Objective To investigate the global burden of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) from 1990 to 2021 and predict the trends in the burden of VL from 2022 to 2035, so as to provide insights into global VL prevention and control. Methods The global age-standardized incidence, prevalence, mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates of VL and their 95% uncertainty intervals (UI) were captured from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021) data resources. The trends in the global burden of VL were evaluated with average annual percent change (AAPC) and 95% confidence interval (CI) from 1990 to 2021, and gender-, age-, country-, geographical area- and socio-demographic index (SDI)-stratified burdens of VL were analyzed. The trends in the global burden of VL were projected with a Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model from 2022 to 2035, and the associations of age-standardized incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALYs rates of VL with SDI levels were examined with a smoothing spline model. Results The global age-standardized incidence [AAPC = -0.25%, 95% CI: (-0.25%, -0.24%)], prevalence [AAPC = -0.06%, 95% CI: (-0.06%, -0.06%)], mortality [AAPC = -0.25%, 95% CI: (-0.25%, -0.24%)] and DALYs rates of VL [AAPC = -2.38%, 95% CI: (-2.44%, -2.33%)] all appeared a tendency towards a decline from 1990 to 2021, and the highest age-standardized incidence [2.55/10⁵, 95% UI: (1.49/10⁵, 4.07/10⁵)], prevalence [0.64/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.37/10⁵, 1.02/10⁵)], mortality [0.51/10⁵, 95% UI: (0, 1.80/10⁵)] and DALYs rates of VL [33.81/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.06/10⁵, 124.09/10⁵)] were seen in tropical Latin America in 2021. The global age-standardized incidence and prevalence of VL were both higher among men [0.57/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.45/10⁵, 0.72/10⁵); 0.14/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.11/10⁵, 0.18/10⁵)] than among women [0.27/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.21/10⁵, 0.33/10⁵); 0.06/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.05/10⁵, 0.08/10⁵)], and the highest mortality of VL was found among children under 5 years of age [0.24/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.08/10⁵, 0.66/10⁵)]. The age-standardized incidence (r = -0.483, P < 0.001), prevalence (r = -0.483, P < 0.001), mortality (r = -0.511, P < 0.001) and DALYs rates of VL (r = -0.514, P < 0.001) correlated negatively with SDI levels from 1990 to 2021. In addition, the global burden of VL was projected with the BAPC model to appear a tendency towards a decline from 2022 to 2035, and the age-standardized incidence, prevalence, mortality and DALYs rates were projected to be reduced to 0.11/10⁵, 0.03/10⁵, 0.02/10⁵ and 1.44/10⁵ in 2035, respectively. Conclusions Although the global burden of VL appeared an overall tendency towards a decline from 1990 to 2021, the burden of VL showed a tendency towards a rise in Central Asia and western sub-Saharan African areas. The age-standardized incidence and prevalence rates of VL were relatively higher among men, and the age-standardized mortality of VL was relatively higher among children under 5 years of age. The global burden of VL was projected to continue to decline from 2022 to 2035.

