This study established a droplet digital PCR(ddPCR)EvaGreen assay and probe methods for Schistosoma japonicum detection,and evaluated their application in detecting early infections in the S.japonicum host oncomelania and mice.Primers and corresponding probes for both ddPCR methods were designed and synthesized,and plasmids containing target sequences were constructed.The sensitivity of the two methods was tested through detection of the corresponding plasmids,and infectious and mixed oncomelania genomic DNA.Their specificity was evaluated by the detection of genomic DNA of negative oncomelania,Schistosoma mansoni,Clonorchis sinensis,Spirometra mansoni,and S.japonicum(as a positive control).The ddPCR probe method was evaluated by detection of early infection of oncomelania exposed tomiracidium with various ratios and incubation times,and the early migration and distribution of cercaria or schistosomula in mouse hosts infected with 200 cercaria via abdominal skin contact.According to standard curves constructed through the detection of plasmid serial dilutions,the regression equation for the EvaGreen assay was y=-0.839 9x+7.050 9,with a correlation coefficient R2=0.988 1,and the regression equation for the probe method was y=-1.047 5x+7.255 1,with a correlation coefficient R2=0.999 8.The lowest limit of plasmid detection with the probe method was between 38.94 cp/μL and 194.74 cp/μL.Both methods successfully detected positive reactions in the genomic DNA samples of infectious oncomelania at concentrations above 0.002 ng/μL and in the genomic DNA of each group of oncomelania mixtures.No significant differences between probe methods were observed in the detection values in the control group and the genomic DNA of negative oncomelania,S.mansoni,C.sinensis,and S.mansoni.However,the detection value of genomic DNA of negative oncomelania(291 ng/μL)with the EvaGreen assay was(20.3±4.39)cp/μL,a value significantly higher than the(1.5±0.1)cp/μL observed in the control group.For detection of early infection in oncomelania,the probe method detected Schistosoma japonicum DNA after 30 s incubation at room temperature with a≥5∶1 ratio of miracidium to oncomelania;the detection value peaked after a short time(5 min),and the peak value showed a fold increase similar to the increase in the miracidium to oncomelania ratio.Detection of early stage infection in mice with the probe method revealed that the schistosomula entered the lungs on day 2 and the liver on day 4,and continually migrated within the organs with abundant blood supply(spleen,kidney,and brain)in the first 9 days;moreover,a tendency toward ectopic parasitism was observed in the heart and pancreas on day 9,and a constantly negative control level was observed in the testes.The ddPCR probe method was more accurate and specific than the EvaGreen assay in the detection of plasmids,and infectious and mixed oncomelania,and the latter showed non-specific reactions in negative oncomelania detection.In a practical application,the probe method was demonstrated to be sensitive,to effectively reflect the early infection of oncomelania,and to reveal schistosomula migration and distribution in multiple organs of infected mice.

This study established a droplet digital PCR(ddPCR)EvaGreen assay and probe methods for Schistosoma japonicum detection,and evaluated their application in detecting early infections in the S.japonicum host oncomelania and mice.Primers and corresponding probes for both ddPCR methods were designed and synthesized,and plasmids containing target sequences were constructed.The sensitivity of the two methods was tested through detection of the corresponding plasmids,and infectious and mixed oncomelania genomic DNA.Their specificity was evaluated by the detection of genomic DNA of negative oncomelania,Schistosoma mansoni,Clonorchis sinensis,Spirometra mansoni,and S.japonicum(as a positive control).The ddPCR probe method was evaluated by detection of early infection of oncomelania exposed tomiracidium with various ratios and incubation times,and the early migration and distribution of cercaria or schistosomula in mouse hosts infected with 200 cercaria via abdominal skin contact.According to standard curves constructed through the detection of plasmid serial dilutions,the regression equation for the EvaGreen assay was y=-0.839 9x+7.050 9,with a correlation coefficient R2=0.988 1,and the regression equation for the probe method was y=-1.047 5x+7.255 1,with a correlation coefficient R2=0.999 8.The lowest limit of plasmid detection with the probe method was between 38.94 cp/μL and 194.74 cp/μL.Both methods successfully detected positive reactions in the genomic DNA samples of infectious oncomelania at concentrations above 0.002 ng/μL and in the genomic DNA of each group of oncomelania mixtures.No significant differences between probe methods were observed in the detection values in the control group and the genomic DNA of negative oncomelania,S.mansoni,C.sinensis,and S.mansoni.However,the detection value of genomic DNA of negative oncomelania(291 ng/μL)with the EvaGreen assay was(20.3±4.39)cp/μL,a value significantly higher than the(1.5±0.1)cp/μL observed in the control group.For detection of early infection in oncomelania,the probe method detected Schistosoma japonicum DNA after 30 s incubation at room temperature with a≥5∶1 ratio of miracidium to oncomelania;the detection value peaked after a short time(5 min),and the peak value showed a fold increase similar to the increase in the miracidium to oncomelania ratio.Detection of early stage infection in mice with the probe method revealed that the schistosomula entered the lungs on day 2 and the liver on day 4,and continually migrated within the organs with abundant blood supply(spleen,kidney,and brain)in the first 9 days;moreover,a tendency toward ectopic parasitism was observed in the heart and pancreas on day 9,and a constantly negative control level was observed in the testes.The ddPCR probe method was more accurate and specific than the EvaGreen assay in the detection of plasmids,and infectious and mixed oncomelania,and the latter showed non-specific reactions in negative oncomelania detection.In a practical application,the probe method was demonstrated to be sensitive,to effectively reflect the early infection of oncomelania,and to reveal schistosomula migration and distribution in multiple organs of infected mice.

Objective The aim of the study is to reveal the polymorphisms of Eustrongylides spp.in Monopterus albus.Methods A total of five Eustrongylides spp.collected from five M.albus in the Yongzhou area were sampled to amplify ribosomal ITS sequence by PCR in vitro,then sequenced after extracting the DNA templates of Eustrongylides.The phylogenetic tree based on the ITS sequence was also constructed to explore the evolutionary history of Eustrongylides.Results The length of the ITS sequence of the five Eustrongylides spp.is approximately 933 bp,and the genetic differences between the isolates are 0.00％-0.90％and the genetic inheritance differences with other nematodes are 15.5％-18.20％,maintaining a certain genetic distance from other families.Conclusions The ITS sequence of Eustrongylides spp.in M.albus will be used as a genetic marker for the molecular identification of Eustrongylides spp.and will provide a basis for the prevention and control of Eustrongylides spp.in the future.

Osteoporosis is a prevalent skeletal condition characterized by reduced bone mass and strength, leading to increased fragility. Buqi-Tongluo (BQTL) decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, has yet to be fully evaluated for its potential in treating bone diseases such as osteoporosis. To investigate the mechanism by which BQTL decoction inhibits osteoclast differentiation in vitro and validate these findings through in vivo experiments. We employed MTS assays to assess the potential proliferative or toxic effects of BQTL on bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) at various concentrations. TRAcP experiments were conducted to examine BQTL's impact on osteoclast differentiation. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were utilized to evaluate the relative expression levels of osteoclast-specific genes and proteins under BQTL stimulation. Finally, in vivo experiments were performed using an osteoporosis model to further validate the in vitro findings. This study revealed that BQTL suppressed receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast resorption activity in vitro in a dose-dependent manner without observable cytotoxicity. The inhibitory effects of BQTL on osteoclast formation and function were attributed to the downregulation of NFATc1 and c-fos activity, primarily through attenuation of the MAPK, NF-κB, and Calcineurin signaling pathways. BQTL's inhibitory capacity was further examined in vivo using an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model, demonstrating a strong protective effect against bone loss. BQTL may serve as an effective therapeutic TCM for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and the alleviation of bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency and related conditions.
Animals ; NFATC Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Ovariectomy ; Osteoclasts/metabolism* ; Female ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Osteoporosis/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Bone Resorption/genetics* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Humans ; RANK Ligand/metabolism* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Transcription Factors

