Objective To perform laboratory detection and molecular traceability analysis on a case of imported kala-azar in Shenzhen to determine the infection strain. Methods Bone marrow puncture fluid and blood samples from a case of kala-azar in Shenzhen were collected for laboratory tests. The patient's bone marrow puncture fluid smears were stained with Giemsa and examined under a microscope. Blood samples were examined for antibodies using the rk39 visceral leishmania rapid diagnostic reagent. Whole blood DNA was extracted, and the ITS-1 sequence was amplified by PCR, sequenced and aligned, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the ITS-1 sequence. Results Microscopic examination of the patient's bone marrow smears revealed a large number of Leishmania amastigotes without flagella, confirming the diagnosis of kala-azar. The patient's blood was tested positive with the rk39 rapid diagnostic reagent, and PCR amplification yielded an ITS-1 gene product sequence that matched the expected size. Sequence alignment with the NCBI database showed 100% sequence similarity with the ITS-1 gene sequence of Leishmania infantum, confirming the infecting strain as Leishmania infantum. Phylogenetic tree construction of the amplified ITS-1 sequence revealed clustering into a clade with Leishmania infantum , and close to KC347299, one of the reference sequence selected. Conclusions The case of kala-azar in Shenzhen was caused by Leishmania infantum. Kala-azar still occurs in China, so the diagnostic technology of medical personnel in non-epidemic areas should be strengthened so that they can actively use new diagnostic technologies to assist in diagnosis, thus improving their prevention and control ability of Leishmania parasites.

Abstract: Objective　To analyze and understand the mutations of drug resistance genes in imported Plasmodium falciparum in Shenzhen, aiming to assess the efficacy of antimalarial drugs and guide effective drug use. Methods A total of 85 samples from individuals with imported Plasmodium falciparum confirmed by fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in Shenzhen from 2022 to 2023 were collected and genomic DNA was extracted. Nested PCR was used to amplify resistance genes, including Plasmodium falciparum Kelch 13 (PfK13), multidrug resistance gene 1 (Pfmdr1), chloroquine resistance transporter (Pfcrt), dihydrofolate reductase (Pfdhfr), and dihydropteroate synthase (Pfdhps) genes. Bidirectional sequencing was conducted, and mutations in these resistance genes were analyzed using MEGA11.06 software. Results　The study found one missense mutation (S549P) and four synonymous mutations in PfK13. For Pfmdr1, 62.69% of the samples showed Y184F mutation, and no N86Y mutation was detected. No mutations at positions 72 and 73 were detected in the Pfcrt gene, while mutations at M74I, N75E, and K76T accounted for 17.46%, 15.87%, and 15.87%, respectively. The wild-type of Pfcrt gene is dominant (82.54%, 52), followed by the triple mutant I74E75T76 (15.87%, 10). The most common mutation type for Pfdhfr is I51R59N108 (91.78%, 67), followed by the wild type (2.74%, 2). More than half (60.32%, 38) of the Pfdhps samples were wild-type, with single mutation K540E being the most common mutation type. S436A, G437A, K540E, A581G, A613S, I431V, G556K, and G579E site mutations were detected. Among the Pfdhfr-Pfdhps combination mutations, I51R59N108-E540 was the most frequent combination mutation (11.48%), with 59.02% of samples showing solitary Pfdhfr mutations. Conclusions In this study, PfK13 mutation rates were low, with no reported resistance mutations. The Y184F mutation emerged as the dominant Pfmdr1 mutation, with no detection of N86Y. For Pfcrt, the wild-type was dominant, followed by the I74E75T76 triple mutation variant. Triple mutant I51R59N108 of Pfdhfr was very common, and our study did not find Pfdhfr Pfdhps completely resistant and super resistant mutants, but there were other quintuple and septuple mutant types. In the future, it is crucial to continue to strengthen the monitoring of malaria parasite resistance genes and to further integrate in vivo efficacy monitoring to effectively guide clinical drug use.

