Dihydromyricetin Alleviates H9C2 Cell Apoptosis and Autophagy by Regulating CircHIPK3 Expression and PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of dihydromyricetin (Dmy) on H9C2 cell proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy.@*METHODS@#H9C2 cells were randomly divided into 7 groups, namely control, model, EV (empty pCDH-CMV-MCS-EF1-CopGFP-T2A-Puro vector), IV (circHIPK3 interference), Dmy (50 µ mol/L), Dmy+IV, and Dmy+EV groups. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by cell counting kit-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectivley. Western blot was used to evaluate the levels of light chain 3 II/I (LC3II/I), phospho-phosphoinositide 3-kinase (p-PI3K), protein kinase B (p-AKT), and phospho-mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR). The level of circHIPK3 was determined using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Electron microscopy was used to observe autophagosomes in H9C2 cells.@*RESULTS@#Compared to H9C2 cells, the expression of circHIPK in H9C2 hypoxia model cells increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the cell apoptosis and autophagosomes increased, cell proliferation rate decreased significantly, and the expression of LC3 II/I significantly increased (all P<0.05). Compared to the model group, the rate of apoptosis and autophagosomes in IV, Dmy, and Dmy+IV group decreased, the cell proliferation rate increased, and the expression of LC3 II/I decreased significantly (all P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the expressions of p-PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR in the model group significantly reduced (P<0.05), whereas after treatment with Dmy and sh-circHIPK3, the above situation was reversed (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Dmy plays a protective role in H9C2 cells by inhibiting circHIPK expression and cell apoptosis and autophagy, and the mechanism may be related to PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Regulatory effect of mild moxibustion on P2X3 receptors in spinal cord, anterior cingulate cortex and thalamic ventral posterolateral nucleus of rats with IBS visceral hyperalgesia / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of mild moxibustion on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) visceral hyperalgesiamodel rats and its regulatory effect on P2X3 receptors in the spinal cord, anterior cingutate cortex (ACC) and thalamic ventral posterolateral nucleus (VPL). Methods: Thirty 8-day-old newborn rats were randomly divided into a normal group (n=6) and a modeling group (n=24) according to the completely random number table method. Rats in the normal group were bred routinely, and those in the modeling group were subjected to preparing IBS chronic visceral hyperalgesia model using colorectal distention (CRD) in stimulation method. Rats successfully modelled were re-divided into a model group, a mild moxibustion group, a P2X3 receptor antagonist group, and a normal saline group according to the completely random number table method with 6 rats in each group. Rats in each group received corresponding interventions from the 37-day old, once a day for 7 consecutive days. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot assays were used to detect P2X3 protein expressions in the spinal cord, ACC and VPL of rats. Results: Under different intensities of CRD stimulation, the abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scores of the model group were significantly increased versus the normal group (all P<0.05); the AWR scores of the mild moxibustion group and the P2X3 receptor antagonist group were significantly reduced versus the model group (all P<0.01). The P2X3 protein expressions in rat spinal cord, ACC and VPL tissues of the model group were significantly increased versus the normal group (all P<0.01); the P2X3 protein expressions in rat spinal cord, ACC and VPL tissues of the mild moxibustion group and the P2X3 receptor antagonist group were significantly reduced versus the model group (all P<0.01). Conclusion: Mild moxibustion can inhibit the P2X3 receptor expressions in the spinal cord, ACC, and VPL tissues of IBS visceral hyperalgesia model rats, which may be the mechanism of mild moxibustion in relieving the central sensitization of rats with IBS visceral hyperalgesia.

