1.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.
2.Based on Experimental Verification, Mechanism of Euphorbia humifusa in Treatment of Acute Kidney Injury was Explored
Lijuan ZHANG ; Xuehai JIA ; Yaping GUO ; Shunying LI ; Lu YANG ; Dahong YAO ; Ke ZHANG ; Hangyu WANG ; Jinhui WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):166-176
ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy and mechanism of Euphorbia humifusa on acute kidney injury (AKI) based on network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental verification. MethodsThe active components and targets of E. humifusa were retrieved from TCMSP and SwissTargetPrediction database, and the AKI targets were screened by GeneCards and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM) databases. The drug targets and disease targets were intersected to construct a protein-protein interaction network, and the intersection targets were subjected to gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Discover Studio software was used to verify the molecular docking of key components and core targets. Gentamicin (GM) was used to induce AKI rat model. Control group, model group, verapamil (16 mg·kg-1) group, E. humifusa extract (18, 54, 162 mg·kg-1·d-1) group and E. humifusa 70% ethanol extract (423 mg·kg-1) group were continuously administered for 14 days. Urine volume was detected 24 h after modeling and administration. Serum creatinine (SCr), Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), 24-hour urine protein (24 hUTP) and uric acid (UA) content; the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), carbon monoxide synthase (NOS) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in kidney were measured. The levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in serum were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) kit. The pathological changes of renal tissue were detected by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining. Western blot was used to detect the expression of PI3K/protein kinase B(Akt)/NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins. ResultsIn this study, 13 active components such as kaempferol, luteolin, apigenin, gallic acid and quercetin were screened and identified from E. humifusa. Through bioinformatics analysis, these components and AKI have a total of 289 targets, of which 62 are core targets, including Akt1, TNF, tumor protein p53(TP53) and IL-1β. These targets are mainly involved in the regulation of biological processes such as NF-κB signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathway. In animal experiments, we successfully constructed a GM-induced AKI model in rats. Compared with the model group, E. humifusa extract could significantly reduce the levels of 24 hUTP, BUN and SCr in rats (P<0.01), indicating its improvement effect on renal function. In addition, the extract of E. humifusa also significantly reduced LDH activity and MDA content in rat kidney tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), and significantly increased SOD, NOS activity and GSH content (P<0.05), indicating that the extract of E. humifusa has the potential of anti-oxidation and protection of renal function. Further analysis of inflammatory factors showed that the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in serum of rats treated with E. humifusa extract were significantly decreased (P<0.01), indicating that E. humifusa extract had anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, the extract of E. humifusa can also regulate the protein expression of PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway, which further confirmed its mechanism of reducing GM-induced AKI. ConclusionThe extract of E. humifusa has a significant therapeutic effect on acute kidney injury through its multi-component and multi-target mechanism. Its effect is reflected in improving renal function, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation and regulating immune response. These findings provide a scientific basis for the application of E. humifusa in the treatment of acute kidney injury, and point out the direction for future drug development and clinical research.
3.Genetic and clinical phenotypic analysis of Usher syndrome-associated gene variants.
