Developing a geographical-meteorological indicator system and evaluating prediction models for alveolar echinococcosis in China.

BACKGROUND: Geographical and meteorological factors have been reported to influence the prevalence of echinococcosis, but there's a lack of indicator system and model. OBJECTIVE: To provide further insight into the impact of geographical and meteorological factors on AE prevalence and establish a theoretical basis for prevention and control. METHODS: Principal component and regression analysis were used to screen and establish a three-level indicator system. Relative weights were examined to determine the impact of each indicator, and five mathematical models were compared to identify the best predictive model for AE epidemic levels. RESULTS: By analyzing the data downloaded from the China Meteorological Data Service Center and Geospatial Data Cloud, we established the KCBIS, including 50 basic indicators which could be directly obtained online, 15 characteristic indicators which were linear combination of the basic indicators and showed a linear relationship with AE epidemic, and 8 key indicators which were characteristic indicators with a clearer relationships and fewer mixed effects. The relative weight analysis revealed that monthly precipitation, monthly cold days, the difference between negative and positive temperature anomalies, basic air temperature conditions, altitude, the difference between positive and negative atmospheric pressure anomalies, monthy extremely hot days, and monthly fresh breeze days were correlated with the natural logarithm of AE prevalence, with sequential decreases in their relative weights. The multinomial logistic regression model was the best predictor at epidemic levels 1, 3, 5, and 6, whereas the CART model was the best predictor at epidemic levels 2, 4, and 5.

A Polarization-Insensitive, Vanadium Dioxide-Based Dynamically Tunable Multiband Terahertz Metamaterial Absorber.

A tunable multiband terahertz metamaterial absorber, based on vanadium dioxide (VO2), is demonstrated. The absorber comprises a three-layer metal-insulator-metal (MIM) configuration with a split ring and slots of VO2 on the uppermost layer, a middle dielectric substrate based on silicon dioxide (SiO2), and a gold reflector on the back. The simulation results indicate that, when VO2 is in the metallic state, the proposed metamaterial exhibits nearly perfect absorption at six distinct frequencies. The design achieves an average absorption of 98.2%. The absorptivity of the metamaterial can be dynamically tuned from 4% to 100% by varying the temperature-controlled conductivity of VO2. The proposed metamaterial absorber exhibits the advantages of polarization insensitivity and maintains its absorption over 80% under different incident angle conditions. The underlying physical mechanism of absorption is explained through impedance matching theory, interference theory, and the distribution of electric fields. The ability to achieve multiband absorption with tunable characteristics makes the proposed absorber a promising candidate for applications in terahertz sensing, imaging, communication, and detection. The polarization insensitivity further enhances its practicality in various scenarios, allowing for versatile and reliable performance in terahertz systems.

High-Performance Organic Field-Effect Transistors of Liquid Crystalline Organic Semiconductor by Laser Mapping Annealing.

Organic semiconductors (OSCs), especially small molecule semiconductors, have received increasing attention due to their good designability and variability. Phase transitions and interfacial properties have a decisive influence on device performance. Here, 2-Dodecyl-7-phenyl[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene (Ph-BTBT-12) devices are treated with low-power laser annealing, which is able to avoid the influence of the dewetting effect on the hole mobility of organic semiconductor materials. Ultraviolet ozone treatment and self-assembled monolayer treatment can improve the performance and stability of the device. Moreover, after low-temperature thermal annealing, the hole mobility of the device can even reach as high as 4.80 cm2 V-1 s-1, and we tested the optical response of the device to the ultraviolet wavelength and found that its maximum optical responsivity was 8.2 AW-1.

Near-Infrared Dual Greenhouse Gas Sensor Based on Hollow-Core Photonic Crystal Fiber for Gas-Cell In-Situ Applications.

