MXene@Hydrogel composite nanofibers with the photo-stimulus response and optical monitoring functions for on-demand drug release.

The photo-stimulus response has the advantage of non-invasiveness, which could be used to control the "on" and "off" of drug release achieving on-demand release. Herein, we design a heating electrospray during electrospinning to prepare photo-stimulus response composite nanofibers consisting of MXene@Hydrogel. This heating electrospray enables to spray MXene@Hydrogel during the electrospinning process, and the hydrogel is uniformly distributed which cannot be achieved by the traditional soaking method. In addition, this heating electrospray can also overcome the difficulty that hydrogels are hard to be uniformly distributed in the inner fiber membrane.The "on" and "off" state of drug release could be controlled by light. Not only near infrared (NIR) light but also sunlight could trigger the drug release, which could benefit outdoor use when cannot find NIR light. Evidence by hydrogen bond has been formed between MXene and Hydrogel, the mechanical property of MXene@Hydrogel composite nanofibers is significantly enhanced, which is conducive to the application of human joints and other parts that need to move. These nanofibers also possess fluorescence property, which is further used to real-time monitor the in-vivo drug release. No matter the fast or slow release, this nanofiber can achieve sensitive detection, which is superior to the current absorbance spectrum method.

Cool and hot chitosan/platelet-derived growth factor nanofibers for outdoors burns.

Burns and scalds are thermal injuries caused by a large amount of heat accumulation in local tissues. The first cooling emergency is a key step. However, it is hard that in outdoors to find clean water to cool the scald tissue sites. Moreover, most dressings are concentrated on the treatment process today, neglecting the emergency treatment of temperature reduction. In this study, we imported refrigeration in the electrospinning process while using dirty water, rainwater and even urine of outdoors, so that the cooled sterile fibers were directly deposited on the burn and scald wounds, and the cooling emergency was achieved through the dual cooling mechanism. Since this fiber which is made up of cheap fish gelatin contains CuS adopting the green method, it can generate heat and effectively kill bacteria under the irradiation of an illumination lamp at the front end of a spinning device. As a result of the direct deposition, there is an excellent fit between the fibrous membrane and the skin, which reduces the air gap to achieve a better and quick cooling and heating effects. On the same Chitosan/Platelet-derived Growth Factor fiber membrane, this method of cooling first and heating second can shorten the recovery time from 30 days to 21 days. Thus, this treatment strategy has a great potential application prospect in the field of outdoor burn treatment.

A nanofiber hydrogel derived entirely from ocean biomass for wound healing.

Crustaceans and fish scales in the marine food industry are basically thrown away as waste. This not only wastes resources but also causes environmental pollution. While reducing pollution and waste, biological activity and storage of materials are urgent issues to be solved. In this study, by first preparing dry fibers and then making hydrogels, we prepared a fish scale/sodium alginate/chitosan nanofiber hydrogel (FS-P) by cross-linking the nanofibers in situ. From fish and other organisms, fish gelatin (FG), collagen and CaCO3 were extracted. Fish scale (FS)/sodium alginate/chitosan nanofibers were cross-linked with copper sulfide nanoparticles prepared by a one-step green method to obtain FS-P nanofiber hydrogels under mild conditions without catalyst and additional procedures. These fiber hydrogels not only have good tissue adhesion and tensile properties, but also have the antibacterial effect of natural antibacterial and CuS photothermal synergism, which can achieve 51.32% and 49.96% of the antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli respectively, avoiding the generation of superbacteria. The nanofiber hydrogels have 87.56% voidage and 52.68% degradability after 14 days. The combined strategy of using marine bio-based fibers to prepare gels promoted angiogenesis and tissue repair.

Identification of cis-regulatory regions responsible for developmental and hormonal regulation of HbHMGS1 in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana.

