Free-space dissemination of time and frequency with 10-19 instability over 113 km.

Networks of optical clocks find applications in precise navigation1,2, in efforts to redefine the fundamental unit of the 'second'3-6 and in gravitational tests7. As the frequency instability for state-of-the-art optical clocks has reached the 10-19 level8,9, the vision of a global-scale optical network that achieves comparable performances requires the dissemination of time and frequency over a long-distance free-space link with a similar instability of 10-19. However, previous attempts at free-space dissemination of time and frequency at high precision did not extend beyond dozens of kilometres10,11. Here we report time-frequency dissemination with an offset of 6.3 × 10-20 ± 3.4 × 10-19 and an instability of less than 4 × 10-19 at 10,000 s through a free-space link of 113 km. Key technologies essential to this achievement include the deployment of high-power frequency combs, high-stability and high-efficiency optical transceiver systems and efficient linear optical sampling. We observe that the stability we have reached is retained for channel losses up to 89 dB. The technique we report can not only be directly used in ground-based applications, but could also lay the groundwork for future satellite time-frequency dissemination.

Connectome-based prediction modeling of cognitive control using functional and structural connectivity.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive control involves flexibly configuring mental resources and adjusting behavior to achieve goal-directed actions. It is associated with the coordinated activity of brain networks, although it remains unclear how both structural and functional brain networks can predict cognitive control. Connectome-based predictive modeling (CPM) is a powerful tool for predicting cognitive control based on brain networks. METHODS: The study used CPM to predict cognitive control in 102 healthy adults from the UCLA Consortium for Neuropsychiatric Phenomics dataset and further compared structural and functional connectome characteristics that support cognitive control. RESULTS: Our results showed that both structural (r values 0.263-0.375) and functional (r values 0.336-0.503) connectomes can significantly predict individuals' cognitive control subcomponents. There is overlap between the functional and structural networks of all three cognitive control subcomponents, particularly in the frontoparietal (FP) and motor (Mot) networks, while each subcomponent also has its own unique weight prediction network. Overall, the functional and structural connectivity that supports different cognitive control subcomponents manifests overlapping and distinct spatial patterns. CONCLUSIONS: The structural and functional connectomes provide complementary information for predicting cognitive control ability. Integrating information from both connectomes offers a more comprehensive understanding of the neural underpinnings of cognitive control.

Aggregation-Induced Emission Boosting the Study of Polymer Science.

The past one hundred years have witnessed the great development of polymer science. The advancement of polymer science is closely related with the development of characterization techniques and methods, from viscometry in molecular weight determination to advanced techniques including differential scanning calorimetry, nuclear magnetic resonance, and scanning electron microscopy. However, these techniques are normally constrained to tedious sample preparation, high costs, harsh experimental conditions, or ex situ characterization. Fluorescence technology has the merits of high sensitivity and direct visualization. Contrary to conventional aggregation-causing quenching fluorophores, those dyes with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics show high emission efficiency in aggregate states. Based on the restriction of intramolecular motions for AIE properties, the AIE materials are very sensitive to the surrounding microenvironments owing to the twisted propeller-like structures and therefore offer great potential in the study of polymers. The AIE concept has been successfully used in polymer science and provides a deeper understanding on polymer structure and properties. In this review, the applications of AIEgens in polymer science for visualizing polymerization, glass transition, dissolution, crystallization, gelation, self-assembly, phase separation, cracking, and self-healing are exemplified and summarized. Lastly, the challenges and perspectives in the study of polymer science using AIEgens are addressed.

An effector from cotton bollworm oral secretion impairs host plant defense signaling.

Insects have evolved effectors to conquer plant defense. Most known insect effectors are isolated from sucking insects, and examples from chewing insects are limited. Moreover, the targets of insect effectors in host plants remain unknown. Here, we address a chewing insect effector and its working mechanism. Cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) is a lepidopteran insect widely existing in nature and severely affecting crop productivity. We isolated an effector named HARP1 from H. armigera oral secretion (OS). HARP1 was released from larvae to plant leaves during feeding and entered into the plant cells through wounding sites. Expression of HARP1 in Arabidopsis mitigated the global expression of wounding and jasmonate (JA) responsive genes and rendered the plants more susceptible to insect feeding. HARP1 directly interacted with JASMONATE-ZIM-domain (JAZ) repressors to prevent the COI1-mediated JAZ degradation, thus blocking JA signaling transduction. HARP1-like proteins have conserved function as effectors in noctuidae, and these types of effectors might contribute to insect adaptation to host plants during coevolution.

