Value of 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging in Secondary Extramedullary Infiltration of Multiple Myeloma / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the characteristics of 18F-FDG PET/CT images of multiple myeloma secondary extramedullary infiltration in order to improve recognition.@*METHODS@#Twenty-one patients with multiple myeloma secondary extramedullary infiltration confirmed by pathology or follow-up from January 2012 to October 2020 in the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging before treatment, and the PET/CT characteristics of extramedullary infiltration and bone marrow were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Twenty-one patients included 12 males and 9 females, aged from 41 to 77 years old, with an average of 58.3±10.0; 9 cases of extramedullary infiltration involving lymph nodes; lung, stomach, spleen, and kidney were involved respectively in 2 cases; retroperitoneal, right auricle, subcutaneous nodule, and spinal meninges involvement were reported in each one case respectively. The maximum SUVmax value of extra-medullary lesions was 21.2, the minimum value was 2.1, and mean was 7.7±5.3. The maximum SUVmax value of bone marrow was 33.5, the minimum was 2.4, and mean was 6.6±3.6. There was no statistically significant difference in SUVmax value between extra-medullary lesions and bone marrow (Z=-1.195, P=0.232).@*CONCLUSION@#18F-FDG PET/CT not only has a good diagnostic value for multiple myeloma, but also a good evaluation value for secondary extramedullary infiltration, which provides reference for clinical treatment and prognosis.

Clinical outcomes of ultrasonic subgingival debridement combined with manual root planing in severe periodontitis / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical effects of ultrasonic subgingival debridement and ultrasonic subgingival debridement combined with manual root planing on severe periodontitis and then to investigate the necessity and significance of manual root planing.@*METHODS@#Twenty-three patients with severe periodontitis participated in this split-mouth randomized-controlled clinical trial. Baseline examination and randomization were performed after supragingival scaling: each of the upper and lower jaws had a quadrant as the test group treated with ultrasonic subgingival debridement combined with manual root planing, whereas the other two quadrants were the control group treated with ultrasonic subgingival debridement. Treatment of each patient was at intervals of one week and completed in two visits. Clinical indicators concerning probing depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL) and bleeding index (BI) were recorded at baseline and 1 month, 3 months, 6 months after treatment.@*RESULTS@#There was no significant difference of periodontal indicators between the test group and the control group at baseline. Both the test group and control group resulted in significant improvement of PD, CAL and BI. One and three months after treatment, reduction of PD in the test group was higher than that in the control group [1 month: (2.13±1.31) mm vs. (1.79±1.33) mm, P<0.01; 3 months: (2.46±1.33) mm vs. (2.17±1.38) mm, P<0.01] and reduction of CAL in the test group was higher than that in the control group [1 month: (1.89±2.03) mm vs. (1.65±1.93) mm, P<0.01; 3 months: (2.03±2.05) mm vs. (1.83±1.97) mm, P<0.05]. Six months after treatment, PD in the test group and the control group decreased by (2.52±1.40) mm and (2.35±1.37) mm respectively, and the improvement in the test group was significantly better than that in the control group (P<0.01). CAL in the test group and the control group decreased by (1.89±2.14) mm and (1.77±2.00) mm respectively, and there was no statistical difference between the groups. There was no significant difference in the changes of BI between the two groups 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment.@*CONCLUSION@#Ultrasonic subgingival debridement combined with manual root planing has more reduction in PD and CAL compared with ultrasonic subgingival debridement. Therefore, it is still necessary to use manual instruments for root planing following ultrasonic subgingival debridement.

