Background:Piroplasms are kinds of tick-borne parasitic apicomplexan protozoa,which are detrimental to humans and animals in tropical and subtropical areas around the world.Up until now,there has been a limited amount...Background:Piroplasms are kinds of tick-borne parasitic apicomplexan protozoa,which are detrimental to humans and animals in tropical and subtropical areas around the world.Up until now,there has been a limited amount of reliable information available about the prevalence of piroplasms infections in wild animals in China.Therefore,we have investigated the infections of Babesia and Theileria species in both domestic and wild animals in Xinyang city,Henan province,where tick-borne diseases have recently been reported.This study aims to analyze the distribution patterns of piroplasms infections in animals,and assess their potential threat to humans in Central China.Methods:Blood samples were collected from sheep,dogs and hedgehogs in two regions,including Shihe District and Luoshan County,of Xinyang city,Henan province from August to December 2012.Babesia spp.and Theileria spp.were detected by polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and identified by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.Moreover,the characteristics of detected piroplasms in different animal hosts were compared between the two study regions.Results:A total of 227 blood samples were collected from 73 sheep,two dogs and 152 hedgehogs.Babesia spp.was only detected in the two dogs.Theileria spp.was detected both in the sheep and the hedgehogs,and the total positive rate of Theileria spp.in the sheep and the hedgehogs was 57.53%and 13.82%,respectively.Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Theileria spp.detected in the sheep and the hedgehogs were very close to T.lunwenshuni cloned from a small ruminant and Theileria spp.isolated from a febrile hospitalized patient in China.Conclusion:Babesia and Theileria infections were detected in both domestic and wild animals in Xinyang city,Henan province in Central China,thus warranting further studies in these regions.展开更多
The Hedgehog(HH)family includes Indian(IHH),Desert(DHH),and Sonic Hedgehog(SHH).Proteins of the HH family are distinguished by their function as morphogens,i.e.,molecules that regulate the pattern of tissue developmen...The Hedgehog(HH)family includes Indian(IHH),Desert(DHH),and Sonic Hedgehog(SHH).Proteins of the HH family are distinguished by their function as morphogens,i.e.,molecules that regulate the pattern of tissue development in accordance with concentration gradient.Data accumulated over the years clearly demonstrate that HH signaling is essential in myelination,particularly in the life cycle of the oligodendrocyte lineage.展开更多
Over the past few decades,the Sonic Hedgehog protein has become a pivotal player in many biological processes,including tumourigenesis,embryonic development,and protective mechanisms after cerebral damage.The Sonic He...Over the past few decades,the Sonic Hedgehog protein has become a pivotal player in many biological processes,including tumourigenesis,embryonic development,and protective mechanisms after cerebral damage.The Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway is crucial in the central nervous system,with implications in a diverse range of diseases,including Parkinson's disease,Alzheimer's disease,spinal cord injury,traumatic brain injury,depression,Sonic Hedgehog medulloblastoma,and stroke.In this comprehensive review,we examined Sonic Hedgehog from the perspective of canonical and non-canonical pathways,elucidating their complex connections to the central nervous system.Subsequently,we summarize the latest advancements in drug therapies that offer novel strategies for treating neurological diseases by modulating the Sonic Hedgehog protein.Finally,we summarize and extend the technologies and tools for studying the Sonic Hedgehog signaling field,with the aim of providing new research ideas and methods.展开更多
Recent studies have shown that fibrotic scar formation following cerebral ischemic injury has varying effects depending on the microenvironment.However,little is known about how fibrosis is induced and regulated after...Recent studies have shown that fibrotic scar formation following cerebral ischemic injury has varying effects depending on the microenvironment.However,little is known about how fibrosis is induced and regulated after cerebral ischemic injury.Sonic hedgehog signaling participates in fibrosis in the heart,liver,lung,and kidney.Whether Shh signaling modulates fibrotic scar formation after cerebral ischemic stroke and the underlying mechanisms are unclear.In this study,we found that Sonic Hedgehog expression was upregulated in patients with acute ischemic stroke and in a middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion injury rat model.Both Sonic hedgehog and Mitofusin 2 showed increased expression in the middle cerebral artery occlusion rat model and in vitro fibrosis cell model induced by transforming growth factor-beta 1.Activation of the Sonic hedgehog signaling pathway enhanced the expression of phosphorylated Smad 3 and Mitofusin 2 proteins,promoted the formation of fibrotic scars,protected synapses or promoted synaptogenesis,alleviated neurological deficits following middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion injury,reduced cell apoptosis,facilitated the transformation of meninges fibroblasts into myofibroblasts,and enhanced the proliferation and migration of meninges fibroblasts.The Smad3 phosphorylation inhibitor SIS3 reversed the effects induced by Sonic hedgehog signaling pathway activation.Bioinformatics analysis revealed significant correlations between Sonic hedgehog and Smad3,between Sonic hedgehog and Mitofusin 2,and between Smad3 and Mitofusin 2.These findings suggest that Sonic hedgehog signaling may influence Mitofusin 2 expression by regulating Smad3 phosphorylation,thereby modulating the formation of early fibrotic scars following cerebral ischemic stroke and affecting prognosis.The Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway may serve as a new therapeutic target for stroke treatment.展开更多
This article describes new fossil material of Exallerix pustulatus from the early Late Oligocene of Nei Mongol,China.The specimens supplement and clarify certain mandibular and lower dental morphological features of t...This article describes new fossil material of Exallerix pustulatus from the early Late Oligocene of Nei Mongol,China.The specimens supplement and clarify certain mandibular and lower dental morphological features of this species,allowing for further comparisons with other short-faced hedgehogs.Previously,E.pustulatus had only been recorded from the Hsanda Gol Formation at Taatsiin Gol,in the Valley of Lakes,Mongolia.This discovery of new material from Sonid Left Banner marks the first occurrence of the genus Exallerix in China.In addition,discussions of other short-faced hedgehog fossils from Chinese localities confirm the validity of Metexallerix gaolanshanensis,which lived during the late Late Oligocene,approximately 25 Ma.Furthermore,the short-faced hedgehog specimens from locality Damiao 16 in Nei Mongol are tentatively referred to Synexallerix junggarensis,rather than M.gaolanshanensis.展开更多
基金This work was supported by the Special Fund for Health Research in the Public Interest(Grant No.201202019).
文摘Background:Piroplasms are kinds of tick-borne parasitic apicomplexan protozoa,which are detrimental to humans and animals in tropical and subtropical areas around the world.Up until now,there has been a limited amount of reliable information available about the prevalence of piroplasms infections in wild animals in China.Therefore,we have investigated the infections of Babesia and Theileria species in both domestic and wild animals in Xinyang city,Henan province,where tick-borne diseases have recently been reported.This study aims to analyze the distribution patterns of piroplasms infections in animals,and assess their potential threat to humans in Central China.Methods:Blood samples were collected from sheep,dogs and hedgehogs in two regions,including Shihe District and Luoshan County,of Xinyang city,Henan province from August to December 2012.Babesia spp.and Theileria spp.were detected by polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and identified by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.Moreover,the characteristics of detected piroplasms in different animal hosts were compared between the two study regions.Results:A total of 227 blood samples were collected from 73 sheep,two dogs and 152 hedgehogs.Babesia spp.was only detected in the two dogs.Theileria spp.was detected both in the sheep and the hedgehogs,and the total positive rate of Theileria spp.in the sheep and the hedgehogs was 57.53%and 13.82%,respectively.Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Theileria spp.detected in the sheep and the hedgehogs were very close to T.lunwenshuni cloned from a small ruminant and Theileria spp.isolated from a febrile hospitalized patient in China.Conclusion:Babesia and Theileria infections were detected in both domestic and wild animals in Xinyang city,Henan province in Central China,thus warranting further studies in these regions.
