A comprehensive meta-analysis of traditional Chinese and Western medicine for neck and low back pain.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate the application of Chinese medicine in the treatment of neck and low back pain. The goal was to assess the efficacy, analgesic effect, and safety of Chinese medicine using Cochrane system evaluation standards and conduct a meta-analysis to provide high-quality, evidence-based medical data for clinical practice decision-making. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted in Chinese and English databases, including CBM, CNKI, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. The search encompassed randomized controlled trials on the use of Chinese medicine for pain treatment, with a time range from the establishment of each database to October 1, 2021. We have added the referred literature from the online databases for this research. Two researchers independently reviewed the literature, gathered data, and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies using the Cochrane Assistance Network risk of bias tool. Safety, reaction rate, and VAS pain score were of interest. To evaluate Chinese medicine's curative and analgesic benefits for pain illnesses, RevMan 5.4 and Stata 15.1 were used to analyze selected literature using forest plots, funnel plots, Egger and HarbORd linear regression plots, and star charts. RESULTS: Chinese medicine treated pain in 57 investigations. The analysis yielded (1) a curative effect: Chinese medicine outperformed Western medicine, with no publication bias. The sensitivity analysis matched the meta-analysis that has been performed in this work, and it shows that Chinese medicine treated low back pain better than Western medicine. (2) Analgesic effect: Chinese medicine outperformed Western medicine in analgesia, although the literature is limited for such a claim. Chinese medicine was also more analgesic than Western medicine. (3) Safety: No major side effects were reported in 20 investigations on Chinese medicine's safety. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that Chinese medicine can achieve better clinical efficacy and analgesic effects when comparing Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of neck and low back pain. Furthermore, Chinese medicine demonstrated a favorable safety profile. However, further research is required to explore the use of Chinese medicine specifically for neck pain and to enhance the evidence base for clinical decision-making in pain management.

[Cardiovascular health status of Chinese adults based on "Life's Essential 8" score].

Objective: To assess the cardiovascular health status of adults in China by using the "Life's Essential 8" score, and provide reference for the development and improvement of cardiovascular disease prevention and control policies and measures. Methods: Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance was conducted in 298 counties/districts in 2015 in 31 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) across China, multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling was used to select 45 households in each village or neighborhood, and 20 households were further selected to conduct dietary surveys. In this study, a total of 70 093 adults aged ≥20 years who completed the dietary survey and had complete information were included, their cardiovascular health status were assessed by using the "Life's Essential 8" score, a cardiovascular health scoring standard released by the American Heart Association in 2022. All results were adjusted using complex design-based sampling weights to achieve a better estimate of the population. Results: In 2015, the overall cardiovascular health score of Chinese adults aged ≥20 years was 73.3±12.6, the score was significantly higher in women (77.9±11.6) than in men (68.7±11.8), and higher in urban area (74.5±12.8) than in rural area (71.9±12.2), the differences were significant (P<0.001). It was estimated that about 0.25% (95%CI: 0.16%-0.33%) of adults in China had cardiovascular health score of 100, and 33.0% (95%CI: 31.6%-34.3%), 63.2% (95%CI: 62.1%-64.3%), and 3.9% (95%CI: 3.5%-4.2%) of adults had high, moderate and low cardiovascular health scores, respectively. The proportion of those with high cardiovascular health scores was relatively low in men, those with low education level, those with low income, those living in rural areas, and those living in southwest China (P<0.001). Of the eight factors, diet had the lowest mean score (46.0, 95%CI: 44.7-47.3), followed by blood pressure (59.4, 95%CI: 58.2-60.6) and tobacco exposure (61.4, 95%CI: 60.6-62.2). Conclusions: The cardiovascular health status of two-thirds of adult population in China needs to be improved. Diet, tobacco exposure, and blood pressure are the factors affecting the cardiovascular health of Chinese population, to which close attention needs to be paid, and men, rural residents, and those with lower socioeconomic status are key groups in cardiovascular health promotion.

[Blood glucose levels and the relationship of body mass index and circumference with blood glucose in China].

