Association between breakfast patterns and executive function among adolescents in Shanghai, China.

Introduction: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between breakfast patterns and executive function among adolescents in Shanghai, China. Methods: In 2022, we randomly recruited 3,012 adolescents aged 12-13 years from all administrative districts in Shanghai. Breakfast information was collected by parents using a one-day recall method. Executive function was measured using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Parent Version. Latent Class Analysis was performed to identify breakfast patterns based on the food groups in the Diet Quality Questionnaire for China. Results: Breakfast patterns were classified into three categories: "Egg and milk foods", "Grain foods", and "Abundant foods", except for adolescents who skipped breakfast. Logistic regression was used to estimate the multivariate odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for the association between breakfast patterns and potential executive dysfunction. Adolescents in the "Abundant foods" class had a lower risk of executive dysfunction in terms of initiate (OR: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.17-0.76), and organization of materials (OR: 0.18; 95% CI: 0.04-0.94), compared to those who skipped breakfast. Similarly, the breakfast patterns of "Grain foods" and "Egg and milk foods" were associated with a lower risk of executive dysfunction, including initiate and working memory. Discussion: Our findings suggest that breakfast patterns were associated with executive function. The improvement of breakfast patterns among adolescents should be a significant public health intervention.

Knowledge level and access barriers related to sexual and reproductive health information among youth with disabilities in China: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Youth with disabilities have the same right to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) as their peers without disabilities. However, their needs and rights are often ignored. Little is known about the knowledge, needs and access barriers related to SRH information among youth with different types of disabilities in China. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 473 unmarried youth aged 15-24 with visual, hearing, physical disabilities in both urban and rural areas in China. RESULTS: Out of a maximum possible score of 100, respondent's median score ranged from 30 to 50 for knowledge related to sexual physiology, STIs/HIV/AIDS and contraception. For these three categories of knowledge, respondents with hearing and physical disabilities or from rural areas scored lower than their counterparts with visual disabilities or from urban areas. The multivariate analyses showed that the residential area and education level were strong correlates of knowledge among respondents with visual and hearing disabilities. Other significant correlates were age for respondents with visual impairment and physical impairment, and single child status in the family and father's education level for respondents with hearing impairment. Sources of and barriers and preferences in accessing SRH information differed by type of disabilities, residential areas and gender. In general, school teachers were the primary and most preferred sources of SRH knowledge, followed by the Internet, peers/friends and parents. Unaware of where to get accurate information and feeling embarrassed to seek information were the two most frequently mentioned barriers in accessing SRH information. CONCLUSION: Respondents had poor knowledge of SRH and limited access to SRH information, especially those from rural areas. Efforts should be made to promote school and family-based sexuality education tailored for youth with different types of disabilities.

Youth with disabilities have the same sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs as their peers without disabilities and the equal right to attain the highest standard of SRH. However, their SRH needs and rights are often overlooked or neglected. Studies on SRH among unmarried youth with disabilities are very limited in China. This study used data collected from 473 unmarried youths with different types of disabilities from both urban and rural areas in China, to understand their SRH knowledge and its associated factors, as well as barriers and preferences in accessing sexuality-related information. This study demonstrated that unmarried youth with disabilities lacked knowledge of SRH, especially those with hearing or physical disabilities and those from rural areas. In general, residential area and education level were significant correlates of knowledge among respondents. Sources of and barriers and preferences in accessing SRH information varied across types of disabilities, residential areas and gender. In general, school teachers were the primary and most preferred sources of knowledge, followed by the Internet, peers and parents. Unaware of the available sources of accurate information and feeling embarrassed to seek information were the most frequently mentioned barriers in accessing SRH information. The findings of the study highlight the need to reduce the barriers to sexuality education for unmarried youth with different types of disabilities. Efforts should be made to promote school and family-based sexuality education tailored for youth with different types of disabilities and empower them to seek information proactively.

