OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the viral and bacterial etiology and epidemiology of patients with acute febrile respiratory syndrome (AFRS) in Qinghai using a commercial routine multiplex-ligation-nucleic acid amplification test (NAT)-based assay. METHODS: A total of 445 nasopharyngeal swabs specimens from patients with AFRS were analyzed using the RespiFinderSmart22kit (PathoFinder BV, Netherlands) and the LightCycler 480 real-time PCR system. RESULTS: Among the 225 (225/445, 51%) positive specimens, 329 positive pathogens were detected, including 298 (90.58%) viruses and 31 (9%) bacteria. The most commonly detected pathogens were influenza virus (IFV; 37.39%; 123/329), adenovirus (AdV; 17.02%; 56/329), human coronaviruses (HCoVs; 10.94%; 36/329), rhinovirus/enterovirus (RV/EV; 10.03%; 33/329), parainfluenza viruses (PIVs; 8.51%; 28/329), and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneu; 8.51%; 28/329), respectively. Among the co-infected cases (17.53%; 78/445), IFV/AdV and IFV/M. pneu were the most common co-infections. Most of the respiratory viruses were detected in summer and fall. CONCLUSION In our study, IFV-A was the most common respiratory pathogen among 22 detected pathogens, followed by AdV, HCoV, RV/EV, PIV, and M. pneu. Bacteria appeared less frequently than viruses, and co-infection was the most common phenomenon among viral pathogens. Pathogens were distributed among different age groups and respiratory viruses were generally active in July, September, and November. Enhanced surveillance and early detection can be useful in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of AFRS, as well as for guiding the development of appropriate public health strategies.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharynx ; virology ; Seasons ; Sentinel Surveillance ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; epidemiology ; virology ; Young Adult

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Adenoviridae Infections ; epidemiology ; virology ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cities ; epidemiology ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Humans ; Infant ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; epidemiology ; virology

Objective To understand the epidemic situation and the source of infection of the reemerge human rabies in Qinghai. Methods We collected the data on human rabies and the data on the cases of multi- victims bitten by the identical dog, and also the laboratory data of the nucleoprotein ( N) gene of rabies virus from the samples which were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA) from 2012 to 2017, to describe the epidemiological characteristics of human rabies and the prevalence of rabies virus in host animals, and to explore the source of infection of reemerge human rabies. Results A total of 7 human cases were reported in 2012-2017 in Qinghai province, among which 1 was bitted by wolf, 2 were bitted by stray dogs, 3 were bitted by domestic dogs which injured by stray dogs or wolfs. A total of 892 canine brain tissue samples were collected, from which 46 positive samples were detected with the positive rate of 5.16% (95% CI：3.70%-6.61%). The positive samples were collected from the nomadic region, which were consistent had the location of the human rabies. The samples collected from the cases of multi-victims bitten by the identical dog/animal had the positive rate of 73.08%, and 4 out of 7 human rabies were exposed to the cases of multi-victims bitten by the identical dog/animal. Genetic sequencing of the rabies virus detected from canine brain tissue samples were belong to China IV lineage, which was closely related to the Arctic clade. Conclusions The reemerging rabies happened in nomadic region of Qinghai province could be a consequence of spillover from wildlife especially from wolfs. The better surveillance system covering the human, livestock and wildlife should be set up to mitigate the rabies virus spread from the wildlife.

This study aims to perform a survey of genetic variation in neuraminidase (NA) gene of influenza A/H3N2 virus, as well as related resistance to NA inhibitors, in Qinghai Province of China, 2010 to 2012. Strains of influenza A/H3N2 isolated during an influenza survey from 2010 to 2012 in Qinghai were enrolled by random sampling. Viral RNA was extracted and amplified by RT-PCR. Purified PCR products were sequenced thereafter. Genetic analysis of nucleic acid and the derived amino acid sequences was performed by MEGA 4.0. Phylogenetic trees were also constructed. Strains isolated during 2010-2011 in this study clustered closely with World Health Organization (WHO) 2010-2012 reference vaccine strain A/Perth/16/2009 and 2008-2010 reference vaccine strain A/Brisbane/10/2007 on the phylogenetic tree, while the 2012 isolates were located on another branch. In analysis of derived amino acid sequences, the 2010 isolates mutated at K81T, the 2011 isolates mutated at I26V and D127N, while the 2012 isolates mutated at E41K, P46A, I58V, T71N, L81P, D93G, D127N, D151N, and I307M. The D151N mutation added a glycosylation site to the activity center of NA. No significant variation was discovered in H3N2 NA gene of 2010-2011 isolates in Qinghai, China. Isolates of 2012 were found with significant mutation, which has the potential of inducing minor resistance to NA inhibitors like zanamivir and oseltamivir.
Amino Acid Sequence ; China ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype ; classification ; enzymology ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza, Human ; virology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Neuraminidase ; chemistry ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Alignment ; Viral Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics

Five H9N2 avian influenza virus strains were isolated from the environmental samples in live poultry market in Qinghai Lake region from July to September, 2012. To evaluate the phylogenetic characteristics of these H9N2 isolates, the eight gene segments were amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced. The phylogenetic and molecular characteristics of the five strains were analyzed. The results showed that the HA genes of five strains shared 93. 2%-99. 1% nucleotide identities with each other, and the NA genes shared 94. 5%-99. 8% nucleotide identities. The HA cleavage site sequence of the A/environment/qinghai/ 017/2012 isolate was PSKSSRGLF, and the HA cleavage site sequences of the other four strains were all PSRSSRGLF. The HA receptor-binding site had the Q226L mutation. The M1 gene segment had the N30D and T215A mutations. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the five strains were similar to the virus A/chicken/Hunan/5260/2005 (H9N2) isolated in Hunan Province, China and were reassortant genotype viruses; the HA, NA, and NS genes belonged to the Y280-like lineage; the MP gene belonged to the G1-like lineage; the NP, PB1, PB2, and PA genes belonged to the F98-like lineage.
Animals ; China ; Genome, Viral ; Genotype ; Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza in Birds ; virology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Poultry ; Poultry Diseases ; virology ; Viral Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the analgesic and sedative effects of inhaling a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen on burn patient during and after dressing change.

METHODSA total of 240 burn patients hospitalized in the Institute of Burn Research of Changhai Hospital Affiliated to the Second Military Medical University, Department of Burns of the First People's Hospital in Zhengzhou, and Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from October 2011 to September 2012 were enrolled in our study, and they were all in accordance with the inclusion criteria. The 240 patients were divided into control group (n = 60, treated with inhalation of oxygen during dressing change) and treatment group (n = 180, treated with inhalation of a mixture of 65% nitrous oxide and oxygen during dressing change) according to the computer-generated list of random number. The other treatments in control group and treatment group were the same. Before, during, and after dressing change, heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), oxygen saturation (SO2), and adverse effects were observed. The degree of pain and anxiety felt by the patients were respectively evaluated with the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Chinese version of the burn specific pain anxiety scale (C-BSPAS) at the same time points as above. Data were processed with analysis of covariance, chi-square test, analysis of variance, and rank sum test.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences between control group and treatment group in the levels of HR, SBP, DBP, and SO2 before dressing change (with F values respectively 0.76, 0.06, 1.11, 0.70, P values all above 0.05). Compared with those of control group, the levels of HR, SBP, DBP, and SO2 in treatment group were significantly ameliorated during dressing change (with F values respectively 81.78, 146.36, 226.44, 205.62, P values all below 0.01). After dressing change, the levels of DBP in the two groups were close (F = 0.31, P > 0.05), but the levels of HR, SBP, and SO2 showed statistical differences (with F values respectively 7.02, 8.69, 12.23, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Before dressing change, the VAS scores were approximate between control group and treatment group (Z = 0.21, P > 0.05). Compared with those in control group (9.4 ± 0.7, 1.7 ± 2.5), the VAS scores were significantly lowered in treatment group during and after dressing change (1.6 ± 1.3, 0.7 ± 1.1, with Z values respectively 11.84, 3.35, P values all below 0.01). There was no significant difference in C-BSPAS score between control group and treatment group before dressing change (Z = 0.62, P > 0.05). Compared with those in control group (75 ± 13, 73 ± 12), the C-BSPAS scores in treatment group were decreased during and after dressing change (9 ± 15, 9 ± 14, with Z values respectively 11.91, 12.28, P values all below 0.01). There were no obvious adverse effects in two groups before, during, and after dressing change.

CONCLUSIONSA mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen seems to have obvious analgesic and sedative effects on burn patients during dressing change, and it can be widely used.

Administration, Inhalation ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Analgesia ; methods ; Bandages ; Burns ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitrous Oxide ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Oxygen ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the interleukin 17 (IL-17) gene and serum protein levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

METHODSA total of 228 patients with chronic HCV infection and 81 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. The frequencies of IL-17 rs8193036 and rs2275913 polymorphisms were detected by the TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. Serum levels of IL-17 protein were detected by ELISA. Pairwise comparisons were made by the Chi-square test, and the significance of between-group differences was assessed by the Student's t-test with P less than 0.05.

RESULTSThe patients with chronic HCV infection and the healthy controls showed similar frequencies of the rs8193036 C/T allele (x2 = 1.428, P = 0.232) and the rs2275913 A/G allele (x2 = 0.106, P = 0.744). In addition, the two groups showed similar distribution of the rs8193036 CC (chronic HCV infection: 46.49% vs. healthy controls: 41.98%), CT (45.61% vs. 44.44%) and TT (7.89% vs. 13.58%) genotypes (x2 = 2.346, P = 0.309), and of the rs2275913 AA (16.23% vs. 13.58%), AG (48.25% vs. 50.62%) and GG (35.53% vs. 35.80%) genotypes (x2 = 0.340, P = 0.844). Subgroup analysis of chronic HCV infection patients stratified according to HCV genotypes 1 and 2 showed no differences in the distribution of rs8193036 and rs2275913 alleles (x2 = 1.127, P = 0.288; x2 = 1.088, P = 0.297) and genotypes (x2 = 2.825, P = 0.246; x2 = 0.970, P = 0.616). However, the chronic HCV infection group did show significantly higher levels of serum IL-17 than the controls (97.67+/-39.68 vs. 71.60+/-19.78 pg/ml, t = 2.414, P = 0.033).

CONCLUSIONChronic HCV infection is associated with increased serum IL-17; however, the IL-17 polymorphisms rs8193036 and rs2275913 were not associated with chronic HCV infection susceptibility in this study's Chinese cohort.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Alleles ; Case-Control Studies ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; blood ; genetics ; virology ; Humans ; Interleukin-17 ; blood ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Young Adult

Objective To study the genetic characterizations of VP1 gene of human enterovirus 71 ( HEV71 ) isolated from clinical specimens of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) patients in Qinghai Province in 2008. Methods 335 clinical samples including stools, throat swabs and vesicle fluids were collected from HFMD patients in Qinghai Province. Viral isolation was performed, and molecular typing was performed with the positive isolates. Then 30 identified HEV71 isolates were performed for entire VP1 coding region amplification and sequencing. Results Among the 355 clinical samples, 45 human enteroviruses were isolated, and among them, 30 were identified as HEV71. Then 30 HEV71 positive isolates were performed by nucleotide sequencing. It showed that there was some difference in the nucleotide and the amino acid among the 30 HEV71 strains, the homology were 95.2%-100% and 96.6%-100%,respectively. But they all closed to HEV71 strains isolated in China after 1998, and from the phylogenetic tree constructed with 30 Qinghai HEV71 strains and other 35 HEV71 strains represented all known genotype and subgenotype HEV71 strains available from GenBank, it revealed that the 30 Qinghai HEV71 strains clustered within the C4a evolution branch of C4 subgenotype. Conclusion HEV71 was isolated in HFMD patients in Qinghai province, and the HEV71 strains causing HFMD outbreaks in Qinghai province in 2008 were all belong to C4a evolution branch of C4 subgenotype with several transmission chains.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the genetic polymorphism of 15 autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci, i.e. D5S818, FGA, D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, vWA, TPOX and D18S51, in Tibetan population of Changdu area, and to analyze the genetic relationship between this population and other Asian populations.

METHODSThe 15 loci were amplified simultaneously using a multiplex PCR typing system. Amplified STR fragments were analyzed with an ABI PRISM 3100 Avant DNA Analyzer. Arlequin software version 3.1 was used to obtain allele frequencies and polymorphism parameters.

RESULTSThere were 135 STR alleles in the 15 STRs of Changdu Tibetan, with allele frequencies ranging from 0.0065 to 0.5455. The average heterozygosity was 0.7340, the discrimination power was higher than 0.8 except for TPOX and TH01. The accumulative discrimination power was more than 0.9999998, and the accumulative non-parental exclusion probability was 0.99999997.

CONCLUSIONThe 15 STR loci of Changdu Tibetan possess characteristics of high genetic diversity. They can be employed in minority genetics investigation, and individual and paternity test in forensic medicine.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; ethnology ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Pedigree ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Tibet ; ethnology

The study was aimed to investigate the influence of interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) on the expressions of Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) in dendritic cells (DCs) from patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In addition to adding stem cell factor (SCF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 4 (IL-4), the IFN-alpha was added to the serum-free medium for DCs. After culturing for 10 - 14 days, cell phenotype and percentage of Ph(1) chromosome were detected by different methods. The expression of Fas or FasL on CML-DCs and cell cycle of DCs labeled with propidium iodine (PI) were measured by flow cytometry. The concentration of sFas in supernatants was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results indicated that the expression of co-stimulatory molecules were improved significantly while the percentages of Ph(1) positive cells decreased. The level of Fas on cells was up-regulated and the concentration of sFas decreased. However, the expression of FasL was negative. The ratio of apoptosis rose gradually while the concentration of IFN-alpha increased. It is concluded that IFN-alpha can accelerate the apoptosis of Ph(1) positive cells through Fas/FasL pathway, so the number of Ph(1) negative cells increases relatively.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Child ; Culture Media ; pharmacology ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Fas Ligand Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; pharmacology ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Philadelphia Chromosome ; Young Adult ; fas Receptor ; genetics ; metabolism