Association of preoperative coronavirus disease 2019 with mortality, respiratory morbidity and extrapulmonary complications after elective, noncardiac surgery: An observational cohort study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of preoperative infection with the contemporary strain of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative mortality, respiratory morbidity and extrapulmonary complications after elective, noncardiac surgery. DESIGN: An ambidirectional observational cohort study. SETTING: A tertiary and teaching hospital in Shanghai, China. PATIENTS: All adult patients (≥ 18 years of age) who underwent elective, noncardiac surgery under general anesthesia at Huashan Hospital of Fudan University from January until March 2023 were screened for eligibility. A total of 2907 patients were included. EXPOSURE: Preoperative coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) positivity. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative mortality. The secondary outcomes included postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS), acute kidney injury (AKI), postoperative delirium (POD) and postoperative sleep quality. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the risk of postoperative mortality and morbidity imposed by preoperative COVID-19. MAIN RESULTS: The risk of 30-day postoperative mortality was not associated with preoperative COVID-19 [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.40, 0.13-1.28, P = 0.123] or operation timing relative to diagnosis. Preoperative COVID-19 did not increase the risk of PPCs (aOR, 95% CI: 0.99, 0.71-1.38, P = 0.944), MINS (aOR, 95% CI: 0.54, 0.22-1.30; P = 0.168), or AKI (aOR, 95% CI: 0.34, 0.10-1.09; P = 0.070) or affect postoperative sleep quality. Patients who underwent surgery within 7 weeks after COVID-19 had increased odds of developing delirium (aOR, 95% CI: 2.26, 1.05-4.86, P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative COVID-19 or timing of surgery relative to diagnosis did not confer any added risk of 30-day postoperative mortality, PPCs, MINS or AKI. However, recent COVID-19 increased the risk of POD. Perioperative brain health should be considered during preoperative risk assessment for COVID-19 survivors.

Molecular Identification of Babesia and Theileria Infections in Livestock in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Area, China.

The northwestern region of China, known as the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Area (QTPA), is characterized by unique climate conditions that support the breeding of various highly-adapted livestock species. Tick vectors play a significant role in transmitting Babesia and Theileria species, posing serious risks to animal health as well as the economy of animal husbandry in QTPA. A total of 366 blood samples were collected from Tibetan sheep (n = 51), goats (n = 67), yaks (n = 43), cattle (n = 49), Bactrian camels (n = 50), horses (n = 65), and donkeys (n = 40). These samples were examined using conventional and nested PCR techniques to detect Theileria and Babesia species. The overall infection rates were 0.3% (1/366) for Babesia spp. and 38.2% (140/366) for Theileria spp. Notably, neither Babesia nor Theileria species were detected in donkeys and yaks. The infection rates of Babesia and Theileria species among animals in different prefectures were significantly different (p < 0.05). Furthermore, Babesia bovis, B. bigemina, B. caballi, and B. ovis were not detected in the current study. To our knowledge, this is the first documented detection of Theileria luwenshuni infection in Bactrian camels and goats, as well as T. sinesis in cattle and T. equi in horses on the Qinghai plateau. These novel findings shed light on the distribution of Babesia and Theileria species among livestock species in QTPA.

Safety and efficacy of bempedoic acid among patients with statin intolerance and those without: A meta-analysis and a systematic randomized controlled trial review.

OBJECTIVE: Bempedoic acid, an innovative oral medication, has garnered significant interest in recent times due to its potential as a therapeutic intervention for hypercholesterolemia. Nonetheless, the outcomes of the initial investigations might have been more definitive and coherent. Our objective was to perform a quantitative meta-analysis in order to evaluate bempedoic acid's safety and effectiveness. METHODS: A search was conducted on ClinicalTrials.gov, and PubMed from the time of inception until September 28, 2023. Randomized controlled trials comparing the safety and efficacy of bempedoic acid among patients with statin intolerance and those without were included in our analysis. The trial outcomes were summarized using a random effects model and were provided as mean differences or odds ratios (ORs) with a confidence interval of 95%. Additionally, trial heterogeneity and the possibility of bias were evaluated and investigated. RESULTS: Bempedoic acid treatment reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels more than placebo (mean difference -2.97%, 95% CI -5.89% to -0.05%), according to a pooled analysis of 16 eligible trials. The risk of death (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.98) and muscle-associated occurrences (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.31) was not impacted by bempedoic acid. In contrast, discontinuation of treatment was more frequently caused by adverse events in the bempedoic acid group (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.27). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with statin intolerance as well as those without, bempedoic acid is a safe and efficacious lipid-lowering agent, according to findings from randomized controlled trials.