Independent risk factors for high-risk human papillomavirus infection among rural women in Shanxi Province, China: a population-based, case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infection is associated with most cervical cancers. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of and independent risk factors for hrHPV infection among women residing in rural areas of Shanxi Province, China. METHODS: Data from the records of the cervical cancer screening programs for rural women in Shanxi Province were retrospectively collected. Women receiving primary HPV screening between January 2014 and December 2019 were included. The detection rate of hrHPV was calculated, and the independent risk factors for hrHPV infection were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Among the women included, the overall infection rate of hrHPV was 14.01% (15,605/111,353), with the top five subtypes being HPV16 (24.79%), HPV52 (14.04%), HPV58 (10.26%), HPV18 (7.25%), and HPV53 (5.00%). The independent risk factors for hrHPV infection were specific geographical regions, testing years, older age, lower education level, inadequate previous screening, bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas vaginitis, and cervical polyps. CONCLUSION: Rural women over 40 years of age, especially those who had never received screening, have a significantly increased risk for hrHPV infection and should be the target population with priority in cervical cancer screening.

Teaching environmental health in primary and secondary schools in Shanghai and its association with screening myopia applying multilevel models / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To understand the status of teaching environmental health in primary and secondary schools and explore its association with myopia, so as to provide a basis for precision myopia prevention and control.@*Methods@#From September to October 2020, a stratified cluster sampling method was used in 16 districts of Shanghai. After matching the teaching environment testing classrooms with the classrooms where the students were surveyed, totally 470 classrooms and 14 624 students were monitored. Trained professional technicians used laser range finder, luxmeter to measure parameters about teaching environmental health. Students were subject vision testing and questionnaires. Multilevel models was used to analyze the association between teaching environment and screening myopia.@*Results@#The qualified rates of each indicators of teaching environmental health were as follows: window to floor area ratio (93.0%), classroom area per capita (82.1%), uniformity ratio of illuminance of blackboard ( 79.7% ), blackboard size (68.7%), daylight factor (67.0%), blackboard hanging height (66.9%), average illuminance on desk (66.4%), uniformity ratio of illuminance of desk (63.6%), reflectance of blackboard (46.8%), average illuminance on blackboard (41.4%), reflectance of wall (33.2%), desk and chair allocation compliance rate (19.8%). The results of two level Logistic model analysis showed that unqualified average illuminance on blackboard was positively associated with screening myopia ( OR =1.24, 95% CI = 1.05 -1.47, P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#Teaching environmental health of primary and secondary schools in Shanghai is not optimistic, teaching environment especially the desk and chair allocation compliance rate need to be improved. The average illumination on blackboard is positively correlated with screening myopia, suggesting that myopia prevention and control can focus on improving the illuminance on blackboard.

Screening for scoliosis and associated factors among primary and middle school students in Shanghai / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To understand the prevalence and influencing factors of scoliosis among primary and middle school students in Shanghai, so as to provide reference for the prevention and control strategies of scoliosis in children and adolescents.@*Methods@#From September to December 2021, a total of 4 531 students from grade four of primary school to grade three of junior high school from 16 primary and middle schools in 4 districts of Shanghai were selected by multi stage stratified cluster sampling to carry out scoliosis screening and questionnaire survey. Independent sample t-test, Chi-squared test, Fisher s exact probability method and nonparametric Mann Whitney U-test were used for statistical analysis, and multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of scoliosis.@*Results@#The on the spot detection rate of scoliosis abnormality was 7.4% and the prevalence was 2.2%, mainly for thoracolumbar scoliosis (60.4%) and the scoliosis angle of 10° -<20°(88.1%). The results showed that the detection rate of scoliosis in boys was 1.6% and in girls was 3.3%, with a statistically significant difference ( χ 2=11.84, P < 0.01). There were significant differences in weight and BMI between scoliosis students and students with negative initial screening( t = -3.77, -5.30, P <0.01). And there was a statistically significant difference in the detection rate of scoliosis with different frequency of classroom seating arrangements ( Z =2.02, P <0.05). The results of multivariate Logistic regression showed that the risk of scoliosis in girls was higher than that in boys ( OR =1.87, 95% CI =1.21-2.88). BMI ( OR =0.89, 95% CI =0.83-0.95) and frequency of classroom seating arrangements ( OR =0.49, 95% CI =0.25-0.93) were correlated with lower rate of scoliosis. After stratification by sex, the frequency of classroom seating arrangements ( OR =0.26, 95% CI =0.10-0.67) in boys and the educational stage ( OR =2.35, 95% CI =1.26-4.41) in girls ( P <0.05) was correlated with higher rate of scoliosis, while BMI ( OR =0.86, 95% CI =0.79-0.94) in girls were correlated with lower rate of scoliosis.@*Conclusion@#Regular screening of scoliosis is an effective method for early detection of scoliosis. Girls in junior high school and low BMI should be paid close attention to. According to the occurrence and influencing factors of scoliosis, comprehensive prevention and control based on family, school, society, and other aspects can be carried out.

