Isolation and Characterization of 15 New Microsatellite Markers in Oncomelania hupensis, the Snail Intermediate Host of Schistosoma japonicum in Mainland China

Oncomelania hupensis is the unique intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum, which plays a key role during the transmission of schistosomiasis. It is mainly found in the Yangtze River valley and mountains or hills in southwest China. In this paper, we described 15 new microsatellite makers in O. hupensis. Polymorphism of each locus was assessed in 80 individuals from four wild populations (n = 20 per population). The number of alleles per locus ranged from 6 to 29, with an average of 15.8. The observed (HO) and expected (HE) heterozygosities varied from 0.397 to 0.851 and from 0.696 to 0.948, respectively. These microsatellite markers will be useful for population genetic studies and genome mapping in O. hupensis

A Common Genetic Variant (97906C>A) of DAB2IP/AIP1 Is Associated with an Increased Risk and Early Onset of Lung Cancer in Chinese Males

DOC-2/DAB2 interactive protein (DAB2IP) is a novel identified tumor suppressor gene that inhibits cell growth and facilitates cell apoptosis. One genetic variant in DAB2IP gene was reported to be associated with an increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer recently. Since DAB2IP involves in the development of lung cancer and low expression of DAB2IP are observed in lung cancer, we hypothesized that the variations in DAB2IP gene can increase the genetic susceptibility to lung cancer. In a case-control study of 1056 lung cancer cases and 1056 sex and age frequency-matched cancer-free controls, we investigated the association between two common polymorphisms in DAB2IP gene (−1420T>G, rs7042542; 97906C>A, rs1571801) and the risk of lung cancer. We found that compared with the 97906CC genotypes, carriers of variant genotypes (97906AC+AA) had a significant increased risk of lung cancer (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.33, 95%CI = 1.04–1.70, P = 0.023) and the number of variant (risk) allele worked in a dose-response manner (Ptrend = 0.0158). Further stratification analysis showed that the risk association was more pronounced in subjects aged less than 60 years old, males, non-smokers, non-drinkers, overweight groups and in those with family cancer history in first or second-degree relatives, and the 97906A interacted with overweight on lung cancer risk. We further found the number of risk alleles (97906A allele) were negatively correlated with early diagnosis age of lung cancer in male patients (P = 0.003). However, no significant association was observed on the −1420T>G polymorphism. Our data suggested that the 97906A variant genotypes are associated with the increased risk and early onset of lung cancer, particularly in males

From concept to action: a united, holistic and One Health approach to respond to the climate change crisis

It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the planet, which is seriously affecting the planetary health including human health. Adapting climate change should not only be a slogan, but requires a united, holistic action and a paradigm shift from crisis response to an ambitious and integrated approach immediately. Recognizing the urgent needs to tackle the risk connection between climate change and One Health, the four key messages and recommendations that with the intent to guide further research and to promote international cooperation to achieve a more climate-resilient world are provided

Ultrasensitive and visual detection of Feline herpesvirus type-1 and Feline calicivirus using one-tube dRPA-Cas12a/Cas13a assay

