Venomic and transcriptomic analysis of centipede Scolopendra subspinipes dehaani.

Centipedes have venom glands in their first pair of limbs, and their venoms contain a large number of components with different biochemical and pharmacological properties. However, information about the compositions and functions of their venoms is largely unknown. In this study, Scolopendra subspinipes dehaani venoms were systematically investigated by transcriptomic and proteomic analysis coupled with biological function assays. After random screening approximately 1500 independent clones, 1122 full length cDNA sequences, which encode 543 different proteins, were cloned from a constructed cDNA library using a pair of venom glands from a single centipede species. Neurotoxins, ion channel acting components and venom allergens were the main fractions of the crude venom as revealed by transcriptomic analysis. Meanwhile, 40 proteins/peptides were purified and characterized from crude venom of S. subspinipes dehaani. The N-terminal amino acid sequencing and mass spectrum results of 29 out of these 40 proteins or peptides matched well with their corresponding cDNAs. The purified proteins/peptides showed different pharmacological properties, including the following: (1) platelet aggregating activity; (2) anticoagulant activity; (3) phospholipase A(2) activity; (4) trypsin inhibiting activity; (5) voltage-gated potassium channel activities; (6) voltage-gated sodium channel activities; (7) voltage-gated calcium channel activities. Most of them showed no significant similarity to other protein sequences deposited in the known public database. This work provides the largest number of protein or peptide candidates with medical-pharmaceutical significance and reveals the toxin nature of centipede S. subspinipes dehaani venom.

[In-situ FTIR study on the absorption and transformation of glyoxal on the surface of dust particles].

Glyoxal is one of the most important volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere. The reactions of glyoxal in the gaseous and aqueous phases and on the surfaces of secondary inorganic acidic aerosols can lead to atmospheric secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. However, up to now, there is no report on the heterogeneous reaction of glyoxal on dust particles. The present work investigated the heterogeneous absorption and transformation mechanisms of glyoxal on SiO2 and alpha-Al2 O3 particles. The progress of heterogeneous reaction conducted in the flow tube reactor was in situ monitored by transmission Fourier transform Infrared (T-FTIR). The reaction products were analyzed by combining T-FTIR with HPLC, IC, and HPLC-MS. It was found that oligomers form after the glyoxal is absorbed onto the particles (SiO2 and alpha-Al2 O3); and for alpha-Al2 O3, organic acids form on the particle surface in absence of illumination and oxidants. Moreover, it was revealed that water vapor favors the formation of oligomers, but suppresses the production of organic acids. These findings help further understand the SOA formation from the heterogeneous reaction of glyoxal on dust in the atmosphere.

Association of individual resilience with organizational resilience, perceived social support, and job performance among healthcare professionals in township health centers of China during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Primary healthcare professionals were overworked and psychologically overwhelmed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Resilience is an important shield for individuals to cope with psychological stress and improve performance in crises. This study aims to explore the association of individual resilience with organizational resilience, perceived social support and job performance among healthcare professionals in township health centers of China during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data from 1,266 questionnaires were collected through a cross-sectional survey conducted in December 2021 in Shandong Province, China. Descriptive analysis of individual resilience, organizational resilience, perceived social support, and job performance was conducted. Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the correlations among these variables, and structural equation modeling was performed to verify the relationships between these variables. Results: The score of individual resilience was 101.67 ± 14.29, ranging from 24 to 120. Organizational resilience (ß = 0.409, p < 0.01) and perceived social support (ß = 0.410, p < 0.01) had significant direct effects on individual resilience. Individual resilience (ß = 0.709, p < 0.01) had a significant direct effect on job performance. Organizational resilience (ß = 0.290, p < 0.01) and perceived social support (ß = 0.291, p < 0.01) had significant indirect effects on job performance. Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the individual resilience of healthcare professionals in township health centers was at a moderate level. Organizational resilience and perceived social support positively affected individual resilience, and individual resilience positively affected job performance. Furthermore, individual resilience mediated the effect of organizational resilience and perceived social support on job performance. It is recommended that multiple stakeholders work together to improve the individual resilience of primary healthcare professionals.

[A comparative study on mental health among students and adults in the earthquake-hit areas].

OBJECTIVE: To understand mental health status of the students and adults in the earthquake disaster areas, as to providing guidance on intervention for post-disaster psychological crisis. METHODS: The Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20), an appendix of The Ministry of Health of "emergency psychological crisis intervention guiding principles", was used among 1222 victims in Wenchuan earthquake, Sichuan province. This questionnaire survey was conducted in 729 students and 493 adult victims in a randomized method. Of the 734 questionnaires distributed and received in students, 729 were validly responded with efficiency rate of 99.32%; while for adults, 496 questionnaires distributed, 496 received, 493 were valid with efficiency rate of 99.39%. RESULTS: (1) In students victims, 65% responded that they did feel "uneasy, nervous or worried", followed by "easy to be scared", "feel unhappy", "easy fatigue" and "hard to make a decision". For adult victims, 80.5% replied that they felt "uneasy, nervous or worried", followed by "feel unhappy", "easy fatigue", "difficult sleeping", "easy to be scared". (2) The average of the SRQ score of student victims was 6.58 +/- 3.99, and 6.07 +/- 4.02 for males, 7.03 +/- 3.91 for females. The average of the SRQ score of student victims was 7.36 +/- 3.98, male 6.68 +/- 3.82, female 7.99 +/- 4.03. The significant differences (t(women) = 2.985, P < 0.01; t(total) = 3.332, P < 0.01) was observed in women and the total group of students and adults. (3) The SRQ positive screening rate of students group was 46.50%, the adult group was 52.33%, SRQ >or= 7 points and SRQ < 7 sub-group of students and adults of the total score there were significant differences (t(1) = 39.771, P < 0.01; t(2) = 31.961, P < 0.01). SRQ >or= 7 sub-group of students and adult women in between there was a significant difference (t = 23.641, P < 0.01), SRQ < 7 sub-group of students and adults in general and women there were significant differences (t(1) = 3.092, P < 0.01; t(2) = 2.911, P < 0.01). (4) SRQ scores with gender and age had had a positive relation (r(SRQ total-sex) = 0.118, P = 0.000; r(SRQ total-age) = 0.103, P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The emotional suffering symptoms of students victims and adult victims should be "nervous, unhappy, vulnerable on issues such as fatigue", the adult group had a higher symptom rate than the group of students, the mental health was more serious than that of students, as influenced by some factors including age and gender. Students, being a special population group should be paid more attention to focusing a designated behavior intervention, as a planned manner of intervention.

[Heterogeneous reactions on the surface of atmospheric particles: a transmission FTIR spectroscopy study].

Heterogeneous reactions of trace gases on the surface of particles in the atmosphere play a important role in the key atmospheric processes, and have been of increasingly interest in atmospheric sciences. However, these reactions, especially the corresponding detailed kinetics and mechanisms, have not been well understood, due to the deficiencies in the current experimental methods. The authors developed a novel experimental method for the study of heterogeneous reactions, based on transmission FTIR spectroscopy (T-FTIR), providing an understanding of the detailed physical chemistry that occurs on the surface of particles at the molecular level. In this method, the particles were evenly coated on a metal grid, and the gaseous reactant and the infrared beam were introduced to pass through the grid in the reactor. This method was used to explore the heterogeneous reaction of methacrolein (MAC) on the surface of SiO2 particles, a model heterogeneous reaction, under simulated atmospheric conditions. The result demonstrated that T-FTIR is an applicable and powerful technique for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of such a heterogeneous reaction, due to its excellent spectral signal. In addition, the particle sample will not be scathed due to the low energy of infrared light, thus the in situ investigation of the reaction on particles could be carried out. Compared with the HPLC analysis results, the repeatability and accuracy of the qualitative and quantitative analysis of T-FTIR have proven satisfactory, even though the reactions ran in the humid air. The authors' method can provide an effective tool for the laboratory simulation of heterogeneous reactions under the atmospheric conditions.

