Knowledge and Practice of Pinworm Infection in Preschool Children, Jiangsu Province, China, 2019-2020.

We conducted a two-year (2019-2020) longitudinal study in Jiangsu Province, China to analyze risk factors of pinworm infection and evaluate the effect of behavior change communication-based (BCC-based) interventions in preschool children. The positive rate of pinworm infection was higher in private preschool (2%) than in public preschool (0.24%). Poor sanitation behaviors were risk factors among private preschool children. BCC-based intervention could improve knowledge and practice and reduce pinworm infection. This study may help fill in gaps in pinworm control. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(12):1716-1720. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.307067).

Surface Modification of CdE (E: S, Se, and Te) Nanoplatelets to Reach Thicker Nanoplatelets and Homostructures with Confinement-Induced Intraparticle Type I Energy Level Alignment.

Two-dimensional II-VI semiconductor nanoplatelets (NPLs) present exceptionally narrow optical features due to their thickness defined at the atomic scale. Because thickness drives the band-edge energy, its control is of paramount importance. Here, we demonstrate that native carboxylate ligands can be replaced by halides that partially dissolve cadmium chalcogenide NPLs at the edges. The released monomers then recrystallize on the wide top and bottom facets, leading to an increase in NPL thickness. This dissolution/recrystallization method is used to increase NPL thickness to 9 ML while using 3 ML NPLs as the starting material. We also demonstrate that this method is not limited to CdSe and can be extended to CdS and CdTe to grow thick NPLs. When the metal halide precursor is introduced with a chalcogenide precursor on the NPLs, CdSe/CdSe, CdTe/CdTe, and CdSe/CdTe core/shell homo- and heterostructures are achieved. Finally, when an incomplete layer is grown, NPLs with steps are synthesized. These stress-free homostructures are comparable to type I heterostructures, leading to recombination of the exciton in the thicker area of the NPLs. Following the growth of core/crown and core/shell NPLs, it affords a new degree of freedom for the growth of structured NPLs with designed band engineering, which has so far been only achievable for heteromaterial nanostructures.

Rapid Simultaneous Determination of 14 Antidepressants and 13 Antipsychotics in Human Plasma by Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry With Dynamic Multiple Reaction Monitoring and Its Application to Therapeutic Drug Monitoring.

BACKGROUND: A comprehensive, stable, and efficient high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for rapidly analyzing 14 antidepressants and 13 antipsychotics in human plasma for routine clinical therapeutic drug monitoring. METHODS: Simple protein precipitation was used for the pretreatment of plasma samples; dynamic multiple reaction monitoring was used to avoid the loss of sensitivity caused by numerous ion transitions. In all, 80 ion transitions of 40 compounds were quantitatively determined in 6 minutes. RESULTS: The limit of detection for the 27 analytes was in the range of 0.1-30 ng/mL, and all calibration lines prepared using blank plasma were linear with a correlation coefficient of r2 ≥ 0.99. The method was accurate and precise with acceptable intraday and interday precisions (coefficients of variation, ≤20% for a lower limit of quantification and ≤15% for other quality control samples) and an accuracy of 85.51%-114.77%. This analysis method has been completely validated and successfully used in routine clinical therapeutic drug monitoring for more than 9963 samples [including 488 samples having drug concentrations above the laboratory alert level (supra-alert-level samples)] at Xiamen Xianyue Hospital. CONCLUSIONS: This dynamic method is comprehensive (includes most antidepressants and antipsychotics listed in China), reliable (stably used for almost 2 years), and efficient (convenient sample processing and short run time) and provides a large amount of meaningful data for optimized pharmacotherapy. Our experimental data from the plasma concentrations of supra-alert-level samples could serve as a reference for the interpretation of the pharmacokinetics of patients with a high risk of toxicity or loss of tolerability.

