Tackling barriers to scale up human papillomavirus vaccination in China: progress and the way forward.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is the first vaccine developed specifically targeting the prevention of cervical cancer. For more than 15 years, China has expedited a series of efforts on research and development of the domestically manufactured HPV vaccines, producing local population-based evidence, promoting free HPV vaccination from pilots, and launching action plans to tackle barriers in the scale-up of HPV vaccination. To further roll out the HPV vaccination program in China, several challenges should be addressed to support the steps forward. The availability of more locally manufactured HPV vaccines, pricing negotiation and local evidence supporting the efficacy of one-dose schedule would greatly alleviate the continued supply and financial constraints in China. Meanwhile, more attention should be paid to girls living in low-resource areas and males to ensure equal access to the HPV vaccination. Furthermore, linkage to secondary prevention and further real-world monitoring and evaluation are warranted to inform effective cervical cancer prevention strategies in the post-vaccine era.

[Statolith microstructure and growth characteristics of Sthenoeuthis oualaniensis in the northwest Indian Ocean]. / 西北印度洋海域鸢乌贼耳石微结构及生长特性.

Statolith is one of the most important hard tissues to study the age, growth, population structure and life history of cephalopods. In order to stuty statolith microstructure and growth characteristics of Sthenoeuthis oualaniensis in the northwest Indian Ocean, 1009 samples were collected by Chinese light falling-net fishery fleets during investigation and production in the northwest Indian Ocean from February to May of 2019. Total statolith length (TSL), lateral dome length (LDL), wing length (WL) and maximum width (MW) were taken as the indicators of morphological feature of the statolith, combined with the age data, the statolith microstructure and growth characteristics of S. oualaniensis were studied. The results showed that the statolith microstructure could be divided into postnuclear zone, dark zone and peripheral zone according to the width of growth increment. The analysis of covariance showed that there was no growth difference of TSL, LDL, WL and MW between different sexes. The relationships between TSL, WL, MW and age were best described by the power functions, while the relationship between LDL and age was best described by the linear function. In general, with the increase of age, the instantaneous relative growth rate and absolute growth rate of TSL, WL, LDL and MW decreased, and 140-180 d may be the age of sexual maturity for this squid.

[Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Times and Nitrification Inhibitor on N2O Emission from Potted Maize].

Rational application of nitrogen is an important strategy for increasing yield while reducing environmental pollution due to nitrogen. Pot experiments were conducted to study the effects of different application times on maize yield and soil N2O emission under conditions of equal nitrogen content, and to explore the relationship between the abundance of nitrogen conversion functional genes and N2O emission. Four treatments were used, namely a control (CK, no urea), one-time application (S1, one application of 0.5 g·kg-1 urea+nitrification inhibitor), two separate applications ï¼»S2, two applications of 0.5 g·kg-1 urea (40% and 60% respectively)ï¼½ and three separate applications (S3, 0.5 g·kg-1 urea was divided into three different applications: 20%, 40% and 40% respectively). The results showed that: ① nitrogen application promoted soil acidification, and the degree of soil acidification varied significantly with different application times. More applications of nitrogen led to stronger soil acidification. Nitrogen application significantly increased the ear yield and stem biomass of fresh table maize, but different nitrogen application times may alter soil pH, leading to differences in the degree of nitrogen uptake and utilization in plants. While the S3 treatment significantly reduced soil pH, it also reduced the cumulative nitrogen uptake and utilization in the plants, resulting in a high cumulative N2O emission. Compared with the S3 treatment, the yield was 40.21% and 42.55% higher in the S1 and S2 treatments, and the cumulative N2O emission decreased by 79.4% and 20.9%, respectively. ② N2O emission was positively correlated with the abundance of AOB and nirK genes, which were the main contributors to N2O emission. S1 significantly decreased the abundance of AOB and nirK genes and N2O emissions, while S2 and S3 significantly increased the abundance of nirK and nirS genes and decreased the abundance of nosZ genes after fertilization, promoting N2O emissions. Nitrogen application times affect the functional genes of the nitrogen transformation process, and thus affect N2O emissions. In conclusion, a one-time application of urea combined with DCD only guarantees high maize yield and improves the efficient use of nitrogen, but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, it is the recommended nitrogen fertilization mode for the cultivation of fresh corn in Hainan.

