Establishing a Framework for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Vaccines Targeting National Vaccination Programs

Background@#The increasing number of vaccines and the complexity of immunization programs, along with continuous changes in the epidemiology of infectious diseases, necessitate a systematic approach to vaccine effectiveness (VE) evaluation. This study presents a preliminary survey to establish a VE evaluation framework in Korea, focusing on the National Immunization Program. @*Methods@#Experts’ opinions were collected through a two-round online survey targeting key stakeholders. The first round consisted of two multiple-choice questions and two openended questions. The second round was a quantitative survey with 17 questionnaires based on five domains derived by analyzing the results of the first-round survey. @*Results@#The results emphasize the necessity and urgency of a government-led VE evaluation system and the establishment of a multidisciplinary evaluation organization. Key considerations include personnel, budget, data integration, legal standards, and surveillance system enhancements. @*Conclusion@#These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, emphasizing the need for collaboration, financial support, and robust data management in developing evidence-based vaccination policies.

Botulinum toxin poisoning of food origin with neurological manifestations as the first symptom:A case report and differential diagnosis / 中风与神经疾病杂志

@#Botulinum toxin poisoning is a neuroparalytic disorder caused by botulinum toxin,mostly involving the presynaptic membrane of cranial nerves and peripheral neuromuscular junctions,manifesting as flaccid,symmetrical,descending paralysis. Due to the diverse clinical manifestations,it is easily confused with myasthenia gravis and Guillain-Barré syndrome in the absence of a clear history of suspected food consumption. We report a case of botulinum toxin poisoning characterized by fluctuating myasthenia gravis,bilateral ptosis,dysphagia,and double vision in our hospital. The patient denied a history of food or drug poisoning,had a positive fatigue test and a positive neostigmine test,and was initially diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. After treatment with pyridostigmine bromide,hormones,and immunosuppressants,there was no significant relief of symptoms. After detailed questioning,the patient recalled that his family members and friends had mild malaise and dizziness,which were initially overlooked. They had consumed the same homemade raw sauce from a jar at different times prior to the onset of the illness. Serological tests confirmed the diagnosis of botulinum toxin type A poisoning in the patient,as well as his family members and friends. Early diagnosis is key to the management of botulism poisoning. Patients presenting with fluctuating myasthenia,bilateral ptosis,dysphagia,and double vision should be questioned in detail about their history of consuming suspected food to rule out botulinum toxin poisoning,thereby avoiding misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.

A study on diagnostic performance of 3.0 T non-contrast-enhanced Dixon water-fat separation compressed SENSE whole-heart coronary MR angiography / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic performance of non-contrast-enhanced Dixon water-fat separation Compressed SENSE (CS-SENSE) whole-heart coronary magnetic resonance angiography (CMRA) at 3.0 T on patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).Method:The study complied with the Declaration of Helsinki. Local ethics committee approved this study and written informed consent was obtained from each patient. In this prospective study, from March 2021 to September 2021, 53 consecutive participants with suspected CAD who were scheduled for X-ray coronary angiography (CAG) were prospectively recruited in Zhongshan Hospital. CMRA was performed with a 3.0 T scanner without contrast agent enhancement during free breathing with Dixon water-fat separation and CS-SENSE methods. The accuracy of CMRA for detecting a ≥ 50% reduction in diameter was determined using CAG as the reference method.Results:Acquisition of whole-heart CMRA images was successfully performed in 46 (86.8%) of 53 patients with an average imaging time of (7.8±1.8) min. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, negative predictive values, and accuracy of CMRA according to a patient-based analysis were 95.8%(95%CI 78.9%-99.9%), 81.8%(95%CI 59.7%-94.8%), 85.2%(95%CI 66.3%-95.8%), 94.7%(95%CI 74.0%-99.9%), 89.1%(95%CI 76.4%-96.4%), respectively. The areas under the receiver-operator characteristic curve (AUC) from CMRA images according to patient-, vessel-and segment-based analyses were 0.876(95%CI 0.745-0.955), 0.880(95%CI 0.814-0.929), 0.903(95%CI 0.877-0.926), respectively.Conclusion:3.0 T non-contrast-enhanced Dixon water-fat separation CS-SENSE whole-heart CMRA is a promising technique to detect clinically significant coronary stenosis on patients with suspected CAD.

Intranasal Vaccination with OuterMembrane Protein of Orientia tsutsugamushi induces Protective Immunity Against Scrub Typhus

Scrub typhus develops after the individual is bitten by a trombiculid mite infected with Orientia tsutsugamushi. Since it has been reported that pneumonia is frequently observed in patients with scrub typhus, we investigated whether intranasal (i.n.) vaccination with the outer membrane protein of O. tsutsugamushi (OMPOT) would induce a protective immunity against O. tsutsugamushi infection. It was particular interest that when mice were infected with O. tsutsugamushi, the bacteria disseminated into the lungs, causing pneumonia. The i.n. vaccination with OMPOT induced IgG responses in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. The anti-O. tsutsugamushi IgA Abs in BAL fluid after the vaccination showed a high correlation of the protection against O. tsutsugamushi. The vaccination induced strong Ag-specific Th1 and Th17 responses in the both spleen and lungs. In conclusion, the current study demonstrated that i.n. vaccination with OMPOT elicited protective immunity against scrub typhus in mouse with O. tsutsugamushi infection causing subsequent pneumonia.

A novel pathogenic Colletotrichum species for rhizome rot disease of Polygonatum kingianum / 中国中药杂志

Rhizome rot disease is one of the main disease of planted Polygonatum kingianum. In this study, six strains of pathogenic fungus was isolated from P. kingianum samples with rhizome rot disease collected from six counties in Yunnan province. Its pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculation to healthy P. kingianum rhizome according to Koch's postulates. The colonies of the isolated fungi on potato dextrose agar(PDA) were orange with abundant crescentic conidia which were eseptate with a mean size of 19. 3-24. 9 μm×5. 2-5. 9 μm and a L/W ratio of 3. 4-4. 5. There was an oil ball in the center of the conidium. It's easy to see setae on PDA colony.The phylogenetic tree based on ITS, GAPDH, CHS-1, HIS3, ACT, and TUB2 sequences by maximum likelihood(ML) method indicated that the pathogenic fungus for P. kingianum rhizome rot disease was clustered into the clade of Colletotrichum spaethianum species complex, and was close to C. spaethianum. However, there were some differences in morphological and genetic characteristics between the pathogenic fungus and C. spaethianum. Therefore, the pathogenic fungus for rhizome rot disease of P. kingianum was identified as a new Colletotrichum species named C. kingianum. The disease spreads primarily due to the plantation of infected seedlings of P. kingianum. It is necessary to choose healthy seedlings and take rigorous disinfection measures for the disease prevention.

Extracellular volume fraction for the assessment of myocardial functional outcome after revascularization in the patients with coronary chronic total occlusion / 中华放射学杂志

