A New Hemoglobin Variant: Hb Tangshan [HBA1: c.239C > T, CD79(GCG > GTG)(Ala > Val)] Detected by MALDI-TOF MS.

In this report we decribed a new α-chain variant found during the measurement of hemoglobin A1c (Hb A1c) using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). MALDI-TOF MS analysis detected an α-chain variant with a mass of 15,155 Da. However, this Hb variant was not detected during Hb A1c measurement by cation-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) methods. Sanger sequencing validated the presence of a heterozygous missense mutation [HBA1: c.239C > T, CD79(GCG > GTG)(Ala > Val)]. The observed 28 Da mass difference exactly matches the theoretical mass difference (28 Da) resulting from the substitution of alanine (89.079) with valine (117.133). As this represents the initial documentation of the mutation, we named it Hb Tangshan after the proband's residence.

Source Identification and Health Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon-Enriched PM2.5 in Tangshan, China.

Tangshan city in Hebei Province is one of the most heavily polluted cities in China, with substantial industrial emissions. The development of effective air pollution emission reduction policies requires knowledge of the sources and health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-enriched fine particulate matter (PM2.5 ). We investigated the seasonal variation and source apportionment of 16 priority PAH-enriched PM2.5 samples in Tangshan during 2014 and 2015, and we assessed the health risks associated with inhalation exposure to PAHs. The PM2.5 samples were collected from April 2014 to February 2015. We analyzed the concentrations of PM2.5 and PAH-enriched PM2.5 , and used principal component analysis and molecular diagnostic ratios to identify potential sources. We explored the relationship between distribution and meteorological conditions, and used an incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) model to quantitatively evaluate exposure from the inhalation risk of PAHs. The average mass concentration of PM2.5 was 196 µg/m3 , with a range 34.0 to 586 µg/m3 . The median ∑16 PAH values in PM2.5 were 190 ng/m3 , with a range of 60.2 to 862 ng/m3 over the sampling period. The order of ∑16 PAHs concentration was winter > autumn > summer > spring. The results show that the primary sources of PAH-enriched PM2.5 are coal combustion, vehicle exhaust, and biomass burning. The annual mean of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) was 8.37 ng/m3 , more than 8-fold greater than the BaP annual standard (1 ng/m3 ) set by the Chinese State Environmental Protection Agency. The ILCR values for 3 groups (children, teenagers, and adults) over the 4 seasons were between 10-6 and 10-4 , indicating a potential health risk from PAHs in Tangshan. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:458-467. © 2019 SETAC.

The prevalence and risk of DSM-IV axis I disorder in adults with early-life earthquake stress: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Tangshan earthquake which had a magnitude of 7.8 killed approximately 250,000 people in China in 1976. In the present study, we sought to determine the prevalence and risks of mental disorders in adults who experienced earthquake as an infant or in the prenatal period. METHODS: This cross-sectional cohort study recruited participants based on the urban resident registry of Tangshan, Hebei province, 2013 using a multistage stratified cluster sampling method with selection probabilities proportional to size. We recruited subjects who were born between July 29, 1975 and April 28, 1978 that was one year before and 1.9 years after the occurrence of Tangshan Earthquake, respectively. Current psychiatric diagnoses and lifetime psychiatric diagnoses were obtained through the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders Patient Research Version. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze risk factors of mental disorders. RESULTS: Totally1380 subjects were included with 392 subjects exposed to the earthquake in the fetal period, 399 subjects who experienced the earthquake during their infancy, and 589 subjects who had no exposure to the earthquake. Twenty-one (2.7%; current 1.9%) subjects exposed to earthquake were diagnosed with major depressive disorderversus 2.3% (current 1.5%) in the non-exposure group. Five (0.6%; current 0.6%) subjects with exposure to earthquake had bipolar disorder versus 0.9% in the non-exposure group.Thirteen (1.6%; current 1.6%) subjects with exposure to earthquake had schizophreniaversus 0.2% in the non-exposure group (P=0.006). Furthermore, 5.2% (current 3.7%) subjects with exposure to earthquake had anxiety disorders versus 5.7% (current 3.9%) in the non-exposure group. Moreover, 8.1% (current 7.0%)subjects with exposure to earthquake had alcohol use disorders versus 7.1% (current 5.3%) in the non-exposure group. Furthermore, the prevalence of schizophrenia of the prenatal exposure group (2.3%) was significantly higher than the other two groups (χ2 = 10.273, P = 0.006); however, no statistically significant difference was found in the current and lifetime prevalence of other DSM-IV axis I disorders among the three groups (P > 0.05). Our multivariate regression analysis showed that prenatal earthquake stress exposure was not a significant risk of any of the lifetime or current DSD-IV axis I disorders. CONCLUSION: Adults who were exposed to earthquake in the prenatal period had a significantly higher rate of schizophrenia than those who were not exposed or who experienced earthquake in their infancy. No statistically significant difference was found in the current and lifetime prevalence of other DSM-IV axis I disorders between those exposed and those not exposed to earthquake. Furthermore, prenatal earthquake stress exposure was not a significant risk of any of the lifetime or current DSD-IV axis I disorders.

