Use In Mainland China Research Articles

East Asians' T-scores for the diagnosis of osteoporosis should be calculated using ethnicity- and gender-specific BMD reference ranges: justifications.

The 2013 ISCD consensus recommended a Caucasian female reference database for T-score calculation in men, which says "A uniform Caucasian (non-race adjusted) female reference database should be used to calculate T-scores for men of all ethnic groups." However, this statement was recommended for the US population, and no position was taken with respect to BMD reference data or ethnicity matching outside of the USA. In East Asia, currently, a Japanese BMD reference database is universally adopted in Japan for clinical DXA diagnosis, while both local BMD and Caucasian BMD reference databases are in use in Mainland China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore. In this article, we argue that an ethnicity- and gender-specific BMD database should be used for T-score calculations for East Asians, and we list the justifications why we advocate so. Use of a Caucasian BMD reference database leads to systematically lower T-scores for East Asians and an overestimation of the prevalence of osteoporosis. Using a female BMD reference database to calculate T-scores for male patients leads to higher T-score values and an underestimation of the prevalence of osteoporosis. Epidemiological evidence does not support using a female BMD reference database to calculate T-scores for men. We also note that BMD reference databases collected in Asia should be critically evaluated for their quality.

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the traditional Chinese Food Allergy Quality of Life-Parental Burden questionnaire into simplified Chinese for use in mainland China.

The study aimed to translate and adapt the traditional Chinese Food Allergy Quality of Life-Parental Burden Questionnaire (TC-FAQL-PB) into simplified Chinese language and determine the validity and reliability of the translated version. A methodologic study design involving instrument translation and psychometric evaluation was used for the present study. The simplified Chinese FAQL-PB (SC-FAQL-PB) was developed following Guillemin's guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation. A convenience sample of 230 participants was recruited. The psychometric properties were examined using internal consistency, test-retest reliability, item discrimination, content validity and construct validity. The values of I-CVI ranged from 0.83 to 1.00. The CFA model revealed that the study supported the two-factor model. The questionnaire had good internal consistency with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.946. The item-total correlation values ranged from 0.707 to 0.866. Test-retest reliability showed that the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.926 (95% CI, 0.830-0.968).

Validating the Well-Being of Older People (WOOP) Instrument in China.

Generic health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures have been used for estimating utility value, which is then used for calculating quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). HRQoL measures may not capture many of the relevant and important non-health aspects of quality of life. The well-being of older people (WOOP) instrument was first developed in the Netherlands. This study aimed to validate this new instrument among older people in China. WOOP was first translated into simplified Chinese (for use in Mainland China) by two experienced translators. From July to August 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of 500 older people in Southwestern China. Older people who provided consent reported their demographic information and completed the simplified Chinese version of the WOOP instrument using a pencil and paper. The feasibility of WOOP was determined by the percentage of missing responses. Then, using the data without any missing responses, we examined the item response distributions, pairwise Spearman correlations, underlying factors, and known-group validity of WOOP. Among the nine items of WOOP, three had more than 10% missing responses. The response distributions of the nine items were overall good without signs of ceiling and floor effects. The correlations among the WOOP items were low. A two-factor exploratory factor analysis model suggested that the WOOP items can be categorized into either internal or external well-being items. Good known-group validity results were found. Some WOOP items may not be easily understood by a small proportion of rural residents. However, other results have suggested WOOP to be a valid instrument for measuring the well-being of the elderly in China. The availability of WOOP enables the measurement of well-being-related utility.

A Case Study of IELTS in Mainland China

This essay is a case study of IELTS use in mainland China, discussing the language assessment from three aspects: the purposes for testing, ethical problems of IELTS, and technologies applied in IELTS. It is worth noting that there are two types of IELTS: academic IELTS and general training IELTS, offered jointly by the British Council, Cambridge English Language Assessment, and other committees. This essay is confined to academic IELTS.

Quality evaluation of HPV vaccine-related online messages in China: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Since 2019, three types of HPV vaccine have been approved for use in mainland China. High quality messages are crucial for vaccine acceptance, but little is known about the online information quality concerning HPV vaccine in China. “HPV vaccine” and “cervical cancer vaccine” in the form of Chinese were used as keywords through search engines from personal computer (PC), portable mobile device (PMD), and WeChat Public Accounts in 2019. Readability, information content, as well as DISCERN scores were evaluated for each message included. Characteristics associated with quality indicators of the messages were also analyzed. A total of 294 messages from PC engines (104, 35%), PMD engines (128, 43%) and WeChat (62, 21%) were assessed. Most (269, 91%) messages required at least undergraduate readability level. The most frequently reported theme was HPV vaccine and its function (273, 93%), while the least was information regarding quality, safety and side effects (129, 44%). The frequency of messages with at least one error was 132 (45%). The median of sum DISCERN scores was 42 (IQR = 14), and only one (< 1%) message showed good DISCERN quality. Messages retrieved from PC engines and those with pictures were of better overall quality. The overall quality of HPV vaccine-related online messages in Chinese websites was not optimal. Government and health professionals should promote information quality construction to improve the status of HPV vaccination messages online.

Reliability and Validity of the Simplified Chinese Early-onset Scoliosis Quality of Life 24-item Questionnaire.

Questionnaire translation and validation. The aim of this study was to translate the Early-Onset Scoliosis 24-Item Questionnaire (EOSQ-24) into simplified Chinese and to evaluate the reliability and validity of this questionnaire in children with early-onset scoliosis (EOS) in mainland China. The EOSQ-24 is a validated quality of life questionnaire in children with EOS and has been translated into multiple languages and used worldwide. However, there is currently no simplified Chinese version available for use in mainland China. The English version of the EOSQ-24 questionnaire was translated into simplified Chinese based on the recommendations of the International Quality of Life Assessment (IQoLA) group. The reliability of the scale was evaluated using test-retest reliability and internal consistency, and construct validity was examined through factor analysis. Hundred childrenwith EOS were enrolled in the study. To assess the test-retest reliability of the scale, the parents or caregivers of 38 of participants repeated the questionnaire after 2 weeks. Test-retest reliability was excellent overall (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.935) and ranged from moderate to excellent for each domain (ICC = 0.681-0.945). The overall internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach α = 0.893) and had a variable range for each domain (Cronbach α = 0.560-0.889). Factor analysis was performed, and seven principal components were extracted that accounted for 70.1% of the variance. The simplified Chinese version of the EOSQ-24 scale has acceptable reliability and construct validity, and it can be used for the assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQL), caretaker burden, and satisfaction for children with EOS in mainland China.Level of Evidence: 3.

Social class, language attitudes, and language use

Abstract Few previous studies have examined the impact of social class on language attitudes and language use in mainland China. A total of 215 questionnaires were collected from a university in China for this study. The participants were classified into four social classes: upper middle class, middle middle class, lower middle class, and lower class. Then an individual interview was conducted with 10 students. Findings show that the students from the upper middle class had significantly lower attitudes toward local dialects and they had the lowest percentage of current use of dialect at home. The study adds evidence to findings of previous studies that local dialects might face certain danger of maintenance. It also shows that this change would start from people from the upper middle class. The study also points out a possible future tendency that social class privilege will play a more significant role in English learning and education.

T217. MEDICATION ADHERENCE AND ITS CORRELATES AMONG PATIENTS WITH RECURRENT SCHIZOPHRENIA: A LARGE-SCALE STUDY IN CHINA

BackgroundThe Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) is a rapid, non-intrusive way of measuring adherence to medication in order to improve management of patients with schizophrenia. The current study evaluated the reliability of the Chinese (Mandarin) version of the MARS and explored clinical and demographic correlates to medication adherence in a large sample of patients with recurrent schizophrenia in China.Methods1198 patients with recurrent schizophrenia were recruited from 37 different hospitals in 17 provinces/municipalities of China and evaluated with the Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS), Clinical Global Impression-Severity of illness (CGI-S) and Sheehan Disability Scale-Chinese version (SDS-C). Socio-demographic data included gender, age, marital status, education level, employment status and living with others or alone. Clinical data included duration of illness, number of relapses, and medication use, as well as current stage of disease evaluated by SCID. Pearson correlations were used to examine associations between MARS, socio-demographic, and clinical characteristics. Independent sample T-tests were used to compare MARS score between different socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Finally, a cut-off score of 6 on the MARS (ranged from 1 to 10) was used to divide the sample into two groups (i.e. MARS score≥ 6 identified good adherence and MARS score< 6 indicated poor adherence). Bivariate logistic regression models with the two groups (MARS score<6 and MARS score≥6) as the dependent variable was used to identify influencing factors of medication adherence. Data processing and analyses were conducted on SPSS 22.0 and Mplus 7.4.ResultsThe MARS showed good internal consistency and psychometric properties. MARS outcomes varied by demographic and clinical characteristics; only 28.5% recurrent schizophrenia patients met the criteria of good adherence to antipsychotic medication. Findings indicated older age (OR=1.04, 95%CI=1.02–1.06), unsteady income (OR=1.79, 95%CI=1.29–2.49), acute period (OR=4.23, 95%CI=3.21–5.59) and a higher CGI-S score (OR=1.44, 95%CI=1.03–2.01) had significantly predictive effects on poor medication adherence. MARS demonstrated good reliability in our sample (Cronbach’s α =0.83; Spearman-Brown = 0.72).DiscussionThis study of the MARS is unique for a few reasons. First, comparative reports on MARS use in mainland China have not been published internationally; similar tests on reliability and correlation have only been reported in Hong Kong and Taiwan (Hui et al., 2006; Kao and Liu, 2010). Second, in considering demographic and clinical correlates of medication adherence in patients with recurrent schizophrenia, our MARS study broadly represents China with 17 of 27 provinces/municipalities reporting data from multiple geographic regions, with the participation of hundreds of psychiatrists across China.Only 28.5% recurrent schizophrenia patients met the criteria of good adherence to antipsychotic medication in this study. Low levels of good medication adherence in schizophrenia patients are found across Asia, with 27% in Korea meeting the criteria of good adherence (Kim et al., 2006) and 26% in Hong Kong (Hui et al., 2006). Overall MARS total score in our study (3.68 ±2.90) is comparably lower to that of developed countries, as MARS total score had a mean of 6.0 to 7.7 in a UK sample (Fialko et al., 2008; Jaeger et al., 2012), and 5.5 for schizophrenia patients in France (Zemmour et al., 2016).Medication adherence of patients affected by recurrent schizophrenia in China was found to be relatively low. Risk factors for non-adherence to medication in recurrent schizophrenia patients include older age, unsteady income, acute period and severity of illness.

Hargreaves ET0 Equation Regression Correction and Parameter Spatialization for Mainland China

HighlightsCorrelation coefficient between ET0 calculated by the PM and the HE, = 0.9 at 95% stations.Simple spline interpolation method more applicable than kriging interpolation for ET0 in mainland China.Linear regression correction model for the HE suggested by the FAO was further validated in large scale.Abstract. Reference crop evapotranspiration (ET0) is an important parameter employed in irrigation engineering. The Hargreaves ET0 equation (HE) is a simplified calculation method recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and is used to determine ET0. However, the HE is empirical, and thus, the FAO suggests that linear regression correction be conducted when applying the HE in new areas. To discuss the validity of applying the HE linear regression correction model combined with spatial interpolation methods to the Chinese mainland, this study used meteorological data released by the China National Meteorological Data Service Center and considered the ET0-PM calculated by the Penman-Monteith equation to be the true value. With respect to conducting a linear regression correction with the HE, a regression analysis of the multi-year average of mean monthly daily ET0-PM and ET0-HE calculated by the HE showed that the values were significantly correlated, and correlation coefficients and R2 of 95% of stations exceeded 0.9 and 0.8, respectively. This indicates that the HE linear regression correction model recommended by the FAO is applicable for use in mainland China. The accuracy of ET0-HE corrected by the linear regression correction coefficient combined with simple tension spline interpolation was the optimal and stable at validation stations, whereas the accuracy of ET0-HE corrected by the linear regression correction coefficient combined with simple ordinary kriging interpolation contrasts with the accuracy from existing studies. This study can be used as a reference in large-scale correction research using ET0-HE, and it lays the foundation for research and development relating to spatiotemporal ET0 data products. Keywords: Coefficient modification, Linear regression model, Reference crop evapotranspiration, Spatial interpolation.

Psychometric properties and gender invariance of the simplified Chinese version of Night Eating Questionnaire in a large sample of mainland Chinese college students.

The Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ) is the most frequently used instrument for assessing night eating syndrome (NES), and it has been translated to many languages, including a traditional Chinese version in Taiwan. However, significant differences exist in the social, linguistic, and cultural contexts between mainland China and Taiwan. For its use in mainland China, a simplified Chinese version is needed and its psychometric properties should be further evaluated. Thus, the current study aimed to obtain a simplified Chinese NEQ (SC-NEQ) and validate its psychometric properties. According to standard procedures, the SC-NEQ was obtained by language transformation from the traditional Chinese version of NEQ. The SC-NEQ was then administered to 1273 mainland Chinese college students recruited from three provinces in mainland China. The four-factor structure of the original English NEQ (morning anorexia, evening hyperphagia, mood/sleep, and nocturnal ingestions) was confirmed in the current sample. Moreover, a second-order model also fitted the data well. The SC-NEQ showed good reliability with a Cronbach's alpha and omega of 0.70 and 0.83, respectively. The total score of the SC-NEQ was significantly and moderately correlated with eating pathology (r = .35, p < .01). Strong measurement invariance across gender groups was also supported. These findings suggest that the SC-NEQ can be auseful tool to assess NES in mainland China. V, descriptive (cross-sectional) study.

