Survey of Oncomelania hupensis in national schistosomiasis surveillance sites of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from 2015 to 2019 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics of Oncomelania hupensis in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, so as to provide insights into the assessment of the risk of schistosomiasis transmission and the scientific formulation of the schistosomiasis surveillance strategy. Methods From 2015 to 2019, a total of 19 national schistosomiasis surveillance sites were assigned in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, including 4 fixed sites and 15 mobile sites. Snail survey was performed by means of systematic sampling in combination with environmental sampling, and the infection of Schistosoma japonicum was detected by the crushing method combined with loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay. Results From 2015 to 2019, snail habitats were detected at areas of 17 040 to 39 527 m2, including 6 214 m2 emerging snail habitats and 16 563 m2 re-emerging snail habitats. The overall mean density of living snails was 0.019 2 snails/0.1 m2 and the occurrence of frames with snails was 1.11% in the national schistosomiasis surveillance sites; however, no S. japonicum infection was identified in snails. The area of snail habitats increased by 121.46% in the national surveillance sites in 2019 as compared to that in 2015; however, 50.34% (Z = −0.422, P > 0.05) and 42.85% (χ2 = 130.41, P < 0.01) reductions were seen in the overall means density of living snails and the occurrence of frames with snails. All snail habitats were distributed in the 4 fixed surveillance sites, and were mainly found in ditches, paddy fields and dry lands, with weeds as the primary vegetation type. Conclusions There are still risk factors leading to re-emergent transmission of schistosomiasis in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, such as local snail spread, and the monitoring of schistosomiasis remains to be reinforced to further consolidate the achievements of schistosomiasis elimination in the region.

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.

Clinical value of transient elastography (FibroScan) in detection of clonorchiasis / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To assess the clinical significance of transient elastography (Fibroscan) in detection of clonorchiasis, so as to provide new insights into the assessment of therapeutic efficacy of deworming. Methods The liver stiffness measurement (LSM) values were measured in parasitologically diagnosed clonorchiasis patients using FibroScan before and after deworming, and the patients’age, gender, body mass index (BMI), duration of raw fish consumption and total amount of raw fish consumption were collected for correlation analyses. Results The clonorchiasis patients’age, gender, BMI, duration of raw fish consumption and total amount of raw fish consumption had no associations with pre-treatment LSM values (r/rs = 0.189, 0.073, 0.180; 0.071, –0.098, 0.033; 0.166, 0.309, 0.172; 0.235, 0.247, 0.209; 0.164, 0.277, 0.088; all P values > 0.05). There was a significant difference in the LSM values from the seventh, eighth and ninth intercostal space prior to deworming (F = 3.259, P < 0.05), and no significant difference was detected after deworming (F = 0.851, P > 0.05). The LSM values from the seventh, eighth and ninth intercostal space were significantly lower pre-deworming than post-deworming (t = 6.724, 5.603, 2.884; all P values < 0.05). Conclusion FibroScan is feasible to assess the therapuetic efficacy of deworming in patients with clonorchiasis; however, measurement at various sites affects the LSM value.

Clinical value of transient elastography (FibroScan) in detection of clonorchiasis / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To assess the clinical significance of transient elastography (Fibroscan) in detection of clonorchiasis, so as to provide new insights into the assessment of therapeutic efficacy of deworming. Methods The liver stiffness measurement (LSM) values were measured in parasitologically diagnosed clonorchiasis patients using FibroScan before and after deworming, and the patients’age, gender, body mass index (BMI), duration of raw fish consumption and total amount of raw fish consumption were collected for correlation analyses. Results The clonorchiasis patients’age, gender, BMI, duration of raw fish consumption and total amount of raw fish consumption had no associations with pre-treatment LSM values (r/rs = 0.189, 0.073, 0.180; 0.071, –0.098, 0.033; 0.166, 0.309, 0.172; 0.235, 0.247, 0.209; 0.164, 0.277, 0.088; all P values > 0.05). There was a significant difference in the LSM values from the seventh, eighth and ninth intercostal space prior to deworming (F = 3.259, P < 0.05), and no significant difference was detected after deworming (F = 0.851, P > 0.05). The LSM values from the seventh, eighth and ninth intercostal space were significantly lower pre-deworming than post-deworming (t = 6.724, 5.603, 2.884; all P values < 0.05). Conclusion FibroScan is feasible to assess the therapuetic efficacy of deworming in patients with clonorchiasis; however, measurement at various sites affects the LSM value.

