[Estimation of the consumption level of four drugs in Beijing using wastewater-based epidemiology].

Objective: To estimate the consumption level of four drugs in Beijing using wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE). Methods: The primary sludge from one large wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) was collected in Beijing from July 2020 to February 2021. The concentrations of codeine, methadone, ketamine and morphine in the sludge were detected through solid-phase extraction-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The consumption, prevalence and number of users of four drugs were estimated by using the WBE approach. Results: Among 416 sludge samples, codeine had the highest detection rate (82.93%, n=345) with a concentration [M (Q1, Q3)] of 0.40 (0.22-0.8) ng·g-1, and morphine had the lowest detection rate (28.37%,n=118) with a concentration [M (Q1, Q3)] of 0.13 (0.09, 0.17) ng·g-1. There was no significant difference in the consumption of the four drugs on working days and weekends (all P values>0.05). Drug consumption was significantly higher in winter than that in summer and autumn (all P values <0.05). The consumption [M (Q1, Q3)] of codeine, methadone, ketamine and morphine in winter was 24.9 (15.58, 38.6), 9.39 (4.57, 26.72), 9.84 (5.18, 19.45) and 5.67 (3.57, 13.77) µg·inhabitant-1·day-1, respectively. For these drugs, there was an upward trend in the average drug consumption during summer, autumn and winter (the Z values of the trend test were 3.23, 3.16, 2.19, and 3.32, respectively and all P values<0.05). The prevalence [M (Q1, Q3)] of codeine, methadone, ketamine and morphine were 0.0056% (0.003 4%, 0.009 2%), 0.0148% (0.009 6%, 0.026 7%),0.0333% (0.0210%, 0.0710%) and 0.0072% (0.003 8%, 0.011 7%), respectively. The estimated number of drug users [M (Q1, Q3)] was 918 (549, 1 511), 2 429 (1 578, 4 383), 5 451 (3 444, 11 642) and 1 173 (626, 1 925),respectively. Conclusion: Codeine, methadone, ketamine and morphine have been detected in the sludge of WWTPs in Beijing, and the consumption level of these drugs varies in different seasons.

Disorder induced power-law gaps in an insulator-metal Mott transition.

A correlated material in the vicinity of an insulator-metal transition (IMT) exhibits rich phenomenology and a variety of interesting phases. A common avenue to induce IMTs in Mott insulators is doping, which inevitably leads to disorder. While disorder is well known to create electronic inhomogeneity, recent theoretical studies have indicated that it may play an unexpected and much more profound role in controlling the properties of Mott systems. Theory predicts that disorder might play a role in driving a Mott insulator across an IMT, with the emergent metallic state hosting a power-law suppression of the density of states (with exponent close to 1; V-shaped gap) centered at the Fermi energy. Such V-shaped gaps have been observed in Mott systems, but their origins are as-yet unknown. To investigate this, we use scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy to study isovalent Ru substitutions in Sr3(Ir1-xRux)2O7 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) which drive the system into an antiferromagnetic, metallic state. Our experiments reveal that many core features of the IMT, such as power-law density of states, pinning of the Fermi energy with increasing disorder, and persistence of antiferromagnetism, can be understood as universal features of a disordered Mott system near an IMT and suggest that V-shaped gaps may be an inevitable consequence of disorder in doped Mott insulators.

[Research progress on the wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) in SARS-CoV-2 surveillance and early warning system from a community health perspective].

The continuously spreading of SARS-CoV-2 poses a threat not only to public health but also to all aspects of socio-economics. Current public health measures are costly and have potential health risks, thus, it is imminent that developing efficient and economical early warning surreillance tools from a public health perspective. In this review, we summarized the current COVID-19 epidemiological surveillance measures and the efficiency, economic, and cutting edge of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE). The WBE-based surveillance is organized and reviewed from three aspects: early warning system for the timing of epidemic, routine epidemic surveillance, and parameters determination of predicting epidemiological models of COVID-19. It reveals the application value of WBE as an early warning and surveillance system of public health, and then, discussing its current weakness and strength, adding literature for a WBE-based surveillance system for COVID-19 epidemic in China.

[Establishing longitudinal cohort studies based on domestic and foreign experiences and promoting the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases in childhood].

