Guangzhou Residents Research Articles

The Total Arsenic Concentrations of Aquatic Products and the Assessment of Arsenic Intake from Aquatic Products in Guangzhou, China

The aim of this study was to assess the contribution of aquatic products consumed by the resident to the daily dietary arsenic intakes of the residents of Guangzhou of Guangdong province in China. All aquatic products were sampled from supermarkets and terminal markets. Accuracy was assured using standard reference material (GBW08551) and recovery experiments. Total arsenic concentrations of aquatic products were determined after acid digestion by hydride generation atomic fluorescent spectrometry. A wide range of arsenic concentration (0.0075-1.2017 mg/kg) was found among the various aquatic products, the mean arsenic concentration in aquatic production was 0.2022 mg/kg. The arsenic concentrations of various aquatic products groups were as follows: Crustacean (0.3176±0.2324 mg/kg) >Mollusk fish (0.1979±0.2013 mg/k) >Saltwater fish (0.1558±0.1119 mg/kg) >Freshwater fish (0.1374±0.0970 mg/kg). The range of daily dietary arsenic intake of various residents through the consumption of aquatic products was 5.96-11.85 μg/day. The freshwater fish had the largest contribution to the daily dietary arsenic intakes from aquatic products in all type aquatic products, accounted for around 50%.

Does perceived incongruence in opinion climate influence the degree of outspokenness? Evidence from two national events in China

This study extends the spiral silence theory and investigates the influence of perceived incongruence in opinion climate on individuals' intentions to express their true thoughts. Three intervening variables were examined to explain the process by which perceived incongruence in opinion climate leads to self-censorship: ambivalence, perceived opinion support, and internet political efficacy. Using data collected in telephone interviews with a random sample of 1020 Chinese residents in Shanghai and Guangzhou, we found that individual perceptions of the opinion climate varied considerably, and they were based on different media outlets. The Chinese audience is able to tell the difference between traditional media and the internet in terms of the features of their content. Moreover, among the Guangzhou residents, we found that the perceived incongruence in opinion climate was negatively related to the individual's willingness to express his or her true thoughts. Perceived opinion support was found the most robust intervening variable among the three proposed mediators.

Neighborhood conflicts in urban China: from consciousness of property rights to contentious actions

Although urban neighborhood conflicts have drawn widespread attention, their possible link with neighborhood perception has not been quantified in the existing literature. Based on a recent neighborhood-based survey of urban residents in Guangzhou, China, this study investigates the structure, determinants, and consequences of neighborhood conflicts. In particular, it finds that there is inherently a subjective dimension embedded in neighborhood conflicts such that these conflicts should be conceptualized and measured as an individual-level perception of neighborhoods. Evidence from both empirical analyses and field research revealed that consciousness of property rights had significant effects on perceived neighborhood conflicts, while both consciousness of property rights and perceived neighborhood conflicts, especially those with local and grass-roots government agencies, further contribute to the occurrence of residents’ contentious actions. By situating neighborhood conflicts in the context of rules consciousness, this study brings attention to neighborhood perception shaping contentious politics in China’s urban transformation.

