Defoliation, trampling and nutrient return differentially influence grassland productivity by modulating trait-dependent plant community composition: insights from a simulated grazing experiment.

Ungulate grazing involves multiple components, including defoliation, dung and urine return, and trampling, which supply offsetting or synergistic effects on plant community composition and productivity (ANPP), but these effects have not been fully studied. Plant functional traits may reflect the response of plants to disturbance and their impact on ecosystem functions. Species turnover and intraspecific trait variation (ITV) are important drivers of community trait composition. We conducted a simulated grazing experiment in a steppe grassland in northern China to examine the effects of defoliation, dung and urine return, and trampling on community-weighted mean (CWM), functional diversity (FD) and ANPP, and to disentangle the roles of species turnover and ITV in driving these changes. We found that defoliation had a dominant effect on CWMs and FDs of all four traits through species turnover and ITV, respectively, resulting in a convergence of traits towards as more resource-acquisitive strategy. Dung-urine return resulted in more resource-acquisitive community traits mainly through ITV, whereas there were no significant effects on FDs except for leaf C/N. Trampling increased CWM of leaf dry matter content primarily driven by ITV, and had no significant effect on FDs. Furthermore, our simulated grazing positively affected ANPP, primarily due to nutrient additions from dung and urine, and ITV largely explained the variation in ANPP. These findings highlight the multifaceted effects of grazing components on community structure and ANPP, and the significance of ITV in shaping grassland plant communities and productivity.

Variations in energy metabolism along the pericardium meridian and its relationship with visceral function adjustments during electroacupuncture.

BACKGROUND: Electroacupuncture (EA) is a traditional Chinese medicine treatment guided by meridian theory. As it gradually gains more worldwide acceptance, a clarification of its mechanisms is extremely urgent. We observed variations in transcutaneous oxygen pressure/carbon dioxide pressure (tcpO2/tcpCO2) and microcirculation blood perfusion units (BPU) along the pericardium meridian, and cardiac function during EA at Neiguan (PC6) to explore variations in energy metabolism and its relationship with visceral function adjustments during EA. METHODS: Twenty-two healthy volunteers participated in this study. Three channel laser Doppler flowmetry and tcpO2/tcpCO2 detection systems were used to detect tcpO2/tcpCO2 and microcirculation BPU along the pericardium meridian. A hemodynamic monitor was used to detect cardiac function. RESULTS: In the normal state, the microcirculatory BPU along the pericardium meridian were significantly higher than that of their bilateral corresponding control points (p < 0.05). During EA at PC6, the values of the microcirculatory BPU along the pericardium meridian did not vary, and few increased. In the normal state, the values of tcpO2 along the pericardium meridian were significantly higher than those of their bilateral corresponding control points (p < 0.05). In addition, the values of tcpCO2 along the pericardium meridian were lower than those of their bilateral corresponding control points. In comparison with the normal state, EA could decrease tcpO2 along the meridian significantly (p < 0.05) and increase tcpCO2. During EA at PC6 in healthy volunteers treated by artificial acute mild hypoxia, cardiac output and cardiac index (p < 0.05) decreased and systemic vascular resistance increased significantly (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the normal state, the values of microcirculatory BPU and tcpO2 along the pericardium meridian were both higher than those of their bilateral corresponding control points. Energy metabolism was vigorous along the meridian. During EA, the decrease in oxygen partial pressure along the pericardium meridian might be a result of strengthened energy metabolism of associated tissue and increased oxygen consumption. The variations in energy metabolism along the pericardium meridian during the course of EA had a close relationship with visceral function adjustments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTRTRC13003193.

Analysis of the mechanism of propagated sensation along meridians based on gene expression profiles.

Background and aim: Propagated sensation along meridians (PSM) is an important basis for the formation of the meridian theory, but its mechanism is still unclear. The study explored the mechanism of PSM from the perspective of gene expression. Procedures: PSM induced by moxibustion was determined and classified according to the Modern Study of Meridians of Chinese Medicine. Seven subjects with obvious PSM (obvious PSM group) and five subjects with unobvious PSM (unobvious PSM group) were selected from 33 healthy volunteers according to the scores in their infrared radiant track along meridians (IRRTM) and the degree of subjective transduction. Agilent Human 4 × 44 K Gene Expression Microarrays V2 were used to detect the whole genome expression profile of subjects in the two groups. KEGG and GO were applied to analyze differentially expressed genes. Results: Compared with the unobvious PSM group, 120 genes were differentially expressed in the obvious PSM group, including 76 up-regulated and 44 down-regulated genes. The differentially expressed genes were enriched in dopaminergic synapse, 5-hydroxychrominable synapse, glutamatergic synapse, calcium release channel, gap junction, and adherens junction pathways. Conclusions: The study provides a comprehensive set of gene expression data of subjects with obvious PSM, which indicates that the molecular basis of PSM may be closely related to neurotransmitters, calcium ions and cell junction pathways. This study combines the holistic concept of traditional Chinese medicine with modern molecular biology technology to explore the molecular mechanism of PSM from the perspective of genomics, which may shed new insights into the molecular mechanism of PSM.

Effects of electroacupuncture on rats with cognitive impairment: An iTRAQ-based proteomics analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The study explores the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at the governing vessel (GV) on proteomic changes in the hippocampus of rats with cognitive impairment. METHODS: Healthy male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham, model and EA. Cognitive impairment was induced by left middle cerebral artery occlusion in the model and EA groups. Rats in the EA group were treated with EA at Shenting (GV24) and Baihui (GV20) for 7 d. Neurological deficit was scored using the Longa scale, the learning and memory ability was detected using the Morris water maze (MWM) test, and the proteomic profiling in the hippocampus was analyzed using protein-labeling technology based on the isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ). The Western blot (WB) analysis was used to detect the proteins and validate the results of iTRAQ. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, the neurological deficit score was significantly reduced, and the escape latency in the MWM test was significantly shortened, while the number of platform crossings increased in the EA group. A total of 2872 proteins were identified by iTRAQ. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified between different groups: 92 proteins were upregulated and 103 were downregulated in the model group compared with the sham group, while 142 proteins were upregulated and 126 were downregulated in the EA group compared with the model group. Most of the DEPs were involved in oxidative phosphorylation, glycolipid metabolism and synaptic transmission. Furthermore, we also verified 4 DEPs using WB technology. Although the WB results were not exactly the same as the iTRAQ results, the expression trends of the DEPs were consistent. The upregulation of heat-shock protein ß1 (Hspb1) was the highest in the EA group compared to the model group. CONCLUSION: EA can effect proteomic changes in the hippocampus of rats with cognitive impairment. Hspb1 may be involved in the molecular mechanism by which acupuncture improves cognitive impairment.

A dataset of plant and microbial community structure after long-term grazing and mowing in a semiarid steppe.

Grazing and mowing are two dominant management regimes used in grasslands. Although many studies have focused on the effects of grazing intensity on plant community structure, far fewer test how grazing impacts the soil microbial community. Furthermore, the effects of long-term grazing and mowing on plant and microbial community structure are poorly understood. To elucidate how these management regimes affect plant and microbial communities, we collected data from 280 quadrats in a semiarid steppe after 12-year of grazing and mowing treatments. We measured plant species abundance, height, coverage, plant species diversity, microbial biomass, and microbial community composition (G+ and G- bacteria; arbuscular mycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi; G+/G- and Fungi/Bacteria). In addition, we determined the soil's physical and chemical properties, including soil hardness, moisture, pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus. This is a long-term and multifactorial dataset with plant, soil, and microbial attributes which can be used to answer questions regarding the mechanisms of sustainable grassland management in terms of plant and microbial community structure.

Increased snowfall weakens complementarity of summer water use by different plant functional groups.

