[Association between chronic diseases and possible sarcopenia in middle-aged and older Chinese men: A prospective cohort study].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between chronic diseases and the risk of possible sarcopenia among middle-aged and older Chinese males. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included the data collected from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study on 4 878 males aged over 45 years without possible sarcopenia as the baseline population in 2011 and 2013, and all were followed up until 2015. Possible sarcopenia was determined by measuring the grip strength and the time of five successive sit-ups. The Cox proportional risk model was used to analyze the relationship of the type and number of chronic diseases with the risk of possible sarcopenia in males. RESULTS: The risk of possible sarcopenia in the middle-aged and older men with prostatic disease, cognitive impairment or depression was increased by 16% (HR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.01－1.33), 23% (HR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.10－1.38) and 12% (HR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.01－1.24), respectively. The risk in those with one, two or three or more chronic diseases was raised by 22% (HR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.04－1.42), 20% (HR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.02－1.42) and 46% (HR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.25－1.71), respectively, compared with those without chronic diseases, and it was increased in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01) Conclusion: Prostatic disease, cognitive impairment and depression increase the risk of possible sarcopenia in middle-aged and older Chinese males, and the risk rises with the increased number of chronic comorbidities.

[Interactive effect of chemical fertilizer exposure and drinking untreated water on the risk of birth defects].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the interactive effect of chemical fertilizer exposure and drinking untreated water during pregnancy on the risk of birth defects. METHODS: The data were collected from a population-based birth surveillance system in Pingding County, Shanxi Province, from 2007 to 2012. Totally, 157 cases of birth defects were followed up and 204 healthy newborns taken as controls. The additive model and relative excess risk of interaction (RERI) were used to evaluate the interactive effect of chemical fertilizer exposure and drinking untreated water during pregnancy on the risk of birth defects. RESULTS: After adjusted for potential confounding factors, mothers living in villages with ≥ 65 ton/year chemical fertilizer application and drinking untreated water, as from deep underground, cellars, mountain spring, rivers, lakes or ponds, showed a higher risk of birth defects than those living in villages with <65 ton/year chemical fertilizer application and drinking tap or purified water (aOR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.11－4.07). A strengthened interaction was observed between the annual application of chemical fertilizer at the village level and drinking untreated water (RERI = 2.08, 95% CI: 0.23－3.92, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The pollution of drinking water may be an important pathway for chemical fertilizer exposure affecting birth outcomes.

LINC00963 targeting miR-128-3p promotes acute kidney injury process by activating JAK2/STAT1 pathway.

The role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in kidney diseases has been gradually discovered in recent years. LINC00963, as an lncRNA, was found to be involved in chronic renal failure. However, the role and molecular mechanisms of LINC00963 engaged in acute kidney injury (AKI) were still unclear. In this study, we established rat AKI models by ischaemia and reperfusion (I/R) treatment. Urea and creatinine levels were determined, and histological features of kidney tissues were examined following HE staining. CCK8 assay was chosen to assess the viability of hypoxia-induced HK-2 cells. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assays were performed to verify the target relationship between LINC00963 and microRNA. The mRNA and protein levels were assayed by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively. Annexin V-FITC/PI and TUNEL staining were used to evaluate apoptosis. LINC00963 was highly expressed in the cell and rat models, and miR-128-3p was predicted and then verified as a target gene of LINC00963. Knockdown of LINC00963 reduced acute renal injury both in vitro and in vivo. LINC00963 activated the JAK2/STAT1 pathway to aggravate renal I/R injury. LINC00963 could target miR-128-3p to reduce G1 arrest and apoptosis through JAK2/STAT1 pathway to promote the progression of AKI.

