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Abstract Background To determine the treatment behaviors among a community-based cohort of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected persons and to examine the disease progression among non-antiviral-treated HBV-infected cases after 5 years of follow-up. Methods We conducted a community-based prospective study on people with chronic HBV infection in mainland China from 2009 to 2014. In 2009, we recruited participants who were identified as HBV infected in 2006 in a national sero-survey. A face-to-face follow-up investigation was completed in 2014, and the personal information, the clinical diagnosis provided at the last hospital visit, the HBV antiviral treatment history, and the insurance type was collected for each patient for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors that are associated with active medical care- seeking and antiviral treatments. Results Among the 2422 chronic HBV-infected patients recruited in 2009, 1784 (73.7%) were followed-up to 2014, and 638 (35.8%) had sought medical care in hospitals; among them, 140 (21.9%) received antiviral treatments. The lowest medical care-seeking rate (26%) was in participants over 50-year old. We determined that the frequency of medical care-seeking was higher among those participants living in urban areas (aRR = 1.3, 95% CI:1.0–1.6), those in 0–19-year old (aRR = 1.5, 95% CI:1.1–2.1), 20–39-year old (aRR = 2.2, 95% CI:1.7–3.0) and 40–49-year old (aRR = 1.5, 95% CI:1.1–2.0), and persons with insurance of the type Urban residents’ basic medical insurance (URBMI) or Commercial health insurance (CHI) (aRR = 2.5, 95% CI:1.7–3.6) and New Rural Cooperative Medical System (NRCMS) (aRR = 1.9, 95% CI:1.4–2.6). Patients were more likely to receive antiviral treatment if they were 20–39-year old (aRR = 0.4, 95% CI:0.3–0.7), had insurance of the type URBMI or CHI (aRR = 2.6, 95% CI:1.1–6.3) or NRCMS (aRR = 3.0, 95% CI:1.3–6.9) and were treated at prefecture and above-level hospitals (aRR = 2.0, 95% CI:1.4–3.0). Among non-antiviral-treated HBV-infected cases, we found the annual rates for HBsAg sero-clearance, progress to cirrhosis and HCC were 1.0, 0.6 and 0.2%, respectively. Conclusion The rates of medical care-seeking and antiviral treatment were low among community-based chronic HBV-infected persons, thus we recommend improving the insurance policies for HBV-infected persons to increase the antiviral treatment rate, and conducting extensive education to promote HBV-infected patients actively seeking medical care from hospitals.

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a paracrine RAS within the central nervous system (CNS) and is closely related to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The endogenous hexapeptide angiotensin IV (Ang IV), an important component of the brain RAS, was found to rescue cognitive impairment and recover memory in previous studies. In our study, we used different doses of Dihexa, which can be orally administered and cross the BBB in APP/PS1 mice. We found that the amount of AngIV in mouse tissue increased after the administration of Dihexa compared to that in the WT group. Meanwhile, Dihexa restored spatial learning and cognitive functions in the Morris water maze test. Dihexa increased the neuronal cells and the expression of SYP protein in APP/PS1 mice in Nissl staining. Furthermore, Dihexa decreased the activation of astrocytes and microglia, markedly reduced levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α and increased the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Dihexa activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, while PI3K inhibitor wortmannin significantly reversed the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of APP/PS1 mice. These findings highlight the brain AngIV/PI3K/AKT axis as a potential target for the treatment of AD.

China’s hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevention policy has been evaluated through nationally representative serologic surveys conducted in 1992 and 2006. We report results of a 2014 serologic survey and reanalysis of the 1992 and 2006 surveys in the context of program policy. The 2014 survey used a 2-stage sample strategy in which townships were selected from 160 longstanding, nationally representative, county-level disease surveillance points, and persons 1–29 years of age were invited to participate. The 2014 sample size was 31,713; the response rate was 83.3%. Compared with the 1992 pre–recombinant vaccine survey, HBV surface antigen prevalence declined 46% by 2006 and by 52% by 2014. Among children

Abstract Background Since March 2014, the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa disrupted health care systems - especially in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone – with a consequential stress on the area’s routine immunization programs. To address perceived decreased vaccination coverage, Sierra Leone conducted a catch-up vaccination campaign during 24–27 April 2015. We conducted a vaccination coverage survey and report coverage estimates surrounding the time of the EVD outbreak and the catch-up campaign. Methods We selected 3 villages from each of 3 communities and obtained dates of birth and dates of vaccination with measles vaccine (MV) and the 3rd dose of Pentavalent vaccine (Pentavalent3) of all children under 4 years of age in the 9 selected villages. Vaccination data were obtained from parent-held health cards. We calculated the children’s MV and Pentavalent3 coverage rates at 3 time points, 1 August 2014, 1 April 2015, and 1 May 2015, representing coverage rates before the EVD outbreak, during the EVD outbreak, and after the Maternal and Child Health Week (MCHW) catch-up campaign. Results The final sample size was 168 children. MV coverage among age-eligible children was 71.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 62.1% - 80.4%) and 45.7% (95% CI: 29.2% - 62.2%) before and during the outbreak of EVD, respectively, and was 56.8% (95% CI: 40.8% - 72.7%) after the campaign. Pentavalent3 coverage among age-eligible children was 79.8% (95% CI: 72.6% - 87.0%) and 40.0% (95% CI: 22.5% - 57.5%) before and during the outbreak of EVD, and was 56.4% (95% CI: 39.1% - 73.4%) after the campaign. Conclusions Coverage levels of MV and Pentavalent3 were low before the EVD outbreak and decreased further during the outbreak. Although the MCHW catch-up campaign increased coverage levels, coverage remained below pre-outbreak levels. High-quality supplementary immunization activities should be conducted and routine immunization should be strengthened to address gaps in immunity among children in this EVD-affected area.

Hepatitis B infection is a major public health challenge in China. Clinicians report hepatitis B cases to the National Notifiable Disease Reporting System. A 2007 study found that only 35% of hepatitis B cases that had been reported as acute infections met a rigorous case definition of acute hepatitis B, implying overreporting of new-onset infections. To increase the accuracy of reported acute hepatitis B infections, in 2013, we initiated enhanced hepatitis B surveillance in 200 sentinel counties. We compared incidences and proportions of different stages of hepatitis B infection before and after implementation of enhanced surveillance. We checked the accuracy of reported data and re-diagnosed hepatitis B cases reported as acute infection according to the enhanced diagnostic criteria and calculated positive predictive value(PPV) of acute hepatitis B reports. Compared to previous surveillance, with enhanced surveillance, the incidence of reported acute hepatitis B infection decreased by 53.7% and the proportion of unclassified hepatitis B infection was reduced by 79.4%. From 2013 to 2016, the PPV of acute hepatitis B increased (55.8% to 71.0%); PPV rates in western and rural areas were lower than in other areas. We recommend enhancing hepatitis B surveillance nationwide using these new standards, and raising western and rural areas clinicians' diagnostic and reporting capacity, and ensuring sufficient resources for IgM anti-HBc testing.

