Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum and Neisseria gonorrhoeae among Chinese women with urinary tract infections in Shanghai: A community-based cross-sectional study.

AIM: This study explored chlamydia trachomatis (CT), ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) and/or neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) in 5893 women with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Shanghai. METHODS: From January 2009 to December 2014, 5893 women with UTIs in Shanghai were selected to undergo CT, UU and NG detection. Baseline characteristics including age, education level, occupation, reproductive history, sexual behavior and contraceptive method were obtained for epidemiological analysis. RESULTS: The total CT, UU and/or NG infection rate in the urine samples of 5893 patients was 50.69% (2987/5893), while the infection rate in vaginal secretion samples was 56.22% (3313/5893). The two detection methods were consistent. Patients aged 21-30, service personnel and unemployed persons had the highest rates of CT, UU and/or NG infection, while patients with higher education levels exhibited lower rates. As the number of previous pregnancies, natural births, abortions, sexual partners and the frequency of sexual intercourse increased, the rates of CT, UU and/or NG infection were elevated. Sexual intercourse during the menstruation period, a lack of cleaning before sexual intercourse and the use of intrauterine devices could all lead to an increased rate of CT, UU and/or NG infection. CONCLUSIONS: These data revealed that the rate of CT, UU and/or NG infection may be associated with age, education level, occupation, reproductive history, sexual behavior and type of contraceptive method in female patients with UTI in Shanghai.

Health Effect of Forest Bathing Trip on Elderly Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Forest bathing trip is a short, leisurely visit to forest. In this study we determined the health effects of forest bathing trip on elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The patients were randomly divided into two groups. One group was sent to forest, and the other was sent to an urban area as control. Flow cytometry, ELISA, and profile of mood states (POMS) evaluation were performed. In the forest group, we found a significant decrease of perforin and granzyme B expressions, accompanied by decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and stress hormones. Meanwhile, the scores in the negative subscales of POMS decreased after forest bathing trip. These results indicate that forest bathing trip has health effect on elderly COPD patients by reducing inflammation and stress level.

Novel back propagation optimization by Cuckoo Search algorithm.

The traditional Back Propagation (BP) has some significant disadvantages, such as training too slowly, easiness to fall into local minima, and sensitivity of the initial weights and bias. In order to overcome these shortcomings, an improved BP network that is optimized by Cuckoo Search (CS), called CSBP, is proposed in this paper. In CSBP, CS is used to simultaneously optimize the initial weights and bias of BP network. Wine data is adopted to study the prediction performance of CSBP, and the proposed method is compared with the basic BP and the General Regression Neural Network (GRNN). Moreover, the parameter study of CSBP is conducted in order to make the CSBP implement in the best way.

Enhanced axon outgrowth of spinal motor neurons in co-culturing with dorsal root ganglions antagonizes the growth inhibitory environment.

Introduction: Forming a bridge made of functional axons to span the lesion is essential to reconstruct the motor circuitry following spinal cord injury (SCI). Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) axons are robust in axon growth and have been proved to facilitate the growth of cortical neurons in a process of axon-facilitated axon regeneration. However, whether DRG transplantation affects the axon outgrowth of spinal motor neurons (SMNs) that play crucial roles in motor circuitry remains unclear. Methods: We investigated the axonal growth patterns of co-cultured DRGs and SMN aggregates (SMNAs) taking advantage of a well-designed 3D-printed in vitro system. Chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPG) induced inhibitory matrix was introduced to imitate the inhibitory environment following SCI. Axonal lengths of DRG, SMNA or DRG & SMNA cultured on the permissive or CSPG induced inhibitory matrix were measured and compared. Results: Our results indicated that under the guidance of full axonal connection generated from two opposing populations of DRGs, SMNA axons were growth-enhanced and elongated along the DRG axon bridge to distances that they could not otherwise reach. Quantitatively, the co-culture increased the SMNA axonal length by 32.1 %. Moreover, the CSPG matrix reduced the axonal length of DRGs and SMNAs by 46.2 % and 17.7 %, respectively. This inhibitory effect was antagonized by the co-culture of DRGs and SMNAs. Especially for SMNAs, they extended the axons across the CSPG-coating matrix, reached the lengths close to those of SMNAs cultured on the permissive matrix alone. Conclusions: This study deepens our understanding of axon-facilitated reconstruction of the motor circuitry. Moreover, the results support SCI treatment utilizing the enhanced outgrowth of axons to restore functional connectivity in SCI patients.

