Background::Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a severe liver disease with complex pathogenesis. Clinical hypoglycemia is common in patients with ACLF and often predicts a worse prognosis. Accumulating evidence suggests that glucose metabolic disturbance, especially gluconeogenesis dysfunction, plays a critical role in the disease progression of ACLF. Lon protease-1 (LONP1) is a novel mediator of energy and glucose metabolism. However, whether gluconeogenesis is a potential mechanism through which LONP1 modulates ACLF remains unknown.Methods::In this study, we collected liver tissues from ACLF patients, established an ACLF mouse model with carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and D-galactose (D-gal), and constructed an in vitro hypoxia and hyperammonemia-triggered hepatocyte injury model. LONP1 overexpression and knockdown adenovirus were used to assess the protective effect of LONP1 on liver injury and gluconeogenesis regulation. Liver histopathology, biochemical index, mitochondrial morphology, cell viability and apoptosis, and the expression and activity of key gluconeogenic enzymes were detected to explore the underlying protective mechanisms of LONP1 in ACLF. Results::We found that LONP1 and the expressions of gluconeogenic enzymes were downregulated in clinical ACLF liver tissues. Furthermore, LONP1 overexpression remarkably attenuated liver injury, which was characterized by improved liver histopathological lesions and decreased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in ACLF mice. Moreover, mitochondrial morphology was improved upon overexpression of LONP1. Meanwhile, the expression and activity of the key gluconeogenic enzymes were restored by LONP1 overexpression. Similarly, the hepatoprotective effect was also observed in the hepatocyte injury model, as evidenced by improved cell viability, reduced cell apoptosis, and improved gluconeogenesis level and activity, while LONP1 knockdown worsened liver injury and gluconeogenesis disorders.Conclusion::We demonstrated that gluconeogenesis dysfunction exists in ACLF, and LONP1 could ameliorate liver injury and improve gluconeogenic dysfunction, which would provide a promising therapeutic target for patients with ACLF.

Objective:To explore the relationship between vegetarian diets and vitamin B 12 levels in Chinese pregnant women. Methods:A cross-sectional survey was used to explore the relationship between vegetarian diets and vitamin B 12 levels in Chinese pregnant women based on data from the Chinese National Nutrition and Health Surveillance (2015-2017). Maternal serum vitamin B 12 concentration was determined by electrochemiluminescence. Background and diet information of all subjects were collected using general and food frequency questionnaires. General Linear Model was used to analyze the difference in serum vitamin B 12 levels between vegetarian and non-vegetarian pregnant women and multivariate logistic regression for examining the relationship between vegetarian diets and vitamin B 12 deficiency (vitamin B 12<150 pmol/L) in pregnant women. Results:A total of 8 366 pregnant women were included in the analysis, and vegetarians accounted for 1.2% (102/8 366). The median serum vitamin B 12 concentrations were 155.8(93.6-212.4) pmol/L and 187.2(127.4-267.6) pmol/L ( Z=－4.22, P<0.001), and the vitamin B 12 deficiency rates were 48.0% (49/102) and 35.0% (2 896/8 264) in vegetarian and non-vegetarian women, respectively. The vitamin B 12 deficiency rate in vegetarian women was 0.89-fold higher than in non-vegetarians (95% CI: 1.24-2.89). Among the vegetarian and non-vegetarian pregnant women, vitamin B 12 deficiency rates during the first, second, and third trimesters were 34.8%(16/46), 54.3%(19/35), 66.7%(14/21), and 20.4%(521/2 559), 32.6%(941/2 886), 50.9%(1 430/2 807), noting for an increasing trend ( Z=23.54 and 2.57, P=0.010 and P<0.001). Conclusions:Vegetarian pregnant women are at high risk of vitamin B 12 deficiency. Compared with non-vegetarian women, vegetarian pregnant women in China have lower vitamin B 12 levels and a higher risk of vitamin B 12 deficiency. Moreover, the risk of vitamin B 12 deficiency will gradually increase during pregnancy.

Objective:To explore any effect of mechanical vibration on the expression of estrogen and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in ovariectomized rats with an osteoporotic fracture.Methods:Thirty 3-month-old female Wistar rats were divided randomly into a control group, an ovariectomy group and a vibration group, each of 10. Fractures were induced in the rats of all three groups. Twenty minutes of whole-body vertical vibration was applied to the vibration group at a frequency of 35Hz, 5 days a week for 6 weeks. After 2 and 6 weeks the fracture healing of each group was evaluated using X-rays, the levels of hippocampal estrogen were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and fracture-end BDNF was quantified by immunoblotting.Results:After 2 and 6 weeks of vibration the average fracture healing in the vibration group was significantly greater than in the other 2 groups. The average estrogen content in the hippocampus of the vibration group was significantly higher than in the other 2 groups after both 2 and 6 weeks, while the average BDNF content in their fracture ends was significantly lower. The BDNF expression at the fracture end was significantly correlated with the fracture healing.Conclusion:Mechanical vibration can promote the expression of estrogen and BDNF in the hippocampus and accelerate fracture healing in osteoporotic rats.

Objective:To analyze effects of parity on women′s nutrition and health status.Methods:This study was based on the data bank of "Chinese Nutrition and Health Surveillance of Children and Adolescents Aged 0-17 years old and Lactating Mothers from 2016 to 2017". Using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method, 17 771 women at 0 to 24 months postpartum from 31 provinces in Mainland China were included in this study. Questionnaires were used to collect data on women′s general demographic characteristics, parity, mode of delivery, pre-pregnancy weight, pre-delivery weight, diseases before and during pregnancy, postpartum hemorrhage. Current body height, body weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure were measured. Blood hemoglobin, blood glucose and blood lipids were detected. Pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain, postpartum weight retention, postpartum BMI, the rates of anemia, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia were calculated. Survey sample weights were calculated according to the sampling design and number of children under 2 years old from the sixth population census data of China. Effects of parity on the observational indicators after adjusting for confounding factors were analyzed by multivariate linear regression and multivariate logistic regression.Results:The age of 17 771 women was (29.5±5.0) years old, 12.2% (2 172) were over 35 but less than 40 years old, and 3.2% (563) were over 40 years old; the women with one parity, two parities, and three parities accounted for 47.3% (8 413), 48.5% (8 620) and 4.2% (738), respectively; urban women accounted for 49.9% (8 875), and rural women accounted for 50.1% (8 896). The results from multivariate linear regression showed that the pre-pregnancy BMI of women with two and three parities was 0.55 kg/m 2 and 0.76 kg/m 2 higher than women with one parity, respectively; the results of multivariate logistic regression showed that the OR(95% CI) of pre-pregnancy anemia was 1.45(1.04-2.02) for women with three parities compared with women with one parity, and the OR(95% CI) of anemia during pregnancy for women with two parities was 1.20(1.06-1.35) compared with women with one parity. Conclusion:Parity is associated with pre-pregnancy BMI and risk of anemia before and during pregnancy in women of reproductive age.

Objective:To analyze effects of parity on women′s nutrition and health status.Methods:This study was based on the data bank of "Chinese Nutrition and Health Surveillance of Children and Adolescents Aged 0-17 years old and Lactating Mothers from 2016 to 2017". Using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method, 17 771 women at 0 to 24 months postpartum from 31 provinces in Mainland China were included in this study. Questionnaires were used to collect data on women′s general demographic characteristics, parity, mode of delivery, pre-pregnancy weight, pre-delivery weight, diseases before and during pregnancy, postpartum hemorrhage. Current body height, body weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure were measured. Blood hemoglobin, blood glucose and blood lipids were detected. Pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain, postpartum weight retention, postpartum BMI, the rates of anemia, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia were calculated. Survey sample weights were calculated according to the sampling design and number of children under 2 years old from the sixth population census data of China. Effects of parity on the observational indicators after adjusting for confounding factors were analyzed by multivariate linear regression and multivariate logistic regression.Results:The age of 17 771 women was (29.5±5.0) years old, 12.2% (2 172) were over 35 but less than 40 years old, and 3.2% (563) were over 40 years old; the women with one parity, two parities, and three parities accounted for 47.3% (8 413), 48.5% (8 620) and 4.2% (738), respectively; urban women accounted for 49.9% (8 875), and rural women accounted for 50.1% (8 896). The results from multivariate linear regression showed that the pre-pregnancy BMI of women with two and three parities was 0.55 kg/m 2 and 0.76 kg/m 2 higher than women with one parity, respectively; the results of multivariate logistic regression showed that the OR(95% CI) of pre-pregnancy anemia was 1.45(1.04-2.02) for women with three parities compared with women with one parity, and the OR(95% CI) of anemia during pregnancy for women with two parities was 1.20(1.06-1.35) compared with women with one parity. Conclusion:Parity is associated with pre-pregnancy BMI and risk of anemia before and during pregnancy in women of reproductive age.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of calf muscle cramps and possible influencing factors for pregnant women in China. Methods: Using a multi-stage stratified probability proportional to size cluster randomization sampling method during 2010-2012. A total of 3 582 pregnant women were investigated at 150 counties from 31 provinces in China mainland. Information on calf muscle cramps, demographic socio-economic status, pregnancy information, and the physical activities was collected through questionnaires. The semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to collect food intake of pregnant women. Dynamic cluster analysis was used to assess dietary pattern. Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate the possible influencing factors for calf muscle cramps. Results: The prevalence of calf muscle cramps was 32.9% (1 180/3 582) in Chinese pregnant women, which was 11.6% (87/748), 28.2% (420/1 492), and 50.2% (673/1 342), respectively, during the first, second and third trimester. There were significant differences between them (χ²=349.16, P<0.001). Dietary patterns of the pregnant women were classified into three groups, which called relatively balanced pattern, high vegetables and fruits pattern, and high dairy pattern. Among the three groups, the prevalence of calf muscle cramps was 32.0% (952/2 971), 37.2% (186/500), and 37.8% (42/111), with significant differences (χ²=6.39, P=0.041). The OR (95%CI) values of calf muscle cramps in the second and third trimester was 2.96 (2.28-3.83), and 8.02 (6.16-10.44), respectively, comparing with the first trimester. The OR (95%CI) values of calf muscle cramps in the women taking calcium before pregnant was 1.45 (1.19-1.76), comparing with the one who was not taken. The OR (95%CI) values of calf muscle cramps in the women who had been diagnosed by pregnancy-induced hypertension was 5.76 (2.06-16.12), comparing with the one who had not been diagnosed. The OR (95%CI) values of calf muscle cramps in the high vegetables and fruits pattern and high dairy pattern was 1.13 (0.91-1.41), and 1.18 (0.76-1.81), respectively, comparing with the relatively balanced pattern. Conclusion The prevalence of calf muscle cramps was relatively high in Chinese pregnant women, which was significantly different among three trimesters. The residential areas, occupation, and pregnancy-induced hypertension might be related to the prevalence of calf muscle cramps. However, there was no significant difference among different dietary patterns.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of anemia and related risk factors for pregnant women in China. Method: Based on Chinese National Nutrition and Health Surveillance 2010-2012, a total of 3 501 pregnant women were investigated from 150 counties of 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in China, using a multi-stage stratified cluster randomization sampling method. General information of pregnant women, health status, and food intake during the gestation, was collected through a questionnaire investigation. 6 ml fasting venous blood was collected for the determination of hemoglobin concentration. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression to investigate the prevalence of anemia and the related influencing factors. Results: The 605 of 3 501 pregnant women had anemia. The prevalence of anemia was 17.2%; and mild anemia accounted for about 61.0% (369/605). Compared with the pregnant women living in the large cities, the OR (95%CI) of those living in the poor rural areas was 1.46 (1.08-1.98). Compared with the pregnant women living in the south area of China, the OR (95%CI) of those living in the north area of China was 1.39 (1.15-1.68); Compared with the pregnant women in the first trimester, the OR (95%CI) of those in the second trimester and the third trimester were 1.79 (1.33-2.43) and 2.11 (1.56-2.85), respectively. The OR (95%CI) of pregnant women who had used folic acid supplementation within the 6 months prior to gestation was 0.76 (0.63-0.93) compared with those who had not used. Conclusion From 2010 to 2012, the epidemic characteristics of anemia was mild for the pregnant women in China, and pregnant women residential areas, periods of pregnancy and whether to take folic acid were related to anemia.

Objective: To examine the status and related factors for gestational weight gain of Chinese pregnant women at different trimesters in 2010-2012. Methods: Participants were from Chinese National Nutrition and Health Surveillance in 2010-2012. Using a multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method, we recruited 2 805 singleton pregnant women with gestational age 13 weeks or more from 31 provinces of China. A standard questionnaire was used to collect general information and pre-pregnancy weight; body weight and height of pregnant women were measured using a unified weighing scale and stadiometer, dietary intake during the previous year was collected using a food frequency questionnaire. A multiple logistic regression was used to analyze potential factors associated with appropriate gestational weight gain. Results: Among 2 805 pregnant women, 1 441 were in the second (13-27 weeks) and 1 364 in the third trimesters (≥28 weeks) . In the 2^nd trimester, 229 cases (15.9%), 440 cases (30.5%) and 772 cases (53.6%) were insufficient gestational weight gain, appropriate gestational weight gain and excessive gestational weight gain respectively. So were 256 cases (18.8%), 474 cases (34.8%), 634 cases (46.5%) in the 3^rd trimester respectively. In the multivariate unconditional logistic model, less fruit intake was associated with insufficient weight gain for women in the 2^nd trimester (OR (95%CI): 1.58 (1.06-2.34)). Pregnant women with Han ethnicity who live in the small/medium city had lower risk of insufficient weight gain in the 3^rd trimester (OR (95%CI): 0.58 (0.34-0.98)). Those pregnant women with physical activity <1 hour/day had a higher risk of excessive weight gain (OR (95%CI): 1.33 (1.02-1.73)). Conclusion The prevalence of appropriate gestational weight gain was low in China. Our study suggests that pregnant weight gain is associated with fruit intake, types of residential area and physical activity.

Objective: To analyze the status of gestational weight gain (GWG) among Chinese mothers who gave singleton and full-term births, and to look at optimal GWG ranges. Methods: In 2013, using the multi-stage stratified and population proportional cluster sampling method, we investigated 8 323 mother-child pairs at their 0-24 months postpartum from 55 counties (cities/districts) of 30 provinces (except Tibet) in mainland China. Questionnaire was used to collect data on body weight before pregnancy and delivery, diseases during gestation, hemorrhage or not at postpartum, child birth weight and length, and other information about pregnant outcomes. We measured mother's body weight and height, and child's body weight and length. Based on 'Chinese Adult Body Weight Standard’, we divided mothers into four groups according to their body weight before pregnancy: low weight (BMI<18.5 kg/m²), normal weight (BMI 18.5-23.9 kg/m²), overweight (BMI 24.0-27.9 kg/m²) and obesity (BMI≥28.0 kg/m²). The status of GWG was assessed by IOM optimal GWG guidelines. Chinese optimal GWG ranges were calculated according to the association of GWG with pregnant outcomes and anthropometry of mothers and children, and according to P25-P75 of GWG among mothers who had good pregnant outcomes and good anthropometry, and whose children had good anthropometry. The status of GWG was assessed by the new optimal ranges. Results: P50 (P25-P75) of GWG among the 8 323 mothers was 15.0 (10.0-19.0) kg. According to the proposed optimal GWG ranges of IOM, the proportions of inadequate, optimal and excessive GWG accounted for 27.2% (2 263 mothers), 36.2% (3 016 mothers) and 36.6% (3 044 mothers). The optimal GWG ranges for low weight, normal weight, overweight and obesity were 11.5-18.0, 10.0-15.0, 8.0-14.0 and 5.0-11.5 kg. Based on these optimal GWG ranges established in this study, the rates of inadequate, optimal and excessive GWG were 15.7% (1 303 mothers), 45.0% (3 744 mothers) and 39.3% (3 276 mothers), and these rates were significantly different from that defined by the IOM standards (χ2=345.36, P<0.001). Conclusion The median of GWG among Chinese mothers is 15.0 kg, which is at a relatively higher level. This study suggests the optimal GWG ranges for Chinese women who give singleton and full-term babies, which appears lower than IOM's.

OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts of acupoint catgut embedding therapy on postpartum weight retention.

METHODSSeventy-one women of postpartum weight retention were divided into an observation group (35 cases) and a control group (36 cases) according to their own wishes when re-examination in 42 days after delivery. In the control group, the nutrition consultation was provided and the calories intake was controlled continuously for 20 weeks. In the observation group, on the basis of the treatment as the control group, the acupoint embedding therapy was applied to Zhongwan (CV 12), Zhongji (CV 3), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Tianshu (ST 25), Guilai (ST 29), Shuifen (CV 9), Shousanli (LI 10), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40) and Yinlingquan (SP 9). The sutures, No. 4-0 were cut as 2 to 4 mm in length and put into the embedding needle. Afterarrival, the sutures were pushed into the acupoints with the needle core and the needle was removed quickly. The treatment was given once every two weeks, continuously for 20 weeks. Totally, 10 times of acupoint catgut embedding therapy were required. Before and after treatment, the body mass, weight retention, body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat (PBF), waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR) and health promoting lifestyle profile (HPLP-Ⅱ) were observed in the participants of the two groups.

RESULTSAfter treatment, body mass, weight retention, BMI, PBF, WC and WHR were all reduced as compared with those before treatment in the participants of the two groups, indicating the significant differences (all<0.05). After treatment, the body mass, weight retention, BMI, PBF, WC and WHR in the participants of the observation group were lower than those in the control group, indicating the significant differences (all<0.05). The score of every dimension of HPLP-Ⅱ after treatment was higher than that before treatment in the participants of the observation group, indicating the significant differences (all<0.05); and the scores of health responsibility, sports and spiritual growth in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, indicating the significant differences (all<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe acupoint catgut embedding therapy improves in the postpartum weight retention and achieves the satisfactory clinical therapeutic effects.