Objective To investigate the type of plasmid map of Y. pestis in the R. opimas natural plague loci in Junggar Basin. Methods A total of 39 plasmid DNA of Y. pestis which were isolated from the natural plague loci of Junggar Basin, Tianshan Mountain, Kunlun Mountain, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and In-ner Mongolia were extracted by the methods of Kado and Liu. The plasmid map was analyzed by the methods of agarose gel eleetrophoretogram. Results Two types of plasmid map were found in 26 Y. pestis which were isolated from Junggar Basin. Of them 23 were 6 × 106, 45 × 106 and 65 × 106 type of plasmid map, and 3 were 6 × 106, 45 × 106 and 72 × 106 type. Conclusion There are two types of plasmid map in the R. opi-mus natural plague loci in Junggar Basin. One type, which is the dominant type in this area, is 6 × 106, 45 × 106 and 65 × 106 type. This type is also similar to the dominant plasmid map type of the nature plague loci of Tianshan Mountain, Kunlun Mountain, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Inner Mongolia. The other type is 6 × 106, 45 × 106 and 72 × 106 type, and this type is new plasmid map type of Y. pestis in our country.

Objective To investigate the biological function of IFN-λ in 7 human esophageal carcinoma cells. MethodsThe gene expression of IL-28α, IL-10β and antiviral molecule was examined with PCR. The MHC molecules expression and the profiles of cell cycle were analyzed with flow cytometer. Cell proliferation was evaluated with MTT assay. ResultsAll of esophageal carcinoma cells express the gene of II-28α and IL-10β. IFN-λ induced or augmented the gene expression of antiviral molecules, 2′5′-OAS and MxA. IFN-λ enhanced the MHC class Ⅰ molecule expression. IFN-λ inhibited the growth of esophageal carcinoma cells through the regulation of cell cycle distribution. ConclusionEsophageal carcinoma cells express the IFN-λ receptor complex. IFN-λ has the antiviral, anti-proliferative and immunoregulation activity.

Objective To investigate the MRI features of the brain in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), and to evaluate the correlation between the brain abnormalities and related risk factors.Methods Fifty-four patients with definite NMO according to 2006 Wingerchuk diagnosis criteria were enrolled in this study. MRI scanning of the brain was performed in these patients. Distribution and signalfeatures of all the lesions were analyzed. A Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors of brain abnormalities. Results Twenty-four NMO patients (44. 4%) showed unremarkable findings and thirty (55.6%) showed abnormalities on brain MRI. Multiple and non-specific small lesions in the subcortical white matter and grey-white matter junction were the most frequent abnormalities on brain MRI (13/30, 43. 3%). Typical lesion locations included corpus callosum, subependyma of ventricles,hypothalamus and brain stem. The lesions showed punctate, patchy and linear abnormal signals. Postcontrast MRI showed no abnormal enhancement in 16 cases. Logistic regression analysis showed that coexisting anto-immune disease or infection history had correlations with abnormalities of the brain on MRI (OR=3.519,P ＜0.05). Conclusions There was a high incidence of brain abnormalities in NMO.Subependymal white matter, corpus callosum, hypothalamus and brain stem were often involved in NMO.NMO patients with coexisting anto-immune disease and infection history had higher risk of brain abnormalities.

Objective By the method of multiple polymerase chain reaction (PCR),we intend to amplify different regions (DFR) of Yersinia pestis DNA,and to establish a multiple DFR genotyping technique for detection of Yersinia pestis.Methods According to the product size of 23 DFRs and pMT plasmid,24 primers were optimized and combined,then multiple primers in one PCR reaction system were added,and positive template DNA was amplified.Meanwhile,200 wild strain DNAs were amplified by multiple PCR and normal PCR,to verify the coincidence rate of the two methods.Results Totally 24 target segments were amplified through the positive DNA template.Through different permutation and combination,24 primers were optimized and combined into 9 groups.Totally 200 wild strain DNAs were used for verification,the coincidence rate of multiple PCR and normal PCR was 100％.Conclusions Multiple PCR is applicable and feasible for DFR genotyping of Yersinia pestis.It is an efficient,economic and high accuracy experimental method for large quantities of Yersinia pestis DFR genotyping.

Objective To compare 16-slice multi-detector spiral computed tomography (MDCT) and breathhold 3D magnetic resonance (MR) coronary angiography in the visualization of coronary arteries and the accuracy of detecting significant (＞ 50%) coronary stenoses in patients with suspected coronary artery disease. Methods Forty patients were examined by 16-slice CT (GE, Lightspeedl6)and MR (GE,Twinspeed) within 3 days; 31 of them underwent conventional coronary angiography (CAG) within 2 weeks after CT and MR scan. CT was performed with 16× 1.25 mm detector collimation, 0.5 s rotation time and images were reconstructed at 60%-75% of the cardiac cycle. MR was performed with breath hold 3D FIESTA (TR4.0 ms, TE1.7 ms, flip angle 65, slice thickness 3 mm, FOV 280 mm, matrix 256× 192). Mean heart rate was 63 ± 5.8 bpm and β-blocker was used in 24 patients. MR and CT image quality was evaluated in 9 coronary segments (RCA1, RCA2, RCA3, LM, LAD1, LAD2, LAD3, LCX1, LCX2) using a four-point grading scale.Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were calculated for detection of significant stenosis using CAG as the gold standard. Results 16-slice CT showed higher image quality in most coronary segments except RCA2.Forty-three segments were diagnosed as significant stenosis by CAG, 36 and 27 of these were correctly detected by CT and MR respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 16-slice CT and MR for detecting significant stenosis were 83 %, 84 %, 49 %, 97 % and 63 %, 90 %, 55 %, 93 %, respectively. Conclusion Sixteen-slice CT showed higher image quality in most coronary segments excepted for middle RCA. 16-slice CT had higher sensitivity than MR for detection of coronary significant stenosis, whereas MR had higher specificity than CT. Both CT and MR showed high negative predictive value,which is useful for excluding coronary stenosis in symptomatic patients.

50%) in patients with suspected coronary artery disease.Methods Both coronary MDCT angiography (CTA) and MR angiography (MRA) was performed within 3 days in 40 patients with suspected coronary artery disease, and conventional coronary angiography (CAG) was performed within 2 weeks after MDCT and MR scan in 31 patients. CTA was performed with a 16-MDCT scanner. MRA was performed on a 1.5 T MR scanner with breathhold 3D fast imaging employing steady state acquisition sequence. CTA and MRA image quality was evaluated in 9 coronarysegments by two experienced radiologists in concensus using a four-point grading scale. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated for detection of significant stenosis on a segmental basis using CAG as reference and gold standard. Results MDCT showed higher image quality in most coronary segments except middle RCA (P

Objective:To understand whether there are drug resistant and disinfectant resistant Yersinia pestis strains in China, and to provide accurate information for clinical treatment of plague. Methods:A total of 2 753 Yersinia pestis strains isolated from 10 natural plague foci in China from 1943 to 2016 were collected. According to National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) released sequences of aminoglycoside streptomycin resistant genes strA, strB, β-lactam antibiotics resistant genes TEM, SHV and CTX-M, sulfamilamide resistant genes sul1, sul2 and sul3, and disinfectant resistant gene qacE△1-sul1, a pair of primers of each gene was designed for above-mentioned genes. Genomic DNA of 2 753 strains of Yersinia pestis was extracted, and the 9 target genes of all DNA samples were amplified by PCR. Results:Negative and positive controls of PCR detection were established. No corresponding target bands of aminoglycoside streptomycin resistant genes strA, strB, β-lactam antibiotics resistant genes TEM, SHV and CTX-M, sulfamilamide resistant genes sul1, sul2 and sul3, and disinfectant resistant gene qacE△1-sul1 were found in the DNA samples of 2 753 strains of Yersinia pestis.Conclusion:The above-mentioned genes of drug resistance and disinfectant resistance have not been detected in Yersinia pestis of China, but the monitoring of drug resistance of Yersinia pestis still needs to be carried out continuously.

Objective:To investigate the drug resistance of Yersinia pestis to 11 kinds of antibiotics in the natural foci of plague in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and to provide a theoretical basis for scientifically and effectively selecting antibiotics for treatment of the plague. Methods:A total of 137 strains of Yersinia pestis isolated from the natural foci of plague in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at different times, regions, hosts and vectors were collected. According to Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI), the agar plate dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the 11 kinds of antibiotics against 137 strains of Yersinia pestis, including ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, kanamycin, streptomycin, ceftriaxone, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, spectinomycin, cefuroxime, tetracycline and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. The MIC 50 and MIC 90 (the minimum concentration of drug which could inhibit 50% and 90% of bacterial growth) were calculated, and their sensitivity was determined according to CLSI standards. Results:Among 137 strains of Yersinia pestis tested, no strains of Yersinia pestis had single or multiple resistance to ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, kanamycin, streptomycin, ceftriaxone, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, spectinomycin, cefuroxime, tetracycline and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. According to CLSI standards, 137 strains of Yersinia pestis were all sensitive to the 11 kinds of antibiotics; among them, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim had higher antibacterial activity, with MIC 90 < 0.250 μg/ ml; the antibacterial activity of spectinomycin was the lowest, with MIC 90 of 16.000 μg/ml. Conclusions:The Yersinia pestis isolated from the natural foci of plague in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is not found to have single or multiple resistance to the 11 kinds of antibiotics. Continuous drug resistance monitoring of Yersinia pestis should be carried out to provide a basis for clinical medication.

