Allograft inflammatory factor-1 alleviates liver disease of BALB/c mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum.

Allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) plays an important role in various inflammatory conditions. Our previous study demonstrated that AIF-1 was over-expressed in the liver of BALB/c mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum and played significant role in the pathogenesis of schistosomiasis. The aim of this study was to focus on the effect of AIF-1 treatment on liver fibrosis and necrosis of BALB/c mice infected with S.

Molecular phylogenetics of Triculine snails (Gastropoda: Pomatiopsidae) from southern China.

Triculine (Gastropoda: Rissooidea: Pomatiopsidae) snails are involved in the transmission of schistosomiasis and paragonimiasis; their distributions are mainly across southeastern Asia and southern China. In the present investigation, partial sequences of COI, 16S, and 28S were examined to infer the phylogenetic relationships among the species rich and poorly understood gastropod. Samples were collected from 12 geographic locations in six provinces of southern China.

[Genetic variation of two mitochondrial DNA molecules from three isolates of Oncomelania hupensis].

Objective: To study the genetic variation of two mitochondrial DNA molecules (CO1 and Cytb gene) of Oncomelania hupensis isolated from different areas.

Methods: Snails were collected from Jingxi of Guangxi, Yueyang of Hunan and Eryuan of Yunnan. Genomic DNA was extracted from the snails, Col and Cytb gene fragments were amplified by PCR, then purified and sequenced.

[Studies on the protective effect of the mutant of Sj23 DNA vaccine against schistosomiasis].

Objective: To investigate the protective immunity of the vaccine against schistosomiasis, a mutant of Mr 23 000 membrane protein DNA (Sj23DNA) without the homologous sequence of ME491.

Methods: The mutant of Sj23 DNA with no homologous sequence of ME491 on the cell membrane of human melanoma was obtained by overlap PCR. The mutant was transfected into human embryonic kidney cells of the line HEK293.

[Study on the geographic information system databases regarding the control of schistosomiasis in Zhongxiang, Hubei province, China].

Objective: Using geographic information system (GIS) and the remote sensing techniques (RS), we developed a schistosomiasis database and geographic distribution map in Zhongxiang city,Hubei province in order to display and analyze the endemic situation longitudinally after the water conservancy project is completed.

Methods: Epidemiological data of schistosomiasis and the correlated climate and hydrology data for the last 30 years were collected and the relevant GIS databases were established under Artificial Neural Networks(ANN) and network training of Landsat TM images.

Results: GIS database of schistosomiasis in Zhongxiang city, Hubei province and its vicinity areas were developed including 1 maps regarding the epidemic situation of schistosomiasis.

[Studies on the genetic variation of two mitochondrial DNA molecules of Schistosoma japonicum].

Objective: To study the variation of Schistosoma japonicum through two mitochondrial DNA molecules.

Methods: Genomic DNA was isolated with kit, and the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase 1 (ND1) and cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene fragments were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced. The gene trees were constructed and the acquired data were analyzed with the help of bioinformatics.