Sequential Covariance Intersection Fusion Robust Time-Varying Kalman Filters with Uncertainties of Noise Variances for Advanced Manufacturing.

This paper addresses the robust Kalman filtering problem for multisensor time-varying systems with uncertainties of noise variances. Using the minimax robust estimation principle, based on the worst-case conservative system with the conservative upper bounds of noise variances, the robust local time-varying Kalman filters are presented. Further, the batch covariance intersection (BCI) fusion and a fast sequential covariance intersection (SCI) fusion robust time-varying Kalman filters are presented. They have the robustness that the actual filtering error variances or their traces are guaranteed to have a minimal upper bound for all admissible uncertainties of noise variances. Their robustness is proved based on the proposed Lyapunov equations approach. The concepts of the robust and actual accuracies are presented, and the robust accuracy relations are proved. It is also proved that the robust accuracies of the BCI and SCI fusers are higher than that of each local Kalman filter, the robust accuracy of the BCI fuser is higher than that of the SCI fuser, and the actual accuracies of each robust Kalman filter are higher than its robust accuracy for all admissible uncertainties of noise variances. The corresponding steady-state robust local and fused Kalman filters are also presented for multisensor time-invariant systems, and the convergence in a realization between the local and fused time-varying and steady-state Kalman filters is proved by the dynamic error system analysis (DESA) method and dynamic variance error system analysis (DVESA) method. A simulation example is given to verify the robustness and the correctness of the robust accuracy relations.

Changes in obesity and lifestyle behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic in Chinese adolescents: A longitudinal analysis from 2019 to 2020.

BACKGROUND: Since December 2019, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic. Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing. What changes have taken place in the obesity and obesity-related lifestyle behaviours of adolescents during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic? OBJECTIVE: This study aims at analysing the changes in obesity and lifestyle behaviours of Chinese adolescents before and 1 year after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing evidence for the global strategies to respond to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent obesity. METHODS: Physical examinations and student health and influencing factors questionnaires were conducted among 6047 adolescents aged 11-16 years by health professionals in Shanghai, China, before the COVID-19 pandemic (September-November of 2019) and 1 year after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic (September-November of 2020). Paired χ2 tests, paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to evaluate the changes in the obesity prevalence, BMI and lifestyle behaviours from 2019 to 2020. RESULTS: 1 year after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the obesity prevalence of Chinese adolescents rose from 14.2% to 15.4% (p < 0.01), mainly because of the increase in boys. And the average BMI increased from 20.3 to 21.2 kg/m2 (p < 0.01). Their lifestyle behaviours have also significantly changed. The mobile screen time increased from 0.25-1.50 h/day to 0.33-2.00 h/day (p < 0.01). The proportion of adolescents who participated in MVPA for ≥60 min/day on all 7 days during the past week dropped from 14.4% to 11.7% (p < 0.01). The generalized estimation equation analysis indicated that adolescents who participated in MVPA for ≥60 min/day on all 7 days had a lower likelihood of having obesity. Boys with computer time ≥2 h/day and girls with mobile screen time ≥2 h/day or TV time ≥2 h/day had a higher likelihood of having obesity. CONCLUSION: This study found that 1 year after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the BMI and obesity prevalence of Chinese adolescents increased and obesity-related lifestyle behaviours have also changed.

