Contribution to global implementation of WHO guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis by learning successful experiences from the national schistosomiasis control program in China / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease that seriously hinders socioeconomic developments and threatens public health security. To achieve the global elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem by 2030, WHO released the guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis on February, 2022, with aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for schistosomiasis morbidity control, elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem, and ultimate interruption of schistosomiasis transmission in disease-endemic countries. Following concerted efforts for decades, great achievements have been obtained for schistosomiasis control in China where the disease was historically highly prevalent, and the country is moving towards schistosomiasis elimination. This article reviews the successful experiences from the national schistosmiasis control program in China, and summarizes their contributions to the formulation and implementation of the WHO guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis. With the progress of the "Belt and Road" initiative, the world is looking forward to more China's solutions on schistosomiasis control.

Analysis of the new WHO guideline to accelerate the progress towards elimination of schistosomiasis in China / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

On February 2022, WHO released the evidence-based guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis, with aims to guide the elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem in disease-endemic countries by 2030 and promote the interruption of schistosomiasis transmission across the world. Based on the One Health concept, six evidence-based recommendations were proposed in this guideline. This article aims to analyze the feasibility of key aspects of this guideline in Chinese national schistosomiasis control program and illustrate the significance to guide the future actions for Chinese national schistosomiasis control program. Currently, the One Health concept has been embodied in the Chinese national schistosomiasis control program. Based on this new WHO guideline, the following recommendations are proposed for the national schistosomiasis control program of China: (1) improving the systematic framework building, facilitating the agreement of the cross-sectoral consensus, and building a high-level leadership group; (2) optimizing the current human and livestock treatments in the national schistosomiasis control program of China; (3) developing highly sensitive and specific diagnostics and the framework for verifying elimination of schistosomiasis; (4) accelerating the progress towards elimination of schistosomiasis and other parasitic diseases through integrating the national control programs for other parasitic diseases.

Establishment of an indicator system for schistosomiasis transmission risk assessment after transmission interruption in Hubei Province based on the Delphi method / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To establish an indicator system for assessment of schistosomiasis transmission risk after transmission interruption in Hubei Province, so as to provide insights into the precise control of schistosomiasis. Methods The indicator system was preliminarily established based on data collection, literature review, expert interviews. Two rounds of expert consultation were performed. The indicator system was screened based on the importance, operability, sensitivity and comprehensive score of the indicators, and the weights of each indicator were calculated. The credibility of the Delphi method was evaluated by calculating the active coefficient of the experts, degree of expert authority and coordination levels of experts’ opinions. Results An indicator system for assessment of schistosomiasis transmission risk was preliminarily established, including 3 primary indicators, 12 secondary indicators and 44 tertiary indicators. A Delphi consultation was performed among 17 experts participating in schistosomiasis control, management and research. Following two rounds of consultation, a risk assessment indicator system was finally constructed, including 3 primary indicators, 10 secondary indicators and 35 tertiary indicators. Among the primary indicators, the variable with the highest normalized weight was the current status of schistosomiasis (0.420 2), followed by social factors (0.397 3) and natural environments (0.182 5). Among the secondary indicators, those with high combined weights included risk monitoring (0.142 3), current snail status (0.140 1), and current prevalence of human and livestock infections (0.137 8). Among the tertiary indicators, those with high combined weights included the positive rate of wild feces (0.049 8), the prevalence of snail infections (0.047 4), and the area of snail habitats submerged by floods (0.046 8). During the two-round consultation, the active coefficients of the experts were 85.00% and 100.00%, the degree of expert authority was both 0.75 and greater, and the coordination levels of experts’ opinions were 0.405 to 0.521 and 0.592 to 0.695 (all P values < 0.05). Conclusion An indicator system for assessment of schistosomiasis transmission risk is successfully established after transmission interruption in Hubei Province based on the Delphi method, which provides insights into the identification of the schistosomiasis transmission risk and the targets for schistosomiasis control in Hubei Province.

