Cloning, expression, characterization, and immunological properties of citrate synthase from Echinococcus granulosus.

The larval stages of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus (Cestoda: Taeniidae) are the causative agent of cystic echinococcosis, one of the most important parasitic zoonoses worldwide. E. granulosus has a complete pathway for the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), in which citrate synthase (CS) is the key enzyme.

MicroRNA-10b controls the metastasis and proliferation of colorectal cancer cells by regulating Krüppel-like factor 4.

Mir-10b has been reported as a key regulator of metastasis in many human tumours. Moreover, it has also been regarded as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target of colorectal cancer (CRC). Whether miR-10b could affect the metastasis and proliferation of CRC is unclear.

Clinical Efficiency and Safety of Magnetic-Controlled Capsule Endoscopy for Gastric Diseases in Aging Patients: Our Preliminary Experience.

Background: The elderly assess higher incidence of gastric diseases and may meet challenges and contraindications when flexible esophagogastroduodenoscopy intubating. Magnetic-controlled capsule endoscopy (MCE) is declared as a promising alternative, but its applications in elderly population do not attach enough importance.

Aims: To explore MCE's efficiency and safety in the elderly.

Molecular Characterization of a Cysteine Protease Inhibitor (Cystatin) and Its Possible Role in Filarial Immune Evasion.

Infection with canine heartworm (), spread via mosquito vectors, causes coughing, asthma, pneumonia, and bronchitis in humans and other animals. The disease is especially severe and often fatal in dogs and represents a serious threat to public health worldwide. Cysteine protease inhibitors (CPIs), also known as cystatins, are major immunomodulators of the host immune response during nematode infections.

Molecular characterisation and expression analysis of two heat-shock proteins in Taenia multiceps.

Background: Taenia multiceps is a harmful tapeworm and its larval form (coenurus cerebralis) is the causative agent of coenurosis, a disease affecting the health of herbivores, resulting in great economic loss to animal husbandry. Heat-shock proteins (HSPs), expressed in all prokaryotes and eukaryotes, act as molecular chaperones and can affect pathogenicity.

Methods: Herein, cDNAs of T.

[Light Absorption and Fluorescence Characteristics of Atmospheric Water-soluble Organic Compounds and Humic-like Substances During the Winter Season in Guangzhou].

The light absorption and fluorescence characteristics of atmospheric water-soluble organic compounds (WSOC) and humic-like substances (HULIS) during the winter season in Guangzhou were examined using UV-vis spectroscopy and excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy combined with parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC). The results showed that the SUVA, HIX, and MAE values of HULIS were higher than those of WSOC, suggesting that the former had higher aromaticity, humification, and light-absorption capacity in winter atmospheric PM in Guangzhou. EEM-PARAFAC analysis identified three fluorescence components, including fulvic-like acid (C1), humic-like acid (C2), and protein-like (C3) components.

Molecular Characterization of Annexin B2, B3 and B12 in .

, the metacestode of , causes coenurosis, a disease severely affecting goat, sheep, cattle and yak farming and resulting in huge economic losses annually. Annexins bind calcium ions and play an important role in flatworm parasite development. To explore potential functions of annexins in , three homologous genes, namely, , and , were screened from the transcriptome dataset, amplified from cDNA and subjected to bioinformatics analysis.

A chitinase-like protein from Sarcoptes scabiei as a candidate anti-mite vaccine that contributes to immune protection in rabbits.

Background: Scabies is caused by Sarcoptes scabiei burrowing into the stratum corneum of the host's skin and is detrimental to the health of humans and animals. Vaccines are an attractive alternative to replace the acaricides currently used in their control.

Methods: In the present study, the S.

Comprehensive screening of in a cohort of Chinese patients with Bietti crystalline dystrophy.

Purpose: Bietti crystalline dystrophy (BCD) is an autosomal recessive retinal degeneration disorder caused by mutations in . The aim of this study is to describe the genetic and clinical findings in 128 unrelated Chinese patients diagnosed with BCD.

Methods: Ophthalmological evaluations were performed in all patients.

Sector Retinitis Pigmentosa caused by mutations of the RHO gene.

Background: Sector retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an atypical form of RP in which only one or two quadrants of the retina are involved. The objectives of this study were to report the results of a molecular screening of five unrelated Chinese patients with sector RP and describe the clinical features observed in patients with RHO mutations.

Methods: Five probands that were clinically diagnosed with sector RP were recruited for genetic analysis.

Genetic variability of wildlife-derived Sarcoptes scabiei determined by the ribosomal ITS-2 and mitochondrial 16S genes.

Infestation by the ectoparasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei (Acari: Sarcoptidae) has important implications for global wildlife conservation and both animal and human health. Ribosomal and mitochondrial DNA sequences of parasites are useful to determine genetic diversity and to describe their likely dynamic evolution. In this study, we described the genetic diversity of S.

Genetic characterisation and phylogenetic status of whipworms (Trichuris spp.) from captive non-human primates in China, determined by nuclear and mitochondrial sequencing.

Background: Whipworms (Nematoda: Trichuridae), among the most common soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), can cause the socioeconomically important disease trichuriasis in various mammalian hosts including humans and non-human primates. For many years, Trichuris from non-human primates has been assigned to the same species as the one infecting humans Trichuris trichiura. More recently, several molecular reports challenged this assumption following recognition of a Trichuris species complex observed in humans and non-human primates.

Molecular Characterisation and Functions of Fis1 and PDCD6 Genes from .

