ObjectiveTo evaluate the larvicidal effect of ultrasonic waves against Aedes albopictus larvae at various exposure parameters (distance and time), and to preliminarily investigate the effects of different containers (water volume and depth) and ultrasonic devices on the larvicidal efficacy, so as to provide experimental evidence for the application of ultrasound-based mosquito control technology. MethodsUnder controlled laboratory conditions, two commercially available ultrasonic devices [40 kHz/300 W and (50±5) kHz/70 W] were used to systematically examine the effects of exposure distance (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 cm), exposure duration (1, 3, 6, 15 and 60 min), larval instar(Ⅰ‒Ⅱ and Ⅲ‒Ⅳ）, and container type on the immediate mortality of Aedes albopictus larvae collected from urban areas of Shanghai. Statistical analysis of the mortality rates of larvae among different experimental groups was performed using the chi-square test. ResultsUltrasonic exposure exerted a detectable larvicidal effect against Aedes albopictus larvae of all instars. For early-instar larvae, exposure time significantly affected mortality at all tested distances (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 cm), with χ² values ranging from 25.57 to 32.74 ( all P<0.001). No significant distance effect was observed in the first and second instar larvae after short-term exposure (1 and 3 min; P>0.05). However, a distance-dependent effect emerged from 6 min onward (P<0.05). During short-term exposure (1 min and 3 min) at close range (20 cm and 40 cm), the immediate mortality of the third and fourth instar larvae was higher than that of the first and second instar larvae. Conversely, during prolonged exposure (15 min and 60 min), the first and second instar larvae exhibited significantly higher mortality than that of the third and fourth instar larvae. These results indicated that larval mortality was jointly influenced by exposure duration and distance. Preliminary experiments indicated that larvicidal efficacy in shallow water was lower than that in deep water. No significant difference in larvicidal effect was observed between the two ultrasonic devices with different frequencies and power outputs. ConclusionUnder laboratory conditions, ultrasound can effectively kill Aedes albopictus larvae, and the larvicidal effect is jointly influenced by larval instar, exposure distance, and aquatic environment. Compact ultrasonic devices show potential for field application in biological mosquito control.

Abstract: Objective　To investigate the distribution, seasonal ebb and flow, and influence factor of tick populations in Huangpu District, Shanghai, clarify the popularity and dominant tick species in Huangpu District, Shanghai, and provide a foundational basis for comprehensive monitoring and control of ticks and tick-borne diseases. Methods　From January to December 2023, the seasonal fluctuation of free ticks was investigated by flagging method twice a month in People's Park of Huangpu District. In May 2023, a free ticks cross-sectional survey was conducted in all park green spaces in Huangpu District, with simultaneous recording of environmental meteorological factors on site. Results　From January to December 2023, a total of 25 tick surveys were conducted, with a total drag distance of 6 810 meters, capturing 1 019 ticks, all morphologically identified as Haemaphysalis flava. Seasonal ebb and flow analysis found a bimodal distribution of overall tick density, peaking on June 26 and September 21, 2023, with tick densities of 216.00 and 67.33 ticks/(flag·100 m), respectively. The total tick density at monitoring points in grassland was lower than that in withered leaves, with tick densities of 3.11 and 23.22 ticks/(flag·100 m), respectively. Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that total tick density was positively correlated with measured surface temperature (rs=0.88), daily low temperature (rs=0.80), monthly average low temperature (rs=0.79), daily high temperature (rs=0.77), monthly average high temperature (rs=0.81), measured surface relative humidity (rs=0.86), monthly rainfall day (rs=0.43), and monthly average sunshine time (rs=0.58), average wind speed (rs=0.53); the total tick density was negatively correlated with air pressure (rs=-0.65, P<0.05). The cross-sectional survey in Huangpu District found tick activity only in Nanjing East Road Street and Ruijin Second Road Street, with densities of 0.05 and 0.14 ticks/(flag·100 m), respectively. Conclusions　The dominant tick in City Park, Huangpu District, Shanghai is Haemaphysalis flava. Tick density is highest in June, and the density of ticks in the withered leaves is higher than that in the grassland. Targeted tick control measures should be taken during the peak period of tick activity according to survey results.

Objective: To explore the characteristics and significances of gene mutations in pulmonary adenocarcinoma, and to provide evidence for targeted medication. Methods: High throughput sequencing based target-capture sequencing was performed in 104 patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma to detect the mutational status of 56 cancer-related genes. All patients were diagnosed in the First People's Hospital of Kunshan from May 2017 to August 2018. The mutational characteristics of pulmonary adenocarcinoma was analyzed and compared with European and American pulmonary adenocarcinoma populations. The correlations between mutational characteristics and clinical features were analyzed, and the mutation sites for targeted medication were screened. Results: Among 104 patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma, totally 34 mutational genes were detected in 84 patients (81%, 84/104). Highly frequent mutations included epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (49%, 51/104), TP53 (21%, 22/104), KRAS (13%, 14/104), and BRAF (6%, 6/104). Among all the 187 variants, 76% (142/187) were non-synonymous missense mutations, 13% (24/187) were small fragment deletions, 6% (12/187) were copy number variants, 3% (5/187) were small fragment insertions, and 2% (4/187) were nonsense site mutations. Among 104 patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma, 34 targeted drug-associated mutations of 13 genes were detected in 68 patients (65%), and 19 (18%) patients harbored ≥ 2 targeted drug-associated mutations. EGFR mutations were more common in female patients than in male patients [62% (34/55)vs. 35% (17/49), χ²= 7.629, P= 0.006], while KRAS mutations were more frequent in male patients than in female patients [22% (11/49) vs. 5% (3/55), χ²= 6.424, P= 0.011]. The mutation frequencies of gene EGFR, TP53, KRAS, and CDKN2A in Chinese single-center (the First People's Hospital of Kunshan) and European and American adenocarcinoma populations were significantly different (all P < 0.05). Conclusions The molecular mutational characteristics of pulmonary adenocarcinoma are complex, and vary greatly among different populations. High throughput sequencing-based multiple-gene detection can reveal its mutational features comprehensively, and that has important roles in personal targeted medication guidance, drug-resistance monitoring and prognosis evaluation.