Objective To investigate the factors affecting the distribution of Pomacea and project the trends in the spread of suitable distribution areas of Pomacea in 2050 and 2070 in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, so as to provide insights into Pomacea control in the prefecture. Methods The longitudes and latitudes of Pomacea sampling sites were captured based on Pomacea field survey data in 12 cities (counties) of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture from 2023 to 2024. A total of 19 climatic factors (annual mean temperature, mean diurnal range, isothermality, temperature seasonality, maximum temperature of the warmest month, minimum temperature of the coldest month, temperature annual range, mean temperature of the wettest quarter, mean temperature of the driest quarter, mean temperature of the warmest month, mean temperature of the coldest month, annual precipitation, precipitation of the wettest month, precipitation of the driest month, precipitation seasonality, precipitation of the wettest quarter, precipitation of the driest quarter, mean temperature of the warmest quarter, and mean temperature of the coldest quarter) and representative concentration pathways (RCPs) were retrieved from the world climate database (www.worldclim.org). All climatic variables were employed to create a maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model. The predictive accuracy of the model was assessed with the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), and the contributions of these 19 climatic factors to the distribution of Pomacea were analyzed in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture using Jackknife test. In addition, the suitable distribution areas of Pomacea were predicted with the MaxEnt model in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture in 2024 and in 2050 and 2070 under RCP4.5. Results Data pertaining to 91 Pomacea sampling sites were captured. ROC analysis revealed the MaxEnt model had an AUC value of 0.885 ± 0.088 for predicting the suitable distribution areas of Pomacea in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture. Of the 19 climatic factors, the maximum temperature of the warmest month had the highest contribution to the distribution of Pomacea in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, followed by mean temperature of the driest quarter, mean temperature of the wettest quarter and minimum temperature of the coldest month. The suitable distribution area of Pomacea was predicted to be 14 555.69 km² in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture in 2024, and would expand gradually to the southeastern part of the prefecture in the future due to climatic factors. The suitable distribution areas of Pomacea were projected to expand to 21 475.61 km² in 2050 and 25 782.52 km² in 2070 in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, respectively. Conclusions Temperature is an important contributor to the distribution of Pomacea in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, and the suitable distribution area of Pomacea will gradually expand to the southeastern part of the prefecture in 2050 and 2070.

ObjectiveTo investigate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography （ERCP） combined with electrohydraulic lithotripsy under the direct view of eyeMax biliary-pancreatic imaging system in the treatment of difficult choledocholithiasis. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 12 patients with difficult choledocholithiasis who underwent ERCP and electrohydraulic lithotripsy under the direct view of eyeMax biliary-pancreatic imaging system in Department of Gastroenterology， Jilin People’s Hospital， from May to November 2022. The clinical effect of lithotripsy and lithotomy was observed， and postoperative complications and time of surgical operation were assessed. ResultsAmong the 12 patients， 11 （91.67%） were successfully treated by electrohydraulic lithotripsy under direct view， 9 （75.00%） achieved first-attempt success in lithotripsy， and 11 （91.67%） had complete removal of calculi； 1 patient was found to have stenosis of the bile ducts caused by multiple biliary tract surgeries， and grade Ⅱ intrahepatic bile duct stones above the sites of stenosis were removed under direct view， but there were still residues of grade Ⅲ intrahepatic bile duct stones， which led to the fact that complete calculus removal was not achieved. The mean time of ERCP operation was 91.3±26.2 minutes， including a time of 41.8±22.2 minutes for energy lithotripsy. There were 2 cases of postoperative biliary tract infection which were improved after anti-infective therapy， 2 cases of hyperamylasemia which were not given special treatment， and 3 cases of mild pancreatitis which were improved after symptomatic medication， and there were no complications such as bleeding and perforation. ConclusionERCP combined with electrohydraulic lithotripsy under the direct view of eyeMax biliary-pancreatic imaging system is safe， effective， and feasible in the treatment of difficult choledocholithiasis.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and diagnosis of imported Plasmodium malariae and P. ovale malaria cases in Anhui Province, Hubei Province, Zhejiang Province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Henan Province from 2014 to 2021, so as to provide insights into malaria control in these five provinces. Methods All data pertaining to malaria cases reported in five provinces of China were captured from Chinese Disease Control and Prevention Information System from 2014 to 2021, and the epidemiological characteristics of imported P. malariae and P. ovale malaria cases were analysed using a descriptive epidemiological method. The duration from onset of malaria to initial diagnosis, duration from initial diagnosis to definitive diagnosis, institutions of initial and definitive diagnoses, and proportion of correct malaria diagnosis at initial diagnosis were statistically analyzed. Results A total of 1 223 imported P. malariae and P. ovale malaria cases were reported in Anhui Province, Hubei Province, Zhejiang Province, Henan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from 2014 to 2021, there were 158 P. malariae malaria cases (12.92%) and 1 065 P. ovale malaria cases (87.08%). Totally 98.53% (1 205/1 223) of the imported malaria cases were from Africa, with Angola (18.99%, 30/158), Nigeria (11.39%,18/158), Cameroon (10.76%, 17/158), Ghana (10.13%, 16/158) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (10.13%,16/158) as predominant countries where P. malariae malaria cases were from, and Ghana (23.19%, 247/1 065), Cameroon (14.74%, 157/1 065), Nigeria (9.39%, 100/1 065) and Angola (6.95%, 74/1 065) as predominant countries where P. ovale malaria cases were from. There were significant differences in the duration from onset of malaria to initial diagnosis (χ² = 27.673, P = 0.000) and duration from initial diagnosis to definitive diagnosis of P. malariae and P. ovale malaria cases (χ² = 29.808, P = 0.000), and the proportions of correct initial diagnosis of P. malariae and P. ovale malaria cases were 38.61% (61/158) and 56.53% (602/1 065). There were 74.69% (118/158) of P. malariae malaria cases with definitive diagnosis in county-, city-, and province-level medical institutions, and 79.25% (844/1 065) of P. ovale malaria cases with definitive diagnosis in county- and city-level medical institutions and county-level centers for disease control and prevention. Conclusions The imported P. malariae and P. ovale malaria cases in Anhui Province, Hubei Province, Zhejiang Province, Henan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from 2014 to 2021 were mainly returned from Africa and the proportion of correct diagnosis of P. malariae and P. ovale malaria was low at initial diagnosis. Persistent improvements in the diagnostic capability of malaria are required in medical institutions.

