Objective To analyze the situation of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) ownership in malaria-endemic African countries from 2010 to 2023, so as to provide insights into China’s deeper participation in malaria control in Africa. Methods The study period from 2010 to 2023 was divided into three phases: the baseline phase (from 2010 to 2015), the middle phase (from 2016 to 2019), and the final phase (from 2020 to 2023), a total of 11 African countries with at least one Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) in each phase were included. Data pertaining to ITNs in 33 surveys of the above 11 African counties from 2010 to 2023 were captured from the DHS database, and the proportions of sources of ITNs and ITN ownership in each phase (number of ITNs ownership per person, overall ownership rate, and ownership rate per two residents) were calculated. The differences in numbers of ITNs per person between urban and rural areas and specified by socioeconomic status were analyzed. Results The proportions of ITNs from distribution campaigns were 60.24% to 94.01% and 50.46% to 85.04% in 11 African countries in the middle and final phases, respectively. The median numbers (interquartile range) of INTs ownership per person were 0.22 (0.50), 0.33 (0.50) and 0.33 (0.50) in the baseline, middle, and final phases, and the overall ownership rates [95% confidence interval (CI)] were 59.77% (59.50%, 60.05%), 70.32% (70.06%, 70.57%), and 69.21% (68.95%, 69.47%), while the ownership rates per two residents were 26.91% (26.66%, 27.16%), 38.07% (37.80%, 38.34%), and 36.56% (36.29%, 36.84%), respectively. The number of ITNs per person showed a significant increase followed by a significant decrease in 7 countries during all three phases (H = 102.518 to 2 327.440, all P < 0.05; Z = -48.886 to -4.653, all P < 0.016 7 after Bonferroni correction). In 33 surveys, there were 31 (Z = -26.719 to -2.472, P < 0.05) and 28 surveys (Z = -27.316 to -4.068, P < 0.001) with significant differences in numbers of ITNs ownership per person between households in urban and rural areas and with different socioeconomic status, including 20 surveys with a significantly higher number of ITNs ownership per person in households in rural areas than in urban areas, and 17 surveys with a significantly higher number of ITNs ownership per person among the poorest households than among the richest households. Conclusions There are substantial disparities in ITNs ownership in 11 African countries. Intensified co-operation on malaria prevention and control measures, such as ITNs, is recommended between China and African countries to build a global community of health for all.

To investigate the effects of Pithecellobium clypearia extract on the tissue structure,in-flammatory lesions as well as microbial diversity in the intestinal of yellow-feathered broilers.2401-day-old yellow-feathered broilers were randomly divided into four groups(groups A,B,C and D),groups A,B and C were supplemented with Pithecellobium clypearia extract in basal diets with concentrations of 0.5,1.0 and 2.0 g/kg,respectively.Group D served as the control group without adding Pithecellobium clypearia extract in diets,and the full trial period lasted for 70 d.Duodenum and jejunum samples were collected on the 20th,40th and 70th days of the test,the vil-lous/crypt ratio of duodenum and jejunum were calculated,and the mRNA expression level of in-flammatory cytokine as well as related pathways were detected in each group,respectively.In addition,the contents of cecum were collected at 70 th day of the experiment and the microbial di-versity in cecum were also analysed by 16S rDNA sequencing.The results showed that adding 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg of Pithecellobium clypearia extract in the diet could significantly increase the veloci-ty height/crypt depth ratio of duodenum and jejunum(P＜0.05)compared to control group,as well as the mRNA expression level of tight junction protein(CLDN1 and CLDN5)in jejunum,which further improved the structure of mucous of intestinal.Pithecellobium clypearia extract could significantly(P＜0.05)decrease the mRNA expression level of inflammatory cytokine inclu-ding IL-1β,IL-8 and TNF-α,as well as the related pathway genes such as TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB in jejunum,thus reduced the inflammatory lesions in intestinal.Pithecellobium clypearia ex-tract also could significantly increase the abundance of beneficial microbial such as Parabacteroide and Prevotellaceae,while significantly decrease the abundance of pathogenic microbial such as Proteobacteria in cecum(P＜0.05)and improve the microbial diversity in intestinal.In summary,Pithecellobium clypearia extract could improve the structure of intestinal tissue and the gut barri-er function,as well as the microbial diversity in cecum,and also decrease the inflammatory lesions in jejunum,which is helpful to the intestinal health for yellow-feathered broilers.The present study provides scientific basis for the development of Pithecellobium clypearia as a safe feed additive in the future.

