To clarify the epidemiological characteristics of pertussis in children in Hanzhong during the nationwide surge in pertussis, this study retrospectively collected nucleic acid testing data of 4 565 children with pertussis from a tertiary hospital in Hanzhong City from September 2023 to August 2024, and collected demographic and clinical information of confirmed cases for analysis. The results showed that among 4 565 cases tested, there were 1 224 positive cases for pertussis nucleic acid testing, with a total positive rate of 26.81%. Since September 2023, the number of tests and positive cases had continuously increased, reaching a peak in May 2024, with 1 174 samples tested and 319 positive cases. Notably, the number of confirmed cases from April to July 2024 accounted for 82.03% (1 004/1 224) of the total confirmed cases during the study period. Among the 1 224 confirmed cases of pertussis, there were 647 male patients (52.86%) and 577 female patients (47.14%). The highest proportion of cases was found in school-age and preschool children, accounting for 88.81% (1 087/1 224). Among outpatients, school-age and preschool children accounted for 93.44% (897/960), while inpatient cases were mainly preschool, school-age children, and infants (94.32%, 249/264). The positive detection rates of outpatient and inpatient children in the same age group were compared. Except for the infant group, the positive rates of the other four groups were higher than those of the inpatient group (all P<0.05). Among 264 hospitalized children with pertussis, 70 cases (26.52%, 70/264) were infected with Bordetella pertussis alone, and 194 cases (73.48%, 194/264) had co-infections with other pathogens. Rhinovirus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common pathogens in co-infections.

To clarify the epidemiological characteristics of pertussis in children in Hanzhong during the nationwide surge in pertussis, this study retrospectively collected nucleic acid testing data of 4 565 children with pertussis from a tertiary hospital in Hanzhong City from September 2023 to August 2024, and collected demographic and clinical information of confirmed cases for analysis. The results showed that among 4 565 cases tested, there were 1 224 positive cases for pertussis nucleic acid testing, with a total positive rate of 26.81%. Since September 2023, the number of tests and positive cases had continuously increased, reaching a peak in May 2024, with 1 174 samples tested and 319 positive cases. Notably, the number of confirmed cases from April to July 2024 accounted for 82.03% (1 004/1 224) of the total confirmed cases during the study period. Among the 1 224 confirmed cases of pertussis, there were 647 male patients (52.86%) and 577 female patients (47.14%). The highest proportion of cases was found in school-age and preschool children, accounting for 88.81% (1 087/1 224). Among outpatients, school-age and preschool children accounted for 93.44% (897/960), while inpatient cases were mainly preschool, school-age children, and infants (94.32%, 249/264). The positive detection rates of outpatient and inpatient children in the same age group were compared. Except for the infant group, the positive rates of the other four groups were higher than those of the inpatient group (all P<0.05). Among 264 hospitalized children with pertussis, 70 cases (26.52%, 70/264) were infected with Bordetella pertussis alone, and 194 cases (73.48%, 194/264) had co-infections with other pathogens. Rhinovirus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common pathogens in co-infections.

Objective:To compare the application effect among Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scale, Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form (SF-36) scale and "Assessment for Therapeutic Efficacy on Kashin-Beck Disease" (WS/T 79-2011) standard in the evaluation of therapeutic effect of patients with Kashin-Beck disease, which could provide basis for the treatment evaluation of patients with Kashin-Beck disease.Methods:A total of 213 patients with Kashin-Beck disease in Gansu Province were investigated. WOMAC scale, SF-36 scale and standard of WS/T 79-2011 were used to analyze the quality of life of patients before and after treatment. The reliability, construct validity, content validity, discriminant validity of WOMAC and SF-36 scales were compared. Correlation between WOMAC, SF-36 scales and standard of WS/T 79-2011 were evaluated.Results:Both WOMAC and SF-36 scales had good construct validity and content validity (construct validity showed WOMAC and SF-36 scales contained 1 and 2 common factors, respectively; content validity showed WOMAC and SF-36 scales contained 3 and 8 common factors, respectively). The reliability and discriminant validity of WOMAC scale were better than those of SF-36 seale (reliability showed WOMAC reliability coefficient ≥0.934, the reliability coefficient of SF-36 scale was ranged from 0.386 to 0.999. Discriminant validity showed there were differences in 3 dimensions of the WOMAC scale before and after treatment, while there were differences in 6 out of 8 dimensions of the SF-36 scale). The correlation coefficients between WOMAC scale and standard of WS/T 79-2011 ranged from 0.175 to 0.437, the correlation coefficients between SF-36 scale and standard of WS/T 79-2011 ranged from - 0.434 to - 0.099 ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:The reliability, discriminant validity and correlation with the standard of WS/T 79-2011 of WOMAC scale are better than those of SF-36 scale in efficacy evaluation of patients with Kashin-Beck disease.