Abstract: Objective To understand the phenotypic and genetic characteristics of Yersinia pestis strains isolated from Himalayan marmot natural focus area and domestic rat plague focus area in southern China, and provide reference for mastering the pathogenic characteristics of Yersinia pestis of two plague foci. Methods A total of 412 of Yersinia pestis strains isolated from Himalayan marmot plague focus and domestic rat plague focus of southern China were subjected to to sorbitol fermentation assays, virulence factor, different region (DFR) typing, and clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR) typing. Results The biochemical types of Y. pestis from the two plague foci showed distinct regional distribution features. Five biochemical phenotypes were identified in Yersinia pestis isolated from Himalayan marmot natural focus area, while only one biochemical phenotype was identified in strains isolated from the domestic rat plague focus of Southern China. Most of the Yersinia pestis isolated from the two plague foci were capable of producing the virulence factors of Fl and PstI. Among the strains from Himalayan marmot focus, 70.53% (201/285) were VW-positive, 75.09% (214/285) were Pgm-positive, 20.00% (57/285) of the strains were Pgm-negative, and 5.26% (15/285) were Pgm mixed-type strains. Among strains from domestic rat plague focus of southern China, 37.80% (48/127) were VW-positive, 29.13% (37/127) were Pgm-positive, 58.27% (74/127) were Pgm-negative, and 12.60% (16/127) were Pgm mixed-type strains. DFR typing revealed 22 genotypes of Y. pestis from the Himalayan marmot plague focus, with the main genotypes being type 5, 7, 8, 10, 19, 32 and 49. All strains from domestic rat plague focus area in southern China belonged to type 9. CRISPR typing revealed that all strains from the Himalayan marmot natural focus were classified into 7 CRISPR gene clusters and 14 CRISPR genotypes, with the main genotypes being G7, G22, G26-a1'and G22-A1'. All strains from domestic rat plague focus area in southern China belonged to CRISPR genotype G30, with the gene cluster being Ca8. Conclusions The phenotypes and genotypes of the Yersinia pestis of Himalayan marmot plague focus are diverse, with an obvious characteristics of geographical distribution. The phenotype and genotype of the Yersinia pestis of domestic rat plague focus of Southern China are single. DFR and CRISPR genotyping methods with phenotypic characteristics can effectively identify the Yersinia pestis isolated from the two plague foci, thereby meeting the needs of identification and traceability research.

Objective To investigate the biological characteristics and epidemiological significance of Yersinia pestis strains in Qilian County,Qinghai Province,in order to provide a scientific basis for plague prevention and control.Method Totally 67 strains were separated from kinds of host in Qilian County,Qinghai Province from 1958 to 2011,to do biochemical test,toxicity test,virulence factors evaluation,plasmid analysis and different region (DFR) genotyping.Results According to biochemical typing,48 of the 50 strains tested were Qing-Tibet Plateau ecotype,15 were Qilian Mountain ecotype,and the remaining 4 were different ecotypes from the plague foci in Qinghai plateau.The strains had 8 genomovars,and were given priority to genomovar8 (42 strains),secondly,genomovar44 (15 strains),genomovar5 (4 strains),genomovar7 (2 strains),genomovar19 (1 strain),genomovar30 (1 strain),genomovar32 (1 strain),and genomovar34 (1 strain).A proportion of 95.52％ (64/67) of the strains contained 3 kinds of plasmid-6 × 106,45 × 106,and 52 × 106;85.07％ (57/67) contained all the four virulence factors,and 96.00％ (48/50) were velogenic strains.Conclusion The strains separated in Qilian County,Qinghai Province have the characteristics of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau plague's pathogen and have strong toxicity,so we should enhance the plague monitoring and give more publicity to plague prevention to prevent animal plague spreading to human.