Heng ZHAO ; Xiuli MA ; Yanli QU ; Guo LI ; Ken LIN ; Rui HUANG ; Lijuan ZHOU ; Jing MA
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(8):736-742
Objective:To investigate the molecular characteristics and clinical heterogeneity of Usher syndrome(USH) -related gene variants in patients with hereditary hearing loss in southwest China, providing a basis for early diagnosis and clinical management. Methods:Thirteen patients from twelve families with hearing loss who attended the Affiliated Children's Hospital of Kunming Medical University between January 2017 and March 2021 were enrolled. All patients were identified as carrying USH-related gene variants through next-generation sequencing. Sanger sequencing was performed for all patients and their parents to validate the pathogenic variants. Comprehensive clinical evaluations, including medical history collection, otologic and ophthalmologic examinations, and vestibular function assessments, were conducted. Results:Among the 13 patients, 4 were diagnosed with USH type 1 and 2 with USH type 2. A total of 19 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were detected in USH-related genes, including MYO7A,CDH23,USH1C, and USH2A. The causative gene was MYO7A in 3 probands, CDH23 in 5, USH1C in 3, and USH2Ain 2. All patients exhibited an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. Vestibular dysfunction was observed in 4 patients, and retinitis pigmentosa(RP) in 3 patients. Based on the genotype-phenotype correlation, 6 patients were initially diagnosed with USH, while 7 were classified as having non-syndromic hearing loss(NSHL). Conclusion:This study revealed the clinical heterogeneity of USH-related gene variants in patients with hereditary deafness in southwest China. Although the clinical manifestations of USH are complex and there are overlapping characteristics between different subtypes, genetic testing provides an important basis for early diagnosis and precise clinical management. Especially for those with typical hearing loss, early genetic diagnosis can provide a window of time for early detection and intervention of retinitis pigmentosa.
Humans
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Usher Syndromes/genetics*
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Myosin VIIa
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Phenotype
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Male
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Female
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Myosins/genetics*
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Mutation
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Cadherins/genetics*
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Child
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Extracellular Matrix Proteins/genetics*
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Adolescent
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Pedigree
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High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
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Cadherin Related Proteins
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Cytoskeletal Proteins
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Cell Cycle Proteins
4.Analysis of pathogen distribution and antibiotic resistance in infections after solid organ transplantation from 2017 to 2022
Peiling GUO ; Lijuan WU ; Yuanfang WANG ; Yuling XIAO ; Yi XIE
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(10):1227-1233
Objective To analyze the characteristics and drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria isolated from patients undergoing solid organ transplantation(SOT)at West China Hospital,Sichuan University in re-cent years,in order to provide a basis for empirical anti infective treatment after SOT surgery.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the isolation of major pathogens and their resistance to common anti-biotics from various specimens collected from patients undergoing kidney transplantation(KT),liver trans-plantation(LTx),and lung transplantation(LT)at West China Hospital,Sichuan University from 2017 to 2022.Results A total of 1 077 non-duplicate strains of pathogens were isolated from the samples of patients with infections after SOT surgery during the 6-year period,of which approximately 74.8%(806/1 077)were Gram negative bacteria and 25.2%(271/1 077)were Gram positive bacteria.There were differences in the distribution of pathogenic bacteria among different types of SOT groups and different specimens.Compared to E.coli isolated from urine specimens,the strains of E.coli isolated from non-urinary specimens exhibited a higher resistance rate to common antimicrobial drugs(P<0.05).The resistance rate of E.coli to β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations(cefoperazone/sulbactam and piperacillin/tazobactam)in the LTx group was significantly higher than that in the KT group(P<0.05).The overall proportion of multidrug-resistant bac-teria after SOT surgery was 11.3%(122/1 077).The proportion of carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter bau-mannii and carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa among the same group and type of pathogens in the LTx group(93.8%,37.5%)was significantly higher than that in the KT group(55.8%,9.2%).Conclusion The specimen types and strain distribution of pathogenic bacteria after different types of SOT surgery are different.The same pathogenic bacteria have different antibiotic resistance among different types of SOT groups and specimens.Therefore,it is necessary to strengthen the pathogen examination after different types of SOT and optimize the anti infection treatment plan related to transplantation based on drug sensitivity re-sults.
