Objective To distinguish two Bithynia species,Bithynia fuchsiana and Bithynia robusta collected from Heng County,Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,by using morphological and DNA barcoding methods. Methods The adult B. fuchsiana and B. robusta were collected from the biotope such as rivers,ditches and ponds in Heng County of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,China. The two species specimens were identified by measuring shell morphological parameters,compar?ing the characters of the male reproductive system,and using the COI gene barcoding technique and building phylogenetic tree. Results B. fuchsiana and B. robusta were similar morphologically in the shell appearance;they had the similar snail height, snail width,shape and male reproductive structure. The DNA sequence analysis showed that the COI gene of the two Bithynia species had low sequence divergence with 11 variation sites among 22 sequences. The length of the COI gene segment was 517 bp and no insertion sites and deletion loci after sequence edited. All individuals of the two species gathered to one clade in the phylogenetic tree based on COI gene. Conclusion According to the evidence of morphology and COI gene coding sequence,B. fuchsiana and B. robusta from Heng County,Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,are likely to be the same species.

ObjectiveTo observe the expression of mCD14 and human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DR on peripheral blood mononuclear cell( PBMC ) and cytokine in severe sepsis and its significance.MethodsThirty-five patients with severe sepsis (patients group) and 15 healthy volunteers (control group)were selected in this study.The expression of mCD14,HLA-DR on PBMC,serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- α,interleukin(IL)-10,the total score of acute physiology and chronic health evaluation(APACHE Ⅱ )and sepsis-related organ failure assessment (SOFA) score of the patients were measured at the 1st,3rd,5th day after admission.ResultsThe expression of mCD14 and HLA-DR on PBMC,the levels of serum TNF- α and IL-10 were ( 2.61 ± 1.59 )％,( 10.25 ± 5.35 )％,(96.66 ± 45.38) ng/L,( 149.74 ± 77.15 ) ng/L in patients group,(5.57 ± 1.53)％,(59.28 ± 14.76)％,(0.12 ±0.00) ng/L,(5.67 ±2.16) ng/L in control group,there were significant differences between two groups (P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01 ).In patients group,the mortality of 28 days was 28.6％(10/35).The expression of mCD14 and HLA-DR on PBMC,SOFA score and APACHE Ⅱ at the 1st,3rd day showed no statistical significance between non-survivor patients and survivor patients (P ＞ 0.05 ),but at 5th day the expressions of mCD14 and HLA-DR on PBMC in survivor patients were significantly higher than those in non-survivor patients [ (5.12 ± 2.03 )％ vs.(2.75 ± 0.67 )％; (35.12 ±9.29)％ vs.(13.06 ±5.87) ％](P＜0.01 or ＜ 0.05),SOFA score and APACHE Ⅱ were significantly lower than those in non-survivor patients[ (4.48 ± 1.71 ) scores vs.( 10.70 ± 3.16 ) scores; (9.36 ± 5.57 ) scores vs.(25.60 ± 10.88) scores](P＜ 0.01 ).The levels of serum TNF- α and IL-10 at the 1st,3rd,5th day showed no statistical significance between non-survivor patients and survivor patients(P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The expressions of mCD14 and HLA-DR on PBMC in severe sepsis show closely related to the outcome.The changes of serum TNF- α and IL- 10 can not reflect the prognosis of severe sepsis in 5 days.

Objective To investigate the MRI features of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA).Methods 1 5 pathologically confirmed PXA cases were analyzed retrospectively.Clinical history and imaging features including location,size,shape,signal intensi-ty,enhancement and surrounding changes of those lesions were analyzed.Results All 1 5 cases were supratentorial and solitary le-sions,of which 9 lesions located in temporal lobe(60%).14 lesions contacted with the leptomeninges,and 1 lesion contacted with lat-eral ventricle wall.All lesions were solid-cystic,with different proportion of solid/cystic components.8 large lesions were predomi-nantly cystic(53.3%),3 small lesions were predominantly solid(20%),and 4 lesions had roughly equal cystic and solid proportions (26.7%).Solid components showed iso-intense or mild hypo-intense on T1 WI,iso-intense or mild hyper-intense on T2 WI,and signif-icant enhancement with contrast.Cyst fluid showed slightly hyper-intense in some cases.Cyst wall or septa enhancement was seen in 7 cases,and leptomeningeal enhancement was seen in 8 cases.Conclusion The MRI features of PXA are the characteristic of suprat-entorial solid-cystic lesions commonly seen in temporal lobe and contacting with leptomeninges.The typical features include “cyst with mural nodule”and “multiple cysts with irregular eccentric nodule”with significant enhancement of solid component and some cyst wall.MRI features of PXA is valuable in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of PXA.

