Global terrestrial drought and its projected socioeconomic implications under different warming targets.

Droughts are increasingly frequent as the Earth warms, presenting adaptation challenges for ecosystems and human communities worldwide. A strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and the integration of adaptation strategies into policies, plans, and programs (PPP) are two important approaches for enhancing climate resilience and fostering sustainable development. This study developed an innovative approach to strengthen the SEA of droughts by quantifying the impacts of future temperature increases. A novel method for projecting drought events was integrated into the SEA process by leveraging multiple data sources, including atmospheric reanalysis, reconstructions, satellite-based observations, and model simulations. We identified drought conditions using terrestrial water storage (TWS) anomalies and applied a random forest (RF) model for disentangling the drivers behind drought events. We then set two global warming targets (2.0 °C and 2.5 °C) and analyzed drought changes under three shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP126, SSP370, SSP585). In a 2.0 °C warming world, over 50 % of the global surface will face increased drought risk. With an additional 0.5 °C increase, >60 % of the land will be prone to further drought escalation. We utilized copulas to build the joint distribution for drought duration and severity, estimating the joint return periods (JRP) for bivariate drought hazard. In tropical and subtropical regions, JRP reductions exceeding half are projected for >33 % of the regional land surface under 2.0 °C warming and for >50 % under 2.5 °C warming. Finally, we projected the impacts of drought events on population and gross domestic product (GDP). Among the three SSPs, under SSP370, population exposure is highest and GDP exposure is minimal under 2.0 °C warming. Global GDP and population risks from drought are projected to increase by 37 % and 24 %, respectively, as warming continues. This study enhances the accuracy of SEA in addressing drought risks and vulnerabilities, supporting climate-resilient planning and adaptive strategies.

Selective recognition and enrichment of C70 over C60 using an anthracene-based nanotube.

Selective recognition and enrichment of fullerenes (e.g., C60 and C70) remains challenging due to the same diameter and geometrical similarity. Herein, we report a hexagonal anthracene-based nanotube (1) through a one-pot Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction. With anthracene-based side walls and pyridine linkers, 1 features a nano-scale tubular cavity measuring 1.2 nm in diameter and 0.9 nm in depth, along with pH-responsive properties. Interestingly, the electron-rich 1 shows high binding affinity (K a ≈ 106 M-1) and selectivity (K s ≈ 140) to C70 over C60 in toluene, resulting from their different contribution of π-π interactions with the host. The protonation of 1 simultaneously alters the electronic properties within the nanotube, resulting in the release of the fullerene guests. Lastly, the selective recognition and pH stimuli-responsive properties of the nanotube have been utilized to enrich C70 from its low-content mixtures of fullerenes in chloroform.

Tb3+ assisted dithioerythritol stabilized copper nanocluster with AIE behavior for ratiometric fluorescent determination of fluoroquinolones.

BACKGROUND: Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are widely used in livestock and poultry industry because of their satisfactory effects in preventing and treating bacterial infection. However, due to irrational use and poor biodegradability, FQs can easily remain in food animals and further enter the human body through the food chain. Therefore, accurate and sensitive detection of FQs residues in animal-origin food is significant. The traditional methods commonly used for FQs detection have some limitations. Ratiometric fluorescence detection technology has the advantages of fast, sensitive, self-correcting, and easy visualization. However, the reports on the use of ratiometric fluorescence probes for FQs detection are limited. RESULTS: In this work, a novel probe was proposed for ratiometric fluorescent analysis of FQs. In this probe, the fluorescence of dithioerythritol stabilized copper nanoclusters (DTE-Cu NCs) was significantly enhanced due to the Tb3+ triggered aggregation-induced emission effect. FQs bound Tb3+ in Tb3+/DTE-Cu NCs through carboxyl and carbonyl groups, so that Tb3+ was effectively sensitized to emit green fluorescence. However, the red fluorescence of DTE-Cu NCs was not interfered. The fluorescence of the probe transformed from red to green with the increase of FQs concentration. Using norfloxacin (NOR), difloxacin (DIF), and enrofloxacin (ENR) as FQs simulants, this probe showed a sensitive linear response ranged from 0.025 to 22.5 µM, with the limits of detection of 9.6 nM, 9.3 nM, and 7.7 nM. The application potential for FQs detection was verified via a standard addition assay of egg samples with the recovery rate of 90.4 %-114.7 %. SIGNIFICANT: The fluorescence probe based on Tb3+/DTE-Cu NCs is expected to realize the ratiometric fluorescence sensitive detection of FQs. The establishment of this simple, effective, and rapid detection platform opens up a new way for the detection of FQs residues in animal-origin foods, and also provides a new idea for the design of rapid detection platforms for other hazard factors.

