Study of Zero-Inflated Regression Models in a Large-Scale Population Survey of Sub-Health Status and Its Influencing Factors.

Objective Sub-health status has progressively gained more attention from both medical professionals and the publics. Treating the number of sub-health symptoms as count data rather than dichotomous data helps to completely and accurately analyze findings in sub-healthy population. This study aims to compare the goodness of fit for count outcome models to identify the optimum model for sub-health study. Methods The sample of the study derived from a large-scale population survey on physiological and psychological constants from 2007 to 2011 in 4 provinces and 2 autonomous regions in China. We constructed four count outcome models using SAS: Poisson model, negative binomial (NB) model, zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) model and zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) model. The number of sub-health symptoms was used as the main outcome measure. The alpha dispersion parameter and O test were used to identify over-dispersed data, and Vuong test was used to evaluate the excessive zero count. The goodness of fit of regression models were determined by predictive probability curves and statistics of likelihood ratio test. Results Of all 78 307 respondents, 38.53% reported no sub-health symptoms. The mean number of sub-health symptoms was 2.98, and the standard deviation was 3.72. The statistic O in over-dispersion test was 720.995 (P<0.001); the estimated alpha was 0.618 (95% CI: 0.600-0.636) comparing ZINB model and ZIP model; Vuong test statistic Z was 45.487. These results indicated over-dispersion of the data and excessive zero counts in this sub-health study. ZINB model had the largest log likelihood (-167 519), the smallest Akaike's Information Criterion coefficient (335 112) and the smallest Bayesian information criterion coefficient (335455), indicating its best goodness of fit. The predictive probabilities for most counts in ZINB model fitted the observed counts best. The logit section of ZINB model analysis showed that age, sex, occupation, smoking, alcohol drinking, ethnicity and obesity were determinants for presence of sub-health symptoms; the binomial negative section of ZINB model analysis showed that sex, occupation, smoking, alcohol drinking, ethnicity, marital status and obesity had significant effect on the severity of sub-health. Conclusions All tests for goodness of fit and the predictive probability curve produced the same finding that ZINB model was the optimum model for exploring the influencing factors of sub-health symptoms.

Serum γ-glutamyltransferase and uric acid levels are associated with impaired fasting glucose in adults from Inner Mongolia, China.

BACKGROUND: Serum γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and uric acid (UA) levels are elevated in patients with diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Prediabetes, characterized by impaired glucose tolerance, is an important risk factor for overt diabetes as well as cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the relationship between GGT, UA and prediabetes in a Chinese population, and provide a scientific basis for the early prevention and treatment of diabetes. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional population-based study in a cohort of 2694 subjects (1211 men and 1483 women, aged 35-86 years). Questionnaires and physical examinations were performed using standardized procedures. Fasting blood was collected to measure glucose and other biochemical parameters. The subjects were divided into two groups with either normal fasting glucose (NFG) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG), according to international diagnostic criteria. Logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Compared with the NFG group, the IFG group had significantly higher blood pressure but lower high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in women. Body mass index, waist circumference, triglyceride, glucose, GGT, and UA levels were significantly higher in males and females in the IFG group than those in the NFG group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the OR for prediabetes increased with increasing serum GGT quartiles and UA quartiles. GGT and UA were positively associated with prediabetes in men and women, independent of age, ethnicity, smoking, alcohol consumption, blood pressure, physical labor, and other confounders. CONCLUSIONS: We found that serum GGT and UA levels were positively associated with prediabetes in men and women living in areas inhabited by Chinese ethnic minorities. As elevated GGT and UA levels were associated with significantly increased risk of prediabetes, they may be used as sensitive biological markers of prediabetes.

Prevalence of hyperuricemia and its related risk factors in healthy adults from Northern and Northeastern Chinese provinces.