Electrochemical and density functional theory investigation on high selectivity and sensitivity of exfoliated nano-zirconium phosphate toward lead(II).

A new strategy on the understanding of selective and sensitive identification of Pb(II) using combined experimental and theoretical efforts is described. Amorphous phase formation of exfoliated nano-zirconium phosphate (ZrP) has been prepared via a hydrothermal process and subsequent intercalation reaction. Exfoliated ZrP was used as coating on the electrode surface, and it was found to be selective and sensitive for Pb(II) detection due to its selective adsorption ability. To better and scientifically understand the microscopic adsorption mechanism, density functional theory (DFT) calculations about the details of chemical interactions between heavy metal ions and exfoliated ZrP were carried out at an atomistic level. It is verified that the exfoliated ZrP shows the strongest adsorption capability toward Pb(II) among all heavy metal ions, thereby resulting in selective detection consequently. With our combined experimental and theoretical efforts, we are able to provide a new route to realize the improved selectivity in electrochemical sensing of toxic metal ions.

One stage anterior-posterior approach for traumatic atlantoaxial instability combined with subaxial cervical spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the clinical features of traumatic atlantoaxial instability combined with subaxial cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI), and to analyze the feasibility, indication and therapeutic effects of anterior-posterior approach in such cases. METHODS: From March 2004 to September 2009, 16 cases with this trauma were admitted and surgically treated in our department. Before surgery, skull traction was performed. Posterior atlantoaxial pedicle screw internal fixation and bone graft fusion were conducted to manage traumatic atlantoaxial instability. As for subaxial CSCI, anterior cervical corpectomy or discectomy decompression, bone grafting and internal fixation with steel plates were applied. RESULTS: All operations were successful. The average operation time was 3 hours and operative blood loss 400 ml. Satisfactory reduction of both the upper and lower cervical spine and complete decompression were achieved. All patients were followed up for 12 to 36 months. Their clinical symptoms were improved by various levels. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores ranged from 10 to 16 one year postoperatively, 13.95+/-2.06 on average(improvement rate equal to 70.10%). X-rays, spiral CT and MRI confirmed normal cervical alignments, complete decompression and fine implants'position. There was no breakage or loosening of screws, nor exodus of titanium mesh or implanted bone blocks. The grafted bone achieved fusion 3-6 months postoperatively and no atlantoaxial instability was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Traumatic atlantoaxial instability may combine with subaxial CSCI, misdiagnosis of which should be especially alerted and avoided. For severe cases, one stage anterior-posterior approach to decompress the upper and lower cervical spine, together with reposition, bone grafting and fusion, as well as internal fixation can immediately restore the normal alignments and stability of the cervical spine and effectively improve the spinal nervous function, thus being an ideal approach.

N,N-Bis(diphenyl-phosphan-yl)benzyl-amine.

In the title compound, C(31)H(27)NP(2), the diphenyl-phosphanyl groups are staggered relative to the PNP backbone. The N atom is displaced by 0.219 (2) Šfrom the plane formed by the two P atoms and the methylene C atom. The angles around the N atom are 120.84 (16), 113.29 (16) and 120.57 (12)°, indicating that it exhibits a distorted trigonal-pyramidal geometry. There are no classical inter-molecular inter-actions.

[Comparison of Enrichment and Transport of Cadmium in the Fruit of High and Low Enrichment Pepper Varieties and Its Distribution in Subcells].

