[Effectiveness of comprehensive echinococcosis control measures with emphasis on management of infectious source in Sichuan Province from 2010 to 2022].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of comprehensive echinococcosis control measures with emphasis on management of infectious source in Sichuan Province from 2010 to 2022, so as to provide insights into formulation of future control interventions. METHODS: Data pertaining to comprehensive echinococcosis control measures with emphasis on management of infectious source and echinococcosis surveillance in Sichuan Province from 2010 to 2022 were collected. The effectiveness of comprehensive echinococcosis control measures with emphasis on management of infectious source was evaluated with prevalence of human echinococcosis, detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis patients, prevalence of Echinococcus infection in domestic dogs, prevalence of cystic echinococcosis in livestock, prevalence of alveolar echinococcosis in small mammals and awareness of echinococcosis control knowledge, and Spearman's rank correlation analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of human echinococcosis reduced from 1.08% in 2010 to 0.40% in 2022 in Sichuan Province (χ2 = 1 482.97, P < 0.05), with a reduction from 0.30% to 0.02% in the detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases (χ2 = 2 776.41, P < 0.05), a reduction from 15.87% to 0.46% in the prevalence of Echinococcus infection in domestic dogs (χ2 = 20 823.96, P < 0.05), a reduction from 8.05% to 1.07% in the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis in livestock (χ2 = 1 296.02, P < 0.05), and the awareness of echinococcosis control knowledge increased from 50.65% to 95.24% (χ2 = 34 938.63, P < 0.05); in addition, there was a year-specific prevalence rate of alveolar echinococcosis in small mammals (χ2 = 164.07, P < 0.05). Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed that the detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases correlated positively with the prevalence of Echinococcus infections in domestic dogs (rs = 0.823, P < 0.05) and the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis in livestock (rs = 0.795, P < 0.05), and correlated negatively with the awareness of echinococcosis control knowledge (rs = - 0.918, P < 0.05), and the prevalence of Echinococcus infection in domestic dogs correlated positively with the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis in livestock (rs = 0.753, P < 0.05) and negatively with the awareness of echinococcosis control knowledge (rs = -0.747, P < 0.05); however, there was no correlation between the prevalence of Echinococcus infections in domestic dogs and the prevalence of alveolar echinococcosis in small mammals (rs = -0.750, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The comprehensive echinococcosis control measures with emphasis on management of infectious source had achieved remarkable effectiveness in Sichuan Province; however, the transmission chain of echinococcosis has not been interrupted. Reinforced comprehensive echinococcosis control measures with emphasis on management of infectious source and sustained tracking evaluation of the effectiveness are recommended in Sichuan Province.

