Objective To investigate the trends in areas of Oncomelania hupensis snail habitats in Anhui Province from 2004 to 2023, so as to provide insights into facilitating the progress of schistosomiasis elimination in the province. Methods Areas of O. hupensis snail habitats in Anhui Province from 2004 to 2023 were collected, and the trends in and mutations of O. hupensis snail habitats in Anhui Province, and the trends in O. hupensis snail habitats in different types of schistosomiasis-endemic foci and in different cities of Anhui Province from 2004 to 2023 were analyzed using Mann-Kendall test. Results The areas of O. hupensis snail habitats reduced by 12.62% in Anhui Province in 2023 relative to in 2004. Mann-Kendall trend test showed that the areas of O. hupensis snail habitats appeared a tendency towards a decline in Anhui Province from 2004 to 2023 (Z = −3.926, P < 0.001, β = −215.66), with an annual average reduction of 215.66 hm². Mann-Kendall mutation test showed that the areas of O. hupensis snail habitats appeared a tendency towards a decline in Anhui Province since 2015 (|Z| > U_0.05, P < 0.05). The areas of O. hupensis snail habitats appeared a tendency towards a decline in marshland and lake regions (Z = −4.899, P < 0.001, β = −260.13), and a tendency towards a rise in hilly regions of Anhui Province from 2004 to 2023 (Z = 2.758, P < 0.01, β = 44.55). Among 9 cities endemic for schistosomiasis in Anhui Province, the areas of O. hupensis snail habitats appeared a tendency towards a decline in 5 cities of Ma’anshan, Tongling, Anqing, Huangshan and Chizhou (Z = −4.056 to −2.109, all P values < 0.05, β = −92.12 to −0.45). The average constituent ratios of areas of O. hupensis snail habitats were 88.19% and 11.81% in marshland and lake regions and hilly regions of Anhui Province from 2004 to 2023, respectively, and the ratio of areas of O. hupensis snail habitats in marshland and lake regions to areas of snail habitats in hilly regions reduced from 9.23∶1 in 2004 to 5.74∶1 in 2023 in Anhui Province, with the ratio appearing a tendency towards a decline (Z = −4.477, P < 0.001, β = −0.16). Conclusions The areas of O. hupensis snail habitats appeared a tendency towards a decline in Anhui Province from 2004 to 2023, with a reduction in areas of O. hupensis snail habitats in marshland and lake regions and a rise in hilly regions. Targeted O. hupensis snail control interventions are required tailored to real snail status.

The goal of achieving elimination of schistosomiasis across all endemic counties in China by 2030 was proposed in the Outline of the Healthy China 2030 Plan. On June 16, 2023, the Action Plan to Accelerate the Elimination of Schistosomiasis in China (2023—2030) was jointly issued by National Disease Control and Prevention Administration and other 10 ministries, which deployed the targets and key tasks of the national schistosomiasis elimination programme in China. This article describes the progress of the national schistosomiasis control programme, analyzes the opportunities to eliminate schistosomiasis, and proposes targeted recommendations to tackle the challenges of schistosomiasis elimination, so as to accelerate the process towards schistosomiasis elimination and facilitate the building of a healthy China.

Objective To establish F0 generation chimeric rabbits with FOXN1 gene knockout and explore method for the in vivo conservation of immunodeficient rabbits in a conventional housing environment.Methods Initially,CRISPR/Cas9 technology was employed to inject constructed sgRNA and Cas9 protein into a single cell from rabbit two-cell stage embryos to obtain chimeric embryos with FOXN1 gene editing.The embryos were subsequently transferred into surrogate does.Finally,the F0 generation offsprings were genotyped using PCR and Sanger sequencing,and their growth and development in a conventional housing environment were observed.Results The PCR and Sanger sequencing result confirmed the successful establishment of himeric rabbits with FOXN1 gene knockout.On observation,the chimeras exhibited normal growth and development in a conventional environment without any immunodeficient phenotypes.Conclusions This study established a preliminary chimeric rabbit model with FOXN1 gene knockout that grows and develops normally in standard laboratory environments.This lays the foundation for the further breeding of FOXN1 immunodeficient rabbits in the future.

