Objective To evaluate the family and economic burden of chronic Schistosomiasis japonica. Methods Relevant information on 226 chronic schistosomiasis patients from four surveillance sites in Yangxin county was collected. A questionnaire survey was conducted on 219 of them who agreed to corporate. Family burden was estimated with standard Family Burden Scale of Disease (FBS). Direct economic burden was calculated by questionnaire survey. Human capital method combined with Years Lived with Disability (YLDs) was adopted to evaluate the indirect economic burden. Results The positive rates on the dimensions of family economic burden and family entertainment were 54.8 percent and 47.0 percent respectively. The remaining dimensions were lower than 40.0 percent. Results of the questionnaire survey among 219 chronic Schistosomiasis patients showed that the total economic burden was 353 480.59 Chinese Yuan, which was 1614.07 Yuan per person. The direct and indirect economic burden were 61 679 and 291 801.59 Yuan respectively. The average direct and indirect economic burden when counted on money losses, were 281.64 and 1332.43 Yuan per person, respectively. Conclusion The family burden caused by chronic Schistosomiasis japonica was serious, economically in particular. With regard to the income level of local residents, the economic burden of chronic Schistosomiasis was heavy to every household with indirect economic burden accounted for major proportion, suggesting close attention to be paid.

Objective To investigate the effects of mechanical strain on Ca-calmodulin dependent kinase (CaMK)-cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) signal pathway and proliferation of osteoblasts.Methods Using a four-point bending device, MC3T3-E1 cells were exposed to mechanical tensile strains of 2500 µs and 5000 µs at 0.5 Hz respectively. The intracellular free Ca([Ca]i) concentration and calmodulin activity were assayed by fluorospectrophotometry, CaMK II β, CREB, and phosphorylated (activated) CREB (p-CREB) were assessed by Western blot, and cells proliferation was assayed with MTT. Pretreatment with verapamil was carried out to block Cachannel, and inhibitor U73122 was used to inhibit phospholipase C (PLC).Results Mechanical strains of 2500 µs and 5000 µs for 1 to 10 minutes both increased [Ca]i level of the cells. The 2500 µs strain, a periodicity of 1 h/d for 3 days, activated calmodulin, elevated protein levels of CaMK II β and p-CREB, and promoted cells proliferation, which were attenuated by pretreatment of verapamil or U73122. The effects of 5000 µs strain on calmodulin, CaMK II β, p-CREB and proliferation were contrary to 2500 µs strain.Conclusion The mechanical strain regulates osteoblasts proliferation through Ca-CaMK-CREB signal pathway via Cachannel and PLC/IPtransduction cascades.