[Effectiveness of the central government-funded echinococcosis control programme in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province from 2007 to 2022].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the central government-funded echinococcosis control programme in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province from 2007 to 2022, so as to provide insights into echinococcosis control. METHODS: Administrative villages were sampled using a multi-stage cluster random sampling method from Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province from 2007 to 2022, and all residents at ages of 12 years and older in the sampled villages were screened for echinococcosis, and schools were sampled using a cluster sampling method, and all children at ages of 12 years and older in the sampled schools were screened for echinococcosis. Domestic dogs were sampled using a systematic random sampling method, and one domestic dog stool sample was collected from each household. Stray dog stool samples were collected outside the villages, and Echinococcus coproantigens were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in domestic and stray dogs. In addition, echinococcosis was screened in sheep and cattle in designated slaughterhouses in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County. The trends in the prevalence of echinococcosis in humans and livestock and the positive rate of Echinococcus coproantigens in dogs were examined with the Cochran-Armitage trend test. In addition, individuals screened for echinococcosis were randomly sampled from 2007 to 2022 for survey on the awareness of echinococcosis control knowledge. RESULTS: A total of 290 356 person-times were screened for echinococcosis among residents at ages of 12 years and older in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province from 2007 to 2022, with 1 094 residents detected with cystic echinococcosis, and the detection of echinococcosis appeared a tendency towards a gradual decline over years (χ2 = 358.602, P < 0.001). A total of 32 931 person-times were screened for echinococcosis among children at ages of 12 years and older in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province from 2007 to 2022, with 296 children detected with echinococcosis, and the detection of echinococcosis appeared a tendency towards a gradual decline over years (χ2 = 267.673, P < 0.001). A total of 33 230 domestic dog stool samples were tested for Echinococcus coproantigens in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province from 2007 to 2022, with 1 777 Echinococcus coproantigens-positive samples tested, and the positive rate of Echinococcus coproantigens appeared a tendency towards a decline in domestic dogs over years (χ2 = 2 210.428, P < 0.001), while the positive rate of Echinococcus coproantigens showed a tendency towards a rise in domestic animals from 2016 to 2022 (χ2 = 37.745, P < 0.001). The positive rate of Echinococcus coproantigens remained relatively stable in stray dogs in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province from 2019 to 2022 (χ2 = 0.315, P = 0.575). A total of 10 973 sheep were screened for echinococcosis in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County from 2007 to 2022, with 334 sheep detected with echinococcosis, and the detection of echinococcosis appeared a tendency towards a decline in sheep over years (χ2 = 53.579, P < 0.001); however, there was no significant change in the detection of echinococcosis during the period from 2015 through 2022 (χ2 = 1.520, P = 0.218). A total of 2 400 cattle were screened for echinococcosis in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County from 2017 to 2022, with 231 cattle detected with echinococcosis, and the detection of echinococcosis showed a tendency towards a decline over years (χ2 = 5.579, P < 0.05). The awareness of echinococcosis control knowledge increased from 44.37% in 2007 to 94.00% in 2022 among residents at ages of 12 years and older and from 52.50% in 2007 to 92.50% in 2022 among children at ages of 12 years and older in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a reduction in the detection of echinococcosis in humans and domestic animals and the positive rate of Echinococcus coproantigens in dogs and a rise in the awareness of the echinococcosis control knowledge following the implementation of the central government-funded echinococcosis control programme in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province; however, integrated echinococcosis control measures are still required for further control of the prevalence of echinococcosis.

[Prevalence of Echinococcus infections in wild carnivores based on copro - DNA tests in Serthar County of Sichuan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of Echinococcus infections in wild carnivores in Serthar County, Sichuan Province, so as to provide insights into echinococcosis control in local areas. METHODS: Stool samples were collected from wild carnivores in Serthar County, Sichuan Province in May 2021, and the host sources of stool samples and Echinococcus infections were identified using PCR assays. The prevalence of E. multilocularis, E. granulosus and E. shiquicus infections was estimated in different hosts. RESULTS: A total of 583 stool samples were collected from wild carnivores, including 147 stool samples from fox, 154 from wolf, 227 from wild dogs and 11 from lynx. The overall prevalence of E. multilocularis, E. granulosus and E. shiquicus infections was 5.68%, 0.19% and 14.20% in canine stool samples, and no E. granulosus infection was detected in fox stool samples, while the prevalence of E. multilocularis and E. shiquicus infections was 0.68% and 47.62% in fox stool samples (χ2 = 88.41, P < 0.001). No E. granulosus or E. shiquicus infection was detected in wolf stool samples, and the prevalence of E. multilocularis infection was 10.39% in wolf stool samples. The prevalence of E. multilocularis, E. granulosus and E. shiquicus infections was 5.73%, 0.44% and 2.20% in canine stool samples (χ2 = 12.13, P < 0.01). In addition, the prevalence of E. multilocularis infections was significantly higher in wolf stool samples than in canine and fox stool samples (χ2 = 13.23, P < 0.01), and the prevalence of E. shiquicus infections was significantly higher in fox stool samples than in canine and wolf stool samples (χ2 = 187.01, P < 0.001). No Echinococcus infection was identified in 11 lynx stool samples. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of Echinococcus infections is high in wild canines in Serthar County, Sichuan Province. Wolf, wild dog and fox all participate in the wild life cycle of E. multilocularis in Serthar County, and wolf and wild dogs may play a more important role.

[Epidemiological characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis in Motuo County, Tibet Autonomous Region from 2012 to 2021].

