A large outbreak of acute gastroenteritis caused by the human norovirus GII.17 strain at a university in Henan Province, China.

BACKGROUND: Human noroviruses are a major cause of viral gastroenteritis and are the main etiological agents of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks. An increasing number of outbreaks and sporadic cases of norovirus have been reported in China in recent years. There was a large acute gastroenteritis outbreak at a university in Henan Province, China in the past five years. We want to identify the source, transmission routes of the outbreak by epidemiological investigation and laboratory testing in order to provide the effective control measures. METHODS: The clinical cases were investigated, and analysed by descriptive epidemiological methods according to factors such as time, department, grade and so on. Samples were collected from clinical cases, healthy persons, the environment, water, and food at the university. These samples were tested for potential bacteria and viruses. The samples that tested positive for norovirus were selected for whole genome sequencing and the sequences were then analysed. RESULTS: From 4 March to 3 April 2015, a total of 753 acute diarrhoea cases were reported at the university; the attack rate was 3.29%. The epidemic curve showed two peaks, with the main peak occurring between 10 and 20 March, accounting for 85.26% of reported cases. The rates of norovirus detection in samples from confirmed cases, people without symptoms, and environmental samples were 32.72%, 17.39%, and 9.17%, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the norovirus belonged to the genotype GII.17. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest and most severe outbreak caused by genotype GII.17 norovirus in recent years in China. The GII.17 viruses displayed high epidemic activity and have become a dominant strain in China since the winter of 2014, having replaced the previously dominant GII.4 Sydney 2012 strain.

[Investigation of Aerosol Mixed State and CCN Activity in Nanjing].

During 11-18 September 2014, the size-resolved aerosol Cloud Condensation Nuclei (CCN) activity and mixing state were measured using Cloud Condensation Nuclei Counter (CCNC), Aerosol Particle Mass (APM) and Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS). The results showed that aerosols mainly existed as an internal mixture. For 76, 111, 138 and 181 nm particles, black carbon (BC) accounted for 5.4%, 10%, l0.7% and 6.7% of the particle mass, but as high as 51%, 57%, 70% and 59% of the particle number concentrations, respectively, suggesting that BC was a type of important condensation nuclei in the atmosphere and made significant contributions to particle numbers. The occasionally observed external mixtures were mainly present in 111 and 138 nm particles. The critical supersaturation was 0.25%, 0.13%, 0.06% and 0.015% for 76, 111, 138 and 181 nm particles, respectively. Precipitation and haze had significant effects on the particle CCN activity. The hygroscopicity parameter K was 0.37, 0.29 and 0.39 in rainy, clear and hazy days, respectively. Particle density and CCN activity were impacted by chemical compositions. Compared with clear days, higher contents of inorganic salts and lower contents of organics were found on hazy days, accompanied by lower particle density and higher CCN activity.

Quercetin Increase the Chemosensitivity of Breast Cancer Cells to Doxorubicin Via PTEN/Akt Pathway.

Our previous study indicated that nontoxic doses of quercetin (Que) could increase the chemosensitivity of breast cancer cells to doxorubicin (Dox) although the mechanism still remains elusive. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms. MCF-7 cells and MCF-7/dox cells were exposed to PTEN inhibitor bpV (HOpic), Dox, or combination of Dox and Que with or without bpV (HOpic) intervention for 24 hours. Cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, cell invasion and expression of PTEN and phospho-Akt (p-Akt) were then assessed. bpV (HOpic) had little effect on cell proliferation at concentrations less than 1 µM. Compared to treatment with Dox alone, combined treatment with Dox and Que significantly inhibited cell proliferation and invasion, increased cell apoptosis, up-regulated the expression of PTEN and down-regulated the expression of p-Akt. However, co-treatment with PTEN inhibitor bpV (HOpic) could revert the effects of Que on Dox. These data indicate that Que can increase the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to Dox through down regulation of p-Akt expression arising from increased expression of PTEN.

