Compatible metasurface for ultra-wideband radar and switchable infrared stealth.

In response to the rapid advancements in radar detection technology and the widespread deployment of infrared sensors, single-function stealth materials are increasingly challenged to meet the sophisticated demands of concealment within complex electromagnetic environments. As a result, there is a pressing need for research into metamaterial structures that can simultaneously deliver ultra-wideband radar stealth and controllable infrared invisibility. Here, a novel metamaterial structure was proposed and realized, comprising vertically integrated infrared stealth and radar stealth layers, with the aim of accomplishing both ultra-wideband radar stealth and controlled infrared invisibility.

The role of an active surveillance strategy of targeting household and neighborhood contacts related to leprosy cases released from treatment in a low-endemic area of China.

Objective: Early diagnosis remains the primary goal for leprosy management programs. This study aims to determine whether active surveillance of patients with leprosy and their contact individuals increased identification of latent leprosy cases in the low-endemic areas.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey was carried out between October 2014 and August 2016 in 21 counties throughout Shandong Province.

Prevalence of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the general population: a meta-analysis.

Background: Estimating prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) worldwide is necessary in designing control programs and allocating health resources. We performed a meta-analysis to calculate the prevalence of CT in the general population.

Methods: The Pubmed and Embase databases were searched for eligible population-based studies from its inception through June 5, 2019.

Comprehensive measures succeeded in improving early detection of leprosy cases in post-elimination era: Experience from Shandong province, China.

Background: A few new leprosy cases still can be seen in Shandong province after elimination. In post-elimination era, government commitments dwindled and active case-finding activities were seldom done. Most of the cases were detected by passive modes and advanced cases with longer delay and visible disability were common.

Seroprevalence and associated factors of HSV-2 infection among general population in Shandong Province, China.

Background: Herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) infection is the main cause of genital ulcer disease and increases the risk of HIV acquisition. Little information is available regards the epidemiological characteristics of HSV-2 among general population in China. The aim of this study was to explore seroprevalence and associated factors of HSV-2 and provide information for design of HSV-2 control strategy in Shandong, China.

Evaluation of Prospective HLA-B*13:01 Screening to Prevent Dapsone Hypersensitivity Syndrome in Patients With Leprosy.

Importance: Dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome (DHS) is the most serious adverse reaction associated with dapsone administration and one of the major causes of death in patients with leprosy, whose standard treatment includes multidrug therapy (MDT) with dapsone, rifampicin, and clofazimine. Although the HLA-B*13:01 polymorphism has been identified as the genetic determinant of DHS in the Chinese population, no studies to date have been done to evaluate whether prospective HLA-B*13:01 screening could prevent DHS by identifying patients who should not receive dapsone.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical use of prospective HLA-B*13:01 screening for reduction of the incidence of DHS by excluding dapsone from the treatment for patients with HLA-B*13:01-positive leprosy.

Availability of benzathine penicillin G for syphilis treatment in Shandong Province, Eastern China.

Background: The shortage of benzathine penicillin G (BPG) worldwide presents a major challenge in the treatment of syphilis. Its availability for syphilis treatment has not been adequately evaluated in China.

Methods: Two surveys were conducted among hospitals providing sexually transmitted infection clinical services in Shandong Province in 2012 and 2018.

Prevalence, risk factors, and medical costs of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in Shandong Province, China: a population-based, cross-sectional study.

Background: A population-based study of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections is essential in designing a specific control program; however, no large investigation of CT infections among the general population in mainland China has been conducted since 2000. We aimed to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and associated medical costs of CT among residents, 18-49 years of age, in Shandong, China.

Methods: From May to August 2016, a multistage probability sampling survey involving 8074 individuals was distributed.

Prediction of leprosy in the Chinese population based on a weighted genetic risk score.

Genome wide association studies (GWASs) have revealed multiple genetic variants associated with leprosy in the Chinese population. The aim of our study was to utilize the genetic variants to construct a risk prediction model through a weighted genetic risk score (GRS) in a Chinese set and to further assess the performance of the model in identifying higher-risk contact individuals in an independent set. The highest prediction accuracy, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.

Comparison of Doxycycline and Benzathine Penicillin G for the Treatment of Early Syphilis.

Doxycycline is the preferred recommended second-line treatment for the treatment of early syphilis. Recent reports showed a declining efficacy trend of doxycycline in treatment of early syphilis. The aim of our study was to assess the serological response to the treatment for early syphilis with doxycycline compared with benzathine penicillin G and evaluate whether doxycycline is still an effective agent for the treatment of early syphilis.

TRENDS IN THE PREVALENCE OF SYPHILIS AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN SHANDONG, CHINA.

The epidemiology of syphilis among older adults in China has not been well studied. We studied changes over time in the prevalence of syphilis among older adults in Shandong, China to inform a syphilis intervention program in order to develop management strategies. We retrospectively reviewed passive surveillance data of syphilis among older adults in Shandong, China during 2008-2013, reported by clinicians in medical facilities.

Discovery of six new susceptibility loci and analysis of pleiotropic effects in leprosy.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have led to the discovery of several susceptibility loci for leprosy with robust evidence, providing biological insight into the role of host genetic factors in mycobacterial infection. However, the identified loci only partially explain disease heritability, and additional genetic risk factors remain to be discovered. We performed a 3-stage GWAS of leprosy in the Chinese population using 8,313 cases and 16,017 controls.

An association study of TOLL and CARD with leprosy susceptibility in Chinese population.

Previous genome-wide association studies (GWASs) identified multiple susceptibility loci that have highlighted the important role of TLR (Toll-like receptor) and CARD (caspase recruitment domain) genes in leprosy. A large three-stage candidate gene-based association study of 30 TLR and 47 CARD genes was performed in the leprosy samples of Chinese Han. Of 4363 SNPs investigated, eight SNPs showed suggestive association (P < 0.

Gender difference in the characteristics of and high-risk behaviours among non-injecting heterosexual methamphetamine users in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.

Background: Despite the increasing risk of HIV infections, few studies concerning the characteristics of non-injecting heterosexual methamphetamine (MA) users and related risk behaviours have been conducted in China.

Methods: Gender differences in socio-demographic characteristics, perception of MA and STD/HIV, MA use practices, and sexual behaviours related to MA use were examined among 398 non-injecting heterosexual MA users (288 males, 110 females).

Results: Male MA users were more likely to be married, local, and self-employed; female MA users were more likely to be young, single, engaged in commercial service or unemployed.

Identification of IL18RAP/IL18R1 and IL12B as leprosy risk genes demonstrates shared pathogenesis between inflammation and infectious diseases.

Of eight leprosy susceptibility loci identified by genome-wide association studies, five have been implicated in Crohn disease, suggesting a common genetic fingerprint between leprosy and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Here, we conducted a multiple-stage genetic association study of 133 IBD susceptibility loci in multiple leprosy samples (totaling 4,971 leprosy cases and 5,503 controls) from a Chinese population and discovered two associations at rs2058660 on 2q12.1 (p = 4.

Prevalence and characteristics of neuropathic pain in the people affected by leprosy in China.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and the characteristics of neuropathic pain among the people affected by leprosy in China.

Methods: People affected by leprosy in four leprosy villages were interviewed about neuropathic pain with an interviewer-administrated questionnaire.

Results: In a total of 275 patients with leprosy interviewed, 126 (45.

Identification of two new loci at IL23R and RAB32 that influence susceptibility to leprosy.

We performed a genome-wide association study with 706 individuals with leprosy and 5,581 control individuals and replicated the top 24 SNPs in three independent replication samples, including a total of 3,301 individuals with leprosy and 5,299 control individuals from China. Two loci not previously associated with the disease were identified with genome-wide significance: rs2275606 (combined P = 3.94 × 10(-14), OR = 1.

Healthcare seeking behaviour and delay in diagnosis of leprosy in a low endemic area of China.

Delay in diagnosis of leprosy can increase the risk of nerve function impairments and promote the transmission of the infection in a community. In order to understand the factors associated with the delays in diagnosis of leprosy, a questionnaire-based interview was conducted to collect information on the delays among 88 newly diagnosed leprosy patients. The results showed that delay was common and associated with the high rate of disability in the study population.