We typed Yersinia pestis isolated from plague foci of Shaanxi Province using different region (DFR) and analyzed epidemiological characteristics.Twenty-three DFRs primers and PMT1 (plasmid) primer were used to verify the DFR genomovars and 48 Yersinia pestis were involved to analyze DFR profiles and epidemiological characteristics.In the same year,the genotypes of Yersinia pestis isolated from different infected vector and animals were basically the same.Three genomovars named Genomovar 11,17,and 20 were verified in 48 Yersinia pestis strains in Shaanxi Province.The main genotypes were different in different epidemic years.In 1987-1988 and 2000-2001 years,genomovar 17 was major genomovar and genomovar 20 in 2006 year.In conclusion,the dominant genotypes were different in different epidemic years.As time goes on,DFR genomovars of Yersinia pestis undergone the evolution of gene deletion,which changes genomovar 17 into genomovar 20.

OBJECTIVETo explore the epidemiological characteristics of Norwalk-like virus (NLVs) infection in children with diarrhea and to study the genotype and predominant cluster at a hospital in Guangzhou city.

METHODSFecal specimens from 358 children with acute gastroenteritis from October 2003 to January 2004 and information about the cases were collected. NLVs was detected from the specimens by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the PCR products were purified and sequenced.

RESULTSForty-two positive specimens were detected from the 358 fecal specimen with a positive rate of 11.73% (42/358). Of these, 40 specimens were obtained from infants younger than 3 years of age. The youngest infant infected with NLVs in this study was only 25 days. The positive rate in November (17.27%) was the highest. Eleven positive PCR products were selected and sequenced. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that 11 strains all belong to genogroup II (G II), and of these, 5 strains belonged to G II-3 cluster, with another 5 strains belonged to G II-4 cluster. However, one strain with its cluster could not be determined.

CONCLUSIONNLVs served as one of the important pathogens causing sporadic acute gastroenteritis among children at a hospital in Guangzhou. The predominant strains were identified as G II-3 and G II-4 cluster.

Age Distribution ; Caliciviridae Infections ; complications ; epidemiology ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Diarrhea ; complications ; epidemiology ; Feces ; virology ; Female ; Hospitals ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Norovirus ; classification ; genetics ; physiology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Seasons ; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid ; Sex Distribution

OBJECTIVETo search novel SNPs in exons and regulatory regions of CDKN2A and two novel putative tumor suppressor genes NGX6 and UBAP1, which all reside on chromosome 9p21-22.

METHODSThe exons and regulatory regions of those genes were amplified and sequenced in 96 subjects.

RESULTSTwo novel SNPs were found, one resides on the sixth exon of UBAP1 gene and the other on the fourth exon of CDKN2A gene. Two novel SNPs were submitted to the dbSNP database, and their access ID are rs3135929 and rs3088440. The polymorphic information contents of them are 0.102 and 0.213 respectively. There is linkage equilibrium between them, and the polymorphic information content of their haplotype is 0.302, higher than any of them individually.

CONCLUSIONThe polymorphic information content can be improved by using haplotype analysis of several SNPs.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Carrier Proteins ; genetics ; China ; ethnology ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9 ; genetics ; Genes, p16 ; physiology ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety of recombinant human interferon alpha-2b for nasal spray for the prevention of SARS and other upper respiratory viral infections.

METHODSField 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.

RESULTSDuring 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.

CONCLUSIONUsing 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.

Abdominal Pain ; chemically induced ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Dizziness ; chemically induced ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Headache ; chemically induced ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Recombinant Proteins ; SARS Virus ; drug effects ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; prevention & control ; virology ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult