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A novel algae control strategy in oligotrophic surface water was proposed. Under the combined effect of nutritional competition and bacilysin lysis, a 97% decline in chlorophyll-a content was achieved in South-to-North water and 61.5% in stormwater.

To observe the clinical effect of penetrating moxibustion on migraine without aura (MO) patients.Totally 60 MO patients from the Acupuncture Clinic of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine were collected from November 2015 to February 2017. All patients were assigned to a treatment group and a control group using a random number table, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group was treated with penetrating moxibustion, and the control group was treated with mild moxibustion, thrice a week for 4 consecutive weeks. The total effective rate, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, headache intensity, and Migraine Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MSQ) scores of patients after treatment were compared between the two groups. The moxibustion sensation and reaction after moxibustion were observed, and the adverse reactions were evaluated. All patients were followed up at 4 and 16 weeks after treatment.The total effective rate of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (93.33% vs. 80.00%, P0.05). The improvement of VAS scores, headache intensity, and the role restrictive and role preventive scores in MSQ in the treatment group was better than those in the control group (P0.05). The person-time of moxibustion sensations of itching, numbness and cold as well as flushing and sweating after moxibustion in the treatment group was all significantly higher than that in the control group (P0.01). There was no significant difference in safety evaluation between the two groups (P0.05).Penetrating moxibustion can significantly relieve pain and improve quality of life of MO patients. After penetrating moxibustion, flushing and sweating of patients were obvious, and the curative effect was superior to the mild moxibustion.

Objective To explore the influence of scarring moxibustion on the changes of serum melatonin (MT) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) expressions in the insomnia model rats. Methods A total of 40 SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a scarring moxibustion group, an embedding needling group and a mild moxibustion group, 8 rats in each group. The intraperitoneal injection of p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) was adopted to establish the insomnia model rats and the corresponding interventions were given, consecutively for 6 days. Separately, before modeling and the first intervention as well as before sample collection, the body weight was measured and the serum was collected in the insomnia model rats. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of serum MT and NPY. Results Compared with the blank group, the body weight of rat in the model group was lower (P 0.05). Conclusion The regulation mechanism of sleep-wake circadian rhythm may be related to the levels of serum MT and NPY in the insomnia model rats. Scarring moxibustion increases the levels of MT and NPY more effectively and displays the effect in the intervention as compared with embedding needling and mild moxibustion in the insomnia model rats.

In the paper, two medical cases, i.e. carpal tunnel syndrome and acute chest soft tissue contusion, are treated and reported with acupuncture kinesitherapy, in which the needles are inserted shallowly and no sensation of deqi is required in the guidance of subcutaneous shallow puncture and “pain point as the acupoint”. The mechanism of needling wei method is summarized.

One case of seborrheic dermatitis, male patient, aged 73 years is reported. After treated with acupuncture, penetrating moxibustion and bloodletting therapies, skin lesions on the neck and shoulder regions disappeared, the epidermis returned to normal and itching disappeared. There was no recurrence in the follow-up visit 3 months later. Hence, acupuncture, combined with penetrating moxibustion and bloodletting has a definite effect on this case in the patient and it is worthy of promotion and application in clinical practice.

From our clinical practice, it was found that, using the back-shu acupoints as the main ones together with the symptomized acupoints according to the different syndromes, the therapeutic effect in the treatment of arrhythmia was good. Our experience in acupuncture treatment for arrhythmia is introduced as follows with two cases attached.

A female student, 23 years old, suffering from multiple warts scattered on the right sole for 2 years and pain on the bottom of the first metatarsal bone when walking for 1 month. The case was diagnosed as kujinjian (枯筋箭) in traditional Chinese medicine and verruca plantaris in western medicine. At the beginning of treatment, fire needling therapy was applied to local lesions, once every two days. Afterwards, moxibustion with moxa cone was used at the local lesions, once a day, three cones on each lesion till warts were dropped. Simultaneously, in combination, mild moxibustion was given at bilateral Zusānlĭ (足三里ST36) for 15 min, once a day. After three times of moxibustion therapy, a part of warts were crusted and 3 weeks later, all the warts were dropped. No recurrence was found in the follow-up visit. The therapeutic methods of this case are simple in manipulation and satisfactory in therapeutic effect.

Nitrate accumulation causes long-time threat to aquatic animals in recirculating aquaculture system (RAS); thus, nitrate removal is also required in RASs. However, the lack of carbon sources makes denitrification difficult to function. Nitrate removal performance of an aerobic denitrifying and extracellular polyhydroxyalkanoate depolymerase–producing bacterium, Pseudomonas sp. AOB-7, using polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) granules as a solid sustained-release carbon source in RAS was evaluated. With the initial nitrate-N concentration of 140 mg/L, the high denitrification rates of 0.056 g NO3−-N L−1 day−1 and 0.035 g NO3−-N L−1 day−1 were achieved in denitrification medium containing poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), respectively. Significant erosions and pits formed on the surface of the granules made them a good biofilm carrier for AOB-7, and 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-HB) monomer was the major product released to aquatic phase, which was benefit to animals. SEM photos showed that AOB-7 entered and attached on the inside of the PHA particle holes. A 4-week application trial was conducted to reveal the effects of PHB (AOB-7) denitrifying agent and 3-HB produced on growth of zebrafish (Brachydanio rerio) by adding 0.1% (w/v) PHB (AOB-7) denitrifying agent. Result indicated that PHB (AOB-7) denitrifying agent can significantly reduce nitrate-N content in RASs. Compared with the control group, feed coefficient ratio reduced by 18% and weight gain ratio increased by 29% in the PHB (AOB-7) denitrifying agent group. 3-HB monomer produced during the denitrification was speculated to function as a prebiotic and promote zebrafish growth. • AOB-7 showed a good aerobic denitrifying ability on PHA granules as sustained-release C source. • PHB (AOB-7) denitrifying agent can significantly reduce nitrate content in RAS. • R-3-HB monomer was the major product released to aquatic phase and function as a prebiotic.

Professor Shao Jing-ming had practiced Chinese medicine for more than 80 years with rich clinical experience and exquisite acupuncture techniques. From his clinical experience, Professor Shao’s clinical features can be summarized as the followings: attaching importance to the theory of meridians and collaterals, combining pattern identification and disease identification, using fewer acupoints for treatment, and using Ashi point and Hegu (LI 4) to treat goiter. He emphasized the priority and sequence in acupoint-selection and manipulation. In treatment of epilepsy, he proposed to treat it according to the situation and paid great attention to the special function of the extraordinary acupoints. During the onset, it should be managed by calming the mind and controlling the symptoms; during the remission period, acupuncture and drugs should be applied simultaneously to regulate qi-blood and yin-yang, so as to reduce the frequency of attacks. He believed that acupuncture manipulation be one of the key factors in achieving the efficacy. In treatment of the motive diseases, such as convulsions and cramps, acupuncture with static and longer needle-retaining time should be adopted to control the limb movement, to strengthen the stimulation and to obtain a long-term efficacy. Professor Shao Jing-ming’s medical records range from internal medicine, external medicine, gynecology and pediatrics, listing various refractory diseases effectively treated by him. Professor Shao was a moral and erudite Chinese medicine master, and his clinical experience is worthy of inheritance and development.

Heterotrophic nitrifiers are able to oxidize and remove ammonia from nitrogen-rich wastewaters but the genetic elements of heterotrophic ammonia oxidation are poorly understood. Here, we isolated and identified a novel heterotrophic nitrifier, Alcaligenes ammonioxydans sp. nov. strain HO-1, oxidizing ammonia to hydroxylamine and ending in the production of N

On the base of the principle of penetrating moxibustion and in combination with free adjustment devices such as movable U-shaped moxa stick holder and movable clamp, a new type of moxibustion box exerted on the head is designed, with precise positioning and sufficient heat intensity.根据透灸原理，结合可移动U型艾条架和可移动固定夹等自由调节装置，设计一种精准定位、火力充足的新型头部灸箱。百会灸箱由箱体和枕垫两部分构成，两者成一体结构，箱体外活动门上均匀分布有多个竖向的条形通孔，条形通孔内侧U型艾条架和外侧固定夹连接在一起，可以上下前后移动，调节高度，具有准确定位、节能控温、节省人力的特点。.

To explore the efficacy and action mechanism of penetrating moxibustion at governor vessel for persistent allergic rhinitis of deficiency-cold syndrome.Ninety patients with persistent allergic rhinitis of deficiency-cold syndrome were randomly divided into an observation group (Compared before treatment, the TCM symptom scores, VAS scores, RQLQ scores, serum levels of IgE and complete blood count of EOS in the two groups were all reduced after treatment (Based on the momethasone furoate nasal spray, the adjuvant treatment of penetrating moxibustion at governor vessel could significantly improve the clinical symptoms in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis of deficiency-cold syndrome, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of immune disorder.

Flowering plants always attract animals providing rewards or deceptive signals to gain reproductive success. However, there is no well-documented reporting about a pollination mechanism with both rewards and deceptive signals by a same object. We found Cypripedium wardii flowers seem to attract visitors by the white pseudopollenlike trichomes on labella in our preliminary field observation.To explore the pollination mechanism of Cypripedium wardii, especially, the ecological function of the pseudopollen-like trichomes, we conducted field observations, analyses of the traits of visitors and flowers, and breeding system experiments.The white trichomes composed by multicellular moniliform hairs on the floral labella played a crucial role to attract pollinators, causing a high natural fruit set ratio in C. wardii. We established the direct connection of the white trichomes and real pollen.We propose that flowers of C. wardii provide pseudopollen to attract suitable bees and hoverflies as pollinators. And our evidence indicate that the pseudopollen owns both deceptive and rewarding ecological functions. Our study provide a clear pollination mechanism with both rewards and deceptive signals by a same object in angiosperm for the first time. However, an inbreeding depression seem to be caused by this strategy. And we speculated that the pollen mimicry strategy with both rewarding and deceptive functions in C. wardii may be an adaptation to the habitat fragmentation of this species to gain a reproductive assurance.

