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.

American tegumentary leishmaniasis mimicking myiasis and granulomatous vasculitis:A case report

Rationale:American tegumentary leishmaniasis comprises cutaneous and mucocutaneous manifestations caused by parasitic infections by various Leishmania species.This report details the clinical interventions for a patient with American tegumentary leishmaniasis in Mendoza,Argentina,a non-endemic region.Patient concerns:A 43-year-old male was admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Mendoza,Argentina Republic with a history of progressive nasal discharge,septal perforation,facial pain,and pruritus.Despite treatment for presumed nasal myiasis and vasculitis with granulomatosis,symptoms persisted.Diagnosis:American tegumentary leishmaniasis.Interventions:Intravenous liposomal amphotericin B.Outcomes:Follow-up at 30 days showed no recurrence of symptoms with a remarkable clinical improvement of the nasal lesion.Lessons:This case sheds light on the necessity of accurate identification for timely intervention and the need to recognize the diverse manifestations of American tegumentary leishmaniasis to avoid misdiagnosis.

Pursuing Excellence in the Biomedical Field:The Inspiring Story of Prof.Dr.Mike Chan——An Interview with Prof.Dr.Mike Chan,Scientist,Author and Founder of European Wellness Biomedical Group

From humble beginnings to global influence,Prof.Dr.Mike K.S.Chan's story is a remarkable tale of passion,perseverance,and groundbreaking innovation in the biomedical field.As the co-owner and founder of the European Wellness Biomedical Group,he has dedicated his life to advancing biotechnology,stem cell research,and regenerative medicine,profoundly impacting lives across the globe.

Understanding the Global Identification with China’s Stories: A Cross-Cultural Perspective

Cross-cultural storytelling is a primary way for humankind to seek mutual recognition of value orientations between cultures,which facilitates the ability to jointly address the problems of human existence in the context of globalization.In this study,we conducted an interview survey of 6,130 respondents who were college students or graduates from 107 countries.The results show that there were a number of cross-cultural values embodied in China’s stories seen by the respondents as part of a common vision for the future of humankind and widely identified guidance on collaborative responses to global challenges.These cross-cultural values are common prosperity,ecological harmony,individual-collective integration,the urgency of global peace,as well as respect for multicultural and indigenous development paths.

Comparison between seismic analysis of twisting and regular 52-story towers considering soil-structure interaction

A dynamic analysis of both twisting and regular towers is carried out to determine the results of considering soil-structure interaction(SSI)on high-rise buildings.In addition,the difference between the seismic performance of using twisting towers over regular ones is investigated.The twisting tower is a simulation of the Evolution Tower(Moscow).The towers’skeletons consist of RC elements and rest on a reinforced concrete piled-raft foundation.The soil model is considered as multi-layered with the same soil properties as the zone chosen for the analysis(New Mansoura City,Egypt).The only difference between both towers is their shape in elevation.The whole system is modelled and analyzed in a single step as one full 3D model,which is known as the direct approach in SSI.All analyses are carried out using finite-element software(Midas GTS NX).Dynamic output responses due to three records of seismic loads are proposed and presented in some graphs.Based on the results,it is concluded that SSI has a considerable effect on the dynamic response of tall buildings mainly because of the foundation flexibility,as it leads to lengthening the vibration period,increasing the story drift and the base shear for both cases.

Community-Based Hepatitis B Campaign in Asian Americans

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) disproportionately affects minority groups in the US, particularly Asian Americans, with numerous factors contributing to this disparity. Of the 2.4 million people living with chronic HBV in the US, 60% are Asian American. Many are unaware of their status and lack access to proper clinical care, with less than ten percent receiving necessary antiviral treatment. Barriers to screening and care include lack of disease awareness, language and cultural barriers, and financial constraints. Additionally, healthcare providers and systems in the US often overlook the importance of CHB, leading to inadequate care. In response, the Center for Viral Hepatitis (CVH) has implemented a community-based outreach program over the past sixteen years, employing a multifaceted approach involving all sectors of society and various organizations to combat health disparities in CHB. This grassroots campaign has proven highly effective, leveraging CVH’s leadership in spearheading numerous collaborative activities with community members, healthcare professionals, and policymakers. We have summarized the key points of CVH's efforts and their significance in combating CHB-related health disparities. The CHB Screening and Awareness Campaign, tailored to the Asian American community, serves as a successful model for increasing CHB screening, linkage-to-care, and addressing socio-cultural barriers and health literacy. Insights from these outreach programs have guided the development of culturally relevant resources and education initiatives. These findings suggest that such community-driven approaches are essential for addressing health disparities. The strategies and outcomes of CVH’s efforts can inform future health initiatives for other minority communities in the US and globally.

Analysis on Bicultural Identities of Chinese Americans Based on Acculturation Theory

In the context of globalization,the communication between countries is gradually enhanced and the immigration is increasing.Chinese Americans,as a unique ethnic group,are easy to fall into the difficult problem of self-identity construction when facing the bicultural identity conflict between Chinese and American.This paper selects the film The Farewell created by a Chinese American director as the research object,analyzes the cultural identity crisis of Chinese Americans,introduces the cultural adaption strategy adopted by Chinese Americans from the perspective of Acculturation Theory,and provides reference for Chinese Americans about how to realize the bicultural identities in the cultural diaspora.

英语绘本融入Story time板块的教学尝试

英语绘本作为一种教学资源,因其图片鲜活、语料丰富、文化多元、内涵深刻而成为Story time板块强有力的补充。英语绘本融入Story time板块的教学,需要从六要素着眼,找准“融合点”;以主题情境助力,调整“匹配度”;以人物线串起任务,捕捉“突破点”。

基于英语核心素养的“Story time”教学新尝试

“Story time”板块是英语教材各单元的核心。教师结合“Story time”板块的特点,以课堂教学为载体来发展学生的语言能力、培养学生的思维品质、提升学生的学习能力、增强学生的文化意识,是提升学生英语学科核心素养的一项重要内容,也是当今小学英语课堂教学的新趋势。

基于主题意义的Story time板块课后作业设计

对主题意义的探究是小学英语教学的核心,而基于主题意义的作业设计是对课堂教学的补充和延伸。教师要基于主题意义探索Story time板块的课后作业设计,设计主题化、趣味化、生活化、层次化、实践化的课后作业,并通过合作与评价的方式,培养和激发学生对英语学习的兴趣,帮助学生深化对主题意义的理解,提高学生的综合语言运用能力,发展学生的思维品质,促进学生核心素养的形成和发展。

Research on Strategies for Enhancing the Ability of Chinese German Learners to Tell Chinese Stories Through Short Videos

In the age of new media,short videos play an increasingly important role in international cultural exchange.However,German learners often encounter challenges when producing and sharing short videos due to factors such as technology and language proficiency.Such challenges can affect the professionalism and attractiveness of the videos.This study focuses on German learners at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology.The aim of this study is to investigate students’experiences in producing short videos,identify issues through surveys and interviews,and concentrate on editing skills,language proficiency,and intercultural communication abilities.It proposes strategies for developing these skills and aims to provide insights for German and other foreign language learners in telling Chinese stories using short videos.

Study on the Influence of Aspect Ratio on the Seismic Response and Overturning Resistance of a New Staggered Story Isolated Structure

The aspect ratio of the structure has a significant impact on the overall stability of the ultra high-rise building. A large aspect ratio of the structure increases the risk of overturning and reduces the lateral stiffness of the structure, leading to significant tensile and compressive stresses in the isolated bearings. To study the effect of aspect ratio on the seismic response and overturning resistance of a new staggered story isolated structure, three models with different aspect ratios were established. Nonlinear time-history analysis of the three models was conducted using ETABS finite element software. The results indicate that the overturning moment and overturning resistance moment of the superstructure in the new staggered story isolated structure increase with an increasing aspect ratio. However, the increase in the overturning moment of the superstructure is much greater than the increase in the overturning resistance moment, resulting in a decrease in the overturning resistance ratio of the superstructure with an increasing aspect ratio. The overturning moment and overturning resistance moment of the substructure in the new staggered story isolated structure decrease with an increasing aspect ratio. However, the decrease in the overturning moment of the substructure is greater than the decrease in the overturning resistance moment, leading to an increase in the overturning resistance ratio of the substructure with an increasing aspect ratio. The decrease in the overturning resistance ratio of the superstructure in the new staggered story isolated structure is much greater than the increase in the overturning resistance ratio of the substructure. Therefore, as the aspect ratio of the overall structure increases, the overturning resistance ratio of the superstructure and the entire structure decreases.

Progressive Collapse Resistance of a New Staggered Story Isolated System

A new staggered isolated system developed from the mid-story isolated system is the new staggered story isolated system. There are not many studies on this structure currently. In this study, an 18-story new staggered story isolated system model is established using SAP2000. The dynamic nonlinear dynamic alternate method is used to analyze the structure against progressive collapse. Results show that the structure has good resistance to progressive collapse, and there is no progressive collapse under each working condition. The progressive collapse does not occur for the case of removing only one vertical structural member of the new staggered of isolated system. The side column has big influence on this isolated structures’ progressive collapse;the removal of vertical structural member of the isolation layer has less impact on the structure than the removal of the bottom vertical structural member. After the removing of the member, the internal force of the structure will be redistributed, and the axial force of the adjacent columns will change obviously, showing a trend of “near large and far small”.

Writing the Silenced Female Body, Scrutinizing the Grand Narrative of Colonization and Decolonization: The Body in Zoë Wicomb’s David’s Story

David’s Story by Zoë Wicomb addresses the complexities of representing female suffering and the limitations of traditional historical narratives in capturing the experiences of marginalized bodies.It challenges the grand narratives of national history by emphasizing the indispensable role of women’s experiences.Through characters like Dulcie and Rachael,Wicomb portrays the female body as a site of resistance and resilience,highlighting the need for more nuanced and inclusive ways of documenting history.Underscoring the inexpressibility of trauma and the limitations of language and representation,the novel self-reflexively acknowledges its own aporia of completing the narrative,embodying the ongoing struggle to capture the full breadth of human experience.

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.

A Study of a Moral Dilemma Stories Teaching Model Focusing on the Development of Higher-Order Thinking --"Synthetic polymers" as an example

Cultivating students'higher-order thinking is one of the important goals of modern education,and innovative teaching model is an effective way to achieve this goal.Aiming at the inadequacy of the existing moral dilemma stories approach in the transformation of knowledge and behavior,this research constructs a new Project Based Learning-Ethical Dilemma Stories(PBL-EDS)Teaching Model applicable to China's secondary education stage based on the innovative features of the moral dilemma stories approach on the core competencies,taking the chemistry subject as an example to carry out practice,and puts forward suggestions for the implementation of the teaching model.Chemistry as an example to carry out the practice,and suggestions are made for the implementation of the teaching model.

A Corpus Study of Acupuncture from the Perspective of Mass Media Based on the Corpus of Contemporary American English

Based on the Corpus of Contemporary American English(COCA),this study examines acupuncture from the perspective of mass media.Acupuncture has been circulating throughout the Chinese Cultural Circle since the Qin and Han Dynasties,and has since spread directly or indirectly to the rest of the world.The United States boasts the world’s second-largest acupuncture market,with its laws,regulations,industry growth,research,and education all positively influencing the development of acupuncture in other nations.This study uses COCA to analyze the form and content of acupuncture’s dissemination in eight different types of media.The findings show that acupuncture appears in COCA a total of 1,788 times,with the highest frequency in magazines,followed by blogs,and the lowest frequency in fiction.These findings reveal the popularity of acupuncture in mass media in the United States and provide empirical data and insights for the future dissemination and development of acupuncture in the United States.

Practical Paths for Integrating“Stories of China”in the New Era into Ideological and Political Education in Universities

As socialism with Chinese characteristics enters a new era,ideological and political education in universities is presented with new opportunities.Telling the“Stories of China”is not only necessary for inheriting and promoting the excellent traditional Chinese culture but also an important way to build the socialist core value system and cultivate qualified builders of socialism.Effectively integrating the“Stories of China”with the ideological and political theory courses in universities is of great significance for guiding students to establish correct worldviews,outlooks on life,and values.This paper focuses on the practical paths of integrating the“Stories of China”with ideological and political theory in universities,deeply analyzes the existing integration mechanisms,principles to follow,and challenges faced,and explores innovative paths.It aims to provide a new perspective for ideological and political education in universities,promote the comprehensive development of students,and provide solid theoretical support for cultivating qualified socialist builders.

Story Map在高中英语读后续写教学实践中的应用——以2023年全国高考新课标Ⅰ卷读后续写为例

读后续写作为新高考英语写作的新题型,可以有效地考查学生的阅读能力和写作水平,而使用Story Map有助于培养学生的续写思维和写作能力。英语教师应深入分析读后续写题型,认真探索以Story Map促进高中英语叙事文本类读后续写教学的途径,采取绘制Story Map、挖掘续写突破点、合理想象续编故事、明确标准以评促写等做法,帮助学生出色完成续写。

Seismic Response of Adjacent Structure to Inter-Story Isolated Structure

Currently, land resources are becoming more and more constrained and structures are getting closer to each other. To investigate the seismic response of inter-story isolated structure to adjacent structure, models considering no soil-structure interaction (SSI), considering soil-structure interaction (SSI), and considering structure-soil-structure interaction (SSSI) were established. Nonlinear seismic response comparative analysis was conducted by varying the spacing between adjacent structure and inter-story isolated structure, as well as the weight of adjacent structure, under different earthquake inputs, in order to obtain the structural response characteristics. The results indicate that the inter-story drift and inter-story shear of the inter-story isolated structure without considering SSI are smaller than those considering SSI and SSSI. The inter-story drift and inter-story shear of the inter-story isolated structure considering SSSI are further affected compared to that of the inter-story isolated structure considering only SSI. As the spacing between adjacent structure and inter-story isolated structure increases, the influence of adjacent structure on inter-story isolated structure decreases. The variation in the spacing between the two structures has a negligible effect on the isolation layer of the inter-story isolated structure. With the increase in the weight of adjacent structure, the influence of adjacent structure on inter-story isolated structure becomes more significant. The increasing weight of adjacent structure has an increasing effect on the Isolation layer of the inter-story isolated structure.