Safety and Immunogenicity of a 23-Valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV23) in Chinese Children, Adults and the Elderly: A Phase 4, Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Objectives: This randomized, double-blind, active-controlled non-inferiority phase 4 clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) compared to an active comparator vaccine.

Methods: Pneumococcal vaccine-naïve participants aged ≥2 years were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive a single dose of either the investigational vaccine ( = 1199) or the comparator vaccine ( = 600). Immunogenicity was evaluated at baseline and 30 days post-vaccination by measuring serotype-specific IgG antibodies against all 23 pneumococcal serotypes using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

[Spatiotemporal distribution of etiologically positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Shaanxi Province, 2015-2023].

To understand the spatiotemporal distribution of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in Shaanxi Province from 2015 to 2023, and provide reference for the prevention and control of pulmonary TB in Shaanxi. The registration data of etiologically positive pulmonary TB cases in Shaanxi from 2015 to 2023 were collected from the tuberculosis subsystem of Chinese Disease Control and Prevention Information System. Descriptive method was used to analyze the basic characteristics of the etiologically positive pulmonary TB cases.

Reference values of spherical equivalent for predicting the onset and progression of myopia among children and adolescents in China.

Background/aims: To establish sex-specific and grade-specific reference values of cycloplegic spherical equivalent (SE) for predicting myopia onset and progression in Chinese children and adolescents.

Methods: Between 2020 and 2024, vision screening was conducted among 67 260 Chinese students spanning kindergarten to high school. Myopia was defined as a cycloplegic SE of ≤-0.

Reducing the Risk of Developing Diabetes: The Role of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors in Patients With Hypertension Combined Prediabetes.

Diabetes has emerged as a pressing public health crisis in numerous nations, with individuals afflicted by hypertension exhibiting an elevated susceptibility to diabetes. Our main objective was to investigate the risk of developing new-onset diabetes in hypertensive patients with pre-diabetes undergoing treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), thereby furnishing valuable evidence for informed clinical decision-making. Our study was a retrospective cohort study in which individuals with hypertension and meeting other inclusion criteria were enrolled into the cohort.

Prevalence and risk factors for hypertension among children and adolescents in Shaanxi province, Northwestern China, according to the three hypertension guidelines.

This study aimed to examine the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of hypertension among children and adolescents aged 7-17 years in Shaanxi Province using three hypertension guidelines for children and adolescents. Data from the 2023 Shaanxi Student's Health Surveillance Survey were used. Hypertension was defined according to three references, namely, the 2018 National Health Commission of the China (NHCC) pediatric blood pressure reference, the 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) clinical practice guidelines, and the 2016 European Society of Hypertension guidelines (ESH).

[Analysis of non-national immunization program vaccines inoculated in Shaanxi Province from 2019 to 2023].

From 2019 to 2023, a total of 30.8602 million doses of non-National Immunization Program (non-NIP) vaccines were administered in Shaanxi Province, averaging 1 561 doses per 10 000 population. The annual administration of non-NIP vaccines increased from 4.

Association of ambient air pollution with hospital admissions for major osteoarthritis diseases: A national case-crossover study in China.

Objectives: To investigate the acute effects of short-term exposure to ambient air pollution on the risk of hospital admissions for osteoarthritis (OA) and its major subtypes.

Methods: Hospital admission data on OA and its major subtypes were sourced from two major urban medical insurance systems in China, covering the period from 2013 to 2017. A two-stage, time-stratified case-crossover design was used to investigate the acute effects of short-term exposure to ambient air pollutants on hospital admissions for OA across 278 Chinese cities with available hospital admission data over 50 cases.

Mixed adverse ergonomic factors exposure in relation to work-related musculoskeletal disorders: a multicenter cross-sectional study of Chinese medical personnel.

Exposure to adverse ergonomic factors is associated with elevated risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in medical personnel. We aimed to reveal how different adverse ergonomic factors act individually and in combination to influence the risk of WMSDs in medical personnel. From June 2018 to December 2020, we applied multistage cluster random sampling to select a total of 6,099 medical personnel from 54 hospitals in 12 cities in China.

Oxytocin-Mediate Modulation of Splenic Immunosuppression in Chronic Social Stress Through Neuroendocrine Pathways.

