Several emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) appear to have heightened infectivity and ability to evade natural or vaccine-derived immunity.

Objective To evaluate the antiviral effects of the Qingkailing injection against Dengue virus type 1 (DENV- 1) in vitro. Methods The maximum non-toxic dose and anti-DENV-1 effect of Qingkailing injection on the C6/36 cells was determined by MTT. The effect of Qingkailing injection on DENV-1 was determined by MTT. Using NS1 protein as the target protein, the infectivity of DENV-1 pretreated with different dilution of Qingkailing injection was detected by Western Blot. The effect of Qingkailing injection on DENV-1 copy number was determined by Q-PCR. Variance analysis was used to compare the effects of Qingkailing injection with different dilution on the virus. Results MTT results showed that the maximum nontoxic dose of Qingkailing injection on C6/36 cells was 1/64. MTT results showed that cell viability had been increased to (76.9±3.5)%, (72.5±2.5)% and (63.0±1.5)% by Qingkailing injection with dilutions of 1/64, 1/128 and 1/256. This result indicated that Qingkailing injection could significantly reduce the cytopathic effect of DENV-1. Q-PCR results showed that the copy numbers of DENV-1 was reduced by (43.8±3.1)% and (27.4±1.4)% with Qingkailing injection at the dilutions of 1/64 and 1/128, which showed that Qingkailing injection had significantly inhibitory effect on RNA replication of DENV-1. According to the Western blot results, the expression of NS1 protein was effectively reduced with Qingkailing injection after pretreatment. Conclusion Qingkailing injection has obvious antivirus activity in vitro after pretreatment. 摘要：目的 探讨清开灵注射液体外抗I型登革热病毒(DENV-1)的作用。 方法 通过噻唑蓝(MTT)法, 测定清 开灵注射液对C6/36细胞的最大无毒剂量以及清开灵注射液抗DENV-1的作用；利用蛋白质印迹试验(Western Blot), 以非结构蛋白NS1为目的蛋白, 检测DENV-1经不同稀释度的清开灵注射液预处理后的感染能力；荧光定量PCR法检 测清开灵注射液对DENV-1拷贝数的影响。采用方差分析比较不同稀释度清开灵注射液对DENV-1的影响。 结果 MTT结果显示, 清开灵注射液对C6/36细胞的最大无毒剂量为1/64;经过稀释度为1/64、/128和1/256的清开灵 注射液处理后, 感染病毒的细胞存活率增加至(76.9±3.5)%、(72.5±2.5)%和 (63.0±1.5)%, 表明清开灵注射液能明显减 弱DENV-1引起的细胞病变效应;Q-PCR结果显示稀释度为1/64、1/128的清开灵注射液对DENV-1拷贝数的抑制率达 到(43.8±3.1)%和 (27.4±1.4)%, 表明其对病毒RNA复制产生明显的抑制作用；蛋白质印迹试验结果显示, 清开灵注射 液能有效地抑制病毒NS1蛋白的表达。 结论 清开灵注射液体外预处理病毒的给药方式对I型登革热病毒具有明显 的抑制作用。

