spaces where their histories, knowledge, and experiences are delegitimized and marginalized. Employing critical race feminism (CRF) and White racial identity development model, this article details ways in which two Chinese international women instructors grappled with tensions and trauma and celebrated (small) joys and successes within Predominantly White Institutions (PWI) in the United States. We drew on duoethnography, a dialogic methodological approach grounded in social justice, to make meaning of, (re)construct, and advance racial equity in pedagogy. We examined and analyzed four sources of data: our personal narratives, transcripts of eight Zoom meetings, reflection journals, and informal conversational exchanges. We identified three strategies for navigating dissonance and conflicts: 1) being vulnerable, 2) recognizing shared and differing marginalization or privileges, and 3) building allies intentionally and strategically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: China has undergone a significant socioeconomic transformation over the past few decades due to the implementation of family planning policies. These societal changes have resulted in an increased susceptibility among females to developing cardiometabolic diseases (CMD). Unfortunately, studies investigating the correlation between family planning policies in China and the incidence of CMD remain scarce. Methods: Data from 1,226 females, aged 30 years or older with ≥ 1 live birth, undergoing routine physical examinations between January 2018 and December 2021 were collected, and they were grouped by number of live births 1, 2, and ≥ 3. A binary logistic regression model was employed to examine the association between the number of live births with CMD. Furthermore, the subgroup analysis was performed to elucidate the impact of the implementation of family planning policies with CMD. Results: Women with live births ≥ 3 tended to be older, had higher gravidities, a greater proportion of central obesity, general obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia (all P < 0.05). Across the three groups (live birth = 1, =2 and ≥ 3), the odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI for obesity were: 1.00, 3.32 (2.36–4.69), and 5.73 (3.79–8.68); for dyslipidemia were: 1.00, 1.75 (1.29–2.39), and 2.02 (1.38–2.94); and for CMD were: 1.00, 1.91 (1.44–2.54), and 2.15 (1.46–3.15), respectively (all P < 0.05). In addition, based on the different periods of the childbearing policy in China, a subgroup analysis (where age was divided into ≤ 45, 45–65, and ≥ 65 years old) found that each additional live birth increased the prevalence risk of obesity and CMD in the younger generations, while hypertension and dyslipidemia in the elder generation. Conclusions: Higher live births are positively associated with the prevalence of CMD among women in Southwest China. Moreover, giving birth after the implementation of the one-child policy tends to have a higher risk of developing CMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context.--Noninvasive self-sampling is a convenient option that may be highly accepted by women for home- based detection, which could increase the screening rate for cervical cancer (CC) and reduce its incidence and mortality. Objective.--To compare the distribution of high-risk human papillomavirus (hr-HPV) between the vulva and cervix and to explore the clinical value of vulvar HPV detection in CC screening. Design.--The study was nested within a clinical trial on a recombinant HPV 9-valent vaccine for women ages 20 to 45 years. Women with paired vulvar and cervical specimens were included and underwent cytology and HPV detection. The consistency of HPV detection between vulvar and cervical specimens was evaluated using Cohen K statistics. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of primary CC screening. The primary end points were cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2/3 or worse (CIN2+/3+). Results.--A total of 7999 women were enrolled, and 83/33 cases were diagnosed as CIN2+/CIN3+. The HPV- positive rate in vulvar specimens (1785 of 7999; 22.32%) was higher than that in cervical specimens (1390 of 7999; 17.38%), and there were no significant differences in the distribution of hr-HPV genotypes between the vulva and cervix in patients with CIN2+/CIN3+. Vulva-based HPV primary screening showed sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV comparable to those for cervix-based HPV primary CC screening in the detection of CIN3+. Conclusions.--The distribution of vulvar and cervical HPV was similar in patients with CIN2+/CIN3+. Vulva-based HPV primary CC screening had acceptable diagnostic efficacy and might be used as a modality for primary CC screening. [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]

ObjectiveWith the approval of trastuzumab deruxtecan for the treatment of unresectable/metastatic HER2-low breast cancer, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low has emerged as a clinically actionable biomarker. There is an urgent need for a deeper understanding of HER2-low breast cancer patients. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the clinicopathological characteristics, the evolution of HER2-low status, and its impact on the prognosis of hormone receptor (HoR)-negative/HER2-low metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients.MethodsThis pooled analysis included 350 metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) patients who received first-line platinum-based chemotherapy at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from November 2007 to July 2022. Patients were categorized into HER2-0 and HER2-low groups based on their HER2 status. Baseline clinicopathological characteristics, evolution of HER2 status between primary and metastatic lesions, and treatment efficacy were compared between the two groups.ResultsAmong the 350 mTNBC patients, 34.9% (122/350) were HER2-low and 65.1% (228/350) were HER2-0. Significant differences were observed between HER2-low and HER2-0 patients in terms of age and menopausal status. HER2-low patients were older (54 vs. 49 years, p=0.002) and had a lower proportion of premenopausal patients (32.8% vs. 52.6%, p

Prenatal depression, associated with adverse effects on mothers and fetuses, has received little attention. We conducted a large-sample study to investigate the risk factors of, and develop a predictive model for, prenatal depression in the Chinese population. This study enrolled 14,329 pregnant women who delivered at the West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University from January 2017 to December 2020. Participants were divided into a training or validation cohort. Multiple variables were collected and selected using univariate logistic regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator penalty regression. After multivariate logistic analysis, a predictive model was developed and validated internally and externally. Nine variables (employment, planned pregnancy, pregnancy number, conception methods, gestational diabetes mellitus, twin pregnancy, placenta previa, umbilical cord encirclement, and educational attainment) were identified as independent risk factors for prenatal depression. Receiver operating characteristic curves in both the training and validation cohorts showed excellent discrimination of the predictive model (the area under the curve: 0.746 and 0.732, respectively). The results of this retrospective study may be affected by confounding and information bias. Some important variables