Chemical constituents of Helleborus thibetanus / 中国中药杂志

The chemical constituents of Helleborus thibetanus were isolated and purified by silica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 gel column chromatography, and semi-preparative RP-HPLC, and the structures of all compounds were identified by modern spectrographic technology(MS, NMR). The MTT method was used to measure the cytotoxicity of compounds 1-8. Twelve compounds were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of H. thibetanus and were identified as(25R)-22β,25-expoxy-26-[(O-β-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-1β,3β-dihydroxyfurosta-5-en(1), β-sitosterol myristate(2), β-sitosterol lactate(3), β-sitosterol 3-O-β-D-glucopyrannoside(4), 4,6,8-trihydroxy-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-one(5), 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene(6), 7,8-dimethylbenzo pteridine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione(7), 1H-indole-3-carboxylic acid(8), p-hydroxy cinnamic acid(9), lauric acid(10), n-butyl α-L-arabinofuranoside(11) and methyl-α-D-fructofuranoside(12), respectively. Among them, compound 1 is a new compound and named thibetanoside L; compounds 2, 5-8, 11 are first isolated from the family Ranunculaceae; compound 12 is isolated from the genus Helleborus for the first time. The results of MTT assay showed that the IC_(50) values of compounds 1-8 against HepG2 and HCT116 cells were greater than 100 μmol·L~(-1).

Steroidal constituents from Helleborus thibetanus and their cytotoxicities / 中国天然药物

Thibetanosides E-H (1-4), four new steroidal constituents including three rare sulfonates (2-4), were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Helleborus thibetanus, together with nine known steroidal compounds (5-13). Their structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR techniques and chemical evidence. In this study, compounds 2-13 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against HCT116, A549 and HepG2 tumor cell lines in vitro. Among them, compound 8 (thibetanoside C) showed cytotoxicities against A549 cells(IC 39.6 ± 1.9 μmol·L) and HepG2 cells(IC 41.5 ± 1.1 μmol·L), respectively. Compound 9 (23S, 24S)-24-[(O-β-D-fucopyranosyl)oxy]-3β, 23-dihydroxy-spirosta-5, 25(27)-diene-1β-ylO-(4-O-acetyl- α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-(1→2)-O-[β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)]-α-L-arabinopyranoside) showed cytotoxicity against HCT116 cells(IC 33.6 ± 2.1 μmol·L).

Five new polyhydroxylated furostanol saponins from the rhizomes of Tupistra chinensis / 中国天然药物

Five new polyhydroxylated furostanol saponins were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Tupistra chinensis, and their structures were determined as tupistrosides J-N (1-5), together with four known furostanol saponins (6-9), on the basis of physico-chemical properties and spectral analysis. Among them, compounds 3 and 5 showed cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines SW620 with IC values of 72.5 ± 2.4 and 77.3 ± 2.5 μmol·L, respectively. Compound 4 showed cytotoxicity against human cancer cell line HepG2 with IC value of 88.6 ± 2.1 μmol·L.

Effect of adenovirus-mediated overexpression of PTEN on brain oxidative damage and neuroinflammation in a rat kindling model of epilepsy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Background@#Epilepsy is a chronic and severe neurological disorder. Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN)-deficient mice exhibit learning and memory deficits and spontaneous epilepsy. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of PTEN in brain oxidative damage and neuroinflammation in a rat model of epilepsy.@*Methods@#An adenovirus (Ad)-PTEN vector was constructed, and status epilepticus (SE) was induced in 41 model rats using lithium chloride-pilocarpine. Thirty-six SE rats were then allocated into the Ad-PTEN, Ad-LacZ, and SE groups, those were administered intracerebroventricular injections of Ad-PTEN, Ad-enhanced green fluorescent protein, and phosphate buffer saline, respectively. The normal group was comprised of healthy Sprague-Dawley rats. Nissl staining was conducted to evaluate neuronal damage, and immunohistochemistry was conducted to observe the morphology of cells in the hippocampal CA1 region and the distribution of ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) and ED1 (rat homologue of human CD68). Levels of apoptosis-related proteins, inflammatory-related factors, and oxidative stress-related markers (reactive oxygen species [ROS], glutathione [GSH], superoxide dismutase [SOD], and malondialdehyde [MDA]) were measured. Comparisons between multiple groups were conducted using oneway analysis of variance (ANOVA), and pairwise comparisons after ANOVA were conducted using the Tukey multiple comparisons test.@*Results@#After SE induction, PTEN expression in the rat brain exhibited a four-fold decrease (P = 0.000) and the expression of both Iba1 and ED1 increased. Furthermore, significant neuronal loss, oxidative damage, and neuroinflammation were observed in the SE rat brain. After intracerebroventricular injection of Ad-PTEN, PTEN expression exhibited a three-fold increase (P = 0.003), and the expression of both Iba1 and ED1 decreased. Additionally, neurons were restored and neuronal apoptosis was inhibited. Furthermore, ROS and MDA levels decreased, GSH level and SOD activity increased, and neuroinflammation was reduced.@*Conclusion@#Our study demonstrated that brain oxidative damage and neuroinflammation in SE rats were ameliorated by intracerebroventricular injection of Ad-PTEN.

Effect of adenovirus-mediated overexpression of PTEN on brain oxidative damage and neuroinflammation in a rat kindling model of epilepsy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Epilepsy is a chronic and severe neurological disorder. Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN)-deficient mice exhibit learning and memory deficits and spontaneous epilepsy. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of PTEN in brain oxidative damage and neuroinflammation in a rat model of epilepsy.@*METHODS@#An adenovirus (Ad)-PTEN vector was constructed, and status epilepticus (SE) was induced in 41 model rats using lithium chloride-pilocarpine. Thirty-six SE rats were then allocated into the Ad-PTEN, Ad-LacZ, and SE groups, those were administered intracerebroventricular injections of Ad-PTEN, Ad-enhanced green fluorescent protein, and phosphate buffer saline, respectively. The normal group was comprised of healthy Sprague-Dawley rats. Nissl staining was conducted to evaluate neuronal damage, and immunohistochemistry was conducted to observe the morphology of cells in the hippocampal CA1 region and the distribution of ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) and ED1 (rat homologue of human CD68). Levels of apoptosis-related proteins, inflammatory-related factors, and oxidative stress-related markers (reactive oxygen species [ROS], glutathione [GSH], superoxide dismutase [SOD], and malondialdehyde [MDA]) were measured. Comparisons between multiple groups were conducted using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and pairwise comparisons after ANOVA were conducted using the Tukey multiple comparisons test.@*RESULTS@#After SE induction, PTEN expression in the rat brain exhibited a four-fold decrease (P = 0.000) and the expression of both Iba1 and ED1 increased. Furthermore, significant neuronal loss, oxidative damage, and neuroinflammation were observed in the SE rat brain. After intracerebroventricular injection of Ad-PTEN, PTEN expression exhibited a three-fold increase (P = 0.003), and the expression of both Iba1 and ED1 decreased. Additionally, neurons were restored and neuronal apoptosis was inhibited. Furthermore, ROS and MDA levels decreased, GSH level and SOD activity increased, and neuroinflammation was reduced.@*CONCLUSION@#Our study demonstrated that brain oxidative damage and neuroinflammation in SE rats were ameliorated by intracerebroventricular injection of Ad-PTEN.

