ObjectiveTo investigate the current status of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among the elderly population in rural areas of Changxing County, Zhejiang Province, and to provide an evidence for the development of LTBI prevention and control measures. MethodsBetween January and May 2024, elderly individuals participating in urban and rural residents’ health checkups were screened for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection using a domestically produced interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) kit. Individuals tested positive by IGRA but without active tuberculosis were classified as LTBI cases. The prevalence of LTBI among the participants was subsequently analyzed. ResultsAmong the 6 765 subjects, 637 tested positive by IGRA, including one identified active tuberculosis patient, resulting in a LTBI prevalence rate of 9.40%. There was a statistically significant difference in positivity rates across different IGRA methodologies (χ²=35.530, P<0.001). Higher LTBI rate was observed in males, individuals with a history of diabetes mellitus, and those with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis, exhibiting statistically significant differences (χ²=32.401, P<0.001; χ²=5.789, P=0.020; χ²=39.248, P<0.001, respectively.) No statistically significant difference in LTBI rate was found across different age groups (χ²=0.238, P=0.971). ConclusionThe prevalence of LTBI among the elderly rural residents in Changxing County is relatively low. Male, individuals with a history of diabetes mellitus, and those with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis have an increased risk of LTBI, warranting targeted risk monitoring and timely interventions.

AIM: To investigate the effect of a new type of rhinodacryocystostomy combined with fluticasone propionate on patients with chronic dacryocystitis.METHODS: A total of 100 patients(100 eyes)with chronic dacryocystitis who admitted to our hospital between January 2021 and December 2022 were enrolled in the prospective study. The patients in the study were divided into a control group(n=50)and an observation group(n=50)based on their admission order and number. Patients in the control group were treated with novel rhinodacryocystostomy, while patients in the observation group were treated with a new type of rhinodacryocystostomy combined with fluticasone propionate. The preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), quality of life score, and recurrence of chronic dacryocystitis were compared between the two groups of patients.RESULTS: All patients completed the postoperative 6 mo follow-up, and the total effective rate of patients in the observation group was better than that of patients in the control group(98% vs 84%, P=0.001). There was no significant difference in preoperative and postoperative BCVA between the two groups(P>0.05). Preoperatively, there was no significant difference in the quality of life scores between the two groups of patients(P>0.05); At 6 mo postoperatively, the quality of life scores of patients in the control group, including physical function, psychological function, social function, and material life status, were lower than those in the observation group(all P<0.001). There were 9 recurrences in the control group(18%)and 1 in the observation group(2%), and there was statistical significance in the postoperative recurrence rate between the two groups(χ2=-2.739, P=0.001).CONCLUSION: The new type of rhinodacryocystostomy combined with fluticasone propionate treatment for chronic dacryocystitis patients has a good therapeutic effect, can improve the quality of life of patients, and reduce the probability of disease recurrence.

Antibiotics are playing an increasingly important role in clinical antibacterial applications. However, their abuse has also brought toxic and side effects, drug-resistant pathogens, decreased immunity and other problems. New antibacterial schemes in clinic are urgently needed. In recent years, nano-metals and their oxides have attracted wide attention due to their broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Nano-silver, nano-copper, nano-zinc and their oxides are gradually applied in biomedical field. In this study, the classification and basic properties of nano-metallic materials such as conductivity, superplasticity, catalysis, and antibacterial activities were firstly introduced. Secondly, the common preparation techniques, including physical, chemical and biological methods, were summarized. Subsequently, four main antibacterial mechanisms, such as cell membrane, oxidative stress, DNA destruction and cell respiration reduction, were summarized. Finally, the effect of size, shape, concentration and surface chemical characteristics of nano-metals and their oxides on antibacterial effectiveness and the research status of biological safety such as cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and reproductive toxicity were reviewed. At present, although nano-metals and their oxides have been applied in medical antibacterial, cancer treatment and other clinical fields, some issues such as the development of green preparation technology, the understanding of antibacterial mechanism, the improvement of biosafety, and the expansion of application fields, require further exploration.
Oxides/chemistry* ; Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry* ; Zinc ; Copper

