SjTPdb: integrated transcriptome and proteome database and analysis platform for Schistosoma japonicum

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Schistosoma japonicum </it>is one of the three major blood fluke species, the etiological agents of schistosomiasis which remains a serious public health problem with an estimated 200 million people infected in 76 countries. In recent years, enormous amounts of both transcriptomic and proteomic data of schistosomes have become available, providing information on gene expression profiles for developmental stages and tissues of <it>S. japonicum</it>. Here, we establish a public searchable database, termed SjTPdb, with integrated transcriptomic and proteomic data of <it>S. japonicum</it>, to enable more efficient access and utility of these data and to facilitate the study of schistosome biology, physiology and evolution.</p> <p>Description</p> <p>All the available ESTs, EST clusters, and the proteomic dataset of <it>S. japonicum </it>are deposited in SjTPdb. The core of the database is the 8,420 <it>S. japonicum </it>proteins translated from the EST clusters, which are well annotated for sequence similarity, structural features, functional ontology, genomic variations and expression patterns across developmental stages and tissues including the tegument and eggshell of this flatworm. The data can be queried by simple text search, BLAST search, search based on developmental stage of the life cycle, and an integrated search for more specific information. A PHP-based web interface allows users to browse and query SjTPdb, and moreover to switch to external databases by the following embedded links.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>SjTPdb is the first schistosome database with detailed annotations for schistosome proteins. It is also the first integrated database of both transcriptome and proteome of <it>S. japonicum</it>, providing a comprehensive data resource and research platform to facilitate functional genomics of schistosome. SjTPdb is available from URL: <url>http://function.chgc.sh.cn/sj-proteome/index.htm</url>.</p

Zb(10610)±Z_b(10610)^\pm and Zb(10650)±Z_b(10650)^\pm as the B∗BˉB^*\bar{B} and B∗Bˉ∗B^*\bar{B}^{*} molecular states

In the framework of the one-boson-exchange model, we have studied the interaction of the $B^*\bar{B}$ and $B^*\bar{B}^{*}$ system. After considering the S-wave and D-wave mixing, we notice that both $Z_b(10610)^\pm$ and $Z_b(10650)^\pm$ can be interpreted as the $B^*\bar{B}$ and $B^*\bar{B}^{*}$ molecular states quite naturally. Within the same framework, there also exist several molecular charmonia including X(3872) and several other molecular bottomonia, which are the partners of $Z_b(10610)$ and $Z_b(10650)$. The long-range one-pion-exchange force alone is strong enough to form these loosely bound molecular states, which ensures the numerical results quite model-independent and robust.Comment: 11 pages, 6 table

A pilot study on the efficacy of topical lotion containing anti-acne postbiotic in subjects with mild -to -moderate acne

IntroductionAcne can compromise facial esthetics and become a mental burden, especially when it occurs in puberty. Skincare cosmetics with anti-acne efficiency is more convenient than other treatment modalities, such as dietary supplements, in certain circumstances. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of an anti-acne lotion in alleviating acne.MethodsIn our study, an anti-acne lotion containing ferment lysate produced by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum VHProbi® E15 were applied to subjects with mild -to -moderate acne over 4 weeks. The efficacy was evaluated based on instrumental measurements using Visia®-CR and CK-MPA® system.Results and discussionThe anti-acne lotion exhibited favorable safety, meeting the stringent criteria for the detection of microbes, heavy metals, toxicity, and irritation. After 2 weeks of treatment, a statistically significant improvement in acne lesions was observed compared to baseline (P &lt; 0.01), and this continued to the end of the study. After 4 weeks of treatment, the transepidermal water loss (P &lt; 0.05) and sebum production (P &lt; 0.05) were significantly decreased in subjects compared to baseline. In addition, the pore/area of interest (AOI) and stratum corneum hydration displayed slightly positive changes throughout treatment. Thus, we conclude that applying topical anti-acne lotion may be safe and confer effective benefits in people with mild -to -moderate acne and represents a promising therapeutic option for acne

Visualizing the dynamic behavior of poliovirus plus-strand RNA in living host cells

Dynamic analysis of viral nucleic acids in host cells is important for understanding virus–host interaction. By labeling endogenous RNA with molecular beacon, we have realized the direct visualization of viral nucleic acids in living host cells and have studied the dynamic behavior of poliovirus plus-strand RNA. Poliovirus plus-strand RNA was observed to display different distribution patterns in living Vero cells at different post-infection time points. Real-time imaging suggested that the translocation of poliovirus plus-strand RNA is a characteristic rearrangement process requiring intact microtubule network of host cells. Confocal-FRAP measurements showed that 49.4 ± 3.2% of the poliovirus plus-strand RNA molecules diffused freely (with a D-value of 9.6 ± 1.6 × 10(−10) cm(2)/s) within their distribution region, while the remaining (50.5 ± 2.9%) were almost immobile and moved very slowly only with change of the RNA distribution region. Under the electron microscope, it was found that virus-induced membrane rearrangement is microtubule-associated in poliovirus-infected Vero cells. These results reveal an entrapment and diffusion mechanism for the movement of poliovirus plus-strand RNA in living mammalian cells, and demonstrate that the mechanism is mainly associated with microtubules and virus-induced membrane structures