Effect of long-term exercise training on static postural control in older adults: a cross-sectional study.

We examined the effects of long-term exercise on age-related decline in static balance control through centre-of-pressure (CoP) measurements of four groups of participants: older controls, younger controls, older Tai Chi exercisers and older joggers. The participants stood quietly in a tandem stance on a force platform for 30 s with eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC). The older controls showed remarkably larger CoP and EC/EO ratios than younger controls and older Tai Chi exercisers. The EC/EO ratios of velocity in the mediolateral direction of older joggers were significantly smaller than those of older controls. Results suggest that the static balance of older controls showed a significant decline caused by age-related changes. Long-term Tai Chi and jogging, particularly the former, contributed to static balance control in older people. Older adults relied more on visual information in static postural control than young people. Tai Chi would be an ideal exercise for improving static balance in older people.

Involvement of RNA helicase p68 in skin wound healing process in rats.

PURPOSE: RNA helicase p68 plays an important role in organ development and maturation through tuning cell proliferation. However, the character and role of p68 in the whole wound healing process need more study. METHODS: First, we characterize expression of p68 in normal rat skin development postnatal. Then, we assayed dynamic change of p68 in rat skin from different stage after injury, and explored the role of p68 in proliferation and migration of three types of wound healing related cells. RESULTS: p68 was down-regulated during skin developmental and maturation process, up-regulated after wound, peaked on day 14 and then significantly decreased. Wound fluid enhanced wound healing related cell proliferation and up-regulated expression of p68. Conversely, reducing p68 expression by RNA interference resulted in significantly slower proliferation and migration. CONCLUSION: Our results define an important role of RNA helicase p68 in skin wound healing process.

Effects of regular Tai Chi practice and jogging on neuromuscular reaction during lateral postural control in older people.

This study examined the effects of regular Tai Chi practice and jogging on the neuromuscular activity of the trunk, hip, and ankle joint muscles of older people during lateral postural perturbation. A total of 42 older people participated in the study and formed the Tai Chi, jogging, and sedentary control groups. Electromyography signals were collected from the peroneus longus, anterior tibialis, gluteus medius, and erector spinae during unpredictable mediolateral perturbation. The Tai Chi group exhibited significantly faster latencies of the tibialis anterior and erector spinae than the control group. The jogging group showed a significantly shorter neuromuscular reaction time of the erector spinae than the control group. No significant difference was observed between the Tai Chi and jogging groups. Long-term regular Tai Chi practice enhanced the neuromuscular reaction of the erector spinae and tibialis anterior to lateral perturbation and will help timely posture correction when lateral postural distributions occur.

[Study on Chemical Constituents of Stalk from Pottsia laxifora].

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of stalk form Pottsia laxifora. Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated by various chromatography methods,and the structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods,physical and chemical properties. Results: Twelve compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as ß-sitosterol( 1),salicylic acid( 2),resorcinol( 3),4-hydroxybenzoic acid( 4),protocatechuic acid( 5),vanillic acid( 6),syringic acid( 7),scopoletin( 8),cleomiscosin D( 9),( +)-lyoniresinol( 10),(-)-loliolide( 11) and daucosterol( 12). Conclusion: Compounds 1 ~ 11 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Acupoint Specificity on Colorectal Hypersensitivity Alleviated by Acupuncture and the Correlation with the Brain-Gut Axis.

This project was focused on the study of the effect of the different acupoints on visceral hypersensitivity and the correlation with the brain-gut axis. By using a mouse model of zymosan-induced colorectal hypersensitivity, and observing the response of hypersensitivity model to colorectal distension stimulation in acupuncture at different acupoints, we selected the specific acupoints. With immunohistochemical staining method, we observed c-fos expression, distribution and changes after acupuncture on sensory pathway, including colorectum, spinal dorsal horn and different regions of brain center in the model with colorectal distension stimulation, and evaluated the acupuncture effect on brain-gut axis. The results revealed that the effectiveness of acupuncture for alleviating visceral hypersensitivity was different at individual acupoint, meaning Tianshu (ST25), Zusanli (ST36) and Shangjuxu (ST37) > Quchi (LI11) and Dachangshu (BL25) > Ciliao (BL32). C-fos expression was concentrated in anterior cingulate cortex, hypothalamus, spinal dorsal horn and colorectum in model of zymosan-induced colorectal hypersensitivity and it was down-regulated after acupuncture. The results demonstrates that the acupoint specificity presents in acupuncture for relieving visceral hypersensitivity and the effects are more predominated at the acupoints on stomach meridian innervated by the same or adjacent spinal ganglion segments. The model of zymosan-induced colorectal hypersensitivity can be the animal model simulating brain-gut interaction.

