Establishing a rabbit spinal tumor model for nonvascular interventional therapy through CT-guided percutaneous puncture inoculation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: An animal spinal tumor model is needed to better simulate the clinical situation and to allow percutaneous puncture, which may provide an experimental platform for the new nonvascular interventional therapies. We established a rabbit spinal tumor model through a CT-guided percutaneous puncture inoculation technique for nonvascular interventional therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: VX2 tumor cells were inoculated into the lumbar vertebrae of 32 rabbits through a CT-guided percutaneous puncture technique; then, the development of hind limb paraparesis was observed in the rabbits twice a day. MR imaging and CT were performed on days 14, 21, and 28 postinoculation and at the development of hind limb paraparesis. On days 21 and 28 postinoculation, 2 rabbits, whose imaging suggested successful modeling without hind limb paraparesis, were chosen on each day. The lumbar vertebrae were sampled from 1 rabbit for histopathologic examination, and the other rabbit underwent PET-CT examination before percutaneous vertebroplasty. Finally the lesion vertebrae were sampled for histopathologic examination. RESULTS: The success rate of modeling was 90.6% (29/32) in our study. On day 21 postinoculation, successful modeling was achieved in 21 rabbits, with 19 having no hind limb paraparesis. On day 28 postinoculation, another 7 achieved successful modeling, and only 1 developed hind limb paraparesis. Percutaneous vertebroplasty treatment was successful for the 2 rabbit models. CONCLUSIONS: Establishment of a rabbit spinal tumor model through a CT-guided percutaneous puncture technique and inoculation of VX2 tumor is easy and has a high success rate. The established model can be used to study nonvascular interventional therapies for spinal tumor, including percutaneous vertebroplasty.

Is China facing an obesity epidemic and the consequences? The trends in obesity and chronic disease in China.

BACKGROUND: Over the past two decades, China has enjoyed impressive economic development, and her citizens have experienced many remarked changes in their lifestyle. These changes are often associated with an increase in obesity and chronic disease. METHODS: In this meta-analysis, based on nationally representative data, we studied the current prevalence of obesity and the trends in obesity, mortality and morbidity in China. RESULTS: Between 1992 and 2002, the prevalence of overweight and obesity increased in all gender and age groups and in all geographic areas. Using the World Health Organization body mass index cut points, the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity increased from 14.6 to 21.8%. The Chinese obesity standard shows an increase from 20.0 to 29.9%. The annual increase rate was highest in men aged 18-44 years and women aged 45-59 years (approximately 1.6 and 1.0% points, respectively). In general, male subjects, urban residents, and high-income groups had a greater increase. With the increase in overweight and obesity, obesity-, and diet-related chronic diseases (e.g., hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and type 2 diabetes) also increased over the past decade and became a more important preventable cause of death. Hypertension increased from 14.4% in 1991 to 18.8% in 2002 in adults; in older adults aged 35-74 years, it increased from 19.7 to 28.6%. Between 1993 and 2003, the prevalence of CVD increased from 31.4 to 50.0%; diabetes increased from 1.9 to 5.6%. During 1990-2003, although total mortality rate (per 100 000) decreased, overall the mortality rate and contribution (as percentages) to total death of obesity-related chronic disease increased, in particular, in rural areas. Mortality rate (per 100 000) of CVD increased from 128 to 145 and its contribution to total death, 27 to 32%, in rural areas; the figures decreased slightly in urban areas. The mortality rate of 'nutrition, endocrinology and metabolism-related disease' (NEMD) increased in both rural and urban areas between 1990 and 2000, 8.0 to 10.6 and 4.9 to 5.3, respectively. The current prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidaemia, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes among Chinese adults is approximately 20, 20, 15, and 3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of overweight and obesity and obesity-related chronic diseases have increased in China in the past decade. Our findings provide useful information for the projection of future trends and the formulation of national strategies and programmes that can address the challenges of the growing obesity and chronic disease epidemic.

Milk consumption and bone mineral content in Chinese adolescent girls.

A cross-sectional study of a random sample of 649 girls, aged 12-14 years (mean +/- SD: 12.9 +/- 0.6 years), in the Beijing area examined the relationship between diet and bone mineral status. Food and nutrient intakes over the past year were estimated by means of a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Bone mineral content (BMC) and bone width (BW) at the distal one-third and one-tenth radius and ulna were measured by single-photon absorptiometry. Results showed Beijing pubertal girls had a low mean milk consumption (fresh and powdered milk, vitamin D-fortified milk, and yogurt) at 50 g/day (95% confidence interval [CI] 44-55 g/day whereas one-third consumed no milk at all. Mean calcium intake was 356 +/- 97 mg/day of which only 21% was provided by milk and milk products. Milk intake varied by region (rural, suburban, and urban: 9, 36, and 83 g/day, respectively, p < 0.0005) as did the proportion of milk consumers in the three areas (30%, 64%, and 91%, p < 0.0005). Bone mineral density (BMD) at the distal one-third and one-tenth radius and one-tenth ulna was positively associated with milk consumption (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis of BMC on foods and nutrients as well as confounding factors, including weight, bone age, Tanner stage, and School Physical Activity Score (SPAS), showed that milk intake was the only dietary factor included in the models for BMC at the four bone sites measured. The model explained 54%-65% of the variation in BMC, and milk alone accounted for up to 3.2% of the variation. Milk was the only food group with significant partial correlation with BMC. SPAS, weight, bone age, and Tanner stage each accounted for a smaller variation in BMC (<1.8%). The results indicate that milk (presumably as an integrated source of nutrients) had a beneficial effect on bone mass of Beijing pubertal girls and was a better nutritional determinant of BMC than intake of any milk nutrient alone. Promotion of milk consumption should be considered for achieving optimal bone mass in this population group.

Definition and measurement of child malnutrition.

Child Malnutrition has been defined or described in many ways. To summarize the common points, child malnutrition may be defined as a pathological state resulting from inadequate nutrition, including undernutrition (protein-energy malnutrition) due to insufficient intake of energy and other nutrients; overnutrition (overweight and obesity) due to excessive consumption of energy and other nutrients; deficiency diseases due to insufficient intake of one or more specific nutrients such as vitamins or minerals. In the assessment of child malnutrition, a large number of measures are available. Among these measuring methods, Z-score, growth charts, weight-for-length index (WLI), height standard weight, body mass index, skin fold thickness and clinical grading diagnosis standard for child malnutrition are selected for discussion. The same set of anthropometry data of a group of preschool children was analyzed by using different methods. The results showed that it was very difficult to determine the nutritional state of children using a single index. For a given group of children, Z-score method is recommended to observe their height, weight and weight for height at the same time in order to have a comprehensive understanding.

Dietary intake of some essential micronutrients in China.

OBJECTIVE: Based on the data collected in the 1992 national nutrition survey in China, the food consumption and nutrients intake were calculated, and the consumption of some micronutrients was evaluated. METHOD: Dietary data were obtained by using a three days' inventory change plus food weighing in combination with 24 hours recall method for three consecutive days. The food consumption and nutrients intake were calculated in accordance with the Chinese food composition table. The consumption of some micronutrients was evaluated in reference to the Chinese RDAs. RESULTS: The average intakes of niacin, ascorbic acid and vitamin E were sufficient, whereas that of zinc, selenium and thiamin were between 80% and 90% RDAs. The consumption of calcium, retinol equivalent and riboflavin was low compared with the Chinese RDAs. Calcium was the most insufficient nutrient in Chinese diet. CONCLUSION: Food fortification seems necessary for improving the nutritional status of some micronutrients in China.

[Effects of different form calcium on growth and tissue calcium level in rats].

In order to solve the problem of calcium deficiency and to look for economic and efficient source of calcium, the effects of calcium carbonate, active calcium and calcium lactate on growth, development and tissue calcium level in rats were compared. Fifty-six 3-week old weaning rats were fed with calcium deficient diet (containing vitamin D 500 IU per kg diet) for 3 weeks, and then were divided into four groups randomly with 14 rats in each group, half male and half female. The diet of control group (A) was the basic diet, while the three experiment diets were supplemented with calcium carbonate (B), active calcium (C) and calcium lactate (D) (3000 mg calcium per kg diet), respectively. The experiment term was 12 weeks. The results showed that the body weight and length of calcium supplemented group were significantly higher than that of control group (P<0.05). Among the calcium supplemented groups, no significant differences were observed except the difference of body length between the group D and the group A in female. Calcium deficiency dramatically hindered the development with reduced dietary intake and decreased food consumption efficiency. The calcium levels in plasma, red blood cells and liver were significantly higher in the supplemented groups than that in the control group (P<0.05), however, there was no difference among the supplemented groups. No significant difference of calcium levels in muscle and heart was observed among all groups. Based on needs for reaching the RDA with additional 400 mg/d from present calcium status in Chinese population, the calcium carbonate is the most economic one and the ideal calcium source for supplementation.

Nutrition transition in China: the growth of affluent diseases with the alleviation of undernutrition.

Since 1950, the annual GNP in China increased from 104 to 1401 Yuan per capita, while household real purchasing power quadrupled. In addition, food production and distribution also rose. China's improved standard of living has brought about several health changes: a reduction in diseases of poverty (high infant mortality, communicable disease, nutritional deficiency), the doubling of life expectancy from 35 years in the 1950s to 67 (male) and 71 (female) years, but it has increased diseases of affluence, such as obesity and cardiovascular disease. The three leading causes of death in China today are cancer, cerebrovascular disease, and myocardial infarction, while deaths from tuberculosis and acute infectious illness are markedly reduced. About 60 million of the population suffer from hypertension and a quarter that number has diabetes. Because China is a vast territory with different levels of development and types of diet, pockets of nutritional deficiency remain; about 35 million people are undernourished. While most of the population receive sufficient macronutrients to satisfy the Chinese RDA, they frequently lack micronutrients. Childhood rickets and iron deficiency anaemia are prevalent in rural regions and close to half of the children under three years of age in the autonomous regions and provinces suffer from these conditions. Chinese diets are changing. They are becoming more westernised and people are consuming more food of animal origin. This is most noticeable in cities where, in 1988, fat accounted for 30% of the caloric intake (up from 26% in 1981). In urban areas about 10% of woman and 5% of men are now obese. China is encouraging citizens to eat a variety of foods along more traditional lines, with plant foods constituting the bulk of intake, and a lesser amount of food of animal origin. In 1993, the State Council approved a national position paper entitled "Outlines for China's Food Structure Reform and Development in the 1990s". The government hopes that this will lead to a healthier national diet by the year 2000.