A shortage of cadavers: The predicament of regional anatomy education in mainland China.

Both in mainland China and around the world, regional anatomy stands as one of the most important basic science courses in medical school curricula. As such, dissection of human cadavers and use of prosected specimens remains the most essential teaching method in anatomy education. However, medical educators have raised increasing concerns about an ongoing shortage of cadavers for medical use in mainland China, a problem which may seriously limit the future development of human anatomy education. Based on a survey on cadaver usage in anatomy education in mainland China, this study found that the cadaver resources of most given medical schools in mainland China are associated with their geographic location, academic ranking, and local support for body donation policies. Effective measures to alleviate this shortage of cadavers may include future efforts to promote national-level body donation legislation, broader acceptance of body donation among Chinese citizens, and an efficient and humane protocol for body donation. Anat Sci Educ 11: 397-402. © 2018 American Association of Anatomists.

Serotype distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae and potential impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACTObjective: Thirteen-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV13) was licensed for optional use in mainland China since 2017, but the uptake is low. To update the research evidence for the pneumococcal serotype distribution of pre-PCV era and to estimate the potential impact of PCVs, we performed a meta-analysis on the relevant publications concerning the Chinese population.Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted on the pneumococcal serotype distribution publications in mainland China from 2000 to 2016. The literature was searched in PubMed, Ovid-EMBASE, Web of Science, CNKI and Wanfang. Heterogeneity and publication bias were tested by I2, meta-regression, Egger's and Begg's test. The pneumococcal serotype and vaccine serotype coverage rates were pooled using the random-effects model in Stata SE 12.0.Results: In total, 85 publications were included. Of all 16,945 included pneumococcal isolates, the most common serotypes/serogroups were 19F, 19A, 23F, 14, and 6B, that from children were the same as above, that from adults≥18 years were 19, 3, 6, 23, and 14. Among isolates from children <18 years, the pooled coverage for PCV10 serotypes was 52.3%, that for PCV13 was 68.4% and that for PPSV23 was 65.5%. Regarding individuals ≥18 years, the pooled coverage for PCV10 serotypes was 29.7%, that for PCV13 was 49.5% and that for PPSV23 was 50.7%. Serotype prevalence and vaccine serotype coverage varied by age group, source, and region.Conclusions: The most common pneumococcal serotype in mainland China was 19F. The serotype coverage rates of PCV13 and PPSV23 were 50%–68% in mainland China.

Genotype distribution characteristics of multiple human papillomavirus in women from the Taihu River Basin, on the coast of eastern China

BackgroundThere is limited data on the genotype distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the Taihu River Basin, home to 1.29 million people on the coast of eastern China. This study evaluated the prevalence and genotypes among different female age groups in this region.MethodsTwenty-six HPV strains (low-risk HPV 6, 11, 40, 42, 44, 61, 73 and high-risk HPV 16, 18, 26, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 53, 55, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68, 82, and 83) were detected using Tellgenplex™ HPV technology in samples obtained from three clinical hospitals located in different regions of the Taihu Lake Basin.ResultsThe results showed that 1855 samples (20.97% of all samples) were found to be HPV-positive. Of these, 1375 samples (15.55% of all samples) were found to have a single HPV infection. Age-specific prevalence showed two peaks, one that corresponded to the group of 21–30 year-old women and the other peak that corresponded to the group of women over 51 years old. The three most prevalent genotypes were HPV52 (19.95%, 370/1855), HPV16 (13.48%, 150/1855), and HPV58 (11.32%, 210/1855). Mixed strains HPV58 + HPV33 and HPV58 + HPV52 were most commonly found in females infected with multiple HPV types.ConclusionsThis investigation reveals that HPV infection in the Taihu River Basin varied significantly among different age groups. The most prevalent genotypes are included in the nonavalent vaccine, V503, however this vaccine is not licensed for use in mainland China. The most frequently occurring genotypes should be considered in the development of next-generation HPV vaccines for optimal protection of public health.