Peppers are a high Cd-enriched vegetable. On the basis of a preliminary screening experiment of 91 pepper varieties and soil culture experiments during the entire growth period of 26 varieties, a high Cd variety (X15), medium Cd variety (X39), and two low varieties (X45 and X55) were selected to study the effect of different cadmium levels (0, 5, and 10 mg·kg-1 Cd) on enrichment, transport, and accumulation as well as its subcellular distribution and chemical form. Based on the results, 5 mg·kg-1 and 10 mg·kg-1 of Cd inhibited shoot dry weights of four pepper varieties but increased the root dry weights of X15, X45, and X55 varieties. Sodium chloride-bound cadmium and acetate-bound cadmium are the main forms of cadmium in the pepper fruits. Subcellular cadmium concentrations in the roots, leaves, and fruits of pepper plants were ranked in order cytoplasm > cell wall > organelle, and in the stems the order was cell wall > cytoplasm > organelle. Cd compartmentalization plays an important role in pepper resistance to cadmium stress. Under dosages of 5 mg·kg-1 Cd and 10 mg·kg-1 Cd, Cd concentrations in stems and leaves were ranked in order X39 > X15 > X55 > X45, with fruit Cd concentrations ranked in order X15 > X39 > X55 > X45. The Cd concentration was lowest in the roots of X15 whereas this variety has the highest concentrations in its fruit. The Cd concentrations in the roots, stems, and leaves of X39 were the highest among the four varieties whereas the concentration in the fruit was lower than in the X15 variety. The concentration of Cd in pepper fruits depends on the Cd transport capacity redistribution ability to the shoots.

[Biological Effect of Tetracycline Antibiotics on a Soil-Lettuce System and Its Migration Degradation Characteristics].

Residual tetracycline antibiotics (TCs) in farmland soils with the application of livestock manure cause risks to the growth of vegetables and soil ecology. Here, pot experiments are carried out using through exogenous addition of different levels of oxytetracycline (OTC), tetracycline (TC), and chlortetracycline (CTC), to study the physiological toxicity, uptake, and transportation of TCs in lettuce. The subsequent degradation of TCs in soil was also evaluated along with analyses of soil enzyme activity and microbial population dynamics. The results showed that the biomass of lettuce decreased with application of TCs as well as the chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, and carotenoid content. Consequently, net photosynthetic rates were inhibited, and SOD, POD, and CAT increased under the stress imposed by the TCs. With an increase in the level of TC application, uptake by lettuce plants increased while the bioconcentration and translocation factors decreased. When OTC, TC, and CTC in the soil were below 150 mg·kg-1, the health risk from the edible parts of lettuce was low (HQ<0.1). The TC degradation rate in different soils was ranked in the order of control soil > rhizosphere soil > bulk soil. The OTC degradation rates in the soils were significantly lower than for TC and CTC. TCs (150-1350 mg·kg-1) significantly inhibited urease and rhizosphere catalase activity in soil and reduced the number of soil culturable bacteria and fungi.

[The changes of interdigestive migrating motor complex in rats with acute liver failure].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes and characteristics of interdigestive migrating motor complex (MMC) in rat models of acute liver failure. METHODS: 30 rat models with acute liver failure were induced with D-galactosamine and another 30 normal rats were used as controls. The indexes of MMC recorded by multi-channel physiological recorder were compared. RESULTS: No significant differences found between the two groups in antral and duodenal MMC cycles and frequencies of duodenal and jejunal MMC III phase. Compared with normal controls, the MMC II phase in the acute liver failure rats was significantly prolonged (t=-3.97, -3.85, P<0.05), the MMC III duration of antrum and duodenum (u=-4.99, t=4.66, P<0.05) was shorter and the MMC III frequency of antrum (u=-4.73, P<0.05) was faster. In addition, the MMC cycle and MMC III phase of jejunum were significantly prolonged (u=-1.63, t=-4.94, P<0.05) and the MMC III phase duration was significantly shorter in the acute liver failure rats (t=5.10, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Significantly prolonged MMC II phase characterized by migrating clustered contraction, shortened MMC III phase and extended jejunal MMC cycles were probably the major contributors to the gastrointestinal motility disorders in the rats with acute liver failure.

[Ecological Risk Assessment of Tetracycline Antibiotics in Livestock Manure and Vegetable Soil of Chongqing].