Epidemiological Investigation of Tick-Borne Bacterial Pathogens in Domestic Animals from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Area, China.

The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau area (QTPA) features a unique environment that has witnessed the selective breeding of diverse breeds of domestic livestock exhibiting remarkable adaptability. Nevertheless, Anaplasma spp., Rickettsia spp., Coxiella spp., and Borrelia spp. represent tick-borne bacterial pathogens that pose a global threat and have substantial impacts on both human and animal health, as well as on the economy of animal husbandry within the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau area. In this study, a total of 428 samples were systematically collected from 20 distinct areas within the Qinghai Plateau. The samples included 62 ticks and 366 blood samples obtained from diverse animal species to detect the presence of Anaplasma spp., Rickettsia spp., Coxiella spp., and Borrelia spp. The prevalence of infection in this study was determined as follows: Anaplasma bovis accounted for 16.4% (70/428), A. capra for 4.7% (20/428), A. ovis for 5.8% (25/428), Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato for 6.3% (27/428), Coxiella burnetii for 0.7% (3/428), and Rickettsia spp. for 0.5% (2/428). Notably, no cases of A. marginale and A. phagocytophilum infections were observed in this study. The findings revealed an elevated presence of these pathogens in Tibetan sheep and goats, with no infections detected in yaks, Bactrian camels, donkeys, and horses. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first investigation of tick-borne bacterial pathogens infecting goats, cattle, horses, and donkeys within the Qinghai Plateau of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau area. Consequently, our findings contribute valuable insights into the distribution and genetic diversity of Anaplasma spp., Rickettsia spp., Coxiella spp., and Borrelia spp. within China.

Asperosaponin VI facilitates the regeneration of skeletal muscle injury by suppressing GSK-3ß-mediated cell apoptosis.

Asperosaponin VI (ASA VI) is a bioactive triterpenoid saponin extracted from Diptychus roots, of Diptyl, and has previously shown protective functions in rheumatoid arthritis and sepsis. This study investigates the effects and molecular mechanisms of ASA VI on skeletal muscle regeneration in a cardiotoxin (CTX)-induced skeletal muscle injury mouse model. Mice were subjected to CTX-induced injury in the tibialis anterior and C2C12 myotubes were treated with CTX. Muscle fiber histology was analyzed at 7 and 14 days postinjury. Apoptosis and autophagy-related protein expression were evaluated t s by Western blot, and muscle regeneration markers were quantified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Docking studies, cell viability assessments, and glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß) activation analyses were performed to elucidate the mechanism. ASA VI was observed to improve muscle interstitial fibrosis, remodeling, and performance in CTX-treated mice, thereby increased skeletal muscle size, weight, and locomotion. Furthermore, ASA VI modulated the expression of apoptosis and autophagy-related proteins through GSK-3ß inhibition and activated the transcription of regeneration genes. Our results suggest that ASA VI mitigates skeletal muscle injury by modulating apoptosis and autophagy via GSK-3ß signaling and promotes regeneration, thus presenting a probable therapeutic agent for skeletal muscle injury.

Asperosaponin VI protects alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis and injury via regulating lipid metabolism and ER stress.

BACKGROUND: Asperosaponin VI (AVI) is a natural triterpenoid saponin isolated from Dipsacus asper Wall with documented anti-inflammatory and bone protective effects. Our previous work reported that AVI protects the liver of septic mice from acute inflammatory damage. In this paper, we further explored the protective effect and the potential mechanisms of AVI in alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD). METHODS: The Lieber-Decarli model was constructed to evaluate the effect of AVI on AFLD in C57BL/6 J mice. Additional in vitro work was performed to investigate HepG2 cells exposed to alcohol, then analyzed the degree of liver injury by detecting the ALT and AST levels both in the liver and serum. H&E staining and Sirius red staining were used to evaluate the histopathology variations in the liver. Further, observe lipid droplets in the cytoplasm by Oil Red O staining. We detected the expression of inflammatory cytokines with qualitative PCR; ROS, MDA, SOD, and GSH-px levels were analyzed to observe oxidative stress. Finally, exploring the activation of AMPK signaling pathway by real-time PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: Histological examination of liver tissue combined with serum ALT and AST levels showed a significant protective effect of AVI against alcoholic liver injury in AFLD mice. Compared with the model group, AVI evidently improved antioxidant capacity, reduced inflammatory response and lipid accumulation both in vitro and in vivo. For mechanically, it was found that AVI up-regulated phosphorylation level of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibited the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER) pathway in AFLD. CONCLUSION: AVI protects mice from alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis and liver injury through activating AMPK signaling and repress ER stress, suggesting that it might be a potential therapeutic agent for AFLD.

