A designed ZrOCl2/ethylene glycol deep eutectic solvent for efficient lignocellulose valorization.

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) hold great potential in biorefining because they can efficiently deconstruct the recalcitrant structure of lignocellulose. In particular, inorganic salts with Lewis acids have been proven to be effective at cleaving lignin-carbohydrate complexes. Herein, a Zr-based DES system composed of metal chloride hydrate (ZrOCl2·8H2O) and ethylene glycol (EG) was designed and used for poplar powder pretreatment. Zr4+-based salts provide sufficient acidity for lignocellulose depolymerization. The acidity of the DES was analysed by the Kamlet-Taft solvatochromic parameter, and the results demonstrated that the acidity can be regulated by the DES composition. Under the optimum conditions (ZrOCl2·8H2O:EG molar ratio of 1:2), the DES pretreatment removes nearly 100 % hemicellulose and 94.7 % lignin. The recovered lignin exhibited a low polydispersity of 1.7. The cellulose residues deliver an efficiency of 94.4 % upon enzymatic digestion. Moreover, the DES can be easily recovered with high yield and purity, and the recycled DES still maintains high delignification and enzymatic hydrolysis efficiencies. The proposed DES pretreatment technology is promising for biomass valorization.

Cellulose-reinforced highly stretchable and adhesive eutectogels as efficient sensors.

A cellulose-reinforced eutectogel was constructed by deep eutectic solvent (DES) and cotton linter cellulose. Cellulose was dispersed in the ternary DES consisting of acrylic acid, choline chloride and AlCl3·6H2O. The photoinitiator was then introduced into the system to in situ polymerize acrylic acid monomer to form transparent and ionic conductive eutectogels while keeping all the DES. The crosslinks formed by Al3+ induced ionic bonds and reversible links formed by hydrogen bonds give the eutectogels high stretchability (3200 ± 200 % tensile strain), self-adhesive (52.1 kPa to glass), self-healing and good mechanical strength (670 kPa). The eutectogels were assembled into sensors and epidermal patch electrodes that demonstrated high quality human motion sensing and physiological signal detection (electrocardiogram and electromyography). This work provides a facile way to design flexible electronics for sensing.

Multifunctional Bacterial Cellulose Films Enabled by Deep Eutectic Solvent-Extracted Lignin.

Inspired by natural plant cells, lignin is utilized as a filler and a functional agent to modify bacterial cellulose (BC). By mimicking the lignin-carbohydrate structure, deep eutectic solvent (DES)-extracted lignin serves as a glue to strength the BC films and endows the films with diverse functionality. The lignin isolated by the DES (formed by choline chloride and lactic acid) is rich in phenol hydroxyl groups (5.5 mmol/g) and exhibits a narrow molecular weight distribution. A good interface compatibility can be obtained in the composite film, and lignin fills the void/gaps between BC fibrils. The integration of lignin endows the films with enhanced water-proof, mechanical, UV shielding, gas barrier, and antioxidant abilities. The BC/lignin composite film with 0.4 g of lignin addition (BL-0.4) exhibits an oxygen permeability and a water vapor transmission rate of 0.4 mL/m2/day/Pa and 0.9 g/m2/day, respectively. The multifunctional films are promising candidates for packing materials and exhibit a broad application prospect in the field of petroleum-based polymer replacement.

Safety and Viral Shedding of Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) in Chinese Healthy Juveniles and Adults: A Phase â Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety and viral shedding of live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) in Chinese healthy juveniles and adults. A total of 80 Eligible volunteers were divided into two age groups (≥18 and 3-17 years old). Volunteers were randomly and equally assigned to the experimental group and placebo-controlled group by ratio of 3:1 in each age group. Vaccination was carried out in steps. Totally, 34 (56.67%) adverse events and 24 (40.00%) adverse reactions of the LAIV group were reported. Most adverse reactions were grade 1 and grade 2, and the incidence of adverse reactions that grade 3 was 5%. The most common local reaction was runny nose/nasal congestion (n = 4, 6.67%). And the most common general reaction was fever (n = 10, 16.67%). There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of total adverse reactions, different grades of adverse reactions, and symptoms between the experimental group and placebo-controlled group. No severe adverse events were reported. Three subjects (5.00%) had been detected vaccine strains on the 3rd day after LAIV vaccination; one was type B and the other two were H3N2. Four subjects (6.67%) had been detected with vaccine strains on the 7th day after LAIV vaccination, all were H3N2. There were no subjects detected carrying the influenza virus on the 15th day after vaccination. There were no statistically significant differences in the positive rate of vaccine strains of influenza virus between the experimental group and placebo-controlled group. The vaccine was well tolerated and not associated with increased rates in adverse reactions or the occurrence of severe adverse events. Pathogenicity of shed vaccine virus to surrounding people was not observed. Thus, Phase Ⅱ study can be carried out as scheduled.

Neutralizing antibody activity, safety and immunogenicity of human anti-rabies virus monoclonal antibody (Ormutivimab) in Chinese healthy adults: A phase â ¡b randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled trail to evaluate the rabies virus neutralizing activity（RVNA）, safety and immunogenicity of Ormutivimab + rabies vaccine in Chinese healthy adults. METHODS: Subjects were randomly and equally assigned to 4 groups (20 IU/kg Omtv + vaccine, 40 IU/kg Omtv + vaccine, 20 IU/kg HRIG + vaccine, and placebo + vaccine). Subjects received vaccine as the WHO Essen regime combined with Omutivimab、HRIG or placebo on Day 0. The study lasted for 43 days. RESULTS: A total of 240 subjects were simultaneously assigned to both FAS and SS. Fifty subjects with baseline RVNA > 0.05 IU/ml (detection limit) were excluded, 190 were included into mITT. All the subjects from 40 IU/kg Omtv + vaccine group had a protection level of RNVA (≥0.5 IU/ml, WHO) on Day 14, and those in 20 IU/kg Omtv + vaccine group and placebo + vaccine group converted positive 100 % on Day 28. In contrast to 20 IU/kg HRIG + vaccine and placebo + vaccine, Ormutivimab + vaccine provided a higher RVNA during Days 0 to 7. And RVNA in 40 IU/kg Omtv + vaccine and 20 IU/kg Omtv + vaccine groups were always higher than 20 IU/kg HRIG + vaccine group during the whole study. Although anti-Omtv antibody were detected in some subjects, it did not influence the RVNA. The incidence of adverse reactions was significantly lower in 20 IU/kg Omtv + vaccine group (17.2 %) than in 40 IU/kg Omtv + vaccine (36.7 %) and 20 IU/kg HRIG + vaccine groups (40.3 %). CONCLUSION: Compared with HRIG + vaccine and placebo + vaccine, Omtv + vaccine provided higher RNVA for earlier immune protection. The interference of Ormutivimab on the long-term immune protection induced by rabies vaccine is weaker than HRIG. At the same dose, the adverse reactions of Omtv + vaccine group were less than HRIG + vaccine group. REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT02559921.

Population Pharmacodynamic Analyses of Human Anti-Rabies Virus Monoclonal Antibody (Ormutivimab) in Healthy Adult Subjects.

Ormutivimab is the first recombinant human anti-rabies monoclonal antibody (rhRIG) approved for clinical application in China. In this study, a population pharmacodynamic (PPD) model was established to compare the neutralizing antibody activities of Ormutivimab and human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG), alone or combined with human rabies vaccine (Vero), in a phase II clinical trial, and to recommend a target dose for the phase III trial. The model was verified to fit the PPD data well. The stability of the model was verified by the bootstrap method. The level of neutralizing antibodies in vivo increased rapidly after administration of Ormutivimab or HRIG. Neutralizing antibodies with a strong activity were produced at 7 days (Ormutivimab + vaccine) or 10 days (HRIG + vaccine) after induction by the vaccine in vivo. Compared to that induced by HRIG + vaccine, the level of the neutralizing antibodies induced by Ormutivimab + vaccine peaked higher and faster. The levels of neutralizing antibodies induced by Ormutivimab + vaccine and HRIG + vaccine were similar within 21 days after administration. According to these results and the safety data, 20 IU·kg-1 was recommended as the target dose in the confirmatory study of Ormutivimab. Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT02559921.

