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Estimating the actual real-world effectiveness of the vaccine is an essential part of the post-marketing evaluation. This regression discontinuity design (RDD) using observational data is designed to quantify the effect of an intervention when eligibility for the intervention is based on a defined cutoff as age, making it suited to estimate vaccine effects. This approach can avoid the high cost and ethical issues; overcome difficulties in the organization and practice process in randomized controlled trials, which leads to a higher level of causal inference evidence and more realistic results. Here, we describe key features of RDD in general, and then specific scenarios, with examples, to illustrate that RDD are an essential tool for advancing our understanding of vaccine effects.
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Humans , Causality , Vaccine Efficacy , VaccinesABSTRACT
Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable encephalitis in Asia and the Western Pacific, which mainly invades central nervous system. Vaccination is the most important strategy to prevent JE. Currently, both live attenuated Japanese encephalitis vaccines (JE-L) and inactivated vaccines (JE-I) are in use. Due to the supply of vaccines and the personal choice of recipients, there will be a demand for interchangeable immunization of these two vaccines. However, relevant research is limited. By reviewing domestic and foreign research evidence, this article summarizes the current situation of the interchangeable use of JE-L and JE-I, and makes recommendations when the interchangeable immunization is in urgent need, so as to provide reference for practical vaccination and policymaking in China.
Subject(s)
Humans , Encephalitis Virus, Japanese , Encephalitis, Japanese/prevention & control , Immunization , Japanese Encephalitis Vaccines , Vaccination , Vaccines, InactivatedABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Introduction: This single-center study of propensity-matched data was performed to assess the effect of the no-touch saphenous vein (NTSV) harvesting technique on early- and long-term outcomes of patients after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) in China. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 767 patients who underwent OPCABG in the Beijing Anzhen Hospital (June 2017 to October 2021) was performed, and their data entered the conventional saphenous vein (CSV) harvesting technique group or the NTSV group. In-hospital and follow-up outcomes were evaluated by adjusting baseline characteristics using propensity score matching (1:1). Clinical outcomes and postoperative angiographic results were compared. Results: The saphenous vein graft patency rates at postoperative three months and one year for the NTSV group vs. CSV group were 99.6% vs. 96.2% (P<0.001) and 97.3% vs. 93.1% (P<0.001), respectively. The two matched groups received a significantly different cumulative incidence function of saphenous vein graft occlusion for the longer follow-up period in Kaplan-Meier curves (χ2=4.330, log-rank P=0.037). No difference in early- and long-term mortality or major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were observed between the groups. The rate of MACCE was not statistically significant different between the groups, but there was a tendency favoring the no-touch technique (9.8% CSV vs. 4.8% NTSV; P=0.067). More patients in the NTSV group developed postoperative leg wound exudation (5.4% vs. 1.2%; P=0.032) and skin numbness (22.2% vs. 8.9%; P=0.001) than in the CSV group. Conclusion: The NTSV is an excellent conduit to be used in OPCABG. There remains a need to reduce leg wound complications.
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Objective @# To investigate the changes of α2-macroglobulin in different stages of radiotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and to explore its feasibility as a marker of serum markers reflecting radiotherapy injury.@*Methods @#We collected the blood samples of 23 cases of newly diagnosed patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma before the simple radiotherapy, the 10, 20, 30 and 33 times after simple radiotherapy, detected the α2- macroglobulin levels. The difference among the five stages was analysed by paired t-test using SPSS17.0 software package.@*Results @#The serum level of α2- macroglobulin elevated with the increase of number of radiotherapy. After 10 times’ radiotherapy, the serum α2-MG concentration in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma was significantly higher than that before radiotherapy (12.04 ± 5.72 vs. 10.81 ± 5.38 U/L), the difference was statistically significant (t=4.818, P < 0.05). After 20 times’ radiotherapy, the serum α2-MG concentration in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma was significantly higher than that before radiotherapy (12.26 ± 5.77 vs. 10.81 ± 5.38 U/L), and the difference was statistically significant (t=5.237, P < 0.001). After 30 times’ radiotherapy, the serum α2-MG concentration in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma was significantly higher than that before radiotherapy (12.91 ± 5.55 vs. 10.81 ± 5.38 U/L), the difference was statistically significant (t=6.076, P < 0.05). At the end of radiotherapy, the serum α2-MG concentration in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients was significantly (13.43 ± 6.05 vs. 10.81 ± 5.38 U/L) higher than that before radiotherapy (t=5.189, P < 0.05).@*Conclusion@#The serum level of α2- macroglobulin changes with the radiotherapy, so it can be a serum marker reflecting the damage of maxilla induced by ionizing radiation.