Objective: To describe and compare blood glucose levels in adults aged 18 years old and above in China and explore the relationship between BMI and waist circumference with blood glucose. Methods: China Chronic Disease and Risk Factor Surveillance were conducted in 298 counties/districts in China in 2018, covering 31 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities). A multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method selected permanent residents aged 18 years and above. Information on demographics, behavior-related risk factors, BMI, waist circumference, and blood glucose were collected through a face-to-face questionnaire, physical measurement, and laboratory examination. After complex weighting of data, they described the blood glucose levels of people with different characteristics and explored the relationship of BMI and waist circumference with blood glucose by multiple linear regression model analysis. Results: A total of 177 816 adults were included in the study. The average fasting blood glucose and average glycosylated hemoglobin were (5.73±1.46) mmol/L and (5.37±0.83) %, with people aged 60 years old and above group highest than that of other, with males higher than females (P<0.001); and urban was higher slightly than rural for the average of average glycosylated hemoglobin (P<0.001). The average fasting blood glucose and average glycosylated hemoglobin increased with increased BMI and waist circumference (P<0.001). Results from multiple linear regression model analysis showed that: 1) for each increase in BMI unit and waist circumference, the fasting glucose levels increased by 0.019 mmol/L and 0.008 mmol/L (all P<0.001) in those not diagnosed with diabetes, 2) by 0.021 mmol/L (P=0.163) and 0.014 mmol/L (P=0.004) in those newly detected as diabetes, and 3) by 0.028 mmol/L (P=0.088) and 0.023 mmol/L (P<0.001) in those self-reported as having been diagnosed as diabetes, respectively. However, glycosylated hemoglobin levels increased: 1) by 0.015% and 0.006% in those not diagnosed as diabetes (all P<0.001), 2) by 0.050% and 0.019% in those newly detected as diabetes (all P<0.001), and 3) by 0.033% and 0.019% in those self-reported as having been diagnosed as diabetes (all P<0.001), respectively. These associations with waist circumference were more robust than with BMI. Conclusions: Adults not diagnosed with diabetes with abnormal BMI or waist circumference are the key population for prevention and control. Measures improving the awareness rate of waist circumference should be taken to maintain average blood glucose in various groups.

[Blood glucose measurement in Chinese adults, 2018].

Objective: To analyze the status of measuring the blood glucose among Chinese residents aged 18 years and above and to provide a scientific basis for evaluating the Healthy China Initiative. Methods: China Chronic Disease and Risk Factor Surveillance were conducted in 298 counties/districts in China in 2018, covering 31 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities). A multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method selected permanent residents aged 18 years and above. Questionnaires collected demographic characteristics, blood glucose measurements, and significant chronic disease prevalence. Body measurements were conducted to collect body height, weight, and waist circumference; Fasting venous blood was collected from participants to measure FPG before OGTT-2 h was obtained among participants without a self-reported history of diagnosed diabetes. The analysis included 177 904 residents aged 18 and above. After being weighed, the blood glucose measurement rates of adults in different groups were compared. Results: Among adults who had not been diagnosed with diabetes, The blood glucose measurement rates of regular, prediabetes, and newly detected elevated blood glucose within 12 months were 32.0% (95%CI: 30.5%-33.5%), 39.5% (95%CI: 37.4%-41.6%) and 43.8% (95%CI: 41.0%-46.4%), respectively. The measurement rates were higher in females than males; urban was higher than rural. The blood glucose rates increased with age, education, and BMI. These differences were significant (P<0.05). Among the adults with diabetes, the blood glucose measurement rate within six months was 89.6% (95%CI: 88.4%-90.8%); the measurement rate was higher in females than in males and higher in the west than in east and central regions of China, with statistical significance (P<0.05). Among adults in the study who did not have 1 or 2 or ≥3 major chronic diseases, the blood glucose measurement rates within six months were 19.6% (95%CI: 18.4%-20.7%), 41.8% (95%CI: 40.1%-43.5%), 58.9% (95%CI:57.0%-60.7%),71.9% (95%CI: 69.0%-74.9%), respectively. The blood glucose measurement rate was on the rise and increased with the number of comorbidities (P<0.001). The blood glucose measurement rate of adults who did not have 1 or 2 major chronic diseases was higher in urban areas than in rural areas. The blood glucose rates increased with age, education, and BMI and the differences were significant (P<0.05). The blood glucose measurement rate of adults with ≥3 major chronic diseases was higher in females than in males (P<0.001), and there was no difference among other groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: It is necessary to promote blood glucose measurement in residents aged 18 years and above in China. Relevant departments should strengthen the publicity and education to promote regular blood glucose measurement for high-risk populations to improve the efficiency of preventing and treating diabetes and its complications.

