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Background Hematopoiesis occurs in the bone marrow, producing a complete spectrum of blood cells to maintain homeostasis. In addition to light microscopy, chromosome analysis, and polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry is a feasible and fast method for quantitatively analyzing hematological diseases. However, because sufficient specific cell markers are scarce, dyserythropoietic diseases are challenging to identify through flow cytometry. Methods Bone marrow samples from C57BL/B6 mice and one healthy donor were analyzed using traditional two-marker (CD71 and glycophorin A) flow cytometry analysis. After cell sorting, the gene expressions of membrane proteins in early and late erythropoiesis precursors and in nonerythroid cells were characterized using microarray analysis. Results Among characterized gene candidates, aquaporin 0 (AQP0) expressed as a surface protein in early- and late-stage erythropoiesis precursors and was not expressed on nonerythroid cells. With the help of AQP0 staining, we could define up to five stages of erythropoiesis in both mouse and human bone marrow using flow cytometry. In addition, because patients with dyserythropoiesis generally exhibited a reduced population of APQ0high cells relative to healthy participants, the analysis results also suggested that the levels of APQ0high cells in early erythropoiesis serve as a novel biomarker that distinguishes normal from dysregulated erythropoiesis. Conclusions AQP0 was successfully demonstrated to be a marker of erythroid differentiation. The expression levels of AQP0 are downregulated in patients with dyserythropoiesis, indicating a critical role of AQP0 in erythropoiesis. Accordingly, the level of AQP0high in early erythroid precursor cells may serve as a reference parameter for diagnosing diseases associated with dyserythropoiesis.

DNA topoisomerase and telomerase enzymes are popular targets of several anti-tumor drugs. Smooth proceeding of telomeric recombination requires Topoisomerase II (Top2), which is involved in telomere-telomere recombination through functioning in relaxation of positive supercoils among the cells adopting telomerase-independent Alternative lengthening of telomere (ALT) pathway. Most of the inhibitors reported so far have been designed to targetsolely telomerase-positive cells, which can potentially lead to therapeutic failure because tumor cells treated with telomerase inhibitors can activate the ALT pathway for telomere maintenance. Knowing that ALT cells are more sensitive against a Top2 inhibitor, ICRF-93 agent, compared to telomerase-positive cells, we analyzed two selected ellipticine derivatives that we recently reported as TopII-targeting compounds, to assess their effects on the formation of DNA breaks and suppression of ALT pathway.Cell viability, Comet, C-Circle assays, dot blot, immunofluorescence staining, and telomere fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) staining were used for determining the effect of the compounds on ALT status of tumor cells.Treatment of ALT cells with ellipticine derivatives resulted in the formation of DNA breaks and suppression of ALT-associated phenotypes in vitro. Our results will contribute to the development of therapeutic strategies combining telomerase and ALT pathway inhibitors.

Background DNA topoisomerase and telomerase enzymes are popular targets of several anti-tumor drugs. Smooth proceeding of telomeric recombination requires Topoisomerase II (Top2), which is involved in telomere-telomere recombination through functioning in relaxation of positive supercoils among the cells adopting telomerase-independent Alternative lengthening of telomere (ALT) pathway. Most of the inhibitors reported so far have been designed to targetsolely telomerase-positive cells, which can potentially lead to therapeutic failure because tumor cells treated with telomerase inhibitors can activate the ALT pathway for telomere maintenance. Knowing that ALT cells are more sensitive against a Top2 inhibitor, ICRF-93 agent, compared to telomerase-positive cells, we analyzed two selected ellipticine derivatives that we recently reported as TopII-targeting compounds, to assess their effects on the formation of DNA breaks and suppression of ALT pathway. Methods Cell viability, Comet, C-Circle assays, dot blot, immunofluorescence staining, and telomere fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) staining were used for determining the effect of the compounds on ALT status of tumor cells. Results and conclusions Treatment of ALT cells with ellipticine derivatives resulted in the formation of DNA breaks and suppression of ALT-associated phenotypes in vitro. Our results will contribute to the development of therapeutic strategies combining telomerase and ALT pathway inhibitors., Turkish Scientific and Technical Research AssemblyTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [115Z349], This research was supported by Grant 115Z349 (Z.T. and S.Z.) from the Turkish Scientific and Technical Research Assembly. the cell lines used in this study were provided by Drs. Shu-Chun Teng and Tsai-Kun Li (College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan).