A novel nomogram provides improved accuracy for predicting biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Various prediction tools have been developed to predict biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP); however, few of the previous prediction tools used serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) nadir after RP and maximum tumor diameter (MTD) at the same time. In this study, a nomogram incorporating MTD and PSA nadir was developed to predict BCR-free survival (BCRFS).@*METHODS@#A total of 337 patients who underwent RP between January 2010 and March 2017 were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The maximum diameter of the index lesion was measured on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate independent predictors of BCR. A nomogram was subsequently developed for the prediction of BCRFS at 3 and 5 years after RP. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and decision curve analyses were performed to identify the advantage of the new nomogram in comparison with the cancer of the prostate risk assessment post-surgical (CAPRA-S) score.@*RESULTS@#A novel nomogram was developed to predict BCR by including PSA nadir, MTD, Gleason score, surgical margin (SM), and seminal vesicle invasion (SVI), considering these variables were significantly associated with BCR in both univariate and multivariate analyses (P < 0.05). In addition, a basic model including Gleason score, SM, and SVI was developed and used as a control to assess the incremental predictive power of the new model. The concordance index of our model was slightly higher than CAPRA-S model (0.76 vs. 0.70, P = 0.02) and it was significantly higher than that of the basic model (0.76 vs. 0.66, P = 0.001). Time-dependent ROC curve and decision curve analyses also demonstrated the advantages of the new nomogram.@*CONCLUSIONS@#PSA nadir after RP and MTD based on MRI before surgery are independent predictors of BCR. By incorporating PSA nadir and MTD into the conventional predictive model, our newly developed nomogram significantly improved the accuracy in predicting BCRFS after RP.

Impact of diagnostic ureteroscopy and biopsy on radical nephroureterectomy of upper tract urothelial carcinoma / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the impact of preoperative diagnostic ureteroscopy and biopsy (UB) on radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) and the prognosis of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).@*METHODS@#The clinical data of UTUC patients receiving RNU between Jan. 2007 and Dec. 2016 were retrospectively collected. The median follow up time was 40 months. The operation time and blood loss of RNU were compared between UB group and non-UB group. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to the time interval between UB and RNU, and surgery methods of lower ureter. The linear regression model was used to adjust for other common factors that impacted operation time.@*RESULTS@#A total of 163 UTUC patients were included in the final analysis. For the lower ureter, open ureterectomies were performed in 91 patients (55.9%), while retroperitoneal laparoscopic ureterectomies were performed in 72 patients (44.1%). A total of 110 (67.5%) patients received preoperative UB. Compared with non-UB group, the average operation time of UB group was significantly longer [(252.5±79.8) min vs. (221.3±79.8) min, P=0.019], but no difference of blood loss was found (median, 50 mL vs. 50 mL, P=0.143). In subgroup analysis, the average operation time of RNU was significantly prolonged when RNU was performed after 1 week of UB (P=0.023). Meanwhile, the median blood loss of RNU increased significantly when it was done after 2 weeks of UB compared with non-UB group (100 mL vs. 50 mL, P=0.012). UB was also significantly prolonged the operation time of RNU in retroperitoneal laparoscopic ureterectomy group (P=0.012). In multivariable analysis, UB (P=0.049), ≥pT3 (P=0.039), pN+ (P=0.018) and ureterectomy method (P=0.005) were independent risk factors of prolonged operation time. The 3-year cancer specific survival (CSS) rate was 87.2% in our cohort. UB had no significant impact on cancer specific survival (P=0.435).@*CONCLUSION@#UB was an independent risk factor of prolonged RNU time, but did not significantly influence cancer specific survival of upper tract urothelial carcinoma patients.

Application of machine learning models in predicting early stone-free rate after flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy for renal stones / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To establish predictive models based on random forest and XGBoost machine learning algorithm and to investigate their value in predicting early stone-free rate (SFR) after flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy (fURL) in patients with renal stones.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 201 patients with renal stones who underwent fURL were retrospectively investigated. According to the stone-free standard, the patients were divided into stone-free group (SF group) and stone-residual group (SR group). We compared a number of factors including patient age, body mass index (BMI), stone number, stone volume, stone density and hydronephrosis between the two groups. For low calyceal calculi, renal anatomic parameters including infundibular angle (IPA), infundibular width (IW), infundibular length (IL) and pelvic calyceal height (PCH), would be measured. We brought above potential predictive factors into random forest and XGBoost machine learning algorithm respectively to develop two predictive models. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) was established in order to test the predictive ability of the model. Clinical data of 71 patients were collected prospectively to validate the predictive models externally.@*RESULTS@#In this study, 201 fURL operations were successfully completed. The one-phase early SFR was 61.2%. We built two predictive models based on random forest and XGBoost machine learning algorithm. The predictive variables' importance scores were obtained. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) of the two predictive models for early stone clearance status prediction was 0.77. In the study, 71 test samples were used for external validation. The results showed that the total predictive accuracy, predictive specificity and predictive sensitivity of the random forest and XGBoost models were 75.7%, 82.6%, 60.0%, and 81.4%, 87.0%, 68.0%, respectively. The first four predictive variables in importance were stone volume, mean stone density, maximal stone density and BMI in both random forest and XGBoost predictive models.@*CONCLUSION@#The predictive models based on random forest and XGBoost machine learning algorithm can predict postoperative early stone status after fURL for renal stones accurately, which will facilitate preoperative evaluation and clinical decision-making. Stone volume, mean stone density, maximal stone density and BMI may be the important predictive factors affecting early SFR after fURL for renal stones.

