Objective:To establish a sequencing method for the genome of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) based on next-generation sequencing (NGS).Methods:SFTSV RNA was extracted from serum samples of patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome. SFTSV-specific primers were designed using Primer 5.0 software. A multiplex PCR method was constructed and used to amplify the nucleotide sequence of SFTSV. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on the NGS platform.Results:The whole genes of SFTSV isolates in 28 serum samples were amplified by the multiplex PCR with a coverage over 94%. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of those strains revealed that the predominant strains ( n=20) belonged to genotype A, followed by genotypes B ( n=4) and E ( n=3). Conclusions:A high-throughput sequencing method for SFTSV based on multiplex PCR was established in this study. This method was characterized by high specificity and good quality and could improve the sequencing efficiency.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal characteristics of human brucellosis in Henan Province.Methods:Data of human brucellosis in Henan Province from 2005 to 2021 were collected through the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System, and a descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze the epidemic profile of brucellosis in Henan Province and the three distribution characteristics. Global and local spatial autocorrelation were used to analyze the spatial distribution and the hot spots of brucellosis in Henan Province, respectively, and spatiotemporal scanning was used to analyze the spatiotemporal clustering regions of brucellosis in Henan Province.Results:A total of 39 862 brucellosis cases were reported in Henan Province from 2005 to 2021, with an average annual incidence of 2.44/100 000, and the number of cases showed an overall increasing trend each year (χ 2trend = 11 127.85, P = 0.001). The onset months were mainly concentrated from March to July, accounting for 59.00% (23 517/39 862), with May as the peak (5 478 cases). Cases of brucellosis were reported in 157 counties (cities, districts) of the province. The ratio of male to female was 2.52∶1.00 (28 542/11 320). Farmers were the main occupation, with 32 985 cases (82.75%). The age of onset was mainly 45 to 65 years old, with 20 226 cases (50.74%). The global spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that the global Moran's I was > 0, Z > 1.96, and P < 0.05 in all years except 2006 - 2008, showing spatial clustering. Further local spatial autocorrelation analysis was performed, and high-high and low-low clustering areas existed in 2012 - 2021 ( P < 0.01). Spatiotemporal scanning analysis showed that there was one spatiotemporal cluster in the high incidence area and two spatiotemporal clusters in the low incidence area. The high incidence cluster was centered in Neixiang County, covering 48 counties (cities, districts) including Song County and Ruzhou City, and the aggregation time was from 2014 to 2021. The two low incidence clusters were centered in Yongcheng City and Boai County, covering 58 and 18 counties (cities, districts), respectively, and the aggregation time was 2016 - 2021 and 2005 - 2012, respectively. Conclusion:The overall incidence of brucellosis in Henan Province is on the rise from 2005 to 2021, with middle-aged and elderly male farmers as the main affected population, and there are spatiotemporal clusters of brucellosis in Henan Province.

Objective:To report the first case of sever fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome caused by severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) in Puyang city, and to study the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of S, M, L fragments of the SFTSV isolate.Methods:The epidemiological characteristics of this case was analyzed with epidemiological methods. SFTSV was isolated from the patient′s serum sample. Nucleic acid of SFTSV was extracted and detected by fluorescent RT-PCR. A multiplex PCR method was constructed to amplify the nucleic acid sequence of the virus. whole-genome sequencing was performed on the next-generation sequencing platform. MEGA11 and DNAStar was used for homology analysis and a phylogenetic tree was constructed.Results:Epidemiological investigation showed that the patient and his close contacts had no history of travel or tick bite within 14 d, but had a history of fieldwork. The patient′s serum sample was positive for SFTSV nucleic acid. Genetic analysis showed that the S, M, L gene fragments of the first SFTSV isolate in Puyang belonged to genotype E. This isolate shared 94.8%-99.6%, 94.0%-99.8% and 95.7%-99.7% nucleotide sequence homology with the representative strains acquired from GeneBank in S, M, L gene fragments, respectively.Conclusions:This case was the first case of SFTSV-caused severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in Puyang. The SFTSV isolate shared a close homology with domestic isolates, but its genotype was significantly different from the SFTSV strains isolated in Henan in recent years, indicating that it might an imported case from other places in Henan Province or Hubei Province. Disease monitoring and professional training for medical personnel should be strengthened and more attention should be paid to the evolution and mutation of SFTSV.

Objective:To provide a new morning check method for the output dose stability of the multileaf collimator (MLC) of the CyberKnife M6 (CK-M6) system.Methods:The CT images of a verification phantom with a size of 20 cm × 20 cm × 10 cm were transmitted into the Precision Treatment Plan ning System (ver. 1.1.1.1). The high-precision alignment between the accelerator output front and the fixed position of the phantom surface was achieved using the fiducial tracking method. A 10 cm × 10 cm radiation field was formed by the MLC and a DailyCheck plan with an output of 200 MU was designed. The repeatability, sensitivity, and accuracy of the DailyCheck plan were measured, and the CK-M6 system was continuously tested for one month using the artificial fixed method and the DailyCheck plan designed in this study. Results:The average and the standard deviation of 10 repeated measurements by the DailyCheck plan were 492.28 pC and 0.09, respectively, indicating good stability. There was a linear correlation between the measured values and the output dose, with a correlation coefficient of R2 > 0.999. Moreover, there was a position deviation of 2 mm between the phantom and the accelerator output front, and the result ant effect on the measured values was equivalent to a dose deviation caused by an output of 1.24 MU. The result from the continuous measurement of both the artificial fixed method and the DailyCheck plan fell within permissible limits, showing high consistency. Conclusions:The DailyCheck plan established through the fiducial tracking of a verification phantom can achieve the convenient, quick, and accurate daily detection of the output dose stability of the MLC of CK-M6. Therefore, this method can be widely applied in the clinical quality control of the CK-M6 system.