Stability and ionic mobility in argyrodite-related lithium-ion solid electrolytes.

In the search for fast lithium-ion conducting solids for the development of safe rechargeable all-solid-state batteries with high energy density, thiophosphates and related compounds have been demonstrated to be particularly promising both because of their record ionic conductivities and their typically low charge transfer resistances. In this work we explore a wide range of known and predicted thiophosphates with a particular focus on the cubic argyrodite phase with a robust three-dimensional network of ion migration pathways. Structural and hydrolysis stability are calculated employing density functional method in combination with a generally applicable method of predicting the relevant critical reaction. The activation energy for ion migration in these argyrodites is then calculated using the empirical bond valence pathway method developed in our group, while bandgaps of selected argyrodites are calculated as a basis for assessing the electrochemical window. Findings for the lithium compounds are also compared to those of previously known copper argyrodites and hypothetical sodium argyrodites. Therefrom, guidelines for experimental work are derived to yield phases with the optimum balance between chemical stability and ionic conductivity in the search for practical lithium and sodium solid electrolyte materials.

Outbreak of dengue Fever in central China, 2013.

In 2013, the first dengue fever (DF) outbreak in central China was reported in the central of Henan province, northern temperate regions, although they have been sequentially recorded in Southern China. 106 suspected DF cases were reported and 73 patients were confirmed dengue virus type 3 (DEN-3) infections. 62/392 (15.8%) local health persons showed DEN antibodies positive. To this day Henan is the northernmost province in China which has been reported about outbreak of DF and what is important is that it warns us the endemic range of DF has been expanded geographically in China.

Detection of new bunyavirus RNA by reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a newly emerging and epidemic infectious disease in central and northeast China. It is caused by New Bunyavirus and carries an average 12% case fatality rate. Early and rapid detection is critical for prevention and control of New Bunyavirus infection, since no vaccine or antiviral drugs are currently available, and prevention requires careful attention to control of the suspected tick vector. In this study, a simple and sensitive reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay was developed for rapid detection of New Bunyavirus. The detection limit of the RT-LAMP assay was approximately 10(3) 50% tissue culture infective doses/ml of New Bunyavirus in culture supernatants, and no cross-reactive amplification of other viruses known to cause similar clinical manifestations was observed. The assay was further evaluated using 138 specimens from clinically suspected SFTS and 40 laboratory-proven hantavirus infection with fever and renal syndrome patients, and the assay exhibited 97% agreement compared to real-time RT-PCR and conventional RT-PCR. Using real-time RT-PCR as the diagnostic gold standard, RT-LAMP was 99% sensitive and 100% specific. The RT-LAMP assay could become a useful alternative in clinical diagnosis of SFTS caused by New Bunyavirus, especially in resource-limited hospitals or rural clinics of China.

Exploring dominant discourses: creating spaces to find voice and cultural identity.

This paper presents the experiences of five women's (of three nationalities and different ethnic backgrounds) challenging dominant cultural discourses and finding their own voice. Starting from a class assignment and individual papers, the five women engaged in a participatory writing project that helped them critically examine dominant discourses of their home countries, the US and other countries, and reflect on how they have been constrained by these dominant discourses and how they have resisted them.

[Genome sequences of coxsackievirus B5 isolated from viral encephalitis patients in Henan province, 2011].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the complete genome sequences of two coxsackievirus B5 (CVB5) isolated in Henan province, 2011. METHODS: Specimens were collected from viral encephalitis patients and followed by viral isolation on them. RNA were extracted from positive isolates and the amplified products were sequenced. The full-length genomes of them were acquired by assembling the fragments, using DNAStar 5.01 software while phylogenetic analysis were performed with Mega 5.05 and other software. RESULTS: The genomes RNA of 03001N and 17Y showed 7408 bp and 7404 bp long, and the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions were 747 bp, 743 bp and 103 bp, 103 bp, respectively. BLAST analysis of these two isolates, based on the complete genome, showed 97% identity, with both of them having the highest similarity(98%, 99%)to the CVB5 strain isolated from Henan in 2010 rather than other CVB5 strains. Coding regions of both isolates were 6558 bp, code for a polyprotein of 2185 amino acids (aa) and both of them showed 99% amino acid identity. Phylogenetic tree in VP1 region showed that the two isolates belonged to the same clade with other strains isolated from all over the country in the past years, except for some CVB5 strains isolated from Henan and Shandong province in 2009 that formed the other cluster. CONCLUSION: It seemed that more than one group of CVB5 were circulating in Henan province and these two isolates appeared the main epidemic strains circulating in the past years.