[Reaction mechanisms of the UV-photolysis of methyl hydroperoxide].

Methyl hydroperoxide (CH3OOH) is one of the main organic peroxides in the atmosphere, and its formation and removal processes will have a significant impact on the concentration level of the atmospheric radicals. In the present paper, the technique of long path Fourier transform infrared (LP-FTIR) spectrometry was used for the in-situ investigation of the UV-photolysis of CH3 OOH under atmospheric conditions at normal temperature and pressure. The products of photolysis were identified as HCHO, HC(O)OH, CH3 OH, CO and CO2. Moreover, OH radicals were also detected. Finally, the mechanisms of this reaction were extrapolated on the basis of the analysis results, and the atmospheric implications were discussed.

A Vaccine to Coxsackievirus Prepared by High Pressure.

Effects of high hydrostatic pressure on infectious and immune activity of coxsackievirus group B (CVB) was described. CVB was completely inactivated at 230 MPa pressure and -16 degrees. The inactivated viruses remained highly immunogenic and induced CVB-specific serum antibody at a concentration as low as 1:1 500. 67% mice vaccinated with the pressurized viruses survived the challenge of fatal dose of CVB. These results indicated that the pressurized CVB induced immune reactions to protect mice from the viruses, and would be a potential vaccine candidate for human myocarditis.

[Study on atmospheric photo-oxidation of methyl hydroperoxide initiated by Cl-atom].

Organic peroxides play an important role in chemistry of the atmosphere and in controlling urban air quality; however, accurate knowledge about their atmospheric reactions is lacking. In this paper, the experimental simulation was employed to study the atmospheric photo-oxidation of methyl hydroperoxide (CH3OOH, MHP), a key organic peroxide in the atmosphere. At the temperature of (292 +/- 2) K and pressure of 9.3 x 10(4) Pa (20% O2 + 80% N2), the MHP photo-oxidation was initiated by Cl-atom and the process of reaction was in-situ observed by long path Fourier transform infrared (Long Path FTIR) spectrometry. From FTIR spectra, the main products observed were formaldehyde (HCHO), formic acid (HCOOH), carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2), and minor methanol (CH3OH) was found as well. Within the reaction period of 60 min, yields were determined: 24% for HCOOH and 6% for CO; 50% for HCHO at its maximum concentration although its yield was varying with the reaction time. Finally, reaction mechanisms were discussed, which implied that MHP is a reservoir of odd-hydrogen radicals (HOx) and plays an important role in atmospheric photo-reactions.

[A DRIFTS study of SO2 oxidation on the surface of CaCO3 particles].

CaCO3 is an important component of mineral dust aerosols in the atmosphere, but its role in atmospheric heterogeneous chemistry is still unclear. In this paper, the oxidation of SO2 on CaCO3 particles was studied using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). Formation of sulfite and sulfate was identified on the surface, and the role of O3 on the oxidation process is determined by comparing the experiments in different conditions. DRIFTS is proved as a useful tool for studying heterogeneous reactions on CaCO3 particles. The results show that in the presence of O3, SO2 can be oxidized into sulfate on the surface of CaCO3 particles. A two-step mechanism that involves adsorption of SO2 followed by oxidation is presented.

[Seasonal variation of carcinogenic heavy metals in PM2.5 and source analysis in Beijing].

During April, July, October 2009 and January 2010, daily (24-h average) PM2.5 samples were collected at urban sites in Beijing and 29 metal elements were analyzed by the ICP-MS. The characteristics of 7 carcinogenic heavy metal mass concentrations, enrichment, and possible sources were discussed. The annual average concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb and Se were (11.6 +/- 14.0), (2.6 +/- 2.4), (1.0 +/- 0.7), (11.3 +/- 9.4), (4.0 +/- 2.4), (142.5 +/- 98.9) and (3.3 +/- 2.2) ng m(-3), respectively. Only annual average concentration of As exceeded WHO standard by a factor of 0.8. Higher enrichment factors of As, Cd, Pb and Se were found and their enrichment factors exceeded 500. Their enrichment factors in summer were much higher than those in other seasons. The local coal combustion and vehicle exhaust should be the dominant sources for the above four carcinogenic heavy metals in spring, autumn and winter, while regional transportation contributed more in summer.

