Norovirus outbreaks in Fengtai District, Beijing, China, 2014.

Norovirus (NoV) is the most common cause of non-bacterial acute gastroenteritis (AGE) outbreaks worldwide. Eight NoV outbreaks in the Fengtai District of Beijing City, China, were identified in 2014. Samples were collected from the eight outbreaks, and 73 out of 119 samples from cases and 10 out of 59 samples from the close contacts were positive for NoVs. The genotypes were determined by sequencing analysis. Six different GII genotypes, including GII.2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 14, and 17 were found, and GII.4 was not the local major epidemic genotype in the present study. Enhanced strain surveillance is necessary for future NoV epidemics.

[Esthetic evaluation of Cerec 3D anterior crowns].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the short-term effect of clinical application of Cerec 3D anterior crowns. METHODS: A total of 16 patients were restored with 31 Cerec 3D anterior crowns. All restorations were stained before cementation. The evaluation started 1 week after luting. The restorations were examined in accordance with the modified US Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria at baseline and every 6 - 12 months. RESULTS: The observation period of 31 Cerec 3D anterior crowns varied from 8 to 33 months. The mean observation period was 22 months. All restorations scored A or B by modified USPHS standard. And 22 out of 31 restorations scored A for all criteria while 8 restorations scored B in color matching. Slight differences of translucency and chroma could be observed. Between baseline and follow-up examinations, insignificant shift from A-to B-rating occurred. CONCLUSION: Cerec 3D anterior crowns may achieve favorable short-term esthetic effects.

[Effects of 16 week aerobic exercise on baPWV and ABI of middle-aged and elderly patients].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the interventional effects of 16-week aerobic exercises on the elderly's arteriosclerosis and its mechanism. METHODS: Twenty-seven elderly people with the average age of 62. 70 ±3. 26 joined a 16-week square dance/taijiquan exercise program that conducted 60 minutes each time, six times per week. Arterial stiffness and its related indexes such as systolic pressure(SBP), diastolic pressure(DBP), left brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (L-baPWV), right brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity(R-baPWV), left ankle brachial index (L-ABI), right ankle brachial index(R-ABI), serum triglyceride(TG), total cholesterol(TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-c), low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-c), superoxide dismutase(SOD), malondialdehyde(MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were detected at 3 time points including before exercise program, by the end of exercise for 8 weeks and 16 weeks. RESULTS: ① Compared with pre-exercise, the R-baPWV and R-ABI of the elderly people were decreased at the end of the 8th week, and the L-baPWV, RbaPWV, R-ABI and L-ABI were decreased significantly at the end of the 16th week. ②Compared with pre-exercise, SBP and DBP were declined markedly (P<0.01, P<0.05) at the end of the 8th week, SBP, DBP and pulse pressure were decreased significantly (P<0.01, P<0.05) at the end of the 16th week. ③Compared with pre-exercise, TC and LDL-c were declined markedly (P<0.01) at the end of the 8th and the 16th week, and there was no difference of the level of TG and LDL-c between pre-exercise and post-exercise. ④There was no evident difference of serum level of SOD, GSH-Px, MDA between pre-exercise and post-exercise at the end of the 8th week. Compared with pre-exercise, the level of serum SOD, GSH-Px was increased evidently while the content of serum MDA was decreased significantly (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Sixteen-week aerobic exercises could reduce baPWV and ABI levels, regulate blood pressure, blood lipids and lipid peroxides levels of the elderly evidently, thus improve the controlling quality of atherosclerosis.

A Waterborne Gastroenteritis Outbreak Caused by Norovirus GII.17 in a Hotel, Hebei, China, December 2014.

Norovirus (NoV) is responsible for an estimated 90 % of all epidemic nonbacterial outbreaks of gastroenteritis worldwide. Waterborne outbreaks of NoV are commonly reported. A novel GII.17 NoV strain emerged as a major cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks in China during the winter of 2014/2015. During this time, an outbreak of gastroenteritis occurred at a hotel in a ski park in Hebei Province, China. Epidemiological investigations indicated that one water well, which had only recently been in use, was the probable source. GII.17 NoV was detected by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction from samples taken from cases, from concentrated water samples from water well, and from the nearby sewage settling tank. Nucleotide sequences of NoV extracted from clinical and water specimens were genetically identical and had 99 % homology with Beijing/CHN/2015. All epidemiological data indicated that GII.17 NoV was responsible for this outbreak. This is the first reported laboratory-confirmed waterborne outbreak caused by GII.17 NoV genotype in China. Strengthening management of well drinking water and systematica monitoring of NoV is essential for preventing future outbreaks.