Objective To analyze the therapeutic effects of chemotherapy after chidamide pretreatment in 16 cases of high-risk and refractory lymphoid malignancy. Methods The efficacy and adverse reactions of 16 patients with high-risk and refractory lymphoid malignancy who received chidamide combined with chemotherapy after 3 days pretreatment of chidamide were analyzed. Results Sixteen patients included 6 males and 10 females, and the median age was 49.5 years old (23-88 years old). The median course of previous systemic chemotherapy was 4 (range 0-22). Among 14 patients who received induction chemotherapy, 7 patients achieved complete remission (CR), 7 patients achieved partial remission (PR). Fourteen patients had achieved clinical efficacy, and the overall response rate (ORR) was 100 %. After 2 cases had remission , the patients who entered this regimen for consolidation chemotherapy also had durable CR. The median follow-up time was 13 months (range 2-24 months) until December 2017. Nine cases had overall survival (OS), 7 cases died and 9 cases had progression-free survival. Common adverse effects of the chemotherapy included mild and controllable gastrointestinal reactions after chidamide. Conclusion Chemotherapy after chidamide pretreatment may improve the effect and prognosis of high-risk or refractory lymphoid malignancy.

We think that all the methods of puncturing into the skin to prevent and treat diseases are belong to acupuncture science. In spite of its basic theory of meridian and acupoint, anatomy and physiology have been important parts of modern acupuncture science. "Dry needling", however, is limited to trigger point theory. As for the positions, acupuncture is applied mainly at acupoints, involving in skin, muscles, tendons, vessels and nerves; while "dry needling" is used mostly at muscles. The needles of acupuncture are in various lengths and diameters and its manipulations are abundant, including the traditional skills and the achievements of modern science and technology research, such as electroacupuncture. It is different from the "dry needling" with the single tool and manipulation. Thus, acupuncture is suitable for a large range of syndromes, but "dry needling" is mainly for fascia muscularis pain and other related disorders. The acupuncturists need to embrace Chinese and western medicine, which is more rigorous than the training for "dry needling" practitioners. Based on the above reasons, we consider "dry needling" as part of acupuncture science, and it is a method during the modern development of traditional acupuncture.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of dengue fever in Shenz-hen city in 2014 and to analyze the evolutional characteristics of the epidemic dengue virus(DENV)strains in order to provide scientific guidelines for the prevention and control of dengue fever. Methods Descrip-tive epidemiological analysis was used to analyze the prevalence of dengue fever in Shenzhen city in 2014. Immunochromatography and real-time PCR were performed to detect the specific antibodies(IgM and IgG) and DENV nucleic acids in serum samples collected from suspected cases of dengue fever. Serum samples collected from the patients at early stage of dengue fever were used to infect the C6 / 36 cell line for further isolation of DENV strains. The types of isolated DENV strains were determined by using real-time PCR. E genes of the isolated DENV strains were amplified by RT-PCR and then sequenced. DNAStar and Clustslx (1. 83)softwares were used to analyze the homology between DENV strains isolated in Shenzhen and other areas. A phylogenetic tree based on the sequences of E genes of Shenzhen strains and other sequences of DENV reference strains downloaded from GenBank was constructed for further analysis. Results A total of 454 cases of dengue fever were reported in Shenzhen in 2014 with a male to female ratio of 1. 43 ∶ 1. Local patients accounted for 76. 21% and the rest 23. 79% were imported cases mainly from Southeast Asian and surrounding cities. There were 441 cases reported from September to November,accounting for 97. 14% of all reported cases. Most of the infected subjects were aged 20 to 50,accounting for 76. 73% . Of the 270 samples positive for DENV nucleic acids,strains of DENV-1,DENV-2,DENV-3 and DENV-4 accounted for 87. 41% ,8. 89% ,0. 37% and 2. 22% ,respectively. The phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that the DENV-1 strains belonged to two genotypes,which were genotypeⅠ and genotype Ⅴ. The DENV strains of genotypeⅠ were highly similar to the epidemic strain isolated in Shenzhen in 2010 and the genotype Ⅴstrains were first reported in Shenzhen. The homology analysis of the nucleotides of E genes showed that mi-nor differences in the nucleotide sequences were found between DENV-2 strains. All of the DENV-2 strains belonged to the genotype Ⅳ as indicated by the phylogenic tree. Conclusion There were 454 cases of den-gue fever(including both local and imported cases)reported in Shenzhen city in 2014,reaching an all-time high. DENV-1 was the predominant pathogen in combination with an increased infection of DENV-2. This study indicated that the prevalent DENV strains might be imported from Southeast countries and neighboring cities. Further researches should be conducted to analyze whether dengue fever is endemic in Shenzhen City.