DNA marker-assisted selection of medicinal plants (Ⅰ) .Breeding research of disease-resistant cultivars of Panax notoginseng / 中国中药杂志

The study is aimed to estimate the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the main producing areas of Salvia miltiorrhiza.Diversity of AMF was surveyed directly on spores isolated from the field soil, collected from 20 sites of 8 provinces. Identification of the AMF was made by observation of spore morphology. At least 27 recognized AMF species were identified in samples from field soil, belonging to seven genera of AMF-Acaulospora, Glomus, Funneliformis, Ambispora, Rhizophagus, Pacispora, and Claroideoglomus. Acaulospora and Glomus were the dominant genera, respectively including nine and eight species. A. laevis (90%), R.manihotis (80%), A. brieticulata (75%), A. tuberculata (70%) were the dominant species.Colonization rate was determined,colonization was easily found, but the colonization intensities were low, the colonization rate remained at 10.92%-25.93%. The similarity between provinces is generally low, and the similarity coefficients were from 0.20 to 0.57.

Epidemiological characters of Yunnan sudden death syndrome and its research progress / 法医学杂志

Yunnan sudden death syndrome (YSDS) is an abruptly fatal disease of unknown etiology, found mostly in central or northwestern mountain area (with altitude between 1,815 and 2,225 meters) of Yunnan province from June to September every year. It occurs mostly in young female adults, with high incidences in Lisu, Yi and Miao ethnics and high familial aggregation. The clinical manifestation of YSDS is changeful and the pathological characteristic is lack of specificity. The pathogenesis may be attributed to several factors including poor hygiene and lower socioeconomic conditions, lack of Selenium or Chromium, infection of Coxsackie B virus, mushroom consumption and special geological conditions. This article reviews the epidemiologic features, clinical manifestations, pathological features, etiology and hypothesis in order to provide clues for the research of YSDS.

Survey of thyroid volume of school children of Chongqing in 2011 / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective To find out the current thyroid volume of school children and its influencing factors in Chongqing.Methods Probability sampling method(PPS) was used to select 30 counties in Chongqing in 2011.Forty children aged 8-10of 1 randomly selected school from every county chosen were enrolled in the study.Thyroid volume of children was examined by B-ultrasonograghy.Body height and body weight were measured.The relationship between gender,age,height and weight and thyroid volume was analyzed,respectively.Results One thousand three hundred and twenty-two children aged 8-10 were investigated.The median of thyroid volume was 3.53 ml.The goiter rate was 5.52％ (73/1322).Thyroid volume of female and male was 3.55 and 3.51 ml,respectively.There was no significant difference of thyroid volume between female and male (H =0.68,P ＞ 0.05).Thyroid volume of children aged 8,9 and 10 was 3.30,3.53 and 3.76 ml,respectively.There was a significant difference of thyroid volume among different age groups(H =52.49,P ＜ 0.01).Thyroid volume of children height (110-,120-,130-and ≥140 cm,respectively) was 2.96,3.22,3.59 and 4.13 ml.There was a significant difference of thyroid volume among different height groups (H =149.23,P ＜ 0.01).Thyroid volume of children weight(17-,20-,30-and ≥40 kg,respectively) was 2.71,3.31,3.91 and 4.74 ml.There was a significant difference of thyroid volume among different weight groups(H =138.44,P ＜ 0.01).For the coefficients of simple and partial correlation,there was a significant correlation between thyroid volume and age,height and weight (P ＜ 0.05).The Spearman coefficient was 0.2411,0.3950 and 0.4285,respectively.The partial correlation coefficient was 0.0640,0.1154 and 0.2319,respectively.The standard partial coefficient of age,height and weight was 0.640,0.1154 and 0.3410,respectively.The proportion of the standard partial coefficients was 1 ∶ 1.8 ∶ 5.3.The function of body weight to thyroid volume was 5.3 times that of age and 3.0 times that of body height.Conclusions The goiter rate of schoolchildren in Chongqing is relatively high.Thyroid volume is affected by age,body height and body weight.The relationship between thyroid volume and iodine nutrition needs further study.

