BackgroundAverage sodium intake and stroke mortality in northern China are both among the highest in the world. An effective, low-cost strategy to reduce sodium intake in this population is urgently needed.ObjectiveWe sought to determine the effects of a community-based sodium reduction program on salt consumption in rural northern China.DesignThis study was a cluster-randomized trial done over 18 months in 120 townships (one village from each township) from five provinces. Sixty control villages were compared to 60 intervention villages that were given access to a reduced-sodium, added-potassium salt substitute in conjunction with a community-based health education program focusing on sodium reduction. The primary outcome was the difference in 24-hour urinary sodium excretion between randomized groups.ResultsAmong 1,903 people with valid 24-hour urine collections, mean urinary sodium excretion in intervention compared with control villages was reduced by 5.5% (-14mmol/day, 95% confidence interval -26 to -1; p = 0.03), potassium excretion was increased by 16% (+7mmol/day, +4 to +10; p<0.001), and sodium to potassium ratio declined by 15% (-0.9, -1.2 to -0.5; p<0.001). Mean blood pressure differences were -1.1 mm Hg systolic (-3.3 to +1.1; p = 0.33) and -0.7 mm Hg diastolic (-2.2 to +0.8, p = 0.35) and the difference in the proportion with hypertension was -1.3% (-5.1 to 2.5, p = 0.56).ConclusionThere were clear differences in population sodium and potassium intake between villages that were most likely a consequence of increased use of salt substitute. The absence of effects on blood pressure reflects the moderate changes in sodium and potassium intake achieved.Trial RegistrationClinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01259700.

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Development of low-cost nontraditional intrinsic luminescence (NTIL) polymers containing auxochromophores and understanding their luminescence characteristics are highly desirable. In this paper, alternating vinylarene−carbon monoxide copolymers (PK-X, X = H, Ph, t Bu, O t Bu, F, and Cl) were, for the first time, reported as simple and efficient NTIL polymers, which were facilely and precisely prepared by palladium-catalyzed coordination copolymerization of vinylarene and CO. These nonconjugated polymers emitted intrinsic blue light in both concentrated solutions and solid powders by the clusterizationtriggered emission mechanism. Theoretical calculations and singlecrystal analysis of the small molecular model clearly confirmed that through-space intra-and interchain interactions by n−π and π−π modes between the carbonyl and the phenyl groups collectively formed clusteroluminogens. The copolymer quantum yields greatly improved regardless of the introduction of an electron acceptor or donor. The chloride-substituted copolymer had a high quantum yield of up to 44.8% and showed great potential as a photoluminescent material for improving the utilization of sunlight.

Background Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in China. High blood pressure caused by excess intake of dietary sodium is widespread and an effective sodium reduction program has potential to improve cardiovascular health. Design This study is a large-scale, cluster-randomized, trial done in five Northern Chinese provinces. Two counties have been selected from each province and 12 townships in each county making a total of 120 clusters. Within each township one village has been selected for participation with 1:1 randomization stratified by county. The sodium reduction intervention comprises community health education and a food supply strategy based upon providing access to salt substitute. Subsidization of the price of salt substitute was done in 30 intervention villages selected at random. Control villages continued usual practices. The primary outcome for the study is dietary sodium intake level estimated from assays of 24 hour urine. Trial status The trial recruited and randomized 120 townships in April 2011. The sodium reduction program was commenced in the 60 intervention villages between May and June of that year with outcome surveys scheduled for October to December 2012. Baseline data collection shows that randomisation achieved good balance across groups. Discussion The establishment of the China Rural Health Initiative has enabled the launch of this large-scale trial designed to identify a novel, scalable strategy for reduction of dietary sodium and control of blood pressure. If proved effective, the intervention could plausibly be implemented at low cost in large parts of China and other countries worldwide.