[Molecular identification of Tricula spp. and the parasitized trematode cercariae in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province]

OBJECTIVE

To characterize a species of the genus Tricula and parasitized trematodes in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province using a molecular analysis, so as to understand their taxonomic positions.

METHODS

Tricula spp. and Oncomelania snails were collected from Xiangyun County, Yunnan Province, and cercaria parasitizing snails were observed using crushing followed by microscopy. Cercaria parasitizing Tricula snails at various morphologies were sampled using a shedding method. Genomic DNA was extracted from snail soft tissues and cercariae, and the 16S rRNA, COI, 28S rDNA genes in snails and the ND1 and 28S rDNA genes in cercariae were amplified using a PCR assay and sequenced. The species of Tricula snails and their parasitized trematodes was characterized using sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis.

RESULTS

Among 382 Tricula snails detected, there were three types of trematode cercariae found, including the non-forked (20.94%, 80/382), double-forked (3.40%, 13/382) and swallow shapes (7.07%, 27/382). Sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed that the 16S rRNA, COI and 28S rDNA gene sequences of this species of Tricula had high homology to those in Delavaya dianchiensis, and were clustered in a branch. Sequencing analysis of the ND1 and 28S rDNA genes revealed that the non-forked cercariae belonged to the family Pleu- rogenidae, the swallow-shaped cercariae belonged to the family Opecoelidae, and the double-forked cercariae belonged to another species of the genus Schistosoma that was different from S. sinensium and S. ovuncatum.

CONCLUSIONS

The species and taxonomy of Triculla spp. and their parasitized trematodes are preliminarily determined in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province; however, further studies are required to investigate the more definite taxonomy and pathogenicity.

Atacama sub-millimeter telescope experiment polarimeter (APol) I: design and lab-test result: publisher's note

This publisher's note corrects errors in the author affiliations, abstract and the Funding sections in Appl. Opt.59, 2593 (2020).APOPAI0003-693510.1364/AO.378008.

Whole genome sequence analysis and in vitro probiotic characteristics of a Lactobacillus strain Lactobacillus paracasei ZFM54

AIM

The aim was to identify a Lactobacillus strain with potential probiotic characteristics by whole-genome sequence analysis and in vitro experimental studies.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The whole-genome sequencing was carried out using PacBio RSII sequencing method and Illumina's paired-end sequencing technology. Gene prediction and annotation were achieved using GlimmerVersion 3.02 and NCBI prokaryotic Genome Annotation Pipeline. Identification was done by biochemical tests and 16S rRNA sequence analysis. mega 6 software was used to build phylogenetic tree. Antagonism against pathogen was determined by agar well diffusion method. Resistance and stability to bile, simulated gastric acid, different salt concentration and thermostability were investigated. Hydrophobicity assay, aggregation assay and anti-oxidation assay were performed to check further probiotic traits. Finally antibiotic susceptibility and acute oral toxicity of the strain in mice were investigated to check its safety status. The strain showed >99% similarity to Lactobacillus paracasei which was further confirmed by biochemical tests. It significantly inhibited pathogens in agar well diffusion assay. It showed tolerance to simulated gastric acid (pH 3), 0·3% bile salt and 10% NaCl. Significant hydrophobic, aggregation and anti-oxidizing activities were observed. No resistance to antibiotics tested was observed and no adverse effects during acute oral toxicity in mice were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Lactobacillus paracasei ZFM 54, a new and safe Lactobacillus strain was identified with numerous probiotic-associated genes and characteristics confirmed by experimental studies.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

A new probiotic strain has been identified which is highly stable, safe and suitable to be used in health and food industries.

Atacama sub-millimeter telescope experiment polarimeter (APol) I: design and lab-test result

In this paper, the Atacama Submillimeter Telescope Experiment (ASTE) is presented. A 10-m aperture telescope hosts a camera equipped with a transition edge sensor (TES). We developed a fore-optics module-"APol," to convert the 271 pixels of the TES working at 350 GHz into a sensitive imaging polarimeter without sacrificing the image quality and the ${7.5}^\prime$7.5^' field of view. Here, we describe the detailed optical design of APol and present the results of the preliminary test in a laboratory.

[Analysis of the social support and related factors of the elderly in the elderly activity centers in Macao, Hong Kong and Guangzhou]

Research participants were recruited at 16 elderly activity centers among three cities in Macao, Hong Kong and Guangzhou. A total of 324 people were surveyed, with women ≥ 55 years old and men ≥ 60 years old; There were 90, 100 and 134 in Macao, Hong Kong and Guangzhou respectively. The median (P(25), P(75)) score of the social support rating scale (SSRS) for the elderly was 30 (25, 38) for Macao, 24 (20, 29) for Hong Kong and 30 (26, 37) for Guangzhou respectively. The elderly in Macao and Guangzhou had a higher proportion of the SSRS in the middle and high groups (85.20%, 84.50%) when compared to the elderly in Hong Kong (62.10%) (P<0.05). The city, marital status, and personal well-being index are related to SSRS scores.

[Effects of p-Phenylene diamine on liver and kidney functions of occupational exposed workers]

Objective: To study the effect of p-phenylenediamine (PPD) on liver and kidney function in occupational exposed workers. Methods: Workers in a hair dye production enterprise which used p-phenylenediamine as a raw material for production were selected as the main research population. Then we conducted a questionnaire survey on the basic conditions of workers and conducted occupational health checkups on general health status, liver and kidney function. Occupational health examination assessment results were tested in Taizhou Cancer Hospital. All data was built using EpiData 3.1 software, and statistical analysis was performed using software SPSS 20.0. Results: The liver function indicators including direct bilirubin, prealbumin, total protein, and white protein, globulin, aspartate aminotransferase, glutamyl transpeptidase, and total bilirubin in the workers exposed to high concentration of PPD were at high normal values, and these indicators were significantly different from low PPD concentration group (P<0.05) . The serum creatinine and serum uric acid in the renal function index were significantly higher in workers exposed to PPD than in workers exposed to low concentrations and in the control group (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Occupational exposed to PPD may have a hazard to the workers' liver and kidney function. Long-term occupational exposure to PPD may lead to increased cumulative exposure of workers, which may cause potential chronic liver and kidney damage in occupationally exposed populations.

[Analysis of relationship between personal wellbeing index and related factors in the elderly aged 55 or above, who visit the day care centers in Macao, Hong Kong and Guangzhou]

Objective: To investigate the personal wellbeing index (PWI) among elderly aged 55 and above from the elderly day care centers in Macao, Hong Kong and Guangzhou, and associated factors. Methods: We used convenient sampling to select participants from 16 elderly day care centers in Macao, Hong Kong and Guangzhou. Inclusion criteria were: females aged 55 or above, males 60 or above, the participants who were conscious and clearly understood the questionnaire. Informed consent form was signed by the participants. A total of 324 elderly participated in the study: 90 from Macao, 100 from Hong Kong, and 134 from Guangzhou. Close-end questionnaire was used to collect demographic information and PWI inventory (Cantonese version) was used to assess the PWI scores. Comparison in the PWI scores difference was conducted. Multiple regression method was used to analyze factors associated with PWI. Results: The PWI was 7.3±1.9 (Macao: 7.7±1.9, Hong Kong: 7.2±1.7, Guangzhou: 7.0±1.9) (F=3.32, P=0.037). The multiple regression analysis showed that comparing to those who did exercised 3 times or less, or single/devoiced/separated, or had no education, the elderly who did exercised 4 times or more per week or married/widowed, or received education in primary school or above had higher PWI scores. The beta values (95%CI) were 0.82 (95% CI: 0.31-1.34), 1.03 (95% CI: 0.12-1.94), 0.51 (95% CI: 0.04-0.99) respectively. Conclusion: The elderly participants aged 55 or above who went to elderly day care centers in three cities had higher PWI score generally. Marital status, participate in sufficient physical activity and advanced education level were significant related to PWI.

[Review on the relationship between major air pollutants and related indicators of type 2 diabetes mellitus]

The situation of air pollution has become increasingly serious and its relationship with diabetes becomes a new research concern, in China. After going through a large number of epidemiological studies published in recent years, this paper reviews the relationship between major air pollutants and both blood glucose and blood lipid, related to type 2 diabetes. It also summarizes the relationships among the main pollutants of the atmosphere so as to propose the research directions in this field. Hopefully, this paper can provide reference for forming policies on air pollution, prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes in the country.

New process for producing butane-2,3-dione by oxidative dehydrogenation of 3-hydroxybutanone

Reaction of 3-hydroxybutanone in air has been studied with and without a catalyst under atmospheric pressure and at temperatures between 523 and 673 K.

[Effects of ethylbenzene on cell injury and mitochondrial membrane potential of CPCs]

Objective: To investigate the effects of ethylbenzene on growth morphology、proliferation ability and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of cochlear progenitor cells (CPCs) , and to lay a foundation for the mechanism of hearing loss induced by ethylbenzene. Methods: We can use the fluorescence microscopy to identify the original CPCs isolated from the newborn rats, and followed by the addition of different concentrations of ethylbenzene (0, 15, 30, 45 μmol/L) for 24 hours. The morphological changes of cell injury were observed by inverted optical microscope. The proliferation ability of cells was detected by MTT colorimetry, and the change of MMP was detected by fluorescent probe JC-1. Results: The results of CPCs identification showed the expression of Myosin VIIa and Epsin positive; The results observed by inverted optical microscope showed all groups of CPCs morphological changes compared with the control group; MTT results showed that the decreased significantly proliferation ability of CPCs groups compared with the control group and a dose effect relationship with statistically significant difference (P<0.05) ; JC-1 test results showed the decreased significantly mitochondrial membrane potential in the treated group compared with the control group, and there was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Ethylbenzene may cause damage to CPCs, inhibition of cell proliferation and decrease of MMP in rats.

[Construction of cochlear progenitor cells with recombinant short-hairpin RNA lentiviral vector inhibiting the expression of the β-catenin gene]

Objective: To construct a recombinant short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) lentiviral vector targeting the β-catenin gene in cochlear precursor cells (CPCs) in mice, and to investigate its inhibitory effect. Methods: PCR was used for the multiplication of the β-catenin gene, and shRNA oligo was designed based on the β-catenin gene to construct an interference vector. Gateway Technology was used to construct shRNA lentiviral vector which carried the β-catenin gene, and then 293FT cells were transfected with the constructed lentiviral vector and helper plasmids pLV/helper-SL3, pLV/helper-SL4, and pLV/helper-SL5. The virus supernatant was collected to obtain viral particles, and then mouse CPCs were transiently infected with the recombinant lentivirus with four different concentrations (0, 5, 10, and 20 μl) . The shRNA control group was established. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to investigate the inhibitory effect of shRNA β-catenin lentiviral vector on β-catenin. Results: The recombinant shRNA β-catenin lentiviral vector was successfully constructed, and the virus titers of shβ-catenin and shβ-catenin-control were 5.05×10(7) and 4.34×10(7), respectively. The results of in vitro experiments showed that in CPCs transfected with four different concentrations of recombinant lentivirus, the content of β-catenin protein gradually decreased with the increase in concentration, and there was a significant difference between groups (P<0.05) ; the CPCs transfected with shβ-catenin had significantly lower mRNA expression of β-catenin than those in the shβ-catenin-control group (P<0.05) . Conclusion: The constructed lentiviral vector targeting the β-catenin gene has a high infection efficiency, and the successful construction of lentiviral vectors provides a technical support for analyzing the role of β-catenin in the differentiation of CPCs into auditory hair cells.

Direct Amination of Alcohols Catalyzed by Aluminum Triflate: An Experimental and Computational Study

Among the best-performing homogeneous catalysts for the direct amination of activated secondary alcohols with electron-poor amine derivatives, metal triflates, such as aluminum triflate, Al(OTf)₃ , stand out. Herein we report the extension of this reaction to electron-rich amines and activated primary alcohols. We provide detailed insight into the structure and reactivity of the catalyst under working conditions in both nitromethane and toluene solvent, through experiment (cyclic voltammetry, conductimetry, NMR spectroscopy), and density functional theory (DFT) simulations. Competition between aniline and benzyl alcohol for Al in the two solvents explains the different reactivities. The catalyst structures predicted from the DFT calculations were validated by the experiments. Whereas a S_N 1-type mechanism was found to be active in nitromethane, we propose a S_N 2 mechanism in toluene to rationalize the much higher selectivity observed when using this solvent. Also, unlike what is commonly assumed in homogeneous catalysis, we show that different active species may be active instead of only one.