BackgroundAntigen B (EgAgB) is a major protein produced by the metacestode cyst of Echinococcus granulosus, the causative agent of cystic hydatid disease. This protein has been shown to play an important role in modulating host immune responses, although its precise biological function still remains unknown. It is generally accepted that EgAgB is comprised of a gene family of five subfamilies which are highly polymorphic, but the actual number of genes present is unknown.Methodology/Principal FindingsBased on published sequences for the family, we designed specific primers for each subfamily and used PCR to amplify them from genomic DNA isolated from individual mature adult worms (MAW) taken from an experimentally infected dog in China and individual larval protoscoleces (PSC) excised from a single hydatid cyst taken from an Australian kangaroo. We then used real-time PCR to measure expression of each of the genes comprising the five EgAgB subfamilies in all life-cycle stages including the oncosphere (ONC).Conclusions/SignificanceBased on sequence alignment analysis, we found that the EgAgB gene family comprises at least ten unique genes. Each of the genes was identical in both larval and adult E. granulosus isolates collected from two geographical areas (different continents). DNA alignment comparisons with EgAgB sequences deposited in GenBank databases showed that each gene in the gene family is highly conserved within E. granulosus, which contradicts previous studies claiming significant variation and polymorphism in EgAgB. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that the genes were differentially expressed in different life-cycle stages of E. granulosus with EgAgB3 expressed predominantly in all stages. These findings are fundamental for determining the expression and the biological function of antigen B.

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Background Aim of this study is to retrospectively review the effectiveness and safety of personalized Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) for cavernous sinus hemangiomas (CSHs), summarise experience of personalized GKRS treatment for different volume of CSHs. Methods 187 CSHs patients who received personalized GKRS treatment in our center from 2011.1.1 to 2020.12.31 were enrolled in this study and classified into small and medium CSHs (<20 ml), large CSHs (20-40 ml) and giant CSHs (≥40 ml) according to tumor volume. The personalized GKRS treatment strategy included single GKRS and staged GKRS. Tumor shrinkage rate, clinical symptoms response, and complications after GKRS were recorded during follow-up period. Multivariate factors influencing clinical symptoms response were analyzed after personalized GKRS treatment. Results After a mean follow-up duration of 28 months (range 12-124 months), the tumor control rate was 100%, the mean shrinkage rate of CSHs was 93.2% (61.3%-100%) in the last follow-up. Of the 115 patients with preexisting symptoms, 43 (37.5%) patients showed symptom disappearance, 17 (14.7%) patients demonstrated improvement, and 55 (47.8%) patients remained no change. Previous surgical resection of CSHs (OR=0.025, 95% CI 0.007-0.084, P=0.000) was identified to be an independent risk factor for no symptom improvement after GKRS treatment. Conclusions Personalized GKRS is an effective and safe treatment for different volume of CSHs, which is capable of shrinking the tumor, improving symptoms with extremely low incidence of adverse effects and might be considered as the primary treatment strategy for CSHs.

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