Hand osteoarthritis(HOA)is a disease of hand joint disorders,mainly manifested by hand interphalangeal joint and thumb carpal metacarpal joint pain,swelling,morning stiffness,limited movement,and even deformity,belonging to the category of TCM"bone arthralgia".The authors believe that HOA is more common with Taiyang Shaoyang disease,suitable for simultaneous treatment for Taiyang and Shaoyang,to operate the cardinal,regulate qi,blood,nutritive and defensive levels,dispel wind and cold,remove dampness and arthralgia,using modified Chaihu Guizhi Decoction,with confirmed efficacy.

Lumbar disc herniation is mainly manifested as lower back pain,numbness,weakness,and radiating pain in the lower limbs,which seriously affects the patients'work and quality of life.In clinical practice,it has been found that this disease always belongs to the category of deficiency in healthy qi and excess in pathogenic factors,often accompanied by kidney deficiency and cold dampness.Kidney deficiency is the root cause,while cold dampness is the symptoms.The two factors interact with each other and cause back pain.The treatment is based on dispersing cold and dampness,tonifying the kidneys and strengthening the waist,and the classic ancient formula Shenzhuo Powder is safe and effective.

Objective    To investigate the safety and effectiveness of minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (MICABG) through comparing the perioperative clinical effects of conventional surgery and MICABG. Methods    A total of 543 patients in the single medical group of Beijing Anzhen Hospital who underwent beating coronary artery bypass grafting from January 2017 to September 2020 were collected, including 161 patients receiving MICABG (a minimally invasive group, 143 males and 18 females, aged 60.08±9.21 years), 382 patients receiving median thoracotomy (a conventional group, 284 males and 98 females, aged 61.68±8.81 years). The propensity score was used to match 143 patients in each of the two groups, and the perioperative data of the two groups were summarized and analyzed. Results    There was no death, perioperative myocardial infarction or stroke in the minimally invasive group. Compared with the conventional group, the minimally invasive group had longer operation time (296.36±89.4 min vs. 217.80±50.63 min, P=0.000), less number of bypass grafts (2.86±1.03 vs. 3.17±0.78, P=0.005), shorter postoperative hospital stay (6.29±1.46 d vs. 6.78±2.61 d, P=0.031), less drainage on postoperative day 1 (339.57±180.63 mL vs. 441.92±262.63 mL, P=0.001) and lower usage rate of inotropic drugs (9.09% vs. 26.57%, P=0.001). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in postoperative ICU stay ventilator assistance time, blood transfusion rate, secondary thoracotomy rate, or use of mechanical equipment. Conclusion    Reasonable clinical strategies can ensure the satisfactory overall safety of MICABG. In addition, it has the advantages of shorter postoperative hospital stay, less bleeding and smaller dosage of inotropic drugs.

Objective    To study the learning curve of minimal invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (MICS CABG) and the influence on the perioperative clinical effects by analyzing operation time. Methods    From March 2012 to November 2020, 212 patients underwent MICS CABG by the same surgeon. Among them, 59 patients (52 males and average age of 62.89±8.27 years) with single vessel bypass grafting were as a single-vessel group and 153 patients (138 males, average age of 59.80±9.22 years) with multi-vessel bypass grafting were as a multi-vessel group. Two sets of operation time-operation sequence scatter plots were made and learning curve was analyzed by cumulative summation (CUSUM) and regression method of operation time. The surgical data of each group before and after the inflection point of the learning curve were compared with the main clinical outcome events within 30 days after surgery. Results    There was no death, perioperative myocardial infarction and stroke in 212 MICS CABG patients and no transfer to cardiopulmonary bypass or redo thoracotomy. The learning curve conformed to the cubic fitting formula. In the single- vessel group, CUSUM (x operation number)=–1.93+93.45×x–2.33×x2+0.01×x3, P=0.000, R2=0.986, the tipping point was 27 patients. In the multi-vessel group, CUSUM (x)=y=2.87+1.15×x–1.29× x2+3.463×x3, P=0.000, R2=0.993, and the tipping point was 59 patients. The two sets of case data were compared before and after the learning curve and there was no statistical difference in main clinical outcomes within 30 days (mortality, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, perioperative blood transfusion rate), ventilator tube, and intensive care unit retention. Conclusion    The learning curve of MICS CABG conforms to the cubic formula, and the process transitions from single to multiple vessels bypass. To enter the mature stage of the learning phase, a certain number of patients need to be done. Reasonable surgical procedures and quality control measures can ensure the safety during the learning phase.

