Complete chloroplast genome of Adonis pseudoamurensis W.T.Wang (Ranunculaceae).

Adonis pseudoamurensis W.T. Wang 1980 is an important traditional medicinal plant used for the treatment of cardiac diseases. The complete chloroplast (cp) genome of Adonis pseudoamurensis is reported for the first time in this study. The circular cp genome is 156,917 bp in length, consisting of a large single-copy region (86,262 bp), a small single-copy region (18,067 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (26,294 bp). The genome encodes 129 genes, comprising 84 protein-coding genes, 37 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and 8 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that A. pseudoamurensis is closely related to A. amurensis.

[Comparison on heat sensation degree of ginger-partition moxibustion and suspended moxibustion at different acupoints for different time].

OBJECTIVE: To measure the threshold of feeling temperature, comfortable temperature and tolerant temperature to ginger-partition moxibustion and suspended moxibustion at different acupoints of healthy persons, and to instruct the clinical practice of moxibustion better. METHODS: Forty-three healthy students were divided into a ginger-partition moxibustion group (22 cases) and a suspended moxibustion group (21 cases) randomly. Shenshu (BL 23), Zhongwan (CV 12), Zusanli (ST 36) and Waiguan (TE 5) were used in both groups. The feeling temperature, comfortable temperature and tolerant temperature in each group were measured by thermometer. SPSS 18.0 was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The feeling temperature, comfortable temperature and tolerant temperature rose in proper order and the difference was significant (all P < 0.05). The tolerant temperature of suspended moxibustion group ((40.69 +/- 1.85) degrees C) was lower than that of ginger-partition moxibustion group ((42.44 +/- 3.90) degrees C) (P < 0.05). The feeling temperature of ginger-partition moxibustion at Shengshu (BL 23) was 4-5 degrees C lower than that at other acupoints. CONCLUSION: The heat sensations of different acupoints to ginger partition moxibustion and suspended moxibustion are different at different stages. The threshold of heat sensation of ginger-partition moxibustion is higher than that of suspended moxibustion. There is a best temperature zone for moxibustion which is a little higher than normal temperature between comfortable temperature and tolerant temperature. To improve effect, doctors should try to prolong the effective time of this zone in clinic. As the limiting temperature of patients, tolerant temperature can provide reference for the use of moxibustion safely in clinic.

[Recent advances in multi-variate and multi-dimensional analysis of heart rate variability and blood pressure variability].

Heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure variability (BPV) reflect the modulation activity of autonomic nervous system on cardiovascular function. There have been important advances in multi-variate, multi-dimensional and dynamic analysis of HRV and BPV during recent years. Modern signal processing methods, such as multi-variate system identification, time-frequency analysis and nonlinear dynamics analysis, could be adopted in the risk prediction, severity evaluation and therapeutic treatment assessment of cardiovascular diseases. These new methods might also be useful in special environmental medicine.