Echinococcosis is a serious zoonotic parasitic disease transmitted from canines to humans and livestock. Periodic deworming is recommended by the WHO/OIE as a highly effective measure against ...echinococcosis. However, manual deworming involves significant challenges, particularly in remote areas with scarce resources. The insufficient awareness delivering praziquantel (PZQ) baits for dogs leads to low compliance rate. The aim of this study was therefore to develop a novel smart collar for dogs to address these challenges. We developed a smart Internet of Things (IoT)-based deworming collar which can deliver PZQ baits for dogs automatically, regularly, quantitatively with predominant characteristics of being waterproof, anti-collision, cold-proof and long life battery. Its performance was tested in two remote locations on the Tibetan Plateau. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to evaluate the compliance of the dog owners. Further, a randomized controlled study was performed to evaluate the difference between smart-collar deworming and manual deworming. The collar's effectiveness was further assessed on the basis of Generalized Estimation Equations (GEE). The testing and evaluation was done for 10 smart deworming collars in factory laboratory, 18 collars attached for 18 dogs in Seni district, Tibet Autonomous Region, China, and 523 collars attached for 523 dogs in Hezuo city, Gansu province, China. The anti-collision, waterproof, and coldproof proportion of the smart collars were 100.0%, 99.5%, and 100.0%, respectively. When compared to manual deworming, the dogs' risk of infection with Echinococcus on smart-collar deworming is down to 0.182 times (95% CI: 0.049, 0.684) in Seni district and 0.355 (95%CI: 0.178, 0.706) in Hezuo city, the smart collar has a significant protective effect. The owners' overall compliance rate to attach the smart collars for their dogs was 89%. The smart deworming collar could effectively reduce the dogs' risk of infection with Echinococcus in dogs, significantly increase the deworming frequency and coverage and rapidly remove worm biomass in dogs. Thus, it may be a promising alternative to manual deworming, particularly in remote areas on the Tibetan Plateau.
Rabies is a severe epidemic in Guangxi province, China, with hundreds of deaths occurring each year. In the past six decades, rabies has emerged three times in Guangxi, and the province has reported ...the largest number of rabies cases in China. The domestic dog is the principal vector for rabies, and 95% of human cases are associated with transmission from dogs.
To understand the genetic relationship between street rabies virus (RABV) from Guangxi, genetic diversity analysis was performed using RABV isolates collected between 1999 and 2012. The N gene of 42 RABV isolates, and the P and M genes, as well as fragments of the 3' terminus (L
) and the polymerase activity module of the L gene (L
) of 36 RABV isolates were sequenced. In addition, whole genome sequencing was performed for 5 RABV isolates. There was evidence of topological discrepancy in the phylogenetic trees based on different genes of the RABV isolates. Amino acid variation of the deduced N protein exhibited different patterns to those obtained from the P and M proteins reported here, and the previously reported G protein (Tang H. et al., PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 8(10): e3114, 2014), and L
and L
. These RABV isolates were divided into three main branches against fixed strains.
RABV is prevalent in Guangxi province and strains collected over the last two decades belong mainly to three groups (I, II, III). These RABV isolates reveal genetic diversity. Individual RABV genes from Guangxi exhibit different evolutionary characteristics. The results will have benefits for continuing comprehensive rabies surveillance, prevention and control in China.
The development of unconventional petroleum resources has gradually become an important succession for increasing oil production. However, the related engineers and researchers are paying more and ...more attention to the application of temporary plugging agents (TPAs) for their efficient development. TPAs can expand the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) and facilitate the flow of oil and gas to the bottom of the well. Particle-gels used as temporary plugging agents have the characteristics of the simple injection process, good deformation, high plugging strength, and complete self-degradation performance, which have been widely applied in recent years. In this paper, five samples of DPPG polymerized by different molecular weights of cross-linking agents were prepared. In addition, infrared spectroscopy analysis, differential calorimetry scanning (DSC) analysis, static particle gel swelling and degradation performance evaluation experiments, and dynamic temporary plugging performance experiments in cores were conducted at 34 °C. Results show that as the molecular weight of the cross-linking agent (at 0.01 g) in the DPPG molecule decreased from 1,000 to 200 Da, the fewer cross-linking sites of DPPG, the looser the microscopic three-dimensional mesh structure formed. The swelling ratio increased from 7 to 33 times. However, the complete degradation time increased from 40 to 210 min. Moreover, the DSC results confirmed that the higher the molecular weight of the cross-linking agent, the worse is chemical stability and the more prone it to self-degradation. DPPG samples had good temporary plugging performance in reservoir cores. DPPGs prepared by the cross-linking agent with smaller molecular weight has a stronger swelling ratio, higher gel strength, and greater plugging strength in the core permeabilities. Moreover, the degraded DPPG is less damaging to the cores. However, their slower degradation rates take a slightly longer times to reach complete degradation. The results of this paper can provide new ideas and a theoretical basis for the development of particle gel-type temporary plugging agents (TPA) with controllable degradation time in low-temperature reservoirs. It can help to expand the application range of existing DPPG reservoir conditions.
