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.

Objective The changes of cytokine expression on a genomic scale in CD4 + cell of mice c hronically infected with Schistosoma japonicum and their roles in the pathog enesis of schistosomiasis were studied. Methods CD4 + cells were isolated from sp le ens of mice 13 wk infected with Schistosoma japonicum. We used the cDNA micr oarr ay technique to explore the cytokine gene expression profile of CD4 + cells f ro m normal and chronic infected mice. Three-color flow cytometry was performed to study intracellular protein levels of IFN-?、IL-4 of CD4 + cell. Results In the CD4 + cell of chronically infected mice, IL-4 was remarkably increase d at both transcription and protein expression levels (P

Objective To investigate the PCR-based evaluation of prednisolone-induced relapse of asymptomatic Toxoplasma gondii infection and the therapeutic efficacy of azithromycin.Methods A total of 36 of female ICR mice,about 20 g,were randomly divided into 6 groups:contrast group (C),prednisolone group (P),infection group(I),infection plus prednisolone group (IP),infection plus azithromycin group(IA),infection plus prednisolone and azithromycin group (IPA).The infection group (I),infection plus prednisolone group(IP),infection plus azithromycin group(IA),infection plus prednisolone and azithromycin group (IPA)were challenged at week 0 with 10 cysts of Toxoplasma gondii Prugniaud strain per injection intraperitoneally.The prcdnisolone group (P),infection plus prednisolone group (IP) infection plus prednisolone and azithromycin group (IPA)were injectied with prednisolone 1 mg into hind medial subcutaneous every day from the 6th week to 7th week.The infection plus azithromycin group(IA),infection plus prednisolone and azithromycin group (IPA) were injectied with azithromycin 250 mg/kg intraperitoneally every day from the 6th week to 7th week.The serum samples were collected and DNAs extracted at week 0,1,2,3,4,5,6 and 7 for amplification of Toxoplasma gondii of specific B1 gene by PCR.All the mice were sacrificed 7 weeks after the challenge to calculate the number of cysts in brain tissues.Results Compared with the primer of AF146527 gene,the primer of B1 gene was more sensitive and specific.The method of PCR could amplify the productions of specific B1 gene Toxoplasma gondii 5 weeks before the challenge,while it could not amplified 5 weeks after the challenge.All the mice of the IP group were dead 2 weeks after the injection of prednisolone (week 7),and the only two mice of the IPA group were dead at the same time (P <0.05),respectively.Compared with the I group,IA group and IPZ group,the number of cysts in brain tissues of the IP group significantly increased (P <0.01).Conclusions B1 as target gene is more suitable for diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection by PCR.Prednisolone could induce the relapse of asymptomatic Toxoplasma gondii infection of mice and the mice are finally dead.Azithromycin is effective but it can not completely cure the Toxoplasma gondii infection.

Objective:To investigate the effects of IL-12p35 small interference RNA on immune functions of Dendritic cells in rats.Methods:DCs were generated by culturing bone marrow progenitor cells of rats with GM-CSF, IL-4 and LPS in vitro. The IL-12p35 siRNA was synthesized and transfected into DCs. The expressions of CD80 and MHCⅡwere examined by flow cytometry. Reverse transcriptase PCR analysis was used to detect IL-12p35 mRNA transcription and ELISA was used to detect IL-12 and IL-10 protein levels, respectively. The antigen presenting by DCs was evaluated by mixed lymphocyte responses.Results:IL-12p35 siRNA silenced DCs expressed lower IL-12, higher IL-10,and exhibited weak activity in stimulating the proliferation of allogenic T cells, but no changes on CD80 and MHCⅡexpressions.Conclusion:IL-12p35 siRNA interference exerts no effects on maturation of DC, but negative effect on immume function of DCs.

Objective To investigate the immune response of IL-10 to Schistosoma japonicum infection in the early infectioin model and SEA immunization model of the IGTP~(-/-) and IRG-47~(-/-) mice.Methods In the early infection model,the IGTP knock out (IGTP~(-/-)) mice,IRG-47 knock out (IRG-47~(-/-)) mice and wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J mice were exposed to 300 S.japonicum cercariae via the pinna and sacrificed on day 7 post-infection.Each mouse pinna section was stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) to detect the pathological lesions,and the culture supernatant of pinna was used to test the levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines by indirect ELISA.In the SEA immunization model,IGTP~(-/-) IRG-47~(-/-) and WT mice were immunized with SEA twice and sacrificed in 3 weeks after the initial immunization.SEA-specific IgG antibody in sera was detected by indirect ELISA;the levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines were tested in culture supernatant of splenocytes by indirect ELISA;the proportions of CD4~+ T cells,CD8~+ T cells,B cells,Th1 and Th2 cells in the spleen were assayed by FACS.Results Although no obvious differences on the pathology of pinna were observed among the three mouse groups,the level of IL-10 in the culture supernatant of pinna of IRG-47~(-/-) mice was lower than that of IGTP~(-/-) mice in 7 days after the exposure.Following SEA immunization,the level of SEA-specific IgG antibody in sera of IGTP~(-/-) mice was lower than that in WT mice,the level of IL-10 in the culture supernatant of splenocytes of IRG-47~(-/-) mice was higher than that of IGTP~(-/-) and WT mice with the stimulation of SEA.However,the proportion of Th2 cells in the spleen of IRG47~(-/-) mice was the lowest among the three mouse groups.Conclusions SEA is the stimulus of IRG-47 deficiency mice to defend Schistosoma japanicum infection and promote the host to produce a protective response,and IL-10 may play an important role in immune regulation in this process.

Objective To investigate the expression characteristics of miR-155 and miR-146a in mice with schistosomiasis and praziquantel(PZQ)treatment. Methods Totally 40 BABL/c mice were divided into 4 groups:a normal group,a 6W infect-ed group that were infected cutaneously with 10 Schistosoma japonicum cercariae for 6 weeks,a 12W infected group that were in-fected cutaneously with 10 Schistosoma japonicum cercariae for 12 weeks,and a praziquantel treated group that were infected cuta-neously with 10 Schistosoma japonicum cercariae and intragastrically administered with PZQ(300 mg/kg/day)for 1 day in 6 weeks post-infection and continuing surviving 6 weeks. The animals were sacrificed in 6 weeks and 12 weeks post-infection respectively. The left front lobe of each liver was stained with hematoxylin-eosin(HE)to detect pathological lesions. The levels of mRNA ex-pressions of miR-155,miR-146a and pro-inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α,IL-1βand IL-6)in the liver tissue were determined by using quantitative real-time PCR. Results The levels of mRNA expressions of miR-155,miR-146a and pro-inflammatory cyto-kines(TNF-α,IL-1βand IL-6)in the 6W infected mice were significantly higher than those of the normal mice and of the 12W in-fected mice. Compared with the 12W infected mice,the inflammation response of liver egg granuloma in the PZQ-treated mice was ameliorated. Furthermore,there was a marked increase in the levels of mRNA expressions of miR-155,miR-146a and three pro-in-flammatory cytokines in the PZQ-treated mice compared to the 12W infected mice. Conclusion miR-155 and miR-146a may play a role in schistosomiasis liver inflammation response and the inflammation regulation of praziquantel treatment.

Objective To explore the immune mechanism of negative results of immune tests of schistosomiasis japonica pa?tients. Methods Totally 142 schistosomiasis patients(positive stool examinations)of Poyang Lake region were tested by ELI?SA method,and the ROC curve was applied to determine the high and low response of the patients. The levels of cellular immu?nity and cytokines of high and low responders were compared. Results Totally eight schistosomiasis patients were found as low responders. Besides SWAP?IgA(t= -1.588,P > 0.1),the levels of isotype antibodies were significantly lower in the low re?sponders compared with those in the high responders(t = -14.517 to -2.866,all P < 0.05). In the low responders,the propor?tion of CD3+T was increased;and the proportions of CD4+T,CD8+T,CD4+CD25+Treg,and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ were all de?creased,but all of them were not significant(t = -1.72 to 0.974,all P > 0.05)compared with those in the high responders. The differences of IFN?γ and IL?10 between the high and low responders were both not significant(t= -2.426 to 0.216,all P >0.05). Conclusions There is a significant difference between the high and low responders only in the levels of isotype antibod?ies. One of the reasons of low response in the immune tests is the much lower antibody level after the antigen?antibody compound is completely formulated.

Hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs) are nonneoplastic mass lesions located in the hypothalamus that can cause central precocious puberty (CPP) and/or gelastic seizures. Seckel syndrome 5 (OMIM210600, SCKL5) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic spectrum disorder characterized by intrauterine growth retardation, proportionate osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism, a wide range of intellectual disability, "bird-headed" facial features, and microcephaly with various structural brain abnormalities. Two siblings presented with short stature and small head circumference and were diagnosed with SCKL 5. The younger sister had HH with CPP and experienced a slipped capital femoral epiphysis during treatment. The 2 siblings had the same genetic variant but showed different phenotypes, which has not been reported previously; this study also as presents the first cases of SCKL5 diagnosed by genetic confirmation in Korea.

