Brugia pahangi: Immunization with early L3 ES alters parasite migration,and reduces microfilaremia and lymphatic lesion formation in gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Previous studies have shown that intradermally (ID) injected Brugia pahangi L3s migrate through various tissues and into the lymphatics of gerbils in a distinct pattern. Excretory/secretory products (ES) produced at the time of invasion of B. pahangi are likely to be important in this early migration phase of the parasite life cycle in their rodent host. Hence, early L3 ES was collected from 24 h in vitro cultures of B. pahangi L3 larvae and used in immunization experiments to investigate the effect of immunity to early L3 ES on worm migration, survival and development of B. pahangi. Immunization of gerbils with ES in RIBI adjuvant produced antibodies to numerous ES proteins eliciting a strong humoral response to ES and indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assay using anti-ES serum recognized the ES proteins on the surface of B. pahangi L3 larvae. Following ES immunization, gerbils were challenged either ID or intraperitoneally (IP) with 100 L3s of B. pahangi and euthanized at 3 or 106 days post inoculation (DPI). Immunization with early ES slowed the migration of ID inoculated L3 at 3 DPI and significantly altered the locations of adult worms at 106 DPI. Immunization did not induce protection in any treatment group. However, immunized animals had significantly fewer microfilariae per female worm suggesting the antigens in ES are important in microfilariae development or survival in the host. The number of lymphatic granulomas was also significantly reduced in ES immunized animals. It is important to note that microfilariae serve as a nidus in these granulomas. Our results shows immunization with early Brugia malayi L3 ES alters the worm migration, affects circulating microfilarial numbers and reduces lymphatic granulomas associated with B. pahangi infection in gerbils.     

男性内源性性激素水平与冠心病范围及左心室射血分数的相关性

摘要 目的：探究男性内源性性激素水平与冠心病范围及左心室射血分数（LVEF）的相关性。方法：将2018年6月至2020年6月于我院接受治疗的96例经冠状动脉造影术（CAG）确诊为冠心病的96例患者纳入研究,按照临床分型将其区分为稳定型心绞痛（SAP,30例）、不稳定型心绞痛（UAP,30例）、急性心肌梗死（AMI,36例）,另选同期CAG检测结果提示冠状动脉管腔直径狭窄率<50 %的50例个体为对照组,检测入组对象的睾酮（Ts）、雌二醇（E₂）水平,评估计算入组对象的Gensini积分以及LVEF,对比不同组别之间Ts、E₂、Gensini积分以及LVEF差异,Spearman相关分析探究Ts、E₂与Gensini积分、LVEF的相关性,最后将患者按照Genisini评分区分为狭窄轻型组与严重组,Logistic回归分析影响冠脉狭窄的危险因素。结果：（1）比较显示,冠心病各组间Ts、E₂、Gensini积分以及LVEF差异明显,以AMI组患者Ts、E₂和LVEF水平最低,Gensini积分最高（P<0.05）;（2）Spearman相关性分析显示,Ts、E₂均与Gensini积分呈负相关,与LVEF呈正相关（P<0.05）;（3）多因素Logistic回归分析显示Ts、E₂水平是影响冠脉狭窄程度的独立危险因素（P<0.05）。结论：男性内源性性激素水平同其冠心病范围和LVEF呈现密切相关性,是影响冠脉狭窄程度的独立危险因素,可以考虑将其应用于临床冠脉狭窄的诊断与鉴别中。     

Changes in Phyto-Chemical Status upon Viral Infections in Plant: A Critical Review

Most damaging plant diseases have been caused by viruses in the entire world. In tropical and subtropical areas, the damage caused by plant virus leads to great economic and agricultural losses. Single stranded DNA viruses (geminiviruses) are the most perilous pathogens which are responsible for major diseases in agronomic and horticultural crops. Significantly begomoviruses and mastreviruses are the biggest genus of plant infecting viruses, transmitted though Bemisia tabaci and members of Cicadellidae respectively. Plants possesses some naturally existing chemicals term as phyto-chemicals which perform important functions in the plant. Some antioxidant enzymes are used by plants for self-defense upon foreign invasion of infection. This review explains the present perceptive of influence of viral infections on phyto-chemicals, oxidative enzymes and biochemical changes occurring in the plant. Viral infection mediated phyto-chemical changes in plants mainly includes: up and down regulation of photosynthetic pigment, increase in the concentration of phenolic compounds, elevation of starch content in the leaf and up & down regulation of anti-oxidative enzymes including (GPX) guaiacol peroxidase, (PPO) polyphenol oxidase, (APX) ascorbate peroxidase, (SOD) superoxide dismutase and (CTA) catalase. These changes lead to initiation of hypersensitive response, by thicken of the leaf lamina, lignification under the leaf surface, blocking to stomatal openings, systematic cell death, generation of reactive oxidative species (ROS), activation of pathogen mediated resistance pathways i.e., production of salicylic acid and jasmonic acid. Collectively all the physiological changes in the plant due to viral infection supports the activation of defense mechanism of the plant to combat against viral infection by limiting virus in specific area, followed with the production of barriers for pathogen, accumulation of starch in the leaf and excess production of (ROS). These strategies used by the plant to prevent the spread of virus in whole plant and to minimize the risk of severe yield loss.     

