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In this study, a knee osteoarthritis (KOA) rat model induced by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) was used to study the effect of moxibustion on improving knee cartilage damage and its effect on the intestinal flora. The experimental rats were divided into the normal group (N), model group (M), moxibustion treatment group (MS), and diclofenac sodium treatment group (DS). After 4 weeks, cartilage pathological damage in the knee joint was evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin and safranin O-fast green staining analysis. ELISAs and Western blots were used to detect the expression levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the serum and cartilage, respectively. The total DNA of the fecal samples was extracted and subjected to high-throughput sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene to analyze the changes in the intestinal flora. In the model group, the cartilage was obviously damaged, the expression levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the serum and cartilage were increased, and the abundance and diversity of the intestinal flora were decreased. Moxibustion treatment significantly improved the cartilage damage and reduced the concentration of inflammatory factors in the serum and cartilage. The high-throughput sequencing results showed that compared to the model group, the moxibustion treatment regulated some specific species in the intestinal microorganisms rather than the α diversity. In conclusion, our findings suggest that moxibustion treatment may work through two aspects in rats. On one hand, it directly acts on knee cartilage to promote repair, and on the other hand, it regulates the composition of the intestinal flora and reduces the production of inflammatory factors.

To analyze the compatible rules of acupoints in the treatment of migraine with acupuncture and moxibustion based on complex network technique so as to provide a reference for composing best acupoint recipes.Clinical papers about acupuncture treatment of migraine published from January of 2010 to October of 2020 were searched from Chinese and English databases including CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and Pubmed by using keywords of acupuncture, moxibustion and migraine. According to our inclusive and exclusive criteria, the collected papers were screened out to set up a database. The SPSS Modeler 18.0 software was used to analyze the association rules of acupoints, and the Gephi 0.9.2 software was used to conduct a complex network analysis about the compatibility rules of acupoints and their application characteristics of moxibustion and needling methods in the treatment of migraine.In the end, 572 articles meeting the conclusive criteria were selected, and a total of 1 091 acupoint prescriptions for the treatment of migraine were extracted, including 230 acupoints with a total appea-rance frequency of 7 902. Those acupoints most frequently used were mainly attributed to the Gallbladder Meridian, with Fengchi (GB20) being the highest in the cumulative frequency. The association rule analysis showed that the highest supporting degree acupoints was GB20-Taiyang(EX-HN5). The highest levels of confidence were EX-HN5-Touwei(ST8), GB20-Baihui(GV20), and GB20-ST8. The analysis of complex network topology showed that a total of 17 acupoints including GB20, EX-HN5, Shuaigu(GB8), Taichong(LR3), GV20, Ashi point, etc. were the core node acupoints for acupuncture treatment of migraine.In the treatment of migraine, the acupoints selected are mainly distributed in the head region. When the specific acupoints chosen, the five Shu acupoints, Yuan (source) acupoints and the confluent acupoints of eight meridians are frequently used. In terms of composing acupoint recipes, the acupoints in the local and distant part of the body are often used in combination. These outcomes may have a certain guiding significance for clinical treatment of migraine.

Mitochondria play an essential role in pathophysiology of both inflammatory and neuropathic pain (NP), but the mechanisms are not yet clear. Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) is broadly expressed in the central nervous system and plays a role in the induction of mitochondrial fission process. Spared nerve injury (SNI), due to the dysfunction of the neurons within the spinal dorsal horn (SDH), is the most common NP model. We explored the neuroprotective role of Drp1 within SDH in SNI. SNI mice showed pain behavior and anxiety-like behavior, which was associated with elevation of Drp1, as well as increased density of mitochondria in SDH. Ultrastructural analysis showed SNI induced damaged mitochondria into smaller perimeter and area, tending to be circular. Characteristics of vacuole in the mitochondria further showed SNI induced the increased number of vacuole, widened vac-perimeter and vac-area. Stable overexpression of Drp1 via AAV under the control of the Drp1 promoter by intraspinal injection (Drp1 OE) attenuated abnormal gait and alleviated pain hypersensitivity of SNI mice. Mitochondrial ultrastructure analysis showed that the increased density of mitochondria induced by SNI was recovered by Drp1 OE which, however, did not change mitochondrial morphology and vacuole parameters within SDH. Contrary to Drp1 OE, down-regulation of Drp1 in the SDH by AAV-Drp1 shRNA (Drp1 RNAi) did not alter painful behavior induced by SNI. Ultrastructural analysis showed the treatment by combination of SNI and Drp1 RNAi (SNI + Drp1 RNAi) amplified the damages of mitochondria with the decreased distribution density, increased perimeter and area, as well as larger circularity tending to be more circular. Vacuole data showed SNI + Drp1 RNAi increased vacuole density, perimeter and area within the SDH mitochondria. Our results illustrate that mitochondria within the SDH are sensitive to NP, and targeted mitochondrial Drp1 overexpression attenuates pain hypersensitivity. Drp1 offers a novel therapeutic target for pain treatment., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • SNI induces pain hypersensitivity and increases Drp1 within SDH in mice. • Targeted up-regulation of Drp1 in SDH attenuates SNI-pain hypersensitivity. • Targeted up-regulation of Drp1 restores mitochondrial fragmentation and swelling. • Targeted down-regulation of Drp1 does not alleviate pain with the deteriorated mitochondrial damages. • Drp1 offers a novel therapeutic target for pain treatment.