[Effect of ASO Blood Stasis Syndrome Serum on Vascular Endothelial Cell Injury and Regulation of Taohong Siwu Decoction on it].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) blood stasis syndrome (BSS) serum on vascular endothelial cell injury and to study the regulation of Taohong Siwu Decoction (TSD) on it. METHODS: Umbilical vein endothelial cell culture system was established. The serum endothelial cell injury model with ASO BSS was prepared. Low, medium, and high concentrations TSD containing serums were respectively added. The endothelial cell proliferation activity was observed by MTT method. Ultrastructures of endothelial cells were observed under transmission electron microscope. Changes of intracellular calcium ion concentration and the cytoskeleton were observed under laser confocal microscope. Contents of ET, NO, and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) in endothelial cell culture supernatant were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: In ASO BSS serum group endothelial cell proliferation activities decreased, the cell structure was obviously destroyed, calcium ion concentration increased, contents of ET, NO and TGF-beta1 increased significantly (P < 0.01), and ET/NO ratio was imbalanced. After incubating with TSD drug containing serum, endothelial cell proliferation activities and injured cell structures were obviously improved; ET, NO and TGF-beta1 levels decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), ET/NO ratios approximated to the normal level. CONCLUSION: The main mechanism of TSD for treating ASO ASS lied in improving injured vascular endothelial cells and endocrine disorder.

The effect of quercetin on doxorubicin cytotoxicity in human breast cancer cells.

Multidrug resistance has became the major obstacle to cancer chemotherapy. Recent studies suggest that quercetin could enhance the response of tumors to chemotherapy although the mechanism by which quercetin enhances the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemical drugs remains elusive. Therefore, in this study, we examined the effects of quercetin on doxorubicin cytotoxicity in human breast cancer cells and investigated the underlying mechanisms. MCF-7 and MCF-7/ dox cells were exposed to doxorubicin, quercetin, or combination of both agents for 36 hours. Cell proliferation, cell invasion, intracellular doxorubicin concentration and expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) were then assessed. Quercetin had little effect on cell proliferation at concentrations less than 0.7 µM. Compared to treatment with doxorubicin alone, combined treatment with doxorubicin and quercetin (0.7 µM) significantly inhibited cell proliferation and invasion and suppressed the expression of HIF-1α and P-gp. Quercetin (0.7 µM) increased the intracellular doxorubicin concentration and enhanced doxorubicin cytotoxicity as 1.49-fold in MCF-7 cells and 1.98-fold in MCF-7/dox cells. These data suggest that quercetin can increase the chemosensitivity of breast cancer cells to doxorubicin.

The effects of dan-shen root on cardiomyogenic differentiation of human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

The aim of this study was to search for a good inducer agent using for cardiomyogenic differentiation of stem cells. Human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hPDMSCs) were isolated and incubated in enriched medium. Fourth passaged cells were treated with 10mg/L dan-shen root for 20 days. Morphologic characteristics were analyzed by confocal and electron microscopy. Expression of α-sarcomeric actin was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Expression of cardiac troponin-I (TnI) was analyzed by immunohistofluorescence. Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and beta-myocin heavy chain (ß-MHC) were detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). hPDMSCs treated with dan-shen root gradually formed a stick-like morphology and connected with adjoining cells. On the 20th day, most of the induced cells stained positive with α-sarcomeric actin and TnI antibody. ANF and ß-MHC were also detected in the induced cells. Approximately 80% of the cells were successfully transdifferentiated into cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, dan-shen root is a good inducer agent used for cardiomyogenic differentiation of hPDMSCs.

[Diagnosis and surgery treatment of gastric neurogenic tumors].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of gastric neurogenic tumors. METHODS: Clinical data of 11 patients with gastric neurogenic tumors confirmed by pathology, operation and immunohistochemistry were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: There were 7 males and 4 females with a median age of 55.5 years. The main manifestations were gastrointestinal hemorrhage, abdominal pain, upper abdominal discomfort and anaemia. Nine patients underwent gastroscopy and only one case was confirmed by the examination. Two patients were diagnosed during operation. Eight patients were submitted to subtotal gastrectomy, three were partial gastrectomy. All patients were followed up, and perioperative death occurred in one patient because of respiratory failure, recurrence occurred in two patients. Other patients with long- term follow- up had a good prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric neurogenic tumors have no specific clinical characteristics preoperatively, and the misdiagnosis rate is high. Once the diagnosis of gastric neurogenic tumors is made, an operation should be performed as early as possible.