Impact of periconceptional multi-micronutrient supplementation on gestation: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of periconceptional multi-micronutrient supplementation on gestation and birth outcomes. METHODS: A population-based community intervention program was conducted in 18 counties in China. Participants were divided into an intervention group, who received multi-micronutrient supplementation from at least 3 months before pregnancy throughout the first trimester, and a control group. Pregnant women were followed up to record information about birth outcomes. Maternal socio-economic characteristics and main birth outcomes were evaluated. Gestational age was further analyzed using survival analysis, to determine the time distribution of delivery. RESULTS: Periconceptional multi-micronutrient supplementation was associated with higher birth weight, birth length and occipitofrontal head circumference, and with lower incidence rates for stillbirth, low birth weight, and preterm birth. Moreover, periconceptional multi-micronutrient supplementation changed the time distribution of delivery, making the deliveries more clustered in the period between day 275 and day 295 of gestation. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that periconceptional multi-micronutrient supplementation is beneficial for fetal development and optimizes all measured aspects of health in neonates in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas in China. The change in time distribution of deliveries caused by multi-micronutrient supplementation needs further clarification.

2,3,6-Trichloro-5-(trichloro-meth-yl)pyridine.

The title compound, C(6)HCl(6)N, lies on a mirror plane, the asymmetric unit conataining a half-mol-ecule. Weak intra-molecular C-H⋯Cl contacts are observed.

Effect of the icariin on endothelial microparticles, endothelial progenitor cells, platelets, and erectile function in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of icariin on endothelial microparticles, endothelial progenitor cells, platelets, and erectile function in spontaneously hypertensive rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve 8-week-old healthy male Wistar-Kyoto rats and 12 spontaneously hypertensive rats were randomly divided into four following groups: Wistar-Kyoto control group (normal saline 1 ml/d given by gavage), Wistar-Kyoto + icariin group (icariin 10 mg/kg × d dissolved in 1 ml normal saline and given by gavage), spontaneously hypertensive rats control group (normal saline 1 ml/d given by gavage), and spontaneously hypertensive rats + icariin group (icariin 10 mg/kg × d dissolved in 1 ml normal saline and given by gavage). Four weeks later, the maximum intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure, platelet count, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, endothelial microparticles, endothelial progenitor cells, and vitronectin receptor were measured in each group. RESULTS: Under 3 or 5 V electrical stimulation, the maximum intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure in the spontaneously hypertensive rats + icariin group (0.23 ± 0.03, 0.38 ± 0.02) was significantly higher compared to the spontaneously hypertensive rats control group (0.12 ± 0.02, 0.20 ± 0.02) (p<0.05). Platelet count, mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width in the spontaneously hypertensive rats + icariin group (1103.67 ± 107.70 × 109 /L, 9.08 ± 0.50 fl, 11.87 ± 0.45%) were significantly lower than those in the spontaneously hypertensive rats control group (1298.00 ± 89.54 × 109 /L, 9.72 ± 0.44 fl, 13.03 ± 0.59%) (all p < 0.05). Endothelial microparticles, endothelial progenitor cells, and vitronectin receptor in the spontaneously hypertensive rats + icariin group (1.01 ± 0.28%, 1.53 ± 0.65%, 2.13 ± 0.53%) were significantly lower than those in the spontaneously hypertensive rats control group (1.58 ± 0.19%, 2.71 ± 0.64%, 3.76 ± 0.52%) (all p < 0.05). Moreover, maximum intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure was strongly negatively correlated with platelet distribution width and vitronectin receptor (r > 0.7), and maximum intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure was moderately negatively correlated with mean platelet volume, endothelial microparticles, and endothelial progenitor cells (0.5 < r<0.7). CONCLUSION: Icariin may improve erectile function in spontaneously hypertensive rats by reducing the content of endothelial microparticles in blood and inhibiting the activation of the platelets. Endothelial microparticles, endothelial progenitor cells, and platelet activation-related (mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, and vitronectin receptor) can be used as indicators for icariin to improve erectile function in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

[Sexual dysfunction in diabetic women].

