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This study explores the employment experiences of care leavers in China, addressing a gap in understanding their transition into the workforce. Through qualitative interviews with 19 participants, five distinct work pathways were identified: (i) placement approach – typical, (ii) placement approach – typical plus, (iii) self-job-searching approach – typical, (iv) self-job-searching approach – typical plus, and (v) self-job-searching approach – typical ‘on the way.’ The findings highlight care leavers’ proactive roles in navigating their employment journeys, yet also reveal challenges such as educational setbacks, insufficient work skills, lack of support, and societal discrimination, particularly against those with physical impairments. Enhanced support systems are essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundLactoferrin (Lf) is a multifunctional protein and one of the most abundant proteins in human milk. Various factors may affect its concentration in human milk, such as stage of lactation, ethnicity, and diet.ObjectivesThe objectives of the present study were to examine the dynamic change in milk Lf throughout the course of lactation and explore factors associated with milk Lf concentrations in various Chinese populations.MethodsThis investigation was a part of a large cross-sectional study conducted in 11 provinces/autonomous regions/municipalities (Beijing, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, Shandong, Shanghai, Xinjiang, Yunnan, and Zhejiang) across China between 2011 and 2013. Lactating women (n = 6481) within 0⁻330 days postpartum were recruited in the original study. A sub-sample of 824 women was randomly selected, and milk Lf concentrations were determined by UPLC/MS.ResultsThe Lf concentration in milk from women delivering at term was 3.16 g/L, 1.73 g/L and 0.90 g/L for colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk, respectively. Lf concentrations differed significantly between stages of lactation (colostrum vs. transitional milk, colostrum vs. mature milk, transitional milk vs. mature milk, all p < 0.001). Maternal BMI, age, mode of delivery, parturition, protein intake, and serum albumin concentration were not correlated with milk Lf concentration. However, milk Lf concentrations varied among different geographical regions (Guangdong (1.91 g/L) vs. Heilongjiang (1.44 g/L), p = 0.037; Guangdong (1.91 g/L) vs. Gansu (1.43 g/L), p = 0.041) and ethnicities (Dai (1.80 g/L) vs. Tibetan (0.99 g/L), p = 0.007; Han (1.62 g/L) vs. Tibetan (0.99 g/L), p = 0.002) in China.ConclusionsThe concentration of Lf in human milk changes dynamically throughout lactation. Few maternal characteristics affect the milk Lf concentration, but it varies across different geographical regions and ethnicities in China.

Background/Aims: Arterial stenosis activates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system subsequently resulting in renovascular hypertension (RVHT) and renal oxidative injury. We explored the effect of sodium thiosulfate (STS, Na2S2O3), a developed antioxidant in clinical trial, on RVHT-induced hypertension and renal oxidative injury in rats. Methods: We induced RVHT in male Wistar rats with bilaterally partial ligation of renal arteries in the 2-kidney 2-clip model. We evaluated the STS effect on RVHT-induced oxidative injury and apoptosis by a chemiluminescence amplification method, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. Results: We found STS displayed a dose-dependent antioxidant H2O2 activity and adapted the maximal scavenging H2O2 activity of STS at the dosage of 0.1 g/kg intraperitoneally 3 times/week for 4 weeks in RVHT rats. RVHT induced a significant elevation of arterial blood pressure, blood reactive oxygen species amount, neutrophil infiltration, 4-HNE and NADPH oxidase gp91 expression, Bax/Bcl-2/poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-mediated apoptosis formation, blue Masson-stained fibrosis, and urinary protein level. STS treatment significantly reduced hypertension, oxidative stress, neutrophil infiltration, fibrosis, and Bax/Bcl-2/PARP-mediated apoptosis formation and depressed the urinary protein level in the RVHT models. Conclusion: Our results suggest that STS treatment could ameliorate RVHT hypertension and renal oxidative injury through antioxidant, antifibrotic, and antiapoptotic mechanisms.

This paper serves as an introduction to a PhD thesis titled "Transition to Adulthood for Young People with Care Experience in China." The thesis is a comprehensive exploration of the lived experiences and perspectives of young individuals as they navigate life within care institutions, transition out of care, and adapt to life after leaving care. This highlight outlines the fundamental components of the research project, encompassing the background, primary aim, objectives, research questions, selected methodology, and the theoretical frameworks applied throughout the study. Additionally, it provides a concise summary of the key findings derived from the thesis and underscores their significance in advancing our understanding of this knowledge field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin A (VA) kinetics, storage, and disposal rate were determined in well-nourished Chinese and U.S. adults using model-based compartmental analysis. [[sup.2][H.sub.8]]Retinyl acetate (8.9 [micro]mol) was orally administered to U.S. (n = 12; 69 [+ or -] 9 y; mean [+ or -] SD) and Chinese adults (n = 14; 64 [+ or -] 4 y) and serum tracer and VA concentrations were measured from 3 h to 56 d. Using the Windows version of the Simulation, Analysis and Modeling software, we determined that the average time from dosing until appearance of labeled retinol in serum was greater in U.S. subjects (40.6 [+ or -] 8.47 h) than in Chinese subjects (32.2 [+ or -] 5.84 h; P < 0.01). Model-predicted total traced mass (898 [+ or -] 637 vs. 237 [+ or -] 109 [micro]mol), disposal rate (14.7 [+ or -] 5.87 vs. 5.58 [+ or -] 2.04[micro]mol/d), and system residence time (58.9 [+ or -] 28.7 vs. 42.9 [+ or -] 14.6 d) were greater in U.S. than in Chinese subjects (P < 0.05). The model-predicted VA mass and VA mass estimated by deuterated retinol dilution at 3 and 24 d did not differ. VA disposal rate was positively correlated with VA traced mass in Chinese ([R.sup.2] = 0.556), U.S. ([R.sup.2] = 0.579), and all subjects ([R.sup.2] = 0.808). Additionally, VA disposal rate was significantly correlated with serum retinol pool size ([R.sup.2] = 0.227) and retinol concentration ([R.sup.2] = 0.330) in all subjects. Our results support the hypothesis that VA stores are the principle determinant of VA disposal rate in healthy, well-nourished adults.

Background/Aims: Arterial stenosis activates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system subsequently resulting in renovascular hypertension (RVHT) and renal oxidative injury. We explored the effect of sodium thiosulfate (STS, Na2S2O3), a developed antioxidant in clinical trial, on RVHT-induced hypertension and renal oxidative injury in rats. Methods: We induced RVHT in male Wistar rats with bilaterally partial ligation of renal arteries in the 2-kidney 2-clip model. We evaluated the STS effect on RVHT-induced oxidative injury and apoptosis by a chemiluminescence amplification method, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. Results: We found STS displayed a dose-dependent antioxidant H2O2 activity and adapted the maximal scavenging H2O2 activity of STS at the dosage of 0.1 g/kg intraperitoneally 3 times/week for 4 weeks in RVHT rats. RVHT induced a significant elevation of arterial blood pressure, blood reactive oxygen species amount, neutrophil infiltration, 4-HNE and NADPH oxidase gp91 expression, Bax/Bcl-2/poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-mediated apoptosis formation, blue Masson-stained fibrosis, and urinary protein level. STS treatment significantly reduced hypertension, oxidative stress, neutrophil infiltration, fibrosis, and Bax/Bcl-2/PARP-mediated apoptosis formation and depressed the urinary protein level in the RVHT models. Conclusion: Our results suggest that STS treatment could ameliorate RVHT hypertension and renal oxidative injury through antioxidant, antifibrotic, and antiapoptotic mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to determine the conversion factor of synthetic 2H-labelled ??-carotene to vitamin A in Chinese adults by using a stable-isotope dilution technique. Fifteen healthy volunteers aged 50???60 years were recruited for a 55 d experiment. The volunteers (nine males and six females) were each given a physiological dose of [2H8]??-carotene (6 mg) in oil on the first day of the experiment, and a reference dose of [2H8]retinyl acetate (3 mg) in oil was given on the fourth day. Serum samples were collected at 0, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13 h on the first and the fourth days of the study, daily for 10 d, and then weekly from days 14 to 56. ??-Carotene and retinol were extracted from serum and isolated by HPLC, and their enrichments were respectively determined by using GC???electron capture negative chemical ionisation-MS and LC???atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation interface-MS. Four of the subjects exhibited ??-carotene to vitamin A conversion factors of >29??0:1 on a molar basis and were termed ???poor converters???. In the eleven normal converters (seven males and four females), the calculated conversion factors of ??-carotene to retinol ranged from 2??0:1 to 12??2:1 with an average of 4??8 (sd 2??8):1 on a molar basis, and from 3??8:1 to 22??8:1 with an average of 9??1 (sd 5??3):1 on a weight basis. The 52 d post-intestinal absorption conversion was estimated to be about 30 % of the total converted retinol. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: To investigate the effects of delivering infant feeding knowledge using text messages from cell phones on improving infant growth and anemia., Methods: A community-based intervention study was conducted in four community health centers in Tumoteyou County, Baotou, Inner Mongolia, one of which was the intervention group and the other three locating nearby were assigned into the control group. Pregnant women were recruited from peri-natal care center. In the intervention group, infant feeding knowledge was sent by the staff of health care center using text messages to the subjects. Meanwhile, no intervention was given in the control group. The growth status and anemia prevalence were assessed at 6 month in both groups. The WHO growth standard for children under 5 years was used to assess the growth status, using the Anthro software v3. 2. 2 to calculate Z scores. Anemia was defined as the concentration of hemoglobin less than 110 g/L. Hemoglobin was measured in duplicate by Hemocue 301 instrument., Results: Totally 214 pregnant women were recruited at the baseline. At the 6 months of postpartum, 192 mothers and infants were investigated. The percentage of lost follow-up was 10.3%. The LAZ, HCZ and hemoglobin concentration of infants were significantly greater,in'the intervention group than in the control group at 6 month old (P < 0.01). The prevalence of stunting (P < 0.01), overweight and obesity (P = 0.02), and anemia (P < 0.01) were significantly lower in the intervention group., Conclusions: Using text messages from cell phones to deliver infant feeding knowledge may improve the growth and anemia status of infants aged 6 month.

Objective: To investigate the status of exclusive breastfeeding(EBF) and possible influencing factors during 0-7 days postpartum in China., Methods: During 2011 to 2013, healthy mothers and neonates who were in the period of 0- 7 days postpartum from 8 provinces across different regions of China were recruited to take the questionnaire investigations and physical examinations. Information about socio-economic, pregnant, and delivery status, infant healthy situation and feeding indicators was collected to calculate the rate of exclusive breastfeeding during 0- 7 days postpartum and analyze the influencing factors., Results: A total of 1 882 pairs of mothers and neonates were covered by this study. The rate of EBF was 13.3% (250 cases) during 0- 7 days postpartum. Bottle feeding (OR=0.08, 95% CI: 0.05- 0.12), the mothers themselves mixed fed at their 0-4 months old (OR=0.22, 95%CI: 0.08-0.58), the mothers who had used methods to stimulate milk secretion (OR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.35- 0.94) might decrease the EBF rate. Compared with the mothers who believed that their breast milk was not enough for their infants, the mothers who believed breastmilk was enough may increase the EBF rate (OR=6.04, 95%CI: 3.34-10.94). Comparing to the EBF rate of Beijing, Yunnan (OR=0.10, 95%CI: 0.04-0.24), and Gansu(OR=0.03,95%CI: 0.01-0.08) had lower EBF rate during 0-7 days postpartum. What's more, the EBF rate increased with the increasing neonates' age (OR=1.33, 95% CI: 1.16- 1.53)., Conclusion: The EBF rate during 0- 7 days postpartum is still low in China and had significant differences in different regions. Suboptimal feeding knowledge and practices affected the EBF rate significantly.

Objectives: To compare the difference between the China growth reference and the WHO growth standards in assessing malnutrition of children under 5 years., Settings: The households selected from 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in mainland China (except Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao)., Participants: Households were selected by using a stratified, multistage probability cluster sampling. Children under 5 years of age in the selected households were recruited (n=15,886)., Primary and Secondary Outcome Measures: Underweight, stunting, wasting, overweight and obesity., Results: According to the China growth reference, the prevalence of underweight (8.7% vs 4.8%), stunting (17.2% vs 16.1%) and wasting (4.4% vs 3%) was significantly higher than that based on the WHO growth standards, respectively (p<0.001); the prevalence of overweight was lower than that based on the WHO growth standards (9.4% vs 10.2%, p<0.001). In most cases, the prevalence of undernutrition assessed by using the China growth reference was significantly higher. However, the prevalence of overweight was significantly lower by using China charts for boys aged 3-4, 6, 8, 10, 12-18 and 24 months., Conclusions: The WHO growth standards could be more conservative in undernutrition estimation and more applicable for international comparison for Chinese children. Future researches are warranted for using the WHO growth standards within those countries with local growth charts when there are distinct differences between the two., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.)

Objective: To determine the levels of 24 minerals in human milk by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with microwave digestion., Methods: The samples were digested by microwave. The contents of minerals were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The standard reference minerals of 1849a and 1568a from National Institute of Science and Technology were used for quality control. The accuracy and reproduability for this method were evaluated with mix standards and 1849a and 1568a standard reference materials., Results: The ranges of the levels of sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, aluminum, chromium, arsenic, selenium, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, molybdenum, vanadium, cobalt, nickel, gallium, cadmium, silver, strontium, cesium, barium, lead in human milk was 34.97-415.83 mg/kg, 19.00-39.52 mg/kg, 102.13-274.53 mg/kg, 351.19-713.99 mg/kg, 180.08-349.64 mg/kg, 0.06-0.44 mg/kg, 0.9-7.37 microg/kg, 0.92-2.72 microg/kg, 0.20-21.15 microg/kg, 0.10-0.70 mg/kg, 0.56-3.25 mg/kg, 3.00-16.12 micro.g/kg, 62.16-591.69 microg/kg, 0.02-6.91 microg/kg, 5.99-13.70 microg/kg, 0.07-2.11 microg/kg, 0.77-209.26 microg/kg, 0.005-0.28 microg/kg, 0.02-0.23 microg/kg, 0.02-0.71 microg/kg, 36.89-132.26 microg/kg, 0.01-4.72 microg/kg, 0.83-28.16 microg/kg, 2.5-5.3 microg/kg, respectively. The levels of minerals in human milk in present study were consisted with other similar studies., Conclusion: The experiment examined the levels of minerals in human milk satisfactorily. The method has high accuracy and good reproducibility, which could be used for understanding the levels of minerals in human milk.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary protein source and protein level on serum lipids in male rats., Methods: Wistar weaning male rats were assigned to four groups (15 rats in each group) according to their original body weight. The effects of two kinds of dietary protein with two different levels, including low cow milk (LM, 9%), high cow milk (HM, 18%), low soybean and egg white (LS, 9%), and high soybean and egg white (HS, 18%) diets, were observed. Each group was provided with one of four diets for 20 weeks. Serum lipids were tested and the ratio of lipid were calculated., Results: Serum TC and HDL-C were the highest and TC/HDL-C was the lowest in HM group; serum TG in HS group was the lowest. The ratio of TG/HDL-C in HS and HM group was lower than LS and LM group. Compared with LM and HM groups, serum LDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C was lower in LS and HS group., Conclusion: Long-term intake of protein from soybean and egg white, serum TG level may be significantly lower, which may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. There was a trend of rising serum cholesterol level in rats fed with protein from cow milk for a long time.

There are many factors that could affect the requirement of vitamin A including infections, parasites, protein-energy malnutrition, bioconversion efficiency of provitamin A, food matrix and so on. However, the toxicity of vitamin A should also be taken into account when establishing reference values for infants, young and preschool children. Serum and breast-milk retinol concentrations, retinol binding protein concentrations, the relative-dose-response test , the modified-relative-dose-response and the deuterated retinol isotope dilution test are the common tools to assess vitamin A status.

Objective: To identify the aflatoxins contamination of corn in China., Methods: Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 in 279 corn samples collected from 6 provinces or autonomous regions were determined by HPLC., Results: Aflatoxins were detected in 75.63% of 279 corn samples. The average concentration of positive samples was 44.04 microg/kg, with a range of 0.20 - 888.30 microg/kg. The positive rates of samples from Sichuan, Hubei, Guangxi, Henan, Guangdong and Jilin Provinces were 90.48%, 93.75%, 87.50%, 36.96%, 91.84% and 52.17% respectively, with an average concentration of 107.93, 70.98, 39.65, 8.06, 3.70 microg/kg, and 1.15 microg/kg respectively. AFB1 was detected more frequently and with higher levels than the other three aflatoxins, with a positive rate of 74.55% and an average concentration of 39.64 microg/kg. The positive rate of AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 was 58.42%, 41.22% and 19.71% respectively, and the average concentration of them was 3.81, 3.47 and 0.51 microg/kg respectively., Conclusion: Corn samples collected from all six regions are contaminated widely with aflatoxins in various degrees. The contamination of aflatoxins in the South was more serious than that in the North of China. AFB1 is the prominent one among the four aflatoxins.