Learning to make change happen in Chinese schools: adapting a problem-based computer simulation for developing school leaders

ABSTRACTSchool leader training has become a critical strategy in educational reform. However, in China, there still exists a big gap in terms of how to transfer leadership knowledge into practice. Thus, tools that can integrate formal knowledge into practice are called for urgently in school leader training. This paper presents the results of a research and development (R&D) approach to adapt an existing online computer simulation, Making Change Happen™, for use in Mainland China. The paper describes the process used to inform and assess our cultural adaptation of the simulation, as well as the response of Chinese principals to learning through this innovative method. Results affirmed the necessity for cultural adaptation of ‘Western’ curricula and tools for use in the Chinese context. The positive response of the Chinese school principals to learning via an online computer simulation suggested future potential for employing technology-facilitated, active learning modes in China. Implications are outlined for theory, research, and practice.

Validity of APCS score as a risk prediction score for advanced colorectal neoplasia in Chinese asymptomatic subjects: A prospective colonoscopy study.

The Asia-Pacific Colorectal Screening (APCS) score is a risk-stratification tool that helps predict the risk for advanced colorectal neoplasia (ACN) in asymptomatic Asian populations, but has not yet been assessed for its validity of use in Mainland China.The aim of the study was to assess the validity of APCS score in asymptomatic Chinese population, and to identify other risk factors associated with ACN.Asymptomatic subjects (N = 1010) who underwent colonoscopy screening between 2012 and 2014 in Beijing were enrolled. APCS scores based on questionnaires were used to stratify subjects into high, moderate, and average-risk tiers. Cochran–Armitage test for trend was used to assess the association between ACN and risk tiers. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed with ACN as the outcome, adjusting for APCS score, body mass index, alcohol consumption, self-reported diabetes, and use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as independent variables.The average age was 53.5 (standard deviation 8.4) years. The prevalence of ACN was 4.1% overall, and in the high, moderate, and average-risk tiers, the prevalence was 8.8%, 2.83%, and 1.55%, respectively (P < 0.001). High-risk tier had 3.3 and 6.1-fold increased risk of ACN as compared with those in the moderate and average-risk tiers, respectively. In univariate analysis, high-risk tier, obesity, diabetes, and alcohol consumption were associated with ACN. In multivariate analysis, only high-risk tier was an independent predictor of ACN.The APCS score can effectively identify a subset of asymptomatic Chinese population at high risk for ACN. Further studies are required to identify other risk factors, and the acceptability of the score to the general population will need to be further examined.

Cultural considerations for the adaptation of an Internet-based intervention for depression prevention in Mainland China.

Internet-based interventions to prevent depression during adolescence have been implemented in Western countries, but there is a lack of research about its adaptation for use in other countries. Project Competent Adulthood Transition with Cognitive-Behavioral, Humanistic and Interpersonal Training (CATCH-IT) is an Internet-based intervention targeting teens at risk for developing depression. This study explored cultural adaptation of the intervention for use in Mainland China. A pilot study using the English version of CATCH-IT was conducted in Wuhan, China, with adolescents from the Wuhan School of Medicine in 2013. Participants completed a feedback survey to evaluate the format and socio-cultural relevance for each component of the intervention. Twenty students were surveyed (age range 19-23 years). In 2014, Chinese physicians evaluated CATCH-IT and completed a feedback questionnaire. Data obtained were collected and analyzed for recurrent themes. Both groups recommended new modules focusing on Chinese-relevant themes like pressure for academic excellence, filial piety, and balancing school and social life. Physicians agreed to retain the cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and behavioral activation (BA) modules, and were split on the use of interpersonal therapy (IPT). All experts recommended translation of the content into Mandarin and a majority suggested interactive features and less text. All agreed the Internet serves well as a delivery model; however, dissemination through schools was preferred. The results support cultural adaptation of basic facets of the intervention like language and visuals, and also deeper aspects like IPT and the delivery model. Development of an adaptation should build upon the findings from this study and work to maintain fidelity.

Validation of the Simplified Chinese Version of the Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire-Scoliosis

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire-Scoliosis (BIDQ-S). The aim of this study was to validate the Chinese version of BIDQ-S (C-BIDQ-S) in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients in Mainland China. A modified version of the Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire instrument has been validated in AIS patients (BIDQ-S) to assess the perception of spinal appearance and psychological disturbance. However, there is no culturally adapted, reliable, and validated BIDQ-S for the Chinese population. The BIDQ-S was translated into simplified Chinese, and the cross-cultural adaptation of the original BIDQ-S was performed according to international guidelines. A total of 100 AIS patients were recruited into this study. Validation including reliability, internal consistency, and convergent validity was evaluated by comparing the C-BIDQ-S with Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-22 and Spinal Appearance Questionnaire (SAQ) instruments. The relationship between C-BIDQ-S score and patient characteristics was also assessed. Internal consistency for the C-BIDQ-S was satisfactory with a Cronbach alpha value of 0.877. The construct validity test demonstrated significant correlations between the C-BIDQ-S score and all SRS-22 domains as well as between the C-BIDQ-S score and most of SAQ domains. Although the C-BIDQ-S score was not correlated with age or BMI, patients with Cobb angle >40° presented a significantly higher (poorer) C-BIDQ-S score. The Simplified Chinese version of BIDQ-S showed good internal consistency, strong psychometric properties, and satisfactory reliability. This concise questionnaire is suitable for widespread use in Mainland China.

The Chinese version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia was cross-culturally adapted and validated in patients with low back pain

ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to obtain a cross-cultural adaptation and evaluation of a Simplified Chinese (SC) version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) for use in patients with low back pain (LBP). Study Design and SettingThe TSK was translated and adapted cross-culturally following international guidelines. It was administered to 150 patients with LBP along with the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, Oswestry Disability Index, Short Form Health Survey, and a pain visual analog scale assessment. Measurement properties, including content validity, construct validity (structural validity and hypotheses testing), internal consistency, and test–retest reliability, were tested. ResultsThe final analysis included data from 142 patients. Content validity analysis led to the exclusion of four reverse-scored items due to low item–total correlation. Structural validity analysis favored a three-factor structure: somatic focus, activity avoidance, and avoidance belief. Construct validity analysis confirmed 9 of 11 a priori hypotheses. Both the 17-item and 13-item versions of the SC-TSK had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.74 and 0.82, all values, respectively) and test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.86, 0.90). ConclusionTSK was adapted successfully into an SC version with excellent internal consistency and test–retest reliability and with acceptable construct validity. A 13-item, three-factored SC-TSK structure was deemed to be a good fit for Chinese patients and appropriate for clinical and research use in mainland China.

Religious involvement and tobacco use in mainland China: a preliminary study.

BackgroundCigarette smoking causes serious health, economic, and social problems throughout the world. Religious involvement is known to be an important predictor of health behaviors and substance use. The present study examines the correlation between religious involvements and tobacco use, and explores connections between religiosity and tobacco use in Muslims and non-Muslims in Western China.MethodsData were examined from a representative sample of 2,770 community-dwelling adults in the province of Ningxia located in Western China. Self-report smoking, past smoking, religious attendance and the importance of religious in daily life were measured. The WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to diagnose tobacco use disorders. Three separate logistic regression models were used to examine correlations between religious involvement and smoking status.ResultsIn the overall sample, religious attendance was inversely associated with current smoking (p < 0.001), as was importance of religion (p < 0.05). Current smoking was also less common in those categorized as high on religious involvement. No association, however, was found between religious involvement and either past smoking or tobacco use disorders. In Muslims, both religion attendance and high religiosity were inversely associated with current smoking (p < 0.001), although no association was found in non-Muslims.ConclusionsReligious involvement is inversely related to current smoking in Western China, although this association depends on religious affiliation.

Clinical Practice Of Chemotherapy With Temozolomide In China

The treatment for malignant tumors in the central nervous system (CNS) mainly consists of surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy. Temozolomde (TMZ), a second-generation of oral alkylating agent, plays an increasingly important role in the treatment of malignant glioma in China. However, the history of TMZ use in China, has not been well reviewed. In this study, an extensive literature search of Pubmed and major Chinese electronic databases was performed to identify clinical reports on TMZ use in mainland China. We found that TMZ is a standard addition to postoperative RT for glioblastoma, followed by 6 cycles of adjuvant treatments as Chinese and NCCN guidelines recommended. But since TMZ is relatively expensive to most Chinese patients, especially in undeveloped areas, some other regimens are still commonly used. It is also indicated for relapsed or Grade III glioma, with some potential value in brain metastasis and primary central nerve lymphoma. Extended use or combination therapy including TMZ may benefit more for glioma patients. As the clinical trials have been paid more attention in the recent years, effort and collaboration should be made to conduct well-designed multicenter randomized clinical trials on TMZ, with the aim of improving the prognosis of patients with CNS tumor in mainland China.