Curative effect of scraping therapies on lumbar muscle strain.

OBJECTIVE: To explore factors influencing the curative effect of scraping therapies (at acupoints or along channels) and to determine the relationship of scraping site and strength to curative effect. METHODS: Two hundred and ten patients with lumbar muscle strain were divided into five groups with 42 patients each. The "scraping therapy at acupoint until appearance of skin eruptions" and "scraping therapy along channel until apperance of skin eruptions" groups were treated with a 4-day course. The "scraping therapy at acupoint without appearance of skin eruptions", "scraping therapy along channel without appearance of skin eruptions", and acupuncture groups were treated with a 2-day course. The five groups were treated with seven courses. The visual analog scale (VAS), oswestry disability index (ODI), and lumbago scores were recorded in the five groups before treatment, after each treatment, and in follow-up visits one month and three months after treatment. RESULTS: VAS, ODI, and lumbago scores after treat ment improved in the five groups (P < 0.01). There was a statistical difference (P < 0.01) in the change of VAS scores by appearance of skin eruptions and scraping site. CONCLUSION: Scraping therapy can effectively alleviate lumbago symptoms. The appearance of skin eruptions and scraping therapy along channels can enhance the curative effect of scraping therapy.

Analysis of the efficacy of abdominal massage on functional constipation: A meta-analysis.

Background: Constipation is a digestive disorder with a high global prevalence, with approximately 20-25% of the population suffering from constipation, and the majority of constipated patients experience functional constipation (FC). Although abdominal massage is an effective intervention, there is a lack of analysis of the efficacy of abdominal massage in the treatment of functional constipation. Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of abdominal massage in the treatment of functional constipation. Methods: A computerized retrieval of randomized controlled trials on abdominal massage for functional constipation was conducted on China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, Chinese BioMedical Literature Database, Cochrane Database, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science until October 1, 2022. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software after the initial screening and re-screening of the literature. Results: A total of 13 papers involving 830 patients were included. The results of the meta-analysis showed that abdominal massage had better efficacy in the treatment of functional constipation. Constipated patients in the treatment group showed greater improvement in the frequency of defecation, difficulty in defecation, stool properties, and PAC-QOL scores than those in the control group. The SMD/MD values and 95% CI of each score were: SMD = 1.05, 95%CI (0.63,1.46); SMD = -1.51, 95%CI (-2.35,-0.68); SMD = 0.95, 95%CI (0.31,1.59); MD = -13.24, 95%CI (-25.83, -0.65). Conclusion: Abdominal massage can increase the frequency of defecation, reduce the symptoms of difficulty in defecation, improve stool properties, and positively affect the quality of life of patients with constipation. Hence, abdominal massage therapy shows definite therapeutic efficacy for functional constipation, providing a more specific plan for clinical treatment.

Simultaneous nitrate and sulfate biotransformation driven by different substrates: comparison of carbon sources and metabolic pathways at different C/N ratios.

Nitrate (NO3-) and sulfate (SO42-) often coexist in organic wastewater. The effects of different substrates on NO3- and SO42- biotransformation pathways at various C/N ratios were investigated in this study. This study used an activated sludge process for simultaneous desulfurization and denitrification in an integrated sequencing batch bioreactor. The results revealed that the most complete removals of NO3- and SO42- were achieved at a C/N ratio of 5 in integrated simultaneous desulfurization and denitrification (ISDD). Reactor Rb (sodium succinate) displayed a higher SO42- removal efficiency (93.79%) with lower chemical oxygen demand (COD) consumption (85.72%) than reactor Ra (sodium acetate) on account of almost 100% removal of NO3- in both Ra and Rb. Ra produced more S2- (5.96 mg L-1) and H2S (25 mg L-1) than Rb, which regulated the biotransformation of NO3- from denitrification to dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), whereas almost no H2S accumulated in Rb which can avoid secondary pollution. Sodium acetate-supported systems were found to favor the growth of DNRA bacteria (Desulfovibrio); although denitrifying bacteria (DNB) and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were found to co-exist in both systems, Rb has a greater keystone taxa diversity. Furthermore, the potential carbon metabolic pathways of the two carbon sources have been predicted. Both succinate and acetate could be generated in reactor Rb through the citrate cycle and the acetyl-CoA pathway. The high prevalence of four-carbon metabolism in Ra suggests that the carbon metabolism of sodium acetate is significantly improved at a C/N ratio of 5. This study has clarified the biotransformation mechanisms of NO3- and SO42- in the presence of different substrates and the potential carbon metabolism pathway, which is expected to provide new ideas for the simultaneous removal of NO3- and SO42- from different media.

Clinical effect of sidong wubu method in treatment of closed fracture of upper limbs.

