[Regional and demographic differences on passive smoking among non-smokers aged 30-79 years in 10 regions of China].

Objective: To describe the regional and demographic differences on passive non-smokers from 10 regions involved in the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) study. Methods: Detailed information regarding passive smoking behaviors related to 317 486 non-smokers who were 30-79 years old from the 10 study regions were gathered and analyzed. Results: Following the standardization of the 2010 China national population, the prevalence rate of passive smoking was 56.7%, and the prevalence rate of living with smokers was 66.5% among the Chinese adults. Both of the aforementioned rates were higher in rural than in urban areas. Meanwhile, the regional distribution of weekly passive smoking frequency and cumulative duration of passive smoking per week and cumulative duration of passive smoking per day were significantly different. The cumulative passive smoking duration per week increased along with the weekly frequency in people living in urban areas. Among women, the weekly passive smoking frequency was the highest, and the cumulative durations per week and per day appeared the lowest in Hunan, opposite to the situation in Henan. The prevalence of passive smoking among participants living with smokers was 2.27 times (95%CI: 2.24-2.29) of those who were not and the association appeared stronger in women (OR=2.61, 95%CI: 2.58-2.64) but not in men (OR=1.01, 95%CI: 0.95-1.06). Almost all the indicators seemed higher in women than those in men, except for the cumulative duration per day. Furthermore, these indicators appeared higher among those who were at younger age or with less education. The prevalence rates of passive smoking and living with smokers were lower but the cumulative duration per day was higher among those with lower household income. And the two rates were higher in married women and lower in married men, as compared to their counterparts. Conclusion: Regional and demographic differences in passive smoking were noticed among study population of CKB in the 10 regions.

[Study design and statistical methods used for integrative analysis on multi-omics in cancer epidemiology].

Rapid development of biotechnology provides us with large number of omics data from different angles in biological research, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and epigenetics. However, any single technology cannot reflect the entire picture of the biological complexity of most tumors. The integration of multiple technologies has emerged as a new approach to provide a more comprehensive view on the biological aspects of tumors. Despite the maturing of acquisition and processing approaches regarding the various omics data, integration of multi-omics data still needs to be developed. In this paper, we summarize the applications of various omics approaches in the field of cancer research, focusing on the current status of integration of omics data in the study design and strategies on cancer research.

[Discovery of the first intermediate host of Paragonimus heterotremus].

Second generation rediae and cercariae of Paragonimus heterotremus were discovered from Tricula sp. collected from Paragonimus heterotremus endemic area, Napo County, Guangxi Zhuan Autonomous Region. The infection rate of the snails was 0.11% (4/3 530). The experimental infection of Tricula sp. collected from Wuming non-endemic area was done with P. heterotremus miracidia. The second generation rediae and cercariae of P. heterotemus developed later in the experimentally infected snails were similar to those in naturally infected snails. Thus far Tricula sp. from Napo County was confirmed to be the first intermediate host of P. heterotemus in nature (Figs. 1-6).

Blood pressure and life style in the People's Republic of China: three samples in the INTERSALT Study.

In INTERSALT, the International Cooperative Study on Electrolytes and Blood Pressure, three centres located in the People's Republic of China (PRC) had distinctive patterns of BP and of life style variables that, in INTERSALT overall, were found to relate to BP. The PRC centres had low body mass index (BMI) and alcohol consumption but high urinary sodium and sodium/potassium ratio (Na/K). Compared with 45 other INTERSALT centres, average BMI was 22.7 vs. 25.4 and alcohol consumption was 32% vs. 61%, with heavy drinking 3% vs. 14%. However, Na/K in the PRC was 6.7 vs. 3.2 in the other centres. This combination of factors may underlie the BP pattern observed. While mean BP in the PRC was lower than in the 45 centres (-7.0 mmHg SBP, -5.6 mmHg for DBP), this was counterbalanced by other findings. Upward slope of systolic pressure with age was 45% greater for the PRC than the other centres and 24% greater for diastolic pressure. As a result, although percentage hypertensive for ages 20-49 years for the PRC was half that in the 45 centres (6% vs. 12%), by age 50-59 years the prevalence was 31% in the PRC and 38% in the other centres. Hypertension prevalence in Tianjin, with highest Na/K in INTERSALT (7.6) was 40% for ages 50-59 years. While sample size in individual centres does not provide power to demonstrate aetiological relationships, these findings permit formulation of the following hypothesis: although lower body mass and lower alcohol intake may counteract to some degree impact of high salt intake, such intake over decades eventually takes its toll on BP.