Characterization of human metapneumoviruses isolated in Chongqing, China

Background Human metapneumovirus （hMPV） has recently been recognized as a notable respiratory pathogen in children. However, no isolation processes and only a limited understanding of hMPV epidemiology present in Chinese children are documented by far. Methods Nasopharyngeal aspirates from 86 hospitalized children with acute respiratory tract infections from December 2004 to July 2005 were inoculated onto Vero-E6 cells for hMPV isolation. Total RNA was extracted from infected cells with a cytopathic effect and then subjected to a RT-PCR amplification of the N and F genes of the hMPV. Nucleotide sequences of amplified F gene products were examined using a variation analysis with the MegAlign program and the phylogenetic tree construction using the neighbor-joining algorithm with a Phylip package. Results Six strains of hMPV were isolated from the samples during winter, spring and summer. The most common symptoms were coughing and cyanosis, and the diagnoses were bronchiolitis, bronchopneumonia, infantile asthma, or upper respiratory tract infection. All isolates were in the A2 genetic sublineage and shared a high percentage of homology with the F gene in the nucleotide （99.8%--100%） and amino acid （99.3%--100%） sequences. Conclusions This report indicates that hMPV is an important viral agent for acute respiratory tract infections present in Chongqing, China. Knowledge of phylogeny and genes will benefit the studies on the treatment and prophylaxis of hMPV infection.     

The Pathogenesis and Treatment of COVID-19:A System Review

INTRODUCTION After the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS)and Middle East respiratory syndrome(MERS),it was difficult to imagine the recurrence of a virus that can spread worldwide in less than two decades.However,it did.In December of 2019,this virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)was associated with the emergence of pneumonia cases of unknown etiology in Wuhan,Hubei Province.     

Pituitary involvement in Wegener’s granulomatosis: a case report and review of the literature

Wegener's Granulomatosis (WG)is a multi-system disorder characterized by necrotizing granulomas in the upper and/or lower respiratory tract, with or without focal     

Respiratory support for severe acute respiratory syndrome: integration of efficacy and safety

Severe acute respiratory syndrome （SARS） is an acute respiratory illness caused by infection with the SARS virus. The most obvious clinical characteristic of SARS is rapidly progressive pneumonia, and about 20% patients need intensive care due to acute lung injury （ALI） and acute respiratory distress syndrome （ARDS）.1-3 In the absence of effective drugs for SARS, supportive care, especially respiratory support techniques （RSTs）, is of primary importance. On the other hand, offering RSTs to SARS patients may carry a high-risk of infection to healthcare workers because of the high infectivity of SARS. Therefore, the strategy of RSTs for SARS should be the integration of efficacy and safety. In this issue of the Chinese Medical Journal, an article from Hong Kong has retrospectively compared both the safety and efficacy of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation （NIPPV） with that of invasive mechanical ventilation （IMV） in the treatment of respiratory failure in SARS.     

Comparison of Breathing Pattern and Subjects'''' Perception during Resistive Loads Applied to Inspiration,Expiration or Whole Breathing Cycle

Using a 2-factor 6×3 factorial experimental design and the MultistageEvaluation Scale(MES)to estimate the respiratory sensation,we systematicallystudied in 17 healthy young men the physiological and psychological effects of sixlevels of suprathreshold added resistive loads,appliedeparately to eitherinspiration or expiration,or throughout the breathing cycle.We observed that(1)no matter what phase of the breathing cycle was impeded,mask cavity pressureswingas well as total external respiratory workrate(r)was a curvilinearfunction of the total resistive load added(R_T),which exhibited an upwardconvexity;(2)the perceived magnitude(PM)of the respiratory sensation estimatedby using MES(S_(MES))was directly related to intensity of the physiologicalstimulus and indirectly related to the intensity of the resistance added;and(3)under different loading conditions,S_(MES)was a curvilinear function of theintensity of the physiological stimulus,which exhibited an upward concavity.These results suggest that when we derive the standards of allowable resistancefor respiratory protective equipment,in addition to the total load intensity,theimportance of the ratio between inspiratory and expiratory resistance should alsobe considered.     