Most species in the genus Cypripedium (Cypripedioideae) produce trap flowers, making it a model lineage to study deceptive pollination. Floral attractants in most species studied appear to target bee species of different sizes. However, more recent publications report fly pollination in some subalpine species, suggesting novel suites of adaptive floral traits. Cypripedium lichiangense (section Trigonopedia) is an endangered subalpine species endemic to the Hengduan Mountains, China. We observed and analysed its floral traits, pollinators and breeding systems over 2 years in situ and in the lab. Cypripedium lichiangense was visited by females of Ferdinandea cuprea (Syrphidae). The pollinia were carried dorsally on the fly thoraces. The eggs of this fly were frequently found in the saccate labellum and on other floral organs, suggesting brood-site mimesis. The orchid is self-compatible, but cross-pollination produces more viable embryos. We propose a new mode of floral mimesis, humus-rich oviposition site mimicry, for C. lichiangense. Compared with the mimesis of aphid colonies attracting syrphid pollinators (subfamily Syrphinae), whose larvae are entomophagic, as reported in some Paphiopedilum species (Cypripedioideae), pollination by deceit in C. lichiangense represents a distinct and separate mode of exploitation of another saprophagic (or phytophagic) larvae syrphid lineage in the subfamily Eristalinae and appears to indicate diversity of pollination strategies in Section Trigonopedia of Cypripedium. However, this new brood-site mimesis seems to be less attractive to pollinators. As a possible adaptation to the weak attracted pollination strategy, this plant species has a long flowering period and extended lifespan of individual flowers to ensure reproductive success.

Amoxicillin (AMX), one of the micro-amount hazardous pollutants, was frequently detected in environments, and of great risks to environments and human health. Microbial degradation is a promising method to eliminate pollutants. In this study, an efficient AMX-degrading strain, Ads-6, was isolated and characterized. Strain Ads-6, belonging to the genus Bosea, was also able to grow on AMX as the sole carbon and nitrogen source, with a removal of ~60% TOC. Ads-6 exhibited strong AMX-degrading ability at initial concentrations of 0.5-2 mM and pH 6-8. Addition of yeast extract could significantly enhance its degrading ability. Many degradation intermediates were identified by HPLC-MS, including new ones such as two phosphorylated products which were firstly defined in AMX degradation. A new AMX degradation pathway was proposed accordingly. Moreover, the results of comparative transcriptomes and proteomes revealed that β-lactamase, L, D-transpeptidase or its homologous enzymes were responsible for the initial degradation of AMX. Protocatechuate branch of the beta-ketoadipate pathway was confirmed as the downstream degradation pathway. These results in the study suggested that Ads-6 is great potential in biodegradation of antibiotics as well as in the bioremediation of contaminated environments.

As the basal bricks, the dynamics and arrangement of nucleosomes orchestrate the higher architecture of chromatin in a fundamental way, thereby affecting almost all nuclear biology processes. Thanks to its rather simple protocol, ATAC-seq has been rapidly adopted as a major tool for chromatin-accessible profiling at both bulk and single-cell level. However, to picture the arrangement of nucleosomes per se remains a challenge with ATAC-seq. In the present work, we introduce a novel ATAC-seq analysis toolkit, named deNOPA, to predict nucleosome positions. Assessments showed that deNOPA not only outperformed state-of-the-art tools, but it is the only tool able to predict nucleosome position precisely with ultrasparse ATAC-seq data. The remarkable performance of deNOPA was fueled by the reads from short fragments, which compose nearly half of sequenced reads and are normally discarded from nucleosome position detection. However, we found that the short fragment reads enrich information on nucleosome positions and that the linker regions were predicted by reads from both short and long fragments using Gaussian smoothing. We applied deNOPA to a single-cell ATAC-seq dataset and deciphered the intrapopulation heterogeneity of the human erythroleukemic cell line (K562). Last, using deNOPA, we showed that the dynamics of nucleosome organization may not directly couple with chromatin accessibility in the cis-regulatory regions when human cells respond to heat shock stimulation. Our deNOPA provides a powerful tool with which to analyze the dynamics of chromatin at nucleosome position level in the single-cell ATAC-seq age.

Heterotrophic nitrifiers are able to oxidize and remove ammonia from nitrogen-rich wastewaters but the genetic elements of heterotrophic ammonia oxidation are poorly understood. Here, we isolated and identified a novel heterotrophic nitrifier, Alcaligenes ammonioxydans sp. nov. strain HO-1, oxidizing ammonia to hydroxylamine and ending in the production of N2 gas. Genome analysis revealed that strain HO-1 encoded a complete denitrification pathway but lacks any genes coding for homologous to known ammonia monooxygenases or hydroxylamine oxidoreductases. Our results demonstrated strain HO-1 denitrified nitrite (not nitrate) to N2 and N2O at anaerobic and aerobic conditions respectively. Further experiments demonstrated that inhibition of aerobic denitrification did not stop ammonia oxidation and N2 production. A gene cluster (dnfT1RT2ABCD) was cloned from strain HO-1 and enabled E. coli accumulated hydroxylamine. Sub-cloning showed that genetic cluster dnfAB or dnfABC already enabled E. coli cells to produce hydroxylamine and further to 15N2 from (15NH4)2SO4. Transcriptome analysis revealed these three genes dnfA, dnfB and dnfC were significantly upregulated in response to ammonia stimulation. Taken together, we concluded that strain HO-1 has a novel dnf genetic cluster for ammonia oxidation and this dnf genetic cluster encoded a previously unknown pathway of direct ammonia oxidation (Dirammox) to N2.