Reward positivity moderates the association between pubertal status and social anxiety symptoms in nine-to-12-year-old youths.

The transition to adolescence is characterized by rapid development of puberty, reward processing, and internalizing psychopathology (i.e., depression and anxiety). More advanced pubertal status and altered reward processing are both known to be associated with elevated internalizing symptoms. However, it was unclear to what extent pubertal status and reward processing interacted with each other in predicting internalizing psychopathology. We examined how the puberty-psychopathology association was moderated by the reward processing indexed by ERPs, including the reward positivity (RewP) and the late positive potential (LPP). A-hundred-and-fifteen nine-to-12-year-old typically developing youths (66 girls; Mean age/SD =10.98/1.18 years) reported their pubertal status and symptoms of depression and social anxiety and completed an EEG Doors task that assessed monetary reward feedback processing. A principal component analysis of the ERP data identified a RewP, an anterior LPP, and a posterior LPP, elicited by the win and loss feedback of the task. The puberty-social anxiety relationship was moderated by the RewP, an identified neural marker of reward sensitivity. Specifically, more advanced puberty was associated with heightened social anxiety symptoms in the presence of a larger, but not smaller, RewP. We did not observe any moderating effect of the LPPs. Our study provided novel evidence that a hypersensitivity toward the reward stimuli (indexed by an enlarged RewP) further exacerbated the risks associated with more advanced pubertal status for social anxiety.

Bayesian hybrid gamma-GPD model for extreme traffic conflict threshold determination in the peak over threshold approach.

Extreme value theory (EVT) models have been frequently utilized to estimate crash risk from traffic conflicts with the peak over threshold commonly used to identify conflict extremes. However, a common problem for the peak over threshold method is the selection of a suitable threshold to distinguish general and extreme conflicts. Subjective and arbitrary selection of the threshold in peak over threshold method can result in bias and unstable estimation results. The primary objective of the study is to propose a hybrid modelling approach for the threshold determination in peak over threshold method. The hybrid model consists of a joint gamma distribution and generalized Pareto distribution (GPD). The gamma distribution is used to fit general conflicts while the GPD is used to fit extreme conflicts. Specially, discontinued, continued and differentiable gamma-GPD models are developed with the threshold being treated as a model parameter. Traffic conflict data collected from three signalized intersections in the city of Surrey, British Columbia were used for the study. The modified time to collision (MTTC) was employed as conflict indicator. The Bayesian approach was employed to estimate the threshold as well as other hybrid gamma-GPD model parameters. The results show that the discontinued gamma-GPD model is superior to the continued and differentiable gamma-GPD models for determining the threshold in terms of crash estimation accuracy and model fit. The crash estimates using the threshold determined by the hybrid gamma-GPD model outperform those estimated based on the traditional quantile plots method, indicating that the superiority of the proposed threshold determination approach based on gamma-GPD hybrid model. The proposed hybrid gamma-GPD model could determine the threshold parameter in peak over threshold method for traffic conflicts extremes automatically in an objective and quantitative way. It contributes to existing peak over threshold method for producing reliable crash estimation.

Late Positive Potential Elicited by Monetary Reward Feedback Predicts Changes of Disordered Eating From Age 11 to Age 12 in Community-Dwelling Girls.

OBJECTIVE: Early adolescence is marked by elevated psychopathology, including disrupted eating attitudes and behaviors. Reward processing is an identified mechanism in portending eating pathology, that is, aberrant reward responsivity may contribute to disrupted reward-seeking behaviors (e.g., food consuming). This literature has focused on adults or mid-to-late adolescents, with little work done on early adolescence. We examined the linkages between reward feedback processing, indexed by event-related potentials (ERPs), and changes of emerging disordered eating in community-dwelling early adolescents. METHOD: At T1, 115 youths (66 girls, mean/SD age = 11.00/1.16 years) completed an EEG monetary reward Doors task. Youths completed the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire Short at T1 and ~6 months (T2) and ~12 months (T3) after T1. In the ERP data, we isolated a reward positivity (RewP) and a late positive potential (LPP) via principal component analysis. We applied multilevel modeling to examine whether baseline ERPs interacted with Time in predicting disordered eating and whether these interactions varied by sex. RESULTS: We found a significant Time × LPP interaction in girls but not boys. Among girls, only those with a smaller LPP toward the losses (versus wins), which might reflect suboptimal evaluation and regulatory processes in undesired situations, showed increases in disordered eating from T1 to T3. DISCUSSION: We provided preliminary yet novel evidence concerning the prospective associations between reward processing and changes of disordered eating in early adolescents. Future studies along this line will be critical for understanding the early mechanisms of eating pathology, identifying youths at risk, and developing prevention strategies.

Polyploid giant cancer cells: origin, possible pathways of formation, characteristics, and mechanisms of regulation.

Polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs) are characterized by the presence of either a single enlarged nucleus or multiple nuclei and are closely associated with tumor progression and treatment resistance. These cells contribute significantly to cellular heterogeneity and can arise from various stressors, including radiation, chemotherapy, hypoxia, and environmental factors. The formation of PGCCs can occur through mechanisms such as endoreplication, cell fusion, cytokinesis failure, mitotic slippage, or cell cannibalism. Notably, PGCCs exhibit traits similar to cancer stem cells (CSCs) and generate highly invasive progeny through asymmetric division. The presence of PGCCs and their progeny is pivotal in conferring resistance to chemotherapy and radiation, as well as facilitating tumor recurrence and metastasis. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the origins, potential formation mechanisms, stressors, unique characteristics, and regulatory pathways of PGCCs, alongside therapeutic strategies targeting these cells. The objective is to enhance the understanding of PGCC initiation and progression, offering novel insights into tumor biology.

Paraneoplastic neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder associated with ovarian dysgerminoma: a case report and literature review.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a clinical syndrome characterized by attacks of acute optic neuritis and transverse myelitis. We report a case with paraneoplastic NMOSD that improved after immunosuppressive therapy, surgical resection, and chemotherapy. A 48-year-old woman initially presented with gradual binocular visual loss over the course of one week. The patient was evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), visual evoked potential (VEP), pathological biopsy, immunohistochemistry, and autoimmune antibody testing. The brain MRI findings were normal. The VEP revealed prolonged P100 latencies in the right eye and an absence of significant waves in the left eye. Positive serum AQP4-IgG antibodies were found. The patient was diagnosed as NMOSD. Then the patient responded well to treatment with methylprednisolone. An ovarian tumor was found in the patient using abdominal MRI and CT. The tumor was surgically resected, and a pathological biopsy revealed that it was ovarian dysgerminoma. The patient received four rounds of chemotherapy after surgery. One month after the final chemotherapy treatment, a positron emission tomography (PET) scan revealed no tumor. The vision of the patient gradually recovered and serum AQP4 was negative. Furthermore, we summarized the characteristics of patients diagnosed with paraneoplastic NMOSD associated with ovarian neoplasms in previous studies. This is a characteristic case of overlapping NMOSD and ovarian dysgerminoma, demonstrating the importance of tumor therapy in cases of paraneoplastic NMOSD.

Corrosive Pseudomonas aeruginosa detection by measuring pyocyanin with a lab-on-fiber optical surface plasmon resonance biosensor in aquatic environments.

Oceanic facilities and equipment corrosion present considerable economic and safety concerns, predominantly due to microbial corrosion. Early detection of corrosive microbes is pivotal for effective monitoring and prevention. Yet, traditional detection methods often lack specificity, require extensive processing time, and yield inaccurate results. Hence, the need for an efficient real-time corrosive microbe monitoring technology is evident. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a widely distributed microorganism in aquatic environments, utilizes its production of quinone-like compounds, specifically pyocyanin (PYO), to corrode metals. Here, we report a novel fiber optic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor modified by the C-terminal of BrlR protein (BrlR-C), which is a specific receptor of PYO molecule, to detect P. aeruginosa in aquatic environments. The results showed that the sensor had a good ability to recognize PYO in the concentration range of 0-1 µg/mL, and showed excellent sensing performance in real-time monitoring the growth status of P. aeruginosa. With a strong selectivity of PYO, the sensor could clearly detect P. aeruginosa against other bacteria in seawater environment, and exhibited excellent anti-interference ability against variations in pH, temperature and pressure and other interfering substances. This study provides a useful tool for monitoring corrosive P. aeruginosa biofilm in aquatic environments, which is a first of its kind example that serves as a laboratory model for the application of fiber optic technology in real-world scenarios to monitoring biofilms in microbial corrosion and biofouling.

