Changes in Diversity of Intestinal Butyrate-producing Bacteria During Treatment with Shenling Baizhusan and Lizhongtang in Animal Model of AAD / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the microecological mechanisms of Shenling Baizhusan （SLBZ） and Lizhongtang （LZ） in treating antibiotic-associated diarrhea （AAD） based on changes in the diversity of intestinal butyrate-producing bacteria. Method:SD rats were randomly divided into an SLBZ group （5.5 g·kg^-1·d^-1） and an LZ group （5.5 g·kg^-1·d^-1）. The gut microbiota disturbance model was induced by intragastric administration of clindamycin hydrochloride （315 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） and AAD model by <italic>Clostridium difficile</italic>. Subsequently， the rats were treated correspondingly. Fecal samples at different stages were collected and the total DNA was extracted. Polymerase chain reaction （PCR） amplification was performed with the primers of butyryl coenzyme A （CoA）-CoA transferase genes. The PCR products were cloned and sequenced to analyze the diversity response of butyrate-producing bacteria. Result:After treatment， both groups showed increased food uptake， formed feces， glossy and smooth fur， and improved activity and sensitivity. With the butyryl CoA-CoA transferase gene as the molecular marker， 297 sequences of butyrate-producing bacteria in the SLBZ group （SPD for short） and 300 sequences of butyrate-producing bacteria in the LZ group （LPD for short） were obtained. In the SLBZ group， 98， 100， and 99 sequences of SPD were obtained at the normal stage， the modeling stage， and the treatment stage， respectively， belonging to 8， 3， and 6 operational taxonomic units （OTUs）， with similarity ranges of 78%-97%， 86%-99% ， and 81%-97%. The number of OTUs recovered to 75% of the normal level after treatment. In the LZ group， 100 sequences of LPD were obtained at the normal stage， the modeling stage， and the treatment stage， respectively， belonging to 6， 2， and 4 OTUs， with similarity ranges of 83%-97%， 92%-99%， and 85%-99%. The number of OTUs recovered to 80% of the normal level after treatment. Butyrate-producing bacteria were present in all stages of the two groups， dominated by Firmicutes， accounting for more than 98% of the total number. The effects of SLBZ on SPD at the genus level were observed in the significant decrease in <italic>Clostridium</italic> abundance and the significant increase in <italic>Eubacterium</italic> abundance. The effect of LZ on LPD was mainly concentrated on the <italic>Roseburia </italic>at the genus level， and LZ also increased the abundance of <italic>Eubacterium</italic>， <italic>Lacrimi</italic>sp<italic>ora</italic>， and <italic>Clostridium</italic>. According to the phylogenetic tree， the classification of butyrate-producing bacteria increased from five clusters to seven clusters after SLBZ treatment， while that increased from three clusters to nine clusters after LZ treatment. Conclusion:In the treatment of AAD， SLBZ and LZ can regulate the structure and abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria in the intestine， restore their diversity， and improve the instability of the intestinal microecological environment.

Interferon-induced Transmembrane Protein 3 Prevents Acute Influenza Pathogenesis in Mice / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) is an important member of the IFITM family. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its antiviral action have not been completely elucidated. Recent studies on IFITM3, particularly those focused on innate antiviral defense mechanisms, have shown that IFITM3 affects the body's adaptive immune response. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of IFITM3 proteins to immune control of influenza infection .@*Methods@#We performed proteomics, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry analysis and used bioinformatics tools to systematically compare and analyze the differences in natural killer (NK) cell numbers, their activation, and their immune function in the lungs of -/- and wild-type mice.@*Results@#-/- mice developed more severe inflammation and apoptotic responses compared to wild-type mice. Moreover, the NK cell activation was higher in the lungs of -/- mice during acute influenza infection.@*Conclusions@#Based on our results, we speculate that the NK cells are more readily activated in the absence of IFITM3, increasing mortality in -/- mice.

Advances in Pharmacological Research of Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on "Butyric Acid Producing Bacteria-Polysaccharides of Traditional Chinese Medicine" / 中国实验方剂学杂志

The latest research shows that the intestinal flora is closely related to the pharmacology of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）, and the study of microecological mechanism is a new direction of pharmacology of TCM. Among many functional groups of intestinal flora, butyric acid producing bacteria is an important functional group of intestinal flora. It can ferment dietary fiber, carbohydrate, endogenous protein and so on to produce metabolites. The imbalance of its flora is also related to the occurrence of a variety of diseases. The reason is that butyric acid is an important secondary metabolite of butyrobacteria. As an important short chain fatty acid, butyric acid can maintain intestinal health, regulate immune system and inflammatory response, regulate energy metabolism, and affect cell fraction Chemokines and apoptosis play an important role. Polysaccharide of TCM has the characteristics of high content, not easy to be digested and absorbed by the host, but can be decomposed and utilized by intestinal flora. It can be used as the carbon source of bacteria to regulate the intestinal flora, including butyric acid producing bacteria, and improve the structure of intestinal flora to achieve the purpose of disease treatment. Therefore, based on "butyric acid producing bacteria-polysaccharide of TCM", it is a new field in the study of microecological mechanism of TCM to study the pharmacology of TCM from the function of intestinal bacteria and the polysaccharide component of flora carbon source. Based on the latest literature and microecological pharmacology of TCM, this paper reviews the role of butyric acid, the molecular mechanism of butyric acid producing bacteria using polysaccharide of TCM, the relationship between polysaccharide of TCM and butyric acid producing bacteria, and discusses the relationship between butyric acid producing bacteria and polysaccharide of TCM. It also looks forward to the research of TCM pharmacology based on "butyric acid producing bacteria-polysaccharide of TCM", in order to provide a reference for the research progress of TCM pharmacology based on "butyric acid producing bacteria-polysaccharide of TCM".

Research Progress of Pathology of Gout and Clinical Treatment with Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine / 中国实验方剂学杂志

With the improvement of people's living standard and the change of dietary structure, the prevalence of gout has increased gradually with the increased intake of protein, sugar and fat. There has been a positive correlation between gout and age, and the age of onset decreased gradually. The inflammation induced by sodium urate crystal is the pathological basis of gout, which activates innate immunity, releases many kinds of inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, and then causes inflammatory cascade reaction and acute attacks, such as joint redness, swelling and heat pain. There is a spontaneous remission mechanism in gout. For one thing, macrophages reduce the stimulation of monosodium urate(MSU) through phagocytosis of MSU crystals as foreign bodies, for another, differentiated and mature macrophages secrete anti-inflammatory factor transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1, inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors and promote spontaneous relief of acute gout attack. In addition to the activation mechanism of intracellular signaling molecules associated with inflammatory response, the inflammatory mechanism of gout also involves complement activation, cell activation and other pathways. The complications caused by gout, such as cardiovascular system damage and joint destruction, are seriously harmful to human health. At present, western drugs, such as allopurinol and febuxostat, exert an effect in inhibiting xanthine oxidase. Benzimarone has effect in reducing renal absorption of uric acid and promoting uric acid excretion by inhibiting uric acid transporter 1(URAT1) and glucose transporter 9(GLUT9). Even Lesinurad and other medicines in current studies are based on the inhibition of uric acid re-absorption, but with adverse reactions that limit the clinical application. The treatment of gout with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has multi-target characteristics, with advantages in reducing uric acid, resisting inflammation and improving joint function and a high safety. It has been gradually popularized and applied in clinical treatment of gout. Therefore, it is a promising research direction to treat gout with TCM and western medicine based on the pathomechanism of gout.