Vitamin D status and vitamin D deficiency risk factors among pregnancy of Shanghai in China.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing awareness that vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women may be associated with several adverse effects for the mother and newborn. The risks for vitamin D deficiency are unclear. This study was to assess vitamin D nutritional status and vitamin D deficiency risk factors among pregnant women in Shanghai in China. METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional study conducted in the Sixth Affiliated People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. A total of 953 healthy pregnant women participated, serological examinations and other variables included serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], total blood cholesterol (TCh), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, triglycerides at the first antenatal visit (12-14 weeks) pregnancy parity and age, body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy, and completed OGTTs test. Associations between vitamin D deficiency and possible predictors (age group, pre-pregnancy BMI, parity, and gestational hyperlipemia) were assessed with a multinomial logistic regression analysis. And also used to investigate the effects of 25(OH)D and the other variables on the occurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: The mean vitamin D level of pregnancy was 16 (a range from 11 to 21) ng/ml, and severe vitamin D deficiency was 31.8% (303); vitamin D deficiency was 40.7% (388); vitamin D insufficiency was 25.1% (239); normal vitamin D was 2.4%(23). Vitamin D deficiency risk factors were age over 30, parity over 2, overweight, obese, and hyperlipemia. The increasing level of vitamin D nutritional status in pregnancy is significantly related to reducing gestational diabetes mellitus. Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS: It is a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Chinese pregnancy in Shanghai. Aging more than 30 years, the parity of more than 2, overweight and obesity, and hyperlipemia are risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus. Public health strategies to prevent vitamin D deficiency should focus on those risks to promote health pregnancy of Shanghai in China.

Eating behavior and hypertension in Chinese.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Sakata's Eating Behavior Questionnaire (SEBQ) was developed to grasp distortions and habits in eating behavior. This study aimed to validate the factor structure and psychometrics properties of the Chinese version of the SEBQ, and examine the relationship between eating behavior and hypertension. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Individuals were recruited from a community in Xuhui district in Shanghai. The 30-item SEBQ was used to measure eating behavior. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to evaluate the dimensional structure, logistic regression analysis and mediating effect analysis were conducted to evaluate the relation between SEBQ with obesity and hypertension. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.81 revealed good internal reliability. The values of root mean square error of approximation [90% confidence intervals (CI)], comparative fit index and Tucker-Lewis index were 0.053 (0.050, 0.056), 0.90 and 0.89 for the original version, and 0.062 (0.045, 0.079), 0.91 and 0.86 for the 7-item short form respectively. SEBQ can be used as a predictor of general obesity [odds ratio (OR): 5.14, 95%CI: 2.91-9.08], central obesity (OR: 2.87, 95%CI: 1.86-4.42) and abdominal obesity (OR: 2.59, 95%CI: 1.67-4.01). Its effect on hypertension was mediated by obesity (ß=0.018, p=0.027), and the percentage of mediated effect by obesity between eating behavior and hypertension was 43.9%. CONCLUSIONS: This study shown that SEBQ is a valid and reliable measurement tool to define obesity in Chinese as well and the associations between eating behavior and hypertension was mediated by obesity. Further validation among different populations is needed in the future study.

