Emissions of BTEXs, NMHC, PAHs, and PCDD/Fs from Co-processing of Oil-based Drilling Cuttings in Brick Kilns.

Oil-based drilling cuttings (OBDC) produced from shale gas development is a hazardous waste that have high calorific values and should be disposed of properly. Burning bricks with OBDC is a promising co-disposal method; however, organic pollutants emitted during this process have not received sufficient attention. In this study, the composition and combustion characteristics of OBDC were determined, and the emissions of typical organic pollutants when burning bricks with the addition of OBDC were investigated; these included benzene series compounds (BTEXs), non-methane total hydrocarbons (NMHC), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). The results showed that OBDC comprised large amounts of alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons, and combusted mainly in the temperature range of 145-450 °C with an ignition temperature of 145 °C. The co-processing 10% OBDC increased the concentrations of toluene, NMHC, and PAHs in the flue gases by ∼1000%, ∼500%, and 200%, respectively, compared to the control experiment; however, their emission concentrations were within the limits set by the Integrated emission standards of air pollutants of Chongqing. It is worth noting that 26.443 ng/Nm3 PCDD/Fs with a total toxicity of 0.709 ng I-TEQ/Nm3 was generated from the co-processing 10% OBDC, which was ascribed to the high content of chlorine and aromatic hydrocarbons in the OBDC-promoted PCDD/Fs formed during the burning and cooling processes. Though PCDD/Fs in flue gas exceeded the 0.5 ng I-TEQ/Nm3 limit prescribed in the Pollution control standard for hazardous wastes incineration of China, the realistic emission of PCDD/Fs is expected to meet with this emission limit after desulfurization treatment as PCDD/Fs can be absorbed by gypsum. It is recommended that a lower amount of OBDC is added to reduce PCDD/F formation at the source and to take more efficient air pollution control system in order to reach a stricter emission limit of 0.1 ng I-TEQ/Nm3 in EU and USA. Cycling flue gas may also be an effective method to reduce other organic pollutants. Under these conditions, co-processing OBDC in brick kilns can be achieved without serious environmental pollution, making it a potential method for disposal and utilization.

An outbreak of acute respiratory infection at a training base in Beijing, China due to human adenovirus type B55.

BACKGROUND: Twelve students experienced symptoms of acute respiratory infection (ARI) at a training base in Beijing from August 26 to August 30, 2015. We investigated the cause of this ARI outbreak. METHODS: In partnership with the local center for disease control, we collected a total of twelve pharyngeal swab specimens as well as demographic information for the affected patients. We used multiplex real-time PCR to screen for sixteen common respiratory viruses in these samples. To isolate HAdV, we inoculated Hep-2 cells with the human adenovirus (HAdV)-positive samples and then carried out sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the hexon, fiber, and penton genes of the isolated adenoviruses. In addition, we analyzed the entire genome of one strain isolated from the index case to identify single-nucleotide substitutions. RESULTS: We identified ten HAdV-positive students using multiplex real-time PCR. None of the students were co-infected with other viruses. We successfully isolated seven HAdV strains from the pharyngeal swab specimens. The coding sequences of the hexon, fiber, and penton genes of these seven HAdV strains were identical, suggesting that they represented seven strains from a single virus clone. One HAdV isolate obtained from the index case, BJDX-01-2015, was selected for whole genome analysis. From this isolate, we obtained a 34,774-nucleotide sequence. The genome of BJDX-01-2015 clustered with HAdV-B55 in phylogenetic analyses and had 99.97% identity with human adenovirus 55 isolate HAdV-B/CHN/BJ01/2011/55 (GenBank accession no. JX491639). CONCLUSIONS: We identified HAdV-B55 as the strain associated with the August 2015 ARI outbreak at a training base in Beijing. This was the first reported outbreak in Beijing due to HAdV-B55. Continuous surveillance of respiratory adenoviruses is urgently needed to understand the epidemiological and evolutionary features of HAdV-B55, and an epidemiological modeling approach may provide further insights into this emerging public health threat. Furthermore, the clinical laboratory data from this outbreak provides important reference for the clinical diagnosis and may ultimately aid in informing the development of strategies to control and prevent respiratory tract infections caused by HAdV-B55.