Chinese mitten crabs (
Eriocheir sinensis
) are traditionally fed iced trash fish, but the industry is facing problems such as low breeding safety. Black soldier fly (
Hermetia illucens
) is an ...alternative protein source in animal diets, including diets for aquatic animals, due to its high nutritional value. However, studies on the effects of black soldier fly on the flavor characteristics of aquatic animals are still limited. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the complete replacement of iced trash fish with black soldier fly larvae during the fattening period of Chinese mitten crab on the flavor molecule contents and evaluation indices. The levels of free amino acids and nucleotides were determined in three edible parts (muscle, hepatopancreas, and gonads) of crab. Taste activity value analysis showed that glutamic acid, glycine, alanine, and arginine were the main amino acids contributing to the umami taste and sweetness, while histidine, lysine, valine, and methionine were the main amino acids contributing to the bitterness. Equivalent umami concentration (EUC) analysis showed that female gonads had the strongest umami taste, followed by the hepatopancreas and muscle. Sweetness value (SWT) analysis showed that the sweetness of muscle was the highest. Feeding black soldier fly larvae affected the flavor characteristics of crabs with tissue and sex differences. The EUC of the female gonads and SWT of the muscle were significantly increased. Meanwhile, the EUC of the hepatopancreas and SWT of the gonads were slightly decreased in male crabs. Our results indicate that the complete replacement of iced trash fish with black soldier fly larvae during the fattening period significantly enhances the flavor characteristics of crabs based on the contents of flavoring amino acids and nucleotides. It is important for sustainable aquaculture to replace animal protein with alternative protein sources such as black soldier fly larvae.
The role and mechanism of miR-452-5p in lung adenocarcinoma remain unclear. In this study, we performed a systematic study to investigate the clinical value of miR-452-5p expression in lung ...adenocarcinoma. The expression of miR-452-5p in 101 lung adenocarcinoma patients was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases were joined to verify the expression level of miR-452-5p in lung adenocarcinoma. Via several online prediction databases and bioinformatics software, pathway and network analyses of miR-452-5p target genes were performed to explore its prospective molecular mechanism. The expression of miR-452-5p in lung adenocarcinoma in house was significantly lower than that in adjacent tissues (p < 0.001). Additionally, the expression level of miR-452-5p was negatively correlated with several clinicopathological parameters including the tumor size (p = 0.014), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.032), and tumor–node–metastasis stage (p = 0.036). Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas also confirmed the low expression of miR-452 in lung adenocarcinoma (p < 0.001). Furthermore, reduced expression of miR-452-5p in lung adenocarcinoma (standard mean deviations = −0.393, 95% confidence interval: −0.774 to −0.011, p = 0.044) was validated by a meta-analysis. Five hub genes targeted by miR-452-5p, including SMAD family member 4, SMAD family member 2, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B, tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein epsilon, and tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein beta, were significantly enriched in the cell-cycle pathway. In conclusion, low expression of miR-452-5p tends to play an essential role in lung adenocarcinoma. Bioinformatics analysis might be beneficial to reveal the potential mechanism of miR-452-5p in lung adenocarcinoma.
Asian warty treefrogs, genus Theloderma, are morphologically variable arboreal frogs endemic to Southeast Asia and Southern China. However, integrated systematic studies are lacking, and knowledge of ...the genus in terms of diversity, origin, and historical diversification remains limited. To address these knowledge gaps, we used three mitochondrial and five nuclear gene fragments to reconstruct the Theloderma phylogeny, estimate divergence times, and examine the biogeography of the genus. Phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses suggest that the genus Theloderma comprises three major clades corresponding to two subgenera and seven species groups, and mPTP identified at least 12 putative cryptic species, suggesting that species diversity has been underestimated. Biogeographic analyses indicated that most recent common ancestor of Theloderma originated in the Indochina Peninsula during the Middle Oligocene (ca. 27.77 Ma) and the splitting of Clade A to C occurred in the Late Oligocene (ca. 23.55–25.57 Ma). Current biogeographic patterns result from two distinct processes: in situ diversification in the Indochina Peninsula and dispersal in multiple areas, namely southward dispersal to the Malay Peninsula and Borneo, northeastward dispersal to Southern China, northward dispersal to the Himalayas, and dispersal from Southern China to the Indochina Peninsula. Ancestral character reconstruction suggests that the ancestor of Theloderma may have possessed a small body size, rough dorsal skin, and absence of vomerine teeth and hand webbing, and that these four characters have undergone multiple evolutions. Principal component analysis based on eight bioclimatic variables did not clearly distinguish the three major clades of Theloderma, suggesting that species in these clades may occupy similar climatic ecological niches. Our research highlights the importance of orogeny and paleoclimatic changes, in shaping amphibian biodiversity in mountain ecosystems.
