This paper reviews the core technology of proteomics, namely separation, identification and bioinformatics prediction of proteins, and its development and application in schistosome research.

Objective To investigate the sensitivity of dihydroartemisinin against different developmental stages of Schistosoma japonicum, so as to understand the effect of dihydroarteminisin against on S. japonicum. Methods Mice were infected with 40 S. japonicum cercariae on the abdomen. Dihydroartemisinin was given intragastrically at different developmental stages of S. japonicum , and the mice were sacrificed 50 days post-infection, the adult worms were collected, and the worm reduction rates and female worm reduction rates were calculated. ① On the 2nd h, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 14th, 18th, 21st, 28th, 35th day post-infection, the mice were administered intragastrically with dihydroartemisinin at a single dose of 300 mg/kg, and the effect of dihydroarteminisin on different developmental stages of S. japonicum were observed. ② The mice were administered with different doses of dihydroartemisinin on the 7th or 35th day post-infection, and the dose-effect was explored. ③ The mice were administered on the 7th day post-infection and re-administered on the 35th day post-infection, respectively with different doses of dihydroartemisinin, and the effect was evaluated. Results The dihydroartemisinin at a single dose of 300 mg/kg had obvious effect on 7-day schistosomula and 35-day adult worms, with 64.81% and 60.47% of worm reduction rates and 73. 81% and 90.48% of female worm reduction rates, respectively. When the mice on the 7th day post-infection were administered with 200, 300, 400 and 600 mg/kg dihydroartemisinin, the worm reduction rates were 46.84% , 60.63% , 59.55% and 60. 21% , respectively, and the female reduction rates were 59.73% , 72.29% , 72.58% and 76.61 % , respectively. While in the mice on the 35th day post-infection, the corresponding rates were 47. 23% , 62.33% , 76.31% and 83.63% , respectively, and 59. 73% , 89. 36% , 89.65% and 93.96% , respectively. When the mice were treated twice with dihydroartemisinin on the 7th day and 35th day post-infection, the worm reduction rates were 58. 16% , 82.66% ,83.42% and 83.79% , respectively, and the female worm reduction rates were 68.69% , 90.43% , 93.74% and 94.63% , respectively. Conclusions Dihydroartemisinin has effect against S. japonicum, and the 7-day schistosomulum and 35-day adult worm are sensitive to the drug.

Objective To quantitatively estimate the range and area of environmental contamination by the feces of Schistoso?ma japonicum?infected that were freely grazed,so as to provide the theoretical evidence for the scientific assessment of the role of the freely grazed goat in the transmission of schistosomiasis japonica and development of control strategy. Methods All the fecal samples excreted by the infected goat at daytime(12 h)were collected by using a self?made goat fecal collector,weighed and counted. The quantity and dispersal of the feces excreted by the freely grazed goat at daytime under a natural condition were investigated,and the walking route and speed of the freely grazed goat at daytime were recorded with a multifunction GPS data logger. The maximum range and area of the environment contaminated by the feces of the freely grazed goat at daytime were esti?mated,and the maximum range and area of the Oncomelania hupensis snails that may be infected by the schistosome miracidium released from the eggs in the fecal samples of the freely graze goat at daytime were calculated. Results During the walking along the marshland at daytime(12 h),the quantity of the feces execrated by the freely grazed infected goat was(232.8 ± 39.8) g per goat,and the fecal samples were composed of(819.2 ± 152.1)pellets. The goat had a mean walking speed of(0.522 7 ± 0.099 7)km/h,and the longest distance,largest radius and largest range of walking activity were(6.272 4 ± 1.195 8)km, 3.136 2 km and(3 191.113 0 ± 1 189.709 4)hm2at daytime,respectively. The area of the snails that may be infected by the mi?racidium released from the eggs in the fecal samples of the freely graze goat(range of key regions for infected snails detection and control)at daytime was estimated to be(3 210.717 5 ± 1 190.907 3)hm2. Conclusions The intensity of environmental contamination by the eggs in the fecal samples of the freely grazed goat is linked to the number of infected goat. The contamina?tion range caused by the feces of the freely grazed goat with fixed fences is relatively stably kept within the walking range at day?time,and the range and area of goat fecal contamination is associated with the number of households that breed goat and the dis?tribution of goat fence. The area of the snails that may be infected by the miracidium released from the eggs in the fecal samples of the freely graze goat is larger than the area of setting contaminated by the eggs in the goat feces ,indicating that the range of in?fected snail examination and control is larger than the range of goat feces detected.