Two procedures for ridge preservation of molar extraction sites affected by severe bone defect due to advanced periodontitis / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate and to compare dimensional alterations of hard and soft tissues in molar extraction sites with irregular deficiency of bone plates due to advanced periodontitis receiving two different procedures, namely the flapped and flapless techniques with Bio-Gide membrane covering the Bio-Oss material for ridge preservation.@*METHODS@#Twenty-three patients with 24 infected-molar extraction sites received ridge preservation procedure, the first consecutive 12 sites belonged to the flap group (a full thickness mucoperiosteal flap and primary soft tissue closure) and the following 12 sites belonged to the flapless group (minimal flap with a collagen sponge and a secondary soft tissue closure). Width of keratinized tissue was evaluated before tooth extraction and after 6-month healing. Parallel periapical radiographs were taken immediately and 6 months after extraction to evaluate vertical bone changes. The width of the ridge was measured in the center of the ridge at the time of tooth extraction and after 6 months at implant placement.@*RESULTS@#After 6 months, width of keratinized tissue decreased (1.6±1.5) mm in the flap group (P=0.004) when compared with (0.3±1.6) mm in the flapless group (P>0.05). Both groups showed increases in ridge height from the central aspect, (5.53±4.20) mm for flap group and (7.70±4.35) mm for flapless group. These differences between the groups were not statistically significant (P=0.226). The ridge widths were (9.5±2.2) mm for flap group and (9.3±1.0) mm for flapless group at the time of implant insertion, and no statistical significance was observed between the flap and flapless groups.@*CONCLUSION@#The study points out that both ridge preservation techniques were effective in increasing ridge height and minimizing ridge resorption after tooth extraction, and the ridge width allowed the placement of implants 6 months after ridge preservation. The flapless technique gave positive outcome in terms of the keratinized gingival width than that of the flap technique.

An investigation on the serum epidemiology of the new-Bunyavirus among the blood-donors in Guiyang city / 国际检验医学杂志

Objective To investigate the potential infectious of the new-Bunyavirus among the blood-donors in Guiyang area.Methods A total of 1 187 blood samples and the basic data were collected from the blood center of Guizhou.The new-Bunyavirus total antibody in serum was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The samples were tested repeatedly by ELSIA,and general statistics description of the samples′ data was did by Excel2007,and the age,gender,occupation and collecting time of the samples were analyzed by SPSS19.0.Results The positive rate of new-Bunyavirus total antibody among blood-donors in Guiyang was 5.31%,and the new-Bunyavirus total antibody titers was 1∶20-1∶64.The positive were tested by PCR for identifying,PCR results of all positive samples were negative.The positive rates between different genders,ages,occupations,and nationalities were not statistically significant(P>0.05),but the difference of positive rates between epidemic period and later stages of the epidemic was statistically significant(χ2=4.623,P=0.032).Conclusion There are new-Bunyavirus total antibody positive samples in blood-donors,noticing that there is a possibility of potential infection among Guiyang blood-donors and even healthy people.

Role of SIRT3 in dysfunction of energy metabolism induced by deoxycho-lic acid in human colon NCM460 cells / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To investigate the effect of deoxycholic acid (DCA) on the energy metabolism in human normal colon epithelial NCM460 cells.METHODS: NCM460 cells was treated with DCA at 10, 30 and 100 μmol/L for 5 d, or DCA at 100 μmol/L for 3, 5 and 7 d.After treated with DCA at 100 μmol/L for 3 d, the cells were treated with resveratrol, the activator of sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), for the next 4 d.Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in the mitochondria and lactate acid level were detected.The protein expression of SIRT3 was determined by Western blot.RESULTS: DCA inhibited the ATP production, increased lactate acid level, and downregulated the protein expression of SIRT3 in a dose-and time-dependent manner.Resveratrol at 10 μmol/L reversed the effects of DCA on the NCM460 cells.CONCLUSION: DCA induces the dysfunction of energy metabolism in NCM460 cells, and the mechanism may be related with SIRT3.

The efficacy of thalidomide on preventing and treating radiation-induced oral mucosi-tis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of thalidomide on preventing and treating radiation-induced oral mucositis (RIOM) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods:A total of 60 patients with NPC were randomly divided into treatment group and control group. The treatment group took thalidomide and gargled with mixture of saline+gentamycin+dexamethasone when ra-diotherapy started, and the control group gargled only with mixture of saline+gentamycin+dexamethasone. The time of occurrence and degree of RIOM in both groups were registered at the same time. Results:The incidence of RIOM in treatment group was lower than that in control group (P<0.05). For the incidence of 3 or 4 grade RIOM, the treatment group was also lower than the control group. No statistical difference in terms of objective response rate was found between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no statisti-cally significant difference between the treatment group and the control group in the oral average dose, V30, V35, V40, V45, V50, and V54 (P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the treatment group and the control group in the use of nutri-tion agents, hormones and antibiotics (P>0.05). There was no statistical difference between the groups in the drowsiness, peripheral nerve toxicity, hematologic toxicity and gastrointestinal reaction (P>0.05). Conclusion:Thalidomide can reduce the incidence and se-verity of RIOM for radiotherapy of patients with NPC, which deserves clinic application.

