[Epidemiological characteristics of mpox epidemic in Guangzhou].

Objective: To understand the epidemiological characteristics of mpox epidemic in Guangzhou and provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of the disease. Methods: Based on the mpox surveillance system in Guangzhou, suspected mpox cases with fever and rash were reported by local hospitals at all levels to centers for disease control and prevention in Guangzhou for sampling, investigation and diagnosis. Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted on the clinical characteristics and treatment of the mpox cases and positive detection rate reported in Guangzhou as of 24:00 on June 23. Whole genome sequencing of the virus isolates was performed using Illumina Miniseq high-throughput sequencing platform. Results: The first mpox case in Guangzhou was reported on June 10 in 2023. As of 24:00 on June 23, a total of 25 confirmed mpox cases were reported. All the mpox cases were men with a M(Q1,Q3) of 32 (26, 36) years, the majority of the cases were MSM (96.0%). The main clinical features were rash (100.0%, 25/25), lymphadenectasis (100.0%, 25/25) and fever (52.0%, 13/25). Rash usually occurred near the genitals (88.0%, 22/25). The close contacts, mainly family members (40.4%, 23/57), showed no similar symptoms, such as fever or rash. The positive rate of mpox virus in household environment samples was 30.5%. The analyses on 3 complete gene sequences of mpox virus indicated that the strains belonged to West African type Ⅱb clade, B.1.3 lineage. Conclusions: Hidden transmission of mpox virus had occurred in MSM in Guangzhou. However, the size of affected population is relatively limited, and the possibility of wide spread of the virus is low.

[Research progress on drug resistance of anti-varicella-zoster virus drugs].

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes chickenpox when it first infects humans, and the virus may reactivate in adulthood and cause herpes zoster (HZ). Broad-spectrum antiviral drugs are one of the treatments for varicella and herpes zoster, but the emergence of drug resistance poses many challenges to this treatment and increases the burden of disease on patients. This paper discusses the resistance mechanisms, resistance sites and resistance detection methods of anti-VZV drugs in order to help further research on new anti-VZV targets, new drugs and monitoring of resistance to existing drugs.

[Analysis on epidemiological characteristics of dengue fever and E gene evolution of dengue virus in Guangzhou, 2020].

Objective: To assess the incidence of dengue fever and E gene evolution of dengue virus in Guangzhou in 2020 and understand the local epidemiological characteristics of dengue fever and spreading of dengue virus. Methods: The information of dengue fever cases in Guangzhou in 2020 was collected from Notifiable Infectious Disease System of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Information System. Serum samples from the cases were detected by real-time PCR. The E gene was sequenced and analyzed. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees were constructed using software MEGA 5.05. The statistical analysis was conducted using software SPSS 20.0. Results: A total of 33 dengue fever cases were reported in Guangzhou in 2020, including 31 (93.94%) imported cases and 2 (6.06%) local cases. Compared with the data during 2016 to 2019, the number of cases, overall incidence and local incidence all decreased with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The imported cases from Southeast Asia constituted 90.32% (28/31) of imported cases. The E gene sequences and the phylogenetic trees of imported and local cases demonstrated close relationship with the virus sequences from Southeast Asian, and they were less homologous with the sequences of dengue virus isolated in Guangzhou in previous years. Conclusions: The incidence of dengue in Guangzhou in 2020 was significantly affected by the imported cases, especially those from Southeast Asian countries. The study result demonstrated that dengue fever was not endemic in Guangzhou and it was caused by imported ones.

[Spatial autocorrelation of dengue cases and molecular biological characteristics of envelope gene of dengue virus in Guangzhou, 2019].

Objective: Analyze epidemiological situation of dengue fever,and survey impacts of four serotypes dengue viruses in Guangzhou, 2019. Methods: Information of patients was collected in Notifiable Infectious Disease Report System (NIDRS). Spatial autocorrelation of dengue cases was evaluated using ArcGIS version 10.2. Serum samples were tested by real-time PCR. Virus strains were isolated from positive sera. Then E gene was sequenced. Phylogenetic trees were including PhyMLsoftwarev 3.1. Results: A total of 1 655 dengue cases, consisted of 1 382 local cases and 273 imported cases, was confirmed in 2019. The incidence was 11.10 per 100 000 dengue cases were autocorrelated in Guangzhou. There were 18 high-high clusters. Most of the imported dengue cases were imported from Southeast Asian countries (86.08%,235/273) and African countries (2.56%,7/273). Of 749 serum samples detected by real-time PCR, the positive rate was 93.06% (697/749). Four hundred and sixty-four dengue virus strains had been isolated in 2019. Compared with data from the genotype tree of the former years, no genotype shift was discovered. Serotype 1 was still predominant. Serotype 2 was the significant strain in Baiyun district and Liwan district. Conclusions: Dengue fever was spreading all over Guangzhou in 2019. The suburban areas, which played a more critical role in causing the spread and outbreak of dengue fever, should be given more prominence. Inspection at ports should be enforced to prevent importing cases from African countries and Southeast Asian countries. The risk of serotype 2 cannot be overlooked. Four serotypes dengue viruses prevailed simultaneously in Guangzhou, which warns us to take precaution of severe dengue outbreaks.

MiRNA-199 inhibits malignant progression of lung cancer through mediating RGS17.

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, non-coding small RNAs, which play an important part in regulating organismal and pathological processes. Previous studies have shown that miRNA-199 acts as a tumor suppressor gene. However, we aimed to explore the characteristics and function of miRNA-199 in lung cancer (LCa), so as to further study its relationship with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect miRNA-199 expression in 75 pairs of LCa tissues and normal adjacent tissues. In addition, the relationship between miRNA-199 expression and pathological features along with the prognosis of LCa patients were investigated. Besides, the expression level of miRNA-199 in LCa cells was further validated by qRT-PCR. In addition, miRNA-199 overexpression expression model was constructed in LCa cell lines H1299 and SPCA1. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), cell cloning experiments, transwell invasion and migration assays were performed to analyze the effect of miRNA-199 on the biological function of LCa cells. Finally, the potential mechanism was explored using Western blot. RESULTS: qRT-PCR results displayed that the expression level of miRNA-199 in LCa tissues was significantly lower than that of the normal tissues. Compared with patients with high miRNA-199 expression, patients with lowly-expressed miRNA-199 had higher rates of lymph node metastases and distant metastases, and their overall survival rates were lower. In addition, the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of the miRNA-199 overexpression group were significantly increased than that in the negative control group. Western Blot results showed that the expression of key proteins in the EMT pathway, such as N-cadherin, Vimentin, ß-catenin and MMP9 significantly increased in miRNA-199 overexpression group. Moreover, we also found that miRNA-199 and RGS17 have mutual regulation, which inhibited the malignant progression of LCa. CONCLUSIONS: miRNA-199 expression was down-regulated in LCa and was significantly associated with LCa stage, distant metastasis, and poor prognosis. Besides, miRNA-199 may inhibit the malignant progression of LCa by interacting with RGS17.

LncRNA GASL1 inhibits tumor growth of non-small cell lung cancer by inactivating TGF-ß pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Growth-Arrest Associated lncRNA 1 (GASL1) is a newly discovered lncRNA that plays a role as tumor suppressor gene in liver cancer, while its involvement in other malignancies is unknown. We aimed to investigate the involvement of GASL1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Tumor tissue and adjacent healthy tissues were collected from 98 patients with NSCLC, and blood samples were collected from both NSCLC patients and healthy controls to detect GASL1 expression. All patients were followed up for 5 years and the diagnostic and prognostic values of GASL1 for NSCLC were evaluated by ROC curve analysis and survival curve analysis, respectively. Correlations between serum levels of GASL1 and clinicopathological data of NSCLC patients were analyzed by Chi-square test. GASL1 overexpression and knockdown cancer cell lines were constructed and the effects on transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) expression and cell proliferation were explored by Western blot and CCK-8 assay, respectively. RESULTS: We found that lncRNA GASL1 expression was significantly downregulated in tumor tissues than in adjacent healthy tissues. Serum level of GASL1 was also lower in cancer patients than in healthy controls. Serum GASL1 is a sensitive diagnostic biomarker for NSCLC, and low expression level of GASL1 indicated short postoperative survival time. Overexpression of GASL1 upregulated, while GASL1 knockdown downregulated TGF-ß1 expression. GASL1 overexpression inhibited, and GASL1 knockdown promoted cancer cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: We found that lncRNA GASL1 may inhibit tumor growth of NSCLC by downregulating TGF-ß1.

[A case of human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H7N9) virus through poultry processing without protection measure].

Objective: To investigate the infection pattern and etiological characteristics of a case of human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H7N9) virus and provide evidence for the prevention and control of human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. Methods: Epidemiological investigation was conducted to explore the case's exposure history, infection route and disease progression. Samples collected from the patient, environments and poultry were tested by using real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Virus isolation, genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were conducted for positive samples. Results: The case had no live poultry contact history, but had a history of pulled chicken processing without taking protection measure in an unventilated kitchen before the onset. Samples collected from the patient's lower respiratory tract, the remaining frozen chicken meat and the live poultry market were all influenza A (H7N9) virus positive. The isolated viruses from these positive samples were highly homogenous. An insertion which lead to the addition of multiple basic amino acid residues (PEVPKRKRTAR/GL) was found at the HA cleavage site, suggesting that this virus might be highly pathogenic. Conclusions: Live poultry processing without protection measure is an important infection mode of "poultry to human" transmission of avian influenza viruses. Due to the limitation of protection measures in live poultry markets in Guangzhou, it is necessary to promote the standardized large scale poultry farming, the complete restriction of live poultry sales and centralized poultry slaughtering as well as ice fresh sale.

Molecular characterization and genotype shift of dengue virus strains between 2001 and 2014 in Guangzhou.

We studied the evolution, genotypes, and the molecular clock of dengue virus serotype 1 (DENV-1), between 2001 and 2014 in Guangzhou, China. The analysis of the envelope (E) gene sequences of 67 DENV-1 strains isolated in Guangzhou, together with 58 representative sequences downloaded from NCBI, have shown shifts in viral genotypes. The genotype changed several times, from genotype I to IV in 2002, from IV to I in 2005, and from I to V in 2014. These genotype shifts may be the cause of DENV outbreaks. The diversity of genotypes and clades demonstrates a high risk of future outbreaks in Guangzhou. The mean rate of virus nucleotide substitution in Guangzhou was determined to be 7·77 × 10-4 per site per year, which represents a medium substitution rate compared to two other countries. Our research can point to different ancestors of the isolated strains, which may further reveal the different origins and transmission of DENV-1 strains in Guangzhou.

Phylogenetic, molecular and drug-sensitivity analysis of HA and NA genes of human H3N2 influenza A viruses in Guangdong, China, 2007-2011.

Annual H3N2 subtype influenza outbreaks in Guangdong, China are a severe public health issue and require ongoing monitoring of emerging viral variants. The variation and evolution of haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of influenza isolates from Guangdong during 2007-2011 and others from GenBank were analysed using Lasergene 7.1 and MEGA 5.05, and serological analysis of antigens was determined by haemagglutination inhibition (HI). Susceptibility to antiviral drugs was correlated with genetic mutations. Phylogenetic analysis and alignment of HA and NA genes were performed on 18 Guangdong isolates and 26 global reference strains. The non-synonymous (dN) evolutionary rate of HA1 was 3.13 times that of HA2. Compared with the A/Perth/16/2009 vaccine HA gene, homologies of Guangdong isolates were between 98.8-99.7% and 98.0-98·4% in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Amino-acid substitutions were found in five epitopes of HA1 from Guangdong isolates between 2007 and 2011, especially in epitopes B (N160K) and D (K174R/N). The K189E/N/Q and T228A mutations in the receptor-binding site (RBS) occurred in the 2010 strains, which affected the antigenicity of HA1. The antigenicity of the epidemic H3N2 isolates in 2010 was somewhat different from that of A/Perth/16/2009. The Guangdong H3N2 isolates were determined to be oseltamivir-resistant with IC50 of 0.396 ± 0.085 nmol/l (n=17) and zanamivir-resistant with IC50 of 0.477 ± 0.149 nmol/l (n=18). Variations were present in epitopes B and D, two sites in the RBS and two glycosylation sites in the Guangdong H3N2 HA1 gene. The majority of the Guangdong H3N2 isolates were sensitive to oseltamivir and zanamivir. Compared to the World Health Organization 2012 vaccine strains, Guangdong H3N2 strains varied genetically and antigenically to some degree.

Trends in site-specific mortality from oral and pharyngeal cancer among Japanese males, 1950-94.

In order to obtain some etiological clues for oral and pharyngeal cancer in Japanese males, we examined mortality trends from cancer of the lip, buccal cavity and pharynx by site with other descriptive epidemiological features (1950-94). The data were obtained from Vital Statistics (Ministry of Health and Welfare, Japan). The 45-year trend in mortality was evaluated by computing crude and age-adjusted mortality rates, age-specific mortality rates, with birth cohort analysis. The crude mortality rate from cancer of the lip, buccal cavity and pharynx has increased by 3.7-fold, and age adjusted mortality rate by 1.7-fold in the 45-year period, with different mortality trends by site. In general, age-specific mortality has also been increasing with advancing age. The birth cohort analysis showed that the higher the mortality rate, the younger the birth cohort, but with different effects of birth cohort by site. Mortality from cancer of the lip, buccal cavity and pharynx has consistently been increasing in Japanese males from 1950 to 1994, with similar upward mortality trends for some specific sites.