Hydroxylamine is a key intermediate of microbial ammonia oxidation and plays an important role in the biogeochemical cycling of N-compounds. Hydroxylamine is oxidized to NO or N2O by hydroxylamine oxidases or cytochrome P460 from heterotrophic or autotrophic bacteria, but its enzymatic oxidation to N2 has not yet been observed. Here, we report on the discovery of a novel oxidase that converts hydroxylamine to N2 from the newly isolated heterotrophic nitrifier Alcaligenes strain HO-1. Strain HO-1 accumulated hydroxylamine and produced N2 from ammonia oxidation. Using transcriptome analysis and heterologous expression via fosmid library screening, we identified three genes (dnfABC) of strain HO-1 that enabled E. coli cells not only to produce hydroxylamine from 15N-labelled ammonium but also to further convert it to 15N2. The three genes were individually cloned and expressed, and their translational products DnfA, DnfB, and DnfC were purified. In vitro DnfA bound to hydroxylamine and catalyzed the conversion of hydroxylamine to N2 in the presence of FAD, NADH and O2. Thus, DnfA was identified as a novel hydroxylamine oxidase and catalyzed a previously unknown N-N bond forming reaction with a yet-to-be discovered mechanism. DnfA homologs were detected in different bacterial groups, suggesting that hydroxylamine oxidation to nitrogen might occur in additional microbial taxa.

SummaryCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first reported in Wuhan, China, and rapidly spread worldwide. Previous studies suggested cat could be a potential susceptible animal of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we investigated the infection of SARS-CoV-2 in cats by detecting specific serum antibodies. A cohort of serum samples were collected from cats in Wuhan, including 102 sampled after COVID-19 outbreak, and 39 prior to the outbreak. 15 of 102 (14.7%) cat sera collected after the outbreak were positive for the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 by indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Among the positive samples, 11 had SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies with a titer ranging from 1/20 to 1/1080. No serological cross-reactivity was detected between the SARS-CoV-2 and type I or II feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV). Our data demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 has infected cat population in Wuhan during the outbreak.

The severity and location of scapulohumeral periarthritis should be identified for determining its treatment method: when the wei exterior is initially invaded by external pathogens for the first time, the location of disease is shallow, therefore, the shallow needling should be performed, which can contribute to diffusing and discharging pathogens of wei exterior. If pathogens had invaded for a long time, they can enter the ying level from wei level, so the acupuncture on ying level should be conducted to discharge the blood stasis and stagnation, thus removing the pathogenic qi and maintaining the healthy qi. If pathogens had invaded for a long time, the meridians and collaterals will be obstructed, and the penetration moxibustion method should be adopted to make the heat penetrate deeply, thereby achieving the effects of warming the meridians and expelling bi. The therapy should be chosen based on syndromes, so meridians can be dredged, and qi-blood can be harmonized, finally the disease will be cured. The precise determination of the location can ensure the success of manipulations. After the nature of disease is identified, targeted methods of acupuncture, bloodletting and fire needling can be performed for treatment of diseases, as a result, “normal physiological activities can be maintained”.

Two cases of herpes zoster neuralgia treated by shallow needling combined with electroacupuncture were introduced. The literature basis and possible mechanisms were discussed.

In this paper, the micro-video teaching mode was explored in the course construction of

The clinical characteristics of

To compare the clinical therapeutic effect of intensive moxibustion plus acupuncture and simple acupuncture therapy in the treatment of frozen shoulder so as to provide a reference for clinical practice.A total of 60 patients with frozen shoulder were randomly divided into intensive moxibustion plus acupuncture group and simple acupuncture group (Following the treatment, intra-group comparison showed that the VAS score was significantly reduced in both groups in comparison with their own pre-treatment (The therapeutic effect of intensive moxibustion plus acupuncture is superior to that of simple acupuncture in improving symptoms of frozen shoulder in patients.

The bacterium Aeromonas salmonicida is the causative agent of furunculosis, a systemic, ubiquitous disease of fish in the salmon family, characterized by high mortality and morbidity. Probiotics are a promising approach for prevention of furunculosis in aquaculture. A bacterial strain with anti-A. salmonicida properties, Bacillus velezensis V4, was isolated and the mechanisms underlying these properties were investigated. Anti-A. salmonicida compounds present in cell-free supernatant of V4 were purified and structurally identified as members of the iturin, macrolactin, and difficidin groups. The compounds contributed jointly to inhibition of A. salmonicida, and the diversity of the compounds was related to the versatility of their mode of action. Addition of the compounds to A. salmonicida cell suspensions reduced cell density. Analyses by confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed cell membrane disruption, deletion of cellular content, and cell lysis of A. salmonicida. The V4 genome was sequenced, and gene clusters involved in synthesis of anti-Aeromonas compounds were detected and identified. A possible probiotic effect on growth performance of Oncorhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout) was investigated by addition of 0, 1, and 3 % (v/w) V4. Relative to control, mortality was reduced 27.25 % in the 1 % addition group and 81.86 % in the 3 % addition group. Feed coefficient ratio was reduced 19.49 % and weight gain ratio was increased 71.22 % in the 1 % addition group. Our findings demonstrate that V4 is an effective probiotic strain in O. mykiss and has clear potential for both control of furunculosis and growth promotion of aquaculture animals.