To achieve the combination of ideological and political education curriculum and curriculum ideological and political education, the ideological and political education was integrated into the teaching of medical basic course[

Ethnopharmacological relevance Curcumae Rhizoma and Sparganii Rhizoma (CR-SR) are the classical herbal couple for activating blood circulation and treating tumor in clinics. Aim of the study: To investigate the anti-tumor activity and to clarify the bioactive ingredients of herbal couple CR-SR and the single herbs Curcumae Rhizoma (CR) and Sparganii Rhizoma (SR). Materials and methods The active fractions of CR-SR decoction were fractioned by column chromatography. And isolated compounds were characterized by IR, ESI-MS, 1D and 2D-NMR techniques. Detecting linear-diarylheptanoids in CR-SR, CR and SR was realized through UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MSn, based on the fragmentation pathways established in this study, comparison with MS data of isolated compounds and references. The anti-tumor activities of different solvent fractions from CR-SR, CR and SR, as well as isolated ingredients were tested by CCK-8 method. Results Ultimately, a new compound (1), having a sulfonic acid group at C-3, named demethoxyshogasulfonic acid, along with another structurally similar 17 known linear-diarylheptanoids were isolated. These linear-diarylheptanoids (1–18) were divided into 12 categories based on the differences of substituents at C-3 and C-5 on the straight chain of seven carbons. Six fragmentation pathways were established by summarizing MS data of the 18 isolated compounds collected from UPLC-MS. Based on that, and retention times and MS fragmentation ions, 47 linear-diarylheptanoids were identified in CR-SR and CR, in which 12 linear-diarylheptanoids were also detected in SR. Most importantly, 5 sulfonated linear-diarylheptanoids were new compounds detected in CR and CR-SR. And the biological assay indicated that compounds 1–4 and 12–15 significantly reduced the proliferation and inhibited colony formation of MCF-7 and HepG2 cells. Conclusion The new compound (1) exhibited good anti-cancer activity, which suggests that a great effort has to be paid to investigate the bioactivity of sulfonated compounds. The fractions of CR-SR decoction exhibited stronger anti-tumor activities than that of CR and SR against 5 different cancer cells. As for chemical composition, it is the first time to report that diarylheptanoids are in Sparganiaceae and the sulfonated compounds in Zingiberaceae. Moreover, the linear-diarylheptanoids found in SR which being tested to possess good anti-tumor activity, plus those compounds in CR enhance the capacity of CR-SR. It shows importance of TCM compatibility.

Rationale: Relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia poses a significant clinical challenge due to its poor prognosis, showing survival rates of less than a year even with the use of novel therapies. In this report, we describe the safe and effective use of trametinib combined with dasatinib in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the successful use of 2 targeted drugs such as trametinib and dasatinib in a pediatric patient with Ph+ ALL and recurrent pancreatitis. Patient concerns: A 6-year-old boy with ALL and Philadelphia chromosome (Ph+) who had recurrent asparaginase-associated pancreatitis. Diagnosis: The patient was diagnosed with ALL, based on clinical features, laboratory analyses, bone marrow aspiration evaluation in morphology, immunology, cytogenetics, and molecular. Interventions: The patient was treated with dasatinib combined with an intermediate risk-oriented chemotherapy. However, owing to recurrent asparaginase-associated pancreatitis, the patient has to abandon asparaginase in consolidation. Considering the high risk of relapse, we used trametinib and dasatinib combined with chemotherapy as maintenance chemotherapy. Outcomes: After 6 months, there were no obvious side effects or residual disease. Lessons: We suggest that the combination of trametinib and dasatinib may represent a viable option to treat patients with potential relapsed/refractory Ph+ ALL.