Diabetes mellitus is a common problem, and female sexual dysfunction is one of its complications in diabetic women. Recent studies show that the major risk factors of sexual dysfunction in diabetic women are diabetes-induced vascular disease, neuropathy, endocrine abnormalities and psychological problems and so on. This article outlines the advances in the recent studies of female sexual dysfunction in diabetic women.

Effect of pathoanatomic diagnosis on the quality of birth defects surveillance in China.

OBJECTIVE: To provide evidence for more accurate diagnosis of birth defects based on the pathoanatomy of congenital malformations. METHODS: Data used in this study were obtained from Luliang City Hospital and three county hospitals of Shanxi province between February 2004 and March 2006. Autopsy and pathological examination of 160 dead fetuses and stillbirths were performed. Photos of dead fetuses and stillbirths were taken, tissues were cut into sections for pathological examination under microscope, all pathological information was recorded, and percentage of birth defects was calculated. RESULTS: The proportion of dead fetuses and stillbirths with or without congenital malformations was 84.4% (135/160) and 15.6% (25/160), respectively. There were 16 categories of major external and internal birth defects in 135 cases of such defects. Congenital heart defects, anencephaly and spina bifida had a higher prevalence rate in the study period. The prevalence rate of non-malformation death and birth defects < 28 gestational weeks and internal anomalies > or = 28 gestational weeks was 14.61% (61/4175) and 17.25% (72/4175), respectively. A total of 413 in situ anomalies were found in 135 cases of autopsy. Spina bifida, anencephaly, congenital heart defects, aplasia or accessory lobe of lung, renal agenesis and dysplasis and congenital hydrocephaly were more closely associated with severe malformations than with mitis malformations. The cases of dead fetuses and stillbirths with multiple malformations (> or = 2 in situ anomalies) had a higher proportion (74.1%), whereas those with isolated malformations had a lower proportion (25.93%). CONCLUSION: The occurrence of congenital malformations in different embryonic developmental stages affects multiple organs. Postmortem examination of internal and multiple malformations of fetal deaths and stillbirths can provide more accurate diagnostic information for birth defects.

Unusual patterns of neural tube defects in a high risk region of northern China.

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of different types of neural tube defects (NTDs) in Luliang Prefecture, Shanxi province, where the prevalence of NTDs is unusually high and the correlation between NTDs prevalence and patterns. METHODS: A surveillance population-based birth defects was performed in Luliang Prefecture, Shanxi province. RESULTS: The results of our study showed that the prevalence of NTDs was 2-fold higher in Luliang Prefecture than in other areas of Shanxi province. Unusual patterns of NTDs were found, however, multiple NTDs were relatively common in Luliang Prefecture, accounting for over 13% of all NTDs cases in China. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of NTDs is associated with its patterns.

[Association between parental transforming growth factor alpha gene TaqI variant, paternal smoking and the cleft lip with or without cleft palate].

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between transforming growth factor alpha gene (TGFalpha) TaqI variant and nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (nsCL/P) in Chinese population, and the interaction with parental smoking. METHODS: TGFalpha TaqI variant was detected using RFLP-PCR for DNA samples of the 170 triads with nsCL/P affected child. We performed the transmission/disequilibrium test (TDT) and the family-based association study (FBAT) to test the associations between this variant and risk of nsCL/P. RESULTS: It was not found significant distortion of C2 allele at TGFalpha TaqI locus in nsCL/P groups (P > 0.05), however, by stratified analysis, we found that the rate of C2 allele transmission among nuclear families whose fathers were smoking was 1/5 (0.062 - 0.711) as compared with that among nuclear families whose fathers were not smoking, and the OR of interaction between TGFalpha variant and parental smoking is 0.102 (0.017 - 0.619). CONCLUSION: The parental smoking may interact with TGFalpha variants of Chinese populations in occurrence of nsCL/P, but it remains to have more investigations.

Interaction between maternal periconceptional supplementation of folic acid and reduced folate carrier gene polymorphism of neural tube defects.

OBJECTIVE: To search the interaction between reduced folate carrier gene (RFC1 A80G) polymorphism of children with neural tube defects (NTDs) and maternal periconceptional no supplementation of folic acid. The purpose is to provide the epidemiological evidence for finding genetic marker of NTDs. METHODS: RFC1 (A80G) genotype was detected using PCR-restricted fragment length polymorphism for the blood DNA of 104 trios with NTDs-affected child, and 100 control families with non-malformed control children. The authors investigated the gene-environment interactions between the offspring RFC1 genotype and maternal periconceptional folic acid supplementation through a case-control study. RESULTS: It was observed that the offspring with the GG genotype were associated with a 2.56-fold increased risk of NTDs when compared to those with the AA genotype (OR = 2.56; 95% CI = 1.04-6.36) in this population under investigation. The risk of mothers who did not take folic acid for having an NTDs-affected infants was 7.69 (95% CI = 2.86-21.75). Among the mothers who did not utilize folic acid supplements, the NTDs risk was 3.30 (95% CI = 1.15-9.65) for offspring with the GG genotype, compared to the reference (AA) genotype. Children who had the GG genotype and whose mothers did not take folic acid had an elevated risk for NTDs (OR = 8.80, 95% CI = 2.86 - 29.82), compared to "offspring with AA or GA genotype" and "maternal folic acid use", the interactive coefficient being 1.45. CONCLUSION: The above findings indicate that the RFC1 genotype (GG) is a possible susceptible gene marker for an increased NTDs risk in Chinese population, and there is a potential gene-nutrient interaction between offspring RFC1 GG genotype and maternal periconceptional intake of folic acid on the risk of NTDs. However,the sample size of this study was limited, a larger sample of population-based study is required to pursue the initial observation.

[Epidemiological study on reduced folate carrier gene(RFC1 A80G) polymorphism and other risk factors of neural tube defects].

OBJECTIVE: To study the reduced folate carrier gene (RFC1) A80G polymorphism and other factors influence on children with neural tube defects (NTDs) and provide the epidemiological evidence for finding genetic marker of NTDs. METHODS: RFC1(A80G) genotypes were detected using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP-PCR) for blood DNA of 104 trios with NTDs-affected by child, and the 100 control families without child-affected by any birth defects. We performed the analysis of multifactors logistic regression for RFC1 genotypes and other factors in order to investigate the RFC1 genotype of the nuclear families and maternal periconceptional folic acid supplementation influence on NTDs independently. Transmission/disequilibrium test (TDT) for the RFC1 genotype of NTDs and control pedigree were carried out. RESULTS: The RFC1 G allele frequency of children with NTDs (64.42%) was higher than that of the control children (52.53%), and there was the significant difference between them (chi(2)=5.9198, P<0.05). We observed that the infants of the GG genotype were associated with a 2.56-fold increased risk of NTDs when compared with the AA genotype (95% CI=1.04-6.36), The risk of mothers who did not take folic acid for having an NTDs-affected infants was 7.69 (95% CI=2.86-21.75). There were significant differences between cases and controls in the other risk factors, such as paternal age (> or =30), maternal fever during the early pregnancy, the history of maternal spontaneous abortion. In the logistic regression analysis, of multifactors the three factors, for example, the offspring of the RFC1 GG genotype (OR=2.91, 95% CI=1.35-6.30), maternal periconceptional folic acid supplementation (OR=4.32, 95% CI=1.62-11.55), maternal fever during the early pregnancy, had the statistic significance for the risk of NTDs. There was the evidence of an association between G allele and the risk of the maternal having a child with NTDs (OR=1.56, 95% CI=1.07-2.28) in TDT analysis. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the RFC1 genotype (GG) is a possible susceptible gene marker for an increased NTDs risk in this Chinese population, and there is a potential influence on the risk of NTDs in maternal periconceptional folic acid supplementation, and maternal fever during the early pregnancy.

