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Despite the well-documented advantages of regular physical activity (PA), patients with cancer show suboptimal participation. By using game design elements, gamification could be used to motivate individuals to engage in PA. It has been demonstrated that gamification interventions positively affect children, adolescents and older adults in health-related contexts. There are, however, inconsistent findings regarding the impact of gamification interventions on cancer survivors' PA and health-related outcomes, according to the literature.The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness and feasibility of gamification interventions for improving PA and health-related outcomes among cancer survivors.A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the Cochrane Handbook and PRISMA guidelines. Eight English databases and three Chinese databases were searched to identify eligible articles from inception to February 2022. Two reviewers independently performed the literature screening and data extraction. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess the risk of bias. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) Working Group levels of evidence was used to evaluate the certainty of the findings.Ten randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2014 and 2022 were included. The meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in the step counts and for moderate to vigorous PA, and the certainty of the findings was very low, according to GRADE. Meta-analysis for most outcomes could not be performed owing to the fewer included studies and significant heterogeneity. Most studies reported positive effects in improving moderate PA, sedentary behaviour, fatigue and at least one domain of quality of life. This review proved that gamified interactions are associated with low adverse event rates.Gamification interventions could be a feasible way to promote the adoption of mobile health (mHealth) technology in patients with cancer. Individual studies have demonstrated some positive effects of gamification interventions on PA and health-related outcomes. However, limited studies, small sample sizes and methodological heterogeneity weaken the evidence. Larger, well-designed RCTs are required to confirm the impact of gamification interventions on PA and health-related outcomes in cancer survivors.

Background Clinical research publications have become the dominant source and basis of clinical evidence-based decision-making. Exploring the type and quantity of clinical research publications in the PubMed database is useful for clarifying the changing trends of clinical research development in recent years. Therefore, a longitudinal analysis of the type and quantity of clinical research publications in the PubMed database over three decades was conducted. Methods The PubMed database was searched to retrieve clinical research according to the type and year of publication from January 1, 1991 to December 31, 2020. The research types were classified as primary and secondary literature. Results A total of 1,078,404 primary literatures were retrieved and the constituent proportions were ranked from high to low as case report/series (27.54%), randomized clinical trials (RCTs) (23.62%), cohort studies (21.05%), cross-sectional studies (17.49%), case control studies (9.15%), non-RCTs (1.01%), and pragmatic clinical trials (PCTs) (0.15%). Correspondingly, 1,302,173 secondary literatures were retrieved and ranked as narrative review (70.88%), systematic review (15.02%), systematic review and meta-analyses (13.89%), traditional meta-analyses (4.48%), expert consensus (2.31%), guidelines (1.49%), scoping reviews (0.68%), net meta-analyses (0.40%), and umbrella reviews (0.04%). The average annual growth rate for the primary literature was 10.28%, and ranked from high to low as PCTs (83.68%), cohort studies (17.74%), cross-sectional studies (17.61%), non-RCTs (12.11%), case control studies (8.86%), RCTs (7.68%), case report/series (7.51%); while that for the secondary literature was 10.57%, and ranked from high to low as net meta-analyses (48.97%), umbrella reviews (47.09%), scoping reviews (41.92%), systematic reviews and meta-analyses (33.44%), systematic reviews (33.05%), traditional meta-analyses (12.49%), expert consensuses (9.22%), narrative review (8.72%), and guidelines (2.82%). Conclusion Both the composition and number of clinical studies changed significantly from 1991 to 2020. Based on the trend, the case report/series, case control study, and narrative review are on the decline, while cohort study, cross-sectional study, systematic reviews, and systematic review and meta-analysis literature have increased. To improve the quality of clinical evidence, we recommend RCT and cohort study give priority to access to allocated research resources in future.

