[Molluscicidal effect of endophyte LL3026 from Buddleia lindleyana against Oncomelania hupensis].

OBJECTIVE: To research the molluscicidal effect, active components, thermal stability and light stability of endophyte LL3026 (Colletotrichum sp.) from Buddleia lindleyana METHODS: The molluscicidal effect of LL3026 against Oncomelania hupensis was determined as referring to the WHO guidelines for laboratory molluscicidal test, and the control experiments were performed with 1 mg/L niclosamide or dechlorinated tap water. The active components from LL3026 were extracted by different polar solvents. The thermal stability and light stability of its extracellular moiety was examined at different temperature (30-100 degrees C), different time (30-150 min) and different illumination time (1-9 d). RESULTS: Immersion test showed that the LC50 values for the LL3026 broth were 50.11, 3.43, and 1.55 mg/L for 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. The ether extract of LL3026 broth showed the best molluscicidal activity compared with other fractions. Treated with 25 mg/L ether extract for 24, 48, and 72 h, the mortality of O. hupensis was 100%. The molluscicidal activity of LL3026 broth had no change at 80 degrees C for 120 min, and the snail mortality was 100%. A 48-h exposure to LL3026 broth which placed in an artificial climate box with 3 600 1x illumination for 9 d resulted in 86.7% snail mortality. CONCLUSION: The fractions extracted from endophyte LL3026 isolated from B. lindleyana shows molluscicidal effect to O. hupensis.

Kinetic analysis of the immunity in a pregnant patient infected with avian influenza H7N9.

BACKGROUND: Human infection with avian influenza A H7N9 has emerged in China since February, 2013. The immunologic changes in pregnant women infected with H7N9 are not known. OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical data and kinetic changes of immunity in a pregnant woman infected with H7N9 virus in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China. METHODS: The clinical data were collected and immunity status was monitored in this patient. RESULTS: H7N9 virus became undetectable in sputum from 14 days since onset of symptoms after effective antiviral therapy with oseltamivir and symptomatic/supporting treatments. The symptoms and signs in this patient gradually improved from 15 days since onset of symptoms. Peripheral lymphocytes initially decreased and gradually increased. The percentage of CD4+ T cells increased since 16 days after onset of symptoms. The kinetic changes of cytokines including IFN-γ, IFN-α, TNF-α, IL-10 and TGF-ß1 matched the development and recovery of illness. Her family members, including her parents exposed to H7N9 positive materials in poultry market, were H7N9 negative. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that pregnant women are susceptible to H7N9 virus and H7N9 infection in pregnant women is curable without significant impact on fetus. Kinetic changes of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines play a role in the pathogenesis and clinical outcome in the pregnant patient with H7N9 infection.

A high-performance molluscicidal ingredient against Oncomelania hupensis produced by a rhizospheric strain from Phytolacca acinosa Roxb.

BACKGROUND: Snail (Oncomelania hupensis) control is an important and effective preventive strategy in schistosomiasis control programs, and screening microbial molluscicidal agents is one of the most promising categories in biomolluscicides. OBJECTIVE: To purify and identify the molluscicidal ingredient (MI) obtained from strain SL-30's exocellular broth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The active extracts extracted from SL-30's exocellular broth was purified on a silica gel column guided by molluscicidal activity assay against Oncomelania hupensis, then the MI was obtained. NMR spectroscopy and LC-MS/MS analysis was used to identify the molecular structure of the MI. RESULTS: Molluscicidal activity bioassay showed that the MI exhibited significant molluscicidal activity with the LC(50) values of 0.101, 0.062, and 0.022 mg/L, respectively, in the case of exposure period of 24 h. From (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, (1)H-(1)H COSY, and (1)H-(13)C HSQC spectra, partial important structure fragment was obtained, and the relative molecular weight of the MI showed 326 according to LC-MS analysis. Then, on these grounds, it was indicated that the molecular structure of the MI had a higher similarity to Gliotoxin with the molecular formula of C(13) H(14)N(2)O(4)S(2). The quasi-molecular ion of m/z 325.45 was further analyzed by MS(2) as the parent ion, and two daughter ions obtained at m/z 295.11 [M-CH(2)OH]- and m/z 261.08 [M-CH(2)OH -2S]- CONCLUSION: The MI was finally confirmed as Gliotoxin.

Epidemiology of hand, foot, and mouth disease and genotype characterization of Enterovirus 71 in Jiangsu, China.

BACKGROUND: In the spring of 2008, an EV71-caused hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreak occurred in Fuyang city, Anhui Province, China. Jiangsu Province that borders Auhui to the east is presumed as a key station for the spread of EV71 to other regions of the Yangtze River Delta. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the HFMD prevalence in Zhenjiang city of Jiangsu from May 2008 to October 2009, and the epidemic origin of EV71 circulating in Jiangsu. STUDY DESIGN: During May 2008 and October 2009, a total of 6324 HFMD cases in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, were investigated. Sixty throat specimens were randomly selected from different patients, and 28 nucleotide sequences of EV71 VP1 regions were successfully determined by RT-nested-PCR and sequencing. EV71 genotypes were characterized by phylogenetic analyses. RESULTS: The incidence rate of HFMD was highest in the period of March-July and in the 1-4 years old age groups. Intriguingly, there was a slight predominance for boys and for children living in rural areas in HFMD infection. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that all Jiangsu EV71 strains and most China strains belonged to subgenotype C4a. CONCLUSION: The C4a was the most prominent EV71 subgenotype circulating in China. Routine HFMD surveillance should be focused on the period of March-July, and more prevention efforts should be aimed at 1-4 years old children. Moreover, government efforts are urgently needed to improve public health condition and medical service quality in rural areas.

Molluscicidal activities of medicinal plants from eastern China against Oncomelania hupensis, the intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum / Atividades moluscicida de plantas medicinais do leste da China contra Oncomelania hupensis, o hospedeiro intermediário da Schistosoma japonicum

In a search for natural products that could be used to control schistosomiasis, nineteen extracts of eleven medicinal plants from eastern China have been tested for molluscicidal activity against snail Oncomelania hupensis. The n-butanol fraction of the fresh leaf from Buddleja lindleyana Fortune, Buddlejaceae, showed significant activity against the snails. Statistical analysis revealed that the LC50 and LC90 values for the n-butanol fraction were 39.91 mg L-1 and 59.28 mg L-1 for 48 h, respectively. Otherwise, the LC50 values for the n-butanol fraction to zebrafish was 403.24 mg L-1 for 48 h. Therefore, the n-butanol fraction of the fresh leaf from B. lindleyana may be a potent and safe molluscicides.

Na busca por produtos naturais que podem ser utilizados para controle da esquistossomose, dezenove extratos de onze plantas medicinais do leste da China foram testados para atividade moluscicida contra o caramujo Oncomelania hupensis. A fração n-butanol das folhas frescas de Buddleja lindleyana Fortune, Buddlejaceae, mostrou atividade significativa contra os caracóis. A análise estatística revelou que os valores de CL50 e CL90 para a fração n-butanol foram 39,91 mg L-1 e 59,28 mg L-1 por 48 h, respectivamente. Por outro lado, a CL50 para a fração n-butanol para peixe-zebra foi 403,24 mg L-1 por 48 h. Portanto, a fração n-butanol das folhas frescas de B. lindleyana poderá vir a ser um moluscicidas potente e seguro.