Oxidative stress and neuroimmune proteins in a mouse model of autism.

Oxidative stress including decreased antioxidant enzyme activities, elevated lipid peroxidation, and accumulation of advanced glycation end products in the blood from children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has been reported. The mechanisms affecting the development of ASD remain unclear; however, toxic environmental exposures leading to oxidative stress have been proposed to play a significant role. The BTBRT+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) strain provides a model to investigate the markers of oxidation in a mouse strain exhibiting ASD-like behavioral phenotypes. In the present study, we investigated the level of oxidative stress and its effects on immune cell populations, specifically oxidative stress affecting surface thiols (R-SH), intracellular glutathione (iGSH), and expression of brain biomarkers that may contribute to the development of the ASD-like phenotypes that have been observed and reported in BTBR mice. Lower levels of cell surface R-SH were detected on multiple immune cell subpopulations from blood, spleens, and lymph nodes and for sera R-SH levels of BTBR mice compared to C57BL/6 J (B6) mice. The iGSH levels of immune cell populations were also lower in the BTBR mice. Elevated protein expression of GATA3, TGM2, AhR, EPHX2, TSLP, PTEN, IRE1α, GDF15, and metallothionein in BTBR mice is supportive of an increased level of oxidative stress in BTBR mice and may underpin the pro-inflammatory immune state that has been reported in the BTBR strain. Results of a decreased antioxidant system suggest an important oxidative stress role in the development of the BTBR ASD-like phenotype.

Risk Prediction of Ureaplasma urealyticum Affecting Sperm Quality Based on Mathematical Model and Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: To explore the risk of Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) affecting sperm quality. Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study was conducted. In total, 340 semen samples were collected. According to whether they were infected with UU, the samples were divided into the UU-positive group (observation group) and UU-negative group (control group). The patients with UU-positive were followed up to obtain treatment and collected the semen again after treatment. The semen characteristics and sperm parameters were detected and compared, and the relationship of UU and the sperm quality was analyzed by mathematical models. Results: There were 104 UU-positive semen samples in all, with an overall infection rate of 30.6%, which was highest in 31 to 40-year-old men, and over 40-year-old men were the lowest. The pH, PR, VCL, VSL, and STR in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (allP < 0.001), while SV, NP, and WOB were significantly higher (allP < 0.001). After treatment, the pH, VSL, LIN, WOB, and STR in the observation group were significantly higher than before (allP < 0.001), while SV and VCL were significantly lower (allP < 0.001). UU infection was closely correlated with pH, PR, NP, VCL, VSL, WOB, and STR. During the treatment, pH, PR, VSL, WOB, and STR increased, but NP and VCL decreased. 7 major factors that would affect SQ were extracted, of which VAP, LIN, and UU were the first three main factors. The risk of SQ declining after UU infection increased nearly twice with the change of PR and VCL and increased 0.08 times with STR. Conclusion: UU may approximately double the risk of altering the sperm's curvilinear movement rate and straightness to affect the sperm quality.

Improvements of autism-like behaviors but limited effects on immune cell metabolism after mitochondrial replacement in BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J mice.

Mitochondria-mediated metabolic impairment and dysfunction are highly related with autism. Herein, the mitochondria-mediated metabolism of BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice with autistic-like behaviors was investigated. A new BTBR-mtB6 strain generated by deriving BTBR mice with C57BL/6J (B6) mitochondria was used to determine the role of the mitochondrial genome. The BTBR-mtB6 mice had improved social behaviors, higher levels of glutamate and astrocytes in the brain and less neuroinflammation than the BTBR mice; however, many of the metabolic parameters of BTBR mice such as enhanced fatty acid ß-oxidation and lower glycolysis and glutaminolysis in immune cells compared to B6 mice were not or only partial improved in the BTBR-mtB6 strain. The BTBR and BTBR-mtB6 mice also had equivalent ETC (enhanced electron transport chain) activity of mitochondria, with an increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential compared to the B6 mice. The results suggest that the mitochondrial replacement with its metabolic alterations affect brain functions more than peripheral immune cell activities.

Constitutive activation of Notch signalling and T cell activation characterize a mouse model of autism.

Gene and protein expression of BTBR T+ Itpr3tf /J (BTBR) mice with autistic-like behaviours were compared with the C57BL/6J strain, which is considered to have normal immunity and behaviour. Notch signalling pathway was constitutively activated in the immune system and liver of BTBR T+ Itpr3tf /J (BTBR) mice. Notch ligand 4 (Dll4), Notch receptors (Notch1 Notch2 and Notch3) and recombination signal binding protein for immunoglobulin κ j region (RBPJ) were increased both at gene and protein levels in BTBR spleens and thymi. Notch downstream transcriptional factors, Tbx21, Gata3, Rorc and FoxP3 were increased in BTBR spleens, Gata3 and FoxP3 were increased in BTBR thymi and BTBR mice have a high blood CD4/CD8 T cell ratio. Reduced nucleotide excision repair ability in BTBR spleens was associated with increased 8-oxoguanine, Ogg1 inhibition, an enhanced level of apoptotic thymocytes and higher expression of GATA-3. Ogg1 inhibition and enhanced GATA-3 expression also were detected in BTBR brain. Notch signal promoted mitochondrial dynamics switching to enhanced fission with an increased number and mass of mitochondria in immune cells of BTBR mice, but not in livers and brains. Constitutive influences on mitochondria exist in this mouse model of autism spectrum disorder; similar outcomes from environmental exposures might occur perinatally in susceptible individuals to affect the development of autism.

Susceptibility to COVID-19 in populations with health disparities: Posited involvement of mitochondrial disorder, socioeconomic stress, and pollutants.

SARS-CoV-2 is a novel betacoronavirus that has caused the global health crisis known as COVID-19. The implications of mitochondrial dysfunction with COVID-19 are discussed as well as deregulated mitochondria and inter-organelle functions as a posited comorbidity enhancing detrimental outcomes. Many environmental chemicals (ECs) and endocrine-disrupting chemicals can do damage to mitochondria and cause mitochondrial dysfunction. During infection, SARS-CoV-2 via its binding target ACE2 and TMPRSS2 can disrupt mitochondrial function. Viral genomic RNA and structural proteins may also affect the normal function of the mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi apparatus. Drugs considered for treatment of COVID-19 should consider effects on organelles including mitochondria functions. Mitochondrial self-balance and clearance via mitophagy are important in SARS-CoV-2 infection, which indicate monitoring and protection of mitochondria against SARS-CoV-2 are important. Mitochondrial metabolomic analysis may provide new indicators of COVID-19 prognosis. A better understanding of the role of mitochondria during SARS-CoV-2 infection may help to improve intervention therapies and better protect mitochondrial disease patients from pathogens as well as people living with poor nutrition and elevated levels of socioeconomic stress and ECs.

Development, phenotypes of immune cells in BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J mice.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that is characterized by a lack of social interaction, decreased verbal and non-verbal communication skills, and stereotyped repetitive behavior. There is strong evidence that a dysregulated immune response may influence neurodevelopment and thus may have a role in the development of ASD. This study focuses on the characterization of immune cell phenotypes in the BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mouse strain, a widely used animal model for autism research. Our study demonstrated that BTBR mice have a different immune profile compared to C57BL/6J (B6) mice, which do not display ASD-like characteristics. Thymic cells of BTBR mice have more single positive (SP) CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and fewer double positive (DP) T cells than B6 mice. The development of T cells is increased in BTBR mice with regard to the double negative (DN4) population being much higher in BTBR mice. The spleens and blood of BTBR mice also have more T helper type 1 (Th1), T helper type 2 (Th2) and T regulatory (Treg) cells compared to B6 mice. Aire expression in the thymus and spleen of BTBR mice compared to B6 mice was equivalent and lower, respectively. The mature natural killer (NK) innate immune cell population in blood and spleen is lower in BTBR than B6 mice; NK cell development is blocked prior to the double positive (DN) CD11b+CD27+ stage in BTBR mice. Since BTBR mice have more CD4+ T cells and elevated numbers of Th1 (T-bet+) and Th2 (GATA3+) cells, their low defense against pathogen may be explained by the lower number of NK cells and the significantly lower Th1 to Th2 ratio. The elevated number of plasma cells and autoantibodies of BTBR mice may be due to less presence and function of splenic AIRE.

Immunity and autoantibodies of a mouse strain with autistic-like behavior.