Cystic echinococcosis, a parasitic zoonosis that causes significant economic losses and poses a threat to public health, is caused by larvae of the tapeworm . Infection causes infertile cysts in intermediate hosts that cannot produce protoscoleces (PSCs) or complete the life cycle. Herein, we cloned, expressed, and characterised mitochondrial fission protein 1 () and programmed cell death protein 6 () from , and explored their functions related to infertile cysts.

International meeting on sarcoptic mange in wildlife, June 2018, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA.

Sarcoptic mange is a globally distributed disease caused by the burrowing mite Sarcoptes scabiei, which also causes scabies in humans. A wide and increasing number of wild mammal species are reported to be susceptible to mange; however, the impacts of the disease in wildlife populations, mechanisms involved in its eco-epidemiological dynamics, and risks to public and ecosystem health are still unclear. Major gaps exist concerning S.

Cerebellar lncRNA Expression Profile Analysis of SCA3/MJD Mice.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) or Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is the most common autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxia in China with highly clinical heterogeneity, such as progressive cerebellar ataxia, dysarthria, pyramidal signs, external ophthalmoplegia, dysphagia, and distal muscle atrophy. It is caused by the abnormal expansion of CAG repeats in a coding region of . However, by focusing on the itself cannot fully explain the heterogeneous clinical features of SCA3/MJD.

Molecular characterization of triosephosphate isomerase from Echinococcus granulosus.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonosis that can be caused by the larvae of Echinococcus granulosus; this disease occurs worldwide and is highly endemic in China. E. granulosus can produce energy by glycolysis as well as both aerobic and anaerobic respirations.

Oocyte-specific deletion of Gα induces oxidative stress and deteriorates oocyte quality in mice.

The stimulatory heterotrimeric G protein alpha subunit (Gα) is a ubiquitous guanine nucleotide-binding protein that regulates the intracellular cAMP signaling pathway and consequently participates in a wide range of biological events. In the reproductive system, despite Gα being associated with oocyte meiotic arrest in vitro, the exact role of Gα in female fertility in vivo remains largely unknown. Here, we generated oocyte-specific Gα knockout mice by using the Cre/LoxP system.

Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis modulates the local immune response and glucose uptake in the small intestine of juvenile pigs infected with the parasitic nematode Ascaris suum.

An evaluation of a localized intestinal allergic type-2 response concomitant with consumption of probiotic bacteria is not well documented. This study investigated the effect of feeding probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis (Bb12) or a placebo in weaned pigs that were also inoculated with Ascaris suum (A. suum) eggs to induce a strong Th2-dependent allergic type 2 immune response.

The Effect of Feeding Cocoa Powder and on the Composition and Function of Pig Intestinal Microbiome.

Background: Dietary habits have been linked with variability of gut microbiota composition and disease risk.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding a cocoa powder with or without a probiotic on the composition and function of the fecal microbiome of pigs.

Methods: Four groups of 8 pigs each were fed a standard growth diet supplemented with cocoa powder, (LGG), cocoa powder + LGG, or an equal amount of fiber similar to that found in cocoa powder (control group).

Temporal and spatial distribution of ammonia-oxidizing organisms of two types of wetlands in Northeast China.

Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) contribute significantly to the nitrogen cycle. The community structure of AOA and AOB is diverse in the different wetlands. Few studies have comparatively investigated the community structure and dynamics of ammonia-oxidizing organisms in the marsh wetland (Sanjiang wetland) and inland saline-alkaline wetland (Zhalong wetland) in Northeast China.

Molecular characterization and allergenicity potential of triosephosphate isomerase from Sarcoptes scabiei.

Scabies is an allergic skin disease that affects millions of mammals worldwide, including humans. It is a neglected tropical disease that represents a significant public health threat, particularly in economically disadvantaged populations. An effective vaccine is not currently available, and the exact mode of pathogenesis remains unclear.

Serodiagnostic Potential of Alpha-Enolase From and Its Possible Role in Host-Mite Interactions.

Infestation of the epidermis with the highly contagious ectoparasite, , causes scabies, which is characterized by intense itching, pruritus, and secondary infection. This condition affects humans, livestock, and wildlife worldwide, incurring large economic losses and reducing the quality of human life. In the present study, we cloned the alpha-enolase, a key enzyme in the glycolytic and gluconeogenesis pathways, from var.

Study on Association of Pentraxin 3 and Diabetic Nephropathy in a Rat Model.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious microvascular complication of diabetes. Compared with other therapies for diabetic patients, islet transplantation can effectively prevent and reverse diabetes-induced microvascular disease, such as diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy. PTX3 is the only long pentraxin that can be detected in renal tissue.

The Ossabaw Pig Is a Suitable Translational Model to Evaluate Dietary Patterns and Coronary Artery Disease Risk.

Background: Animal models that mimic diet-induced human pathogenesis of chronic diseases are of increasing importance in preclinical studies. The Ossabaw pig is an established model for obesity-related metabolic disorders when fed extreme diets in caloric excess.

Objective: To increase the translational nature of this model, we evaluated the effect of diets resembling 2 human dietary patterns, the Western diet (WD) and the Heart Healthy Diet (HHD), without or with atorvastatin (-S or +S) therapy, on cardiometabolic risk factors and atherosclerosis development.

Comprehensive Molecular Screening in Chinese Usher Syndrome Patients.

Purpose: Usher syndrome (USH) refers to a group of autosomal recessive disorders causing deafness and blindness. The objectives of this study were to determine the mutation spectrum in a cohort of Chinese patients with USH and to describe the clinical features of the patients with mutations.

Methods: A total of 119 probands who were clinically diagnosed with USH were recruited for genetic analysis.