This study aims to identify and reach a consensus among experts on the specific gastroenterology drugs that a gastroenterology nurse may be able to prescribe.This study employs a modified Delphi design to reach a consensus among medical and nursing experts about the gastroenterology system drugs that nurses may prescribe medication.From August 2019-November 2019, a two-round study, consisting of 26 medical and nursing experts, was conducted using the Delphi method. IBM SPSS Ver. 22 and descriptive statistical software were used to analyse the results of the consultations.A total of 37 drugs across nine categories are identified as relevant to Chinese nurses working in gastroenterology departments. Among them, four drugs are generally prescribed independently, 24 tend to be prescribed collaboratively and nine are prescribed either independently, or in collaboration with others.This list is a fundamental and dependable instrument for identifying the gastroenterology drugs that could possibly be prescribed by gastroenterology nurses in China. The research results have important guiding significance for the formulation and implementation of relevant policies for nurses to prescribe medicines.Nurse prescribing has become a global trend and is slowly gaining attention in China under the development strategy of 'Healthy China'. As such, this list will give some reference for policy formulation and implementation of future nurse prescribing in mainland China.目的: 本研究旨在确定消化科护士可能开出的特定消化科药物, 并在专家之间达成共识。 设计: 本研究采用了改进的Delphi设计, 以使医学和护理专家对护士可能开出的消化科药物达成共识。 方法: 2019年8月至2019年11月, 采用Delphi方法进行了为期两轮的研究 (由26名医疗和护理专家组成)。使用IBM SPSS版本22和描述性统计软件来分析咨询结果。 结果: 共有9种类别的37种药物被确定与在消化科工作的中国护士有关。其中, 通常独立开出4种药物, 倾向于合作开出24种药物, 或者独立或与其他药物联用开出9种药物。 结论: 该清单是识别消化科药物的基础和可靠工具, 这些药物可能由中国的消化科护士开出处方。研究结果对制定和实施护士开具处方药相关政策具有重要的指导意义。 影响: 在“健康中国”的发展战略下, 护士开具处方药已成为全球趋势, 并在中国逐渐受到关注。因此, 该清单将对中国大陆未来护士开具处方药的政策制定和实施提供参考。.

To analyse the current status and publication trends of funded studies in nursing-related research from 2008 to 2018, available in the Web of Science.A longitudinal bibliometric analysis of publications of funded studies in nursing-related research, obtained from the Web of Science, was conducted.On 10 May 2019, we accessed 77,772 funded studies (2008-2018) from the Web of Science. Bibliometric methods and indicators were used to classify the publications and summarize the overall number, countries/regions, institutions, journals, and other parameters of the publications.The global output of nursing-related funded research publications increased significantly over time. The three leading countries with the highest number of funded publications were the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, with the United States accounting for 15 of the top 20 institutions associated with funded publications, which mostly included institutions of higher education. The most common disciplines of these publications were oncology, psychiatry, and paediatrics. The top three journals that published the largest number of nursing-related funded publications were the Journal of Clinical Nursing, the Journal of Advanced Nursing, and the International Journal of Nursing Studies. Keywords with the highest frequency of occurrence included "nurses," "qualitative research," "older people," "quality of life," "depression," "cancer," and "children."Nursing-related research has been drawing increasing attention over the years. Analysing the output of funded publications and monitoring the new dynamics of the international development of academic research in the field of nursing are crucial for determining future directions of nursing-related research development.The results of this study will provide a reference for scholars to evaluate the current utilization efficiency of global nursing-related research funding and demonstrate the development and trends in nursing-related research.目标: 分析2008年至2018年科学网上护理相关研究方面获资助论文的现状和发表趋势。 设计: 对科学网护理相关研究方面获资助论文发表进行纵向文献计量分析。 方法: 2019年5月10日,我们查阅了科学网上77,772篇获资助论文(2008年至2018年)。采用文献计量学方法和指标对发表文章进行分类,并对发表文章的总数、国家/地区、机构、期刊等参数进行汇总。 结果: 随着时间的推移,获资助的护理相关研究文章的全球产出显著增加。获资助文章数量最多的三个主要国家是美国、澳大利亚和英国,在与获资助文章有关的前20所院校中,美国占15所,其中大部分是高等教育机构。这些文章中最常见的学科是关于肿瘤学、精神病学和儿科学。发表获资助的护理相关文章数量最多的三大期刊是《临床护理杂志》、《高级护理期刊》和《国际护理研究杂志》。出现频率最高的关键词包括“护士”、“定性研究”、“老年人”、“生活质量”、“抑郁”、“癌症”和“儿童”。 结论: 近年来,护理相关研究越来越受到重视。分析获资助文章的产出并监测护理领域的国际学术研究发展的新动态,对于确定未来护理相关研究发展方向至关重要。 影响: 本研究的结果将为学者们评价当前全球护理相关研究经费的利用效率,展示护理相关研究的发展和趋势提供参考。.