Dengue virus (DENV) infection can cause severe, life-threatening events, and no specific treatments of DENV infection are currently approved. Although thrombocytopenia is frequently observed in dengue patients, its pathogenesis is still not fully understood. Previous studies have suggested that DENV-induced thrombocytopenia occurs through viral-replication-mediated megakaryopoiesis inhibition in the bone marrow; however, the exact mechanism for megakaryopoiesis suppression remains elusive. In this study, a reductionist approach was applied, in which C57B/6J mice were inoculated with recombinant DENV-envelope protein domain III (DENV-EIII) instead of the full viral particle. Our results demonstrated that DENV-EIII-suppressed megakaryopoiesis is similar to those observed with DENV infection. Furthermore, in agreement with our in vivo analyses, DENV-EIII sufficiently suppressed the megakaryopoiesis of progenitor cells from murine bone marrow and human cord blood in vitro. Additional analyses suggested that autophagy impairment and apoptosis are involved in DENV-EIII-mediated suppression of megakaryopoiesis. These data suggest that, even without viral replication, the binding of DENV-EIII to the cell surface is sufficient to suppress megakaryopoiesis.

The present study compared three different intensity elbow flexor eccentric exercises resulting in the same magnitude of maximal voluntary isomeric contraction torque (MVC) decrease at 1 day post-exercise for changes in several indirect markers of muscle damage and proprioception. Sedentary young men performed eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors using a dumbbell corresponding to either 10%, 50% or 100% of MVC to induce ~ 20% decrease in MVC at 1 day post-exercise (n = 12/group). MVC, range of motion (ROM), upper arm circumference (CIR), muscle soreness, plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity, and proprioception measures (force match, joint position sense) were taken before to 5 days after exercise, and the changes were compared among the groups. MVC and ROM recovered faster (P

Background Red blood cells are the most abundant cells in the blood that deliver oxygen to the whole body. Erythropoietin (EPO), a positive regulator of erythropoiesis, is currently the major treatment for chronic anemia. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a multifunctional cytokine and a well-known regulator of hematopoietic stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and mobilization. The use of EPO in combination with G-CSF has been reported to synergistically improve erythroid responses in a group of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes who did not respond to EPO treatment alone; however, the mechanism remains unclear. Methods C57BL/6 J mice injected with G-CSF or EPO were used to compare the erythropoiesis status and the efficiency of erythroid mobilization by flow cytometry. Results In this study, we found that G-CSF induced more orthochromatophilic erythroblast production than did EPO in the bone marrow and spleen. In addition, in contrast to EPO treatments, G-CSF treatments enhanced the efficiency of the mobilization of newly synthesized reticulocytes into peripheral blood. Our results demonstrated that the effects of G-CSF on erythropoiesis and erythrocytic mobilization were independent of EPO secretion and, in contrast to EPO, G-CSF promoted progression of erythropoiesis through transition of early stage R2 (basophilic erythroblasts) to late stage R4 (orthochromatophilic erythroblasts). Conclusions We demonstrate for the first time that G-CSF treatments induce a faster erythropoiesis-enhancing response than that of EPO. These findings suggest an alternative approach to treating acute anemia, especially when patients are experiencing a clinical emergency in remote areas without proper blood bank supplies.

