Health and wellbeing among the empty nest and non-empty nest elderly in China-Results from a national cross-sectional study.

Background: The number of empty nest elderly in China has gradually increased in recent years. There is growing concern about the physical and mental health of this population as empty nest elderly are commonly at the risk of compromising health, home safety and quality of life. This study reported the health and well-being of empty nest elderly with regards to their health status, depression and satisfaction, lifestyle as compared to non-empty nest elderly in China.

Impact of endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage on reducing costs of reintervention and unplanned readmission: a budget impact analysis.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) is the preferred treatment for patients with acute calculous cholecystitis who are unfit for surgery. The aim of this study was to perform a cost-effective analysis (CEA) comparing EUS-GBD with percutaneous gallbladder drainage (PT-GBD). CEA was performed on patients recruited for our prior randomized controlled trial.

Superspreading potential of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variants under intensive disease control measures in China.

Given the heterogeneity in individual transmissibility, we estimated the superspreading potential of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variants. Using case series of Delta variants in Guangdong, China, we found 15% (95%CrI: 12, 19) of cases seeded 80% of offspring cases.

Superspreading and heterogeneity in transmission of SARS, MERS, and COVID-19: A systematic review.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have caused substantial public health burdens and global health threats. Understanding the superspreading potentials of these viruses are important for characterizing transmission patterns and informing strategic decision-making in disease control. This systematic review aimed to summarize the existing evidence on superspreading features and to compare the heterogeneity in transmission within and among various epidemics of SARS, MERS and COVID-19.

In silico prediction of influenza vaccine effectiveness by sequence analysis.

The effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccines varies with the matching of vaccine strains to circulating strains. Based on the genetic distance of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase gene of the influenza viruses to vaccine strains, we statistically quantified the relationship between the genetic mismatch and vaccine effectiveness (VE) for influenza A/H1N1pdm09, A/H3N2 and B. We also proposed a systematic approach to integrate multiple genes and influenza types for overall VE estimation.

Gender differences in quality of life among patients with myasthenia gravis in China.

Background: Myasthenia gravis (MG), a chronic neuromuscular disorder, can adversely affect patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL), especially in women. The study aimed to evaluate the difference in HRQoL of women and men MG patients and explore the factors that mediate the relationship between gender and HRQoL.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1815 patients with MG in China.

Genetic evolution of Human Enterovirus A71 subgenotype C4 in Shenzhen, China, 1998-2013.

Background: Human Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) is one of the severest enteroviruses that causes hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) among children. This study identified the mutations of EV-A71 VP1 amino acid residues over a number of years and explored the possible association of identified mutations and HFMD epidemic outbreaks in Shenzhen, China.

Methods: A total of 3760 stool specimens were collected from HFMD patients by Shenzhen Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) between 1998 and 2013.

Cardiovascular disease risk reduction in rural China: a clustered randomized controlled trial in Zhejiang.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death in China. Despite government efforts, the majority of hypertensive and diabetic patients in China do not receive proper treatment. Reducing CVD events requires long-term care that is proactive, patient-centred, community-based, and sustainable.