There is a "trajectory" of cardiovascular risk factors from childhood to adulthood, and cardiovascular disease in adulthood originates in childhood. Several childhood cardiovascular follow-up cohorts have been established at home and abroad and participants have been followed up to middle-age or early old-age period, which have provided evidence support for prevention of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. However, at present, Chinese residents are in nutritional transition period. Given the evolving socio-economic context in China and the differences in growth and development patterns between contemporary Chinese children and western children or Chinese children in the 1990s, it is necessary to establish new childhood cardiovascular follow-up cohorts with Chinese features, to inform prevention of cardiovascular disease in Chinese adults.

[Sex difference in height growth and blood pressure change among Beijing school-age children and adolescents: a ten-year longitudinal study].

Objective: To explore sex difference in height growth and blood pressure (BP) change among Beijing school-age children and adolescents. Methods: Using physical examination data of 70 769 school-age children and adolescents from primary to high school during 2009-2018 in Shunyi District, a longitudinal dataset was formed with completed anthropometrical measurements of height and blood pressure (BP) after individual information linkage. Age-specific height, BP, growth rate of height and BP as well BP growth rate based on age at peak height velocity (PHA) were calculated. Linear mixed-effects model was used to identify sex disparity in the growth rates of height and BP. Results: Height and BP increased with age in both boys and girls, and the mean height and BP of boys were always higher than those of girls, except age group from 10 to 11 years. Sex disparity existed in growth rates of height and BP (P<0.001), which was demonstrated by the interaction item of"sex x age"in linear mixed-effects model. The PHA of boys was 12 years old, which was 2 years later than that of girls, about 10 years old. The curves of BP growth rate with age showed double peaks in both boys and girls. Boys reached the peak BP velocity at 13 years old, 3 years lagging behind that of girls who reached the peak at 10 years old. However, the peak of height and BP velocity of boys were higher than that of girls. The change of BP was highly synchronized in time with the increase of height, after adjusting for the growth rate of height by PHA. BP velocity increased with age before onset of puberty till PHA and then declined. Conclusion: Sex disparity in height growth and BP change among school-age children and adolescents is persistent and significant and the change of BP is highly synchronized in time with the increase of height.

[Association of blood pressure and left ventricular mass in children from the PROC cohort study].

Objective: To explore the association between blood pressure (BP) and the left ventricular mass (LVM) in children aged 6-8 years. Methods: The participants were from the community-based census-like design child cohort on sensitization, puberty, obesity and cardiovascular risk (PROC) conducted in six public non-boarding primary schools in Shunyi District, Beijing. Repeated three measurements on anthropometrical, M-mode and 2-dimensional (2D) echocardiographic imaging (2D/M ECHO) and blood biochemical assay, and BP measurements were carried out at baseline and follow-up from October 2018 to June 2019. A total of 1 659 children who had repeated BP measurements and cardiac structure information were included in this study. The average value of last two measurements of BP was determined as BP value for analysis. Formula recommended by Devereux was used to calculate the mass of left ventricle. Robust linear regression models were used to explore the association between BP and LVM in different groups. Results: The average age of all patients was (7.10±0.29) years old, including 832 boys (50.15%). Of all, 83.54% (1 386/1 659) were grouped as normal BP with average LVM (58.54±13.33) g, and 16.46% (273/1 659) as elevated BP group with LVM (63.84±15.78) g (P<0.001). The LVM of the normal BP group was lower than elevated BP group in overall participants, boys and girls (P<0.005). Univariate analysis showed that systolic BP was associated with LVM in overall, boys and girls (P<0.001) respectively. While diastolic BP was associated with LVM in overall and girls (P<0.03). Multivariable analysis indicated that the associations between systolic BP and LVM were observed in overall, boys and girls (P<0.05) with the ß (95%CI)=0.14 (0.08, 0.21), 0.18 (0.08, 0.27) and 0.12 (0.03, 0.22), respectively. However, the associations of diastolic BP and LVM were not significant. Conclusion: Systolic BP is highly associated with LVM and elevated BP could increase the LVM in children. Boys with elevated BP present a larger LVM and might indicate higher risk of left ventricular hypertrophy in adulthood.

