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This study addresses the fault detection (FD) problem in heterogeneous multi-agent systems (HMASs) with unknown system models. A novel data-driven FD scheme is proposed by properly combining hardware and temporal redundant information to accelerate the generation of fault detectors while ensuring detection accuracy. The computational burden associated with the FD scheme is alleviated by applying a two-step order reduction algorithm. Additionally, an optimization problem is formulated, simplified and solved to achieve a compromise between sensitivity to faults and robustness to disturbances, further enhancing the detection performance of agents. Through a series of examples and comparative experiments, the effectiveness and improvements of the proposed approach are demonstrated. • Proposal of a novel data-driven fault detection scheme for heterogeneous multi-agent systems. • Integration of hardware and temporal redundant information for faster training and accurate detection. • Application of a two-step order reduction algorithm to alleviate computational burden. • Performance enhancement through the generation of a compromise between fault sensitivity and disturbance robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Plasmodium parasite has the ability to vary the polypeptides it exports to infected erythrocytes so that reappearing variants in chronic malaria infections are always distinct from those of the parental parasite. This antigen variation is attributable to the activity of schizont-infected cell agglutination (SICA) antigens which can be found on the Plasmodium-infected erythrocyte surface. Together with the adhesin PfEMP1, which plays a key role in mediating binding to uninfected erythrocytes, SICA antigens seem to be the most promising targets for further research into antigenic variation.

• Temperature measurement inside the laser crystal was performed based on the fluorescence intensity ratio technique. • Polarized up-conversion fluorescence spectra in 500–580 nm of an Er:Yb:Lu 2 Si 2 O 7 crystal were measured at 300–680 K. • Temperature distribution inside an Er:Yb:Lu 2 Si 2 O 7 crystal was measured in real time when a 1.55 μm laser was operating. • The experimental result was compared with the theoretical temperature distribution inside the crystal. Based on the fluorescence intensity ratio technique, the temperature distribution inside an Er:Yb:Lu 2 Si 2 O 7 crystal was measured in real time when a 1.55 μm laser was operating. The polarized green up-conversion fluorescence in 500–580 nm of the crystal generated simultaneously under laser operation was used as the temperature probe. At a pump beam waist diameter of 400 μm, the highest temperature inside the crystal reached 507 K when the incident pump power and output mirror transmission were 11.13 W and 1.3%, respectively. The experimental result was compared with the theoretical temperature distribution inside the crystal simulated by the finite element analysis method, and the difference between them was analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An antifreezing and self-healing EC organohydrogel based on CS was designed. • Proposed a facile method for preparing gel-based EC displays by extrusion firstly. • Various properties of the EC organohydrogel show dependence on EG content. • The gel-based ECD show great cyclic stability in a wide temperature range. Though numerous patterned electrochromic (EC) displays have been developed, a low-cost, eco-friendly and convenient strategy for fabricating customizable EC displays with great low and high temperature adaptability is still desired urgently. Herein, an antifreezing and self-healing EC oganohydrogel with reversible Schiff base linkages was prepared facilely through mixing a chitosan solution based on a water/ethylene glycol (EG) binary solvent and a dibenzaldehyde-modified poly(ethylene oxide) aqueous solution, and its mechanical and electrochromic properties can be regulated by EG content. The optimized gel exhibits a high ionic conductivity of 0.2 mS cm−1 at -60 ℃ and the EC gel-based device shows great cyclic stability with 99%, 98% and 95% optical modulation retention after 1000 cycles at different temperature of -30 ℃, 20 ℃ and 45 ℃, respectively. By extruding the EC gels from syringes onto transparent electrodes to form the specific patterns or characters, a series of customized EC displays for convey information were obtained. Such EC displays are expected to exhibit unique advantages over a wide operating temperature range and become a paradigm for future EC displays manufacturing. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sporozoites of Plasmodium parasites undergo several transmigrations before their establishment in the hepatocytes of a vertebrate host. Techniques that illustrate parasite intra-vital migration and their interaction with host cells will advance the understanding of parasite biology. In a recent publication, Amino et al. provided a detailed protocol for in vivo imaging of Plasmodium berghei sporozoites in the dermis. The report has important implications in the dissection of malaria parasite biology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Malaria vaccine development has so far been largely focused on antigens involved in parasite invasion pathways rather than on antigens associated with severe disease and naturally acquired immunity. Individuals repeatedly exposed to Plasmodium falciparum