Screening of herbaceous plants for peat-enhanced rehabilitation of contaminated soil with oily sludge.

A batch pot experiment using nine herbaceous species were conducted for peat enhanced rehabilitation of contaminated soil with oily sludge in the initial contents of 0%, 1.3%, 7.4%, and 12.2%, respectively. The results showed that petroleum hydrocarbons removal, plant growth indices and enzyme activities varied depending on plant species and oil contents. Cotton, ryegrass and tall fescue were effective in the rehabilitation of oily sludge contaminated soils. The total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) removal ranged from 30.0% to 40.0% after 170 days of treatment. Plant biomass was shown to be the preferred indicator for screening phytoremediation plant because it was closely correlated with TPH removal and enzyme activities. Peat-enhanced plant rehabilitation could be a good strategy for the treatment of oily sludge contaminated saline soils.

Genetic variation in the hemagglutinin of A(H1N1) 09pdm and A(H3N2) influenza viruses in the Beijing area from 2009 to 2014.

BACKGROUND: A(H1N1) 09pdm and A(H3N2) influenza viruses are the main cause of occasional influenza pandemics and seasonal influenza epidemics around the world. Unfortunately, the understanding of long-term genetic variation in these viruses remains limited. METHODS: In this study, hemagglutinin genes from 90 A(H1N1) 09pdm and 48 A(H3N2) influenza viruses in the Beijing area from 2009 to 2014 were sequenced and analyzed. RESULTS: The hemagglutinin genes in A(H1N1) 09pdm and A(H3N2) shared nucleotide similarity that ranged from 93.06% - 99.88% and 98.68% - 99.29%, respectively, compared with current vaccine strains. 10 and 7 amino acid mutations in antigenic sites were identified in these two strains, respectively. In addition, a new site 177 glycosylation, which did not exist in previous circulating strains, was identified in 3 A(H1N1) 09pdm isolates. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the continued evolution of seasonal influenza viruses in the Beijing area, indicating that an update of the vaccine is needed, especially for A(H1N1) 09pdm influenza virus.

[Study on the superantigen gene profiles of group A Streptococcus isolated from children in Beijing, 2014].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate superantigen gene profiles of group A Streptococcus (GAS) isolated in Beijing pediatric patients in 2014, and to explore the the relationship between superantigen gene profiles with emm types, and GAS infections with diseases. METHODS: A total of 259 GAS strains were isolated from pediatric patients clinically who diagnosed with scarlet fever and pharyngitis from 36 hospitals in Beijing from May to July, 2014.The Superantigens genes of strains were performed by Real-time PCR (speA, speB, speC, speF, speG, speH, speI, speJ, speK, speL, speM, smeZ, ssa). PCR amplification of GAS strain M protein N gene segments were carried ort; products after sequencing comparison were analyzed to determine the GAS types of emm. The differences in distributions of superantigen genes and emm types of GAS isolates were compared between subgroups. RESULTS: Among the 259 GAS strains, the detection rates of 13 superantigens were as the following: speA 48.6% (126), speB 99.2% (257), speC 99.2% (257), speF 98.8% (256), speG 98.5% (255), speH 43.6% (113), speI 46.3% (120), speJ 49.0% (127), smeZ 99.2% (257) and ssa 98.5% (255), respectively, however, speK, speL, and speM were not found. Eleven superantigen gene profiles in all were observed (A-K). The percentage of emm1 strains harbored spe A and speJ were 94.2% (113/120), 95.0% (114/120), respectively, which were significantly higher than those of emm12 strains (5.6% (7/124), 5.6% (7/124), respectively; χ(2) = 191.20, 194.80, P < 0.001). The percentage of emm12 strains harbored speH and speI were 83.9% (104/124), 88.7% (110/124), respectively, which were significantly higher than those of emm1 strains (3.3% (4/120), 4.2% (5/120), respectively; χ(2) = 160.30, 174.90, P < 0.001).The superantigen genotypes of GAS strains and emm types, which were isolated from scarlet fever and pharyngitis cases, were not significant different (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The GSA strains isolated in Beijing pediatric patients in 2014, the relevance ratio of speB, speC, speF, smeZ, speG, ssa were higher than others, while speK, speL, and speM were no detected in any GAS strains. The superantigen genes appeared to be associated with the emm type. Furthermore, emm type distribution and superantigen genes were not different between scalet fever and pharyngitis.