OBJECTIVE: To objectively evaluate the clinically curative effect of sidong wubu method on closed fracture of upper limbs. METHODS: A single-blind randomized controlled trial was used to divide 654 patients with closed fracture of upper limbs at early stage into two groups. 298 patients in the surgical group were treated with open reduction and internal fixation and 356 patients in the treatment group with sidong wubu method for 6 months as a course of treatment. RESULTS: As for short-term curative effect (after 6 courses of treatment), the total effective rate was 97.7% in the treatment group and 92.9% in the control group, and the excellent and good rate was 83.7% and 76.5% respectively. Fracture-healing time, treatment cost, function-recovering time, scores of symptoms and signs obviously declined in both groups with remarkable difference between the two groups. As to long-term curative effect (after follow-up visit for one year to 5 years and 2 months), there was still noticeable difference (chi2= 7.536, P<0.05) in total curative effect and in excellent and good rate between the two groups. CONCLUSION: With low cost, short treatment course, good function and other advantages, sidong wubu method can be first used to treat closed fracture of upper limbs.

Characteristics of microbial denitrification under different aeration intensities: Performance, mechanism, and co-occurrence network.

This study aimed to explore how dissolved oxygen (DO) affected the characteristics and mechanisms of denitrification in mixed bacterial consortia. We analyzed denitrification efficiency, intracellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), relative expression of functional genes, and potential co-occurrence network of microorganisms. Results showed that the total nitrogen (TN) removal rates at different aeration intensities (0.00, 0.25, 0.63, and 1.25 L/(L·min)) were 0.93, 1.45, 0.86, and 0.53 mg/(L·min), respectively, which were higher than previously reported values for pure culture. The optimal aeration intensity was 0.25 L/(L·min), at which the maximum NADH accumulation rate and highest relative abundance of napA, nirK, and nosZ were achieved. With increased aeration intensity, the amount of electron flux to nitrate decreased and nitrate assimilation increased. On one hand, nitrate reduction was primarily inhibited by oxygen through competition for electron donors of a certain single strain. On the other hand, oxygen was consumed rapidly by bacteria by stimulating carbon metabolism to create an optimal denitrification niche for denitrifying microorganisms. Denitrification was performed via inter-genus cooperation (competitive interactions and symbiotic relationships) between keystone taxa (Azoarcus, Paracoccus, Thauera, Stappia, and Pseudomonas) and other heterotrophic bacteria (OHB) in aeration reactors. However, in the non-aeration case, which was primarily carried out based on intra-genus syntrophy within genus Propionivibrio, the co-occurrence network constructed the optimal niche contributing to the high TN removal efficiency. Overall, this study enhanced our knowledge about the molecular ecological mechanisms of aerobic denitrification in mixed bacterial consortia and has theoretical guiding significance for further practical application.

Simultaneous ammonium and sulfate biotransformation driven by aeration: Nitrogen/sulfur metabolism and metagenome-based microbial ecology.

The present study aimed to clarify the effect of oxygen respiration on biotransformation of alternative electron acceptors (e.g., nitrate and sulfate) underlying the simultaneous removal of ammonium and sulfate in a single aerated sequencing batch reactor. Complete nitrification was achieved in feast condition, while denitrification was carried out in both feast and famine conditions when aeration intensity (AI) was higher than 0.22 L/(L·min). Reactors R1 [0.56 L/(L·min)], R2 [0.22 L/(L·min)], and R3 [0.08 L/(L·min)] achieved 72.39% sulfate removal efficiency in feast condition, but H2S release occurred in R3. Following exogenous substrate depletion, sulfate concentration increased again and exceeded the influent value in R1, indicating that sulfate transformation was affected by oxygen intrusion. Metagenomic analysis showed that a higher AI promoted sulfate reduction by switching from dissimilatory to assimilatory pathway. Lower AI-acclimated microorganisms (R3) produced H2S and ammonium, while higher AI-acclimated microorganisms (R1) accumulated nitrite, which confirmed that biotransformation of N and S was strongly regulated by redox imbalance driven by aeration. This implied that respiration control, a microbial self-regulation mechanism, was linked to the dynamic imbalance between electron donors and electron acceptors. Aerobic nitrate (sulfate) reduction, as one of the effects of respiration control, could be used as an alternative strategy to compensate for dynamic imbalance, when supported by efficient endogenous metabolism. Moderate aeration induced microorganisms to change their energy conservation and survival strategy through respiration control and inter-genus protection of respiratory activity among keystone taxa (including Azoarcus in R1, Thauera in R2, and Thiobacillus, Ottowia, and Geoalkalibacter in R3) to form an optimal niche in response to oxygen intrusion and achieve benign biotransformation of C, N, and S without toxic intermediate accumulation. This study clarified the biotransformation mechanism of ammonium and sulfate driven by aeration and provided theoretical guidance for optimizing existing aeration-based techniques.

Comprehensive performance, bacterial community structure of single-chamber microbial fuel cell affected by COD/N ratio and physiological stratifications in cathode biofilm.