Application of U-shaped convolutional neural network in auto segmentation and reconstruction of 3D prostate model in laparoscopic prostatectomy navigation / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the efficacy of intraoperative cognitive navigation on laparoscopic radical prostatectomy using 3D prostatic models created by U-shaped convolutional neural network (U-net) and reconstructed through Medical Image Interaction Tool Kit (MITK) platform.@*METHODS@#A total of 5 000 pieces of prostate cancer magnetic resonance (MR) imaging discovery sets with manual annotations were used to train a modified U-net, and a set of clinically demand-oriented, stable and efficient full convolutional neural network algorithm was constructed. The MR images were cropped and segmented automatically by using modified U-net, and the segmentation data were automatically reconstructed using MITK platform according to our own protocols. The modeling data were output as STL format, and the prostate models were simultaneously displayed on an android tablet during the operation to help achieving cognitive navigation.@*RESULTS@#Based on original U-net architecture, we established a modified U-net from a 201-case MR imaging training set. The network performance was tested and compared with human segmentations and other segmentation networks by using one certain testing data set. Auto segmentation of multi-structures (such as prostate, prostate tumors, seminal vesicles, rectus, neurovascular bundles and dorsal venous complex) were successfully achieved. Secondary automatic 3D reconstruction had been carried out through MITK platform. During the surgery, 3D models of prostatic area were simultaneously displayed on an android tablet, and the cognitive navigation was successfully achieved. Intra-operation organ visualization demonstrated the structural relationships among the key structures in great detail and the degree of tumor invasion was visualized directly.@*CONCLUSION@#The modified U-net was able to achieve automatic segmentations of important structures of prostate area. Secondary 3D model reconstruction and demonstration could provide intraoperative visualization of vital structures of prostate area, which could help achieve cognitive fusion navigation for surgeons. The application of these techniques could finally reduce positive surgical margin rates, and may improve the efficacy and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic prostatectomy.

Research progress of SIRT6 in cardiovascular diseases / 中国药理学通报

Cardiovascular disease is a serious disease harmful to human health with high morbidity and high mortality.SIRT6 plays an important role in cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis,myocardial infarction and ischemia/reperfusion injury,pathological cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure,as an important member of the histone deacetylase family.In this paper,the role of SIRT6 in cardiovascular diseases is reviewed,and the development of SIRT6 as a target agonist and inhibitor is summarized.

Multicenter Evaluation of the Molecular Line Probe Assay for Multidrug Resistant Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Detection in China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

In order to evaluate the performance of a molecular Hain line probe assay (Hain LPA) for rapid detection of rifampicin and isoniazid resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in China, 1612 smear positive patients were consecutively enrolled in this study. Smear positive sputum specimens were collected for Hain LPA and conventional drug susceptibility testing (DST). The sensitivity and specificity of Hain LPA were analyzed by using conventional DST as golden reference. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for rifampicin resistance detection were 88.33%, 97.66%, 81.54%, and 98.62%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for isoniazid resistance detection were 80.25%, 98.07%, 87.25%, and 96.78%, respectively. These findings suggested that Hain LPA can be an effective method worthy of broader use in China.

The feasibility of sputum transportation system in China: effect of sputum storage on the mycobacterial detection / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Sputum transportation from county-level to prefecture-level is an ideal strategy to cover the shortage of the laboratory capability in the resource-poor setting. Here, we firstly evaluated the feasibility of sputum transportation system in China by analyzing the culture and molecular diagnosis results from 1982 smear-positive patients with different delay in processing for culture. In this study, the total contamination rate was 2.32% and the total smear positive/culture negative (S+/C-) rate was 7.57%. We found that sputum specimens refrigerated for no more than 7 d before mycobacterial detection did not affect culture significantly. In addition, the invalid result rates among 0-3 d, 3-7 d, and 7+ d group were 3.63%, 3.14%, and 12.48%, respectively. Statistic analysis revealed that molecular diagnostic results while the invalid result rate of genechip for the specimen with more than 7 d delay was significantly higher (P<0.001). The refrigerators equipped in county laboratories, transport at low temperature and frequent transport services once a week will ensure the feasibility of sputum transportation system in China.

