[Smoking relapse rate and influencing factors in smokers aged 15 years and above in China].

Objective: To describe the relapse status of smokers aged ≥15 years in China, and investigate the main factors influencing their relapse behavior. Methods: The data of this study cames from the 2018 China Adult Tobacco Survey, covering 400 committees or villages in 200 districts or counties in 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) of China. The relevant data of smoking and relapsing in residents aged ≥15 years were collected by face-to-face interview. Software SAS 9.4 was used to clean and analyze the data, and logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors for relapse rate. Results: A total of 19 376 questionnaires were completed, with a response rate of 91.50%. In 2018, 66.05% of smokers aged ≥15 years in China had smoking relapse, in whom 66.59% were males and 55.79% were females. In all age groups, the age group 15-24 years had the highest smoking relapse rate (82.63%). Multivariate analysis showed that the younger age 15-24 years (OR=4.618,95%CI:1.981-10.763), e-cigarette use (OR=9.782,95%CI:3.139-30.490), and tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship in the past 30 days (OR=1.710,95%CI:1.291-2.265) were associated with higher smoking relapse rate. Compared with people who were allowed smoking at home or those without smoking limit, the smoking relapse rate in people who were not allowed to smoke at home (OR=0.562, 95%CI: 0.439-0.719) or those with smoking limit (OR=0.487, 95%CI: 0.366-0.647) was lower. Conclusion: The smoking relapse rate in Chinese smokers is high, especially in young people. It is suggested to conduct targeted intervention based on the results of this study to reduce the smoking relapse rate and help achieve the smoking control goal in Healthy China 2030.

[Study on smoking behavior and its changes among Chinese people aged 15 years and above in 2018].

Objective: To describe the current status of smoking among Chinese people aged 15 and above and analyze its epidemic evolution. Methods: A stratified multi-phased randomized cluster sampling design of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey was used. The cross-sectional survey was conducted from July to December 2018, covering 200 districts/counties in 31 provinces of China. Field data was collected through in-house face-to-face interviews by trained investigators using a tablet computer. 19 376 individual questionnaires were completed, with an overall response rate of 91.50%. The data were weighted for complex sampling and analyzed with SAS 9.4. Results: In 2018, the current smoking prevalence of adults aged 15 and above was 26.59%, with that higher among males (50.47%) than among females (2.07%) and higher among those in rural (28.87%) than among those in urban areas (25.05%). The quitting rate was 20.10%, with a higher rate among females (30.22%) than males (19.64%). However, there was no significant difference between rural and urban areas (P=0.864). Compared with the previous data, the smoking rate tends to drop, with a substantial decrease among the 25-44 age groups and 45-64 age groups. The most significant decline occurs among those with higher education (Junior college and above). In addition, in 2018, current daily smokers aged 15 and above in China started to smoke daily at an average age of 20.95 years old. For current smokers, 16.00 cigarettes were consumed each day on average. Conclusion: Although the current smoking prevalence among the Chinese population aged 15 and above tends to decrease, the decreasing speed is too slow to achieve the target set in the Healthy China Action (2019-2030). Consequently, much more effective efforts to control tobacco need to be enforced.

[Quit intention and smoking cessation behavior of current smokers aged 15 years and above in China, 2018].

Objective: To describe the current situation on quit intention and quit attempts among current smokers aged 15 years and above in China and explore the main factors affecting their smoking cessation behaviors. Methods: The subjects were people aged 15 years and above in China. A stratified multi-phased randomized cluster sampling method was used. The survey covered 200 districts/counties in 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government), including 19 376 people under investigation. The data were weighted with SAS 9.4 for complex sampling analysis, and the frequency and weighted component ratio were used for description. The influencing factors were studied using the Rao Scott χ2 test and unconditional multivariate logistic regression. Results: Among current smokers, 6.63% reported that they planned to quit smoking in the next month, 5.44% for men and 8.49% for women. 17.96% of the current smokers made quit attempts in the past 12 months, with 17.80% men and 22.15% women. People who smoke occasionally (OR=3.42, 95%CI: 2.09-5.59) made quit attempts in the past (OR=4.91, 95%CI: 0.33-0.52) and knew that smoking would lead to three diseases (OR=2.24, 95%CI: 1.48-3.40) had higher quit intention. People who occasionally smoke (OR=1.68, 95%CI: 1.20-2.34) received smoking cessation suggestions from medical staff (OR=1.96, 95%CI: 1.62-2.37), were a ware of that smoking causes three diseases (OR=1.63, 95%CI: 1.32-2.02) and had smoking prohibition regulations in indoor areas of their homes, had a higher rate of quit attempts. Conclusion: Providing effective smoking cessation intervention services and creating a supportive tobacco control environment are significant in promoting smoking cessation behavior.

