Population In Beijing Research Articles

Triglycerides are a predictive factor for arterial stiffness: a community-based 4.8-year prospective study.

BackgroundEpidemiological studies have disclosed an independent effect of triglycerides on coronary heart disease despite achievement of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals with statin therapy. Arterial stiffness has been increasingly recognized as a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerotic disease. The association between triglycerides and arterial stiffness is not well characterized. We aimed to determine the relationship between triglycerides and arterial stiffness in a community-based longitudinal sample from Beijing, China.MethodsWe related levels of plasma TGs to measures of arterial stiffness (carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity [PWV] and carotid–radial PWV) in 1447 subjects (mean age, 61.3 years) from a community-based population in Beijing, China.ResultsAfter a median follow-up interval of 4.8 years, multiple linear regression analysis revealed that TGs were independently associated with carotid–femoral PWV (β = 0.747, P < 0.001) and carotid-radial PWV (β = 0.367, P = 0.001). In the group older than 65 years, the association between baseline TG levels and follow-up carotid–femoral PWV (β = 1.094, P = 0.001) and carotid-radial PWV (β = 0.524, P = 0.002) were strengthened. In forward stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis, every SD increase in TGδ was associated with a 1.296-increased likelihood of the presence of carotid–femoral PWVδII (OR [per SD increase in TGδ]: 1.296; 95 % CI: 1.064 ~ 1.580; P = 0.010) in Model 2, whereas the relationship between TGδ and carotid-radial PWVδII disappeared. In addition, the relationship was strengthened between TGδ and the presence of carotid–femoral PWVδII (OR 1.526, 95 % CI: 1.088–2.141, P = 0.014) in the group older than 65 years but not carotid-radial PWVδII. No association was noted in subjects younger than 65 years.ConclusionsLower triglyceride levels were significantly associated with decreases in carotid–femoral PWV, indicating that achieving low TG levels may be an additional therapeutic consideration in subjects with atherosclerotic disease.

Association between SCAP and SREBF1 gene polymorphisms and metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia patients treated with atypical antipsychotics

Objectives: The use of atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) in the treatment of schizophrenia has been relevant because of the high prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The sterol-regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) pathway may contribute to the underlying pathophysiology of AAP-induced metabolic adverse effects. We explored the association between the variants of the sterol-regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1 (SREBF1) gene and the SREBP cleavage-activation protein (SCAP) gene with AAP-induced MetS in a genetic case–control study. Methods: Eleven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of SREBF1 and five of SCAP were genotyped in a Han Chinese population in Beijing, China: a sample of 722 schizophrenia patients on monotherapy with AAPs (clozapine, olanzapine or risperidone). Metabolic parameters were collected and evaluated for MetS criteria. Results: The rs11654081 T-allele of the SREBF1 gene was significantly associated with an increased risk for MetS after correction (P = 0.019, odds ratio, OR =2.56, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.4 4–4.54). The rs11654081-TT genotype appeared more frequently in MetS than in non-MetS after correction (P = 0.026, OR =2.37, 95% CI: 1.3 6–4.12). SCAP polymorphisms with drug-induced MetS were negative in this study. Conclusions: The genetic polymorphisms of SREBF1 could play a role in the mechanism for interindividual variation of AAP-induced MetS.

Combined Effect of Hyperhomocysteinemia and Hypertension on the Presence of Early Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis

To examine the individual effect of elevated homocysteine and its combined effect with hypertension on early carotid artery atherosclerosis (ECAS). We recruited 1257 subjects from a community-based population in Beijing, China, aged 55 years and older. The definition of hyperhomocysteinemia was referred to as the presence of homocysteine concentrations greater than 15 µmol/L. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), plaque, the sum of plaque thickness (plaque score, PS), and plaque location in common carotid artery were established by ultrasonography. The presence of increased CIMT (≥1.0 mm) and plaque was defined as ECAS. Age, sex, smoking, alcohol drinking, physical activity, total cholesterol, glucose, estimated glomerular filtration rate, hypoglycemic therapy, and lipid-lowering therapy were adjusted by logistic regression analysis. After adjustments for all potential confounders, the risks of presence of plaque, bilateral plaque, and high PS were significantly higher in the group with hyperhomocysteinemia as compared with reference group (the normal homocysteine and normotensive). The odds ratios (ORs) were 1.56 for presence of plaque (95% CI 1.05-2.33), 1.80 for bilateral plaque (95% CI 1.08-2.99), and 1.90 for high PS (95% CI 1.09-3.30), respectively. The group with both hyperhomocysteinemia and hypertension manifested the highest ORs of ECAS. The fully adjusted ORs were 1.67 for increased CIMT (95% CI 1.15-2.42), 2.48 for bilateral plaques (95% CI 1.54-3.99), and 2.69 for high PS (95% CI 1.61-4.47), correspondingly. Elevated homocysteine had a mild-to-moderate independent effect on ECAS. Combined with hypertension, hyperhomocysteinemia might increase the strength of the above-mentioned effects.

Variant of PBX2 gene in the 6p21.3 asthma susceptibility locus is associated with allergic rhinitis in Chinese subjects.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a complex chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa, caused by an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. As evidence suggests that some genetic variants may increase susceptibility to both AR and asthma, the objective of this study was to identify asthma susceptibility variants associated with AR in the Chinese population. A cohort of 402 individuals with physician-diagnosed AR and 416 healthy controls were recruited from the Han Chinese population in Beijing. DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood and a total of 12 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) shown to be associated with asthma in Japanese subjects were selected for genotyping using the SequenomMassARRAY technology platform. Analysis of frequency differences of allele between the AR patients and control subjects showed that the C allele of rs204993 in the pre-B-cell leukemia homeobox 2 (PBX2) gene from the 6p21.3 locus was significantly associated with AR (p = 0.0006, pcorrected = 0.0340). Genotype analysis further confirmed the difference in distribution of this variant between AR patients and controls in the both the dominant (pT/C+C/C vs T/T = 7.37×10(-5) ) and co-dominant (pT/C vs T/T = 1.98 × 10(-4) , pC/C vs T/T = 0.004) models. These results suggest that the PBX2 gene in the 6p21.3 asthma susceptibility locus may be associated with increased risk for both AR and asthma in Chinese subjects.

Hepatitis C Virus Subtype and Evolution Characteristic Among Drug Users, Men Who Have Sex With Men, and the General Population in Beijing, China

The aim of this study was to characterize the current molecular epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and evaluate the evolutionary patterns of HCV subtypes in Beijing, China, among different subpopulations.The whole blood samples and behavioral data were collected from a total of 10,354 subjects, including drug users (DUs), men who have sex with men (MSM), and the general population, in Beijing from 2010 to 2011. Samples were tested for HCV infection using both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time PCR. All viremic subjects were then sequenced by nested PCR over core/E1 and NS5B regions. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic analysis was performed by BEAST software.In total, 217 subjects (2.1%) were tested positive for HCV by antibody or vRNA-based testing. HCV prevalence rates for DUs, MSM, and the general population were 26.2%, 0.54%, and 0.37%, respectively. The 156 HCV RNA-positive samples were sequenced. Nine HCV genotypes, including 1a, 1b, 2a, 3a, 3b, 6a, 6n, 6u and 6v, were detected. The most prevalent subtypes were 3b (36.09%), 1b (32.54%), and 3a (16.57%). Bayesian evolutionary analysis estimated that the time of introduction of subtype 1b into Beijing was 2004 (95% CI: 1997.7, 2007.7), with subtypes 3a and 3b being introduced later in 2006. Evolutionary analyses further suggested that subtype 1b from Beijing and Shanghai were closely related, whereas subtype 3a sequences were more similar with sequences from Yunnan, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Jiangsu. Subtype 3b sequences were closely related to those from Yunnan, Guangdong, and Hong Kong.Thus, the current HCV epidemic in Beijing is complex, heavily affecting DUs, and involving multiple genotypes that likely spread from different regions in China with its large migrant population.

Investigation on serum lipid levels of healthy adult population in Beijing

Objective To investigate on the gender and age distribution characteristics of serum lipid levels among apparently healthy adult population in Beijing and analyse its related risk factors. Methods This is a prospective study. 1 712 healthy individuals between 18 and 79 years old were recruited from medical examination center of Peking University Third Hospital. By strict exclusion criteria, 951 healthy individuals (429 males and 522 females) were included in our study. A calibrated automatic biochemical analyzer was used to measure TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, ApoA1, ApoB concentrations in serum. Test results were stratified by gender, age, related risk factors, and statistically analysed.Two groups of normally disthibuted data were compared using t test; multiple groups of data were compared using variance analysis. Results Results for TC (t=4.013, P<0.050), HDL-C(t=9.162, P<0.05) and ApoA1( t=8.225, P<0.05) appear generally higher in women than in men. On the contrary, males had greater levels of TG(Z=3.119, P<0.05) compared to females. There was an obvious increasing trend in TC( F=47.984, P<0.05), TG(Chi square=146.616, P<0.05), LDL-C(F=46.024, P<0.05), non-HDL-C(F=45.027, P<0.05) and ApoB levels(F=52.020, P<0.05), as well as peaked in the 60-69 age group, decreased in 70-70 years old. The population of beneath the bachelor-degree had greater levels of ApoB (t=5.989, P<0.05), LDL-C(t=4.445, P<0.05), TC(t=2.885, P<0.05), non-HDL-C(t=4.332, P<0.05) and TG(Z=3.346, P<0.05) compared to the group of bachelor degree or above. Meanwhile, The levels of TC(t=8.273, P<0.05), HDL-C(t=3.346, P<0.05), LDL-C(t=5.768, P<0.05), non-HDL-C(t=7.213, P<0.05), ApoA1(t=3.683, P<0.05), ApoB(t=6.267, P<0.05), TG(Z=5.626, P<0.05) of the population lived in urban area were higher than rural areas. Interestingly, the concentration of ApoA1(t=3.238, P<0.05), HDL-C( t=6.011, P<0.05) and TC(t=2.712, P<0.05) were much higher in the population of mental worker than the manual worker. BMI and waistline positively correlated with serum TG(rs=0.379, 0.443, P<0.01), TC(rs=0.160, 0.176, P<0.01), LDL-C(rs=0.238, 0.263, P<0.01), ApoB (rs=0.326, 0.371, P<0.01) and non-HDL-C(rs=0.304, 0.336, P<0.01) respectively, but negatively correlated with HDL-C(rs=-0.358, -0.386, P<0.01) and ApoA1(rs=-0.203, -0.209, P<0.01). Conclusions The study obtained the distribution of lipid levels among apparently healthy a dult population in Beijing. It may offer objective basis for clinical risk assessment of ASCVD, and guid the clinician to choose the optimal individualized treatment.(Chin J Lab Med, 2016, 39: 34-39) Key words: Dyslipidemias; Cholesterol, LDL; Food habits; Life style; Health surveys

Body Mass Index and the Risk of Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality Among Patients With Hypertension: A Population-Based Prospective Cohort Study Among Adults in Beijing, China.

BackgroundStudies on the association between body mass index (BMI) and death risk among patients with hypertension are limited, and the results are inconsistent. We investigated the association between BMI and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality among hypertensive patients in a population of Beijing, China.MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study of 2535 patients with hypertension aged 40 to 91 years from Beijing, China. Participants with a history of CVD at baseline were excluded from analysis. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the association of different levels of BMI stratification with CVD and all-cause mortality.ResultsDuring a mean follow-up of 8.1 years, 486 deaths were identified, including 233 cases of CVD death. The multivariable-adjusted hazards ratios for all-cause mortality associated with BMI levels (<20, 20–22, 22–24, 24–26 [reference group], 26–28, 28–30, and ≥30 kg/m2) were 2.03 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.48–2.78), 1.61 (95% CI, 1.18–2.20), 1.30 (95% CI, 0.95–1.78), 1.00 (reference), 1.12 (95% CI, 0.77–1.64), 1.33 (95% CI, 0.90–1.95), and 1.66 (95% CI, 1.10–2.49), respectively. When stratified by age, sex, or smoking status, the U-shaped association was still present in each subgroup (P > 0.05 for all interactions). Regarding the association of BMI with CVD mortality, a U-shaped trend was also observed.ConclusionsThe present study showed a U-shaped association of BMI with CVD and all-cause mortality among patients with hypertension. A lowest risk of all-cause mortality was found among hypertensive patients with BMI between 24 and 26 kg/m2.

Variation of airborne quartz in air of Beijing during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting

Quartz particles are a toxic component of airborne particulate matter (PM). Quartz concentrations were analyzed by X-ray diffraction in eighty-seven airborne PM samples collected from three locations in Beijing before, during, and after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting in 2014. The results showed that the mean concentrations of quartz in PM samples from the two urban sites were considerably higher than those from the rural site. The quartz concentrations in samples collected after the APEC meeting, when the pollution restriction lever was lifted, were higher than those in the samples collected before or during the APEC meeting. The quartz concentrations ranged from 0.97 to 13.2μg/m3, which were among the highest values amid those reported from other countries. The highest quartz concentration exceeded the Californian Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment reference exposure level and was close to the occupational threshold limit values for occupational settings. Moreover, a correlation analysis showed that quartz concentrations were positively correlated with concentrations of pollution parameters PM10, PM2.5, SO2 and NOx, but were negatively correlated with O3 concentration. The results suggest that the airborne quartz particles may potentially pose health risks to the general population of Beijing.

Daily Estimation of Ground-Level PM2.5 Concentrations over Beijing Using 3 km Resolution MODIS AOD.

Estimating exposures to PM2.5 within urban areas requires surface PM2.5 concentrations at high temporal and spatial resolutions. We developed a mixed effects model to derive daily estimations of surface PM2.5 levels in Beijing, using the 3 km resolution satellite aerosol optical depth (AOD) calibrated daily by the newly available high-density surface measurements. The mixed effects model accounts for daily variations of AOD-PM2.5 relationships and shows good performance in model predictions (R(2) of 0.81-0.83) and cross-validations (R(2) of 0.75-0.79). Satellite derived population-weighted mean PM2.5 for Beijing was 51.2 μg/m(3) over the study period (Mar 2013 to Apr 2014), 46% higher than China's annual-mean PM2.5 standard of 35 μg/m(3). We estimated that more than 19.2 million people (98% of Beijing's population) are exposed to harmful level of long-term PM2.5 pollution. During 25% of the days with model data, the population-weighted mean PM2.5 exceeded China's daily PM2.5 standard of 75 μg/m(3). Predicted high-resolution daily PM2.5 maps are useful to identify pollution "hot spots" and estimate short- and long-term exposure. We further demonstrated that a good calibration of the satellite data requires a relatively large number of ground-level PM2.5 monitoring sites and more are still needed in Beijing.

Association between the variation of 8q24 genes expression and prostate cancer in Chinese populations in Beijing

Objective To explore the association between the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of 8q24(rs1016343, T, rs13252298, G and rs6983561, C)genes and prostate cancer (Pca) in Chinese population in Beijing, and to analyze the relationship between these genotypes and clinical characteristics in patients with prostate cancer. Methods Based on a case-control study, 289 patients with prostate cancer and 288 age-matched control subjects were recruited. The differences of allele and genotype frequencies of 8q24(rs1016343, rs13252298 and rs6983561) genes were analyzed between the two groups and the relationships between different genotypes and clinical features such as age, body mass index (BMI), Gleason score, prostate specific antigen (PSA) level and tumor stage were investigated. Results There was significant difference in the frequency distribution of CC genotype of SNP rs6983561 between case and control groups(OR=1.91, P=0.044). The frequency distribution of CC+ TC genotypes of SNPrs1016343 had significant differences among the PCa patients with different ages (P=0.00). The frequency distribution of CC/AC+ AA genotypes of SNP rs6983561 had significant differences among the PCa patients with different tumor stage, progressive type and BMI (P=0.046, 0.034 and 0.021). The cumulative effects test of risk alleles (rs1016343 and rs6983561) showed that the risk of PCa in patients carrying 1, 2, ≥3 risk alleles was respectively 1.332, 1.416 and 1.519 folds more than that in controls. Conclusions The risk allele C of rs6982561 may be associated with the risk of Pca, tumor stage, progressive type and BMI in people in north China, and age may be correlated with the risk of PCa in people carrying risk allele T of rs1016343. Key words: Prostate neoplasms; Polymorphism, single nucleotide; Risk assessment

Association between the Interaction of Key Genes Involved in Effector T-Cell Pathways and Susceptibility to Develop allergic Rhinitis: A Population-Based Case-Control Association Study.