To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in Motuo County from 2012 to 2021 and provide evidence for the prevention and control of PTB. A total of 223 cases of PTB were reported from 2012 to 2021 in Motuo County, with an average annual reported incidence rate of 171.39/100 000. Joinpoint regression model analysis showed that the average decline rate was 9.2% (P<0.001) from 2012 to 2021. Among the various types of PTB patients reported from 2012 to 2021, there were 69 cases of etiologic-positive cases which increased from 28.57% to 52.63%. Results from the circular distribution methods showed that there was no obvious peak time of PTB in Motuo County. There was no statistical difference in the average annual incidence of PTB between different genders (χ2=0.108, P=0.743). Among all age groups, the 20-29 years group had the highest proportion (26.91%, 60/223). The Monpa ethnic group (153 cases, 68.61%) had the largest number of cases, followed by the Lhoba people (44 cases, 19.73%) and the Tibetan (22 cases, 9.87%). Farmers (168 cases, 75.34%) had the highest occupational composition ratio, followed by students (40 cases, 17.94%). The main detection methods of PTB were clinical consultation and transferring consultation. Overall, the incidence rate of PTB decreased from 2012 to 2021. The majority of PTB patients were young adults with high transmission risk. It is necessary to pay more attention to the key populations and strengthen the comprehensive prevention and control for reducing the risk of PTB.

Virulence assessment of four Glaesserella parasuis strains isolated in Liaoning province of China.

Glaesserella parasuis (G. parasuis) is a part of the normal upper respiratory microbiota of healthy swine. In many studies, the serovars 1, 4, 5, and 12 of G. parasuis are considered to be highly virulent and its serovars 3, 6, 7, 9, and 11 are considered to be non-virulent. Until now, researchers have found that non-virulent strains of G. parasuis cause an increasing number of diseases. However, little is known concerning why non-virulent strains cause disease with the virulence changes. In present study, four G. parasuis strains were evaluated for their cytotoxicity property, which aims to compare their virulence. The results showed that highly virulent strains XX0306 and CY1201, as well as, non-virulent strains HLD0115 and YK1603 caused a series of pathological changes, increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and decreased cell activity. In addition, compared to the control group, both highly and non-virulent strains showed similar trends, demonstrating that the method of classifying the virulence of G. parasuis based on its serovar is worth further deliberation. Hence, we investigated the adhesion capacity and invasion rate of G. parasuis, the results indicated that XX0306 and HLD0115 had the strongest adhesion and invasion ability, which contradicts the classification of the virulence of G. parasuis based on its serovar. The apoptosis degree induced by highly virulent strains was more intensive than non-virulent strains, as measured by annexin V and propidium iodide (PI) double staining. Through testing the expression of apoptosis-related genes Bcl-2 and Bax, we found highly virulent strains induced apoptosis by inhibiting the expression of Bcl-2.

The Efficacy of At-home, In-office, and Combined Bleaching Regimens: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy of at-home, in-office, and combined bleaching regimens. METHODS: Forty-eight participants were recruited and randomly divided into four groups based on the bleaching regimen (n=12) as follows: 1) at-home bleaching using 10% carbamide peroxide (Opalescence PF 10%, Ultradent) for 14 days (HB); 2) two sessions of in-office bleaching using 40% hydrogen peroxide (Opalescence BOOST PF 40%, Ultradent) with a one-week interval (OB); 3) one session of in-office bleaching followed by at-home bleaching for seven days (OHB); and 4) at-home bleaching for seven days followed by one session of in-office bleaching (HOB). Tooth color was measured using a spectrophotometer (Easyshade, Vita ZahnFabrik) at baseline (T0), day 8 (T1), day 15 (T2), and day 43 (T3, four weeks after the end of the bleaching treatment). The color data were calculated using the CIEDE2000 (ΔE00) and whiteness index for dentistry (WID) formulas. Tooth sensitivity (TS) was recorded using a visual analogue scale (VAS) for 16 days. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (α=0.05). RESULTS: All bleaching regimens resulted in a significant increase in WID values (all p<0.05), while no significant differences in WID and ΔWID values were found among the different groups at each time point (all p>0.05). Significant differences in ΔE00 values were observed between T1 and T3 for all groups (all p<0.05), while no significant differences in ΔE00 values were found among the different groups at any time point (all p>0.05). Significantly lower TS values were observed in the HB group than in the OB and HOB groups (p=0.006 and p=0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: All bleaching regimens resulted in great color improvement, and different regimens led to similar color changes at any of the evaluation time points. The sequence of treatments applying in-office bleaching or at-home bleaching did not affect the bleaching efficacy. The in-office bleaching and combined bleaching regimens yielded a higher intensity of TS than did at-home bleaching.