First report on the molecular detection of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in livestock and wildlife around Qinghai Lake in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau area, China.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is considered to be a microsporidial species of humans and animals in the worldwide. Limited data have been reported on the prevalence and genotypes of E. bieneusi in livestock and wild animals around Qinghai Lake in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau area, which shares water sources, grasslands, and harsh climate with high altitudes. In this study, fecal samples from 110 Tibetan sheep, 128 yaks, 227 wild birds, 96 blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) and 268 Przewalski's gazelle (Procapra przewalskii) around Qinghai Lake were collected, and then tested for E. bieneusi by PCR and sequencing analysis based on the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer. Among them, ten (9.09%) samples from Tibetan sheep, five (3.91%) from yaks, five (2.20%) from wild birds, one (1.04%) from wild blue sheep and two (0.75%) from Przewalski's gazelle were positive for E. bieneusi. Among sheep, there were nine E. bieneusi genotypes, including two known genotypes (BEB6 and J), and seven novel genotypes (named CHS18-CHS24). From yaks, four genotypes were identified, including two known ones (BEB4 and J) and two novel genotypes (named CHN15 and CHN16). While in wild animals, eight genotypes were found, including five different genotypes from wild bids, with three known genotypes (EbpC, J and NCF2), two novel genotypes (named CHWB1 and CHS24), and two genotypes from Przewalski's gazelle, with one known genotype J and one novel genotype CHWPG1, and one novel genotype CHWBS1 from blue sheep. According to the phylogenetic analysis, five isolates belonged to group 1, and the others were clustered into group 2. This study provides unique data on the epidemiological reports and potential risk factors for E. bieneusi in both domesticated livestock and wild animals around Qinghai Lake in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau area; it is important to better understand the molecular epidemiology and zoonotic potential of E. bieneusi in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau area.

Investigation of Toxoplasma gondii in wastewater and surface water in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China using real-time PCR and multilocus genotyping.

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite, causing one of the most prevalent parasitic infections in the world. In the present study water sources of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), China, where the hygienic infrastructure is still developing, were investigated. A total of 214 water samples of 10 L volume, were collected from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), a slaughterhouse and rivers. The samples were filtered and then analysed using real-time PCR and multilocus genotyping. T. gondii DNA was found in four (1.9%) samples representing T. gondii type I; in one of them T. gondii-like oocysts were also confirmed microscopically. The approximate level of contamination of positive samples ranged between 30 and 2300 T. gondii sporozoites. The results of this study confirmed that T. gondii is present in wastewater in the greater metropolitan area of Xining and a neighbouring county. Contamination of wastewater at this level constitutes rather a moderate source of Toxoplasma infections in humans and animals. It suggests, however, a link between environmental exposure of animals, meat processing facilities and WWTPs. To our knowledge, this is the first investigation describing T. gondii detection in wastewater and environmental water samples collected from the territory of P.R. China using sensitive molecular tools.

MM-associated circular RNA downregulates microRNA-19a through methylation to suppress proliferation of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells.

Opposite roles of circular RNA MM-associated circular RNA (circ-MYBL2) have been observed in different malignancies, and its role in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) is unknown. Our preliminary sequencing data revealed its inverse correlation with microRNA-19a (miR-19a). This study was performed to explore the role of circ-MYBL2 in PA and its crosstalk with miR-19a. The accumulation of circ-MYBL2 and miR-19a in PA was detected by RT-qPCR. Participation of circ-MYBL2 in the regulation of miR-19a and its RNA gene methylation was studied with an overexpression assay, followed by RT-qPCR and MSP analyses. The role of miR-19a and circ-MYBL2 in PA cell proliferation and movement was evaluated using the BrdU assay and the Transwell assay, respectively. Downregulation of circ-MYBL2 and upregulation of miR-19a were observed in PA. In PA cells, circ-MYBL2 decreased the accumulation of miR-19a but increased its RNA gene methylation. Overexpression of circ-MYBL2 decreased PA cell proliferation and movement, while overexpression of miR-19a showed an opposite effect. In addition, circ-MYBL2 suppressed the role of miR-19a in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In conclusion, circ-MYBL2 was downregulated in PA and it downregulated miR-19a through methylation to suppress PA cell proliferation.

Untargeted metabolic footprinting reveals key differences between fermented brown milk and fermented milk metabolomes.

Fermented brown milk has gained popularity because of its unique taste and flavor. Lactobacillus bulgaricus ND02 is a starter culture that has good milk fermentation characteristics. This study aimed to profile the metabolites produced during Maillard browning and to identify metabolomic differences between fermented brown milk and fermented milk produced by the ND02 strain. This study used liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to compare the metabolomes of milk, fermented milk, brown milk, and fermented brown milk. Significant differences were observed in the abundances of various groups of metabolites, including peptides, AA, aldehydes, ketones, organic acids, vitamins, and nucleosides. The Maillard browning reaction significantly increased the intensity of a wide spectrum of flavor compounds, including short peptides, organic acids, and compounds of aldehydes, ketones, sulfur, and furan, which might together contribute to the unique flavor of brown milk. However, Maillard browning led to an increase in Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine, which might cause negative health effects such as diabetes, uremia, or Alzheimer's disease. On the other hand, fermenting brown milk with the ND02 strain effectively countered such an effect. Finally, 5 differentially abundant metabolites were identified between fermented brown milk and fermented milk, including l-lysine, methylglyoxal, glyoxal, 2,3-pentanedione, and 3-hydroxybutanoic acid, which might together contribute to the different nutritional qualities of fermented brown milk and fermented milk. This study has provided novel information about the Maillard reaction and compared the metabolomes of the 4 types of dairy products.

Biochemical properties of a native ß-1,4-mannanase from Aspergillus aculeatus QH1 and partial characterization of its N-glycosylation.

N-glycosylation plays critical roles in protein secretion, sorting, stability, activity modulation, and interactions to other molecules in the eukaryotic organisms. Fungal ß-1,4-mannanases have been widely used in the agri-food industry and contribute to the pathogenesis on plants. However, the information on N-glycosylation of a specific fungal carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZyme) is currently limited. Herein, a cDNA was cloned from Aspergillus aculeatus QH1, displaying a full length of 1302 bp with an open reading frame of 1134 bp encoding for a GH5 subfamily 7 ß-1, 4-mannanase, namely AacMan5_7A. The enzyme was purified and exhibited an optimal activity at pH 4.6 and 60 °C, hydrolyzing glucomannan and galactomannan, but not yeast mannan. AacMan5_7A is an N-glycosylated protein decorated with a high-mannose type glycan. Further through UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis, one of the four predicted N-glycosylation sites at N255 position was experimentally verified. The present study expands the information of N-glycosylation in fungal CAZymes, providing scientific bases for enhancing the production of fungal enzymes and their applications in food, feed, and plant biomass conversions.

Genome-wide comparative analyses reveal selection signatures underlying adaptation and production in Tibetan and Poll Dorset sheep.

The identification of genome-wide selection signatures can provide insights on the mechanisms of natural and/or artificial selection and uncover genes related to biological functions and/or phenotypes. Tibetan sheep are an important livestock in Tibet, providing meat and wool for Tibetans who are renown for breeding livestock that adapt well to high altitudes. Using whole-genome sequences with an effective sequencing depth of 5×, we investigated the genomic diversity and structure and, identified selection signatures of White Tibetan, Oula and Poll Dorset sheep. We obtained 30,163,679 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and 5,388,372 indels benchmarked against the ovine Oar_v4.0 genome assembly. Next, using FST, ZHp and XP-EHH approaches, we identified selection signatures spanning a set of candidate genes, including HIF1A, CAPN3, PRKAA1, RXFP2, TRHR and HOXA10 that are associated with pathways and GO categories putatively related to hypoxia responses, meat traits and disease resistance. Candidate genes and GO terms associated with coat color were also identified. Finally, quantification of blood physiological parameters, revealed higher levels of mean corpuscular hemoglobin measurement and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration in Tibetan sheep compared with Poll Dorset, suggesting a greater oxygen-carrying capacity in the Tibetan sheep and thus better adaptation to high-altitude hypoxia. In conclusion, this study provides a greater understanding of genome diversity and variations associated with adaptive and production traits in sheep.

Occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in wild birds from Qinghai Lake on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China.

