A taxonomic revision of the nominotypical subgenus Tiphia Fabricius, 1775(Hymenoptera: Tiphiidae: Tiphiinae) from China, with three new species and a key to the Chinese species.

In this study, twenty-one species of the nominotypical subgenus Tiphia Fabricius from China are described and illustrated in detail, including three new species and ten new records as follows: Tiphia (Tiphia) flavobrunnea sp. nov., T. (T.) longistria sp. nov., T. (T.) mediocarinata sp. nov., T. (T.) aurata Allen, 1975, T. (T.) borneana Cameron, 1907, T. (T.) dayi Krombein, 1982, T. (T.) dutti Allen, 1975, T. (T.) incisa Cameron, 1897, T. (T.) lawrencei Allen, 1975, T. (T.) pulchaukiae Allen, 1975, T. (T.) s-secunda Allen, 1975, T. (T.) toreuta Boni Bartalucci, 2010 and T. (T.) weismani Krombein, 1982. In addition, the females of four species are firstly described, namely T. (T.) chihpenchia Tsuneki, 1986a, T. (T.) cilicincta Allen & Jaynes, 1930, T. (T.) mongolica Tsuneki, 1986b, and T. (T.) wuyiana Chen & Yang, 2003. And the males of four following species are also firstly described: T. (T.) choui Chen & Yang, 1991, T. (T.) nervidirecta Allen & Jaynes, 1930, T. (T.) pigmentata Allen & Jaynes 1930, and T. (T.) taiwana Ishikawa, 1967. Based on our collections and relevant references, a key to the Chinese species of the subgenus Tiphia is firstly compiled.

[The specificity of body surface temperature of relevant back-shu points in patients with chronic persistent asthma based on infrared thermal imaging technology].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the body surface temperature of the relevant back-shu points in patients with chronic persistent asthma by infrared thermal imaging technology, and observe the specific changes of the body surface temperature of the relevant back-shu points under the condition of lung disease. METHODS: Forty-five patients with chronic persistent asthma (observation group) and 45 healthy subjects (control group) were selected. The body surface temperature of bilateral Feishu (BL 13), Geshu (BL 17), Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) were measured by BK-MT02A medical infrared thermography. RESULTS: The body surface temperature of bilateral Feishu (BL 13), Geshu (BL 17), Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The body surface temperature of bilateral Feishu (BL 13) and Geshu (BL 17) was higher than that of ipsilateral Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in body surface temperature between ipsilateral Feishu (BL 13) and Geshu (BL 17), between ipsilateral Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The pathological increase of body surface temperature of Feishu (BL 13), Geshu (BL 17), Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) in patients with chronic persistent asthma indicates that above acupoints have specificity in reflecting lung diseases. The Feishu (BL 13) and Geshu (BL 17), which have significantly increased body surface temperature, not only provide objective basis for the pathological pathogenesis of "deficiency in origin and excess in symptom" in patients with chronic persistent asthma, but also reflect the different expressions of different acupoints on the same meridian for the lung diseases.

[Components of drugs in acupoint sticking therapy and its mechanism of intervention on bronchial asthma based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS combined with network pharmacology and experimental verification].

UPLC-Q-TOF-MS combined with network pharmacology and experimental verification was used to explore the mechanism of acupoint sticking therapy(AST) in the intervention of bronchial asthma(BA). The chemical components of Sinapis Semen, Cory-dalis Rhizoma, Kansui Radix, Asari Radix et Rhizoma, and Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens were retrieved from TCMSP as self-built database. The active components in AST drugs were analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, and the targets were screened out in TCMSP and Swiss-TargetPrediction. Targets of BA were collected from GeneCards, and the intersection of active components and targets was obtained by Venny 2.1.0. The potential targets were imported into STRING and DAVID for PPI, GO, and KEGG analyses. The asthma model induced by house dust mite(HDM) was established in mice. The mechanism of AST on asthmatic mice was explored by pulmonary function, Western blot, and flow cytometry. The results indicated that 54 active components were obtained by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and 162 potential targets were obtained from the intersection. The first 53 targets were selected as key targets. PPI, GO, and KEGG analyses showed that AST presumedly acted on SRC, PIK3 CA, and other targets through active components such as sinoacutine, sinapic acid, dihydrocapsaicin, and 6-gingerol and regulated PI3 K-AKT, ErbB, chemokine, sphingolipid, and other signaling pathways to intervene in the pathological mechanism of BA. AST can improve lung function, down-regulate the expression of PI3 K and p-AKT proteins in lung tissues, enhance the expression of PETN protein, and reduce the level of type Ⅱ innate immune cells(ILC2 s) in lung tissues of asthmatic mice. In conclusion, AST may inhibit ILC2 s by down-regulating the PI3 K-AKT pathway to relieve asthmatic airway inflammation and reduce airway hyperresponsiveness.