[Prevalence of Echinococcus infection in small mammals captured from Shiqu County, Sichuan Province from 2015 to 2020].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of Echinococcus infection in small mammals in Shiqu County, Sichuan Province from 2015 to 2020, so as to provide insights into echinococcosis control in Shiqu County. METHODS: One setting with frequent activity of small mammals was sampled as the survey site from each of 9 townships where human alveolar echinococcosis was hyperendemic, in Shiqu County, Sichuan Province from 2015 to 2020. Two quadrats measuring 50 m × 50 m were assigned in each survey site during the period between July and August from 2015 to 2020 to capture all small mammals in quadrats, and the species of small mammals were identified by morphological characteristics. All captured small mammals were dissected in the field and Echinococcus infection was identified by visual examinations. The affected organs of Echinococcus - infected small mammals were collected, and Echinococcus infection was detected using PCR assay, with Echinococcus species characterized. The prevalence of Echinococcus infection was calculated in small mammals, and the trends in the prevalence of Echinococcus infection were analyzed during the period from 2015 to 2020. In addition, the prevalence of Echinococcus infection was compared in small mammals using visual examinations and PCR assay. RESULTS: A total of 2 692 small mammals were captured in the survey sites of Shiqu County from 2015 to 2020, and morphology characterized 1 360 Microtus fuscus (50.52%) and 1 332 Plateau pika (49.48%). The prevalence rates of Echinococcus infection were 35.63%, 19.16%, 21.41%, 8.40%, 7.68% and 4.44% by visual examinations and 18.96%, 5.36%, 5.61%, 4.58%, 3.30% and 0.37% by PCR assay in small mammals in Shiqu County from 2015 to 2020, both showing a tendency towards a decline year by year (χ2 = 215.024 and 117.045, both P values < 0.001). The prevalence of Echinococcus infection was significantly higher in small mammals by visual examinations than by PCR assay during the period from 2015 to 2020 except in 2018 (χ2= 33.597, 21.815, 51.373, 17.268 and 9.537, all P values < 0.01). PCR assay detected a reduction in the prevalence of E. multilocularis infection from 10.21% to 0.37% and a reduction in the prevalence of E. shiquicus infection from 8.75% to 0 in small mammals in Shiqu County from 2015 to 2020, both appearing a tendency towards a decline year by year (χ2 = 117.045 and 43.436, both P values < 0.001). In addition, the prevalence of E. multilocularis and E. shiquicus infections reduced from 15.19% to 0.45% and from 8.23% to 0 in M. fuscus, and the prevalence of E. multilocularis and E. shiquicus infections reduced from 7.76% to 0 and from 9.01% to 0 in P. pika in Shiqu County from 2015 to 2020. CONCLUSIONS: M. fuscus and P. pika were dominant species of small mammals in Shiqu County, Sichuan Province from 2015 to 2020, and E. multilocularis infection was mainly found in M. fuscus and E. shiquicus infection mainly found in P. pika. The prevalence of Echinococcus infection appeared a tendency towards a decline in both M. fuscus and P. pika year by year during the period from 2015 to 2020.