Evaluation of an HIV-related behavior change project for female sex workers in Central China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>As female sex workers (FSWs) were becoming the driving force behind the HIV epidemic in Central China, a project to promote condom use by FSWs was implemented from 2004 to 2009. In this study, we discussed the evaluation of the project, the factors associated with condom use among FSWs within the Chinese context, and proposed suggestions for future interventions for FSWs in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two surveys using structured questionnaires were conducted in 2004 and 2009. Data collected from the surveys were analyzed and guided by a behavior change framework. We reviewed relevant articles to supplement the information that was not able to be obtained from the surveys.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In general, the HIV prevalence among FSWs remained low (less than 1%) in the 5 years. With a high coverage of interventions for all FSWs in Central China, the project yielded better outcomes than the national average over the same time period. The awareness about HIV and condom use grew dramatically during the project period. The four factors/ determinants that influence the behavior of FSWs using condoms are population characteristics, opportunity, ability, and motivation. Statistical model shows that the significant variables for using a condom are age, availability of services, HIV-related knowledge, and intention.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>With a high coverage of interventions for FSWs, the project achieved its goals. The differences among workplaces of FSWs may serve as a symbol of their socioeconomic status, patterns of condom use, and therefore risks of acquiring HIV.</p>

Roles of FIZZ1 and NOTCH1 in asthma / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the roles of FIZZ1 and NOTCH1 in the pathogenesis of asthma and the effect of rosiglitazone on airway remodeling.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-five healthy 6 to 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group and asthma groups with and without rosiglitazone treatment. The paraffin slices of lung tissues were made to assess the histological changes. a-SMA protein, a specific marker of airway remodeling, in lung tissues was measured by immunohistochemistry. FIZZl-mRNA and NOTCH1-mRNA expression in lung tissues was measured by RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The characteristic changes of airway remodeling were observed in the untreated asthma group. The histological changes in the airway were less severe in the rosiglitazone treated asthma group. Positive a-SMA staining, FIZZl-mRNA and NOTCH1-mRNA were highly expressed in peribronchial lung sections isolated from the untreated asthma group. Rosiglitazone treatment decreased significantly the expression of a-SMA protein, FIZZl-mRNA and NOTCH1-mRNA compared with the untreated asthma group, but the expression of a-SMA protein, FIZZl-mRNA and NOTCH1-mRNA in the rosiglitazone treated asthma group remained higher than the control group. a-SMA expression was positively correlated with FIZZl-mRNA (r=0.826, P<0.01) and NOTCH1-mRNA expression (r=0.9, P<0.01). FIZZl-mRNA expression was positively correlated with NOTCH1-mRNA expression (r=0.76, P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>FIZZl and NOTCH1 may induce an increase in a-SMA expression. FIZZl and NOTCH1 play a critical role in the process of airway remodeling. Rosiglitazone treatment may inhibit airway remodeling in asthmatic rats.</p>

Expression of Galectin-9 and Tim-3 in lungs of mice with asthma / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the expression of Galectin-9 and Tim-3 in lungs of mice with asthma and the effect of rosiglitazone (PPAR-γ agonist) on their expression.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fortyfive BALB/c SPF female mice were randomized into control group and asthma groups with and without rosiglitazone intervention. After ovalbumin stimulation and rosiglitazone intervention the pathological changes of the lung tissues were observed. Galectin-9 and Tim-3 mRNA levels in lung tissues were determined using RT-PCR. The levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ in peripheral blood were measured using ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of Galectin-9 and Tim-3 mRNA of lung tissues in the untreated asthma group increased significantly compared with the control and the rosiglitazone treated groups (P<0.05). A significantly increased blood expression of IL-4 and a significantly decreased blood expression of IFN-γ were found in the untreated asthma group compared with the control and the rosiglitazone-treated groups (P<0.05). The expression of Galectin-9 and Tim-3 mRNA was positively correlated with blood IL-4 level (r=0.792, r=0.794 respectively; P<0.05), but negatively correlated with blood IFN-γ level (r=-0.692, r=-0.757 respectively; P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Galectin-9 and Tim-3 mRNA levels in lungs increase in mice with asthma and significantly correlate with the levels of blood Th1/Th2 cytokines. This suggests that Galectin-9 and Tim-3 are closely related to inflammatory process in asthma. Rosiglitazone treatment may decrease the expression of Galectin-9 and Tim-3.</p>