OBJECTIVES: 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) synthase (HMGS) is an important enzyme in mevalonate (MVA) pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis, which regulates the rubber biosynthetic pathway in rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) in coordination with HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR). However, little information is available about the regulation of HMGS gene expression. To understand the mechanism controlling the HbHMGS1 gene expression, we characterized the HbHMGS1 promoter sequence in transgenic plants with the ß-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene. RESULTS: GUS activity analysis of the transgenic plants showed that the HbHMGS1 promoter is active in all organs of the transgenic Arabidopsis plants during various developmental stages (from 6 to 45-day-old). Deletion of different portions of the upstream HbHMGS1 promoter identified sequences responsible for either positive or negative regulation of the GUS expression. Particularly, the - 454 bp HbHMGS1 promoter resulted in a 2.19-fold increase in promoter activity compared with the CaMV 35S promoter, suggesting that the - 454 bp HbHMGS1 promoter is a super-strong near-constitutive promoter. In addition, a number of promoter regions important for the responsiveness to ethylene, methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and gibberellic acid (GA) were identified. CONCLUSION: The - 454 bp HbHMGS1 promoter has great application potential in plant transformation studies as an alternative to the CaMV 35S promoter. The HbHMGS1 promoter may play important roles in regulating ethylene-, MeJA- and GA-mediated gene expression. The functional complexity of cis-elements revealed by this study remains to be elucidated.

Changes in seroprevalence of hepatitis A after the implementation of universal childhood vaccination in Shandong Province, China: A comparison between 2006 and 2014.

OBJECTIVES: The hepatitis A vaccine (HepA) has been included in the national expanded program on immunization (EPI) in China since 2008. This study was performed to evaluate the change in dynamics of the seroepidemiology of hepatitis A virus (HAV) before and after the introduction of the program. METHODS: The trends in seroepidemiology of anti-HAV antibodies were examined in Shandong Province, China, drawing on two population-based samples of persons aged 1-59 years, one obtained in the year 2006 (n = 6682) and the other in 2014 (n = 5095). RESULTS: A dramatic increase in seroprevalence of anti-HAV antibodies from 30.76% (95% confidence interval (CI) 26.24-35.28%) to 77.46% (95% CI 74.04-80.87%) among children aged 1.5-7 years (born after HepA was recommended for routine childhood immunization), as well as an increase from 35.32% (95% CI 29.31-41.33%) to 66.69% (95% CI 55.59-77.80%) in subjects aged 8-14 years, was observed in 2014 when compared with 2006. By contrast, a decline in seroprevalence among subjects aged 15-29 years, as seen particularly in those 20-29 years of age, from 85.72% (95% CI 80.29-91.14%) to 69.24% (95% CI 62.02-76.45%), was found in this study. There was no statistically significant difference in seroprevalence between 2006 and 2014 among the subjects older than 30 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: The national HepA routine immunization program has had a positive effect, leading to an increase in anti-HAV seroprevalence among children in Shandong Province, China. More attention should be paid to young adults in the province.

Transcriptome profiling of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) discovers candidate regulators of the cold stress response.

Tropical plant rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is the sole source of commercial natural rubber and low-temperature stress is the most important limiting factor for its cultivation. To characterize the gene expression profiles of H. brasiliensis under the cold stress and discover the key cold stress-induced genes. Three cDNA libraries, CT (control), LT2 (cold treatment at 4 °C for 2 h) and LT24 (cold treatment at 4 °C for 24 h) were constructed for RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and gene expression profiling. Quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) was conducted to validate the RNA-Seq and gene differentially expression results. A total of 1457 and 2328 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in LT2 and LT24 compared with CT were respectively detected. Most significantly enriched KEGG pathways included flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction, cutin, suberine and wax biosynthesis, Pentose and glucuronate interconversions, phenylalanine metabolism and starch and sucrose metabolism. A total of 239 transcription factors (TFs) were differentially expressed following 2 h or/and 24 h of cold treatment. Cold-response transcription factor families included ARR-B, B3, BES1, bHLH, C2H, CO-like, Dof, ERF, FAR1, G2-like, GRAS, GRF, HD-ZIP, HSF, LBD, MIKC-MADS, M-type MADS, MYB, MYB-related, NAC, RAV, SRS, TALE, TCP, Trihelix, WOX, WRKY, YABBY and ZF-HD. The genome-wide transcriptional response of rubber tree to the cold treatments were determined and a large number of DEGs were characterized including 239 transcription factors, providing important clues for further elucidation of the mechanisms of cold stress responses in rubber tree.

Polymorphisms in IRG1 gene associated with immune responses to hepatitis B vaccination in a Chinese Han population and function to restrain the HBV life cycle.

