In recent years, the spread of clubroot disease caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae infection has seriously affected the yield and quality of Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.. The cascade of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), a highly conserved signaling pathway, plays an important role in plant responses to both biotic and abiotic stress conditions. To mine the MAPK genes related to clubroot disease resistance in B. juncea, we conducted a genome-wide analysis on this vegetable, and we analyzed the phylogenetic evolution and gene structure of the MAPK gene family in mustard. The 66 BjuMAPK genes identified by screening the whole genome sequence of B. juncea were unevenly distributed on 17 chromosomes. At the genomic scale, tandem repeats led to an increase in the number of MAPK genes in B. juncea. It was found that members of the same subfamily had similar gene structures, and there were great differences among different subfamilies. These predicted cis-acting elements were related to plant hormones, stress resistance, and plant growth and development. The expression of BjuMAPK02, BjuMAPK15, BjuMAPK17, and BjuMAPK19 were down-regulated or up-regulated in response to P. brassicae infection. The above results lay a theoretical foundation for further studying the functions of BjuMAPK genes in B. juncea in response to the biotic stress caused by clubroot disease.
Mustard Plant/parasitology* ; Plasmodiophorida/pathogenicity* ; Plant Diseases/genetics* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Phylogeny ; Disease Resistance/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Genome, Plant ; Plant Proteins/genetics*

Objective:The epidemiological and host animal pathogen data of leptospirosis in the population of Zhejiang Province in 2023 were analyzed, providing scientific basis for formulating prevention and control strategies of leptospirosis.Methods:The data of human leptospirosis in the population were collected from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention, and analyzed using descriptive epidemiological methods. The data on isolation, culture, and nucleic acid testing of Leptospira pathogens from mouse kidneys, frog kidneys, pig kidneys, and duck kidneys as well as duck serum antibody data were collected from Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention "Leptospirosis Surveillance Project of Zhejiang Province". The carrying and changing status of Leptospira epidemic microbiota in populations and host animals were analyzed. Results:In 2023, a total of 83 cases of leptospirosis were reported in Zhejiang Province, with a incidence rate of 0.126 2/ 100 000, aged (62.66 ± 11.31) years, including 68 males and 15 females. Leptospirosis cases were reported in 11 cities, mainly concentrated in the southern cities of Wenzhou City, Lishui City and Taizhou City(a total of 68 cases), accounting for 81.93% of the total number of cases. August to October were high incidence months for leptospirosis (a total of 70 cases), accounting for 84.34% of the total number cases. The male to female ratio of patients was 4.53 ∶ 1.00, and all were adults ≥20 years old, the middle and old people aged 45 - 79 years were the high-risk population (a total of 77 cases), accounting for 92.77% of the total number of cases. The patient's occupation was mainly farmers, with a total of 54 cases, accounting for 65.06% of the total number cases. The shortest time from onset to initial diagnosis for patients with leptospirosis was 0 day, and the longest was 13 days. The shortest time from initial diagnosis to confirmed diagnosis was 0 day, and the longest was 16 days. The 72.29% of the leptospirosis cases (60 cases) had a history of field labor or suspected contact with contaminated water within one month before the onset of the disease, and 18.07% of the leptospirosis cases (15 cases) had a history of contact with animals such as mice, frogs, pigs, cows, dogs, fish or ducks, or their excreta within one month before the onset of the disease. The average nucleic acid positive rate of host animals with leptospirosis was 5.92% (31/524) in mouse kidney, 6.74% (36/534) in frog kidney, and 0.66% (1/151) in pig kidney. The isolation and culture of leptospirosis from duck kidney, nucleic acid detection, and antibody detection in duck blood were all negative. The leptospirosis bacteria detected in human population were serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae (3 samples) and Hebdomadis (4 samples), and the bacteria group detected in host animals was serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae (3 samples). Conclusions:The outbreak of leptospirosis in Zhejiang Province mainly occurs in the summer and autumn, with the affected areas mainly concentrated in the southern region of Zhejiang Province. The affected population is mainly middle-aged and elderly males, and the population carrying Leptospira is still mainly composed of the serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae and the Hebdomadis, with the host animal being the serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness for the construction of "mosquito-free village" in Xuejia Village, Pujiang County, Zhejiang Province, so as to provide the guidance for the construction of "mosquito-free village" in other rural areas. Methods: Density of adult mosquitoes in Xuejia Village was investigated using light trap method and density of larval mosquitoes was investigated using larval straw method from April to November each year. Totally 30 households of villagers were randomly selected, and their awareness rates of mosquito control knowledge, mosquito control behavior forming rates and satisfaction rates were surveyed through questionnaires. Investment during construction (from August 2016 to December 2018) and maintenance period (from 2019 to 2023) of "mosquito-free village" were investigated through data review and interviews. Long-term effects of "mosquito-free village" construction in Xuejia Village were evaluated in terms of mosquito density from 2016 to 2023, effectiveness of health education for villagers, satisfaction and investment. Results: Compared with the year 2016, the densities of adult and larval mosquitoes in Xuejia Village were significantly decreased from 2017 to 2023. The average monthly density of adult mosquitoes in 2023 decreased by 98.34%, and the average monthly 100 household index of larval mosquitoes decreased by 98.45% compared to 2016. The average monthly density of adult mosquitoes from 2019 to 2023 was less than or equal to one mosquito per light trap in a night, and the average monthly 100 household index of larval mosquitoes was less than or equal to five places per 100 households. The awareness rate of mosquito control knowledge was 93.33%, the behavior forming rate was 86.67%, and the satisfaction rate was 90.00%. By December 2023, the total investment during construction and maintenance period was 450 thousand Yuan, with an average annual investment of 60.7 thousand Yuan and average annual investment of 206.61 Yuan per household. The average annual investment during maintenance period was 36.2 thousand Yuan, and the average annual investment per household was 109.70 Yuan. Conclusion The mosquito density, effectiveness of health education for villagers and satisfaction of "mosquito-free village" in Xuejia Village all meet the evaluation criteria of "mosquito-free village", and the investment is reasonable, making it suitable for promotion to other rural areas.

