Objective To investigate the global burden of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) from 1990 to 2021 and predict the trends in the burden of VL from 2022 to 2035, so as to provide insights into global VL prevention and control. Methods The global age-standardized incidence, prevalence, mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates of VL and their 95% uncertainty intervals (UI) were captured from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021) data resources. The trends in the global burden of VL were evaluated with average annual percent change (AAPC) and 95% confidence interval (CI) from 1990 to 2021, and gender-, age-, country-, geographical area- and socio-demographic index (SDI)-stratified burdens of VL were analyzed. The trends in the global burden of VL were projected with a Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model from 2022 to 2035, and the associations of age-standardized incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALYs rates of VL with SDI levels were examined with a smoothing spline model. Results The global age-standardized incidence [AAPC = -0.25%, 95% CI: (-0.25%, -0.24%)], prevalence [AAPC = -0.06%, 95% CI: (-0.06%, -0.06%)], mortality [AAPC = -0.25%, 95% CI: (-0.25%, -0.24%)] and DALYs rates of VL [AAPC = -2.38%, 95% CI: (-2.44%, -2.33%)] all appeared a tendency towards a decline from 1990 to 2021, and the highest age-standardized incidence [2.55/10⁵, 95% UI: (1.49/10⁵, 4.07/10⁵)], prevalence [0.64/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.37/10⁵, 1.02/10⁵)], mortality [0.51/10⁵, 95% UI: (0, 1.80/10⁵)] and DALYs rates of VL [33.81/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.06/10⁵, 124.09/10⁵)] were seen in tropical Latin America in 2021. The global age-standardized incidence and prevalence of VL were both higher among men [0.57/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.45/10⁵, 0.72/10⁵); 0.14/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.11/10⁵, 0.18/10⁵)] than among women [0.27/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.21/10⁵, 0.33/10⁵); 0.06/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.05/10⁵, 0.08/10⁵)], and the highest mortality of VL was found among children under 5 years of age [0.24/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.08/10⁵, 0.66/10⁵)]. The age-standardized incidence (r = -0.483, P < 0.001), prevalence (r = -0.483, P < 0.001), mortality (r = -0.511, P < 0.001) and DALYs rates of VL (r = -0.514, P < 0.001) correlated negatively with SDI levels from 1990 to 2021. In addition, the global burden of VL was projected with the BAPC model to appear a tendency towards a decline from 2022 to 2035, and the age-standardized incidence, prevalence, mortality and DALYs rates were projected to be reduced to 0.11/10⁵, 0.03/10⁵, 0.02/10⁵ and 1.44/10⁵ in 2035, respectively. Conclusions Although the global burden of VL appeared an overall tendency towards a decline from 1990 to 2021, the burden of VL showed a tendency towards a rise in Central Asia and western sub-Saharan African areas. The age-standardized incidence and prevalence rates of VL were relatively higher among men, and the age-standardized mortality of VL was relatively higher among children under 5 years of age. The global burden of VL was projected to continue to decline from 2022 to 2035.