The value of single-incision laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer: a systematic literature review.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recently, single-incision laparoscopic colectomy (SILC) for colorectal malignancy is rapidly becoming the central issue for explorers of minimally invasive surgery worldwide. The aim of this systematic review was to establish the safety and efficacy of SILC for colorectal malignancy when implemented by experienced surgeons. METHODOLOGY: PubMed, WHO international trial register and Embase were searched for publications concerning SILC and MLC from 2000 to 2013, with the last search on September 10, 2013. Only pure single-incision laparoscopic colonic surgery for malignant disease was included. Primary outcomes were the early postoperative complication profiles of SILC. Secondary outcomes were duration of operation time, blood loss, lymph node yields, conversion rate, distal margin of the resected tumor, and duration of hospital stay. RESULTS: Eight studies involving 547 patients met the inclusion criteria. Compared with multiport laparoscopic colectomy (MLC), SILC has less postoperative complication and bleeding. The conversion, the median lymph node retrieval, proximal margin of the resected tumor and distal margin of the resected tumor for malignant disease achieved with SILC was acceptable. There was no significant reduction in length of hospital stay with SILC. CONCLUSION: SILC is a technically reliable and realistic approach with short-term results similar to those obtained with the MLC procedure.

Acupoint specificity on acupuncture regulation of hypothalamic- pituitary-adrenal cortex axis function.

BACKGROUND: The hypothalamus is an essential part of the brain that responds to a variety of signaling including stressful stimulations and acupuncture signals. It is also the key element of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortex axis(HPAA). The effect of acupuncture is transmitted into the brain from the distance sensory receptor around the acupoints via peripheral nerves and body fluid. In vivo recording the activities of stress reaction neurons (SRNs, CRH-like neurons) in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in response to the stimulations from different acupoints could therefore objectively reflect the acupuncture afferent effect. METHODS: In this study, the electrophysiological method was adopted to record synchronously the activities of 43 CRH-like neurons after acupuncture stimulations at 33 acupoints located at the different regions. The acupoints that specifically activate certain CRH-like neurons (specificity acupoints) were selected. Furthermore, we investigated in a rat model of unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) whether these specificity acupoints regulate HPAA function. The endpoints of measurement include corticosterone (CORT) level in peripheral blood, the expressions of corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) protein in PVN and the animal behavioral performance. RESULTS: Our results reveal that Shenshu (BL23), Ganshu (BL18), Qimen (LR14), Jingmen (GB25), Riyue (GB24), Zangmen (LR13), Dazui (DU14) and auricular concha region (ACR) are the specificity acupoints; and Gallbladder, Liver and Du Channels were the specificity Channels. The acupoints on Gallbladder Channel and the acupoints innervated by the same spinal cord segments as the adrenal gland demonstrated dramatic effects. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a new platform to further explore acupoints specificity in the regulation of HPAA activities.

Effect of optogenetic stimulus on the proliferation and cell cycle progression of neural stem cells.

Modulation of stem cell proliferation is a crucial aspect of neural developmental biology and regenerative medicine. To investigate the effect of optical stimulation on neural stem cell proliferation, cells transduced with channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) were used to analyze changes in cell proliferation and cell cycle distribution after light stimulation. Blue light significantly inhibited cell proliferation and affected the cell cycle, which increased the percentage of cells in G1 phase and reduced the percentage in S phase. It is likely that the influence of blue light on cell proliferation and the cell cycle was mediated by membrane depolarization, which induced accumulation of p21 and p27 proteins. Our data provide additional specific evidence that membrane depolarization may inhibit neural stem cell proliferation.

Kinetics of badminton lunges in four directions.

The lunge is the most fundamental skill in badminton competitions. Fifteen university-level male badminton players performed lunge maneuvers in four directions, namely, right-forward, left-forward, right-backward, and left-backward, while wearing two different brands of badminton shoes. The test compared the kinetics of badminton shoes in performing typical lunge maneuvers. A force plate and an insole measurement system measured the ground reaction forces and plantar pressures. These measurements were compared across all lunge maneuvers. The left-forward lunge generated significantly higher first vertical impact force (2.34 ± 0.52 BW) than that of the right-backward (2.06 ± 0.60 BW) and left-backward lunges (1.78 ± 0.44 BW); higher second vertical impact force (2.44 ± 0.51 BW) than that of the left-backward lunge (2.07 ± 0.38 BW); and higher maximum anterior-posterior shear force (1.48 ± 0.36 BW) than that of the left-backward lunge (1.18 ± 0.38 BW). Compared with other lunge directions, the left-forward lunge showed higher mean maximum vertical impact anterior-posterior shear forces and their respective maximum loading rates, and the plantar pressure at the total foot and heel regions. Therefore, the left-forward lunge is a critical maneuver for badminton biomechanics and related footwear research because of the high loading magnitude generated during heel impact.

MiR-548t-5p regulates pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma metastasis through an IL-33-dependent crosstalk between cancer cells and M2 macrophages.

IL-33 has been associated with pro- and anticancer functions in cancer. However, its role in pancreatic cancer metastasis remains unknown. This study aimed to explore the role of miR-548t-5p/IL-33 axis in the metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Luciferase activity assay, qRT-PCR, Western blot and ELISA were performed to prove whether IL-33 is the target of miR-548t-5p. In vivo metastasis assay and cellular transwell assay were performed to explore the role of miR-548t-5p/IL-33 axis in the invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Co-culture experiments and immunohistochemistry were performed to observe whether IL-33 affects cell invasion and metastasis dependent on the involvement of M2 macrophages. THP-1 cell induction experiment and flow cytometry were performed to explore the effect of IL-33 on macrophage polarization. CCK-8, colony formation, cell apoptosis, cell cycle, cell wound healing and transwell assay were performed to investigate the effect of IL-33 induced M2 macrophages on cell malignant biological behavior by coculturing pancreatic cancer cells with the conditioned medium (CM) from macrophages. We found that miR-548t-5p regulated the expression and secretion of IL-33 in pancreatic cancer cells by directly targeting IL-33 mRNA. IL-33 secreted by cancer cells promoted the recruitment and activation of macrophages to a M2-like phenotype. In turn, IL-33 induced M2 macrophages promoted the migration and invasion of cancer cells. Moreover, IL-33 affected pancreatic cancer cell invasion dependent on the involvement of M2 macrophages in the co-culture system. Thus, our study suggested that manipulation of this IL-33-dependent crosstalk has a therapeutic potential for the treatment of pancreatic cancer metastasis.

Effects of ant nests on soil CH4 emissions from Syzygium oblatum communities of a secondary tropical forest.

Exploring the effects of ant nests on soil CH4 emissions in the secondary tropical forests is of great scientific significance to understand the contribution of soil faunal activities to greenhouse gas emissions. With static chamber-gas chromatography method, we measured the dry-wet seasonal dynamics of CH4 emissions from ant nests and control soils in the secondary forest of Syzygium oblatum communities in Xishuangbanna. We also examined the linkages of ant-mediated changes in functional microbial diversity and soil physicochemical properties with CH4 emissions. The results showed that: 1) Ant nests significantly accelerated soil CH4 emissions, with average CH4 emissions in the ant nests being 2.6-fold of that in the control soils. 2) The CH4 emissions had significant dry-wet seasonal variations, which was a carbon sink in the dry seasons (from -0.29±0.03 to -0.53±0.02 µg·m-2·h-1) and a carbon source in the wet seasons (from 0.098±0.02 to 0.041±0.009 µg·m-2·h-1). The CH4 emissions were significantly higher in ant nests than in control soils. The CH4 emissions from the ant nests had smaller dry-wet seasonal variation (from -0.38±0.01 to 0.12±0.02 µg·m-2·h-1) than those in the control soils (from -0.65±0.04 to 0.058±0.006 µg·m-2·h-1). 3) Ant nests significantly increased the values (6.2%-37.8%) of soil methanogen diversity (i.e., Ace and Shannon indices), temperature and humidity, carbon pools (i.e., total, easily oxidizable, and microbial carbon), and nitrogen pools (i.e., total, hydrolyzed, ammonium, and microbial biomass nitrogen), but decreased the diversity (i.e., Ace and Chao1 indices) of methane-oxidizing bacteria by 21.9%-23.8%. 4) Results of the structural equation modeling showed that CH4 emissions were promoted by soil methanogen diversity, temperature and humidity, and C and N pools, but inhibited by soil methane-oxidizing bacterial diversity. The explained extents of soil temperature, humidity, carbon pool, nitrogen pool, methanogen diversity, and methane-oxidizing bacterial diversity for the CH4 emission changes were 6.9%, 21.6%, 18.4%, 15.2%, 14.0%, and 10.8%, respectively. Therefore, ant nests regulated soil CH4 emission dynamics through altering soil functional bacterial diversities, micro-habitat, and carbon and nitrogen pools in the secondary tropical forests.

Description of a new species and record of Bactrocera Macquart (Diptera,Tephritidae) from China.

One new species, Bactrocera (Zeugodacus) anala Chen et Zhou, sp.nov, and one newly recorded species, B. (Z.) armillata (Hering, 1938), from China are described and illustrated. The male of B. (Z.) armillata (Hering) was discovered for the first time and as a result the species is moved from subgenus Bactrocera to subgenus Zeugodacus. In addition, the morphological differences and comparing illustrations of B. (Z.) adusta (Wang et Zhao) and B. (Z.) biguttata (Bezzi), are provided.

Effects of ant nesting on seasonal dynamics of soil N2O emission in a secondary tropical forest.

We assessed the seasonal dynamics of N2O emission in ant nests soils in secondary tropical Millettia leptobotrya forest of Xishuangbanna by using the static chamber-gas chromatography method, and determined the lin-kages between ant-mediated changes in soil properties (e.g., carbon pool, nitrogen pool, and temperature and humidity) and N2O emission. The results showed that ant nesting significantly affected soil N2O emission. The ave-rage soil N2O emission (0.67 mg·m-2·h-1) in ant nests was 40.2% higher than that in the control (0.48 mg·m-2·h-1). N2O emission in ant nests and the control showed substantial seasonal variation, with higher rate in June (0.90 and 0.83 mg·m-2·h-1, respectively) than that in March (0.38 and 0.19 mg·m-2·h-1, respectively). Ant nesting significantly increased the values (7.1%-74.1%) of moisture, temperature, organic carbon, total nitrogen, hydrolytic nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, and microbial biomass carbon, but decreased pH (9.9%) compared with the control. Results of structural equation model showed that soil N2O emission was promoted by soil C and N pool, temperature, and humidity, but was inhibited by soil pH. The explained extents of soil nitrogen pool, carbon pool, temperature and humidity, and pH for N2O emission changes were 37.2%, 27.7%, 22.9% and 9.4%, respectively. Therefore, ant nesting regulated N2O emission dynamics by changing nitrification and denitrification substrates (e.g., nitrate and ammoniacal nitrogen), carbon pool, and micro-habitat (temperature and moisture) of soil in the secondary tropical forest.

Acupuncture Alleviates Colorectal Hypersensitivity and Correlates with the Regulatory Mechanism of TrpV1 and p-ERK.

Here we used a mouse model of zymosan-induced colorectal hypersensitivity, a similar model of IBS in our previous work, to evaluate the effectiveness of the different number of times of acupuncture and elucidate its potential mechanism of EA treatment. Colorectal distension (CRD) tests show that intracolonic zymosan injection does, while saline injection does not, induce a typical colorectal hypersensitivity. EA treatment at classical acupoints Zusanli (ST36) and Shangjuxu (ST37) in both hind limbs for 15 min slightly attenuated and significantly blunted the hypersensitive responses after first and fifth acupunctures, respectively, to colorectal distention in zymosan treatment mice, but not in saline treatment mice. Western blot results indicated that ion channel and TrpV1 expression in colorectum as well as ERK1/2 MAPK pathway activation in peripheral and central nerve system might be involved in this process. Hence, we conclude that EA is a potential therapeutic tool in the treatment and alleviation of chronic abdominal pain, and the effectiveness of acupuncture analgesia is accumulative with increased number of times of acupuncture when compared to that of a single time of acupuncture.

Effects of zuogui pill (see text) on Wnt singal transduction in rats with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE: To reveal the mechanism of Zuogui Pill (see text) in treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis from the angle of the Wnt signal transduction pathway and to provide further experimental evidence for expounding the scientific connotation of "the kidney dominating the bones" in TCM. METHODS: Forty-two male Wistar rats were selected and randomly divided into three groups, control group (n = 12), model group (n = 15) and Zuogui Pill group (n = 15). Form the beginning, The rats were injected dexamethasone for eight weeks to make the model of osteoporosis, and the Zuogui Pill were administered intragastrically to the rats of Zuogui Pill group for eight weeks. The relative morphological parameters were measured in the undecalcified tibial slices. And the protein expression levels of Wnt1, LRP-5 and beta-catenin in rat tibial osteoblasts (OB) and bone marrow stromal cells (BMC) were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, TBV% and TFS% decreased significantly, while TRS% increased significantly, and the protein expression of Wnt1, LRP-5 and beta-catenin in OB and BMC decreased significantly in the model group. And compared with the model group, TBV% and TFS% increased significantly, and expression levels of Wnt1, LRP-5 and beta-catenin proteins increased significantly in the Zuogui pill group. CONCLUSION: Zuogui Pill can prevent and treat glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in rats by up-regulating the expression of the key signal molecules Wnt1, LRP-5 and beta-catenin in Wnt signal transduction pathway.

