[The cases of tracing the source of patients infected with Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 based on wastewater-based epidemiology in Shenzhen].

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is an emerging discipline, which has been applied to drug abuse tracking and infectious disease pathogen surveillance. During the COVID-19 epidemic, WBE has been applied to monitor the epidemic trend and SARS-CoV-2 variants etc. In order to detect hidden COVID-19 cases and prevent transmission in the community, wastewater surveillance system for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 RNA was developed in Shenzhen. The sewage sampling sites were set up in key places such as the port areas, urban villages and residential communities of Futian, Nanshan, Luohu and Yantian districts. From July 26 to November 30, 2022, a total of 369 sewage sampling sites were set up, covering 1.93 million people. Continuous sampling was carried out for 3 hours in the peak period of water use every day. Sewage virus enrichment and SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid detection were carried out by polyethylene glycol precipitation method and RT-qPCR, and a positive water sample disposal process was molded. This article aims to introduce the case of source tracing of COVID-19 infected patients based on urban sewage in Shenzhen. The sewage monitoring of Honghu water treatment plant in Luohu District played an early warning role, and the source of infection was traced. In the disposal of positive water samples in Futian South Road, Futian District, the important experience of monitoring point layout was obtained. In the sewage monitoring of Nanshan village, Nanshan District, the existence of occult infection was revealed. Sharing the experience of tracing the source of COVID-19 patients to avoid the spread of COVID-19 in the community based on wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Shenzhen, and summarizing the advantages and application prospects of sewage surveillance can provide new ideas for monitoring emerging or re-emerging pathogens that are known to exhibit gastrointestinal excretion in the future.

Unequivocal Identification of Spin-Triplet and Spin-Singlet Superconductors with Upper Critical Field and Flux Quantization.

Spin-triplet superconductors play central roles in Majorana physics and quantum computing but are difficult to identify. We show the methods of kink-point upper critical field and flux quantization in superconducting rings can unequivocally identify spin-singlet, spin-triplet in centrosymmetric superconductors, and singlet-triplet admixture in noncentrosymmetric superconductors, as realized in γ-BiPd, ß-Bi_{2}Pd, and α-BiPd, respectively. Our findings are essential for identifying triplet superconductors and exploring their quantum properties.

[A prospective study of position selection combined with autologous blood intrathoracic infusion in the treatment of postoperative persistent air leakage with an unexpanded lung].

We prospectively studied 17 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax or giant emphysematous bulla at Rizhao Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from October 2020 to March 2022. All patients underwent thoracoscopic interventional therapy, had experienced continued air leakage for 3 days with closed thoracic drainage postoperatively, had an unexpanded lung on CT, and/or failed to intervention with position selection combined with intra-pleural thrombin injection(referred to as "position plus1.0"). They were all treated with position selection combined with autologous blood (100 ml) and thrombin (5 000 U) intra-pleural injection(referred to as "position plus 2.0").The success rate of the "position plus 2.0" intervention was 16/17, and the recurrence rate was 3/17. There were four cases of fever, four cases of pleural effusion, one case of empyema, and no other adverse reactions. This study has shown that the "position plus 2.0" intervention is safe, effective, and simple for patient with persistent air leakage failed to intervention with"position plus 1.0" after thoracoscopic treatment of pulmonary and pleural diseases related to bulla.

[Efficacy and safety of position selection combined with intra-pleural thrombin injection in the treatment of postoperative persistent air leakage in bullous pulmonary-pleural diseases].

