Population In Shanghai Research Articles

Subway emergency preparedness in Shanghai: A focused group and interview study exploring the perceived experiences of senior citizens and the disabled.

As Shanghai's population increases and currently being boosted by an influx of foreigners, there has been pressure on the subway system and this has led to a great concern for the aged and disabled people (including foreigners) who use the subway during emergency situations. The present study uses an exploratory research approach including a focus group discussion (FGD) and interviews to uncover the experiences, safety concerns, and challenges that the aged and disabled faces when using the subway. A total of 38 participants were involved in the study, which comprises of three FGDs and interviews conducted in the city of Shanghai. The findings reveal that most aged and disabled subway riders have little or no knowledge about emergency safety measures or safety symbols, the administering of first aid and have language barrier concerns. This study recommends that policy makers and sub-way operators should get the aged and disabled people involved in developing more educational programs that will help them to better the concept of safety prevention measures and it also suggests holding more emergency drills involving the aged and disabled. Braille language symbols, sign languages on TV screens, specially designed sub-way maps, low-frequency alarms with flashing lights, and information printed in multiple international languages should also be provided to help foreigners understand the instructions and information in the subways. Additionally, these measures could help all commuters to feel safer when using the subway.

Association of genetic polymorphisms of de novo nucleotide biosynthesis with increased CHD susceptibility in the northern Chinese population

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of most prevalent birth defects in the world. However, the underlying molecular mechanism(s) have not been fully understood. Here we report that increased CHD susceptibility is associated with genetic polymorphisms for de novo nucleotide biosynthesis in northern Chinese population, which has been reported with lower plasma folate levels. Nine tagSNPs of four genes (GART, ATIC, MTHFD1 and SHMT1) in de novo nucleotide biosynthesis were sequenced in 802 sporadic CHD patients and 1093 controls from two Han Chinese populations, located in north China (Shandong) and South China (Shanghai), respectively. Six SNPs were found to be significantly associated with CHDs or septation defects only in the Shandong population dataset, but none displayed significant association with any CHDs in the Shanghai population dataset as well as in the combined dataset. We also showed that the minor A allele of rs7279549 in GART reduced transcriptional activity and displayed lower affinity for unknown transcription factor(s), demonstrating the allele is a functional risk factor for CHD in Shandong population. Our study indicates that dysregulation of de novo nucleotide biosynthesis pathway may conditionally contribute to CHD pathogenesis in northern Chinese.

Cost-effectiveness of a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine immunization programme for the elderly in Shanghai, China

BackgroundTo evaluate the cost-effectiveness of adding 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) to the immunization schedule for the elderly population (age>60years) in Shanghai, China. MethodsA decision-tree model, with data and assumptions adapted from the societal perspective of Shanghai City, was developed to project the health outcomes of PPSV23 vaccination (compared with no vaccination) over a lifetime course. Sensitivity analysis was used to test the model’s robustness. The clinical data, utility and treatment costs related to pneumococcal diseases were either cited from the literature or calculated from local sources. ResultsThe incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of PPSV23 vaccination compared with no vaccination was $16,699/quality-adjusted life years gained, which was lower than the per capita GDP of Shanghai ($16,840). Sensitivity analyses showed that the model’s outcome is robust. ConclusionsRoutine vaccination of the elderly population with PPSV23 is cost-effective in Shanghai, China.

MTHFR c.677C>T Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Decreases Prostate Cancer Susceptibility in the Han Chinese Population in Shanghai.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) c.677C>T and c.1298A>C variants were known to be associated with prostate cancer (PCa) risk with conflicting results, because of MTHFR and nutrient status interaction in the prostate development. In this large-scale, hospital-based, case-control study of 1817 PCa cases and 2026 cancer-free controls, we aimed to clarify the association between these two MTHFR variants and PCa risk in Shanghai and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. We found that both the heterozygous CT (adjusted OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.67–0.92) and the homozygous TT genotypes (adjusted OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.55–0.83) of c.677C>T were associated with a significantly decreased risk of PCa compared with homozygous wild-type CC genotype, respectively, using multivariate logistic regression. Furthermore, we confirmed that MTHFR c.677T allele was related to an increased serum homocysteine level in the Han Chinese population in Shanghai. In the cultured PCa cell lines, we observed that MTHFR c.677T could elevate the cellular homocysteine level and cause DNA damage, thus increasing cell apoptosis and finally inhibiting cell proliferation. In conclusion, MTHFR c.677T was a protective factor of PCa risk in ethnic Han Chinese males by inducing DNA damage and cell apoptosis.

