Objective To explore the feasibility of the mixed- or single-application of etomidate and propofol during modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT). Methods Ninety hospitalized schizophrenics undergoing MECT were randomly assigned to 3 groups which were respectively anesthetized with mixed liquor application of etomidate and propofol (group E-P), etomidate (E) or propofol (P). Charge delivered (CD), EEG seizure duration (ESD), postictal suppression index (PSI), seizure energy index (SEI) and seizure generalization index (SGI) were recorded. Mental status and memory levels were assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) before and after treatment. The adverse reactions were recorded. All data were analyzed with the software SPSS12.0. Results The ESD, PSI, SEI, SGI and WMS scores, and the minus score of PANSS were significantly higher (P < 0.05) and CD was lower (P < 0.05) in group E-P than those in group P. No significant alteration between group E-P and group E (P > 0.05). The adverse reactions such as nausea/vomiting and secretion increase in group E-P were lower than those in group E (P < 0.05). The injection pain of group E-P was lower than that of group P (P<0.05). Conclusion The mixed liquor of etomidate and propofol has an advantage over the single-application of the two drugs during MECT.

Objective To investigate the levels and distribution of radon concentrations in groundwater in some representative cities in China,and estimate the effective dose from inhaled radon released from domestic groundwater.Methods A total of 12 cities in 7 provinces (municipalities) were selected,including Beijing,Inner Mongolia,Ningxia,Shaanxi,Henan,Liaoning and Heilongjiang.In total,73 water samples from groundwater supply were taken.Radon concentrations in water samples were determined by using a continuous radon monitor with air-water exchanger.Results The average radon content in groundwater for drinking was 11.8 Bq/L in 12 cities in 7 provinces,ranging from 1.0 to 63.8 Bq/L.The radon concentrations in 37％ water samples exceeded 1 1.1 Bq/L,the safe limit recommended for drinking water by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).The radon contents in all of the water samples was lower than the reference level 100 Bq/L recommended by World Health Organization (WHO).The average annual effective dose arising from inhaled radon released from groundwater was 29 μSv (2.4 to 160 μSv).Conclusions Generally,the effective dose from inhaled radon released from groundwater is negligibly low.However,in some areas dominated by granite bedrock,the dose contribution from radon released from groundwater to residents should be routinely monitored.

Objective To guarantee the quality of measurenents with the radon-thoron discriminative detectors of our laboratory.Methods LD-P radon-thoron discriminative detector participated in the international intercomparison for integrating radon/thoron detectors organized by National Institute of Radiological Science (NIRS,Japan).Detectors were sent to NIRS for exposure.Radon intercomparison was conducted with radon chamber providing three levels of exposure:low,medium and high levels.Thoron intercomparison was carried out at thoron chamber,which also provided three levels of exposure:low,medium and high levels.Detectors were posted back to our laboratory for etching and analysis after exposure.Then the measured values were submitted to NIRS.Finally the reference values were informed of us.Results The relative percent difference (RPD) between the measured value and the reference value for radon was-13.8％,-14.4％ and-17.1％ at low,medium and high levels respectively,and that of thoron were-14.4％,8.9％ and-3.2％ at three levels respectively.Conclusions Both radon and thoron measurement of our detectors rank asCategory Ⅰ in the 4th international intercomparisons for integrating radon/thoron detectors with the NIRS radon/thoron chambers.

Objective To study the seasonal variation of indoor 222Rn and 220Rn concentrations in Longdong district,Gansu Province.Methods A total of 44 houses from 5 different types of raw soil architectures and 5 ordinary brick houses from a typical area were selected in Longdong district,Gansu Province in China.The LD-P discriminative 222Rn and 220Rn detectors were used to measure the indoor concentrations of 222Rn and 220Rn during four seasons in one year.Results The indoor concentrations of 222Rn showed a significant seasonal variation,which varied with different types of houses.222Rn concentrations of ordinary brick houses,soil brick houses and the cave dwellings were higher in winter and autumn and lower in summer.The average concentrations of 222Rn were 55.3-90.3 Bq/m3 in winter,36.4-65.7 Bq/m3 in spring,35.6-63.9 Bq/m3 in summer,and 60.7-87.2 Bq/m3 in autumn.For cave dwellings,open-cut cave dwellings and the underground cave dwellings,222Rn concentrations were higher in summer and autumn,and lower in winter and spring.The average concentrations of 222Rn ranged from 139-184 Bq/m3 in winter,135-199 Bq/m3 in spring,179-252 Bq/m3 in summer,172-242 Bq/m3 in autumn.The seasonal variation of indoor 220Rn was basically consistent in six types of houses,and lower in winter and spring and highest in autumn.The average concentrations of 220Rn ranged from 43.4-64.3 Bq/m3 in winter,60.6-537 Bq/m3 in spring,77.7-792 Bq/m3 in summer,63.2-1077 Bq/m3 in autumn.The indoor concentrations of 222Rn and 220Rn were different among different types of houses,and they were generally higher in type of raw soft architectures than in that of ordinary brick houses.Conclusions 222Rn concentrations indoors showed a significant seasonal variation and varied with different types of houses.

Objective To explore the possible mechanism of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in learning and memory ability of Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats. Methods 90 SD rats with no differ-ence in learning and memory were selected and 30 rats were randomly selected as control group. The rest 60 were used for establishment of AD model by injecting A beta 1-42 into bilateral hippocampus of rats ,which was verified by Morris water maze test and immunohistochemistry. The successfully prepared model rats were randomly divided into AD group and (rTMS+AD) group,30 rats in each group. The (rTMS+AD) group was treated with rTMS,and the control group and AD group with pseudo stimulation. After intervention,Water maze test,EEG acquisition and analysis,immunohistochemistry and statistical analysis were done. Results (1)Compared with control group, the escape latency of AD group was longer and the average distance from the platform was farther away. Compared with AD group,the escape latency of (rTMS+AD) group was significantly longer and the average distance from the platform was significantly farther away (P<0.05).(2)Compared with control group,the LZ complexity of EEG signals in AD group was decreased. Compared with the AD group,the LZ complexity of EEG signals in (rTMS+AD) group was significantly increased statistically(P< 0.05).(3)The results of immunohistochemistry showed that there was no plaque in the brain tissues of control rats. The morphology of the cells was clear ,and the cells arranged neatly. Myelin staining was deeper and the distribution was long andconnected. There was plaque in the brain tissues of AD rats. Brain tissue cells became atrophy ,the morphology of the cells was not clear ,and the cells arranged randomly. Myelin staining was lighter and the distribution was short and disconnected. Compared with AD group,the cell atrophy of (rTMS+AD) group was reduced,and Myelin staining became deeper. Conclusions rTMS can increase the distribution of myelin in brain tissue ,raise the LZ complexity of EEG signals in AD model rats , and improve the learning and memory ability of them.

Alternative polyadenylation ( APA) is a widespread phenomenon and an important layer of gene regulation . APA contributes to the complexity of the transcriptome by allowing a single gene to encode multiple mRNA isoforms that dif -fer either in their coding sequence or in their 3′untranslated regions (3′UTR).The length of the 3′UTR can affect the sta-bility, localization and efficiency of the messenger RNAs ( mRNAs) by altering binding sites of RNA binding proteins or mi-croRNAs(miRNAs).The polyadenylation process , mechanisms governing APA and biological consequences resulting from APA are only starting to be deciphered .Here, we review the research progress in APA .

Objective To investigate the levels and distribution of radon in dwellings in Shenzhen cities of China.Methods A total of 108 low-,multi-,middle-and high-rise buildings were selected.Indoor radon concentrations were measured by using solid track detector.Results The arithmetic mean of indoor radon concentrations in Shenzhen was 64 Bq/m3,and geometric mean was 58 Bq/m3,in range of 15 to 155 Bq/m3.The average indoor radon concentration in Bao'an district was 50 Bq/m3 with the lowest value,and that in Pingshan new district was 87 Bq/m3 with the highest value.There were 12 measuring points where indoor radon concentrations were higher than 100 Bq/m3 in Shenzhen,accounting for 11.1％ of the total number.Shapiro-Wilk test showed that the frequency distribution of indoor radon concentration in Shenzhen follows lognormal distribution (P ＞ 0.05).The indoor radon concentrations showed a downward trend from 1990 to 2015.The indoor radon concentration decreases with the elevated floors except 10th and above floors.Conclusions The indoor radon concentrations in Shenzhen increased by 35％,compared to the previous investigations.It is recommended that efforts continue to improve radioactive materials standards about building material and to enhance the natural ventilation in high-rise buildings in order to lower the radiation hazards from radon.

Objective To investigate the roles of TLR3 pathway activiated by polyI:C in proliferation and apoptosis of multiple myeloma (MM) RPMI8226 cell line.Methods RPMI8226 cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 with different dose of polyl:C.Cells were collected in different time.Proliferation and apoptosis were detected by CCK-8 kit and flow cytometry,separately.Results The proliferation of RPM18226 was inhibited by polyI:C,and it was dose and time dependent,24 h:12.30％ ±2.04％,22.50％±2.20％,37.90％ ±1.30％ ; 48 h:17.80％ ±1.52％,29.60％ ±0.85％,45.80％ ±1.68％ ;72 h:25.10％±1.01％,34.60％±1.27％,60.50％±2.08％,P＜0.05.RPMI8226 cells were incubated with 50 μg/ml,100 μg/ml and 200 μg/ml polyI:C for 48 h.Apoptotic rate were 5.60％ ±1.06％,8.71％ ±1.06％ and 13.93％ ±1.17％,P＜0.05.TLR3 and TRIF mRNA expression increased obviously and dose dependent,TLR3:1.41±0.10,2.24±0.16,4.08±0.13; TRIF:1.07±0.16,1.97±0.13,3.56±0.19,P＜0.05.Conclusion The proliferation of MM cells were inhibited by TLR3 pathway obviously,and apoptosis was induced by polyI:C.

Objective To explore the effect of radon released from water on the indoor radon activity concentration in groundwater supplies.Methods Two groundwater supplies in a city were chosen.Radon concentrations in three kinds of water samples were determined by using a continuous radon monitor with air-water exchanger,including source water,finished water and tap water.The solid track detector was used to analyze the indoor radon concentration in water supplies.Results The concentrations of radon in source water,finished water and tap water were (7.59 ± 1.36),(3.56 ±0.86),(3.68 ±0.81)Bq/L and (12.19 ±0.57),(7.87 ± 1.12),(9.50 t 1.12) Bq/L,respectively.The concentration of radon was the highest in source water and at less varying level in finished water and tap water.Aeration and filtration tank process significantly decreased radon activity in water.Radon concentrations in aeration and filtration rooms were 4 218 Bq/m3 and 1 937 Bq/m3,respectively,which exceeded the limit in work place (1 000 Bq/m3).Conclusions Aeration and filtration workplaces for groundwater supplies were found to contain elevated radon concentrations in air,which was released from groundwater.Radon issues in groundwater supplies in China should be paid more attention.

Objective To investigate the relationship between indoor radon concentration and air exchange rate for new residential building.Methods The indoor radon concentration and air exchange rate were measured in two new roughcast houses in Guangzhou and Hefei,respectively.The radon concentration was measured using radon instrument.The air exchange rate was measured by using tracer gas dilution method.Results The indoor radon concentrations measured in Guanzhou for two bedrooms in a 48-hour closed condition were 106 and 115 Bq/m3,the range of 17-181 and 6-224 Bq/m3.Air exchange rates were 0.16/h and 0.21/h.In Hefei,the twice measured values for one bedroom were 148 and 186 Bq/m3,the range of 8-224 and 14-290 Bq/m3,and air exchange rates were 0.14/h and 0.12/h.The indoor radon concentration exponentially decreased with the increase of air exchange rates.Conclusions Attention should be paid to the indoor radon pollution issue that may arise in new residential buildings of energy-saving design due to low air exchange rate.