1.Human resource in disease control and prevention institutions in Jinhua City
PANG Zhifeng ; WANG Juanjuan ; SHOU Geli ; ZHANG Tao
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(5):530-535
Objective:
To investigate the personnel allocation, structure, and mobility situation of the disease prevention and control (CDC) institutions in Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province from 2018 to 2024, so as to provide insights into strengthening the construction of the talent team within CDC institutions.
Methods:
Basic information of the personnel in the CDC institutions, Jinhua City were collected through the Basic Information Subsystem of the China Disease Control and Prevention Information System. Composition of age, gender, educational background, major, professional title of the in-service and officially employed personnel, as well as the situation of personnel mobility were analyzed using descriptive methods.
Results:
A total of 10 CDCs were established in Jinhua City by the end of 2024, including 1 municipal CDC and 9 county (city, district) CDCs, with an approved staffing of 672 people and 621 in-service and officially employed staff. Compared with 2018, the approved number of staff positions in the CDC institutions of Jinhua City increased by 21.30% in 2024, and the number of in-service and officially employed staff members increased by 22.73%. From 2018 to 2024, the number of CDC staff per 10 000 permanent residents in the CDC institutions of Jinhua City, the municipal CDC, and the county (city, district) CDCs were 0.764 to 0.932, 0.142 to 0.173, and 0.623 to 0.759, respectively. From 2018 to 2024, the overall male-to-female ratio in both the municipal CDC and the county (city, district) CDCs decreased from 1.04∶1 and 0.84∶1 to 0.95∶1 and 0.75∶1, respectively. In the municipal CDC, the proportion of staff aged 25-<45 years old increased from 57.45% to 69.02%; the proportion of staff with a bachelor's degree or above increased from 79.79% to 93.81%; the proportion of staff majoring in public health increased from 37.23% to 49.56%; the proportions of staff with various professional titles were relatively stable; 51 staff members joined, all of whom had a bachelor's degree or above; 32 staff members left, among whom 24 retired and 6 were admitted to civil service positions or other units. In the county (city, district) CDCs, the proportion of staff aged 22-<35 years old increased from 30.59% to 37.40%; the proportion of staff with a bachelor's degree or above increased from 71.85% to 89.76%; the proportion of staff majoring in public health increased from 46.60% to 54.33%; the proportion of staff with a junior professional title or below increased from 34.47% to 43.50%; 198 staff members joined, and 194 of them had a bachelor's degree or above; 102 staff members left, among whom 67 retired and 28 were admitted to civil service positions or other units.
Conclusions
From 2018 to 2024, the number of in-service and officially employed staff in Jinhua CDC institutions increased the academic qualifications and professional composition continue to improve. There are still problems with the number of CDC staff per 10 000 permanent residents being lower than the standard for the personnel establishment in Zhejiang CDCs, a lack of high-level talents, and insufficient personnel stability.
2.Epidemiological investigation of one imported cholera epidemic in Shenzhen in 2024
ZHANG Sheng ; MA Ziqi ; MA Zhifeng
China Tropical Medicine 2025;25(2):253-
Objective To conduct an epidemiological investigation and analysis on one imported cholera case in Shenzhen in 2024, providing a reference for cholera prevention and control. Methods A cholera case and 86 close contacts in 2024 were investigated using methods of field epidemiological investigation. Real-time RT-PCR was employed for Vibrio cholerae nucleic acid detection and typing of collected specimens, followed by isolation culture, whole genome sequencing and analysis. Results One severe cholera case was confirmed in an Indian businessman, who recovered and was discharged after rescue and rehabilitation. The pathogen was identified as the toxigenic strain of Vibrio cholerae O1 serotype Ogawa, and genetic evolution analysis showed that it had a very close genetic relationship with Vibrio cholerae isolated from multiple countries such as Bangladesh and Pakistan. Among the 86 close contacts under medical observation, no abnormalities were found. A total of 75 close contact specimens and 38 environment smear specimens from epidemic sites were collected, all testing negative. Conclusion This is an imported cholera epidemic originating from India. The sensitivity of medical institutions to monitoring key infectious diseases such as cholera needs to be improved.
3.Prediction of hypertension risk by Chinese visceral adiposity index
BAI Kaizhi ; ZHANG Guangming ; WU Xiaohong ; WANG Xiaohong ; XU Zelin ; PANG Zhifeng
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(11):1119-1123
Objective:
To investigate the value of the Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI) in predicting hypertension risk, so as to provide a tool for the early assessment of hypertension risk.