[Secondhand smoke exposure and its influencing factors among Chinese people aged 15 years and above in 2010 and 2018].

Objective: To investigate secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among non-current smokers aged 15 and over and its influencing factors in China in 2010 and 2018. Methods: The 2010 and 2018 China Adult Tobacco Surveys used multistage stratified cluster random sampling methods to obtain national representative samples across 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) in China. This study selected non-current smokers aged 15 and over as the research subjects to describe the general demographic characteristics, perceptions of SHS hazards, attitudes towards smoking bans in indoor areas in public places, and SHS exposure and the smoking restriction regulations in different places. The Rao-Scott χ2 test was used to compare the rates, and the unconditional logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of SHS exposure. All the subjects in the analysis were weighted based on a complex sampling design. Results: Among non-current smokers aged 15 and over, from 2010 to 2018, the percentage of indoor smokers had decreased from 84.7% to 71.9%. The rates of people who saw smoking in various places declined with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). The exposure to SHS for females, people aged 45-64, teachers, medical staff, workers in enterprises, businesses, waiters, and people who live in rural and central areas declined. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). In 2018, the percentage of SHS exposure for those who reported a comprehensive smoking ban in households or allowed smoking in certain areas was lower than for those who reported allowed or without a smoking ban. Among those aged 25-44, SHS exposure for those who reported complete smoking prohibition in workplaces was lower than those who reported allowed or without smoking prohibition (OR=0.65, 95%CI: 0.49-0.87). The proportion of SHS exposure for those who believe that smoking should not be allowed in indoor areas of 0-5 public places is higher than that smoking should not be allowed in the indoor spaces of 8 public places (OR=2.13, 95%CI: 1.35-3.36). Among people aged 45-64, the proportions of SHS exposure for teachers (OR=0.37, 95%CI: 0.17-0.78) and medical staff (OR=0.35, 95%CI: 0.16-0.76) and staff working in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, fishery, and water conservancy were lower than governmental staff (OR=0.49, 95%CI: 0.29-0.84). Conclusions: Data from the decreased exposure of Chinese non-current smokers aged 15 and over to SHS suggests the initial achievement through constructing a smoke-free environment, but continued efforts are needed. It is necessary to actively advocate for smoke-free families, strengthen publicity and education on the hazards of tobacco and SHS, and improve the skills of non-smokers in rejecting SHS exposure.

[Analysis of exposure to tobacco advertisement and promotion among Chinese adults aged 15 years and above, 2010 and 2018].

Objective: To investigate the exposure to tobacco advertisements and promotions among Chinese adults aged 15 and above, identify the publicity channels and forms of tobacco advertising and promotion in 2010 and 2018, and implicate further tobacco control measures in China. Methods: A multistage, stratified, randomized cluster sampling design was used in 2010 and 2018 China Adult Tobacco Survey, with national representativeness. 13 354 and 19 376 permanent residents were selected in the 2010 and 2018 surveys. SAS 9.4 software was applied for data analysis, and all the data were weighted based on a complex sampling design. Rao Scott χ2 test was used for group comparison of a single factor. Results: In 2010 and 2018, 19.61% and 18.14% of the survey respondents did see tobacco advertising and promotion. From 2010 to 2018, there was no significant change in the situation of tobacco advertisements and promotions. Among those who had gone to a cigarette shop, the proportion of seeing tobacco advertisements increased from 29.28% in 2010 to 43.28% in 2018. Among those who had seen tobacco advertisements on TV, the rate fell from 50.93% in 2010 to 28.58% in 2018. Among those who had gone to movie theaters, the proportion of seeing tobacco advertisements increased from 2.17% in 2010 to 9.89% in 2018. Among those who had used the Internet, the proportion of seeing tobacco advertisements online rose from 19.20% in 2010 to 42.30% in 2018. In terms of tobacco promotion, the percentages of people who had seen tobacco promotions, cigarette price discounts, cigarette discount coupons, gifts, and other preferential activities in various places in the past 30 days were 4.99% vs. 9.30%, 0.78% vs. 4.09%, 0.04% vs. 0.33% and 0.98% vs. 3.33% in 2010 and 2018, respectively (P<0.001). Conclusions: Tobacco advertising and promotion are still prevalent in China, with no significant change in 2010 and 2018. Tobacco advertising and promotion have been with the constant changes and development of media platforms. It is necessary to improve the implementation of relevant policies, comprehensively ban tobacco advertisements and promotions, and strengthen the supervision of ads and promotions.