Detection of Anaplasma platys in dogs using real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification.

Anaplasma platys is a parasite of canine platelets that causes infectious cyclic thrombocytopenia. In this study, a novel real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) method was developed to detect A. platys. RT-LAMP primer sets were designed using a citrate synthase gene sequence and the assay was performed at 63 °C for 30 min. No cross-reactivity was observed with other Anaplasma or Ehrlichia spp. and the method exhibited a similar level of sensitivity in detecting the organism in 58 canine blood samples to that of a nested PCR. This RT-LAMP is a rapid and potentially cost-effective method of diagnosing A. platys infection in dogs.

Avian-origin H3N2 canine influenza virus circulating in farmed dogs in Guangdong, China.

Since 2006, more and more cases of the infectious H3N2 canine influenza virus (CIV) in pet dogs have been reported in southern China. However, little is known about the prevalence situation of H3N2 CIV infections in farmed dogs in China. This is the first systematic epidemiological surveillance of CIV in different dog populations in southern China. Two virus strains A/Canine/Guangdong/1/2011(H3N2) and A/canine/Guangdong/5/2011(H3N2) were isolated from canine nasal swabs collected at one dog farm in Guangzhou and the other farm in Shenzhen. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of eight gene segments of these viruses revealed that they were most similar to the newly isolated canine H3N2 viruses in dogs and cats from Korea and China, which originated from avian strain. This indicates that H3N2 CIV may be a common pathogen for pet and farmed dog populations in southern China at present. Serological surveillance has shown that the infection rate of this avian-origin canine influenza in farmed dogs and in pet dogs were 12.22% and 5.3%, respectively; as determined by the ELISA. The data also suggested that transmission occurred, most probably by close contact, between H3N2 CIV infected dogs in different dog populations in recently years. As H3N2 outbreaks among dogs continue in the Guangdong province (located very close to Hong Kong), the areas where is densely populated and with frequent animal trade, there is a continued risk for pets H3N2 CIV infections and for mutations or genetic reassortment leading to new virus strains with increased transmissibility among dogs. Further in-depth study is required as the H3N2 CIV has been established in different dog populations and posed potential threat to public health.

Avian-origin H3N2 canine influenza virus circulating in farmed dogs in Guangdong, China.

Since 2006, more and more cases of the infectious H3N2 canine influenza virus (CIV) in pet dogs have been reported in Southern China. However, little is known about the prevalence situation of H3N2 CIV infections in farmed dogs in China. This is the first systematic epidemiological surveillance of CIV in different dog populations in Southern China. Two virus strains A/Canine/Guangdong/1/2011(H3N2) and A/canine/Guangdong/5/2011(H3N2) were isolated from canine nasal swabs collected at one dog farm in Guangzhou and the other farm in Shenzhen. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of eight gene segments of these viruses revealed that they were most similar to the newly isolated canine H3N2 viruses in dogs and cats from Korea and China, which originated from avian strain. This indicates that H3N2 CIV may be a common pathogen for pet and farmed dog populations in Southern China at present. Serological surveillance has shown that the infection rate of this avian-origin canine influenza in farmed dogs and in pet dogs were 12.22% and 5.3%, respectively; as determined by the ELISA. The data also suggested that transmission occurred, most probably by close contact, between H3N2 CIV infected dogs in different dog populations in recently years. As H3N2 outbreaks among dogs continue in the Guangdong Province (located very close to Hong Kong), the areas where is densely populated and with frequent animal trade, there is a continued risk for pet H3N2 CIV infections and for mutations or genetic reassortment leading to new virus strains with increased transmissibility among dogs. Further in-depth study is required as the H3N2 CIV has been established in different dog populations and posed potential threat to public health.

