Search

Purpose: To identify the biological function of phosphoserine aminotransferase 1 (PSAT1) in regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis in multiple myeloma (MM).Methods: The mRNA and protein levels of PSAT1 were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting, respectively. Cell proliferation was measured using CCK-8 assay.Results: PSAT1 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased in MM cell lines when compared to control cells. Moreover, downregulation of PSAT1 inhibited MM cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis, whereas overexpression of PSAT1 promoted MM cell proliferation and suppressed cell apoptosis. Further analysis demonstrated that the underlying mechanism was via regulation of PI3K/AKT pathway.Conclusion: The results identified a novel role for PSAT1 in the progression of MM, which may provide a therapeutic and a new anticancer target for the therapy of MM. Keywords: Multiple myeloma, PSAT1, Cell proliferation, PI3K/AKT pathway

To develop low consumption and an environmentally friendly degradation technology for organic pollutants, micro-SiC/graphene composite materials were synthesized by photocatalytic reduction, and the composition and morphology of the prepared materials were characterized by XRD, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and SEM. Rhodamine B (RhB) was selected as the simulated pollutant to investigate the photocatalytic activity and stability of composite materials under visible light irradiation. The degradation mechanism was preliminarily discussed by active species capture experiments. Results show that the lives of photogenerated electron and photogenerated hole of SiC were prolonged when combined with graphene, which improved the photocatalytic activity and stability of composite materials. The degradation efficiency of RhB reached 92.7% with the composite material of SiC/graphene ratio (1:0.8) under 60 min irradiation, and the degradation process accorded with the first-order reaction kinetic equation. The contribution of main active species for photocatalytic degradation followed with a decreasing order of photogenerated hole (h

Jin-ling Zhou,1,* Xiu-ying Huang,2,* Han-chen Qiu,3 Ri-zhi Gan,1 Huan Zhou,1 Hong-qing Zhu,1 Xuan-xuan Zhang,1 Guo-dong Lu,4 Gang Liang1 1School of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People’s Republic of China; 2Liuzhou Employment Service Centre for the Disabled, Liuzhou, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Pharmacy, The People’s Hospital of Hezhou, Hezhou, People’s Republic of China; 4School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Gang LiangDepartment of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Province, People’s Republic of ChinaTel + 86 771 5302271Fax + 86 771 5358272Email lianggang@gxmu.edu.cnGuo-dong LuDepartment of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Province, People’s Republic of ChinaTel + 86 771 535 8114Fax + 86 771 5350823Email golden_lu@hotmail.comIntroduction: Saponin of Schizocapsa plantaginea Hance I (SSPH I), a novel bioactive phytochemical isolated from the rhizomes of Schizocapsa plantaginea, has been demonstrated to exhibit anti-cancer activity against various tumors in preclinical studies. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the suppression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are poorly understood. The present study aimed at analyzing the effects of SSPH I on autophagy and apoptosis in vitro.Methods: MTT and colony forming assays were used to detect cell viability and cell proliferation. Hoechst 33,258 staining and flow cytometry were used to determine apoptosis and ROS production. The apoptosis and autophagy-related protein expression levels were evaluated via Western blot assay. Characteristics of autophagy and apoptosis were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Lysosomal activity was stained with Lyso-Tracker Red and Magic Red Cathepsin B.Results: The results showed that SSPH I exhibited potent anti-cancer activity and proliferation in HepG2 and BEL-7402 cells and inhibited HepG2 cells through inhibiting autophagy and promoting apoptosis. The mechanistic study indicated that the inhibition of autophagy of SSPH I was mediated by blocking autophagosome–lysosome fusion. Additionally, we found that SSPH I could mediate the activation of MAPK/ERK1/2 signaling pathway, and the use of NAC (ROS inhibitor) and U0126 (MEK1/2 inhibitor) converted the effect of SSPH I on apoptosis and autophagy in HepG2 cells.Conclusion: These data suggest that SSPH I induces tumor cells apoptosis and reduces autophagy in vitro by inducing ROS and activating MAPK/ERK1/2 signaling pathway, indicating that SSPH I might be a novel agent for the treatment of HCC.Keywords: saponins of Schizocapsa plantaginea Hance I, SSPH I, autophagy, hepatocellular carcinoma cells, apoptosis, ROS, MAPK

