Knowledge of Oral Cancer Amongst Dental Patients Attending Public Clinics in South East Queensland, Australia.

Patient knowledge of risk factors, signs and symptoms associated with oral cancers is crucial for increasing the likelihood of patient presentation for opportunistic screening and reducing delay in patient appraisal for early detection. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of oral cancer and to ascertain socio-demographic factors that influence knowledge amongst adult dental patients attending public clinics in Brisbane, Australia. A convenience sample of 213 adult dental patients who attended the Herston and Stafford public health clinics in Brisbane, Australia, between July and August 2019 participated in the self-administered questionnaire. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors for oral cancer knowledge. Patients were well informed of smoking as a risk factor (n = 135; 84.4%), whereas only 53.8% (n = 82) of participants agreed that heavy alcohol consumption was a risk factor. A larger proportion of participants identified difficulty of moving the tongue (n = 79; 49.4%) and pain on swallowing (n = 72; 45.0%) compared to the proportion who identified fixed red patches (n = 61; 38.1%) and fixed white patches (n = 57; 35.6%) as a sign or symptom. Education level and gender were significant knowledge predictors for alcohol (p = 0.01), old age (p = 0.008) and family history (p = 0.004) as a risk factors for oral cancer. Those with a family history of cancer were more likely to identify a red patch (p = 0.02), bleeding gums (p = 0.001) and altered sensation (p = 0.023) as a sign or symptom of oral cancer. Overall, patient knowledge was greater for risk factors than for signs and symptoms for oral cancer. Symptoms associated with later stages of cancer were recognised by a greater proportion of patients compared to early stages of oral cancer. These results indicate the need for targeted public health initiatives to improve patient knowledge.

Clustering of Non-communicable Diseases Risk Factors in Healthy Adults Aged 35 Years and Older in Shenzhen, China.

We assessed the prevalence of non- communicable diseases (NCDs) risk factors with a focus on their clustering among healthy adults in Shenzhen, China. Data from the 2011 China Health and Nutrition Survey, comprising a regionally representative sample of 806 healthy adults aged 35 years or older, were obtained to determine the prevalence of five risk factors for NCDs. The prevalence of current smoking, central obesity, impaired fasting glucose, borderline hypertension, and borderline high total cholesterol was 19.97%, 28.29%, 4.47%, 10.55%, and 36.10%, respectively. A total 63.77% of participants had at least one risk factor. Upon examination of risk factor clustering, we observed that 7.57% of participants had at least three risk factors. Using this threshold as a cutoff, clustering of risk factors was associated with sex [odds ratio (OR) = 3.336, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.782 to 6.246], physical activity (OR = 1.913, 95% CI: 1.009 to 3.628), and BMI (OR = 7.376, 95% CI: 3.812 to 14.270). The prevalence of risk factors for NCDs is fairly high among healthy adults in Shenzhen, with a clustering tendency.

Zinc Absorption from Representative Diet in a Chinese Elderly Population Using Stable Isotope Technique.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the dietary zinc absorption in a Chinese elderly population and provide the basic data for the setting of zinc (Zn) recommended nutrient intakes (RNI) for Chinese elderly people. METHODS: A total of 24 elderly people were recruited for this study and were administered oral doses of 3 mg 67Zn and 1.2 mg dysprosium on the fourth day. The primary macronutrients, energy, and phytic acid in the representative diet were examined based on the Chinese National Standard Methods. Fecal samples were collected during the experimental period and analyzed for zinc content, 67Zn isotope ratio, and dysprosium content. RESULTS: The mean (± SD) zinc intake from the representative Chinese diet was 10.6 ± 1.5 mg/d. The phytic acid-to-zinc molar ratio in the diet was 6.4. The absorption rate of 67Zn was 27.9% ± 9.2%. The RNI of zinc, which were calculated by the absorption rate in elderly men and women, were 10.4 and 9.2 mg/d, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study got the dietary Zn absorption in a Chinese elderly population. We found that Zn absorption was higher in elderly men than in elderly women. The current RNI in elderly female is lower than our finding, which indicates that more attention is needed regarding elderly females' zinc status and health.

Cut-off Values of Diagnostic Indices to Detect Iron Deficiency in Chinese Breast-fed Infants.

Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most prevalent nutritional deficiency worldwide. The commonly used cut-off values for identifying iron deficiency are extrapolated from older children and may not be suitable for infants. Therefore, our study aimed to establish appropriate cut-off values for the evaluation of iron status in Chinese infants. Pregnant women who delivered at ⋝37 gestational weeks with normal iron status were recruited. Later, infants with normal birth weight and who were breastfed in the first 4 months were selected. Blood samples were collected to assess hemoglobin, serum ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, mean corpuscular volume and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin. Cut-offs of all iron indices were determined as the limit of 95% confidence interval.

Influence of Temperature on the Formation of Silver Nanoparticles by using a Seed-Free Photochemical Method under Sodium-Lamp Irradiation.

Silver nanoparticles can be prepared by using a seed-free photo-assisted citrate reduction method under the irradiation of a sodium lamp. Under the same irradiation intensity, bath temperatures are crucial in influencing the reaction rate, morphologies of final products, and shape evolution of the silver nanostructures. For example, when the bath temperature is 80 °C, the product yields of silver nanoplates, nanorods, and nanodecahedra are 38±6 %, 35±10 %, and 12±8 %, respectively. However, when the bath temperature is 30 °C, the product yields of silver nanoplates, nanorods, and nanodecahedra are 6±3 %, 0 %, and 83±16 %, respectively. Time-dependent UV/Vis spectra and TEM images show that silver nanoplates were formed at the earlier reaction stage and greatly decreased in amount at the later stage when the bath temperatures are less than or equal to 40 °C. This indicates that the silver nanoplates, which can be regarded as intermediates, are kinetically favored products. They are not thermodynamically favored products at these relatively low bath temperatures. The SERS spectra of crystal violet (CV) show that all the silver colloids synthesized at various temperatures exhibit good enhancement factors and that the colloids prepared at lower bath temperatures have a higher enhancement factor.

Iodine Nutrition, Thyroid-stimulating Hormone, and Related Factors of Postpartum Women from three Different Areas in China: A Cross-sectional Survey.

Objective: Studies on the relationship between iodine, vitamin A (VA), and vitamin D (VD) and thyroid function are limited. This study aimed to analyze iodine and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) status and their possible relationships with VA, VD, and other factors in postpartum women. Methods: A total of 1,311 mothers (896 lactating and 415 non-lactating) from Hebei, Zhejiang, and Guangxi provinces were included in this study. The urinary iodine concentration (UIC), TSH, VA, and VD were measured. Results: The median UIC of total and lactating participants were 142.00 µg/L and 139.95 µg/L, respectively. The median TSH, VA, and VD levels in all the participants were 1.89 mIU/L, 0.44 µg/mL, and 24.04 ng/mL, respectively. No differences in the UIC were found between lactating and non-lactating mothers. UIC and TSH levels were significantly different among the three provinces. The rural UIC was higher than the urban UIC. Obese mothers had a higher UIC and a higher prevalence of excessive TSH. Higher UICs and TSHs levels were observed in both the VD deficiency and insufficiency groups than in the VD-sufficient group. After adjustment, no linear correlation was observed between UIC and VA/VD. No interaction was found between vitamins A/D and UIC on TSH levels. Conclusion: The mothers in the present study had no iodine deficiency. Region, area type, BMI, and VD may be related to the iodine status or TSH levels.

Effectiveness analysis on the physical activity and the health benefit of a community population based program.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the community-based health promotion effect of physical activity. METHODS: The residents aged 18 and above from two communities in Gongshu District of Hangzhou City, Zhejiang province, were randomly selected and recruited for the multi-strategy and comprehensive physical activity intervention. Questionnaire survey, physical check up and blood biochemistry were conducted. RESULTS: After this two-year intervention, the time of the participant spent on weekly physical activity of moderate intensity increased from 464 min to 542 min (P<0.05), with an average increase of 78 min. Time spent in walking every week increased from 533 min to 678 min (P<0.05), with an average increase of 145 min. The body weight, waistline, blood pressure and heart rate all reduced significantly (P<0.05); the vital capacity increased significantly (P<0.05); and the related biochemical indicators were also improved. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive and evidence-based physical activity interventions targeting community population can improve the levels of physical activity, related body measurement and biochemical indicators.

