Iodine Nutrition, Thyroid-stimulating Hormone, and Related Factors of Postpartum Women from three Different Areas in China: A Cross-sectional Survey

Objective Studies on the relationship between iodine,vitamin A(VA),and vitamin D(VD)and thyroid function are limited.This study aimed to analyze iodine and thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH)status and their possible relationships with VA,VD,and other factors in postpartum women.Methods A total of 1,311 mothers(896 lactating and 415 non-lactating)from Hebei,Zhejiang,and Guangxi provinces were included in this study.The urinary iodine concentration(UIC),TSH,VA,and VD were measured.Results The median UIC of total and lactating participants were 142.00µg/L and 139.95µg/L,respectively.The median TSH,VA,and VD levels in all the participants were 1.89 mIU/L,0.44μg/mL,and 24.04 ng/mL,respectively.No differences in the UIC were found between lactating and non-lactating mothers.UIC and TSH levels were significantly different among the three provinces.The rural UIC was higher than the urban UIC.Obese mothers had a higher UIC and a higher prevalence of excessive TSH.Higher UICs and TSHs levels were observed in both the VD deficiency and insufficiency groups than in the VD-sufficient group.After adjustment,no linear correlation was observed between UIC and VA/VD.No interaction was found between vitamins A/D and UIC on TSH levels.Conclusion The mothers in the present study had no iodine deficiency.Region,area type,BMI,and VD may be related to the iodine status or TSH levels.

Characterization and Diagnostic Use of a Monoclonal Antibody for VP28 Envelope Protein of White Spot Syndrome Virus

The gene encoding the VP28 envelope protein of White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) was cloned into expression vector pET-30a and transformed into the Escherichia coli strain BL21.After induction,the recombinant VP28 (rVP28) protein was purified and then used to immunize Balb/c mice for monoclonal antibody (MAb) production.It was observed by immuno-electron microscopy the MAbs specific to rVP28 could recognize native VP28 target epitopes of WSSV and dot-blot analysis was used to detect natural WSSV infection.Competitive PCR showed that the viral level was approximately 104 copies/mg tissue in the dilution of gill homogenate of WSSV-infected crayfish at the detection limit of dot-blot assay.Our results suggest that dot-blot analysis with anti-rVP28 MAb could rapidly and sensitively detect WSSV at the early stages of WSSV infection.

Circulating MicroRNA-21 is Downregulated in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

The microRNA-21 （miR-21） is known to play a major role in cancer progression; however, its function in the cardiovascular system appears to be even more complex and conflicting. To characterize miR-21 expression in the plasma of individuals with or without metabolic syndrome （MetS）, 58 MetS cases and 96 non-MetS controls were investigated.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis transmission among middle school students in Zhejiang Province,China

Background:Despite significant advancements in the treatment and diagnosis of tuberculosis(TB)over the past decade,drug-resistant TB remains an increasing threat to public health.TB outbreaks are most commonly reported in schools considering the delay in TB diagnosis,sustained contact,and overcrowding observed in schools.This report describes multidrug-resistant TB(MDR-TB)transmission in a school in Zhejiang Province.We aimed to raise awareness regarding MDR-TB transmission among students.Case presentation:The index patient was a 16-year-old girl in the second year of junior middle school in Zhejiang Province,China,who had been experiencing persistent cough and expectoration for 37 days since 1 March 2014.She tested positive for smear pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB on 8 April 2014 and was subsequently diagnosed with MDR-TB on 1 May 2014.However,the patient was resistant to isoniazid,rifampicin,ethambutol,and streptomycin.Thus,she was suspended from school for anti-TB treatment.All 54 students who were in close contact with the index patient in the same class were screened,and 5 tested positive on the tuberculin skin test.Their exposure time to the index patient was approximately 37 days.Three classmates were subsequently diagnosed with MDR-TB,with similar resistance profiles nearly two years later.Their average discovery delay was 55 days.These three classmates were also suspended from school for anti-TB treatment.During the treatment period,four students visited the local TB-designated hospital for further consultation every month and were followed up once a month by the local community health service center until they were completely cured.Conclusions:Discovery delay for an index patient played a primary role in MDR-TB transmission inside the school.To immediately detect TB,morning examinations in schools should be performed.TB trackers and case managers should work closely with public health workers and physicians in cases of TB outbreaks or transmissions involving students.Moreover,individuals who are in close contact with MDR-TB patients should undergo careful clinical follow-up for at least two years.Implementing a joint examination strategy to ensure early detection,diagnosis,and treatment of MDR-TB transmission is recommended.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus genotype and its characterization

