Objective: To analyze the process of handling a pulmonary tuberculosis(TB) outbreak among senior high school students in a boarding school in Chongqing, as well as to investigate the underlying causes of the outbreak, so as to provide evidence to inform TB prevention and control strategies in school settings. Methods: From November 2023 to April 2024, an epidemiological investigation was conducted into the TB outbreak in a grade 12 class from a boarding high school. Suspected cases were screened using symptom screening, tuberculin skin test (TST), and chest X-ray examinations. Confirmed cases underwent individual epidemiological interviews and sputum culture; Cultured positive mycobacterial strains were subjected to whole genome sequencing after identification as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Results: A total of 10 active pulmonary TB cases were identified, all from the same class, yielding a student attack rate of 16.67%. Three isolates were culture positive, as well as all strains were of L2 type，and the WGS analysis of the strains suggested a common transmission chain. Excluding the index case, four additional cases were detected through symptom driven health care visits. Notably, 70% of patients presented with "chest tightness and chest pain" symptoms, and 50% had "cough" symptoms,but none were detected during morning health checks or tracking of absences due to illness. A total of 326 contacts were identified and underwent three rounds of screening and one follow up examination. In the initial screening, 35 close contacts from the same class showed strong TST positivity, corresponding to a strong positivity rate of 55.56%, significantly higher than the 20.76% observed among casual contacts ( χ 2=29.80, P <0.01). Among the 35 strongly TST positivvity close contacts and five individuals with moderate TST positivity whose induration had increased by ≥10 mm over two years, none received timely preventive treatment initially; five of them were subsequently diagnosed with active TB within three months. Following this, 25 individuals initiated preventive therapy, resulting in a preventive treatment initiation rate of 62.50%. Among TST negative classmates who converted to strong positivity on repeat TST testing at three months, 75.00% started preventive treatment, but only 22.22% completed the full course. Conclusion Inadequate implementation of morning health checks and cause tracking for absenteeism due to illness, poorly standardized screening procedures, and delayed preventive treatment may have been key factors contributing to the spread of the outbreak.

Objective: To delineate the epidemiologic profile of rifampicin resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (RR-PTB) among students in Chongqing, so as to provide evidence for effectively controlling RR-PTB outbreaks in schools. Methods: Individual level surveillance records of 395 student RR-PTB cases reported from 2015 to 2024 were extracted from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. The Joinpoint regression analysis was employed to quantify temporal trends in the registration rate of student RR-PTB cases, and the comparison of RR-PTB registration rates with different demographic characteristics and different regions was performed using Chi-square test. Results: From 2015 to 2024, a total of 395 student RR-PTB cases were identified, with the registration rate ranged from 0.07 per 100 000 to 1.47 per 100 000, showed a fluctuating upward trend ( AAPC= 35.22%, t =4.13, P <0.01). A turning point was detected in 2017, rates rose during 2015-2017 (APC=295.23%， t =4.62， P < 0.01 ) and plateaued thereafter (APC=-0.47%， t =-0.12， P =0.91). The proportion of RR-PTB cases occurring among students increased both among all RR-PTB cases (1.54% in 2015, 7.48% in 2024) and all student pulmonary tuberculosis cases (0.20% in 2015, 7.17% in 2024), with significant linear trends ( χ 2 trend =33.55,159.98, both P <0.01). The majority of cases were enrolled in senior high school (50.38%), classified as retreatment (53.92%), of Han ethnicity (75.95%), and diagnosed with multidrug resistant tuberculosis(53.16%). There were significant differences in the composition of different ethnicity, registration category and resistance pattern between different years( χ 2=23.47, 17.23, 59.64，all P <0.05). The South-Eastern Wuling Mountainous Region exhibited the highest notification rate (3.96 per 100 000), whereas the western region had the lowest rate ( 0.47 per 100 000). County level jurisdictions reported higher rates than district level ones (2.16 per 100 000 vs 0.63 per 100 000 ). Statistically significant differences were observed in the RR-PTB reported rates among students across different districts and counties( χ 2=418.05,167.05,both P <0.01). Conclusions From 2015 to 2024, the registration rate of detected student RR-PTB cases in Chongqing showed an increasing trend. Students have become one of the key populations for drug resistant TB prevention and control. Intensified health education and active case finding should be implemented to enhance proactive surveillance capabilities.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to understand the willingness and barriers to the acceptance of tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment (TPT) among people with latent TB infection (LTBI) in China. METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted from May 18, 2023 to December 31, 2023 across 10 counties in China. According to a national technical guide, we included healthcare workers, students, teachers, and others occupations aged 15-65 years as our research participants. RESULTS: Overall, 17.0% (183/1,077) of participants accepted TPT. There were statistically significant differences in the acceptance rate of TPT among different sexes, ages, educational levels, and occupations ( P < 0.05). The main barriers to TPT acceptance were misconceptions that it had uncertain effects on prevention (57.8%, 517/894), and concerns about side effects (32.7%, 292/894). CONCLUSION An enhanced and comprehensive understanding of LTBI and TPT among people with LTBI is vital to further expand TPT in China. Moreover, targeted policies need to be developed to address barriers faced by different groups of people.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Adult ; Male ; Female ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Aged ; Latent Tuberculosis/prevention & control* ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care ; Tuberculosis/prevention & control* ; Antitubercular Agents/therapeutic use* ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice

Serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 7 (SRSF7), a known splicing factor, has been revealed to play oncogenic roles in multiple cancers. However, the mechanisms underlying its oncogenic roles have not been well addressed. Here, based on N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) co-methylation network analysis across diverse cell lines, we find that the gene expression of SRSF7 is positively correlated with glioblastoma (GBM) cell-specific m⁶A methylation. We then indicate that SRSF7 is a novel m⁶A regulator, which specifically facilitates the m⁶A methylation near its binding sites on the mRNAs involved in cell proliferation and migration, through recruiting the methyltransferase complex. Moreover, SRSF7 promotes the proliferation and migration of GBM cells largely dependent on the presence of the m⁶A methyltransferase. The two m⁶A sites on the mRNA for PDZ-binding kinase (PBK) are regulated by SRSF7 and partially mediate the effects of SRSF7 in GBM cells through recognition by insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2). Together, our discovery reveals a novel role of SRSF7 in regulating m⁶A and validates the presence and functional importance of temporal- and spatial-specific regulation of m⁶A mediated by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs).
Humans ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Glioblastoma/genetics* ; Methyltransferases/metabolism* ; RNA Splicing Factors/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger/genetics* ; RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors/metabolism* ; RNA Methylation/genetics*

Objective: To investigate the current prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among residents living in Nanchuan District, Chongqing Municipality, so as to provide the evidence for formulating LTBI control measures. Methods: The residents living in one street and one township from Nanchuan District were randomly selected using the multistage cluster sampling method during the period between January and April, 2020, and their demographic information, smoking history, history of alcohol consumption, history of contacts with tuberculosis patients and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin ( BCG ) vaccination scars were collected. The infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was detected using interferon gamma release assay ( IGRA ), and a positive IGRA test and exclusion of active tuberculosis was defined as LTBI. The prevalence of LTBI was descriptively analyzed among the study subjects. Results: Totally 1 000 residents were recruited, including 381 males and 619 females, with a male to female ratio of 0.62∶1. The mean age was ( 45.87±18.40 ) years. Among all participants, there were 222 smokers ( 22.20% ), 247 subjects consuming alcohol (24.70%), 62 subjects with a history of contacts with tuberculosis patients ( 6.20% ) and 904 subjects with BCG scars ( 90.40% ). A total of 198 residents were diagnosed with LTBI (19.80% prevalence), and a higher prevalence rate of LTBI was seen in men than in women ( 23.36% vs. 17.61%; χ2=4.911, P=0.027 ). The prevalence of LTBI was significantly higher in married/divorced/widowed residents than in unmarried residents ( 24.22% vs. 2.01%; χ2=49.514, P<0.001 ), and significantly greater prevalence was found in smokers than in non-smokers ( 27.93% vs. 17.48%; χ2=11.871, P=0.001 ). The prevalence of LTBI appeared a tendency towards a rise with age ( χ2trend=59.100, P<0.001 ) and body mass index ( χ2trend=9.479, P=0.002 ). Conclusions The prevalence of LTBI is high among residents living in Nanchuan District, notably among elder, male smokers with high body mass index. Risk monitoring and timely interventions are required.

