Experimental evidence from Suaeda glauca explains why the species is not naturally distributed in non-saline soils.

Euhalophytes are not naturally distributed in non-saline areas. However, the reason for this is unclear. Seed germination, seedling emergence and plant tolerance to salt were evaluated in the euhalophyte Suaeda glauca. One population occurs in saline soils (SS), and another has been cultivated in non-saline soils (NSS) for more than 20 years. A total of 500 mM NaCl had a greater adverse effect on seed germination and seedling emergence of brown seeds in S. glauca from NSS compared with those from SS. The seedlings grown from brown seeds collected from NSS were uniform and dwarf, but this was not the case for the seedlings from SS. The salt tolerance of seedlings from NSS did not significantly differ from those from SS, as judged by such factors as the shoot dry weight and contents of leaf Na+ and K+. The concentrations of phytohormones, such as abscisic acid, methyl jasmonate, gibberellin 3 and 4, zeatin riboside, brassinolide, indole acetic acid, and indole-3-propionic acid, in the leaves of seedlings from NSS were generally lower than those from SS under different concentrations of NaCl. In conclusion, salts are not strictly required for the growth of S. glauca. The reason why typical euhalophytes, such as S. glauca, are not found in non-saline areas is probably because the seedlings grown in NSS become dwarf and uniform, thus, weakening their ability to compete with glycophytes in non-saline habitats.

The positive effect of salinity on nitrate uptake in Suaeda salsa.

Nitrate plays both nutritional and osmotic roles in the salt tolerance of halophytes. However, how halophytes take up NO3- under saline conditions is still not well understood. Seedlings of Suaeda salsa L. were treated with 0, 200 and 500 mM NaCl under 0.5 mM NO3--N with or without Na3VO4 (the inhibitor of plasma membrane H+-ATPase) for 24 h. Salinity treatment of 200 mM NaCl up-regulated the gene expression of nitrate transporter 2.1 (SsNRT2.1) in the roots, increased the root net influx of H+ and NO3- and 15NO3- accumulation in the leaves and roots. The expression of SsNRT2.1 at 200 mM NaCl with Na3VO4 was much higher than that without supplying Na3VO4, and the opposite trend was found in 15NO3- accumulation in the leaves and roots. Supplying Na3VO4 had no significant effect on the net H+ flux, but induced a net NO3- efflux in the roots at 200 mM NaCl. Salinity may directly activate the expression of SsNRT2.1 and promote NO3- uptake via the increment of pumping H+ by PM H+-ATPase in S. salsa, which may explain why certain halophytes can absorb and accumulate high concentration of NO3- under low NO3- and high salinity conditions.

Long-term persistence of immune response to the AS04-adjuvanted HPV-16/18 vaccine in Chinese girls aged 9-17 years: Results from an 8-9-year follow-up phase III open-label study.

AIM: In 9-17-year-old Chinese girls, the AS04-adjuvanted HPV-16/18 vaccine (AS04-HPV-16/18) given as three-dose schedule induced high antibody levels, which were noninferior 1 month after the third dose to those observed in 18-25-year-old Chinese women in a large efficacy study. We assessed the persistence of antibodies 8-9 years after vaccination in the same subjects. METHODS: This follow-up phase III, open-label study (NCT03355820) included subjects who had received three doses of AS04-HPV-16/18 in the initial trial (NCT00996125). Serum antibody concentrations were assessed by ELISA and compared to antibody persistence observed in 18-25-year-old Chinese women 6 years after first vaccination in the efficacy study (NCT00779766). RESULTS: Out of the 227 enrolled subjects, 223 were included in the per-protocol immunogenicity analysis. Mean interval from first AS04-HPV-16/18 dose to blood sampling was 101.4 months (8.5 years). For antibodies against HPV-16 and -18, 8.5 years after first vaccine dose all subjects remained seropositive and antibody. Geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) were 1236.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1121.8; 1362.4) and 535.6 (95% CI: 478.6; 599.4) ELISA Units/mL, respectively. These seropositivity rates and antibody GMCs were higher than those observed 6 years after first vaccination of 18-25-year-old women. CONCLUSION: Sustained anti-HPV-16 and -18 immune responses were observed 8-9 years after AS04-HPV-16/18 vaccination of 9-17 year-old Chinese girls that were higher than the ones observed 6 years after first vaccination in Chinese adult women in whom AS04-HPV-16/18 efficacy against cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of grade ≥2 was demonstrated.

[Analysis of karyotype and preparation of C-band and G-band in Schistosoma japonicum].

Chromosomes of Schistosoma japonicum were prepared by usual air drying method, C-band and G-band were made by modified BSG method and enzyme digestion method respectively. Results showed that the karyotype of S. japonicum was 4m + 6Sm + 4St + 2sex chromosome and the C-band formula was 2n = 5CIt + 4CI(+) + 3CI + 2CT +2CT.

[Studies on haemocytes of Oncomelania hupensis].

OBJECTIVES: To establish method for collecting haemocytes of Oncomelania hupensis and study its morphology and immunological importance. METHODS: Referring to the method of haemocytes collection from peripheral lymphoid organ, suspension technique was used for collection of haemocytes from snails, which were then Giemsa-stained and observed under microscope. Stained by gentian violet, number of haemocytes was counted and compared with that of conventional squashing method and needling method by ANOVA and Dunnett-t test. Supernatant from freeze thawing haemocytes was applied for the tests of immuno-precipitation, bacteriostasis, and phagocytosis. SDS-PAGE was used to analyze relative molecular mass of protein ingredients. RESULTS: Four kinds of haemocytes were found: round cells with filiform filopodia, acidophilic and basophilic round cells both without filiform filopodia, and spindle cells. The average diameter of the 4 type cells was 10.93, 6.13, 6.08, and 11:06 microm, and occupied 50%, 30%, 5%, and 15% respectively. The mean of haemocytes received from suspension, squashing and needling methods was 15 000, 6 600 and 300/ml respectively. ANOVA analysis showed F=281.47, P<0.01, and Dunnett-t test revealed t1=15.67, P<0.01 between suspension and squashing methods, and t2=24.50, P<0.01 between suspension and needling method. The supernatant of haemocytes showed precipitation with SEA, bacteriostasis with Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and 86% phagocytosis and 46% bactericide to Candida albicans. SDS-PAGE revealed approximate Mr 112 300, 107 100, 972 00, 73 500, 600 00, 12 000 of the protein ingredients of the haemocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Large amount of haemocytes has been obtained from the snails by suspension method, and the cells show immunological activities.