Objective To prokaryotically express the valosin-containing protein(VCP)of Schistosoma japonicum,and ana-lyze its VCP mRNA expressions in the cercaria,schistosomulum,adult worm(female and male worms)and egg. Methods RNA of S. japonicum eggs were extracted,and reversely transcribed into cDNA. The VCP gene of S. japonicum was amplified by using polymerase chain reaction(PCR),and subcloned into the prokaryotically expressed vector pET15b. The recombined plasmid was transformed into BL21 cells,and the expression of the target gene was induced with isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). The recombinant protein was yielded through the purification of inclusion body,and identified by using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE). The RNA(s)of cercaria,schistosomulum,female adult worm,male adult worm,and egg of S. japonicum were extracted,digested with DNase,purified,and reversely transcribed into cDNA. The mRNA expressions of the VCP gene in various developmental stages of S. japonicum were determined by using fluorescence-based quantitative real-time PCR. Results The VCP gene of S. japonicum was yielded by PCR amplification,and the recombinant pro-tein was obtained through recombinant plasmid expression and purification of inclusion body. The highest VCP mRNA expression in S. japonicum cercaria was detected by the fluorescence-based quantitative real-time PCR,while low expressions were found in the schistosomulum,egg,female and male adult worms. Conclusion The recombinant protein encoded by the VCP gene of S. ja-ponicum is successfully obtained,and the VCP mRNA expression is determined in various developmental stages of S. japonicum.

Objective To research the homology of 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA(18S-rRNA) gene about Chinese Mainland and Philippine strains of Schistosoma japonicum,and Schistosoma mansoni,and the possibility to establish the PCR assay based on the gene for detecting the cercaria in a low density level. Methods The genomic DNAs of Chinese Mainland and Philippine strains of S.japonicum,and S.mansoni were extracted. The PCR assay was used to detect the identical target DNA elements in the above genome team and the homology of their genes was compared. The single cercaria was respectively treated with the method of heating in boiling water,the method of treating with ammonia and the method of treating with NaOH,HCl and ethanol,and the single treated cercaria and the single cercaria without treating were used as the templates to amplify the target DNA by using the PCR assay,and the detection rates of the PCR assay to detect the single cercaria treated with the different methods were calculated and compared. Results With the genomic DNAs of Chinese Mainland and Philippine strains of S.japonicum and S.mansoni as the templates,the target DNA element of which sequence length was 469 bp was all amplified by PCR. The target DNA was all amplified by PCR to the single cercaria treated with ammonia and the method of treating with NaOH,HCl and ethanol. However,only 50 percent of specimens of the single cercaria without treating and the single cercaria treated with the method of heating in boiling water were amplified to the target DNA by PCR. Conclusions The 18S-rRNA gene has the general homology among the species and strains of Schistosoma. The sensitivity of the PCR assay to detect the low density cercaria treated with ammonia or the method of treating with NaOH,HCl and ethanol is higher than that of the single cercaria without treating or treated with the method of heating in boiling water.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the characteristics of cecum and colon-specific drug delivery system of 4-aminosalicyl-ic acid-maltoside (4-ASA-Mal) in vitro. METHODS:With the cumulative release rate of 4-ASA as the index,HPLC was em-ployed to observe the delivery of 4-ASA-Mal (equivalent to 250 μg/ml 4-ASA) in the buffer solutions of different pH (1.2,6.8 and 7.4)and in the aqueous contents in different parts(stomach,small intestine,cecum and colon)of normal rats and the rat mod-els of ulcerative colitis. RESULTS:4-ASA-Mal was hardly released in the buffer solutions of different pH. 12 h cumulative release rates were less than 8% in the aqueous contents in the stomachs and small intestines of normal rats and rat models,and were 55%and 81% in the aqueous contents in the cecum and colons of normal rats,and 55% and 74% in the aqueous contents in the cecum and colons of model rats with ulcerative colitis. CONCLUSIONS:4-ASA-Mal can release a lot of 4-ASA in aqueous contents in ce-cum and colon,targeting cecum and colon in vitro.