Aims. To explore the study of the relationship between the level of gut flora in childhood obese people and normal healthy people based on the analysis of machine learning. Materials and Methods. The stools of 54 normal weight, 53 overweight, and 59 obese children from May 2021 to May 2022 were selected. And DNA was extracted, and primers specific for the four bacteria were designed according to the specificity of the four bacteria to the 16 S rDNA gene sequences of the bacteria to be tested, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR reactions were performed to compare whether there was any difference in the number of the four bacteria between the three groups. Results. The results of agarose gel electrophoresis showed that the PCR amplification products of all four target bacteria showed clear bands at the corresponding positions, and no nonspecific bands appeared. When compared with the marker, the size matched with the target fragment, indicating good primer specificity. The comparison between normal body recombinant, super recombinant, and obese groups was statistically significant ( P < 0.05 ) for rectal eubacteria, polymorphic anaplasma, bifidobacteria spp., and lactobacilli. The median number of bifidobacteria in the three groups was significantly higher than the median number of rectal eubacteria, polymorphomycetes, and lactobacilli. The difference in comparison was statistically significant ( P < 0.05 ). Stratified analysis of children’s age revealed that normal body composition of Lactobacillus decreased with increasing age, and the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.05 ). Conclusion. An increase in rectal eubacteria and a decrease in polymorphomycetes, bifidobacteria spp., and lactobacilli may be associated with the development of obesity. The numbers of rectal eubacteria, polymorphic methanobacteria, bifidobacteria spp., and lactobacilli in the intestine of normal weight and obese children were less affected by sex and age.

To analyze the cause and pregnancy outcome for non-reportable cell-free DNA (cfDNA) results during non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT).cfDNA was extracted from maternal plasma from 5898 singleton pregnancies at 12 to 22 gestational weeks and underwent NIPT with strict quality control standards. For those with sub-standard results, redraw or invasive prenatal procedures were recommended.Among the 5898 cases, 32 have failed for the initial NIPT, including 17 cases with substandard cffDNA%, 10 cases with data fluctuation after twice library constructing and sequencing, and 5 cases with unidentifiable sex chromosome abnormalities. For these 32 cases, 2 directly underwent amniocentesis, and karyotyping analysis showed both were normal. Six of the 30 redrawn cases finally turned out to be nonreportable. The final nonreportable rate was therefore 0.1% (8/5898). Of the redrawn cases, 1 trisomy 21, 1 trisomy 18 and 1 trisomy 13 high risk-cases were identified, which were all confirmed to be false positive. Among the 6 nonreportable cases, 2 women underwent invasive prenatal testing, and 1 was found to have a normal fetal karyotype, while another was found to have an abnormal karyotype of mos45,X[32]/46,XY[18]. The other 4 nonreportable cases who did not accept invasive prenatal testing have all reported normal child development at follow-up.The main reason for nonreportable NIPT results was low cffDNA%. The high success rate of the redrawn cases has effectively increased the overall NIPT success rate and reduced the number of the cases necessitating invasive prenatal diagnosis. The initially nonreportable women may consider retesting after careful counseling with informed consent.

This study aimed at exploring the concentration‐effect relationship of adalimumab and early adalimumab and anti‐adalimumab antibody (AAA) levels in predicting primary nonresponse in a real‐world pilot cohort of patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Thirty‐one patients were included. The Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score improved with increasing adalimumab trough level at week 12 and reached a major improvement with levels between 8 and 12 μg/mL. Moreover, weeks 4 and 2 adalimumab levels below 4.28 and 3.37 μg/mL were predictive of primary nonresponse (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.89, 0.88; P = 0.0003, P = 0.034, respectively). Week 4 AAA signal‐to‐noise levels were significantly higher among primary nonresponders, and the cutoff for primary nonresponse prediction was above 5.31 (AUC = 0.81; P = 0.004). Adalimumab trough levels in a range of 8–12 μg/mL are optimum to reach major improvement, and lower adalimumab with higher AAA levels at the early stage (week 4) predict primary nonresponse by supporting proactive monitoring to optimize adalimumab therapy.

Background In China, aging has become a serious social problem, and the number of empty-nest elderly is on the rise. The aim of this study is to clarify the prevalence of depressive symptoms among empty-nest elderly in Shanxi province and evaluate the effects of sociodemographic factors and health-promoting lifestyles so as to provide a scientific reference for preventing and intervening their depression. Methods A cross-sectional study, which used a multi-stage random cluster sampling way, was conducted among 4901 empty-nest elderly in Shanxi. An independent t-test and a chi square test were used to compare the sociodemographic factors, depression scores, and health-promoting lifestyle scores of the empty-nest elderly. Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze the potential influencing factors for depression. Results The prevalence of depressive symptoms in the population was 64.2%. Among all participants 1,776 (36.2%) had mild depression, 1,236 (25.2%) had moderate depression, and 135 (2.8%) had severe depression. The health-promoting lifestyle of the empty nesters in this study was at the medium level (2.51 ± 0.47). Gender, education level, old-age provision model, exercise frequency, chronic disease, relationships with children, self-care ability, and health-promoting lifestyles were found to be influencing factors of depression and all variables had different effects on different degrees of depression. Limitations This was a cross-sectional study, so the results cannot establish causal relationships among the study variables. Conclusions Depression was prevalent among the empty-nest elderly in Shanxi. Maintaining good interpersonal relationships, developing extensive interests, and maintaining healthy lifestyles including good nutrition habits and regular exercises can reduce the incidence of depression among empty nesters.

Diabetes, a chronic non-communicable disease, has become one of the most serious and critical public health problems with increasing incidence trends. Chronic vascular complications are the major causes of disability and death in diabetic patients with endothelial dysfunction. Diabetes is intimately associated with endothelial mitochondrial dysfunction, indicated by increased oxidative stress, decreased biogenesis, increased DNA damage, and weakened autophagy in mitochondria. All these morphological and functional changes of mitochondria play important roles in diabetic endothelial dysfunction. Herein, we reviewed the roles and mechanisms of endothelial mitochondrial dysfunction, particularly mitochondrial dynamics in the vascular complications of diabetes and summarized the potential mitochondria-targeted therapies in diabetic vascular complications.

Objectives This study aimed to investigate anxiety status and its relationship with body mass index (BMI) among empty nesters in China, so as to improve their quality of life and provide direction for further research. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 4901 empty nesters in Shanxi, China. Anxiety, weight, height, depression, socio-demographic variables, attention to daily nutritional health, social activities, and self-care ability were evaluated in the study. T-tests and chi-square tests were used to compare differences in categorical and continuous variables. Binary logistic regression was performed to explore the association between anxiety and BMI among male and female empty nesters. Results The results showed that 44.5% of empty nesters reported anxiety, of which, 43.2% were male participants and 45.9% were female participants. After adjusting for other variables, overweight empty nesters odds ratio (OR; 95% confidence interval [CI]) = 0.813 (0.692-0.954) were less likely to be anxious, compared with their normal-weight counterparts. Gender was a significant factor in the relationship, with the negative association between overweight and anxiety only found in female empty nesters OR (95%CI) = 0.718 (0.572-0.901). Income, education, complete self-care ability, and depression showed significant associations with anxiety. Conclusion The prevalence of anxiety was high in the study population. Gender is a significant factor in the relationship between anxiety and BMI among empty nesters. The results intend to inform the government and media that overweight is a protective factor for anxiety among female empty nesters, necessitating a move toward eliminating weight bias.

Traditional Chinese medicine remains a valuable portal into an alternative way of perceiving health and illness. In view of holistic health care, this article supports nursing professionals embracing the concept and the skill of acupuncture as a great gift to empower them to expand on their already remarkable capacity in the nursing profession.

This study aimed to investigate the factors impacting time to diagnosis in pediatric central nervous system tumors. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used in this study. A self-developed questionnaire for health-seeking behavior and influencing factors was used in children with intracranial tumors. The factors related to time to diagnosis and the long-term prognosis of children were analyzed. A total of 433 families replied to the questionnaire. The median parental interval was 50 days (range 0 ~ 884), the median diagnostic interval was 97 days (range 4 ~ 1646), and the median prediagnostic symptomatic interval (PSI) was 123 days (range 8 ~ 1844). Higher education was associated with a shorter parental interval (mother: P = 0.048; father: P = 0.035). The diagnostic interval was shortened in patients with dizziness (P = 0.022), abnormal eye movement (P = 0.034), or drowsiness (P = 0.021). A shorter PSI was observed in patients who presented with high intracranial pressure such as headache (P = 0.016), dizziness (P = 0.009), or drowsiness (P = 0.023) and those who went to a higher-level health institution or patients who went to neurology or neurosurgery department as the first medical consultation. No statistically significant difference was found in the interval time (parental interval, diagnostic interval, and PSI) regarding patients’ outcomes. Different time intervals showed different factors influencing the long delay in diagnosing central nervous system tumors, highlighting the need for increased awareness to improve the treatment efficacy.

