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[Objective] This study aimeds to explore the water supply and demand dynamics of cropland from a planting structure perspective, achieve multi-objective optimization adjustments, and provide theoretical references for the principles of “allocating land based on water resources” and sustainable utilization of cropland resources. [Methods] Taking the Hengshao Arid Corridor as the research area and supported by various data sources including baseline meteorological data, land use, crop planting, and agricultural socioeconomic data, this study employed a crop water balance evaluation model to intricately reveal the water balance trends and irrigation requirements under diverse planting structures across various climate years from 1980 to 2020. A multi-objective optimization model for cropland planting structure was constructed under different irrigation water demand scenarios, incorporating multiple constraints related to water-land-crop. This led to the identification of optimized strategies for cropland planting structure. [Results] (1) Double-season rice and rapeseed have a more reliable water supply throughout their growth periods compared to single-season rice and maize. Rice demands higher water supply, especially during drought years, where the average water demand for double-season rice reaches as high as 608.29 mm. (2) The spatial distribution of effective precipitation and water demand patterns differs for rice and maize, exacerbating the drought situation in the southeastern part of the study area, whereas the water balance for rapeseed remains favorable. (3) The water deficit is more pronounced for double-season and single-season rice, with average net irrigation water requirements of 303.68 mm and 257.00 mm, respectively. Water supply-demand conflicts for drought-tolerant crops are less prominent, reducing the reliance on agricultural irrigation during the planting management process. (4) After optimization of the planting structure, the comprehensive benefits of cropland production can be significantly improved after setting water-saving targets and achieving optimal regulation, especially that the expected grain yield can be increased by 5.12% under the wet-year water constraints of the weighted scenario 3; and the net tax-reduced income from crop cultivation can be increased by 22.34% under the wet-year water constraints of the weighted scenarios 1 and 2. [Conclusion] The planting structure of the Hengshao Arid Corridor should basically remain unchanged in dry years. In normal years, the area of single-season rice can be appropriately increased and the proportion of dry crop planting can be reduced. In humid years, the planting area of grain crops can be significantly increased and the area of rapeseed can be reduced to improve the comprehensive benefits of cropland planting.

In this paper, we study in Rhizocarpon Ramond ex DC. species by the method of combining phenotypic characteristics (morphology, anatomy and chemistry) with genotypic characteristics (ITS sequence). The aims of this present paper are to clarify the status of some species and explore the relationship between phenotype and genotype in Rhizocarpon. During the study on Rhizocarpon species from southwest China, R. sichuanense Y. M. Zhang, L. Hu & W. C. Wang sp. nov. is described as a new species in this genus. The new species is morphologically similar to R. cinereonigrum Vain and R. sinense Zahlbr., which also produces brown thallus, medulla I-, 8-spored ascus and brown ascospores with 1-septa. But it can be distinguished by the scattered, areolate to subsquamulose thallus, a distinct black prothallus, large ascospores are［(27-)32-42.5］μm ×［12.5-17.5(-20)］μm and the presence of barbatic acid is in the thallus. In phylogenetic trees, it is also similar to R. badioatrum (Flörke ex Spreng.) Th. Fr. which can be distinguished by the more continuous thallus with diffractaic acid or without secondary products, and the smaller spores［(23-36) μm × (13-16) μm］than this new species. The phylogenic results are as follows: (1) The new species R. sichuanense belongs to badioatrum group which belongs to Rhizocarpon subg. Phaeothallus; (2) It is unsuitable to classify some groups only based on anatomical characteristics (spore size and separation type) in Rhizocarpon, the chemical characteristics should also be considered. In this paper, the achievement of ITS sequences provide the basic data for an establishment of a more reasonable and natural classification system. In addition, we provide high resolution pictures of morphological, anatomical and chemical characteristics as well as detailed descriptions of the new species. The key to the species of Rhizocarpon subg. Phaeothallus with 1-septa brown spore (Badioatrum group) in the world is also provided, which will provide basic data for the further studies in this group.