A greenhouse gas sensor has been developed to simultaneously detect multiple gas species within a hollow-core photonic bandgap fiber (HC-PBF) structure entirely composed of fibers. To enhance sensitivity, the gas cell consists of HC-PBF enclosed between two single-mode fibers fused with a reflective end surface to double the absorption length. The incorporation of side holes for gas diffusion allows for analysis of the relationship between gas diffusion speed, number of drilled side holes, and energy loss. As the number of drilled holes increases, the response time decreases to less than 3 min at the expense of energy loss. Gas experiments demonstrated detection limits of 0.1 ppm for methane and 2 ppm for carbon dioxide, with an average time of 50 s. In-situ testing conducted in rice fields validates the effectiveness of the developed gas detection system using HC-PBF cells, establishing all-fiber sensors with high sensitivity and rapid response.

New Transition Metal Coordination Polymers Derived from 2-(3,5-Dicarboxyphenyl)-6-carboxybenzimidazole as Photocatalysts for Dye and Antibiotic Decomposition.

Coordination polymers (CPs) are an assorted class of coordination complexes that are gaining attention for the safe and sustainable removal of organic dyes from wastewater discharge by either adsorption or photocatalytic degradation. Herein, three different coordination polymers with compositions [Ni(HL)(H2O)2·1.9H2O] (1), [Mn3(HL)(L)(µ3-OH)(H2O)(phen)2·2H2O] (2), and [Cd(HL)4(H2O)]·H2O (3) (H3L = 2-(3,5-dicarboxyphenyl)-6-carboxybenzimidazole; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized spectroscopically and by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Single crystal X-ray diffraction results indicated that 1 forms a 2D layer-like framework, while 2 exhibits a 3-connected net with the Schläfli symbol of (44.6), and 3 displays a 3D supramolecular network in which two adjacent 2D layers are held by π···π interactions. All three compounds have been used as photocatalysts to catalyze the photodegradation of antibiotic dinitrozole (DTZ) and rhodamine B (RhB). The photocatalytic results suggested that the Mn-based CP 2 exhibited better photodecomposition of DTZ (91.1%) and RhB (95.0%) than the other two CPs in the time span of 45 min. The observed photocatalytic mechanisms have been addressed using Hirshfeld surface analyses.

Facile synthesis of wide bandgap ZrS2 colloidal quantum dots for solution processed solar-blind UV photodetectors.

We present a facile one-pot method for the successful synthesis of heavy metal-free ZrS2 colloidal quantum dots (QDs) with a wide bandgap. To achieve this, we employed 1-dodecanethiol (DT) as a sulfur precursor, enabling the controlled release of H2S in situ during the reaction at temperatures exceeding 195 °C. This approach facilitated the synthesis of small-sized ZrS2 QDs with precise control.

Advancements in Passive Wireless Sensors, Materials, Devices, and Applications.

In recent years, passive wireless sensors have been studied for various infrastructure sectors, making them a research and development focus. While substantial evidence already supports their viability, further effort is needed to understand their dependability and applicability. As a result, issues related to the theory and implementation of wireless sensors still need to be resolved. This paper aims to review and summarize the progress of the different materials used in different passive sensors, the current status of the passive wireless sensor readout devices, and the latest peripheral devices. It will also cover other related aspects such as the system equipment of passive wireless sensors and the nanogenerators for the energy harvesting for self-powered sensors for applications in contemporary life scenarios. At the same time, the challenges for future developments and applications of passive wireless are discussed.

Epitope-Directed Antibody Elicitation by Genetically Encoded Chemical Cross-Linking Reactivity in the Antigen.