Trends in the prevalence of Internet addiction among adolescents from 2004 to 2019 in Shanghai / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To analyze the trends of Internet addiction among adolescents in Shanghai, so as to provide theoretical evidence for the prevention and control of Internet addiction in adolescents.@*Methods@#A multistage stratified cluster random sampling method was conducted, and 92 171 junior and senior high school students in Shanghai were selected for questionnaire survey in 2004-2019. Evaluation of Internet addiction, loneliness, academic pressure and depression among middle school students.@*Results@#In 2004-2019, the rate of Internet addiction among middle school students in Shanghai was 4.3%, which without significant differences by year( t =1.8, P >0.05). The detection rate of Internet addiction in boys (5.3%) was higher than that in girls (3.4%) ( χ 2=186.8, P <0.01), and was highest in secondary vocational school (7.7%), followed by senior high school (4.6%) and junior middle school students (2.8%) ( χ 2=746.5, P <0.01). The prevalence of Internet addiction in girls, senior high school students, secondary vocational school students, students aged 16-20, students with loneliness or high academic pressure showed an increasing trend in 2004-2019, with the average annual increase rate ( APC ) of 6.62%, 5.45%, 2.13%, 3.36%, 4.09% and 3.60% respectively ( P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#Internet addiction among adolescents in Shanghai showed an increasing trend in some groups from 2004-2019, but without significant differences by year in the overall groups. Comprehensive prevention and control programs are needed for adolescent Internet addiction, especially for those with mental health problems.

Relationship between myopia and nutritional status among upper elementary students in Shanghai / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the relationship between myopia and nutritional status among upper elementary students in Shanghai.@*Methods@#A stratified cluster sampling method was used to select 5 576 fourth and fifth grade students from 16 districts in Shanghai, vision test, physical examination and questionnaire survey were administered. Two level multivariate Logistic regression and mixed linear models were used to analyze the relationship between myopia, spherical equivalent (SE) and nutritional status.@*Results@#The detection rates of overweight and obesity were 17.0%(949) and 18.7%(1 042), respectively. There was a statistical difference in the proportion of the nutritional status in boys and girls( χ 2=210.94, P <0.01), with overweight and obesity in boys higher than those of girls. The overweight boys were more likely to have myopia (univariate analysis: OR=1.23, P =0.04; multivariate analysis: OR=1.21, P =0.06) than the normal weight boy. Overweight students tended to had more negative refractive than those with normal weight in both boys and girls(multivariate analysis, boys: β =-0.19, girls: β=-0.24, P <0.05). Myopia risk and refractive power in obese students showed no statistical difference with normal weight students( P >0.05).@*Conclusion@#Overweight students have lower SE than the normal weight among upper elementary students of Shanghai, more researches are needed to confirm this finding and to provide theoretical bases for myopia prevention and control.

Relationship between body fat percentage and high blood pressure among junior high school students in Shanghai / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To investigate the relationship between body fat percentage (BF%) and high blood pressure among adolescents in Shanghai, and to provide basis for early prevention and intervention of cardcovascular diseases.@*Methods@#By using stratified cluster sampling method, a total of 5 148 adolescent students in 16 schools from 16 districts of Shanghai were selected. Questionnaire survey and physical examination were performed. The bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was used to measure body fat percentage. National Blood Pressure Reference for Chinese Han Children was used to define high blood pressure. And T test, chi-square test and Logistici regression were used to assess the relation between BF% with high blood pressure.@*Results@#The prevalence of high blood pressure in 5 148 junior middle school students in Shanghai was 10.98%, with girls (13.13%) higher than boys (8.99%)(χ 2=22.48, P<0.01). The average total body fat percentage of male students was (20.90±10.73)%, which decreased with age (linear trend variance is 10.04, P<0.01). The average total body fat percentage of girls was (25.14±8.03)%, which increased with age (linear trend variance is 69.23, P<0.01). After adjusted for age, diet, exercise and other influencing factors, the prevalence of hypertension showed an increasing trend with the increase of body fat percentage for both boys and girls. The risk of high blood pressure in boys with BF%≥P 90 was 12.43 times higher than that in boys with BF%<P 25(95%CI=6.98-22.14), while the risk of high blood pressure in girls with BF% ≥P 90 was 6.12 times higher than that in girls with BF%<P 25(95%CI=3.89-9.63).@*Conclusion@#There was a positive correlation between body fat percentage and high blood pressure in adolescents. The prevalence of high blood pressure increased with the increase of body fat percentage, which was more obvious in boys.

