Search

Abstract Brain metastases (BMs) and high-grade gliomas (HGGs) are the most common and aggressive types of malignant brain tumors in adults, with often poor prognosis and short survival. As their clinical symptoms and image appearances on conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be astonishingly similar, their accurate differentiation based solely on clinical and radiological information can be very challenging, particularly for “cancer of unknown primary”, where no systemic malignancy is known or found. Non-invasive multiparametric MRI and radiomics offer the potential to identify these distinct biological properties, aiding in the characterization and differentiation of HGGs and BMs. However, there is a scarcity of publicly available multi-origin brain tumor imaging data for tumor characterization. In this paper, we introduce a multi-center, multi-origin brain tumor MRI (MOTUM) imaging dataset obtained from 67 patients: 29 with high-grade gliomas, 20 with lung metastases, 10 with breast metastases, 2 with gastric metastasis, 4 with ovarian metastasis, and 2 with melanoma metastasis. This dataset includes anonymized DICOM files alongside processed FLAIR, T1-weighted, contrast-enhanced T1-weighted, T2-weighted sequences images, segmentation masks of two tumor regions, and clinical data. Our data-sharing initiative is to support the benchmarking of automated tumor segmentation, multi-modal machine learning, and disease differentiation of multi-origin brain tumors in a multi-center setting.

Abstract Background Trans-radial (TRA) access has become increasingly prevalent in neurointervention. Nonetheless, mediastinal hematoma after TRA is an infrequent yet grave complication associated with a notably elevated mortality rate. While our review found no reported mediastinal hematoma cases managed conservatively within neuro-interventional literature, similar complications are documented in cardiac and vascular interventional radiology, indicating its potential occurrence across disciplines. Case Presentation Carotid computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed calcified plaques with stenosis (Left: Severe, Right: Moderate) in the bilateral internal carotid arteries (ICAs) of an 81-year-old male presented with paroxysmal weakness in the right upper limb. Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel was administered. On day 7, DSA of the bilateral ICAs was performed via TRA. Post-DSA, the patient experienced transient loss of consciousness, chest tightness, and other symptoms without ECG or MRI abnormalities. Hemoglobin level decreased from 110 g/L to 92 g/L. Iodinated contrast-induced laryngeal edema was suspected, and the patient was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone. Neck CT indicated a possible mediastinal hemorrhage, which chest CTA confirmed. The patient’s treatment plan involved discontinuing antiplatelet medication as a precautionary measure against the potential occurrence of an ischemic stroke instead of the utilization of a covered stent graft and surgical intervention. Serial CTs revealed hematoma absorption. Discharge CT showed a reduced hematoma volume of 35 × 45 mm. Conclusions This case underscores the need for timely identification and precise manipulation of guidewires and guide-catheters through trans-radial access. The critical components of successful neuro-interventional techniques include timely examination, rapid identification, proper therapy, and diligent monitoring.

BackgroundDespite advances in neuro-oncology, treatments of glioma and tools for predicting the outcome of patients remain limited. The objective of this research is to construct a prognostic model for glioma using the Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD) score and validate its predictive capability for glioma.MethodsWe consolidated glioma datasets from TCGA, various cancer types for pan-cancer HRD analysis, and two additional glioma RNAseq datasets from GEO and CGGA databases. HRD scores, mutation data, and other genomic indices were calculated. Using machine learning algorithms, we identified signature genes and constructed an HRD-related prognostic risk model. The model’s performance was validated across multiple cohorts. We also assessed immune infiltration and conducted molecular docking to identify potential therapeutic agents.ResultsOur analysis established a correlation between higher HRD scores and genomic instability in gliomas. The model, based on machine learning algorithms, identified seven key genes, significantly predicting patient prognosis. Moreover, the HRD score prognostic model surpassed other models in terms of prediction efficacy across different cancers. Differential immune cell infiltration patterns were observed between HRD risk groups, with potential implications for immunotherapy. Molecular docking highlighted several compounds, notably Panobinostat, as promising for high-risk patients.ConclusionsThe prognostic model based on the HRD score threshold and associated genes in glioma offers new insights into the genomic and immunological landscapes, potentially guiding therapeutic strategies. The differential immune profiles associated with HRD-risk groups could inform immunotherapeutic interventions, with our findings paving the way for personalized medicine in glioma treatment.

Aedes albopictus, a common mosquito in Zhejiang Province, is a carrier of more than twenty arboviruses. There are dozens or even hundreds of imported cases of dengue fever every year in Zhejiang Province, and there have also been many local outbreaks caused by imported cases of dengue fever. The objectives were to assess the resistance of larvae and adults of several Ae. albopictus strains in Zhejiang Province to commonly used pyrethroid insecticides (beta-cypermethrin, deltamethrin and permethrin), and detect mutations in the sodium channel gene, to further analyse the relationship between phenotypic resistance and the frequency of mutations. The resistance of eight field strains of Ae. albopictus larvae to beta-cypermethrin, deltamethrin and permethrin ranged from 8.17 to 36.06, 12.12–107.3 and 1.55–81.9, respectively, and there was a significant positive correlation of interaction resistance among the three insecticides. The mutation frequencies of I1532T and F1534S in the larvae of Ae. albopictus were 0–6.25 % and 42.19–100.00 %. Moreover, the diagnostic doses of the three pyrethroids for adult Ae. albopictus mosquitoes were 0.2510 g/L, 0.1562 g/L, and 0.9072 g/L. Except for the Zhoushan strain, which was suspected to be resistant to beta-cypermethrin, the other field strains were resistant to the three pyrethroids, and there was a significant positive correlation of cross-resistance among the three insecticides. The mutation frequencies of I1532T and F1534S of adult Ae. albopictus were 0–1.56 % and 62.50–100.00 %. In addition, the LC50 of the larvae and the mortality rate of adult Ae. albopictus after treatment with the three pyrethroids were significantly and positively correlated with the frequency of the F1534S mutation. F1534S mutation occurred earlier than I1532T mutation in both larvae and adult Ae. albopictus. F1534S mutation in the sodium channel gene may be a particular biomolecular detection marker for resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in Ae. albopictus in Zhejiang Province.