Objective To compare the efficiency of multiple etiological techniques for detection of Schistosoma japonicum infections in wild mice, so as to provide technical supports to assessment of schistosomiasis transmission risk. Methods Wild mice were captured with baited traps at night in Oncomelania hupensis snail-infested settings in schistosomiasis-endemic foci of Anhui Province from October to November, 2022. S. japonicum infections were detected in wild mice using microscopy of mouse liver tissues, microscopy of mouse mesenteric tissues, microscopy of mouse liver tissue homogenates, miracidial hatching test of mouse liver tissue homogenates, Kato-Katz technique and miracidial hatching test of mouse stool samples alone and in combinations. Identification of S. japonicum eggs or miracidia by any of these six assays was defined as an infection. The sensitivity of six assays alone or in combinations was compared for detection of S. japonicum infections in wild mice. Results A total of 1 703 wild mice were captured, with 366 wild mice detected positive for S. japonicum (21.49%). There were significant differences in the prevalence of S. japonicum infections in wild mice by six assays (Q = 529.33, P < 0.001) and in the sensitivity of six assays for detection of S. japonicum infections in wild mice (χ² = 527.78, P < 0.001). In addition, the combination of microscopy of mouse liver tissues and mesenteric tissues, combination of microscopy of mouse liver tissues and liver tissue homogenates and combination of microscopy of mouse liver tissues, microscopy of mesenteric tissues, microscopy of liver tissue homogenates and Kato-Katz technique showed 86.61%, 87.16% and 97.27% sensitivities for detection of S. japonicum infections in wild mice, respectively. Conclusions Diverse etiological assays show various efficiencies for detection of S. japonicum infections in wild mice. Combination of microscopy of mouse liver tissues and microscopy of mesenteric tissues, and combination of microscopy of mouse liver tissues and microscopy of liver tissue homogenates are potential approaches for field detection of S. japonicum infections in wild mice.

Objective To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of hookworm infections among vegetable growers in Anhui Province, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the control strategy and interventions for hookworm human infections.. Methods A total of 1 179 vegetable growers were randomly sampled from 7 counties in Anhui province according to the natural ecological function areas in 2018 and 2019, and the basic features and risk factors of hookworm infections were collected from all subjects using a self-designed questionnaire, including living environment, vegetable planting and fertilization, type of household crops, animal feeding, hygiene and labor habits. In addition, stool samples were collected from all participants, and each stool sample was subjected to twice tests with the Kato-Katz technique. The risk factors of hookworm infections were identified among vegetable growers with the Bayesian log-binomial regression model. Results The prevalence of hookworm infection was 3.90% among the 1 179 vegetable growers. The prevalence of hookworm infection was 10.07% (15/149) among unemployed subjects, 5.32% (31/583) among farmers, and 0 among full-time vegetable growers (0/377) and subjects with other occupations (0/70), and there was a significant difference among subjects in terms of occupation (χ²=36.37, P < 0.01). Bayesian log-binomial regression analysis showed that fertilization with human feces [relative risk (RR)=18.25, 95% confidence interval (CI): (4.31, 77.17)], barefoot labor in vegetable fields [RR=2.86, 95% CI: (1.43, 5.70)], and living in plain ecological areas along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River [RR=4.19, 95% CI: (1.19, 14.81)] were independent risk factors of hookworm infections among vegetable growers. Stratified analysis showed that fertilization with human feces, barefoot labor in vegetable fields, drinking well water or mountain spring, and living in plain ecological areas along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River were independent risk factors of hookw, orm infection among farmers, and living in plain ecological areas along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and growing rice were independent risk factors of hookw, orm infection among unemployed individuals. Conclusions The prevalence of hookworm infection is high among vegetable growers in Anhui Province, and fertilization with human feces, barefoot labor in vegetable fields and living in plain ecological areas along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River are risk factors of hookw, orm infections among vegetable growers.