Investigation and Analysis of the Channels for Doctors to Obtain Diagnosis and Treatment Information about Diseases in Tangshan / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE： To investigate and analyze the channels by which doctors obtain related information of diagnosis and treatment about diseases， and to provide reference for management institutions to understand related information and execute continue education. METHODS： 14 public general hospitals （12 were second grade class A， 2 were third grade class A） with grade Ⅱ and above in Tangshan were selected， and a self-designed questionnaire was used to conduct a one-to-one paper questionnaire survey on the doctors on duty. The content of the survey focused on the channels to obtain related information of diagnosis and treatment （including internal communication platform for medical experts， professional Chinese medical journals， professional medical network media， professional medical training classes/courses and professional medical academic conferences）. The channels to access relevant information on diagnosis and treatment were analyzed from the hospital level， department， professional title， education backgrounds and medical years. RESULTS： A total of 2 536 questionnaires were sent out， and 2 105 questionnaires were recovered （recovery rate of 83.0％）， among which there were 2 047 valid questionnaires （effective rate of 97.2％）. Doctors in third grade hospitals obtain more relevant information through “professional Chinese medical journals” “professional medical network media” “professional medical training classes/courses” “professional medical academic conferences” and than doctors in second grade hospitals （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； there was no statistical significance among different departments （P＞0.05）. Doctors with deputy chief physician or above title chose “internal communication platform for medical experts” “professional Chinese medical journals” and “professional medical academic conference” more than doctors with attending physician or below title （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The proportion of doctors with master’s degree or above choosing “professional Chinese medical journals” “professional medical network media” and “professional medical academic conferences” were significantly higher than that of doctors with bachelor’s degree or below （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The proportion of doctors who had been in medicine experience for 11 years or more choosing “professional Chinese medical journals” and “professional medical training classes/courses” were higher than that of doctors who had been in medicine experience for 10 years or less （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Overall， the doctors who choosing “internal communication platform for medical experts” and “professional medical network media” was significantly higher than that of doctors choosing “professional Chinese medical journals” “professional medical training classes/courses” and “professional medical academic conferences” （P＜0.001）. CONCLUSIONS： Doctors are more likely to choose “internal communication platform for medical experts” and “professional medical network media” channels to obtain disease diagnosis and treatment information. Medical experts’ inner exchange platforms and professional medical network media can be effectively used as an important way for medical staff to conduct continue education and improve the level of disease diagnosis and treatment.

Unparallel gender-specific changes in the incidence of hip fractures in Tangshan, China.

This study, which measured the incidence of hip fractures in Tangshan, China, in 2015, shows that compared to data we reported in Tangshan in 2010, the crude incidence of hip fractures in 2015 increased in females and slightly decreased in males. However, the incidences of age-specific hip fracture in females aged over 65 and males aged over 75 are both increasing. INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of hip fractures in 2015 in Tangshan, China, and to compare this incidence with that previously reported in Tangshan in 2010. METHODS: Data were obtained from 15 hospitals within Tangshan that had an orthopedic department, and the medical records and radiographs of all patients who sustained such fractures in 2015 were reviewed. The absolute number of admissions was described, and the incidence rates per 100,000 individuals adjusted by age (-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, and ≥85 years) and gender were calculated based on the data of the Tangshan population. The 2015 population of Tangshan was determined to be 3,134,239 (1,573,118 males and 1,561,121 females). RESULTS: The population over 65 years of age represented 15.43% of the total population and included 477,021 individuals (236,140 males and 240,881 females). In 2015, there were 1645 cervical and trochanteric fractures in 714 males and 931 females, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.30. The overall incidence or rate of the hip fractures was 45.39 fractures per 100,000 men per year and 59.64 fractures per 100,000 women per year. Females showed a significantly higher incidence of hip fractures than males in the over 60-and-older groups, but in the youngest group, males had a markedly higher incidence than females. Compared to the incidence measured in 2010 in Tangshan, the crude incidence of hip fractures decreased by 5.04% in males and increased by 18.33% in females. The age-specific incidence increased in the male 75-and-older age groups, and the age-specific incidence increased in the female 65-and-older age groups but decreased in those younger than 65 years. CONCLUSION: Compared to the results in 2010, the crude incidence of hip fractures in 2015 in Tangshan increased in females but slightly decreased in males. However, the age-specific incidences of hip fracture in females aged over 65 and males aged over 75 are still increasing.

[Environmental control of zooplankton community structure in Tangshan Bay, China]. / çŽ¯å¢ƒå› å­å¯¹å”å±±æ¹¾æµ·åŸŸæµ®æ¸¸åŠ¨ç‰©ç¾¤è½ç»“æž„çš„é©±åŠ¨ä½œç”¨.

In order to study the relationship between zooplankton community structure and environmental factors in Tangshan Bay, the zooplankton community structure and environmental factors were investigated in 2015 April (spring), July (summer), October (autumn) and December (winter). The temporal and spatial variation of zooplankton community structure and its main environmental driving factors were analyzed by means of multivariate analysis and correlation analysis. The results showed that the main environmental factors affecting the abundance of zooplankton in Tangshan Bay were DIN, SS, temperature and Chla. Multivariate analysis indicated that DO, temperature and Chl a were the principal factors driving spatial differentiation of zooplankton community structure in Tangshan Bay. In different waters of Tangshan Bay, the environmental factors affecting zooplankton community structure were different. The main influencing factors were physical variables for Laoting and Sandao sea areas, while chemical variables for Caofeidian sea area, respectively. The results revealed the zooplankton community structure was more influenced by chemical variables (DIN, SRP) in sea areas heavily affected by human activity, while it was more influenced by phy-sical variables (T, SS) in sea areas less affected by human activity.

Current Living Situation of Survival Patients with Spinal Cord Injury 40 Years after Tangshan Earthquake / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective To survey the survival status, functional status, marital status and the present situation of the survival patients with spinal cord injury 40 years after Tangshan earthquake. Methods From February to May, 2016, a total of 216 patients with spinal cord injury were surveyed with questionnaire, in which 139 cases lived centralized and 77 cases lived scattered. The questionnaire was self-designed and included eleven items and 51 questions, which related to ability of daily life, marital status, employment status and socioeconomic status and so on. Results A total of 960 (25.15%) patients with spinal cord injury survived 40 years after Tangshan earthquake. In 216 surveyed pa-tients, the employment rate was 9.3%, the married rate was 53.2%, and 44.9%earned less than 500 yuan every month. The incidence was 25.9%for pressure score, 50.50%for neuralgia (severe pain accounted for 23.51%), and 19.40%for urinary tract stones. 56%of patients could take their own basic self-care. Conclusion There were many problems such as high complication rate, low employment rate and poor economic condition in the spinal cord injury group 40 years after Tangshan earthquake.

[Relationship between land surface temperature and land cover types based on GWR model: A case of Beijing-Tianjin-Tangshan urban agglomeration, China.] / 基于GWRæ¨¡åž‹çš„åœŸåœ°è¦†ç›–ä¸Žåœ°è¡¨æ¸©åº¦çš„å ³ç³»­­ä»¥äº¬æ´¥å”åŸŽå¸‚群为例.

We used land cover data derived from Landsat thematic mapper (TM) and land surface temperature (LST) data from moderate-resolution imaging spectro-radiometer (MODIS) satellite images to study the variations in LST in July of different land cover types in Beijing-Tianjin-Tangshan urban agglomeration. Ordinary linear regressions (OLS) models and geographically weighted regressions (GWR) models were used to investigate the relationships between the proportions of land cover types and LST. The results showed that great variations in LST occurred among different land cover types. The average LST ranged from high to low in the order of developed land (40.92±3.49 ℃), cultivated land (39.74±3.74 ℃), wetland (35.42±4.33 ℃), and forested land (34.43±4.16 ℃). The proportions of land cover types were significantly related to LST, but with spatial non-stationarity. This might be due to inherent difference in land cover across locations, and the surrounding environments. GWR models had higher R2 values, compared to OLS, indicating better model performance. In addition, GWR models could reveal the spatial non-stationarity of the relations between LST and the proportions of different land cover types.