Highlights • Cell adhesion assay is a simple method to identify the receptor-binding motif of the SARS-CoV spike. • Synthetic peptides can be used to narrow the receptor-binding motif. • The 436–445 amino acids are the minimum receptor-binding motif of the SARS-CoV spike. • Cell adhesion assay can be developed as a high throughput system by using a 96-well MTT assay., Emerging life threatening pathogens such as severe acute aspiratory syndrome-coronavirus (SARS-CoV), avian-origin influenzas H7N9, and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have caused a high case-fatality rate and psychological effects on society and the economy. Therefore, a simple, rapid, and safe method to investigate a therapeutic approach against these pathogens is required. In this study, a simple, quick, and safe cell adhesion inhibition assay was developed to determine the potential cellular binding site on the SARS-CoV spike protein. Various synthetic peptides covering the potential binding site helped to minimize further the binding motif to 10–25 residues. Following analyses, 2 peptides spanning the 436–445 and 437–461 amino acids of the spike protein were identified as peptide inhibitor or peptide vaccine candidates against SARS-CoV.

Objectives The aim of this research is to investigate whether the oxygen atom O(6) in the sydnone ring of 3-arylsydnone-4-carbaldehyde N(4)-phenylthiosemicarbazones (HArSYTSCs, 3a–d) is a good electron donor atom upon metal complexation. Furthermore, ligands 3a–d and the corresponding palladium complexes (Pd(ArSYTSC)Cl, 4a–d) would be expected to find their potent biological activities. Methods The desired palladium complexes 4a–d were first synthesized from thiosemicarbazones 3a–d. Then, the antiproliferative activity of ligands 3a–d and complexes 4a-d were tested against human hepatocellular carcinoma and human cervical epithelioid carcinoma (HeLa) cells by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl trazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Key findings According to X-ray analyses, ligands 3a–d are bonded to the Pd (II) center in an O, N, S-tridentate coordination mode through sydnone carbonyl oxygen O(6), azomethine nitrogen and the thiolate sulfur atom. The carbonyl oxygen of the sydnone ring is found to be a good electron donor site upon metal complexation. Moreover, MTT assay results reveal that the palladium complexes 4a–d have greater antiproliferative activity than 5-fluorouracil. In particular, the complexes exhibit obvious better activity than the corresponding ligands 3a–d against HeLa cell. Conclusions The results indicate that the synthesized novel palladium complexes have greater antiproliferative activity than both 5-fluorouracil and the corresponding ligands against HeLa cell. Accordingly, the study of sydnonyl complexes bearing anticancer activities may support the development of coordination chemistry.

This study investigated whether low-intensity eccentric contractions of the knee extensors would attenuate the magnitude of muscle damage induced by maximal eccentric exercise of the same muscle performed 7 days later using elderly individuals. Healthy older men (66.4 ± 4.6 years) were assigned to control or experimental (Exp) group (n = 13 per group). The control group performed six sets of ten maximal eccentric contractions (MaxECC) of the knee extensors of non-dominant leg. The Exp group performed six sets of ten low-intensity eccentric contractions of the knee extensors on a leg extension machine by lowering a weight of 10 % maximal voluntary isometric knee extension strength (10 %ECC) 7 days prior to MaxECC. Changes in maximal voluntary isokinetic concentric torque (MVC-CON), angle at peak torque, range of motion (ROM), upper thigh circumference, muscle soreness, plasma creatine kinase activity and myoglobin (Mb) concentration and B-mode ultrasound echo-intensity before and for 5 days after MaxECC were compared between groups by a mixed factor ANOVA. No significant changes in any variables were observed following 10 %ECC. Following MaxECC, all variables changed significantly, and changes in all variables except for angle at peak torque were significantly different between groups. MVC-CON and ROM decreased smaller and recovered faster (P < 0.05) for Exp than control group, and changes in other variables were smaller (P < 0.05) for Exp group compared with control group. These results suggest that preconditioning knee extensor muscles with low-intensity eccentric contractions was effective for attenuating muscle damage induced by subsequent MaxECC of the knee extensors for elderly individuals.

Great achievements have been gained in schistosomiasis control in China due to the last half-century endeavor. These achievements not only indicate the success in disease control, but also represent a particularly successful social practice with a unique cultural property. Inspite of the accumulating reports on schistosomiasis prevention and control experience, there is a need to sublimate the experience to the "cultural" level, as historically the value of cultural and spiritual merits goes far beyond that of the achievements. Although the strategy and technology will be enriched with time, the cultural spirit remains especially important for the long- term promotion of schistosomiasis control. This paper materially dissected the meaning of "China's culture for schistosomiasis control", i.e., people-first, government-oriented, science-respected, collective wisdom and efforts, and diversity-embracing.