Female and male mice of the BTBR T + Itpr3 tf /J (BTBR) strain have behaviors that resemble autism spectrum disorder. In comparison to C57BL/6 (B6) mice, BTBR mice have elevated humoral immunity, in that they have naturally high serum IgG levels and generate high levels of IgG antibodies, including autoantibodies to brain antigens. This study focused on the specificities of autoantibodies and the immune cells and their transcription factors that might be responsible for the autoantibodies. BTBR IgG autoantibodies bind to neurons better than microglia and with highest titer to nuclear antigens. Two of the antigens identified were alpha-enolase (ENO1) and dihydrolipoyllysine-residue succinyltransferase component of 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex, mitochondrial (DLST). Surprisingly based on IgG levels, the blood and spleens of BTBR mice have more CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, but fewer B cells than B6 mice. The high levels of autoantibodies in BTBR relates to their splenic T follicular helper (Tfh) cell levels, which likely are responsible for the higher number of plasma cells in BTBR mice than B6 mice. BTBR mice have increased gene expression of interleukin-21 receptor (I l -21 r) and Paired Box 5 (Pax5), which are known to aid B cell differentiation to plasma cells, and an increased Lysine Demethylase 6B (Kdm6b)/DNA Methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) ratio, which increases gene expression. Identification of gene expression and immune activities of BTBR mice may aid understanding of mechanisms associated with autism since neuroimmune network interactions have been posited and induction of autoantibodies may drive the neuroinflammation associated with autism.

Xanthohumol attenuates cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity through inhibiting NF-κB and activating Nrf2 signaling pathways.

Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent that widely used in the treatment of cancer. However, cisplatin has been reported to induce nephrotoxicity by directly inducing inflammatory response and oxidative stress. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effects and mechanism of xanthohumol on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. The model of nephrotoxicity was induced by intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin and xanthohumol was given intraperitoneally for three consecutive days. The results showed that xanthohumol significantly attenuated kidney histological changes and serum creatinine and BUN production. The levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 in kidney tissues were suppressed by xanthohumol. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and ROS were suppressed by treatment of xanthohumol. The activities of glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased by cisplatin were reversed by xanthohumol. Furthermore, the expression of TLR4 and the activation of NF-κB induced by cisplatin were significantly inhibited by xanthohumol. The expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 were dose-dependently up-regulated by the treatment of xanthohumol. In conclusion, xanthohumol protects against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by ameliorating inflammatory and oxidative responses.

Effects and mechanism of amyloid ß1-42 on mitochondria in astrocytes.

Amyloid ß (Aß)1-42 is strongly associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The effects of Aß1­42 on astrocytes remain largely unknown. The present study focused on the effects of Aß1­42 on U87 human glioblastoma cells as astrocytes for in vitro investigation and mouse brains for in vivo investigation. The mechanism and regulation of mitochondria and cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) were also investigated. As determined by MTT assays, low doses of Aß1­42 (<1 µM) marginally promoted astrocytosis compared with the 0 µM group within 24 h, however, after 48 h treatment these doses reduced cellular growth compared with the 0 µM group. Furthermore, Aß1­42 doses >5 µM inhibited the growth of U87 cells compared with the 0 µM group after 24 and 48 h treatment. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that astrocytosis was also observed in early stage AD mice compared with wild­type (WT) mice. In addition, concentrations of Aß1­42 were also significantly higher in early stage AD mice compared with WT mice, however, the levels were markedly lower compared with later stage AD mice, as determined by ELISA. In addition to increased levels of Aß1­42 in mice with later stage AD, reduced astrocyte staining was observed compared with WT mice. Western blotting indicated that the effect of Aß1­42 on U87 cell apoptosis may be regulated via Bcl­2 and caspase­3 located in mitochondria, whose functions, including adenosine triphosphate generation, electron transport chain and mitochondrial membrane potential, were inhibited by Aß1­42. During this process, the expression and activity of cytochrome P450 reductase was also downregulated. The current study provides novel insight into the effects of Aß1­42 on astrocytes and highlights a potential role for astrocytes in the protection against AD.