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are important intestinal zoonotic pathogens that can infect various hosts and cause diarrhoeal diseases. There are few reports of the epidemiological prevalence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in wild birds around Qinghai Lake and in the surrounding areas on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Northwest China. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis genotypes and their epidemiological prevalence in wild birds by PCR amplification. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a variety of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis infections in wild birds from that area, with overall prevalence rates of 8.98% (61/679) and 3.39% (23/679), respectively. Furthermore, PCR sequencing confirmed the presence of Cryptosporidium baileyi (n = 3), Cryptosporidium parvum (n = 58), and G. duodenalis assemblage B (n = 19) and E (n = 4) in wild birds from the areas around Qinghai Lake. The results of the present study demonstrated the wide distribution of Cryptosporidium and Giardia among wild birds, which has potential public health significance. Moreover, the study findings also provided useful molecular epidemiological data for monitoring and investigating the two parasitic protozoa in wild animals and surrounding environments.

Molecular characterization of tick-borne bacteria and protozoans in yaks (Bos grunniens), Tibetan sheep (Ovis aries) and Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Area, China.

Due to the specific plateau climate, a variety of unique animals live in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Area (QTPA) including yaks (Bos grunniens), Tibetan sheep (Ovis aries) and Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus). However, information on tick-borne diseases (TBDs) in the QTPA and on the molecular characteristics of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in the area is limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., Theileria spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Rickettsia spp. infecting yaks, Tibetan sheep and camels in this area. A total of 276 animals were screened. Overall, 84.5% (164/194) of yaks, 58% (23/40) of Tibetan sheep, and 38% (16/42) of camels tested positive for at least one pathogen. Theileria spp., Anaplasma ovis and spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia spp. were detected as TBPs in the current study with overall infection rates of 10.9% (30/276), 8.3% (23/276) and 62.9% (171/276), respectively. Further study revealed that 1.5% (3/194) of the yaks were infected with Theileria sp. OT3, 1.5% (3/194) with T. luwenshuni, 6.2% (12/194) with T. uilenbergi, 1.1% (2/194) with T. ovis and 82% (159/194) with SFG Rickettsia spp. It was also shown that 58% (23/40) of the Tibetan sheep were infected with A. ovis and 15% (6/40) with T. ovis. Among the camels, 10% (4/42) were infected with T. equi, while 29% (12/42) were positive for Rickettsia spp. Sequence analysis revealed that the Rickettsia spp. infecting yaks and camels were Rickettsia raoultii and Rickettsia slovaca. To the best of our knowledge, this study reports the first detection and characterization of these pathogens in yaks, Tibetan sheep and camels in the country, except for T. luwenshuni infections in yaks.

Detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts in vegetables from street markets from the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau Area in China.

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are well-known parasitic protozoans responsible for waterborne and foodborne diarrhoeal diseases. However, data are not available on market vegetables contaminated with Cryptosporidium and Giardia in China. In the present study, 642 different vegetable samples were collected from Xining City street vendors in the Qinghai Province to study the Cryptosporidium and Giardia contamination rates via PCR and sequence analyses. Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis were detected in 16 (2.5%) and 73 (11.4%) samples, respectively. Two species of Cryptosporidium, C. parvum (n = 11) and C. andersoni (n = 5), were identified. G. duodenalis assemblage B was identified in almost all positive samples (n = 72), except one sample that contained G. duodenalis assemblage E. We report on the rate of Cryptosporidium and Giardia contamination in vegetables for the first time from the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau Area (QTPA) in China.

Human Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia Infecting Yaks (Bos grunniens) in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Area.

The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Area (QTPA) is a plateau with the highest average altitude, located in Northwestern China. There is a risk for interspecies disease transmission, such as spotted fever rickettsioses. However, information on the molecular characteristics of the spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia spp. in the area is limited. This study performed screenings, and detected the DNA of human pathogen, SFG Rickettsia spp., with 11.3% (25/222) infection rates in yaks (Bos grunniens). BLASTn analysis revealed that the Rickettsia sequences obtained shared 94.3-100% identity with isolates of Rickettsia spp. from ticks in China. One Rickettsia sequence (MN536161) had 100% nucleotide identity to two R. raoultii isolates from Chinese Homo sapiens, and one isolate from Qinghai Dermacentor silvarum. Meanwhile, another Rickettsia sequence (MN536157) shared 99.1-99.5% identity to one isolate from Dermacentor spp. in China. Furthermore, the phylogenetic analysis of SFG Rickettsia spp. ompA gene revealed that these two sequences obtained from yaks in the present study grouped with the R. slovaca and R. raoultii clades with isolates identified from Dermacentor spp. and Homo sapiens. Our findings showed the first evidence of human pathogen DNA, SFG Rickettsia spp., from animals, in the QTPA.