Risk of Prolonged Corrected QT Interval With Amisulpride Therapy for Renal Function Management in Patients With Schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Amisulpride (AMI) is a popular antipsychotic drug prescribed for the management of schizophrenia. However, patients may experience prolonged corrected QT (QTc) interval. We therefore aimed to assess the risk factors for QTc prolongation during AMI therapy in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: This study retrospectively enrolled 271 patients with schizophrenia. Continuous variables were analyzed with a t test or analysis of variance, and categorical variables were analyzed with a χ test. Patients with and without QTc prolongation were compared using a backward stepwise logistic regression analysis to identify the important variables. RESULTS: Comedication of AMI with clozapine (odds ratio, 3.5 [95% confidence interval, 1.3-9.7]) and decreased renal function (mildly decrease, 3.4 [1.2-10.1]; mild to moderately decreased, 4.8 [1.3-17.3]; moderately decreased, 13.6 [2.0-90.6]) were identified as the independent risk factors of QTc prolongation. The dose-normalized plasma concentration of AMI (plasma concentration per dose) was significantly higher in the QTc prolongation group (z = -1.735, P = 0.015) and renal dysfunction group (F = 16.002, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Renal function should be monitored in patients prescribed with AMI, particularly in those taking clozapine. Plasma concentration per dose values can be considered as a risk factor of QTc interval prolongation. The founding help clinicians to analyze the risk of QTc prolongation before prescribing AMI and to monitor QTc prolongation during AMI therapy.

Prevalence of intestinal helminth infections in Jiangsu Province, eastern China; a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2015.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal helminth infections are a serious public health problem in developing countries. Jiangsu, an eastern coastal province of China, has an environment conducive to the transmission of intestinal parasites, and suffered human infection rates of 71.75% in 1990. Due to comprehensive anti-transmission measures undertaken throughout the province in the 1990s, the prevalence had decreased to 9.28% in 2002. In order to assess the current epidemic situation for intestinal parasitic infections in Jiangsu province, a province-wide cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2015. METHODS: Surveys were conducted in two main settings; rural (for soil-transmitted parasites) and urban (for Clonorchis sinensis), selected through stratified random sampling. Human infection rates were evaluated through the detection of helminth eggs or cysts (oocysts or trophozoites) of intestinal protozoa in fecal samples by microscopy. Secondary intermediate and reservoir hosts were surveyed for C. sinensis infection. Questionnaires were completed by each participant to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practice of soil-transmitted parasite and C. sinensis avoidance. RESULTS: 115 out of 30153 participants (0.38%) had intestinal helminths or protozoa. There were eight species of helminth detected and the most common parasite was the hookworm Ancylostoma duodenale. In rural settings, there were significant differences in infection rates between participants of differing economic status. In urban settings, only four cases of C. sinensis infection were detected. However, secondary intermediate and reservoir hosts were found to harbor parasites. The questionnaire survey revealed that 38.42% participants were not aware of how humans become infected by hookworms. Knowledge and awareness of C. sinensis was similarly low, with 53.22% participants combining the use of chopping boards for raw and cooked food items when preparing meals. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in Jiangsu Province in eastern China has decreased from 71.57% in 1990 to 0.38% in 2015. Control measures should now focus on parasitic infections in the elderly and in children, health promotion and the development of alternative detection methods.

Short-Wave Infrared Sensor by the Photothermal Effect of Colloidal Gold Nanorods.

Photodetection in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectrum is a challenging task achieved often by costly low bandgap compound semiconductors involving highly toxic elements. In this work, an alternative low-cost approach is reported for SWIR sensors that rely on the plasmonic-induced photothermal effect of solution-processed colloidal gold nanorods (Au NRs). A series of uniform solution-processed Au NRs of various aspect ratios are prepared exhibiting a strong and well-defined longitudinal localized surface plasmon resonance (L-LSPR) maximum from 900 nm to 1.3 µm. A hybrid device structure is fabricated by applying Au NRs on the surface of a thermistor. Under a monochromatic illumination, hybrid Au-NR/thermistor devices exhibit a clear photoresponse in the form of photoinduced resistance drop in the wavelength window from 1.0 to 1.8 µm. The photoresponsivity of such hybrid devices reaches a maximum value of 4.44 × 107 Ω W-1 at λ = 1.4 µm (intensity = 0.28 mW cm-2 ), a wavelength in agreement with the L-LSPR of the Au NRs applied. Colloidal Au NRs, capable to perform fast conversion between photon absorption and thermal energy, thus open an interesting avenue for alternative low-cost SWIR photodetection.

A Dendritic Nanostructured Copper Oxide Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

To use water as the source of electrons for proton or CO2 reduction within electrocatalytic devices, catalysts are required for facilitating the proton-coupled multi-electron oxygen evolution reaction (OER, 2 H2 O→O2 +4 H+ +4 e- ). These catalysts, ideally based on cheap and earth abundant metals, have to display high activity at low overpotential and good stability and selectivity. While numerous examples of Co, Mn, and Ni catalysts were recently reported for water oxidation, only few examples were reported using copper, despite promising efficiencies. A rationally designed nanostructured copper/copper oxide electrocatalyst for OER is presented. This material derives from conductive copper foam passivated by a copper oxide layer and further nanostructured by electrodeposition of CuO nanoparticles. The generated electrodes are highly efficient for catalyzing selective water oxidation to dioxygen with an overpotential of 290 mV at 10 mA cm-2 in 1 m NaOH solution.

Integrated metabolism, network pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics to explore the exposure differences of the pharmacodynamic material basis in vivo caused by different extraction methods for Saussurea involucrata.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Saussurea involucrata Kar.et Kir. (S.I.) has long been used as a precious national medicine and clinically proven to be an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and cardiovascular diseases. In clinical practice, two extraction methods of S.I., including water decoction and alcohol extraction, are prescribed to treat the same conditions. Nevertheless, no study has been performed on the exposure differences of the pharmacodynamic material basis in vivo caused by different extraction methods. AIM OF THE STUDY: Based on the integrated strategy of metabolism, network pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics, we aimed to reveal exposure differences in pharmacodynamic substances caused by different extraction methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS) was employed to identify the chemical constituents of S.I. extracts and the metabolites in vivo after administration. Based on the analysis of prototype components in vivo, the major exposure active constituents, potential therapeutic targets and possible pharmacological mechanisms in RA treatment were investigated using network pharmacological analysis. Seven critical active components, including quercetin, hispidulin, apigenin, chlorogenic acid, arctigenin, syringin, and umbelliferone, were quantitatively compared between the alcohol, and aqueous extraction methods, which had been confirmed by the reference substance. RESULTS: The chemical comparison demonstrated that the types of chemicals in the two extracts were identical, mainly flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, coumarins, lignins, sesquiterpene lactones, and others, but the contents of the primary constituents in the aqueous extract were lower than those of the alcohol extract. A total of 30 prototype components and 174 metabolites were analyzed and identified in rat plasma, urine, fecal, and bile samples. Twenty-three prototype components were analyzed by network pharmacology, and seven critical active components were selected as representative markers for the pharmacokinetic study. Pharmacokinetic studies had shown that the Tmax values of apigenin, hispidulin, chlorogenic acid, arctigenin, and syringin after the oral administration of the alcohol extract were lower than those after the oral administration of the aqueous extract, and the above components in the alcohol extract could increase the absorption. Compared with the aqueous extract group, the Tmax and T1/2 of quercetin and umbelliferone were longer; it was suggested that alcohol extraction might have a slow-release and long-term effect on these two components. The relative bioavailability of apigenin, hispidulin, quercetin, chlorogenic acid, and umbelliferone in the alcohol extract group were higher than those in the aqueous extract group, which was consistent with the traditional clinical experience that alcohol extract could improve the efficacy of S.I. CONCLUSIONS: The major exposure active constituents in vivo were screened. The representative components that could be used in pharmacokinetics were determined by integrating network pharmacology and metabolism studies. The critical active compounds were quantitatively compared between the alcohol and aqueous extraction methods. This study clarified that flavonoids, coumarin, and phenylpropanoids might be the primary material basis that caused the exposure differences between aqueous and alcoholic extracts from S.I.. This research aimed to provide the basis of metabolism in vivo for further studying these pharmacodynamic differences.

Construction of Ni(CN)2 /NiSe2 Heterostructures by Stepwise Topochemical Pathways for Efficient Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution.

Exploiting effective electrocatalysts based on elaborate heterostructures for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) has been considered as a promising strategy for boosting water splitting efficiency to produce the clean energy-hydrogen. However, constructing catalytically active heterostructures with novel composition and architecture remains poorly developed due to the synthetic challenge. In this work, it is demonstrated that unique Ni(CN)2 /NiSe2 heterostructures, composed of single-crystalline Ni(CN)2 nanoplates surrounded by crystallographically aligned NiSe2 nanosatellites, can be created from nickel-based Hofmann-type coordination polymers through stepwise topochemical pathways. When employed as the OER electrocatalyst, the Ni(CN)2 /NiSe2 heterostructures show enhanced performance, which could be attributed to optimized geometric and electronic structures of the catalytic sites endowed by the synergy between the two components. This work demonstrates a rational synthetic route for creating a novel Ni-based OER electrocatalyst that possesses nanoscale heterostructure, whose composition, spatial organization, and interface configuration can be finely manipulated.

Microcavity-Enhanced Fluorescence Energy Transfer from Quantum Dot Excited Whispering Gallery Modes to Acceptor Dye Nanoparticles.