Objective:In order to understand the changing trends of gastric cancer incidence and mortality in early-onset and late-onset in China from 2000 to 2019.Methods:The Global Burden of Disease research data was collected, and Excel and R 4.2.1 softwares were used to examine the incidence rate, mortality rate, and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) of Chinese people from 2000 to 2019, with a focus on gender, age, and year.Results:In 2019, the crude incidence rates were 7.06/100 000 (95% UI: 6.63/100 000-7.59/100 000) and 114.52/100 000 (95% UI: 108.79/100 000-121.63/100 000) for early- and late-onset gastric cancer, respectively. The crude mortality rate for early-onset gastric cancer was 3.29/100 000 (95% UI: 3.11/100 000- 3.50/100 000), while the crude mortality rate for late-onset gastric cancer was 81.88/100 000 (95% UI: 78.15/100 000-86.04/100 000). Additionally, the crude DALY rates for these two types of gastric cancer were 156.48/100 000 (95% UI: 148.82/100 000-165.84/100 000) and 1 750.13/100 000 (95% UI: 1 661.21/100 000-1 852.99/100 000). The standardized incidence of early-onset gastric cancer decreased from 5.49/100 000 in 2000 to 4.76/100 000 in 2019, and that of late-onset gastric cancer decreased from 143.45/100 000 in 2000 to 123.02/100 000 in 2019.The standardized mortality rate of early-onset gastric cancer decreased from 4.16/100 000 in 2000 to 2.18/100 000 in 2019, and that of late-onset gastric cancer decreased from 140.82/100 000 in 2000 to 91.49/100 000 in 2019. The standardized DALY rate for early-onset gastric cancer in 2019 was 105.87/100 000 (95% UI: 87.98/100 000 -125.60/100 000), lower than 198.84/100 000 (95% UI: 179.47/100 000- 219.83/100 000) in 2000. The standardized DALY rate for late onset gastric cancer in 2019 was 1 821.11/100 000 (95% UI: 1 509.42/100 000-2 158.53/100 000), lower than 2 932.52/100 000 (95% UI: 2 665.92/100 000-3 252.60/100 000) in 2000. Conclusions:The standardized mortality rate of early-onset gastric cancer in China showed a decreasing trend from 2000 to 2019. The standardized mortality rate of late onset gastric cancer showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing. Notably, the incidence, mortality, and DALY of late-onset gastric cancer were significantly higher than those of early-onset gastric cancer during this period. Additionally, male incidence, mortality, and crude DALY rates were higher than female.

Objective To evaluate the performance of modified Hodge test on the detection of carbapenemases among Enterobacteriaceae with decreased susceptibility to carbapenems. Methods Fortynine Enterobacteriaceae isolates with decreased susceptibility to carbapenems ( MIC of imipenem, meropenem or ertapenem was ≥ 2 μg/ml ) were collected from 16 teaching hospitals from 2004 to 2008. MICs of imipenem, meropenem and etapenem were determined by agar dilution method. Carbapenemases were detected by modified Hodge test. Carbepenemase-causing positive results and AmpCs-causing positive results were differentiated by phenyl boronic acid and oxacillin. Beta-lactamases encoding genes including blaNDM-1were detected by PCR and sequencing. Results Thirty-six of 49 isolates were non-susceptible to imipenem (MIC >4 μg/ml), 31 were non-susceptible to meropenem (MIC > 4 μg/ml) and 47 were non-susceptible to ertapenem (MIC > 2 μg/ml). Twenty-three isolates showed positive modified Hodge test result, including 9 weak-positive results and 14 strong-positive results. Through PCR detection and sequencing, 2 out of 9 isolates showing weak-positive results carried blaKPC-2 and other 7 did not carry any carbapenemase genes but AmpCs/ESBLs genes. Among the 14 isolates showing strong-positive results, 4 carried blaKPC-2, 8 carried blaIMP-4 and 2 caried blaIMP-8. All 26 isolates with negative modified Hodge test result didn't carry any carbapenemase genes. No isolate carried blaNDM-1. Carbapenemases genes PCR detection was regarded as a gold standard, and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of modified hodge test was 100%, 79%, 70% and 100% on the detection of carbapenemases among Enterobacteriaceae with decreased susceptibility to carbapenems. Conclusions Modified Hodge test revealed great sensitivity but showed a few false positive results. True and false positive results can be effectively differentiated by phynel boronic acid and oxacillin.