OBJECTIVE To assess the cost-effectiveness of durvalumab combined with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for advanced biliary tract cancer from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system. METHODS Using data from the TOPAZ-1 clinical trial， a three-state Markov model comprising progression-free survival （PFS）， progressive disease （PD） and death was developed， with a cycle length of 21 days and a 10-year time horizon. Patients in the observation group received durvalumab in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin， whereas those in the control group received placebo plus the same chemotherapy regimen. The evaluation indexes were quality-adjusted life year （QALY） and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio （ICER）. The willingness-to-pay （WTP） threshold was set at three times the 2024 Chinese per capita gross domestic product （GDP） （287 247 yuan/QALY）. The sensitivity analyses， along with scenario analyses， were performed. RESULTS In the base-case analysis， the ICER of observation group compared to control group was 1 166 344.46 yuan/QALY， far exceeding the WTP threshold， indicating that the regimen was not cost-effective. One-way sensitivity analysis identified the PD state utility， discount rate， cost of durvalumab， and PFS state utility as the main drivers of ICER variation. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that， at the above WTP threshold， the probability of the acceeptance of this regimen was 0， further supporting the robustness of the base-case findings. In the scenario analysis， inclusion of a patient assistance program reduced the ICER to 235 885.16 yuan/ QALY， below the above WTP threshold， suggesting cost-effectiveness under this assistance program. However， when applying a regional WTP threshold set at three times the per capita GDP （158 475 yuan/QALY） of Gansu Province （the province with the lowest GDP in China in 2024）， the ICER remained above the threshold， indicating that the regimen was not cost-effective at the regional level. CONCLUSIONS At current pricing， durvalumab plus chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for advanced biliary tract cancer is not cost-effective in China. Although the introduction of a patient assistance program can substantially reduce the ICER and achieve cost-effectiveness at a WTP threshold set at three times the 2024 per capita GDP of China， due to limited affordability in low-income areas， the program remains not cost-effective.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of letrozole combined with methylprednisolone on clinical outcomes， ovarian reserve function， serum sex hormones， and safety in infertile patients with polycystic ovary syndrome resistant to clomiphene. METHODS The clinical data of 78 infertile patients with polycystic ovary syndrome resistant to clomiphene in the Department of Gynecology of Qingdao Central Hospital from February 2021 to January 2022 was analyzed retrospectively， and all patients were divided into control group （42 cases） and observation group （36 cases） based on the treatment methods. The control group took letrozole 5 mg/d orally on the 5th to 9th day of the menstrual cycle. Vaginal ultrasound was used to monitor the development of the endometrium and follicles； estradiol valerate was used to correct endometrial thickness， and measures such as inducing ovulation with follicle-stimulating hormone were taken to promote pregnancy. On the basis of treatment in the control group， the observation group began taking methylprednisolone orally at a dose of 4 mg/d starting from the third day of natural menstruation or withdrawal bleeding. Both groups were treated for 6 menstrual cycles. The ovulation and pregnancy within one year， serum levels of sex hormones [estradiol （E2）， luteinizing hormone （LH）， follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， testosterone] and anti-Müllerian hormone （AMH）， ovulation indicators （follicle growth time， the number of ovulations， and the number of dominant follicles）， and the occurrence of adverse drug reactions were compared between the two groups. RESULTS After treatment， the biochemical pregnancy rate （72.22%） and clinical pregnancy rate （47.22%） of the observation group were significantly higher than those of control group （47.62%， 19.05%）； the serum levels of E2， LH， FSH， testosterone and AMH were significantly lower than the control group； the follicle growth time was significantly shorter than the control group； the number of ovulation and dominant follicles were significantly higher than the control group （P＜0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference in ovulation rate （94.44% vs. 83.33%） and total incidence of adverse drug reactions （8.33% vs. 9.52%） between the observation group and the control group （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Compared with letrozole alone， the combination of letrozole and methylprednisolone can significantly improve the pregnancy rate， the sex hormone levels and ovarian reserve function in infertile patients with polycystic ovary syndrome resistant to clomiphene， with high safety profiles.