In order to study the corrosion resistance and mechanism of a new type of acid resistant steel (LGNS-P) in sulfuric acid containing environments, Q345B carbon steel was used as a comparative material, and the corrosion behavior of two types of steels before and after the full immersion test was observed and tested through sulfuric acid accelerated corrosion test, corrosion weight loss analysis, SEM observation of corrosion morphology, and electrochemical potentiodynamic polarization tests. Results showed that the corrosion degree of LGNS-P was obviously less than Q345B, and the corrosion rate was gradually decreased during the test cycles. By contrast, the corrosion rate of Q345B increased first and then decreased, reaching its maximum after 240 h of testing. Compared to Q345B, the corrosion product layer of LGNS-P was more uniform and denser, which blocked the direct contact between corrosive ions and the substrate to some extent. In addition, there were some Fe oxides on the surface of both steels, but Sb oxides were also found on the surface of LGNS-P, which had certain acid resistance and could enhance the bonding ability of the corrosion product layer and the substrate. Overall, the above differences caused the significant improvement of acid corrosion resistance of LGNS-P

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a highly destructive and complex psychiatric disorder illness, accompanied by a variety of positive and negative symptoms along with cognitive impairment, which brings a heavy social burden. Elucidation of the pathogenesis and therapeutic development is challenging because the complex interplay between genetic risk factors and environmental factors in essential neurodevelopmental processes. Therefore, preparing appropriate animal models can help people better understanding the neurobiological basis of SCZ and provide theoretical basis for finding new treatments. In order to provide reference for the application and improvement of SCZ animal models, this commentary reviewed several main modeling methods for animal models of SCZ, including neurodevelopmental models, drug-induced animal models, and genetic models, and the behavioral evaluation, histological analysis and possible molecular mechanisms of SCZ animal models were also outlined.

Objectives: To observe the effect of moxibustion at "Zusanli "(ST36) on the plasma amino acid metabolism in rats with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and to explore the amino acid metabolism mechanism of moxibustion in repairing cartilage injury in KOA., Methods: A total of 30 SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model and moxibustion groups, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the model and moxibustion groups were injected with the mixture of L-cysteine and papain into bilateral knee joint cavity to make the KOA model. The moxibustion group received moxibustion at bilateral ST36 for 30 min, once daily for 30 days. At the end of the experiment, the swelling degree of knee joint was calculated, the mechanical pain threshold was measured by the Von Frey filament, the cartilage tissue injury was observed by HE staining, the matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) content in the synovial tissue was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the differential amino acid metabolites in plasma were detected and screened by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)., Results: Compared with the normal group, the model group showed irregular cartilage surface, decreased number of chondrocytes, uneven distribution, and local clusters of chondrocytes；the contour of the tide line was blurred. The degree of joint swelling in the model group was higher than that in the normal group ( P <0.01), the mechanical pain threshold was lower ( P <0.01), and the content of MMP-13 in synovial tissue was higher ( P <0.01). The contents of proline and tryptophan in the model group were down-regulated ( P <0.01, P <0.05). Compared with the model group, the cartilage tissue damage and knee joint swelling were decreased( P <0.05), mechanical pain threshold was increased( P <0.05), MMP-13 content in synovial tissue and levels of glutamate and histidine expression were decreased ( P <0.01, P <0.05)., Conclusions: Moxibustion at ST36 significantly alleviated arthritis-related swelling and pain in KOA model rats, attenuated cartilage damage, and regulated levels of certain plasma amino acid metabolites. Moxibustion may regulate KOA cartilage synthesis and degradation through amino acid metabolic pathways such as proline, tryptophan, glutamate and histidine, exerting anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and protection of cartilage injury effects.

