Characterization of Antigenic Relatedness Among GI Norovirus Genotypes Using Serum Samples From Norovirus-Infected Patients and Mouse Sera.

Characterizing diversity and the antigenic relatedness of norovirus remains a primary focus in understanding its biological properties and vaccine designs. The precise antigenic and serological features of GI genotypes have not been studied. The study represented an investigation on a gastroenteritis outbreak related to GI.3 norovirus and the three most detected GI genotypes, GI.2 (belonging to immunotype B), GI.3 and GI.9 (belonging to immunotype C), were selected to characterize their phylogenetic relationship, HBGA binding profiles and antigenic relatedness within (intra-immunotype), and between (inter-immunotypes) genotypes using mouse sera and patient's serum samples from the GI.3 related outbreak. Wide HBGA binding profiles and evolution of binding affinity were observed in the three GI genotypes studied. A low specific blockade antibody to GI.3 in the population generated the pool of susceptible individuals and supported virus spread in the outbreak. We found strong blockade immune response in homologous strains, moderate intra-immunotype blockade but weak inter-immunotypes blockade in humans following GI.3 norovirus infections. These findings further support the immunotypes grouping and will be valuable for optimizing the design of norovirus vaccine.

CX3CL1 rs170364 gene polymorphism has a protective effect against major depression by enhancing its transcriptional activity.

Studies have shown that adult hippocampal neurogenesis may be a cause of depression. CX3CL1 is a chemokine that plays an important role in adult neurogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between CX3CL1 polymorphisms (rs170364) and the risk of depression. A case-control study of 502 patients with major depression and 504 gender-matched and age-matched healthy controls was performed. All subjects were recruited from the Chinese Han population. Next-generation sequencing was used to genotype the CX3CL1 rs170364 locus. In addition, the effect of the rs170364 polymorphism on transcription of CX3CL1 was investigated through the use of luciferase reporter constructs and in vitro analysis in SH-SY5Y cells. Our results demonstrated that the T allele and GT + TT genotype of the CX3CL1 rs170364 locus were associated with a reduced risk of major depression. Subgroup analysis found that this significant association was consistently found in females but not in males. In vitro experiments found that the rs170364 mutation enhanced the transcriptional activity of CX3CL1. These results suggest that T allele and GT + TT genotypes of the CX3CL1 rs170364 locus may be a protective factor against the onset of depression in the Chinese Han population, especially in females. SNP rs170364 enhances the transcriptional activity of CX3CL1.

[Clinical manifestation of Kaposi sarcoma in otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To improve the knowledge of Kaposi sarcoma and the relationship between Kaposi sarcoma and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and to improve the ability to diagnose and treat Kaposi sarcoma and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). METHODS: Symptoms, signs and results of 121 patients encountered in the department of otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery in Tanzania, who was diagnosed as Kaposi sarcoma actually with HIV infection and AIDS, were retrospectively analyzed in this study. RESULTS: There were 46 males and 75 females with age ranged from 5 to 65 years, medium 30 year. The mucous membranes and skin lesions was the most commonly seen clinical manifestation in 121 cases, these lesions appeared as raised blotches or lumps that might be purple, brown, or red, early stages typical lesions began as flat or slightly raised colored spots. Among the cases reported here, 25 patients (20.66%) showed progressive nose blockage and nose bleeding and the purple-red new-grows were found in the nose of these patients. Fifteen patients (12.40%) had flat or slightly raised colored spots in their mucous membrane of mouth (palate or tongue), and in other 7 patients, purple small lumps were found in the gums of the patients. There were same lesions in their pharynx in 9 cases. In 10 patients (8.26%), Kaposi sarcoma was found in tonsil looked like tonsillitis with enlarged tonsils by two to three degree. Twelve patients (9.92%) had masses in the neck with no pain. Thirty-five patients (28.92%)had lesions of purple black nodules, including 10 patients who had the same lesions with ulcer formation in the nodules. All patients had been followed-up for at least two-years. Eighty-five patients passed away in one year, survival rate of one year was 21.48% (26/121), only 12 patients survived from the disease over two years, two years' survival rate was 9.92% (12/121). CONCLUSIONS: Kaposi sarcoma is the characteristic disease for AIDS, mainly found on the membranes and skin. These lesions appears as raised blotches or lumps that may be purple, brown, or red, early stages typical lesions begin as flat or slightly raised colored spots. Patients who had kaposi sarcoma often died in a short-time without treatment.

[Establishment of an artificial neural network model for analysis of the influence of climate factors on the density of Aedes albopictus].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a model for predicting the density of Aedes albopictus based on the climate factors. METHODS: The data of Aedes albopictus density and climate changes from 1995 to 2001 in Guangzhou were collected and analyzed. The predicting model for Aedes albopictus density was established using the Artificial Neural Network Toolbox of Matlab 7.0 software package. The climate factors used to establish the model included the average monthly pressure, evaporation capacity, relative humidity, sunshine hour, temperature, wind speed, and precipitation, and the established model was tested and verified. RESULTS: The BP network model was established according to data of mosquito density and climate factors. After training the neural network for 25 times, the error of performance decreased from 0.305 539 to 2.937 51x10(-14). Verification of the model with the data of mosquito density showed a concordance rate of prediction of 80%. CONCLUSION: The neural network model based on the climate factors is effective for predicting Aedes albopictus density.

A randomized controlled trial of low-dose recombinant human interferons alpha-2b nasal spray to prevent acute viral respiratory infections in military recruits.

