The Associations of Month of Birth With Body Mass Index,Waist Circumference,and Leg Length: Findings From the China Kadoorie Biobank of 0.5 Million Adults

Background

Season of birth (SoB) has been linked with various health outcomes. This study aimed to examine the associations between month of birth (MoB) and adult measures of leg length (LL), body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC).

Methods

We analysed survey data from 10 geographically diverse areas of China obtained through the China Kadoorie Biobank. Analysis included 487 529 adults with BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m². A general linear model was used to examine the associations between MoB and adult measures of LL, BMI, and WC, adjusted for survey site, sex, age, education level, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, physical activity level, sedentary leisure time, height (only for WC and LL), and hip circumference (only for LL).

Results

MoB was independently associated with both BMI and WC. Birth months in which participants had higher measures of adiposity were March–July for BMI and March–June for WC. The peak differences were 0.14 kg/m² for BMI and 0.47 cm for WC. The association between MoB and LL depended on survey site. Participants who were born in February–August in four sites (Harbin, Henan, Gansu, and Hunan) had the shortest LL (all P < 0.01). The peak difference in mean LL was 0.21 cm. No statistically significant association between MoB and LL was noted in the other sites (Qingdao, Suzhou, Sichuan, Zhejiang, Liuzhou, and Haikou).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that MoB is associated with variations in adult adiposity measures and LL among Chinese adults. Low exposure to ultraviolet B radiation and subsequent reduced levels of vitamin D during the late second and early third trimesters may be involved in these phenomena.Key words: month of birth, BMI, waist circumference, leg length, vitamin D deficiency     

应用异种脱细胞真皮基质在种植义齿修复中的美学效果评价

目的评估异种脱细胞真皮基质植入上前牙种植区唇侧软组织的临床美学效果。方法对30例单个上前牙缺失患者行美学区单颗种植义齿修复的患者进行回顾性研究。随机分为实验组和对照组,实验组行种植术伴种植区唇侧异种脱细胞真皮基质骨膜下植入术,对照组行单纯种植术。种植义齿负载半年后按一定标准拍摄口内照片,两位观察者用红色美学指数评估口内照片中种植体周软组织各项得分。分组进行统计学分析,分析不同软组织处理与红色美学指数值之间的关系。结果种植义齿负载半年后两组种植体留存率均为100%;实验组红色美学指数平均为10.77±2.56分,对照组的红色美学指数平均9.57±2.10分,两组比较,实验组患者红色美学指数较高(P<0.05)。结论在上颌前牙美学区进行单牙种植修复时,采取异种脱细胞真皮基质骨膜下植入,可以改善种植区唇侧的美学效果。     

Major Dietary Patterns in Relation to General and Central Obesity among Chinese Adults

Limited evidence exists for the association between diet pattern and obesity phenotypes among Chinese adults. In the present study, we analyzed the cross-sectional data from 474,192 adults aged 30–79 years from the China Kadoorie Biobank baseline survey. Food consumption was collected by an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Three dietary patterns were extracted by factor analysis combined with cluster analysis. After being adjusted for potential confounders, individuals following a traditional southern dietary pattern had the lowest body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC); the Western/new affluence dietary pattern had the highest BMI; and the traditional northern dietary pattern had the highest WC. Compared to the traditional southern dietary pattern in multivariable adjusted logistic models, individuals following a Western/new affluence dietary pattern had a significantly increased risk of general obesity (prevalence ratio (PR): 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–1.08) and central obesity (PR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.06–1.08). The corresponding risks for the traditional northern dietary pattern were 1.05 (1.02–1.09) and 1.17 (1.25–1.18), respectively. In addition, the associations were modified by lifestyle behaviors, and the combined effects with alcohol drinking, tobacco smoking, and physical activity were analyzed. Further prospective studies are needed to elucidate the diet-obesity relationships.     

A novel CRX mutation by whole-exome sequencing in an autosomal dominant cone-rod dystrophy pedigree

AIM: To identify the disease-causing gene mutation in a Chinese pedigree with autosomal dominant cone-rod dystrophy (adCORD). METHODS: A southern Chinese adCORD pedigree including 9 affected individuals was studied. Whole-exome sequencing (WES), coupling the Agilent whole-exome capture system to the Illumina HiSeq 2000 DNA sequencing platform was used to search the specific gene mutation in 3 affected family members and 1 unaffected member. After a suggested variant was found through the data analysis, the putative mutation was validated by Sanger DNA sequencing of samples from all available family members. RESULTS: The results of both WES and Sanger sequencing revealed a novel nonsense mutation c.C766T (p.Q256X) within exon 5 of CRX gene which was pathogenic for adCORD in this family. The mutation could affect photoreceptor-specific gene expression with a dominant-negative effect and resulted in loss of the OTX tail, thus the mutant protein occupies the CRX-binding site in target promoters without establishing an interaction and, consequently, may block transactivation. CONCLUSION: All modes of Mendelian inheritance in CORD have been observed, and genetic heterogeneity is a hallmark of CORD. Therefore, conventional genetic diagnosis of CORD would be time-consuming and labor-intensive. Our study indicated the robustness and cost-effectiveness of WES in the genetic diagnosis of CORD.     

Preparation of an octahedral PtNi/CNT catalyst and its application in high durability PEMFC cathodes

In order to promote the application of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) in electric vehicles (EVs), it is important to improve the activity of cathode catalysts and the corrosion resistance of carbon supports under high potentials formed during transient vehicle operating conditions. An octahedral PtNi/CNT catalyst with a well-defined structure and enhanced oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance was prepared through a surfactant-assisted solvothermal method. Its mass activity and specific activity reach 5.5 and 8.5 times those of the commercial Pt/C catalyst, respectively, and its stability is also higher after durability testing. In addition, the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) fabricated using the octahedral PtNi/CNT catalyst in a cathode exhibits extremely outstanding durability under high potential, and the attenuations of its maximum power density and cell voltage at 600 mA cm⁻² are only 4.8% and 3.6%, respectively, which are far below those of the control prepared with commercial Pt/C. These results demonstrate that carbon materials with a graphite structure exhibit actual application potential in the preparation of octahedral catalysts. These carbon-supported octahedral catalysts are expected to be applied in PEMFC cathodes after the materials and preparation process are further improved.

The as-prepared octahedral PtNi/CNT catalyst exhibits enhanced ORR performance and single cell durability under high potential.     

慢性胰腺炎合并急性梗阻性化脓性胰管炎致假性囊肿感染1例

急性梗阻性化脓性胰管炎在临床上十分罕见,本文报道1例慢性胰腺炎合并急性梗阻性化脓性胰管炎,并在此基础上继发假性囊肿感染的病例,分析了假性囊肿感染的原因,并探讨了内镜治疗及抗感染治疗的策略与挑战。     

内镜超声判断早期胃癌浸润深度的准确性及影响因素研究

目的　研究内镜超声检查术（endoscopic ultrasound,EUS）判断早期胃癌浸润深度的准确性及影响因素。方法　回顾性分析2014年1月—2020年8月于北京友谊医院就诊、行EUS且EUS分期为T1的早期胃癌患者的资料。比较EUS与术后病理浸润深度的一致性,计算EUS判断早期胃癌浸润深度的准确率、灵敏度及特异度,并探究影响EUS准确性的相关因素。单因素及多因素分析均采用Logistic回归模型。结果　共纳入380处病变,EUS发现黏膜内（T1a）病变301处,黏膜下层（T1b）病变79处;术后病理实际浸润深度为T1a病变320处,T1b病变60处。EUS判断早期胃癌浸润深度的准确率为77.1%（293/380）,灵敏度为83.4%（267/320）,特异度为43.3%（26/60）。多因素分析提示,病变位于胃上1/3部（OR=2.272,95%CI：1.266~4.080,P=0.006）、病变长径≥20 mm（OR=2.013,95%CI：1.200~3.377,P=0.008）及低分化癌（OR=2.090,95%CI：1.018~4.294,P=0.045）是影响EUS分期准确性的独立危险因素。低分化癌（OR=4.046,95%CI：1.737~9.425,P=0.001）是EUS过度分期的危险因素。结论　EUS对于早期胃癌浸润深度的判断具有一定的临床应用价值,影响EUS分期准确性的因素包括病变位于胃上1/3部、病变长径≥20 mm及低分化癌,其中低分化癌是EUS过度分期的危险因素。     

橡皮圈腔内牵拉法在内镜黏膜下剥离术中辅助价值研究

目的　评价橡皮圈腔内牵拉法用于内镜黏膜下剥离术（endoscopic submucosal dissection,ESD） 中的有效性及安全性。方法　纳入2016年1月—2019年12月因直肠内分泌瘤就诊于首都医科大学附属北京友谊医院的49例患者,其中2016年1月—2018年5月行常规ESD的患者32例（非牵拉组）,2018年6月—2019年12月行橡皮圈腔内牵拉ESD的患者17例（牵拉组）,比较2组患者基本信息、ESD手术时间、并发症等指标。结果　牵拉组和非牵拉组在年龄、性别及病变大小方面差异均无统计学意义（P均>0.05）。牵拉组ESD操作时间为（13.76±5.71） min,非牵拉组ESD操作时间为（22.99±10.32） min,两者差异有统计学意义（t=-3.408,P=0.001）。牵拉组未发生术后并发症,非牵拉组有3例出现穿孔,但穿孔发生率差异无统计学意义（P=0.542）。结论　橡皮圈腔内牵拉法辅助ESD,可以安全完成ESD操作并有效提高剥离效率。