All-Trans Retinoic Acid Prevents the Progression of Gastric Precancerous Lesions by Regulating Disordered Retinoic Acid Metabolism.

Retinoic acid (RA) is the most biologically active metabolite of vitamin A and is important for stomach physiological function. However, little is known about the metabolic status of RA in human gastric lesions. From 2015 to 2018, 1,392 local residents in Lujiang County were recruited into a cross-sectional survey program, which included a questionnaire interview and blood collection. We detected the mRNA and protein expression of RA metabolism-relevant factors in gastric tissues from 68 local patients with gastric lesions. The effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) supplementation were investigated in a gastric precancerous lesions (GPLs) rat model. In the cross-sectional survey, no significant differences in the level of RA precursor (P > 0.05) between the H. pylori seronegative and seropositive residents were observed. However, the mRNA and protein expression of RA synthesizing enzymes (RDH10 and ALDH1A1) were significantly decreased and catabolic enzyme (CYP26B1) was significantly increased in the patients (P < 0.05). Consistently, in the GPL rat model, we observed a similar disorder; however, ATRA supplementation significantly not only corrected the disorder by increasing Rdh10, Aldh1a1 and decreasing Cyp26b1, but also reduced claudin-18 (P < 0.05). Our study suggested that RA metabolism is disrupted in individuals with gastric lesions, while ATRA supplementation can prevent GPL from progressing to gastric cancer.

Neurodevelopmental outcome at 1 year in offspring of women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To study the metabolic derangements in the second half of pregnancy caused by gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM), on the short term neurodevelopment of infants. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study of 555 mother-child pairs were recruited, which included 177 GDM patients and 378 pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance as controls. Clinical and demographic characteristics were obtained at enrollment, birth and follow-up. Neurodevelopment was examined with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development V.1 mental development index (MDI) and psychomotor development index (PDI). Fatty acids (FA) were analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and triglyceride (TG). The scores of MDI and PDI of control group were higher than those of GDM group. The regression analysis showed that maternal age and saturated fatty acid (SFA) were independently associated with lower scores on the MDI whereas gestational age and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were associated with higher scores; in addition, lower scores on the PDI were associated with FPG and neonatal weigh associated with higher scores. CONCLUSION: SFA, DHA and FPG as indicators of lipid metabolism were associated with neurodevelopmental outcome at 1 year in offspring of women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Control the level of blood glucose and lipid during pregnancy and the appropriate supplementation of DHA during pregnancy in the second half of pregnancy may be beneficial to the neurodevelopment of infants.

Impairment of learning and memory of mice offspring at puberty, young adulthood, and adulthood by low-dose Cd exposure during pregnancy and lactation via GABAAR α5 and δ subunits.

Cadmium (Cd) is a pervasive carcinogen and environmental endocrine disruptor. We studied the changes in learning and memory of offspring mice, whose mothers were exposed to 10 mg Cd/L via the drinking water during pregnancy and lactation period, as well as the changes of testosterone and estrogen levels, serum Cd levels, the histopathological changes and the changes in the mRNA and protein levels of different subunits of γ-aminobutyric acid receptor subtype A subunits (GABAARs) in the hippocampus at the prepuberty, puberty, young adult, and adult stages. At birth, Cd had no obvious effect on mice offspring as statistically accessed based on their body weight, body length, and tail length (all p > 0.05). After grouped, the serum Cd levels increased in the three exposed groups more than in the normal control group at stages (all p < 0.05). Only serum estradiol of female offspring at age 7 weeks was significantly decreased compared with other groups (all p < 0.05). Histopathological results showed that the arrangement of the cells in hippocampal CA1 area of mice offspring was significantly sparse in the exposed groups compared with the control group. At 5 and 7 weeks, two Cd-exposed groups showed prolonged escape latency and exploring time for the platform compared with the normal group in the Morris water maze (all p < 0.05). Only increased protein expression of GABAARα5 was found in the Cd group at these two ages. At age 12 weeks, similar impaired learning and memory of female mice, and decreased protein expression of GABAARδ was found in Cd-exposed groups. Collectively, low-dose Cd had no effect on the growth of mice offspring but affected their learning and memory, especially female offspring, at puberty, young adulthood, and adulthood through changed structure in the hippocampal CA1 area and protein expression of GABAARα5 and GABAARδ.

Maternal pre-pregnancy obesity and the risk of macrosomia: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of our meta-analysis was to explore whether pre-pregnancy obesity is regarded as an important risk factor for predicting macrosomia or not. METHODS: Three databases were systematically reviewed and reference lists of relevant articles were checked. Meta-analysis of published cohort studies comparing whether pre-pregnancy obesity was associated with macrosomia and adjusting for potential confounding factors. Calculations of pooled estimates were conducted in random-effect model. Heterogeneity was tested by using Chi-square test and I 2 statistics. Publication bias was estimated from Egger's test (linear regression method) and Begg's test (rank correlation method). RESULTS: Sixteen cohort studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis showed that pre-pregnancy obesity was associated with macrosomia as an important risk factor. The adjusted odds ratio was 1.93, 95% CI (1.65, 2.27) in random-effect model, stratified analyses showed no differences regarding different quality grade, definition of macrosomia, location of study and number of confounding factors adjusted for. There was no indication of a publication bias either from the result of Egger's test or Begg's test. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that pre-pregnancy obesity should be considered as an important risk factor for macrosomia. The effect of pre-pregnancy obesity on macrosomia need to be carefully assessed and monitored.

Calorie restriction prevents the development of insulin resistance and impaired lipid metabolism in gestational diabetes offspring.

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has long-lasting influence on offspring, which is associated with increased risks of insulin resistance, obesity, and type II diabetes mellitus. Calorie restriction (CR) is one of the most common and available nutritional interventions to prevent obesity and diabetes. We are trying to explore the effect of CR on GDM offspring. METHODS: The streptozotocin was used to stimulate C57BL/6J mice to develop GDM, a number of metabolic characteristics and related protein expressions were determined in GDM offspring that were fed ad-libitum or treated with calorie restriction. RESULTS: CR reduced body weight and glucose levels in GDM offspring. CR modulated the lipid metabolism by decreasing triglyceride and cholesterol levels in plasma. We also found that the effect of CR on insulin sensitivity may involve in signaling pathway through the regulations of phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) and protein kinase B (Akt). CONCLUSION: GDM is a high risk factor for GDM offspring to develop insulin resistance, while CR could ameliorate this adverse outcome. Moreover, the specific decrease in PTEN activation and increase in Akt phosphorylation in livers of GDM offspring with CR improved insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism.

Excessive weight gain during pregnancy and risk of macrosomia: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This meta-analysis aimed to estimate the relation between excessive gestational weight gain and macrosomia. METHODS: We performed a meta-analysis by searching PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane library for English-language literature from inception to 1 October 2014. Studies assessing the relationship between excessive gestational weight gain and macrosomia were included. Characteristics including study design, country, sample size, definition of macrosomia, adjusted odds ratios, CIs and adjustment factors were extracted independently by two reviewers. Summary odds ratios were calculated by using a random-effects model meta-analysis. RESULTS: 15 relevant articles were eligible for the meta-analysis. Incorporated by random-effect model before the heterogeneity tests, the value of OR was 2.35 (95 % CI: 1.95, 2.85). Stratified analysis showed no differences regarding different study design, definition of macrosomia and location of study. There was no indication of a publication bias either from the result of Egger's test (P = 0.572) or Begg's test (P = 0.572). CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis indicated that excessive gestational weight gain might increase the risk of macrosomia.

Breast-feeding and postpartum weight retention: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Weight gained during pregnancy and postpartum weight retention might contribute to obesity in women of childbearing age. Whether breast-feeding (BF) may decrease postpartum weight retention (PPWR) is still controversial. The purpose of our systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the relationship between BF and PPWR. DESIGN: Three databases were systematically reviewed and the reference lists of relevant articles were checked. Meta-analysis was performed to quantify the pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) of BF on PPWR by using a random-effect model. Heterogeneity was tested using the χ 2 test and I 2 statistics. Publication bias was estimated from Egger's test (linear regression method) or Begg's test (rank correlation method). RESULTS: Among 349 search hits, eleven studies met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. Seven studies were conducted in the USA, one in Brazil, one in France, one in Georgia and one in Croatia. Compared with formula-feeding, BF for 3 to ≤6 months seemed to have a negative influence on PPWR and if BF continued for >6 months had little or no influence on PPWR. In a subgroup meta-analysis, the results did not change substantially after the analysis had been classified by available confounding factors. There was no indication of a publication bias from the result of either Egger's test or Begg's test. CONCLUSIONS: Although the available evidence held belief that BF decreases PPWR, more robust studies are needed to reliably assess the impact of patterns and duration of BF on PPWR.

