[Analysis of disease burden of lung cancer attributable to chromium in Chinese population from 1990 to 2019].

Objective: To analyze the disease burden and change trend of lung cancer attributable to chromium in Chinese population from 1990 to 2019, and to provide reference for the formulation of health policies and strategies of disease prevention and control. Methods: In October 2022, using the data and findings of the burden of disease, injury and risk factor published in the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD 2019), the burden of lung cancer and its changes caused by occupational hexavalent chromium exposure in Chinese population from 1990 to 2019 were analyzed according to year and gender. The average age structure of the world population was used as the standard population to calculate standardized indicators, and then compared with the global population. Results: The incidence number, death number, disability adjusted life years (DALY) of lung cancer attributable to chromium in Chinese population of 2019 were 833 cases, 790 cases and 22118 person years, respectively. Compared with 1990 (257 cases, 277 cases, 8631 person years), the increase was 224.1%, 185.2%, 156.3%, higher than the global level (101.0%, 134.2%, 117.2%). The standardized morbidity, mortality and DALY rates of lung cancer attributable to chromium in Chinese population of 2019 were 0.059/100000, 0.056/100000 and 1.555/100000, which respectively increased by 169.7%, 137.4%, 113.3% in comparison with that of 1990 (0.022/100000, 0.023/100000 and 0.729/100000). The average annual percent changes were 18.8%, 15.1% and 13.5%, which were higher than the global level (5.7%, 8.4% and 7.0%). In 2019, the DALY caused by chromium-related lung cancer in the Chinese population accounted for 0.0058% (22118/382205568) of the all-cause disease burden in the Chinese population, and 51.8% (22118/42718) of the global population. In 2019, the disease burden of lung cancer attributable to chromium was higher in males than in females, the number of incidence, death and DALY were 576 cases (69.1%), 525 cases (66.5%) and 14717 person years (66.5%), respectively. Conclusion: In 2019, the proportion of disease burden caused by lung cancer attributable to chromium in the Chinese population is low, but it accounts for a high proportion of the global population burden of lung cancer attributable to chromium, and the standardized incidence, mortality and DALY rates show an increasing trend year by year from 1990 to 2019.

Molecular characterization and expression analysis of the Lrh-1 gene in Chinese Hu sheep.

Liver receptor homologue 1 (Lrh-1) is a member of the nuclear receptor belonging to the second subfamily of the nuclear receptor family 5A (NR5A), also named NR5A2, which is important for lipid homeostasis, embryogenesis, and regulation of aromatics. The present study aimed to understand the sequence of ovine Lrh-1 and the expression traits in reproductive organ tissues. Initially, we cloned Lrh-1 from the liver of Hu sheep through degenerate primer of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Characteristic functional domains of DNA binding and ligand binding, conserved among transcription factors of the nuclear receptor superfamily, were identified in Lrh-1 of Hu sheep. The Lrh-1 protein levels in the tissues detected by Western blotting correlated significantly with the transcript levels measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). To understand the Lrh-1 expression change in the hypothalamus and hypophysis during the estrous cycle, we analyzed the expression pattern of Lrh-1 mRNA and protein by qRT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. This analysis revealed that Lrh-1 expression in the hypothalamus was highest during the metestrus phase, while the Lrh-1 level was similar during other phases. In the hypophysis, the expression was significantly different during the 4 phases of the estrous cycle but highest during the estrus phase, significantly correlating with FSH concentration. These results indicate that Lrh-1 expression is correlated with gonadotropic hormone secretion, influencing follicular formation in the ovary.

Fusion of Na-ASP-2 with human immunoglobulin Fcγ abrogates histamine release from basophils sensitized with anti-Na-ASP-2 IgE.