The residue of new organic pollutant antibiotics in the environment and their risks to the ecological environment have become important research issues at home and abroad. China is the largest country of antibiotic production and antibiotic use. Tetracycline antibiotics (TCs) have been used in large quantities, and they also have the highest residue in animal manure. Tetracycline antibiotics in animal manure are easily accumulated in the soil, and disturb the soil microbial community; furthermore, they are absorbed by crops and remain in agricultural products, thereby threatening human health and ecological security. At present, the pollution of antibiotics in animal manure and soil of southwest China has not been reported. An investigation and analysis were conducted to evaluate the environmental ecological risks of three agricultural tetracycline antibiotics [oxytetracycline (OTC), tetracycline (TC), and chlortetracycline (CTC)] in livestock manure of large farms and soil of main vegetable base in chongqing. The results showed that the average contents of OTC, TC, CTC, and TCs ∑TCs in pig and chicken manure in 2014 was 13.05, 91.81, 62.48, 167.34 mg ·kg-1, and 4.25, 4.60, 28.55, 37.40 mg ·kg-1, respectively. The average contents of OTC,TC,CTC, and ∑TCs in pig and chicken manure in 2019 were 3.39, 4.82, 5.92, 15.95 mg ·kg-1, and 1.10, 1.35, 4.22, 5.16 mg ·kg-1, respectively. The content of TCs in livestock and poultry manure of Chongqing in 2019 decreased significantly as compared to that in 2014. The ecological risk of TCs in chicken manure was lower than that in pig manure, and the ecological risk of TCs in livestock manure in 2019 was significantly lower than that in 2014. Moreover, the risk quotient was in the order of CTC > OTC > TC. The average contents of OTC,TC,CTC, and ∑TCs in the soil of the main vegetable bases and surrounding areas in Chongqing were 18.92, 39.10, 21.80, and 79.81 µg ·kg-1, respectively. The content of TCs was in the order of vegetable field near the farm > pollution-free vegetable base > common vegetable field. In the vegetable field near the farm, the content of TCs in open vegetable field was generally higher than that in greenhouse field. In contrast, in the pollution-free vegetable base, the content of TCs in the greenhouse field was higher than that in the pen field. The ecological risk quotients (HQ values) of TCs in the vegetable field were lower than 1 under various planting modes. The HQ values of the three TCs were in the order of CTC > OTC > TC. The content of ∑TCs in soil was in the order of leaves > melons > solanoids > legumes. The difference in contents of soil TCs was found in different vegetable fields with different vegetable types, and it may be related to the different vegetable cultivation patterns, type, and amount of livestock manure.

[Effects of Nano-magnesium Hydroxide on the Forms of Cadmium in Different Types of Soil].

The effects of nano-magnesium hydroxide and common magnesium hydroxide (100, 200, and 300 mg·kg-1) on the forms of cadmium in different types of cadmium contaminated soils (1, 5, 10, and 15 mg·kg-1) were studied under 28 days of continuous culture experiment. In the neutral soil, during the 28 days of culture, soil exchange Cd (EX-Cd) form distribution ratio (FDC) decreased at first and then increased with the culture time increasing under treatment of 1, 5, 10, and 15 mg·kg-1 Cd. The minima of soil EX-Cd FDC were found on the 14th day under 1 mg·kg-1 Cd and 5 mg·kg-1 Cd treatments, whereas the minima of soil EX-Cd FDC were observed on the 4th day under 10 mg·kg-1 Cd and 15 mg·kg-1 Cd treatments. The FDC of soil carbonate bound Cd (CAB-Cd), iron manganese oxidized Cd (FeMn-Cd), and organic bound Cd (OM-Cd) increased at first, then decreased, and finally, became stable, and the maxima of soil CAB-Cd, FeMn-Cd, and OM-Cd FDC were found on the 4th day, whereas the minima of soil CAB-Cd, FeMn-Cd, and OM-Cd FDC were observed on the 14th day. Soil residual Cd (RES-Cd) FDC increased gradually and then tended to becomes stable during the 28 days of culture. The soil EX-Cd FDC was 66.7%-81.8% at 1, 5, 10, and 15 mg·kg-1 Cd treatments, which was the main form of the soil. The FDC of soil Cd forms was in the order of EX-Cd > CAB-Cd > RES-Cd > FeMn-Cd > OM-Cd. Soil EX-Cd FDC reached the lowest value on the 14th Day. Soil EX-Cd FDC was reduced by nano-magnesium hydroxide and common magnesium hydroxide, and it decreased with the increase of the amount of magnesium hydroxide. During 0-28 days of culture, the soil EX-Cd FDC decreased by 11.4%-67.7%, 7.8%-37.2%, 7.7%-36.4%, 5.0%-28.8% (nano-magnesium hydroxide) and 0.5%-49.5%, 0.6%-15.0%, 1.0%-18.1%, 0.7%-14.6% (ordinary magnesium hydroxide) at 1, 5, 10, and 15 mg·kg-1 Cd treatments, respectively. The EX-Cd content of alkaline soil reached the lowest value on the 7th day of culture, and the EX-Cd content of acidic soil reached the lowest value on the 21st day under 1, 5, and 10 mg·kg-1 Cd treatments. The content of EX-Cd in neutral, acidic, and alkaline soils decreased with the increase of magnesium hydroxide content, and the content of EX-Cd in soil decreased with the increase of magnesium hydroxide amount. At the same amount, the effect of passivating soil EX-Cd under nanometer magnesium hydroxide treatment was superior to ordinary magnesium hydroxide treatment.