Application of Nano-Carbon in lymph node dissection and protection of parathyroid glands in 3D laparoscopic thyroidectomy / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To explore the clinical significance of Nano-Carbon particles and 3D laparoscopy in central compartment lymph node dissection and parathyroid glands protection in treatment of cN0 thyroid cancer. Methods We conduct a retrospective analysis of sixty-five patients with cN0 thyroid cancer who were received 3D laparoscopic thyroidectomy in the last 3 years. All patients were received total resection of thyroid plus the affected side and (or) contralateral side central compartment lymph node dissection. All patients were allocated to control group (n = 32) and carbon nano-particles trace group (tracer group, n = 33). The lymph node-related indexes (including number of dissected lymph node at Ⅵ area, number of Metastatic lymph node and Frozen lymph node-positive rate at Ⅵ area), serum calcium (24 h after surgery) and PTH (48 h after surgery) were collected and compared between the 2 groups. Results Number of dissected lymph node at Ⅵ area, positive rates of intraoperative frozen-section examination of parathyroid glands and PTH (48 h after surgery) were found statistical higher in nanoparticles group than control (P < 0.05). No statistical difference were found in Number of Metastatic lymph node and serum calcium (24 h after surgery) (P < 0.05). Conclusion The clinical significance of carbon nanoparticles and 3D laparoscopy is effective and feasible for central compartment lymph node dissection and parathyroid glands protection in treatment of cN0 thyroid cancer.

Application of Nano-Carbon in lymph node dissection and protection of parathyroid glands in 3D laparoscopic thyroidectomy / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To explore the clinical significance of Nano-Carbon particles and 3D laparoscopy in central compartment lymph node dissection and parathyroid glands protection in treatment of cN0 thyroid cancer. Methods We conduct a retrospective analysis of sixty-five patients with cN0 thyroid cancer who were received 3D laparoscopic thyroidectomy in the last 3 years. All patients were received total resection of thyroid plus the affected side and (or) contralateral side central compartment lymph node dissection. All patients were allocated to control group (n = 32) and carbon nano-particles trace group (tracer group, n = 33). The lymph node-related indexes (including number of dissected lymph node at Ⅵ area, number of Metastatic lymph node and Frozen lymph node-positive rate at Ⅵ area), serum calcium (24 h after surgery) and PTH (48 h after surgery) were collected and compared between the 2 groups. Results Number of dissected lymph node at Ⅵ area, positive rates of intraoperative frozen-section examination of parathyroid glands and PTH (48 h after surgery) were found statistical higher in nanoparticles group than control (P < 0.05). No statistical difference were found in Number of Metastatic lymph node and serum calcium (24 h after surgery) (P < 0.05). Conclusion The clinical significance of carbon nanoparticles and 3D laparoscopy is effective and feasible for central compartment lymph node dissection and parathyroid glands protection in treatment of cN0 thyroid cancer.

Cloning and functional characterization of phytoene desaturase in Andrographis paniculata / 中国中药杂志

A full-length cDNA of phytoene desaturase (PDS) gene from Andrographis paniculata was obtained through RACE-PCR. The cDNA sequence consists of 2 224 bp with an intact ORF of 1 752 bp (GeneBank: KP982892), encoding a ploypeptide of 584 amino acids. Homology analysis showed that the deduced protein has extensive sequence similarities to PDS from other plants, and contains a conserved NAD ( H) -binding domain of plant dehydrase cofactor binding-domain in N-terminal. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that ApPDS was more related to PDS of Sesamum indicum and Pogostemon cablin. The semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that ApPDS expressed in whole aboveground tissues with the highest expression in leaves. Virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) was performed to characterize the functional of ApPDS in planta. Significant photobleaching was not observed in infiltrated leaves, while the PDS gene has been down-regulated significantly at the yellowish area. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first report of PDS gene cloning and functional characterization from A. paniculata, which lays the foundation for further investigation of new genes, especially that correlative to andrographolide biosynthetic pathway.