Objective Myocardial functional outcome after revascularization of coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) was prospectively predicted using extracellular volume fraction (ECV) based on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). Methods Thirty patients with CTO underwent CMR before and 6 months after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled. The CMR scan protocol included cine, pre?contrast and post?contrast T1 mapping and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). Ejection fraction (EF) and segmental wall thickening (SWT) were calculated using CVI 42 software. SWT less than 45% indicated myocardial segment dysfunction. According to the American Heart Association (AHA) scientific statement, the dysfunctional segments assigned to CTO vessel were selected, and three baseline imaging markers, ECV, transmural extent of infarction (TEI) and unenhanced rim thickness (RIM) were respectively evaluated. The myocardial segments were divided into two subgroups, group with well?developed collaterals and group with poorly?developed collaterals, based on the collateral circulation using Rentrop classification. Baseline and follow?up values of SWT and EF were evaluated using paired Student′s t?test. Using an increase in SWT>10% as standard reference, ROC analysis was conducted to describe the predictive performance of baseline markers. A mixed linear model was used to probe the relationship between collateral circulation and SWT. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of regional functional recovery. The differences of EF between poorly?developed and well?developed collaterals were compared by Student t test. Results The baseline mean segmental wall thickening (SWT) of the dysfunctional segments increased from 21.6% (9.7%, 33.3%) to 38.4% (19.0%, 51.2%) after PCI (Z=-6.869, P<0.001), and EF was also significantly higher compared with baseline (54.5%±8.5 % vs. 50.7%± 6.6%, t=-5.706, P<0.001). ECV showed good performance in predicting functional recovery with cutoff value 34.7%, area under ROC curve (AUC) 0.86, sensitivity 91%, and specificity 66%. The AUC of ECV was superior to TEI and RIM (AUC: 0.75 and 0.73, all P value<0.01). The segments with well?developed collaterals were associated with a higher SWT at follow?up [46.6% (36.6%, 64.2%) vs. 33.5% (12.8%, 47.8%),F=5.791, P=0.02]. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that mean segmental ECV was the only independent predictors of regional functional outcome after PCI (OR=0.83, 95% confidence interval: 0.77—0.89; P<0.001). Conclusions ECV by CMR may provide incremental value for the prediction of regional functional recovery in CTO patients, and baseline collateral circulation correlates with the regional systolic function after revascularization.

Role of Myocardial Extracellular Volume Fraction Measured with Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Prediction of Left Ventricular Functional Outcome after Revascularization of Chronic Total Occlusion of Coronary Arteries

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate the value of the myocardial extracellular volume fraction (ECV) in predicting myocardial functional outcome after revascularization of coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with CTO underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) before and 6 months after revascularization. Three baseline markers of functional outcome were evaluated in the dysfunctional segments assigned to the CTO vessels: ECV, transmural extent of infarction (TEI), and unenhanced rim thickness (RIM). At the global level, the ECV values of the whole myocardium with and without a hyperenhanced region (global and remote ECV) were respectively measured. RESULTS: In per-segment analysis, ECV was superior to TEI and RIM in predicting functional recovery (area under receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC]: 0.86 vs. 0.75 and 0.73, all p values < 0.010), and it emerged as the only independent predictor of regional functional outcome (odds ratio [OR] = 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.77–0.89; p < 0.001) independent of collateral circulation. In per-patient analysis, global baseline ECV was indicative of ejection fraction (EF) at the follow-up examination (β = −0.61, p < 0.001) and changes in EF (β = −0.57, p = 0.001) in multivariate regression analysis. A patient with global baseline ECV less than 30.0% (AUC, 0.93; sensitivity 94%, specificity 80%) was more likely to demonstrate significant EF improvement (OR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.17–0.85; p = 0.019). CONCLUSION: Extracellular volume fraction obtained by CMR may provide incremental value for the prediction of functional recovery both at the segmental and global levels in CTO patients, and may facilitate the identification of patients who can benefit from revascularization.

Coronary Microembolization with Normal Epicardial Coronary Arteries and No Visible Infarcts on Nitrobluetetrazolium Chloride-Stained Specimens: Evaluation with Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Swine Model