Objective:To master the epidemic trend of Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) in Gansu Province and provide a scientific basis for prevention and treatment of KBD.Methods:All children aged 7 - 12 or 16 years old were selected as the survey subjects in 37 KBD districts and counties in Gansu Province, clinical and X-ray monitoring results of KBD in children from 2004 to 2018 were collected to analyze the epidemic trend of the disease.Results:From 2004 to 2018, a total of 97 190 children were examined clinically and 94 180 X-ray films were taken in Gansu Province. Four hundred and twenty-eight clinical positive cases were detected, with a detection rate of 0.44%. There were 649 X-ray positive cases, and the detection rate was 0.69%. There were 435 metaphyseal positive cases, the detection rate was 0.46%. There were 214 positive cases of bone end, and the detection rate was 0.23%. The clinical positive rate was the highest (7.17%, 58/809) in 2004, followed by 2007 (4.60%, 51/1 109) and 2005 (4.48%, 187/4 173), and the positive rate in other years was less than 3%. The positive rate of X-ray was the highest (9.59%, 58/605) in 2004, followed by 2005 (5.10%, 213/4 173), 2008 (3.66%, 45/1 228) and 2006 (3.04%, 125/4 107), the positive rate of other years was less than 3%.Conclusions:The clinical positive rate and X-ray positive rate of KBD in children in Gansu Province are decreased rapidly and then maintain a low fluctuation. The effect of comprehensive prevention and control measures is remarkable.

Objective:To investigate the application and problems existing in the implementation of the standard of "Assessment for Therapeutic Efficacy of Kashin-Beck Disease" (WS/T 79-2011, referred to as new standard), and to provide technical basis and suggestions for further improving the standard.Methods:In 2019, a questionnaire survey was conducted and analyzed in Sichuan, Shaanxi, Qinghai and Gansu provinces and Tibet Autonomous Region on basic information, standard implementation, publicity, training and application of scoring method of joint dysfunction index of Kashin-Beck disease prevention and control technicians.Results:One hundred and thirty-four questionnaires were distributed in this survey and 132 valid questionnaires were recovered, of which 88.64% (117/132) of Kashin-Beck disease prevention and control technicians received training in the new standard and 89.39% (118/132) used the new standard; 78.03% (103/132) thought that the standard terms were clear and easy to master; 71.97% (95/132) thought it was simple, convenient and easy to operate; 49.24% (65/132) thought that the standard evaluation results were consistent with the actual improvement of patients, and 50.75% (67/132) thought that it was generally consistent; 72.73% (96/132) thought that the design was scientific, reasonable and feasible. When using the scoring method of joint dysfunction index, more than 90% of the technicians thought that the five index terms of "joint rest pain", "joint movement pain", "morning stiffness", "maximum walking distance" and "limb activity ability" were easy to understand and ask questions. When patients with Kashin-Beck disease were investigated, the constituent ratios of easy to understand the five index terms were 96.21% (127/132), 83.33% (110/132), 90.15% (119/132), 78.79%(104/132), 90.15%(119/132) and the constituent ratios of easy to answer were 95.45% (126/132), 83.33% (110/132), 89.39% (118/132), 75.00% (99/132) and 89.39% (118/132), respectively.Conclusions:The new standard terms are clear, the design is scientific and reasonable, the operation is convenient and the feasibility is strong. The evaluation results are basically consistent with the actual improvement of patients. It is suggested to add objective evaluation indexes to the scoring method of joint dysfunction index.

Objective:To explore the effect of health education on drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis in Gansu Province, and provide evidence for further development of health education measures.Methods:In 2011-2013, 2016 and 2017, using prospective method, 16-19 drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis counties (cities, districts) were selected as project counties in Gansu Province each year, and 3 townships (towns) were selected in each project county. To carry out public health education activities on prevention and treatment of drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis, school health education activities were carried out in the classes of grade 4-6 in the central primary school; 3 administrative villages were selected in each township (town) to carry out community health education activities. Before and after the health education activities, questionnaire surveys on health education of drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis prevention knowledge were conducted among 30-50 students of grade 5 in the central primary school and 15-30 housewives lived near the schools in each township (town). Comparative analysis of the effects of health education activities was carried out.Results:The total awareness rates of prevention and treatment of drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis in students of grade 5 and housewives were 89.55% (28 164/31 452) and 86.61% (14 976/17 292) after the intervention, respectively, which were significantly higher than those before the intervention [53.40% (16 518/30 933) and 51.88% (8 925/17 202)], and the differences were statistically significant (χ 2=1 586.16, 4 886.16, P < 0.05). Among the primary school students and housewives, the knowledge awareness rates of prevention and treatment of drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis were increased by 36.15% and 34.73%, respectively. Conclusions:After implementation of drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis health education intervention, the awareness rates of prevention and treatment knowledge in primary school students and housewives in Gansu Province are significantly increased. However, there are still weakness such as shortage of primary health education staff and insufficient investment in work funds, which means we can further expand the scope of health education.