中药过敏反应文献分析与认知情况问卷调查

目的：增强人们对中药知识及使用的认知程度，合理使用，减少中药的不良反应。方法：首先通过检索中国知网数据库中常用中药注射剂中引起过敏反应报告较多的病例，对患者一般情况及过敏反应类型等进行统计并整理结果；其次对广州市在住居民进行中药过敏反应认知情况问卷调查，并对有效问卷相关内容进行统计分析。结果：在检索到的中药注射剂所致过敏病例1352例中，I型超敏反应占94.75%；男性和成人分别占54.22%和74.56%。在问卷调查中共回收有效问卷268份，对使用中药初次过敏的认识仅为10.77%，55.38%的人数为不清楚；对中药使用较多的女性占64.62%；使用中药原因认为有效及副作用少的分别占42.93%、51.52%。结论：临床药物过敏类型中不可忽视I型或与I型类似的类过敏反应的反生；提高人们对中药的认知程度，中药是国宝，但要注意选择适合的剂型，正确、合理使用，保证用药的安全性。 Objective: To enhance people’s cognition for traditional Chinese medicine knowledge and use, reasonable use, reduce the adverse reaction of traditional Chinese medicine. Methods: First, re-trieve traditional Chinese medicine injections which are commonly used and caused lots of allergic reactions cases in the report by the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, statistic data about the patient’s general situation and allergic reaction type and so on, and sort result; second, investigate Guangzhou residents perceptions of Chinese medicine allergic reaction, and make a careful analysis of related contents in the valid questionnaires. Results: Retrieve 1352 allergic cases were caused by traditional Chinese medicine injection, the effective rates of type I immune hypersensitivity reactions, males and adults were 94.75%, 54.22% and 74.56% respectively. In 268 effective questionnaires, the effective rates were 10.77% for the first time allergy which was caused by using traditional Chinese medicine, 55.38% residents were not clear; women which often used traditional Chinese medicine made up 64.62%; it accounted for 42.93%, 51.52% respectively because traditional Chinese medicine were effective and less side effects to use it. Conclusion: In the allergy type of clinical drug, type I allergic reaction or anaphylactoid can not be neglected. Improve people’s cognition of the traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Chinese medicine is a national treasure, but it should pay attention to choose the suitable dosage forms, correct and reasonable use, guarantee the safety of medication.

Association between serum uric acid and fasting plasma glucose in middle and elderly Chinese

To examine the association of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and serum uric acid (SUA) in middle and elderly Chinese. 10 413 Guangzhou residents aged ≥50 were included in the present study. Information on personal history, physical examination and biochemical parameters were collected. Subjects were grouped by the FPG level, association between FPG and SUA. Levels of hyperuricemia (HUA) were evaluated. The SUA levels and the incidence of HUA showed trends of increasing, with the increasing FPG levels in women, with statistically significant differences seen among all the FPG groups (P value for trend<0.05). While the statistical differences of SUA levels and the incidence rates of HUA among diabetes group (DM group) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) groups were non-significant (P > 0.05) but it was higher than normal FPG group in men (P < 0.05). Logistic regression models were built between various FPG groups and HUA. After adjusting for age, smoking status, drinking status, physical activity, hypertension, body mass index and the levels of triglyceride and creatin. When compared to the normal FPG group, the risk of women suffering from HUA increased by 40% (95%CI:1.19-1.64) under the FPG in the range of 6.1-6.9 mmol/L. Compared to those non-diabetic individuals, the risk of diabetic patients suffering from HUA also increased by 44% (95% CI:1.15-1.79) in women. However, the risk of suffering from HUA did not relate to the increase of FPG in men. The SUA level and the incidence of HUA tended to increase along with the increasing levels of FPG in middle and elderly Chinese women and the increase of FPG might also increase the risk of HUA, but not in men.

Investigation and analysis for spouse comorbid conditions of diabetes patient

Objective To acknowledge the spouse comorbid conditions of diabetes patients by comparing the average blood sugar level of the spouse of the diabetes patients with normal Guangzhou residents.Methods To sift and analyze the spouse test results of 152 hospitalized diabetes patients from January 2012 to January 2013,by testing the blood sugar level of the experimental subjects,comparing the different blood sugar level results between when they were with empty stomach and 2 hours after oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).Results There were 32 cases with diabetes,9 cases with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and 11 cases with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in the above 152 experimental subjects.The morbidity rates were 21.05％,5.92％ and 7.24％.All the above results were higher than the Guangzhou residents survey level,there were statistical differences between them.Conclusions The high morbidity rates of diabetes and impaired glucose regulation in diabetes patients spouse are obvious.The works for diabetes sifting and analyzing together with the health education instruction need to be strengthened. Key words: Diabetes; Spouse; Comorbid

O025 Exposure to secondhand smoke and risk of peripheral arterial disease in Southern Chinese non-smokers: The Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study-Cardiovascular Disease Subcohort