Role of T-type Calcium Channels in Generating Hyperexcitatory Behaviors during Emergence from Sevoflurane Anesthesia in Neonatal Rats.

In the current study, we sought to investigate whether T-type Ca2+ channels (TCCs) in the brain are involved in generating post-anesthetic hyperexcitatory behaviors (PAHBs). We found that younger rat pups (postnatal days 9-11) had a higher incidence of PAHBs and higher PAHB scores than older pups (postnatal days 16-18) during emergence from sevoflurane anesthesia. The power spectrum of the theta oscillations (4 Hz-8 Hz) in the prefrontal cortex was significantly enhanced in younger pups when PAHBs occurred, while there were no significant changes in older pups. Both the power of theta oscillations and the level of PAHBs were significantly reduced by the administration of TCC inhibitors. Moreover, the sensitivity of TCCs in the medial dorsal thalamic nucleus to sevoflurane was found to increase with age by investigating the kinetic properties of TCCs in vitro. TCCs were activated by potentiated GABAergic depolarization with a sub-anesthetic dose of sevoflurane (1%). These data suggest that (1) TCCs in the brain contribute to the generation of PAHBs and the concomitant electroencephalographic changes; (2) the stronger inhibitory effect of sevoflurane contributes to the lack of PAHBs in older rats; and (3) the contribution of TCCs to PAHBs is not mediated by a direct effect of sevoflurane on TCCs.

Contamination of wastewater with Echinococcus multilocularis - possible implications for drinking water resources in the QTP China.

Echinococcus multilocularis is a parasite that causes a dangerous zoonosis, alveolar echinococcosis (AE). Its presence in water sources, however, has scarcely been studied heretofore. Accordingly, 222 samples of different origin including wastewater from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) (n = 137), slaughterhouse (n = 49) as well as water from rivers (n = 26) and a cattle farm (n = 10) were collected from Xining City and a rural area in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), an endemic area. Material obtained after processing of 10 L volume samples was subsequently analysed using three molecular detection methods: nested PCR, real-time PCR and LAMP. E. multilocularis DNA was found in 13 (5.85%) water samples; including 8 (5.8%), 3 (6%), 2 (20%) and 0 positive samples found in WWTPs, a slaughterhouse, a cattle farm and rivers, respectively. All three (LAMP, PCR, RT-PCR) molecular tools displayed high agreement and effectiveness in their ability of detecting the parasite's DNA in environmental material. This is the first investigation describing E. multilocularis detection in wastewater samples, using three sensitive molecular diagnostic tools. Results indicate the role of wastewater in dissemination of E. multilocularis and the risk of contamination of water sources.

First molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in vegetable samples in China using qualitative, quantitative real-time PCR and multilocus genotyping.

Toxoplasma gondii infection is becoming increasing problem in China but there is no data concerning contamination of vegetables intended for consumption with this parasite. The aim of the present study was to investigate fresh vegetables originated from open markets located in the Xining City, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), P.R. China for their contamination with T. gondii. A total of 279 fresh vegetable samples were collected and analysed using real-time PCR assay targeting B1 gene and multilocus genotyping. T. gondii DNA was found in 10 (3.6%) samples tested; eight of them represented T. gondii type I and remaining two T. gondii type II. The approximate level of contamination of positive vegetables samples, estimated based on quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), ranged between less than one and 27000 T. gondii oocysts per sample, with majority not exceeding several oocysts per sample. The results of the study confirmed that T. gondii is present in vegetables offered in open markets in the Qinghai province, P.R. China; eating them unwashed and raw may therefore pose a threat to consumers. This is the first investigation describing T. gondii detection in fresh vegetables intended for consumption collected from the territory of P.R. China using sensitive molecular tools.

Correction to: detection of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in the slaughterhouse, sewage and river waters of the Qinghai Tibetan plateau area (QTPA), China.

The authors of this article would like to state that C. environmental is not a species, but rather a group of un-identified Cryptosporidium isolates from the environment. It is referred to in the literature as Cryptosporidium environmental sequence and not as a species.