Objective: To examine the correlation between frailty and lifestyle factors among middle-aged and elderly populations, so as to provide insights into the management of frailty among middle-aged and elderly populations. Methods : Middle-aged and elderly residents at ages of 45 ot 69 years were recruited using the convenient sampling method from seven townships in Changxing County of Zhejiang Province from 2019 to 2020. The demographic characteristics and lifestyle factors were collected using questionnaires, and the frailty was measured using the Chinese version of Tilburg Frailty Indicator ( TFI ). Factors affecting frailty were identified among middle-aged and elderly populations using the multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 7 170 residents were surveyed, including 2 780 males ( 38.77% ) and 4 390 females ( 61.23% ), which had a median age of 56 (interquartile range, 10) years. The median frailty score was 2 (interquartile range, 3 ) among the study subjects, and the median frailty score was 2 ( interquartile range, 2 ) among residents at ages of 45 to 59 years, and 2 (interquartile range, 3) among residents at ages of 60 to 69 years. The overall detection of frailty was 16.07%, and the detection of frailty was 13.52% among subjects at ages of 45 to 59 years and 21.01% among subjects at ages of 60 to 69 years. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified physical activity ( OR=0.826, 95%CI: 0.719-0.949 ) and sleep quality ( OR: 3.376-11.493, 95%CI: 2.907-15.808 ) as factors affecting frailty among middle-aged and elderly residents. Following age stratification, physical activity ( OR=0.817, 95%CI: 0.681-0.981 ) and sleep quality ( OR: 3.076-11.566, 95%CI: 2.518-18.216 ) as factors affecting frailty among subjects at ages of 45 to 59 years, while sleep quality ( OR: 3.777-11.827, 95%CI: 3.002-18.547 ) significantly correlated with frailty among residents at ages of 60 to 69 years. Conclusion Physical activity and sleep quality are associated with the risk of frailty among middle-aged and elderly populations.

Objective To understand the changes of schistosomiasis epidemic situation,so as to provide the evidence for for?mulating schistosomiasis control strategy in the Hexi reservoir area. Methods From 2012 to 2015,Xinyuan Village,Meishan Town in the north entrance of Hexi reservoir was selected as a monitoring site. According to the requirements of the monitoring program of schistosomiasis surveillance in Zhejiang Province,the Schistosoma japonicum infection was investigated by using the serological screening(IHA),and the basic situation of the surveillance site was also investigated. Results From 2012 to 2015,167 environments(21.68 hm2)were surveyed,and 2 slices(0.1 hm2)were found with Oncomelania hupensis snails. The detection rate of frames with snails was 0.12%,and the living snail density was 0.0192 snails per 0.1 m2. Totally 374 snails were dissected and no schistosome infected snails were found. A total of 970 local residents and 8 748 mobile people were investigated with the serological tests,and no schistosome infected people were found. In addition,3 085 cattle were investigated and no in?fected ones were found. Conclusion The schistosomiasis epidemic situation is stable in the Hexi reservoir area,but we still should strengthen the monitoring of imported source of infection and snail status,and increase the efforts of environmental trans?formation.

objective To understand the status of Oncomelania hupensis snail distribution and diffusion in main drainages of Hexi Reservoir and evaluate the snail control effect of the schistosomiasis control engineering of Hexi Reservoir. Methods The O. hupensis snails were investigated by using the straw curtain method and fishing net method in different areas of the main drainages of Hexi Reservoir and the results were analyzed. Results A total of 1 800 straw curtains were used and 37 snails were found in Naxi stream. Totally 5 870 kg floats were salved and no snails were found. Conclusion The schistosomiasis con?trol engineering of Hexi Reservoir is effective in the prevention of the snail diffusion but there are still snails in the upstream. Therefore the snail surveillance and control need to be strengthened.

A 47-year-old man presented with recurrent oral ulcerations for more than 1 year and generalized vesicles for 9 months.Physical examination revealed multiple oral ulcers,patchy labial erosions with yellow or dark brown crusts,maceration and blanching of the angle of mouth resulting in difficulty in mouth opening.Cinnamomeous crusts were seen on the nasal limen,palpebral margin and coronary sulcus of penis,with pale red macules after decrustation.Diffuse erythematous patches and bullae were present on the trunk and extremities.The walls of bullae tightly clung to the skin,and some bullae were ruptured,leaving an erythematous and moist surface and giving an erythema multiforme-like appearance; some bullae were turbid and covered with adherent drugcontaining white crusts or black crusts.Nikolsky's sign was negative.Shrinking,edematous dark-red patches were seen in periungual regions of all the fingers and toes.Histologic biopsy and direct immunofluorescence examination of bullous lesions confirmed a diagnosis of paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP).Histopathological and immunohistochemical findings from the mediastinal tumor were consistent with Castleman's disease (hyalinevascular type) with proliferation of follicular dendritic cells.Laboratory examination revealed a decrease in serum complement C3 and the presence of antinuclear,anti-nucleosome and anti-dsDNA antibodies.The final diagnosis included Castleman's disease,PNP and systemic lupus erythematosus.After 2 months of treatment with low-dose prednisone and azathioprine,skin lesions completely regressed.Then,the dose of prednisone and azathioprine was tapered.Six months later,the patient himself suddenly withdrew prednisone and azathioprine,and began to take traditional Chinese medicine; thereafter,the lesions developed into toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN),and the patient died finally.This case demonstrates that immunosuppressive therapy should be maintained for a long period of time in patients with Castleman's disease after tumor removal,otherwise,skin lesions may recur or get worse.

Objective To evaluate the effect of schistosomiasis control projects in Hexi Reservoir on Oncomelania hupensis snail control. Methods The canal hardening+main water system widening+the overflow dam project,the concrete slope protec-tion,the banking and reclamation + concrete slope protection project,the environment reform project,and the comprehensive treatment were implemented in the tail area,the hydro-fluctuation belt,the rainwater harvesting zoon of the upstream area,the dam area,and the downstream area of the reservoir,respectively. The changes of the snail situation were investigated before and after the construction of the reservoir,and the snail control effects of the schistosomiasis control projects in different parts of the reservoir were analyzed. Results There were no Oncomelania snails found 3 years in the bottom area,dam area,hydro-fluctua-tion belt,tail region and downstream of the dam after the construction and storage of the reservoir and the implementation of the schistosomiasis control projects. In the rainwater harvesting zoon of the upstream area,the density of living snails decreased from 0.620 4 snails/0.1 m2 in 2009 to 0.113 2 snails/0.1 m2 in 2013,but the snail area still remained. Conclusions The schistosomia-sis control projects in Hexi Reservoir have effectively prevented the diffusion of Oncomelania snails from the rainwater harvesting zone of the upstream area to the dam area,and they are effective in the snail control.

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy using a three-dimensional (3D) laparoscopic system.

METHODSTwo patients with benign gallbladder disease with a history of recurrent abdominal pain were selected to undergo the surgery. Gallstones were diagnosed by B ultrasound examination. All the operations were performed through the umbilical incision with the 3D laparoscopic system.

RESULTSThe 2 operations were completed successfully with a operative time of 35 min and 50 min. Both of the patients were ambulatory 8 h after the surgery, began to have a normal diet 1 day after operation, and were discharged 2 days postoperatively without any clinical symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS3D single-incision laparoscopic operation can well reveal the tissue anatomy in the operative field especially for some important structures such as the Calot's triangle with an improved safety compared to conventional laparoscopic operations.

Objective To explore the feasibility of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy using a three-dimensional (3D) laparoscopic system. Methods Two patients with benign gallbladder disease with a history of recurrent abdominal pain were selected to undergo the surgery. Gallstones were diagnosed by B ultrasound examination. All the operations were performed through the umbilical incision with the 3D laparoscopic system. Results The 2 operations were completed successfully with a operative time of 35 min and 50 min. Both of the patients were ambulatory 8 h after the surgery, began to have a normal diet 1 day after operation, and were discharged 2 days postoperatively without any clinical symptoms. Conclusions 3D single-incision laparoscopic operation can well reveal the tissue anatomy in the operative field especially for some important structures such as the Calot's triangle with an improved safety compared to conventional laparoscopic operations.