will eventually become immune to severe disease. Parasite-derived antigens expressed on the infected red blood cell (iRBC) surface are the main targets of protective immunity and can be explored as a rational alternative in development of an anti-malaria vaccine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A family of parasite antigens known as Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) is believed to play an important role in the binding of infected erythrocytes to host receptors in the micro-vasculature. Available data advocates the existence of a subset of very adhesive (rosetting, auto-agglutinating) and antigenic PfEMP1s implicated as virulence factors. Serum antibodies that disrupt rosettes are rarely found in children with severe malaria but are frequent in those with mild disease suggesting that they may be protective. Here we have developed a Semliki forest virus (SFV) vaccine construct with a recombinant gene (mini-var gene) encoding a mini-PfEMP1 (DBL1α-TM-ATS) obtained from a particularly antigenic and rosetting parasite (FCR3S1.2). The mini-PfEMP1 is presented to the host mimicking the location of the native molecule at the infected erythrocyte surface. Antibodies generated by a regimen of priming with SFV RNA particles and boosting with a recombinant protein recognize the infected erythrocyte surface (immuno-fluorescence/rosette-disruption) and prevent the sequestration of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes in an in vivo model of severe malaria. The data prove the involvement of DBL1α in the adhesion of infected- and uninfected erythrocytes and the role of rosette-disruptive antibodies in preventing these cellular interactions. The work supports the use of DBL1α in a vaccine again severe malaria. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) is an important virulence factor encoded by a family of roughly 60 var genes and is used by the parasite to interact with the human host. The parasite regularly exchanges the expressed var gene generating antigenic variation of the infected RBCs (pRBC) surface which is crucial for successful proliferation and transmission. PfEMP1 is also an adhesive molecule that binds to an array of human receptors. By sequestration in the post-capillary venules, pRBCs are able to escape the spleen-mediated clearance but severe malaria may develop if the local binding is extensive. Anti-PfEMP1 immunity is important for preventing the development of both cerebral malaria and placental malaria, but more immunological studies on PfEMP1 antigens and their interaction with the human host are needed. Over the last few years our knowledge about var genes and PfEMP1s has increased dramatically through genetic, biochemical, immunological and epidemiological studies. In addition, the genome sequence has also provided us with a new platform for further dissecting its biological functions. This review highlights the recent analyses of var genes in the P. falciparum genome and postulates significance of genome recombination to the diversity of parasite virulence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Relapse variants in chronic Plasmodium falciparum infections are antigenically distinct from the parental parasites. The variable antigen PfEMP1 expressed at the surface of the infected erythrocyte (IE) is encoded by the var gene family with ≈60 copies per haploid genome. Placental isolates commonly express DBLγ containing subtypes of var genes with homology to either 3D7var5.2 (varCOMMON) or FCR3varCSA. Here we report that varCOMMON related genes are constitutively transcribed in ≈60% of malaria infected children in Gabon. varCOMMON is conserved in field isolates over at least 2.1 kb. In 3D7 parasites varCOMMON is present on chromosome 5 (var5.2) and constitutively transcribed in the opposite direction to most other var genes. It lacks a regulatory intron, an acidic terminal segment and ends in telomeric repeat sequences. varCOMMON encodes a large, hypothetical PfEMP1 of a structure similar to previous placenta-binding PfEMP1s but it is not present at the IE-surface. IE of a 3D7 clone (3D7S8) transcribe varCOMMON but express a PfEMP1 distinct from varCOMMON at the surface and adhere to placental tissues through varCOMMON independent novel mechanisms. Our report suggests that expression of varCOMMON type genes is not restricted to placental malaria. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The var gene family of Plasmodium falciparum encodes the clonally variant adhesin PfEMP1 present on the surface of infected erythrocytes. A poorly understood mechanism of allelic exclusion controls the expression of PfEMP1. Transcription of var genes is developmentally and, most likely, epigenetically regulated. Here we have studied the transcriptional pattern of 28 members of this multigene family in individual parasites, early in the intraerythrocytic cycle. The results show unique patterns (type and number) of var transcripts in each individual PRBC, with 1–15 mRNA species detected per cell at 2–4 h post-invasion. When a panel of ten single PRBC was analyzed, the var gene coding for the expressed PfEMP1 was transcribed in more cells than any other, although transcripts from this gene did not give the strongest hybridization signal within each individual cell. Chromosomal mapping of transcriptionally active var genes indicated that their distribution reflects that of var loci in the genome, including a pronounced clustering in chromosome 4. These