[Public health and clinical care integration to improve immunization of children with special health care needs].

Immunization of children with special health care needs has always been one of the difficulties in community-level public health. In recent years the relevant consensus opinions on vaccination have been issued in China, but for a long time there is a lack of effective communication channels between disease prevention and clinical medical systems in China. Pediatricians play an unoccupied role in immunization, and community-level vaccinators face the difficulties including dilemma of disease identification, evidence-based evaluation and upward referral. These lead to the vaccination hesitancy, thus the multi-disciplinary management and three-level referral model of children with special health care needs should be improved urgently. It should strengthen the integration of public health and clinical care, with the active participation of pediatricians, to promote the immunization of children with special health care needs effectively.

Deep eutectic solvent with bifunctional Brønsted-Lewis acids for highly efficient lignocellulose fractionation.

Green and low cost deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are promising to replace the solid acids and ionic liquids in biomass fractionation process. To enhance the lignocellulose pretreatment efficiency, an acidic DES that composed of Brønsted acid (ZnCl2) as hydrogen bond acceptor and Lewis acid (lactic acid) as hydrogen bond donator was designed. This bifunctional DES was used for the extraction of lignin from poplar sawdust. Under the optimal pretreatment condition, the ZnCl2-lactic acid DES could recover 95.2 wt% of lignin with a purity of 92.1%. The recovered lignin demonstrated a low polydispersity of 1.67 and small amount of ß-aryl-ethers. Moreover, the acidic DES had a good recyclability and reusability. Such performance was attributed to the presence of bifunctional acid sites, which help selectively cleave lignin-carbohydrate complex linkages. The acidity and polarity of Brønsted acid can be modulated by the Lewis acid, thus synergistically promote the lignin extraction and production.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of quadrivalent seasonal influenza vaccines in Beijing: A modeling analysis.

BACKGROUND: Since 2007, Beijing has offered a free trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) for residents aged ≥ 60 years and school students. The quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) was administered to school children in 2018 and will be administered to elderly adults in the future. In addition, health care workers (HCWs) who are involved in the prevention and control of COVID-19 were included in the program in 2020. This study aimed to analyze the cost-effectiveness of a comprehensive list of combined strategies of TIV and QIV for school children, elderly adults, and HCWs to identify the most cost-effective strategy. METHODS: A decision tree was developed to compare 1-year outcomes of TIV vs. QIV in three risk groups: school children, elderly adults, and HCWs. The outcome was incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). Probabilistic sensitivity analyses and scenario analyses were developed to assess the robustness of the results. RESULTS: From the perspective of society, this study found that the introduction of QIVs can be cost-effective for any and all targeted groups with a willingness-to-pay threshold of 3-fold GDP per capita. Among all programs, program H (all school children, elderly adults, and HCWs received the QIV) showed a 79% probability of being cost-effective with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of 13,580 (95% CI: 13,294, 13,867) US$/QALY and was the preferred option in the base case scenario. CONCLUSION: The introduction of QIVs to school children, elderly adults, or HCWs is likely to be cost-effective, either separately or collectively. The introduction of QIV to school children, elderly adults, and health care workers simultaneously showed the highest probability of being cost-effective and was the preferred option.

Immunogenicity and safety of purified vero cell rabies vaccine (PVRV) produced by Liaoning Cheng Da Co. under Zagreb 2-1-1 or 5-dose Essen regimen in Chinese adults aged 50 and above.

