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Cyclic action of wetting–drying (WD) is a main cause for the deterioration and failure of expansive soil canals. This paper presents details of an investigation dealing with the influences of WD cycles on the deterioration characteristics and failure modes of the canals in Xinjiang, China by laboratory and centrifugal model tests. The results show that the strength parameters of expansive soil have a significant reduction with the crack development in the cyclic WD processes. The final attenuation ranges of cohesion and internal friction angle are about 53%, 46% and 37%, 28%, respectively. Additionally, in the centrifugal model tests, the crack development of the canal model starts around the water level line and then the canal model appears a disintegration and spalling area below the water level line under cyclic action of WD. The failure mode of this expansive soil canal can be regarded as a type of failure due to the disintegration and spalling of shallow soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Little is known about isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH) among different ethnicity groups. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for IDH among the major ethnicity population i.e. Han, Uygur and Kazakh in Xinjiang, northwestern part of China. Methods: In total, 14,618 adult participants (7,799 males, 6,819 females) were recruited from the Cardiovascular Risk Survey conducted during 2007 and 2010. Blood pressure, body mass index and standard lipid profile and fasting glucose level from plasma were measured. Results: The overall prevalence of IDH was 10.8% in the Han, 4.5% in the Uygur and 8.7% in the Kazakh populations. When stratified by gender, IDH prevalence was 9.8% in men and 6.8% in women (P<0.001). The prevalence of IDH also varied significantly with age and it was highest in those aged 35–44 yrs old (9.7%) and lowest in those over 75 yrs old (4.1%, P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that overweight (OR = 1.179, 95%CI: 1.015–1.369) or obesity (OR = 1.202, 95%CI: 1.015–1.424), smoking (OR = 1.362, 95%CI: 1.156–1.604) and high total cholesterol (TC) hyperlipidemia (OR = 1.237, 95%CI: 1.074–1.423) were significantly associated with a higher prevalence of IDH. Identified risk factors for IDH differed among ethnicity groups with male gender, young age (35–44 yrs old), more coffee or tea consumption and high TC hyperlipidemia in the Han; smoking and often coffee or tea consumption in the Uygur and male gender and overweight or obesity in the Kazakh populations. Conclusions: IDH prevalence in the Han population is higher than that in the Uygur and Kazak populations in Xinjiang, northwestern part of China. Male gender, middle age, overweight or obesity, smoking and high TC hyperlipidemia appear to be relevant risk factors of IDH in adults. Different ethnicity background had different sets of risk factors for IDH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence and risk factors of congenital heart disease among Xinjiang, northwestern part of China is currently unknown. Methods: This multiple-ethnic, community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and distribution of congenital heart disease (CHD) in Xinjiang, northwestern part of China. Four major ethnics, Uygur, Han, Kazak, and Hui children in this region were investigated during February 2010 and May 2012. Results: A total of 14,530 children (0–18 yr) were examined. Of these children, 240 (boys, 43.8%, and girls, 56.3%) were identified with CHD, giving an overall prevalence of 16.5‰ (17.7‰ in Uygur, 6.9‰ in Han, 11.4‰ in Kazak, and 38.1‰ in Hui Chinese, respectively). Ventricular septal defect (VSD, 29.2%), atrial septal defect (ASD, 20.8%), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA, 13.7%), acleistocardia (13.7%), Bicuspid aortic valve (7.9%), pulmonary valve stenosis (5.4%), and tetralogy of fallot (TOF, 4.2%) were common cyanotic and cyanotic defects observed. Compared to non-CHD children, children with CHD had a higher percentage of history of abortion, CHD history of family, consanguinity and premature birth (all P<0.05). In CHD children, 24% of mothers caught a cold, 10% had a febrile illness and 6.7% received antibiotic treatment during the first trimester of pregnancy, that were higher than non-CHD group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: The overall prevalence of CHD in four ethnic children at ages 0–18 yr in Xinjiang was 16.5‰. VSD, ASD and TOF were the most common acyanotic and cyanotic congenital heart defects, respectively. This study also identified some modifiable risk factors that may contribute to the incidence of CHD among the 4 ethnic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To estimate the current prevalence and epidemiology of isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) among adult populations from different ethnic groups in Xinjiang province and to further establish a theoretical basis for developing personalized therapeutic strategies for hypertensive populations. Methods. To analyze the prevalence and risk factors of ISH in different ethnic groups in Xinjiang province, a cluster sampling method was adopted to conduct a cross-sectional study on people aged 35 years and older from the Han, Uygur and Kazakh populations in the Urumqi, Kelamayi, Hetian, Zhaosu, Fukang, Tulufan and Fuhai. Results. A total of 14,618 adults were surveyed with a response rate of 88.80%. The overall prevalence of ISH was 11.95% (men: 10.84% vs women: 12.92%); the prevalence of ISH in women was significantly higher (χ2 = 15.06, p = 0.00) than that in men. The prevalence varied significantly with age (χ2 = 822.71, p = 0.00) and increased in the elderly (χ2 = 769.59, p = 0.00). A logistic regression analysis revealed that age, obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemia are major risk factors for ISH; patients with hypertension combined with obesity or diabetes are at a high risk of ISH. Conclusions. The prevalence of ISH in Xinjiang is higher than average and exhibits a gender difference. There is a trend of increased prevalence with increasing age. Populations with obesity, diabetes or dyslipidemia, and patients who have hypertension combined with obesity and/or diabetes, should be aware of early preventive interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]