The complete chloroplast genome of Lilium nepalense (Liliaceae)

Lilium nepalense is a useful plant species not only for its showy flowers but also has high medicinal value. In this study, the whole chloroplast genome of L. nepalense was sequenced for the first time. The genome size of L. nepalense, was 152,956bp, with typical tetragonal structure: one large single copy (82,573 bp), one small single copy (17,527 bp), and a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRs, 26,428 bp). The overall GC content was 37.0%. The complete genome contained 131 genes, including 85 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that L. nepalense was a close relationship between L. leucanthum and L. henryi. Phylogenetic analysis placed L. nepalense under the family Liliaceae

Synthesis, potential anticonvulsant and antidepressant effects of 2-(5-methyl-2,3-dioxoindolin-1-yl)acetamide derivatives

A new series of 2-(5-methyl-2,3-dioxoindolin-1-yl)acetamide derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their anticonvulsive activity in a pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-evoked convulsion model and antidepressant activity in the forced swimming test (FST) model. Eleven synthesized compounds were found to be protective against PTZ-induced seizure and showed the anticonvulsant activity. In addition, four of the synthesized compounds (4l, 4m, 4p and 4q) showed potent antidepressant-like activity. Among these compounds, compound 4l was found to have the most potent antidepressant-like activity, and significantly reduced the duration of immobility time at 100 mg/kg dose level when compared to the vehicle control, which is similar to the reference drug fluoxetine

Risk of imported Ebola virus disease in China

© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. Background More than 600,000 annual arrivals from Africa, 1.4 billion population and developing health care systems render China at non-negligible risk of imported Ebola virus disease (EVD). Method According to the natural history of EVD, we constructed a deterministic SEIR model. Three published EVD outbreaks in Africa were enrolled to calculate the basic reproduction number (R0) of EVD. Scenarios representing unreported and reported (with n weeks delay) imported EVD in China were simulated to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions assumed to be implemented in different periods of the outbreaks. Results Based on previous Africa outbreak incidence datasets, our mathematical model predicted the basic reproduction number of EVD in the range of 1.53-3.54. Adopting EVD prevalence at 0.04-0.16% from the same datasets and estimated missing information and monitoring rates at 1-10%, a total of 6-194 imported cases were predicted. Be a single case left unidentified/unreported, total attack rate was predicted to reach 60.19%-96.74%. Curve fitting results showed that earlier intervention benefits in exponential and linear decrease in prevalence and duration of outbreak respectively. Conclusion Based on past outbreak experience in China, there is a need to implement an internet-based surveillance and monitoring system in order to reinforce health policy, track suspected cases and protect the general public by timely interventions.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex

The Effectiveness of Age-Specific Isolation Policies on Epidemics of Influenza A (H1N1) in a Large City in Central South China

<div><p>During the early stage of a pandemic, isolation is the most effective means of controlling transmission. However, the effectiveness of age-specific isolation policies is not clear; especially little information is available concerning their effectiveness in China. Epidemiological and serological survey data in the city of Changsha were employed to estimate key model parameters. The average infectious period (date of recovery – date of symptom onset) of influenza A (H1N1) was 5.2 days. Of all infected persons, 45.93% were asymptomatic. The basic reproduction number of the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic was 1.82. Based on the natural history of influenza A (H1N1), we built an extended susceptible-exposed-infectious/asymptomatic-removed model, taking age groups: 0–5, 6–14, 15–24, 25–59, and ≥60 years into consideration for isolation. Without interventions, the total attack rates (TARs) in each age group were 42.73%, 41.95%, 20.51%, 45.03%, and 37.49%, respectively. Although the isolation of 25–59 years-old persons was the most effective, the TAR of individuals of aged 0–5 and 6–14 could not be reduced. Paradoxically, isolating individuals ≥60 year olds was not predicted to be an effective way of reducing the TAR in this group but isolating the age-group 25–59 did, which implies inter-age-group transmission from the latter to the former is significant. Isolating multiple age groups increased effectiveness. The most effective combined isolation target groups were of 6–14 + 25–59 year olds, 6–14 + 15–24 + 25–59 year olds, and 0–5 + 6–14 + 25–59 + ≥60 year olds. The last of these isolation schemas reduced the TAR of the total population from 39.64% to 0.006%, which was exceptionally close to the effectiveness of isolating all five age groups (TAR = 0.004%).</p></div

Effectiveness of different combinations of age-group specific isolation.

<p>Effectiveness of different combinations of age-group specific isolation.</p

Natural history of influenza A (H1N1).

<p>Natural history of influenza A (H1N1).</p

Transmission rate <i>β</i> among different age groups when <i>R</i>₀ = 1.82.

<p>Transmission rate <i>β</i> among different age groups when <i>R</i>₀ = 1.82.</p

Parameter definitions and values.

<p>Parameter definitions and values.</p

Model simulations.

<p>(A) A typical large simulated influenza epidemic with no intervention and <i>R</i>₀ = 1.82. Also shown are the main intervention initiation times that were considered and the number of cases at those intervention times. (B) A typical simulated influenza epidemic which is contained using 100% case isolation initiated 38 days after the first case, when <i>R</i>₀ = 1.82.</p

Value of parameter <i>p</i> in different age groups.

<p>Value of parameter <i>p</i> in different age groups.</p