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Some studies on developed economies have revealed that the impacts of oil price shocks have decreased while conclusions about China remain occluded. We investigate the changing effects of oil price shocks on China's macroeconomy and discuss the causes. A time-varying parameter vector autoregressive (VAR) model reveals that impacts of oil price shocks on China's economy have shown a downward trend since 1997. The responses of the real output are much greater and last longer than those of inflation. Then a new Keynesian dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model is developed to synthetically explore the causes. The results indicate that decreasing oil intensity and monopoly power reduce the effects of oil price shocks, while increasing capital intensity in production amplifies them. Other factors-such as changing price stickiness, deregulation of refined oil prices, and shifts in monetary policy targets-have limited effects on the relationship between oil price shocks and China's macroeconomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Esophageal carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies in China. Previous studies reported that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have important roles in the progression and invasion of numerous types of solid tumors. Among the MMPs, MMP-2 has been closely associated with tumor growth and invasion. In the present study, a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) lentiviral expression vector targeting the MMP-2 gene was constructed in order to observe the inhibitory effect of MMP-2 gene silencing on the growth of the KYSE150 esophageal carcinoma cell line in vivo. Three small hairpin RNA sequences targeting MMP-2 were designed and cloned into lentiviral vectors. Following transfection of the lentiviral vectors into KTSE150 cells, MMP-2 mRNA and protein expression levels were examined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, and the growth rate of cells was analyzed by MTT assays. Subsequently, tumor growth was assessed in nude mice. Lentivirus-mediated RNA interference effectively inhibited the expression of MMP-2 mRNA and protein in KYSE150 esophageal carcinoma cells, and suppressed the growth of esophageal carcinoma cells in vivo. The results of the present study suggested that lentivirus-mediated gene therapy targeting MMP-2 may be an attractive strategy for the treatment of esophageal carcinoma and justifies the performance of further studies on the application of lentivirus vectors to cancer gene therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 16th Universiade, an international multi-sport event, was hosted in Shenzhen, China from 12 to 23 August 2011. During this time, officials instituted the Pearl River Delta action plan in order to enhance the air quality of Shenzhen. To determine the effect of these controls, the current study examined the trace elements, water-soluble ions, and stable lead isotopic ratios in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) collected during the controlled (when the restrictions were in place) and uncontrolled periods. Fine particles (PM2.5) were collected at two sampling sites in Shenzhen: "LG"--a residential building in the Longgang District, with significant point sources around it and "PU"--Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School in the Nanshan District, with no significant point sources. Results from this study showed a significant increase in the concentrations of elements during the uncontrolled periods. For instance, samples at the LG site showed (controlled to uncontrolled periods) concentrations (in ng·m-3) of: Fe (152 to 290), As (3.65 to 8.38), Pb (9.52 to 70.8), and Zn (98.6 to 286). Similarly, samples at the PU site showed elemental concentrations (in ng·m-3) of: Fe (114 to 301), As (0.634 to 8.36), Pb (4.86 to 58.1), and Zn (29.5 to 259). Soluble Fe ranged from 7%-15% for the total measured Fe, indicating an urban source of Fe. Ambient PM2.5 collected at the PU site has an average 206Pb/204Pb ratio of 18.257 and 18.260 during controlled and uncontrolled periods, respectively. The LG site has an average 206Pb/204Pb ratio of 18.183 and 18.030 during controlled and uncontrolled periods, respectively. The 206Pb/204Pb ratios at the PU and the LG sites during the controlled and uncontrolled periods were similar, indicating a common Pb source. To characterize the sources of trace elements, principal component analysis was applied to the elements and ions. Although the relative importance of each component varied, the major sources for both sites were identified as residual oil combustion, secondary inorganic aerosols, sea spray, and combustion. The PM2.5 levels were severely decreased during the controlled period, but it is unclear if this was a result of the controls or change in meteorology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To explore the association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and serum uric