Objective:To summarize the clinical experience of transurethral columnar balloon dilation of prostate (TUCBDP) in the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).Methods:A retrospective analysis of 379 BPH clinical data from the Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine using TUCBDP was performed between June 2015 and June 2018.Their age was (71.3±14.5)years old. The history of disease ranged from 1 month to 36 years. The prostate volume was(47.4±2.1) ml. Preoperative maximum urinary flow rate was (Q max)(9±4) ml/s, postvoid residual urine(PVR) was (123.1±72.4) ml. Their international prostate symptom score (IPSS) was (21±6) points. The quality of life score (QOL)was (5±1) points. The international index erectile function questionnaire (IIEF-5)in 32 patients, who had sex before surgery, was 15±4. We set the time of catheter structure improvement in June 2016 as the boundary, including the early stage (June 2015 to May 2016, 121 cases) and the recent stage (June 2016 to June 2018, 258 patients). In the early stage, the principle of operation is the inner balloon of the catheter to dilate the membrane urethra, and the outer balloon to dilate the urethra of the prostate and the bladder neck. The main surgical steps include the insertion of a dilatation catheter, localization by touching the skin of the scrotum bottom, the inner and outer balloon are filled with water, the first time of drainage and decompression in the inner and outer balloon, the catheter continuous irrigation, drainage and decompression of the inner and outer balloon again, removing the dilatation catheter, and the ordinary urinary catheter was replaced and continuous irrigation. In the recent stage, the principle of surgery is that the inner balloon only served for positioning and fixation. The outer balloon is used to dilate the membrane urethra, prostate urethra, and bladder neck. The inner and outer balloon are drained and decompressed at one time after surgery. The main surgical steps are that the resectoscope was used to examine the bladder and urethra and to guide the dilatation catheter into the bladder. The apex of the prostate touching was used to conform the location. The inner balloon water filling was used for fix the positioning. The inner and outer balloon are filled with water, decompressed and pulled out for urination test, the gland expansion is observed under the resectoscope, and ordinary urinary catheter is replaced for continuous flushing. We observed the changes in Q max, PVR, IPSS, and QOL at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after the operation. the complications differences in two-stage patien, including the International Incontinence Advisory Committee Urinary Incontinence Questionnaire (ICI-Q-SF) score; those who had sex before surgery were recorded changes in the IIEF-5 score, was compared. Results:There were no deaths during and after operation in this study. The operation time was (18.5±6.7) min. The number of follow-up cases at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after operation were 326, 253, 201, 194, and 181, respectively. The Q max at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after operation were (17±9)ml/s, (15±2)ml/s, (12±4)ml/s, (13±6)ml/s and (13±4)ml/s, respectively. The PVR were (17.4± 11.6) ml, (20.6±9.8)ml, (25.4±13.1)ml, (31.5±11.5)ml, and (29.1±12.4)ml, respectively. The IPSS were(7±5) points, (4±4) points, (4±4) points, (6±5) points, (4±4) points, respectively. The QOL were (2±1) points, (2±1) points, (2±1) points, (2±1) points, and (2±1), respectively. All those results that were significantly different from those before surgery ( P<0.05). There were 32 patients who had sex before the operation. The postoperative IIEF-5 score was (17± 6), which was not significantly different from that before the operation ( P>0.05). Two patients had transient retrograde ejaculation, which relieved spontaneously within the 6 month. 4 cases with pseudourinary incontinence in the recent stage (1.5%) were not statistically different from 6 cases (4.9%) in the early stage ( P>0.05). one case(0.4%) of major bleeding in the recent stage was statistically different from 6 cases (4.9%) in the early stage ( P<0.05). 2 cases (0.7%) of patients with acute urinary retention in the recent stage were significantly different from 15 cases (12.4%) in the early stage ( P<0.05). Conclusions:TUCBDP has a positive overall effect and high safety. The major complications of surgery in the recent stage, except for pseudo-urinary incontinence, are significantly lower than that in the early stage, which may be related to the improvement of the catheter structure and the accumulation of clinical experience.

