Lead exposure dose-dependently affects oxidative stress, AsA-GSH, photosynthesis, and mineral content in pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.).

Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal pollutant and negatively affects agriculture and ecosystems. Pb can cause oxidative stress and abnormal plant growth. The ascorbic acid-glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle mainly exists in chloroplasts and resists oxidative stress, scavenges reactive oxygen radicals, and maintains normal photosynthesis. However, the dosage related effects of Pb on pakchoi photosynthesis, via oxidative stress and the AsA-GSH system, remains unclear. In this study, various Pb dosage stress models were tested (low: 300 mg/kg; medium: 600 mg/kg; high: 900 mg/kg). Pb stress induced a dose-dependent increase in Pb content in pakchoi leaves (P < 0.05). Principal component analysis showed that Se, B, and Pb were significantly and negatively correlated. Pb stress also increased MDA content and decreased antioxidant enzymes SOD, GSH-Px, and T-AOC activities (P < 0.05). We also found that Vc content, as well as the GSH/GSSG ratio, decreased. Additionally, Pb stress destroyed chloroplast structure, decreased photosynthesis indicators Pn, Tr, Gs, Ci and VPD, and attenuated Fv/Fm and Fv/Fo (P < 0.05). In the high-dose group, the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids decreased significantly, while the expression of chloroplast development genes (GLK, GLN2) decreased (P < 0.05). Our data suggest that Pb stress leads to dosage-dependent, aberrant photosynthesis by inhibiting the AsA-GSH system in pakchoi. This study expands the Pb toxicology research field and provides indications for screening antagonists.

Continuous Psychological Nursing Based on Grey Clustering Algorithm in Patients after Transurethral Resection of Prostate.

Objective: To explore the effect of continuous psychological nursing based on the grey clustering algorithm on erectile function, bad psychological emotion, and complications in patients after transurethral resection of prostate (TURP). Methods: 98 patients who underwent TURP were randomly divided into observation and control groups (routine nursing). The observation group first used the grey clustering algorithm to evaluate the psychological intelligence, found patients with abnormal psychological behavior, and then implemented continuous psychological nursing combined with pelvic floor muscle exercise. The patients were followed up for 4 months. The International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), the incidence of complications, the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) scores, and the nursing satisfaction were analyzed and compared between these two groups. Results: The grey clustering algorithm can accurately reflect the characteristics of patients' psychological changes. After targeted nursing, compared with the control group, the IIEF-5 in the observation group was higher [(24.87 ± 1.85) vs. (22.24 ± 1.47), P < 0.05], the incidence of total complications was lower (10.20% vs. 26.53%, P < 0.05), the score of HAMA was lower [(6.11 ± 2.57) vs. (10.98 ± 2.29), P < 0.05], the score of HAMD was lower [(6.97 ± 2.85) vs. (11.35 ± 2.19), P < 0.05], and the nursing satisfaction was higher (100% vs. 85.71%, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Mental intelligence evaluation based on the grey clustering algorithm combined with pelvic floor muscle exercise can significantly improve the rehabilitation effect of erectile function in patients after TURP, reduce the incidence of postoperative complications, and alleviate patients' anxiety and depression.

Sensory Quality Evaluation of Korla Pear from Different Orchards and Analysis of Their Primary and Volatile Metabolites.

Metabolites play vital roles in shaping the quality of fresh fruit. In this study, Korla pear fruit harvested from twelve orchards in South Xinjiang, China, were ranked in sensory quality by fuzzy logic sensory evaluation for two consecutive seasons. Then, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was applied to determine the primary metabolites and volatile compounds. Sensory evaluation results showed that the panelists were more concerned about 'mouth feel' and 'aroma' than about 'fruit size', 'fruit shape' and 'peel color'. In total, 20 primary metabolites and 100 volatiles were detected in the pear fruit. Hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, nonanal, d-limonene, (Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate and hexyl acetate were identified as the major volatile compounds. Correlation analysis revealed that l-(+)-tartaric acid, hexanoic acid, trans-limonene oxide and 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate were negatively correlated with sensory scores. Furthermore, OPLS-DA results indicated that the fruit from three orchards with lower ranks in quality could be distinguished from other samples based on the contents of l-(+)-tartaric acid and other eight metabolites, which were all associated with 'mouth feel' and 'aroma'. This study reveals the metabolites that might be closely associated with the sensory quality attributes of Korla pear, which may provide some clues for promoting the fruit quality in actual production.

The status of proton pump inhibitor use: a prescription survey of 45 hospitals in China.

BACKGROUND: proton pump inhibitors (PPI) have been widely used in the clinic but inappropriate prescribing has also increased dramatically. OBJECTIVE: to describe the prescribing patterns and assess the appropriateness of the prescribed PPI use in 45 hospitals in China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PPI prescriptions for non-hospitalized patients were collected from hospitals in Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Hangzhou of China over a 40-day period in 2016. These data were analyzed using the prescription number, proportion and economic indicators (defined daily dose system [DDD], defined daily cost [DDC] and drug utilization index [DUI]). The evaluation criteria of PPI use was based on Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference, New Materia Medica and drug instructions. RESULTS: in total, 357,687 prescriptions using oral PPI and 38,216 prescriptions using injectable PPI were assessed. The average age of PPI users was 53 years. The most commonly used oral PPI was rabeprazole, while the most common injectable PPI was pantoprazole. The DDD of oral rabeprazole and DDC of injectable rabeprazole were the highest. Meanwhile, only the DUI values of oral rabeprazole, lansoprazole and ilaprazole were less than 1.0. The clinical diagnosis of some users included well identified risky comorbidities such as kidney disease (2.9%). Furthermore, between 32.6% and 56.8% of the PPI prescriptions were used for inappropriate indications. CONCLUSION: this survey demonstrated that PPI use was accompanied by unapproved indications and excessive dosages. Comprehensive measures are urgently needed to improve PPI use and reduce unnecessary drug costs.

Variation in antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from Fructus Jujubae in South Xinjiang area.

The Fructus Jujubae has been widely used as favorable food and folk medicine in China and Russia. In this study, we compared the carbohydrate constituents and antioxidative effects of Fructus Jujubae polysaccharides from five different production areas in South Xinjiang. Results demonstrated that the average annual temperature (r=0.590) and frost-free period (r=0.779) were well correlated to the uronic acid content, while the neutral carbohydrate content showed negative correlation with precipitation amount (r=-0.567). Antioxidative tests indicated that Fructus Jujubae polysaccharides could scavenge chemicals-induced reactive oxygen species in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, these polysaccharides could rescue H2O2-induced HUVEC death. The antioxidative activity of polysaccharides from the Fructus Jujubae might contribute to their diverse medicinal and nutritional values.