In vivo and in vitro studies on the roles of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease with an increasing morbidity rate. As one of the most important signaling pathways that responds to inflammation and degeneration, the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is active in the cortexes of AD mice. At the cellular level the same effect can be observed with p38 MAPK when induced by amyloid ß (Aß)1-42, a 42-residue Aß fragment. Inhibition of p38 MAPK in the present study protected SH-SY5Y cells from the toxicity of Aß1-42, and alleviated the formation of senile plaques and cognitive impairment in AD mice. The expression of cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) in the brains of mice with AD, in addition to Aß1-42-treated SH-SY5Y cells, also increased. However, the inhibition of CPR did not protect SH-SY5Y cells from the toxicity of Aß1-42. The results of the present study suggest that p38 MAPK is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of AD. In addition, the main enzyme that metabolizes drugs, CPR, could serve a more complex role in AD.

UBE2T knockdown inhibits gastric cancer progression.

Ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2 enzymes) such as UBE2T target proteins for degradation via the proteasome. Here, we examined the effects of UBE2T on the progression of gastric cancer. UBE2T was highly expressed in gastric tumors and gastric cancer cells. siRNA-mediated suppression of UBE2T inhibited gastric cancer cell proliferation and colony formation by promoting cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and increasing apoptosis. Suppression of UBE2T also attenuated the invasive and metastatic abilities of gastric cancer cells by altering expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related factors. A xenograft model in which nude mice were injected with UBE2T knockdown human gastric cancer cells confirmed that suppression of UBE2T also decreased tumor formation and growth in vivo. Expression levels of CCND1, Phospho-GSK3B, WNT family members, and MYC were all affected by UBE2T knockdown. These results suggest that UBE2T plays a critical role in gastric cancer, and that it may serve as a useful prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in gastric cancer patients.

Cryptotanshinone protects against adriamycin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiomyocytes.

CONTEXT: The serious side effect of Adriamycin (ADR) is cardiomyopathy. Cryptotanshinone (CRY) is widely and safely used as antioxidant with MTD more than 5 mg/g in rats (p.o). OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to study the protection effects of CRY against ADR-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiomyocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The chemical administration lasted for 20 days with an effective dose of CRY (p.o.) at 50 mg/kg in rats. Mitochondrial respiratory chain complex activities, ATP generation, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), superoxide anion free radical, oxidative stress-relative enzymes, and mitochondrial biogenesis-relative factors in normal control, ADR (i.p., 1.25 mg/kg), and ADR (i.p., 1.25 mg/kg) + CYP (p.o., 50 mg/kg) groups were detected. RESULTS: 50 mg/kg CRY significantly promoted the energy production of ATP (16.99 ± 2.38 nmol/g Pro) (Pro: Protein) by increasing the complexes activities except II (p > 0.05). After the treatment of CRY, the suppressed MMP was increased while superoxide anion free radical (0.57 ± 0.07/mg Pro) was inhibited markedly. Mitochondrial biogenesis-relative factors PGC-1α, NRF-1, and TFAM were also promoted. Remarkable augmentations of NO, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and increased activity of GSH-PX (p < 0.05) were also detected after the treatment of CRY, while no obvious changes on the activity of nitric oxide synthase (cNOS; p > 0.05) were observed. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These results suggest that CRY protects against ADR-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiomyocytes. It could be an ideal potential drug of cardioprotection.

Cryptotanshinone inhibits lung tumorigenesis and induces apoptosis in cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Cryptotanshinone is one of the compounds extracted from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. Unlike other tanshinones, only a small number of studies have focused on cryptotanshinone for medical treatment. In the present study, the A549 lung cancer cell line and xenograft models of human lung tumors were used to assess the anti-cancer effect of cryptotanshinone. The effect of cryptotanshinone on human lung cancer, including growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis factors, were identified in vitro, and inhibition of tumor formation, improvement of body condition as well as pathological apoptotic effects were detected in vivo. These results suggested that cryptotanshinone is a potential drug for the treatment and prevention of human lung cancer.

[Surveillance and risk assessment system of schistosomiasis in Jiangsu Province. I. Distribution of surveillance site and effectiveness of the system].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the surveillance and risk assessment system of schistosomiasis in Jiangsu Province, so as to provide technical support for timely understanding of the risk of schistosomiasis transmission and implementation of targeted control measures. METHODS: The surveillance sites of schistosomiasis were assigned according to the epidemic status and endemic type of schistosomiasis as well as the characteristics of the water system, and the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum in humans and domestic animals, and snail status were investigated. In addition, the quality control of serum detection of S. japonicum infections was performed. The prevalence of human and animal S. japonicum infections, snail status and missing diagnosis of serum detection were analyzed and compared among regions. RESULTS: A total of 27 surveillance sites of schistosomiasis were set up in 26 counties of 10 cities, Jiangsu Province, including 14 sites in transmission-interrupted villages and 13 sites in transmission-controlled villages, and 15 sites in marshland and lake regions, 9 sites in plain regions with water network and 3 sites in mountainous region. In the 27 surveillance sites, a total of 16 617 residents were screened for S. japonicum infection by using dipstick dye immunoassay (DDIA), and 326 were sero-positive, with a sero-prevalence of 1.96% (2.17% for men and 1.8% for women). Of the 326 individuals undergoing parasitological examination, 2 positive cases were detected in the marshland and lake region, with a S. japonicum human prevalence of 0.01%. Of the 762 floating population detected, 10 were positive for blood test, with a sero-prevalence of 1.31%, and no egg-positive individuals were detected. No infection was found in the 476 domestic animals. Of the 746 settings surveyed, a total of 240.7 hm2 snail area was detected, with a mean snail density of 0.06 snails/0.1 m2, and no infected snails were found. There were 780 quality-control sera detected in 26 surveillance sites of schistosomiasis, and the gross coincidence rate was 95.13%, with misdiagnosis rate of 1.28% and missing diagnosis rate of 19.23%. CONCLUSION: The surveillance sites of schistosomiasis show reasonable distribution in Jiangsu Province, and the endemic situation of schistosomiasis appears a low level in the whole province.

Effects of salidroside on glioma formation and growth inhibition together with improvement of tumor microenvironment.

OBJECTIVE: To test the effects of salidroside on formation and growth of glioma together with tumor microenvironment. METHODS: Salidroside extracted from Rhodiola rosea was purified and treated on human glioma cells U251 at the concentration of 20 µg/mL. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-dephenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay for cytotoxicity and flow cytometry (FCM) for cell cycle analysis were performed. Then for in vivo study, xenotransplantation tumor model in nude mice was generated and treated with salidroside at the concentration of 50 mg/kg(.)d for totally 20 d. Body weight and tumor size were detected every 2 d after the treatment. The levels of 8-isoprostane, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA), special markers for oxidative stress, were detected while immunofluoresence staining was performed for astrocyte detection. RESULTS: For in vitro study, salidroside could decrease the viability of human glioma cells U251 and the growth of U251 cells at G0/G1 checkpoint during the cell cycle. For in vivo study, salidroside could also inhibit the growth of human glioma tissue in nude mice. The body weight of these nude mice treated with salidroside did not decrease as quickly as control group. In the tumor xenotransplantation nude mice model, mice were found of inhibition of oxidative stress by detection of biomarkers. Furthermore, overgrowth of astrocytes due to the stimulation of oxidative stress in the cortex of brain was inhibited after the treatment of salidroside. CONCLUSIONS: Salidroside could inhibit the formation and growth of glioma both in vivo and in vitro and improve the tumor microenvironment via inhibition of oxidative stress and astrocytes.

The role of renal proximal tubule P450 enzymes in chloroform-induced nephrotoxicity: utility of renal specific P450 reductase knockout mouse models.

The kidney is a primary target for numerous toxic compounds. Cytochrome P450 enzymes (P450) are responsible for the metabolic activation of various chemical compounds, and in the kidney are predominantly expressed in proximal tubules. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that renal proximal tubular P450s are critical for nephrotoxicity caused by chemicals such as chloroform. We developed two new mouse models, one having proximal tubule-specific deletion of the cytochrome P450 reductase (Cpr) gene (the enzyme required for all microsomal P450 activities), designated proximal tubule-Cpr-null (PTCN), and the other having proximal tubule-specific rescue of CPR activity with the global suppression of CPR activity in all extra-proximal tubular tissues, designated extra-proximal tubule-Cpr-low (XPT-CL). The PTCN, XPT-CL, Cpr-low (CL), and wild-type (WT) mice were treated with a single oral dose of chloroform at 200mg/kg. Blood, liver and kidney samples were obtained at 24h after the treatment. Renal toxicity was assessed by measuring BUN and creatinine levels, and by pathological examination. The blood and tissue levels of chloroform were determined. The severity of toxicity was less in PTCN and CL mice, compared with that of WT and XPT-CL mice. There were no significant differences in chloroform levels in the blood, liver, or kidney, between PTCN and WT mice, or between XPT-CL and CL mice. These findings indicate that local P450-dependent activities play an important role in the nephrotoxicity induced by chloroform. Our results also demonstrate the usefulness of these novel mouse models for studies of chemical-induced kidney toxicity.

Suppression of cytochrome P450 reductase expression promotes astrocytosis in subventricular zone of adult mice.

The aim of this study was to determine the role of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) and CPR-dependent enzymes in neural stem cell (NSC) genesis in the brain. A mouse model with globally suppressed Cpr gene expression (Cpr-low mouse) was studied for this purpose. Cpr-low and wild-type (WT) mice were compared immunohistochemically for the expression of markers of cell proliferation (Ki67), immature neurons (doublecortin, DCX), oligodendrocytes (oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2, OLIG2), and astrocytes (glial fibrillary acidic protein, GFAP) in the SVZ, and for the in vitro capability of their SVZ cells to form neurospheres and differentiate into astrocytes. We found that the abundance of SVZ cells that are positive for Ki67 or GFAP expression, but not the abundance of SVZ cells that are positive for DCX and OLIG2 expression, was significantly increased in Cpr-low mice, at various ages, compared with WT mice. Furthermore, extents of astrocyte differentiation and growth, but not neurosphere formation, from SVZ cells of the Cpr-low mice were significantly increased, compared with WT mice. These results suggest that CPR and CPR-dependent enzymes play a role in suppressing astrocytosis in the SVZ of adult mice.

[Establishment and application of quality control system for detection of schistosomiasis in Jiangsu Province I ability of serological detection among county-level personnel].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ability for serological screening of schistosomiasis among county-level personnel, so as to provide the evidence for establishing the quality control system of field detection of schistosomiasis. METHODS: The standard serum panel was prepared for the quality assessment of schistosomiasis diagnostic capability, and detected by county-level personnel in the endemic field simultaneously using single-blind method. The rates of coincidence, misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis were calculated compared with the standard results. RESULTS: Totally 780 samples of standard serum were detected in 26 counties, and showed 134 positive and 646 negative samples. The rates of coincidence, misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis were 95.13%, 1.28% and 19.23%, respectively, and there was a significant difference between the detection results and the standard results (chi2 = 11.6053, P = 0.0007). Among the 26 counties investigated, the misdiagnosis occurred in 5 counties (19.23%) and missed diagnosis occurred in 21 counties (80.77%). The misdiagnosis rate and missed diagnosis rate of serological screening of schistosomiasis were 0-2.08% and 16.67%-33.33% in beach, hilly, water net and marshland endemic areas, respectively, and no significant differences were found in the misdiagnosis rate and the missed diagnosis rate among various types of endemic areas (chi2 = 1.590 and 1.757, P = 0.6671 and 0.6244). The rates of misdiagnosis and the missed diagnosis were 1.14% and 1.39%, and 18.18% and 20.00% in the schistosomiasis transmission-controlled and the schistosomiasis transmission-interrupted areas, respectively, and no significant differences were found in the misdiagnosis rate and missed diagnosis rate between the schistosomiasis transmission-controlled and transmission-interrupted areas (chi2 = 0.008 and 0.001, P = 0.931 and 0.974). CONCLUSIONS: The missed diagnosis is a major cause for the reduction of quality of schistosomiasis detection at the county level in Jiangsu Province, and the coincidental detection of schistosomiasis with standard serum in the field is one of effective approaches for the control of the quality of schistosomiasis detection.

[Optimization of time of artificial population schistosome infected Oncomelania hupensis snails].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the optimizational time of artificial population schistosome infected Oncomelania hupensis snails. METHODS: Under laboratory conditions, the snails were infected with the miracidia of Schistosoma japonicum for 2 h, 3 h and 4 h respectively, and the death rates and the infection rates of the snails, and the quantities of cercariae of each group were observed 60-120 d after the infection, and all the data observed were analyzed to get the optimizational time of artificial population schistosome infected snails. RESULTS: Of the 3 h group, the snail infection rate was the highest and the mortality was the lowest among the 3 groups (P<0.05). The average number of cercariae of the 3 h group was higher than that of the 2 h group (P<0.05), while there was no statistical difference between the 3 h group and the 4h group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Under laboratory conditions, the optimizational time is 3 h in artificial population schistosome infected O. hupensis snails.