were excluded, such as family history of mental disorders. The study was conducted in China; its results may not be generalizable to other regions. Our study identified nine significant risk factors for prenatal depression and constructed an accurate predictive model. This model could be applied as a clinical decision aid for individualized risk estimates and prevention of prenatal depression. • Prenatal depression can adversely affect mothers and fetuses. • The study enrolled 14,329 pregnant women who delivered at a single center in China. • Nine unique risk factors for prenatal depression were identified from 50 variables. • An accurate predictive model was constructed for prenatal depression. • Clinicians can use the predictive model for early screening of prenatal depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of erbium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Er:YAG) laser treatment in female patients with mild-to-moderate stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Methods: From July 2018 to June 2020, 72 female patients with mild-to-moderate SUI were enrolled in this study. A baseline assessment was conducted, which included a 1-hour pad test, the validated International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire–Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF), postvoid residual (PVR) testing, pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) testing, and a cough stress test. All patients underwent four sessions of Er:YAG laser treatment using a smooth mode. A reassessment was performed 6 months after treatment to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Er:YAG laser. Results: All patients completed four clinic visits, with a 1-month interval, and were followed up for a minimum of 6 months. No severe adverse reactions were observed during the treatment process. The 1-hour pad test revealed a significant reduction in urinary leakage from baseline (6.30 ± 1.06 g) to the 6-month follow-up (2.70 ± 0.96 g, p < 0.001), with 34 of 72 (47.22%) patients achieving negative results. The ICIQ-UI-SF score significantly decreased from baseline to 6 months (10.82 ± 1.38 to 2.96 ± 0.52, p < 0.001). PVR experimental results showed a significant decrease in residual urine volume after treatment (103.72 ± 8.61 mL to 43.86 ± 4.92 mL, p < 0.001). At the 6-month follow-up, hematoxylin and eosin staining results demonstrated that Er:YAG laser treatment significantly facilitated an increase in the thickness of squamous epithelial cells. The efficacy of Er:YAG laser treatment for SUI was 77.78% (56/72). Conclusions: Several objective and subjective assessments confirmed the safety and efficacy of vaginal smooth mode Er:YAG laser treatment for mild-to-moderate SUI during the 6-month follow-up period. Nonablative Er:YAG laser in the smooth mode is a viable treatment option for SUI patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To obtain an in‐depth understanding of women's decision‐making experiences related to mastectomy. Design: A descriptive qualitative interview study. Methods: Individual semi‐structured interviews were conducted face‐to‐face with 27 Chinese women with breast cancer who underwent mastectomy at two tertiary hospitals in mainland China between September 2020 and December 2021 after obtaining the appropriate ethical approvals. Interviews were conducted in Mandarin. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis. Results: Mean age of participants was 48 years (range 31–70). Most participants had low education, low monthly family income, had a partner and health insurance, had been diagnosed with early breast cancer, and had not undergone reconstructive surgery. Six categories related to decision‐making experiences emerged: (1) Emotions affecting decision‐making, (2) Information seeking for decision‐making, (3) Beliefs about mastectomy and the breast, (4) Participation in decision‐making, (5) People who influence decision‐making, and (6) Post‐decision reflection. Participants did not mention the role of nurses in their decision‐making process for mastectomy. Conclusions: This study adds valuable insights into the limited evidence on women's experience with decision‐making about mastectomy from a Chinese perspective, which is important given the continuing high prevalence of mastectomy in many regions. Future studies from other countries and ethnic groups are recommended to gain diverse knowledge. Impact: The findings of this study are useful for nurses and other healthcare professionals in the multidisciplinary team to better support women with breast cancer in their decision‐making process regarding mastectomy. The findings could inform future interventions to support treatment decision‐making and may be relevant to women living in similar socio‐medical contexts to those in mainland China. Reporting Method: The study was reported following the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article uses time as an analytical frame to examine low-wage migrants' aspirations and strategies in negotiating social mobility and reproduction under temporary migration regimes. Drawing on an ethnographic study of Chinese migrant women factory workers who actively pursue self-development during their sojourns in Singapore, this article demonstrates that time is central to understanding migrant women's mobility aspirations and social reproduction strategies as well as the structural conditions that propel them to embark on self-development. It underscores the diversity of migrants' experiences of time and the rhythms of their personal and family lives and how they are inextricably linked to temporal processes of migration and production. Through the temporal lens, the article also sheds light on the workings of temporary migration regimes under neoliberalism. It points out the contradiction between state attempts to constitute low-wage migrants as immobile labouring subjects and the temporal nature of migrant subject-making and skills development. It also shows how migrants' pursuit of self-development and enactment of agency paradoxically play into the dominant ideology and become a site for surplus value extraction. The article contributes to the temporal approach to the intersection of migration, mobility and social reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study tested the grandmother role difference hypothesis (GRDH) in Chinese three‐generation families by investigating the effects of mothers' and grandmothers' perceptions of the coparenting relationship on child adjustment and the potential mediating effect of parenting self‐efficacy. Background: Mother–grandmother coparenting has become the prevalent parenting mode in urban China, yet previous studies have failed to recognize the differences between the grandmothers by lineage. By reviewing biological theories and sociological contexts, this study proposed the GRDH. The hypothesis posited that in addition to maternal grandmother's benefits on grandchildren over paternal grandmother due to biological drives, maternal and paternal grandmothers exert their effect on child outcomes disparately by developing different relationships with the mother in coparenting. Method: In total, 409 mother–grandmother coparenting families were recruited. Two identical structural equation models were examined separately for maternal and paternal grandmother groups. Results: The results of multigroup analysis showed a stronger direct effect by maternal grandmother's perception of coparenting relationship than paternal grandmother on child social