Alterations in the gut microbiota and the efficacy of adjuvant probiotic therapy in liver cirrhosis.

Background: Liver cirrhosis is the end stage of various chronic liver diseases (CLDs). The gut microbiota can impact the liver environment and trigger chronic liver inflammation through the gut-liver axis. Alteration of the gut microbiota has become an effective strategy in the biological treatment of cirrhosis. Methods: Twenty-eight patients with liver cirrhosis and 16 healthy individuals were included, and fresh stool samples were collected. We analyzed changes in the gut microbiota between groups by 16S rRNA sequencing and evaluated the association between microbiota alterations and hepatic function. Additionally, 102 cirrhotic patients were retrospectively enrolled and divided into a probiotic group (n=44) and a nonprobiotic group (n=58) in addition to standard treatment for cirrhosis. Patients were monitored for hematological parameters and hepatic function during the six-month follow-up. Results: The gut microbiota profile of patients with cirrhosis was greatly different from that of healthy individuals, presenting with significantly reduced α diversity and decreased abundance of representative SCFA-producing bacteria including Firmicutes, Coprococcus and Clostridium IV. The pathogenic bacteria Gammaproteobacteria, Veillonella, and Bacilli were greatly enriched in cirrhotic patients. Additionally, patients with decompensated cirrhosis (DCPC) had a significantly reduced abundance of Oscillibacter compared to compensated cirrhosis (CPC), which is also a SCFA-producing bacteria, and the lower Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio and enhanced MDR values were also shown in DCPC patients compared to CPC patients. In addition, the abundance of Firmicutes was negatively related to hepatic function in cirrhotic patients, including the levels of ALT, AST, and DBIL. From the retrospective study, we found that biochemical improvements in alanine transaminase (ALT) and total bilirubin (TBIL) were obtained in DCPC patients who received oral probiotic therapy compared with the nonprobiotic group. Conclusion: Severe microbial dysbiosis existed in patients with liver cirrhosis, especially patients who reached the decompensatory stage. SCFA-producing bacteria were significantly reduced in cirrhosis. Altered gut microbiota cause changes in functional modules, which may contribute to cirrhosis progression and are associated with clinical prognosis. Adjuvant probiotic supplementation to enhance SCFA-producing bacteria can be a prospective therapy for patients with cirrhosis.

Coexisting achalasia and leiomyoma misdiagnosed as the submucosal tumor, successfully treated by simultaneous peroral endoscopic myotomy and submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection in the same tunnel.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a safe and effective method in the treatment of achalasia. Meanwhile, submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) is a common endoscopic method for the treatment of submucosal tumors (SMT) in the upper digestive tract. However simultaneous POEM and STER for coexisting achalasia and esophageal SMT is rarely reported. A 40-year-old woman underwent esophagoscopy after dysphagia and vomiting for 20 years. The protruding submucosal lesion with normal overlying mucosa was found in the lower part of the esophagus, nearing cardia. Considering the persistent swallowing discomfort and vomiting symptoms, the patient underwent esophageal manometry and barium esophagram, and was finally diagnosed as achalasia with esophageal submucosal tumor. Finally, POEM and STER were performed simultaneously on the patient in the same tunnel. The patient was followed up for 4 months without recurrence or complaints. We herein report a case of achalasia with esophageal leiomyoma who underwent POEM and STER in the same tunnel to remove the mass and relieve the symptoms.

Hepatic Arterioportal Fistulas: A Retrospective Analysis of 97 Cases.

Background and Aims: Hepatic arterioportal fistulas (HAPFs) are abnormal shunts or aberrant functional connections between the portal venous and the hepatic arterial systems. Detection of HAPFs has increased with the advances in diagnostic techniques. Presence of HAPFs over a prolonged period can aggravate liver cirrhosis and further deteriorate liver function. However, the underlying causes of HAPFs and the treatment outcomes are now well characterized. This study aimed to summarize the clinical characteristics of patients with HAPFs, and to compare the outcomes of different treatment modalities. Methods: Data of 97 patients with HAPFs who were admitted to the Second Xiangya Hospital between January 2010 and January 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic information, clinical manifestations, underlying causes, treatment options, and short-term outcomes were analyzed. Results: The main cause of HAPF in our cohort was hepatocellular carcinoma (78/97, 80.41%), followed by cirrhosis (10/97, 10.31%). The main clinical manifestations were abdominal distention and abdominal pain. Treatment methods included transcatheter arterial embolization (n=63, 64.9%), surgery (n=13, 13.4%), and liver transplantation (n=2, 2.1%); nineteen (19.6%) patients received conservative treatment. Among patients who underwent transcatheter arterial embolization, polyvinyl alcohol, lipiodol combined with gelatin sponge, and spring steel ring showed comparable efficacy. Conclusions: Hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis are common causes of HAPFs. Transcatheter arterial embolization is a safe and effective method for the treatment of HAPFs, and polyvinyl alcohol, lipiodol combined with gelatin sponge, and spring steel ring showed comparable efficacy in our cohort.

Metabolic syndrome is associated with higher rate of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) seriously lowers the quality of life of patients, and its prevalence has gradually increased in recent years. Some studies have showed that metabolic syndrome (MetS) is related to GERD, but the results remain controversial. This study explored the relationship between MetS and GERD through systematic retrieval and analysis of published studies. METHODS: Retrieve related research from PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Including cohort studies that compare the prevalence of GERD between patients with MetS and patients without, and case-control studies or cross-sectional studies that compare the prevalence of MetS between patients with GERD and patients without. In addition to analyzing the relationship between MetS and GERD, individual metabolic components are also analyzed. Use a random effects model (DerSimmonian and Laird) to merge the odd ratio (OR). Cochran's Q test and Higgins' I-squared statistic were performed to assess heterogeneity. Publication bias was assessed by Egger's test. KEY RESULTS: A total of 103,048 patients from 15 studies were included. The combined results suggest that MetS is a risk factor of GERD (OR: 1.66, 95%CI: 1.38-1.99). Among the individual metabolic components, abdominal obesity (OR: 1.42, 95%CI: 1.22-1.64), hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 1.50, 95%CI: 1.27-1.78), hyperglycemia (OR: 1.31, 95%CI: 1.07-1.61), and hypertension (OR: 1.19, 95%CI: 1.07-1.33) are risk factors of GERD. CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES: MetS is a risk factor of GERD, and among the abnormal metabolic components that establish the diagnosis of MetS, abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension are risk factors of GERD.

Factors predicting technical difficulties during endoscopic submucosal excavation for gastric submucosal tumor.

OBJECTIVE: Endoscopic submucosal excavation (ESE) has been established as an effective method for removal of gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs). The aim of the present study was to explore risk factors for technical difficulties in ESE. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we collected clinical data from patients who underwent ESE for gastric SMTs. Difficult ESE was defined as a procedure time ≥90 minutes, piecemeal resection, and/or occurrence of major adverse events. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to explore the risk factors for a difficult ESE. RESULTS: ESE was successfully performed in 96.5% (195/202) of patients from April 2011 to December 2019. The average tumor size was 17.41 mm, and en bloc resection was achieved in 97.4% of patients (190/195). Five patients (2.56%, 5/195) had complications, including two with delayed bleeding, two with fever, and one with chest pain accompanying ST-T changes in an electrocardiogram. Twenty-four patients (11.88%, 24/202) had a difficult ESE. Logistic analysis showed that outgrowth behavior and an inexperienced surgeon were risk factors for a difficult ESE. CONCLUSION: ESE may be safe and effective to treat patients with gastric SMTs. Outgrowth behavior and an inexperienced surgeon were risk factors for a difficult ESE.

Epidemiological characterization of imported recurrent Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale in China, 2013-2020.