Expert consensus on the strategy and measures to interrupt the transmission of schistosomiasis in China / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Since 2015 when the transmission of schistosomiasis was controlled in China, the country has been moving towards elimination of schistosomiasis, with the surveillance-response as the main interventions for schistosomiasis control. During the period of the 13th Five-Year Plan, the transmission of schistosomiasis had been interrupted in four provinces of Sichuan, Jiangsu, Yunnan and Hubei and the prevalence of schistosomiasis has been at the historically lowest level in China. As a consequence, the goal set in The 13th Five-Year National Schistosomiasis Control Program in China is almost achieved. However, there are multiple challenges during the stage moving towards elimination of schistosomiasis in China, including the widespread distribution of intermediate host snails and complicated snail habitats, many types of sources of Schistosoma japonicum infections and difficulty in management of bovines and sheep, unmet requirements for the current schistosomiasis control program with the currently available tools, and vulnerable control achievements. During the 14th Five-Year period, it is crucial to consolidate the schistosomiasis control achievements and gradually solve the above difficulties, and critical to provide the basis for achieving the ultimate goal of elimination of schistosomiasis in China. Based on the past experiences from the national schistosomiasis control program and the challenges for schistosomiasis elimination in China, an expert consensus has been reached pertaining to the objectives, control strategy and measures for The 14th Five-Year National Schistosomiasis Control Program in China, so as to provide insights in to the development of The 14th Five-Year National Schistosomiasis Control Program in China.

Endemic situation of schistosomiasis in national surveillance sites of Hubei Province from 2015 to 2019 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

ObjectiveTo analyze the changing tendency in the endemic situation of schistosomiasis in the national surveillance sites of Hubei Province, so as to provide the scientific evidence for facilitating the progress towards the elimination of schistosomiasis in the province. Methods According to the National Schistosomiasis Surveillance Scheme (2014 version), a total of 65 national schistosomiasis surveillance sites were assigned in Hubei Province, and the Schistosoma japonicum infections in humans, domestic animals, snails and wild feces were monitored in these national surveillance sites from 2015 to 2019. All data pertaining to the surveillance results were descriptively analyzed. Results There were 151 159 person-time local residents and 70 928 person-time mobile populations screened for S. japonicum infections in the 65 national surveillance sites of Hubei Province from 2015 to 2019, and the seroprevalance of S. japonicum infections reduced from 3.45% (1 077/31 197) in 2015 to 1.57% (431/27 371) in 2019 among local residents and from 1.06% (98/9 249) in 2015 to 0.81% (116/14 318) in 2019 among mobile populations. During the period from 2015 through 2019, there were 22 egg-positive local residents and 2 egg-positive mobile populations identified in 2015, with 0.07% and 0.02% prevalence rates of S. japonicum infections, respectively. During the 5-year period, a total of 7 025 herd-time domestic animals examined for S. japonicum infections, with no infections detected, and a total of 2 035 wild feces were tested, with no egg-positives identified in the 65 national surveillance sites of Hubei Province. Snail survey was conducted covering 28 767.35 hm2 during the 5-year period, and the area of snail habitats ranged from 1 609.82 to 2 119.81 hm2. The mean density of living snails and occurrence of frames with snails reduced from 0.360 5 snails/0.1 m2 and 11.26% in 2015 to 0.175 9 snails/0.1 m2 and 8.43% in 2019, respectively, and no S. japonicum infection was found in snails during the 5-year period. In addition, no snails were found in the potential schistosomiasis transmission foci in the two national surveillance sites in the Three Gorges Dam. Conclusions The overall endemic situation of schistosomiasis appears a tendency towards a decline in Hubei Province during the period from 2015 through 2019; however, the schistosomiasis transmission risk remains. Improving the surveillance system of schistosomiasis and increasing the sensitivity and performance of the surveillance system are required to provide insights into the implementation of precision control strategy and interventions in Hubei Province.