The WUSCHEL related-homeobox (WOX) family is one of the plant-specific transcription factor families, playing important roles in plant growth and development. In this study, 51 WOX gene family members were identified from the genome data of Brassica juncea by searching and screening with HUMMER, Smart and other software. Their protein molecular weight, amino acids numbers, and isoelectric point were analyzed by using Expasy online software. Furthermore, bioinformatics software was used to systematically analyze the evolutionary relationship, conservative region, and gene structure of the WOX gene family. The mustard WOX gene family was divided into three subfamilies: ancient clade, intermediate clade, and WUS clade/modern clade. Structural analysis showed that the type, organization form and gene structure of the conservative domain of WOX transcription factor family members in the same subfamily were highly consistent, while there was a certain diversity among different subfamilies. 51 WOX genes are distributed unevenly on 18 chromosomes of mustard. Most of the promoters of these genes contain cis acting elements related to light, hormone and abiotic stress. Using transcriptome data and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis, it was found that the expression of mustard WOX gene was spatio-temporal specific, among which BjuWOX25, BjuWOX33, and BjuWOX49 might play an important role in the development of silique, and BjuWOX10, BjuWOX32, and BjuWOX11, BjuWOX23 respectively might play an important role in the response to drought and high temperature stresses. The above results may facilitate the functional study of mustard WOX gene family.
Mustard Plant/genetics* ; Multigene Family/genetics* ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Plants/genetics* ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Phylogeny ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Proteins/metabolism*

Objective:To investigate the epidemic characteristics and current situation of animal plague in Zhejiang Province, in order to provide data support for prevention and control of the plague in the whole province.Methods:A retrospective study was carried out to collect surveillance data of animal plague in Zhejiang Province from 2006 to 2020 from the "Pubonic Plague Control Management Information System". Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the density of domestic and wild rodents, the distribution of rodent species and flea species, and the serological and pathogenic test results of host animals.Results:From 2006 to 2020, the annual average density of domestic rodent in Zhejiang Province was 3.99%, which was lower than that in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2019 and 2020. The annual average density of wild rodents was 4.52%, which was lower than that in 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. From 2006 to 2020, a total of 173 432 rodents were captured, belonging to 3 orders, 5 families, 12 genera and 17 species; in the composition of rodent species, Rattus norvegicus was the most, accounting for 32.15% (55 765/173 432). A total of 107 736 rodents were examined, the number of flea-infected rodent was 3 885, and the flea-infested rate was 3.61%; the total number of flea collected was 9 039 and the total flea index was 0.083 9. A total of 172 235 serological samples were tested at various monitoring sites in Zhejiang Province, and 10 positive samples were detected, there were 7 copies of Apodemus agrarianus, 2 copies of Smelly Shrew and 1 copy of Rattus norvegicus, with titers ranging from 1 ∶ 40 - 1 ∶ 320; a total of 163 618 copies of rodent liver and spleen organs were cultured, and no Yersinia pestis was isolated. Conclusions:Positive host animals have been detected in Zhejiang Province for many years. It is necessary to further standardize plague surveillance and make emergency preparations to prevent relapse and import of the epidemics.