Vaccination against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is extensively used as an effective method to prevent HBV infection. However, nearly 10% of healthy adults fail to produce a protective level of antibodies against the hepatitis B vaccine, and multiple genetic variants are known to affect the immune response to the hepatitis B vaccine. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between polymorphisms in immunoresponsive gene 1 (IRG1) gene and the immune response to hepatitis B vaccination in a Chinese Han population. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in the IRG1 gene were genotyped in 1230 high-responders and 451 non-responders to hepatitis B vaccination. The SNPs rs17470171 and rs17385627 were associated with the immune response to hepatitis B vaccination (P = 0.014 and 0.029, respectively). In addition, the haplotypes G-A-A-A (rs614171-rs17470171-rs9530614-rs17385627, P = 0.0042, OR = 0.68) and A-A (rs17470171-rs17385627, P = 0.0065, OR = 0.72) exerted a protective role in the immune response to hepatitis B vaccination. Allele 'A' of rs17470171 and allele 'A' of rs17385627 show higher levels of expression for the IRG1 gene compared with allele 'C' of rs17470171 and allele 'T' of rs17385627 as demonstrated by luciferase reporter and overexpression assays. In addition, we observed that IRG1 inhibited the HBV life cycle and that IRG1 rs17385627 allele 'A' was more effective than rs17385627 allele 'T' at eliminating HBV in HepG2.2.15 cells. These findings suggest that polymorphisms in the IRG1 gene are associated with the immune response to hepatitis B vaccination. The antiviral effect of IRG1 was confirmed using HBV infection cell models.

[Economic burden and related factors on inpatients with HBV-related diseases in Shandong province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the economic burden of patients with acute and chronic hepatitis B, cirrhosis and liver cancer caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV). METHODS: Cluster sampling was used on cases consecutively collected during the study period. Questionnaire survey was conducted and information on the expenses during hospitalization was collected from the hospital records and through interviewing those patients. RESULTS: Yearly costs related to patients with acute hepatitis B, severe hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis B, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma were 66.7, 138.1, 127.4, 151.7 and 377.2 thousand Yuan, respectively. RESULTS: from multiple linear regression model showed that the type of medical insurance scheme, annual days of hospitalization, classifications of HBV-related diseases and personal income were major influencing factors on the cost. CONCLUSION: HBV infection caused considerable burden to families and the society, indicating that HBV infection control programs would bring huge potential benefits. The reform of insurance scheme should be administrated to promote social fairness.

[Preliminary analysis on the prevalence and causes of breakthrough hepatitis B virus infection among children in Shandong province, China].