[Molecular epidemiological analysis of species B enteroviruses isolated from Henan Province of China during the six months in 2010].

This report presents an overview of human enterovirus B species in Henan Province. A total of 14 isolates of HEV-B species isolated under HFMD surveillance network during the six months in 2010 were examined. Based on molecular typing results targeting VP1 region, 14 isolates were classified into 6 serotypes of HEV-B. Furthermore, comparison of these 14 isolates with reference strains and strains in mainland China was conducted. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that E25, E11 and E6 showed homology with those from Shandong Province which adjoins Henan Province. E1 and E13 showed homology with those from Yunnan Province, and E30 showed homology with Henan strain isolated in 2008. Cocirculation of two lineages of echovirus 6 was observed.

[Genomic characteristics of coxsakievirus A16 isolated in Henan Province].

To reveal the genomic sequence characteristics of coxsackievirus A16 (CoxA16) strain isolated from patients with hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) in Henan province. A total of 406 samples were detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and cell-culture-based isolation of coxsackievirus A16. The whole genome of CoxA16 isolate was amplified using 10 pairs of primers, the sequences were analyzed and phylogenetic tree was generated by bioinformatics software. The full length of HN1162/HN/CHN/2010 genome was 7411bp. Compared with the other CoxA16 strains released in GenBank, the nucleotide similarities were 87.0-97.9%, 77.0%-95.4%, 80.3%-96.9%, 77.9% 96.2%, 80.5-100% in 5'UTR, P1, P2, P3, 3'UTR region, respectively; The similarities of nucleotide and amino acid sequences in VP1 region were 91.4%-96.4% and 99.3%-99.7%, respectively. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that CoxA16 strains isolated from Henan, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Fujian belonged to the same cluster. The newly isolated CoxA16 from Henan province belonged to subgenotype C2/B-2. These results will have great significance in monitoring CoxA16 and for prevention and control of hand-foot-mouth disease.

[Analysis of the epidemic characteristics of fever and thrombocytopenia syndrome in Henan province, 2007 - 2011].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of fever thrombocytopenia and leukopenia syndrome (FTLS) in Henan province, China in 2007 - 2011. METHODS: Data from specific surveillance system for FTLS in Henan and Information Management System of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention were used to collect the information of the cases.Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the surveillance data during 2007 - 2011. Patients' sera were collected to detect new bunyavirus using fluorescent RT-PCR and virus isolation. RESULTS: During 2007 - 2011, 1021 FTLS cases were reported in Henan province. The fatality rate was 2.25%with 23 deaths. The cases reported in Xinyang city were 1007, accounting for 98.75%.Cases were mainly occurred between April and October, accounting for 96.47% (985/1021). Epidemic peak was May to July, accounting for 59.16% (604/1021). The second peak occurred in September, accounting for 12.05% (123/1021). The age of the cases ranged from 1 to 88 years old with the median age of 59. Sex ratio (male:female) was 1:1.50 (408:613). In all cases, 93.73% (957/1021) were farmers. In 465 patients' sera, the positive rate of new bunyavirus was 69.25% (322/465) using fluorescent RT-PCR. In 164 patients' sera, 67 strains of new bunyavirus were isolated with isolation rate of 40.85% (67/164). CONCLUSION: FTLS in Henan province is caused mainly by the new bunyavirus and has certain regional and seasonal characteristics. Most cases are female older farmers.

[Analysis on the diagnosis and treatment of a cluster of cases infected by new bunyavirus].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze and summarize the clinical characteristics, experience of diagnosis and treatment of cases infected by new bunyavirus, which occurred in Henan province in 2010. METHODS: The clinical characteristics and effect of diagnosis and treatment of 5 cases were analyzed using descriptive epidemiological method. Blood specimens were detected by RT-PCR and pathogen separation. RESULTS: PCR testing was positive for all 5 cases. New bunyavirus were isolated from 2 cases. In 5 cases, fever (5/5), the whole body aches (5/5), fatigue (5/5), anorexia (5/5), nausea (5/5), the chills (4/5), cough (4/5), expectoration (4/5), vomiting (3/5), conjunctival hyperemia (3/5); Leukocyte reduction (5/5), thrombocytopenia (5/5), elevated alanine aminotransferase (4/5), elevated aspartate aminotransferase (4/5), elevated lactate dehydrogenase (5/5), creatine kinase elevations (4/5), urinary protein (3/5). By symptomatic and supportive treatment and prophylactic antibiotics, the first case died and the other 4 cases were cured. The average course of disease was 15.4 days. CONCLUSION: Cases infected by new bunyavirus have complicated clinical feature and multiple organ damage. If symptomatic treatment is in time, prognosis will be good.

[Establishment of indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for detection of IgG antibody against new bunyavirus].

OBJECTIVE: To develop an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for detection of IgG antibodies against new bunyavirus. METHODS: The antigen slides were prepared with 5 new bunyavirus strains isolated using Africa green monkey kidney (Vero) cells. Specificity and sensitivity evaluation of IFA were carried out by optimizing working conditions of IFA. Using established IFA, serum samples from both acute and recovery phases were tested for 126 cases with fever thrombocytopenia and leukopenia syndrome in Xinyang, Henan province in 2007 - 2011. The results were compared with detections by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The new bunyavirus stable immunofluorescence specific WZ69 strain was selected to prepare antigen slides of IFA. The optimum conditions of IFA were: optimum dilution for primary antibody (serum) and secondary antibody (isosulfocyanic acid fluorescence marked goat anti-human IgG antibody) was 1:40 and 1:150 respectively. The optimum dilution for Evans blue in secondary antibody was 1:20 000. Among the 126 patients, 96 paired serum specimens were tested positive to the new bunyavirus and 30 patients were tested negative to the virus. The positive rate of antibodies was 76.19%. There was no significant difference in results between IFA and RT-PCR (72.22% (91/126)) (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The IFA has high sensitivity and specificity with easy operation. It can be used in detecting the new bunyavirus infection in patients with fever, thrombocytopenia and leukopenia syndrome.

[Culture, isolation and identification of new bunyavirus in African green monkey kidney(Vero) cells].

OBJECTIVE: To culture, isolate and identify new bunyavirus in Vero cell line. METHODS: Samples of 164 new bunyavirus positive by real time RT-PCR detection and well preserved serum specimens were selected from cases of fever, thrombocytopenia and leukopenia syndrome (FTLS) in Xinyang, Henan province in 2009 - 2011. These sera were cultured in Vero cell line and new bunyavirus were detected by observing cytopathic effect (CPE), Real-time RT-PCR, indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and thin-section electron microscopy observation. A total of 10 positive PCR products were selected randomly for sequencing and the results were compared with sequence in Genbank. RESULTS: Among 164 FTLS serum specimens cultured in Vero cell line, no special CPE were observed and 67 strains (40.85%) were positive detected by Real-time RT-PCR. Nucleic acid similarity of 10 specimens were 97.8% - 100% and there's also a high similarity (> 99%) between specimens and new bunyavirus isolates (Accession No. HQ141600.1). Among 67 positive strains, 58 of them showed specific fluorescence particles by IFA. The viral particles were observed to be spheres with a diameter of 80 - 100 nm by electron microscopy. CONCLUSION: Vero cell line is suitable for culture, isolation and identification of new bunyavirus.

[Etiology surveillance of hand-foot-mouth disease in Henan province between 2008 and 2011].

OBJECTIVE: To understand etiological types and distribution features of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) in Henan province between 2008 and 2011. METHODS: A total of 30 486 specimens of feces, rectal swabs or throat swabs from HFMD patients were collected by each Municipal CDC in Henan from 2008 to 2011. The enterovirus 71 (EV71), coxsackie virus A16 (CA16) and other enterovirus (EV) were detected by RT-PCR or real time RT-PCR. The VP1 gene of EV71 was amplified and the sequences were analyzed by bioinformatics software. A genetic evolution tree of the sequence was constructed as well. RESULTS: The positive rates of EV71, CA16 and other EV were 62.70% (11 209/17 876), 12.03% (2150/17 876), 25.27% (4517/17 876) in 17 876 laboratory diagnosed cases, respectively. The differences were statistically significant (χ(2) = 157.17, P < 0.05). The positive rates of EV71, CA16 and other EV were 63.40% (7370/11 624), 11.58% (1346/11 624) and 25.02% (2908/11 624) in male patients and 61.40% (3839/6252), 12.86% (804/6252) and 25.74% (1609/6252) in female patients, respectively. The differences were statistically significant (χ(2) = 4.06, P < 0.05). The children under 5 years old were high-risk population of HFMD, accounting to 97.67% (17 459/17 876) of the laboratory-diagnosed patients.86.92% (15 537/17 876) cases were children between 1 to 3 years old. Constituent ratio of EV71 changed seasonally during a year, there was a high infection ratio of EV71 between April and June, especially in May, the infection ratio reached 69.34% (2384/3438). The positive rates of EV71, CA16 and other EV were 82.48% (5715/6929), 1.76% (122/6929) and 15.76% (1092/6929) among the 6929 laboratory-diagnosed severe cases, respectively. The positive rates of EV71 was higher than CA16 and other EV (χ(2) = 9259.17, 6170.81, P < 0.05, respectively). There were 117 deaths because of severe HFMD, 55 (47.01%) of which were laboratory confirmed. 50 death cases were infected by EV71, and according to the genetic evolution analysis, the VP1 gene of EV71 strain was belonged to subtype C4 of gene C. CONCLUSION: The EV71 and CA16 were the main pathogens which caused HFMD in Henan province, and EV71 virus was the dominant strain, belonging to C4 subtype of gene C.

[Epidemic characteristics and viral antibody level among healthy people of Japanese B encephalitis in Henan province in 2010].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the epidemic characteristics and viral antibody level among healthy people of Japanese B encephalitis (JE) in Henan province in 2010. METHODS: A total of 433 selected JE cases in Henan province in 2010 were analyzed by descriptive epidemiological method. Xinyang and Luoyang were selected as survey sites in 2010.12 administrative villages were randomly selected from both cities. As the investigation objects, 519 healthy people from the two cities were randomly selected by eight age groups:less than one year old, 1 - 2 years old, 3 - 4 years old, 5 - 6 years old, 7 - 14 years old, 15 - 19 years old, 20 - 59 years old, and above 60 years old. A total of 1008 samples of blood specimens were collected both in May and November, and JE viral antibody was detected by micro-cytopathic effect neutralization test. RESULTS: The incidence rate of JE was 0.46/100 000 (433/94 130 434) in Henan province in 2010.97.69% (423/433) of the patients were found between July and September, and 81.06% (351/433) were distributed in Nanyang, Xinyang, Luoyang, Zhumadian and Zhoukou city. Children aged 0 to 14 years were the primarily affected group (82.22%, 356/433), the people above 15 years old accounted for 17.78% (77/433) of whole cases in Henan province, but the same group accounted for 65.79% (50/76) of whole cases in Luoyang city, which obviously higher than the percentage in Henan province (χ(2) = 79.57, P < 0.05). Most patients were scattered children in Henan province, accounting for 58.89% (255/433). In Luoyang city, most patients were peasants, accounting for 44.74% (34/76). The antibody positive rate of JE among health people above 15 years old in Luoyang city was 48.94% (46/94), which was lower than it in Xinyang city at 97.78% (88/90). The difference showed statistical significance (χ(2) = 55.42, P < 0.05). The antibody positive rate among healthy people under vaccination was 50.41% (61/121), which was obviously higher than that among people without vaccination, at 16.67% (6/36) in Luoyang city. The difference showed statistical significance (χ(2) = 12.92, P < 0.05). The antibody positive rate among healthy people under vaccination was 67.11% (51/76) in Xinyang city, which was obviously higher than that among people without vaccination, at 46.39% (45/97). The difference showed statistical significance (χ(2) = 7.40, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The incidence of JE showed seasonal and regional characteristics, there were differences among ages and occupations. The difference was consistent with the difference in viral antibody level among health people in Henan province and Luoyang city.

[Comparison of different molecular assays for the rapid detection of enterovirus 71 (EV71)].

Molecular detection of enterovirus (EV)71 RNA based on PCR methods is a quick and sensitive approach. At present, different PCR-based methods for EV71 RNA detection are available, but comparisons of results obtained using different approaches are limited. This study is to compare the analytical sensitivity and specificity of different real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) and conventional reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (cRT-PCR) assays for enterovirus and EV71 detection, Altogether, three rRT-PCR assays and one cRT-PCR assay targeting the 5'UTR gene for universal detection of enterovirus; two rRT-PCR assays andone cRT-PCR assay targeting the VP1 gene for specific detection of EV 71 were examined. All assays showed good specificity. The detection sensitivity ranged from 8.19 x 10 to 8.19 x 10(5) copy equivalents. In general, rRT-PCR assays were more sensitive than cRT-PCR assays. All rRT-PCR assays showed 100% sensitivity for clinical specimens.

[Etiology survey on an outbreak of viral encephalitis].

