Extra cut-off value of aldosterone-to-renin ratio for screening primary aldosteronism in hypertensive patients with diabetes mellitus.

Primary aldosteronism (PA) and diabetes mellitus (DM) may coexist. We previously found that DM and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) may decrease the efficiency of the aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) for screening PA. Thus, we wanted to determine appropriate ARR cut-off values for screening PA in patients with hypertension with DM and IGT.

Online prediction model for primary aldosteronism in patients with hypertension in Chinese population: A two-center retrospective study.

Background: The prevalence of primary aldosteronism (PA) varies from 5% to 20% in patients with hypertension but is largely underdiagnosed. Expanding screening for PA to all patients with hypertension to improve diagnostic efficiency is needed. A novel and portable prediction tool that can expand screening for PA is highly desirable.

An online alpha-thalassemia carrier discrimination model based on random forest and red blood cell parameters for low HbA cases.

Background: Since screening of α-thalassemia carriers by low HbA has a low positive predictive value (PPV), the PPV was as low as 40.97% in our laboratory, other more effective screening methods need to be devised. This study aimed at developing a machine learning model by using red blood cell parameters to identify α-thalassemia carriers from low HbA patients.

Developing an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for detecting aldosterone in human plasma.

Background: Accurately measuring plasma aldosterone concentration is difficult but meaningful for primary aldosteronism (PA) diagnosis.

Methods: In this study, we developed an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for plasma aldosterone detection, evaluated its performance according to guidelines issued by CLSI, including detection limit, linearity, precision, and compared it with chemiluminescence immunoassay. Then, a reference range of plasma aldosterone in young people was established by using this method.

High Efficiency and Problems of Chemiluminescence Assay-Detected Aldosterone-To-Renin Ratio in Practical Primary Aldosteronism Screening.

Primary aldosteronism is a main cause of secondary hypertension which can be effectively treated. The screening test for primary aldosteronism is benefit for minimizing damage to the patient. In the previous retrospective study, we obtained the optimal cutoff value of aldosterone-to-renin ratio detected by chemiluminescence assay, a newly developing method, and prompted its high efficiency in primary aldosteronism screening in upright position.

High efficiency of the aldosterone-to-renin ratio in precisely detecting primary aldosteronism.

The aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) is extensively used for primary aldosteronism detection. Chemiluminescence immune assay (CLIA) is newly applied in aldosterone and renin detection for calculating the aldosterone-to-renin ratio. The performance of new ARR in aldosteronism detection is poorly evaluated.

Antibodies against Schistosoma japonicum lactate dehydrogenase B enhance enzyme active.

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a key enzyme in glycolysis process. It catalyzes the interconversion between pyruvic acid and lactic acid. Schistosoma japonicum adult worms largely rely on glycolysis for energy production when they parasitize in human.

ULK1 phosphorylates Sec23A and mediates autophagy-induced inhibition of ER-to-Golgi traffic.

Background: Autophagy is an inducible autodigestive process that allows cells to recycle proteins and other materials for survival during stress and nutrient deprived conditions. The kinase ULK1 is required to activate this process. ULK1 phosphorylates a number of target proteins and regulates many cellular processes including the early secretory pathway.

Antibodies against Clonorchis sinensis LDH could cross-react with LDHB localizing on the plasma membrane of human hepatocarcinoma cell SMMC-7721 and induce apoptosis.

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a terminal enzyme in anaerobic glycolytic pathway. It widely exists in various organisms and is in charge of converting the glycolysis product pyruvic acid to lactic acid. Most parasites, including Clonorchis sinensis, predominantly depend on glycolysis to provide energy.

Should we abandon quinine plus antibiotic for treating uncomplicated falciparum malaria? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

In this study, we compared the efficacies and adverse effects of quinine plus antibiotics and other anti-malaria drugs on treating uncomplicated falciparum malaria. By systematically searching the major databases PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, 14 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including 1996 cases were identified. Then, we performed a systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis on these data.

Schistosoma japonicum tegumental protein 20.8, role in reproduction through its calcium binding ability.

