Avian Influenza Surveillance Among Migratory Birds, Poultry, and Humans Around Nansi Lake, China, 2021-2024.

Avian influenza A viruses (AIVs) pose a significant pandemic threat due to their cross-species transmission potential. However, AIV surveillance at the critical "migratory birds-poultry-exposed population" interface remains limited. Between 2021 and 2024, we implemented a prospective One Health surveillance program around Nansi Lake, monitoring AIVs in migratory birds, poultry, and environmental samples, as well as serological investigations against representative AIVs among migratory birds or poultry-exposed subjects.

Mapping the global risk of chikungunya virus endemicity and autochthonous transmission following importation.

Background: Chikungunya virus, emerging as an increasingly significant global health threat, poses significant uncertainty regarding the global risk of its endemicity and autochthonous transmission following importation.

Methods: In this study, we established a multi-source database spanning 70 years (1953-2023), synthesizing 4515 geolocated records of human, vector, and animal infections alongside clinical metadata. Three machine learning algorithms were utilized to analyze the ecological factors associated with CHIKV occurrences in regions characterized by endemic or autochthonous transmission following importation.

Contributions of different host species to the natural transmission of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus in China.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a tick-borne emerging infectious disease with a reported mortality rate of up to 30% in hospitalized patients. The causative agent, SFTS virus (SFTSV) is maintained in nature through a transmission cycle involving animal hosts and ticks. Therefore, effective control of SFTS in nature environments necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the tick-host circulation patterns that sustain viral persistence.

Construction of Microsphere Culture System for Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Aggregates.

Stem cells cultured in cell aggregates exhibit higher cell survival rates and enhanced anti-inflammatory and angiogenic effects compared to single cells, constructing a stable and economical cell aggregate culture system that can accurately adjust the mass transfer distance of nutrients, which contributes to improving the therapeutic effects of stem cell aggregates. In this study, an alginate hydrogel microsphere culture system (Alg-HM) was prepared using electrostatic spraying technology and refined by optimizing the electrostatic spraying technology parameters, such as the sodium alginate concentration, voltage, electrospray injection speed, and nozzle inner diameter. Furthermore, by setting the Tip-dropped culture system (Tip-D culture system, created by dropping the resuspended hMSC aggregate-hydrogel solution with a tip to form the hydrogel microsphere) and Matrigel culture system (created by dropping the resuspended hMSC aggregates-Matrigel solution with a tip to form the Matrigel culture system) as the control group and Alg-HM as the experimental group, the culture effect of hMSC aggregates in the optimized Alg-HM culture system was tested; CCK-8 detection and Ki-67 immunofluorescence staining showed that the Alg-HM culture system significantly enhanced the cell proliferation activity of hMSC aggregates after 7 and 14 days of culture.

Bioavailability of pyrene in soil affected by polylactic acid and polystyrene microplastics and their toxic effects on earthworms (Eisenia fetida).

Microplastics (MPs) can adsorb numerous pollutants, thus affecting the bioavailability and toxicity of pollutants. The toxic effects and bioavailability of pyrene (Pyr) in soils containing polylactic acid (PLA) and polystyrene (PS) were analysed using earthworms (Eisenia fetida). The results showed that PS and PLA had different effects on the pyrene bioavailability of soil.

The global distribution and risk prediction of Anaplasmataceae species: a systematic review and geospatial modelling analysis.

Background: The family Anaplasmataceae, reclassified under the order Rickettsiales, represents a highly complex group that poses an increasing global threat. However, their infection risk remains poorly understood. We aimed to map the diversity, distribution, and potential infection risk of Anaplasmataceae members.

Spatiotemporal distribution and influencing factors of enteric fever in China: a cluster analysis based on data from 2001 to 2020.

Background: Enteric fever primarily affects the southwestern and central regions of China. Although the overall incidence rate has declined, certain areas have seen an increase in cases, necessitating further investigation into their geographic distribution, clustering areas, and potential influencing factors.

Methods: City-level data from 2001 to 2020 were analyzed.

Early-warning signals and the role of H9N2 in the spillover of avian influenza viruses.

Background: The spillover of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) presents a significant global public health threat, leading to unpredictable and recurring pandemics. Current pandemic assessment tools suffer from deficiencies in terms of timeliness, capability for automation, and ability to generate risk estimates for multiple subtypes in the absence of documented human cases.

Methods: To address these challenges, we created an integrated database encompassing global AIV-related data from 1981 to 2022.

Small mammals and associated infections in China: a systematic review and spatial modelling analysis.

Background: As natural reservoirs of diverse pathogens, small mammals are considered a key interface for guarding public health due to their wide geographic distribution, high density and frequent interaction with humans.

Methods: All formally recorded natural occurrences of small mammals (Order: Rodentia, Eulipotyphla, Lagomorpha, and Scandentia) and their associated microbial infections in China were searched in the English and Chinese literature spanning from 1950 to 2021 and geolocated. Machine learning models were applied to determine ecological drivers for the distributions of 45 major small mammal species and two common rodent-borne diseases (RBDs), and model-predicted potential risk locations were mapped.

Inter-city movement pattern of notifiable infectious diseases in China: a social network analysis.

Background: Co-existence of efficient transportation networks and geographic imbalance of medical resources greatly facilitated inter-city migration of patients of infectious diseases in China.

Methods: To characterize the migration patterns of major notifiable infectious diseases (NIDs) during 2016-2020 in China, we collected migratory cases, who had illness onset in one city but were diagnosed and reported in another, from the National Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting System, and conducted a nationwide network analysis of migratory cases of major NIDs at the city (prefecture) level.

