1.Neuroplasticity Mechanisms of Exercise-induced Brain Protection
Li-Juan HOU ; Lan-Qun MAO ; Wei CHEN ; Ke LI ; Xu-Dong ZHAO ; Yin-Hao WANG ; Zi-Zheng YANG ; Tian-He WEI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1435-1452
Neuroscience is a significant frontier discipline within the natural sciences and has become an important interdisciplinary frontier scientific field. Brain is one of the most complex organs in the human body, and its structural and functional analysis is considered the “ultimate frontier” of human self-awareness and exploration of nature. Driven by the strategic layout of “China Brain Project”, Chinese scientists have conducted systematic research focusing on “understanding the brain, simulating the brain, and protecting the brain”. They have made breakthrough progress in areas such as the principles of brain cognition, mechanisms and interventions for brain diseases, brain-like computation, and applications of brain-machine intelligence technology, aiming to enhance brain health through biomedical technology and improve the quality of human life. Due to limited understanding and comprehension of neuroscience, there are still many important unresolved issues in the field of neuroscience, resulting in a lack of effective measures to prevent and protect brain health. Therefore, in addition to actively developing new generation drugs, exploring non pharmacological treatment strategies with better health benefits and higher safety is particularly important. Epidemiological data shows that, exercise is not only an indispensable part of daily life but also an important non-pharmacological approach for protecting brain health and preventing neurodegenerative diseases, forming an emerging research field known as motor neuroscience. Basic research in motor neuroscience primarily focuses on analyzing the dynamic coding mechanisms of neural circuits involved in motor control, breakthroughs in motor neuroscience research depend on the construction of dynamic monitoring systems across temporal and spatial scales. Therefore, high spatiotemporal resolution detection of movement processes and movement-induced changes in brain structure and neural activity signals is an important technical foundation for conducting motor neuroscience research and has developed a set of tools based on traditional neuroscience methods combined with novel motor behavior decoding technologies, providing an innovative technical platform for motor neuroscience research. The protective effect of exercise in neurodegenerative diseases provides broad application prospects for its clinical translation. Applied research in motor neuroscience centers on deciphering the regulatory networks of neuroprotective molecules mediated by exercise. From the perspectives of exercise promoting neurogenesis and regeneration, enhancing synaptic plasticity, modulating neuronal functional activity, and remodeling the molecular homeostasis of the neuronal microenvironment, it aims to improve cognitive function and reduce the incidence of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. This has also advanced research into the molecular regulatory networks mediating exercise-induced neuroprotection and facilitated the clinical application and promotion of exercise rehabilitation strategies. Multidimensional analysis of exercise-regulated neural plasticity is the theoretical basis for elucidating the brain-protective mechanisms mediated by exercise and developing intervention strategies for neurological diseases. Thus,real-time analysis of different neural signals during active exercise is needed to study the health effects of exercise throughout the entire life cycle and enhance lifelong sports awareness. Therefore, this article will systematically summarize the innovative technological developments in motor neuroscience research, review the mechanisms of neural plasticity that exercise utilizes to protect the brain, and explore the role of exercise in the prevention and treatment of major neurodegenerative diseases. This aims to provide new ideas for future theoretical innovations and clinical applications in the field of exercise-induced brain protection.
2.Urban-rural disparities in mortality due to stroke subtypes in China and its provinces, 2015-2020.
Yi REN ; Jia YANG ; Peng YIN ; Wei LIU ; Zheng LONG ; Chen ZHANG ; Zixin WANG ; Haijie LIU ; Maigeng ZHOU ; Qingfeng MA ; Junwei HAO
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(11):1345-1354
BACKGROUND:
Death burden of stroke is severe with over one-third rural residents in China, but there is still a lack of specific national and high-quality reports on the urban-rural differences in stroke burden, especially for subtypes. We aimed to update the understanding of urban-rural differences in stroke deaths.
METHODS:
This is a descriptive observational study. Data from the national mortality surveillance system, which covers 323.8 million with 605 disease surveillance points (DSPs) across all 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China. All deaths from stroke as the underlying cause from 2015 to 2020 according to DSPs. Crude mortality rate and age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) were estimated through DSPs. Average annual percentage change was used to explain the change in mortality rate.
RESULTS:
From 2015 to 2020, the majority of deaths from all stroke subtypes occurred in rural areas. There were significant differences between the changes of urban and rural ASMRs. On the whole, the changes in urban areas were evidently better, and the ASMR differences were basically expanding. Stroke ASMR in urban China decreased by 15.5%. The rural ASMR of ischemic stroke increased by 12.9%. The rural and urban ASMRs of intracerebral hemorrhage decreased by 24.9% and 27.4%, and those of subarachnoid hemorrhage decreased by 29.5% and 40.4%, respectively. The highest ASMRs of all stroke subtypes and the increasing trend of ischemic stroke ASMR make rural males the focus of stroke management.
CONCLUSIONS
The death burden of stroke varies greatly between urban and rural China. Rural residents face unique challenges.
Humans
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China/epidemiology*
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Stroke/mortality*
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Rural Population/statistics & numerical data*
;
Male
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Female
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Urban Population/statistics & numerical data*
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
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Aged, 80 and over
;
Adult
3.Transcriptomic analysis of key genes involved in sex differences in intellectual development.
Jia-Wei ZHANG ; Xiao-Li ZHENG ; Hai-Qian ZHOU ; Zhen ZHU ; Wei HAN ; Dong-Min YIN
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(2):211-221
Intelligence encompasses various abilities, including logical reasoning, comprehension, self-awareness, learning, planning, creativity, and problem-solving. Extensive research and practical experience suggest that there are sex differences in intellectual development, with females typically maturing earlier than males. However, the key genes and molecular network mechanisms underlying these sex differences in intellectual development remain unclear. To date, Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have identified 507 genes that are significantly associated with intelligence. This study first analyzed RNA sequencing data from different stages of brain development (from BrainSpan), revealing that during the late embryonic stage, the average expression levels of intelligence-related genes are higher in males than in females, while the opposite is observed during puberty. This study further constructed interaction networks of intelligence-related genes with sex-differential expression in the brain, including the prenatal male network (HELP-M: intelligence genes with higher expression levels in prenatal males) and the pubertal female network (HELP-F: intelligence genes with higher expression levels in pubertal females). The findings indicate that the key genes in both networks are Ep300 and Ctnnb1. Specifically, Ep300 regulates the transcription of 53 genes in both HELP-M and HELP-F, while Ctnnb1 regulates the transcription of 45 genes. Ctnnb1 plays a more prominent role in HELP-M, while Ep300 is more crucial in HELP-F. Finally, this study conducted sequencing validation on rats at different developmental stages, and the results indicated that in the prefrontal cortex of female rats during adolescence, the expression levels of the intelligence genes in HELP-F, as well as key genes Ep300 and Ctnnb1, were higher than those in male rats. These genes were also involved in neurodevelopment-related biological processes. The findings reveal a sex-differentiated intelligence gene network and its key genes, which exhibit varying expression levels during the neurodevelopmental process.
Female
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Intelligence/physiology*
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Male
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Sex Characteristics
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Animals
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Brain/growth & development*
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E1A-Associated p300 Protein/physiology*
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beta Catenin/physiology*
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Transcriptome
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Rats
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Gene Expression Profiling
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Genome-Wide Association Study
4.Association of Longitudinal Change in Fasting Blood Glucose with Risk of Cerebral Infarction in a Patients with Diabetes.
Tai Yang LUO ; Xuan DENG ; Xue Yu CHEN ; Yu He LIU ; Shuo Hua CHEN ; Hao Ran SUN ; Zi Wei YIN ; Shou Ling WU ; Yong ZHOU ; Xing Dong ZHENG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(8):926-934
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the association between long-term glycemic control and cerebral infarction risk in patients with diabetes through a large-scale cohort study.
METHODS:
This prospective, community-based cohort study included 12,054 patients with diabetes. From 2006 to 2012, 38,272 fasting blood glucose (FBG) measurements were obtained from these participants. FBG trajectory patterns were generated using latent mixture modelling. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to assess the subsequent risk of cerebral infarction associated with different FBG trajectory patterns.
RESULTS:
At baseline, the mean age of the participants was 55.2 years. Four distinct FBG trajectories were identified based on FBG concentrations and their changes over the 6-year follow-up period. After a median follow-up of 6.9 years, 786 cerebral infarction events were recorded. Different trajectory patterns were associated with significantly varied outcome risks (Log-Rank P < 0.001). Compared with the low-stability group, Hazard Ratio ( HR) adjusted for potential confounders were 1.37 for the moderate-increasing group, 1.23 for the elevated-decreasing group, and 2.08 for the elevated-stable group.
CONCLUSION
Sustained high FBG levels were found to play a critical role in the development of ischemic stroke among patients with diabetes. Controlling FBG levels may reduce the risk of cerebral infarction.
Humans
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Cerebral Infarction/blood*
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Middle Aged
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Male
;
Female
;
Blood Glucose/analysis*
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Fasting/blood*
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Aged
;
Prospective Studies
;
Risk Factors
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Diabetes Mellitus/blood*
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Adult
;
Proportional Hazards Models
5.Clinical guidelines for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis combined with lower cervical fracture in adults (version 2024)
Qingde WANG ; Yuan HE ; Bohua CHEN ; Tongwei CHU ; Jinpeng DU ; Jian DONG ; Haoyu FENG ; Shunwu FAN ; Shiqing FENG ; Yanzheng GAO ; Zhong GUAN ; Hua GUO ; Yong HAI ; Lijun HE ; Dianming JIANG ; Jianyuan JIANG ; Bin LIN ; Bin LIU ; Baoge LIU ; Chunde LI ; Fang LI ; Feng LI ; Guohua LYU ; Li LI ; Qi LIAO ; Weishi LI ; Xiaoguang LIU ; Hongjian LIU ; Yong LIU ; Zhongjun LIU ; Shibao LU ; Yong QIU ; Limin RONG ; Yong SHEN ; Huiyong SHEN ; Jun SHU ; Yueming SONG ; Tiansheng SUN ; Yan WANG ; Zhe WANG ; Zheng WANG ; Hong XIA ; Guoyong YIN ; Jinglong YAN ; Wen YUAN ; Zhaoming YE ; Jie ZHAO ; Jianguo ZHANG ; Yue ZHU ; Yingjie ZHOU ; Zhongmin ZHANG ; Wei MEI ; Dingjun HAO ; Baorong HE
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2024;40(2):97-106
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with lower cervical fracture is often categorized into unstable fracture, with a high incidence of neurological injury and a high rate of disability and morbidity. As factors such as shoulder occlusion may affect the accuracy of X-ray imaging diagnosis, it is often easily misdiagnosed at the primary diagnosis. Non-operative treatment has complications such as bone nonunion and the possibility of secondary neurological damage, while the timing, access and choice of surgical treatment are still controversial. Currently, there are no clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture with or without dislocation. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to formulate Clinical guidelines for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis combined with lower cervical fracture in adults ( version 2024) in accordance with the principles of evidence-based medicine, scientificity and practicality, in which 11 recommendations were put forward in terms of the diagnosis, imaging evaluation, typing and treatment, etc, to provide guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture.
6.Advances in DNA origami intelligent drug delivery systems
Zeng-lin YIN ; Xi-wei WANG ; Jin-jing CHE ; Nan LIU ; Hui ZHANG ; Zeng-ming WANG ; Jian-chun LI ; Ai-ping ZHENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(10):2741-2750
DNA origami is a powerful technique for generating nanostructures with dynamic properties and intelligent controllability. The precise geometric shapes, high programmability, and excellent biocompatibility make DNA origami nanostructures an emerging drug delivery vehicle. The shape, size of the carrier material, as well as the loading and release of drugs are important factors affecting the bioavailability of drugs. This paper focuses on the controllable design of DNA origami nanostructures, efficient drug loading, and intelligent drug release. It summarizes the cutting-edge applications of DNA origami technology in biomedicine, and discusses areas where researchers can contribute to further advancing the clinical application of DNA origami carriers.
7.Hotspots and frontiers of human resource allocation research in public hospitals:a CiteSpace-based analysis of domestic and international studies
Ling YIN ; Tong ZHAO ; Jinping DI ; Fangjie WANG ; Haixiang SUN ; Qing ZHANG ; Xue ZHENG ; Wei CAO
Modern Hospital 2024;24(3):340-347,350
Objective To investigate the current status,evolving hotspots,and emerging trends in the field of human re-source allocation research in public hospitals,both domestically and internationally,to provide a reference for future research di-rections in China.Methods CiteSpace was used to conduct a visual analysis of the research literature on human resource alloca-tion in public hospitals based on China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI)and the Web of Science(WOS).The analysis encompassed co-authorship,institutional collaboration,keyword co-occurrence and clustering,and burst detection.Results A total of 1 417 Chinese articles and 981 international articles were included.Domestic research in this field focused more on healthcare reform and management,resource allocation,hierarchical diagnosis,and treatment,and informatization and efficiency improvement.On the contrary,international research primarily centered on the employee satisfaction,healthcare system quality,work environment and medical staff.Future trends in domestic research included cost reduction,efficiency enhancement,and a greater emphasis on public welfare in public hospitals,while international research was beginning to explore the influence of polit-ical concepts in this field.Conclusion Compared to international research,domestic research needs to further improve its theo-retical and localized understanding,broaden its research scope,explore the interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities,and delve into research directions such as the application of artificial intelligence and automation technology in healthcare services,management of a diverse workforce,and innovative management techniques and applications.
8.Classification of bladder cancer based on immune cell infiltration and construction of a risk prediction model for prognosis.
Guicao YIN ; Shengqi ZHENG ; Wei ZHANG ; Xin DONG ; Lezhong QI ; Yifan LI
Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences 2024;():1-11
OBJECTIVES:
To classify bladder cancer based on immune cell infiltration score and to construct a risk assessment model for prognosis of patients.
METHODS:
The transcriptome data and data of breast cancer patients were obtained from the TCGA database. The single sample gene set enrichment analysis was used to calculate the infiltration scores of 16 immune cells. The classification of breast cancer patients was realized by unsupervised clustering, and the sensitivity of patients with different types to immunotherapy and chemotherapy was analyzed. The key modules significantly related to the infiltration of key immune cells were identified by weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), and the key genes in the modules were extracted. A risk scoring model and a nomogram for risk assessment of prognosis for bladder cancer patients were constructed and verified.
RESULTS:
The immune cell infiltration scores of normal tissues and tumor tissues were calculated, and B cells, mast cells, neutrophils, T helper cells and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes were determined to be the key immune cells of bladder cancer. Breast cancer patients were clustered into two groups (Cluster 1 and Custer 2) based on immune cell infiltration scores. Compared with patients with Cluster 1, patients with Cluster 2 were more likely to benefit from immunotherapy (P<0.05), and patients with Cluster 2 were more sensitive to Enbeaten, Docetaxel, Cyclopamine, and Akadixin (P<0.05). WGCNA screened out 35 genes related to key immune cells, and 4 genes (GPR171, HOXB3, HOXB5 and HOXB6) related to the prognosis of bladder cancer were further screened by LASSO Cox regression. The areas under the ROC curve (AUC) of the bladder cancer prognosis risk scoring model based on these 4 genes to predict the 1-, 3- and 5-year survival of patients were 0.735, 0.765 and 0.799, respectively. The nomogram constructed by combining risk score and clinical parameters has high accuracy in predicting the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival of bladder cancer patients.
CONCLUSIONS
According to the immune cell infiltration score, bladder cancer patients can be classified. And the bladder cancer prognosis risk scoring model and nomogram based on key immune cell-related genes have high accuracy in predicting the prognosis of bladder cancer patients.
9.Study on the Mechanism of Guanyuan Mingmen Sequential Acupuncture Activating FSHR/cAMP/PKA Pathway to Promote Granulosa Cell Proliferation in POI Model Rats
Jiang-Hong XU ; Yue-Lai CHEN ; Ping YIN ; Xue-Dan ZHAO ; Hui-Min ZHENG ; Jun-Wei HU ; Lu-Min LIU
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(4):965-972
Objective To observe the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Guanyuan Mingmen Sequential Acupuncture on rats with premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)model.Methods Female SD rats were divided into the blank group,the model group,the protein kinase A(PKA)inhibitor(H89)+acupuncture group,and the acupuncture group,with 12 rats in each group.Except for the blank group,the POI model was prepared by gavage with Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets in the other three groups of rats.After the model was successfully established,the blank group and the model group were bundled once a day;in the acupuncture group,Guanyuan(RN4)point was taken during the intermotility period,and in the pre-motility period,Mingmen(DU4)point was taken;in the H89+acupuncture group,the intervention was performed in accordance with the acupuncture protocol of the acupuncture group,and H89 was injected intraperitoneally for 30 minutes prior to each acupuncture session.Continuous intervention was performed for 20 days.Samples were taken from each group of rats in the first estrus period and in proestrus period after intervention.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to measure the levels of follicle stimulating hormone(FSH)and estradiol(E2)during the estrous phase,Western Blot was used to measure the protein expressions of follicle stimulating hormone receptor(FSHR)and aromatase P450(P450arom)during the estrous phase,and the activity of granulocytes during the estrous phase and the proestrus phase were measured using the cell-counting kit 8(CCK-8)method.The immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the protein expression of pre-motility proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA).Results(1)Compared with the blank group,the serum FSH level of the model group and H89+acupuncture group was significantly increased(P<0.01),and the E2 level was significantly decreased(P<0.001);there was no difference between the FSH level of the H89+acupuncture group and that of the model group(P>0.05),and the E2 level of the H89+acupuncture group was lower than that of the model group(P<0.05);the FSH level of the acupuncture group was lower than that of the model group and that of the H89+acupuncture group(P<0.05),had no difference with the blank group(P>0.05),E2 level was significantly higher than the model group and H89+ acupuncture group(P<0.01),still being lower than the blank group(P<0.05).(2)The protein expressions of FSHR and P450arom in the model group and H89 + acupuncture group was lower than those in the blank group;the protein expression of FSHR in the H89 + acupuncture group was not different from that in the model group(P>0.05),while the protein expression level of P450arom was lower than that in the model group(P<0.05);the protein expression levels of FSHR and P450arom in the acupuncture group were higher than those in the model group and H89 + acupuncture group,but still lower than those in the blank group(P<0.05).(3)Both GCs activity and average optical density value of PCNA in the model group and H89+acupuncture group were lower than the blank group(P<0.05);both GCs activity and average optical density value of PCNA in the H89+acupuncture group were lower than the model group(P<0.05);the activity of GCs and average optical density value of PCNA of the acupuncture group were significantly higher than that of the model group and H89+acupuncture group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion Guanyuan Mingmen Sequential Acupuncture can regulate sex hormone levels,increase GCs activity and promote GCs cell proliferation by up-regulating protein expressions of follicle stimulating hormone receptor(FSHR)/cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP)/protein kinase A(PKA)pathway FSHR,P450arom,thus improving POI.
10.Investigation of prevalence rate of osteoporosis and analysis of its influencing factors in older adults in Jiuting Town, Songjiang District, Shanghai City
Yanhua YIN ; Yongqiang LIN ; Jing WU ; Wenyan ZHAO ; Mingxiu YANG ; Lei QIU ; Wei ZHENG ; Wei DENG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;58(7):1048-1054
To explore the prevalence and related risk factors of osteoporosis (OP) in the elderly ≥60 years old in Jiuting Town, Songjiang District, Shanghai City. A total of 2 175 local residents aged ≥60 years old who participated in the questionnaire survey at the physical examination center of Jiuting Community Health Service Center, Songjiang District, Shanghai City from July 2021 to December 2022 were selected by a cross-sectional study with multi-stage sampling method. Questionnaire survey, blood test and bone mineral density (BMD) test were conducted.The differences in all the parameters among the elderly with different bone mass level were analyzed using t-test, chi-square test, binary logistic regression was used to screen the potential risk factors of OP.The results showed that the prevalence of OP in the elderly aged≥60 years old in Jiuting Town was 45.89%.The prevalence of OP increased gradually with the advanced age. The prevalence rate of male was significantly lower than that of female( χ2=211.94, P<0.01).Single factor analysis showed that Dairy products( χ2=9.01, P<0.05), taking calcium( χ2=42.88, P<0.05), physical exercise( χ2=24.73, P<0.05), exercise time( χ2=76.40, P<0.05) and sun exposure( χ2=55.71, P<0.05) were the protective factors for osteoporosis. Multifactor analysis showed that female( wald χ 2=71.46, P<0.001) were the risk factors for osteoporosis. The age of the osteoporosis group was older than that of the non-osteoporosis group [osteoporosis group (72.47±6.89) years old, non-osteoporosis group (68.73±6.34) years old, and the difference was statistically significant, t=-11.67, P<0.05]. The waist circumference, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine (CR), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and uric acid (UA) in the non-osteoporosis group were higher than those in the osteoporosis group, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). The levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)[osteoporosis group (1.34±0.35) mol/L, non-osteoporosis group (1.41±0.35) mol/L, t=-4.51, P<0.05] and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)[osteoporosis group (88.46±25.65) mol/L, osteoporosis group (94.56±32.32) mol/L, t=-4.79, P<0.05] in the osteoporosis group were lower than those in the non-osteoporosis group.Low awareness of the knowledge of osteoporosis risk factors(smoking, drinking coffee, high salt and drinking alcohol are 47.28%, 24.15%, 47.79% and 44.90%, respectively), diagnosis and treatment(The symptoms, prognosis, screening methods, medication time and follow-up screening time of osteoporosis were 26.87%, 17.88%, 21.77%, 6.65% and 15.99%, respectivel) and prevention(exercise mode, high calcium food, optimal age of calcium supplementation, the effect of vitamin D on OP, and the appropriate amount of milk to prevent osteoporosis were 33.16%, 42.01%, 13.27%, 12.07%, 9.01%, respectively) were in Jiuting Town. In conclusion, the prevalent rate of OP in the elderly ≥60 years old in Jiuting Town is 45.89%.The main risk factors are female and advanced age. Drinking tea, dairy products, combination of meat and vegetable, taking calcium, physical exercise and sun exposure were the protective factors for osteoporosis. The awareness rate of osteoporosis related knowledge is low, and health education should be strengthened in order to control and prevent the occurrence and development of osteoporosis.

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