Analysis of perfluorinated compounds in human serum from the general population in Shanghai by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) have potential health risk to human. In this paper, human serum samples collected from Jiading District, Shanghai aged from 23 to 87 years old (12 male and 33 female) were analyzed for 17 perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). A novel method for the elimination of background contamination of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) generated from instrument by the modification of high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) has also been developed and validated. The limit of detection (LOD) for all monitored PFCs range from 0.02 to 0.18 ng mL−1. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) for PFOS and PFOA was 2.23 and 1.60 ng mL−1, respectively, and for other PFCs it ranged from 0.04 to 0.88 ng mL−1. Of the 17 PFCs analyzed in Shanghai serum, eleven were found. The dominating PFCs in all samples were perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and PFOA with a fraction of 49.5%, 34.2%, respectively. The median total concentration of each serum samples was 53.43 ng mL−1 with a range from <LOD to 99.37 ng mL−1. The results indicate a high human exposure to PFCs in Shanghai region. Compared with other cities in China and some other countries, PFOA and PFDA concentrations in the serum of general population of Shanghai are highest. For all donors, no significant association between age and PFCs was found (p = 0.125–0.951) and no workplace significant correlation was found (p = 0.247–0.861). Since no signification is founded and PFCs exposure is prevalent, further investigation is needed to explore its source and potential health impact. These results will also provide significant background data of PFCs in Shanghai.

Community-based study on elderly CKD subjects and the associated risk factors

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD) among community elderly population in Shanghai, China, in order to provide early diagnosis and treatment of CKD, and improve the quality of life for elderly people.Methods: In all, 24,886 residents (≥65 years old) were selected from community population in Changning District of Shanghai, China in 2014. They were interviewed and tested for reduced renal function estimated GFR by CKD-EPI equation. The associations among demographic characteristics, healthy characteristics (e.g., cardiovascular disease and hypertension), and indicators of kidney damage were examined.Results: Approximately, 16.4% of the participants were CKD. The average of them was 74.9 ± 7.0 years old. Females had a significantly higher prevalence of CKD than males (17.6% vs. 14.9%). CKD patients were present in higher prevalence of female, hyperuricemia (29.6% vs. 18.7%), hypertension (45.1% vs. 40.3%), and cardiovascular disease (23.2% vs. 18.7%) than that of non-CKD population. CKD patients were present in lower prevalence of drinking than that of non-CKD population. The prevalence of CKD in female is 2.002 times than that of male. The prevalence of CKD increased 1.048 times with the age of each increase in 1 year old. The risk factors for CKD are age, female, hyperuricemia, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and smoking.Conclusions: The prevalence of CKD is high in the elderly population than that of adult CKD in Shanghai. The most risk factors for elderly CKD patients are similar to the adult population. But hypercholesterolemia as a risk fact of elderly CKD is different from adult CKD.

Prevalence and genomic analysis of infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) in Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp farmed in Shanghai, China.

Infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) is prevalent among farmed shrimp and results in significant reductions in shrimp production. In order to gain a better understanding of the prevalence of IHHNV in the Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp population of Shanghai, China, samples were collected during two cultivation seasons and subjected to diagnostic PCR. The results of this study showed that 167 out of 200 shrimp were positive for IHHNV, indicating a high viral prevalence (83.5%) in farmed shrimp populations. Our results also indicated that there was a moderate correlation between IHHNV prevalence and water temperature, salinity and pH and only a slight correlation with the concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO). A mathematical model was developed in order to predict the relationship between these four characteristics of water quality and IHHNV prevalence, ultimately resulting in an estimate of the best water quality criteria (IHHNV prevalence=0) where T=30°C pH=8.0, DO=18.3 mg/L, and salinity=1.5‰. Additionally, two IHHNV genotypes were identified, the sequencing of which revealed a high similarity to the known IHHNV genotypes based on a comparison of their nucleotide and amino acid sequences. Two types of repetitive sequences were detected at both the 5' and 3' ends of the non-coding regions, which are commonly found in other IHHNV genomic sequences. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the IHHNV Shanghai genotypes were closely related to strains from Ganyu and Sheyang, but not to strains originating from Fujian, China. This finding suggests that IHHNVs have emerged independently several times in China.