Objective To seek safe, effective and popular penetration moxibustion therapy through exploring the optimum duration and temperature of penetration moxibustion by means of observing the relationship among the duration, temperature and effect of moxibustion on abdomen. Methods Thirty-two healthy persons were selected as subjects, and moxibustion was performed, centering on navels, on their abdomens. The temperature of moxibustion box was recorded once a minute since the beginning of moxibustion, and other items, including the temperature and time at which and when the subject felt heated, the temperature at which the subject felt reduced, temperature reduction time, temperature difference on the skin, time course of penetration moxibustion and subject's reaction, were also recorded. Results Among 32 subjects, 2 dropped out from the study; flushing was shown on 30 subjects, sweating on 7, brindle on 5, and reaction on 7. The time course of penetration moxibustion was (28.37±2.37) min, the temperature at which the subject felt heated was (35.79±0.85) °C, and the temperature at which the subject felt reduced was (44.23±1.62) °C. Conclusion During the course of penetration moxibustion, sense of warmth penetrate into abdominal cavity and waist from epidermis, and penetrate into head upwards and knee downwards; flushing, sweating and brindle are the important indices for the effect of penetration moxibustion; penetration moxibustion can be lasted for 28–32 min, and the temperature should be controlled at 43–45 °C, so as to not only reduce the impact of smoke on the indoor environment, but also make patients feel no pain.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of the needling method for regulating wei qi and strengthening brain on insomnia. Method Two hundred patients with insomnia were randomly divided into a group of regulating wei qi and strengthening brain (group A) and a group of normal acupuncture (group B) through random number table method, with 100 cases in each group. In group A, Baihui ( GV 20), Dazhuī ( GV 14), Shēnmai ( BL 62), Zhaohai ( KI 6) and auricular points Yuanzhōng ( AT 2, 3, 4i), and Shenmen ( TF 4) were selected; and in group B, Sishencōng ( EX-HN 1), Shenmen ( π HT 7), and Sānyīnjiāo ( SP 6) were selected. Acupuncture was given on these points once daily for 15 days. Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was used for scoring and curative effect was evaluated before and after treatment. Results The total effective rate was 89.0% (89/100) in group A and 65.0% (65/100) in group B with a very significant difference between the two groups ( P P Conclusion The therapeutic effect of the needling method for regulating wei qi and strengthening brain on insomnia is superior to that of normal needling method.

Objective To observe the clinical therapeutic effect on insomnia treated with acupuncture at back-shu points. Methods Sixty-four cases of insomnia were selected and divided randomly into a back-shu points group (group A) and a conventional acupoints group (group B) by a computer generated allocation list, 32 cases in each one. In the trial group, acupuncture was applied at Xīnshū ( BL 15), Gānshū ( BL 18), Pishū ( BL 20) and Geshū ( BL 17). In the control group, acupuncture was applied conventionally to Neiguān ( PC 6), Shenmen ( HT 7), Sānyīnjiāo ( SP 6), Baihui ( GV 20) and Sishencōng ( EX-HN 1). Ten treatments made a session. The efficacy was analyzed statistically after 3 sessions of treatment. Results There were significant differences between the two groups in the relief of sleep disorders after the treatment (P Conclusion The clinical efficacy is achieved by either acupuncture at back-shu points or by acupuncture at conventional acupoints. The improvements of sleep efficiency and sleep disorder scores in PSQI, and sleep difficulty in TCM as well as the long-term efficacy are superior in group A as compared with those in group B.

Background: Insomnia is one of the most common diseases in modern society, the main characteristics of the patients were difficulty in falling asleep at night and/or failure to maintain effective sleep after falling asleep. It can lead to early awakening, short sleep, heavy sleeplessness, dreaming, poor sleep quality, and working hours after waking up, causes a series of negative emotions, such as fatigue, inefficiency, cognitive decline, social interaction, tension, and anxiety, which affect social harmony and stability. So Insomnia has gained more and more attention. At present, acupuncture has been proved effective in the treatment of insomnia by many studies. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of insomnia, and to provide the latest evidence for clinical application. Methods and analysis: We collected the qualified literature on acupuncture treatment of insomnia by electronic retrieval of Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Biomedical Disc (CBMDISC), PubMed, China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP) and Wanfang Database, and manual retrieval of papers and internal reports. We will select the eligible studies published up to September 30, 2019. We use Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) as the main outcome of insomnia and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD) and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) as secondary indicators to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture treatment of insomnia, we will use Revman v.5.3 software to calculate data synthesis, and if the results are appropriate, meta-analysis can also be carried out. Results: This study will provide comprehensive evidence of high quality of acupuncture treatment for insomnia from ISI, PSQI, HAMD, SAS, and adverse reactions. Conclusion: The systematic review will provide a basis for evaluating the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of insomnia. Trial registration number: PROSPERO CRD42019131957.

