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Background: Twelve students experienced symptoms of acute respiratory infection (ARI) at a training base in Beijing from August 26 to August 30, 2015. We investigated the cause of this ARI outbreak.Methods: In partnership with the local center for disease control, we collected a total of twelve pharyngeal swab specimens as well as demographic information for the affected patients. We used multiplex real-time PCR to screen for sixteen common respiratory viruses in these samples. To isolate HAdV, we inoculated Hep-2 cells with the human adenovirus (HAdV)-positive samples and then carried out sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the hexon, fiber, and penton genes of the isolated adenoviruses. In addition, we analyzed the entire genome of one strain isolated from the index case to identify single-nucleotide substitutions.Results: We identified ten HAdV-positive students using multiplex real-time PCR. None of the students were co-infected with other viruses. We successfully isolated seven HAdV strains from the pharyngeal swab specimens. The coding sequences of the hexon, fiber, and penton genes of these seven HAdV strains were identical, suggesting that they represented seven strains from a single virus clone. One HAdV isolate obtained from the index case, BJDX-01-2015, was selected for whole genome analysis. From this isolate, we obtained a 34,774-nucleotide sequence. The genome of BJDX-01-2015 clustered with HAdV-B55 in phylogenetic analyses and had 99.97% identity with human adenovirus 55 isolate HAdV-B/CHN/BJ01/2011/55 (GenBank accession no. JX491639).Conclusions: We identified HAdV-B55 as the strain associated with the August 2015 ARI outbreak at a training base in Beijing. This was the first reported outbreak in Beijing due to HAdV-B55. Continuous surveillance of respiratory adenoviruses is urgently needed to understand the epidemiological and evolutionary features of HAdV-B55, and an epidemiological modeling approach may provide further insights into this emerging public health threat. Furthermore, the clinical laboratory data from this outbreak provides important reference for the clinical diagnosis and may ultimately aid in informing the development of strategies to control and prevent respiratory tract infections caused by HAdV-B55. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Active surveillance and diagnosis of the influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (pH1N1) have played a critical role in the effective control and prevention of the pandemic in China. Although several commercially available real-time PCR kits for pH1N1 virus have been used in diagnostic laboratories in Beijing, little has been known about the performance of these kits for detecting pH1N1 virus. In this study, the performance of two commercial real-time PCR kits in Beijing was evaluated. Analysis of clinical samples showed that the positive detection rate for the AgPath-ID™ kit (38.2%) was significantly higher than that for the Da An H1N1 kit (30.0%) (McNemar''s chi-square test, P =0.000). The limit of detection (LOD) of the AgPath-ID™ kit was 102, 102, and 103 copies/reaction for the Influenza A (set 1), H1N1 Influenza A (set 2) and H1N1 Influenza A Sub H1 (set 3) genes, respectively, whereas the LOD of the Da An kit was 103 copies/reaction for both H1 and N1 genes. Although the AgPath-ID™ kit exhibited a significantly higher detection rate for pH1N1 than the Da An kit, cross-reactivity to A/PR8/34 was found for the AgPath-ID™ kit for H1N1 Influenza A (set 2). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A batch pot experiment using nine herbaceous species were conducted for peat enhanced rehabilitation of contaminated soil with oily sludge in the initial contents of 0%, 1.3%, 7.4%, and 12.2%, respectively. The results showed that petroleum hydrocarbons removal, plant growth indices and enzyme activities varied depending on plant species and oil contents. Cotton, ryegrass and tall fescue were effective in the rehabilitation of oily sludge contaminated soils. The total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) removal ranged from 30.0% to 40.0% after 170 days of treatment. Plant biomass was shown to be the preferred indicator for screening phytoremediation plant because it was closely correlated with TPH removal and enzyme activities. Peat-enhanced plant rehabilitation could be a good strategy for the treatment of oily sludge contaminated saline soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has lasted for two years and caused millions of infections and deaths in humans. Although the origin of SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans remains unknown, infection in animals has been frequently reported in varieties of animals all over the world. Both experimental and natural infections of SARS-CoV-2 in different animal species provide useful information on viral host range and pathogenicity. As the pandemic continues to evolve, SARS-CoV-2 infection in animals will be expanding. In this review, we summarized SARS-CoV-2 testing and infection in animals as well as SARS-CoV-2 strains and transmission in animals. Current data showed that at least 18 different animal species tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. These 18 animal species belong to pet, captive, farmed, and wild animals. Fifteen of the eighteen animal species were known to be positive for the Delta variant and ten animal species were infected with two different types of variants. Human-to-animal, animal-to-animal, and animal-to-human transmission events were suggested in different outbreaks involved in animal infection with SARS-CoV-2. Continued testing, immunization, and surveillance are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Frailty has a great impact on the quality of life of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), which needs to be judged in time. To develop a diagnostic model