Efficacy of implantable collamer lens V4c implantation in the treatment of high myopia / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To observe the effect of implantable collamer lens V4c(ICL V4c)implantation on high myopia, and the changes in anterior segment morphology.METHODS:A prospective study was conducted on 100 patients(200 eyes)with high myopia who were treated with ICL V4c implantation in the hospital from February 2018 to March 2021. The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), intraocular pressure, higher-order aberration, anterior segment morphology [iridocorneal angle(ICA), central anterior chamber depth(ACD), anterior chamber volume(ACV), central corneal thickness(CCT)and K-value(K)], photopic and scotopic contrast sensitivity before operation and 6 and 12mo after operation were comparatively analyzed.RESULTS:All patients were followed-up. UCVA and BCVA were significantly improved at 6 and 12mo after operation(P<0.05). Total higher-order aberration, horizontal coma and vertical coma showed no significant difference before and after operation(P>0.05). Spherical aberration, ICA, ACD and ACV at 6 and 12mo after operation were significantly smaller than those before operation(P<0.05). Under photopic state, the contrast sensitivity of 3.0 and 6.0 c/d was significantly higher at 6 and 12mo after operation when compared with that before operation(P<0.05). Under scotopic state, the contrast sensitivity of 6.0 c/d was significantly higher at 6 and 12mo after operation when compared with that before operation(P<0.05); there was no significant difference in CCT, K, or intraocular pressure before and after operation(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:Although ICA, ACD and ACV in patients with high myopia are reduced after ICL V4c implantation, the operation can effectively improve visual acuity and visual quality.

Reference values for carotid artery intima-media thickness among community adult dwellers in Shenzhen City / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective: To establish reference values for carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) of adult dwellers in Shenzhen City. Methods: The study was conducted based on the Shenzhen heart failure epidemiological survey from 2021 to 2022. In this survey, residents aged 18 years and above in Shenzhen were selected by using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method. General information, cardiovascular disease (CVD) related behavior and carotid ultrasound examination and etc. were collected from the participants. People with CVD factors, a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, carotid plaque or having no carotid ultrasound examination results were excluded. The parameter regression model based on fractional polynomial was used to establish the reference values of CIMT by age and sex. Results: A total of 2 163 healthy individuals were enrolled in the final analysis, including 576 males (26.6%) and 1 587 females (73.4%). The fractional polynomial regression of the CIMT mean and standard deviation was obtained. For men, the regression was meanCIMT=0.324 7+0.006 9×age and SDCIMT=0.076 9+0.001 2×age. For women, the regression was meanCIMT=0.354 9+0.005 4×age and SDCIMT=0.041 6+0.002 0×age. Conclusion: The age and sex reference values for CIMT of adult people in Shenzhen established in this study could provide the latest reference standards for early screening of subclinical CVD.