Abstract Background Feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV) and Feline calicivirus (FCV) are the primary co-infecting pathogens that cause upper respiratory tract disease in cats. However, there are currently no visual detection assays available for on-site testing. Here, we develop an ultrasensitive and visual detection method based on dual recombinase polymerase amplification (dRPA) reaction and the hybrid Cas12a/Cas13a trans-cleavage activities in a one-tube reaction system, referred to as one-tube dRPA-Cas12a/Cas13a assay. Results The recombinant plasmid DNAs, crRNAs, and RPA oligonucleotides targeting the FCV ORF1 gene and FHV-1 TK gene were meticulously prepared. Subsequently, dual RPA reactions were performed followed by screening of essential reaction components for hybrid CRISPR-Cas12a (targeting the FHV-1 TK gene) and CRISPR-Cas13a (targeting the FCV ORF1 gene) trans-cleavage reaction. As a result, we successfully established an ultra-sensitive and visually detectable method for simultaneous detection of FCV and FHV-1 nucleic acids using dRPA and CRISPR/Cas-powered technology in one-tube reaction system. Visual readouts were displayed using either a fluorescence detector (Fluor-based assay) or lateral flow dipsticks (LDF-based assay). As expected, this optimized assay exhibited high specificity towards only FHV-1 and FCV without cross-reactivity with other feline pathogens while achieving accurate detection for both targets with limit of detection at 2.4 × 10− 1 copies/μL for the FHV-1 TK gene and 5.5 copies/μL for the FCV ORF1 gene, respectively. Furthermore, field detection was conducted using the dRPA-Cas12a/Cas13a assay and the reference real-time PCR methods for 56 clinical samples collected from cats with URTD. Comparatively, the results of Fluor-based assay were in exceptional concordance with the reference real-time PCR methods, resulting in high sensitivity (100% for both FHV-1 and FCV), specificity (100% for both FHV-1 and FCV), as well as consistency (Kappa values were 1.00 for FHV-1 and FCV). However, several discordant results for FHV-1 detection were observed by LDF-based assay, which suggests its prudent use and interpretaion for clinical detection. In spite of this, incorporating dRPA-Cas12a/Cas13a assay and visual readouts will facilitate rapid and accurate detection of FHV-1 and FCV in resource-limited settings. Conclusions The one-tube dRPA-Cas12a/Cas13a assay enables simultaneously ultrasensitive and visual detection of FHV-1 and FCV with user-friendly modality, providing unparalleled convenience for FHV-1 and FCV co-infection surveillance and decision-making of URTD management

A numerical and experimental study of oblique impact of ultra-high pressure abrasive water jet

An investigation of the abrasive water jet with an emphasis on the oblique impact of abrasive particles on the target plate is performed. Ultra-high jet pressure necessitates a close examination of the phenomena featured by small spatial and temporal scales. The effect of oblique impact is assessed from both numerical and practical aspects. Numerical simulation, implemented using the commercial code LS-DYNA, allows a detailed inspection of transient stress wave propagation inside the target plate. And impact experiments facilitate a qualitative description of resultant footprints of oblique water jet. Different incident angles of abrasive particles are adopted and a comparison is thereby unfolded. The results indicate that rebound, embedding, and penetration of single abrasive particle are three representative final operation states. Adjacent to the abrasive particle, the response of the target plate to oblique impact is reflected by von Mises stress distribution and plate deformation as well. Oblique impact arouses non-symmetrical stress wave distributions and distinct unbalanced node displacements at the two sides of the abrasive particle. As for the target plate, global surface morphology is in accordance with predicted effects. The most favorable surface roughness is not associated with vertical impact, and it hinges upon the selection of standoff distance. Furthermore, variation of surface roughness with incident angle is not monotonous

Controlled synthesis and characterization of ZnSe nanostructures via a solvothermal approach in a mixed solution

In the present study, ZnSe nanostructures with complex morphologies and different phase structures were synthesized via a solvothermal approach using a mixed solution of triethylenetetramine (TETA) and de-ionized water (DIW). It was found that the phase and morphology of the as-prepared products could be controlled by changing the volume ratio of TETA to DIW. Metastable ZnSe nanoflowers with layered structure could be obtained from pure TETA, which can be transformed to the wurtzite structure after heat-treating at 500 °C in Ar atmosphere. With the addition of DIW, the morphology changed from flowers to spheres, and when the volume ratio of TETA to DIW was 1:1, loose spheres composed of nanoparticles were obtained. Variation of the TETA content in the mixed solvent also allows controlling of the crystallographic phase of ZnSe (wurtzite or zinc blende). Both the as-prepared products and the annealed powders were systematically characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared absorbance spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy methods. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved