Objective: To analyze the course of disease and epidemiological parameters of COVID-19 and provide evidence for making prevention and control strategies. Methods: To display the distribution of course of disease of the infectors who had close contacts with COVID-19 cases from January 1 to March 15, 2020 in Guangdong Provincial, the models of Lognormal, Weibull and gamma distribution were applied. A descriptive analysis was conducted on the basic characteristics and epidemiological parameters of course of disease. Results: In total, 515 of 11 580 close contacts were infected, with an attack rate about 4.4%, including 449 confirmed cases and 66 asymptomatic cases. Lognormal distribution was fitting best for latent period, incubation period, pre-symptomatic infection period of confirmed cases and infection period of asymptomatic cases; Gamma distribution was fitting best for infectious period and clinical symptom period of confirmed cases; Weibull distribution was fitting best for latent period of asymptomatic cases. The latent period, incubation period, pre-symptomatic infection period, infectious period and clinical symptoms period of confirmed cases were 4.50 (95%CI:3.86-5.13) days, 5.12 (95%CI:4.63-5.62) days, 0.87 (95%CI:0.67-1.07) days, 11.89 (95%CI:9.81-13.98) days and 22.00 (95%CI:21.24-22.77) days, respectively. The latent period and infectious period of asymptomatic cases were 8.88 (95%CI:6.89-10.86) days and 6.18 (95%CI:1.89-10.47) days, respectively. Conclusion: The estimated course of COVID-19 and related epidemiological parameters are similar to the existing data.
COVID-19 ; Cohort Studies ; Contact Tracing ; Humans ; Incidence ; Prospective Studies

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a destructive pest native to America and has recently become an invasive insect pest in China. Because of its rapid spread and great risks in China, understanding of FAW genetic background and pesticide resistance is urgent and essential to develop effective management strategies. Here, we assembled a chromosome-level genome of a male FAW (SFynMstLFR) and compared re-sequencing results of the populations from America, Africa, and China. Strain identification of 163 individuals collected from America, Africa and China showed that both C and R strains were found in the American populations, while only C strain was found in the Chinese and African populations. Moreover, population genomics analysis showed that populations from Africa and China have close relationship with significantly genetic differentiation from American populations. Taken together, FAWs invaded into China were most likely originated from Africa. Comparative genomics analysis displayed that the cytochrome p450 gene family is extremely expanded to 425 members in FAW, of which 283 genes are specific to FAW. Treatments of Chinese populations with twenty-three pesticides showed the variant patterns of transcriptome profiles, and several detoxification genes such as AOX, UGT and GST specially responded to the pesticides. These findings will be useful in developing effective strategies for management of FAW in China and other invaded areas.
Animals ; China ; Genomics ; Humans ; Male ; Pesticides ; Spodoptera/genetics* ; Transcriptome

To provide guidance for certification, popularization and application of Pseudostellariae Radix new variety, the regional adaptation and stabilities of "Shitai No.1" were evaluated. The "Qian taizishen No.1" and "SB-C" varieties (strains) were used as the control varieties. The agronomic, medicinal material traits and medicine quality were used as evaluation index to compare the phenotypic difference of the three varieties (strains) in four planting areas. Compared to the control varieties, 10 agronomic traits of "Shitai No.1" had the smallest coefficient of variation among the 18 agronomic traits, and other 8 agronomic traits placed the middle level. Among 8 medicinal material traits and medicine quality indicators, the coefficient of variation of different regions of the extract content, pseudostellarin B content, the number of 50 g root tuber, the plant medicinal materials weight and weight of single root of "Shitai No.1" were the smallest compare to other varieties (strains). It could be divided into three groups based on the phenotypic difference of the three varieties (strains) in four planting areas. The "Shitai No.1" was classified as one group, while the "Qian taizishen No.1" and "SB-C" had cross clustering. The regional stability of several index about agronomic traits, medicinal material traits and medicine quality of "Shitai No.1" were better than that of the control varieties (strains). "Shitai No.1" was suitable for planting, popularization and application in the appropriate ecological areas of Guizhou province.