Fetal malnutrition assessment program / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the application of ponderal index (PI), body mass index (BMI), mid-arm circumference/head circumference (MAC/HC), and Clinical Assessment of Nutritional Status (CANS) score in assessing the nutritional status of neonates at birth, and to find a simple and reliable scheme for the assessment of fetal nutritional status.@*METHODS@#PI, BMI, MAC/HC, and CANS were used to assess the nutritional status of full-term infants and preterm infants shortly after birth. The assessment results of these methods were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Among the 678 full-term infants, 61, 102, 47, and 131 were diagnosed with malnutrition by PI, BMI, MAC/HC, and CANS respectively. Among the 140 preterm infants, 30, 87, 9, and 112 were diagnosed with malnutrition by PI, BMI, MAC/HC, and CANS respectively. The combination of BMI and CANS had a detection rate of 99.3% in full-term infants and 100% in preterm infants. Compared with the single method, the combination significantly improved the detection rate of malnutrition (@*CONCLUSIONS@#The combination of BMI+CANS can reduce the rate of missed diagnosis of fetal malnutrition. It is therefore a simple and reliable method for the assessment of fetal malnutrition.

[Administrative village-based spatial distribution specificity of Oncomelania hupensis and its relationship with water systems in Hubei Province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the spatial distribution of Oncomelania hupensis snail habitats at the administrative village scale in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Hubei Province, so as to provide scientific bases for precise control of O. hupensis snails in the province. METHODS: Data regarding snail distribution at the village level in Hubei Province in 2017 were collected to create a spatial analysis database of snail distribution in Hubei Province. The spatial aggregations of O. hupensis distribution were analyzed using Moran's I index and Local Moran's I index. In addition, the distances from schistosomiasis-endemic villages to the Yangtze River were captured using the software ArcGIS 13.0, and their correlations with area of snail habitats were examined with the Spearman correlation method. RESULTS: O. hupensis snails were mainly distributed in 5 450 endemic villages from 63 counties of 13 cities in Hubei Province in 2017. The global spatial autocorrelation analysis showed spatial aggregations in the areas of historically accumulated snail habitats, current areas of snail habitats, areas of snail habitats outside the embankment and snail habitats inside the embankment (all Z Scores > 0, all P values < 0.05), and no spatial aggregation was seen in the areas of snail habitats in hilly areas (Z Score > 0, P > 0.05). There were four types of spatial distribution of historically accumulated areas of snail habitats, areas of current snail habitats, areas of snail habitats outside the embankment and snail habitats inside the embankment, including the high-high type (H-H type), high-low type (H-L type), low-high type (L-H type) and random distribution type, and a high percentage of the H-H type was found. There were 340, 125 and 110 endemic villages with the H-H type of areas of historically accumulated snail habitats, current areas of snail habitats and areas of snail habitats outside the embankment, and these villages were mainly concentrated in Wuhan and Jingzhou cities, with almost consistent spatial aggregation locations. There were 319 endemic villages with the H-H type of distribution of snail habitats inside the embankment, which were mainly distributed in Jingzhou, Xiaogan and Huangshi cities. In addition, the areas of historically accumulated snail habitats, current areas of snail habitats and areas of snail habitats outside the embankment negatively correlated with the distance from the endemic villages to the Yangtze River (r = -0.094, P < 0.01; r = -0.225, P < 0.01; r = -0.177, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The clustering areas of snail habitats along the Yangtze River Basin, notably the villages near the Yangtze River are key regions for snail monitoring and control in Hubei Province.

[Final evaluation of health education on prevention and control of schistosomiasis in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2015].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the health education effect of schistosomiasis in Hubei Province after implementing of the Outline of National Mid-Long-Term Plan for Schistosomiasis Prevention and Control (2004-2015). METHODS: Based on questionnaires and datum review, the data of health education for integrated prevention and control of schistosomiasis in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2015 were collected to evaluate the effect of health education. RESULTS: A total of 16 662 499 schistosomiasis health education publicity materials were distributed, 28 712 times of media propaganda were conducted, 174 506 warning signs were established, 185 985 promotional slogans were issued, 1 212 810 pieces of personal protective equipment were distributed, 9 248 village officer training courses were organized, and 5 569 school teacher training courses in primary and secondary schools were conducted in 63 counties (cities, districts) of 13 cities in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2015. A total of 4 815 people were surveyed in 3 counties in 2015. The awareness rate of schistosomiasis control knowledge was 91.62%, and the correct rates of beliefs and attitudes were 89.54% and 96.91% respectively. The overall rate of correct behavior of the population was 91.91%. The related indicators, such as schistosomiasis infection rate, acute infection cases, and others, declined year by year over the same period. CONCLUSIONS: The schistosomiasis health education in Hubei Province has obvious effects on enhancing the knowledge and attitudes of schistosomiasis control in populations and promoting the formation of correct schistosomiasis control behavior among residents. It has played an active role and is an important mean in comprehensive prevention and control of schistosomiasis.