[Effects of Coconut Chaff Biochar Amendment on Methane and Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Paddy Fields in Hot Areas].

Based on the rice-vegetable crop rotation model, in-situ measurements of nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) emissions were conducted in double-cropping rice fields in Hainan to determine the impact of coconut chaff biochar on greenhouse gas emissions. The experiment involved four treatments:conventional farming fertilization (CON), nitrogen fertilizer combined with 20 t ·hm-2 biochar (B1), nitrogen fertilizer combined with 40 t ·hm-2 biochar (B2), and no nitrogen fertilizer, as the control (CK). The N2O and CH4 emissions were measured using static chamber-gas chromatography during the two paddy seasons, and the global warming potential (GWP) and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) were also estimated. The results show that N2O emission dynamics during the early rice season are closely related to the mineral nitrogen content of the soil. The N2O is emitted at the rice seedling and tillering stages after fertilization. The cumulative N2O emission during the early rice season was 0.18-0.76 kg ·hm-2. Compared with the CON treatment, the biochar treatments reduced N2O by 18%-43%, and the B2 treatment resulted in a significant reduction. The addition of biochar may promote the reduction of N2O at the early rice seedling stage and increase N2O emissions by improving the soil NO3--N content at the early rice tillering stage. During the late rice season, N2O is emitted during the heading and maturity stages, and the cumulative N2O emission was 0.17-0.34 kg ·hm-2. The B1 treatment reduced emissions by 37%, and B2 increased emission by only 3%, which is not a significant difference. The peak of CH4 emissions from rice fields appeared in the late phase of the early rice season and prophase of the late rice season. The cumulative emission of CH4 in the early rice season was 3.11-14.87 kg ·hm-2. Compared with CON, the CK treatment increased emission by 39%. The biochar treatment may increase soil aeration and limit the ability of CH4 production in the early rice season, as B1 and B2 treatments reduced CH4 emissions by 28% and 71%. The cumulative CH4 emission in late rice season was 53.1-146.3 kg ·hm-2, and the emission dynamics were significantly positively correlated with NH4+-N content. CK and B1 treatments increased CH4 emissions by 52% and 99%, respectively compared with CON, and the B2 treatment significantly increased CH4 emissions by 176%. Compared with CON, the B1 and B2 treatments increased the yield by 12.0% and 14.3% when applied in the early rice season and by 7.6% and 0.4% when applied in the late rice season, respectively. Due to the increased methane emissions in the late rice season, biochar amendment increased the GWP of the double-cropping rice field, in which the high amount of biochar reached a significant level; different amounts of biochar had no significant effect on the GHGI of the double-cropping rice field. Thus, the application of coconut chaff biochar for the reduction of greenhouse gas emission, from rice fields in hot areas, requires further research.

[Effects of Biochar Addition Under Different Water Management Conditions on N2O Emission From Paddy Soils in Northern Hainan].

