Effect of Jianpi Shengxue Tablet on Iron Metabolism and Nutritional Status in Patients with Renal Anemia:A Prospective,Randomized,Open,Parallel Controlled and Multicenter Clinical Study

Objective This study aimed to analyze the clinical efficacy of the Jianpi Shengxue tablet for treating renal anemia.Methods A total of 200 patients with renal anemia from December 2020 to December 2022 were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups.Patients in the control group were treated with polysaccharide-iron complex,and those in the experimental group were administered Jianpi Shengxue tablet.After 8 weeks of continuous treatment,the therapeutic outcomes regarding anemia were compared between the two groups.Results After treatment,the red blood cell(RBC)count,hematocrit(HCT),reticulocyte percentage(RET),ferritin(SF),serum iron(SI),transferrin saturation(TSAT),and serum albumin(ALB)all increased(P<0.01),and the clinical symptom score and total iron binding capacity decreased(P<0.01)in the experimental group.Moreover,the improvements in RBC,HCT,RET,SF,SI,TAST,ALB,and clinical symptoms(fatigue,anorexia,dull skin complexion,numbness of hands and feet)in the experimental group were significantly greater than those in the control group(P<0.05).The total effective rate for treating renal anemia was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group(P<0.01).Conclusion The Jianpi Shengxue tablet demonstrates efficacy in treating renal anemia,leading to significant improvements in the laboratory examination results and clinical symptoms of patients with renal anemia.

Effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on cytokines in adolescents with subthreshold depression:a randomized controlled study

Strong evidence has accumulated to show a correlation between depression symptoms and inflammatory responses.Moreover,anti-inflammatory treatment has shown partial effectiveness in alleviating depression symptoms.Lycium barbarum polysaccharide(LBP),derived from Goji berries,exhibits notable antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.In our recent double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial,we found that LBP significantly reduced depressive symptoms in adolescents with subthreshold depression.It is presumed that the antidepressant effect of LBP may be associated with its influence on inflammatory cytokines.In the double-blinded randomized controlled trial,we enrolled 29 adolescents with subthreshold depression and randomly divided them into an LBP group and a placebo group.In the LBP group,adolescents were given 300 mg/d LBP.A 6-week follow up was completed by 24 adolescents,comprising 14 adolescents from the LBP group(15.36±2.06 years,3 men and 11 women)and 10 adolescents from the placebo group(14.9±1.6 years,2 men and 8 women).Our results showed that after 6 weeks of treatment,the interleukin-17A level in the LBP group was lower than that in the placebo group.Network analysis showed that LBP reduced the correlations and connectivity between inflammatory factors,which were associated with the improvement in depressive symptoms.These findings suggest that 6-week administration of LBP suppresses the immune response by reducing interleukin-17A level,thereby exerting an antidepressant effect.

Botulinum toxin type A for treating chronic low back pain:A double blinded randomized control study

BACKGROUND Low back pain(LBP)is a prevalent issue that orthopedic surgeons frequently address in the outpatient setting.LBP can arise from various causes,with stiffness in the paraspinal muscles being a notable contributor.The administration of Botulinum toxin type A(BoNT-A)has been found to alleviate back pain by relaxing these stiff muscles.While BoNT-A is approved for use in numerous conditions,a limited number of randomized clinical trials(RCTs)validate its efficacy specifically for treating LBP.AIM To study the safety and the efficacy of BoNT-A in minimizing pain and improving functional outcomes in patients of chronic LBP(CLBP).METHODS In this RCT,adults aged 18-60 years with mechanical LBP persisting for at least six months were enrolled.Participants were allocated to either the Drug group,receiving 200 Ipsen Units(2 mL)of BoNT-A,or the Control group,which received a 2 mL placebo.Over a 2-month follow-up period,both groups were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale(VAS)for pain intensity and the Oswestry Disability Index(ODI)for disability at the start and conclusion of the study.A decrease in pain by 50%was deemed clinically significant.RESULTS The study followed 40 patients for two months,with 20 in each group.A clinically significant reduction in pain was observed in 36 participants.There was a statistically significant decrease in both VAS and ODI scores in the groups at the end of two months.Nonetheless,when comparing the mean score changes,only the reduction in ODI scores(15 in the placebo group vs 16.5 in the drug group,clinically insignificant)was statistically significant(P=0.012),whereas the change in mean VAS scores was not significant(P=0.45).CONCLUSION The study concludes that BoNT-A does not offer a short-term advantage over placebo in reducing pain or improving LBP scores in CLBP patients.

A comparative study of the main factors controlling geohazards induced by 10 strong earthquakes in Western China since the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008

Determining the main controlling factors of earthquake-triggered geohazards is a prerequisite for studying earthquake geohazards and post-disaster emergency response.By studying these factors,the geomorphic and geological factors controlling the nature,condition,and distribution of earthquake-induced geohazards can be analyzed.Such insights facilitate earthquake disaster prediction and emergency response planning.The authors combined field investigations and spatial data analysis to examine geohazards induced by seismic events,examining ten earthquakes including the Wenchuan,Yushu,Lushan events,to elucidate the main control factors of seismic geohazard.The authors observed that seismic geohazard occurrence is usually affected by many factors,among which active nature of the seismogenic fault,seismic peak ground acceleration(PGA),topographic slope and geomorphic height differences,and distance from the fault zone and river system are the most important.Compared with strike-slip earthquakes,thrust earthquakes induce more high-altitude and high-speed remote landslides,which can cause great harm.Slopes of 0°–40°are prone to secondary seismic geohazards,which are mainly concentrated 0–6 km from the river system.Secondary geohazards are not only related to seismogenic fault but also influenced by the associated faults in the earthquake area.The maximum seismic PGA and secondary seismic geohazard number are positively correlated,and the horizontal and vertical ground motions play leading and promoting roles in secondary geohazard formation,respectively.Through the research,the spatial distribution of seismic geohazards is predicted,providing a basis for the formulation of emergency response plans following disasters.

Operational feasibility study of stagnation pressure reaction control for a mid-caliber non-spinning projectile

Controlled,guided munitions can reduce dispersion in the shot,while providing the capability of engaging both stationary and maneuvering targets.The Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research has developed a fin-less control technology called Stagnation Pressure Reaction Control(SPRC)that takes stagnation pressure air and directs it sideways to control non-spinning projectiles.In a previous study,this technology was demonstrated at Mach 2 wind-tunnel conditions to achieve up to 1.5°controllable angle of incidence for a non-spinning,aerodynamically unstable projectile-like test object.In an operational scenario,the decelerating projectile will experience a decline in control force while the simultaneous forward shift of the center of pressure increases the need for control force.Furthermore,angles of incidence exceeding 1.5°will be experienced under realistic flight conditions,especially against maneuvering targets.This work addresses these challenges and presents an operational feasibility study for a practical application of SPRC in a non-spinning mid-caliber gun-launched projectile,using experiment data on control latency and force of the earlier study.It illustrates the combined effect of the control-and stability dynamics and underlines the potential of an SPRC projectile as a precisionoperation ammunition.This research revealed that SPRC technology can stabilize and control the hypothesized projectile in a direct fire scenario against stationary and maneuvering targets.

Study design in evidence-based surgery:What is the role of case-control studies?

Randomized controlled trials(RCTs) are the gold standard in terms of study design, however, in the surgical setting conducting RCTs can often be unethical or logistically impossible. Case-control studies should become the major study design used in surgical research when RCTs are unable to be conducted and definitely replacing case series which offer little insight into surgical outcomes and disease processes.