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of position selection in combination with intra-pleural thrombin injection in the treatment of persistent air leakage (PAL) after medical thoracoscopic treatment of bullous pulmonary-pleural diseases (e.g. spontaneous pneumothorax or giant emphysematous bulla). Methods: This was a prospective study conducted in Rizhao Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from August 2018 to November 2020. Twenty patients(19 males,1 female) with a mean age of (62.3±8.1) years met the diagnostic criteria for PAL which was defined as the air leak persisted more than 3 days despite of the closed thoracic drainage after medical thoracoscopic treatment of bullous pulmonary-pleural diseases.They received the following treatment procedures (referred to as "position plus"):①Pleural cavity injection (50% glucose 20 ml+thrombin 5 000 U).②Changing the patient's position under continuous negative pressure suction to find the position causing the complete stop or significant reduction of air leakage, and keeping in the position for 24-48 hours.③If the PAL wasn't stopped 48 hours later, the procedures above would be repeated.The duration of air leakage after "position plus", times of pleural cavity injection, condition of lung re-expansion, recurrence of air leakage and complications during hospitalization were recorded. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the results:¯x±s or M(P25, P75) for continuous variables; frequency and percentages for categoric variables. Results: A total of 20 patients were included. The average duration of air leakage after"position plus" was (1.32±0.97) days. The times of pleural cavity injection required were 1.0(1.0, 1.0).All the patients showed good lung re-expansion in review of imaging after PAL was stopped. One patient had recurrent air leakage during hospitalization. No serious complications occurred. Conclusion: The comprehensive "position plus" intervention method is effective, safe and easily operating for the treatment of PAL after medical thoracoscopic treatment of bullous pulmonary-pleural diseases.

Hypoxia induces autophagy in PA-l ovarian teratoma cells and resistance to growth inhibition and apoptosis by chemotherapeutic agent cis-diamminedichloroplatinum.

Pathological hypoxia exists in solid tumors and it creates a microenvironment for tumor cells which has a critical and complicated implication for cancer. Hypoxia can also activate autophagy which plays a dual role in cancer. In this study the authors analyzed the effect of hypoxia, the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA), cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (CDDP, cisplatin), and any combination of them on PA-l cells (a human ovarian cancer cell line) with a series of assays, focusing on autophagy induction, cell growth inhibition, and cell death by CDDP. CDDP caused apoptosis in normoxic PA-l cells and autophagy upon hypoxia treatment decreased apoptosis induction in hypoxic cells by CDDP, which has implications in cancer chemotherapy resistance.

The influence of the location and extent of intrauterine adhesions on recurrence after hysteroscopic adhesiolysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the recurrence potential of intrauterine adhesions after hysteroscopic adhesiolysis. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Tertiary university hospital. POPULATION: This study included 115 women who had intrauterine adhesions completely separated during hysteroscopic surgery. The treated adhesions were classified into four groups according to their location and extent: Group 1, central type (i.e. intervening space between the adhesions and both lateral uterine sidewalls) at the middle area of uterine cavity; Group 2, central type at uterine cornua; Group 3, cervico-isthmic; and Group 4, extensive if the adhesions were dense with occlusion of part of the uterine cavity other than cervico-isthmic region. METHODS: Postoperative outpatient hysteroscopic adhesiolysis was scheduled 10-14 days after the initial hysteroscopic surgery and procedures were repeated every 10-14 days until no reformed adhesions were detected. Multivariate logistic regression models were built to examine initial adhesion characteristics and other factors associated with adhesion reformation and need for subsequent outpatient adhesiolysis. Categorical data were compared using Fisher's exact test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of postoperative outpatient hysteroscopic adhesiolysis procedures. RESULTS: The location and extent of adhesions according to the allocated group was the only parameter independently related to the number of postoperative outpatient adhesiolysis procedures (P = 0.0004). Women with Group 1 adhesions underwent a lower number of postoperative interventions compared with those with Group 2, 3 and 4 adhesions (P = 0.0355, P = 0.0004 and P = 0.0087, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: There is an increased likelihood of intrauterine adhesion recurrence when successfully divided adhesions were originally located at the uterine cornua, the cervico-isthmic region or involved a large portion of the uterine cavity.

A multi-locus approach resolves the phylogenetic relationships of the Simulium asakoae and Simulium ceylonicum species groups in Malaysia: evidence for distinct evolutionary lineages.

A multi-locus approach was used to examine the DNA sequences of 10 nominal species of blackfly in the Simulium subgenus Gomphostilbia (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Malaysia. Molecular data were acquired from partial DNA sequences of the mitochondria-encoded cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA genes, and the nuclear-encoded 18S rRNA and 28S rRNA genes. No single gene, nor the concatenated gene set, resolved all species or all relationships. However, all morphologically established species were supported by at least one gene. The multi-locus sequence analysis revealed two distinct evolutionary lineages, conforming to the morphotaxonomically recognized Simulium asakoae and Simulium ceylonicum species groups.