Administrative village-based spatial distribution specificity of Oncomelania hupensis and its relationship with water systems in Hubei Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the spatial distribution of Oncomelania hupensis snail habitats at the administrative village scale in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Hubei Province, so as to provide scientific bases for precise control of O. hupensis snails in the province. Methods Data regarding snail distribution at the village level in Hubei Province in 2017 were collected to create a spatial analysis database of snail distribution in Hubei Province. The spatial aggregations of O. hupensis distribution were analyzed using Moran’s I index and Local Moran’s I index. In addition, the distances from schistosomiasis-endemic villages to the Yangtze River were captured using the software ArcGIS 13.0, and their correlations with area of snail habitats were examined with the Spearman correlation method. Results O. hupensis snails were mainly distributed in 5 450 endemic villages from 63 counties of 13 cities in Hubei Province in 2017. The global spatial autocorrelation analysis showed spatial aggregations in the areas of historically accumulated snail habitats, current areas of snail habitats, areas of snail habitats outside the embankment and snail habitats inside the embankment (all Z Scores > 0, all P values < 0.05), and no spatial aggregation was seen in the areas of snail habitats in hilly areas (Z Score > 0, P > 0.05). There were four types of spatial distribution of historically accumulated areas of snail habitats, areas of current snail habitats, areas of snail habitats outside the embankment and snail habitats inside the embankment, including the high-high type (H-H type), high-low type (H-L type), low-high type (L-H type) and random distribution type, and a high percentage of the H-H type was found. There were 340, 125 and 110 endemic villages with the H-H type of areas of historically accumulated snail habitats, current areas of snail habitats and areas of snail habitats outside the embankment, and these villages were mainly concentrated in Wuhan and Jingzhou cities, with almost consistent spatial aggregation locations. There were 319 endemic villages with the H-H type of distribution of snail habitats inside the embankment, which were mainly distributed in Jingzhou, Xiaogan and Huangshi cities. In addition, the areas of historically accumulated snail habitats, current areas of snail habitats and areas of snail habitats outside the embankment negatively correlated with the distance from the endemic villages to the Yangtze River (r = −0.094, P < 0.01; r = −0.225, P < 0.01; r = −0.177, P < 0.01). Conclusion The clustering areas of snail habitats along the Yangtze River Basin, notably the villages near the Yangtze River are key regions for snail monitoring and control in Hubei Province.

Final evaluation of health education on prevention and control of schistosomiasis in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2015 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the health education effect of schistosomiasis in Hubei Province after implementing of the Outline of National Mid-Long-Term Plan for Schistosomiasis Prevention and Control (2004–2015). Methods Based on questionnaires and datum review, the data of health education for integrated prevention and control of schistosomiasis in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2015 were collected to evaluate the effect of health education. Results A total of 16 662 499 schistosomiasis health education publicity materials were distributed, 28 712 times of media propaganda were conducted, 174 506 warning signs were established, 185 985 promotional slogans were issued, 1 212 810 pieces of personal protective equipment were distributed, 9 248 village officer training courses were organized, and 5 569 school teacher training courses in primary and secondary schools were conducted in 63 counties (cities, districts) of 13 cities in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2015. A total of 4 815 people were surveyed in 3 counties in 2015. The awareness rate of schistosomiasis control knowledge was 91.62%, and the correct rates of beliefs and attitudes were 89.54% and 96.91% respectively. The overall rate of correct behavior of the population was 91.91%. The related indicators, such as schistosomiasis infection rate, acute infection cases, and others, declined year by year over the same period. Conclusions The schistosomiasis health education in Hubei Province has obvious effects on enhancing the knowledge and attitudes of schistosomiasis control in populations and promoting the formation of correct schistosomiasis control behavior among residents. It has played an active role and is an important mean in comprehensive prevention and control of schistosomiasis.