Abstract Brain metastases signify a deleterious milestone in the progression of several advanced cancers, predominantly originating from lung, breast and melanoma malignancies, with a median survival timeframe nearing six months. Existing therapeutic regimens yield suboptimal outcomes; however, burgeoning insights into the tumor microenvironment, particularly the immunosuppressive milieu engendered by tumor–brain interplay, posit immunotherapy as a promising avenue for ameliorating brain metastases. In this review, we meticulously delineate the research advancements concerning the microenvironment of brain metastases, striving to elucidate the panorama of their onset and evolution. We encapsulate three emergent immunotherapeutic strategies, namely immune checkpoint inhibition, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell transplantation and glial cell-targeted immunoenhancement. We underscore the imperative of aligning immunotherapy development with in-depth understanding of the tumor microenvironment and engendering innovative delivery platforms. Moreover, the integration with established or avant-garde physical methodologies and localized applications warrants consideration in the prevailing therapeutic schema.

Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a clean and reliable energy vector for decarbonization in the future. In the marine sector, marine solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) that employ hydrogen as an energy source have already been developed. In this study, a multi-channel plate-anode-loaded SOFC was taken as the research object. A three-dimensional steady-state computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for anode-supported SOFC was established, which is based on the mass conservation, energy conservation, momentum conservation, electrochemical reactions, and charge transport equations, including detailed geometric shapes, model boundary condition settings, and the numerical methods employed. The polarization curves calculated from the numerical simulation were compared with experimental results from the literature to verify the model’s accuracy. The curved model was applied by enlarging the flow channels or adding blocks. Numerical calculations were employed to obtain the current density, temperature distribution, and component concentration distribution under the operating conditions of the SOFC. Subsequently, the distribution patterns of various physical parameters during the SOFC operation were analyzed. Compared to the classical model, the temperature of the curved model was reduced by 1.3%, and the velocities of the cathode and anode were increased by 4.9% and 5.0%, respectively, with a 2.42% enhancement in performance. The findings of this study provide robust support for research into and the application of marine SOFCs, and offer they insights into how we may achieving “dual carbon” goals.

BackgroundMosquito-borne diseases pose serious public health threats in Zhejiang Province, China, and vector control is believed to be the primary method for reducing transmission. Due to severe resistance problems, effective and sustainable methods without chemical insecticides are urgently required to control mosquito vectors. Attractive toxic sugar baits (ATSB) are newly developed methods to control mosquitoes in recent decades with the core element sugar bait, which was invented according to the sugar-feeding behavior of mosquitoes. In this study, we developed a Novel Sugar Bait Device (NSBD) trap by combining sugar bait and physical adhesive capture technology. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of the NSBD trap on controlling mosquitoes in residential environments and to identify the optimal sugar solution concentration in the sugar bait of the NSBD for real use.MethodsFour residential villages in Ningbo City with similar geographic environments and mosquito densities were selected for field trials in 2022. One village (site 1) was designated as the control group, and three villages (sites 2–4) served as the test groups to assess the effectiveness of NSBD traps with different sugar solution concentrations (6, 8, and 10%) in the sugar bait. Larval and adult mosquito densities were monitored monthly before and semi-monthly after the trials using the CDC light trap and larval pipette method.ResultsBefore the trials, we monitored mosquito density for 3 months to confirm the baseline mosquito density among the four sites, and no statistical differences in adult and larval mosquitoes were found (adult, F = 3.047, p > 0.05; larvae, F = 0.436, p > 0.05). After the trials, all NCBD traps effectively controlled larval and adult mosquito densities, with the highest standard decrease rates of larval and adult mosquito densities at 57.80 and 86.31%, respectively, observed in site 4. The most suitable sugar solution concentration in the sugar bait was 10%.ConclusionNSBD traps effectively controlled mosquitoes in residential environments during field trials. Without the use of insecticides, this may be a promising choice for mosquito vector control to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.

Abstract Dengue fever is one of the biggest threats to public health in China, causing huge disease burden and economic loss. Aedes-mosquito surveillance could be a cornerstone for predicting the risk of Aedes-borne diseases and evaluating the effect of vector management during diseases outbreaks. The human landing catch (HLC) method is regarded as the “gold standard” for catching Aedes mosquitoes, but it potentially exposes field professionals to vectors of known or unknown pathogens. Human-baited double net (HDN) was recommended to replace HLC for emergency monitoring in China when Aedes-borne diseases break out, but it had been reported with low efficiency for capturing Aedes mosquitoes. In this study, we compared HLC with HDN and BG traps for field Aedes albopictus monitoring, with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of HDN replacing HLC and finding an effective and safe alternative to the HLC for monitoring Aedes albopictus. Six sites in Hangzhou, Shaoxing, and Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, China, were chosen to conduct outdoor HLC, HDN, and BG trap catches from June to October 2021. The tests were performed 3 h apart: 8:30–9:30 AM, 16:30–17:30 PM, and 17:30–18:30 PM. A total of 2330 adult mosquitoes were collected, and Aedes albopictus was the most abundant species in all three catches with 848(98.95%), 559(97.39%) and 867 (96.44%) caught in HLC, HDN and BG traps respectively. Compared to HLC, HDN collected significantly less Ae. albopictus and Ae. albopictus females per trapping period (P 0.05). Statistically significant positive spatial correlations for Ae. albopictus sampling was found between HLC and HDN traps (r = 0.543, P

Rotary kiln is an important industrial large-scale heating equipment. Measuring and calculating its internal heat and temperature distribution is of great significance for the reasonable design of rotary kiln and the setting of process parameters such as material flow rate and heating temperature in the process of operation, so as to achieve the purpose of saving energy. This paper analyzes the variation of heat, gas temperature, material temperature and kiln wall temperature with kiln length in the process of limonite reduction roasting in rotary kiln. The calculated results are in good agreement with the measured results. It is of certain significance to understand the distribution law of heat and temperature and reasonably arrange the process parameters of flue gas combustion and material distribution.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to analyze the population density of vector ticks and reservoir hosts rodents, and to investigate the relevant pathogen infection in Zhejiang Province, China.MethodsIn this surveillance study, the data of ticks density were collected with the tick picking method on animal body surface and the drag-flag method, while the rodent density with the night trapping method. The samples of ticks were examined for the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), and blood serum and organs from rodents were subjected for SFTSV, hantavirus, Leptospira, Orientia tsutsugamushi (O. tsutsugamushi) and Yersinia pestis (Y. pestis) screening in the laboratory.ResultsFrom 2017 to 2022 in Zhejiang Province, 16,230 parasitic ticks were found in 1848 positive animals, with the density of parasitic ticks of 1.29 ticks per host animal, and a total of 5,201 questing ticks were captured from 1,140,910 meters of vegetation distance with the questing tick density of 0.46 ticks/flag·100 m. Haemaphysalis longicornis (H. longicornis) was the major species. A total of 2,187,739 mousetraps were distributed and 12,705 rodents were trapped, with the density of 0.58 per 100 trap-nights. Rattus norvegicus was the major species. For SFTSV screening, two groups nymphal ticks of H. longicornis were tested to be positive. For the rodents samples, the Leptospira had a positive rate of 12.28% (197/1604), the hantavirus was 1.00% (16/1604), and the O. tsutsugamushi was 0.15% (2/1332). No positive results were found with SFTSV and Y. pestis in the rodents samples.ConclusionFindings from this study indicated that the ticks and rodents were widely distributed in Zhejiang Province. Particularly, the positive detection of SFTSV, Leptospira, hantavirus and O. tsutsugamushi in ticks or rodents from this area suggested that more attention should be paid to the possibilities of relevant vector-borne diseases occurrence.

