Objective To evaluate the health economic benefits of the strategy for free vaccination of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) among the elderly aged 60 years and above in Pudong New Area, ShanghaiMunicipality, and to provide a scientific basis for government agencies to formulate prevention and control strategies. Methods The elderly population aged 60 years and above in Shanghai Municipality in 2021 served as the study cohort. A decision tree-Markov model was used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and effectiveness of the strategy for free vaccination of PPSV23 among the elderly aged 60 years and above in Pudong New Area from the perspective of the whole society, and a sensitivity analysis of the model was performed. Results The vaccination rate of PPSV23 among the elderly aged 60 years and above in Pudong New Area, ShanghaiMunicipality was 29.39%, the per capita benefit of receiving PPSV23 212.97 yuan, the per capita net benefit -182.76 yuan, and the benefit-cost ratio 0.54 yuan. It cost 25,711.04 yuan to obtain one additional life year, which was lower than the per capita gross domestic product (GDP) in Shanghai Municipality (173,756.71 yuan) and far lower than the threshold of three times the per capita GDP. Conclusion The strategy for free vaccination of PPSV23 among the elderly aged 60 years and above is highly cost-effective, suggesting that implementation of this vaccination strategy should be continuously intensified.

Objective To assess the emergency vaccination and protective effect of varicella vaccine in Longgang District,Shenzhen City. Methods We collected the epidemic information regarding 102 varicella outbreaks with emergency vaccination as the response during 2019-2023. And a retrospective cohort study was used to analyze the effectiveness of emergency vaccination and protective effect of varicella vaccine under different conditions. Results The proportion of emergency vaccination was lower in the cases than in the non-cases (7.76% vs. 68.67%). The proportion of emergency vaccination in secondary cases was lower than that in the non-cases (37.97% vs. 68.67%). The attack rate of varicella was the highest (8.22%) in patients having no previous history of immunization and emergency vaccination, but the lowest (1.23%) in patients with previous history of immunization and emergency vaccination. The secondary attack rate (SAR) in the varicella cases was low when the emergency vaccination rate was more than 70%. The protective effect ofinoculating one dose of varicella vaccine decreased with the extension of inoculation time, and there was a clear protective effect within three years after the inoculation, with the vaccine effectiveness being 71.37%. No statistically significant differences were found in the protective effect of inoculating two doses of varicella vaccine among different durations and intervals, and the protective effect of inoculating two doses of varicella vaccine was always better than that of inoculating one dose. Conclusion Both emergency vaccination and inoculation of two doses of varicella vaccine had high protective effect. It is necessary to continue to implement the strategy of emergency vaccination and inoculation of two doses of free varicella vaccine.

Objective To understand the current status of vaccination hesitancy towards non-national immunization program (non-NIP) vaccines and its influencing factors among children’s parents in Tongling City, and to provide references for improving vaccination hesitancy towards non-NIP vaccines. Methods A convenience sampling method was used to select parents of children aged ≤ 12 years who visited a hospital in Tongling for a survey. Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), a questionnaire was designed to collect the information about the status of vaccination hesitancy towards non-NIP vaccines among the parents. Multi-factor logistic regression and structural equation model (SEM) were used to analyze the factors influencing vaccination hesitancy. Results A total of 334 parents were enrolled in this survey, and the rate of vaccination hesitancy towards non-NIP vaccines was 36.22% (121/334). The results of multi-factor logistic regression revealed that parents with a medical background had a lower incidence of vaccination hesitancy towards non-NIP vaccines (OR=0.418, P=0.010), and a reduction in the number of children’s illnesses in the past six months was also a protective factor against vaccination hesitancy (OR=0.198, P<0.001). Confirmatory factor analysis of the TPB model displayed that the Cronbach’s α coefficients of dimensions of the questionnaire, such as attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, perceived risk and behavioral intention, ranged from 0.893 to 0.955, with a total Cronbach’s α coefficient of 0.941, indicating good internal consistency. Correlation analysis indicated that the squareroots of the average variance extracted were greater than the maximum correlation coefficient of the latent variables, indicating good discriminant validity. SEM analysis was performed to identify the relationships of fours factors like attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control and perceived risk with the parents’ vaccination hesitancy towards non-NIP vaccines. The overall variance explanation rate of SEM was 76.90%, and the analysis results indicated that behavioral control (β’=-0.702), subjective norm (β’=-0.651), attitude (β’=-0.511) and perceived risk (β’=-0.488) were all significantly correlated with the parents’ vaccination hesitancy towards non-NIP vaccines(P＜0.05). Conclusion This study reveals the factors influencing the parents’ vaccination hesitancy towards non-NIP vaccines in Tongling City, emphasizes the importance of medical background and children’s health status, and points out that improving the parents’ confidence and cognition towards the vaccines through the TPB model and implementing the publicity of medical staff and social media, can effectively improve the vaccination willingness.