OBJECTIVETo provide new germplasm materials for breeding new varieties of Pseudostellaria heterophylla.

METHODThe method of single plant selection was adopted, with the comparative experiments being carried out under the same conditions in Shibing county. The 8 plants of Shibing SB-4 were compared respectively with factor analysis for 27 phenotypic traits and 8 yield traits, and single factor variance analysis for the contents of polysaccharides.

RESULTUsing factor analysis, 27 phenotypic traits were classified into 7 principal divisors and 8 yield traits were simplified into 3 principal divisors. The 4 strains of P. heterophylla, ZT-01, ZT-02, ZT-06 and ZT-07, performed better than others in the phenotypic traits, and ZT-01, ZT-02, ZT-03 and ZT-07 in the yield traits. The contents of polysaccharides of ZT-01, ZT-02, ZT-05 and ZT-08 showed significantly higher value.

CONCLUSIONThere is significant difference among the 8 strains of P. heterophylla in phenotypic traits, yield traits and quality traits, making it possible to select certain strains for different purposes. ZT-01 and ZT-02 can be breaded further. ZT-06 and ZT-07 were used as ornamental cultivars for its great phenotypic traits. ZT-03 with good resistance and high yield was taken as resistant variety, and ZT-05 would face next selection on the basis of its high content of polysaccharide.

Breeding ; Caryophyllaceae ; chemistry ; growth & development ; China ; Phenotype ; Polysaccharides ; analysis

BACKGROUNDIntracranial infection is one of the most common complications of open craniocerebral injury and of conventional craniotomy in neurosurgery. The presence of blood-brain barrier leads to lower drug concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid than in the venous blood. Increasing the intravenous dosage or frequency carries the risk of systemic adverse reactions or infections in other parts of the body. Developing an artificial dura mater (ADM) for sustained antibiotic release for use during neurosurgery can solve the problems perfectly.

METHODSThree types of drug-loaded ADMs made of collagen and containing cefuroxime sodium, ceftriaxone sodium, or norvancomycin were prepared. The antibacterial activity and sustained release characteristics of the ADMs were examined using bacteriostatic and release tests.

RESULTSSingle-layered collagen based ADMs (40 mm×50 mm×5 mm) containing 18 mg cefuroxime sodium or ceftriaxone sodium were not suitable for continued development because of drug preservation and stability issues. Using smaller ADMs (20 mm×30 mm×7 mm), containing 4.86 mg of norvancomycin, with increased collagen density and a three-layered film with two outer drug-free films above and below the antibiotic layer resulted in sustained cumulative release of 2.91 mg (59.9%) of norvancomycin over 72 hours. The similar factor (f2) comparison method proved that products from a same batch were statistically significant similar (f2 > 50).

CONCLUSIONSArtificial ADMs made of collagen can be processed to provide a mature dural repair material for the sustained release of norvancomycin. This system may provide a basis for developing sustained release materials for other drugs.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Ceftriaxone ; chemistry ; Cefuroxime ; chemistry ; Collagen ; chemistry ; Dura Mater ; chemistry ; Vancomycin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry

This proficiency testing program is established to evaluate the pharmaceutical preparation analysis capacity of laboratories recommended by 18 countries and economies. It was authorized by Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC), and organized by Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control (SIFDC) and China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS). The 0.3sigma test is used to evaluate the homogeneity and stability of the proficiency testing sample. The results of the laboratories were assessed by Z-score. The robust average and the robust standard deviation of the participants' results were calculated as assigned value and standard deviation for performance assessment of hydrochlorothiazide and captopril using robust statistics. Thirty-three of 38 laboratories recommended by 18 countries and economies sent their results back. Twenty-four laboratories' results were observed as satisfactory. Five laboratories were identified as having reported at least one questionable result. Four laboratories were identified as having reported at least one unsatisfactory result.
Accreditation ; Captopril ; analysis ; Drug Combinations ; Drug Stability ; Hydrochlorothiazide ; analysis ; Laboratory Proficiency Testing ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo compare the instructive value of the 6th and 7th editions of the UICC-AJCC staging system in prognosis of esophageal cancer (EC) patients.

