Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy: Combination Therapy Using LED Light, Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, Platelet Rich Plasma, and an Oral Dietary Supplement

Objectives: Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a significant contributor to disability in the elderly. It is also one of the most prevalent complications of type 2 diabetes, prediabetes and metabolic syndrome. PN is commonly associated with pain, numbness, tingling, burning, and cramping in the feet and legs. Current treatment options are limited to controlling pain, seizures and use of antidepressant medications. These treatments have undesirable side effects and don’t stop PN progression. Here we utilized a combination of individual-specific modalities to improve local circulation and relieve PN symptoms. Methods: We conducted an open-label, multicenter pilot trial with 34 subjects (19 males and 15 females ranging from 40 - 85 years of age). All of the participants were diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy and had bilateral symptoms in their feet, and many reported the same symptoms (pain, numbness, tingling, burning, and cramping) in their lower legs. The duration of symptoms ranged from four months to over six years. On Day 0, subjects were given a 90-day supply of the oral supplement with dosing instructions and a LED light therapy device. They also received three platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections in their lower extremities. Subjects also received an extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) treatment for each foot and subsequently twice per week for the first six weeks, then once weekly for the duration of the study. Subjects filled out the Brief Pain Index (BPI) at weekly intervals. On Day 90, subjects completed the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) survey. Results: There were significant responses to pain, as evidenced by BPI scores at weeks 8, 9, 10 and 11 (p = 0.02, 0.01, 0.02, and 0.003, respectively). Analysis of the final day PGIC survey showed a favorable outcome for 73% of participants (p = 0.003), with the majority reporting Very Much Improved. Conclusions: By utilizing a multi-modality treatment protocol that includes PRP, LED light therapy, ESWT and an oral dietary supplement, we observed significant reductions in BPI scores. Quality of life and their overall impression of change (PGIC) were significantly improved, and there were no significant side effects.

Clinical Effects of Hydrogen Administration: From Animal and Human Diseases to Exercise Medicine

Here we review the literature on the effects of molecular hydrogen (H2) on normal human subjects and patients with a variety of diagnoses, such as metabolic, rheumatic, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative and other diseases, infections and physical and radiation damage as well as effects on aging and exercise. Although the effects of H2 have been studied in multiple animal models of human disease, such studies will not be reviewed in depth here. H2 can be administered as a gas, in saline implants or infusions, as topical solutions or baths or by drinking H2-enriched water. This latter method is the easiest and least costly method of administration. There are no safety issues with hydrogen;it has been used for years in gas mixtures for deep diving and in numerous clinical trials without adverse events, and there are no warnings in the literature of its toxicity or long-term exposure effects. Molecular hydrogen has proven useful and convenient as a novel antioxidant and modifier of gene expression in many conditions where oxidative stress and changes in gene expression result in cellular damage.

Lipid Replacement Therapy with a Glycophospholipid Formulation with NADH and CoQ10 Significantly Reduces Fatigue in Intractable Chronic Fatiguing Illnesses and Chronic Lyme Disease Patients

Objectives: A preliminary open label study was initiated to determine if a combination oral supplement containing a mixture of phosphoglycolipids, coenzyme Q10 and microencapsulated NADH could affect fatigue levels in long-term patients with intractable fatigue. Fatigue was determined by the validated Piper Fatigue Scale before, during and after the trial. Participants included 58 patients (30 females and 28 males) with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic Lyme disease or other fatiguing illnesses, such as fibromyalgia syndrome or Gulf War illness. These patients had been symptomatic for an average of 17.1 ± 0.6 years, had been seen by many physicians (15.2 ± 0.7) and had used many other supplements and drugs (35.4 ± 2.7) without apparent reductions in their fatigue. Results: Participants in the study responded to the combination test supplement, showing a 30.7% reduction in overall fatigue within 60 days (P2 = 0.960). The data also suggested that further reductions were likely if the participants had continued the supplement beyond the 8-week trial. Males responded slightly better to the combination supplement than females, and the patients with the most severe forms of fatigue responded slightly better than those with milder fatigue, independent of their diagnosis. Conclusions: The combination supplement was a safe and effective method to significantly reduce fatigue in long-term patients with intractable chronic fatigue.

