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Background The chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model has long been considered the best model for exploring the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying depression. However, there are no widely recognised standards for strategies for modeling and for behavioral testing. The present study aimed to optimize the protocols for food deprivation and the sucrose preference test (SPT) for the CUMS model. Methods We first evaluated the effects of different long periods of food deprivation on the body weight of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats by testing food deprivation for 24 hours (8:00‐8:00+), food deprivation for 12 hours during the daytime (8:00‐20:00) and food deprivation for 12 hours at night (20:00‐8:00+). Next, we established a SD rat CUMS model with 15 different stimulations, and used body weight measurement, SPT, forced swim test (FST), open field test (OFT) and Morris water maze (MWM) test to verify the success of the modeling. In the SPT, consumption of sucrose and pure water within 1 and 12 hours was measured. Results Twelve hours of food deprivation during the daytime (8:00‐20:00) had no effect on body weight, while 12 hours of food deprivation at night (20:00‐8:00+) and 24 hours of food deprivation (8:00‐8:00+) significantly reduced the mean body weight of the SD rats. When SPT was used to verify the successful establishment of the CUMS rat model, sucrose consumption measured within 12 hours was less variable than that measured within 1 hour. Conclusions Twelve hours of food deprivation in the daytime (8:00‐20:00) may be considered a mild stimulus for the establishment of a CUMS rat model. Measuring sucrose consumption over 12 hours is recommended for SPT.

We propose a coupled trial equation method for a coupled differential equations system. Furthermore, according to the invariant property under the translation, we give the symmetry reduction of a dual Kaup–Boussinesq system, and then we use the proposed trial equation method to construct its exact solutions which describe its dynamical behavior. In particular, we get a cosine function solution with a constant propagation velocity, which shows an important periodic behavior of the system.

Background The tribe Delphinieae (Ranunculaceae) has long posed challenges in terms of both its phylogeny and its taxonomy. This study integrates 60 newly sequenced plastid genomes with 57 published ones (117 in total) to construct a robust evolutionary framework for the tribe. Results Our analyses reveal that the plastomes of Delphinieae exhibit exceptional structural conservation, contrary to the frequent rearrangements observed in related Ranunculaceae lineages. The plastid phylogenomic framework resolves long-standing controversies, providing maximum support for all major intergeneric relationships (bootstrap support (BS) = 100; posterior probability (PP) = 1.0). Our results place the annual genus Staphisagria as the earliest-diverging lineage, sister to the remainder of the tribe. The results also identify Gymnaconitum as the sister genus to Delphinium . This topology challenges the traditional view of life-history evolution by strongly supporting a transition from an annual to a perennial habit within the tribe, a hypothesis corroborated by the annual nature of its outgroups. Divergence time estimates indicate that the major radiations of the two largest subgenera, Aconitum subg. Aconitum and Delphinium subg. Delphinastrum , occurred from the mid- to late Miocene, coinciding with major geological and climatic shifts. Conclusions This study provides a definitive phylogenetic backbone for Delphinieae, clarifies its life-history evolution, and links its diversification to key geological events. The conserved plastome structure and identified hypervariable regions offer a foundation for future systematic and population-level studies in this ecologically and medicinally important tribe.

IntroductionAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the prevalent cardiac arrhythmia and can significantly impair the quality of life (QoL). Although catheter ablation (CA) is an established treatment for AF,post-procedural complications or perceived inadequate control of AF may diminish the QoL for some patients, potentially even to levels lower than pre-procedure. Preliminary findings from our previous pilot trial indicate that acupuncture may positively influence QoL in AF patients post-CA. This study aims to increase the sample size to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture as an adjunctive treatment to conventional medical therapy in improving QoL of patients with AF after CA.Methods and designThis multicentre randomised clinical trial will be conducted in China. A total of 146 eligible patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the acupuncture group or the sham acupuncture group. All patients will receive standard postablation care and undergo 18 sessions of acupuncture/sham acupuncture within 12 weeks following CA, followed by a 9-month follow-up period. The primary outcome is the change in the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life (AFEQT) summary score from baseline to months 6 after CA. Secondary outcomes include the changes in the AFEQT subscale scores at months 6, the AFEQT summary and subscale score at months 3 and 12, AF burden, AF recurrence, heart rate variability, number of cardioversions, repeat CA procedures, European Heart Rhythm Association score, number of arrhythmia-related hospitalisations, average heart rate, use of Six-Dimensional Health State Short Form to assess health status, costs incurred by disease treatment, Credibility/Expectancy Questionnaire and blinded assessments. Adverse events will also be meticulously recorded throughout the trial.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval has been granted by the Ethics Committee of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (approval no: 2020BZYLL0802) and seven other subcentres. The findings of the study results will be disseminated through presentations at scientific conferences or publications in peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberChiCTR2100049323.