Cellular toxicity of isoniazid together with rifampicin and the metabolites of isoniazid on QSG-7701 hepatocytes

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the cellular toxicity of isoniazid together with rifampicin and the metabolites of isoniazid on cultured QSG-7701 cells lines.@*METHODS@#Isoniazid, rifampicin, mixture of rifampicin and isoniazid, acetylhydrazine, hydrazine were added in cultural media of QSG-7701 cells and cultured for 48 hours. The survival rate of cells was determined by MTT method. The cultural media and cells were collected and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase was detected by chromatometry.@*RESULTS@#Compared with control group, the survival rate decreased significantly and the lactate dehydrogenase released from cell increased significantly in cells treated with isoniazid, rifampicin, acetylhydrazine, hydrazine. Hydrazine, the metabolite of isoniazid produced significant damage on hepatocytes in low concentration.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Rifampicin together with rifampicin and metabolites of isoniazid produce cellular toxic effects and hydrazine may be the most toxiferous metabolite.

Preparation of biomimetic multilayered scaffolds using collagen/chitosan for cartilage tissue engineering / 医用生物力学

Objective Prepare biomimetic muitilayered scaffold which has similar structure of natural cartilage.Method By lyophilizing the scaffolds which were prefrozen at-20℃ and in liquid nitrogen successively,we prepared double-layered spongy scaffolds.By partially thawing the prefrozen samples and refreezing them in liquid nitrogen before the final liyophilization,we prepared biomimetic multilayered scaffolds with about 2mm thickness.XRD and FT-IR were used to confirm the interaction between collagen and chitosan.SEM was used to observe the morphologies of the scaffolds.The mechanical properties of pure chitosan scaffolds,pure collagen scaffolds,composite single-layered scaffolds and biomimetic multilayered scaffolds were compared both in dry and wet conditions.Results There was chemical interaction between collagen and chitosan.Composite materials will form better pore structure.The biomimetic multilayered scaffolds have upright pores,round pores and a dense layer from bottom to top of the scaffolds.The scaffolds have quite different mechanical properties between dry and wet state.Under wet state,the different layers of the biomimetic muitilayered scaffold have different mechanical properties.Results The biomimetic structure of the multilayered scaffold is very close to that of the natural articular cartilage,and the different layers of the biomimetic muitilayered scaffold had different mechanical properties under wet state.These are hopefully beneficial to help maintain the phenotypes of chondrocytes and promote the repairing effect of cartilage defects.

Preparation of biomimetic multilayered scaffolds using collagen/chitosan for cartilage tissue engineering / 医用生物力学

Objective Prepare biomimetic muitilayered scaffold which has similar structure of natural cartilage.Method By lyophilizing the scaffolds which were prefrozen at-20℃ and in liquid nitrogen successively,we prepared double-layered spongy scaffolds.By partially thawing the prefrozen samples and refreezing them in liquid nitrogen before the final liyophilization,we prepared biomimetic multilayered scaffolds with about 2mm thickness.XRD and FT-IR were used to confirm the interaction between collagen and chitosan.SEM was used to observe the morphologies of the scaffolds.The mechanical properties of pure chitosan scaffolds,pure collagen scaffolds,composite single-layered scaffolds and biomimetic multilayered scaffolds were compared both in dry and wet conditions.Results There was chemical interaction between collagen and chitosan.Composite materials will form better pore structure.The biomimetic multilayered scaffolds have upright pores,round pores and a dense layer from bottom to top of the scaffolds.The scaffolds have quite different mechanical properties between dry and wet state.Under wet state,the different layers of the biomimetic muitilayered scaffold have different mechanical properties.Results The biomimetic structure of the multilayered scaffold is very close to that of the natural articular cartilage,and the different layers of the biomimetic muitilayered scaffold had different mechanical properties under wet state.These are hopefully beneficial to help maintain the phenotypes of chondrocytes and promote the repairing effect of cartilage defects.

Preparation of biomimetic multilayered scaffolds using collagen/chitosan for cartilage tissue engineering / 医用生物力学

