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 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 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 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 investigate the radiation level around Jiangzha hot spring,and to analyze the sources of pollution.Methods The radon and its progeny concentration,γ dose rate in hot spring living district and surrounding area were measured with ATD monitors,radon and WL continuous measurement devices,γ dose rate meter.Results The radon concentration in water was 23 -764 Bq/L.Radon concentration indoors,outdoor and in bathing place were 254 -876 799,688 -709 and 3590-15 299 Bq/m3,respectively.γ dose rate were 205 -28718 nGy/h indoor,4104- 18254 n Gy/h outdoors.Conclusions Jiangzha hot spring is an area with rare high radon and high nature radiation.Its radiation level and health effects are worthy for further attention.

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.

Objective To investigate the concentrations of indoor radon (222Rn) and its daughter products as well as indoor thoron (220Rn) in selected houses in Yuhang district and Sanmen county,Zhejiang province,and estimate their annual effective doses to the population.Methods Solid state nuclear track detectors were used in selected dwellings in Yuhang district and Sanmen county,and the detectors were placed in bedrooms or living rooms.Without changing the ventilation habits of residents,These detectors were continuously placed from March to September in 2009.Results Indoor 222 Rn and 220Rn concentrations in low-rise buildings were the highest among all types of houses.The indoor concentration of 222 Rn had no relation with the building age (F = 0.53,P ＞ 0.05),but that of 220 Rn was dependent on the building age (F = 3.56,P ＜ 0.05).Moreover,the investigation demonstrated indoor 220 Rn concentrations in houses with no decoration were higher than in the houses decorated (t = 2.33,P ＜0.05).The average indoor concentrations of 222Rn and 220Rn in Yuhang district were 32.5 Bq/m3 and 314.3 Bq/m3,respectively,and the annual effective doses were 0.88 mSy and 0.42 mSv respectively.The average indoor concentrations of 222Rn and 220Rn in Sanmen county were 26.8 Bq/m3 and 399.5 Bq/m3,and the annual effective doses were 0.72 mSy and 0.53 mSv respectively.Conclusion The concentrations of indoor 222 Rn in some areas of Zhejiang province are at natural background level,and the concentrations of indoor 220Rn in rural areas are relatively higher.The total annual effective dose from 220Rn and its progeny was larger than that from 222Rn and its progeny by 50 percents.

OBJECTIVEUtilizing a gene reporter technique to study the effects of Andrographitis Herba on human CXCR4 and CCR5 promoters.

METHODInhibition of CXCR4 and CCR5 on T cells of healthy volunteers was analyzed by RT PCR, Western blot and flow cytometry. The human CXCR4 and CCR5 promoters driving a luciferase reporter in vectors pGLA. 17-CXCR4 and pGLA. 17-CCR5 were transfected into H9 stem cells. G418 was used for selecting stable cell lines. Rat sera thus medicated was collected and added to the transfected H9 cells, in which the expression of CXCR4 and CCR5 promoters was detected.

RESULTThey showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of CXCR4 and CCR5 in human CD4+ T cells decreased significantly after taking Andrographitis Herba (P<0.05). Furthermore human CXCR4 and CCR5 promoter activity was downregulated significantly by sera from rats medicated with Andrographitis Herba.

CONCLUSIONAndrographitis Herba may have the effect of down-regulating CXCR4 and CCR5 promoters. It provides a feasible experimental platform for screening herbal medicine as the treatment of HIV/AIDS.

Adult ; Andrographis ; chemistry ; Animals ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, CCR5 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Objective: To quantitatively evaluate the variation of preoperative and postoperative structure and function of mitral valve after mitral valve annuloplasty(MVP) for mitral valve prolapse by real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography(RT-3D TEE). Methods: Thirty patients with mitral valve prolapse for MVP were studied, the minimum area of the three-dimensional view of the annulus(A3Dmin), three dimensional circumference(C3D), anterolateal-to-posteromedial diameter(DAlPm), anterior-to-posteior diameter(DAP), height (H), the ratio of annulus height to anterolated-to-posteromedial diameter(H/DAlPm), aorto-mitral angle(θ), the ellipticity of the the anterior-to-posterior diameter and anterolateal-to-posteromedial diameter of the annulus(E2D), the three-dimensional exposed area of the leaflet(A3DE), prolapse height(HProl), prolapse volume(VProl), non-planarity angle(θNPA) were evaluated by RT-3D TEE before and after operation. Coaptation area(CoapA), coaptation index(CPI), annulus systolic function index were calculated. Results: Compared with the preoperation, A3Dmin, C3D, DAlPm, DAP, H, H/DAlPm, A3DE, HProl, VProl, θNPA of postoperative were reduced, E2D, CoapA, CPI, annulus systolic function index of the postoperation increased, the difference of above parameters were statistically significant (P<0.05). CPI and annulus systolic function index were negatively correlated with the area of valve regurgitation area before and aftere operation (r=-0.79, P<0.01; r=-0.67, P<0.01). Furthermore, CPI was closely correlated with annulus systolic function index (r=0.63, P<0.01). Conclusions After MPV, mitral valve three-dimensional structural parameters are significantly changed, CPI and annulus systolic function are improved. CPI is closely correlated with annulus systolic function, and RT-3D TEE can quantitatively evaluate the structure and function of mitral valve before and after MPV.