ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics and spatial clustering patterns of brucellosis in humans in Zhangjiakou City, Heibei Province from 2018 to 2023, so as to provide a basis for the prevention and control of brucellosis. MethodsIncidence data of brucellosis in Zhangjiakou City from 2018 to 2023 were collected. Descriptive epidemiological analysis, Joinpoint regression modelling, and spatial autocorrelation analysis were used to analyze the temporal trends and spatial clustering patterns of the epidemic. ResultsA total of 3 812 cases of brucellosis were reported in Zhangjiakou City from 2018 to 2023, with no death case, yielding an average annual incidence rate of 15.43/100 000 (incidence range: 12.82/100 000‒17.76/100 000). Cases of brucellosis occurred year-round, with a distinct seasonal pattern, predominantly concentrated between March and September, peaking in May and June. The male-to-female ratio was 2.58∶1, with a higher incidence in males than that in females. The highest incidence rates were observed in the 40‒<50 years (74.98/100 000) and 50‒<60 years age group (87.14/100 000). The majority of cases were farmers and herdsmen (3 557 cases, 93.31%). Joinpoint regression analyses indicated that from 2018 to 2023, the incidence rate of human brucellosis in pastoral areas of Zhangjiakou City showed a declining trend (APC=-9.70%, 95%CI: -15.31%‒ -4.63%), while the incidence rate in mixed-use areas exhibited an increasing trend (APC=6.90%, 95%CI: 0.17%‒14.30%). Spatial clustering analyses showed that the incidence of brucellosis in Zhangjiakou from 2018 to 2023 was non-randomly distributed across the whole city, with a positive spatial correlation and significant clustering (Moran’s I>0, all P<0.001). Local spatial autocorrelation analyses showed that the high-high clusters were concentrated in the pastoral areas during 2018‒2020. From 2021 onward, the number of high-high clusters in mixed and non-pastoral regions exceeded those in traditional pastoral areas. ConclusionFrom 2018 to 2023, the incidence of brucellosis in Zhangjiakou City showed a declining trend, with significant spatial clustering observed across the city. It is recommended to intensify health education among males aged 40‒<60 years. Scientific livestock management practices should be promoted in non-pastoral and mixed areas, and cross-sectoral quarantine and joint prevention and control efforts should be strengthened as well.

To separate the overlapped protein spots in two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) images, we proposed an auto-separating algorithm based on valley characteristics. Firstly, the marker-controlled watershed algorithm was used to detect the initial outlines of the object regions. Secondly, medial axis transform and hierarchical branch pruning method were applied to the main skeletons of the object regions, and each main skeleton was fitted into line segments to describe the overlap directions. Then, the 3-dimensional model of the object region was scanned on the normal planes of the line segments to find the valley locations. And finally, a validation model was adopted to construct separation lines. The experiments on 2 real scanned 2-DE images showed that the true overlap separate (TOSs) were 78.95% and 85.71%, respectively. The results indicated that the proposed algorithm was better than the existing algorithms and could be used in engineering practice.
Algorithms ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Proteins ; chemistry

OBJECTIVE:To provide bases for the evaluation of the therapeutic effect and pharmacoeconomics of puerarin in the treatment of unstable angina pectoris.METHODS:60patients with unstable angina pectoris were randomly divided into treatment group and control group:the control group was treated with routine drugs only while the treatment group was treated with puerarin and the routine drugs.The therapeutic effect,length of stay in hospital,total hospitalization fee and the adverse reaction were compared between two groups;and the cost-effectiveness analyses of the two groups were carried out as well.RESULTS:The respective total clinical effective rate of the treatment group and the control group were90.63%and67.86%(P