[Association analysis of famine exposure during early life and risk of hypertension in adulthood].

Objective: To explore the relationship between exposure to famine in early life and the risk of hypertension in adulthood. Methods: The medical data of Yichang Health Management Big Data Center from 2018 to 2019 were analyzed. A retrospective cohort study design was adopted, with hypertension as the study outcome, and different life periods exposed to the Great Famine in China were divided into groups. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between famine exposure in early life and hypertension in adulthood. At the same time, the interaction between gender and famine exposure was analyzed. Results: The age of 142 016 subjects was (60. 56±4.43). Among them, men accounted for 46.36% (65 845/142 016) and women accounted for 53.64% (76 171/142 016). There are 42 575(29.98%), 19 644(13.83%), 28 405(20.00%), 28 305(19.93%), 23 087 (19.93%) in non-famine exposure group, fetal famine exposure group, early childhood famine exposure group and late childhood famine exposure group, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension was 17.57% (24 947 cases). Multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that after adjusting for related confounding factors, compared with non-famine exposure group, the risk of hypertension in fetal, early childhood, middle childhood and late childhood famine exposure group was higher and the OR (95%CI) values were 1.16 (1.11-1.22), 1.27 (1.21-1.33), 1.54 (1.47-1.60) and 1.84 (1.76-1.92), respectively. There was an interaction between sex and famine exposure group (P<0.001). The above association is stronger among women than among men. Conclusion: Famine exposure in early life may increase the risk of hypertension in adulthood, and the risk of women is greater than that of men.

Factors Influencing the Initiation Time of Forensic Psychiatric Assessment of Criminal Cases in Hunan Province.

ABSTRACT: Objective To discuss the related factors influencing the initiation time of forensic psychiatric assessment by analysis of the initiation time of forensic psychiatric assessment of criminal cases in Hunan Province. Methods Related data in assessment files of criminal cases accepted by 8 forensic psychiatric assessment institutions in Hunan Province from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2016 were extracted. The Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the factors influencing the initiation time of forensic psychiatric assessment. After using property score matching （PSM） to control the influence of confounding factors, the efficiency of public security organs to initiate assessments of suspects with （without） mental disorders and with （without） responsibilities were compared. Results A total of 4 346 cases were included. The Logistic regression analysis suggested that the factors independently related to the initiation time of assessment include： cause of assessment, nationality of the assessed, history of diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses, history of crimes, history of drug abuse, and status of alcohol consumption before the crime （all P<0.05）. The initiation time of assessment of suspects diagnosed with mental disorder was shorter than those with none （P<0.05）; the initiation time of assessment of suspects without criminal responsibility was shorter than those with responsibility （P<0.05）. After using PSM to control confounding factors, the differences above still existed. Conclusion The cause of assessment, nationality of the assessed, history of diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses, history of crimes, history of drug abuse, and status of alcohol consumption before the crime are factors that influence the efficiency of public security organs to initiate forensic psychiatric assessments. Under the current assessment initiation mode, forensic psychiatric assessment of suspects who have mental disorders, especially those with no responsibility may be given priority to initiate.

Increased urinary glucose excretion is associated with a reduced risk of hyperuricaemia.

AIM: To investigate the association of urinary glucose excretion with levels of serum uric acid in adults with newly diagnosed diabetes. METHODS: A total of 597 people with newly diagnosed diabetes, confirmed in an oral glucose tolerance test, were included in the present study. The participants were divided into two groups: 142 participants with low urinary glucose excretion and 455 with high urinary glucose excretion. Demographic characteristics and clinical variables were evaluated. The association of urinary glucose excretion with uric acid was analysed using multivariable regression analysis. RESULTS: The low urinary glucose excretion group had a significantly higher prevalence of hyperuricaemia than the high urinary glucose excretion group. Moreover, urinary glucose excretion was negatively associated with uric acid level. The correlation remained significant after adjusting for potential confounders, including gender, age, fasting plasma glucose, 2-h plasma glucose and BMI. The results also showed that participants with high urinary glucose excretion were at decreased risk of hyperuricaemia (odds ratio 0.47, 95% CI 0.27-0.80; P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Urinary glucose excretion was independently associated with uric acid level in participants with newly diagnosed diabetes. In addition to lowering blood glucose, promoting urinary glucose excretion may also be an effective approach to reducing serum uric acid levels, especially for people with diabetes complicated with hyperuricaemia.

[Impact of cessation of antiviral therapy at delivery on postpartum liver function in mothers with chronic hepatitis B virus infection].