Objective:To evaluate the oncologic and functional outcomes of postcricoid carcinoma treated by surgical treatment, and to summarize our clinical experience in surgical treatment and reconstructive techniques.Methods:Medical files of 45 patients were collected and retrospectively analyzed. The patients received surgical treatments between January 2010 and May 2017 in the Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, including 39 males and 6 females, the age ranged from 41 to 78 years old. T1, T2, T3 and T4 staging tumors represented respectively for 2,13,23 and 7 cases. And cervical metastasis was histologically identified in 33 cases (8 for N1 and 25 for N2). Advanced staging patients (10 in Stage Ⅲ and 30 in Stage Ⅳ) accounted for 88.9% of the cohort, while early staging cases (1 in Stage Ⅰand 4 in Stage Ⅱ) for 10.1%. All patients received cervical lymph node dissection. After tumor excision without compromising margins, hypopharyngeal functions were reconstructed by residual mucosa, pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, laryngotracheal tissue flap or gastric tissue flap, and laryngeal functions were reconstructed by epiglottis, sternohyoid myofascial flap or thyroid perichondrium. Survival rates were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method.Results:Postoperatively 23 patients received radiotherapy and 13 patients received chemoradiotherapy. All patients were followed up for more than 3 years. Total 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 60.5% and 49.0%, respectively. Patients obtaining the conservation of laryngeal functions accounted for 44% (20/45) of all cases. The neck lymph node positive rate was 73.3%(33/45), and log-rank test demonstrated that cervical lymph node metastasis was significantly associated with prognosis of patients (χ 2=4.364, P=0.037). Conclusion:Appropriate surgical approaches and excision methods and comprehensive application of flaps are critical to precise tumor excision and reconstruction of laryngeal functions, thereby improving the quality of life of patients with posterior carcinoma.

Objective: To summarize clinical experience in surgical treatment of supraglottic carcinoma and reconstructive techniques. Methods: Medical files of 184 patients (173 men, 11 women) were collected and retrospectively analyzed, who underwent surgeries between January 2008 and December 2012 at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University. Among them, T1, T2, T3 and T4 staging tumors accounted respectively for 14.1% (26/184), 41.9%(77/184), 31.5%(58/184) and 12.5%(23/184). Cervical metastasis was histologically identified in 86 cases (98 for N0, 31 for N1 and 55 for N2). Advanced cases (56 cases at stage Ⅲ and 67 at stage Ⅳ), early cases (22 at stage Ⅰ and 39 at stage Ⅱ) accounted respectively for 66.8% and 33.2%. Supraglottic horizontal laryngectomy or total laryngectomy was performed to allow for tumor excision without compromising margins and the tongue flap or sternohyoidmyofascial flap was subsequently used for repairing the defect after removal of tumor. Survival rates were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Patients receiving conservation laryngeal surgery accounted for 75.5% (139/184). The 3-year and 5-year survival rates for all cases were 84.2% and 70.7%, respectively. Log-rank test demonstrated that cervical lymph node metastasis, primary tumor staging and clinical TNM staging were significantly associated with prognoses of patients (P=0.003, 0.010, 0.035). Dysphagia was not observed in any case and speech function was maintained in petients with partial laryngectomy. Conclusion Adequate pre-operative evaluation, individualized treatment, and comprehensive application of flaps for repair are critical to precise tumor excision and reconstruction of laryngeal functions.