Objective To investigate the origin of Biomphalaria straminea in China, so as to provide insights into assessment of schistosomiasis mansoni transmission risk and B. straminea control. Methods Guanlan River, Dasha River, Shenzhen Reservoir, upper and lower reaches of Kuiyong River, and Xinzhen River in Shenzhen, China, were selected as sampling sites. Ten Biomphalaria samples were collected from each site, and genomic DNA was extracted from Biomphalaria samples. DNA samples were obtained from 15 B. straminea sampled from 5 sampling sites in Minas Gerais State, Pará State, Federal District, Pernambuco State, and Sao Paulo State in Brazil, South America. Cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) genes were sampled using the above DNA templates, and the amplified products were sequenced. The COI and 16S rRNA gene sequences were downloaded from GenBank, and the sampling sites were acquired. All COI and 16S rRNA gene sequences were aligned and evolutionary trees of B. straminea were created based on COI and 16S rRNA gene sequences to identify the genetic similarity and evolutionary relationship between B. straminea samples from China and South America. Results A total of 60 COI gene sequences with a length of 529 bp and 3 haplotypes were obtained from B. straminea sampled from China. There were 165 COI gene sequences of B. straminea retrieved from GenBank, and following alignment with the above 60 gene sequences, a total of 33 haplotypes were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the three haplotypes of B. straminea from China were clustered into one clade, among which the haplotype China11 and three B. straminea samples from Brazil retrieved from GenBank belonged to the same haplotype. Geographical evolution analysis showed that the B. straminea samples from three sampling sites along eastern coasts of Brazil had the same haplotype with China11, and B. straminea samples from other two sampling sites were closely, genetically related to China11. A total of 60 16S rDNA gene sequences with approximately 322 bp in length were amplified from B. straminea in China, with 2 haplotypes identified. A total of 70 16S rDNA gene sequences of B. straminea were captured from GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Biomphalaria snails collected from China were clustered into a clade, and the haplotype China64 and the haplotype 229BS from Brazil shared the same haplotype. The 49 16S rDNA gene sequences of B. straminea from 25 sampling sites in southern Brazil, which were captured from GenBank, were included in the present analysis, and the B. straminea from 3 sampling sites shared the same haplotype with China64 in China. Geographical evolution analysis based on COI and 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that B. straminea sampled from eastern coastal areas of Brazil shared the same haplotypes in two gene fragment sequences with Biomphalaria snails collected from China. Conclusions The Biomphalaria snails in China are characterized as B. straminea, which have a low genetic diversity. The Biomphalaria snails in China have a high genetic similarity with B. straminea sampled from eastern coastal areas of Brazil, which may have originated from the eastern coastal areas of Brazil.

Objective To identify the current research hotspots of global health training, and construct a global health talent training evaluation index system. Methods Publications pertaining to global health talent training evaluation were retrieved in China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, and Web of Science Core Collection from 2003 to 2022, and keywords were extracted from eligible publications for co-occurrence and cluster analyses using the CiteSpace software. Based on keywords clustering results, a global health talent training evaluation index system was constructed using a context, input, process, and product (CIPP) evaluation model as a theoretical framework. Results A total of 692 Chinese publications and 1 264 English publications were included. Keyword co-occurrence and cluster analyses yielded 10 Chinese and 10 English keyword clusters, and the 10 Chinese keyword clusters included analytic hierarchy process, health diplomacy, personnel structure, crossdiscipline, educational assessment, global health discipline development, training needs, curriculum program, quality evaluation and logistics support, while the English keyword clusters included evidence-based practice, capacity building, global health, quality of life, machine learning, leadership, sub-Saharan Africa, health equity, global health security and global health diplomacy. Based on keyword clustering, a global health talent training evaluation index system was constructed with CIPP as the theoretical framework, which contained 4 primary indicators, 15 secondary indicators and 59 tertiary indicators, and the primary indicators included 4 dimensions of context evaluation, input evaluation, process evaluation and product evaluation. Conclusions A global health talent training evaluation index system has been constructed, which provides an effective evaluation tool and quantitative evidence for future global health talent training.

