Insights into starch-based gels: Selection, fabrication, and application.

Starch a natural polymer, has made significant advancements in recent decades, offering superior performance and versatility compared to synthetic materials. This review discusses up-to-date diverse applications of starch gels, their fabrication techniques, and their advantages over synthetic materials. Starch gels renewability, biocompatibility, biodegradability, scalability, and affordability make them attractive.

Nested-PCR assay for detection of Schistosoma japonicum infection in domestic animals.

Background: Schistosomiasis japonica is a common zoonosis. Domestic animals are the primary source of infection and play an important role in disease transmission. The prevalence and infectivity of this disease in domestic animals in China have significantly decreased and, for this reason, diagnostics with a higher sensitivity have become increasingly necessary.

Elimination of schistosomiasis japonica from formerly endemic areas in mountainous regions of southern China using a praziquantel regimen.

Schistosomiasis japonica is a major public health problem in China. Domestic animals play a major role in the transmission of Schistosoma japonicum to humans. To better understand the epidemiology of schistosomiasis japonica in domestic animals in the mountainous areas of China, we performed a 5-year longitudinal study of schistosomiasis in cattle and horses in Yunnan Province from 2009 to 2013.

The molecular characterization and RNAi silencing of SjZFP1 in Schistosoma japonicum.

During development, Schistosoma japonicum undergoes many morphological and physiological transformations as a result of profound changes in gene expression. Proteins containing zinc finger motifs usually play an important role in DNA recognition, RNA packaging, and transcriptional activation. In our current study, we cloned the open reading frame (ORF) of SjZFP1 of S.

Seasonal dynamics of Schistosoma japonicum infection in buffaloes in the Poyang Lake region and suggestions on local treatment schemes.

Schistosomiasis japonica remains a major public health problem and the Poyang Lake region in Jiangxi province is one of the worst affected endemic areas. Buffaloes play a major role in the transmission of Schistosoma japonicum to humans. The aim of the present study was to increase understanding of the epidemic characteristics of schistosomiasis japonica in water buffaloes in the Poyang Lake region, after achieving the national mid-term goal, and to provide a basis for further interventions.

[Longitudinal observation of epidemic dynamics of schistosomiasis in bovine in two mountainous endemic regions].

Objective: To understand the endemic situation dynamics of schistosomiasis in domestic animals (mainly bovine) in mountainous endemic regions, so as to provide the reference for evaluating the control effect and improving control strategy.

Methods: Two representative pilots (Renmei and Dacang) in mountainous schistosomiasis endemic regions were selected for survey. The schistosome infection status of bovine was investigated by the miracidium hatching method, the pasture of bovine were investigated by home visiting, and the distributions of wild feces and Oncomelania snails, and the snail schistosome infection status were also investigated in April and September every year.

[Function analysis of Sj34.9 gene based on RNAi and microarray].

Objective: To analyze the function of Sj34.9 gene, so as to provide the reference for future studies.

Methods: The Sj34.

[Screening interaction protein of Schistosoma japonicum gynecophoral canal protein by phage display].

Objective: To search the interaction protein of Schistosoma japonicum gynecophoral canal protein (SjGCP).

Methods: The recombinant rSjGCP was used as a target to search the T7 phage display cDNA library from 44-day adult Schistosoma japonicum.

Results: A total of 70 ESTs were obtained.

RNAi silencing of calcium-regulated heat-stable protein of 24 kDa in Schistosoma japonicum affects parasite growth.

The calcium-regulated heat-stable protein of 24 kDa (CRHSP-24) is a major calcineurin phosphoprotein that functions in multiple signal transduction pathways in cell metabolism. Schistosomes are multicellular parasites that infect 200 million people worldwide, even though treatment has been available for two decades. To determine the function of schistosome CRHSP-24 (SjCRHSP-24), we successfully knocked down SjCRHSP-24 in Schistosoma japonicum by RNA interference (RNAi).

Comparison of Recombinant Proteins from Schistosoma japonicum for Schistosomiasis Diagnosis.

The most important animal reservoirs of Schistosoma japonicum in China are bovines. Diagnosis and control of bovine schistosomiasis is critical for reducing the prevalence of the disease. We screened defined diagnostic antigens that have the potential to increase the sensitivity and specificity of serological assays and to distinguish between active and prior infections.

Dose-dependent inhibition of gynecophoral canal protein gene expression in vitro in the schistosome (Schistosoma japonicum) by RNA interference.

The gynecophoral canal protein gene SjGCP of Schistosoma japonicum that is necessary for the pairing between the male and female worms is specifically expressed in the adult male worm. This protein is widely distributed in the adult female worm after pairing. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunofluorescence were employed to analyze the relationship between the RNAi effect and dsRNA dosage in the parasites.

Proteomic analysis of differentially expressed proteins between the male and female worm of Schistosoma japonicum after pairing.

Identification of differentially expressed proteins between the male and female worm of Schistosoma japonicum may provide new insights into the development of schistosomes, especially the molecular mechanism of female worm maturation induced by the male worm after pairing. Comparative two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and mass spectrometry were employed to separate and identify differentially expressed proteins between the male and female worm after pairing. Soluble and hydrophobic proteins from egg, schistosomulum (14 days), and female and male worms at adult stage (42 days) were separated by a sequential extraction method followed by 2-DE and 2-DE images were constructed.

[Cloning, expressing and functional analysis of SjMF4, a novel Schistosoma japonicum gene].

Based on the phenomenon of the natural anti-schistosomiasis in Microtus fortis, the sera from normal Microtus fortis were employed to immunoscreen the cDNA library of adult Schistosoma japonicum (Chinese strain), two positive clones were obtained, RACE technique was further applied to amplify one of the clones, and a cDNA fragment with an ORF was identified. Sequencing revealed that it was a novel gene of Schistosoma japonicum, and it was named SjMF4 (Schistosoma japonicum Microtus fortis 4). Then the structure and functional motifs of SjMF4 were analysed.

[Cloning and expression of 21.7 kD protein gene of Schistosoma japonicum (Chinese strain)].

A 558 bp cDNA fragment was amplified by RT-PCR from adult Schistosoma japonicum(Chinese strain) mRNA with a pair of primers that were designed according to published Sj21.7p gene encoding 21.7 kD protein of Schistosoma japonicum(Philippines strain).