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of "brain-gut coherence" method of acupuncture on cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS) and explore its action mechanism., Methods: A total of 82 patients with CIS were randomly divided into an observation group (41 cases, 3 cases dropped out, 2 cases discontinued) and a control group (41 cases, 4 cases dropped out, 2 cases excluded). The conventional basic treatment was administered in the two groups. Additionally, in the observation group, "brain-gut coherence" method of acupuncture was delivered. The stimulating points included the parietal and temporal anterior oblique line on the affected side, Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4), and bilateral Tianshu (ST 25), Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37) and Xiajuxu (ST 39). In the control group, the routine acupuncture was operated at Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (GV 24 + ), bilateral Fengchi (GB 20) and Zusanli (ST 36), and Hegu (LI 4), Jianyu (LI 15), Quchi (LI 11), Waiguan (TE 5), Futu (ST 32), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taichong (LR 3) on the affected side. Acupuncture stimulation lasted 30 min each time, once daily, and for 5 days a week. The intervention for 4 weeks was required. The scores of Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA), Berg balance scale (BBS) and the modified Barthel index (MBI), as well as the score of gastrointestinal symptoms were compared before and after treatment in the two groups. The neutrophil count (NUE) and the content of the serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were detected before and after treatment in the two groups. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the structure and relative abundance of intestinal microflora was detected before and after treatment; and with the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) adopted, the levels of intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (iFABP), D-lactate (D-LA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in the serum were detected before and after treatment in the two groups., Results: After treatment, the scores of FMA, BBS and MBI were increased ( P <0.05), and the scores of gastrointestinal symptoms were decreased ( P <0.05) compared with those before treatment in the two groups. Compared with the control group, the scores of FMA, BBS and MBI were higher ( P <0.05) and the score of gastrointestinal symptoms was lower ( P <0.05) in the observation group after treatment. NEU and the content of serum NT-proBNP were reduced in the two groups ( P <0.05), and the content of serum NT-proBNP in the observation group was lower than that of the control group ( P <0.05) after treatment. Chao1, Ace, Sobs and Shannon indexes were increased after treatment compared with those before treatment in the two groups ( P <0.05); and these indexes in the observation group were higher when compared with the control group ( P <0.05). After treatment, the relative abundance of Bacteroidaceae , Enterobacteriaceae , Oscillospiraceae , Streptococcaceae and Sutterellaceae was reduced in comparison with that before treatment in the two groups ( P <0.05); and the relative abundance of these microflora was lower in the observation group when compared with the control group ( P <0.05). After treatment, the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae , Ruminococcaceae , Bifidobacteriaceae and Coriobacteriaceae was increased in comparison with that before treatment in the two groups ( P <0.05); and the relative abundance of these microflora was elevated in the observation group when compared with the control group ( P <0.05). After treatment, the levels of iFABP, D-LA, LPS, LBP, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were reduced when compared with those before treatment in the two groups ( P <0.05), and these levels of the observation group were lower than those of the control group ( P <0.05)., Conclusion: "Brain-gut coherence" method of acupuncture can improve the motor function and gastrointestinal function of the patients with cerebral ischemic stroke, which may be related to modulating the structure of intestinal microflora, alleviating inflammatory reactions and accelerating the intestinal barrier repair.

Objectives: The rehabilitation work for patients with motor dysfunction after stroke is crucial. However, there is currently a lack of summarized evidence regarding the rehabilitation management of stroke patients in rehabilitation wards, communities, and at home. This study aims to compile relevant evidence on the rehabilitation management of patients with motor dysfunction after stroke, providing a reference for clinical and community health professionals to carry out rehabilitation interventions., Methods: A systematic search was conducted in BMJ Best Practice, UpToDate, National Guidebook Clearinghouse, American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, Canadian Medical Association, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, United States Department of Veterans Affairs/ Department of Defense, Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, JBI Evidence-Based Healthcare Center Database, The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, CNKI, Wanfang Database, SinoMed, and other databases for all literature on the rehabilitation management of patients with motor dysfunction after stroke. This included clinical decision-making, guidelines, expert consensuses, recommended practices, systematic reviews, and evidence summaries, with the search period spanning from the establishment of each database to October 2023. Two researchers independently evaluated the quality of the literature., Results: A total of twenty-one documents were included, consisting of 11 guidelines, 2 expert consensus, and 8 systematic reviews. Evidence was extracted and integrated from the included literature, summarizing forty-five pieces of evidence across nine areas: rehabilitation management model, rehabilitation institutions, rehabilitation teams, timing of rehabilitation interventions, rehabilitation assessment, rehabilitation programs, rehabilitation duration and frequency, rehabilitation intensity, and rehabilitation support These covered comprehensive rehabilitation management content for stroke patients in the early, subacute, and chronic phases., Conclusions: The best evidence summarized in this study for the rehabilitation management of patients with motor dysfunction after stroke is comprehensive and of high quality. It provides important guidance for clinical and community healthcare professionals in carrying out rehabilitation interventions. When applying the evidence, it is recommended to consider the current condition of the stroke patient, the extent of motor dysfunction, environmental factors, and the patient's preferences. Then, select the most appropriate rehabilitation plan, and adjust the type and intensity of training according to each patient's specific needs and preferences.

Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment on cardiac function, sympathetic nerve activity, indexes of myocardial injury and GABA A receptor in fastigial nucleus in rats with myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI), and to explore the neuroregulatory mechanism of EA pretreatment in improving MIRI., Methods: A total of 60 male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, an EA group, an agonist group and an agonist+EA group, 12 rats in each group. The MIRI model was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. EA was applied at bilateral "Shenmen" (HT 7) and "Tongli" (HT 5) in the EA group and the agonist+EA group, with continuous wave, in frequency of 2 Hz and intensity of 1 mA, 30 min each time, once a day for 7 consecutive days. After intervention, the MIRI model was established. In the agonist group, the muscone (agonist of GABA A receptor, 1 g/L) was injected in fastigial nucleus for 7 consecutive days before modeling, 150 μL each time, once a day. In the agonist+EA group, the muscone was injected in fastigial nucleus 30 min before EA intervention. The data of electrocardiogram was collected by PowerLab standard Ⅱ lead, and ST segment displacement and heart rate variability (HRV) were analyzed; the serum levels of norepinephrine (NE), creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) were detected by ELISA; the myocardial infarction area was measured by TTC staining; the morphology of myocardial tissue was observed by HE staining; the positive expression and mRNA expression of GABA A receptor in fastigial nucleus were detected by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR., Results: Compared with the sham operation group, in the model group, ST segment displacement and ratio of low frequency to high frequency (LF/HF) of HRV were increased ( P <0.01), HRV frequency domain analysis showed enhanced sympathetic nerve excitability, the serum levels of NE, CK-MB and cTnI were increased ( P <0.01), the percentage of myocardial infarction area was increased ( P <0.01), myocardial fiber was broken and interstitial edema was serious, the positive expression and mRNA expression of GABA A receptor in fastigial nucleus were increased ( P <0.01). Compared with the model group, in the EA group, ST segment displacement and LF/HF ratio were decreased ( P <0.01), HRV frequency domain analysis showed reduced sympathetic nerve excitability, the serum levels of NE, CK-MB and cTnI were decreased ( P <0.01), the percentage of myocardial infarction area was decreased ( P <0.01), myocardial fiber breakage and interstitial edema were lightened, the positive expression and mRNA expression of GABA A receptor in fastigial nucleus were decreased ( P <0.01). Compared with the EA group, in the agonist group and the agonist+EA group, ST segment displacement and LF/HF ratio were increased ( P <0.01), HRV frequency domain analysis showed enhanced sympathetic nerve excitability, the serum levels of NE, CK-MB and cTnI were increased ( P <0.01), the percentage of myocardial infarction area was increased ( P <0.01), myocardial fiber breakage and interstitial edema were aggravated, the positive expression and mRNA expression of GABA A receptor in fastigial nucleus were increased ( P <0.01)., Conclusion: EA pretreatment can improve the myocardial injury in MIRI rats, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of GABA A receptor expression in fastigial nucleus, thereby down-regulating the excitability of sympathetic nerve.

