Moxibustion Strategies for Mice.

The field of moxibustion research is expanding, with a rapid increase in publications in recent years. Moxibustion is a therapy that ignites moxa on the skin of humans, with an increase in peripheral skin temperature and localized redness. During this treatment, the recipient must remain still to prevent scalding and expose intervention sites for easy manipulation; however, maintaining a fixed posture during moxibustion is a big challenge for animals. Thus, manipulating moxibustion in small animals, such as mice, can lead to several difficulties for researchers. In addition, an uncomfortable posture for animals can lead to fear and resistance to moxibustion, increased risk of injury, diminished animal welfare, and less valid research data. An efficient, comfortable moxibustion method is needed to protect animal welfare and minimize the adverse effects on experimental results. However, moxibustion methods are highly variable and often have limited efficacy. More importantly, an uncomfortable moxibustion posture might cause a stress response, such as those observed with anxiety, fear, and anger, which could influence the research data. Therefore, strategies for animal moxibustion that inflict the least harm possible during the intervention are required. This protocol introduces a mouse tethering method for moxibustion intervention, minimizing mouse discomfort and improving study efficiency. Essential strategies for tethering mice and application of moxibustion are highlighted, and the structure of the tethering instrument is described.

[Radial growth dynamics of Chinese fir and its response to seasonal drought]. / æ‰æœ¨å¾„å‘ç”Ÿé•¿åŠ¨æ€åŠå ¶å¯¹å­£èŠ‚æ€§å¹²æ—±çš„å“åº”.

We explored the seasonal dynamics and climate responses of radial variation of Chinese fir, we continuously monitored intra-annual stem radial size changes with the automated dendrometers in central Jiangxi Province in 2016 and 2017. We analyzed daily and seasonal dynamics of radial variations, and their Spearman correlations with climatic factors. We found that the diurnal radial variations had a pattern of contraction during the day and expansion at night. The growth onset in 2017 was one month earlier than that in 2016, whereas the continuous tree water deficit in the dry season caused the cessation one month early. During the main growing season (from April to September), the radial increment was significantly positively correlated with precipitation and relative humidity but negatively correlated with photosynthetically active radiation and vapor pressure deficit in both wet and dry seasons. However, the correlation for tree water deficit was opposite to stem radial increment. Severe water deficit significantly enhanced the impacts of soil water content on stem radial variation in the dry season. Moisture condition was always the key factor affecting stem radial variation of Chinese fir. Appropriate measures such as increasing soil water content could promote stem radial growth during summer drought.

The role of STIM1/ORAI1 channel in the analgesic effect of grain-sized moxibustion on inflammatory pain mice model.

The therapeutic effect of grain-sized moxibustion (GS-Moxi) on inflammatory pain has been well recognized clinically, but the mechanism remains unclear. STIM1/ORAI1 is a sensible temperature channel, therefore; this study aimed to investigate the analgesic effect of GS-Moxi and the association with STIM1/ORAI1 expression. CFA-induced inflammatory pain model was established and was treated with GS-Moxi after 3 days of CFA injection. The behavioral test was measured after the GS-Moxi; then, serum was prepared for IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α, and the stimulated skin was used for measuring STIM1 and ORAI1 expression. The results indicated GS-Moxi had an analgesic effect on inflammatory pain and the heat variation was significant for the analgesia. GS-Moxi decreased the expression of IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α. Immunofluorescence and western blot analysis illustrated that heat change was associated with the stimulation of STIM1 and ORAI1. Suggesting that heat variation created by GS-Moxi could be crucial in this therapy and STIM1 and ORAI1 were potential enhancers in regulating analgesia of GS-Moxi.

Oral administration of MnCl2 attenuated hyperlipidemia-related cardiac remodeling in ApoE-/- mice.

Manganese chloride (MnCl2) has been shown to inhibit the Yes-associated protein (YAP) in high-fat diet-fed ApoE-/- mice. Although YAP has been implicated in atherogenesis, there are limited data on the effects of MnCl2 on cardiac remodeling. In this study, we discovered, by electrocardiography, that hyperlipidemia led to spontaneous supraventricular arrhythmia (SVA) in ApoE-/- (KO) mice, with 3 of 9 KO + MnCl2 mice (33%) exhibiting lower incidence of spontaneous SVA than KO mice (6 of 10 mice, 60%). Echocardiography revealed that reduced systolic function in KO mice was reversed by MnCl2 treatment. Oil Red O staining of the aortas and biochemical analysis of lipid levels showed that MnCl2 inhibited plaque formation in a lipid metabolism-independent manner. MnCl2 inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration and reduced fibrosis, as evidenced by hematoxylin and eosin, immunohistochemical and Masson's trichrome staining, respectively. Our findings demonstrate that spontaneous SVA and reduced systolic function were blocked by MnCl2. Our findings show that MnCl2 was useful in delaying cardiac remodeling and reducing susceptibility to spontaneous SVA in a mouse model of hyperlipidemia.

The efficacy and safety of moxibustion for chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal adverse reaction: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Many cancer patients experience gastrointestinal adverse reaction during chemotherapy. Pharmacological interventions are commonly used to treat chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal side effects but have various limitations. Clinical trials have indicated that moxibustion may alleviate gastrointestinal dysfunction and improve quality of life (QoL) after chemotherapy. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of moxibustion for chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal adverse reaction through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to moxibution targeting chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal adverse reaction will be searched in online databases, such as PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP Database) and WanFang Database from their inception to May 1, 2020. The primary outcome is the incidence and severity of chemotherapy-related gastrointestinal toxicities (nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and constipation). The secondary outcomes include the quality of life, biological parameters' alteration, and adverse events. Study selection, data extraction, and assessment of risk of bias will be performed independently by 2 researchers. The Cochrane Collaboration's Review Manager (RevMan 5.3) software will be used to conduct the direct meta-analysis. RESULTS: This study will provide a comprehensive review of the available evidence for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal adverse reaction with moxibustion. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of this study will provide evidence to judge whether moxibustion is an effective and safety therapeutic intervention for chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal adverse reaction. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020182990.

[Soil enzyme activities and their stoichiometry of typical plantations in mid-subtropical China].

We measured the activities of six kinds of enzyme, including ß-glucosidase (BG), ß-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), acid phosphatase (AP), polyphenol oxidase (POX), peroxidase (POD), as well as enzyme stoichiometric ratios and soil physical and chemical properties at 0-10 and 10-20 cm layers across typical Pinus massoniana plantation, Pinus elliottii plantation and mixed plantation of P. massoniana and Schima superba (broadleaved-conifer mixed plantation) in mid-subtropical China. Key factors driving the variation in soil enzyme activity and stoichiometry among different stand types were investigated. The results showed that the activities of soil BG and LAP were significantly affected by stand type. Soil BG activity at 10-20 cm soil layer was significantly higher in P. elliottii plantation than in P. massoniana plantation, while the activity of LAP was highest in the P. massoniana plantation. Soil BG/(NAG+LAP) and BG/AP at 10-20 cm layer of P. elliottii plantation were significantly higher than those of P. massoniana plantation, while (NAG+LAP)/AP of P. massoniana plantation was significantly higher than those of P. elliottii plantation and mixed plantation. The vector length of enzyme stoichiometry at 10-20 cm soil layer was significantly different among stand type, with an order of P. elliottii plantation > broadleaved-conifer mixed plantation > P. massoniana. The vector angles of enzyme stoichiometry in the three plantations were greater than 45°, with the vector angle in the P. elliottii plantation at 10-20 cm soil layer being significantly greater than that of the P. massoniana plantation. Results from redundancy analysis showed that soil carbon quality index and the ratio of soil organic carbon to total phosphorus (C/P), soil water content and C/P were the key factors affecting soil enzyme activity and stoichiometry at 0-10 and 10-20 cm soil layers, respectively. The quantity and quality of soil carbon and phosphorus, and soil water content played a key role in regulating nutrient cycling in mid-subtropical plantation ecosystem.

[Effects of land-use conversion from double rice cropping to vegetables on CO2 and CH4 fluxes in southern China].

In this study, the CO2 and CH4 fluxes in the first year after land use conversion from paddy rice to vegetables were measured by static opaque chamber and gas-chromatograph (GC) method to investigate the land conversion effects on soil CO2 and CH4 emissions. Our results showed that the differences in CO2 fluxes depended on the vegetable types, growing status and seasons. The CO2 flux from the vegetable field was greater than that from the paddy rice field when cowpea was planted, but was lower when pepper was planted. The CH4 flux significantly decreased from 6.96 mg C . m-2 . h-1 to -0.004 mg C . m-2 . h-1 with the land use conversion from rice to vegetables.The net carbon absorption ( CO2 + CH4) of the vegetable fields was 543 kg C . hm-2, significantly lower than that (3641 kg C . hm-2) of the rice paddies. However, no significant difference was found in their global warming impact. In addition, soil carbon content increased in vegetable fields compared to the paddy rice fields after a year of conversion, especially in the 10-20 cm soil layer.

[Effects of different fertilizer species on carbon and nitrogen leaching in a reddish paddy soil].

Enhanced fertilization could decrease nitrogen utilization rate and increase carbon and nitrogen leaching, leading to water pollution in agricultural ecosystem. A long-term field experiment had been established on a reddish paddy soil of Qianyanzhou Ecological Experimental Station (114 degrees 53'E, 26 degrees 48'N) in Jiangxi Province in 1998. Soil solution samples were collected by clay tube and vacuum pump. Four fertilizer species treatments were selected: control with no fertilizer (CK), straw return (ST), nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium mineral fertilizers (NPK) and pig manure (OM), aiming to evaluate the effects of different species of fertilizer on carbon and nitrogen leaching in a double rice cropping system. The results showed that: (1) ammonium nitrogen (NH4(+) -N) was the major type of N in soil leachate in reddish paddy soil. The application of NPK could significantly increase the ammonium nitrogen concentration (1.2 mg x L(-1) +/- 0.1 mg x L(-1)) compared with the CK, ST and OM treatments, and the application of OM could significantly increase the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration (27.3 mg x L(-1) +/- 1.6 mg x L(-1)) in soil leachate. The carbon and nitrogen leaching were more notable in the vegetative growth stage than the reproductive growth stage of rice (P < 0.05); (2) the long-term application of NPK and OM increased the NH4(+) -N, DOC, soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) contents. The NPK was best beneficial to improve TN contents and OM to improve SOC contents. (3) The DOC contents in soil leachate and SOC in paddy soil had a positive correlation (P < 0.01), while NH4(+) -N contents in soil leachate and TN contents in paddy soil had a positive correlation (P < 0.01).

Temporizing surgical management improves outcome in patients with Vibrio necrotizing fasciitis complicated with septic shock on admission.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) caused by Vibrio infection is one of the most fatal diseases, resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and effective surgical intervention are the mainstays for better outcomes for affected patients. Currently, standard surgical management calls for prompt and aggressive debridement and amputation. However, due to its rapid progression and deterioration, 50-60% of Vibrio NF cases present with septic shock and multiple organ dysfunction on admission. These patients, who usually have many surgical contraindications, are unable to tolerate a prolonged aggressive surgical debridement. Therefore, determining the optimal surgical intervention for these particularly severe patients remains a formidable problem in emergency medicine. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on patients who underwent surgery for Vibrio NF and septic shock on admission to the emergency room from April 2001 to October 2012. These patients received the same treatment protocol, with the exception of the initial surgical intervention strategy. Nineteen patients were treated with a temporizing strategy, which called for simple incisions and drainage under regional anesthesia, followed by complete debridement 24h later. Another fifteen patients underwent aggressive surgical debridement during the first operative procedure. Basic demographics, laboratory results on admission, clinical course and outcomes were compared to assess the efficacy and safety of two initial surgical treatment methods: the temporizing strategy and the aggressive strategy. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were included in this study, and the average age was 51.65 years. Chronic liver disease was the most prevalent preexisting condition (50.00%) and the lower limbs were most commonly involved in infection (76.47%). In this patient population, 19 cases underwent surgery with a temporizing therapeutic strategy, while the remaining 15 cases were treated with an aggressive surgical strategy. There were no differences between the two groups with respect to demographics, severity of illness and laboratory data. Compared with those treated with the aggressive strategy, patients treated with the temporizing strategy had shorter operation time (40.79 ± 16.61 vs. 102.00 ± 18.97 min, p<0.001), less bleeding (120.53 ± 67.20 vs. 417.33 ± 134.72 mL, p<0.001), a reduced amount of intraoperatively administrated fluid (3144.70 ± 554.71 vs. 1637.40 ± 302.11 mL, p<0.001), decreased maximum dose of dopamine (15.73 ± 5.64 vs. 10.47 ± 5.61 µg/kg/min, p=0.011) and noradrenaline (20.13 ± 7.50 vs. 13.37 ± 6.18 µg/kg/min, p=0.007), lower arterial lactate values at the end of surgery (5.56±1.99 vs. 8.66 ± 3.25 mmol/L, p=0.004), and, most importantly, lower mortality (26.32% vs. 60.00%, p=0.048). All other treatment conditions, such as duration of vasopressor therapy, number of debridement procedures, rate of amputation, ICU length of stay and hospital length of stay, were the same for both groups. CONCLUSION: The temporizing strategy, with early initiation of simple incisions and drainage under regional anesthesia followed by complete debridement 24h later, is more feasible and effective for patients with Vibrio NF complicated with septic shock, as compared with the aggressive surgical debridement strategy.