Objective To analyze the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of hepatitis C cases reported in Hunan Province from 2013 to 2022, and to provide a scientific basis for eliminating the public health hazards of hepatitis C. Methods The reported incidence of hepatitis C in Hunan Province from 2013 to 2022 was collected. ArcGIS 10.8 software was used for spatial autocorrelation analysis, and SaTScan9.7 software was employed to perform spatio-temporal scan analysis. Results From 2013 to 2022, Hunan Province reported over 10,000 new cases of hepatitis C each year, and six districts and counties including Hengyang County reported over 200 cases each year. The results of global spatial autocorrelation analysis of hepatitis C in Hunan Province during 2013-2022 displayed that the incidence rates of hepatitis C in Hunan Province showed positively spatial autocorrelation (Moran’I=0.4441-0.6128, P<0.001). The results of local spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed that the hot-spot areas were mainly concentrated in Hecheng District, Hongjiang District, Hongjiang City, Huitong County, Zhijiang Dong Autonomous County, Zhongfang County, Chenxi County, Xinhuang County and Xupu County, while the cold-spot areas were mainly concentrated in Miluo City, Wugang City, Jishou City, Dao County, Ningyuan County, Shaoshan City, Wangcheng District, You County, Xinning County, Anren County and Xiangtan County. The results of spatio-temporal scan analysis indicated that 10 clustering areas were detected in 2013-2022. Conclusion The reported cases of hepatitis C in Hunan Province during 2013-2022 showed obvious spatial clustering. As for the hot-spot areas, it is necessary to strengthen prevention and control, enhance publicity and education, prevent iatrogenic transmission, and promote active treatment.

Objective To monitor and analyze the contamination status of pathogenic bacteria in market-sold food in Cangzhou City, to analyze the pathogenic bacteria detected, to summarize the contamination status of foodborne pathogenic bacteria, to proactively identify potential food safety risks, to effectively prevent the outbreak and spread of foodborne diseases, and to provide a scientific basis for strengthening food safety supervision and early warning. Methods A total of 239 food samples from 7 categories of market-sold food in Cangzhou City were collected according to the requirements of the 2023 Hebei Provincial Food Microbiology and Pathogenic Factor Monitoring Protocol, and foodborne pathogenic bacteria were monitored on the basis of the relevant provisions of the National Monitoring Work Manual for Food Contamination and Harmful Factor Risk in 2023. Results A total of 239 market-sold food samples were tested in Cangzhou City in 2023, with 203 qualified samples and the sample qualified rate being 84.94%. The detection rate of pathogenic bacteria from raw poultry and meat was the highest (29.03%), followed by animal-derived freshwater products (28.57%). 43 strains of foodborne pathogens were detected, including 16 strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, 3 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, 8 strains of Escherichia coli causing diarrhea, 11 strains of Salmonella and 5 strains of Listeria monocytogenes. There was no statistically significant difference in thepositive rates of samples with different packaging types (χ²=0.53, P>0.05). Conclusion All market-sold food products in Cangzhou City in 2013 were contaminated with foodborne pathogens to varying degrees. Food safety regulatory authorities should strengthen food supervision and management so as to reduce the risk of occurrence of foodborne diseases.