Objective To assess the overall trends in the development and citation impact of high-impact papers in nursing research worldwide to gain insight into the focus areas of nursing research. Background Bibliometric method is proved to be effective in analysing the papers' characteristics, and it gained considerable interest from the scientific community in recent years. An analysis of the characteristics and intrinsic patterns of high-impact papers in nursing research will provide an objective reflection of the research hot spots. Nursing managers can pointedly increase funding amount and strengthen research cooperation in order to put the scientific results into management practice. Methods Bibliometric methods and visualization software were used to comprehensively analyse high-impact papers in nursing research in terms of development trends, countries/regions, distribution of subject areas, research institutes, collaborative networks and subject terms. Results There were 6,886 papers between 2008 and 2018. The number of papers increased from 528 in 2008 to 723 in 2015, and then remained above 600 in 2016 and 2017. These papers were mainly distributed in nursing, oncology, paediatrics, gynaecology, teaching and education, and cardiac and cardiovascular systems and were cited by 128,845 papers that came from 89 Web of Science subject areas. Papers in nursing research accounted for the largest share of these citations. The top five countries in the world in terms of the number of high-impact papers were the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and Sweden. The research institutions with the highest number of high-impact papers worldwide were the University of California System, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of North Carolina, the University of London and the University of Technology Sydney. In this data set, it was shown that research collaborative circles have been formed in the United States, Australia, Canada and Europe; the subject-term analysis indicated that 'women' and 'students' have always been high-interest populations for high-impact papers and that cancer is still one of the greatest threats to human health. Furthermore, the subject terms of high-impact papers in nursing research have gradually evolved from 'disease' and 'therapy' to 'symptoms'. Conclusion In recent years, the number of high-impact papers published each year in nursing research has grown over time. Nursing has been shown to be a highly specialized subject, and the majority of its high-impact papers have been published by research institutions. Although cross-regional collaborations are beginning to emerge, there is much room for improvement in this regard. Finally, women, students, cancer and symptomatic care are the current focus areas in nursing research. Implications for nursing management This study informs nursing managers within the nursing research field about subject areas, collaborative networks and hot topics. It is beneficial to pay attention to studies, manage scientific outputs, allocate resources, seek cooperation and improve the work efficiency of scientific research management.

Background With the disintegration of the extended family in recent years, the empty-nest phenomenon is increasingly common in China and the health of empty nesters is attracting more attention. Lifestyles, accounting for 53% in determining death, play a vital role in improving the health of individuals. However, it was rarely studied in promoting the health of empty nesters. In this study, we proposed a “SMG” model in empty nesters, including the self-management, mutual management, and group management, to implement health-promoting lifestyles interventions among empty nesters to provide an effective means to improve their lifestyles and health. Methods We conducted a prospective intervention on 350 empty nesters in three communities located in Taiyuan, China. One hundred sixty-seven empty nesters were randomly assigned to the intervention group with SMG-based health-promoting lifestyles interventions used for 7-months, and 183 were randomly assigned to the control group with no measures imposed. The Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP-C) was used to rate the lifestyles of empty nesters. Generalized estimation model was used to analyze the differences between the intervention and control groups over time, adjusted for education and employment. Results After 7 months of health-promoting lifestyles intervention, HPLP-C score and each dimension score in the intervention group all increase from baseline. There were significant differences after intervention associated with time and group interaction effects in aspects of HPLP-C (mean score = 8.838, 95%CI:6.369–11.306), self-realization (mean score = 1.443, 95%CI:0.352–2.534), Health responsibility (mean score = 1.492, 95%CI:0.477–2.508), physical activity (mean score = 1.031, 95%CI:0.572–1.491), nutrition (mean = 0.827, 95%CI:0.177–1.476), interpersonal relations (mean = 2.917, 95%CI:2.365–3.469) and stress management (mean score = 0.729, 95%CI:0.131–1.327). And education is contributing to the effect of the health-promoting lifestyle intervention (Estimate:8.833, p Conclusions SMG-based health-promoting lifestyles intervention in empty nesters effectively improved the lifestyles of empty nesters, and the outcome was affected by education. Lifestyle change requires ongoing intervention, and community service centres must be involved in implementing the “SMG” model to provide ongoing support and improve the effect of interventions among empty nesters. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial ChiCTR1800015884. Registration date: 26–04-2018. Retrospectively registered.

Background: TB is one of the top 10 causes of death and the leading cause from a single infectious agent. The study characterize the developmental trends and collaboration features in the field of tuberculosis (TB) at the national level and identify high-impact countries. Methods: Scientometrics and social network analysis methods were used to analyze the research situation and collaboration behaviors based on TB research indexed in Web of Science from 1998 to 2017. Results: The publication output, national collaborative rate, and collaborative level have steadily increased from 1998 to 2017. However, domestic publications still account for a substantial proportion of a nation's publications. Over time, the numbers of national publications and international collaborative publications have increased in total, but the growth trend of their share as a proportion of total national publications is not significant. The United States of America has the largest number of highly cited publications, while Denmark, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Sweden have higher values of average relative citation than do other countries. Notably, the United Kingdom and South Africa have established the strongest and most stable collaboration. Conclusions: There was increasing research activity and collaboration in the field of TB during the period 1998 to 2017, but growth shows wide variability between countries. Further comprehensive and full collaboration should be promoted.

Background China has the world’s largest size of elderly population. Mental disorders of the elders deserve keen attention. This study aims to comparatively explore mental disorders and risk factors among empty and non-empty nesters. Methods Using the stratified random cluster sampling method, we recruited 8526 elders aged 60 years and above from 11 cities in Shanxi Province in central China, comprising 4901 empty and 3625 non-empty nesters. The mental disorders were assessed with the 12-item Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ-12). The binary logistic regression was performed to analyze the risk factors in the two groups. Results The prevalence of mental disorders in empty nesters was significantly higher than that in non-empty ones (26.9% vs 23.5%). Binary logistic regression showed that the empty nesters who lived alone or lived in an institution were more likely to suffer from mental disorders compared with the non-empty ones, empty nesters living with spouse showed no significant deviation. And single status, hardly or part self-care ability, having chronic diseases, having lower income, and paying less attention to daily healthy diet had positive associations with mental disorders for empty nesters, and no or partial self-care ability and having chronic diseases for non-empty nesters. Conclusions The study indicated that empty nesters had a higher prevalence of mental disorders than non-empty ones. Empty nesters living alone, with no or partial self-care ability, chronic disease, lower income and less attention to daily healthy diet were more vulnerable to mental disorders. And the lack of self-care ability and having chronic diseases were risk factors of mental disorders for non-empty nesters.

Background China has the world’s largest elderly population and an increasing number of empty-nest elderly. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Self-Mutual-Group model on social support of the empty-nest elderly, thus providing reference for improving their quality of life. Methods A intervention study was conducted between October 2016 and May 2017 at six communities in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China. A total of 350 empty-nest elderly aged 60–88 years were randomly assigned in the intervention group (n = 167) with a 7-month SMG-based intervention or to a control group (n = 183) with no intervention. The social support of the participating elderly (n = 350) was assessed by the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) at the baseline and 7 months later, respectively. Results A 7-month follow-up showed an increasing mean scores of SSRS, objective support, subjective support and support utilization of the intervention group, and reached statistical significance (P < 0.05). Conclusions The Self-Mutual-Group model was considered to be a positive intervention and was effective in increasing social support among the empty-nest elderly. Furthermore, future research should extend the intervention period and introduce multi-point measurement to better evaluate the intervention process and outcomes. Trial registration Study on the ‘SMG’ Health Management Model Based on Community Organization Theory among empty-nest elderly (ChiCTR1800015884).