acid (SUA) in a general population in rural China. Methods: From January 2013 to August 2013, we performed a cross-sectional study involving 11,956 permanent residents ≥ 35 years old in the rural Liaoning province of China. All participants completed a questionnaire, had a physical examination, and underwent an electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram. AF was diagnosed from ECG findings and/or a history of physician-confirmed AF. Blood samples were drawn for laboratory analyses and hyperuricemia was defined as an SUA level > 7.0 mg/dL in men and > 5.7 mg/dL in women, based on the NHANES-III laboratory definition. Logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the crude and independent associations between hyperuricemia and the prevalence of AF. Results: A total of 139 participants were diagnosed with AF, of which, 72 were self-reported, 45 were ECG-diagnosed, and 22 were both. There was a higher prevalence of AF in participants with hyperuricemia than those with normal SUA levels (2.4 vs. 1.0 %; P < 0.001). The odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were 2.37 (1.61-3.49) when compared to participants with normal SUA. After adjustment for other cardiovascular and AF risk factors, the independent association remained (OR = 1.94, 95 % CI: 1.26-3.00). Similar associations were observed between SUA as a continuous variable and AF prevalence (adjusted OR = 1.20, 95 % CI: 1.06-1.36). The independent associations were significant in men (Ps < 0.05) but not in women (Ps > 0.05), although the interaction logistic regression analyses presented these differences as not being statistically significant (Ps > 0.05). Conclusions: SUA is positively associated with the prevalence of AF in rural China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In China, high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) prevalence is unexpectedly high in older women, but the possible reasons have not been well studied yet. This study investigated the age trends of HR-HPV infection in a prospective study. Methods A total of 7397 women aged 25-65 years without cervical precancer or cancer were evaluated during 2010-2011 with a stratified sample of 2791 women re-evaluated after one year. Test results for careHPV and careHPV16/18/45 were used to describe the HR-HPV prevalence, incidence and clearance. Risk factors associated with HR-HPV infections were explored using a logistic regression model. Results The overall HR-HPV prevalence was 13.1% at baseline, with a peak of 19.3% in women aged 55-59 years. The prevalence of HR-HPV (p for trends < 0.001), HPV16/18/45 (p for trends = 0.002), and HR-HPV other than HPV16/18/45 (p for trends = 0.002) generally increased with increasing age. Number of infections that cleared was generally greater than number of incident infections within age groups. One-year clearance rate decreased with increasing age (p for trends < 0.001), however, incidence rate was unrelated to age (p for trends = 0.159). Risk factors that associated with HR-HPV infection differed between younger and older women. Conclusions The greater HR-HPV prevalence in older versus younger women in rural China may be explained by a cohort effect, higher than expected incidence, and/or poorer clearance at older age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies have demonstrated a compensatory amplification phenomenon during nerve regeneration. When a relatively fine nerve is used as a donor to connect to a distal nerve after transection, the donor nerve regenerates more collaterals than its own fibers, which extend to the distal stump, grow into distal endoneurial tubes, and finally reach and dominate the target organs. This is known as the amplification phenomenon. In this study, we investigated the amplification phenomenon in rats treated with Modified Formula Radix Hedysari (MFRH) as adjuvant therapy for 12 weeks. The rats were divided into three groups at random (six animals in each group). In the model group and the treatment group, the proximal common peroneal nerve was used as a donor nerve to connect to the distal tibial nerve. Rats in the normal group did not undergo surgery. After surgery, the treatment group was administered MFRH as systemic therapy, while the model group and the normal group were not given treatment. The results demonstrated that the nerve conduction velocity, the fiber diameter, the axon diameter, the number of regenerating nerve fibers, and the amplification ratio were better in the treatment group than in the model group, suggesting that MFRH promoted the nerve amplification effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the data of the depths and the chemical properties of groundwater, salinity in the soil profile, and the basic information on each delivery of water collected from the years 2000 to 2006, the varied character of groundwater chemistry and related factors were studied. The results confirmed the three stages of the variations in groundwater chemistry influenced by the intermittent water deliveries. The