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF MEDIASTINAL ENTEROGENOUS CYSTS IN CHILDREN

MEDIASTINAL enterogenous cysts are congen-ital anomalies rarely seen in the pediatric agegroups.Most children are first admitted tohospital due to respiratory symptoms.Neonates and littleinfants often have the symptom of respiratory distress,while a few a…     

Effect of Short—Term Exposure to Mercuric Chloride on the Air—Breathing Catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis

Alterations in the respiratory epithelium of gills of a catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis by the sublethal and lethal concentrations of HgCl2 have been observed using scanning electron microscope,Fish exposed to 0.1ppm shows a thin coat of mucus,but the continuous layer of mucus is not retained in 0.3ppm after 24 h of exposure.Epithelial cells of the gill filament are hyperplastic.Other changes in the respiratory epithelium are contraction of epithelium,formation of interlamellar bridge and diminishing number of microridges.Massive destruction of the respiratory epithelium by deep lesions and sloughing of epithelial layer in 0.5 and 1.0ppm solutions after 6-12 h of exposure apparently causes death to the fish.SEM observations are well in conformity wit the findings made at light microscopic level.     

Respiratory syncytial virus: the possible trigger of airway remodeling through matrix metalloproteinase activation?

Respiratory syncytial virus （RSV） is a leading cause of .epidemic respiratory tract illness in children. Severe RSV infections involving the lower respiratory tract are primarily seen in young children with naive immune systems and/or genetic predispositions. However, RSV was not recognized as a potentially serious problem in older adults until the 1970s, when outbreaks of the virus infection occurred in long-term care facilities. Since then, additional studies in hospitalized adults have suggested that RSV may be an important cause of illness in community-dwelling elderly people, patients with suppressed T-cell immunity （such as heart transplant recipients）.     

Primary Report of a New Strain of Hemolytic Gemella

A new strain of hemolytic gemella(HG)was Isolated from woundexudates,pleural fluid and sputum of 12 patients.It is similar to thecocci gemella hemolysans in form,staining and growth,but is differentfrom them in respect of the morphological arrangement,mode of repro-duction,and contour of colony.It is aerobic,quick-hemolytic and auto-Iytic.Our study indicates that this strain formerly regarded as a usualbacterium present in the respiratory system is actually a new variant.On the basis of light and electron microscopic observation,identificationof bacteria,determination of antibodies and animal inoculation,a singlepure species of bacteria was obtained from purulent exudate culture.Clinical events proved that this organism is a pathogenic variant strainof hemolytic gemella.     

Decontamination Efficacy of Disinfection and Doffing of Medical Protective Clothing: A Combined Mannequin and Personnel Study

<正>Personal protective equipment(PPE) plays a key role in protecting healthcare workers(HCWs) from highly infectious diseases. Appropriate use of PPE based on the level of exposure can prevent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2) infection of otolaryngologists^[1].     

Three factors resulting in death of SARS patients with diabetes mellitus

Deficient immunity, multiple system organ failure(MSOF) and refractory hyperglycemia may contribute toa high mortality of severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS) patients with diabetes mellitus (DM),according to a clinical review of 139 SARS deathsreported hy Dr. Yang Jinkui of Endocrinology     

A trial of pirfenidone in hospitalized adult patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019

<正>To the Editor: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which broke out in 2019, has become a global pandemic. Similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in 2003, SARS-CoV-2 could     

Death of a SARS case from secondary aspergillus infection

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is an acute infectious disease which has been found to spread mainly via respiration. The first case was idnetified in Guangdong, southern China in November 2002. This disease has resulted in a severe epidemic outbreak in 27 countries and regions. In order to investigate the etiology and clinicopathologic characteristics of SARS, we reported here a patient with SARS who died of aspergillosis after prolonged treatment withcorti costeroids.     

The application of virtual endoscopy with computed tomography in maxillofacial surgery

Objective To use virtual endoscopy to obtain detailed three-dimensional images of bone, soft tissue and paranasal sinus damage as well as images of adjacent unaffected areas for optimum surgical planning.Methods A spiral CT scanner was used to examine 46 cases of facial bone fractures, maxillary cysts, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and maxillary bone tumours. Data were input into a navigator workstation to create images similar to those displayed by a fiberoptic endoscope. Various 3-D images were obtained when probe sites were changed.Results Virtual endoscopy can clearly display the anatomic structure of the paranasal sinuses,nasopharyngeal cavity and upper respiratory tract, revealing damage to the sinus wall caused by a bone tumor or fracture. In addition, the technique can be used to indicate volume changes of the upper respiratory tract in OSAS patients. These results were similar to those obtained through actual operations.Conclusions Virtual endoscopy is a new method which produces very clear images. It is reliable to provide detailed information for optimal operative planning.     

Detection of rotavirus antigen in tracheal aspirates of infants and children with pneumonia.