Analysis of myopia related factors among primary and secondary school students in Shanghai / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To analyze myopia related factors among students in Shanghai, to explore associated risky behaviors associated with mild, moderate, high myopia,so as to provide the evidence for the implementation of home and school combination intervention measures.@*Methods@#Six primary and secondary schools (2 primary schools, 2 middle schools and 2 high schools) were selected from each district of Shanghai. The primary schools began to investigate from the fourth grade. All the students in the selected classes participated in the vision test and questionnaire survey. Chi square test was used for categorical data analysis. The relationship between myopia and related behaviors was analyzed by multivariate Logistic analysis.@*Results@#The prevalence of visual-related risky behaviors such as short outdoor time during the day, lack of sleep, long after-school reading and writing time, poor reading and writing posture, and longtime-using mobile electronic screen was higher in girls than in boys (P<0.05), boys were more likely than girls to use computer for long time and read books/electronic screen in sunlight (P<0.05). The group with 3 hours or more than of reading and writing compared with the less than 2 hours, the OR value of mild myopia model was 1.31(1.20-1.44), moderate myopia model was 1.78(1.62-1.96), severe myopia model was 2.37(2.07-2.71). In the model of moderate and high myopia, reading and writing posture, frequency of eye relax, outdoor activity time and watching TV time were also included.@*Conclusion@#The prevalence of myopia related behaviors among primary and secondary school students is high, and there are significant gender differences among different behaviors. Students reading and writing time should be strictly controlled after school. Intervention strategies and measures should be carried out according to the characteristics of different ages and genders.

MawuAP1 promotes flowering and fruit development in the basal angiosperm Magnolia wufengensis (Magnoliaceae).

The APETALA1/SQUAMOSA (AP1/SQUA)-like genes of flowering plants play crucial roles in the development processes of floral meristems, sepals, petals and fruits. Although many of the AP1/SQUA-like genes have been characterized in angiosperms, few have been identified in basal angiosperm taxa. Therefore, the functional evolution of the AP1/SQUA subfamily is still unclear. We characterized an AP1 homolog, MawuAP1, from Magnolia wufengensis that is an ornamental woody plant belonging to the basal angiosperms. Gene sequence and phylogenetic analyses suggested that MawuAP1 was clustered with the FUL-like homologous genes of basal angiosperms and had FUL motif and paleoAP1 motif domain, but it did not have the euAP1 motif domain of core eudicots. Expression pattern analysis showed that MawuAP1 was highly expressed in vegetative and floral organs, particularly in the early stage of flower bud development and pre-anthesis. Protein-protein interaction pattern analysis revealed that MawuAP1 has interaction with an A-class gene (MawuAP1), C-class gene (MawuAG-1) and E-class gene (MawuAGL9) of the MADS-box family genes. Ectopic expression in Arabidopsis thaliana indicated that MawuAP1 could significantly promote flowering and fruit development, but it could not restore the sepal and petal formation of ap1 mutants. These results demonstrated that there are functional differences in the specification of sepal and petal floral organs and development of fruits among the AP1/SQUA-like genes, and functional conservation in the regulation of floral meristem. These findings provide strong evidence for the important functions of MawuAP1 in floral meristem determination, promoting flowering and fruit development, and further highlight the importance of AP1/SQUA subfamily in biological evolution and diversity.