Cross-neutralizing Anti-hemagglutinin Antibodies Isolated from Patients Infected with Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#To recover broad-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (BnAbs) from avian influenza A (H5N1) virus infection cases and investigate their genetic and functional features.@*Methods@#We screened the Abs repertoires of expanded B cells circulating in the peripheral blood of H5N1 patients. The genetic basis, biological functions, and epitopes of the obtained BnAbs were assessed and modeled.@*Results@#Two BnAbs, 2-12D5, and 3-37G7.1, were respectively obtained from two human H5N1 cases on days 12 and 21 after disease onset. Both Abs demonstrated cross-neutralizing and Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity. Albeit derived from distinct Ab lineages, , V 1-69-D2-15-J 4 (2-12D5) and V 1-2-D3-9-J 5 (3-32G7.1), the BnAbs were directed toward CR6261-like epitopes in the HA stem, and HA I45 in the hydrophobic pocket was the critical residue for their binding. Signature motifs for binding with the HA stem, namely, IFY in V 1-69-encoded Abs and LXYFXW in D3-9-encoded Abs, were also observed in 2-12D5 and 3-32G7.1, respectively.@*Conclusions@#Cross-reactive B cells of different germline origins could be activated and re-circulated by avian influenza virus. The HA stem epitopes targeted by the BnAbs, and the two Ab-encoding genes usage implied the VH1-69 and D3-9 are the ideal candidates triggered by influenza virus for vaccine development.

Dermatomyositis combined with IgA vasculitis: A case report / 北京大学学报(医学版)

Dermatomyositis (DM) is an autoimmune disease characterized by muscle involvement of the proximal extremities and specific skin involvement, like Gottron sign and heliotrope rash. HenochSchonlein purpura (IgA vasculitis) nephritis is characterized by hematuria and/or proteinuria clinically, with histologic evidence of IgA nephropathy, and also can be clinically characterized by non-thrombocytopenic purpura, presenting with petechiae and ecchymosis on the skin and mucous membranes, often involving multiple organs and systems, accompanied by abdominal pain, joint swelling and pain, and renal lesions. We reported here a patient with symmetric muscle weakness in her proximal limbs and typical Gottron sign, whose laboratory examination showed elevated creatine kinase (CK) level and myogenic damage electromyographically, which were concomitant with dermatomyositis. We applied prednisone combined with cyclophosphamide, and the patient's muscle strength, interstitial lung disease and all improved gradually. The patient gradually developed severe hepatic damage [significantly increased glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT), glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (AST) and bilirubin], high fever (body temperature fluctuated between 38.0-39.2 °C), thrombocytopenia (limb distal purplish rash, some slightly protruded from the skin surface, some fused into a piece, which did not fade with pressure) and intractable diarrhea (waterlike stool, antidiarrheal drug treatment was not good), with new onset of the skin lesions on multiple areas of her body, as well as abrupt occurrence of massive proteinuria, which resulted in huge challenges in the following diagnosis and treatment. After extensive differential diagnosis from various directions, including pathological biopsies, it finally came out to be dermatomyositis combined with IgA vasculitis, which had been rarely reported. Both cellmediated immunity to muscle antigens and immune-complex disease might participate in the pathogenesis. There was evidence that they were immune complex diseases. Several immune mechanisms played an important role in the pathogenesis of both DM and IgA vasculitis. We conducted a substantial literature review of the above diseases. The purpose of our study is to strengthen the clinical understanding of such complicated diseases, and to highlight the importance of pathological biopsy in the diagnosis (renal biopsy pathology gave us a definite diagnosis). And what is more important is that seizing the opportunity to initiate treatment can control the disease and improve the prognosis.

Research Progress of Polysaccharide Utilization Loci and Its Application in Pharmacological Research of Chinese Medicinal Herb / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs) are a group of gene clusters related to polysaccharides catabolism and located in specific areas, including starch utilization system(SusC), SusD, encoding outer membrane glycoprotein binding proteins, and carbohydrate active enzymes. The wide existence of PULs in Bacteroides, and the extraordinary ability of utilizing polysaccharide is its survival strategy to adapt to the intestinal tract. On one hand, Bacteroides feature a high abundance and variety, making it the most important bacterial target group regulated by traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). On the other hand, polysaccharide is an important effective constituent among TCM chemicals, with a high content, and can also be used as a competitive carbon source for intestinal bacteria. Therefore, what is the mechanism of regulating the intestinal flora based on the carbon source of polysaccharide is an important part of the pharmacological research of TCM. According to the latest literatures, this paper introduces the gene and protein composition of PULs, reviews the latest developments in PULs research, and analyzes the structure of PULs in the genomes of Bacteroides fragilis and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron. Furthermore, we also put forward a prospect for the pharmacological micro-ecological mechanism of TCM based on PULs based on our carbon source experiments, which focuses the effects of Bacteroides by TCM polysaccharides in vitro. This research is not only the new content of bacterial PULs researches, but also the important part of researches of "human-drug-bacteria" holistic view and TCM spleen-tonifying concept.

Increased serum soluble-endoglin level and its clinical significance in antiphospholipid syndrome / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To detect the serum levels of soluble endothelial glycoprotein endoglin (s-Eng) in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and to evaluate the correlation between s-Eng levels and clinical features and laboratory parameters.@*METHODS@#The levels of serum s-Eng were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 139 patients with APS, 44 patients with SLE but no APS, 37 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), 23 patients with Bechet's disease (BD), 22 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and 22 persistent anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) positive individuals without SLE or APS (simply aCL positive group) and 87 health controls (HC) without any auto-immune diseases. These APS patients included 64 primary APS patients and 75 APS patients secondary to SLE.The correlation between the clinical data, laboratory parameters, and serum s-Eng levels were analyzed.Independent samples t test, paired t test, Chi-square Test, Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson's χ2 test were used for statistical analyses.@*RESULTS@#(1) The serum levels of s-Eng were significantly higher in the patients with APS whether primary or secondary to SLE than in the health controls and simply aCL positive group and the patients with other autoimmune diseases, including SLE, pSS, BD and SSc (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the serum s-Eng levels between simply aCL positive group and health controls [(5.17±2.00) mg/L vs. (5.04±1.11) mg/L, P>0.05]. (2) The best cut-off value for the diagnosis of APS was no less than 8.37 mg/L as mean ± 3SD value, with the sensitivity at 0.772 and the specificity at 0.928. The Youden index was 0.700. These results indicated good validity of s-Eng as a diagnostic marker for APS. (3) The proportions of artery thrombosis and pathological pregnancy were higher in the group of s-Eng-positive APS patients than that in s-Eng-negative group (46/81 vs. 19/58, 29/65 vs. 10/44, respectively, all P<0.05). The levels of PLT were lower in the group of s-Eng-positive APS patients (72.00×109/L vs. 119.00×109/L, P<0.001). (4) The proportions of the presence (93.83% vs. 37.93%, P<0.001) and titer (61.70 U/mL vs. 15.45 U/mL, P<0.001) of aCL were both higher in the group of s-Eng-positive APS patients than in s-Eng-negative group. The proportions of the presence (61.73% vs. 43.10%, P<0.05) and titer (33.48 U/mL vs.17.40 U/mL, P<0.05) of anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibody were both higher in the group of s-Eng-positive APS patients than in s-Eng-negative group too.@*CONCLUSION@#s-Eng serum levels were significantly increased in the patients with APS, and it may play a role as acomplementary serological marker for the diagnosis and risk prediction of APS.

Value of SWI in intravenous thrombolytic therapy of acute cerebral infarction / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the decisional value of susceptibility weighted imaging(SWI) in intravenous thrombolytic therapy to acute cerebral infarction.Methods According to cerebral microbleeds(CMBs) by SWI, 35 cases of acute cerebral infarction in window-time random were divided into experimental group(14 cases) with CMBs and control group(21 cases) without CMBs.After intravenous thrombolysis, the number of hemorrhagic transformation(HT) was counted by SWI, and statistic difference was compared between the experimental group and the control group(P<0.05).Results After intravenous thrombolytic therapy of acute infarction,12 cases with HT among experimental group, and only 2 cases with HT among control group, there was significant statistically difference between two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion SWI sequence has greater sensitivity in detecting CMBs,and can also assess the state of blood brain barrier(BBB) and vascular wall indirectly.It plays a very important role in giving a decision in the treatment of intravenous thrombolytic with window-time.

Evaluation of A Single-reaction Method for Whole Genome Sequencing of Influenza A Virus using Next Generation Sequencing / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate a single-reaction genome amplification method, the multisegment reverse transcription-PCR (M-RTPCR), for its sensitivity to full genome sequencing of influenza A virus, and the ability to differentiate mix-subtype virus, using the next generation sequencing (NGS) platform.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Virus genome copy was quantified and serially diluted to different titers, followed by amplification with the M-RTPCR method and sequencing on the NGS platform. Furthermore, we manually mixed two subtype viruses to different titer rate and amplified the mixed virus with the M-RTPCR protocol, followed by whole genome sequencing on the NGS platform. We also used clinical samples to test the method performance.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The M-RTPCR method obtained complete genome of testing virus at 125 copies/reaction and determined the virus subtype at titer of 25 copies/reaction. Moreover, the two subtypes in the mixed virus could be discriminated, even though these two virus copies differed by 200-fold using this amplification protocol. The sensitivity of this protocol we detected using virus RNA was also confirmed with clinical samples containing low-titer virus.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The M-RTPCR is a robust and sensitive amplification method for whole genome sequencing of influenza A virus using NGS platform.</p>

Phylogenetic and Molecular Analysis of an H7N7 Avian Influenza Virus Isolated in East Dongting Lake in 2012 / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In March 2012, an H7N7 subtype avian influenza virus (AIV) named A/wild goose/Dongting/PC0360/2012 (H7N7) (DT/PC0360) was recovered from a wild goose in East Dongting Lake. We performed whole-genome sequencing of the isolate, and analyzed the phylogenetic and molecular characterization.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>RNA was extracted from environment samples (including fecal samples from wild bird or domestic ducks, and water samples) for detecting the presence of Influenza A Virus targeting Matrix gene, using realtime RT-PCR assay. The positive samples were performed virus isolation with embryonated eggs. The subtype of the isolates were identified by RT-PCR assay with the H1-H16 and N1-N9 primer set. The whole-genome sequencing of isolates were performed. Phylogenetic and molecular characterizations of the eight genes of the isolates were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Our results suggested that all the eight gene segments of DT/PC0360 belonged to the Eurasian gene pool, and the HA gene were belonged to distinct sublineage with H7N9 AIV which caused outbreaks in Mainland China in 2013. The hemagglutinin cleavage site of HA of DT/PC0360 showed characterization of low pathogenic avian influenza virus.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Strengthening the surveillance of AIVs of wild waterfowl and poultry in this region is vital for our knowledge of the ecology and mechanism of transmission to prevent an influenza pandemic.</p>

Analysis of fatty composition from different parts of Ganoderma lucidum / 中国中药杂志

The oil content and fatty acid composition of Ganoderma lucidum collected from different producing areas, varieties, tissue types and growth periods were measured and analyzed. The results showed that the oil content was 23. 61%-34.17% in different domestic producing areas of China; the oil content of fruiting bodies from major varieties cultured in Zhejiang province were 0.81%-1.87%, wall-unbroken spores were 0.07%-0.24%, wall-broken spores were 27.54%-34.17%, so the oil content of wall-unbroken spores were much higher than fruiting bodies, and wall-breaking treatment would increase the oil extraction rate 150-340 times. G. lucidum spores oil was mainly composed of unsaturated fatty acid composition. oleic acid and linoleic content were 53.26%-58.16% and 10.69%-16.87% respectively. Fatty acid composition ratio of spores and fruiting bodies were significantly different by PLS-DA. Determining the composition of fatty acid, especially the content of oleic acid, stearic acid and palmitic acid, could identify the tissue types of G. lucidum products' sources. In addition, the study result showed that the spores and fruiting bodies collected in the first year contained richer oil and fatty acid than second year's samples from the same variety of G. lucidum.

Clinical research ofYangxue-Qingnao granules on posterior circulation of ischemia / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To evaluate the curative effect and security ofYangxue-Qingnao granules on posterior circulation ischemia.Methods 52 patients with posterior circulation ischemia from September 2012 to January 2014 in Remin hospital of Wuhan Universityk, were randomly recruited into a control group and a treatment group, with 26 cases in each group. The control group was only treated with flunarizine HCL and Betahistine Mesilate Tablets, while the treatment group was givenYangxue-Qingnao granules based on the control group. The change of clinical symptoms, TCD and cervical vascular ultrasound were observed before and after the treatment.Results After the treatment, the total effective rate of treatment group was significantly different to the control group (96.2%vs. 76.9%;χ2=4.127,P=0.042). The changes of blood flow velocity of vertebral artery, basilar artery and posterior inferior cerebellar artery were all decreased after the treatment in both groups (tvalue in the treatment group were 20.624, 13.773, and 9.485 respectively,t value in the control group were 13.203, 9.550, and 5.655, respectively, allP<0.01), besides such decreases in the treatment group were better than the control group (allP<0.01). After the treatment, the condition of carotid IMT decrease was significantly better in the treatment group than the control group (the number rate of IMT decrease was (96.2%vs. 69.2%;χ2=5.318,P=0.021).ConclusionYangxue-Qingnao granules can obviously improve the blood flow velocity and the thickness of IMT in patients with posterior circulation ischemia. The short-term curative effect is obvious.

H5N1 Avian Influenza Pre-pandemic Vaccine Strains in China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To prepare the 4 candidate vaccine strains of H5N1 avian influenza virus isolated in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Recombinant viruses were rescued using reverse genetics. Neuraminidase (NA) and hemagglutinin (HA) segments of the A/Xinjiang/1/2006, A/Guangxi/1/2009, A/Hubei/1/2010, and A/Guangdong/1/2011 viruses were amplified by RT-PCR. Multibasic amino acid cleavage site of HA was removed and ligated into the pCIpolI vector for virus rescue. The recombinant viruses were evaluated by trypsin dependent assays. Their embryonate survival and antigenicity were compared with those of the respective wild-type viruses.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 4 recombinant viruses showed similar antigenicity compared with wild-type viruses, chicken embryo survival and trypsin-dependent characteristics.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The 4 recombinant viruses rescued using reverse genetics meet the criteria for classification of low pathogenic avian influenza strains, thus supporting the use of them for the development of seeds and production of pre-pandemic vaccines.</p>

Preliminary study of a universal vaccine based on the HA2 protein of the H5N1 influenza virus / 病毒学报

Fragments encoding amino acids 76-130 in the linear conserved region (LCR) of A/Hubei/1/2010 (H5N1) HA2 was fused to hepatitis B core antigen (HBc) to generate a LCR-HBe virus-like particle (VLP). Results showed that the fusion protein of LCR-HBc was highly expressed in this prokaryotic expression system. The purified LCR-HBc particle stimulated high levels of IgG production in mice with a titer of > 1:12 800, and provided 50% cross-protection against lethal challenge by H1N1 viruses.

A novel reassortant H2N3 influenza virus isolated from China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the genetic composition of a novel H2N3 virus isolate identified from a duck cage swab in a live poultry market (LPM) in 2009 in Guangdong province of China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PCR-positive specimens were inoculated into embryonated chicken eggs and subtyped by conventional RT-PCR. All segments of the virus A/environment/Guangdong/2/2009 were sequenced, and phylogenetic trees were constructed and analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The genes of this virus belong to Eurasian-lineage avian viruses. The virus is a reassortant with the HA gene from an H2N2 virus and the NA gene from an H5N3 virus. The PB1, PB2, and NP genes were from an H4N6 virus, the PA was from an H3N8 virus, the M gene was from an H1N3 virus, and the NS gene was from an H10N6 virus.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A novel avian-origin reassortant H2N3 influenza virus was detected in a live poultry market. Its potential impacts and evolution should be closely monitored.</p>

Study on variation of main ingredients from spores and fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To reveal the quality variation of polysaccharides, triterpenoids and proteins in spores and fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum from producing areas, different varieties, harvesting parts and periods, and wall-breaking treatments.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Spores and fruiting bodies from varieties of Longzhi No. 1 and Hunong No. 1 were collected as test samples, together with wall-broken spores sold in domestic main producing areas. The anthrone-sulfuric acid colorimetric method was used to determine the content of total polysaccharides. The vanillin-glacial acetic acid-perchloric acid colorimetric method was used to determine the content of total triterpenoids. The Lowry method was used to determine the content of total proteins.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The content ranges of total polysaccharides, total triterpenoids, and total proteins from 6 domestic main producing areas were 0.40% - 2.25%, 1.36%-3.15% and 0.74% -1.91% respectively. The content ranges of total polysaccharides, triterpenoids, and proteins in the fruiting bodies from 2 varieties cultured in Zhejiang were 0.25% -1.42%, 0.44% -1.42% and 1.82% -3.67% respectively. In addition, the ranges of samples from wall-unbroken spores were 0.41% - 0.91%, 0.09% - 0.12%, 0.78% - 0.90% respectively and wall-broken spores are 1.03% - 2.25%, 1.89% - 3.15%, 0.96% - 1.04% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There are significant differences in the contents of main chemical ingredients of wall-broken G. lucidum spores saled in the markets. The samples from Zhejiang contain high content of total polysaccharides and triterpenoids, and samples from Fujian contains more proteins. Between the 2 major varieties cultured in Zhejiang, Longzhi No. 1 contains higher content of triterpenoids, but Hunong No. 1 has more polysaccharides. Contents of triterpenoids and polysaccharides from wall-broken spores are much higher than those of fruiting bodies. The stipes from fruiting bodies contains more polysaccharides than those of the pileus, while the triterpenoids contents are higher in the pileus than stipes. The pileus and stipes collected in the second year contain higher content of polysaccharides than the first year's samples, but the contents of triterpenoids are lower. Wall-breaking treatment would significantly improve the extraction and dissolution rate of total triterpenoids and polysaccharides.</p>

Advances in research and development of universal influenza vaccines / 病毒学报

Vaccination is the primary strategy for the prevention and control of pandemic influenza. Because influenza virus is highly variable across strains, universal influenza vaccines need to be developed to address this problem. This review describes the research progress in conserved epitopes of influenza virus, the advances in the research and development of universal influenza vaccines based on the relatively conserved sequences of NP, M2e, HA2, and headless HA, the mechanisms of cross-protection, and the methods to improve cross-protection.

Complete genome phylogenetic analysis of five H9N2 avian influenza viruses isolated from poultry flocks in Qinghai lake region / 病毒学报

Five H9N2 avian influenza virus strains were isolated from the environmental samples in live poultry market in Qinghai Lake region from July to September, 2012. To evaluate the phylogenetic characteristics of these H9N2 isolates, the eight gene segments were amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced. The phylogenetic and molecular characteristics of the five strains were analyzed. The results showed that the HA genes of five strains shared 93. 2%-99. 1% nucleotide identities with each other, and the NA genes shared 94. 5%-99. 8% nucleotide identities. The HA cleavage site sequence of the A/environment/qinghai/ 017/2012 isolate was PSKSSRGLF, and the HA cleavage site sequences of the other four strains were all PSRSSRGLF. The HA receptor-binding site had the Q226L mutation. The M1 gene segment had the N30D and T215A mutations. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the five strains were similar to the virus A/chicken/Hunan/5260/2005 (H9N2) isolated in Hunan Province, China and were reassortant genotype viruses; the HA, NA, and NS genes belonged to the Y280-like lineage; the MP gene belonged to the G1-like lineage; the NP, PB1, PB2, and PA genes belonged to the F98-like lineage.

An overview of surveillance of avian influenza viruses in wild birds / 病毒学报

Wild birds (mainly Anseriformes and Charadriiformes) are recognized as the natural reservoir of avian influenza viruses (AIVs). The long-term surveillance of AIVs in wild birds has been conducted in North America and Europe since 1970s. More and more surveillance data revealed that all the HA and NA subtypes of AIVs were identified in the wild ducks, shorebirds, and gulls, and the AIVs circulating in wild birds were implicated in the outbreaks of AIVs in poultry and humans. Therefore, the AIVs in wild birds pose huge threat to poultry industry and human health. To gain a better understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of AIVs in wild birds, we summarize the transmission of AIVs between wild birds, poultry, and humans, the main results of surveillance of AIVs in wild birds worldwide and methods for surveillance, and the types of samples and detection methods for AIVs in wild birds, which would be vital for the effective control of avian influenza and response to possible influenza pandemic.