Manipulation of the rice L-galactose pathway: evaluation of the effects of transgene overexpression on ascorbate accumulation and abiotic stress tolerance.

Ascorbic acid (AsA) is the most abundant water-soluble antioxidant in plants, and it plays a crucial role in plant growth, development and abiotic stress tolerance. In the present study, six key Arabidopsis or rapeseed genes involved in AsA biosynthesis were constitutively overexpressed in an elite Japonica rice cultivar. These genes encoded the GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase (GMP), GDP-mannose-3',5'-epimerase (GME), GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase (GGP), L-galactose-1-phosphate phosphatase (GPP), L-galactose dehydrogenase (GDH), and L-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (GalLDH).

Prevalence of asthenopia and its risk factors in Chinese college students.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of asthenopia and identify any associated risk factors in the college students in Xi'an, China.

Methods: From April to September 2012, 1 500 students from five universities in Xi'an were selected according to a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method. Data on demographic features, lifestyle or dietary habits, health status, living environment conditions, sleep and mental status, and asthenopia symptoms were collected through a self-administered validated questionnaire.

A dose-response meta-analysis of dietary lutein and zeaxanthin intake in relation to risk of age-related cataract.

Background: Lutein and zeaxanthin are thought to have beneficial effects on protecting the lens against cataract formation, but findings from epidemiologic studies have been inconsistent. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies to examine the association between dietary lutein and zeaxanthin intake and risk of age-related cataract (ARC).

Methods: We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases up to March 2013.

[Fertility rate and the prediction of future population size in Shaanxi province].

Objective: To analyze the fertility rate and to estimate the future population size of Shaanxi province, based on data from the sixth national population census.

Methods: Fertility rate curve was used to analyze the fertility model and the abbreviated life table. The actual fertility rate was used as the main way to predict the future population size.

Lutein supplementation reduces plasma lipid peroxidation and C-reactive protein in healthy nonsmokers.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether lutein affected biomarkers related to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in healthy nonsmokers.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of lutein supplementation was conducted in healthy nonsmokers. 117 eligible subjects were randomly assigned to receive 10 or 20 mg/d of lutein or placebo for 12 weeks.

Increased α-tocotrienol content in seeds of transgenic rice overexpressing Arabidopsis γ-tocopherol methyltransferase.

Vitamin E comprises a group of eight lipid soluble antioxidant compounds that are an essential part of the human diet. The α-isomers of both tocopherol and tocotrienol are generally considered to have the highest antioxidant activities. γ-tocopherol methyltransferase (γ-TMT) catalyzes the final step in vitamin E biosynthesis, the methylation of γ- and δ-isomers to α- and β-isomers.

[Dietary patterns and its relationship with hypertension among rural residents in Hanzhong, Shanxi province].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between dietary patterns and hypertension in Hanzhong city of Shanxi province.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey on dietary pattern and hypertension together with a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was conducted among rural residents aged from 18 to 80 in Hanzhong of Shanxi province in 2010. Factor analysis by SPSS was used to identify food patterns based on the frequency of food.