Encoding and display with stereo split-ring resonator arrays.

In this Letter, we report on encoding and display based on stereo standing U-shaped resonator (SUSR) arrays. The SUSR serves as a perfect absorber at a structure-dependent frequency when the polarization of incident light is parallel to the bottom rim of the SUSR. When the incidence polarization is rotated for 90° (perpendicular to the bottom rim of the SUSR), the SUSR turns to a perfect reflector at broadband frequencies. Further, the resonant frequency sensitively depends on the height of the arms of the SUSR. By introducing SUSRs with different arm heights, a resonant absorption state may occur at different frequencies. By defining the resonant absorption state as "dark" and the reflection state as "bright," we can encode and display binary patterns. Beside, when the SUSR rotates with the direction of the standing arms as axis, a different reflectivity, hence, a different shade will be generated. In this way, we may realize a grayscale display. Experimentally, we demonstrate that this encoding and display scheme indeed works.

Immunogenicity, safety, and immune persistence of a novel inactivated human enterovirus 71 vaccine: a phase II, Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Vaccination is considered a top priority for the control of human enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection outbreaks. METHODS: On the basis of phase I trial results, we conducted a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial to evaluate the optimal dose, immunogenicity, safety and immune persistence of the vaccine. A total of 480 healthy infants were randomly assigned to receive 2 injections of 100 U of vaccine, 200 U of vaccine, 400 U of vaccine, or placebo. Solicited adverse events (AEs) within 7 days and unsolicited AEs within 28 days after each vaccination were collected for safety evaluation. Blood samples were collected for neutralizing antibody assay. RESULTS: EV71 vaccine was well tolerated, and no dose-related safety concerns were observed. Two doses of the vaccine yielded seropositivity frequencies of 92.3%, 95.9%, and 99.0% (with titers ≥1:8) in the 100 U, 200 U, and 400 U groups, respectively. Geometric mean titers measured by neutralizing antibody assay increased to 60.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 41.9-86.4), 72.8 (95% CI, 50.8-104.3), and 252.1 (95% CI, 180.8-351.6) for the 100 U, 200 U, and 400 U groups, respectively. The dose-response relationship, with the 400 U dose showing higher immunogenicity than the 100 U and 200 U doses, remained until 13 months after the second vaccination, despite waning antibody levels. CONCLUSIONS: The 400 U dose was recommended as the optimal dose for the phase III trial because of its good safety profile and higher immunogenicity.

Quadrivalent influenza vaccine (Sinovac Biotech) for seasonal influenza prophylaxis.

INTRODUCTION: Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (Sinovac Biotech) is a quadrivalent split-virion-inactivated influenza vaccine approved in China in June 2020 for individuals ≥3 years of age. It contains 15 µg hemagglutinin per strain including A/H1N1, A/H3N2, B/Victoria, and B/Yamagata, which could potentially improve protection against influenza B viruses. AREAS COVERED: In this review, we summarize the development of quadrivalent influenza vaccines in China and foreign countries, and assess the immunogenicity and safety from the phase I and III clinical trials of Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine in individuals ≥3 years of age. We also discuss the potential application of Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine in young children 6-35 months of age according to the results of the phase III trial. EXPERT COMMENTARY: The immunogenicity and safety profiles of Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine containing two A and two B strains were comparable to the trivalent vaccines for the shared strains. The addition of a second B strain to the trivalent vaccine could induce superior immune responses for the alternate B strain. Since the two B strains co-circulated worldwide, the introduction of quadrivalent influenza vaccines has been expected to be a cost-effective strategy.

A comparative analysis of immunogenicity and safety of an enterovirus 71 vaccine between children aged 3-5 years and infants aged 6-35 months.

BACKGROUND: The Sinovac enterovirus 71 (EV71) vaccine has shown good safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy in infants aged 6-35 months, whom are considered as the priority of the target population. However, 3-5 years old children accounted for approximately 30% of HFMD cases and are also worth our attention. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, batch-to-batch consistency clinical trial enrolling 1400 participants aged 6-59 months was performed. We pooled the participants receiving three batches of EV71 vaccine together and then stratified them into the 6-35 months and 3-5 years. The non-inferiority analysis of the geometric mean titer (GMT) of EV71 neutralizing antibody post-vaccination was the primary endpoint. RESULTS: In the vaccine group, the GMT of 242 children aged 3-5 years was 132.72 (95% CI, 110.3-159.6), which was non-inferior to that generated in 717 infants aged 6-35 months. Following the vaccination, the incidence of adverse reactions was less frequent in children aged 3-5 years (47.0%) than that found in infants aged 6-35 months (60.1%) (p = 0.0026). CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicated that the EV71 vaccine was also safe in children aged 3-5 years, with non-inferior immunogenicity to that in infants aged 6-35 months.

