Background::Computer-aided detection (CAD) software has been introduced to automatically interpret digital chest X-rays. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of CAD software (JF CXR-1 v3.0, which was developed by a domestic Hi-tech enterprise) in tuberculosis (TB) case finding in China.Methods::In 2019, we conducted an internal evaluation of the performance of JF CXR-1 v3.0 by reading standard images annotated by a panel of experts. In 2020, using the reading results of chest X-rays by a panel of experts as the reference standard, we conducted an on-site prospective study to evaluate the performance of JF CXR-1 v3.0 and local radiologists in TB case finding in 13 township health centers in Zhongmu County, Henan Province.Results::Internal assessment results based on 277 standard images showed that JF CXR-1 v3.0 had a sensitivity of 85.94% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 77.42%, 94.45%) and a specificity of 74.65% (95% CI: 68.81%, 80.49%) to distinguish active TB from other imaging conditions. In the on-site evaluation phase, images from 3705 outpatients who underwent chest X-ray detection were read by JF CXR-1 v3.0 and local radiologists in parallel. The imaging diagnosis of local radiologists for active TB had a sensitivity of 32.89% (95% CI: 22.33%, 43.46%) and a specificity of 99.28% (95% CI: 99.01%, 99.56%), while JF CXR-1 v3.0 showed a significantly higher sensitivity of 92.11% (95% CI: 86.04%, 98.17%) ( p < 0.05) and maintained high specificity at 94.54% (95% CI: 93.81%, 95.28%). Conclusions::CAD software could play a positive role in improving the TB case finding capability of township health centers.

Background::Computer-aided detection (CAD) software has been introduced to automatically interpret digital chest X-rays. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of CAD software (JF CXR-1 v3.0, which was developed by a domestic Hi-tech enterprise) in tuberculosis (TB) case finding in China.Methods::In 2019, we conducted an internal evaluation of the performance of JF CXR-1 v3.0 by reading standard images annotated by a panel of experts. In 2020, using the reading results of chest X-rays by a panel of experts as the reference standard, we conducted an on-site prospective study to evaluate the performance of JF CXR-1 v3.0 and local radiologists in TB case finding in 13 township health centers in Zhongmu County, Henan Province.Results::Internal assessment results based on 277 standard images showed that JF CXR-1 v3.0 had a sensitivity of 85.94% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 77.42%, 94.45%) and a specificity of 74.65% (95% CI: 68.81%, 80.49%) to distinguish active TB from other imaging conditions. In the on-site evaluation phase, images from 3705 outpatients who underwent chest X-ray detection were read by JF CXR-1 v3.0 and local radiologists in parallel. The imaging diagnosis of local radiologists for active TB had a sensitivity of 32.89% (95% CI: 22.33%, 43.46%) and a specificity of 99.28% (95% CI: 99.01%, 99.56%), while JF CXR-1 v3.0 showed a significantly higher sensitivity of 92.11% (95% CI: 86.04%, 98.17%) ( p < 0.05) and maintained high specificity at 94.54% (95% CI: 93.81%, 95.28%). Conclusions::CAD software could play a positive role in improving the TB case finding capability of township health centers.

Obesity, characterized by the excess accumulation of fat in adipose tissue, poses a significant health risk. Presently, there is growing interest in promoting the browning of white adipose tissue as a strategy to address obesity and metabolic diseases. This article delves into various methods on white adipose tissue browning, encompassing pharmaceuticals, local thermotherapy, exercise, and acupuncture. It provides an overview of the potential mechanisms and effects of these interventions, aiming to offer fresh perspectives on leveraging white adipose tissue browning to mitigate obesity and improve metabolism.

The prevalence of tuberculosis infection among adolescents born after terminating the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) booster vaccination in China was estimated using tuberculin skin testing (TST) and QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay (QFT) to investigate the influence of neonatal BCG vaccination on the performance of TST.Data analysis was conducted for 2831 eligible participants aged 5-15 years from the baseline survey of a population-based multi-center prospective study.The prevalence rates of TST (induration ≥ 10 mm) and QFT positivity were 9.3％ (264/2827) and 2.5％ (71/2831),respectively.The rate of QFT indeterminate result was 2.2％ (62/2831).The overall agreement between TST and QFT was low (concordance =88.0％;K coefficient =0.125).Only TST was positively associated with BCG vaccination with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.71 [95％ confidence interval,1.26-2.31].A history of close contact with patients of active TB was significantly associated with positivity for TST and QFT.Our results suggested that BCG neonatal vaccination still affects TST performance,and a two-step approach might be considered for TB infection testing among adolescents in China.

Objective To investigate the situation of food contamination by lead,cadmium,mercury,copper and aluminum in Ningxia Region.Methods Ten categories of food samples up to 712 copies including dairy,edible mushrooms,eggs,preserved egg,meat,organs,aquatic products,vegetables,grains and pasta from supermarkets of five administrative cities of Ningxia Autonomous Region were selected in 2010.The contents of lead,cadmium and mercury in food were detected in 646 samples of 9 categories of food,and copper content of the 30 meat samples were detected.Aluminum content in 66 samples of flour food was tested.According to the methods of national food safety standards (GB 5009.12-2010) and national food hygiene standards (GB/T 5009.13-2003,GB/ T 5009.15-2003 and GB/T 5009.17-2003),lead,copper,cadmium and mercury in various foods were tested.Aluminum was determined using the method for determination of spectrophotometry.Results The detection rates of lead,cadmium,mercury in the nine categories of food were 52.8％ (341/646),62.1％ (401/646),51.7％ (334/646);the detection rates of copper in the meat was 90.0％ (27/30);the aluminum in flour food was 84.8％ (56/66),respectively.Compared with the national standards,the eligible rates of lead,cadmium,mercury,copper and aluminum were 97.1％ (627/646),98.2％ (539/549),100.0％ (646/646),100.0％ (30/30) and 75.8％ (50/66),respectively.Food contaminated by lead and cadmium were mainly distributed in preserved egg [lead detection rate 9.5％ (2/21)],organs [lead detection rate 6.7％ (2/30),cadmium detection rate 30.0％ (9/30)],vegetables [lead detection rate 9.9％ (8/90)] and a small amount of food products [lead detection rate 4.7％ (7/150)].The levels of lead in fried flour food and fine dried noodles were higher [40.9％ (9/22),36.4％ (4/11)].Conclusions Food contamination by lead,cadmium,mercury and copper is not serious in Ningxia.The monitoring results of lead,cadmium,mercury and copper in food are satisfying in Ningxia.But there is aluminum contamination in flour food.It is important to do the risk evaluation of aluminum contamination in food as quickly as possible.