MiR-154 inhibits cells proliferation and metastasis in melanoma by targeting AURKA and serves as a novel prognostic indicator.

OBJECTIVE: Increasing evidence suggested that dysregulated miR-154 in several tumor tissues is involved in the clinical progress of cancers patients. The objective of this study was to explore the expression pattern of miR-154 and its potential effects in human melanoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Microarray data from GEO datasets were analyzed to identify differentially expressed miRNAs. Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to determine the expressions of miR-154 in melanoma cell lines and tumor tissues. The associations between miR-154 levels and clinical progress were studied using a series of statistical methods. Cell viability, invasion, migration, and apoptosis were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, transwell assay, wound healing assays, and flow cytometry, respectively. TargetScan system was used to identify the target genes of miR-154 and Luciferase activity analysis was carried out to demonstrate the possible target. RESULTS: The expression levels of miR-154 were distinctly lower in tumor samples and melanoma cell lines than in normal controls (p < 0.01). The up-regulation of miR-154 in melanoma tissues was associated with advanced tumor stage (p = 0.028), ulceration (p = 0.046), and shorter overall survival (p = 0.0035). Moreover, the multivariate analysis suggested a decreased expression of miR-154 is an independent predictor of overall survival rates in melanoma patients. Functional observation showed that up-regulation of miR-154 suppressed the capability of proliferation, invasion, and migration, promoting apoptosis in melanoma cell lines. Bioinformatics analysis predicted AURKA (aurora kinase A) as a target of miR-154, which was confirmed using the luciferase activity assays. Besides, miR-154 overexpression rescued the suppressive effect of AURKA-mediated melanoma on cell proliferation, colony formation, and metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: These results revealed that miR-154 has clinical implications for targeted therapy of melanoma patients and indicated that miR-154 could represent a novel biomarker in predicting the clinical outcome for melanoma.

A prospective study of vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus.

AIM: To prospectively study the mechanism of mother to infant transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV). METHODS: Using a nested PCR for detection of HCV RNA and the second generation ELISA for detection of anti-HCV, 13 pregnant women who suffered from post transfusion hepatitis C (PT-HCV) and their 15 babies were studied to evaluate mother to infant transmission of HCV. RESULTS: The total infection rate of HCV was 86.7% in the babies, including one case of clinical HCV (7.7%), three subclinical cases of HCV (23.1%), and nine inapparent cases of HCV (69.2%). The positive rates of anti-HCV and HCV RNA declined with the age of the babies, to 7.7% for anti-HCV and 15.4% for HCV RNA at the age of three years. CONCLUSION: Babies born to mothers infected with HCV were vertically infected with HCV at a high rate, but the consequences were not serious. Four fetuses born, born through induced labor to mothers positive for anti-HCV and HCV, were all infected by HCV, suggesting that the mother to infant transmission of HCV mainly occurred in the uterus.

[A comparative study of primary and re-infection with hepatitis C].

A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to assess HCV re-infection and primary infection. In 10 hepatitis cases defined as primary infection, 9 showed clinical hepatitis, and 1 case was subclinical; the interval between transfusion and elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels was 15-60 (37.9 + 13.9) days. 10/10 and 7/10 were persistently positive for anti-HCV and HCV RNA for more than 1 year respectively. Similarly, in 5 cases defined as re-infection, 4/5 showed clinical hepatitis, the interval between transfusion and elevation of ALT was 30-46 (34.8 +/- 6.4) days, and 5/5 and 3/5 were persistently positive for anti-HCV and HCV RNA for more than 1 year respectively. All 5 re-infected recipients showed abnormal ALT. In conclusion, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the aspect of the clinical figure, ALT abnormality, the duration of anti-HCV and HCV RNA etc. Resulting from primary or re-infection with HCV, suggesting that primary infection fail to induce a Protective immune response.