王雪苔，著名中医针灸学家，中国中医科学院针灸研究所创始人之一、第二任所长，国家级非物质文化遗产项目“针灸”代表性传承人。系统回顾王雪苔教授的治学与工作成就，将其学术思想及贡献归纳总结为：捋清针灸发展的源流，奠定了针灸学术史研究的基础；重视灸法，推动新兴针法发展；强调保持针灸特色的目的是提高临床疗效；倡导针灸标准化，以标准化推进国际化；守正创新，力促中医针灸现代化。.

The scalp acupuncture therapy, an important component of the microneedle system of the acupuncturology, is effective in the treatment of multiple types of diseases. In the present paper, we made a comparative analysis about the theoretical basis, acupoint location and main clinical indications of the ten academic schools of scalp-acupuncture, including FANG Yun-peng's Scalp Acupuncture, JIAO Shun-fa's Scalp Acupuncture, ZHU Ming-qing's Scalp Acupuncture, etc. which are widely used in clinic at present after collecting the related articles published in recent 60 years from databases of CNKI, Wanfang and VIP, and relevant books. These nine academic schools are similar in clinical indications (such as neurological disorders, brain-derived di-seases) and in needle inserting angle and depth, and different in the needling manipulations, needlingmethods, needle retaining time, theoretical basis, attending diseases of the same one stimulated region, and the position and yin or yang of holograms. The main problems facing the scalp acupuncture are non-uniform positioning method, non-uniform needling method, and non-uniform indications of the same scalp acupoint. Up to now, it remains unclear that which academic school is better in the therapeutic efficacy, thus, we should strengthen clinical research to find out its inherent law in diagnosis and treatment, constantly optimize the needle scheme, determine the best scalp-acupoint position and best needling manipulations, quantize and standardize the related issues, and accelerate the integration of the different academic schools, so as to improve clinical curative effect and to further promote the application and popularization, serving the patients in a better way.通过查阅中国知网、万方、维普数据库以及头针各流派相关书籍，对近60年与头针相关的文献进行整理，比较目前应用较广泛的方云鹏头针、焦顺发头针、朱明清头针等10个头针流派的理论基础、选穴部位、临床优势病种等，以期为治疗不同疾病提供头针疗法的最佳刺激部位、全息象、针刺手法、针刺角度、留针时间等, 减少临床选穴(区)的盲目性。众多头针流派各有特点，应通过严密的科学研究找出临床中头针最佳治疗方案，促进流派间的融合，使头针更加规范化和标准化，为临床使用头针提供参考，提高临床疗效，促进头针疗法的应用与推广。.

Master DOU Han-qing is one famous acupuncturist in the Jin and Yuan Dynasties of China. In consideration of his newly neatened works由于《窦太师针经》《针灸集成》《盘石金直刺秘传》三书的重见于世, 故对窦汉卿学术成就进行更加系统全面的归纳总结。窦氏学术成就主要有六大方面：融汇先贤之要, 厘正前人之误；刺法创新；穴法创新；继承发展宋代针方, 创立针灸诊疗模式；启发明代诸家针法；以“赋”载道。最后, 立足于现代, 对窦汉卿学术成就的启示意义进行了总结。.

The concepts of acupuncture-moxibustion "academic school" "school of thought" and "school" are differentiated. It is believed that "academic school" is the general term of "school of thought" and "school". This paper puts forward a solution to the confusion of related concepts, disunity of formation conditions, disunity of divisionmethods and disunity of nomenclature. It is proposed that a great concentration should be put on the arrangement of acupuncture-moxibustion academic school and the regulation on related issues. Because of the complexity and diversity of the form and content of acupuncture-moxibustion schools, the division of them should not be so specified and the unification of related issues should not be so strictly required.对针灸学术流派、学派、流派的概念进行辨析，认为学术流派为“学派”与“流派”的泛称。对针灸学术流派相关概念混淆、形成条件不统一、划分方法不统一、命名不统一的问题提出解决方案，认为应把更多精力放于针灸学派的整理、规范其相关问题；而针灸流派由于其从形式到内容的复杂性及多样性，划分不宜太过精细，对于相关问题的统一亦可不做严格要求。.

In this work, a new strain WR-17 was isolated for photo-fermentative hydrogen production and its hydrogen production capacity was investigated by utilizing main liquid byproducts of three dark fermentation types in batch culture. Experimental results indicated that strain WR-17 was identified as genus Rhodopseudomonas and maximum hydrogen yield of 2.42 mol H2/mol acetate was obtained when the acetate was used as sole carbon source. Strain WR-17 had an excellent ability of using mixed short chain acids of three typical fermentations such as acetate and ethanol, acetate and butyrate, acetate and propionate. Result demonstrated that the metabolites of butyric acid-type fermentation as substrate is fitting to produce hydrogen and maximum cumulative hydrogen volume of 2156 ml/L-medium was obtained when acetate of 30 mmol/L and butyrate of 15 mmol/L were used. Therefore, butyric acid-type fermentation has great potential for further obtaining high hydrogen yield by the combining photo-fermentation.

