Influence of exogenous selenomethionine and selenocystine on uptake and accumulation of Se in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Xinong 979).

Soil selenium (Se) is mainly inorganic including selenate and selenite but organic forms such as selenomethionine (SeMet) and selenocystine (SeCys2) are commonly present. Although organic Se is bioavailable or potentially bioavailable to plants, whether the effects of the organic Se on uptake and accumulation of Se in winter wheat differ in forms is still not clear. Both hydroponic experiments and a pot trial of whole plant growth stage were conducted to investigate the effects of SeMet and L-selenocystine (SeCys2) on uptake and accumulation of Se in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Xinong 979). Not only metabolic inhibitor (carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP)) inhibited SeMet (44%) influx into wheat roots but also aquaporin inhibitor (AgNO3) or putative inhibitor (H2SiO4 and H3BO3) suppressed 83%, 62%, or 64% SeMet influx into the roots. However, these inhibitors had insignificant effects on SeCys2 influx into the roots. Wheat grain possessed more effective Se accumulation under SeCys2 treatments than under SeMet treatments, which was contributed to more efficiently translocation of Se from husk to grain, more remobilization of tissue Se to grain, and significantly higher concentration of soluble Se (SOL-Se) and exchangeable and carbonate-bound Se (EXC-Se) in the rhizosphere of winter wheat. The present study indicated that the effects of organic Se on uptake and accumulation of Se in winter wheat differed in forms and that SeCys2 exhibited the potential to increase grain Se concentration in winter wheat. The results from the present study will replenish information about the effects and related mechanisms of SeMet or SeCys2 on uptake and accumulation of Se in winter wheat and provide insights of effects of organic Se on wheat grain Se accumulation.

Poricoic acid A (PAA) inhibits T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia through inducing autophagic cell death and ferroptosis.

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive cancer with poor clinical outcome. Poricoic acid A (PAA) is the main chemical constituent on the surface layer of the mushroom Poria cocos, and exerts protective effects against various diseases. In the study, its effects on T-ALL progression were investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that PAA strongly reduced the cell viability of T-ALL cell lines, and induced cell G2 cycle arrest and apoptosis in vitro. Mitochondrial dysfunction was also elevated by PAA, along with enhanced cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Importantly, PAA-suppressed cell viability and -triggered apoptosis were ROS-dependent. Additionally, autophagy was significantly induced by PAA in T-ALL cells through regulating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and LC3 signaling pathways. PAA treatments also provoked ferroptosis in T-ALL cells with reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and elevated malonaldehyde (MDA) contents. Suppressing autophagy and ferroptosis almost abrogated the capacity of PAA to restrain T-ALL proliferation and growth. The effects of PAA to suppress T-ALL tumor growth were also confirmed in vivo with undetectable toxicity. Therefore, the present study highlighted the potential of PAA for T-ALL treatment mainly through inducing autophagic cell death and ferroptosis.

Data gaps towards health development goals, 47 low- and middle-income countries.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the availability and gaps in data for measuring progress towards health-related sustainable development goals and other targets in selected low- and middle-income countries. METHODS: We used 14 international population surveys to evaluate the health data systems in the 47 least developed countries over the years 2015-2020. We reviewed the survey instruments to determine whether they contained tools that could be used to measure 46 health-related indicators defined by the World Health Organization. We recorded the number of countries with data available on the indicators from these surveys. FINDINGS: Twenty-seven indicators were measurable by the surveys we identified. The two health emergency indicators were not measurable by current surveys. The percentage of countries that used surveys to collect data over 2015-2020 were lowest for tuberculosis (2/47; 4.3%), hepatitis B (3/47; 6.4%), human immunodeficiency virus (11/47; 23.4%), child development status and child abuse (both 13/47; 27.7%), compared with safe drinking water (37/47; 78.7%) and births attended by skilled health personnel (36/47; 76.6%). Nineteen countries collected data on 21 or more indicators over 2015-2020 while nine collected data on no indicators; over 2018-2020 these numbers reduced to six and 20, respectively. CONCLUSION: Examining selected international surveys provided a quick summary of health data available in the 47 least developed countries. We found major gaps in health data due to long survey cycles and lack of appropriate survey instruments. Novel indicators and survey instruments would be needed to track the fast-changing situation of health emergencies.

