Waist Circumference of the Elderly over 65 Years Old in China Increased Gradually from 1993 to 2015: A Cohort Study / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#This study aimed to analyze the temporal trends and characteristics associated with waist circumference (WC) among elderly Chinese people.@*Methods@#We used data from 3,096 adults ≥ 65 years who participated in the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), an ongoing cohort study, between 1993 and 2015. We used longitudinal quantile regression models to explore the temporal trends and characteristics associated with WC.@*Results@#WC increased gradually among the elderly Chinese population during the survey. The WC curves shifted to the right with wider distributions and lower peaks in men and women. All WC percentile curves shifted upward with similar growth rates in the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles. The WC means increased from 78 cm to 86 cm during the 22 years of our study. WC significantly increased with age and body mass index and decreased with physical activity (PA). These associations were stronger in the higher percentiles than in the lower percentiles.@*Conclusions@#WC is rising among Chinese adults ≥ 65 years. Factors affecting WC in elderly people may have different effects on different percentiles of the WC distribution, and PA was the most important protective factor in the higher percentiles of the WC distribution. Thus, different interventional strategies are needed.

Associations of Sedentary Time and Physical Activity with Metabolic Syndrome among Chinese Adults: Results from the China Health and Nutrition Survey / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#This study aimed to determine the independent and joint associations of sedentary time (ST) and physical activity (PA) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components among Chinese adults.@*Methods@#The study analyzed data from 4,865 adults aged ≥ 18 years who participated in the 2009 and 2015 China Health and Nutrition Surveys (CHNS). Four types of leisure ST and three types of PA self-reported at baseline were collected. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to determine the independent and joint associations of ST and PA with the odds of MetS or its components.@*Results@#For independent effects, higher levels of television time and total leisure ST was associated with higher MetS risk [odds ratio ( @*Conclusions@#MVPA and total PA have independent preventive effects, and sedentary behavior (mainly watching TV) has an unsafe effect on MetS and its components. Strengthening the participation of MVPA and combining the LPA to replace the TV-based ST to increase the total PA may be necessary to reduce the prevalence of MetS in Chinese adults.

Association between Chinese Famine Exposure and the Risk of Overweight/Obesity and Abdominal Obesity in Laterlife: A Cross-sectional Study / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

This study aimed to examine the association between famine exposure in different stages of life and the risk of overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity in laterlife. A total of 12,458 participants were categorized into non-exposure and four direct exposures, including fetal, childhood, adolescence, and adult exposure. Only risk of being overweight or obesity in adolescence exposure [odds ratio ( ), 1.45; 95% confidence interval ( ), 1.08-1.94] was significantly higher than in non-exposure. Childhood ( , 1.27; 95% , 1.05-1.54) and adolescence ( , 1.53; 95% , 1.15-2.05) exposures had significantly an increased risk of abdominal obesity compared with non-exposure. Additionally, different famine severity exposures had different influences on the development of overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity. Famine exposure in adolescence, which was a behavior formative period, can increase the risk of overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity in adulthood, specifically in famine severely affect area.

Isolation and purification of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitory constituents from Rabdosia japonica / 中草药

Objective: To isolate indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitory constituents from Rabdosia japonica based on bioactivity tracking separation. Methods: The overground part of R. japonica was extracted with boiling water and precipitated by ethanol, the precipitation was collected and lyophilized to obtain XPS, then successively separated by DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow anion-exchange and Superdex-75 gel permeation chromatographic steps to give XPS10-1. A combination of HPGPC, monosaccharide and amino acid composition analysis and IDO inhibitory studies was performed to investigate the structure and bioactivity of XPS10-1. Results: A IDO inhibitory glycoprotein, XPS10-1, was obtained from R. japonica based on activity tracking, its average molecular weight was estimated to 8 852, monosaccharide composition analysis showed the glycosyl part of XPS10-1 was mainly composed of rhamnose and glucose with the ratio of 10.0:2.2, and the protein part was mainly composed of glutamic acid, serine and glycine with mass ratio of 37.3:16.9:45.8. XPS10-1 showed potent IDO inhibitory effect with IC50 of (46.6 ± 3.4) μg/mL, and IC50 of IDO inhibitory effect of XPS10-1 on HeLa cells was (139.0 ± 8.7) μg/mL. Conclusion: In this study, a glycoprotein with IDO inhibitory effect was isolated from R. japonica, which could lay the foundation for the substance basis study of R. japonica.