Objective To identify the species classification of an ornamental Planorbidae from a flower market in Shanghai and analyze its potential distribution in China. Methods In August 2013,six freshwater snail specimens were collected from the Wanshang flower market. The species was identified by morphology and molecular biology. An ecological niche model was constructed based on the native geographic presence occurrence data,and projected onto the whole of China to predict the poten?tial distribution. Results Their shell external morphology suggested that the specimens belonged to Planorbella trivolvis(Say 1817)of Planorbidae,which is native in North America. The sequence data of a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxi?dase subunit I(COI)confirmed its identification. A total of 2 294 georeferenced occurrence points in North America were car?ried out from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility databases and 614 records with coordinates were used to produce a North American native niche model by a maximum entropy method(Maxent). The projection on China results suggested high probabilities of occurrence mostly in Henan Province and its borderland with nearby provinces. Conclusions P. trivolvis is sim?ilarly with Biomphalaria species from shell morphology. It is the first records of the species in China,and the field dispersal is not clear.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation(TENS)on function recovery in patients with stroke. Methods60 patients who suffered from stroke within 14 days were divided into treatment group (30 cases) and control group (30 cases). All the patients accepted Motor Relearning Programme (MRP),otherwise patients in treatment group were treated with TENS.Before and after treatment, two groups were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and Barthel Index. ResultsThere was significant difference in FMA and Barthel Index after treatment between two groups (P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusions Early using TENS can improve function of motion and ADL in patients with stroke.

Objective To assess the genes polymorphisms associated with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in Chinese quantitatively or qualitatively by searching all case control studies related comprehensively.Methods Odds ratio (OR) and 95％ confidence intervals (95％ CI) were determined for each polymorphism using fixed or random model with Revman 5.1.Results Statistically significant associations with ICH were detected with both ε4-carrier genotypes and ε2-carrier genotypes of apolipoprotein E (OR =1.59,95％ CI 1.23-2.04,P ＜ 0.01 and OR =1.92,95％ CI 1.50-2.47,P ＜0.01),methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T (OR =2.08,95％ CI 1.52-2.83,P ＜ 0.01) and angiotensin converting enzyme insertion/deficiency (OR =2.34,95％ CI 1.82-3.02,P ＜ 0.01),but no statistical association was detected for plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (OR =1.27,95％ C10.84-1.93,P =0.26).Furthermore,two out of ten polymorphisms,each of which was investigated in a multicenter study with sample size larger than 400,also suggested a positive association with ICH.They were apolipoprotein A (OR =1.64,95％ CI 1.21-2.21,P ＜0.01) and vessel endothelial growth factor 2 (OR =3.22 ;95％ CI 1.63-6.37,P ＜ 0.01) respectively.Conclusions ε2 and ε4 carriers of apolipoprotein E,angiotensin converting enzyme I/D,methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase C677T,lower repeats of TTTTA of apolipoprotein A and vascular endothelial cell growth factor 2 rs2305948 polymorphisms are the possible genetic risk factors in Chinese.In conclusion,several genes are identified as to be susceptible to ICH in Chinese by our well defined criteria,however,the evidence for majority of studies is limited.

