Biomedical subjects

Li Cao

Publications and source records attributed to Li Cao.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2026

Application of compact CRISPR/Cas nucleases for citrus genome editing.

Gene editing technology continues to advance, and the range of available editing tools is steadily expanding. Recently, several compact and ultracompact systems have been developed, gaining considerable attention because their components can be efficiently packaged into viral vectors. To identify compact tools suitable for efficient genome editing in citrus, Casπ, CoCas9, along with their respective single guide RNAs, were synthesized, and CRISPR/Casπ and CRISPR/CoCas9 constructs were designed to assess their editing efficiency in 'Wanjincheng' orange (Citrus sinensis Osbeck). The Casπ was able to mediate genome editing in the citrus genome, although with low efficiency. In comparison, CoCas9 showed a transformation efficiency three times higher than that of the widely used SpCas9. Moreover, while the gene editing efficiency of CoCas9 was comparable to that of SpCas9, the significantly elevated transformation efficiency resulted in a significantly higher overall editing efficiency for CoCas9 relative to SpCas9. Mutation profiles generated by CoCas9 and SpCas9 were highly similar, and both nucleases displayed comparable target specificity at three potential off-target sites. These results indicate that Casπ is not suitable for application in citrus genome editing, whereas CoCas9 represents a promising alternative to SpCas9 for efficient and precise genome modification in citrus.

CRISPR-Cas Systems↗

PubMed2006

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor promotes olfactory ensheathing cells migration.

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are a unique type of macroglia with axonal growth-promoting properties. The migrating ability of OECs in CNS is essential for neural regeneration. However, little is known about the extracellular and intracellular factors that regulate OEC migration. In the present study, we examined the effects of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) on OECs migration. Initially, the "scratch" migration assay, Boyden chamber assay, and explant migration assay showed that GDNF could promote OECs migration in vitro. Treatment of OECs with GDNF also induced cytoskeleton reorganization and up-regulated expression of cytoskeleton proteins. GDNF-induced OECs migration was demonstrated depending on GFRalpha-1 and Ret receptor, and activation of JNK and Src signaling cascades. Furthermore, GDNF was found to promote implanted OECs migration in a spinal cord hemisection injury model. Together, we report, to our knowledge for the first time, that GDNF stimulate OECs migration in vitro and in vivo.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

PubMed2006

Unique aggregation of anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) spores by sugar-coated single-walled carbon nanotubes.

There has been significant interest in the binding of anthrax spores by molecular species, but with only limited success. Proteins and more recently peptides were used. However, despite the known presence of carbohydrates on the spore surface, carbohydrate-carbohydrate interactions have hardly been explored likely because of the lack of required specific platform for synthetic carbohydrates. We report the successful use of single-walled carbon nanotubes as a truly unique scaffold for displaying multivalent monosaccharide ligands that bind effectively to anthrax spores with divalent cation mediation to cause significant spore aggregation. The work should have far-reaching implications in development of countermeasure technologies.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Gene expression profiling of nasopharyngeal carcinoma reveals the abnormally regulated Wnt signaling pathway.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a particularly common malignant disease in areas of south China and Southeast Asia. To characterize the gene expression profiling of NPC, we detected the gene expression profiles in 22 NPC and 10 nontumor nasopharyngeal epithelial tissues by complementary DNA microarray. We identified 503 genes that were significantly (P < .001) differentially regulated between NPC and nontumor nasopharyngeal epithelial tissues. The differentially expressed genes are involved in many signaling pathways, such as the Wnt, transforming growth factor-beta, and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. The aberrant expression of the Wnt signaling pathway components, such as wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 5A, Frizzled homolog 7, casein kinase IIbeta, beta-catenin, CREB-binding protein, and Dishevelled-associated activator of morphogenesis 2 was validated on the NPC tissue microarrays. The data suggest that the Wnt signaling pathway may be abnormally regulated in NPC, which provides insight into the molecular mechanisms of NPC.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

A simple solution route to single-crystalline Sb2O3 nanowires with rectangular cross sections.