[Awareness and influencing factors on weight and waist circumference among adult Chinese residents in 2018].

Objective: To understand the awareness of weight and waist circumference and their influencing factors among residents aged ≥18 years in China and provide a reference for the development of relevant prevention and treatment policies and evaluation of intervention effects. Methods: We selected 298 counties (districts) from the 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) which participated in the 2018 China Chronic Disease and Risk Factor Surveillance program and included 194 779 permanent residents aged ≥18 years. To obtain the demographic characteristics of the study population, we used a multi-stage stratified whole-group random sampling method, questionnaires, and physical measurements. In this study, 179 045 people who completed the survey and had complete information on weight and waist circumference awareness were used as the study subjects. The weight awareness rate and waist circumference awareness rate were calculated by gender stratification, age, urban-rural, and education level groups. A multi-factor logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors related to weight and waist circumference awareness of residents aged ≥18 years. Results: The weight awareness rate of adult residents in China in 2018 was 45.4% (95%CI: 41.9%-48.9%), higher among men [46.2% (95%CI: 42.5%-49.8%)] than women [44.6% (95%CI: 41.1%-48.2%)], and in urban areas [54.3% (95%CI: 49.3%-59.3%)]. The highest weight awareness rate appeared in residents with low BMI grouping [49.9% (95%CI: 44.3%-55.6%)], and the weight awareness rate in residents with undiagnosed central obesity, hypertension, and diabetes was higher than that of residents with diagnosed diabetes, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The waist circumference awareness rate of adult residents was 11.6% (95%CI: 9.7%-13.4%), higher in women [12.8% (95%CI: 10.8%-14.8%)] than in men [10.3% (95%CI: 8.6%-12.0%)], higher in urban [14.6% (95%CI: 11.7%-17.4%)] than in rural [8.3% (95%CI: 6.5%-10.2%)], and the waist circumference awareness rate was higher among residents with confirmed diabetes than those with undiagnosed diabetes, with statistically significant differences (P=0.020). The difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The weight and waist circumference awareness rate increased with education level and annual per capita household income. Multi-factor logistic regression analysis suggested that urban, highly educated, high per capita annual household income and health check-up residents may have higher weight and waist circumference awareness rates among adult residents in China. Conclusion: Less than half of the adult residents in China know their weight status, and only about one-tenth know their waist circumference. Rural residents, those with low education levels and low annual per capita household income, and those who are obese need to be given prioritized attention. The relevant government departments should strengthen the popularization of the importance of weight and waist circumference on health and improve the awareness of our residents about their waist circumference and weight.

Tunable electronic properties and related functional devices for ferroelectric In2Se3/MoSSe van der Waals heterostructures.

In recent years, two-dimensional (2D) materials have attracted increasing attraction in a number of scientific research fields. In particular, ferroelectric materials with reversible spontaneous electric polarization and Janus transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with intrinsic dipoles exhibit novel properties for many practical applications. Here, the electronic properties of van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures consisting of In2Se3 and MoSSe were investigated based on a first-principles approach. It was demonstrated that four studied In2Se3/MoSSe heterostructures exhibited obvious band gap (E g) differences, ranging 0.13 to 0.90 eV for PBE (0.47 to 1.50 eV for HSE06) owing to the reversible spontaneous electric polarization of In2Se3 and different intrinsic dipole of MoSSe, and different band alignments of type-I or type-II could also be obtained. The energy bands of the four vdW heterostructures could be obviously regulated by varying degrees of vertical (horizontal) strain and vertical interface electric field, and the E g varied from zero to 1.27 eV. Then, M4-based mechanical switching devices and ferroelectric diodes were designed based on the significant strain and electric field function. These results provide one possible mechanism for how the polarization direction regulates the physical properties of the system due to the different charges on the two surfaces of the out-of-plane polarized ferroelectric material, which may lead to different proximity effects on the face of the material.

[Study on community health management and control of hypertension in patients aged 35 years and above in China, 2015].

