Immunogenicity and safety of the quadrivalent inactivated split-virion influenza vaccine in populations aged ≥ 3 years: A phase 3, randomized, double-blind, non-inferiority clinical trial.

This study aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity non-inferiority and safety of the quadrivalent inactivated split-virion influenza vaccine in participants ≥ 3 years old. A total of 3,328 participants were enrolled. Participants 3-8 years old were administered one or two doses of the investigational vaccine or one dose of the control vaccine, whereas the other participants were administered only one dose of the investigational or control vaccine. The immunogenicity and occurrence of adverse events (AEs) after 30 days of full-course vaccination and serious adverse events (SAEs) within 6 months after full-course vaccination were assessed. The sero-conversion rates (SCRs) of anti-H1N1, H3N2, B(Y), and B(V) antibodies in the test group were 74.64%, 87.40%, 82.66%, and 78.89%, respectively, and their geometric mean titers were 1:250.13, 1:394.54, 1:200.84, and 1:94.91, respectively, which were non-inferior to those in the control group. The SCRs and sero-protection rates in the two-dose group of participants 3-8 years old were greater than those in the one-dose group. The incidences of total AEs and adverse reactions in the test group were 31.6% and 21.7%, respectively, which were close to those in the control group. In the two-dose group, the incidence of adverse reactions was considerably lower in the second dose (5.5%) than in the first dose (14.7%). Most AEs were grade 1 in severity, and no SAEs were recorded. The investigational vaccine had immunogenicity non-inferior to the control vaccine, and two doses were more effective than one dose in participants 3-8 years old, with a good overall safety.Trial registration: CTR20200715.

People in China are frequently infected by influenza viruses in specific seasons, causing a large burden of disease. Influenza viruses have distinct phenotypes depending on the season. Therefore, vaccines that can effectively prevent the infection of various influenza virus phenotypes need to be developed. The quadrivalent inactivated split-virion influenza vaccine is effective against four influenza virus phenotypes. In this trial, the immunogenicity and safety of the quadrivalent inactivated split-virion influenza vaccine (investigational vaccine) developed by Dalian Aleph Biomedical Co., Ltd. were evaluated. A total of 3,328 participants ≥ 3 years old were included. Participants 3­8 years old were further divided based on the presence or absence of a history of influenza vaccination. Those participants without a vaccination history were administered one or two doses of the investigational vaccine or one dose of a marketed quadrivalent influenza vaccine (control vaccine), and those participants with a vaccination history were administered one dose of the investigational or control vaccine. This study showed for the first time that the immunogenicity and safety of the investigational vaccine were not inferior to those of the control vaccine and that the two-dose procedure induced a good immune effect in the 3­8-year-old group. In conclusion, administration of the investigational vaccine can prevent seasonal influenza in populations aged ≥ 3 years.

Histone Deacetylase 1 Expression and Regulatory Network in Lung Adenocarcinoma Based on Data Mining and Implications for Targeted Treatment.

Background and Aims: Histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) codes a protein that is a component of the histone deacetylase complex. The abnormal expression of HDAC1 is strongly correlated with cell proliferation, differentiation, transcription, and translation. Through continuous screening of genes associated with changes in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), gene networks are formed to explore tumor pathogenesis and new therapeutic targets. Methods: We evaluated HDAC1 gene survival analysis and its expression of LUAD using relevant websites and databases (TCGA and GEO databases). Through data mining, we determined the frequency and type of HDAC1 mutation, obtained the relevant heat map of the gene interaction network, completed the analysis of gene ontology and function enrichment, and understood the pharmaceutic of HDAC1. Results: We found that HDAC1 expression was associated with the prognosis of patients with LUAD. In gene expression analysis, HDAC1 was highly expressed in LUAD, and the HDAC1 interaction gene network (MARCKSL, eIF3I) was closely related to cellular gene expression. Functional network analysis shows that the expression of HDAC1 is related to the monitoring point of the G1-S phase of the cell cycle and the activation of the Notch signaling pathway (CSL transcription factor), which is involved in the process of cell proliferation and differentiation and gene expression associated with new therapeutic targets. Conclusion: Our data revealed the expression and potential regulatory factors of HDAC1 in LUAD of data mining, which laid a foundation for the study of the occurrence, development, and treatment of HDAC1 in LUAD.

Epidemiology of childhood asthma in mainland China (1988-2014): A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: After the promotion of the two-child policy in recent years, the population of children in mainland China was bound to have a rapid growth, which would bring great challenges to public health. A number of cross-sectional studies on the epidemic of childhood asthma in mainland China were recently conducted, and varied prevalences were reported. Thus, knowing the epidemiology of childhood asthma in mainland China is of great necessity. OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to summarize the pooled prevalence of childhood asthma in mainland China and its time trend, gender difference, regional distribution, and age structure. METHODS: Studies that reported the prevalence of childhood asthma in mainland China were identified via a systematic data base search through July 1, 2016. Meta-analysis was used to estimate the prevalence of childhood asthma and its subgroups, including gender, age groups, years, and regions. The regional distribution of the prevalence was set by province with the help of a geographic mapping software. The autoregressive integrated moving average model was used to predict the current prevalence of asthma. RESULTS: A total of 117 studies published from 1988 to 2014 in mainland China with a total sample size of 2,678,696 were included. The overall current prevalence and lifetime prevalence of childhood asthma was 2.112% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.977-2.247%) and 2.502% (95% CI, 2.166-2.838%), respectively. The difference of the prevalences between male and female patients was significant: odds ratio 1.54 (95% CI, 1.47-1.62) for the current prevalence and odds ratio 1.61 (95% CI, 1.47-1.77) for the lifetime prevalence. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of childhood asthma in mainland China was low but has been increasing remarkably since 1998. Boys are more likely to have asthma throughout most of their childhood. Preschoolers (3-6 years old) showed a higher prevalence than the other age groups. The current prevalence of childhood asthma probably increased slightly from 2017 to 2019.

Enhancement of high-order harmonics in a plasma waveguide formed in clustered Ar gas.

Generation of high-order harmonics (HHs) is intensified by using a plasma waveguide created by a laser in a clustered gas jet. The formation of a plasma waveguide and the guiding of a laser beam are also demonstrated. Compared to the case without a waveguide, harmonics were strengthened up to nine times, and blue-shifted. Numerical simulation by solving the time-dependent Schrödinger equation in strong field approximation agreed well with experimental results. This result reveals that the strengthening is the result of improved phase matching and that the blue shift is a result of change in fundamental laser frequency due to self-phase modulation (SPM).

The rs11191580 variant of the NT5C2 gene is associated with schizophrenia and symptom severity in a South Chinese Han population: evidence from GWAS

Objective: Recent genome-wide association studies have identified a significant relationship between the NT5C2 variant rs11191580 and schizophrenia (SCZ) in European populations. This study aimed to validate the association of rs11191580 polymorphism with SCZ risk in a South Chinese Han population. The relationship of this polymorphism with the severity of SCZ clinical symptoms was also explored. Methods: A case-control study was performed in 462 patients with SCZ and 598 healthy controls. Rs11191580 was genotyped by the Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX platform. A total of 459 SCZ patients completed the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) evaluation. Data were analyzed by PLINK software. Results: We confirmed an association of the rs11191580 polymorphism with SCZ risk in South Chinese Han under a dominant genetic model (ORadj = 0.769; 95%CIadj = 0.600-0.984; padj = 0.037). PANSS scores showed a significant association between variant rs11191580 and total score (padj = 0.032), lack of response scale score (padj = 0.022), and negative scale score (additive: padj = 0.004; dominant: padj = 0.016; recessive: padj = 0.021) after data were adjusted for age and sex. Conclusion: NT5C2 variant rs11191580 conferred susceptibility to SCZ and affected the clinical symptoms of SCZ in a South Chinese Han population.

Genetic variation in the 3'-untranslated region of PAK1 influences schizophrenia susceptibility.