To investigate the application characteristics of electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy, so as to provide a basis for clinical use of EA therapy.Keywords of "electroacupuncture""peripheral neuropathy" "facial paralysis" "trigeminal neuralgia" "sciatica" "common peroneal nerve injury" "diabetic peripheral neuropathy" "intercostal neuralgia" "gluteal epithelial neuritis" "ulnar nerve injury" "median nerve paralysis" "postherpetic neuralgia", and "great occipital neuralgia" were used to search articles in both English and Chinese published from 1999 to 2019 in databases of CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM, Ovid, PubMed and Embase and related books such as electroacupuncture, and neurology, followed by establishing a database of "Electroacupuncture Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy". Then, the collected articles were put into statistical analysis after sorting, screening, input, checking, and data extracting by using data mining technology and statistical software EpiData.Of the searched 1 528 papers, 778 were eligible, involving 13 types of peripheral neuropathy which the facial paralysis and facial spasm were most frequently seen, followed by trigeminal neuralgia and sciatica, with an effective rate being above 90% for nearly all the 13 diseases. The acupoints employed were chiefly those close to the affected area and distribute along the nerve trunk.In addition, about the needling techniques, the penetration needling was frequently used, and the triple needling, quintuple needling and accompanied needling were also used. Regarding the related needle manipulations, the uniform reinforcing-reduction technique was most frequently used. The duration of EA was 30 min, with a highest stimulating frequency of 50 Hz. The acupoint injection was frequently supplemented, followed by moxibustion, and the treatment sessions were usually about 30 times.EA therapy is frequently used in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy, and has some characteristics in acupoint selection, stimulating parameters and some additional needling techniques.

The historical origin of hand acupuncture therapies were collected. The positioning method, acupuncture manipulation and dominant diseases, etc. were compared among 8 kinds of extensively used hand acupuncture schools, such as traditional hand acupuncture, Korean finger needle and梳理手针疗法历史源流，比较目前应用较广泛的传统手针派、高丽手指针派、方氏手象针派等8个手针流派的定位方法、针刺手法、优势病种等，发现手针疗法存在定位方法不统一、针刺方法不统一、优势病种模糊等问题。未来研究中，要优化手针方案，寻找最佳全息象、针刺手法及量化标准，促进流派间的融合，形成相关规范，制定相关国家标准，以促进手针疗法的应用与发展。.

Summarized the characteristics and rules of总结针灸古代文献中窦汉卿针灸处方特点和规律，为研究窦汉卿学术思想以及现代针灸临床提供参考。对窦氏针灸处方的文献进行收集、整理、录入，建立窦汉卿针灸处方数据库，对处方中的腧穴进行频次分析，并采用Apriori算法分析处方用穴规律。共收录窦汉卿针灸处方446个，针灸处方最多用穴12个。治疗病种以内科病症、头面躯体痛症及五官科病症最多。窦汉卿所有处方中总共用穴205个，包括25个奇穴。窦汉卿针灸处方中关联程度较强的穴对有7组，分别为合谷-足三里、足三里-中脘、合谷-曲池、合谷-委中、曲池-肩井、委中-曲池和委中-足三里。选穴原则以近部选穴和远部选穴为主；配穴方法以上下配穴、本经配穴和表里经配穴为主；注重刺灸法与腧穴的配合，注重针刺顺序。.

To analyze the acupoint combination regularities and application characteristics of core acupoints in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia (MGH) by using complex network technology, so as to provide reliable evidence for clinical selection of acupoints and treatment ideas.The articles related to acupuncture treatment of MGH published from January of 1981 to May of 2020 were collected from databases as China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (Wanfang), Chinese Journal of Science and Technology of VIP (VIP), PubMed, the Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Cochrane Library, and Web of Science and Ovid database (OVID) according to the set inclusion and exclusion criteria of the present paper and by using keywords of "mammary gland hyperplasia", "mastalgia" or "fibrocystic breast change", "breast cystic hyperplasia ", etc. plus "acupuncture", "moxibustion", etc. Then, a correlative database model was established by using SPSS Modeler 18.0 to analyze their association regularities, followed by conducting a complex network analysis with Gephi 0.9.2 software.A total of 312 eligible articles containing 343 acupoint prescriptions and 113 acupoints were collected. The total frequency of use of the 113 acupoints was 1 998. The association regularity analysis showed a top relativity between Danzhong(CV17) and Zusanli(ST36). The analysis of the complex network topology revealed that CV17, Qimen(LR14), Sanyinjiao(SP6), Taichong(LR3), ST36, Jianjing(GB21), Rugen(ST18), Wuyi(ST15), Neiguan(PC6), Ashi-points, Fenglong (SP40), Guanyuan(CV4), Taixi(KI3), Tianzong(SI11), Ganshu (BL18), and Hegu(LI14) are the core acupoints for treatment of MGH. The principle for composing acupoint prescriptions is mainly the combination of acupoints on the left and right sides, the upper and lower parts, front and back parts of the body, respectively, and those of the outer and inner meridians, and those of the same name meridians and Zangfu-organ syndrome differentiation. The needle-insertion direction is mostly toward the focus.The composition of acupoint prescriptions for treating MGH with acupuncture and moxibustion is mainly based on the combination of specific acupoints among which the confluent acupoints are most frequently used, followed by the combination of acupoints distributing at the chest, back, upper and lower limbs, and the local acupoints.