Clinical features and SLC6A8 gene mutations of cerebral creatine deficiency syndrome I: an analysis of two families / 中国当代儿科杂志

This article reports the clinical and genetic features of two cases of cerebral creatine deficiency syndrome I (CCDSI) caused by SLC6A8 gene mutations. Both children were boys. Boy 1 (aged 2 years and 10 months) and Boy 2 (aged 8 years and 11 months) had the clinical manifestations of delayed mental and motor development, and convulsion. Their older brothers had the same symptoms. The mother of the boy 1 had mild intellectual disability. The genetic analysis showed two novel homozygous mutations, c.200G>A(p.Gly67Asp) and c.626_627delCT(p.Pro209Argfs*87), in the SLC6A8 gene on the X chromosome, both of which came from their mothers. These two novel mutations were rated as possible pathogenic mutations and were not reported in the literature before. This study expands the mutation spectrum of the SLC6A8 gene and has great significance in the diagnosis of boys with delayed development, and epilepsy.

Association of Red Meat Usual Intake with Serum Ferritin and the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Chinese Adults: A Longitudinal Study from the China Health and Nutrition Survey / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#The present study aimed to investigate the association of red meat usual intake with metabolic syndrome (MetS), and explore the contribution of red meat usual intake to serum ferritin.@*Methods@#Based on the data from the longitudinal China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), 2,797 healthy adults aged 18-75 years without hypertension, diabetes, and MetS were selected in 2009 as subjects and follow-up studies were carried out till 2015. We used the National Cancer Institute (NCI) method to estimate the usual intake of foods. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to evaluate the association between red meat usual intake and the risk of MetS. Quantile regression analysis was used to study the relationship between red meat consumption and serum ferritin levels.@*Results@#After adjusting for potential confounders, red meat, and fresh red meat were positively associated with the risk of MetS ( = 1.41, 95% : 1.05-1.90 and = 1.37, 95% : 1.02-1.85, respectively). These relationships showed increasing trend ( < 0.05). The level of serum ferritin increased significantly with the number of MetS components ( < 0.05). The quantile regression analysis showed that red meat and fresh red meat usual intake had a significant positive association with serum ferritin levels across the entire conditional serum ferritin distribution ( < 0.05). Processed red meat did not exhibit a similar association.@*Conclusion@#Higher red meat usual intake was associated with an increased risk of MetS and elevated serum ferritin levels.

Clinical Features and Therapeutic Efficacy in Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with t (1; 19) (E2A-PBX1) / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the clinical features and therapeutic efficacy in adult ALL patients with t (1; 19) (E2A-PBX1).@*METHODS@#The clinic data of 19 adult ALL patients with t (1; 19) (E2A-PBX1) in our hospital from Nov. 22, 2010 to Apr. 4, 2018 were collected. The clinical features,complete remission (CR) rate, overall survival (OS) rate and relapse-free survival (RFS) rate of patients received chemotherapy and chemotherapy+HSCT were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#In all the 19 patients, the median age was 24 (14-66), median WBC count was 16.47×109 (1.8-170.34)/L, median Hb level was 98 (65-176) g/L, median Plt count was 50 (15-254)×109/L. Pre B-ALL were 17 cases (89.5%), and common B-ALL were 2 cases (10.5%). Patients received the induction therapy, the overall CR rate was 94.7%, one course CR rate was 94.7%, 4 year OS rate was 47.1% and RFS rate was 43.3%. The OS rate and RFS rate of patients received transplantation were slightly higher than those of patients not received transplantation (OS: 62.5% vs 36.7%) (P=0.188)；RFS (62.5% vs 38.9%) (P=0.166).@*CONCLUSION@#Most adult ALL patients with t (1; 19) (E2A-PBX1) is Pre B-ALL by Immunophenotyping, as compared with the pediatric patients, the therapeutic efficacy for adult patients with t (1; 19) (E2A-PBX1) is worsen, therefore, stem cell transplantation is still acquired for better long term survival.

Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Ph Mixed Phenotype Acute Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical biological characteristics and prognosis of the patients with mixed phenotype acute leukemia with t(9;22)(q34;q11.2) and/or BCRABL1 (Ph MPAL).@*METHODS@#The morphological, immunological, cytogenetic, and molecular features of 33 in patients with Ph MPAL were retrospectively analyzed in our center from June 2002 to June 2016 according to the scoring proposal of European Group for the Classification of Acute Leukemia(EGIL )1998 and WHO 2008 criteria. All the cases were either treated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) induction regimen or combined chemotherapy regimens for both acute lymphoblastic and acute myeloid leukemia,part of which also received tyrosine kinase inhibitor(TKI) and 5 cases underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) after complete remission.@*RESULTS@#Ph MPAL occurred predominantly in male patients (ratio of M/F was 1.75∶1), and a high WBC counts at diagnosis; the WBC count was higher than 30×10/L in 25 patients( 75.8% )， and appeared higher than 100 ×10/L in 13 patients ( 39.4%). Among all the 33 PhMPAL patients, 32 (97.0%) had a myeloid / B-lymphoid (M/B) phenotype， and 1 case(3.0%) had a myeloid/ B-lymphoid/ T-lymphoid/ (M/B/T) phenotype. There was no patients displayed myeloid / T-lymphoid (M/T) or B-lymphoid/ T-lymphoid/ (B/T) phenotype. 19 of all cases(57.6%) met the diagnosis criteria of PhMPAL based on EGIL 1998 criteria, while the remaining 14 cases can be diagnosed as Ph MPAL by WHO 2008 classification,but excluded as PhMAPL by EGIL 1998.Karyotype analysis was successfully performed in 31 cases, and out of them 13 (41.9%) had a sole Ph chromosome, 10 (32.3%) had additional chromosome aberration and Ph chromosome was not found in 8 cases (25.8%) .In 31 patients the fusion gene BCR/ABL (P190、P210) was detected,including 17 (54.8%) cases with the p190 BCR/ABL transcript, 8 (25.8%) cases with the p210 BCR/ABL transcript, 4 (12.9%) expressing both transcripts and 2 (6.5%) without any one of these 2 transcripts. 24 out of 33 patients (77.4%) achieved complete remission after induction therapy. The median time achieving CR was 43(26-98)days. The CR rate of patients treated with and without imatinib after the first inducion treatment was 81.3% and 46.7%,respectively (P0.05). Within the 17 patients treated with imatinib at induction stage，2 of which became BCR/ABLnegative．At consolidation chemotherapy stage, 9 out of 16 patients became BCR/ABL negative, including 3 patients already subjected to HSCT. The median time reached to BCR/ABL negative was 2.87（1.13-9.20）months.@*CONCLUSION@#Ph MPAL is more common in male, and inclined to high WBC counts at diagnosis. Myeloid/B lymphoid phenotype is more common, and the prognosis of patients with PhMPAL is poor. Imatinib and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may improve survival of patients with PhMPAL.

A Scan of Obesogenic Environments and a Spatial Inference of Obesity Prevalence in Chinese Children and Adolescents: Based on the Chinese Health and Nutrition Survey 2011 Data / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the characteristics of Chinese obesogenic environments at a provincial level, infer a spatial distribution map of obesity prevalence in 31 provinces, and provide a foundation for development of policy to reduce obesity in children and adolescents.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>After scanning obesity data on subjects aged 7-17 years from 12 provinces in the China Health and Nutrition Survey 2011 and environmental data on 31 provinces from the China Statistical Yearbook 2011 and other sources, we selected 12 predictors. We used the 12 surveyed provinces as a training sample to fit an analytical model with partial least squares regression and prioritized the 12 predictors using variable importance in projection. We also fitted a predictive model with Bayesian analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We identified characteristics of obesogenic environments. We fitted the predictive model with a deviance information criterion of 61.96 and with statistically significant (P < 0.05) parameter estimates of intercept [95% confidence interval (CI): 329.10, 963.11], log(oil) (CI: 13.11, 20.30), log(GDP) (CI: 3.05, 6.93), log(media) (CI: -234.95, -89.61), and log(washing-machine) (CI: 0.92, 5.07). The total inferred average obesity prevalence among those aged 7-17 was 9.69% in 31 Chinese provinces in 2011. We also found obvious clustering in occurrences of obesity in northern and eastern provinces in the predicted map.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Given complexity of obesity in children and adolescents, concerted efforts are needed to reduce consumption of edible oils, increase consumption of vegetables, and strengthen nutrition, health, and physical activity education in Chinese schools. The northern and eastern regions are the key areas requiring intervention.</p>