[Association between trunk fat index and carotid intima-media thickness among children aged 6-8 years old in Beijing].

Objective: The study is to explore the association between trunk fat index (TFI) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) among children aged 6-8 years old in Shunyi District, Beijing. Methods: The participants were enrolled from the child cohort on sensitization, puberty, obesity and cardiovascular risk (PROC) conducted in Shunyi District, Beijing from October 2018 to June 2019. The PROC used a community-based census-like design, and all eligible first-grade children from six public non-boarding primary schools in urban area were approached. Finally, a total of 1 503 children with written informed consent from parents and had complete data of TFI and cIMT were included for the present study. Sequential baseline surveys including anthropometric measurements, laboratory testing and ultrasonography measurement were conducted to collect the data on height, weight, body composition, blood pressure, serum lipids and cIMT. Linear regression was used to determine the predictors of cIMT, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the cut-off value of TFI to identify children with high cIMT, and analysis of covariance was used to evaluate the post-consistency classification of cIMT by TFI. Results: The age of 1 503 participants was (6.7±0.3) years, and 752 boys accounted for 50.0%. The average cIMT was (0.358±0.024) and (0.355±0.023) mm, and the M (P25, P75) of TFI was 0.70 (0.22, 1.78) and 0.74 (0.23, 1.52) kg/m2 for boys and girls, respectively. The detection rates for boys and girls of high cIMT were 2.1% and 3.3%, respectively. Linear regression analysis showed that height, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), TFI were positively correlated with cIMT in boys (P values<0.05). And height, SBP, triglyceride (TG), TFI were positively correlated with cIMT, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was negatively correlated with cIMT in girls (P values<0.05). ROC curve analysis indicated that the best cut-off values for TFI to identify children with high cIMT were 1.78 and 1.14 kg/m2, at P75 and P66 for boys and girls, respectively. After grouped with the cut-off value of TFI and adjusted for age, height, SBP, DBP, TG, HDL-C, multivariable covariance analysis showed a consistent cut-off of inter-group cIMT mean by TFI groups (P values<0.005). Conclusion: TFI is associated with cIMT, which underscore its application potential in identifying early vascular structural damage.

[Long-term effect of risk-adaptive therapy for early stage extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma].

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the role of extended involved-field intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for patients with early stage extranodal nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) in a single center, and to explore the long-term effect of risk-adaptive therapy. Methods: Among 238 patients with early stage NKTCL, there were 191 in high-risk group [any risk factor of age > 60, elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score≥2, primary tumor invasion, or Ann Arbor stage Ⅱ] and 47 in low-risk group (no risk factor). A total of 204 patients received radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy, 15 received radiotherapy alone and 19 received chemotherapy alone. One-hundred and eighty-six patients had radiotherapy at a dose ≥50 Gy and 159 patients received chemotherapy with asparaginase-based regimen. Results: The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate and progression- free survival (PFS)rate of all patients were 66.2% and 57.5%. Five-year OS and PFS rates in low-risk group were 91.8% and 88.0%, while 59.3% and 49.3% in high-risk group. The survival of patients in low-risk group were better than those in high-risk group (both P<0.001). The five-year OS rate in combined therapy group, radiotherapy group and chemotherapy group were 71.7%, 52.3% and 20.7%, respectively (P<0.001). The five-year PFS rate were 63.5%, 23.3% and 24.1%, respectively (P<0.001). Among 219 patients receiving radiotherapy, the 5-year OS and PFS rate of patients with primary site radiotherapy dose ≥ 50 Gy were 72.6% and 66.1%, higher than those of patients with a dose <50 Gy (57.3% and 30.9%, respectively; P=0.031, P<0.001). In the high-risk group, the 5-year OS and PFS rate of the patients who received radiotherapy combined with more than 4 cycles of chemotherapy were 66.5% and 62.6%, higher than those of patients received less than 4 cycles of chemotherapy (56.7% and 46.4%, P=0.045 and 0.020, respectively). Cox multivariate analysis showed that ECOG score (HR=2.208, P=0.001), primary site (HR=4.887, P<0.001), primary tumor invasion (HR=3.265, P=0.001) and radiation dose (HR=1.895, P=0.011) were independent factors of OS in early NKTCL patients. Conclusion: Extended-involved field IMRT with radiation dose more than 50 Gy was the main treatment for patients with early stage NKTCL. Radiotherapy combined with adequate cycle chemotherapy significantly improved prognosis of high-risk patients.

[Clinical characteristics and analysis of prognostic factors of 222 patients diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma].

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma(HL). Methods: The clinical data of HL patients who were newly treated in Guizhou Cancer Hospital from August 2007 to March 2019 was retrospectively collected, and the efficacy and prognostic factors were analyzed. Results: The clinical data of a total of 222 patients were analyzed in this study. The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS)rate of them were 82.8% and 81.3%, respectively. The 5-year PFS rate and OS rate of early (stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ) HL were 87.3% and 86.1%, respectively, and the 5-year PFS rate and OS rate of progressive (stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ) HL were 77.9% and 76.3%, respectively. Among the 118 patients with early Hodgkin's lymphoma, the complete remission(CR) rate of chemotherapy alone was 55.6%(15/27), and chemotherapy plus radiotherapy was 86.8% (79/91), the difference between which was statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with chemotherapy plus radiotherapy in early stage patients, 5-year PFS (93.0%) and 5-year OS (92.0%) rate in patients with chemotherapy plus radiotherapy were better than those with chemotherapy alone which were 63.7% and 62.1%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that age, LDH, ABVD cycle number and chemoradiotherapy were independent prognostic factors for 5-year OS and PFS rate in HL patients. The adverse reactions were increased level Ⅰ-Ⅱ aminotransferase with an incidence of 47.7% (106/222), decreased level Ⅰ-Ⅱ neutrophils with an absolute value of 54.1% (120/222), and decreased level Ⅲ-Ⅳ neutrophils with an absolute value of 45.9% (102/222). No adverse cardiac and pulmonary reactions or secondary tumors associated with chemotherapy was found in all patients. Conclusions: HL is a type of malignant tumor with good prognosis, and the short-term and long-term efficacy of chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy in early patients is better than that of chemotherapy alone. Age, LDH, ABVD cycle number and chemoradiotherapy are associated with prognosis in patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Adverse reactions can be tolerated.

[The self-injury status and relevant factors of disabled children and adolescents in Beijing].

From September 2017 to February 2018, 650 disabled children and adolescents aged 6-to 17-year-old in Beijing were matched 1∶1 to those in normal physical condition with same age, gender and place of residence. All children and adolescents were investigated for self-injury status in the last year to understand the difference of self-injury incidence between groups. Multivariate unconditional logistic regression model was applied for exploring relevant factors of self-injury of children and adolescents. This study found that the disability, insufficient sleep, difficulty falling asleep, and sleeping late were associated with self-injury of children and adolescents.

[Efficacy of PVD regimen combined with IMRT for early-stage extranodal nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of PVD chemo-regimen (Pegaspargase, vincristine and dexamethasone) combined with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for patients with early-stage extranodal nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKL). Methods: Clinical data of 52 patients with early-stage ENKL were collected during May 2010 and June 2015 in Department of Lymphoma, Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, and these patients firstly received a concurrent chemoradiotherapy of two-cycle of PVD and IMRT (gross tumor volume primary: 12.6-59.4 Gy) and then 2 to 4 cycles of PVD as subsequent chemotherapy, the efficacy and adverse responses were retrospectively analyzed and observed. Results: Follow-up stopped until December 2015, complete remission was seen in 44 cases (84.6%) and partial remission 7 cases (13.5%), out of 52 cases. A total of 1 case died of progression disease during treatment and within 1 year after treatment, 1 case died of pulmonary infection within 1 week after treatment, 2 cases survived with tumor; so the objective response rate and clinical benefit rate were both 98.1%, 1-year, 2-year and 3-year overall survival rates and progression free survival rates were all 93.6%, 1-year and 2-year disease free survival rates were both 90.3%; the correlation analysis showed that the radiotherapy dose was related to the curative effect (P<0.05). Short term adverse responses were observed in 6 cases (11.5%) with grade 3 leucocytopenia, in 5 cases (9.6%) with grade 3-4 dyslipidemia and in 2 cases (3.8%) with grade 3 hypoalbuminemia during chemoradiotherapy. All the patients had different degrees of radiation oral mucositis and radiation dermatitis. Conclusion: For early-stage ENKL, a concurrent chemoradiotherapy of PVD regimen and IMRT have a good therapeutic effect and adverse response can be tolerated.