Building a SAN and NAS integrated storage system in hospitals / 中国医疗器械杂志

We have recentely built a cluster and backup system based on a SAN + NAS integrated storage system at a low price. The integration of SAN + NAS provides a storage system of fine quality, high reliability and high stability for hospitals. The article mainly introduces the choice of the project, the design of SAN + NAS integration and its implementation.

The use of unsupervised classification of Landsat-5 TM images in analysing the types of vegetation in the areas of "breaking dikes or opening sluice for water store" / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To clarify the change of vegetation types and its relationship between the density of alive-snails in the areas of "breaking dikes or opening sluice for water store" in Jicheng.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Synthesized false color images of Jicheng before and after 1998 (1994 and 2003) were classified without supervision and results were compared. Vegetation types were identified on the spot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) of snail habitats before 1998 were between 126 and 183 in Jicheng, whose vegetation types were mainly paddy, cotton and cabbage. NDVI of snail habitats in Jicheng after 1998 were between 152 and 193 whose vegetation types were mainly poplar forest, bulrush and grass. Areas of snail habitats increased from 64.64% to 66.47%. Snail habitats were mostly composed of mixed vegetation types and mono-typed vegetation was hardly found. According to the density of alive-snails orders from high to low were poplar forest and bulrush, poplar forest and grass, bulrush.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Vegetation types would not be identified by unsupervised classification only. Poplar forest, bulrush and grass were closedly related to the density of alive-snails.</p>

Analysis on the relationship between malaria epidemics and NOAA-AVHRR NDVI in Hainan province / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between malaria epidemics and NOAA-AVHRR NDVI.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data on malaria were collected in all 19 counties in Hainan province from Feb, 1995 to Jan, 1996. Values regarding normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)-related indicators including mean and maximum values of NDVI, the area proportion of NDVI values of 145- and 145+, months with NDVI values of 135+, 140+, 145+, 150+ of these counties in this period were all extracted from NOAA-AVHRR images, using ERDAS8.5 software. The coefficients of correlation of malaria incidences and these NDVI-related indicator values were then calculated with SPSS 11.0.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence of malaria showed positive correlations to mean and maximum values of NDVI, the area proportion of NDVI values of 145+ and months with NDVI values of 135+, 140+, 145+, 150+ respectively, but having negative correlation to the area of NDVI values of 145-. The malaria epidemic regions were in accordance with those regions that the NDVI values of 145+ were continuing for 9 months or more.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Malaria prevalence was associated with NOAA-AVHRR NDVI value which could be considered to be use for malaria surveillance in Hainan province.</p>

Development and application of geographic information system of Aedes vector in Chaozhou city, Guangdong province / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the spatial distribution character of dengue fever and the change of Aedes' population, so as to provide macroscopical decision-making evidences of prevention and supervision on dengue fever.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>(1) Collecting data on morbidity of dengue and supervision on vector's population in the corresponding period. (2) Drawing digitized map of Chaozhou in scale of 1:50,000, including elements of boundary, residential areas, road and traffic, altitude, water systems etc. (3) Measuring the latitude and longitude of center position of surveillance safes on the scene. (4) Processing spatial analysis by the ArcGIS 8.5 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Distribution of Aedes showed spatial cluster in Chaozhou, while its density was related to the distance to the watersides. The closer to the watersides, the higher the density was. Map on spatial distribution showed that although the Aedes epidemic situation changed yearly, but primarily be kept in high, middle, low regions. Cross-validation effects of the distribution maps were satisfactory.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Geographic information system was promising in analyzing data on dengue fever, and better than other routine research methods.</p>