[Immunological response of mice induced by recombinant adenovirus carrying rat prostate-specific membrane antigen gene].

OBJECTIVE: To construct a recombinant adenovirus carrying rat prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) gene and to investigate the immune response of mice to it. METHODS: PSMA cDNA fragment was amplified by RT-PCR using total RNA extracted from rat brain tissue. Recombinant plasmid pAd-rPSMA was constructed by using adeasy adenovirus vector system. Packaged recombinant adenovirus Ad-rPSMA were obtained. The expression of rat PSMA gene in HeLa cells was confirmed by Western blot. The recombinant adenovirus were applied to C57 mice and the resulting anti sera against PSMA were detected with ELISA. RESULTS: Recombinant adenovirus carrying rat PSMA gene was constructed successfully. The virus particle count, A260/A280 value and titer were 1.97 x 10(12) VP/mL, 1.32, 5 x 10(10) IU/mL respectively. Western blot analysis proved the expression of rat PSMA gene in HeLa cells. PSMA-specific sera antibody was produced in mice. CONCLUSION: Recombinant adenovirus Ad-rPSMA was constructed and it could induce the mice to produce PSMA-specific antibody.

The complete plastid genome of cherry plants Prunus sargentii (Rosaceae) and its phylogenetic implication.

Prunus sargentii is an ornamental flowering cherry species, spread in Japan, Korea, Russia, and Northeast China. Little information is available regarding its genomic, with limited phylogenetic relationship study performed on P. sargentii until now. In this research, we reported the complete plastid genome of P. sargentii. The complete chloroplast of this species is 158,138 bp in length, including a pair of invert repeat regions (IR) (26,463bp) that is divided by a large single-copy region (LSC) (85,959bp) and a small single-copy region (SSC) (19,253bp). The plastid genome contained a total of 128 genes, including 84 coding genes, eight rRNA genes, and 36 tRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that P. sargentii has a closer relationship with P. kumanoensis.

Comparing the clinical application values of the Degree of Ulcerative Colitis Burden of Luminal Inflammation (DUBLIN) score and Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) in patients with ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: The significance of endoscopic evaluation in the diagnosis and management of ulcerative colitis (UC) has been widely recognized. Over the years, scholars have established several endoscopic scores. Herein, we assessed the clinical application value of the Mayo Endoscopic Subscore (Mayo ES), the Degree of Ulcerative Colitis Burden of Luminal Inflammation (DUBLIN) score, and the Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) score in UC patients, by comparing their correlation with disease activity and their predictive potential for treatment response and clinical outcomes. METHODS: UC patients hospitalized from September 2015 to September 2019 were retrospectively analysed. We employed Spearman's rank correlation coefficient to assess the linear association of the assessed endoscopic scores with the clinical parameters. The receiver-operating characteristic curve was applied to evaluate the predictive capabilities of the endoscopic scores for treatment escalation and 1-year readmission. RESULTS: A total of 178 patients were enrolled; most of them (82%) suffered moderate or severe colitis. Among them, 48 (27%) patients received treatment escalation and 59 (33%) were readmitted within 1 year. The DUBLIN and UCEIS scores demonstrated higher correlations with clinical parameters than the Mayo ES. The DUBLIN scores significantly differed between patients with mild, moderate, and severe colitis (all P < 0.001). The UCEIS scores demonstrated the best predictabilities for treatment escalation and 1-year readmission with an area under the curve of 0.88 and 0.75, respectively. Compared to the UCEIS and DUBLIN scores, the predictive capabilities of the Mayo ES for treatment escalation (both P < 0.001) and 1-year readmission (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively) were lower. The UCEIS scores exhibited a significant difference between the steroid-responsive group and the steroid-dependent or steroid-refractory group (both P < 0.001), while no significant differences in the Mayo ES and DUBLIN scores were found among the three groups (both P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that both the DUBLIN and UCEIS scores outperform the Mayo ES in assessing disease severity and predicting treatment response and clinical outcomes in UC patients.

Experimental study on acupuncture activating the gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons in hypothalamus.

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the most effective site, extra-ordinary point, acupoint and channel for regulating reproductive endocrine function by means of the study on acupuncture activating the gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons (GnRH) in hypothalamus. METHODS: Female SD rats of reproductive age were used, and the in vivo study on GnRH neurons in hypothalamus was made with mimic sexual stimulation and feedback regulation. The neuron-activating effects of the acupoints on the channels pertaining to the zang- and fu-organs related with reproductive endocrine and the extra-ordinary points in different regions were studied using the discharge of the neuron as index, and then the neurons were labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). RESULTS: Acupuncture was given at two acupoints each on the three yin channels of foot, the three yang channels of foot, the Conception Vessel and the Governor Vessel. The order of the mean increasing percentage in the hypothalamic GnRH neuron electric activity was: the Gallbladder Channel > the Spleen Channel > the Stomach Channel/the Bladder Channel/the Conception Vessel > the Liver Channel > the Kidney Channel > the Governor Vessel; for different acupoints, it was: Guanyuan (CV 4) > Sanyinjiao (SP 6) > Zusanli (ST 36) > Daimai (GB 26)/Yanglingquan (GB 34) > Shenshu (BL 23) > Weizhong (BL 40) > Yaoyangguan (GV 3)/Liangmen (ST 21)/Fujie (SP 14) > Qimen (LR 14)/Yingu (KI 10) > Tangzhong (CV 17)/Zhiyang (GV 9); for different positions, it was: the lower abdominal part/the lower limb part > the thoracodorsal part; for the extra-ordinary points, it was: Zigong (EX-CA1) > Dannang (EX-LE6)/Yaoyan (EX-B7) > Baichongwo (EX-LE3)/Qianzheng > Jingbi/Bizhong/Taiyang (EX-HN5) > Erbai (EX-UE2)/ Dingchun; and for the distribution sites of the extra-ordinary points: lower abdominal region > the lower limb region > the craniofacial region > the upper limb region/the thoracodorsal region. CONCLUSION: For regulating the reproductive endocrine function, the acupoints located at the same neural segment with the reproductive organ should be selected as the main points, and it is necessary to combine with syndrome differentiation of the viscera and channels.

[Effects of ant colonization on spatiotemporal variation of organic carbon mineralization in Xishuangbanna tropical forest soils]. / 蚂蚁筑巢对西双版纳热带森林土壤碳矿化动态的影响.

Ants as ecosystem engineers can increase the input of soil organic matter, change soil physicochemical properties, and stimulate microbial activities through their colonization, thus affecting the spatiotemporal dynamics of soil organic carbon mineralization. We explored the spatiotemporal characteristics of carbon mineralization rates in ant nests and the adjacent soils in Syzygium oblatum community of Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. We analyzed the association of the variation in carbon mineralization rates with soil physicochemical properties. We found that ant colonization had a significant effect on soil organic carbon mineralization. The mean carbon mineralization rate was 19.2% higher in nest soils than that in the surrounding soils. The monthly carbon mineralization rate in nest soils and the reference soils was ranked as June ＞ September ＞ March ＞ December. The highest increase of carbon mineralization rate in ant nests was observed in 10-15 cm soil layer, while that in the reference soils was in 0-5 cm soil depth. Ant colonization had a significant effect on soil physicochemical properties. Compared with reference soils, soil temperature, soil water, soil organic carbon,soil microbial carbon, total nitrogen, hydrolytic nitrogen, nitrate, and ammonium increased by 7.6%, 5.4%, 9.9%, 14.8%, 13.4%, 9.9%, 24.1%, 6.6% and 19.4%, respectively. In contrast, soil bulk density and soil pH were decreased by 1.4% and 2.5%, respectively. Results from correlation coefficients and principal component analysis (PCA) showed that soil organic carbon and soil microbial carbon were the key factors controlling the mineralization of soil organic carbon, followed by total nitrogen, hydrolyzed nitrogen, ammonium, nitrate, temperature, and soil moisture. We conclude that ant colonization mainly alter the substrate components (i.e., soil organic carbon and microbial biomass carbon) of soil organic carbon mineralization and thus affect its spatio-temporal dynamics in Xishuangbanna tropical forests.