基金Spanish government(PID2022-143110OB-IOO)Merck Foundation(20234599)grants(to FdeCS)Univesidad Camilo Jose Cela(CEIDI_VI_08_06_XI_EMYDEM)grant(to MMF)。
文摘The Hedgehog(HH)family includes Indian(IHH),Desert(DHH),and Sonic Hedgehog(SHH).Proteins of the HH family are distinguished by their function as morphogens,i.e.,molecules that regulate the pattern of tissue development in accordance with concentration gradient.Data accumulated over the years clearly demonstrate that HH signaling is essential in myelination,particularly in the life cycle of the oligodendrocyte lineage.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82474468the Science and Technology Innovation Program of Hunan Province,No.2024RC3200+3 种基金the Health Commission Talent Project of Hunan Province,No.20240304118the Scientific Research Project of Hunan Department of Education,No.23A0281the Open Fund for Chinese Medicine Powder and Innovative Drugs in the Cultivation Base of the Provincial-Ministry Jointly Established State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine,No.23PTKF1013the Training Plan of Outstanding Innovative Youth of Changsha,No.kq2009018(all to PM)。
文摘Over the past few decades,the Sonic Hedgehog protein has become a pivotal player in many biological processes,including tumourigenesis,embryonic development,and protective mechanisms after cerebral damage.The Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway is crucial in the central nervous system,with implications in a diverse range of diseases,including Parkinson's disease,Alzheimer's disease,spinal cord injury,traumatic brain injury,depression,Sonic Hedgehog medulloblastoma,and stroke.In this comprehensive review,we examined Sonic Hedgehog from the perspective of canonical and non-canonical pathways,elucidating their complex connections to the central nervous system.Subsequently,we summarize the latest advancements in drug therapies that offer novel strategies for treating neurological diseases by modulating the Sonic Hedgehog protein.Finally,we summarize and extend the technologies and tools for studying the Sonic Hedgehog signaling field,with the aim of providing new research ideas and methods.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.82171456(to QY)and 81971229(to QY)the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing,Nos.CSTC2021JCYJ-MSXMX0263(to QY)and CSTB2023NSCQ-MSX1015(to XL)Doctoral Innovation Project of The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University,Nos.CYYY-BSYJSCXXM-202318(to JW)and CYYY-BSYJSCXXM-202327(to HT).
文摘Recent studies have shown that fibrotic scar formation following cerebral ischemic injury has varying effects depending on the microenvironment.However,little is known about how fibrosis is induced and regulated after cerebral ischemic injury.Sonic hedgehog signaling participates in fibrosis in the heart,liver,lung,and kidney.Whether Shh signaling modulates fibrotic scar formation after cerebral ischemic stroke and the underlying mechanisms are unclear.In this study,we found that Sonic Hedgehog expression was upregulated in patients with acute ischemic stroke and in a middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion injury rat model.Both Sonic hedgehog and Mitofusin 2 showed increased expression in the middle cerebral artery occlusion rat model and in vitro fibrosis cell model induced by transforming growth factor-beta 1.Activation of the Sonic hedgehog signaling pathway enhanced the expression of phosphorylated Smad 3 and Mitofusin 2 proteins,promoted the formation of fibrotic scars,protected synapses or promoted synaptogenesis,alleviated neurological deficits following middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion injury,reduced cell apoptosis,facilitated the transformation of meninges fibroblasts into myofibroblasts,and enhanced the proliferation and migration of meninges fibroblasts.The Smad3 phosphorylation inhibitor SIS3 reversed the effects induced by Sonic hedgehog signaling pathway activation.Bioinformatics analysis revealed significant correlations between Sonic hedgehog and Smad3,between Sonic hedgehog and Mitofusin 2,and between Smad3 and Mitofusin 2.These findings suggest that Sonic hedgehog signaling may influence Mitofusin 2 expression by regulating Smad3 phosphorylation,thereby modulating the formation of early fibrotic scars following cerebral ischemic stroke and affecting prognosis.The Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway may serve as a new therapeutic target for stroke treatment.
文摘This article describes new fossil material of Exallerix pustulatus from the early Late Oligocene of Nei Mongol,China.The specimens supplement and clarify certain mandibular and lower dental morphological features of this species,allowing for further comparisons with other short-faced hedgehogs.Previously,E.pustulatus had only been recorded from the Hsanda Gol Formation at Taatsiin Gol,in the Valley of Lakes,Mongolia.This discovery of new material from Sonid Left Banner marks the first occurrence of the genus Exallerix in China.In addition,discussions of other short-faced hedgehog fossils from Chinese localities confirm the validity of Metexallerix gaolanshanensis,which lived during the late Late Oligocene,approximately 25 Ma.Furthermore,the short-faced hedgehog specimens from locality Damiao 16 in Nei Mongol are tentatively referred to Synexallerix junggarensis,rather than M.gaolanshanensis.