BACKGROUND: Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a potential risk factor for developing insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, we studied the prevalence of HUA and associated risk factors in the population of two provinces in northern China. METHODS: Based on the research of Chinese Physiological Constant and Health Conditions conducted in 2008-2010, we enrolled 29,639 subjects in a randomized, stratified study in four sampling areas in Heilongjiang Province and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. We collected 13,140 serum samples to determine biochemical indicators including uric acid(UA), glucose, blood lipids, liver function, and renal function, and finally a representative sample of 8439 aged 18 years and older was determined. We also defined and stratified HUA, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and lipid abnormalities according to international guidelines. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the UA levels between different genders and regions. The total prevalence of HUA is 13.7%. Men had a higher prevalence of HUA than women (21% vs. 7.9%; P < 0.0001). As age increased, HUA prevalence decreased in men but rose in women. The suburbs of big cities had the highest HUA prevalence (18.7%), and in high-prevalence areas the proportion of women with HUA also increased. A stepwise logistic regression model was used to filter out twelve HUA risk factors, including age, gender, residence, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, impaired fasting glucose, hypertension, obesity, abdominal obesity, CKD, drinking and sleeping. After adjusting for these factors, the odds ratio of HUA was 1.92 times higher in men than in women. Compared with agricultural and pastoral areas, the odds ratio of having HUA was 2.14 for participants in the suburbs of big cities and 1.57 in the center of big cities. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HUA is high in northern China. The differences in HUA prevalence by geographic region suggested that unbalanced economic development and health education, therefore HUA prevention measures should be strengthened to improve quality of life and reduce health care costs.

Ratio of waist circumference to chest circumference is inversely associated with lung function in Chinese children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In White children, waist circumference (WC) is positively correlated with forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)). Because fat distribution differs among different races, the relationship between WC and lung function in Asian children may differ from that in White children. The present study aimed to examine the effect of WC on ventilatory function in Chinese children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 1572 healthy subjects aged 9-18 years. Height, weight, chest circumference (CC), WC and lung function (FVC, FEV(1), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF)) were measured. To avoid the problem of colinearity, a model that combined CC and WC as the waist-to-chest ratio (WCR) was used. The relative contributions of WCR and body mass index (BMI) to spirometric parameters were determined by linear regression analysis. RESULTS: WCR was inversely associated with all spirometric parameters. On average, each 0.01 increase in WCR was associated with decreases of 8.14 mL for FVC, 9.36 mL for FEV(1), 6.54% for FEV(1)/FVC, 19.81 mL/s for PEF and 17.25 mL/s for MMEF. BMI was positively associated with all spirometric parameters except FEV(1)/FVC. These results suggest that WC was inversely associated with lung function parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Inverse associations were identified between WCR, as well as WC, and lung function in a population of Chinese children. The underlying mechanisms need to be further explored.

Joint Association of Metabolic Health and Obesity with Ten-Year Risk of Cardiovascular Disease among Chinese Adults.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the association of metabolic phenotypes that are jointly determined by body mass index (BMI) or fat mass percentage and metabolic health status with the ten-year risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Chinese adults. METHODS: Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study. BMI and body fat mass percentage (FMP) combined with the metabolic status were used to define metabolic phenotypes. Multiple linear regression and logistic regression were used to examine the effects of metabolic phenotypes on CVD risk. RESULTS: A total of 13,239 adults aged 34-75 years were included in this study. Compared with the metabolically healthy non-obese (MHNO) phenotype, the metabolically unhealthy non-obese (MUNO) and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO) phenotypes defined by BMI showed a higher CVD risk [odds ratio, OR (95% confidence interval, CI): 2.34 (1.89-2.89), 3.45 (2.50-4.75), respectively], after adjusting for the covariates. The MUNO and MUO phenotypes defined by FMP showed a higher CVD risk [ OR (95% CI): 2.31 (1.85-2.88), 2.63 (1.98-3.48), respectively] than the MHNO phenotype. The metabolically healthy obese phenotype, regardless of being defined by BMI or FMP, showed no CVD risk compared with the MHNO phenotype. CONCLUSION: General obesity without central obesity does not increase CVD risk in metabolically healthy individuals. FMP might be a more meaningful factor for the evaluation of the association of obesity with CVD risk. Obesity and metabolic status have a synergistic effect on CVD risk.