5.miR-27a-3p promotes the proliferation of human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts by regulating mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway
Jun LI ; Jingjing GONG ; Guobin SUN ; Rui GUO ; Yang DING ; Lijuan QIANG ; Xiaoli ZHANG ; Zhanhai FANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(8):1609-1617
BACKGROUND:Multiple studies have confirmed that mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling pathway is involved in cell proliferation,and microRNA(miR)is involved in the occurrence and development of hypertrophic scars.Therefore,the role of miR-27a-3p and MAPK signaling pathways in pathological scar formation has been further explored. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of miR-27a-3p on the proliferation of human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts through the MAPK signaling pathway. METHODS:The primary fibroblasts were isolated and collected from the skin samples.The primary fibroblasts were observed by inverted microscope and verified by immunofluorescence.The relative expression level of miR-27a-3p in tissues was detected by qRT-PCR.The target genes of hsa-miR-27a-3p were predicted using the database,and then the predicted target genes were enriched by gene ontology function analysis and biological pathway enrichment analysis of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes.There were seven groups:blank control,negative control,miR-27a-3p mimic,miR-27a-3p inhibitor,miR-27a-3p mimic+p38 MAPK inhibitor,miR-27a-3p mimic+extracellular regulated protein kinase inhibitor,miR-27a-3p mimic+c-Jun N-terminal kinase inhibitor.Western blot was used to detect the levels of extracellular regulated protein kinase,c-Jun N-terminal kinase inhibitor.and p38 kinase and their phosphorylation levels.Cell counting kit-8 and EdU were used to detect cell proliferation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with normal skin fibroblasts,hypertrophic scar fibroblasts had stronger proliferative activity(P<0.05)and faster proliferation level(P<0.001).Compared with normal skin,miR-27a-3p was highly expressed in hypertrophic scars(P<0.001).Compared with the negative control group,overexpression of miR-27a-3p could promote cell proliferation activity(P<0.001)and proliferation levels(P<0.001).Compared with the negative control group,knockdown of miR-27a-3p could inhibit the proliferation activity(P<0.05)and proliferation levels(P<0.001).Compared with the negative control group,overexpression of miR-27a-3p promoted the phosphorylated levels of extracellular regulated protein kinase,c-Jun N-terminal kinase,and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(P<0.05).Compared with the negative control group,knockdown of miR-27a-3p inhibited the phosphorylated levels of extracellular regulated protein kinase,c-Jun N-terminal kinase,and p38 MAPK(P<0.05).Compared with the miR-27a-3p mimic group,specific inhibitors of extracellular regulated protein kinase,c-Jun N-terminal kinase,and p38 MAPK reversed the effects of miR-27a-3p on the proliferative activity(P<0.01)and proliferation level(P<0.001)of fibroblasts.To conclude,these results suggest that miR-27a-3p promotes the proliferation of human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts by activating the MAPK signaling pathway.
6.Analysis of Global and Regional Lifetime Risk of Develo-ping and Dying from Lung Cancer in 2022
Zhen GUO ; Wei WANG ; Hong WANG ; Hongwei LIU ; Yin LIU ; Lijuan CHEN ; Shaokai ZHANG ; Qiong CHEN
China Cancer 2025;34(2):81-88
