Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy for surgical treatments among patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis in Gansu Province from 2006 to 2023, so as to provide insights into optimization of the diagnosis and treatment strategies against hepatic cystic echinococcosis. Methods The demographic and clinical data of all echinococcosis cases included in central government fiscal transfer payment program for echinococcosis control and undergoing surgical treatments in Gansu Province from 2006 to 2023 were captured. Hepatic cystic echinococcosis patients with complete medical records and follow-up data were included in the study, and patients’ characteristics, including hospital where patients received diagnosis and treatment, methods of case identification, year of surgery, classification of lesions, number of lesions, size of lesions, course of disease, surgical methods, and post-surgical follow-up data. The cure and recurrence of hepatic cystic echinococcosis were evaluated according to the Guidelines for Management of Echinococcosis Patients in the Central Government Fiscal Transfer Payment Program, and the cure and recurrent rates were calculated. Results Data were collected from 1 686 surgical patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 1 222 hepatic cystic echinococcosis patients undergoing surgical treatments were included during the period from 2006 to 2022, including 1 166 cured patients (95.42%) and 88 patients with postsurgical recurrence (7.20%), and the cure rate of surgical treatments appeared a tendency towards a rise among patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis from 2008 to 2022 (χ²_trend = 19.39, P < 0.05). The cure rates of hepatic cystic echinococcosis were 100% (177/177), 94.81% (128/135) and 94.62% (861/910) among patients detected through regular physical examinations, screened by the central government fiscal transfer payment program for echinococcosis control, and those who passively sought healthcare services, respectively (χ² = 9.95, P < 0.05). The cure rates of hepatic cystic echinococcosis were 95.96% (1 046/1 090) among patients with a disease course of 2 years and less and 90.90% (120/132) among patients with a disease course of over 2 years (χ² = 6.87, P < 0.05), and there were significant differences in the cure rates among patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis in terms of number of lesions (χ² = 24.44, P < 0.05) and surgical methods (P < 0.05). The cure rate of hepatic cystic echinococcosis patients was significantly higher following initiation of the central government fiscal transfer payment program for echinococcosis control (96.06%, 1 096/1 141) than before the program (86.42%, 70/81) (χ² = 16.06, P < 0.05), and the cure rate of hepatic cystic echinococcosis patients was significantly higher in designated hospitals (96.48%, 741/768) than in non-designated hospitals (93.37%, 366/392) (χ² = 5.78, P < 0.05). The median follow-up period was 4 (interquartile range, 7) years among 1 222 hepatic cystic echinococcosis patients undergoing surgical treatments. The recurrent rate of hepatic cystic echinococcosis appeared a tendency towards a decline from 2008 to 2022 (χ²_trend = 36.86, P < 0.05), with a reduction from 23.08% (9/39) in 2008 to 1.85% (1/54) in 2021, and the post-surgical recurrence rate of hepatic cystic echinococcosis was lower following initiation of the central government fiscal transfer payment program for echinococcosis control (5.87%, 67 / 1 141) than before the program (25.93%, 21/81) (χ² = 45.51, P < 0.05). In addition, the post-surgical recurrence rate of hepatic cystic echinococcosis was higher in non-designated hospitals (10.46%, 41/392) than in designated hospitals (5.60%, 43/768) (χ² = 9.12, P < 0.05), and there was a significant difference in the post-surgical recurrence rate among patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis in terms of surgical methods (P < 0.05), with the highest recurrence rate (11.54%) seen among patients undergoing percutaneous fine-needle aspiration of cyst fluids-based surgical procedures (P < 0.05). Conclusion Since the initiation of the central government fiscal transfer payment program for echinococcosis control in Gansu Province in 2006, an increase in the surgical cure rate and a reduction in the recurrence of hepatic cystic echinococcosis had been found among patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis, indicating a high overall therapeutic efficacy.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections in wild rodents in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, so as to provide insights into formulation of technical guidelines for monitoring of and the precise control strategy for S. japonicum infections in wild rodents during the elimination phase. Methods Two administrative villages where schistosomiasis was historically highly prevalent were selected each from Dongzhi County, Anhui Province, and Duchang County, Jiangxi Province as study villages. Wild rodents were captured from study villages with baited traps or cages at night in June and September, 2021. The number of rodents captured was recorded, and the rodent species was characterized based on morphologi-cal characteristics. Liver tissues were sampled from captured rodents for macroscopical observation of the presence of egg granu- lomas, and S. japonicum infection was detected simultaneously using liver tissue homogenate microscopy, examinations of mesenteric tissues for parasites, and modified Kato-Katz thick smear technique (Kato-Katz technique). A positive S. japonicum infection was defined as detection of S. japonicum eggs or adult worms by any of these methods. The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents were compared in different study villages and at different time periods, and the detection of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents was compared by different assays. Results The overall rate of wild ro- dent capture was 8.28% (237/2 861) in Dongzhi County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 9.24% (133/1 439) and 7.31% (104/1 422) in two study villages (χ² = 3.503, P = 0.061), and were 8.59% (121/1 409) and 7.99% (116/1 452) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.337, P = 0.561). The overall rate of wild rodent capture was 3.72% (77/2 072) in Duchang County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 6.91% (67/970) and 0.91% (10/1 102) in two study villages (χ² = 51.901, P < 0.001), and were 4.13% (39/945) and 3.37% (38/1 127) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.815, P = 0.365). Rattus norvegicus was the predominant rodent species captured in both counties, accounting for 70.04% (166/237) of all captured wild rodents in Dongzhi County and 88.31% (68/77) in Duchang County. No S. japonicum infection was detected in wild rodents captured in Duchang County. Nevertheless, the overall prevalence of S. japonicum infections was 51.05% (121/237) in wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, with prevalence rates of 50.38% (67/133) and 51.92% (54/104) in two study villages (χ² = 0.098, P = 0.755), and 54.31% (63/116) and 47.93% (58/121) in September and June, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.964, P = 0.326). Of 237 wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, there were 140 (59.07%) rodents with visible hepatic egg granulomas, 117 (49.47%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs by liver tissue homogenate microscopy, 34 (14.35%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with Kato-Katz technique; however, no adult S. japonicum worms were detected in mesenteric tissues. In addition, hepatic egg granulomas were found in all wild rodents tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with liver tissue homogenate microscopy. Conclusions The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents vary greatly in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, and the prevalence of S. japonicum infection is slightly higher in wild rodents captured in autumn than in summer. Liver tissue is recommended as the preferred sample for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents, and a combination of macroscopical observation of hepatic egg granulomas and liver tissue homogenate microscopy may be a standard method for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of the multidisciplinary team （MDT） management model in improving the prognosis of patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension. MethodsA total of 86 patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension who were admitted to Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital from May 2022 to July 2024 were enrolled， and according to whether the MDT treatment regimen was implemented， they were divided into execution group with 51 patients and non-execution group with 35 patients. Baseline clinical data were collected， and the patients were observed in terms of gastrointestinal bleeding， hepatic encephalopathy， liver cancer， and death from admission to the end of follow-up （January 2025）. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups； the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival curves for the cumulative incidence rates of endpoint events （gastrointestinal bleeding， hepatic encephalopathy， liver cancer， and death）， and the Log-rank test was used for comparison between groups. The Cox proportional-hazards regression model analysis was used to investigate the effect of MDT management on the prognosis of patients. ResultsThere were significant differences between the execution group and the non-execution group in diameter of the portal vein （t=1.216， P=0.017） and ascites （χ²=4.515， P=0.034） at baseline. The patients were followed up for 14.6±6.2 months， and the survival curve analysis showed that there was a significant difference in the cumulative incidence rate of gastrointestinal bleeding between the two groups （χ²=4.573， P=0.024）， while there were no significant differences in the incidence rates of other outcome events between the two groups （all P>0.05）. The Cox regression analysis showed that the execution group had a reduced risk of gastrointestinal bleeding （hazard ratio=0.262， 95% confidence interval： 0.110 — 0.630， P=0.003）. ConclusionImplementation of the MDT treatment regimen can significantly reduce the short-term risk of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension， while its long-term benefits require further follow-up verification.

Objective To investigate the changes and clinical significance of serum kynurenine(KYN)and quinolinic acid(QA)levels in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD)complicated with major ad-verse cardiovascular events(MACE).Methods A total of 156 elderly patients with CKD treated in the Fourth People's Hospital of Taizhou from February 2022 to February 2024 were selected as the CKD group,and were divided into the MACE group(n=45)and the non-MACE group(n=111)according to whether they were complicated with MACE.A total of 80 healthy people who underwent physical examination in the Fourth People's Hospital of Taizhou during the same period were selected as the control group.High perform-ance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to measure the serum KYN and QA levels in each group.Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for MACE in elderly CKD pa-tients.The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the predictive value of serum KYN and QA for MACE in elderly CKD patients.Results The levels of KYN and QA in CKD group were higher than those in control group(P<0.05).The age,levels of C-reactive protein,24 h urinary protein,KYN and QA in MACE group were higher than those in non-MACE group(P<0.05).The increased levels of 24 h urinary protein,C-reactive protein,KYN and QA were risk factors for MACE in elderly CKD patients(P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of combined detection of serum KYN and QA for predicting MACE in elderly CKD patients was 0.920(95%CI 0.891-0.959),which was greater than the AUC of KYN[0.836(95%CI 0.804-0.879)]and QA[0.843(95%CI 0.798-0.887)]alone,and the difference was statistically significant(Z=4.023,3.897,P<0.05).Conclusion The levels of serum KYN and QA are increased in elderly CKD pa-tients with MACE,which are related to renal function.The combination of serum KYN and QA can effectively predict the risk of MACE in elderly CKD patients.