The impact of ambient fine particulate matter on the blood pressure of an urban population in Shanghai, China: a panel study

To investigate the impact of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) on the blood pressure of urban residents in Shanghai, China. A panel study was conducted from May 27(th) to June 5(th) 2014 in a cohort of 30 adults in an urban community. Participants were 50-80 years old, had lived in the community for at least 5 years, and had a good health status. Key exclusion criteria were current smoking, smoking during the last 3 years, passive smoking, alcohol consumption, and severe cardiopulmonary disease. A total of 28 participants were eligible. Information on demographic characteristics, including of age, sex, height, weight, education, income and chronic comorbidities were collected. Participants were requested to have six weekly blood pressure measurements. Real-time concentrations of PM2.5 and gaseous pollutants were obtained from a nearby air quality monitor during 40 d. Pearson correlation was applied to analyze the correlation between PM2.5 and SO2, NO2, CO and O3. Linear mixed models were applied to analyze the association between PM2.5 and blood pressure, after controlling for time-related trends, day of the week, mean temperature, relative humidity and individual characteristics. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure was (124.0±15.0) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and (74.0±7.7) mmHg, respectively. At 24 h before blood pressure measurement, the mean PM2.5, SO2, NO2, O3 and CO concentration were (8.3±4.9), (46.6±12.9) , (79.2±27.4) μg/m(3) and (0.8±0.2) mg/m(3). The Pearson correlation coefficient R, between PM2.5 and O3, SO2, NO2 and CO was 0.79, 0.59, 0.34 and 0.45, respectively, with corresponding P-values of <0.001, 0.006, 0.012 and 0.009, respectively. The significant correlation between PM2.5 and systolic blood pressure occurred at lag 1 day, was strongest at lag 3 day, but attenuated thereafter. A 10 μg/m(3) increase in 3-day average concentrations of PM2.5 was associated with changes of 1.86 (95%CI: 0.62-3.09) mmHg in systolic blood pressure and -0.05 (95%CI: 0.59-0.50) mmHg in diastolic blood pressure. Short-term exposure to PM2.5 may significantly elevate the systolic blood pressure of urban residents in Shanghai.

State Dominance in Urban Redevelopment

This article will revisit Smith’s seminal argument that gentrification is a global urban strategy. The article pays attention to the role of the state and displacement during the process of redevelopment. Through an in-depth study of a dilapidated neighborhood with concentrated migrant population in Shanghai, it is revealed that state control is behind the deterioration of the neighborhood prior to its redevelopment. Inadequate services and poor housing conditions are undeniable. Informal development has been quickly realigned by state dominance. The self-building neighborhood is eventually replaced by state-sanctioned development projects. The article echoes the debate over displacement in the West and suggests that recent urban redevelopment in China has gone beyond both the sporadic middle-class return to the city and residential changes backed up by state actions, revealing hegemonic power of the state over spatial production. Through urban redevelopment, the state attempts to regularize informal areas into new production spaces for its revenue maximization.

Seasonal changes of 24-hour intraocular pressure rhythm in healthy Shanghai population.

The aim of the present study was to investigate and compare the 24-hour intraocular pressure (IOP) rhythms in winter and summer in the healthy population of Shanghai, China.This is a cross-sectional study in which 24-hour IOP measurements were taken for all eligible healthy volunteers in winter and summer, respectively, and the temperature, hours of sunlight (sunlight time), and circulatory parameters, including heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure, were also recorded. The 24-hour IOP curves and IOP parameters (mean, peak, trough, and fluctuation of IOP together with the diurnal-to-nocturnal IOP change) in winter and summer were obtained and compared. The magnitude of IOP changes from summer to winter was also calculated.A total of 29 participants (58 eyes), 14 (48.28%) male and 15 (51.72%) female, aged 43.66 ± 12.20 (19–61) years, were considered eligible for this study. Generally, IOP decreased progressively before noon, increased notably in the nocturnal period, and peaked at 12:00 am in winter and at 2:00 am in summer. The pattern of 24-hour IOP in winter and summer was significantly different (P = 0.002). The average IOPs from 4:00 pm to 8:00 am, except for 6:00 am, were significantly higher in winter (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were shown after adjusting for temperature and/or sunlight time. From summer to winter, the extent of IOP increase was mostly around 0 to 3 mm Hg, and the IOPs increased more significantly in the nocturnal period than in the diurnal period (P = 0.05).The 24-hour IOP rhythms were different in winter and summer, with higher IOP level in winter. Temperature and sunlight time, which are independent of heart rate and blood pressure, affected the 24-hour IOP rhythms in healthy people in Shanghai, China. Further investigations are expected for the rhythm of some endogenous substance secretion and the inner mechanism of regulation of IOP.

Analyses of Metro Station Service Area in Shanghai Downtown Based on Traffic Networks

Service area research is one of the pivotal topics in Urban Geography. This article first put forward a model of urban population estimation. And on the basis we measured the size and distribution of population in downtown Shanghai, China. The population model was confirmed well by the traditional survey model. Then we extracted a 1-month actual-time data set contains geo-location by collecting in Sina Weibo data, and generated Voronoi diagram by these data which denoted the service patches. We assigned population to each patch. Second part, we proposed a shortest distance algorithm, a minimum time algorithm and an improved p-median algorithm, took advantages of these three methods to divide the service area of metro stations based on patches. Subsequently, we computed the service population in each service area. Last, we took metro line 1 and 2 as examples to research the relationship among 3 location-allocation methods in detail. The results showed that: The spatial distribution of population of the core city in Shanghai emerged a descending trend from center to periphery clearly. All indicators (including area, population, distance and time) in central city within inner ring road have changed little compared with the region between inner and outer ring road. Yet the improved p-median algorithm has a certain effect of optimization. It presented a scientific and rational travel scheme for citizens cost smallest price to select better starting metro station. The study results should contribute to theoretical and technical support for location-allocation of public service facilities.

The efforts to re-establish the Chinese water deer population in Shanghai, China

Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis) was endangered in China and vanished from Shanghai early in the 20th century. The deer was reintroduced from 2006 onward, so as to re-establish a wild population in Shanghai. We obtained the deer from the breeding stock and released them. The deer numbers increased from 21 in 2007 to 299 in 2013. There has been a total area of 30.62 km2 of free-range deer release from 2010 and this will be enlarged in the future.

Prevalence and risk factors of latent tuberculosis infection in close contacts of tuberculosis patients among non-resident populations in Shanghai, China

To investigate the prevalence of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI), and to identify the risk factors in close contacts of pulmonary TB patients among non-resident population in Shanghai. The study subjects were the close contacts of pulmonary TB patients among non-resident populations in Xuhui, Minhang and Songjiang Districts in Shanghai from 2013 to 2014.Questionnaire interview was applied to collect the socio-demographics, TB-related clinical and TB exposure information from the enrolled TB patients and their close contacts. The T-SPOT.TB test was used to identify the infection of M. TB. LTBI was defined as a positive T-SPOT.TB result inthe absence of signs and symptoms related to TB. In total, 182 pulmonary TB patients and 360 close contacts were enrolled in the present study. The mean age of the close contacts was (34±14) years(range, 2-83 years), including 160 men and 200 women. The T-SPOT.TB test and TB related examination revealed that 17.2% (62/360) of the close contacts were latently infected with M. TB. All the LTBI subjects were household contacts (χ(2)=16.814, P<0.001). In multivariate analysis, the risk of LTBI was statistically associated with the presence of TB symptoms of the index case (OR=2.696, 95%CI: 1.060-6.857) and duration of exposure (OR=1.007, 95%CI: 1.001-1.014); whereas there were no statistically significant associations among age, gender, diagnostic delay of index case, environment of contact place and the risk of LTBI among the studied close contacts. The prevalence of LTBI in close contacts of pulmonary TB patients among non-resident population in Shanghai is 17.2%.Contact with patients with TB symptoms and longer duration of exposure might increase the risk of LTBI.