Reduction of Pain, Fatigue, Gastrointestinal and Other Symptoms and Improvement in Quality of Life Indicators in Fibromyalgia Patients with Membrane Lipid Replacement Glycerolphospholipids and Controlled-Release Caffeine

Objectives: A preliminary, open label study was initiated to determine if oral wafers containing a combination of membrane glycerolphospholipids and controlled-release caffeine could reduce self-reported pain, fatigue, and gastrointestinal symptoms and improve quality of life (QOL) indicators in fibromyalgia patients. Methods: Pain, fatigue and other symptoms were determined using validated, patient survey forms completed over an 8-day test period and compared to baseline values. Participants included 21 patients (15 females and 6 males) of average age of 48.5 ± 9.8 years with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. These patients consumed four daily chewable wafers containing glycerolphospholipids (4.8 g) and one controlled-released caffeine (184 mg) wafer that maintained caffeine levels at approximately one cup of coffee for over 8 h. Results: Participants in the study responded to the combination test supplement within days. By the end of the study there were significant overall improvements (36.1%, p p p p p Conclusions: The combination membrane lipid replacement glycerolphospholipid supplement with controlled-release caffeine was safe and effective and significantly reduced pain, fatigue and gastrointestinal symptoms as well as improved QOL indicators in fibromyalgia patients.

新形势下的非洲孔子学院创新发展探究

中国同非洲国家长期友好合作,中非合作论坛、“一带一路”建设,促进了中非之间的人文交流持续增长和非洲孔子学院的快速发展。目前,全球新一轮科技革命和产业变革正在加速拓展,非洲孔子学院正处于提质增效的升级发展阶段。该文旨在探讨新形势下非洲孔子学院如何加强内涵建设、创新文化传播、创造良好环境、提升办学实力,推动孔子学院可持续、高质量发展的思路和实现路径。

膳食补充剂(极爱胶囊^TM)改善患者胃肠道症状与生活质量的临床观察

目的通过一项开放标签研究明确一种含有植物成分和食用油的膳食补充剂(极爱胶囊^TM)是否可以减轻胃肠道不适患者主诉的胃肠道症状,从而改善其生活质量。方法纳入50例(女性40例,男性10例)患有胃肠道疾病或存在胃肠道症状的患者作为研究对象,其平均年龄为(51.1±12.7)岁(年龄范围24~77岁),于每餐餐前30 min服用5粒膳食补充剂,连续服用90 d,研究期间采用功能性消化不良生存质量量表(functional digestive disorder quality of life questionnaire,FDDQL)与患者总体印象变化量表(patient global impression of change,PGIC)评估患者临床症状与生活质量。结果服用膳食补充剂后,患者综合评分显著提高(P=0.018),不适症状、日常活动和焦虑症状均显著改善(P=0.000、0.029、0.018),且多于服用膳食补充剂20 d内改善最明显,而饮食、睡眠、健康认知、疾病应对和压力影响均无明显改善(P=0.398、0.136、0.686、0.309、0.785);服用膳食补充剂90 d后,50例患者中有28例患者完成PGIC问卷调查评估,评分为(4.800±0.169)分,整体症状与生活质量均显著改善(P=0.000);研究期间,所有患者的血液抗氧化物、维生素、矿物质、必需脂肪酸、胰腺酶及氨基酸水平均未出现显著改变,安全性较高。结论极爱胶囊^(TM)可显著缓解肠易激综合征、胃食管反流等多种消化系统疾病患者的腹胀、腹痛等不适症状,改善患者日常活动状态及焦虑情绪等,提高患者生活质量,且安全性较高。

Fine-resolution forest tree height estimation across the Sierra Nevada through the integration of spaceborne LiDAR, airborne LiDAR, and optical imagery

