Serial anti-tuberculous immune responses during the follow-up of patients with tuberculous pleurisy.

Little is known about the decay kinetics of interferon (IFN)-γ response and its influencing factors in tuberculous pleurisy. We enrolled thirty-two patients with tuberculous pleurisy prospectively and followed up at month 0, 6, and 9, at which time peripheral venous blood was drawn for interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) by means of QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT). Demographic and clinical data were captured.

Curcumin-Protected PC12 Cells Against Glutamate-Induced Oxidative Toxicity.

Glutamate is a major excitatory neurotransmitter present in the central nervous system. The glutamate/cystine antiporter system x connects the antioxidant defense with neurotransmission and behaviour. Overactivation of ionotropic glutamate receptors induces neuronal death, a pathway called excitotoxicity.

Hantaviruses in rodents and humans, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China.

Surveys were carried out in 2003-2006 to better understand the epidemiology of hantaviruses in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China (Inner Mongolia). Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) was first reported in this region in 1955 and has been an important public health problem here since then. During 1955-2006, 8,309 persons with HFRS were reported in Inner Mongolia (average incidence rate 0.

[Epidemiological characteristics and the strategy of vaccination on hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in the last 10 years, in China].

Objective: To study the epidemiological characteristics and vaccination strategy of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in China, from 1998 to 2007.

Methods: National data on the prevalence of HFRS during 1998 to 2007 were collected and analyzed. Spatial, time and population distributions of HFRS cases were described.

Effects of different glycerol feeding strategies on S-adenosyl-l-methionine biosynthesis by P(GAP)-driven Pichia pastoris overexpressing methionine adenosyltransferase.

Methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT) was overexpressed within Pichia pastoris employing the promoter of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (P(GAP)), to biosynthesize S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM). Effects of five glycerol feeding tactics on MAT activity were first investigated. Strategies A-C were based on limited feeding correlated with dissolved oxygen (DO) at 50.

[Study on the epidemiological characteristics of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Inner Mongolia].

Objective: In order to better understand the epidemiological features of Hantviruses in Inner Mongolia.

Methods: Epidemiological surveillance data during the period of the past 52 years were analyzed. An epidemiological survey was carried out in the main epidemic areas in 2005.

Isolation and genetic characterization of hantaviruses carried by Microtus voles in China.

To gain more insights into hantavirus distribution in China, Microtus fortis were caught in Jilin province and M. maximowiczii in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Hantavirus specific RNA was detected by RT-PCR in 3 out of 26 M.

Detection of phylogenetically distinct Puumala-like viruses from red-grey vole Clethrionomys rufocanus in China.

In order to investigate whether Puumala virus (PUUV) or PUUV-like virus is present in China, Clethrionomys rufocanus and C. rutilus were captured in the Jilin province during the spring and autumn of 2002-2003 for detection of PUUV viral RNA by RT-PCR and confirmation of PUUV-positive antigens by an immunofluorescence assay. PUUV-positive RNA was identified in six out of 121 C.

[An epidemiologle investigation of hantaviruses carried by rodent hosts in Hunan province].

Objective: To explore the hantavirus infection and their genotype in rodents in Hunan.

Methods: Hantavirus antigens in the rat lungs from Hunan province were detected by immunofluorescence assay. Partial S and M segment in antigen-positive samples were amplified by RT-PCR, and then sequenced.

Isolation and characterization of hantavirus carried by Apodemus peninsulae in Jilin, China.

To provide a better understanding of hantavirus epidemiology in China, Korean field mice (Apodemus peninsulae) and striped field mice (Apodemus agrarius) were captured in Jilin province, China, where haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is endemic. Hantavirus antigens were detected in eight of the 130 A. peninsulae individuals and in four of the 193 A.

[Isolation and characterization of Hantavirus carried by rodents in Huludao, Liaoning province].

Objective: To investigate the Hantavirus infection and their genotype in rodents in Huludao.

Methods: Rodents were collected from the main epidemic areas to detect antigen of Hantavirus in rat lungs by indirect immunofluorescence assay. Antigen-positive samples were inoculated onto cultures of confluent Vero E6 cells for the isolation of virus.

[Genetics subtypes and distribution of Seoul virus in Henan].

Objective: To investigate the sub-genotypes and distribution ot Seoul virus in Henan.

Methods: Rodents were collected in the major epidemic areas and rats lungs were studied by indirect immunofluorescence assay. Partial M and S segments were amplified with nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using Hantavirus genotype-specific primers, sequenced, analyzed and compared with other known sequences.

[Using geographic information system to study on the association between epidemic areas and main animal hosts of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in China].

Objective: To analyze the association between types of epidemic areas and proportion of main animal hosts of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in China.

Methods: Data on serotype of HFRS patients from 122 regions and species as well as number of animal hosts from 41 national surveillance sites were collected and managed. The map of the types of epidemic areas from 1991-1999 in China was produced using inverse distance weighted technique in the ArcGIS 8.

[NaCl stress increases the heat tolerance of PSII in leaves of rumex K-1 seedlings].

By measuring chlorophyll fluorescence, the effects of NaCl treatment on the maximal efficiency and heat tolerance of PSII were examined in leaves of Rumex seedlings. NaCl 200 mmol/L treatment had no effect on the maximal efficiency of PSII, but increased the heat tolerance of PSII in Rumex leaves. Compared with control leaves, the heat stress-induced decrease in F(v)/F(m) and the increase in F(k)/F(j) ratio were less in NaCl-treated leaves.

Characterization of PSII photochemistry and thermostability in salt-treated Rumex leaves.

A study was conducted, using chlorophyll fluorescence, rapid fluorescence induction kinetics, and polyphasic fluorescence transients, to determine the effect of salt treatment and heat stress on PSII photochemistry in Rumex leaves. Salt treatment was accomplished by adding NaCl solutions of different concentrations ranging from 50 to 200 mmol/L. Heat stress was induced by exposing the plant leaves to temperatures ranging from 29 to 47 degrees C.

[Typing of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome by cluster analysis].

Objective: To make an inquiry into method of typing of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).

Method: Average monthly rates were calculated on the basis of data from 1995 to 1999, then cluster analysis was carried out to type out endemic areas.

Results: Compared with the results of 36 surveillance spots from 1980 to 1992, twenty-four surveillance spots had the same results (66.

[Study on the application of geographic information system in spatial distribution of hemorrhage fever with renal syndrome in China].

Objective: To analyze the spatial distribution of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in China by geographic information system, and to draw up a map on HRFS risk areas.

Methods: A set of database was set up using the information collected and linked to electronic maps of China in a software ArcGIS 8.01 from 41 HFRS surveillance sites during 1995 - 1998.