Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of monkeypox patients.Methods:The clinical data and laboratory findings of 4 patients with monkeypox patients diagnosed at Yiwu Central Hospital in July 2023 were analyzed. Herpes fluid and skin tissue samples were collected, the viruses were isolation and cultured in African green monkey kidney cells (Vero) and identified with whole gene sequencing.Results:All four patients were male, aged 24-35 years. All patients had male-to-male behavior within 21 days before onset of the disease. Among them, one patient has AIDS and one patient has syphilis. Four patients presented with perineal skin lesions with itching, and 3 patients were found to have enlarged lymph nodes upon admission. Laboratory testing: lymphocyte abnormality (4.57×10 9/L) in 1 case; increased procalcitonin (0.25 ng/mL) in 1 case; elevated IL-10 levels ( 7.11 ng/L and 9.42 ng/L) in 2 cases; increased IL-6 (66 ng/L) and IL-4 (3.24 ng/L) in 1 case, respectively. One case had abnormal myocardial zymogram with a elevated lactate dehydrogenase level of 313 U/L. The monkeypox virus was isolated from lesion tissue and herpes fluid, and the whole gene sequencing identified it as the B. 1.3 subtype of the IIb evolutionary branch, exhibiting typical pathological effects on Vero cells. Conclusion:The clinical manifestations of the 4 monkeypox patients confirmed in Zhejiang province are mild, patients had a definitive history of male-to-male sexual behavior and the virus strains belong to the B. 1.3 lineage of the IIb evolutionary branch.

Recently, monkeypox has become a global concern amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Monkeypox is an acute rash zoonosis caused by the monkeypox virus, which was previously concentrated in Africa. The re-emergence of this pathogen seems unusual on account of outbreaks in multiple nonendemic countries and the incline to spread from person to person. We need to revisit this virus to prevent the epidemic from getting worse. In this review, we comprehensively summarize studies on monkeypox, including its epidemiology, biological characteristics, pathogenesis, and clinical characteristics, as well as therapeutics and vaccines, highlighting its unusual outbreak attributed to the transformation of transmission. We also analyze the present situation and put forward countermeasures from both clinical and scientific research to address it.
COVID-19 ; Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control* ; Humans ; Monkeypox/epidemiology* ; Monkeypox virus ; Pandemics/prevention & control*

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 caused by the 2019-nCoV (SARS-CoV-2), with its high pathogenicity and contagiousness, it has posed a serious threat to global public health security. Up to now, the pathogenesis of 2019-nCoV is unclear, and there is no effective treatment. Vaccine as one of the most effective strategies to prevent virus infection has become a hot area. Based on the current understanding of 2019-nCoV, the development of 2019-nCoV vaccines covers all types: inactivated virus vaccine, recombinant protein vaccine, viral vector-based vaccine, mRNA vaccine, and DNA vaccine, etc. In this review, we focus on the candidate targets of the novel coronavirus, and the types, development status and progress of 2019-nCoV vaccines in order to provide information for further research and prevention.