A study of primary- and re-infection with hepatitis C virus in blood transfusion recipients.

A nested polymerase chain reaction was used to assess viraemia in blood transfusion recipients with no serological evidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (naive recipients) and in recipients with prior or existing HCV infection (infected recipients), who were transfused with HCV-positive blood. In 10 hepatitis cases in naive recipients, defined as primary infection, nine showed clinical hepatitis, and one was sub-clinical; the time between transfusion and elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels was 15-60 days (37.9 +/- 13.9). All 10 naive recipients showed abnormal ALT, and 10/10 and 7/10 were persistently positive for anti-HCV and HCV-RNA, respectively, for more than 1 year. Similarly, in five cases in previously infected recipients, defined as re-infection, 4/5 showed clinical hepatitis, the time to elevation of ALT was 30-46 days (34.8 +/- 6.4), and 5/5 and 3/5 were persistently positive for anti-HCV and HCV-RNA, respectively, for more than 1 year. All five infected recipients showed abnormal ALT. In conclusion, there was no significant difference (P = 0.05) in the frequency of the markers of infection resulting from primary or re-infection with HCV, suggesting that primary infection fails to induce a protective immune response.

A dynamic study of viraemia in chronic hepatitis C infection.

The dynamics of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), anti-hepatitis C virus and hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in six cases with chronic HCV infection were studied for 3-7 years. Two of the six cases showed continued elevation of ALT, and three showed intermittent elevation. All cases were persistently positive for anti-HCV after initial seroconversion. Five of the six cases were persistently positive for HCV RNA detected by nested polymerase chain reaction, and one was positive intermittently. Thus hepatitis C virus replicates continually in a majority of patients with chronic hepatitis C, although some cases may show intermittent replication, and replication of hepatitis C virus does not always correlate with elevated ALT.

Epidemiologic investigation on an outbreak of hepatitis C.

An outbreak of hepatitis in plasma donors occurred in a village of Hebei Province in the period of September to October 1985. The morbidity rate was 40.0% (26/65) in the plasma donors, which was significantly higher than that in whole blood donors (1/88) and in persons who were not blood donors (1/400). One to one paired survey was carried out, and the incidence was 46.4% (26/56) in the plasma donors, while there were no such outbreak in the control group. The distribution of cases showed positive correlation with the number of plasma donors from the production brigade. No secondary infection was found in their families. The peak of outbreak was about 2 months later than the peak of plasma donation. 26 cases of hepatitis in plasma donors all showed negative results for anti-HAV IgM, HBsAg, anti-HBC IgM, anti-CMV IgM and anti-EBV IgM. Sera of 25 cases were selected and sent to CDC, USA to confirm with Chiron C100 reagent. 24 cases were anti-HCV positive. This outbreak of hepatitis was demonstrated to be related to cross contamination during plasma donation.

A serological study of hepatitis C infection in plasmapheresis donors.

An epidemic of parenterally transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis (PT-NANBH) occurred in plasmapheresis donors in Guan County, Hebei Province, China, in 1985. PT-NANBH was diagnosed by epidemiological studies and serological exclusion of HAV, HBV, CMV and EBV infections. Recently, 163 sera samples of 108 patients with PT-NANBH and 65 sera samples of 49 cases with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels collected during the epidemic were tested by anti-HCV EIA (Chiron C100). The positive rates of anti-HCV in these two groups were 89.8% (97/108) and 93.9% (46/49), averaging 90.8%. The figures increased with the course of illness and persistance of ALT elevation, i.e., 17.6% and 55.6% within 1 month, 88.9% and 87.5% at 6 months and 100% and 100% after 2 years. Five patients with PT-NANBH and 1 with elevated ALT levels were followed up for 3 to 4 years. We demonstrated that anti-HCV remained positive after the disease had resolved and ALT levels had normalized.