Based on the literature regarding auricular acupuncture in recent 60 years, the theoretical basis, acupuncturemethods and dominant diseases are analyzed and compared, and three major auricular acupuncture schools are proposed. The first school is the sinicized auricular acupuncture school derived from French Nogier auricular acupuncture school, which can be further divided into three branches:整理近60年的耳针相关文献，将其理论基础、针刺方法及优势病种等进行归纳比较，提出了3大耳针流派，即法国诺吉尔耳针派的中国化耳针流派，分为黄氏耳针派、管氏耳针派及陈、许氏耳针派3个支流；由中国古典耳针继承与发展而来的轩辕耳针派；中西医理论相结合且异于诺吉尔耳针派胚胎倒置理论的尉迟氏耳针派。并进一步分析了不同耳针流派的理论来源、耳穴分布特点及其临床应用特色等的异同，以期对今后耳针的临床应用、基础研究及国家标准的完善提供有益借鉴。.

The development and innovation of overseas acupuncture was expounded from four aspects: meridian diagnosis and physical examination, activity of acupoint, acupuncture and moxibustion method and acupuncture level, enrichment and improvement of TCM theory and technology, and it was summarized what can be learned of principles, methods, prescriptions, acupoints and technology. On the basis of inheriting the experience of ancient acupuncture and moxibustion, the advanced experience and theory at home and abroad should be accommodated , which is helpful to better perfect and reconstruct the theoretical system of acupuncture and moxibustion, and realize the sustainable development of acupuncture and moxibustion.从经络诊断和查体、腧穴的活动性、刺灸法及针刺层次、中医理论和技术的丰富与完善4个方面阐述海外针灸的发展和创新，总结其理法方穴术的可借鉴之处。国内针灸应在继承好古代针灸经验的基础上，不断容纳海内外先进的经验和理论，有助于更好地完善、重构针灸理论体系，实现针灸可持续发展。.

To compare the clinical efficacy between moxibustion and acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and to observe the effect on serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA).A total of 60 patients with KOA were randomized into a moxibustion group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and an acupuncture group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off). In the aucpuncture group, acupuncture was applied at Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Dubi (ST 35), Heding (EX-LE 2), Xuehai (SP 10), Liangqiu (ST 34), Zusanli (ST 36) andCompared before treatment, the WOMAC scores and the contents of serum TNF-α, IL-1β and MDA after treatment were reduced (Moxibustion and acupuncture can relieve KOA symptoms, and the therapeutic effect of moxibustion is superior to acupuncture. The mechanism may be related to the reduction of serum inflammatory factor and oxidative stress factor.

To compare the clinical efficacy of acupuncture, electroacupuncture (EA) and moxibustion in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA).A total of eight-four patients with KOA were randomly and equally divided into acupuncture group, EA group and moxibustion group. Neixiyan (EX-LE40), Dubi (ST35), Heding (EX-LE2), Liangqiu (ST34), Xuehai (SP10), Zusanli (ST36) and Ashi-point on the affected side of the body were punctured with filiform needles or EA (2 Hz/100 Hz) for 30 min. In the moxibustion group, moxibustion was applied to the surrounding area of the affected joint for 60 min. The treatment was conducted once every other day for 4 weeks. The pain degree was assessed by using numerical rating scale (NRS) and the Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scale (0－240 points) was used to evaluate the severity of KOA. The "Minimal Clinically Important Improvement (MCII)" was used to assess the therapeutic effect after the treatment.After the treatment, the scores of NRS, and the pain, stiffness, motor function and total scores of WOMAC were significantly decreased in the three groups compared with their own pre-treatment (All the three different kinds of acupuncture and moxibustion methods have positively regulatory effect on KOA, and moxibustion is the best for reducing the joint pain and stiffness, and improving the motor function.

The present study aimed to determine the pharmacokinetics and distribution of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) and its metabolic product methylprednisolone (MP) in plasma and ocular tissues after periocular injection of MPSS in rabbit eyes. Forty-eight healthy New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 12 groups, including the control group and 11 MPSS-treated groups sampling at different time points. Rabbits in the MPSS-treated groups underwent left eye periocular injection of MPSS (10 mg). The pharmacokinetics of MPSS and MP in plasma and ocular tissues (including aqueous humor, vitreous, iris, lens, sclera, optic nerve, and choroid and retina) were investigated by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). After periocular injection, the time of maximum concentration (Tmax) of MPSS ranged from 0.25 h to 1 h in ocular tissues and was 0.25 h in plasma. Tmax of MP in ocular tissues ranged from 0.5 h to 6 h, and Tmax of MP in plasma was 0.5 h. The maximum concentration (Cmax) of MPSS and MP and the area under the curve (AUC0-t) in ocular tissues from high to low was sclera, optic nerve, choroid and retina, iris, and lens. Especially, the concentrations of MPSS and MP in the lens were much lower when compared with the other ocular tissues. After periocular administration, MPSS could be rapidly metabolized to its active constituent MP in the ocular tissues. Also, the MPSS can be delivered effectively into the posterior segment of the eye (choroid and retina), while not easily be absorbed by the lens.