[Anti-asthma components and mechanism of Kechuanting acupoint application therapy: based on serum metabolomics and network pharmacology].

This study aims to explore the anti-asthma components and mechanism of Kechuanting acupoint application therapy(KAAT) based on serum metabolomics and network pharmacology. A total of 60 asthma patients who had used low-dose inhaled corticosteroids-formoterol(ICS-formoterol) for a long time were randomized into the western medicine group(low-dose ICS-formoterol) and western medicine+Kechuanting group(KAAT+low-dose ICS-Formoterol), 30 in either group. In addition, 30 healthy people were included as the control(no intervention). The asthma control test(ACT) score, forced expiratory volume in 1 second(FEV1), and peak expiratory flow(PEF) were measured in the western medicine group and western medicine+Kechuanting group before and after treatment. The potential biomarkers of KAAT in the treatment of asthma were screened by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry combined with multivariate analysis, and the related metabolic pathways were further analyzed. UPLC/LTQ-Orbitrap-MS, together with network pharmacology, was employed to construct the component-target-pathway network. Thereby, the effective components and me-chanism of KAAT in the treatment of asthma were clarified. According to the ACT score, FEV1, and PEF, KAAT was effective in the treatment of asthma. A total of 10 endogenous biomarkers of KAAT in the treatment of asthma were screened by serum metabolomics, and the pathways of the metabolism of glycine, serine and threonine, and the metabolism of glyoxylic acid and dicarboxylic acid were obtained. UPLC/LTQ-Orbitrap-MS identified 51 chemical components of KAAT: 24 flavonoids, 11 alkaloids, 8 phenols, 2 diterpenoids, 2 triterpenoids, 2 glycosides, and 2 aldehydes. Network pharmacology analysis suggested that KAAT mainly acted on serum crea-tinine(SRC), matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9), and other target proteins. The treatment was closely related to metabolic pathway, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B(PI3 K-Akt), mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK), and calcium signaling pathway. Sinapine thiocyanate, corydaline, dihydroberberine, stylopine, leonticine, N-methyl tetrahydroberberine, kaempferide, erio-dictyol, quercetin, catechin, 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol, ingenol, and luteolin may be potential effective compounds of KAAT in the treatment of asthma. This study preliminarily revealed that the effective components and mechanism of KAAT in treatment of asthma based on serum metabolomics and network pharmacology. It lays a theoretical foundation for in-depth study of the mechanism and clinical development and application.

[Hydrochemical Characteristics and Origin of Groundwater in the Central Guohe River Basin].

Groundwater is an important water source in the central Guohe River basin but pollution and water quality deterioration present a significant challenge. Here, 80 groups of groundwater samples were collected between June and September 2019 including 61 groups of shallow groundwater samples, 9 groups of middle groundwater samples, and 10 groups of deep groundwater samples. The hydrochemical characteristics and formation mechanisms of groundwater at these different depths were analyzed using statiatical techniques, Piper triangular diagrams, Gibbs figures, and ion ratios. The following results were noted:① Groundwater is weakly alkaline overall, and the dominant anion and cation at different depths were HCO3- and Na+. The shallow and deep groundwater mainly consist of fresh water while the middle groundwater is mainly brackish water. The hydrochemical typology of the shallow groundwater was mainly HCO3-Ca·Mg and HCO3-Na·Mg. HCO3·SO4·Cl-Na was found to be the dominant hydrochemical typology in the middle and deep groundwater. ② The chemical composition of the groundwater shows notable vertical variations. With depth, the mean mass concentrations of TDS, Na+, Mg2+, Cl-, SO42-, and HCO3- first increase and then decreasing, while the mean mass concentration of Ca2+ gradually decreases. These vertical differences are closely related to the sedimentary environment of the aquifer and the intensity of water-rock interaction. ③ The formation of groundwater hydrochemical characteristics is influenced by water-rock interactions, cation exchange, and human activities, with water-rock interaction dominated by sodium silicate dissolution. Human activities generally have the greatest impact on the shallow groundwater. ④ The water quality of the deep groundwater is notably better than that of the shallow and middle groundwater. However, excessive exploitation of the deep groundwater resource has led to the formation of a regional groundwater funnel, enhancing the difference in middle and deep groundwater levels. To reduce the risk of ground subsidence and the contamination of the deep water with middle brackish water, deep groundwater exploitation wells should be carefully positioned and regulated.