Objective:To screen and identify plasma differentially expressed genes and related signal pathway by human gene expression profile array and fluorescent quantitative PCR.Methods:From September 2018 to October 2019, 291 workers from a Mercury-in-glass thermometer factory in Jiangsu Province were selected for an occupational health examination, a total of 60 persons were divided into two groups: high and low mercury exposure groups (30 persons in each group) . Plasma total RNA samples from the high exposure group and the low exposure group (10 cases each) were detected by gene expression microarray, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with fold change >2 were selected. DEGs were submitted to David and Metascape for gene function clustering, pathway and protein interaction network analysis. Finally, fluorescence quantitative PCR was performed to verify the changes in the expression levels of key DEGs in the high exposure group and the low exposure group (another 20 cases in each group) .Results:A total of 269 DEGs, of which 203 up regulated and 66 down regulated were identified in the differential expression analysis of gene expression microarray. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that, DEGs were involved in forebrain development, glial cell fate determinants of GO biological process and PID NF-KB, PTEN signal pathway. NFE2L1, SOX8, SOX6 and RNF2 ( P<0.05) were confirmed down regulated in high level group by fluorescent quantitative PCR compared with the low level group (fold changes were 2.10, 11.52, 2.19, and 4.38 respectively) . Conclusion:The plasma NFE2L1, SOX8, SOX6 and RNF2 gene expressions are significantly altered in occupa tional high mercury exposure population. PTEN signaling pathway and fate of glia cells determines the biological process may be closely related to the body injury caused by mercury exposure.

Objective:To screen and identify plasma differentially expressed genes and related signal pathway by human gene expression profile array and fluorescent quantitative PCR.Methods:From September 2018 to October 2019, 291 workers from a Mercury-in-glass thermometer factory in Jiangsu Province were selected for an occupational health examination, a total of 60 persons were divided into two groups: high and low mercury exposure groups (30 persons in each group) . Plasma total RNA samples from the high exposure group and the low exposure group (10 cases each) were detected by gene expression microarray, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with fold change >2 were selected. DEGs were submitted to David and Metascape for gene function clustering, pathway and protein interaction network analysis. Finally, fluorescence quantitative PCR was performed to verify the changes in the expression levels of key DEGs in the high exposure group and the low exposure group (another 20 cases in each group) .Results:A total of 269 DEGs, of which 203 up regulated and 66 down regulated were identified in the differential expression analysis of gene expression microarray. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that, DEGs were involved in forebrain development, glial cell fate determinants of GO biological process and PID NF-KB, PTEN signal pathway. NFE2L1, SOX8, SOX6 and RNF2 ( P<0.05) were confirmed down regulated in high level group by fluorescent quantitative PCR compared with the low level group (fold changes were 2.10, 11.52, 2.19, and 4.38 respectively) . Conclusion:The plasma NFE2L1, SOX8, SOX6 and RNF2 gene expressions are significantly altered in occupa tional high mercury exposure population. PTEN signaling pathway and fate of glia cells determines the biological process may be closely related to the body injury caused by mercury exposure.

Objective: To understand the current situation of school tuberculosis prevention and control system and the implementation of daily prevention and control measures, and to provide a reference for strengthening the prevention and control of tuberculosis in schools. Methods: A random sampling method was used to select schools where on site questionnaire survey was carried out, including 156 junior high schools, 78 senior high schools and 6 universities. SPSS 25.0 was used for descriptive analysis and chi square test. Results: The average annual screening rates of junior high school, senior high school and university from 2015 to 2020 were 58.84%, 71.71% and 84.41% respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ 2=61 247.39， P <0.01). The average annual TB detection rates were 8.69/10 5, 50.89/10 5 and 36.51/10 5 respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ 2=101.20， P <0.01). The screening rate of TB screening in 2015-2020 years increased by year( χ 2 trend =70 052.10, 86 182.82 , 22 213.56， P <0.01). The detection rate of TB among junior high schools and high schools has been increasing year by year( χ 2 trend =9.27, 12.23, P <0.01). From 2015 to 2020, the proportion of tuberculosis screening, contact history, PPD and chest screening increased by year in junior high school and senior high school freshmen, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ 2=129.10, 118.10, 206.92, 37.67; 108.79, 84.90, 139.84, 51.82, P <0.01). The proportion of chest X ray screening in universities increased by year( χ 2 trend =18.33， P <0.01). In 2019, poor performance on TB control in universities mainly included, including the school responsibility system for tuberculosis prevention and control, the school s annual TB work plan and absenteeism registration and etiology tracing, the proportion was 50.00 %, 0 and 16.67% respectively, compared with junior high school and senior high school, the difference was statistically significant( P <0.05). The prevalence rates of junior high school, senior high school and university students were 33.75/10 5, 90.10/10 5 and 54.20/10 5 respectively in 2019, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ 2=104.36， P <0.01). Conclusion The proportion of TB screening for freshmen in Chongqing increased significantly during 2015- 2020. High school students are still the focus of school based tuberculosis prevention and control. Improving the proportion of tuberculosis screening，strengthening and standardizing physical examination and screening，and establishing a clear responsibility system for prevention and control are effective means to prevent and control the spread of tuberculosis on campus.