A unique B cell epitope-based particulate vaccine shows effective suppression of hepatitis B surface antigen in mice.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a novel therapeutic vaccine based on a unique B cell epitope and investigate its therapeutic potential against chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in animal models. METHODS: A series of peptides and carrier proteins were evaluated in HBV-tolerant mice to obtain an optimised therapeutic molecule. The immunogenicity, therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of the candidate were investigated systematically. RESULTS: Among the HBsAg-aa119-125-containing peptides evaluated in this study, HBsAg-aa113-135 (SEQ13) exhibited the most striking therapeutic effects. A novel immunoenhanced virus-like particle carrier (CR-T3) derived from the roundleaf bat HBV core antigen (RBHBcAg) was created and used to display SEQ13, forming candidate molecule CR-T3-SEQ13. Multiple copies of SEQ13 displayed on the surface of this particulate antigen promote the induction of a potent anti-HBs antibody response in mice, rabbits and cynomolgus monkeys. Sera and purified polyclonal IgG from the immunised animals neutralised HBV infection in vitro and mediated efficient HBV/hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance in the mice. CR-T3-SEQ13-based vaccination induced long-term suppression of HBsAg and HBV DNA in HBV transgenic mice and eradicated the virus completely in hydrodynamic-based HBV carrier mice. The suppressive effects on HBsAg were strongly correlated with the anti-HBs level after vaccination, suggesting that the main mechanism of CR-T3-SEQ13 vaccination therapy was the induction of a SEQ13-specific antibody response that mediated HBV/HBsAg clearance. CONCLUSIONS: The novel particulate protein CR-T3-SEQ13 suppressed HBsAg effectively through induction of a humoural immune response in HBV-tolerant mice. This B cell epitope-based therapeutic vaccine may provide a novel immunotherapeutic agent against chronic HBV infection in humans.

Hedgehog signalling mediates drug resistance through targeting TAP1 in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Multidrug resistance is one of the reasons for low survival of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our previous studies indicate that the hedgehog signalling is involved in hepatic carcinogenesis, metastasis and chemo-resistance. The present study aims to uncover molecular mechanisms underlying hepatoma chemo-resistance. TAP1 and GLI1/2 gene expression was assessed in both poorly differentiated hepatoma cells and HCC specimens. Potential GLI-binding site in the TAP1 promoter sequence was validated by molecular assays. Approximately 75% HCC specimens exhibited an elevated expression of hedgehog GLI1 transcription factor compared with adjacent liver tissue. Both GLI1/2 and TAP1 protein levels were significantly elevated in poorly differentiated hepatoma cells. Both Huh-7-trans and Huh-7-DN displayed more karyotypic abnormalities and differential gene expression profiles than their native Huh-7 cells. Sensitivity to Sorafenib, doxorubicin and cisplatin was remarkably improved after either GLI1 or TAP1 gene was inhibited by an RNAi approach or by a specific GLI1/2 inhibitor, GANT61. Further experiments confirmed that hedgehog transcription factor GLI1/2 binds to the TAP1 promoter, indicating that TAP1 is one of GLI1/2 target genes. In conclusion, TAP1 is under direct transcriptional control of the hedgehog signalling. Targeting hedgehog signalling confers a novel insight into alleviating drug resistance in the treatment of refractory HCC.

Serology characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection after exposure and post-symptom onset.

BACKGROUND: Timely diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is a prerequisite for treatment and prevention. The serology characteristics and complement diagnosis value of the antibody test to RNA test need to be demonstrated. METHOD: Serial sera of 80 patients with PCR-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were collected at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. Total antibody (Ab), IgM and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were detected, and the antibody dynamics during the infection were described. RESULTS: The seroconversion rates for Ab, IgM and IgG were 98.8%, 93.8% and 93.8%, respectively. The first detectible serology marker was Ab, followed by IgM and IgG, with a median seroconversion time of 15, 18 and 20 days post exposure (d.p.e.) or 9, 10 and 12 days post onset (d.p.o.), respectively. The antibody levels increased rapidly beginning at 6 d.p.o. and were accompanied by a decline in viral load. For patients in the early stage of illness (0-7 d.p.o), Ab showed the highest sensitivity (64.1%) compared with IgM and IgG (33.3% for both; p<0.001). The sensitivities of Ab, IgM and IgG increased to 100%, 96.7% and 93.3%, respectively, 2 weeks later. When the same antibody type was detected, no significant difference was observed between enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and other forms of immunoassays. CONCLUSIONS: A typical acute antibody response is induced during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Serology testing provides an important complement to RNA testing in the later stages of illness for pathogenic-specific diagnosis and helpful information to evaluate the adapted immunity status of patients.

A case of abdominal bleeding after mitral valvuloplasty assisted by da Vinci robotic surgery.

A 66-year-old female patient was admitted with abdominal bleeding as an unexpected complication of robotic surgery. Assessments included the patient's medical history, physical examination, laboratory data, and abdominal ultrasound scan results. In our case, laparotomy revealed an injury to the diaphragm and liver of the patient caused by the previous robotic surgery. In conclusion, although abdominal bleeding is a rare condition, it should be taken into consideration as a complication of robotic cardiac surgery.

Feasibility of Device Closure for Multiple Atrial Septal Defects With an Inferior Sinus Venosus Defect: Procedural Planning Using Three-Dimensional Printed Models.

BACKGROUND: Multiple atrial septal defects (ASD) with an inferior sinus venosus defect (SVD) have always been considered to be contraindications for interventional therapy. On the basis of early experience using a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occluder for interventional treatment for inferior ASD, this study investigated the feasibility of transcatheter closure of multiple ASDs with an inferior SVD under the guidance of three-dimensional (3D) printed heart models. METHODS: Between August 2016 and February 2017, five patients who were diagnosed with multiple ASDs with an inferior SVD at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University underwent cardiac computed tomography (CT) scans and three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography to generate heart disease models by a 3D printing technique. The best occlusion program was determined through a simulated closure on the model. Percutaneous device closure of multiple ASDs with an inferior SVD was performed following the predetermined program, guided only by fluoroscopy. Follow-up included electrocardiography, transthoracic echocardiography, and transoesophageal echocardiography. RESULTS: Three-dimensional (3D) printed models for all five patients were produced successfully. Four (4) patients had a secundum ASD with an inferior sinus venosus ASD, and one patient had a patent foramen ovale (PFO) with an inferior sinus venosus ASD. All patients were successfully treated with interventional therapy. Inferior sinus venosus ASD was percutaneously closed using the PDA occluder, and the additional secundum ASD or PFO in each patient was percutaneously closed using an ASD or PFO occluder at the same time. There was no device embolisation, procedure-related death or pericardial tamponade. During the 1-year follow-up, a minor residual shunt was detected in one patient. CONCLUSION: The use of 3D printed ASD models provides a useful reference for transcatheter device closure of multiple ASD with an inferior SVD. This approach can provide a new treatment strategy for inferior sinus venosus ASD, which has been considered a contraindication for interventional therapy. However, long-term follow-up in a large number of patients is still warranted.

Consistency and dynamical changes of directional information flow in different brain states: A comparison of working memory and resting-state using EEG.

Several recent studies have reported a frequency-dependent directional information flow loop in resting-state networks by phase transfer entropy, comprising an anterior-to-posterior information flow in the theta band and a posterior-to-anterior information flow in the alpha band. However, the functional roles of this information flow loop remain unclear. In the current study, we compared information flow patterns in four different brain states using electroencephalography: resting-state, fixation, working memory (WM) encoding and WM maintenance. An auditory (pure tones) WM span task was carried out. A consistent anterior-to-posterior information flow in the theta band and an opposite pattern in the alpha band were found in all four segments. Flows in both patterns were enhanced during WM encoding. In contrast, a prefrontal-to-central information flow in the alpha band was dominant during the resting-state. In addition, enhanced information flows from right temporal to other brain regions in the theta band were found during WM processing (WM encoding and maintenance). Comparison of the consistency and dynamical changes of information flows in these four brain states indicated their functional roles in central executive processes, internal attention, WM information maintenance, and the right-hemisphere advantage in pure tone processing.

Effects of active and passive smoking on salivary cytokines levels in rats: A pilot study.

Cigarette smoking is an established risk factor for some oral diseases. As an essential fluid in the oral cavity, saliva is crucial to maintain oral health. Relative to active smoking, there are very few studies assessing the effect of passive smoking on salivary cytokines levels. In the present study, we established the rat models by the means of the intraoral cigarette smoking or whole body cigarette smoke exposure to simulate human active or passive smoking, respectively. The effects of active or passive smoking on salivary cytokines levels were assessed by using ProcartaPlex multiplex immunoassays. The results of the current study indicated that both active and passive smoking diminished the body weights of rats and increased the levels of some blood counts. Intriguingly, active smoking enhanced the salivary levels of IL-6 and IL-12 p70 and passive smoking elevated the salivary IL-6 level. Moreover, active smoking appeared to have a more prominent activation effect on the salivary IL-6 level. It was noted that active or passive smoking had no significant effect on the salivary IFN-γ level. Active or passive smoking could have potential effects on the salivary levels of some pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Quantum teleportation and entanglement distribution over 100-kilometre free-space channels.

Transferring an unknown quantum state over arbitrary distances is essential for large-scale quantum communication and distributed quantum networks. It can be achieved with the help of long-distance quantum teleportation and entanglement distribution. The latter is also important for fundamental tests of the laws of quantum mechanics. Although quantum teleportation and entanglement distribution over moderate distances have been realized using optical fibre links, the huge photon loss and decoherence in fibres necessitate the use of quantum repeaters for larger distances. However, the practical realization of quantum repeaters remains experimentally challenging. Free-space channels, first used for quantum key distribution, offer a more promising approach because photon loss and decoherence are almost negligible in the atmosphere. Furthermore, by using satellites, ultra-long-distance quantum communication and tests of quantum foundations could be achieved on a global scale. Previous experiments have achieved free-space distribution of entangled photon pairs over distances of 600 metres (ref. 14) and 13 kilometres (ref. 15), and transfer of triggered single photons over a 144-kilometre one-link free-space channel. Most recently, following a modified scheme, free-space quantum teleportation over 16 kilometres was demonstrated with a single pair of entangled photons. Here we report quantum teleportation of independent qubits over a 97-kilometre one-link free-space channel with multi-photon entanglement. An average fidelity of 80.4 ± 0.9 per cent is achieved for six distinct states. Furthermore, we demonstrate entanglement distribution over a two-link channel, in which the entangled photons are separated by 101.8 kilometres. Violation of the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt inequality is observed without the locality loophole. Besides being of fundamental interest, our results represent an important step towards a global quantum network. Moreover, the high-frequency and high-accuracy acquiring, pointing and tracking technique developed in our experiment can be directly used for future satellite-based quantum communication and large-scale tests of quantum foundations.

Multidisciplinary assessment of PFO with substantial right-to-left shunting and medium-term follow-up after PFO device closure: A single-center experience.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the multidisciplinary assessment of patent foramen ovale (PFO) with substantial right-to-left shunting (RLS) and medium-term follow-up after PFO closure for stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). BACKGROUND: PFO closure is a therapeutic option to prevent recurrent ischemic event in patients with cryptogenic stroke and TIA. The apparent lack of benefit seen in previous studies was in part due to the inclusion of patients with alternate mechanisms of stroke/TIA. However, the long-term follow-up results of RESPECT trial confirmed that PFO closure could reduce the recurrence rate of stroke compared to medical therapy. The obvious difference between RESPECT and the other studies is that RESPECT recruited more relevant patients with substantial RLS. METHODS: From May 2013 to October 2015, all subjects diagnosed as cryptogenic stroke or TIA with substantial RLS who underwent PFO closure at our institution were included. All patients underwent multidisciplinary assessment to exclude stroke/TIA with definite etiology. Baseline characteristics, clinical manifestations, procedural, and follow-up data were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 219 consecutive patients with substantial RLS undergoing PFO closure were identified. There were no procedure-related deaths, strokes, or TIA. Mean follow-up was 2.0 ± 0.7 years. Early residual shunting was visible in 9 patients (4.1%); however, during follow-up, only 3 patients (1.4%) had residual RLS detected by contrast transthoracic echocardiography (cTTE). The annual risk of recurrent ischemic stroke or TIA was 0.457%. CONCLUSIONS: PFO closure can be performed safely and effectively in patients with cryptogenic stroke or TIA. In selected patients with substantial RLS, following appropriate multidisciplinary assessment, excellent results with low incidence of recurrent events may be achieved.

A Case Report on Pulmonary Arteriovenous Fistula with Recurrent Cerebral Infarction.