Prevalence of Echinococcus infection in small mammals captured from Shiqu County, Sichuan Province from 2015 to 2020 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the prevalence of Echinococcus infection in small mammals in Shiqu County, Sichuan Province from 2015 to 2020, so as to provide insights into echinococcosis control in Shiqu County. Methods One setting with frequent activity of small mammals was sampled as the survey site from each of 9 townships where human alveolar echinococcosis was hyperendemic, in Shiqu County, Sichuan Province from 2015 to 2020. Two quadrats measuring 50 m × 50 m were assigned in each survey site during the period between July and August from 2015 to 2020 to capture all small mammals in quadrats, and the species of small mammals were identified by morphological characteristics. All captured small mammals were dissected in the field and Echinococcus infection was identified by visual examinations. The affected organs of Echinococcus-infected small mammals were collected, and Echinococcus infection was detected using PCR assay, with Echinococcus species characterized. The prevalence of Echinococcus infection was calculated in small mammals, and the trends in the prevalence of Echinococcus infection were analyzed during the period from 2015 to 2020. In addition, the prevalence of Echinococcus infection was compared in small mammals using visual examinations and PCR assay. Results A total of 2 692 small mammals were captured in the survey sites of Shiqu County from 2015 to 2020, and morphology characterized 1 360 Microtus fuscus (50.52%) and 1 332 Plateau pika (49.48%). The prevalence rates of Echinococcus infection were 35.63%, 19.16%, 21.41%, 8.40%, 7.68% and 4.44% by visual examinations and 18.96%, 5.36%, 5.61%, 4.58%, 3.30% and 0.37% by PCR assay in small mammals in Shiqu County from 2015 to 2020, both showing a tendency towards a decline year by year (χ2 = 215.024 and 117.045, both P values < 0.001). The prevalence of Echinococcus infection was significantly higher in small mammals by visual examinations than by PCR assay during the period from 2015 to 2020 except in 2018 (χ2= 33.597, 21.815, 51.373, 17.268 and 9.537, all P values < 0.01). PCR assay detected a reduction in the prevalence of E. multilocularis infection from 10.21% to 0.37% and a reduction in the prevalence of E. shiquicus infection from 8.75% to 0 in small mammals in Shiqu County from 2015 to 2020, both appearing a tendency towards a decline year by year (χ2 = 117.045 and 43.436, both P values < 0.001). In addition, the prevalence of E. multilocularis and E. shiquicus infections reduced from 15.19% to 0.45% and from 8.23% to 0 in M. fuscus, and the prevalence of E. multilocularis and E. shiquicus infections reduced from 7.76% to 0 and from 9.01% to 0 in P. pika in Shiqu County from 2015 to 2020. Conclusions M. fuscus and P. pika were dominant species of small mammals in Shiqu County, Sichuan Province from 2015 to 2020, and E. multilocularis infection was mainly found in M. fuscus and E. shiquicus infection mainly found in P. pika. The prevalence of Echinococcus infection appeared a tendency towards a decline in both M. fuscus and P. pika year by year during the period from 2015 to 2020.

Prevalence of Echinococcus infections in wild carnivores based on copro - DNA tests in Serthar County of Sichuan Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the prevalence of Echinococcus infections in wild carnivores in Serthar County, Sichuan Province, so as to provide insights into echinococcosis control in local areas. Methods Stool samples were collected from wild carnivores in Serthar County, Sichuan Province in May 2021, and the host sources of stool samples and Echinococcus infections were identified using PCR assays. The prevalence of E. multilocularis, E. granulosus and E. shiquicus infections was estimated in different hosts. Results A total of 583 stool samples were collected from wild carnivores, including 147 stool samples from fox, 154 from wolf, 227 from wild dogs and 11 from lynx. The overall prevalence of E. multilocularis, E. granulosus and E. shiquicus infections was 5.68%, 0.19% and 14.20% in canine stool samples, and no E. granulosus infection was detected in fox stool samples, while the prevalence of E. multilocularis and E. shiquicus infections was 0.68% and 47.62% in fox stool samples (χ2 = 88.41, P < 0.001). No E. granulosus or E. shiquicus infection was detected in wolf stool samples, and the prevalence of E. multilocularis infection was 10.39% in wolf stool samples. The prevalence of E. multilocularis, E. granulosus and E. shiquicus infections was 5.73%, 0.44% and 2.20% in canine stool samples (χ2 = 12.13, P < 0.01). In addition, the prevalence of E. multilocularis infections was significantly higher in wolf stool samples than in canine and fox stool samples (χ2 = 13.23, P < 0.01), and the prevalence of E. shiquicus infections was significantly higher in fox stool samples than in canine and wolf stool samples (χ2 = 187.01, P < 0.001). No Echinococcus infection was identified in 11 lynx stool samples. Conclusions The prevalence of Echinococcus infections is high in wild canines in Serthar County, Sichuan Province. Wolf, wild dog and fox all participate in the wild life cycle of E. multilocularis in Serthar County, and wolf and wild dogs may play a more important role.

Emergency responses to schistosomiasis outbreak during the stage moving towards elimination in China / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Currently, the national schistosomiasis control program of China is moving from transmission control and transmission interruption to elimination; however, there is still a threat of schistosomiasis outbreak in area where the transmission of schistosomiasis has not been interrupted, and in areas where transmission interruption and even elimination have been achieved because of the complex factors relating to schistosomiasis transmission, as well as socioeconomic factors and natural environments, which greatly affects the consolidation of schistosomiasis control outcomes and the achievement of the goal of schistosomiasis elimination in the country. Here, we summarized the outbreaks of schistosomiasis in China during the past six decades, evaluated the impact of schistosomiasis outbreak on the national schistosomiasis control program and proposed management of schistosomiasis outbreak and prevention of schistosomiasis resurgence as the key point and difficulty for schistosomiasis control in the current stage. Improving the surveillance-response mechanisms and minimizing the development of schistosomiasis outbreak and the resultant damages and losses are recommended to provide technical supports for elimination of schistosomiasis in China.

The dual mTORC1/2 inhibitor AZD2014 inhibits acute graft rejection in a rat liver transplantation model / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the inhibitory effect of AZD2014, a dual mTORC1/2 inhibitor, against acute graft rejection in a rat model of allogeneic liver transplantation.@*METHODS@#Liver transplantation from Lewis rat to recipient BN rat (a donor-recipient combination that was prone to induce acute graft rejection) was performed using Kamada's two-cuff technique. The recipient BN rats were randomized into 2 groups for treatment with daily intraperitoneal injection of AZD2014 (5 mg/kg, n=4) or vehicle (2.5 mL/kg, n=4) for 14 consecutive days, starting from the first day after the transplantation. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBIL) levels of the rats were measured 3 days before and at 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 days after the transplantation, and the survival time of the rats within 14 days were recorded. Immunohistochemical staining was used to examine the expressions of CD3 and Foxp3 in the liver graft, and acute graft rejection was assessed using HE staining based on the Banff schema.@*RESULTS@#Three rats in the control group died within 14 days after the surgery, while no death occurred in the AZD2014 group, demonstrating a significantly longer survival time of the rats in AZD2014 group (χ2=4.213, P=0.04). Serum ALT, AST and TBIL levels in the control group increased progressively after the surgery and were all significantly higher than those in AZD2014 group at the same time point (P < 0.05). Pathological examination revealed significantly worse liver graft rejection in the control group than in AZD2014 group based on assessment of the rejection index (P < 0.01); the rats in the control group showed more serious T lymphocyte infiltration and significantly fewer Treg cells in the liver graft than those in AZD2014 group (P < 0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#AZD2014 can effectively inhibit acute graft rejection in rats with allogeneic liver transplantation.

Analysis of the equity of health human resource allocation for echinococcosis control based on Gini index / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the current status and evaluate the equity of health human resource allocation for echinococcosis control in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, so as to provide the empirical evidence for optimizing the health human resource allocation for echinococcosis control.@*METHODS@#A questionnaire survey was performed to collect the numbers of health human sources for echinococcosis control, including health workers, healthcare professionals, certified/assistant physicians and registered nurses, per 1 000 permanent residents, per 1 000 m2, per 1 000 residents screened using Bmode ultrasonography and per 1 000 echinococcosis patients in two highly endemic counties and three lowly endemic counties in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province from 2016 to 2019. The equity of health human resource allocation for echinococcosis control was evaluated by permanent residents and geographical areas using Lorenz curve and Gini index in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture from 2016 to 2019.@*RESULTS@#The numbers of health workers, healthcare professionals, certified/assistant physicians and registered nurses per 1 000 permanent residents, per 1 000 permanent residents, per 1 000 m2, per 1 000 residents screened using B-mode ultrasonography and per 1 000 echinococcosis patients were 0.99-, 1.06-, 1.78- and 1.88-fold; 3.38-, 3.67-, 6.00- and 6.00-fold; 1.64-, 1.74-, 3.22- and 3.18-fold; and 64.92-, 70.39-, 139.34- and 117.44-fold more in lowly endemic counties than in highly endemic countries in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, 2019. The Gini indexes of health human resource allocation for echinococcosis control were 0.371 to 0.397 by permanent residents and 0.477 to 0.591 by geographical areas in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture from 2016 to 2019, and the Gini indexes (0.469 to 0.730) for allocation of certified/assistant physicians and registered nurses were both higher than those of health workers and healthcare professionals (0.302 to 0.451) by both permanent residents and geographical areas.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The health human resource allocation for echinococcosis control showed general equity by permanent residents and poor equity by geographical areas in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province from 2016 to 2019.

Epidemiology of echinococcosis in Serthar County of Sichuan Province in 2019 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the epidemiology of echinococcosis in Serthar County, Sichuan Province, so as to provide insights into optimization of echinococcosis control measures. Methods The prevalence of human echinococcosis was surveyed among permanent residents living in Serthar County at ages of over 2 years from 2016 to 2019, and the prevalence of Echinococcus infections was surveyed in owned dogs, yaks and rodents in 2019. The epidemiological features of echinococcosis in humans and animals were descriptively analyzed. Results The overall prevalence of human echinococcosis was 3.72% (1 613/43 362) in Serthar County from 2016 to 2019, and the prevalence rates of cystic echinococcosis, alveolar echinococcosis and mixed infections of cystic echinococcosis and alveolar echinococcosis were 1.72% (745/43 362), 1.98% (860/43 362) and 0.02% (8/43 362), respectively. The prevalence of human echinococcosis was higher in pastoral areas (4.13%, 1 577/38 149) than in semi-agricultural and semi-pastoral areas (0.69%, 36/5 213) (χ2 = 151.82, P < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference in the prevalence between men (3.76%, 819/21 787) and women (3.68%, 794/21 575) (χ2 = 0.19, P > 0.05). Cystic echinococcosis was the predominant type in students with echinococcosis (93.78%, 422/450), while alveolar echinococcosis was the predominant type in herders with echinococcosis (72.16%, 801/1 110). There was a significant difference in the constituent ratio of echinococcosis types between students and herders (χ2 = 588.57, P < 0.05). In addition, higher prevalence of echinococcosis was detected in nomadic populations (4.58%, 1 008/22 021) than in community-dwelling populations (2.83%, 605/21 341) (χ2 = 91.88, P < 0.05). The Echinococcus copro-antigen-positive rate was 0.19% (4/2 157) in owned dogs, and the detection rate of echinococcosis was 8.00% (16/200) in yaks and 3.10% (31/1 000) in rodents in 2019. Conclusions Echinococcosis is highly prevalent in Serthar County, Sichuan Province. Sustained management of source of Echinococcus infections, improved treatment of echinococcosis patients and timely health education for nomadic populations are recommended.

Histone deacetylase 3 promotes innate antiviral immunity through deacetylation of TBK1

TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), a core kinase of antiviral pathways, activates the production of interferons (IFNs). It has been reported that deacetylation activates TBK1; however, the precise mechanism still remains to be uncovered. We show here that during the early stage of viral infection, the acetylation of TBK1 was increased, and the acetylation of TBK1 at Lys241 enhanced the recruitment of IRF3 to TBK1. HDAC3 directly deacetylated TBK1 at Lys241 and Lys692, which resulted in the activation of TBK1. Deacetylation at Lys241 and Lys692 was critical for the kinase activity and dimerization of TBK1 respectively. Using knockout cell lines and transgenic mice, we confirmed that a HDAC3 null mutant exhibited enhanced susceptibility to viral challenge via impaired production of type I IFNs. Furthermore, activated TBK1 phosphorylated HDAC3, which promoted the deacetylation activity of HDAC3 and formed a feedback loop. In this study, we illustrated the roles the acetylated and deacetylated forms of TBK1 play in antiviral innate responses and clarified the post-translational modulations involved in the interaction between TBK1 and HDAC3.

Impact of obese levels on the hepatic expression of nuclear receptors and drug-metabolizing enzymes in adult and offspring mice

The prevalence of obesity-associated conditions raises new challenges in clinical medication. Although altered expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) has been shown in obesity, the impacts of obese levels (overweight, obesity, and severe obesity) on the expression of DMEs have not been elucidated. Especially, limited information is available on whether parental obese levels affect ontogenic expression of DMEs in children. Here, a high-fat diet (HFD) and three feeding durations were used to mimic different obese levels in C57BL/6 mice. The hepatic expression of five nuclear receptors (NRs) and nine DMEs was examined. In general, a trend of induced expression of NRs and DMEs (except for and ) was observed in HFD groups compared to low-fat diet (LFD) groups. Differential effects of HFD on the hepatic expression of DMEs were found in adult mice at different obese levels. Family-based dietary style of an HFD altered the ontogenic expression of DMEs in the offspring older than 15 days. Furthermore, obese levels of parental mice affected the hepatic expression of DMEs in offspring. Overall, the results indicate that obese levels affected expression of the DMEs in adult individuals and that of their children. Drug dosage might need to be optimized based on the obese levels.