OBJECTIVE: To know the prevalence and probable causes of breakthrough hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among children born after the introduction of universal infant hepatitis B vaccination in Shandong province, China. METHODS: The subjects of this study were selected from the provincial hepatitis B serosurvey conducted in 2006, who were born between 1992 and 2005 (aged 1-15 years) and were confirmed to have completed three or more doses of hepatitis B vaccine. Finally 3527 subjects were involved in this study and were investigated using a unified question are. Blood samples were collected from them to detect hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody against HBsAg (Anti-HBs) and antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (Anti-HBc). The parents of children positive for HBsAg were followed up. Blood samples were collected from their parents to detect for HBsAg. The rate and correlative factors of breakthrough HBV infection were gotten by single-factor and multiple-factor analysis. RESULTS: For the 3527 subjects, the overall prevalence rates of breakthrough HBV infection were 3.15% (111/3527), which decreased while birth year grew (χ(2)(Trend) = 44.83, P < 0.01) , the rate of subjects born in 1992 was the highest (9.9%, 16/161) , subjects born in 2000 was the least (0.8%, 2/258) , the rate of the self-report positive HBsAg status of mother, father and the other family members (15.22%, 7/46;34.09%, 15/44;17.65%, 6/34) were higher than the negative (2.99%, 104/3481, 2.76%, 96/3483, 3.01%, 105/3493) (χ(2) values were 22.28, 13.97, 23.68, respectively, all P values were < 0.01) , timely first dose of hepatitis B vaccine (5.37%, 41/763) was higher than the subjects that not in time (2.53%, 70/2764) (χ(2) = 15.596, P < 0.01) . The overall prevalence rates of breakthrough chronic HBV infection was 1.08% (38/3527), which decreased while birth year grew (χ(2)(Trend) = 9.96, P < 0.05) , the rate of subjects born in 1992 was the most (3.1%, 5/161) , subjects born in 1997 was the least (0.4%, 1/261) , the rate of the self-report positive HBsAg status of mother, father and the other family members (13.04%, 6/46;29.55%, 13/44;17.65%, 6/34) were higher than the negative (0.92%, 32/3481;0.72%, 25/3483;0.92%, 32/3493) (χ(2) values were 62.62, 338.80, 88.44, respectively, all P values were < 0.05) , timely first dose of hepatitis B vaccine (1.83%, 14/763) was lower than the subjects that not in time (0.87%, 24/2764) (χ(2) = 5.16, P = 0.02) . Multiple factors analysis showed that compared to the negative, the self-report positive HBsAg status of father, mother increased the risk of breakthrough HBV infection,OR (95%CI) values were 3.73 (1.09-12.75) and 26.76 (11.86-60.37) , respectively (all P values were < 0.05) , compared with eastern cities, the risk of western cities were the highest (OR (95%CI) = 6.00 (2.50-14.40) , P < 0.05) the risk of children born in 1992-2001 was higher than those born in 2002 ( (OR (95%CI) = 1.91 (1.10-3.32) , P < 0.05) . Compared to the negative, the self-report positive HBsAg status of father, mother and the other family members increased the risk of breakthrough chronic HBV infection,OR (95%CI) values were 7.51 (1.44-39.17) , 99.99 (34.29-291.62) , 8.94 (1.81-44.10) , respectively (all P values were < 0.05) , compared with eastern cities, the risk of western rural areas were the highest (OR (95%CI) = 12.51 (2.78-56.25) , P < 0.05) , sharing tooth brush with the others increased the risk (OR (95%CI) = 8.67 (1.14-66.14) , P < 0.05) . Among HBsAg-positive children, those with HBsAg positive mother and father accounted for 12/23 and 6/19, respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of breakthrough HBV infection and breakthrough chronic HBV infection among children was low in Shandong province. Mother to infant transmission might be the main reason for the infection while the role of the horizontal transmission within the family shouldn't be ignored.

[Study on antibody response to revaccination of hepatitis B vaccine among firstly low-response adults].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the antibody to hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (anti-HBs) response and the influent factors of revaccination of 4 kinds of hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) among firstly low-response adults. METHODS: A total of 11 590 adults who were 18 - 49 years old, never received HepB vaccination, without HBV infection history, HBs-Ag negative, and had been living at 3 towns of Zhangqiu county in Shandong province Ji'nan city for more than half a year, were selected in the study in July, 2009. Self-designed questionnaire was used to select the basic information of the subjects. The subjects were divided into 4 groups by cluster sampling, and were vaccinated according to the "0-1-6" immune procedure with 10 µg HepB made by recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid techniques in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae (HepB-SC), 10 µg HepB made by recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid techniques in Hansenula Polymorpha (HepB-HP), 20 µg HepB-SC and 20 µg HepB made by recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid techniques in Chinese hamster ovary cell (HepB-CHO), 3 doses respectively. The adults who were low-response to the primary hepatitis B vaccination (10 mU/ml ≤ anti-HBs < 100 mU/ml) were divided into four groups by cluster sampling. These groups were revaccinated with one-dose of above-mentioned four kinds of HepB respectively. Blood samples were drawn from each person one month after the revaccination. Anti-HBs was detected by chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay and compared by the vaccine type. The influence factors about antibody response were also analyzed. RESULTS: Out of the 11 590 subjects, 8592 adults had accepted the primary vaccination of hepatitis B and been collected the blood samples; among whom, 1306 subjects showed low-response, at the rate of 15.20%. A total of 1034 low-response subjects accepted secondary strengthened vaccination and were collected blood samples; 55.13% of them showed anti-HBs seroconversion (anti-HBs ≥ 100 mU/ml); while the seroconversion rate in each group was 44.54% (106/238) in 10 µg HepB-SC group, 57.14% (156/273) in 10 µg HepB-HP group, 56.08% (143/255) in 20 µg HepB-SC group and 61.57% (165/268) in 20 µg HepB-CHO group, respectively. There was significant difference among the groups (χ² = 17.14, P < 0.01). The rates of anti-HBs seroconversion were significantly higher in 10 µg HepB-HP and 20 µg HepB-CHO groups than it in 10 µg HepB-SC group (χ² were 8.09 and 14.70 respectively, P < 0.01). The geometric mean concentration (GMC) of anti-HBs was 178.24 mU/ml among the low-responders after one dose of revaccination. The GMC was 109.77, 243.50, 144.98 and 242.83 mU/ml in 10 µg HepB-SC group, 10 µg HepB-HP group, 20 µg HepB-SC group and 20 µg HepB-CHO group, respectively. There was significant difference among groups (F = 9.52, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Anti-HBs response could be strengthened effectively after one-dose of HepB revaccination among the low-response adults. Many factors like the vaccine types could effect the immune effects to HepB. A better response could be achieved if the 20 µg HepB-CHO or 10 µg HepB-HP was used for revaccination.