findings, taken together with existing data on var transcription at later developmental stages, suggest that the mosaic-like transcription of multiple var genes detected at the ring stage and the steady transcription of the gene encoding the expressed PfEMP1 are distinct although superimposed events, one of them random and the other taking place under some form of imprinting. With its unique features, the expression of P. falciparum var genes may reveal new principles of gene regulation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Trypanosoma brucei endocytosed noble metal nanoclusters (Ag 2 S-NC@MPA and AuNC@GSH) via the clathrin-dependent pathway. • NM-NCs displayed a dose-dependent anti-parasitic effect by inducing apoptosis in T. brucei. • Ag 2 S-NC@MPA mainly interacted with functional proteins located in the mitochondrion and endoplasmic reticulum. • AuNC@GSH interfered with activities of enzymes involved in mRNA maturation, protein degradation and signal transduction. [Display omitted] Trypanosoma brucei , the causative agent of African trypanosomiasis, is a unicellular protozoan with an intricate life cycle involving an insect vector and mammalian hosts. Trypanosomiasis remains a threat to the health of human beings and animals. Despite the rapid development of nanomedicine, there are few valuable reports on the application of nanoscience in protozoa, especially the lack of understanding of the mechanism. In this study, we investigated the endocytosis of two noble metal nanoclusters (NM-NCs), Ag 2 S-NC@MPA and AuNC@GSH in T. brucei. Both types of NC can be efficiently up-taken by T. brucei via a clathrin-dependent endocytosis pathway, and displayed in a dose-dependent anti-parasitic manner by inducing pathological alterations to apoptosis-associated organelles. The Ag 2 S-NC@MPA mainly interacted with functional proteins in the mitochondrion and endoplasmic reticulum, while the AuNC@GSH predominantly interfered with the biological activity of cytoplasmic enzymes involved in mRNA maturation, protein degradation and signal transduction. These data not only reveal the clathrin-dependent endocytosis pathway in T. brucei , but also open up a new avenue for NM-NC-based drug development for trypanosomiasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We developed an artificial neural network to predict pre-crash condition of passenger cars in traffic accidents. By using virtual car crash data generated by finite element simulations, we demonstrated the proof of concept of machine-learning method and its feasibility in car crashworthiness inverse solution. • It is shown that by using plastic deformation signature one can practically uniquely determine carcrash inverse solution of pre-crash data with high accuracy and precision. • We developed a large scale parallel machine learning Python code that has mega data capacity, and it can process inelastic deformation in more that 70,000 × 50,000 data points. In this work, we have successfully developed a data-driven artificial intelligence (AI) inverse problem solution for traffic collision reconstruction. In specific, we have developed and implemented a machine learning computational algorithm and built a deep neural network to determine and identify the initial impact conditions of car crash based on its final material damage state and permanently deformed structure configuration (wreckage). In this work, we have demonstrated that the developed machine learning algorithm as an inverse problem solver can accurately identify initial collision conditions in an inverse manner, which are practically unique if we use permanent plastic deformation as the forensic data signatures. In other words, we think that the massive plastic energy dissipation process and the related big data will make final structure damage state insensitive to the initial car collision conditions. Thus, it provides an inverse solution for car crash forensic analysis by reconstructing the initial failure load parameters and conditions based on the permanent plastic deformation distribution of cars. This approach has general significance in solving the inverse problem for engineering failure analysis and vehicle crashworthiness analysis, which provides a key contribution for the unmanned autonomous vehicle and the related technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new series of phthalate-based electrochromic materials were prepared and investigated. The introduced functional substituents on phthalate π-framework have a significant influence on the optical and electrochemical behaviors. Electrochromic devices of these phthalates exhibit a praiseworthy electrochromism, to be specific, with vivid colors, high optical contrast, fast response and excellent durability. To our surprise, one phthalate with the methoxyl substituent reveals an unanticipated photoluminescent nature, which renders the compound multifunction. In summary, outstanding electrochromic performances indicate that these phthalate derivatives are promising for applications in displays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • T. gondii invasion-related proteins, ROP9, MIC3, and SAG2 bind to heparin. • The three proteins adhere on host cell plasma membrane. • Specific antibodies to the proteins inhibited the parasite invasion in host cells. • Immunized mice exhibited sterile immunity against a lethal T. gondii challenge. • The work supported the important role of the proteins during T. gondii invasion. Abstract Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligatory intracellular parasite that can infect varieties of warm-blooded animals, including humans and birds. Heparan sulfate (HS) is widely distributed on the eukaryotic cell surface of vertebrates and can inhibit T. gondii invasion. In this study, we investigated the transcription and expression of the level of Tg ROP9, Tg MIC3, and Tg SAG2 in T. gondii RH strain, and found that the expression levels of these three proteins in invading parasites were higher compared to those free ranging parasites. The recombinant proteins showed specific binding activity to both heparin and host cell surface. Incubation of these proteins with the host cells could block T. gondii invasion. Furthermore, protein-specific antibodies also blocked parasite invasion. Antibodies in the sera of T. gondii infected individuals recognized the recombinant Tg ROP9, Tg MIC3, and Tg SAG2, which suggested the exposure of these proteins to human immune system. Mice immunized with the three proteins exhibited protective immunity against lethal challenge. The data collectively suggested that these parasitic proteins may be used as candidate antigens for development of anti-toxoplasmosis vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Recombinant adenoviruses express T. gondii invasion-related proteins. • Vaccinations trigger humoral and cellular immune responses in mice. • Divalent or trivalent adenoviruses provide protection against acute toxoplasmosis. Abstract Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii , an obligate intracellular parasite. Currently, no viable vaccine or effective drug strategies exist to prevent and control toxoplasmosis. T. gondii microneme protein 3 (MIC3), rhoptry protein 9 (ROP9), and surface antigen 2 (SAG2) are related to active invasion of the parasite. Hence, we constructed recombinant adenoviruses expressing Tg MIC3, Tg SAG2, or Tg ROP9 and evaluated the recombinant adenoviruses as potential vaccines against acute T. gondii infection in BALB/c mice. Mice immunized with the recombinant adenoviruses were measured the antibody levels, percentages of lymphocytes and actived T lymphocytes, cytokine productions, and the survival rates and time to evaluate the protective efficacy. Results showed that immunization with the bivalent or trivalent recombiant adenoviruses could strongly stimulate humoral and cellular immune responses in mice, resulting in effective immune protections against lethal challenge with the tachyzoites of T. gondii RH. These results indicated that the divalent and trivalent adenoviruses, especially Ad-ROP9-MIC3-EGFP, may be promising vaccine candidates against acute T. gondii infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Tetraspanins (TSPs) are proteins found on the surface of the parasite Schistosoma mansoni that have been regarded as potential protective antigens. However, divergent evolution may occur among the species of S. mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum under different environmental pressure. Thus, it was essential to characterize the S. japonicum TSP family members before selecting potential candidate TSP antigens. In this study, we used bioinformatics and experimental validation to investigate 29 TSP members from S. japonicum, including all known genes, Sj23, TE736, Sj25, and Sj-TSP-2. Five TSP members were found to be variable, and two others (Sj-tsp genes) were alternatively spliced. The phylogenetic analysis showed that schistosome TSPs were highly divergent from those of other phyla. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that the Sj-tsp genes were differentially transcribed in the developmental stages of cercariae, schistosomula, adult worms, and eggs. Six Sj-tsp genes were significantly up-regulated during the transformation from cercariae to schistosomula. Four Sj-tsp genes, including Sj-tsp-1, Sj-tsp-8, Sj-tsp-14, and Sj-tsp-26 were confirmed as potential protective antigens based on the molecular characterization. RNAi was preformed against the conserved Sj-tsp genes which were highly expressed in schistosomula to explore gene functions. These data will promote the identification of candidate antigens within the TSP family for developing novel vaccines against S. japonicum infections. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Vision-and-language navigation (VLN) is a crucial but challenging cross-modal navigation task. One powerful technique to enhance the generalization performance in VLN is the use of an independent speaker model to provide pseudo instructions for data augmentation. However, current speaker models based on Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) lack the ability to attend to features relevant at different locations and time steps. To address this, we propose a novel progress-aware spatio-temporal transformer speaker (PASTS) model that uses the transformer as the core of the network. PASTS uses a spatio-temporal encoder to fuse panoramic representations and encode intermediate connections through steps. Besides, to avoid the misalignment problem that could result in incorrect supervision, a speaker progress monitor (SPM) is proposed to enable the model to estimate the progress of instruction generation and facilitate more fine-grained caption results. Additionally, a multifeature dropout (MFD) strategy is introduced to alleviate overfitting. The proposed PASTS is flexible to be combined with existing VLN models. The experimental results demonstrate