Sequence variability in internal transcribed spacers of nuclear ribosomal DNA among isolates of the oxyurid nematodes Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera from mice reared in laboratories in China.

This study examined sequence variability in internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA among Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera isolates from laboratory mice from different geographical locations in China. ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2 rDNA were amplified separately from adult S. obvelata and A. tetraptera individuals by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the amplicons were subjected to sequencing from both directions. The lengths of the sequences of ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2 rDNA from both nematodes were 314 bp and 456 bp, 157 bp, and 273 bp and 419 bp, respectively. The intraspecific sequence variations in S. obvelata ITS1 were 0-0.3%. For A. tetraptera they were 0-0.7% in ITS1 and 0-1.0% in ITS2. However, the interspecific sequence differences among members of the infraorder Oxyuridomorpha were significantly higher, being 54.0-65.5% for ITS1 and 55.3-64.1% for ITS2. Phylogenetic analysis based on the combined partial sequences of ITS1 and ITS2 using three inference methods - Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony - revealed that all the S. obvelata and A. tetraptera samples formed independent monophyletic groups. Syphacia obvelata was closer to Syphacia muris than to A. tetraptera, consistent with morphological classification. These results demonstrate that ITS1 and ITS2 rDNA sequences are useful markers for population genetic studies of oxyurid nematodes.

Protease-activated receptor 2 in dorsal root ganglion contributes to peripheral sensitization of bone cancer pain.

BACKGROUND: Treating bone cancer pain continues to be a major clinical challenge, and the underlying mechanisms of bone cancer pain remain elusive. Protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) has been reported to be involved in neurogenic inflammation, nociceptive pain and hyperalgesia. Here, we investigated the role of PAR2 in bone cancer pain development. METHORDS: Expression of PAR2, mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia and neurochemical alterations induced by bone cancer pain were analysed in male, adult C3H/HeJ mice with tumour cell implantation (TCI). To investigate the contribution of PAR2 to bone cancer pain, PAR2 antagonist peptide and PAR2 knockout mice were used. RESULTS: TCI produced bone cancer-related pain behaviours. Production and persistence of these pain behaviours were well correlated with TCI-induced up-regulation of PAR2 in sciatic nerve and dorsal root ganglia (DRG). PAR2 knockout and spinal administration of PAR2 antagonist peptide prevented and/or reversed bone cancer-related pain behaviours and associated neurochemical changes in DRG and dorsal horn (DH). TCI also induced proteases release in tumour-bearing tibia, sciatic nerve and DRG. Plantar injection of supernatant from sarcoma cells induced PAR2 up-regulation and intracellular calcium [Ca(2+) ]i increase in DRG, and calcitonin gene-related peptide accumulation in DH, as well as significant thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia, which were all in PAR2-dependent manners. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that PAR2 may be a key mediator for peripheral sensitization of bone cancer pain. Inhibiting PAR2 activation, especially during the early phase, may be a new therapy for preventing/suppressing development of bone cancer pain.

Psychotherapy integration in modern china.

Since the end of the cultural revolution (1966-78), China has opened itself to Western influence and ideas, including those of Western psychotherapy theory and practice. The faster pace of life under the new market economies has been associated with increased psychological problems and a greater need for psychotherapy. Psychotherapy integration, which fits well both with basic Chinese beliefs and the collectivist orientation, is likely to continue to grow in influence and importance in China. Remaining obstacles to the development of psychotherapy in China include lack of psychotherapy skills within the medical profession, lack of potential profit from doing psychotherapy, stigma attached to mental problems by the masses, and failure to define basic requirements for psychotherapy training and practice.