Objective To analyze the situation of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) ownership in malaria-endemic African countries from 2010 to 2023, so as to provide insights into China’s deeper participation in malaria control in Africa. Methods The study period from 2010 to 2023 was divided into three phases: the baseline phase (from 2010 to 2015), the middle phase (from 2016 to 2019), and the final phase (from 2020 to 2023), a total of 11 African countries with at least one Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) in each phase were included. Data pertaining to ITNs in 33 surveys of the above 11 African counties from 2010 to 2023 were captured from the DHS database, and the proportions of sources of ITNs and ITN ownership in each phase (number of ITNs ownership per person, overall ownership rate, and ownership rate per two residents) were calculated. The differences in numbers of ITNs per person between urban and rural areas and specified by socioeconomic status were analyzed. Results The proportions of ITNs from distribution campaigns were 60.24% to 94.01% and 50.46% to 85.04% in 11 African countries in the middle and final phases, respectively. The median numbers (interquartile range) of INTs ownership per person were 0.22 (0.50), 0.33 (0.50) and 0.33 (0.50) in the baseline, middle, and final phases, and the overall ownership rates [95% confidence interval (CI)] were 59.77% (59.50%, 60.05%), 70.32% (70.06%, 70.57%), and 69.21% (68.95%, 69.47%), while the ownership rates per two residents were 26.91% (26.66%, 27.16%), 38.07% (37.80%, 38.34%), and 36.56% (36.29%, 36.84%), respectively. The number of ITNs per person showed a significant increase followed by a significant decrease in 7 countries during all three phases (H = 102.518 to 2 327.440, all P < 0.05; Z = -48.886 to -4.653, all P < 0.016 7 after Bonferroni correction). In 33 surveys, there were 31 (Z = -26.719 to -2.472, P < 0.05) and 28 surveys (Z = -27.316 to -4.068, P < 0.001) with significant differences in numbers of ITNs ownership per person between households in urban and rural areas and with different socioeconomic status, including 20 surveys with a significantly higher number of ITNs ownership per person in households in rural areas than in urban areas, and 17 surveys with a significantly higher number of ITNs ownership per person among the poorest households than among the richest households. Conclusions There are substantial disparities in ITNs ownership in 11 African countries. Intensified co-operation on malaria prevention and control measures, such as ITNs, is recommended between China and African countries to build a global community of health for all.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. It is highly contagious and can cause death in severe cases. As reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 6:36 pm Central European Summer Time (CEST), 12 August 2022, there had been 585 950 285 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 6 425 422 deaths (WHO, 2022).
Humans ; COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Mental Health ; Cohort Studies ; Quality of Life ; China/epidemiology* ; Health Personnel ; Hospitals ; Lung

With the deepening of research in oral microbiomics, an important relationship between changes in the oral microbiome and orthodontic treatment has been found. Orthodontic treatment will have an impact on the oral and systemic microbiome. The presence of oral appliances can change the quantity and quality of the oral microbiometo and increase the risk of oral and even systemic diseases in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Compared with fixed orthodontic treatment, clear aligners will not have a harmful impact on the structure of the oral microbiome, which is more conducive to maintain oral health during the orthodontic treatment process. In addition, different bracket types and materials can lead to different changes in the oral microbiome, and the occurrence and development of orthodontic-related diseases, such as white spot lesions, dental caries, gingivitis and periodontitis, are also related to changes in the oral microbiome. At present, the role of the oral microbiome in the process of orthodontic treatment needs to be further studied. Whether a change in the oral microbiome caused by orthodontic treatment can be restored after orthodontic treatment is still uncertain and needs more research. This paper reviews the research progress on the application of microbiomics in orthodontics, including the impact of fixed appliances and clear aligners on the microbiome and the relationship between orthodontic-related diseases and the oral microbiome.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors associated with lymph node posterior to right recurrent laryngeal nerve (LN-prRLN) metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) , and analyze the clinical value of surgical dissection of LN-prRLN.Methods:Clinical data of 140 PTC patients admitted to the same treatment group from Jun. 2014 to Oct. 2015 (all patients underwent LN-prRLN area dissection, group A) were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze high-risk factors for LN- prRLN metastasis, and another 171 cases without LN-prRLN area dissection (group B) were collected as the control group. The total number of lymph nodes dissected in the central area on the right was compared to analyze the proportion of lymph nodes in the LN-prRLN area.Results:Of the 140 patients in group A, the right cervical lymph node metastasis rate was 64.3% (90/140) , the central zone lymph node metastasis rate was 63.6% (89/140) , and the LN-prRLN regional lymph node metastasis rate was 17.9% (25/140) . Univariate analysis showed that tumors>1 cm, multiple tumors, capsule invasion, clinical lymph node staging cN1,VI-1 and cervical lymph node metastasis were correlated with LN-prRLN metastasis ( P<0.05) . Multivariate analysis showed that capsule invasion ( OR=4.599, P=0.037) and cervical lymph node metastasis ( OR=3.505, P=0.036) were risk factors for LN-prRLN metastasis. By comparison with the control group, the total number of lymph node dissections in the right central area of group B was significantly less than that of group A ( P<0.01) . Conclusions:PTC patients have a high rate of lymph node metastasis in the right central area, and lymph nodes in the LN-prRLN area occupy a certain proportion. RN-prRLN should be routinely cleaned to ensure the completeness and thoroughness of the dissection, and to minimize the possibility of performing a second operation due to recurrence of residual lymph nodes after operation. More importance should be attached to LN-prRLN dissection when the tumor is more than 1 cm, the tumor is multiple, the capsule is invaded, in clinical lymph node stage cN1, VI-1 and with cervical lymph node metastasis.

Background: Most patients including health care workers (HCWs) survived the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), however, knowledge about the sequelae of COVID-19 after discharge remains limited. Methods: A prospectively observational 3-month follow-up study evaluated symptoms, dynamic changes of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) IgG and IgM, lung function, and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of survivors of COVID-19 after discharge at Wuhan Union Hospital, China. Results: Seventy-six survivors (55 females) with a mean age of 41.3 ± 13.8 years were enrolled, and 65 (86%) were HCWs. A total of 69 (91%) patients had returned to their original work at 3-months after discharge. Most of the survivors had symptoms including fever, sputum production, fatigue, diarrhea, dyspnea, cough, chest tightness on exertion and palpitations in the three months after discharge. The serum troponin-I levels during the acute illness showed high correlation with the symptom of fatigue after hospital discharge (r = 0.782; P = 0.008) and lymphopenia was correlated with the symptoms of chest tightness and palpitations on exertion of patients after hospital discharge (r = −0.285, P = 0.027; r = −0.363, P = 0.004, respectively). The mean values of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, total lung capacity and diffusion capacity were all normal (> 80% predicted) and lung HRCTs returned to normal in most of the patients (82%), however, 42% of survivors had mild pulmonary function abnormalities at 3-months after discharge. SARS-CoV-2 IgG turned negative in 11% (6 of 57 patients), 8% (4 of 52 patients) and 13% (7 of 55 patients), and SARS-CoV-2 IgM turned negative in 72% (41 of 57 patients), 85% (44 of 52 patients) and 87% (48 of 55 patients) at 1-month, 2-months and 3-months after discharge, respectively. Conclusion Infection by SARS-CoV-2 caused some mild impairments of survivors within the first three months of their discharge and the duration of SARS-CoV-2 antibody was limited, which indicates the necessity of long-term follow-up of survivors of COVID-19.

Objective To investigate the relationship between subgroups of central lymph node metastasis (sCLNM) and lateral lymph node metastasis (LNM) of unilatal papillary thyroid carcinoma (uPTC) with cervical lymph node negative(cN0).Methods The clinical and pathological data of 161 patients with cN0-uPTC who underwent total thyroidectomy+central lymph node dissection+lateral lymph node dissection from Jan.2016 to Dec.2016 were retrospectively analyzed.The relationship between the lymph node metastasis of each subarea in the central area of the affected side and the lymph node metastasis of the affected side was investigated.Results Binary logistic regression analysis of cN0-uPTC subregions in the affected central region showed:pre-laryngeal lymph node metastasis,pre-tracheal lymph node metastasis and paratracheal lymph node metastasis were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis in the affected lateral region(P=0.008,0.016,0.035,respectively).Prelaryngeal lymph node metastasis was an independent risk factor for lymph node metastasis in the affected area Ⅱ (P=0.015).Pre-tracheal lymph node metastasis was an independent risk factor for lymph node metastasis in affected area Ⅲ (P=0.004).Pre-tracheal and para-tracheal lymph node metastasis were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis in the affected Ⅳ area (P=0.035,0.011,respectively).Conclusions The lymph node metastasis pathway of thyroid cancer had certain regularity.The pre-laryngeal lymph node metastasis has the prediction value for the lymph node metastasis of the affected area Ⅱ.The pre-tracheal lymph node metastasis has the prediction value for the lymph node metastasis of the affected area Ⅲ.The pre-tracheal and paratracheal lymph node metastasis have the prediction value for lymph node metastasis of the affected area Ⅳ.Lymph node dissection in affected areas Ⅲ and Ⅳ needs to be considered in patients with pre-tracheal or paratracheal lymph node metastases.On this basis,lymph node dissection on the affected areas Ⅱ,Ⅲ,and Ⅳ might be considered if there is pre-laryngeal lymph node metastasis at the same time.