[The influence of preventive iron supplementation to iron nutritional status in breastfed infants].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects to iron status who were given preventive iron supplements for two months from when they were breast-fed to four-month-old. METHODS: A total of 123 infants in four-month-old age who were breast-fed were randomly divided into iron supplementation group (63 cases) and control group (60 cases), iron supplementation group was supplied with low-dose iron (1 mg×kg⁻¹×d⁻¹) for two months with no intervention for control group. Blood samples were collected to test C reactive protein and iron status indicators in six-month-old age group infants, and the growth indices were measured and compared on the gender difference of iron status at and 6 months. RESULTS: After 2 months of low-dose iron supplementation, the hemoglobin of iron supplementation group (26 cases) increased about 5.5 g/L while the control group (34 cases) increases about 0.0 g/L (median), 95% confidence intervals were -7.0 - 13.0 g/L and -9.0 - 15.0 g/L, respectively. The hemoglobin increase of iron supplementation group was higher than the control group, the difference was statistically significant (u = -2.326, P < 0.05). The other iron nutritional status and the growth did not show any significant difference between iron supplementation group and control group (P > 0.05). At age 6 month, the MCV of the boys were (75.89 ± 3.34) fl, while the girls were (77.20 ± 3.17) fl. The boys had lower values of MCV than the girls, and the gender difference was statistically significant (t = 4.73, P < 0.05). The other iron nutritional status did not show any significant gender difference (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Low-dose iron supplementation of breast-fed infants at 4-month-old can increase the hemoglobin level when they were 6-month-old, and had no measurable side effect on growth.

[The effects of iron stores and growth of delayed umbilical cord clamp timing on term breastfed infants at 4 months].

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether delayed umbilical cord clamp timing of newborn can improve iron stores of infant period and growth and development. METHODS: Mother-infant pairs were randomly assigned to early clamping (94 cases, < 15 s after delivery) and delayed clamping (64 cases, 1 min after delivery) by draw lots, and followed up until 4 months postpartum. Infant hematological status, iron status, the level of growth and development of infants after 4 months were measured respectively. Transcutaneous bilirubin at the third day after delivery was also measured. RESULTS: At 4 month age, the median of serum ferritin and mean of corpuscular volume value in delayed group were 87.30 µg/L and (79.62 ± 4.13) fl, significantly higher than the values in early group (64.3 µg/L, (78.21 ± 4.38) fl), respectively (Z = -2.36, t = 2.23, both P values < 0.05). The hematocrit value was (33.59 ± 2.48)%, higher than that in early group (32.76 ± 2.69)% (t = 1.95, P = 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference at other iron nutrition indicators and infants' weight and body length at 4 month (P > 0.05). Under the different cut-off values (hemoglobin (Hb) < 105 g/L and Hb < 110 g/L, respectively), the prevalence of anemia in delay and early clamping group were 6.25% (4/64), 21.86% (14/64), and 12.77% (12/94), 34.04% (32/94), respectively (both P values > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Delayed umbilical cord clamp timing until 1 min can improve iron stores of breastfed infants at 4 month; there is no significant adverse effects to growth.

Estimation of Iron Physiological Requirement in Chinese Children using Single Stable Isotope Tracer Technique.

Objective: This study is to obtain precise data on iron physiological requirements in Chinese children using single stable isotope tracer technique. Methods: Thirty boys (10.6 ± 0.2 years) and 27 girls (10.4 ± 0.2 years) were received oral 6 mg 57Fe each day for 5 consecutive days. Venous blood samples were subsequently drawn to examine the change of total iron concentration and 57Fe abundance at day 0, 14, 28, 60, 90, 180, 360, 450, 540, 630, 720. The iron physiological requirement was calculated by iron loss combined with iron circulation rate once 57Fe abundance stabilized in human body. Results: The iron physiological requirement was significantly lower in boys than those values in girls (16.88 ± 7.12 vs. 18.40 ± 8.81 µg/kg per day, P < 0.05). Correspondingly, the values were calculated as 722.46 ± 8.43 µg/day for boys and 708.40 ± 7.55 µg/day for girls, respectively. Considering nearly 10% iron absorption rate, the estimated average iron physiological requirement was 6.0 mg/day in boys and 6.2 mg/day in girls. Conclusion: This study indicate that iron physiological requirement could require more daily iron intake in girls as compare with the values in boys having the same body weight. These findings would be facilitate to the new revised dietary reference intakes.

A novel method for wound healing-skin suspension accelerates donor site wound healing .

UNLABELLED:  The purpose of this study was to apply a skin suspension to accelerate wound healing at the skin donor site. METHODS: A small fragment of skin was collected after skin transplantation had been performed. The skin suspension was prepared by mixing the small fragments of skin tissue with the same volume of normal saline. The suspension was then applied to the donor site. Donor sites without skin suspension were employed as controls. RESULTS: Faster healing was found at the donor sites that had been covered with skin suspension and with less scar formation compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Skin suspension prepared from residual graft skin can ameliorate donor site wound healing.

