Poliovirus Detection and Genetic Characteristic from Sewage in Heilongjiang Province from 2013 to 2016.

By monitoring the sewage system in Heilongjiang province from 2013 to 2016, this study aimed to analyze the epidemiological tendency and genetic mutation of poliovirus (PV) found in the environment in order to setup a warning system for vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) and the spread of wild poliovirus. In this study, we collected 139 sewage samples from 8 regions in Heilongjiang province. Poliovirus was identified from 72 samples, and the positivity rate was 51%. A total of 263 PV strains were isolated, including 22 strains of type 1 PV, 104 strains of type 2 PV, and 137 strains of type 3 PV. As a result of intratypic differentiation, using real-time PCR and nucleotide sequencing, 3 type 1 pre-VDPV, one type 2 VDPV, and 2 type 3 pre-VDPV strains were isolated. Interestingly, one type 1 strain with 5 nucleotide deletions and one type 3 recombinant on VP1 were isolated. By continuously monitoring the poliovirus in the environment, we aimed to recognize the VDPV or wild poliovirus with high neurovirulence from large-scale circulation and set up a warning system to avoid morbidity and virus transmission.

Chest circumference and sitting height among children and adolescents from Lhasa, tibet compared to other high altitude populations.

OBJECTIVES: The adaptation of human beings to a high altitude environment during growth has been reported in several populations but is less known for Tibetans. The objective of this study was to investigate similarities and differences of Tibetans in patterns and characteristics of physical growth and development in comparison to other high altitude populations. METHODS: We measured the stature, weight, chest circumference and sitting height of 2,813 healthy children and adolescents aged 6- to 21-year-old living at 3,658-4,500 m in Tibet, China, and compared them with published data from other high altitude populations. Eligible participants must have been born and raised in Tibet, and both their parents' families have to be Tibetan for at least the past three generations. RESULTS: The physical growth and development of children and adolescents in Tibet and the Andes followed similar patterns, such as delayed growth, short stature and sitting height, and large chest dimensions. Relative to stature, Tibetan sitting heights are similar to Andeans, but chest circumferences are smaller. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study reinforce the conclusion that Tibetan and Andean populations have adapted differently to high altitude hypoxia. The physical features of each population may result from unique adaptation to hypoxia, as well as socio-ecological factors, such as poor nutrition.

Gender differences and age-related changes in body fat mass in Tibetan children and teenagers: an analysis by the bioelectrical impedance method.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to obtain the fat base value and the fat distribution characteristics of Tibetan children and teenagers by estimating their body fat content with the bioelectrical impedance method. METHODS: We recruited 1427 healthy children and teenagers by a stratified cluster sampling method. By using bioelectrical impedance analysis, we obtained various values relevant to fat. RESULTS: We found that total body fat mass and the fat mass of various body parts increased with age in boys and girls. Yet there were no differences between age groups until 11 years. However, fat mass increased quickly between 11 and 18 years, and significant differences were seen between adolescent boys and girls; all fat indices were higher in girls than in boys (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The characteristics of fat in Tibetan children and teenagers in Tibet is related to age and gender related hormone secretion, which reflects the physiological characteristics in different developmental stages.