Schistosomiasis threatens thousands of millions of peoples' health every year in the world. Schistosoma japonicum, a pathogen of schistosomiasis, is covered by a lipid bilayer membrane which plays an important role in nutrient transport, signal transduction, interaction with host's immune system, etc. Thus, molecules in the tegumental membrane have gained more and more interest for understanding biological and pathological processes of schistosoma.

Schistosoma japonicum calcium-binding tegumental protein SjTP22.4 immunization confers praziquantel schistosomulumicide and antifecundity effect in mice.

A family of platyhelminth tegument-specific proteins comprising of one or two calcium ion binding EF-hand and a dynein light chain-like domain, termed tegumental proteins, are considered as candidates of vaccine. In this study, we cloned and characterized SjTP22.4, a novel membrane-anchored tegumental protein in Schistosoma japonicum with theoretic MW of 22.

The topological structure and function of Echinococcus granulosus lactate dehydrogenase, a tegumental transmembrane protein.

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), a terminal glycolytic enzyme, is generally considered as a cytosolic protein. We cloned lactate dehydrogenase from Echinococcus granulosus (EgLDH) and predicted it may be a membrane protein with two transmembrane regions through bioinformatics analysis. Intact worm immunofluorescence with antibodies prepared against linear B cell epitopes predicted in the region inside or outside of the membrane demonstrated that EgLDH spans the tegumental membrane twice, with the N terminal and C terminal all outside, just consistent with the putative topological structure.

Gene cloning, expression, and localization of antigen 5 in the life cycle of Echinococcus granulosus.

Antigen 5 (Ag5) has been identified as a dominant component of cyst fluid of Echinococcus granulosus and is considered as a member of serine proteases family, which in other helminth, plays an important role in the egg hatch and larva invasion. However, whether Ag5 is expressed and secreted in all life stages is unknown. In this study, according to the sequence in GenBank, we cloned and sequenced the open reading frame (ORF) of Ag5 gene from the protoscolices of E.

The protective effect of the recombinant 53-kDa protein of Trichinella spiralis on experimental colitis in mice.

Background: Helminth infection has been proven to reduce the severity of experimental inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The excretory-secretory proteins of helminths play an important role in the process of immunomodulation.

Aims: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the protective potential of recombinant Trichinella spiralis (TS) 53-kDa protein (rTsP53), a component of excretory-secretory proteins, on experimental colitis in mice.

Molecular cloning, expression, and characterization of cyclophilin A from Clonorchis sinensis.

This study described the recognization, cloning, and recombinant expression of cyclophilin A-like gene from Clonorchis sinensis adult complementary DNA library (CsCyPA) and its expression and secretion in adult. Western blotting demonstrated the recombinant CsCyPA could be recognized by sera of clonorchiasis patients and a sole protein of the same size in the excretory-secretory antigens of in vitro cultured adult could be recognized by antiserum raised against the recombinant CsCyPA. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the CsCyPA was secreted in scattered vesicles from subtegumental parenchyma cells to the surface of tegument and mainly released from the tegument.

[Expression and characterization of the FABP and Eg95 fusion gene from Echinococcus granulosus].

Objective: To construct and express a fusion gene of fatty acid binding protein (FABP) with Eg95 which are protective antigen genes of Echinococcus granulosus, and investigate the immunological characteristics of the recombinant protein.

Method: Using cDNA fragments encoding FABP and Eg95 genes from E. granulosus Qinghai sheep strain as templates, a fusion gene FABP.

Cloning and expression of 21.1-kDa tegumental protein of Clonorchis sinensis and human antibody response to it as a trematode-nematode pan-specific serodiagnosis antigen.

A complete cDNA encoding a 21.1-kDa tegumental protein (CsTP21.1) was recognized from Clonorchis sinensis adult full-length cDNA plasmid library by bioinformatics analysis.

Reverse vaccinology approach identify an Echinococcus granulosus tegumental membrane protein enolase as vaccine candidate.

Applying reverse vaccinology strategy, we employed a sequence encoding an enolase from Taenia asiatica to search its homolog in the expression sequence tag (EST) database of Echinococcus granulosus and found two EST sequences (Access number: CN653186 and CN649593) of a clone Eg_PSGRS_13B09 from E. granulosus protoscolex full-length cDNA library, which are responding for the 5' and 3' partial cds of E. granulosus enolase, respectively.