ABSTRACT
To evaluate the implementation of Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563—2017) in schistosomiasis-endemic foci, two schistosomiasis-endemic counties were selected from two provinces of Sichuan and Anhui. Professional staff working in province-, city-, county- and township-level disease control and prevention institutions, parasitic disease control institutions or medical institutions were recruited, and the understanding, use and implementation of Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563—2017) were investigated using questionnaires and interviews. The awareness, use, proportion of propagation and implementation and correct rate of answering questions pertaining to Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563—2017) were analyzed. A total of 270 questionnaires were allocated, and 269 were recovered, including 254 valid questionnaires. The overall awareness of Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563—2017) was 84.64% (215/254), and propagation and implementation of Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563—2017) was not performed in 23.28% (17/73) of the survey institutions following implementation of Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563—2017), with meeting training and allocation of propagation materials as the main type of propagation and implementation. Among 254 respondents, 77.16% (196/254) were familiar with the standard, 66.14% (168/254) understood the conditions for use of the standard during snail surveys, and 96.85% (246/254) had the approach for identifying snails. In addition, there were 41.73% (106/254), 50.78% (129/254) and 7.48% (19/254) of respondents that considered the operability of Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563—2017) was very good, good and general, respectively. The findings demonstrate that the issue and implementation of Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563—2017) has filled the gap for the standardization of snail control techniques, and which plays an importang guiding role in the national schistosomiasis control program.
ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of newly reported advanced schistosomiasis cases in Sichuan Province, so as to provide the evidence for analyzing the causes and formulating targeted control measures of newly reported advanced schistosomiasis cases. Methods Individual case investigation forms for advanced schistosomiasis cases were collected from the Sichuan Provincial Epidemic Annual Report System from 2011 to 2022, and patients’ demographics, previous medical history and liver parenchymal grading were retrieved. All advanced schistosomiasis cases’ medical records were reviewed, and the subtypes of schistosomiasis-endemic villages where the cases’ household registration were, floating population, survival and death and time of death were collected. Results A total of 321 newly reported advanced schistosomiasis cases were found in Sichuan Province from 2011 to 2022, with a male to female ratio of 0.99 to 1. There were 274 cases at ages of over 50 years (85.4%), with the highest proportion seen at ages of 60 to 69 years (87 cases, 27.1%), and splenomegaly was the most common type (180 cases, 56.1%), with no dwarfism type detected. The highest number of cases was reported in 2011 (78 cases), followed by in 2022 (74 cases), and the highest number of cases were reported in Meishan City (199 cases, 62.0%), Dongpo District (131 cases, 40.8%), and hilly subtype areas (136 cases, 42.4%). As of the end of 2022, there were 111 deaths due to advanced schistosomiasis, with the highest number of deaths seen in 2018 (25 deaths), and the highest mortality was seen among patients with the ascites type (41.2%). There were 47 (37.3%), 40 (59.5%) and 4 (23.5%) cases with grade III liver parenchyma among patients with splenomegaly, ascites, and colonic proliferation types, respectively, and there was a significant difference in the grading of III liver parenchyma among three types of patients (H = 12.092, P < 0.05), with more severe liver parenchyma injuries seen among patients with the ascites type than among those with splenomegaly and colonic proliferation type (Z = 24.262 and 44.738, both Padjusted values < 0.05). Conclusions There have been newly reported advanced schistosomiasis cases in Sichuan Province during recent years, and patients with the ascites type should be given a high priority among advanced schistosomiasis cases in Sichuan Province. Intensified clue surveys are needed for early identification and treatment of advanced schistosomiasis cases, so as to increase the survival rate and improve the quality of life.
ABSTRACT
An ambitious goal has been set for elimination of schistosomiasis in all endemic counties (districts) in Sichuan Province by 2023. To achieve this goal, and to continue to consolidate the control achievements, it is necessary to understand the current endemic status of schistosomiasis, identify the challenges and analyze the experiences and lessons from the schistosomiasis control program, and develop targeted control strategies and interventions in the province. This paper reviews the progress of schistosomiasis control in Sichuan Province since the 12th Five-Year Plan period, analyzes the challenges in the schistosomiasis elimination program, and proposes recommendations for future directions and priorities.
ABSTRACT
The lung is one of the most common sites for cancer metastasis. Collagens in the lung provide a permissive microenvironment that supports the colonization and outgrowth of disseminated tumor cells. Therefore, down-regulating the production of collagens may contribute to the inhibition of lung metastasis. It has been suggested that miR-29 exhibits effective anti-fibrotic activity by negatively regulating the expression of collagens. Indeed, our clinical lung tumor data shows that miR-29a-3p expression negatively correlates with collagen I expression in lung tumors and positively correlates with patients' outcomes. However, suitable carriers need to be selected to deliver this therapeutic miRNA to the lungs. In this study, we found that the chemotherapy drug cisplatin facilitated miR-29a-3p accumulation in the exosomes of lung tumor cells, and this type of exosomes exhibited a specific lung-targeting effect and promising collagen down-regulation. To scale up the preparation and simplify the delivery system, we designed a lung-targeting liposomal nanovesicle (by adjusting the molar ratio of DOTAP/cholesterol-miRNAs to 4:1) to carry miR-29a-3p and mimic the exosomes. This liposomal nanovesicle delivery system significantly down-regulated collagen I secretion by lung fibroblasts in vivo, thus alleviating the establishment of a pro-metastatic environment for circulating lung tumor cells.
ABSTRACT
Objective To understand the schistosomiasis control progress and endemic situation,so as to provide the evi?dence for formulating the strategy of schistosomiasis elimination in Sichuan Province. Methods The schistosomiasis history da?ta,working reports of schistosomiasis prevention and control,schistosomiasis surveillance data,and data of schistosomiasis pre?vention and control capacity were collected and analyzed for the schistosomiasis control progress and epidemic situation in Sich?uan Province from 2004 to 2015. Results There were 63 schistosomiasis endemic districts in 11 cities in Sichuan Province, and the standard of schistosomiasis transmission interruption was achieved in the whole province in 2015. Currently,the area with Oncomelania hupensis snails was 2 537.54 hm2,and there were 1 769 advanced schistosomiasis patients. From 2004 to 2015,the accumulated survey area with snails was 433 065.80 hm2,and the area of snail control by molluscicides was 251 259 hm2. There were 26.017 144 million person?times of schistosomiasis blood tests and 7.89 million person?times of chemotherapy. There were 1.276 117 million head?times of cattle that received the schistosomiasis examinations. The schistosomiasis patients and livestock and the area with snails were decreased year by year. Since 2010,there were no local schistosome?infected resi?dents and livestock and since 2004,there were no schistosome?infected snails. However,in some area,the professional person?nel were less,the technology and hardware lagged behind,and the schistosomiasis prevention and control capacity was weak. Conclusions Sichuan Province achieved the standard of schistosomiasis transmission interruption in 2015. In the future,the comprehensive schistosomiasis prevention and control strategy still should be strengthened,including the promotion of schistoso?miasis prevention and control capacity,establishment of sensitive early?warning surveillance system,and implementation of ac?curate schistosomiasis prevention and control,in order to consolidate the control achievements and realize the aim of schistoso?miasis elimination as soon as possible.
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Objective To establish an index system of the key factors of elimination of schistosomiasis. Methods A ques?tionnaire was designed based on the reference review,and 24 scientists working in the field of schistosomiasis control or re?search or management were investigated by using the Delphi method. The importance of each index reflecting the endemicity of schistosomiasis was scored by each scientist. The assessing system for key factors of eliminating schistosomiasis was established , and the normalized weight and combined weight were calculated. Results The assessing system included three indexes in the first grade,seven indexes in the second grade and thirteen indexes in the third grade. Among the indexes in the first grade,the normalized weights of endemicity,natural environment and social environment were 0.371 1,0.339 5,and 0.289 4,respective?ly. Among the indexes in the second grade,the economy showed the highest combined weight of 0.289 4 while the agriculture and sanitation both showed the lowest score of 0.112 7. Among the indexes in the third grade,the infection rate of animals showed the highest combined weight of 0.124 6 while the agriculture and plant structure both showed the lowest score of 0.053 0. Conclusion The indexes of the assessing system provide the scientific evidence for surveillance work when elimination of schis?tosomiasis.
ABSTRACT
Objective To understand the changes of schistosomiasis endemic situation in Sichuan Province,the upstream of Yangtze River basin,and the impact on schistosomiasis transmission in Three Gorges Reservoir area after the construction of Three Gorges Reservoir. Methods The annual reports of the schistosomiasis endemic situation in Sichuan Province from 2000-2012,the data of the schistosomiasis surveillance sites in Sichuan Province from 2001-2012,the data of the schistosomiasis sampling survey in Sichuan Province in 2001,and the relevant reference of Three Gorges Reservoir were collected. The schisto-somiasis prevalence in human and cattle,and Oncomelania hupensis snail status were investigated. The snail survey was imple-mented in Qianjin Village,Jianyang City,Sichuan Province,the nearest village to Three Gorges Reservoir Area. Results The schistosomiasis endemic situation presented a continuous declining state in Sichuan Province from 2000-2012,and reached the criteria of schistosomiasis transmission controlled in 2008. From 2012,65.07%of endemic counties reached the criteria of schis-tosomiasis transmission interrupted. From 2006,no schistosome infected snails were found. In Qianjin Village,1714 m2 environ-ments were surveyed and no snails were found. Conclusions The schistosomiasis endemic area and snail area are significantly reduced in Sichuan Province,the upstream of Yangtze River basin,after the construction of Three Gorges Reservoir. Therefore, the possibility of schistosomiasis endemic diffusing to Three Gorges Reservoir area is minimum.