Zhongtang Zhao

Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Sheng, China

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Publications (13)24.83 Total impact

  • Article: [Study on the molecular epidemiological characteristics of norovirus in acute gastroenteritis of Beijing].
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    ABSTRACT: To study the prevalence, genotypes and molecular characteristics of norovirus (NoV) in acute gastroenteritis. RT-PCR was used to determine the molecular epidemiology of NoV. Out of 685 samples, 66 positive specimens were identified and the prevalence was 9.6% (66/685), 9.9% in males and 9.4% in females, respectively, with no significant difference. The prevalence rates showed no differences between age groups or between inpatients and outpatients. NoV gastroenteritis did not present any seasonal distribution. 43 out of the 66 specimens were classified, with 10 (22.7%) belonged to GI including 2 GI.3, 1 GI.4, 4 GI.5 and 3 GI.7. Other 33 (77.3%) belonged to GII genogroup, including GII.4 accounted for 60.6% (20/33) and followed by 7 GII.12, 2 GII.6, 1 GII.2, 1 GII.3, 1 GII.5. Six specimens mixed with GI and GII and 3 specimens were classified as GI.3/GII.7, GI.5/GII.5 and GI.4/GII.4. The main symptoms of acute gastroenteritis were abdominal pain, nausea, vomit and fever. There were many genotypes identified in our study and the main genotypes were GII.4/2006a and 2006b. GI and GII could be coinfected with each other.
    Zhonghua liu xing bing xue za zhi = Zhonghua liuxingbingxue zazhi 03/2013; 34(3):263-6.
  • Article: The complete genome sequence of an enterovirus 76 isolate in China reveals a recombination event.
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    ABSTRACT: Enterovirus 76 (EV76) is a new member of species Human Enterovirus A (HEV-A). So far, the only complete genome sequence of the prototype strain from France has been available. In this study, we determined the complete nucleotide sequence of strain 04360, isolated from an acute flaccid paralysis patient in Shandong province, China in 2004. Sequence analysis revealed 80.7-94.7% VP1 nucleotide identity to other EV76 strains and provided evidence of recombination with other types of HEV-A in the P2 and P3 coding regions.
    Archives of Virology 07/2011; 156(9):1685-9. · 2.11 Impact Factor
  • Article: Organism diversity between women with and without bacterial vaginosis as determined by polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and 16S rRNA gene sequence.
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    ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to characterize the different structures of microbial communities between 20 healthy women and 17 bacterial vaginosis (BV)-positive women of reproductive age using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Vaginal samples from 17 BV-positive and 20 BV-negative women were subjected to DNA extraction, and amplified with eubacterial 16S rRNA gene-specific primers via polymerase chain reaction. The polymerase chain reaction products were separated using DGGE. Bands were excised, re-amplified, purified and sequenced. DNA sequences were compared with GenBank database. Phylip software packages were used to calculate sequencing data and form a phylogenetic tree to identify the genetic relations for microbiota inhabited in vaginal ecosystems of BV-positive women. In total, 28 kinds of organisms were detected that comprised BV(+) vagina microbial community, varying from three to nine kinds with an average of 5.71 kinds per woman. Only seven species were detected in BV(-) women, ranging between one and five species with an average of 2.40 species per woman, which was significantly lower than that detected in BV(+) women (t = 7.39, P < 0.001). A strain of Uncultured Lactobacillus sp. clone EHFS1_S05c (29/37; 78.38%) was most commonly presented in both BV-negative and BV-positive women, but the mean proportion of this Lactobacillus sp. strain to the whole microbial population colonized in the vaginal tract of BV(-) women was sharply higher than that calculated from BV(+) women (t = 2.92, P < 0.01). The findings indicate further diversity in the category of vaginal microorganisms associated with BV. The presence of Gardnerella vaginalis is not necessary as a sign for gynecologists to determine whether or not a woman is affected by BV.
    Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research 06/2011; 37(10):1438-46. · 0.94 Impact Factor
  • Article: The complete genome analysis of two enterovirus 96 strains isolated in China in 2005 and 2009.
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    ABSTRACT: Enterovirus 96 (EV96) is a new member of species Human Enterovirus C (HEV-C). In this report, genomic characterization of two EV96 strains isolated from acute flaccid paralysis surveillance in Shandong province of China in 2005 and 2009 is described. The two strains, designated 05517 and 09228C1, had 82.7% genomic similarity with each other and 75.1-84.2% with other three strains available from GenBank in complete genome sequences. In VP1 coding region, they had 77.6-86.6% nucleotide similarity with other EV96 strains. Interestingly, deletions of 3 nucleotides in the VP3 coding region of strain 09228C1, and of 3 nucleotides in the 3A region of both Shandong strains were observed. Simplot and bootscanning analysis on HEV-C genome sequences were performed, and evidence of recombination in P3 region for Shandong EV96 strains was found. In conclusion, these strains had distant genetic relationship with each other and with other EV96 strains.