Objective: In order to evaluate the effect of coenzyme Q10 (CQ) or combined with carotenoids (lycopene and lutein, LL) or/and mineral nutrients (zinc and selenium, ZS) on the antioxidant defense system, The rats were randomized into 6 groups: control, CQ [CQ 10 mg/(kg x d)], CQ+ ZS[CQ 10 mg/(kg x d), Zn 1 mg/(kg x d), Se 4 microg/(kg x d)], CQ+ LL [CQ 10 mg/(kg x d), Lutein 1 mg/(kg x d), Lycopene 2 mg/(kg x d)], CQ + ZS + LL [CQ 10 mg/(kg x d), Zn 1 mg/(kg x d), Se 4 microg/(kg x d), Lutein 1 mg/(kg x d), Lycopene 2 mg/(kg x d)] and VE [VE 2 mg/(kg x d)], and then fed with a diet based on AIN-76 rodent diet but containing 4% lard as well as 4% corn oil. The supplement were given by oral for 8 weeks, and the plasma and liver antioxidant enzymes activity, malondialdehyde levels and lymphocyte DNA damage were determined. The results showed that the groups treated with CQ had a higher plasma SOD and TOAC level and liver SOD and GPX activity than those of the control group. Combination treatments further enhanced antioxidant enzymes activity and reduced MDA levels & DNA damage. Most of the parameters had reached statistical significance in comparison with the control. These findings suggested that CQ exerted antioxidative effects in rats, and when it was supplemented in combination with other antioxidants, the effects were raised to some extent.

Flavonoids may be natural components came from many vegetables and fruits. A variety of heath effects of these compounds were found. However, a few safety studies indicated that certain adverse effects of these compounds could influence on human health, which could involve genotoxic/carcinogenic effects or interaction with thyroid hormone biosynthesis. Isoflavones' estrogenic activity could influence on sexual development of young animals and children. Furthermore, flavonoids could inhibit the absorption of some nutrients, interact with certain drug pharmacokinetics and affect neurobehavioral development. In this paper, the potential toxicities of flavonoids from recently published papers were reviewed.

Objective: To explore the interaction role of selenium and zinc in diet on bone development in rats exposed to lead, and to observe the change of bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD)., Methods: Wean male Wistar rats were fed with diet added with different levels of selenium, zinc and lead for 12 weeks., Results: Long-term exposure to lead may inhibit the development of bone and reduce BMC and BMD, however, selenium and zinc in the diets could improve the inhibit effect of lead on weight and length, BMC and BMD of rat bone., Conclusion: The present study indicated that supplementing suitable amount of selenium or/and zinc could interact the side effect of lead, and increase the BMC and BMD of rat bone. The interaction mechanism of iron and zinc on bone exposed to lead in diets needs to be explore in further.

Objective: The purpose of this paper was to explore the effect of iron and zinc in diet on development of bone in growing rats exposed to lead and observed the change of bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD)., Methods: The growing rats were fed with diet added with different levels of iron, zinc and lead for 12 weeks., Results: Long-term exposure to lead may inhibit the development of bone and reduce BMC and BMD, it can be improved the weight and length of bone and increased BMC and BMD following the increased in iron and zinc levels in the diets, but the lead level of bone increases., Conclusion: Supplementary suitable iron or/and zinc could improve the BMC and BMD, the mechanism of iron and zinc in diets on bone exposed to lead should be further research.

The present study was carried out to determine the conversion factor of synthetic (2)H-labelled beta-carotene to vitamin A in Chinese adults by using a stable-isotope dilution technique. Fifteen healthy volunteers aged 50-60 years were recruited for a 55 d experiment. The volunteers (nine males and six females) were each given a physiological dose of [(2)H8]beta-carotene (6 mg) in oil on the first day of the experiment, and a reference dose of [(2)H8]retinyl acetate (3 mg) in oil was given on the fourth day. Serum samples were collected at 0, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13 h on the first and the fourth days of the study, daily for 10 d, and then weekly from days 14 to 56. beta-Carotene and retinol were extracted from serum and isolated by HPLC, and their enrichments were respectively determined by using GC-electron capture negative chemical ionisation-MS and LC-atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation interface-MS. Four of the subjects exhibited beta-carotene to vitamin A conversion factors of >29.0:1 on a molar basis and were termed 'poor converters'. In the eleven normal converters (seven males and four females), the calculated conversion factors of beta-carotene to retinol ranged from 2.0:1 to 12.2:1 with an average of 4.8 (sd 2.8):1 on a molar basis, and from 3.8:1 to 22.8:1 with an average of 9.1 (sd 5.3):1 on a weight basis. The 52 d post-intestinal absorption conversion was estimated to be about 30 % of the total converted retinol.