Biomedical subjects

Z Fu

Publications and source records attributed to Z Fu.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2001

Effect of benzene, toluene, xylene on the semen quality and the function of accessory gonad of exposed workers.

The effects on semen and the function of accessory gonad of workers after short and long term exposure to benzene, toluene, and xylene were examined. The semen and blood of 24 married workers exposed to benzene, toluene, and xylene were collected. Routine sperm characteristic, acrosin activity, and Lactate dehydrogenase C4 (LDH-C4) relative activity were detected. The results showed that benzene, toluene, and xylene were found in the blood and semen of some ex-workers at workplaces where the air concentration of benzene, toluene, and xylene exceeded the maximum allowable concentration (MAC). No such solvents were detected in the blood and semen of workers of the control group. The sperm vitality and sperm motility decreased in the exposed workers. The mean acrosin activity, gamma-GT activity and LDH-C4 relative activity in the exposed workers were lower, and fructose concentration was higher than those in the control. There were negative correlations between sperm vitality, sperm activity, acrosin activity, or LDH-C4 relative activity and working history. These results suggest that the mixture of these solvents could affect the sperm and the function of accessory gonad. This might be one reason of the abnormal pregnancy outcome among the wives of workers exposed to benzene, toluene, and xylene.

Acrosin↗

PubMed2001

Effects of acute or prolonged exposure to leptin on hepatic glucose oxidation.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the short-term and long-term effects of leptin on hepatic glucose oxidation and glucokinase gene expression. METHODS: Rat hepatic cell line BRL was incubated with leptin of different doses (range from 10 ng/ml-200 ng/ml) for 1 h or 24 h. Glucose oxidation was determined by liquid scintillation counting. Glucokinase gene expression (corrected by beta-actin) was determined by reverse transcription semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Treatment with leptin 10 ng/ml for 1 h had no significant effects on glucose oxidation in hepatic cells. However, at the doses ranging from 50 ng/ml to 200 ng/ml, leptin significantly inhibited glucose oxidation. These effects disappeared when the hepatic cells were exposed to leptin for 24 h. Glucokinase mRNA expression was reduced significantly after both 1 h and 24 h exposure to leptin (100 ng/ml) as compared to that of the control group. CONCLUSION: A low dose of leptin has no significant effect on glucose oxidation in hepatic cells. A relatively high dose of leptin has an acute inhibitory effect on the glucose oxidation in hepatic cells. This effect may likely involve the inhibition of glucokinase gene expression. The inhibitory effect on glucose oxidation is transient and disappears with prolonged exposure time.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Relationship of large multifunctional proteasome 7 gene polymorphism with susceptibility to type 1 diabetes mellitus and DR3 gene.

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship of the large multifunctional proteasome 7 (LMP7) gene polymorphism with susceptibility to type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM-1) and the DR3 gene in south Chinese Han population. METHODS: LMP7 genotypes and the DR3 gene were identified in 71 DM-1 patients and 86 healthy persons (as controls) by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. DM-1 patients and controls were divided into DR3-positive and DR3-negative subjects. The frequencies of LMP7 genotypes and alleles were compared between DM-1 patients and controls respectively in the random subjects and in the DR3-matched subjects. Furthermore, DM-1 patients were divided into 3 groups according to the age of diabetic onset: group A < or = 14 years, group B 15-30 years, group C > or = 31 years. RESULTS: In the random subjects, the frequency of LMP7-B/B was lower (39% vs 58%, P < 0.05) and that of LMP7-B/A was higher (54% vs 31%, P < 0.01) in DM-1 patients than that in controls. In DR3-positive subjects, the frequencies of LMP7 genotypes and alleles showed no differences between DM-1 patients and controls. In DR3-negative subjects, the frequency of LMP7-B/B was decreased (40% vs 61%) and that of LMP7-B/A was increased (55% vs 28%, P < 0.01) in DM-1 patients. The frequencies of LMP7 genotypes and alleles showed no significant differences among different ages of diabetic onset. CONCLUSIONS: LMP7-B/B may be the protective genotype, and LMP7-B/A may be the susceptible genotype of DM-1, and this may not be affected by the DR3 gene. Persons with LMP7-B/B may have a decreased risk, and those with LMP7-B/A have an increased risk suffering from DM-1. The LMP7 gene may not be associated with the age of diabetic onset.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

