Using FEM to predict tree motion in a wind field

In this paper we propose a finite element(FE) simulation method to predict tree motion in a wind field. Two FE tree models were investigated:One model was generated based on a realistic nature-looking geometric tree model,and the other was a symmetric model to investigate the influence of asymmetric material properties on tree motion. The vortex-induced vibration(VIV) theory is introduced to estimate the fluctuating wind force being exerted on tree stems and the fluid-structure interaction(FSI) analysis is also included in the simulation. The results indicate that asymmetric material properties result in the crosswind displacement of the investigated node and the main swaying direction deviation. The simulation reveals that under wind loading,a tree with leaves has much larger swaying amplitude along the wind direction and longer swaying period than a tree without leaves. However,the crosswind swaying amplitude is mainly due to branch interaction. The numerical simulation proved that the inter-action of tree branches can prevent dangerous swaying motion developing.

Laboratory study of the formation of fullerene(from smaller to larger, C44 to C70)/anthracene cluster cations in the gas phase

The formation and evolution mechanism of fullerenes in the planetary nebula or in the interstellar medium are still not understood.Here,we present the study on the cluster formation and the relative reactivity of fullerene cations(from smaller to larger,C44 to C70) with anthracene molecule(C14H10).The experiment is performed in an apparatus that combines a quadrupole ion trap with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer.By using a 355 nm laser beam to irradiate the trapped fullerenes cations(C60+or C70+),smaller fullerene cations C(60-2 n)+, n=1-8 or C(70-2 m)+,m=1-11 are generated,respectively.Then reacting with anthracene molecules,series of fullerene/anthracene cluster cations are newly formed(e.g.,(C14H10)C(60-2 n)+,n=1-8 and(C14H10)C(70-2 m)+,m=1-11),and slight difference of the reactivity within the smaller fullerene cations are observed.Nevertheless,smaller fullerenes show obviously higher reactivity when comparing to fullerene C60+ and C70+.A successive loss of C2 fragments mechanism is suggested to account for the formation of smaller fullerene cations,which then undergo addition reaction with anthracene molecules to form the fullerene-anthracene cluster cations.It is found that the higher laser energy and longer irradiation time are key factors that affect the formation of smaller fullerene cations.This may indicate that in the strong radiation field environment(such as photon-dominated regions) in space,fullerenes are expected to follow the top-down evolution route,and then form small grain dust(e.g.,clusters) through collision reaction with co-existing molecules,here,smaller PAHs.

Chinese expert consensus on organ protection of transplantation(2022 edition)

Introduction Organ transplantation increases survival and improves qual-ity of life to many patients with end-stage organ failure.Or-gan shortage is a worldwide problem that restricts organ trans-plantation[1].Organ procurement and preservation as well as ischemia-reperfusion injury(IRI)after transplantation are the im-portant factors affecting prognosis of recipients.Since the de-velopment of organ transplantation technology in the 20th cen-tury,organ protection technology has been a most promising con-cept in this field.Organ preservation solutions such as the Collins solution,University of Wisconsin(UW)solution,and histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate(HTK)solution were developed sequen-tially[2],which developed rapidly in static cold storage(SCS)tech-niques.SCS remains the standard preservation technique for organ transplantation[2].

针灸治疗纤维肌痛:证据图

Objective:The body of research on acupuncture as a treatment strategy for fibromyalgia(FM)is steadily growing.This evidence map identifies,describes,and summarizes the current status of studies conducted to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture for FM,identify research gaps,and provide information that could guide the design of future studies.Methods:Seven electronic databases–Cochrane Library,PubMed,Embase,China Biomedical Literature Database,VIP,Wanfang Database,and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure–were searched for relevant articles on acupuncture for FM.The search period was from the dates of inception of the databases to December 19,2022.Original clinical studies and systematic reviews on the use of acupuncture-related modalities for the treatment of FM were included.The basic information,quality assessments,and evidence maps of the included studies are presented as charts and bubble plots.The quality assessment tools used for evaluating the different types of studies included in the present study were Cochrane Collaboration’s tool,Canadian Institute of Health Economics quality appraisal tool,and A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews 2.Results:Fifty studies were included in this study.Of these,39(78.00%)were randomized controlled trials(RCTs),6(12.0%)were case series,and 5(10.0%)were systematic reviews.The included studies focused on manual acupuncture and conventional treatment in the treatment and control groups,respectively.The outcomes analyzed in the RCTs included pain(94.9%),sleep quality(46.2%),depression(46.2%),physical function(46.2%),stiffness(35.9%),well-being(35.9%),work status(35.9%),anxiety(33.3%),fatigue(33.3%),quality of life(17.9%),and overall effective rate(10.3%).The methodological quality of most of the studies was low or critically low regardless of the study design.In most studies,the therapeutic effect of acupuncture was significantly superior to that of the comparator.