Objective: To investigate the impact of immediate cessation of antiviral therapy on postpartum liver function and the factors influencing postpartum abnormality in mothers with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. One hundred eighty-eight pregnant women with HBV DNA level > 2×106 IU/ml were enrolled from June 2014 to June 2018. Demographic information and clinical data of liver function and HBV DNA load during gravidity, intrapartum and postpartum period were collected. According to the antiviral treatment recommendations during pregnancy, the women were divided into three groups, namely, tenofovir (TDF), telbivudine (LdT) and control group. Liver function abnormalities among the three groups were compared within 6 months after delivery, and the factors influencing abnormal liver function were analyzed by unconditional logistic regression. Results: Of the 188 cases, 72 cases were in the TDF group, 80 cases in the LdT group, and 36 cases in the control group. Pregnant women in the TDF and LdT groups received oral TDF (300 mg/d) and LdT (600 mg/d) from 28 ± 4 weeks of gestation till delivery. Among the 188 patients, 30 (16.0%) had abnormal postpartum liver function abnormality. The incidence of postpartum liver function abnormality [alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > 2 × upper limit of normal (ULN)] in the TDF, LdT, and control groups was 19.4%, 12.5%, and 16.7%, respectively. The postpartum peak levels of ALT (median, range) in the three groups were 34.5 (12.0-946.0) U/L, 37.5 (12.0-733.8) U/L, and 39.0 (7.0-513.0) U/L, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two indexes among the three groups (P > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the degree of postpartum liver function abnormalities between the three groups (P = 0.944). Most of the liver function abnormalities were mild to moderate (2 × ULN≤ALT < 10 × ULN), and usually resolved spontaneously or by treatment. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that baseline ALT level during pregnancy was an independent factor associated with postpartum liver function abnormality (OR = 1.031, CI 95%: 1.005-1.058; χ(2) = 5.340, P = 0.021), whereas age, antiviral therapy, HBeAg-positivity, baseline HBV DNA levels, gravidity, parity, preterm delivery and delivery mode were not significantly associated with postpartum liver function abnormality. Conclusion: Cessation of antiviral therapy after delivery did not significantly increase the risk of postpartum liver function abnormality in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection. The ALT level during pregnancy is a factor influencing postpartum liver function abnormality.

[Prevalence and characteristics of overweight and obesity in Chinese children aged 0-5 years].

Objective: To study the prevalence and characteristics of overweight and obesity among Chinese children aged 0-5 years, in 2010-2013. Methods: Data was from the'China Nutrition and Health Surveillance-0-5-Years-Old Children and Lactating Women'project in 2013. Stratified multistage cluster sampling method was used to select 55 districts/counties from 30 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) with the sample size of children as 32 862. Definition of overweight and obesity were according to both the WHO 2006 growth standard in children less than 5-year-old and the WHO 2007 growth reference in children of 5-years-old. Results: were calculated by complex weight based on national census from the National Bureau of Statistics in 2010. Results The overall prevalence of overweight was 8.4% among the 0-5-year-old in 2013, with 9.4% in boys and 7.2% in girls. Both of the rates from urban and rural areas were the same, as 8.4%. The prevalence rates of overweight in the 0-, 6-, 12-, 24-, 36-, 48- and 60-71 months age groups appeared as 13.0%, 11.1%, 8.3%, 6.0%, 4.8%, 3.9% and 15.9%, respectively. The rates of overweight in low, medium and high income families were 8.0%, 8.8% and 8.9%, respectively. The prevalence of obesity was 3.1% among the 0-5-year-old, with 3.6% in boys and 2.5% in girls. There was no significant difference seen in urban (3.3%) and rural areas (2.9%). The prevalence rates for obesity in the 0-, 6-, 12-, 24-, 36-, 48- and 60-71 months age groups were 5.8%, 3.8%, 2.5%, 1.6%, 1.2%, 1.3% and 7.8%, respectively. The rates of obesity in low, medium and high income families were 2.8%, 3.3% and 3.5%, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence rates of both overweight and obesity were increasing among the 0-5-year-olds in China, suggesting that it is necessary to timely conduct the surveillance and intervention programs on overweight and obesity in this target population.

Long-term effects: Galectin-1 and specific immunotherapy for allergic responses in the intestine.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Mast cell activation interferes with the effects of allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT). Galectin-1 (Gal-1) is capable of regulating immune cells' functions. This study tests the hypothesis that administration of Gal-1 promotes and prolongs the efficacy of SIT via suppressing mast cell activation. METHODS: An intestinal allergy mouse model was developed. The coadministration of SIT and Gal-1 on suppression of the allergic responses, prevention of mast cell activation, and generation of antigen-specific regulatory T cells (Treg) in the intestine was observed in sensitized mice. RESULTS: The coadministration of Gal-1 and SIT markedly suppressed the allergic responses in the mouse intestine vs the use of either SIT alone or Gal-1 alone. The Gal-1 binds to the IgE/FcɛRI complexes on the surface of mast cells to prevent mast cell activation during SIT. Gal-1 promoted the SIT-generated allergen-specific Tregs in the intestine of sensitized mice. Coadministration of Gal-1 and SIT significantly enhanced the efficacy of immunotherapy in suppressing allergic responses in the intestine, which lasted for at least for 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term effects of specific immunotherapy on intestinal allergy can be achieved with Gal-1/SIT therapy by inhibiting mast cell activation and facilitating Treg development.

[Mean blood pressure among the adults in China 2010-2012: based on the results of mercury sphygmomanometer and converted electronic sphygmomanometer].

Objective: To analyze the average systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) among adults aged 18 years old and above in China between 2010 and 2012; and to compare the difference in the results measured by mercury sphygmomanometer and converted electronic sphygmomanometer. Methods: The data was collected from Chinese Nutrition and Health Surveillance in 2010-2012. 120 428 adults aged 18 years old and above were selected from 150 survey counties (districts) of 31 provinces in China Mainland, by multi-stage stratified and probability proportion to size (PPS) cluster randomization sampling method. The average blood pressure value was calculated from three systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings measured by mercury sphygmomanometer. The value of Electronic Sphygmomanometer was converted by regression formula. Age-standardized results were calculated incorporating a complex sample weighting using the population data from the National Bureau of Statistics in 2009. Results: The overall adjusted mean of SBP based on the value of mercury sphygmomanometer among Chinese adults aged 18 years old and above was 122 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), 124 mmHg in men and 120 mmHg in women. The average SBP value was separately 115, 127, and 137 mmHg in groups of adults aging 18-44, 45-59 and ≥60 years old. The average SBP was 122 mmHg in urban and 122 mmHg in rural areas. Mean DBP was 78 mmHg, 79 mmHg in men and 76 mmHg in women. The average DBP was separately 75, 81, and 81 mmHg in groups of adults aging 18-44, 45-59 and ≥60 years old. The average DBP was 78 mmHg in urban and 77 mmHg in rural areas. The overall adjusted mean of SBP based on converted electronic device was 129 mmHg,130 mmHg in men and 127 mmHg in women, respectively. The mean of SBP was separately122, 134, and 143 mmHg in groups of adults aging 18-44, 45-59 and ≥60 years old. Mean SBP was both 129 mmHg in urban and in rural areas. Mean DBP was 76 mmHg, 78 mmHg in men and 75 mmHg in women, respectively. The average DBP was separately 74, 79, and 79 mmHg in groups of adults aging 18-44, 45-59 and ≥60 years old. The average DBP was both 76 mmHg in urban and rural areas. Conclusion: The average SBP and DBP was different between the mercury sphygmomanometer and converted electronic device. However, the results from both measures showed that the blood pressure was higher in men than in women, the blood pressure increased with the increase of age, and there was no difference between urban and rural areas.

[Effects of saliva contamination on bond strength of resin-resin interfaces].

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the bond strength between different resin composite interfaces, and to evaluate the effect of saliva contamination and management with the contamination on the bond strength. METHODS: Two commercial resin composites containing different types of fillers (AP-X: barium-glass; P60: quartz) were tested in this study. The basic composite blocks were made of AP-X. After wet-ground flatted, the experimental groups were divided into three groups according to the surface treatment: (1)Direct bonding group: the bonding surface was rinsed with distilled water for 20 s, then dried with oil-free air for 20 s; (2)Saliva contamination group: the bonding surface was bathed in saliva for 30 min, then distilled water was rinsed for 20 s and dried with oil-free air for 20 s; (3)Saliva contamination and 75% ethanol wiping group: bonding surface bathed in saliva for 30 min, then wipe the surface with 75% ethanol, distilled water rinse for 20 s and dry with oil-free air for 20 s; The control group was made of the basic composite bulks of AP-X directly bonding with composite P60. Cut each resin block into 1 mm×1 mm×14 mm sticks, observing the micro-structures and detecting the micro-tensile strength of the resin composite interfaces. The bonding strength was measured using micro-tensile tester, then calculated and statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Scanning electronic microscope observation revealed that the control group as well as the direct bonding subgroups, two different resin tags were in good contact with each other. The saliva contamination subgroups had lots of gaps or craters, indicating saliva might have been trapped in the composite buildup and wiping the surface with 75% ethanol had no effect. The micro-tensile bond strength of the control group was (84.07±1.57) MPa and significantly higher than all the other 3 experimental subgroups(P<0.001). In experimental groups, the micro-tensile strength of 3 subgroups was (76.08±2.42) MPa, (70.98±2.33) MPa and (71.08±2.33) MPa, respectively. The saliva contamination subgroup was significant lower than the direct bonding subgroup(P<0.001), but no statistical significance with the ethanol wiping subgroup(P=0.893). CONCLUSION: The bond strength of inner polymerization of resin-resin was greater, but decreased after resin composites interfacial bonding. Saliva contamination reduced the tensile bond strength between resin composites surface, wiping the surface with 75% ethanol had no effect.