Winter snowfall is an important water source for plants during summer in semiarid regions. Snow, rain, soil water, and plant water were sampled for hydrogen and oxygen stable isotopes analyses under control and increased snowfall conditions in the temperate steppe of Inner Mongolia, China. Our study showed that the snowfall contribution to plant water uptake continued throughout the growing season and was detectable even in the late growing season. Snowfall versus rainfall accounted for 30% and 70%, respectively, of the water source for plants, on the basis of hydrogen stable isotope signature (δD) analysis, and accounted for 12% and 88%, respectively, on the basis of oxygen stable isotope signature (δ18O) analysis. Water use partitioning between topsoil and subsoil was found among species with different rooting depths. Increased snowfall weakened complementarity of plant water use during summer. Our study provides insights into the relationships between precipitation regimes and species interactions in semiarid regions.

Differential roles of species richness versus species asynchrony in regulating community stability along a precipitation gradient.

Plant community may provide products and services to humans. However, patterns and drivers of community stability along a precipitation gradient remain unclear. A regional-scale transect survey was conducted over a 3-year period from 2013 to 2015, along a precipitation gradient from 275 to 555 mm and spanning 440 km in length from west to east in a temperate semiarid grassland of northern China, a central part of the Eurasian steppe. Our study provided regional-scale evidence that the community stability increased with increasing precipitation in the semiarid ecosystem. The patterns of community stability along a precipitation gradient were ascribed to community composition and community dynamics, such as species richness and species asynchrony, rather than the abiotic effect of precipitation. Species richness regulated the temporal mean (µ) of aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP), while species asynchrony regulated the temporal standard deviation (σ) of ANPP, which in turn contributed to community stability. Our findings highlight the crucial role of community composition and community dynamics in regulating community stability under climate change.

Contrasting dynamics of leaf potential and gas exchange during progressive drought cycles and recovery in Amorpha fruticosa and Robinia pseudoacacia.

Leaf gas exchange is closely associated with water relations; however, less attention has been given to this relationship over successive drought events. Dynamic changes in gas exchange and water potential in the seedlings of two woody species, Amorpha fruticosa and Robinia pseudoacacia, were monitored during recurrent drought. The pre-dawn leaf water potential declined in parallel with gas exchange in both species, and sharp declines in gas exchange occurred with decreasing water potential. A significant correlation between pre-dawn water potential and gas exchange was observed in both species and showed a right shift in R. pseudoacacia in the second drought. The results suggested that stomatal closure in early drought was mediated mainly by elevated foliar abscisic acid (ABA) in R. pseudoacacia, while a shift from ABA-regulated to leaf-water-potential-driven stomatal closure was observed in A. fruticosa. After re-watering, the pre-dawn water potential recovered quickly, whereas stomatal conductance did not fully recover from drought in R. pseudoacacia, which affected the ability to tightly control transpiration post-drought. The dynamics of recovery from drought suggest that stomatal behavior post-drought may be restricted mainly by hydraulic factors, but non-hydraulic factors may also be involved in R. pseudoacacia.