Objective Prepare biomimetic multilayered scaffold which has similar structure of natural cartilage. Methods By lyophilizing the scaffolds which were prefrozen at -20℃ and in liquid nitrogen successively, we prepared double-layered spongy scaffolds. By partially thawing the prefrozen samples and refreezing them in liquid nitrogen before the final liyophilization, we prepared biomimetic multilayered scaffolds. XRD and FT-IR were used to confirm the interaction between collagen and chitosan. SEM was used to observe the morphologies of the scaffolds. The mechanical properties of pure chitosan scaffolds, pure collagen scaffolds, composite single-layered scaffolds and biomimetic multilayered scaffolds were compared. Results There is chemical interaction between collagen and chitosan. Composite materials eill form better pore structure. The biomimetic multilayered scaffolds had upright pores, round pores and a dense layer from bottom to top of the scaffolds. The scaffolds had quite different mechanical properties between dry and wet state. Under wet state, the different layers of the biomimetic multilayered scaffolds have different mechanical properties. Conclusions The biomimetic structure of the multilayered scaffold is very close to that of the natural articular cartilage, and the different layers of the biomimetic multilayered scaffolds had different mechanical properties under wet state. These are hopefully beneficial to help maintain the phenotypes of chondrocytes and promote the repairing effect of cartilage defects .

The value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis of secondary malignant peripheral nerve lesion / 中华核医学杂志

Objective To investigate the characteristics and diagnostic value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT in patients with secondary malignant peripheral nerve lesions. Methods 18F-FDG PET/CT studies of 8 cases of secondary malignant peripheral nerve lesions confirmed by histopathology or follow-up were analyzed retrospectively. The maximum standardized uptake value ( SUVmax ) of infiltrating peripheral nerves and contralateral normal peripheral nerves was measured and compared with their morphological appearances on CT. Paired student t-test was performed by SPSS 10.0. Results Twelve secondary malignant peripheral nerve lesions with high 18F-FDG metabolism were found in 8 cases. On PET imaging,the lesions distributed along the neurovascular tissues or intervertebral foramina with appearances resembling those of fibre bundles,radices or nodes on PET but no density differences with the surrounding soft tissue or fat planes on CT. The SUVmax was 6.86 ± 3.87. The contralateral normal peripheral nerves showed no abnormal 18F-FDG uptake with a SUVmax of 1.10 ±0.46,which was significantly different from that of the secondary malignant peripheral nerve lesions (t = 9.231,P ＜ 0.001 ). Conclusion 18 F-FDG PET/CT may be useful in locating the secondary malignant peripheral nerve lesions and in assessing its regional infiltration.

Loss of melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells in a rat glaucoma model / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Glaucoma can cause progressive damage to retinal ganglion cells. These cells can be classified as cells projecting to the superior colliculus and melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells, which project to the suprachiasmatic nucleus. This study was to investigate the effects of chronic intraocular pressure elevation on melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Chronic intraocular pressure elevation was induced in one eye of adult Wistar rats by cauterization of three episcleral veins. Intraocular pressure was measured at different intervals with a rebound tonometer. Superior collicular retinal ganglion cells were retrogradely labeled from the superior colliculus with Fluorogold. Melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells were visualized by free-floating immunohistochemistry on whole-mount retinas. The number of labeled superior collicular and melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells were counted in the sample areas on flat-mounted retinas.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with contralateral control eyes, the numbers of both superior collicular and melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells were significantly reduced after 12 weeks of experimental intraocular pressure elevation ((2317.41 +/- 29.96)/mm(2) vs (1815.82 +/- 24.25)/mm(2); (26.20 +/- 2.10)/mm(2) vs (20.62 +/- 1.52)/mm(2), respectively). The extent of cell loss of the two types of retinal ganglion cells was similar. However, no morphologic changes were found in melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both melanopsin-containing and superior collicular retinal ganglion cells were damaged by chronic ocular hypertension, indicating that glaucomatous neural degeneration involves the non-image-forming visual pathway.</p>

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>

Genetic polymorphism of dendritic cell-specific ICAM-3 grabbing nonintegrin and DC-SIGNR's exon 4 in Chinese hepatitis C patients / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study into the genetic polymorphism of DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR's exon 4 in Chinese hepatitis C patients and its relationship with HCV infection susceptibility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Patients with hepatitis C (n=300, group A) and healthy subjects (n=520, group B) were genotyped and analysed for the repeat sequence of polymorphism of DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR's exon 4 using PCR and DNA sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The distribution of genotypes and alleles in DC-SIGN's exon 4 in the two groups did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). The difference of allele frequency in DC-SIGNR's exon 4 between the two groups was also not significant (P > 0.05). However, 9/5 genotype distribution frequency of DC-SIGNR's exon 4 in patients with hepatitis C was significantly higher than that in the healthy subjects (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is no significant correlation between the genetic polymorphism of DC-SIGN's exon 4 and HCV infection susceptibility. 9/5 genotype distribution frequency of DC-SIGNR's exon 4 in patients with hepatitis C is significantly higher and may be associated with HCV infection susceptibility.</p>