BACKGROUND: Two kinds of regimens (2-1-1 and 1-1-1-1-1) can be selected after Zagreb regimen(2-1-1)of PVRV was officially approved in Beijing in January 2015. Up to now, the subjects for most studies about the comparison between Zagreb and Essen regimen are under 50 y old, rarely at and above. Aging of the immune system may result in decreasing efficacy of vaccination, especially for adults aged above 65-70 y. This study compared the safety and immunogenicity of the Zagreb and Essen regimen in Chinese adults aged 50 and above with the goal to provide a supplemental data for this age group. METHODS: A total of 114 cases were divided into 2 groups randomly, received PVRV under the Zagreb and Essen regimens respectively. Serum samples were collected at D0, D7, D14, D42, D180 and D365 to determine the rabies serum neutralizing antibody by rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT). Safety analyses were made by comparing the AEs in day-3, day-7, and day-(7 + 21) in Zagreb or day-(7 + 28) in Essen by gender and age cohorts. RESULTS: 617 blood samples were obtained. Two groups showed similar immunogenicity, the neutralizing antibody titer of all subjects at D14 and D42 showed >0.5 IU/ml. Under the same regimen, Subjects ≥65 y had lower GMC than those who <65 years from D7 to D365 within 2 groups. This difference was significantly shown on D7, D14, D180 in Zagreb group, and on D180 in Essen group (t = 2.38, p = 0.02; t = 3.78, p < 0.001; t = 2.30, p = 0.03; t = 4.42, p < 0.001). Subjects<65 years had higher seroconversion rate compared to ≥65 y on D7, D180 and D365 in both 2 groups, this difference was also significantly shown on D180, D365 in Zagreb group and on D180 in Essen group (χ2 = 20.66, p < 0.001; χ2 = 6.56, p = 0.02; χ2 = 10.96, p = 0.002). Two regimens all showed favorable performances with mildly or common adverse events (AEs). The incidence of local AEs after 3 d in Essen group was higher than Zagreb group (χ2 = 9.69, p = 0.002). The most common local AE was pain, the incidences (8.8%) in Zagreb group was higher than Essen group (8.4%, χ2 = 5.12, p = 0.02). All AEs for Zagreb group and 52.3% of AEs for Essen group occurred during the first 72 hours. During the first 72 hours, subjects aged <65 in Zagreb group (16.26%) had higher incidences of AEs than Essen group (8.57%, χ2 = 4.54, p = 0.03), males in Zagreb group (16.05%) had higher incidence of AEs than Essen group (5.71%, χ2 = 5.34, p = 0.02). The incidences of AEs close in during the first 7 d. CONCLUSION: The Zagreb and Essen regimens demonstrated the similar safety and efficacy of PVRV in Chinese adults aged 50 and above. People ≥65 y showed reduced immune response to both regimens. More AEs for the Zagreb regimen were observed within the first 72 hours, especially for male and people < 65 y.

Immunogenicity, safety and antibody persistence of a purified vero cell cultured rabies vaccine (Speeda) administered by the Zagreb regimen or Essen regimen in post-exposure subjects.

AIM: To compare the safety, immunogenicity and long-term effect of a purified vero cell cultured rabies vaccine in post-exposure subjects following 2 intramuscular regimens, Zagreb or Essen regimen. METHODS: Serum samples were collected before vaccination and on days 7, 14, 42, 180 and 365 post vaccination. Solicited adverse events were recorded for 7 d following each vaccine dose, and unsolicited adverse events throughout the entire study period. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01821911 and NCT01827917). RESULTS: No serious adverse events were reported. Although Zagreb regimen had a higher incidence of adverse reactions than Essen regimen at the first and second injection, the incidence was similar at the third and fourth injection between these 2 groups as well. At day 42, 100% subjects developed adequate rabies virus neutralizing antibody concentrations (≥ 0.5IU/ml) for both regimens. At days 180 and 365, the antibody level decreased dramatically, however, the percentage of subjects with adequate antibody concentrations still remained high (above 75% and 50% respectively). None of confirmed rabies virus exposured subjects had rabies one year later, and percentage of subjects with adequate antibody concentrations reached 100% at days 14 and 42. CONCLUSIONS: Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis vaccination with PVRV following a Zagreb regimen had a similar safety, immunogenicity and long-term effect to the Essen regimen in China.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Induced Protein 3 Interacting Protein 1 Gene Polymorphisms and Pustular Psoriasis in Chinese Han Population.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a common immune-mediated inflammatory dermatosis. Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is the severe and rare type of psoriasis. The association between tumor necrosis factor-alpha induced protein 3 interacting protein 1 (TNIP1) gene and psoriasis was confirmed in people with multiple ethnicities. This study was to investigate the association between TNIP1 gene polymorphisms and pustular psoriasis in Chinese Han population. METHODS: Seventy-three patients with GPP, 67 patients with palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP), and 476 healthy controls were collected from Chinese Han population. Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the TNIP1 gene, namely rs3805435, rs3792798, rs3792797, rs869976, rs17728338, and rs999011 were genotyped by using polymerase chain reaction-ligase detection reaction. Statistical analyses were performed using the PLINK 1.07 package. Allele frequencies and genotyping frequencies for six SNPs were compared by using Chi-square test, odd ratio (OR) (including 95% confidence interval) were calculated. The haplotype analysis was conducted by Haploview software. RESULTS: The frequencies of alleles of five SNPs were significantly different between the GPP group and the control group (P ≤ 7.22 × 10-3), especially in the GPP patients without psoriasis vulgaris (PsV). In the haplotype analysis, the most significantly different haplotype was H4: ACGAAC, with 13.1% frequency in the GPP group but only 3.4% in the control group (OR = 4.16, P = 4.459 × 10-7). However, no significant difference in the allele frequencies was found between the PPP group and control group for each of the six SNPs (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphisms in TNIP1 are associated with GPP in Chinese Han population. However, no association with PPP was found. These findings suggest that TNIP1 might be a susceptibility gene for GPP.