Methods:
Health examination individuals aged ≥18 years were selected from four medical institutes in Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province in 2022. Data on basic information, lifestyle, disease history, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, and blood biochemical indicators were collected through questionnaire surveys and physical examinations. CVAI was calculated to assess levels of visceral fat accumulation, divided by quartiles into Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups. The relationship between CVAI and hypertension was analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model, and their dose-response relationship was examined using a restricted cubic spline model. The value of CVAI in predicting hypertension risk was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.
Results:
A total of 23 791 individuals were enrolled, with a median age of 68.00 (interquartile range, 14.00) years. Among them, 10 178 (42.78%) were males and 13 613 (57.22%) were females. The median CVAI was 111.40 (interquartile range, 48.23). Hypertension was identified in 15 563 cases, with a prevalence of 65.42%. After adjusting for lifestyle, disease history, and blood biochemical indicators, the multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that hypertension risk in the CVAI Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups were 2.012 (95%CI: 1.865-2.170), 3.059 (95%CI: 2.826-3.311), and 5.099 (95%CI: 4.672-5.565) times that of the Q1 group, respectively. The restricted cubic spline model revealed a non-linear relationship between CVAI and hypertension risk (Pnon linearity<0.05). Hypertension risk increased more rapidly when the CVAI was ≥81.03. The area under the ROC curve for CVAI in predicting hypertension risk was 0.691, with an optimal cutoff value of 106.01, which falls within the Q2 group.
Conclusions
There was a nonlinear dose-response relationship between CVAI and hypertension. CVAI can predict the risk of hypertension, and 106.01 can serve as an early warning threshold for risk screening.
5.EGR2 maintains neuropathic pain by promoting microglial phagocytosis.
Caiyun XI ; Jianxi ZHANG ; Zhifeng HUANG ; Liqiong HE ; Kailu ZOU ; Xiaoping XU ; Qulian GUO ; Bei SUN ; Changsheng HUANG
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(4):586-601
OBJECTIVES:
Neuropathic pain (NP) is one of the most common forms of chronic pain, yet current treatment options are limited in effectiveness. Peripheral nerve injury activates spinal microglia, altering their inflammatory response and phagocytic functions, which contributes to the progression of NP. Most current research on NP focuses on microglial inflammation, with relatively little attention to their phagocytic function. Early growth response factor 2 (EGR2) has been shown to regulate microglial phagocytosis, but its specific role in NP remains unclear. This study aims to investigate how EGR2 modulates microglial phagocytosis and its involvement in NP, with the goal of identifying potential therapeutic targets.
METHODS:
Adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used to establish a chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of the sciatic nerve. Pain behaviors were assessed on days 1, 3, 7, 10, and 14 post-surgery to confirm successful model induction. The temporal and spatial expression of EGR2 in the spinal cord was examined using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), Western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) was used to overexpress EGR2 in the spinal cord, and behavioral assessments were performed to evaluate the effects of EGR2 modulation of NP. CCI and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) models were established in animals and microglial cell lines, respectively, and changes in phagocytic activity were measured using RT-qPCR and fluorescent latex bead uptake assays. After confirming the involvement of microglial phagocytosis in NP, AAV was used to overexpress EGR2 in both in vivo and in vitro models, and phagocytic activity was further evaluated. Finally, eukaryotic transcriptome sequencing was conducted to screen differentially expressed mRNAs, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses to identify potential downstream effectors of EGR2.
RESULTS:
The CCI model successfully induced NP. Following CCI, EGR2 expression in the spinal cord was upregulated in parallel with NP development. Overexpression of EGR2 via spinal AAV injection enhanced microglial phagocytic activity and increased pain hypersensitivity in rats. Both animal and cellular models showed that CCI or LPS stimulation enhanced microglial phagocytosis, which was further amplified by EGR2 overexpression. Transcriptomic analysis of spinal cord tissues from CCI rats overexpressing EGR2 revealed upregulation of numerous genes associated with microglial phagocytosis and pain regulation. Among them, Lag3 emerged as a potential downstream target of EGR2.
CONCLUSIONS
EGR2 contributes to the maintenance of NP by enhancing microglial phagocytosis in the spinal dorsal horn.
Animals
;
Microglia/metabolism*
;
Phagocytosis/physiology*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Neuralgia/physiopathology*
;
Early Growth Response Protein 2/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Rats
;
Spinal Cord/metabolism*
;
Sciatic Nerve/injuries*
6.Facilitation of mucosal healing by estrogen receptor β in ulcerative colitis through suppression of branched-chain amino acid transport and subsequent triggering of autophagy in colonic epithelial cells.
