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Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the top contributors to global disease mortality. AMI biomarkers, such as cardiac troponin I (cTnI), are often detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that suffers from several well-known drawbacks such as poor stability and slow and cumbersome operation. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new analytical technique that can rapidly analyse and detect cTnI for early screening of AMI. In this work, a nanoporous electrochemical aptamer-based (E-AB) sensor for rapid and sensitivite detect of cTnI was designed. Firstly, the aptamer was truncated, and then molecular docking simulation and circular dichroism (CD) were used to screen for aptamers with significant conformational changes when binding to the target, in order to enhance the sensitivity of E-AB sensors. Subsequently, nanoporous electrodes with active area 20 times higher than that of smooth electrodes were fabricated by electrochemical alloying/dealloying, which enabled E-AB sensors to obtain higher signal-to-noise ratios, providing favorable assurance for the detection results. Under optimal conditions, E-AB sensors could specifically detect cTnI in serum and blood with a detection limit of 1 pg/mL. At the same time, the sensor and enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) had identical detection results when measuring target levels from real clinical samples. Furthermore, the sensor exhibited good reproducibility, stability, providing a simple and low-cost method for detecting cTnI, which is expected to help early AMI patients obtain accurate diagnosis., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We declare that we have no financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that can inappropriately influence our work, there is no professional or other personal interest of any nature or kind in any product, service and/or company that could be construed as influencing the position presented in the manuscript entitled., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The glassy state of inorganic-organic hybrid metal halides combines their excellent optoelectronic properties with the outstanding processability of glass, showcasing unique application potential in solar devices, display technologies, and plastic electronics. Herein, by tailoring the organic cation from N -phenylpiperazine to dimethylamine gradually, four types of zero-dimensional antimony halides are obtained with various optical and thermal properties. The guest water molecules in crystal ( N -phenylpiperazine) 2 SbCl 6 ·Cl·5H 2 O lead to the largest distortion of the Sb-halogen unit, resulting in the red emission different from the yellow emission of other compounds. More importantly, the water molecule-induced hydrogen-bond network in ( N -phenylpiperazine) 2 SbCl 6 ·Cl·5H 2 O would prolong the relaxation time into an equilibrium state, resulting in the formation of the glassy state. This is different from the previous strategy of adopting large organic cations for glass transition. Through rheological studies, we shape an initial understanding of the underlying kinetics in inorganic-organic hybrid metal halide glass. This work provides a simpler and more convenient approach for developing inorganic-organic hybrid metal halides with superior processing performance.

Objective: This study seeks to construct a machine learning model that merges clinical characteristics with ultrasound radiomic analysis-encompassing both the intratumoral and peritumoral-to predict the status of axillary lymph nodes in patients with early-stage breast cancer., Methods: The study employed retrospective methods, collecting clinical information, ultrasound data, and postoperative pathological results from 321 breast cancer patients (including 224 in the training group and 97 in the validation group). Through correlation analysis, univariate analysis, and Lasso regression analysis, independent risk factors related to axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer were identified from conventional ultrasound and immunohistochemical indicators, and a clinical feature model was constructed. Additionally, features were extracted from ultrasound images of the intratumoral and its 1-5 mm peritumoral to establish a radiomics feature formula. Furthermore, by combining clinical features and ultrasound radiomics features, six machine learning models (Logistic Regression, Decision Tree, Support Vector Machine, Extreme Gradient Boosting, Random Forest, and K-Nearest Neighbors) were compared for diagnostic efficacy, and constructing a joint prediction model based on the optimal ML algorithm. The use of Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) enhanced the visualization and interpretability of the model during the diagnostic process., Results: Among the 321 breast cancer patients, 121 had axillary lymph node metastasis, and 200 did not. The clinical feature model had an AUC of 0.779 and 0.777 in the training and validation groups, respectively. Radiomics model analysis showed that the model including the Intratumor +3 mm peritumor area had the best diagnostic performance, with AUCs of 0.847 and 0.844 in the training and validation groups, respectively. The joint prediction model based on the XGBoost algorithm reached AUCs of 0.917 and 0.905 in the training and validation groups, respectively. SHAP analysis indicated that the Rad Score had the highest weight in the prediction model, playing a significant role in predicting axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer., Conclusion: The predictive model, which integrates clinical features and radiomic characteristics using the XGBoost algorithm, demonstrates significant diagnostic value for axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer. This model can provide significant references for preoperative surgical strategy selection and prognosis evaluation for breast cancer patients, helping to reduce postoperative complications and improve long-term survival rates. Additionally, the utilization of SHAP enhancing the global and local interpretability of the model., (© 2024 American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.)

Patients undergoing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy may experience side effects including cytokine release syndrome (CRS), immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), neutropenia, and infection. Growth factor has historically been used to treat neutropenia; however, its role in CAR T-cell therapy is not well explained. Existing data on the safety and efficacy of growth factor are conflicting. The purpose of this integrative review was to explore the safety and efficacy of growth factor in adult patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing CAR T-cell therapy. A literature review was conducted using PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health (CINAHL), and Scopus databases. A total of 2,635 articles were retrieved. Four studies were included that looked at the use of growth factor in the CAR T-cell setting. Safety outcomes evaluated included CRS, ICANS, neutropenic fever and/or infection, and neutropenia duration. Efficacy outcomes evaluated included CAR T-cell expansion and treatment response. The literature suggests that growth factor may not increase CRS prevalence, but may lead to an increased grade of CRS, namely grade 2. Growth factor administration does not have any association with ICANS toxicity, CAR T-cell expansion, or treatment response. Its use may not necessarily lead to decreased infection rates but may shorten the duration of neutropenia. Practice implications for providers working with this unique patient population include using growth factor early in the course of CAR T-cell therapy as treatment to shorten the duration of neutropenia rather than infection prophylaxis., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (© 2024 BroadcastMed LLC.)

Background: Explore the feasibility of using the multimodal ultrasound (US) radiomics technology to diagnose American College of Radiology (ACR) Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) 4-5 thyroid nodules., Method: This study prospectively collected the clinical characteristics, conventional, and US elastography images of 100 patients diagnosed with ACR TI-RADS 4-5 nodules from May 2022 to 2023. Independent risk factors for malignant thyroid nodules were extracted and screened using methods such as the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression (LR) model, and a multimodal US radiomics combined diagnostic model was established. Using a multifactorial LR analysis and a Rad-score rating, the predictive performance was validated and evaluated, and the final threshold range was determined to assess the clinical net benefit of the model., Results: In the training set, the US radiomics combined predictive model area under curve (AUC = 0.928) had higher diagnostic performance compared with clinical characteristics (AUC = 0.779), conventional US (AUC = 0.794), and US elastography model (AUC = 0.852). In the validation set, the multimodal US radiomics combined diagnostic model (AUC = 0.829) also had higher diagnostic performance compared with clinical characteristics (AUC = 0.799), conventional US (AUC = 0.802), and US elastography model (AUC = 0.718)., Conclusion: Multi-modal US radiomics technology can effectively diagnose thyroid nodules of ACR TI-RADS 4-5, and the combination of radiomics signature and conventional US features can further improve the diagnostic performance., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Transition metal borides, carbides, pnictides, and chalcogenides ( X -ides) have emerged as a class of materials for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Because of their high earth abundance, electrical conductivity, and OER performance, these electrocatalysts have the potential to enable the practical application of green energy conversion and storage. Under OER potentials, X -ide electrocatalysts demonstrate various degrees of oxidation resistance due to their differences in chemical composition, crystal structure, and morphology. Depending on their resistance to oxidation, these catalysts will fall into one of three post-OER electrocatalyst categories: fully oxidized oxide/(oxy)hydroxide material, partially oxidized core@shell structure, and unoxidized material. In the past ten years (from 2013 to 2022), over 890 peer-reviewed research papers have focused on X -ide OER electrocatalysts. Previous review papers have provided limited conclusions and have omitted the significance of "catalytically active sites/species/phases" in X -ide OER electrocatalysts. In this review, a comprehensive summary of (i) experimental parameters (e.g., substrates, electrocatalyst loading amounts, geometric overpotentials, Tafel slopes, etc.) and (ii) electrochemical stability tests and post-analyses in X -ide OER electrocatalyst publications from 2013 to 2022 is provided. Both mono and polyanion X -ides are discussed and classified with respect to their material transformation during the OER. Special analytical techniques employed to study X -ide reconstruction are also evaluated. Additionally, future challenges and questions yet to be answered are provided in each section. This review aims to provide researchers with a toolkit to approach X -ide OER electrocatalyst research and to showcase necessary avenues for future investigation.

Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly deep learning (DL) algorithms, has demonstrated remarkable progress in image-recognition tasks, enabling the automatic quantitative assessment of complex medical images with increased accuracy and efficiency. AI is widely used and is becoming increasingly popular in the field of ultrasound. The rising incidence of thyroid cancer and the workload of physicians have driven the need to utilize AI to efficiently process thyroid ultrasound images. Therefore, leveraging AI in thyroid cancer ultrasound screening and diagnosis cannot only help radiologists achieve more accurate and efficient imaging diagnosis but also reduce their workload. In this paper, we aim to present a comprehensive overview of the technical knowledge of AI with a focus on traditional machine learning (ML) algorithms and DL algorithms. We will also discuss their clinical applications in the ultrasound imaging of thyroid diseases, particularly in differentiating between benign and malignant nodules and predicting cervical lymph node metastasis in thyroid cancer. Finally, we will conclude that AI technology holds great promise for improving the accuracy of thyroid disease ultrasound diagnosis and discuss the potential prospects of AI in this field., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Cao, Li, Tong, Shi, Li, Xu, Cheng, Du, Li and Cui.)

Strain KLBMP 9083 T , a novel actinobacterium, was isolated from weathered soils collected from a karst area in Anshun, Guizhou Province, PR China. The taxonomic position of strain KLBMP 9083 T was studied using the polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain KLBMP 9083 T formed a stabilized monophyletic clade with its closest relative strain Antribacter gilvus CGMCC 1.13856 T (98.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). The peptidoglycan hydrolysates contained alanine, glutamic acid, threonine and lysine. The polar lipids were composed of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, an unidentified phosphoglycolipid, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified glycolipid. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H 8 ) (87.1 %), MK-9(H 6 ) (7.3 %) and MK-9(H 4 ) (5.6 %). The major fatty acids (>10 %) were anteiso-C 15 : 0 and iso-C 15 : 0 . The genomic DNA G+C content was 72.3 mol%. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between strain KLBMP 9083 T and A. gilvus CGMCC 1.13856 T were 23.4 and 79.9 %, respectively. On the basis of morphological, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics, strain KLBMP 9083 T represents a novel species of the genus Antribacter , for which the name Antribacter soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KLBMP 9083 T (=CGMCC 4.7737 T =NBRC 115577 T ).

Background: Data-driven research is a very important component of One Health. As the core part of the global One Health index (GOHI), the global One Health Intrinsic Drivers index (IDI) is a framework for evaluating the baseline conditions of human-animal-environment health. This study aims to assess the global performance in terms of GOH-IDI, compare it across different World Bank regions, and analyze the relationships between GOH-IDI and national economic levels., Methods: The raw data among 146 countries were collected from authoritative databases and official reports in November 2021. Descriptive statistical analysis, data visualization and manipulation, Shapiro normality test and ridge maps were used to evaluate and identify the spatial and classificatory distribution of GOH-IDI. This paper uses the World Bank regional classification and the World Bank income groups to analyse the relationship between GOH-IDI and regional economic levels, and completes the case studies of representative countries., Results: The performance of One Health Intrinsic Driver in 146 countries was evaluated. The mean (standard deviation, SD) score of GOH-IDI is 54.05 (4.95). The values (mean SD) of different regions are North America (60.44, 2.36), Europe and Central Asia (57.73, 3.29), Middle East and North Africa (57.02, 2.56), East Asia and Pacific (53.87, 5.22), Latin America and the Caribbean (53.75, 2.20), South Asia (52.45, 2.61) and sub-Saharan Africa (48.27, 2.48). Gross national income per capita was moderately correlated with GOH-IDI (R 2  = 0.651, Deviance explained = 66.6%, P < 0.005). Low income countries have the best performance in some secondary indicators, including Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health and Health risks. Five indicators are not statistically different at each economic level, including Animal Epidemic Disease, Animal Biodiversity, Air Quality and Climate Change, Land Resources and Environmental Biodiversity., Conclusions: The GOH-IDI is a crucial tool to evaluate the situation of One Health. There are inter-regional differences in GOH-IDI significantly at the worldwide level. The best performing region for GOH-IDI was North America and the worst was sub-Saharan Africa. There is a positive correlation between the GOH-IDI and country economic status, with high-income countries performing well in most indicators. GOH-IDI facilitates researchers' understanding of the multidimensional situation in each country and invests more attention in scientific questions that need to be addressed urgently., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Schistosomiasis has been endemic in China for more than 2 000 years, which causes huge morbidity, social and economic burdens. Guided by the national specific strategic programs and criteria for schistosomiasis, tremendous achievements have been gained for schistosomiasis elimination in China. This paper reviews the progress of schistosomiasis control and endemic status of schistosomiasis in China during the period from 2012 to 2021, analyzes the challenges to achieve the goal of schistosomiasis elimination in China by 2030, and proposes suggestions for future schistosomiasis control programs.

Objective: This study compared the diagnostic value of various diagnostic methods for lymph node metastasis (LNM) of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) through network meta-analysis., Methods: In this experiment, databases such as CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed, and Web of Science were retrieved according to the Cochrane database, Prisma, and NMAP command manual. A meta-analysis was performed using STATA 15.0, and the value of the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was used to determine the most effective diagnostic method. Quality assessments were performed using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool, and publication bias was assessed using Deeks' funnel plot., Results: A total of 38 articles with a total of 6285 patients were included. A total of 12 diagnostic methods were used to study patients with LNM of PTC. The results showed that 12 studies were direct comparisons and 8 studies were indirect comparisons. According to the comprehensive analysis of the area of SUCRA, US+CT(86.8) had the highest sensitivity, FNAC had the highest specificity (92.4) and true positive predictive value (89.4), and FNAC+FNA-Tg had higher negative predictive value (99.4) and accuracy (86.8). In the non-invasive method, US+CT had the highest sensitivity, and the sensitivity (SEN) was [OR=0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI): (0.30, 0.89]. Among the invasive methods, the combined application of FNAC+FNA-Tg had higher diagnostic performance. The sensitivity was [OR=0.62, 95% CI: (0.26, 0.98)], the specificity (SPE) was [OR=1.12, 95% CI: (0.59, 1.64)], the positive predictive value was [OR=0.98, 95% CI: (0.59, 1.37)], the negative predictive value was [OR=0.64, 95% CI (0.38, 0.90)], and the accuracy was [OR=0.71, 95% CI: (0.31, 1.12)]., Conclusion: In the non-invasive method, the combined application of US+CT had good diagnostic performance, and in the invasive method, the combined application of FNAC+FNA-Tg had high diagnostic performance, and the above two methods were recommended., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Wang, Li, Tian, Li, Li, Chen, Sang, Cao and Shi.)