Histological and functional outcomes in a rat model of hemisected spinal cord with sustained VEGF/NT-3 release from tissue-engineered grafts.

Microvascular disturbance, excessive inflammation and gliosis are key pathophysiologic changes in relation to functional status following the traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Continuous release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to the lesion site was proved be able to promote the vascular remodelling, whereas the effects on reduction of inflammation and gliosis remain unclear. Currently, aiming at exploring the synergistic roles of VEGF and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) on angiogenesis, anti-inflammation and neural repair, we developed a technique to co-deliver VEGF165 and NT-3 locally with a homotopic graft of tissue-engineered acellular spinal cord scaffold (ASCS) in a hemisected (3 mm in length) SCI model. As the potential in secretion of growth factors (GFs), bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were introduced with the aim to enhance the VEGF/NT-3 release. Our data demonstrate that sustained VEGF/NT-3 release from ASCS significantly increases the local levels of VEGF/NT-3 and angiogenesis, regardless of whether it is in combination with BMSCs transplantation that exhibits positive effects on anti-inflammation, axonal outgrowth and locomotor recovery. This study verifies that co-delivery of VEGF/NT-3 reduces inflammation and gliosis in the hemisected spinal cord, promotes axonal outgrowth and results in better locomotor recovery, while the BMSCs transplantation facilitates these functions limitedly.

Intrathoracic infusion therapy with Lentinan and chemical irritants for malignant pleural effusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 65 randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Aderivative of Shiitake mushrooms, Lentinan is used to control malignant pleural effusion (MPE) through intrathoracic infusion. PURPOSE: To determine the clinical response, survival and safety of Lentinan plus chemical irritants, and the optimal combinations with chemical irritants, indication, threshold and optimal regimen for achieving the desired responses. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a new systematic review and meta-analysis following the PRISMA guidelines. METHODS: We collected all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding Lentinan plus chemical irritants from Chinese and English electronic databases (from inception until March 2019). We evaluated their bias risk, synthesized data using meta-analysis, and summarized evidence quality following the Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. RESULTS: We included 65 RCTs involving 4,080 patients and nine chemical irritants. Most trials had unclear bias risk. Lentinan with cisplatin significantly improved complete response [Risk ratio (RR) = 1.68, 95% confidence intervals (CI) (1.51 to 1.87), p < 0.00001, Fig.3a] and quality of life [RR = 1.51 95% CI (1.41 to 1.62), p < 0.00001, Fig.4], and decreased the risk of treatment failure, myelosuppression, gastrointestinal reaction, and chest pain. For patients with moderate to large volume of the pleural effusion, primary treatment, KPS score ≥ 50-60, or anticipated survival time ≥ 3months, Lentinan (3-4 mg/time, once a week for three to four times) withcisplatin (30-40 mg/m2 or 50-60 mg/m2) significantly improved complete response and decreased failure. Most results were robust and moderate quality. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that Lentinan with chemical irritants, especially cisplatin is beneficial to the patient with MPE, and provide evidence for the indication, threshold, and optimal regimen that may achieve success and decrease failure.