BACKGROUND: China has reached important milestones in the elimination of malaria. However, the numbers of imported recurrent cases of Plasmodium vivax and P. ovale are gradually increasing, which increases the risk of malaria re-establishment in locations where Anopheles mosquitoes exist. The aim of this study is to characterize the epidemiological profiles of imported recurrent P. vivax and P. ovale cases, quantifying the recurrence burden and guiding the development of appropriate public health intervention strategies. METHODS: Individual-level data of imported recurrent P. vivax and P. ovale cases were collected from 2013 to 2020 in China via the Parasitic Diseases Information Reporting Management System. Demographic characteristics, temporal and spatial distributions, and the interval from previous infection to recurrence were analyzed by SAS, ArcGIS and GraphPad Prism software, respectively, to explore the epidemiological profiles of imported recurrent cases. RESULTS: A total of 307 imported recurrent cases, including 179 P. vivax and 128 P. ovale cases, were recorded. The majority of cases occurred in males (P. vivax 91.1%, P. ovale 93.8%) and migrant workers (P. vivax 43.2%, P. ovale 44.7%). Individuals aged 30-39 years had the highest P. vivax and P. ovale recurrent infection rates, respectively. The number of imported recurrent cases of infection by these two malaria species increased from 2013 to 2018, and P. vivax infection showed well-defined seasonality, with two peaks in February and June, respectively. More than 90% of patients with recurrent cases did not receive radical treatment for previous infection. Most imported recurrent P. vivax cases were reported in Yunnan Province and were imported from Myanmar, Ethiopia, and Pakistan, while most recurrent P. ovale cases were reported in southern China and primarily imported from Cameroon, Ghana, and Nigeria. The intervals from previous malaria infection to recurrence among different continents were significantly different (P = 0.0016) for P. vivax malaria but not for P. ovale malaria (P = 0.2373). CONCLUSIONS: The large number of imported recurrent cases has been a major challenge in the prevention of malaria re-establishment in China. This study provides evidence to guide the development of appropriate public health intervention strategies for imported recurrent P. vivax and P. ovale cases.

Perianal and Luminal Relapse Following Perianal Surgical Intervention in Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Fistula relapse occurs in 20-30% of patients with perianal Crohn's disease (PCD) despite optimal medico-surgical management. We aimed in this study to assess the rate of perianal and luminal relapse after surgically induced remission and to determine factors associated with fistula relapse. METHODS: Consecutive perianal CD patients who achieved clinical remission after surgery for fistulising PCD from January 2013 to January 2019 were included. The cumulative probabilities of relapse-free survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: A total of 130 patients were included. Sixty-six of 130 patients received infliximab (IFX) therapy after perianal surgery. After a median follow-up of 62 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 28-117 months), perianal relapse occurred in 30 of 64 (46.9%) nonbiological medication-treated cases and in 14 of 66 (21.1%) cases in the IFX therapy group. The cumulative probabilities of perianal relapse-free survival in patients with nonbiological treatment were 77.1% at 1 year, 54.6% at 3 years, and 30% at 5 years. The rates of survival without perianal fistula relapse in the IFX-treated group were 91.6%, 69.2%, and 59.3% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. In patients treated with IFX after perianal surgery, discontinuation of IFX therapy (odds ratio [OR]=2.43, p=0.036), a penetrating CD phenotype (OR=4.324, p=0.019), and a complex perianal fistula (OR=3.392, p=0.026) were independently associated with perianal relapse in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Infliximab therapy reduced the risk of perianal relapse after surgical remission in PCD patients compared with nonbiological treatment. However, approximately 40% of patients using infliximab experienced perianal relapse at 5 years, and patients who discontinued use of IFX or experienced a penetrating phenotype or a complex perianal fistula were associated with increased relapse rate.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for rectal-sigmoid laterally spreading tumors ≥10 cm: an analysis of 10 cases.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a standard method for treating selected colorectal laterally spreading tumors (LSTs). However, technical difficulty occurs with the increase in tumor size, and little is known about the efficacy of ESD treatment in colorectal LSTs ≥10 cm. The present study aimed to report the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of ESD for rectal-sigmoid LSTs ≥10 cm. METHODS: From May 2012 to December 2019, patients with rectal-sigmoid LSTs ≥10 cm and underwent colorectal ESD were enrolled retrospectively. Demographic features, procedure-related parameters (procedure time, adverse events, rate of en bloc resection and complete resection), and follow-up results were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients successfully underwent ESD: nine patients received conventional ESD, while the other one underwent tunneling ESD. The median diameter of the LSTs was 11.5 cm, and the median procedure time was 210 minutes. The rates of en bloc and curative resection rates were 100% and 90%, respectively. Of the ten patients, four had developed adverse events, one had intraoperative bleeding, two patients had delayed bleeding, and the other one had postoperative fever and rectum stricture postoperatively. None of the patients experienced recurrence during a median follow-up of 62 months. CONCLUSIONS: ESD can be used as a feasible, safe and effective treatment modality for the management of rectal-sigmoid LSTs ≥10 cm.