Diarrhoea surveillance in children aged under 5 years in a rural area of Hebei Province, China.

A surveillance of diarrhoeal diseases in children aged under five years was carried out from March 1986 to February 1987 in a rural area of Hebei Province, China. Using a cluster sampling method, 270 study children were selected from 30 villages to represent a population of 105,405. Parents noted episodes of diarrhoea in children on a calender using a given definition of diarrhoea. The findings were verified by trained village doctors and were recorded monthly in the county Health and Anti-epidemic Stations. Stools of diarrhoea-affected children were examined to detect causal agents of diarrhoea, once in each of four seasons of the year. Of the 270 children, 218 (80.74%) suffered from one or more than one attacks of diarrhoea with a 95% confidence interval between 75.94% and 85.54%. There was no death due to diarrhoea. The diarrhoeal incidence in children of 3-4-year age group was significantly less than that in the children of less than 3 years (p less than 0.05). In the children with diarrhoea, the number of mean episodes was 3.15 per child/year, and the total mean course of suffering was 14 days per child/year. The ratio of diarrhoeal episodes in spring, summer, autumn, and winter was about 2.5:5:2:1. July was the month of highest occurrence of diarrhoea (146; 21.28% of all episodes). The epidemiological parameters of the disease declined with the growing age of the children, and there was no gender-specific preponderance in the number of episodes. During the whole year, 21.7% of the diarrhoeal episodes were due to bacterial pathogens, 4% of the episodes were due to rotavirus, and 3.65% episodes were associated with the detection of Trichomonas hominis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[A serological study on hepatitis C infection in plasma donors].

An epidemic of non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH) occurred in plasmapheresis donors in Guan county, Hebei province in 1985. NANBH was diagnosed by epidemiological studies and serological exclusion of HAV, HBV, and other virus infections. Recently, 163 sera of 108 patients with NANBH and 65 sera of 49 cases with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels collected during the epidemic were tested at the Disease Control Center, U. S. A. by anti- HCV EIA (Chiron C 100). The positive rates for anti-HCV in these two groups were 89.8% (97/108) and 93.9% (46/49), respectively, with an average rate of 90.8% The figures increased with duration of illness and persistence of ALT elevation, i.e 17.6% and 55.6% within 1 month, 88.9% and 87.5% at 6 months, 100% and 100% after 2 years, respectively. Five patients with NANBH and one case with elevated ALT levels were followed up for 3 to 4 years. It was found that anti-HCV remained positive even after the patients had recovered and their ALT levels returned to normal.

Physicochemical stability and inactivation of human and simian rotaviruses.

The effects of various physical and chemical treatments on the stability of a human serotype 1 rotavirus and simian agent 11 (SA11) were compared by using a fluorescence focus assay. The infectivity of both strains was retained after storage at room temperature for 14 days, 4 degree C for 22 days, and -20 degree C for 32 days; lyophilization; and treatment at pH 3 to 11. Both viruses were inactivated at pH 12, as was the human virus at pH 2, although this pH resulted in only partial inactivation of SA11. The human virus also appeared to be more sensitive than SA11 to the action of ether and chloroform. The infectivity of both viruses was lost after UV irradiation for 15 min and after treatment with 8% formaldehyde for 5 min, 70% (vol/vol) ethanol for 30 min, and 2% lysol, 2% phenol, and 1% H2O2 for 1 h each.

Further characterization of 41 isolates of adenovirus types 19/37 by serum neutralization and DNA restriction enzyme analysis.

Forty-one strains of adenovirus type 19/37 (Ad19/37) mainly isolated from patients with keratoconjunctivitis or conjunctivitis between 1974 and 1984 were re-evaluated by serum neutralization (SN), haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and DNA restriction analysis. Of 19 isolates which were neutralized to high titre by antiserum prepared against prototype Ad19, 5 showed cross-reactivity with 32-64 units of Ad37 antiserum, while of 22 strains neutralized by high titre by Ad37 antiserum, 3 showed cross-reactivity with 32 units of Ad19 antiserum. By DNA restriction analysis, all Ad19 isolates were identical to each other and to Ad19A virus. Using endonuclease Bgl 1, three variants were observed among the Ad37 isolates.