The Hepatorenal Toxicity and Tumor Response of Chemotherapy With or Without Aidi Injection in Advanced Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of 80 Randomized Controlled Trials.

PURPOSE: Chemotherapy-induced hepatorenal toxicity often decreases tolerance for further therapies and results in poor quality of life and prognosis for patients with lung cancer. In this meta-analysis, all related studies were systematically re-evaluated to determine whether Aidi injection relieves hepatorenal toxicity and improves tumor response, and to determine its threshold and the optimal treatment regimen for obtaining the desired responses. METHODS: All studies regarding Aidi injection with chemotherapy were gathered from Chinese and English databases (from inception until January 2019). Their bias risk was evaluated and the data were synthesized using meta-analysis; the quality of evidence of all outcomes was rated by using the Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. FINDINGS: Eighty randomized controlled trials containing 6279 patients were included in the study. Most of the trials showed unclear risk of bias. Aidi injection with chemotherapy increased the objective response rate (risk ratio [RR], 1.32; 95% CI, 1.25-1.40) and the disease control rate (RR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.12-1.17) and resulted in a lower incidence of hepatotoxicity (RR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.55-0.69) and nephrotoxicity (RR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.53-0.72) than that of chemotherapy alone. Subgroup analyses showed that treatment with 50 mL per time, 10 to 14 days per cycle, and 2 to 3 cycles of Aidi injection with chemotherapy resulted in a low incidence of hepatorenal toxicity. All of the results were robust, and their quality was moderate. IMPLICATIONS: The moderate evidence indicates that Aidi injection with chemotherapy may improve tumor response and result in a low incidence of hepatorenal toxicity in patients with lung cancer. Aidi injection may relieve hepatorenal toxicity and exhibit an important protective effect against chemotherapy-induced hepatorenal toxicity. Based on the subgroup analysis results, Aidi injection seems to lower the threshold for chemotherapy. Treatment with 50 mL per time, 10 to 14 days per cycle, and 2 to 3 cycles may be the optimal usage for attaining a decrease in hepatorenal toxicity.

Synthesis and DNA cleavage activity of 2-hydrazinyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine containing hydroxy group.

2-Hydrazinyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-5-ol dihydrochloride 2, as well as 2-hydrazinyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole dihydrochloride 1, was synthesized as metal-free DNA cleaving agent. Agarose gel electrophoresis was used to assess the plasmid pUC 19 DNA cleavage activities in the presence of 1 and 2. DNA cleavage efficiency of 2 exhibits remarkable increases compared with its corresponding non-hydroxy compound 1. Kinetic data of DNA cleavage promoted by 2 fit to the Michaelis-Menten-type equation with k(max) of 0.0378+/-0.0013 h(-1) giving 10(6)-fold rate acceleration over uncatalyzed DNA. The acceleration is driven by the spatial proximity of the nucleophilic hydroxy group and the electrophilic activation for the phosphodiester by the ammonium and/or guanidinium groups. In vitro cytotoxic activities toward Hela cells and human leukemia HL-60 cells were also examined, and 2 exhibits stronger cytotoxic activities than 1.

[Evaluation of right ventricular function of patients with intraoperative device closure of atrial septal defect by ultrasonic Doppler tissue imaging].

OBJECTIVE: To study the application of Doppler tissue imaging (TDI) in the assessment of right ventricular function of patients with intraoperative device closure of atrial septal defect (ASD). METHODS: A total of 48 ASD patients, 18 males and 30 females, were selected for intraoperative device closure. The mean age was 31 +/- 16 years old. Color Doppler echocardiographic instrument (Sonos 4500) was employed to perform the Doppler tissue imaging before and at 3-5 days after operation. The parameters included: (1) Time and peak speed of systolic motion of anterior tricuspid valve annulus (TDI-TS, TDI-PVS), early diastole motion time (TDI-TE) and late diastolic motion time (TDI-TA) and peak speed of early and late diastolic motion (TDI-PVE, TDI-PVA), interval between the early diastolic motion and late diastolic motion (TDI-TE-A); (2) Peak speed of systolic, early diastolic and late diastolic motions of the middle lateral and basic lateral walls of right ventricle. RESULTS: The TDI-PVS (0.16 +/- 0.05) m/s in post-operation was decreased than TDI-PVS (0.20 +/- 0.04) m/s in pre-operation and TDI-PVA (0.12 +/- 0.03) m/s in post-operation was decreased than TDI-PVA (0.16 +/- 0.02) m/s in pre-operation apparently (P < 0.01). The TDI-TS (231 +/- 36) msec in post-operation were shorter than TDI-TS (265 +/- 24) msec in pre-operation (P < 0.01). Peak spead of Systolic, early diastolic and late diastolic motions of middle lateral and basic lateral walls of right ventricle declined post-operatively (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: TDI is an effective method to evaluate the function of right ventricle quantitatively in patients with intraoperative device closure of ASD.

[Differences in the Cadmium-Enrichment Capacity and Subcellular Distribution and Chemical Form of Cadmium in Different Varieties of Pepper].

In a preliminary experiment, 91 pepper varieties were screened, and one variety each with high Cd accumulation (X55), medium Cd accumulation (Daguo 99), and low Cd accumulation (Luojiao 318) were selected to study the effect of different cadmium levels (0, 5, and 10 mg·kg-1 Cd) on cadmium migration and enrichment ability, and its subcellular distribution and chemical form. The results showed that under the stress of Cd, shoot dry weight of pepper plants was in the order X55>17>27. At the same level of Cd, the Cd transfer coefficient of fruit was 17>27 and X55. Cadmium concentrations in each subcellular component of the pepper fruits were 27 > 17 > X55. Cadmium concentration in subcellular component of the roots, stems, leaves, and fruits of the pepper plants was in order of cell wall (F1) > organelle (F2) > cell soluble component (F3). Cadmium was limited in cell wall and plays an important role in detoxification mechanism and resistance of Cd in pepper plants. The morphological content of various Cd forms in the pepper fruits of the three varieties increased with the increase of Cd treatment level, in the order CdNaCl > CdHAC > CdR > CdHCl > CdW > CdE. CdNaCl and CdHAC account for a large proportion of Cd in pepper fruits, which may be an important defense mechanism for reducing the biological toxicity of Cd.

[Effects of Tetracycline Antibiotics on Growth and Characteristics of Enrichment and Transformation in Two Vegetables].

Pot experiments were carried out to study different levels (0, 50, and 150 mg·kg-1) of three tetracycline antibiotics[tetracycline (TC), oxytetracycline (OTC), and chlortetracycline (CTC)] on the growth, concentration of tetracycline antibiotics, and their characteristics of enrichment and transformation in two kinds of vegetables (lettuce and Chinese cabbage). The results showed that the fresh weight of shoots and roots of lettuce decreased by 1.56%-26.84% and 17.36%-51.04%, respectively, when exposed to tetracycline antibiotics compared to the control, while the fresh weight of shoots and roots of Chinese cabbage increased by 3.7%-7.3% and 3.1%-82.2%, respectively. The stomatal conductance (Gs) and transpiration rate (Tr) of lettuce and cabbage increased when exposed to tetracycline antibiotics, while the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) of lettuce decreased by 32.43%-82.43% at 150 mg·kg-1 of TC compared to the control. Compared to the control, the activities of SOD in lettuce and cabbage decreased 29.17%-223.12% when exposed to tetracycline antibiotics, and the lowest activities of SOD in lettuce and cabbage were found in OTC treatments. The highest content of MDA in lettuce and cabbage was observed at 150 mg·kg-1 of TC (except for lettuce leaves). The contents of tetracycline antibiotics in the shoots and underground portions of Chinese cabbage were higher than that of lettuce, and higher contents of tetracycline antibiotics in vegetables were found with the CTC treatments. The residual amount of antibiotics in lettuce soil was higher than that in the Chinese cabbage soil, and the highest residual amount in the soil was observed with the OTC treatment. The bioconcentration factors (BCF) and transport factor (TF) of Chinese cabbage were, respectively, 1.07-7.35 and 1.15-2.25 times that of lettuce. OTC and CTC were more easily concentrated in the two vegetables. Therefore, OTC and CTC may bring a higher ecological risk.