Methnaridine is an orally bioavailable, fast-killing and long-acting antimalarial agent that cures Plasmodium infections in mice.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Malaria is one of the deadliest diseases in the world. Novel chemotherapeutic agents are urgently required to combat the widespread Plasmodium resistance to frontline drugs. Here, we report the discovery of a novel benzonaphthyridine antimalarial, methnaridine, which was identified using a structural optimization strategy. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: An integrated pharmacological approach was used to evaluate the antimalarial profile of methnaridine. The pharmacokinetic properties of methnaridine were investigated along with the associated safety profile. Host immune response patterns were also analysed. KEY RESULTS: Methnaridine exhibited potent antimalarial activity against P. falciparum (3D7: IC50 = 0.0066 µM; Dd2: IC50 = 0.0056 µM). In P. berghei-infected mice, oral administration effectively suppressed parasitemia (ED50 = 0.52 mg·kg-1 ·day-1 ) and cured the established infection (CD50 = 10.13 mg·kg-1 ·day-1 ). These results are equivalent to or better than those of other antimalarial agents in clinical use. Notably, a four-dose oral regimen at a dosage of 25 mg·kg-1 achieved a complete cure of P. berghei infection in mice. Methnaridine exhibited a rapid parasiticidal profile (PCT99 = 36.0 h) and showed no cross-resistance to chloroquine. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed that methnaridine is readily absorbed, long-lasting and slowly cleared. The safety profile of methnaridine is also satisfactory (maximum tolerated dose = 1,125 mg·kg-1 ). In addition, following methnaridine treatment, infection-induced Th1 immune response was almost fully alleviated in mice. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Methnaridine is an orally bioavailable, fast-acting and long-lasting agent with excellent antimalarial properties. Our study highlights the potential of methnaridine for clinical development as a promising antimalarial candidate.

A case report of gastric amyloidosis due to multiple myeloma mimicking gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal (GI) amyloidosis is a rare complication of multiple myeloma (MM). Due to its nonspecific clinical presentation and endoscopic appearance, an early and accurate diagnosis of GI amyloidosis is difficult. Here, we report a case of GI amyloidosis due to MM, which initially presented as GI manifestations mimicking gastric cancer. CASE PRESENTATION: A 68-year-old woman presented to the hospital with a 6-month history of anemia, coupled with a recent onset of poor appetite and vomiting for 10 days. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a gastric antrum mucosal bulge that appeared on visual inspection to be a tumor. As a result, gastric cancer was suspected. However, gastric antrum biopsies demonstrated mild chronic superficial gastritis and esophageal biopsies demonstrated moderate-to-severe atypical hyperplasia of the squamous epithelium. A second endoscopy revealed massive gastric retention and a gastric antrum mucosal bulge with surface erosion. Ultimately, an upper GI tract biopsy demonstrating positive Congo red staining and a bone marrow biopsy indicating plasmacytosis confirmed the diagnosis of gastric amyloidosis due to MM. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates that MM should be considered in patients with nonspecific GI manifestations, and in such cases, a biopsy with Congo red staining should be considered to confirm GI amyloidosis. Early detection of GI amyloidosis will ultimately improve outcomes for these rare patients.

SET7 interacts with HDAC6 and suppresses the development of colon cancer through inactivation of HDAC6.

SET7 is the first lysine methyltransferase and plays vital roles in tumorigenesis. This study aims to seek clinical value of SET7 in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, along with its biological impact on cell proliferation and migration. In patients with CRC, the expression of SET7 in cancer tissue was significantly lower than that in adjacent tissue, and down-regulated SET7 was closely correlated with poor prognosis. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies indicated that SET7 inhibited cell proliferation and migration by acting on HDAC6 substrate in colon cancer cells. Besides, the co-immunoprecipitation assay showed that SET7 and HDAC6 can interact reciprocally. The interaction effect between SET7 and HDAC6 could significantly reduce cell viability, scratch healing rate, and migrated cells in colon cancer cells. Instead of acting on each endogenous expression, the results demonstrated that the level of acetylated α-tubulin was greatly decreased in HDAC6 overexpression group, while significantly increased in SET7 overexpressed group. However, changes were partly restored in both SET7 and HDAC6-transfected group. On the contrary, the expression of acetylated α-tubulin protein was significantly increased in HDAC6 knockdown group, but higher in both HDAC6 and SET7 silencing group. These results indicated that SET7 played a role in tumor suppression via increasing levels of acetylated-α-tubulin mediated by HDAC6. In addition, the interaction effect significantly decreased the ratios of p-ERK/ERK, which indicated that it may partly suppress ERK signaling pathway. In conclusion, SET7 is a promising therapeutic target for preventing metastasis and improving prognosis in colon cancer.

Analysis on external competency assessment for malaria microscopists in China.

BACKGROUND: In order to meet the requirement of malaria elimination (ME), three courses of the External Competency Assessment of Malaria Microscopists (ECAMM) were conducted during 2017-2018 in China by facilitators designated by the World Health Organization (WHO-ECAMM). A training course with a model copied from the WHO-ECAMM course was also held a week ahead of ECAMM in March 2018. Thirty-six participants completed these courses and obtained different results. METHODS: The slide structures, agendas, score calculations, and the levels of certifications of the four courses strictly adhered to the WHO guidelines. All the data were collected in Excel 2016 and analysed in Graphpad Prism5 or SPSS 23. Significant differences were evaluated in Graphpad Prism5 by two-tailed paired t tests between the pre-assessment and final-assessment for each of the four courses, as well as one-way ANOVAs with Kruskal-Wallis tests and Dunn's post hoc tests among the final assessments of the four courses. Correlations between participants' competency results and their ages, years working on malaria, and numbers of malaria cases reported in their provinces were evaluated by bivariate correlations (two-tailed) and linear regression (excluding cases pairwise) in SPSS 23. The Pearson correlation coefficients (r values), P values (two tailed), adjusted R square (Adjusted R2), standardized coefficients (ß) and Sig. P values were recorded. The percentages of participants who gave the right answer to each slide (PPS) in the final assessments of the three WHO-ECAMM courses were calculated. Correlation analysis between PPS and parasitaemia (100-2000 parasites/µL) of Plasmodium falciparum slides used in species identification and parasite counting, were also evaluated via bivariate correlations (two-tailed) tests. RESULTS: Among the 36 participants, 16 participants were certificated as Level 1 (two from NRL), 10 were certified as Level 2 (one from NRL). Within the same course, participants had improved their average scores from pre-assessments to final assessments. The numbers of malaria cases reported in participants' provinces were strongly correlated to their species identification (SI) scores; r = 0.45, P = 0.040, n = 21; r = 0.57, P = 0.001, n = 32; r = 0.56, P = 0.007). The parasitaemia of P. falciparum within 100-2000 parasites/µL was correlated significantly (r = 0.44, P = 0.008, n = 36) with the PPS of all counting slides but not with slides for identification (r = - 0.018, P = 0.93, n = 30). CONCLUSIONS: The analysis and comparison of participants' competency results not only verified that the model of the WHO-ECAMM course had strong power in improving and assessing microscopists' competencies but also reflected the correlation between decreased numbers of indigenous malaria cases and microscopists' competencies in certain areas in China.

Histone deacetylase 6 selective inhibitor ACY1215 inhibits cell proliferation and enhances the chemotherapeutic effect of 5-fluorouracil in HCT116 cells.

