Prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis metacercariae in freshwater fish from three latitudinal regions of the Korean Peninsula

A large-scale survey was conducted to investigate the infection status of fresh water fishes with Clonorchis sinensis metacercariae (CsMc) in 3 wide regions, which were tentatively divided by latitudinal levels of the Korean peninsula. A total of 4,071 freshwater fishes were collected from 3 regions, i.e., northern (Gangwon-do: 1,543 fish), middle (Chungcheongbuk-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do: 1,167 fish), and southern areas (Jeollanam-do, Ulsan-si, and Gyeongsangnam-do: 1,361 fish). Each fish was examined by the artificial digestion method from 2003 to 2010. In northern areas, only 11 (0.7%) fish of 2 species, Pungtungia herzi and Squalidus japonicus coreanus from Hantan-gang, Cheolwon-gun, Gangwon-do were infected with av. 2.6 CsMc. In middle areas, 149 (12.8%) fish were infected with av. 164 CsMc. In southern areas, 538 (39.5%) fish were infected with av. 159 CsMc. In the analysis of endemicity in 3 regions with an index fish, P. herzi, 9 (6.2%) of 146 P. herzi from northern areas were infected with av. 2.8 CsMc. In middle areas, 34 (31.8%) of 107 P. herzi were infected with av. 215 CsMc, and in southern areas, 158 (92.9%) of 170 P. herzi were infected with av. 409 CsMc. From these results, it has been confirmed that the infection status of fish with CsMc is obviously different among the 3 latitudinal regions of the Korean peninsula with higher prevalence and burden in southern regions.     

Cardiomyopathy is associated with ribosomal protein gene haplo-insufficiency in Drosophila melanogaster

The Minute syndrome in Drosophila melanogaster is characterized by delayed development, poor fertility, and short slender bristles. Many Minute loci correspond to disruptions of genes for cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins, and therefore the phenotype has been attributed to alterations in translational processes. Although protein translation is crucial for all cells in an organism, it is unclear why Minute mutations cause effects in specific tissues. To determine whether the heart is sensitive to haplo-insufficiency of genes encoding ribosomal proteins, we measured heart function of Minute mutants using optical coherence tomography. We found that cardiomyopathy is associated with the Minute syndrome caused by haplo-insufficiency of genes encoding cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins. While mutations of genes encoding non-Minute cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins are homozygous lethal, heterozygous deficiencies spanning these non-Minute genes did not cause a change in cardiac function. Deficiencies of genes for non-Minute mitochondrial ribosomal proteins also did not show abnormal cardiac function, with the exception of a heterozygous disruption of mRpS33. We demonstrate that cardiomyopathy is a common trait of the Minute syndrome caused by haplo-insufficiency of genes encoding cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins. In contrast, most cases of heterozygous deficiencies of genes encoding non-Minute ribosomal proteins have normal heart function in adult Drosophila.     

Leukotactin-1-induced ERK activation is mediated via Gi/Go protein/PLC/PKC delta/Ras cascades in HOS cells

Recently cloned leukotactin-1 (Lkn-1) that belongs to CC chemokine family has not been characterized. To understand the intracellular events following Lkn-1 binding to CCR1, we investigated the activities of signaling molecules in response to Lkn-1 in human osteogenic sarcoma cells expressing CCR1. Lkn-1-stimulated cells showed elevated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-related kinases (ERK1/2) with a distinct time course. ERK activation was peaked in 30 min and 12 h showing biphasic activation of ERK. Pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of G(i)/G(o) protein, and phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor blocked Lkn-1-induced activation of ERK. Protein kinase C delta (PKC delta) specific inhibitor rottlerin inhibited ERK activation in Lkn-1-stimulated cells. The activities of PLC and PKC delta were also enhanced by Lkn-1 stimulation. Dominant negative Ras inhibited activation of ERK. Immediate early response genes such as c-fos and c-myc were induced by Lkn-1 stimulation. Lkn-1 affected the cell cycle progression by cyclin D(3) induction. These results suggest that Lkn-1 activates the ERK pathway by transducing the signal through G(i)/G(o) protein, PLC, PKC delta and Ras, and it may play a role for cell proliferation, differentiation, and regulation of gene expression for other cellular processes.     

趾间型足癣患者细菌菌种分布特征

目的了解趾间型足癣患者趾间和健康志愿者趾间细菌菌种分布特征。方法对37例经临床和真菌镜检确诊的趾间型足癣患者的趾间进行细菌培养,然后给予1%联苯苄唑霜1次/d外用治疗4周,在治疗后的第1、2、4周分别对趾间再进行细菌培养。33例健康志愿者作为对照。结果健康志愿者趾间细菌培养葡萄球菌属占92.5%,其中表皮葡萄球菌占32.5%,未分离到金黄色葡萄球菌。趾间型足癣患者细菌培养葡萄球菌属占74.4%,其中金黄色葡萄球菌占27.9%,表皮葡萄球菌仅占2.3%,还分离到化脓性链球菌、粪肠球菌、屎肠球菌、奇异变形杆菌、铜绿假单胞菌等。经过4周的外用联苯苄唑霜治疗,金黄色葡萄球菌消失,表皮葡萄球菌又成为优势菌（37.5%）。结论趾间型足癣患者趾间金黄色葡萄球菌的分离率明显高,此乃足癣继发细菌感染的主要致病菌,因此积极治疗足癣对预防足癣合并症有非常重要的意义。     

High Prevalence of HIV Infection and Bisexual Networks among a Sample of Men Who Have Sex with Men in Eastern China

Objective

To examine homosexual and heterosexual behaviors, behavioral networks and HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Eastern China.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among MSM in 2013 in a rural prefecture of Zhejiang province. Participants were interviewed for their sexual behaviors and sexual networks and were tested for HIV infection.

Results

A total of 620 MSM from gay bath houses and bars participated in the survey. Of them, 58.2% aged 18 to 39 years and 49.5% were currently married with a female. The age of first homosexual contact was 26.7 years on average, ranging from 12 to 66 years. 91.0% had multiple male sex partners and 86.1% also had female sex partners in lifetime. 70 (11.3%) of the participants were tested HIV-positive. A total of 620 independent egocentric sexual networks involving 620 study participants and 1,971 reported sexual partners in the past 12 months were constructed, including 70 networks for the 70 HIV-positive participants with their 221 sexual partners and 550 networks for the 550 HIV-negative participants with their 1,750 sexual partners. The median network degree was 3 (IQR 2-4) overall and was not different between HIV-positive participants (Median: 3; IQR: 2-4) and HIV-negative participants (Median: 3; IQR: 2-4) (Mann-Whitney test, Z=-0.015, P=0.998). The proportion of networks with a multiple male sexual partnership was 63.7% overall, 62.8% for HIV-positive participants and 63.8% for HIV-negative participants (χ²=0.025, P=0.875). The proportion of networks with both male and female sexual partners was 44.8% overall, 47.1% for HIV-positive participants and 44.5% for HIV-negative participants (χ²=0.169, P=0.681). Consistent condom use and knowledge of HIV infection status were rare within the network partners.

Conclusions

The currently high HIV prevalence and complicated bisexual networks among MSM in the study area provides enhanced evidence for developing tailored prevention strategies for HIV transmission among and beyond the MSM population.