Abstract Currently, the global situation of COVID-19 is aggravating, pressingly calling for efficient control and prevention measures. Understanding the spreading pattern of COVID-19 has been widely recognized as a vital step for implementing non-pharmaceutical measures. Previous studies explained the differences in contagion rates due to the urban socio-political measures, while fine-grained geographic urban spreading pattern still remains an open issue. Here, we fill this gap by leveraging the trajectory data of 197,808 smartphone users (including 17,808 anonymous confirmed cases) in nine cities in China. We find a general spreading pattern in all cities: the spatial distribution of confirmed cases follows a power-law-like model and the spreading centroid human mobility is time-invariant. Moreover, we reveal that long average traveling distance results in a high growth rate of spreading radius and wide spatial diffusion of confirmed cases in the fine-grained geographic model. With such insight, we adopt the Kendall model to simulate the urban spreading of COVID-19 which can well fit the real spreading process. Our results unveil the underlying mechanism behind the spatial-temporal urban evolution of COVID-19, and can be used to evaluate the performance of mobility restriction policies implemented by many governments and to estimate the evolving spreading situation of COVID-19.

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the world, and mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 continues. The new strain has become more transmissible. The role of aerosol transmission in the pandemic deserves great attention.MethodsIn this observational study, we collected data from market customers and stallholders who had been exposed to the virus in the Qingkou night market on July 31 and were subsequently infected. We analyzed the possible infection zones of secondary cases and aerosol suspension time in ambient air. We described and analyzed the characteristics of the secondary cases and the transmission routes for customers.ResultsThe point source outbreak of COVID-19 in Qingkou night market contained a cluster of 131 secondary cases. In a less-enclosed place like the Qingkou night market, aerosols with BA.5.2 strain released by patients could suspend in ambient air up to 1 h 39 min and still be contagious.ConclusionAerosols with viruses can spread over a relatively long distance and stay in ambient air for a long time in a less enclosed space, but shorter than that under experimental conditions. Therefore, the aerosol suspension time must be considered when identifying and tracing close contact in outbreak investigations.

Abstract Background A chronic progressive degenerative joint disease, such as osteoarthritis (OA) is positively related to age. The medical economy is facing a major burden, because of the high disability rate seen in patients with OA. Therefore, to prevent and treat OA, exploring the diagnostic biomarkers of OA will be of great significance. Methods Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database using the RobustRankAggreg R package, and a protein–protein interaction network was constructed. The module was obtained from Cytoscape, and the four algorithms of degree, MNC, closeness, and MCC in CytoHubba were used to identify the hub genes. A diagnostic model was constructed using Support Vector Machines (SVM), and the ability of the model to predict was evaluated by other cohorts. Results From normal and OA samples, 136 DEGs were identified, out of which 45 were downregulated in the normal group and 91 were upregulated in the OA group. These genes were associated with the extracellular matrix-receptor interactions, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and the protein digestion and absorption pathway, as per a functional enrichment analysis. Finally, we identified the 7 hub genes (COL6A3, COL1A2, COL1A1, MMP2, COL3A1, POST, and FN1). These genes have important roles and are widely involved in the immune response, apoptosis, inflammation, and bone development. These 7 genes were used to construct a diagnostic model by SVM, and it performed well in different cohorts. Additionally, we verified the methylation expression of these hub genes. Conclusions The 7-genes signature can be used for the diagnosis of OA and can provide new ideas in the clinical decision-making for patients with OA.

Chronic refractory wounds (CRW) are one of the most serious clinical challenges for surgeons to address. Stromal vascular fraction gels (SVFG), including human adipose stem cells (hASCs), have excellent vascular regenerative and tissue repair properties. Here, we combined single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of leg subcutaneous adipose tissue samples with scRNA-seq data from abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue, leg subcutaneous adipose tissue, and visceral adipose tissue samples from public databases. The results showed specific differences in cellular levels in adipose tissue from different anatomical site sources. We identified cells including CD4+ T cells, hASCs, adipocyte (APC), epithelial (Ep) cells, and preadipocyte. In particular, the dynamics between groups of hASCs, epithelial cells, APCs, and precursor cells in adipose tissue of different anatomical site origins were more significant. Furthermore, our analysis reveals alterations at the cellular level and molecular level, as well as the biological signaling pathways involved in these subpopulations of cells with specific alterations. In particular, certain subpopulations of hASCs have higher cell stemness, which may be related to lipogenic differentiation capacity and may be beneficial in promoting CRW treatment and healing. In general, our study captures a human single-cell transcriptome profile across adipose depots, the cell type identification and analysis of which may help dissect the function and role of cells with specific alterations present in adipose tissue and may provide new ideas and approaches for the treatment of CRW in the clinical setting.

Abstract Background Osteoarthritis (OA), which is due to the progressive loss and degeneration of articular cartilage, is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Therefore, it is of great significance to explore OA biomarkers for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of OA. Methods and materials The GSE129147, GSE57218, GSE51588, GSE117999, and GSE98918 datasets with normal and OA samples were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The GSE117999 and GSE98918 datasets were integrated, and immune infiltration was evaluated. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed using the limma package in R, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to explore the co-expression genes and co-expression modules. The co-expression module genes were analyzed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. A protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) database, and hub genes were identified by the degree, MNC, closeness, and MCC algorithms. The hub genes were used to construct a diagnostic model based on support vector machines. Results The Immune Score in the OA samples was significantly higher than in the normal samples, and a total of 2313 DEGs were identified. Through WGCNA, we found that the yellow module was significantly positively correlated with the OA samples and Immune Score and negatively correlated with the normal samples. The 142 DEGs of the yellow module were related to biological processes such as regulation of inflammatory response, positive regulation of inflammatory response, blood vessel morphogenesis, endothelial cell migration, and humoral immune response. The intersections of the genes obtained by the 4 algorithms resulted in 5 final hub genes, and the diagnostic model constructed with these 5 genes showed good performance in the training and validation cohorts. Conclusions The 5-gene diagnostic model can be used to diagnose OA and guide clinical decision-making.