factors that had close relations to the variations in groundwater chemistry were the distances of monitoring wells from the water channel, the depths of the groundwater, water flux in watercourse, and the salinities in soils. The relations between chemical variation and groundwater depths indicated that the water quality was the best with the groundwater varying from 5 to 6 m. In addition, the constructive species in the study area can survive well with the depth of groundwater varying from 5 to 6 m, so the rational depth of groundwater in the lower reaches of the Tarim River should be 5 m or so. The redistribution of salts in the soil profile and its relations to the chemical properties and depths of groundwater revealed the linear water delivery at present combining with surface water supply in proper sections would promote water quality optimized and speed up the pace of ecological restoration in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term follow-up evaluations of cervical screening approaches are limited in low-resource areas. This prospective study assessed the risk of future cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) associated with baseline human papillomavirus (HPV) and cytologic status. In rural China, 1,997 women were screened with 6 screening tests, including colposcopic evaluations, and underwent biopsies in 1999. In December 2005, 1,612 women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 or less at baseline were rescreened by visual inspection, liquid-based cytology, and HPV-DNA testing. All women underwent colposcopy at follow-up, with biopsies taken from women with visually apparent lesions or cytologic abnormalities. Twenty women developed incident CIN2+. The crude relative risk of CIN2+ for baseline HPV-positive women was 52 (95% confidence interval: 12.1, 222.5). The crude relative risk of CIN2+ was 167 (95% confidence interval: 21.9, 1,265) for baseline and follow-up repeatedly HPV-positive women compared with repeatedly HPV-negative women. Among 1,374 baseline HPV-negative women, 2 and no incident CIN2+ cases were detected in baseline cytologically normal and abnormal subgroups, respectively. Among 238 baseline HPV-positive women, 6 of 18 incident cases of CIN2+ developed in the cytologically normal group. This study demonstrates that a single oncogenic HPV-DNA test is more effective than cytology in predicting future CIN2+ status. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study included 17 401 normal Han urban children aged 1-20 years from five cities in China in 2005. The skeletal maturity scores were assessed by the Tanner-Whitehouse 3 (TW3) method, and the smoothed centiles curves of scores (TW3-Chinese RUS and TW3-Chinese Carpal) were calculated using the LMS method. The skeletal maturity of the Chinese is approximately the same as Europeans in childhood, but the extent of TW3-RUS skeletal maturity advance in puberty and the ages of complete maturity of TW-Carpals are evidently more advanced in the Chinese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By combining the cultivation methods with molecular fingerprinting techniques, the diversity surveys of soil bacterial community in 13 areas of China were carried out. The cultivable heterotrophic diversity was investigated by colony morphology on solid LB medium. Genetic diversity was measured as bands on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis( DGGE) by the extraction and purification of the total soil DNA, and amplification of bacterial I6S rDNA fragments by polymerase chain reaction ( PCR). The Shannon-Wiener indices of diversity ( H). richness (S) and evenness(EH) were employed to estimate the diversity of soil bacterial community. The results showed that there was an obvious diversification existed in soil from the different areas. However, the genetic diversity estimated by PCR-DGGE can provide more comprehensive information on bacterial community than the cultivation-based methods. Therefore, it is suggested to combine the traditional methods with genetic fingerprinting techniques to survey and estimate soil bacterial diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents osmium-osmium dating results of copper and molybdenum deposits along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China. Relationship between mineralization and the emplacement of the ore-associated intrusive rocks; Geologic setting and sample locations; Information on longshusan copper-gold-molybdenum vein deposit.