Objective:To assess the impact of reducing the mesh density on the overall volume and trueness of single-crown restora-tions.Methods:15 single-crown restorations were included,and their mesh density in 3D software was simplified by 75％,50％,25％,10％and 5％respectively.The overal volume,file size and mesh edge length of the restorations with different reduction levels were compared.Deviation analysis was conducted by curving clipping the area of the shoulder,tissue surface(except for the shoulder)and occlusal surface of the restorations and compared with those of the corresponding regions in the non-simplified restorations.Trueness was assessed using the root mean square(RMS)values for the volume and trueness of different areas.Results:Reducing the mesh den-sity did not significantly affect the overal volume of the single-crown restorations(P＞0.05),but it had a significant impact on the file size(P＜0.001),mesh edge length(P＜0.001)and the trueness of the shoulder(P＜0.001),tissue surface(except for the shoulder)(P＜0.001)and occlusal surface(P＜0.001)areas.Conclusion:Reducing the mesh density had little impact on the overall volume of the restorations but significantly affected their trueness.

The goal of achieving elimination of schistosomiasis across all endemic counties in China by 2030 was proposed in the Outline of the Healthy China 2030 Plan. On June 16, 2023, the Action Plan to Accelerate the Elimination of Schistosomiasis in China (2023—2030) was jointly issued by National Disease Control and Prevention Administration and other 10 ministries, which deployed the targets and key tasks of the national schistosomiasis elimination programme in China. This article describes the progress of the national schistosomiasis control programme, analyzes the opportunities to eliminate schistosomiasis, and proposes targeted recommendations to tackle the challenges of schistosomiasis elimination, so as to accelerate the process towards schistosomiasis elimination and facilitate the building of a healthy China.

On June 16, 2023, National Disease Control and Prevention Administration of the People’s Republic of China, in collaboration with other ministries, formulated and issued the Action Plan to Accelerate the Elimination of Schistosomiasis in China (2023—2030). The implementation of this plan provides an important basis for achieving the targets set in the “Healthy China 2030” action plan and the implementation of the rural revitalization strategy. This paper describes the background, principles, targets, control strategies, safeguard measures and effectiveness evaluation of the plan, in order to guide the scientific and standardized implementation of actions for schistosomiasis elimination at the grassroots level, and facilitate the progress towards elimination of schistosomiasis in China with a high quality.

With the growth of the global economy , changes in climate and ecological environments, and increased mobility of humans and animals, the transmission risk of vector-borne tropical diseases continues to rise. To address this challenge, strengthening surveillance of vector-borne tropical diseases is urgent. This consensus brought together 29 renowned experts in related professional fields from 26 institutions in China, who, through analyzing the epidemic trend and hazard situation of vector-borne tropical diseases and summarizing the working experiences of experts, have firstly reached following consensus: the burden of vector-borne tropical diseases is heavy with great threats to human health; China has achieved remarkable results in prevention and control of vector-borne tropical diseases , but still needs to strengthen the surveillance and response actively. Secondly, a unanimous consensus has been reached on the aspects of surveillance definition, objectives, contents, and methods of vector-borne tropical diseases. Thirdly, detail requirements have been agreed including: strengthening the concept of early surveillance and forecast, standarding the function, evaluation steps, and construction requirements of surveillance system for vector-borne tropical diseases. Fourthly, key tasks were put forward that need to be investigated and strengthened in the future. This expert consensus provides a standardized reference for the construction of the surveillance pathway and surveillance system for vector-borne tropical diseases in China.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) periodontal splints and splints made from other materials under static loading on stress distributions in periodontal tissues, cement layer, and splints themselves.Methods:A finite element model based on cone-beam CT imaging data of a 25-year-old male patient (treated at the Department of Prosthodontics, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University in October 2021 for a cracked maxillary molar) with a healthy and intact mandibular dentition and periodontal health was constructed. The finite element model included anterior mandible dentition, mandibular bone model without bone resorption (WBR group), a periodontally compromised mandible model (control group), and three types of periodontal splints: a PEEK periodontal splint (0.7 mm thick, Young′s modulus: 4.1 MPa), a fiber-reinforced resin (FRC) splint (1.0 mm thick, Young′s modulus: 37.0 MPa), and a titanium splint (1.2 mm thick, Young′s modulus: 110.0 MPa). The bone resorption models fixed with different periodontal splints constituted the experimental groups (PEEK group, FRC group and titanium group). Loading of 100 N was applied on the midpoint of the incisal edge of tooth 41. The direction was set at 0°, which was parallel to the long axis of the tooth and downward. The buccal to lingual and downward angles were 30°and 60°, respectively, perpendicular to the long axis of the tooth and 90° to the lingual side. The finite element analysis software was utilized to analyze the stress distribution characteristics of the periodontal tissues, adhesive layer, and the splint itself in the anterior mandibular teeth among the different group.Results:Under the different loading simulation, in the control group, the maximal von Mises stresses of periodontal ligament and bone were 15.7-50.2 MPa and 38.8-130.3 MPa, respectively, and in the WBR group, the maximal von Mises stresses of periodontal ligament and bone were 3.6-6.4 MPa and 16.5-42.7 MPa, respectively. Under the same loading conditions, the magnitude of maximal von Mises stresses in periodontal tissues in the PEEK group was 4.6-6.2 MPa, and the magnitude of stresses in the periodontal ligament of 41 teeth in the WBR group was similar to that in the PEEK group, but higher than that in the FRC and titanium groups. The maximal von Mises stresses of each group is primarily distributed in the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone at the cervical area of the tooth. The higher the elastic modulus of the splint, the higher its own maximal von Mises stresses, and the smaller the maximal principal stresses transmitted to the adhesive layer. In the PEEK group and titanium group, the stress distribution area in the adhesive layer and the splint was near the splint connection adjacent to tooth 41.Conclusions:Periodontal splints fabricated from three types of materials, are effective in distributing stress within the periodontal tissues of the abutment teeth. Compared to FRC and titanium group, the higher PEEK splint stress value was obtained, and the smaller the stress value was transmitted to its adhesive layer.

The use of robots to augment human capabilities and assist in work has long been an aspiration.Robotics has been developing since the 1960s when the first industrial robot was introduced.As technology has advanced,robotic-assisted surgery has shown numerous advantages,including more precision,efficiency,minimal invasiveness,and safety than is possible with conventional techniques,which are research hotspots and cutting-edge trends.This article reviewed the history of medical robot development and seminal research papers about current research progress.Taking the autonomous dental implant robotic system as an example,the advantages and prospects of medical robotic systems would be discussed which would provide a reference for future research.