Tobacco Knowledge among Adults in Zhejiang Province,China

Objective

The aims of current study were to assess the level of tobacco knowledge, anti-tobacco messages and major information channels in Zhejiang.

Methods

Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 2112 adults in Zhejiang. Data on demographic information, smoking status, tobacco knowledge, anti-tobacco messages and major information channels was collected.

Results

The findings revealed that only 31.87% of the population were aware that smoking could cause all three diseases (stoke, heart disease, and lung cancer), 86.09% were aware that smoking causes lung cancer, 46.43% and 42.40% were aware that smoking causes stroke and heart attack, respectively. Residence and education level had significant effects on awareness, while the effects of smoking status, gender, age, and household monthly income were not significant. There were five major information channels as follows: television (67.52%), newspapers or magazines (40.79%), billboards (30.02%), public walls (24.72), and radio (23.79%). Respondents got the following anti-tobacco messages from mass media: “No smoking in public” (66.34%), “No smoking in front of other people” (35.18%) and “Not offering cigarettes to one another” (22.82%).

Conclusions

The tobacco knowledge among residents in Zhejiang province is relatively poor. Improved information channels and content of anti-tobacco messages are necessary to increase the public’s tobacco knowledge, particularly among rural residents and people with less education.     

Waist-to-Height Ratio and Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Chinese Adults in Beijing

Objectives

To examine whether waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) performed better than, body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference (WC) in relation to hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia among Chinese adults in Beijing.

Methods

A total of 5720 adults (2371 men and 3349 nonpregnant women) aged 18 to 79 years were selected from the general population in a cross-sectional study. Data from a standardized questionnaire, physical examination, and blood sample were obtained.

Results

The area under curve (AUC) values for WHtR (0.661–0.773) were significantly higher than those for BMI for all outcomes in both sexes, except that WHtR and BMI had similar AUCs for dyslipidemia in men. The AUCs for WHtR were significantly higher than those for WC with respect to hypertension in both sexes, and to diabetes in women. AUCs for the relationships between anthropometric indices and the three outcomes were larger in women than in men, and tended to decrease with age. Optimal cutoffs for WHtR were 0.51–0.53 and 0.48–0.50 in men and women, respectively. With regard to the current Chinese criteria for BMI (≥24 kg/m²), WC (≥90 cm for men, and ≥85 cm for women), and the recommended cutoff of WHtR (≥0.5), WHtR yielded the greatest odds ratio for hypertension and diabetes in both sexes, and dyslipidemia in women. BMI had the highest odds ratio for dyslipidemia in men. The odds ratios of anthropometric indices for hypertension and diabetes, but not for dyslipidemia, were higher in women than in men. The association between anthropometric indices and the three outcomes decreased with age.

Conclusion

WHtR performed better than BMI and WC for the association with hypertension and diabetes. More studies should be conducted to explore the age differences in the relationships between obesity indices and cardiovascular risk factors.     

Prevalence and Clustering of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors among Tibetan Adults in China: A Population-Based Study

Objectives

The prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors has increased worldwide. However, the prevalence and clustering of cardiovascular disease risk factors among Tibetans is currently unknown. We aimed to explore the prevalence and clustering of cardiovascular disease risk factors among Tibetan adults in China.

Methods

In 2011, 1659 Tibetan adults (aged ≥18 years) from Changdu, China were recruited to this cross-section study. The questionnaire, physical examinations and laboratory testing were completed and the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, overweight/obesity, dyslipidemia, and current smoking, were counted. The association between the clustering of cardiovascular disease risk factors and demographic characteristics, and geographic altitude were assessed.

Results

The age-standardized prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, overweight or obesity, dyslipidemia, and current smoking were 62.4%, 6.4%, 34.3%, 42.7%, and 6.1%, respectively, and these risk factors were associated with age, gender, education level, yearly family income, altitude, occupation, and butter tea consumption (P < 0.05). Overall, the age-adjusted prevalence of clustering of ≥1, ≥2, and ≥3 cardiovascular disease risk factors were 79.4%, 47.1%, and 20.9%, respectively. There appeared higher clustering of ≥2 and ≥3 cardiovascular disease risk factors among Tibetans with higher education level and family income yearly, and those living at an altitude < 3500 m and in a township.

Conclusions

The prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors, especially hypertension, was high in Tibetans. Moreover, there was an increased clustering of cardiovascular disease risk factors among those with higher socioeconomic status, lamas and those living at an altitude < 3500 m. These findings suggest that without the immediate implementation of an efficient policy to control these risk factors, cardiovascular disease will eventually become a major disease burden among Tibetans.     

Mild Cognitive Impairment: Vascular Risk Factors in Community Elderly in Four Cities of Hebei Province,China

BackgroundEvidence has demonstrated that vascular risk factors (VRFs) contribute to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the elderly population. Because of the race and different diagnosis standard, there is still no definitive conclusions.ObjectiveTo estimate the VRFs and potential protective factors for MCI in elderly population living in the community in North China.MethodsA total of 3136 participants entered the study. They were screened for hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD), and cerebrovascular disease (CVD). Cognitive function was assessed with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The diagnosis of MCI was made according to Petersen’s criteria. We investigated the relationship between vascular risk factors, potential protective factors and MCI.ResultsA total of 2511 (80%) participant belonged to normal group and 625 (20%) participants showed MCI. Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that stroke and diabetes, but not hypertension or CHD was associated with MCI. Besides, exercise habit could lower the risk of MCI.ConclusionsVascular Risk Factors, including stroke and diabetes, rather than hypertension and CHD are independent risk factors of MCI. Involvement in physical activities seems to reduce the risk of MCI.     

The Cut-Off Point and Boundary Values of Waist-to-Height Ratio as an Indicator for Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Chinese Adults from the PURE Study

To explore a scientific boundary of WHtR to evaluate central obesity and CVD risk factors in a Chinese adult population. The data are from the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) China study that was conducted from 2005–2007. The final study sample consisted of 43 841 participants (18 019 men and 25 822 women) aged 35–70 years. According to the group of CVD risk factors proposed by Joint National Committee 7 version and the clustering of risk factors, some diagnosis parameters, such as sensitivity, specificity and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve least distance were calculated for hypertension, diabetes, high serum triglyceride (TG), high serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), low serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and clustering of risk factors (number≥2) to evaluate the efficacy at each value of the WHtR cut-off point. The upper boundary value for severity was fixed on the point where the specificity was above 90%. The lower boundary value, which indicated above underweight, was determined by the percentile distribution of WHtR, specifically the 5^th percentile (P₅) for both males and females population. Then, based on convenience and practical use, the optimal boundary values of WHtR for underweight and obvious central obesity were determined. For the whole study population, the optimal WHtR cut-off point for the CVD risk factor cluster was 0.50. The cut-off points for severe central obesity were 0.57 in the whole population. The upper boundary values of WHtR to detect the risk factor cluster with specificity above 90% were 0.55 and 0.58 for men and women, respectively. Additionally, the cut-off points of WHtR for each of four cardiovascular risk factors with specificity above 90% in males ranged from 0.55 to 0.56, whereas in females, it ranged from 0.57 to 0.58. The P₅ of WHtR, which represents the lower boundary values of WHtR that indicates above underweight, was 0.40 in the whole population. WHtR 0.50 was an optimal cut-off point for evaluating CVD risks in Chinese adults of both genders. The optimal boundaries of WHtR were 0.40 and 0.57, indicating low body weight and severe risk for CVD, respectively, in Chinese adults.     

Changing Epidemiological Characteristics of Hepatitis A in Zhejiang Province,China: Increased Susceptibility in Adults

BackgroundHepatitis A is a common acute hepatitis caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV). Annually, it affects 1.4 million people worldwide. Between 1991 and 1994, HAV infections were highly endemic in Zhejiang Province (China), with 78,720 reported HAV infections per year. Hepatitis A vaccine came on the market in 1995 and was implemented for voluntary immunization. Since 2008, hepatitis A vaccine has been integrated into the national childhood routine immunization program.ObjectiveTo understand the current epidemiological profile of hepatitis A in Zhejiang Province since hepatitis A vaccine has been available for nearly two decades.MethodsThis study used the 2005–2014 National Notifiable Diseases Reporting System data to evaluate the incidence rate of notified hepatitis A cases in Zhejiang Province.ResultsThe overall trend of incidence rate of notified hepatitis A cases significantly decreased from 2005 to 2014 (P< 0.001). During the study period, the reported incidence rate in individuals aged ≤19 years declined to the historically lowest record in 2014. Compared with individuals aged ≤19 years, those aged ≥20 years showed the highest incidence rate (P< 0.001). Majority of HAV infected cases were Laborers, accounting for approximately 70% of reported cases.ConclusionsChildhood immunization strategy with hepatitis A vaccine seemed to be effective in decreasing notified hepatitis A incidence rate in individuals aged ≤19 years. Those aged ≥20 years were observed to be the most susceptible population. The vast majority of hepatitis A cases were notified among Laborers. Therefore, we strongly suggest that future preventive and control measures should focus more on adults, particularly Laborers, in addition to the current childhood hepatitis A vaccination programme.     