The most comprehensive nucleotide data has been applied to the genus Theloderma. Theloderma originated in the middle Oligocene Indochina Peninsula and later dispersed outward into the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Himalayas, and Southern China. Elevational uplift drove early clade diversification, and innovations in key characteristics contributed to the outward spread of Theloderma to survive the dramatically changed early environment.
Macrolides have anti-inflammatory and antioxidative stress function, but their pharmacological regulation remains unclear. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is redox-sensitive protein belongs to class III ...histone/protein deacetylases, SIRT1 regulates the acetylation/expression of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and is involved in the airway inflammation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The present study was designed to examine the effects of erythromycin (EM) on the SIRT1-NF-κB axis and NF-κB-dependent proinflammatory cytokines.
Human macrophages were preincubated with EM and then treated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE). The mice were treated by injecting drugs to gastric with EM before cigarette smoke exposure. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) released by treated human macrophages were detected using flow cytometry. The expression of SIRT1 and NF-κB was analyzed by western blotting. SIRT1 and the RelA/p65 subunits of NF-κB interaction were detected by coimmunoprecipitation. We found that EM suppressed CSE-induced ROS released in human macrophages, which coincided with increases in SIRT1 protein expression in the macrophages and lungs of mice, resulting in suppressed -NF-κB acetylation and expression correlated with a reduction of inflammatory mediators.
These findings suggest that EM increased SIRT1, leading to acetylation/expression of NF-κB, and thereby decreasing cigarette smoke-driven NF-κB-dependent proinflammatory cytokine.
To analyze the risk factors affecting hemorrhagic cystitis(HC) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT).
The clinical data of 153 patients underwent allogeneic ...hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2010 to December 2018 were selected and retrospectively analyzed. The incidence, median time and treatment outcome of HC should be observed. Multivariate analysis was used to observe the risk factors of HC in patients, including sex, age, diagnosis, disease status before transplantation, transplantation type, ATG and CTX in the pretreatment scheme, stem cell source, neutrophil and platelet implantation time; CMV, EBV and BKV infection, and acute graft-versus-host disease(aGVHD).
Among 153 patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, 25 (16.34%) patients had HC, the median occurance time was 31 days, all patients achieved complete remission after treatment, no bladder irritation and bladd
This work describes a new species,
Balitora anlongensis
sp. nov.
, collected from a cave at Xinglong Town, Anlong County, Guzihou, China. Phylogenetic trees reconstructed based on two mitochondrial ...and three nuclear genes show that the new species represents an independent evolutionary lineage with large genetic differences, 7.1%–12.0% in mitochondrial gene cytochrome
b
and 9.2%–12.1% in cytochrome oxidase subunit 1, from congeners. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from the 18 species currently assigned to the genus
Balitora
by a combination of characters, most clearly by having two pairs of maxillary barbels; 8½ branched dorsal-fin rays; 5½ branched anal-fin rays; pectoral fin not reaching pelvic fin origin; dorsal-fin origin in front of pelvic fin origin; eye small (eye diameter approximately equal to outer maxillary barbel length); and fins lacking pigment in live fish. The new species represents the first record of
Balitora
inhabiting caves in China and increases the number of species in the genus
Balitora
in its present concept from 18 to 19. The study suggests that more evidence is needed to further clarify the taxonomic composition of the genus
Balitora
.
In this work, a new species of the genus
Oreonectes
is described, named
Oreonectes damingshanensis
Yu, Luo, Lan, Xiao & Zhou,
sp. nov.
, collected from the Damingshan Mountains of the Guangxi Zhuang ...Autonomous Region, China. Phylogenetic trees constructed based on the mitochondrial Cyt
b
showed that the new species represents an independent evolutionary lineage, with uncorrected genetic distances (
p
-distance) from congeners ranging from 6.1% to 8.9%. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from five other species of the genus by a combination of characters. The discovery of this new species raises the number of known species of
Oreonectes
from five to six. Our study suggests that
O. platycephalus
may be a complex containing multiple species and that previously recorded areas need to be further delimited and reevaluated.
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