Molecular features of human bocavirus from infantile diarrhea in Suzhou area, Jiangsu province in 2010-2011 / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the status of human bocavirus and to identify its epidemiological characteristics as well as genotype distribution in patients with infantile viral diarrhea in Suzhou, Jiangsu province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>832 fecal specimens from patients with infantile virus diarrhea cases were collected from Suzhou Children's Hospital in 2010-2011. Human bocavirus were detected by Real-Time RT-PCR, and genotype were determined by sequence analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among all the fecal specimens, 51 (6.1%) cases were positive for human bocavirus. The peak season of rotavirus infection was between July and September. Of all the episodes on rotavirus diarrhea, 96% occurred before 2 years of age, with peaks in children with 7-12 months of age. Data from Nucleotide Sequence analysis showed that among 28 samples that carrying HBoV-1, 5 strains belonged to HBoV-2, HBoV type 3 but type 4 were absent.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Human bocavirus were detected from fecal specimens of infantile virus diarrhea in Suzhou, with genotype HBoV-1 as the major strain. HBoV-2 genotype was also found.</p>

Molecular characteristics of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks caused by norovirus, in Jiangsu province / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study both the epidemiologic and molecular characteristics of outbreaks caused by norovirus (NoV) with its variants, in Jiangsu.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>67 specimens from seven gastroenteritis outbreaks were collected from October 2012 to March 2013 in Jiangsu. NoV gene group was detected by Real-Time RT-PCR. NoV portions of RdRp gene and VP1 gene were amplified under RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Seven gastroenteritis outbreaks were caused by NoV. Among all the fecal specimens,45 (67.2%) showed positive to NoV G II. Study on the genotype was conducted through analyzing the nucleotide sequence of RdRp gene. Based on the RdRp region, 7 strains appeared to be G II, with 3 and 38 strains belonged to G II.4--Sydney variants. Results from phylogenetic analysis confirmed that 38 variants shared 99% identity with G II.4--Sydney. We also amplified the VP1 genes from 6 variants and comparing with 9 epidemic strains on the sequence amino acid sequence. All the strains showed mutation in amino acid sequence at some key sites which were closely related to the forming of neutralizing epitopes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The short interval periods between all 7 NoV outbreaks with identical viral strain indicated the emergence of a new NoV variant in Jiangsu province,that had caused a number of epidemics abroad. Results from our study suggested that the development of monitoring programs on this novel G II.4--Sydney variant should be a part of the NoV surveillance in Jiangsu province or even in the country.</p>

Analysis on the epidemiological and genetic characteristics of enterovirus type 71 and Coxsackie A16 virus infection in Jiangsu, China, 2008 / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To determine the epidemiological features of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) outbreaks and the genetic characteristics of enterovirus type 71 (EV71) isolates from patients in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province in May, 2008. Methods Epidemiological, microbiological, cellular and molecular methods were performed to investigate pathogens and to describe the homogeneity of isolated strains. Results 21 cases were reported in this HFMD outbreak with the attack rate as 20.0%. 3 EV71 virus strains were isolated from 10 stool samples. The nucleotide and amino acid homogeneity of these 3 Jiangsu strain with Anhui Fuyang strains were 97.9%-100.0% and 99.7%-100.0%, respectively. These 4 Jiangsu strains were within genotype C sub-geno group C4 in phylogenetic tree. Data from the follow-up study showed that shedding of EV71 and Coxsackie A 16 virus (CA 16) in the latent period appeared in the outbreak of HFMD. Human beings could be infected by both EV71 virus and CA16 at the same time and could also carry the two viruses. We also discovered that EV71 virus could be expelled out of the human body through stool in the fast week and last for 10 weeks. Conclusion The recently identified EV71 isolates from this HFMD outbreak belonged to sub-geno group CA. Facts as: the release of viruses in the latent period, co-infection or coexisting of two viruses at the same time and super long period of expulsion of toxin exist in EV71 and CA16 did exist.

An improved quantitative method for evaluating neurological deficits in mice with focal cerebral ischemia / 生理学报

The purpose of this study was to develop a quantitative and objective method for evaluating neurological deficits in mice with focal cerebral ischemia. After middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), the neurological deficits were evaluated 24 h later. We measured the mean angles, dominant angles and turns in a hanged test in which the mice were sticked on the wall, and the holding angles in an inclined plane test as well, Then we determined the cerebral infarct volumes, neuron density in hippocampus, cortex and subcortical areas 24 h after MCAO. The correlations among infarct volume, neuron density and neurological deficits were analyzed. We also compared the quantitative method with two typical complex methods of behavioral assessment. The effect of [pranlukast, 4-oxo-8-[p-(4-phenylbutyloxy) benzoylamino]-2-(tetrazol-5-yl)-4H-1-benzopyran hemihydrate] (ONO-1078), a neuroprotective agent, on ischemic injury was observed using this method. We found that the variables measured by both quantitative and typical behavioral methods significantly changed in the ischemic mice, and correlated with the infarct volumes and neuron densities. The quantitative variables well correlated with those of typical behavioral assessment, too. ONO-1078 inhibited ischemic injury and reduced the total scores of quantitative assessment. Thus, the quantitative method we developed is useful in evaluating neurological deficits of focal cerebral ischemia with the advantages of objectivity, quantification, simplicity and non-invasion, and can be used in the evaluation of neuroprotective effects of drugs.

Application of two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry in the research of testicular proteins / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To evaluate the application of two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry in the research of proteins expressed in testis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Protein from adult ICR mouse testes was extracted by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Two protein spots were cut from the gel, then the proteins were digested in-gel by enzyme and the generated peptides were measured by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. The proteins were identified through database searching.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Two spots in Commasie Brilliant Blue-stained gel were identified as serum albumin and protein disulfide isomerase by database searching.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This rapid high resolution and efficient method is a very powerful way to analyze testicular proteins.</p>