Field validation of different intervention modes for the potential transmission risk of schistosomiasis during post-transmission interruption phase.

OBJECTIVE: Precision interventions have been proposed in transmission-interrupted areas to further reduce the potential transmission risk of schistosomiasis. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different interventions modes for potential transmission risk control. METHODS: Three groups of schistosomiasis-endemic villages were selected in Jiangling county, Hubei province. After baseline surveys in 2020, three intervention models were employed in 2021 and 2022. In Model 1, Oncomelania hupensis snail control in key settings and an integrated strategy with an emphasis on the infectious sources managing was employed. In Model 2, an integrated health education-led strategy with an emphasis on infectious source management was employed. In Model 3, only the integrated strategy with an emphasis on infectious source management was employed. The effects of the different intervention models were examined with multiple indicators after 2 years of intervention using the entropy-weighted technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), rank-sum ratio (RSR) and fuzzy combination model of entropy-weighted TOPSIS and RSR. RESULTS: Entropy-weighted TOPSIS modeling showed that the Ci values of Model 2 were 0.4434, 0.2759, and 0.3069 in the three pilot villages, Ci values were larger, with top comprehensive ranking. The results of the RSR method showed that the RSR values of Model 2 were 0.75, 0.708, and 0.736 in the three pilot villages, with top comprehensive ranking. The results from the fuzzy combination model of entropy-weighted TOPSIS and RSR showed that implementation of Model 2 resulted in the highest comprehensive ranking among the three models in the three pilot villages under Ci: RSR = 0.1: 0.9, Ci: RSR = 0.5: 0.5 and Ci: RSR = 0.9: 0.1. CONCLUSION: The integrated health education-led strategy with an emphasis on infectious source management was the optimal model to manage the risk of transmission of schistosomiasis during the post-transmission interruption phase.

A qualitative study of perspectives on access to tuberculosis health services in Xigaze, China.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health threat and the leading infectious disease cause of death worldwide. Access to and retention in TB care remains a challenge for patients, particularly those living in rural and remote settings. This qualitative study explored barriers and facilitators to accessing and maintaining contact with TB care services in communities in Xigaze (Shigatse) prefecture, Xizang Autonomous Region (Tibet Autonomous Region), China from the perspective of persons impacted by TB. METHODS: We conduced in-depth interviews with 23 participants impacted by TB in four rural districts in Xigaze prefecture, Xizang Autonomous Region, China between April 2019 and November 2020. Interviews were conducted in Tibetan and Mandarin, transcribed in Mandarin and translated into English. Transcripts were checked against recordings by native Tibetan and Mandarin speakers. QSR NVivo12 software was used for framework analysis guided by an access to care conceptual framework by Levesque et al. RESULTS: Overall patients reported low awareness of and an indifferent attitude towards TB, although all reported understanding the need to adhere to treatment. Participants reported complex pathways to care, often requiring visits to multiple healthcare facilities. Some participants reported visiting traditional Tibetan medicine (TTM) providers. Participants reported various barriers to accessing care including challenges physically reaching care, out-of-pocket payments for tests, diagnostics and transport. Barriers to maintaining care included medication side effects and worry about treatment effectiveness. Enablers to accessing care identified included knowledge or past experience with TB, integrated models of TTM and western care, supportive village doctors who conducted home visits, free TB treatment and other subsidies, as well as having family support with care and social support as barriers and facilitators to maintaining treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We identified barriers and facilitators to accessing services in rural communities in Xigaze from the perspective of persons impacted by TB. Challenges include complex pathways to care, travel distances, wait times and low awareness. Tuberculosis care in the region could be strengthened by ongoing culturally tailored educational campaigns to increase awareness, partnerships with TTM providers, providing comprehensive treatment subsidies and strengthening the role of family members in comprehensive TB care.

Treatment of pulmonary fibrosis in one convalescent patient with corona virus disease 2019 by oral traditional Chinese medicine decoction: A case report.

After one-month of oral treatment with traditional Chinese medicine decoction, without using other drugs, the lung inflammatory exudate, pulmonary fibrosis and quality of life of a 61-year-old female patient with corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were significantly improved. No recurrence or deterioration of the patient's condition was found within seven weeks of treatment and follow-up, and no adverse events occurred, indicating that oral Chinese medicine decoction was able to improve the pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in a patient recovering from COVID-19, but further research is still needed.

Analysis of the Spectral Characteristics of Pure Moxa Stick Burning by Hyperspectral Imaging and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy.

The objective of this study was to investigate the spectra characteristics (SC) at wavelengths of 400~1000 nm and 2.5~15.5 µm of pure moxa stick (MS) during its 25-minute burning process using new spectral imaging techniques. Spectral images were collected for the burning pure MS at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 min using hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for the first time. The results showed that, at wavelengths of 400~1000 nm, the spectral range of the cross section of MS burning was 750~980 nm; the peak position was 860 nm. At wavelengths of 2.5~15.5 µm, the spectral range of the cross section of MS burning was 3.0~4.0 µm; the peak position was approximately 3.5 µm. The radiation spectra of MS burning include litter red and amount of infrared (but mainly near infrared) wavelengths. The temperature, blood perfusion, and oxygen saturation increase of Shenshu (BL23) after moxibustion radiation were observed too. According to mechanism of photobiological effects and moxibustion biological effects, it was inferred that moxibustion effects should be linked with moxibustion SC. This study provided new data and means for physical properties of moxibustion research.

A pilot study on effects of acupuncture and moxibustion by hyperspectral imaging technique.

This study was to observe the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on spectrum features of acupoint using hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technique. HSI of the Neiguan (PC6) in the acupuncture groups, moxibustion groups, and control groups was scanned by the hyperspectral imager to analyze the spectrum features and the variations within the wavelength of 400-1000 nm and explore the relationship between the spectral characteristics and effects of acupuncture and moxibustion. The light absorption intensity was slightly reduced within the wave band of 540-590 nm after acupuncture. The absorption intensity of PC6 before moxibustion was significantly higher than that after moxibustion, and the maximum reduction was found at the wavelength of 580 nm with 20.5% reduction, P < 0.05. There was no significant change of the spectrum of palm and PC6 and the spectrum curves of the acupoint were basically identical in control group. The light absorption intensity of PC6 of human body was weakened after Acu-mox. Specific wavelengths were all exhibited at 580 nm and the effect of moxibustion was more significant. HSI technique can be used to measure the spectral characteristics of the acupoint areas. This first time research would be significant and beneficial for study on the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion.