25-hydroxycholesterol aggravates oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation-induced pyroptosis through promoting activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in H9C2 cardiomyocytes

25-hydroxycholesterol (25-HC) plays a role in the regulation of cell survival and immunity. However, the effect of 25-HC on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury remains unknown. Our present study aimed to investigate whether 25-HC aggravated MI/R injury through NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis. The overlapping differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in MI/R were identified from the GSE775, GSE45818, GSE58486, and GSE46395 datasets in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were conducted using the database of Annotation, Visualization and Integration Discovery (DAVID). The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the overlapping DEGs was established using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) database. These bioinformatics analyses indicated that cholesterol 25-hydroxylase (CH25H) was one of the crucial genes in MI/R injury. The oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) cell model was established to simulate MI/R injury. Western blot and RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated that CH25H was significantly upregulated in OGD/R-stimulated H9C2 cardiomyocytes. Moreover, knockdown of CH25H inhibited the OGD/R-induced pyroptosis and nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation, as demonstrated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), RT-qPCR, and western blotting assays. Conversely, 25-HC, which is synthesized by CH25H, promoted activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in OGD/R-stimulated H9C2 cardiomyocytes. In addition, the NLRP3 inhibitor BAY11-7082 attenuated 25-HC-induced H9C2 cell injury and pyroptosis under OGD/R condition. In conclusion, 25-HC could aggravate OGD/R-induced pyroptosis through promoting activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in H9C2 cells.

Factors influencing the development of executive function in adolescents / 中国学校卫生

Abstract@#Executive function is an advanced cognitive process aimed at the flexible coordination, optimization, and control of the cognitive processes of task solving in order to accomplish a specific task, ensuring that the individual produces effective behaviors, including inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. Given the sensitivities and specificities that characterize an individual s physical and mental development during adolescence, this period is critical for the development of executive function in adolescents. In the paper, the influencing factors of adolescents executive function development are systematically described from three dimensions, namely, biology, environment and lifestyle; by analyzing the mechanisms and differences in the effects of different influencing factors, this editorial provides a scientific basis for adolescents executive function improvement and intervention.

Executive functions of obese adolescents / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore of executive function in obese adolescents, so as to provide a reference for executive function enhancement intervention in obese adolescents.@*Methods@#A convenience sample of 1 227 adolescents aged 13-18 years was selected from 2 secondary schools in Taiyuan City during March-April 2023. The Flanker task, N-back task and More odd shifting task was used to compare the different subfunctions of executive function (refreshing function, shifting function, inhibiting function) of 61 obese adolescents and 70 normal weight adolescents. Independent samples t-tests was used for between group comparisons and Cohen s d -tests was used to calculate between group differences in executive function between the two groups of adolescents.@*Results@#Compared with the group of normal weight, time responses of the inhibitory function [(29.73±19.55)ms], the refreshing function [1-back: (1 088.75±275.76)ms, 2-back:( 1 285.44± 355.16)ms] and the shifting function [(380.34±153.18) ms] in the obese group were significantly longer than those in the normal weight group [(14.86±20.27, 888.38±286.57, 1 126.20± 287.43 , 323.12±134.71) ms] ( t =4.26, 4.06, 1.92,2.26, P < 0.05 ); inhibitory function (0.91±0.09) and 1-back (0.73±0.24) were also significantly less correct than in the normal weight group (0.94±0.05, 0.83±0.21) ( t =-2.04, -2.04, P <0.05). Obese adolescents showed moderate adverse effect sizes in the inhibition function ( d =0.746,0.712) and the refresh function 1-back, and smaller adverse effect sizes in the refresh function 2-back and the conversion function( d =0.497,0.398).@*Conclusion@#Obese adolescents have significant executive function deficits, but the degree of adverse varies across sub-functions, with inhibitory function being the core deficit component of executive function in obese adolescents.