Incidence, outcome, and prognostic factors of prolonged mechanical ventilation among children in Chinese mainland: a multi-center survey.

Objective: To evaluate the incidence, outcome, and prognostic factors of prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) in children in Mainland China. Methods: A prospective study was conducted in 11 pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) from May 1, 2021, to April 30, 2022. All pediatric patients on mechanical ventilation meeting the criteria for PMV were included in the study. Results: Out of 5,292 patients receiving mechanical ventilation, 278 children met the criteria for PMV (5.3%). After excluding case with incomplete data or lost to follow-up, the study included 250 patients. Among them, 115 were successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation, 90 died, and 45 were still on mechanical ventilation. The 6-month survival rate was 64%. The primary associated conditions of PMV were lower airway diseases (36%), central nervous system diseases (32%), and neuromuscular diseases (14%). The stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the utilization of vasoactive agents and an elevated pediatric logistic organ dysfunction-2 (PELOD-2) score on the day of PMV diagnosis were significantly associated with an increased of PMV death. Specifically, the odds ratio (OR) for vasoactive agent use was 2.86; (95% CI: 0.15-0.84; P = 0.018), and for the PELOD-2 score, it was 1.37; 95% CI: 1.17-1.61; P < .001). Conversely, early rehabilitation intervention was negatively associated with the risk of PMV death (OR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.22-0.93; P = .032). Furthermore, the tracheotomy timing emerged as an independent predictor of failure to wean from PMV, with an OR of 1.08, (95% CI: 1.01-1.16; P = .030). Conclusions: The study revealed a 5.3% incidence of PMV in children requiring mechanical ventilation in China. The use of vasoactive agents and a higher PELOD-2 score at PMV diagnosis were significantly associated with an increased risk of PMV death, whereas early rehabilitation intervention was identified as crucial for improving patient outcomes. The timing of tracheostomy was identified as a high-risk factor for failure to wean from mechanical ventilation.

Histone deacetylases and inhibitors in diabetes mellitus and its complications.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, with its prevalence linked to both genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Epigenetic modifications, particularly through histone deacetylases (HDACs), have been recognized for their significant influence on DM pathogenesis. This review focuses on the classification of HDACs, their role in DM and its complications, and the potential therapeutic applications of HDAC inhibitors. HDACs, which modulate gene expression without altering DNA sequences, are categorized into four classes with distinct functions and tissue specificity. HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) have shown efficacy in various diseases, including DM, by targeting these enzymes. The review highlights how HDACs regulate ß-cell function, insulin sensitivity, and hepatic gluconeogenesis in DM, as well as their impact on diabetic cardiomyopathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy. Finally, we suggest that targeted histone modification is expected to become a key method for the treatment of diabetes and its complications. The study of HDACi offers insights into new treatment strategies for DM and its associated complications.

Identification and characterization of two Bacillus anthracis bacteriophages.

Anthrax is an acute infectious zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bacterium that is considered a potential biological warfare agent. Bacillus bacteriophages shape the composition and evolution of bacterial communities in nature and therefore have important roles in the ecosystem community. B. anthracis phages are not only used in etiological diagnostics but also have promising prospects in clinical therapeutics or for disinfection in anthrax outbreaks. In this study, two temperate B. anthracis phages, vB_BanS_A16R1 (A16R1) and vB_BanS_A16R4 (A16R4), were isolated and showed siphovirus-like morphological characteristics. Genome sequencing showed that the genomes of phages A16R1 and A16R4 are 36,569 bp and 40,059 bp in length, respectively. A16R1 belongs to the genus Wbetavirus, while A16R4 belongs to the genus Hubeivirus and is the first phage of that genus found to lyse B. anthracis. Because these two phages can comparatively specifically lyse B. anthracis, they could be used as alternative diagnostic tools for identification of B. anthracis infections.

The Effects of Dietary Saccharomyces cerevisiae Supplementation on Gut Microbiota Composition and Gut Health in Aged Labrador Retrievers.

The intestinal microbiome changes with age, influencing the host's health and immune status. Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) positively affects intestinal function in humans and animals, but its effects on gut health and the microbiota profile in aged dogs have not been thoroughly investigated. Twenty aged Labrador Retrievers were divided into two groups: a control group (CON) and a S. cerevisiae group (SC). The experiment lasted for 42 days, with assessments of their intestinal barrier function, inflammatory factors, antioxidant markers, and fecal microbiome composition. The results showed that dietary S. cerevisiae reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß in the serum (p < 0.05). In the SC group, plasma superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities increased, while the level of malondialdehyde significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Additionally, dietary S. cerevisiae lowered the serum zonulin and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels (p < 0.05) and inhibited fecal ammonia production (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the microbiota profile showed that dietary S. cerevisiae decreased the abundance of Firmicutes but increased the Chao index, the abundance of Bacteroidetes, and the proportion of Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes (p < 0.05). To conclude, dietary S. cerevisiae can regulate the gut's microbial structure and gut health, which may contribute to the overall health of companion animals as they age.

Exploring symptom clusters in Chinese patients with peritoneal dialysis: a network analysis.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the research on symptom management in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients has shifted from a single symptom to symptom clusters and network analysis. This study collected and evaluated unpleasant symptoms in PD patients and explored groups of symptoms that may affect PD patients with a view to higher symptom management. METHODS: The symptoms of PD patients were measured using the modified Dialysis Symptom Index. The symptom network and node characteristics were assessed by network analysis, and symptom clusters were explored by factor analysis. RESULTS: In this study of 602 PD patients (mean age 47.8 ± 16.8 years, 47.34% male), most had less than 2 years of dialysis experience. Five symptom clusters were obtained from factor analysis, which were body symptom cluster, gastrointestinal symptom cluster, mood symptom cluster, sexual disorder symptom cluster, and skin-sleep symptom cluster. Itching and decreased interest in sex may be sentinel symptoms, and being tired or lack of energy and feeling anxious are core symptoms in PD patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasizes the importance of recognizing symptom clusters in PD patients for better symptom management. Five clusters were identified, with key symptoms including itching, decreased interest in sex, fatigue, and anxiety. Early intervention focused on these symptom clusters in PD patients holds promise for alleviating the burden of symptoms.

Corilagin relieves atherosclerosis via the toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells.

INTRODUCTION: Corilagin possesses a diverse range of pharmacologic bioactivities. However, the specific protective effects and mechanisms of action of corilagin in the context of atherosclerosis remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the impact of corilagin on the toll-like receptor (TLR)4 signaling pathway in a mouse vascular smooth muscle cell line (MOVAS) stimulated by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Additionally, we examined the effects of corilagin in Sprague-Dawley rats experiencing atherosclerosis. METHODS: The cytotoxicity of corilagin was assessed using the CCK8 assay. MOVAS cells, pre-incubated with ox-LDL, underwent treatment with varying concentrations of corilagin. TLR4 expression was modulated by either downregulation through small interfering (si)RNA or upregulation via lentivirus transfection. Molecular expression within the TLR4 signaling pathway was analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blotting. The proliferation capacity of MOVAS cells was determined through cell counting. In a rat model, atherosclerosis was induced in femoral arteries using an improved guidewire injury method, and TLR4 expression in plaque areas was assessed using immunofluorescence. Pathological changes were examined through hematoxylin and eosin staining, as well as Oil-Red-O staining. RESULTS: Corilagin demonstrated inhibitory effects on the TLR4 signaling pathway in MOVAS cells pre-stimulated with ox-LDL, consequently impeding the proliferative impact of ox-LDL. The modulation of TLR4 expression, either through downregulation or upregulation, similarly influenced the expression of downstream molecules. In an in vivo context, corilagin exhibited the ability to suppress TLR4 and MyD88 expression in the plaque lesion areas of rat femoral arteries, thereby alleviating the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. CONCLUSION: Corilagin can inhibit the TLR4 signaling pathway in VSMCs, possibly by downregulating TLR4 expression and, consequently, relieving atherosclerosis.

Whether weekend warriors (WWs) achieve equivalent benefits in lipid accumulation products (LAP) reduction as other leisure-time physical activity patterns? -Results from a population-based analysis of NHANES 2007-2018.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the body. Physical activity (PA) is an effective intervention to combat obesity, but the effectiveness of different PA patterns on controlling obesity is unclear. Lipid accumulation product (LAP), derived from waist circumference and triglycerides, is a novel indicator for obesity evaluation. However, the association between PA patterns (i.e., weekend warriors and regularly active) and LAP remains unexplored. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between PA patterns and LAP in US adult population. METHODS: Adult individuals with complete data on LAP, PA patterns, and other covariates from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database (2007-2018) were included in this study. Multivariate linear regression models were utilized to explore the association between PA patterns and LAP. Subgroup analyses, interaction tests, restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression analyses, and threshold and saturation effect analyses were also performed to investigate the stability and nonlinearity of PA-LAP association, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 11,212 participants were included in this study. After adjusting for all potential covariates, being regularly active (RA) (ß=-8.85, P < 0.05) obtained significantly higher LAP reduction as opposed to being weekend warriors (WWs) (ß=-4.70, P = 0.3841). Furthermore, subgroup analyses and interaction tests indicated that the PA-LAP association was more pronounced in individuals with higher education levels (P interaction = 0.0084) and diabetes (P interaction = 0.0062). Additionally, a significant, non-linear, and negative correlation between weekly total PA and LAP in non-inactive individuals was identified by RCS analysis (P for overall < 0.001, P for nonlinearity = 0.009). A threshold of 440 min in weekly total PA was found to arouse favorable LAP reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Being regularly active obtained better LAP reduction as opposed to being WWs. For non-inactive adults, engaging in more than 440 min of PA per week helps to reduce LAP effectively.

Effect of moxibustion at "Xinshu" (BL15) and "Feishu" (BL13) on expression of TRPV1 and CGRP in the myocardial tissue of chronic heart failure rats. / 艾灸"心俞""肺俞"å¯¹æ ¢æ€§å¿ƒåŠ›è¡°ç«­å¤§é¼ å¿ƒè‚Œçž¬æ—¶å—ä½“ç”µä½é¦™è‰é ¸äºšåž‹1ã€é™é’™ç´ åŸºå› ç›¸å ³è‚½è¡¨è¾¾çš„å½±å“.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the effect of moxibustion at "Xinshu" (BL15) and "Feishu" (BL13) on transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1(TRPV1), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and serum interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the myocardial tissue of rats with chronic heart failure (CHF), so as to explore its underlying mechanisms in improvement of CHF. METHODS: Male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal, model, moxibustion, capsaicin, moxibustion + capsaicin, and moxibustion + solvent groups, with 10 rats in each group. The CHF model was established by permanent ligation of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery. Mild moxibustion was applied to bilateral BL13 and BL15 for 30 min once daily for 4 weeks. Rats in the capsaicin group were smeared with capsaicin in the acupoint area once a day for 4 weeks. For rats of the moxibustion + capsaicin and moxibustion + solvent groups, capsaicin and solvent were applied to the acupoint area before moxibustion for 4 weeks, respectively. The ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular fractional shortening rate (FS) were examined by echocardiography. HE staining was used to observe the myecardial morphological structure. The mRNA and protein expression levels of TRPV1, CGRP and galectin-3 (Gal-3) in myocardial tissue were detected by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot, respectively. The content of IL-10 in serum was detected by ELISA. RESULTS: After modeling, the pathological changes of myocardium (as cardiac muscle fiber disorder, inflammatory cell infiltration, etc.) were obvious, and the EF, FS, serum IL-10, protein and mRNA exspression of TRPV1 and CGRP were significantly decreased (P<0.01) in the model group compared with the normal group, while the protein and mRNA exspression of Gal-3 were significantly up-regulated (P<0.01). Following the interventions, the above-mentioned indexes were all reversed in moxibustion, capsaicin, and moxibustion + capsaicin groups (P<0.01), and the effect of moxibustion + capsaicin was the best (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Moxibustion can reduce myocardial injury and improve cardiac function in CHF rats, which may be related to its effects in up-regulating the expression of TRPV1 and CGRP, and down-regulating the expression of Gal-3 to alleviate myocardial fibrosis.