Radiofrequency ablation or microwave ablation combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma by comparing with radiofrequency ablation alone.

OBJECTIVE: To compare radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or microwave ablation (MWA) and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with RFA or MWA monotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial was conducted on 94 patients with HCC ≤7 cm at a single tertiary referral center from June 2008 to June 2010 at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Southeast University. The patients were randomly assigned into the TACE-RFA or TACE-MWA (combined treatment group) and the RFA-alone or MWA-alone groups (control group). The primary end point was overall survival. The secondary end point was recurrence-free survival, and the tertiary end point was adverse effects. RESULTS: Until the time of censor, 17 patients in the TACE-RFA or TACE-MWA group had died. The median follow-up time of the patients who were still alive for the TACE-RFA or TACE-MWA group was 47.5±11.3 months (range, 29 to 62 months). The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival for the TACE-RFA or TACE-MWA group was 93.6%, 68.1% and 61.7%, respectively. Twenty-five patients in the RFA or MWA group had died. The median follow-up time of the patients who were still alive for the RFA or MWA group was 47.0±12.9 months (range, 28 to 62 months). The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival for the RFA or MWA group was 85.1%, 59.6% and 44.7%, respectively. The patients in the TACE-RFA or TACE-MWA group had better overall survival than the RFA or MWA group [hazard ratio (HR), 0.526; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.334-0.823; P=0.002], and showed better recurrence-free survival than the RFA or MWA group (HR, 0.582; 95% CI, 0.368-0.895; P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: RFA or MWA combined with TACE in the treatment of HCC ≤7 cm was superior to RFA or MWA alone in improving survival by reducing arterial and portal blood flow due to TACE with iodized oil before RFA.

Characteristics of group A Streptococcus strains circulating during scarlet fever epidemic, Beijing, China, 2011.

Scarlet fever is one of a variety of diseases caused by group A Streptococcus (GAS). During 2011, a scarlet fever epidemic characterized by peak monthly incidence rates 2.9-6.7 times higher than those in 2006-2010 occurred in Beijing, China. During the epidemic, hospital-based enhanced surveillance for scarlet fever and pharyngitis was conducted to determine characteristics of circulating GAS strains. The surveillance identified 3,359 clinical cases of scarlet fever or pharyngitis. GAS was isolated from 647 of the patients; 76.4% of the strains were type emm12, and 17.1% were emm1. Almost all isolates harbored superantigens speC and ssa. All isolates were susceptible to penicillin, and resistance rates were 96.1% to erythromycin, 93.7% to tetracycline, and 79.4% to clindamycin. Because emm12 type GAS is not the predominant type in other countries, wider surveillance for the possible spread of emm12 type GAS from China to other countries is warranted.

Surveillance for avian influenza A(H7N9), Beijing, China, 2013.

During surveillance for pneumonia of unknown etiology and sentinel hospital-based surveillance in Beijing, China, we detected avian influenza A(H7N9) virus infection in 4 persons who had pneumonia, influenza-like illness, or asymptomatic infections. Samples from poultry workers, associated poultry environments, and wild birds suggest that this virus might not be present in Beijing.

Human metapneumovirus associated with community-acquired pneumonia in children in Beijing, China.