El origen zoonótico del SARS-CoV-2 ha planteado la necesidad de realizar el monitoreo y control de esta virosis en animales domésticos y silvestres para determinar el posible rol de los animales como portadores, reservorios y/o amplificadores del virus. Los estudios para comprender mejor la susceptibilidad de diferentes especies animales al SARS-CoV-2 y evaluar la dinámica de la infección en estas especies, así como también la identificación de posibles reservorios y/o transmisores, son una herramienta fundamental para la vigilancia de la pandemia. El diseño de protocolos específicos para el relevamiento epidemiológico y la toma de muestras de animales pertenecientes a pacientes positivos a COVID-19, dieron inicio al trabajo. Los objetivos del proyecto involucran el diagnóstico y la vigilancia epidemiológica del SARS-CoV-2 en animales que conviven con personas infectadas, para analizar la infectividad potencial del virus y el rol que cumplen los animales en la pandemia. Estos estudios son una herramienta que nos permitirá conocer el comportamiento del virus en diferentes hospedadores y sus implicancias en la transmisión y perpetuación de la enfermedad. El proyecto comenzó con el diseño de protocolos para toma de muestras, definiendo caso sospechoso en animales, e indicando cómo debe proceder el Médico Veterinario particular al ser consultado por los propietarios. Dicho protocolo fue difundido por el Colegio de Veterinarios de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (Distrito II). Conjuntamente, se creó un consentimiento informado, aprobado por la Comisión Institucional para el Cuidado y Uso de Animales de Laboratorio (CICUAL) que es firmado por los responsables de los animales y del proyecto, acordando la toma de muestras. Por otro lado, el área de zoonosis dependiente del Ministerio de Salud de la Nación adoptó los protocolos y trabaja en la implementación de un sistema de vigilancia epidemiológica. Se realizó la difusión del proyecto en diversos medios de comunicación, permitiendo que aquellos pacientes diagnosticados positivos a SARS-CoV-2 se comunicaran con el grupo de trabajo para consultas y coordinación de la toma de muestras a sus mascotas. Hasta el 31 de agosto, se tomaron muestras de hisopados orofaríngeos y rectales de 15 caninos y 11 felinos, todos en estrecho contacto con personas diagnosticados positivos a SARS-CoV-2. Además, se colectaron muestras de un chimpancé del Ecoparque La Plata. Una vez en el laboratorio se realizó la extracción del ARN de las muestras utilizando un kit comercial, y el diagnóstico molecular por real-time RT-PCR adaptando kits comerciales. Las muestras analizadas fueron no reactivas a los targets específicos de SARS-CoV-2.

Both COVID-19 and SARS are two serious infectious diseases caused by coronaviruses. The cause of both is still unknown and there are currently no effective treatments. Therefore, it is important to understand the epidemiological and pathological characteristics of COVID-19 and SARS for its prevention and treatment. This article reviewed the literature, combined with the latest research status at home and abroad, to explore the two diseases of COVID-19 and SARS from the etiology, spatial, time and population distributions and pathology. The results show that the two infectious diseases have many of the same clinical characteristics. There are some differences in the disease process, severity, and imaging. COVID-19 have stronger infectivity than SARS, but its mortality is lower than SARS, and the pathological changes of the two are also different. The article also compared the experiences and lessons learned during the SARS epidemic, sorted out the loopholes and deficiencies in disease prevention and control during the COVID-19 epidemic, and made recommendations for the problems at the current stage, so as to provides the certain scientific basis for preventing and treating the two diseases, and their pathogenesis research. 摘要： 新型冠状病毒肺炎 (COVID-19) 与非典型肺炎 (严重急性呼吸综合征, SARS) 均是由冠状病毒引起的严重的 传染性疾病, 二者的发病原因至今仍不清楚且目前均无特效的治疗药物。因此, 了解 COVID-19 与 SARS 的流行病学及 病理病原学特征对其预防和治疗就显得尤为重要。本文通过回顾文献, 并结合国内外的最新研究现状, 从病原学、三 间分布和病理学等方面对 COVID-19 与 SARS 两种疾病进行了探讨。结果显示, 两种传染病在临床特征上存在很多相 同点, 但在疾病进程、严重程度和影像学上存在一定差异, COVID-19 的传染比 SARS 更强, 但其病死率低于 SARS, 并且 两者的病理改变也有所不同。本文还通过对比 SARS 流行时的经验与教训, 梳理了此次 COVID-19 疫情期间疾病防控 存在的漏洞与不足, 以及针对现阶段存在的问题提出建议, 从而为两种疾病的预防、治疗及发病机制研究提供一定的 科学依据。

Objective To understand Deyang people’s knowledge, behavior changes and psychological state during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and provide scientific basis for the government and individuals to take effective measures. Methods A total of 1 380 people in Jingyang District of Deyang City were investigated by online questionnaire. SPSS 23.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results People’s mode of acquiring relevant knowledge through traditional TV, radio and newspaper has changed to TV, Internet, WeChat, and Tik Tok. In addition to ventilation and panic buying mask and disinfectant, the general public has positive behavior for COVID-19 pandemic, especially those with higher education and higher education level. The differences are statistically significant (all P <0.01). In terms of people’s psychological state, those who feel fear and pessimism and disappointment have lower education background than those of high school and below; those who are worried about infection, worried about family health, depressed mood, irritable and angry have higher education background than those of high school and below, with statistical significance (all P <0.05). There are seven main reasons for residents′ fear, the proportion of college degree or above is higher than that of high school degree or below in fear reasons of strong infectivity, long incubation period and infectivity, increasing number of suspected cases, lack of medicines and protective substances (all P <0.05). Conclusion During the epidemic period, there are panic, anxiety, pessimism and other psychological states in Deyang people. It is very important to take targeted health education strategies and measures to effectively prevent and control the spread of disease, and pay attention to the prevention and control of psychological diseases caused by the epidemic. 摘要：目的 了解新型冠状病毒肺炎流行期间德阳市民众掌握相关知识的情况、行为变化及心理状态，为政府和 个体采取有效的措施提供科学依据。 方法 采用网上问卷的方式调查德阳地区民众 1 380 人，利用 SPSS 23.0 软件进行 统计分析。 结果 人们由传统的电视、广播、报纸等途径获得相关知识发展为以电视、网络、微信、抖音等获得；除了通 风及抢购口罩和消毒液以外，普遍大众都持积极行为表现，尤其是大专及以上文化程度者明显高于高中及以下文化程 度者，差异有统计学意义（ P <0.01）;人们心理状态方面：感到恐惧和悲观失望者大专及以上学历低于高中及以下学历； 担心传染、担心家人健康、心情压抑、易怒发脾气者大专及以上学历均高于高中及以下学历，差异有统计学意义（ P < 0.05）；居民产生恐惧心理的主要原因有 7 项，其中传染性强、潜伏期长且具传染性、疑似病例增多、药品及防护物质缺 乏等项目上大专及以上学历者所占比例均高于高中及以下学历者，差异有统计学意义（ P <0.05）。 结论 疫情期间，德 阳民众普遍存在恐慌、焦虑、悲观等心理状态，应采取有针对性的健康教育策略和措施，对有效预防控制疾病传播非常 重要，同时还要注重防止因疫情引起的心理疾病发生。

A Covid-19 não é um problema local, mas um grave desafio para saúde pública, que afeta diferentes continentes e tem sido objeto de ações governamentais de diferentes esferas no município de Garanhuns. Este estudo objetivou analisar a taxa de infectividade de Covid-19, no município de Garanhuns, através do número reprodutivo efetivo do novo coronavírus. O número reprodutivo efetivo é usado frequentemente em modelos epidemiológicos. Para isso, foi necessário a utilização do gráfico de incidência e de uma distribuição paramétrica que representou a probabilidade de casos sucessivos no tempo transcorrido. Para garantir a consistência da estimativa usamos estimativas consistentes para a média e desvio-padrão da distribuição. Simulamos os parâmetros de acordo com a mais recente literatura sobre o assunto, garantindo estimativas mais adequadas para projeção em nossas análises. Ressaltamos que adaptamos os parâmetros de acordo com a realidade que um paciente infectado em média leva para procurar atendimento hospitalar após apresentar os primeiros sintomas de Covid-19. Os resultados demonstram que, até a data analisada, as medidas não foram suficientes para reduzir, de forma eficaz, a infectividade a um valor que permita afirmar que não há mais a propagação da doença. O estudo permitiu compreender a evolução da pandemia e a eficácia deas medidas públicas.

In the present study, a live attenuated Newcastle Disease (ND) vaccine of I-2strain was produced locally. the master seed I-2 virus was first supplied by the Department of Veterinary Pathology of the University of Queensland, Australia, which then handed over by the Department of Veterinary Virology of the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) Sudan. A 11 days old embryonated chicken eggs with a minimal risk of vertical transmission were used for the virus propagation. The ND I-2 Master Seed Lot ( MSL) was prepared in aliquots and stored in a liquid form at -20⁰C. The Working Seed Lot (WSL) was prepared from the MSL and stored in a freeze dried form. The WSL then complied with the main quality tests of identity,safety, immunogenicity, efficacy, microbial contamination, thermostability and the infectivity titer tests.The virulence of the WSL was estimated via intracerepral pathogenicity index test (ICPI), the ICPI was 0.125 and the vaccine was proved to be safe in day old chicks.The immunogenicity measured by mean of ELISA. The GMT titer for the post vaccination serum was statistically significant than the pre vaccinated serum(P=0.001) paired sample t.test.The efficacy against a vvND virus, (ICPI 1.97) was 89% and the WSL was proved to be free from any detectable contaminant microorganisms. The temperature sensitivity for vaccine potency had been determined at different temperature levels and at Fluctuating Room Temperature (FRT). The titer decreased only by 0.2, 4.5 and 4.6 logs at temperatures -20⁰C, 37⁰C and 56⁰C respectively, while in the FRT decreased by 7.53 logs. The virus titer of WSL on the embryonated chickens, eggs was 9.1 EID50/ml.