High prevalence of coexisting prehypertension and prediabetes among healthy adults in northern and northeastern China.

BACKGROUND: Prehypertension and prediabetes are major risk factors of cardiovascular disease, and their combined presence may result in more serious cardiovascular outcomes than expected with either prehypertension or prediabetes alone. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of coexisting prehypertension and prediabetes, and the associated risk profiles in a Chinese population. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey in a representative sample of 3,595 men and 4,593 women aged 18 years and older was performed between 2008 and 2010. Prehypertension and prediabetes were diagnosed using the guidelines from the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on prevention, detection, and treatment of high blood pressure and American Diabetes Association, respectively. Prehypertension was defined as a systolic blood pressure of 120-139 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure of 80-89 mmHg, and prediabetes was defined as a fasting blood glucose of 5.6-6.9 mmol/L. RESULTS: The prevalence of coexisting prehypertension and prediabetes was 11.0%. Men had a higher prevalence of coexisting prehypertension and prediabetes than women (14.2% vs. 8.4%; P < 0.0001). This prevalence increased with age and body mass index, and was the lowest among Mongolian-Chinese (5.1%). A multivariate analysis showed that γ-glutamyltransferase and uric acid were significantly and positively correlated with body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, and total cholesterol, and negatively correlated with high density lipoprotein cholesterol in subjects with prehypertension and prediabetes. CONCLUSIONS: There is a large proportion of Chinese adults with coexisting prehypertension and prediabetes. Thus, there is a need for more efforts that implement public health programs that target the earlier stages of hypertension and diabetes.

Effect of ω-3 fatty acid on gastrointestinal motility after abdominal operation in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether ω-3 fatty acid could stimulate gastrointestinal motility after abdominal operation. METHOD: Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 group (normal saline group, intralipid group, and ω-3 fatty acid group, n = 18/group) after partial caecectomy and gastrostomosis, each group was divided into 3 groups (POD1, POD3, and POD6, n = 6/group). Serum gastrin (GAS), motilin (MTL), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tissue necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), gastric emptying rate, and small bowel propulsion rate were measured. RESULTS: On POD 3, gastric emptying rate and small bowel propulsion rate in ω-3 fatty acid group were higher than those in normal saline group and intralipid group. Serum GAS and MTL levels in ω-3 fatty acid group were higher than those in normal saline group, but serum IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and COX-2 levels were lower than those in normal saline group and intralipid group. CONCLUSION: ω-3 fatty acid could accelerate the recovery of gastrointestinal mobility after abdominal operation in rats, mainly by relieving postoperative inflammation.

Spirometric standards for healthy children and adolescents of Korean Chinese in northeast China.

In China there are 1,923,842 Korean Chinese, who live mostly (92.27%) in the country's three northeast provinces. In spite of this sizeable number, no spirometric data are available at present on them. The present study investigated normal spirometric reference values for the Korean Chinese children and adolescents. Spirometry was performed in 443 healthy Korean Chinese children and adolescents aged 8-18 yr with measurements of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMEF). Reference equations for FEV1, FVC, PEF and MMEF were derived by using multiple regression analysis. All of the measured spirometric parameters correlated positively with height and age significantly (P < 0.001). The predicted values of FVC and FEV1 were higher than values obtained by using Caucasian and other Asian equations (P < 0.001). A set of spirometric reference equations has been derived using a relatively large, healthy, non-smoking young Korean Chinese population with a wide range of ages and heights, the results of which differ from those gained from several other reference equations. These reference equations should be used for evaluation of lung function in this population.