Development of precision medicine approaches based on inter-individual variability of BCRP/

Precision medicine is a rapidly-developing modality of medicine in human healthcare. Based on each patient׳s unique characteristics, more accurate dosages and drug selection can be made to achieve better therapeutic efficacy and less adverse reactions in precision medicine. A patient׳s individual parameters that affect drug transporter action can be used to develop a precision medicine guidance, due to the fact that therapeutic efficacy and adverse reactions of drugs can both be affected by expression and function of drug transporters on the cell membrane surface. The purpose of this review is to summarize unique characteristics of human breast cancer resistant protein (BCRP) and the genetic variability in the BCRP encoded gene in the development of precision medicine. Inter-individual variability of BCRP/ can impact choices and outcomes of drug treatment for several diseases, including cancer chemotherapy. Several factors have been implicated in expression and function of BCRP, including genetic, epigenetic, physiologic, pathologic, and environmental factors. Understanding the roles of these factors in controlling expression and function of BCRP is critical for the development of precision medicine based on BCRP-mediated drug transport.

Risk factors of human cystic echinococcosis in Shiqu County Sichuan Province: a case-control study / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To identify the main risk factors of human cystic echinococcosis in Shiqu County, Sichuan Province, so as to provide the reference for the formulation of echinococcosis control strategies in Shiqu County. Methods During the period from November 2015 through June 2017, the patients with cystic echinococcosis (case group) and healthy controls (control group) were randomly sampled from Shiqu County as the study subjects. A questionnaire survey was conducted to capture the study subjects’age, gender, ethnicity, occupation, religion, lifestyle, education level, number of household dogs, bovine and sheep, and density of dog feces in the courtyard. The major risk factors of human cystic echinococcosis were identified using a logistic regression model. Results Univariate logistic regression analysis showed 7 risk factors with statistical significance between the case and control groups, and age, lifestyle, number of household bovine, number of household sheep, number of house-hold dogs, and the density of dog feces in the courtyard were included in the multivariate logistic regression model (OR = 1.026, 4.792, 1.067, 1.022, 1.709 and 1.095, respectively). Conclusion High age, pastoral nomadic lifestyle, high number of house-hold bovine, high number of household sheep, high number of household dogs and high density of dog feces in the courtyard are strongly associated with the riks of human cystic echinococcosis in Shiqu County.

Spatial and temporal distribution of newly diagnosed echinococcosis patients in Sichuan Province from 2007 to 2017 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To explore the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of cases with newly diagnosed echinococcosis in Sichuan Province from 2007 to 2017, so as to provide reference for the formulation of echinococcosis prevention and control strategies and for the identification of key areas. Methods The spatial distribution maps of detection of cases with newly diagnosed echinococcosis were plotted in Sichuan Province from 2007 to 2017, and the spatial distribution characteristics and epidemic trends were analyzed. Results From 2007 to 2017, the detection rate of cases with newly diagnosed echinococcosis appeared a decline in Sichuan Province year by year, and the areas with a high detection rate of cases with newly diagnosed echinococcosis were mainly located in western, northwestern and northern parts of Sichuan Province, while the areas with a low detection rate were predominantly found in the southern and eastern parts of the province. The global Moran’s I values were 0.19, 0.22, 0.17, 0.44, 0.48, 0.31 and 0.16 for the detection rate of cases with newly diagnosed echinococcosis in Sichuan Province from 2010 to 2016 (all Z scores > 1.96, all P values < 0.05), suggesting spatial aggregation distribution during this period. Local spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed that the“high-high”areas and“low-low”areas for the detection rate of cases with newly diagnosed echinococcosis all showed an aggregation tendency. Conclusions The detection rate of cases with newly diagnosed echinococcosis decreases in Sichuan Province from 2007 to 2017 year by year, and shows a spatial aggregation. The echinococcosis control activities should be intensified in Shiqu, Seda, Dege, Ganzi and Baiyu counties.

Impact of earthquake disaster on schistosomiasis transmission and emergency prevention and control in Sichuan Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Earthquake is a serious natural disaster. The earthquake that occurs in schistosomiasis-endemic areas not only causes direct human and economic losses, but also induces secondary disasters that greatly threaten public health safety in affected areas. This paper analyzed the impact of the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake and 2013 Lushan Earthquake on schistosomiasis transmission in Sichuan Province, and proposed emergency measures and assessment activitiesresponding to schistosomiasis following earthquake disasters. The experiences from schistosomiasis control after two earthquake disasters in Sichuan Province may provide insights into the emergency control in other regions or after other natural disasters.