competence. The relation between maternal parenting self‐efficacy and child social competence was stronger in households with paternal grandmothers. Furthermore, the mothers' evaluation of the coparenting relationship had a significant spillover effect on the paternal grandmother's parenting self‐efficacy only. The findings also showed the exclusive mediating effect of maternal parenting self‐efficacy linking the mother's perception of the coparenting relationship to child problem behavior in the mother–paternal grandmother group only. Conclusion and implications: The results overall validated the GRDH while providing further contextual information on the roles of mothers and grandmothers in different types of coparenting families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior consumer research has tended to focus on identity-related stigma management of individuals toward their own stigma. However, little is known about the consumption-related identity work that stigmatized individuals undertake to discharge the courtesy stigma attached to close associates such as family members. Courtesy stigma refers to the discredit directed toward people who are closely associated with a stigmatized individual or group. Drawing on interview, ethnographic, and netnographic data on China's 'Leftover Women,' our research analyzes the personal and, more centrally, the social identity work related consumption counternarratives that these women construct—through combinations of specific kinds of consumption and gift-giving practices—to counteract family and courtesy stigma. Counternarratives are the resistance stories that people tell and live to either implicitly or explicitly challenge the dominant cultural narrative. The findings of our investigation help to build an enhanced understanding of how stigmatized individuals act as consumers in the market and via digital channels to tackle the family identity challenges of courtesy stigma that have not been explored in extant studies of consumer stigma identity work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Purpose Breast density has consistently been shown to be an independent risk factor for breast cancer in Western populations; however, few studies have evaluated this topic in Chinese women and there is not yet a unified view. This study investigated the association between mammographic density (MD) and breast cancer risk in Chinese women. Methods The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Wanfang databases were systematically searched in June 2023 to include all studies on the association between MD and breast cancer risk in Chinese women. A total of 13,977 breast cancer cases from 14 studies were chosen, including 10 case-control/cross-sectional studies, and 4 case-only studies. For case-control/cross-sectional studies, the odds ratios (ORs) of MD were combined using random effects models, and for case-only studies, relative odds ratios (RORs) were combinations of premenopausal versus postmenopausal breast cancer cases. Results Women with BI-RADS density category II-IV in case-control/cross-sectional studies had a 0.93-fold (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55, 1.57), 1.08-fold (95% CI 0.40, 2.94), and 1.24-fold (95% CI 0.42, 3.69) higher risk compared to women with the lowest density category. Combined RORs for premenopausal versus postmenopausal women in case-only studies were 3.84 (95% CI 2.92, 5.05), 22.65 (95% CI 7.21, 71.13), and 42.06 (95% CI 4.22, 419.52), respectively, for BI-RADS density category II-IV versus I. Conclusions For Chinese women, breast cancer risk is weakly associated with MD; however, breast cancer risk is more strongly correlated with mammographic density in premenopausal women than postmenopausal women. Further research on the factors influencing MD in premenopausal women may provide meaningful insights into breast cancer prevention in China.

Abstract Background Cervical cancer is strongly associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the data of postmenopausal women who were tested for HPV in Nanjing First Hospital from 2019 to 2021. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 14,608 postmenopausal women aged 45–90 years, who underwent HPV examination in Nanjing First Hospital between January 2019 and December 2021. All participants were tested for 23 HPV genotypes. We subsequently analyzed the infection rate and evaluated the distribution of HPV using the chi-square test. Results Our results showed that the HPV infection rate in postmenopausal women in Nanjing, China was 22.36%. In terms of age group, the infection rate was 19.54%, 24.30%, 26.58%, and 14.99% in those aged ≤ 50, 51–60, 61–70, and ≥ 71 years, respectively. The most common HPV subtypes were HPV52 (22.1 3%), HPV58 (15.86%), HPV53 (14.17%), HPV16 (12.61%), and HPV81 (11.66%), in that order. The single-HPV infection rate was 14.23%, and the multiple-genotype infection rate was 8.14% (1189/14,608). Conclusions This study showed that in Nanjing, China, the different age groups of post-menopausal women could have different rates of HPV infection, and the most common types were HPV52, HPV58, HPV53, HPV16 and HPV81. These findings highlighted the importance of understanding the epidemiology of HPV infection in specific populations, such as postmenopausal women in Nanjing, China. The results could provide valuable information for healthcare professionals and policymakers to develop targeted prevention and screening strategies for reducing the burden of HPV-related diseases in this population.

Across many cultures, women are evaluated based on their appearance, with narrow societal beauty ideals as the standard against which they are judged and, eventually, judge themselves. Women who internalize the beauty ideal are more likely to consider cosmetic surgery. Dissonance-based interventions targeting thin-ideal internalization are effective at preventing eating disorders and associated risk factors. In this study, we evaluated an online dissonance-based intervention targeting beauty-ideal internalization to reduce favorable attitudes toward cosmetic surgery among Chinese women. Chinese women who were dissatisfied with their appearance and who were considering cosmetic surgery were randomized to the intervention (n = 127, M age = 35.49) or to the educational brochure control condition (n = 98, M age = 32.97). Beauty-ideal internalization, favorable attitudes toward cosmetic surgery, facial appearance concerns, body satisfaction, and body appreciation were assessed at pretest, posttest, and 4-week follow-up. Intention-to-treat analyses showed that the intervention reduced beauty-ideal internalization and favorable attitudes toward cosmetic surgery at posttest, with small-to-medium effect sizes; however, effects were not sustained at follow-up. No effects were found for facial appearance concerns, body satisfaction, and body appreciation. This study provides preliminary evidence for the short-term efficacy of the dissonance-based intervention for reducing beauty-ideal internalization and favorable attitudes toward cosmetic surgery, and points to valuable directions for improvement. Additional online materials for this article are available on PWQ's website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/03616843231183946. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence and severity of spine degenerative changes have been noted to be lower among older Chinese women than among older Caucasian women. Spine degenerative changes associated with marginal osteophytosis, trabecular thickening, subchondral sclerosis, facet joint arthrosis, and disc space narrowing can all lead to artificially higher spine areal bone mineral density (BMD). The lower prevalence and severity of spine degeneration have important implications for the interpretation of spine areal BMD reading for Chinese women. With fewer contributions from spine degenerative changes, following natural aging, the declines of population group means of spine BMD and T-score are faster for Chinese women than for Caucasian women. While a cutpoint T-score ≤ −2.5 for defining spine densitometric osteoporosis is recommended for Caucasian women, for Chinese women the same cutpoint T-score of ≤ −2.5 inflates the estimated osteoporosis prevalence based on spine BMD measure. In addition to the use of an ethnicity-specific BMD reference database, a stricter cutpoint T-score for defining spine densitometric osteoporosis among older Chinese women should be applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses Xiaolu Guo’s 2020 novel A Lover’s Discourse. It follows the novel’s unnamed protagonist, a young Chinese woman who moves to London, traces her journey through the concept of mooring. The article examines this notion of mooring through the intimate connections that the protagonist makes with the place that she lives in and through her relationship with her partner. Using the concept of moorings as a theoretical background, the article discusses what moorings mean for the protagonist. It focuses on the theme of floating and the idea of home to outline a pursuit of finding mooring that rests in the protagonist’s desire to belong in the world. Moorings, this article argues, are affective and represent an individual’s desire to belong. This desire is affected by the individual’s experiences in life, influencing their state of being and ways of living. For the unnamed protagonist, the expectation of mooring is rooted in the possibilities of the future where her sense of living is not lost and is retained along with her sense of being together with her companion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: To explore levels of urinary incontinence (UI) knowledge among Hong Kong Chinese women and the factors affecting patients' help-seeking behavior. Methods: Chinese women with age ≥ 40 years who attended General Out-patient Clinics between May 1 and June 30, 2022, were invited to complete the questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of four sections: (1) demographic data, (2) knowledge of UI (UI quiz), (3) severity of UI (UDI-6) and impairment of quality of life (QOL) (IIQ-7), and (4) barriers to seeking medical help. Severity of UI, impairment of QOL, knowledge of UI, and sociodemographic characteristics were analyzed regarding their relationship with help-seeking behavior. Results: Of 351 women, 53.2% had symptoms of UI but only 25.0% symptomatic patients had consulted a doctor. The UI quiz score was 6.82 ± 2.76 (total 14) and the highest incorrect item was "Urinary incontinence is the normal aging" (incorrect rate 86.3%). The most frequent barrier for help-seeking was "The symptoms are not severe and do not affect me." Logistic regression analysis showed that UDI-6 score (adjusted OR = 1.06, P < 0.0001) and UI quiz score (adjusted OR = 1.30, P = 0.001) were the independent impact factors of patient's help-seeking behavior. Conclusions: Hong Kong Chinese women's knowledge toward UI is not sufficient, and the consultation rate is low. Besides symptom severity, the knowledge level of UI is the other independent factor affecting patients' help-seeking behavior. Community education on UI may encourage women to seek early help. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feminist studies of the media have shown different degrees of gender inequality in journalism organizations. Drawing on the notions of field and gendered habitus, the authors of this study conducted in-depth interviews with 30 Chinese women journalists to explore their experiences of digital journalism production, their survival logic in the field, the associated gender power relationships, and the reconstruction of 'Pink Ghetto' in the digital news field. The research shows that women journalists with more opportunities for work and career development while generating various gender-related challenges related to blurred boundaries between work and family life, deviations from career paths, and the risks of using digital platforms. The study explains how women journalists' identities negotiate between the gendered habitus and the professional identity. Those journalists construct multiple identities by adopting four strategies, namely 'strong gender', 'weak gender', 'de-gendering', and 'trans-gender', which proposed a framework of identity negotiation. The study thus offers a broad perspective in feminist media research in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To determine the carrier frequency of, and evaluate a carrier screening program for, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in reproductive age women in Shenzhen area. Methods: A staged screening procedure was used to perform carrier screening for SMA in 22,913 Chinese reproductive age women between 2019 and 2022 in Shenzhen area of China. First, the copy number of exon 7 in the SMN1 gene were detected in women of reproductive age using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. If SMA carriers were detected, their spouses were then recommended to test. Prenatal diagnosis was carried out in couples who were both carriers. Results: A total of 389 women were found to be SMA carriers (1.70%, 95% CI: 1.53%–1.87%), indicating the carrier prevalence was approximately 1:59. Despite the proportion of nonpregnant women increased from 37.96% in 2019 to 58.18% in 2022 (p < 0.05) among the 22,913 reproductive age women, the recall rate of spouses was still not high (62.21%, 95% CI: 57.39%–67.03%). Eight partners were found to be SMA carriers and two fetuses were determined to have SMA with no copies of the SMN1 gene. Conclusion: Although the acceptability and awareness of SMA carrier screening in Chinese population has increased in recent years, it still fails to reach the ideal expectation. Our experience may provide a basis for and facilitate the popularization of SMA carrier screening in Shenzhen area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As Chinese women become more educated and participate in the labor force, they earn more money independently. At the same time, thanks to China's one-child policy, women have gained more intergenerational wealth. The economic foundation allowed Chinese women to play bigger power in the consumer market, and a phenomenon called "Her Economy" since 2007. The improvement of discourse power and economic empowerment of Chinese women in the consumer market rendered them better achieve self-empowerment. However, female behavior is also shaped by society, and female consumption is more likely to be influenced by consumer culture and become the background board of consumer society, and women find it difficult to achieve real empowerment through consumption. Although the existing literature has explored this issue, the research field has not been extended to Chinese female consumers, and the theoretical perspective of empowerment is lacking. Thus, this paper reviews women's consumption and empowerment in China from a critical perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the motivations and contexts for China's highly educated, financially independent single urban women to