Immunological persistence of a seasonal influenza vaccine in people more than 3 years old.

To evaluate antibody persistence of Aleph inactivated split influenza vaccine, 3308 healthy Chinese people more than 3 years old were enrolled in a hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay before vaccination, 641 were screened by HI assay negative, 437 of which received one dose of Aleph inactivated split influenza vaccine and 204 of which received one dose of control vaccine (recombinant hepatitis B). After vaccination, the receivers were collected blood at 1st month, 3rd month, 6th month and 12th month for Aleh influenza vaccine antibody persistence assess. The antibody test were determined by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay. There were significant difference in antibody geometric mean titer between experimental group and control at 1st month and 3rd month after vaccination. Influenza antibody could persist at least up to 3rd month. Because of the local spring influenza epidemic, we could not analyze the results of 6th and 12th month. Aleph influenza vaccines showed good immune persistence in healthy volunteers at least in the 3 months after vaccination. Influenza viruses are important human respiratory pathogens. Immunization is widely acknowledged to currently be the most effective method of minimizing the impact of pandemic influenza. Through we have checked many references about Influenza vaccine, the duration of protective antibody for influenza vaccines are still not available. Based on this situation and our previous work, (11) Influenza vaccine antibody duration analyze are necessary. This manuscript presents data on the persistence of Hemagglutination Inhibition (HI) immune response against the A/California/7/2009(H1N1), A/Peth/16/2009(H3N2) strain and B/Brisbane/60/2008. 641 were screened from 3302 volunteers by HI test of influenza A and confirmed enrollment based on the antibodies titer less than 1:10. After administered with one dose of Aleph influenza vaccine, blood samples were collected. 437 subjects (3-10 y: 131; 11-17 y: 110; 18-54 y: 69; ≥ 55 y: 127) were vaccinated influenza vaccine as test group. 204 subjects (3-10 y: 70; 11-17 y: 47; 18-54 y: 28; ≥ 55 y: 59) were vaccinated recombinant hepatitis B vaccine as control group. Immunogenicity end points were based on the European licensure criteria for pandemic influenza vaccines. The persistence of HI immune response against the vaccine strain was assessed through GMT. The immunogenicity of the Aleph influenza vaccine induced all reached the standards at 1st month and GMTs peak could persist at least up to 3rd month. (This study has been registered at clinicaltrials.gov under registration no. NCT01758185.). Because of the local spring influenza epidemic we could not analyze the results of 6th and 12th month. Aleph influenza vaccines showed good immune persistence in healthy volunteers at least in the 3 months after vaccination.

A randomized, controlled, blinded study of the safety, immunogenicity and batch consistency of Aleph inactivated split influenza vaccine made in China in Chinese people.

To evaluate the safety, immunogenicity and batch consistency of Aleph inactivated split influenza vaccine, 3308 healthy Chinese people more than 3 years old were enrolled in a randomized, controlled, blinded study and divided into four age groups: 3-10 years, 11-17 years, 18-54 years, and more than 55 years. Each age group was then randomized (2:1) to receive either influenza vaccine or control vaccine (recombinant hepatitis B) for one dose. Also each influenza vaccine group was randomized (1:1:1) to receive three different batches of influenza vaccine. Systematic and local adverse reactions for 28 days after vaccination were recorded, and influenza antibody titer was determined by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay at 28 days after vaccination. There were significant differences in seroconversion and seroprotection rates achieved post-immunization of three strains of influenza antibody (H1N1, H3N2, B) between experimental group and control group in all age groups (P<0.05). In addition, there were no statistically significant differences in local and systematic reaction rates after vaccination between the experimental and control group in all age groups (P>0.05), except for the systematic reaction rates in the 18-54 years and ≥ 55 years age groups (P<0.05). Thus, Aleph inactivated split influenza vaccine has good safety and immunogenicity.

Immunogenicity and safety of three 2010-2011 seasonal trivalent influenza vaccines in Chinese toddlers, children and older adults: a double-blind and randomized trial.

The 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic strain was for the first time included in the 2010-2011 seasonal trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV). We conducted a double-blind, randomized trial in Chinese population to assess the immunogenicity and safety of the 2010-2011 TIV manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline and compared it with the counterpart vaccines manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur and Sinovac Biotech. Healthy toddlers (6-36 mo), children (6-12 y) and older adults (≥60 y) with 300 participants in each age group were enrolled to randomly receive two doses (toddlers, 28 d apart) or one dose (children and older adults). The immunogenicity was assessed by hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) assay. The solicited injection-site and systemic adverse events (AEs) were collected within 7 d after vaccination. All the three TIVs were well-tolerated with 15.1% of participants reporting AEs, most of which were mild. No serious AEs and unusual AEs were reported. Fever and pain were the most common systemic and injection-site AEs, respectively. The three TIVs showed good immunogenicity. The seroprotection rates against both H1N1 and H3N2 strains were more than 87% in toddlers after two doses and more than 95% in children and more than 86% in older adults after one dose. The seroprotection rates against B strain were 68-71% in toddlers after two doses, 70-74% in children and 69-72% in older adults after one dose. In conclusion, the three 2010-2011 TIVs had good immunogenicity and safety in Chinese toddlers, children and older adults and were generally comparable in immunogenicity and reactogenicity.

A randomized, controlled, blinded study of the safety and immunogenicity of Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine injected at different intramuscular sites in Chinese infants.

To compare the safety and immunogenicity of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine administered via the vastus lateralis and deltoid muscles, 320 healthy Chinese infants<12 mo of age were enrolled in a randomized, controlled, blinded study and divided into 2 age groups: 2-5 mo and 6-12 mo. Each age group was then randomized (1:1) to either the vastus lateralis (experimental) group who received Hib vaccination into this muscle 2 or 3 times at monthly intervals, or the deltoid (control) group who received Hib vaccination into this muscle either 3 times (2-5 mo group) or twice (6-12 mo group) at monthly intervals. Local and systemic adverse reactions after each vaccine dose were recorded, and Hib-PRP antibody concentrations were determined by ELISA at 28 d after completion of the immunization schedule. There were no significant differences in the proportions of subjects with post-immunization Hib-PRP antibody concentrations ≥1.0 µg/mL or ≥0.15 µg/mL with the two injection sites for either age group, or in the post-immunization Hib-PRP antibody concentrations achieved (P>0.05). In addition, there were no significant differences in the rates of local and systemic reactions after the first and second vaccinations between the 2 injection sites for either age group (P>0.05), but the rate of systemic reactions in the 2-5 mo group after the third vaccination via the vastus lateralis muscle was significantly lower than after deltoid vaccination (0% vs 8.57%; P<0.05). Thus, administration via the vastus lateralis muscle is worth considering for Hib vaccination.

Prevalence and clinical profile of vitiligo in China: a community-based study in six cities.

