Chronic Hepatitis B in Indian Americans: Lack of Screening and Poor Linkage to Care

Background: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality in the United States (US) and globally. CHB disproportionately affects Asian Americans and many other immigrant minority populations, primarily owing to the high prevalence of CHB in their countries of origin. India is a country with a medium-to-high prevalence of hepatitis B (HB) (>2%) and has over 40 million people infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), with more than 115,000 deaths annually from HBV-related complications. Indian Americans are one of the largest immigrant populations in the US but remain underdiagnosed and poorly linked to clinical care. We, therefore, assessed the HBV prevalence and evaluated the linkage-to-care (LTC) among Indian Americans to develop strategic plans to reduce the impact of HBV in the US. Methods: Between April 2022 and January 2024, serologic screening and surveys were provided to 328 Indian American adults (age 20 - 80) in New York City. All participants were tested for a triple panel consisting of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), and hepatitis B core IgG antibody (anti-HBc). A survey was conducted on the subjects chronically infected with HBV regarding their histories of infection. Self-administered questionnaires were employed to evaluate demographic and epidemiologic characteristics. Results: Of 328 screened and evaluated (246 males and 82 females), 10 (3.0%) were HBV-infected, 222 (67.7%) were susceptible to HBV, and 96 (29.3%) were immune. The prevalence of chronic HBV varied between the age groups: 4.6% (age 20 - 40), 3.4% (age 41 - 60), and 1.7% (age 61 - 80). Of 10 chronically infected, only two subjects had been previously diagnosed but were not engaged in care. Conclusion: HBV disproportionately affects Asian Americans, primarily owing to immigration from parts of the world where the disease is endemic. Indian Americans belong to an intermediate-risk group, with an HBV prevalence of >2%, but remain underdiagnosed and poorly linked to care. Our pilot study on Indian American populations, the first of its kind, demonstrates a 3% prevalence of CHB, none of whom are linked to care. In addition, this population has a high percentage of unimmune subjects, creating a large reservoir for future infection. With the growing population of Indian Americans, our findings can be used to develop community-based strategies for HBV screenings and LTC that target high-risk groups.

A Study on the Infiltration Methods of British and American Literature in High School English Reading Teaching

Reading is the key content of high school English teaching,which can improve students’mastery of words,grammar,and other knowledge,and can expand their horizons.British and American literature is the essence of British and American culture,and its application in high school English reading teaching can help improve students’English proficiency.This paper outlines the problems of high school English teaching,analyzes the role of British and American literature in high school English reading teaching,and explores the infiltration methods of British and American literature in high school English reading teaching,in order to provide references for teachers.

Developmental assets and age of first sexual intercourse among adolescent African American males in Mobile, Alabama

Background and Aims: Younger age at first sexual intercourse is associated with a variety of adverse health outcomes. We aimed to gain a clearer understanding of a wide range of individual, family and social factors that may influence sexual behavior of children and adolescents. Specifically, we examined the relationships of developmental assets with age of first sexual intercourse among a large sample (n = 1061) of adolescent African American males living in low-income neighborhoods in Mobile, Alabama. Methods: Using the Developmental Asset Model as a theoretical guide, we selected variables from adolescent survey data and conducted logistic regression analysis to determine predictors of early age of first sexual intercourse. Results: Nearly one half (49%) of the male survey participants reported that they first had sexual intercourse at the age of 12 or younger. The total number of assets was the strongest predictor of later age (13 years old or later) of first sexual intercourse (OR 1.49, 95% CI = 1.09, 2.04), followed by decision-making skills (OR 1.40, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.86), and positive view of the future (OR 1.36, 95% CI = 1.02, 1.74). Conclusion: There are several developmental assets related to the age of first sexual intercourse. This study found support for the Developmental Asset Model as a framework for promoting sexual and overall adolescent health. Recommendations for asset-building among this population are discussed.

Acculturation: Gap-Bridging between the First and Second Generation Chinese Americans

Pangs of Love written by David Wong Louie recounts the life experiences between the immigrant parent Mrs. Pang and her American-born Children. Through an analysis of the language and culture communication between Mrs. Pang, Ah-Vee and Mandy, this essay argues that the gap between the first and second generation Chinese Americans can be bridged through a positive acculturation to their dual cultural heritages. It illuminates that the immigrant Chinese parents and their American-born children should take strength from their dual cultural heritages and create a renewed and reinvigorated cultural identity.