Na-ASP-2 is a major protein secreted by infective third-stage larvae (L3) of the human hookworm Necator americanus upon host entry. It was chosen as a lead vaccine candidate for its ability to elicit protective immune responses. However, clinical development of this antigen as a recombinant vaccine was halted because it caused allergic reactions among some of human volunteers previously infected with N. americanus. To prevent IgE-mediated allergic reactions induced by Na-ASP-2 but keep its immunogenicity as a vaccine antigen, we designed and tested a genetically engineered fusion protein, Fcγ/Na-ASP-2, composed of full-length Na-ASP-2 and truncated human IgG Fcγ1 that targets the negative signalling receptor FcγRIIb expressed on pro-allergic cells. The chimeric recombinant Fcγ/Na-ASP-2 protein was expressed in Pichia pastoris and shared the similar antigenicity as native Na-ASP-2. Compared to Na-ASP-2, the chimeric fusion protein efficiently reduced the release of histamine in human basophils sensitized with anti-Na-ASP-2 IgE obtained from individuals living in a hookworm-endemic area. In dogs infected with canine hookworm, Fcγ/Na-ASP-2 resulted in significantly reduced immediate-type skin reactivity when injected intradermally compared with Na-ASP-2. Hamsters vaccinated with Fcγ/Na-ASP-2 formulated with Alhydrogel(®) produced specific IgG that recognized Na-ASP-2 and elicited similar protection level against N. americanus L3 challenge as native Na-ASP-2.

High performance composites of spinel LiMn2O4/3DG for lithium ion batteries.

A highly crystalline nanosized spinel LiMn2O4/3DG composite cathode material for high rate lithium ion batteries was successfully prepared by mixing spinel LiMn2O4 particles with reduced graphene oxide (3DG). Spinel LiMn2O4 and reduced three-dimensional graphene oxide were synthesized using a hydrothermal method and freeze-drying technology, respectively. The structure, morphology and electrochemical performance of the synthesized materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and galvanostatic charge-discharge techniques. The results showed that the LiMn2O4/3DG composites exhibited excellent rate capability and stable cycling performance. The discharge capacity was 131 mA h g-1 and the capacity remains at 89.3% after 100 cycles at a 0.5 C rate, while the discharge capacity was 90 mA h g-1 at 10 C. Compared with spinel LiMn2O4 materials, the LiMn2O4/3DG composites showed obvious improvement in electrochemical performance.

Plasma pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy of praziquantel and 4-hydroxypraziquantel in Schistosoma japonicum-infected rabbits after oral, rectal, and intramuscular administration.

The relationship between plasma level and therapeutic efficacy of praziquantel (PZQ) and its major human oxidative metabolite, 4-hydroxypraziquantel (4-OHPZQ), has been investigated in Schistosoma japonicum-infected rabbits using three different routes of PZQ administration. After intramuscular administration (20 mg/kg), the maximum level of PZQ in rabbit cardiac plasma was 1.6 +/- 1.0 micrograms/ml (mean +/- SD) 30 min after administration. After oral or rectal administration (40 mg/kg), maximum plasma levels were 0.1 +/- 0.2 microgram/ml (oral) and 0.5 +/- 0.4 micrograms/ml (rectal). The corresponding maximum 4-OHPZQ concentrations in cardiac plasma were 4.6 +/- 1.8 micrograms/ml (intramuscular), 1.7 +/- 0.5 micrograms/ml (oral), and 4.1 +/- 1.6 micrograms/ml (rectal) 2 hr after administration of PZQ. After administration of similar doses, maximum levels of PZQ in plasma from the femoral vein were 29.3 +/- 27.5 micrograms/ml (intramuscular), 0.6 +/- 1.0 microgram/ml (oral), and 0.7 +/- 0.6 microgram/ml (rectal). However, 60 min after intramuscular administration, the maximum PZQ concentration in portal venous blood was only 1.0 +/- 0.6 microgram/ml, which is substantially less than corresponding maximum portal vein levels after oral (6.8 +/- 6.5 micrograms/ml) or rectal (3.7 +/- 4.6 micrograms/ml) administration. Therapeutically, in spite of the 4-6-fold lower levels of PZQ in portal venous plasma after intramuscular administration, adult worm reduction rates in infected rabbits using the above doses were 92.2% (intramuscular), 90.1% (rectal), and 72.5% (oral), respectively, four weeks after treatment. Thus, no direct correlation between levels of PZQ in peripheral or portal venous blood and therapeutic efficacy was observed in rabbits infected with S. japonicum.

Uptake and effect of praziquantel and the major human oxidative metabolite, 4-hydroxypraziquantel, by Schistosoma japonicum.