BackgroundVector-borne diseases have become one of the most serious local public health threats. Monitoring and controlling vectors are important means of controlling vector-borne diseases. However, traditional vector surveillance systems in China mainly monitor vector density, making its early-warning effect on vector-borne diseases weak. In this study, we applied an integrated surveillance system of multiple arthropod vectors and reservoir host containing ecology, etiology, and drug resistance monitoring to obtain better knowledge on vector populations and provide early warning of suspicious vector-borne infectious disease occurrence.MethodsAn ecology surveillance of mosquitoes, rodents, ticks, and chigger mites, a pathogen infection survey on mosquitoes and rodents, and a drug resistance survey on Aedes albopictus were conducted in 12 cities in Zhejiang Province in 2020.ResultsA total of 15,645 adult mosquitoes were collected at a density of 19.8 mosquitoes per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention light trap. Culex tritaeniorhynchus (72.76%) was the most abundant species. The Breteau index of Ae. albopictus was 13.11. The rodent density was 0.91 rodents per hundred traps; the most abundant species was Rattus norvegicus (33.73%). The densities of dissociate and ectoparasitic ticks were 0.79 ticks per hundred meters and 0.97 ticks per animal, respectively. The most abundant tick species was Haemaphysalis longicornis (56.38%). The density of chigger mites was 14.11 per rodent; two species were identified, with the most abundant species being Walchia spp. mite (68.35%). No flavivirus or alphavirus was found in mosquito etiology monitoring, whereas the positivity rates of hantavirus, the pathogenic bacteria Leptospira spp., Orientia tsutsugamushi, and Bartonella spp. detected in rodent etiology monitoring were 1.86, 7.36, 0.35 and 7.05%, respectively. Field populations of Ae. albopictus in Zhejiang Province were widely resistant to pyrethroids but sensitive to most insecticides tested, including organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides.ConclusionIntegrated surveillance systems on multiple arthropod vectors (mosquitoes, ticks, mites) and animal reservoirs (rodents) can provide important information for the prevention and control of epidemic emergencies.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a common inflammatory spondyloarthritis affecting the spine and sacroiliac joint that finally results in sclerosis of the axial skeleton. Aside from human leukocyte antigen B27, transcriptomic biomarkers in blood for AS diagnosis still remain unknown. Hence, this study aimed to investigate credible AS-specific mRNA biomarkers from the whole blood of AS patients by analyzing an mRNA expression profile (GSE73754) downloaded Gene Expression Omnibus, which includes AS and healthy control blood samples. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed and revealed three mRNA modules associated with AS. By performing gene set enrichment analysis, the functional annotations of these modules revealed immune biological processes that occur in AS. Several feature mRNAs were identified by analyzing the hubs of the protein-protein interaction network, which was based on the intersection between differentially expressed mRNAs and mRNA modules. A machine learning-based feature selection method, SVM-RFE, was used to further screen out 13 key feature mRNAs. After verifying by qPCR, IL17RA, Sqstm1, Picalm, Eif4e, Srrt, Lrrfip1, Synj1 and Cxcr6 were found to be significant for AS diagnosis. Among them, Cxcr6, IL17RA and Lrrfip1 were correlated with severity of AS symptoms. In conclusion, our findings provide a framework for identifying the key mRNAs in whole blood of AS that is conducive for the development of novel diagnostic markers for AS.

Mosquito-borne diseases are still threats to public health in the Zhejiang province of China. Surveillance of mosquitoes and the mosquito-borne pathogen is a vital approach for early warning, prevention, and control of the infectious disease. In this study, from 2018 to 2020, a total of 141607 female mosquitoes were caught by means of the light trap method. The main species were Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus/pallens (41.32%), Culex tritaeniorhynchus (47.6%), Aedes albopictus (2.5%), Anopheles sinensis (5.87%), Armigeres subalbatus (2.64%) and other mosquito species (0.07%). Cx. pipiens s.l. were the dominant species in two urban habitats and rural residential areas while Cx. tritaeniorhynchus was the main dominant species in the rural livestock sheds. In terms of seasonal fluctuation, Cx. pipiens s.l fluctuated at a high level from May to October. The peaks of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, An. sinensis and Ar. subalbatus were in July. In addition, a total of 693 Ae. albopictus were collected with Biogents Mosquitaire CO2 traps in emergency surveillance of dengue fever (DF) and screened for dengue virus infection. There were three circumstances of collection: The first: the sampling time before mosquito control during the local outbreak of DF in Lucheng of Wenzhou, 2019; The second circumstance: the sampling time after mosquito control during the local outbreak of DF of other cities in 2018-2019; The third circumstance: past DF epidemic areas the sampling time before mosquito control during the local outbreak of DF in Lucheng, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 2019. The pools formed by mosquitoes collected in these three circumstances were 3 (6.1%), 35 (71.5%), and 11 (22.4%) respectively. Of the 49 pools tested, only one in the first circumstance was positive. The full-length dengue virus sequence of ZJWZ/2019 was obtained by sequencing and uploaded to the NCBI as number OK448162. Full-length nucleotide and amino acid homology analyses showed that ZJWZ2019 and Wenzhou DF serum isolates ZJWZ-62/2019 (MW582816) and ZJWZ-18/2019 (MW582815) had the highest homology. The analysis of full genome and E gene phylogenetic trees showed that ZJWZ2019 belonged to serotype 1, genotype I, lineage II, which was evolutionarily related to OK159963/Cambodia/2019. It implies that ZJWZ2019 originated in Cambodia. This study showed the species composition, seasonal dynamics of mosquitoes in different habitats in Zhejiang province and confirmed the role of Ae. albopictus in the transmission cycle of in outbreak of DF in the Lucheng district of Wenzhou in 2019, suggesting the importance of monitoring of vector Aedes infected dengue virus in the prevention and control of DF.