Alternating dry and wet conditions affect the main processes of N2O production, such as nitrification and denitrification. Such conditions are very common in tropical rice-growing areas, such as Hainan. As a type of soil amendment, biochar is widely used to improve physical and chemical properties of soil and to reduce soil greenhouse gas emissions. However, there is a lack of existing in-depth research on the emission reductions of biochar when used in tropical soils that undergo frequently alternating dry and wet conditions. In this experiment, typical paddy soil from northern Hainan was used as the test soil, and corn stalk biochar, carbonized under anaerobic conditions at 400℃, was used as the test biochar. This experiment explored the effects of adding biochar on soil greenhouse gas emissions and microbial-related functional genes under different water management conditions. The experiment comprised a 30 d culture, kept in the dark at 25℃, and a total of six treatments:alternating dry-wet conditions without adding biochar (AWD1), alternating dry-wet conditions with 2% biochar (AWD2), alternating dry-wet conditions with 4% biochar (AWD3), continuous flooding without adding biochar (CF1), continuous flooding with 2% biochar (CF2), and continuous flooding with 4% biochar (CF3). The results showed that:① the addition of biochar under different moisture conditions can reduce N2O emissions in acidic paddy soil (P<0.05, the same below), as the total N2O emissions with the AWD3 treatment were 0.43 mg ·kg-1, which indicates an approximate reduction of 68%, relative to the AWD1 treatment; ② Corn stalk biochar can significantly increase the soil pH under different water management conditions. Compared to the no-biochar treatment, the soil pH increased by 0.5 units on average after cultivation with the addition of biochar, and as the soil NH4+-N content increased, it led to a decrease in Eh. ③ Corn stalk biochar significantly reduces the abundance of ammonia oxidizing bacteria and significantly increases the nosZ gene abundance. However, it decreases the ratio of (nirK+nirS)/nosZ, inhibits the nitrification process, and promotes the reduction of N2O in the denitrification process. Thereby, the addition of corn stalk biochar can reduce N2O emissions. These results show that alternating dry-wet conditions, combined with the addition of corn stalk biochar, are beneficial for reducing N2O emissions in paddy soil, which may have further application in the reduction of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in northern Hainan.

[Factors influencing beak morphology of Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis in the northwest Indian Ocean.] / è¥¿åŒ—å°åº¦æ´‹é¸¢ä¹Œè´¼è§’è´¨é¢šå¤–å½¢å˜åŒ–çš„å½±å“å› ç´ .

With 1009 Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis samples collected by Chinese light falling-net fishery during February to May in the northwest Indian Ocean, we analyzed the influencing factors of the morphology change of the beak. There were significant differences in the morphologic growth between genders, different gonad maturity stages, and different mantle length. The increment of characteristic parameters growth peaked in the mantle length between 201 and 250 mm, and in the Ⅱ and Ⅲ stages of gonad maturity for females and males, respectively. There was no significant difference in the ratio of morphometric parameters to crest length (CL) between the genders, diffe-rent gonad maturity stages, and different mantle length, except for the ratio of upper hood length to upper crest length (UWL/UCL) and lower hood length to lower crest length (LHL/LCL). The ratio of each characteristic parameter to CL was nearly stable with the change of sex, gonad maturity and mantle length, suggesting consistent growth of each dome of beak. Our results suggested the mantle length of 201 mm to 250 mm seemed to be the threshold for the morphologic growth of beak on the body size, while the gonad maturity of Ⅱ and Ⅲ stages seemed to be the threshold for the morphologic growth of beak on the gonad maturity.

[Beak morphological and growth characteristic of Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis in the northwest Indian Ocean in winter and spring]. / 冬春季西北印度洋鸢乌贼角质颚外部形态及生长特性.

Beak is one of the most important hard tissues of cephalopods, and thus is widely used in the study of cephalopod fisheries ecology and fishery resource assessment. With 1009 Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis samples collected by Chinese light falling-net fishery during February to May in the northwest Indian Ocean, we examined the morphologic and growth characteristics of beak. Results of the principal component analysis showed that the upper hood length (UHL), the upper crest length (UCL), the upper lateral wall length (ULWL), the lower crest length (LCL), the lower wing length (LWL) and the lower lateral wall length (LLWL) could be used as the morphological cha-racteristic parameters to examine the morphological changes of the beak. Results of the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed that there were significant differences in the relationships between all of the morphological characteristic parameters and mantel length (ML) for males and females except UCL. There were significant differences in the relationships between all of the morphological characteristic parameters and body weight (BW) for males and females. The relationships between LCL, UCL and ML were optimally described by the linear functions. Power functions were best for UHL, LWL and linear functions were best for ULWL, LLWL for females. The relationships between ULWL and ML were optimally described by power functions, while the logarithm functions were best for UHL, LLWL and LWL for males. The relationships between all of the morphological characteristic parameters and BW were optimally described by the power functions for females, while the logarithm functions for males except the power function for ULWL. Our results provided scientific basis for the research of the fisheries ecology and stock assessment for S. oualaniensis.

