BackgroundTo further explore characteristics of myopia and changes in factors associated with myopia among students at Inner Mongolia Medical University.MethodsTwo cross-sectional censuses were conducted in 2011 and 2013. Participants were medical students residing on campus in 2011 and 2013. Logistic regression analysis was performed to ascertain associations with basic information, genetic factors, environmental factors. The χ2 test was used to test for differences in prevalence between 2011 and 2013. Prevalence was calculated at various myopia occurrence times among different parental myopia statuses.ResultsA total of 11,138 students enrolled from 2007 to 2012 completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of myopia in 2011 and 2013 was 70.50% and 69.21%, respectively, no statistically significant difference existed between the two censuses (p = 0.12). Both censuses were completed by 1015 students. There were no differences among the various year of study in 2011 or 2013. Myopic prevalence increased with an increased number of myopic parents: the prevalence if both parents were myopic was over 90%, nearly 80% if one parent was myopic, and less than 70% with non-myopic parents (p < 0.001). Myopic occurrence ranked from earliest to latest was in kindergarten and primary school when both parents were myopic, in middle school when one parent was myopic, and in university when no parent was myopic. Students staying up late, using a computer more than 3 h per day, not performing eye exercises, using eye drops, and rubbing the eyes at high risk for myopia.ConclusionsMyopic status was stable during the university period. Genetic factors play a major role in myopia. Protective measures are useful for university students.

Cuticular wax is closely related to plant resistance to abiotic stress. 3-Ketoacyl-CoA synthase (KCS) catalyzes the biosynthesis of very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) wax precursors. In this study, a novel KCS family gene was isolated from Newhall navel orange and subsequently named CsKCS6 . The CsKCS6 protein has two main domains that belong to the thiolase-like superfamily, the FAE1-CUT1-RppA and ACP_syn_III_C domains, which exist at amino acid positions 80–368 and 384–466, respectively. CsKCS6 was expressed in all tissues, with the highest expression detected in the stigma; in addition, the transcription of CsKCS6 was changed in response to drought stress, salt stress and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. Heterologous expression of CsKCS6 in Arabidopsis significantly increased the amount of VLCFAs in the cuticular wax on the stems and leaves, but there were no significant changes in total wax content. Compared with that of the wild-type (WT) plants, the leaf permeability of the transgenic plants was lower. Further research showed that, compared with the WT plants, the transgenic lines experienced less water loss and ion leakage after dehydration stress, displayed increased survival under drought stress treatment and presented significantly longer root lengths and survival under salt stress treatment. Our results indicate that CsKCS6 not only plays an important role in the synthesis of fatty acid precursors involved in wax synthesis but also enhances the tolerance of transgenic Arabidopsis plants to abiotic stress. Thus, the identification of CsKSC6 could help to increase the abiotic stress tolerance of Citrus in future breeding programs.

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Background: The lipid profile is associated with metabolic diseases in overweight and obese individuals. Quercetin treatment is suggested to reduce the risk factors for obesity. Objective: The aim of the literature meta-analysis was to determine the range of doses of quercetin administration on plasma lipid levels in overweight and obese human subjects. Methods: Articles searched on EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science through March 20, 2019, were reviewed independently using predetermined selection criteria. The Cochrane collaboration’s tool for assessing risk of bias was used to assess the quality of the included trials. Heterogeneity was measured using Cochran's Q test and the I-square (I2) statistic. Data were pooled using a random-effects model and the standardized mean difference (SMD) was considered for measuring the overall effect size. Results: Of 176 articles reviewed, 9 randomized clinical trials were selected based on the inclusion criteria. The pooled results for the effect of quercetin administration on LDL-cholesterol (SMD: -002; 95% CI: -0.15–0.11), HDL-cholesterol (SMD: -0.06; 95% CI: -0.19–0.07), triglycerides (SMD: 0.05; 95% CI: -0.08–0.18), and total cholesterol (SMD: 0.04; 95% CI: -0.09–0.17) were not significantly different from the control group results. Quercetin administration at doses of ≥250 mg/day (SMD: -0.58 ; 95% CI: -0.94–-0.22) and total dose ≥14,000 mg (SMD: -0.58 ; 95% CI: -0.94–-0.22) significantly reduced LDL levels; however, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol levels remained unchanged (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Quercetin administration does not affect plasma lipid levels in overweight and obese individuals. However, it significantly reduces LDL-cholesterol levels at doses of ≥250 mg/day and total dose ≥14000 mg.