A global review of acupuncture and moxibustion recommendations in guidelines/expert consensus for chemotherapy-and/or radiotherapy-induced nausea and/or vomiting

Objective:To summarize and analyze the recommendations of acupuncture and moxibustion in the global guidelines/expert consensus of chemotherapy-and/or radiotherapy-induced nausea and/or vomiting,providing a basis for the development of clinical practice guidelines on acupuncture and moxibustion for chemotherapy-and/or radiotherapy-induced nausea and/or vomiting.Methods:We systematically searched 7 comprehensive databases,7 guideline libraries and 4 websites of societies/associations.The retrieval period was from the inception to April 1,2023.Two researchers independently screened the literature,extracted data,and used the Scientific,Transparent,and Applicable Rankings(STAR)tool to evaluate the quality of guidelines/expert consensus that contained acupuncture and moxibustion recommendations,and analyzed acupuncture and moxibustion recommendations in guidelines/expert consensus and their evidence base.Results:A total of 56 guidelines/expert consensus related to the prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-and/or radiotherapy-induced nausea and/or vomiting were included,and 22 guidelines/expert consensus contained acupuncture and moxibustion recommendations,with a total of 34 recommendations on acupuncture and moxibustion(27 supports,4 neutrals,3 objections).The STAR evaluation(excluding 1 patient version of guideline)showed that none of the guidelines/expert consensus was with high quality,95.24%(20/21)with medium quality,and 4.76%(1/21)with low quality.Although there were many recommendations of acupuncture and moxibustion in the existing guidelines/expert consensus,there was great heterogeneity among the acupuncture and moxibustion treatment regimens.Moreover,most of the guidelines/expert consensus did not describe the details of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment regimens,such as acupuncture and moxibustion manipulation,acupoint selection,course and timing of treatment,which is difficult to guide the clinical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion.Conclusion:Developing clinical practice guidelines of acupuncture and moxibustion for chemotherapyand/or radiotherapy-induced nausea and/or vomiting according to the items of the STAR tool was urgent,so as to clarify the details of acupuncture and moxibustion regimens and provide standardized treatment regimens to guide the clinical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion.

针灸缓解带状疱疹后遗神经痛患者疼痛:概况性评价

Objective:To summarize the available evidence of acupuncture for pain relief in the patients with postherpetic neuralgia(PHN)using a scoping review.Methods:Seven electronic databases of the original studies of acupuncture on PHN were retrieved.The search time was from the inception to May 1,2021.Two researchers screened the title,abstract and full text of each article independently.The original studies that was met the inclusion criteria were collected and analyzed,and finally presented with a qualitative description.Results:A total of 216 original studies were eligible and all of them were randomized controlled trials.The acupuncture therapies with the highest use frequency included manual acupuncture,pricking and cupping and electroacupuncture.Acupuncture therapies were mostly combined with other interventions in studies.There were large differences in acupoint selection,time duration for single treatment and the total treatment times.It was believed in all of the included studies that acupuncture was effective of pain relief in PHN and 85.65%of the studies obtained the minimum clinical importance difference(MCID),suggesting the clinical effectiveness.The adverse reaction of acupuncture was low in its incidence,and mostly transient in occurrence.Conclusion:The study type of acupuncture for PHN is relatively simple.Most studies show the advantages of acupuncture in pain relief of PHN.The quality of study needs to be improved.

