Ecological distribution patterns in Chinese seas and adjacent waters: Marine ecological zones.

To provide a natural foundation and regionalization framework for ecological monitoring, assessment, and mapping to support ecosystem-based management practices of natural resources, three levels of ecological zones were classified in Chinese seas and adjacent waters using top-down and step wise nesting. At the largest spatial scale, the Chinese seas and adjacent waters were classified into three first-level ecological zones according to latitudinal zones and geographic profiles. To incorporate the dimensionalities and mobility of the seas, 22 second-level ecological zones were classified according to changes in water depth and the distribution of large water masses, and 53 third-level ecological zones were further delineated according to the type of geomorphology and the distribution of water masses and currents. This study identifies dominant factors at different spatiotemporal scales and defines the physical geographical patterns and ecological characteristics in Chinese seas and adjacent waters in a readily understood manner and fills the gap in research on ecological zoning in China.

Geographical, Sex, Age, and Seasonal Differences in Serum Manganese Status Among Chinese Adults with Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace metal element required for optimal human health. However, few studies have assessed the Mn status in hypertensive patients, especially in China. Moreover, factors associated with Mn status have not yet been thoroughly explored. Therefore, we aimed to assess the serum Mn status of adults with hypertension in China and its association with demographic factors. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted to assess serum Mn concentrations in 14 provinces of China. A total of 2597 patients with hypertension were randomly identified by sex, age, and district, and serum Mn concentrations were quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). RESULTS: In our study population, the median serum Mn levels were 1.60 (interquartile range (IQR), 0.94-2.85) µg/L for males and 1.51 (IQR, 0.86-2.69) µg/L for females. In adjusted linear regression models, significantly higher serum Mn concentrations were found in summer (compared with spring, ß, 1.06 µg/L, 95% CI: 0.62 to 1.50), and those living in Guangxi (compared with Heilongjiang, ß, 0.81, 95% CI: 0.06 to 1.56), Shanxi (compared with Heilongjiang, ß, 0.75, 95% CI: 0.01 to 1.50), and Liaoning (compared with Heilongjiang, ß, 1.65, 95% CI: 0.91 to 2.38), and significantly lower serum Mn concentrations were found in patients who aged 60-70 years (compared with those aged < 60 years, ß, - 0.40 µg/L, 95% CI: - 0.76 to - 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings observed high serum Mn status among Chinese adults with hypertension, and revealed the association between terms of age, region, and season with serum Mn.

Association between serum manganese levels and diabetes in Chinese adults with hypertension.

Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace metal element that is associated with diabetes; however, the results of previous studies are inconsistent. Furthermore, few studies have been conducted in a hypertensive population. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between manganese and diabetes in a population with hypertension. A cross-sectional study was conducted, including 2575 hypertensive individuals from 14 provinces in China. Serum manganese concentrations were measured by the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method. And logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between serum manganese and the risk of diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes was 27.0% in this hypertensive population. In logistic regression models, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for diabetes in tertile subgroups were 1.40 (1.12, 1.76) and 1.32 (1.05, 1.65) for tertiles 1 and tertiles 3, respectively, compared to tertile 2 (reference). Additionally, an interaction between sex and manganese was observed. The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for diabetes were 1.29 (0.95, 1.75) and 0.96 (0.70, 1.31) for tertiles 1 and tertiles 3 among males, and 1.44 (1.01, 2.04) and 1.81 (1.29, 2.55) for tertiles 1 and tertiles 3 among females, respectively, compared to tertile 2. In conclusion, a U-shaped association between serum manganese and diabetes was observed in a Chinese population with hypertension, and the association was modified by sex.

The Association Between Plasma Copper Concentration and Prevalence of Diabetes in Chinese Adults With Hypertension.

Objective: The relationship between plasma copper concentration and prevalence of diabetes in adults with hypertension is unclear. We aimed to determine the association between plasma copper concentration and prevalence of diabetes in Chinese adults with hypertension. Methods: A total of 2,579 participants (697 cases and 1,882 controls) was included in this cross-sectional study. Plasma copper concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine the association between plasma copper concentration and prevalence of diabetes. Results: According to the logistic regression analyses, the adjusted OR for the prevalence of diabetes in participants with plasma copper concentration ≥109.4 µg/dL was 1.26 (1.00, 1.58) compared with those with plasma copper concentration <109.4 µg/dL (P = 0.048). The association was no longer significant following further adjusting for serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration as a potential confounder. Stratified analyses demonstrated that serum HDL-C concentration significantly modified the association between plasma copper concentration and prevalence of diabetes (P-interaction = 0.043). In the strata of serum HDL-C concentration ≥1.2 mmol/L, a 56% increased prevalence of diabetes was observed in participants with plasma copper concentration ≥109.4 µg/dL compared with those with plasma copper concentration <109.4 µg/dL (P = 0.008). No significant relationship between plasma copper concentration and prevalence of diabetes was found in other strata. Conclusion: Our findings suggested that high plasma copper concentration (≥109.4 µg/dL) was associated with increased prevalence of diabetes in Chinese hypertensive adults with serum HDL-C concentration ≥1.2 mmol/L.

A novel knee prosthesis with asymmetrical joint surfaces and natural behaviour.

The natural tibiofemoral joint (TFJ) functions according to the asymmetrical joint surfaces and the rolling-gliding mechanism. In the sagittal section, the human TFG is the tibial plateau on the medial concave side and curved on the lateral convex. With the asymmetrical joint surfaces, the flexion of the knee consists of two parts: the femur rolls backwards over the tibia plateau, and further flexion causes increased gliding. In most knee arthroplasties, these factors are not taken into account; instead, they are equipped with symmetrical medial and lateral joint surfaces. Thereby, the curvatures of the sagittal contours and the medial lateral joint surfaces create a common axis of rotation. The goal of this study was therefore to develop a novel knee endoprosthesis with asymmetrical joint surfaces and natural rolling-sliding behaviour.