An outbreak of endemic typhus in Baoshan city, Yunnan province / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To understand the epidemiologic characteristics of endemic typhus in Baoshan city. Methods Epidemiological data were collected and characteristics were analyzed. IgG antibody(Ab) of Rickettsia mooseri and Orientia tsutsuganushi in serum of patients were tested using both Weil-Felix and IFA method. The Rickettsia mooseri gltA gene, Rickettsia prowazekii gltA gene,Orientia tsutsugamushi 56 kDa protein gene, SFGR ompA gene, Ehrlichia sp. 16S rRNA gene and Anaplasma sp. 16S rRNA gene in spleen of mice were examined by PCR. Results Fifty- eight endemic typhus cases were found in Longyang district of Baoshan city, during July to August, 2009.Among them, 48 cases were confirmed by clinical diagnosis and 10 cases by laboratory tests. The Ab of Orientia tsutsugamushi Karp serotype was detected in 3 cases from laboratory diagnosis. The spleen samples from 85 Rattns flavipectus were tested using PCR. Of them, 3 samples for Rickettsia mooseri gltA gene showed positive (positive rate was 3.5% ), and the homology of 3 Rickettsia mooseri and Rickettsia mooseri Wilmington strain (GenBank U59714.1) was 100% through comparing gene sequence. The results of PCR for detecting Rickettsia prowazekii, Orientia tsutsugamushi, SFGR,Anaplasma sp. and Ehrlichia. sp were all negative. Conclusion The outbreak of endemic typhus was confirmed in Longyang district of Baoshan city through epidemiological data, clinical diagnosis and laboratory tests. Rickettsia mooseri DNA was detected in the dominant Raw flavipectus, suggesting that endemic typhus did exist in the local areas.

Analysis of Keshan disease investigation result in Yunnan province in 2008 / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective In order to master the current situation of Keshan disease in Yunnan province and to provide scientific basis for Keshan disease control and prevention. Methods Eighteen villages were selected as the investigation sites in 6 counties across all the Keshan disease wards in Yunnan province,where the residents were investigated. Then,the villages census data was collected,clinical examination aiming mainly on cardiovascular system was carried out,including electrocardiography and X-ray to the suspected patients. Correct diagnose of Keshan disease was made by the Diagnostic Standard of Keshan Disease(GB 17021-1997). At the same time,10 food samples and 10 hair samples for detecting selenium content in every investigation site. Results There were 9818 residents investigated in the 18 investigation sites in 6 counties,and 34 eases of Keshan disease were found,the total incidence rate was 0.35%(34/9818). Among the 34 Keshan disease eases,32 cases were latent Keshan disease,the incidence rate was 0.33%(32/9818); 2 cases were chronic Keshan disease,the incidence rate was 0.02%(2/9818). There was no any acute and sub acute cases be found. Most Keshan disease cases aged from 5 to 14,67.65% (23/34). Abnormal ECG rate was 6.90% (677/9818). Among 56 X-ray films,47 cases had a cardiothoracic ratio less than or equal to 0.50,83.93%(47/56),5 cases from 0.51 to 0.55,8.93%(5/56),4 cases from 0.56 to 0.60,7.14%(4/56). Selenium content was detected in 180 food samples and 180 hair samples. The average food selenium content (mg/kg) was 0.013±0.010,the lowest content in Yongsheng county (0.006± 0.001),the highest content in Tonghai county(0.027±0.009). The average hair selenium eontentwas(0.252± 0.078)mg/kg,with the lowest(0.145±0.043)mg/kg in Yoagsbeng county,the highest (0.297±0.062)mg/kg in Tonghai county. Conclusions The detected ratio of Keshan disease is low in Yunnan province. Most of Keshan disease patients age from 5 to 14. It was presented that the Keshan disease infectious agents were still strong and active. The foodstuffs and hair Selenium content is low in food and hair sample,and varies in different investigation site. It is necessary to supply selenium for prevent Keshan disease in the severe areas.