Objective:To spread the knowledge of Keshan disease prevention and control, enhance the awareness of disease prevention among the population in the diseased areas, and provide the basis for formulating scientific intervention strategies for health education of Keshan disease.Methods:From October 2017 to April 2018, 10 counties (districts) with Keshan disease were selected as project counties(districts) in Gansu Province, and 3 towns were selected in each project county (district). To carry out Keshan disease health education activities in grade 4 - 6 of each township (town) central primary school, 3 villages were selected in each township to carry out community health education activities. We carried out 6-month propaganda on knowledge of Keshan disease prevention and control among pupils and residents, distributed health education materials and held lectures. Before and after the intervention, we conducted a questionnaire survey on health education among the target population (residents under 50 and primary school students in Grade 5), evaluated the improvement level of knowledge about keshan disease, and made statistical analysis.Results:Four hundred and fifty residents were investigated pre intervention and 451 residents post intervention, the awareness rate of Keshan disease prevention and control knowledge among residents in the diseased areas increased from 45.4% (2 041/4 500) before intervention to 79.5% (3 584/4 510) after intervention (χ 2 = 1 115.9, P < 0.05). Nine hundred and forty-eight pupils were investigated before intervention and 906 pupils (primary school students in Grade 5) after intervention, the awareness rate of Keshan disease prevention and control knowledge among pupils increased from 50.8% (4 818/9 480) before intervention to 84.2% (7 631/9 060) after intervention (χ 2 = 2 343.3, P < 0.05). Conclusion:The comprehensive intervention mainly based on health education can significantly improve the awareness rate of prevention and treatment knowledge of Keshan disease among primary school students and residents, and improve their bad life style, which is of great significance to the prevention and treatment of Keshan disease.

Keshan disease (KD) is a unique endemic cardiomyopathy of unknown origin in China.According to the state of heart function and the pathogenesis,KD is divided into four types:acute,sub-acute,chronic and latent.Chronic KD comes on slowly,and the clinical manifestation is chronic cardiac insufficiency.Chronic patients often have poor treatment outcomes,with high mortality and disability.This article summarizes the nonpharmacological treatment of heart failure in chronic KD in order to provide a basis for clinical treatment.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of telephone interviews on the quality of life of patients with chronic Keshan disease.Methods Totally 120 cases of chronic Keshan disease patients with chronic heart failure and NYHA classification of Ⅱ-Ⅳ were enrolled among the 181 patients with chronic Keshan disease,which confirmed by case search in Heshui County and Zhengning County in Qingyang City,Gansu Province in 2015,general demographic and clinical data were collected.According to the principle of random number table grouping,these 120 patients were randomly divided into a intervention group (n =60) and a control group (n =60).Both groups were given the conventional therapy and encouraged to inquiry or given regular outpatient medical follow-up.The patients in the intervention group received telephone interviews regularly for 6 months,with a interview frequency once a week in the first month,once every two weeks in the second and third months and once a month in the fourth,the fifth and the sixth months,with about 15 to 20 minutes interviews each time.Meanwhile there was no telephone interviews in the control group.At the begining of study,and after 3 months and 6 months of study,quality of life scores were scored according to the Minnesota Heart Insufficiency Scale (MLHFQ).The scores included total quality of life,physical field scores,emotional field scores,and other field scores.The lower the score,the higher the quality of life.Results After 3 months of telephone interviews,the emotional domain score of the intervention group (10.16 ± 4.58) was lower than that of the control group (13.10 ± 5.37,P ＜ 0.05).After 6 months of telephone interviews,the patients in the intervention group (35.60 ± 16.07,6.67 ± 4.01,13.16 ± 4.13) had significantly better quality of life than those in the control group (57.19 ± 14.97,12.43 ± 5.29,18.94 ± 6.68),with lower total points of life quality,emotion area and other area scores.The differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Telephone interviews may promote the quality of life for patients with chronic Keshan disease.It is an effective way in enhancing the ability of chronic Keshan disease management.

OBJECTIVETo assess the association of IFNG gene polymorphisms with preeclampsia among pregnant woman from Shaanxi Province.

METHODSGenomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples collected from 280 patients with preeclampsia and 344 healthy pregnant women. Five tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the IFNG gene (rs2069705, rs2430561, rs1861493, rs2069718, and rs2193050) were genotyped with a SNaPshot method. Genotypic and allelic frequencies were evaluated with a Chi square test. Genotype data was corrected by Logistic regression for body mass index and age. The level of IFN-gamma was determined with an ELISA assay.

RESULTSThe distribution of five tag SNPs all conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P> 0.05). Significant association with preeclampsia was found with the T allele of rs2430561 (OR=1.54, 95% CI:1.15-2.09, P=6.99× 10), under a dominant model (OR=3.77, 95% CI: 1.09-13.29, P=0.029) and a recessive model (OR=1.53, 95% CI:1.09-2.15, P=0.018). For the patient group, the IFN-gamma level of those with a TT genotype for rs2430561 was significantly higher than those with an AA or AT genotype [(13.69± 0.79) pg/mL vs. (13.11± 1.56) pg/mL, P< 0.05].

CONCLUSIONPolymorphism of the rs2430561 locus of the IFNG gene is associated with increased risk for preeclampsia as well as serum level of IFN-gamma among pregnant woman from Shaanxi. The role of the IFNG gene in the regulation of preeclampsia requires further investigation.

Adult ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; genetics ; Logistic Models ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Pre-Eclampsia ; etiology ; genetics ; Pregnancy