ObjectivesNation-wide hepatitis B vaccination coverage among healthcare workers (HCWs) is not well researched in China. This study aims to investigate the self-reported hepatitis B vaccination status among HCWs in China.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of health_care workers' vaccination statuses in 120 hospitals in China by collecting demographic and vaccination data. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to assess factors associated with hepatitis B vaccination coverage.ResultsEighty-six percent (2,666/3,104) of respondents reported having received at least one dose of the hepatitis B vaccination and 60% (1,853/3,104) reported having completed ≥3 doses of the hepatitis B vaccination. Factors associated with completing ≥3 doses of the hepatitis B vaccination included workplaces offering free hepatitis B vaccination with vaccination management, age, medical occupation, hospital level, acceptable hepatitis B knowledge and having received training on hepatitis B. HCWs in workplaces offering a free hepatitis B vaccine with vaccination management were 1.4 times more likely (OR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1-1.8) to complete their hepatitis B vaccination compared to HCWs in workplaces that did not offer a free hepatitis B vaccine. Either the possession of acceptable hepatitis B knowledge or an age of 30-39 years increased the odds of complete hepatitis B vaccination by 1.3-fold (95% CIs: 1.1-1.5 and 1.1-1.7, respectively) over their referent category. The receipt of training on hepatitis B was also associated with a higher percentage of completing the hepatitis B vaccination (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2-1.8). The main self-reported reason for incomplete hepatitis B vaccination was "forgot to complete follow-up doses" among 43% (234/547) of respondents. Among those who never received any hepatitis B vaccination, only 30% (131/438) intended to be vaccinated. Obtaining immunity from work (40%) and hospitals that did not provide hepatitis B vaccination activities (40%) were the top reasons mentioned for refusing hepatitis B vaccination.ConclusionsThe complete hepatitis B vaccination rate among HCWs in China is low, and the desire of HCWs for vaccination is indifferent; therefore, education campaigns are needed. In addition, a free national hepatitis B vaccination policy for HCWs that includes vaccination management should be prioritized to improve hepatitis B coverage among HCWs who are at-risk for HBV infection.

The two-step GMM estimators of Arellano and Bond (1991) and Blundell and Bond (1998) for dynamic panel data models have been widely used in empirical work; however, neither of them performs well in small samples with weak instruments. The continuous-updating GMM estimator proposed by Hansen, Heaton, and Yaron (1996) is in principle able to reduce the small-sample bias, but it involves high-dimensional optimizations when the number of regressors is large. This paper proposes a computationally feasible variation on these standard two-step GMM estimators by applying the idea of continuous-updating to the autoregressive parameter only, given the fact that the absolute value of the autoregressive parameter is less than unity as a necessary requirement for the data-generating process to be stationary. We show that our subset-continuous-updating method does not alter the asymptotic distribution of the two-step GMM estimators, and it therefore retains consistency. Our simulation results indicate that the subset-continuous-updating GMM estimators outperform their standard two-step counterparts in finite samples in terms of the estimation accuracy on the autoregressive parameter and the size of the Sargan-Hansen test.

Objective To determine the projected burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in China, the intervention strategies that can eliminate motherto-child transmission (MTCT) by 2030 or earlier and the measurable parameters that can be used to monitor progress towards this target. Methods We developed a dynamic, sex- and age-stratified model of the HBV epidemic in China, calibrated using hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and e antigen (HBeAg) prevalence data from sequential national serosurveys (1979-2014) and the numbers of HBV- related cancer deaths (2012). We determined whether China can achieve elimination of MTCT of HBV by 2030 under current prevention interventions. We modelled various intervention scenarios to represent different coverage levels of birth-dose HBV vaccination, hepatitis B immunoglobulin to newborns of HBsAg-positive mothers and antiviral therapy (tenofovir) to HBeAg-positive pregnant women. Findings We project that, if current levels of prevention interventions are maintained, China will achieve the elimination target by 2029. By modelling various intervention scenarios, we found that this can be brought forward to 2025 by increasing