BackgroundEvidence suggests that interaction between key genes mediating signaling and transcriptional networks involving effector T-cell responses may influence an individual’s susceptibility to develop allergic rhinitis(AR).ObjectiveThe aim of this study was todetermine whether specific interactions between key genes involved in effector T-cell pathways are associated with an individual’s susceptibility to develop AR in Han Chinese subjects.MethodA cohort of 489 patients with AR and 421 healthy controls was enrolled from the Han Chinese population in Beijing, China. AR was established by questionnaire and clinical examination, and peripheral blood was drawn from all subjects for DNA extraction. A total of 96 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 26 reprehensive candidate genes involved in T helper 1 (Th1), Th2, Th17, Th9 and T regulatory cell pathways were selected from the International Haplotype Mappingdatabase for Han Chinese in Beijing (CHB) population, and IlluminaGoldenGate assay was conducted for SNP genotyping. The PLINK software package was used to perform statistical analyses.ResultsSimple SNP-phenotype association analysis using logistic regression showed SNP rs8193036 in IL17A gene, rs2569254 in IL-12 and rs1898413 in RORα weresignificantlyassociatedwith AR.Simple SNP-phenotype association analysis with genetic models demonstrated thatrs2569254 in IL-12, rs1031508 in STAT4, and rs3741809 in IL-26 were likely to be recessive, rs8193036 in IL17A allelic, rs897200in STAT4 genotypic, and rs1898413 in RORα dominant. Epistasis analyses exhibited that 83 SNPs in 23 genes were significantly interactive; of which 59 interactions/SNP pairs demonstrated OR values higher than 2 or lower than 0.5, and 12 interactions/SNP pairs OR values higher than 4 or lower than 0.25. STAT3, RORα and IL-26, involved in Th17 pathway,were the mostfrequentlyinteractive genes.ConclusionThis study suggests that interactions between several SNPs in key genes involved in effector T-cell pathways are likely to influence an individual’s susceptibility to develop AR.

Retrieval of Aerosol Properties for Fine/Coarse Mode Aerosol Mixtures over Beijing from PARASOL Measurements

Beijing is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world with relatively high aerosol loading. The population of Beijing is approximately 21.5 million based on statistics from 2014. In order to improve the air quality of Beijing by monitoring and better understanding of high aerosol loading at fine spatial resolution, an extended version of the Look Up Table (LUT) aerosol retrieval algorithm from PARASOL (Polarization and Anisotropy of Reflectances for Atmospheric Science coupled with Observations from a Lidar) measurements of total intensity and polarization was tested over this region. Instead of using the surface reflectance model introduced in the GRASP (Generalized Retrieval of Aerosol and Surface Properties) algorithm, the assumption of spectral reflectance shape invariance principle is used to separate the total radiance contribution of surface and aerosols. Case studies were conducted in Beijing and evaluated preliminarily using the coincident AERONET measurements. The results indicate a significant agreement with a slope of 1.083 and a correlation coefficient of 0.913. A high Gfrac (fraction of accurate retrievals) of 78% is also observed. Analysis on the retrieval accuracy illustrates that the algorithm capability depends significantly on the data quality index, as the AOD (Aerosol Optical Depth) retrieval accuracy is relatively lower for the data with quality index less than 0.75.