[Effect of electroacupuncture at Zhongwan(CV 12) on skin microcirculatory blood perfusion units along the conception vessel in yang-deficiency volunteers].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) at Zhongwan(CV 12) on the energy metabolism along the conception vessel(CV) in volunteers with yang-deficiency constitution,and to explore the relationship of electroacupuncture regulation and body constitution. METHODS: Eighteen volunteers with mild constitution and 18 volunteers with yang-deficiency constitution were collected out of 200 students of Fujian University of TCM by body constitution questionnaire. Skin microcirculatory blood perfusion units (MBPU) at Danzhong (CV 17), Xiawan(CV 10) and Qihai(CV 6) of CV were measured by a laser Doppler flowmetry in the normal condition and after EA stimulation at Zhongwan(CV 12) for 20 min. RESULTS: (1)Before treatment, (1)MBPU values at Danzhong(CV 17), Xiawan(CV 10) and Qihai(CV 6) in the yang-deficiency constitution group were lower than those in the mild constitution group,but there was no statistical significance (both P>0. 05) except Danzhong(CV 17) (P<0. 01). (Z)As for the three acupoints in the mild constitution group, MBPU level of Danzhong(CV 17) was higher than that of Xiawan(CV 10) without statistical significance(P->0. 05),and MBPU values of Danzhong(CV 17) and Xiawan(CV 10) were higher than that of Qihai(CV 6) (both P<0. 01). (3About the three acupoints in the yang-deficiency constitution group, MBPU result of Danzhong(CV 17) was lower than the value of Xiawan(CV 10), but higher compared with Qihai(CV 6)(P<0. 05, P<0. 01). MBPU of Xiawan(CV 10) was higher than Qihai (CV 6) as well(P<0. 01). (2) MBPU values of Danzhong(CV 17), Xiawan(CV 10) and Qihai(CV 6) were increased apparently compared with those before treatment after EA stimulation at Zhongwan(CV 12) for 20 min in the two groups(all P<0. 01). (3) The rise rates of MBPU level about Danzhong(CV 17) and Qihai(CV 6) in the yang-deficiency constitution group were higher than those in the mild constitution group without statistical significance after EA at Zhongwan(CV 12) for 20 min(both P>0. 05). CONCLUSION: The energy metabolism in CV of volunteers with yang-deficiency constitution is declined, especially Danzhong(CV 17). EA can rise energy metabolism in CV of mild or yang-deficiency constitution volunteers through regulating MBPU along meridian.

[Development on research of acupuncture effects on microcirculation].

The Chinese and English published literature regarding the effects of acupuncture on microcirculation in recent years were analyzed, and it was found out that the theory of TCM meridian had subtle connection with microcirculation on structure and function, which could provide a possible breakthrough for the research of meridian essence. Acupuncture, through multiple links, multiple paths and multiple levels, could regulate microcirculation under physiological or pathological condition, which was a bidirectional benign adjustment function, and reflected the characteristic of acupoint specificity. Due to many shortcomings in the current studies, studies with rigorous design, large sample size and multicenter are expected in the further to make a standard systematized research.

Functional trait responses to grazing are mediated by soil moisture and plant functional group identity.

Abundant evidence has shown that grazing alters plant functional traits, community structure and ecosystem functioning of grasslands. Few studies, however, have tested how plant responses to grazing are mediated by resource availability and plant functional group identity. We examined the effects of grazing on functional traits across a broad range of species along a soil moisture gradient in Inner Mongolia grassland. Our results showed that trait syndromes of plant size (individual biomass) and shoot growth (leaf N content and leaf density) distinguished plant species responses to grazing. The effects of grazing on functional traits were mediated by soil moisture and dependent on functional group identity. For most species, grazing decreased plant height but increased leaf N and specific leaf area (SLA) along the moisture gradient. Grazing enhanced the community-weighted attributes (leaf NCWM and SLACWM), which were triggered mainly by the positive trait responses of annuals and biennials and perennial grasses, and increased relative abundance of perennial forbs. Our results suggest that grazing-induced species turnover and increased intraspecific trait variability are two drivers for the observed changes in community weighted attributes. The dominant perennial bunchgrasses exhibited mixed tolerance-resistance strategies to grazing and mixed acquisitive-conservative strategies in resource utilization.

[Amount Change of Peripheral Blood NK Cells in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies and Its Clinical Significance].

OBJECTIVE: To study the amount change of peripheral blood NK cells in patients with hematologic malignancies and its significance. METHODS: A total of 200 patients with hematologic malignancies in our hospital from June 2013 to March 2015 were chosen as study objects, out of them 105 patients were in aute stage and 95 patients were in remisson stage. At same time 100 people from healthy medical examination in our hospital were chosen as control group. The mumber change and subgroups of their peripheral blood NK cells were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: In control group the absolute number of NK cells was (412.91 ± 167.35)/µl, the relative number of NK cells was (13.31 ± 2.56) %; in group at acute stage of leukemia the absolute number of NK cells was (97.84 ± 23.18)/µl, the relative number of NK cells was (6.79 ± 0.78) %; in group at acute stage of lymphoma, the absolute number of NK cells was (101.79 ± 25.63)/µl, and the relative number of NK cells was (7.12 ± 1.03) %; in group at remission stage of leukemia, the absolute number was (297.17 ± 87.56)/µl, and the relative number was (10.15 ± 1.64) %; In group at remission of lymphoma, the absolute number of NK cells was (288.52 ± 118.52)/µl, and the relative number of NK cells was (10.82 ± 1.97) %. The number of NK cells between different groups showed statistical difference (P < 0.05). In remission group, the number of NK cells before and after treatment had statistical difference (P < 0.05). In control group, the number of CD56(bright) subgroup was (25.28 ± 4.72) %, the number of CD56(bright) subgroup at the acute stage of leukemia was (65.46 ± 11.21) %, and the number of CD56(bright) subgroup at the acute stage of lymphoma was (70.71 ± 12.14) %, the number of CD56(bright) subgroup at remission stage of leukemia was (23.35 ± 4.67) %, the number of CD56(bright) subgroup at remission stage of lymphoma was (24.89 ± 4.58) %. The number of CD56(bright) subgroup between different groups showed statistical significance (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The number and function of peripheral blood NK cells in patients with hematologic malignancies have been confirmed to be obvious decrement, but after treatment the number of NK cells in those patients showed increment.

[Effects of Electroacupuncture Stimulation of Zhongwan (CV 12) on Skin Microcirculatory Blood Perfusion Levels along the Conception Vessel in Yin-deficiency Constitution Volunteers].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation at Zhongwan (CV 12) on the skin microcirculatory blood flow along the Conception Vessel (CV) in yin-deficiency constitution volunteers. METHODS: A total of 16 yin-deficiency constitution volunteers (9 woman and 6 men) from 200 students of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine finished a body constitution questionnaire and showed a yin-deficiency constitution. Skin microcirculatory blood perfusion units (MBPU) at Danzhong (CV 17), Xiawan (CV 10) , and Qihai (CV 6) of the CV were measured by using a Laser Doppler Flowmetry (Peri Flux 5000) in normal constitution, before and after EA stimulation of Zhongwan (CV 12) for 20 min. RESULTS: Under normal condition, the cutaneous MBPU values were significantly lower in the Qihai (CV 6) than in both Danzhong (CV 17) and Xiawan (CV 10) (P < 0.01). After EA stimulation of CV 12 for 20 min, the MBPU values were significantly decreased in the CV 17 and CV 6 acupoint regions compared with pre-stimulation (P < 0.05). No significant changes of skin MBPU were found in Xiawan (CV 10) after EA stimulation of CV 12 (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA at Zhongwan (CV 12) can reduce the skin MBPU values of CV 6 and CV 17 of the Conception Vessel in yin-deficiency constitution volunteers.

The existence of propagated sensation along the meridian proved by neuroelectrophysiology.

Propagated sensation along the meridian can occur when acupoints are stimulated by acupuncture or electrical impulses. In this study, participants with notable propagated sensation along the dian were given electro-acupuncture at the Jianyu (LI15) acupoint of the large intestine meridian. When participants stated that the sensation reached the back of their hand, regular nervous system action discharge was examined using a physiological recording electrode placed on the superficial branch of the radial nerve. The topographical maps of brain-evoked potential in the primary cortical somatosensory area were also detected. When Guangming (GB37) acupoint in the lower limb and Hegu (LI4) acupoint in the upper limb were stimulated, subjects without propagated sensation along the meridian exhibited a high potential reaction in the corresponding area of the brain cortical so-matosensory area. For subjects with a notable propagated sensation along the meridian, the tion area was larger and extended into the face representative area. These electrophysiological measures directly prove the existence of propagated sensation along the meridian, and the pheral stimulated site is consistent with the corresponding primary cortical somatosensory area, which presents a high potential reaction.

Scale-dependent effects of grazing on plant C: N: P stoichiometry and linkages to ecosystem functioning in the Inner Mongolia grassland.

BACKGROUND: Livestock grazing is the most prevalent land use of grasslands worldwide. The effects of grazing on plant C, N, P contents and stoichiometry across hierarchical levels, however, have rarely been studied; particularly whether the effects are mediated by resource availability and the underpinning mechanisms remain largely unclear. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using a multi-organization-level approach, we examined the effects of grazing on the C, N, and P contents and stoichiometry in plant tissues (leaves and roots) and linkages to ecosystem functioning across three vegetation types (meadow, meadow steppe, and typical steppe) in the Inner Mongolia grassland, China. Our results showed that the effects of grazing on the C, N, and P contents and stoichiometry in leaves and roots differed substantially among vegetation types and across different hierarchical levels (species, functional group, and vegetation type levels). The magnitude of positive effects of grazing on leaf N and P contents increased progressively along the hierarchy of organizational levels in the meadow, whereas its negative effect on leaf N content decreased considerably along hierarchical levels in both the typical and meadow steppes. Grazing increased N and P allocation to aboveground in the meadow, while greater N and P allocation to belowground was found in the typical and meadow steppes. The differences in soil properties, plant trait-based resource use strategies, tolerance or defense strategies to grazing, and shifts in functional group composition are likely to be the key mechanisms for the observed patterns among vegetation types. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings suggest that the enhanced vegetation-type-level N contents by grazing and species compensatory feedbacks may be insufficient to prevent widespread declines in primary productivity in the Inner Mongolia grassland. Hence, it is essential to reduce the currently high stocking rates and restore the vast degraded steppes for sustainable development of arid and semiarid grasslands.

[Comparison of microcirculatory blood perfusion between acupoints of the stomach meridian and their bilateral control points and changes of blood flow after electroacupuncture in 21 volunteer subjects].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the difference of the microcirculatory blood perfusion between acupoints and non-acupoints of the Stomach Meridian and its bilateral control points and to analyze the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on subcutaneous microcirculatory perfusion in healthy volunteers. METHODS: A total of 21 healthy adult volunteers were recruited in the present study. Subcutaneous microcirculatory blood perfusion units (BPU) of Shangjuxu (ST 37), Liangqiu (ST 34), Yinshi (ST 33), Futu (ST 32) and non-acupoint (the midpoint between ST 33 and ST 32) of the Stomach Meridian and their bilateral on-meridian points were measured by using Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF, PeriFlux 5000). EA (0.5 Hz,duration 0.2 ms, 3-4 V) was applied to Zusanli (ST 36) for 10 min. The subcutaneous microcirculatory perfusion was detected under room temperature of (28 +/- 1) degree C and humidity of about 60% after inserting a single-use syringe needle into the subcutaneous tissues (about 1 cm in depth). RESULTS: In comparison with the bilateral control points, the subcutaneous microcirculatory BPU values of Shangjuxu (ST 37), Liangqiu (ST 34), Yinshi (ST 33), Futu (ST 32) and non-acupoint regions of the Stomach Meridian were significantly higher (P < 0.01). In comparison with pre-EA, the cutaneous microcirculatory BPU was increased mildly after EA of ST 36 (P > 0.05). Following EA for 5 to 10 min, the waveforms of LDF of the Stomach Meridian got regular and smooth. CONCLUSION: The microcirculatory blood perfusion of acupoints and non-acupoint of the Stomach Meridian in the deeper subcutaneous tissues are significantly higher than that of their bilateral corresponding control points, suggesting that subcutaneous microvascular blood flow may be the heat source for forming infrared radiation trace along the meridian in the human body observed in our past studies.

[Effect of electroacupuncture of different acupoints on electroretinogram and cerebral visual evoked potentials in healthy subjects].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of different acupoints on electroretinogram (ERG) and cerebral visual evoked potentials (VEP) in healthy subjects so as to evaluate the relative specificity of the function of acupoints. METHODS: A total of 33 healthy adult volunteers were observed in the present study. The subject was asked to lie on a testing bed for a while, two disk electrodes were respectively fixed to the suborbital region and the occiput (the crossing point, 5 cm apart from the right median line of the head and 5 cm above the ear), and the reference electrode was fixed to the medial side of the earlobe for recording ERG and cerebral VEP separately. The testing room was asked to keep faint light during the whole recording process. A flash stimulation (frequency 1 Hz) was applied to the subject's eye (with a distance of about 50 cm between the light source and the tested eye, and the other eye was covered by an eyepatch). EA (0.5 Hz, 0.2 ms and 3-4 V) was applied to Guangming (GB 37), Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36) for 30 min respectively in different testing days (with the interval being 3 days at least). ERG and cerebral VEP were recorded by using Polygraphy (RM-6200). RESULTS: Following EA of Guangming (GB 37), Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36),the changing values (increase and decrease) of the amplitude of b waves of ERG and P100 waves of cerebral VEP were (19.68 +/- 12.61)% and (12.84 +/- 14.08)%, (6.09 +/- 14.06)% and (5.61 +/- 8.01)%, (2.39 +/- 3.52)% and (5.43 +/- 8.22)%, respectively, while those of b waves of ERG and P100 waves of cerebral VEP of GB 37 were significantly bigger than those of PC 6 and ST 36 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: EA of Guangming (GB 37)can significantly change the amplitude of both ERG and cerebral VEP in volunteer subjects, which is markedly bigger than those of EA of Zusanli (ST 36) and Neiguan (PC 6), suggesting a relative specificity of the effect of EA of different acupoints.

[Photosynthetic physiological adaptabilities of Pinus tabulaeformis and Robinia pseudoacacia in the Loess Plateau].

With Yangling, Yongshou, Fuxian, Ansai, Mizhi and Shenmu, the s ix counties from the south to the north in the Loess Plateau as study sites, this paper studied thoe photosynthetic charac teristics and leaf traits of Pinus tabulaeformis and Robinia pseudoacacia. The results showed that among the six sites, there were significant differences in the photosynthetic rate (Pn), photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE), water use efficiency (WUE), leaf mass per area (LMA), nitrogen content (Nmass), and chlorophyll content (Chl) of P. tabulaeformis and R. pseudoacacia, suggesting that the photosynthetic capacity and leaf traits of the two species differed with sites. From the south to the north, the Pn, PNUE and WUE of P. tabulaeformis increased slightly while those of R. pseudoacacia decreased significantly, indicating that in drought habitat, P. tabulaef6rmis could still maintain high photosynthetic capacity, hut the photosynthetic capacity of R. pseudoacacia was greatly restrained. Also from the south to the north, the LMA of P. tabulaeformis and R. pseudoacacia had a slight increasing trend, while Nmass and Chl decreased slightly. The variation ranges of the three parameters were greater for R. pseudoacacia than for P. tabulaeformis, indicating that P. tabulaeformis had stronger drought-tolerant capability than R. pseudoacacia, which was not only exhibited in physiological metabolism, but also in leaf morphological acclimation. The correlation analysis between photosynthetic parameters and leaf traits of P. tabulaeformis and R. pseudoacacia in the six sites showed that there was a significant negative correlation between LMA and Nmass. The Pn and PNUE of both test species had no correlations with LMA and Nmass, but had significant positive correlation with Chl. The WUE of the species was negatively correlated with LMA, but positively correlated with Nmass.