Value of multiparameter flow cytometry in the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of childhood myelodysplastic syndrome / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the value of multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) and flow cytometric scoring system (FCSS) in the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of childhood myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 42 children who were diagnosed with MDS. MFC was performed to investigate the phenotype and proportion of each lineage of bone marrow cells. The correlations of FCSS score with MDS type, International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) score, and revised IPSS (IPSS-R) score were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of all the 42 children, 20 (48%) had an increase in abnormal marrow blasts, 19 (45%) had a lymphoid/myeloid ratio of >1, 14 (33%) had abnormal cross-lineage expression of lymphoid antigens in myeloid cells, 8 (19%) had abnormal CD13/CD16 differentiation antigens, 5 (12%) had abnormal expression of CD56, 3 (7%) had reduced or increased side scatter of granulocytes, 3 (7%) had reduced expression of CD36 in nucleated red blood cells, 2 (5%) had reduced expression of CD71 in nucleated red blood cells, 1 (2%) had absent expression of CD33 in myeloid cells, 1 (2%) had reduced or absent expression of CD11b in granulocytes, and 1 (2%) had absent expression of CD56 and CD14 in monocytes. There were significant differences in the median overall survival time and event-free survival time among the low-, medium-, and high-risk FCSS groups (P<0.05). Among the low-, medium-, and high-risk FCSS groups, the low-risk FCSS group had the highest 2-year overall survival rate, while there was no significant difference between the medium- and high-risk FCSS groups (P>0.05). The three groups had a 2-year event-free survival rate of 95%, 60%, and 46% respectively (P<0.05). FCSS score was positively correlated with MDS type, IPSS score, and IPSS-R score (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>MFC and FCSS help with the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of childhood MDS.</p>

Bioactivity-guided isolation of anti-angiotensin converting enzyme constituents from Trichosanthis Pericarpium / 中国中药杂志

To isolate the anti-angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) constituents from Trichosanthis Pericarpium based on bioactivity-guided separation. Trichosanthis Pericarpium was extracted with boiling water and precipitated by ethanol, then its supernatant was collected and dialyzed. The retentate of the fractions above 1 000 was lyophilized to obtain GLP, which was then successively separated by DEAE Sepharose fast flow anion-exchange and Superdex-75 gel permeation chromatographic steps to achieve GLP-1-1. A combination of HPGPC, monosaccharide compositions determination and ACE inhibitory activity studies was performed to investigate the structure and bioactivity. The results showed that an anti-angiotensin converting enzyme oligosaccharide, GLP-1-1, was obtained from Trichosanthis Pericarpium based on activity tracking, whose average molecular weight was estimated to 1 367; mainly composed of arabinose, mannose, and glucose at a ratio of 0.2∶4.3∶10.0. GLP-1-1 showed potent anti-angiotensin converting enzyme effect with the IC₅₀of (113.4±8.6) mg•L⁻¹. In this study, an oligosaccharide with anti-angiotensin converting enzyme effect was isolated from Trichosanthis Pericarpium, which could lay the foundation for the substance basis study of Trichosanthis Pericarpium.

Bioactivity guide isolation of anti-renin constituents from Trichosanthis Pericarpium / 中草药

Objective To isolate anti-renin constituents from Trichosanthis Pericarpium based on bioactivity tracking separation. Methods T. Pericarpium was extracted with boiling water and precipitated by ethanol, the supernate was collected and dialyzed, and the retentate was lyophilized giving GLP, then successively separated by DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow anion-exchange and Superdex-75 gel permeation chromatographic steps, to give GLP-5-1. A combination of HPGPC, monosaccharide composition, and anti-renin studies was performed to investigate the structure and bioactivity. Results An anti-renin polysaccharide, GLP-5-1, was obtained from T. Pericarpium based on activity tracking, the average molecular weight was estimated to 3 722, monosaccharide composition analysis showed GLP-5-1 contained arabinose, mannose, glucose, and galactose with the ratio of 5.5:4.4:6.9:10.0. GLP-5-1 showed potent anti-renin effect with the IC50 was (87.4 ± 6.8) μg/mL. Conclusion In this study, a low molecular weight polysaccharide with anti-renin effect was isolated from T. Pericarpium, which could lay the foundation for the substance basis study of T. Pericarpium.