Although the number of human infections decreased, human prevalence increased from 4.9% in 1995 to 5.1% in 2004., Results from the third nationwide cluster sampling survey on the epidemiology of schistosomiasis in the People’s Republic of China, conducted by the Ministry of Health in 2004, are presented. A stratified cluster random sampling technique was used, and 239 villages were selected in 7 provinces where Schistosoma japonicum remains endemic. A total of 250,987 residents 6–65 years of age were included in the survey. Estimated prevalence rates in the provinces of Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Anhui, Yunnan, Sichuan, and Jiangsu were 4.2%, 3.8%, 3.1%, 2.2%, 1.7%, 0.9%, and 0.3%, respectively. The highest prevalence rates were in the lake and marshland region (3.8%) and the lowest rates were in the plain region with waterway networks (0.06%). Extrapolation to all residents in schistosome-endemic areas indicated 726,112 infections. This indicates a reduction of 16.1% compared with a nationwide survey conducted in 1995. However, human infection rates increased by 3.9% in settings where transmission is ongoing.

Established from the calvaria of newborn macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF)-deficient mice, OP9 is a stromal cell line that used as a feeder layer to support the in vitro differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into various hematopoietic lineage cells, including granulocytes, erythrocytes, lymphocytes, and megakaryocytes. However, as a primary culture cell line, OP9 can be used as stromal cells for only 1 month. Therefore, to obtain functional OP9 cells, numerous M-CSF-deficient newborn mice must be sacrificed. These limitations in some ways restrict the application of OP9 cells in longterm and largescale experiments. In this study, we used human papillomavirus 16 E6 and E7 genes to generate immortalized OP9 stromal cells, designated I-OP9 cells, and then tested their ability to support the megakaryocytic differentiation of pluripotent stem cells in vitro. I-OP9 cells have similar morphology and properties as do parental OP9 cells, and, as expected, have an extended lifespan and can support megakaryocytic differentiation. Our data suggest that the method used in this study, including establishing I-OP9 cells, enables the possibility to enlarge and lengthen the scale of the experiment and, more critically, provides a humanistic approach for preparing stromal cells that support the hematopoietic differentiation of pluripotent stem cells in vitro.

Trimucytin is a powerful platelet aggregation inducer isolated from the venom of Taiwan habu snake (Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus). In this study, we found that the snake venom protein, crovidisin, which prevents collagen-platelet interaction through its high-affinity binding to collagen, inhibited competitively trimucytin-induced aggregation of washed human platelets with a pA(2) value of 6.65. The ability of trimucytin in triggering platelet aggregation was suppressed by a monoclonal antibody (A2-IIE10) raised against the alpha2 subunit of alpha2beta1 integrin (glycoprotein Ia/IIa), indicating that platelet alpha2beta1 integrin plays a central role in trimucytin's platelet reactivity. Many studies have localized the major reactive site of alpha2beta1 integrin to the I-domain of alpha2 subunit. However, Escherichia coli-produced recombinant alpha2 I-domain (GST-alpha2 fusion protein) blocking collagen-induced platelet aggregation failed to inhibit aggregation of platelets in response to trimucytin. Based on these findings, it is concluded that the platelet reactivity of trimucytin is alpha2beta1 integrin-dependent, while the I-domain present in the alpha2 subunit is not involved. This novel snake venom protein would be useful for mapping the functional domain of alpha2beta1 integrin.