Yilei GUO ; Yanrong ZHU ; Jing ZHANG ; Yue HE ; Mianjiang ZHAO ; Haochang LIN ; Zhifeng WEI ; Yufeng XIA ; Yue DAI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):168-187
Colonic mucosal healing is the ultimate goal of ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment, but it remains difficult to realize. Given the higher incidence of UC in males and the beneficial effect of estrogen on UC, we conducted this study to examine the therapeutic potential of estrogen receptor β (ERβ), the primary ER subtype in colon, on mucosal healing in UC. Our study is the first to report that ERβ activation degree was positively correlated with mucosal healing in patients with UC. Furthermore, ERβ activation enhanced mucosal healing in mice with dextran sulfate sodium-induced and biopsy-induced colonic injuries. Mechanistically, ERβ activation promoted autophagy of colonic epithelial cells by inhibiting branched-chain amino acid transport, leading to focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activation. Activated FAK promoted focal adhesion turnover and colonic epithelial cell migration, ultimately facilitating mucosal healing. ERβ -/- colitis mice exhibited impaired mucosal healing compared to wild-type littermates, highlighting the crucial effect of ERβ. Importantly, combination with ERβ-agonist diarylpropionitrile enhanced the amelioration of 5-aminosalicylic acid, a standard UC treatment agent, against mouse colitis. These findings attest to the crucial role of ERβ activation in colonic mucosal healing and may further inform the development of novel strategies for UC treatment.
7.Meta-analysis of sealants versus fluoride varnishes for the prevention of occlusal surface caries in children's first permanent molars.
Jingya HAN ; Yajun ZHANG ; Mengzhen JI ; Jingfei SUN ; Shuhan JIA ; Zhifeng WANG
West China Journal of Stomatology 2025;43(3):383-394
OBJECTIVES:
To assess the effectiveness of the comparison between pit and fissure sealants and fluoride varnishes, as well as various types of sealants, in preventing caries on the occlusal surface of children's first permanent molars (FPM).
METHODS:
Conduct a comprehensive search of literature published between January 1, 1988, and May 30, 2024, in the following databases: China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, China Science Periodical Database and China Biology Medicine database. Meta-analysis and subgroup analyses were performed on the literature that met the inclusion criteria.
RESULTS:
A total of 5 618 pieces of literature were retrieved, resulting in the inclusion of 14 in the study. Meta-analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the efficacy between varies pit and fissure sealants compared to fluoride varnishes, and between varies types of sealants in preventing caries on the occlusal surface of children's first permanent molars within 24 months post-surgery (P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Within 24 months, there was no significant difference in the effectiveness of using resin-based or glass iomomer pit and fissure sealants compared with fluoride varnishes in preventing occlusal caries in FPM in children; within 24 months, there was no significant difference in the effectiveness of using resin-based sealants compared with ART sealants in preventing occlusal caries in FPM in children. ART sealants are recommended over resin-based sealers for children who have no conditions for chair-side manipulation or who are poorly co-operative.
Humans
;
Pit and Fissure Sealants/therapeutic use*
;
Dental Caries/prevention & control*
;
Molar
;
Child
;
Fluorides, Topical/therapeutic use*
;
Dentition, Permanent
8.Mechanistic insights into “Three Methods and Three Acupoints” Tuina therapy for improving spinal microcirculation and motor function in sciatic nerve injury model rats
Hanyu Zhang ; Yingqi Zhang ; Hourong Wang ; Jiayue Liu ; Jiawei Sun ; Jinping Chen ; Zhifeng Liu ; Tianyuan Yu ; Jian Shu
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2025;2025(1):125-134
Objective:
To investigate the effects of “Three Methods and Three Acupoints” (TMTP) Tuina therapy on spinal microcirculation in sciatic nerve injury (SNI).
Methods:
Thirty-six Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: normal, sham operation, model, and TMTP Tuina. Successful model induction was confirmed by observable hind limb lameness. After 20 sessions, hind limb grip strength and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) were measured at baseline and following the 10th and 20th intervention. CD31 and α-SMA in the ventral horn of SNI model rats were detected using immunofluorescence. Motor neurons in the ventral horn were detected by Nissl staining. PTEN levels in the ventral horn were measured by ELISA, and PI3K, Akt, BDNF, VEGF, and HIF-1α expression was determined by RT-PCR. Spinal cord microcirculation was evaluated by western blotting analysis of the levels of Akt, p-Akt, BDNF, and VEGF.
Results:
Hind limb grip strength and MNCV significantly improved in the TMTP Tuina group compared to the model group (both P < .001). Morphology of ventral horn motor neurons in the TMTP Tuina group improved compared to the model group, with increased expressions of α-SMA (P = .002) and CD31 (P = .006). Western blot analysis indicated increased expression of VEGF (P = .005), p-Akt (P < .001), and BDNF (P = .008) in the ventral horn following Tuina treatment. RT-PCR analysis revealed increased expression of PI3K, Akt, BDNF, VEGF and HIF-1α (all P < .05). In contrast, expression of PTEN decreased compared to the model group (P < .001).