Gender differences of lower urinary tract symptoms in older Chinese Americans

Objective To describe whether or not there are gender differences in lower urinary tract symptoms(LUTS)prevalence and risk factors in community-dwelling older Chinese Americans.Methods We performed a secondary analysis of a prospective cross-sectional population-based survey of Chinese Americans aged 60 years and older between January 2011 and December 2013 in English,Mandarin,Cantonese,Taishanese,or Teochew.A clinical review of systems was used to assess LUTS,which included urinary frequency,urgency,burning and/or pain,blood in urine,and urinary incontinence.Results Of the total 3157 people queried,42%were men and 58%were women.More men reported LUTS compared to women(32.9%vs.28.6%,p=0.01).In a multivariable analysis,female gender(adjusted odds ratio[aOR]0.60,95%confidence interval[CI]0.49-0.73),being married(aOR 0.79,95%CI 0.65-0.97),and smoking(aOR 0.66,95%CI 0.49-0.88)were found to be protective,while traditional Chinese medicine use(aOR 1.51,95%CI 1.28-1.78),heart disease(aOR 1.54,95%CI 1.24-1.91),and anxiety(aOR 1.69,95%CI 1.25-2.28)were most strongly associated with increased odds of LUTS.When examining genders separately,being married was found to be protective only in women.Meanwhile,unique factors found in men were hypertension,heart disease,and practice of Tai Chi.Conclusion In this large population-based study,LUTS were more prevalent in older Chinese American men than women.We also found gender-specific factors that influenced the odds of reporting LUTS;however,traditional Chinese medicine use was the only factor that was shared by both genders.Future longitudinal investigations are needed to elucidate these underlying mechanisms to provide evidence-based and culture-specific guidelines for this rapidly growing population.

The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Double Threat to Chinese Americans’ Mental Health

Objective:To explore the double psychosocial threats of the COVID-19 pandemic,targeted behavior toward Chinese Americans,and the correlates to their mental health.Methods:A quantitative,cross-sectional,and descriptive design was utilized by using a purposive convenience sample of 301 Chinese Americans over the age of 18 residing in the United States.Online data collection was conducted through the social media platform WeChat from April 8–21,2021.Descriptive statistical analysis was used for the participants’demographic charac-teristics,Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support(MSPSS),Double Threat Situations,COVID-19 Racial Discrimination,and General Anxiety Disorder-7(GAD-7).Stepwise logistic regression was conducted to verify predictors for anxiety levels by GAD-7.Results:In this sample(N=301),127(42.19%)were male and 174(57.81%)were female.The average age was 41.67(SD=5.89).Among MSPSS subscales,social support from family(MSPSS-Fam,79.73%,n=240)and social support from significant others(MSPSS-SO,73.75%,n=222)were high.231(76.74%)reported threats due to their Chinese ethnic background during the COVID-19 outbreak.Predictors for the high anxiety level by GAD-7 were COVID-19 racial discrimination from the local community(OR=0.47,95%CI=0.39–0.71,p<0.001),media/online(OR=0.36,95%CI=0.26–0.53,p<0.001),the perceived threat from the COVID-19 virus(OR=0.33,95%CI=0.23–0.51,p<0.001)and Perceived racism threat from Chinese back-ground related to COVID-19(OR=0.31,95%CI=0.21–0.49,p<0.001).Conclusions:COVID-19 double-threats(The virus and racial discrimination)situations are significantly related to the high level of anxiety among Chinese Americans.The sense of belonging and social perceptions of Chinese immigrants is closely related to public health problems in Western societies and needs to be addressed at all levels.Ourfindings call for the attention of health-care workers to specific racism double-threatened situations and high mental health risks,as well as direct and indirect ethnic discrimination that Chinese Americans are experiencing during this pandemic,the long-term influ-ences and effective coping ways related to this issue should be explored in further research.

Status Quo and Application of North American Wisteria in Shijiazhuang

The introduction and planting of three cultivars of North American wisteria in Shijiazhuang were observed.By comparing the inflorescences of Chinese wisteria,Japanese wisteria and North American wisteria,it is concluded that North American wisteria has compact inflorescence,rich color and late flowering period,and can prolong the ornamental time of wisteria when collocating with Chinese wisteria and Japanese wisteria in landscape application.The application of North American wisteria in Chinese gardens can not only enrich the species diversity of the region,but also have positive significance for improving the landscape effect of the whole city.

In Her Mother’s House:Mother-Daughter Dissonance in Post-1990s Chinese American Fiction

This paper attempts to examine the trope of“home”and the depiction of mother-daughter dissonance“in her mother’s house”in post-1990s Chinese American fiction.The research selects four novels in the case study and focuses on how mother-daughter dissonance“in her mother’s house”is presented,what cultural connotations the trope of“home”carries and how they are affected by such extra-contextual factors as racism,sexism and classism.In comparison with two representative mother-daughter narrative works in pre-1990s period,the new characteristics and connotations of“home”in mother-daughter dissonance in post-1990s Chinese American fiction are revealed.

Discourse Construction of the Belt and Road Initiative in British and American Media:The Perspective of Proximization Theory

This study takes the reports on China’s“One Belt,One Road”in the British and American media as the object of study,mainly by collecting more than 10,000 words from the relevant reports published in the British media The Times,The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian from 2019-2022,to create a British corpus.A number of US media outlets,such as the New York Times,Los Angeles Times and Washington Post,were also collected to extract over 10,000 words of relevant corpus to create a US corpus.The BFSU Qualitative Coder 1.1,AntConc 3.5.7 and the LLX2 chi-square test were used to analyse the perceptions of the British and American corpora on China’s“One Belt,One Road”initiative,and to explore the temporal,spatial and value convergence of speakers and addressees in the corpus in the context of convergence theory.In this paper,we explore the specific distribution and pragmatic functions of the convergence of speakers and addressees in the corpus,in order to explore and reveal the different features of the application of convergence strategies in the British and American corpora in relation to China’s“One Belt,One Road”initiative.

A Comparative Study of British Gentleman Culture and American Cowboy Culture

This paper makes a comparative analysis by selecting British gentleman culture and American cowboy culture,the two distinctive cultures,to trace their roots,explore their connotations,and search for their similarities and differences,so as to better understand the respective characteristics of British and American cultures.The result shows that although the two cultures have different styles,which can interpret two different ethnic cultures,they are related by blood and have certain commonalities.

Theoretical and Practical Exploration of Ideology and Politics in British and American Literature Curriculum

British and American literature is the essence of culture and civilization created in the long historical development process and a bright pearl in the treasure house of world literature.Different types of civilization history,ideological history,and values can better help students understand the literary quality and ideology in various periods of Western civilization.Studying British and American literature aids students in using cross-cultural perspectives to distinguish Chinese and foreign literature and culture.Therefore,the ideological and political tasks of the curriculum are particularly prominent.This research takes a fragment of selected British and American literature as an example to analyze the paths and methods of ideological and political coordination between British and American literature and curriculum,and to explore new ways of educating students in colleges and universities using British and American literature in the new era.

美国一流大学博士生多元化职业能力培养体系研究

运用扎根理论,对麻省理工学院、芝加哥大学、加州大学伯克利分校、宾夕法尼亚大学、康奈尔大学和加州大学圣地亚哥分校的官网资料进行编码,分析得出美国一流大学博士生多元化职业能力培养体系,包括对接劳动力市场需求的高标准目标定位,基于关系网络的多维度保障机制,立足自我反思的全过程职业规划指导,兼顾学术性和实用性的全方位职业技能培训。我国高校应当切实履行博士生培养的主体责任,正视博士生对接社会需求的多样化职业选择趋势,加强系统思维,创建博士生多元化职业能力培养共同体,利益相关者协同加强学术型博士生多通道增强型培养体系建设。

“微时代”背景下科技新闻传播报道的创新研究——以科学美国人网(Scientific American)为例

当今,新媒体发展进入了"微时代":"微媒体"、"微内容"、"微用户"等特点对科技新闻的传播报道提出了新的要求。科学美国人网站(Scientific American,简称SA)将诸多资源整合,在传播战略层面实现融合化、社会化、平台化;业务报道力求将"微报道"可视化、趣味化,为我们提供了新媒介环境下科技新闻创新发展的借鉴样本。中国科技新闻媒体可以应时搭建适应微时代发展的全媒体平台,树立翻译意识,深入浅出,增加科技报道的趣味性,让公众不仅"易读",更要"悦读"。

Clinicopathological alterations in wild mammals from the reservoir system of Trypanosoma cruzi:a scoping review

Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiologic agent of Chagas disease.This flagellated protozoan is transmitted to humans as well as different species of domestic and wild animals via vectors from the Reduviidae family(known as"kissing bugs").Despite the fact that hundreds of species of wild mammals are part of the reservoir system,the morphologi-cal changes and clinical manifestations resulting from the pathogenesis of the infection have been largely neglected.The aim of this review is to systematically compile the available information regarding clinicopathological altera-tions in wild mammals due to natural infection by T.cruzi.Information was obtained from six online bibliographic data search platforms,resulting in the identification of 29 publications that met the inclusion criteria.Mortality was the most common clinical manifestation,cardiac damage was the main finding at necropsy,and lymphoplas-macytic inflammation was the most frequent microscopic injury.Thus,regardless of its role as a reservoir,T.cruzi has the potential to affect the health status of wild mammals,a situation that highlights the need for further research to analyze,measure,and compare its effects at both the individual and population levels.

Impact of pre- and peri-operative risk factors on length of stay and hospital readmission following minimally-invasive partial nephrectomy

Objective:We conducted an analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database for minimally-invasive partial nephrectomy cases reported with the goal to identify pre-and peri-operative variables associated with length of stay(LOS)greater than 3 days and readmission within 30 days.Methods:Records from 2008 to 2018 for“laparoscopy,surgical;partial nephrectomy”for prolonged LOS and readmission cohorts were compiled.Univariate analysis with Chi-square,t-tests,and multivariable logistic regression analysis with odds ratios(ORs),p-values,and 95%confidence intervals assessed statistical associations.Results:Totally,20306 records for LOS greater than 3 days and 15854 for readmission within 30 days were available.Univariate and multivariable analysis exhibited similar results.For LOS greater than 3 days,undergoing non-elective surgery(OR=5.247),transfusion of greater than four units within 72 h prior to surgery(OR=5.072),pre-operative renal failure or dialysis(OR=2.941),and poor pre-operative functional status(OR=2.540)exhibited the strongest statistically significant associations.For hospital readmission within 30 days,loss in body weight greater than 10%in 6 months prior to surgery(OR=2.227)and bleeding disorders(OR=2.081)exhibited strongest statistically significant associations.Conclusion:Multiple pre-and peri-operative risk factors are independently associated with prolonged LOS and hospital readmission within 30 days of surgery using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data.Recognizing the risks factors that can potentially be improved prior to minimally-invasive partial nephrectomy is crucial to informing patient selection,optimization strategies,and patient education.

Computed tomography-based radiomics diagnostic approach for differential diagnosis between early-and late-stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND One of the primary reasons for the dismal survival rates in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)is that most patients are usually diagnosed at late stages.There is an urgent unmet clinical need to identify and develop diagnostic methods that could precisely detect PDAC at its earliest stages.METHODS A total of 71 patients with pathologically proved PDAC based on surgical resection who underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CT)within 30 d prior to surgery were included in the study.Tumor staging was performed in accordance with the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system.Radiomics features were extracted from the region of interest(ROI)for each patient using Analysis Kit software.The most important and predictive radiomics features were selected using Mann-Whitney U test,univar-iate logistic regression analysis,and minimum redundancy maximum relevance(MRMR)method.Random forest(RF)method was used to construct the radiomics model,and 10-times leave group out cross-validation(LGOCV)method was used to validate the robustness and reproducibility of the model.RESULTS A total of 792 radiomics features(396 from late arterial phase and 396 from portal venous phase)were extracted from the ROI for each patient using Analysis Kit software.Nine most important and predictive features were selected using Mann-Whitney U test,univariate logistic regression analysis,and MRMR method.RF method was used to construct the radiomics model with the nine most predictive radiomics features,which showed a high discriminative ability with 97.7%accuracy,97.6%sensitivity,97.8%specificity,98.4%positive predictive value,and 96.8%negative predictive value.The radiomics model was proved to be robust and reproducible using 10-times LGOCV method with an average area under the curve of 0.75 by the average performance of the 10 newly built models.CONCLUSION The radiomics model based on CT could serve as a promising non-invasive method in differential diagnosis between early and late stage PDAC.

The American archivist(1971～2011)研究主题及其特点初探

本文以美国档案工作者协会会刊(The American archivist)为研究对象,通过对其研究主题的统计分析,结合相关资料,总结了该杂志研究主题的分布及其相关特点,以为国内的档案学研究和档案学期刊建设提供参考。

Missionary Impulses and American Isolationism and Expansionism

Isolationism and expansionism are two themes of American diplomacy. From the beginning of the state’s history, isolationism and expansionism have manifested themselves as two policy imperatives in American diplomacy. On the surface, isolationism and expansionism represent contradictory attitudes and assumptions about America’s proper relationship with the outside world: isolationism advocates diplomatic and military non-entanglement in world affairs; expansionism urges active involvement in external affairs. But in a deeper sense, both isolationism and expansionism are manifestations of American sense of mission, the belief that the US has a special role to perform for all nations in the world. Isolationism is a passive approach to accomplish that mission: it emphasizes the exemplary nature of their country. Expansionism stresses the need for active involvement to achieve that mission; thus, is an active approach to American mission.