The present study aimed to investigate the association of two polymorphisms (rs2844337 and rs11237200) in the P21 protein (cell division control protein 42/Rac)-activated kinase 1 gene with susceptibility to schizophrenia (SCZ) in Chinese Zhuang and Chinese Han populations. A total of 700 patients with SCZ and 700 healthy controls were recruited. Rs2844337 and rs11237200 polymorphisms were genotyped using Sequenom technology. A total of 591 patients completed the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) assessment. Data were statistically analyzed using PLINK version 1.07 and SPSS version 17.0. In the Chinese Han population, the genotypic (P=0.038) and allelic (P=0.033) frequencies of the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) genetic variation of rs2844337 in patients were significantly decreased compared to that in controls; these frequencies were significantly associated with SCZ susceptibility in the additive model (Padj=0.032) and in the recessive model (Padj=0.031). Moreover, the TG haplotype constructed by rs2844337 and rs11237200 polymorphisms remained significantly associated with SCZ risk following adjustment for gender and age and applying a Bonferroni correction in the Chinese Han population (Padj=0.003, PBC=0.009). The adjacent 5'-UTR genetic variation of rs11237200 was significantly associated with the total score (Padj=0.006), positive scale score (Padj=0.014) and general psychopathology scale scores (Padj=0.009) in the recessive model of the Chinese Han population. However, these polymorphisms were not significantly associated with SCZ susceptibility or the PANSS scores in the Chinese Zhuang population. In conclusion, variations in the PAK1 gene influenced the susceptibility and severity of the clinical symptoms of SCZ in the Chinese Han population investigated in the present study.

Association of NKAPL, TSPAN18, and MPC2 gene variants with schizophrenia based on new data and a meta-analysis in Han Chinese.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia (SZ) is suggested to be a complex polygenetic disorder with high heritability. Genome-wide association studies have found that the rs1635, rs11038167, and rs10489202 polymorphisms are associated with SZ in Han Chinese. However, results of validation studies are inconsistent. This study aimed to test the association between the NKAPL rs1635, TSPAN18 rs11038167, and MPC2 rs10489202 polymorphisms and SZ in a Chinese population. METHODS: This study contained 700 unrelated SZ patients (300 Zhuang and 400 Han) and 700 gender- and age-matched controls (300 Zhuang and 400 Han). The polymorphisms in TSPAN18 (rs11038167), NKAPL (rs1635), and MPC2 (rs10489202) were genotyped using the Sequenom MassARRAY method. Statistical analyses were performed with PLINK program and SPSS l6.0 for Windows. STATA11.1 was used for meta-analysis. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found in different allele and genotype frequencies of rs1635, rs11038167, and rs10489202 between SZ cases and controls of Zhuang and Han ethnicities and the total samples (all p>0.05). Further meta-analysis suggested that single-nucleotide polymorphism rs10489202 was significantly associated with SZ in a Han Chinese population (p OR=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Our case-control study failed to validate the significant association of NKAPL rs1635, TSPAN18 rs11038167, and MPC2 rs10489202 polymorphisms with SZ susceptibility in the southern Zhuang or Han Chinese population. However, meta-analysis showed a significant association between MPC2 variant rs10489202 and SZ susceptibility in Han Chinese.

The rs11191580 variant of the NT5C2 gene is associated with schizophrenia and symptom severity in a South Chinese Han population: evidence from GWAS.

OBJECTIVE:: Recent genome-wide association studies have identified a significant relationship between the NT5C2 variant rs11191580 and schizophrenia (SCZ) in European populations. This study aimed to validate the association of rs11191580 polymorphism with SCZ risk in a South Chinese Han population. The relationship of this polymorphism with the severity of SCZ clinical symptoms was also explored. METHODS:: A case-control study was performed in 462 patients with SCZ and 598 healthy controls. Rs11191580 was genotyped by the Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX platform. A total of 459 SCZ patients completed the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) evaluation. Data were analyzed by PLINK software. RESULTS:: We confirmed an association of the rs11191580 polymorphism with SCZ risk in South Chinese Han under a dominant genetic model (ORadj = 0.769; 95%CIadj = 0.600-0.984; padj = 0.037). PANSS scores showed a significant association between variant rs11191580 and total score (padj = 0.032), lack of response scale score (padj = 0.022), and negative scale score (additive: padj = 0.004; dominant: padj = 0.016; recessive: padj = 0.021) after data were adjusted for age and sex. CONCLUSION:: NT5C2 variant rs11191580 conferred susceptibility to SCZ and affected the clinical symptoms of SCZ in a South Chinese Han population.