Forests of the Sierra Nevada(SN)mountain range are valuable natural heritages for the region and the country,and tree height is an important forest structure parameter for understanding the SN forest ecosystem.There is still a need in the accurate estimation of wall-to-wall SN tree height distribution at fine spatial resolution.In this study,we presented a method to map wall-to-wall forest tree height(defined as Lorey’s height)across the SN at 70-m resolution by fusing multi-source datasets,including over 1600 in situ tree height measurements and over 1600 km^(2) airborne light detection and ranging(LiDAR)data.Accurate tree height estimates within these airborne LiDAR boundaries were first computed based on in situ measurements,and then these airborne LiDAR-derived tree heights were used as reference data to estimate tree heights at Geoscience Laser Altimeter System(GLAS)footprints.Finally,the random forest algorithm was used to model the SN tree height from these GLAS tree heights,optical imagery,topographic data,and climate data.The results show that our fine-resolution SN tree height product has a good correspondence with field measurements.The coefficient of determination between them is 0.60,and the root-mean-squared error is 5.45 m.

Quantifying individual tree growth and tree competition using bi-temporal airborne laser scanning data:a case study in the Sierra Nevada Mountains,California

Improved monitoring and understanding of tree growth and its responses to controlling factors are important for tree growth modeling.Airborne Laser Scanning(ALS)can be used to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of large-scale forest surveys in delineating three-dimensional forest structures and under-canopy terrains.This study proposed an ALSbased framework to quantify tree growth and competition.Bi-temporal ALS data were used to quantify tree growth in height(ΔH),crown area(ΔA),crown volume(ΔV),and tree competition for 114,000 individual trees in two conifer-dominant Sierra Nevada forests.We analyzed the correlations between tree growth attributes and controlling factors(i.e.tree sizes,competition,forest structure,and topographic parameters)at multiple levels.At the individual tree level,ΔH had no consistent correlations with controlling factors,ΔA andΔV were positively related to original tree sizes(R>0.3)and negatively related to competition indices(R<−0.3).At the forest-stand level,ΔH andΔA were highly correlated to topographic wetness index(|R|>0.7),ΔV was positively related to original tree sizes(|R|>0.8).Multivariate regression models were simulated at individual tree level forΔH,ΔA,andΔV with the R2 ranged from 0.1 to 0.43.The ALS-based tree height estimation and growth analysis results were consistent with field measurements.

Multi-scale drivers of soil resistance predict vulnerability of seasonally wet meadows to trampling by pack stock animals in the Sierra Nevada,USA

Background:Meadow ecosystems have important ecological functions and support socioeconomic services,yet are subject to multiple stressors that can lead to rapid degradation.In the Sierra Nevada of the western USA,recreational pack stock(horses and mules)use in seasonally wet mountain meadows may lead to soil trampling and meadow degradation,especially when soil water content is high and vegetation is developing.Methods:In order to improve the ability to predict meadow vulnerability to soil disturbance from pack stock use,we measured soil resistance(SR),which is an index of vulnerability to trampling disturbance,at two spatial scales using a stratified-random sampling design.We then compared SR to several soil and vegetation explanatory variables that were also measured at the two spatial scales:plant community type(local scale)and topographic gradient class(meadow scale).Results:We found that local-scale differences in drivers of SR were contingent on the meadow scale,which is important because multiple spatial scale evaluation of ecological metrics provides a broader understanding of the potential controls on ecological processes than assessments conducted at a single spatial scale.We also found two contrasting explanatory models for drivers of SR at the local scale:(1)soil gravimetric water content effects on soil disaggregation and(2)soil bulk density and root mass influence on soil cohesion.Soil resistance was insufficient to sustain pack stock use without incurring soil deformation in wet plant communities,even when plant cover was maximal during a major drought.Conclusions:Our study provides new information on seasonally wet meadow vulnerability to trampling by pack stock animals using multi-scale drivers of SR,including the contrasting roles of soil disaggregation,friction,and cohesion.Our work aims to inform meadow management efforts in the Sierra Nevada and herbaceous ecosystems in similar regions that are subject to seasonal soil saturation and livestock use.