TEMPORAL CHANGES OF AEDES AND ARMIGERES POPULATIONS IN SUBURBAN AND FORESTED AREAS IN MALAYSIA.

Surveillance of mosquitoes and their distribution in association with rainfall, relative humidity, and temperature were conducted in selected suburban and forested areas, namely, Sungai Penchala (Kuala Lumpur) and Taman Alam (Selangor) for 12 months. Armigeres kesseli was the most abundant species in Sungai Penchala while Aedes butleri was the most dominant species in Taman Alam. A positive correlation between mosquito distribution and rainfall was observed in selected mosquito species in Sungai Penchala (Armigeres kesseli, r = 0.75; Armigeres subalbatus, r = 0.62; and Aedes albopictus, r = 0.65) and Taman Alam (Armigeres sp, r = 0.59; Ae. butleri, r = 0.85; and Ae. albopictus, r = 0.62). However, no significant cor- relation was found either between selected mosquito species in both study areas and relative humidity or temperature. Results obtained suggested that vector control programs to be conducted based on temporal distribution of vectors in order to achieve beneficial outcomes with effective costing.

Mitochondrial DNA analyses reveal low genetic diversity in Culex quinquefasciatus from residential areas in Malaysia.

The present study explored the intraspecific genetic diversity, dispersal patterns and phylogeographic relationships of Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae) in Malaysia using reference data available in GenBank in order to reveal this species' phylogenetic relationships. A statistical parsimony network of 70 taxa aligned as 624 characters of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and 685 characters of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COII) gene revealed three haplotypes (A1-A3) and four haplotypes (B1-B4), respectively. The concatenated sequences of both COI and COII genes with a total of 1309 characters revealed seven haplotypes (AB1-AB7). Analysis using tcs indicated that haplotype AB1 was the common ancestor and the most widespread haplotype in Malaysia. The genetic distance based on concatenated sequences of both COI and COII genes ranged from 0.00076 to 0.00229. Sequence alignment of Cx. quinquefasciatus from Malaysia and other countries revealed four haplotypes (AA1-AA4) by the COI gene and nine haplotypes (BB1-BB9) by the COII gene. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that Malaysian Cx. quinquefasciatus share the same genetic lineage as East African and Asian Cx. quinquefasciatus. This study has inferred the genetic lineages, dispersal patterns and hypothetical ancestral genotypes of Cx. quinquefasciatus.

Deflection of MeV electrons by self-generated magnetic fields in intense laser-solid interactions.

We show that the interaction of relativistic-intensity, picosecond laser pulses with solid targets is affected by the reflected light through the strong currents and 10(4) T magnetic fields it produces. Three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, with the axisymmetry broken by a small angle of incidence, show that these magnetic fields deflect the laser-accelerated electrons away from the incident laser axis. This directly impacts the interpretation of electron divergence and directionality in applications such as laser-driven ion acceleration or fast-ignition inertial fusion.

Effects of preplasma scale length and laser intensity on the divergence of laser-generated hot electrons.

We report on a numerical study of the effects of preplasma scale length and laser intensity on the hot-electron (≥1 MeV) divergence angle using full-scale 2D3V (two dimensional in space, three dimensional in velocity) simulations including a self-consistent laser-plasma interaction and photoionization using the particle-in-cell code LSP. Our simulations show that the fast-electron divergence angle increases approximately linearly with the preplasma scale length for a fixed laser intensity. On the other hand, for a fixed preplasma scale length, the laser intensity has little effect on the divergence angle in the range between 10(18) and 10(21) W/cm(2). These findings have important implications for the interpretation of experimental results.

Effect of target material on fast-electron transport and resistive collimation.