Embryo quality and receptivity of the endometrium are two factors that determine the results of in vitro fertilization/intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET). There is no consensus of the optimal transfer strategy for normal responders or high responders. The current study aimed to find the optimal transfer strategy for different subgroups of patients.From April 2010 to December 2010, patients who meet the following criteria were included in this study; primary infertility, female age ≤ 35 years, FSH level on female cycle day 2 - 3 ≤ 12 mIU/ml, at least six good quality embryos available on day three. The clinical outcomes using different transfer strategies between normal responders and high responders were reviewed and compared.For the normal responders, the clinical pregnancy rate of day three double-embryo transfer (DET) was comparable to that of day five elective single blastocyst transfer (eSBT), 64.04% vs. 60.33% (P0.05). For the high responders, the clinical pregnancy rate of day five eSBT was significantly lower than that of day three DET, 43.35% vs. 57.21% (P0.05). For the high responders, the rates of clinical pregnancy and implantation in frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles were notably higher than in eSBT cycles (64.56% vs. 43.35% and 62.11% vs. 43.35% respectively) (P0.05).For normal responders, eSBT might be an applicable strategy to reduce multiple pregnancy rates while maintaining acceptable overall pregnancy rates. And in order to reduce multiple pregnancies and increase the chance of pregnancy of high responders, FET may be a preferable strategy.

T-cell activation requires T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling and a second signal called costimulation. This article overviewes the research progress of the effect of costimulatory signals in schistosome infection.

Anthrax lethal toxin (LT) is a major virulence factor of Bacillus anthracis. LT challenge suppresses platelet counts and platelet function in mice, however, the mechanism responsible for thrombocytopenia remains unclear. LT inhibits cellular mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), which are vital pathways responsible for cell survival, differentiation, and maturation. One of the MAPKs, the MEK1/2-extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway, is particularly important in megakaryopoiesis. This study evaluates the hypothesis that LT may suppress the progenitor cells of platelets, thereby inducing thrombocytopenic responses. Using cord blood-derived CD34(+) cells and mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells to perform in vitro differentiation, this work shows that LT suppresses megakaryopoiesis by reducing the survival of megakaryocytes. Thrombopoietin treatments can reduce thrombocytopenia, megakaryocytic suppression, and the quick onset of lethality in LT-challenged mice. These results suggest that megakaryocytic suppression is one of the mechanisms by which LT induces thrombocytopenia. These findings may provide new insights for developing feasible approaches against anthrax.

To investigate the antibody response to leucine aminopeptidase in the different stages of Schistosoma japonicum infection.The expression product of SjLAP was identified by Western blot and further purified by using nickel column. The IgG levels in the response to SjLAP in murine and porcine sera were detected by ELISA at different time points after the infection of S. japonicum.SjLAP expressed by E. coli was recognized by anti-his monoclonal antibody and S. japonicum-infected mice sera by Western blot. The results of ELISA showed that IgG responses to SjLAP rose gradually and reached the peak at 4 weeks post-infection for pigs (P1) and 6 weeks post-infection for mice (P2). With the appearance of a large number of eggs in the tissue, SjLAP-specific IgG levels were significantly down-regulated ( P1 = 0. 0004, P2 = 0. 0001).SjLAP originated from the adult worm might become a potential target for early diagnosis of schistosomiasis japonica.

To investigate the biological characteristics of childhood T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and their clinical significance.Immunophenotyping was performed by three-color flow cytometry analysis using CD45 /SSC gating in 23 children with newly diagnosed T-ALL. Meanwhile cytogenetic analysis was performed.CD3(+) expression of T-lineage antigens was apparently higher than CD7(+) and CD5(+) expression. CD19(+) expression of B-lineage antigens was apparently higher than CD22(+), CD10(+) and CD20(+) expression. Myeloid antigen was expressed in 4 cases (17%). CD34(+) and HLA-DR(+) were observed in 4 cases (17%) and 5 cases (22%), respectively. cCD3(+) and cCD79(+) were expressed in 23 cases (100%) and 22 cases (96%), respectively. The chromosome detection in 8 cases with T-ALL showed hyperdiploid or Ph(+) chromosome (one case each). The fusion gene detection in 5 cases showed MLL rearrangements in two cases and positive SIL/TAL1 fusion gene in one case. CD3 expression was related with the complete remission rate.Immunophenotyping is an important tool for diagnosis of T-ALL. However, the immunophenotype of T-ALL is heterogeneous. So, immunophenotyping along with cytogenetic and molecular genetic analysis is needed in the treatment and prognosis evaluation of T-ALL.

To study the relationship between human parvovirus B19 infection and childhood idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) by the principle of evidence based medicine.Papers related to the relationship between human parvovirus B19 infection and childhood ITP published between 1994 and 2008 were retrieved electronically from the Chinese Journals Full-text Database and the Wanfang Data. These relevant papers on case-control trials were statistically studied by meta analysis.Eight papers that met the inclusion criteria were included for this meta analysis. Five hundred and sixteen cases of childhood ITP and 246 healthy controls were enrolled. The meta analysis showed that the incidence of human parvovirus B19 infection in the ITP group was significantly higher than that in the control group (OR=13.71, 95% CI=7.07-26.59, Z=7.75, p0.01).Human parvovirus B19 infection is closely associated with childhood ITP.

The authors, in this paper, has briefly looked back the developmental history of human parasitology, which, as an independent discipline, was established in late 19th century and early 20th century. In the process, it underwent an early height of development, then met with setback and relative decline. Since 70s-80s of last century, the introduction and application of new theory of modern biology, especially advanced biotechniques to parasitology has led to a striking development in many fields of the discipline, leading to deeper understanding of parasite-host interplay as well as providing new ideals and tools for disease control. The authors also stressed that nowadays the discipline is still relatively isolated from the mainstream of modern biologic research and is still neglected by scientific community and medical education in the world, though it still is one of the major problems in public health, particularly in developing world including China. To argue the currently neglected situation of parasitology, especially in medical education, the authors emphasized the continuing requirements for the discipline and reflected on the developmental strategy of parasitology to meet the coming challenges and opportunities for further development.

Great progress has been made on vaccine research for schistosomiasis, including those on immune mechanism and Schistosoma genome which have made active effect to vaccine development. This paper reviews the progress on the candidate vaccine antigens including protein vaccine, DNA vaccine and multivalent vaccine against Schistosoma japonicum.

Background and Aim: To investigate a possible association between HLA genes with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and evaluate whether the HLA-DQA1, DQB1, and DRB1 genes could influence the development of liver damage in chronic hepatitis C. Methods: A total of 145 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (36 patients with persistently normal ALT values; 109 patients with elevated ALT levels) and 160 uninfected healthy controls were examined for HLA-DQA1, DQB1, and DRB1 molecules by using polymerase chain reaction–sequencing based typing (PCR-SBT). Results: Among the patients chronically infected with HCV, the frequencies of DQA1*0501, DQB1*0301, and DRB1*0401 alleles were significantly increased in the normal ALT group compared with those with abnormal ALT levels, whereas that of DQB1*0201 was significantly lower. As compared to uninfected healthy controls, DQA1*0501, DQB1*0301, and DRB1*0401 allele frequencies were also statistically higher in the normal ALT group, whereas that of DQB1*0201 was the inverse. The haplotype frequencies of DQA1*0301-DQB1*0301, DQA1*0501-DQB1*0301, and DRB1*1101-DQB1*0301 were found to be significantly higher in the normal ALT group. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that female sex, and the DQB1*0301 allele and DRB1*0401 allele were independently associated with normal ALT values, whereas DQB1*0201 allele was the inverse. Conclusions: These results suggest that particular HLA alleles may have an influence on the serum ALT level of chronic HCV infection as a host genetic factor in the Chinese population. The DQA1*0501, DQB1*0301, and DRB1*0401 alleles, and the DQA1*0301-DQB1*0301, DQA1*0501-DQB1*0301, and DRB1*1101-DQB1*0301 haplotypes seem to be associated with low hepatitis activity; whereas DQB1*0201 allele is closely correlated with the progression of liver injury in chronic HCV infection.

