Microecological health assessment of water environment and sediment based on metagenomics: a case study of Guixi River in Chongqing, China.

River sediment is vital in containing water pollution and strengthening water remediation. This paper has conducted a study on the microecological health assessment of the sediment and water body of Guixi River in Dianjiang, Chongqing, China, using metagenomics sequencing and microbial biological integrity index (M-IBI) technology. The analysis of physical and chemical characteristics shows that the concentration of TN varies from 2.62 to 9.76 mg/L in each sampling section, and the eutrophication of the water body is relatively severe. The proportion of Cyanobacteria in the sampling section at the sink entrance is higher than that of other sites, where there are outbreaks of water blooms and potential hazards to human health. The dominant functions of each site include carbon metabolism, TCA cycle, and pyruvate metabolism. In addition, the main virulence factors and antibiotic resistance genes in sediment are Type IV pili (VF0082), LOS (CVF494), MymA operon (CVF649), and macrolide resistance genes macB, tetracyclic tetA (58), and novA. Correlation analysis of environmental factors and microorganisms was also performed, and it was discovered that Thiothrix and Acidovorax had obvious gene expression in the nitrogen metabolism pathway, and the Guixi River Basin had a self-purification capacity. Finally, based on the microecological composition of sediment and physical and chemical characteristics of the water body, the health assessment was carried out, indicating that the main pollution area was Dianjiang Middle School and the watershed near the sewage treatment plant. The findings should theoretically support an in-depth assessment of the water environment's microecological health.

Water microecology is affected by seasons but not sediments: A spatiotemporal dynamics survey of bacterial community composition in Lake Changshou-The largest artificial lake in southwest China.

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between microecology of sediments and water as well as their spatial-temporal variations in Changshou Lake. The results demonstrated that microecology in the lake exhibits spatiotemporal heterogeneity, and microbial diversity of sediments was significantly higher than that of water body. Further, it was found that there was statistically insignificant positive correlation between microecology of sediments and that of water body. PCoA and community structure analysis revealed that the predominant phyla which exhibited significant spatial differences in sediments were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Planctomycetes. While, the distribution of dominant bacteria Actinobacteria and Verrucomicrobia in water body showed significant seasonal differences. Microbial networks analysis indicated that there was a cooperative symbiotic relationship between lake microbial communities. Notably, the same bacterial genus had no significant positive correlation in sediment and water, which suggested that bacteria transport between sediment-water interface does not influence the microecological functions of lake water.

Effect mechanism of individual and combined salinity on the nitrogen removal yield of heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification bacteria.

One of the biggest challenges of applying heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification (HN-AD) bacteria to treat high salt organic wastewater lies in the inhibitory effect exerted by salinity. To study the inhibition effect and underlying mechanism induced by different ion types and ion composition, the individual and combined effects of NaCl, KCl and Na2SO4 on HN-AD bacteria Acinetobacter sp. TAC-1 were systematically investigated by batch experiments. Results indicated that the ammonia nitrogen removal yield and TAC-1 activity decreased with increased salt concentration. NaCl, KCl and Na2SO4 exerted different degrees of inhibition on TAC-1, with half concentration inhibition constant values of 0.205, 0.238 and 0.110 M, respectively. A synergistic effect on TAC-1 was found with the combinations of NaCl + KCl, NaCl + Na2SO4 and NaCl + KCl + Na2SO4. The whole RNA resequencing suggested that transcripts of denitrification genes (nirB and nasA) were significantly downregulated with increased Na2SO4 concentration. Simultaneously, Na2SO4 stress disrupted cell respiration, DNA replication, transcription, translation, and induced oxidative stress. Finally, we proposed a conceptual model to summarize the inhibition mechanisms and possible response strategies of TAC-1 bacteria under Na2SO4 stress.