coverage of birth-dose vaccination, or to 2024 by the administration of tenofovir to HBeAg-positive pregnant women. We found that achievement of the target by 2025 would be predicted by a measurement of less than 2% MTCT in 2020. Conclusion Our results highlight how high-quality national data can be combined with modelling in monitoring the elimination of MTCT of HBV. By demonstrating the impact of increased interventions on target achievement dates, we anticipate that other high- burden countries will be motivated to strengthen HBV prevention policies. Objectif Determiner la charge exercee par le virus de l'hepatite B (VHB) en Chine, les strategies d'intervention qui pourraient eliminer la transmission de la mere a l'enfant (TME) d'ici 2030 au plus tard, et les parametres mesurables pouvant etre utilises pour suivre les progres realises dans ce domaine. Methodes Nous avons developpe, pour l'epidemie de VHB en Chine, un modele dynamique stratifie selon l'age et le sexe. Nous l'avons calibre a l'aide des donnees de prevalence de l'antigene de surface (HBsAg) et de l'antigene e (HBeAg) de l'hepatite B, issues des enquetes serologiques nationales de type sequentiel (1979-2014) et du nombre de deces par cancer associes au VHB (2012). Nous avons etabli si les interventions de prevention actuelles permettraient a la Chine d'eliminer la TME du VHB d'ici 2030. Nous avons modelise plusieurs scenarios d'intervention pour representer differents niveaux de couverture de vaccination contre le VHB a la naissance, d'injection d'immunoglobuline aux enfants nes de meres HBsAg-positives, et de traitement antiviral (tenofovir) administre aux femmes enceintes HBeAg-positives. Resultats Nous estimons que si les interventions de prevention actuelles sont maintenues, la Chine atteindra l'objectif d'elimination prevu d'ici 2029. En modelisant divers scenarios d'intervention, nous avons decouvert que cet objectif pourrait meme etre concretise pour 2025 en augmentant la couverture de vaccination a la naissance, voire 2024 en administrant du tenofovir aux femmes enceintes HBeAg-positives. Nous avons egalement constate qu'un taux de TME inferieur a 2% en 2020 prefigurait la realisation de l'objectif pour 2025. Conclusion Nos resultats mettent en lumiere la facon dont des donnees nationales de qualite peuvent etre combinees a des modeles pour surveiller l'elimination de la TME du VHB. En demontrant l'impact de l'accroissement des interventions sur les echeances des objectifs, nous esperons motiver d'autres pays durement touches a renforcer leurs politiques de prevention du VHB. Objetivo Determinar la carga prevista del virus de la hepatitis B (VHB) en China, las estrategias de intervencion que pueden eliminar la transmision maternofilial (TMT) para 2030 o antes y los parametros mensurables que se pueden aplicar para vigilar los avances logrados en la consecucion de este objetivo. Metodos Se elaboro un modelo dinamico, estratificado por sexo y edad, de la epidemia del VHB en China, que se calibro mediante el uso de datos de prevalencia del antigeno HBs y del antigeno HBe obtenidos a partir de encuestas serologicas nacionales secuenciales (1979-2014) y de la cantidad de muertes por cancer causadas por el VHB (2012). Se determino si China puede lograr la eliminacion de la TMT del VHB para 2030 con las actuales intervenciones de prevencion. Se elaboraron varios escenarios de intervencion para representar diferentes niveles de cobertura de la vacunacion contra el VHB en dosis al nacer, de la inmunoglobulina de la hepatitis B a los recien nacidos de madres con pruebas positivas para el antigeno HBs y de la terapia antivirica (tenofovir) a las mujeres embarazadas con pruebas positivas para el antigeno HBe. Resultados Se preve que, si se mantienen los niveles actuales de intervenciones de prevencion, China lograra el objetivo de eliminacion para 2029. Mediante la elaboracion de modelos de varios escenarios de intervencion, se descubrio que este objetivo se puede adelantar para 2025 al aumentar la cobertura de la vacunacion de dosis al nacer o para 2024 al administrar tenofovir a las mujeres embarazadas que den positivo en la prueba del antigeno HBe. Ademas, se observo que el logro del objetivo para 2025 se podria predecir mediante la medicion de menos del 2 % de la TMT en 2020. Conclusion Los resultados de este analisis destacan como se pueden combinar los datos nacionales de alta calidad con la elaboracion de modelos para vigilar la eliminacion de la TMT del VHB. Al demostrar el impacto del aumento de las intervenciones en las fechas de cumplimiento de los objetivos, se preve que otros paises con una gran carga del VHB estaran motivados para reforzar las politicas de prevencion de este virus. [phrase omitted], Introduction The global momentum towards the elimination of viral hepatitis is growing. The World Health Assembly adopted the first global viral hepatitis elimination target in 2016 in calling for a [...]

