Preparation of Fe/C-MgCO3 micro-electrolysis fillers and mechanism of phosphorus removal.

Iron-carbon micro-electrolysis is effective for the removal of phosphorus in wastewater; however, meeting the stringent emission standards required for treatment is difficult. To meet these treatment standards, modified micro-electrolytic fillers were prepared from iron dust, powdered activated carbon, clay, and additives using an elevated temperature roasting process under an inert atmosphere. The results show that among several additives, the modified micro-electrolytic (Fe/C-MgCO3) fillers using MgCO3 were the most effective at phosphorus removal. The preparation conditions for the Fe/C-MgCO3 fillers and their effects on phosphorus removal performance were investigated. Under the optimal preparation conditions (calcination temperature: 800 °C, Fe/C = 4:1, clay content 20%, and 5% MgCO3), the filler yielded a high compressive strength of 3.5 MPa, 1 h water absorption rate of 25.7%, and specific surface area and apparent density of 154.2 m2/g and 2689.2 kg/m3, respectively. The iron-carbon micro-electrolysis process removed 97% of phosphorus in the wastewater by using the Fe/C-MgCO3 fillers, which was 14% more than the Fe/C filler. Electrostatic adsorption and surface precipitation were identified as the main phosphorus removal mechanisms, and the surface of the Fe/C-MgCO3 filler was continuously updated. These results demonstrated that Fe/C-MgCO3 is a promising filler for phosphorus removal in water treatment.

Effects of Qigong, Tai Chi, acupuncture, and Tuina on cancer-related fatigue for breast cancer patients: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUNDS: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common and disabling outcomes in patients with breast cancer (BC). Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) nonpharmacological interventions are becoming increasingly popular for cancer treatment and rehabilitation interventions. However, their efficacy and safety remain unclear and there is no systematic review or meta-analysis focusing fully on this issue. We aim to evaluate the effects of representative TCM nonpharmacological interventions, including Qigong, Tai Chi, acupuncture, and Tuina, on CRF in BC patients. METHODS: Published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the efficacy of these interventions on CRF for BC patients will be included. We will search from the following electronic databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, PSYINDEX, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM). The primary outcomes are the improvement of CRF, which will be evaluated by the Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS), the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT)-Fatigue Scale, Schwartz Cancer Fatigue Scale (SCFS), the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI). The secondary outcomes are quality of life and safety. The meta-analysis will be performed using RevMan ver 5.3(Cochrane) statistical software. RESULTS: We will provide more practical results investigating the efficacy of Qigong, Tai Chi, acupuncture, Tuina for BC patients with CRF from several respects including the improvement of fatigue, quality of life, and safety. CONCLUSIONS: This review will generate more stronger evidence in BC patients for TCM nonpharmacological interventions, including Qigong, Tai Chi, acupuncture, Tuina, in the treatment of CRF and help to inform clinicians and policymakers. ETHICS DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not necessary because all of the study base in our review will be based on published research. We will submit our results to a peer-reviewed journal. STUDY REGISTRATION NUMBER: The study is priorly registered through International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocol on October 2, 2020 (INPLASY 2020100003).

[The rules of acupoint selection of acupuncture for dry eye].

The rules of acupoint selection of acupuncture for dry eye in recent 10 years were summarized to provide reference for clinical treatment. The clinical researches regarding acupuncture for dry eye published from May 5, 2007 to December 1, 2017 were searched in CNKI, WANFANG and VIP database. The acupoint and meridian used and application frequency were analyzed to summarize the rules of acupoint selection. Totally, 52 related clinical papers were collected, involving 60 acupoints, 14 meridians and 5 extra point. The total frequency of acupoints was 541, which were mainly related with the bladder meridian, stomach meridian and gallbladder meridian. In conclusion, the rules of acupoint selection of acupuncture for dry eye highlighted meridians circulation, acupoint combination, and syndrome differentiation.

[Xerophthalmia of qi and yin deficiency treated with jinhuobu needling technique].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the differences in the clinical therapeutic effects on xerophthalmia of qi and yin deficiency between the jinhuobu needling technique (the combined reinforcing technique to induce warm sensation) and the reinforcing needing technique achieved by rotating needle. METHODS: A total of 54 patients of xerophthalmia were randomized into an observation group (28 cases) and a control group (26 cases). In both of the groups, the main acupoints included Cuanzu (BL 2), Sizhukong (TE 23), Taiyang (EX-HN 5) and Fengchi (GB 20); the combined acupoints were Danzhong (CV 17), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Taixi (KI 3) and Taichong (LR 3). In the observation group, the jinhuobu needling technique was used and in the control group, the reinforcing needing technique achieved by rotating needle was adopted. The treatment was given once every day. 10 treatments made one course and 2 courses were required. Before and after treatment, the score of eye symptoms, tear secretion and the breakup time of tear film were observed in the two groups. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups after treatment and in 4-week follow-up after treatment separately. RESULTS: After treatment, the total effective rate was 92.9% (26/28) in the observation group and was 80.8% (21/26) in the control group, without significant difference in comparison (P>0.05). In 4-week follow-up after treatment, the total effective rate was 85.7% (24/28) in the observation group and was 61.5% (16/26) in the control group, indicating the significant difference in comparison (P<0.05). After treatment, the differences were significant in the score of eye symptoms, tear secretion and the breakup time of tear film as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all P<0.01). After treatment, the improvements of the score of eye symptoms, tear secretion and the breakup time of tear film in the observation group were better remarkably than those in the control group, indicating the significant differences (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The jinhuobu needling technique achieves the significant therapeutic effects on xerophthalmia of qi and yin deficiency and the recurrence rate of the disease is low.

Sulforaphane alleviates muscular dystrophy in mdx mice by activation of Nrf2.

Sulforaphane (SFN), one of the most important isothiocyanates in the human diet, is known to have chemo-preventive and antioxidant activities in different tissues via activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated induction of antioxidant/phase II enzymes, such as heme oxygenase-1 and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1. However, its effects on muscular dystrophy remain unknown. This work was undertaken to evaluate the effects of SFN on Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Four-week-old mdx mice were treated with SFN by gavage (2 mg·kg body wt(-1)·day(-1) for 8 wk), and our results demonstrated that SFN treatment increased the expression and activity of muscle phase II enzymes NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 and heme oxygenase-1 with a Nrf2-dependent manner. SFN significantly increased skeletal muscle mass, muscle force (∼30%), running distance (∼20%), and GSH-to-GSSG ratio (∼3.2-fold) of mdx mice and decreased the activities of plasma creatine phosphokinase (∼45%) and lactate dehydrogenase (∼40%), gastrocnemius hypertrophy (∼25%), myocardial hypertrophy (∼20%), and malondialdehyde levels (∼60%). Furthermore, SFN treatment also reduced the central nucleation (∼40%), fiber size variability, and inflammation and improved the sarcolemmal integrity of mdx mice. Collectively, these results show that SFN can improve muscle function and pathology and protect dystrophic muscle from oxidative damage in mdx mice associated with Nrf2 signaling pathway, which indicate Nrf2 may have clinical implications for the treatment of patients with muscular dystrophy.