Objective To investigate the serum levels of homocysteine(HCY)and cystatin C(Cys-C)in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA)-associated vasculitis(AAV)associated renal injury,and to explore the diagnostic value of combined detection of HCY and Cys-C in ANCA-associated renal injury.Methods We selected 70 ANCA-positive patients with renal injury admitted to the Department of Nephrology in our hospital from January 2016 to January 2019.Another 48 patients with ANCA-positive but not complicated with renal injury were in simple ANCA positive group while 50 patients with physical examination who came to the hospital during the same period were in control group.Healthy patients served as the control group.By comparing the differences in the test results of different groups,the area under the curve(AUC)of each test index for ANCA-positive renal injury was determined,and the correlation and diagnostic value of combined detection of HCY and Cys-C for ANCA-related renal injury were calculated.Results The levels of HCY and Cys-C in the ANCA positive combined with renal injury group,the pure ANCA positive group,and the control group differed significantly(P＜0.05).The positive rates of HCY and Cys-C in the two groups were significantly different(P＜0.05).The sensitivity and specificity of HCY and Cys-C in combination for the diagnosis of ANCA-positive related renal injury were significantly higher than those of the above indicators alone(P＜0.05).ROC curve results showed that HCY combined with Cys-C had a better diagnosis for patients with positive ANCA and associated renal injury and a higher correlation.Conclusion HCY combined with Cys-C is closely correlated to ANCA-related renal injury,and the combined detection has a positive effect on the diagnosis of patients with ANCA-positive related renal injury,and has guiding value for the treatment of patients.

Objective:To analyze the epidemic characteristics and trends of newly reported HIV-infected people among Chinese and Burmese in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (Dehong Prefecture) of Yunnan Province, China, from 2000 to 2023, and provide evidence for formμlating AIDS prevention and control measures for the Burmese living in Dehong.Methods:The data were obtained from the Chinese Disease Control and Prevention Information System. The distribution of HIV-infected people with different population characteristics was analyzed, and the Joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the temporal trend of crude detection rate in different genders, ethnicities, and ages.Results:From 2000 to 2023, 24 989 newly HIV infections were reported in Dehong Prefecture, of which 14 594 (58.4%) were Chinese and 10 395 (41.6%) were Burmese. Compared with Chinese, Burmese women (32.9%, 3 416/10 395), those aged 20-29 (40.9%, 4 248/10 395), and Jingpo people (26.7%, 2 773/10 395) accounted for a higher proportion. The new diagnosis rate of Chinese nationals increased from 1.0/10 000 in 2000 to 15.4/10 000 in 2004, and then showed a downward trend, falling to 1.2/10 000 in 2023. Among them, compared with other age groups, Dai and other ethnic groups and women, the new diagnosis rate among 20-49 age group, Jingpo and men were relatively higher, at 1.7/10 000, 2.3/10 000 and 1.3/10 000 respectively. Regarding the method of detection, the Chinese HIV-infected people were mainly detected by key population testing (35.7%), while the Burmese HIV-infected people by key population testing (28.9%) and physical examination for entry-exit personnel (25.3%). The transmission routes of both nationalities were mainly heterosexual transmission, but compared with Chinese HIV-infected persons, the proportion of Burmese infected persons through non-marital non-commercial transmission was relatively higher (66.4% vs. 60.6%). The proportion of Chinese nationals with a first CD4 +T lymphocyte (CD4) counts of <200 cells/μl (28.9%) was higher than that of Burmese nationals (19.8%). Conclusions:The rising trend of HIV infection among Chinese and Burmese people in Dehong Prefecture from 2000 to 2023 slowed down. The new diagnosis rate was higher in the 20-49 age group, Jingpo and men. Compared with Burmese HIV-infected people, the proportion of Chinese HIV-infected people with first CD4 counts <200 cells/μl was relatively higher. Comprehensive interventions should be further carried out for Myanmar nationals, and efforts should be made to expand testing for Chinese nationals.

Objective:To analyze the genetic stability of two recombinant rotaviruses (rLLR/NSP3 NLuc) and (rLLR/NSP3 CoV2/RBD) that are inserted and express exogenous genes for continuous passage and proliferation on MA104 cells.Methods:After measuring the titers of two recombinant rotavirus strains, they were transferred to the P2 generation according to MOI0.01. Subsequently, the previous generation of virus lysate was diluted and activated at 1∶100, and MA104 cells were continuously infected for 18 generations (P20). The virus titers of the P1, P5, P10, P15, and P20 generation of cell lysate were measured using indirect immunofluorescence, and RT-PCR identification and dsRNA PAGE silver staining were performed. The luciferase activity of rLLR/NSP3-NLUc was also detected.Results:No inserted fragment loss was found in the recombinant rotavirus rLLR/NSP3 NLuc within 20 generations, with recombinant virus titers ranging from 3.85~5.16 × 10 6 FFU/ml, with strong luciferase signals in each generation. The recombinant rotavirus rLLR/NSP3 CoV2/RBD showed loss of inserted fragments in the 6th generation, with infectivity titers ranging from 2.6 to 3.36 in the first 5 generations of the recombinant virus × 10 6 FFU/ml. Conclusions:The recombinant rotavirus with 582 bp NLuc inserted at the end of the NSP3 gene has good genetic stability, while the recombinant rotavirus with 885 bp RBD inserted at the end of the NSP3 gene was only stable in the first 5 generations, indicating that foreign genes can be inserted at the end of the NSP3 gene of the recombinant rotavirus, and the insert can express, but its stability requires more in-depth research.

A comprehensive understanding of the nutritional composition and active components of human milk are important for promoting infant health. However, in the design and implementation of scientific research on human milk, the lack of standardized research and implementation methods have led to the collection, storage, and testing processes of human milk samples being largely based on reference literature and practical experience. This has resulted in variability in the representativeness of human milk samples and differences in the comparability of research results between different studies. This article summarizes the principles and guidelines for the " Specification for collection and storage of human milk samples for research", published by the Chinese Nutrition Society on December 30, 2022, and discusses the feasibility and importance of standardized management in the process of scientific research on human milk.

Objectives:To report the sexual functional outcomes of vaginal dilation therapy in Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome patients.Methods:From March 2020 to February 2023, 97 MRKH syndrome patients performed vaginal dilation therapy with guidance from Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and 45 of them engaged in penetrative intercourse and were included in this prospective cohort study. The Chinese version of female sexual function index (FSFI) was used to assess sexual function. Functional success was defined as FSFI>23.45. Forty age-matched healthy women were selected as controls. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to calculate the median time to success. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between neovagina length and sexual function. Complications were collected using follow-up questionnaires.Results:The functional success rate of vaginal dilation therapy was 89% (40/45) with a median time to success of 4.3 months (95% CI: 3.0-6.1 months). Compared to controls, MRKH syndrome patients had significantly lower scores in the orgasm domain (4.72±1.01 vs 4.09±1.20; P=0.013) and pain domain (5.03±0.96 vs 4.26±0.83; P<0.001). However, there were no significant differences in the FSFI total score (26.77±2.70 vs 26.70±2.33; P=0.912), arousal domain (4.43±0.77 vs 4.56±0.63; P=0.422) and satisfaction domain (4.88±0.98 vs 4.65±0.86; P=0.269) between MRKH syndrome patients and controls. MRKH syndrome patients had significantly higher scores in the desire domain (3.33±0.85 vs 3.95±0.73; P<0.001) and lubrication domain (4.37±0.56 vs 5.20±0.67; P<0.001). The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in MRKH patients was non-inferior to controls: low desire [3% (1/40) vs 23% (9/40); P=0.007], arousal disorder [3% (1/40) vs 3% (1/40); P>0.999], lubrication disorder [5% (2/40) vs 25% (10/40); P=0.012], orgasm disorder [40% (16/40) vs 20% (8/40); P=0.051], sexual pain [30% (12/40) vs 15% (6/40); P=0.108]. Conclusions:MRKH syndrome patients undergoing non-invasive vaginal dilation therapy could achieve satisfactory sexual life. Given its high functional success rate and slight complication, vaginal dilation therapy should be recommended as the first-line option, reducing the need for unnecessary surgeries.