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) and pulmonary arteriovenous fistula (PAVF) have been both proposed as a mechanism for cerebral infarction. However, there are only a few reports on how to distinguish the role of the two factors in cerebral infarction.

Epidemiologic and etiologic characteristics of hand, foot, and mouth disease in Chongqing, China between 2010 and 2013.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) has become very common in children, with widespread occurrence across China. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiologic and etiologic characteristics of HFMD, including etiologic variations in Chongqing, China. An epidemiologic investigation was based on 3,472 patients who presented with HFMD manifestations and were admitted at the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between 2010 and 2013. Fecal specimens from 830 patients were analyzed by nested RT-PCR to identify the enterovirus pathogens, and the molecular characterization of HFMD was illustrated by phylogenetic tree analysis. The results of this study indicate that the peak of the HFMD epidemic in Chongqing between 2010 and 2013 occurred between April and July each year. The median age of onset was 2.24 years old, and children under the age of five accounted for 96.4% of all the HFMD cases; the male-to-female ratio was 1.89:1. Enterovirus 71 accounted for a major proportion of the isolated strains every year, including the majority (74%) of severe cases. However, the proportion of Coxsackie A (CV-A) 6 infections increased from 2.11% in 2010 to 16.36% in 2013, while the proportion of CV-A16 infections decreased from 31.23% in 2010 to 4.67% in 2013. Molecular epidemiologic study showed that all enterovirus 71 strains belonged to subgenotype C4a, whereas all CV-A16 strains belonged to genotype B1, including subgenotype B1a and subgenotype B1b.

The Association of Maternal Body Composition and Dietary Intake with the Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus during the Second Trimester in a Cohort of Chinese Pregnant Women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of maternal body composition and dietary intake with the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: A total 154 GDM subjects and 981 controls were enrolled in a prospective cohort study in 11 hospitals from May 20, 2012 to December 31, 2013. Bioelectrical impedance analysis and dietary surveys were used to determine body composition and to evaluate the intake of nutrients in subjects at 21-24 weeks' gestation (WG). Logistic regression analysis was applied to explore the relationships of maternal body composition and dietary intake with the risk of GDM morbidity. RESULTS: Age, pre-pregnant body weight (BW), and body mass index (BMI) were associated with increased risk of GDM. Fat mass (FM), fat mass percentage (FMP), extracellular water (ECW), BMI, BW, energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrates at 21-24 WG were associated with an increased risk of GDM. In contrast, fat free mass (FFM), muscular mass (MM), and intracellular water (ICW) were associated with a decreased risk of GDM. CONCLUSION: Maternal body composition and dietary intake during the second trimester of pregnancy were associated with the risk of GDM morbidity.

[Detection of respiratory viruses in children with acute lower respiratory tract infection: an analysis of 5,150 children].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of respiratory viruses on throat swabs in hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI). METHODS: A total of 5,150 children with ALRTI who were admitted to Hebei Children's Hospital between March 2014 and February 2015 were enrolled to investigate the distribution of respiratory viruses in children with ALRTI. Direct immunofluorescence assay was performed for throat swabs from these children to detect influenza virus A (FA), influenza virus B (FB), adenovirus (ADV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and parainfluenza virus types 1, 2, and 3 (PIV-1, PIV-2, and PIV-3). RESULTS: Of all the 5,150 throat swabs from hospitalized children, 2,155 (41.84%) had positive virus detection results. RSV had the highest detection rate (1,338 cases/25.98%), followed by PIV-3 (439 cases/8.52%) and FA (166 cases/3.22%), and 29 patients had mixed infection with 2 viruses. With the increasing age, the detection rates of viruses tended to decrease (χ2=279.623; P<0.01). The positive rate of RSV increased gradually from September, and reached the peak value (60.09%) in November; the lowest positive rate occurred in June (1.51%). The positive rate of PIV-3 was the highest in May (21.38%) and the lowest in November (1.77%). CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of viruses in children with ALRTI varies with age and season, with RSV prevalence in autumn and winter and PIV-3 prevalence in spring and summer. RSV is the most common viral pathogen that causes ALRTI in hospitalized children.