Objectives: We studied the association between secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in Chinese non-smokers. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using baseline data from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study: Cardiovascular Disease Sub-cohort Study (GBCS-CVD). Guangzhou residents aged ≥ 50 years were recruited between 2003 and 2008. Baseline data included measurement of ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) and self-reported smoking status and SHS exposure. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the association between SHS and PAD (defined as ABPI < 0.9). Results: Of the 1507 non-smokers, 24 (1.6%) had PAD. Of these, 12 were men and 12 were women. Exposure to SHS at home of ≥25 h per week was reported by 16.7% of PAD cases compared with 3.8% of those without PAD (χ2 test, p = 0.003). After adjustment for potential confounders, exposure to ≥25 h per week at home was still associated with PAD (adjusted OR 7.86, 95% CI 2.00–30.95, p = 0.003), with suggestion of a dose-response relationship. Conclusions: Our results extend the US Surgeon General’s 2006 report that SHS exposure is an independent risk factor for PAD. National smoke-free legislation is needed to protect all people from exposure.

The Quest for Sustainable Livelihoods: Social Development Challenges and Social Policy Responses in Guangzhou, China

China's welfare system has been a typical ‘residual welfare regime’, but the economic reform and market-oriented transformations in recent decades have weakened the original well-balanced ‘residual’ and ‘needs’ pattern. Marketisation of social welfare has intensified social inequality as those who are less competitive in the market-oriented economy have encountered tremendous financial burdens in meeting their welfare needs. In order to rectify the social problems and tensions generated from the process of marketisation of social welfare, the Chinese government has adopted different policy measures to address the pressing welfare demands from the citizens. This article examines how a local government in Guangzhou, capital city of Guangdong province, has responded to the call of the central government in promoting social harmony in the context of growing welfare regionalism emerging in mainland China. More specifically, with reference to a case study of Guangzhou, this article discusses how Guangzhou residents assess their social welfare needs and expectations, and how they evaluate the municipal government's major welfare strategies. It also reflects upon the role of the state in welfare provision and social protection, especially when many social welfare and social services have been marketised in the last few decades in China.

A survey on the awareness of reproductive health knowledge and skills of residents in Guangzhou

Objective To learn about the awareness of reproductive health knowledge and skills of residents in Guangzhou,to provide basic information and policy reference for further promotion of reproductive health.Methods Cluster sampling was used in sampling 1247 people aged 18-50 for a questionnaire survey.Analyzed and compared the awareness of reproductive health knowledge and skills of different age groups by descriptive method and Chi-square segmentation.Results The status of awareness of family planning knowledge was better (the awareness rates in adolescent group,mature group and sturdy group were 52.9％,69.4％ and 75.2％ respectively).The awareness rate of prevention and treatment knowledge of reproductive tract infection and sexually transmitted diseases and maternal care skills needed to be improved.The awareness rate of reproductive health knowledge of residents in adolescent group was significantly lower than those in mature group and sturdy group(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Health sector should strengthen health care education of prevention of reproductive system diseases and matemal care skills,focus on improving the level of reproductive health knowledge of adolescent,to promote reproductive health of residents. Key words: Reproductive health; Knowledge; Skill; Awareness rate

Impact of Heat Wave in 2005 on Mortality in Guangzhou, China

ObjectiveTo assess the impact of the heat wave in 2005 on mortality among the residents in Guangzhou and to identify susceptible subpopulations in Guangzhou, China. MethodsThe data of daily number of deaths and meteorological measures from 2003 to 2006 in Guangzhou were used in this study. Heat wave was defined as ≥7 consecutive days with daily maximum temperature above 35.0 °C and daily mean temperature above the 97th percentile during the study period. The excess deaths and rate ratio (RR) of mortality in the case period compared with the reference period in the same summer were calculated. ResultsDuring the study period, only one heat wave in 2005 was identified and the total number of excess deaths was 145 with an average of 12 deaths per day. The effect of the heat wave on non-accidental mortality (RR=1.23, 95% CI: 1.11-1.37) was found with statistically significant difference. Also, greater effects were observed for cardiovascular mortality (RR=1.34, 95% CI: 1.13-1.59) and respiratory mortality (RR=1.31, 95% CI: 1.02-1.69). Females, the elderly and people with lower socioeconomic status were at significantly higher risk of heat wave-associated mortality. ConclusionThe 2005 heat wave had a substantial impact on mortality among the residents in Guangzhou, particularly among some susceptible subpopulations. The findings from the present study may provide scientific evidences to develop relevant public health policies and prevention measures aimed at reduction of preventable mortality from heat waves.