No current methods can selectively elicit an antibody response to a specific conformational epitope in a whole antigen in vivo. Here, we incorporated Nε-acryloyl-l-lysine (AcrK) or Nε-crotonyl-l-lysine (Kcr) with cross-linking activities into the specific epitopes of antigens and immunized mice to generate antibodies that can covalently cross-link with the antigens. By taking advantage of antibody clonal selection and evolution in vivo, an orthogonal antibody-antigen cross-linking reaction can be generated. With this mechanism, we developed a new approach for facile elicitation of antibodies binding to specific epitopes of the antigen in vivo. Antibody responses were directed and enriched to the target epitopes on protein antigens or peptide-KLH conjugates after mouse immunization with the AcrK or Kcr-incorporated immunogens. The effect is so prominent that the majority of selected hits bind to the target epitope. Furthermore, the epitope-specific antibodies effectively block IL-1ß from activating its receptor, indicating its potential for the development of protein subunit vaccines.

Prevalence trend and burden of neglected parasitic diseases in China from 1990 to 2019: findings from global burden of disease study.

Objective: This study sought to investigate the parasitic diseases of neglected tropical diseases defined by the World Health Organization based on the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) database. Importantly, we analyzed the prevalence and burden of these diseases in China from 1990 to 2019 to provide valuable information to formulate more effective measures for their management and prevention. Methods: Data on the prevalence and burden of neglected parasitic diseases in China from 1990 to 2019 were extracted from the global health data exchange (GHDx) database, including the absolute number of prevalence, age-standardized prevalence rate, disability-adjusted life year (DALY) and age-standardized DALY rate. Descriptive analysis was used to analyze the prevalence and burden changes, sex and age distribution of various parasitic diseases from 1990 to 2019. A time series model [Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA)] was used to predict the DALYs of neglected parasitic diseases in China from 2020 to 2030. Results: In 2019, the number of neglected parasitic diseases in China was 152518062, the age-standardized prevalence was 11614.1 (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 8758.5-15244.5), the DALYs were 955722, and the age-standardized DALY rate was 54.9 (95% UI 26.0-101.8). Among these, the age-standardized prevalence of soil-derived helminthiasis was the highest (9370.2/100,000), followed by food-borne trematodiases (1502.3/100,000) and schistosomiasis (707.1/100,000). The highest age-standardized DALY rate was for food-borne trematodiases (36.0/100,000), followed by cysticercosis (7.9/100,000) and soil-derived helminthiasis (5.6/100,000). Higher prevalence and disease burden were observed in men and the upper age group. From 1990 to 2019, the number of neglected parasitic diseases in China decreased by 30.4%, resulting in a decline in DALYs of 27.3%. The age-standardized DALY rates of most diseases were decreased, especially for soil-derived helminthiasis, schistosomiasis and food-borne trematodiases. The ARIMA prediction model showed that the disease burden of echinococcosis and cysticercosis exhibited an increasing trend, highlighting the need for further prevention and control. Conclusion: Although the prevalence and disease burden of neglected parasitic diseases in China have decreased, many issues remain to be addressed. More efforts should be undertaken to improve the prevention and control strategies for different parasitic diseases. The government should prioritize multisectoral integrated control and surveillance measures to prioritize the prevention and control of diseases with a high burden of disease. In addition, the older adult population and men need to pay more attention.

Epidemiological characteristics and risk factors for cystic and alveolar echinococcosis in China: an analysis of a national population-based field survey.