Evaluation of Serum Zinc Status of Pregnant Women in the China Adult Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance (CACDNS) 2015.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum zinc status of pregnant women in the China Adult Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance (CACDNS) in 2015-2016. Methods: A total of 7147 apparently healthy pregnant women were randomly selected in 302 national monitoring sites. Information on age, race, residence region, education, pregnancy, and family income per annum was collected, and the concentration of serum zinc was determined. The evaluation of serum zinc status was further performed according to the recommendations by the International Zinc Nutrition Consultative Group (IZiNCG). Results: The median concentration of serum zinc was 858.9 µg/L with an interquartile range (IQR) of 712.9 µg/L and 1048.9 µg/L, while the overall prevalence of zinc deficiency was 3.5% with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 3.0% and 3.9%. Serum zinc status of pregnant women changed greatly in the different categories, particular in pregnancy and family income per annum (p < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed in the prevalence of zinc deficiency (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The lower prevalence of zinc deficiency generally indicated a better zinc status for pregnant women in the CACDNS in 2015-2016. However, a well-designed evaluation system of zinc status for pregnant women should be continually optimized and improved by inducing more parameters such as biochemical, dietary, or functional indicators.

Relatively high bone mineral density in Chinese adolescent dancers despite lower energy intake and menstrual disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of dietary restriction, intense exercise and menstrual dysfunction on bone mineral density remains controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the skeletal health status and relationship between bone mineral density and nutrient intake, menstrual status, estrogen level and other factos in Chinese adolescent dancers. METHODS: Sixty dancers and 77 healthy controls underwent measurements of bone density, body composition, and estrogen level. Nutrient intake, menstrual status and physical activity were assessed with questionnaires. The correlation between these factors were analyzed. RESULTS: The dancers under study had a significantly lean body mass index (18.3 +/- 1.4 kg/m2 vs. 21.7 +/- 3.1 kg/m2), lower percentage of body fat (0.25 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.34 +/- 0.04) and later age at menarche (14.0 +/- 0.9 y vs. 13.0 +/- 1.3 y), and the estrogen level, daily calorie and fat intake in them were also lower than in the controls. All the dancers undertook intensive physical activity every day and up to 69% of them suffered from irregular menarche. Yet they had relatively high BMD and BMC of the total body and legs than the controls after adjusting for BMI and age. Site-specific BMD was positively correlated to BMI, body composition and training hours per week and negatively correlated to the age at menarche and menstrual frequency. CONCLUSIONS: The relatively high BMD and BMC of the dancers at the total body and legs were probably caused by high levels of weight-bearing physical activity. To ameliorate disordered eating, especially low energy intake might be helpful to prevent the Triad and to improve the bone health in adolescent dancers.

Evaluation of Erythrocyte Iron Incorporation in Beijing Prepubertal Children Using a Single Stable Isotope Tracer Method.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the rate of erythrocyte iron incorporation and provided guidance for the iron nutrition for prepubertal children. METHODS: Fifty-seven prepubertal children of Beijing were involved in this study and each subject was orally administered 3 mg of 57Fe twice daily to obtain a total of 30 mg 57Fe after a 5-d period. The stable isotope ratios in RBCs were determined in 14th day, 28th day, 60th day, and 90th day. The erythrocyte incorporation rate in children was calculated using the stable isotope ratios, blood volume and body iron mass. RESULTS: The percentage of erythrocyte 57Fe incorporation increased starting 14 th day, reached a peak at 60 d (boys: 19.67% ± 0.56%, girls: 21.33% ± 0.59%) and then decreased. The erythrocyte incorporation rates of 57Fe obtained for girls in 60th day was significantly higher than those obtained for boys ( P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The oral administration of 57Fe to children can be used to obtain erythrocyte iron incorporation within 90 d. Prepubertal girls should begin to increase the intake of iron and further studies should pay more attention to the iron status in prepubertal children.

Fractional resurfacing for the treatment of atrophic facial acne scars in asian skin.

BACKGROUND: Atrophic facial acne scars is one of the most common problems in patients with inflammatory acne. Ablative laser resurfacing has unpleasant complications and a long recovery period. Nonablative therapies yield less improvement and satisfaction. The introduction of fractional photothermolysis (FP) is an alternative treatment for atrophic acne scars. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a nonablative 1,550-nm erbium-doped fiber laser in the FP of atrophic facial acne scars in one treatment session. METHODS: Forty-five patients (skin type III-IV, mean age 29) with atrophic facial acne scars were enrolled in the study. Each patient received one treatment of FP. Comparative photographs were taken using specific complexion analysis to identify and quantify depressed scars and texture. Physician evaluations and patient satisfaction were graded on a 4-point scale. Side effects were recorded at each follow-up visit. RESULTS: The improvement in atrophic scars and texture after a FP treatment were significant. Twenty-seven (60%) of the patients had good to excellent results after 1 month. CONCLUSION: The FP of atrophic facial acne scars resulted in significant improvement even in a single treatment, with good satisfaction and unremarkable side effects.