With the development of artificial intelligence and big data,indirect methods for establishing ref-erence intervals(RIs)are commonly used for special populations and special forms of RIs,including continu-ous RIs,personalized RIs,and universal RIs.This paper introduces the differences and application progress of indirect RIs algorithms based on TMC,refineR,Hoffmann,Bhattacharya,Kosmic,and provides references for indirect RIs and related clinical decisions.

Objective: To analyze the impact of parental sports concept and behavior on physical activity in preschool children, so as to provide a foundation for future guidance on fostering childrens physical activity within the family context. Methods: From November to December 2020, a clustered convenience sampling method was employed to conduct surveys, and a total of 283 children were selectal from one kindergarten each in Beijing, Shenyang, and Xian. Participating children wore ActiGraph GT9X accelerometers continuously for one week to collect data on different intensity levels of physical activity. Physical Activity afterschool Questionnaire for Preschooler (P-PAQ) was utilized to assess parental sports concept and behavior. The gender differences in physical activity level and physical activity compliance rate were analyzed by using ttest, Mann-Whitney U test, and Chisquare test; and the relationship between parental exercise concepts and behaviors and physical activity of preschool children was analyzed using Spearman rank correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Parental sports concept was significantly positively correlated with average daily moderatetovigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total physical activity (TPA) in children (r=0.12-0.16, P<0.05). Parental sports behavior was significantly positively correlated with childrens average daily TPA (r=0.25, P<0.05). Multiple linear regression revealed that parental sports concept was positively correlated with average daily MVPA and TPA in both boys and girls (B=0.65-0.83), while parental sports behavior only was positively correlated with boys average daily MVPA and TPA (B=0.24-0.25)(P<0.05). Conclusions Parental sports concept and behavior can impact physical activity levels in preschool children, exhibiting gender differences. Future guidance on physical activity in family upbringing should consider both parental sports concept and behavior, and pay attention to the influence of childrens gender.

Objective: To analyze the disease burden of acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) caused by non-typhoidal Salmonella and Vibrio Parahaemolyticus in Zhejiang Province, so as to provide the reference for the prevention and control of foodborne diseases. Methods: The detection rates of non-typhoidal Salmonella and Vibrio parahaemolyticus in 2022 were collected through the Zhejiang Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System. The number of cases, incidence and hospitalizations of AGI caused by non-typhoidal Salmonella and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were calculated. Disability-adjusted life years (DALY) were used to analyze the disease burden of AGI caused by non-typhoidal Salmonella and Vibrio parahaemolyticus among different age groups. Results: The number of AGI cases caused by non-typhoidal Salmonella in Zhejiang Province in 2022 was 889 500 person-times, the incidence rate was 1 352.42/105, the number of hospital visits was 328 900 person-times, the DALY was 972.69 (95%CI: 771.68-1 164.16) person-years, and the DALY rate was 1.48 (95%CI: 1.17-1.77) /105. The incidence rate and DALY rate were highest in the children aged under 5 years, reaching 3 989.51/105 and 13.93 (95%CI: 8.67-18.42) /105, respectively. The number of AGI cases caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Zhejiang Province was 639 400 person-times, the incidence rate of 972.16/105,the number of hospital visits was 166 800 person-times, the DALY was 509.30 (95%CI: 411.75-699.62) person-years, and the DALY rate was 0.78 (95%CI: 0.63-1.06)/105. The incidence rate and DALY rate were highest in the residents aged 45 to <65 years, reaching 1 383.55/105 and 1.27 (95%CI: 1.14-1.96)/105, respectively. Conclusions The incidence and DALY of AGI caused by non-typhoidal Salmonella were relatively high in Zhejiang Province. The AGI caused by non-typhoidal Salmonella in the children under 5 years and the AGI caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus in the residents aged 45 to <65 years need to be monitored with priority.