Investigation on current schistosomiasis cases in Sichuan Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To understand the status of current schistosomiasis patients after the interruption of schistosomiasis transmission in Sichuan Province, so as to provide the reference for the development of specific rescue and treatment schemes and the implementation of dynamic management of the patients. Methods The information of registered schistosomiasis patients in disease control and prevention institutions and medical institutions were reviewed in all schistosomiasis-endemic counties (districts) across Sichuan Province in 2018, and the data of all newly discovered schistosomiasis patients were collected and analyzed. Results A total of 1 558 current schistosomiasis cases were diagnosed in 11 endemic cities (prefectures) across Sichuan Province, and all were advanced cases. Megalosplenia and ascites were the predominant types of advanced schistosomiasis cases, and no age- (χ2 = 16.723, P > 0.05) or gender-specific difference (χ2 = 2.493, P > 0.05) was seen in the clinical types of current schistosomiasis cases. There were 9.3% of current schistosomiasis patients from poor households. There was a tendency towards a decline in the number of advanced schistosomiasis cases since 2012, and the number of schistosomiasis cases in 2018 reduced by 17.8% as compared to that in 2012. Conclusions Currently, all current schistosomiasis patients are advanced cases in Sichuan Province. In the future, multidisciplinary collaboration should be implemented to search for a feasible financial subsidy pattern and establish an effective care system for advanced schistosomiasis patients.

Investigation on current distribution of Oncomelania snails in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Sichuan Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To understand the current distribution of Oncomelania snails in Sichuan Province, so as to provide scientific evidence for formulating the schistosomiasis elimination strategy and implementing the precision schistosomiasis control measures in the province. Methods According to the National Scheme on Oncomelania hupensis Snails in China and the Scheme on Oncomelania hupensis Snails in Sichuan Province, snail surveys were performed in current snail habitats, historical snail habitats and suspected snail habitats using systematic sampling in Sichuan Province from 2016 to 2017, and the survey results were analyzed. Results From 2016 to 2017, a total of 88 346 settings were surveyed in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Sichuan Province, and 19 314 settings were detected with snails, covering an area of 4 829.25 hm2, with no Schistosoma japonicum infection identified in snails. A total of 3 017 915 frames were investigated in Sichuan Province, and 1 041 417 frames were found to have living snails, with totally 1 791 115 living snails captured. The mean density of living snails was 0.59 snails/0.1 m2, and the mean percentage of frames with living snails was 34.51% in Sichuan Province. The current snail habitats were mainly distributed in 1 704 villages, 377 townships, 54 counties (districts) of 9 cities (prefectures) across the schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Sichuan Province. Snail habitats were mainly found in ditches (70.22%), and weeds were the predominant vegetation in snail habitats (66.45%). Snails were firstly discovered in Sichuan Province in 1913, and S. japonicum-infected snails were firstly identified in 1956, with the latest identification of S. japonicum-infected snails in 2008. Conclusion There are many settings suitable for snail breeding in Sichuan Province, and snail monitoring and control should be intensified in the future.