willingly participate in parental matchmaking. Based on the analysis of two rounds of in-depth interviews with 25 never-married women in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, we find that their participation in parental matchmaking is best understood as an intergenerational alliance formed to mitigate perceived insecurities. Neo-familism, state-endorsed stigmatization and discriminatory polices explain why parents and daughters both prioritize socio-economic security in mate selection. However, the benefits of this inter-generational collaboration are doubtful and asymmetrical, more beneficial to parents than daughters. We contribute to the literature by specifying how state-promoted discourses, neo-familism and women's lived experiences explain their participation in parental matchmaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study utilizes the CGSS2021 dataset to explore institutionalized political engagement among Chinese women. Key findings include positive correlations with social circle involvement, housing area, and traditional media consumption. Interestingly, younger women are less politically engaged. Cross-tabulation reveals that daily social interactions and disagreement with prioritizing marriage over career boost institutionalized political involvement, particularly in Beijing. By contrast, women from Inner Mongolia show the least engagement. Surprisingly, frequent internet usage has limited influence on political participation, whereas traditional media use boosts it. Women in their first marriage also show higher engagement. The study offers policy recommendations to enhance Chinese women's political participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Breast cancer (BC) is one of the malignant diseases threatening the life and health of women worldwide. The CYP4B1 gene was abnormally expressed in BC and was associated with the prognosis of BC patients. This study aimed to explore the relationship between CYP4B1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and BC risk in Chinese women. Methods A case-control study of 1,143 women (571 patients and 572 healthy individuals) was conducted. Rs2297813 G/T, rs12142787 G/A, and rs3766197 C/T in CYP4B1 were selected and genotyped by MassARRAY system. The relationships between these SNPs and the risk of BC were assessed by logistic regression analysis. In addition, multi-factor dimensionality reduction (MDR) was used to analyze SNP-SNP interactions. Results CYP4B1 rs2297813 had a risk-increasing effect on BC in women with body mass index (BMI) ≤ 24 kg/m2 (OR = 1.72, p = 0.026). CYP4B1 rs12142787 was associated with an increased BC risk in smokers (AA: OR = 1.32, p = 0.045). Among non-drinkers, rs2297813 (OR = 1.69, p = 0.009) and rs12142787 (OR = 1.51, p = 0.020) were related to an increased incidence of BC. CYP4B1 rs3766197 (OR = 1.61p = 0.031) was associated with a higher risk of advanced stages (III/IV stage) of BC. Besides, the contributions of CYP4B1 rs2297813 (OR = 1.55, p = 0.021) and rs12142787 (OR = 1.53, p = 0.033) to BC risk might be associated with more than one birth in patients with BC. The three-locus model consisting of rs2297813, rs12142787, and rs3766197 was regarded as the best predictive model for BC risk. Conclusion CYP4B1 SNPs were associated with BC risk in Chinese women, especially in patients with BMI ≤ 24 kg/m2, smokers, non-drinkers, patients in advanced stages (III/IV stage), and patients who reproduced once. These findings shed light on the relationship between CYP4B1 SNPs and BC risk in Chinese women.

Abstract This study explored the potential association between age at menarche and the risks of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia in Chinese women. Data were sourced from the China‐US Collaborative Project for Neural Tube Defects Prevention, a large population‐based cohort study. Our study consisted of 209 411 women pre‐registered for pregnancy in two provinces in South China. Trained healthcare workers measured blood pressure at registration and recorded other pertinent health information. Using logistic regression, we assessed the correlations between age at menarche and the likelihood of developing gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, considering confounders such as maternal age, body mass index, ethnicity, parity, folic acid supplementation, education level, and occupation. The observed incidences for gestational hypertension and preeclampsia were 9.65% and 2.54%, respectively. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for gestational hypertension, based on age at menarche, were as follows: ≤13 years, 1.18 (95% confidence interval: 1.11–1.26); 14 years, 1.09 (1.04–1.15); 15 years, 1.11 (1.06–1.16); 16 years, 1.06 (1.01–1.12); and ≥17 years, 1.00 (reference; P for trend

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic disorder occurring during pregnancy. It affects 14.8% of pregnancies among Chinese women. Exercise can reduce insulin resistance and thus decrease the occurrence of adverse outcomes for women with GDM. This study aimed to examine the effects of three modes of exercise intervention on glycemic control, various pregnancy outcomes (including reduced incidence of preterm birth, gestational hypertension, and postpartum hemorrhage), and neonatal outcomes (such as lower birth weight and reduced incidence of neonatal complications like macrosomia and respiratory distress syndrome). Additionally, the study aim to identity the most effective exercise patterns for women with GDM. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted to examine the effect of three exercise interventions — aerobic exercise (AE), resistance training (RT), and a combination of both (AE+RT) — on women with GDM. The primary outcomes measured were fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2h-PBG), and glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The secondary outcomes included maternal pregnancy outcomes and neonatal birth outcomes. Results: A total of 184 participants were included in this study, with 145 completing all follow-up assessments. Time exhibit a statistically significant effect on FBG (p < 0.001), whereas the different intervention methods did not present a significant effect on FBG (p = 0.32). Furthermore, time exhibited a statistically significant effect on 2h-PBG (p < 0.001). Following the interventions, all exercise groups exhibited significantly lower 2h-PBG levels compared to the control group (all p values < 0.05). The three exercise interventions demonstrated significantly different effects on improving the maternal outcome of postpartum hemorrhage (p = 0.01). The combined AE+RT group exhibited the lowest volume of postpartum hemorrhage (254.09, standard deviation (SD) = 103.57). Regarding neonatal outcomes, the macrosomia outcome has statistically significant differences (p = 0.04), and other outcomes found no significant differences between the three exercise intervention groups and the control group (all p values ≥ 0.05). Conclusions: The combined AE+RT intervention demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing 2h-PBG, HbA1c levels, as well as postpartum bleeding, compared to the control group. Furthermore, a combination of AE+RT demonstrated greater efficacy in reducing 2h-PBG and HbA1c compared to single exercise groups. Therefore, combining AE+RT may be a more effective exercise regimen for managing of GDM in pregnant women. Clinical Trial Registration: The study has been registered on https://www.isrctn.com/ (registration number: ISRCTN40260907).

Sexual assault and harassment (SAH) has become an increasing global concern that disproportionately impacts gender and sexual minority youth, yet research is scarce outside Western nations. In addition, sexual assault and sexual harassment are closely related experiences in both academic inquiries on sexual victimization and public discussion in the global #Metoo movement. Drawing from a large Chinese college student sample (N = 50,818), we investigated the prevalence of SAH victimization during childhood, adolescence, and emerging adulthood, as well as the SAH disparities between sexual minority and heterosexual youth. The population‐weighted prevalence of SAH victimization was estimated to be 20.23% during childhood, 42.87% during adolescence, and 21.87% during emerging adulthood, with more than half of the youth (55.41%) having ever experienced any SAH. Logistic regression results suggested girls and sexual minorities were disproportionally impacted across childhood, adolescence, and emerging adulthood. The discussion is framed in the context of Chinese culture and current Chinese legislation related to SAH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is one of the malignant diseases threatening the life and health of women worldwide. The CYP4B1 gene was abnormally expressed in BC and was associated with the prognosis of BC patients. This study aimed to explore the relationship between CYP4B1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and BC risk in Chinese women. Methods: A case-control study of 1,143 women (571 patients and 572 healthy individuals) was conducted. Rs2297813 G/T, rs12142787 G/A, and rs3766197 C/T in CYP4B1 were selected and genotyped by MassARRAY system. The relationships between these SNPs and the risk of BC were assessed by logistic regression analysis. In addition, multi-factor dimensionality reduction (MDR) was used to analyze SNP-SNP interactions. Results: CYP4B1 rs2297813 had a risk-increasing effect on BC in women with body mass index (BMI) ≤ 24 kg/m2 (OR = 1.72, p = 0.026). CYP4B1 rs12142787 was associated with an increased BC risk in smokers (AA: OR = 1.32, p = 0.045). Among non-drinkers, rs2297813 (OR = 1.69, p = 0.009) and rs12142787 (OR = 1.51, p = 0.020) were related to an increased incidence of BC. CYP4B1 rs3766197 (OR = 1.61p = 0.031) was associated with a higher risk of advanced stages (III/IV stage) of BC. Besides, the contributions of CYP4B1 rs2297813 (OR = 1.55, p = 0.021) and rs12142787 (OR = 1.53, p = 0.033) to BC risk might be associated with more than one birth in patients with BC. The three-locus model consisting of rs2297813, rs12142787, and rs3766197 was regarded as the best predictive model for BC risk. Conclusion: CYP4B1 SNPs were associated with BC risk in Chinese women, especially in patients with BMI ≤ 24 kg/m2, smokers, non-drinkers, patients in advanced stages (III/IV stage), and patients who reproduced once. These findings shed light on the relationship between CYP4B1 SNPs and BC risk in Chinese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate how young Chinese women use selfie-editing apps to create idealized versions of themselves and how these practices help them construct their identities. By conducting 30 interviews with highly educated Chinese women between the ages of 18 and 30 living in urban cities, the results of this study indicate that taking, editing, and sharing selfies have become increasingly embedded in their everyday lives. The female interviewees use the apps to narrow their jawline, change the size of their eyes and nose, remove acne, and smooth their skin, revealing that young women in China are not completely free of patriarchal beauty standards. However, the interviewees acknowledge that the selfies have captured their real lives and conveyed their personalities. They have been able to express their true selves and have gained self-pleasure from this process. In this way, the interviewees' online self-representation is deeply linked to their offline lives. This study enriches current debates on women's empowerment in contemporary China. The practice of online self-representation can be viewed as a process of self-actualization because it empowers women by solidifying their agency and further contributes to the formation of a reflexive identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through the use of photovoice interviews as a research method and drawing on Butler's performativity theory, this article investigates the performative constitution of the subjectivities of three academic women in Chinese non-elite universities by unpacking the multiple meanings of their aesthetic experiences. The study reveals that these women emphasized their bodily performance in the workplace, paying particular attention to their physical appearance, including dressing and using make-up, to explicitly perform their femininity. In this study, academic women's gendered subjectivities are produced by repetitive performative feminine bodies under the control of wider regulatory forces in terms of gender norms and institutional discourses. Our findings suggest that gender norms of beauty in the Chinese context have a profound impact on the three Chinese academic women's choice of dress and appearance management. We conclude that (i) femininity matters during the process of academic women's gendered subjectivity construction in the Chinese academic context; and ii) multiple and sometimes contradictory wider regulatory forces within and beyond the academia shape Chinese academic women's bodily performance and, therefore, produce academic women's gendered subjectivities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the post-war period when a seemingly innumerable number of tasks were waiting to be carried out in Taiwan due to the ravages of infectious diseases, the Nationalist Government made public health and the prevention of such diseases an important policy for the revival of the country, and a series of preventive and curative measures were implemented from the central to local levels of government. From the 1950s to the 1970s, under the guidance of Soong Mei-ling ... (1898-2003), the National Women's League of the Republic of China ..., in addition to constructing and disseminating public health knowledge through their self-published periodical Zhonghua funü ... (Chinese Women), mobilized members to enter communities and military dependents' villages to engage in health and medical counseling, disease treatment and performing vaccinations, as well as health inspections and conferring related awards. The contribution of the National Women's League to environmental health spoke for itself, thereby winning praise from all walks of life. However, due to the limitations of certain conditions as well as a lack of funding for and shortages of environmental health equipment and facilities, public health during this period was ultimately unable to meet expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 62-year-old Chinese woman, with a history of immunoglobulin A nephropathy, presented with an ulcerative conjunctival lesion and anterior orbital inflammation. No infective foci were found, and her symptoms were not alleviated by antibiotic treatment or drainage of the lesion. She was diagnosed with idiopathic orbital inflammatory disease, also known as orbital pseudotumor, which completely resolved with oral corticosteroid treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented case of idiopathic orbital inflammatory disease that initially presented with an ulcerative conjunctival lesion. We illustrate our stepwise diagnostic approach and management of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the potential association between age at menarche and the risks of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia in Chinese women. Data were sourced from the China‐US Collaborative Project for Neural Tube Defects Prevention, a large population‐based cohort study. Our study consisted of 209 411 women pre‐registered for pregnancy in two provinces in South China. Trained healthcare workers measured blood pressure at registration and recorded other pertinent health information. Using logistic regression, we assessed the correlations between age at menarche and the likelihood of developing gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, considering confounders such as maternal age, body mass index, ethnicity, parity, folic acid supplementation, education level, and occupation. The observed incidences for gestational hypertension and preeclampsia were 9.65% and 2.54%, respectively. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for gestational hypertension, based on age at menarche, were as follows: ≤13 years, 1.18 (95% confidence interval: 1.11–1.26); 14 years, 1.09 (1.04–1.15); 15 years, 1.11 (1.06–1.16); 16 years, 1.06 (1.01–1.12); and ≥17 years, 1.00 (reference; P for trend <.001). The correlation between age at menarche and preeclampsia varied across age groups, with the following respective ORs: 1.35 (1.20–1.52), 1.21 (1.09–1.34), 1.27 (1.15–1.39), 1.14 (1.03–1.26), and 1.00 (reference; P for trend <.001). This association appeared to be more pronounced in women with no folic acid supplementation and those with a lower education level. In conclusion, an earlier age at menarche seems to be linked to increased risks of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous media studies have largely examined the media construction of 'leftover women' in the Chinese-medium news media that are pervaded by patriarchal content. Yet, little attention has been given to the thematic content surrounding leftover women in the Chinese English-medium news media which seem to be more liberal in their stance. To fill this niche, this study employs a key keyword analysis to examine the dominant thematic concepts related to leftover women in the Chinese English-medium news media. The findings illustrate that the key keywords in the news reports belong to three thematic categories, namely social actors and attributes, dating activities and relationships, and other social matters. These thematic categories are intertwined with one another to construct the overall representations of leftover women suggesting ideological implications for both patriarchy and egalitarianism. The usefulness of employing corpus techniques to examine overarching themes in gender representations is also highlighted in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the prevalence and influencing factors of postpartum depression in Chinese women. Methods Case-control and cross-sectional studies on the influencing factors of postpartum depression in Chinese women were retrieved from Chinese BioMedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Internet, VIP, WanFang, PubMed, EMbase and Web of Science. The retrieval period was from the establishment of the database to September 30.2022. Two researchers independently screened literature, extracted data, and evaluated the bias risk of included studies. Stata 16. 0 software was used to conduct a metaanalysis on the prevalence of postpartum depression in Chinese women, as well as the influencing factors of postpartum depression in Chinese women, such as anxiety and depression during pregnancy, negative life events, infant disease, and poor maternal sleep quality. Results A total of 18 studies were included. with a cumulative sample size of 23 511 and 11 risk factors. The results of meta-analysis showed that the incidence of postpartum depression in Chinese women was 16.0%, and the statistically significant influencing factors were pregnancy anxiety [OR = 2. 31,95% CI (1. 37-3. 90)]. pregnancy depression [OR = 2. 46,95% CI (1. 18, 5. 11)], experience negative life events [OR=1. 75,95% CI (1. 16-2. 65)], poor housing conditions [OR= 2.75.95%CI (2.43-3. 10)]. lack of family support [OR=1.83.95%CI (1.83-2.81)].infant disease [OR= 1. 64,95%CI (1. 14-2. 34)], poor maternal sleep [OR=1. 74.95%CI (1.04-2.92)], poor family economic situation [OR=2.09.95%CI (1.08-4. 05)], marital disharmony [OR 2. 63.95%CI (1.45-4.76)]. Conclusion Current evidence shows that the prevalence of postpartum depression in Chinese women is relatively high. Anxiety and depression during pregnancy, poor housing conditions for mothers, poor family economic status. marital disharmony, lack of family support, poor maternal sleep quality. negative life events, and infant disease are the influencing factors for the prevalence of postpartum depression in Chinese women. However, the conclusions of this study need to be further confirmed by more large-sample, multi-center and high-quality studies in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The utilization of hospital delivery and antenatal care (ANC) is essential for improving maternal and newborn outcomes. However, social and cultural barriers in underdeveloped rural areas hindered maternal care utilization. This study aims to design and evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally adapted digital-platform intervention to promote maternal care utilization among women in ethnic minority communities in China. Methods: From January 1st, 2020, to December 31st, 2021, all pregnant women in Mianshan town, Liangshan Autonomous Prefecture, were invited to participate in the intervention. The multifaceted intervention included participatory and cultural-tailored health education on a popular social media platform, transportation subsidies, and capacity building and economic incentives for healthcare providers. The effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated by comparing two groups: mothers who gave live birth before the intervention (January 1st to December 31st, 2019) and mothers whose entire pregnancy period was covered by the intervention. The primary outcomes were the rate of hospital delivery and ANC utilization. Data on pregnant women were retrospectively collected through telephone surveys and the maternal and newborn's health monitoring system. Results: A total of 237 intervention sample and 138 pre-intervention sample were included. The intervention group demonstrated significantly higher rates of hospital delivery (97.5% vs. 87.7%, p < 0.001), timely initiation of ANC (73.0% vs. 62.3%, p = 0.031), and timely completion of five-time ANC visits (37.1% vs.4.3%, p < 0.001) compared to the pre-intervention group. The intervention group was more likely to utilize hospital delivery (OR = 9.26, 95%CI [2.83–30.24], p < 0.001) and ANC, including timely initiation of ANC (OR = 2.18, 95%CI [1.31–3.62], p = 0.003), completion of five ANC visits (OR = 1.72, 95%CI [1.05–2.83], p = 0.032), and timely completion of five ANC visits (OR = 15.12, 95%CI [6.24–36.64], p < 0.001). Conclusions: The culturally adapted digital-platform integrated multifaceted intervention effectively promoted the utilization of hospital delivery, timely initiation of ANC, and completion of ANC visits in the Yi ethnic community in China. This study provides valuable insights for future interventions targeting maternal healthcare services in underdeveloped ethnic minority communities worldwide. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2300073219. Registered 4 July 2023 - Retrospectively registered, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=199202. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychological factors play a critical role in the treatment of heroin addiction in women, especially in the prevention of relapse. However, little empirical research has explored how social support, active coping strategies, and openness to experience affect relapse tendency in Chinese women experiencing addiction. In a cross-sectional design, 467 Chinese women experiencing heroin addiction (aged 12–57 years) completed self-report measures of social support, active coping strategies, openness to experience, and relapse tendency. Then, the moderated mediation model was tested. The results show that active coping strategies completely mediated the relationship between social support and relapse tendency. Further, the mediated effect of active coping strategies on relapse tendency was moderated by openness to experience. Surprisingly, the role of social support for Chinese women experiencing addiction as an active coping strategy decreases as the level of openness to experience increases. Because this result seems to be different from results of existing research from Western cultures, we speculate that it may be related to the cultural background of Chinese collectivism. All in all, this study helps to better understand how social support acts on relapse tendencies. More importantly, the study of openness to experience provides some new ideas for addiction treatment and intervention in different cultural contexts. This will serve to sensitize researchers and professionals to the significance of cultural context and the bias of Western norms and values in many psychological measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, significant numbers of young middle-class Chinese women have moved abroad to construct an individual 'biography' beyond the unequal gendered expectations of the post-reform context. This article reports on a 2019 qualitative study combining interviews and visual analysis of WeChat and Instagram posts to consider how young Chinese women temporarily living in Australia maintain relationships with upper middle class family who have supported their daughters' overseas ventures. In the wake of sweeping privatization which has encouraged parents to invest in their only children as their 'only hopes', online media has allowed parents to be 'pervasively present' for distant daughters in these transnational movements. We document participants' curated self-branding for family on WeChat as a means of managing and negotiating this sometimes interventionist presence. Our participants' practices reveal a complex juggling act: managing individual desires to optimize the overseas experience but carefully modulating such experience for the parental audience. Post-pandemic follow-up interviews in 2022 also suggest complications in the use of transnational mobility to extend the possibilities of flourishing, with parental pressure to return to a more proximate zone of surveillance in China. Such practices indicate the gendered contradictions young women face: pushed but also desiring to succeed individually in an unequal marketplace, while being further tethered to the family unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) gestational weight gain (GWG) guidelines were initially developed for pregnant women in the United States. Objective This study aimed to investigate whether the IOM guidelines were suitable for pregnant Chinese women. Methods A retrospective cohort study comprising 20,593 singleton pregnant women was conducted at the Beijing Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital (1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019). Applicability was evaluated by comparing the GWG corresponding to the lowest point of the predicted composite risk curve with the 2009 IOM GWG Guidelines. The IOM Guidelines serve as the standard for the GWG categories and the pre-pregnancy body mass index. An exponential function model was used to fit the weight gain during pregnancy and the probability of caesarean section, preterm birth, small for gestational age, and large for gestational age. A quadratic function model was used to fit the combined probability of the above-mentioned adverse pregnancy outcomes. The applicability of the IOM guidelines was evaluated by comparing the weights corresponding to the lowest predicted probability with the GWG range recommended by the IOM guidelines. Results According to the 2009 IOM GWG Guidelines, 43% of the women achieved adequate weight, almost 32% gained excessive weight, and 25% gained inadequate weight. The GWG range proposed by the IOM included the lowest predicted probability value for underweight women and exceeded the lowest predicted probability for normal weight, overweight, and obese women. Conclusions The 2009 IOM guidelines were suitable for Chinese women whose pre-pregnancy body mass index was classified as underweight. The guidelines were not suitable for normal, overweight, or obese pre-pregnancy body mass index classifications. Therefore, based on the above evidence, the 2009 IOM guidelines are not suitable for all Chinese women.

All the European missionaries, merchants, and travelers to China in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were men. In their books introducing Chinese knowledge, they created idealized images of modest and courteous Chinese women, and idealized them as models for European women to emulate. However, this scrutiny from a perspective of exotic otherness did not reflect the real lives and inner worlds of Chinese women but instead reflected European value judgements. Contemporary chinoiserie art was mainly utilized to embellish women's spaces with representations of carefree and romantic Chinese women. This research analyses the peculiarities of images of Chinese women as portrayed in male European observers' books, and locates the distinctions between, and sources of, these images in diverse gender settings throughout Europe, thus analysing Europe's historical perception of women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study examined the associated risk factors of adverse pregnancy outcomes among Chinese females and furnished some fundamental principles and recommendations for enhanced prevention of adverse pregnancy and preservation of women's well-being. Methods: A systematic review was conducted by retrieving the MEDLINE (The National Library of Medicine), Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane databases. The relevant risk factors for adverse pregnancy in Chinese women were retrieved from May 2017 to April 2023. Use Review Manager for data analysis. Calculate the merge effect based on data attributes using mean difference (MD) or odds ratio (or) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The meta-analysis was registered at INPLASY (International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols, 202340090). Results: A total of 15 articles were included, with a total of 946,818 Chinese pregnant women. Moreover, all the literature was scored by the NOS (Newcastle-Ottawa Scale), and all literatures were =7 points, which were evaluated as high quality. There are seven risk factors related to adverse pregnancy in Chinese women: parity, pregnancy frequency, education level, smoking, gestational diabetes, gestational weeks, and age. Moreover, the main risk factors for adverse pregnancy are pregnancy frequency, education level, gestational diabetes mellitus, and age. Conclusion: The pregnancy frequency, education level, gestational diabetes mellitus, and age were significantly associated with the adverse pregnancy in Chinese women, whereas gestational weeks, smoking, and parity had no significant effect on adverse pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on 20 semi-structured interviews, this qualitative study explores young Chinese women's understandings of female beauty. It reveals that participants' understandings of female beauty are not limited to outer beauty (waizaimei, 外在美), but rather foreground the importance of 'inner beauty' (neizaimei, 内在美). The data found that these concepts have a symbiotic relationship whereby each affects the other. According to the findings, the concepts of inner and outer beauty are not oppositional but are both important for participants to gain 'empowerment'. Yet participants placed a higher value on inner beauty which was seen as enabling them to resist the pressures of outer beauty standards. The article argues, however, that discourses of inner beauty are not value free and are influenced by a variety of dominant discourses such as state interest and the beauty industry. In this regard, inner beauty needs interrogation and cannot simply be perceived as a tool for women's empowerment. The discussion sheds light on the young Chinese women's understanding of beauty in relation to gender and feminism in a Chinese context. The article provides a culturally grounded approach to beauty in China and adds to feminist understandings about beauty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]