Ethnopharmacological relevance Green tea is the most ancient and popular beverage worldwide and its main constituent epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has a potential role in the management of cancer through the modulation of cell signaling pathways. However, EGCG is frangible to oxidation and exhibits low lipid solubility and bioavailability, and we synthesized a derivative of EGCG in an attempt to overcome these limitations. Aim of the study The anthracycline antibiotic daunorubicin (DNR) is a potent anticancer agent. However, its severe cardiotoxic limits its clinical efficacy. Human carbonyl reductase 1 (CBR1) is one of the most effective human reductases for producing hydroxyl metabolites and thus may be involved in increasing the cardiotoxicity and decreasing the antineoplastic effect of anthracycline antibiotics. Accordingly, in this study, we investigated the co-therapeutic effect of Y6, a novel and potent adjuvant obtained by optimization of the structure of EGCG. Material and methods The cellular concentrations of DNR and its metabolite DNRol were measured by HPLC to determine the effects of EGCG and Y6 on the inhibition of DNRol formation. The cytotoxic effects of EGCG and Y6 were tested by MTT assay in order to identify non-toxic concentrations of them. To understand their antitumor and cardioprotective mechanisms, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and CBR1 protein expression was measured via Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining while gene expression was analyzed using RT-PCR. Moreover, PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK signaling pathways were analyzed via Western blotting. HepG2 xenograft model was used to detect the effects of EGCG and Y6 on the antitumor activity and cardiotoxicity of DNR in vivo. Finally, to obtain further insight into the interactions of Y6 and EGCG with HIF-1α and CBR1, we performed a molecular modeling. Results Y6(10 μg/ml or 55 mg/kg) decreased the expression of HIF-1α and CBR1 at both the mRNA and protein levels during combined drug therapy in vitro as well as in vivo, thereby inhibiting formation of the metabolite DNRol from DNR, with the mechanisms being related to PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK signaling inhibition. In a human carcinoma xenograft model established with subcutaneous HepG2 cells, Y6(55 mg/kg) enhanced the antitumor effect and reduced the cardiotoxicity of DNR more effectively than EGCG(40 mg/kg). Conclusions Y6 has the ability to inhibit CBR1 expression through the coordinate inhibition of PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK signaling, then synergistically enhances the antitumor effect and reduces the cardiotoxicity of DNR.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Hypervascularity has been considered as one of the major features of many solid tumors. Green tea is one of the commonly drink resources in China, and its active component, Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), exhibits antiangiogenic activities in various experimental tumor models. However, EGCG has many shortages, e.g., relatively unstable, low lipid solubility, poor bioavailability, and short duration of action. Aim of the study To overcome the shortages of EGCG for antiangiogenic antitumor usage, our study developed a novel EGCG derivate, Y6(5,3′,4′,3″,4″,5″-6-0-ethyl-EGCG). The underlying mechanism was also elucidated. Material and methods we evaluated the effects of EGCG, Y6 on HCC and angiogenesis in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, to understand their antitumor mechanisms, key factors within angiogenesis-related signaling pathways (MAPK/ERK1/2, PI3K/AKT, HIF-1 VEGF) were analyzed by using western blot, immunohistochemistry (IHC), quantitative real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR). HepG2 xenograft model and the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) were used to investigate the effects of Y6 and EGCG on tumors and anti-angiogenesis in vivo. Micro-vessel density (MVD) was analyzed by IHC of CD34 staining. IHC, qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF protein in tumor tissues. The protein levels of MAPK/ERK1/2, PI3K/AKT, HIF-1α, and VEGF in tumor tissues were detected by western blot. Results Our results demonstrated that both EGCG and Y6 displayed antiangiogenetic and antitumor effects against HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. We found that rather than equal amount of EGCG, Y6 displayed better abilities in inhibiting the growth of HCC tumor cells, as well as inhibiting the growth of neovascularization in the chick embryos and HepG2 xenograft tumors bearing-mice, based on the data obtained from MTT assay, immunohistochemistry (IHC), chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays. In the comparison of equivalent dose of EGCG, qRT-PCR data showed that Y6 induced more significant decrease of the mRNA levels of HIF-1α and VEGF in supernatant-treated SMMC-7721 cells under hypoxic condition, as well as in the in xenograft tumor tissues; whereas Y6 also significantly reduced the protein levels of MAPK/ERK1/2, PI3K/AKT, HIF-1α, and VEGF to a greater extent than EGCG, determined by western blotting assay. Conclusions our work suggests that the new EGCG derivate Y6 could significantly inhibit tumor growth and angiogenesis which is possibly involved with the signaling intervention of MAPK/ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT/HIF-1α/VEGF pathways, and is supposed to be a potential therapeutic reagent for anti-angiogenesis treatment of solid tumors.

To evaluate the transmission risk and features of schistosomiasis by analyzing the data concerning positive rates of anti-schistosome antibody using catalytic models.Cross-sectional survey was conducted in seven villages with different endemicity of schistosomiasis in Jiangxi (Caohui, Xinhua, Jingtou villages), Anhui (Yuye, Tieguai, Longshang villages) and Hubei (Hebei village) Provinces in 2008. Serum samples were collected and indirect hemagglutination assay was performed to detect anti-schistosome antibodies in serum. Antibody positive rate was calculated and differences among villages and age groups as well as between genders were analyzed. Data of antibody positive rate based on age strata for each village were analyzed by two-stage catalytic model and reversible and two-stage compound catalytic model. Parameters of each model were estimated through the maximum likelihood method. Seroconversion rate and sero-negative conversion rate were estimated in the two-stage catalytic model. Seroconversion rate, seroreversion rate and sero-negative conversion rate were estimated in reversible and two-stage compound catalytic model. The fitting effect was evaluated through correlation analysis and chi-square tests. The best fitted models and parameters were used to analyze the transmission risk and characteristics of schistosomiasis.A total of 6 428 individuals were examined with an average schistosomiasis antibody positive rate of 39.80%（2 485/6 428）. In terms of age, the peak of antibody positive rate in Caohui, Xinhua, Jingtou, Yuye, Tieguai, Longshang, and Hebei villages occurred in the age group of 46-50 （82.86%, 58/70）, 31-35 （60.78%, 31/51）, 31-35 （68.42%, 26/38）, 41-45（55.04%, 71/129）, 51-55 （62.38%, 63/101）, 56-60 （31.43%, 33/105）, and 16-20 （21.88%, 7/32） years old, respectively. In general, the antibody positive rate showed a trend of increase followed by a decrease with increasing age in each village. The best model for the data of Caohui, Xinhua and Jingtou and Yuye village was the two-stage catalytic model. The estimated seroconversion rate in these villages was 0.049 5, 0.044 0, 0.055 7, and 0.034 4 respectively, all higher than the corresponding sero-negative conversion rate of 0.005 9, 0.019 6, 0.015 5, and 0.017 8. The best model for the data of Longshang, Tieguai and Hebei villages was the reversible and two-stage compound model. The seroconversion rate in these villages was 0.062 9, 0.168 1, and 0.039 4 respectively, the seroreversion rate was 0.168 8, 0.121 1, and 0.152 2, and the sero-negative conversion rate was 0.001 7, 0.000 2, and 0.090 9.The catalytic model based on antibody positive rate by age strata could reflect the transmission rate and risk quantitatively and may provide guidance for making control strategies.