[Effects of carbon monoxide release molecule-2 on sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of carbon monoxide release molecule-2 (CORM-2) on sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction in rats. METHODS: 140 healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into sham operation (Sham) group, model group, CORM-2 pretreatment group, inactivated carbon monoxide release molecule-2 (iCORM) pretreatment group, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) control group by random number table, with 28 rats in each group. The rat sepsis model was reproduced by intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The rats in the Sham group were injected intraperitoneally with the same dose of normal saline (NS). The rats in the CORM-2 and iCORM-2 pretreatment groups were injected intraperitoneally with 8 mg/kg CORM-2 or iCORM-2 at 1 hour before LPS injection, respectively, and those in the DMSO group were injected intraperitoneally with the same dose of DMSO, but the rats in the Sham group and the model group were not treated after injection of NS or LPS. Twenty rats were randomly selected from each group to observe 10-day survival rate. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed on the remaining 8 rats at 12 hours after modeling, and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS) were calculated to evaluate heart function. The blood of the inferior vena cava was harvested, then serum myocardial troponin I (cTnI) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Then the rats were sacrificed, and the myocardial tissues were harvested, the pathological morphology and ultrastructure of myocardium were observed. RESULTS: (1) Survival rates: all rats in the Sham group survived; compared with the Sham group, the survival rates of the model group, CORM-2 pretreatment group, iCORM-2 pretreatment group and DMSO control group were significantly decreased at 10 days [10% (2/20), 70% (14/20), 25% (5/20), 15% (3/20) vs. 100% (20/20), all P < 0.01]. However, the 10-day survival rate in the CORM-2 pretreatment group was significantly higher than those in the model group, iCORM-2 pretreatment group and DMSO control group (all P < 0.01). (2) Cardiac function: compared with the Sham group, LVEF and LVFS in the model group, CORM-2 pretreatment group, iCORM-2 pretreatment group and DMSO control group were significantly decreased, and left ventricular dilatation was obvious, indicating myocardial dysfunction in rats. However, LVEF and LVFS in the CORM-2 pretreatment group were significantly higher than those in the model group, iCORM-2 pretreatment group, and DMSO control group [LVEF: 0.760±0.029 vs. 0.634±0.021, 0.629±0.066, 0.673±0.023; LVFS: (39.32±2.38)% vs. (29.75±1.52)%, (29.61±4.15)%, (32.43±1.66)%, all P < 0.05], and the left ventricular dilatation in the septic rats was attenuated. (3) Myocardial injury markers: compared with the Sham group, serum cTnI and BNP levels were significantly higher in the model group, CORM-2 pretreatment group, iCORM-2 pretreatment group and DMSO control group. However, the levels of cTnI and BNP in the CORM-2 pretreatment group were significantly lower than those in the model group, iCORM-2 pretreatment group and DMSO control group [cTnI (ng/L): 3 283.54±803.50 vs. 6 449.18±1 105.10, 5 919.21±1 068.27, 6 349.80±1 153.08; BNP (ng/L): 3 456.62±905.85 vs. 6 070.18±1 287.62, 5 581.13±1 161.17, 5 974.89±988.89, all P < 0.05]. (4) Myocardial histopathological observation: optical microscope showed that the pathological changes in myocardial tissue of the model group, iCORM-2 pretreatment group and DMSO control group were severe. Transmission electron microscopy showed mitochondrial swelling, and some vacuoles changed. But the myocardial pathological morphology and mitochondrial ultrastructural integrity of the CORM-2 pretreatment group were significantly better than other groups of sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: CORM-2 can attenuate myocardial dysfunction and improve survival rate of septic rats, especially to protect myocardial mitochondrial integrity in sepsis.

Knowledge and access to sexual and reproductive health information among pupils in higher grades / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To understand sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge and access to sexual health information among pupils in higher grades, and to provide the scientific basis for conducting sexual education in family and school.@*Methods@#A total of 1 098 pupils in grade four and five from 4 primary schools in a county, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province were selected for an anonymous computer assisted self-interview to get the information, including sexual and reproductive information and its sources, the condition about getting sexual education from school and family, and so on.@*Results@#The percentage of correct answers about boy’s and girl’s puberty changes ranged from 15%~54%, and about reproduction and physiology ranges from 14%~70%. The awareness of private body parts ranged from 59%~98%. About 70%~95% could correctly identify sexual abuse scenes. The average score for knowledge on puberty changes, reproduction and physiology, identification of private body and identification of sexual abuse scenes was 31.89, 38.21, 77.03, and 85.72, with total average score of 58.21. In general, girls and students from urban areas or in grade five had higher knowledge level than boys and students from rural areas or in grade four did (P<0.05). Participants mainly obtained SRH knowledge from their mother(63.02%), father(40.53%) and teachers(27.50%). Girls and students from urban areas or in grade five reported higher proportion in access to information on human development, puberty development and health care, self-protection from parents and school teachers than boys and students from rural areas or in grade four(P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#Pupils in higher grades lacked SRH knowledge. It is necessary to raise awareness among school teachers and parents about the importance of providing sexuality education for pupils.