Objective: To provide the evidence for tuberculosis pvevalence for high school freshmen by analyzing data of entrance physical exarnination of Chongqing in 2018. Methods: The TB information management system of schools in Chongqing was used to collect the data of TB physical examination for high school freshmen in 2018. Excel 2007 was used to establish database, SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis, including descriptive analysis, chi square test. Results: In 2018, a total of 118 370 freshmen from 146 general education high schools and a total of 30 842 freshmen from 30 secondary vocational schools had TB screening during physical examination for freshmen. The proportion of school and freshmen participating in the TB examination was 40.09% and 44.28% respectively. The rates of school (57.03%) and freshmen (58.81%) participating in the examination of tuberculosis in senior high school students of general education were higher than those in secondary vocational education schools(16.39%, 22.73%), the difference was statistically significant(χ2=73.38, 42 744.64, P<0.01). 84 cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis (APTB) were detected in the physical examination of high school freshmen, mainly smear negative patients (92.86%)，and there was no significant difference in the prevalence of tuberculosis among the freshmen with different education, school and screening methods(P>0.05). The detection rates of TB among freshmen in general education and vocational education were 49.00/100 000 and 54.62/100 000 respectively. The detection rates of tuberculosis among freshmen in public schools and private schools were 50.29/100 000 and 124.88/100 000 respectively(χ2=5.42, 10.92, P<0.05). The detection rate of direct chest X-ray examination was 62.90/100 000. The first screening method was PPD test and the detection rate of chest X-ray examination was 84.30/100 000 for those with strong positive PPD test, the differences was no significant(χ2=0.29, P>0.05). Conclusion The tuberculosis screening program for high school freshmen is of great significance to the prevention and control of tuberculosis. Effective screening methods should be adopted and strengthened in secondary vocational schools.

Objective To evaluate the contribution of medical institutions in improving pulmonary tuberculosis(PTB) casefinding by analyzing the referral and diagnosis situation of PTB reported by medical institutions.Methods Thenumber of pulmonary tuberculosis cases and the number of tuberculosis patients diagnosed by the network of medical institutions in Chongqing from 2006 to 2015 were obtained by monthly report of tuberculosis control work and Tuberculosis Management Information System in Chongqing county districts,x2 test was used to analyze the reporting level and number of confirmed case with different year and different types of medical institutions.Results PTB or suspected PTB reported by medical institutions though network were 323 603 cases,which showed a upward trend year by year.The referral arrival rate was lower than national average level,and showed a downward trend in recent years.The proportion of confirmed PTB patients reported by medical institutions was found to increase year by year.Contribution rate of active PTB was increased from 10.14％ in 2006 to 52.09％ in 2015(x2 =25 610.75,P＜0.01),and contribution rate of smear positive PTB patients was increased from 6.42％ in 2006 to 52.46％ in 2015(x2 =10 520.65,P＜0.01).Contribution rate of multi-drug resistant PTB patients was 44.9％.Patients found by Municipal or County General Hospital was increased year by year(P＜0.01).The delay time of patients form medical institutions was 56 days,and the average delay rate patient was 79.62 ％.Conclusion The contribution of medical institutions to PTB case-finding is increasing,but the situation of delay is serious.