Chemical constituents from stems and leaves of Mappianthus iodoides / 中草药

Objective To study the chemical constituents of the stems and leaves of Mappianthus iodoides. Methods The chemical constituents of M. iodoides were separated and purified by silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 gel column chromatographies, and preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified by physicochemical properties, spectroscopic analysis, as well as comparisons with the data reported in literature. Results Sixteen compounds were isolated from the 90% ethanol extract of the stems and leaves of M. iodoides, which were identified as 9-hydroxy-4,6-megastigmadien-3-one (1), 9-hydroxy-4,7-megastigmadien-3-one (2), blumenol A (3), 9,10-dihydroxy-4,7-megastigmadien-3-one (4), 5,12-epoxy-9-hydroxy-7-megastigmen-3-one (5), 5,12-epoxy-6,9-hydroxy-7- megastigmen-3-one (6), loliolide (7), lariciresinol (8), isolariciresinol (9), 5′-methoxylariciresinol (10), olivil (11), dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (12), chushizisin I (13), 3,3-didemethoxyverrucosin (14), 4-epi-larreatricin (15), and glycerol monolinoleate (16). Conclusion All compounds are isolated from the genus Mappianthus for the first time.

Final evaluation of medium-and long-term program of schistosomiasis con-trol in Baise City / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the monitoring results of medium-and long-term program of schistosomiasis control in Baise City,so as to provide the reference for the elimination of schistosomiasis.Methods The data of schistosomiasis control in Baise City from 2004 to 2015 were collected and analyzed.Results By the end of 2015,the total number of regular screening serum tests for schistosomiasis in the planning period was 10 244 person-times,with 649 positive cases.The number of feces tests was 2 158 person-times in the permanent resident population,and the number was 2 683 person-times in the floating popu-lation.The Oncomelania hupensis snail survey area was 150.04 hm2,and the accumulated snail control area was 2.03 hm2.No schistosomiasis patients or schistosome-infected snails were found.Conclusion The effect of medium-and long-term program of schistosomiasis control is effective in Baise City,and the criterion of schistosomiasis elimination has been achieved.

Pathological Lesions and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Expressions in the Liver of Mice Experimentally Infected with Clonorchis sinensis

The nitric oxide (NO) formation and intrinsic nitrosation may be involved in the possible mechanisms of liver fluke-associated carcinogenesis. We still do not know much about the responses of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) induced by Clonorchis sinensis infection. This study was conducted to explore the pathological lesions and iNOS expressions in the liver of mice with different infection intensity levels of C. sinensis. Extensive periductal inflammatory cell infiltration, bile duct hyperplasia, and fibrosis were commonly observed during the infection. The different pathological responses in liver tissues strongly correlated with the infection intensity of C. sinensis. Massive acute spotty necrosis occurred in the liver parenchyma after a severe infection. The iNOS activity in liver tissues increased, and iNOS-expressing cells with morphological differences were observed after a moderate or severe infection. The iNOS-expressing cells in liver tissues had multiple origins.

The screening and identification of Apolipoprotein A-II from serum differential proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma patients / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To screen differential proteins in serum from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients by Proteomic Technology and to purify and identify them.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Surface enhanced laser desorption Ionization time of flight-mass spectrum (SELDI-TOF-MS) was employed to screen differential proteins in serum from 33 HCC patients and 33 control cases, and then to purify and identify them using isoelectric precipitation, Tricine sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Tricine-SDS-PAGE) and high performance liquid chromatography tandem Mass Spectrum (HPLC-MS).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>65 protein peaks in the range of relative molecular weight from 2,000 to 10,000 were found significant difference (P less than 0.05) between the patient group and control group. Based on these differential protein peaks, diagnostic model for HCC detection was established and its sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 96.97% respectively. Proteins with 8,706.5 and 8,579.2 relative molecular weights (the t value was 2.562 and 2.783 respectively, and P value was 0.013 and 0.015 respectively) out of the 65 differential proteins were purified and identified, and then recognized as Apolipoprotein AII (Apo AII).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Apo AII is probably a differential protein of HCC and maybe related to the pathogenesis of HCC.</p>