Disparities in smokeless tobacco use in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan: Findings from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 2014-2017.

BACKGROUND: Smokeless tobacco (SLT) use is associated with multiple adverse health effects. It is prominent in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, but disparities in use within and across these countries are not well documented or understood. This study assessed the prevalence, patterns, and correlates of SLT use in these three countries. METHOD: Data came from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, a household survey of adults aged ≥15 years. Data were collected in 2014 (Pakistan), 2017 (Bangladesh), and India (2016-2017). Current SLT use (nasal or oral use) was defined as reported SLT use daily or less than daily at the time of the survey. Prevalence of both overall and specific SLT types were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess correlates of SLT use. RESULTS: Overall, SLT use among adults ≥15 years of age was 20.6% in Bangladesh, 21.4% in India, and 7.7% in Pakistan, corresponding to 22.0 million SLT users in Bangladesh, 199.4 million in India, and 9.6 million in Pakistan. Among current tobacco users overall, the percentage of those who used SLT was 58.4% (CI: 56.0-60.7) in Bangladesh, 74.7% (CI: 73.4-76.0) in India, and 40.3% (CI: 36.2-44.5) in Pakistan. The most commonly used oral SLT product was Zarda (14.5%) in Bangladesh, Khaini (11.2%) in India, and Naswar (5.1%) in Pakistan. Females had greater odds of SLT use than males in Bangladesh, but lower odds of SLT use than males in India and Pakistan. In all three countries, the odds of SLT use was higher among those 25 years and older, lower education, lower wealth index, and greater exposure to SLT marketing. CONCLUSION: An estimated 231 million adults aged 15 years or older currently use SLT in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, comprising 40.3%-74.7% of overall tobacco product use in these countries. Moreover, marked variations in SLT use exist by population groups. Furthermore, exposure to pro-SLT marketing was found to be associated with higher SLT use compared to non-exposed. It is important that tobacco control strategies address all forms of tobacco product use, including SLT.

Tobacco Use and Secondhand Smoke Exposure Among Older Adults in India.

Objectives: Current tobacco use (CTU) and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among older adults in India (≥60 years) are prevalent in India and indicate the importance of addressing associated factors. Methods: Pooled Global Adult Tobacco Survey India 2009-2010 and 2016-2017 data (n = 17,299) for older adults examined prevalence of CTU and SHS exposure at home and/or in public places and associated socioeconomic and demographic correlates. Results: CTU among older adults in India was 44.6%, and SHS exposure at home and public places were 20.0% and 30.0%, respectively. Men, younger age-group, rural, lower education, lower wealth index, and lower knowledge were independently associated with CTU. Men, rural, lower education, lower wealth index, CTU, and lower knowledge were independently associated with SHS exposure at home. Men, younger age, and rural residence were associated with SHS exposure in public places. Conclusion: CTU and SHS exposure among older adults in India suggest targeted interventions to address associated social and demographic factors.

Significance changes in the levels of myocardial enzyme in the child patients with Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Pneumonia.

Mycoplasma is a gram-negative with thin wall bacterium that in humans, Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes pneumonia. This experiment was designed to explore the changes of myocardial enzymes in the mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) child patients, and analyze the clinical value of these changes, in combination with the relevant indicators, symptoms and signs, in the evaluation of the pneumonia mycoplasma infection. For this aim, a total of 120 child patients with MPP in the acute phase,120 child patients with MPP in the recovery phase and 120 healthy children were simultaneously enrolled into this study to detect the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), Creatine Kinase Isoenzyme (CK-MB) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in blood. Results showed that MPP patients in the acute phase had higher levels of LDH, CK, CK-MB, AST, PCt, CRP, MPV, PDW, PCt, percentage of neutrophils, WBC count in the peripheral blood and ESR than those of the patients in the recovery patients and healthy children, while the level of PLT was lower (all P<0.05). In the acute phase, the level of CK-MB correlated to the fever, fever duration, extrapulmonary organ damage (except for the myocardial damage) and the antibody titer of MP (all P<0.05). It was concluded that in the acute phase of MMP, the level of CK-MB could not only reflect the myocardial damage readily but also the infection of MP as well as the resultant inflammation and disease progression, which could effectively guide the diagnosis and treatment of MPP.

Tobacco Use and Tobacco-Related Behaviors - 11 Countries, 2008-2017.

Each year, tobacco use is responsible for approximately 8 million deaths worldwide, including 7 million deaths among persons who use tobacco and 1.2 million deaths among nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS) (1). Approximately 80% of the 1.1 billion persons who smoke tobacco worldwide reside in low- and middle-income countries (2,3). The World Health Organization's (WHO's) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) provides the foundation for countries to implement and manage tobacco control through the MPOWER policy package,* which includes monitoring tobacco use, protecting persons from SHS, warning them about the danger of tobacco, and enforcing bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, or sponsorship (tobacco advertising) (4). CDC analyzed data from 11 countries that completed two or more rounds of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) during 2008-2017. Tobacco use and tobacco-related behaviors that were assessed included current tobacco use, SHS exposure, thinking about quitting because of warning labels, and exposure to tobacco advertising. Across the assessed countries, the estimated percentage change in tobacco use from the first round to the most recent round ranged from -21.5% in Russia to 1.1% in Turkey. Estimated percentage change in SHS exposure ranged from -71.5% in Turkey to 72.9% in Thailand. Estimated percentage change in thinking about quitting because of warning labels ranged from 77.4% in India to -33.0% in Turkey. Estimated percentage change in exposure to tobacco advertising ranged from -66.1% in Russia to 44.2% in Thailand. Continued implementation and enforcement of proven tobacco control interventions and strategies at the country level, as outlined in MPOWER, can help reduce tobacco-related morbidity and mortality worldwide (3,5,6).

Awareness and use of e-cigarettes among urban residents in China.

INTRODUCTION: The long-term health effects of e-cigarettes are uncertain, and data on e-cigarette use among Chinese adults are limited. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of e-cigarette awareness and use among urban residents in China. Data came from the China City Adult Tobacco Survey (CCATS), a city-representative household survey conducted using electronic tablets during 2013-2014 in 14 major Chinese cities. METHODS: CCATS used multistage geographically clustered samples with standardized survey protocols and questionnaire to ensure data comparability. Overall, 31151 adults completed the survey, with sample size varying from 1977 to 3838 across cities, and survey response rates ranging from 79.8% to 97.5%. Respondents were considered current e-cigarette users if they self-reported using e-cigarettes 'daily' or 'less than daily' at the time of the survey. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were conducted. Assessed correlates included: age, education, quit attempts in past 12 months, cigarettes smoked per day, and monthly expenditures on cigarettes. RESULTS: Overall, 46.7% of respondents were aware of e-cigarettes, 2.9% ever used, and 0.8% currently used. Most current e-cigarette users (93.0%) also currently smoked tobacco. Among male current tobacco smokers, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of current e-cigarette use was higher among those aged 15-29 (AOR=2.5; 95% CI: 1.5-4.3) or 30-49 (AOR=1.9; 95% CI: 1.0-3.4) than those ≥50 years; those who attempted to quit in the past 12 months than those who did not (AOR=4.7; 95% CI: 2.2-10.1); those with a college degree (AOR=3.4; 95% CI: 1.9-6.2) or just finished high school (AOR=2.2; 95% CI: 1.2-4.2) than those who did not finish high school; and those who smoked ≥15 cigarettes per day (AOR=2.8; 95% CI: 1.4-5.6) than those who smoked fewer. CONCLUSIONS: These findings reveal that during 2013-2014, many urban Chinese adults were aware of e-cigarettes, while use was relatively low and most current users also smoked tobacco. Continued monitoring of e-cigarettes could help inform public health policy, planning, and practice.