The effect of target material on fast-electron transport is investigated using a high-intensity (0.7 ps, 10(20) W/cm2) laser pulse irradiated on multilayered solid Al targets with embedded transport (Au, Mo, Al) and tracer (Cu) layers, backed with millimeter-thick carbon foils to minimize refluxing. We consistently observed a more collimated electron beam (36% average reduction in fast-electron induced Cu Kα spot size) using a high- or mid-Z (Au or Mo) layer compared to Al. All targets showed a similar electron flux level in the central spot of the beam. Two-dimensional collisional particle-in-cell simulations showed formation of strong self-generated resistive magnetic fields in targets with a high-Z transport layer that suppressed the fast-electron beam divergence; the consequent magnetic channels guided the fast electrons to a smaller spot, in good agreement with experiments. These findings indicate that fast-electron transport can be controlled by self-generated resistive magnetic fields and may have important implications to fast ignition.

Current susceptibility status of Malaysian Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) against DDT, propoxur, malathion, and permethrin.

A nationwide investigation was carried out to determine the current susceptibility status of Culex quinquefasciatus Say populations against four active ingredients representing four major insecticide classes: DDT, propoxur, malathion, and permethrin. Across 14 study sites, both larval and adult bioassays exhibited dissimilar trends in susceptibility. A correlation between propoxur and malathion resistance and between propoxur and permethrin resistance in larval bioassays was found. The results obtained from this study provide baseline information for vector control programs conducted by local authorities. The susceptibility status of this mosquito should be monitored from time to time to ensure the effectiveness of current vector control operations in Malaysia.

First molecular genotyping of voltage gated sodium channel alleles in Culex quinquefasciatus populations in Malaysia.

A nationwide investigation was performed to detect the presence of 1014 mutation(s) in voltage gated sodium channel (kdr) gene of Culex quinquefasciatus from 14 residential areas across 13 states and a federal territory in Malaysia. Molecular genotyping of kdr mutation was performed via a modified three tubes allele-specific-polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) and direct sequencing of kdr gene. Based on the results of AS-PCR, homozygous susceptible (SS) genotype was found in nine out of 14 populations with 38 individuals from a total sample size of 140. Heterozygous (RS) genotype was most predominant (99 individuals) and distributed across all study sites. Homozygous resistance (RR) genotype was detected in Perak (one individual) and Selangor (two individuals). The resistance kdr allele frequencies ranged from 0.1 to 0.55, with the highest being detected in Cx. quinquefasciatus population from Selangor. This study has documented the first field-evolved instance of 1014F mutation in Malaysian mosquitoes and the findings of this study could be utilized in the implementation of strategic measures in vector control programs in Malaysia.

Evaluation of insecticide resistance among Malaysian Aedes albopictus Skuse larvae based on revised diagnostic doses of larvicides.

The susceptibility levels of Malaysian Aedes albopictus larvae sampled from several agricultural, fogging-free residential and dengue prone residential areas against different larvicides were evaluated using revised diagnostic doses derived from the 2xLC99 values of the reference strain. Upon 24-hour recovery period of WHO larval bioassay, incipient resistance was observed among Ae. albopictus larvae from rubber estates against fenitrothion (96.67% mortality) and permethin (97.00% mortality) while Ae. albopictus larvae from rice cultivation areas were moderately resistant to fenthion (94.33% mortality). Aedes albopictus larvae from dengue prone residential areas developed moderate to high resistance against dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), fenitrothion, fenthion, propoxur and permethrin (79.67% - 97.33% mortality). Moderate to high resistance were also demonstrated among all populations of Ae. albopictus larvae against temephos and chlorpyrifos (63.00% - 97.67% mortality). Except for Ae. albopictus larvae from oil palm plantations, all Ae. albopictus larval populations were also highly resistant to bendiocarb (65.67% - 89.67% mortality). Cross resistance between larvicides from similar and different insecticide classes were also revealed in this study. The use of revised diagnostic doses established from the local reference strain could reduce the possibility of underestimation or overestimation of the insecticide susceptibility status of field strain populations.

