1.Literature Analysis and Validity Assessment for Animal Models of Attention Deficit and Hyperactive Disorder
Wangyue LIAO ; Shuang LEI ; Xuan LI ; Min GUO ; Ruoran ZHOU
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(1):66-80
Attention deficit and hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood. It seriously impairs academic achievement, social interaction, and vocational development, and increases the risk of accidental injury and substance abuse. In some cases, the symptoms may also exert an indirect disruptive effect on public order. Its aetiology involves interactions among genetic, perinatal environmental, and psychosocial factors that cannot be fully disentangled by single clinical studies. Therefore, a systematic evaluation of existing animal models is essential for revealing pathophysiology and developing novel therapies. Using the keywords "attention deficit and hyperactive disorder", "models, animal", "validity", and their English equivalents, we systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang for publications from 2000 to 2025 (retrieving 328 publications) and added further references by citation tracking. Eighty-six rodent ADHD models that provided detailed construction protocols, behavioural assessments, neurobiological mechanisms, or pharmacological data were included and classified into spontaneous genetic, genetically engineered, and environmentally induced paradigms. Their face, construct, and predictive validity were compared. Among spontaneous genetic models, spontaneously hypertensive rats reproduce hyperactivity, impulsivity, and stimulant responses well, yet hypertension and sex differences limit specificity. Acallosal mouse strains link corpus callosum absence to ADHD-like behaviours, but neurotransmitter studies remain scarce. Genetically engineered rodents—including dopamine transporter, neurokinin-1 receptor and mediator complex subunit 23 knockout or conditional gene knockout lines—precisely dissect dopaminergic, noradrenergic, synaptic, or epigenetic pathways, yet generally lack full phenotypic coverage, social-deficit modelling, and comorbidity representation, and are accompanied by adverse effects such as growth retardation or ocular defects. Environmentally induced models employ lead, polychlorinated biphenyls, alcohol, nicotine exposures, 6-hydroxydopamine lesions, neonatal hypoxia, early social isolation, or maternal stress to recapitulate core symptoms. However, dose-schedule standardisation is lacking. Behavioural reversibility diverges from clinical persistence, and non-specific phenotypes such as anxiety or depression are common. Overall, no single paradigm simultaneously achieves high validity across all three dimensions. Currently, ADHD models have progressed from single-factor simulations to multidimensional evaluation, yet significant gaps remain in genetic-background standardisation, sex differences, cross-species translation, and syndrome-differentiation modelling under traditional Chinese medicine. Future directions should integrate genetic, environmental, and epigenetic interactions, establish life-span validation systems, and incorporate computational neuroscience alongside integrative Chinese-Western strategies to enhance clinical relevance and translational utility, thereby providing robust evidence-based support for mechanistic elucidation, drug screening and precision intervention in ADHD.
2.LUBAC-OTULIN Axis and Rare Autoinflammatory Diseases
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(1):73-81
The linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC), composed of heme-oxidized IRP2 ubiquitin ligase 1-interacting protein (HOIP), haem-oxidized IRP2 ubiquitin ligase-1(HOIL-1), and SHANK-associated RBCK1 homology-domain-interacting protein (SHARPIN), and its specific deubiquitinating enzyme OTULIN, regulates the dynamic balance of Met1-linked linear ubiquitination and maintains ubiquitin signaling homeostasis. Their precise interaction plays a central role in the regulation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and type I interferon signaling, inflammatory response, and cell survival and death. Dysregulation of the LUBAC-OTULIN axis can lead to aberrant immune and inflammatory signaling, immunodeficiency, and dysregulation of receptor-interacting protein kinase 1-mediated apoptosis or necroptosis. Genetic defects in OTULIN and LUBAC are associated with rare autoinflammatory diseases such as OTULIN-related autoinflammatory syndrome (ORAS) and HOIP/HOIL-1/SHARPIN deficiency, respectively, with complex clinical phenotypes and gene dose correlation. Current treatments primarily rely on glucocorticoids and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has shown potential curative value in some patients with severe ORAS. This review summarizes the molecular composition, interaction mechanisms, and pathogenic roles of the LUBAC-OTULIN axis in rare autoinflammatory diseases, providing reference for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.
3.Licochalcone E Ameliorates Hepatic Steatosis in Obese Mice by Activating the Sirt1/AMPK Pathway and Reducing Hepatic Lipid Accumulation
Wen-Chung HUANG ; Shu-Ju WU ; Xuan-Min LIU ; Shu-Chen CHENG ; Po-Ting LIN ; Chun-Ling KUO ; Chian-Jiun LIOU
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2026;34(3):676-688
Licochalcone E is a chalcone isolated from Glycyrrhiza uralensis and G. inflata Batal. This study explored the effect of licochalcone E on improving hepatic steatosis in obese mice and evaluated the role of licochalcone E in regulating lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. In vitro, oleic acid–induced hepatocytes were treated with licochalcone E to investigate its effect on lipid metabolic pathways. In animal experiments, male C57BL/6 mice were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) and treated with licochalcone E by intraperitoneal injection for 12 weeks to assess its effects on biochemical indexes and hepatic steatosis. Furthermore, mice were fed a methionine/choline-deficient (MCD) diet and administered licochalcone E, followed by evaluation of liver fibrosis. Licochalcone E effectively reduced body weight, epididymal and inguinal fat weight, and adipocyte size in HFD-induced obese mice. Licochalcone E treatment of obese mice also reduced hepatic lipid accumulation and improved hepatocyte steatosis. Licochalcone E regulated the expression of lipogenesis- and lipolysis-related genes in the livers of obese mice and increased AMPK phosphorylation and Sirt1 expression in the liver. Licochalcone E also attenuated hepatic inflammation and oxidative stress in obese mice. Furthermore, treatment of MCD-induced mice with licochalcone E reduced the number of lipid vacuoles and the extent of fibrosis and inhibited liver inflammation. In FL83B hepatocytes, licochalcone E could regulate lipogenesis and lipolysis, and increase the phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC. These findings provide new insights into the role of licochalcone E in regulating lipid metabolism and preventing hepatic steatosis.
4.PPARα activation alleviates lithocholic acid-induced liver injury by inhibiting pyroptosis
Hang-Fei Liang ; Chuo-Ying Mai ; Xuan Li ; Jia-Ning Tian ; Hai-Guo Su ; Min Huang ; Jian-Hong Fang ; Hai-Tao Wang ; Xiao Yang ; Hui-Chang Bi
Liver Research 2026;10(2):177-188
Background and aims
The mechanism of cholestatic liver injury (CLI) is unclear, and effective therapies are lacking. While peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonists show potential hepatoprotective effect and pyroptosis is implicated in hepatocellular damage, how PPARα activation mitigates lithocholic acid (LCA)-induced pyroptosis remains unknown.
Methods
The hepatoprotective effect of PPARα agonists was evaluated in a mouse model of intrahepatic cholestasis induced by LCA. Liver injury was assessed via serum biochemistry, hematoxylin and eosin and TUNEL staining, and electron microscopy. Pyroptosis pathways were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and co-immunoprecipitation.
Results
Combined morphological, histopathological, and biochemical analyses confirmed that PPARα activation protects against CLI. Compared with LCA treatment alone, PPARα activation significantly attenuated the elevation of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the increased TUNEL-positive cells, and the formation of hepatocyte membrane pores. Mechanistically, PPARα activation suppressed both NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and apoptosis protease-activating factor-1 (APAF-1)/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis. Furthermore, PPARα agonist pretreatment inhibited activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) signaling pathways.
Conclusions
PPARα protects against LCA-induced CLI by inhibiting both NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis associated with NF-κB and APAF-1/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis associated with the FOXO1 signaling pathway.
5.Advances in Mechanism and Treatment of Diseases with Abnormal Cell Cloning and Inflammatory Organ Injury
Xuan ZHOU ; Chunlei LI ; Yueying MAO ; Min SHEN
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(3):274-282
Clonal cell abnormalities represent a shared initiating event for systemic inflammation and organ injury across a spectrum of diseases, with diverse clonal origing including somatic mutations, germline mutations, and aberrant monoclonal immunoglobulin secretion. This review focuses on the clinical features, mechanism studies and therapeutic advances of the diseases, including VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoin-flammatory, somatic) syndrome,
6.Randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled, multicenter, equivalence clinical trial of Jiuwei Xifeng Granules(Os Draconis replaced by Ostreae Concha) for treating tic disorder in children.
Qiu-Han CAI ; Cheng-Liang ZHONG ; Si-Yuan HU ; Xin-Min LI ; Zhi-Chun XU ; Hui CHEN ; Ying HUA ; Jun-Hong WANG ; Ji-Hong TANG ; Bing-Xiang MA ; Xiu-Xia WANG ; Ai-Zhen WANG ; Meng-Qing WANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Chun WANG ; Yi-Qun TENG ; Yi-Hui SHAN ; Sheng-Xuan GUO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(6):1699-1705
Jiuwei Xifeng Granules have become a Chinese patent medicine in the market. Because the formula contains Os Draconis, a top-level protected fossil of ancient organisms, the formula was to be improved by replacing Os Draconis with Ostreae Concha. To evaluate whether the improved formula has the same effectiveness and safety as the original formula, a randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled, equivalence clinical trial was conducted. This study enrolled 288 tic disorder(TD) of children and assigned them into two groups in 1∶1. The treatment group and control group took the modified formula and original formula, respectively. The treatment lasted for 6 weeks, and follow-up visits were conducted at weeks 2, 4, and 6. The primary efficacy endpoint was the difference in Yale global tic severity scale(YGTSS)-total tic severity(TTS) score from baseline after 6 weeks of treatment. The results showed that after 6 weeks of treatment, the declines in YGTSS-TSS score showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The difference in YGTSS-TSS score(treatment group-control group) and the 95%CI of the full analysis set(FAS) were-0.17[-1.42, 1.08] and those of per-protocol set(PPS) were 0.29[-0.97, 1.56], which were within the equivalence boundary [-3, 3]. The equivalence test was therefore concluded. The two groups showed no significant differences in the secondary efficacy endpoints of effective rate for TD, total score and factor scores of YGTSS, clinical global impressions-severity(CGI-S) score, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) response rate, or symptom disappearance rate, and thus a complete evidence chain with the primary outcome was formed. A total of 6 adverse reactions were reported, including 4(2.82%) cases in the treatment group and 2(1.41%) cases in the control group, which showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. No serious suspected unexpected adverse reactions were reported, and no laboratory test results indicated serious clinically significant abnormalities. The results support the replacement of Os Draconis by Ostreae Concha in the original formula, and the efficacy and safety of the modified formula are consistent with those of the original formula.
Adolescent
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Child
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Child, Preschool
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Double-Blind Method
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Tic Disorders/drug therapy*
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Treatment Outcome
7.Correlation between sleep duration and chest pain in Chinese population:results from CHARLS 2018
Tao LIU ; Ya-Min ZHANG ; Ji-Ming ZHANG ; Lu CHEN ; Jun-Xuan ZHANG ; Dong ZHOU
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(6):703-708
Objective To investigate the correlation between sleep duration and chest pain in the Chinese population.Methods A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data on chest pain and sleep duration from 7942 participants in the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study(CHARLS).Among them,1239 had chest pain and 6703 did not;2645 were aged>65 years and 5297 were aged≤65 years.All participants were categorized into three groups based on sleep duration:≤6 h(n=3123),6-8 h(n=2959),and>8 h(n=1860).Differences in characteristics such as gender,age,marital status,education level,diabetes,and hypertension were compared across these groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis,curve fitting,and threshold effect analysis were further employed to explore the correlation between sleep duration and chest pain.Results A total of 7942 participants were finally included in the study.Among the three groups with sleep duration>8 h,6-8 h and≤6 h,the incidences of chest pain were 12.6%,13.0%,and 19.8%,respectively.Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that with the increase in sleep duration,the incidence of chest pain showed a decreasing trend[odds ratio(OR)=0.88,95%confidence interval(CI)0.86-0.91,P<0.001].Curve fitting and threshold effect analysis indicated a U-shaped relationship between sleep duration and the risk of chest pain.In the population aged≤65 years,the inflection point for sleep duration was 8.5 h,beyond which the risk of chest pain did not decrease;in the population aged>65 years,the inflection point was 7.7 h,beyond which the risk of chest pain significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusions There is a U-shape relationship between sleep duration and the risk of chest pain.In the age group≤65 years old,8.5 h is the turning point;in the population>65 years old,7.7 h is the turning point.When the sleep duration is below the turning point,prolonging the sleep time can help reduce the risk of chest pain.It is recommended to maintain an appropriate sleep duration of 6-8 h to reduce the risk of chest pain.
8.Inhibitory effect of antimicrobial peptide WK-13-3D on triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and its possible mechanisms
Fei MA ; Jin-Xuan SONG ; Min HE ; Xiu-Qing WANG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(6):740-746
Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of antimicrobial peptide WK-13-3D on the proliferation of triple negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and its potential mechanism.Methods The effect of antimicrobial peptide WK-13-3D at concentrations of 0,10,15,20,25,30,35,and 40 μmol/L on MDA-MB-231 cells proliferation was assessed using the CCK-8 assay.A pull-down assay was conducted to identify interacting proteins of antimicrobial peptide WK-13-3D with MDA-MB-231 cells.MDA-MB-231 cells were obtained and divided into the following groups:(1)control group and treatment groups with 10 and 20 μmol/L antimicrobial peptide WK-13-3D.Apoptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry and Western blotting was conducted to detect the expression change of heavy chain binding protein(BiP),protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK),eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α(eIF2α),phosphorylated eIF2α(p-eIF2α),and Bax proteins within the cells.(2)Control group(transfected with no-load plasmid),si-BiP-592 group(transfected with si-BiP-592 interference plasmid)and si-BiP-592+WK-13-3D group(co-treated with si-BiP-592 interference plasmid and 10 μmol/L antimicrobial peptide WK-13-3D).Western blotting was used to detect the expression changes of BiP,PERK,eIF2α,p-eIF2α and Bax proteins.Twelve BALB/c mice were randomly divided into PBS group(n=4),taxol(TAX)group(n=4)and WK-13-3D group(n=4).All mice were subcutaneously injected with MDA-MB-231 cells to establish a triple-negative breast cancer transplant tumor model.WK-13-3D group received local injections of antimicrobial peptide WK-13-3D[200 mg/(kg·d)],TAX group was administered TAX intraperitoneally at the same dose[200 mg/(kg·d)],and PBS group was injected with an equivalent volume of PBS.Two weeks post-injection,the mice were killed,and the tumor weight and volume were measured and photographed.Immunohistochemistry staining was performed to evaluate the expressions of BiP and Ki-67 proteins in the tumor tissues.Results CCK-8 assay showed a gradual decrease in MDA-MB-231 cell survival rates with increasing concentrations of WK-13-3D,with an inhibitory concentration 50(IC50)of 19.82 μmol/L.The pull-down assay identified 268 interacting proteins of antimicrobial peptides and MDA-MB-231 cells,mainly including heavy-chain binding protein(BiP),heat shock protein 90 beta family member 1(HSP90B1),valerin-containing protein(VCP),heat shock cognate 71 kD protein(HSPA8).Compared with control group,treatment with 10 and 20 μmol/L antimicrobial peptide WK-13-3D significantly increased the apoptosis rate of MDA-MB-231 cells(P<0.05 or P<0.01),decreased BiP protein expression(P<0.05),and increased the expression levels of PERK,p-eIF2α,and Bax(P<0.05 or P<0.01),with no significant change in eIF2α protein expression(P>0.05).Compared with control group,si-BiP-592 group showed BiP protein expression significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the expression of PERK,p-eIF2α,and Bax proteins was significantly increased(P<0.05),with no significant change in eIF2α protein expression(P>0.05);Compared with si-BiP-592 group,si-BiP-592+WK-13-3D group showed a decrease in BiP protein expression(P<0.05)and an increase in PERK,p-eIF2α,and Bax protein expression(P<0.05 or P<0.01),with no significant change in eIF2α protein expression(P>0.05).Tumor volumes in mice treated with antimicrobial peptide WK-13-3D and TAX were significantly smaller than those in PBS group(P<0.05),and the immunohistochemical staining showed that the proportion of Ki-67 and BiP positive cells in tumor tissues of WK-13-3D treated mice was significantly lower than that in PBS group(P<0.01).Conclusion Antimicrobial peptide WK-13-3D could inhibit the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells and its mechanism may involve the activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress and the induction of cell apoptosis.
9.Study on Kinetic and Static Tasks With Different Resistance Coefficients in Post-stroke Rehabilitation Training Based on Functional Near-infrared Spectroscopy
Ling-Di FU ; Jia-Xuan DOU ; Ting-Ting YING ; Li-Yong YIN ; Min TANG ; Zhen-Hu LIANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(7):1890-1903
ObjectiveFunctional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a novel non-invasive technique for monitoring cerebral activity, can be integrated with upper limb rehabilitation robots to facilitate the real-time assessment of neurological rehabilitation outcomes. The rehabilitation robot is designed with 3 training modes: passive, active, and resistance. Among these, the resistance mode has been demonstrated to yield superior rehabilitative outcomes for patients with a certain level of muscle strength. The control modes in the resistance mode can be categorized into dynamic and static control. However, the effects of different control modes in the resistance mode on the motor function of patients with upper limb hemiplegia in stroke remain unclear. Furthermore, the effects of force, an important parameter of different control modes, on the activation of brain regions have rarely been reported. This study investigates the effects of dynamic and static resistance modes under varying resistance levels on cerebral functional alterations during motor rehabilitation in post-stroke patients. MethodsA cohort of 20 stroke patients with upper limb dysfunction was enrolled in the study, completing preparatory adaptive training followed by 3 intensity-level tasks across 2 motor paradigms. The bilateral prefrontal cortices (PFC), bilateral primary motor cortices (M1), bilateral primary somatosensory cortices (S1), and bilateral premotor and supplementary motor cortices (PM) were examined in both the resting and motor training states. The lateralization index (LI), phase locking value (PLV), network metrics were employed to examine cortical activation patterns and topological properties of brain connectivity. ResultsThe data indicated that both dynamic and static modes resulted in significantly greater activation of the contralateral M1 area and the ipsilateral PM area when compared to the resting state. The static patterns demonstrated a more pronounced activation in the contralateral M1 in comparison to the dynamic patterns. The results of brain network analysis revealed significant differences between the dynamic and resting states in the contralateral PFC area and contralateral M1 area (F=4.709, P=0.038), as well as in the contralateral PM area and ipsilateral M1 area (F=4.218, P=0.049). Moreover, the findings indicated a positive correlation between the activation of the M1 region and the increase in force in the dynamic mode, which was reversed in the static mode. ConclusionBoth dynamic and static resistance training modes have been demonstrated to activate the corresponding brain functional regions. Dynamic resistance modes elicit greater oxygen changes and connectivity to the region of interest (ROI) than static resistance modes. Furthermore, the effects of increasing force differ between the two modes. In patients who have suffered a stroke, dynamic modes may have a more pronounced effect on the activation of exercise-related functional brain regions.
10.Association of Body Mass Index with All-Cause Mortality and Cause-Specific Mortality in Rural China: 10-Year Follow-up of a Population-Based Multicenter Prospective Study.
Juan Juan HUANG ; Yuan Zhi DI ; Ling Yu SHEN ; Jian Guo LIANG ; Jiang DU ; Xue Fang CAO ; Wei Tao DUAN ; Ai Wei HE ; Jun LIANG ; Li Mei ZHU ; Zi Sen LIU ; Fang LIU ; Shu Min YANG ; Zu Hui XU ; Cheng CHEN ; Bin ZHANG ; Jiao Xia YAN ; Yan Chun LIANG ; Rong LIU ; Tao ZHU ; Hong Zhi LI ; Fei SHEN ; Bo Xuan FENG ; Yi Jun HE ; Zi Han LI ; Ya Qi ZHAO ; Tong Lei GUO ; Li Qiong BAI ; Wei LU ; Qi JIN ; Lei GAO ; He Nan XIN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1179-1193
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study.
METHODS:
A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants.
RESULTS:
Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m 2) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m 2) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m 2) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m 2 ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses.
CONCLUSION
This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans
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Body Mass Index
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China/epidemiology*
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Male
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Female
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Middle Aged
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Prospective Studies
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Rural Population/statistics & numerical data*
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Aged
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Follow-Up Studies
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Adult
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Mortality
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Cause of Death
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Obesity/mortality*
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Overweight/mortality*


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