Objective To explore the anti-infection mechanism of carboxyamidotriazole (CAI) through studying the effects of CAI on the proliferation, apoptosis and degranulation of RBL-2H3 mass cells.Methods Compound 48/80 (C48/80) was used to induce the model of activation and degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells.The morphological change of cell degranulation was observed by neutral red staining.The release levels of histamine and β-hexosaminidase were measured by ELISA method and chromogenic assay, respectively.The cell activity was determined by CCK-8 method.And cell apoptosis was detected by Hoechst 33342 fluorescent staining.Results Compared with the control group, 10, 20, 40 μmol/L CAI inhibited C48/80-induced degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells in different degrees.CAI (20, 40 μmol/L) reduced the histamine release (P<0.01), and CAI (40 μmol/L) decreased the β-hexosaminidase release (P<0.01).In addition, the viability and apoptosis of RBL-2H3 cells were not affected at the concentrations of CAI used.Conclusions CAI can effectively inhibit the activation and degranulation of RBL-2H3 mast cells, and this effect is not through cytotoxicity.The anti-infection effect of CAI may partially due to the down-regulation of mast cell activity.

Objective: To investigate the awareness of knowledge about hepatitis C prevention and control among outpatients in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, and its influencing factors, so as to provide the evidence for strengthening health education on hepatitis C prevention and control. Methods: Based on sentinel surveillance of hepatitis C, the outpatients aged 15 to 65 years at seven hospitals in Yinzhou District, Cixi City and Xiangshan County of Ningbo City were selected using the convenient sampling method from April to June during 2020 and 2022. Demographic information, knowledge and behaviors related to hepatitis C prevention and control were collected through questionnaire surveys. The influencing factors for knowledge about hepatitis C prevention and control were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 2 792 participants were surveyed, including 1 157 males (41.44%) and 1 635 females (58.56%). The awareness rate of knowledge about hepatitis C prevention and control was 56.23%, and was lower in knowledge about hepatitis C vaccine and treatment. The awareness rates of knowledge about hepatitis C prevention and control among outpatients from 2020 to 2022 were 47.11%, 53.22% and 70.65%, respectively, showing an upward trend (P<0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that participants aged 25 to <50 years (OR=1.358, 95%CI: 1.073-1.719), with an educational level of high school or junior college (OR=1.431, 95%CI: 1.134-1.806) or above junior college (OR=3.728, 95%CI: 2.958-4.699), with household monthly income per capita of 3 000 to <5 000 yuan (OR=1.828, 95%CI: 1.344-2.486) or ≥5 000 yuan (OR=1.858, 95%CI: 1.366-2.526), without a history of invasive treatments such as pedicure in public places (OR=1.287, 95%CI: 1.024-1.618), without a history of contact with family members' blood-contaminated items (OR=2.050, 95%CI: 1.552-2.707), and always using condoms during sexual contacts (OR=1.740, 95%CI: 1.273-2.378) had higher awareness of knowledge about hepatitis C prevention and control. Conclusions The awareness of knowledge about hepatitis C vaccine and treatment among outpatients in Ningbo City needs to be improved. Age, educational level, household monthly income per capita, history of invasive treatments such as pedicure in public places, history of contact with family members' blood-contaminated items and frequency of condom use during sexual contacts are associated with outpatients' awareness of knowledge about hepatitis C prevention and control.

Abstract On 18 May 2021, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of X District in P City, Z Province received a co-investigation of a suspected case of intentional HIV transmission from the public security branch, and conducted epidemiological investigations on Zhao and Wang (both males). Wang was confirmed HIV-positive in 2019. Zhao had unprotected sexual encounters several times with Wang in March 2021 without being informed of Wang's HIV infection. Zhao developed fever, sore throat and other symptoms of acute infection phase on 28 March, and were confirmed HIV positive by the CDC of P City on 11 May. Zhao did not have sex with anyone else before or after having sex with Wang. In addition, Zhao had no history of surgery, blood transfusions, drug use or any other history of HIV exposure. Laboratory tests conducted by the CDC of Z Province showed that the HIV nucleic acid sequences between the samples of Zhao and Wang had a high degree of homology. Combined with the epidemiological investigation, laboratory testing and the evidence from the public security branch, it was concluded that Wang intentionally transmitted HIV to Zhao through unprotected anal sex without disclosing his HIV infection status.

Objective:To analyze the use of medicare antiviral drugs (ART) and related factors among HIV-infected people in Ningbo City.Methods:The retrospective data was collected related to infection and treatment of HIV-infected people in ART in Ningbo up to February 2023 through the National Infectious Disease Surveillance System. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the factors related to medicare antiviral drug use in HIV-infected people. R 4.2.2 software was used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 6 433 HIV-infected people with ART records were collected, among which 5 783 were in ART. The prevalence of medicare drugs use among people in ART was 24.8% (1 435/5 783, 95% CI: 23.7%-25.9%). Beilun District (8.7%, 43/497) and Fenghua District (5.7%, 14/247) had the lowest level in medicare drugs use. Among people in ART using medicare or out‐of‐pocket drugs, the prevalence of those who had at least one viral load test in the last year (84.9%, 1 352/1 593) was significantly lower than that of those using free drugs (91.4%, 3 829/4 190) ( χ2=52.50, P<0.001). The results of multivariate logistic analysis showed that the factors influencing medicare drug use included low educational level (junior high school and below: a OR=0.24, 95% CI:0.17-0.34), farmer or worker (farmer: a OR=0.60, 95% CI: 0.39-0.91; worker: a OR=0.42, 95% CI: 0.27-0.64), low monthly income (<3 000 Yuan: a OR=0.29, 95% CI: 0.18-0.45), the longer interval time between diagnosis and treatment (≥21 days: a OR=0.47, 95% CI: 0.30-0.74). Conclusions:Significant regional differences on the prevalence of medicare antiviral drugs use in HIV-infected people exist in Ningbo City. Follow-up management program of patients should be improved to strengthen patient compliance to mobilize medicare drug promotion. Meanwhile, publicity of medicare drugs should be strengthened for farmers or workers with low education level and patients with delayed treatment.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and clinical effects of percutaneous endoscopic technique in treating multi-segmental lumbar spinal stenosis in the elderly.Methods Thirty elderly patients with multi-segmental lumbar spinal stenosis and an indefinite positioning of duty segments were retrospectively analyzed.Based on treatment mode of the stenotic segment of lumbar spine,all patients were divided to two groups.The segments of lateral recess or foraminal stenosis were treated with percutaneous endoscopic decompression via the transforaminal approach,while the segments of central stenosis were treated with percutaneous endoscopic decompression via the interlaminar approach.Results Twenty-seven (90％) patients were treated in double segments and three patients (10％) were treated in three segments.There were significant improvements in Visual Analogue Scale,Japanese Orthopaedic Association and Oswestry disability index scores at 3 day and 1 year after therapy as compared with pre-therapy (both P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Percutaneous endoscopic technique is safe and effective in the treatment of elderly multi-segmental lumbar spinal stenosis.

42 cases with gastroesophageal varices were prospectively included. The groups were treated with endoscopic band ligation or combined with tissue adhesive. The results showed that the left gastric vein internal diameter, average blood flow velocity and blood flow volume after the treatment of band ligation combined with tissue adhesive were significantly lower than that of the treatment of band ligation alone, and the differences were statistically significant ( P < 0.05). Spleen and portal vein internal diameter, blood flow and average velocity, the liver and spleen size, shear wave velocity and liver function grade of the two groups after treatment did not change significantly ( P > 0.05). The effective rate of band ligation combined with tissue adhesive in the treatment of esophageal and gastric varices (66.67%, 52.38%) were higher than that of band ligation alone (42.85%, 23.81%) ( P > 0.05), and the re-bleeding rate of the latter was higher (9.52% and 19.05%, P > 0.05). Hence, it is suggested that the combined therapy is safe and more effective, and has no apparent effect on liver function and portal hypertension.

Objective To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of soil-transmitted nematode infections in Ningbo City from 2016 to 2021, so as to provide insights into the development of targeted control measures against soil-transmitted nematodiasis. Methods Permanent residents at ages of 3 years and older were sampled in Ningbo City using a multi-stage sampling method each year during the period from 2016 to 2021. Soil-transmitted nematode eggs were detected in stool samples using a modified Kato-Katz thick smear method (two slides for each stool sample), and Enterobius vermicularis eggs were additionally identified among children at ages of 3 to 12 years using the adhesive cellophane-tape perianal swab method. The time- and regions-specific prevalence of soil-transmitted nematode infections was calculated, and the factors affecting hookworm infections were identified using a multivariate logistic regression model. Results A total of 11 573 person-times were detected for soil-transmitted nematode infections in Ningbo City from 2016 to 2021, and 296 egg-positives were detected, with a mean prevalence rate of 2.56% [95% confidential interval (CI): (2.28%, 2.87%)]. Hookworm was the predominant species of soil-transmitted nematode among egg-positives in Ningbo City (98.31%, 291/296), and there was a significant difference in the prevalence of hook-worm infections among years (χ² = 190.27, P < 0.01). The highest prevalence of hook-worm infections was observed in Ninghai County (4.06%), and there was a region-specific prevalence rate of hookworm infection in Ningbo City (χ² = 148.43, P < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elderly residents at ages of over 60 years [odds ratio (OR)= 1.94, 95% CI: (1.07, 3.54), P < 0.05], males [OR = 2.19, 95% CI: (1.72, 2.80), P < 0.01], farmers [OR = 6.94, 95% CI: (3.37, 14.29), P < 0.01] and residents with a low education level [illiteracy or semi-illiterate: OR = 3.82, 95% CI: (1.56, 9.35), P < 0.05; primary school: OR = 2.70, 95% CI: (1.11, 6.59), P < 0.05] were at a higher risk for hookworm infections. Conclusions The overall prevalence of soil-transmitted nematode infections was low among residents in Ningbo City from 2016 to 2021. The surveillance and health education for human hookworm disease remain to be reinforced among male farmers with a low education level at ages of over 60 years in Ninghai County.

Objective: To explore the mediation mechanism of coronary artery lesion among both male and female Kawasaki disease (KD) children. Methods: Children with KD that hospitalized in the Wenzhou Medical University affiliated Yuying Children’s Hospital from January 2009 to December 2014, were included in this study. Differences on demographical characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory indicators, regimen and time of treatment, results from pre/post echocardiography and treatment between male and female patients, were compared. The independent effect of gender on the risk of coronary artery lesions (CAL) was evaluated, and the mediating effect of BMI, visiting time and KD type on the association between gender and CAL were also studied. Results: The average BMI level of male patients was higher than that of female patients. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The prevalence of overweight among male patients (20.9%) was higher than female (14.1%). The difference was statistically significant (P=0.011). Data from the multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that the incidence of CAL in male patients was higher than that in female patients (aOR=1.50, 95%CI: 1.06-2.12) but the CAL was mainly different before on the immunoglobulin therapy. Results from the mediation analysis showed that BMI was an important mediator in the association between gender and CAL, with the indirect effect as 1.05 (95%CI: 1.01- 1.10) and the proportion mediated as 13.0%. Conclusions Male patients presented higher incidence of CAL but was mainly reflected in the difference of CAL before the treatment. BMI was probably an important mediator related to the association between gender and CAL.