Final evaluation of health education on prevention and control of schistosomiasis in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2015 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the health education effect of schistosomiasis in Hubei Province after implementing of the Outline of National Mid-Long-Term Plan for Schistosomiasis Prevention and Control (2004–2015). Methods Based on questionnaires and datum review, the data of health education for integrated prevention and control of schistosomiasis in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2015 were collected to evaluate the effect of health education. Results A total of 16 662 499 schistosomiasis health education publicity materials were distributed, 28 712 times of media propaganda were conducted, 174 506 warning signs were established, 185 985 promotional slogans were issued, 1 212 810 pieces of personal protective equipment were distributed, 9 248 village officer training courses were organized, and 5 569 school teacher training courses in primary and secondary schools were conducted in 63 counties (cities, districts) of 13 cities in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2015. A total of 4 815 people were surveyed in 3 counties in 2015. The awareness rate of schistosomiasis control knowledge was 91.62%, and the correct rates of beliefs and attitudes were 89.54% and 96.91% respectively. The overall rate of correct behavior of the population was 91.91%. The related indicators, such as schistosomiasis infection rate, acute infection cases, and others, declined year by year over the same period. Conclusions The schistosomiasis health education in Hubei Province has obvious effects on enhancing the knowledge and attitudes of schistosomiasis control in populations and promoting the formation of correct schistosomiasis control behavior among residents. It has played an active role and is an important mean in comprehensive prevention and control of schistosomiasis.

The mechanism of cordycepin in inhibition of pancreatic cancer stem cells proliferation and metastasis / 药学学报

To investigate the effects of cordycepin on proliferation and invasion of pancreatic cancer stem cells (Pan CSC) and its mechanisms, MTT assay was used to investigate the effect of cordycepin on proliferation of Pan CSC. Inverted microscope was used to observe the morphologic change of cells. Propidium iodide staining methods was employed to observe the cell apoptosis. Cell scratch method was used to detect the ability of migration of Pan CSC in each group. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to determine the expression of apoptosis gene and epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMT) gene. The growth of Pan CSC was inhibited by cordycepin in a dose-and time-dependent manner, with IC50 107.364 and 48.472 μmol·L-1 at 24 and 48 h, respectively. Moreover, the cell migration was inhibited at the same time. RT-PCR and Western blot results showed that cordycepin decreased the expression of Bcl-2 and activated pro-apoptotic gene levels such as Bax,p53, caspase-3. Furthermore, cordycepin reduced the expression of EMT genes by up-regulation of E-cadherin and down-regulation of N-cadherin. Cordycepin has the ability to inhibit Pan CSC proliferation and invasion by activating p53 pathway as well as suppressing the EMT. This study provides a new basis for inhibition of pancreatic cancer stem cells in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

[Establishment of surveillance and forecast platform of schistosomiasis in key water regions in Hubei Province].

OBJECTIVE: To establish an expression platform of surveillance and forecast for schistosomiasis in key water regions of Hubei Province. METHODS: The platform of surveillance and forecast for schistosomiasis was established based on Google Earth, GIS Office software, network albums and network video stations. The results of the field surveillance and laboratory testing, and figures and videos were inputted into the established platform, and an information management file was set up to express the information of forecasting. RESULTS: The operation and expression platform based on Google Earth in key water regions of Hubei Province was successfully established. It was able to provide the forecasting data timely, to achieve off-site and real-time query and sharing. CONCLUSIONS: The platform based on Google Earth has preferable prospective on field application in Hubei Province.

[Application of CroelDRAW software in drawing sketch map of schistosomiasis control].

OBJECTIVE: To improve the information level of schistosomiasis control by using the related functions of CorelDRAW software. METHODS: Combining with the requirement of schistosomiasis control, the sketch map was drawn according to the linear element drawing, the geometric drawing, the color rendering and the text adding. RESULTS: The schistosomiasis epidemic sketch map and the Oncomelania hupensis snail distribution sketch map at all levels were produced in CorelDRAW software. CONCLUSIONS: The sketch map drawing in CorelDRAW software is beautiful and standardizing, and it can improve the level of information management.