Machine loads are always high, or soil conditioning is required to be rigorous when the pressure chamber is full of excavated soil during earth pressure balance (EPB) shield tunneling. This study investigates the feasibility and soil conditioning of the auxiliary air pressure balance mode for EPB shield tunneling in water-rich gravelly sand strata to decrease the machine load based on a project in China. It is indicated that the suitable slump value for the mode to avoid muck spewing should be lower than that for the tunneling mode with the pressure chamber fully of excavated soil. The water pressure monitored in the ground around the tunnel experienced rising, falling and stable stages during the EPB shield tunneling of each lining ring. The peak value of water pressure occurred immediately after the EPB machine stopped and decreased quickly during the first 30 min thereafter, followed by a gradual decrease. The time required for the water pressure to again reach its initial value was 70–90 min and did not influence the tunneling behavior of the following lining ring. The monitored ground displacement was much lower than its allowable value. The monitoring results indicated the success of the application of the auxiliary air pressure balance mode with the discharged muck with a slump value of 2–10 cm in the strata, satisfying the controls of ground displacement and advancing speed. However, the higher soil workability induced a lower thrust force and cutterhead torque, more stable cutterhead torque and chamber pressure, and a higher shield advancing speed. Hence, the ideal slump value was determined to be 8–10 cm for the studied project constructed by the EPB shield with the auxiliary air pressure balance mode in the water-rich gravelly sand strata. Finally, future research is recommended for the application of the tunneling mode.

Abstract Mosquito-borne Diseases are a common but severe public health threat. However, there is a lack of consensus on the effect of different mosquito trapping devices in China. This study firstly compared the BGM trap with the CDC light trap, commonly used in Chinese mosquito surveillance. Field trials of traps' efficiency were conducted in Yiwu city, China, from May 21st, 2018 to November 31st, 2018. Sixty-five comparisons were completed in five different biotopes (an urban residential area, a rural residential area, a park, a hospital, and a pig shelter). Concerning the number of mosquitoes per trap, the BGM trap outperformed three out of five biotopes. In contrast, the CDC light trap only showed better performance in the pig shelter. For specific species, the BGM trap outperformed in capturing Ae. albopictus, while the CDC light trap caught significantly more Cx. tritaeniorhynchus. Regarding Ae. albopictus and Cx. pipiens s.l. surveillance, the BGM trap is more suitable. The BGM trap shows significantly higher or similar efficiency than the CDC light trap in trapping common mosquito species in China, except in the pig shelter. Therefore, we recommend that Chinese researchers and public health practitioners use the BGM trap in future mosquito surveillance.

ObjectiveAutochthonous transmission of the dengue virus (DENV) occurred each year from 2014 to 2018 in Zhejiang province, and became an emerging public health problem. We characterized the autochthonous transmission of the DENV and traced the source of infection for further control and prevention of dengue.MethodsDescriptive and spatiotemporal cluster analyses were conducted to characterize the epidemiology of autochthonous transmission of the DENV. Molecular epidemiology was used to identify the infection source.ResultsIn total, 1,654 indigenous cases and 12 outbreaks, with no deaths, were reported during 2004–2018. Before 2017, all outbreaks occurred in suburban areas. During 2017–2018, five out of eight outbreaks occurred in urban areas. The median duration of outbreaks (28 days) in 2017–2018 was shortened significantly (P = 0.028) in comparison with that in 2004–2016 (71 days). The median onset-visiting time, visiting-confirmation time, and onset-confirmation time was 1, 3, and 4 days, respectively. The DENV serotypes responsible for autochthonous transmission in Zhejiang Province were DENV 1, DENV 2, and DENV 3, with DENV 1 being the most frequently reported. Southeast Asia was the predominant source of indigenous infection.ConclusionsZhejiang Province witnessed an increase in the frequency, incidence, and geographic expansion of indigenous Dengue cases in recent years. The more developed coastal and central region of Zhejiang Province was impacted the most.

BackgroundHere, we describe an innovative oncoplastic technique for small to medium volume breasts with a tumor in the lower quadrant and this technique could provide sufficient tissue to avoid visible defects after tumor removal and help reshape the natural shape of the breast.MethodsA detailed procedure for the folding flap technique is described step by step. Then, the results of a retrospective analysis of patients treated using this technique, including complications and disease recurrence rate, between January 2017 and November 2021 are reported. Aesthetic outcomes were evaluated on a 5-point scale proposed by the Paris Breast Center.ResultsA total of 52 patients underwent surgery with the folding flap technique, The average operation time was 98.4 min (range, 75–120 min), and the mean bleeding volume was 56.5 mL (range, 20–100 mL). A margin-positive result was confirmed in 1 patient who underwent re-excision. Short-term postoperative complications were observed in 7 patients, including 4 with fat liquefaction, 2 with seroma, and 1 with skin redness and swelling. No flap necrosis was observed. The median follow-up time was 28.6 months (range, 9–58 months), and 2 patients experienced local recurrence. The mean aesthetic score was 4.7 points, with 36 patients scoring 5 points and 26 patients scoring 4 points, respectively.ConclusionsThe folding flap technique, as an innovative and favorable oncoplastic technique for treating small- to medium-volume breasts with a tumor in the lower quadrant, could retain sufficient tissue to fill the residual cavity after the operation while improving the aesthetic outcome of the breast.

Abstract Background The prognosis of the glioblastoma (GBM) is dismal. This study aims to select an optimal RNA signature for prognostic prediction of GBM patients. Methods For the training set, the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and mRNA expression profiles of 151 patients were downloaded from the TCGA. Differentially expressed mRNAs (DEGs) and lncRNAs (DE-lncRNAs) were identified between good prognosis and bad prognosis patients. Optimal prognostic mRNAs and lncRNAs were selected respectively, by using univariate Cox proportional-hazards (PH) regression model and LASSO Cox-PH model. Subsequently, four prognostic scoring models were built based on expression levels or expression status of the selected prognostic lncRNAs or mRNAs, separately. Each prognostic model was applied to the training set and an independent validation set. Function analysis was used to uncover the biological roles of these prognostic DEGs between different risk groups classified by the mRNA-based signature. Results We obtained 261 DEGs and 33 DE-lncRNAs between good prognosis and bad prognosis patients. A panel of eight mRNAs and a combination of ten lncRNAs were determined as predictive RNAs by LASSO Cox-PH model. Among the four prognostic scoring models using the eight-mRNA signature or the ten-lncRNA signature, the one based on the expression levels of the eight mRNAs showed the greatest predictive power. The DEGs between different risk groups using the eight prognostic mRNAs were functionally involved in calcium signaling pathway, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway, and Wnt signaling pathway. Conclusion The eight-mRNA signature has greater prognostic value than the ten-lncRNA-based signature for GBM patients based on bioinformatics analysis.