[Coronary Angiography in Isolated Hearts and Its Forensic Application].

OBJECTIVES: To check the isolated heart by coronary angiography to discover the location, nature and degree of the coronary artery lesions more accurately and increase the comprehensive evaluation ability of cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Ten fresh isolated hearts with different causes of death were extracted and injected with barium sulphate as contrast substance by ring injector, then developed under Xper FD20 angiography equipment. The obtained pictures and image data were handled by three-dimensional angiography images with the software attached to the angiography equipment. The coronary artery tissues were HE stained and observed by microscope. The HE staining results were compared with the angiographic results. RESULTS: The imaging data obtained from the 10 cases for examination showed 8 cases without coronary artery stenosis and 2 cases with Ⅲ, Ⅳ coronary artery stenosis, which were consistent with HE staining results of coronary artery organization and the both results were confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated coronary angiography has an unique advantage for accurate grading of classification of coronary artery stenosis, examination of vascular malformation and tiny lesions, which can provide reference for the localization of small lesions and basis during the autopsy for identification conclusion.

Evaluating the possibility of using acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation wastewater for bacterial cellulose production by Gluconacetobacter xylinus.

UNLABELLED: To reduce the cost of bacterial cellulose (BC) production, the possibility of using acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation wastewater with high COD value (18 050 mg l(-1) ) for BC production by Gluconacetobacter xylinus was evaluated. After 7 days of fermentation, the highest BC yield (1·34 g l(-1) ) was obtained. The carbon sources including sugars (glucose and xylose), organic acids (acetic acid and butyric acid) and alcohol compounds (ethanol and butanol) were utilized by G. xylinus simultaneously during fermentation. Although the COD decrease ratio (about 14·7%) was low, the highest BC yield on COD consumption (56·2%, g g(-1) ) was relatively high and the remaining wastewater could be used for further BC fermentation. Besides, the environment of ABE fermentation wastewater showed small influence on the BC structure by comparison with the BC products obtained in traditional HS medium using field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Overall, ABE fermentation wastewater is one promising substrate for BC production. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The possibility of using acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation wastewater for bacterial cellulose (BC) production by Gluconacetobacter xylinus was evaluated in this study. This is the first time that ABE fermentation wastewater was used as substrate for BC fermentation. The results provide detail information of metabolism of G. xylinus in ABE fermentation wastewater and the influence of wastewater environment on the structure of BC samples. Overall, this bioconversion could reduce the cost of BC production greatly.

Bioconversion of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) acid hydrolysate to bacterial cellulose by Gluconacetobacter xylinus.

AIMS: To evaluate the possibility of elephant grass acid hydrolysate converting into bacterial cellulose (BC) produced by Gluconacetobacter xylinus CH001 and to characterize the morphology and structure of the cellulose produced. METHODS AND RESULTS: Acid-hydrolysed and detoxified elephant grass acid hydrolysate was inoculated with G. xylinus CH001. After 14 days of static fermentation, about 6·4 g l(-1) of BC could be generated. Meanwhile, 60·4% (w/w) of BC yield on sugar consumption was obtained. Scanning electron micrographs illustrated that the network of cellulose fibres became denser, and the diameter changed with the growth. FT-IR spectra showed almost same results for all the BC samples collected on different culture time. X-ray diffractograms demonstrated that the crystalline form of BC was cellulose I, the crystallinity increased to 53·58%, and the crystallinity index reached up to 99%. CONCLUSIONS: Elephant grass acid hydrolysate could be utilized efficiently for BC production by G. xylinus CH001. Structure analysis on the cellulose produced showed its potential of being excellent material for further application. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our studies for the first time examined the bioconversion of low-cost elephant grass into high-value BC and the changes in its morphology and structure following the culture time.

Effects of loop electrosurgical excision procedure or cold knife conization on pregnancy outcomes.

PURPOSE: To explore the effects of cervical loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) or cold knife conization (CKC) on pregnancy outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) who wanted to become pregnant and received LEEP or CKC were considered as the treatment groups. Women who wanted to become pregnant and only underwent colposcopic biopsy without any treatments were considered as the control group. The pregnancy outcomes were observed and compared in the three groups. RESULTS: Premature delivery rate was higher (p = 0.048) in the CKC group (14/36, 38.88%) than in control group (14/68, 20.5%) with a odds ratio (OR) of 2.455 (1.007 - 5.985); and premature delivery was related to cone depth, OR was significantly increased when the cone depth was more than 15 mm. There was no significant difference in premature delivery between LEEP (10 / 48, 20.83%) and the control groups. The average gestational weeks were shorter (p = 0.049) in the CKC group (36.9 +/- 2.4) than in the control group (37.8 +/- 2.6), but similar in LEEP (38.1 +/- 2.4) and control groups. There were no significant differences in cesarean sections between the three groups. The ratio of neonatal birth weight less than 2,500 g was significantly higher (p = 0.005) in the CKC group (15/36) than in the control group (10/68), but similar in the LEEP and control groups. CONCLUSION: Compared with CKC, LEEP is relatively safe. LEEP should be a priority in the treatment of patients with CIN who want to become pregnant.

The prevalence of six species of Mycoplasmataceae in an HIV/AIDS population in Jiangsu Province, China.

This study employed culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to examine the prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma fermentans, Mycoplasma penetrans and Mycoplasma pirum in 210 HIV/AIDS patients, 455 sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic attendees and 245 healthy volunteers from first-void urine specimens for men and endocervical swabs for women. U. urealyticum and M. hominis were detected in 107 (51.0%) and 69 (32.9%) patients in the HIV/AIDS group. At least one of the other four organisms was detected in 34 (16.2%) HIV/AIDS patients, 29 (6.4%) STI clinic attendees and six (2.5%) healthy volunteers. This study showed that U. urealyticum, M. hominis and M. fermentans were significantly more prevalent in HIV/AIDS patients, as were other mycoplasmas. Our results suggest a possible role for co-infection.

Effect of Zn impurity in K0.8Fe(2-δ-x)Zn(x)Se2.

A series of K(0.8)Fe(2-δ-x)Zn(x)Se(2) single-crystal samples with nominal compositions 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.05 were grown and their physical properties were measured in order to study the effect of Zn impurity. It is found that the Zn impurity (x ≤ 0.02) does not affect the superconducting transition temperature T(c) significantly. Meanwhile the hump in resistivity which corresponds to the transition from the insulating to metallic phase quickly shifts towards low temperatures. The results imply that there should be a phase separation in this system and Zn impurity causes the enhancement of the insulating phase. The negligible effect of Zn impurity on T(c) suggests an s-wave pairing in the superconducting phase. Meanwhile there is a possibility that the Zn impurity may selectively enter into the insulting phase.

A study of molecular epidemiology of adenovirus of types 3 and 7 on infant pneumonia in northern China.

This paper analysed 102 strains of adenovirus types 3(Ad3) and 7(Ad7) causing infant pneumonia from 1976 to 1988 in northern China. Two genotypes of Ad7, 7b and 7d, were identified by using restriction endonucleases, BamHI, BcLI, BgLI, SmaI, XbaI and HindIII. 3 genotypes of Ad3, 3I, 3II and 3III, were identified by using BgLII and BamHI. Of 56 Ad7 strains, 34 were 7b (76.8%) spread over last 10 years; 13 7d(23.2%) occurred from 1982, together with 7b. Of 46 Ad3 strains, 42 3I(91.3%) spread over the past 12 years. 3II and 3III scattered all over these years. Ad3I and Ad7b were the dominant genotypes. The results indicated that Ad7d tended to increase with time from 1982. It is possible that Ad7d will become dominant genotype and replace Ad7b.

Identification of the types of adenovirus isolates with monoclonal antibodies.

The types of 59 isolates of adenovirus (Adv) which were isolated between winter, 1984 and spring, 1986 were identified by type-specific monoclonal antibodies (McAb) against Adv types 3 and 7. The results showed that the method could not only identify the types of Adv, but also discover the changes of their subtypes with time. The tedious neutralization test can be replaced by this simple method.