Chronic social stress (CSS) is a significant public health challenge that negatively impacts behavior and immune function through brain-spleen interactions. Oxytocin (OT), a neuropeptide critical for social behavior and immune regulation, is upregulated during CSS, though its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigates the role of OT in splenic immune modulation using a murine model of CSS.

Establishment and optimization of a rapid and convenient viral RNA transcript copy reduction neutralization test (VcRNT) for quantification of hantaan orthohantavirus (HTNV) neutralizing antibodies.

Rodent-borne orthohantavirus causes severe hemorrhagic fever worldwide, with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Eurasia, and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) in the Amrerica. In East Asia, Hantaan orthohantavirus (HTNV) is the main pathogen responsible for severe HFRS, with a case fatality rate up to 10 % with no specific treatment available. The antisera or neutralizing antibody (NAb) is able to block virus infection, however, the traditional NAb titer measuring based on focus reduction neutralization test (FRNT) is quite labour-extensive and takes 7-10 days.

The bactericidal efficacy of two antiseptics against common pathogens associated with catheter-associated urinary tract infection in the elderly under divergent conditions: A laboratory-based study.

Background: Cleaning the external urethral orifice in patients with indwelling catheters can effectively reduce the number of local microorganisms. Employing appropriate disinfection strategies can prevent between 17% and 69% of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) cases. However, the optimal antiseptics and their conditions of use (temperature, concentration, and exposure time) remain unclear.

MLKL triggers NLRP3 activation in sodium arsenite-induced myocardial necroinflammation.

Prolonged exposure to arsenic elevates the risk of developing a range of cardiovascular disorders. However, the mechanisms underlying myocardial damage from arsenic exposure remain elusive. Our earlier research suggest that drinking arsenic-contaminated water can lead to substantial inflammatory and necrotic injury in the myocardium of rats.

LncRNA XIST inhibits mitophagy and increases mitochondrial dysfunction by promoting BNIP3 promoter methylation to facilitate the progression of KBD.

The primary mechanisms underlying cartilage destruction in Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) involve excessive chondrocyte death and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. While long non-coding RNA XIST (lncRNA XIST) has been implicated in promoting chondrocyte injury in osteoarthritis (OA), its role in KBD-related chondrocyte injury remains poorly understood. In this study, joint tissues were collected from four healthy and four KBD-affected children, as well as five healthy and five KBD-affected adults, to assess the expression of lncRNA XIST.

Whole-Genome Analysis of G2P[4] Rotavirus Strains in China in 2022 and Comparison of Their Antigenic Epitopes with Vaccine Strains.

Group A rotavirus (RVA) is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide. To elucidate the molecular epidemiology of G2P[4] rotavirus in China and the protective effects of vaccines, whole-genome analysis of 13 G2P[4] RVA strains collected from China in 2022 was performed. Twelve strains possessed the typical DS-1-like genome constellation G2-P[4]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E2-H2.

Causal effects of allergic diseases on the risk of myopia: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Objective: Myopia is a common eye disease, and the effect of allergic diseases on myopia is unclear. This study was to explore the causal relationship between allergic diseases and myopia risk through a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Materials And Methods: Genetic variants related to allergic diseases (allergic conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma) and immunoglobulin E and myopia were extracted from the MRC-IEU Open genome-wide association studies (GWAS) project.

A narrative review on the effectiveness of PPSV23 vaccination in adults in China.

Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV23) is available for free in some Chinese cities for elderly patients and those with comorbidities. However, there is a lack of studies summarizing its preventive effect specifically in Chinese adults. This review aims to discuss the epidemiology of pneumococcal disease, coverage and effectiveness of PPSV23 vaccination, elderly individuals and patients with comorbidities, coadministration of PPSV23 vaccine with other vaccines, and future directions for its use in China.

TRIM8 enhances chondrocyte ferroptosis by inhibiting YTHDF2-m6A mediated SREBF2 mRNA degradation to promote OA progression.

Chondrocyte ferroptosis plays a crucial role in osteoarthritis (OA) progression. Our previous study demonstrated that TRIM8 knockdown alleviated IL-1β-induced chondrocyte injury. However, the involvement of TRIM8 in regulating OA progression through ferroptosis remains unclear.

