Motion behavior of droplets on curved leaf surfaces driven by airflow.

In air-assisted spraying, pesticide droplet retention on crop leaves is key to evaluating spray effectiveness. However, airflow can deform leaves, reducing droplet retention and affecting spray performance. This study used wind tunnels and high-speed cameras to capture leaf deformation at different airflow speeds and the motion of droplets on curved leaf surfaces.

Prevalence of hypertension and its associations with body composition across Chinese and American children and adolescents.

Background: The age of onset of hypertension (HTN) is decreasing, and obesity is a significant risk factor. The prevalence and racial disparities in pediatric HTN and the association between body composition and blood pressure are insufficiently studied. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HTN in Chinese and American children and adolescents and to assess the relationship between various body composition indices and HTN.

[Value of body fat mass measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis in predicting abnormal blood pressure and abnormal glucose metabolism in children].

Objective: To study the value of body fat mass measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in predicting abnormal blood pressure and abnormal glucose metabolism in children.

Methods: Stratified cluster sampling was used to select the students aged 6-16 years, and a questionnaire survey and physical examination were performed. The BIA apparatus was used to measure body fat mass.

[Risk of obesity-related gene polymorphism on the incidence and durative of childhood obesity].

Objective: To examine the impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)in obesity-related genes on the incidence and durative of obesity in childhood and adolescence.

Methods: Based on the Beijing Child and Adolescent Metabolic Syndrome (BCAMS) Study, 780 school children aged 6 to 16 years were followed-up in 2010, and assessed for body size parameters. Venipuncture blood samples were collected after a 12-hour overnight fast.

[Prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic abnormalities in 387 obese children and adolescents in Beijing, China].

Objective: To determine the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic abnormalities in obese children and adolescents in Beijing.

Methods: This study involved 387 obese children and adolescents, aged 12 to 17 years in Beijing. Data on anthropometric measurements was collected, including weight, height and age.

[Wolman disease with novel mutation of LIPA gene in a Chinese infant].

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics of Wolman disease and diagnostic methods using enzymatic and molecular analysis.

Method: Lysosomal acid lipase activity was measured using 4-methylumbelliferyl oleate in the leukocytes of an infant suspected of Wolman disease and LIPA gene mutational analysis was performed by PCR and direct sequencing in the proband and his parents. After the diagnosis was confirmed, the clinical, biochemical, radiological and histopathological findings in this case of Wolman disease were retrospectively reviewed.

[Enzymatic diagnosis and clinical characteristics of 52 children with mucopolysaccharidosis].

Objective: To explore the incidence of various types of mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) and their clinical characteristics.

Methods: A total of 75 children highly suspected as having MPS underwent quantitative and electrophoretic analysis of urinary glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and enzymatic analysis of seven types of MPS from January 2009 to December 2011. Fluorescence assay was used to measure the activities of α-L-iduronidase, iduronate-2-sulfatase, α-N-acetylglucosaminidase, galactosamine-6-sulfatase, β-galactosidase, arylsulfatase B and β-glucuronidase in the white blood cells.

Direct protection of neurons and astrocytes by matrine via inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway contributes to neuroprotection against focal cerebral ischemia.

Matrine (Mat) and oxymatrine are two major alkaloids of the Chinese herb Sophora flavescens Ait. (Leguminosae). Previous study has demonstrated that Mat reduces brain edema induced by focal cerebral ischemia.

[Waist circumference reference values in Beijing versus the national values in detecting cardiovascular risk factors in 7-18 years old children].

Objective: To compare the optimal references of waist circumference (WC) between Beijing and China in detecting cardiovascular risk factors in school-age children.

Methods: Percentile curves for WC were drawn by sex using LMS method based on 21 787 children and adolescents aged 7 - 18 from Beijing Child and Adolescent Metabolic Syndrome Study. The 75(th) and the 90(th) percentiles by age and by gender of WC percentile curves were chosen as the optimal WC reference for 3 - 18 years old children and adolescents in Beijing.

[Mucopolysaccharidosis VII: report of a case and review of the literature].

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidosis VII.

Method: The clinical and biochemical features of an infant with mucopolysaccharidosis VII confirmed by enzyme assay were analyzed.

Result: The 2 month-old male infant showed hydrops fetalis, mental retardation, coarse face, corneal clouding, hepatosplenomegaly, hernias, Alder-Reilly granules in the leucocytes and decreased platelet (32 × 10(9)/L).

[Cognitive-behavior of HIV-positive women of fertility age regarding AIDS in three counties of Henan Province].

Objective: To investigate the demographic characteristics of HIV-positive women of fertility age in Henan province and their knowledge and behavior in relation to AIDS.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was administered to 686 HIV-positive women of fertility age through face to face interview. The demographic characteristics of the respondents and their association with AIDS-related knowledge and behavior were analysed.

[Impact on the risk of obesity due to interactions between fat mass- and obesity-associated gene rs9939609 variants and behavioral factors, in the Chinese school-aged children].

Objective: To investigate how the interactions between fat mass- and obesity-associated (FTO) gene rs9939609 variants and daily-life related behavioral factors would influence the risk of obesity among the Chinese school-aged children.

Methods: 3503 school-aged children were selected from the Beijing Child and Adolescent Metabolic Syndrome (BCAMS) Study, and divided into obese children (n = 1229) and non-obese children (n = 2274). Venipuncture blood test, genotyping and questionnaire were performed.

Adiponectin and leptin metabolic biomarkers in chinese children and adolescents.

Objective. To evaluate leptin and adiponectin as biomarkers of metabolic syndrome (MS) risk factors even in nonobese children/adolescents. Methods.

p53-mediated neuronal cell death in ischemic brain injury.

p53 is a key modulator of cellular stress responses. It is activated in the ischemic areas of brain, and contributes to neuronal apoptosis. In various stroke models, p53 deficiency or applications of p53 inhibitors can significantly attenuate brain damage.

[Familial clustering of obesity and the role of lifestyle factors among children in Beijing].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between lifestyle factors, parental obesity and adiposity in children, in order to provide theoretical evidence for public health policy establishment.

Methods: A cross-sectional observation study was conducted among approximately 20 thousand children aged 2 - 18 years old in urban and rural regions of Beijing, by using stratified randomization clustering sampling methods. Familial environmental risk factors of children adiposity and parental obesity were assessed with standardized questionnaire.

Acylation stimulating protein but not complement C3 associates with metabolic syndrome components in Chinese children and adolescents.

Objective: Childhood obesity is increasing worldwide and is increasingly associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Our aim was to examine acylation stimulating protein (ASP) and its precursor complement C3, in normal, overweight, and obese Chinese children and adolescents, and the relationships with body size, blood parameters, pubertal development, family environment, and MetS.

Methods: Children and adolescents (n=1603) from 6 to 18 years, boys (n=873) and girls (n=730), including normal weight (n=603), overweight (n=291) and obese (n=709) were assessed for body size parameters, pubertal development, blood lipids, glucose, insulin, ASP, and C3.

[Impact of early menarche on adiposity during late puberty and mid-life].

Objective: To evaluate the impact of menarche age (MA) on obese status in late puberty (LP) and mid-life (ML) females.

Methods: 2035 girls aged 16 to 18 years were selected from a Beijing Child and Adolescent Metabolic Syndrome (BCAMS) study, which was performed from April to October in 2004, as the LP study population. 479 women aged 41 to 52 years were from the Fetal Origin of Adult Disease (FOAD) cohort, which established in 1995 to 2001, as the ML study population.

[The relationship between serum leptin level and metabolic syndrome among a middle-aged Chinese population].

Objective: To explore the relationship between serum level of leptin and the components of metabolic syndrome in a group of mid-aged Chinese population.

Methods: 345 adults (184 men and 161 women) aged 46 - 53 were enrolled from Fetal Origin of Adult Disease (FOAD) cohort to participate the clinic examination including anthropometry, measurements of blood pressure, fasting and 2 hr plasma levels of glucose and insulin, serum levels of lipid and leptin. HOMA-IR index was calculated to estimate individual insulin resistance.

[Metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese schoolchildren in Beijing].

Objective: To determine the prevalence and clinical phenotype of metabolic syndrome among overweight and obese schoolchildren in Beijing, and to compare the rates of diagnosis made according to the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) of the United States and International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

Methods: Based on Beijing Child and Adolescent Metabolic Syndrome (BCAMS) study with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and blood pressure measured, the overweight and obese children were screened among nearly 20 000 children 6-18 years of age in Beijing by Chinese BMI cutoffs for schoolchildren (7-18 years) and the US 2000 CDC Growth Charts--the 85th and 95th percentile (6 years) and were enrolled as the study population. Simultaneously a group of children with normal BMI were selected as the control group and based on the international method of age grouping, each of the above groups was divided further into 4 sub-groups in terms of age: 6-9, 10-12, 13-15 and 16-18 years old, respectively.

[Gene mutation analysis in four Chinese patients with multiple carboxylase deficiency].

Objective: Multiple carboxylase deficiency (MCD) is an autosomal recessive disorder. MCD is characterized by skin rash, metabolic acidosis, vomiting and psychomotor retardation. Depending on deficiency of the enzyme, MCD includes two different forms, biotinidase deficiency (BTD, OMIM 253260) and holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency (HLCSD, OMIM 253270).

A novel mutation of estrogen receptor gene detected in girls with precocious puberty.

Female precocious puberty is caused by premature activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, exposure to exogenous sex steroid hormones, and the presence of endogenous sex steroids caused by various factors. Estrogen is the final key factor to start onset of puberty. However,in some cases of precocious puberty in girls estrogen elevation could not be detected.

Polymorphisms of exon 17 of insulin-receptor gene in pathogenesis of human disorders with insulin resistance.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between polymorphisms of insulin-receptor (INSR) gene and insulin resistance in a population-based study in China.

Methods: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to the amplify Exon 17 of INSR gene and all amplified products were analyzed by direct sequencing.

Results: Six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found at the following loci: T to TC at the locus of 10699 (Tyr(984)), G to GC at the locus of 10731 (Glu(994)), Deletion G at the locus of 10798 (Asp(1017)), C to T/TC at the locus of 10923 (His(1058)), C to CA at the locus of 10954 (Leu(1069)), and T to TA at the locus of 10961 (Phe(1071)), which might not change the amino acid sequence.

[Ponderal index at birth predicts metabolic syndrome in mid-aged Chinese].

Objective: To examine the association between Ponderal index (PI) at birth and metabolic syndrome during middle age.

Methods: Totally, 975 adults (494 men and 481 women) aged 41-52 from the study cohort of Fetal Origin of Adult Disease were recruited in the study for clinic examinations, involving anthropometry and measurements of blood pressure, fasting and 2 hr plasma levels of glucose and insulin, serum lipid profile. Their HOMA-insulin resistance (IR) index was estimated.

[Study on the relationship between polymorphism of insulin-receptor gene EXON2-2257 and insulin resistance in Chinese people].

Objective: To understand the role of insulin-receptor gene in the development of insulin resistance on a population-based study in China.

Methods: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the EXON2 of the insulin-receptor gene and all amplified products were analyzed by direct sequencing.

Results: Three genotypes of single nucleotide at the site of 2257 in EXON2 of the insulin-receptor gene were identified.