Seroepidemiology of diphtheria and pertussis in Beijing, China: A cross-sectional study

The aim of this study was to assess the level of humoral immunity against diphtheria and pertussis by measuring IgG to diphtheria toxoid (DT) and pertussis toxin (PT) in general population of Beijing. A total of 2147 subjects aged 0–74 y were selected with a random sample of resident population in Beijing. The information of socio-demographic characteristics, vaccination history, disease history of diphtheria and pertussis were collected for each subject by questionnaire. Serum samples were tested for IgG antibodies to DT and PT by using commercial ELISA kits. The overall positivity rate of anti-DT IgG was 66.28% with the mean concentration of 2.169 IU/ml. Age stratified data showed that the highest positivity rate of 97.63% was observed in 1–4 y and the rates decreased with age. The positivity rates were only around 50% or below since 25 y old. The positivity rate of anti-PT IgG was 12.34% with the mean concentration of 15.163 IU/ml. The highest level of positivity rate (22.23%) and antibody level (23.101 IU/ml) was seen in <1 year old. In subjects older than 10 y old, the anti-PT IgG positivity rate was 10.19%–13.51% and concentration was 13.295 IU/ml −16.353 IU/ml, with no significant differences between these groups (χ2 = 1.664, P = 0.948; F = 0.369, P = 0.899). The subjects with anti-PT IgG ≥100 IU/ml were observed in nearly all the groups older than 5 y except for 10–14 age group. The estimated incidences of pertussis infection were higher than 6000/100000 in these age groups. A sharp increase of immunity level of diphtheria was observed at 1 y and 6 y respectively, which was consistent with the current immunization schedule. But there was no significant increase of immunity to pertussis observed after booster immunization at 18–24 months, but the proportions of undetectable were lowest in <1, 1, 2 years in children <14 years. As shown in the present study, the adult population was generally lack of protective antibody against diphtheria and all the age groups showed a low immunity to pertussis indicating the potential risk of transmission and outbreaks of the 2 diseases in Beijing.

Particulate Air Pollution Exposure and Expression of Viral and Human MicroRNAs in Blood: The Beijing Truck Driver Air Pollution Study.

BackgroundMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are post-transcriptional gene suppressors and potential mediators of environmental effects. In addition to human miRNAs, viral miRNAs expressed from latent viral sequences are detectable in human cells.ObjectiveIn a highly exposed population in Beijing, China, we evaluated the associations of particulate air pollution exposure on blood miRNA profiles.MethodsThe Beijing Truck Driver Air Pollution Study (BTDAS) included 60 truck drivers and 60 office workers. We investigated associations of short-term air pollution exposure, using measures of personal PM2.5 (particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm) and elemental carbon (EC), and ambient PM10 (≤ 10 μm), with blood NanoString nCounter miRNA profiles at two exams separated by 1–2 weeks.ResultsNo miRNA was significantly associated with personal PM2.5 at a false discovery rate (FDR) of 20%. Short-term ambient PM10 was associated with the expression of 12 miRNAs in office workers only (FDR < 20%). Short-term EC was associated with differential expression of 46 human and 7 viral miRNAs, the latter including 3 and 4 viral miRNAs in office workers and truck drivers, respectively. EC-associated miRNAs differed between office workers and truck drivers with significant effect modification by occupational group. Functional interaction network analysis suggested enriched cellular proliferation/differentiation pathways in truck drivers and proinflammation pathways in office workers.ConclusionsShort-term EC exposure was associated with the expression of human and viral miRNAs that may influence immune responses and other biological pathways. Associations between EC exposure and viral miRNA expression suggest that latent viral miRNAs are potential mediators of air pollution–associated health effects. PM2.5/PM10 exposures showed no consistent relationships with miRNA expression.CitationHou L, Barupal J, Zhang W, Zheng Y, Liu L, Zhang X, Dou C, McCracken JP, Díaz A, Motta V, Sanchez-Guerra M, Wolf KR, Bertazzi PA, Schwartz JD, Wang S, Baccarelli AA. 2016. Particulate air pollution exposure and expression of viral and human microRNAs in blood: the Beijing Truck Driver Air Pollution Study. Environ Health Perspect 124:344–350; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1408519

Risk of human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: A case study in Beijing, China