BACKGROUND: Human cystic and alveolar echinococcosis are neglected tropical diseases that WHO has prioritized for control in recent years. Both diseases impose substantial burdens on public health and the socio-economy in China. In this study, which is based on the national echinococcosis survey from 2012 to 2016, we aim to describe the spatial prevalence and demographic characteristics of cystic and alveolar echinococcosis infections in humans and assess the impact of environmental, biological and social factors on both types of the disease. METHODS: We computed the sex-, age group-, occupation- and education level-specific prevalences of cystic and alveolar echinococcosis at national and sub-national levels. We mapped the geographical distribution of echinococcosis prevalence at the province, city and county levels. Finally, by analyzing the county-level echinococcosis cases combined with a range of associated environmental, biological and social factors, we identified and quantified the potential risk factors for echinococcosis using a generalized linear model. RESULTS: A total of 1,150,723 residents were selected and included in the national echinococcosis survey between 2012 and 2016, of whom 4161 and 1055 tested positive for cystic and alveolar echinococcosis, respectively. Female gender, older age, occupation at herdsman, occupation as religious worker and illiteracy were identified as risk factors for both types of echinococcosis. The prevalence of echinococcosis was found to vary geographically, with areas of high endemicity observed in the Tibetan Plateau region. Cystic echinococcosis prevalence was positively correlated with cattle density, cattle prevalence, dog density, dog prevalence, number of livestock slaughtered, elevation and grass area, and negatively associated with temperature and gross domestic product (GDP). Alveolar echinococcosis prevalence was positively correlated with precipitation, level of awareness, elevation, rodent density and rodent prevalence, and negatively correlated with forest area, temperature and GDP. Our results also implied that drinking water sources are significantly associated with both diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide a comprehensive understanding of geographical patterns, demographic characteristics and risk factors of cystic and alveolar echinococcosis in China. This important information will contribute towards developing targeted prevention measures and controlling diseases from the public health perspective.

Infestation by the Piercing-Sucking Herbivore Nilaparvata lugens Systemically Triggers JA- and SA-Dependent Defense Responses in Rice.

It has been well documented that an infestation of the piercing-sucking herbivore, brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, activates strong local defenses in rice. However, whether a BPH infestation elicits systemic responses in rice remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated BPH-induced systemic defenses by detecting the change in expression levels of 12 JA- and/or SA-signaling-responsive marker genes in different rice tissues upon a BPH attack. We found that an infestation of gravid BPH females on rice leaf sheaths significantly increased the local transcript level of all 12 marker genes tested except OsVSP, whose expression was induced only weakly at a later stage of the BPH infestation. Moreover, an infestation of gravid BPH females also systemically up-regulated the transcription levels of three JA-signaling-responsive genes (OsJAZ8, OsJAMyb, and OsPR3), one SA-signaling-responsive gene (OsWRKY62), and two JA- and SA- signaling-responsive genes (OsPR1a and OsPR10a). Our results demonstrate that an infestation of gravid BPH females systemically activates JA- and SA-dependent defenses in rice, which may in turn influence the composition and structure of the community in the rice ecosystem.

Catalytic Olefin-Imine Metathesis: Cobalt-Enabled Amidine Olefination with Enaminones.

Organic metathesis reactions allow for expedient assembly of diverse molecular skeletons and appendages through the exchange of molecular fragments. The olefin-imine variant of this process, in particular, can expand the synthetic toolbox for manipulating carbon-carbon and carbon-nitrogen bonds but has thus far been achieved only on a stoichiometric metal-mediated basis. Herein, we report the development of a catalytic olefin-imine metathesis reaction, featuring cobalt-catalyzed amidine olefination with enaminones and a versatile product synthon enabling further structural diversification.

Chinese expert consensus on interventional diagnosis and management of acquired digestive-respiratory tract fistulas (second edition).

Acquired digestive-respiratory tract fistulas occur with abnormal communication between the respiratory tract and digestive tract caused by a variety of benign or malignant diseases, leading to the alimentary canal contents in the respiratory tract. Although various departments have been actively exploring advanced fistula closure techniques, including surgical methods and multimodal therapy, some of which have gotten good clinical effects, there are few large-scale evidence-based medical data to guide clinical diagnosis and treatment. The guidelines update the etiology, classification, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of acquired digestive-respiratory tract fistulas. It has been proved that the implantation of the respiratory and digestive stent is the most important and best treatment for acquired digestive-respiratory tract fistulas. The guidelines conduct an in-depth review of the current evidence and introduce in detail the selection of stents, implantation methods, postoperative management and efficacy evaluation.

Cryptosporidiosis threat under climate change in China: prediction and validation of habitat suitability and outbreak risk for human-derived Cryptosporidium based on ecological niche models.