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Objective To summarize the medical rescue work of China emergency medical team in Philippines disaster area by typhoon Haiyan.Methods The rescue experience was summarized by retrospective study.Results A total of 1 831 patients visited the outpatient and emergency departments during those 10 days.According to the rapid risk assessment,the insect borne diseases,acute gastroenteritis infection and hospital infection were the major problems.The medical team took measures such as disinfection,vector control,cleaning up the environment,hospital infection control and providing the safe water to prevent the infectious diseases.Conclusion A sound organization and management system,high -quality members of the medical team,preparing the reasonable rescue plan and epidemic prevention measures,adequate supplies and effective communication were responsible for the success of the medical rescue.It is necessary to establish several international medical rescue teams at the national level.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) deceased cases.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Information of demographics, diagnosis and treatment, clinical symptoms and signs, laboratory test results, and epidemiological contact history of 72 HFMD cases who died between May 2008 and September 2011, in Zhejiang Province, were collected and analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The average age of the 72 cases was 1.8 years, 45 were males, accounting for 62.5%, 63 (87.5%) of the cases were scattered children. Eighteen counties reported 2 or more deaths, accounting for 46.1% (18/39) among the counties where the deaths were reported. The deaths occurred mainly in April to August, the peak occurred in May and June. Fever (98.4%, 63/64) and rash (95.1%, 58/61) were the most common symptoms, but the rash was not obvious at the first diagnosis. Fever occurred before the rash (79.0%, 49/62), persisted for 4 days in average. Vomiting (71.9%, 46/64), dyspnea (65.6%, 42/64), cyanosis (53.1%, 34/64) and impaired consciousness (51.6%, 33/64) were often seen among the cases; 53.1% (34/64) cases went to see the doctor on the first day, but 82.5%(52/63)cases were misdiagnosed. Time to diagnosis of HFMD was in average 3 days. About 3 to 4 days after the onset, the disease deteriorated sharply, deaths occurred within 1 day after admission in 78.9%(45/57)of the deceased cases; 85.0% (34/40) cases had high white blood cells level, mainly neutrophils increased, the ratio of neutrophil was more than 70% in 55.6% (15/27) of cases. Enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection was found in 93.3% (56/60) cases, the deceased cases often died of pulmonary hemorrhage (42.9%, 21/49) and encephalitis (34.7%, 17/49). The sanitary conditions of the cases' family were poor (65.5%, 36/55), but 73.3% (33/45) cases had no exposure history.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The HFMD deceased cases were mostly younger aged boys, scattered children, nonlocal-residents, and had poor sanitation. They were often infected with EV71, had high fever but had no typical rash, no clear exposure history, they had increased leukocyte, and were often misdiagnosed. Three or 4 days after onset, the disease deteriorated abruptly, most cases died within 1 week after onset. To decrease the HFMD mortality, early detection of severe cases should be stressed, and relative measures should be taken. The guardian should be aware of having good sanitary situation and healthy habits.</p>
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Animals , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , China , Epidemiology , Disease Outbreaks , Enterovirus A, Human , Feces , Virology , Fever , Pathology , Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease , Epidemiology , Mortality , Pathology , Retrospective Studies , Sex DistributionABSTRACT
Objective In order to investigate etiology and molecular-epidemiological characteristics of enterovirus associated encephalitis (EAE) in Zhejiang,2008-2012.Method Cerebrospinal fluid and stool specimens were collected from suspected EAE patients,who were admitted to our hospitals.RD and Hep-2 cell lines were used to isolate enterovirus (EV).Serotypes of these EV isolates were identified through neutralization test by using serotype specific anti-sera.VP 1 genes of these isolates were sequenced,compared and used for the construction of phylogenetic tree.Results 127 (20.6％) human enterovirus (HEV) strains were isolated from 616 samples,which were collected from 610 patients.Serotypes of these EV isolates,including 60 coxsackievirus (CV),and 67 Echovirus (E) appeared to be CVA9,CVB1,CVB3-5,E3,E4,E6,E9,El4,E25 and E30,respectively.Predominant EV serotypes on EAE from 2008 to 2012 were seen as CVB3,CVB5,E6,E30 and E30,respectively.The full length of VP1 genes from different EV isolates was between 834 and 918 nucleotides.The VP1 gene similarities between these isolates and the reference strains were from 76.7％ to 85.0％ (nucleotides level) and 91.1％ to 97.9％ (amino acids level).The VP1 genes from E6 serotype isolates appeared most diverged,reaching 20.4％ (nucleotides level) attd 4.8％ (amino acids level).Based on the generated phylogenetic tree,all the EV isolates were fallen on the same branch of HEV-B,and the isolates in the same serotype formed one sub-branch,suggesting there existed geographical and temporal effects.E6 isolates diverged into two branchlets.Conclusion EVs from HEV-B were the etiologic agents for EAE in Zhejiang province from 2008 to 2012.All these EV isolates showed 12 serotypes,with predominant isolates varied every year.E30 was determined as the most dominant serotype while serotype E6 diverged into two sub-genetypes.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the clinical spectrum, geographic location of human H7N9 avian influenza as well as the characteristics of population at high risk of infection, in order to develop strategies for the prevention and control of the infection. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics on the 6 confirmed human cases in Zhejiang were also analyzed.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to test the nucleic acid of human H7N9 avian influenza infection, from pharyngeal swabs of the patients and their close contacts. Face to face interview and descriptive method were used to collect related clinical and epidemiological data. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 17.0.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Six confirmed cases were distributed in Hangzhou and Huzhou cities. The 6 confirmed human cases, including 5 males and 1 female were all confirmed with novel influenza A (H7N9) virus infection, with an average age as 60.83 years (with median as 64.50 years). Cough was the most common initial symptom to be noticed. The clinical manifestations would include fever, dizziness, pain of muscles, coughing, expectoration and short of breath. All the X-ray chest films showed severe pneumonia, and 5 of them having had other chronic diseases. None of the cases admitted to have had a history of exposure to ill/death avians. However, all of the cases had been frequently exposed to the agricultural-byproduct-trading-markets where the positive rate of novel influenza A (H7N9) virus in environmental specimens was up to 43.21%. 32 of the 375 close contacts (8.53%) to the 6 cases appeared abnormal symptoms, but no positive result related to novel influenza A (H7N9) virus nucleic acid was detected from their throat swabs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acute infection on the respiratory system seemed the main clinical manifestation. Elderly men, especially those with chronic diseases were under high risk of human infection with H7N9 avian influenza. The source of infection might be associated with the exposure to poultry. There was still lack of evidence to confirm the route of person to person transmission on H7N9 avian influenza.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , China , Epidemiology , Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype , Influenza, Human , Epidemiology , VirologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between fetal chromosomal karyotype and early spontaneous abortion, and the effect of the environmental factors on spontaneous abortion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Choronic villi from 252 cases of missed abortion were sampled as patient group and 50 normal pregnancies as control group. Chorionic villi were cultured and karyotype analysis was performed by G-banding. Clinical information was collected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rate of chorion chromosome abnormality in the patient group was 58.09%, significantly higher than that in the control group (4.17%) (P<0.01). Among the 140 cases of karyotype abnormalities, 81 were trisomy, 29 were monosomy X and 17 were polyploidy, accounting for 57.86%, 20.71% and 12.14% of total abnormalities, respectively. Long time and low dose radiation exposure of the pregnant female seemed to be related with spontaneous abortion(P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chorion chromosome abnormality is a major reason of early spontaneous abortion and karyotype analysis of chorionic villus is of clinical importance. For pregnant women, long-term exposure to computers and television seems a risk factor for missed abortion.</p>
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Pregnancy , Young Adult , Abortion, Missed , Genetics , Case-Control Studies , Chorionic Villi , Metabolism , Chromosome Aberrations , Karyotyping , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Objective To study the status on economic burden of diarrhea in Zhejiang province so as to provide evidence for allocation of health resource as well as decision-making on health issues. Methods Multi-phases stratified random cluster sampling was used to select samples in the population. Data was collected on the incidence of diarrhea in the last two weeks as well as on the related cost due to medical care etc. Results The overall incidence (person per year) of diarrhea was 0.26, with 0.29 in the rural and 0.22 in the urban areas respectively. The incidence of diarrhea in children less than 5 was 0.66 (person per year), higher than in any of the age groups. The average direct cost of medical treatment was 69.23 Yuan with average direct cost of non-medical care was 8.29 Yuan for every person, while the indirect cost was 48.43 Yuan. in conclusion, the average disease burden of diarrhea in the province was 1.697 billion Yuan per year, which accounted for 1%o of the GDP, with 1.217 billion Yuan in rural area and 0.480 billion Yuan in the urban areas respectively. The direct cost of medical care was 0.886 billion Yuan (52.21%) and the direct cost due to non-medical care was 0.124 billion Yuan (7.31%). The indirect cost appeared to be 0.480 billion Yuan (40.48%). Factors that affecting the cost would relate to: severity of diarrhea, medical insurance, location of residential area, age and education background of the patients, etc. Conclusion Programs on diarrhea prevention and control should be strengthened to reduce the economic burden caused by this disease while special attention should be paid to those children who are under 5 years of age and living in the rural areas.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine vibrio cholera (V.C) in aquatic products of littoral area, Zhejiang Province and to provide scientific evidence for administration of aquatic products and cholera epidemic control.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>All 990 samples of aquatic products collected from local markets, eateries and aquafarms in three chosen areas. Samples were proliferated in alkaline liquid medium, and purified in NO: 4 medium, the isolations were identified biochemically, and phenotype of strains were defined by phagocyte and coagulation with V.C. diagnostic serum. Three virulence genes (ctx, ace, zct) of the isolated strains were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 1.41% samples caught by V.C., having a carrying rate highest in turtles of 8.9%. 14 strains were defined as three serogroups, and the numbers of Inaba, Ogawa, and Hikojima types were 2, 2, 10 respectively. Virulence genes had detected in 9 of 12 stains. All genes were detected in 5 strains, only ZOT genes in 3 strains, and both CTX and ACE genes in 1 strain.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Aquatic products from inshore in Zhejiang Province caught with V.C. strains might be divided into three serogroups. Most of them should be virulence genes. Cholera epidemic outbreak might be caused by those contaminated products.</p>