Possible impact of ecological and social environmental changes due to the construction of the Three Gorges Dam on the transmission of schistosomiasis draws great attention of the health authority and publics. This article reviews the situation and progress of research on schistosomiasis transmission in reservoir area from three aspects: the possibility of snail spreading and breeding, imported infection sources and social behavioral factors of the people.

Oncomelania hupensis is the intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum, and its distribution is consistent with that of schistosomiasis.Temperature is an essential environmental factor for the survival of snails.Therefore, it is important to study the impact of climate warming on snail-breeding and schistosomiasis transmission.This paper reviews the importance of climate warming to snail breeding and the spreading of the disease, and the application of relative research techniques.

Objective To understand the endemic situation of schistosomiasis among 80 national surveillance sites for schistosomiasis in 2006,so as to provide scientific evidence for making out schistosomiasis prevention and control measures. Methods According to the national surveillance protocol, the endemic situation of schistosomiasis in residents and livestock, and the status of Oncomelania snails and other factors were investigated in the 80 national surveillance sites for schistosomiasis, and all the data were collected and analysed. Results Among the 80 national surveillance sites,the average positive rate of residents with sera examination was 13.60% and the average positive rate with stool examination was 1.59%.The average positive rate of floating population with sera examination was 5.79%. There were 143 advanced patients among the national surveillance sites, and 12 acute patients were reported in 2006, but no breaking-out epidemic reported. The proportion of domestic animals stable breeding were about 4.74% of 5 365 examined animals in 2006, and the others were not.The infection rate of domestic animals was 5.93% that declined by 34.49% compared with that in 2005 and especially for the infection rate of cattle and sheep. A total of 7 429.63 hm2 of areas were surveyed. The areas of snail habitats, infected snail habitats and the new snail habitats were 4 994.01,621.75 hm2 and 21.75 hm2,respectively. The density of living snails and infection rate of snails were 0.544 8/0.1 m2 and 0.37%, which increased compared with infection rate of 0.26% in 2005. Conclusion The endemic situation of residents, cattle and snail habitats declined in 2006 compared with those in 2005 in the national surveillance sites.

Objective To analyze comprehensively the investigation data of the national schistosomiasis surveillance sites from 2005 to 2007, in order to provide the evidence for mastering the endemic situation and pattern of schistosomiasis. Methods Eighty surveillance sites were selected, and the investigation data about schistosomiasis in residents and domestic animals and the status of Oncomelania snails in these sites were collected and analysed. Results From 2005 to 2007, the total infection rate in residents decreased by 54.90% (average decreased by 18.30% each year). The sites where the infection rate in residents was higher than 5% decreased year by year. In 2007, there was no site where the infection rate in residents was higher than 5% in all the 80 surveillance sites. All the infection rates in different age groups decreased for three years in succession, and the peak appeared at 30-50 age group in 2005, but moved to 50-60 age group in 2007. The infection rate in domestic animals decreased by 69.22%, and the infection rate in cattle and buffaloes remarkably decreased. For the three years, the areas with snails reduced by 8.84%, and the areas with infected snails reduced by 53.23%. The average densities of living snails and infected snails decreased year by year, but the infection rate of snails fluctuated during the three years. Conclusion The endemic situation of schistosomiasis in residents and cattle, and the status of snails, in general, remarkably decreased from 2005 to 2007.

Objective To survey and understand the endemic situation of schistosomiasis in China in 2007,so as to provide the evidence for decision-making of schistosomiasis control.Methods The data of investigation on schistosomiasis in residents,domestic animals,Oncomelania snails and other relative factors were collected and analysed in the 80 national surveillance sites,2007. Results In 2007,the total infection rate of the residents was 0.92%,which decreased by 42.31% compared with that in 2006. There was no site where the resident infection rate was more than 5% among all the 80 surveillance sites. The peak of the resident infection rate with different age groups appeared at the 50-60 age group. The cattle and buffalo were still the main infection targets. The infection rate of domestic animals was remarkable decreased. The density of living snails was 0.430 0/0.1 m2. The percentage of frames with living snails was 0.06%. The density of infected snails was 0.000 7/0.1 m2,and the snail infection rate was 0.16%. All of them were decreased compared with those of 2006. Conclusion The schistosomiasis endemic in the residents,cattle and snails was remarkable decresed in the national surveillance sites,2007.

Objective To study anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of extract from the roots and leaves of Citrulluslanatus and assess their acute toxicity in animals.Methods The mouse model with ear edema induced by xyleneand the rat model with paw edema or granuloma by carrageenin or cotton pellet were used for anti-inflammatoryeffects of the extract.Effects of the extract on analgesia was tested respectively by measuring the latency of micelicking hind foot from hot plates and by counting the times of body twisting in response to acetic acid.The acutetoxicity of the extract was determined with the method of Bliss.Results The extract significantly inhibited the earedema,granuloma hyperplasia,and paw edema.It significantly lifted the pain threshold on mouse hot-plateresponses and reduced their writhing times.During the 7 d observation period in its acute toxicity assay,no apparenttoxic reaction was shown and all mice survived at a dose of 87 g extract per kg body weight.Conclusion Theextract could protecte mice/rates from inflammation and analgesia,and may be safe as an orally administered naturalproduct for humans.

