Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic raccoon dogs in four provinces in northern China.

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite that can infect almost all homoiothermal animals, including domestic raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides). However, related reports on T. gondii infection in domestic raccoon dogs were limited in China.

[Changes of cell factor in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in rats exposed to silica].

Objective: To investigate the changes in the levels of inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in rats exposed to silica dust.

Methods: Experimental rats were randomly divided into control group and three experimental groups (doses of dust: 15, 30, and 60 mg/ml), with 42 rats in each group. Each rat in the control group was treated with 1 ml of normal saline by intratracheal instillation, while each rat in the experimental groups was exposed to 1 ml of silica suspension by a single intratracheal instillation.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Chinese glass lizard Ophisaurus harti (Squamata: Anguidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Ophisaurus harti is a circular molecule of 17,163 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs and a control region. The A + T content of the overall base composition of H-strand is 54.9% (T: 23.

[Changes of NO2-/NO3- and nitration tyrosine concentrations in induced sputum of silicosis patients].

Objective: To analyze the change in nitration tyrosine, NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)level in induced sputum of silicosis patients and dust exposure workers and to evaluate the approach and feasibility of nitric oxide (NO) metabolites as early detection indicators of silicosis.

Methods: Nitration tyrosine, NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)concentration in induced sputum of 80 dust exposure workers, 84 silicosis patients, 30 logistic personnel with no history of exposure to silica dust were determined and the relationship among Nitration tyrosine, NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)level and dust exposure years as well as pulmonary function tests were analyzed.

Results: NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)level among exposed group [60.