可持续发展情景下丝绸之路沿线国家土地利用及其对陆地碳库影响

可持续发展目标(SDGs)呼吁全世界共同采取行动,促进繁荣并保护地球.本研究面向SDGs构建了环境、粮食和经济等可持续发展情景,预测2020~2030年丝绸之路沿线国家的土地利用变化,并分析其对陆地碳库的影响。研究表明:未来土地利用变化及其对陆地碳库的影响在不同情景下存在显著差异。在可持续环境情景下,林地得到了有效保护,相较于2020年中国林地碳储量增加了约0.60%;在可持续粮食情景下,耕地流失得到了缓解,尤其在南亚及东南亚地区的耕地面积呈现上升趋势:在可持续经济情景下,城市扩张速度加快,引起的碳损失量最多这项研究有助于推进丝绸之路沿线甚至全球可持续发展进程,为探寻可持续发展路径提供了科学依据。

Determining nitrogen fate by hydrological pathways and impact on carbonate weathering in an agricultural karst watershed

Identifying the nitrogen(N)fate is complicated and a great challenge in karst watersheds because of the co-existence of natural pools and anthropogenic sources.The objective of the study was to use stable isotopic composition of dual-isotope(δ^(15)NNitrate and δ^(18)O_(Nitrate))and LOADEST model approaches to trace N sources,pathways in karst watershed.The study was conducted in the Houzhai watershed,which is a typical agricultural karst watershed from July 2016 to August 2018,to reveal the N fate and the coupled carbon(C)-N processes occurring in the riverine-watershed with agricultural activities.We found that the wet deposition of total nitrogen(TN)flux was 33.50 kg hm^(-2)·a^(-1)and dissolved nitrogen(DN)flux was 21.66 kg hm^(-2)·a^(-1).The DN runoff loss was 2.10×10^(5)kg·a^(-1)and the loss of DN during the wet season accounted for 95.4%over a year.In the wet season,NO_(3)^(-)-N daily efflux was 977.62±516.66 kg ha^(-1)·day^(-1)and 248.77±57.83 kg ha^(-1)·day^(-1)in the dry season.The NH_(4)^(+)-N efflux was 29.17±10.50 kg ha^(-1)·day^(-1)and 4.42±3.07 kg ha^(-1)·day^(-1)in the wet and dry seasons,respectively.The main form output load of N was NO_(3)^(-)-N which was more than 30 times as much as NH_(4)^(+)-N output loss.The NO_(3)^(-)N caused by rainfall contributed11.82%-53.61%to the export load.Nitrate from soil contributed over 94%of the N to Houzhai river caused by N leaching.In addition,manure and farmland soil were the main sources of groundwater in the Houzhai watersheds,the contribution rates were 25.9%and 22.5%.The chemical N fertilizers affected carbonate weathering strongly,and the HCO_(3)^(-) flux caused by nitrifi-cation due to N fertilizers application in soil accounted for 23.5%of the entire watershed.This study suggested that carbonate weathering may be influenced by nitrogen nitrification in the karst watershed.

中国城乡家庭能源平等变化特征分析

能源转型是中国如期实现碳中和、碳达峰目标的必然路径,也是缩小城乡居民能源消费差距、实现能源平等的关键举措。基于2013年和2017年的家庭追踪调查数据,运用基尼系数、局部加权回归以及逐步回归等方法,在揭示中国城乡家庭能源平等的时空特征、能源转型效果基础上,定量评价影响地区间、城乡间家庭能源平等的驱动因素。结果表明:(1)中国城乡家庭的能源消费水平总体呈明显不平等特征,但随着能源转型政策实施以及城乡融合进程加速,城乡家庭间能源不平等程度有所减小。(2)对10609个城乡家庭样本、9类分区的比较显示,除长三角地区的家庭能源平等性较高外,其他地区均呈不同程度的非均衡性,尤其在云贵等西南地区的家庭能源不平等现象尤为突出。(3)家庭收入、家庭规模、城乡居住区位、气候条件以及现代化能源可获得性显著影响家庭能源支出,进而对区域间的家庭能源平等性造成影响,而当地的能源资源禀赋对家庭能源支出的影响并不显著。(4)尽管农村地区气态能源、电力资源普及有效推动了城乡家庭能源转型,但农村家庭需担负相较于城镇家庭居民更大的能源转型经济压力。