[Clinical observation on LOP regimen combined with IMRT treatment for early nasal NK/T cell lymphoma].

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of the LOP regimen (L-asparaginase, vincristine, dexamethasone) combined with intensity modulated radiation therapy(IMRT)in the treatment of early nasal NK/T cell lymphoma. Method: Clinical data of 65 patients with nasal NK/T cell lymphoma treated with LOP chemotherapy combined with IMRT at the Guizhou Province Tumor Hospital between March 2010 and January 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Among the 65 patients, 39 cases obtained complete remission (CR), 18 cases obtained partial remission(PR), 1 case obtained stable disease (SD), 7 cases had progressive disease(PD). The objective response rate (ORR) was 87.7%, the disease control rates (DCR) was 89.2%. The DCR was lower in the patients with B symptoms or over age of 60. Patients with super cavity obtained a worse progression-free survival(PFS). The 1-, 2-, 3-year PFS were 91.7%, 74.8% and 61.3%, the overall survival(OS) were 91.8%, 81.3% and 78.9%, respectively. Main adverse reactions were myelosuppression, gastrointestinal reaction, hepatic lesion, hypoproteinemia, percutaneous reaction and oral mucosa reaction. No severe pancreatitis, severe anaphylaxis and toxic related death were observed. Conclusion: The LOP regimen combined with IMRT treatment for nasal NK/T cell lymphoma may have a good therapeutic effect, low toxicity, and good tolerance.

Magnetic Ground States of the Rare-Earth Tripod Kagome Lattice Mg_{2}RE_{3}Sb_{3}O_{14} (RE=Gd,Dy,Er).

We present the structural and magnetic properties of a new compound family, Mg_{2}RE_{3}Sb_{3}O_{14} (RE=Gd,Dy,Er), with a hitherto unstudied frustrating lattice, the "tripod kagome" structure. Susceptibility (ac, dc) and specific heat exhibit features that are understood within a simple Luttinger-Tisza-type theory. For RE=Gd, we found long-ranged order (LRO) at 1.65 K, which is consistent with a 120° structure, demonstrating the importance of diople interactions for this 2D Heisenberg system. For RE=Dy, LRO at 0.37 K is related to the "kagome spin ice" physics for a 2D system. This result shows that the tripod kagome structure accelerates the transition to LRO predicted for the related pyrochlore systems. For RE=Er, two transitions, at 80 mK and 2.1 K are observed, suggesting the importance of quantum fluctuations for this putative XY system.

Silicon 1s near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy of functionalized silicon nanocrystals.

Silicon 1s Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) spectra of silicon nanocrystals have been examined as a function of nanocrystal size (3-100 nm), varying surface functionalization (hydrogen or 1-pentyl termination), or embedded in oxide. The NEXAFS spectra are characterized as a function of nanocrystal size and surface functionalization. Clear spectroscopic evidence for long range order is observed silicon nanocrystals that are 5-8 nm in diameter or larger. Energy shifts in the silicon 1s NEXAFS spectra of covalently functionalized silicon nanocrystals with changing size are attributed to surface chemical shifts and not to quantum confinement effects.

Comparative quantitative trait locus mapping of maize flowering-related traits in an F2:3 and recombinant inbred line population.

Flowering-related traits in maize are affected by complex factors and are important for the improvement of cropping systems in the maize zone. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) detected using different materials and methods usually vary. In the present study, 266 maize (Zea mays) F2:3 families and 301 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) derived from a cross between 08-641 (founding parent from southeast China) and Ye478 (founding parent from China) were evaluated for four flowering-related traits, including days to tasseling (DTT), days to pollen shedding (DPS), days to silking (DTS), and anthesis-silking interval. Sixty-six QTLs controlling the target traits were detected in the F2:3 and RIL populations via single environment analysis and joint analysis across all environments (JAAE). The QTLs explained 0.8-13.47% of the phenotypic variation, with 12 QTLs explaining more than 10%. The results of meta-QTL (MQTL) analysis indicated that 41 QTLs could be integrated into 14 MQTLs. One MQTL included 2.9 QTLs, ranging from two to ten QTLs for one to three traits. QTLs, including MQTL1-1 and MQTL9-1, were detected across the F2:3 and RIL populations via SAE and JAAE. Among the MQTLs, nine QTLs were integrated into MQTL9-1 and affected DTT, DPS, and DTS, with the favored allele being derived from 08-641. MQTL3-2 showed high phenotypic variation and was suitable for fine mapping to determine the genetic mechanisms of flowering. MQTL3-2 could be applied to improve inbred lines using marker-assisted selection.