Objective To investigate the current situation of foodborne parasitic infections in market-sold aquatic products and the awareness of the infections among key population in Chongming District, Shanghai Municipality, and to evaluate the potential risk of the infections among the populations. Methods From April to November 2023, common fresh seawater aquatic products, freshwater aquatic products and pickled products were randomly collected from farmers’ markets, supermarkets, and restaurants in some townships of Chongming District, Shanghai Municipality. Digestive method was used to detect parasitic cysticerci in freshwater aquatic products and pickled products, and anatomical microscopy was employed to detect nematode larvae in seawater aquatic products. At the same time, a survey was conducted on the knowledge of foodborne parasites among the key population and the infection of Clonorchis sinensis among the residents in the sampled townships. Results From April to November 2023, a total of 64 samples from 17 types of seawater aquatic products were detected, with the positive rate of nematode third-stage larvae being 17.19% (11/64). The positive samples were hairtail (33.33%, 2/6), pacific mackerel (60.00%, 3/5), pacific saury (50.00%, 1/2), little yellow croaker (75.00%, 3/4) and mullet (40.00%, 2/5). A total of 258 samples of freshwater aquatic products were detected, and no parasitic metacercariae or larvae were found. A total of 28 pickled products were detected, and no Paragonimus metacercariae and Echinostoma metacercariae were found. At the same time, a total of 1,000 residents were tested for intestinal parasites, but no parasite eggs were detected. 250 questionnaires were distributed to the key population, and the results of the awareness rates showed that 2.80% had a very goodunderstanding of knowledge about foodborne parasites, 40.40% had some understanding of the knowledge, and 56.80% was unclear about the knowledge. There were statistically significant differences in the awareness rates of knowledge about foodborne parasites among the surveyed population with different genders, ages, habitual residences in the past three years, education levels, and occupations (P<0.05). From the daily dietary habits of the surveyed population, it was found that 48.80% of the residents often or occasionally ate raw or undercooked food, and 30.80% of the residents occasionally or never washed their hands before meals and after going to the toilet. In terms of the cognition of foodborne parasites, 67.20% of the residents were most interested in learning about the symptoms and severity of foodborne parasite infections, and 72.40% of the residents were most interested in learning about knowledge related to foodborne parasites from official media like TV and radio as well as social media like WeChat, Weibo and Tik Tok. Conclusion No parasitic infections were detected in freshwater aquatic products and pickled products sold in Chongming District, Shanghai Municipality, but some seawater aquatic products were found to be infected with nematodes. It is necessary to take effective publicity and education measures and improve the residents’ self-protection awareness so as to reduce the risk of parasitic infections.

Objective To analyze the cause of a food poisoning incident that occurred in a certain district of Wuhan in August 2022, to explore the molecular epidemiological relationship of pathogenic bacteria, and to investigate the role of whole genome sequencing technology in the survey of food poisoning incidents. Methods Multiplex fluorescent PCR was used to preliminarily identify pathogenic bacteria from the food poisoning incident. Pathogen isolation and identification were performed simultaneously according to the National Food Safety Standard (GB 4789.10-2016). The sensitivities of the pathogenic bacteria to 24 kinds of antibiotics were detected by the drug sensitivity test system. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) technology was used for drug-resistance gene prediction, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and whole genome single nucleotide polymorphism (wgSNP) analysis. Results Eleven samples were confirmed positive for Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) by multiplex fluorescent PCR, and the culture strains were successfully isolated. The data of 3.7 G were obtained by WGS. Further bioinformatics analysis displayed that S. aureus causing the food-poisoning incident were of the same origin and highly homologous to the pathogens reported in many foreign countries. The results of drug susceptibility testing and resistance gene analysis based on WGS showed that the isolates were resistant to penicillins, aminoglycosides and macrolides, which were highly consistent with the results of drug susceptibility testing. At the same time, the 11 isolates of S. aureus were found to have the potential to be resistant to quinolone antibiotics. MLST analysis suggested a newly-discovered ST clone subtype, and further analysis represented a high degree of homology with the ST5 clone subtype. Conclusion Through a variety of biological methods, it was deeply analyzed and confirmed that this food poisoning incident was caused by the infection of S. aureus with a suspected new MLST subtype. WGS technology shows its significant advantages in the experiment. It can not only obtain the information from conventional detection methods, but also has more advantages in traceability and big data analysis and provide effective experiences and technical support for possible food safety incidents in future.