The bacterial strain F6 was isolated from a biological aerated filter that is used for purifying recirculating water in a marine aquaculture system and was identified as Marinobacter sp. based on the analysis of its 16S rRNA gene sequence. Strain F6 showed efficient aerobic denitrifying ability. One hundred percent of nitrates and 73.10% of nitrites were removed, and the total nitrogen (TN) removal rates reached 50.08% and 33.03% under a high nitrate and nitrite concentration in the medium, respectively. N2O and 15N2, as revealed by GC–MS and GC–IRMS, were the products of aerobic denitrification. Factors affecting the growth and aerobic denitrifying performance of strain F6 were investigated. The results showed that the optimum aerobic denitrification conditions for strain F6 were the presence of sodium succinate as a carbon source, a C/N ratio of 15, salinity ranging from 32–35 g/L of NaCl, incubation temperature of 30°C, an initial pH of 7.5, and rotation speed of 150 rpm [dissolved oxygen (DO) 6.75 mg/L]. In addition, strain F6 was confirmed to be a heterotrophic nitrifier through its NO 2 − generation and 25.96% TN removal when NH4+ was used as the sole N source. Therefore, strain F6, the first reported member of genus Marinobacter with aerobic heterotrophic nitrifying–denitrifying ability, is an excellent candidate for facilitating simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) in industry and aquaculture wastewater.

A psychrophilic aerobic denitrifying bacterium, strain S1-1, was isolated from a biological aerated filter conducted for treatment of recirculating water in a marine aquaculture system. Strain S1-1 was preliminarily identified as Psychrobacter sp. based on the analysis of its 16S rRNA gene sequence, which showed 100% sequence similarity to that of Psychrobacter sp. TSBY-70. Strain S1-1 grew well either in high nitrate or high nitrite conditions with a removal of 100% nitrate or 63.50% nitrite, and the total nitrogen removal rates could reach to 46.48% and 31.89%, respectively. The results indicated that nitrate was mainly reduced in its logarithmic growth phase with a very low level accumulation of nitrite, suggesting that the aerobic denitrification process of strain S1-1 occurred mainly in this phase. The GC-MS results showed that N 2 O was formed as the major intermediate during the aerobic denitrifying process of strain S1-1. Finally, factors affecting the growth of strain S1-1 and its aerobic denitrifying ability were also investigated. Results showed that the optimum aerobic denitrification conditions for strain S1-1 were sodium succinate as carbon source, C/N ratio 15, salinity 10 g/L NaCl, incubation temperature 20°C and initial pH 6.5.

Based on the ideas of wall-guiding-spray and spatial dispersion, A new type of diesel engine double-wall-jet combustion system is designed. The effect of speed, load and injection condition on the double-wall-jet combustion system is researched by testing, on the double-wall-jet combustion system, the combustion modes for whole working condition is analyzed, the comparison of combustion and performance between the original machine with the new one is carried out. The results showed that: Instantaneous heat release rate of double-wall-jet combustion system shows a single peak. As the speed increases, the corresponding crank angle of ignition retards, the peak outbreak pressure increases and then decreases, the peak instantaneous heat release rate, the peak average temperature, the peak cylinder pressure rise ratio, and the cumulative heat release per unit mass of working gas is reduced. As the load increases, the corresponding crank angles of peak cylinder pressure and gravity center of heat release rate are postponed. With the load increasing, the ignition crank angle corresponds early at low speed, and the ignition point does not change significantly with the load at high speed. The effect of the injector hole diameter/number on the cylinder pressure and instantaneous heat release rate curve is not significant at high speed and large loads, but at low speed and large loads is significant. Cylinder pressure of 6-Φ21 injector is higher than 5-Φ25, the instantaneous heat release rate of 6-Φ21 injector has a trend of a single peak, the instantaneous heat release rate of 5-Φ25 injector has a trend of a double peak and the focus of the heat release rate postponed. With the advancing of injection timing, the ignition crank angle and combustion phase advances, the peak cylinder pressure increases. Injection pressure has little effect on the combustion characteristics. By comparison with the original machine, while maintaining the power performance of the same circumstances, the cylinder pressure and NOx emissions of double-wall-jet engine are reduced in degree, fuel consumption rate is not almost changed, and the same plane rather, smoke intensity is improved at low speed, smoke intensity at high speed smoke high-speed only deteriorates of 0.2-0.3 BSU.