Application of "time series analysis" in the prediction of schistosomiasis prevalence in areas of "breaking dikes or opening sluice for waterstore" in Dongting Lake areas, China / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To provide the fittest model for forecasting schistosomiasis prevalence in Haokou village of "breaking dikes or opening sluice for waterstore" in Dongting Lake areas by comparing the results of Moving Average, Exponential Smoothing, Autoregressive Model and Autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA model) from 1990 to 2002.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Error sum of square of four statistical methods was compared and the fittest model was chosen.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Error sum of square of predicted schistosomiasis prevalence rates in Haokou village from 1994 to 2002 were 39.40, 39.86, 26.63, 22.54 respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ARIMA model seemed to be the fittest one in the prediction of schistosomiasis prevalence in Haokou village of "breaking dikes or opening sluice for waterstore" in Dongting Lake from 1990 to 2002.</p>

Establishment of minimum medical geographic information systems database in China / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a minimum medical geographic information systems (GIS) database as a spatial decision supporting system (SDSS), and to use the database into public health practice in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Spatial data collected from different sources were standardized as decimal degree format, including: (1) satellite images covering areas of China; (2) digital maps of China in vector files; (3) diseases database and relevant models.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Necessary satellite images for the database have been collected from NOAA AVHRR, Landsat TM, etc., including the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) images from AVHRR, earth surface temperature images from AVHRR, GTOPO30 DEM images from USGS and landuse images from USGS. The digital vector files for GIS analysis were collected including political (county, provinces, country) boundaries file, environmental (drainage, land cover, soil type) vector file, population data and climate data; Data on diseases mainly generated from survey or case reporting. Relevant models on transmission of Schistosoma japonicum and Plasmodium vivax, and models of Oncomelania hupensis and Anophores sinansis were developed, and the relevant environmental factors related to incidence of cancers were mapped, to test and verify those database.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The database unified the data from different sources for users. Minimum medical data included in the database could be used in the practice of public health. It is expected that this database be used in a wider range.</p>

Study on the relationship between Terra-MODIS image and the snail distribution in marshland of Jiangning county, Jiangsu province / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the relationship between the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the snail distribution in marshland of Jiangning county in Jiangsu province, and to explore the utility of Terra-MODIS image map in the small scale snail habitats surveillance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>NDVI were extracted from MODIS image by vector chart of the snail distribution using ArcView 8.1 and ERDAS 8.5 software. The relationship between NDVI and the snail distribution were Investigated using Bivariate correlations and stepwise linear regression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The snail density on marshland was positively correlated with the mean NDVI in the first ten-day of May and the maximum NDVI (N(20max)) in the last ten-day of May. Incidence of pixel with the live snail on marshland was positively correlated with the mean NDVI (N(2mean)) in the first ten-day of May. An equation Y(1) = 0.009 47 x N(20max) (R(2) = 0.73), Y(2) = 0.018 6 x N(2mean) (R(2) = 0.906) was established.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study showed that the Terra-MODIS satellite images reflecting the status of the vegetation on marshland in Jiangning county could be applied to the study to supervise the snail habitat. The results suggested that MODIS images could be used to survey the small scale snail habitats on marshland.</p>

Application of satellite image for surveillance of vegetation landscapes of Oncomelenia-snail habitats in marshland using unsupervised classification / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the vegetation landscapes in marshland snail habitats using satellite image.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The false-color composition image from band 2, 3 and 4 of LANDSAT ETM + images was classified in the ERDAS IMAGINE 8.5 to analyze the vegetation types in the marshland of Jiangning county, using the unsupervised classification. The efficiency of classification was evaluated by the transformed divergence. The overlaid layers of the classified vegetation image and the vector layer of snail habitats distribution were used to analyze the relationship between the snail distribution and the landscape types.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The land-cover of marshland in LANDSAT ETM234 image in Jiangning county could be classified into 10 types, including water, bare soil, sandy and other landscapes while the transformed divergence analysis showed that there were misclassified pixes between some types especially for the non-continuous types. The study indicated that through adding the NDVI image in the process of classification efficiency of classification and eliminate misclassification in the non-continuous type could be improved. Analysis on the overlaid layer of the vector of snail distribution and the classified image proved that the vegetation covers in marshland snail habitats in Jiangning mainly belonged to type 3, 5 and 6, that responded to the beach with sparse vegetation, exuberant weed and bulrush respectively. The density of snails in the bulrush was higher than that in other 2 landscapes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The vegetation type in the marshland snail habitats could be distinguished from the satellite image, which was helpful for the surveillance of snail habitat in marshland and for the prevention of schistosomiasis.</p>