Objective To investigate the associations of IFNL3/IFNL4 single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)with the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART)in patients with HIV-1 infection.Methods Sixty-three adult patients with HIV-1 infection receiving HAART for at least 1 year in the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine were enrolled.HIV-1 RNA loads in plasma and HIV-1 DNA loads in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs),and blood SNPs were detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR).Plasma inflammatory cytokines were examined by magnetic beads method,and the CD4 +T and CD8 +T lymphocyte counts in peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry.According to response to HAART,the patients were classified as low HIV-1 RNA group(viral load <100 copies/mL)and high HIV-1 RNA group(viral load≥100 copies/mL);according to CD4+T lymphocyte counts,the patients were defined as low CD4+T cell group(<250 cells/μL), and high CD4+T cell group(≥250 cells/μL);according to HIV-1 DNA levels,the patients were divided into low(<100 copies/106cells)and high(≥100 copies/106cells)HIV-1 DNA groups.Results Three candidate SNPs rs368234815,rs8099917 and rs4803223 had significantly different distribution between low and high HIV-1 RNA groups(χ2=0.043,0.047 and 0.032,all P<0.05).The levels of interleukin(IL)-10 were declined in the low HIV-1 RNA group(U=4.00,P<0.05);the levels of IL-13 were decreased in the high HIV-1 RNA group and the high HIV-1 DNA group(U=0.00 and 2.00,both P<0.05);the levels of IL-21 were reduced in the high HIV-1 RNA group and in the low CD4 +T cell group(U=3.00 and 2.00, both P<0.05),the levels of IL-28A were decreased in the high HIV-1 RNA group,the high HIV-1 DNA group,and the low CD4 +T cell group(U=3.00, 0.50 and 3.00,P<0.05 or <0.01).In addition, rs368234815 was associated with IL-21 level(H=6.690,P<0.05),the IL-21 level in rs368234815 ΔG/ΔG [131.88(2.66,174.00)]was higher than that in TT/TT[6.79(2.81,26.48)](P<0.05);rs4803223 was correlated with IFN-γlevel(H=6.690, P<0.05),the IFN-γlevel in GG subtype[62.26(19.45, 96.49)]was higher than that in GA subtype[6.98(2.19, 99.14)](P<0.05).Conclusion The polymorphisms of IFNL3/IFNL4 rs368234815, rs8099917 and rs4803223 are associated with efficacy of HAART and immune-associated cytokines levels in patients with HIV-1 infection.

Objective The staffs of biosafety level 3 laboratories (BSL-3) face with the stress of handling highly pathogenic microbs and special laboratory environment.The job stress may result in accidents in the laboratory as negative factor for the risk control.The research may provide support for the control of risk in biosafety laboratories.Methods In order to assess the job stress in the staff in BSL-3 laboratory, we modified “the Chinese simple job stress questionnaire”based on the theory of the JDC mode and ERI mode, and an investigation was carried out.The present study included the staffs (87 employees) from six BSL-3 laboratories located in five provinces ( Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Fujian and Wuhan) .Results Analysis of the data indicates that variables of age, working years, job duties, manipulating of animals, type of microorganisms and transmission route have a significant influence on the level of job stress in BSL-3 laboratory.Conclusion The BSL-3 laboratory staff in higher stress level have the characteristicses:20-39 years old, short work years, regular staff, operating on air-borne microbiology, manipulating of animals and operating on one more microbiology.

Objective To detect the signal pathways through which IL-4 regulates expression of DC-SIGN in THP-1 cells.Methods We used phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(PMA) differentiated THP-1 cells as the in vitro model of monocyte/macrophage cells to study the signal pathways involved in IL-4 regulated expression of DC-SIGN.DC-SIGN mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR.Cytoplasmic DC-SIGN protein was tested by Western blot.Flow cytometry was used to detect cell surface expression of DC-SIGN.Cytoplasm and nuclear protein of PMA stimulated THP-1 cells induced by IL-4 for 0,10,20,30,60 and 120 min was extracted and detected by Western blot for signal pathway signaling protein and phosphoprotein.Results We found that a high expression of DC-SIGN could be induced by IL-4 at the levels of mRNA and cell surface protein.Up-regulated expression of DC-SIGN was almost completely blocked by the specific inhibitor of ERK pathway,and partly reduced by the specific inhibitors of JAK-STAT and NF-κB pathways.The activation of the three signaling pathways was directly confirmed by testing the phosphorylation of protein kinase within the cytoplasm and nucleus over time.Conclusion Multiple signaling pathways are involved in IL-4 induced high expression of DC-SIGN on THP-1 cells,in which ERK pathway is the main signal pathway.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of lamivudine in preventing liver damages and HBV DNA reactivation in anti-HBc positive lymphoma patients after chemotherapy.Methods Seventy-nine lymphoma patients who were negative in HBsAg and positive in anti-HBc were enrolled and were divided into lamivudine group (n=37) and control group (n=42).Both groups received chemotherapy.Liver damages and HBV reactivation were observed, and the data were analyzed with software SPSS 13.0.Results In lamivudine group, liver damages Ⅰ or Ⅱ was observed in 11 patients (11/37, 29.7%), and liver damages Ⅲ or Ⅳ was observed in 2 (2/37, 5.4%); two patients (2/37, 5.4%) developed HBV reactivation, and both of them had HBV YMDD mutations.In control group, 19 (19/42, 45.2%) patients experienced liver damages Ⅰ or Ⅱ, 7 (7/42, 16.7%) experienced liver damages Ⅲ or Ⅳ; 12 (12/42, 28.6%) patients experienced HBV reactivation, the differences between the two groups were of statistical significance (χ2=79.0, 8.7 and 79.0, P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Lamivudine can reduce liver damages and HBV reactivation in HBsAg negative and anti-HBc positive patients with lymphoma during chemotherapy.