• Live, attenuated and inactivated hepatitis A vaccines are both immunogenic and show long-term duration of protection. • Live, attenuated and inactivated hepatitis A vaccines have similar per-dose safety profiles. • Use of either vaccine results in similar population immunity and low incidence of hepatitis A. In 2008, China introduced live, attenuated hepatitis A vaccine (L-HepA, licensed in 1992) and inactivated hepatitis A vaccine (I-HepA, licensed in 2002) nationwide, and is currently the only country using L-HepA in routine immunization. We assessed seropositivity and its duration following vaccination, safety, and association with hepatitis A incidence and population seroprevalence for I-HepA and L-HepA. We obtained seroprevalence data from two nationwide serosurveys (in 1992 and 2014), vaccination status from the 2014 serosurvey, and vaccine safety and disease incidence data from the national surveillance system. We compared long-term HAV seropositivity among vaccine recipients and described safety profiles of both vaccines. We categorized the 31 provinces into those predominately using I-HepA and achieving high coverage (n = 4), those predominately using L-HepA achieving high coverage (n = 4), and those predominately using L-HepA achieving lower coverage (n = 23). We compared population HAV seropositivity, coverage, and disease incidence among the three groups. One year after vaccination, seropositivity from I-HepA was significantly higher than from L-HepA (97.8% vs 90.7%), and seropositivity declined to 73.5% for L-HepA and 75.4% for I-HepA after 10 years – not significantly different by vaccine. The annual incidence of serious AEFI was <0.5/100 000 for both vaccines. Prior to licensure of either HepA vaccine, provinces that would go on to predominantly use I-HepA had lower incidences of hepatitis A and lower seropositivity levels to HAV than provinces that would go on to use L-HepA. By 2014, these differences were significantly diminished. Regardless of vaccine selection, all three province groups had lower immunity to HAV among individuals born during the 10 years prior to nationwide vaccine introduction – individuals who were 10 to 24 years old in 2014. Evidence of good immunogenicity, safety, and impact on incidence supports continued use of both I-HepA and L-HepA in the EPI system. These results may be useful for countries considering integrating HepA vaccines into their routine programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To alleviate poverty must cure foolishness first, and to help the poor must help them increase wisdom first. Educational poverty alleviation, as an important way to block the transmission of poverty from generation to generation, plays an irreplaceable and important role in targeted poverty alleviation. Through the analysis of the effectiveness and deficiencies of educational targeted poverty alleviation for the poor, it is found that these deficiencies exist in the current educational targeted poverty alleviation: the method is not targeted enough, the evaluation mechanism is not perfect, and the participant is deficient. We should give full play to the basic and guiding role of education in targeted poverty alleviation, and ensure the precision of poverty alleviation way by setting up the big data service platform of educational targeted poverty alleviation. In addition, we should improve the dynamic supervision and evaluation system of educational poverty alleviation, realize the timeliness of poverty alleviation, construct a pattern of educational targeted poverty alleviation with multiparticipant cooperation, promote the poverty-stricken population to get rid of poverty and block the transmission of poverty from generation to generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the author studies on the machine vision information acquisition and processing technology based on FPGA. Canny edge detection algorithm is used to obtain the information of the edge pixel position of the leaf followed by median filtering and linearization (using Otsu threshold algorithm). After the image reconstruction, the edge pixel would be inserted into the image, and the pixels within the edges would be filled. Results show that the display error is within1%which means this method ensures the integrity of the research object edge while eliminating the white noise in the image to improve the accuracy of the measurement results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machine vision inspection is a new detection technology based on computer vision and image processing. It obtains a variety of parameters of work piece's that can be described by image processing, and gets the parameters understood and judged. It can be applied to the actual testing, measurement and control at the end. It has the features of Non-contact, high accuracy, wide application range and high degree of automation and so on. As machine vision online testing equipment installed in the production line, which detects speed must keep high degree of synchronization with the high-speed production line. The key technology to achieve its high-speed synchronous is precise control of camera and high-speed detection of image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]