Time restricted feeding is associated with poor performance in specific cognitive domains of Suburb-Dwelling older Chinese.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between time restricted feeding (TRF) and different areas of cognitive function in the elderly in Chinese communities. This study consisted of 1353 community-dwelling Chinese older adults aged 60 years and older in Chongming area, Shanghai (563 males; the mean age, 73.38 ± 6.16 years). Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and six different cognitive domains was assessed by the Chinese-version of Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Recording the eating time of each meal through oral inquiry to calculate the time window between the first meal and the last meal of the average day. Participants with an eating time window duration of more than 10 h were then identified, as well as those with eating time restricted to less than 10 h (TRF). Our study found that TRF may be associated with a higher incidence rate of cognitive impairment. TRF only limited the eating time window and did not change the frequency of participants' dietary intake. We used a linear regression model to study the association of TRF with cognitive function. After adjusting for confounding variables, the results showed that TRF was related to MMSE score (P < 0.001), "Orientation to place" (P < 0.001) and "Attention/calculation" (P < 0.001) functions. Among Chinese older community-dwellers, TRF was associated with a higher prevalence of CI and negatively correlated with the "Orientation to place" and "attention/calculation" functions.

Gender-specific prevalence and risk factors of mild cognitive impairment among older adults in Chongming, Shanghai, China.

Objective: This study explores the gender differences in the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and the correlation between multiple influencing factors. Materials and methods: The sample was comprised of 1325 relatively healthy participants aged ≥ 60 years in a Shanghai community-dwelling (557 males and 768 females). Cognitive function was assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale was used to assess the activities of daily living. Results: The overall prevalence of MCI was 15.2%, with 10.2% in men and 18.9% in women. In older male subjects, those with higher the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) scores [odds ratio (OR) = 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01-1.14] and hypertension (OR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.15-4.73) had a higher risk of MCI. female subjects who were illiterate (OR = 2.95, 95% CI = 1.82-4.78), had a farming background (OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.05-2.72), and a history of stroke (OR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.07-3.59) had a higher risk of MCI, but this was not true for males. However, Male subjects who never smoked were less likely to have MCI (OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.09-0.54). Additionally, the prevalence of MCI was lower in older women with high grip strength (OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.92-0.99) and hyperlipidemia (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.22-0.96). Conclusion: The prevalence of MCI was higher in the population of elderly women compared to men. Moreover, it was found that members with MCI tended to having higher GDS scores, smoking, and hypertension; whereas a history of farming, illiteracy, stroke, grip strength, and hyperlipidemia were correlated with MCI in women.

Effects of abscisic acid and brassinolide on photosynthetic characteristics of Leymus chinensis from Songnen Plain grassland in Northeast China.

BACKGROUND: It has been well demonstrated that plant growth regulators have important functions in multiple physiological processes. ABA and BR play crucial roles in response of crops to stresses. Photosynthetic capacity of Leymus. chinensis treated by various concentrations of ABA and BR in combination was determined. Further more, the mechanisms of ABA and BR treatments and potential for recovery of saline-alkali grasslands were discussed. RESULTS: Abscisic acid (ABA) and brassinolide (BR) affected leaf gas exchange, growth and biomass of L. chinensis. The application of ABA and BR mixtures, especially that of 0.01 mM ABA and 2 × 10-4 mM BR, increased the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency, the maximum net photosynthetic rate, light-saturated rate, leaf respiration rate, the maximum RUBP carboxylation rate, the maximum electron transport rate, the maximum triose-phosphate utilization, carboxylation efficiency and the quantum efficiency of PSII and subsequently enhanced density, height and biomass in L. chinensis. We also observed reduction in the light compensation and saturation points following the application of ABA and BR treatments. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that proper use of plant growth regulators can enhance the plant growth and productivity on the Songnen grassland, which is particularly important for the improvement of saline - alkaline grassland and the yield of grazing lands.

Soil respiration in relation to photosynthesis of Quercus mongolica trees at elevated CO2.

Knowledge of soil respiration and photosynthesis under elevated CO(2) is crucial for exactly understanding and predicting the carbon balance in forest ecosystems in a rapid CO(2)-enriched world. Quercus mongolica Fischer ex Ledebour seedlings were planted in open-top chambers exposed to elevated CO(2) (EC = 500 µmol mol(-1)) and ambient CO(2) (AC = 370 µmol mol(-1)) from 2005 to 2008. Daily, seasonal and inter-annual variations in soil respiration and photosynthetic assimilation were measured during 2007 and 2008 growing seasons. EC significantly stimulated the daytime soil respiration by 24.5% (322.4 at EC vs. 259.0 mg CO(2) m(-2) hr(-1) at AC) in 2007 and 21.0% (281.2 at EC vs. 232.6 mg CO(2) m(-2) hr(-1) at AC) in 2008, and increased the daytime CO(2) assimilation by 28.8% (624.1 at EC vs. 484.6 mg CO(2) m(-2) hr(-1) at AC) across the two growing seasons. The temporal variation in soil respiration was positively correlated with the aboveground photosynthesis, soil temperature, and soil water content at both EC and AC. EC did not affect the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration. The increased daytime soil respiration at EC resulted mainly from the increased aboveground photosynthesis. The present study indicates that increases in CO(2) fixation of plants in a CO(2)-rich world will rapidly return to the atmosphere by increased soil respiration.

[A practical system for B-mode ultrasound image acquisition and patient's medical history management].

A practical system of B-ultrasonic is here introduced. By a special medical video card, the video image is digitized and captured dynamically or statically into computer. This system realizes a variety of functions such as the B-ultrasonic video image's acquisition and display, as well as the editing, processing, managing, storage, printing, It can build the database of patient's case history automatically. Together with other medical image workstation the system can be built as a PACS system of the hospital. And it can also act as an independent system.