OBJECTIVE: To assess magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of coronary microembolization in a swine model induced by small-sized microemboli, which may cause microinfarcts invisible to the naked eye. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven pigs underwent intracoronary injection of small-sized microspheres (42 microm) and catheter coronary angiography was obtained before and after microembolization. Cardiac MRI and measurement of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) were performed at baseline, 6 hours, and 1 week after microembolization. Postmortem evaluation was performed after completion of the imaging studies. RESULTS: Coronary angiography pre- and post-microembolization revealed normal epicardial coronary arteries. Systolic wall thickening of the microembolized regions decreased significantly from 42.6 +/- 2.0% at baseline to 20.3 +/- 2.3% at 6 hours and 31.5 +/- 2.1% at 1 week after coronary microembolization (p < 0.001 for both). First-pass perfusion defect was visualized at 6 hours but the extent was largely decreased at 1 week. Delayed contrast enhancement MRI (DE-MRI) demonstrated hyperenhancement within the target area at 6 hours but not at 1 week. The microinfarcts on gross specimen stained with nitrobluetetrazolium chloride were invisible to the naked eye and only detectable microscopically. Increased cTnT was observed at 6 hours and 1 week after microembolization. CONCLUSION: Coronary microembolization induced by a certain load of small-sized microemboli may result in microinfarcts invisible to the naked eye with normal epicardial coronary arteries. MRI features of myocardial impairment secondary to such microembolization include the decline in left ventricular function and myocardial perfusion at cine and first-pass perfusion imaging, and transient hyperenhancement at DE-MRI.

Assessment of a swine model following coronary microembolization:MR characterization and its evolution / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To assess the MR characterization of coronary microembolization (CME)in an animal model as well as the evolution using MR cardiac cine,first-pass perfusion,and delay enhancement imaging.Methods Coronary microembolization models were established through intracoronary infusion of 120 000 microspheres (42 μm)into the left anterior descending artery in 1 1 pigs. Coronary angiography was performed at baseline and immediately after the injection of microspheres.MR imaging was carried out at baseline,6 hours,and 1 week after microembolization.Then,postmortem evaluation was performed using NBT and HE staining.Re-sults Coronary angiography after the injection of microspheres showed normal-appearing epicardial arteries in all animals.Coronary microembolization caused a significant decline in systolic wall thickening of the microembolized myocardial segments on cine MR ima-ges [from (42.6±2.0)% at baseline to (20.3±2.3)% at 6 hours and (31.5±2.1)% at 1 week after CME;P < 0.001 for both]. First-pass perfusion deficit was visualized at 6 hours after microembolization,and was less pronounced at 1 week.Hyperenhanced myocardium was found on delay enhancement MRI at 6 hours after microembolization in microembolized segments,but was not shown at 1 week. The microinfarcts were detectable microscopically through HE staining but invisible for the naked eye on gross NBT specimen.Con-clusion Coronary microembolization may cause a persistent decline in myocardial contraction and its MR characterization may vary with different stages.A combined use of different cardiac MRI techniques and follow-up examinations may be helpful for evaluating myocardial impairment due to coronary microembolization.

CT manifestation of lesser omentum invasion by gastric carcinaoma and the influence of lesser omentum on the gastric carcinoma spread / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the CT manifestations of gastric carcinoma invasion to lesser omentum and to assess the im-pact of lesser omentum on the spreading of gastric carcinoma.Methods We retrospectively reviewed CT findings in 48 patients with gastric carcinoma and lesser omentum involved for primary tumor and the lesser omentum abnormalities.The influence of lesser o-mentum on the extension of gastric carcinoma as well as the accompanied ascites were also analyzed.Results CT manifestations of lesser omentum involvement in gastric carcinoma included the following items:① direct infiltration (35.4%,1 7/48),which was mainly shown as increased density of fatty tissue and the development of mass within the lesser omentum,including spreading into the liver through the lesser omentum directly in two cases;② omental seeding (25.0%,12/48),including smudged appearance (1 1 cases)and omental caking (1 case);③ metastasis of lymph nodes (64.6%,31/48),including enlargement and increase of lymph nodes (27 cases)and cystic mass (4 cases).Ascites was found in 1 1 patients and fluid collection in the lesser sac was shown in 3 of these 1 1 patients.The lesser omentum forms the anterior wall of the lesser sac and separates the fluid collection in the lesser sac from the ascites in the greater peritoneal cavity.Ascites was associated with the omental seeding statistically.Conclusion CT scan is helpful for detecting lesser omentum invasion by gastric carcinoma.The imaging features consist of mass sign,enlargement of lymph nodes,smudged andcakingappearance,and so on.Lesser omentum may also play a certain role in both the extension of gastric carcinoma and the compartmentalization of ascites due to gastric carcinoma.

Study on dynamic change of middle and micro element in Panax notoginseng plant soils with different interval year / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study effects of different interval year on Panax notoginseng plant soils middle and micro element content.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The dynamic change of Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, Zn, B from Mabai, Matang, Gumu and Panlong were determined under different planting patterns (new soil, interval 5 years soil and continuous cropping soil).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>All the micro elements (except Ca, Mg) of interval 5 years soil and continuous cropping soil were significantly higher than those of new soil. All the middle and micro elements (except B) of interval 5 years soil were significantly higher than those of the continuous cropping soil. Planting patterns had remarkable influence on the content of Mn, Cu, B, but not Zn Ca, Mg. Cu, Ca under the 3 planting patterns, and Zn under the continuous cropping pattern did not show significant quarter changes. B content increased with the elongation of implantation time. Zn in new soil and interval 5 years also increased with prolonging of planted time. Mg, Mn and Cu content reached to peak value on April next year, and reached to minimum on the end of this experiment. Compared with new soil, the proportion of Mn, Cu in total elements increased by 29%, 114%, Mg, B decreased by 18%, 38%, Zn and Ca changed slightly of interval 5 years soils; In continuous cropping soil, Mn, Cu and B increased by 50%, 120%, 22%, respectively, but Zn, Ca, Mg had no significant change.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Continuous cropping pattern could not induce the deficient of soil middle and micro elements, and thereafter might not result in continuous cropping obstacles. But the imbalance proportional of soil middle and micro elements in P. notoginseng plant soils may be one of the main reasons for continuous cropping obstacles.</p>

Study on dynamic change law of N, P and K in Panax notoginseng plant soils with different interval year / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study effects of different interval year on Panax notoginseng plant soils macro element content.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The dynamic change of total N, P, K and available N, P, K in soil from Mabai, Matang, Gumu and Panlong was determined under different planting patterns (new soil, interval 5 years soil and continuous cropping soil).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Contents order of soil total N, P and available N, P were interval 5 years soil > continuous cropping soil > new soil. No significant quarter change on soil total N was found, but the other three showed inverted "v" curve, and the peak value appeared on April 2010. Content of soil total K did not change significantly, but the available K content order was new soil > continuous cropping soil > interval 5 years soil, the quarter change was similar as soil available N or P. The soil total N, P, K and available N, P, K were different of the 4 monitoring sites under the 3 interval planting modes. There was a significant correlation between soil total P and available P under all these 3 interval planting modes, but N and K. The propitiation of N-P-K of new soil, interval 5 years soil and continuous cropping soil were 1: 0.4: 2.4, 1: 0.4:1.4, 1:0. 4:2.0, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Continuous cropping pattern induce the accumulation of P, but deficient of K. The imbalance proportion of N, P and K was one of the incentives of continuous cropping induced obstacles. Strengthen the research of optimum proportion of soil N, P and K, and then eliminate continuous cropping obstacles by means of formulated fertilization is the future research direction.</p>

Double mulching application for Panax notoginseng growing seedlings / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In order to improve the irrigation for Panax notginseng growing seedlings, different mulching ways were carried out to investigate the effects of double mulching.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Field experiment was applied to study soil moisture, soil temperature and bulk density of different mulching ways while the germination rate and seedlings growth also were investigated.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with the traditional single mulching with pine leaves or straw, double mulching using plastic film combined with pine leaves or straw could reduce 2/3 volumes of irrigation at the early seedling time Double mulching treatments didn't need to irrigate for 40 days from seeding to germination, and kept soil moisture and temperature steady at whole seedling time about 30% and 9.0-16.6 degrees C, respectively. The steady soil moisture and temperature benefited to resist late spring cold and germinate earlier while kept germination regularly, higher rate and seedlings quality. In contrast, single mulching using pine leaves or straw had poor soil moisture and temperature preserving, needed to irrigate every 12-day, meanwhile dropped the germination and booming time 14 days and 24-26 days, respectively, reduced germination rate about 11.3%-8.7%. However, single pine leaves mulching was better than straw mulching. In addition, though better effects of soil moisture and temperature preserving as well as earlier and higher rate of germination with single plastic films mulching had, some disadvantages had also been observed, such as daily soil temperature changed greatly, seedling bed soil hardened easily, more moss and weeds resulted difficulty in later management.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>To the purpose of saving water and labor as well as getting higher germination rate and seedlings quality, double mulching using plastic films combined pine leaves at the early time and single mulching removing plastic films at the later time is suggested to apply in the growing seedlings of P. notoginseng.</p>

Ecological stoichiometry and its application to medicinal plant resources / 中国中药杂志

Ecological stoichiometry is a study of the balance of biological system's energy and the balance of multiple chemical elements. It focuses on the relationship of the element ratio in ecological processes. In this paper, the concept and main theoretical basis of ecological stoichiometry were introduced, and the status of stoichiometry in medicinal plant resources was reviewed. According to the recent development of ecological stoichiometry, the future directions of ecological stoichiometry of medicinal plants could be the study of the relationship between stoichiometric characteristic and growth and secondary metabolism of medicinal plants, and the influence of biotic (or abiotic) factors on the stoichiometric characteristic of medicinal plants.

Advances in Research on Multiple Cropping of Medicinal Plants / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

Multiple cropping has a long history in China, and been used widely in other countries of the world. Be-cause the multiple cropping of medicinal plants (MCMP) partially alleviates land-use contradiction between medici-nal plants and crops, this cropping system is an optimization for cultivation pattern of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and important for sustainable development of TCM resources. In this paper, we reviewed the concept, devel-opment history, theoretical basis, and main patterns about MCMP, analyzed the effect of multiple cropping on growth, yield, effective components, pest and disease control of medicinal plants, evaluated the ecological and economic ben-efits of MCMP, and discussed issues and prospects in the research of MCMP. This information can be useful for the medicinal plant cultivators.

Effects of balanced fertilization and soil amendment on growth and yield of sanqi in continuous cropping / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the solution of continuous cropping obstacle of Panax notoginseng.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The effects of balanced fertilization and soil amendment on the emergence rate, survival rate, growth and yield of P. notoginseng were studied with a pot culture experiment in 3-year-interval continuous cropping soil.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The result showed that the content of total N, total P, available N, available P and other available components in continuous cropping soil were higher than those in fresh soil while available K and the rate of K/N were declined, and available Cu and some other micro elements were lack. The way of balanced fertilization "low N + fused calcium-magnesium-phosphate fertilizer + high K + lime + micro elements" would significantly enhance the rate of survival, biomass and yield. It also promoted the growth of P. notoginseng in continuous cropping. The bagasse could relieve the continuous cropping obstacle obviously, the survival rate was improved for 31.6% and the yield of medicinal materials was 19.5%. The fly ash had also some effect in relieving the continuous cropping obstacle.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The overall results suggested that the adequate fertilization plan is the applying lime, reducing N, applying calcium-magnesium-phosphate fertilizer, improving K and supplying mircoelement as well as applying bagasse to resolve the problem of continuous cropping obstacle of P. notoginseng.</p>

Isolated Noncompaction of Ventricular Myocardium: a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study of 11 Patients

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively summarize the cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) findings of isolated noncompaction of ventricular myocardium (INVM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients (M:F = 9:2; mean age, 35 years) were evaluated. Steady-state free precession (SSFP), fast spin echo (SE) sequence, SSFP cine imaging, and delayed enhanced inversion recovery spoiled gradient echo (IR-SPGR) sequence were used for showing abnormal myocardium, measuring ratio of noncompacted/compacted myocardium layers (NC/C ratio), and detecting myocardial viability. The left ventricle was divided into nine segments and a NC/C ratio > 2.3 in diastole was used as cutoff value in diagnosing left INVM. The right ventricle was assessed qualitatively. RESULTS: Cardiac MRI indicated left INVM in seven patients, right INVM in one patient and biventricle INVM in three patients. Characteristic CMRI changes included prominent trabeculations, deep intertrabecular recesses and an increase in the NC/C ratio. The most frequently involved segments was left ventricular apex. Three patients had abnormal high signals within the trabecular structures on SE T2 weighted image. One ventricular aneurysm and one apical thrombus were also observed. Delayed enhancement was seen in six of nine patients with subendocardial and transmural patterns. CONCLUSION: There are CMRI features that might be characteristic for INVM.

Effects of soil water content on seedlings growth and active ingredients of Salvia miltiorrhiza / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In order to provide a scientific water management for the standardized cultivation, the effects of soil water content on the seedlings growth and active ingredients of S. miltiorrhiza were studied.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A water stress experiment with pot culture was applied to study the effects of different soil water content on the seedlings growth, biomass and the accumulation of tanshinone, salvianolic acid B and mineral nutrition of S. miltiorrhiza.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Soil water content had serious influence on the growth, yield, outer appearance and inner quality of S. miltiorrhiza when the soil was under severe drought or with too much water. But the shoot and root biomass of S. miltiorrhiza was increased significantly under mild drought. As well as the content and cumulant of dihydrotanshinone I , cryptotanshinone, tanshinone I , tanshinone IIA and salvianolic acid B in root of mild drought were increased. It also enhanced the P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu and Fe contents of S. miltiorrhiza under mild drought.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The overall results from the experiment suggest that the appropriate soil water content is 55% to 60% in seedling stage of S. miltiorrhiza. And it will be strongly recommended that the ridge culture and suitable soil moisture management must be carry out in production of S. miltiorrhiza in order to improve the yield and quality of medicinal materials.</p>

Breeding strains of Panax notoginseng by using EST-SSR markers / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To comparatively determine the genetic variation and differentiation of different breeding strains of Panax notoginseng for providing the basic information for genetic breeding.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The genetic diversity and genetic structure of the 17 breeding strains of P. notoginseng were assayed by using EST-SSR molecular marker.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>A total of 136 polymorphic loci of EST-SSR were detected in the 17 breeding strains of P. notoginseng, with the PIC (polymorphism information content) being 0.78, H (the gene diversity within population) being 0.139, the I (the Shannon's information index) being 0.208. Gst (coefficient of gene differentiation) was 0.382 among the 17 strains. The cluster analysis of genetic similarity showed that the 17 strains of P. notoginseng and P. stipuleanatus were classified into 4 groups, while the 17 strains of P. notoginseng were classified into three subgroups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The genetic differentiation was detected among the 17 strains of P. notoginseng from the same cultivation population by bulk selecting. And it was feasible to detect the effect of bulk selection by EST-SSR markers.</p>

Correlation analysis soil nutrition as sell as yield and active compounds of Coptis teeta / 中国中药杂志

The correlations between soil nutrition and yield as well as active compound contents of Coptis teeta were analyzed. The contents of 13 soil factors, rhizome biomass and the content of berberine, jatrorrhizine, and palmatine in rhizome of C. teeta were determined, and analyzed by factor analysis (FA) and correlation analysis (CA). FA showed that the first three factors accounted for 86.9% of the total variance. The contents of Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn correlated with the first factor. The content of organic matter, N, available N, available P, and available K correlated with the second factor. CA showed that yield of C. teeta had a significant positive correlation with available P (r = 0.931) at 0.01 level, and available N (r = 0.703) at 0.05 level. The content of berberine of C. teeta had a significant positive correlation with available P (r = 0.680) at 0.05 level. The yield and berberine content of C. teeta were high in the soil with high contents of available N and available P.