The effects and mechanisms of transcranial ultrasound stimulation combined with cognitive rehabilitation on post-stroke cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) could improve post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) and the potential mechanisms through which this can be achieved. METHOD: Sixty patients with PSCI were selected and randomly divided into a control and observation group, respectively, with 30 cases in each group. Conventional cognitive rehabilitation training combined with TUS intervention was conducted in the observation group, while conventional cognitive rehabilitation training and sham-TUS stimulation were given to patients in the control group. RESULTS: The Mini-Mental State Exam, Modified Barthel Index score, P300 latency, and wave amplitude, as well as the serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, were significantly higher in both groups after treatment compared with those before treatment (P < 0.05), and were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the observation group had significantly higher scores in executive, nomination, attention, language, and delayed recall compared with the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Transcranial ultrasound stimulation combined with conventional cognitive rehabilitation therapy improved the PSCI condition with better efficacy than conventional cognitive rehabilitation therapy only. The mechanism involved may be correlated with the upregulation of BDNF and P300 induced by TUS.

Neuroimaging mechanisms of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatment of amnestic mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind randomized sham-controlled trial.

Individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) have a high risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Although repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is considered a potentially effective treatment for cognitive impairment in patients with aMCI, the neuroimaging mechanisms are poorly understood. Therefore, we performed a double-blind randomized sham-controlled trial in which rTMS was applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of aMCI patients recruited from a community near the Third Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University, China. Twenty-four patients with aMCI were randomly assigned to receive true rTMS (treatment group, n = 12, 6 men and 6 women; age 65.08 ± 4.89 years) or sham stimulation (sham group, n = 12, 5 men and 7 women; age 64.67 ± 4.77 years). rTMS parameters included a stimulation frequency of 10 Hz, stimulation duration of 2 seconds, stimulation interval of 8 seconds, 20 repetitions at 80% of the motor threshold, and 400 pulses per session. rTMS/sham stimulation was performed five times per week over a period of 4 consecutive weeks. Our results showed that compared with baseline, Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores were significantly increased and the value of the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) was significantly increased at the end of treatment and 1 month after treatment. Compared with the sham group, the ALFF values in the right inferior frontal gyrus, triangular part of the inferior frontal gyrus, right precuneus, left angular gyrus, and right supramarginal gyrus were significantly increased, and the ALFF values in the right superior frontal gyrus were significantly decreased in the treatment group. These findings suggest that high-frequency rTMS can effectively improve cognitive function in aMCI patients and alter spontaneous brain activity in cognitive-related brain areas. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Shenzhen Baoan Hospital of Southern Medical University, China (approval No. BYL20190901) on September 3, 2019, and registered in the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (registration No. ChiCTR1900028180) on December 14, 2019.

[Effect of electronic moxibustion on memory function in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electronic moxibustion on memory function in the patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). METHODS: A total of 59 aMCI patients were randomized into an electronic moxibustion group (30 cases) and a placebo moxibustion group (29 cases). In the electronic moxibustion group, the electronic moxibustion was applied to Baihui (GV 20), Dazhui (GV 14), Mingmen (GV 4) and Taixi (KI 3), 45 ℃ in temperature, 20 min each time. The treatment was given once a day, 5 times a week. The treatment for 4 weeks was as one course and 2 courses were required totally. In the placebo moxibustion group, the moxa-free patch was used, 38 ℃ in temperature. The acupoint selection and the treatment frequency were same as the electronic moxibustion group. Before and after treatment, Rivermead behavior memory test (RBMT) was adopted to evaluate the global memory function of the patients in the two groups and the N-back task test was adopted to evaluate working memory function separately. Additionally, the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and its immediate memory, Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and its delay recall were adopted to evaluate the global cognitive function and memory function. RESULTS: In the electronic moxibustion group, after treatment, RBMT score, N-back accuracy rates, MMSE and MoCA scores and the scores of immediate memory and delay recall were improved significantly as compared with those before treatment (P<0.01). In the placebo moxibustion group, the accuracy rates of 1-back and 2-back task and the scores of immediate memory and delay recall were improved obviously as compared with those before treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, the improvements of RBMT score, the accuracy rates of N-back task and MMSE and MoCA scores in the electronic moxibustion group were higher than those in the placebo moxibustion group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Electronic moxibustion improves memory function in the patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