based on nutritional indicators to judge the frailty status of patients with chronic heart failure (Frailty-CHF). Methods and results In the data collection part of this study, questionnaire method and biomedical measurement method were adopted. The trace elements in serum samples were detected by high performance liquid chromatography, chemiluminescence, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. We used Excel for data consolidation, and then imported the data into R software for modelling. Lasso method was used for variable screening, and Logistics regression fitting model was used after variables were determined. The internal validation of the model was completed by Bootstrap re-sampling. A total of 123 patients were included in this study. After variables' screening, age, nutritional status-heart failure, New York Heart Association Functional Class (NYHA), micronutrients B12, Ca, folic acid, and Se were included in the model, the c statistic and Brier score of the original model were 0.9697 and 0.0685, respectively. After Bootstrap re-sampling adjustment, the c statistic and Brier score were 0.8503 and 0.1690. Conclusion In this study, a diagnostic model of age, nutritional status-heart failure, NYHA, the micronutrients B12, Ca, folic acid, and Se was established. It could help healthcare professionals better identify the frailty status in patients with CHF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) threatens human health and even survival, causing a huge number of hospitalized patients every year. However, as one of the most common respiratory viruses circulated worldwide, the epidemiological and phylogenetic characteristics of human parainfluenza virus (HPIV) in these cases were not well known. Objectives To reveal the epidemiological features of HPIV infection in SARIs in Beijing area from September 2014 to August 2016. Methods A total of 1229 SARI cases in Beijing area were enrolled, investigated, sampled, and tested by multiplex real-time PCR to identify HPIVs and other common respiratory viruses. Eighteen HPIV-3 viruses isolated from all HPIV-positive samples in these SARI cases were sequenced and analyzed. Results Among all enrolled cases, 0.81%, 0.73%, 4.48%, and 0.57% were positive for HPIV-1 to HPIV-4, respectively. The highest yield rate of HPIV infection occurred in children under 5 years old (9.07%), followed by the patients over 60 years old (6.02%). The phylogenetic information of HPIV-3 showed that all viruses belonged to Cluster C3a. Conclusions Besides the young children, the elders older than 60 years also showed a relatively high infection rate of HPIVs, which should be given comparable attentions. Moreover, the HPIV-3 circulating in China undergoes continued evolution, suggesting the potential risk of evolved HPIV infection should not be overlooked. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses an immunomagnetic beads-based method for separating and purifying influenza viruses and influenza-infected cells. Topics cited include the conjugation of mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb) against the M2 protein to Dynabeads M-270 Epoxy, the combination of the immunomagnetic beads-based method with real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the application of the method in influenza surveillance.

Oil-based drilling cuttings (OBDC) produced from shale gas development is a hazardous waste that have high calorific values and should be disposed of properly. Burning bricks with OBDC is a promising co-disposal method; however, organic pollutants emitted during this process have not received sufficient attention. In this study, the composition and combustion characteristics of OBDC were determined, and the emissions of typical organic pollutants when burning bricks with the addition of OBDC were investigated; these included benzene series compounds (BTEXs), non-methane total hydrocarbons (NMHC), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated dibenzo- p -dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). The results showed that OBDC comprised large amounts of alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons, and combusted mainly in the temperature range of 145–450 °C with an ignition temperature of 145 °C. The co-processing 10% OBDC increased the concentrations of toluene, NMHC, and PAHs in the flue gases by ∼1000%, ∼500%, and 200%, respectively, compared to the control experiment; however, their emission concentrations were within the limits set by the Integrated emission standards of air pollutants of Chongqing. It is worth noting that 26.443 ng/Nm3 PCDD/Fs with a total toxicity of 0.709 ng I-TEQ/Nm3 was generated from the co-processing 10% OBDC, which was ascribed to the high content of chlorine and aromatic hydrocarbons in the OBDC-promoted PCDD/Fs formed during the burning and cooling processes. Though PCDD/Fs in flue gas exceeded the 0.5 ng I-TEQ/Nm3 limit prescribed in the Pollution control standard for hazardous wastes incineration of China, the realistic emission of PCDD/Fs is expected to meet with this emission limit after desulfurization treatment as PCDD/Fs can be absorbed by gypsum. It is recommended that a lower amount of OBDC is added to reduce PCDD/F formation at the source and to take more efficient air pollution control system in order to reach a stricter emission limit of 0.1 ng I-TEQ/Nm3 in EU and USA. Cycling flue gas may also be an effective method to reduce other organic pollutants. Under these conditions, co-processing OBDC in brick kilns can be achieved without serious environmental pollution, making it a potential method for disposal and utilization. [Display omitted] • Higher/lower heating values of OBDC were 5.40/4.04 MJ/kg, ∼3 times of coal gangue. • Organic matter in OBDC mainly comprised of alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons. • Co-processing OBDC in a brick kiln increased organic pollutant emissions. • The BTEXs, NMHC, and PAHs in flue