Objective To investigate the level of financial toxicity and its determinants in patients with colorectal cancer, and to provide a basis for proposing targeted measures and reducing economic toxicity in patients with colorectal cancer. Methods Based on the entropy weight method, the financial toxicity of 345 patients with colorectal cancer from a tertiary A-grade hospital in Nanchong City was evaluated by using the Chinese version on Comprehensive Scores for Financial Toxicity Based on the Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (COST-PROM), and the influencing factors were analyzed. Results The weight of each item in the COST-PROM was different. The total financial toxicity score of the patients was 16.33 (12.73, 29.54).93.33% of the patients suffered from financial toxicity and 53.63% of them high financial toxicity. Multiple linear regressionanalysis displayed that employment status, place of residence, amount of household savings, number of treatment methods, total out-of-pocket payments and amount of debt could explain 40.10% of the total variation in financial toxicity in the patients with colorectal cancer. Conclusion Financial toxicity is prevalent and high among the patients with colorectal cancer, requiring special attention and urgent interventions.

Objective To analyze the epidemic characteristics of foodborne disease outbreaks related to nitrite poisoning in Anhui Province in 2016-2022, and to explore the prevention and control strategies. Methods We descriptively analyzed the nitrite poisoning incidents from the surveillance of foodborne disease outbreaks in Anhui Province from 2016 to 2022. Results A total of 67 nitrite poisoning incidents were reported in Anhui Province from 2016 to 2022, with 442 cases of illness and 5 deaths. The number of incidents in the northern Anhui accounted for 86.57% (58/67), among which the incidents in households accounted for 62.07% (36/58). The number of incidents in rural areas was twice that in urban areas (45/22). Accidental ingestion and misuse accounted for 59.70% (40/67), and there was no time cycle pattern. In the urban areas, the incidents in households and restaurants accounted for 36.36% (8/22) and 27.27% (6/22) respectively. In the rural areas, the incidents in households accounted for 66.67% (30/45). Illegal use in restaurants and collective canteens was found. The incidents caused by accidental ingestion and misuse in households accounted for 97.37% (37/38). Illegal use in a variety of foods and mixed foods accounted for 81.25% (13/16). Food additive abuse was mainly found in meat and meat products, accounting for 77.78% (7/9). Accidental ingestion and misuse of foods mainly included mixed foods, a variety of foods and grain products, accounting for 82.50% (33/40). Conclusion The northern Anhui, rural areas and households are high-incidence areas and places. Accidental ingestion and misuse are the main pathogenic factors, and there are still catering establishments using nitrite illegally. Multiple measures should be taken, such as strengthening publicity and supervision, researching and developing substitutes and rapid detection methods, adding food pigments to nitrite, making good reserves of antidotes and providing treatment in time.

