[Changes of the concentrations and stoichiometry of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in soil aggregates along different altitudes of Helan Mountains, Northwest China.] / è´ºå °å±±ä¸åŒæµ·æ‹”åœŸå£¤å›¢èšä½“ç¢³æ°®ç£·å«é‡åŠå ¶åŒ–å­¦è®¡é‡ç‰¹å¾å˜åŒ–.

Exploring the distribution patterns of soil nutrients in aggregates of forests along different altitudes in arid and semi-arid areas can provide a theoretical basis for understanding nutrient cycling in vulnerable mountain ecosystems. In this study, we analyzed the distribution and stability of aggregates in the 0-20 cm soil layer along different altitudes (1380-2438 m) of Helan Mountains and measured the storage and stoichiometric characteristics of organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus in soil aggregates. Results showed that the main soil aggregates of Helan Mountains changed from micro-aggregates (0.25-0.053 mm) to macro-aggregates (>0.25 mm) with increa-sing elevation. The mean weight diameter (MWD) and geometric mean diameter (GMD) of soil aggregates in high altitude (2139-2248 m) were significantly higher than those in low altitude (1380-1650 m). The content and storage of organic carbon and total nitrogen in soil aggregates of different size fractions were positively correlated with altitude, while the content of total phosphorus fluctuated with the increase in elevation and distributed uniformly in aggregates. Macro-aggregates and micro-aggregates had more contribution to soil nutrient storage than the silt and clay fractions, indicating that the proportion of aggregates with different size fractions was the key factor affecting soil nutrient storage and that macro-aggregates and micro-aggregates were the main carriers of soil nutrients. Moreover, the C:N ratio in aggregates of different size fractions did not change across different altitudes, whereas the C:P and N:P ratio were higher at mid and high elevations than those at low elevations. Our results indicated that the mid and high elevations of Helan Mountains had higher nutrient storage in the surface soil layer, and that higher content of macro-aggregates and micro-aggregates would help to retain organic carbon and nutrients in the soil. Soil nitrogen limitation was strong at low altitude in our study, suggesting that the appropriate amount of nitrogen addition in low altitudes could improve total nitrogen status during forest cultivation.

Acupuncture for persistent atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation: study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia, which is closely related to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although acupuncture is used in the treatment of AF, the evidence is insufficient. The objective of this pilot trial is to evaluate the feasibility, preliminary efficacy, and safety of acupuncture in reducing AF burden for persistent AF after catheter ablation (CA). METHODS AND DESIGN: This will be a multi-center, 3-arm, pilot randomized controlled trial in China. Sixty patients in total will be randomly assigned to the specific acupoints group, the non-specific acupoints group, or the non-acupoints group in a 1:1:1 ratio. The whole study period is 6 months, including a 3-month treatment period and a 3-month follow-up period. All patients will receive 18 sessions of acupuncture over 12 weeks after CA and appropriate post-ablation routine treatment. The primary outcome is AF burden at 6 months after CA measured by electrocardiography patch that can carry out a 7-day continuous ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring. The secondary outcomes include AF burden at 3 months after CA, recurrence of AF, quality of life, etc. The adverse events will also be recorded. DISCUSSION: This pilot study will contribute to evaluating the feasibility, preliminary efficacy, and safety of acupuncture in reducing AF burden for persistent AF after CA. The results will be used for the sample size calculation of a subsequent large-scale trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000030576 . Registered on 7 March 2020.

Clinical effects and safety of electroacupuncture for the treatment of post-stroke depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy/effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of post-stroke depression (PSD). METHODS: A comprehensive literature search in the Pubmed, Embase, CENTRAL, ISI Web of Science, CNKI and Wanfang databases was conducted, and all relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were screened for eligibility by two independent reviewers. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool and Jadad score were used to assess the risk of bias of included studies, and only RCTs scoring ≥3 were included in a meta-analysis. RESULTS: 18 RCTs involving a total of 813 participants (mean age 61.6 years) in the EA groups and 723 participants (mean age 61.9 years) in the control groups were included. The included studies had an average 3 point Jadad score. PSD was diagnosed according to the Chinese Classification of Cerebrovascular Disease (CCCD) and the Chinese Classification of Mental Disease (CCMD) criteria. There was no significant difference between EA and antidepressants (fluoxetine 10-40 mg/day, citalopram 20 mg/day, sertraline 50 mg/day) in terms of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores at week 4 after treatment (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.11, 95% CI -0.31 to 0.10), at week 6 after treatment (SMD 0.04, 95% CI -0.43 to 0.51) or at week 8 after treatment (SMD -0.01, 95% CI -0.23 to 0.22). However, the combined incidence of adverse events in the EA groups was significantly lower than in the antidepressant groups (RR 0.21, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.33). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference between EA and antidepressants in the severity of depression, however EA caused fewer adverse events than antidepressants. Additional larger scale RCTs with rigorous study design are required.

Prevention of sudden cardiac death with omega-3 fatty acids in patients with coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

AIM: To systematically review trials concerning the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on sudden cardiac death (SCD), cardiac death, and all-cause mortality in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane database (1966-2007) were searched. We identified randomized controlled trials that compared dietary or supplementary intake of omega-3 fatty acids with control diet or placebo in CHD patients. Eligible studies had at least 6 months of follow-up data, and cited SCD as an end-point. Two reviewers independently assessed methodological quality. Meta-analysis of relative risk was carried out using the random effect model. RESULTS: Eight trials were identified, comprising 20,997 patients. In patients with prior myocardial infarction (MI), omega-3 fatty acids reduced relative risk (RR) of SCD (RR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.20-0.91). In patients with angina, omega-3 fatty acids increased RR of SCD (RR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.01-1.92). Overall, RR for cardiac death and all-cause mortality were 0.71 (95% CI: 0.50-1.00) and 0.77 (95% CI: 0.58-1.01), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids reduces the incidence of sudden cardiac death in patients with MI, but may have adverse effects in angina patients.

[Effection of observation Xinnaoxin capsules in treatment of chronic cerebral circulatory insufficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of Xinnaoxin capsules in patients with chronic cerebral circulatory insufficiency. METHOD: Patients with chronic cerebral circulatory insufficiency were divided randomly into two groups: a Xinnaoxin capsules group (n = 60, treated by Xinnaoxin capsules for four 4 weeks), a control group (n = 58, treated by Nimodiping for four weeks). The transcranial doppler (TCD) was used to determined mean velocity (Vm) and auto-viscometer measured hemorheological indices before and after being treated. RESULT: After 4 weeks treatment, the hemorheological indices and mean velocity were obviously improve in Xinnaoxin capsules group (P <0.05), there is significant difference between the effective rate of two groups (88.3%, 70.7%). CONCLUSION: Our study suggest that Xinnaoxin capsules have therapeutic function on chronic cerebral circulatory insufficiency.

[Electrophysiological characteristics of peri-cingulum atrial tachycardia and its treatment with radiofrequency ablation].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics of atrial tachycardia originating from the atrioventricular cingulum. METHOD: The electrophysiological mechanism, ablation site graph and nerve distribution of 16 cases of atrial tachycardia originating from the atrioventricular cingulum or adjacent atrial muscle which were proved by electrophysiological monitoring and radiofrequency ablation. RESULTS: Atrial tachycardia from peri-cingulum represented 23.2% of atrial tachycardia treated by radiofrequency ablation during the same period. The ratio of left to right atrioventricular cingulum was 3:16. There was no difference of the surface ECG characteristics and electrophysiological mechanism between the atrial tachycardia originating from atrioventricular cingulum and that from other positions. Both A and V components were recorded at all the successful ablation sites. The ratio of amplitude of A to V was between 2:3 and 6:1. Atrial potential in the target site was 20-46 (38.6 +/- 6.7) ms earlier than P'wave in surface ECG. The success rate of ablation was 87.5% and the recurrent rate 7.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Peri-cingulum atrial tachycardia accounts for a certain proportion in all atrial tachycardia. The exciting sites originating from right cingulum are more common than those from left cingulum. Its electrophysiological mechanism has no difference from other positions. Cingulum mapping and ablation have important practical meanings.