Longitudinal effects of psychological symptoms on non-suicidal self-injury: a difference between adolescents and young adults in China.

PURPOSE: Few longitudinal studies have examined the psychological symptoms that may lead to non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among Chinese adolescents and young adults. This study determined the predictive effects of psychological symptoms for NSSI during a 9-month follow-up period. METHODS: Data from 17,622 students, 12-24 years of age, were analyzed in a cross-sectional fashion with respect to associations between psychological symptoms and NSSI. Follow-up surveys were performed 3, 6, and 9 months later. Incident cases of NSSI during follow-up were correlated with the psychological symptoms at baseline. RESULTS: A total of 3,001 (17.0%) students reported that they had NSSI in the 12 months before the initial assessment. The total rate of NSSI revealed no statistically significant differences by gender, but marked differences between grades. The response rate 3, 6, and 9 months later was 91.8, 81.8, and 79.1%, respectively. Our cross-sectional study demonstrated statistically significant associations between emotional problems, conduct problems, social adaptation problems, psychological problems, and NSSI (P < 0.01). In the longitudinal study, emotional problems, conduct problems, social adaptation problems, and psychological problems at baseline had statistically significant associations with incident NSSI in follow-up involving the adolescents, while the association in young adults was attenuated after adjustment for confounding variables. Moreover, psychological symptoms at baseline showed a monotonic dose-response relationship with NSSI in follow-up involving adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that adolescents with psychological symptoms are a group with elevated risks for later NSSI. The prevention programs of NSSI should target attenuating the severity of psychological symptoms.

Is gestational diabetes mellitus an independent risk factor for macrosomia: a meta-analysis?

PURPOSE: The aim of our meta-analysis was to explore whether gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an independent risk factor for macrosomia or not. METHODS: Three databases were systematically reviewed and reference lists of relevant articles were checked. Meta-analysis of published epidemiological studies (cohort and case-control studies) comparing whether GDM was associated with macrosomia. Calculations of pooled estimates were conducted in random-effect models. Heterogeneity was tested by using Chi square test and I (2) statistics. Publication bias was estimated from Egger's test (linear regression method) and Begg's test (rank correlation method). RESULTS: Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria, including five cohort studies and seven case-control studies. The meta-analysis showed that GDM was associated with macrosomia independent of other risk factors. The adjusted odds ratio was 1.71, 95% CI (1.52, 1.94) in random-effect model, stratified analyses showed no differences regarding different study design, quality grade, definition of macrosomia, location of study and number of confounding factors adjusted for. There was no indication of a publication bias either from the result of Egger's test or Begg's test. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that GDM should be considered as an independent risk factor for newborn macrosomia. To adequately evaluate the clinical evolution of GDM need to be carefully assessed and monitored.

Dietary patterns are associated with body mass index and bone mineral density in Chinese freshmen.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to examine associations between dietary patterns and body mass index (BMI) and bone mineral density (BMD) in Chinese freshmen. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was done in 1319 college freshmen (aged 18.1 ± 1.2 years old). Diet was assessed by using a validated self-administrated food-frequency questionnaire. Blood pressure, weight, height, waist circumference, and hip circumference were measured and bone measurements were done using Quantitative Ultrasound System. RESULTS: Four dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis: Western food, animal protein, calcium food, and Chinese traditional patterns. The prevalence of overweight/obesity and osteopenia/osteoporosis were 8.2% (108/1319) and 28.1% (371/1319). The highest tertile of Western food pattern scores had greater odds of overweight/obesity (highest vs. lowest tertile, odds ratio [OR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-3.22), and the highest tertile of Chinese traditional pattern scores had lower risk of overweight/obesity (highest vs. lowest tertile, OR = 0.65, 95% CI, 0.53-0.80) in an adjusted model. The calcium food pattern and Chinese traditional pattern were negatively associated with the risk of osteopenia/osteoporosis (highest vs. lowest tertile, OR = 0.59, 95% CI, 0.41-0.87; OR = 0.78, 95% CI, 0.55-0.89) after adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that there was a positive correlation between Chinese traditional dietary pattern and healthy BMI and BMD and that this same association existed between calcium food pattern and BMD in Chinese freshmen. In contrast, the Western-style diet was negatively correlated with healthy BMI in Chinese freshmen.

The association between gestational weight gain and substantial weight retention 1-year postpartum.

PURPOSE: Postpartum weight retention contributes to obesity development of women in their reproductive age. The studies about the association between gestational weight gain (GWG) and substantial weight retention are lacking. This study examined the association between GWG and substantial postpartum weight retention (SPPWR). METHODS: The participants (n = 1,122) in the study were healthy, mature and fed their infants whose ages were 3, 6, 9, 12 months (2010-2012), respectively. They self-reported their socio-demographic, clinical prenatal and behaviors characteristics via questionnaires. We collected their weight data including pre-pregnancy and prior to delivery, as well as weight at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postpartum. The major outcomes included weight retention and substantial weight gain 1 year postpartum. RESULTS: Of the 1,122 women, the median weight retention was 3.0 (IQR = 5.5) kg 12 months postpartum. 35.7 % of them reported substantial weight retention (≥4.55 kg). GWG categories were established as follows: inadequate weight gain (n = 366, 33 %), adequate weight gain (n = 596, 53 %), and excessive weight gain (n = 160, 14 %). Adjusted odds ratios of SPPWR were 0.59 (95 % CI 0.43, 0.81) for inadequate weight gain and 4.05 (95 % CI 2.75, 5.95) for excessive weight gain versus adequate weight gain (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Excessive GWG would increase the risk of substantial weight retention 1-year postpartum. The interventions to prevent postpartum obesity should consider the strategies how to attain optimal maternal GWG.

[Influence of pre-pregnant BMI and weight gain during pregnancy to weight retention one year after delivery].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between pre-pregnancy BMI, antepartum weight gain and postpartum weight retention. METHODS: 793 postpartum women from certain district of Hefei city were recruited as the observational cohort at 3rd month after delivery. We obtained antepartum information from pregnancy care management system and conducted questionnaire and measurement at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months postpartum. The observation items included baseline data, antepartum weight, weight gain during pregnancy, weight of different timing during one year after delivery. RESULTS: The proportion of pregnant women whose BMI back to normal during 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were respectively 61.92%, 68.73%, 78.18% and 84.24%. Pre-pregnancy BMI of women's weight gain and weight retention during 3, 6, 9 and 12 months differs. After comparing the differences between higher pre-pregnancy BMI group, medium pre-pregnancy BMI group and lower pre-pregnancy BMI group, the differences were statistically significant. There were independent effects between weight gain during pregnancy, time and postpartum weight recovery, but no interactions were shown between them. CONCLUSION: Pre-pregnancy BMI and weight gain during pregnancy were important factors for postpartum weight retention. Using pre-pregnancy BMI as guidance to build reasonable weight gain during pregnancy might reduce the occurrence of postpartum weight retention and promote postpartum recovery.

[Impact of maternal weight gain during pregnancy on the risk of infant obesity].

OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of maternal weight gain during pregnancy on the risk of infant obesity within 1 year old. METHODS: A total of 785 infants who were born in Hefei and participated children medical care in one district health center and their mothers were chosen as the research subjects from September 2010 to September 2011. Three groups were classified by weight gain during pregnancy according to the percentiles: excessive pregnancy weight gain group of 126 pairs, adequate pregnancy weight gain group of 542 pairs and inadequate pregnancy weight gain group of 117 pairs. Mother's general demographic information was collected. The height and weight were measured when the infant was 42 days, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of physical examination. Z score was calculated. The differences of Z score in different groups were compared and the RR values of different weight gain during pregnancy on infant obesity were computed. RESULTS: The weight-for-age Z score (WAZ) of infant at 42 days 3, 6, 9 and 12 months in excessive pregnancy weight gain group were 0.23 ± 0.93, 0.25 ± 1.03, 0.23 ± 0.99, 0.28 ± 1.09, 0.26 ± 1.14, respectively, all higher than that of the corresponding age in adequate pregnancy weight gain group (-0.04 ± 1.02, -0.07 ± 0.99, -0.05 ± 0.98, -0.06 ± 0.97, -0.07 ± 0.95, respectively). The differences were statistically significant (all P values < 0.05). In excessive pregnancy weight gain group, infant body mass index (BMI) at 9 months ((18.01 ± 0.15) kg/m(2)) and 12 months ((17.66 ± 0.15) kg/m(2)) were higher than that of adequate pregnancy weight gain group ((17.63 ± 0.13) and (17.22 ± 0.15) kg/m(2), respectively). The differences were statistically significant (all P values < 0.05). Differences of infant Height-for-age Z score (HAZ) among three groups were not statistically significant (all P values > 0.05). Compared to adequate pregnancy weight gain group, RR (95%CI) value of infant obesity in excessive pregnancy weight gain group was 1.86 (1.14 - 3.03). CONCLUSION: Excessive maternal weight gain during pregnancy increased the risk of infant obesity within 1 year old.

[Impact of oral vitamin D supplementation in early life on diabetic mice induced by streptozotocin].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of oral vitamin D supplementation in early life on blood glucose, insulin content, diabetes incidence, and histomorphology in pancreatic islet induced by streptozotocin. METHODS: Three-week-old C57BL/6 mice were given either control diet (American Institute of Nutrition [AIN]-93G), or three different dose of vitamin D-supplemented diet. Nine weeks after dietary intervention, C57BL/6 mice were treated with streptozotocin i.p. for 5 consecutive days. After injection of STZ, The fasting blood glucose and diabetes incidence was tested once a week. The insulin content, histomorphology in pancreatic islets was conducted at the end of experiments. RESULTS: (1) Vitamin D supplementation in early life can decrease the fasting blood glucose values induced by STZ, and the decreases effect of high dose vitamin D-supplemented group is the most significant (P<0.01). (2) Vitamin D supplementation in early life can prevent diabetes incidence, and the decreases effect of high dose vitamin D-supplemented group is the most significant, fully suppress the onset of diabetes about four weeks later after injected by STZ (P<0.01). (3) As compared to the control group, insulin content in medium and high dose vitamin D-supplemented groups were significantly up-regulated after injection of STZ (P<0.05), and the effect of high dose vitamin D-supplemented group is the most significant. (4) The damage of pancreatic islets induced by STZ was clearly restored in medium and high dose vitamin D-supplemented groups, and effect of high dose vitamin D-supplemented group is the most significant. CONCLUSION: Oral vitamin D supplementation in early life can decrease the fasting blood glucose values, prevent diabetes incidence, up-regulate insulin content, restored the damage of pancreatic islets induced by STZ, and effects of high dose vitamin D-supplementde group are all the most significant.

Effect of vitamin K on bone mineral density: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

A number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the role of vitamin K on bone mineral density (BMD) have yielded inconsistent results. We performed a meta-analysis of these trials to assess the effect of vitamin K on BMD. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL for relevant studies of RCTs examining the role of vitamin K on BMD. Data on participants, interventions, and outcomes were extracted and the quality of all included trials assessed. Primary outcomes for analysis were absolute changes in BMD (mg/cm(2)) at the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Relative changes (percentage change) in BMD at the lumbar spine were also assessed. Vitamin K supplementation was shown to be efficacious in increasing BMD at the lumbar spine but not the femoral neck. The weighted mean difference (WMD) in BMD absolute change was 21.60 mg/cm(2) [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.63, 39.56] at the lumbar spine and 0.25 mg/cm(2) (95% CI -2.64, 3.14) at the femoral neck. The WMD in BMD relative change was 1.27% (95% CI 0.47, 2.06) at the lumbar spine and 0.17 (95% CI -0.21, 0.54) at the femoral neck. Subgroup analysis revealed that ethnic difference, gender, and vitamin K type were associated with variable effects on BMD at the lumbar spine. The modest overall treatment effects for vitamin K on BMD observed in this review may be biased and should be interpreted with caution. Further studies are required to address factors relating to the observed effects of vitamin K on BMD.