By employing the analytic hierarchy process(AHP), the CRITIC method(a weight determination method based on indicator correlations), and the AHP-CRITIC hybrid weighting method, the weight coefficients of evaluation indicators were determined, followed by a comprehensive score comparison. The grey correlation analysis was then performed to analyze the results calculated using the hybrid weighting method. Subsequently, a backpropagation-artificial neural network(BP-ANN) model was constructed to predict the extraction process parameters and optimize the extraction process for Shenxiong Huanglian Jiedu Granules(SHJG). In the extraction process, an L_9(3~4) orthogonal experiment was designed to optimize three factors at three levels, including extraction frequency, water addition amount, and extraction time. The evaluation indicators included geniposide, berberine, ginsenoside Rg_1 + Re, ginsenoside Rb_1, ferulic acid, and extract yield. Finally, the optimal extraction results obtained by the orthogonal experiment, grey correlation analysis, and BP-ANN method were compared, and validation experiments were conducted. The results showed that the optimal extraction process involved two rounds of aqueous extraction, each lasting one hour; the first extraction used ten times the amount of added water, while the second extraction used eight times the amount. In the validation experiments, the average content of each indicator component was higher than the average content obtained in the orthogonal experiment, with a higher comprehensive score. The optimized extraction process parameters were reliable and stable, making them suitable for subsequent preparation process research.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis* ; Neural Networks, Computer

A pyrene-phenol-based fluorescent probe PyP which showed typical intramolecular charge transfer(ICT)and monomer-excimer activities was synthesized by using pyrene carboxaldehyde hydrazone and 4-tert-butyl-2,6-diformylphenol as the raw materials.The effects of solvents on PyP were studied,and the results showed that the color of protic polar solvents(Ethanol,N,N-dimethylformamide,methanol and H2O)were successfully identified.Based on the solvent polarity-regulated PyP monomer-excimer switching,the rapid and highly sensitive ratiometric probe,"Turn-off"and"Turn-on"multimodal probes were established for detection of trace water content in organic solvents(Dimethyl sulfoxide,N,N-dimethylformamide,ethanol and methanol),with detection limits(3σ/k)of 0.0021％,0.046％,0.062％and 0.024％.The method was successfully used to detect water content in dimethyl sulfoxide,N,N-dimethy lformamide,ethanol and methanol commercial organic solvents,with recoveries ranging from 97.2％to 108.0％.The developed method showed good accuracy and stability,and had good application prospect.

Objective To explore astrocyte activation's impact on cognitive deficits post-traumatic brain injury(TBI).Methods SPF male rats were divided into control,sham-operation and model groups with 10 rats per group.Control group did not receive the surgical intervention;sham-operation group underwent craniotomy without damaging the dura mater;model group was struck with brain injury instrument after craniotomy.The rats with knockout overexpressed glial fibrillary acidic protein(GF AP)gene were set as the knockout group and overexpression group,with 10 rats per group.The knockout and overexpression groups were treated as the model group.Neurological function was evaluated by modified neurological severity score(mNSS).Escape latency was assessed with the Morris water maze test.The expression levels of GFAP in astrocytes were measured quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.The positive expression of astrocytes was determined by immunohistochemistry.Results The mNSS of control,sham-operation,model,knockout and overexpression groups were 0,0,(9.60±1.17),(15.20±1.55)and(12.00±1.33)points;the escape latency period at day 7 was(16.15±2.48),(16.98±2.35),(40.72±5.42),(75.42±8.59)and(47.23±6.04)s;the number of positive astrocytes was(1 264.60±135.45),(1 289.20±132.29),(3 269.10±189.39),(103.90±11.09)and(5 301.50±236.29)cell·mm-2;the expression levels of GFAP gene in control,sham-operation,model and overexpression groups were 0.86±0.02,0.92±0.04,1.37±0.07 and 3.42±0.07.Compared with overexpression group,the differences of above indexes in control,sham-operation,model,knockout groups were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion TBI causes cognitive impairment and affects cognition and memory in rats,and the GFAP gene is associated with the activation of astrocytes and helps repair nerve damage.