Community-acquired pneumonia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. However, few studies have been conducted on the infection of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) associated with pediatric community-acquired pneumonia in China. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected between July 2008 and June 2010 from 1,028 children, aged ≤16.5 years, who were diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia in Beijing, China. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was used to screen the samples for hMPV and common respiratory viruses. hMPV was detected in 6.3% of the patients with community-acquired pneumonia. This detection rate is the third highest for a respiratory virus in children with community-acquired pneumonia, after that of rhinovirus (30.9%) and respiratory syncytial virus (30.7%). The detection rate of hMPV in 2008/2009 (42/540, 7.8%) was significantly higher than in 2009/2010 (23/488, 4.7%; χ(2) = 4.065, P = 0.044). The hMPV subtypes A2, B1, and B2 were found to co-circulate, with A2 being most prevalent. These results indicate that hMPV plays a substantial role in pediatric community-acquired pneumonia in China. Overall, these findings provide a better understanding of the epidemiological and clinical features of hMPV infections.

[Analysis on the whole genome of the influenza H1N1 virus of the mild and severe cases in Beijing in 2009].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics of the whole genome of the influenza H1N1 virus of the mild and severe cases in Beijing. METHODS: A total of 21 samples of throat swabs were collected from surveillance-designated hospitals between June and December in 2009, including 10 severe cases (4 death cases) and 11 mild cases. RNA of the virus were extracted,and the amplified primers of the whole genome were designed.Reverse transcription and PCR were performed to the RNA and then the PCR product was sequenced by software to analyze the evolution of the viral genes and the variation of the amino acids. RESULTS: Compared with the reference vaccine strain A/California/07/2009 (H1N1), the genetic nucleotide homology in the eight segments of the pandemic H1N1 virus in Beijing in 2009 was higher than 99%, without significant variation. Among them,the genetic distance of hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA) and nucleoprotein (NP) was comparatively far, separately 0.0050, 0.0040 and 0.0040.The gene of HA, P83S, the gene of NA, N248D, the gene of polymerase (PA), P224S and the gene of NP, V100I and L122Q were found to mutate in all the samples. Genes of HA, NA, NP, PA, PB 2 and nonstructural protein (NS1) in severe cases showed obviously clustered evolution. The mutation of gene S128P and S203T of HA, gene R269R and D547E of PA, gene T588I of PB 2 and gene I123V of NS mainly happened in severe cases, separately counting 6, 9, 6, 7, 9 and 6 cases. The relevance between the mutation happened in S203T of HA, R269K and D547E of PA and the severeness of the cases showed statistical significance (P < 0.05). The mutations of HA gene were mainly on the Ca and Cb antigene domains. No drug resistant mutation was found on NA gene but happened on matrix protein 2 (M2 gene). None of the mutations were found on the virulence related genes. CONCLUSION: A high homology was found between the pandemic H1N1 virus in Beijing in 2009 and the reference vaccine strain A/California/07/2009(H1N1). Mutational sites related with the severe and fatal cases were found, but not the virulence related mutation.

[Application of EARS in early-warning of influenza pandemic in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To illustrate the efficiency of cumulative sum (CUSUM) in pre-warning of the influenza peak in Beijing. METHODS: CUSUM was used to analyze the data of influenza like illness (ILI), and the results of the influenza laboratory surveillance was regarded as the gold standard to judge the approaching of the influenza peak. RESULTS: The surveillance was launched in 421 hospitals in Beijing during the 2009 to 2010 influenza season, while the influenza laboratory surveillance was launched by 7 collaborative laboratories. From Jun. 2009 to Apr. 2010, the average ILI percentage in the 421 hospitals was 2.56%. In the study, 19 262 pharyngeal swab samples were collected from the ILI cases in 11 hospitals and 5 045 of them were tested positive for the influenza virus, with the novel swine-origin influenza A H1N1 virus dominating. After analyzing of the ILI surveillance data with CUSUM, it was found that the ILI surveillance in Beijing could make a satisfactory early warning for the approaching of the influenza peak referring to the gold standard based on the influenza laboratory results. CONCLUSION: It could give the prediction and early warning for the influenza peak efficiently and precisely, by using CUSUM to analyze the influenza surveillance data of Beijing.