that PASTS outperforms previous speaker models and successfully improves the performance of previous VLN models, achieving state-of-the-art performance on the standard Room-to-Room (R2R) dataset. • Spatio-temporal transformer encoder extracts trajectory features effectively. • Speaker progress monitor improves instruction alignment and generation. • Multifeature dropout strategy boosts generalization in unseen environments. • Stronger speaker model provides more accurate pseudo labels for data augmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New electrochromic devices based on six extended viologen derivatives with various aromatic substituents were manufactured and systematically investigated. With the introduction of various substituents, six extended viologen derivatives exhibit an unprecedented electrochromic property among previous researches on viologens. Electrochromic devices containing these derivatives as the working electrode present vivid color changes, high optical contrast, fast response and excellent durability. Additionally, the extended skeletal pyridine π-system endows these viologens derivatives with unanticipated electrofluorochromic behavior, which provides the devices of these extended viologens multifunction. To sum up, preeminent optical and electrical performances indicate that these extended viologen derivatives are promising for new-generation electrochromic applications. • Six extended viologen derivatives with such benzene-substituents have rarely been investigated in the electrochromic field. • ECDs of the six derivatives achieve high optical contrast in the range of 59%–81%. • ECDs reveal infrequent crimson and darkorchid tint in colored state among previous researches in viologens. • ECDs of Hydro-V, Oxy-V and Dioxy-V exhibit fluorescence, which is same as the electrofluorochromic materials. • ECDs reveal rapid switching behavior within few seconds and outstanding stability over thousand cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) with photochromic and electrochromic properties are promising materials for photoelectric applications. In this paper, one multifunctional molecule, triphenylamine Schiff-base (TPASB), was developed and studied in detail. TPASB revealed to be a luminogen characterized by both twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) and AIE properties. Second, the photochromic and electrochromic performances of TPASB were characterized under ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation and applied bias respectively, which exhibited accordant color change from yellow to tangerine. Third, the prominent morphology transition of TPASB from NVs (nano-vesicles) to MRs (micro-rods) was observed through self-assembly, rendering the fluorophores befitting for monitoring and visualizing the aggregation process. Last, a liquid-type electrochromic device (ECD) of the molecule was fabricated for electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical measurements, which gave a high transmittance change (64.2% at 518 nm) and unique UV-shield trait. Image 1 • A salicylaldehyde-disubstituted triphenylamine derivative TPASB was developed. • Novel self-assembly morphological transitions from nano-vesicles to micro-rods. • Electrochromic device of TPASB exhibited unique UV-shield trait. • Multifunctional combination of photochromism, electrochromism, AIE activity and self-assembly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider the online prognosis of stochastic discrete event systems. Even though it is easy to predict the occurrence of faults in advance accurately for a prognosable discrete event system, it is much more difficult to do so for systems that are not prognosable. In this paper, we solve the online prognosis problem in a stochastic discrete event system framework. Our idea is to calculate the probability of the occurrence of faults in the future when a no-fault observable string is observed. We say an observable string is no-fault if no faults have occurred when it is observed. We then compare the probability with a pre-set threshold to decide whether to issue an alert or not. We develop a method to calculate the lower bound for possible thresholds, which has the fewest false alerts and no missed alerts of faults. For a given threshold, we use the rate of missed fault alerts and the rate of false fault alerts to evaluate the performance of fault prognosis. We formally define these two rates and develop algorithms to calculate them. These results can guide us in choosing a proper threshold to achieve the best trade-off between false fault alerts and missed alerts of faults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone marrow derived mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) play an important role in bone homeostasis. Age-related changes occur in bone resulting in a decrease in bone density and a relative increase in adipocity. Although in vitro studies suggest the existence of an age-related lineage switch between osteogenic and adipogenic fates, stem cell and microenvironmental contributions to this process have not been elucidated in vivo. In order to study the effects of MPC and microenvironmental aging on functional engraftment and lineage switching, transplantation studies were performed under non-myeloablative conditions in old recipients, with donor MPCs derived from young and old green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice. Robust engraftment by young MPCs or their progeny was observed in the marrow, bone-lining region and in the matrix of young recipients; however, significantly lower engraftment was seen at the same sites in old recipients transplanted with old MPCs. Differentiation of transplanted MPCs strongly favored adipogenesis over osteogenesis in old recipients irrespective of MPC donor age, suggesting that microenvironmental alterations that occur with in vivo aging are predominately responsible for MPC lineage switching. These data indicate that aging alters bone-fat reciprocity and differentiation of mesenchymal progenitors towards an adipogenic fate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Antigen Pf332-DBL was investigated in sera from individuals living in Senegal. [•] All antibodies (IgG, IgM, IgE and IgG subclasses) were detected. [•] IgG3 levels increased with age. [•] Cytophilic anti-Pf332-DBL antibodies were associated with reduced malaria attack. [•] Pf332-DBL induces antibodies associated with protection against malaria in Senegal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This article presents a solution to the problem of multiple fault detection, isolation and identification for hybrid systems without information on mode change and fault patterns. Multiple faults of different patterns are considered in a complex hybrid system and these faults can happen either in a detectable mode or in a non-detectable mode. A method for multiple fault isolation is introduced for situation of lacking information on fault pattern and mode change. The nature of faults in a monitored system can be classified as abrupt faults and incipient faults. Under abrupt fault assumption, i.e. constant values for fault parameters, fault identification is inappropriate to handle cases related to incipient fault. Without information on fault nature, it is difficult to achieve fault estimation. Situation is further complicated when mode change is unknown after fault occurrence. In this work, fault pattern is represented by a binary vector to reduce computational complexity of fault identification. Mode change is parameterized as a discontinuous function. Based on these new representations, a multiple hybrid differential evolution algorithm is developed to identify fault pattern vector, abrupt fault parameter/incipient fault dynamic coefficient, and mode change indexes. Simulation and experiment results are reported to validate the proposed method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), as one of the most sensitive and precise gene expression analysis methods, is frequently used to validate data obtained in high-through-put assays. qPCR requires reference genes with stable transcription for accurate normalization. However, no systematic studies on such genes have been performed in the genus Schistosoma japonicum. In this study, eight novel candidate genes selected from a microarray analysis and four commonly used reference genes were systematically validated in a series of qPCR experiments. Based on the results of geNorm, Normfinder, BestKeeper, and the comparative delta-cycle threshold (ΔCT) integrated analysis, the genes PSMD4, NDUFV2, and TPC2L were found to be most stably expressed in all S. japonicum developmental stages; meanwhile, ACTB and TUBA were found as the least stably expressed genes. This study provided, at the first time, data for genes that can be explored as reliable references in transcriptomic analysis of S. japonicum. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Sj23, a member of the tetraspanin protein family, is a 23-kDa surface-exposed protein of Schistosoma japonicum and expressed in all infective parasite stages, which has been regarded as a potential candidate in vaccine development for schistosomiasis. In this study, we found that, in the BALB/c mouse model, Sj23 elicited rapid humoral responses after parasite infection and the dominant antibodies were of IgG2a subclass. Immunization with Sj23 by priming with recombinant SFV RNA virus particles followed by a boost with recombinant protein also generated strong IgG2a responses which did not provide protection against challenge with cercariae. Our data indicated that one of the functions of Sj23 of S. japonicum is to facilitate parasite immune regulation. Sj23 antigen-based vaccine may require strong adjuvant that can drive IgG1 responses which are more critical in resistance to helminth infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Plasmodium falciparum antigen 332 (Pf332) is a conserved blood-stage antigen, which has been suggested to play a role in parasite invasion. In the present study, we have investigated the immunogenicity of the Duffy-binding like (DBL)-domain of the Pf332 molecule in combination with different adjuvants in four animal species. Three of the adjuvants are applicable for human use (Montanide ISA 720, alum and levamisole), whilst Freund''s adjuvant served as a positive control adjuvant. Montanide ISA 720 was able to generate a significant and Th2-biased IgG response in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Alum was a strong inducer of a Th2-type immune response only in BALB/c mice, whereas it was a poor adjuvant together with Pf332-DBL in C57BL/6 mice, rabbits and rats. Levamisole did not show any obvious adjuvant effect in any of the immunized animals. Thus in the case with Pf332-DBL, Montanide ISA 720 may be an adjuvant to further explore in the development of a vaccine against malaria. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]