Influence of sugars and hormones on the genes involved in sucrose metabolism in maize endosperms.

Starch is the major storage product in the endosperm of cereals. Its synthesis is closely related to sucrose metabolism. In our previous study, we found that the expression of most of the genes involved in starch synthesis might be regulated by sugars and hormones in the maize endosperm. However, little is known regarding the transcriptional regulation of genes involved in sucrose metabolism. Thus, in this study, maize endosperms were treated with different sugars and hormones and the expression of genes involved in sucrose metabolism (including synthesis, degradation, and transport) were evaluated using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. We found that genes affected by different sugars and hormones were primarily regulated by abscisic acid. Sucrose and abscisic acid showed an additive effect on the expression of some genes. Differences in the transcriptional regulation of genes involved in sucrose metabolism and starch biosynthesis were observed.

Overexpression of an endo-1,4-ß-glucanase V gene (EGV) from Trichoderma reesei leads to the accumulation of cellulase activity in transgenic rice.

The ectopic expression of cellulase in biomass can reduce the cost of biofuel conversion. This trait modification technique is highly beneficial for biofuel production. In this study, we isolated an endo-1,4-beta-glucanase gene (EGV) from Trichoderma reesei and inserted this gene downstream of a fragment encoding the signal peptide Apo-SP in a modified pCAMBIA1301 vector to obtain an Apo-SP and AsRed fusion protein. Transient expression of this fusion protein in onion epidermal cells showed that the Apo-SP signal was localized to the plastids. EGV transgenic rice plants that did not carry screening marker genes were obtained through overexpression of the pDTB double T-DNA vector. Western blotting showed that EGV was expressed in the dry straw of T0 generation transgenic rice plants and in fresh leaves of the T1 generation. More importantly, our results also showed that the peptide product of EGV in the transgenic plants folded correctly and was capable of digesting the cellulase substrate CMC. Additionally, cellulase activity remained stable in the straw that had been dried at room temperature for three months. This study presents an important technical approach for the development of transgenic rice straw that has stable cellulase activity and can be used for biofuel conversion.

[Epidemiological investigation of iron deficiency among preschool children in 10 provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities in China].

