Patterns and processes underlying understory songbird communities in southern China.

Understory bird communities, especially those comprising insectivores, are highly sensitive to forest loss and fragmentation. Currently, there is little knowledge regarding the large-scale diversity patterns of understory bird communities, particularly in Eastern Asia. Consequently, we aimed to identify the distribution patterns of understory birds in southern China and the factors underlying these patterns. We analysed the diversity distribution patterns of taxonomic and functional α and ß diversity for understory Passeriformes birds in southern China utilising cluster and ordination analyses. Subsequently, we analysed the effects of geographic distance, annual mean temperature, annual temperature range, annual mean precipitation, and annual precipitation range on diversity distribution patterns. In total, 9282 individuals belonging to 11 orders, 48 families, and 297 species were captured over 98,544 net hours, with Alcippeidae being the most abundant family in southern China. The understory bird communities of the 25 sites were categorised into six sub-regions of the Oriental Realm (Indo-Malayan Realm). The pattern in the distribution of taxonomic and functional ß-diversity of understory birds in southern China was consistent with zoogeographical regionalisation. Three distinct geographical groups were identified: Group 1 was located in the Min-Guang Coast and Hainan sub-regions; Group 2 was located in the East Hilly Plain, Southwest Mountains, and Western Mountains and Plateaus sub-regions; and Group 3 was located in the Southern Yunnan Mountain subregion. The most critical factors related to the distribution patterns of ß-diversity were geographical distance, annual mean temperature, and annual temperature range. Our results showed that the understory bird communities of the Southwest Mountain, East Hilly Plain, and Western Mountains, and Plateaus sub-regions were similar, as were those of the Min-Guang Coast and Hainan sub-regions. Our results underscore the joint roles of distance, temperature, and historical evolution in understory bird communities.

Consensus statement of Chinese experts on exercise prescription (2023).

Exercise prescriptions play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. A consensus regarding exercise prescription is important for physical health. The "Consensus statement of Chinese experts on exercise prescription" (hereinafter referred to as "Expert Consensus") divides exercise prescription into two categories: fitness exercise prescription and medical exercise prescription. Traditional Chinese fitness exercises, exercise risk, exercise prescription, and basic precautions for exercise prescription are explained.

Acute interval running induces greater excess post-exercise oxygen consumption and lipid oxidation than isocaloric continuous running in men with obesity.

Studies seem to show that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a more time-efficient protocol for weight loss, compared with moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT). Our aim was to compare the acute effects of energy expenditure (EE) matched HIIT vs. MICT on excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) and substrate metabolism in male college students with obesity. Twenty-one untrained male college students (age, 22 ± 3 years; body fat, 28.4 ± 4.5%) completed two acute interventions (~ 300 kcal) on a treadmill in a randomized order: (1) HIIT: 3 min bouts at 90% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) with 2 min of recovery at 25% of VO2max; (2) MICT: 60% of VO2max continuous training. EPOC and substrate metabolism were measured by indirect calorimetry during and 30 min after exercise. Results showed that EPOC was higher after HIIT (66.20 ± 14.36 kcal) compared to MICT (53.91 ± 12.63 kcal, p = 0.045), especially in the first 10 min after exercise (HIIT: 45.91 ± 9.64 kcal and MICT: 34.39 ± 7.22 kcal, p = 0.041). Lipid oxidation rate was higher after HIIT (1.01 ± 0.43 mg/kg/min) compared to MICT (0.76 ± 0.46 mg/kg/min, p = 0.003). Moreover, the percentage of energy from lipid was higher after HIIT (37.94 ± 14.21%) compared to MICT (30.09 ± 13.54%, p = 0.020). We conclude that HIIT results in greater total EE and EPOC, as well as higher percentage of energy from lipid during EPOC than EE matched MICT in male college students with obesity.

Effect of resistance vs. aerobic exercise in pre-diabetes: an RCT.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the different impacts of aerobic and resistance exercise intervention on pre-diabetes and its possible influencing factor (obesity) to identify which exercise intervention mode was better for pre-diabetes to control their blood glucose levels. METHODS: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Participants were recruited from Southwest Hospital between February 2016 and May 2017 and randomly divided into three groups using stratified randomization: aerobic exercise (A), resistance exercise (R), and control (C). The effects of each group were analyzed, and the relationship with obesity was investigated following a 12-week intervention. RESULTS: Eighty participants were enrolled (9 were lost, and 1 was excluded). Finally, 26 participants were included in group A, 23 in group R, and 21 in group C. In groups A and R, FPG, OGTT 2-h PG, and HOMA2-IR decreased by 6.17% (P = 0.001) and 4.81% (P = 0.019), 20.39% (P < 0.001) and 16.50% (P < 0.001), and 8.34% (P = 0.026) and 18.31% (P = 0.001, superior to that in group A), respectively (all P < 0.001 compared with group C, with no significant differences between groups A and R). The ratio of reversal to euglycemia was 69.2% (P = 0.003 compared with group C) in group A and 43.5% (P = 0.213 compared with group C) in group R. The decreased ratio of GSP in group R was greater (65.2%, P = 0.008 compared with group C) compared with group A (38.5%, P = 0.355 compared with group C). Decreases in the parameters BMI (3.1 ± 3.2% P < 0.001, moderately positive correlation with the decreased FPG level, r = 0.498, P = 0.010, two-tailed) and waist circumference (3.1 ± 2.7% P < 0.001) were noted in group A, but no significant correlations were noted between other indicators in group R. CONCLUSIONS: Both resistance and aerobic exercise can control and reverse IGR. Compared with aerobic exercise, resistance exercise may be superior in terms of GSP and IR improvement. Aerobic exercise decreases blood glucose levels through weight loss. However, the effect of resistance exercise might not be mediated via weight loss and obesity control. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000038304. Registered on September 17, 2020.

Outward foreign direct investment and energy intensity: evidence from the listed companies in China.

Since 2005, China's outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) has increased year by year, which corresponds to the continuous decline of energy intensity. But there is limited literature concerning their relationship nowadays. To answer whether or not OFDI can reduce energy intensity, this paper selects data from 29 provinces in China from 2006 to 2015 and establishes a fixed-effects model to analyze the relationship. Further, this paper divides OFDI into technology-intensive ones and non-technology-intensive ones in order to distinguish the impact of outward foreign direct investment from different types of enterprises on the energy intensity. Combined with the micro-data of A-share listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges, we find that OFDI plays a significant role in reducing the energy intensity in China, and OFDI of high-technology-intensive enterprises has a greater effect on the decrease of energy intensity than that of low-technology-intensive enterprises. This paper classifies OFDI from the perspective of enterprise technology intensity, which enriches the existing research results in the field of international cooperation and energy intensity. It also overcomes the limitations of previous literature data and provides new evidence for encouraging high-tech enterprises to strengthen international cooperation from a micro level.

12-week Brisk Walking Improved Chronotropic Response in Hypertensive Patients.

We investigated the effects of 12-week brisk walking on chronotropic response in hypertensive patients aged 40-69. 77 participants in exercise group underwent 12-week brisk walking, while 66 participants in control group received health education. Chronotropic parameters, resting blood pressure, and physical fitness including peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) were measured. After 12 weeks, the systolic blood pressure (SBP) was decreased (-6.104 mmHg, 95%CI -8.913 to -3.295 mmHg, P<0.0001), while metabolic chronotropic relationship (MCR) slope and VO2peak were increased (0.073, 95%CI 0.001 to 0.145, P=0.046; 1.756 mL/kg/min, 95%CI 0.891 to 2.622 mL/kg/min, P<0.0001) in exercise group compared to baseline. The chronotropic response index (CRI) at 25-75 W load were decreased (-0.210, 95%CI -0.307 to -0.112, P<0.0001; -0.144, 95%CI - 0.204 to -0.083, P<0.0001; -0.078, 95%CI -0.135 to -0.022, P=0.007) in control group after 12 weeks. The relative changes (%Δ) of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were negatively correlated with %ΔVO2peak (r=-0.233, r=-0.187), while %ΔMCR and %ΔCRI at 50-75 W load were positively correlated with %ΔVO2peak after 12 weeks (r=0.330, r=0.282, r =0.370). %ΔSBP was also positively correlated with %ΔMCR (r =-0.213). In conclusion, 12-week brisk walking reduced SBP by improving chronotropic response in hypertensive patients aged 40-69. The enhanced chronotropic response was associated with enhanced cardiorespiratory fitness.