Swertiamarin attenuates paraquat-induced pulmonary epithelial-like cell apoptosis via NOX4-mediated regulation of redox and mitochondrial function

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of swertiamarin (STM) in attenuating paraquat (PQ)-induced human lung alveolar epithelial-like cell (A549) apoptosis and the underlying mechanisms. A549 cells were pretreated with different concentrations of STM for 2 hr and then cultured with or without PQ (700 µM) for 24 hr. Cell survival was determined using the CCK8 assay. Morphological changes, MDA content, inflammatory factors, fibrogenesis parameters, apoptosis rates, redox status and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were evaluated. The expression of several genes involved in the modulation of redox status was measured by Western blotting. Cell viability and MMP were decreased, but the apoptosis rate and DCFH oxidation were elevated by PQ exposure. STM pretreatment notably increased cell viability and MMP and reduced the apoptosis rate and DCFH oxidation. Furthermore, TLR4- NOX4 signaling was significantly inhibited by STM. The downregulation of NOX4 by siRNA exerted the same protective effects as STM. This study provides the first evidence that STM attenuates PQ-induced pulmonary epithelial-like cell apoptosis via NOX4-mediated regulation of redox and mitochondrial function

Expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor-associated protein 11 in colorectal cancer tissues and its effects on proliferation and apoptosis of SW480 cells / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[摘 要] 目的：探讨低密度脂蛋白受体相关蛋白11（LRP11）在结直肠癌（CRC）组织中的表达及其对结肠癌SW480细胞增殖与凋亡的影响。方法：利用生物信息学方法分析TCGA数据库中LRP11在CRC组织中的表达水平。用慢病毒感染技术分别将sh-LRP11及sh-NC质粒转染至SW480细胞，采用qPCR、WB法检测感染后各组细胞中LRP11的mRNA和蛋白的表达，CCK-8法、流式细胞术分别检测细胞的增殖活力、凋亡率及细胞周期分布情况，WB法检测SW480细胞中cyclin D1、BAX、Bcl-2、β-catenin、活化β-catenin等蛋白的表达水平。结果：TCGA数据库数据分析显示，LRP11 mRNA在CRC组织中的表达水平显著高于正常组织（P<0.05）。与sh-NC组比较，sh-LRP11组SW480细胞的增殖活力明显降低、细胞凋亡率显著升高（均P<0.01），细胞中BAX表达显著升高、Bcl-2表达显著降低（均P<0.01）；G0/G1期细胞增多、S期细胞明显减少（均P<0.01），cyclin D1的蛋白表达显著降低（P<0.01）；Wnt/β-catenin信号通路中β-catenin和活化β-catenin的蛋白表达均显著下降（均P<0.01）。结论：LRP11 mRNA在CRC组织中呈高表达，干扰LRP11表达可抑制结肠癌SW480细胞增殖并促进其凋亡，为CRC提供了一种潜在的治疗靶点。

Research progress on influencing factors of depressive symptoms in adolescents / 中国学校卫生

Abstract@#In recent years, mental health problems such as anxiety and depression among adolescents in China have attracted attention from all walks of life. Given that adolescence is a transitional and critical period for individual development, mental health affect the developmental opportunities. Therefore, in the review, the effects of environment, psychosocial factors and behavioral patterns on depressive symptoms are analyzed by combining with the characteristics of physical and mental development among adolescents. It is found that early adolescence and even childhood should be the key period for the prevention and intervention of depression. In order to formulate effective interventions and prevention strategies, it is proposed that future research should combine real situation in China with active exploration of protective factors and early predictors of depression.