Correlation of serum leptin level with bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in Chinese adolescent dancers.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate plasma leptin concentrations in adolescent female dancers and to determine whether leptin has some effects on their bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers. METHODS: Sixty dancers aged 15-17 years and 77 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition were detected by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum leptin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Two bone turnover markers, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRACP), were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: The dancers had a lower fat mass and a lower leptin level than the controls, while they had a relatively higher BMD of the total body and legs after adjustment for BMI and age. The levels of bone resorption and formation of markers were higher in the dancers than in the controls. Leptin was positively correlated with BMI, body weight, fat mass, and percentage of body fat. In dancers, Leptin was positively correlated with the BMD of the total body and the left leg. However, after adjustment for BMI, no correlation of serum leptin concentrations with BMD values was found in either dancers or controls. Nor correlation was found between leptin and bone turnover markers after adjustment for BMI. CONCLUSION: The leptin profile is different between the controls and the dancers with a lower BMI and a lower fat mass. Circulating plasma leptin level depends on BMI and is not a direct determinant of BMD in Chinese adolescent dancers.

Association of estrogen receptor-alpha gene Pvull polymorphisms with the effect of calcium supplementation on skeletal development in Chinese pubertal girls.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of estrogen receptor alpha (ER-alpha) PvuII polymorphisms with the effect of calcium supplementation on bone development in Chinese pubertal girls, and to study the importance of calcium supplementation by maximizing the peak bone mass at their pubertal stage for bone development and osteoporosis prevention and the role of estrogen in regulating bone mass. METHODS: Ninety-four pubertal girls were recruited in the study and divided into two groups and three sub-groups according to the ER-alpha PvuII polymorphisms. One year before and after calcium supplementation, bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by DEXA, while BGP, BAP, TRACP5b, and 25-OH-VitD(3), as well as estrogen were detected by ELISA. Analysis of covariance was used to examine the effect of ER-alpha polymorphisms on bone development. RESULTS: The absolute increase and percentage change of BGP were significantly higher in the supplemented group than in the control group (P<0.05). In the intervened group, The increase and percentage change of the total body and radio distal 1/3 BMD were higher in PP than in PP genotype (P<0.05), and the increase of BAP in Pp was also higher than PP in the same group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: PP genotype shows a better response to calcium supplementation than the other PvuII polymorphisms.

[The differences in bone mineral content between female dancers and controls aged 15 - 17 years old and its relationship with physical activity level].

OBJECTIVE: To assess bone mineral content (BMC) of 15 - 17 year-old dancers and high school females and analyze the relationship between physical activity status and BMC. METHODS: Sixty dancers and 77 healthy controls aged 15 - 17 years old were enrolled in our study. BMC in the total body and forearm were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) while body weight and height were also measured. Physical activity information was collected by "one-year physical activity questionnaire". RESULTS: The physical activity level (PAL) and the average daily energy expenditure (EE) of dancers were all higher than controls (PAL: 2.17 +/- 0.34 vs 1.63 +/- 0.34, t = 7.283; EE: (6876.43 +/- 1036.72) kJ vs (5388.43 +/- 920.83) kJ, t = 7.214, both P values < 0.01). The dancers showed lower BMC/height at total body and arms compared with the controls (the total body BMC/height was (13.896 +/- 1.308) vs (14.494 +/- 1.272) g/cm, F = -2.563); and the BMC/height of left and right arm were (0.779 +/- 0.088) vs (0.829 +/- 0.101) g/cm (F = -2.892) and (0.766 +/- 0.093) vs (0.829 +/- 0.097) g/cm (F = -3.650) respectively, all these P values were < 0.01.Yet after adjusting age and BMI, the dancers showed higher BMC/height at total body and legs, the corresponding values were (14.550 +/- 0.146) vs (13.947 +/- 0.131) g/cm (F = 7.868), (2.681 +/- 0.033) vs (2.389 +/- 0.030) g/cm (F = 36.520), (2.821 +/- 0.031) vs (2.450 +/- 0.028) g/cm (F = 65.279), all these P values were < 0.01. While no differences were found with controls at non-weight bearing sites (arms). Daily period (h) of training was significantly related to BMC/height of legs, total body (r value were 0.618, 0.448 and 0.554 respectively, all the P values < 0.01), while the history of training was also correlated with BMC/height of two legs (r value were 0.38 and 0.304 respectively, both P values < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The adolescent dancers showed higher BMC after adjusting age and BMI, which was attributed to the long-term high level weight-bearing physical activity.