Whispering gallery mode (WGM) microcavities are emerging as potential candidates in the field of biosensing applications, as their resonance wavelengths shift with changes in the refractive index in the region of their evanescent field. Their high-quality resonance modes and accessible surface functionalities make them promising for molecular assays, but their high sensitivity makes them inherently unstable. Here, we demonstrate that WGM resonances also strongly enhance fluorescence energy transfer between donors placed inside the microcavity and acceptors placed outside. We load colloidal quantum dots (QDs) into polymeric microspheres to provide WGMs that benefit from the QD optical features when used as energy-transfer donors. Spectroscopic analysis of the emission from the microcavities shows that the high quality of WGMs enables a very efficient energy transfer to dye-loaded polymer nanoparticle acceptors placed in their vicinity. Compared to Förster resonance energy transfer, WGM-enabled energy transfer (WGET) occurs over a much more extended volume, thanks to the delocalization of the mode over a typically 105 times larger surface and to the extension of the WGM electromagnetic field to larger distances (>100 nm vs a few nm) from the surface of the microcavity. The resulting sensing scheme combines the sensitivity of WGM spectroscopy with the specificity and simple detection schemes of fluorescence energy transfer, thus providing a potentially powerful class of biosensors.

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondii Infection Among High-Risk Populations in Jiangsu Province, Eastern China.

Toxoplasma gondii, an opportunistic protozoan, infects one-third of people worldwide and could lead to serious outcomes in immunodeficient or immunocompromised populations. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for T. gondii infection among high-risk populations in Jiangsu Province, eastern China. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 4 categories of populations in 13 prefectures including HIV/AIDS patients, livestock breeding/processing (B/P) staff, pregnant women, and cancer patients. We detected specific immunoglobulin G and M (IgG and IgM) levels for each participant using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and asked to complete a questionnaire for each participant that covered sociodemographic information as well as the basic knowledge of attitudes toward and the practices for the prevention of toxoplasmosis. A total of 5231 participants distributed across 13 prefecture-level cities was surveyed, including 2455 males and 2776 females. Total seropositivity rate in each population category was as follows: 9.08% (HIV/AIDS patients), 11.65% (livestock B/P staff), 5.50% (pregnant women), and 12.89% (cancer patients). We detected IgM positivity in HIV/AIDS patients (0.47%, 6/1289), livestock B/P staff (0.08%, 1/1330), and cancer patients (0.46%, 6/1303) but not in pregnant women. Further, we detected IgM+IgG positivity only in cancer patients (0.31%, 4/1303). The seropositivity rate for pregnant women was significantly lower, while cancer patients were significantly higher. Higher educational levels were associated with lower seropositivity rates for T. gondii infection. High seropositivity rates were associated with long period of HIV infection among HIV/AIDS patients, frequent contact with livestock among livestock breeding/processing staff and male older patients among cancer patients, respectively. Analysis of practices across all participants showed that frequent contact with pets in everyday life or using the same cutting board for both raw and cooked foods leads to higher seropositivity rates. Therefore, we obtained the seroprevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis among high-risk populations in Jiangsu Province which could provide evidence for the implementation of control measures in the near future.

Multi-intervention integrated deworming strategy for sustained control of soil-transmitted helminths infections: a case study in Jiangsu Province, China.

BACKGROUND: Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infections still present a global health problem. Mass drug administration (MDA) is a widely applied strategy to reduce morbidity and mortality caused by STH. Yet, this approach has some shortcomings. In this study, we analyzed the impact of a multi-intervention integrated deworming approach including MDA, health education (HE), and environmental sanitation improvements (ESI) for sustained STH control in Jiangsu Province of China that was applied from 1989 to 2019. METHODS: Data, including infection rate of STH, medications used, coverage of the medication, non-hazardous lavatory rate, and household piped-water access rate in rural areas, and actions related to HE and ESI were collected (from archives) and analyzed in this retrospective descriptive study. Pearson's correlation analysis was applied to test correlations. RESULTS: There was a dramatic decline in the infection rate of STH from 1989 (59.32%) to 2019 (0.12%). From 1995 to 1999, MDA and HE were recommended in rural areas. A negative correlation was observed between infection rate and medication from 1994 to 1998 (r = - 0.882, P = 0.048). From 2000 to 2005, targeted MDA was given to high-risk populations with HE continuously promoting good sanitation behaviors. From 2006 to 2014, targeted MDA + HE and ESI were used to consolidate the control effect. ESI was strengthened from 2006, and a negative correlation was observed between the coverage rate of the non-hazardous lavatory and the infection rate from 2006 to 2019 (r = - 0.95, P < 0.001). The targeted MDA was interrupted in 2015, while continuous efforts like HE and ESI contributed in sustaining STH control. CONCLUSIONS: Multi-intervention integrated deworming strategy contributes to the reduction of STH infections. This approach is a valuable example of how different interventions can be integrated to promote durable STH control.

Icariin derivative inhibits inflammation through suppression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor-kappaB pathways.

In this study we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of an icariin derivative (3,5-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy-6'',6''-dimethy1-4'',5''-dihydropyrano[2'',3'':7,8]-flavone). We found that this icariin derivative inhibits tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA expression, and protein expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. It also alleviates paw edema induced by carrageenan in mice. To clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying these anti-inflammatory effects, we examined the effects of this compound on the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphorylation of inhibitory kappaBalpha (IkappaBalpha), and nuclear translocation of p65 subunit of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, and found it suppresses the activation of p38 MAPK and inhibits translocation of NF-kappaB p65 to the nucleus through decreasing the phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha. As a result of these properties, this icariin derivative can be considered as a potential drug for inflammatory diseases.

pH-Sensitive Visible or Shortwave Infrared Quantum Dot Nanoprobes Using Conformation-Switchable Copolymeric Ligands.

Intracellular and extracellular pH are key parameters in many physiological processes and diseases. For example, the extracellular pH of the tumor micro-environment is slightly more acidic than in healthy tissue. In vivo mapping of the extracellular pH within the tumor would therefore improve our understanding of the tumor physiology. Fluorescent semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) represent interesting probes for in vivo imaging, in particular in the shortwave infrared (SWIR) range. Here, pH-sensitive QD nanoprobes are developed using a conformation-switchable surface chemistry. The central fluorescent QD is coated with a copolymer ligand and conjugated to gold nanoparticle quenchers. As the pH decreases from physiological (7.5) to slightly acidic (5.5-6), the copolymer reversibly shrinks, which increases the energy transfer between the QD and the gold quenchers and modulates the QD fluorescence signal. This enables the design of ratiometric QD probes for biological pH range emitting in the visible or SWIR range. In addition, these probes can be easily encapsulated and remain functional within ghost erythrocyte membranes, which facilitate their in vivo application.

Zwitterionic polymer ligands: an ideal surface coating to totally suppress protein-nanoparticle corona formation?

In the last few years, zwitterionic polymers have been developed as antifouling surface coatings. However, their ability to completely suppress protein adsorption at the surface of nanoparticles in complex biological media remains undemonstrated. Here we investigate the formation of hard (irreversible) and soft (reversible) protein corona around model nanoparticles (NPs) coated with sulfobetaine (SB), phosphorylcholine (PC) and carboxybetaine (CB) polymer ligands in model albumin solutions and in whole serum. We show for the first time a complete absence of protein corona around SB-coated NPs, while PC- and CB-coated NPs undergo reversible adsorption or partial aggregation. These dramatic differences cannot be described by naïve hard/soft acid/base electrostatic interactions. Single NP tracking in the cytoplasm of live cells corroborate these in vitro observations. Finally, while modification of SB polymers with additional charged groups lead to consequent protein adsorption, addition of small neutral targeting moieties preserves antifouling and enable efficient intracellular targeting.

Synthesis of CdSe Nanoplatelets without Short-Chain Ligands: Implication for Their Growth Mechanisms.

We present a novel route for the synthesis of zinc blende CdSe nanoplatelets (NPLs) that exclude the use of short-chain alkyl carboxylates. CdSe NPLs obtained without acetates are shown to be extremely asymmetric and rectangular. The effects of several experimental parameters such as the nature of cadmium carboxylates, selenium precursors, and precursor concentration ratios are studied. Our experiments, together with complementary small-/wide-angle X-ray scattering results, show that the formation of NPLs is not related to soft templating. We discuss our findings in regard to several other formation mechanisms of NPLs, which have appeared recently in the literature, and propose that the steric hindrance caused by ligand packing exerts an influence on the growth and geometry of two-dimensional NPLs.

Zwitterionic Silane Copolymer for Ultra-Stable and Bright Biomolecular Probes Based on Fluorescent Quantum Dot Nanoclusters.

Fluorescent semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) exhibit several unique properties that make them suitable candidates for biomolecular sensing, including high brightness, photostability, broad excitation, and narrow emission spectra. Assembling these QDs into robust and functionalizable nanosized clusters (QD-NSCs) can provide fluorescent probes that are several orders of magnitude brighter than individual QDs, thus allowing an even greater sensitivity of detection with simplified instrumentation. However, the formation of compact, antifouling, functionalizable, and stable QD-NSCs remains a challenging task, especially for a use at ultralow concentrations for single-molecule detection. Here, we describe the development of fluorescent QD-NSCs envisioned as a tool for fast and sensitive biomolecular recognition. First, QDs were assembled into very compact 100-150 nm diameter spherical aggregates; the final QD-NSCs were obtained by growing a cross-linked silica shell around these aggregates. Hydrolytic stability in several concentration and pH conditions is a key requirement for a potential and efficient single-molecule detection tool. However, the hydrolysis of Si-O-Si bonds leads to desorption of monosilane-based surface groups at very low silica concentrations or in a slightly basic medium. Thus, we designed a novel multidentate copolymer composed of multiple silane as well as zwitterionic monomers. Coating silica beads with this multidentate copolymer provided a robust surface chemistry that was demonstrated to be stable against hydrolysis, even at low concentrations. Copolymer-coated silica beads also showed low fouling properties and high colloidal stability in saline solutions. Furthermore, incorporation of additional azido-monomers enabled easy functionalization of QD-NSCs using copper-free bio-orthogonal cyclooctyne-azide click chemistry, as demonstrated by a biotin-streptavidin affinity test.

[Epidemiological investigation of second intermediate hosts of Clonorchis sinensis in Pizhou and Xinyi cities of Jiangsu Province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the endemic situation of Clonorchis sinensis in its second intermediate hosts in Pizhou and Xinyi cities of Jiangsu Province, so as to provide the evidence for the further control and treatment. METHODS: Pseudorasbora parva and Abbottina rivularis were caught from the natural water body of Pizhou and Xinyi cities, and the tabletting microscopy method was applied to test the metacercaria of C. sinensis. RESULTS: Totally 1 117 fishes were caught and dissected, including 792 P. parva (70.90%) and 325 A. rivularis (29.10%). The metacercaria of C. sinensis infection rates of P. parva and A. rivularis were 29.80% (236/792) and 4.62% (15/325) respectively, and the difference between the two kinds of fishes was significant (χ² = 83.88, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The metacercaria of C. sinensis infection rate of freshwater fishes in Pizhou and Xinyi cities is high, and the local residents are facing the higher risk of clonorchiasis sinensis.

Non-blinking quantum dot with a plasmonic nanoshell resonator.

Colloidal semiconductor quantum dots are fluorescent nanocrystals exhibiting exceptional optical properties, but their emission intensity strongly depends on their charging state and local environment. This leads to blinking at the single-particle level or even complete fluorescence quenching, and limits the applications of quantum dots as fluorescent particles. Here, we show that a single quantum dot encapsulated in a silica shell coated with a continuous gold nanoshell provides a system with a stable and Poissonian emission at room temperature that is preserved regardless of drastic changes in the local environment. This novel hybrid quantum dot/silica/gold structure behaves as a plasmonic resonator with a strong Purcell factor, in very good agreement with simulations. The gold nanoshell also acts as a shield that protects the quantum dot fluorescence and enhances its resistance to high-power photoexcitation or high-energy electron beams. This plasmonic fluorescent resonator opens the way to a new family of plasmonic nanoemitters with robust optical properties.

[Investigation of intestinal nematode infections in Hongze County, Jiangsu Province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the situation of intestinal nematode infections and assess the preventive effects, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the further measures of prevention. METHODS: Five villages from 5 townships of different geographical locations were selected and 500 residents of each village were surveyed. The eggs of intestinal nematodes were detected by the Kato-Katz technique, and 50 students and 50 residents per village were investigated by questionnaires about health education. RESULTS: Among 3 011 people detected, 17 persons were infected with intestinal nematodes and the total infection rate was 0.56%. The rates of Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis, and Trichostrongylus were 0.10%, 0.33%, 0.03%, 0.03% and 0.07%, respectively. The awareness rate of health knowledge was 97.80% and the formation rate of health behavior was 97.00%. CONCLUSION: The infection rates of intestinal nematodes, the awareness rate of health knowledge and the formation rate of health behavior in the population of Hongze County have achieved the criteria of effective control of intestinal parasitic diseases.