The enigmatic monotypic genus Paroxygraphis (Ranunculaceae, tribe Ranunculeae), represented solely by P. sikkimensis, has long posed taxonomic uncertainties due to its rarity. Through field rediscovery in southern Xizang, China, and comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analyses combining nrITS and four plastid regions, we resolved its phylogenetic position within the Oxygraphis clade. We found the Oxygraphis clade has a divergence time of about 19.26 Ma (95% HPD: 11.84–27.14 Ma) from its sister clade, and Paroxygraphis is nested within. Morphological and ecological characteristics, including a small herb with a rosette of basal simple leaves, longitudinally ribbed achenes, and its alpine adaptations, further support this relationship. Furthermore, the results showed that persistent sepals and unisexual flowers in Ranunculeae reflect multiple independent evolutionary origins. We propose the new combination Oxygraphis sikkimensis and highlight its critically endangered status due to habitat vulnerability. Lectotypification of P. sikkimensis is also made. This study provides new data for the floristic research of China and resolves the long‐standing taxonomic controversy of this problematic genus within Ranunculeae. This study resolves the long‐standing taxonomic ambiguity of the genus Paroxygraphis through comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis, demonstrating its nested position within the Oxygraphis clade. Based on robust phylogenetic evidence, alongside morphological and ecological similarities, we propose the reclassification of Paroxygraphis sikkimensis as Oxygraphis sikkimensis, formally designating a lectotype to stabilize the name. The research also reports the first rediscovery of this species in decades and its first confirmed record in Xizang, China, assesses it as critically endangered due to habitat vulnerability, and reveals that dioecy evolved independently within the tribe Ranunculeae.

Importance Renal colic is described as one of the worst types of pain, and effective analgesia in the shortest possible time is of paramount importance. Objectives To examine whether acupuncture, as an adjunctive therapy to analgesics, could accelerate pain relief in patients with acute renal colic. Design, Setting, and Participants This single-center, sham-controlled, randomized clinical trial was conducted in an emergency department in China between March 2020 and September 2020. Participants with acute renal colic (visual analog scale [VAS] score ≥4) due to urolithiasis were recruited. Data were analyzed from October 2020 to January 2022. Interventions After diagnosis and randomization, all patients received 50 mg/2 mL of diclofenac sodium intramuscular injection immediately followed by 30-minute acupuncture or sham acupuncture. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was the response rate at 10 minutes after needle manipulation, which was defined as the proportion of participants whose VAS score decreased by at least 50% from baseline. Secondary outcomes included response rates at 0, 5, 15, 20, 30, 45, and 60 minutes, rescue analgesia, and adverse events. Results A total of 115 participants were screened and 80 participants (66 men [82.5%]; mean [SD] age, 45.8 [13.8] years) were enrolled, consisting of 40 per group. The response rates at 10 minutes were 77.5% (31 of 40) and 10.0% (4 of 40) in the acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups, respectively. The between-group differences were 67.5% (95% CI, 51.5% to 83.4%;P < .001). The response rates of acupuncture were also significantly higher than sham acupuncture at 0, 5, 15, 20 and 30 minutes, whereas no significant difference was detected at 45 and 60 minutes. However, there was no difference between the 2 groups in rescue analgesia rate (difference 2.5%; 95% CI −8.8% to 13.2%;P > .99). No adverse events occurred during the trial. Conclusions and Relevance These findings suggest that acupuncture plus intramuscular injection of diclofenac is safe and provides fast and substantial pain relief for patients with renal colic compared with sham acupuncture in the emergency setting. However, no difference in rescue analgesia was found, possibly because of the ceiling effect caused by subsequent but robust analgesia of diclofenac. Acupuncture can be considered an optional adjunctive therapy in relieving acute renal colic. Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry:ChiCTR1900025202