Objective To investigate the survival of Schistosoma japonicum eggs in goat feces in natural marshlands and the factors affecting its survival,so as to provide evidences for understanding of the role of eggs in goat feces in the transmission of schistosomiasis and the development of the interventions pertaining to disease control and elimination. Methods The goat ani?mals of schistosomiasis japonica were modeled in laboratory,and the feces of infected goat were collected. In laboratory,the ef?fects of environmental temperature and water content in goat feces on egg hatching were evaluated,and in the field,the effect of duration of goat feces on marshland on egg hatching and the effect of direct sunshine on egg survival were evaluated. Results At 25℃in laboratory,the hatching rate of eggs in goat feces was high?positively correlated with the water content in goat feces (r=0.87). If the water content reduced to 7.6%in goat feces,the eggs in goat feces lost the ability to hatch. Under the same wa?ter content in goat feces,the hatching rate of eggs gradually decreased with the extension of the duration of exposure of goat feces to-5℃,which reduced to 0 following 5 h exposure. At 5,15 and 25℃,the hatching rates of eggs gradually decreased with the extension of the duration of exposure of goat feces,and the miracidium hatching rates of eggs were 2.3%,5%and 0.9%respec?tively following the exposure for 52 d. At 35℃,the hatching rate of eggs gradually decreased with the extension of the duration of exposure,which reduced to 0 following 13 d exposure. In winter(-2?10℃),the hatching rate of eggs gradually decreased with the extension of the duration of exposure of goat feces on marshlands,which reduced to 0 after 21 d of exposure,and in spring(16?19℃),the hatching rate of eggs gradually decreased with the extension of the duration of exposure of goat feces on marshlands,which reduced to 0.9%after 5 d of exposure. At the same time point on the same marshland,the hatching rate of eggs in goat feces exposed to marshlands with direct sunshine was lower than that without direct sunshine. Conclusion The sur?vival of S. japonicum eggs in goat feces is associated with environmental temperature and water content(humidity)in goat feces, and the temperature and humidity are major natural factors affecting egg hatching.