[Influence of immunization dose schemes on immunoprotective response to recombinant signaling protein 14-3-3 of Schistosoma japonicum].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the optimal immunization dose by observing the immunoprotective effects of different doses of recombinant Schistosoma japonicum (Chinese strain) signaling protein 14-3-3 (rSj14-3-3). METHODS: Sj14-3-3 gene was amplified by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), subcloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET28a, then transformed into E.coli to express by inducing. Purified rSj14-3-3 was prepared through SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), electroelution, dialysis, then BALB/c mice were divided into 5 groups and immunized in rSj14-3-3 protein followed by challenging infection (the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd groups were immunized in 50 microg, 100 microg and 300 microg antigen, respectively. The 4th, 5th groups were immunized in Freund's adjuvant and normal saline controls). After 6 weeks of challenging infection, the mice were killed and the worm and egg reduction rates were calculated. And the mice sera in different time were taken to examine the specific anti-Sj14-3-3 IgG. RESULTS: rSj14-3-3 protein was expressed successfully. After immunizing and challenging, worm reduction was found to be 28.20% in the 1st group, 43.10% in the 2nd group, 40.00% in the 3rd group, respectively. Number of eggs in liver tissue was reduced by 41.80%, 57.50%, 55.70%, respectively. Compared the results of the tested groups to the controls, the differences were of significance by t-test (worm reduction rate: t = 6.8 in the 1st group, t = 8.7 in the 2nd group, t = 7.3 in the 3rd group, P < 0.01 in all tested groups. Egg reduction rate at the group's number above: t = 11.23, t = 11.54, t = 7.99, P < 0.01 in all tested groups). As compared the results between the tested groups by chi(2), the differences were of significance between the 1st and the 2nd groups (worm reduction rate: chi(2) = 8.96, P < 0.05; egg reduction rate: chi(2) = 15.69, P < 0.05), between the 1st and the 3rd groups, the differences were also of significance (worm reduction rate: chi(2) = 6.52, P < 0.05; egg reduction rate: chi(2) = 12.52, P < 0.05). The difference was not of significance between the 2nd and the 3rd groups (worm reduction rate: chi(2) = 1.20, P > 0.05; egg reduction rate: chi(2) = 0.93, P > 0.05). In all tested groups, total anti-Sj14-3-3 specific IgG rose markedly. IgG(1) and IgG(2a) subtypes were high, but IgG(2b) and IgG(3) were near the background in four subtypes tested. CONCLUSION: Immunoprotection of rSj14-3-3 should have some relations with immunization dose, and the protection obtained from immunizing mice by using 100 microg antigen was the best.

Two-year efficacy and immunogenicity of Sinovac Enterovirus 71 vaccine against hand, foot and mouth disease in children.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and immunogenicity of the Sinovac Enterovirus 71 (EV71) vaccine for up to two years. METHODS: We did a follow-up study of our initial randomized trial in 10,077 participants, who were randomized to receive EV71 vaccine or placebo in a 1:1 ratio and followed for 14 months. The extended follow-up study lasted for another 12 months and EV71-associated hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) was the primary endpoint. RESULTS: The EV71 vaccine showed an efficacy of 95.1% (95%CI 63.6, 99.3) against EV71-associated HFMD during the extended follow-up and an overall efficacy of 94.7% (95%CI 87.8, 97.6) for two years. The EV71 vaccine elicited a sustained high level of neutralizing antibodies in participants, and no serious adverse event was judged to be related to the vaccination. CONCLUSION: The Sinovac EV71 vaccine could provide a sustained high protection against EV71-associated HFMDs for up to 2 years.