Long-term effect of early-life stress from earthquake exposure on working memory in adulthood.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the long-term effect of 1976 Tangshan earthquake exposure in early life on performance of working memory in adulthood. METHODS: A total of 907 study subjects born and raised in Tangshan were enrolled in this study. They were divided into three groups according to the dates of birth: infant exposure (3-12 months, n=274), prenatal exposure (n=269), and no exposure (born at least 1 year after the earthquake, n=364). The prenatal group was further divided into first, second, and third trimester subgroups based on the timing of exposure during pregnancy. Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R) were used to measure the performance of working memory. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influential factors for impaired working memory. RESULTS: The Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised scores did not show significant difference across the three groups. Compared with no exposure group, the BVMT-R scores were slightly lower in the prenatal exposure group and markedly decreased in the infant exposure group. When the BVMT-R scores were analyzed in three subgroups, the results showed that the subjects whose mothers were exposed to earthquake in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy had significantly lower BVMT-R scores compared with those in the first trimester. Education level and early-life earthquake exposure were identified as independent risk factors for reduced performance of visuospatial memory indicated by lower BVMT-R scores. CONCLUSION: Infant exposure to earthquake-related stress impairs visuospatial memory in adulthood. Fetuses in the middle and late stages of development are more vulnerable to stress-induced damage that consequently results in impaired visuospatial memory. Education and early-life trauma can also influence the performance of working memory in adulthood.

Alternative future analysis for assessing the potential impact of climate change on urban landscape dynamics.

Assessing the impact of climate change on urban landscape dynamics (ULD) is the foundation for adapting to climate change and maintaining urban landscape sustainability. This paper demonstrates an alternative future analysis by coupling a system dynamics (SD) and a cellular automata (CA) model. The potential impact of different climate change scenarios on ULD from 2009 to 2030 was simulated and evaluated in the Beijing-Tianjin-Tangshan megalopolis cluster area (BTT-MCA). The results suggested that the integrated model, which combines the advantages of the SD and CA model, has the strengths of spatial quantification and flexibility. Meanwhile, the results showed that the influence of climate change would become more severe over time. In 2030, the potential urban area affected by climate change will be 343.60-1260.66 km(2) (5.55 -20.37 % of the total urban area, projected by the no-climate-change-effect scenario). Therefore, the effects of climate change should not be neglected when designing and managing urban landscape.

Analysis of risk factors for adult community-acquired pneumonia caused by Gram negative bacilli in Tangshan / 天津医药

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics and risk factors for adult community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by Gram-negative bacilli in Tangshan, and provide reference for the early identification of Gram-negative bac?teria CAP and the clinical use of antibiotics. Methods Data of retrospective general information, physical examination, aux?iliary examination and pathogen were collected in patients with CAP in respiratory department from 6 hospitals in Tangshan between October 2011 to September 2012. According to the above data, the prognosis of patients with the team score (PORT) was calculated. The sputum samples were isolated for pathogen identification. Univariate logistic regression analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed for risk factors of Gram-negative bacilli. Results A total of 195 strains were isolated from 172 (32.45%) patients in 530 patients with CAP. There were 154 strains of Gram-negative ba?cilli (78.97%) and 41 strains of Gram-positive bacteria (21.03%) in 195 bacterial strains. Univariate logistic regression anal?ysis showed the possible risk factors of Gram-negative bacilli in patients with CAP including age≥65 years old, using antibi?otics before hospitalization, basic diseases, cerebrovascular disease, malnutrion, white blood cell abnormal, neutrophil count17.1μmol/L and blood urea nitrogen>7.1 mmol/L. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the independent risk factors of Gram-negative bacilli in patients with CAP including us?ing antibiotics before hospitalization (OR=2.327, 95%CI 1.453-3.725), white blood cell abnormal (OR=2.904, 95%CI 1.879-4.490), PORT classification≥Ⅲ(OR=3.839, 95%CI 2.427-6.071), and blood urea nitrogen elevated (OR=4.133, 95%CI 2.585-6.606). Conclusion Clinical empirical anti-infection treatment should consider the risk factors including using antibiotics before hospitalization, white blood cell abnormal, PORT classification≥Ⅲ and blood urea nitrogen>7.1 mmol/L in patients with susceptible to Gram-negative bacteria infection.

Long-term impact of earthquake stress on fasting glucose control and diabetes prevalence among Chinese adults of Tangshan.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term influence of stresses from the 1976 Tangshan earthquake on blood glucose control and the incidence of diabetes mellitus in Chinese people of Tangshan. METHODS: 1,551 adults ≥ 37 years of age were recruited for this investigation in Tangshan city of China, where one of the deadliest earthquakes occurred in 1796. All subjects finished a questionnaire. 1,030 of them who experienced that earthquake were selected into the exposure group, while 521 were gathered as the control group who have not exposed to any earthquake. The numbers of subjects who were first identified with diabetes or had normal FBG but with diabetic history were added for the calculation of diabetes prevalence. Statistic-analysis was applied on the baseline data, and incidences of IFG as well as diabetes among all groups. RESULTS: Statistic comparisons indicate there is no significant difference on average fasting glucose levels between the control group and the exposure group. However, the prevalence of IFG and diabetes among the exposure group displays significant variance with the control group. The prevalence of diabetes among exposure groups is significantly higher than the control group. Women are more likely to have diabetes after experiencing earthquake stresses compared to men. The earthquake stress was linked to higher diabetes incidence as an independent factor. CONCLUSIONS: The earthquake stress has long-term impacts on diabetes incidence as an independent risk factor. Emerging and long-term managements regarding the care of IFG and diabetes in populations exposed to earthquake stress should be concerned.

Bio-Mimetics of Disaster Anticipation-Learning Experience and Key-Challenges.

Anomalies in animal behavior and meteorological phenomena before major earthquakes have been reported throughout history. Bio-mimetics or bionics aims at learning disaster anticipation from animals. Since modern science is reluctant to address this problem an effort has been made to track down the knowledge available to ancient natural philosophers. Starting with an archaeologically documented human sacrifice around 1700 B.C. during the Minoan civilization immediately before a large earthquake, which killed the participants, earthquake prediction knowledge throughout antiquity is evaluated. Major practical experience with this phenomenon has been gained from a Chinese earthquake prediction initiative nearly half a century ago. Some quakes, like that of Haicheng, were recognized in advance. However, the destructive Tangshan earthquake was not predicted, which was interpreted as an inherent failure of prediction based on animal phenomena. This is contradicted on the basis of reliable Chinese documentation provided by the responsible earthquake study commission. The Tangshan earthquake was preceded by more than 2,000 reported animal anomalies, some of which were of very dramatic nature. They are discussed here. Any physical phenomenon, which may cause animal unrest, must involve energy turnover before the main earthquake event. The final product, however, of any energy turnover is heat. Satellite based infrared measurements have indeed identified significant thermal anomalies before major earthquakes. One of these cases, occurring during the 2001 Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat, India, is analyzed together with parallel animal anomalies observed in the Gir national park. It is suggested that the time window is identical and that both phenomena have the same geophysical origin. It therefore remains to be demonstrated that energy can be released locally before major earthquake events. It is shown that by considering appropriate geophysical feedback processes, this is possible for large scale energy conversion phenomena within highly non-linear geophysical mechanisms. With satellite monitored infrared anomalies indicating possible epicenters and local animal and environmental observations immediately initiated, the learning experience towards an understanding of the phenomena involved could be accelerated.

Advance in Rehabilitation (1976-1995) on SCI Patients Cased by Earthquake in Tangshan / 中国康复理论与实践

@#This paper summarized the 20-year work of recovery of the patients with spinal cord in-jury(SCI)caused by earthquake in Tangshan in 1 9 76.The rehabilitation experience of the patients withSCI during different stages was discussed.

Long-term Effects of Tangshan Earthquake on Psychosomatic Health of Paraplegic Suffers / 中国心理卫生杂志

Objective: To study the long-term effect of Tangshan earthquake on psychosomatic health of paraplegic suffers. Method: 64 paraplegic suffers of Tangshan earthquake and 64 normal controls were interviewed and assessed with self made questionnaire for psychosomatic health, SCL-90, SAS, SDS, CMI (Cornell Medical Index) and SSRS (Social Support Rating Scale). Results: 6 patients (9%) were diagnosed as PTSD according to CCMD-2-R, this rate was higher than that of normal citizen experienced the earthquake. 32 patients had Acute Stress Reaction. At present, patients' group had poorer mental health than control reflected by SCL-90, SAS, SDS and CMI. Conclusion: The severity of trauma both mentally and physically has great influence on mental health of suffers even after 25 years.