To date, little is known about viral dynamics during COVID-19 infection and how they relate to the clinical course and infectivity of patients. Two

A recent epidemic of pneumonia cases in Wuhan China was caused by a novel coronavirus with strong infectivity, the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The article provides the pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) methods in the principle of 4S (simple, safe, satisfy, save) for patients with pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus, shows how to establish a ventilative and convectional PR environment to prevent the spread of virus through droplets, how to guide the patients to carry out PR, how to carry out respiratory muscle training, effective cough, expectoration, sneeze, general exercise, digestive function rehabilitation and psychological rehabilitation, and how to clean and disinfect the PR environment.

Infectivity by nematode–bacteria association on the potato weevil Phyrdenus muriceus

To determine the pattern of blood stream infections and their antibiotic susceptibility profile with infectivity predictors in a neonatal setting. The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from December 1, 2016,to April 30, 2018, and comprised blood culture samples received in Bactec/BactAlert paediatric bottles from neonates aged 0-30 days admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit. The samples were processed as per the standard guidelines. Antibiotic susceptibility was checked as per guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Institute. VITEK 2 system was used for rapid identification and minimum inhibitory concentrations of the drugs. SPSS 24 was used for data analysis. Out of 640 samples, 172(27%) were culture-positive. Among them, 98(57%) were gramnegative rods, 50(29%) gram-positive cocci and 24(14%) were fungi. Of the 172 pathogens identified, Klebsiella pneumoniae was 39(22.7%) followed by Candida species 24(14%) and methicillin-resistant Coagulase-negative staphylococci 20(11.6%). Of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, 26(58%) were extended spectrum -lactamase producers. Among Acinetobacterbaumanii, 11(58%) were extensively drug resistant and Carbapenem-resistant strains were 20(91%). Also, 4(8%) isolates of Enterococcus faecium were vancomycin-resistant. Majority of the isolates causing blood stream infections in neonatal intensive care unit were multi drug resistant, posing a therapeutic challenge for the neo natologists .

Penicillium and Aspergillus are common pathogenic fungi of grapes, that occur frequently on withered berries used in the Italian passito wine production. Members of these genera isolated from withered grapes were identified using molecular and morphological approaches. The isolates were examined by amplification of internal transcribed spacer region, β-tubulin, calmodulin and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit. Penicillium bilaiae, Aspergillus pallidofulvus and A. puulaauensis are reported for the first time from Vitis vinifera. Two Penicillium isolates showed a distinct phylogenetic position and different morphological characteristics from P. bissettii and P. vasconiae, the two most closely related species. These isolates are assigned to the new species Penicillium fructuariae-cellae, that is here described. An in vitro pathogenicity assay was carried out to evaluate the infectivity to grape berries by Penicillium and Aspergillus isolates recovered in this study. All examined isolates colonized the berries when artificially inoculated, but to a lesser extent than Botrytis cinerea. This suggests that these fungi may contribute, with other pathogenic species, to the onset of post-harvest diseases of grapes.