[Analysis of Oncomelania hupensis snail situation in schistosomiasis surveillance sites in Hubei Province from 2009 to 2014].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the Oncomelania hupensis snail situation in schistosomiasis surveillance sites in Hubei Province from 2009 to 2014. METHODS: From 2009 to 2014, 207 schistosomiasis endemic villages from 13 cities were selected as the surveillance sites in Hubei Province, where the surveillance of snail situation was performed, and the data about the indexes of snail situation during the 6 years were collected and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: From 2009 to 2014, totally 80 963.47 hm2 of snail areas were investigated, and 45 309.77 hm2 of area with snails as well as 364.93 hm2 of area with infected snails were found out, and 1 646 125 snails were captured. In the 207 surveillance sites, the density of living snails was reduced from 0.493 3 snail/0.1 m2 in 2009 to 0.339 3 snail/0.1 m2 in 2014, with a decline rate of 31.22%; the density of infected snails was reduced from 0.000 7 snail/0.1 m2 in 2009 to 0 in 2014; the infection rate of snails was reduced from 0.14% in 2009 to 0 in 2014. The infection rates of snails in the third-rank villages, endemic areas in inner embankment, ditch environment and weed environment were relatively higher. CONCLUSIONS: The snail situation of Hubei Province has been declined steadily. However, the environment of snail breeding has not been changed completely. In order to consolidate the control achievements further, the measures including mollusciciding and snail control projects should be strengthened.

[Evaluation of transmission control of schistosomiasis in 19 counties (cities, districts) of Hubei Province in 2013].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the schistosomiasis transmission control in 19 counties (cities, districts) of Hubei Province in 2013. METHODS: The epidemic villages from different counties were randomly sampled by the cluster sampling method as the evaluation villages. The schistosome infection status of human and livestock, the Oncomelania hupensis snail status, the documents and data of schistosomiasis control, acute infection control and health education were investigated in the field. RESULTS: The serum examination of schistosome infection was performed to 29 631 residents, and 2 068 were positive, with a positive rate of 6.98% (0.78% -16.47%). The stool examination was performed to 2 021 sero-positive persons, and 47 cases were stool-positive, with an infection rate of 0.16% (0 - 0.82%). The cattle was the main domestic animals in 19 counties (cities, districts), and the measures of replacing cattle with machine for cultivation were done in 17 counties (cities, districts). Totally 105 cattle in Caidian District and Huangpi District received stool examinations and no positives were detected. A total of 1 579.37 hm2 and 31 829 frames in 154 environments were surveyed, and 4 857 snails were collected. Of the 1 935 living snails dissected, no infected snails were detected. The files regarding the schistosomiasis morbidity and snail status have been established in 19 counties (cities, districts) since 2009. CONCLUSIONS: The transmission of schistosomiasis in 19 counties (cities, districts) of Hubei Province has reached the standard of transmission controlled.

[Epidemiological investigation on confirmed cases of schistosomiasis in Hubei Province].

OBJECTIVE: To grasp the distribution and epidemiology of confirmed cases of schistosomiasis in Hubei Province, so as to provide the evidence for promoting the prevention and control work. METHODS: The confirmed cases of schistosomiasis in Hubei Province from 2010 to 2014 were epidemiologically investigated, and the prevalence characteristics and main influencing factors were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 10 102 confirmed cases from 2010 to 2014 were surveyed. There were 1 062 local infected patients, accounting for 10.51% and including 354 repeated infections and 17 newly infected. There were 290 foreigninfected patients, accounting for 2.87%, with 206 repeated infection cases and 84 newly infected. There were 8 750 historical patients, including 2 229 patients who leaked the former schistosomiasis investigations, accounting for 22.06%; 570 patients missed treatment, accounting for 5.64%; 3 640 patients were treated with non-standard therapy, accounting for 36.03%; 2 311 patients were treated with poor medication efficacy, accounting for 22.88%. The multivariate non-conditional Logistic regression, targeting at confirmed cases in 2014, showed that, for the leaking investigations, the potential risk factors included the age, educational level, and latrine renovation (b＞0, OR＞1), the protective factors were the times of previous treatment, cattle feeding in villager team, and Oncomelania hupensis snails in surroundings (b＜0, OR＜1); for the treatment-missing, the age, educational level, snails in the surroundings of residence were risk factors (b＜0, OR＜1); for the substandard treatment, the risk factors included the occupation and snails in the surroundings of residence (b＞0, OR＞1), and the educational level and snails in the own field were protective factors (b＜0, OR＜1). CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiological investigation on the confirmed cases of schistosomiasis could grasp the epidemic factors so as to improve the management and carry out the scientific control.