This study compares the effects and bacterial community structure of single-chamber microbial fuel cells (MFCs) in the treatment of NH4+-containing wastewater with different chemical oxygen demand (COD)/N ratios, whilst simultaneously conducting stratification research on the cathode biofilm. To this end, five nitrifier pre-enriched single-chamber MFC reactors are established to treat five different COD/N wastewaters, respectively. The results show that MFCs with low COD/N have better NH4+-N removal, electrochemical performance, but the removal stability and COD removal effect are lower than MFCs with high COD/N. High-throughput sequencing reveals that the anode community structure is weakly affected by the COD/N and is dominated by Geobacter; however, the cathode community is complex and susceptible to the COD/N. Furthermore, the pH profile in the cathode biofilm is characterized by a pH microelectrode and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is used to confirm that the distribution trend of nitrifiers and denitrifiers in cathode biofilm.

[Effect of Jiannao Anshen acupuncture on insomnia: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of Jiannao Anshen acupuncture (acupuncture for brain-invigorating and mind-calming) on insomnia, and the dynamic changes of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) before and after acupuncture, to provide neuroimaging basis of acupuncture for insomnia. METHODS: A total of 58 participants were included. Of them, 29 patients with insomnia were included into an observation group, and 29 healthy participants were included into a control group. The patients in the observation group were treated with Jiannao Anshen acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), bilateral Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Fengfu (GV 16), Fengchi (GB 20), Qiangjian (GV 18), occipital sideline, Anmian (Extra), Yiming (EX-HN 14) and Dazhui (GV 14); treatment was given once a day, 10 days as a course of treatment, and a total of 2 courses of treatment was given. The resting-state fMRI data was collected in the observation group before and after treatment. The participants in the control group received no treatment, and the resting-state fMRI data was collected only once. The resting-state fMRI data in the observation group before treatment and in the control group, also the observation group before and after treatment were compared. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), insomnia severity index (ISI), daytime insomnia symptom scale (DISS), hyperarousal scale (HAS), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), digit symbol test, mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and the A, B speed of trail making test (NCT) were observed in the observation group before and after treatment. The clinical efficacy of the observation group was evaluated. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 89.7% (26/29) in the observation group. In the observation group, the scores of PSQI, ISI and DISS, the A, B speed of NCT were all decreased after treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). Before treatment, compared with the control group, functional connectivity in ventral dorsal prefrontal cortex, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, inferior parietal lobe, dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, left ventral anterior cingulate gyrus and right ventral anterior cingulate gyrus was reduced in the observation group; compared before treatment, the functional connectivity in lingual gyrus, cerebellar area 6, frontal lobe, insular lobe and anterior cingulate gyrus, premotor gyrus and posterior cingulate gyrus was increased after treatment in the observation group. After treatment, the functional connection intensity of left ventral caudate nucleus and insular lobe was negatively correlated with HAMD score in the observation group (r =-0.55, P<0.05), and the functional connection intensity of left ventral caudate nucleus and anterior cingulate gyrus was negatively correlated with HAMA score in the observation group (r =-0.47, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The Jiannao Anshen acupuncture could effectively improve the sleep quality in patients with insomnia, and acupuncture could enhance the connection of left dorsal, right ventral and left ventral caudate nucleus with brain area.

[Therapeutic effect observation of post-stroke shoulder pain treated with the touching-periosteum needling technique of the meridian muscle region theory].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pain severity, the motor function of the upper limb and the quality of life in the patients of post-stroke shoulder pain treated with the touching-periosteum needling technique of the meridian muscle region theory. METHODS: One hundred and six cases of post-stroke shoulder pain were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 53 cases in each one. In the observation group, the touching-periosteum needle technique and the rehabilitation training were used on the bases of the theory of meridian muscle region. The points were Jianyuci, Binaoci, Jianliaoci, Jianqianci, Quchi (LI 11), Shousanli (LI 10) and Waiguan (TE 5) on the affected side. The needles were inserted obliquely, at 45°degrees at those extra points to the tendon knots till the needle tips touching periosteum. The needles were manipulated to ensure the qi arrival and then retained for 30 min. The rehabilitation was applied, such as the anti-spasmodic posture, bridge-style movement on the bed, weight transition and balance training, joint activity maintenance training, passive and active movement of shoulder joint, the training for activities of daily living (ADL) and Bobath technique. In the control group, the routine acupuncture and the rehabilitation training were used. The acupints were Jianyu (LI 15), Binao (LI 14), Jianliao (TE 14), Jianqian (Extra), Quchi (LI 11), Shousanli (LI 10) and Waiguan (TE 5). The rehabilitation training was the same as the observation group. The treatment was given once every day, 6 treatments a week. After 20 treatments, the visual analogue scale (VAS), Fugl-Meyer (FMA) score and Barthel (MBI) score were adopted to evaluate the pain severity, the motor function of the upper limb and the ADL. The clinical therapeutic effects were evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: The VAS scores were reduced after treatment as compared with those before treatment in the two groups, and FMA and MBI scores were all increased as compared with those before treatment, indicating the significant difference statistically (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, the improvements in the observation group were better than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The curative and remarkably effective rate was 69.8% (37/53) in the observation group, better than 47.2% (25/53) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The touching-periosteum needling technique of the meridian muscle region theory obviously improves the pain severity, the motor function of the upper limb and the quality of life in patients of post-stroke shoulder pain. The therapeutic effects are better than the routine acupuncture.