Three-amino acid loop extension (TALE) transcription factors play important roles in plant growth and cell differentiation. There are plenty of studies on TALE transcription factors in several model plants, but not in radish (Raphanus sativas). A genome-wide bioinformatics analysis identified 33 TALE family genes in the Xiang-Ya-Bai (XYB) radish, These genes, are distributed on nine chromosomes and all contain 4-6 exons. The 33 TALE genes in radish showed a co-linearity relationship with the 17 homologous genes in Arabidopsis thaliana. Moreover, a large number of stress response cis-elements were found in the promoter regions of these genes. Expression analysis showed that four genes in the BELL subfamily were highly expressed in roots, and two genes in the KNOX subfamily were highly expressed in shoots of bolting plants and callus. All radish TALE genes contain sequences encoding the conserved HOX domain, except for the gene RSA10037940, which is homologous to Arabidopsis KNATM. The deduced 3D structures of the TALE proteins irrespective of subtypes are highly similar. All the encoded proteins were weakly acidic and hydrophilic. The radish TALE gene family is relatively evolutionarily conserved, which was consistent with results from Arabidopsis, but quite different from that of rice. This study provides important clues for studying the biological functions of TALE transcription factors in radish.
Amino Acids ; Arabidopsis/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Raphanus/metabolism* ; Transcription Factors/metabolism*

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal distribution of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Zhejiang province from 2005 to 2020, and provide scientific information for the precise prevention and control of HFRS.Methods:Data on HFRS cases in Zhejiang province during 2005-2020 were collected from the China National Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting Information System (NNDS) for a descriptive analysis, and software ArcGIS 10.2 was used for global autocorrelation and local autocorrelation analyses. Spatiotemporal clusters were scanned with SaTScan 9.4.4 and visualized with ArcGIS 10.2.Results:A total of 7 724 HFRS cases were reported in Zhejiang province from 2005 to 2020, including 25 deaths. There were two incidence peaks each year, in late spring and early summer (May-June) and in winter (November-January). The top three areas with high cumulative cases were Ningbo (1 875, 24.27%), Taizhou (1 642, 21.25%), and Shaoxing (1 123, 14.54%). Among the reported cases, with a male to female ratio of 2.73∶1(5 656∶2 068). The majority of HFRS cases were middle-aged and elderly people, with cases aged 41-70 years accounting for 60.95%. Most HFRS cases were farmers, accounting for 69.89% (5 398/7 724). The spatial distribution of HFRS in most years was correlated. SaTScan was used for retrospective spatiotemporal scanning and three clusters were detected: the first type clusters were in 21 counties in eastern Zhejiang province and central Zhejiang province, among which 4 were in Ningbo, Shaoxing and Jinhua, 8 were in Taizhou, and 1 was in Lishui ( RR=13.69, LLR=5 522.60, P<0.001); the second type clusters were in Longquan and Qingyuan counties ( RR=31.20, LLR=1 232.46, P<0.001); the third types of clusters were in Changxing and Anji counties of Huzhou in northern Zhejiang province ( RR=3.42, LLR=23.93, P<0.001). Conclusions:HFRS mainly occurred in middle-aged,elderly and male farmers in Zhejiang province. The incidence was high in late spring, early summer and winter in eastern Zhejiang province. Precise prevention and control measures are needed for populations at high risk before the epidemic season.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of chest X-ray film of pulmonary emphysema (PE)signs for infantile bronchitis.Methods Clinical data of 60 infants with bronchitis (case group)in a hospital between Janu-ary 2010 and December 2014 were analyzed retrospectively,and compared with data of 30 infants with non-respira-tory diseases (control group).Results Of 60 infants with bronchitis in case group,95.00%(57/60)showed mani-festations of PE on X-ray,and 18.33% (11/60)of whom were with mild PE(apical or intercostal pneumocele), 76.67%(46/60)were with typical PE (diaphragm descent);one case (3.33%)in control group showed intercostal pneumocele,the other 29 cases (96.67%)were normal X-ray findings and without signs of PE.The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of PE signs on chest X-ray film for diagnosing infantile bronchitis were 95.00%,96.67%, and 95.56% respectively.Conclusion Signs of PE on chest X-ray film have important diagnosis value for infantile bronchitis.

