The expression profile of Aedes albopictus miRNAs is altered by dengue virus serotype-2 infection.

Background: Aedes albopictus is an important vector of Dengue virus (DENV) and it has quickly invaded the tropical and temperate environments worldwide. A few studies have shown that, microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate mosquito defense against pathogens. However, there is no systematic analysis of the impact of DENV infection on miRNA expression in Ae.

miRNA genes of an invasive vector mosquito, Aedes albopictus.

Aedes albopictus, a vector of Dengue and Chikungunya viruses, is a robust invasive species in both tropical and temperate environments. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and biological processes including embryonic development, innate immunity and infection. While a number of miRNAs have been discovered in some mosquitoes, no comprehensive effort has been made to characterize them from different developmental stages from a single species.

Comparison of the levels of bacterial diversity in freshwater, intertidal wetland, and marine sediments by using millions of illumina tags.

Sediment, a special realm in aquatic environments, has high microbial diversity. While there are numerous reports about the microbial community in marine sediment, freshwater and intertidal sediment communities have been overlooked. The present study determined millions of Illumina reads for a comparison of bacterial communities in freshwater, intertidal wetland, and marine sediments along Pearl River, China, using a technically consistent approach.

Effects of polymerase, template dilution and cycle number on PCR based 16 S rRNA diversity analysis using the deep sequencing method.

Background: The primer and amplicon length have been found to affect PCR based estimates of microbial diversity by pyrosequencing, while other PCR conditions have not been addressed using any deep sequencing method. The present study determined the effects of polymerase, template dilution and PCR cycle number using the Solexa platform.

Results: The PfuUltra II Fusion HS DNA Polymerase (Stratagene) with higher fidelity showed lower amount of PCR artifacts and determined lower taxa richness than the Ex Taq (Takara).

Dengue Fever in mainland China.

Dengue is an acute emerging infectious disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and has become a serious global public health problem. In mainland China, a number of large dengue outbreaks with serious consequences have been reported as early as 1978. In the three decades from 1978 to 2008, a total of 655,324 cases were reported, resulting in 610 deaths.

Identification and characterization of Schistosoma japonicum Sjp40, a potential antigen candidate for the early diagnosis of schistosomiasis.

The pathogenesis of schistosomiasis is mainly caused by egg-induced granuloma formation and subsequent fibrosis. If Schistosoma japonicum infections could be detected in the early stage, especially before the egg deposition in the host tissues, the development of severe pathologic lesions might be prevented efficiently. The present study identified and characterized S.

[Isolation, identification and analysis of the expression profile of miRNAs in Aedes albopictus].

Objective: To verify the miRNA in Aedes albopictus and characterize the expression profile of several miRNAs across all the life stages of Aedes albopictus.

Methods: Based on the published miRNA sequences of Anopheles gambiae and Aedes aegypti, 6 DIG-labeled antisense probes were synthesized. The total RNAs from Aedes albopictus in 6 developmental stages (embryo, early larvae, late larvae, pupa, male and female adults) were extracted with a mirVana miRNA isolation kit, loaded onto 15% denaturing polyacrylamide gel and hybridized with the appropriate DIG-labeled probes.

[Development and identification of monoclonal antibodies against the recombinant P38 antigen of Schistosoma japonicum].

Objective: To express P38 of Schistosoma japonicum in Escherichia coli BL21 and develop the monoclonal antibodies (McAb) against rSjP38.

Methods: The recombinant plasmid pET32(a)-P38 was transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3).

[A colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay for detecting p38 antigen of Schistosome japonicum].

Objective: To establish a colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay (GICA) for detecting Schistosome japonicum (Sj).

Methods: Eight monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against Sj p38 antigen (1A6, 3C4, 3D12, 6F10, 6G12, 9H6, 9G7 and A5H) prepared previously were purified by protein-G affinity chromatography. The affinity constant (K(aff)) was determined by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

[Detection of apoptosis with gel eletrophoresis combined with computerized gel analysis system].

Objective: To explore a new method for detecting cellular apoptosis.

Methods: Using routine electrophoresis assisted by computerized gel documentation analysis system(GDAS), apoptosis of the macrophages treated with dexamethasone was qualitatively and then quantitatively detected.

Results: Apoptosis occurred in the macrophages treated with dexamethasone, and DNA fragmentation of the apoptotic macrophages was visualized on 1% agarose gel electrophoresis.

Preparation and identification of monoclonal antibodies against human brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

Objective: To prepare monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against human brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

Methods: BALB/C mice were immunized with purified BDNF protein in conjunction with acid-treated Salmonella (antigen:thallus=1:5), and mAbs were subsequently derived by hybridoma technique.

Results: Three hybridoma cell lines secreting anti-BDNF mAbs were obtained, designated as B1, B2 and 4D1 respectively and all categorized into IgG1 subtype.