Aedes albopictus is the only vector that can transmit the dengue virus in Zhejiang Province, central China, and it can develop insecticide resistance due to long-term exposure to pyrethroids. The presence of knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations is one of the mechanisms responsible for pyrethroid resistance, and has been reported in some Ae. albopictus populations in southern China. However, little is known about the DNA diversity of the voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) gene in Ae. albopictus populations in central China. Four Ae. albopictus field populations were collected, in Yiwu (YW), Quzhou (QZ), Wenzhou (WZ), and Jiaxing (JX) from Zhejiang Province, central China. The susceptibility of Ae. albopictus adults to three pyrethroids (beta-cypermethrin, deltamethrin, and permethrin) was tested using the WHO tube assay, and Kdr mutations were identified via PCR and sequencing. The relationship between kdr mutations and pyrethroid phenotypes was also analyzed. Of the four populations, none was sensitive to any pyrethroid tested, and the YW population showed the strongest pyrethroid resistance. Non-synonymous kdr mutations were detected in codons 1532 and 1534, domain III. At codon 1534, one mutant allele, TCC(S), was detected in the four populations with a frequency of 42.08%, while at codon 1532, one mutant allele, ACC(T), was detected in the JX and QZ populations, with frequencies of 4.22 and 3.03%, respectively. The F1534S mutant allele was positively correlated with both beta-cypermethrin and deltamethrin resistance phenotypes (OR > 1, P < 0.05), whereas the I1532T mutant allele was possibly negatively correlated with beta-cypermethrin, deltamethrin, and permethrin resistance phenotypes (OR < 1, P > 0.05). In conclusion, resistance and resistance mutations regarding to three pyrethroids are already present in the Ae. Albopictus populations from Zhejiang, central China, which prompts the need to use non-insecticide-based methods of insect control.

Objective Patients receiving carbon-ion radiation therapy and astronauts exploring outer space are inevitably exposed to heavy ion radiation. The aim of this study was to develop radioprotectors to minimize the injuries induced by carbon ion radiation. Methods Heat-killed Salmonella Typhimurium (HKST) was administered to mice by gavage prior to irradiation with a 12 C 6+ heavy ion accelerator. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunofluorescence TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling staining were used to assess the radioprotective effect of HKST on organ damage and levels of apoptosis, respectively, in mice. To investigate the mechanism underlying the radioprotective effect of HKST, levels of the pro-apoptotic proteins BAX and caspase 3 as well as interferon-regulatory factor (IRF) 3/7 in the femur, testis and intestine were assessed using immunofluorescence. Results Injuries induced by carbon ion radiation were significantly eased by pretreatment with HKST. Both apoptosis and high expression levels of pro-apoptotic proteins induced by heavy ion radiation were inhibited by HKST pretreatment. The radioprotective effect of HKST was associated with stimulation of Toll-like receptor signaling mediated by enhanced IRF3 and IRF7 signaling. Conclusion HKST was an effective radioprotector alleviating damage to multiple organs caused by heavy ion radiation.

Objective: Surgical removal of anterior clinoidal meningiomas (ACMs) remains a challenge because of its complicated relationship with surrounding meninges, major arteries and cranial nerves. This study aims to define the meningeal structures around the anterior clinoid process (ACP) and its surgical implications.Methods: Five dry skulls and 19 cadavers were used in the anatomical study. Cadavers were prepared as transverse, coronal, and sagittal plastinated sections, and the meningeal architecture around the ACP was studied with dissecting and confocal microscopies. The database of meningiomas in one single center was retrospectively reviewed, and the patients with ACMs were collected for clinical analysis.Results: The superior, lateral, medial surfaces, and the tip of ACP were covered by different layers and types of meninges. The ACMs were classified into four main types based on the sites of origin, possible extending pathways following meningeal dura. In the retrospective cohort of 131 ACMs, the percentage of types I, IIa, IIb, III, and IV were 42.0% (55/131), 19.8% (26/131), 9.2% (12/131), 16.8% (22/131), and 12.2% (16/131), respectively. We found that types IIa and I had higher chances for achieving Simpson grade 1–2 resection (92.3 and 85.4%, respectively), followed by type III (54.5%) and type IV (31.3%), while type IIb showed little chance of Simpson grade 1–2 resection. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed ACM classification and tumor size (

Carbon dioxide (CO2) attracts host-seeking adult mosquitoes; this fact is exploited for mosquito monitoring, which is important for evaluating the effects of mosquito-control operations. A field experiment was designed to explore the relationship between the CO2 flow rate and the trapping effect of BG traps. The aim was to select an appropriate flow rate for monitoring Aedes albopictus. Six sampling sites were selected for field experiments in Hangzhou city, Zhejiang Province, China. A total of six CO2 flow rates (0.00 L/min, 0.075 L/min, 0.15 L/min, 0.30 L/min, 0.60 L/min and 1.20 L/min) were tested to compare their effects on mosquito trapping. The catches were performed in six trapping periods between 15:30 and 18:30, and each catch period lasted 0.5 h. A total of 3068 adult mosquitoes were captured at six sampling sites in six days using BG traps (with BG-Sweetscent), among which 86.96% were Ae. albopictus. The total number of Ae. albopictus (males and females) captured at a flow rate of 0.00 L/min was significantly lower than the numbers captured at 0.075 L/min, 0.15 L/min, 0.30 L/min, 0.60 L/min and 1.20 L/min (P

Background/Aims: White smoke inhalation (WSI) is an uncommon but potentially deadly cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, no clinical treatment protocol has been established for the treatment of WSI-induced ARDS. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the effects of WSI in ARDS and the mechanisms underlying the effects of WSI to determine a novel therapeutic target. Methods: On the basis of the duration of continued inhalation of white smoke (3 min, 5 min, and 7 min), rats were divided into three groups (WSI-3 min, WSI-5 min, and WSI-7 min). The survival rate, pathological change, and computed tomography (CT) score were evaluated to determine the modeling conditions. In the established WSI-5 min models, evaluations were performed to evaluate the following: arterial blood gas levels, lung wet/dry weight ratio, the expression of inflammatory cytokines, and the effect of NF-κB signaling pathway. Results: The survival rate of rats at 72 h post-WSI in the WSI-3 min, WSI-5 min, and WSI-7 min groups was 83.33%, 75%, and 25%, respectively. Results from evaluation of H&E staining, CT scan, arterial blood gas levels, and lung wet/dry weight ratio suggest that the pathological changes in the rat in the WSI-5 min and WSI-7 min groups are very similar to those in patients with ARDS induced by WSI. Additionally, the expression of INF-γ, TGF-β1, TNF-α, and IL-1β were increased, and the NF-κB signaling pathway was activated in the WSI-5 min group. Conclusion: The rat model of WSI-5 min can be used as a WSI-induced ALI model for further experiments. The NF-κB signaling pathway may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of WSI- induced ARDS.

Abstract Background White smoke inhalation (WSI) is an uncommon but potentially deadly cause of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome for which no effective pharmaceutical treatment has been developed. This study aimed to determine the protective effects of human amnion-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) against WSI-induced lung injury in rats. Methods hAMSCs were injected into rats via the tail vein 4 h after WSI. At 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after cell injection, hAMSCs labeled with PKH26 in lung, heart, liver, and kidney tissues were observed by fluorescence microscopy. The lung injury score was determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Lung fibrosis was assessed by Masson’s trichrome staining. The computed tomography (CT) score was assessed by CT scanning. The wet/dry weight ratio was calculated. The levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The expression of surfactant protein (SP)-A, SP-C, and SP-D was measured by Western blotting. Results The injected hAMSCs were primarily distributed in the lung tissues in WSI-induced rats. Compared with the model and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) group, hAMSC treatment led to reduced lung injury, lung fibrosis, CT score, and inflammation levels in WSI-induced mice. hAMSC treatment also resulted in increased cell retention in the lung, partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), and PaO2/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) levels, and pulmonary SP-A, SP-C, and SP-D expression compared with that in the model and PBS group. Conclusions hAMSCs are a potential cell-based therapy for WSI-induced lung injury.

BackgroundDengue is one of the most important vector-bore infectious diseases in China because of its drastic increase in incidence, geographic extension and profound influence on China's economy. This study aims to retrospectively uncover the epidemiological profile of dengue in Zhejiang, one of the most developed provinces in China, and to find the problem existing in dengue control and prevention.MethodologyDescriptive analyses on the dengue incidence and associated factors were performed. We also identified potential space-time cluster and generated the risk map of dengue.Principal findingsA total of 529 cases were reported in Zhejiang Province from 2005 to 2016, and 44.4% were imported. 67.7% of cases were 25~60 years old and the overall male-to-female sex ratio was 1.09:1. Dengue was reported all year round and 70.7% of cases occurred between August and October. Indigenous cases were only reported in the period between July to November and more than half occurred in September. Geographically, dengue was most distributed in Jinghua (3.62 per million), Shaoxing (1.00 per million) and Taizhou (0.81 per million) prefecture level cities. Outbreaks were confirmed in Yiwu, Keqiao and Huangyan counties in 2009, 2015, and 2016, respectively. 73.9% cases would seek medical advice within two days after onset and be confirmed within 9 days after onset. 75.6% would be recognized as dengue within 8 days after their first visit. The time intervals between onset and confirmation (median 7 vs 6 days; Wilcoxon rank sum test Z = -2.40, P = 0.016), first visit and confirmation (median 7 vs 6 days; Wilcoxon rank sum test Z = -2.59, P = 0.009) of indigenous cases were significantly longer than those of imported ones. However, the time intervals between onset and first visit for indigenous cases was shorter (median 0 vs 1 days; Wilcoxon rank sum test Z = -2.10, P = 0.036). Fever (99.1%), fatigue (81.9), rash (63.7%), headache (67.2%) and myalgia (52.60%) were the most frequently mentioned symptoms.ConclusionsZhejiang has recently witnessed an increase in incidence and geographic extension of dengue. Timely diagnosis is important to stop local transmission and outbreak.

Objectives: To explore the epidemiological characteristics of human rabies in Zhejiang Province, China. Methods: Descriptive and statistical analyses were performed using data collected through interview with human rabies cases or their relatives during 2007 to 2014. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect the data. Results: Two hundred and one cases of human rabies were diagnosed in Zhejiang Province between 2007 and 2014, with a gradually declining annual incidence. Of the rabies cases identified, 61.2% were aged 40–65 years, and the male to female ratio was 2.30:1; 63.7% of cases occurred in the summer and autumn. The two most reported occupations were farmer (69.2%) and rural laborer (15.4%). Wenzhou, Jinhua, and Huzhou were the three cities with the most reported cases. The majority of cases (92.8%) were attributed to canines, and 71.0% of animal vectors were household animals. Less than half of the cases (41.4%) sought wound treatment after exposure. Post-exposure passive immunization was given to 9.7% and active immunization to 2.3%. Cases with a wound on the head/face only had a significantly shorter incubation than those with wounds at other sites (p

During April 2013 in China, mild respiratory symptoms developed in 1/61 workers who had culled influenza A(H7N9) virus–infected poultry. Laboratory testing confirmed A(H7N9) infection in the worker and showed that the virus persisted longer in sputum than pharyngeal swab samples. Pharyngeal swab samples from the other workers were negative for A(H7N9) virus.

Intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) apoptosis induced by hypoxiacompromise intestinal epithelium barrier function. Both Akt andHsp90 have cytoprotective function. However, the specific roleof Akt and Hsp90β in IEC apoptosis induced by hypoxia has notbeen explored. We confirmed that hypoxia-induced apoptosiswas reduced by Hsp90β overexpression but enhanced bydecreasing Hsp90β expression. Hsp90β overexpressionenhanced BAD phosphorylation and thus reduced mitochondrialrelease of cytochrome C. Reducing Hsp90β expression hadopposite effects. The protective effect of Hsp90β againstapoptosis was negated by LY294002, an Akt inhibitor. Furtherstudy showed that Akt phosphorylation was enhanced byHsp90β, which was not due to the activation of upstream PI3Kand PDK1 but because of stabilization of pAkt via directinteraction between Hsp90β and pAkt. These results demonstratethat Hsp90β may play a significant role in protecting IECs fromhypoxia-induced apoptosis via stabilizing pAkt to phosphorylateBAD and reduce cytochrome C release. [BMB Reports 2013;46(1): 47-52]

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease in China and case-fatality rate of SFTS is very high (approximately 10%). However, genetic susceptibility for SFTS virus (SFTSV) infection and fatal outcome of SFTSV infection in humans are unclear. In this study, we investigated the clinical, laboratory and epidemiological features of SFTS in a cluster of three sisters who died of SFTSV infection between late April and mid-May 2014. Before disease onset, two of the sisters (Case A and case B) had common exposure history for ticks by working together in a field to pick tea leaves from April 8 to April 12. The third sister (Case C) did not live or work together with case A and B, but had ticks in her living environment. SFTSV RNA sequences were amplified from three cases were not identical, suggesting that the three sisters were most likely infected with SFTSV through tick bite rather than through person-to-person transmission of SFTSV. The sequence of SFTSV from case C was identical to SFTSV sequences from 3 groups of ticks collected around the residential area of case C. Seroprevalence of SFTSV IgG antibody among healthy population in the area where the patients resided was 4.05% (3/74). The majority of SFTSV infections were mild cases and all three sisters died of SFTSV infection suggested that they were highly susceptible to SFTSV. Our findings indicated that genetic susceptibility was a risk factor for SFTSV infection and fatal outcome.