This study aimed to conduct precise supplementation for pregnant cashmere goats under grazing based on the feeding standard. Eight Inner Mongolian pregnant cashmere goats of near-average body weight were selected at early gestation (44.41 ± 4.03 kg) and late gestation (46.54 ± 4.02 kg) to measure their nutrient intake. Then, two pregnant cashmere goat flocks, No. 10 (control group, on-farm supplement) and No. 11 (supplemented group, supplement based on standard), with the same goat herd structure and grassland type, were chosen to conduct the supplemental feeding experiment. The results showed that pregnant cashmere goats lacked daily the intake of dry matter, digestive energy, crude protein and most essential mineral elements under grazing. After supplemental feeding, the supplementation based on the feeding standard increased the cashmere length and cashmere length growth volume and decreased the cashmere fineness, with no statistical significance. The goat cashmere yield, goat weight after shearing, single and twin-birth kid weight and kids’ mature secondary hair follicle density were significantly higher in the supplemented group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation in accordance with “Nutrient Requirements of Cashmere Goats” can enhance pregnant cashmere goats’ fiber production, growth performance, fertility and kids’ secondary hair follicles development, which is of great importance for the healthy and precise nutrition and management of cashmere goats.

IntroductionHypertension is a common risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) may be effective for hypertension, but the evidence remains limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the smart phone-based TEAS as adjunctive therapy for hypertension.Methods and analysisThis study is a 52-week cluster randomised controlled trial with 1600 hypertension patients in 32 community health service centres. Patients who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomised into usual care group or TEAS group in a 1:1 ratio. All patients will be provided with usual care as recommended by the guidelines. In addition to this, patients in the TEAS group will receive non-invasive acupoint electrical stimulation for 30 min at home, 4 times weekly for 12 weeks. The primary outcome will be the mean difference in the changes in office systolic blood pressure from baseline to 12 weeks between TEAS and usual care groups. Secondary outcomes will include the change of mean diastolic blood pressure, proportion of patients with controlled blood pressure (blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg), proportion of patients taking antihypertensive drugs, change in number of antihypertensive drugs and changes in 12-item Short-Form. Tertiary outcomes will include change in body mass index, change in waist circumference, physical activity and medication adherence. Safety outcomes will be any serious adverse events and clinical events.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by ethics committee of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (No. 2020BZHYLL0104). Written informed consent will be obtained from all patients before randomisation. Trial results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications.Trial registration numberChiCTR2000039400.

Inflammatory responses play decisive roles in tumor development, immune surveillance, and responses to therapy. High neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), as an inflammation index, has been reported to be a predictor for poor prognosis of various cancers. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the prognostic value of NLR in patients with rectal cancer. A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted through PubMed and EMBASE. Pooled hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to evaluate the association between NLR and three outcomes: overall survival, disease-free survival, and recurrence-free survival. Seven cohorts involving 959 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Our pooled results demonstrated that elevated NLR was associated with poor overall survival (HR: 13.41, 95% CI: 4.90-36.72), disease-free survival (HR: 4.37, 95% CI: 2.33-8.19), and recurrence-free survival (HR: 3.64, 95% CI: 1.88-7.05). An elevated NLR is a valuable and easily available prognostic marker for rectal cancer. It is associated with unfavorable overall survival, disease-free survival, and recurrence-free survival. NLR could be a useful candidate factor for making treatment decisions for individual patients with rectal cancer.

To investigate the effect and timing of subconjunctival bevacizumab injection on inhibiting corneal neovascularization (CorNV) in patients after chemical burns. Patients with CorNV secondary to chemical burns were involved. Two subconjunctival injections of bevacizumab (2.5 mg/0.1 mL per involved quadrant) with an interval of 4 weeks were administered, and followed up a year. The area occupied by neovascular vessels (NA), accumulative neovascular length (NL), mean neovascular diameter (ND), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and intraocular pressure (IOP) were evaluated. Complication was also recorded. Eleven patients with CorNV were involved. Eight patients had a history of surgery (four had amniotic grafts, one had keratoplasty, and three had amniotic grafts and keratoplasty). Decreasing in NA, NL, and ND were statistically significant at each time point compared to the baseline ( 0.01). CorNV that developed within 1 month was considerably regressed, and vessels with fibrovascular membranes were found to be narrower and shorter than pretreatment. BCVA improved in five patients (from one to five lines), remained unchanged in five patients, and decreased in one patient compared to pretreatment. Subconjunctival bevacizumab injection has a particular potential for the regression of CorNV, especially newly formed within 1 month in patients after chemical burns.