双针刺疗法在孕足月初产妇催产中的应用效果及对应激反应和内源性神经递质的影响

摘要 目的：研究双针刺疗法在孕足月初产妇催产中的应用效果及对应激反应和内源性神经递质的影响。方法：选取2020年3月~2022年5月期间我院妇产科收治的孕足月初产妇102例。根据随机数字表法分为对照组（51例）和研究组（51例）。产妇在临产宫口开至3 cm（T0）后,对照组不予以任何镇痛方法干预,研究组给予双针刺疗法干预。比较两组催产疗效、产程情况、宫颈成熟指标、应激反应和疼痛、内源性神经递质指标的变化情况。结果：研究组的临床总有效率高于对照组（P<0.05）。研究组的总产程、第一产程、第二产程、第三产程时间均短于对照组（P<0.05）。研究组的宫颈口扩张、宫颈管消退、先露位置、宫颈硬度、宫口位置大于对照组（P<0.05）。两组宫颈口开10 cm（T1）的血糖、皮质醇水平升高,但研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组T1的视觉疼痛模拟（VAS）评分、P物质（SP）、β-内啡肽（β-EP）、神经肽Y（NPY）升高,但研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：孕足月初产妇采用双针刺疗法可提高催产疗效,促进宫颈成熟,缩短产程时间,同时还可减少内源性神经递质的释放,减轻产妇应激反应。     

Human Organoids as a Promising Platform for Fighting COVID-19

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic evoked by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has triggered a major public health problem with significant morbidity and mortality. Understanding the pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms underlying this novel virus is crucial for both fundamental research and clinical trials in order to devise effective therapies and vaccination regimens. Basic research on SARS-CoV-2 largely depends on ex vivo models that allow viral invasion and replication. Organoid models are now emerging as a valuable tool to investigate viral biology and disease progression, serving as an efficient platform to investigate potential therapies for COVID-19. Here, we summarize various human stem cell-derived organoid types employed in SARS-CoV-2 studies. We highlight key findings from these models, including cell tropisms and molecular mechanisms in viral infection. We also describe their use in identifying potential therapeutic agents against SARS-CoV-2. As more and more advanced organoids emerge, they will facilitate the understanding of disease pathogenesis for drug development in this dreaded pandemic.     

Interaction of microbial pathogens with host exocytic pathways

Many microbial pathogens co‐opt or perturb host membrane trafficking pathways. This review covers recent examples in which microbes interact with host exocytosis, the fusion of intracellular vesicles with the plasma membrane. The bacterial pathogens Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus subvert recycling endosomal pathways of exocytosis in order to induce their entry into human cells. By contrast, entry of the protozoan pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi or the virus adenovirus into host cells involves exploitation of lysosomal exocytosis. Toxins produced by Bacillus anthracis or Vibrio cholerae interfere with exocytosis pathways mediated by the GTPase Rab11 and the exocyst complex. By doing so, anthrax or cholera toxins impair recycling of cadherins to cell–cell junctions and disrupt the barrier properties of endothelial cells or intestinal epithelial cells, respectively. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is expelled from bladder epithelial cells through two different exocytic routes that involve sensing of bacteria in vacuoles by host Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) or monitoring of the pH of lysosomes harbouring UPEC. The TLR4 pathway is mediated by multiple Rab GTPases and the exocyst, whereas the other pathway involves exocytosis of lysosomes. Expulsion of UPEC through these pathways is thought to benefit the host.     

人工繁育与野外鳄蜥幼体及亚成体形态和健康状况的比较

人工繁育是濒危物种保护的重要手段,但是也会改变物种的表型。为了探究人工繁育对于鳄蜥(Shinisaurus crocodilurus)形态和健康状况的影响,本研究比较了人工繁育鳄蜥与野外鳄蜥新生幼体及亚成体形态特征与细菌感染率。结果发现,人工繁育鳄蜥与野外鳄蜥的新生幼体体型无显著差异,而人工繁育鳄蜥亚成体体型显著大于野外鳄蜥;两个年龄段的人工繁育鳄蜥断尾率均显著低于野外鳄蜥;人工繁育鳄蜥亚成体细菌感染率最高,但是各年龄组种群间的差异不显著。本研究表明,人工环境促进了鳄蜥的生长,减少了鳄蜥被捕食的风险,但有增加鳄蜥感染疾病的可能性,因此在鳄蜥的饲养管理中需要加强疾病防治。