[Prediction of ventilatory function in children and adolescents using backpropagation neural networks].

The aim of this study is to develop backpropagation neural networks (BPNN) for better prediction of ventilatory function in children and adolescents. Nine hundred and ninety-nine healthy children and adolescents (500 males and 499 females) aged 10-18 years, all of the Han Nationality, were selected from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and their heights, weights, and ventilatory functions were measured respectively by means of physical examination and spirometric test. Using the approaches of BPNN and stepwise multiple regression, the prediction models and equations for forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory flow at 25% of forced vital capacity (FEF25%), forced expiratory flow at 50% of forced vital capacity (FEF50%), maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) and forced expiratory flow at 75% of forced vital capacity (FEF75%) were established. Through analyzing mean squared difference (MSD) and correlation coefficient (R) of the ventilatory function indexes, the present study compared the results of BPNN, linear regression equation based on this work (LR's equation), prediction equations based on the studies of Ip et al. (Ip's equation) and Zapletal et al. (Zapletal's equation). The results showed, regardless of sex, the BPNN prediction models appeared to have smaller MSD and higher R values, compared with those from the other prediction equations; and the LR's equation also had smaller MSD and higher R values compared with those from Ip's and Zapletal's equations. The coefficients of variance (CV) for FEF50%, MMEF and FEF75% were higher than those of the other ventilatory function parameters, and their increasing percentages of R values (ΔR, relative to R values by LR's equation) derived by BPNN were correspondingly higher than those of the other indexes. In sum, BPNN approach for ventilatory function prediction outperforms the traditional regression methods. When CV of a certain ventilatory function parameter is higher, the superiority of BPNN would be more significant compared with traditional regression methods.

[Fat mass and fat free mass on ventilatory function in adults].

This study is designed to probe for the effects of fat mass (FM) and fat free mass (FFM) on ventilatory function in adults. 1 307 healthy adults (372 males and 935 females) were selected from some localities of Heilongjiang province through random sampling by means of questionnaire and physical examination and measured for height, weight, waist to hip ratio (WHR), FM, FFM and ventilatory function. The data were analyzed by means of Pearson correlation analysis, independent-samples t test and multi-factors regression analysis. Regardless of sex, an independent positive correlation was found (P<0.001) between age and fat mass index (FMI). Regardless of sex, fat free mass index (FFMI) was found to be positively associated with forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced expiratory flow at 25% of forced vital capacity (FEF25%) (P<0.01), and FMI was significantly and negatively related to FVC, FEV1, FEF75% (P<0.05). In males FMI was significantly and negatively related to maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) (P<0.05). Regardless of sex, the effect of FFMI on FVC was higher than that of FMI. For the males, the effect of FFMI on FVC was smaller than that of FMI, while the opposite was found in the females. Regardless of sex, FEF75% tended to decrease with increasing FMI, while FFMI was found to have no effects on FEF75%. MMEF tended to decrease with increasing FMI in the males, but no marked change was found in the females. The above results suggest that FM and FFM are independent factors influencing ventilatory function in adults. FM is negatively correlated with ventilatory function, but as a reflection of muscle mass, FFM is positively correlated with ventilatory function in adults. There is quantitative difference between the effects of FFM and FM on ventilatory function.

[Relation between fat mass, fat free mass and ventilatory function in children and adolescents].

