Research on dual-use of life sciences can promote human health and social development .However,potential harm is also gradually recognized .This article introduces the definition of dual-use life sciences research , major develop-ments and risk samples , trends of development and surveillance , and proposes some considerations in future efforts to strengthen the oversight of dual-use life sciences research .

The 2013 Meeting of Experts from States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention ( BWC) was held in Geneva from August 12 to 16 in 2013 .This paper reviews the main topics and results of the meeting , analyzes the current situation of biological arms control , and proposes some methods to strengthen implementation .

In recent years , a series of agriculture biosecurity accidents have occurred ,such as mad cow disease , foot-and-mouth disease and avian influenza , which has aroused worldwide , concern over agriculture bioterrorist attacks .This paper comprehensively analyzes the history and impact of agriculture bioterrorism , the current status of international agricul-ture bioterrorism research , and important issues to be taken into account in future efforts to deal with agriculture bioterrorism .

Classification of biological agents is a basic work in biodefense capability building that can help set priorities of biodefense .In this study , we compared and analyzed the Biological Agent Category Lists and the defining criteria used by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC) of the United States, the European Union and Russia .We also compared with biological agent category lists for other purposes .

Based on situation assessment of the core areas of biosecurity , this paper summarizes three typical features of biosecurity that make it different from traditional safety , abd proposes that biosecurity be regarded as a living-project of a country .A mature and powerful country has to possess sufficient capacity to ensure biosecurity .This study also analyzes the national biosecurity strategyies and practices of the United States ,which has established a national-level capacity building strategy and roadmap with clear objectives ,specified the responsibilities of each federal agency , and regulations linked up with strategic planning .Biosecurity in China is at the crossroads where crisis coexists with opportunity , making it urgent to establish the national biosecurity strategy .

Due to the large population and relatively closed space environment , the subway system is vulnerable to bioterrorist attacks.This paper analyzes the technological response measures against subway bioterrorism in the United States, including Detect to Protect program of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and PROTECTS program of Depart-ment of Energy ( DOE) .We also put forward some proposals on how to improve China′s capability of prevention of and response to subway bioterrorism .

Biosecurity is defined as effectively responding to biological damage associated with various destructive fac -tors and threats ,maintaining and protecting national interests ,security and public health in the era of globalization .This pa-per analyzes the overall situation of biosecurity capability building since the SARS outbreak in 2003 before concluding that remarkable progress has been made in China , but the gap remains great compared with the need of national security envi -ronment and the capacity building of developed countries .This paper outlines four considcrations regarding the development of biosecurity research strategic planning and offer eight tips on strengthening research on biosecurity technology in China .

OBJECTIVETo compare and evaluate clinical applications of two definitions of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents, which was developed by Pediatric Academy of Chinese Medical Association in 2012 (Chinese definition) and by International Diabetes Federation in 2007 (IDF definition), respectively.

METHODS593 obese children and adolescents aged 10 ≊16 y from July 2006 to December 2012 were enrolled in the study. The diagnostic concordance of two definitions for metabolic syndrome and individual components was estimated, and their sensitivity and specificity for detecting insulin resistance and early macrovascular complications were compared.

RESULTSThe concordance between two definitions for diagnosing metabolic syndrome was good (kappa=0.626); as for detecting the individual components, the Kappa concordance index were 1.000, 0.803, 0.780, 0.734 and 0.594 for hypertriglyceridemia, hyperglycemia, cholesterol abnormality and hypertension, respectively. The incidence of insulin resistance and early macrovascular complications, detected by the two definitions, were both increased with increasing number of abnormal components. The sensitivity and specificity for detecting insulin resistance in children with metabolic syndrome were 54.5% and 65.7% by Chinese definition, and 36.1% and 83.1% by IDF definition; while the sensitivity and specificity for detecting early macrovascular complications were 58.3% and 55.8% by Chinese definition, and 37.3% and 70.8% by IDF definition. After adjusting for age and sex, compared to the obese children and adolescents without metabolic syndrome, the odds ratios of insulin resistance and early macrovascular complications were 2.166 (P<0.001) and 1.771(P=0.008) for children with metabolic syndrome diagnosed by Chinese definition, and the odds ratio of insulin resistance and early macrovascular complications were 2.618 (P<0.001) and 1.357 (P=0.190) by IDF definition.

CONCLUSIONThe concordance between Chinese and IDF definitions for diagnosing metabolic syndrome in Chinese obese children and adolescents is good. Compared to IDF definition, Chinese definition is more sensitive for hypertension, hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia, thus it can more effectively detect insulin resistance and early macrovascular complication.

Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; classification ; complications ; diagnosis ; Obesity ; complications ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Objective:To detect serum levels of vitamin A (Vit A), vitamin D(Vit D)25-hydroxy vitamin D[25-(OH)D] and vitamin E(Vit E) in children aged 0-6 years in Tibetan Plateau of Garzi Prefecture, thus providing references for physical examinations and prevention of 4 key diseases (rickets, malnutrition anemia, pneumonia and diarrhea) in children in plateau areas by relevant government departments.Methods:A total of 2 122 children who participated in physical examination in 12 townships of Xiangcheng County and 14 townships of Daocheng County, Garzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province from April 2017 to April 2019 with 0-6 years old were recruited for surveying physical measurements and collection of venous blood.Serum Vit A and Vit E levels were detected by high performance liquid chromatography.Serum levels of 25-(OH)D were detected by high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.The relationship between Vit A, Vit E and 25-(OH)D levels with the gender, age, seasonal change and altitude was analyzed.Results:The serum Vit A level, subclinical Vit A deficiency rate and marginal vitamin A deficiency rate were(1.05±0.27) μmol/L, 8.15%(173/2 122 cases) and 45.99%(976/2 122 cases), respectively in 2 122 children with 0-6 years old.There were significant differences in the serum Vit A level, the subclinical Vit A deficiency rate and the marginal vitamin A deficiency rate in children with different ages, seasons and altitudes (all P<0.05). The serum level of 25-(OH)D and 25-(OH)D deficiency rate insufficient rate were (24.65±6.45) ng/L, 6.03%(128/2 122 cases) and 16.59%(352/2 122 cases), respectively.There were significant differences in the serum level of 25-(OH)D, 25-(OH)D deficiency rate and 25-(OH)D insufficient rate in children with different ages and seasons (all P<0.05). The mean serum Vit E level, Vit E deficiency rate and Vit E insufficient rate were (7.81±1.74) mg/L, 2.78%(59/2 122 cases) and 29.59%(628/2 122 cases), respectively.There were significant differences in serum Vit E level, Vit E deficiency rate and Vit E insufficient rate in children with different ages and seasons (all P<0.05). The mean serum levels of Vit A and Vit D remained the lowest before the age of 1 year, and their deficiencies at this age were the most significant.The mean serum level of Vit E remained the lowest in >1-2 years old, and its deficiency and insufficient at this age were the most significant.Vit A, D and E levels were significantly affected by seasonal changes, which were significantly higher in the summer than in the spring, autumn and winter.In addition, Vit A and 25-(OH)D were significantly affected by the altitude, which were the lowest above 4 km altitude. Conclusions:The overall serum levels of Vit A, 25-(OH) D and E in children with 0-6 years old in Tibetan Plateau areas of Ganzi Prefecture are lower than those in plain areas.Vit A, 25-(OH) D and Vit E levels significantly differed in the age, season and altitude, which are related to the lack of local resources, insufficient maternal nutrition during pregnancy and insufficient intake after birth, as well as temperature and light caused by changes in local seasons and altitude.Therefore, it is necessary to make reasonable supplements during pregnancy to prevent vitamin deficiency.