Spatial and temporal clusters of avian influenza a (H7N9) virus in humans across five epidemics in mainland China: an epidemiological study of laboratory-confirmed cases.

BACKGROUND: Avian influenza A (H7N9) virus was first reported in mainland China in 2013, and alarming in 2016-17 due to the surge across a wide geographic area. Our study aimed to identify and explore the spatial and temporal variation across five epidemics to reinforce the epidemic prevention and control. METHODS: We collected spatial and temporal information about all laboratory-confirmed human cases of A (H7N9) virus infection reported in mainland China covering 2013-17 from the open source. The autocorrelation analysis and intensity of cases were used to analyse the spatial cluster while circular distribution method was used to analyse the temporal cluster. RESULTS: Across the five epidemics, a total of 1553 laboratory-confirmed human cases with A (H7N9) virus were reported in mainland China. The global Moran's I index values of five epidemic were 0.610, 0.132, 0.308, 0.306, 0.336 respectively, among which the differences were statistically significant. The highest intensity was present in the Yangtze River Delta region and the Pearl River Delta region, and the range enlarged from the east of China to inner provinces and even the west of China across the five epidemics. The temporal clusters of the five epidemics were statistically significant, and the peak period was from the end of January to April with the first and the fifth epidemic later than the mean peak period. CONCLUSIONS: Spatial and temporal clusters of avian influenza A (H7N9) virus in humans are obvious, moreover the regions existing clusters may enlarge across the five epidemics. Yangtze River Delta region and the Pearl River Delta region have the spatial cluster and the peak period is from January to April. The government should facilitate the tangible improvement for the epidemic preparedness according to the characteristics of spatial and temporal clusters of patients with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus.

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) associated with echinococcosis patients in Tibetan communities in Shiqu County, China: a case-control study.

PURPOSE: Echinococcosis is a chronic neglected zoonotic disease with high endemic in western China. The aim of the study was to evaluate the Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in patients with echinococcosis in Tibetan communities for investigating the physical and mental health challenges faced by the echinococcosis patients and meeting community health needs. METHODS: The HRQoL was measured with 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire in the case-control study. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) method was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: 50 echinococcosis patients were collected in study group and divided into three subgroups by the duration of staying on albendazole tablets. 52 healthy individuals were collected in control group. In physical quality of life, the duration of staying on albendazole tables influenced the PF (F = 6.661, P < 0.001), RP (F = 3.130, P = 0.029), and GH (F = 4.105, P = 0.008). In mental quality of life, the duration of staying on albendazole tables influenced the SF (F = 10.764, P < 0.001) and RE (F = 5.573, P = 0.001). The income level was the important confounder in PF (F = 11.515, P = 0.001), GH (F = 10.315, P = 0.002), VT (F = 5.984, P = 0.016), and MH (F = 5.565, P = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: The HRQoL in people with echinococcosis is reduced in comparison with the healthy individuals. It is necessary to shorten the duration of treatment and adopt the special methods adapting the local culture to improve the health-related quality of life in Tibetan communities. Meanwhile, the economic improvement is the foundation.

Solitary plasmacytoma of the skull: Two case reports.

Solitary plasmacytoma of the skull is rare and few cases have been reported in the English literature. Plasmacytoma of the skull has a wide spectrum of pathology, including a quite benign, solitary plasmacytoma (SPC), and an extremely malignant, multiple myeloma (MM) at the two ends of the spectrum. The prognosis for solitary plasmacytoma of the skull appears to be good when it can be diagnosed on strict criteria. The clinical features of solitary plasmacytoma of the skull are complex and not easily identified, resulting in a high misdiagnosis rate. A comprehensive examination and analysis which includes radiological examination, immunoglobulin, biochemistry, test for Bence Jones protein in the urine and bone marrow is needed for correct diagnosis. If the skull lesion is isolated, with accompanying marked swelling in the area and tenderness, plasmacytoma must be considered as a possibility for the cause of solitary skull masses. Two cases of solitary plasmacytoma of the skull lesions were retrospectively reviewed, in which a comprehensive examination was used in order to predict the clinical course of solitary plasmacytoma of the skull. The patients received postoperative radiation and/or chemotherapy. Survival following surgery was longer than 2 years for patient 1, and patient 2 is alive at the 18-month follow-up.

Fluoride adsorption on carboxylated aerobic granules containing Ce(III).

Aerobic granules (AG) were carboxylated and Ce(III) was incorporated to obtain modified granuels (Ce(III)-MAG) for removal of fluoride from aqueous solutions. The Ce(III)-MAG was characterized by SEM, FTIR, XRD and pH(pzc), and the introduction of carboxyl groups and Ce(III) was confirmed. The adsorption capacity of Ce(III)-MAG for fluoride was 45.80 mg/g at neutral pH, an increase of 359% compared to the capacity of pristine AG. Adsorption was highest at pH range of 3.0-5.0. A positive effect on fluoride removal in the order of K(+) ≈ Mg(2+) > Ca(2+) > Na(+) and a negative effect in the order of NO(3)(-) > Cl(-) > SO(4)(2-) > HCO(3)(-) > PO(4)(3-) was observed. Fluoride adsorption followed the Redlich-Peterson model and the pseudo-first order model with correlation factors of 0.999 and 0.950, respectively. Ce(III)-MAG held up to 790 bed volumes and the effluent fluoride concentration remained below 1.0mg/L (influent fluoride 10mg/L).

Characteristics and mechanisms of Cu(II) biosorption by disintegrated aerobic granules.

Disintegrated aerobic granules (DAG) as an effective biosorbent had great potential to remove Cu(II) from aqueous solution. The effects of solution pH value, contact time, initial Cu(II) concentration on the biosorption were investigated. Kinetic studies indicate that pseudo-second-order model with correlation coefficients of 0.9999 best fits the Cu(II) biosorption process. Investigation of the biosorption mechanisms shows that Cu(II) biosorption is associated with a significant release of Ca(II). The adsorption capacity of extracted extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) was 2.34 times as much as that of pristine DAG, indicating the significant role of EPS in adsorption. In order to determine the role of different functional groups, DAG was chemically modified to block specific functional groups and was then used in the adsorption of Cu(II). The anionic carboxyl group, was identified as the key binding site for the cationic Cu(II). Results reveal that ion exchange is the most important biosorption mechanism but other mechanisms to some extent like electrostatic interaction, involving in functional groups, also play a part.