Surface engineering of nanomaterials allows fine tuning of their interactions with biological systems, and thus can benefit their applications in monitoring intracellular events. Herein, the facile synthesis of ligand-functionalized gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) as intracellular probes targeting highly reactive oxygen species (hROS, such as •OH, ClO − , and ONOO − ) is demonstrated. Selected ligands such as quaternary ammonium and oligopeptides are utilized to modulate the surface chemistry of AuNCs. It is shown that AuNCs decorated with the cell-penetrating oligoarginine peptide facilitate cellular uptake and intracellular imaging of hROS in living cells and the zebrafish, with high stability and selectivity.

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Hypertension and its risk factors have been thoroughly investigated in multiple population studies, but little is known about Chinese minorities. In this study, we examined the association of hypertension prevalence with its risk factors in Han and nonHan minorities from Xinjiang Province, China, who have distinct lifestyles. A total of 9551 Han and non-Han Chinese (Han 83.9%, non-Han 16.1%) 17-81-years old participated in this clinical survey and anthropometric screening. Physical examination was performed on each participant, including measurement of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and body mass index (BMI). The prevalence of hypertension in non-Hans was found to be significantly greater than in Hans, in both men (39.92% vs. 28.55%, Po0.001) and women (19.49% vs. 10.29%, Po0.001) among the 36-55-year old age group. BMI was also found to be significantly higher in non-Hans than Hans in men (BMI: 26.54±3.23 vs. 24.82±2.77 kg m À2 , Po0.001) and women (BMI: 26.92 ± 3.20 vs. 24.19 ± 3.16 kg m À2 , Po0.001) in the same age group, but not in those o36-years old. Although Han women had normal weights or were slightly overweight (age 436, BMI¼22.25-24.19 kg m À2 ), non-Han women from the same age group were found to be severely overweight (ages 36-55, BMI¼24.94 kg m À2 , ages 456, BMI¼26.92 kg m À2 ). A strong association between increased BMI and hypertension was shown in all ethnic and gender groups. The prevalence of hypertension in overweight (BMIX24 kg m À2 ) and obese (BMIX28 kg m À2 ), aged (36-81), male, and non-Han participants was significantly greater than in lean (BMI o24 kg m À2 ), young (17-35), female Hans, after adjustment for these variables in a multivariate logistic regression analysis (Po0.001). A high prevalence of hypertension in overweight and obese elderly non-Han men suggests that BMI, age, sex and race are important risk factors for hypertension in this Chinese population. Keywords: body mass index; minority; risk factor INTRODUCTION Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death in major racial and ethnic groups worldwide. 1 Hypertension is one of the most prevalent CVDs and affects certain ethnic groups disproportionately in China. 2 For example, Kazakh people from Xinjiang Province have more rapid progression of hypertension than Hans from the same area. In a survey by the Chinese National Blood Pressure Survey Cooperative Group on the prevalence of hypertension in different ethnic groups in China in 1991, Kazakh men had the fifth highest and Kazakh women had the highest rates of hypertension among all ethnic groups in China, which was much higher than Hans. 2 These observations suggest an important impact of ethnic-associated lifestyles and genetic factors on hypertension, a fact that is poorly recognized in China. The causes for these disparities are not fully understood, although we do know that Kazakh populations are generally overweight, have different dietary habits from Hans and have poor access to healthcare facilities. 3 The paucity of information about the...

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