Repeated Herbal Acupoint Sticking Relieved the Recurrence of Allergic Asthma by Regulating the Th1/Th2 Cell Balance in the Peripheral Blood.

Allergic asthma is an inflammatory disease involving the Th1/Th2 cell imbalance in the peripheral blood. Repeated herbal acupoint sticking (RHAS) has been used for hundreds of years in China to relieve the recurrence of allergic asthma, and it is still practiced today. Thus, we explored the effect on allergic asthma relapse and the underlying immunoregulatory mechanism in this study. Here, we enrolled 50 allergic asthma participants, and 38 of them completed the treatment and follow-up (the allergic asthma group). In addition, 13 healthy participants (the control group) were enrolled. The recurrence number of allergic asthma participants and asthma control test (ACT) were used to evaluate the effect of treatment on relieving allergic asthma recurrence. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze the levels of Th1 and Th2 cells in the peripheral blood. The serum levels of IgE, IFN-γ, and IL-4 were detected by ELISA. (1) In the allergic asthma group, compared to before the first treatment, the recurrence number of allergic asthma participants decreased and the ACT score increased at end of the last treatment, 18 and 30 weeks of the trial (P < 0.05). At 18 and 30 weeks of the trial, the recurrence number of allergic asthma participants was less and the ACT score was higher than the ones from the same period last year in the allergic asthma group (P < 0.05). Compared to before the first treatment, the percentage of Th1 cell did not change significantly, the percentage of Th2 cell decreased, and the Th1/Th2 cell ratio increased in the allergic asthma group by the end of the last treatment (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the release of IgE and IL-4 reduced (P < 0.05), and the release of IFN-γ did not significantly change in the allergic asthma group. (2) Compared with the control group, the serum levels of IgE and IL-4 and the percentage of Th2 cell were higher, and the Th1/Th2 cell ratio was lower in the allergic asthma group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between Th1 cell and IFN-γ before the first treatment. (3) Compared with the control group, the IgE levels and the percentage of Th2 cell were higher in the allergic asthma group (P < 0.01). Simultaneously, there was no significant difference between Th1 cell, the Th1/Th2 cell ratio, and the serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 by the end of the last treatment. The data suggested that RHAS reduced the amount of Th2 cell and elevated the Th1/Th2 cell ratio, thereby alleviating the inflammatory responses in the allergic asthma participants.

[Inhibitory Effect of Acupoint Application on Airway Remodeling and Expression of TGF-ß 1/Smad 3 in the Lung Tissue of Chronic Asthma Mice].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupoint application on transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß 1/Smad 3 signaling pathway, so as to reveal its mechanism underlying improvement of airway remodeling in chronic asthma mice. METHODS: BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal group,model group,sham acupoint application group (sham group),acupoint application group, and dexamethasone group (n=8 in each group). The chronic asthma model was established by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin sensitization. The acupoint application group was treated with plaster composed with White Mustard Seed, Rhizoma Corydalis, Unprocessed Radix Kansui, and Herba Asari, on bilateral "Feishu" (BL 13), "Xinshu" (BL 15) and "Geshu" (BL 17) points, 6 hours a day for 14 days. The sham group was treated with plaster containing vaseline on bilateral BL 13, BL 15 and BL 17, 6 hours a day for 14 days. The dexamethasone group was treated with dexamethasone 1 mg·kg-1·day-1 intraperi-toneally, once daily for 14 days. At the end of treatment, airway resistance was detected by mouse lung function instrument. Patho-logical changes of airway were observed under light microscope after hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the morphological parameters were measured by image analysis software. Immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the expression of TGF-ß 1 and Smad 3 in the lung tissue of mice. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the airway resistance, the total bronchial wall area (WAt)/lumen perimeter (Pi), the smooth muscle wall area (WAm)/Pi, and the expression of TGF-ß 1 and Smad 3 in the lung tissues were significantly higher in the model and sham groups (P<0.01). Compared with the model group and the sham group, the airway resistance, WAt/Pi, WAm/Pi, the expression of TGF-ß 1 and Smad 3 in the lung tissues were decreased in the acupoint application group and the dexamethasone group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the acupoint application group and the dexamethasone group in the above mentioned indexes (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Acupoint application can improve airway remodeling by down-regulating the expression of TGF-ß 1/Smad 3 in the airway of chronic asthmatic mice.

Effectiveness of Antibiotic Use Management in Tianjin (2011-2013): A Quasi-Experimental Study.

BACKGROUND In this study we investigated changes in the status of antibiotic use in Tianjin since the implementation of the Antibiotic Stewardship Program (ASP) (2011-2013), as well as existing problems, strategies, and outcomes to promote rational clinical antibiotic use. MATERIAL AND METHODS A quasi-experimental study was performed to investigate situations of antibiotic use in secondary and tertiary general hospitals in Tianjin from April 2011 to 2013. Five major indicators were analyzed: percentage of antibiotic use in inpatient cases (%), antibacterial use density (AUD), proportion of prophylactic antibiotic application for type I surgical incision, compliance rate of medication administration 0.5-2.0 h before such procedures, and antibiotic prophylaxis for ≤24 h in patients receiving these surgeries. RESULTS There was a decrease in the percentage of antibiotic use across general hospitals (60.38% to 46.88%), in AUD (51.60% to 35.37%), and in the proportion of prophylactic antibiotic applications for type I incisions (86.67% to 25.08%). For patients undergoing these procedures, there was an increased compliance rate of medication administration of 0.5-2.0 h prior to surgery (86.38% to 100%), and of antibiotic prophylactic use for ≤24 h (40.30% to 96.37%). CONCLUSIONS Implementation of the ASP campaign has reduced irrational antibiotic use, promoted rational antibiotic use, and delayed antibiotic resistance.

[Effect of Acupuncture Combined Physical Training and Relearning on Stroke Rehabilitation: a Multi-center Randomized Controlled Clinical Study].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture combined physical training and relearning on stroke patients. METHODS: A multi-center, randomized controlled trial design was adopted. A total of 364 stroke patients were recruited and randomly assigned to the experimental group (184 cases) and the control group (180 cases). Patients in the experimental group received acupuncture combined with physical training and relearning, while those in the control group only received physical training and relearning. All received four weeks of treatment. Effects on Fugl-Meyer motor function, neurological impairment, activities of daily living difference were compared before treatment, after treatment, 2 and 5 months after follow-ups between the two groups. RESULTS: Totally 353 patients completed this trial, 179 in the experimental group and 174 in the control group. (1) compared with before treatment, brief Fugl-Meyer motor functions scores and FIM scored obviously increased, and scores for neurological impairment obviously decreased in the two group. Besides, the increment of brief Fugl-Meyer motor functions scores and FIM scores was obviously higher in the experimental group than in the control group at month 2 and 5 of follow-ups; scores for neurological impairment was obviously lower in the experimental group than in the control group. The increment of FIM scores was obviously higher in the experimental group than in the control group at month 5 of follow-ups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (2) There was statistical difference in inter-group comparison of total Fugl-Meyer motor functions scores and FIM scores, or scores for neurological impairment (P < 0.01). The improvement of Fugl-Meyer motor functions grading and neurological impairment grading was obviously superior in the experimental group at month 2 and 5 of follow-ups. The distribution of FIM grading was also better in the experimental group at month 5 of follow-ups (P < 0.05, P < 0. 01). CONCLUSIONS: Both acupuncture combined exercise training and relearning and physical training and relearning could effectively promote the rehabilitation of stroke patients, reduce their neurological impairment degrees, improve motor functions and independent capacities. Better long-term efficacy could be obtained by acupuncture combined exercise training and relearning.

Acupuncture: a potential modality for the treatment of auricular pruritus in Ramsay Hunt Syndrome with multiple cranial nerve lesions.

Auricular pruritus coexisted with multiple cranial nerve lesions in Ramsay Hunt syndrome has been rarely reported in the literature especially its treatment. However, auricular pruritus cannot be better improved along with the improvement of multiple cranial nerve lesions. We tried to solve the problem with acupuncture and got experience from it. The following 2 cases of Ramsay Hunt syndrome show a potential modality for the treatment of auricular pruritus with acupuncture.

[Effect of mid- and long-term schistosomiasis control plan and discussion of consolidation strategy in marshland endemic regions].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of mid- and long-term schistosomiasis control plan and explore the consolidation strategy in marshland endemic regions, so as to provide an effective approach for interrupting and eliminating schistosomiasis in the regions. METHODS: A prospective field study was designed. Dantu District of Zhenjiang City, a marshland schistosomiasis endemic region, was selected, and the "key village, key environment, and key water regions" comprehensive control strategy was implemented according to the endemic level of schistosomiasis. The morbidity due to schistosomiasis in humans and domestic animals, and Oncomelania hupensis snails were surveyed, and the data of the implementation of control measures were collected. The schistosomiasis morbidity and snail status were compared before and after the implementation of the mid- and long-term plan for schistosomiasis prevention and control, and the changing trends of human, domestic animal and snail infections were plotted. RESULTS: During the implementation of the plan from 2005 to 2014, 16.84 km concrete and bank protection and 9 snail sinks were built, 10 culverts re-built, 3.85 hm2 fences were constructed, 29.5 thousand domestic animals were examined and treated, 170 cattle were eliminated, 4930 hm2 fishing farms were built for snail control, 1 560.00 hM2 land were improved, and 376.00 hm2 forests were built for snail control. In addition, 19,364.80 hm2 snail areas were surveyed, 4694.6 hm2 area received molluscicide, 207.9 thousand of people (person-times) received the examination and treatment, 69.1 thousand of harmless toilets were built, 282.2 thousand health education materials and protection materials were allocated, 958 warning signs were established, and 5435 slogans were pasted or hung. After the implementation of the mid- and long-term plan, the percentages of human, bovine and snail infections appeared decline tendencies year by year, and reduced from 0.08%, 1.28% and 0.13% in 2005 to 0 in 2014, respectively, while the areas with snails and infected snails reduced from 284.34 hm2 and 55.10 hm2 in 2005 to 73.60 hm2 and 0 hm2 in 2014, with reduction rates of 74.12% and 100%, respectively. The infection rate of sheep appeared a fluctuation between 2005 and 2014, with the rate of 1.13% in 2005, 0 in 2007 and 2008, rising in 2009 and then between 0.25% and 0.95% from 2009 to 2012, and reducing to 0 in 2013 and 2014. During the 10-year period, the number of cattle reduced year by year from 2005 to 2010, and slightly increased after 2011, showing an overall stable level, while the number of sheep increased year by year after 2006, peaked in 2010, and appeared a decline tendency since 2011, which was almost consistent with the fluctuation of schistosome infection rate in sheep. CONCLUSIONS: The sustainable comprehensive control strategy with the "key village, key environments, and key water regions" is an effective approach for schistosomiasis control in marshland endemic regions. However, the endemic situation of schistosomiasis is extremely easy to repeat. The prevention and control of the impact of sheep and wild animals on schistosomiasis transmission should be strengthened in order to consolidate the schistosomiasis control achievements gained.

[Effect of water storage and aquaculture on Oncomelania hupensis control in tidal flats wetlands of islet-beach type area of Dantu section of lower reaches of Yangtze River].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect and the benefits of the projects of water storage and aquaculture on Oncomelania hupensis snail control in the tidal flats wetlands of islet-beach type area of lower reaches of the Yangtze River. METHODS: The projects of water storage and aquaculture on 0. hupensis snail control were implemented in the tidal flats wetlands of islet-beach type of lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The breed situation of the snails was investigated by the conventional method before and after the project implementation and the effect of control and elimination of the snails by the projects were evaluated. At the same time, the cost-benefit analysis of two projects among them was performed by the static benefit-cost ratio method. RESULTS: All of 0. hupensis snails were eliminated in the first year after the implementation of seven water storage and aquaculture projects. The costs of detection and control of snails saved by each project was 69.20 thousand yuan a year on average. The annual net benefits of the "Nanhao Group 10 beach" project and "Wutao Group 6-14 beach" project were 2 039.40 thousand yuan and 955.00 thousand yuan respectively, and the annual net benefit-cost ratios were 1.09: 1 and 1.07: 1 respectively. CONCLUSION: The O. hupensis snails could be rapidly eliminated by the water storage and aquaculture, and the economic benefit is obvious, but the wetland ecological protection and flood control safety should be considered in the tidal flats wetlands of islet-beach type area of lower reaches of the Yangtze River.