BACKGROUND: ACY1215 is a selective histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) inhibitor, and can suppress tumor growth for many human cancers. However, its role in colon cancer and its impact on the chemotherapeutic effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) are largely unknown. The aim of the present study is to explore the effect of ACY1215 on cell growth, migration, invasion and apoptosis, along with its impact on the chemotherapeutic effect of 5-Fu in HCT116 cells. METHODS: HCT116 cells were treated with ACY1215 with or without 5-Fu, and cell viability, proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis were explored. RESULTS: The cell viability, colony formation number, wound closure rate, and migrated cell numbers of HCT116 cells significantly decreased, while the apoptotic cells significantly increased with the increased concentration of ACY1215 (P<0.05). The combination of ACY1215 and 5-Fu was more potent than either drug alone, as indicated by an increase of apoptotic cells, and by a decrease of cell viability, colony formation number, wound closure rate and migrated cell numbers. The expression of phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinases (pMEK) and phosphorylated extracellular-signal regulated protein kinase (pERK) were decreased when HCT116 cells were cultured with ACY1215. CONCLUSIONS: Selective HDAC6 inhibitor, ACY1215, could inhibit the cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and induce apoptosis of HCT116 colon cancer cells. Furthermore, ACY1215 may enhance the chemotherapeutic effect of 5-Fu in HCT116 cells.

Efficacy of anterior versus posterior per-oral endoscopic myotomy for treating achalasia: a randomized, prospective study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has been demonstrated to be safe and effective for treating achalasia. Two approaches-anterior myotomy and posterior myotomy-are used during POEM. However, little is known about the comparison between the 2 different approaches. The objective of the study is to compare the safety and short-term efficacy of the 2 approaches for treating achalasia. METHODS: From October 2015 to December 2016, 63 consecutive patients with achalasia without prior treatment or sigmoid-type esophagus were prospectively recruited. They were randomly assigned to an anterior or posterior myotomy group. Clinical data about general characteristics, operative parameters, pre- and postoperative Eckardt score, esophageal manometry results, 24-hour pH test, and adverse events were recorded and compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The anterior group included 31 patients and the posterior group 32 patients. All patients underwent POEM successfully, and treatment success (defined as an Eckardt score ≤3) was achieved in all patients during a mean follow-up of 15.5 months. Mean Eckardt score, lower esophageal sphincter pressure, and 4-second integrated relaxation pressure were significantly decreased (6.2 ± 1.3, 37.5 ± 6.7 mm Hg, and 27.3 ± 4.9 mm Hg vs .70 ± .70, 12.8 ± 2.8 mm Hg, and 11.1 ± 2.3 mm Hg, respectively; P < .01). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of general characteristics, treatment success, pre- and postoperative esophageal manometry, Eckardt score, and adverse events (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The short-term treatment efficacy, manometry outcomes, and adverse events were comparable between the anterior and posterior myotomy groups. Large-scale studies with long-term follow-up are warranted for a more definitive conclusion. (Clinical trial registration number: ChiCTR-ICR-15007211.).

Biology, Bionomics and Molecular Biology of Anopheles sinensis Wiedemann 1828 (Diptera: Culicidae), Main Malaria Vector in China.

China has set a goal to eliminate all malaria in the country by 2020, but it is unclear if current understanding of malaria vectors and transmission is sufficient to achieve this objective. Anopheles sinensis is the most widespread malaria vector specie in China, which is also responsible for vivax malaria outbreak in central China. We reviewed literature from 1954 to 2016 on An. sinensis with emphasis on biology, bionomics, and molecular biology. A total of 538 references were relevant and included. An. sienesis occurs in 29 Chinese provinces. Temperature can affect most life-history parameters. Most An. sinensis are zoophilic, but sometimes they are facultatively anthropophilic. Sporozoite analysis demonstrated An. sinensis efficacy on Plasmodium vivax transmission. An. sinensis was not stringently refractory to P. falciparum under experimental conditions, however, sporozoite was not found in salivary glands of field collected An. sinensis. The literature on An. sienesis biology and bionomics was abundant, but molecular studies, such as gene functions and mechanisms, were limited. Only 12 molecules (genes, proteins or enzymes) have been studied. In addition, there were considerable untapped omics resources for potential vector control tools. Existing information on An. sienesis could serve as a baseline for advanced research on biology, bionomics and genetics relevant to vector control strategies.