After exposure to praziquantel in vitro at a concentration of 1 microgram/ml for 0.5-2 hr, amounts of praziquantel in Schistosoma japonicum varied from 2.1 +/- 1.2 to 3.7 +/- 1.6 ng/male worm and 1.3 +/- 1.2 to 2.2 +/- 1.5 ng/female worm during the time studied. At 30 micrograms/ml, praziquantel amounts were 11-33-fold higher. However, within 2 hr after removal from a medium containing 30 micrograms/ml praziquantel, 95% of the drug was released from the parasites. When S. japonicum worm pairs were incubated in vitro with 1, 10, and 30 micrograms/ml of 4-hydroxypraziquantel, the major human oxidative metabolite of praziquantel, 0.2 +/- 0.2, 3.8 +/- 1.3, and 7.4 +/- 1.3 ng/worm pair, respectively, were found after a 2-hr incubation. 15-30-fold lower than corresponding worm pair amounts of praziquantel. In vivo, when 4- or 5-wk S. japonicum-infected mice were treated orally with praziquantel (300 mg/kg), peak concentrations of praziquantel in plasma determined by high pressure liquid chromatography were 14.7 +/- 1.5 micrograms/ml (4-wk infection) and 16.7 +/- 2.8 micrograms/ml (5-wk infection) 15 min after treatment. Corresponding in vivo worm praziquantel amounts were 1.8 +/- 0.4 ng/male worm and 2.4 +/- 1.1 ng/female worm, respectively, in the 4-wk infection and 4.6 +/- 1.6 ng/male worm and 5.6 +/- 1.2 ng/female worm in the 5-wk infection. Peak plasma concentrations of 4-hydroxypraziquantel were similar but corresponding in vivo worm amounts were 1-20-fold lower, depending on the time after drug administration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of benzimidazole compounds on mice infected with secondary cysts of Echinococcus granulosus.

The effects of mebendazole (Meb), albendazole (Alb) and albendazole sulfoxide (AlbSO) on metacestodes of Echinococcus granulosus have been studied. The results show that Meb and Alb exhibit less effect on protoscoleces in vitro, but in vivo the protoscolicidal effect of Meb is higher than that of Alb. Both Meb and Alb are efficacious in the treatment of mice infected with secondary cysts of E. granulosus. In terms of the minimal effective dose required, the occurrence of collapsed and shrunk cysts after treatment, the drug-induced damage on the germinal layer and the relationship between the drug content in the cyst wall and the damage of germinal layer, the effect of Meb on metacestodes of E. granulosus is higher than that of Alb. The results also indicated that lower drug absorption rate and thickening of the adventitia during longer disease course are the two major factors affecting the efficacy of Meb and Alb, hence suggesting that increase of Meb absorption may be expected to raise the therapeutic effect of the drug. Finally, Alb is not only metabolized to AlbSo and AlbSP in vivo, but also metabolized by the cysts exposed to Alb in vitro. Experimental chemotherapy showed that AlbSO is the major effective metabolite of Alb, and its curative dose is only one half of the parent compound.

Experimental studies on early treatment of schistosomal infection with artemether.

An early treatment with artemether given in appropriate regimens was tested in mice, rabbits and dogs for prevention purposes. Artemether was administered intragastrically (ig) to the hosts on day 7 after infection with Schistosoma japonicum cercariae at a single dose, and the same dose of artemether was repeated every 1 or 2 weeks for 2-4 times. As a result, most of the female worms were killed before their oviposition with female worm reduction rates of 90-100%, resulting in protection of the host from damage induced by schistosome eggs. When rabbits were treated ig with artemether 10 mg kg-1 on day 7 after infection, followed by repeated dosing every week for 4 times, some parameters related to acute schistosomiasis, such as temperature, eosinophil count and eggs in the feces were negative, and low specific antigen and antibody levels in serum were seen. Further study showed that the appropriate regimens of Artemether were also effective in early treatment of reinfection with cercariae. When rabbits infected with 48-52 cercariae once every other day for 5 times were treated ig with artemether 15 mg kg-1, followed by repeated dosing every 1 or 2 week for 2- 3 times, the female worm reduction rates were 92.1-98.4%. Histopathological examination of the livers showed that the above-mentioned early treatment with Artemether exhibited a promising protective effect on dogs and rabbits. The major features included normal appearance of the liver resembling those of uninfected dogs and rabbits; few or no dispersed miliary egg tubercles appeared on the surface of the liver; the structure of the hepatic lobules was normal with normal arrangement of the liver bundles; few or no eggs appeared in the portal vein area and there was apparent diminution of total egg granuloma, comprising inflammatory, fibrous or scarred egg granuloma. On the basis of above-mentioned results, early treatment with Artemether could be recommended for field trial for controlling acute schistosomiasis, reducing infection rate and intensity of infection.