Objective: To understand the current status of community health management, treatment and control of hypertension in patients aged 35 years and above in China in 2015, and identify the influencing factors. Methods: Using the questionnaire survey results and physical measurement information collected by China Chronic Diseases and Nutrition Monitoring System in 2015, hypertension patients aged 35 years and above diagnosed at township health center level (community health service centers) or above were selected as the research subjects. The patients were complexly weighted to analyze their general characteristics, community health management, treatment and control status. Results: This study included 23 974 hypertension patients aged 35 years and above diagnosed by medical and health institutions at township level and above in 2015. After complex weighting, the community health management rate of hypertension patients aged 35 years and above was 54.10% (95%CI: 51.02%-57.17%), the standardized community management rate was 45.72% (95%CI: 42.93%-48.51%), the treatment rate was 88.16% (95%CI: 87.00%-89.31%), and the control rate was 22.67% (95%CI: 21.25%-24.09%), the treatment control rate was 27.76% (95%CI: 26.09%-29.42%). Multivariate analysis showed that patients in urban areas as well as in rural areas who were aged over 65 years old (OR=1.40, 95%CI: 1.05-1.87; OR=3.11, 95%CI: 2.22-4.36), taking medicine as prescribed (OR=2.15, 95%CI: 1.46-3.15; OR=1.35, 95%CI: 1.13-1.62), monitoring blood pressure (OR=2.34, 95%CI: 1.88-2.90; OR=3.10, 95%CI: 2.72-3.53) were more willing to accept community health management of hypertension. Urban hypertension patients with high education level (OR=0.51, 95%CI: 0.39-0.66), moderate alcohol consumption (OR=0.69, 95%CI: 0.57-0.84) or excessive alcohol consumption (OR=0.73, 95%CI: 0.58-0.92) had a poor acceptance of community hypertension management. Overweight (OR=0.74, 95%CI: 0.61-0.91; OR=0.83, 95%CI: 0.71-0.98), obesity (OR=0.54, 95%CI: 0.45-0.65; OR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.54-0.83) patients in urban areas as well as in rural areas with hypertension had poor blood pressure control, and patient taking medication as prescribed (OR=4.58, 95%CI: 3.16-6.63; OR=2.84, 95%CI: 2.18-3.69) had better blood pressure control. Urban hypertension patients in central China (OR=0.74, 95%CI: 0.61-0.89) or with excessive alcohol consumption (OR=0.72, 95%CI: 0.54-0.97) had poor blood pressure control while urban hypertension patients with other chronic diseases (OR=1.22, 95%CI: 1.04-1.44) and participating in standardized hypertension community management (OR=1.29, 95%CI: 1.06-1.58) had better blood pressure control.Rural hypertension patients who located in central and western China (OR=0.71, 95%CI: 0.58-0.87; OR=0.62, 95%CI: 0.47-0.80), with moderate alcohol consumption (OR=0.81, 95%CI: 0.67-0.98), taking salt more than 6 g per day (OR=0.80, 95%CI: 0.69-0.93) had poor blood pressure control, and the rural hypertension patients who underwent blood pressure monitoring (OR=1.38, 95%CI: 1.18-1.61) had better blood pressure control. Conclusions: The community health management of hypertension in patients aged 35 years and above has been improved in China, but there is still a certain gap between the control of hypertension and related indicators. It is necessary to take multi standardized intervention measures for the better prevention and control of hypertension.

Tunable electronic and optical properties of a BAs/As heterostructure by vertical strain and external electric field.

Based on the first-principles method, we investigated the electronic properties of a BAs/arsenene (As) van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure and found that it has an intrinsic type-II band alignment with a direct band gap of 0.25 eV, which favors the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. The band gap can be effectively modulated by applying vertical strain and external electric field, displaying a large alteration in the band gap via the strain and experiencing an indirect-to-direct band gap transition. Moreover, the band gap of the heterostructure varies almost linearly with external electric field, and the semiconductor-to-metal transition can be realized in the presence of a strong electric field. The calculated band alignment and optical absorption reveal that the BAs/As heterostructure could present an excellent light-harvesting performance. The absorption strength can be tuned mainly by interlayer coupling, while external electric field shows clear regulating effects on the absorption strength and absorption edge.

Electronic and thermal spin effect of molecular nanowires between graphene electrodes.

Based on the first-principles method, the electronic spin transport properties of terphenyl molecule bridging in zigzag graphene nanoribbon (ZGNR) electrodes with three connecting linkages were investigated, including dangling, heptagon, and pentagon-linkages. For the pentagon-linkage system, we observed a perfect spin filtering effect in the parallel (P) configuration (at almost 100% spin polarization), with the heptagon-linkages system following next (85-95% spin polarization), however, the spin filtering effect is almost negligible for the dangling-linkages system. In the antiparallel (AP) configuration, the pentagon- and heptagon-linkage systems also showed a high spin filtering effect. The terphenyl molecule was then replaced by carbon chains based on the pentagon-linkages, and these devices also show a perfect spin filtering effect (100% spin polarization). Finally, the thermally induced spin transport for the carbon chains model with pentagon-linkages was explored, and this system exhibits almost 100% thermal spin polarization.

Clinical analysis of 59 children with hand foot and mouth diseases due to enterovirus EV71 and concomitant viral encephalitis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyzed the clinical features of children with HFMD and viral encephalitis and to summarize some treatments. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 59 children with HFMD were included in this study. All children underwent complete blood count, blood biochemical test cerebrospinal fluid examination, chest X-ray and brain MRI. RESULTS: One child died 24 hours after admission due to central respiratory failure with myocardial damage. After the treatment, 58 children had normal temperature, resolved rash, normal complete blood count, biochemical blood tests and cerebrospinal fluid test, respiratory and circulatory symptoms and signs, as well as neurological symptoms, disappeared. The hospitalization time was 12-21 days. After follow-up for 1-3 months, all children were recovered, and without any severe sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: HFMD and the complicated viral encephalitis usually occurred in the children < 3 years old. The clinical manifestations were not typical. Monitoring of the child's clinical symptoms, signs and relevant examinations was required.

Effect of glucocorticoid combined with gamma globulin in treatment of children with myasthenia gravis and its effects on immune globulin and complement of children.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the effects glucocorticoid combined with gamma globulins in the treatment of children with myasthenia gravis and its effects on immune globulin and complement of children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical data of 70 cases of childhood myasthenia gravis in this hospital were retrospectively analyzed. These cases were randomly divided into observation group and control group. For observation group, there were methylprednisolone and gamma globulins while the only methylprednisolone in the control group. The clinical effects and changes in immune globulin and complement of two groups were observed. RESULTS: The total effective rate for observation group was 94.3% and 74.3% for the control group, and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05) The time for relief of symptoms (6.55 ± 1.35 days) and total hospital stay (17.15 ± 3.65 days) in observation group was apparently shorter than the control group, with statistical significance (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Glucocorticoid and gamma globulin can improve the symptoms and achieve satisfying clinical effects for the treatment of myasthenia gravis in children. Thus, it is valuable for further popularization and application.

Comparison of impact on seizure frequency and epileptiform discharges of children with epilepsy from topiramate and phenobarbital.

OBJECTIVE: To study the impact on seizure frequency and epileptiform discharges of children with epilepsy from topiramate (TPM) and phenobarbital (PB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred cases children with epilepsy from August 2010 to August 2013 in our hospital were sampled and randomly divided into two groups. The observation group was treated with TPM while the control group with PB, and then comparing seizure frequency, efficiency, and adverse reactions of two groups. RESULTS: The reduced number of partial seizures, generalized seizures, and total seizures in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the rate of cure, markedly effective and total efficiency in observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group. However, the adverse reactions in observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group. Thus, differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with PB, TPM showed a better effect on epilepsy treatment with less adverse reactions which were worthy of clinical recommendation.

Tuning spin polarization and spin transport of zigzag graphene nanoribbons by line defects.

From first-principles methods, the spin-dependent electronic properties of zigzag-edged graphene nanoribbons (ZGNRs) with a line defect (558-defect) are investigated systematically and compared to those of the pristine ZGNR. Results show that the line defect possesses an obvious tuning effect on the spin-polarization of the edge carbon atoms of the defective ZGNRs, and the spin-polarization and spin-transport are sensitive to the position of line defects. The defective ZGNRs can realize a transition from antiferromagnetism (AFM) to ferrimagnetism and ferromagnetism (FM) via changing the position of line defects from the center to the zigzag edge of ZGNRs. More importantly, when the line defect is located at the one edge, the defective ZGNRs exhibit the long-range magnetic ordering at edges with a high Curie temperature up to 276 K, and the defective ZGNR system can generate a high-performance spin-filter effect in the large bias range, 0.0-0.5 V. Such a sensitive modulation for the spin-polarization and spin-transport holds great promise for applications of the graphene-based systems in nano-scale spintronic devices.

