Investigation of parasitic infection in food on market in Qingpu District of Shanghai during 2015‒2023

ObjectiveTo understand the status of parasitic infection in the food sold on market in Qingpu District of Shanghai, and to provide an evidence for the development of prevention and control strategies for parasitic infection applicable to Qingpu District.MethodsAquatic products, meat products and other foodstuffs sold on online shops, at farm product markets, supermarkets/foodstores and restaurants were sampled in Qingpu District, Shanghai, during 2015‒2023, based on the administrative division of Qingpu District. The parasitic infection in the food samples were examined using pressing method and digestion for detecting metacercariae in freshwater products and pickled products, using dissection microscopy for Anisakis larvae in seawater products, Taenia cysticercus and Trichinella encysted larvae in meat products.ResultsA total of 1 079 samples of food products were examined during 2015‒2023, with a total parasite infection rate of 13.44%. The total parasite infection rate of freshwater fish products was 3.40% (16/471), and the difference of parasite infection rates between different freshwater fish species was statistically significant (χ2=229.609, P=0.001). The total infection rate of Clonorchis sinensis was 3.18% (15/471), which had been detected in Pseudorasbora parva, Cyprinidae rhodeus, and Carassius auratus, with a positive rate of 77.78% (7/9), 50.00% (5/10) and 3.90% (3/77), respectively. Metorchis orientalis was detected in in Pseudorasbora parva, with a positive rate of 33.33% (3/9). The positive rate of Gnathostoma spinigerum (third-stage larvae) was 0.81%. Paragonimus metacercariae were not detected in the freshwater shrimps and crabs. The infection rate of seawater fish products was 26.46%. The difference of parasite infection rate in seawater fishes was statistically significant (χ2=109.181, P=0.001). A total of 53 pork and beef samples were tested, none was detected with Trichinella larva cysts, Taenia solium metacercariae, and Taenia saginata metacercariae. The total infection rate of pickled yellow mud snail products was 58.11% (43/74). Paragonimus metacercariae was not detected in any of the pickled aquatic product samples.ConclusionThere are different degrees of parasitic infection in freshwater products, seawater products and pickled aquatic products in Qingpu District of Shanghai. The risk of parasite infection from raw or undercooked foods is high. Health education on healthy dietary practices such as throughly cooked food should be strengthened for local residents

The rhythmic expression of clock genes attenuated in human plaque-derived vascular smooth muscle cells

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction and stroke are more likely to occur in the early morning. Circadian pacemakers are considered to be involved in the process. Many peripheral tissues and cells also contain clock systems. In this study, we examined whether the primary cultured human plaque-derived vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) process circadian rhythmicity; furthermore, we investigated the expression difference of clock genes between normal human carotid VSMCs and human plaque-derived VSMCs. METHODS: Fifty-six human carotid plaques provided the atherosclerotic tissue, and 21 samples yielded viable cultured primary VSMCs. The normal carotid VSMCs were cultured from donors’ normal carotids. The mRNA levels of the target genes were measured by Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: After serum shock, both types of cells showed clear circadian expressions of Bmal1, Cry1, Cry2, Per1, Per2, Per3 and Rev-erbα mRNA; meanwhile the Clock mRNA show a rhythmic expression in plaque-derived SMCs but not in normal carotid VSMCs. The expression levels of these main clock genes were significantly attenuated in human plaque-derived VSMCs compared with normal human carotid VSMCs. The rhythm of Bmal1 mRNA in plaque-derived VSMCs was changed. CONCLUSION: The present results demonstrate that the human plaque-derived VSMCs possess different circadian rhythmicity from that of normal carotid VSMCs. The rhythm changes of clock genes in plaque-derived VSMCs may be involved in the process of atherosclerosis and finally promote the rupture of plaque

Exploration and analysis of anxiety and sleep disorders among medical personnel in medical observation and isolation sites

Objective: This study aims to assess the mental well-being and factors that influence medical personnel engaged in safeguarding tasks at medical observation and isolation sites amid COVID-19 prevention efforts in Qingpu District, Shanghai. The findings will provide evidence to inform the development of effective preventive strategies. Methods: A survey employing the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and a custom basic information questionnaire was conducted among medical personnel stationed at medical observation isolation sites in Qingpu District, Shanghai, during COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Out of the 379 medical personnel surveyed, 132 individuals (34.8%) exhibited symptoms of anxiety, while 252 individuals (66.5%) reported sleep disorders. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that sex (OR=2.44, 95%CI: 1.28-4.65) and living with elderly (OR=1.64, 95%CI: 1.03-2.62) significantly affected the anxiety levels among healthcare workers. Although five variables including age, marital status, professional title, living with children, and living with elderly were examined for their impact on sleep quality, none of these factors showed statistically significant differences. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety symptoms and sleep disorders among medical personnel stationed at medical observation isolation sites varied based on sex, age, marital status, education level, professional title, and living arrangements. These findings underscore the importance of addressing these concerns and implementing measures to enhance and alleviate anxiety and sleep disorders among medical personnel in isolation settings

The Association Between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Carotid Intima–Media Thickness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been suggested as a risk factor for carotid atherosclerosis. The present meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between OSA and carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT). Eighteen studies comparing CIMT of patients with OSA versus non-OSA patients were included. Quantitative data synthesis was used to pool weighted standardized difference in means (SMD) of CIMT in a random-effects model. Compared to healthy controls, patients with OSA had a significantly higher CIMT (SMD: 0.881; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.647-1.115; P &lt; .001). Due to the great heterogeneity, a subgroup analysis was conducted based on the study design. The pooled SMD of CIMT between patients with OSA and healthy controls were 0.810 (95% CI: 0.676-0.943; P &lt; .001) and 1.008 (95% CI: 0.506-1.510; P &lt; .001) in matched and unmatched group, respectively. Moreover, the correlation of apnea–hypopnea index and CIMT was moderate ( r = .389; 95% CI: 0.315-0.459; P &lt; .001). After adjustment for several major confounders, OSA is an independent risk factor for CIMT. These findings remind clinicians to screen for cardiovascular diseases in patients with OSA. </jats:p

Enhancement of AFB1 Removal Efficiency via Adsorption/Photocatalysis Synergy Using Surface-Modified Electrospun PCL-g-C3N4/CQDs Membranes

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a highly toxic mycotoxin produced by aspergillus species under specific conditions as secondary metabolites. In this study, types of PCL (Polycaprolactone) membranes anchored (or not) to g-C3N4/CQDs composites were prepared using electrospinning technology with (or without) the following surface modification treatment to remove AFB1. These membranes and g-C3N4/CQDs composites were characterized by SEM, TEM, UV-vis, XRD, XPS and FTIR to analyze their physical and chemical properties. Among them, the modified PCL-g-C3N4/CQDs electrospun membranes exhibited an excellent ability to degrade AFB1 via synergistic effects of adsorption and photocatalysis, and the degradation rate of 0.5 μg/mL AFB1 solution was observed to be up to 96.88% in 30 min under visible light irradiation. Moreover, the modified PCL-g-C3N4/CQDs electrospun membranes could be removed directly after the reaction process without centrifugal or magnetic separation, and the regeneration was a green approach synchronized with the reaction under visible light avoiding physical or chemical treatment. The mechanism of adsorption by electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonding interaction was revealed and the mechanism of photodegradation of AFB1 was also proposed based on active species trapping experiments. This study illuminated the highly synergic adsorption and photocatalytic AFB1 removal efficiency without side effects from the modified PCL-g-C3N4/CQDs electrospun membranes, thereby offering a continual and green solution to AFB1 removal in practical application.</jats:p