[Purpose]To analyze the lifetime risk of developing and dying from lung cancer at global and regional levels.[Methods]Data of lung cancer incidence and mortality were obtained from GLOBOCAN 2022 and the population and all-cause mortality data were obtained from the United Nations.The lifetime risk of developing and dying from lung cancer globally and across different regions was estimated by multiple primary adjustment method.[Results]The global lifetime risk of developing lung cancer was 3.59%[95%confidence interval(CI):3.58%~3.59%],ranking third among all cancer types.There were significant gender and regional differences in lifetime risk values.The risk for male was 4.43%(95%CI:4.42%~4.44%),which was higher than that for female(2.71%,95%CI:2.70%~2.72%),with a male-to-female ratio of 1.63.Among regions with varying human development index(HDI)levels,the risk increased with HDI levels,in very high HDI re-gions risk was 5.36%(95%CI:5.34%~5.37%),while in low HDI regions the risk was 0.34%(95%CI:0.33%~0.34%).Among the 20 global regions,East Asia had the highest lifetime risk of 7.53%(95%CI:7.52%~7.55%),while West Africa had the lowest risk of 0.16%(95%CI:0.16%~0.17%).The global lifetime risk of dying from lung cancer was 2.78%(95%CI:2.78%~2.78%),ranking the first among all cancer types.There were significant sex and regional differ-ences in lifetime death risk values.The risk for male was 3.64%(95%CI:3.63%~3.64%),which was higher than that for female(1.89%,95%CI:1.89%~1.90%),with a male-to-female ratio of 1.93.Among regions with varying HDI levels,the risk increased with HDI levels,in very high HDI re-gions the risk was 3.98%(95%CI:3.97%~3.99%),while in low HDI regions the risk was 0.31%(95%CI:0.31%~0.31%).Among the 20 global regions,the Federated States of Micronesia/Poly-nesia had the highest death risk of 5.80%(95%CI:4.98%~6.62%),while West Africa had the lowest risk of 0.15%(95%CI:0.15%~0.16%).The lifetime risk of developing and dying from lung cancer in China was 7.54%(95%CI:7.52%~7.56%)and 5.88%(95%CI:5.87%~5.90%),respec-tively,both ranking the first among all cancer types.[Conclusion]The lifetime risk of developing and dying from lung cancer remains high globally and across different regions,with a particularly heavy burden in high-HDI areas.In China,both the lifetime risk of developing and dying from lung cancer are higher than the global average.This highlights the need for continued enhance-ment of comprehensive prevention and control measures,including addressing lung cancer-related risk factors,as well as improving screening,early diagnosis,and treatment efforts to reduce the lung cancer burden.
7.A case of MRKH syndrome combined with adenomyosis without endometrium and literature review
Ruolin GUO ; Yongqing SUN ; Cuiying CAO ; Yuan WANG ; Yibin LIU ; Yunfeng LI ; Lijuan ZHANG
Clinical Medicine of China 2025;41(6):471-475
Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is characterized by congenital vaginal hypoplasia and primordial uterus caused by Müllerian anomalies. Case reports concerning adenomyosis associated with MRKH syndrome are limited, and the formation and intervention of adenomyosis without endometrium are unclear. Here, we present the case of a patient with MRKH syndrome complicated with adenomyosis without endometrium, a hypoechoic solid mass next to the right ovary. According to the intraoperative observation and histopathological examination findings, the mass were diagnosed as adenomyosis of the primordial uterus. Moreover, our report provides insights about its mechanism of occurrence and interventions in MRKH syndrome combined with adenomyosis without endometrium.
8.Prognostic value of high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities inmultiple myeloma
Xuxing SHEN ; Jiapei YU ; Rui GUO ; Ying XU ; Yuanyuan JIN ; Qinglin SHI ; Lijuan CHEN
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2025;46(10):958-962
To retrospectively analyze the clinical data of 465 newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma (NDMM) admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from December 2016 to December 2024, and compare the prognostic value of high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities (HRCAs) in NDMM patients under mSMART 3.0 and mSMART 4.0 risk stratification systems. The results showed that in both stratification systems, the prognosis of high-risk patients was worse than that of standard-risk patients. Moreover, a higher number of HRCAs was associated with a worse prognosis. The mSMART 4.0 system, which considers the coexistence of various cytogenetic abnormalities, provides a more precise definition of HRCA than mSMART 3.0. It demonstrates a superior ability to differentiate between different categories of cytogenetic risk.