[Transformation of schistosomulae by electroporation and transient expression of the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the possibility of heterogeneous gene to express in juvenile Schistosoma japonicum and the application of electroporation in transformation of schistosomulae. METHODS: The plasmids of pEGFP-C1 were introduced into mechanically transformed schistosomula with electroporation. The presence, transcription and translation of the transgene in electroporated schistosomula were confirmed by PCR, RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis respectively using the genomic DNA, total RNA and protein extracted and isolated from schistosomula cultured in vitro for 48 hours. Meanwhile, localization of EGFP within electroporated schistosomula was performed with confocal laser scanning micro scope. RESULTS: 760 bp and 276 bp amplified products by PCR and RT-PCR were found coincident with the expected size and expression of EGFP gene in electroporated schistosomula was confirmed by Western blotting. Fluorescence of EGFP was localized in tegument and subtegument of the electroporated schistosomula with confocal microscopy, especially in the anterior part of the worm. CONCLUSION: The heterogeneous gene of EGFP has been successfully introduced into juvenile S. japonicum by electroporation and the expression of transgene was confirmed with molecular and microscopical methods.

[Development on timely first dose of hepatitis B vaccine for infants].

The study on timely birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine for infants were reviewed in the article. The authors recommend that some relevant researches are necessary to be implemented in the areas which the coverage of HepB timely birth dose is at a low level in order to find out the influencing factors and intervention strategies to protect more children against hepatitis B virus infection as soon as possible.

[Making optimal operation for a BNR process: modeling prediction and experimental verification].

Based on the process model of a BNR system (BCFS), the effects of operational parameters on the effluent quality were predicted by modeling, and were testified simultaneously by a lab-scale experiment, from which almost the same results in the modeling and the experiment were obtained. This means that modeling can be realizably applied to make the optimal operation schemes regardless of pilot-scale and/or full-scale experiments. Both the modeling and the experiment demonstrated that the bio-P removal performance was not influenced by the biomass amount in the anaerobic tank when the returned ratio (rA ) reached 1.5 and that rA had no significant correlation with COD and N removals. After the returned mixed liquor ratio (rB) increased over 2, the TN removal efficiency was not improved any more, and the COD and TP removals were not influenced by the variations of the rB. The returned mixed liquor ratio rC had almost no influences on the COD, TP and TN removals. Further, the COD and TP removals were not influenced when the dissolved oxygen (DO(R5)) in the aerobic tank was in the range of 1-2.5 mg x L(-1), but the effluent NH4+ -N increased over 1 mg x L(-1) when DO(R5 ) was below 2 mg x L(-1). So, the optimal operational parameters for the BCFS should be set at rA = 2, rB 2-2.5, rC = 0, DO(R5) 2-2.5 mg x L(-1).

[Cloning and efficient prokaryotic expression of soluble stage-specific antigen cC1 from Cysticercus cellulosae].

OBJECTIVE: To clone the coding gene of the stage-specific antigen cC1 from Cysticercus cellulosae and express high levels of soluble cC1 in E.coli. METHODS: The cC1 gene was amplified from Cysticercus cellulosae by RT-PCR and cloned into pMD18-T vector, followed by subcloning into the prokaryotic expression plasmid pET28a. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into E.coli BL21(DE3) and the expression conditions were optimized. The expressed product was purified by Ni(+)-affinity chromatography, analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and identified with SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. RESULTS: The fragment length of the amplification product by RT-PCR was 1056 bp. Comparison of the amplified gene sequence with the cC1 gene in Genbank identified a samesense point mutation at 423 position in the gene cloned into the expression plasmids. After a 6-h induction with 0.05 mmol/L IPTG at 37 degrees celsius;, the expression of the 40 kd soluble fusion protein exceeded 60% of the total bacterial protein, and the fusion protein was recognized by Cysticercus-infected human sera. The purity of the fusion protein was about 94% after purification by affinity chromatography. CONCLUSION: The stage-specific antigen cC1 from Cysticercus cellulosae has been successfully cloned and the soluble protein efficiently expressed in E.coli, which provides the basis for its further study and application.