We report a simple solution route to large-scale synthesis of uniform, single-crystalline, and well-faceted orthorhombic antimony trioxide (Sb(2)O(3)) nanowires with rectangular cross sections by direct air oxidation of bulk metal antimony (Sb) in a mixed solution made of ethylenediamine (EDA) and deionized water (DIW). The as-synthesized products were analyzed by range of methods, such as XRD, SEM, EDX, TEM, SAED, HRTEM, FTIR, Raman, UV-vis absorption, and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The as-synthesized Sb(2)O(3) nanowires with rectangular cross sections are usually hundreds of micrometers in length, typically 80-100 nm in width, and 60-80 nm in thickness. The novel room temperature photoluminescence properties of Sb(2)O(3) nanowires with rectangular cross sections displayed a significant UV luminescence with a strong emission band at 374 nm, which was reported for the first time, indicating the as-synthesized products with an optical band gap E(g) = 3.3 eV. It is expected that as-synthesized Sb(2)O(3) nanowires would be a new member of functional materials and used in the manufacture of advanced nanodevices.

Antimony↗

PubMed2006

Imaging, morphologic, and immunohistochemical correlation in gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) recently have been distinguished morphologically, immunohistochemically, and genetically from other gastrointestinal-tract spindle cell neoplasms. The objective of this study was to correlate clinical and imaging findings with morphology and immunohistochemistry to diagnose GISTs and to differentiate them from other spindle cell lesions in the gastrointestinal tract. METHODS: The authors reviewed 9 patients who had tumors that were diagnosed as GIST by image-guided and endosonographic-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) with or without core biopsy (7 stomach tumors and 2 intraabdominal tumors). The male:female ratio was 3:6, and the patients ranged in age from 38 years to 80 years. Onsite evaluation, preliminary cytologic evaluation, and immunohistochemistry were provided for 6 patients. Immunostains were performed, depending on sample size, on aspirates and/or core biopsies. RESULTS: On imaging studies, most tumors were smooth and homogenous, consistent with GIST. Tumors ranged in size from 1.8 cm to 22 cm. The largest neoplasm showed solid/cystic and necrotic components. Aspirates consisted of spindle cell, neoplastic proliferation arranged in fascicles that exhibited focal, nuclear palisading; indistinct, cytoplasmic borders; and no significant atypia or mitosis. Focal epithelioid changes or cytologic atypia and mitoses were observed in 2 tumors. Immunostains revealed tumor expression of CD117 and/or CD34 in 5 of 6 tumors, expression of actin in 3 of 6 tumors, and expression of desmin in 1 of 6 tumors. All tumors were diagnosed as GIST (or consistent with GIST for tumors that lacked immunochemical analysis). Five patients underwent surgical excision, and the GIST diagnosis was confirmed in 3 patients, whereas 1 tumor proved to be neurofibroma, and another tumor was leiomyoma. No surgical follow-up was available for the remaining 4 patients, who had imaging and morphologic findings consistent with GIST. CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of consistent clinical and radiologic findings, the combined use of cytomorphology and immunohistochemistry on FNA and/or core biopsy in most instances provides a reliable pathologic diagnosis of GIST. The need of sufficient material for performing ancillary studies and the usual impossibility of excluding malignancy are limitations of FNA cytology of GIST.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Lasing mechanism of ZnO nanowires/nanobelts at room temperature.

ZnO has become the focus of photonics and optoelectronic research. We prepared pure Mn(II) doped ZnO nanowires with a controlled reduction reaction by carbon in an asymmetrical tube. Careful time-resolved photoluminescence experimental study indicates three types of lasing mechanisms: exciton-exciton interaction, bipolaronic exciton condensation, and plasma; these exist in different ZnO nanowires, which can be changed by doping Mn in ZnO nanowire. The transformation between varied mechanisms is discussed in detail with their spectral behaviors. These results are important in the design of future violet-blue luminescence and display devices.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Identification of nuclear localization signal that governs nuclear import of BRD7 and its essential roles in inhibiting cell cycle progression.