Objectives To evaluate the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in physical laborers in rural China and identify contributing risk factors. Methods A cross-sectional study of 11,956 permanent residents of Liaoning Province in rural China ⩾35 y of age (primarily physical laborers) was conducted between January and August 2013 (response rate 85.3%). All participants completed a questionnaire and underwent a physical exam, echocardiography and electrocardiography. Blood samples were drawn for laboratory analyses, and AF was diagnosed on the basis of history and electrocardiograph findings. Risk factors for AF were evaluated with a stepwise logistic regression analysis. Results The prevalence of AF was 1.2% overall, but rose steeply with age (0.1% in those 35-44 y of age, and 4.6% in those ⩾75 y); there was no significant gender difference at any age. Independent risk factors for AF were age (odds ratio [OR] 1.89; P < 0.001), diabetes (OR 2.07; P = 0.001), history of myocardial infarction (OR 5.91;P < 0.001), low left ventricular ejection fraction (OR 1.85; P = 0.005), and low physical activity (OR 1.72;P = 0.003), whereas obesity, hypertension, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, current smoking and drinking, left ventricular hypertrophy, and family history of AF were not significant contributors. Conclusions Although the prevalence of AF in physical labors in rural China is low, age, diabetes, history of myocardial infarction, low left ventricular ejection fraction, and low physical activity are independent risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To estimate the burden of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical disease among sexually active women in a sample of Chinese women. Methods: A multicenter, population-based study was conducted between May 2006 and April 2007. A total of 4215 sexually active women aged 17-54 years were surveyed from five geographical sites representing both urban and rural areas: Beijing, Shanghai, Shanxi, Henan and Xinjiang. Women were referred for colposcopy on the basis of results of Pap testing and HPV screening. HPV genotyping of the CIN1+ specimens was performed with INNO-LiPA. Attribution of HPV types to lesions was estimated using a fractional contribution approach. Results: 13.3% of the women (559/4215) were referred for colposcopy; 4.3% (183/4215) of these were diagnosed with CIN1+. Of the latter, 88.5% (162/183) were typed and 94.4% (153/162) were HPV- positive. HPV16 was the most prevalent type in lesions in both urban and rural settings. Combined, HPV16 and 18 were attributable to 71.4% of HPV-positive CIN2+ lesions. In addition, HPV31, 33, 52 and 58 were prevalent in CIN1+ lesions, with HPV33, 52, and 58 combined accounting for 24.1% CIN2+ lesions. Though prevalent, HPV31 always occurred as a co-infection with another HPV type and therefore was attributed minimal causality. Conclusions: HPV16 and 18 are associated with the majority of cervical lesions in Chinese women from which this population-based sample was drawn. In addition, other HPV types, such as 33, 52, and 58, also play an important role in cervical disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present field investigation sought to explore the relationship between mental health and abnormal menstruation in female middle school students from post-earthquake Wenchuan following the 2008 Sichuan earthquake (the earthquake's epicenter was in Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province). A total of 587 female middle students from post-earthquake Wenchuan were given the PCL-C, SCL-90, and a menstruation questionnaire. Outcomes were measured by diagnostic criteria. The general incidence of PTSD was 60.8%, and D symptoms were the most prevalent PTSD symptoms (49.6%). Of symptoms indicated by the Symptom Checklist, obsessive-compulsive traits were most prevalent (94.6%), followed by interpersonal sensitivity (91.9%). The incidence of abnormal menstruation was 76.6%. Incidence of abnormal menses among students who screened positive for PTSD was significantly higher than among students who did not (χ2 = 4.015, p = 0.045). The incidence of abnormal menses was higher among students who screened positive for somatization, obsessive-compulsive traits, phobic anxiety, and diet and sleep disorders than among those who did not (p < 0.05). In conclusion, there was a relationship between mental health and physical health in female middle school students in a post-earthquake area. A higher incidence of abnormal menstruation may occur in students with PTSD, somatization disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobic anxiety, and diet and sleep disorders. Therefore, psychological intervention is particularly necessary for female students who have survived a natural disaster like an earthquake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To explore the association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and serum uric acid (SUA) in a general population in rural China., Methods: From January 2013 to August 2013, we performed a cross-sectional study involving 11,956 permanent residents ≥ 35 years old in the rural Liaoning province of China. All participants completed a questionnaire, had a physical examination, and underwent an electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram. AF was diagnosed from ECG findings and/or a history of physician-confirmed AF. Blood samples were drawn for laboratory analyses and hyperuricemia was defined as an SUA level > 7.0 mg/dL in men and > 5.7 mg/dL in women, based on the NHANES-III