[Effect of hepatitis health promotion project in schools of Beijing and Gansu].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effect of health promotion project of element school students in Beijing and Gansu. METHODS: Evaluation field was conducted in 6 schools of hepatitis health promotion project. They were selected randomly from Beijing and Gansu, questionnaires were given to students and teachers for evaluating the awareness to hepatitis transmission and prevention, telephone interview was given to student's parents for awareness to hepatitis knowledge. RESULTS: Awareness to hepatitis was increased after health promotion, knowledge of hepatitis A and hepatitis B transmission among element school students were increased from 46.95%, 32.26% at baseline to 98.92%, 96.42% at middle-term respectively. Awareness rate of prevention of hepatitis A and hepatitis B were increased from 67.03%,67.38% at baseline to 98.21%, 99.64% at middle-term respectively. Immunization coverage of hepatitis A and hepatitis B was 29.75% at baseline, and reached 77.06% at middle-term after health promotion. The parent's awareness rate of hepatitis transmission and prevention also increased to 85% and 99% after intervention. CONCLUSION: It was very effective of health promotion project in two provinces, the improvement of awareness of hepatitis was not only for students, but also for parents as well.

[Study on the influencing factors of hepatitis B vaccine timely birth dose for infants born at hospitals].

OBJECTIVE: To study the coverage of timely birth dose of HepB vaccine (HepB1) and reasons contributed to the non-timely of HepB1 for the infants delivered in the hospital of remote and poverty areas in Yunnan province, and to bring forword the special strategies to improve the coverage of HepB of infants born at those hospitals. METHODS: According to the reported coverage and the estimated coverage of HepB1 vaccine, the HepB coverage of infants born at hospitals was investigated by sampling in Zhaotong and Xishuangbanna in 2007. RESULTS: The average coverage of HepB1 of infants born at the local hospitals was 67.19%, and the HepB1 coverage of infant was higher in county hospitals than in township hospitals. Infants with premature, low birth weight and asphyxia and the shortage of HepB vaccine were the mainly reasons to the non-timely HepB1 of infants born at hospitals. CONCLUSION: The HepB1 coverage of infants was still keep at low level in the local hospital; and to assure enough HepB vaccine in the village hospitals and to grasp immunization contraindication correctly were the two key strategies to promote the HepB1 coverage for infants born at the local hospitals.

[Experimental study on the effect of COD/P ratios and phosphate recovery on a BNR system].

Based on a BNR system--BCFS, the effect of COD/P and phosphate recovery on the BCFS process was experimentally investigated. The results indicate that a higher P-removal efficiency (87%) and a good P-effluent quality (< or = 0.8 mg x L(-1)) could be maintained at COD/P ratios higher than 24. When COD/P was reduced below 24, the P-removal efficiency was suddenly decreased down to 62% and the P-effluent went up to 5 mg x L(-1). Under the circumstance, chemical phosphate recovery in the side-stream of anaerobic supernatant was combined with bio-P removal. When the side-stream increased up to 30%, the P-effluent went back to < 1 mg x L(-1), with a corresponding phosphate recovery efficiency of 54%.

[Study on the probability of hepatitis B virus infection at public service places].

OBJECTIVE: To provide data for the control and prevention of hepatitis B and HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) status among the appliances and practitioners working in the public service places. METHODS: 63 beauty parlors, barber shops and bathing centers selected under stratified randomization sampling method and 682 workers were investigated through questionnaire. HBsAg from th e appliances of the public service places and employee was detected by RIA. RESULTS: Two main sanitizing modes that including alcohol cleaning (34.60%) and ultraviolet light disinfection (30.79%) were used. The rates of testing on HBsAg among the appliances were 2.13% at the public service places, and were 0.63%, 2.67% and 3.70% in large-, medium- and small-sized appliances respectively. The rate of testing on HBsAg on large-, medium- and small- sized appliances were statistically different (chi2 = 6.68, P < 0.05). The positive rates of HBsAg on the appliances of beauty parlors, barbering shops and footbath inns were 2.97%, 0.61% and 3.42% respectively. People working in different service sites had different rates of HBsAg: those who worked at the 'acne needle' and the forceps were 5.13% and 4.17%. The positive rate of HBsAg among the workers in the public service places was 7.13%. The rates of HBsAgamong the workers in large-, medium- and small-sized public service places were 7.34%, 8.33% and 2.94% respectively. The rates of HBsAg among the workers in beauty parlors, barbering shops, footbath inns and bathing centers were 9.01%, 6.37%, 4.35% and 7.29% respectively. HBsAg positive rates were different among the workers working at different service sites: 13.33% at tattoo business, 12.68% in pedicles workers and 8.03% in massagists. CONCLUSION: It is important to improve the sanitizing management of the appliances used in the public service places and to improve the knowledge, attitude, as well as practice of vaccination on hepatitis B among those populations.