[Identification of the barley chromosome in wheat by GISH and RFLP].

The barley chromosome in wheat was identified by genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) in which biotin labelled total genomic DNA of barley Betzes was used as probe and the unlabelled total DNA of common wheat Chinese Spring (CS) as blocking DNA. A series of wheat materials were tested as follows: two disomic alien substitution and monosomic alien addition lines, 2n = 43; two monosomic alien substitution lines, 2n = 42; seven disomic alien substitution lines, 2n = 42. RFLP probe psr131 on the short arm of the homologous group 2 was used to analyze the barley chromosome in wheat. The result indicated that there was a same band in barley Betzes and substitution line A5. The chromosome 2A of A5 was substituted by the chromosome 2H of barley. These materials will be useful in transferring the valuable genes in the chromosome 2H to wheat.

[Pharmacokinetics of epristeride in rats and beagle dogs].

AIM: To study the pharmacokinetics of epristeride (EPR) in rats and Beagle dogs. METHODS: The concentrations of EPR in biological samples were determined by an HPLC method with UV detection. RESULTS: The concentration-time curves in rat serum showed two peak concentrations after i.g. doses of 10, 20 and 40 mg.kg-1. The Tpeak1 and Tpeak2 were attained within 0.5-1 h and 3-4 h, respectively. The elimination half-life(T1/2 beta) was 2.43-3.14 h. The Tpeak and T1/2 beta in Beagle dogs were 1 h and 5 h, respectively. EPR was shown to be widely distributed to various tissues after i.g. dose of 20 mg.kg-1. The concentrations in most tissues at 3 h were higher than those of 6 h. The excretion of parent drug in urine amounted to only 0.09% of the dosage and in feces to 42.9% within 24 h after dosing. The biliary excretion were mainly metabolites and only 0.14% of parent drug of the dosage within 12 h. Plasma protein binding ratio of EPR was 92.3% at the concentration range of 50-3,000 ng.mL-1. CONCLUSION: The absorption of EPR was shown to be of first order processes at doses of 10-40 mg.kg-1, both the Cmax and AUC increased proportionally with the dosages. EPR was shown to be widely distributed to the various tissues and mainly eliminated via the feces and bile.

[Pharmacokinetics of sodium bimetrondazole glycinate in mice and rats].

AIM: To study the pharmacokinetic properties of sodium bimetrondazole glycinate (CMNa) in animals. METHODS: The concentrations of CMNa and its metabolite metronidazole in biological samples were determined by an HPLC method with UV detection. RESULTS: The transformation studies in vitro indicated that the CMNa transformation rate and metronidazole generation rate in whole blood at 90 min were 91.8% and 67.3%, respectively. After single i.v. doses of 57.3, 171.9 and 515.7 mg.kg-1 CMNa in mice, the T1/2 beta of the parent drug was 0.5, 0.8 and 1.0 min, the T1/2 beta of metronidazole was 63.2, 68.2 and 64.3 min. After a single i.v. dose of 171.9 mg.kg-1 CMNa in rats, the levels of CMNa and metronidazole in various tissues were higher at 2 and 5 min. The urinary excretion of the parent drug and metronidazole were 8.4% and 16.7% of the dose, the biliary excretion were 11.5% and 5.1% and the fecal excretion were 0.14% and 0.03%, respectively. The average plasma protein binding ratio (PPBR) of CMNa was 14.2%. CONCLUSION: CMNa was rapidly metabolized into metronidazole in vivo. The levels of Cmax and AUC of the parent drug and metronidazole increased proportionally with increasing doses. CMNa and metronidazole were predominantly excreted with the urine and bile.

[Effect of arteether on Schistosoma japonicum].

NIH mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum cercariae for 3, 7, 14, 21 or 35 d were treated ig either with arteether or artemether at the daily dose of 100-200 mg.kg-1 for 2 d, the efficacy produced by both drugs was similar. The d 7 schistosomules and d 35 adult worms were more susceptible to arteether or artemether with respective worm reduction rates of 77.5%-87.2% and 51.7%-61.3%. Histological and histochemical studies showed that d 7 and d 35 schistosomes, harbored in mice treated with arteether 300 mg.kg-1.d-1 for 2 d appeared in cloudy swelling and vesiculation in the tegument, distension of intestine, apparent decrease or even disappearance of glycogen and inhibition of alkaline phosphatase activity in the tegument and parenchymal tissues, as well as formation of dead worm granuloma.

Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic analysis of changrolin in dogs with arrhythmia.

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of changrolin (CRL) were studied in 7 dogs with arrhythmia induced by coronary artery ligature. The ECG and the percentage of reduction ratio of ventricular premature were used to evaluate the effect of CRL, and an HPLC method was used to determine the serum drug concentration. A pharmacokinetic program was used to fit concentration-time (C-T) data and a combined pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model was used to analyze effect-time (E-T) data in individual dogs. After infusion with CRL 83.33 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 for 60 min, it was found that K10, T1/2, Vd, Cl and Ce were 0.0087 min-1, 78.03 min, 40.55 ml.kg-1, 0.42 ml.kg-1.min-1, and 2.01 micrograms.ml-1, respectively.

[Isolation of germinal cells from the secondary cysts of Echinococcus granulosus harbored in mice].

The secondary cyst tissues derived from mice infected with protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus for 8-10 months were digested with 0.25% trypsin at 37 degrees C for 30 min. The separation of different cells in the remaining suspension was achieved by discontinuous gradient centrifugation. The germinal cells were washed 3 times with ice-cold HBSS, and then cultivated in the medium of RPMI 1640 supplemented with 20% of calf serum. The cells were kept in an incubator at 37 degrees C in an atmosphere of 95% air-5% CO2. After incubation for 5-7 days, the germinal cells began to multiply accompanied by the enlargement of cells as compared with those before incubation. The surface of both isolated and/or cultured cells showed smooth appearance examined by scanning electron microscopy. Immunofluorescence assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay had been used for examining the specific antigenicity of the cells. The results showed that antigen components of E. granulosus were detected either on cell surface or in soluble proteins of the cells. Furthermore, 120 NIH female mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with 1-5 x 10(7) cultured germinal cells and sacrificed 1-3 months after inoculation. Only 2 cystic materials had been detected in two mice. Of which, one located in the liver and the other in peritoneal cavity of the animals. Histological examination noted that the cystic materials consisted of germinal layer and cyst fluid, but no laminated layer was observed. The above mentioned evidence demonstrated that the cells isolated from the cysts of E. granulosus were germinal cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of early treatment of artemether against schistosomiasis in mice.

When artemether (Art) was given ig to mice on the day of infection with Schistosoma japonicum cercariae at a single dose of 300 mg.kg-1 and followed by the repeated dosing at 2-3 wk intervals, the total and female worm reduction rates as compared with the control were evident. In mice treated ig with Art on d7 at the same dosage and repeated once every wk for 4 times, the female worm reduction rates were about or over 90%, and part of the animals was free from female worm. Nevertheless, the liver appearance of some treated animals was similar to that of the normal mouse. The results indicated that if Art was given in the early stage after infection, it could be expected to protect the host from schistosomal infection or reduce the intensity of infection.

[Effect of artemether on enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism of Schistosoma japonicum].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of artemether on several enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism of Schistosoma japonicum. METHODS: Mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum cercariae for 4-5 weeks were administered intragastrically with artemether 300 mg/kg and killed 24-72 h after medication. The supernatant fluids of female and male worm homogenates were prepared for determining 9 essential enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism by using horizontal starchgel electrophoresis. RESULTS: The activities of 8 out of 9 enzymes (i.e. hexokinase, aldolase, glucosephophate isomerase, malate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and mannose-6-phosphate isomerase) in female worms from artemether-treated mice were obviously inhibited 24-72 h after treatment. In male worms, only aldolase, mannose-6-phosphate isomerase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase were slightly inhibited. CONCLUSION: Artemether displayed apparent effects on the carbohydrate metabolism of female schistosomes.

[Screening antihydatid drugs using cultivated germinal cells of Echinococcus granulosus].