Objective To survey and understand the endemic situation of schistosomiasis among 80 national surveillance sites in China in 2008, so as to provide the evidence for decision-making of schistosomiasis control. Methods According to the National Surveillance Protocol for Schistosomiasis, the data of schistosomiasis in residents, domestic animals and Oncomelania snails and other relevant factors were collected and analyzed in the 80 national surveillance sites. Results Among the 80 national surveillance sites, the average positive rate of residents with sera examination and the average infection rate of the residents were 9.86% and 0.67% , respectively, and the infection rate of domestic animals was 1.62% , all remarkably decreased compared with the rates of 2007, but the proportion of domestic animals stable breeding was only 6.07% . The areas of infected snail habitats and the new snail habitats were 177.70 hm~2 and 7.64 hm~2, respectively. The mean density of living snails and infection rate of snails were 0.32/0.1 m~2 and 0. 15% , respectively. Conclusions The endemic situation of residents, domestic animals and snails decreased in 2008 compared with those in 2007, and domestic animals are still the main infection sources of schistosomiasis, the management of domestic animals need to be further strengthened, meanwhile the surveillance and control of snails should be focused on.

The paper reviewed the project management model and its evolution in the national schistosomiasis control in China at different stages.The key factors impacting the progress of the control activities were analyzed by introducing the concept of project management,and the principles,i.e.objective management,temporal management,cost-effectiveness management,and quality management,that would have to be complied with in the future control activities were put forward,so as to accelerate the elimination of schistosomiasis in China.

[Objectice] To study the relationship between the livestock trade and schistosomiasis transmission and to provide an evidence for making a strategy of schistosomiasis control in mountainous areas. [Methods] A retrospective survey and analysis was conducted to investigate the prevalence of schistosomiasis in both humans and livestock (cattle, horses, mules, donkeys and pigs), and the number and migration of livestock in Weishan County, Yunnan Province in 1980～ 1991. [Results] A positive correlation was found between the infection rate of residents and the numbers of livestock migration (R=0. 9151, P＜0.01). During 1980 to 1991 the infection rate was increased gradually along with the development of livestock husbandry, especially, from the economic reforms since 1984. In 1984 there was positive correlation in the infection rate both human and livestock (R=0. 8458, P＜0.05). The results show that the infection rates of livestock on sale including cattle, horses, mules, donkeys and pigs are 9.54%, 29.39%, 16.38%, 14.47%, 25.73% and 11.11%, respectively. [Conclusion] The infection rate of human and livestock arises by parallel. The high frequency of livestock trade resulted in serious spreading of the infection source of schistosomiasis. The migration of the infected livestock might be an important factor in transmitting schistosomiasis.

Aim To investigate the combined effect of mangiferin and ephedrine as well as explore its underlying mechanism in mouse model of allergic asthma.Methods The mouse model of asthma was sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin(OVA).The behaviors of mice during the challenging period were observed.Continuous autonomic activities of mice after 1 h of drug treatment were monitored with the autonomic activity recorder for 14 days.The total and differential cells in peripheral blood were counted.Histological study of lung sections on airway inflammation was carried out with haematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining.The levels of ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E(OVA-sIgE) and(Cyclic Adenosine monophosphate) cAMP in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The mRNA expression of cytokines mainly produced by Th1/Th2 lymphocytes such as IFN-γ and IL-4, IL-5 were semi-quantitatively analyzed with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results Combination treatment and mangiferin could reduce the aberrantly autonomic activity caused by ephedrine in mice.Compared with the model group, asthmatic symptoms in all treatment groups could be significantly relieved, the pathological changes of lung tissue were improved and airway inflammation was reduced.The effect of combined treatment was better than that of mangiferin treatment alone.Compared with the model group, the total number of white blood cells(WBC) and the eosinophils(EOS) ratio in peripheral blood in all treatment groups decreased, the level of OVA-sIgE declined and the level of cAMP increased in serum.Combination treatment could lower mRNA expressions of IL-4 and IL-5 from Th2 lymphocytes and increase the mRNA expressions of IFN-γ released by Th1 lymphocytes.Conclusions The effect of combined therapy of mangiferin and ephedrine is better than that of mangiferin treated alone, meanwhile it can reduce the side effects caused by ephedrine.The underlying mechanism is mainly associated with attenuating Th1/Th2 cytokine imbalance and increasing the level of cAMP.