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Abstract Purpose Psychological well-beings of left-behind children (LBC) in rural areas of China remain under-studied. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to explore the subjective well-being (SWB) in LBC and its associated factors in a rural area in eastern China. Methods Stratified random cluster sampling was used to select middle school and high school students in Qingyuan County of Zhejiang Province. Relevant information including sociodemographic characteristics was collected from each participant using an organized questionnaire. SWB was measured using the modified scale developed for Chinese adolescents. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed using R version 3.3.0. Results A total of 1086 children were recruited and examined in the current analysis, with 365 (33.61%) being left-behind. Compared with non-left-behind children (NLBC), LBC had significantly lower scores in family satisfaction (P = 0.003) and environment satisfaction (P = 0.020). Multivariable regression analysis uncovered that frequent parent–child communication was associated with high positive affect (P = 0.003) and life satisfaction (P

In this study, corn straw (CS) impregnated with FeCl3 solution was pyrolyzed at different temperatures to obtain the Fe modified biochar (Fe-BC) for nitrogen and phosphorus recovery from biogas slurry. Biochar pyrolyzed at 690 °C for 80 min showed the highest NH4+-N (N) and PO43−-P (P) removal efficiencies. The characterization techniques indicated that Fe element in Fe-BC mainly existed in forms of Fe0 and Fe3O4, and Fe(OH)3 and FePO4 after adsorption. The adsorption process was mainly controlled by the chemical process and could be well fitted to the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation and the Langmuir isotherm model. Based on the Langmuir model, the maximum adsorption capacities of Fe-BC were 11.68 mg.g−1 (for N) and 26.14 mg.g−1 (for P), which were increased by 131.7% and 253.2%, respectively, compared with unmodified biochar. N and P in biogas slurry are removed mainly by electrostatic attraction, intermolecular force, ion exchange, coprecipitation, flocculation, and functional group reactions. The Fe-BC can be used as a soil fertilizer since it gradually released about 10% of the adsorbed nutrients.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are widely transcribed in the genome, but their expression profile and roles in colorectal cancer are not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the long non-coding RNA expression profile in colorectal cancer and look for potential diagnostic biomarkers of colorectal cancer. Long non-coding RNA microarray was applied to investigate the global long non-coding RNA expression profile in colorectal cancer. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses were performed using standard enrichment computational methods. The expression levels of selected long non-coding RNAs were validated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The relationship between long non-coding RNA expression levels and clinicopathological characteristics of colorectal cancer patients was assessed. Coexpression analyses were carried out to find the coexpressed genes of differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs, followed by gene ontology analysis to predict the possible role of the selected long non-coding RNAs in colorectal carcinogenesis. In this study, a total of 1596 long non-coding RNA transcripts and 1866 messenger RNA transcripts were dysregulated in tumor tissues compared with paired normal tissues. The top upregulated long non-coding RNAs in tumor tissues were CCAT1, UCA1, RP5-881L22.5, NOS2P3, and BC005081 and the top downregulated long non-coding RNAs were AK055386, AC078941.1, RP4-800J21.3, RP11-628E19.3, and RP11-384P7.7. Long non-coding RNA UCA1 was significantly upregulated in colon cancer, and AK055386 was significantly downregulated in tumor with dimension

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association of living arrangements with functional disability among older persons and explore the mediation of impact factors on the relationship. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis using data from Healthy Aging study in Zhejiang Province. PARTICIPANTS: Analyzed sample was drawn from a representative rural population of older persons in Wuyi County, Zhejiang Province, including 1542 participants aged 60 and over in the second wave of the study. MEASUREMENTS: Living arrangements, background, functional disability, self-rated health, number of diseases, along with contemporaneous circumstances including income, social support (physical assistance and emotional support). Instrument was Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale, including Basic Activities Daily Living (BADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). RESULTS: Living arrangements were significantly associated with BADL, IADL and ADL disability. Married persons living with or without children were more advantaged on all three dimensions of functional disability. Unmarried older adults living with children only had the worst functional status, even after controlling for background, social support, income and health status variables (compared with the unmarried living alone, ß for BADL: -1.262, ß for IADL: -2.112, ß for ADL: -3.388; compared with the married living with children only, ß for BADL: -1.166, ß for IADL: -2.723, ß for ADL: -3.902). In addition, older adults without difficulty in receiving emotional support, in excellent health and with advanced age had significantly better BADL, IADL and ADL function. However, a statistically significant association between physical assistance and functional disability was not found. CONCLUSION: Functional disabilities vary by living arrangements with different patterns and other factors. Our results highlight the association of unmarried elders living with children only and functioning decline comparing with other types. Our study implies policy makers should pay closer attention to unmarried elders living with children in community. Community service especially emotional support such as psychological counseling is important social support and should be improved.

Background The apoB/apoA1 ratio has been reported to be associated with the metabolic syndrome (MetS), and it may be a more convenient biomarker in MetS predicting. However, whether apoB/apoA1 ratio is a better indicator of metabolic syndrome than other biomarkers and what is the optimal cut-off value of apoB/apoA1 ratio as an indicator of metabolic syndrome in Chinese population remain unknown. Thus, we carried out the current study to assess the predictive value of apoB/apoA1 ratio and determine the optimal cut-off value of apoB/apoA1 ratio for diagnosing MetS in a Chinese population. Method We selected 1,855 subjects with MetS and 6,265 individuals without MetS based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria from the China Health Nutrition Survey (CHNS) in 2009. MetS was identified based on the diagnostic criteria of International Diabetes Federation (2005). Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between the apoB/apoA1 ratio and risk of MetS, and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was performed to test the predictive value of apoB/apoA1 ratio and calculate the appropriate cutoff value. Results Compared with the lowest quartile of apoB/apoA1 ratio, subjects in the fourth quartile had a higher risk of MetS in both men [odds ratio (OR) = 2.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) =1.82- 3.83] and women (OR = 5.18, 95%CI = 3.87-6.92) after adjustment for potential confounders. The optimal cut-off value of apoB/apoA1 ratio for MetS detection was 0.85 in men and 0.80 in women. Comparisons of ROC curves indicated that apoB/apoA1 ratio was better than traditional biomarkers in predicting MetS. Conclusion Our results suggest that, apoB/apoA1 ratio has a promising predictive effectiveness in detection of MetS. An apoB/apoA1 ratio higher than 0.85 in men and 0.80 in women may be a promising and convenient marker of MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The People's Republic of China's population is aging rapidly, partly because of the impact of the one-child policy and improvements in the health care system. Caring for bedridden seniors can be a challenge for many families in the People's Republic of China. Objective: To identify the inequality of income among different age groups and social statuses, and evaluate the medical burden and health insurance compensation in the People's Republic of China. Methods: We measured income inequality and insurance compensation levels among bedridden patients in Zhejiang province, People's Republic of China. Factor analysis and Gini coefficients were used to evaluate degree of income inequality and insurance compensation level. Results: We found distinct regional disparities in Zhejiang province, including the aspects of income, expenses, and time. Gini coefficients of older adults with long-term care needs in urban and rural areas were 0.335 and 0.602, respectively. In all age groups, Gini coefficients increased after adjustment for medical expenditures, and the inequality persisted after insurance reimbursement was taken into consideration. Conclusion: A significant income disparity between rural and urban areas was observed. Inequality increased with age, and medical expenditure is a huge burden for older people with long-term care needs. Health insurance does not play an important role in reducing inequalities among patients who need long-term care services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to investigate the level of awareness of and factors associated with major infectious diseases in rural China and to provide the most recent baseline data for the prevention and control of these diseases. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Zhejiang province between December 2010 and April 2011. Participants were recruited from 36 villages and interviewed by doctors from the community health service using a structured questionnaire. Results: The study sample consisted of 36,377 subjects aged 15 to 80 years old. Study results showed that knowledge of HIV was adequate in 44.21% of rural residents; knowledge of TB was adequate in 52.66% of respondents; and knowledge of HBV was adequate in 60.18% of respondents. People in older age groups and with lower education levels were more likely to have low levels of awareness of these three infectious diseases. Participants in the farming industry had poorer awareness of HIV and HBV, while students and factory workers knew little of TB. The proportions of people reporting being fully satisfied with the control policies for HIV, TB and HBV were 37.70%, 34.25% and 36.12%, respectively. Conclusions: The level of awareness of HIV, TB and HBV is still low among rural residents. Further national disease control plans for major infectious diseases should emphasise effective and comprehensive health education campaigns to increase public awareness of these diseases in rural areas of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]