Objective To explore the influencing factors and comprehensive intervention effect of lactose intolerance (LI) in infants, and to provide references for developing targeted intervention measures. Methods We collected the clinical data about 210 dyspepsia infants who were diagnosed and treated in Jiulongpo District Maternal and Child Health Hospital and Fuling District Maternal and Child Health Hospital from November 2023 to May 2024. All the dyspepsia infants underwent testing for urinary galactose at admission, and then they were divided into the LI group and the non-LI group according to the detection results. The general information about the infants in the two groups as well as data regarding their disease conditions were collected by a survey scale for infants’ general information made by the hospitals, and the factors influencing LI in the dyspepsia infants were analyzed. Infants with LI and their family members were given comprehensive intervention. We analyzed the therapeutic efficacy and antidiarrheal time after the intervention and the improvement status of symptoms of infants with LI before and after the intervention. Results Among the 210 infants with dyspepsia, 131 (62.38%) cases of LI and 79 (37.62%) cases of non-LI were detected. There were statistically significant differences in the gestational age, family history of LI, months of age, gastrointestinal infection and birth weight between the LI group and the non-LI group (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that gestational age at birth < 37 weeks (OR=2.936, 95%CI: 1.577-5.465), having gastrointestinal infection (OR=3.077, 95%CI: 1.729-5.475), having a family history of LI (OR=3.206, 95%CI: 2.266-4.535) and months of age < 6 months (OR=2.565, 95%CI: 1.257-5.235) were risk factors for the occurrence of LI in the infants with dyspepsia. Afterimplementingcomprehensive intervention, the total clinical effective rate of 131 infants with LI was 96.18% (126/131), and the antidiarrheal time was (3.51±0.81) days. Compared with before the intervention, the vomiting rate, crying and discomfort rate, abdominal distension rate, diarrhea rate and the rate of insufficient weight gain decreased at 2 months after the intervention, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion Infants will suffer from LI due to multiple factors. Hence implementing comprehensive intervention measures in clinical practice can achieve better intervention effect.

Objective To understand the epidemiological features of emergency public health events induced by infectious diseases in Chengdu City, and to provide references for scientific prevention and control of emergency public health events. Methods We collected the data regarding infectious disease-related emergency public health events that had been investigated epidemiologically, verified and handled by all district- (city-) and county-level centers for disease control and prevention in Chengdu City during 2004-2023 from the Information Management System for Public Health Emergencies of China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. WPS 2019 was used to organize the data, and SPSS 21.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results A total of 370 infectious disease-related emergency public health events were reported in Chengdu City from 2004 to 2023, accounting for 86.05%. Most of them were ungraded events (n=306, 82.70%), and were mainly caused by respiratory infectious diseases (n=278, 75.14%), with SARS-CoV-2 infection (n=115, 31.08%) topping the list. These events affected 23 districts (cities) and counties, involving 1,274,447 individuals, with the attack rate being 0.40% and the case fatality rate being 0.81%. The average annual number of reported events was 18.50, and the number of reported events was higher in 2009 and 2022 than in other years (H=66.454, P<0.001). The average number of reported events per month was 1.54, and no statistically significant difference was found in the number of reported events in different months (H=16.496, P=0.124), but exhibiting seasonal trends. The median interval of reporting time was 0.50 hour, the reporting timeliness rate 65.95%, and the median interval of control time 2.33 days. A statistical significance existed in the correlation between reporting time and control time (r_s=0.173, P=0.011). A statistical difference existed in the proportion of levels of events with different transmission routes (P=0.001). The proportion of respiratory events was the highest among the ungraded events, while the proportion of gastrointestinal events was the highest among general and major events. Statistically significant differences were observed in the number of persons affected, attack rate and case fatality rate among events with different transmission routes (P<0.05). Pairwise comparison revealed that the number of persons affected by gastrointestinal events was the highest, while the attack rate and case fatality rate of natural focus and vector-borne infectious diseases were the highest. Conclusion Infectious diseases were the major cause for occurring emergency public health events in Chengdu City. It is necessary to prevent transmission of emergency public health events that are transmitted through the respiratory tract and digestive tract, and strengthen medical treatment for emergency public health events caused by natural focus and vector-borne infectious diseases so as to prevent the death of cases.

Objective To understand the associations of the health level of household food environment with overweight and obesity among primary and middle school students, and to provide technical reference for obesity prevention and control in the students. Methods A stratified cluster sampling method was used to select 1,485 students and their families from 11 schools in Tongzhou District, Beijing, and then physical examination and questionnaire surveys were conducted. Rank correlation analysis was employed to analyze the correlations of the health level of household food environment with the students’ body mass index (BMI). Univariate analysis was performed to identify the differences in BMI and the overweight & obesity rate among students under different health levels of household food environment.Multivariate unordered logistic regression was used for analyzing the impacts of household food environment on the risk of overweight and obesity. Results The score of health level of household food environment in the primary and middle school students in Tongzhou District was 64.32, and the total compliance rate (≥60 points) was 67.41%. The health score of household food environment was negatively correlated with the students’ BMI (r=-0.133). The BMI (Z=-3.291, P=0.001) and obesity rate ( χ²=4.277, P=0.039) of students from families with unhealthy household food environment were higher than those of students from families with qualified household food environment. The obesity risk of students with unhealthy household food environment was 1.379 times (OR=1.379, 95%CI: 1.051-1.809) that of students with qualified household food environment, and the obesity risk of students from families with unhealthy levels of dietary behavior dimension was 1.827 times (OR=1.827, 95%CI: 1.382-2.415) that of students from families with qualified levels of dietary behavior dimension. Conclusion The health level of household food environment was negatively correlated with the primary and middle school students’ BMI and obesity risk in Tongzhou District, Beijing. Special attention should be paid to the problem of unhealthy household dietary behavior.

Objective To explore the effects of a low-calorie diet combined with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on body composition, glucose-lipid metabolism and cardiopulmonary function among female college students with overweight, and to provide a basis for developing more effective weight loss and health improvement strategies. Methods Eighty-five female overweight college students were recruited. With a random number table method, they were randomly divided into the low-calorie diet (LCD) group (n=43) and the control group (n=42). The diets for both groups were customized by a clinical nutritionist, with the LCD group receiving a daily caloric intake of 1,000-1,200 kCal and the control group receiving 1,400-1,800 kCal per day. On the basis of controlled diets, both groups underwent HIIT three times a week for an intervention duration of 12 weeks. We detected and compared the changes in body composition (including weight, body mass index, total body fat percentage, muscle mass, upper body fat, lower body fat and total body water), glycolipid metabolism (including glycated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, insulin resistance index, insulin function index, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein cholestrol and high-density lipoprotein cholestrol) and cardiopulmonary function (heart rate, vital capacity index, systolic and diastolic blood pressures) before and after the intervention between the two groups. Results Before the intervention, there were no statistically significant differences in the indicators related to body composition, glycolipid metabolism and cardiopulmonary function between the two groups (P>0.05). After the intervention, changes in body composition indicators revealed that the LCD group showed significantly decreases in weight (62.15±5.22)kg, body mass index (24.51±2.35)kg/m², total body fat percentage (30.65±3.41%), upper body fat (2.33±0.42)kg and lower body fat (3.01±0.99)kg compared with the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). After the intervention, changes in glycolipid metabolism indicators displayed that the LCD group had lower levels of glycated hemoglobin (6.43±0.73%), fasting blood glucose (6.32±1.04) mmol/L, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (9.03±1.21) mmol/L, total cholesterol (4.21±0.67) mmol/L, triacylglycerol (1.46±0.38) mmol/L, low-density lipoprotein cholestrol (2.56±0.59) mmol/L, and a lower insulin resistance index (2.81±0.46) than the control group, but had a higher insulin function index compared with the control group, with all differences being statistically significant (P<0.05). After the intervention, cardiopulmonary function indicators of the LCD group showed that the vital capacity index significantly increased, while the systolic and diastolic blood pressures significantly decreased, with statistically significant differences compared with the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Implementing a 12-week intervention involving a low-calorie diet combined with HIIT for the female overweight college students can significantly improve their body composition, glycolipid metabolism and cardiopulmonary function.