[Study on types of M protein gene in group A streptococcus isolated from children in Beijing, 2011].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the distribution characteristics of the types of M protein gene (emm) in group A streptococcus (GAS) isolated from children in Beijing in the year 2011. METHODS: During May to July in 2011, a total of 3315 patients who were diagnosed scarlet fever or pharyngeal infection by doctors in pediatric outpatient and emergency units of 36 hospitals, were selected as subjects. Their throat swab samples were collected and isolated the strains of GAS. Gene emm was then amplified and sequenced by PCR method, and the differences in types of gene emm between different populations and diseases were compared. RESULTS: A total of 633 strains of GAS were isolated from the 3315 throat swab samples, 610 strains out of which were gene emm positive and were recruited in the study. Out of the 610 recruited strains, 448 (73.4%) were isolated from scarlet fever patients, the other 162 (26.6%) were isolated from pharyngeal infection patients; 397 (65.1%) were from urban, the other 213 (34.9%) were from suburb; 240 (39.4%) were from patients aging between 1 - 5 years old, the other 369(60.6%) were from patients aging 6 - 18 years old. A total of 8 types of gene emm (scarlet fever: 6 types, pharyngeal infection: 4 types) and 21 subtypes of gene emn (scarlet fever: 16 subtypes, pharyngeal infection: 10 subtypes) were identified. Three new subtypes were found in the study, naming emm1.63, emm12.62 and st5144.20. Among them, emm1.63 was found both in scarlet fever and pharyngeal infection patients, while emm12.62 and st5144. 20 were only found in pharyngeal infection patients. Among all the types of gene-emm, emm12 accounted for the highest percentage as 80.5% (491/610) and then followed by emm1 (18.0% (110/610)). Among all the subtypes, the dominant subtype was emm12.00, accounting for 69.0% (421/610), following by emm1.00 (16.9% (103/610)) and emm12.19 (6.1% (37/610)). All the above types and subtypes of gene emm were the most prevalent strains in scarlet fever patients and pharyngeal infection patients. Significant differences in the distribution of prevalent strains were observed among various aging patients and regions. The constituent ratios of emm1, emm1.00 and emm12.19 were higher in patients from suburb (emm1: 22.1% (47/213), emm1.00: 19.2% (40/213), emm12.19: 8.0% (17/213)) than those in urban areas (emm1: 15.9% (63/397), emm1.00: 15.6% (62/397), emm12.19: 5.0% (20/397)). The difference showed statistical significance (P < 0.05). The constituent ratio of emm1.00 was higher among patients aging 6-18 years old (19.2% (71/369)) than those aging 1 - 5 years old (13.3% (32/240)). The difference also showed statistical significance (χ(2) = 8.45, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Among the types of gene emm in GAS isolated from children in Beijing in year 2011, the most prevalent two were emm12 and emm1, and the most prevalent emm subtypes were emm12.00, emm1.00 and emm12.19. A significant difference in their distribution between various aging patients and isolated places can be obviously found.

Development of a diagnostic model focusing on nutritional indicators for frailty classification in people with chronic heart failure.

AIMS: Frailty has a great impact on the quality of life of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), which needs to be judged in time. To develop a diagnostic model based on nutritional indicators to judge the frailty status of patients with chronic heart failure (Frailty-CHF). METHODS AND RESULTS: In the data collection part of this study, questionnaire method and biomedical measurement method were adopted. The trace elements in serum samples were detected by high performance liquid chromatography, chemiluminescence, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. We used Excel for data consolidation, and then imported the data into R software for modelling. Lasso method was used for variable screening, and Logistics regression fitting model was used after variables were determined. The internal validation of the model was completed by Bootstrap re-sampling. A total of 123 patients were included in this study. After variables' screening, age, nutritional status-heart failure, New York Heart Association Functional Class (NYHA), micronutrients B12, Ca, folic acid, and Se were included in the model, the c statistic and Brier score of the original model were 0.9697 and 0.0685, respectively. After Bootstrap re-sampling adjustment, the c statistic and Brier score were 0.8503 and 0.1690. CONCLUSION: In this study, a diagnostic model of age, nutritional status-heart failure, NYHA, the micronutrients B12, Ca, folic acid, and Se was established. It could help healthcare professionals better identify the frailty status in patients with CHF.