Seasonal variations of PM10 -- Trace elements, PAHs and Levoglucosan: Rural sugarcane growing area versus coastal urban area in Southeastern Florida, USA. Part II: Elemental concentrations

The largest sugarcane-growing area in the United States is in South Florida. An estimated 7 million tons of dry sugarcane leafy biomass is removed from the fields before harvest by burning the leaves off the sugarcane stalks. Preharvest sugarcane leaf foliage burning is a major source of airborne particulate matter (PM), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), biogenic trace elements such as K, volatile hydrocarbons and other pollutants. In one harvesting period, approximately 22 million tons of C02, a greenhouse gas, is released, 7 million tons from leaf foliage preharvest burning alone and 15 million tons from burning sugarcane bagasse in the sugar mills for power generation. In this study, PMio was collected from Belle Glade, close to the sugarcane-growing area, and from Delray Beach, an urbanized area along the East Coast of Florida. The PM samples were analyzed for trace elements and close to organic compounds. To elucidate the importance of preharvest sugarcane biomass smoke emissions on air quality, 39 trace elements, 18 PAHs, and levoglucosan were selected to apportion ambient PM constituents. Al, Ca and to a great extend also Mg are the major soil-related trace elements and key markers for fugitive soil dust emissions. Similarly, sea salt aerosol blown from the Atlantic Ocean into Florida added appreciably to PMio trace elements concentration, especially Na and Cl. Approximately half of the sea salt aerosol (PMjo -portion) by mass is removed from the atmosphere during the transport of ocean air from Delray Beach to Belle Glade. Ambient acid displacement reactions caused a substantial portion of the Cl (30%) to be liberated from the sea salt aerosol to the atmosphere during transport as gaseous HC1. The PAH concentrations at Belle Glade were high when the biomass combustion markers levoglucosan and I< also showed the highest concentrations. This indicates that during the sugarcane harvest season, when leaf foliage is burned off just before harvest, most of the ambient PAHs associated with PMio are indeed related to preharvest burning, harvesting machinery emissions, bagasse burning in sugarcane mills, and other related activities that consume biomass and/or fossil fuels for sugarcane harvesting and processing.

The influence of meteorology and phenology on net ecosystem exchange in an eastern Siberian boreal larch forest

Aims Boreal forests play an important role in the global carbon cycle.Compared with the boreal forests in North America and Europe,relatively few research studies have been conducted in Siberian boreal forests.Knowledge related to the role of Siberian forests in the global carbon balance is thus essential for a full understanding of global carbon cycle.Methods This study investigated the net ecosystem exchange(NEE)during growing season(May-September)in an eastern Siberian boreal larch forest for a 3-year period in 2004-2006 with contrasting meteorological conditions.Important FindingsThe study found that the forest served as a carbon sink during all of the 3 studied years;in addition,the meteorological conditions essentially influenced the specific annual value of the strength of the carbon sinks in each year.Although 2005 was the warmest year and much wetter than 2004,2005 also featured the greatest amount of ecosystem respiration,which resulted in a minimum value of NEE.The study also found that the phenological changes observed during the three study years had a relatively small effect on annual NEE.Leaf expansion was 26 days earlier in 2005 than in the other 2 years,which resulted in a longer growing season in 2005.However,the NEE in 2005 was counterbalanced by the large rate of ecosystem respiration that was caused by the higher temperatures in the year.This study showed that meteorological variables had larger influences on the interannual variations in NEE for a Siberian boreal larch forest,as compared with phenological changes.The overall results of this study will improve our understanding of the carbon balance of Siberian boreal larch forests and thus can help to forecast the response of these forests to future climate change.

