Objective To evaluate the effect of positive experience intervention on anxiety, depression and quality of life among rural empty nesters. Methods A total of 115 rural empty nesters were divided into the intervention group (n=58) and the control group (n=57). Both groups received routine community activities. In addition, participants in the intervention group received positive experience intervention. Geriatric Depression Scale, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and 12-item Short-Form Health Survey were adopted to measure the related items before and after the intervention. Results The intervention group showed a significant decrease in anxiety (1.54±0.07) and depression (7.28±3.82), compared with the control group (1.64±0.09, 11.81±6.38), the difference was significant (t=-5.960,-4.613, P<0.01). The Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) was 47.01±6.47 and 52.13±6.22 in the intervention group, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (41.37±8.71, 48.71±6.13), the differences were significant (t=3.937, 2.970, P < 0.01). Conclusions Positive experience intervention can decrease anxiety and depression, and improve quality of life of rural empty nesters.

Objective:To investigate the genotypic and hematological characteristics of β-thalassemia patients and carriers from Henan Province of China.Methods:Clinical data of the patients and carriers were collected. Results of routine blood test, hemoglobin electrophoresis and genetic testing were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Of the 83 β-thalassemia patients and carriers, there were 46 females and 37 males, and their mean age was 27.37 ± 14.71, ranging from 5 months to 83 years. A total of 13 types of β-thalassemia alleles (86 alleles in total) were detected, with the most common three including IVS-Ⅱ-654(C>T) (33.72%), CD41-42(-TTCT) (26.74%) and CD17(A>T) (18.60%). Five rare alleles, including CD8-9(+ G), IVS-Ⅱ-1(G>A), CD42(T>G), and start codons ATG>AGG and ATG>ACG were identified. Among these, HBB: c. 128T>G(CD42T>G) was previously unreported in China. Fifteen β-thalassemia genotypes were detected, which included 12 simple heterozygote genotypes (80 cases, 96.40%), 2 double heterozygote genotypes (2 cases, 2.40%) and 1 homozygote genotype (1 case, 1.20%). The main manifestations were mild microcytic hypochromic anemia and raised HbA2. Compared with those with a β + /β N genotype, carriers with a β 0/β N genotype have lower mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpusular hemoglobin (MCH) but higher HbA2 ( P<0.05). Conclusion:β-thalassemia is not rare in Henan Province and its characteristics are different from those in high incidence areas, which deserves close attention. The newly discovered HBB: c. 128T>G (CD42T>G) has enriched the spectrum of β-thalassemia mutations in China. Above results will also facilitate genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis of β-thalassemia in Henan Province.