Gene expression profiling of Duchenne muscular dystrophy reveals characteristics along disease progression.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common form of muscular dystrophy with no cure currently available. In this study, using two microarray data sets obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, we conducted a dysfunctional pathway-enrichment analysis and investigated deregulated genes that are specific to different phases of the disease in order to determine pathogenic characteristics in the progression of DMD. We identified 41 and 33 dysfunctional pathways that were enriched with differentially expressed genes in presymptomatic patients and in symptomatic patients, respectively. Over 70% of pathways were shared between both phases and many of them involved the inflammatory process, suggesting that inflammatory cascades were induced soon after the birth of the patients. Further investigation showed that presymptomatic patients performed better with respect to muscle regeneration and cardiac muscle calcium homeostasis maintenance. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase, dihydropyridine receptors, sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase, and phospholamban may serve as potential targets for further molecular diagnostic tests. Our results may provide a better understanding for the treatment of DMD.

Synthesis and anticonvulsant activity evaluation of 4-(2-alkoxy-phenyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-ones in various experimental seizure models in mice.

A new series of 4-(2-alkoxy-phenyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-ones was synthesized using appropriate synthetic route. Their anticonvulsant activities were evaluated experimentally against maximal electroshock test and their neurotoxicities were evaluated under the rotarod neurotoxicity test with intraperitoneally injected mice. The results showed that all target compounds exhibited anticonvulsant activity in varying degrees against maximal electroshock test. Among them, 4-(2-octyloxy-phenyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one (5 g) was the most promising compound with the median effective dose (ED50) of 23.7 mg/kg, the median toxicity dose (TD50) of 611.0 mg/kg, and the protective index (PI) of 25.8. Compound 5 g showed the higher safety than the standard carbamazepine (PI=6.5). As well as demonstrating the anti-MES efficacy of compound 5 g, its potency against seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole, 3-mercaptopropionic acid, and bicuculline were also established, with the results suggesting that GABA-mediated mechanisms might be involved in its anticonvulsant activity.

Prevalence and determinants of diabetes and impaired fasting glucose among urban community-dwelling adults in Guangzhou, China.

AIM: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of diabetes and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in the adult population aged >or= 20 years in Guangzhou and to evaluate the associated risk factors. METHOD: A total of 6197 randomly selected adults, aged >or= 20 years and living for at least 5 years in Guangzhou, participated in questionnaire-based interviews between 2006 and 2007, and had their clinical characteristics and standard blood chemistries measured. A 75 g OGTT was conducted for those subjects with fasting glucose levels >or= 5.6 mmol/L. Diabetes and IFG were defined according to WHO 1999 criteria. RESULTS: Based on Chinese census data, the age- and gender-standardized prevalences of diabetes and IFG were 5.5% and 3.3%, respectively. Among the identified diabetic individuals in the present investigation, 42.3% were newly diagnosed. The prevalence of diabetes and IFG increased with age. The results of multivariate logistic-regression analyses showed that diabetes and IFG were significantly associated with age, a family history of diabetes, obesity, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia. CONCLUSION: The prevalences of diabetes and IFG have increased dramatically over the past decade. Yet, a large proportion of cases go undiagnosed. These results suggest an urgent need to establish regular population-based diabetes screening in Guangzhou.

Electronic transport of unimolecular devices with a group coadsorbed on one electrode surface: a density functional study.

The first-principles calculations based on the density functional theory are applied to investigate the effect of a chemical group coadsorbed on one electrode surface on the electronic transport of a molecular device. We find that the types of the coadsorbed groups and their sites on one electrode surface affect the electronic transport significantly, and the resulting shift of the molecular levels upon coadsorption depends jointly on various effects, such as the electrostatic interaction, shift of the Fermi level of the electrode, the chemical interaction, and so on. Among these factors, the chemical interaction-induced the charge transfer across metal-molecule interface is identified as a determining factor resulting in the variation of transport properties. Our findings suggest that the coadsorption may offer the novel possibility to modify the transport behaviors of a molecular device in a controlled way and can improve/add some particular functionalities or should be avoided in order to keep a stable transport for a molecular device.

[The discovery and study on invasive strain of Escherichia coli O121].

A strain of Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli was isolated from the stool with blood and mucus of a child suffering from acute diarrhea. The strain shows the following characteristics: rapid fermentation of glucose (with gas), no fermentation of lactose, beta-galactosidase reaction positive, growth in acetate media, lysine decarboxylase negative, non-motility causing keratoconjunctivitis in guinea pigs and invading into epithelial cells, with a plasmid of 140 Md, Serotype is O121:H- which is a new serotype of Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli.