GSTM1,GSTT1,GSTP1 and CYP1A1 genetic polymorphisms and susceptibility to esophageal cancer in a French population:Different pattern of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma

AIM:To evaluate the association between CYP1A1 and GSTs genetic polymorphisms and susceptibility to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)and esophageal adenocarcinoma(ADC)in a high risk area of northwest of France. METHODS:A case-control study was conducted to investigate the genetic polymorphisms of these enzymes (CYPIAI*2C and GSTP1 exon 7 Val alleles,GSTMI*2/*2 and GSTTl *2/*2 null genotypes).A total of 79 esophageal cancer cases and 130 controls were recruited. RESULTS:GSTMI*2/*2 and CYPIAI*IA/*2C genotype frequencies were higher among squamous cell carcinomas at a level dose to statistical significance(OR =1.83,95% CI 0.88-3.83,P=0.11;OR=3.03,95% CI 0.93-9.90,P=0.07, respectively).For GSTP1 polymorphism,no difference was found between controls and cases,whatever their histological status.Lower frequency of GSTT1 deletion was observed in ADC group compared to controls with a statistically significant difference(OR=13.31,95% CI 1.66-106.92,P<0.01). CONCLUSION:In SCC,our results are consistent with the strong association of this kind of tumour with tobacco exposure.In ADC,our results suggest 3 distinct hypotheses: (1)activation of exogenous procarcinogens,such as small halogenated compounds by GSTT1;(2)contribution of GSTT1 to the inflammatory response of esophageal mucosa,which is known to be a strong risk factor for ADC, possibly through leukotriene synthesis;(3)higher sensitivity to the inflammatory process associated with intracellular depletion of glutathione.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms:Prevalence,sociodemographics and treatment patterns in the adult Israeli population

AIM： To evaluate the prevalence and sociodemographics of gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD） symptoms and to identify treatment patterns among GERD patients. METHODS： A telephone survey of a representative sample of the adult Israeli population was conducted. The questionnaire included detailed sociodemographics, history of GERD symptoms and the various treatments used. RESULTS： The survey included 2027 subjects. Twice weekly, once weekly and monthly GEP, D symptoms were reported by 8.4%, 12.5% and 21.5% of subjects, respectively. There was no difference in prevalence between men and woman; however, GERD symptoms were significantly more prevalent within the older age group and lower socioeconomic status. Among those reporting weekly symptoms, a quarter did not use any kind of therapy and another quarter used various traditional remedies （e.g. soda, milk, almonds, etc.）. Antacids were used by 35.1%, H2 blockers by 13.2% and PPIs by 17.5%. CONCLUSION： We found that 12.5% of the adult Israeli population experience weekly GERD symptoms. GERD prevalence and sociodemographics are similar to those described in other Western countries, and treatment is still suboptimal.

Steering Vibrational Population Transfer via Double-∑-Type Laser Scheme

The vibrational state-selected population transfer from a highly vibrationally excited level to the ground level is of great importance in the preparation of ultra-cold molecules. By using the time-dependent quantum-wave-packet method, the population transfer dynamics is investigated theoretically for the HF molecule. A double-E-type laser scheme is proposed to transfer the population from the ｜v=16〉 level to the ground vibrational level ｜v=0〉 on the ground electronic state. The scheme consists of two steps： The first step is to transfer the population from ｜v=16〉 to ｜v=7〉 via an intermediate level ｜v=11〉, and the second one is to transfer the population from ｜v=7〉 to ｜v=0〉 via ｜v=3〉. In each step, three vibrational levels form a E-type population transfer path under the action of two temporally overlapped laser pulses. The maximal population-transfer efficiency is obtained by optimizing the laser inten- sities, frequencies, and relative delays. Cases for the pulses in intuitive and counterintuitive sequences are both calculated and compared. It is found that for both cases the population can be efficiently （over 90%） transferred from the ｜v=-16〉 level to the ｜v=0〉 level.

Preliminary Theoretical Studies on the Combination of Halogen Ions with Crown Tetraalanylpeptide

The density functional theory based hybrid-method B3LYP was used to investigate the interaction of the halogen ions with crown tetraalanylpeptide which was the coronary structures of homodetic cyclotetraalapeptide and was represented as the model basic. Many properties including combination energy, optimum geometry structures and population analysis were calculated. It was shown that there was scarcely any change in the coronary structure of C4-Ala after combination with X. The electrons moved from halogen ions to C4-Ala during the combining process. Combination of C4-Ala with F was obviously stronger than that of Cl^- and Br. When the energy of C4-Ala-X was at minimum, the distances between halogen ions and the center of C4-Ala were 0.084 nm, 0.210 nm and 0.200 nm, respectively.

Study on Urban Hierarchy Status of Sports Population in Jiangxi Province

The survey shows that urban sports population in Jiangxi Province have the following characteristics： the ＂jobless or unemployed＂ , ＂retired＂ vastly outnumber office workers, which reflects the uneven distribution of various strata; men outnumber women among the young and mid-aged and women are slightly outnumber men among the elderly, which reflects the uneven gender distribution; sports participation investment of higher income strata is relatively high, and low-income people are taking universal sports activities. To optimize the structure of sports population, the government needs to increase public investment in sports venues and facilities and publicity of the national fitness program, using legislation to protect off work time and raising the minimum income standards, and urging enterprises to set staff room, sports venues and facilities.

The Prediction of Population of the Yangtze Finless Porpoise

[Objective] The aim was to study the current living situation of Yangtze finless porpoise, and explore the prediction of the number of Yangtze finless porpoise in next few years. [Method] Modified Leslie Model and Siler's Model was applied to estimate the number of Yangtze finless porpoise. [Result] Using the model,Yangtze finless porpoise will extinct in nearly 20 years. [Conclusion] The study provides a cautionary warning of the conservation of the freshwater cetacean species.

Effect of Socio-Demographic Factors on Zinc Status of Infants and Preschool Children in East Gojjam, Amhara Region of Ethiopia

Zinc deficiency is a public health concern and is the most prevalent micronutrient deficiencies in developing countries. The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of zinc deficiency among infants and preschool children. Based on a community, the cross-sectional study was conducted in East Gojjam between October 2011 and April 2012. Two hundred and forty infants and preschool children were randomly selected in the study. Data on potential determinants of zinc deficiency were collected using a structured questionnaire. Serum zinc concentration was measured using atomic absorption spectrometer. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA, independent sample student＇s t-test and linear regression model. The mean serum zinc concentration of infants and preschool children was 62.98 （±13.03） μg/dL in 95% confidence interval （CI） between 61.32 and 64.63 （i.e., 95% CI： 61.32, 64.63）. About 57,1% of the subjects were zinc deficient. The main determinants of low serum zinc status of infants and preschool children were age and number of family members living on the same land. Zinc status of older children was 3.67 μg/dL （95% CI： -5.58, -1.77） lower than children who were aged 6-10 months. Serum zinc status of infants and preschool children is decreased by 0.83 p.g/dL （95% CI： -1.36, -0.30） with each additional family member. Food insecurity, dietary diversity, sex, child health, anthropometric indices, maternal education and wealth index were not associated with serum zinc status. Zinc deficiency among infants and preschool children is highly prevalent. Such potential deficiencies require urgent attention, including complementary food preparation education, traditional phytate reduction method and family planning implementation recommended in the study area.

Common causes of geriatric medical emergencies in China

To the Editor One of the most significant demographic changes in our cotmtry is the increase in the elderly population. In China Mainland, the population aged 60 and older was 194 million in 2012, accounting for 14.3% of the total population. However, by 2053, it is estimated that the number of elderly will reach 487 million, representing 34.8% of the total population. Elderly patients represent an everncreasing populace in emergency medicine who often present with atypical signs and symptoms as well as eomorbidities that can complicate diagnoses and treatment.Ell The geographic factors and the developmental status of the country can influence the spectrum of common geriatric emergencies. Thus, this study presents a retrospective analysis of common causes of geriatric emergencies involving 9,628 elderly patients from Jan. 2008 to Dec. 2013 in an emergency department in Beijing, China.

Factors Associated with Coronary Artery Disease in Young Population(Age≤40):Analysis with 217 Cases

Objective To investigate the relevant factors of coronary artery disease （CAD） in young people under 40 years of age. Methods The study population was 292 young patients accepting coronary angiography in Fuwai Hospital from July to December 2006, including 272 men and 20 women, with the mean age being 36.7±3.7 years. The diagnosis of CAD was made in the cases presenting ~ 50% stenosis in coronary lumen in coronary angiography. Based on the diagnosis, 217 patients （204 men, 13 women） were assigned to CAD group, and 75 （68 men, 7 women） to non-CAD group. Clinical data and metabolic characteristics of the patients were collected and analyzed using t-test, Z2 test, and multinomial logistic regression with SPSS 8.0 software. Results Most study subjects were current smokers （209/292, 71.6%）, and more than half had body mass index （BMI）〉24 kg/m2 （230/292, 78.8%） and usually took high-fat diet （162/292, 55.5%）. The proportion of heavy smokers （smoking history ≥10 years and t〉20 cigarettes per clay） were significantly higher in the CAD group than in the non-CAD group [20.7% （45/217） vs. 9.3% （7/75）, P=0.015）]. Heavy smoking [odds ratio （OR）, 1.89; 95% confidence interval （CI）, 1.74-2.05], hypertension （OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.48-1.65）, alcohol （OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.30-1.46）, type 2 diabetes mellitus （OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.25-1.50）, high-fat diet （OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.28-1.43）, and BMI〉24 kg/m2 （OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.03-1.17） were factors related to CAD in the young patients （all P〈0.05）. Total cholesterol （4.56_±1.46 mmol/L vs. 4.09_±1.00 mmol/L）, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （2.38±1.11 mmol/L vs. 2.14±0.63 rnmol/L）, lipoprotein a （134.97±109.70 mg/L vs. 101.58±58.39 mg/L）, uric acid （359.89_±100.09 μmol/L vs. 336.75±94.36 μmol/L）, erythrocyte sedimentation rate （9.98± 12.19 ram/hour vs. 4.89_±4.92 mm/hour）, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （3.42±4.39 mg/L vs. 2.80±_3.77 mg/L） and Big endothelin-1 （1.41±1.50 fmol/mL vs. 0.77_±1.13 fmol/mL） in plasma were significantly increased in the CAD group compared with the non-CAD group （all P〈0.05）. Conclusions Heavy smoking, hypertension, alcohol consumption, type 2 diabetes mellitus, high-fat diet and BMI〉24 kg/m2 were significantly related to CAD in patients aged ≤40, with heavy smoking presenting the highest OR. Metabolic syndrome and inflammation were also more common in young CAD patients than in non-CAD patients.

Relationship Population Density of Aquatic Sediment Macrozoobenthos to River Water Quality Parameters： Case Study of Upstream Citarum River in Bandung Regency

The increase in anthropogenic activities occur along the upstream of Citarum River Basin （CRB） in Bandung regency had a negative impact to the water quality caused by the presence of human activity, it will be able to be a disruption to the ecosystem aquatic. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of the physical and chemical parameters of water and sediment to the presence of macrozoobenthos populations. Based on the result of Pearson Correlation Analysis （PCA）, the parameters of COD, TOC and silt composition were the highest correlation to the macrozoobenthos population density, the value were 0.966, 0.865 and 0.576. Although PCA analysis is used to determine the relationship between the parameters of water, sediment and sediment particle distribution, the result showed that the water parameters were the mayor component affected the density of macrozoobenthos. While based on the composition of sediment, it is found that substrate as silt, clay and gravel and phosphate parameter affected the density of macrozoobenthos. The measurement of water quality also were calculated by Biotic Monitoring Working Party-Average Score Per Taxon （BMWP-ASPT） index showed that the quality were polluted condition, although by Pollution Index （IP） method showed as a light polluted category.

Characteristics of Thyroid Hormones in Hypertensive Hispanic Population

The aim was to characterize thyroid function in Hispanic hypertensive population. Retrospective study of 1,023 individuals was performed, in which 68.23% had hypertension （74.21% women） and 37.25% had thyroid pathology. Age, weight, blood pressure, biochemical measurements were recorded, mean age： 53.02 ± 14.80 yr, mean weight： 83.05 ±16.95 kg, thyrotropin-stimulating hormone （TSH） hypertensive patients： 5.55±1.63 μUI/mL and without hypertension： 3,72 ± 1.60 μUI/mL. TSH range concentration distributed by sex indicates： 1.50-2.49 μUI/mL men, 2.50-5.01 μUI/mL women. TSH categories vs. age were positively associated （r = ＋ 0.114, P = 0.044） and hypertension by age was also correlated （r = ＋ 0.178, P = 0.0001）. Significant positive association we found between TSH and diastolic blood pressure （r = ＋ 0.197, P = 0.008）. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure vs. age were positively increasing （r = ＋ 0.410,p = 0.0001; r = ＋0.285, P = 0.0001, respectively）. Prevalence of thyroid pathology in hypertensive subjects are hyperthyroidism 5.87%; hypothyroidism 20.34% （5.73% subclinic） and autoimmune disease 6.25%. High percentage of hypertensive population has concomitant thyroid diseases, more common in women （50-70 years）. Systematic surveillance for occult thyroid dysfunction in patients with hypertension could prevent future cardiovascular disease.