[Effects of applying different kind fertilizers on enzyme activities related to carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles in reddish paddy soil].

Based on the long-term fixed position experimental data from Qianyanzhou Ecological Experiment Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1998, this paper analyzed the effects of applying different kind fertilizers (straw, ST; pig manure, OM; and chemical fertilizer, NPK) on the nutrients (C, N, and P) status and the activities of related enzymes ( beta-1,4-glucosidase, betaG; beta-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase, NAG; L-leucine aminopeptidase, LAP; and acid phosphatase, AP) in reddish paddy soil. With the application of OM, the activities of soil betaG, NAG, and LAP increased significantly, as compared with other treatments, and were 1.4, 2. 6, and 1.9 times higher than the control (CK) , respectively. Applying OM also improved the ratio of soil organic carbon to total nitrogen (C/N), but decreased the soil betaG/(NAG+LAP) ratio, suggesting that pig manure could benefit the degradation of soil cellulose and the accumulation of soil organic carbon. Applying NPK increased the activities of soil betaG, NAG, and LAP, but decreased the AP activity, with a decrement of 34% as compared with CK. Under the application of NPK, the soilbetaG/AP and (NAG+ LAP)/AP ratios increased, but the ratios of soil organic carbon to total phosphorus (C/P) and of soil total nitrogen to total phosphorus (N/P) decreased, indicating that chemical fertilizers could induce the accumulation of soil inorganic phosphorus, and inhibit the microbial functions of degrading polysaccharides and phosphate phospholipids.

[Two surgical methods to modify upper eyelid retraction with thyroid associated-ophthalmopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the treatment effect of the two surgical methods for upper eyelid retraction with thyroid associated-ophthalmopathy. METHODS: Twenty-two patients (32 eyes) with inactive thyroid associated-ophthalmopathy were divided into 2 groups (11 for each group) randomly. 11 patients (18 eyes) in the group A were treated by central tenotomy of levator aponeurosis. Another 11 patients (14 eyes) in the group B were treated by lengthening of Mullers' muscle combined with levator muscle. The treatment effect was investigated in 6-month follow-up study. RESULTS: All of the patients were improved with the two surgical methods, which there was very significant difference before and after the treatments (P < 0.01), but not between the two surgical methods (P > 0.05) by statistical analysis. There was recurrent retracting in 4 patients (6 eyes) of group A and in 1 patient (1 eye) of group B, which there was significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05) by Chi-square test. None of the patients was overcorrected. CONCLUSIONS: The two methods are both effective and safe in correcting upper eyelid retraction. The rate of recurrent retracting is lower in lengthening of Mullers' muscle combined with levator muscle than that in central tenotomy of levator aponeurosis.