BRD7, a novel bromodomain gene, is identified to be associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Decreased or loss of expression of BRD7 was detected in NPC biopsies and cell lines. Overexpression of BRD7 could inhibit NPC cell growth and arrest cells in cell cycle by transcriptionally regulating some important molecules involved in ras/MEK/ERK and Rb/E2F pathway, and downregulate the promoter activity of E2F3. In the present study, the subcellular localization of BRD7 was investigated. It was found that BRD7 was mainly localized in nucleus without distinct cell-specific difference between COS7 and HNE1. Furthermore, a functional nuclear localization signal (NLS) sequence ranging from amino acid 65 to 96 was identified and characterized. The NLS is composed of a cluster of four bipartite nuclear targeting sequences, which are tightly linked and extremely overlapped. We found that whether the entire NLS or the four bipartite nuclear targeting sequences could respectively determine the nuclear import of green fluorescent protein (GFP). The most important is that NLS-deleted BRD7 shifted the nuclear localization to be mostly in cytoplasm, and failed or reduced to negatively regulate the expression of cell cycle related molecules, cyclin D1 and E2F3, and cell cycle progression from G1 to S phase. In conclusion, NLS is an essential motif affecting BRD7 nuclear distribution, and the nuclear localization of BRD7 is critical for the expression of cell cycle related molecules and cell biological function.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

PubMed2006

Analysis of gene expression identifies candidate molecular markers in nasopharyngeal carcinoma using microdissection and cDNA microarray.

PURPOSE: Microarray analysis was used to bring a comprehensive insight into underlying molecular mechanisms and obtain a whole assessment of aberrant gene expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: Combined with microdissection, gene expression profiles in 23 NPCs and 10 nontumor nasopharyngeal epithelial tissue samples were analyzed. RESULTS: Gene expression patterns suggested the dysregulation of the GTP/GDP-bound Ras cycle and an abnormal hyperactivity of cell cycle in NPC. Alterations in the WNT pathway suggest that this pathway may be activated in NPC. A 6-feature weighted-voting model was chosen because it represented the main characteristics of NPCs and predicted NPCs most accurately from the nontumor tissues (33 of 34 correct calls; 97.1% accuracy, Fisher's exact test, P value = 8.389 x 10(-8)). CONCLUSIONS: The data generated in this study represent a comprehensive list of genes aberrantly regulated in NPC. The 6-feature weighted-voting model may provide an extensive list of potential molecular markers for early diagnosis.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

PubMed2006

Enantioconvergent production of (R)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol from styrene oxide by combining the Solanum tuberosum and an evolved Agrobacterium radiobacter AD1 epoxide hydrolases.

Soluble epoxide hydrolase (EH) from the potato Solanum tuberosum and an evolved EH of the bacterium Agrobacterium radiobacter AD1, EchA-I219F, were purified for the enantioconvergent hydrolysis of racemic styrene oxide into the single product (R)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol, which is an important intermediate for pharmaceuticals. EchA-I219F has enhanced enantioselectivity (enantiomeric ratio of 91 based on products) for converting (R)-styrene oxide to (R)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol (2.0 +/- 0.2 micromol/min/mg), and the potato EH converts (S)-styrene oxide primarily to the same enantiomer, (R)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol (22 +/- 1 micromol/min/mg), with an enantiomeric ratio of 40 +/- 17 (based on substrates). By mixing these two purified enzymes, inexpensive racemic styrene oxide (5 mM) was converted at 100% yield to 98% enantiomeric excess (R)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol at 4.7 +/- 0.7 micromol/min/mg. Hence, at least 99% of substrate is converted into a single stereospecific product at a rapid rate.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens↗

PubMed2006

[Exon rearrangement analysis of parkin gene in patients with isolated early-onset parkinsonism using semi-quantitative PCR].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of fluorescence semi-quantitative PCR in analysis of the exon rearrangement of parkin gene in Chinese patients with isolated early-onset parkinsonism (EOP). METHODS: fluorescence semi-quantitative PCR was used to analyze the exon rearrangements of parkin gene in 61 isolated patients with EOP. RESULTS: Exon deletions in parkin gene were found in 4 of the 61 isolated patients with EOP. One of them failed to show the PCR product of exon 4 and had homozygous deletions of exon 4. The normalized ratios (NRs) of exon 2, exon 3, and exon 4 of the other 3 patients were 0.47, 0.52, and 0.49 respectively, showing that they had heterozygous deletions of exon 2, 3, and 4 respectively. No exon multiplication was found in this study. CONCLUSION: Exon rearrangement of parkin gene exists in Chinese patients with isolated EOP.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

A regulatory role for 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate-O-acyltransferase 2 in adipocyte differentiation.