Correlation between family environment and depressive symptoms among adolescents / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To understand the relationship between family environment and depressive symptoms among adolescent, and to provide a reference for adolescent mental health promotion and intervention.@*Methods@#From September to December in 2021, a questionnaire survey on family environment and depressive symptoms was conducted among 8 102 middle school students by random cluster sampling method in Shanghai, Urumqi, Changsha and Kunming. The Chi square test was used to compare the depression status of students in different family environments. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between family environment and depressive symptoms.@*Results@#The detection rates of possible depression, likely depression and severe depression in adolescents were 11.2%, 5.9% and 8.4%, respectively. There were significant differences in the detection rate of depression by gender, academic period, urban and rural areas, family forms and only child statu( χ 2=87.60, 27.19, 6.65, 45.59, 4.78, P <0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that adolescents in single parent families ( OR =1.45) and reorganized families( OR =1.69) were positively correlated with the occurrence of depressive symptoms compared with those in nuclear families( P <0.01).@*Conclusion@#Compared with nuclear families, the risks of adolescent depressive symptoms in single parent families and reorganized families are higher. Attention should be paid to the mental health education of teenagers from single parents and reorganized families to ensure the development of their physical and mental health.

Correlation between physical activity and depressive symptoms in adolescents / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To analyze the correlation between physical activity and depressive symptoms in adolescents, so as to provide a reference for the early prevention of depression among adolescents.@*Methods@#Using a random cluster sampling method, 8 102 adolescents from Shanghai, Urumqi, Changsha and Kunming were investigated via the Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire of Chinese Children and Adolescents aged 7 to 18 and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) for physical activity and depressive symptoms. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between physical activity and depressive symptoms in adolescents.@*Results@#The proportion of adolescents who met moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) standard was 37.0%, and the detection rate of depressive symptoms was 25.6%. The detection rate of depressive symptomsin compliant with MVPA standard group was significantly lower than that in non compliant group among different age and gender( χ 2=7.62-34.54, P <0.05). Adolescents with severe depressive symptoms had high light intensity physical activity(LPA) duration and low vigorous intensity physical activity(VPA) duration, while adolescents with mild depressive symptoms or asymptomatic adolescents had higher MVPA duration. There were differences in LPA and VPA among adolescents with different levels of depressive symptoms in the overall sample, and the differences were still significant among girls, middle school and statistically significant differences in LPA, moderate intensity physical activity(MPA), MVPA were also found among the high school subgroup. However, differences only in LPA were observed among boys with different levels of depression( H=46.48, 10.31, 25.02, 29.54, 30.25, 19.80, 22.20, 9.54, 8.62, 18.06, P <0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression model showed that gender and duration of MVPA were significantly related to risk of depressive symptoms( OR=1.56, 1.42, P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#Physical activity among adolescents is significantly related to depressive symptoms. MVPA may be an effective measure to reduce the degree of depressive symptoms.To improve the physical health and prevent depression among adolescents, it is important to choose appropriate physical activity types and effectively increase the duration of MVPA.

Correlation analysis between non suicidal self injury behavior and depressive symptoms in adolescents / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the correlation between non suicidal self injury(NSSI) behaviors and depressive symptoms in adolescents and to provide a theoretical basis for improvement of adolescent physical and mental health.@*Methods@#A total of 8 102 adolescents aged 12-17 years were selected by random cluster sampling method in Shanghai, Urumqi, Changsha and Kunming, using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Adolescent Non Suicidal Self Injurious Behavior Assessment Questionnaire. Depressive symptoms and the occurrence of NSSI behaviors were assessed. The relationship between NSSI behaviors and depressive symptoms was analyzed using Chi square test, one way analysis and Logistic regression analysis.@*Results@#The overall detection rate of NSSI in adolescents, 24.6%, with a significantly lower detection rate in boys (23.1%) than in girls (26.2%) ( χ 2=10.97, P <0.05), and 24.7%, 24.6% in the middle school and high school segments, respectively, but the difference was not statistically significant ( χ 2=0.01, P >0.05). The overall detection rate of adolescent depressive symptoms was 49.7 % in the group with NSSI and 17.7% in the group without NSSI, with statistically significant differences ( χ 2=808.80, P < 0.01 ). The detection rates of adolescent depressive symptoms in the group with NSSI (male:44.0%, female:54.7%, middle school:49.6%, high school:49.8%) and the group without NSSI (male:14.2%, female:21.4%, middle school:14.3%, high school: 21.0 %) were statistically significant by sex and age groups ( χ 2=385.58, 412.44, 520.60, 313.78, P ＜0.01). Logistic regression models, after adjusting for gender and age, the risk for depressive symptoms was 2.65 times (95% CI =2.27-3.09) and 7.28 times (95% CI = 6.34- 8.37) more frequently in adolescents with episodic self injurious behavior and frequent self injurious behavior, respectively, compared to those without self injurious behavior. The association between NSSI status and depressive symptoms did not show sex differences ( P >0.05).@*Conclusion@#Adolescent NSSI behavior is positively associated with depressive symptoms, the attention should be paid to adolescent physical and mental health to reduce the occurrence of NSSI.