Exposure assessment, chemical characterization and source identification of PM2.5 for school children and industrial downwind residents in Guangzhou, China

To assess the exposure doses of PM(2.5) and to investigate its chemical components for the subpopulation (i.e., school children and industrial downwind residents), simultaneous sampling of indoor and outdoor PM(2.5) was conducted at an elementary school close to traffic arteries and a residence located in the downwind area of a steel plant in metropolitan Guangzhou in 2010. Chemical components, i.e., organic carbon, elemental carbon and 6 water soluble ions were analyzed in PM(2.5). A survey was also conducted to investigate the time-activity patterns of the school children and the industrial downwind residents. Indoor and outdoor PM(2.5) were 63.2 ± 20.1 and (76.7 ± 35.8) μg/m(3) at the school, and 118.8 ± 44.7 and 125.7 ± 57.1 μg/m(3) in the community, respectively. Indoor PM(2.5) was found to be highly related to outdoor sources, and stationary sources were the significant contributors to PM(2.5) at both sites. The daily average doses of PM(2.5) for the school children at the school (D(children)) and the industrial downwind residents in the community (D(residents)) were (7.6 ± 1.9) and (36.1 ± 36.8) μg/kg-day, respectively. The daily average doses of particulate organic mass and SO(4)(2-) were the two most abundant chemical components in PM(2.5). PM(2.5) exposure for the school children was contributed by indoor and outdoor environments by 48.8 and 51.2 %, respectively; for the industrial downwind residents, the contributions were 66.0 and 34.0 %, respectively. Age and body weight were significantly and negatively correlated with D(children), while age, body weight and education level were significantly and negatively correlated with D(residents); gender was not a significant factor at both cases.

Mercury levels in road dust and household TSP/PM2.5 related to concentrations in hair in Guangzhou, China

Road dust, household total suspended particulate matters (TSP) and PM2.5 were collected in urban area of Guangzhou, south of China, to investigate the concentrations of total mercury (THg) and methyl mercury (MeHg). The household PM2.5 concentrations varied between 16.2 and 623μg/m3. The average PM2.5 level (174μg/m3) from all of the locations exceeded 24-h concentration from WHO air quality guideline The average concentrations of THg and MeHg were: 235μg/kg and 0.392μg/kg in road dust, 600μg/kg and 1.49μg/kg in TSP; 1006μg/kg (104pg/m3) and 1.40μg/kg (0.134pg/m3) in PM2.5. Risk assessment showed that the Hazardous quotients (HQs) of exposure to Hg and MeHg via road dust and TSP were less than 1, indicating that no adverse risk was manifested. Ingestion of dust was found to constitute a relatively minor pathway of Guangzhou residents′ exposure to Hg. Furthermore, human hair samples from 88 Guangzhou citizens were also analyzed to investigate the mercury accumulation in human body in Guangzhou. The average concentrations of THg and MeHg in human hair samples were 869±831μg/kg and 104±108μg/kg respectively. However, no significant correlations of the mercury species were noted between human hair and road dust, TSP and PM2.5.

Enzootic Angiostrongyliasis in Guangzhou, China, 2008–2010

This study was conducted to gain an understanding of the Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection status of rodent definitive host, snail intermediate host, and local residents in Guangzhou, China. A total of 430 rats were captured and 23 rats, from two species, were infected, with an average infection rate of 5.35%. A total of 795 Achatina fulica snails and 734 Pomacea canaliculata snails were collected. The average infection rates of these two species were 13.96% (111 of 795) and 1.50% (11 of 734), respectively. As for the seroprevalence of different occupations, the rate among the "general group" was significantly lower than the "occupational group." From this survey, Guangzhou is implicated to be the natural focus of Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Rattus norvegicus and Achatina fulica play important roles in spreading this nematode in Guangzhou. Residents who live in Guangzhou, especially those working in certain industries such as agriculture, food-making, and aquaculture, face a higher risk of infection.

Influence of heart rate at rest for predicting the metabolic syndrome in older Chinese adults

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between seated resting heart rate and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) among older residents of Guangzhou, South China. A total of 30,519 older participants (≥50 years) from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study were stratified into quartiles based on seated resting heart rate. The associations between each quartile and the MetS were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. A total of 6,907 (22.8 %) individuals were diagnosed as having the MetS, which was significantly associated with increasing heart rate quartiles (P < 0.001). Participants in the uppermost quartile (mean resting heart rate 91 ± 8 beats/min) of this cardiovascular proxy had an almost twofold increased adjusted risk (odds ratio (95 % CI) = 1.94 (1.79, 2.11), P < 0.001) for the MetS, as compared to those in the lowest quartile (mean resting heart rate, 63 ± 4 beats/min). Heart rate, which is an inexpensive and simple clinical measure, was independently associated with the MetS in older Chinese adults. We hope these observations will spur further studies to examine the usefulness of resting heart rate as a means of risk stratification in such populations, for which targeted interventions should be implemented.

Life-course origins of social inequalities in adult immune cell markers of inflammation in a developing southern Chinese population: the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study.

BackgroundSocioeconomic position (SEP) throughout life is associated with cardiovascular disease, though the mechanisms linking these two are unclear. It is also unclear whether there are critical periods in the life course when exposure to better socioeconomic conditions confers advantages or whether SEP exposures accumulate across the whole life course. Inflammation may be a mechanism linking socioeconomic position (SEP) with cardiovascular disease. In a large sample of older residents of Guangzhou, in southern China, we examined the association of life course SEP with inflammation.MethodsIn baseline data on 9,981 adults (≥ 50 years old) from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study (2006-08), we used multivariable linear regression and model fit to assess the associations of life course SEP at four stages (childhood, early adult, late adult and current) with white blood, granulocyte and lymphocyte cell counts.ResultsA model including SEP at all four life stages best explained the association of life course SEP with white blood and granulocyte cell count for men and women, with early adult SEP (education) making the largest contribution. A critical period model best explained the association of life course SEP with lymphocyte count, with sex-specific associations. Early adult SEP was negatively associated with lymphocytes for women.ConclusionsLow SEP throughout life may negatively impact late adult immune-inflammatory status. However, some aspects of immune-inflammatory status may be sensitive to earlier exposures, with sex-specific associations. The findings were compatible with the hypothesis that in a developing population, upregulation of the gonadotropic axis with economic development may obscure the normally protective effects of social advantage for men.

Levels and Congener Profiles of Particle-bound Polybrominated Dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PBDD/Fs) in Ambient Air around Guangzhou, China

The mean particulate polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PBDD/Fs) levels for Guangzhou were in the range of 225-2244fg/m(3) and showed the spatial trend of background<suburb areas<urban area<industrial area, suggesting the industrial and urban sources of PBDD/Fs. The most abundant congeners were 2,3,7,8-TBDF, 1,2,3,7,8-PeBDF and 2,3,4,7,8-PeBDF. The mean toxicity equivalency quantities (TEQs) of PBDD/Fs were in the range of 89.3-456fg I-TEQ/m(3) for Guangzhou, which were several times higher than that of the background area (49.1fg I-TEQ/m(3)). The rough inhalation risk evaluation showed that the residents in Guangzhou were in relatively higher exposure levels of PBDD/Fs.