Modern urban water conservancy construction is supposed to keep "people and water in harmony" as the goal; the urban water conservancy project functions in flood control, drainage as its basics , meantime, it should also play social roles of ecological environment, landscape in the project. This article takes Heigangkou Reservoir ecological environment construction in Kaifeng as an example, briefly introducing the plane of its ecological management of the status quo, the revetment type design, and putting forwards some new ecological revetment structure materials and technologies.

Due to the complex geological conditions of Nanshan mine east region, the outburst predict index overrun frequently in the process of high-dipping extremely thick coal seam rock cross-cut coal uncovering, this text designed and optimized the front explore borehole parameter to ascertain conditions of coal seam; Optimized gas drainage drilling parameters to improve the rate of extraction, reduced the blank tape; On the basis of the theory of mechanics, derivate the computational formula of minimum safety rock pillars, identified with the minimum thickness safety of rock pillars. Through the above measures, guaranteed debunking coal seams quickly and safely.

In order to reduce the danger of single coal seams outburst during the tunneling in coal roadway and ensure the tunneling of coal seams, this text analyzed the mechanism of crossing drilling against outburst; studied the area measures of floor tunnel crossing and grid drainage boreholes in coal roadway, Designed and optimized the drilling technical parameters; Analyzed the relationship between the drainage concentration and scalar; Calculated the maximum overlying coal seam gas to spare scalar quantity is 224300 m3 ;Used a variety of indicators to investigate the effect of outburst prevention. It shows that Gas content and gas pressure have significant lower than drainage. After the drainage up to standard, all the sensitive indexes is not overrun, during the coal roadway tunneling, it does not appears dynamic phenomenon. Solve the problem of mining imbalances, guaranteed the safety driving of roadway.

For spontaneous combustion possibilities under large flux methane drainage in the goaf, dynamic permeability in combination with the Forchheimer nonlinear equation was used to solve the problem of 3D oxygen distribution, heating law in goaf and to forecast the effects of fire protection by taking the fifth section face of the No.18 coal seam in Nanshan Coal Mine as the basis for this study. The results demonstrate that if the vertical position of the drainage laneway is so low as to cause serious air leakage, a high oxygen concentration area exists in the return side of the goaf, and there is also a high temperature region which has faster heating rate than in the other areas. The effect of methane drainage on goaf heating can be alleviated dramatically by simultaneous plugging and nitrogen injection. The results show that gas data in the return side of the goaf must be detected carefully in the work face, which is of similar drainage arrangement. Therefore, comprehensive fire protection measures should be carried out if conditions permit.

The influence of gas drainage on float coal spontaneous combustion in the work face with “U” style ventilation was studied. Numerical simulation was used to compare the mutative law of steady flow and density field in the gob area under different drainage conditions by solving the equation set, including mass, momentum, and component transition. Consequently, the sequence of drainage effect and safety was obtained. The result manifests that the more effective the drainage pattern is, the easier float coal spontaneous combustion is caused due to air being guided into the depth of the gob area when the drainage position is arranged in the gas accumulation area. If the widened scope of oxidation zone exceeds the upper limit of the work face advancing speed, nitrogen injection should be applied to decrease the probability of spontaneous combustion. Then, the pipe laying drainage in the upper angle is most economical and safe compared with other drainage patterns when only the situation of gas accumulation is controlled in the upper angle. Finally, drainage pressure must not be too great. Otherwise the drainage density will decrease even if hazard is caused by back flow possibly happening in the return outlet when the drainage position is arranged near the work face.

Although the number of human infections decreased, human prevalence increased from 4.9% in 1995 to 5.1% in 2004., Results from the third nationwide cluster sampling survey on the epidemiology of schistosomiasis in the People’s Republic of China, conducted by the Ministry of Health in 2004, are presented. A stratified cluster random sampling technique was used, and 239 villages were selected in 7 provinces where Schistosoma japonicum remains endemic. A total of 250,987 residents 6–65 years of age were included in the survey. Estimated prevalence rates in the provinces of Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Anhui, Yunnan, Sichuan, and Jiangsu were 4.2%, 3.8%, 3.1%, 2.2%, 1.7%, 0.9%, and 0.3%, respectively. The highest prevalence rates were in the lake and marshland region (3.8%) and the lowest rates were in the plain region with waterway networks (0.06%). Extrapolation to all residents in schistosome-endemic areas indicated 726,112 infections. This indicates a reduction of 16.1% compared with a nationwide survey conducted in 1995. However, human infection rates increased by 3.9% in settings where transmission is ongoing.