Objective: To explore the role of nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) / heme oxygenase (HO-1) signal pathway in electroacupuncture (EA) induced improvement of acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) and its relationship with ferroptosis in rats., Methods: Male SD rats were randomly and equally divided into sham operation, model, EA and EA+ML385 (inhibitor of Nrf2) groups ( n =8). The rat model of AMI was established by ligating the descending anterior branch of the left coronary artery. EA (2 Hz/100 Hz) was applied to bilateral "Shenmen"(HT7) and "Tongli"(HT5) for 20 min, once daily for 7 days. The electrocardiogram (ECG) of standard Ⅱ (ECG ST) lead and heart rate (HR) in each group was recorded and analyzed before and after modeling and after treatment by using PowerLab physiological recorder system. Histopathological changes of myocardial tissue were observed by H.E. staining, and the ultrastructure of myocardiocytes of cardiac apical tissue was observed under transmission electron microscope. The contents of Fe 2+ and glutathione (GSH) in the myocardial tissue were measured by chromato-metry. The protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferritin heavy chain polypeptide 1 (FTH1) and long chain acyl CoA synthase 4 (ACSL4) in the myocardial tissue were detected by Western blot., Results: Compared with the sham operation group, the HR, ECG ST, Fe 2+ content, expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, FTH1 and ACSL4 proteins in myocardial tissues were significantly increased ( P <0.01), while GSH content and GPX4 protein expression considerably decreased ( P <0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, both EA and EA+ML385 groups had an obvious decrease in HR, Fe 2+ content, and ACSL4 levels ( P <0.01), and an increase in the expression levels of GPX4 and FTH1 proteins ( P <0.01), EA (rather than EA+ML385) effectively down-regulated ECG ST, and up-regulated GSH, Nrf2 and HO-1 ( P <0.01), whereas EA+ML385 apparently down-regulated expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 ( P <0.01). It shows that ML385 pronouncedly weaken the effects of EA in slowing down ECG ST and HR, down-regulating Fe 2+ content and ACSL4 expression ( P <0.01), up-regulating GSH content, Nrf2, HO-1, GPX4 and FTH1 expressions ( P <0.01). H.E. staining showed disordered arrangement and hyperplasia of myocardiocytes, enlarged myocardial fiber gap, agglomerated and deeply stained myoplasma, and some broken myocardial fibers with irregular mass and local tissue fibrosis in the model group, which was relatively milder in both EA and EA+ML385 groups. Compared with the sham operation group, the model group showed decreased mitochondrial atrophy, increased membrane density, and disappearance or reduction of cristae in myocardial cells，which was improved in the EA group., Conclusion: EA of HT7 and HT5 has a protective effect on ischemic myocardium in rats, which may be related to its effects in reducing oxidative stress by regulating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, and inhibiting "iron death" of myocardial cells.

Objective: To explore the effectiveness of using deep learning network combined Vision Transformer (ViT) and Transformer to identify patients with depressive disorder on the basis of their sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) signals., Methods: The sleep EEG signals of 28 patients with depressive disorder and 37 normal controls were preprocessed. Then, the signals were converted into image format and the feature information on frequency domain and spatial domain was retained. After that, the images were transmitted to the ViT-Transformer coding network for deep learning of the EEG signal characteristics of the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep in patients with depressive disorder and those in normal controls, respectively, and to identify patients with depressive disorder., Results: Based on the ViT-Transformer network, after examining different EEG frequencies, we found that the combination of delta, theta, and beta waves produced better results in identifying depressive disorder. Among the different EEG frequencies, EEG signal features of delta-theta-beta combination waves in REM sleep achieved 92.8% accuracy and 93.8% precision for identifying depression, with the recall rate of patients with depression being 84.7%, and the F 0.5 value being 0.917±0.074. When using the delta-theta-beta combination EEG signal features in NREM sleep to identify depressive disorder, the accuracy was 91.7%, the precision was 90.8%, the recall rate was 85.2%, and the F 0.5 value was 0.914±0.062. In addition, through visualization of the sleep EEG of different sleep stages for the whole night, it was found that classification errors usually occurred during transition to a different sleep stage., Conclusion: Using the deep learning ViT-Transformer network, we found that the EEG signal features in REM sleep based on delta-theta-beta combination waves showed better effect in identifying depressive disorder., (Copyright© by Editorial Board of Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences).)

Focusing on the influencing factors of the operation and processing process of reusable medical devices, the management problems of reusable medical devices are analyzed from the processing processes of device assembly, packaging, handover, inventory and information recording. In the specific practice of designing the intelligent management and control system of reusable medical devices, the medical processes in different periods from device addition, packaging, disinfection, transfer, transportation, distribution, recycling to scrapping are integrated into the intelligent service system. Through the changes of medical device treatment, this study comprehensively explores the innovative ideas and specific problems in the construction of intelligent process system of hospital disinfection supply center.