[Reconstructed ambient light extinction coefficient and its contribution factors in Beijing in January, 2010].

Aerosol samples for PM2.5 were collected from 1st January to 31st January 2010, in Beijing. The concentrations of organic carbon, elemental carbon, water-solubile ions and soil elements of all particle samples were determined by thermal/optical carbon analyzer, ion chromatography and X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, respectively. The scattering coefficients (b(sp)), absorbing coefficients (b(ap)) and meteorological parameters for this period were also measured. Ambient light extinction coefficients were reconstructed by IMPROVE formula and were compared with measured light extinction coefficients. The results showed that the average mass concentration of PM2.5 was (144.3 +/- 89.1) microg x m(-3) during campaigning period. The average values of measured b(ap), b(sp) and extinction coefficient (b(ext)) were (67.4 +/- 54.3), (328.5 +/- 353.8) and (395.9 +/- 405.2) Mm(-1), respectively. IMPROVE formula is suitable for source apportionment of light extinction coefficient in campaign period. The average value of calculated b'(ext) was (611 +/- 503) Mm(-1) in January, 2010. The major contributors to ambient light extinction coefficients included (NH4) 2SO4 (24.6%), NH4NO3 (11.6%), OM (45.5%), EC (11.9%) and FS (6.4%), respectively.

Jerdonuxin, a novel snaclec (snake C-type lectin) with platelet aggregation activity from Trimeresurus jerdonii venom.

Serious clinical symptoms of Trimeresurus jerdonii bite are mainly caused by abnormalities of blood system. We have previously identified and characterized several bioactive components affecting human blood system, such as serine proteases, metalloproteinases and disintegrins. But few snaclec was characterized in the T. jerdonii venom. In this study, a novel snaclec, named jerdonuxin, was isolated, molecular cloned and characterized as a human platelet agonist. On SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, jerdonuxin showed a single band with an apparent molecular weight of 120 kDa under non-reducing conditions and two distinct bands with apparent molecular weights of 18 kDa (α-subunit) and 14 kDa (ß-subunit) under reducing conditions. The cDNA sequence of each subunit of jerdonuxin was identified. The precursors of both subunits contain a 23-amino acid residue signal peptide and the mature proteins are composed of 135 and 125 amino acids for α- and ß-subunits, respectively. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of each subunit determined by Edman degradation were consistent with deduced amino acid sequences of cDNA. Jerdonuxin dose-dependently induced human platelet aggregation. The phosphorylation profile pattern induced by jerdonuxin showed similar with mucetin (a platelet agonist via glycoprotein Ib), but different from stejnulxin (an agonist via glycoprotein VI). The jerdonuxin-induced platelet aggregation was inhibited by the anti-GPIbα or anti-GPIIb polyclonal antibodies, but not by anti-GPVI polyclonal antibodies. In summary, a novel snaclec of platelet agonist was purified and characterized from the T. jerdonii venom and our data also suggested that GPIb was involved in jerdonuxin-induced platelet aggregation.

[Ozonolysis of methacrolein and methyl vinyl ketone in aqueous solutions].

The experimental simulation was employed to study the aqueous-phase ozonolysis reactions of methacrolein (MAC) and methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) in the atmosphere, at the 25.0 degrees C +/- 0.1 degree C temperature and 1.0 x 10(5) Pa pressure of air. In both MAC and MVK ozonolysis reactions in water, formaldehyde, methylglyoxal, hydrogen peroxides (H2O2) and hydroxymethyl hydroperoxides (HMHP) were found; and their yields (%) were determined: 49.9 +/- 2.9, 26.6 +/- 3.9, 4.6 +/- 0.4 and 10.0 +/- 0.8 respectively for MAC; 40.8+/- 2.2, 40.7 +/- 3.5, 6.8 +/- 0.5 and 10.4 +/- 0.8 respectively for MVK. Finally, the reaction mechanisms are deduced to explain the formation of products observed.