A Comparison of Transfer Learning Metaphyseal Sign Diagnostic Models for Kashin-Beck Disease Based on X-rays of Children's Hands.

Background Kashin-Beck disease (KBD), prevalent in certain regions of the world, primarily affects children and is characterized by joint deformities. Timely screening and accurate diagnosis, heavily reliant on metaphyseal signs in X-rays, are crucial but challenging, especially in regions where specialist availability is scarce. Artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted diagnostic technology offers a valuable solution to streamline KBD screening, emphasizing its importance in enhancing diagnostic precision and efficiency.

Past, present and future epidemiology of echinococcosis in China based on nationwide surveillance data 2004-2022.

Objectives: We evaluated the epidemiological characteristics of echinococcosis, a global public health threat, in China to inform global control efforts.

Methods: Descriptive, statistical, cluster, spatial, and trend analyses were used to evaluate the epidemiology at national, provincial, and county levels based on 2004-2022 nationwide surveillance data from China.

Results: Between 2004 and 2022, China recorded 72,676 cystic echinococcosis (CE) cases, 11,465 alveolar echinococcosis (AE) cases, and 5703 others, with an average annual cases per million (ANpM) of 3.

Interactive effects of short-term ozone exposure and plasma biomarkers related to nitric oxide pathway and inflammation on myocardial ischemia.

Background: No study has explored the possible interactive effects of short-term ozone (O) exposure and plasma endothelial and inflammatory biomarkers, including cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), nitric oxide metabolite (NO), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), on myocardial ischemia, indicated by ST-segment depression events (STDE) recorded in ambulatory electrocardiograms.

Methods: A L-arginine (L-Arg) intervention study with 118 participants was carried out using a standardized 24-h exposure protocol, employing a multivariable linear regression model to assess the effects of O exposure on plasma biomarkers, and a generalized linear model to investigate the effects on 24-hour STDE. The possible interactive effects of short-term O exposure and plasma biomarkers on indicators of myocardial ischemia were also investigated by including product interaction terms between ambient O and plasma biomarkers in the models.

Standardization, validation, and comparative evaluation of a convenient surrogate recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus plaque reduction test for quantification of Hantaan orthohantavirus (HTNV) neutralizing antibodies.

Hantaan orthohantavirus (HTNV) is responsible for severe hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), which has a case fatality rate of 1% to 10%. Currently, the inactive vaccine licensed in endemic areas elicit low levels of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). Early NAbs administration is helpful for patients recovery from HFRS.

[Safety evaluation of tetravalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine in combination with the inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine and diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccine for infants].

To investigate the safety of the tetravalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MPCV-ACYW) in combination with the inactivated poliomyelitis (IPV) vaccine and diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine for infants aged 3-5 months and provide real-world evidence for the immunization strategy of vaccine combination. From June to October 2023, a total of 600 3-month-old infants were selected and divided into three groups: control group, mono-vaccination group and combined vaccination group. They were simultaneously or individually vaccinated with MPCV-ACYW, IPV and DTaP vaccines at 3, 4, and 5 months of age, respectively.

Exploring the influence of living arrangements on mental health among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in China.

Background: Although scholars have extensively explored the impact of parents on the mental health of children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of living arrangements has not received sufficient attention. Furthermore, the previous studies do not investigate whether living with a father or a mother has differing impacts on the mental health of adolescents, nor does it explore potential differences between biological parents and step-parents in this regard.

Study Aims: This study aims to explore the impact of various living arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of adolescents, with a particular focus on parental presence and family structure.

Social-economic inequalities and early-life exposure to famine contribute to low grip strength: The China National Health Survey.

Background And Aim: The relationship between socio-economic inequalities (SEIs) and early life malnutrition with muscle health remains unclear. This study aims to examine the effects of SEIs and early life exposure to famine on relative hand grip strength (rHGS).

Methods And Results: We analyzed data of 37,008 individuals from the China National Health Survey.

Linear and non-linear relationships between red blood cell indices and cardiovascular risk factors: findings from the China National Health Survey.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Red blood cell indices (RBIs) are associated with CVD risk factors (CRFs) and easy to test, making them useful as a screening tool for early identification of individuals at high risk for CVDs.

Methods: Data from 31,781 participants in the China National Health Survey conducted from 2012 to 2017 were analyzed.