Meta-analysis of the prevalence of anxiety disorders in mainland China from 2000 to 2015.

Although anxiety disorders (ADs) have been recognized as one of the most prevalent mental disorders in mainland China, the prevalence of ADs has not been reported until now. The lack of a consolidated and comparable review on the prevalence of ADs in mainland China necessitated this meta-analysis to measure the prevalence. To identify the relevant studies on ADs for the analysis, we searched published studies in electronic databases up to July 2015. The pooled prevalence in the overall population and the prevalences by gender and location were estimated. A total of 21 studies were included in the analysis. The pooled current/lifetime prevalences of ADs, generalized AD, non-specific AD, panic disorder, social phobia, agoraphobia, specific phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder were 24.47‰/41.12‰, 5.17‰/4.66‰, 8.30‰/6.89‰, 1.08‰/3.44‰, 0.70‰/4.11‰, 0.19‰/2.15‰, 0.63‰/19.61‰, 0.49‰/1.83‰, and 0.90‰/3.17‰, respectively. Subgroup analyses indicated that compared with males, females had a consistently significantly higher prevalence of ADs. However, no difference was observed between those in urban and rural areas. The pooled prevalence of ADs was relatively lower than those of some other countries. A higher prevalence of ADs in women than in men was commonly observed, whereas the prevalences in urban and rural areas were nearly the same.

The dopamine beta-hydroxylase gene polymorphism rs1611114 is associated with schizophrenia in the Chinese Zhuang but not Chinese Han population.

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder. However, the mechanism underlying this highly heritable disorder remains unclear. The dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) gene encodes a key metabolic enzyme of dopamine. Consequently, DBH is considered a candidate gene for SCZ. However, previous studies on its association with SCZ susceptibility have shown conflicting results. Here, we examined association between the rs1611114 polymorphism of DBH and SCZ susceptibility and related clinical symptoms. A total of 691 SCZ patients and 698 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were examined. mRNA expression levels of DBH were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and the rs1611114 polymorphism was genotyped using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. Also, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to assess SCZ clinical symptoms. Our results show lower DBH mRNA expression levels in SCZ patients than healthy controls (Zhuang: p = 0.000; Han: p = 0.037). Interestingly, the rs1611114 polymorphism was significantly associated with SCZ susceptibility (overdominant model: p = 0.010) in only the Chinese Zhuang population. Furthermore, the rs1611114 polymorphism was associated with PANSS total score (allele T/C: p = 0.015) and general psychopathology score (allele T/C: p = 0.027) in Chinese Zhuang SCZ patients. These results suggest that the DBH gene may play an important role in the occurrence of SCZ. Also, rs1611114 may be associated with SCZ susceptibility and related clinical symptoms in the Chinese Zhuang but not Han Chinese population. Further studies with larger samples of different ethnicities are needed to confirm the role of DBH in SCZ.

Association of EPHB1 rs11918092 and EFNB2 rs9520087 with psychopathological symptoms of schizophrenia in Chinese Zhuang and Han populations.

Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs11918092 and rs9520087) were genotyped in Chinese Zhuang and Han populations. Symptoms of schizophrenic patients were assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. No association of any SNP with schizophrenic susceptibility was found. However, associations of rs9520087 with the total scale score (P = 0.014), positive scale score (P = 0.013), negative scale score (P = 0.032), and general psychopathology scale score (P = 0.031) were found in Zhuang patients. Additionally, rs11918092 was associated with positive scale score (P = 0.035) in Han patients. The two SNPs might influence symptoms of schizophrenia.

Genetic association of GWAS-supported MAD1L1 gene polymorphism rs12666575 with schizophrenia susceptibility in a Chinese population.