Dynamic changes of pH2AX expression in the reversibility of mouse testicular reproductive function impaired by single heat stress / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the role of pH2AX in the reversibility of mouse testicular reproductive function impaired by single heat stress.@*METHODS@#Twenty-four C57 male mice were randomly divided into heat stress and control groups and immersed in water at 43℃ and 25℃, respectively, for 15 minutes. At 1, 7, and 14 days of heat exposure, all the mice were sacrificed and their testis tissues collected for determining the apoptosis of the germ cells by TUNEL and measuring the expression level of the pH2AX protein by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.@*RESULTS@#The highest percentage of apoptotic cells were found in the seminiferous tubules of the mice in the heat stress group on the 1st day of the exposure and almost no apoptosis was observed at 7 and 14 days. The pH2AX protein was expressed in the nuclei of the basement membrane of adjacent seminiferous tubules. Compared with the control group, the expression of pH2AX was significantly increased on the 1st day of exposure (0.47 ± 0.02 vs 1.61 ± 0.04, P <0.01), then decreased at 7 days (0.85 ± 0.03) in comparison with that on the 1st day (P <0.01), and again elevated at 14 days (1.72 ± 0.02) as compared with either those at 1 and 7 days (P <0.01) or that of the control (P <0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Heat stress causes dynamic changes of the pH2AX expression in the testis of the mouse, which are associated with heat stress-induced proliferation and division of the testicular spermatogenic cells.

Gene is Lower Expressed in the Myocardium of Patients with Tetralogy of Fallot / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The most typical cardiac abnormality is conotruncal defects (CTDs) in patients with 22q11 deletion syndrome (22q11DS). HIRA (histone cell cycle regulator) gene, as one of the candidate genes located at the critical region of 22q11DS, was reported as possibly relevant to CTD in animal models. This study aimed to analyze the level of expression of the HIRA gene in tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) patients and the potential DNA sequence variations in the promoter region.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was examined with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in 39 myocardial tissues of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) from TOF patients and 4 myocardial tissues of RVOT from noncardiac death children. The protein expression was detected using immunohistochemistry in 12 TOF patients and 4 controls. A total of 100 TOF cases and 200 healthy controls were recruited for DNA sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mRNA and protein expressions of the HIRA gene in the myocardium of the TOF patients were both significantly lower as compared to the controls (P < 0.05). Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including g.4111A>G (rs1128399), g.4265C>A (rs4585115), g.4369T>G (rs2277837), g.4371C>A (rs148516780), and g.4543T>C (rs111802956), were found in the promoter region of the HIRA gene. There were no significant differences of frequencies in these SNPs between the TOF patients and the controls (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The abnormal lower expression of the HIRA gene in the myocardium may participate in the pathogenesis of TOF.</p>

A Novel Functional Missense Mutation p.T219A in Type 1 Gaucher's Disease / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Gaucher's disease (GD) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of acid β-glucosidase (glucocerebrosidase [GBA]) that results in the accumulation of glucocerebroside within macrophages. Many mutations have been reported to be associated with this disorder. This study aimed to discover more mutations and provide data for the genetic pattern of the gene, which will help the development of quick and accurate genetic diagnostic tools for this disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Genomic DNA was obtained from peripheral blood leukocytes of the patient and Sanger sequencing is used to sequence GBA gene. Sequence alignments of mammalian β-GBA (GCase) and three-dimensional protein structure prediction of the mutation were made. A construct of this mutant and its compound heterozygous counterpart were used to measure GCase in vitro.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>GCase is relatively conserved at p.T219A. This novel mutation differs from its wild-type in structure. Moreover, it also causes a reduction in GCase enzyme activity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This novel mutation (c.655A>G, p.T219A) is a pathogenic missense mutation, which contributes to GD.</p>

Epidemics of overweight and obesity among growing childhood in China between 1997 and 2009: Impact of Family Income, Dietary Intake, and Physical Activity Dynamics / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Obesity has become a major health problem among children and adolescents worldwide. This study aimed to examine the trends of overweight and obesity among childhood in China and assess their associations with family income, dietary intake, and physical activity (PA) between 1997 and 2009.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two waves of cross-sectional data of Chinese children and adolescents aged 7-17 years from the China Health and Nutrition Survey were used. Weight and height were measured following standardized procedures. Dietary intake was assessed by 3 consecutive 24-h recalls. Childhood overweight and obesity were defined using the International Obesity Task Force-recommended body mass index cut-offs. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to examine the associations of family income with diet intakes and PA. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the associations of overweight and obesity with family income, dietary intake, and PA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity increased from 12.6% in 1997 to 22.1% in 2009, particularly in the medium- and high-family income groups, which increased by 102.7% and 90.3%, respectively. Higher fat intake (% energy), and moderate and vigorous PA were significantly associated with overweight and obesity in final model (odds ratio [OR] = 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00-1.02, P = 0.004; and OR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.98-1.00, P = 0.036, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The prevalence of overweight and obesity among Chinese children and adolescents has increased between 1997 and 2009. Reducing fat intake and increasing PA may help obesity prevention.</p>

Value of specific 16S rDNA fragment of algae in diagnosis of drowning: an experiment with rabbits / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a method for amplifying specific 16S rDNA fragment of algae related with drowning and test its value in drowning diagnosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-five rabbits were randomly divided into 3 the drowning group (n=15), postmortem water immersion group (n=15, subjected to air embolism before seawater immersion), and control group(n=5, with air embolism only). Twenty samples of the liver tissues from human corpses found in water were also used, including 14 diatom-positive and 6 diatom-negative samples identified by microwave digestion-vacuum filtration-automated scanning electron microscopy (MD-VF-Auto SEM). Seven known species of algae served as the control algae (Melosira sp, Nitzschia sp, Synedra sp, Navicula sp, Microcystis sp, Cyclotella meneghiniana, and Chlorella sp). The total DNA was extracted from the tissues and algae to amplify the specific fragment of algae followed by 8% polyacrylamide gelelectrophoresis and sliver-staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the drowning group, algae was detected in the lungs (100%), liver (86%), and kidney (86%); algae was detected in the lungs in 2 rabbits in the postmortem group (13%) and none in the control group. The positivity rates of algae were significantly higher in the drowning group than in the postmortem group (P<0.05). Of the 20 tissue samples from human corps found in water, 15 were found positive for algae, including sample that had been identified as diatom-negative by MD-VF-Auto SEM. All the 7 control algae samples yielded positive results in PCR.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The PCR-based method has a high sensitivity in algae detection for drowning diagnosis and allows simultaneous detection of multiple algae species related with drowning.</p>

Situation on 'eating out' and its related risk factors among 1013 Chinese adults in 3 provinces / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the characteristics of 'eating out' behavior among Chinese adults and to explore it related risk factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data in the present study was from the China Health and Nutrition Study(CHNS), including those from Liaoning, Henan and Hunan as sample provinces. 2 cities and 2 counties from each province and 2 urban communities and 2 suburban communities from each city plus communities from 1 township and 3 villages from each county were chosen. A final 1013 Chinese adults aged 18 to 59 years old who participated in the 2011 CHNS with complete individual information and were available in the present study period were involved in the study. 'Eating out behavior' was estimated through face-to-face interview on the items as:frequency, cost, ways of transportation and distance between restaurants, eating at fast food restaurants/Chinese full service restaurants/Chinese fast food restaurants/mobile food carts/cafes/canteens or other restaurants during the last week. Information on the amount of food intake was collected through three '24 h recalls'. We described the eating out behaviors by types of restaurants they had gone to and comparing eating out eaters and non-eating out eaters for a set of nutritional indicators in order to explore the risk factors related to 'eating out' behaviors.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>'Eating out' was defined as individuals who consumed at least once in restaurants per week. In all the 1013 adults, 51.72% from urban and 39.14% from rural were defined as having 'eating out' experiences. Proportions of eating out in western fast food restaurants, Chinese full service restaurants, Chinese fast food restaurants, mobile food carts, cafes, canteens and other restaurants were 1.68%, 23.49%, 12.93%, 10.37%, 1.09%, 10.07% and 4.34%, respectively. Energy, Ca, Fe and Zn intake were substantially higher among eaters eating at Chinese full service restaurants than those who had not,Energy, protein, fibers, Ca and Zn intake were higher among canteens eaters than those who did not. Age, gender, education, income and residential areas were associated with eating out behaviors.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Eating out is a significant nutritional issue among Chinese adults. Education related to nutrition should be taken into account to guide healthy food choices for adults who eat out.</p>