Effect evaluation on physical activity intervention for primary school students in Shanghai / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To evaluate the effects of physical activity interventions based on social ecology model, and to explore promising approach for increasing physical activity of students in large cities.@*Methods@#A quasi-experimental design with parallel control was implemented. Students from grade 4 in 20 primary schools in 3 districts of Shanghai were recruited. Based on social ecology model, physical activity interventions were carried out in three levels: personal, social-and physical environment. The interventions lasted for 6 months. Questionnaires, physical examinations and physical fitness tests were carried out. Rank sum test, chi-square test and logistic stepwise regression was used to analyze the intervention effects.@*Results@#In the intervention group, the proportion of students who favored physical activity increased from 47.9% to 50.7%. Time spent in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) increased from 64 min/d to 70 min/d, mainly during the weekend. The interventions showed significant effects, especially for girls. In the intervention group, the proportion of students spent 1 h/d in MVPA increased from 53.7% to 57.7%(χ2=4.95, P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that after intervention, the proportion of students spent more than 1 h/d in MVPA in the intervention group was higher than that in the control group (OR=1.22, 95%CI=1.02-1.48, P=0.03).@*Conclusion@#Physical activity interventions based on social ecology model can increase uptake of physical activity among school students.

The Relationship between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Taste Receptor Genes, Taste Function and Dietary Intake in Preschool-Aged Children and Adults in the Guelph Family Health Study.

Taste is a fundamental determinant of food selection, and inter-individual variations in taste perception may be important risk factors for poor eating habits and obesity. Characterizing differences in taste perception and their influences on dietary intake may lead to an improved understanding of obesity risk and a potential to develop personalized nutrition recommendations. This study explored associations between 93 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in sweet, fat, bitter, salt, sour, and umami taste receptors and psychophysical measures of taste. Forty-four families from the Guelph Family Health Study participated, including 60 children and 65 adults. Saliva was collected for genetic analysis and parents completed a three-day food record for their children. Parents underwent a test for suprathreshold sensitivity (ST) and taste preference (PR) for sweet, fat, salt, umami, and sour as well as a phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) taste status test. Children underwent PR tests and a PTC taste status test. Analysis of SNPs and psychophysical measures of taste yielded 23 significant associations in parents and 11 in children. After adjusting for multiple hypothesis testing, the rs713598 in the TAS2R38 bitter taste receptor gene and rs236514 in the KCNJ2 sour taste-associated gene remained significantly associated with PTC ST and sour PR in parents, respectively. In children, rs173135 in KCNJ2 and rs4790522 in the TRPV1 salt taste-associated gene remained significantly associated with sour and salt taste PRs, respectively. A multiple trait analysis of PR and nutrient composition of diet in the children revealed that rs9701796 in the TAS1R2 sweet taste receptor gene was associated with both sweet PR and percent energy from added sugar in the diet. These findings provide evidence that for bitter, sour, salt, and sweet taste, certain genetic variants are associated with taste function and may be implicated in eating patterns. (Support was provided by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs).

A Study on the Susceptibility to SCC of 7050 Aluminum Alloy by DCB Specimens.

The stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of different aging states for 7050 aluminum alloy in 3.5% sodium chloride aqueous solution has been studied by means of double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens, cathodic polarization, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and time-of-flying second ion mass spectrometer (ToF-SIMS). The results showed that the susceptibility to SCC (Iscc) of 7050 aluminum alloy decreases with increasing the aging time. When a cathodic polarization potential of -1100 mV was applied to DCB specimens, the ion current intensity of hydrogen (IH⁺) near the crack tip and Iscc increased obviously, thus the degree of the diffusion of hydrogen into the grain boundary become more serious. The observation of microstructure indicated that the precipitates on the grain boundary become coarse and are sparsely distributed with increasing the aging time of 7050 aluminum alloy.

Optimized codon usage enhances the expression and immunogenicity of DNA vaccine encoding Taenia solium oncosphere TSOL18 gene.