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relation between fat mass (FM), fat free mass (FFM) and ventilatory function in children and adolescents. 1 174 healthy children and adolescents (583 males and 591 females) aged 10-18 years were selected from Heilongjiang Province through random sampling by means of questionnaire and physical examination, and measured for height, weight, waist to hip ratio (WHR), FM, FFM and ventilatory function. The data were analyzed by means of independent-samples t test, Pearson correlation analysis and multi-factors regression analysis. Regardless of sex, an independent positive correlation was found (P<0.001) between age and FFM index (FFMI). FM index (FMI) correlated negatively with age in males (P<0.001), but positively with age in females (P<0.001). Regardless of sex, FFMI correlated positively with forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory flow at 25% of forced vital capacity (FEF25%), FEF50%, and maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) (P<0.05), while negatively with FEV1/FVC (P<0.01). FFMI was correlated positively with FEF75% in males (P<0.05), but not correlated in females. In males, FMI correlated negatively with FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF, FEF25%, FEF50%, FEF75% and MMEF (P<0.05), but not correlated with FVC. No correlation was found between the ventilatory function indices and FMI in females. Except FEV1/FVC and FEF75% in males, the effect of FFMI in predicting ventilatory function was higher than FMI regardless of sex. Moreover, the predicting effect of FFMI was higher in males than that in females. Growth spurt of lung function occurred in the ages of 12-15 years in males, while in the ages of 12, 13 and 18 years in females. During the period of growth spurt of lung function, regardless of sex, the effect of FFMI in predicting the lung function was higher than that of age. In conclusion, regardless of sex, FFMI correlates positively with ventilatory function, as a reflection of muscle mass. The effect of FFM in predicting ventilatory function is higher in males than that in females. FM correlates negatively with ventilatory function in males, but not in females. The rapid growth of height and FFM are possibly the main reasons for growth spurt of lung function.

[The relationship between body fat percentage, waist-hip ratio and pulmonary ventilatory function among the adult females in Heilongjiang, in 2008].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of body fat mass and fat distribution on pulmonary ventilatory function among the adult females. METHODS: Based on the multistage cluster sampling principal, we selected 935 healthy adult females with ages of 19-81 years old in Heilongjiang province to conduct the study. Every 10-years old as a age group. Firstly obtain the basic situation through the questionnaire survey, and then measure the height, body weight, waistline, hip circumference, body composition and lung function. FVC, FEV1, PEF, FEF25%, FEF 50%, FEF 75% and MMEF were determined. This study also examined the relationships between percentage body fat (PBF), waist-hip ratio (WHR) and FVC, FEV1, PEF, FEF25%, FEF 50%, FEF 75%, MMEF. RESULTS: PBF of subjects with ages of 19 - 29 years old and over 60 years old were (16.89 ± 5.34)% and (24.39 ± 6.83)%, WHR were 0.77 ± 0.05 and 0.88 ± 0.06, respectively. PBF and WHR tended to increase with age (F = 50.11, P value < 0.01). PBF obesity rates of subjects with ages of 19 - 29 years old and over 60 years old were 3.23% (7/217) and 43.75% (28/64), WHR obesity rates were 19.35% (42/217) and 85.94% (55/64) respectively. PBF obesity rate and WHR obesity rate tended to increase with age (χ(2) = 161.66, P value < 0.01; χ(2) = 159.61, P value < 0.01). PBF obesity groups compared with the normal groups, the former pulmonary ventilation function reduced significantly, of which FEF 50%, FEF 75% and MMEF decreased 2.61%, 19.44%, 10.28%, respectively. WHR obesity groups compared with the normal groups, the former pulmonary ventilation function reduced significantly, of which FEF 50%, FEF 75% and MMEF decreased 7.61%, 23.15%, 12.04%. After adjustment of age, height and body mass index (BMI), PBF was negatively correlated with FVC, FEV1, PEF and FEF25% (r values were -0.14, -0.14, -0.07, -0.07, respectively, all P value s < 0.05); WHR was negatively correlated with FEV1 (r value was -0.07, P value < 0.05) after adjustment of age, height and BMI. CONCLUSION: PBF augmentation and abdominal obesity among adult females may be the risk factors of pulmonary function impairment.

