A-FABP (adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein), one of the most abundant proteins in adipocytes, plays a key role in obesity-related insulin resistance, inflammation and atherosclerosis in animals. In the present study, we sought to investigate the association of A-FABP with HF (heart failure) in Chinese subjects. Serum A-FABP levels were measured in 252 HF patients and 261 age-, gender- and BMI (body mass index)-matched non-HF subjects. Echocardiography was performed on each patient. The severity of HF was determined by the NYHA (New York Heart Association) classification system. After adjustments for age, gender and BMI, serum A-FABP concentrations in patients with HF were significantly higher than in non-HF patients [11.17 (6.63-19.93) ng/ml compared with 5.67 (3.20-8.87) ng/ml; P<0.001] and significantly progressed with the NYHA class (P<0.001). In addition, NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide) was independently and positively correlated with A-FABP (standardized β=0.340, P<0.001) after adjusting for confounding factors. Each echocardiographic parameter, especially LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction), was independently associated with A-FABP (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that A-FABP concentration was an independent risk factor for HF [odds ratio, 6.93 (95% confidence interval, 2.49-19.30); P<0.001]. Our results demonstrate that A-FABP is closely associated with HF, and raise the possibility that increased A-FABP may be causally related to the pathogenesis of heart dysfunction in humans.

There is a dearth of data on the iodine balance studies of Chinese population. In the present study, we aimed to explore the appropriate recommended nutrient intake (RNI) of iodine based on healthy Chinese women. A 4-week study was conducted in twenty-five Chinese euthyroid women. Uniform diets with different iodine contents were provided in two different periods, in which non-iodised salt was given in the first 3 weeks, followed by 1 week of iodised salt administration. The total iodine intake from diet, water and air as well as the total iodine excretion through urine, faeces and respiration were monitored and determined. The sweat iodine loss was also considered. Moreover, the regression curve model was established between the 24 h iodine intake and 24 h iodine excretion. The 24 h iodine intake in the two periods was 194·8 (sd 62·9) and 487·1 (sd 177·3) μg/d, respectively. The 24 h iodine excretion was 130·9 (sd 39·5) and 265·4 (sd 71·8) μg/d, respectively. Both 24 h iodine intake and 24 h iodine excretion of the two periods were significantly different (all P<0·05). The iodised salt contributed approximately 62·7 % of the total daily iodine intake. Moreover, 92·3 % (277/300) of samples were in positive balance, while twenty-three cases were in negative balance. Our data show that the estimated average requirement for iodine was 110·5 μg/d. Therefore, the RNI for iodine to non-pregnant, non-lactating Chinese women was 154·7 μg/d.

Background: This study aimed to specify the prevalence of sedentary behavior and depression and investigate the relationship between sedentary behavior and depression among college students majoring in design. Methods: A total of 480 undergraduate and postgraduate students majoring in design were randomly enrolled from a university in Nanjing for a questionnaire that included sociodemographic data, physical health, sedentary behavior and depression. Results: Participants reported that they spent 14.93 (SD = 1.76) hours on sedentary behavior per day and most of the time occurred outside the classroom. There were 161 (39.8%) students who reported depression, with a statistical difference across grades. After adjusting for sociodemographic attributes, physical health and physical activity, binary logistic regression analysis showed that the total sedentary time and time spent on school assignments on weekends were significantly associated with depression. Conclusions: To reduce the risk of depression, students majoring in design should be encouraged to change sedentary behaviors to physical activities in their study and life, such as using non-seating postures to do school assignments, making time for more physical activities and reducing assignments on weekends.

Summary The lack of access to public transport is generally considered to be a risk factor for childhood obesity by discouraging active transport and thus physical activity. To explore the association between access to public transport and childhood obesity, we have conducted a systematic literature search in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Web of Science for studies published before January 1, 2019. A total of 25 cross‐sectional and two longitudinal studies conducted in 10 countries were identified. Inconsistent findings were identified arising from a great variety of sample characteristics, definitions of exposure (ie, access to public transport), and outcome variables (eg, obesity), and analysis methods. While over half of the studies showed null associations between access to public transport and childhood obesity, we have observed more positive than negative associations among the rest of the studies. These observations suggest that an increased level of access to public transport may have a health‐promoting effect and hence prevent the development of childhood obesity. However, this conclusion needs to be further corroborated in future research on the basis of large‐sample health surveys, in situ observations, and comparative analyses among different study areas.