This report presented the endemic status of schistosomiasis and analyzed the data collected from the national schistosomiasis prevention and control system and national schistosomiasis surveillance sites in the People's Republic of China at a national level in 2021. Among the 12 provinces (municipality and autonomous region) endemic for schistosomiasis in China, Shanghai Municipality, Zhejiang Province, Fujian Province, Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region continued to consolidate the achievements of schistosomiasis elimination, and Sichuan and Jiangsu provinces maintained the criteria of transmission interruption, while Yunnan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangxi and Hunan provinces maintained the criteria of transmission control by the end of 2021. A total of 451 counties (cites, districts) were found to be endemic for schistosomiasis in China in 2021, with 27 571 endemic villages covering 73 250 600 people at risk of infections. Among the 451 endemic counties (cities, districts), 75.17% (339/451), 22.17% (100/451) and 2.66% (12/451) achieved the criteria of elimination, transmission interruption and transmission control of schistosomiasis, respectively. By the end of 2021, 29 037 cases with advanced schistosomiasis were documented in China. In 2021, 4 405 056 individuals received serological tests and 72 937 were sero-positive. A total of 220 629 individuals received stool examinations and 3 were positive. In 2021, snail survey was performed in 19 291 endemic villages in China and Oncomelania snails were found in 7 026 villages, accounting for 36.42% of all surveyed villages, with 12 villages identified with emerging snail habitats. Snail survey was performed at an area of 686 574.46 hm 2 and 191 159.91 hm 2 snail habitats were found, including 1 063.08 hm 2 emerging snail habitats and 5 113.87 hm 2 reemerging snail habitats. In 2021, 525 878 bovines were raised in the schistosomiasis endemic areas of China, and 115 437 received serological examinations, with 231 positives detected. Among the 128 719 bovines received stool examinations, no positives were identified. In 2021, there were 19 927 schistosomiasis patients receiving praziquantel chemotherapy, and 729 113 person-time individuals and 256 913 herd-time bovines were given expanded chemotherapy. In 2021, snail control with chemicals was performed in 117 372.74 hm 2 snail habitats, and the actual area of chemical treatment was 65 640.50 hm 2 , while environmental improvements were performed in snail habitats covering an area of 1 244.25 hm 2 . Data from the national schistosomiasis surveillance sites of China showed that the mean prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections were both zero in humans and bovines in 2021, and no S. japonicum infection was detected in snails. The results demonstrate that the overall endemic status of schistosomiasis remained at a low level in China in 2021; however, the progress towards schistosomiasis elimination was slowed and the areas of snail habitats rebounded mildly. Strengthening researches on snail diffusion and control, and improving schistosomiasis surveillance and forecast are recommended to prevent reemerging schistosomiasis.

Oncomelania hupensis is the only intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum , and O. hupensis control is an important measure for schistosomiasis control. With the progress of national schistosomiasis control program, the prevalence of schistosomiasis is low in China; however, there are still multiple challenges for O. hupensis breeding and schistosomiasis transmission risk. Considering the target of the national schistosomiasis elimination program and environmental protection in the new era, the introduction of precision identification, precision interventions and precision assessment into O. hupensis control may facilitate the progress towards elimination of schistosomiasis in China.

On February 2022, WHO released the evidence-based guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis, with aims to guide the elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem in disease-endemic countries by 2030 and promote the interruption of schistosomiasis transmission across the world. Based on the One Health concept, six evidence-based recommendations were proposed in this guideline. This article aims to analyze the feasibility of key aspects of this guideline in Chinese national schistosomiasis control program and illustrate the significance to guide the future actions for Chinese national schistosomiasis control program. Currently, the One Health concept has been embodied in the Chinese national schistosomiasis control program. Based on this new WHO guideline, the following recommendations are proposed for the national schistosomiasis control program of China: (1) improving the systematic framework building, facilitating the agreement of the cross-sectoral consensus, and building a high-level leadership group; (2) optimizing the current human and livestock treatments in the national schistosomiasis control program of China; (3) developing highly sensitive and specific diagnostics and the framework for verifying elimination of schistosomiasis; (4) accelerating the progress towards elimination of schistosomiasis and other parasitic diseases through integrating the national control programs for other parasitic diseases.

Currently, the national schistosomiasis control program of China is moving from transmission control and transmission interruption to elimination; however, there is still a threat of schistosomiasis outbreak in area where the transmission of schistosomiasis has not been interrupted, and in areas where transmission interruption and even elimination have been achieved because of the complex factors relating to schistosomiasis transmission, as well as socioeconomic factors and natural environments, which greatly affects the consolidation of schistosomiasis control outcomes and the achievement of the goal of schistosomiasis elimination in the country. Here, we summarized the outbreaks of schistosomiasis in China during the past six decades, evaluated the impact of schistosomiasis outbreak on the national schistosomiasis control program and proposed management of schistosomiasis outbreak and prevention of schistosomiasis resurgence as the key point and difficulty for schistosomiasis control in the current stage. Improving the surveillance-response mechanisms and minimizing the development of schistosomiasis outbreak and the resultant damages and losses are recommended to provide technical supports for elimination of schistosomiasis in China.

To investigate the diagnostic efficiency of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for the diagnosis of cervical lymph nodes metastasis (CLNM) of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), eight available datasets of seven qualified articles before March 31, 2021 were included after a comprehensive search. Meta-analysis results showed that CEUS demonstrated acceptable diagnostic performance in the diagnosis of CLNM of PTC. Furthermore, meta-regression analysis was conducted to identify the reasons for heterogeneity and the results indicated that the criteria of CEUS for the diagnosis of CLNM in PTC need to be unified., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

A novel Gram-negative strain, designated X100-76 T , was isolated from Daihai Lake in Inner Mongolia, Republic of China. The strain was non-motile, non-spore-forming, long-rod-shaped, oxidase positive and catalase positive. Colonies incubated at 33 °C on 2216 marine agar medium for 3 days were circular, smooth, transparent, convex with clear edges, orange-red in colour and approximately 1.0 mm in diameter. Growth occurred at pH 6.5-12 (optimum pH 7.5), in 0-5.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1.5%, w/v) and at 4-40 °C (optimum 28-33 °C). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that X100-76 T belongs to the genus Mongoliitalea and is most closely related to Mongoliitalea lutea MIM18 T with 98.3% sequence similarity. The total genome size of X100-76 T was 4,816,617 bp with a G + C content of 39.6%. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between strain X100-76 T and M. lutea MIM18 T were both below the recommended cut-off values. Chemotaxonomic analysis revealed iso-C 15:0 , Sum Feature 4 (anteiso-C 17:1 B and/or iso-C 17:1 I), C 15:1 ω6c, Sum Feature 9 (C 16:0 10-methyl and/or iso-C 17:1 ω9c), C 16:0 and iso-C 15:1 G as the major fatty acids, menaquinone MK-7 as the major isoprenoid quinone, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol as the major cellular polar lipids. The results of polyphasic analysis demonstrated that X100-76 T represents a novel species within the genus Mongoliitalea, for which the name Mongoliitalea daihaiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is X100-76 T (= CGMCC 1.18762 T  = KCTC 82458 T )., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The concept of total mesorectal resection provides a quality control standard that can be followed for radical resection of rectal cancer, but some anatomical problems are still controversial. Compared with traditional open surgery, laparoscopic radical rectal surgery has better surgical vision, better neurological protection, better operating space. However, if the surgeon has insufficient understanding of the anatomy, collateral damage may occur, such as uncontrollable bleeding during the operation, postoperative urination and defecation dysfunction and so on. Based on the interpretation of the researches at home and abroad, combined with the clinical experience, we elucidate some associated issues, including anatomic variation of inferior mesenteric vessels, the controversy of inferior mesenteric artery ligation plane, the controversy of lymph node dissection in No. 253, the anatomical variation of middle rectal artery, and the anatomical controversy of lateral lymph node dissection in rectal cancer, in order to provide better cognitive process for the clinical front-line surgeons.

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of current advanced schistosomiasis cases in China, so as to provide the scientific evidence for the precision management and medical care of advanced schistosomiasis., Methods: The baseline data pertaining to the current advanced schistosomiasis cases in China were collected from the Epidemiological Dynamic Data Collection Platform (EDDC) operated by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The demographic characteristics, population and regional distribution and medical care of advanced schistosomiasis cases were analyzed with a descriptive method., Results: A total of 31 889 cases with advanced schistosomiasis were reported in China by the end of June, 2019, and these cases were mainly identified in Hubei Province (7 737 cases) followed by in Jiangxi Province (7 256 cases), Hunan Province (5 615 cases), Anhui Province (5 236 cases) and Jiangsu Province (2 908 cases), accounting for 90.2% (28 752/31 889) of total cases in China. The current advanced schistosomiasis cases had a male/female ratio of 1.5∶1, and a mean age of (67.0 ± 11.2) years, with 92.6% (29 521/31 889) detected in individuals at ages of over 50 years. There were 97.6% (31 109/31 889) of the cases with an educational level of junior high school and lower, and 95.2% (30 359/31 889) with an occupation of farmers. Ascites (72.6%, 23 164/31 889) and splenomegaly types (26.3%, 8 386/31 889) were predominant in current advanced schistosomiasis cases in China, and there was a significant difference in the constituent ratio of disease types among current advanced schistosomiasis cases with different age groups ( χ 2 = 362.31, P < 0.01), with the ascites type as the predominant type of advanced schistosomiasis. Among the current advanced schistosomiasis cases, 88.9% (28 358/31 889) and 18.7% (5 973/31 889) had received medical treatment and surgical treatment, respectively., Conclusions: The current advanced schistosomiasis cases are predominantly reported in five marshland and lake endemic provinces of China where schistosomiasis is not eliminated, and are mostly categorized as the ascites and megalosplenia types, with minor differences seen in gender and disease-type distributions. Precision medical care should be reinforced according to the epidemiological features of the current advanced schistosomiasis cases, and early screening and standard management and follow-up is required.

This report presented the endemic status of schistosomiasis in the People's Republic of China at a national level in 2020, and analyzed the data collected from the national schistosomiasis prevention and control system and national schistosomiasis surveillance sites. Among the 12 provinces (municipality and autonomous region) endemic for schistosomiasis in China, Shanghai Municipality, Zhejiang Province, Fujian Province, Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region continued to consolidate the achievements of schistosomiasis elimination, and Sichuan and Jiangsu provinces maintained the criteria of transmission interruption, while Yunnan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangxi and Hunan provinces maintained the criteria of transmission control by the end of 2020. A total of 450 counties (cites, districts) were found to be endemic for schistosomiasis in China, with 28 376 endemic villages covering 71 370 400 people at risk of infections. Among the 450 endemic counties (cities, districts), 74.89% (337/450), 21.87% (98/450) and 3.33% (15/450) achieved the criteria of elimination, transmission interruption and transmission control of schistosomiasis, respectively. By the end of 2020, 29 517 cases with advanced schistosomiasis were documented in China. In 2020, 11 117 655 individuals received inquiry examinations and 1 798 580 were positive; 5 263 082 individuals received serological tests and 83 179 were sero-positive. A total of 273 712 individuals received stool examinations and 3 were positive, including one case of acute schistosomiasis. In 2020, snail survey was performed in 19 733 endemic villages in China and Oncomelania snails were found in 7 309 villages, accounting for 37.04% of all surveyed villages, with 15 villages identified with emerging snail habitats. Snail survey covered an area of 736 984.13 hm 2 and 206 125.22 hm 2 snail habitats were found, including 1 174.67 hm 2 emerging snail habitats and 1.96 hm 2 habitats with infected snails. In 2020, 544 424 bovines were raised in the schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, and 147 887 received serological examinations, with 326 positives detected, while 130 673 bovines received stool examinations, with no positives identified. In 2020, there were 19 214 patients with schistosomiasis receiving praziquantel chemotherapy, and 964 103 person-time individuals and 266 280 herd-time bovines were given expanded chemotherapy. In 2020, molluscicide treatment was performed in 136 141.92 hm 2 snail habitats, and the actual area of chemical treatment was 71 980.22 hm 2 , while environmental improvements were performed in snail habitats covering an area of 1 464.03 hm 2 . Data from the national schistosomiasis surveillance sites of China showed that the mean prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections were both zero in humans and bovines in 2020, and no S. japonicum infection was detected in snails. The results demonstrate that the overall endemic status of schistosomiasis remains at a low level in China and the goal of the National Thirteenth Five-Year Plan for Schistosomiasis Control was achieved as scheduled; however, the endemic situation of schistosomiasis rebounded in local areas. Precision schistosomiasis control and intensified monitoring of the endemic situation and transmission risk of schistosomiasis are required to be performed to facilitate the progress towards elimination of schistosomiasis steadily.

Objective: To analyze the monitoring data of Oncomelania hupensi s in the national schistosomiasis surveillance sites of China from 2015 to 2019, so as to understand the changes of Oncomelania snail status in the schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China and to provide the scientific evidence for Oncomelania snail control., Methods: According to the requirements of National Scheme for Schistosomiasis Surveillance in China ( 2014 Edition ), national schistosomiasis surveillance sites were assigned in all schistosomiasis-endemic counties (cities, districts) and the potential endemic counties (cities, districts) in the Three Gorges Reservoir areas, and Oncomelania snail status was monitored according to different epidemic types. In endemic areas, Oncomelania snail survey was performed by means of systematic sampling and environmental sampling, and the occurrence of frames with Oncomelania snails and the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections in Oncomelania snails were calculated, while in potential endemic areas, the risk of imported Oncomelania snails and Oncomelania snails in floating debris were monitored., Results: Oncomelania snail survey was performed covering an area of 116 834.16 hm 2 in the national schistosomiasis surveillance of China from 2015 to 2019, with 35 007.62 hm 2 Oncomelania snail habitats identified. A total of 6 908 292 frames were surveyed during the 5-year period, and there were 364 555 frames detected with Oncomelania snails, with a 5.28% mean occurrence of frames with Oncomelania snails. Among 997 508 living Oncomelania snails captured, no S. japonicum infections were detected, and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay detected 18 positive mixed Oncomelania snail samples. During the period from 2015 to 2019, 147.20 hm 2 emerging Oncomelania snail habitats were identified, with an overall tendency towards a rise seen in the proportion of emerging Oncomelania snail habitats in plain regions with waterway networks (0.12% to 92.00%), a tendency towards a rise followed by decline seen in marshland and lake regions (0 to 96.72%), and a large fluctuation in hilly regions (0 to 88.49%). A total of 831.10 hm 2 re-emerging Oncomelania snail habitats were found in the national schistosomiasis surveillance sites of China from 2015 to 2019, with an overall tendency towards a rise seen in the proportion of re-emerging Oncomelania snail habitats in marshland and lake regions (16.05% to 79.66%), an overall tendency towards a decline seen in hilly regions (19.25% to 81.00%), and a minor fluctuation in plain regions with waterway networks (1.10% to 10.14%). During the 5-year period from 2015 to 2019, a total of 48 656 kg floating debris were captured in 4 surveillance sites in the Three Gorges Reservoir areas, and 2 204 snails were found, with no Oncomelania snails identified., Conclusions: The areas of Oncomelania snail habitats tended to be stable in the national schistosomiasis surveillance sites of China during the period from 2015 to 2019, however, there was a gradual rise in the area of Oncomelania snail habitats year by year, and LAMP assay identified positive Oncomelania snail samples, suggesting Oncomelania snail control is far from optimistic in China.

BACKGROUND Two diagnostic models of prostate cancer (PCa) and clinically significant prostate cancer (CS-PCa) were established using clinical data of among patients whose prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels are in the gray area (4.0-10.0 ng/ml). MATERIAL AND METHODS Data from 181 patients whose PSA levels were in the gray area were retrospectively analyzed, and the following data were collected: age, digital rectal examination, total PSA, PSA density (PSAD), free/total PSA (f/t PSA), transrectal ultrasound, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), and pathological reports. Patients were diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and PCa by pathology reports, and PCa patients were separated into non-clinically significant PCa (NCS-PCa) and CS-PCa by Gleason score. Afterward, predictor models constructed by above parameters were researched to diagnose PCa and CS-PCa, respectively. RESULTS According to the analysis of included clinical data, there were 109 patients with BPH, 44 patients with NCS-PCa, and 28 patients with CS-PCa. Regression analysis showed PCa was correlated with f/t PSA, PSAD, and mpMRI (P<0.01), and CS-PCa was correlated with PSAD and mpMRI (P<0.01). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves of 2 models for PCa (sensitivity=73.64%, specificity=64.23%) and for CS-PCa (sensitivity=71.41%, specificity=81.82%) were 0.79 and 0.87, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The prediction models had satisfactory diagnostic value for PCa and CS-PCa among patients with PSA in the gray area, and use of these models may help reduce overdiagnosis.

Since 2015 when the transmission of schistosomiasis was controlled in China, the country has been moving towards elimination of schistosomiasis, with the surveillance - response as the main interventions for schistosomiasis control. During the period of the 13th Five-Year Plan, the transmission of schistosomiasis had been interrupted in four provinces of Sichuan, Jiangsu, Yunnan and Hubei and the prevalence of schistosomiasis has been at the historically lowest level in China. As a consequence, the goal set in The 13th Five-Year National Schistosomiasis Control Program in China is almost achieved. However, there are multiple challenges during the stage moving towards elimination of schistosomiasis in China, including the widespread distribution of intermediate host snails and complicated snail habitats, many types of sources of Schistosoma japonicum infections and difficulty in management of bovines and sheep, unmet requirements for the current schistosomiasis control program with the currently available tools, and vulnerable control achievements. During the 14th Five-Year period, it is crucial to consolidate the schistosomiasis control achievements and gradually solve the above difficulties, and critical to provide the basis for achieving the ultimate goal of elimination of schistosomiasis in China. Based on the past experiences from the national schistosomiasis control program and the challenges for schistosomiasis elimination in China, an expert consensus has been reached pertaining to the objectives, control strategy and measures for The 14th Five-Year National Schistosomiasis Control Program in China , so as to provide insights in to the development of The 14th Five-Year National Schistosomiasis Control Program in China .

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary liver malignancy. From the results of previous studies, Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has shown satisfactory diagnostic value. However, a unified conclusion on the interobserver stability of this innovative ultrasound imaging has not been determined. The present meta-analysis examined the interobserver agreement of CEUS LI-RADS to provide some reference for subsequent related research., Aim: To evaluate the interobserver agreement of LI-RADS on CEUS and analyze the sources of heterogeneity between studies., Methods: Relevant papers on the subject of interobserver agreement on CEUS LI-RADS published before March 1, 2020 in China and other countries were analyzed. The studies were filtered, and the diagnostic criteria were evaluated. The selected references were analyzed using the "meta" and "metafor" packages of R software version 3.6.2., Results: Eight studies were ultimately included in the present analysis. Meta-analysis results revealed that the summary Kappa value of included studies was 0.76 [95% confidence interval, 0.67-0.83], which shows substantial agreement. Higgins I 2 statistics also confirmed the substantial heterogeneity ( I 2 = 91.30%, 95% confidence interval, 85.3%-94.9%, P < 0.01). Meta-regression identified the variables, including the method of patient enrollment, method of consistency testing, and patient race, which explained the substantial study heterogeneity., Conclusion: CEUS LI-RADS demonstrated overall substantial interobserver agreement, but heterogeneous results between studies were also obvious. Further clinical investigations should consider a modified recommendation about the experimental design., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: There is no conflict of interest associated with any of the senior author or other co-authors who contributed their efforts in this manuscript., (©The Author(s) 2020. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate the implementation of schistosomiasis control activities in China during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, so as to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 epidemic on the national schistosomiasis control program in China., Methods: On April 2020, 3 counties (districts) were randomly selected from each of the 12 schistosomiasis-endemic provinces (municipality, autonomous region), and a questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the implementation of schistosomiasis control activities in these counties (districts) from January to March 2020. Then, the impact of the COVID-19 epidemics on the national schistosomiasis control program of China was evaluated using a comparative analysis approach., Results: Among the 36 counties (cities, districts) sampled from 12 provinces (municipality, autonomous region), 66.67% were at a high and medium risk of COVID-19 epidemics. The implementation of schistosomiasis control activities assignment, human schistosomiasis examination and treatment, snail control with chemical treatment and health education reduced by 44.26% to 91.56% as compared to 2019 during the same time period, and the schistosomiasis control program was more affected by COVID-19 in transmission-controlled provinces. The gross funds invested into the schistosomiasis control program reduced by 23.39% in relative to the expected, while the total expenditure increased by 41.22%. In addition, all 36 surveyed counties (districts) considered that the COVID-19 epidemic had a short-term impact on the schistosomiasis control program, with the most predominant impact on schistosomiasis control activities assignment, human resources and monitoring of endemic situation of schistosomiasis., Conclusions: The COVID-19 epidemics affect the routine schistosomiasis control program across the endemic-foci of China. Policy and financial support should be strengthened to ensure the completion of the schistosomiasis control program.

Background: The People's Republic of China (P. R. China) has made significant progress on schistosomiasis control. Among the 12 provincial-level administrative divisions (PLADs) with schistosomiasis endemic in P. R. China, Guangdong, Shanghai, Fujian, Guangxi and Zhejiang PLADs (following as five PLADs) had successively eliminated schistosomiasis during 1985-1995. However, consolidation of the schistosomiasis elimination in these five PLADs remains challenging. In the current study, we sought to understand the epidemic situation in these post-elimination areas and their surveillance capabilities on schistosomiasis., Methods: Annual data reflecting the interventions and surveillance on human beings, cattle and snails based on county level from 2005 to 2016 were collected through the national schistosomiasis reporting system and the data were analyzed to understand the epidemic status of schistosomiasis in the five PLADs. A standardized score sheet was designed to assess the surveillance capacity for schistosomiasis of selected disease control agencies in five PLADs and ten counties. Assessment on surveillance capacity including schistosomiasis diagnostic skills, identification of snails' living and infection status and knowledge about schistosomiasis and its control were made. Descriptive analysis was used to analyze the epidemic status and evaluation results on surveillance capacities., Results: The assessments showed that no local cases in humans and cattle or infected snail were found in these five PLADs since 2005. However, from 2005 to 2016, a total of 221 imported cases were detected in Zhejiang, Shanghai and Fujian, and 11.98 hm 2 of new snail habitats were found in Zhejiang, Shanghai and Guangxi. In addition, snail infestation reoccurred in 247.55 hm 2 of former snail habitats since 2011. For the surveillance capacity assessment, the accuracy rate of IHA and MHT were 100 and 89.3%, respectively. All participants could judge the living status of snails accurately and 98.1% on the infection status of snails. The accuracy rate of the questionnaire survey was 98.0%., Conclusions: Elimination of schistosomiasis was consolidated successfully in five PLADs of P. R. China due to effective and strong post-elimination surveillance. Comprehensive consolidation strategies should be focused on the elimination of residual snails and the prevention of imported infection sources to consolidate the achievements of schistosomiasis control.

Aim: To evaluate the value of S-Detect (a computer aided diagnosis system using deep learning) in breast ultrasound (US) for discriminating benign and malignant breast masses., Material and Methods: A literature search was performed and relevant studies using S-Detect for the differential diagnosis of breast masses were selected. The quality of included studies was assessed using a Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS) questionnaire. Two review authors independently searched the articles and assessed the eligibility of the reports., Results: A total of ten studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity were 0.82 (95%CI: 0.77-0.87) and 0.86 (95%CI: 0.76-0.92), respectively. In addition, the diagnostic odds ratios, positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio were 28 (95%CI: 16- 49), 5.7 (95%CI: 3.4-9.5), and 0.21 (95%CI: 0.16-0.27), respectively. Area under the curve was 0.89 (95%CI: 0.86-0.92). No significant publication bias was observed., Conclusions: S-Detect exhibited a favourable diagnostic value in assisting physicians discriminating benign and malignant breast masses and it can be considered as a useful complement for conventional US.