Objective To investigate the species diversity and distribution of medical mollusca in Shanghai City. Methods From August 2012 to October 2013,all kinds of habitats in 8 districts and counties in Shanghai City,namely Jiading,Qingpu, Baoshan,Minhang,Songjiang,Jinshan,Chongming,Pudong,were selected for the field survey according to the distribution characteristics of the river system,and all the specimens of medical mollusca in the investigation sites were collected and classi?fied by morphological identification. Meanwhile,the species composition,habitats as well as the fauna of the medical mollusca collected were analyzed. Results A total of 5 211 specimens were collected,which belonged to 2 classes,14 families,18 gen?era and 25 species,including Oncomelania hupensis hupensis,Pomacea canaliculata,Parafossarulus striatulus,Alocinma longicornis,Physa acuta,Galba pervia,Hippeutis cantori,etc. The species numbers of medical mollusca in Chongming,Jin?shan,Pudong new area and Qingpu districts(counties)were 22,22,21 and 20,respectively,which were more than those of other areas. The habitat analysis suggested that the species numbers in the river and wetland were the most,both of which were 14 species. The main faunas of the medical mollusca in Shanghai were the cosmopolitan and oriental species. Conclusions The freshwater gastropod species are paucity in Shanghai City,but almost of them can be served as the intermediate hosts of certain parasites to transmit snail?related parasitic diseases,so the surveillance of medical mollusca should be strengthened.

Objective To compare the diversity of mitochondrial genomes of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in the mainland of China. Methods According to the population genetic of A. cantonensis,seven female worms were selected to characterize the mi-tochondrial(MT)genomes. Twelve primer pairs based on known MT genome(GQ398121)were used for PCR. The target frag-ments were sequenced and aligned. The gene localization,genome structure,composition of nucleotide,distribution of variable sites,and phylogeny were analyzed by employing multiple softwares. Results Five distinct types were identified from seven com-plete MT genomes. They were similar in size and structure,i.e.,ranging 13 491-13 502 bp,including 12 protein-coding genes,2 ribosomal genes,22 tRNA genes,and 2 major non-coding regions. All the genes were localized at the same strand and had the same transcription direction. A total of 745 variable sites were identified,accounting for 5.5%. Among the variable sites,59 were deletion/insert mutations,105 transversions,and 581 transitions. The variable sites distributed evenly at the complete genome. Conclusion The study reveals the mutation profile in the whole MT genome of A. cantonensis and thus will facilitate the develop-ment of intraspecific differential diagnosis.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the differences of the cell ultrastucture of normal mouse hatched blastocysts and their dormant ones cultured in vitro after freezing-thawing, and to explore whether the dor-mant embryos have a better anti-freezing shock property than the normal hatched mouse embryos .Methods By transmis-sion electron microscopy , the ultrastructure of these two types of mouse embryos was observed and analyzed .Results By comparative analysis of their ultrastructure , the results showed that the dormant embryos before freezing are being austerity and with lower energy metabolism at a ‘ground state ’ .After freezing-thawing and culture , their cellular structure seemed to be similar to that of the normal embryos cultured in vitro before freezing.However, after freezing-thawing and culture, the number of mitochondria decreased , the nuclei were loose , and their heterochromatin also increased .Conclusions From the ultrastructural observation , compared with the normal mouse hatched embryos , the cellular state of dormant mouse em-bryos after freezing-thawing is more favorable for material storage and energy metabolism , thus, indicating that they have a better anti-freezing property than normal hatched embryos .

The burden of schistosomiasis remains a global public health problem,especially in sub-Saharan Africa despite progress in terms of morbidity control.Successful control efforts achieved by China in the last six decades came with considerable experience and lessons that could benefit schistosomiasis control programs in other endemic countries.China's role and commitment to global health cooperation has become increasingly important;this has created a platform for partnership with developing partners for the establishment of Forum on China-Africa health cooperation which prioritizes the pursuit of global elimination target for schistosomiasis and malaria,control of HIV/AIDS,and improved access to reproductive health care.Chinese government's commitment towards achieving schistosomiasis elimination in Africa prompted the establishment of Institution-based Network on China-Africa Cooperation for Schistosomiasis Elimination (INCAS),by the National Institute of Parasitic Diseases to promote schistosomiasis elimination in Africa.Schistosomiasis experts from six provincial institutions and counterparts from 10 African countries participated in the first workshop on China-Africa cooperation for Schistosomiasis Elimination in Africa at Lilongwe,Malawi,in 2015.Experts at the inaugural meeting shared experiences from their national schistosomiasis control programs,as well as identified areas for collaborative synergy targeting schistosomiasis elimination in Africa.The establishment of INCAS,which comprises of 28 member-institutions from China and Africa,was proposed at this meeting.We,therefore,provide information on INCAS activities,cooperation mechanism,as well as assess the strengths,weaknesses,opportunities,and threats as we target schistosomiasis elimination in Africa using the INCAS platform.