[Comparison on the antibody response after primary immunization of 5 µg and 10 µg hepatitis B vaccine made by recombinant DNA techniques among newborns].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the antibody response induced by primary immunization with 5 µg and 10 µg hepatitis B vaccine made by recombinant DNA techniques among the newborns. METHODS: Healthy infants who had completed primary immunization with 5 µg hepatitis B vaccine made by recombinant dexyribonucleic acid techniques in Saccharomyces (Hep-SC) or 10 µg hepatitis B vaccine made by recombinant dexyribonucleic acid techniques in Hansenula polymorpha (HepB-HP) were included in the study. Kids under study were 7-12 months of age and had been on 0-1-6 schedule. Standardized questionnaire was used and blood samples were collected. The titer of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) was detected by Chemiluminescence Microparticle Imunoassay (CMIA). If anti-HBs happened to be under 10 mIU/ml, HBV DNA was further detected by nested-PCR to distinguish occult hepatitis B virus infection. Sero-conversion rate and titer of anti-HBs were compared between the two kinds of hepatitis B vaccines. Multivariate analysis was used to find the relationship between the kind of hepatitis B vaccine as well as the antibody response after debugging the other influencing factors including month-age, gender, birth-weight, premature birth and mother's HBsAg status. RESULTS: 8947 infants vaccinated with 5 µg HepB-SC and 4576 infants vaccinated with 10 µg HepB-HP were investigated. In the 5 µg group, the rates of non-, low-, normal- and high-response were 1.88%, 15.18%, 61.42% and 21.52% respectively. In the 10 µg group, the corresponding rates were 0.15%, 2.16%, 29.42% and 68.26% respectively. The non-, low-, normal-response rates were all higher in 5 µg group than in 10 µg group (P<0.01), while the high-response rate was much higher in 10 µg group than in 5 µg group (P<0.01). The geometric mean concentration (GMC) of anti-HBs were 354.81 mIU/ml (95%CI: 338.84-363.08 mIU/ml) and 1778.28 mIU/ml (95%CI: 1698.24-1819.70 mIU/ml) in the 5 µg group and 10 µg group respectively. The GMC was statistically higher in the 10 µg group than in the 5 µg group (P<0.001). The sero-conversion rate and GMC were significantly different between the two groups even after debugging the other influencing factors. CONCLUSION: Better anti-HBs response could be achieved by primary immunization with 10 µg HepB-HP than with 5 µg HepB-SC among newborns.

