Prevalence and distribution of Echinococcus spp. in wild and domestic animals across Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), a worldwide zoonosis, is highly prevalent in Africa particularly in northern and eastern Africa where data are more abundant than other regions. However, harmonization of available data through systematic review and meta-analysis may foster improved transboundary cooperation for the control of CE in Africa. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines, research articles (from 2000 to 2019) were retrieved from ScienceDirect, PubMed, African Journals OnLine and Google Scholar databases.

Synthesis and characterization of a new organic-inorganic hybrid ferroelectric: (CHN)[InBr][InBr]·HO.

Organic-inorganic hybrid ferroelectric materials have attracted attention from researchers as promising candidates for functional materials, because they combine high performance and low cost. Herein, a new organic-inorganic hybrid ferroelectric material (C4H10N)6[InBr6][InBr4]3·H2O (1) was synthesized and characterized. The compound undergoes a paraelectric-ferroelectric phase transition at TC = 232 K, which is investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dielectric measurements and variable-temperature structural analyses.

[Differential Expression of Six wnt Gene Family Members in Echinococcus granulosus Protoscoleces and Adult Worms].

Objective: To investigate the differential mRNA expression and tissue distribution of wnt [wingless-type mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) integration site family, wnt] gene members wnt1, wnt2, wnt4, wnt5, wnt11A and wnt11B in protoscoleces and adult worms of Echinococcus granulosus.

Methods: The mRNA expression of wnt1, wnt2, wnt4, wnt5, wnt11A and wnt11B was determined by qRT-PCR. Tissue distribution of wnt1, wnt2, wnt4, wnt5, wnt11A and wnt11B in Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces was determined by the whole-mount in situ hybridization.

[mRNA Expression Analysis of 10 Reproduction-related Genes in Different Developmental Proglottids of Moniezia expansa].

According to the results of transcriptome sequencing in Moniezia expansa, 10 functional genes which represent different expression patterns in different developmental proglottids were selected, including KIFC1, Kif17, tgf-beta, SmadD, tgf-beta receptor, HSD5, aminopeptidase puromycin, Methionine aminopeptidase 2, transcription factor fork head and Sox transcription factor. A real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR assay was developed for detection of mRNA expression level of these taget genes with its beta-tubulin as an internal control. The results showed that compared to scolex-neck proglottids, the mRNA levels of 2 genes (KIFC1, Kif17) in immature proglottides, 4 genes (KIFC1, Kif17, tgf-beta receptor, and amniopeptidase puromycin) in mature proglottides, and 3 genes (HSD5, tgf-beta receptor, and Methionine aminopeptidase 2) in gravid proglottides were up-regulated (P < 0.

[mRNA transcription of translation elongation factor and primase in different segments of Moniezia expansa].

A SYBR green real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR assay was developed for detection of Moniezia expansa mRNA with its beta-tubulin as an internal control. The results showed a good linear relationship (>0.99) between the Ct value and the concentration of positive plasmid for each gene from scolex and various proglottids.

Prenylated phloroglucinol derivatives from Hypericum sampsonii.

Six new acylphloroglucinol derivatives, sampsonols A-F (1-6), were isolated from the petroleum ether extract of the aerial parts of Hypericum sampsonii. The structures and relative configurations of sampsonols A-F were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses. All these compounds were tested for their in vitro cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities.

Triterpenoid saponins from the seeds of Caragana microphylla.

Two new triterpenoid saponins, namely caraganoside C (1) and caraganoside D (2), were isolated from the seeds of Caragana microphylla. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, including homo- and hetero-nuclear correlation NMR experiments (COSY, HSQC and HMBC). Both 1 and 2 exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.

Two new xanthones from Hypericum sampsonii and biological activity of the isolated compounds.

Phytochemical investigation of the CH(2) Cl(2) extract of the aerial part of Hypericum sampsonii yielded two new prenylated xanthones, hypericumxanthone A and B, together with three known xanthones. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of physical and spectral (UV, IR, mass and NMR) data and comparison of spectroscopic data with those reported previously. All these compounds were evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Characterization of a Moniezia expansa ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 cDNA.

Ubiquitin and other ubiquitin-like proteins play important roles in post-translational modification. They are phylogenetically well-conserved in eukaryotes. Here we report a new ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 cDNA, which containing a ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UBCc-domain named UBE2AM.

[Studies on alkalodial constituents in leaves of Uncaria hirsuta].

Objective: To study the alkaloidial constituents of the leaves of uncaria hirsuta.

Method: Some chromatographic methods were applied to isolate pure compounds and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.

Result: Eleven compounds were isolated and identified as 19-epi-3-iso-ajmalicine (1), 3-isoajmalicine (2), harman (3), mitraphylline (4), isomitraphylline (5), isorhynchophylline (6), corynoxine (7), rhynchophylline (8), isomitraphyllic acid (9), uncarine A (10) and uncarine B (11).