A model was developed using remote sensing and geographic information system technologies for habitat identification of Oncomelania hupensis, the intermediate host snail of Schistosoma japonicum, in the Poyang Lake area, China. In a first step, two multi-temporal Landsat TM 5 satellite images, one from the wet and the second from the dry season, were visually classified into different land-use types. Next, the normalized difference vegetation index was extracted from the images and the tasseled-cap transformation was employed to derive the wetness feature. Our model predicted an estimated 709 km2 of the marshlands in Poyang Lake as potential habitats for O. hupensis. Near-ground temperature measurements in April and August yielded a range of 22.8-24.2 degrees C, and pH values of 6.0-8.5 were derived from existing records. Both climatic features represent suitable breeding conditions for the snails. Preliminary validation of the model at 10 sites around Poyang Lake revealed an excellent accuracy for predicting the presence of O. hupensis. We used the predicted snail habitats as centroids and established buffer zones around them. Villages with an overall prevalence of S. japonicum below 3% were located more than 1200m away from the centroids. Furthermore, a gradient of high-to-low prevalence was observed with increasing distance from the centroids. In conclusion, the model holds promise for identifying high risk areas of schistosomiasis japonica and may become an important tool for the ongoing national schistosomiasis control programme. The model is of particular relevance for schistosome-affected regions that lack accurate surveillance capabilities and are large enough to be detected at most commercially available remote sensing scales.

To analyze the progress of implementation of integrated strategy with emphasis on the control of infectious sources and effectiveness for joint-project of schistosomiasis control in Hubei province.Data on the endemic status and implementation of each integrated intervention in 6 collaborated counties including Gongan, Hanchuan, Honghu, Jiangling, Xiantao and Yangxin during 2009-2013 were collected and analyzed. 18 administrative villages with a history of endemic schistosomisis from 6 counties were selected for field survey. Individuals aged 6-65 years received screening test by IHA, and feces of antibody positive inhabitants were collected and tested by miracidia hatching technique. Hatching technique was conducted to determine the infection rate of schistosomiasis in cattle if there was any cattle existed.Various interventions were conducted with adaption to the local situation by the Departments of Agriculture, Water Conservancy, Forestry, and Health. The total number of cattle decreased from 75 388 at the beginning of 2009 to 1 805 at the end of 2013 in 6 counties with a reduction rate of 97.5%, while the prevalence in cattle reduced to 0-0.3% in 2013. Snail-infested areas were stable but areas with infected snails decreased significantly, and no infected snails were found in 2012-2013. Meanwhile, the infection rate of human beings on county level were less than 1%. No infected snails and cattle were found in 18 selected villages and the prevalence in inhabitants was in the range of 0-0.8%.Cooperation between provincial government and the Ministries of Health and Agruiculture accelerates the process to reach the criteria of transmission control of schistosomiasis in Hubei Province. However, sustainable effort in needed as the current endemic situation of schistosomiasis is stillunstable.

The diagnosis of Schistosoma japonicum (Sj) infection in low prevalence areas of the People's Republic of China is challenging due to the sensitivity of the detection methods, leading to an underestimation of the disease burden. We compared the sensitivities of the miracidium hatching test (MHT) with the modified Kato-Katz method (KK) and the combination of the two methods (KK-MHT) to detect Sj infection in low prevalence areas of China. The stool samples of 3,853 residents from 8 villages with a light to moderate prevalence (0-23%) of Sj infection were examined by KK, MHT and KK-MHT. The findings were inconsistent. The KK-MHT conbination gave more positives than either the KK or MHT alone. Using the KK-MHT, we determined the missed rates with the KK (mR(K)) and MHT (mR(H)) to be 30.1% and 10.2%, respectively. At light prevalence sites (infection rate10%) the mR(K) was 60.6%, significantly higher than the mR(K) of 22.3% found at moderate prevalence sites (10-23%). However, the mR(H) at the light and moderate prevalence sites were 11.54% and 9.90%, respectively (p0.05). The combination KK-MHT had the best sensitivity in low Sj prevalence areas in China and the KK method alone was the least sensitive. Using KK alone as a screening method will result in an underestimation of Sj infection disease burden.

To establish the measures of schistosomiasis field survey and evaluate the efficacy of their application according to the content of indexes of rapid assessment system to high transmission risks in schistosomiasis endemic areas of lake regions.In 2012, based on the analysis of Oncomelania hupensis snail situation, and schistosomiasis epidemic data of human and cattle from 2008-2010, 60 villages from Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi and Anhui provinces were selected and investigated, and the content of the investigation included the field feces, snail status, and epidemic situation of human and cattle. The systemic sampling was applied for snail investigation; the feces collected from snail investigation field were examined by the hatching test (3 bottles for 1 sample). A cluster random sampling was carried out with more than 300 people in each village. By using the hatching test (3 bottles for 1 sample) , the human stool examination was carried out for the identification of the infected persons who were positive in the immunity test screening. The hatching test was applied for cattle of all the villages (3 bottles for 1 sample).A total of 65 field feces spots were surveyed in 60 villages, field feces were found in 78.46% (51/65) of spots, and the positive rate of field feces was 1.07% (9/842). There were 73.33% (44,160)of villages with cattle, and the largest amount cattle with 329 was found in Wufeng Village, Jiangxi Province. The cattle infection rate was 1.5 1% (4,913,242) in 3242 investigated cattle. The highest cattle infection rate was 4% in Tongxin Village, Jiangxi Province. The population of 47 099 was surveyed, the infection rate was 0.77% (364/47 099), and the highest was 4.37% in Xumuchang Village, Hunan Province. The infection rate was 0 in 43.33% (26/60) of villages. No acute schistosomiasis cases were reported in all the villages in 2011 and 2012. Totally, 77 snail spots in 60 villages were investigated, and 51 spots were marshland and 26 spots were ditches. The schistosome-infected snails were detected in 5.88% (3/51 )of the marshland spots and the living snails were found in 80.39%(41/51) of the spots. The highest density of living snails was 3.20/0.1 m2 in Xumuchang Village, Hunan Province. The average density of infected snails was 0.00045/0.1 m2 (4/8942). The infected snail spots were distributed in Liujiadi Village and Liuhe Village of Hubei Province, and Jiangkou Village of Anhui Province. No infected snails were detected in 26 ditches spots. The living snails were detected in 53.85% (14/26) of the ditches spots. The highest average density of living snails was 3.76/0.1 m2 in Huakou Village, Hubei Province.The measures of field survey for rapid assessment system of high transmission risks in schistosomiasis endemic areas of lake regions are established and applied with scientific, impersonal and rapid characteristics.

A schistosomiasis laboratory network and its quality assurance system have been built and will be more and more perfect in China. This paper introduces the present situation of schistosomiasis diagnosis in China and expounds the basic ideas and the progress in the construction of schistosomiasis network platform. Furthermore, the face of schistosomiasis diagnosis network platform construction and operation of the challenge and the future work will be put forward in the latter part of this paper.

To assess the impact of the "4 x 20" Lushan Earthquake on the risk of schistosomiasis transmission in Lushan and Tianquan counties, so as to provide the evidence for formulating appropriate measures for schistosomiasis prevention and control.Based on a comprehensive literature review, an analysis of schistosomiasis monitoring data in the earthquake affected counties, and a field investigation, a rapid assessment on the impact of the earthquake on schistosomiasis was conducted.Lushan and Tianquan counties were two endemic areas of schistosomiasis with high transmission level in history, especially Lushan County where Oncomelania snail distribution/density was the highest in Sichuan Province. After the earthquake, the streams and damaged ditches were blocked up, potentially leading to the spread of Oncomelania snails, and the damaged sanitary facilities may also lead to the release of excrement, contaminating the environment where snails resided. Meanwhile, the people who were relocated due to the earthquake may have higher exposures to contaminated environment. In addition, increasing population mobility (e.g. relief workers) also had the potential to bring infection sources in the earthquake affected areas. Further, animals, which may serve as reservoirs for the parasite such as homeless dogs, may also add the complexity of local schistosomiasis transmission.The epidemic risk of schistosomiasis in Lushan and Tianquan counties is high. To prevent the outbreak and epidemic of schistosomiasis, the victim settlements should be established appropriately and the excrement should be managed carefully. Meanwhile, the snail control should be carried out in the high-risk environments. The health education, monitoring, patient treatments and expanded chemotherapy should be carried out and strengthened.

To establish an index system for rapid assessment of environment with high transmission risk of schistosomiasis in marshland and lake regions.The alternative indices were established preliminarily by the documentary method, and then the Delphi method was used two rounds to select the indices and establish the index system. The degree of familiar and authority of the experts as well as the weights of all indices were assessed.A total of 3 primary indices namely morbidity in domestic animals, morbidity in humans and Oncomelania snail status were established, among which the weight of morbidity in domestic animals (0.68) was the highest. Totally 16 secondary indices were established, among which the combinative weights of the positive rate of wild feces (0.09), the infection rate of livestock (0.09), the infection rate of humans (0.07), the number of cases with acute schistosomiasis (0.07), the area with infected snails (0.07), and the density of infected snails (0.07) were the highest. The coefficients of familiar degree and authority degree of the experts of the primary indices were 0.79-0.85 and 0.88-0.91, and those of the secondary indices were 0.68-0.86 and 0.77-0.91, respectively.The index system for rapid assessment of environment with high transmission risk of schistosomiasis in marshland and lake regions is established preliminarily. Using this system, we can assess the key endemic indices of humans, domestic animals and snails to understand the endemic situation in the investigated sites.

To understand the indirect hemagglutination test capabilities of personnel from the institutes of schistosomiasis control at the basic levels in lake areas.All the contestants were grouped by the operation standard, qualitative judgment, quantitative determination, and geographical location of Hunan and Hubei provinces, and their scores were statistically analyzed by SPSS 16.0 software.The total scores of the contestants of the two provinces were high and there was no significant difference between them. Among the professional persons, the scores of operation standard and qualitative judgment were significantly higher than those of quantitative determination. There were no significant differences among the scores grouped by the different genders, ages, professional titles and areas (all P0.05).The quantitative determination of indirect hemagglutination test of personnel from the institutes of schistosomiasis control at the basic levels is not very good. Therefore, the training of test capacity still should be strengthened.