    Virus Genes 02/2011; 42(3):323-30. · 1.85 Impact Factor
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    Article: Clinical characteristics of the autumn-winter type scrub typhus cases in south of Shandong province, northern China.
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    ABSTRACT: Before 1986, scrub typhus was only found endemic in southern China. Because human infections typically occur in the summer, it is called "summer type". During the autumn-winter period of 1986, a new type of scrub typhus was identified in Shandong and northern Jiangsu province of northern China. This newly recognized scrub typhus was subsequently reported in many areas of northern China and was then called "autumn-winter type". However, clinical characteristics of associated cases have not been reported. From 1995 to 2006, all suspected scrub typhus cases in five township hospitals of Feixian county, Shandong province were enrolled. Indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA) was used as confirmatory serodiagnosis test. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) connected with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequence analyses were used for genotyping of O. tsutsugamushi DNAs. Clinical symptoms and demography of confirmed cases were analyzed. A total of 480 scrub typhus cases were confirmed. The cases occurred every year exclusively between September and December with a peak occurrence in October. The case numbers were relatively higher in 1995, 1996, 1997, and 2000 than in other years. 57.9% of cases were in the group aged 21-50. More cases occurred in male (56%) than in female (44%). The predominant occupational group of the cases was farmers (85.0%). Farm work was reported the primary exposure to infection in 67.7% of cases. Fever, rash, and eschar were observed in 100.0%, 90.4%, and 88.5% of cases, respectively. Eschars formed frequently on or around umbilicus, abdomen areas, and front and back of waist (34.1%) in both genders. Normal results were observed in 88.7% (WBC counts), 84.5% (PLT counts), and 89.7% (RBC counts) of cases, respectively. Observations from the five hospitals were compared and no significant differences were found. The autumn-winter type scrub typhus in northern China occurred exclusively from September to December with a peak occurrence in October, which was different from the summer type in southern China. In comparison with the summer type, complications associated with autumn-winter type scrub typhus were less severe, and abnormalities of routine hematological parameters were less obvious.
    BMC Infectious Diseases 07/2009; 9:82. · 3.12 Impact Factor
  • Article: Electron-microscopic observation of mouse spleen tissue infected with Orientia tsutsugamushi isolated from Shandong, China.
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    ABSTRACT: Low-virulent Orientia tsutsugamushi (Ot) were successfully isolated from scrub typhus patients in Shandong, China, and the isolates were similar to the Kawasaki type identified by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To identify the morphological characterization of the low-virulent Ot, and elucidate the pathological changes on host cells, mouse spleen tissue infected with the Ot isolated from Shandong was used for the ultrastructural study. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the Ot parasitized in the spleen were different in size, shape and electron density and many significant changes occurred in cytoplasmic organelles of the inoculated mouse spleen cells. Swollen perinuclear cisterna was observed in the nuclear membranes of mononuclear cells and a multivesicular body was found in the intracytoplasm of the macrophage. In the phagosome of the macrophage, many Ot enveloped with an additional membrane were found to push the phagosomal membrane outward from inside. The results indicated that the low-virulent Ot and the spleen cells suffered various damages.
    Journal of electron microscopy 11/2008; 57(5):169-74. · 1.31 Impact Factor
  • Article: Sleep patterns and problems among chinese adolescents.
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    ABSTRACT: Little is known about sleep patterns and problems in Chinese adolescents. This study was designed to examine sleep/wake patterns and problems and their associations with parent sleep among adolescents in China. This report represents part of an epidemiological study of sleep and health in 6 high schools in Jinan city, China. A total of 1056 adolescents and 838 parents completed a questionnaire in March or April 2005. Participants consisted of 625 boys and 441 girls, 557 seventh-graders (mean age: 13.5 +/- 0.6 years) and 509 tenth-graders (mean age: 16.4 +/- 0.7 years), and 603 mothers and 235 fathers. Adolescents and parents reported their own sleep/wake patterns and problems. Average morning rising time (5:56 am vs 8:13 am) and sleep duration (7.5 hours vs 9.4 hours) differed significantly between weekdays and weekends. Compared with seventh-graders, 10th-graders went to bed later and awoke earlier, resulting in approximately 1 hour of sleep less. Of the adolescents, 18.8% reported their sleep quality as poor, 26.2% were not satisfied with their sleep, 16.1% had insomnia, and 17.9% had daytime sleepiness. Significant but low adolescent-parent correlations were observed for sleep/wake patterns and perceived sleep quality. Difficulty initiating sleep in adolescents was significantly associated with history of insomnia in mothers and fathers. Sleep insufficiency, insomnia, and daytime sleepiness are prevalent in Chinese adolescents. Sleep insufficiency on weekdays may be attributable to earlier morning rising to meet school schedules. Parental history of insomnia is associated with elevated risk for insomnia symptoms in adolescent offspring, although adolescent-parent correlations in sleep/wake patterns are relatively low.