Detection by environmental surveillance and genomic characterization of H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus from a poultry meat market in Beijing, China, 2021-22.

Since 2010 the year when it was first reported in domestic ducks in China, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 has caused several outbreaks in different countries. The first outbreak wave was documented in South Korea and Japan in 2014 and the second wave was reported in Asian and European countries in 2016. More importantly, zoonotic infection was first reported in poultry workers in Russia in 2021. Therefore, active surveillance on H5N8 is highly needed. Surveillance on live birds instead of environmental samples is commonly reported. In the present study, we reported detection and genomic characterization of an environmental H5N8 strain in environmental samples of Tongzhou poultry meat markets in Beijing on a monthly basis from March 2021 to February 2022. Among 600 samples screened, a total of 27 samples were positive for influenza A virus with 4 typed as H5N8, 10 H7N9, and 13 H9N2. Whole genome sequencing and analysis of one duck neck with a higher virus load showed that A/Environment sample/Beijing/TZ001/20 21 (H5N8) clade 2.3.4.4b had the highest identities (over 99%) in all eight segments with H5N8 isolates from wild birds swan and tern in Hubei and had polybasic cleavage site PLREKRRKR/G, characteristic of a HPAI virus. Overall, our data indicate that HPAI H5N8 virus is still circulating in domestic ducks in China in the study period and continued surveillance in domestic and wild birds is needed to control H5N8.

An Updated Review on SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Animals.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has lasted for two years and caused millions of infections and deaths in humans. Although the origin of SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans remains unknown, infection in animals has been frequently reported in varieties of animals all over the world. Both experimental and natural infections of SARS-CoV-2 in different animal species provide useful information on viral host range and pathogenicity. As the pandemic continues to evolve, SARS-CoV-2 infection in animals will be expanding. In this review, we summarized SARS-CoV-2 testing and infection in animals as well as SARS-CoV-2 strains and transmission in animals. Current data showed that at least 18 different animal species tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. These 18 animal species belong to pet, captive, farmed, and wild animals. Fifteen of the eighteen animal species were known to be positive for the Delta variant and ten animal species were infected with two different types of variants. Human-to-animal, animal-to-animal, and animal-to-human transmission events were suggested in different outbreaks involved in animal infection with SARS-CoV-2. Continued testing, immunization, and surveillance are warranted.

Screening and Analysis of Serum Protein Biomarkers Infected by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread widely around the world, and in-depth research on COVID-19 is necessary for biomarkers and target drug discovery. This analysis collected serum from six COVID-19-infected patients and six healthy people. The protein changes in the infected and healthy control serum samples were evaluated by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The differential protein signature in both groups was retrieved and analyzed by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genomes (KEGG), Gene ontology, COG/KOG, protein-protein interaction, and protein domain interactions tools. We shortlisted 24 differentially expressed proteins between both groups. Ten genes were significantly up-regulated in the infection group, and fourteen genes were significantly down-regulated. The GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggested that the chromosomal part and chromosome were the most enriched items. The oxytocin signaling pathway was the most enriched item of KEGG analysis. The netrin module (non-TIMP type) was the most enriched protein domain in this study. Functional analysis of S100A9, PIGR, C4B, IL-6R, IGLV3-19, IGLV3-1, and IGLV5-45 revealed that SARS-CoV-2 was closely related to immune response.

Evaluation of twelve real-time reverse transcriptase PCR primer-probe sets for detection of pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 virus.

