Anshen-Buxin-Liuwei pill, a Mongolian medicinal formula could alleviate cardiomyocyte hypoxia/reoxygenation injury via mitochondrion pathway.

BACKGROUND: Anshen Buxin Liuwei pill (ABLP) is a Mongolian medicinal formula that is composed of six medicinal materials: the Mongolian medicine Bos taurus domesticus Gmelin, Choerospondias axillaris (Roxb.) Burtt et Hill, Myristica fragrans Houtt., Eugenia caryophµllata Thunb., Aucklandia lappa Decne., and Liqui dambar formosana Hance. ABLP is considered to have a therapeutic effect on symptoms such as coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, depression and irritability, palpitation, and shortness of breath. METHODS: H9c2 cardiomyocytes were used to construct a hypoxia/reoxygenation (HR) injury model. CCK-8 assay and Annexin V-FITC cell apoptosis assays were used for cell viability and cell apoptosis determination. The LDH, SOD, MDA, CAT, CK, GSH-Px, Na+-K+-ATPase, and Ca2+-ATPase activities in cells were determined to assess the protective effects of ABLP. The mRNA levels of Sirtuin3 (Sirt3) and Cytochrome C (Cytc) in H9c2 cells were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: The results indicate that HR-treated cells began to shrink from the spindle in an irregular shape with some floated in the medium. By increasing the therapeutic dose of ABLP (5, 25, and 50 µg/mL), the cells gradually reconverted in a concentration-dependent manner. The release of CK in HR-treated cells was significantly increased, indicating that ABLP exerts a protective effect in H9c2 cells against HR injury and can improve mitochondrial energy metabolism and mitochondrial function integrity. The present study scrutinized the cardioprotective effects of ABLP against HR-induced H9c2 cell injury through antioxidant and mitochondrial pathways. CONCLUSIONS: ABLP could be a promising therapeutic drug for the treatment of myocardial ischemic cardiovascular disease. The results will provide reasonable information for the clinical use of ABLP.

[Study on epidemic characteristics and etiology of community acquired pneumonia in Guangzhou from 2009 to 2012].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemic characteristics and pathogenic spectrum of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Guangzhou from 2009 to 2012. METHOD: 14 major comprehensive hospitals were selected from 11 districts as sentinel hospitals for CAP cases surveillance, including 18 982 223 in total during the 4 years. The characteristics of pathogenic spectrum of CAP were stratified and analyzed by year, age and season. RESULTS: 18 982 223 cases were included in the surveillance from year 2009 to 2012, in which 56 618 cases were CAP. The number of CAP cases increased from 8677 in year 2009 to 19 947 in year 2012 in Guangzhou; while the percentage of visits for CAP raised from 0.22% (8677/3 893 800) to 0.41% (19 947/4 839 766). The difference showed statistical significance (χ(2) = 2693.00, P < 0.05). Among the hospitalized CAP cases, 66.05% (10 954/16 585) were aged ≤ 5 years old or > 66 years old. The percentage of cases infected by a single pathogen was 88.11% (14 613/16 585), while co-infected cases accounted for 4.17% (691/16 585). Bacteria accounted for the largest proportion of 65.25% (10 821/16 585) as a single pathogen, followed by mycoplasma 13.54% (2245/16 585), virus 9.01% (1494/16 585) and chlamydia 0.32% (53/16 585). The proportion of virus infection was increasing from 4.74% to 11.64%. The difference showed statistical significance (χ(2) = 135.32, P < 0.05). Bacteria infection was the leading causes for CAP cases in all age groups; however the percentage increased with the increasing of ages. The rate of bacterial infection was increased from 48.35% (2993/6191) among children aged ≤ 5 years old to 81.31% (3873/4763) among adults aged over 65 years (χ(2) = 1632.00, P < 0.05). The rate of atypical pathogens (mycoplasma, chlamydia) for children ( ≤ 15 years old) (25.99%, 1805/6945) was higher than that for adults aged ≥ 16 years old (5.12%, 494/9640) (χ(2) = 2.11, P < 0.05). The effect from season on the pathogenic spectrum was not observed.433 hospitalized CAP cases were dead from 2009 to 2012. Case fatality rate was highest among people aged over 65 years old (4.70%, 224/4763) and lowest among children aged between 6 to 15 years old (0.27%, 2/754). CONCLUSION: The incidence of community acquired pneumonia was rising in Guangzhou from 2009 to 2012. Bacteria was the dominant pathogen. Children and old people were the high-risk population of community acquired pneumonia; while co-infection was still at low level.

Emergence of dengue virus 4 genotype II in Guangzhou, China, 2010: survey and molecular epidemiology of one community outbreak.

BACKGROUND: The re-emergence of dengue virus 4 (DENV-4) has become a public health concern in South America, Southeast Asia and South Asia. However, it has not been known to have caused a local outbreak in China for the past 20 years. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the epidemiology of one local community outbreak caused by DENV-4 in Guangzhou city, China, in 2010; and to determine the molecular characteristics of the genotype II virus involved. CASE PRESENTATIONS: During September and October of 2010, one imported case, a Guangzhou resident who travelled back from Thailand, resulted in 18 secondary autochthonous cases in Guangzhou City, with an incidence rate of 5.53 per 10,000 residents. In indigenous cases, 14 serum samples tested positive for IgM against DENV and 7 for IgG from a total of 15 submitted serum samples, accompanied by 5 DENV-4 isolates. With identical envelope gene nucleotide sequences, the two isolates (D10168-GZ from the imported index case and Guangzhou 10660 from the first isolate in the autochthonous cases) were grouped into DENV-4 genotype II after comparison to 32 previous DENV-4 isolates from GenBank that originated from different areas. CONCLUSIONS: Based on epidemiological and phylogenetic analyses, the outbreak, which was absent for 20 years after the DENV-4 genotype I outbreak in 1990, was confirmed as DENV-4 genotype II and initially traced to the imported index case, a Guangzhou resident who travelled back from Thailand.

Transmission risk of avian influenza virus along poultry supply chains in Guangdong, China.

OBJECTIVES: Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) poise significant risk to human health and the poultry industry. We evaluated the transmission risk along the poultry supply chain. METHODS: During October 2015 and July 2016, four rounds of cross-sectional surveys were performed to characterize AIV spread in farms, transport vehicles, slaughterhouses, wholesale and retail live poultry markets (LPMs). Poultry cloacal and oral swabs, environmental swabs, bioaerosol samples and human sera were collected. Poultry and environmental samples were tested for AIVs by rRT-PCR, further subtyped by next generation sequencing. Previous human H9N2 infections were identified by hemagglutination inhibition and microneutralization tests. Logistic regression was fitted to compare AIV transmission risk in different settings. RESULTS: AIVs was detected in 23.9% (424/1771) of the poultry and environmental samples. AIV detection rates in farms, transport vehicles, wholesale and retail LPMs were 4.5%, 11.1%, 30.3% and 51.2%, respectively. 5.2%, 8.3% and 12.8% of the poultry workers were seropositive in farms, wholesale and retail LPMs, respectively. The regression analysis showed that virus detection and transmission risk to human increased progressively along the poultry supply chain. CONCLUSIONS: Strengthening control measures at every level along the poultry supply chain, using a one health approach, is crucial to control AIV circulation.

[Association of physical activity with bone mass in premenarche Chinese girls].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of physical activity with bone mass in premenarche girls. METHODS: Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) at the whole body, femoral neck, Ward triangle and L1-L4 spine were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in 194 premenarche girls (10 +/- 1, year). Physical activity and dietary calcium intakes were assessed by using frequency questionnaire and diary. RESULTS: It was found that BMD and BMC were significantly and positively associated with weight-bearing physical activities (WBPA) (P < 0.01), total physical activities (TPA) (P < 0.01) rather than non-weight-bearing physical activity (P > 0.05) at all the studied bone sites (P < 0.01). Both BMC and BMD were tending to a better increase of WBPA. When WBPA increases from 227 to 415 (kcal/d), mean BMC and BMD were increased in 17.5%-29.0% and 8.8%-17.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: It should be helpful for premenarche girls to improve bone mass by increasing physical activities, especially weight-bearing physical activities.

The dengue preface to endemic in mainland China: the historical largest outbreak by Aedes albopictus in Guangzhou, 2014.

BACKGROUND: Dengue was regarded as a mild epidemic in mainland China transmitted by Aedes albopictus. However, the 2014 record-breaking outbreak in Guangzhou could change the situation. In order to provide an early warning of epidemic trends and provide evidence for prevention and control strategies, we seek to characterize the 2014 outbreak through application of detailed cases and entomological data, as well as phylogenetic analysis of viral envelope (E) gene. METHODS: We used case survey data identified through the Notifiable Infectious Disease Report System, entomological surveillance and population serosurvey, along with laboratory testing for IgM/IgG, NS1, and isolation of viral samples followed by E gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to examine the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of the outbreak. RESULTS: The 2014 dengue outbreak in Guangzhou accounted for nearly 80% of total reported cases that year in mainland China; a total of 37,376 cases including 37,340 indigenous cases with incidence rate 2908.3 per million and 36 imported cases were reported in Guangzhou, with 14,055 hospitalized and 5 deaths. The epidemic lasted for 193 days from June 11 to December 21, with the highest incidence observed in domestic workers, the unemployed and retirees. The inapparent infection rate was 18.00% (135/750). In total, 96 dengue virus 1 (DENV-1) and 11 dengue virus 2 (DENV-2) strains were isolated. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the DENV-1 strains were divided into genotype I and V, similar to the strains isolated in Guangzhou and Dongguan in 2013. The DENV-2 strains isolated were similar to those imported from Thailand on May 11 in 2014 and that imported from Indonesia in 2012. CONCLUSIONS: The 2014 dengue epidemic was confirmed to be the first co-circulation of DENV-1 and DENV-2 in Guangzhou. The DENV-1 strain was endemic, while the DENV-2 strain was imported, being efficiently transmitted by the Aedes albopictus vector species at levels as high as Aedes aegypti.

[Study on calcium absorption rate in premenarche Chinese girls aged 9 - 11.5 years].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of calcium metabolism in relation to different levels of dietary calcium intakes in premenarche Chinese girls. METHODS: Forty-nine healthy premenarche girls of Han ethic (9 - 11.5 years) were recruited, and divided into four groups respectively, receiving four different doses of calcium intakes for 6 days, 600 mg (usual diet), 900 mg (containing 250 ml of milk), 1200 mg (containing 250ml of milk and 750 mg of calcium carbonate) and 1500mg calcium (250 ml of milk and 1500 mg of calcium carbonate) per day. A 3-day urine and stool, and a 3-d duplicated food samples were collected to assess the calcium excretion in urine and feces and input of the dietary calcium during the treatment period. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in appearance calcium absorption among the four groups (55%, 53%, 52% and 52%). Urine calcium is correlated negatively with dietary protein and dietary phosphorus. And no correlation was found between dietary protein and calcium absorption. CONCLUSION: The appearance calcium absorption was (53 +/- 0.12) % in Chinese premenarche girls with dietary calcium intakes ranged between 800 to 1600 mg/d, high dietary protein intakes increase urine calcium secrete.

[Evaluation on the risks of H5, H7 and H9 avian influenza infections in Guangzhou: using data from the 2006-2012 avian influenza surveillance program].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of avian influenza surveillance program in Guangzhou from 2006 to 2012 and to evaluate the risk of infections with H5, H7 and H9 subtypes avian influenza viruses. METHODS: Avian influenza surveillance system in Guangzhou consisted five components:serum surveillance on occupational population, environmental specimen surveillance of avian influenza virus, avian flu emergency surveillance, influenza viruses surveillance on ILI patient and surveillance on pneumonia of unknown causes. Hemagglutination inhibition test was conducted to detect the antibodies against H5, H7 and H9 while RT-PCR was used to test the nucleic acid of H5, H7 and H9 viruses. RESULTS: From 2006 to 2012, 4103 serum specimens were collected from occupational populations and the overall positive rate of H5/H7/H9 antibodies was 3.82% . The antibody positive rates for H5, H7 and H9 were 0.22% ,0.00% and 3.70% respectively. 4 serum specimens for H5 and H9 simultaneously showed antibody positive. The positive rate of H9 among occupational populations(4.21%)appeared higher than that from the control population(2.16%). 2028 specimens were collected from poultry sites and 55 samples found positive for H5 nucleic acid (positive rate:2.71%), 14 samples positive for H9 nucleic acid (positive rate:0.69%), 5 specimens, simultaneously positive for H5 and H9 nucleic acids. However, none of the samples showing H7 nucleic acid positive. From 2006 to 2012, all the tested H5/H7/H9 virus were negative from the respiratory/serum specimens among those close contacts of patients or high risk groups through the avian flu emergency surveillance program,ILI patient influenza virus surveillance programs or pneumonia of unknown causes surveillance program. CONCLUSION: Contamination of H5/H9 avian influenza virus did exist in the poultry sites in Guangzhou, especially in the wet Markets. The H5/H9 avian influenza virus caused asymptomatic infection was proved to be existed within the population exposed to the poultry, suggesting that the poultry occupational population in Guangzhou was under the risk of avian influenza virus infection.

[Risk evaluation on H7N9 avian influenza in Guangzhou, China].

OBJECTIVE: We conducted both quick surveillance and evaluation programs within one week after the novel H7N9 influenza cases had been released by the Ministry of Health (MOH), to get the basic information on H7N9 virus in Guangzhou. METHODS: We sampled live birds from food markets and the natural habitat of birds to detect H7N9, H5 and H9 viruses. We interviewed workers from both markets and natural habitats. We also reviewed records on pneumonia patients with unknown causes from the surveillance system, to find clues related to the identification of severe pneumonia. RESULTS: We sampled 300 specimens from 49 stalls in 13 food markets and a natural habitat but none showed H7N9 positive result. A chopping block was detected positive of carrying H5 avian influenza virus, while another 4 specimens including a chicken cage, a duck cage, a chopping block and a pigeon cage were detected positive of carrying H9 avian influenza virus. In the past month, no sick, dead birds or ILI cases among the workers were discovered. 21.2% (7/33) of the stalls did not follow the set regulations for prevention. 10.3% (4/39) of the stalls had the cages cleaned, 4 days after the inspection. 3.7% (2/54) of the workers wore masks and 40.7% (22/54) of them wore gloves during the slaughtering process. 102 bird feces specimens were tested negative on H7N9 virus. No pneumonia cases with unknown reason were identified. From April 3(rd) to 17(th), we found 26 severe pneumonia cases but with negative results on influenza A (H7N9). CONCLUSION: According to the data and information from 1) lab tests, 2) pneumonia cases with unknown reasons under the surveillance system, 3) the identification of severe pneumonia cases, and 4) preventive measures and actions taken by the workers, we inferred that no H7N9 virus or related cases were found prior to April in Guangzhou. However, the risk of H7N9 epidemic does exist because of the following reasons:1) improper market management process, 2) negligent behavior of the workers and 3) potential trend of the national situation, suggesting strategies related to poultry markets management, health education and preventive measures against the avian influenza need to be strengthened.

[An epidemiological investigation on a food-born outbreak of noroviru caused by Sydney 2012 G II.4 strain].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the source of infection, route of transmission and risk factors related to a cluster of acute gastroenteritis cases in a university of Guangzhou. METHODS: Cases were identified according to the definition. Descriptive epidemiological approaches and case-control study designs were employed in the analysis. All the samples were tested for norovirus by RT-PCR. Positive samples were subjected to both nucleotide sequence and homology analysis. RESULTS: A total of 141 cases related to norovirus gastroenteritis were identified in January 8 to 21, 2013, with the attack rate as 8.5 per thousand (141/16,600). The peak in morbidity was seen on January 8 to 9. No clustering was found in different classes or dormitories. Results from the case-control study revealed that early cases were infected in Restaurant A (OR = 3.46, 95% CI: 1.07-11.16) and the cold shredded chicken set meal (OR = 17.82, 95% CI: 4.46-78.17) served at lunch (OR = 4.34, 95% CI: 1.18 -17.37) on January 7 was under suspicion. A total of 266 samples, including rectal swabs from the patients and kitchen wokers, leftover food and environmental swabs, were collected. Twenty-one samples (collected from 17 persons) were positive for norovirus by RT-PCR. About 29.6% (8/27) of the kitchen workers in the Restaurant A were tested positive for the virus. The pathogen was identified as the new norovirus genotype II.4 variant, termed Sydney 2012. The virus strains isolated from the patients among student and staff and the kitchen workers were 100% identical in their nucleotide sequence. CONCLUSION: This was the first reported acute gastroenteritis outbreak caused by the new norovirus genotype II.4 variant, Sydney 2012, which showed that the food was contaminated by the asymptomatic kitchen workers who carried the virus.

Firstborn microcrystallization method to prepare nanocapsules containing artesunate.

We developed a novel method to prepare nanocapsules. A solute often crystallizes when its solubility alters from one solvent to another, and its firstborn crystals are used as templates to prepare nanocapsules for the first time, which is called firstborn microcrystallization method. By using this method, the maximum diameter of the nanocapsules including artesunate is about 76 nm, and wrapping state is well. One important advantage of our method is that the preparation of the nanocapsules operates easily and is a one-time process with no other cumbersome processes necessary, therefore avoiding secondary pollution. The proposed method provides a new route to prepare monodisperse nanocapsules to increase bioavailability of hydrophobic solutes.

Preparation of submicrometer-sized monodispersed thermoresponsive core-shell hydrogel microspheres.

We have successfully prepared monodispersed thermoresponsive core-shell hydrogel microspheres with a mean diameter of 200-400 nm with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-styrene) [P(NIPAM-co-St)] cores and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) shells. The submicrometer-sized monodispersed P(NIPAM-co-St) core seeds were prepared by using a surfactant-free emulsion polymerization method, and the PNIPAM shell layers were fabricated onto the core seeds by using a seed polymerization method. The particle size, morphology and monodispersity, and thermoresponsive characteristics of the prepared microspheres were experimentally studied. In the preparation of P(NIPAM-co-St) seeds, with increasing the initiator dosage, the mean diameters and the dispersal coefficients were almost at the same levels at first; however, when the initiator dosage increased further to a critical amount, the mean diameters decreased drastically and the monodispersity became worse significantly. With increasing the stirring rate, the particle diameter decreased, and when the stirring rate was larger than 600 rpm, the monodispersity became worse obviously. With increasing the phase ratio, the mean diameter became larger simply, and the monodispersity became worse first and then became better again. With increasing the reaction time, the particle sizes nearly did not change, while the monodispersity gradually became better slightly. For the core-shell microspheres, with increasing the NIPAM dosage in the preparation of the PNIPAM shell layers, the mean diameters became larger simply, the monodispersity became better, and the thermoresponsive swelling ratio of the hydrodynamic diameters increased.