Higher waist-to-height ratio and waist circumference are predictive of metabolic syndrome and elevated serum alanine aminotransferase in adolescents and young adults in mainland China.

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of overweight and obesity continue to increase among children and adolescents worldwide. This study examined whether waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHpR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) are predictive of metabolic syndrome and elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) among adolescents and young adults in mainland China. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: In total, 6997 students aged 12-24 years from nine Chinese cities participated in this study. Anthropometric and biochemical data were collected. A logistic regression model was performed to determine the association between anthropometric indicators and metabolic syndrome components and abnormal liver function. RESULTS: This study found prevalence rates for the metabolic syndrome and elevated ALT of 1.4% and 3.1%, respectively, among adolescents and young adults in mainland China. A multivariate logistic regression model found that WHtR ≥0.50 was more strongly associated with metabolic syndrome components and elevated ALT than WC values at or above the 90th percentile (P(90)) or WHpR ≥P(90). Odds ratios for elevated ALT were 2.03 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.46-2.81], 4.56 (95% CI 3.07-6.78) and 13.43 (95% CI 7.67-23.51) in adolescents and young adults with one, two and three or more components of metabolic syndrome, respectively (P < 0.001 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Higher WC and WHtR were found to be predictive of metabolic syndrome components and elevated ALT among adolescents and young adults in mainland China, and the association was stronger for WHtR. Furthermore, adolescents and young adults with more metabolic syndrome components were more likely to suffer from elevated ALT.

[Study on dietary patterns and its effect on infant health among left-behind children aged 1-4 years old with both parents working out in rural Anhui].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate dietary patterns of left-behind children aged 1-4 years old with both parents working out in rural Anhui, and to examine the relationship between dietary patterns and infant health. METHODS: In total, 424 left-behind children aged 1-4 years old were selected from 12 villages in 2 counties of Anhui province, 212 were both parents working out and 212 were both parents not working out. Infant dietary patterns were evaluated by a self-developed questionnaire, the reliability and validity were also assessed. Physical development, peripheral blood hemoglobin, traces elements of zinc, urinary iodine, infant neuropsychological development were evaluated. RESULTS: Infant dietary patterns in rural areas could be divided into 4 types, traditional type, animal protein-based type, nutrition-based type and beverage-based type. The prevalence of high score of nutrition type and animal protein-based type of infant dietary patterns in left-behind children were significant lower than those in control group. The prevalence of malnutrition, nutritional anemia, zinc deficiency, iodine deficiency in left-behind children with both parents working out were higher than those of control group (4.7%, 19.8%, 46.2%, 21.7% vs 0.9%, 8.5%, 34.4% and 12.7%) (P < 0.05). The prevalence of mental retardation and mental edge were significant higher in left-behind children than those of control group (3.8%, 20.8 vs 1.9%, 10.4%). Among left-behind children aged 1-4 years old with both parents working out in rural area, the prevalence of malnutrition was higher in infant with low score of traditional type dietary, the prevalence of obesity was higher in infant with high score of traditional type dietary (chi2 = 18.725, P = 0.002). The prevalence of nutritional anemia, zinc deficiency, mental retardation and mental edge were higher in infant with low scores of animal protein-based type and nutrition-based type dietary (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The feeding patterns of left-behind children aged 1-4 years old with both parents working out in rural were different to those with both parents not working out. Infant nutrition status was significantly associated with the intake frequency of traditional food. The prevalence of infant nutritional diseases and mental development were significantly associated with the intake frequency of animal protein-based food and nutrition-based food.

Deliberate self-harm behaviors in Chinese adolescents and young adults.