Objective To develop a method of ultra microwave digestion-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for simultaneous determination of 30 inorganic elements in potatoes. Methods Ultra microwave digestion technology was used for the pretreatment of potatoes, and then the volume was directly fixed. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer was utilized to simultaneously detect 30 elements in potatoes, including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), aluminum (AI), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), barium (Ba), vanadium (V), selenium (Se), nickel (Ni), tin (Sn), lithium (Li), zinc (Zn), potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), strontium (Sr), molybdenum (Mo), cobalt (Co), rubidium (Rb), antimony (Sb), thallium (TI), beryllium (Be), titanium (Ti), silver (Ag) and boron (B). And the digestion effect and detection results were compared with those based on conventional microwave digestion. Results The correlation coefficient of the method was good. The correlation coefficients of the 30 elements were all greater than 0.999. The spiked recoveries were between 91.8% and 108.3%, the relative standard deviations ranged from 2.16% to 4.96%, the limits of detection were 0.001-0.5 mg/kg, and the limits of quantitation were in the range of 0.003-1.5 mg/kg. The spiked recovery rates, precision, detection limits and quantitation limits all met the requirements of laboratory quality control, and the method had high accuracy. Compared with the conventional microwave digestion method, this method was time-saving and efficient, and could meet the analysis of a large number of samples. Conclusion This method is accurate and reliable, and can be applied to the analysis of 30 elements in a large number of samples.

Objective To establish a droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) method based on the specific genes of Borrelia burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi). Methods Primers and probes were designed with the recA gene as the target gene. A ddPCR detection method for B. burgdorferi was initially established by optimizing annealing temperature, final concentrations of primers and probes, extension time, etc. And then, a series of evaluations were conducted on this method, including sensitivity experiments, specificity experiments, repeatability experiments, detection of simulated and clinical samples. Results The optimal final concentrations of primers and probes for the ddPCR method for B. burgdorferi established in this study were 900 nmol/μl and 300 nmol/μl respectively, with the optimal annealing temperature, extension time and cycle times being 52℃, 60s and 50 cycles respectively. This method could detect various main genotypes of B. burgdorferi (B. afzelii, B. garinii, B. angtzensis, B. b.s.s.) in China, with the lowest detection limit of 1.6 copies/20 μl. Moreover, there was no cross-reaction with other pathogens, and the coefficients of variation in repeatability tests were all less than 5%. Among the sera of 50 confirmed Lyme disease cases with seropositivity, no positive samples were detected by the nested PCR and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), but 3 positive samples were detected by the ddPCR method. Among the 30 serum samples of suspected patients, there were 9 positive samples detected by serological antibody test, 1 positive sample assayed by the nested PCR, 2 positive samples detected detected by qPCR and 12 positive samples detected by the ddPCR method, among which 4 samples were positive simultaneously by the ddPCR method and serological antibody test. Conclusion The ddPCR method for B. burgdorferi established in this study has the advantages of high sensitivity, strong specificity and good repeatability, can detect low concentration of DNA in the samples, which can be used for absolute quantization of B. burgdorferi, and provide a new detection method for clinical diagnosis, monitoring and scientific research of Lyme disease in China.

Childhood obesity has become an increasingly serious public health problem worldwide, and previous studies have mostly focused on the impact of maternal health during pregnancy on childhood obesity. In recent years, more and more epidemiological research evidence has shown that paternal vascular health indicators and related behaviors during childbearing age also have an important impact on the incidence of childhood obesity in their offspring. This paper reviews the existing research results in this field and systematically summarizes the association between cardiovascular health of fathers of childbearing age and childhood obesity based on the framework for Life’s Essential 8 proposed by American Heart Association so as to provide a new research perspective and theoretical basis for the early prevention of childhood obesity in offspring.