Trend in dietary calcium intake among Chinese children and adolescents aged 4 to 17 years in nine provinces from 1991 to 2009 / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand the daily calcium intake, food sources and the trends among Chinese children and adolescents aged 4 to 17 years from 1991 to 2009.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Consecutive 3-day-24-hour dietary recall data from the seven waves of the China Health and Nutrition Survey(CHNS)was used to describe the status and trends of daily calcium intake and related food sources.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Between 1991 and 2009, the daily intake of calcium in Chinese children and adolescents showed an increasing trend. In 2009, the average intakes of calcium in Chinese boys and girls were 311.2 mg/d and 294.6 mg/d, respectively. 81.5%-87.6% of boys and 87.0%-91.0% of girls had their calcium intakes less than half of the recommended amount of adequate intakes. Only 0.2%-0.8% of boys and 0.1%-0.8% of girls had their calcium intakes equal or higher than the recommended amount of adequate intakes. The sources of dietary calcium were mainly from vegetables, legumes, cereals and milk products for Chinese children and adolescents, accounting for more than 70% of the average daily intakes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>During the past two decades, the dietary calcium intake of Chinese children and adolescents still remained at lower level, suggesting that the optimal food sources of calcium were under-consumed.</p>

Trend in vegetable and fruit intake among Chinese children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years from 1991 to 2009 and related socio-demographic factors / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the long-term shifts in fruit and vegetable intakes in Chinese children and adolescents between 1991 and 2009 and related impact from socio-economic factors on such dynamics.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data was from the seven waves of the China Health and Nutrition Survey. 12 596 children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years with full data of 3-day-24-hour dietary recall, together with related demographic and socioeconomic factors were chosen as the study subjects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The consumption rates of fruits and vegetables showed an significant increasing trend, from 58.3% in 1991 to 82.4%, on dark-color vegetables(χ(2) = 213.2, P < 0.01), from 94.4% to 96.9% on light-color vegetable(χ(2) = 11.6, P < 0.0001)and from 12.6% to 45.4% for fruits(χ(2) = 571.2, P < 0.0001)in 2009. The median intake of total vegetables decreased from 250.0 g/d in 1991 to 225.8 g/d in 2009(χ(2) = 72.4, P < 0.0001) and the light-color vegetable decreased by 36.6 g/d. However, among the corresponding consumers, the fruit intake increased about 50.0 g/d (χ(2) = 104.2, P < 0.01)and the dark-color vegetable intake decreased about 40.0 g/d (χ(2) = 92.8, P < 0.0001 ). The proportion of children who reached the minimum intake of vegetable(300 g/d)recommended by Dietary Guidelines for Chinese 2007 decreased from 38.9% in 1991 to 26.8% in 2011 and the proportion of children who had met the minimum intake(200 g/d)increased from 2.0% to 13.9% . 25.1% of the children consumed dark-color vegetables more than half of the total vegetable intake. Schooling of the mother and family income had important impact on fruit consumption of the children.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Rates on fruit and vegetable consumption showed an increasing trend among Chinese children and adolescents over the past 20 years. However, the vegetable intake significantly decreased and the fruit intake increased slightly. Chinese Children posed a greater risk on insufficient intake on both vegetables and fruits. Comprehensive and effective programs should be taken to increase vegetable and fruit intakes in order to improve the nutritional status of children.</p>