HIV/AIDS, parasites and co-infections: publication patterns in China

BACKGROUND: Since its discovery, HIV/AIDS has arguably captured more attention among the Chinese biomedical research community than most other infectious diseases. Traditional parasitic diseases, on the other hand, are perceived as being increasingly neglected. However, it has long been recognized that interactions between HIV and other infective agents, including parasites, influence the health status of people living with HIV/AIDS. This study aimed at systematically reviewing the Chinese scientific literature on HIV/AIDS and parasites between 1986 and 2006 in order to substantiate or refute these claims, and to highlight neglected research areas. RESULTS: Searching the three largest Chinese scientific literature databases, in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) a total of 24,511 citations dealing with HIV/AIDS and 15,398 parasite-specific publications were identified. Wanfang Data and VIP Information (VIP) contained 15,925 and 13,873 entries dealing with HIV/AIDS, respectively, while 12,043 and 7,068 hits were scored when searching for parasitological references. The number of publications dealing with HIV/AIDS in China increased exponentially from 6 in 1986 to 3,372 in 2006 whereas the publication activity in the field of parasitology was more erratic and lately started to decline. Epidemiology was the most-reported field of endeavor, accounting for 26.0% and 24.6% of the HIV/AIDS and parasitological literature, respectively, while publications dealing with health education only represented 2.9% and 0.7% of all publications, respectively. The total number of Chinese articles focusing on HIV/AIDS and parasite co-infection was 650, with large year-on-year differences in publication numbers. The single-most frequently studied system was HIV-Pneumocystis carinii co-infection. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed that in China, the fields of parasitic diseases, especially opportunistic parasitic infections linked with HIV/AIDS, is increasingly neglected. This suggests a need to enhance research in the field of opportunistic parasitic infections and parasitology in general

Multi-Host Model-Based Identification of \u3ci\u3eArmillifer agkistrodontis\u3c/i\u3e (Pentastomida), a New Zoonotic Parasite from China

Background: Pentastomiasis is a rare parasitic infection of humans. Pentastomids are dioecious obligate parasites requiring multiple hosts to complete their life cycle. Despite their worm-like appearance, they are commonly placed into a separate sub-class of the subphylum Crustacea, phylum Arthropoda. However, their systematic position is not uncontested and historically, they have been considered as a separate phylum. Methodology/Principal Findings: An appraisal of Armillifer agkistrodontis was performed in terms of morphology and genetic identification after its lifecycle had been established in a multi-host model, that is, mice and rats as intermediate hosts, and snakes (Agkistrodon acutus and Python molurus) as definitive hosts. Different stages of the parasite, including eggs, larvae and adults, were isolated and examined morphologically using light and electron microscopes. Phylogenetic and cluster analysis were also undertaken, focusing on the 18S rRNA and the Cox1 gene. The time for lifecycle completion was about 14 months, including 4 months for the development of eggs to infectious larvae in the intermediate host and 10 months for infectious larvae to mature in the final host. The main morphological difference between A. armillatus and Linguatula serrata is the number of abdominal annuli. Based on the 18S rRNA sequence, the shortest hereditary distance was found between A. agkistrodontis and Raillietiella spp. The highest degree of homology in the Cox 1 nucleic acid sequences and predicted amino acid sequences was found between A. agkistrodontis and A. armillatus. Conclusion: This is the first time that a multi-host model of the entire lifecycle of A. agkistrodontis has been established. Morphologic and genetic analyses supported the notion that pentastomids should be placed into the phylum Arthropoda

Multi-host Model-Based Identification of Armillifer agkistrodontis (Pentastomida), a New Zoonotic Parasite from China

Little information is currently available on the lifecycle and morphology of pentastomids, a new zoonotic parasite in China. The lifecycle of Armillifer agkistrodontis was established in multiple hosts, i.e., an intermediate host and a definitive host, and the parasite examined in terms of morphology and genetic relationship with other species. The time required for the completion of an entire lifecycle was about 14 months. The main morphological difference between A. armillatus and L. serrata is the number of abdominal annuli. The genetic data supported the notion that pentastomids belong to the phylum Arthropoda. Based on the 18S rRNA sequence, the shortest hereditary distance was found between A. agkistrodontis and Raillietiella spp. The highest similarity in the Cox 1 nucleic acid sequences was found between A. agkistrodontis and A. armillatus. The established multi-host model provides a possible approach to confirm suspected infections and offers an opportunity to further study this parasite

Rare A-Type, Spiro-Type, and Highly Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins from \u3cem\u3ePinus massoniana\u3c/em\u3e

An investigation of the dental bioactive proanthocyanidin (PAC) oligomer fractions led to three structurally distinct new PACs (1–3) from pine bark. Pinutwindoublin (1) is the first reported trimer with double A-type interflavanyl linkages (2α→O→5,4α→6 and 2α→O→7,4α→8). Pinuspirotetrin (2) represents the first reported PAC tetramer with a heterodimeric framework consisting of one spiro-type and one A-type dimer. Pinumassohexin (3) was elucidated as a mixed A + B-type hexamer that consists of a peanut-derived tetramer, peanut procyanidin E, and an A-type dimer (5). Compound 3 increased the modulus of elasticity of dentin by an impressive 4.3 times at a concentration of 0.65%

Effect of Dentin Biomodification Delivered by Experimental Acidic and Neutral Primers on Resin Adhesion

Objectives Proanthocyanidins (PACs) are biocompounds mimicking native collagen cross-links. The effective and practical delivery of any biocompound is pivotal for clinical usage. The aim was to investigate the dentin biomodification and effective formation of dentin–resin biointerfaces of two highly bioactive PAC-rich extracts, Vitis vinifera (Vv) and Camellia sinensis (Cs), delivered using neutral (NP) or acidic (AP) rinse-out primer approaches. Methods The depth of dentin demineralization (optical profilometry), dentin biomodification (apparent modulus of elasticity, collagen auto-fluorescence) and properties of dentin–resin interfaces (microtensile bond strength - μTBS, and micro-permeability) were investigated. NP consisted of either 15% Vv or Cs applied for 60 s after surface etching; while AP contained 15% Vv or Cs in either 35% glycolic acid or tartaric acid applied for 30 s or 60 s. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and post-hoc tests (α = 0.05). Results The depth of demineralization was statistically higher when applied for 60 s, regardless of rinse-out primer approach (p \u3c 0.001). Compared to the AP strategy, NP exhibited statistically higher apparent modulus of elasticity, regardless of PAC extract (p \u3c 0.001). Highest μTBS were obtained for NPVv, which were statistically similar to APGAVv, when applied for 60 s (p \u3c 0.001); both resulted in a dramatic decrease of the interfacial permeability. NPCs group showed the lowest μTBS (p \u3c 0.001). Conclusions A combination of high bond strength and low micro-permeability can be accomplished using glycolic acid with the mid- and high-PAC oligomer enriched extract (Vv). Cs extract containing mostly catechins and dimeric PACs, was found unsuitable for resin-dentin adhesion despite exhibiting high initial dentin biomodification. Clinical significance This study provides a new conceptual delivery of PAC-mediated dentin biomodification and conservative dentin surface etching using rinse-out primers. The strategy requires a specific combination of PAC source, α-hydroxy acid, and application time