BACKGROUND: Cryptosporidiosis is a zoonotic intestinal infectious disease caused by Cryptosporidium spp., and its transmission is highly influenced by climate factors. In the present study, the potential spatial distribution of Cryptosporidium in China was predicted based on ecological niche models for cryptosporidiosis epidemic risk warning and prevention and control. METHODS: The applicability of existing Cryptosporidium presence points in ENM analysis was investigated based on data from monitoring sites in 2011-2019. Cryptosporidium occurrence data for China and neighboring countries were extracted and used to construct the ENMs, namely Maxent, Bioclim, Domain, and Garp. Models were evaluated based on Receiver Operating Characteristic curve, Kappa, and True Skill Statistic coefficients. The best model was constructed using Cryptosporidium data and climate variables during 1986‒2010, and used to analyze the effects of climate factors on Cryptosporidium distribution. The climate variables for the period 2011‒2100 were projected to the simulation results to predict the ecological adaptability and potential distribution of Cryptosporidium in future in China. RESULTS: The Maxent model (AUC = 0.95, maximum Kappa = 0.91, maximum TSS = 1.00) fit better than the other three models and was thus considered the best ENM for predicting Cryptosporidium habitat suitability. The major suitable habitats for human-derived Cryptosporidium in China were located in some high-population density areas, especially in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the lower reaches of the Yellow River, and the Huai and the Pearl River Basins (cloglog value of habitat suitability > 0.9). Under future climate change, non-suitable habitats for Cryptosporidium will shrink, while highly suitable habitats will expand significantly (χ2 = 76.641, P < 0.01; χ2 = 86.836, P < 0.01), and the main changes will likely be concentrated in the northeastern, southwestern, and northwestern regions. CONCLUSIONS: The Maxent model is applicable in prediction of Cryptosporidium habitat suitability and can achieve excellent simulation results. These results suggest a current high risk of transmission and significant pressure for cryptosporidiosis prevention and control in China. Against a future climate change background, Cryptosporidium may gain more suitable habitats within China. Constructing a national surveillance network could facilitate further elucidation of the epidemiological trends and transmission patterns of cryptosporidiosis, and mitigate the associated epidemic and outbreak risks.

Synthesis of quinazolinones via Cp*Co(III)-catalyzed C-H functionalization of primary amides with oxadiazolones.

Multi-heteroatom heterocycle synthesis through direct C-H bond activation is methodologically appealing but synthetically challenging. An efficient double C-N bond formation sequence to prepare quinazolinones utilizing primary amides and oxadiazolones in a catalytic redox-neutral [CoCp*(CO)I2]/AgSbF6 system, where oxadiazolone could function as an internal oxidant to maintain the catalytic cycle, is reported. Amide-directed C-H bond activation and oxadiazolone decarboxylation are key to the success of this traceless, atom- and step-economic, and cascade approach for the construction of the quinazolinone skeleton.

Cobalt Homeostatic Catalysis for Coupling of Enaminones and Oxadiazolones to Quinazolinones.

Transition metal catalysis has revolutionized modern synthetic chemistry for its diverse modes of coordination reactivity. However, this versatility in reactivity is also the predominant cause of catalyst deactivation, a persisting issue that can significantly compromise its synthetic value. Homeostatic catalysis, a catalytic process that can sustain its productive catalytic cycle even when chemically disturbed, is proposed herein as an effective tactic to address the challenge. In particular, a cobalt homeostatic catalysis process has been developed for the water-tolerant coupling of enaminones and oxadiazolones to quinazolinones. Dynamic covalent bonding serves as a mechanistic handle for the preferred buffering of water onto enaminone and reverse exchange by a released secondary amine, thus securing reversible entry into cobalt's dormant and active states for productive catalysis. Through this homeostatic catalysis mode, a broad structural scope has been achieved for quinazolinones, enabling further elaboration into distinct pharmaceutically active agents.

Three new species of Nazeris Fauvel from the Jiuwan Mountain, Guangxi, China (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Paederinae).

Three new species of Nazeris Fauvel, 1873 from the Jiuwan Mountain, Guangxi, China, are described and illustrated: N. jiuwanensis, sp. n., N. qingshuius, sp. n. and N. yangmeius sp. n. An identification key to the Nazeris species in Guangxi is provided.

Investigation of Parasitic Nematodes Detected in the Feces of Wild Carnivores in the Eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China.

Wildlife shares grazing areas with herders in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and humans can be infected by zoonotic nematodes through direct contact with animals or contaminated water. In this study, fecal samples (n = 296) from wild carnivores were collected to explore the infection rate and molecular genetic characteristics of nematodes by stratified random sampling in the survey areas. Host species and the nematodes they carried were then identified using 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene sequencing, respectively. Statistical analysis, neutrality tests, genetic diversity analysis and Bayesian inferred trees were performed to complete the study. In total, 10 species of nematodes were detected in 240 feces from six species of carnivores identified (including dominant Vulpes ferrilata and Vulpes vulpes), namely Uncinaria stenocephala, Toxascaris sp., Crenosoma vulpis, Parapharyngodon bainae, Oesophagostomum muntiacum, Aspiculuris tetraptera, Mastophorus muris, Nematodirus spathiger, Muellerius capillaris, and Molineus patens. Among these nematodes, U. stenocephala (35.83%, 86/240) and Toxascaris sp. (14.58%, 35/240) were detected at higher rates than the other nematodes (χ2 = 516.909, p < 0.05). Of 17 and 18 haplotypes were found based on the ITS1 gene for U. stenocephala and nad1 gene for Toxascaris sp., respectively. For the first time, using molecular methods, we report the infection of V. ferrilata by U. stenocephala, a potential zoonotic parasite, and suggest Toxascaris sp. may be a newly discovered nematode that lives within the fox intestine.

The First Detection of Echinococcus Granulosus DNA in Residents' Hands, Dogs' Hair, and Soil in Highly Endemic Region of Echinococcosis - Naqu City, Xizang Autonomous Region, China, 2020.

What is already known about this topic?: Echinococcosis is a serious zoonotic parasitic disease that predominantly infects humans; domestic animals like cattle or sheep; as well as wild animals such as small rodents. To date, there is a lack of comprehensive information about all potential environmental transmission routes for Echinococcus. What is added by this report?: This study assesses the importance of under-researched environmental factors for the transmission of Echinococcus. It concludes that hand hygiene is an important factor in the robust environmental transmission of Echinococcus granulosus. What are the implications for public health practice?: This study suggests that residents are at risk of catching echinococcosis through hand-oral transmission routes. Health education given to local residents is thus a key intervention, as well as avoiding close contact with dogs and ensuring proper hand-washing practices are followed.

An insecticide target in mechanoreceptor neurons.

Hundreds of neurotoxic insecticides are currently in use. However, only a few direct targets have been identified. Here, using Drosophila and the insecticide flonicamid, we identified nicotinamidase (Naam) as a previous unidentified molecular target for an insecticide. Naam is expressed in chordotonal stretch-receptor neurons, and inhibition of Naam by a metabolite of flonicamid, TFNA-AM (4-trifluoromethylnicotinamide), induces accumulation of substrate nicotinamide and greatly inhibits negative geotaxis. Engineered flies harboring a point mutation in the active site show insecticide resistance and defects in gravity sensing. Bees are resistant to flonicamid because of a gene duplication, resulting in the generation of a TFNA-AM-insensitive Naam. Our results, in combination with the absence of genes encoding Naam in vertebrate genomes, suggest that TFNA-AM and potential species-specific Naam inhibitors could be developed as novel insecticides, anthelmintics, and antimicrobials for agriculture and human health.