Socioeconomic patterns of smoking cessation behavior in low and middle-income countries: Emerging evidence from the Global Adult Tobacco Surveys and International Tobacco Control Surveys.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco smoking is often more prevalent among those with lower socio-economic status (SES) in high-income countries, which can be driven by the inequalities in initiation and cessation of smoking. Smoking is a leading contributor to socio-economic disparities in health. To date, the evidence for any socio-economic inequality in smoking cessation is lacking, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study examined the association between cessation behaviours and SES of smokers from eight LMICs. METHODS: Data among former and current adult smokers aged 18 and older came from contemporaneous Global Adult Tobacco Surveys (2008-2011) and the International Tobacco Control Surveys (2009-2013) conducted in eight LMICs (Bangladesh, Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Malaysia, Thailand and Uruguay). Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of successful quitting in the past year by SES indicators (household income/wealth, education, employment status, and rural-urban residence) were estimated using multivariable logistic regression controlling for socio-demographics and average tobacco product prices. A random effects meta-analysis was used to combine the estimates of AORs pooled across countries and two concurrent surveys for each country. RESULTS: Estimated quit rates among smokers (both daily and occasional) varied widely across countries. Meta-analysis of pooled AORs across countries and data sources indicated that there was no clear evidence of an association between SES indicators and successful quitting. The only exception was employed smokers, who were less likely to quit than their non-employed counterparts, which included students, homemakers, retirees, and the unemployed (pooled AOR≈0.8, p<0.10). CONCLUSION: Lack of clear evidence of the impact of lower SES on adult cessation behaviour in LMICs suggests that lower-SES smokers are not less successful in their attempts to quit than their higher-SES counterparts. Specifically, lack of employment, which is indicative of younger age and lower nicotine dependence for students, or lower personal disposable income and lower affordability for the unemployed and the retirees, may be associated with quitting. Raising taxes and prices of tobacco products that lowers affordability of tobacco products might be a key strategy for inducing cessation behaviour among current smokers and reducing overall tobacco consumption. Because low-SES smokers are more sensitive to price increases, tobacco taxation policy can induce disproportionately larger decreases in tobacco consumption among them and help reduce socio-economic disparities in smoking and consequent health outcomes.

Cigarette smoking and cigarette marketing exposure among students in selected African countries: Findings from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate cigarette smoking prevalence and exposure to various forms of cigarette marketing among students in 10 African countries. METHODS: We used data collected during 2009-2011 from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), a school-based cross-sectional survey of students aged 13-15years, to measure the prevalence of cigarette smoking and exposure to cigarette marketing; comparisons to estimates from 2005 to 2006 were conducted for five countries where data were available. RESULTS: Current cigarette smoking ranged from 3.4% to 13.6% among students aged 13-15 in the 10 countries studied, although use of tobacco products other than cigarettes was more prevalent in all countries except in Cote D'Ivoire. Cigarette smoking was higher among boys than girls in seven out of the 10 countries. Among the five countries with two rounds of surveys, a significant decrease in cigarette smoking prevalence was observed in Mauritania and Niger; these two countries also experienced a decline in three measures of cigarette marketing exposure. It is also possible that smoking prevalence might have risen faster among girls than boys. CONCLUSION: Cigarette smoking among youth was noticeable in 10 African countries evaluated, with the prevalence over 10% in Cote D'Ivoire, Mauritania, and South Africa. Cigarette marketing exposure varied by the types of marketing; traditional venues such as TV, outdoor billboards, newspapers, and magazines were still prominent.

Tracking MPOWER in 14 countries: results from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 2008-2010.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) MPOWER is a technical package of six tobacco control measures that assist countries in meeting their obligations of the WHO Framework Convention Tobacco Control and are proven to reduce tobacco use. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) systematically monitors adult tobacco use and tracks key tobacco control indicators. METHODS: GATS is a nationally representative household survey of adults aged 15 and older, using a standard and consistent protocol across countries; it includes information on the six WHO MPOWER measures. GATS Phase I was conducted from 2008-2010 in 14 high-burden low- and middle-income countries. We selected one key indicator from each of the six MPOWER measures and compared results across 14 countries. RESULTS: Current tobacco use prevalence rates ranged from 16.1% in Mexico to 43.3% in Bangladesh. We found that the highest rate of exposure to secondhand smoke in the workplace was in China (63.3%). We found the highest 'smoking quit attempt' rates in the past 12 months among cigarette smokers in Viet Nam (55.3%) and the lowest rate was in the Russian Federation (32.1%). In five of the 14 countries, more than one-half of current smokers in those 5 countries said they thought of quitting because of health warning labels on cigarette packages. The Philippines (74.3%) and the Russian Federation (68.0%) had the highest percentages of respondents noticing any cigarette advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Manufactured cigarette affordability ranged from 0.6% in Russia to 8.0% in India. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring tobacco use and tobacco control policy achievements is crucial to managing and implementing measures to reverse the epidemic. GATS provides internationally-comparable data that systematically monitors and tracks the progress of the other five MPOWER measures.

Factors influencing quit attempts among male daily smokers in China.

BACKGROUND: China has the largest population of smokers in the world, yet the quit rate is low. We used data from the 2010 Global Adult Tobacco Survey China to identify factors influencing quit attempts among male Chinese daily smokers. METHODS: The study sample included 3303 male daily smokers. To determine the factors that were significantly associated with making a quit attempt, we conducted logistic regression analyses. In addition, mediation analyses were carried out to investigate how the intermediate association among demographics (age, education, urbanicity) and smoking-related variables affected making a quit attempt. RESULTS: An estimated 11.0% of male daily smokers tried to quit smoking in the 12 months prior to the survey. Logistic regression analysis indicated that younger age (15-24 years), being advised to quit by a health care provider (HCP) in the past 12 months, lower cigarette cost per pack, monthly or less frequent exposure to smoking at home, and awareness of the harms of tobacco use were significantly associated with making a quit attempt. Additional mediation analyses showed that having knowledge of the harm of tobacco, exposure to smoking at home, and having been advised to quit by an HCP were mediators of making a quit attempt for other independent variables. CONCLUSION: Evidence-based tobacco control measures such as conducting educational campaigns on the harms of tobacco use, establishing smoke-free policies at home, and integrating tobacco cessation advice into primary health care services can increase quit attempts and reduce smoking among male Chinese daily smokers.

[Exposure to tobacco advertisement and promotion programs among Chinese middle school students: a cross-sectional survey].

OBJECTIVE: To exam the exposure status to tobacco advertisement and promotion programs in Chinese middle school students. METHODS: Stratified multi-stage cluster sampling was used to select participated grade 7-9 middle school students in 31 provinces (n = 155 117). A self-administrated questionnaire was used in which questions related to behavior on tobacco use, exposure to second-hand smoking (SHS), access to tobacco products and prices, tobacco control advocacy, exposure to tobacco advertisement, and promotion as well as attitude and knowledge towards tobacco, etc. Data was weighted and analyzed, using the complex survey module of SAS 9.3 software. RESULTS: In the past 30 days, 48.5% of the students had a chance to see advertisement or promotion programs on tobacco. Tobacco advertisement or promotion were most frequently seen on TV (21.3%) among students, followed by outdoor billboard (20.1%), at the stands for sale (17.5%), and Internet (15.6%). In addition, 4.6% of the students reported having kept the items related to brand logos of tobacco products; 2.0% reported having been offered a free tobacco product by tobacco company representatives; 69.7% reported having seen scenes related to smoking on TV/videos/movie screens. Twenty five point two percent of the student smokers reported buying individual sticks at last purchase. Among those students who had never been exposed to tobacco, the ones who had been exposed to tobacco advertisement and promotion programs reported that they were more likely to feel smoking attractive than those who had not. They also reported that if a cigarette was offered by friends, they might try to smoke within the next 12 months, feeling that smoking would make him/her comfortable, and finally to feel that they might enjoy smoking (P < 0.000 1). CONCLUSION: Adolescents had been heavily exposed to tobacco advertisement and promotion programs in China. Students who had been exposed to tobacco advertisement or promotions were more likely to express positive attitude to tobacco use. It is urgent to make amendments to China's Advertising Law to completely prohibit tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship programs, to keep the young people away from tobacco.