Conclusion
TMTP Tuina therapy may restore motor function in rats, enhance ventral horn motor neuron morphology, and promote angiogenesis and vascular smooth muscle proliferation. The mechanism may involve the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
9.Analysis of external quality assessment in laboratory of workplace on-site sampling and testing skills in occupational health technical service institutions in China in 2023
Zhifeng HUANG ; Zuokan LIN ; Weihui WANG ; Ziqun ZHANG ; Chuan WU ; Weifeng RONG ; Banghua WU
China Occupational Medicine 2024;51(3):320-324
Objective To analyze the problems and differences in workplace on-site sampling and testing skills in external quality assessment in laboratory among occupational health technical service institutions. Methods A total of 108 occupational health technical service institutions nationwide, participated in the external quality assessment in laboratory of the on-site individual sampling operation skills for silica dust (hereinafter refer to as "silica dust sampling assessment") and on-site detection operation skills for carbon monoxide (hereinafter refer to as " carbon monoxide sampling assessment") in 2023, were selected as the research subjects. The result of the assessment was analyzed. Results The qualification rate of the institutions for the silica dust sampling assessment was 98.1%. The unqualified rate of institutions in the Pearl River Delta region was lower than that in non-Pearl River Delta regions (0.0% vs 11.1%, P<0.017). The excellence rate was higher in public institutions than that in private enterprises (73.5% vs 40.0%, P<0.017). The unqualified rate of institutions with permit was lower than that of institutions without permit (0.0% vs 13.3%, P<0.05). The qualification rate of the institutions for the carbon monoxide sampling assessment was 79.4%. The proportion of the institutes, whose results of carbon monoxide standard gas (gas bag) deviation was >±20.0% was higher in private enterprises than that in public institutions (32.8% vs 7.1%, P<0.017). In terms of the normativity of on-site individual sampling for silica dust, the rates of conducting air tightness checks before sampling, correct disassembly and installation and correct placement direction of dust sampling heads, and correct flow for calibration based on the provided dust sampling heads were low, at 53.7%, 33.3%, and 14.8%, respectively. In terms of the normativity of on-site detection of carbon monoxide, the accuracy rate of converting results by on-site detection individuals was low, at only 57.8%. ConclusionIt is necessary to further strengthen the training of theoretical knowledge and practical skills of individuals in occupational health technical service institutions in Guangdong Province, especially to enhance the capacity of occupational health technical services in non-Pearl River Delta regions of the province.
10.Comparison of the anorectal function before and after neoadjuvant radiotherapy in mid-low rectal cancer: a retrospective observational study from single center
Zhen SUN ; Zhifeng WANG ; Xiyu SUN ; Lai XU ; Guannan ZHANG ; Junyang LU ; Yi XIAO
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2024;27(1):63-68
Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of neoadjuvant radiotherapy on anorectal function of patients with mid-low rectal cancer by means of high-resolution anorectal manometry.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted. Information on patients with mid-low rectal cancer was collected from the prospective registry database of Rectal Cancer at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) from June 2020 to April 2023. Anorectal functions were detected using three-dimensional high-resolution manometry system. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with the changed anorectal manometry.Results:A total of 45 patients with mid-low rectal cancer were included in the study. Thirty-two (71.1%) patients were male, 13 (28.9%) patients were female. The mean age was 60±11 years, and the mean BMI was 23.4±3.7 kg/m 2. The mean distance between the lower edge of the tumor and the anal verge was 5.4±1.5 cm. The median size of the tumor was 3.4 (2.9-4.5) cm, and the median circumferential extent of the tumor was 66.0 (45.5-75.0) %. 41 (81.1%) patients were MRI T3-4 and 40 (88.9%) patients were MRI N positive. The resting pressure has a decreasing trend after neoadjuvant radiotherapy (55.3±32.0 mmHg vs. 48.0±28.5 mmHg, t=1.930, P=0.060). There was no significant change in maximum squeezing and the length of the high-pressure zone after neoadjuvant radiotherapy. All volumes describing rectal sensitivity (first sensation, desire to defecate, and maximum tolerance) were lower after neoadjuvant radiotherapy. And maximum tolerance was significantly lower (66.0 [49.0,88.0] ml vs. 52.0 [39.0,73.5] ml, Z=-2.481, P=0.013). Univariate analysis demonstrated that the downstage of N-stage was associated with the decrease in maximum tolerance (OR=6.533, 95%CI:1.254-34.051, P=0.026). Conclusion:Neoadjuvant radiotherapy damages anorectal function by decreasing the resting pressure and rectal sensory threshold of patients. The N-stage downstaging was associated with a decrease in maximum tolerance.


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