gas for OBDC group were below emission standard. • PCDD/Fs in flue gas can be within limit of emission standard after desulfurization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scarlet fever is one of a variety of diseases caused by group A Streptococcus (GAS). During 2011, a scarlet fever epidemic characterized by peak monthly incidence rates 2.9-6.7 times higher than those in 2006-2010 occurred in Beijing, China. During the epidemic, hospital-based enhanced surveillance for scarlet fever and pharyngitis was conducted to determine characteristics of circulating GAS strains. The surveillance identified 3,359 clinical cases of scarlet fever or pharyngitis. GAS was isolated from 647 of the patients; 76.4% of the strains were type emm12, and 17.1% were emm1. Almost all isolates harbored superantigens speC and ssa. All isolates were susceptible to penicillin, and resistance rates were 96.1% to erythromycin, 93.7% to tetracycline, and 79.4% to clindamycin. Because emm12 type GAS is not the predominant type in other countries, wider surveillance for the possible spread of emm12 type GAS from China to other countries is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Please cite this paper as: Yang et al. (2011) Seroprevalence of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza and effectiveness of 2010/2011 influenza vaccine during 2010/2011 season in Beijing, China. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(6), 381-388. Background In the post-pandemic period, pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus was expected to circulate seasonally and was introduced into trivalent influenza vaccine during 2010/2011 season in the Northern Hemisphere. Objectives The aim of this study was to examine the evolution of herd immunity against pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus in Beijing, China, during 2010/2011 season and effectiveness of the 2010/2011 trivalent vaccine. Methods Two serological surveys were conducted before and after 2010/2011 season in Beijing. A case-control study was used to investigate vaccine effectiveness against influenza-like illness (ILI) and lower respiratory tract infection (LRI). Results A total of 4509 and 4543 subjects participated in the pre- and post-season surveys, respectively. The standardized seroprevalence of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza increased from 22·1% pre-season to 24·3% post-season ( P < 0·001). Significant elevation in seroprevalence appeared in the ≥60 years age-group ( P < 0·001), but not in others. The 2010/2011 trivalent vaccine contributed to the higher post-seasonal seroprevalence in unvaccinated individuals ( P = 0·024), but not in those vaccinated with monovalent pandemic vaccine ( P = 0·205), as well as in those without prior immunity versus those with immunity. The adjusted effectiveness of the 2010/2011 trivalent vaccine was 79% protection against ILI (95% CI, 61-89%) and 95% against LRI (95% CI: 59-99%). Conclusions A slight increase in herd immunity against pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza was observed in Beijing, China, during the 2010/2011 season. Prior vaccination and immunity had a suppressive impact on immune response toward this novel influenza virus, elicited by 2010/2011 trivalent vaccine. This trivalent vaccine conferred good protection against ILI and LRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An analytical scheme to determine groups of petroleum hydrocarbon compounds in crude oil was developed and used for the qualitative and quantitative characterization of crude oil samples from the Shengli oilfield, the second largest oilfield in China. Crude oil samples were fractionated and analyzed by thin-layer chromatography with flame ionization detection (TLC-FID). Relative standard deviation (RSD) values for retention time, peak height and half peak width were less than 5.2% for all classes of compounds, based on nine independent replicates. The crude oil light fraction was further analyzed by GC–MS and the majority of identified compounds were methyl- or hydro-derivatives of long-chain hydrocarbons and aromatic compounds. The external standard method used in the present study can lower detection limits of petroleum hydrocarbon compound classes to 20.0mgL−1, and the crude oil concentration in the range of 30 and 35,000mgL−1 has a high linear correlation (r 2 >0.97, P <0.05) with peak area. A comparison between elution chromatography (EC) and TLC-FID regarding the recovery of petroleum hydrocarbon compounds was carried out with aged crude oil contaminated soils of 50, 80, 200 and 300mgg−1. The tested TLC-FID method showed a 10% higher recovery for total extractable materials than the reference EC method. The calibration factor was fraction-dependent and varied with the recovery rate of TLC/EC. Regarding the tested extraction procedures, accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) had a higher extraction efficiency for crude oil contaminated soils than Soxhlet and ultrasonic extractions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Melt-blown polypropylene fiber (MBPF) is a recently developed new material for filtration. This study evaluates the efficiency of using MBPF filter to treat reclaimed water with respect to analysis of the CODCr, SS, NH3-N and turbidity for the water samples before and after adsorption and filtration with MBPF filter. Experimental results indicate that MBPF can significantly reduce CODCr, SS and NH3–N values of the reclaimed water. Furthermore, the adsorption and filtration efficiency can be greatly improved if the water sample has been pretreated with polyaluminum chloride (PAC) due to that microparticles and organic compounds will be flocculated or coprecipitated by the polyaluminum ions, therefore, become easily blocked and captured by the 3-dimensional network of the filter or absorbed on the large surface of the fiber. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]