To understand the comprehensive capability of helminth detection among professionals at different level of parasitic disease control institutions and promote the overall strength of diagnosis.Four professionals from each parasitic diseases control institutions were selected as contestant (age45 and at least two contestant from county-level institution). The content of contest included making stool slides with Kato-Katz method (five slides in thirty minutes, a total score of 15 and 9 as passing score) and identification of eleven common helminth eggs with microscopy (ten slides, five minutes per slide, a total score of 60, 36 as passing score).The average score of making slides in 119 contestants from 30 provinces was 11.4, and 119 contestants passed accounted for 93.3%. The average score of film-reading was 22.0, and 20 contestants passed accounted for 16.8%. There were no statistically significant differences between the results in different gender, age (or = 30, 31-40,40), job title (the junior, intermediate, and senior), institution level (provincial, municipal, and county level) (P0.05). By Kato-Katz slide-making and film-reading, the scores in contestants from provinces with schistosomiasis control task (12.1 +/- 1.7, 32.1 +/- 11.5, respectively) were better than contestants from other provinces (11.1 +/- 1.8, 18.1 +/- 10.5, respectively). The scores in contestants from western (18.4 +/- 11.4) were lower than those from eastern (25.2 +/- 12.4) and central (24.1 +/- 13.1) for film-reading.The overall capability of parasitic disease examination is unbalanced among regions, and evidently there is a need to strengthen the capacity of pathogen detection in the disease control programs.

To investigate and analyze the schistosomiasis endemic status and influencing factors in areas of schistosomiasis transmission control in hilly regions of mountain areas, so as to provide the reference for establishing the strategy and measures to achieve the target of schistosomiasis transmission-interrupted in the similar areas.Dongpo District of Meishan City, Sichuan Province, which was appropriate to the standards of schistosomiasis transmission controlled by national evaluation in 2008, was selected as a study area. The data of schistosomiasis control from 2008 to 2010 were collected. A survey for epidemiological factors was carried out from April to November in 2011. The survey of Oncomelania snails was performed with the systematic sampling combined with environmental method. The schistosome infection status of residents was investigated by the seroimmunological test and fecal hatching examination. The schistosome infection status of cattle was investigated by the plastic cup with top tube hatching method. The infested water contact of residents was investigated with questionnaire. At the same time, in 2011, a simple random sampling combined with rapid field assessment method was used to investigate the distribution of outdoor feces, outdoor feces containing schistosome eggs, snails and infected snails in two spots of Jingyang District, Deyang City and Renshou County, Meishan City which had been appropriate to the standards of schistosomiasis transmission controlled in 2006 and 2007 respectively.From 2008 to 2010, 182.6 thousand-213.3 thousand local residents were examined in Dongpo District, the positive rate of sero-immunological tests of population was 6.30% - 6.81%, and the infection rate of population was 0.02% -0.07% by estimated calculation. Totally 2 835-7 260 heads of cattle were examined and no positive cases were found. The areas of snail habits were 190.00-232.00 hm2, the intensities of living snails were 0.02-0.19 snails/0.1 m2, and no infected snails were found. In 2011, totally 204.4 thousand residents were examined and the positive rate of sero-immunological tests of population was 4.98% but no positive cases were founded through the parasitological tests. A total of 1 735 heads of cattle were examined and no positive cases were found. The areas of snail habits were 99.00 hm2, the intensity of living snails was 0.18 snails/ 0.1 m2, and no infected snails were found. Questionnaire analyses of a total of 537 residents in 4 villages showed that ditch, channel, pond, and paddy field were the major environments of the infested water contact of the residents. In the ditches and paddy fields, the average annual median values of water contact of residents were 15 and 20 person-times respectively before the area was appropriate to the standards of schistosomiasis transmission controlled, and 20 and 30 person-times respectively after the area was appropriate to the standards of schistosomiasis transmission controlled, and there were no significant differences (chi(ditch2) = 1.61, chi(padd field2) = 0.03, both P0.05). Whereas, in the channels and ponds, the average annual median values of water contact were 15 and 30 person-times respectively before the area was appropriate to the standards of schistosomiasis transmission controlled, but they were significantly reduced after the area was appropriate to the standards of schistosomiasis transmission controlled (chi(channel2) =10.35, chi(pond2) =18.69, both P0.01). In 2011, the rapid field investigation and assessment showed that the average appearance rates of snails through screening were 60.15% and 12.12% respectively in the 2 villages. The average densities of living snails were 1.19 snails/0.1m2 and 0.20 snails/0.1m2 respectively in the 2 villages, and there were no infected snails. A total of 78 outdoor feces of cattle and sheep were collected and the fecal hatching examinations showed that there were no positives.After the schistosomiasis endemic areas in hilly regions of mountain areas are appropriate to the standards of schistosomiasis transmission controll, the achievements have been consolidated. However, the potential schistosomiasis endemic factors still exist, such as the high positive rate of schistosome sero-immunological tests in population, frequently bovine flowing, and no obviously decrease of the snail area and density of living snails. Therefore, it is an urgent need to develop more suitable new technologies and measures to accelerate the process of schistosomiasis prevention and control.