Background In China, the problems of population aging and empty nesting have become important issues which will affect the social stability and economic development. The aim of this study was to explore the health promoting lifestyles and influencing factors among empty nesters and compare with non-empty nesters to find out their differences, so as to provide a scientific evidence for people to formulate health management strategies for elderly. Methods A cross-sectional survey which used a stratified random cluster sampling method, was conducted among 500 elders in six districts of Taiyuan, China, there were 288 empty nesters and 212 non-empty nesters. The general information and health- promoting lifestyles were investigated by using the self-made General Information Questionnaire and Health Promoting Lifestyle Scale(HPLP). Two-sample t-test and Chi-square test were used to compare the sociodemographic factors, HPLP scores of empty nesters to non-empty nesters; Multiple stepwise linear regression was performed to estimate influencing factors related to the HPLP of empty nesters and non-empty nesters. Results The current findings showed that there were differences between the empty nesters and non-empty nesters in gender, resident, marital status, education and income, self-care ability, source of income, relationship with spouse and social activities (P

Review question: The review question is: what is the best available evidence on the effectiveness of acupuncture as an adjunct treatment for women with postnatal depression?

To carry out chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) on four fetuses with abnormal karyotypes.Amniotic fluid samples were obtained and subjected to routine G-banded karyotyping analysis. CMA was applied for cultured amniocytes to determine alterations of gene dosage and chromosomal breakpoints.Abnormal karyotypes were found in the parents of 3 fetuses. Parental karyotypes of the remaining fetus were normal. Imbalance chromosome rearrangements were revealed by CMA in all 4 cases.CMA is an effective tool for the evaluation of clinical significance and delineation of the breakpoints involved in complex chromosomal rearrangements.

High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency has been reported worldwide. Residents of Taiyuan, China, were predicted to be at high risk of vitamin D deficiency due to its high latitude, heavy air pollution, and cultural sun avoidance. This study investigated the vitamin D status of office workers, and explored the potential determinants of capillary 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration as well as the relationship between 25(OH)D and metabolic syndrome. Two hundred participants, aged 20 to 80 years, were recruited. Capillary dried blood spot (DBS) 25(OH)D was measured; together with anthropometric (height, weight, and waist circumference), biochemical (serum lipid profile and fasting glucose) measures and a lifestyle questionnaire. Thirty-four percent of participants had 25(OH)D concentrations below 30 nmol/L, indicating deficient vitamin D status. Women’s 25(OH)D (median; 32.7 nmol/L (upper and lower quartile; 25.8, 43.8)) was significantly lower than men (44.0 nmol/L (32.3, 55.4)) (p < 0.01). Female gender, higher fasting glucose, and increased smoking (p < 0.05) were negatively associated with 25(OH)D concentration. However, there was no association found between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and 25(OH)D concentration and no significant difference in vitamin D status between men or women with MetS compared to healthy individuals. Vitamin D deficiency was common in urban residents of Taiyuan in winter and more so in women than men.

To report on a sporadic case of Lowe syndrome diagnosed prenatally with ultrasound examination and genetic testing.Detailed sonographic fetal screening was performed by an experienced sonographer at 32 weeks of gestation. Fetal cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was applied to detect potential brain abnormality. Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) was conducted on amniotic fluid sample from the fetus and peripheral blood sample from the mother.Congenital cataract and enlarged posterior fossa were detected by fetal ultrasound screening. Fetal cranial MRI found hypoplasia of the gyrus. CMA revealed that the fetus has carried a 633 kb deletion at Xq25-26.1 which encompassed the OCRL gene. The mother was a carrier of the same deletion. Clinical examination after birth confirmed that the neonate was affected with Lowe syndrome in addition with an atrial septal defect.Prenatal diagnosis of Lowe syndrome without a family history largely depends on fetal imaging. Should cataract be found by ultrasound screening, fetal MRI may be considered to rule out central nervous system anomalies. CMA assay should also be considered to facilitate the diagnosis.

To explore the genetic cause for a fetus with structural anomaly, and to correlate the phenotype with the genotype.Amniotic fluid was obtained following the revelation of structural anomaly by ultrasonography. Cell culture and direct DNA extraction were performed in parallel. G-banded karyotyping analysis and chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) were subsequently carried out.G-banded karyotyping has suggested the fetus to be a normal male. However, CMA analysis has revealed the presence of a mosaic 3.24 Mb duplication of 1p36.33p36.32 (24%) and uniparental disomy (UPD) of chromosome 6. The genetic diagnosis for the fetus was therefore 46,XY, arr 1p36.33 p36.32(849,466-4,090,472)×2-3, (6)×2 hmz. The anomaly can probably explain the ultrasound findings in the fetus.Compared with conventional cytogenetic methods, CMA has greater resolution and throughput, and can serve as a more efficient platform for the detection of chromosomal microdeletion, microduplication, loss of heterozygosity and UPD.

OBJECTIVE To determine the genetic cause of a child with blepharophimosis, ptosis, and epicanthus inverses syndrome and tetralogy of Fallot, and to correlate the phenotype with the genotype. METHODS Routine G-banding has been previously performed on the patient and her parents. Chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) was performed for the three individuals and the fetus. RESULTS Chromosomal analysis has suggested normal karyotypes for the child and her parents. However, a de novo 8.9 Mb deletion on chromosome 3q22.1-q23 was detected by CMA. The deleted region has encompassed 74 genes including 41 disease-related genes, and this is also the most frequent region involved in interstitial 3q deletion. Patients with deletion of this region often have a common feature of dysplasia of eyelids, as well as a spectrum of other anomalies according to different breakpoints, including microcephaly, skeletal anomalies, congenital heart defects, cranial anomalies, intellectual disability and developmental delay. The patient's phenotype was in accordance with such spectrum. Her parents and sib did not show this variation by CMA. CONCLUSION The de novo interstitial deletion of 3q22.1-q23 probably underlies the main clinical manifestation in this child. CMA can provide more detailed information and allow further investigation of the genotype-phenotype correlation.

The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is the most common microdeletion syndrome mainly characterized by hemizygous deletions and congenital heart defect (CHD). By using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), genotyping of short tandem repeat polymorphic (STRP) markers is a common and powerful means of detecting microdeletion. We have developed five new tetranucleotide repeat markers, 22D_4_1, 22D_4_2, 22D_4_3, 22D_4_4 and D22S873 in the proximal region of 22q11.2 deletion. To ascertain whether these markers could be used reliably in genotyping, we performed genotyping analysis on 200 unrelated individuals from a Chinese Han population and 67 CHD patients and their unaffected parents. Population data showed that the five markers met Hardy-Weinberg expectations and were highly polymorphic. By using the five markers, six of 67 CHD patients were determined to have a deletion within chromosome 22q11.2. Compared with dinucleotide markers, tetranucleotide markers produce weaker stutter bands and have no artificial multiband patterns. PCR amplification results from the five new tetranucleotide STRP markers were unambiguous and easier to interpret in genotyping. This study demonstrated that the five markers were efficient and reliable suggesting that genotyping using tetranucleotide STRP markers is an alterative approach to detect the deletion on chromosome 22q11.2 in clinical diagnosis and for genetic consultation.

Although many patients with duplication 3q syndrome have been described reports on duplication derivatives from an insertion are rare in the previous literature. Here we describe the genotype and phenotype of a 32-month-old boy with a partial trisomy of 3q24-q28. We carefully mapped the aberration with SNP-array analysis, and found a duplication region of 44 Mb. By conventional cytogenetic techniques including fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and spectral karyotyping (SKY) analysis, the patient was found to have inherited a derivative chromosome 6 from his father, which was contained a direct insertion from 3q24-28. The main clinical features of the patient included severe mental retardation, postnatal developmental delay, ventricular septal defect (VSD), and craniofacial anomalies including cleft palate, frontal bossing, hypertelorism, and a broad nasal bridge. The symptoms partially overlap with previously reported patients with duplication in the same region. Prenatal diagnosis for the fetus of this family was performed based on the results of genetic tests and ultrasonic evaluation.

To describe the case of a 32-year-old infertile male with small supernumerary marker chromosome (sSMCs) in 80% of peripheral lymphocytes.G-banding, C-banding, STRP analysis, M-FISH and molecule diagnosis of Y-chromosomal microdeletions were performed to determine the origin of sSMCs.The karyotype of this patient was established as 47, XY, +mar/46, XY. C-banding showed that the marker chromosome was composed of heterochromatin without visible euchromatic material. No positive result was obtained in STRP, M-FISH and the microdeletion analysis of Y- chromosome.The small supernumerary marker chromosome could play a causative role in male infertility although the mechanism remains to be elucidated.