Cysticercosis due to larval cysts of Taenia solium, is a serious public health problem affecting humans in numerous regions worldwide. The oncospheral stage-specific TSOL18 antigen is a promising candidate for an anti-cysticercosis vaccine. It has been reported that the immunogenicity of the DNA vaccine may be enhanced through codon optimization of candidate genes. The aim of the present study was to further increase the efficacy of the cysticercosis DNA vaccine; therefore, a codon optimized recombinant expression plasmid pVAX1/TSOL18 was developed in order to enhance expression and immunogenicity of TSOL18. The gene encoding TSOL18 of Taenia solium was optimized, and the resulting opt-TSOL18 gene was amplified and expressed. The results of the present study showed that the codon-optimized TSOL18 gene was successfully expressed in CHO-K1 cells, and immunized mice vaccinated with opt-TSOL18 recombinant expression plasmids demonstrated opt­TSOL18 expression in muscle fibers, as determined by immunohistochemistry. In addition, the codon-optimized TSOL18 gene produced a significantly greater effect compared with that of TSOL18 and active spleen cells were markedly stimulated in vaccinated mice. 3H-thymidine incorporation was significantly greater in the opt-TSOL18 group compared with that of the TSOL18, pVAX and blank control groups (P<0.01). In conclusion, the eukaryotic expression vector containing the codon-optimized TSOL18 gene was successfully constructed and was confirmed to be expressed in vivo and in vitro. The expression and immunogenicity of the codon-optimized TSOL18 gene were markedly greater compared with that of the un-optimized gene. Therefore, these results may provide the basis for an optimized TSOL18 gene vaccine against cysticercosis.

PBK/TOPK expression correlates with mutant p53 and affects patients' prognosis and cell proliferation and viability in lung adenocarcinoma.

The PDZ-binding kinase/T-LAK cell-originated protein kinase (PBK/TOPK) is highly expressed in many types of tumors. However, its role in lung adenocarcinoma remains elusive. The aims of this study were to investigate the correlation between PBK/TOPK and mutant p53 in lung adenocarcinoma and to evaluate the effect of PBK/TOPK on cell proliferation and viability. Expression of PBK/TOPK and mutant p53 was detected in 127 cases of lung adenocarcinoma and was examined in the A549, GLC-82, and H358 lung adenocarcinoma cell lines by immunohistochemistry staining and Western blot assay. When PBK/TOPK expression was down-regulated by TOPK-specific siRNA in the A549 and GLC-82 lines, the effects of PBK/TOPK on cell proliferation, viability, and mutant p53 expression were evaluated. Expression of PBK/TOPK correlated positively with mutant p53 in both tumor tissues and cell lines. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that PBK/TOPK, mutant p53, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, high TNM stage, and poor tumor differentiation were associated with a poor prognosis. Cox multivariate analysis showed that PBK/TOPK, mutant p53, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis could each serve as an independent prognostic factor. After down-regulation of PBK/TOPK in the A549 and GLC-82 cell lines, mutant p53 expression was decreased, and cell proliferation and viability were significantly inhibited. Therefore, our results suggest that PBK/TOPK correlates with mutant p53 and affects cell proliferation and viability as well as prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma.

[Clinical significance of FIGO 2009 staging I and its prognostic related factors in endometrial carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the clinical significance of Federation International of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 staging I and its prognostic related factors in endometrial carcinoma. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out on 233 cases with FIGO 2009 staging I endometrial carcinoma who were admitted to Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University People's Hospital from Dec. 1998 to Dec. 2009 and were carried with complete staging operation then compared with FIGO 1988 staging. All follow-up data were complete. RESULTS: Of the 233 cases, including FIGO 1988 staging I a 41 cases, I b 146 cases, I c 29 cases and II a 17 cases. The univariate analysis revealed that there were no significant difference between staging I a and I b group in histological grade, pathological type, intravascular vessel cancer embolus, the expression of ER, PR, postoperative chemotherapy or postoperative chemoradiotherapy (all P > 0.05). The univariate analysis revealed that there were no significant difference between staging I and II a group in histological grade, pathological type, intravascular vessel cancer embolus, the depth of myometrial invasion, the expression of ER and PR postoperative chemotherapy or postoperative chemoradiotherapy (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: FIGO 2009 staging I in endometrial carcinoma is more consistent with the patient's clinical status than that in FIGO 1988 stage I and II a.