To evaluate the therapeutic effect on the voice recovery of patients with vocal cord polyps undergoing the microsurgery of preoperative voice therapy.Twenty-six patients diagnosed with unilateral vocal cord polyp under stroboscope, who needed to undergo vocal cord loss resection under supportive laryngoscope, were randomly divided into control group (non-voice training) and treatment group (voice training), with each group of 13 patients. Patients in control group were just treated with surgical operation. Apart from surgical treatment, patients in treatment group received 6 hours intensive vocal therapy one week before the surgery. The therapy courses consist of the propaganda and education of voice care, postoperative vocal instruction and the patients' self-training under the guidance of voice therapists. The acoustic parameters (irregularity, breathiness, grade, jitter and shimmer) of the same patient were collected 24 to 48 hours before the surgery and 14 days after the surgery with Ling WAVES. The results were analyzed with SPSS 19.0.The differences of all the five preoperative voice parameters between control group and treatment group are not significant; but postoperative breathiness and jitter in treatment group were significantly lower than that in control group, while the differences of irregularity, overall severity and shimmer were not significant between control group and treatment group. In control group, breathiness and jitter were significantly improved after surgery, while the differences of irregularity, breathiness and shimmer were not significant between preoperation and postoperation. In treatment group, all the five voice parameters were significantly improved after surgery. According to the laryngostroboscopic examination, the vocal fold polyps were excised completely in both groups.Preoperative voice therapy contributes to the recovery of voice quality of the patients with vocal cord polyps. Combined intervention of surgery and voice therapy is an effective method to treat the patients with vocal cord polyps.

Photo-fermentative H2 production by mixed bacteria and pure bacterium Rhodopseudomonas faecalis RLD-53 using single and mixed substrate as carbon source was investigated in batch culture. Experimental results showed that 60 mmol/L acetate was the optimal concentration for mixed bacterial H 2 production and maximum cumulative H2 volume was 2468 ± 123 mL H2/L-culture. It was also found that propionate or butyrate was a key factor for enhancing H2 production in mixed substrate system. Photo-H2 production can be greatly promoted when proper concentration of propionate and butyrate were added into acetate medium as mixed substrate and a higher H2 yield of 2931 ± 146 mL H2/L-culture was obtained. In addition, it was worth noting that when the strain RLD-53 was added into mixed bacteria with different concentration ratios, H2 yield did not yet increase. Interestingly, H2 production capacity gradually decreased with ratio of strain RLD-53 to mixed bacteria from 8:0 to 4:4, and then gradually increased from 4:4 to 0:8. This implied that the competition relationship between strain RLD-53 and mixed bacteria in substrate utilization strongly influenced their H2 production.

With the long-term evolution, the bovine horn as the primary protective and offensive weapon has superior mechanical properties. The bovine horn consists of two parts, the keratinous horn sheath and the bony core. The keratinous is natural composite material with a highly toughness and can bear impact and repeated loads during fighting. It has a complex hierarchical microarchitecture. To establish the qualitative model for finding the possible relationship between structure and mechanical properties of bovine horn, in this paper, the model was established that based on the parameters provided by microstructure imaging and nanoindentation testing from transverse and longitudinal directions. Which would provide information useful for the developing bionic composite materials for micro-aircraft, bionic tribology, bionic medical apparatus and bionic organs (tissue engineering).

Pneumatic transmission system structure is complex and procedural abstraction. The system can also be difficult to test the intuitive way. Effective design and test means become one of important content in pneumatic system design. This paper introduces the FluidSIM software environment pneumatic transmission system design and simulation function and design milk packing line pressure drive system. It is proved that the system is feasible.

The restructuring/deregulation in electric power industry has heightened the importance of risk assessment. A model to estimate value-at-risk via GARCHSK specification is proposed, in which the seasonalities, heteroscedasticities, skewnesses, kurtosises and relationship to system loads are jointly addressed. The impacts of probability distribution assumption for innovations on value-at-risk estimate validation are analyzed for three distributions: normal, student-t and Gram-Charlier series expansion of the normal density function. The numerical example shows that the proposed model performs better in predicting one-period-ahead VaR.

The study aims of this study is to analyze and evaluate the resourceful chemical compositions in different parts of mature fruit of Zanthoxylum bungeanum, and provide a scientific basis for the comprehensive utilization of this medicinal plant resources. GC-MS method was used to analyze the volatile oils and the fatty acids, and HPLC method was used to determine the flavonoids and phenolic acids in the pericarp, seed and seed oil of Z.bungeanum. There were 26, 19 and 11 kinds of volatile components detected in the pericarp, seed and seed oil, respectively, in which terpenoids and their oxy-derivatives were the main components, and the contents of linalool and its esters in pericarp were relatively high. The contents of total fatty acids in the pericarp, seed and seed oil were 108.42, 331.63, 966.04 mg•g⁻¹, respectively.Oleic acid, linoleic acid andα-linolenic acid were abundantin all samples. The pericarp contains relatively high content of flavonoids, such as hyperoside, quercitrin, rutin, isoquercitrin, while the above components were not detected in the seed and seed oil. These results confirmed that the fruit of Z.bungeanum contains high contents of the resourceful chemical compositions, and their composition and contents were differed among organs, which provide a scientific basis for the utilization of Z.bungeanumfruit.

Option contract is one of the most important instruments for power generators developing bidding strategies and hedging market risk. Based on the peculiarities of bid-based-pool (BBP) power markets, a joint two-stage Cournot equilibrium model for option and spot markets is developed, and analytical formulas for market equilibrium are derived using a backward induction method. The impacts of option contract on efficiency of electricity markets and the behaviors of strategic generators are analyzed. The results show that strategic generators will voluntarily participate in strategic option contracting, and the existence of option contract accelerates the degree of competitive intensity in electricity markets and mitigates the market power abuse of generators to a large extent. In order to retain high spot market price and stable revenues, generators are interested in holding extremely high volatility of spot market price.

The cytotoxic activity against some tumor cell lines of 16 commonly used species of Asarum was evaluated in this study. All of these plants were widely used in Asian countries as traditional medicines or folk medicines. Their inhibitory activities against four tumor cell lines (HL-60, BGC-823, KB and Bel-7402) were compared. It was observed that 10 of the tested extracts (eight ethanol extracts and two water extracts) among 32 extracts of these plants showed cytotoxic activity. Those 95% ethanol extractions from A. caudigerellum, A. forbesii, A. inflatum and A. maximum exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity, and 95% ethanol extracts or water extracts of A. sieboldii var. seoulense, A. himalaicum, A. splendens and A. crispulatum showed selective activity against one or two cells among the tested tumor cells. This is the first report of Asarum plants possessing cytotoxic activity against tumor cell lines.

Hydrogen recovery through solar-driven biomass conversion by photo-fermentative bacteria (PFB) has been regarded as a promising way for sustainable energy production. However, a considerable fraction of organic substrate was consumed for the growth of PFB as biocatalysts, furthermore, these PFB were continuously washed out from the photobioreactor in continuous operation because of their poor flocculation. In this work, PFB bioaggregate induced by L-cysteine was applied in a sequencing batch photobioreactor to enhance continuous hydrogen production and reduce biomass washout. The effects of the hydraulic retention time (HRT), influent concentration and light intensity on hydrogen production of the photobioreactor were investigated. The maximum hydrogen yield (3.35 mol H2/mol acetate) and production rate (1044 ml/l/d) were obtained at the HRT of 96 h, influent concentration of 3.84 g COD/l and light intensity of 200 W/m2. With excellent settling ability, biomass accumulated in the photobioreactor and reached 2.15 g/l under the optimum conditions. Structural analysis of bioaggregate showed that bacterial cells were covered and tightly linked together by extracellular polymeric substances and formed a stable structure. Therefore, PFB bioaggregate induced by L-cysteine is an efficient strategy to improve biomass retention capacity of the photobioreactor and enhance hydrogen recovery efficiency from organic wastes.

Background Integrating hydrogen-producing bacteria with complementary capabilities, dark-fermentative bacteria (DFB) and photo-fermentative bacteria (PFB), is a promising way to completely recover bioenergy from waste biomass. However, the current coupled models always suffer from complicated pretreatment of the effluent from dark-fermentation or imbalance between dark and photo-fermentation, respectively. In this work, an integrated dark and photo-fermentative reactor (IDPFR) was developed to completely convert an organic substrate into bioenergy. Results In the IDPFR, Ethanoligenens harbinese B49 and Rhodopseudomonas faecalis RLD-53 were separated by a membrane into dark and photo chambers, while the acetate produced by E. harbinese B49 in the dark chamber could freely pass through the membrane into the photo chamber and serve as a carbon source for R. faecalis RLD-53. The hydrogen yield increased with increasing working volume of the photo chamber, and reached 3.38 mol H2/mol glucose at the dark-to-photo chamber ratio of 1:4. Hydrogen production by the IDPFR was also significantly affected by phosphate buffer concentration, glucose concentration, and ratio of dark-photo bacteria. The maximum hydrogen yield (4.96 mol H2/mol glucose) was obtained at a phosphate buffer concentration of 20 mmol/L, a glucose concentration of 8 g/L, and a ratio of dark to photo bacteria of 1:20. As the glucose and acetate were used up by E. harbinese B49 and R. faecalis RLD-53, ethanol produced by E. harbinese B49 was the sole end-product in the effluent from the IDPFR, and the ethanol concentration was 36.53 mmol/L with an ethanol yield of 0.82 mol ethanol/mol glucose. Conclusions The results indicated that the IDPFR not only circumvented complex pretreatments on the effluent in the two-stage process, but also overcame the imbalance of growth and metabolic rate between DFB and PFB in the co-culture process, and effectively enhanced cooperation between E. harbinense B49 and R. faecalis RLD-53. Moreover, simultaneous hydrogen and ethanol production were achieved by coupling E. harbinese B49 and R. faecalis RLD-53 in the IDPFR. According to stoichiometry, the hydrogen and ethanol production efficiencies were 82.67% and 82.19%, respectively. Therefore, IDPFR was an effective strategy for coupling DFB and PFB to fulfill efficient energy recovery from waste biomass.