[Analysis of the equity of health human resource allocation for echinococcosis control based on Gini index].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the current status and evaluate the equity of health human resource allocation for echinococcosis control in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, so as to provide the empirical evidence for optimizing the health human resource allocation for echinococcosis control. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was performed to collect the numbers of health human sources for echinococcosis control, including health workers, healthcare professionals, certified/assistant physicians and registered nurses, per 1 000 permanent residents, per 1 000 m2, per 1 000 residents screened using Bmode ultrasonography and per 1 000 echinococcosis patients in two highly endemic counties and three lowly endemic counties in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province from 2016 to 2019. The equity of health human resource allocation for echinococcosis control was evaluated by permanent residents and geographical areas using Lorenz curve and Gini index in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture from 2016 to 2019. RESULTS: The numbers of health workers, healthcare professionals, certified/assistant physicians and registered nurses per 1 000 permanent residents, per 1 000 permanent residents, per 1 000 m2, per 1 000 residents screened using B-mode ultrasonography and per 1 000 echinococcosis patients were 0.99-, 1.06-, 1.78- and 1.88-fold; 3.38-, 3.67-, 6.00- and 6.00-fold; 1.64-, 1.74-, 3.22- and 3.18-fold; and 64.92-, 70.39-, 139.34- and 117.44-fold more in lowly endemic counties than in highly endemic countries in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, 2019. The Gini indexes of health human resource allocation for echinococcosis control were 0.371 to 0.397 by permanent residents and 0.477 to 0.591 by geographical areas in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture from 2016 to 2019, and the Gini indexes (0.469 to 0.730) for allocation of certified/assistant physicians and registered nurses were both higher than those of health workers and healthcare professionals (0.302 to 0.451) by both permanent residents and geographical areas. CONCLUSIONS: The health human resource allocation for echinococcosis control showed general equity by permanent residents and poor equity by geographical areas in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province from 2016 to 2019.

Transcriptomics analysis reveals key lncRNAs and genes related to the infection of porcine lung macrophages by Glaesserella parasuis.

Glaesserella parasuis (G. parasuis) is the pathogen of Glässer's disease in pig herds, which can cause severe inflammatory responses. However, at present, the pathogenic mechanism of G. parasuis is not very clear. LncRNAs can regulate the expression of mRNA in a variety of ways, thereby causing host cells to produce a variety of functional changes in response to bacterial infection. Here, we detected the changes in lncRNAs and mRNAs of 3D4/21 cells after G. parasuis CY1201 strain (serotype 13) infection. A total of 876 lncRNAs and 2166 mRNAs were differentially expression in 3D4/21 cells after G. parasuis infection. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the differentially up-regulated lncRNA target genes were mainly involved in the response to extracellular stimuli, cell receptor signaling pathways and chemokine signaling pathways. The differentially down-regulated lncRNA target genes were mainly involved in ERK1/ERK2 cascade reaction and adhesion junctions. 44 lncRNAs were screened that might be related in inflammation. CeRNA regulatory network of the top five difference inflammation-related lncRNAs showed that the up-regulated lncRNA group involved 5 lncRNAs, 50 miRNAs and 49 mRNAs. Meanwhile, there were 26 miRNAs and 36 mRNAs in the top five down-regulated lncRNA group. Our results contribute to understand the basic role of lncRNAs in 3D4/21 cells during G. parasuis infection, and lay the foundation for following research.

[Emergency responses to schistosomiasis outbreak during the stage moving towards elimination in China].

Currently, the national schistosomiasis control program of China is moving from transmission control and transmission interruption to elimination; however, there is still a threat of schistosomiasis outbreak in area where the transmission of schistosomiasis has not been interrupted, and in areas where transmission interruption and even elimination have been achieved because of the complex factors relating to schistosomiasis transmission, as well as socioeconomic factors and natural environments, which greatly affects the consolidation of schistosomiasis control outcomes and the achievement of the goal of schistosomiasis elimination in the country. Here, we summarized the outbreaks of schistosomiasis in China during the past six decades, evaluated the impact of schistosomiasis outbreak on the national schistosomiasis control program and proposed management of schistosomiasis outbreak and prevention of schistosomiasis resurgence as the key point and difficulty for schistosomiasis control in the current stage. Improving the surveillance-response mechanisms and minimizing the development of schistosomiasis outbreak and the resultant damages and losses are recommended to provide technical supports for elimination of schistosomiasis in China.

[Clinical and pathological features of Dubin-Johnson syndrome].