OBJECTIVE: To isolate and identify the pathogen that caused an outbreak of viral encephalitis in Henan province in 2010; and to analyze the genetic characteristic of gene viral protein1(VP1) on the viral strains isolated. METHODS: During the period of the outbreak of viral encephalitis in Lushan county, Pingdingshan city, Henan province, eight hospitalized patients were recruited in the study. All the patients' feces samples were collected. Three patients' cerebrospinal fluids samples and another four patients' serum samples were collected separately. The virus in the samples were isolated and identified by enterovirus (EV) combined serum. The VP1 gene of the positive isolate was amplified by reverse transcriptase PCR method, and its nucleotide sequence was detected and the genetic evolution was analyzed. RESULTS: Fifteen samples were collected in total, including 8 feces samples, 3 cerebrospinal fluids samples and 4 serum samples. The results of Fluorescence Quota PCR detection showed that 11 out of 15 samples were positive; 2 strains of virus were isolated from 2 feces samples and the serotype were all Coxsackie-positive identified by the EV combined serum. The full-length VP1 genetic sequences were all 849 bp, and showed 77.1% - 96.9% similar to the nucleotide and 95.8% - 100% similar to the amino acid of CoxB5. The analysis showed that the genetic evolution tree was just the same with Genotype-D. CONCLUSION: CoxB5 whose genotype was Genotype-D, was the pathogen that caused the outbreak of viral encephalitis in Lushan county, Pingdingshan city, Henan province.

[The spatial distribution and dynamics of human rabies cases at the county level in Henan province].

OBJECTIVE: To study the spatial distribution and dynamics of human rabies cases at the county level, in Henan province to provide scientific evidence for the development of control program on rabies. METHODS: Data of human rabies cases at the county level from 2004 to 2010 in Henan province were analyzed by Poisson distribution and negative binomial distribution. Data calculation was conducted manually. RESULTS: According to the level of α = 0.05 being set, there were three different results appeared:the first was fitted negative binomial distribution in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009; the second was prioritized negative binomial distribution, but the poisson distribution could not be excluded in 2008 and 2010;the last one was fitted neither negative binomial distribution nor poisson distribution in 2006. By the clustering parameter k, the clustering degree at county level decreased from 2004 to 2008, then ascending in 2009 but descending again in 2010. The degree of clustering showed a positive correlation with the county mean cases in the prevalent counties (r = 0.807, P = 0.028). CONCLUSION: As a whole, the distribution of human rabies at county level in Henan from 2004 to 2010 showed negative binomial distribution and presented the spatial clustering. However, the degree of clustering decreased in recent years and showed that the infection resource was possibly scattered more evenly at the county level.

[Genomic characteristics and recombination of enterovirus 71 strains isolated in Henan Province between 2008 and 2010].

To reveal the genetic features and recombination of enterovirus 71 isolates between 2008 and 2010. A total of 5 enterovirus 71 isolates were sequenced completely and phylogenetic analysis and recombination were performed. Phylogenetic analysis based on VP1 regions revealed that the Henan enterovirus 71 between 2008 and 2010 belonged to C4a in subgenotype C4. Bootscan analyses and phylogenetic analysis based on the 5'UTR, P1, P2, P3 genomic regions revealed the recombinations between EV71 genotypes B and C at the 2A-2B junction, and between EV71 genotype B and CA16 strain G-10 at the 3B-3C junction. Henan enterovirus 71 isolates between 2008 and 2010 belonged to C4a in subgenotype C4 which was the predominant virus genotype circulating in mainland China since 2004, a combination of intratypic and intertypic recombination were found in EV71 subgenotype C4.

A core competence-based objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) in evaluation of clinical performance of postgraduate year-1 (PGY1) residents.

BACKGROUND: Clinical competency certifications are important parts of internal medicine residency training. This study aims to evaluate a composite objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) that assesses postgraduate year-1 (PGY(1)) residents' acquisition of the six core competencies defined by the Accreditation council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). METHODS: Six-core-competency-based OSCE was used as examination of the clinical performance of 192 PGY(1) residents during their 3-month internal medicine training between 2007 January and 2009 December. For each year, the reliability of the entire examination was calculated with Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: The reliability of six-core-competency-based OSCE was acceptable, ranging from 0.69 to 0.87 between 2007 and 2009. In comparison with baseline scores, the summary scores and core-competency subscores all showed significant increase after PGY(1) residents finished their 3-month internal medicine training program. CONCLUSION: By using a structured development process, the authors were able to create reliable evaluation items for determining PGY(1) residents' acquisition of the ACGME core competencies.