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe neuropsychiatric disorder with high heritability. A recent European genome-wide association study has reported that mitotic arrest deficient-like 1 (MAD1L1) polymorphism rs12666575 is associated with SCZ susceptibility. This study aims to test the association of MAD1L1 variant rs12666575 with SCZ susceptibility in a Chinese population. A total of 1400 participants, which include 700 SCZ patients and 700 sex- and age-matched controls (Zhuang: 300, Han: 400, respectively), were genotyped using the Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX platform. 591 SCZ patients underwent positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) assessment. Genetic association analysis was performed using the PLINK program. The results showed MAD1L1 rs12666575 polymorphism was significantly associated with SCZ susceptibility in the recessive model (p(adj)=0.013). Also, rs12666575 was significantly associated with general psychopathology sub-scale score (p(adj)=0.043) and thought disturbance factor score (p(adj)=0.045). Our data suggested that MAD1L1 rs12666575 polymorphism may play a protective role against SCZ in the Chinese population. Furthermore, rs12666575 may be associated with general psychopathology and thought disturbance in SCZ patients.

Incidence of fall-related injury among old people in mainland China.

BACKGROUND: The fall-related injuries of old people have attracted increasing attention particularly because of the continuous aging of the population. In this meta-analysis, we aim to present the incidence and sub-groups of fall-related injuries among old people in mainland China. METHODS: A systematic electronic literature search was performed using four Chinese and two English databases. The selected papers were cross-sectional studies in mainland China, the participants of which were recruited based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using questionnaire. The risk of bias was assessed using the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE), and the pooled rates were estimated by DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 40 cross-sectional studies that focused on 128,691 participants who were aged 60 years were included in this review. On the one hand, 54.95 per 1000 (overall), 45.94 per 1000 (males), 78.89 per 1000 (females), 25.95 per 1000 (60 years to 69 years), 33.03 per 1000 (70 years to 79 years), and 62.74 per 1000 (≥80 years) were estimated for the pooled incidence of fall-related injury. On the other hand, 91.72 per 1000 (overall), 94.54 per 1000 (males), and 144.93 per 1000 (females) were estimated for person-time incidence of fall-related injury. Higher incidence rates were observed in females compared with males, and these rates continued to increase along with age. CONCLUSIONS: A moderate level of fall-related injuries was observed among old people in mainland China.

High-energy picosecond near-vacuum ultraviolet pulses generated by sum-frequency mixing of an amplified Ti:sapphire laser.

We demonstrate high-energy picosecond near-vacuum ultraviolet laser pulse generation. Frequency quadrupling is achieved by noncollinear sum-frequency mixing of the fundamental and the third harmonic of a two-stage Ti:sapphire amplifier in beta-BaB(2)O(4) crystal. UV pulses with energies of approximately 10 mJ tunable from 195 to 210 nm at a 10 Hz repetition rate are obtained.

Low-threshold self-starting femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser.

A low-threshold self-starting Kerr-lens mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser is demonstrated that uses a tight-focusing cavity design in conjunction with a semiconductor saturable-absorber mirror (SESAM). With 3% and 12% output couplers, we achieve mode-locking thresholds as low as 390 and 600 mW, respectively. Stable femtosecond laser pulses with average power of 114 mW are generated at a pump power of 1.2 W, which corresponds to a typical duration of 17 fs and bandwidth of 47 nm. Mode-locking operation is achieved in a pump power range of 600 mW to 4.8 W at an output coupling of 12%; the advantages of using a SESAM for low-power mode-locking operation are demonstrated.

Spatial evolution of multiple filaments in air induced by femtosecond laser pulses.

The spatial evolution of plasma filaments in air induced by femtosecond laser pulses is investigated experimentally. Several major filaments and small scaled additional filaments are detected in the plasma channel. The complicated interaction process of filaments as splitting, fusion and spreading is observed. The major filaments propagate stably, and the small scaled additional filaments can be attracted to the major filaments and merged with them. The major filaments are formed due to the perturbation of initial beam profile and the small scaled filaments are mainly caused by the transverse modulational instability.