Modulatory effects of acupuncture on brain networks in mild cognitive impairment patients.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging has been widely used to investigate the effects of acupuncture on neural activity. However, most functional magnetic resonance imaging studies have focused on acute changes in brain activation induced by acupuncture. Thus, the time course of the therapeutic effects of acupuncture remains unclear. In this study, 32 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment were randomly divided into two groups, where they received either Tiaoshen Yizhi acupuncture or sham acupoint acupuncture. The needles were either twirled at Tiaoshen Yizhi acupoints, including Sishencong (EX-HN1), Yintang (EX-HN3), Neiguan (PC6), Taixi (KI3), Fenglong (ST40), and Taichong (LR3), or at related sham acupoints at a depth of approximately 15 mm, an angle of ± 60°, and a rate of approximately 120 times per minute. Acupuncture was conducted for 4 consecutive weeks, five times per week, on weekdays. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging indicated that connections between cognition-related regions such as the insula, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, inferior parietal lobule, and anterior cingulate cortex increased after acupuncture at Tiaoshen Yizhi acupoints. The insula, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus acted as central brain hubs. Patients in the Tiaoshen Yizhi group exhibited improved cognitive performance after acupuncture. In the sham acupoint acupuncture group, connections between brain regions were dispersed, and we found no differences in cognitive function following the treatment. These results indicate that acupuncture at Tiaoshen Yizhi acupoints can regulate brain networks by increasing connectivity between cognition-related regions, thereby improving cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment.

Trends in ectopic pregnancy, hydatidiform mole and miscarriage in the largest obstetrics and gynaecology hospital in China from 2003 to 2013.

BACKGROUND: Ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages and hydatidiform moles are the major types of pathological pregnancies in the early gestations of pregnancy and constitute an important public health problem. The trends and incidences of these pathological pregnancies may vary by ethnicity and geographical regions. This has not been fully investigated in the Chinese population. In this study we retrospectively report the trends of pathological pregnancies in Chinese population. METHODS: Data on 22,511 women with ectopic pregnancy, hydatidiform mole and miscarriage were collected from the largest obstetrics and gynaecology hospital in China from 2003 to 2013. Data included age at diagnosis and the annual number of women with diagnosed ectopic pregnancy, hydatidiform mole and miscarriage. RESULTS: The total number of ectopic pregnancy, hydatidiform mole and miscarriage was increased 3.5folds in 2013 compared to 2003. Ectopic pregnancy is the leading pathological pregnancy and miscarriage is increasing at a greater rate among the pathological pregnancies. The median age of women with hydatidiform mole at diagnosis significantly increased from 25.5 years to 29 years (p = 0.002), however the median age for other pathological pregnancies was not different between 2003 and 2013. The number of women with hydatidiform mole at diagnosis who were over 40 years old has increased. The mean maternal age is increased from 28.1 years old in 2003 to 29.4 years old in 2013 in this hospital. CONCLUSION: We speculate that the increased maternal age may contribute to the increase in these pathological pregnancies between 2003 and 2013 in China.

Functional organization of complex brain networks modulated by acupuncture at different acupoints belonging to the same anatomic segment.