Diabetes mellitus in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in an aging population in Shanghai, China: Prevalence, clinical characteristics and outcomes

AimsTo determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus among pulmonary tuberculosis patients and the difference of clinical characteristics and outcomes between pulmonary tuberculosis patients with and without diabetes mellitus in an aging population in Shanghai, China. MethodsThis is a retrospective population-based study. 201 newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Changning District, Shanghai during 2007–2008 were included. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were collected. Determination of diabetes mellitus was based on the medical records before pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed. ResultsThe prevalence of diabetes mellitus among pulmonary tuberculosis patients was 19.9% (40/201). Pulmonary tuberculosis patients with diabetes mellitus were more likely to be old (≥50, OR=5.23, 95% CI=2.07–13.25), to have pulmonary cavities (OR=3.02, 95% CI=1.31–6.98), to be sputum smear positive (OR=2.90, 95% CI=1.12–7.51), and to have extension of anti-tuberculosis treatment duration (OR=2.68, 95% CI 1.17–6.14). Besides, they had a higher 2nd month sputum smear positive proportion (OR=2.97, 95% CI 1.22–7.22) and a higher 5-year recurrence rate (OR=5.87, 95% CI 1.26–27.40). ConclusionsHigh prevalence, severe clinical characteristics and poor outcomes of pulmonary tuberculosis patients with diabetes mellitus highlight the necessity of early bi-directional screening and co-management of these two diseases in Shanghai, China.

Application of Network Scale Up Method in the Estimation of Population Size for Men Who Have Sex with Men in Shanghai, China.

BackgroundMen who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of HIV infection. For developing proper interventions, it is important to know the size of MSM population. However, size estimation of MSM populations is still a significant public health challenge due to high cost, hard to reach and stigma associated with the population.ObjectivesWe aimed to estimate the social network size (c value) in general population and the size of MSM population in Shanghai, China by using the net work scale-up method.MethodsA multistage random sampling was used to recruit participants aged from 18 to 60 years who had lived in Shanghai for at least 6 months. The “known population method” with adjustment of backward estimation and regression model was applied to estimate the c value. And the MSM population size was further estimated using an adjusted c value taking into account for the transmission effect through social respect level towards MSM.ResultsA total of 4017 participants were contacted for an interview, and 3907 participants met the inclusion criterion. The social network size (c value) of participants was 236 after adjustment. The estimated size of MSM was 36354 (95% CI: 28489–44219) for the male Shanghaies aged 18 to 60 years, and the proportion of MSM among the total male population aged 18 to 60 years in Shanghai was 0.28%.ConclusionsWe employed the network scale-up method and used a wide range of data sources to estimate the size of MSM population in Shanghai, which is useful for HIV prevention and intervention among the target population.

Dietary exposure to aluminium from wheat flour and puffed products of residents in Shanghai, China

A dietary survey of 3431 residents was conducted by a 24-h dietary recall method in Shanghai, China, quarterly from September 2013 to September 2014. A total of 400 food samples were tested for aluminium concentration, including wheat flour and puffed products from 2011 to 2013. Probabilistic analysis was used to estimate the dietary exposure to aluminium from wheat and puffed products. The means of dietary aluminium exposure for children (2–6 years old), juveniles (7–17 years old), adults (18–65 years old) and seniors (over 65 years old) were 1.88, 0.94, 0.44 and 0.42 mg kg−1 body weight (bw) week−1 respectively, with a population average of 0.51 mg kg−1 bw week−1. The proportions of those who had aluminium exposure from wheat and puffed products lower than the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) were 77%, 90%, 97%, and 97% respectively from children to seniors. We estimated that the proportions of people at risk would decrease by 13%, 6%, 2% and 2% respectively under the new China National Standards – GB 2760–2014 National Food Safety for Standards for using food additives. The results indicated that aluminium from wheat flour and puffed products is unlikely to cause adverse health effects in the general population in Shanghai; however, children were at a higher risk of excess aluminium exposure. Significant improvements in reducing the dietary exposure to aluminium are expected in the population, especially for children after the implementation of GB 2760–2014.