METHODSThe staging and prognosis of 1397 esophageal carcinoma patients undergoing curative resection from Jan. 2003 to Dec. 2006 in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed according to the 6th AJCC staging system and the 7th UICC-AJCC staging system.

RESULTSThe 5-year overall survival (OS) of EC patients with curative resection was 38.5% (481/1250 cases), with a follow-up rate of 89.5% (1250/1397 case). In overall terms, both the editions were statistically significant discriminators of OS (P < 0.05). The 5-year OS of stages I, II and III patients were 64.9%, 43.5%, 25.2% according to the 6th edition, and 63.5%, 44.5%, 23.5% according to the 7th edition, respectively. Distinct differences in survival were present among patients categorized as stage Ia and Ib according to the 7th edition (P < 0.05), with a 5-year OS of 80.0% and 58.3%, respectively. Similarly, according to the 7th edition, the 5-year overall survivals (OS) of the stages IIIa, IIIb and IIIc patients were 28.2%, 18.4% and 16.7%, respectively, showing that the prognoses were significantly different (P < 0.05). In addition, according to the 7th edition, the prognoses of patients in stages N0, N1, N2 and N3 were also significantly different (P < 0.01), and the 5-year OS were 50.0%, 31.5%, 18.7% and 16.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSBoth the 6th and 7th editions of UICC-AJCC staging system are significant discriminators for survival of esophageal cancer patients. The 7th edition is proved to be more accurate in prognosis. The number of lymph node metastases is an important predictor of prognosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; classification ; pathology ; surgery ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; classification ; pathology ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo compare the short-term outcomes of surgical treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and open thoracotomy (OT).

METHODSData of 737 consecutive NSCLC patients who underwent surgical treatment for non-small cell lung cancer by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and 630 patients who underwent pulmonary resection via open thoracotomy (as controls) in Cancer Institute & Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between January 2009 and August 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The risk factors after lobectomy were also analyzed.

RESULTSIn the 506 NSCLC patients who received VATS lobectomy, postoperative complications occurred in 13 patients (2.6%) and one patient died of acute respiratory distress syndrome (0.2%). In the 521 patients who received open thoracotomy (OT) lobectomy, postoperative complications occurred in 21 patients (4.0%) and one patient died of pulmonary infection (0.2%). There was no significant difference in the morbidity rate (P > 0.05) and mortality rate (P > 0.05) between the VATS group and OT group. In the 190 patients who received VATS wedge resections, postoperative complications occurred in 3 patients (1.6%). One hundred and nine patients received OT wedge resections. Postoperative complications occurred in 4 patients (3.7%). There were no significant differences for morbidity rate (P = 0.262) between these two groups, and there was no perioperative death in these two groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that age (OR = 1.047, 95%CI: 1.004 - 1.091), history of smoking (OR = 6.374, 95%CI: 2.588 - 15.695) and operation time (OR = 1.418, 95%CI: 1.075 - 1.871) were independent risk factors of postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONSTo compare with the NSCLC patients who should undergo lobectomy or wedge resection via open thoracotomy, a similar short-term outcome can be achieved via VATS approach.

Age Factors ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Lung Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Operative Time ; Pneumonectomy ; adverse effects ; classification ; methods ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Smoking ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; adverse effects ; Thoracotomy ; adverse effects ; methods

OBJECTIVEUp to now surgical treatment has been still the most effective treatment for esophageal cancer. However, postoperative lymph node recurrence is still a frequent event and affects long term survival considerably. The aim of this study is to compare the results of lymph node dissection via left vs. right thoracotomies and to verify whether there is any essential difference in lymphadenectomy between these two approaches.

METHODSFive hundred and fifty-nine cases with thoracic esophageal cancer were randomly selected from the database of esophageal cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment in our hospital between May 2005 and January 2011, including 282 cases through left thoracotomy and 277 cases through right thoracotomy. This series consisted of 449 males and 110 females with a mean age of 58.8 years (age range: 36 - 78 years). The pathological types were mainly squamous cell carcinoma (548 cases) and other rare types (11 cases). The data were analyzed and compared using Chi-square test. The P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The actual 5-year survival rate was calculated based on the recent follow-up data of the patients who underwent surgery at least 5 years ago.