Nine new triterpene saponins, ilekudinosides K-S (1-9), and eight known triterpene saponins were isolated from the 70% ethanol extract of the leaves of Ilex kudingcha. The new saponins were characterized as 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-alpha-kudinlactone (1), 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-beta-kudinlactone (2), 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-gamma-kudinlactone (3), 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-alpha-kudinlactone (4), 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-alpha-kudinlactone (5), 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-alpha-kudinlactone (6), 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-beta-kudinlactone (7), 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-beta-kudinlactone (8), and 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-gamma-kudinlactone (9), respectively. The structures and stereochemistry of compounds 1-9 were elucidated by spectroscopic data interpretation and chemical degradation.

Ursolic acid and 2α-hydroxyursolic acid isolated from apple peels were found to show growth inhibitory activity against four tumor cell lines, HL-60, BGC, Bel-7402 and Hela. Structural modifications were performed on the C-3, C-28 and C-11 positions of ursolic acid and the cytotoxicity of the derivatives was evaluated. The SAR revealed that the triterpenes possessing two hydrogen-bond forming groups (an H-donor and a carbonyl group) at positions 3 and 28 exhibit cytotoxic activity. The configuration at C-3 was found to be important for the activity. Introduction of an amino group increased the cytotoxicity greatly. A 3β-amino derivative was 20 times more potent than the parent ursolic acid. The 28-aminoalkyl dimer compounds showed selective cytotoxicity.

A series of novel organoantimony arylhydroxamates with the formulae [Ar 3 SbL 2 ] − [HNEt 3 ] + (LH = arylhydroxamic acid; Ar = C 6 H 5 , 4-CH 3 C 6 H 4 , 3-CH 3 C 6 H 4 , 4-ClC 6 H 4 , 4-FC 6 H 4 ) and (4-CH 3 C 6 H 4 ) 4 SbL were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1 H NMR and mass spectroscopy. The crystal structures of (4-CH 3 C 6 H 4 ) 4 SbL and [Ph 3 SbL 2 ] − [HNEt 3 ] + were determined by X-ray diffraction. The in vitro antitumor activities of all compounds against three human cancer cells are reported.

A series of novel arylantimony derivatives of analogues of demethylcantharimide with the formulae ArnSbL(5−n) and ArnSbL′(5−n)(LH=N-hydroxy-demethyldehydrogencantharimide, L′H=N-hydroxy-demethylcantharimide, n=3, 4; ArC6H5, 4-CH3C6H4, 3-CH3C6H4, 2-CH3C6H4, 4-ClC6H4, 4-FC6H4) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR and mass spectroscopy. The crystal structures of (C6H5)4SbL, (4-CH3C6H4)3SbL2 and (3-CH3C6H4)3SbL′2 were determined by X-ray diffraction. The in vitro antitumor activities of all compounds against six cancer cells are reported.

A series of triarylbismuth(V) di(N-p-toluenesulfonyl)aminoacetates with the formula (4-CH 3 C 6 H 4 SO 2 NHCH 2 CO 2 ) 2 BiAr 3 (Ar=C 6 H 5 , 4-CH 3 C 6 H 4 , 4-ClC 6 H 4 , 4-BrC 6 H 4 ) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1 H NMR and mass spectra. The crystal structure of (4-CH 3 C 6 H 4 SO 2 NHCH 2 CO 2 ) 2 Bi(C 6 H 4 Cl-4) 3 was determined and shows the bismuth to exist in a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. Four human neoplastic cell lines (HL-60, PC-3MIE8, BGC-823 and MDA-MB-435) were used to screen these compounds. The results indicate that these compounds at 10 μM show cytotoxicity.

A series of arylantimony ferrocenecarboxylates with the formula (C 5 H 5 FeC 5 H 4 CO 2 ) n SbAr (5-n) (n = 1, 2; Ar = C 6 H 5 , 4-CH 3 C 6 H 4 , 3-CH 3 C 6 H 4 , 2-CH 3 C 6 H 4 , 4-ClC 6 H 4 , 4-FC 6 H 4 ) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1 H NMR and mass spectra. The crystal structures of (C 5 H 5 FeC 5 H 4 CO 2 ) 2 Sb(4-CH 3 C 6 H 4 ) 3 and C 5 H 5 FeC 5 H 4 CO 2 SbPh 4 were determined by X-ray diffraction. Four human neoplastic cell lines (HL-60, Bel-7402, KB and Hela) were used to screen these compounds. The results indicate that these compounds at 10 μM show certain in vitro antitumor activities.