Analysis of Keshan Disease surveillance data in Yunnan Province in 2007 / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective To study the current incidence of Keshan disease in Yunnan Province,and provide scientific basis for Keshan disease(KD) prevention and control. Methods Based on the Scheme of KD Surveillance, 16 villages in 11 counties were chosen as surveillance sites by the historical data. An survey was made to the residents in the 16 surveillance sites by filling in the questionnaire, inquiry medical history, clinical examination, electrocardiogram and 2 meters post-anterior chest X-ray for suspected cases. KD cases were diagnosed according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Keshan Disease(GB 17021-1997). The prevalence data of KD in the whole province were collected from the KD case report in 2007 and the trace surveys. Results There were 6877 residents in 16 surveillance sites of 11 surveillance counties and totally 39 KD cases were diagnosed with a detection ratio of 0.57% (39/6877). The detection ratio of latent and chronic KD were 0.41%(28/6877) and 0.16%(11/6877), respectively and no acute or subacute cases were found. The cases aged 5 to 14 years old accounting for 66.67% (26/39). Electrocardiogram examination of 6877 residents were made and 5.25% (361/6877) abnormal electrocardiograms were detected in the 16 surveillance sites. Fifty-five people were checked by chest X-ray and there were 31 cases with heart-chest ratio ≤0.50, 16 cases with heart-chest ratio from 0.51 to 0.55 and 8 cases with heart-chest ratio from 0.56 to 0.60. The prevalence rate and incidence rate of chronic KD were 4.24 per 100 000 and 0.50 per 100 000 in Yunnan. No acute or subacute cases were found and the latent cases were listed. The prevalence rate and incidence rate were 7.76 per 100 000 and 1.18 per 100 000 in the 16 surveillance sites. Conclusions The incidence of KD is low incidence in Yunnan Province. Higher ineidence of chronic KD was detected in the some areas and the corresponding control measures need to be adopted.

Clinical features of unexpected sudden death clustered in 7 families in Yunnan Province / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical features of unexpected sudden death (SUD) clustered in families in Yunnan province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This retrospective study analyzed the clinical features of SUD occurred between July to September 2005 in 7 families in Yunnan province.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All 16 SUD patients shared common clinical features such as fatigue and repeated syncope and one group of SUD patients (n = 8 from 4 families) presented with the gastric intestinal tract manifestations including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea with suspected dietary history and abnormal laboratory enzyme findings (GOT/GPT, CK/CKMB, LDH/LDH1 etc.). In SUD patients without gastric intestinal tract manifestations (n = 8 from 3 families), there were no clear symptoms before death and repeated ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation were recorded in one survivor. There was no clear evidence for the involvements of hereditary and infectious factors for observed SUD.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The reason for the unexpected sudden death clustered in 7 families in Yunnan remains unclear. Repeated syncope and fatigue served as the common clinical features in the presence or absence of gastric intestinal tract manifestations in all SUD cases. Further studies are needed to clarify the pathology and detailed clinical manifestations of SUD occurred in this area.</p>

Study on clustering of Yunnan unexplained sudden death in household and village / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the clustering of Yunnan unexplained sudden death (YUSD) in household and village.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-two cases were found by YUSD surveillance system in 2005. Poisson distribution and beta-binomial distribution (BBD) were employed in studying the household distribution of the disease. Poisson distribution and negative binomial distribution (NBD) were employed in studying the village distribution of the disease.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>BBD were fitted household distribution of YUSD very well (chi(2) = 0.25, P = 0.62), while Poisson distribution was consistent with it (chi(2) = 46.01, P < 0.001). And NBD were fitted village distribution of YUSD very well (chi(2) = 0.05, P = 0.58), however the consistency in Poisson distribution was not observed (chi(2) = 110.57, P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Household and village clustering of YUSD does exist.</p>

Electrocardiogram analysis in high risk population of unexplained sudden death in Yunnan province / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The purpose of this study was to analyze the electrocardiographic features of the people living in the area with high incidence of unexplained sudden deaths in Yunnan province.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The electrocardiograms of 338 residents from three villages (Dayao, Ninglang, Heqing) with high incidence of unexplained sudden deaths and one control village (Dali) were analyzed [averaged age was (33.4 +/- 11.7) years, 175 men and 163 women].</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence of cardiac arrhythmias was similar low in all groups. The left ventricular hypertrophy was observed in 34.6% of residents from Dayao. QTc significantly prolonged in the residents from all 3 high incidence areas compare the control area of Dali [control (386.8 +/- 27.22) ms, Ninglang (428.92 +/- 25.71) ms, Heqing (440.67 +/- 28.03) ms, Dayao (417.7 +/- 24.00) ms, P < 0.05 vs. control]. Incidence of U wave was significantly higher in Heqing village than that in control village (P < 0.05). The QUc of these 3 villages was: (613.67 +/- 37.34) ms, (597.19 +/- 46.47) ms, (608.59 +/- 39.59) ms respectively, and also significantly longer than the control village of Dali (589.33 +/- 41.27) ms (P < 0.05). The typical pattern of U wave presents as enlarged U wave and apparent T-U complex. In the 7 residents who have the family history of unexplained sudden death, 6 residents have U wave, and 4 of them present typical U wave pattern.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The significant ECG changes in villages with high incidence of unexplained sudden death in Yunnan province were prolonged QTc, enlarged U wave and apparent T-U complex and these ECG features suggested the repolarization abnormalities of the heart in these subjects.</p>

Investigation and analysis on the incidence of "Yunnan unknown-cause sudden cardiac death" during / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of the "Yunnan unknown-cause sudden cardiac death (YUSCD)".</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cases of YUSCD occurred in 2002-2004 were investigated with cross-sectional study. Clinical manifestation was observed and analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The YUSCD areas were mountainous and most of the YUSCD cases appeared between June and August. Most of the YUSCD cases were young farmers and showed family/village clustering nature. Most of the patients died quickly with only few recovered. The overall incidence of YUSCD was 1.83% with mortality as 1.51%. The fatality rate of YUSCD appeared to be 78.1%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The YUSCD cases had a clustering feature along with time and area. The clinical manifestation of YUSCD could not be specifically identified, making the clinical diagnosis and treatment difficult when practicing in the fields that called for further studies on epidemiology, clinical work and etiology.</p>

Morphologic features of sudden cardiac death in Yunnan province, with emphasis on myocarditis / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To study the pathologic feature of sudden cardiac death in Yunnan province and to investigate the role of myocarditis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>During the period from 1991 to 2006, there were 29 cases of sudden cardiac death with autopsy performed. Fourteen of these cases were diagnosed to have myocarditis based on Dallas criteria and World Heart Federation's consensus. The clinical and pathologic findings were reviewed. The cardiac conduction system was examined in details by serial sectioning in 3 cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fourteen cases suffered with myocarditis, which accounted for 48% of all cases of sudden cardiac death studied. The age of the deceased ranged from 8 to 68 years (mean = 30 years), with male-to-female ratio equaled to 9:5. Lymphocytic myocarditis and neutrophil myocarditis were the two major types, affecting 11 and 3 cases, respectively. The inflammatory infiltrates were often patchy rather than diffuse. The inflammatory foci were detected only in 8% to 42% (average = 20%) of the paraffin sections of the heart tissue. These lesions were usually located in the lateral wall of left ventricle and occasionally in interventricular septum and right ventricular wall. Myocardial injury was mild in most cases while patchy myocytolysis or coagulation necrosis was observed only in a few cases. Most of the lesions were relatively new and histologic evidence of myocardial repairing sometimes coexisted. Pericarditis and subacute endocarditis were also identified in 4 and 1 cases, respectively. Atrioventricular node was involved by myocarditis in 1 of the 3 cases examined for cardiac conduction system. Two cases showed gross evidence of cardiac dilatation (either left ventricle or biventricular). Respiratory tract and pulmonary infection was present in 5 cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Myocarditis represents one of the major pathologic changes of sudden cardiac death occurring in Yunnan province. The inflammation is usually focal. Further studies are required for delineation of possible etiologies which may include virus, bacteria or exogenous toxin.</p>