Validity Assessment of an Automated Brain Morphometry Tool for Patients with De Novo Memory Symptoms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Automated volumetric analysis of structural MR imaging allows quantitative assessment of brain atrophy in neurodegenerative disorders. We compared the brain segmentation performance of the AI-Rad Companion brain MR imaging software against an in-house FreeSurfer 7.1.1/Individual Longitudinal Participant pipeline. MATERIALS AND METHODS: T1-weighted images of 45 participants with de novo memory symptoms were selected from the OASIS-4 database and analyzed through the AI-Rad Companion brain MR imaging tool and the FreeSurfer 7.1.1/Individual Longitudinal Participant pipeline. Correlation, agreement, and consistency between the 2 tools were compared among the absolute, normalized, and standardized volumes. Final reports generated by each tool were used to compare the rates of detection of abnormality and the compatibility of radiologic impressions made using each tool, compared with the clinical diagnoses. RESULTS: We observed strong correlation, moderate consistency, and poor agreement between absolute volumes of the main cortical lobes and subcortical structures measured by the AI-Rad Companion brain MR imaging tool compared with FreeSurfer. The strength of the correlations increased after normalizing the measurements to the total intracranial volume. Standardized measurements differed significantly between the 2 tools, likely owing to differences in the normative data sets used to calibrate each tool. When considering the FreeSurfer 7.1.1/Individual Longitudinal Participant pipeline as a reference standard, the AI-Rad Companion brain MR imaging tool had a specificity of 90.6%-100% and a sensitivity of 64.3%-100% in detecting volumetric abnormalities. There was no difference between the rate of compatibility of radiologic and clinical impressions when using the 2 tools. CONCLUSIONS: The AI-Rad Companion brain MR imaging tool reliably detects atrophy in cortical and subcortical regions implicated in the differential diagnosis of dementia.

Hot electron temperature and coupling efficiency scaling with prepulse for cone-guided fast ignition.

The effect of increasing prepulse energy levels on the energy spectrum and coupling into forward-going electrons is evaluated in a cone-guided fast-ignition relevant geometry using cone-wire targets irradiated with a high intensity (10(20) W/cm(2)) laser pulse. Hot electron temperature and flux are inferred from Kα images and yields using hybrid particle-in-cell simulations. A two-temperature distribution of hot electrons was required to fit the full profile, with the ratio of energy in a higher energy (MeV) component increasing with a larger prepulse. As prepulse energies were increased from 8 mJ to 1 J, overall coupling from laser to all hot electrons entering the wire was found to fall from 8.4% to 2.5% while coupling into only the 1-3 MeV electrons dropped from 0.57% to 0.03%.

Dynamics of relativistic laser-plasma interaction on solid targets.

A novel time-resolved diagnostic is used to record the critical surface motion during picosecond-scale relativistic laser interaction with a solid target. Single-shot measurements of the specular light show a redshift decreasing with time during the interaction, corresponding to a slowing-down of the hole boring process into overdense plasma. On-shot full characterization of the laser pulse enables simulations of the experiment without any free parameters. Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations yield redshifts that agree with the data, and support a simple explanation of the slowing-down of the critical surface based on momentum conservation between ions and reflected laser light.

Magnetic field enhanced resonant tunneling in a silicon nanowire single-electron-transistor.

We report fabrication, measurement and simulation of silicon single-electron-transistors made on silicon-on-insulator wafers. At T-2 K, these devices showed clear Coulomb blockade structures. An external perpendicular magnetic field was found to enhance the resonant tunneling peak and was used to predict the presence of two laterally coupled quantum dots in the narrow constriction between the source-drain electrodes. The proposed model and measured experimental data were consistently explained using numerical simulations.

Statewide Efficacy Assessment of Insect Growth Regulators Against Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Sabah, Malaysia: An Alternative Control Strategy?

The efficacy of three groups of insect growth regulators, namely juvenile hormone mimics (methoprene and pyriproxyfen), chitin synthesis inhibitors (diflubenzuron and novaluron), and molting disruptor (cyromazine) was evaluated for the first time, against Aedes albopictus Skuse (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae from 14 districts in Sabah, Malaysia. The results showed that all field populations of Ae. albopictus were susceptible towards methoprene, pyriproxyfen, diflubenzuron, novaluron, and cyromazine, with resistance ratio values ranging from 0.50-0.90, 0.60-1.00, 0.67-1.17, 0.71-1.29, and 0.74-1.07, respectively. Overall, the efficacy assessment of insect growth regulators in this study showed promising outcomes and they could be further explored as an alternative to conventional insecticides.