To explore the effects and the molecular mechanism of puerariae radix flavones (PRF) on acute myeloid leukemia cell line Kasumi-1 cells in vitro.Kasumi-1 cells treated by PRF for 48 hours were observed with Wright's and Hoechst 33258 dying. The apoptotic cells were analyzed by flow cytometry with AnnexinV/PI staining. The expression levels of bcl-2, Bim and Caspase-3/-8/-9 protein were assayed by Western blot and the AML1-ETO fusion gene was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction.PRF could induce Kasumi-1 cells to apoptosis effectively. The proportion of apoptotic cells in 50, 200 and 500 µg/ml PRF treatment groups were (14.1 ± 0.8)%, (17.7 ± 1.3)% and (32.4 ± 1.4)%, respectively, and significantly higher than that of control \[(7.8 ± 0.7)%\]. The relative expression levels of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein were 0.85 ± 0.05, 0.62 ± 0.07 and 0.43 ± 0.05; the apoptotic Bim protein were 0.21 ± 0.06, 0.39 ± 0.04 and 0.75 ± 0.05; the caspase-3 and caspase-9 were 0.92 ± 0.04, 1.21 ± 0.07, 1.33 ± 0.04 and 0.35 ± 0.05, 0.53 ± 0.03, 0.69 ± 0.07, respectively. Compared to the blank control group, all these changes were significant (P0.01). Nevertheless, nearly no changes could be observed on the expression level of AML1-ETO fusion gene and caspase-8 protein.Apoptosis of Kasumi-1 cells induced by PRF might correlate to the down-regulation of Bcl-2 protein expression and the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-8 protein in the cells. It seemed that all these effects had no relationship with the AML1-ETO fusion gene.

To observe the toxicity of niclosamide with plastic film mulching to fish.A ditch with Oncomelania snails was selected as the study site, and it was divided into a control group and a molluscicide group. After the river closure, the molluscicidal group was sprayed with niclosamide with a dosage of 2 g/m2, and then covered with plastic film; no molluscicide measure was implemented in the control group. The toxicity of the molluscicide to carp fish in resting and flowing water environment was observed.In flowing water, the death rates of carp fry of the molluscicidal and control groups showed no statistical difference 7 d after the film mulching (P = 0. 680), and no carp fry died in the 2 groups after plastic film taking off for 4 d. The death rates of carp fry between the 3 sites (with a distance of 50, 100 and 150 m from the molluscicidal group, respectively) and the control group had no statistical difference 7 d after film mulching (P = 0.955), and no dead fry was discovered 4 d after taking off the film. In downstream, for the death rates of carp fry, there was no difference between the molluscicidal group and the control group (P = 0.376). The death rates of snails before and after the molluscicidal experiment showed a significant difference (P0.01).The technology of niclosamide molluscicide with plastic film mulching can not only improve the molluscicidal effect, but also avoid the toxicity to fish, which is suitable for special environment such as a fish pond.

To evaluate the molluscicidal effect of film on ditches in mountainous schistosomiasis endemic regions.A ditch with Oncomelania hupensis snails was selected as experimental field. The ditch was divided into 3 parts (groups): a niclosamide plus film covering group (film covering after spraying by wettable powder of 50% niclosamide ethanolamine salt upon 2 g/m2), a film covering group (film covering directly without niclosamide spraying), and a control group (no molluscicidal measures). The snail investigation was performed 7, 10, 40, 60 d and 90 d after film covering. The temperatures outside and inside film were determined twice a day during the experiment.The temperature inside the film was significantly higher than that outside the film (t = 4.12, P0.01). Compared with the densities of living snails before the experiment, the densities of living snails decreased by 99. 01% and 67.71% seven days post-film in the niclosamide plus film covering group and film covering group respectively; 96.58% and 93.06% ten days post-film respectively; both 100% forty days post-film. The multi-factor regression model indicated that covering film with niclosamide applying, extending film covering time, and increasing cumulate temperature inside film could enhance the molluscicidal effect.The film covering has well molluscicidal effect. The molluscicidal effect of covering film with niclosamide is better than that of covering film alone in short time. However, the covering film alone also has good molluscicidal effect when increasing covering time.

Background Schistosoma japonicum is a major public health concern in the Peoples' Republic of China (PRC), with about 800,000 people infected and another 50 million living in areas at risk of infection. Based on ecological, environmental, population genetic and molecular factors, schistosomiasis transmission in PRC can be categorised into four discrete ecosystems or transmission modes. It is predicted that, long-term, the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) will impact upon the transmission of schistosomiasis in the PRC, with varying degree across the four transmission modes. Methodology/Principal Findings We undertook longitudinal surveillance from 2002 to 2006 in sentinel villages of the three transmission modes below the TGD across four provinces (Hunan, Jiangxi, Hubei and Anhui) to determine whether there was any immediate impact of the TGD on schistosomiasis transmission. Eight sentinel villages were selected to represent both province and transmission mode. The primary end point measured was human incidence. Here we present the results of this five-year longitudinal cohort study. Results showed that the incidence of human S. japonicum infection declined considerably within individual villages and overall mode over the course of the study. This is also reflected in the yearly odds ratios (adjusted) for infection risk that showed significant (P, Author Summary Schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma japonicum, is a significant parasitic disease and public health problem in China. How the parasite is transmitted there can be categorized into four distinct modes (modes I–IV) and it is predicted that the Three Gorges Dam, recently completed, will affect the way schistosomiasis is spread in these modes. We monitored transmission for a 5-year period (2002–2006) in eight villages, representative of the three modes (I–III) below the dam across four provinces (Hunan, Jiangxi, Hubei and Anhui) to determine whether there was any immediate impact of the dam on schistosomiasis spread. Human schistosomiasis incidence declined considerably within individual villages and each mode, and the yearly odds ratios (adjusted) for infection risk showed significant downward trends in all three modes over the follow-up period. The decreased human S. japonicum incidence recorded across transmission modes I–III was probably attributable to annual human and bovine praziquantel drug treatment. If an increase in schistosome transmission had occurred as a result of the dam, it would be of negligible size compared with this treatment-induced decline. There had thus been virtually no immediate impact of the TGD on schistosomiasis transmission downstream of the dam over the 5-year surveillance period.