Objective To analyze the genetic characteristics and molecular variation of human rhi-novirus strains isolated in Shenzhen.Methods RNA samples were extracted from nasopharyngeal swab samples collected from influenza-like subjects in Shenzhen and analyzed by fluorescent RT-PCR.The VP4-VP2 and VP1 gene regions of human rhinovirus strains were amplified by nested RT-PCR.Clustal W and MEGA programs were used to evaluate molecular variation of the human rhinovirus strains.Results Both human rhinovirus A and B were prevalent in Shenzhen during 2012.Human rhinoviruses A was the predomi-nant pathogen, including subtypes A47, A31, A90, A18 and so on.Two recombinant strains of human rhi-noviruses A47 and A31 were detected.The mutations scattered on the VP1 protein and varied in different subtypes.The receptor binding sites ( loop BC, DE and HI) in different subtypes showed polymorphism. Five out of twenty-five drug sensitivity sites ( I121V, L123M, V167I, Y189H and H259G) showed muta-tion.Conclusion Multiple subtypes of human rhinovirus were prevalent in Shenzhen and were in a state of constant recombination and variation.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified outdoor air pollution and the particulate matter (PM) in outdoor air pollution as carcinogenic to humans, as based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and experimental animals and strong support by mechanistic studies. The data with important contributions to the evaluation are reviewed, highlighting the data with particular relevance to China, and implications of the evaluation with respect to China are discussed. The air pollution levels in Chinese cities are among the highest observed in the world today and frequently exceed health-based national and international guidelines. Data from high-quality epidemiologic studies in Asia, Europe, and North America consistently show positive associations between lung cancer and PM exposure and other indicators of air pollution, which persist after adjustment for important lung cancer risk factors, such as tobacco smoking. Epidemiologic data from China are limited but nevertheless indicate an increased risk of lung cancer associated with several air pollutants. Excess cancer risk is also observed in experimental animals exposed to polluted outdoor air or extracted PM. The exposure of several species to outdoor air pollution is associated with markers of genetic damage that have been linked to increased cancer risk in humans. Numerous studies from China, especially genetic biomarker studies in exposed populations, support that the polluted air in China is genotoxic and carcinogenic to humans. The evaluation by IARC indicates both the need for further research into the cancer risks associated with exposure to air pollution in China and the urgent need to act to reduce exposure to the population.
Air Pollutants ; toxicity ; Air Pollution ; adverse effects ; Animals ; Asia ; Carcinogens, Environmental ; toxicity ; China ; Environmental Exposure ; Humans ; International Agencies ; Lung Neoplasms ; etiology ; Neoplasms ; etiology ; Particulate Matter ; toxicity ; Risk Factors

Objective To study the epidemic pattern and molecular variation of respiratory syncy-tial virus ( RSV) strains isolated in Shenzhen from year 2012 to 2013.Methods The clinical samples iso-lated from patients with influenza-like illness were analyzed by fluorescent RT-PCR to screen RSV positive strains.The C-terminal variable regions of genes encoding G proteins were amplified by nested RT-PCR. Molecular variation was analyzed by using Clustal W and MEGA softwares.Results RSV strains were wide-ly prevalent in Shenzhen from 2012 to 2013.Two epidemic peaks usually occurred in spring and summer/au-tumn of each year.The RSV isolates were subtyped into group A belonging to genotype NA1 and group B be-longing to genotype BAⅨ.Most of the mutations scattered at the C-terminal region of G protein.A few mu-tations caused the disappearance of certain glycosylation sites.A novel recombinant virus strain containing 24 inserted amino acids was identified in 2013, which was likely to be introduced into our country from abroad. Conclusion RSV strains were widely and continuously prevalent in Shenzhen, characterized by constant evolution and variation.