Application and effect of integrated control model of schistosomiasis interruption in mountainous and hilly endemic regions / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To explore the integrated schistosomiasis control model in mountainous and hilly endemic regions, so as to provide insights into the development of the schistosomiasis elimination strategy. Methods Five hilly and mountainous areas endemic for schistosomiasis were selected as the integrated control demonstration areas in Sichuan Province from 2011 to 2015. According to the epidemic characteristics, economic levels and overall development planning of the demonstration areas, the goals, strategies and measures were developed, and the effectiveness of schistosomiasis control was evaluated following implementation of the integrated control. Results The support system of the integrated schistosomiasis control model was built in the integrated control demonstration areas in Sichuan Province from 2011 to 2015, and five ecological, industrialized and sustainable development models of integrated schistosomiasis control were developed, including integration of balancing rural and urban development, systematic ecological improvement, intensified ecological agriculture, scientific management and health education of schistosomiasis control and ecological ethnic circular economy. Since the implementation of the integrated schistosomiasis control model, the snail habitats were completely changed. Until 2015, 92.0% of all historical areas with snails were managed, the coverage of safe drinking water was 100.0%, and more than 95.0% of the livestock were fenced. The coverage of sanitary toilets increased by 93.0%, 96.8%, 78.8%, 87.1% and 82.0% from 2011 to 2015, respectively, and the farmers’mean yearly income increased by 32.7% in the demonstration areas. From 2011 to 2015, the seroprevalence of human Schistosoma japonicum infections reduced from 3.1% in 2011 to 1.6% in 2015 in the demonstration areas, and no egg-positives were identified. In addition, the number of fenced bovines reduced year by year, and no egg-positives were detected. The areas of snail habitats were 398.7, 108.2 hm2 and 52.9 hm2 in the demonstration areas from 2011 to 2013, with no infected snails found, and no snails were detected since 2014. The awareness of schistosomiasis control knowledge and percentage of correct behavior formation increased year by year among residents in the demonstration areas from 2011 to 2015. Conclusions The five integrated schistosomiasis control models meet the needs of the current schistosomiasis control activities in mountainous and hilly endemic areas of Sichuan Province, and achieve the goals of controlling the sources of S. japonicum infections, economic development, social progress and improving the ecological environment, which provides new insights into schistosomiasis elimination in the country.

Development and model of health education and health promotion for schistosomiasis control in mountainous and hilly endemic areas / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Transmission control and interruption of schistosomiasis has been gradually achieved in the mountainous and hilly endemic areas with the implementation of the schistosomiasis control programmes, which are moving towards the progress of schistosomiasis elimination. As an important measure of schistosomiasis control, health education is experiencing new challenges and problems in the new situation, and conventional health education of schistosomiasis control has already failed to meet the needs of socioeconomic and cultural development and the increasing changes of human production and life styles in the endemic areas. Therefore, a precision health education model for schistosomiasis control is of great need to be established to highly effectively promote the implementation of schistosomiasis control measures. This review summarizes the important role of health education in schistosomiasis control in mountainous and hilly endemic areas, and describes the new health education model based on optimization of the policy environment and creation of the community atmosphere according to the changes in the endemic situation of schistosomiasis and requirements of the schistosomiasis control target, so as to promote the precision and sustainable implementation of health education and health promotion in schistosomiasis control.

Main challenges and strategy of schistosomiasis control in mountainous and hilly regions of China / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

This review describes the epidemic characteristics and endemic situation of schistosomiasis in mountainous and hilly regions of China, analyzes the main challenges of schistosomiasis control in mountainous and hilly regions and proposes targeted suggestions for the future schistosomiasis control, with aims to accelerate the progress towards schistosomiasis elimination in mountainous and hilly regions and facilitate the achievement of the goal set in The Thirteenth Five-Year National Plan for Schistosomiasis Control in China and The Three-year Tough Action Plan for Endemic Diseases Control (2018–2020) in China.

Risk factors of human cystic echinococcosis in Shiqu County Sichuan Province: a case-control study / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To identify the main risk factors of human cystic echinococcosis in Shiqu County, Sichuan Province, so as to provide the reference for the formulation of echinococcosis control strategies in Shiqu County. Methods During the period from November 2015 through June 2017, the patients with cystic echinococcosis (case group) and healthy controls (control group) were randomly sampled from Shiqu County as the study subjects. A questionnaire survey was conducted to capture the study subjects’age, gender, ethnicity, occupation, religion, lifestyle, education level, number of household dogs, bovine and sheep, and density of dog feces in the courtyard. The major risk factors of human cystic echinococcosis were identified using a logistic regression model. Results Univariate logistic regression analysis showed 7 risk factors with statistical significance between the case and control groups, and age, lifestyle, number of household bovine, number of household sheep, number of house-hold dogs, and the density of dog feces in the courtyard were included in the multivariate logistic regression model (OR = 1.026, 4.792, 1.067, 1.022, 1.709 and 1.095, respectively). Conclusion High age, pastoral nomadic lifestyle, high number of house-hold bovine, high number of household sheep, high number of household dogs and high density of dog feces in the courtyard are strongly associated with the riks of human cystic echinococcosis in Shiqu County.