Objective: To understand the current status of anemia, iron deficiency, and iron-deficiency anemia among preschool children in China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a multi-stage stratified sampling method to select 150 streets or townships from 10 Chinese provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities (East: Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong, and Hainan; Central: Henan; West: Chongqing, Shaanxi, Guizhou, and Xinjiang; Northeast: Liaoning). From May 2022 to April 2023, a total of 21 470 children, including community-based children aged 0.5 to<3.0 years receiving child health care and kindergarten-based children aged 3.0 to<7.0 years, were surveyed. They were divided into 3 age groups: infants (0.5 to<1.0 year), toddlers (1.0 to<3.0 years), and preschoolers (3.0 to<7.0 years). Basic information such as sex and date of birth of the children was collected, and peripheral blood samples were obtained for routine blood tests and serum ferritin measurement. The prevalence rates of anemia, iron deficiency, and iron-deficiency anemia were analyzed, and the prevalence rate differences were compared among different ages, sex, urban and rural areas, and regions using the chi-square test. Results: A total of 21 460 valid responses were collected, including 10 780 boys (50.2%). The number of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers were 2 645 (12.3%), 6 244 (29.1%), and 12 571 (58.6%), respectively. The hemoglobin level was (126.7±14.8) g/L, and the serum ferritin level was 32.3 (18.5, 50.1) µg/L. The overall rates of anemia, iron deficiency, and iron-deficiency anemia were 10.4% (2 230/21 460), 28.3% (6 070/21 460), and 3.9% (845/21 460), respectively. The prevalence rate of anemia was higher for boys than for girls (10.9% (1 173/10 780) vs. 9.9% (1 057/10 680), χ2=5.58, P=0.018), with statistically significant differences in the rates for infants, toddlers and preschoolers (18.0% (475/2 645), 10.6% (662/6 244), and 8.7% (1 093/12 571), respectively, χ2=201.81, P<0.01), and the rate was significantly higher for children in rural than that in urban area (11.8% (1 516/12 883) vs. 8.3% (714/8 577), χ2=65.54, P<0.01), with statistically significant differences in the rates by region (χ2=126.60, P<0.01), with the highest rate of 15.8% (343/2 173) for children in Central region, and the lowest rate of 5.3% (108/2 053) in Northeastern region. The prevalence rates of iron deficiency were 33.8% (895/2 645), 32.2% (2 011/6 244), and 25.2% (3 164/12 571) in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, respectively, and 30.0% (3 229/10 780) in boys vs. 26.6% (2 841/10 680) in girls, 21.7% (1 913/8 821), 40.0% (870/2 173), 27.1% (2 283/8 413), 48.9% (1 004/2 053) in Eastern, Central, Western, and Northeastern regions, respectively, and each between-group showed a significant statistical difference (χ2=147.71, 29.73, 773.02, all P<0.01). The prevalence rate of iron-deficiency anemia showed a significant statistical difference between urban and rural areas, 2.9% (251/8 577) vs. 4.6% (594/12 883) (χ2=38.62, P<0.01), while the difference in iron deficiency prevalence was not significant (χ2=0.51, P=0.476). Conclusions: There has been a notable improvement in iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia among preschool children in China, but the situation remains concerning. Particular attention should be paid to the prevention and control of iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia, especially among infants and children in the Central, Western, and Northeastern regions of China.

Full genome sequence of a novel coxsackievirus B5 strain isolated from neurological hand, foot, and mouth disease patients in China.

Coxsackievirus B5 (CVB5) belongs to the human enterovirus B species within the family Picornaviridae. We report the complete genome sequence of a novel CVB5 strain, CVB5/SD/09, that is associated with neurological hand, foot, and mouth disease in China. The complete genome consists of 7,399 nucleotides, excluding the 3' poly(A) tail, and has an open reading frame that maps between nucleotide positions 744 and 7301 and encodes a 2,185-amino-acid polyprotein. Phylogenetic analysis based on different genome region regions reveals that CVB5/SD/09 belongs to a novel CVB5 lineage, and similarity plotting and bootscanning analysis based on the whole genome of CVB5 in the present study and those available in GenBank indicate that the genome of CVB5/SD/09 has a mosaic-like structure, suggesting that recombination between different CVB5 strains may occur.

Complete genome sequence of a recombinant coxsackievirus B4 from a patient with a fatal case of hand, foot, and mouth disease in Guangxi, China.

The coxsackievirus B4 (CVB4) belongs to human enterovirus B species within the family Picornaviridae. Here we report a novel complete genome sequence of a recombinant CVB4 strain, CVB4/GX/10, which was isolated from a patient with a fatal case of hand, foot, and mouth disease in China. The complete genome consists of 7,293 nucleotides, excluding the 3' poly(A) tail, and has an open reading frame that maps between nucleotide positions 742 and 7293 and encodes a 2,183-amino-acid polyprotein. Phylogenetic analysis based on different genome regions reveals that CVB4/GX/10 is closest to a CVB4 strain, EPIHFMD-CLOSE CONTACT-16, in the 5' half (VP4∼2B) of the genome, although it is closer to a Chinese CVB5 strain, CVB5/Henan/2010, in the 3' half (2C∼3D) of the genome. Furthermore, similar bootscan analysis based on the whole genomes demonstrates that recombination has possibly occurred within the 2C domain and that CVB4/GX/10 is a possible progeny of intertypic recombination of the CVB4 strain EPIHFMD-CLOSE CONTACT-16 and CVB5/Henan/2010 that occurred during their cocirculation and evolution, which is a relatively common phenomenon in enteroviruses.