[Relationship of body mass index, fat free mass index, and fat mass index with inspiratory capacity in adults with normal lung function].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship of inspiratory capacity (IC) with body mass index (BMI), fat free mass index (FFMI), and fat mass index (FMI) in adults with normal lung function. METHODS: Based on a survey on the Chinese physiological constants conducted in Heilongjiang during 2008, we obtained the data of 2,050 adults (921 men and 1,129 women aged 19-81 years) with normal lung function and grouped them according to the standard of classification of body weight recommended by Working Group on Obesity of China. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson correlation analysis, one-way analysis of variance,and multi-factor regression analysis. RESULTS: After the influences of age and gender were adjusted, IC was positively correlated with BMI, FFMI, and FMI in adults aged 19-81 years (all P= 0.000) (the correlation coefficients were 0.320, 0.303, and 0.204, respectively). The means of IC, FFMI, and FMI in obesity group were significantly higher than those in overweight group normal weight group, and underweight group, were significantly higher in overweight group than in normal weight group and underweight group, were significantly higher in normal weight group than in underweight group (all P = 0.000). Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that factors including age, gender, height, FFMI, and FMI influenced IC, and while height, FFMI, and FMI were positively correlated with IC, gender and age were negatively correlated with IC. CONCLUSIONS: BMI, FFMI, and FMI are positively correlated with IC in adults with normal lung function. The elevation of IC derived from BMI may attribute to FFMI and FMI, and FFMI has a higher influence on IC than FMI does.

[Comparison of the systemic vascular resistance and the correlative factors in Han and Korean populations of China.].

In the present study, the differences in systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and the correlated risk factors between Han and Korean residents were investigated. 1 647 Hans and 876 Koreans from Mudanjiang and Hailin areas of Heilongjiang Province were examined with BIOZ Cardio Dynamics Monitor. A series of factors were determined, including SVR, systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO), cardiac output index (CI) and heart rate (HR). The data were analyzed with SPSS 15.0 statistic software. When SVR/SVRI were compared between Han and Korean populations by t-test, it was shown that statistic difference existed in the following age and gender groups: (1) For SVR: male 41-50, 51-60, and 61-70 (P<0.001), 31-40 (P<0.01), 19-30 (P<0.05) age groups; female 15-18, 31-40, 51-60 (P<0.001), 41-50 (P<0.01), and 61-70 (P<0.05) age groups; (2) For SVRI, male 41-50, 51-60 (P<0.05) age groups; female 10-14, 51-60 (P<0.001), 15-18, 31-40 (P<0.01), and 41-50 (P<0.05) age groups. Covariance analysis suggests that, excluding the contributions of gender, age and body mass index (BMI), the differences in SVR/SVRI between the two populations are still significant (P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis reveals that SVR difference between Han and Korean populations is attributed to MAP, DBP, CI, SBP, HR; While SVRI difference between two populations is attributed to MAP, DBP, SBP, CI, HR, strongly to weakly, respectively. These results suggest the higher SVR and SVRI are possibly correlated with the relatively higher blood pressure of Korean, compared with that of Han population.

[Comparison of sub-health status between Tibetan people and Han people].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of sub-health status between Han people and Tibetan people. METHODS: Subjects were selected with two-stage clustering sampling method in Sichuan Province. The sub-health rating scale developed by Chen Qing-shan, et al was employed to assess the sub-health status of subjects. The prevalence of sub-health status was compared between two groups with logistic regression model and binomial regression model after adjusting some confounding factors, such as age, gender, marital status, hypertension, occupation, exercise, overweight, smoking and drinking status. RESULTS: Prevalence rates of sub-health status were 52.3% (3611/6911) and 57.9% (1034/1787) in Han and Tibetan people respectively. Logistic regression analyses results showed that the risk of sub-health in Tibetan people was 1.2840 times that in Han people (95%CI 1.1460-1.4390). Negative binomial model indicated that the number of sub-health symptoms was greater in Tibetan people and the risk was 1.2908 (95% CI 1.1820-1.4096). Prevalence rates of all sub-health dimensions were higher in Tibetan people. CONCLUSIONS: Tibetan people dwelling in high-altitude areas are more susceptible to suffer from sub-health status. The medical researchers should pay more attention to this problem.