Left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) is a common complication of myocardial infarction. Traditional medical and surgical treatments are not effective or require high doctors' operational skills and patients' physical fitness. With the development of minimally invasive medical devices, it becomes possible for revivent TC system to treat LVA and reconstruct the left ventricle. This study introduces an existing product and its defect when used. From the perspective of clinical needs, we propose a new design of revivent TC system which realizes accurate force measurement and simplifies surgery.
Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; Heart Aneurysm ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of urogenital tract infections with Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) and human papilloma virus (HPV) in males of reproductive age and the associated factors. METHODS: Using the multi-stage cluster sampling method and a structured questionnaire, we conducted an investigation among 18－50 years old males in Songjiang District, Shanghai, from August 2016 to July 2018. We collected secretory specimens from the urogenital tract of the subjects and detected the infections of UU and HPV by laboratory examination. RESULTS: Among the 621 males included in this study, 279 (44.93%) were found infected with UU, 18 (2.90%) with HPV, and 15 (2.42%) with both UU and HPV. Univariate analysis showed that smokers had a higher rate of UU infection (50.54% ［140/277］) than non-smokers (40.41 ［139/344］), and those with senior high school or secondary technical school education had a higher rate of HPV infection (4.84% ［12/248］) than others (1.61% ［6/373］). Binary stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed a higher risk of UU infection in the subjects with junior high school or lower education than in others (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39－0.96) as well as in smokers than in non-smokers (OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.01－2.01). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of UU infection is high, while that of HPV is low among men of reproductive age in Songjiang, Shanghai. The screening of UU infection should be enhanced among men of reproductive age, especially among smokers and those with lower education.

This paper summarizes the factors affecting schistosomiasis transmission in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River before and after the completion of the Three Gorges Dam and analyzes schistosomiasis prevalence trends to provide a basis for the application of the Three Gorges project methodologies in other areas.The Three Gorges Dam has demonstrated a positive effect on schistosomiasis control.Hubei,Hunan,Jiangxi,Anhui,and Jiangsu in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River are currently regions with a high prevalence of schistosomiasis.These five provinces contained 97.62％ of known snail areas and 93.66％ of calculated schistosomiasis cases with 90.07％ of counties (cities,districts) not yet meeting the criteria for schistosomiasis transmission interruption by the end of 2016.After the Three Gorges Dam was built,the prevalence of schistosomiasis in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River decreased.By the end of 2016,the estimated number of cases decreased by 92.75％ and the snail habitat areas decreased by 6.56％ compared to 2004.No acute schistosomiasis cases have occurred for two consecutive years since 2015.

Electronic data capture(EDC) plays an important role in improving the quality of clinical research.The authors introduced the main functions of EDC and the use flow, then from its core function, analyzed the role of EDC in improving the quality of clinical research and scientific research management. Then they proposed the thinking of finding and solving problems from EDC " big data".Their efforts aim at enabling research administrators in extending clinical research management scope and management quality.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)_AK096792 as a clinical predictor of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants. Methods: All the cord blood(2-5 mL) of very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants born in Huai′an First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University were collected from December 1, 2015 to December 1, 2017.Moreover, the peripheral blood(2 mL) of those VLBW infants diagnosed with BPD was also collected.A total of 36 infants with BPD were collected.Another 36 cases of premature children with VLBW were chosen as control group according to random number table.The relative content of lncRNA_AK096792 in cord blood and peripheral blood was detected by using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Additionally, the correlation of lncRNA_AK096792 levels between cord and peripheral blood of BPD infants was analyzed.The sensitivity and specificity of lncRNA_AK096792 for BPD were analyzed by using receiver operating curve test. Results: (1)LncRNA_AK096792 was a common, evolutionarily conserved, non-coding RNA present in both mouse and human.(2) The expression level of lncRNA_AK096792 in peripheral blood was significantly higher than that in cord blood in BPD group[(463.3±352.0)% vs.(50.0±37.5)%], and the difference was significant(P<0.001), and they were highly correlated (r=0.825, P<0.001). (3) The level of lncRNA_AK096792 in cord blood in BPD group was signi-ficantly higher than that in non-BPD group [(484.3±280.5)% vs.(101.2±28.6)%], and the difference was significant(P<0.001). (4)When lncRNA_AK096792 served as a clinical predictor for BPD, the specificity was 83.3%, the sensitivity was 75.6%, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.88(P<0.001). Conclusions LncRNA_AK096792 is highly correlated with the development of BPD.The level of lncRNA_AK096792 in umbilical cord blood of premature infants can be used as an early predictive marker for BPD, it calls for further study.