A biological aerated filter (100 l), filled with bamboo ball media, was set up for treatment of low ammonia-containing recirculating water in a marine aquaculture system. Chemical analysis showed that it took 70 days to establish a stable efficiency, at which more than 30% of the ammonia was removed. During the biofilm development, bacterial diversity and community structure were determined by construction of 16S rRNA gene libraries. Bacterial diversity and population richness were quite abundant and increased gradually, as revealed by the indexes of Shannon (from 3.34 to 3.94), Simpson (from 0.94 to 0.97) and Margalef (from 7.91 to 14.25). Dominant groups in the whole process showed a regular variation trend: a decrease of uncultured bacteria and Bacteroidetes from 38% to 32% and from 18% to 7%, respectively; and an increase of Alphaproteobacteria from 22% to 41%. In particular, clones closely relating to Denitromonas increased from 1.7% to 6.5% and then to 10% in the libraries A, B and C, respectively; in addition to the only detection of six clones (3%) representing Nitrospira in library C. Furthermore, a few strains capable of heterotrophic ammonia-oxidizing or aerobic denitrifying were isolated from the late phase of the biofilm development. All these results might infer that the biofilm bacterial community gradually shifts from chemical oxygen demand (COD)-removing flora to COD- and nitrogen-removing ones with the biofilm development, and that nitrification, heterotrophic ammonia oxidizing and denitrification all contribute to nitrogen removal of the biofilter.

During professor SHAO Jing-ming's academic research and medical practice, his academic opinion of focusing spirit is gradually developed. In terms of nurturing the spirit, attention should be paid on persistence as well as everyday health maintenance and exercise to nurture the spirit of physician. In terms of clinical diagnosis and treatment, patients' psychology, employment and life status should be observed and experienced, which could bring more methods to take essential care of patients' spirit. The treatment should work with psychological counseling, advocating that based on patients' qi and spirit, various forms of treatment methods should be properly used, such as acupuncture or moxibustion or combination of acupuncture and medicine, along with simple acupoint selection and harmony medication. Before clinical treatment of acupuncture, calming the mind is critically emphasized to make a clear diagnosis. During the acupuncture, calming and focusing the mind is necessary as well as emphasizing the details, so acupuncture could be integrated with Chi Gong to create a new warming-sensation technique. In a word, the academic opinion of focusing spirit is shedding an inspiring light upon further study.

In order to summarize and perfect the basic skill practicing method in acupuncture teaching and form a characteristic teaching, the research on skill training and technique improving of acupuncture and tuina major was carried out. The undergraduate students in acupuncture and tuina major from College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. Students from both groups received the basic courses of acupuncture-moxibustion and tuina as requested in the syllabus and the special teaching was added to the experimental group, namely "three practice" (strength practice, coordination practice, targeted practice of acupuncture basic skills) and "three enlightenment" (technique enlightenment, mind and qi enlightenment, efficacy enlightenment). During and after the courses, the teaching effectiveness was evaluated on the basis of needling manipulation. The peacetime score in the experimental group was superior to that in the control group (38.03 +/- 1.14 vs 33.25 +/- 1.31, P0.05), the total score in the experimental group was superior to that in the control group (84.03 +/- 6.30 vs 78.05 +/- 6.55, P0.05). The special teaching method of "three practice" and "three enlightenment" can improve the effect of skill training teaching method. It highlights the unique feature of central plains by integrating the essence of Shaolin internal qigong and Chen-style Taiji, it can also provide new ideas for the practical teaching of TCM professional courses and the construction of characteristic professionals.

Through study on Bianque Shenying Zhenjiu Yulong Jing (Bianque's Classic of Effective Acupuncture Prescriptions), acupuncture experiences and ideology of WANG Guo-rui, an acupuncture physician of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), is discussed in this article. Inherited and carried forward DOU's acupuncture theory, WANG Guo-rui encouraged to use experiential points and to expand extra points. Penetrating needling method was created, and the application of acupoints according to needling opportunities and seasonal factors were enriched by him. Great importance was also attached on treatment according to differentiation of syndromes, which including the simultaneous acupuncture and moxibustion, simultaneous reinforcing and reducing, reducing after reinforcing, reinforcing after reducing, predomination of reducing and predomination of reinforcing. The flexible treating methods are still extensively adopted in clinic nowadays. WANG Guo-rui is a master of clinical acupuncture who made great contribution to the development of acupuncture and moxibustion.

Moxibustion penetration is a therapy in which the moxibustion sensation promoted by moxa is felt deeply inside the tissues. When moxibustion is practiced to certain extent, the sensation conducts from the moxibustion site to the deep tissues and far ends, or muscular pulsation appears at the moxibustion site, or the patient feels comfortable, painful, heavy and itching or the patient has reaction as skin redness and even perspiration throughout the body after the moxibustion. The best effect of moxibustion is expected when local site becomes slightly and evenly red or there is sweating. The observation has shown that the moxibustion dosage is the key to enhancing the therapeutic effect.

A hand-wrist moxibustion box is designed to effectively solve difficulty to have moxibustion at handwrist joint and problem of bad moxibustion effect as well as improve heat efficiency of moxibustion. The device is consisted of a box and protective screening. The box is hollow with opening on top and bottom. A reversible cover is fixed on the top of the box and support frames are put in the inner-middle. On the side wall there is a hole that is at the same horizontal level of support frames, and horizontal protective screening is put on the bottom. The design of this moxibustion box is novel and unique, simple and reasonable, which could give moxibustion on hand and wrist at the same time. Also it is easily made with low cost, easy to use and favorable effect. It is an innovation on moxibustion box.