OBJECTIVETo conduct health economic evaluation of the prevention of mother-to-child HIV among pregnant women in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province, China from 2004 to 2013.

METHODSData on cost were collected mainly from the annual prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) reporting system of Dehong prefecture, and supplemented by HIV PMTCT-related resource allocation data from local health bureau. Effectiveness indexes were from local continuous HIV surveillance system and annual reported data. Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analysis were used to conduct the health economic evaluation.

RESULTSFrom 2004 to 2013, 283980 pregnant women were screened for HIV, 2 059 were detected as positive, and the HIV positive rate was 0.73%. The total cost of the PMTCT program was 14 227 000 RMB after discounting, and the unit cost of positive case finding was 4 200 RMB. A total of 26 cases of adults and 325 infants were avoided HIV infection, and the cost-effectiveness ratio (CER) was 40 500 RMB/case. The total obtained quality adjusted life years (QALY) from the program was 8 911.5, each one of which cost 1 600 RMB/QALY. If the feeding pattern were breast feeding, CER would be 42 800 RMB/case and each one of QALY would cost 2 200 RMB.

CONCLUSIONBased on the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analysis, the HIV PMTCT of Dehong prefecture had economic value, which indicates that continued investment is needed to strengthen local HIV PMTCT work.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; Adult ; Child ; China ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Costs and Cost Analysis ; Female ; HIV Infections ; Health ; Humans ; Infant ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Mothers ; Pregnancy ; Quality-Adjusted Life Years

OBJECTIVETo understand provider initiated HIV testing and counseling (PITC) in a region with high HIV/AIDS epidemic in China, and analyze its effect to early detection of HIV infections.

METHODSBetween January and December, 2013, 37 county level medical institutions were selected as the study sites, among which, 19 were public medical institutions and 18 were private institutions. According to the related regulation, procedures and contents of PITC, the study was implemented among outpatients and inpatients who seek for doctors in these medical institutions and PITC were provided for them. The 'Individual Investigation Form' was used to record the information and high-risky factors, and the respondents were taken venous blood and given HIV screening and confirmation. All available serum samples of newly found HIV/AIDS cases were tested using the BED HIV Incidence Capture Enzyme Immunoassay (BED-CEIA) to differentiate the long-term infections and new infections (early detected infections). Chi-square analysis was used to compare the differences of characteristics of newly infected patients.

RESULTSBetween January and December, 2013, a total of 37 medical institutions provided PITC. 55 164 person times were received HIV screening, among which 658 were HIV positive, and 598 were confirmed to be HIV positive. The 598 cases were all provided transferring service. The differences of age, marital status, education levels, transmission routes and testing institutions had statistical significance to early detection (χ(2) equals to 23.54, 10.50, 17.96, 21.22 and 4.80; P equals to < 0.001, 0.005, < 0.001, < 0.001 and 0.029, respectively). And the early detection proportions among patients aged from 20 to 29 and from 50 to 84 were 47.1% (114/242) and 42.1% (24/57), respectively; the proportions among single and married patients were 37.8% (56/148) and 38.9% (143/368), respectively; the proportion among patients with high school education levels were 42.6% (26/61); the proportion among patients transmitted by fixed heterosexual sexual partners was 46.0% (86/187); the proportion among private hospitals was 40.3% (58/144).

CONCLUSIONA certain proportion of HIV infections were early detected by PITC in this region. The HIV early detection proportions among specific age group and population with spouse/fixed sexual partners were relatively high.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; Counseling ; Early Diagnosis ; Epidemics ; HIV Infections ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Marital Status ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Outpatients ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult