Analysis of WRKY transcription factor family based on full-length transcriptome sequencing in Polygonatum cyrtonema / 中国中药杂志

WRKY transcription factor family plays an important role in plant growth and development, secondary metabolite synthesis, and biotic and abiotic stress responses. The present study performed full-length transcriptome sequencing of Polygonatum cyrtonema by virtue of the PacBio SMRT high-throughput platform, identified the WRKY family by bioinformatics methods, and analyzed the physicochemical properties, subcellular localization, phylogeny, and conserved motifs. The results showed that 30.69 Gb nucleotide bases and 89 564 transcripts were obtained after redundancy removal. These transcripts had a mean length of 2 060 bp and an N50 value of 3 156 bp. Based on the full-length transcriptome sequencing data, 64 candidate proteins were selected from the WRKY transcription factor family, with the protein size of 92-1 027 aa, the relative molecular mass of 10 377.85-115 779.48 kDa, and the isoelectric point of 4.49-9.84. These WRKY family members were mostly located in the nucleus and belonged to the hydrophobic proteins. According to the phylogenetic analysis of WRKY family in P. cyrtonema and Arabidopsis thaliana, all WRKY family members were clustered into seven subfamilies and WRKY proteins from P. cyrtonema were distributed in different numbers in these seven subgroups. Expression pattern analysis confirmed that 40 WRKY family members had distinct expression patterns in the rhizomes of 1-and 3-year-old P. cyrtonema. Except for PcWRKY39, the expression of 39 WRKY family members was down-regulated in 3-year-old samples. In conclusion, this study provides abundant reference data for genetic research on P. cyrtonema and lays a foundation for the in-depth investigation of the biological functions of the WRKY family.

Role of Autophagy in Rotavirus Enteritis and Intervention with Traditional Chinese Medicine： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Rotavirus enteritis （RVE）， a common infectious disease of the digestive system， is commonly found in infants and young children. Its incidence is high， posing great threats to human health. At present， no specific drugs are available in western medicine and the symptomatic treatments like fluid infusion， anti-diarrhea， correction of electrolyte disorder， protection of gastrointestinal mucosa， and regulation of intestinal microecology have been employed. In addition to the poor therapeutic efficacy， they do not perform well in preventing the onset of RVE and shortening the course of disease. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） exerts the therapeutic effect against RVE via multiple targets， without inducing obvious adverse reactions and the cost is low. The specific mechanism of action has yet to be fully explained. Although there are some studies exploring the role of Chinese medicinal monomers in the pathogenesis of RVE， the types involved are still not enough. The effects of Chinese medicinal monomers on autophagy-related pathways fail to be uncovered， which is attributed to the lack of large-scale experimental data and clinical evidence. There are also many problems that cannot be ignored in the related research of Chinese medicinal compounds， taking the superficial exploration and limited scope for instance. Autophagy is a highly conserved biological phenomenon that involves a variety of signaling pathways. Its dysfunction is related to multiple pathological processes. Studies have shown that autophagy plays an important role in the pathogenesis of RVE， especially in the early stage of viral infection. Autophagy induces intestinal mucosal barrier damage， intestinal nerve dysfunction， and immune abnormality， resulting in the occurrence and development of RVE. In recent years， a large number of experimental studies have confirmed that TCM fights against circulatory， respiratory， digestive， and immune system diseases as well as tumors by intervening in autophagy. At the same time， a handful of studies have suggested that Chinese medicinal monomers and compounds regulate autophagy and interfere with viral replication by affecting related signaling pathways， thus playing a positive role in reversing the progression of RVE. However， at present， there are few studies on the regulation of autophagy by TCM in the treatment of RVE， and no systematic elaboration is available. This review aimed to summarize the role of autophagy in the pathogenesis of RVE and its intervention with TCM， in order to provide more theoretical and clinical evidence for the treatment of RVE with TCM.