Retrospective study on 116 unexpected sudden cardiac deaths in Yunnan, China / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the epidemiological and clinical features of unexpected sudden cardiac deaths (SUD) in Yunnan.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Choosing the old SUD cases from Xiangyun, Heqing, Nanjian and Dayao counties and using the standardized verbal autopsy Form, we interviewed the family members of the cases, witnesses and doctors as well as reviewing their medical files to get relative information.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We identified 116 SUDs in 21 villages from 1984 to 2004. The village-specific annually standardized incidence rates were ranged from 0.2/1000 to 8.9/1000 (median = 0.8/1000). 66% and 29% of the SUDs occurred in July and August respectively. The incidence rates of SUD were higher (1.6/1000, chi(2) = 16, P < 0.01) in 10 - 39 year-olds, and higher in females than in males (RR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1 - 2.3). Seventy percent of SUD occurred in families having clustering nature and 60% of the additional cases in the family were occurred within 24 hours (median = 20 hours) after the first SUD identified in the family. SUD occurred in 23 families followed the first affected family in a village during the same season. In these 23 families, 61% of the first SUD occurred within 8 days after the first SUD in the first affected family. 68% and 66% of the SUDs did not have any complaints or signs during the last 3 weeks or from 3 weeks to 2 days prior to the onset of the disease. 63% of the SUDs had cardiac symptoms within the last 2 days prior to the onset with major symptoms as dizziness, nausea, faintness, unconsciousness, weakness and palpitation. The median duration from acute onset to death was 2 hours.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The extreme time-space clustering of SUD in families and in villages suggested that the risk factors occurred in specific time and location. Familial clustered SUD cases had common exposure pattern. Sudden onset of acute cardiac symptoms often followed by sudden death. Epidemiological study on new cases was necessary to identify risk factors and to develop hypothesis for causation. In July 2005, we instituted a special SUD surveillance system for all the affected counties together with 10 counties which had no reported cases.</p>

Study on Biological Characters of Sindbis Virus Yunnan Strain / 中国病毒学

The biological characters of Sindbis virus strain of Yunnan(YN87448 strain) were studied by the test of the filtration, acid-resistant, ether-resistant, CPE, susceptibility of animal, HA, plague, determination of virus titres, and the cross-HI, cross-IFAT and PRNT as well.The results indicated that YN87448 strain belongs to Sindbis virus, Alphavirus, Togaviridae. YN87448 strain virus was plaque purified(PYN87448). The biological character of PYN87448 strain virus was studied too. PYN87448 strain virus will be used in the molecule biological test.

Isolation of Japanese Encephalitis Virus from Brain Tissues of Bat in Yunnan Province / 中国病毒学

In July 1997, a strain (GB30) of virus was isolated from 60 samples of brain tissues of Murina aurata (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) co llec ted in Gengma county, Yunnan province, China. Isolation of virus was negative fr om 4 samples of brain tissues of Rousettus leschenaulti (Chiroptera: Pteropo did ae) collected in Gengma. GB30 virus strain could regularly cause illness and dea th in suckling mice, produced evident CPE in BHK21 cells. It agglutinated red b lood cells of dove at pH5.75～7.4. This virus has been identified serologically by hemagglutination inhibition and immunofluorescent tests using Japanese enceph alitis (JE), dengue (DEN) type 1,2,3,4, and chikungunya (CHIK) viruses monoclona l antibodies, and JE and sindbis (SIN) viruses immune sera. It showed specific r eaction to JE virus only and no reaction with DEN 1～4, CHIK and SIN viruses. Th erefore it can be identified as JE virus. This is the first report on the isolat ion of JE virus from Murina aurata. The results showed that bats are conside red as the reservoir and amplifier host of JE virus transmission in nature.