[Surveillance of schistosomiasis in Hubei Province in 2014].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the surveillance results of schistosomiasis and understand the transmission situation in Hubei Province in 2014. METHODS: According to the Scheme of Schistosomiasis Surveillance in Hubei Province (the 2009 edition), 207 endemic sites were selected, where the schistosome infections of residents and livestock, and the distribution of Oncomelania hupensis snails were investigated. RESULTS: In the 207 sites, there were 27 sites without positive results of the blood tests and 129 sites without positive results of the stool tests. The infection rates of residents and cattle were 0.17% and 0, respectively. The density of living snails was 0.339 3 snails/0.1m2, the rate of living snails was 10.12%, and the infection rate of snails was 0. The infection rate of residents in the inner embankment type was 0.22%, higher than the rates in the other types. In different age groups, the infection rate in the 50-59 years age group was higher than the rates in other age groups. The infection rates of residents in farmer and fisherman were higher than those in the other occupation groups. The infection rate of floating people was 0, and no acute schistosomiasis patients were found. CONCLUSIONS: The endemic situation of schistosomiasis has decreased obviously in Hubei Province, and the whole province has achieved the criteria for transmission control of schistosomiasis.

Impact of cigarette smoking on human sperm DNA integrity / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the influence of cigarette smoking on human sperm DNA integrity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally, 784 cases of male infertility were selected from our case database and grouped according to whether they were smokers or nonsmokers, how much they smoked (< or = 10, 11-19 and > or = 20 cigarettes/d) and how long they smoked (< or = 5, 6-9 and > or = 10 yr). Sperm DNA integrity was measured using sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) and flow cytometry. DNA fragmentation and immature spermatozoa were expressed by the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and high DNA stainability (HDS) respectively. Conventional sperm parameters and sperm DNA integrity were compared among different groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total semen volume and percentage of grade a + b sperm were lower and the sperm morphological abnormality was higher in the > or = 20 cigarettes/d and > or = 10 yr groups than in the others (P < 0.05). DFI and HDS were significantly higher in the smokers than in the nonsmokers (P < 0.05). HDS was negatively correlated with the percentage of grade a + b sperm (r = -0.18, P < 0.05) and both DFI and HDS were positively correlated with the rate of sperm malformation (r = 0.31 and r = 0.39, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Smoking more than 20 cigarettes a day or longer than 10 years has deleterious effects on the semen volume, percentage of grade a + b sperm and sperm morphology of the smokers. Cigarette smoking decreases sperm DNA integrity and nuclear maturation.</p>

Study on the risk factors of schistosomiasis transmission and control strategy in the Three Gorges Reservoir Areas / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand the risk factors of schistosomiasis transmission in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA) and to provide evidence for the development of control strategy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Approaches including epidemiology, immunology and field survey were applied to investigate the potential risk factors which would involve the importation of infectious resources live mobile and migrant population, and livestock in the reservoir area. Meanwhile, observation on survival and reproductive status of snail under simulation habitats was also carried out, using ecological methods on snails. Strategy in preventing the spread of snail as infectious resources was also provided.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>175 mobile people from schistosomaisis endemic area of were tested and one person showed immunology tests positive with indirect hemagglutination test (IHA) and circumoral precipitin test (COPT), with a positive rate of 0.57%. Through the two-year period under observation, data showed that the snails with ribbon/smooth shells could survive and reproduce under habitats of simulation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Once the infectious resource of schistosomiasis was introduced into the TGRA, the area became a new schistosomiasis epidemic area in TGRA which called for countermeasures to be taken.</p>