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of asthma at acute attack stage treated with "Shao's five needling therapy".The randomized controlled method was applied to divide 210 cases into an observation group and a control group, 105 cases in each one. In the observation group, "Shao's five needling therapy" [Feishu (BL 13), Dazhui (GV 14), Fengmen (BL 12)] and the combined therapy were adopted, including oxygen uptake, aerosol inhalation and oral administration of prednisone. In the control group, the oral administration of theophylline sustained release tablet and the combined therapy were applied. The treatment was continued for 7 days. The clinical symptoms and physical signs such as wheezing, cough, expectoration, chest stuffiness, wheezing rale and shortness of breath, as well as lung function indices such as forced expiratory volume one second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were observed before and after treatment in the two groups.In the observation group, 69 cases were cured clinically, 20 cases effective remarkably, 7 cases effective and 0 case failed. In the control group, 49 cases were cured clinically, 31 cases effective remarkably, 15 cases effective and 0 case failed. The difference in the efficacy was significant in comparison of the two groups (P0.05). The therapeutic effect in the observation group was better than that in the control group. The total score of the symptoms and physical signs, FEV1 and PEF after treatment were all improved significantly in the two groups (all P0.01). And the results in the observation group were better than those in the control group (all P0.01)."Shao's five needling therapy" achieves the significant efficacy on asthma at acute attack stage. It significantly relieves the symptoms and physical signs of the patients and improves lung functions. The effect is better than that of theophylline sustained release tablet.

To observe the effect of acupuncture of "Shenmai" (BL 62) and "Zhaohai" (KI 6), "Shenmen" (HT 7), etc. on the expression of hypothalamic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and GABA(A) receptor (GABA(A)R) proteins in experimental insomnia rats so as to explore its mechanism underlying improving sleeping.Seventy Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control, model, "Sanyinjiao" (SP6), "Neiguan" (PC 6), "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Shenmen" (HT7), and "Shenmai" (BL 62)-Zhaohai (KI 6, BL 62-KI 6) groups, with 10 rats in each group. Insomnia model was established by intraperitoneal injection of chlorophenylalanine solution (PCPA, 1 mL/100 g). An acupuncture needle was inserted into each of the bilateral HT 7, PC 6, SP 6, ST 36 and BL 62-KI 6 respectively and manipulated for about 1 min, once daily for 7 days. Hypothamic GABA and GABA(A)R protein expressions were detected by immunohistochemistry. The animals' physical ability was evaluated by using pole-climbing test in a water tank.In comparison with the normal control group, the numbers of hypothalamic GABA immunoreaction (IR)- and GABA(A)R IR-positive neurons and the pole-climbing time were reduced significantly in the model group (P0.05). While in comparison with the model group, the numbers of hypothalamic GABA IR-positive neurons and those of hypothalamic GABA(A)R IR-positive neurons in the HT 7, PC 6, SP 6, ST 36 and BL 62-KI 6 groups, as well as the pole-climbing duration in the SP 6, ST 36 and BL 62-KI 6 groups were increased considerably (P0.05, P0.01). The effects of HT 7 and BL 62-KI 6 groups were significantly superior to those of PC 6, ST 36 and SP 6 groups in up-regulating GABA and GABA(A)R expression, and the effect of BL 62-KI 6 group was remarkably better than those of HT 7, PC 6, SP 6 and ST 36 groups in lengthening the pole-climbing time (P0.05).Acupuncture can effectively suppress insomnia induced down-regulation of hypothalamic GABA and GABA(A)R in rats and lengthen pole-climbing time, which may contribute to its effect in relieving insomnia.

To summarize and discuss the operating technique of ancient moxibustion with the consulting of some relevant literatures. In the ancient, the dosage of the moxibustion was based on the size and the number of moxa cones, the feelings of patients and their reaction after the treatment. Of them, the size and the number of moxa cones were estimated by doctors own experience, and it would be more objective and suitable for patients' needs if the dose was additionally decided on the reactions of patients (pain, post-moxibustion sore, sweating, spots and so on). It could have significance for improving clinical effects if attention is paid to the feelings and reactions of patients, the size and the number of moxa cones and the time of moxibustion.

Through his long-term acupuncture-moxibustion teaching and academic research, professor LI Ding from Shanghai University of TCM had conducted a profound research on the theory of the eight extra meridians, named Governor Vessel, Conception Vessel, Thoroughfare Vessel, Belt Vessel, Link Vessels and Heel Vessels, as well as their relationship with the regular meridians. He rectified the miss-understanding on the courses of Governor Vessel and Conception Vessel determined by the ancient medical masters, and had a further analysis on some different views, such as the running course of Governor Vessel and the flowing direction of meridian qi in Governor Vessel and Conception Vessel. He proposed that the nutrient qi flew up to down in Governor Vessel and down to up in Conception Vessel. His research and discovery much perfected the theory of the eight extra meridians and provided a significant instruction for the research on the eight extra meridians in the later generations.