开展针灸随机对照试验前应进行引证研究及探索性研究

Adequate preliminary research is a prerequisite for ensuring the quality of randomized controlled trials(RCTs)on acupuncture.This paper proposes that prior to conducting a new RCT of acupuncture,an evidence-based research(EBR)approach and exploratory studies should be adopted to ensure value and avoid waste of research.EBR,defined as using systematic reviews of relevant clinical studies and obtain the perspectives of end users in a systematic and transparent way to justify research questions and inform trial design,is recommended as the first step before embarking on an acupuncture RCT to ensure its value and rationality.The subsequent exploratory studies can aid researchers in pre-evaluating the effect of acupuncture treatment protocols,identifying key factors that influence the outcome,and test trial feasibility for protocol optimization.This article elucidates the significance and implementation of the EBR approach and exploratory studies,with the aim of providing practical methods to enhance the quality of acupuncture RCTs。

Acupuncture for atopic eczema:Evidence mapping-based randomized controlled trials,systematic reviews,and meta-analyses

Background:Acupuncture is used to relieve symptoms,reducing recurrence,and improve the lives of patients with skin diseases.Objective:To identify,describe,and organize the available evidence on acupuncture for atopic eczema(AE)using evidence mapping of randomized controlled trials(RCTs),systematic reviews(SRs),and metaanalyses.Methods:We searched eight databases from inception to October 30,2021,for RCTs,SRs,and metaanalyses of acupuncture for patients with AE.Two reviewers screened the papers,before extracting the data and assessing the quality of the included studies.The basic and clinical characteristics,and quality of assessment of the studies were assessed using descriptive statistics and qualitative analyses.A bubble plot was used to visualize the evidence map to indicate the relationship between the type and frequency of outcomes,the quality and overall effects of acupuncture,and the outcomes of the studies.Results:Forty-five studies(Forty RCTs,five SRs,and meta-analyses)were included.The number of publications increased rapidly after 2013 and peaked in 2019.The most frequently applied intervention was one type of acupuncture therapy.The most frequent comparison was between acupuncture and active medicine.The symptomatic outcome was the most commonly used,and the quality of the included studies was relatively low.All included studies showed a significantly better outcome in the acupuncture group compared to the control group(P<0.05).Most outcomes in the included studies were of low or critically low quality.Several symptomatic outcomes and health-related quality of life outcomes in the included RCTs indicated moderate quality,while some symptomatic outcomes and global symptom improvement in the included SRs and meta-analyses indicated low quality.Conclusion:The majority of studies related to acupuncture for AE indicated promising results,but with relatively low quality;thus,further studies with more robust designs should be conducted to validate the results.

A technique of pretightening dorsal vein complex can facilitate laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

The ligation of dorsal venous complex(DVC)is a very important procedure during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy(LRP).Inaccurate DVC ligation may lead to severe bleeding or postoperative incontinence.We,therefore,designed the DVC pretightening technique to facilitate this procedure.The 32 involved patients with localized prostate cancer underwent LRP between July 2017 and October 2018.All of the patients received DVC pretightening technique.A laparoscopic intestinal clamp was used to narrow and strain DVC.The needle passage was limited between the bone and clamp.The ligation time,DVCrelated blood loss,and continence data were recorded.The ligation of DVC in 32 patients was performed with DVC pretightening technique.

The effect of rehabilitation exercise on the expression of glutaminase and cardiopulmonary remodeling in pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension(PH)is featured by pulmonary vascular and cardiac remodeling.Rehabilitation exercise can improve patients’quality of life.We previously pinpointed a potential glutamine metabolism dysfunction in PH.Hence,we aim to investigate whether rehabilitation exercise could mitigate right ventricular and pulmonary vascular remodeling and its effect on glutaminase(GLS).We collected clinical indicators of PH patients and analyzed their correlation with GLS.Rehabilitation exercise(moderate intensity swimming exercise)was performed in monocrotaline-induced PH(MCT-PH)rats.We found that plasma GLS1 level in patients was lower than healthy subjects,and it was negatively correlated with end-systolic stage eccentricity index,right atrial transverse dimension and right atrial longitudinal dimension.MCT-PH rats displayed pulmonary vascular remodeling and right ventricular hypertrophy.Compared to control rats,higher levels of GLS1 and GLS2 mRNA in lung and lower levels of these two isoforms of GLS in right ventricle(RV)were displayed in MCT-PH rats.After swimming exercise,GLS mRNA levels in the lung and RV were significantly upregulated,and the cross-sectional area of right ventricular cardiomyocytes was significantly decreased although the percentage of pulmonary arteriolar medial wall thickness was not significantly changed.Therefore,we hold the opinion that plasma GLS1 level was decreased in PH.The transcriptional levels of GLS1 and GLS2 were increased in the lung tissues in PH,but were decreased in the RV tissues.Meanwhile,the changes of GLS levels indicated the pulmonary vascular and right ventricular remodeling.Whereas moderate intensity swimming exercise might improve the right ventricular remodeling by regulating the levels of GLS.