laboratory definition. Logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the crude and independent associations between hyperuricemia and the prevalence of AF., Results: A total of 139 participants were diagnosed with AF, of which, 72 were self-reported, 45 were ECG-diagnosed, and 22 were both. There was a higher prevalence of AF in participants with hyperuricemia than those with normal SUA levels (2.4 vs. 1.0 %; P < 0.001). The odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were 2.37 (1.61-3.49) when compared to participants with normal SUA. After adjustment for other cardiovascular and AF risk factors, the independent association remained (OR = 1.94, 95 % CI: 1.26-3.00). Similar associations were observed between SUA as a continuous variable and AF prevalence (adjusted OR = 1.20, 95 % CI: 1.06-1.36). The independent associations were significant in men (Ps < 0.05) but not in women (Ps > 0.05), although the interaction logistic regression analyses presented these differences as not being statistically significant (Ps > 0.05)., Conclusions: SUA is positively associated with the prevalence of AF in rural China.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in physical laborers in rural China and identify contributing risk factors., Methods: A cross-sectional study of 11,956 permanent residents of Liaoning Province in rural China≥35y of age (primarily physical laborers) was conducted between January and August 2013 (response rate 85.3%). All participants completed a questionnaire and underwent a physical exam, echocardiography and electrocardiography. Blood samples were drawn for laboratory analyses, and AF was diagnosed on the basis of history and electrocardiograph findings. Risk factors for AF were evaluated with a stepwise logistic regression analysis., Results: The prevalence of AF was 1.2% overall, but rose steeply with age (0.1% in those 35-44y of age, and 4.6% in those≥75y); there was no significant gender difference at any age. Independent risk factors for AF were age (odds ratio [OR] 1.89; P<0.001), diabetes (OR 2.07; P=0.001), history of myocardial infarction (OR 5.91; P<0.001), low left ventricular ejection fraction (OR 1.85; P=0.005), and low physical activity (OR 1.72; P=0.003), whereas obesity, hypertension, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, current smoking and drinking, left ventricular hypertrophy, and family history of AF were not significant contributors., Conclusions: Although the prevalence of AF in physical labors in rural China is low, age, diabetes, history of myocardial infarction, low left ventricular ejection fraction, and low physical activity are independent risk factors., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The determination of skeletal maturity has an important role in pediatric clinical practice, especially in relation to endocrinological problems and growth disorders, and it is frequently useful in diagnosis and monitoring treatment. It has been suggested that the difference between radius, ulna and short bonse (RUS) and carpal may be of differential diagnostic significance. However, no data on comparison among bone ages of Chinese children are available. The differences between TW3-Chinese RUS (TW3-C RUS) and TW3-Chinese Carpal (TW3-C Carpal) bone age of Chinese children were observed in this study to provide references for skeletal development estimation., Methods: Totally 9408 Han healthy children (5066 boys, 4302 girls) aged 1.5 - 13.5 years from 5 cities of China were enrolled in this study. The bone ages of the children were estimated by TW3-C RUS and TW3-C Carpal. The Z score curves of the differences between them were fitted by BCPE distribution and the goodness-of-fit of Box-Cox power exponential distribution (BCPE) models were assessed by Q-test and percents of cases of sample below the fitted percentile curves., Results: The means of the differences between TW3-C RUS and TW3-C Carpal were -0.19 - 0.17 over the age 2.0 - 13.5 years in boys and -0.12 - 0.13 from age 1.5 - 11.5 years in girls. The standard deviations were respectively 0.47 - 1.01 years for boys and 0.49 - 0.82 years for girls. The degrees of freedom, with respect to the parameter curves from BCPE distribution, were selected and the percentile curves were fitted by BCPE. The differences between percents of cases below the fitted percentile curves and expected values were all under 0.66%, exception of difference for 90th percentile in girls., Conclusions: The differences between TW3-C RUS and TW3-C Carpal varied with age, the standard deviations increased gradually before 4.5 years of age in boys and 4 years of age in girls, and afterwards the variations decreased steadily until the TW3-C Carpal has reached full maturity. However, there was sex diversity in the extent of the variations. The differences between TW3-C RUS and TW3-C Carpal for boys were evidently greater than that for girls. The sex difference decreased progressively after 10 years. The proposed Z scores curves charts should provide reference for clinical practice.