Purpose: This study aims to survey the demographic status of aesthetic plastic surgeons in an economically developed region and to investigate their continuing training needs in contents, training methods, and barriers in private and government hospitals. Methods: A cross-sectional survey with a self-administered questionnaire was conducted from January to December, 2022 in Guangdong, China. In-depth interviews were conducted with key informants to gain insights on the current demographic status. Demographic data and training needs assessment were collected and compared with the chi-square test, Fisher’s test, Mann-Whitney U-test using R software. Results: The disparity of surgeons’ demographic data between private and government hospitals was small. Over 60% of practicing aesthetic plastic surgeons transferred from other specialties, and one third of them had less than three years of working experience. Half of surgeons attended training less than three times with an affordable expense of 1000-5000RMB. Almost 80% of them had strong willingness to attend a continuing training program. They prefer to attend further study in a tertiary hospital, with a short topic-focused training course and operation demonstrations. Their favorable training contents were rhinoplasty, eye surgery, and new technologies. Our questionnaire survey revealed the likelihood that the surgeons had a graduate degree in government hospitals outweighed those in private hospitals (P Conclusion: It would be favorable to take the demographic status of aesthetic plastic surgeons and organizational needs into consideration in designing a continuing training program in plastic surgery.

Mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) are still threats to public health in Zhejiang. In this study, the associations between the time-lagged mosquito capture data and MBDs incidence over five years were used to examine the potential effects of mosquito abundance on patterns of MBDs epidemiology in Zhejiang during 2008-2012. Light traps were used to collect adult mosquitoes at 11 cities. Correlation tests with and without time lag were performed to investigate the correlations between MBDs incidence rates and mosquito abundance by month. Selected MBDs consisted of Japanese encephalitis (JE), dengue fever (DF) and malaria. A Poisson regression analysis was performed by using a generalized estimating equations (GEE) approach, and the most parsimonious model was selected based on the quasi-likelihood based information criterion (QICu). We identified five mosquito species and the constituent ratio of Culex pipiens pallens, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Aedes albopictus, Anopheles sinensis and Armigeres subalbatus was 66.73%, 21.47%, 6.72%, 2.83% and 2.25%, respectively. The correlation analysis without and with time lag showed that Culex mosquito abundance at a lag of 0 or 1 month was positively correlated with JE incidence during 2008-2012, Ae. albopictus abundance at a lag of 1 month was positively correlated with DF incidence in 2009, and An. sinensis abundance at a lag of 0-2 months was positively correlated with malaria incidence during 2008-2010. The Poisson regression analysis showed each 0.1 rise of monthly mosquito abundance corresponded to a positive increase of MBD cases for the period of 2008-2012. The rise of mosquito abundance with a lag of 0-2 months increased the risk of human MBDs infection in Zhejiang. Our study provides evidence that mosquito monitoring could be a useful early warning tool for the occurrence and transmission of MBDs.

A total of 134 cases of H7N9 influenza infection were identified in 12 provinces of China between March 25 and September 31, 2013. Of these, 46 cases occurred in Zhejiang Province. We carried out a preliminary comparison of characteristics between rural and urban H7N9 cases from Zhejiang Province, China. Field investigations were conducted for each confirmed H7N9 case. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect information about demographics, exposure history, clinical signs and symptoms, timelines of medical visits and care after onset of illness. Of the 46 H7N9 cases in Zhejiang Province identified between March 25 and September 31, 2013, there were 16 rural cases and 30 urban cases. Compared to urban cases, there was a higher proportion of females among the rural cases [11/16 (69%) vs. 6/30 (20%), P = 0.001]. Among the rural cases, 14/15 (93%) with available data had a history of recent poultry exposure, which was significantly higher than that among urban cases (64%, P = 0.038). More patients from the rural group had a history of breeding poultry compared with those from the urban group [38% (6/16) vs. 10% (3/30), respectively; P = 0.025]. Interestingly, the median number of medical visits of patients from rural areas was higher than that of patients from urban areas (P = 0.046). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of age distribution, fatality rate, incubation period, symptoms, and underlying medical conditions. In conclusion, compared to patients from urban areas, more patients from rural areas were female, had an exposure history, had a history of breeding poultry, and had a higher number of medical visits. These findings indicate that there are different exposure patterns between patients living in rural and urban areas and that more rural cases were infected through backyard poultry breeding.

Purpose: This study aims to survey the demographic status of aesthetic plastic surgeons in an economically developed region and to investigate their continuing training needs in contents, training methods, and barriers in private and government hospitals. Methods: A cross-sectional survey with a self-administered questionnaire was conducted from January to December, 2022 in Guangdong, China. In-depth interviews were conducted with key informants to gain insights on the current demographic status. Demographic data and training needs assessment were collected and compared with the chi-square test, Fisher’s test, Mann-Whitney U-test using R software. Results: The disparity of surgeons’ demographic data between private and government hospitals was small. Over 60% of practicing aesthetic plastic surgeons transferred from other specialties, and one third of them had less than three years of working experience. Half of surgeons attended training less than three times with an affordable expense of 1000-5000RMB. Almost 80% of them had strong willingness to attend a continuing training program. They prefer to attend further study in a tertiary hospital, with a short topic-focused training course and operation demonstrations. Their favorable training contents were rhinoplasty, eye surgery, and new technologies. Our questionnaire survey revealed the likelihood that the surgeons had a graduate degree in government hospitals outweighed those in private hospitals (P Conclusion: It would be favorable to take the demographic status of aesthetic plastic surgeons and organizational needs into consideration in designing a continuing training program in plastic surgery.