[Multi-center matching study on antibody response between preterm and full-term infants after primary immunization of hepatitis B vaccine].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the antibody response between preterm and full-term infants after primary immunization of hepatitis B vaccine (HepB). METHODS: Infants who were aged 7 - 12 months and had completed primary immunization with 5 µg HepB made by recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid techniques in saccharomyces cerevisiae (HepB-SC) or 10 µg HepB made by recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid techniques in Hansenula polymorpha (HepB-HP) on 0-1-6 schedule were investigated in four provinces (municipality) including Beijing, Shandong, Jiangsu and Guangxi of China. Among them, all preterm infants were selected to form the preterm group and the 1:1 matching full-term infants with the same month-age, gender and residence were randomly selected to form the full-term group. Their HepB history was determined by immunization certificate and all of their parents were interviewed with standard questionnaire to get their birth information. Blood samples were obtained from all anticipants and were tested for Anti-HBs by chemiluminescence microparticle immuno-assay (CMIA). RESULTS: Total anticipants were 648 pairs of infants. The rates of non-response, low-response, normal-response and high-response after the primary immunization were 1.39%, 8.64%, 45.83% and 44.14% in the preterm group, respectively. The corresponding rates were 1.08%, 9.26%, 44.91% and 44.75% in the full-term group. The above four rates did not show significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). The geometric mean concentrations (GMC) of anti-HBs in the pre-term and full-term group were 755.14 and 799.47 mIU/ml respectively. There was no significantly difference in the GMCs between the two groups (P > 0.05). Results from multivariable conditional logistic analysis showed that preterm was not an influencing factor to the antibody response after HepB primary immunization among newborns even after debugging the other influencing factors. CONCLUSION: The antibody response after HepB primary immunization were similar among the preterm and full-term infants. The preterm newborns could be immunized under the same HepB immunization strategy.

CD3Z genetic polymorphism in immune response to hepatitis B vaccination in two independent Chinese populations.

Vaccination against hepatitis B virus is an effective and routine practice that can prevent infection. However, vaccine-induced immunity to hepatitis B varies among individuals. CD4(+) T helper cells, which play an important role in both cellular and humoral immunity, are involved in the immune response elicited by vaccination. Polymorphisms in the genes involved in stimulating the activation and proliferation of CD4(+) T helper cells may influence the immune response to hepatitis B vaccination. In the first stage of the present study, a total of 111 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 17 genes were analyzed, using the iPLEX MassARRAY system, among 214 high responders and 107 low responders to hepatitis B vaccination. Three SNPs (rs12133337 and rs10918706 in CD3Z, rs10912564 in OX40L) were associated significantly with the immune response to hepatitis B vaccination (P = 0.008, 0.041, and 0.019, respectively). The three SNPs were analyzed further with the TaqMan-MGB or TaqMan-BHQ probe-based real-time polymerase chain reaction in another independent population, which included 1090 high responders and 636 low responders. The minor allele 'C' of rs12133337 continued to show an association with a lower response to hepatitis B vaccination (P = 0.033, odds radio = 1.28, 95% confidence interval = 1.01-1.61). Furthermore, in the stratified analysis for both the first and second populations, the association of the minor allele 'C' of rs12133337 with a lower response to hepatitis B vaccination was more prominent after individuals who were overweight or obese (body mass index ≥25 kg/m(2)) were excluded (1(st) stage: P = 0.003, 2(nd) stage: P = 0.002, P-combined = 9.47e-5). These findings suggest that the rs12133337 polymorphism in the CD3Z gene might affect the immune response to hepatitis B vaccination, and that a lower BMI might increase the contribution of the polymorphism to immunity to hepatitis B vaccination.

[Identification and phylogenic analysis of Coxsackie-virus B5 during an outbreak of aseptic meningitis in Shandong].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the pathogen that caused an outbreak of aseptic meningitis in Shandong province in 2005. Phylogenic analysis was carried out on Coxsackie-virus B5 (CVB5) which was isolated during this outbreak. METHODS: 78 stool and 58 cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) specimens were collected from some inpatients during this outbreak. Virus isolation and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was then performed. Phylo-genetic trees based on entire and partial VP1 sequences were constructed among CVB5 isolates and others published in GenBank. RESULTS: The isolation rates of stool and CSF specimens were 38.5% (30/78) and 48.3% (28/58) respectively. Among the results of serotype identification and molecular typing of 58 positive isolates, 54 were identified as CVB5, 2 as ECHO24, 1 as CVB3 and 1 as CVA9. Results from viral investigation showed that CVB5 was the main pathogen causing this outbreak. Data from homological comparisons indicated that Shandong strains had the highest nucleotide acid identity with the Zhejiang/12/02 strain (97.5% - 97.8%), and lower identity (78.3% - 78.6%) with the prototype strain (Faulkner strain). Phylogenic tree in VP1 region showed that CVB5 could be separated into four genotypes. Isolates of this outbreak belonged to genotype D. CONCLUSION: CVB5 was the major etiological agent correlated with this outbreak. The shift of predominant genotype might serve as one of the causes that associated with the outbreaks of aseptic meningitis.

