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@#Abstract: Objective To investigate the prevalence and genetic characterization of Blastocystis in primary and middle school students in Baisha Li Autonomous County, Hainan Province, in order to understand the infection status of Blastocystis and its subtype distribution characteristics in this area. Methods From March to November 2021, fecal samples were collected from two primary and middle schools in Baisha Li Autonomous County. Nested PCR targeting the SSU rDNA was employed in this study, sequence analysis were performed to determine the prevalence and subtype. A neighbor-joining tree was built using Mega 7. Meanwhile, the risk factors of the Blastocystis infection among different grades and genders were evaluated. Results The infection rate of Blastocystis was 4.1% (13/314), there was no statistical difference in infection rates among genders and grades (P>0.05). Sequence analysis revealed that three Blastocystis subtypes were identified, namely ST3 (n=7), ST7 (n=4) and ST1 (n=2), all of which have zoonotic potential. Conclusions This is the first report of the identification of Blastocystis in humans in Hainan at the subtype level, and provide the basic data for the prevention and control of Blastocystis in this area. The zoonotic subtypes identified in this area indicated more studies should be taken in humans and various animals, to better evaluate the transmission of Blastocystis and provide scientific support for the prevention and control of Blastocystis.
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OBJECTIVES: Sexual dimorphism does occur in intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. The involvement of estrogen on IVD health has been well reported in recent years. The estrogen receptors (ER) are the main mediators of estrogen action. ER might play specific roles in the sexual variations of the IVD degeneration. METHODS: Thirty-six elderly patients with lumbar disc degeneration were selected and graded using Pfirrmann's system based on MRI images. Differences of ERα and ERß immunoreactivity staining in nucleus pulposus of each sex and degeneration degree were recorded and compared. RESULTS: Both cytoplasmic and nuclear staining of ERα and ERß immunoreactivity were observed in the nucleus pulposus cells. ERα and ERß expression significantly decreased along with the aggravation of IVD degeneration both in males and females. Expression of ERα and ERß protein in nucleus pulposus of males was significantly higher than that of females. CONCLUSIONS: Gender-specific expression of ER might play a part in sexual dimorphism of IVD degeneration. Gender and degeneration condition differences should be taken into account when the effects of estrogen on IVD metabolism are studied further.