Asymmetrical mate preference in recently adapted White Sands and black lava populations of Sceloporus undulatus

Speciation can proceed rapidly when natural and sexual selection act in concert. For example speciation can be ac- celerated when traits that confer a selective advantage in a particular habitat also influence mate preference. Studying parallel but evolutionarily independent instances of ecological divergence can illuminate the interaction between natural and sexual selection during speciation. Locally adapted populations of the eastern fence lizard Sceloporus undulatus have recently evolved in three different habitats in the Chihuahuan desert： blanched color morphs occur on the gypsum dunes of White Sands, melanic color morphs occur on the Carrizozo lava flow, and brown color morphs occur in the surrounding desert scrubland. In addition to dif- ferences in cryptic dorsal coloration, populations also differ in the size and color of ventral patches used for social signaling. This system therefore provides an opportunity to investigate the interplay of natural and sexual selection during rapid ecological speci- ation. We used mate preference experiments to determine whether locally adapted populations may exhibit the early stages of be- havioral reproductive isolation. We observed an asymmetrical mate preference in this system; White Sands males preferentially courted local females, while males from dark soils and black lava populations did not exhibit a preference for local mates. We also found that female behavior and ventral patch phenotype were associated with male courtship. Our results suggest that the observed preference for local mates evolved at White Sands, and we discuss the possible link between local adaptation and traits involved in mate preference in this system [Current Zoology 59 （1）： 20-30, 2013].

Individual variability in life-history traits drives population size stability

Understanding how population sizes vary over time is a key aspect of ecological research. Unfortunately, our under- standing of population dynamics has historically been based on an assumption that individuals are identical with homogenous life-history properties. This assumption is certainly false for most natural systems, raising the question of what role individual variation plays in the dynamics of populations. While there has been an increase of interest regarding the effects of within popula- tion variation on the dynamics of single populations, there has been little study of the effects of differences in within population variation on patterns observed across populations. We found that life-history differences （clutch size） among individuals ex- plained the majority of the variation observed in the degree to which population sizes of eastern fence lizards Sceloporus undula- tus fluctuated. This finding suggests that differences across populations cannot be understood without an examination of differences at the level of a system rather than at the level of the individual

Sexual selection on color and behavior within and between cichlid populations： Implications for speciation

Sexual selection is widely viewed as playing a central role in haplochromine cichlid speciation. Hypothetically, once divergent mate preferences evolve among populations of these fishes, reproductive isolation follows and the populations begin to behave as different species. Various studies have examined patterns of assortative mating among species and sometimes populations, but few have examined variation in directional preferences, especially among populations of the same species. We investi- gated mate choice behavior in two populations of Labeotropheus fueUeborni, a Lake Malawi endemic. We test whether mating preferences between populations are based on the same traits and in the same direction as preferences within populations. We examine the potential contributions of two classes of trait, color patterns and behaviors, to reproductive isolation. When females chose between either two males of their own population, or two from another, female preferences were generally similar （for the female population） across the two contexts. Mate choice patterns differed between （female） populations for a measure of color, but only modestly for male behavior. In a separate experiment we simultaneously offered females a male of their own population and a male from a different population. In these trials, females consistently preferred males from their own population, which were also the males that displayed more frequently than their opponents, but not necessarily those with color traits suggested to be most attractive in the previous experiment. Thus directional preferences for chroma and related aspects of color may be important when females are presented with males of otherwise similar phenotypes, but may play little role in mediating assortative mating among populations with substantially different color patterns. A preference for male behavior could play some role in speciation if males preferentially court same-population females, as we have observed for the populations studied herein [Current Zoology 58 （3）： 475-483, 2012].