A series of novel tetraphenylantimony(V) derivatives of the analogues of demethylcantharidin and demethyldehydrogencantharidin, exo-7-oxa-bicyclo[2,2,1]-heptane-3-arylamide-2-carboxylic acid and exo-7-oxa-bicyclo[2,2,1]-heptene-3-arylamide-2-carboxylic acid, of the general formulas , , , and have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, 1H NMR and mass spectroscopy. Preliminary antitumor activity tests show that these compounds have significant antitumor activity in vitro against five human neoplastic cell lines.

As the first defence for cells to counteract the toxicity of active oxygen, superoxide dismutase (SOD) plays an important role in the response of living organisms to stress and cell differentiation. One extracellular Cu-ZnSOD (ecCu-ZnSOD), and two MnSODs, were identified based on the Volvariella volvacea genome sequence. All three genes have complicated alternative splicing modes during transcription; only when the fourth intron is retained can the Vv_Cu-Znsod1 gene be translated into a protein sequence with SOD functional domains. The expression levels of the three sod genes in the pilei are higher than in the stipe. The Vv_Cu-Znsod1 and the Vv_Mnsod2 are co-expressed in different developmental stages of the fruiting body, with the highest level of expression in the pilei of the egg stage, and they show a significant, positive correlation with the efficiency of karyogamy, indicating the potential role of these two genes during karyogamy. The expression of the ecCu-Znsod and two Vv_Mnsod genes showed a significant up-regulated when treated by cold stress for one hour; however, the lack of the intracellular Cu-ZnSOD encoding gene (icCu-Znsod) and the special locus of the ecCu-Znsod gene initiation codon suggested a possible reason for the autolysis phenomenon of V. volvacea in cold conditions.

The volatility of electricity price is the important information for the risk management of power markets and the pricing of power financial derivatives. A GARCH-M model in which the multi-cycle properties of electricity price series are described by dummy variable and sine function is proposed. The model is easy to select the order, and holds parsimonious scale of estimated parameters and high practical application value. The numerical example based on the historical data of the PJM market shows that the hetero-scedasticity and the load squares have a significant effect on the mean electricity price, and there exists volatility clustering.

Six new type binuclear platinum(II) complexes (a-f) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity, thermal analysis, IR, UV, (1)H NMR and mass spectra techniques. The cytotoxicity of the complexes was tested by MTT and SRB assays. The cell cycle analysis and the levels of total platinum bound to DNA were measured by flow cytometry and ICP-MS, respectively. The results indicate that the complex (a) has no cytotoxicity against HL-60, BGC-823, Bel-7402, KB and Hela, the complexes (b, c, e and f) have weaker cytotoxicity against some tested carcinoma cell lines, the complex (d) has better cytotoxicity against HL-60, BGC-823, Bel-7402, KB, MCF-7, HCT-8 and Hela with respect to the IC(50) values obtained. The cytotoxicity of the complex (d) is equal to that of cisplatin against HL-60 and Bel-7402 (P0.05), but it has better cytotoxicity than that of cisplatin against BGC-823 and MCF-7 (P0.05). The complex (d) causes significant G(2)/M arrest and a concomitant decrease of cell population in G(1) and S phases, and the total DNA platination levels of the complex (d) are higher than those of cisplatin under the same experimental conditions. It suggests that the bridging linker has important effect on their cytotoxicity. Indeed, when the bridging linker is dicarboxylic acid, their cytotoxicity is better than that of platinum complexes with an amino acid as bridging linker. The new type binuclear platinum(II) complexes represent a novel class of anticancer agents, which deserves further attention in search of anticancer lead compounds.

A joint Cournot equilibrium model for generatorspsila strategic option contracting and spot market competition is developed taking transmission constraints into account. This model can be reformulated as an equilibrium problem with equilibrium constraints (EPEC) and be solved by a nonlinear complementarity method. The influence of options on the equilibrium of electricity markets and generatorspsila bidding strategies is analyzed. The study shows that there is more incentive for generators to commit option contracts, and that the existence of option markets is particularly relevant to promoting the efficiency of electricity markets and mitigating the market power abuse of generators. Transmission congestion impairs generatorspsila enthusiasm for options trading, weakens the influence of options on electricity markets, and exacerbates the local market power abuse of generators. Generators can partly or fully appropriate revenues of consumers and transmission rights holders by strategic bids.

Three new cardenolides, 3-O-beta-D-fucopyranosylstrophanthidin (1), 3-O-beta-D-quinovopyranosylperiplogenin (2), and 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --4)-alpha- l-rhamnopyranosylcannogenin (3), together with seven known cardenolides (4- 10), were isolated from a cytotoxic ethanol extract of the whole dried plants of Saussurea stella. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic and chemical methods. When the cytotoxicity of compounds 2- 10 toward Bel-7402 human hepatoma cells and BGC-823 human gastric cancer cells was evaluated, all compounds showed IC 50 values of1 microM for both cell lines. This is the first report of cardenolides occurring in a species of the family Asteraceae.