温室效应治理与温室气体检测问题探析

近一个世纪以来,全球变暖而导致的气候异常变化已经让人们日益重视并进而演变成人类亟待解决的问题。我们依赖于自然环境生存,在遵循自然环境法则的同时,还要根据人类自身的需要对其赖以生存的环境进行适宜地改造,以提高我们的生活质量。科学勘测表明人类工业革命以来的二氧化碳排放总量比过去16万年的大气二氧化碳含量总和高四分之一[1],始料未及的是地球的自然生态环境和社会的经济发展却遭到了让人们难以想象的污染和影响。即便全世界人们目前采取各种措施抑制二氧化碳排放,也并没有任何明显的减缓迹象。如何有效地防治温室效应而引起的气候剧变和危害?这已是当前全球迫在眉睫的重要任务。

Seasonal size-segregated PM10 and PAH concentrations in a rural area of sugarcane agriculture versus a coastal urban area in Southeastern Florida, USA

Airborne particulate matter （PM） is of health and environmental concern not only in highly urbanized areas, but also in rural areas that are used for intensive agricultural purposes, In this study, PM size- segregated samples were collected simultaneously for 12 months in a small town （Belle Glade, Florida）, which is the center of a vast sugarcane growing area and at Delray Beach, a coastal city in Palm Beach County, Florida. During the winter sampling period, when sugarcane foliage is burned just before harvest- ing to reduce the amount of plant matter to be handled, PM10 levels were 50% or higher than otherwise measured, indicating that sugarcane harvesting and processing is a major local source for PM10. For the rest of the year, PM10 levels at both sites are similar, suggesting that ambient PM levels at both sites are impacted by the major urban centers in Southern Florida. During late July and early August, the PM10 levels at both sites were substantially elevated and revealed the typical red-brownish color of Saharan dust. This has been reported to occur frequently with suitable meteorological conditions over the Atlantic Ocean coupled with a Sahara dust storm event. During the sugarcane harvesting season at Belle Glade, the concentrations of PAHs associated with PM10 were up to 15 times higher than those measured during the summer growing season, indicating a substantially higher exposure of the rural population to these often mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds.

Do assortative mating and immigrant inviability help maintain population genetic structuring of an herbivore on a crop and a wild relative?

Population genetic structuring is common among herbivorous insects and frequently is associated with divergent host plants, such as crops and their wild relatives. Previous studies showed population genetic structuring in corn leafhopper Dulbulus maidis in Mexico, such that the species consists of two sympatric, host plant-associated populations: an abundant and widespread "pestiferous” population on maize (Zea mays mays), and a small and localized "wild" population on perennial teosinte (Zea diploperennis). a maize wild relative with a limited distribution. This study addressed whether assortative mating and immigrant inviability mediate genetic structuring of corn leafliopper by comparing the mating and reproductive successes of pestiferous and wild females that colonize their nonassociated host plants against the successes of females colonizing their associated host plants. Assortative mating was assessed by comparing mating frequencies and premating and mating times among females of each population on each host plant: immigrant inviability was assessed by comparing, across two generations, the fecundity, survival, development time, sex ratio, and population growth rate among leafhopper populations and host plants. Our results showed that on maize, and compared to resident, pestiferous females, wild females were more likely to mate, and greater proportions of their offspring survived to adult stage and were daughters;consequently, the per-generation population growth rate on maize was greater for immigrant, wild leafhoppers compared to resident, pestiferous leafhoppers. Our results suggested that wild leafhoppers emigrating to maize have a fitness advantage over resident, pestiferous leafhoppers, while immigrant pestiferous and resident wild leafhoppers on teosinte have similar fitnesses.