α-Keto Acids as Triggers and Partners for the Synthesis of Quinazolinones, Quinoxalinones, Benzooxazinones, and Benzothiazoles in Water.

A general and efficient method for the synthesis of quinazolinones, quinoxalinones, benzooxazinones, and benzothiazoles from the reactions of α-keto acids with 2-aminobenzamides, benzene-1,2-diamines, 2-aminophenols, and 2-aminobenzenethiols, respectively, is described. The reactions were conducted under catalyst-free conditions, using water as the sole solvent with no additive required, and successfully applied to the synthesis of sildenafil. More importantly, these reactions can be conducted on a mass scale, and the products can be easily purified through filtration and washing with ethanol (or crystallized).

Associated Factors of Suboptimal Health Status Among Adolescents in China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: Suboptimal health status (SHS) is a state between health and disease, has several adverse effects, although, its main underlying mechanism is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate SHS and its associated factors of adolescents. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the three different geographic locations of China (Shanxi, Guangzhou, and Tibet). A multidimensional sub-health questionnaire of adolescent (MSQA) is used to evaluate SHS. Independent two-sample K-S test was performed for the quantitative data as the non-parametric test, whereas Chi-square test method was applied to explore the difference of discrete variables data between groups. Then finally, multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to analyze the influential factors of SHS. RESULTS: Among 1461 respondents (between 15 and 18 years old), females proportion (56.47%) was higher than males (43.53%) where SHS was higher in Shanxi followed by Tibet and then Guangdong. The rural area, grade, lack of sleep time, home visit in a week, lack of exercise, a heavy burden of study, smoking, drinking, and fewer friends were the risk factors of SHS, while families living status, seeking help and extroversion were the protective factors. CONCLUSION: SHS is significantly associated with behavior and lifestyle-related factors. For comprehensively prevention and control of the SHS, it is urgently needed to reduce the risk factors and enhance the protective factors among adolescents.

[Developing parameters for predicting macrosomia].

OBJECTIVE: To identify appropriate fetal growth parameters that can be used in clinical practice for predicting macrosomia. METHODS: Clinical data of 108 macrosomia babies and 108 babies with normal birth weight who were delivered in 2007 in Sichuan Provincial Hospital for Women & Children were collected and compared. The parameters for the comparisons included maternal abdominal circumference (MAC), fundal height (FH), and fetal diameters measured by ultrasonic imaging such as biparietal diameter(BPD), head circumference (HC), femur length(FL), and abdominal circumference(AC). RESULTS: Maternal fundal height, fetal biparietal diameter, and biparietal diameter plus femur length produced greater than 0.64 of receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve area for predicting macrosomia (P < 0.05), with a diagnostic index of 143. 5%, 138. 7% and 149.4%, respectively. Other parameters produced less than 0.63 ROC area for predicting macrosomia, with no statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Maternal FH, BPD and BPD plus FL are relatively sensitive parameters for predicting macrosomia.

[Study on the knowledge of nutrition and related dietary behavior among "floating" women under pregnancy].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, practice (KAP) on nutrition and related influencing factors among the "floating" women under pregnancy. METHODS: 171 subjects in Chengdu, China were surveyed cross-sectionally by questionnaires. RESULTS: Most participants expressed a positive attitude towards nutrition and health, however, only 25.1% of the subjects under study had a better knowledge on nutrition and on healthy dietary practices. Frequency of the important foods (milk, egg, soy bean, nut, seafood etc.) intake were not enough during pregnancy. A significantly positive correlation was found between nutrition K, A and P (r = 0.322, 0.285, 0.173; P < 0.05). Level of education among the pregnant women under mobility and occupation of their husbands were the major contributing factors to their KAP level on nutrition (beta = 0.248, 0.312; P < 0.01). Medical staff, dietitians and specific books were the major sources of information on nutrition. CONCLUSION: More educational programs were needed to improve the knowledge and dietary behavior on nutrition to this population.

[Analysis on the potential losses of maternal mortality in Sichuan province in 2003].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the years of potential life lost (YPLL), working lost, valued lost from the main causes of maternal mortality. METHODS: We collected the mortality cases and live births by the surveillance network of maternal mortality in Sichuan province in 2003, and calculated YPLL, average years of life lost (AYLL), working years of potential life lost (WYPLL), valued years of potential life lost (VYPLL) caused by the death. RESULTS: In 2003, YPLL, AYLL, WYPLL, VYPLL of the maternal mortality were 4016, 43, 2305 and 2608 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The ages of the maternal mortality were young, and the potential losses were significant. This not only threatens the life of women, but also is vital losses to the society and economy.