Real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (rRT-PCR) assays have greatly contributed to the detection, control, and prevention of the pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 virus. To improve the rRT-PCR assays for detection of pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 virus, we evaluated the sensitivity, specificity, and performance of 12 rRT-PCR primer-probe sets [SW (a) to SW (l)] using a panel of virus strains and clinical specimens. These primer-probe sets were derived from published work and designed for detecting the hemagglutinin (HA) or the neuraminidase (NA) gene of the pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 virus. A primer-probe set, SW (CDC), developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) to target the HA gene of pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 virus, was used as a referee method. Our results demonstrated that although all primer-probe sets in this study had as high as 98.4 to 100% in silico coverage, some of the primer-probe sets had better specificity, sensitivity, and amplification efficiency than others. Two primer-probe sets, SW (h) and SW (l), which target the NA gene of pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 virus, were highly sensitive (10(4) copies/reaction), had high detection rates (56/60, P = 0.134, and 59/60, P = 1.000), and showed ideal specificity compared with SW (CDC). In addition, a cocktail of primer-probe sets targeted to the HA and NA genes displayed higher detection sensitivity than primer-probe sets targeting HA or NA alone, indicating that for practical applications, a combination of primer-probes targeting HA and NA genes is the best option for the detection of pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 virus.

Large-scale seroprevalence analysis of human metapneumovirus and human respiratory syncytial virus infections in Beijing, China.

BACKGROUND: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV), a recently identified virus, causes acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) in infants and children. However, studies on the seroepidemeology of hMPV are very limited in China. To assess the seroprevalence of hMPV infection in China, we tested a total of 1,156 serum specimens for the presence of anti-hMPV IgG antibody in children and adults free of acute respiratory illness in Beijing, China by using hMPV nucleocapsid (N) protein as an antigen. As a control, we used the human serum antibody against the N protein of human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV), the most important viral agent responsible for ARIs in children. RESULTS: The seropositive rate for hMPV increased steadily with age from 67% at 1-6 mo to 100% at age 20. However, the rate dropped slightly between 6 mo and 1 yr of age. The seropositive rate for hRSV also increased steadily with age from 71% at 1-6 mo to 100% at age 20. In children aged six months to six years, the seropositive rates for the anti-hRSV IgG antibody were significantly higher than those for hMPV. Additionally, IgG antibody titers to hMPV and hRSV were significantly higher in adults than in young children. Consistent with the seropositive rates, the geometric mean titer of anti-hMPV IgG antibody was lower than that of anti-hRSV IgG antibody in children aged six months to six years. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that similar to hRSV, exposure to hMPV is ubiquitous in the Beijing population. However, the seroprevalence of anti-hMPV IgG antibody is lower than that of hRSV in children between six months and six years old, which suggests a different number of repeat infections or a different response to infections.

Ecotoxicity assessment of aged petroleum sludge using a suite of effects-based end points in earthworm Eisenia fetida.

Laboratory investigations were conducted to test the toxicity of aged petroleum sludge collected from Shengli Oil Field, the second largest oilfield in China, to earthworm Eisenia fetida. Various end points were measured in the earthworms, including mortality, growth, cocoon output, juvenile production, and avoidance behavioral response, to determine their comparative sensitivity for assessing harmful effects of petroleum-hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. The results showed that all these assays responded in a concentration-dependent manner, and two chronic end points, juvenile production and cocoon output, as well as avoidance behavioral response appeared to be sensitive end points for detecting toxicity of petroleum-hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. Comparatively, juvenile production exhibited similar sensitivity to avoidance behavior response, both of which were more sensitive than cocoon output, while mortality and adult growth were proposed as the least sensitive parameters. It was suggested that large amounts of petroleum sludge deposited in Shengli Oil Field may pose a potential threat to the local ecosystem, and the utility of multiple effects-based end points in earthworm E. fetida is useful to facilitate ecological risk assessments in hydrocarbon-contaminated sites.