Findings: In total, 2,674,892 migratory cases of NIDs were reported in China during 2016-2020.

The global distribution and diversity of wild-bird-associated pathogens: An integrated data analysis and modeling study.

Background: Wild birds are significant vectors in global pathogen transmission, but the diversity and spatial distribution of the pathogens detected in them remain unclear. Understanding the transmission dynamics and hotspots of wild-bird-associated pathogens (WBAPs) is crucial for early disease prevention.

Methods: We compiled an up-to-date dataset encompassing all WBAPs by conducting an extensive search of publications from 1959 to 2022, mapped their diversity and global distribution, and utilized three machine learning algorithms to predict geospatial hotspots where zoonotic and emerging WBAPs were prevalent.

Protocol to evaluate virus-specific CD4 and CD8 T cell responses by spectral flow cytometry.

T cell responses play an important role in viral clearance and prevention of infection. Here, we present a protocol to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific T cell responses using spectral flow cytometry. We describe steps for peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) thawing and stimulation with SARS-CoV-2 spike peptide pools.

Distribution dynamics and urbanization-related factors of Hantaan and Seoul virus infections in China between 2001 and 2020: A machine learning modelling analysis.

Objectives: The epidemical and clinical features of distinct hantavirus infections exhibit heterogeneity. However, the evolving epidemics and distinct determines of the two hantavirus infections remain uncertain.

Methods: Data on hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) cases and genotyping were collected from multiple sources to explore the distribution dynamics of different endemic categories.

Dynamic changes of neutralizing antibody and memory T cell responses six months post Omicron XBB reinfection.

Introduction: With the continued prevalence of COVID-19, repeated infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 has become common. However, studies on immune persistence post Omicron XBB reinfection are limited.

Methods: We prospectively studied the durability and cross-reactivity of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) and T cell responses among 20 subjects who suffered Omicron BA.

Global risk dynamics of Borrelia miyamotoi in the context of climate change.

The impact of Borrelia miyamotoi on human health, facilitated by the expanding geographical distribution and increasing population of Ixodes ticks, remains obscure in the context of global climate change. We employed multiple models to evaluate the effect of global climate change on the risk of B. miyamotoi worldwide across various scenarios.

Epidemiological and immunological characteristics of middle-aged and elderly people in housing estates after Omicron BA.5 wave in Jinan, China.

A great number of COVID-19 patients was caused by Omicron BA.5 subvariant between December 2022 and January 2023 after the end of the zero-COVID-19 policy in China. In this study, we clarified the epidemiological and immunological characteristics of 457 enrolled middle-aged and elderly population in two housing estates after Omicron BA.

SARS-CoV-2 reinfection broadens the antibody responses and promotes the phenotypic differentiation of virus-specific memory T cells in adolescents.

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron subvariants raises concerns regarding the effectiveness of immunity acquired from previous Omicron subvariants breakthrough infections (BTIs) or reinfections (RIs) against the current circulating Omicron subvariants. In this study, we prospectively investigate the dynamic changes of virus-specific antibody and T cell responses among 77 adolescents following Omicron BA.2.

Humoral and cellular immune responses following Omicron BA.2.2 breakthrough infection and Omicron BA.5 reinfection.

The emergence of novel Omicron subvariants has raised concerns regarding the efficacy of immunity induced by prior Omicron subvariants breakthrough infection (BTI) or reinfection against current circulating Omicron subvariants. Here, we prospectively investigated the durability of antibody and T cell responses in individuals post Omicron BA.2.

Mapping the distribution of Nipah virus infections: a geospatial modelling analysis.

Background: Nipah virus is a zoonotic paramyxovirus responsible for disease outbreaks with high fatality rates in south and southeast Asia. However, knowledge of the potential geographical extent and risk patterns of the virus is poor. We aimed to establish an integrated spatiotemporal and phylogenetic database of Nipah virus infections in humans and animals across south and southeast Asia.

Epidemiological characteristics and antibody kinetics of elderly population with booster vaccination following both Omicron BA.5 and XBB waves in China.

After the termination of zero-COVID-19 policy, the populace in China has experienced both Omicron BA.5 and XBB waves. Considering the poor antibody responses and severe outcomes observed among the elderly following infection, we conducted a longitudinal investigation to examine the epidemiological characteristics and antibody kinetics among 107 boosted elderly participants following the Omicron BA.

The global distribution and the risk prediction of relapsing fever group Borrelia: a data review with modelling analysis.

Background: The recent discovery of emerging relapsing fever group Borrelia (RFGB) species, such as Borrelia miyamotoi, poses a growing threat to public health. However, the global distribution and associated risk burden of these species remain uncertain. We aimed to map the diversity, distribution, and potential infection risk of RFGB.

Prevalence and Etiological Characteristics of Norovirus Infection in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Norovirus is a common cause of sporadic cases and outbreaks of gastroenteritis worldwide, although its prevalence and the dominant genotypes responsible for gastroenteritis outbreaks remain obscure. A systematic review was conducted on norovirus infection in China between January 2009 and March 2021. A meta-analysis and beta-binomial regression model were used to explore the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of norovirus infection and the potential factors contributing to the attack rate of the norovirus outbreaks, respectively.

Infection and co-infection patterns of community-acquired pneumonia in patients of different ages in China from 2009 to 2020: a national surveillance study.

Background: Severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP) is associated with a substantial number of hospitalisations and deaths worldwide. Infection or co-infection patterns, along with their age dependence and clinical effects are poorly understood. We aimed to explore the causal and epidemiological characteristics by age, to better describe patterns of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and their association with severe disease.