Germinal cells isolated from Echinococcus granulosus cysts harbored in mice have been maintained in an in vitro culture system containing RPMI 1640 supplemented by 20% calf serum, and used as a model for screening anti-hydatid drugs. When the germinal cells were maintained in the medium for 6 days, the cell proliferation rate was rather high in the first four days but declined in the last two days. In screening drugs, 1.4 x 10(6) germinal cells were exposed to known effective drugs against metacestodes of E. granulosus in mice, such as mebendazole (Meb), albendazole (Alb) or praziquantel (Pra) at various concentrations. One to three days after exposure, cell counts were made daily in 3 samples of each drug concentration. The mean cell number of each group was compared with that of the control and the inhibition rate of the cell was then calculated. The results showed that the minimal effective concentrations of Meb, Alb and Pra, were 1.0 (48 h), 2.5 (24 h) and 10.0 (72 h) micrograms/ml, respectively, while the inhibition rates of the cell were 34.1, 55.7 and 18.5%. Interestingly, the in vitro effects of Meb, Alb and Pra were consistent to those obtained from the in vivo tests, ie Meb > Alb > Pra. Nevertheless, after exposure of germinal cells to Meb at 2.5 micrograms/ml for 24 h, the cells appeared in roughness, indistinction, shrunk or swelling, collapse, deformation and hole-like feature detected by light microscopy and scanning electron-microscopy, while the ultrastructure alterations of the cells noted by transmission electron-microscopy were lysis in cytoplasm, disruption or disappearance of nucleus and even darkness of the whole cell.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[ELIB of specific antigens in in vitro cultivated germinal cells of Echinococcus granulosus].

Specific antigens are detected in cyst fluid and cyst wall of Echinococcus granulosus, as well as germinal cells cultivated in vitro by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and enzyme linked immunotransfer blot technique (ELIB), using the sera from mice infected with protoscoleces of E. granulosus for at least 10 months. A specific reaction band of 52 kDa or 38 kDa was detected in soluble protein of germinal cells and cyst fluid, respectively, but these two reaction bands were present concurrently in the cyst wall. The sera from 7 normal controls, 7 hydatidosis patients and 3 cysticercosis patients were used to study the specific antigen from the germinal cells. The results noted that the reaction band of 52 kDa was seen in all the sera from hydatidosis patients, while the sera from normal human controls and cysticercosis patients showed no reaction band.

Construction and analysis of cDNA library of Necator americanus third stage larvae.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain the genetic information on Necator americanus and to search for the purpose genes. METHODS: mRNA was isolated from the third stage larvae of Necator americanus maintained in hamsters. Double strand cDNA was synthesized and ligated to lambda ZAPII vector to construct the cDNA library. Expressed sequence tages (ESTs) were obtained by single pass sequencing of randomly isolated cDNA clones from the established library. RESULTS: A cDNA library of N. americanus was successfully constructed with high recombinant efficiency. The titer of unamplified library was 1 x 10(7). The insert size was about 750-3,000 bp. Of 11 ESTs obtained from the library, 7 have a significant homology with certain functional genes. CONCLUSION: A high quality and high representative cDNA library of N. americanus was constructed at the first time and some functional genes were identified from the library by ESTs.

[Effect of artemether on phosphoglucomutase, aldolase, phosphoglycerate mutase and enolase of Schistosoma japonicum harbored in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of artemether (Art) on phosphoglucomutase (GPM), aldolase (ALD), phosphoglycerate mutase (PGM) and enolase (ENO) of Schistosoma japonicum harbored in mice. METHODS: Mice infected with S. japonicum cercariae for 4-5 wk were treated ig with Art 100 mg/kg or 300 mg/kg and killed 24 h or 48 h after treatment for collection of worms. The activities of GPM, ALD, PGM and ENO in female and male worms were measured by the formation of NADPH or consumption of NADH. RESULTS: After the worms were exposed in vivo to Art 100 mg/kg for 24 h, the GPM, ALD, PGM and ENO activities in female worms were significantly decreased by 15%, 19%, 50% and 46%, respectively, while in male worms only the PGM and ENO activities were markedly decreased by 22% and 32%, respectively. Following exposure of the worms to Art 100 mg/kg for 48 h, the GPM and ALD activities in male worms were also significantly reduced by 21% and 18%, respectively, while the activities of GPM, ALD, PGM and ENO in female worms and those of PGM and ENO in male worms declined progressively with time. After the worms were exposed in vivo to Art 300 mg/kg for 24-48 h, all the activities of the above-mentioned enzymes in female and male worms declined significantly in a time-related pattern. CONCLUSION: Art showed an apparently inhibitory effect on GPM, ALD, PGM and ENO in female schistosomes.