Correlation between physical fitness condition and depressive symptoms in adolescents / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the relationship between adolescents physical fitness and depressive symptoms, and to provide reference for the early prevention and intervention of depressive symptoms and improvement of physical fitness in Chinese adolescents.@*Methods@#From September to December 2021, a total of 8 102 adolescents were selected by random cluster sampling method in Shanghai, Urumqi, Changsha and Kunming. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale(CES-D) was used to investigate the depressive symptoms, and completed grip strength, standing long jump, 50 m running, modified sitting forward flexion, 20 s repeated traverse, 30 s sit ups, 20 m round trip running (20 m SRT) test. χ 2 test, Goodman Kruskal Gamma and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the relationship between physical fitness index(PFI) and depressive symptoms.@*Results@#The overall detection rate of depressive symptoms in adolescents with high level PFI was 23.4%, and the detection rate of low level adolescents was 26.3%, with a statistically significant difference ( χ 2=6.73, P =0.01). There was a significant positive correlation between PFI and depressive symptoms in the high school group ( G=0.09, P <0.05) and the boy group ( G=0.12, P < 0.05 ), and there was no significant association between PFI and depressive symptoms in the junior high school group and the girl group ( P >0.05). After adjusting for gender and age in the Logistic regression model, compared with those with high PFI, the risk of depressive symptoms in those with low PFI was 1.18 times (95% CI =1.05-1.33).@*Conclusion@#There is a correlation between physical fitness and depressive symptoms in adolescents. Adolescents with low PFI are at higher risk of developing depressive symptoms than those with high PFI.

Football player's training for improving physical function and health / Treino de jogadores de futebol americano para a melhoria de sua função física e saúde / Entrenamiento de jugadores de fútbol americano para la mejoría de su función física y salud

ABSTRACT Introduction: Due to the fierce confrontation, high intensity, long duration, and high technical and tactical requirements of modern football, this sport puts forward higher requirements on the physical function of the athletes. Objective: To further explore the importance of physical training based on expounding the concepts of physical fitness and physical training. Methods: The article uses literature research, expert interviews, questionnaires, observations, measurements, mathematical statistics, and other research methods to explore the physical characteristics and training of Chinese football players. Results: The physical training of football players should conform to the specific characteristics of football. This sport requires combining technical and tactical training, psychological training, and academic training of football matches, which must be developed simultaneously. Conclusion: The purpose of physical training is to improve the functional capabilities of athletes to a certain extent, exploit and develop the athlete's athletic potential, and effectively maintain this functional ability. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