Surveillance for diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in Shanghai, 2012-2013

To understand the distribution of diarrheagenic Escherichia (E.) coli in population in Shanghai and discuss the practice model of cooperation in enteric infectious disease prevention and control between public health institution and hospital. Sentinel hospitals were assigned, standard detection and identification of diarrheagenic E. coli were conducted, incidence curve of diarrheagenic E. coli infection was drawn and epidemiologic survey and laboratory detection were conducted for suspect diarrheagenic E. coli infection outbreaks. A total of 7 204 stool specimens were collected from diarrhea patients in 4 hospitals during 2012-2013, in which 712 (9.9% ) were diarrheagenic E. coli positive, including 351 enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) strains, 292 enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) strains, 32 enteroinvasive E. coli(EIEC) strains and 6 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC/EHEC) strains, as well as 31 mixed strains. EPEC infection mainly occurred in children aged 1-5 years; and all of these infections were caused by aEPEC. The incidence peak of ETEC infection was during August, the positive rate was >20%. The ETEC infection mainly occurred in infants aged 1-28 days in 2012 and in people aged 20-60 years in 2013 (P<0.05). ST was the major type (59.6%), followed by LT (27.8%) and ST/LT (12.6%). EIEC infection increased in children obviously in 2013 (P<0.01). No EHEC O157:H7 case was detected, but two EHEC O26:H11 (eae-hlyA-stx1a) cases in children were reported for the first time in Shanghai. The survey result indicated that the multidrug-resistant ETEC (STh-CS21-CFA/I-ClyA-EatA-ST2332-SHNL0005) strain causing outbreak in 15 newborns in Shanghai in 2012 was in the same clone as the strain detected in Zigong in Sichuan province. Significant change has occurred in diarrheagenic E. coli distribution in Shanghai in recent years, ETEC has potential risk to cause outbreak of hospital acquired infection in neonates and food borne infection. The active surveillance on ETEC and other enteric pathogens by both public health institutions and hospitals need to be improved.

Evaluation Studies on Shanghai Population Control Policy

The population control policy is gradually improving since it has been implemented in Shanghai. Based on population management, housing management and industrial adjustment, this paper summarizes and evaluates the changes and features of Shanghai population control policy from the perspectives of population registration management, variance of population and population structure alteration. It also put forward the problem about the policy and future direction on policy reform.

Neighborhood-health links: Differences between rural-to-urban migrants and natives in Shanghai

1. IntroductionAn abundant literature has documented the important role that neighborhood context plays in a variety of individual outcomes ranging from life chances and life trajectories to lifestyles and health outcomes, regardless of individual background (e.g., Bjornstrom and Kuhl 2014; Choi 2009; Ellis and Almgren 2009; Kawachi and Berkman 2003; Kim et al. 2011; Kimbro 2009; Li and Wu 2010; Logan, Alba, and Zhang 2002; Telles and Ortiz 2008; Wen, Hawkley, and Cacioppo 2006; Wen and Wang 2009). Evidence further suggests that perception of neighborhood environments is a crucial link between objective neighborhood conditions and health, and that perceived neighborhood contexts may even have stronger impacts on individual outcomes than objective neighborhood environments (Polling et al. 2014; Weden, Carpiano, and Robert 2008; Wen, Hawkley, and Cacioppo 2006). These neighborhood perceptions may vary across subgroups defined by socio-demographic background (Kamphius et al. 2010; O'Brien et al. 2014), such as immigrant status. Immigrants are often blamed for a rise in crime, violence, or social illness, which in turn affects the perceptions that both local residents and immigrants have about their neighborhood environments, especially in immigrant concentrated areas (Chiricos, McEntire, and Gertz 2001; Semyonov, Gorodzeisky, and Glikma 2012).So far most evidence on these issues is based on studies conducted in Western societies, which may not be applicable to other social, economic, and cultural settings. In China, research on the link between neighborhood environments/contexts and health has recently emerged, focusing on rural-to-urban migrants (hereafter migrant workers) in big cities and reporting significant associations between neighborhood contexts and health outcomes (e.g., Chen and Chen 2015; Palmer, Perkins, and Xu 2011; Wen et al. 2010). However, little work has been done to evaluate how the associations between neighborhood perceptions and health may differ between migrant workers and local residents. The large-scale rural-to-urban migration that has swept across all major Chinese cities is considered the largest population movement in human history in terms of migrant population size (China National Bureau of Statistics (NBSC) 2012). Migrant workers may be differently influenced by contextual exposures than urban natives, which could likely have far-reaching implications for urban health promotion. China's unique social setting has undergone rapid urbanization and industrialization since the reform and opening era in the late 1970s. Shanghai is the largest and one of the fastest growing cities in China, with migrant workers comprising 45% of the total de facto population of Shanghai in the 2010 census (NBSC 2012). Therefore, Shanghai offers a good sample for studying these issues.2. Literature reviewIt has long been recognized that neighborhood environments function as contextual regulators that shape individual behaviors, lives, and opportunities (e.g., Everson-Rose et al. 2011). Neighborhood contextual factors can be roughly categorized into physical (built/natural) environments and social environments (Diez Roux 2001; Hyman 2004; Macintyre, Ellaway, and Cummins 2002; Schulz et al. 2005). Examples of neighborhood physical environments are neighborhood amenities (e.g., infrastructures or facilities such as hospitals, schools, parks, libraries, and churches) and air quality. Examples of neighborhood social environments are social cohesion, solidarity, and safety (e.g., trust, helpfulness, friendliness, good relationships between neighbors, low crime rate) (Forst et al. 2010; Sallis et al. 2006).Neighborhood environments can be measured either objectively or subjectively. Objective measurements are usually obtained from census, administrative, archive, or GIS data, or from investigators' independent observations (Diez Roux and Mair 2010; Elo et al. 2009). Subjective measures are mainly collected in survey questionnaires by asking participants to report their own perceptions about their neighborhood environments (Diez Roux 2001). …

HIV-1 Genetic Diversity and Its Impact on Baseline CD4+T Cells and Viral Loads among Recently Infected Men Who Have Sex with Men in Shanghai, China.

The HIV-1 epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) has been spreading throughout China. Shanghai, a central gathering place for MSM, is facing a continuously increasing incidence of HIV-1 infection. In order to better understand the dynamics of HIV-1 diversity and its influence on patient’s immune status at baseline on diagnosis, 1265 newly HIV-1-infected MSM collected from January 2009 to December 2013 in Shanghai were retrospectively analyzed for genetic subtyping, CD4+T cell counts, and viral loads. HIV-1 phylogenetic analysis revealed a broad viral diversity including CRF01_AE (62.13%), CRF07_BC (24.51%), subtype B (8.06%), CRF55_01B (3.24%), CER67_01B (0.95%), CRF68_01B (0.4%), CRF08_BC (0.08%) and CRF59_01B (0.08%). Twenty-four unique recombination forms (URFs) (1.98%) were identified as well. Bayesian inference analysis indicated that the introduction of CRF01_AE strain (1997) was earlier than CRF07_BC strain (2001) into MSM population in Shanghai based on the time of the most recent common ancestor (tMRCA). Three epidemic clusters and five sub-clusters were found in CRF01_AE. Significantly lower CD4+T cell count was found in individuals infected with CRF01_AE than in those infected with CRF07_BC infection (P<0.01), whereas viral load was significantly higher those infected with CRF01_AE than with CRF07_BC (P<0.01). In addition, the patients with >45 years of age were found to have lower CD4+T cell counts and higher viral loads than the patients with <25 years of age (P<0.05). This study reveals the presence of HIV-1 subtype diversity in Shanghai and its remarkable influence on clinical outcome. A real-time surveillance of HIV-1 viral diversity and phylodynamics of epidemic cluster, patient’s baseline CD4+T cell count and viral load would be of great value to monitoring of disease progression, intervention for transmission, improvement of antiretroviral therapy strategy and design of vaccines.