Objective To develop a simple,feasible goat feces collector to improve the collection accuracy and integrity of goat fecal samples without pollution,and to modify the miracidium hatching test with a plastic tube to achieve simple,standard and comparative procedures,so as to provide technical support for pathogenic diagnosis and scientific research of goat schistoso?miasis japonica. Methods According to the body features of goat in marshland regions,a goat fecal collector,which was made of coarse fabric cottons,was devised,which was able to be fixed onto the goat buttocks and avoid urine pollution. Prior to mira?cidium hatching test,the goat fecal samples were pieced by using a mechanical method instead of the conventional artificial piec? ing method,and the effect of mechanical piecing treatment on miracidium hatching was evaluated. A filter membrane was added between the tube and rubbery ring to block the floater in fecal residues into the tube. The effects on miracidium hatching by us?ing thin fat?free cotton,thick fat?free cotton,nylon gauze at 100 pores/25.4 mm2 and 150 pores/25.4 mm2 were compared. Re?sults The goat feces collector was composed of foreleg fixing garment,hindleg fixing garment and stool bag. The functions of the fixing garment were as a fixed collector to allow non?shift and tolerance of weight during goat activity ,while the major func?tion of stool bag was in storage of stool. The goat activity was not influenced by the use of collector ,and all fecal samples were ex?creted to the bag. This collector was easy to perform and could avoid urine pollution,which was reusable after cleaning. Prior to miracidium hatching,the goat fecal samples,together with water,were pieced at 18 000 to 23 000 r/min for successive three times in a cooking machine,of 10 s each time at an interval of 5 s. Mechanical piecing had no clear?cut effect on miracidium hatching of eggs in fecal samples. A total of 541,620,344 and 211 miracidia were detected by using the miracidium hatching test with nylon gauze at 100 pores/25.4 mm2 and 150 pores/25.4 mm2,thin fat?free cotton and thick fat?free cotton respectively, indicating a better detection efficacy by using nylon gauze at 100 pores/25.4 mm2 and 150 pores/25.4 mm2. Conclusions The goat fecal collector is an easy?to?perform,accurate,unpolluted and reusable device to collect goat feces,which is suitable for pathogenic diagnosis of goat schistosomiasis. Mechanical piecing and use of nylon gauze at 150 pores/25.4 mm2 allow a simple, accurate and stable technique for parasitological diagnosis of schistosomiasis japonica,which provides a reliable tool for schisto?somiasis control and research.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of the arterial wall imaging technology of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging ( HR-MRI) in the risk assessment of intracranial aneurysm rupture. Methods Fifty-four patients with 66 intracranial aneurysms underwent 3. 0 T HR-MRI multiple sequences arterial wall imaging from November 2013 to March 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. Five patients with ruptured aneurysm were used as a control group. The characteristic differences of aneurysm lesions between an unruptured intracranial aneurysm ( UIA) wall enhancement group and a non-enhancement group were compared. The risk factors for rupture were analyzed according to the size,location, and basic clinical characteristics of aneurysm. Results (1) HR-MRI revealed that whether the aneurysm walls enhanced or not,there were no significant differences in the location size,wide-necked aneurysm or not,and ratios of aneurysm height and neck width (all P >0. 05). (2) The enhancement rates of the aneurysm volume <2 group and ≥2 group were 20%(8/40) and 61. 9%(13/21) respectively,the incidence of the ruptured aneurysm asci was higher than that of UIA,and there was significant difference ( all P<0. 05). There were no significant differences in neck width,rate of aneurysm volume,ratios of aneurysm height and neck width,and enhancement rates among the groups. Conclusion The preliminary results of this study have showed that there is a related trend between the HR-MRI aneurysm wall enhancement and the risk of rupture,but a further large sample follow-up study is needed.

Objective To describe the growth and development of Schistosoma japonicum in goat and the intensity and tem?poral distribution of eggs excreted by goat feces,so as to provide baseline data for the control and elimination of the role of goat in the transmission of schistosomiasis. Methods The goat animal models of schistosomiasis were established,and stool sam?ples were collected for parasitological examinations. The number of adult worms recovered,variation of schistosomes in goat at different time points post?infection,number of eggs in schistosomes,variation in number and temporal profiles of eggs excreted from goat feces were observed. Results Of the 6 schistosome?infected goat,415 adult worms were recovered,with a mean adult worm recovery of 34.58%(range,23.00%to 45.50%). Among the 5 goat infected with 200 cercariae each,47,93,77, 74 and 73 adult worms were recovered 2,5,8,11 and 14 months post?infection,respectively. There were(200.00 ± 42.33), (226.20±45.88),(168.20±25.85),(183.80±55.13)and(190.80±53.53)eggs detected in female schistosomes. The mean pre?patent period of eggs excreted by 10 infected goat was(37.7±3.02)d. From 2 to 14 months post?infection,7 batches of goat fe?ces were hatched,and there were 30,23,14,1 and 2 times for miracidium intensity of“++++”,“+++”,“++”,“+”and“-”, respectively,with 42.86%,32.86%,20.00%,1.43%and 2.86%constituent ratios of miracidium intensity. Conclusions Ap?proximately 1/3 S. japonicum cercariae may develop to adults in goats post?infection,and the prepatent period of eggs is(37.7± 3.02)d. There is no remarkable decrease seen in the number of adult worms,eggs in female schistosomes and eggs in goat feces within 14 months post?infection. Our findings suggest a long duration for infected goat in the transmission of schistosomiasis ,and there is no evidence to prove the“self?cure”phenomenon in goat,indicating that goat is an important source of infection for schistosomiasis japonica.