Identification of Amur like virus in Apodemus peninsulae and its molecular characteristics in China / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To confirm the existence of Amur-like viruses in Apodemus peninsulae in China, and to understand the molecular characteristics of these viruses.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Total RNA was extracted from lungs of A. peninsulae captured in Jilin of Northeast China with Trizol reagent. Complete S and partial M segments of Amur virus were amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic analyses on multiple nucleotide sequences were performed with the Clustal method and DNASTAR software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>383 bp cDNA of M segment and 1696 bp of S segment of Amur like virus were recovered from lung tissue of A. peninsulae, named JilinAP06. The full-length of its S gene comprised of 1696 nucleotides with ORF including 1287 nucleotides and encoding a protein which comprised 429 amino acids. The phylogenetic analysis of this sample with other hantaviruses revealed that the complete S and partial M segment sequence of JilinAP06 both were closely related to those Amur viruses such as AP63, AP61, AP1371 and AP1168 found in A. peninsulae from Far East region of Russia and B78 strain, Liu strain and H5 strain, which were all from Chinese patients. The complete S and partial M segment sequence of JilinAP06 had only 81.0% identities with the nucleotide sequences of HV prototype 76-118 strain.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Amur-like viruses did exist in A. peninsulae from Northeasern China while A. peninsulae might be the natural reservoir of Amur-like viruses in China and was the important infectious source to HFRS patients which were caused by Amur-like viruses.</p>

Study on the coinfection status of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and spotted fever group Rickettsia in ticks from Hunchun, Jilin province / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand the coinfection status of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (B.b.s.l) and spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) in Hunchun of Jilin province, China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the 5S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer of B. b. s. l and ompA of SFGR in ticks was collected in Hunchun,Jilin province. The amplification products of positive ticks were sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis was conducted by PHYLIP software package.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The infection rate of B. b. s. l was 36.0% in Ixodes persulcatus ticks and the SFGR was discovered in I. persulcatus ticks,with an infection rate of 2.0%. The coinfection rate of both agents was 2.0%. In 327 Dermacentor siltarum ticks, the positive rates of B. b. s. l and SFGR were 30.9% and 29.1% respectively. 55 ticks (16.8%) were coinfected with the two pathogens. The sequence analysis of B. b. s. l showed that the B. b. s. l in Jilin area, which were highly homologous, all belonged to B. garinii genotypes. The sequence analysis of SFGR positive products showed that the DNA secquence of the newly detected agent (JL-95) was close to the two previously described rickettsiae which were detected in I. ricinus from Slovakia (called IRS3 and IRS4). Phylogenetic relationships inferred from the comparison of these sequences with those of other genus Rickettsiae indicated that JL-95, IRS3 and IRS4 constituted a new rickettsial genotype and formed a separate cluster among the spotted fever group Rickettsiae.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Coinfection of B. b. s. l and SFGR existed in Hunchun, Jilin province. The sequencing of specific fragment confirmed a new SFGR which was different from other rickettsiae known in China.</p>

Study on the correlation between positive rates of SARS RNA in clinical confirmed SARS patients and the appearance of RNA in relation to the development of the disease / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To study the correlation between positive rates of RNA in clinical confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients and its appearance in relation to the development of the disease in order to provide scientific basis for early diagnosis, effective prevention and treatment of the disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One-step reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to amplify the SARS RNA in the clinical specimens from different courses of the disease. The representative amplicons were then sequenced. Chi-square for trend test was performed to study the correlation between positive rates of RT-PCR and at different periods after the onset of the disease.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The fragments amplified from the sputum specimens of SARS patients were shown to share 100% homology with the published SARS-associated coronavirus. Of the different clinical specimens, positive rate in the stools appeared to be the highest (21.55%). Chi-square for trend test revealed that the positive rates of stools and sputa of SARS patients decreased with the development of the disease (chi(2) for trend = 12.55 and 16.408, P = 0.0004 and P = 0.000 05 respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>One-step RT-PCR proved to be an effective method for the detection of SARS-associated coronavirus from clinical specimens. Data as indicated that the positive rates of SARS coronavirus were decreasing in SARS patients along with the disease progression.</p>