RESUMO Introdução: Graças ao confronto físico agressivo, à intensidade elevada, à longa duração, e às exigências técnicas e táticas do futebol americano moderno, esse esporte exige muito da função física de seus atletas. Objetivo: Explorar mais à fundo a importância do treinamento físico baseado na utilização de conceitos de aptidão física e treinamento físico. Métodos: Este artigo utiliza pesquisa bibliográfica, entrevistas com especialistas, questionários, observações, mensurações, estatísticas matemáticas, e outros métodos de pesquisa para explorar as características físicas e o treinamento de jogadores de futebol americano chineses. Resultados: O treinamento físico de jogadores de futebol americano deve estar de acordo com as características específicas do esporte, que requer uma combinação de treino tático, técnico, psicológico e acadêmico, no que diz respeito a partidas de futebol americano, todos os quais devem ser desenvolvidos simultaneamente. Conclusão: O objetivo do treinamento físico é aprimorar a capacidade funcional de atletas até certo ponto, explorar e desenvolver o potencial físico do atleta e, efetivamente, manter sua habilidade funcional. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação de resultados de tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción: Gracias al confrontamiento físico agresivo, a la intensidad elevada, a la larga duración, y a las exigencias técnicas y tácticas del futbol americano moderno, este deporte exige mucho de la función física de sus atletas. Objetivo: Explorar más a fondo la importancia del entrenamiento físico basado en la utilización de conceptos de aptitud física y entrenamiento físico. Métodos: Este artículo utiliza investigación bibliográfica, entrevistas con especialistas, cuestionarios, observaciones, mediciones, estadística matemática y otros métodos de investigación para explorar las características físicas y el entrenamiento de jugadores chinos de fútbol americano. Resultados: El entrenamiento físico de jugadores de fútbol americano debe estar de acuerdo con las características específicas del deporte, que requiere una combinación de entrenamiento táctico, técnico, psicológico y académico, con respecto a partidos de futbol americano, que deben desarrollarse simultáneamente. Conclusión: El objetivo del entrenamiento físico es mejorar la capacidad funcional de atletas hasta cierto punto, explorar y desarrollar el potencial físico del atleta y, efectivamente, mantener su habilidad funcional. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de resultados de tratamiento.

Clinical relevance of miR-423-5p levels in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to examine changes in miRNAs expression profile of COPD patients. Methods: Thirty-six COPD patients as well as thirty-three healthy volunteers were recruited. Total RNAs were collected from the plasma of each participant. The differentially expressed miRNAs in COPD were screened from the GEO database. RT-qPCR was carried out to detect miRNA expression. Results: In total, 9 out of 55 miRNAs were expressed differentially in COPD patients. Confirmed by RT-qPCR validation, 6 miRNAs increased while 3 miRNAs decreased. Further analysis of miR-423-5p, which has not been reported in COPD, showed that AUC for the diagnosis of COPD was 0.9651, and miR-423-5p levels was inversely correlated with the duration of smoking. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that miR-423-5p is a potential marker for identifying COPD patients.

Prescribing Pattern of Benzodiazepine Receptor Agonists (BZRA) and Factors Associated With Duration of BZRA Use in a Malaysian Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic

@#Introduction: Benzodiazepine receptor agonist (BZRA) are among the most frequently used psychotropic medications worldwide. We aim to understand the pattern of prescription of BZRA in the government healthcare facilities and identify factors affecting the likelihood of BZRA prescription and duration of use. Method: This is a retrospective study. Data was obtained from record of outpatient clinical notes. Medications studied were midazolam, alprazolam, lorazepam, bromazepam, clonazepam, diazepam and zolpidem. Mean duration per prescription, mean dosage per prescription and duration per patient per year were calculated for each sedative hypnotic. The likelihood of factors affecting duration of prescription were also analysed. Results: The prevalence of sedative hypnotic use in psychiatry outpatient clinic was 12.16%. Clonazepam was found to have the longest duration per patient per year (306.5 days). Insomnia and anxiety are the two most common reasons for sedative hypnotic prescription. Factors found to affect duration of prescription were unemployment, borderline personality disorder, alcohol and substance use disorders. Conclusion: Implementation of effective monitoring system on sedative hypnotic prescribing and increase use of non-pharmacological interventions for insomnia and anxiety are necessary to curb prolonged use of sedative hypnotic.

Sharing the WHO guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis to achieve the goal of schistosomiasis 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 interruption to elimination, and there are multiple challenges during the stage moving towards the progression of schistosomiasis elimination, including a high difficulty in shrinking snail-infested areas, unstable achievements for infectious source control, imperfect surveillance system and a reduction in schistosomiasis control and administration. Based on the core suggestions proposed in the 2022 WHO guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis, recommendations on schistosomiasis surveillance system building, development of novel diagnostics, adjustment of the schistosomiasis control strategy and maintaining and improvements of the schistosomiasis control capability are proposed for the national schistosomiasis control program of China in the new era according to the actual status of schistosomiasis control in China. Formulation of the national schistosomiasis control strategy and goal from One Health perspective, verification of transmission interruption and elimination of schistosomiasis, precision implementation of schistosomiasis control interventions with adaptations to local circumstances, development and application of highly sensitive and specific diagnostics are recommended for elimination of schistosomiasis in China. In addition, the implementation of the 2022 WHO guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis may guide the elimination of schistosomiasis in China.

Decoding the evolution of preventive chemotherapy schemes for schistosomiasis in China to improve the precise implementation of the WHO guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Preventive chemotherapy is one of the pivotal interventions for the control and elimination of schistosomiasis, which is effective to reduce the morbidity and prevalence of schistosomiasis. In order to promote the United Nations' sustainable development goals and the targets set for schistosomiasis control in the Ending the neglect to attain the Sustainable Development Goals: a road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030, WHO released the guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis in 2022, with major evidence-based updates of the current preventive chemotherapy strategy for schistosomiasis. In China where great success has been achieved in schistosomiasis control, the preventive chemotherapy strategy for schistosomiasis has been updated several times during the past seven decades. This article reviews the evolution of the WHO guidelines on preventive chemotherapy and Chinese national preventive chemotherapy schemes, compares the current Chinese national preventive chemotherapy scheme and the recommendations for preventive chemotherapy proposed in the 2022 WHO guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis, and proposes recommendations for preventive chemotherapy during the future implementation of the 2022 WHO guideline, so as to provide insights into schistosomiasis control among public health professionals engaging in healthcare foreign aid.

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.

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 Zhejiang Province from 2015 to 2019 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To analyze the endemic situation of schistosomiasis in national surveillance sites of Zhejiang Province, so as to provide the scientific evidence for formulating the new schistosomiasis surveillance program and consolidating schistosomiasis elimination achievements. Methods A total of 54 to 55 national surveillance sites and 6 risk monitoring sites were assigned in historical endemic regions of Zhejiang Province from 2015 to 2019, where the Schistosoma japonicum infections in humans, livestock, snails and wild feces were monitored. All data pertaining to the surveillance results were descriptively analyzed. Results There were 34 530 person-time local residents receiving serological screening for S. japonicum infections in national surveillance sites of Zhejiang Province from 2015 to 2019, and the seroprevalance of S. japonicum infections were 0.29% to 0.68%; however, no egg-positives were detected. During the period from 2015 to 2019, there were 62 086 person-time mobile populations receiving serological screening for S. japonicum infections in national surveillance sites of Zhejiang Province, and the seroprevalance of S. japonicum infections were 0.32% to 0.56%; additionally, there were 27 egg-positives identified, including 3 imported cases with schistosomiasis haematobia and one case with acute schistosomiasis japonica, indicating that the adjusted prevalence of Schistosoma infections were 0.01% to 0.07% among mobile populations. A total of 829 livestock were examined for S. japonicum infections, with no positives detected. There were 10.55 hm2 and 2.89 hm2 snail habitats found in national surveillance sites and risk monitoring sites of Zhejiang Province during the 5-year period, respectively; however, no S. japonicum infections were identified in snails. Moreover, a total of 305 wild feces were tested for S. japonicum infections, and no egg-positives were identified. Conclusions The schistosomiasis elimination achievement have been consolidated in Zhejiang Province; however, the risk factors of re-emerging schistosomiasis have not been completely eliminated, such as residual snails and imported schistosomiasis cases. Further surveillance and control activities of snails and the source of S. japonicum infections should be reinforced.