Objective:To analyze the factors related to metastasis of contralateral central lymph node (CLN) in cN0 papillary thyroid car-cinoma (PTC) and discuss the indications for CLN dissection. Methods:We enrolled 149 unilateral PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and prophylactic bilateral (CLN) dissection. This work analyzed the relationship of gender, age, extrathyroidal extension, multifocality, thyroiditis, ipsilateral central lymph nodes, and prelaryngeal lymph node with CLNs. Results:The rates of metastasis to ip-silateral and contralateral central compartments were 73.2%and 23.5%, respectively. In univariate analysis, gender, age, tumor size, multifocality, and thyroiditis were not important in predicting contralateral central compartment lymph node metastasis (P=0.792, 0.097, 0.531, 0.269, and 1.000, respectively);by contrast, extrathyroidal extension (P=0.017), prelaryngeal lymph nodes (P=0.006), and ipsilateral CLNs (P<0.001) are related to CLN metastasis. However, multivariate analysis showed that ipsilateral central metastasis was an independent risk factor for lymph node metastasis in the contralateral central region when the number of ipsilateral central metas-tases is≥3 (P=0.010). Conclusion:Extracapsular invasion, prelaryngeal lymph nodes, and ipsilateral CLN influence the metastases of CLN. Bilateral CLN dissection should be performed when the number of ipsilateral central metastases is≥3 and there is merger of ex-tra-laryngeal lymph nodes or capsule invasion.

Objective To observe the efficacy of posterior atlantoaxial fusion for C1/C2 fractures combined with ponticulus posticus.Methods A retrospective case series review was performed on data of 12 cases of C1/C2 fractures combined with ponticulus posticus treated from January 2008 to January 2014.There were 7 males and 5 females,aged 35.5 (23.5-49.25) years.Three cases were diagnosed with C1 lateral mass fractures combined with other injury,seven type Ⅱ odontoid fractures,and two type Ⅲ odontoid fractures.Nine cases whose C1 pedicle height ≥4 mm in both sides underwent posterior C1-C2 screw-rod fixation and fusion,and three cases whose C1 pedicle height was ＜ 4 mm underwent posterior C1-C2 hook-screw fixation and fusion.Operation time,blood loss and complications were recorded.Variations in American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were compared before operation and at final follow-up.Position of internal implant,fracture healing and fusion were observed.Results Surgery was successful in all cases.Operation time was 145 (120-160) min,and blood loss was 200 (200-300)ml.No intraoperative injury to the vertebral artery injury,venous plexus,spine and nerve root occurred,and no cases showed ponticulus posticus after operation.Follow-up period was 24 (12-33) months.Postoperative imaging demonstrated satisfactory implant placement in all eases.Before operation,one case was rated as ASIA grade A,two as grade D and nine as grade E.One case was rated as ASIA grade A and 11 as grade E at the final follow-up.VAS was improved from preoperative 7 (6-8) points to 0(0-1) points at the final follow-up (P ＜ 0.05).Fracture healing and fusion were observed in all cases at the final follow-up.Conclusion Posterior atlantoaxial fusion for C1/C2 fractures combined with ponticulus posticus is a safe and effective procedure that can promote fracture union without increasing the risk of vertebral artery injury.

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the regularity and risk factors of skip metastasis (central lymph node negative and lat-eral lymph node positive) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods:A total of 521 PTC patients underwent total thyroidectomy and central plus lateral lymph node dissection at The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2013 to De-cember 2016. Clinicopathological characteristics of the patients were collected and analyzed. Results:Skip metastasis rate of PTC was 8.3％(43/521). Tumors in the upper lobe (OR=3.401, 95％CI:1.770-6.536;P=0.001) and in the lateral part (OR=3.424, 95％CI:1.182-9.920;P=0.023) of the thyroid, as well as age above 45 (OR=2.856, 95％CI:1.488-5.482;P=0.002), were independent risk factors for skip metastases for this disease. Clinically node-negative (cN0) PTC patients with tumors in the upper lobe had higher possibility of skip metastases than those with clinically involved lateral neck nodes(cN1b) (P=0.022). Conclusion:Skip metastasis of PTC is not un-common. Thus, preoperative clinical assessment and imaging examination for lateral lymph node is necessary, especially for PTC pa-tients who are above 45 years old and with tumors in the upper lobe and/or unilateral area of thyroid. The lateral lymph node dissec-tion should be performed when necessary.

OBJECTIVETo establish a prognostic model for predicting extracorporeal circulation clotting in patients with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).

METHODS425 patients with CRRT were involved in the study. We built a predictive risk model of extracorporeal blood clotting with the 302 participants, and 103 participants were used to validate the model. The primary endpoint of CRRT was extracorporeal circulation pipe blockage.

RESULTSWe used a score of 0-5 point evaluating system to predict the risk of 24 hours CRRT integral model of cardiopulmonary bypass clogging. The area under the CRRT predictive model of cardiopulmonary bypass clogging integral system ROC curve was 0.790 (95% CI 0.719-0.826) (P<0.001). The evaluating system can determine the blockage of 24 hours CRRT extracorporeal circulation. The results showed that CRRT extracorporeal plugging prediction fitted the integral model and could predict the chance of plugging. The actual plugging rate showed no significant difference from the predicted rate (R² = 0.301, P=0.232). The cardiopulmonary pipe survival time between the 3 groups(low risk, intermediate risk, and high risk) showed a significant difference (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONWe established a continuity extracorporeal blood purification plugging risk score model, to predict plugging risks during CRRT treatment.