[Advances in the study of the etiologic relationship between reduced folate carrier gene (RFC1) and neural tube and craniofacial defects].

Neural tube and craniofacial defects are common birth defects which are ascribed to the combination of genetic and environmental factors. The population epidemiological studies suggested that periconceptional use of multivitamins containing folic acid can reduce a woman's risk of having a child with neural tube and craniofacial defects. It's a major environmental factor that periconceptional women with deficiency of folic acid may increase their risk for delivering babies with neural tube and craniofacial defects, but the mechanism by which folic acid facilitates this risk reduction is unknown. This paper reviews folate transport carrier, Reduced Folate Carrier (RFC)'s characteristics in biological chemistry, physiological function, the folate transport mechanism, structure, function, regulation and expression of reduced folate carrier gene (RFC1), and the relationship between RFC1 with plasm or erythrocyte folate level and neural tube defects, et al. It is suggested a etiologic hypothesis in investigation of candidate gene encoding specific folate-related pathways of neural tube and craniofacial defects.

[Sex distribution of neural tube defects and their birth outcome in high- and low-prevalence areas of China].

OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyze epidemiological characteristics of babies with neural tube defects (NTD) by sex and birth outcome in a high-prevalence and a low-prevalence areas of China. METHODS: Birth defects surveillance data collected from 1992 through 1994, as a part of the Sino-American cooperative project on NTD prevention, were used to classify NTD as four categories, i.e., anencephaly, encephalocele, high-level and low-level spina bifida according to the sites of lesion (high vs. low level lesion were cervicothoracic and lumbosacral, respectively). Each category was sub-classified, according to single or compound defect, as isolated external defects (including those with NTD only) or multiple external defects (including those with NTD and another major external birth defects that is not the sequence of a defect such as cleft lip with or without cleft palate). The rates of anencephalus, encephalocele, high- and low-level spina bifida (SB) in males and females and their sex ratios were calculated, adjusted for urban and rural areas, season, category and birth outcome by sex and sites of lesions (high vs. low). RESULTS: Totally, 784 NTD cases were identified from 326 874 recorded births (including live births, stillbirths and fetal deaths with a gestation age of at least 20 weeks). The prevalence rates of anencephalus (1.30 per 1 000 female births) and high-level SB (3.99) in females were higher than those (0.66 and 1.66 per 1 000 male births) in males in the high-prevalence northern regions; with adjusted prevalence rates of females 1.8 - 2.1 times greater than those of males. In the low-prevalence southern regions, the prevalence of high- (0.32 per 1 000 female births) and low-level SB (0.21) in female were higher than those in males, with high- and low-level SB rate of 0.10 and 0.09 per 1 000 male births), with adjusted rates for females of 1.3 - 1.6 times higher than in males. Isolated NTD accounted for more than 80% of all NTD cases, and the prevalence of isolated NTD in females (2.57) was higher than that in males (1.40). CONCLUSIONS: The sex differences in NTD existed between north and south, in accordance with the phenotype of NTD. It suggested that proportion of high level SB and anencephalus in females could increase as the prevalence of NTD going up, anencephaly, high- and low-level SB had the different genetic and environmental background.

[Association between contraceptive choice and the risk of induced abortion among floating married women of childbearing age].

OBJECTIVE: To find the association between factors related to contraception, reproductive health and the risk of induced abortion among floating married women of childbearing age, so as to provide basis for improving the access to health services for floating women of childbearing age. METHODS: Using data from the reproductive health survey on floating population from five cities in 2005, factors as demographic characteristics, contraceptive choice, settings and access to health services, induced abortion among the floating married women of childbearing age were described. Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the association the factors relative to contraception, reproductive health and the risk of induced abortion between 543 cases and 1796 controls. RESULTS: The risks of induced abortion among those under 30-years-old floating married women of childbearing age were 2.08-fold (95%CI:1.26-3.42) of the group at the age of 40 years old. The risk of abortion among floating married women at childbearing age who were taking short-acting contraceptive methods, was 2.56-fold (95%CI:1.84-3.56) of those using the long-acting methods of contraception. The induced abortion risk of floating women at childbearing age who paid the contraceptive implement out of their own pockets, was 1.72-fold (95% CI:1.32-2.24) of those who got it free of charge. The risks of abortion among women who received the contraceptive devices through maternal and child health centers, general hospitals or street residential committees were 2.69-fold (95%CI:1.71-4.22), 2.49-fold (95%CI:1.68-3.68)and 1.81-fold (95%CI:1.20-2.72) of those who received them from urban or rural family planning stations, respectively. The induced abortion risk for women who were ignorant of emergency contraception, was 1.41-fold (95% CI: 1.12-1.78) of those who had the knowledge. The abortion risks of floating women at childbearing age who get the contraceptive knowledge from the colleagues, relatives or friends were 1.85 times (95% CI:1.28-2.67) of those from family planning workers. CONCLUSION: Factors, including age, short-acting contraceptive methods, paid access to contraceptive implement, ignorance of emergency contraception might largely contribute to the increased risk of induced abortion among floating married women of childbearing age, which called for future attention.

[Study on the risk factors of induced abortion among floating women of childbearing age in 5 cities of China].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the status of abortion and risk factors among floating women of childbearing age and to provide reference for further improvement of induced abortion services in this population. METHODS: Data on demography, working, and living conditions as well as the use of contraceptive among 4687 persons from a reproductive health survey regarding floating population in five cities in 2005, were involved, while multivariate logistic regression model was used to find out the relationship. RESULTS: The risks of abortion among the younger than 30 age group and the 30 - 39 age groups were 2.21 times (95%CI: 1.47 - 3.34) and 2.38 times (95%CI: 1.53 - 3.70) of the 40 - 49 age group, respectively. The higher education degree these women had, the higher the risk of abortion was. The risks of abortion among groups having elementary, junior high, senior high school and above, were 2.15 times (95%CI: 1.15 - 4.03), 2.47 times (95%CI: 1.33 - 4.57) and 2.61 times (95%CI: 1.34 - 5.11) of those illiterate women. Those having working experience of 2 - 4 years, 5 years or above at the places where the survey was completed, the risks were 2.62 times (95%CI: 1.83 - 3.76) and 7.78 times (95%CI: 5.63 - 10.75) of the less than 2-year-experienced group. The abortion risk of floating women at childbearing age who were living together with their spouses was 1.49 (95%CI: 1.05 - 2.11) times of those women who were not. CONCLUSION: The demographic and lifestyle as well as working features of floating women at childbearing age might increase their risk of abortion. Providing health education regarding these risk factors on the floating women at childbearing age could effectively reduce and prevent the risk of abortion risk among them.

Maternal periconceptional consumption of pickled vegetables and risk of neural tube defects in offspring.

BACKGROUND: Maternal exposure to nitrate, nitrite, and N-nitroso compounds from drinking water or diet has been associated with an increased risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in some studies. Pickled vegetables contain relatively large amounts of nitrite and N-nitroso compounds. We examined the association between maternal periconceptional consumption of pickled vegetables and NTDs in Shanxi Province of northern China. METHODS: Data were derived from a population based case-control study of major external birth defects in four counties of Shanxi Province. Participants included 519 NTDs cases identified between 2003 and 2007 and 694 healthy controls. Exposure information was collected within 1 week after delivery. Multivariable non-conditional Logistic regression model was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) controlling for potential confounding variables. RESULTS: The risk of NTDs was positively associated with the frequency of the consumption of pickled vegetables by the mother. Compared with pickled vegetables consumption at < 1 meal/week, the adjusted OR for consumption at 1 - 3, 4 - 6, and > 6 meals/week were 1.3 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0, 1.8), 1.9 (1.1, 3.2), and 3.6 (1.9, 6.9), respectively. A protective effect was found for maternal meat consumption at ≥ 1 meal/week (adjusted OR: 0.6, 95%CI: 0.4, 0.7) and egg or milk consumption at ≥ 1 meal/week (adjusted OR: 0.6, 95%CI: 0.4, 0.8). CONCLUSION: Maternal periconceptional consumption of pickled vegetables may increase the risk for NTDs in Shanxi Province.

Cesarean delivery on maternal request and childhood intelligence: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Cesarean section births have been steadily increasing over the past decade and have become an epidemic in China. Cesarean delivery on maternal request is a major contributor to this upward trend, and there has been of much concern about its impact on maternal and child health. Most of mothers believe that cesarean delivery on maternal request can improve the child's intelligence, but direct evidence is sparse. In this cohort study, we aimed to directly assess the impact of cesarean delivery on maternal request on childhood intelligence. METHODS: Intelligence quotient (IQ) of 4144 preschool children from 21 cities/counties of Zhejiang and Jiangsu province whose mothers were registered in a population-based perinatal surveillance program during 1993-1996 was assessed with Chinese Wechsler Young Children Scale of Intelligence (C-WYCSI) in 2000. The outcomes were full-scale IQ, verbal IQ, and performance IQ of C-WYCSI. Mode of delivery and covariates were obtained from the surveillance program. We estimated unadjusted and adjusted effects of cesarean delivery on maternal request and assisted vaginal delivery on IQ scores compared with spontaneous vaginal delivery using regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean full-scale, verbal, and performance IQ for all children was 99.3 ± 16.1, 93.6 ± 17.7, and 105.3 ± 14.3. In crude analysis, cesarean delivery on maternal request versus spontaneous vaginal delivery was associated with an increase of 3.9 (95% confidence interval, 0.6 to 7.2) points in full-scale IQ, 4.8 (1.2 to 8.4) points in verbal IQ, and 2.4 (-0.6 to 5.3) points in performance IQ. After adjusting for maternal education, occupation, and IQ, the advantage was reduced to 1.6 (-1.3 to 4.5), 2.3 (-0.8 to 5.5), and 0.6 (-2.0 to 3.3) points for full-scale, verbal, and performance IQ, respectively. Assisted vaginal delivery versus spontaneous vaginal delivery was not associated with IQ scores in any analysis. CONCLUSION: Neither cesarean delivery on maternal request nor assisted vaginal delivery affected children's IQ.

[Prevalence of visual, hearing, speech, physical, intellectual and mental disabilities in China, 2006].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the prevalence of visual, hearing, speech, physical, intellectual and mental disabilities in China, 2006. METHODS: The reference time of the Second National Sample Survey on Disability was zero hour, April 1, 2006, and 2,526,145 individuals were investigated from 31 provinces autonomous regions or municipalities under the "Disability Classification and Standards for the Second National Sampling Survey on Disability". The classified prevalence rates of 6 types of disability was analyzed. RESULTS: (1)The overall prevalence of disabilities was 6.39%, which was 1.49 percent higher than the prevalence rate in 1987. The prevalence of physical disability was the highest (2.34%), while the speech disability was the lowest (0.53%). (2)29.49% of all the disabled persons were classified as severe who suffered grade-1 and grade-2 while 70.51% of them were moderately and mildly disabled suffering from grade-3 and grade-4. Over 65% of the speech disability and over 45% of the mental disability were identified, which were much higher than the other 4 types of disability. (3) The correlation between age, gender, residential place and each of 6 types of disability were statistically significant (P < 0.001). (4) Among all the disabling factors of speech disability and mental retardation disability, congenital factors made great contribution (22.67% and 22.41% respectively). CONCLUSION: According to the analysis results,the characteristics of disabled persons in China were as follows: ageing population had high prevalence rate of disability; all the population mainly suffered moderate and mild disability, but the proportion of severe disability was not low; the prevalence rate was higher and the main reasons caused disability were diversification in rural area.