Objective: To investigate the injury of cyanate on the pulmonary function and morphology of C57/BL6N mice., Methods: Forty male C57/BL6N mice were randomly divided into two groups: normal control group (20 mice) and cyanate group (20 mice). Mice were exposed to 100 mmol/L cyanate feeding for 4 weeks, and pulmonary Raw (Resistance in Air Way) was measured at the beginning and end of the experiment. The mice were sacrificed at the end of the fourth week of the experiment, and the lung tissues were collected for pathological observation and molecular detection of E-Cadherin and Fibronectin. Well-growing A549 cells in logarithmic growth phase were treated with cyanate at the concentrations of 0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mmol/L for 24 h, and the cell viability was detected by CCK8 method; reactive oxygen species ROS fluorescent probe (DCFH-DA) was used to detect the changes of ROS levels, and expressions of E-Cadherin and Fibronectin in cells and pulmonary tissues were detected by Western blot., Results: At the beginning of the experiment, the pulmonary airway resistance values of the mice in the normal control group and the cyanate group were (1.82±0.76)cmH 2 O/(L·s) and (1.85±0.78)cmH 2 O/(L·s), respectively, with no significant difference. Four weeks later, the pulmonary airway resistance value of mice in the cyanate group was increased to (4.86±0.87)cmH 2 O/(L·s) ( P ＜0.01). The HE staining showed that, compared with the normal control group, the injured alveolar structure, the thickened tracheal wall and the significantly proliferated pulmonary interstitial tissue were observed in the cyanate group. The Masson staining showed that elastic fibers were deposited around the trachea of mice in the cyanate group. The results of CCK8 assay for the viability of A549 cells showed that 0.5 mmol/L cyanate exposure could reduce the viability ( P ＜0.01). The immunofluorescence staining showed that cyanate could increase ROS level in A549 cells by producing green fluorescence in a concentration-dependent manner. The results of Western blotting showed that 0.5 mmol/L of cyanate treatment on A549 cells could reduce the expression of E-Cadherin ( P ＜0.01) with increasing concentration of cyanate. The expression level of Fibronectin in A549 cells was increased with the increasing cyanate concentration, and there was a significant difference ( P ＜0.01) on 1 mmol/L cyanate. Western blot results of lung showed the decreasing expression of E-Cadherin ( P ＜0.01) and increasing expression of Fibronectin ( P ＜0.01) in cyanate mice., Conclusion: Pathological concentrations of cyanate can induce the proliferation of pulmonary interstitial tissue, fibrous deposition, and increased pulmonary airway resistance in mice, which may be related to damaged pulmonary epithelial cell viability, enhanced ROS production, and induced pathologic changes of extracellular matrix by cyanate.

Objective: Based on magnetic resonance imaging technology, the dangerous depth of straight needling and the safety of deep needling at Dachangshu (BL 25) are discussed, and data support is provided for standardizing deep needling at Dachangshu (BL 25)., Methods: The horizontal cross-sectional images of 148 healthy adult subjects under the spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra were collected by magnetic resonance instrument, the anatomical structure was analyzed, and the dangerous depth of straight needling at Dachangshu (BL 25) was measured., Results: The dangerous depth of straight needling at Dachangshu (BL 25) was (11.2±1.3) cm and (11.0±1.2) cm on the left and right sides of males, and (9.8±1.3) cm and (9.7±1.3) cm on the left and right sides of females. There was a positive correlation between the dangerous depth of straight needling at Dachangshu (BL 25) and body mass index (BMI). In the case of similar body size, the dangerous depth of straight needling at Dachangshu(BL 25) in males was greater than that in females ( P <0.01)., Conclusion: At present, the deep needling at Dachangshu (BL 25) used in clinic is safe. In clinical application of the deep needling at Dachangshu (BL 25), the depth of needle insertion can be determined according to body size and gender.

Objective: To observe the effect of moxibustion on pain and N-methyl-D aspartic acid receptor/nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NMDA-NO-cGMP) signaling pathway in the spinal cord of rats with adjuvant arthritis (AA), so as to explore its underlying mechanisms in relieving inflammatory pain of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)., Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model, moxibustion (Moxi), Moxi +NMDA receptor antagonist AP-5 (Moxi+AP-5) and Moxi +NMDA receptor agonist (NMDA) groups, with 20 rats in each group. The AA model was established by placing the rats in a wind, cold and damp environment for 12 h, once daily for 20 days and by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant into the right hind paw. Rats of the three Moxi groups received ignited moxa-stick stimulation of "Zusanli"(ST36) and "Shenshu"(BL23) alternately for 20 min, once a day for 15 days. The Moxi + AP-5 group and Moxi +NMDA group received intraperitoneal injection of AP-5 (0.7 mg·kg -1 ·d -1 ) and NMDA (5 mg·kg -1 ·d -1 ), respectively, once a day, for a total of 15 days. Mechanical pain thres-hold (MPT) was measured before and after modeling and interventions. The spinal cord tissue was sampled for detecting the expression of iNOS mRNA and protein, content of cGMP and NO, and the activity of NOS by using fluorescence quantitative PCR, Western blot, ELISA,nitrate reductase method and colorimetric method, respectively., Results: Before modeling, there was no significant difference in MPT among all the 5 groups ( P >0.05). After modeling, the MPT was remarkably decreased ( P <0.01), the expression levels of iNOS mRNA and protein,the contents of cGMP and NO, the activity of NOS were significantly increased in the model group relevant to the normal group ( P <0.01). After the interventions, the MPT was obviously increased ( P <0.01), while the expression levels of iNOS mRNA and protein, the contents of cGMP and NO, the activity of NOS were significantly down-regulated in the Moxi, Moxi-AP-5 and Moxi+NMDA groups ( P <0.05, P <0.01). The effect of Moxi+AP-5 group was significantly superior to that of Moxi group in raising MPT and down-regulating the expression levels of iNOS mRNA and protein, and the content of NO ( P <0.05, P <0.01). The effect of Moxi+NMDA group was obviously inferior to that of Moxi group in up-regulating MPT and down-regulating the levels of iNOS mRNA and protein, and the contents of cGMP and NO, and the activity of NOS ( P <0.01), suggesting a reduction of the therapeutic effects in raising MPT and down-regulating expression of iNOS mRNA and protein after administration of AP-5., Conclusion: Moxibustion can relieve RA inflammatory pain in AA rats, which may be related to its function in down-regulating the NMDA/NO/cGMP signaling pathway in the spinal cord.

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression of myocardial protein kinase B (Akt) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) rats., Methods: Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into control, model and EA groups ( n =10 in each group). The AMI model was established by occlusion of the descending anterior branch (DAB) of the left coronary artery. EA (2 Hz, 1-2 mA) was applied to bilateral "Shenmen" (HT7) and "Tongli" (HT5) for 20 min, once daily for consecutive 7 days. The electrocardiogram (ECG) of nape-xiphoid lead was recorded for assessing changes of myocardial ischemia. Histopathologic changes of the ischemic myocardial tissue were observed after H.E. staining and ultra-microstructural changes of cardiomyocytes observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The expression levels of Akt, phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt), mTOR and phosphorylated-mTOR (p-mTOR) in the myocardium were detected by Western blot, followed by calculating the ratios of p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR., Results: Following ligature of DAB, the ECG-ST level was significantly increased in the model group in comparison with the control group ( P <0.01). At 30 min after treatment, the ECG-ST level decreased significantly compared with the model group ( P <0.01). At the end of the 7-day treatment period, the ECG-ST level increased compared with the model group ( P <0.05). The levels of myocardial p-Akt and p-mTOR protein expression, and the ratios of p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR were significantly lower in the model group than those in the control group ( P <0.01), and considerably increased in the EA group than in the model group ( P <0.01). No significant differences were found among the three groups in the expression levels of Akt and mTOR proteins ( P >0.05). Outcomes of H.E. staining and TEM showed damage of mitochondria and occurrence of a large number of autophagosomes in myocardiocytes in the model group, which was milder in the EA group., Conclusion: EA at HT5 and HT7 can improve AMI in AMI rats, which may be related to its effect in facilitating Akt/mTOR signaling.

Objective: To observe the effects of moxibustion on p53, cystine/glutamate antiporter solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in synovial tissues of rats with adjuvant arthritis (AA), so as to explore the mechanism of moxibustion in alleviating rheumatoid arthritis., Methods: Eighty rats were randomly divided into normal, model, moxibustion, and medication groups ( n =20 in each group). The AA model was established by exposure to wind, cold, and damp environmental factors combined with injection of complete Freund's adjuvant. Rats in the moxibustion group received suspended moxibustion at "Shenshu" (BL23) and "Zusanli" (ST36) alternately, while those in the medication group were treated with tripterygium glycoside tablet suspension (8 mg/kg) by gavage, once a day, for 15 successive days. The pathological change in synovial tissue of rat right knee joint was observed by HE staining. The protein and mRNA expression levels of p53, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in the synovial tissue were detected by Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR, respectively. The se-rum glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) contents were measured by colorimetry and fluorescence probe me-thod., Results: Compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited synovial hyperplasia of the right knee joint, massive inflammatory cell infiltration, up-regulated mRNA and protein expression of p53 in synovial tissue, elevated serum ROS content ( P <0.01), down-regulated mRNA and protein expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 in synovial tissue, and lowered serum GSH content ( P <0.01). Comparison with the model group showed that the synovial injuries in the moxibustion and medication groups were obviously alleviated. The mRNA and protein expression levels of p53 in the synovial tissues and the serum ROS content declined significantly ( P <0.01), while the mRNA and protein expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 in the synovial tissues and the se-rum GSH content increased ( P <0.01). There was no significant difference in histopathological change of synovial tissue between the moxibustion group and medication group. However, the p53 protein expression in the synovial tissue and the level of serum ROS were significantly higher in the medication group than in the moxibustion group ( P <0.05), while the GPX4 protein expression and serum GSH content were down-regulated ( P <0.05)., Conclusion: Moxibustion improves the inflammatory response in synovial tissue of AA model rats, which may be closely related to its regulation of the expression of ferroptosis-related factors.