Objective To determine the pathogen of a local dengue fever outbreak in Shenzhen city in 2010,and to analyze the molecular characteristics of the epidemic dengue virus strain as well as explore the possible origin.Methods The serum samples collected from the suspect dengue fever cases were detected for IgM, IgG by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ),immunochromatography and dengue virus nucleic acid by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Serum samples from patients with early stage dengue fever were used to isolate virus with C6/36 and BHK-21 cell lines.The type of isolated virus strain was determined by RT-semi-nested-PCR and realtime PCR.E gene of isolated virus strain was amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced.Homology and phylogenetic tree of E gene of Shenzhen dengue virus with the strains isolated from other areas were constructed.Results IgM,IgG and RNA of type 1 dengue virus were detected in serum samples from dengue fever suspected patients.Type 1 dengue virus named DEV1-SZ1029 was successfully isolated from the serum sample.The homology of nucleotide sequence of E gene of SZ1029 strain with standard type 1 dengue virus HAWAII 45,Fj231/04,GD14/97 and GD05/99 were 94.8％,99.6％,97.7％ and 98.5 ％,respectively.The phylogenetic tree indicated that SZ1029 had the greatest similarity with the D1/Malaysia/36000/05 strain,SG(EHI)DED142808 strain and Fj231/04 strain and they lied in the same branch of the phylogenetic tree.The isolated dengue virus type 1 belonged to genetype Ⅰ with GZ/80,Taiwan87,All patients lived in a certain construction site in Shenzhen and had no recent travel history outside the area in one month before infection.Conclusions The virological,serological and molecular features all identify that the local dengue fever outbreak in Shenzhen in 2010 is caused by type 1 dengue virus and SZ1029 strain may be transferred from Southeast Asian region,and there may be a plague focus in Shenzhen.

Objective To detect infection of Angiostrongylus cantonensis and examine effection of treatment to prepare monoclonal antibodies(McAbs). Methods Six-week-old BALB/c mice were imrnunized by the intraperitoneal injection of e/s antigens of Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Fusion of splecn cells from immunized mice with prepared SP2/0-Ag14 myeloma cells was performed in RPMI 1640. Fused cells were suspended in RPMI 1640 containing 1% HAT and 20% fetal calf serum and dispensed into 96-well cell culture plates. The supernatants of clones were screened by ELISA with sera of patients of angiostrongyliasis.Distribution of cohere antigen of 12D5 and 21B7 monoclonal antibodies was analyzed with immunohistochemistry. Two McAbs ( 12D5 and 21B7) were applied to detect the circulating antigen (CAg) in the sera of rats infected with A. cantonensis and angiostrongyliasis patients respectively by double antibody sandwich ELISA.Results 12D5 McAb was identified as IgG1 and 21 B7 McAb was IgM. Western blot result showed two McAbs could used to identified 55 × 103 protein of adult worms of A. cantonensis. Cohere antigen of 12D5 and 21B7 monoclonal antibodies were distributed on intestine surface of A. cantonensis. The detection rates of CAg in the sera of infected rats 100% (48/48), the detection rates of CAg in the sera of angiostrongyliasis patients was 100% (32/32). No cross-reaction to sera of patients with other infection of parasites, such as clonochiasis, fasiolopsiasis, ancylostomiasis, trichinosis, anisakiasis as well as schsitosomiasis, and health srea did not reacted with 12D5 and 21B7 McAbs,and detaction rate of antibody of angiostrongyliasis patients only reached 75% (24/32) with antigen of A. cantonensis. Conclusion Cohere antigen of 12D5 and 21B7monoclonal antibodies were antigens of enteric epithelium. Sandwich ELISA with 12D5 and 21B7 McAbs showed high specificity act as detecting CAg of A. cantonensis in sera of infection animal and patients. It is apparent that Sandwich ELISA with 12D5 and 21 B7 is not only rapid and simple without requirement of special instrument, but also rather sensitive and specific for the detection of current infection with A. cantonensis.