Objective To explore astrocyte activation's impact on cognitive deficits post-traumatic brain injury(TBI).Methods SPF male rats were divided into control,sham-operation and model groups with 10 rats per group.Control group did not receive the surgical intervention;sham-operation group underwent craniotomy without damaging the dura mater;model group was struck with brain injury instrument after craniotomy.The rats with knockout overexpressed glial fibrillary acidic protein(GF AP)gene were set as the knockout group and overexpression group,with 10 rats per group.The knockout and overexpression groups were treated as the model group.Neurological function was evaluated by modified neurological severity score(mNSS).Escape latency was assessed with the Morris water maze test.The expression levels of GFAP in astrocytes were measured quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.The positive expression of astrocytes was determined by immunohistochemistry.Results The mNSS of control,sham-operation,model,knockout and overexpression groups were 0,0,(9.60±1.17),(15.20±1.55)and(12.00±1.33)points;the escape latency period at day 7 was(16.15±2.48),(16.98±2.35),(40.72±5.42),(75.42±8.59)and(47.23±6.04)s;the number of positive astrocytes was(1 264.60±135.45),(1 289.20±132.29),(3 269.10±189.39),(103.90±11.09)and(5 301.50±236.29)cell·mm-2;the expression levels of GFAP gene in control,sham-operation,model and overexpression groups were 0.86±0.02,0.92±0.04,1.37±0.07 and 3.42±0.07.Compared with overexpression group,the differences of above indexes in control,sham-operation,model,knockout groups were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion TBI causes cognitive impairment and affects cognition and memory in rats,and the GFAP gene is associated with the activation of astrocytes and helps repair nerve damage.

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the detection and diagnosis process of two cases with double rare thalassemia genotypes,explore the causes of missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of rare thalassemia,and improve the diagnosis level of rare thalassemia.Methods:Base on the family history,hematological phenotype and hemoglobin electrophoretic analysis results,the common genotypes of α and β-thalassemia were detected by PCR+diversion hybridization.DNA sequencing technology was used for rare α and β protein genes sequencing.Results:Both subjects were combined with double rare thalassemia genotypes,and both rare thalassemia gene combinations were reported for the first time.One of them was αβ complex thalassemia with αα*53_55 del TCC/αα heterozygous merger βIVS Ⅱ2(-T)/βN heterozygous,the other was ααIVS-Ⅱ-55(T→G)in α1/αα4,2-Q double azygous heterozygous α-thalassemia,among whichαα*53_55 del TCC/αα genotype was also reported for the first time.Conclusion:The reported rare gene type αα*53_55 del TCC/αα and two cases of rare gene combinations enriches the spectrum of gene mutations in the Chinese population,and provides richer molecular information for thalassemia diagnosis and eugenics counseling.

Aim To study the resistance of SIRT3 ex-pression in dopaminergic neurons against the inflamma-tory damage caused by microglia activation and its re-lated mechanism.Methods Dopaminergic neurons(MN9D cells)and microglia(BV-2 cells)were co-cultured to establish an inflammatory injury model in vitro.MN9D cells were divided into the control group,model group,SIRT3 group and SIRT3+PJ34 group.mRNA levels were analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction,cell apoptosis rate was de-tected by flow cytometry,changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were tested by JC-1 method,and the opening of mitochondrial permeability transport pore(mPTP)was analyzed by co-incubation of calce-in-AM and CoCl2.The protein expression was detected by Western blot.Results Compared to the model group,overexpression of SIRT3 in the SIRT3 group significantly reduced the apoptosis rate of MN9D cells.It also led to a significant increase in the expression of SIRT3 and SOD2 genes,as well as a notable decrease in PARP-1,tumor necrosis factor-α,and interleukin 1β(IL-1β)protein expressions.Moreover,it resulted in a substantial reduction in the p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 ratio.There was an improvement observed in mito-chondrial membrane potential along with decreased mPTP opening and ROS production in the SIRT3 group.These differences among these groups were sta-tistically significant(all P＜0.05).After inhibiting PARP-1 activity of MN9D cells in the SIRT3+PJ34 group,except for the insignificant changes in SIRT3 and IL-1 β protein expression,the changing trend of other indicators was further enhanced on the basis of SIRT3 group.The differences between two groups re-mained statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Con-clusions SIRT3 expression can attenuate the inflam-matory damage of dopaminergic neurons induced by microglia activation,and the mechanism may be relat-ed to improving mitochondrial function,inhibiting PARP-1 activity and NF-κB signaling pathway caused by the reduction of ROS production.