Objective: To observe the effect of long-term inhalation of moxa-smoke on olfactory epithelial cells in rats, in order to explore the safety of moxa-smoke inhalation (MSI)., Methods: A total of 32 SD rats (half male and half female) were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal, low concentration (LCMSI), medium concentration (MCMSI) and high concentration (HCMSI), with 8 rats in each group. Rats of the LCMSI, MCMSI and HCMSI groups were put into closed boxes which were filled with ignited moxa stick-released smoke at concentrations of (0.11±0.05)mg/m 3 , (0.23±0.05) mg/m 3 and (0.53±0.05)mg/m 3 , respectively. The treatment was given 4 h each time, twice a day for 90 days. Rats of the normal group were fed routinely. The rats' general state and behavior (including fur appearance, activities in cage, response to external stimuli, spirit, stool, diet and water drinking) were recorded, and the olfactory function was assessed by using latency of finding the buried food pellet (BFP) test. The number of apoptotic olfactory epithelial cells was counted after terminal labeling (TUNEL), and the proliferation of basal cells of the nasal mucosa was detected by BrdU incorporation immunohistochemical technique., Results: The latency of BFP was significantly longer in the MCMSI and HCMSI groups than in the normal and LCMSI groups ( P <0.01), and had no significant differences between the LCMSI and normal groups, and between the MCMSI and HCMSI groups ( P >0.05). The numbers of the apoptotic olfactory epithelial cells and proliferative basal cell in the nasal mucus tissue were markedly more in the LCMSI, MCMSI and HCMSI groups than in the normal group ( P <0.01, P <0.05), and obviously more in the MCMSI and HCMSI groups than in the LMCMSI group ( P <0.01), and apparently more in the HCMSI group than in the MCMSI group ( P <0.01). The general state observation showed that in the first 45 days, only yellowish fur and water intake increase were seen in rats of the 3 moxa smoke inhalation groups, while no obvious changes in rats of the LCMSI group, and decrease in activities, being sensitive to external stimulation and fiddle-footed, and lower spirit in rats of the MCMSI and HCMSI groups in comparison with rats of the normal group after 90 day's MSI., Conclusion: Long-term inhalation of medium and high concentrations of moxa smoke may cause a reduction of the olfactory sensitivity and an increase of apoptosis of olfactory epithelial cells and proliferation of basal cells.

Objective: To observe the effect of Qiang Jin exercises on the muscle strength and activity of lumbar spine in patients with lumbar disc herniation., Methods: From March 2016 to September 2017, at the Department of Orthopaedics, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a total of 110 subjects were enrolled, and 98 eligible subjects were screened. The subjects were randomized by stratified randomization and divided into experimental group and control group, 49 cases in each group, 25 males and 24 females in the experimental group, 25 males and 24 females in the control group. The experimental group exercised with Qiang Jin exercises, one time each morning and evening, each time10 sets were made;the control group used classic rehabilitation training, training twice a week, and three months was a course of treatment. After 12 weeks of training, the muscle strength and activity of the lumbar spine were evaluated and compared with the muscle strength and activity of the lumbar spine before training., Results: The experimental group and the control group had different muscle strength and activity of the lumbar spine before and after treatment ( P <0.05). There was no significant difference between two groups after treatment( P >0.05)., Conclusion: Qiang Jin exercises can effectively improve the muscle strength and activity of the lumbar spine and improve the daily living ability of patients.