Objective:To analyze the clinical, genetic mutation characteristics, and treatment prognosis of type 2A hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) in China.Methods:Peripheral blood samples and clinical data of patients with primary iron overload were collected through the China Registry of Genetic/Metabolic Liver Disease from June 2015 to November 2023. HH-related genes were detected by Sanger sequencing. Clinical characteristics and gene mutation characteristics of HH patients carrying HJV gene mutations were analyzed.Results:Among the 37 cases with primary iron overload, ten cases (27.0%, 10/37) had detectable HJV gene mutations, which included four homozygous mutations, five compound heterozygous mutations, and one monoheterozygous mutation. p.Q6H and p.C321X (80.0%, 8/10) were the most common mutated sites. The average age of onset was 30.7±14.7 years. The age of diagnosis was 35.7±16.2 years, with male-to-female ratio of 7:3. Ferritin and transferrin saturation were (5 267±905) ng/ml, and 94.3%±1.2%, respectively. Magnetic resonance imaging showed iron overload in the liver, pancreas, and myocardium. Liver biopsy showed diffuse iron deposition within hepatocytes. All ten cases had elevated transaminases; one case (1/10, 10.0%) had liver cirrhosis; four cases (4/10, 40.0%) had heart failure and arrhythmia; five cases (5/10, 50.0%) had diabetes; six cases (6/10, 60.0%) had hypogonadism; six cases (6/10, 60.0%) had skin pigmentation; and six cases (6/10, 60.0%) had fatigue symptoms. All six cases underwent bloodletting therapy, and ferritin levels dropped to about 100 ng/ml. Two cases of oral administration of the iron chelator deferasirox did not meet the ferritin level standard, and one case died from acute heart failure following a confirmed diagnosis during hospitalization.Conclusion:The HJV gene may be one of the main pathogenic genes of HH in China. The p.Q6H and p.C321X mutations were one of the hotspot mutations. The onset age of HJV gene-related HH was between 20 and 30 years old, and their condition was severe. Therefore, early bloodletting treatment can have a favorable outcome.

BACKGROUND: There are few multi-city studies on the association between temperature and mortality in basin climates. This study was based on the Sichuan Basin in southwest China to assess the association of basin temperature with non-accidental mortality in the population and with the temperature-related mortality burden. METHODS: Daily mortality data, meteorological and air pollution data were collected for four cities in the Sichuan Basin of southwest China. We used a two-stage time-series analysis to quantify the association between temperature and non-accidental mortality in each city, and a multivariate meta-analysis was performed to obtain the overall cumulative risk. The attributable fractions (AFs) were calculated to access the mortality burden attributable to non-optimal temperature. Additionally, we performed a stratified analyses by gender, age group, education level, and marital status. RESULTS: A total of 751,930 non-accidental deaths were collected in our study. Overall, 10.16% of non-accidental deaths could be attributed to non-optimal temperatures. A majority of temperature-related non-accidental deaths were caused by low temperature, accounting for 9.10% (95% eCI: 5.50%, 12.19%), and heat effects accounted for only 1.06% (95% eCI: 0.76%, 1.33%). The mortality burden attributable to non-optimal temperatures was higher among those under 65 years old, females, those with a low education level, and those with an alternative marriage status. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggested that a significant association between non-optimal temperature and non-accidental mortality. Those under 65 years old, females, and those with a low educational level or alternative marriage status had the highest attributable burden.
Female ; Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Cities ; Cold Temperature ; Hot Temperature ; Mortality ; Temperature ; Time Factors ; Middle Aged ; Male

Purpose To explore the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)in the differential diagnosis of gallbladder polypoid lesions(GPLs)(diameter≥10 mm).Materials and Methods A prospective enrollment of 229 patients with GPLs who underwent cholecystectomy in 17 hospitals from December 1 2021 to June 30 2024 was conducted to analyze the relationship between general data,conventional ultrasound,CEUS characteristics and the nature of GPLs.Multivariate Logistic regression was employed to identify independent risk factors for neoplastic polyps,the differential diagnostic value of different indicators was compared.Results Among 229 patients with GPLs,there were 108 cases of cholesterol polyps,102 cases of adenoma and 19 cases of gallbladder cancer.Age(Z=-4.476,P<0.001),polyp number(χ2=15.561,P<0.001),diameter(Z=-8.149,P<0.001),echogenicity(χ2=9.241,P=0.010),vascularity(χ2=23.107,P<0.001),enhancement intensity(χ2=47.610,P<0.001),enhancement pattern(χ2=6.468,P=0.011),vascular type(χ2=84.470,P<0.001),integrity of gallbladder wall(χ2=7.662,P=0.006)and stalk width(Z=-9.831,P<0.001)between cholesterol polyps and neoplastic polyps were statistically significant.Age,location,diameter,echogenicity,enhancement pattern,vascular type and stalk width between adenoma and gallbladder cancer were statistically significant(Z=-4.333,-3.902,-5.042,all P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that hyper-enhancement,branched vascular type and stalk width were independent risk factors for neoplastic polyps(OR=4.563,5.770,3.075,all P<0.001).The combination of independent risk factors was better than single factor and diameter in the differential diagnosis of cholesterol polyps and neoplastic polyps(all P<0.01).Conclusion CEUS can effectively identify the nature of GPLs and provide a valuable imaging reference for the selection of treatment methods.