RESULTSThe average number of dissected lymph nodes was 23.4 via left versus 24.6 via right thoracotomies. The overall lymph node metastasis rate was 48.9% via left thoracotomy and 53.8% via right thoracotomy, and 34.8% vs. 50.5% in the chest (P < 0.001), 29.1% vs. 17.7% in the abdomen (P = 0.001). The pathologically confirmed lymph node metastasis rate was 45.9%, 44.0% and 34.9% in the upper, middle and lower segments of thoracic esophagus, respectively. The lymph node metastasis rates detected via left and right thoracotomy in the stage T1 cases were 14.7% (5/34) vs. 42.9% (12/28) (P < 0.001), and in the stage T2 cases were 35.4% (17/48) vs. 52.8% (28/53) (P = 0.007); in the station of para-thoracic esophagus were 9.6% vs. 13.4%, in the left upper mediastinum were 2.1% vs. 7.6%, and in the right upper mediastinum were 1.4% vs. 26.0%, respectively. The preliminary actual 5-year survival rate was 38.2% in the cases via left thoracotomy vs. 42.1% in those via right thoracotomy.

CONCLUSIONSThe results of this study demonstrate that lymph node dissection is more complete via right thoracotomy than via left thoracotomy, especially for the tracheoesophageal groove and para-recurrent laryngeal nerve nodes, which may eventually improve the survival of patients with esophageal cancer. Therefore, surgical treatment via right thoracotomy by Ivor-Lewis (two incisions) mode or Levis-Tanner (three incisions) mode with two-field or three-field complete lymph node dissection may become prevalent in the future.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; surgery ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Mediastinum ; pathology ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Survival Rate ; Thoracotomy ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate and compare the value of cardiopulmonary exercise test and conventional pulmonary function tests in the prediction of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications in high risk patients with chest malignant tumors.

METHODSFrom January 2006 to January 2009, 216 consecutive patients with thoracic malignant tumors underwent conventional pulmonary function tests (PFT, spirometry + DLCOsb for diffusion capacity) and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) preoperatively. The correlation of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications with the parameters of PFT and CPET were retrospectively analyzed using Chi-square test, independent sample t-test and logistic regression analysis. The P value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULTSOf the 216 patients, 57 did not receive operation due to advanced stage diseases or poor cardiopulmonary function in most of them. The remaining 159 underwent different modes of operations. Thirty-six patients (22.6%) in this operated group had postoperative cardiopulmonary complications and 10 patients (6.3%) developed operation-related complications. Three patients (1.9%) died of the complications within 30 days postoperatively. The patients were stratified into groups based on V(O(2)) max/pred (≥ 65.0%, < 65.0%); V(O(2)) max×kg(-1)×min(-1) (≥ 20 ml, 15 - 19.9 ml, < 15 ml) and FEV1 (≥ 2.0 L, 1.2 - 1.99 L, < 1.2 L) according to the criteria in reported papers. There was statistically significant difference among these groups in the parameters (P < 0.05), the rates of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications were much higher in the groups with poor cardiopulmonary function (V(O(2)) max/pred < 65.0%; V(O(2)) max×kg(-1)×min(-1) < 15 ml or FEV1 < 1.2 L). It was shown by logistic regression analysis that postoperative cardiopulmonary complications were significantly correlated with age, associated diseases, poor results of PFT or CPET, operation modes and operation-related complications.

CONCLUSIONSFEV1 in spirometry, V(O(2)) max×kg(-1)×min(-1) and V(O(2)) max/pred in cardiopulmonary exercise test can be used to stratify the patients' cardiopulmonary function status and is correlated well with FEV1. V(O(2)) max×kg(-1)×min(-1) is the best parameter among these three parameters to predict the risk of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications in patients with chest malignant tumors and borderline cardiopulmonary function.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; etiology ; Exercise Test ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonectomy ; adverse effects ; Pneumonia ; etiology ; Postoperative Complications ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Spirometry ; Thoracic Neoplasms ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Young Adult