[The analysis of "a" dominant mutation of hepatitis B virus in community-based population of Shandong Province, China].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate and type of "a" dominant mutation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in community-based population of Shandong province and the possible effect of hepatitis B vaccination upon "a" dominant mutation. METHODS: The anticipants aged 1-59 years were selected by multi-stage random sampling from the general population of Shandong province. Hepatitis B vaccination status was obtained by inquisition (for those over 15 years old) or immunization record (for those under 14 years old). The blood samples were collected and detected for HBsAg by ELISA. HBV DNA was extracted from the sera with positive HBsAg and S gene was amplified by nested-PCR. The PCR produce was sequenced and compared with the standard sequence. RESULTS: Overall, 7601 anticipants were investigated. HBV DNA was successfully amplified and sequenced in 102 of 239 samples with positive HBsAg. 14.70% sera samples mutated in HBV "a" determinant region and 13 mutation types were detected. There were no statistically differences in the mutation rate by age groups (born before or after national universal infant hepatitis B vaccination) and hepatitis B vaccination status. CONCLUSION: The "a" determinant mutation seemed to be uncommon in community-based population of Shandong province and the mutation sites were relatively scattered. Hepatitis B vaccination has no effect on "a" dominant mutation of hepatitis B virus.

[Analysis on hepatitis B vaccine coverage among the population of 1-59 years old in Shandong province].

OBJECTIVE: To reveal the hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) coverage in the population of 1-59 years old in Shandong province and provide evidence for improving the strategy for hepatitis B control. METHODS: A cross-section survey was conducted among the population aged 1-59 year-old in Shandong province in 2006. The study population was selected by multi-stage randomly sampling method and HepB immunization history was obtained by immunization record (for children 1-14 years old) or recall. Weighted coverage rates were calculated. RESULTS: The weighted complete HepB coverage in the population 1-59 years old was [27.07%95% Confidence Internal (CI) 22.56%-31.59%] in Shandong province and was 99.66% (95% CI 99.72-100.00%), 89.95% (95% CI 87.69%-92.20%) and 13.21% (95% CI 7.78%-18.65%) in the age group of 1-4 years old, 5-14 years old and 15-59 years old, respectively. The complete HepB coverage varied significantly in the age groups (P < 0.05). No differences were found between the males and females, the rural and urban inhabitants, and among the population living in the eastern, western and central areas (P > 0.05). The weighted timely birth-dose HepB coverage was 65.41% (95% CI 55.56%-75.25%) in the children 1 to 14 years of age, which declined with age and reached the highest level in the children aged 1 year (93.07%; 95% CI 88.43%-97.70%). CONCLUSIONS: A HepB catch-up campaign should be conducted in the elder children in Shandong province and further efforts should be made to improve HepB coverage among the high risk population for enhancement of hepatitis B control.

[Analysis on coverage of hepatitis A vaccine among pre-school children in Shandong province].

OBJECTIVE: To reveal the hepatitis A vaccine (HepA) coverage among pre-school children in Shandong province before Hepatitis A vaccine was introduced to the EPI and to provide evidence for improving the strategy for hepatitis A control. METHODS: A cross-section survey was conducted among children aged between 2 and 6 years old in Shandong province in March 2008. The study population was selected by random sampling method and HepA immunization history was obtained by immunization record or recall. RESULTS: 78.90% had received one dose of HepA at least. The coverage rate decreased with age and the differences in three age groups were statistically significant (chi2 = 11.54, P = 0.02). The coverage rates among the boys and girls were 77.67% and 80.30% respectively, the difference was not significantly (chi2 = 1.17, P = 0.28). The HepA coverage rates among the children living in the eastern areas and in the richer areas were higher than the centrale and western areas and poverty areas, the difference has statistic significance (chi2 = 27.25, 58.17, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The HepA routine immunization should be enhanced, especially in central and western areas and a HepA catch-up campaign should be conducted among the pre-school children in Shandong province.