The military population has a high disease burden of acute viral respiratory infections in China. To assess the efficacy and safety of a low-dose recombinant human interferon alpha-2b (rIFNalpha-2b) nasal spray in preventing acute viral respiratory infections in military population, we performed this randomized controlled trial. The results showed that application of the rIFNalpha-2b nasal spray had the benefits in prevention of infections caused by influenza A virus, influenza B virus parainfluenza viruses 1-3 and adenovirus species B. However, no benefit was seen in preventing respiratory syncytial virus. No severe adverse events were reported. Therefore, the rIFNalpha-2b nasal spray was effective and well tolerated for preventing common viral respiratory infections in the military recruits.

[An epidemiological investigation of bats carrying SARS-CoV in Guangzhou and its vicinity].

OBJECTIVE: To detect serve acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and SARS-like-CoV in fruit bats captured in Guangzhou and its vicinity. METHODS: Totally 927 bats of 9 species (Cynopterus sphinx, Rousettus leschenaulti, Miniopterus schreibersi, Hipposideros pratti, Rhinolophusasinicus, Scotophilusakuhlii, Hipposideros Pomona, Rhinolophus affinis, and Rhinolophus pusillus) captured in Guangzhou and its vicinity from September 2004 to November 2005 were available for this investigation, from which 3,043 samples (813 throat swasb, 524 sera, 853 lung tissues and 853 colorectal tissue specimens) were obtained. SARS-Cov and SARS-like-CoV were detected in these specimens using diagnostic kit for novel coronavirus N protein (ELISA), SARS-CoV Virus RNA detection kit, fluorescence PCR, Genchip, RT-PCR and cell isolation culture methods. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: No SARS-CoV and SARS-like-CoV were detected in the 3043 samples, indicating the current absence of SARS-CoV and SARS-like-CoV in the bats captured in Guangzhou and its vicinity.

[A field trial for evaluating the safety of recombinant human interferon alpha-2b for nasal spray].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety of recombinant human interferon alpha-2b for nasal spray for the prevention of SARS and other upper respiratory viral infections. METHODS: Field epidemiologic evaluation was conducted, the design was randomized and had a synchronously parallel control group. In the study, the drugs were given for five days and all subjects were followed up for ten days. RESULTS: During the period of using interferon, body temperature of the experimental group was normal compared to the control group. Experimental group had more influenza-like symptoms than the control group (P < 0.05), such as headache (4.83%-7.09%), dizziness (7.17%-11.63%), lassitude (8.55%-15.06%), muscular soreness (4.43%-7.09%), pharynx dryness (12.10%-17.85%), angina (6.25%-8.72%), abdominal pain (2.30%-5.50%) and diarrhea (2.45%-5.66%). Most of side effects reached their peak with in the first 3 days. Except for pharynx dryness, the incidences of all other side effects declined after completion of the use of the trial drug, and incidences of some symptoms in experimental group were lower than those of the control group. There were no significant differences in the symptoms of cough and expectoration between the experimental group and the control group. The incidence of exanthem in the control group was significantly higher than that in the experimental group. The side effect of bloody nasal mucus was not observed in experimental group, which had been reported by other authors in several volunteer studies. CONCLUSION: Using recombinant human interferon alpha-2b for nasal spray could lead to some influenza-like symptoms, however, all those symptoms were mild , reversible, and relieved after completion of the use of the trial drug. No serious side effects were found during the period of following up. The authors conclude that the drug is safe.

[A field trial of recombinant human interferon alpha-2b for nasal spray to prevent SARS and other respiratory viral infections].

OBJECTIVE: To study the preventive effect of recombinant human interferon alpha-2b for nasal spray against SARS and other common respiratory viral infections by serum-epidemiological method. METHODS: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind field trial study in populations with 14,391 persons from SARS prevalent cities or provinces in China during May-Jun, 2003 and Dec-Apr, 2004. Interferon alpha-2b was given twice per day, once 9 x 10(5) IU by nasal spray for 5 days. Serum samples were taken at 15 days after last administration. Serological tests included SARS IgG antibody and IgM antibodies against influenza B, parainfluenza virus types 1-3, adenovirus type 3, 7 and respiratory syncytial virus by using commercial ELISA kits. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference in serum SARS IgG antibody positive rate was found between the interferon and control groups among 2,757 serum samples. On the other hand, after using interferon, all four respiratory viruses (parainfluenza virus types 1-3 influenza B, adenovirus types 3, 7 and respiratory syncytial virus) in interferon group had lower IgM antibody positive rates than those in control group. Among them there were statistically significant differences between the interferon and control groups for parainfluenza virus, influenza B and adenovirus. The preventive efficacy of interferon against four respiratory viruses was different, from high to low, the rank was Flu B (66.76%), parainfluenza types 1-3 (66.75%), RSV (39.61%) and adenovirus (32.86%). The average preventive efficacy was 50.27%. CONCLUSION: The recombinant human interferon alpha-2b for nasal spray could decrease the rates of common respiratory viruses infection in the selected population.

[Epidemiological study of the features of the index cases in SARS case clusters].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the epidemiological characteristics of the index cases in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) cases clusters and to evaluate their importance in the whole epidemic process of SARS. METHODS: Data of the index SARS cases and the subsequent case clusters were collected by means of face-to-face interview in combination with field investigation and case history consultations. RESULTS: In all three SARS clusters, the index cases all had chronic disease and played the role of infection source that transmitted the virus to the patients' family members, attending medical staff as well as other non-SARS patients sharing the same ward with them. CONCLUSION: The index cases played an important role in transmission of SARS virus among the case clusters, and their infective stages are confined within certain phases of the disease course.