The aim of this paper was to describe the prevalence of deliberate self-harm (DSH) and to determine the socio-demographic, behavioral, and psychological correlates of DSH behaviors in Chinese adolescents and young adults in a representative sample of the general population. The data were obtained from an epidemiologic study involving adolescents and young adults from junior and senior schools and colleges located in eight provinces of China. A total of 17,622 cases were retained for analysis. The relationship between the explanatory variables with self-harm was analyzed using a Pearson χ (2) test and a multinomial logistic regression model. A total of 3,001 (17.0%) students reported that they had harmed themselves deliberately in the past 12 months. The act of DSH occurring 1 and >2 times accounted for 4.2% (742) and 12.8% (2,259) of all respondents, respectively. The most frequently reported form of DSH was self-hitting. If the reference category was No DSH, the findings indicated that family composition, father's education, perceived family economic status, cigarette use, perceived body image, and higher scores in depression scales were important concomitants of repeat-incidents of DSH. The students, in western areas, who were younger, reported that having unhealthy weight control behaviors, and alcohol use had a higher risk for both types of DSH. Regarding students of age 15-18 years perceived body image (too fat), having unhealthy weight control behaviors or a high level of depression symptoms demonstrated an elevated risk for repeat-incident DSH when single-incident DSH was used as the reference category, whereas the students in middle area reported family composition (both parents), education of the father (less than college) or alcohol use had a decreased risk for repeat-incident DSH. The results of this study suggest that both types of DSH are associated with other wide-ranging problems in the students' lives. Despite their common features, these phenomena also differed from each other. It is necessary to investigate the possible neurobiologic underpinnings of DSH within a longitudinal study to enhance the knowledge of this behavior.

All-trans retinoic acid suppressed GES-1 cell proliferation induced by exosomes from patients with precancerous lesions by arresting the cell cycle in S-phase.

We aimed to detect the expression of specific LncRNAs in exosomes isolated from the serum of patients with precancerous lesions and to study the effect of these serum exosomes on the activity of GES-1 cells in patients with precancerous lesions, as well as the activity of all-trans retinoic acid on GES-1 cells with or without the exosomes. Exosomes were extracted from the serum of patients with precancerous lesions and normal controls. Based on our previous sequencing results, quantitative real time-PCR was used to detect differentially expressed LncRNAs. Exosomes from the serum of patients with precancerous lesions were cocultured with GES-1 cells, and 5 µM all-trans retinoic acid was added as an intervention. Changes in cell viability and expression of LncHOXA10 were observed. Compared with the blank group, the proliferation activity of GES-1 cells cocultured with exosomes derived from the serum of patients with precancerous lesions was increased (P < 0.01), the proportion of cells in S phase was increased (P < 0.05). After adding 5 µM all-trans retinoic acid, the viability of cells decreased significantly (P < 0.01), the proportion of cells in S phase decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The expression of LncHOXA10 was decreased (P < 0.05). All-trans retinoic acid can conduct its chemopreventive effects by inhibiting the expression of LncHOXA10, thereby reducing the activity of LncHOXA10 in GES-1 cells cocultured with serum exosomes from patients with precancerous lesions.

Evaluation of a kindergarten-based nutrition education intervention for pre-school children in China.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of nutrition education in kindergartens and to promote healthy dietary habits in children. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. Four kindergartens with 1252 children were randomized to the intervention group and three with 850 children to the control group. The personal nutritional knowledge, attitudes and dietary behaviours of the parents were also investigated. Each month, children and parents in the intervention group participated in nutrition education activities. The main outcome measures were anthropometrics and diet-related behaviours of the children and the nutritional knowledge and attitudes of the parents at baseline, 6 months (mid-term) and 1 year (post-test). Baseline demographic and socio-economic characteristics were also collected. SETTING: Seven kindergartens from Hefei, the capital city of Anhui Province, eastern China. SUBJECTS: Two thousand one hundred and two 4- to 6-year-old pre-schoolers from seven kindergartens participated. RESULTS: The prevalence of children's unhealthy diet-related behaviours decreased significantly and good lifestyle behaviours increased in the group receiving nutrition education compared with controls. Parental eating habits and attitudes to planning their children's diets also changed appreciably in the intervention group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences in children's height, weight, height-for-age Z-score or weight-for-age Z-score between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Kindergarten-based nutrition education improves pre-schoolers' lifestyle behaviours and brings about beneficial changes in parents' attitudes to planning their children's diets and their own personal eating habits.