A case study on the bearing characteristics of a bottom uplift pile in a layered foundation.

The bottom uplift pile, which has been applied in practical projects, has the following advantages: the pile body is not easy to crack, good bearing characteristics, and small displacement of the pile top. Based on the bearing capacity test of foundation piles in the third stage expansion project of Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport, the upper part pile of the self-balancing test method was used to simulate the bottom uplift pile, and the anchor piles in the anchor pile method were regarded as normal uplift piles. The bearing characteristics of the bottom uplift pile in a layered foundation were studied by comparing these two kinds of piles. The results show that under the same displacement of the pile top, the ultimate uplift bearing capacity of the bottom uplift pile can be more than twice that of the normal uplift pile because of the fully exerted frictional resistance of the soil at the bottom of the pile, the Poisson effect of the pile body and the avoidance of the influence of pile body deformation on the pile top displacement. The maximum axial force of the bottom uplift pile appears at the bottom of the pile and gradually decreases from the bottom to the top, which is opposite to that of the normal uplift pile. The properties and thickness of the soil layers around the pile have a great influence on the distribution curves of the frictional resistance along the pile length of the two kinds of uplift piles. With changing soil layer conditions, the distribution curve may be a "parabola", a "straight line" or a "double line". The soil property plays a decisive role in the frictional resistance, which may cause softening. The influence of the pile diameter on the ultimate uplift bearing capacity is greater than that of the pile length, while the elastic modulus of the pile has little influence.

Normal References of Peak Oxygen Uptake for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Measured with Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Chinese Adults.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to establish normal reference values of peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) for cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in Chinese adults using cardiorespiratory exercise testing (CPET). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was done in four communities, two in the North (Beijing) and two in the South (Hezhou, Guangxi) of China from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2018, with one urban and one rural in each region. Out of 1642 participants screened, 1114 were eligible and completed CPET using a cycle ergometer (Ergosana320F) without abnormal ECG and were included in the analysis. The 2nd and 98th percentiles of V·O2peak were used as the lower and upper limits of the normal reference values. RESULTS: Significant difference in mean V·O2peak was shown between men (27.0 mL·min-1·kg-1) and women (23.7 mL·min-1·kg-1). The mean V·O2peak decreased with age in both sexes, from 35.8 mL·min-1·kg-1 in age 20-29 years to 20.5 mL·min-1·kg-1 in 70-79 years in men and from 29.2 mL·min-1·kg-1 to 17.0 mL·min-1·kg-1 in women. Thus, the age- and sex-specific normal reference values of V·O2peak were presented for each 10-year age group by men and women separately. CONCLUSIONS: This first community-based study in China provides age- and sex-specific normal references of V·O2peak as a measure of CRF in Chinese adults, which differed significantly from those established in Western populations. Future studies with national representative samples should be warranted.

Effect of exercise on inhibitory control is dose-dependent for adolescents.

Adolescence is an important stage for brain maturation. To investigate the effect of different exercise doses on inhibitory control in adolescents aged 12 to 14-year old, an after-school exercise program was offered 5 days per week for 12 weeks during a school semester. Thirsty-four adolescents (17 boys) from the first six classes were randomly divided into low-dose exercise group (LE group, one 30-min aerobic exercise bout per day, n â€‹= â€‹16) and high-dose exercise group (HE group, two 30-min aerobic exercise bouts per day, n â€‹= â€‹18), while 23 adolescents (10 boys) in the control group (CON, zero 30-min exercise bout, n â€‹= â€‹23) were from the last two classes. All the participants in different classes received the same physical education with the same contents, duration, and intensity at class. All the participants completed flanker tests and cardiorespiratory tests before and after exercise intervention. The HE group showed more significant improvements on inhibitory control and V ˙ O 2 peak than CON (p â€‹< â€‹0.05). Changes in physical activity (PA) were significantly correlated with changes in interference scores (Spearman rho â€‹= â€‹-0.30, p â€‹< â€‹0.05), V ˙ O 2 peak (Spearman rho â€‹= â€‹0.31, p â€‹< â€‹0.05), and BF percentage (Spearman rho â€‹= â€‹-0.32, p â€‹< â€‹0.05). This study demonstrated that effect of exercise on inhibitory control in adolescents is dose-dependent, which highlights the need to focus on the exercise dose in daily life for improving cognition among adolescents.

PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS OF GUIMARAESIELLA AND PRICEIELLA (PHTHIRAPTERA: ISCHNOCERA) FROM BABBLERS AND NON-BABBLERS (PASSERIFORMES).

Babblers (Passeriformes: Leiothrichidae, Pellorneidae, Timaliidae) are parasitized by more genera of lice of the Brueelia complex than any other group of songbirds. However, the relationships of these louse groups are poorly known. We here try to resolve the relationships between Guimaraesiella (Guimaraesiella), Guimaraesiella (Cicchinella), and their putative sister group Priceiella by using mitochondrial cytochrome c subunit 1 (COI), 12S, and 16S sequences. Our data indicate that G. (Cicchinella) forms a monophyletic group of lice from babblers, but the relationship between G. (Guimaraesiella), G. (Cicchinella), and Priceiella could not be resolved. Moreover, the position of the third lineage of babbler-specific lice, containing only the aberrant species Guimaraesiella montisodalis, is unresolved. Morphologically, this species is different from all other Guimaraesiella in several characters and may represent a distinct lineage. We present some data indicating that (1) the Nanling Mountain range may be a biogeographical barrier to chewing lice and (2) host participation in mixed-species feeding flocks may influence host associations in Brueelia-complex chewing lice.

Effects of acute moderate-intensity exercise at different duration on blood pressure and endothelial function in young male patients with stage 1 hypertension.

PURPOSE: The studies regarding the effects of exercise duration on blood pressure have reported inconsistent and conflicting results. Nitric oxide (NO) is a well-known vasodilator released by endothelial cells, and endothelial microparticles (EMPs) are membranous vesicles released into the circulation from activated or apoptotic endothelial cells, both of whose level can reflect the endothelial function. But few studies have been done to explore the effect of exercise duration on blood pressure and endothelial function, especially, the EMPs response to exercise in young male patients with hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the blood pressure response during moderate-intensity exercise performed in different durations and the acute effects on post-exercise hypotension and endothelial function in hypertensive patients. METHODS: Eighteen young male hypertensive patients who did not take antihypertensive drugs were recruited in this study. They randomly performed twice exercises on a cycle ergometer at a moderate intensity of 40%-50% of their HR reserve; one was 20 min (E20 session), the other one was 40 min (E40 session); there was 1-week break between the two exercises. Blood pressure was monitored by the YUWELL blood pressure monitor at rest, every 5 min during exercise, and 3 and 6 min post-exercise. The level of NO (nitrate/nitrite reduction) and EMPs (flow cytometry) in plasma were detected before and immediately following exercise. CD31+/CD42b- events were classified as EMPs and events per microliter plasma were calculated. This study was approved by the Beijing Sport University Institutional Review Board (protocol number 2019087 H). RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 34.8 ± 3.5 yrs, and BMI was 27.6 ± 2.7 kg/m2. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) in the two sessions increased significantly during exercise. The SBP in the E20 session increased by 37 mmHg (P < .01) at 5 min during exercise and remained stable afterward. In the E40 session, the SBP increased by 35 mmHg (P < .01) at 5 min during exercise and was stable at 5 through 25 min, decreased by 8 mmHg at 25 through 35 min during exercise, and then stabilized (P < .01). There was no obvious change of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in the two sessions during exercise. In the E20 session, SBP at 6 min following exercise was no different from the rest; in the E40 session, SBP at 6 min following exercise was 14 mmHg lower than at the rest (P < .01). DBP in the E20 session was the same as rest at 3 min following exercise and decreased by 4 mmHg at 6 min following exercise compared with the rest (P < .05), while DBP in the E40 session decreased by 3 mmHg at 3 min following exercise compared with the rest (P < .05). The plasma NO levels of E20 and E40 increased significantly following exercise (P < .01 for both). There was no difference in plasma NO level between the two sessions pre- and post-exercise, but the increased magnitude of NO level in E40 was greater than that in E20 (24.47% vs. 9.24%, P < .01). The plasma EMPs level of E20 and E40 decreased significantly following exercise (P < .01 for both). There was no difference in plasma EMPs level between the two sessions pre- and post-exercise, but the decreased magnitude of EMPs level in E40 was greater than that in E20 (15.66% vs. 8.00%, P < .01). CONCLUSION: There is no exaggerated blood pressure response to 20-min and 40-min acute moderate-intensity exercise in young hypertensive men with no antihypertensive drugs. Both 20-min and 40-min acute moderate exercise can reduce the rest blood pressure, and improve endothelial function by increasing NO and decreasing EMPs in young male patients with hypertension, and the effects of 40-min exercise on lowering SBP and improving endothelial function are better than that of 20-min.

CottonGVD: A Comprehensive Genomic Variation Database for Cultivated Cottons.

Cultivated cottons are the most important economic crop, which produce natural fiber for the textile industry. In recent years, the genetic basis of several essential traits for cultivated cottons has been gradually elucidated by decoding their genomic variations. Although an abundance of resequencing data is available in public, there is still a lack of a comprehensive tool to exhibit the results of genomic variations and genome-wide association study (GWAS). To assist cotton researchers in utilizing these data efficiently and conveniently, we constructed the cotton genomic variation database (CottonGVD; http://120.78.174.209/ or http://db.cngb.org/cottonGVD). This database contains the published genomic information of three cultivated cotton species, the corresponding population variations (SNP and InDel markers), and the visualized results of GWAS for major traits. Various built-in genomic tools help users retrieve, browse, and query the variations conveniently. The database also provides interactive maps (e.g., Manhattan map, scatter plot, heatmap, and linkage disequilibrium block) to exhibit GWAS and expression GWAS results. Cotton researchers could easily focus on phenotype-associated loci visualization, and they are interested in and screen for candidate genes. Moreover, CottonGVD will continue to update by adding more data and functions.

Association between Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Relative Grip Strength with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common clinical syndrome with no medications for long-term management. At present, diet control and weight loss are 2 major lifestyle components to reduce the risk of NAFLD. However, other lifestyle components such as cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and grip strength (GS) have been neglected in research. This study was to investigate the correlation between CRF, relative GS (RGS), and NAFLD among a male study population. MATERIAL AND METHODS We screened 1126 men who underwent comprehensive health checks. The participants were divided into an NAFLD group (n=224) and a non-NAFLD group (n=902). The clinical data analyzed included anthropometry, biochemical examination, CRF measurement, and GS calculation were recorded, and the dose-response association between maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), RGS, and NAFLD. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was conducted to establish a predictive model of NAFLD. RESULTS VO2max <30 mL/kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ was not associated with the risk of NAFLD (P>0.05). When VO2max was >30 mL/kg⁻¹·min⁻¹, the risk of NAFLD decreased obviously (P=0.007), suggesting a dose-response relationship between VO2max and NAFLD risk. With the increase of RGS, the risk of NAFLD decreased prominently (P<0.001), which indicated a dose-response relationship between RGS and NAFLD risk. We also found that body fat percentage, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and triglycerides were risk factors, whereas VO2max >30 mL/kg⁻¹·min⁻¹, RGS, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were protective factors for NAFLD. The area under the curve (AUC) of the predictive model of NAFLD was 0.819 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.790-0.847, P=0.174). The sensitivity and specificity were 80.4% and 67.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In the male study population, VO2max and RGS were negatively correlated with the risk of NAFLD, thus, the risk of NAFLD could thus be reduced by improving VO2max and RGS in this population.

Pronounced genetic differentiation and recent secondary contact in the mangrove tree Lumnitzera racemosa revealed by population genomic analyses.

Systematically investigating the impacts of Pleistocene sea-level fluctuations on mangrove plants may provide a better understanding of their demographic history and useful information for their conservation. Therefore, we conducted population genomic analyses of 88 nuclear genes to explore the population dynamics of a mangrove tree Lumnitzera racemosa across the Indo-West Pacific region. Our results revealed pronounced genetic differentiation in this species between the populations from the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, which may be attributable to the long-term isolation between the western and eastern coasts of the Malay Peninsula during sea-level drops in the Pleistocene glacial periods. The mixing of haplotypes from the two highly divergent groups was identified in a Cambodian population at almost all 88 nuclear genes, suggesting genetic admixture of the two lineages at the boundary region. Similar genetic admixture was also found in other populations from Southeast Asia based on the Bayesian clustering analysis of six nuclear genes, which suggests extensive and recent secondary contact of the two divergent lineages in Southeast Asia. Computer simulations indicated substantial migration from the Indian Ocean towards the South China Sea, which likely results in the genetic admixture in Southeast Asia.

Secular change in cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition of women: the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate secular change of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and body composition during 35 years in a large sample of women enrolled in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of baseline fitness data collected during preventive medical examination of 13,037 women aged 20 to 64 years evaluated at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, Texas, from January 1, 1970, through December 30, 2004, who underwent a body composition assessment and a maximal treadmill exercise test. Women were stratified by examination year (5 years for each group) and age. Analysis of covariance was used to ascertain secular change of CRF and body composition. RESULTS: Adjusted CRF levels, as indicated by maximal metabolic equivalent or relative maximum oxygen consumption, among women in the cohort increased significantly during a 35-year period for both age groups (P<.001). The greatest change occurred during the 1970s to 1980s, with a small decrease in 2000 through 2004 in both age groups. Adjusted body mass index increased 9.05% during the past 35 years (P<.001), but adjusted percentage of body fat was significantly higher in 1980 through 1984 than in the other groups (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: In a large cohort of women, the mean CRF has improved during the past 35 years, with a slight decrease in 2000 through 2004. From 1980 through 2004, the increase in body weight was mainly attributable to the increase in fat-free mass.

Effects of insufficient physical activity on mortality and life expectancy in Jiangxi province of China, 2007-2010.

BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity remains an under-researched field in terms of studying burden of disease at provincial level, and no studies have examined the effects of inactivity on life expectancy (LE) in China. The purpose of this study was to estimate mortality risk and LE effects associated with insufficient levels of physical activity in Jiangxi province. METHODS/FINDINGS: Prevalence of risk factors and mortality counts were extracted from Chronic Diseases and Risk Factors Surveillance Survey (CDRFSS) and Disease Surveillance Points system (DSP), respectively. Insufficient physical activity (IPA) was defined as less than 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 60 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week, accumulated across work, home, transport and discretionary domains. Population-attributable fractions (PAF) were used to calculate the mortality attributable to risk factors, and life table methods were used to estimate the LE gains and LE shifts. Monte Carlo simulation techniques were used for uncertainty analysis. Overall, 5 885 (95% uncertainly interval (UI), 5 047-6 506) and 8 578 (95% UI, 8 227-9 789) deaths in Jiangxi province were attributable to IPA in 2007 and 2010, respectively. The LE gains for elimination of attributable deaths were 0.68 (95% UI, 0.61-076) in 2007, and increased to 0.91 (95% UI, 0.81-1.10) in 2010. If the prevalence of IPA in 2010 had been decreased by 50% or 30%, 3 678 (95% UI, 3 220-4 229) or 2 090 (95% UI, 1 771-2 533) deaths would be avoided, and 0.40 (95% UI, 0.34-0.53) or 0.23 (95% UI, 0.16-0.31) years of LE gained, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Adults in Jiangxi province of China have a high and increasing prevalence of IPA. Due to the deaths and potential LE gains associated with IPA, there is an urgent need to promote physical activity, one of the most modifiable risk factors, within China's health care reform agenda.

Characterization of ß-cell function and insulin resistance in overweight Chinese adolescents with normal glucose tolerance.

This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of insulin resistance and ß-cell secretion in healthy adolescents. A total of 124 adolescents with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) were divided according to BMI into normal weight (n=31; control), overweight (n=52) and obese (n=41) groups. Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed, and blood glucose (G0, G30 and G120) and insulin (I0, I30 and I120) levels at 0, 30 and 120 min, respectively, were measured. The homeostasis model assessment estimate of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and early insulin release index (IRI) were calculated to evaluate insulin sensitivity and early ß-cell secretion. The G0, G120 levels and the natural logarithm (Ln) of I30 and ΔI30/ΔG30 were similar in the overweight and obese groups, but significantly higher compared with those of the normal weight group (P<0.05). LnI0 and LnHOMA-IR progressively increased (P<0.01) in correlation with the degree of obesity among the three groups. LnΔI30/ΔG30 and LnHOMA-IR were significantly positively correlated with the indices of obesity (P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively). LnHOMA-IR was also positively correlated with the insulin levels at 30 and 120 min (r=0.454 and 0.314, respectively; P<0.001). In healthy adolescents, insulin resistance progressively increased with increased body mass index (BMI), but the compensatory increase in early insulin secretion was limited.

[Objective assessment of school-time physical activity of a grade 1-2 junior school students in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the physical activity (PA) level during school time, especially in PE class, among Beijing junior school students. METHODS: 81 healthy adolescents (37 boys and 44 girls) aged 11-15 were recruited from grade 1-2 of a junior school, and a hip-worn ActiGraph GT3X + accelerometer was used to measure students' PA. Accelerometer-determined steps, moderate-and vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA), vigorous-intensity PA (VPA) and MET-mins at school time and physical education (PE) class were assessed. RESULTS: During school time, girls spent (47.2 +/- 16.0) mins performing, and boys (67.3 +/- 20.5) mins per day (P < 0.01). Boys also had more steps per day, VPA time and MVPA MET-min than girls (P < 0.001). In PE class, boys spent 53.6% +/- 10.2% of time in MVPA, as compared to girls' 35.2% +/- 7.2%. Boys with normal BMI had the highest VPA time during PE than other groups (P < 0.05). No significant BMI group differences in PA level were found in girls. CONCLUSION: PA in school time was objectively qualified in Beijing junior school students. Girls were less active than boys. PE class provided a major portion of the VPA time and MVPA MET-min in school time PA for boys and girls. Boys with normal BMI had the highest PA level during PE classes.

Rac1 is a possible link between obesity and oxidative stress in Chinese overweight adolescents.

Enhanced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity in the monocytes occurred in metabolic syndrome, hypertension, diabetes and obese patients in adults. However, whether NADPH oxidase is involved in the oxidative stress of overweight adolescents without comorbidities is still unclear. This study aimed to identify whether and how NADPH oxidase plays a crucial role in overweight adolescents. The study was performed in 93 overweight adolescents and 31 normal weight controls. Moreover, 87 overweight adolescents were enrolled in weight-loss program. Demographics characteristics, anthropometrics, composition and clinical characteristics were analyzed. Oxidative stress indexes including the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma and the expression of NADPH oxidase in the monocytes were examined. Overweight adolescents showed a higher oxidative stress state, as indicated by decreased SOD activity and elevated MDA level (P < 0.01). Furthermore, increased NADPH oxidase activity in the monocytes was accompanied by Rac1 upregulation. A significant positive bivariate correlation was found between Rac1 expression and MDA (r = 0.289). There also was a significant positive bivariate correlation between Rac1 expression and obesity-related indexes including BMI (r = 0.227) and percentage of trunk fat (r = 0.233). Data from weight-loss program reinforced the results. Partial correlation analysis indicated that obesity-induced oxidative stress and Rac1 expression is a consequence of aberrant glucose-lipid metabolism in overweight adolescents. In conclusion, we provided novel data showing that NADPH oxidase in the monocytes was highly activated by enhancing Rac1 expression in Chinese overweight adolescents and Rac1 may act as a link between obesity and oxidative stress in overweight adolescents.