Objective To certify that Chlamydia can spread from the genital tract to the gastrointestinal tract for long-lasting colonization. Methods Totally, 120 female C57BL/6J mice aged 5 - 6 weeks were divided into 4 experimental groups to be inoculated with purified Chlamydia muridarum (C. muridarum) elementary bodies in the vagina (n = 35) , gastric area (n = 30) , anus and rectum (n = 30) , retro-orbital venous plexus (n = 5) respectively. Moreover, corresponding negative groups inoculated with sucrose phosphate glutamate buffer (n = 5) were set up for each experimental group. On days 3, 7, and every 7 days, vaginal and rectal discharges were collected with swabs from the mice, and the number of live C. muridarum orgnisms in exfoliated cells infected with C. muridarum in the swabs was determined. Indirect immunofluorescence assay and quantitative PCR (qPCR) were performed to determine the number of live chlamydial organisms and the copy number of chlamydial genomes in the mouse genital tract (vagina, uterus, oviduct and ovary) , gastrointestinal tract (stomach, small intestine, cecum, colon, rectum) and parenteral tissues (heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney) on days 7, 14, 28, 56 and 105 after the inoculation. The number of live chlamydial organisms and copy number of chlamydial genomes were transformed logarithmically with a base of 10. The degree of hydrosalpinx and inflammation in the genital tract, and histopathological changes of the gastrointestinal tract were observed. The infectivity and virulence of C. muridarum in the genital tract and gastrointestinal tract were evaluated in the intragastric inoculation group and intra-anal and intrarectal inoculation group on days 28 and 56 after the inoculation. Blood samples were obtained from the mouse caudal vein in the retro-orbital venous plexus inoculation group on days 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 after the inoculation, the number of live chlamydial organisms and the copy number of chlamydial genomes in the blood samples were determined, and chlamydial infectivity in the genital tract and gastrointestinal tract was evaluated on day 56. Results On day 7 after the inoculation in the vagina, both C. muridarum live organisms and genomes were detected in the genital tract, gastrointestinal tract and parenteral tissues of all the mice. The largest common logarithm of the number of C. muridarum inclusion forming units (IFU) was observed in the vagina (6.26 ± 0.56) , with the common logarithm of the copy number of chlamydial genomes in the vagina being 7.30 ± 0.23, and the common logarithms of the number of Chlamydia IFU and genomic copy were 2.60 ± 1.95 and 4.87 ± 0.09 respectively in the rectum. On day 28, no live Chlamydia was detected in the heart, lung or other parenteral tissues, while live Chlamydia could be found in the genital tract and gastrointestinal tract. The common logarithms of the number of Chlamydia IFU and genomic copy were 3.47 ± 1.06 and 5.80 ± 1.49 respectively in the vagina, and 4.00 ± 0.35 and 5.14 ± 0.81 respectively in the rectum. On day 56, live Chlamydia could only be detected in the gastrointestinal tract. On day 105, live Chlamydia and its genomes could be still detected in the gastrointestinal tract, and the common logarithms of the number of Chlamydia IFU and genomic copy could be up to 2.60 ± 0.65 and 4.29 ± 0.57 respectively in the rectum. On days 28 and 56 after the inoculation, both live Chlamydia and its genomes could be detected in the gastrointestinal tract of all the mice in the intragastric inoculation group and intra-anal and intrarectal inoculation group. Chlamydia could survive in the blood for about 14 days in the retro-orbital venous plexus inoculation group, and live Chlamydia was detected in anal-rectal swabs in all the mice on day 14. On day 56 after the intravaginal inoculation with C. muridarum, severe hydrosalpinx, chronic inflammation and oviduct dilation occurred in the genital tract of 5 mice, but there was no obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells in the gastrointestinal tract, and inflammatory pathological changes were not observed in the gastrointestinal tract of mice after inoculation with Chlamydia through other routes either. Conclusion The infection with Chlamydia in the genital tract can lead to systemic dissemination, and Chlamydia can be spread to the gastrointestinal tract, and colonize and survive in the gastrointestinal tract for a long time. Key words: Chlamydia infections; Chlamydia trachomatis; Chlamydia muridarum; Gastrointestinal tract; Reproductive tract infections; Colonization

Objective Human milk of mothers with positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) contains hepatitis B virus (HBV). However, breastfeeding does not increase the risk of mother-to-infant transmission of HBV. Previous investigations demonstrated that breast milk has a property of binding with HBsAg. This study aimed to identify the component in human milk that can bind to HBsAg. Methods This study was performed in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, from June 2015 to February 2017. Human milk samples from two postpartum women with negative HBV markers and two control samples of cow milk and goat milk were analyzed by Far-Western blot, in which highly purified recombinant yeast HBsAg was used to bind with whey proteins. Based on the results of mass-spectrum analysis, competition inhibition test was used to confirm the functioning component. Results Far-Western blot showed remarkable protein bands at the relative molecular weight of about 80 000 in both lanes of human milk, but none in the lane of cow or goat milk. Mass-spectrum analysis of the protein band indicated there were proteins sharing 28.4%-93.4% homology in amino acid sequences with five proteins with the highest homology to lactoferrin (93.4%). Further Far-Western blot with purified recombinant lactoferrin showed that lactoferrin could bind to the recombinant HBsAg. Competition inhibition test suggested that the purified recombinant lactoferrin inhibited the binding of HBsAg to its antibody in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions This study confirms the capability of lactoferrin in human milk to combine with HBsAg, suggesting that lactoferrin can bind to HBV. Further study on whether lactoferrin can inhibit the infectivity of HBV would be valuable to clarify the reason for not increasing the risk of mother-to-infant transmission of HBV by breastfeeding. Key words: Milk, human; Lactoferrin; Hepatitis B surface antigens