Objective To investigate the expressions of interferon γ(IFNγ), interferon inducible protein-10(IP-10). chemokine receptor CXCR3 and their significance in infection-associated hemophagocytic syndrome(IAHPS). Methods Forty-three patients with IAHPS, 35 infection patients without HPS and 25 healthy controls were included in the study. The serum IFNγ and IP-10 levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The expression of CXCR3 on cell surface of CD_4~+ and CD_8~+ T cells in peripheral blood was determined by flow cytometry. SPSS 13.0 was used for data processing, and independent-sample t test was performed to compare the differences among the groups. Results The serum IFNγ and IP-10 levels in patients with IAHPS were( 608±135) pmol/L and(939±141) pmol/L respectively, which were significantly higher than those in without HPS group[(154±45) pmol/L and (385±119) pmol/L, t=4.97 and 4.02, P<0.05] and healthy controls[(56±18) pmol/L and (248±98) pmol/L, t=5.27 and 4.77, P<0.05]. The expressions of CXCR3 on CD_4~+ and CD_8~+ T cells in IAHPS group were (35±11)% and (23±8)% respectively, which were significantly higher than those in without HPS group[(24±7)% and (16±7)%, t=3.12 and 3.62, P<0.05] and healthy controls[(20±6)% and (12±5)%, t=4.46 and 4.93, P<0.05]. Conclusion The expressions of IFNγ, IP-10 and CXCR3 are increased significantly in patients with IAHPS, which may be related to the disease pathogenesis.

Objective To detect the role of AP-1 or ETS-1 transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) in activity of DC-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) pro-moter. Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood. Complete DC-SIGN promoter and those without AP-1 or ETS-1 TFBS were amplified by PCR using designed primers. The PCR products were digested with MLu Ⅰ and Bgl Ⅱ and then ligated into MLu Ⅰ and Bgl Ⅱ digested pGL-3/Basic and pGL-3/En-hancer vectors. Transfection in Hacat and 293 cells was accomplished with Trans Fast liposome. Activity of luciferase was detected after 48 h. Results The DC-SIGN promoters without AP-1 or ETS-1 TFBS and the recombined pGL-3 vectors were correctly constructed. The activity of DC-SIGN promoters without AP-1 was reduced 20% (293) and 10% (Hacat), which was 40%-50% with enhancer. The activity of DC-SIGN pro-moters without ETS-1 was nearly vanished, no matter with or without enhancer. Conclusion ETS-1 TFBS, not AP-1 TFBS, plays an important role in activity of DC-SIGN promoter.

Objective To investigate the effect of parthenolide (PN) on human colon cancer cells in vitro and its mechanism. Methods Human colon cancer cell line HT-29 was cultured and treated with PN at the concentra-tions of 10 ,50 ,100 ,200,500 ,1 000 μmol/L for 48 hours. Then the apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The ex-pression of NF-Κb p50 and COX-2 proteins were analyzed by Western blot and the concentration of PGE2 was meas-ured with ELISA kits. Results PN significantly induced cell apoptosis after 48 h in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of NF-Κb p50 and COX-2 proteins were down-regulated by the PN, and the concentrations of PGE2 were al-so declined. Conclusion PN can induce apoptosis of the human colon cancer cells. And the process may be carried out through the way of "NF-Κb→COX-2→PGE2".