Spicy food consumption is associated with cognition and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of Alzheimer disease / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Recent studies suggest that a healthy diet helps to prevent the development of Alzheimer disease (AD). This study aimed to investigate whether spicy food consumption is associated with cognition and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of AD in the Chinese population.@*METHODS@#We enrolled 55 AD patients and 55 age- and gender-matched cognitively normal (CN) subjects in a case-control study, as well as a cohort of 131 participants without subjective cognitive decline (non-AD) in a cross-sectional study. Spicy food consumption was assessed using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Associations of FFQ scores with cognition and CSF biomarkers of AD were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#In the case-control study, spicy food consumption was lower in AD patients than that in CNs (4.0 [4.0-8.0] vs. 8.0 [4.5-10.0], P < 0.001); FFQ scores were positively associated with Mini-Mental Status Examination scores in the total sample (r = 0.218, P = 0.014). In the cross-sectional study, the association between spicy food consumption and cognition levels was verified in non-AD subjects (r = 0.264, P = 0.0023). Moreover, higher FFQ scores were significantly associated with higher β-Amyloid (1-42) (Aβ42) levels and lower phospho-tau/Aβ42 and total tau/Aβ42 ratios in the CSF of non-AD subjects (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Spicy food consumption is closely related to higher cognition levels and reversed AD biomarkers in the CSF, suggesting that a capsaicin-rich diet might have the potential to modify the cognitive status and cerebral pathologies associated with AD.

Anti-tumor Efficacy and Safety of Zeylenone on Acute T Lymphoblastic Leukemia / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the anti-tumor efficacy, mechanism and safety of zeylenone on acute T lymphocytic leukemia. Method:In vitro, Molt-4 cells were treated with various concentrations of zeylenone (0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, 3.2 μmol·L-1) for 48 h, and the cell viability was measured with cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. nonobese diabetic-severce combined immunodeficient mice（NOD/SCID） mice were randomly divided into six groups: normal group, model group, vincristine group (1 mg·kg-1), low-dose zeylenone group (12.5 mg·kg-1), medium-dose zeylenone group (25 mg·kg-1), high-dose zeylenone group (50 mg·kg-1). With the exception of normal group, mice were pre-irradiated with 60Co and inoculated subcutaneously with Molt-4 cells to establish the Molt-4 xenograft model. Then NOD/SCID mice were sacrificed after 13 days of administration. The tumor inhibition rates, relative tumor growth rates and organ indexes were calculated. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of liver and spleen tissues in mice. The expressions of phosphorylation signal transducer and activator of transcription (p-STAT3), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and cysteine aspartate-specific protease-3 (Caspase-3) were detected in tumor tissues by Western blot. Result:In vitro, zeylenone had an obvious inhibitory effect on Molt-4 cells. IC50 values of zeylenone was 1.49 μmol·L-1. In vivo, compared with the model group, medium and high-dose zeylenone groups had significant tumor inhibition effects, with the inhibition rates of 50.24% and 60.75%, respectively (P<0.01). Additionally, liver and spleen injuries were slight in the above mentioned two groups compared with the vincristine group, indicating that zeylenone was safe. Western blot analysis showed that medium and high-dose zeylenone groups showed significant declines in proteins p-STAT3, Caspase-3 and Bcl-2, and marked increases in pro-apoptotic protein Bax compared with the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion:zeylenone could obviously inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of Molt-4 cells; and its mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of p-STAT3, Caspase-3, Bcl-2 and the up-regulation of Bax expressions. In addition, zeylenone had less damage to liver and spleen, and was safer than vincristine.