Generalized science of Chinese material medica-from preventive treatment of disease to Chinese medicine health industry / 中国中药杂志

Based on the systematic summary of the results of the fourth general survey of traditional Chinese medicine resources, the cultivation of large varieties of Chinese material medica and the latest research on health industrial development, the novel concepts and scientific connotations of generalized science of Chinese material medica are put forward, and the basic ideas and methods of a new Chinese medicine academic system, the cultivation system of large varieties of Chinese medicinal materials and the application system of the large health industry are constructed. This kind of generalized science of Chinese material medica, rooted in the traditional Chinese culture and the theory of "preventive treatment of disease", can avoid the narrow prospect induced by the increasing specialization and refinement of knowledge of science of Chinese material medica. It will play an important role in the modernization, industrialization, internationalization of traditional Chinese medicine.

Experimental study of lentiviral vector-mediated bFGF gene transfection on rabbit BMSCs / 天津医药

Objective To observe the effect of lentiviral vector-mediated basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) gene transfection on the biological characteristics of rabbit bone marrow stromal cells(BMSCs)under in vitro culture conditions. Methods BMSCs were obtained by density gradient centrifugation and adherence screening. The bFGF gene was transfected into BMSCs by lentiviral vector and divided into bFGF transfection group,empty virus group and untransfected group according to the transfection conditions.After transfection,the morphology,expressions of bFGF mRNA and protein, cell proliferation,cell cycle and alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity were observed in three groups of cells. Results High density BMSCs were successfully obtained by density gradient centrifugation and adherence screening.After transfection of BMSCs with bFGF gene, the cell morphology showed no significant changes, while the expressions of bFGF mRNA and protein were significantly increased, the cell proliferation curve shifted upward, the proportion of proliferating cells increased,and the activity of ALP was significantly enhanced.There were significant differences between three groups(P<0.05).Conclusion The rabbit bFGF gene is successfully introduced into the BMSCs cultured in vitro by lentiviral vector, and the target gene is stably expressed.The expression of bFGF can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.

A study on the concentration of sulfites in foods by online dialysis - ion chromatography method / 预防医学

Objective To establish a rapid and accurate detecting method for sulfite in food residues. Methods Applying an fluorine ionsalkali - stable liquid to extract ultrasonically. After removing the suspended substances by high - speed centrifugation,we used online dialysis - ion chromatography to determine sulfite. Chromatographic conditionswere set as follows:Metrosep A Supp 5 - 150 / 4. 0 anion analysis column,using 3. 2 mmol / L sodium carbonate - 1. 0 mmol / L sodium bicarbonate 5% acetone as the eluent,with 0. 70 mL / min flow rate,20 μL injection volume and a conductivity detector. Results Sulfites( calculated as sulfur dioxide)manifested a good linear relationship when its concentration ranged from 0. 50 μg / mL to 50. 00 μg / mL,r = 0. 999 8. The minimum detection limit was 0. 54 mg / kg. The spiked concentrations were 10. 0 mg / kg,100. 0 mg / kg,500. 0 mg / kg,900. 0 mg / kg to samples. Relative standard deviation(n = 6,% )was 5. 04,1. 20,0. 56,0. 98,with the recovery rate between 85. 4% - 104. 4% . Conclusion This method is simple,rapid,with high sensitivity and accuracy of measurement,and which is suitable for the detection of sulfites content in food matrix.

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Renal CaM/NO Pathway in Dahl Rats with Prehypertension / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on renal CaM-eNOS-NO signal pathway in Dahl salt-sensitive rats with prehypertension.Methods Thirty 7-week-old male Dahl salt-sensitive rats (DS) were allocated,using a random number table,to model,acupuncture and non-meridian-acupoint groups.Ten 7-week-old male Dahl salt-resistant rats (DR) were used as a blank group.The rats were fed in a SPF animal experiment center.An 8％ NaC1 high salt diet was provided after 1-week adaptive feeding.During the period,rat blood pressure was monitored using an intelligent noninvasive sphygmomanometer.A rat model of prehypertension was successfully made if rat blood pressure rose to 120～ 139/80～89 mmHg after 12 days.At that time,a high salt diet was stopped and a normal diet was provided.The blank and model groups received 15-minute regular fixation and no treatment.The acupuncture group received electroacupuncture at bilateral Quchi and Zusanli.The non-meridianacupoint group received electroacupuncture at fixed control points selected between 10 and 15 mm above bilateral iliac crests 20 mm lateral to the midline.Treatment was given once daily,6 times a week,for five consecutive weeks.The left rat kidney was taken.CaM and eNOS mRNA expressions were determined by quantitative fluorescence PCR.eNOS was quantified and located by western blot and immunohistochemical method.NO content was measured by ELISA.Results As compared with the blank group,CaM and eNOS mRNA expressions,eNOS protein content and NO content decreased significantly in the model group (all P＜0.05).As compared with the model group,CaM and eNOS mRNA expressions,eNOS protein content and NO content increased significantly in the acupuncture group (all P＜0.05).As compared with the model group,CaM expression increased significantly (P＜0.05) but eNOS mRNA expression and NO content had no statistically significant differences (P＞0.05) in the non-meridian-acupoint group.Conclusion The renoprotective effect of electroacupuncture at Quchi and Zusanli may be related to upregulating renal CaM-eNOS-NO signal pathway in DS rats with prehypertension.

Effect observation of comprehensive intervention on stroke prevention knowledge, attitude and be-havior change in community residents / 上海预防医学

[ Objective] To investigate the effect of community -based comprehensive intervention on improving residents'knowledge , attitude and behaviors in terms of stroke prevention . [ Methods] By means of stratified sampling , 120 resident population were randomly selected from Xietu Neighborhood of Shanghai .Demographic characteristics , prevalence of stroke , knowledge , attitudes and behaviors related to stroke prevention were investigated through baseline survey .After 3-month interventions , end stage survey was conducted to assess the effects of the interventions by measuring the changes of the related indicators as mentioned above . [ Results] With intervention , the residents'knowledge and attitude on stroke preven-tion was raised .The number of the residents was increased participating in prevention , education and coun-seling activities on stroke prevention and those who voluntarily went to hospital for early screening on stroke were increased , too. [ Conclusion] Community-based comprehensive interventions could be effective in improving residents'knowledge , attitudes and behaviors on stroke prevention .Conducting community in-tervention on stroke is necessary .

Clinical research on the correlations between type 2 diabetes mellitus and renal clear cell carcinoma / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between renal clear cell carcinoma and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundreds and sixty-four patients with renal clear cell carcinoma and four hundred controls who suffered from non-urinary system, non-neoplastic or non-hormone-related disorders, were enrolled from January 2008 to December 2012. The incidence of diabetes between the 2 groups and the relationship between renal clear cell carcinoma and duration of diabetes were compared, moreover, renal clear cell carcinoma patients with DM were compared with patients without DM for their clinical features, laboratory examinations and histological characteristics.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The comparison of renal clear cell carcinoma group and control group: the incidence of DM in the two groups were 19.7% and 12.8% respectively, and the difference was significant (χ(2) = 5.86, P < 0.05, OR = 1.68). In the renal clear cell carcinoma group, the proportion of patients with DM diagnosed within 2-4 years was 4.92%, which were significant higher than those in the control group 1.70% (χ(2) = 5.49, P < 0.05, OR = 2.91). And men with diabetes had high occurrence risk 86% of renal clear cell carcinoma (OR = 1.86, 95%CI: 1.09-3.15). The comparison of diabetes patients subgroup and non-diabetic patients subgroup in renal clear cell carcinoma group: in respect of clinical features, greatest tumor diameter in the two subgroups were (4.9 ± 2.3) cm and (4.2 ± 2.1) cm respectively, and the difference was significant (t = 1.96, P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in terms of age, gender and cancer location between the two subgroups (P > 0.05). In respect of laboratory examinations, serum creatinine in the two subgroups were (72 ± 20) µmol/L and (65 ± 17) µmol/L, and the difference was significant (t = 2.34, P < 0.05); serum urea nitrogen in the 2 subgroups were (7.1 ± 2.1) mmol/L and (6.0 ± 1.5) mmol/L respectively, and the difference was significant too (t = 1.47, P < 0.05). In respect of histological characteristics, the proportion of well differentiated clear cell carcinoma were 80.8% and 81.1% respectively, and the difference was significant (χ(2) = 4.23, P < 0.05). The proportion of stage II were 25.0% and 27.8% respectively and the difference was significant (χ(2) = 4.08, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>DM is closely related with renal clear cell carcinoma and DM may be a possible risk factor for the tumor. And for elderly patients with diabetes who appear waist discomfort or hematuria, a careful examination of kidney is important to make early diagnosis, give timely treatment and improve survival prognosis.</p>

Association between salivary α-amylase activity and pain relief scale scores in cancer patients with bone metastases treated with radiotherapy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Subjective assessment tools such as visual analog scales (VAS) or pain scores are commonly used to evaluate the intensity of chronic cancer-induced pain. However, their value is limited in some cases. We measured changes in VAS pain scores and salivary α-amylase (sAA) concentrations in cancer patients receiving radiotherapy for bone metastases to ascertain the correlation between these measures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We enrolled 30 patients with bone metastases attending a single institution from June 2010 to March 2011. All patients with cancer-induced bone pain received radiation therapy (RT) at the same dose (30 Gy) and fractionation (3 Gy/fraction, 5 days/week) for palliative pain relief. We assessed heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressures (DBP/SBP) and VAS pain scores before (d0) and after five (d5) and ten fractions (d10) of irradiation. sAA and salivary cortisol (SC) concentrations were measured using a portable analyzer and automated chemiluminescence analyzer, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Radiotherapy markedly decreased VAS scores from (82.93 ± 9.29) to (31.43 ± 16.73) mm (P < 0.001) and sAA concentrations from (109.40 ± 26.38) to (36.03 ± 19.40) U/ml (P <0.001). Moreover, there was a significant correlation between these two indices (P <0.01, r = 0.541). HR decreased by 6.5% after radiotherapy, but did not correlate with VAS scores (P >0.05). SC concentrations and BP did not change significantly during the study (P >0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The significant correlation between sAA concentrations and VAS pain scores identified in these preliminary results suggests that this biomarker may be a valuable, noninvasive and sensitive index for the objective assessment of pain intensity in patients with cancer-induced bone pain.</p>

Genetic characteristics of hantaviruses carried by Microtus maximowixzii in Yakeshi of Inner Mongolia, China / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To analyze the viral genetic characteristics of hantaviruses carried by Microtus maximowixzii in Yakeshi of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and its relationship with Hantaan virus (HTNV) and Seoul virus (SEOV) viruses as well as to identify the natural host of Khabarovsk virus (KHAV).Methods HV specific RNAs were detected by RT-PCR.Complete S and M segment were amplified from the RNA-positive samples.Phylogenetic analysis were performed to estimate the genetic characterization and the relationship with other hantaviruses.Results Fifty two Microtus maximowixzii voles were captured in Yakeshi areas.Of those voles,hanta-viral RNA was tested positive in 5 samples (9.62％).Complete S and M segments sequences were obtained from 5 and 2 lung samples,respectively.The complete S segment was consisted of 1848 to 1861 bp,and the M segment consisted of 3662 bp.These viruses were closely related to each other with 92.5％-96.4％ for the S segment sequences and 88.9％-95.4％ for the M segment sequences.They shared a higher identity with KHAV found previously in Yakeshi and KHAV of Russia.However,they were obviously different from the other hantavirus species.The 5 strains had the consistent secondary structure of nucleocapsid protein (NP) and glycoprotein (GP).When further comparing their secondary structures with those of HTNV and SEOV,our results indicated that there were no obvious differences in NP between KHAV and both HNTV,SEOV but with obvious difference in GP.Based on the S and M segment sequences,phylogenetic analyses revealed that these 5 strains clustered together with KHAV and formed a distinct lineage.Furthermore,all known KHAV strains could be divided into two small branches with a nucleotide divergence more than 5.3％.Conclusion Our research data revealed that KHAV was highly endemic among Microtus maximowixzii in Yakeshi area which supported the notion that Microtus maximowixzii had been the natural host of KHAV in the area.

Expression of heat shock protein 70 in lung and plasma of rats with pulmonary fibrosis induced by SiO2 / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the dynamic expression of Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in the lungs and plasma of rats with pulmonary fibrosis induced by silicon dioxide (SiO2).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group exposed to normal solution and group exposed to SiO2 (50 mg/ml) with intratracheal injection. Each group was divided into four subgroups. The animals of SiO2 group and control group were sacrificed and lungs were collected on the 7th, 14th and 28th days after exposure, respectively. The left lung tissues were examined with the histopathologic HE staining. The expression and localization of Hsp70 protein in the lung tissues were examined with western blot assay and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The expression levels of Hsp70 protein in the plasma were measured by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of Hsp70 in lung tissues of SiO2 group increased on the 7th day and reached the peak value on the 14th day then decreased, but still was significantly higher than that of the control group, the expression of Hsp70 in plasma of SiO2 group still was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The maximum expression level of Hsp70 in plasma of SiO2 group on the 21st day after exposure was 0.216 ± 0.027 µg/ml.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expression levels of Hsp70 protein in the lung tissues and plasma of the group exposed to SiO2 significantly increased, which were associated with the process of pulmonary fibrosis. It was suggested that Hsp70 protein may play an important biological role in the pulmonary fibrosis induced by SiO2.</p>

Identification of Haemaphysalis longicomis and Rhipicephalus microplus / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To establish a method combined morphology and molecular marker for identifying Haemaphysalis longicomis and Rhipicephalus microplus. Methods Ticks were collected from domestic animals and wild environment in epidemic area of Hubei and Henan provinces where cases of fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome were prevalent. We classified the ticks by morphology characteristics before 12S rDNA of ticks were amplified by PCR and subsequently sequenced. Phylogenetic tree was constructed by PAUP4.0. Results The ticks belonged to Haemaphysalis longicomis and Rhipicephalus microplus through observation and analysed by the morphological characteristics of the ticks. 12S rDNA was cloned and sequenced while data confirmed the morphological identification of the results. Conclusion The method based on morphology that combined with molecular marker seemed a good method for the identificaton of ticks.

An Effective Guidewire Looping Technique for the Recanalization of Occlusive Segments of Infrapopliteal Vessels

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy, safety and primary follow-up results of a guidewire looping technique for the treatment of infrapopliteal arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2006 to May 2008, an intraluminal angioplasty of the infrapopliteal arteries was attempted in 200 consecutive patients. Altogether, 417 infrapopliteal lesions, with lengths varying from 2 cm to 32 cm, were treated as part of this study, including 305 lesions in the anterior tibial arteries, 89 in the posterior tibial arteries, and 23 in the peroneal arteries. The 'U'-shaped guidewire technique was attempted in 393 lesions from 361 limbs. The tip of a hydrophilic 0.035-inch guidewire was formed into a 'U' shape with the aid of a 4-Fr catheter and collateral branch vessel to recanalize the completely occluded long segment lesions. RESULTS: A successful angioplasty with at least one artery recanalized directly to the malleolar or dorsal foot was achieved in 322 limbs (89%). The looping technique had a success rate of 90% (352 of 393 lesions). After the procedure, the rest pain was relieved in 58 of 69 patients, while 207 of 245 limbs (85%) showed improvement for intermittent claudication. Complete wound healing was noted in 21 of 54 patients, while 20 of 54 patients showed an improvement in the wound size or depth. A total of 38 major immediate procedure-related complications were noted, including retroperitoneal hematoma, distal emboli, and vessel rupture. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggests that the guidewire looping technique is a safe and effective method for the recanalization of the occluded lesions in infrapopliteal vessels.

Transurethral prostatectomy with the bipolar plasmakinetic technique for benign prostate hyperplasia: a report of 712 cases / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect and safety of transurethral prostatectomy with the bipolar plasmakinetic technique (PKRP) in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 712 BPH patients underwent transurethral prostatectomy with the bipolar plasmakinetic technique. The patients averaged 70.6 years of age and 52 g (range 35-102 g) in estimated prostate weight preoperatively. Comparative analyses were made on the maximum urine flow rate (Qmax), residual urine volume and scores on IPSS and QOL obtained pre- and post-operatively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The operations lasted 20-120 minutes (mean 51 min), the resected tissues weighed 15-96 g (mean 46 g), and no transurethral resection syndrome (TURS) occurred. The catheters were removed 4 -5 days after surgery. The patients were followed up for 1 -52 months (mean 27.6 mo). Obvious reduction was observed in the average Qmax from 4.7 ml/s preoperatively to 19. 1 ml/s postoperatively, in the mean IPSS score from 26.6 to 5. 8, and in the mean QOL score from 5.4 to 1.7, all with significant differences (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Transurethral prostatectomy with the bipolar plasmakinetic technique is a safe and effective means for the treatment of BPH.</p>

A novel respiratory detecting system based on bio-impedance / 中国医疗器械杂志

This paper introduces the design and implementation of a novel respiratory detecting system based on bio-impedance method. By increasing electrodes in space, the system make multi-channel respiratory signals be superpositioned and filtered (SNR); Traditional filter methods by both hardware and software are also used to further increase anti-interference ability. A low consumption and portable instrument is designed based on MSP430 Micro Controller Unit (MCU), The experiment shows a better performance in the reduction of interference noises of heartbeat and blood flow especially the motion artifact. Also the system works stably.

A study on the individual adaptability of electronic sphygmomanometer / 中国医疗器械杂志

This paper analyzed the limitation of electronic sphygmomanometer based on oscillometry, and according to the characteristics of pulse signal, the author proposed a new method of the characteristic parameter detection based on wavelet transform, and improved its recognition ability on fixed-scale, via resampling rate according to the heartbeat. And the prototype test has been proved that this method is more adaptability for individuals and stability for operation.

Anti-complement activity of polysaccharide B3-PS2 purified from Herba Scutellariae Barbatae / 药学学报

The polysaccharide B3-PS2 was extracted and purified from Herba Scutellariae Barbatae through chromatography of DEAE-cellulose and Sephacryl S-300 column. Average molecular weight of B3-PS2 was about 1,100 kD. It was composed of Glc, Gal and Ara in the ratio of 2.7:2.7:1.0, along with trace of Man, Rha, Fuc and Xyl. B3-PS2 inhibited complement activation on the classic pathways with CH50 value of (0.23 +/- 0.03) mg mL(-1). The targets of B3-PS2 upon the complement system were C1r, C1s, C3 and C4. These results suggested that anti-complementary activity of B3-PS2 was closed to its positive control heparin. It strongly suggested that the polysaccharide B3-PS2 from Herba Scutellariae Barbatae could be a potential candidate in treating those complement-associated diseases.

Investigation on Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in rodents from forest areas in northeastern China / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in rodents from forest areas in northeastern China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PCR amplification, followed by sequence analysis was carried out. The sequences of 16S rRNA and gltA gene fragment amplified from rodent specimens were compared with corresponding part of the sequences deposited in GenBank.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total number of 276 rodents were tested, including 102 in Jilin province, 61 in Helongjiang province and 113 in Inner Mongolia autonomous region. The positive rates were 8.82%, 1.64% and 0.00%, respectively. The infection rate in rodents infected by ticks was 11.30 times higher than that in rodents without ticks (P = 0.002). The S. A. phagocytophilum 16S rRNA sequences from rodents in Jilin and Heilongjiang were identical and differed in 3-5 bases compared with the corresponding parts of A. phagocytophilum from America, Sweden and Japan. Compared with the sequences registered in GenBank, the nucleotide sequence of gltA varied from 87%-97% and its deduced amino acid sequence changed from 84%-99%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A. phagocytophilum infection was presented in rodents from Jilin and Heilongjiang province.</p>

Study on the epidemiological characteristics of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Inner Mongolia / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In order to better understand the epidemiological features of Hantviruses in Inner Mongolia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Epidemiological surveillance data during the period of the past 52 years were analyzed. An epidemiological survey was carried out in the main epidemic areas in 2005.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 8310 hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) cases were reported in Inner Mongolia from 1955 to 2006, and distributed in 61 counties. HFRS cases were mainly distributed in the east part of Inner Mongolia before 1990. However, HFRS cases had occurred in the middle and western parts since 1990. Hulunbeier prefecture, from the eastern part of Inner Mongolia, had been the most severe area being hit by HERS since the first outbreak in 1955, with 7369 cases reported over the past 52 years, and accounted for 88.68% of the total cases in the whole autonomous region. Although no HFRS cases had been reported before 1999 in Bayannaoer which located in the western part of Inner Mongolia, a total of 95 cases were reported in 2005. Hantavirus antigens had been detected in 11 species of rodents so far,including Apodemus agrarius, Rattus norvegicus, Mus Musculus, Cricetulus barabensis, meriones meridianus, Microtus maximowiczii , Clethrionomys rutilus, Apodemus peninsulae, Phodopus roborvskii, Dipus sagitta and Allactaga sibirica.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Results suggested that the epidemics might remain at a relatively high level in the years to come in Inner Mongolia. Furthermore, there might be other types of Hantaviruses in addition to the already identified Seoul viral type in this area.</p>

Investigation on Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in ticks and rodents collected in Da Xing-An Mountains Forest areas of China / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect and study the types of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in ticks and rodents from Da Xing-An Mountains Forest areas of China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Nested PCR was performed to amplify 5S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer of B. burgdorferi. Positive products were analysed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP), specimens showing unique RFLP profile were sequenced and analysed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1336 Ixodes persulcatus, 144 Dermacento silvarum, 144 Haemaphysalis concinna and 145 rodents of 9 species were collected from 16 sections of Da Xing-An Mountains Forest areas of China. Specific fragments were amplified from 293 I. persulcatus and 6 D. silvarum and 5 rodents of 4 species. B. burgdorferi was not detected in H. concinna. Among the positively tested I. persulcatus, 209 contained B. garinii genospecies and 45 contained B.afzelii genospecies based on RFLP. Moreover, B.garinii genospecies consisted of B. garinii 20047 and B. garinii NT29. 17 adult I. persulcatus were simultaneously infected with B. garinii 20047 and B. garinii NT29. Nine adult I. persulcatus were simultaneously infected with B. garinii 20047 and B. afzelii. Four adult I. persulcatus were simultaneously infected with B. garinii 20047 and B. garinii NT29 and B. afzelii. Two D. silvarum were infected with B. garinii 20047, 1 D. silvarum with B. garinii 20047, 2 D. silvarum with B. afzelii. 3 rodents were infected with B. garinii 20047 while 2 rodents were infected with B. garinii NT29. Mixed infection was not found in D. silvarum and rodents. In addition, nine I. persulcatus and one D. silvarum specimens showed unique RFLP pattern. Data from sequential analysis showed that they all belonged to B. garinii. PCR-SSCP profiles of 5S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer of B. burgdorferi in the positive specimens exceeded 36 types; B. garinii 20047 showed 16 types while B. garinii NT29 showing 11 types, B. afzelii showing 9 types. SSCP profiles of the specimens coinfected with multiple B. burgdorferi was relatively complex.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The infection of B. burgdorferi was found in the ticks and rodents in Da Xing-An Mountains Forests areas. The infection rate of I. persulcatus was high. B. garinii was predominant genospecies, and the population of B. burgdorferi was heterogeneous in the area. Mixed infections of different B. burgdorferi genospecies in ticks were found. I. persulcatus and Clethrionomys rufocanus were possibly served as major vector and major host for B. burgdorferi, respectively, suggesting that further study is needed to confirm the coinfection in humans and animals in this region.</p>