Impairment of dendritic cell function and induction of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T cells by excretory-secretory products: a potential mechanism of immune evasion adopted by Echinococcus granulosus.

BACKGROUND: Cystic echinococcosis, caused by infection with Echinococcus granulosus, is one of the most widespread zoonotic helminth diseases. Modulation of host responses is an important strategy used by helminth parasites to promote infection. To better understand the mechanisms adopted by E. granulosus to escape host immune responses, we investigated the effects of excretory-secretory products (ES) and adult worm antigen (AWA) derived from adult E. granulosus on murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDC). RESULTS: Compared with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), AWA, but not ES, induced BMDC maturation or stimulated BMDC cytokine production and co-stimulatory molecule expression (CD40, CD80 and MHC class II). Furthermore, ES-treated BMDCs pulsed with ovalbumin exhibited reduced co-stimulatory molecule expression in comparison with untreated BMDC, even in the presence of the strong Th1 inducer, CpG. Moreover, we detected the effects of ES-treated DC on T cell activation by an in vitro T cell priming assay. We observed that ES-treated BMDC co-cultured with DO11.10 transgenic CD4(+) T cells induced the generation of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T cells. In addition, in contrast to AWA-treated BMDCs, which had markedly induced IFN-γ secretion and reduced of IL-4 levels in co-cultured T cells, ES-treated BMDCs did not modify their capacity to stimulate IFN-γ or IL-4 production by T cells. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that ES of adult E. granulosus inhibited DC function, impaired the development of Th1 cells induced by CpG, and induced CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells in an IL-10-independent manner.

Proteomic analysis of the excretory/secretory products and antigenic proteins of Echinococcus granulosus adult worms from infected dogs.

BACKGROUND: Cystic echinococcosis, which is caused by Echinococcus granulosus, is one of the most widespread zoonotic helminth diseases that affects humans and livestock. Dogs, which harbor adult worms in their small intestines, are a pivotal source of E. granulosus infection in humans and domestic animals. Therefore, novel molecular approaches for the prevention and diagnosis of this parasite infection in dogs need to be developed. RESULTS: In this study, we performed proteomic analysis to identify excretory/secretory products (ES) and antigenic proteins of E. granulosus adult worms using two-dimensional electrophoresis, tandem matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF), and Western blotting of sera from infected dogs. This study identified 33 ES product spots corresponding to 9 different proteins and 21 antigenic protein spots corresponding to 13 different proteins. Six antigenic proteins were identified for the first time. CONCLUSIONS: The present study extended the existing proteomic data of E. granulosus and provides further information regarding host-parasite interactions and survival mechanisms. The results of this study contribute to vaccination and immunodiagnoses for E. granulosus infections.

[Survey on intestinal nematode infections among school students in Tengchong County].

One primary school and one middle school were selected from Gudong Town, Tengyue Town and Puchuan Township of Tengchong County, respectively, by using the lamination stochastic group sampling method. The intestinal parasite infections were investigated with the iodine-stained direct smear method and modified Kato-Katz thick smears method. A total of 1 134 students were investigated and the total infection rate of intestinal nematodes was 12.4% (141/1 134). The infection rate of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichura, and hookworm was 9.4% (106/1 134), 2.8% (32/1 134), and 0.3% (3/1 134), respectively. The prevalence of intestinal nematodes among the students of urban (2.2%, 8/363) was lower than those of rural (17.3%, 133/771) (P < 0.01). The infection rate in students from Gudong Town was higher than those of Tengyue (2.2%, 8/363) and Puchuan County (2.3%, 8/35) (P < 0.01), whereas the economy level of Gudong Town (29.9%, 123/412) was the best in the three towns. After all, the infection rate of the middle school students (13.7%, 59/432) was higher than that of pupils (11.7%, 82/702) (P < 0.01). Compared with 2003, the prevalence of nematode infection among the school students in Tengchong County decreased significantly in 2013.