Background: Cobalt is an important metal cofactor of many living cells. However, excessive cobalt is toxic and can cause cell death and even several diseases in humans. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a useful tool for studying metal homeostasis and many of the genes and pathways are highly conserved in higher eukaryotes including humans., Methods: The intracellular cobalt and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured by an atomic absorption spectrometer and DHE staining method, respectively. The expression of genes involved in scavenging oxidative stress was tested by qPCR method, while the expression of UPRE-lacZ report gene was analyzed via β-galactosidase activity assay., Results: Using a genome-scale genetic screen, 153 cobalt-sensitive and 37 cobalt-tolerant gene deletion mutants were identified from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We showed that 101 of the cobalt-sensitive mutants accumulated higher intracellular cobalt compared to wild-type. The intracellular ROS levels in 112 of the mutants were induced by cobalt, which might be caused by the decreased expression of genes involved in scavenging oxidative stress in response to cobalt. Moreover, more than one-third of the cobalt-sensitive mutants were also sensitive to tunicamycin, and cobalt stress might induce the unfolded protein response (UPR) through serine/threonine kinase and endoribonuclease Ire1., Conclusions: This study reinforced the fact that cobalt toxicity might be due to the high intracellular cobalt and ROS levels, and the endoplasmic reticulum stress responses induced by cobalt., General Significance: Elucidating the toxicity mechanisms of cobalt stress response will help reveal new routes for the treatment of the diseases induced by cobalt., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Objective: To prepare glycol-chitosan (GC)-based single/dual-network hydrogels with different composition ratios (GC31, DN3131 and DN6262) and to investigate the effects of hydrogel scaffolds on biological behavior of human dental pulp cell (hDPC) encapsulated., Methods: GC-based single-network hydrogels (GC31) and GC-based dual-network hydrogels (DN3131, DN6262) with different composition ratios were prepared. The injectability was defined as the average time needed to expel a certain volume of hydrogel under a constant force. The degradation of the hydrogel was determined by the weight loss with time. The fracture stress was measured using a universal testing machine. The proliferation of hDPCs in hydrogels was detected using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method and CalceinAM/PI Live/Dead assay. After 14 days of odontoblastic induction, the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP-1) was detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (real-time RT-PCR) and the mineralized nodules was observed by Von Kossa staining., Results: The injectability of all three groups of hydrogels was acceptable. The time of injection of GC31 was the shortest, and that of DN6262 was longer than DN3131 (P<0.05). The degradation rate of GC31 hydrogel in vitro was significantly faster than that of the dual-network hydrogel groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between DN3131 and DN6262 (P>0.05). The compressive resistance failure point of GC31 group was 1.10 kPa, while it was 7.33 kPa and 43.30 kPa for DN3131 and DN6262. The compressive strength of dual-network hydrogel was significantly enhanced compared with single-network hydrogel. hDPCs were in continuous proliferation in all the three groups, and the GC31 group showed a higher proliferation rate (P<0.05). The expression levels of DSPP, DMP-1 and ALP in the dual-network hydrogel groups (DN3131, DN6262) were significantly higher than that of GC31 after culturing for 14 days (P<0.05), there was no difference in the expression levels of DMP-1 and ALP between DN3131 and DN6262 (P>0.05); Von Kossa staining showed that more mineralization deposition and mass-shaped mineralized nodules formed in DN3131 and DN6262, while only light brown calcium deposition staining was observed in GC31 group, which was scattered in granular forms., Conclusion: GC-based single/dual network hydrogels with different composition ratios met the injectable requirements. GC31 group had a lower mechanical properties, in which hDPCs exhibited a higher proliferation rate. dual-network hydrogels had slower degradation rate and higher mechanical properties, in which hDPCs exhibited better odontoblastic differentiation potential and mineralization potential.

Zinc is essential for almost all living organisms, since it serves as a crucial cofactor for transcription factors and enzymes. However, it is toxic to cell growth when present in excess. The present work aims to investigate the toxicity mechanisms induced by zinc stress in yeast cells. To this end, 108 yeast single-gene deletion mutants were identified sensitive to 6 mM ZnCl 2 through a genome-wide screen. These genes were predominantly related to the biological processes of vacuolar acidification and transport, polyphosphate metabolic process, cytosolic transport, the process utilizing autophagic mechanism. A result from the measurement of intracellular zinc content showed that 64 mutants accumulated higher intracellular zinc under zinc stress than the wild-type cells. We further measured the intracellular ROS (reactive oxygen species) levels of 108 zinc-sensitive mutants treated with 3 mM ZnCl 2 We showed that the intracellular ROS levels in 51 mutants were increased by high zinc stress, suggesting their possible involvement in regulating ROS homeostasis in response to high zinc. The results also revealed that excess zinc could generate oxidative damage and then activate the expression of several antioxidant defenses genes. Taken together, the data obtained indicated that excess zinc toxicity might be mainly due to the high intracellular zinc levels and ROS levels induced by zinc stress in yeast cells. Our current findings would provide a basis to understand the molecular mechanisms of zinc toxicity in yeast cells., (Copyright © 2020 Zhao et al.)

To estimate the diagnostic performance of acoustic radiation force impulse elastography in distinguishing between benign and malignant superficial lymph nodes, relevant articles published before October 31, 2018, in China and other countries were used. Conclusively, a total of 18 articles were analyzed. Sixteen studies used Virtual Touch tissue quantification (Siemens Healthineers, Erlangen, Germany), and 4 studies used Virtual Touch tissue imaging (Siemens Healthineers). After a meta-analysis, it was found that acoustic radiation force impulse elastography is an efficient method for detecting superficial lymph nodes. In addition, if the cutoff value for the shear wave velocity were less than 2.85 m/s, the summary sensitivity would increase, and the heterogeneity would be reduced., (© 2019 by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.)

Being a zoonotic parasitic disease, schistosomiasis was widely spread in 12 provinces of Southern China in the 1950s, severly harming human health and hindering economic development. The National Institute of Parasitic Diseases at the Chinese Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, and Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research (NIPD-CTDR), as the only professional institution focussing on parasitic diseases at the national level, has played an important role in schistosomiasis control in the country. In this article, we look back at the changes of schistosomiasis endemicity and the contribution of NIPD-CTDR to the national schistosomiasis control programme. We review NIPD-CTDR's activities, including field investigations, design of control strategies and measures, development of diagnostics and drugs, surveillance-response of endemic situation, and monitoring & evaluation of the programme. The NIPD-CTDR has mastered the transmission status of schistosomiasis, mapped the snail distribution, and explored strategies and measures suitable for different types of endemic areas in China. With a good understanding of the life cycle of Schistosoma japonicum and transmission patterns of the disease, advanced research carried out in the NIPD-CTDR based on genomics and modern technology has made it possible to explore highly efficient and soft therapeutic drugs and molluscicides, making it possible to develop new diagnostic tools and produce vaccine candidates. In the field, epidemiological studies, updated strategies and targeted intervention measures developed by scientists from the NIPD-CTDR have contributed significantly to the national schistosomiasis control programme. This all adds up to a strong foundation for eliminating schistosomiasis in China in the near future, and recommendations have been put forward how to reach this goal., (© 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Parasitic diseases have been widely epidemic in China with a long history. Great endeavours made in past 70 years led to significant decrease in morbidity and mortablity caused by several major parasitic diseases, while challenges existed to eliminate parasitic diseases. Surveillance-response system has play a crucial role in identifying public health problems, ascertaining the distribution and epidemic dynamics, discovering outbreaks and epidemic anomalies, evaluating the effects of on-site intervention activities and identifying risk factors. In this article, we reviewed the progress of the surveillance system for parasitic diseases, analysed the role of NIPD in the construction and application of surveillance-response system of parasitic diseases through elaborating the surveillance activities and typical surveillance-response events led by NIPD. Suggestion and comments for improve the surveillance-response system were put forward for further control or elimination of parasitic diseases., (© 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

China has made remarkable progress in reducing schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma japonicum over the past 7 decades but now faces a severe threat from imported schistosomiasis. Results from national surveillance during 2010-2018 indicate integrating active surveillance into current surveillance models for imported cases is urgently needed to achieve schistosomiasis elimination in China.

Background: This study aims to reveal early breast cancer (BC) specific competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network through the expression profiles of microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and mRNAs., Methods: Based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we obtained the differentially expressed mRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs (DEmRNAs, DEmiRNAs and DElncRNAs) between early BC and normal samples. The lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction network was constructed using Cytoscape. Functional enrichment were performed using GeneCoDis3. The expression of selected genes were validated by qRT-PCR. Based on the published dataset, we validated the result of TCGA integration analysis. The diagnostic and prognostic value of candidate genes was evaluated by ROC curve analysis and survival analysis, respectively., Results: Totally, 1207 DEmRNAs, 194 DElncRNAs and 37 DEmiRNAs were obtained. Functional enrichment analysis results showed that all of DEmRNAs were enriched in pathway of cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, PPAR signaling pathway and pathways in cancer. The DEmRNA-DEmiRNA-DElncRNA interaction network in early BC was consisted of 23 DEmiRNAs, 95 DElncRNAs and 309 DEmRNAs. Among ceRNA network, IL-6-hsa-miR-182-5p-ADAMTS9-AS1 interactions, LIFR-hsa-miR-21-5p-ADAMTS9-AS1 interactions and MMP1/MMP11-hsa-miR-145-5p-CDKN2B-AS1 interactions were speculated to involve in the development of early BC. The qRT-PCR results were consistent with our integrated analysis. Except for ADAMTS9-AS1 and CDKN2B-AS1, expression of the others results in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset were generally consistent with TCGA integrated analysis. The area under curve (AUC) of the ADAMTS9-AS1, CDKN2B-AS1, IL-6, MMP11, hsa-miR-145-5p and hsa-miR-182-5p were 0.947, 0.862, 0.842, 0.993, 0.960 and 0.944, and the specificity and sensitivity of the 6 biomarkers were 83.4% and 95.6%, 72.2% and 90.3%, 80.1% and 74.3%, 96.2% and 96.5%, 90.1% and 92.3%, and 88.7% and 90.4%, respectively. In addition, IL-6 had potential prognostic value for early BC., Conclusion: These findings may provide novel insights into the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network and uncover potential therapeutic targets in early BC.

Objective: To understand the epidemic trend of schistosomiasis in China from 2010 to 2017 so as to provide the scientific evidence for schistosomiasis elimination., Methods: The information of schistosomiasis control nationwide from 2010 to 2017 was collected, including the endemic of population, status of livestock control, and Oncomelania hupensis snail control. Microsoft Excel was applied for datum management and analysis., Results: From 2010 to 2017, the epidemic of schistosomiasis in China dropped significantly. The decreasing amplitude of estimated number of patients nationwide was 88.46%. Seventy-one acute schistosomiasis patients were reported and 12.68% (9/71) of them were imported. The decreasing rate of cultivated cattle was 50.09%, and the accumulative number of schistosome-infected cattle was 17 239, and the average positive rate of stool examinations decreased from 1.04% to 0.000 22%. The area with snails nationwide was 373 596.18 to 363 068.95 hm 2 , and the new detected area with snails was 46.71 to 1 346.73 hm 2 . The area with schistosome-infected snails was 171.68 hm 2 in 2012 and it was 9.25 hm 2 in 2013. In 72 key monitoring points of 7 endemic provinces, there were 17 schistosome positive points of water body in 2010 and 6 points in 2016. There were some high risk-factors related to schistosomiasis transmission including schisto-some-infected cattle, dogs, and field rats, and the field stools, and the pasture in the area with snails in schistosomiasis monitoring points., Conclusions: The endemic status of schistosomiasis in China has dropped significantly, and the transmission level is very low. However, the infectious source and risk factors in the endemic environments have not be eliminated. Therefore, the infectious source control, health education, snail control, and transmission monitoring should be strengthened, so as to promote the progress of schistosomiasis elimination.

Rapid urbanization has a significant impact on dissolved organic matter (DOM) in water and sediment; thus, it is important to explore the distribution characteristics and influencing factors of DOM in watersheds. Xiaojia River is a typical urban area in Beilun District of Ningbo City, Yangtze River Delta. The spectral characteristics of DOM in the water and sediment in this river were studied to examine their sources and characteristics. The DOM was analyzed by three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy (EEM) coupled with the parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) model. The following results were noted. ① Four fluorescence DOM components were derived by EEM-PARAFAC:C1 represents terrestrial humus with a high molecular weight; C2 represents terrestrial humus with a low molecular weight, which was produced by biodegradation; C3 represents protein-like substances that were sensitive in a microenvironment; and C4 is terrestrial humus. ② Both new-born endogenous and terrestrial sources have large impacts on DOM components. The humification degree was very weak with a low concentration of humus. The DOM in the sediments was derived mainly from terrestrial or soil sources with small endogenous contribution with high humification. The concentration of humus in the sediments was significantly higher than that in water. ③ Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that farmland and urban land use were the dominant environmental factors and had relatively high correlation with the water indicators. Construction land, farmland, and wetland land use positively correlated with the sediment components. Among them, urban land use had the greatest influence on the concentration parameter Fn(355) of humus-like substance C4 and the humus-like substance in sediments.

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB,both smear positive and smear negative) is an airborne infectious disease of major public health concern in China and other parts of the world where PTB endemicity is reported. This study aims at identifying PTB spatio-temporal clusters and associated risk factors in Zhaotong prefecture-level city, located in southwest China, where the PTB notification rate was higher than the average rate in the entire country., Methods: Space-time scan statistics were carried out using PTB registered data in the nationwide TB online registration system from 2011 to 2015, to identify spatial clusters. PTB patients diagnosed between October 2015 and February 2016 were selected and a structured questionnaire was administered to collect a set of variables that includes socio-economic status, behavioural characteristics, local environmental and biological characteristics. Based on the discovery of detailed town-level spatio-temporal PTB clusters, we divided selected subjects into two groups including the cases that resides within and outside identified clusters. Then, logistic regression analysis was applied comparing the results of variables between the two groups., Results: A total of 1508 subjects consented and participated in the survey. Clusters for PTB cases were identified in 38 towns distributed over south-western Zhaotong. Logistic regression analysis showed that history of chronic bronchitis (OR = 3.683, 95% CI: 2.180-6.223), living in an urban area (OR = 5.876, 95% CI: 2.381-14.502) and using coal as the main fuel (OR = 9.356, 95% CI: 5.620-15.576) were independently associated with clustering. While, not smoking (OR = 0.340, 95% CI: 0.137-0.843) is the protection factor of spatial clustering., Conclusions: We found PTB specially clustered in south-western Zhaotong. The strong associated factors influencing the PTB spatial cluster including: the history of chronic bronchitis, living in the urban area, smoking and the use of coal as the main fuel for cooking and heating. Therefore, efforts should be made to curtail these associated factors.

The continuous cropping obstacles caused by the increase of kiwifruit planting period resulted in imbalance of soil microbial community structure, and decrease of soil enzyme activity and physicochemical indicators, which substantially reduced both the quality and yield of kiwifruit. Under the field conditions, the traditional fertilization of fruit farmers was used as a control (CK) to study the effects of two different microbial fertilizers, JF and KF, which had been verified the growth promotion of kiwifruit aseptic seedlings test, on soil microbial community structure, soil enzyme activities, soil physicochemical characters during different growth periods of kiwifruit (germination period, florescence period, fruit enlargement period, fruit ripening period and next year germination period), as well as fruit quality. The results showed that both fertilizers significantly increased the ratio of bacteria with fungi and the ratio of actinomycetes with fungi in the kiwifruit orchard soil, indicating that they could improve and balance the soil microbial community structure. The enzymes activity in kiwifruit orchard soil with the addition of both fertilizers were significantly higher than that in CK, and among which sucrose, urease, phosphatase and polyphenol oxidase were increased by 17.9%-83.5%, 7.9%-83.0%, 7.3%-45.4% and 8.1%-140.3%, respectively. JF and KF increased soil fertility (the concentrations of available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, and organic matter content significantly increased) and decreased soil pH (a decrease of 0.29 to 0.34). After application of microbial ferti-lizer, the content of vitamin C, soluble sugar, soluble protein and other contents of kiwifruit increased, and the titratable acid content decreased. Therefore, the application of both fertilizers could balance soil microbial community structure, enhance soil fertility, and improve the fruit quality of kiwifruit. Our results provide robust theoretical basis for the application of microbial fertilizers in the old-aged kiwifruit orchards.