Objective To study the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) -associated coronavirus genotype and its characteristics.Methods A SARS-associated coronavirus isolate named ZJ01 was obtained from throat swab samples taken from a patient in Hangzhou, Zhejing province. The complete genome sequence of ZJ01 consisted of 29 715 bp (GenBank accession: AY297028, version; gi: 30910859). Seventeen SARS-associated coronavirus genome sequences in GenBank were compared to analyze the common sequence variations and the probability of co-occurrence of multiple polymorphisms or mutations. Phylogenetic analysis of those sequences was done.Results By bioinformatics processing and analysis, the 5 loci nucleotides at ZJ01 genome were found being T, T, G, T and T, respectively. Compared with other SARS-associated coronavirus genomes in the GenBank database, an A/G mutation was detected besides the other 4 mutation loci (C: G: C: C/T: T: T: T) involved in this genetic signature. Therefore a new definition was put forward according to the 5 mutation loci. SARS-associated coronavirus strains would be grouped into two genotypes (C: G: A: C: C/T: T: G: T: T), and abbreviated as SARS coronavirus C genotype and T genotype. On the basis of this new definition, the ZJ01 isolate belongs to SARS-associated coronavirus T genotype, first discovered and reported in China's Mainland. Phylogenetic analysis of the spike protein gene fragments of these SARS-associated coronavirus strains showed that the GZ01 isolate was phylogenetically distinct from other isolates, and compared with groups F1 and F2 of the T genotype, the isolates of BJ01 and CUHK-W1 were more closely related to the GZ01 isolate. It was interesting to find that two (A/G and C/T) of the five mutation loci occurred in the spike protein gene, which caused changes of Asp to Gly and Thr to He in the protein, respectively.Conclusion Attention should be paid to whether these genotype and mutation patterns are related to the virus' s biological activities, epidemic characteristics and host clinical symptoms.

Molecular biological analysis of genotyping and phylogeny of severe acute respiratory syndrome associated coronavirus

Background SARS-CoV is the causative agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) which has been associated with outbreaks of SARS in Guangdong,Hong Kong and Beijing of China,and other regions worldwide. SARS-CoV from human has shown some variations but its origin is still unknown. The genotyping and phylogeny of SARS-CoV were analyzed and reported in this paper. Methods Full or partial genomes of 44 SARS-CoV strains were collected from GenBank. The genotype,single nucleotide polymorphism and phylogeny of these SARS-CoV strains were analyzed by molecular biological,bioinformatic and epidemiological methods. Results There were 188 point mutations in the 33 virus full genomes with the counts of mutation mounting to 297. Further analysis was carried out among 36 of 188 loci with more than two times of mutation. All the 36 mutation loci occurred in coding sequences and 22 loci were non-synonymous. The gene mutation rates of replicase 1AB,S2 domain of spike glycoprotein and nucleocapsid protein were lower (0.079%-0.103%). There were 4 mutation loci in S1 domain of spike glycoprotein. The gene mutation rate of ORF10 was the highest (3.333%) with 4 mutation loci in this small domain (120 bp) and 3 of 4 loci related to deletion mutation. By bioinformatics processing and analysis,the nucleotides at 7 loci of genome (T∶T∶A∶G∶T∶C∶T/C∶G∶G∶A∶C∶T∶C) can classify SARS-CoV into two types. Therefore a novel definition is put forward that according to these 7 loci of mutation,40 strains of SARS-CoV in GenBank can be grouped into two genotypes,T∶T∶A∶G∶T∶C∶T and C∶G∶ G∶A∶ C∶T∶C,and named as SARS-CoV Yexin genotype and Xiaohong genotype. The two genotypes can be further divided into some sub-genotypes. These genotypes can also be approved by phylogenetic tree of three levels of 44 loci of mutation, spike glycoprotein gene and complete genome sequence. Compared to various strains among SARS-CoV Yexin genotype and Xiaohong genotype,GD01 strain of Yexin genotype is more closely related to SARS-CoV like-virus from animals. Conclusion The results mentioned above suggest that SARS-CoV is responding to host immunological pressures and experiencing variation which provide clues,information and evidence of molecular biology for the clinical pathology,vaccine developing and epidemic investigation.