Objective To analyze the genetic characteristics of VP1-VP4 genes carried by coxsackievirus A6 (CVA6) strains isolated from severe cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in Shenzhen during 2012 to 2015. Methods The VP1-VP4 genes of CVA6 strains isolated from severe HFMD cases in Shenzhen during 2012 to 2015 were amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to analyze the VP1-VP4 genes of CVA6 isolates and sequences downloaded from GenBank by using DNASTAR6.0 and MEGA6.02 software packages. Results Four cases of severe HFMD were caused by CVA6 in Shenzhen during 2012 to 2015. All of the patients had the symptom of fever, skin rash and aseptic encephalitis. The CVA6 strain causing severe HFMD in 2013 shared 98.8%-98.9% homology in nucleotide sequences and 99.3%-99.8% in amino acid sequences with the strains isolated in 2012. Two amino acid mutations were found in the CVA6 strain isolated in 2013, which were G73E in VP2 region and S13G in VP1 region. However, the CVA6 strain isolated in 2015 only shared 95.0% homology in nucleotide sequences and 99.3% homology in amino acid sequences with the strain isolated in 2013. Six amino acid mutations were identified including E73G in VP2 region and T5A, S27N, A30V, N137S and V242I in VP1 region. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the four CVA6 strains belong to D3 sub-genotype. The CVA6 strains causing severe cases in 2012 had the nearest genetic relationship with the strain isolated in Changsha in 2012 (KJ156349). The CVA6 strain isolated in Shenzhen in 2013 had the nearest genetic relationship with the strain isolated in Shanghai in 2013 (KJ612513). The Shenzhen CVA6 isolate in 2015 showed high similarity to Weifang CVA6 isolate in 2014 (KX752785). Conclusions All CVA6 strains causing severe HFMD cases in Shenzhen during 2012 to 2015 belongs to D3 sub-genotype. Mutations of S27N and A30V in the VP1 region of the CVA6 isolate in 2015 are located in the B cell epitopes. In addition, the VP1-V242I mutation in the CVA6 strain isolated in 2015 is located in the binding site of PSGL-1 receptor. These mutations may affect the binding of CVA6 strains to the cellular receptors and their infectivity to people. Key words: Hand, foot, and mouth disease; Coxsackievirus A6; Severe case; Genotype; Mutation

Influenza virus, as the root cause of public health problems, is mainly transmitted by aerosols with high infectivity and high mortality, which seriously endangers human health.Moreover, influenza viruses mutate rapidly, and existing drugs are constantly appearing resistant, it is urgent to develop new anti-influenza drugs.Now, the anti-influenza drugs with different targets from the 2 aspects of viral targets and host targets are introduces, and focus on the research progress of new anti-influenza drugs. Key words: Influenza virus; Anti-influenza drug; Viral target; Host target

In these exploratory experiments, entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi were investigated for the management of the populations of postharvest insect pests. Nematodes were screened for pathogenicity to Plodia interpunctella (Hubner), while nematodes and fungi were investigated for virulence to the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky). Adults and larvae of P. interpunctellea were screened for susceptibility to the following six nematodes: Heterorhabitis bacteriophora Poinar (HP88, Lewiston and Oswego strains); H. indica Poinar, Karunakar and David (Homl strain); H. marelatus Liu and Berry (Point Reyes strain); H. megidis Poinar, Jackson, and Klein (UK211 strain); and H. zealandica Poinar (NZH3 strain). The nematodes that had the highest virulence to larvae and adults of P. interpunctellea were H. indica, H. megidis, and H. marelatus. Six strains of nematodes were studied, namely H. bacteriophora, H. indica, H. georgiana (K22), Steinernema feltiae SN and S. carpocapsae. All strains of fungi, Beauveria bassiana (GHA) and Metarhizium brunneum (F52) were evaluated for infectivity to adults of S. zeamais. The two strains of Steinernematidae nematodes and a strain of fungus, B. bassiana were found to cause significant mortality of the weevils compared to the rest of the entomopathogens and the control. To demonstrate the practical application of entomopathogens, wettable dust of B. bassiana were dispensed on jute bags after which weevils were exposed to the treated surfaces for 30 min. The exposed weevils recorded between 90 to 100% mortality 14-d after exposure. Additional study demonstrated that the parasitoid, Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) could be integrated with entomopathogenic nematodes. These experiments demonstrate the potential usefulness of entomopathogens in the management of stored product Lepidopteran and Coleopteran pests.