To characterize the immune responses including local and systemic immunity induced by infection with H pylori, especially with CagA+ H pylori strains and the underlying immunopathogenesis.A total of 711 patients with different gastric lesions were recruited to determine the presence of H pylori infection and cytotoxin associated protein A (CagA), the presence of T helper (Th) cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), expression of plasma cytokines, and RNA and protein expression of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in gastric biopsies and PBMCs were determined by rapid urease test, urea [(14)C] breath test, immunoblotting test, flow cytometry , real time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.Of the patients, 629 (88.47%) were infected with H pylori; 506 (71.16%) with CagA+ and 123 (17.30%) with CagA- strains. Among patients infected with CagA+ H pylori strains, Th1-mediated cellular immunity was associated with earlier stages of gastric carcinogenesis, while Th2-mediated humoral immunity dominated the advanced stages and was negatively associated with an abundance of Treg cells. However, there was no such tendency in Th1/Th2 polarization in patients infected with CagA- H pylori strains and those without H pylori infection.Polarization of Th cell immune responses occurs in patients with CagA+ H pylori infection, which is associated with the stage and severity of gastric pathology during the progression of gastric carcinogenesis. This finding provides further evidence for a causal role of CagA+ H pylori infection in the immunopathogenesis of gastric cancer.

To investigate the polymorphism of HLA-DQA1 and DQB1 genes of Han population in Jiangsu of China.The alleles and haplotypes frequencies of HLA-DQA1 and DQB1 genes in 100 unrelated healthy individuals were analyzed by using polymerase chain reaction-sequence-based typing (PCR-SBT).Among the 7 DQA1 alleles detected, the most common allele was DQA1*0301/02/03 with a frequency of 29.5%, which was followed by DQA1*0501, DQA1*0102 and DQA1*0201 with frequencies of 18.5%, 17.0% and 12.5%, respectively. Of the 13 DQB1 alleles detected, DQB1*0201/02 allele (21.5%) was the most frequent allele, followed by DQB1*0301/09 (14.5%), DQB1*0303 (13.5%) and DQB1*0603 (11.5%). The most common DQA1 vs DQB1 haplotype was DQA1*0301/02/03 vs DQB1*0303 with a frequency of 12.5%, which was followed by the DQA1*0201-DQB1*0201/02 (10.5%),DQA1*0501-DQB1*0201/02 (9.5%) and DQA1*0501-DQB1*0301/09 (7.0%).The distribution of HLA-DQ alleles and haplotypes in Jiangsu Han population shares some genetic characteristics with other population in northern of China, but has its own characteristics. The data will provide useful information for anthropology, organ transplantation and disease association studies.

To assess the associations of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II DQB1*0301 and/or DRB1*1101 allele with spontaneous hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance by meta-analysis of individual dataset from all studies published till date.To clarify the impact of HLA class II polymorphisms on viral clearance, we performed a meta-analysis of the published data from 11 studies comparing the frequencies of DQB1*0301 and DRB1*1101 alleles in individuals with spontaneous resolution to those with persistent infection. As we identified the heterogeneity between studies, summary statistical data were calculated based on a random-effect model.Meta-analyses yielded summary estimates-odds ratio (OR) of 2.36 [95%CI (1.62, 3.43), P0.00001] and 2.02 [95%CI (1.56, 2.62), P0.00001] for the effects of DQB1*0301 and DRB1*1101 alleles on spontaneous clearance of HCV, respectively.These results support the hypothesis that specific HLA class II alleles might influence the susceptibility or resistance to persistent HCV infection. Both DQB1*0301 and DRB1*1101 are protective alleles and present HCV epitopes more effectively to CD4(+)T lymphocytes than others, and subjects with these two alleles are at a lower risk of developing chronic HCV infection. Large, multi-ethnic confirmatory and well-designed studies are needed to determine the host genetic determinants of HCV infection.