Vitiligo is a common skin disease, the prevalence of which varies between races and countries. In China, no population-based study has been reported, although there have been some epidemiological studies on single cities or regions. The objective of this study was to obtain the prevalence and clinical profile of vitiligo in China. The study was conducted in 6 cities. Cluster sampling was used in selecting communities. Residents were visited at home and were asked to complete questionnaires and receive dermatological examinations. A total of 19,974 residents were visited and 17,345 valid questionnaires were obtained. The overall prevalence of vitiligo was 0.56%. Men were affected more than women (0.71% vs. 0.45%, p < 0.01). The prevalence of vitiligo increased with age. The most common type was focal vitiligo (36.1%). A positive family history was found in 9.8% of patients. Thirty-two percent of patients reported a negative impact of vitiligo on their quality of life.

Prevalence of psoriasis in China: a population-based study in six cities.

BACKGROUND: Although psoriasis occurs worldwide, the prevalence varies considerably between different peoples and regions. In China, a questionnaire-based study was carried out in 1987 and the prevalence of psoriasis was found to be 0.12%. Since then, no large-scale, population-based study has been reported. OBJECTIVES: To obtain the accurate figures for the prevalence of psoriasis in China. METHODS: A population-based survey was conducted in 6 cities. The cluster sampling method was used to select communities in each city. The subjects were required to fill out self-reporting questionnaires during a face-to-face interview and also received physical examination by dermatologists. RESULTS: 19,974 subjects were visited and 17,345 completed the questionnaires and received dermatological examination. 102 subjects (0.59%) were found to have psoriasis. After standardization, the prevalence of psoriasis was 0.47%. The prevalence of psoriasis in males and females was 0.54% and 0.44% respectively. 97.06% of the patients had psoriasis vulgaris. 28.43% of the patients reported a family history of psoriasis. 59.80% of patients experienced a negative influence on the quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: This population-based and dermatologist-confirmed study showed that the prevalence of psoriasis in China is 0.47%, which is higher than that reported in 1987.

Prevalence of acne vulgaris in Chinese adolescents and adults: a community-based study of 17,345 subjects in six cities.

Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition in adolescents. The prevalence of acne is thought to vary between ethnic groups and countries. A large-scale community-based study was performed in six cities in China to determine the prevalence and possible risk factors for acne in the Chinese population. A total of 17,345 inhabitants were included in this study. Of these, 1,399 were found to have acne. No acne was found in subjects under 10 years of age, and only 1.6% in the 10-year-old group had acne. Prevalence then increased rapidly with age, up to 46.8% in the 19-year-old group. After that, it declined gradually with age. Acne was rare in people over 50 years of age. In subjects in their late teens and 20s, acne was more prevalent in males, while in those over 30 years of age it was more prevalent in females. In subjects with acne, 68.4% had mild; 26.0% had moderate and 5.6% had severe acne. In adult acne, persistent acne was much more common (83.3%) than late-onset acne (16.7%). Smoking and drinking were found to be associated with adolescent acne, while no association was found between diet and acne. These results suggest that the prevalence of acne in the Chinese population is lower than that in Caucasian populations, and that adult acne is not uncommon in Chinese subjects.

[Analysis of safety and effects on the oral whole cell/recombinant B subunit cholera vaccine in university students and workers].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety, immunogenicity and protective efficiency of the oral whole cell/recombinant B subunit cholera vaccine in Beijing Olympic volunteers and workers. METHOD: Analyzing the incidence rate of adverse reaction and Protective Rate (PR) after taking the vaccine in Olympic volunteers in 6 universities in Beijing; comparing the anti-cholera toxin (CT) detected with ELISA prior and after taking the vaccine in Olympic workers. RESULTS: The total rate of adverse reaction of Olympic volunteers was 0.38%; the main side effects were gastrointestinal symptoms, such as bellyache and diarrhea which were mild and temple; the acute diarrhea incidence rate of Olympic volunteers after taking the vaccine was significantly lower than those not taking it, the PR was 76.27%; the positive rate of anti-CT of Olympic workers after taking the vaccine was significantly higher than those before taking it, the levels of anti-CT titers declined after 6 months since they had taken the vaccine. CONCLUSION: The results from above two observed population indicate that the oral rBS-WC cholera vaccine is efficient and safe.