[Degree of exposure to secondhand smoking and related knowledge, attitude among adults in urban China].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the levels of exposure to second-hand smoking (SHS) among Chinese adults living in the urban areas and their knowledge on the risks of SHS, to support for the Smoke-free policy. METHODS: Data from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) and the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation China Survey (ITC China Survey) was analyzed and SAS was used to calculate the rates and 95%CI. RESULTS: In the two surveys, less than 40% of the respondents reported that their workplaces had completely stopped smoking. Participants who reported that they had seen people smoking at various public places with different rates, also they could reflect the levels to SHS exposure. Restaurants were the venue with the heaviest overall exposure (83.4%-95.6%), followed by the workplace (53.3%-84.0%). Exposure was low in health facilities, schools and public transport venues. In the GATS survey, 60.6% smokers and 68.5% non-smokers believed that SHS could cause lung cancer, but only one-third of the participants believed that SHS could cause heart diseases in adults. Participants in the ITC China survey reported a comparatively higher level of awareness on the harm of SHS, but only 58.2% smokers believed that SHS could cause heart diseases in adults. Overall, data from the ITC China survey showed that participants' support for a comprehensive smoke-free policy in schools, health-related facilities, government buildings and in taxi were high (over 70% ). However, the proportion of participants supporting comprehensive smoking-free policy at workplaces (50.9%-60.9%) was relatively low. CONCLUSION: The proportion of indoor workplaces with complete smoking ban was low in urban areas but levels to SHS exposure were high. People's awareness of harms related to SHS and their attitude on setting up a comprehensive smoke-free workplace need to be improved.

Cross-country comparison of waterpipe use: nationally representative data from 13 low and middle-income countries from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS).

OBJECTIVE: Evidence shows that smoking tobacco using a waterpipe is significantly associated with diseases. Despite this, waterpipe use seems to be increasing worldwide, though nationally representative data are not widely available. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) provides an opportunity to measure various indicators of waterpipe use from nationally representative surveys. METHODS: Data were obtained for adults 15 years of age or older from 13 countries (Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay and Vietnam) who completed GATS from 2008-2010. The GATS questionnaire collected data on current waterpipe use, including daily/less than daily prevalence and number of sessions per day/week. An optional waterpipe module measured former use, age of initiation, and level of consumption during a session. RESULTS: GATS was successful in producing nationally representative data on waterpipe use from 13 countries, many of which for the first time. The prevalence of waterpipe use among men was highest in Vietnam (13.0%) and Egypt (6.2%); among women, waterpipe use was highest in Russia (3.2%) and Ukraine (1.1%). While over 90% of adults in Ukraine thought smoking tobacco causes serious illness, only 31.4% thought smoking tobacco using a waterpipe causes serious illness. CONCLUSIONS: GATS data provide the ability to analyse waterpipe use within a country and across countries. Monitoring of waterpipe use at a national level will better enable countries to target tobacco control interventions such as education campaigns about the negative health effects of waterpipe use.

Residential segregation and obesity among a national sample of Hispanic adults.

We explored the role of residential segregation in obesity among a national sample of Hispanics for the first time. Data on the 8785 Hispanic adults in the 2000 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were linked to 2000 census data on the segregation of 290 metropolitan statistical areas. Multilevel modeling revealed that after controlling for individual-level variables, the odds of being obese for Hispanics residing in high-segregated metropolitan statistical areas were 26.4 percent higher than for those residing in low-segregated metropolitan statistical areas. This segregation effect might be mediated by the obesogenic features (e.g. paucity of recreational facilities and abundance of fast-food outlets) of segregated Hispanic neighborhoods.

Residential segregation, health behavior and overweight/obesity among a national sample of African American adults.

We examined the role of residential segregation in 5+ daily fruit/vegetable consumption, exercise, and overweight/obesity among African Americans by linking data on the 11,142 African American adults in the 2000 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to 2000 census data on the segregation of metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). Multi-level modeling revealed that after controlling for individual-level variables, MSA Segregation and Poverty contributed to fruit/vegetable consumption, MSA Poverty alone contributed to exercise, and MSA Segregation alone contributed to overweight/obesity. These findings highlight the need for research on the built-environments of the segregated neighborhoods in which most African Americans reside, and suggest that neighborhood disparities may contribute to health disparities.

Fingerprinting of Marsdenia tenacissima by capillary electrophoresis compared to HPLC.

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is employed for the first time in a fingerprint analysis of Marsdenia tenacissima. Because the CE method is a new approach to fingerprinting, it is necessary to compare it to the conventional one: high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In HPLC separation, 15 components are separated in 55 min, while in CE separation, 10 stable components are separated by 200 mM boric acid (pH 8.0) containing 10% methanol within 12 min. CE shows better performance in the analysis of Marsdenia tenacissima, which makes its fingerprint in a much lower analysis time than with HPLC. It is further proven that CE can be a feasible and cost-effective method for the development of the fingerprint of Marsdenia tenacissima.

Residential segregation and exercise among a national sample of Hispanic adults.

We examined the role of residential segregation in exercise among American Hispanics for the first time. Data on the 8785 Hispanic adults in the 2000 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were linked to 2000 census data on the segregation of metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). Multi-level modeling revealed that after adjusting for individual-level variables, the odds of exercise among Hispanics residing in high-segregated MSAs were 18% lower than those residing in low-segregated MSAs. This suggests that segregation contributes to lack of exercise among Hispanics; this effect might be mediated by the relative lack of recreational resources in segregated-Hispanic neighborhoods.

Findings from 2010 Global Adult Tobacco Survey: implementation of MPOWER policy in China.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the implementation of five key tobacco control policies in China: protection from second-hand smoke (SHS); offering help to quit; health warnings regarding tobacco use; the enforcement of bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship; and increasing tobacco taxes and prices. METHODS: Using 2010 Global Adults Tobacco Survey in China (GATS-China), 10 indicators are used to assess the implementation of five key tobacco control policies of MPOWER in China. RESULTS: Overall, 63.3% and 72.7% of adults noticed people smoking indoor workplaces and public places, respectively. Approximately 60% of smokers were not asked about their smoking habits and approximately 67% were not advised to quit on their visit to a health worker. Sixty percent of adults noticed health warning messages on cigarette packaging and in the media in the last 30 days, 63.6% stated that they would not consider quitting. Twenty percent of respondents noticed tobacco advertising, promotion, and/or sponsorship activities in the 30 days prior to the survey. Among them, 76.3% noticed the direct advertising and 50% noticed from TV programs. Although purchasing price of one pack of cigarettes ranged from 1 to 200 RMB, 50% of current smokers (about 150 million) spent 5 RMB or less on one pack of cigarette. The expenditure on 100 packets of cigarettes represents 2% of 2009 GDP per capita. CONCLUSION: The average score for the implementation of the 5 policies of MPOWER in China is 37.3 points, indicating tobacco control policies in China is poor and there is a large gaps from the FCTC requirements.