1.Analysis of a child with Osteo-oto-hepato-enteric syndrome and a literature review.
Dandan WANG ; Qianqian LI ; Hongxiang GUO ; Yongning CHEN ; Qingfei HAO ; Yanlei XU ; Xiuyong CHENG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2026;43(3):204-212
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze the phenotype and genotype of a neonate with Osteo-oto-hepato-enteric syndrome (O2HE) and review the literature.
METHODS:
A female neonate diagnosed with O2HE syndrome on December 13, 2024 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University was selected as the study subject, and her clinical characteristics were analyzed, and pathogenic variants were explored by whole exome sequencing (WES). This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Hospital (Ethics No.: 2025-KY-1038).
RESULTS:
The proband, a female infant, was delivered by Cesarean section at 36+1 weeks of gestation. Five days after birth, she had developed severe diarrhea, mild cholestasis, sensorineural hearing loss, and growth retardation. WES revealed that she has harbored novel compound heterozygous variants c.512delA (p.Lys171Serfs*64) and c.698C>A (p.Thr233Asn) of the UNC45A gene, which were inherited from her mother and father, respectively. A total of 8 English papers were retrieved, which involved 16 patients from 14 families. Combined with our case, the 17 patients included 13 (76.5%) females and 4 (23.5%) males. Four patients (23.5%) had consanguineous parents. One case was excluded from further genetic analysis due to co-morbidity with other genetic variants. The primary clinical features included diarrhea (87.5%), cholestasis (81.3%), sensorineural hearing loss (31.3%), bone fragility (37.5%), and developmental delay (50.0%). Bi-allelic compound heterozygous mutations were identified in 12 patients (75.0%), and homozygous variants in 4 (25.0%). These included missense, nonsense, frameshift and deletional variants. The c.710T>C (p.Leu237Pro) variant was identified for 5 times, 3 of which were in homozygote forms.
CONCLUSION
O2HE syndrome should be suspected in cases with diarrhea, cholestasis, and hearing abnormalities during early postnatal period. Genetic testing facilitate early identification, genetic diagnosis and treatment.
Humans
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Female
;
Infant, Newborn
;
Male
;
Mutation
;
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/genetics*
;
Diarrhea, Infantile/genetics*
;
Exome Sequencing
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Phenotype
;
Fetal Growth Retardation
;
Hair Diseases
;
Facies
2.Genetic disease diagnosis and treatment in Shanghai: Survey and countermeasures for clinical genetics specialist training.
Xiaoju HUANG ; Lin HAN ; Li CAO ; Taosheng HUANG ; Duan MA ; Jian WANG ; Wenjuan QIU ; Fanyi ZENG ; Luming SUN ; Chenming XU ; Songchang CHEN ; Xinyu KUANG ; Hong TIAN
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2026;43(4):241-247
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the current status of clinical genetics specialization development and the diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities for hereditary diseases across medical institutions in Shanghai, and to assess the necessity and feasibility of establishing training bases for clinical genetics specialists.
METHODS:
By employing a cross-sectional survey design, the Clinical Genetics Committee of Shanghai Medical Association has conducted questionnaire surveys from March to April 2025 across 54 healthcare institutions in Shanghai (including 33 tertiary hospitals and 21 secondary hospitals). The survey involved administrative departments and medical personnel from 15 clinical specialties. The survey has covered current genetic disease diagnosis and treatment practices, relevant and specialised disease types, genetic department establishment, testing capabilities, personnel teams, and training requirements.
RESULTS:
The results revealed that 78.0% of clinical departments surveyed had treated patients with hereditary disorders. Shanghai possesses diagnostic and therapeutic expertise for over 95% of hereditary diseases listed in its rare disease catalogue, reflecting both the practical clinical demand for such conditions and the city's overall diagnostic and therapeutic strengths in this field. Nevertheless, significant disparities exist in the development of genetics departments across different tiers of healthcare institutions. Resources for genetic testing capabilities (including molecular, cellular, and biochemical testing) are also unevenly distributed across different tiers of hospitals. The survey further revealed that only 26.0% of departments believe that their current physician structure fully meets the diagnostic and treatment demands. Over 90% of departments consider standard training for clinical genetic specialists necessary, with 74.0% expressing willingness to participate in establishing training bases. Based on above findings and thorough deliberation, the Clinical Genetics Committee of the Shanghai Medical Association proposes advancing specialist training and discipline development through establishing a standard training system. The committee has drafted a three-year training protocol featuring a "joint training"-centered model, recommending a pilot-first, dynamically optimized strategy for steadily advancing training base development.