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques have opened a "window" into the brain, allowing us to investigate the anatomical and physiological function involving acupuncture needling. Imaging its sustained effect rather than acute effect on the brain networks may further help elucidate the mechanisms by which acupuncture achieves its therapeutic effects. In this study, we aimed to investigate the functional brain networks during the post-resting state following acupuncture at KI3 in comparison with acupuncture at GB40. METHODS: Needling at acupoints GB40 and KI3 was performed in twelve subjects. Six minutes of scanning at rest were adopted before and after acupuncture at different acupoints. Then we divided the whole brain into 39 regions and constructed functional brain networks during the post-acupuncture resting states (PARS). RESULTS: For direct comparisons, increased correlations during post-resting state following acupuncture at KI3 compared to resting state (RS) were primarily located between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and post temporal cortex, ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and post temporal cortex. These brain regions were all cognitive-related functions. In contrast, the increased connections between the anterior insula and temporal cortex mainly emerged following acupuncture at GB40 compared with the RS. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that acupuncture at different acupoints belonging to the same anatomic segment can exert different modulatory effects on the reorganizations of post-acupuncture RS networks. The heterogeneous modulation patterns between two conditions may relate to the functional specific modulatory effects of acupuncture.

[Effect of shallow needling combined with acupoint application on the acute stage of peripheral facial paralysis].

OBJECTIVE: To search for an effective therapy for the acute stage of peripheral facial paralysis. METHODS: One hundred and twenty cases of facial paralysis patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 60 cases in each group. Both groups were treated with routine medication, and the observation group was treated with shallow needling combined with acupoint application using self-made "acupoint application formula for facial paralysis" on the basis of the routine medication. The acupoints of Yifeng (TE 17), Wangu (GB 12), Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Yangbai (GB 14), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Qianzheng (EX-HN 17), Cuanzhu (BL 2) in affected side and Hegu (LI 4) in healthy side were selected as main acupoints for shallow needling, and Qianzheng (EX-HN 17), Dicang (ST 4), Yangbai (GB 14) and Wangu (GB 12), or Jiache (ST 6), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Quanliao (SI 18) and Yifeng (TE 17) were selected for acupoint application. The cure rate and the course of cured patients in both groups were compared. RESULTS: The cure rate of 88.3% (53/60) in observation group was superior to that of 66.7% (40/60) in control group (P < 0.01). The course of cured patients in observation group was obviously shorter than that of control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: On the basis of routine medication, shallow needling combined with acupoint application can improve the therapeutic effect and shorten the course for acute stage of peripheral facial paralysis.

[A fMRI observation on different cererbral regions activated by acupuncture of Shenmen (HT 7) and Yanglao (SI 6)].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of acupuncture of Shenmen (HT 7) and Yanglao (SI 6) on neuro-images in different cerebral regions in volunteer subjects. METHODS: Twelve healthy young volunteer participants were enrolled in this research. fMRI scans were taken in random order in a block design (one for baseline and two for acupuncture stimulations). During stimulation phase, an acupuncture needle inserted in right HT7 or S16 was twirled at an angle of 180 degrees and a frequency of about 1.5 Hz for 35. 6 ms. Main parameters for fMRI were TR/TE/FA = 3560 ms/50 ms/90 degrees. Acupuncture sensations were evaluated by means of visual analog scale (VAS). The collected images were analyzed by using SPM 2 for exploring inter-group differences in blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) responses. RESULTS: When manipulating the needle, both the operator and the subject had a feeling of Deqi. Increases in BOLD signal (group analysis, corrected, 0.05, K > or =10) were found mainly in right postcentral gyrus of frontal lobe (BA 2, BA 1, BA 43), left inferior frontal gyrus (BA 47), secondarily, in the right inferior parietal lobule (BA 40), right inferior frontal gyrus (BA 44), left superior temporal gyrus (BA 22) and right insula (BA 40) after acupuncture at HT7; and chiefly in left inferior parietal lobule (BA 40), right inferior frontal gyrus (BA 45, BA 46), secondarily in the left middle temporal gyrus and inferior temporal gyrus (BA 37) as well as the left superior frontal gyrus (BA 10) after acupuncture of S16. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture of HT7 and SI6 elicite different BOLD responses in some related cerebral regions.

[Control study of therapeutic effects of three phase acupuncture method and routine acupuncture method on periarthritis of shoulder].

OBJECTIVE: To compare therapeutic effects of the three phase acupuncture method and routine acupuncture method on periarthritis of shoulder. METHODS: Randomized, controlled and single blind method was adopted and 70 cases were divided into a three phase acupuncture group and a routine acupuncture group, 35 cases in each group. Same acupoints were selected in the two groups and selection of acupoints, manipulation of the needle and motion in the three phase acupuncture group were conducted by stages. RESULTS: The effective rate was 97.15% in the three phase acupuncture group which was better than 87.10% in the routine acupuncture group (P < 0.05). After treatment, VAS scores decreased significantly in the two groups (P < 0.01), and there was a significant difference between the two groups in the difference of VAS after treatment (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The three phase acupuncture treatment was superior to the routine acupuncture therapy in therapeutic effect on periarthritis of shoulder.

[Effects of thread embedding therapy on nucleotides and gastrointestinal hormones in the patient of chronic gastritis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe therapeutic effect of thread embedding therapy on chronic gastritis. METHODS: Seventy cases of chronic gastritis were randomly divided into the treatment group (n = 36) treated by thread embedding therapy and the control group (n = 34) by acupuncture. Weishu (BL 21), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Zusanli (ST 36) were selected as main points. And plasma contents of cAMP, cGMP, gastrin and substance P were observed before and after treatment. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 88.89% in the treatment group and 76.47% in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05); there were significant differences before and after treatment in plasma contents of cAMP, cGMP, gastrin and substance P in the two groups (P < 0.01), and the changes of these indexes in the treatment group were significantly superior to the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Thread embedding therapy has a definite therapeutic effect on chronic gastritis and it can adjust nucleotides, gastrin and substance P to improve the functions of the nerve-endocrine-immunity network.

[Optimum selection of acupuncture treatment programs of cerebral infarction and its effects on insulin resistance].

OBJECTIVE: To study the optimum acupuncture treatment program and the mechanism for treatment of cerebral infarction. METHODS: Sixty-three cases were randomly divided into 9 groups. The four factors, times of manipulation, the retaining time of the needle, acupuncture instrument and acupoints,and their corresponding three levels were adopted respectively in treatment of each group. Then nerve function defect score and insulin resistance were observed before and after treatment. RESULTS: The acupoints, the times of manipulation and the retaining time of the needle have significant effects on nerve function defect and insulin resistance (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), and the acupuncture instrument has a significant effect on insulin resistance (P < 0.01). The choice of acupoints was the most important factor for acupuncture treatment of cerebral infarction. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture for regulating The Governor Vessel with twice manipulations and retaining the needle for 60 min is optimum treatment program for cerebral infarction. The good regulating effect of acupuncture on insulin resistance is one of the mechanisms of achieving the therapeutic results.

[Clinical observation and mechanism study on acupuncture combined with massage for treatment of vertebrobasilar insufficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To search for the best program increasing clinical therapeutic effect on vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) and to study the mechanism. METHODS: The patients were randomly divided into an acupuncture plus massage group, an acupuncture group and a massage group. Their therapeutic effects were observed and compared. And transcranial Doppler (TCD) was used for detection of systolic flow velocity (Vs), enddiastolic peak flow velocity (Vd), mean peak flow (Vm) and pulsatility index (PI) before and after treatment. RESULTS: The cured rate and the total effective rate in the acupuncture plus massage group were significantly higher than the acupuncture group and the massage group (P < 0.05). And there were significant differences in Vm, PI and DI in the left vertebral artery (LVA), the right vertebral artery (RVA) and the basilar artery (BA) before and after treatment (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture combined with massage can improve Vm, PI, DI of VA-BA and the clinical therapeutic effect on VBI as well. It is superior to the simple acupuncture therapy and simple massage therapy. At present, it is one of the best therapy for VBI.