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can cause adverse effects on human health. The relative contributions of their two major intake routes (diet and inhalation) to population PAH exposure are still unclear. We modeled the contributions of diet and inhalation to the overall PAH exposure of the population of Beijing in China, and assessed their human incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCR) using a Mont Carlo simulation approach. The results showed that diet accounted for about 85% of low-molecular-weight PAH (L-PAH) exposure, while inhalation accounted for approximately 57% of high-molecular-weight PAH (H-PAH) exposure of the Beijing population. Meat and cereals were the main contributors to dietary PAH exposure. Both gaseous- and particulate-phase PAHs contributed to L-PAH exposure through inhalation, whereas exposure to H-PAHs was mostly from the particulate-phase. To reduce the cancer incidence of the Beijing population, more attention should be given to inhaled particulate-phase PAHs with considerable carcinogenic potential.

Epidemiologic features of sarcopenia and its related indexes in elderly population in Beijing

Objective To investigate the epidemiologic features of sarcopenia and its related indexes in elderly population in Beijing. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted by interviewing the elderly population in Beijing with the standard questionnaire including demographic information, history of diseases, lifestyle, etc. Body muscle mass was measured by using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA). Physical function was evaluated bythe subjects′ 6-m gait speed (GS), and muscle strength was determined by handgrip strength (HS). Results Muscle mass declined with aging in the elderly (F=6.77, P=0.001), and the elderly had less muscle mass in the urban than in the rural (t=4.32, P=0.038). HS and GS significantly declined with aging(F=7.62 and 15.79, P=0.0005 and 0.000), especially in females and the rural elderly. Logistic regression showed that aging and female were associated with the high risk of HS decline (OR=1.13, 1.92, both P<0.05), while the urban elderly had lower risk of HS decline (OR=0.10, P<0.05). Aging, high body mass index, irregular lifestyle were positively related to GS decline(OR=1.12, 1.25 and 2.77 respectively, all P<0.05). The risk of GS decline was lower in the urban elderly having physical activity and hobbies (OR=0.08, 0.27 and 0.11 respectively, all P<0.05). Conclusions Sarcopenia-related indexes are significantly associated with aging and have population-specific difference. Positive and healthy lifestyle contributes to maintain muscle function in the elderly. Key words: The elderly; Sarcopenia; Muscle mass; Gait speed; Handgrip strength

A new pathotype characterization of Daxing and Huangyuan populations of cereal cyst nematode (Heterodera avenae) in China

The cereal cyst nematode (CCN, Heteroder aavenae) causes serious yield loss on cereal crops, especially wheat, worldwide. Daxing population in Beijing City and Huangyuan population in Qinghai Province, China, are two CCN populations. In this study, the CCN pathotypes of Daxing and Huangyuan populations were characterized by tests on 23 standard “International Test Assortment” with the local species Wenmai 19 as the susceptible control. Tested materials were grouped by three nematode populations' virulence on resistant genes (Rha1, Rha2, Rha3, Cre1) and nonresistant genes, varieties and lines. Both Daxing and Huangyuan populations were avirulent to Ortolan (Ha1). Barley cvs. Ortolan, Siri, Morocco, Bajo Aragon 1-1, and Martin 403-2 were all resistant to both populations. Cultivars Herta, Harlan 43 and wheat Iskamish-K-2-light were all susceptible to Huangyuan population, all of them, however, were resistant to Daxing population. The other five oats were all resistant to the two tested CCN populations. Except Iskamisch K-2-light, all the other wheat cultivars (Capa, Lo-rosxKoga, AUS 10894, and Psathias) were susceptible to Daxing population. Because the pathotypes of the two tested CCN populations in Beijing and Qinghai were not identical to any of the 13 pathotypes previously characterized by the test assortment, we classified Daxing and Huangyuan populations as the new pathotypes, named Ha91.

Changes in and patterns of smoking exposure in an elderly urban population in Beijing: 2001-2010.

