ObjectiveTo investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) for dietary sodium intake among adult residents of Shandong Province, ChinaMethodsIn 2011, we conducted a cross sectional survey among a representative sample of 15,350 adults aged 18 to 69 years using a standardized questionnaire to assess their KAP for sodium. Variation in the KAPs by gender, and residence location were compared using the Chi-square tests. Predictors for the ‘intention to’ and ‘currently taking action to’ reduce sodium intake were determined by multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for confounding factors.ResultsKAPs for dietary sodium intake among urban residents was generally more favorable than among rural residents. Women were likely to have more favorable KAPs than men. About four fifth of subjects reported that they favored a low sodium diets. However, 31% reported that consumption of less sodium results in less physical strength. Overall, 70% indicated their intention to reduce sodium intake, although only 39 % reported that they had taken action to reduce sodium. Multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that favorable actions to dietary sodium reduction were more likely to occur among those who were aware of the link between sodium and hypertension, and less likely among those who had unfavorable attitudes towards dietary sodium reduction.ConclusionIncreasing knowledge levels about the benefits of sodium reduction will be a key success factor for effective sodium reduction initiatives and is linked to favorable behavioral change. Emphasis should be placed on the rural area.

Iron-responsive manganese uptake is increased in iron-deficient rats, suggesting that toxicity related to manganese exposure could be modified by iron status. To explore possible interactions, the distribution of intranasally-instilled manganese in control and iron-deficient rat brain was characterized by quantitative image analysis using T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Manganese accumulation in the brain of iron-deficient rats was doubled after intranasal administration of MnCl 2 for 1- or 3-week. Enhanced manganese level was observed in specific brain regions of iron-deficient rats, including the striatum, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. Iron-deficient rats spent reduced time on a standard accelerating rotarod bar before falling and with lower peak speed compared to controls; unexpectedly, these measures of motor function significantly improved in iron-deficient rats intranasally-instilled with MnCl 2 . Although tissue dopamine concentrations were similar in the striatum, dopamine transporter (DAT) and dopamine receptor D 1 (D1R) levels were reduced and dopamine receptor D 2 (D2R) levels were increased in manganese-instilled rats, suggesting that manganese-induced changes in post-synaptic dopaminergic signaling contribute to the compensatory effect. Enhanced olfactory manganese uptake during iron deficiency appears to be a programmed “rescue response” with beneficial influence on motor impairment due to low iron status.

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Background There are an increasing number of mobile apps that provide dietary guidance to support a healthy lifestyle and disease management. However, the characteristics of these nutrition-related apps are not well analyzed. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the functionality and quality of nutrition-related apps in China. Methods Mobile apps providing dietary guidance were screened in the Chinese iOS and Android app stores in November 2017, using stepwise searching criteria. The first screening consisted of extracting information from the app descriptions. Apps that (1) were free, (2) contain information on diet and nutrition, and (3) were last updated after January 1, 2016, were downloaded for further analysis. Nutritional functionalities were determined according to the Chinese Dietary Guidelines framework. Market-related functionalities were developed from previous studies and tailored to downloaded apps. The quality of apps was assessed with the user version of the Mobile App Rating Scale (uMARS). Results Out of 628 dietary guidance apps screened, 44 were nutrition-related. Of these, guidance was provided on diet exclusively (11/44, 25%), fitness (17/44, 39%), disease management (11/44, 25%), or maternal health (5/44, 11%). Nutritional functionalities included nutritional information inquiry (40/44, 91%), nutrition education (35/44, 80%), food record (34/44, 77%), diet analysis (34/44, 77%), and personalized recipes (21/44, 48%). Dietary analysis and suggestions mainly focused on energy intake (33/44, 75%) and less on other factors such as dietary structure (10/44, 23%). Social communication functionalities were available in 42 apps (96%), user incentives were supported in 26 apps (59%), and intelligent recognition technology was available in 8 apps (18%). The median score for the quality of the 44 apps, as determined on a 5-point uMARS scale, was 3.6 (interquartile range 0.7). Conclusions Most nutrition-related apps are developed for health management rather than for dietary guidance exclusively. Although basic principles of energy balance are used, their nutritional functionality was relatively limited and not individualized. More efforts should be made to develop nutrition-related apps with evidence-based nutritional knowledge, comprehensive and personalized dietary guidance, and innovative technology.

Background: Although chronic pain affects the quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis, current medical treatments are either ineffective or have long-term side effects. Recently, low-intensity laser irradiation of corresponding acupoints was demonstrated to alleviate pain. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of 10.6 lm laser moxibustion on a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced knee osteoarthritis pain model. Methods: Thirty-two rats were randomly assigned to four groups: Saline, MIA, MIA+Laser, and MIA+Sham Laser. The 10.6 lm laser was used to irradiate the ST35 for 10 min once a day for a total of seven applications. The paw withdrawal mechanical threshold and weight-bearing difference were performed to evaluate the analgesic effects of laser moxibustion. At the end of the experiment on days 28, the joint histology, the levels of metalloproteinases-13 (MMP-13) in the cartilage, and TNF-a, IL-1b, and IL-6 in the synovial membrane were measured to determine the chondroprotection and anti-inflammatory effect of laser moxibustion. Results: Early laser moxibustion significantly reversed the MIA-induced mechanical hyperalgesia and weightbearing difference, especially on the 28th day (p < 0.001). Moreover, laser moxibustion prevented the articular pathological lesions and cartilage destruction on days 28 (p < 0.01). Remarkably, the levels of cartilage MMP-13, and synovial TNF-a, IL-1b, and IL-6 also decreased on day 28 (p < 0.05) after the early treatment of laser moxibustion. Conclusions: 10.6 lm laser moxibustion may have long-lasting analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and chondroprotection effects, suggesting that it may emerge as a potential therapeutic strategy for the chronic pain treatment of osteoarthritis.