Objectives To study the effect of sublethal concentrations (LC50) of methanol extracts from Solanum nigrum and Callistemon citrinus leaves on the infectivity of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae by an in-vivo study. Background The high cost of synthetic molluscicides and their negative impacts on the environment necessitated search for an alternative approach by using plant extracts for the control of schistosomiasis. Using molluscicides could be more effective if these agents also possess cercaricidal activity. Materials and methods Methanol extracts of S. nigrum and C. citrinus leaves were prepared and their LC50on S. mansoni cercariae were determined. The experimental mice used in this study were divided into three groups. Group I including mice infected with S. mansoni cercariae preexposed to S. nigrum. Group II included mice infected with S. mansoni cercariae preexposed to C. citirnus. Group III included mice infected with nonexposed S. mansoni cercariae (control group). The attenuating effect of the plants on cercariae was evaluated through different parameters including parasitological, histopathological, and scanning electron microscopic examinations. Results LC50of S. nigrum and C. citrinus methanol extracts were 25 and 40 mg/l, respectively. Parasitological results showed a significant reduction in worm burden, mean number of ova per gram tissue in mice of group I and group II in comparison with those of group III (control group). These results were associated with decrease in the size and number of hepatic granulomas. All these obtained results were more significant with S. nigrum than C. citrinus. Obvious tegmental damages were also detected by scanning electron microscopic in both groups (I and II). Conclusion Methanol extracts of both S. nigrum and C. citrinus leaves exhibited cercariicidal activity but S. nigrum was found to be more potent. This study provides a considerable scope in exploiting local indigenous resources for schistosomiasis control.

Effective influenza treatment should help individual patients recover more quickly and limit their infectivity, thus reducing the size of local

Objective To investigate the infectivity of serum and vaginal fluid in early cases and late latent cases of syphilis. Methods From January 2015 to December 2015, sixty-eight female patients with latent syphilis were enrolled in the outpatient clinic of Ningbo Women and Children′s Hospital, including 38 early cases and 30 late cases. Tolulized red unheated serum test (TRUST) was detected by using kits and Treponema Pallidum DNA (TP-DNA) was detected by polymerase chain reaction. TP-DNA levels in serum and vaginal fluid were compared before and after benzathine penicillin treatment in patients with early and late latent syphilis. Chi square test was performed for count data analysis. Results TRUST negative conversion cases in early latent syphilis after 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment were 11 (28.9%), 16 (42.1%) and 27 (71.0%), respectively. TRUST negative conversion cases in late latent syphilis after 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment were 6 (20.0%), 12 (40.0%) and 14 (46.7%), respectively. There were no statistical differences in TRUST negative conversion rates after 3 months and 6 months after treatment between early cases and late cases (χ2=0.716 and 0.031, respectively, both P>0.05), while those after 12 months of treatment between early cases and late cases were statistical different (χ2=4.164, P 0.05). The serum TP-DNA positive cases in early syphilis before and after 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment were 18 (47.3%), 4 (10.5%), 5 (13.2%) and 5 (13.2%), respectively, with statistical difference (χ2=21.217, P 0.05). The serum TP-DNA positive cases in late syphilis before and after 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment were 8 (26.7%), 1 (3.3%), 1 (3.3%) and 1 (3.3%), respectively, with statistical difference (χ2=14.712, P<0.05). Conclusions Standard treatment can reduce the level of TP in serum and vaginal fluid of latent syphilis women and improve the negative conversion rate of TRUST. Late latent syphilis is easier to create sero-resistance than early cases. The early cases have stronger infectivity than late cases before standard treatment. Key words: Syphilis, latent; DNA; Treponema pallidum