Associations of lifestyle and diet with the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Singapore:a case–control study

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) is a commonly diagnosed cancer in Southeast Asia. Many studies have examined the risk factors for NPC, yet the roles of some risk factors remain inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between modifiable lifestyle factors and the risk of NPC in the Singaporean population.Methods: We conducted a case–control study in Singapore with 300 patients and 310 controls who were recruited between 2008 and 2012. Each control was selected and individually matched to each patient based on sex, ethnicity, and age(±5 years). A total of 290 pairs of cases and controls were matched successfully. We examined lifestyle factors such as tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking, various salted and preserved food consumption, and weaning practices.Results: After adjusting for covariates, multivariate analysis showed that those participants who were current smokers and had ever smoked tobacco had a higher risk of NPC than participants who had never smoked, with odds ratios(ORs) of 4.50(95% confidence interval [CI] 2.58–7.86; P < 0.001) and 2.52(95% CI 1.54–4.12; P < 0.001), respectively. Those who consumed salted vegetables at least once a week also showed a significantly increased risk of NPC than those who never or rarely consumed salted vegetables, with an OR of 4.18(95% CI 1.69–10.38; P = 0.002).Conclusion: Smoking(currently and ever-smoked) and consuming salted vegetables once a week or more were lifestyle risk factors for NPC, and changes of these factors for the better may reduce the risk of NPC.

Functional and psychosocial effects of pulmonary Daoyin on patients with COPD in China:study protocol of a multicenter randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND： Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） is a major public health problem worldwide. Pulmonary rehabilitation （PR） is an established intervention for the management of patients with COPD. Exercise training is an important part of PR, and its effectiveness in patients with COPD is well established. However, alternative methods of PR training such as Daoyin have not been appropriately studied. Hence, alternative forms of exercise training that require less exercise equipment and no specific training place should be evaluated. This paper describes the study protocol of a clinical trial that aims to determine if pulmonary Daoyin training will improve the exercise capacity and psychosocial function of patients with COPD in China. METHODS AND DESIGN： A multicenter, randomized, controlled trial will be conducted. A total of 464 patients meeting the inclusion criteria will be enrolled into this study with 232 patients in each of the trial group and the control group. Based on patient education, patients in the trial group will receive pulmonary Daoyin and continue with their usual therapy for three months. In the control group, patients will continue with their usual therapy. The primary outcome measures are exercise capacity assessed by the six-minute walking distance test and lung function. Secondary outcomes include dyspnea and quality of life. Measurements will be taken at baseline （month 0） and after the study period （month 3）. DISCUSSION： It is hypothesized that pulmonary Daoyin will have beneficial effects in improving exercise capacity and psychosocial function of patients with stable COPD, and will provide an alternative form of exercise training that is accessible for the large number of people with COPD. TRIAL REGISTRATION： This trial has been registered in ClinicalTrials.gov. The identifier is NCT01482000.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells to treat spinal cord injury in the early chronic phase: study protocol for a prospective, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blinded clinical trial

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(hUC-MSCs)support revascularization,inhibition of inflammation,regulation of apoptosis,and promotion of the release of beneficial factors.Thus,they are regarded as a promising candidate for the treatment of intractable spinal cord injury(SCI).Clinical studies on patients with early chronic SCI(from 2 months to 1 year post-injury),which is clinically common,are rare;therefore,we will conduct a prospective,multicenter,randomized,placebo-controlled,single-blinded clinical trial at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University,West China Hospital of Sichuan University,and Shanghai East Hospital,Tongji University School of Medicine,China.The trial plans to recruit 66 early chronic SCI patients.Eligible patients will undergo randomization at a 2:1 ratio to two arms:the observation group and the control group.Subjects in the observation group will receive four intrathecal transplantations of stem cells,with a dosage of 1×106/kg,at one calendar month intervals.Subjects in the control group will receive intrathecal administrations of 10 mL sterile normal saline in place of the stem cell transplantations.Clinical safety will be assessed by the analysis of adverse events and laboratory tests.The American Spinal Injury Association(ASIA)total score will be the primary efficacy endpoint,and the secondary efficacy outcomes will be the following:ASIA impairment scale,International Association of Neural Restoration-Spinal Cord Injury Functional Rating Scale,muscle tension,electromyogram,cortical motor and cortical sensory evoked potentials,residual urine volume,magnetic resonance imaging–diffusion tensor imaging,T cell subtypes in serum,neurotrophic factors and inflammatory factors in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid.All evaluations will be performed at 1,3,6,and 12 months following the final intrathecal administration.During the entire study procedure,all adverse events will be reported as soon as they are noted.This trial is designed to evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of subarachnoid transplantation of hUC-MSCs to treat early chronic SCI.Moreover,it will establish whether cytotherapy can ameliorate local hostile microenvironments,promote tracking fiber regeneration,and strengthen spinal conduction ability,thus improving overall motor,sensory,and micturition/defecation function in patients with early chronic SCI.This study was approved by the Stem Cell Research Ethics Committee of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University,China(approval No.[2018]-02)on March 30,2018,and was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov(registration No.NCT03521323)on April 12,2018.The revised trial protocol(protocol version 4.0)was approved by the Stem Cell Research Ethics Committee of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University,China(approval No.[2019]-10)on February 25,2019,and released on ClinicalTrials.gov on April 29,2019.

Experimental Study on Characteristics of NiMnGa Magnetically Controlled Shape Memory Alloy

The static and dynamic magnetic controlling characteristics of NiMnGa magnetically controlled shape memory alloy （MSMA） were experimentally studied. The results show that the characteristics of induced strain with respect to the magnetic field are nonlinear with saturation nature, and dependent on the temperature as well as the load applied to the MSMA. The magnetic shape memory effect can be observed only in complete martensite phase at room temperature. The magnetic permeability of MSMA is not constant and reduces with the increment of magnetic field. The relative saturation magnetic permeability of MSMA is about 1.5.

Endoscopic stenting and concurrent chemoradiotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer:A case-control study

AIM:To evaluate the role of endoscopic stenting with or without concurrent 3-dimensional conformal chemoradiotherapy (3D-CRT) in patients with inoperable esophageal cancer.METHODS:Advanced esophageal cancer patients indicated for esophagectomy received esophageal stents.A part of patients completed 3D-CRT after stenting.Efficacy was assessed by endoscopy and computed tomographic scan before and 4 wk after completion of the treatment.The median survival,3D-CRT toxicity and complications were compared between 3D-CRT and control groups.RESULTS:From 1999 to 2008,99 consecutive patients with T3/T4 disease and unsuitable for esophagectomy were placed with esophageal stents.Sixty-seven patients received 3D-CRT,while 36 patients treated withendoscopic stents alone were recruited as controls.After 3D-CRT treatment,the median tumor volume of 3D-CRT patients were reduced significantly from 43.7 ± 10.2 cm 3 to 28.8 ± 8.5 cm 3 (P < 0.05).The complete and partial response rate was 85.1%,and no response was 14.9%.After 3D-CRT,the incidence rate of T2 and T3 disease evident on CT scan increased to 78.4% while T4 decreased from 66.7% to 21.6% (P < 0.05).3DCRT Karnofsky Performance Status improved in 3D-CRT patients compared with the control group (P=0.031).3D-CRT patients had a longer survival than the control group (251.7 d vs 91.1 d,P < 0.05).And the median half-year survival rate in 3D-CRT group (91%) was higher than in the control group (50%,P < 0.05).The most common toxicity was leukocytopenia in the 3D-CRT group (46.7% vs 18.8%,P=0.008).The control group had a higher rate of restenosis than the 3D-CRT group (81.3% vs 9.0%,P < 0.05).The rate of nephrotoxicity was increased in 3D-CRT as compared with the control group (31.3% vs 15.6%,P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:3D-CRT can improve dysphagia in patients with inoperable esophageal carcinoma.3D-CRT combined with stenting results in better survival as compared with endoscopic stents used alone.

Experimental study on surface arc plasma actuation-based hypersonic boundary layer transition flow control

Effective control of hypersonic transition is essential.In order to avoid affecting the structural proflle of the aircraft,as well as reducing power consumption and electromagnetic interference,a low-frequency surface arc plasma disturbance experiment to promote hypersonic transition was carried out in theΦ0.25 m double-throat Ludwieg tube wind tunnel at Huazhong University of Science and Technology.Contacting printed circuit board sensors and non-contact focused laser differential interferometry testing technology were used in combination.Experimental results showed that the low-frequency surface arc plasma actuation had obvious stimulation effects on the second-mode unstable wave and could promote boundary layer transition by changing the spectral characteristics of the second-mode unstable wave.At the same time,the plasma actuation could promote energy exchange between the second-mode unstable wave and other unstable waves.Finally,the corresponding control mechanism is discussed.

Risk factors for liver-related mortality in chronic hepatitis C patients:A deceased case-living control study

AIM: To investigate the risk factors for liver-related mortality in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients.

A Controlled Study on Comparing Differences in CT Perfusion Imaging between Rabbits inoculated with VX2 Lung Tumor and Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung

OBJECTIVE By analysis and evaluation of the perfusion images and perfusion parameters of the rabbits with VX2 lung tumor, the association between the perfusion parameters and tumor angiogenesis of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung has been studied in order to establish a non-invasive and effective way to detect tumor blood supply, which is be able to exhibit hemodynamic data in tumors during cancer treatments. METHODS Fifteen Netherlands rabbits inoculated with VX2 lung tumor （rabbit group） and 25 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung （patient group） received a multi-slice spiral CT perfusion imaging test using the Netherlands PHILIPS Brilliance 16-slice spiral CT and a U.S. MEDRAD binocular highpressure syringe. Image postprocessing was done using the special perfusion software and EBW 4.0 Workstation. Perfusion volume （PV）, peak enhanced increment （PEI）, transit time peak （TTP）, and blood volume （BV） were measured and analyzed. RESULTS In the rabbit group, the values of the PV, PEI, TTP, and BV of the tumor margin were （53.89 ± 13.38） mL/（min.mL）, （45.71 ± 15.52） Hu, （39.29 ± 10.10） sec, and （31.45 ± 18.19） mL/100 g, respectively; these values of the tumor center were （36.57 ± 14.17） mL/（min.mL）, （28.64 ± 11.74） Hu, （39.00 ＋ 9.78） sec, and （19.76 ± 13.95） mL/100 g, respectively; the values of the muscles were （12.45± 4.38） mL/（min.mL）, （10.98 ± 5.03） Hu, （38.86 ± 10.04） sec, and （5.38 ±2.87） mL/100 g, respectively. The values of the relative perfusion volume （RPV）, relative peak enhanced increment （RPEI）, and relative blood volume （RBV） of the tumor margin were 4.38 ± 1.45, 3.96± 1.45, 9.99 ± 11.7, respectively; these values of the tumor center were 2.14 ± 1.08, 1.83±1.45, 4.17 ±3.39, respectively. The values of the PV, PEL BV of the tumor margin vs. the values of the muscles developed t-values, which were 15.028, 10.79, and 5.88, respectively （P ≤ 0.01）, with statistical significance; the values of the PV, PEI, BV of the tumor center vs. the values of the muscles produced t-values, which were 8.67, 7.49, and 4.55, respectively （P 〈 0.01）, with statistical significance. The values of the TTP of the tumor margin vs. TTP values of the muscles, and the TTP values of the tumor center vs. TTP values of the muscles developed t-values, which were 1.7 and 0.806, respectively （P ≥ 0.05）, without statistical significance. In the patient group, the values of the PV, PE, TTP, and BV of the tumor margin were （88.95 ± 30.89） mL/（min.mL）, （61.87 ± 27.31） Hu, （37.72 ± 12.53） sec, and （18.38 ± 7.2） mL/100 g, respectively; these values of the tumor center were （39.77 ± 18.29） mL/（min.mL）, （14.57 ± 8.1） Hu, （35.64 ± 12.41） sec, and （11.22 ± 6.02） mL/100 g, respectively; these values of the muscles were （12.45 ± 6.5） mL/（min.mL）, （6.14 ± 2.66） Hu, （35.68± 12.35） sec, and （2.23 ± 1.11） mL/100 g, respectively. The values of the RPV, RPEI, and RBV of the tumor margin were 8.05 ± 5.04, 8.87 ± 4.32, and 12.16 ± 8.49, respectively; these values of the tumor center were 2.39 ± 1.68, 2.97 ± 2.1, 3.53 ± 2.82, respectively. The values of the PV, PEI, BV of the tumor margin in the patient group vs. the values of the muscles produced t-values, which were 13.8, 10.85, and 12.22, respectively （P 〈 0.01）, with significant differences; these values of the tumor center vs. the values of the muscles developed t-values, which were 9.158, 6.26, 8.654, respectively （P 〈 0.01）, with significant differences. The TTP value of the tumor margin vs. that of the muscles produced t-value, which was 0.371, and the TTP value of the tumor center vs. that of the muscles developed t-value, which was 1 （P 〉 0.05）, without statistical difference. CONCLUSION CT perfusion imaging technics demonstrates directly dynamic changes of blood flow to tumors, which assists in identifying tumor growth and necrosis, therefore, this research provides an evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of human lung squamous cell carcinoma and has far-reaching clinical significance.

Parametric study of control mechanism of cortical bone remodeling under mechanical stimulus

The control mechanism of mechanical bone remodeling at cellular level was investigated by means of an extensive parametric study on a theoretical model described in this paper. From a perspective of control mechanism, it was found that there are several control mechanisms working simultaneously in bone remodeling which is a complex process. Typically, an extensive parametric study was carried out for investigating model parameter space related to cell differentiation and apoptosis which can describe the fundamental cell lineage behaviors. After analyzing all the combinations of 728 permutations in six model parameters, we have identified a small number of parameter combinations that can lead to physiologically realistic responses which are similar to theoretically idealized physiological responses. The results presented in the work enhanced our understanding on mechanical bone remodeling and the identified control mechanisms can help researchers to develop combined pharmacological-mechanical therapies to treat bone loss diseases such as osteoporosis.

Equity Study in Health Workforce on Tuberculosis Control in China: a Nationwide Evaluation

We aimed to describe the distribution of tuberculosis （TB） health workers in China and provide evidences of potential inequity for policy development. We used Lorenz curves and Gini index to characterize the distribution of TB health workers by population size, geographical area and number of annual registered TB cases. An additional stratified analysis was done by three economic regions. The Gini index were 0.33 for population size, 0.62 for geographical area and 0.30 for number of registered tuberculosis cases that indicated an acceptable average, significant inequity and a relative average distribution nationwide respectively.

Nasopharyngeal colonization of otopathogens in South Indian children with acuteotitis media -- A case control pilot study

Background: Acute otitis media (AOM) is an inflammatory disease of the middle ear causing significantmorbidity in early childhood. A pilot study was undertaken to identify the role of various risk factorsSouth Indian children with AOM, especially the role of nasopharyngeal otopathogens.Methodology: A prospective case control pilot study was conducted in children aged below six years,presenting to a single tertiary care from 2018 to 2019. Fifty cases with AOM and 45 age and gendermatched controls were recruited. Two nasopharyngeal swabs were collected, one was processed forbacterial culture. The other swab was processed according to the CDC recommended broth enrichmentmethod to identify carriage of S. pneumoniae. Subsequent serotyping was done by Quellung method andconventional sequential multiplex PCR.Result: Otalgia was the major presentation seen in 92% of the children with AOM. None of the clinical anddemographic characteristics were found to be statistically significant between the cases and controls. Themost common otopathogen was S. pneumoniae (55%) followed by H. influenza (29%). The commonS. pneumoniae serotypes encountered were 11A and 19F.Nasopharyngeal colonization with S. pneumoniae[OR 6.57, p < 0.003] and H. influenzae [OR14.18, p < 0.003] were significant risk factors for AOM inchildren. The risk increased with co-colonization (OR 13.89,p < 0.003).Conclusion: This study strengthens the significant association between nasopharyngeal colonization ofotopathogens and AOM as a risk factor that is enhanced by co-colonization.S. pneumoniae was the mainotopathogen in this population, serotypes 11A and 19F being the most common.

Multicenter case-control study of the risk factors for ulcerative colitis in China

AIM:To evaluate potential risk factors in the development of ulcerative colitis(UC) in China.METHODS:A total of 1308 patients with UC and 1308 age-matched and sex-matched controls were prospectively studied in China.The UC cases were collected from 17 hospitals in China from April 2007 to April 2010.Uniform questionnaires were designed to investigate risk factors including smoking,appendectomy,stress,socio-economic conditions,nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs(NSAIDs),oral contraceptives,diet,breastfeeding,infections and family sanitary conditions.Group comparisons by each factor were done using simple logistic regression analysis.Conditional logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis.RESULTS:By univariate analysis,the variables predictive of UC included feeling stress,light and heavy alcoholic drinking,spicy food,sugar consumption and infectious diarrhea,while heavy tea intake and tap water consumption were protective against UC.On multivariate analysis,the protective factor for UC was tap water consumption [odds ratios(OR) = 0.424,95%CI:0.302-0.594,P < 0.001];while the potential risk factors for UC were heavy sugar consumption(OR = 1.632,95%CI:1.156-2.305,P < 0.001),spicy food(light intake:OR = 3.329,95%CI:2.282-4.857,P < 0.001;heavy intake:OR = 3.979,95%CI:2.700-5.863,P < 0.001),and often feeling stress(OR = 1.981,95%CI:1.447-2.711,P < 0.001).Other factors,such as smoking habit,appendectomy,breastfeeding,a history of measles,rural or urban residence,education,oral contraceptives,and NSAID use have not been found to have a significant association with the development of UC in the present study.CONCLUSION:Our study showed tap water consumption was a protective factor for UC,while spicy food,heavy sugar consumption and often feeling stress were risk factors for UC in this Chinese population.

A Case-Control Study on Leisure Time Physical Activity (LTPA) during the Last Three Months of Pregnancy and Foetal Outcomes in Italy

The association between Leisure Time Physical Activity (LTPA) during pregnancy and foetal outcomes has been extensively investigated. However, epidemiological studies specifically referred to LPTA in the last months of pregnancy are scarce. We evaluated the association between LPTA and the risk of both preterm delivery and small for gestational age (SGA) during the last three months of pregnancy in Italy. A nationwide case-control study was performed in nine Italian cities. A total of 299 preterm delivery, 364 SGA and 855 controls were enrolled in the study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess socio-demographic variables, medical and reproductive history, life-style habits and LTPA referred to the last three months of pregnancy. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed in order to estimate Odds ratios and 95% CI. LTPA during the last three months of pregnancy decreases the risk of preterm delivery (adjusted OR = 0.56;95% CI 0.39 - 0.79). Among the different types of physical activity, walking, the most frequently referred activity, appears significantly protective against preterm delivery (adjusted OR = 0.53;95% CI 0.36 - 0.81). Moreover, a small protective effect of walking was evidenced against SGA (adjusted OR = 0.72;95% CI 0.51 - 1.00). In conclusion, a mild physical activity such as walking in the last three months of pregnancy seems to reduce the risk of preterm delivery and, at a lesser extent, of SGA, confirming the beneficial effects of physical activity along the whole pregnancy.

Case Control Study of Impulsivity,Aggression,Pesticide Exposure and Suicide Attempts Using Pesticides among Farmers

A case-control study was conducted to investigate associations between organophosphate pesticide（OP）exposure,aggression,impulsivity,and attempted suicide.Questionnaires were used to collect information;impulsivity and aggression were measured by the Barratt Impulsivity Scale（BIS）and the Aggression Inventory（AI）.