CONCLUSION
Shanghai faces substantial demand for genetic disease diagnosis and treatment, yet exhibits shortcomings in clinical genetics specialization development, resource allocation, and talent pipeline cultivation. To establish a standard training system holds significant practical importance and is underpinned by a broad demand.
Humans
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China
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
;
Genetic Diseases, Inborn/genetics*
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
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Genetics, Medical/education*
;
Genetic Testing
3.Heat-clearing and Toxin-removing Method Reduces Ischemic Stroke Injury by Protecting Endothelial-pericyte and Inhibiting Macrophage Migration
Zijin SUN ; Haojia ZHANG ; Kai WANG ; Zhaoyi WANG ; Linjing SONG ; Wenxiu XU ; Jing JI ; Changxiang LI ; Qingguo WANG ; Xueqian WANG ; Fafeng CHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):56-67
ObjectiveTo investigate the regulatory effects of Huanglian Jiedutang (HLJDT) on immune cell migration, blood-brain barrier protection, and cellular functional recovery in a model of ischemic stroke. MethodsA transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) model was established in mice to induce ischemic stroke. Cerebral blood flow and neurological function were evaluated using laser speckle imaging and neurological deficit scoring. Histopathological damage in brain tissues was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Nissl staining. Mice were divided into a sham group, a model group, an HLJDT group, and a Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) group. After one week of acclimatization, intragastric administration was initiated. The sham and model groups received normal saline, the HLJDT group received HLJDT at 1.82 g·kg-¹, and the GBE group received GBE at 0.432 g·kg-¹. Administration was continued for 5 consecutive days, and the tMCAO model was established after the final dose on day 6. Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on brain tissues and peripheral immune cells. UMAP and odds ratio (OR) indices were used to analyze cell distribution. Differential expression analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of HLJDT on endothelial cells, pericytes, and macrophages, combined with CellChat and decoupler to analyze cell-cell communication and transcription factor regulation. Finally, PCR and ELISA were used to validate the mRNA and protein expression of relevant genes. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed significantly increased neurological deficit scores (P<0.01) and significantly decreased cerebral blood flow (P<0.01), accompanied by cortical structural disorder, aggravated cytoplasmic vacuolization, and increased numbers of Nissl bodies. Compared with the model group, both the HLJDT and GBE groups exhibited significantly reduced neurological deficit scores (P<0.01) and markedly improved cerebral blood flow (P<0.01), along with amelioration of cortical structural disorder, alleviated cytoplasmic vacuolization, and reduced numbers of Nissl bodies. Single-cell analysis showed that HLJDT protected endothelial cells and pericytes by preventing their reduction, restored the expression of functional genes in these cells (e.g., PECAM1 and NOS3), and downregulated the expression of chemokines and adhesion-related factors (e.g., CCL2 and CXCL2). In macrophages, HLJDT reduced their recruitment to the central nervous system and downregulated the expression of chemokine receptors and inflammatory factors (e.g., IL-6, CCR2, and CXCR2). Cell-cell communication analysis further indicated that HLJDT, through the above mechanisms, alleviated damage to pericytes and endothelial cells, reduced their recruitment of macrophages, and decreased ligand-receptor interactions in chemokine signaling pathways (including CCL, CXCL, and CSF3) between pericytes/endothelial cells and macrophages, thereby preventing secondary injury. Compared with the sham group, the model group showed significantly upregulated mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, CCL2, CXCL2, and CSF3 (P<0.01), while mRNA expression levels of endothelial- and pericyte function-related genes (RGS5, PECAM1, VEGFB, and NOS3) were significantly downregulated (P<0.01). In contrast, compared with the model group, the HLJDT and GBE groups exhibited significantly decreased mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, CCL2, CXCL2, and CSF3 (P<0.01), and significantly increased expression of RGS5, PECAM1, VEGFB, and NOS3 (P<0.01). At the protein level, compared with the sham group, the model group showed significantly increased expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α (P<0.01), whereas these protein levels were significantly reduced in the HLJDT and GBE groups compared with the model group (P<0.01). ConclusionHLJDT reduces neuronal damage in ischemic stroke by protecting endothelial cells and pericytes, while inhibiting their interaction with macrophages, thereby mitigating secondary injury in the central nervous system.