ObjectiveThe study aims to explore the patterns and changes of active and passive smoking in the elderly population.MethodsTwo cross-sectional surveys with representative samples of urban populations, aged between 60 and 95 years old, were conducted in 2001 and 2010 in Beijing. A current smoker was defined as a person who smoked a tobacco product at the time of the survey, and a passive smoker was defined as a person who had been exposed to smoke exhaled by a smoker for more than 15 minutes per day more than once per week.ResultsA total of 2,277 participants in 2001 and 2,102 participants in 2010 completed the survey. The current smoking prevalence changed slightly in males (24.7 vs. 21.2%, P = 0.081), while the prevalence in females decreased significantly from 8.8% (95% CI: 7.3–10.3%) in 2001 to 4.1% (95% CI: 3.0–5.2%) in 2010 (P<0.001). The prevalence of passive smoking was 30.5% (95% CI: 28.6–32.4%) in 2001 and 30.0% (95% CI: 28.1–32.0%) in 2010. The main source of secondhand smoke switched from a spouse in 2001 to offspring in 2010. This trend was observed in both sexes. Passive smoking in males from a smoking spouse decreased from 5.7% to 2.4% (P<0.001), while that from smoking offspring increased from 7.3 to 14.5% (P<0.001). Passive smoking in females from a spouse decreased from 30.6 to 17.6%, while that from offspring increased from 5.3 to 15.4% (P<0.001).ConclusionOffspring became the main source of secondhand smoke for the elderly. Our findings demonstrated the importance of implementing smoking prevention programs, to educate older adults who live with a smoking spouse and/or offspring.

Prevalence of major depressive disorder and socio-demographic correlates: Results of a representative household epidemiological survey in Beijing, China

BackgroundMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is the most prevalent mental disorder in the general population and has been associated with socioeconomic factors. Beijing has undergone significant socioeconomic changes in last decade, however no large-scale community epidemiological surveys of MDD have been conducted in Beijing since 2003. AimsTo determine the prevalence of MDD and its socio-demographic correlates in a representative household sample of the general population in Beijing, China. MethodData were collected from the 2010 representative household epidemiological survey of mental disorders in Beijing. The multistage cluster random sampling method was used to select qualified subjects in 18 districts and counties, and then face-to-face interviews were administered using the Chinese version of Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Axis I Disorders-Patient Edition (SCID-I/P) during November 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010. Results19,874 registered permanent residents were randomly identified and 16,032 (response rate=80.7%) completed face-to-face interviews. The time-point and life-time prevalence rates of MDD were estimated to be 1.10% (95% CI: 0.94–1.26%) and 3.56% (95% CI: 3.27–3.85%) respectively. Significant differences were found in sex, age, location of residence, marital status, education, employment status, personal/family monthly income, perception of family environment and relationship with others, when comparing residents with MDD to those without MDD.Those who were female, aged 45 or above, reported low family income, or reported an “average” or “poor” family environment were associated with a higher risk of MDD. ConclusionsThe prevalence of MDD reported in this survey is relatively lower than that in other western countries. Female sex, age older than 45, low family income, and poor family environment appear to be independent risk factors for MDD.

Selection of an effective microsatellite marker system for genetic control and analysis of gerbil populations in China.

Although gerbils have been widely used in many areas of biological research over many years, there is currently no effective genetic quality control system available. In the present study, we sought to establish a microsatellite marker system for quality control and conducted an optimized analysis of 137 microsatellite loci in two laboratory gerbil populations and one wild population. Independent sample t-tests on the mean effective allele number, mean of Shannon's information index, and mean HE suggested that 28 of the 137 microsatellite markers were informative for gerbil genetic control. Analysis of 4 laboratory gerbil populations and 1 wild population using the 28 microsatellite loci indicated that allele numbers varied from 1.9639 (Guangzhou, GZ) to 6.6071 (North-West wild, NW). The average of HO versus HE was 0.6236/0.3802, 0.6671/0.4159, 0.4185/0.3464, 0.4592/0.3821, and 0.3972/0.4167 for the Beijing, NW, Hangzhou, Dalian, and GZ populations, respectively. The GZ population showed the greatest differentiation, having higher RST and Nei's standard genetic distances. An AMO-VA revealed high genetic differentiation among the five populations (FST = 0.296). The microsatellite system established here is effective and will be important in future studies for genetic quality control and monitoring of gerbil breeds.