9.HMGA2 Promotes Cellular Proliferation, Invasion and Metastasis of Laryngeal Cancer Through TGF-β/Smad Signaling Pathway
Xianxue WEN ; Ruting LI ; Xi WU ; Renbin GUO ; Jun WU ; Lijuan MA
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(7):571-577
Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism by which HMGA2 participates in the TGF-β/Smad pathway in the regulation of the proliferation, aggression, and metastasis of laryngeal cancer. Methods shRNA transfection was used to construct the HMGA2 knockdown laryngeal cancer TU686 cell model, and subcutaneous transplantation tumor model and tail vein metastasis tumor model were established in nude mice. Western blot was conducted to detect the expression of HMGA2 and TGF-β/Smad pathway-related molecules in cells and tumor tissues. Results The proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of TU686 cells with HMGA2 knockdown decreased. The expression of TGF-β, Smad2, Smad3, and phosphorylated Smad2/3 protein also decreased. TGF-β1 stimulation of the TGF-β/Smad pathway could partially offset the antitumor effect caused by HMGA2 knockdown. Through in vitro experiments, we determined that low expression of HMGA2 significantly inhibited the growth of subcutaneously transplanted tumors, and TGF-β1 stimulation of the TGF-β/Smad pathway reduced the tumor-inhibitory effect resulting from the low expression of HMGA2. In tail vein metastases of nude mice, E-cadherin expression was elevated but N-cadherin expression was reduced in the HMGA2 knockdown group, suggesting that HMGA2 could inhibit the progression of EMT. After TGF-β1 stimulated the TGF-β/Smad pathway, the EMT effect due to HMGA2 knockdown was lessened. Conclusion HMGA2 may promote the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of laryngeal cancer by upregulating the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.
10.Progress of schistosomiasis control in the People’s Republic of China in 2024
Junyi HE ; Lijuan ZHANG ; Fan YANG ; Hui DANG ; Yinlong LI ; Suying GUO ; Shizhen LI ; Chunli CAO ; Jing XU ; Shizhu LI
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2025;37(3):223-231
To understand the progress of, summarize the lessons learned from and analyze the challenges in the national schistosomiasis elimination program of China in 2024, this article presented the endemic situation of schistosomiasis and national schistosomiasis surveillance results in the People’s Republic of China in 2024. By the end of 2024, Shanghai Municipality, Zhejiang Province, Fujian Province, Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region continued to consolidate schistosomiasis elimination achievements, and 7 provinces of Jiangsu, Sichuan, Yunnan, Hubei, Hunan, Anhui and Jiangxi maintained the criteria of schistosomiasis transmission interruption. A total of 450 counties (cites, districts) were found to be endemic for schistosomiasis in China in 2024, including 26 061 endemic villages covering 73 630 500 residents at risk of infections. Among the 450 counties (cities, districts) endemic for schistosomiasis, 388 (86.22%) achieved the criteria of schistosomiasis elimination and 62 (13.78%) achieved the criteria of transmission interruption. In 2024, a total of 4 102 624 individuals received immunological tests for schistosomiasis in China, with 44 823 sero-positives identified (1.09% seroprevalence), and a total of 169 722 individuals received parasitological examinations, with 1 egg-positives detected. A total of 27 321 cases with advanced schistosomiasis were documented in China by the end of 2024. In 2024, a total of 575 686 bovines were raised in schistosomiasis-endemic villages of China, and 113 842 bovines received immunological tests, with 235 sero-positives detected (0.21% seroprevalence), while no egg-positives were identified among the 167 475 bovines receiving parasitological examinations. In 2024, snail survey was performed covering an area of 680 498.27 hm2 in China, and 190 778.66 hm2 snail habitats were identified, including 59.09 hm2 emerging snail habitats and 704.23 hm2 reemerging snail habitats. In 2024, a total of 19 665 schistosomiasis patients receiving chemotherapy with praziquantel in China, and expanded chemotherapy was given to humans at 571 722 person-times and to bovines at 306 740 herd-times. In addition, snail control with chemical treatment covered 117 111.37 hm2 snail habitats across China in 2024, and the actual area of chemical treatment was 66 562.95 hm2, while environmental improvements were performed in snail habitats covering an area of 1 374.26 hm2. The national schistosomiasis surveillance results showed that the mean prevalence rates of Schistosoma japonicum infections were both 0 among humans and bovines in China in 2024, and no S. japonicum infection was detected in snails. These data demonstrated that the prevalence of schistosomiasis remained at a low level in China in 2024; however, the areas of snail habitats remained high and the number of fenced cattle showed a slight increase. To address these risks, it is imperative to maintain the integrated strategy with an emphasis on management of the source of S. japonicum infection and intensified snail control in high-risk areas, and to reinforce schistosomiasis surveillance and forecast and snail control in high-risk areas.

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