A compatibilizer was melt-blended with intumescent flame-retardant linear low-density polyethylene/nylon six blends (LLDPE/PA6/IFR) by different methods, and the effect of microstructure on the flame retardancy, mechanical properties, and water resistance was investigated. Melt-blending compatibilizers with LLDPE/PA6/IFR above the polyamide-6 (PA6) melt temperature formed the microstructure with IFR dispersion in the LLDPE matrix and good interphase adhesion between the PA6 phase and the matrix. Compared with the blends with the lack of compatibilizers, although good interphase adhesion improved the mechanical properties and water resistance, IFR dispersion in the LLDPE matrix reduced the flame retardancy sharply. To obtain the microstructure with IFR dispersion in the PA6 phase and strong interface adhesion of the PA6 phase with a matrix, a novel method in which a compatibilizer was melt-blended with LLDPE/PA6/IFR between the melt temperatures of LLDPE and PA6 was employed. The results showed that the flame retardancy, mechanical properties, and water resistance were improved simultaneously., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is ubiquitous in the aquatic environment, playing an important role in the fate of heavy metals in aquatic systems. In this study, we characterized the DOM and heavy metals and their distribution in a peri-urban river and an urban river in Ningbo city. In addition, the relationship between DOM and dissolved heavy metals was also determined. Results showed that higher DOC, CDOM, and FDOM concentrations were found in the river with the higher urbanization level. Four fluorescence peaks were identified in the excitation-emission matrix (EEM) of DOM, including fulvic acid-like fluorescence peaks A and C and protein-like fluorescence peaks B and T. The higher fluorescence intensities of peak B and T were found in the urban river, and similar trends were also found for the degree of humification and aromaticity of DOM. Similarly, concentrations of heavy metals, such as As, Cu, and Mn, were significantly higher in the urban river. Moreover, DOM had significant positive correlations with Cu, Cr, Mn, As, Zn, and Pb in the urban river, while DOM only exhibited significant positive correlations with Mn, Pb, and Cu in the peri-urban river. In conclusion, urbanization level influenced the characteristics and concentrations of CDOM in rivers which were closely related to the distribution of heavy metals.

Excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy combined with fluorescence regional integration (FRI) analysis were adopted to analyze the water samples collected from the Lujiang River, which flows through the rapidly urbanizing areas of Beilun, Ningbo, in order to illuminate the composition and characteristics of the spatial distribution of fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM), and further to explain its correlation with water quality in the urban river. The results showed that FDOM was composed of tyrosine-like, tryptophan-like, soluble microbial by-product-like, fulvic-like, and humic-like materials, and FDOM was dominated by protein-like components, accounting for 83.8% of the total fluorescence intensity, while humic-like components accounted for much less. The concentrations of the water quality parameters, such as total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and metals, were linearly correlated with the total fluorescence intensity of all components, indicating that FDOM was significantly related to the removal and transformation of nitrogen and phosphorus. The distribution of FDOM in different areas has the following characteristics:FDOM was low and not distinctly influenced by human activities in the upstream, while in the downstream, FDOM was high and showed the characteristics typical of that in urbanized rivers. Therefore, anthropogenic activities can greatly influence river water quality and the concentration and composition of FDOM.

An actinomycete strain, designated KLBMP S0039 T , was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Lycium Linn., collected from the coastal region in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, eastern PR China, and was studied to determine its taxonomic position. The isolate showed a combination of morphological and chemotaxonomic properties typical of the members of the genus Nocardia. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and the whole-cell sugars were galactose, arabinose, glucose and ribose. The predominant menaquinone was identified as MK-8(H4ω-cycl). The diagnostic phospholipids were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and unknown lipids. The predominant cellular fatty acids were identified as C16 : 0, C18 : 0, C18 : 1ω9c, and 10-methyl C18 : 0 [tuberculostearic acid (TBSA)]. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was determined to be 68.2 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity indicated that KLBMP S0039 T was most closely related to Nocardia neocaledoniensis NBRC 108232 T (99.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Nocardia asteroides NBRC 15531 T (99.2 %), similarities to other type strains of species of the genus Nocardia were found to be less than 98.6 %. However, DNA-DNA relatedness values and phenotypic data indicated that KLBMP S0039 T could be clearly distinguished from the closely related species of the genus Nocardia. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic data, it is concluded that KLBMP S0039 T represents a novel species of the genus Nocardia, for which the name Nocardiarhizosphaerihabitans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KLBMP S0039 T (=KCTC 39693 T =CGMCC 4.7329 T ).

Objective We aimed to investigate the anatomical features and variation pattern of the nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve (NRLN), summarize the methods for identifying the NRLN before and during thyroidectomy, and share experiences regarding preventing and treating its injury. Study Design Retrospective case data analysis. Setting First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University. Subjects and Methods Between January 2002 and May 2016, 7392 patients underwent thyroidectomy in our hospital. Of them, 28 patients with NRLN were identified, and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Results This study included 7392 patients in which the recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLNs) were routinely identified during surgery. The presence of NRLN was intraoperatively confirmed in 28 patients. All the NRLNs were located on the right side and its overall incidence was 0.37%. Five of the NRLNs were classified as type I, 19 as type IIa, and 4 as type IIb. Of the 28 cases, 4 NRLNs were injured during surgery, in which primary end-to-end anastomosis or local seal with corticosteroid injection was performed as a remedy. In the 4 patients with NRLN injury, 2 presented with postoperative hoarseness that indicated vocal cord paralysis confirmed by laryngoscope; the other 2 patients' voices had no significant changes. Conclusion The NRLN, which is rare in clinical practice and predominantly right-sided, is anatomically more complex and variant at a higher risk of surgical injury. The key factors to accurately identify NRLN and to effectively prevent its injury include careful interpretation of auxiliary examination results before surgery, raising awareness of its presence, meticulous dissection, and routine exposure of the RLN during surgery.

Rationale: Drug-induced pancreatitis (DIP) is a rare type of pancreatitis that is not usually observed in the clinical practice. It is generally difficult to distinguish from acute pancreatitis (AP) induced by other causes., Patient Concerns: Here, we report a 62-year-old Chinese female patient with "small cell lung cancer" as the initial presentation. Because the patient could not bear the surgical treatment, the chemotherapy composed of lobaplatin and etoposide was performed. Three days later, the patient displayed sudden abdominal pain, distension, nausea, and vomiting without obvious inducements. Laboratory tests showed that the levels of serum and urine amylase were enhanced; abdominal computed tomography (CT) result showed the enlargement of the pancreas, peripancreatic effusion, and a rough edge, which suggested the diagnosis of AP. The patient had no history of biliary tract disease, alcoholism, binge overeating, hyperlipidemia, and hereditary pancreatitis., Diagnoses: The patient was diagnosed with DIP., Interventions: The chemotherapy was stopped at once and we performed fluid resuscitation, pain alleviation, prophylactic antibiotics, and nutritional support, etc on the patient. Later, the patient's clinical symptoms were obviously relieved, and she recovered successfully., Outcomes: The chemotherapy was continued, but later, the patient showed abdominal pain, distension, nausea, and vomiting again. The levels of serum amylase and urine amylase were enhanced again. Further imaging examination strongly indicated the recurrence of AP., Lessons: We should raise awareness of the clinicians regarding DIP, thereby enabling its timely diagnosis and accurate treatment, as well as promoting the rational and safe use of drugs.

Background: The number of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) cases in China ranks third in the world. A continuous increase in cases has recently been recorded in Zhaotong prefecture-level city, which is located in the northeastern part of Yunnan province. This study explored the space-time dynamics of PTB cases in Zhaotong to provide useful information that will help guide policymakers to formulate effective regional prevention and control strategies., Methods: The data on PTB cases were extracted from the nationwide tuberculosis online registration system. Time series and spatial cluster analyses were applied to detect PTB temporal trends and spatial patterns at the town level between 2011 and 2015 in Zhaotong. Three indicators of PTB treatment registration history were used: initial treatment registration rate, re-treatment registration rate, and total PTB registration rate., Results: Seasonal trends were detected with an apparent symptom onset peak during the winter season and a registration peak during the spring season. A most likely cluster and six secondary clusters were identified for the total PTB registration rate, one most likely cluster and five secondary clusters for the initial treatment registration rate, and one most likely cluster for the re-treatment registration rate. The most likely cluster of the three indicators had a similar spatial distribution and size in Zhenxiong County, which is characterised by a poor socio-economic level and the largest population in Yunnan., Conclusion: This study identified temporal and spatial distribution of PTB in a high PTB burden area using existing health data. The results of the study provide useful information on the prevailing epidemiological situation of PTB in Zhaotong and could be used to develop strategies for more effective PTB control at the town level. The cluster that overlapped the three PTB indicators falls within the geographic areas where PTB control efforts should be prioritised.