OBJECTIVETo investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of norovirus infection on diarrhea patients from the enteric clinics in Beijing.

METHODSFrom April 2013 to March 2014, 1 892 fecal specimens and related epidemiological information were collected among diarrhea patients visiting the enteric clinics in Beijing. Norovirus was detected by real time RT-PCR, and data was analyzed under the descriptive epidemiological method.

RESULTSA total of 269 positive cases were found among 1 892 diarrhea patients, with a positive rate as 14.2%. Norovirus caused diarrhea mainly occurred in seasons with lower temperature. Higher positive rates of norovirus were found in northwest mountainous area. Norovirus diarrhea was more commonly seen in children between 6 month and 5 years old, with differences between the two groups statistically significant (P = 0.006). Compared with other occupation, a higher infection rate was identified in children, with differences between the two groups statistically significant (P = 0.025). Nausea and vomiting appeared more common in diarrhea patients with norovirus infection, with differences between the two groups statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNorovirus was an important pathogen which causing diarrhea in patients visiting the enteric clinics in Beijing. The virus was seen more in patients aged between 6 months and 5 years old. Nausea and vomiting were the common symptoms seen in patients with norovirus diarrhea.

Caliciviridae Infections ; complications ; epidemiology ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Diarrhea ; virology ; Humans ; Infant ; Nausea ; virology ; Norovirus ; isolation & purification ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Seasons ; Vomiting ; virology

OBJECTIVETo explore the heritability of body mass index (BMI) in twins across different regions and genders in China.

METHODSA total of 11 122 adult twin pairs from the Chinese National Twin Registry were interviewed. A structural equation model was used to estimate the heritability of BMI.

RESULTSThis study included 6 226 monozygotic twin pairs and 4 896 dizygotic twin pairs, with the age range as 25-85 (39.0 ± 10.8) years. Under stratified analysis by region, results showed that the highest and lowest rates on heritability of BMI in men were seen in Tianjin and Zhejiang, as 67.8% (95% CI: 50.1%-85.8%) and 42.1% (95% CI: 27.2%-60.9%), while in women were seen in Sichuan and Heilongjiang as 56.2% (95% CI: 47.5%-70.0%) and 11.2% (95% CI: 0.0%-31.7%), respectively. Results from the stratified analysis showed that, by gender, the heritability of BMI in men was higher than that in women from the same region. The biggest differences of heritability of BMI between men and women were seen in Heilongjiang as 55.3% (95% CI: 35.5%-80.0%) and 11.2% (95% CI: 0-31.7%), while the smallest differences were seen in Sichuan as 61.5% (95% CI: 40.7%-86.4%) and 56.2% (95% CI: 47.5%-70.0%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe heritability of BMI across different regions and genders showed certain differences in the Chinese twins.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Body Mass Index ; China ; Cities ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Registries ; Twins, Dizygotic ; genetics ; statistics & numerical data ; Twins, Monozygotic ; genetics ; statistics & numerical data

OBJECTIVETo describe the area specific differences in lung function indices and prevalence of airflow obstruction (AFO) in adults found by China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) study, involving 512 495 adults, in 10 areas in China.

METHODSThe detailed information on lung function indices (FEV, and FVC) and prevalence of AFO (diagnosed according to GOLD and LLN criteria) of subjects aged 30-79 years were analyzed, those with abnormal lung function indices at baseline survey were excluded.

RESULTSThe FEV1 and FVC among males (2.66 L, 3.16 L) were higher than those among females (1.99 L, 2.35 L). The FEV1 and FVC were highest in Henan and Harbin. The prevalence of AFO diaonosed according to GOLD criteria was 5.13% in males, higher than that in females (3.75%). The prevalence of AFO was higher in rural area than in urban area (males: 6.32% vs. 3.47%; females: 4.26% vs. 2.97%). The prevalence of AFO was highest in Sichuan (13.34% in males, 10.70% in females), followed by that in Suzhou, Henan and Hunan. The prevalence of AFO diagnosed according to LLN criteria (6.93% in males, 6.29% in females) was higher than that diagnosed according to GOLD criteria, but the area specific difference was similar.

CONCLUSIONThe lung function indices and the prevalence of AFO in adults varied greatly among the 10 areas covered by CKB study.

Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Diseases, Obstructive ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate both genetic and environmental influences on the exercise participation and sedentary behavior in Qingdao, Shandong province and 326 in Lishui, Zhejiang province.

METHODS568 twin pairs, including 242 in Qingdao and 326 in Lishui, were studied. Exercise participation was measured by two questions on the frequency and intensity and then divided into two groups. Sedentary behavior was measured by one question as 'how long do you spend on sitting every day'. Variance component models based on twins was used to estimate the genetic and environmental factors on these traits.

RESULTSThe average age in monozygotic twins was (41.14 ± 10.11)while in dizygotic twins it was (41.23 ± 9.89). Genetic factors accounted 78% (35%-96%) and 59% (0-94%) for exercise participation variance in Qingdao and Lishui in people aged between 20 and 40. However, there were no heritability noticed on physical activity in people older than 40 years of age. Rates of heritability on sedentary behavior in Qingdao and Lishui were 68% (59%-75%) and 32% (7%-62%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONResults from the study suggested that sedentary behavior in Chinese people was influenced by genetic factors, which could also explain much of the exercise participation variance in people aged between 20 and 40.

Adult ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Exercise ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sedentary Lifestyle ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Twins ; genetics ; Young Adult