ABSTRACT
Leishmaniasis is a prevalent cause of death and animal morbidity in underdeveloped countries of endemic area. However, there is few vaccine and effective drugs. Antimicrobial peptides are involved in the innate immune response in many organisms and are being developed as novel drugs against parasitic infections. In the present study, we synthesized a 5-amino acid peptide REDLK, which mutated the C-terminus of Pseudomonas exotoxin, to identify its effect on the Leishmania tarentolae. Promastigotes were incubated with different concentration of REDLK peptide, and the viability of parasite was assessed using MTT and Trypan blue dye. Morphologic damage of Leishmania was analyzed by light and electron microscopy. Cellular apoptosis was observed using the annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis detection kit, mitochondrial membrane potential assay kit and flow cytometry. Our results showed that Leishmania tarentolae was susceptible to REDLK in a dose-dependent manner, disrupt the surface membrane integrity and caused parasite apoptosis. In our study, we demonstrated the leishmanicidal activity of an antimicrobial peptide REDLK from Pseudomonas aeruginosa against Leishmania tarentolae in vitro and present a foundation for further research of anti-leishmanial drugs.
ABSTRACT
The present study was performed to investigate the seroprevalence and risk factors for Dirofilaria immitis infection in cats from Liaoning province, northeastern China. From October 2014 to September 2016, sera of 651 cats, including 364 domestic cats and 287 feral cats (332 females and 319 males) were assessed. They were tested for the presence of D. immitis antigen using SNAP Heartworm RT test kit. In this population, the average prevalence was 4.5%. Age and rearing conditions (feral or domestic) were found to be associated with the prevalence of D. immitis. The prevalence was significantly higher in feral cats compared with domestic cats (8.4% vs 1.4%, P 0.05), but older cats (≥3 years old) showed a statistically higher prevalence compared with younger cats ( 0.05), all these results suggest that outdoor exposure time may be one of the most important factors for D. immitis prevalence in cats. Results reveal that D. immitis are prevalence in domestic and feral cats in northeastern China, which indicates that appropriate preventive measures should be taken to decrease the incidence of feline heartworm disease in Liaoning province, northeastern China.
Subject(s)
Animals , Cats , Female , Humans , Male , China , Dirofilaria immitis , Dirofilaria , Dirofilariasis , Incidence , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Seroepidemiologic StudiesABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate influence of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) and patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) on expressions of serum inflammatory cytokines in elderly patients with hemi or whole hip replacement using cemented artificial joint. Methods Elderly patients undergoing hip replacement were selected and were divided into PCIA group and PCEA group. VAS scores were calculated at 12 h postoperatively. Patients whose VAS scores were not more than 2 at postoperative 12h were included. 30 cases in each group were finally included. Fifteen cases were randomly chosen in each group and underwent sample blood drawing for assays. Expressions of serum inflammatory cytokines were detected by ELISA , RT-PCR and Western-blot. Results Gene and protein expressions of TNF-a as well as IL-6 in group PCEA were lower and expression of IL-10 was higher than that in group PCIA. Serum level of TGb-β was higher in group PCEA detected by ELISA. There was no significant difference in expression of IL-8 between groups. Conclusions PCEA may better promote expressions of anti-inflammatory cytokines and inhibit expressions of proinflammatory cytokines. PCEA is superior in maintenance of inflammatory cytokine balance.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the clinical value of ureteroscopy and minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy ( MPCNL) in the treatment of ureteral calculi patients with acute renal dysfunction .Methods Clini-cal data of 124 ureteral calculi patients with acute renal dysfunction were retrospectively analyzed .86 cases were trea-ted with holmium-laser lithotripsy under ureteroscope .38 cases were treated with MPCNL under the guide of ultra-sound.Results Three months after operation ,the stone clearance rate was 100%,and no severe complications were observed.The renal function decreased to normal levels in 102 cases(82.3%).Conclusion The holmium laser lith-otripsy under ureteroscope and MPCNL can deal with double sites of ureteral calculi ,and offer advantages with less in-vasion,safety and efficiency ,which can be the first choice for the ureteral calculi combined with acute renal dysfunc -tion.