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP): Early detection of Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Toxoplasmosis is a widespread zoonotic parasitic disease that occurs in both animals and humans. Traditional molecular assays are often difficult to perform, especially for the early diagnosis of <it>Toxoplasma gondii </it>infections. Here, we established a novel loop-mediated isothermal amplification targeting the 529 bp repeat element (<it>529 bp</it>-LAMP) to detect <it>T. gondii </it>DNA in blood samples of experimental mice infected with tachyzoites of the RH strain.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>The assay was performed with Bst DNA polymerase at 65°C for 1 h. The detection limit of the <it>529 bp-</it>LAMP assay was as low as 0.6 fg of <it>T. gondii </it>DNA. The sensitivity of this assay was 100 and 1000 fold higher than that of the LAMP targeting <it>B1 </it>gene (<it>B1</it>-LAMP) and nested PCR targeting 529 bp repeat element (<it>529 bp</it>-nested PCR), respectively. The specificity of the <it>529 bp-</it>LAMP assay was determined using the DNA samples of <it>Trypanosoma evansi, Plasmodium falciparum, Paragonimus westermani, Schistosoma japonicum, Fasciola hepatica </it>and <it>Angiostrongylus cantonensis</it>. No cross-reactivity with the DNA of any parasites was found. The assay was able to detect <it>T. gondii </it>DNA in all mouse blood samples at one day post infection (dpi).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We report the following findings: (<it>i</it>) The detection limit of the <it>529 bp-</it>LAMP assay is 0.6 fg of <it>T. gondii </it>DNA; (<it>ii</it>) The assay does not involve any cross-reactivity with the DNA of other parasites; (<it>iii</it>) This is the first report on the application of the LAMP assay for early diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in blood samples from experimentally infected mice. Due to its simplicity, sensitivity and cost-effectiveness for common use, we suggest that this assay should be used as an early diagnostic tool for health control of toxoplasmosis.</p

Tri- and Tetrameric Proanthocyanidins with Dentin Bioactivities from \u3cem\u3ePinus massoniana\u3c/em\u3e

Guided by dentin biomechanical bioactivity, this phytochemical study led to the elucidation of an extended set of structurally demanding proanthocyanidins (PACs). Unambiguous structure determination involved detailed spectroscopic and chemical characterization of four A-type dimers (2 and 4–6), seven trimers (10–16), and six tetramers (17–22). New outcomes confirm the feasibility of determining the absolute configuration of the catechol monomers in oligomeric PACs by one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) NMR. Electronic circular dichroism as well as phloroglucinolysis followed by mass spectrometry and chiral phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis generated the necessary chiral reference data. In the context of previously reported dentin-bioactive PACs, accurately and precisely assigned 13C NMR resonances enabled absolute stereochemical assignments of PAC monomers via (i) inclusion of the 13C NMR γ-gauche effect and (ii) determination of differential 13C chemical shift values (ΔδC) in comparison with those of the terminal monomer (unit II) in the dimers 2 and 4–6. Among the 13 fully elucidated PACs, eight were identified as new, and one structure (11) was revised based on new knowledge gained regarding the subtle, stereospecific spectroscopic properties of PACs

Characterization of the Ubiquitin C-Terminal Hydrolase and Ubiquitin-Specific Protease Families in Rice (Oryza sativa)

The ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase (UCH) and ubiquitin-specific processing protease (UBP) protein families both function in protein deubiquitination, playing important roles in a wide range of biological processes in animals, fungi, and plants. Little is known about the functions of these proteins in rice (Oryza sativa), and the numbers of genes reported for these families have not been consistent between different rice database resources. To further explore their functions, it is necessary to first clarify the basic molecular and biochemical nature of these two gene families. Using a database similarity search, we clarified the numbers of genes in these two families in the rice genome, examined the enzyme activities of their corresponding proteins, and characterized the expression patterns of all OsUCH and representative OsUBP genes. Five OsUCH and 44 OsUBP genes were identified in the rice genome, with four OsUCH proteins and 10 of 16 tested representative OsUBP proteins showing enzymatic activities. Two OsUCHs and five OsUBPs were found to be preferentially expressed in the early development of rice stamens. This work thus lays down a reliable bioinformatic foundation for future investigations of genes in these two families, particularly for exploring their potential roles in rice stamen development