Clinical manifestations of respiratory tract infection often precede or coincide with rotavirus gastroenteritis in infants and children. To investigate the possible association between respiratory tract manifestations and rotavirus infection, the authors determined human rotavirus (HRV) antigen and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antigen in tracheal aspirates of 58 children with clinically diagnosed pneumonia by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescent antibody techniques. HRV antigen was detected in 16 out of the 58 cases (27.6%) and RSV antigen was found positive in 27 cases (46.5%). In four cases both HRV and RSV antigens were detected. The results of our study suggest that rotavirus may occasionally by one of the etiologic agents of acute lower respiratory infections of infants and children and that rotavirus infection may be transmitted via respiratory route. However, further extensive studies are needed for confirmation of the association between rotavirus and respiratory tract infection.

     

Acute Toxicity and Cardio-Respiratory Effects of 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose： A Promising Radio Sensitiser

Objective To evaluate the acute toxicity of 2-deoxy-D-glucose （2DG） by oral （p.o.） and intravenous （i.v.） routes, and also the cardio-respiratory effects following high doses of 2DG in animal models. Methods The LD50 of 2DG （in water） was determined in rats and mice by p.o. route and in mice by i.v. route. The effect of 2-DG （250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg, i.v.） was studied on various cardio-respiratory parameters viz., mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate in anaesthetised rats. The effect of 2DG （500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg, and 2000 mg/kg, p.o.） was also studied on various respiratory parameters viz., respiratory rate and tidal volume in conscious rats and mice using a computer program. Results The p.o. LD50 of 2DG was found to be 〉8000 mg/kg in mice and rats, and at this dose no death was observed. The LD50 in mice by i.v. route was found to be 8000 mg/kg. At this dose 2 out of 4 mice died and the death occurred within 6 h. A significant increase in the body weight was observed after p.o. administration of 2DG in rats at 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg, and 2000 mg/kg doses. There was no significant change in the body weight at 4000 mg/kg and 8000 mg/kg by the p.o. route in rats and up to 8000 mg/kg by p.o. as well as i.v. routes in mice. Intravenous administration of 2DG （250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg） in anaesthetised rats showed a time-dependent decrease in the mean arterial blood pressure. There was no change in the heart rate in any of the treatment groups. The tidal volume was not changed significantly by p.o administration in conscious rats, but a significant decrease in the respiratory frequency at 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg doses was observed. In the mice also there was no change in the tidal volume after p.o, administration, but the respiratory frequency decreased significantly at 2000 mg/kg dose. Conclusion 2DG is a safe compound but can cause a fall in the blood pressure and a decrease in respiratory frequency at high doses.     

Launch of Global Alliance Against Chronic Respiratory Diseases （GARD）： hundreds of millions suffer from chronic respiratory diseases

Beijing, 28 March, 2006： Today, the Global Alliance Against Chronic Respiratory Diseases （GARD） is being launched in Beijing, China. The alliance is a global voluntary alliance of 41 national and international organizations focused on reducing the global disease burden of chronic respiratory diseases by integrating and strengthening surveillance, prevention and treatment efforts.     

COMBINED USE OF ACUPUNCTURE AND BLOOD- INJECTION AT THE BACK-SHI; POINTS FOR TREATMENT OF ALLERGIC ASTHMA -A Report of 80 Cases

Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammation of anaphylactic reaction of the respiratory tract. Based on this knowledge, the treatment is given aiming at relieving bronchial spasm or antianaphylaxis and the control of inflammation. A large amount of     

High seroprevalence of human metapneumovirus infection in children in Chongqing, China

Background The human metapneumovirus （hMPV） is a newly discovered respiratory viral pathogen that was first isolated in 2001 in the Netherlands. Its global distribution and long history of infection in humans have been well documented. In this study, we assessed the seropositivity of hMPV IgG antibodies in children in Chongqing, China.
Methods The specificity of the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was first validated by using respiratory syncytial virus （RSV） infected, antigen subtracted reference serum and by performing western blotting using anti-hMPV animal serum. This assay was used to determine the presence of the IgG antibody against hMPV and RSV in 325 serum samples obtained from children aged 0-6 years.
Results No crossreaction was detected by ELISA between the antibodies to hMPV and RSV. The seropositivity of the anti-hMPV IgG antibody was 74.5% in children aged 0 to 5 months, 64.0% in 6 to 11 months, 72.7% in 12 to 23 months, 87.1% in 24 to 35 months and 90.3% in 3 to 6 years.
Conclusions hMPV is a common and significant respiratory pathogen in Chinese children. Almost all individuals are exposed to hMPV by age 6 years.