The Relationship of Retinal Vessel Diameters and Fractal Dimensions with Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Background

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between quantitative retinal vascular parameters such as central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) and retinal vascular fractal dimension (D(f)), and cardiovascular risk factors in the Chinese Han population residing in the in islands of southeast China.

Methodology/Principle Findings

In this cross-sectional study, fundus photographs were collected and semi-automated analysis software was used to analyze retinal vessel diameters and fractal dimensions. Cardiovascular risk factors such as relevant medical history, blood pressure (BP), lipids, and blood glucose data were collected. Subjects had a mean age of 51.9±12.0 years and included 812 (37.4%) males and 1,357 (62.6%) females. Of the subjects, 726 (33.5%) were overweight, 226 (10.4%) were obese, 272 (12.5%) had diabetes, 738 (34.0%) had hypertension, and 1,156 (53.3%) had metabolic syndrome. After controlling for the effects of potential confounders, multivariate analyses found that age (β = 0.06, P = 0.008), sex (β = 1.33, P = 0.015), mean arterial blood pressure (β = −0.12, P<0.001), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (β = −0.22, P = 0.008), and CRVE (β = 0.23, P<0.001) were significantly associated with CRAE. Age (β = −0.0012, P<0.001), BP classification (prehypertension: β = −0.0075, P = 0.014; hypertension: β = −0.0131, P = 0.002), and hypertension history (β = −0.0007, P = 0.009) were significantly associated with D(f).

Conclusions/Significance

D(f) exhibits a stronger association with BP than CRAE. Thus, D(f) may become a useful indicator of cardiovascular risk.     

肥厚型心肌病患者静息脉压和运动诱导的血压异常之间的关系

目的:探讨肥厚型心肌病患者静息脉压和运动诱导的血压异常之间的关系。方法:根据Bruce方案,对70例2007年1月至2012年1月在我院治疗的肥厚型心肌病患者进行症状限制运动试验,监测患者的血液动力学指标,即分别在患者仰卧休息和运动结束后测量血压。结果:肥厚型心肌病患者中,运动后血压反应异常者与正常者相比,前者的静息脉压显著高于后者。表现出运动性非正常血压反应的肥厚型心肌病患者,静息脉压明显高于无运动性非正常血压反应患者(P=0.007)。根据二分类Logistic回归分析,控制年龄、性别、左室后壁厚度、室间隔厚度、左室流出道梗阻等混杂因素后,静息脉压可以有效预测肥厚型心肌病患者的运动性非正常血压反应(P=0.016)。结论:与传统的收缩压、舒张压以及平均动脉压相比,静息脉压可作为一个有效的辅助检测指标预防肥厚型心肌病患者心脏猝死的发生。     

Spatio-Temporal Trends and Risk Factors for Shigella from 2001 to 2011 in Jiangsu Province,People's Republic of China

Objective

This study aimed to describe the spatial and temporal trends of Shigella incidence rates in Jiangsu Province, People''s Republic of China. It also intended to explore complex risk modes facilitating Shigella transmission.

Methods

County-level incidence rates were obtained for analysis using geographic information system (GIS) tools. Trend surface and incidence maps were established to describe geographic distributions. Spatio-temporal cluster analysis and autocorrelation analysis were used for detecting clusters. Based on the number of monthly Shigella cases, an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model successfully established a time series model. A spatial correlation analysis and a case-control study were conducted to identify risk factors contributing to Shigella transmissions.

Results

The far southwestern and northwestern areas of Jiangsu were the most infected. A cluster was detected in southwestern Jiangsu (LLR = 11674.74, P<0.001). The time series model was established as ARIMA (1, 12, 0), which predicted well for cases from August to December, 2011. Highways and water sources potentially caused spatial variation in Shigella development in Jiangsu. The case-control study confirmed not washing hands before dinner (OR = 3.64) and not having access to a safe water source (OR = 2.04) as the main causes of Shigella in Jiangsu Province.

Conclusion

Improvement of sanitation and hygiene should be strengthened in economically developed counties, while access to a safe water supply in impoverished areas should be increased at the same time.     

浙江省外来入侵植物研究

基于国内外文献资料、标本信息和野外调查,初步整理了浙江省外来入侵植物的种类组成、生活型、原产地、危害程度和入侵途径。结果表明,浙江省现有外来人侵植物46科106属166种,种数最多的是菊科、豆科和禾本科。根据原产地分析,来源于南美洲的物种最多,约占总数的32．16％,其次为北美洲,约占总数的25．63％,欧洲排第三位,约占总数的19．59％;已产生严重危害的有23种,中等危害的60种,危害较轻的83种。还有一些物种虽然没有在表里列出,但它们具有潜在的危害,必须密切关注。同时,与之前的研究相比,我们去除了一些已报道为人侵的物种,又增加了一些新的入侵种。在此基础上,对浙江省外来入侵植物的生活型、来源及危害进行了分析,并与以往的研究进行了比较,提出了针对性的管理建议。     

Relation of Pulse Pressure to Long-Distance Gait Speed in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Findings from the LIFE-P Study

Background

Reduced gait speed is associated with falls, late-life disability, hospitalization/institutionalization and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Aging is also accompanied by a widening of pulse pressure (PP) that contributes to ventricular-vascular uncoupling. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that PP is associated with long-distance gait speed in community-dwelling older adults in the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders Pilot (LIFE-P) study.

Methods

Brachial blood pressure and 400-meter gait speed (average speed maintained over a 400-meter walk at “usual” pace) were assessed in 424 older adults between the ages of 70–89 yrs at risk for mobility disability (mean age = 77 yrs; 31% male). PP was calculated as systolic blood pressure (BP) – diastolic BP.

Results

Patients with a history of heart failure and stroke (n = 42) were excluded leaving 382 participants for final analysis. When categorized into tertiles of PP, participants within the highest PP tertile had significantly slower gait speed than those within the lowest PP tertile (p<0.05). Following stepwise multiple regression, PP was significantly and inversely associated with 400-meter gait speed (p<0.05). Other significant predictors of gait speed included: handgrip strength, body weight, age and history of diabetes mellitus (p<0.05). Mean arterial pressure, systolic BP and diastolic BP were not predictors of gait speed.

Conclusions

Pulse pressure is associated long-distance gait speed in community-dwelling older adults. Vascular senescence and altered ventricular-vascular coupling may be associated with the deterioration of mobility and physical function in older adults.     

臂踝脉搏波速度与老年心血管病高危因素的相关性研究

目的:探讨臂踝脉搏波速度(brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity,BaPWV)和心血管高危因素的相关性.方法:选取2011年1月～2012年1月在我院体检的居民共122例,根据体检结果分为非糖尿病及高血压组(A组,25例),糖尿病组(为B组,22例),高血压组(C组,46例)和高血压合并糖尿病组(D组,29例).记录各组的年龄、体重指数(BMI)、收缩压(SBP),舒张压(DBP)、心率(HR)、左心房内径(LAD)、左室舒张末期内径(LVIDd)、左室收缩末期内径(LVIDs)、右心室舒张末期内径(IVSd)、肺动脉收缩压(SPAP)和射血分数(EF).并检测肌酐(Scr)、尿酸(UA)、血糖(BG)、总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酷(TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL)、餐后血糖和糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)水平.结果:各组之间Scr、UA、BG、TC、LDL、HbA1c、LAD、LVIDd、IVSd、LVIDs、SPAP、IMT、SBP、DBP、EF和BaPWV的差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05或＜0.01),而各组之间年龄、BMI、TG、HDL、餐后血糖、IMT和HR差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).多元逐步回归分析发现:年龄、BG、TC和SBP是影响BaPWV的独立因素.结论:BaPWV在心血管高危因素患者中显著增加,年龄、BG、TC和SBP与BaPWV呈正相关.     

浙江土壤中的暗色丝孢菌研究I.(英文)

从浙江省采集的42份土壤样品中,分离出50个暗色丝孢菌分离物,鉴定为26属39种。其中拟苍白弯孢Curvulariasubpallescens为新种。侧多隔孢属Pleurophragmium,疣瓶孢属Eladia,拟葡萄孢属Pseudobotrytis和棘瓶孢属Echinobotryum为中国新记录属。鞘孢霉ChalarastateofCeratocystisadiposa,紫棕毛束霉Doratomycespurpureofuscus,黑棘瓶孢Echinobotryumatrum,小囊疣瓶孢Eladiasaccula,隘缩小内多隔孢Endophragmiellaconstricta,青霉状粘束孢Graphiumpenicillioides,黑侧多隔孢Pleurophragmiumactum,土栖拟葡萄孢Pseudobotrytisterrestris,腐植齿梗孢Scolecobasidiumhumicola和虎尾兰葡萄穗霉Stachybotryssansevierae为中国新记录种。其余28种为国内已报道种。     

New Sphenophyllum plant from the Upper Devonian of Zhejiang Province,China

Sphenophyllum was an important and long-surviving sphenopsid genus in the Paleozoic floras, with a worldwide distribution. A new species, Sphenophyllum changxingense sp. nov., is described from the Upper Devonian Wutong Formation of Changxing County, Zhejiang Province, China. This plant is characterized by two orders of slender axes and wedge-shaped leaves borne in whorls. The axes bear short spines and show longitudinal ridges and furrows on surface. Three to eight isophyllous leaves, with one, two, or no second-order axes, are attached at each node of first-order axes. Leaves bear spines and show a bilobate morphology; the two leaf lobes divide distally to form several marginal segments, each segment with a leaf vein. Sphenophyllum changxingense represents an early and primitive species within the genus, in light of the absence of heterophylly and specialized hook-like leaves. Like some Carboniferous and Permian species, it appears to have formed dense mats with mutually supportive axes. This plant adds to the known diversity of early sphenopsids in the Late Devonian.     

Dose-Response Association of Uncontrolled Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors with Hyperuricemia and Gout

Background

First-line therapy of hypertension includes diuretics, known to exert a multiplicative increase on the risk of gout. Detailed insight into the underlying prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout in persons with uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) and common comorbidities is informative to practitioners initiating antihypertensive agents. We quantify the prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout in persons with uncontrolled BP and additional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.

Methods and Findings

We performed a cross-sectional study of non-institutionalized US adults, 18 years and older, using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys in 1988–1994 and 1999–2010. Hyperuricemia was defined as serum uric acid >6.0 mg/dL in women; >7.0 mg/dL in men. Gout was ascertained by self-report of physician-diagnosed gout. Uncontrolled BP was based on measured systolic BP≥140 mmHg and diastolic BP≥90 mmHg. Additional CVD risk factors included obesity, reduced glomerular filtration rate, and dyslipidemia. The prevalence of hyperuricemia was 6–8% among healthy US adults, 10–15% among adults with uncontrolled BP, 22–25% with uncontrolled BP and one additional CVD risk factor, and 34–37% with uncontrolled BP and two additional CVD risk factors. Similarly, the prevalence of gout was successively greater, at 1–2%, 4–5%, 6–8%, and 8–12%, respectively, across these same health status categories. In 2007–2010, those with uncontrolled BP and 2 additional CVD risk factors compared to those without CVD risk factors had prevalence ratios of 4.5 (95% CI 3.5–5.6) and 4.5 (95% CI: 3.1–6.3) for hyperuricemia and gout respectively (P<0.01).

Conclusions

Health care providers should be cognizant of the incrementally higher prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout among patients with uncontrolled BP and additional CVD risk factors. With one in three people affected by hyperuricemia among those with several CVD risk factors, physicians should consider their anti-hypertensive regimens carefully and potentially screen for hyperuricemia or gout.     

Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Diseases and the Capillary Endothelium in Subjects with Different Levels of Normal Blood Pressure

The capillary circulation in the forearm and crus was studied by occlusion plethysmography at rest and upon stimulation with nitric oxide during reactive hyperemia in 249 virtually healthy subjects with different levels of arterial blood pressure lower than 140/90 mm Hg. Specific features of the microcirculation were found in the forearm and crus depending on the blood pressure level. An increase in the blood pressure higher than 120/80 mm Hg was associated with an increased adverse effect of integral risk factors and heredity on parameters of the capillary circulation, especially in women.     

河北省大鸨的分布与保护

报道并探讨了河北省在大鸨迁徙途径中的重要性,河北省大鸨的地理分布与居留期变化,大鸨的保护工作及其保护与研究展望,指出河北省是大鸨重要的越冬地.