[The relationship between percentage body fat, waist-hip ratio and cardiovascular function in the adult females of Heilongjiang province].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between body fat mass and distribution and cardiovascular function in the adult females of Heilongjiang province. METHODS: Based on the statistic variable random sampling principal, we selected 1903 healthy adult females with ages of 18 - 70 years old in Heilongjiang province to conduct the study. The height, body weight, waist, chest measurement and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were measured. Body components quota including fat weight, lean weight, percentage of body fat (PBF) were taken respectively; systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), stroke volume (SV), stroke index (SI), left cardiac work (LCW) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) were determined. RESULTS: The PBF and WHR increased with aging, and the PBF of those with ages of 18-, 30-, 40-, 50- and 60 - 70 year's old were (16.86 +/- 5.37)%, (18.43 +/- 4.89)%, (20.99 +/- 5.79)%, (23.47 +/- 5.74)% and (25.77 +/- 6.38)%, respectively (F = 154.46, P < 0.01); and the WHR were 0.77 +/- 0.05, 0.80 +/- 0.05, 0.83 +/- 0.05, 0.85 +/- 0.06 and 0.89 +/- 0.07, respectively (F = 229.84, P < 0.01). The HR, CO, CI, SBP, DBP and LCW were (75.45 +/- 0.35) bpm, (4.42 +/- 0.02) L/min, (2.78 +/- 0.01) L * min(-1) * m(-2), (114.94 +/- 0.40) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa), (64.90 +/- 0.28) mm Hg, (4.57 +/- 0.03) kg * m/m(2) respectively in normal PBF groups; whereas the HR, CO, CI, SBP, DBP and LCW in the PBF obesity groups were (77.42 +/- 0.88) bpm, (4.54 +/- 0.05) L/min, (2.88 +/- 0.03) L * min(-1) * m(-2), (120.55 +/- 1.00) mm Hg, (66.56 +/- 0.71) mm Hg and (4.86 +/- 0.07) kg * m/m(2), respectively, F values were 3.182, 9.173, 8.478, 13.497, 2.637, and 10.631, respectively (all P values < 0.05) after the adjustment of age, height and weight, PBF was positively correlated with HR, CO, CI, SI, SBP, DBP and LCW (r values were 0.06, 0.11, 0.10, 0.11 and 0.12, respectively, all P values < 0.05); WHR was positively correlated with CI, SI, SBP, DBP, LCW and SVR (r values were 0.14, 014, 0.19, 0.18, 0.10 and 0.12, respectively, all P values < 0.01) after the adjustment of age, height and weight. CONCLUSION: PBF augmentation and abdominal obesity in females can result in cardiac dysfunction such as cardiac overload, CO increasing and blood pressure rising.

[Tumor cell-tumor endothelial cell adhesion mediated by alphavbeta3 and alphavbeta5 molecules].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of adhesion molecules alphavbeta3 and alphavbeta5 and their ligands Del-1 and L1 in the tumor-endothelial cell adhesion in vitro. METHODS: The expression of alphavbeta3, alphavbeta5 and ICAM-1 in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) and liver cancer endothelial cells (T3A) cultured under normoxia or hypoxia were analyzed by RT-PCR and fluorescent activated cell sorter (FACS). The expression of Del-1 and L1 in six tumor cell lines under normoxia or hypoxia were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The adhesion of dye-labeled tumor cells and endothelial LSEC and T3A cells was measured by a fluorescence plate reader after their culture. RESULTS: The expression of alphavbeta3 and alphavbeta5 were higher in T3A cells than that in LSEC cells, and were upregulated under hypoxia, while the expression of ICAM-1 was lower in T3A cells than that in LSEC cells, and was upregulated under hypoxia only in LSEC. The expression of Del-1 and L1 molecules were obviously different in various tumor cell lines and were differentially regulated under hypoxia. The adhesion of tumor cells with Del-1 or L1 expression was higher in T3A cells than that in LSEC cells, and was significantly increased under hypoxia condition. Furthermore, the adhesion of tumor cells to T3A could be inhibited by antibodies against alphavbeta3 and alphavbeta5, or SiRNAs for beta3 and beta5. CONCLUSION: alphavbeta3 and alphavbeta5 and their ligands Del-1 and L1 may play an important role in tumor cell migration.

[Progress in the research of stanniocalcin].

Stanniocalcin (STC) is a glycoprotein hormone first identified in bony fish in which it regulates calcium and phosphate homeostasis. Stanniocalcin is also identified in human and mammals and is named STC1 and STC2 by the sequence of finding. There are two forms of STC produced by the STC1 gene; a 50 kD polypeptide known as STC50 and a group of higher molecular weight variants that are collectively referred to as big STC. Both STC1 and STC2 are widely expressed in various tissues. STC is identified as a novel marker for human cancer and plays an important role in heart disease, transendothelial migration of inflammatory cells, embryo implantation and decidualization.

Serum Gamma-Glutamyltransferase Levels are Associated with Cardiovascular Risk Factors in China: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), which is mainly derived from the liver, is a sensitive marker of liver cell damage and oxidative stress. More recently, it has been found that increased GGT plasma activity is also associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, data on the relationship between GGT and cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) are lacking in nationally representative samples of the Chinese population. Here, we aim to investigate both the association between GGT and CRFs and CRF clustering. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a representative sample of 22897 adults aged 18 years and older from 2007 to 2011 nationally, which included a plurality of ethnic minorities. The participants were then divided into quartiles of sex-specific serum GGT. From the low to high GGT quartiles, the incidence of each CRF and clustered risk factors increased after adjusting for age, uric acid (UA), ethnicity, drinking, and all other risk factors. Individuals in the upper stratum (>75th percentile) had higher prevalence rates of CRFs than did those in the lower stratum (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, the subjects with clustering of 1, 2, or ≥3 CRFs were still more likely to belong to the upper GGT quartiles (75th percentiles) than were those without risk factors (all P < 0.05). In conclusion, our data highlight that there is an association between higher serum GGT levels and prevalence of CRFs, which tend to cluster with the increase in GGT activity in Chinese adults.

Crucial roles of GATA-2 and SP1 in adrenomedullin-affected expression of tissue factor pathway inhibitor in human umbilical vein endothelial cells exposed to lipopolysaccharide.

Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a vasodilator peptide that has a variety of effects, including antithrombotic activities and resistant roles to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced septic shock. During sepsis, LPS triggers the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) via the tissue factor-dependent pathway of coagulation. It is unknown whether the antithrombotic activities of ADM contribute to its resistance to sepsis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ADM on tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) (primary anticoagulant factor) expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to LPS, and the possible underlying mechanism for these effects. Exposure of HUVECs to LPS for 12 hours caused significant decrease of TFPI protein activities and mRNA expression. These effects were abolished by treatment with ADM (10(-10) to 10(-6) M), cAMP analogue and calcium antagonist. Accordingly, cAMP antagonist inhibited the counteraction effect of ADM on LPS in TFPI expression. Electrophoresis mobility shift assay (EMSA) and Western blot analysis showed that the protein level of GATA-2 and SP1 transcriptional factors and their binding to the corresponding regulatory sequences decreased by LPS treatment. And these effects of LPS were antagonized by ADM. Promoter-reporter assays and mutational analysis also confirmed the roles of GATA-2 and SP1 motifs from -1247 to -381 bp promoter sequence in TFPI inducible expression. Taken together, these results indicate that ADM antagonizes the effect of LPS on TFPI expression, which is mediated by affecting transcriptional factor GATA-2 and SP1 through cAMP and calcium signaling pathway.