Cell-Free Mitochondrial DNA in the CSF: A Potential Prognostic Biomarker of Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis.

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is an autoimmune inflammatory brain disease that can develop a variety of neuropsychiatric presentations. However, the underlying nature of its inflammatory neuronal injury remains unclear. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is recently regarded as a damage-associated molecular pattern molecule (DAMP) that can initiate an inflammatory response. In the presenting study, we aimed to evaluate the levels of cell-free mtDNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis and to determine a potential role of cell-free mtDNA in the prognosis of anti-NMDAR encephalitis. A total of 33 patients with NMDAR encephalitis and 17 patients with other non-inflammatory disorders as controls were included in this study. The CSF levels of cell-free mtDNA were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Cytokines including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were measured by ELISA. The modified Rankin scale (mRS) score was evaluated for neurologic disabilities. Our data showed that the CSF levels of cell-free mtDNA and inflammation-associated cytokines were significantly higher in the patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis compared with those in controls. Positive correlations were detected between the CSF levels of cell-free mtDNA and mRS scores of patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis at both their admission and 6-month follow up. These findings suggest that the CSF level of cell-free mtDNA reflects the underlying neuroinflammatory process in patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis and correlates with their clinical mRS scores. Therefore, cell-free mtDNA may be a potential prognostic biomarker for anti-NMDAR encephalitis.

Elevated Soluble Fas and FasL in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Serum of Patients With Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor Encephalitis.

Objective: Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is a severe autoimmune disorder that mainly affects children and young women. The Fas system contains both membrane-bound versions of Fas (mFas) and Fas ligand (mFasL), and soluble versions (sFas and sFasL), which play important roles in apoptosis and regulation of the immune system. Both the levels of sFas and sFasL and the role they play in anti-NMDAR disease pathogenesis remain unclear. Methods: Forty-eight pairs of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum were collected from patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis, encephalitis of other causes or peripheral neuropathy. The CSF and serum concentrations of sFas and sFasL were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: CSF concentrations of sFas and sFasL were both increased in anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients compared with controls patients. Serum sFas levels were also elevated in anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients relative to controls. sFas and sFasL concentrations in CSF positively correlated with the modified Rankin scale (mRS) both at onset and 6-months follow-up. Conclusion: CSF sFas and sFasL levels were elevated in anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients, and reflect the disease severity of anti-NMDAR encephalitis.

Effects of Naoxintong on atherosclerosis and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in atherosclerotic rabbit.

BACKGROUND: High levels of nitric oxide (NO) produced by inducible NO synthase (iNOS) have been associated with atherosclerosis processes. Naoxintong is a traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to detect and quantify changes of iNOS mRNA and NO levels in the vessel wall after the administration of Naoxintong in an atherosclerotic rabbit model. METHODS: Forty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into five groups (n = 8). Rabbits were fed a standard diet (group A), an atherogenic diet consisting of 79% standard feed + 1% cholesterol + 5% lard + 15% egg yolk powder (group B), an atherogenic diet with Naoxintong 0.25 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) (group C), an atherogenic diet with Naoxintong 0.5 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) (group D), or atherogenic diet with Naoxintong 1.0 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) (group E) for 12 weeks. RESULTS: Supplemented administration of Naoxintong led to a down-regulation of cholesterol (CHOL) (P < 0.001) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (P < 0.001). The trend became more notable as the dose of Naoxintong increased; group C vs. group B (CHOL, P = 0.568; LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), P = 0.119), group D vs. group B (CHOL, P = 0.264; LDL-C, P = 0.027), group E vs. group B (CHOL, P = 0.028; LDL-C, P = 0.002). Atherosclerotic lesions in aorta were reduced in Naoxintong groups (groups C, D, E) compared to group B. Group B had higher iNOS mRNA (P = 0.001) and NO level (P < 0.001) than group A. Compared with the atherogenic diet fed-rabbits, Naoxintong supplements decreased the expression of iNOS mRNA (P < 0.001) and the NO level (P < 0.001) in the vessel wall. Groups given a higher Naoxintong dose exhibited greater benefits. iNOS mRNA and NO levels seemed to be reduced in group C, although the difference did not quite reach statistical significance (iNOS mRNA, P = 0.130; NO, P = 0.038). iNOS mRNA and NO levels significantly decreased in group D (iNOS mRNA, P = 0.019; NO, P = 0.018) and group E (iNOS mRNA, P = 0.004; NO, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Naoxintong has beneficial effects on atherosclerosis treatment by reducing expression of iNOS mRNA and the NO level in the vessel wall.

Relationship between neuromyelitis optica-IgG status and spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging in patients with neuromyelitis optica.

BACKGROUND: Despite the large scale technical innovations that have been made, a number of patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) are lacking NMO-IgG in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Longitudinally extensive spinal cord (LESC) lesions and linear lesions are associated with NMO. However, differences of spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features, including LESC lesions and linear lesions, between NMO-IgG positive and negative patients still remain unknown. The aim of the present study was to analyze the relationship between NMO-IgG status and spinal cord MRI features in NMO patients, particularly concerned about LESC lesions and linear lesions. METHODS: Clinical data and spinal cord MRI of 52 NMO patients were retrospectively analyzed. Eight patients were NMO-IgG negative in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid, while 44 were NMO-IgG positive. Quantitative data between the two cohorts were compared by the Student's t test or Mann-Whitney U test, the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used to evaluate qualitative data. RESULTS: NMO-IgG negative patients had a higher sex ratio (male/female) (P = 0.014). On axial MRI, lesions in the NMO-IgG negative group were mostly located in the peripheral cord (50%), and central lesions (55%) were more common in the NMO-IgG positive group (P = 0.051). LESC lesions were common in both cohorts. None of linear lesions was found in NMO-IgG negative patients, while the NMO-IgG positive cohort had significantly more linear lesions (48%) (P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with NMO-IgG negativity may have different spinal cord lesion features compared to NMO-IgG positive patients. Diagnosis of NMO cannot be excluded even when NMO-IgG negativity and non-specific spinal lesions occur.

Value of contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasound for cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a report of 20 cases.

AIM: To assess the clinical value of contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasound (CE-IOUS) as a novel tool in partial hepatectomy for cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: From January 2007 to September 2007, a total of 20 consecutive cirrhotic patients with HCC scheduled to undergo partial hepatectomy were studied. Preoperative contrast enhanced computer tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance (MR) scans were performed within 1-2 wk before operation. Intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) and CE-IOUS were carried out after mobilization of the liver. Lesions on precontrast and postcontrast scans were counted and mapped. CE-IOUS was performed with intravenous injection of ultrasound contrast agents SonoVue (Bracco Imaging, Milan, Italy). Arterial, portal and late phases of contrast enhancement were recorded and analyzed. Nodules showing arterial phase hyper-enhancing and/or hypo-enhancing in late parenchymal phase were considered malignant and removed surgically. Ultrasound-guided biopsy and ethanol ablation would be an option if the nodule could not be removed surgically. Newly detected nodules on IOUS showing iso-enhancement in both arterial and late phases were considered benign. These nodules were either removed surgically if they were close to the main lesion or followed by examinations of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level and ultrasound and/or CT/MR every 3 mo. RESULTS: IOUS found 41 nodules in total, among which 17 (41.46%) were newly detected compared to preoperative imaging. Thirty-three nodules were diagnosed malignant by CE-IOUS, including one missed by IOUS. The sensitivity and specificity of CE-IOUS on detecting HCC nodules are 100% (33/33 and 100% (9/9), respectively. Nine nodules were considered benign by CE-IOUS, four was confirmed at histology and five by follow-up. CE-IOUS changed the surgical strategy in 35% (7/20) of patients and avoid unnecessary intervention in 30% (6/20) of patients. CONCLUSION: CE-IOUS is a useful means to characterize the nodules detected by IOUS in cirrhotic liver, to find isoechoic HCC nodules which can not be shown on IOUS and to improve the accuracy of conventional IOUS, thus it can be used as an essential tool in the surgical treatment of cirrhotic patients with HCC.