Independent and combined associations of abdominal obesity and seated resting heart rate with type 2 diabetes among older Chinese: the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study

Central obesity and poor physical fitness predict the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular mortality among Caucasian populations. We studied the independent and combined effect of abdominal obesity and seated resting heart rate used as an indicator of physical fitness, on the presence of type 2 diabetes among 30 519 older residents of Guangzhou, Southern China. Participants were stratified into four groups, based on the Asian criteria for abdominal obesity (≥90/≥ 80 cm in men/women) and the 75% cut-off point for seated resting heart rate (≥83 beats per min). The association with type 2 diabetes was assessed using multivariable logistic regression. A total of 3777 (12.7%) volunteers were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which was independently associated with seated resting heart rate and, in particular, increasing levels of abdominal obesity (p < 0.001). An odds ratio of 3.93 (95% confidence interval = 3.48-4.43) was identified for type 2 diabetes in participants who were obese with a seated resting heart rate ≥ 83 beats per min after adjusting for potential confounders. Higher seated resting heart rate, a marker of poor physical fitness, independently doubles the risk of type 2 diabetes. The strength of this association is further increased when abdominal obesity is considered.

Perceptions of media functions and processing of news: analysis of audience in a Chinese metropolis

Audience members carry expectations and judgment of media prior to using them. On the assumption that perceptions have broad socio-political antecedents and audience cognitive consequences, this study specifies a model to examine the relationships among social demographics, perceived media functions and evaluation of media performance, attention to newspaper and television news, and information processing strategies. Telephone interviews of a probability sample of 1000 Guangzhou residents provided first-hand data for analyses. We found that media judgment and information processing are multi-dimensional concepts and their theoretical connections are non-trivial. Variances in media assessment made no difference in people's habit of reading between the lines, but predicted differentially to critical and non-reflective reading of media content.

An Extension of the Theory of Planned Behavior Model for Tourists

The sufficiency of theory of planned behavior (TPB) is still being questioned although the model was validated in predicting a wide range of intentions and behaviors. Based on a comprehensive literature review, an extended TPB model of tourists was proposed to investigate relations among constructs of the model with the addition of motivation and actual behavior. An instrument was developed based on previous tourism and marketing studies as well as focus groups. A two-wave data collection was implemented, with data collected from 1,524 Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou residents in Stage 1 and 311 respondents from the same cohort in Stage 2. Results of the study demonstrated that the extended TPB model with tourist motivation fit the data relatively well, explaining 5% more of the variation in behavioral intention in comparison with a base model without motivation. However, the model with both tourist motivation and actual behavior was not tenable, despite a marginal relationship found between behavioral intention and actual tourist behavior using regression analysis. The findings warrant further research examining the predictive power of behavioral intention on actual behavior.

Resident Motivations and Willingness-to-Pay for Urban Biodiversity Conservation in Guangzhou (China)

The monetary assessment of biodiversity measures the welfare damages brought by biodiversity losses and the cost-benefit analysis of conservation projects in a socio-economic context. The contingent valuation method could include motivational factors to strengthen economic analysis of nature conservation. This study analyzed Guangzhou residents' motivations and willingness-to-pay (WTP) for an urban biodiversity conservation program in the National Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area (BMSA). The peri-urban natural site, offering refuge to some endemic species, is under increasing development pressures for recreational and residential use. A questionnaire survey was conducted in the Guangzhou metropolitan area during June to October 2007. We interviewed face-to-face 720 stratified sampled households to probe residents' attitudes towards the city's environmental issues, motivations for urban nature conservation, and WTP for biodiversity conservation. Principal component analysis identified five motivational factors, including environmental benefit, ecological diversity, nature-culture interaction, landscape-recreation function, and intergenerational sustainability, which illustrated the general economic values of urban nature. Logistic regression was applied to predict the probability of people being willing to pay for the urban biodiversity conservation in BMSA. The significant predictors of WTP included household income and the factor nature-culture interaction. The median WTP estimated RMB149/household (about US$19.5/household) per year and an aggregate of RMB291 million (approximately US$38.2 million) annually to support the urban conservation project. Including public motivations into contingent valuation presents a promising approach to conduct cost-benefit analysis of public projects in China.