Background Schistosoma japonicum is a major public health concern in the Peoples' Republic of China (PRC), with over one million people infected and another 50 million living in areas at risk of infection. Based on ecological, environmental, population genetic and molecular factors, schistosomiasis transmission in PRC can be categorised into four discrete ecosystems or transmission modes. It is predicted that the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) will impact upon the transmission of schistosomiasis in the PRC, with varying degree across the four transmission modes. We undertook longitudinal surveillance from 2002 to 2006 in sentinel villages both above and below the TGD across five provinces (Hunan, Jiangxi, Hubei, Anhui and Sichuan) to determine whether there was any impact of the TGD on schistosomiasis transmission during its construction. Here we present the results from a schistosomiasis-endemic village located above the dam in Sichuan Province. Results Baseline results showed a human S. japonicum prevalence of 42.0% (95% CI: 36.6-47.5). At follow-up, results showed that the incidence of S. japonicum infection in the selected human cohort in Shian decreased by three quarters from 46% in 2003 to 11.3% in 2006. A significant (P < 0.01) downward trend was also evident in the yearly adjusted (for water contact) odds ratios. Over the four years of follow-up, the incidence of S. japonicum infection in bovines declined from 11.8% in the first year to zero in the final year of follow-up. Conclusions The substantial decrease in human (75%) and bovine (100%) incidence observed in Shian village can probably be attributed to the annual human and bovine PZQ treatment of positives; as seen in drug (PZQ) intervention studies in other parts of PRC. If an increase in schistosome transmission had occurred as a result of the TGD, it would be of negligible size compared to the treatment induced decline seen here. It appears therefore that the construction of the TGD had virtually no impact on schistosomiasis transmission in Shian village over the period of study. Furthermore, contrary to previous reports from Sichuan downplaying the role of animals in human schistosome transmission, bovines may indeed play a role.

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of flavonoids of puerarin (PR) on apoptosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cell line NB4 cells and its mechanism. The NB4 were treated with PR in vitro, the MTT assay was used to detect the inhibitory effect of PR on cell proliferation. The apoptosis of NB4 cells were detected by flow cytometry labelled with Annexin V/PI. The expressions of pml/rar alpha, bcl-2 and survivin were detected by real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (real time RT-PCR), the expressions of JNK, p38 MAPK, FasL, caspase 3, caspase 8 were detected by Western blot. The results showed that with the increasing of PR concentrations, the apoptosis rates of NB4 cells were gradually elevated. Simultaneously, the mRNA expression of pml/rar alpha, bcl-2 and survivin decreased, while the protein expression of JNK, FasL, caspase 3 and caspase 8 increased, which presented the positive correlation to PR concentrations. When PR combined with arsenic trioxide (ATO), the expression levels of above mentioned mRNA and protein decreased or increased more significantly. It is concluded that PR can effectively induce the apoptosis of NB4 cells. PR combined with ATO displays synergistic effect. It may be triggered by the activation of JNK signal pathway.

To evaluate the practical value and the advantages of globe geographical positioning with wireless communication monitoring and supervision system in the field survey.Spots which were randomly sampled by the National Ministry of Health for the investigation were chosen in the endemic areas for schistosomiasis in Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Anhui, Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. Portable GPS CEC9680 was used for collecting relevant waypoints and track, recording on-the-spot geographical positions. The positioning data package was sent back synchronously in the form of short message of SMS to the monitoring service center, and the moving routes of the terminal receiver monitored were displayed on the GIS map to achieve real-time supervision and staff scheduling.With globe geographical positioning with wireless communication monitoring and supervision system, accurate positioning of 12 spots in the provinces of Jiangsu and 3 trial spots for schistosomiasis control with comprehensive treatment designated by the State Council has been established with real-time communicating recording, and monitoring systems.The globe geographical positioning with wireless communication monitoring and supervision system has provided a technical platform for the survey of schistosomiasis and other infectious diseases.

To analyze factors affecting transmission of schistosomiasis japonica in Poyang Lake.Successive surveillance data for at least three years from 1992 to 1998 at the schistosomiasis endemic administrative villages surrounding Poyang Lake were collected, including the egg positive rate by stool examination, investment on treatment of patients and mollusciciding in snail habitat, risk areas, bovine infection rate. Data on rainfall and temperature were also obtained from the relevant agencies. Step-wised regression method was employed to analyze the data.The regression model established is statistically significant, R2 equals 0.735, P0.01. The accepted variables affecting the transmission of the disease were natural logarithm of human infection rate in last year, risk areas, infection rate of bovine, investment values of niclosamide per risk area and value of praziquantel administered per infection rate.Chemotherapy and mollusciciding effectively reduced schistosomiasis transmission in Poyang lake region, while the infection rate, risk areas, bovine infection rate still drive the transmission.