Mutations in the 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate-O-acyltransferase 2 (AGPAT2) gene have been identified in individuals affected with congenital generalized lipodystrophy (CGL). AGPAT2 catalyzes acylation of lysophosphatidic acid to phosphatidic acid, a precursor for both triacylglycerol (TAG) and phospholipid synthesis. Recent studies suggest that reduced AGPAT2 enzymatic activity may underlie the CGL clinical phenotype. To gain insight into how altered AGPAT2 activity causes lipodystrophy, we examined the effect of knockdown of AGPAT2 expression in preadipocytes on TAG synthesis and storage, and on adipocyte differentiation. We show that AGPAT2 mRNA expression is induced 30-fold during adipocyte differentiation and that AGPAT2 enzymatic activity is required for TAG mass accumulation in mature adipocytes. We demonstrate that small interference RNA-mediated knockdown of AGPAT2 expression prevents appropriate early induction of C/EBPbeta and PPARgamma, key transcriptional activators of the adipogenic program, and delays expression of multiple adipocyte-related genes. The unexpected finding, that levels of several phospholipid species, including phosphatidic acid (PA), are elevated in TAG-depleted adipocytes with AGPAT2 knockdown, suggests that impaired AGPAT2 activity affects availability of PA for TAG synthesis but not overall PA synthesis nor utilization of PA for phospholipid synthesis. These findings underscore the importance of an AGPAT2-mediated metabolic pathway in adipocyte differentiation.

1-Acylglycerol-3-Phosphate O-Acyltransferase↗

PubMed2006

Proteome changes after metabolic engineering to enhance aerobic mineralization of cis-1,2-dichloroethylene.

Metabolically engineered Escherichia coli has previously been used to degrade cis-1,2-dichloroethylene (cis-DCE). The strains express the six genes of an evolved toluene ortho-monooxygenase from Burkholderia cepacia G4 (TOM-Green, which formed a reactive epoxide) with either (1) gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (GSHI, which forms glutathione) and the glutathione S-transferase IsoILR1 from Rhodococcus AD45 (which adds glutathione to the reactive cis-DCE epoxide) or (2) with an evolved epoxide hydrolase from Agrobacterium radiobacter AD1 (EchA F108L/I219L/C248I which converts the reactive cis-DCE epoxide to a diol). Here, the impact of this metabolic engineering for bioremediation was assessed by investigating the changes in the proteome through a quantitative shotgun proteomics technique (iTRAQ) by tracking the changes due to the sequential addition of TOM-Green, IsoILR1, and GSHI and due to adding the evolved EchA versus the wild-type enzyme to TOM-Green. For the TOM-Green/EchA system, 8 proteins out of 268 identified proteins were differentially expressed in the strain expressing EchA F108L/I219L/C248I relative to wild-type EchA (e.g., EchA, protein chain elongation factor EF-Ts, 50S ribosomal subunits L7/L12/L32/L29, cysteine synthase A, glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase, iron superoxide dismutase). For the TOM-Green/IsoILR1/GSHI system, the expression level of 49 proteins was changed out of 364 identified proteins. The induced proteins due to the addition of TOM-Green, IsoILR1, and GSHI were involved in the oxidative defense mechanism, pyruvate metabolism, and glutathione synthesis (e.g., 30S ribosomal subunit proteins S3 and S16, 50S ribosomal subunit protein L20, alkyl hydroperoxide reductase, lactate dehydrogenase, acetate kinase, cysteine synthase A). Enzymes involved in indole synthesis, fatty acid synthesis, gluconeogenesis, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle were repressed (e.g., tryptophanase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, malate dehydrogenase). Hence, the metabolic engineering that leads to enhanced aerobic degradation of 1 mM cis-DCE (2.4-4-fold more chloride ions released) and reduced toxicity from cis-DCE epoxide results in enhanced synthesis of glutathione coupled with an induced stress response as well as repression of fatty acid synthesis, gluconeogenesis, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle.

Aerobiosis↗

PubMed2006

Nutritive significance of crystalline inclusion proteins of Photorhabdus luminescens in Steinernema nematodes.

Phase I cells of Photorhabdus luminescens produce two types of intracellular crystalline inclusion proteins designated CipA and CipB. The genes encoding CipA and CipB proteins from P. luminescens H06 were expressed respectively in Escherichia coli and these cells were used to feed the axenic first juveniles (J1) of three Steinernema nematode isolates in liquid cultures and on agar plates. In liquid cultures, the axenic J1 juveniles of all three test Steinernema nematode isolates were able to produce next dauer juveniles (DJs) in the E. coli cultures with at least one of the expressed Cip proteins, but unable to develop beyond the next J1 stage without expressed Cip proteins. For each target nematode isolate, addition of the supernatant of the bacterial culture of its Xenorhabdus symbiont to the tested liquid cultures did not induce the formation of DJs. However, on LB agar plates with different test E. coli cultures, all J1 juveniles of the three Steinernema strains finally developed into next DJs. It seemed that the metabolite pathway of the test bacteria in both culture systems was different. The presence of the Cip proteins has a significant influence on the DJ formation of the Steinernema nematodes in liquid culture system.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Compressive properties of mouse articular cartilage determined in a novel micro-indentation test method and biphasic finite element model.

The mechanical properties of articular cartilage serve as important measures of tissue function or degeneration, and are known to change significantly with osteoarthritis. Interest in small animal and mouse models of osteoarthritis has increased as studies reveal the importance of genetic background in determining predisposition to osteoarthritis. While indentation testing provides a method of determining cartilage mechanical properties in situ, it has been of limited value in studying mouse joints due to the relatively small size of the joint and thickness of the cartilage layer. In this study, we developed a micro-indentation testing system to determine the compressive and biphasic mechanical properties of cartilage in the small joints of the mouse. A nonlinear optimization program employing a genetic algorithm for parameter estimation, combined with a biphasic finite element model of the micro-indentation test, was developed to obtain the biphasic, compressive material properties of articular cartilage. The creep response and material properties of lateral tibial plateau cartilage were obtained for wild-type mouse knee joints, by the micro-indentation testing and optimization algorithm. The newly developed genetic algorithm was found to be efficient and accurate when used with the finite element simulations for nonlinear optimization to the experimental creep data. The biphasic mechanical properties of mouse cartilage in compression (average values: Young's modulus, 2.0 MPa; Poisson's ratio, 0.20; and hydraulic permeability, 1.1 x 10(-16) m4/N-s) were found to be of similar orders of magnitude as previous findings for other animal cartilages, including human, bovine, rat, and rabbit and demonstrate the utility of the new test methods. This study provides the first available data for biphasic compressive properties in mouse cartilage and suggests a promising method for detecting altered cartilage mechanics in small animal models of osteoarthritis.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

The pericellular matrix as a transducer of biomechanical and biochemical signals in articular cartilage.

The pericellular matrix (PCM) is a narrow tissue region surrounding chondrocytes in articular cartilage, which together with the enclosed cell(s) has been termed the "chondron." While the function of this region is not fully understood, it is hypothesized to have important biological and biomechanical functions. In this article, we review a number of studies that have investigated the structure, composition, mechanical properties, and biomechanical role of the chondrocyte PCM. This region has been shown to be rich in proteoglycans (e.g., aggrecan, hyaluronan, and decorin), collagen (types II, VI, and IX), and fibronectin, but is defined primarily by the presence of type VI collagen as compared to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Direct measures of PCM properties via micropipette aspiration of isolated chondrons have shown that the PCM has distinct mechanical properties as compared to the cell or ECM. A number of theoretical and experimental studies suggest that the PCM plays an important role in regulating the microenvironment of the chondrocyte. Parametric studies of cell-matrix interactions suggest that the presence of the PCM significantly affects the micromechanical environment of the chondrocyte in a zone-dependent manner. These findings provide support for a potential biomechanical function of the chondrocyte PCM, and furthermore, suggest that changes in the PCM and ECM properties that occur with osteoarthritis may significantly alter the stress-strain and fluid environments of the chondrocytes. An improved understanding of the structure and function of the PCM may provide new insights into the mechanisms that regulate chondrocyte physiology in health and disease.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

[The wild-type alpha-synuclein over-expression to induce the protein aberrant aggregation of alpha-synuclein in HEK293 cells in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate over-expression of wild-type alpha-synuclein inducing the aberrant aggregation of alpha-synuclein in HEK293 cell in vitro. METHODS: The cDNA encoding the human alpha-synuclein without the stop code was cloned into PGEM T-easy vector. Using enzyme map and DNA sequencing analyzed and determined the recombinant plasmid, and then sub-clone the alpha-synuclein cDNA fragment into pEGFP-N1 vector. The recombinant plasmids alpha-synuclein-pEGFP were transfected into HEK293 cells by lipofectamin 2000. The aberrant aggregation of alpha-synuclein was measured by EGFP fluorescence, anti-alpha-synuclein immunocytochemistry. The inclusions in the cultured cells were identified with HE staining. RESULTS: The restriction enzyme map suggested that eukaryotic expression vector for human wild-type alpha-synuclein gene was constructed successfully. By EGFP fluorescence, anti-alpha-synuclein immunocytochemistry, it could be observed that the alpha-synuclein protein could aggregate in cytoplasm and the Lewy body-like inclusions found in cytoplasm of cultured cells. CONCLUSION: The over-expression of wild-type alpha-synuclein can induce protein aberrant aggregation and Lewy body-like inclusions formation in cytoplasm of HEK293 cell in vitro.

Cells, Cultured↗

PubMed2006

[Serological analysis of SARS Coronavirus in children diagnosed clinically as severe acute respiratory syndrome cases during SARS epidemic in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the etiologic agents from children who had been clinically diagnosed as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) during the epidemic in Beijing and to characterize the transmissibility of SARS from those children to others. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-seven serum specimens were collected during the period of June to August, 2003 from children and adults who had been clinically diagnosed as SARS and who closely contacted with those diagnosed as SARS during SARS epidemic in Beijing. Serum specimens were also collected from 49 children from Anhui province which was non-epidemic region and 93 healthy kindergarten children without history of contacting with SARS patients in Beijing during SARS epidemic. Serum specimens collected from 90 healthy kindergarten children in Beijing in September 2002 were included in the study. All the 409 serum specimens were tested for specific antibodies against SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) by different methods including ELISA for specific IgM and IgG, whole antibodies against SARS-CoV, IFA for specific IgM and IgG against SARS-CoV, and Western-blot for IgG to expressed N protein from SARS-CoV. RESULTS: The positive rates of specific IgG and whole antibodies against SARS-CoV ranged from 39.1% to 43.5% in the children who had been clinically diagnosed as SARS, zero in children and 6.0% to 9.0% in adults who had closely contacted with the clinically diagnosed SARS children. Among those clinically diagnosed SARS adult patients, the positive rates of specific IgG and whole antibodies against SARS-CoV were 57.1% to 71.4%. In children and adults who closely contacted with these clinically diagnosed SARS adult patients, the positive rates of specific IgG and whole antibodies against SARS-CoV were 0 to 9.7% and 4.4% to 7.1%, respectively. None of the serum specimens collected from healthy children before and during epidemic in Beijing and children from non-epidemic region was positive when IFA methods and ELISA with Beier kits were used for detection, but some were positive when ELISA with the diagnostic kit from other source was applied. CONCLUSION: The positive rates of specific IgG and whole antibodies against SARS-CoV in children who had been clinically diagnosed as SARS were around 40%, which is much lower than the positive rate in clinically diagnosed adult SARS patients, indicating that a large proportion of those "SARS" children were infected with respiratory viruses other than SARS-CoV during SARS epidemic in Beijing. Some of the children who closely contacted with children and adults SARS patients showed positive SARS-CoV antibodies, suggesting that asymptomatic infections may occur. The value of some approved diagnostic kit at least in children for SARS etiological diagnosis needs to be analyzed further.

Adult↗