4.Role of Macrophage Ferroptosis in Immune Evasion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Research Progress on Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention
Jinxiang PENG ; Xiaojuan LI ; Man LU ; Xinhua XU ; Mengxian SHU ; Feng WU
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2026;53(4):316-324
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) develops within a profoundly immunosuppressive tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), which limits the efficacy of immunotherapy. Polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) toward a pro-tumorigenic M2 phenotype is a major driver of immune escape. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent regulated cell death program, intersects with hepatic iron metabolism and immune regulation and thus offers promising points of therapeutic intervention. This review systematically elucidates the mechanistic role of TAM ferroptosis in HCC immune evasion and highlights a “bidirectional regulation” intervention strategy grounded in the Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principle of “fortifying healthy qi and eliminating pathogens” (Fuzheng Quxie). This strategy employs “eliminating pathogens” (Quxie) approaches to exploit the metabolic vulnerability of M2-like TAMs and precisely induce their ferroptosis. Moreover, it utilizes “fortifying healthy qi” (Fuzheng) approaches to protect M1-like TAMs and CD8+ T cells from oxidative damage. This parallel “induction-protection” paradigm demonstrates the unique advantages of TCM in systemically remodeling TIME through multitarget synergistic actions. Accordingly, precision regulation of TAM ferroptosis based on the Fuzheng Quxie theory represents a promising integrative Chinese-Western medicine strategy for overcoming current bottlenecks in HCC immunotherapy, although its clinical translational potential warrants further validation.
5.Indobufen attenuates cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury by inhibiting the NF-κB/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway
Yiyin XU ; Dan XU ; Xue GOU ; Weirong FANG ; Yunman LI ; Hua SHAO ; Yongqing WANG
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2026;57(2):246-255
Indobufen is a new generation of antiplatelet agents and has been shown to have antithrombotic effects in animal models. However, its therapeutic potential and mechanisms against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated the in vivo neuroprotective effects of indobufen through both pretreatment and posttreatment regimens in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R). In vitro, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) were employed to investigate the relationship between indobufen and the pyroptosis-associated NF-κB/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway. The pharmacodynamic tests revealed that indobufen ameliorated I/R injury by decreasing the level of thromboxane B2 (TXB2), infarct size, brain edema and neurological impairment in rats and rescuing cell pyroptosis in HUVECs. The underlying mechanisms were probably related to pyroptosis suppression by regulating the NF-κB/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway. Overall, these studies indicate that indobufen exerts protective and therapeutic effects against I/R injury by pyroptosis suppression via downregulating NF-κB/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway.
6.Longitudinal study on the impact of weight trajectories on physical fitness test performance among students of a primary school in Beijing
XU Kun, ZHANG Jian, LU Chunsheng, LI Hongjuan
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(4):574-578
Objective:
To explore the longitudinal association between weight trajectories and physical fitness test composite scores among primary school students, so as to provide empirical evidence for school based weight management and physical health promotion.
Methods:
A total of 2 112 students from a primary school in Beijing who participated in physical fitness assessments annually from 2008 to 2023 were included and classified into different body weight trajectory groups based on body mass index (BMI) threshold: "normal/overweight-obese". Group based trajectory model was used to identify distinct weight trajectories. Generalized estimating equation and Cox regression were used to analyze the associations between weight trajectories and changes in physical fitness test scores, as well as event risks. Robustness checks were conducted.
Results:
The prevalence of overweight and obesity among primary school students was 26.50%. BMI showed a significant negative correlation with physical fitness composite scores ( r=-0.19, P <0.01). Four types of weight trajectories were identified: persistent normal group (64.5%, 1 362), persistent overweight- obese group (18.2%, 385), normal to overweight-obese group (14.0%, 296), and overweight-obese to normal group (3.3%, 69). Compared to the persistent normal group, both the normal to overweight-obese and persistent overweight-obese groups showed significantly higher risks of failing the physical fitness test ( HR =4.23, 4.60), and the speed of achieving excellent was slower ( HR = 0.52, 0.40) (all P <0.05). Robustness tests confirmed the stability of the findings.
Conclusions
Body weight trajectories have a long term impact on physical fitness performance among primary school students. Students with persistent or progressive overweight-obese trajectories have limited score improvement and a higher risk of failure; primary school students with persistent or progressive overweight and obesity should be a key focus.
7.A scoping review of the relationship between 24 hour movement behaviors and physical and mental health among college students
XIAO Rui, ZHAO Lei, PANG Kehan, LI Zhiru, CHEN Xin, XU Linyan
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(4):593-598
Objective:
To review the relationship between 24 hour movement behaviors and physical and mental health among college students, in order to provide evidence to support health promotion and further research in universities.
Methods:
Following the Joanna Briggs Institude(JBI) scoping review guidelines, relevant studies published in databases from inception date to December 26, 2025 were searched, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang Data. For studies meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a descriptive analysis was conducted to summarize the measurement tools used, adherence rates with guidelines, and the relationship between physical and mental health.
Results:
A total of 30 studies were included. Measurement tools exhibited a high heterogeneity, with questionnaires being the primary method. The rate of full adherence with 24 hour movement behaviors among college students was less than 30%. Moderate to vigorous physical activity and high quality sleep were associated with improvements in physical fitness, cardiopulmonary function, and mental health, while prolonged sitting was negatively associated with obesity and depression. Equivalent time substitution analysis indicated that increasing moderate to vigorous physical activity and reducing prolonged sitting could significantly improve health outcomes.
Conclusions
The adherence rate for 24 hour movement behaviors among college students is low and it is closely associated with physical and mental health. Future studies should standardize measurement tools, and implement targeted interventions based on the optimization of daily activity patterns.
8.Investigation of the regulatory effect of overexpressed Ptpn2 on SiO2-mediated mouse alveolar macrophages based on iTRAQ technology
Yi WEI ; Yaqian LI ; Xinjie LI ; Mengfei FENG ; Fuyu JIN ; Hong XU ; Ying ZHU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):183-191
ObjectiveTo investigate the regulatory effect of overexpressed protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 2 (Ptpn2) on the inflammatory response of mouse alveolar macrophages (MH-S) induced by SiO₂. MethodsCells with overexpressed Ptpn2 were constructed and induced by SiO₂. The experimental groups were divided into four groups: the negative control group with an empty vector (NC), the overexpressed Ptpn2 group (P), the negative control group with an empty vector + SiO₂ induction (NS), and the overexpressed Ptpn2 + SiO₂ induction group (PS). Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were used to screen differential proteins, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database analyses. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expressions of Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α, Gasdermin D (GSDMD), and Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of PTPN2, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), and proteins related to the TGF-β1 signaling pathway in the cells of each group. ResultsiTRAQ results identified 144 differential proteins among the four groups. GO analysis showed that in biological processes (BP), these differential proteins were mainly enriched in IκB kinase/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling, cell activation and signal transduction involved in immune responses, and regulation of receptor signaling pathways by signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), etc. KEGG analysis revealed that the differential proteins were mainly enriched in Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, TGF-β signaling pathway, and TNF signaling pathway. The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that compared with the NC group, the expressions of TNF α, GSDMD, and TGF-β1 in the cells of the NS group increased (P < 0.05); compared to the NS group, the expression of the aforementioned proteins in the PS group decreased in cellular proteins(P < 0.05). The results of Western blot showed that compared with the NC group, the protein expression levels of PTPN2, p-NF-κB,MyD88,TLR4,NLRP3,GSDMD,Caspase-1,IL-1β, TGF-βR1, TGF-βR,p-Smad2/3 in the NS group were significantly upregulated (P < 0.05); compared with the NS group, the expression levels of the aforementioned proteins in the PS group were significantly downregulated (P < 0.05). ConclusionOverexpression of Ptpn2 can inhibit the protein expressions of TLR4-TNF-α signaling, NLRP3 signaling, and TGF-β1 signaling closely related to inflammatory response in SiO₂-mediated MH-S macrophages.
9.Effects of prostaglandin E2 injection into the median preoptic nucleus on body temperature in female mice and its mechanisms
Ya LI ; Yi’an SONG ; Qiaofeng JI ; Lei XU ; Jie ZHANG ; Jianhui XU ; Xiaoyu HOU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):250-257
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) microinjection into the median preoptic nucleus (MnPO) on core body temperature in female mice, and to clarify its underlying mechanism. MethodsMicroinjection cannula were implanted into the MnPO of female mice using stereotaxic surgery.Subsequently, a multi-channel temperature acquisition system was used to simultaneously monitor rectal and brown adipose tissue (BAT) temperatures before and after intra-MnPO injections of different reagents.To investigate the thermoregulatory effects of the microinjection of PGE2 into the MnPO, 12 female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a saline group (n=6) and a PGE2 group (n=6), which were injected with 0.1 μL saline and PGE2 (2.8 mmol/L), respectively.To determine whether E-series prostaglandin receptor (EP)1, EP3, and EP4 receptors mediate the thermoregulatory effects of PGE2, 15 female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=5 per group).Mice in each group first received an injection of 0.1 μL PGE2 (2.8 mmol/L) into the MnPO. After their body temperature returned to baseline levels, they were subsequently injected with a mixture of either EP1, EP3 or EP4 antagonist (ant) (20 mmol/L) + PGE2 (2.8 mmol/L). ResultsCompared with baseline level, the rectal temperature (P<0.01) and BAT temperature (P<0.001) of female mice both increased significantly after microinjection of PGE2 into the MnPO.Compared with the saline group, the increases in rectal temperature (P<0.001) and BAT temperature (P<0.000 1) were significantly greater in the PGE2 group of mice.Furthermore, following the injection of PGE2 into MnPO, the increase in BAT temperature was found to be significantly greater than that in rectal temperature in mice (P<0.001).Compared to the administration of PGE2 alone, co-injection of an EP3 ant + PGE2 into the MnPO of mice resulted in a significantly smaller increase in both rectal temperature (P<0.001) and BAT temperature (P<0.001).In contrast, the increases in rectal and BAT temperatures following MnPO injection of either EP1 ant + PGE2 or EP4 ant + PGE2 were not statistically significant (P>0.05). ConclusionInjection of PGE2 into the MnPO elevates BAT and core body temperature in female mice via the EP3 receptor.
10.Factors affecting and identification of key environmental determinants of the Oncomelania hupensis snail density in the Yangtze River Delta based on machine learning models
Yinlong LI ; Qin LI ; Suying GUO ; Shizhen LI ; Lijuan ZHANG ; Chunli CAO ; Jing XU
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(1):14-19
Objective To identify factors affecting and key environmental factors of the Oncomelania hupensis snail density in the Yangtze River Delta region using machine learning methods. Methods Administrative village-level O. hupensis snail survey data in the Yangtze River Delta (including Shanghai Municipality, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province and Anhui Province) from 2011 to 2021 were retrieved from the Information Management System for Parasitic Disease Control of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Environmental factor data were captured from the Google Earth Engine platform, including elevation, slope, terrain, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), vegetation type, soil type, total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), ammonium nitrogen, inorganic nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, pH of water, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and inorganic phosphorus, and climatic factor data in the study region were retrieved from the Copernicus Climate Data Store, including annual precipitation, aridity index and annual mean temperature (AMT). O. hupensis snail survey data in the Yangtze River Delta region from 2011 to 2021 were randomly divided into a training set (70%) and a test set (30%), and five machine learning models were selected for machine learning model construction and comparative analysis of the O. hupensis snail density using the software R 4.3.0, including random forest (RF), eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), support vector machine (SVM), gradient boosting machine (GBM) and neural network (NN). The XGBoost model was employed to construct a predictive model for the O. hupensis snail density, and the impact of each environmental factor on O. hupensis snail distribution was quantified. The SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAPs) values were calculated to estimate the average contribution of each variable to the model prediction, and the core environmental factors affecting the O. hupensis snail population density were screened. Results Among the five machine learning models, the XGBoost model exhibited the optimal comprehensive performance, with the coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.855, mean squared error (MSE) of 0.188, root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.434 and mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.155, respectively. Analysis of factors affecting the O. hupensis snail density with the XGBoost model showed that among the 16 environmental factors, the top four high-impact factors ranked by SHAPs values included annual precipitation, elevation, aridity index and NDVI, with cumulative SHAPs contributions of 75%, which was higher than that of other environmental factors. If NDVI was higher than 0.6, the O. hupensis snail density increased with NDVI and peaked if NDVI was 0.8 (1.60 snails/0.1 m2). The O. hupensis snail density increased with elevation if the elevation ranged from 14 to 40 m, and slowly rose if the annual precipitation ranged from 900 to 1 300 mm, and then increased rapidly to the peak (1.52 snails/0.1 m2) if the annual precipitation ranged from 1 300 to 1 500 mm. In addition, the O. hupensis snail density increased rapidly to the maximum (1.60 snails/0.1 m2) if the aridity index ranged from 0.8 to 1.1, and decreased gradually if the aridity index exceeded 1.1. Conclusions The XGBoost model shows excellent performance in prediction of the O. hupensis snail density and identification of key environmental factors in the Yangtze River Delta region. Annual precipitation, elevation, aridity index and NDVI are key environmental factors affecting the distribution and density of O. hupensis snails in the Yangtze River Delta region.


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