Seed dormancy release of Halenia elliptica in response to stratification temperature, duration and soil moisture content.

Background: Although the effect of cold stratification on seed dormancy release has been extensively studied for many species, knowledge of the role of stratifying temperature, soil moisture content and duration of stratification on seed dormancy release at the population level is limited. Here, we aimed to determine the response of seed dormancy release to these factors in six populations of Halenia elliptica.

Results: Seed dormancy release was more responsive to low than high temperatures, and no dormancy break occurred at 8 °C.

Deletion Mutant Is a Promising Vaccine against Acute, Chronic, and Congenital Toxoplasmosis in Mice.

In this study, we generated a deletion mutant in the type 1 RH (RHΔ) strain and tested the protective efficacies of vaccination using RHΔ tachyzoites against acute, chronic, and congenital infections in Kunming mice. Mice vaccinated with RHΔ mounted a strong humoral and cellular response as shown by elevated levels of anti--specific IgG, IL-2, IL-12, IFN-γ, and IL-10. All RHΔ-vaccinated mice survived a lethal challenge with 1 × 10 tachyzoites of type 1 RH or ToxoDB#9 (PYS or TgC7) strain as well as 100 cysts or oocysts of Prugniuad strain.

Novel roles of dense granule protein 12 (GRA12) in Toxoplasma gondii infection.

Dense granule protein 12 (GRA12) is implicated in a range of processes related to the establishment of Toxoplasma gondii infection, such as the formation of the intravacuolar network (IVN) within the parasitophorous vacuole (PV). This protein is also thought to be important for T. gondii-host interaction, pathogenesis, and immune evasion, but their exact roles remain unknown.

Efficacy of antiretroviral compounds against Toxoplasma gondii in vitro.

The obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii can infect nearly all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Although infection with this parasite is generally benign, severe illness may occur in infected individuals if their immunity becomes less competent, such as in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. In this study, the inhibitory activity of 44 commonly used antiretroviral compounds was determined against T.

Serological evidence of hepatitis E virus and influenza A virus infection in farmed wild boars in China.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) and influenza A virus (IAV) are two important pathogens which can infect humans and various animals causing public health problems. In this study, the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with HEV and IAV infection in farmed wild boars were investigated in China. A total of 758 serum samples were collected from farmed wild boars between 2015 and 2016, and antibodies against HEV and IAV were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using commercially available kits.

Functional Characterization of Dense Granule Proteins in RH Strain Using CRISPR-Cas9 System.

Infection with the apicomplexan protozoan parasite is an ongoing public health problem. The parasite's ability to invade and replicate within the host cell is dependent on many effectors, such as dense granule proteins (GRAs) released from the specialized organelle dense granules, into host cells. GRAs have emerged as important determinants of pathogenesis.

Live Attenuated Pru:Δcdpk2 Strain of Toxoplasma gondii Protects Against Acute, Chronic, and Congenital Toxoplasmosis.

Background: The threat of Toxoplasma gondii infection in immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women necessitates the development of a safe and effective vaccine. Here, we examined the immune protection conferred by a live attenuated strain of T. gondii.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of hepatitis E virus infection in cancer patients in eastern China.

Objectives: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a single-stranded RNA virus infecting a variety of animals and humans. Little is known of HEV infection among cancer patients in China. This study provides new epidemiological data for the prevalence of HEV co-infection in cancer patients, indicating that HEV infection is common in this group.

Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Farmed Wild Boars (Sus scrofa) in Three Cities of Northeast China.

The apicomplexan protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is a widely distributed etiological agent of foodborne illness. This parasite can cause production losses in livestock and serious disease in humans through consumption of contaminated meat. Pig meat is the most likely source of human infection, and wild boars may play a role in the transmission of T.