    PEDIATRICS 06/2008; 121(6):1165-73. · 4.47 Impact Factor
  • Article: Suicidality and correlates among rural adolescents of China.
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    ABSTRACT: Despite high rates of suicide in rural youths of China, little is known about the epidemiological characteristics of suicidal behaviors among this group of population. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of suicidality among Chinese adolescents. An epidemiological survey was conducted in a sample of 1,362 adolescents from 5 high schools in a prefecture of Shandong, China. We obtained data using a structured questionnaire asking about suicidal behaviors, life stress, locus of control, depression, aggression, and individual and family characteristics. Data were analyzed using logistic regression models. Overall, 19% of the sample reported having suicidal ideation, and 7% reported having made a suicide attempt during the past 6 months. The prevalence rates of suicidal behaviors significantly increased over age. Female adolescents were more likely to report suicidal ideation than males, and older females (ages 16-18) were more likely to report suicide attempts than older males. Multivariate logistic regression models showed that female gender, older age, boarding in school, life stress, depression, and external locus of control were significantly associated with increased risk for suicidal ideation, while older age, life stress, external locus of control, poor academic performance, depression, and aggression were related to suicide attempts. Suicidal behaviors are common problems in rural adolescents of China. Female adolescents are particularly prone to report suicidal ideation and suicide attempts as they age. Multiple psychosocial factors are associated with suicidal behaviors, and psychopathology and life stress may play major roles in suicidal behaviors among rural adolescents of China.
    Journal of Adolescent Health 01/2006; 37(6):443-51. · 3.33 Impact Factor
  • Article: Psychopathology associated with suicide attempts among rural adolescents of China.
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    ABSTRACT: This case control study examined the relationship between psychopathological profiles and self-reported suicide attempts among rural adolescents of China. Cases consisted of 142 adolescents who reported a suicide attempt in the past 6 months in a questionnaire survey (n=1365). An equal number of adolescents without reporting a suicide attempt, matched on age, gender, and school class, were selected from the same survey sample as controls. The Youth Self Report (YSR) was used to assess psychopathological profiles for suicide attempters and matched controls. Results indicated that 73% of suicide attempters had at least one behavioral/emotional syndrome, significantly higher than in controls (30%). Logistic regression analyses showed that anxiety/depression (OR = 3.68) and aggression (OR = 5.02) were each significantly associated with increased risk of suicide attempts after controlling for other behavioral problems. These findings demonstrated the independent contribution of anxiety/depression and aggression to suicide attempts in Chinese adolescents.
    Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior 07/2005; 35(3):265-76. · 1.33 Impact Factor
  • Article: Incidence rates and risk factors for injury events in high school students in Lijin County, China.
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    ABSTRACT: Most investigations of injuries among Chinese populations are focused on urban or better developed areas, fewer on rural or poor areas. From September 21 to 27, 2002, an epidemiological investigation of eight kinds of injury-related events was carried out among 1,944 students in 39 classes randomly sampled from middle schools in Lijin County, a rural area. The eight kinds of events were: (a) traffic accidents, (b) poisoning, (c) fall, (d) burn or scald, (e) blunt or sharp tools contact, (f) electrical contact, (g) animal or insect bites, and (h) non-fatal drowning. The total incidence rate of eight kinds of injuries in the previous year was 21.1%. The incidence rate among boys was 24.2%, while that among girls was 17.4%, which was significant (chi-square=13.4, P<0.05). The incidence rate among junior high school students was 23.1%, while that among senior high school students was 15.5%, which was also significant (chi-square=13.2, P<0.05). A case-control study of 410 students with at least one of eight kinds of injury events indicated that students' gender and their mothers' health status were related to their injuries. The injury incidence rate in a rural area was less than other results in urban or developed areas. Students' gender and mothers' health status were important factors associated with the occurrence of injury. In order to improve the surroundings of the growing population of adolescents, some preventive measures should be put forward, especially to the high-risk students of injury.
    Journal of Safety Research 02/2005; 36(2):133-7. · 1.29 Impact Factor
  • Article: Coping strategies and behavioral/emotional problems among Chinese adolescents.
    Xianchen Liu, Jenn-Yun Tein, Zhongtang Zhao
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    ABSTRACT: This study was carried out to describe strategies used to cope with stress and to explore the association between coping strategies and behavioral/emotional problems in a community sample of adolescents from Mainland China. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire incorporating the Chinese Trait Coping Style Questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Youth Self-Report of Child Behavior Checklist, and a number of demographic questions. Results indicated that Chinese adolescents often used multiple coping strategies when faced with stress. Principal factor analysis followed by oblique rotation revealed two dimensions of coping strategies in Chinese adolescents: active coping and avoidant coping. A series of logistic regression analyses showed that avoidant coping was significantly associated with increased risk for internalizing and externalizing problems, but active coping was associated with reduced risk, after adjustment for child's age and sex and father's occupation. These findings provide evidence of the association between coping and mental health problems in Chinese adolescents.
    Psychiatry Research 06/2004; 126(3):275-85. · 2.52 Impact Factor
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    Article: Epidemiological studies on host animals of scrub typhus of the autumn-winter type in Shandong Province, China.
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    ABSTRACT: In order to elucidate the host animals of scrub typhus in Shandong Province, epidemiological studies on host rodents of the autumn-winter type scrub typhus were carried out from 1995 to 2002 at four localities in the Shandong Province. Based upon ecological observations of the composition, seasonal fluctuation of animal hosts, isolation of Orientia tsutsugamushi, detection and identification of serotypes of antibodies to O. tsutsugamushi were conducted. Two thousand eight hundred and eighty-four rodents and insectivores were captured, including 2,055 Apodemus agrarius (71.26%), 408 Cricetulus triton (14.15%), 64 C. barabensis (2.22%), 12 Crocidura suaveolens (0.42%), 313 Rattus (R.) norvegicus (10.85%), 32 Mus (M.) musculus (1.11%). A. agrarius was predominant in the field and the seasonal fluctuation was correlated significantly to that of scrub typhus (r=0.810, p<0.005). R. norvegicus was predominant indoors. The average capture rate per year in the field was 12.76% from 1995 to 1997. Of the total 2,884 rodents and insectivores captured out- and in-doors, 527 were living rodents (including 335 A. agrarius, 119 C. triton, 6 C. barabensis, 2 C. suaveolens, 63 R. norvegicus and 2 M. musculus, and 15,467 chigger mites were collected from them. Two hundred and fifty-three of 335 A. agrarius were parasitized by chiggers, showing 75.52% (253/335) of the infestation rate and 17.53 of the chigger index; 106 C. triton were parasitized by chiggers, showing 89.08% (106/119) infestation rate and 75.93 of the chigger index. The average antibody positive rate of rodents was 14.78%. The seasonal change of the antibody positive rate was higher during December-February (the second year), and varied from 20% to 28%, but the level of antibodies remained relatively low (5.26-16.67%) during March-November. The results of serotyping with 47 antibody-positive sera were as followings: 39 sera were Gilliam types, 7 sera were Karp types, 1 serum was Kato type. Twelve strains of O. tsutsugamushi were isolated from A. agrarius (8 strains), C. triton (3 strains) and R. norvegicus (1 strain), out of the isolated 12 strains, 10 were Gilliam strains, 2 were Karp strains. A. agrarius and R. norvegicus were the main host animals in out- and indoors respectively.
    The Southeast Asian journal of tropical medicine and public health 01/2004; 34(4):826-30. · 0.60 Impact Factor
  • Article: Injury status and perspectives on developing community safety promotion in China.
    Zhongtang Zhao, Leif Svanström
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    ABSTRACT: The objective of this paper is to introduce the epidemiology of injuries in China, and then consider the development of safe communities in regard to injury prevention and safety promotion. The disease spectrum has changed in recent decades in the People's Republic of China. Both in cities and rural areas, injury has become the fifth leading cause of death. At least 800 000 people die from injury each year, and 50 million non-fatal injuries occur, of which 2.3 million lead to disability of varying degrees of severity. The average injury-related death rate in China from 1990 to 1997 was 66 per 100 000, which accounts for 11% of total deaths. The potential years of life lost (PYLL) of injury accounts for 24% of the total, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) account for 17%. Main injury causes of death, in descending order, are: suicide, traffic accident, drowning, falling, poisoning, homicide, burn and scald, and iatrogenic injury. Considering China's current injury status and its rapid societal change, injury prevention and safety promotion need to be strengthened further, and there is a special need for the development of Safe Communities programmes. The prevention of injuries through safety promotion has been increasingly focussed on over recent decades. The WHO Safe Community model is recognized as representing an effective and long-term approach to the prevention of injuries at a local level, and has been beneficially applied all over the world. A programme may cover several aspects of injury prevention and safety promotion simultaneously, or only include one or two aspects. In a Safe Community programme in China, children, the elderly, cyclists and their passengers, and farmers should be among the prioritized target populations. However, multi-focussed inter-sectoral programmes have been shown to have additional effects to distinct sectoral programmes.
    Health Promotion International 10/2003; 18(3):247-53. · 1.94 Impact Factor