Objective: To explore the clinical and pathological features of Dubin-Johnson syndrome. Methods: The clinical and pathological characteristics of 18 cases of Dubin-Johnson syndrome diagnosed in the Department of Pathology of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from 2008 to 2018 were analyzed. Related literature was reviewed. Results: There were 15 male and three female patients. The male-to-female ratio was 5∶1. The age of the patients ranged from 17 to 73 years (median 24 years). Common clinical manifestations were jaundice, anorexia, and abnormal liver function tests. The pathological feature was the deposition of dark brown particles in the hepatocytes, especially those around the central veins. Conclusions: Dubin-Johnson syndrome mainly occurs in young people. The characteristic pathological changes are the deposition of dark brown particles in the hepatocytes around the central veins of the liver. The diagnosis of Dubin-Johnson syndrome mainly relies on clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, histopathological examinations and genetic testing. The understanding of Dubin-Johnson syndrome can help reduce the rates of missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of the disease.

LncRNA-MEG3 Regulates the Inflammatory Responses and Apoptosis in Porcine Alveolar Macrophages Infected with Haemophilus parasuis Through Modulating the miR-210/TLR4 Axis.

Haemophilus parasuis (H. parasuis, HPS) can elicit serious inflammatory responses and cause enormous economic loss to swine industry worldwide. However, the factors responsible for systemic infection and inflammatory responses of HPS have not yet been fully clarified. In this study, we found that lncRNA-MEG3 was significantly up-regulated in porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) infected with HPS. The gain- and loss-of-function analysis confirmed that lncRNA-MEG3 participated in the inflammatory responses and apoptosis in HPS-infected PAMs, which was assessed via several inflammatory cytokine genes (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6) and apoptotic factors (Bcl-2, Bax, and C-caspase-3). Based on biotin-labeled RNA pull-down assay, we found that lncRNA-MEG3 bound with miR-210 in HPS-infected PAMs. Based on both overexpression and knockdown analysis of lncRNA-MEG3, our results indicated that lncRNA-MEG3 promoted the expression of TLR4 in HPS-infected PAMs. Using dual-luciferase reporter assays, we showed that lncRNA-MEG3 positively regulated the expression of TLR4 gene in HPS-infected PAMs through miR-210 pathway. Taken together, our results indicated that lncRNA-MEG3 participated in the inflammatory responses and apoptosis in HPS-infected PAMs through modulating the miR-210/TLR4 axis. The results from this investigation provided significant information for a novel target to control HPS infection in swine.

Large-scale preparation of Co nanoparticles as an additive in carbon fiber for microwave absorption enhancement in C band.

Recent studies have found that the core-shell structured metal nanoparticles and porous carbon nanofibers (PCNF) are combined into a microwave absorbing material through electrospinning, which exhibits excellent microwave absorption performance. In this study, the core-shell structure Co nanoparticles prepared by the self-developed HEIBE process (production rate of > 50 g/h) were combined with porous carbon fibers, and their absorbing properties were greatly improved. The morphology of Co/PCNF demonstrated that CoNPs are randomly dispersed in the porous carbon nanofibers and carbon nanofiber form complex conductive network which enhances the dielectric loss of the materials. Meanwhile, the Co/PCNF has a low graphitization and shows a significant improvement in permittivity due to the combination of CoNPs and high conductivity of carbon material. The maximum reflection loss (RL) of Co/PCNF reaches - 63.69 dB at 5.28 GHz with a thickness of 5.21 mm and the absorption bandwidth (RL ≤ - 10.0 dB) is 12.92 GHz. In terms of 5.60 mm and 6.61 mm absorber, there are two absorption peaks of - 47.64 dB and - 48.30 dB appear around 12.50 GHz and 14.10 GHz, respectively. The results presented in this paper may pave a way for promising applications of lightweight and high-efficiency microwave absorbing materials (MAMs).

[Epidemiology of echinococcosis in Serthar County of Sichuan Province in 2019].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiology of echinococcosis in Serthar County, Sichuan Province, so as to provide insights into optimization of echinococcosis control measures. METHODS: The prevalence of human echinococcosis was surveyed among permanent residents living in Serthar County at ages of over 2 years from 2016 to 2019, and the prevalence of Echinococcus infections was surveyed in owned dogs, yaks and rodents in 2019. The epidemiological features of echinococcosis in humans and animals were descriptively analyzed. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of human echinococcosis was 3.72% (1 613/43 362) in Serthar County from 2016 to 2019, and the prevalence rates of cystic echinococcosis, alveolar echinococcosis and mixed infections of cystic echinococcosis and alveolar echinococcosis were 1.72% (745/43 362), 1.98% (860/43 362) and 0.02% (8/43 362), respectively. The prevalence of human echinococcosis was higher in pastoral areas (4.13%, 1 577/38 149) than in semi-agricultural and semi-pastoral areas (0.69%, 36/5 213) (χ2 = 151.82, P < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference in the prevalence between men (3.76%, 819/21 787) and women (3.68%, 794/21 575) (χ2 = 0.19, P > 0.05). Cystic echinococcosis was the predominant type in students with echinococcosis (93.78%, 422/450), while alveolar echinococcosis was the predominant type in herders with echinococcosis (72.16%, 801/1 110). There was a significant difference in the constituent ratio of echinococcosis types between students and herders (χ2 = 588.57, P < 0.05). In addition, higher prevalence of echinococcosis was detected in nomadic populations (4.58%, 1 008/22 021) than in community-dwelling populations (2.83%, 605/21 341) (χ2 = 91.88, P < 0.05). The Echinococcus copro-antigen-positive rate was 0.19% (4/2 157) in owned dogs, and the detection rate of echinococcosis was 8.00% (16/200) in yaks and 3.10% (31/1 000) in rodents in 2019. CONCLUSIONS: Echinococcosis is highly prevalent in Serthar County, Sichuan Province. Sustained management of source of Echinococcus infections, improved treatment of echinococcosis patients and timely health education for nomadic populations are recommended.

[An investigation and analysis on a poisoning tetramine accident].

From August 21 to December 13, 2018, a tetramine poisoning incident in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province was investigated, and the clinical diagnosis and treatment of tetramine poisoning was analyzed. There were 6 cases of poisoning caused by artificial tetramine poisoning. The diagnosis was delayed, coma and convulsions were severe manifestations continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) was effective in the treatment of severe cases, and all 6 cases were cured. The possibility of poisoning should be considered for unexplained coma and/or convulsions. Although tetramine is banned, it still needs to be highly vigilant and avoids the recurrence of delayed diagnosis and treatment.

[Frequency properties of bone-conducted vibration and sound-induced ocular evoked myogenic potential].

Objective: The present study was to compare the frequency characteristics of bone- conducted vibration (BCV) and air-conducted sound-induced ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential(oVEMP) with different stimulation settings, so as to select an optimal setting. Methods: Bruel and Kjaer artificial mastoid was used to calibrate bone vibrator, the mini-shaker. The outputspectrum and transient waveform were recorded when the input frequency was set at different frequencies and data were further analyzed to get the peake quivalent force level value of the output vibration. oVEMP was recorded as we previously reported with normal young adults. Response prevalence, latency, wave interval, amplitude, amplitude ratio, and bilateral amplitude asymmetry ratio were recorded and analyzed. SPSS 24.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Output peak equivalent force level increased as the intensity of primary input stimulation increased at certain frequency,while it decreased as the frequency of primary input stimulation increased at certain intensity. Peak equivalent force level of 500 Hz tone burst (1-2-1) input stimulation was greatest as 139.8 dB when using mini-shaker for vibration stimulation,even greater when using bone conductor B-71.Twenty subjects were elicited with normal oVEMP with N1 and P1 waves in both ears using air-conducted stimulation or bone-conducted vibration.The response rate in these subjects was 95% and 100% respectively. The latency of N1 was (11.33±1.35) ms and (10.14±0.38) ms, latency of P1 was (16.24±1.56) ms and (15.65±1.19) ms, interval N1-P1 was (4.59±1.26) ms and (5.55±0.81) ms, symmetry coefficient was 12.22%[5.50%,21.85%] and 8.74%[3.37%,14.08%], amplitude was 3.07[2.05,4.43] µV and 3.07[2.05,4.43] µV in sound and bone conducted vibration group, respectively. The latency of N1, latency of P1, interval N1-P1, symmetry coefficient and n1-P1 amplitude of BC-oVEMP were different statistically (all P<0.05). Conclusions: 500 Hz 45 dB input stimulation setting is the optimal parameter for BC-oVEMP. BC-oVEMP can be recorded simply, safely and quickly in normal young people, thus it is a clinically practical way of measuring utricular function.