[Protective effect of huyin decoction on acute hepatic injury induced by CCl4 in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the protective effect of Huyin decoction on acute hepatic injury induced by CCl4 in mice. METHODS: The model of acute hepatic injury induced by CCl4 was used. The levels of ALT and AST in serum were detected. And histopathology of liver was observed. RESULTS: Huyin decoction could decrease ALT and AST in serum and hepatic histopathological injury of the acute hepatic injury mice. CONCLUSION: Huyin decoction possessed protective effect on acute hepatic injury in mice.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

[FTIR studies of compounds of 2-D networks].

Recently, there is increasing interest in the study of 2-D square network materials which have inner cavities as zeolites, expected to find applications in catalysis, sensor and absorbent. Here, the synthesis of two compounds of [[Cd(4,4'-bpy)2.2H2O](NO3)2.4H2O] and [[Cd(4,4'-bpy)2NO3H2O].NO3.(C13H11NO)2] have been reported. The FTIR spectra of those clusters and the structure-sensitive bands are studied.

English Abstract↗

PubMed2000

Increased alpha-linolenic acid intake increases tissue alpha-linolenic acid content and apparent oxidation with little effect on tissue docosahexaenoic acid in the guinea pig.

The essential fatty acids do not have identical roles in nutrition. Linoleic acid (LA) accumulates throughout the body of most mammals, whereas alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is rarely found in tissue lipids to the same extent as LA. It has been argued that this is the result of metabolism of ALA to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or that ALA is rapidly beta-oxidized to acetyl CoA and CO2. In this study, we consider the effect of high and low ALA levels on the tissue distribution of ALA and other n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in all tissues. Guinea pigs were fed one of two defined diets for 3 wk from weaning with both diets containing 1.8% (by weight) of LA and either 1.7% ALA or 0.03% ALA. The high ALA diet was associated with significantly increased ALA levels in all tissues except the brain and significantly increased levels of long-chain n-3 PUFA in all tissues except intestines, brain, carcass, and skin. The long-chain n-3 PUFA content of the whole body was less than 5% of that of the ALA content in both diet groups, and the major long-chain n-3 PUFA (>66% of total) in the body was 22:5n-3. The brain was the only tissue where the DHA content exceeded that of 22:5n-3. On the low ALA diet, there appeared to be conservation of ALA based on a comparison of the ratio of LA to ALA in the tissues compared with that in the diet. On the high ALA diet there was a loss of ALA relative to LA in the tissues compared with the diet. These studies suggest that the low levels of tissue ALA in the guinea pig are likely the result of beta-oxidation or excretion via the skin and fur rather than metabolism to DHA.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Retinoic acid accelerates the development of reproductive organs and egg production in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

The effects of retinoic acid on the development of reproductive organs and egg production in female Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were investigated. Female quail were fed a diet containing retinoic acid at 4 mg/kg (RA) or two diets containing retinyl acetate at 5000 IU/kg (VA1) or 14 000 IU/kg (VA2) after being fed a vitamin A-free diet for 2 wk (experiment 1). The oviduct and ovary grew more rapidly (P < 0.05) in RA-treated quail than in VA-treated quail at 5 wk of age. In addition, the body weight of RA-fed quail was also greater (P: < 0.05) than that of VA-fed quail at 5 wk. The RA-treated quail laid their first eggs approximately 5 days earlier (P < 0.05) than the VA-treated quail. Furthermore, these RA-fed quail laid more eggs (P < 0.05) than those VA-fed quail during the experimental period. To confirm the results of experiment 1, a similar experiment was conducted to record the first egg and total eggs laid by quail fed VA2 or RA (experiment 2). The early onset of oviposition was again observed in the RA-treated group (P < 0.01). These results suggest that retinoic acid has a stimulating effect on the reproductive system of female Japanese quail, as has been previously shown in the reproductive system of male Japanese quail.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Functional analysis of the CD4(+) T-cell response to Epstein-Barr virus: T-cell-mediated activation of resting B cells and induction of viral BZLF1 expression.

In contrast to the major role played by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific CD8(+) cytotoxic T-cell responses in immunosurveillance, recent studies have offered the apparently paradoxical suggestion that development of EBV-driven human B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders and tumors in SCID/hu mice is dependent on the presence of T cells, in particular CD4(+) T cells. This study presents a functional analysis of the CD4(+) T-cell response to EBV and shows that while CD4(+) T cells may be cytotoxic, they also express Th2 cytokines and CD40 ligand (gp39) and possess B-cell helper function. We show that EBV-specific CD4(+) T cells can provide non-HLA-restricted help for activation of resting B cells via a gp39-CD40-dependent pathway and are able to induce expression of BZLF1, a viral lytic cycle transactivator in latently infected resting B cells, ultimately resulting in rapid outgrowth of transformed B-cell colonies. These results support the proposal that CD4(+) T cells may play a key role in reactivation of latent EBV infection and may thus contribute to the pathogenesis of EBV-driven lymphoproliferative disorders.

Antiviral Agents↗

PubMed2000

Chronic alcohol ingestion induces osteoclastogenesis and bone loss through IL-6 in mice.

To investigate the role of IL-6 in alcohol-mediated osteoporosis, we measured a variety of bone remodeling parameters in wild-type (il6(+/+)) or IL-6 gene knockout (il6(-/-)) mice that were fed either control or ethanol liquid diets for 4 months. In the il6(+/+) mice, ethanol ingestion decreased bone mineral density, as determined by dual-energy densitometry; decreased cancellous bone volume and trabecular width and increased trabecular spacing and osteoclast surface, as determined by histomorphometry of the femur; increased urinary deoxypyridinolines, as determined by ELISA; and increased CFU-GM formation and osteoclastogenesis as determined ex vivo in bone marrow cell cultures. In contrast, ethanol ingestion did not alter any of these parameters in the il6(-/-) mice. Ethanol increased receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) mRNA expression in the bone marrow of il6(+/+) but not il6(-/-) mice. Additionally, ethanol decreased several osteoblastic parameters including osteoblast perimeter and osteoblast culture calcium retention in both il6(+/+) and il6(-/-) mice. These findings demonstrate that ethanol induces bone loss through IL-6. Furthermore, they suggest that IL-6 achieves this effect by inducing RANKL and promoting CFU-GM formation and osteoclastogenesis.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed2000

Novel pathway of metabolism of alpha-linolenic acid in the guinea pig.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) plays an important role in the nervous system. The capacity of the infant to use the essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) as a substrate for neural DHA has been the subject of much debate recently. In this study, we explored the metabolic fate of an oral dose of 14C-labeled ALA in guinea pigs fed a defined diet for 3 wk from weaning. Of the 14C-labeled ALA administered, more than 46% was associated with the skin and fur lipids, mostly in the FFA fraction, and less than 0.1% was in brain lipids. About 39% of the label was not recovered in the body lipids and was assumed to be expired as CO2 or unabsorbed. The fur and skin were almost equally labeled; however, because of the very low mass of ALA in the fur, the specific activity of the fur was very high. These data identify a new route of metabolism of ALA in this species, presumably through the sebaceous glands onto fur. If this pathway exists in other species, including humans, it may account for the poor efficiency of conversion of ALA to DHA, because dietary ALA would not be available for anabolic pathways such as DHA synthesis. The relevance of these data to infants is that ALA may play an important hitherto unidentified role in the skin related to barrier function or epidermal integrity. This calls for more research into the importance of ALA as an essential fatty acid in its own right in human infants.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Gene expression of the three members of hepatocyte nuclear factor-3 is differentially regulated by nutritional and hormonal factors.

Hepatocyte nuclear factor-3 (HNF-3) belongs to a large family of forkhead transcription factors and is made up of three members (HNF-3alpha, -3beta and -3gamma). It has been shown that HNF-3 regulates a number of metabolically important genes. However, the mechanisms underlying this regulation of HNF-3 activity by hormones and nutrition have not yet been well elucidated. In attempting to explore the regulation of gene expression of HNF-3 members by physiological status, we analyzed the effects of insulin, dexamethasone and protein malnutrition on the hepatic mRNA level of each member. Male Wistar rats were fed on a 12% casein diet, 12% gluten diet (deficient in lysine and threonine) or a protein-free diet for 1 week. The protein-free diet and gluten diet caused a 3. 7-fold increase in HNF-3g mRNA in the liver and did not affect the mRNA level of either HNF-3alpha or HNF-3beta. Daily administration of dexamethasone caused the mRNA levels of HNF-3alpha and HNF-3beta to increase (2.3- and 1.4-fold, respectively), but had no effect on the HNF-3gamma mRNA level. In diabetic rats that had been injected with streptozotocin, an elevation of the hepatic mRNA levels of HNF-3beta and HNF-3gamma was observed (1.6-and 1.9-fold, respectively). Insulin replacement in the diabetic rats decreased both mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner. HNF-3alpha mRNA was not affected by insulin status. These results show that the genes of the three members of the HNF-3 family respond differently to hormonal and nutritional factors suggesting that the activities of HNF-3 members are regulated, at least in part, by the levels of their gene expression.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Molecular cloning, sequencing and expression of obese gene in the Chinese.

OBJECTIVE: To construct the human obese (ob) cDNA clone in the Chinese, and analyze the expression of the ob gene in adipose tissue of obese, non-obese subjects and nooinsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) Chinese patients. METHODS: A ob cDNA clone was isolated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Four groups of Chinese subjects participated in the study: 1) 12 obese subjects [body mass index (BMI): 28.5 +/- 2.3 kg/m2]; 2) 11 non-obese subjects (BMI: 21.0 +/- 1.5 kg/m2); 3) 8 obese NIDDM patients (BMI: 27.0 +/- 1.4 kg/m2); 4) 11 non-obese NIDDM patients (BMI: 21.2 +/- 1.4 kg/m2). The expression of ob gene mRNA in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue was examined using RNA dot blot hybridization with a digoxigenin-labeled human ob cDNA probe. The hybridized signals were quantitated by densitometry. RESULTS: A full human ob cDNA fragment which included a glutamine codon at +49 was obtained. A base substitution (A to G) in the coding region at position 287 was found, resulting in a glutamine being replaced by an arginine. Expression of the ob gene was significantly higher in Chinese obese subjects compared to non-obese ones (P < 0.05), and positively correlated with the BMI. No significant difference in the amount of ob mRNA was detected between non-diabetic and diabetic groups at the same BMI level. CONCLUSIONS: We constructed a full length human ob cDNA clone. The expression of the ob gene was significantly higher in Chinese obese subjects than in non-obese ones. The metabolic and hormonal changes associated with NIDDM are not the main factors regulating the expression of the ob gene.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Lymphangiogenesis in tumor tissues and 5'-Nase, Flt-4, Flk-1 expressions.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate lymphangiogenesis in tumor tissues and 5'-Nase, Flt-4, Flk-1 expressions. METHODS: 5'-Nase and Aplase expressions and the morphology of lymphatics in gastric carcinoma tissues were observed with enzyme histochemistry. Flt-4 and Flk-1 expression in gastric carcinoma and sarcoma tissues was studied by immunohistochemistry. CNE-2z cells were implanted into the subdermal layer of nude mice and hyaluronic acid was injected at the same sites. After 4 or 5 weeks, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) xenograft tissues were cut for immunohistochemistry and enzyme histochemistry, and lymphangiogenesis, 5'-Nase, Alpase, Flt-4 and Flk-1 expression in NPC tissues was studied. Hyaluronic acid contents in sera of the patients with NPC and mice with NPC xenografts were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: There were a lot of lymphatics and solid strip-like tissues in gastric carcinoma and NPC xenograft treated with hyaluronic acid. The total number of lymphatics (26.9 +/- 14.2/HP) increased significantly in gastric carcinoma tissues. Flt-4 and Flk-1 positive expression was found in gastric carcinoma, sarcoma tissues and NPC xenograft. Most of the vessels with positive Flt-4 were lymphatics. Flk-1 expression was only found in the walls of blood vessels. Hyaluronic acid content (363.52 +/- 98.15 ng/ml) in sera of patients with NPC was higher than that of the patients with chronic nasopharyngeal inflammation (306.29 +/- 27.15 ng/ml), with a significant difference (P = 0.039). The hyaluronic acid content in sera of nude mice with NPC (2120.59 +/- 490.22 ng/ml) was markedly higher than that in normal mice (1588.99 +/- 502.12 ng/ml), with a significant difference between them (P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: There are a lot of lymph capillaries with positive 5'-Nase in gastric carcinoma and NPC xenograft treated with hyaluronic acid. Flt-4 positive expression is shown in gastric carcinoma, sarcoma tissues and NPC xenografts. The results suggest there is lymphangiogenesis in these malignant tumor tissues. Hyaluronic acid contents in sera of patients with NPC and nude mice with NPC increase, which may promote the formation of lymphatics.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

PubMed2000

[Rapid rifampicin susceptibility test by using recombinant mycobacteriophages].

OBJECTIVE: To set up a fast, sensitive and specific way to detect mycobacteria and rifampicin susceptibility to mycobacteria by using recombinant mycobacteriophages and bioluminescent method. METHODS: Firstly detected the luciferase activity in different bacteria by using mycobacteriophages, then assessed the best drug concentration of rifampicin for drug susceptibility test in luciferase reporter assay, and lastly used the above conditions to decide rifampicin susceptibilities to different mycobacteria and compare the result with L-J medium culture. RESULTS: Bacteriophages had high light production specifically in mycobacteria and only very low light production in E. coli, the difference being obvious. The light production of rifampicin-resisitant mycobacterium strains was much higher than that of sensitive strains in culture with rifampicin(P < 0.05). Different drug concentrations of rifampicin were used to optimize drug concentration for rifampicin drug susceptibility test and the optimum concentration was found to be 2 micrograms/ml. The correlation of drug susceptibility test between luciferase reporter phages to L-J medium in standard strains and clinical isolates was the sarce. Temperature sensitive Phage 88 was more sensitive than Phage 40(P < 0.05). The time for drug resistance test was 72 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Luciferase reporter phage can detect mycobacteria specifically and can be used in rifampicin susceptibility test. This assay is a fast, sensitive and specific method to detect mycobacterium strains and their resistance to rifampicin.

Antibiotics, Antitubercular↗

PubMed2000

[Effects of glibenclamide on mRNA level of ATP-sensitive potassium channels of heart in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats].

OBJECTIVE: To estimate if any difference exists in mRNA expression levels of KATP (SUR1, SUR2, Kir6.2) in heart tissues between streptozotocin-induced diabetic and normal rats, and to examine if any changes of heart KATP in mRNA level occurred after long-term Glibenclamide administration among the diabetic and control rats. METHODS: Part 1: Adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were allocated into three groups: one group (n = 13) was taken as normal control, and the other two groups were diabetic models induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). One of the diabetic groups (n = 10) was treated with premixed insulin (30%RI, 70%NPH) 4 - 8 units/day by subcutaneous injection at 4 - 5 pm everyday for two weeks. Part 2: Four groups of adult male SD rats were enrolled into the study. Group one (D1) was diabetes control induced by streptozotocin (n = 9), group two (DG2) was the diabetes treated with Glibenclamide (n = 14). Group three (N3) was normal control (n = 10), and group four (NG4) received Glibenclamide administration without diabetes (n = 14). DG2 and NG4 were given 10 mg/kg Glibenclamide intraperitonealy at 4 - 5 pm everyday for 14 days. Single-stranded digoxigenin-labeled probes were generated with RT-PCR. A total of 30 microgram of unfractionated RNA was transferred onto nylon membranes by dot-blot. Hybridization was performed at 50 degrees C for 16 hours with high SDS concentration hybridization buffer. RESULTS: Study one: There was no significant difference in mRNA expression levels of SUR1, SUR2, and Kir6.2 in heart between diabetic, insulin-treated diabetic and control groups (P > 0.05). Study two: Glibenclamide-treated non-diabetic rats had higher mRNA expression levels of SUR1 and SUR2 in heart than normal control. The SUR1 were 43.0 +/- 16.6 vs 30.8 +/- 7.8 (P < 0.05), SUR2 161.9 +/- 51.0 vs 118.9 +/- 40.9 (P < 0.05), respectively. No difference in heart Kir6.2 mRNA level was found between the two groups (P > 0.05). Comparison between Glibenclamide-treated diabetic and non-treated diabetic rats showed that there was no change in mRNA levels of SUR1, SUR2 and Kir6.2 in heart (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Chronic Glibenclamide-treatment up-regulates KATP gene transcriptional expression of heart in non-diabetic rats. The Streptozotocin-inducing diabetes itself does not affect the mRNA expression of KATP (SUR1, SUR2, and Kir6.2) in extra-pancreas tissues, but decreases the response of KATP to chronic Glibenclamide-treatment at transcriptional level.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed2000

[The measurement of normal values of exophthalmos, interpupillary distance and interorbital distance of children and adolescence in Xiamen and the rule of their development].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the developing rhythm of children and adolescent exophthalmos, interorbital distance (IOD) and interpupillary distance (IPD) and their mutual relationships. The study will provide biometry data for formulating juvenile criteria of correcting spectacles. METHODS: Random sampling was performed among children and adolescence aged 5 - 17 years in Xiamen. Adopting epidemic survey, we measured the biometry values of IOD, IPD and exophthalmos with a sliding gauge and exophthalmometer. RESULTS: The average value of exophthalmos was (14.48 +/- 1.71) mm. For the 5 - 8 years old children, the value of exophthalmos trended to increase with the increase of age, meanwhile the value of exophthalmos of adolescence aged 9 - 17 years old tended to be stabilized. The average value of IOD was (95.55 +/- 5.32) mm and the average value of IPD was (56.99 +/- 3.93) mm. Both the values of the IOD and IPD of the male were higher than that of the female. The results of the IOD and IDP distance increased with the increase of age and it trended to be periodic. There was positive correlation between the development of IOD and that of IPD, and it could be described by a linear equation. CONCLUSIONS: There is only one rush-increase stage of ocular development which is before the 8 years old in children. The rule of its development is in accordance with the growing and developing mode of neurological system.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

[The effects of NAC on the expression and activity of SPA in rats inflicted by smoke inhalation injury].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of NAC (N-acetyl-L-cysteine) on the expression and activity of SPA (surfactant-associated protein A) in rats inflicted by smoke inhalation injury. METHODS: Wistar rats inflicted with smoke inhalation injury were employed as the model. The expression of SPA mRNA, the static pulmonary compliance, the surface tension of the alveolar lavage and the morphology of lamellae bodies (LB) of type II alveolar cells were examined. RESULTS: After the application of NAC, there exhibited an increase in SPA mRNA expression and static pulmonary compliance, and the restoration of the BAL surface tension to normal. CONCLUSION: The application of NAC could promote the expression of SPA mRNA after smoke inhalation injury and improve the SPA-related function.

Acetylcysteine↗

PubMed2000

[Protocol for sampling of Chinese food and nutrition surveillance system (CFNSS)].

Based on the 145-site Disease Surveillance Point System (DSP) of the Ministry of Health in conjunction with 600-site Urban/Rural Household Socio-economic Survey System of State Statistic Bureau carried out by the Urban Household Socio-Economic Survey Team and Rural Household Socio-Economic Survey Team. Three strata including urban, general rural and less-developed rural were defined. Sample size of 16,000 children was designed according to the estimate of 5% underweight prevalence of children under 6 years of age. 40 sites were sampled by stratified random sampling, involving 14 urban sites, 17 general rural sites and 9 poor rural sites in 26 provinces. The total population of the 40 sites is 20.678 million, which is 1.7% of whole population of the country. 400 children under 6 years of age were sampled by Multi-stage Cluster Sampling at each site. The consistency of age distribution of children between the sample and the National Population Census data in 1990 by Goodness of Fit Test indicated the representativeness of the sample is reliable.

Adult↗