Cold Wind Research Articles

Unravelling the interplay between Harmattan wind and baroreflex functions: implications on environmental health and cardiovascular pathophysiology

Harmattan is a season characterized by dust, cold, and sub-humid trade winds in Sub-Saharan countries. It’s similar to meteorological phenomena like Asian dust storms, Santa Ana winds, Australian bushfires, and Saharan dust in the Caribbean. It causes profound changes in the cardiorespiratory system in apparently healthy individuals and increases the risk of hospitalization in susceptible individuals. Exposure to these extreme conditions has been associated with alterations in autonomic function and baroreceptor sensitivity thus resulting in dysregulation of blood pressure control mechanisms. Baroreceptors are critical regulators of hemodynamics and cardiovascular function. They play a vital role in the short-term responses to blood pressure perturbation and are essential for acute restoration of blood pressure following cold exposure. Harmattan wind contains a barrage of chemicals, dust, and particulate matters depending on industrialization, natural and human activities. Particulate matter from Harmattan dust can trigger systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, exacerbating endothelial dysfunction and impairing vascular reactivity thus contributing to the pathogenesis of alterations in baroreceptor insensitivity, and cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension and atherosclerosis. Furthermore, fine particulate matter from dust may penetrate deep into the respiratory tract, activating pulmonary sensory receptors and eliciting reflex responses that influence autonomic tone. The presence of rich acrolein smokes and non-essential heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and mercury in Harmattan wind also reduces baroreflex sensitivity, culminating in a sustained increase in diastolic and systolic blood pressure. This integrated review aims to provide valuable insights into how changes in each of these environmental constituents alter vital pathophysiologic and immunologic mechanisms of the body leading to baroreceptor instability and ultimately hemodynamic imbalance using available primary studies. Understanding this intricate interplay is crucial for implementing targeted interventions and informed public health strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of extreme environmental exposure and ultimately reduce poor health outcomes in the affected regions.

Research on milling performance of CFRP/titanium alloy stacks under low temperature cold wind conditions

Research on milling performance of CFRP/titanium alloy stacks under low temperature cold wind conditions

Strong Bow Shocks: Turbulence and an Exact Self-similar Asymptotic

We show that strong bow shocks are turbulent and nonuniversal near the head but asymptote to a universal, steady, self-similar, and analytically solvable flow in the downstream. The turbulence is essentially 3D and has been confirmed by a 3D simulation. The asymptotic behavior is confirmed with high-resolution 2D and 3D simulations of a cold uniform wind encountering both a solid spherical obstacle and stellar wind. This solution is relevant in the context of (i) probing the kinematic properties of observed high-velocity compact bodies—e.g., runaway stars and/or supernova ejecta blobs—flying through the interstellar medium; and (ii) constraining stellar bow shock luminosities invoked by some quasiperiodic eruption models.

Temperature rising and anti-freezing performance of gravel-clay mixed with PCM applying infrared radiation during winter construction

Freeze–thaw cycles could easily cause the structural damage and mechanic performance deterioration of clay. In order to prevent the freeze–thaw cycles problem in the core-wall zone of the high core-wall rock-fill dam in cold regions, gravel-clay mixed with phase change material (GC-PCM) can be used as damming material and present a certain level of anti-freezing performance during winter construction. However, GC-PCM construction work area is still likely to run a risk of freezing under the severe cold and strong wind weather. In order to solve the freezing problem of GC-PCM, this study developed an infrared radiant heating device without interfering with the original construction procedure and conducted an indoor test to investigate the temperature rising performance of GC-PCM after receiving infrared radiation. Also, a numerical simulation method was proposed for the temperature rising and anti-freezing performance of the GC-PCM construction work area and the effects of different factors (including radiant pass, moving speed of infrared device and wind speed) on the anti-freezing performance were analysed subsequently. Main results show that: (1) the effectiveness of proposed numerical simulation method is validated by the indoor test; (2) after receiving 8-pass infrared radiation, the GC-PCM construction work area at 4 % PCM content remains unfrozen in 24 hours under the typical weather in December; and (3) instead of increasing radiant passes, reducing the moving speed of infrared device can better improve the anti-freezing performance of GC-PCM. This study validates the feasibility of applying infrared radiant heating method on GC-PCM, providing a potential technical means for gravel-clay anti-freezing during winter construction.

Occurrence of an unusual extensive ice-free feature within the pack ice of the central Weddell Sea, Antarctica

We investigate an unusual extensive ice-free feature (EIF) within the pack ice that developed in the central Weddell Sea in December 1980 on the edge of the multi-year sea ice off the east coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. The EIF was first apparent on satellite imagery on 8 December 1980 and expanded until it reached its largest areal extent of ~5.4 × 105 km2 on 26 December. The combined influences of near-record strength ( ~ 15 ms−1) cold winds from the Antarctic continent (transporting sea ice northward and creating an area of thin ice), increased shortwave radiation and net heat flux into the ocean, passage of deep polar storms, and the upwelling of high saline warm water led to the opening of this unique EIF. It is still the largest ice-free feature within the pack ice resembling a polynya observed in the central Weddell Sea during the satellite era, contributing significantly to the 1981 Weddell Sea sea ice extent minimum of 0.793 × 106 km2, the lowest on record. The development mechanism of this EIF was different from the 1970’s Weddell open ocean polynya which occurred within the winter sea ice cover through enhanced ocean convection.

Constructing a county-level environmental events dataset for China during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368–1911)

This article builds on China’s rich recorded history to present a newly constructed dataset of environmental events at the county-level for the period 1368 to 1911. Essential to the dataset construction is the use of recently developed AI techniques, including new optical character recognition, lexical analysis based on machine learning, and word frequency analysis. The result is that environmental information was extracted from different sources, comprised of structured collections of printed historical records, and then combined and parameterized to construct a county-level environmental dataset that includes information on the incidence of cold spells, droughts, floods, and wind events. The dataset is validated and Geographic Information Systems are used to manage and present the spatially disaggregated data. The new data are expected to benefit future researchers looking to study historical environmental extreme events, or examine their impact on other aspects of Chinese economy and society.

ALMA view of the L1448-mm protostellar system on disk scales: CH3OH and H13CN as new disk wind tracers

Protostellar disks are known to accrete; however, the exact mechanism that extracts the angular momentum and drives accretion in the low-ionization “dead” region of the disk is under debate. In recent years, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) disk winds have become a popular solution. Even so, observations of these winds require both high spatial resolution (~10 s au) and high sensitivity, which has resulted in only a handful of MHD disk wind candidates to date. In this work we present high angular resolution (~30 au) ALMA observations of the emblematic L1448-mm protostellar system and find suggestive evidence for an MHD disk wind. The disk seen in dust continuum (~0.9 mm) has a radius of ~23 au. Rotating infall signatures in H13CO+ indicate a central mass of 0.4 ± 0.1 M⊙ and a centrifugal radius similar to the dust disk radius. Above the disk, we identify rotation signatures in the outflow traced by H13CN, CH3OH, and SO lines and find a kinematical structure consistent with theoretical predictions for MHD disk winds. This is the first detection of an MHD disk wind candidate in H13CN and CH3OH. The wind launching region estimated from cold MHD wind theory extends out to the disk edge. The magnetic lever arm parameter would be λϕ ≃ 1.7, in line with recent non-ideal MHD disk models. The estimated mass-loss rate is approximately four times the protostellar accretion rate (Ṁacc ≃ 2 × 10−6M⊙ yr−1) and suggests that the rotating wind could carry enough angular momentum to drive disk accretion.

Air–sea interactions in stable atmospheric conditions: lessons from the desert semi-enclosed Gulf of Eilat (Aqaba)

Abstract. Accurately quantifying air–sea heat and gas exchange is crucial for comprehending thermoregulation processes and modeling ocean dynamics; these models incorporate bulk formulae for air–sea exchange derived in unstable atmospheric conditions. Therefore, their applicability in stable atmospheric conditions, such as desert-enclosed basins in the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba (coral refugium), Red Sea, and Persian Gulf, is unclear. We present 2-year eddy covariance results from the Gulf of Eilat, a natural laboratory for studying air–sea interactions in stable atmospheric conditions, which are directly related to ocean dynamics. The measured mean evaporation, 3.22 m yr−1, approximately double that previously estimated by bulk formulae, exceeds the heat flux provided by radiation. Notably, in arid environments, the wind speed seasonal trend drives maximum evaporation in summer, with a minimum winter rate. The higher evaporation rate appears when elevated wind, particularly in the afternoon, coincides with an increase in vapor pressure difference. The inability of the bulk formulae approach to capture the seasonal (opposite from our measurements) and annual trend of evaporation is linked to errors in quantifying the atmospheric boundary layer stability parameter. Most of the year, there is a net cooling effect of surface water (−79 W m−2), primarily through evaporation. The substantial heat deficit is compensated by the advection of heat via northbound currents from the Red Sea, which we indirectly quantify from energy balance considerations. Cold and dry synoptic-scale winds induce extreme heat loss through air–sea fluxes and are correlated with the destabilization of the water column during winter and initiation of vertical water-column mixing.

Recurrent unilateral corneal edema in a 54-year-old patient after endurance sports in low temperature

Introduction: Corneal edema in endurance sports at low temperatures is a rare occurrence, and few reports can be found in the literature. Patient and Clinical Findings: A case of unilateral corneal edema in a 54-year-old man with a history of laser in situ keratomileusis surgery, cataract surgery, and vitrectomy is presented. Recurrent episodes of corneal edema were observed during endurance cycling in temperatures below 10 °C, with complete recovery observed the next day without any treatment. Diagnosis, Interventions, and Outcomes: Pathophysiology and therapeutic strategies were discussed. Local administration of hyperosmolar saline lacked of any effect as did administration of acetazolamide. A protection of the affected eye by contact lens was not successful, but ski goggles could effectively prevent the corneal edema. Conclusions: Some single reports in the literature described roughly similar corneal findings under different conditions. A systematic evaluation of this case could reveal a fateful combination of cold temperature, physical activity, and susceptibility of the corneal endothelium. Protection from cold wind by ski goggles was found to be an effective practical approach.

Effect of root zone heating on cold tolerance of papaya (Carica papaya L.)

ABSTRACT Low-temperatures during winter are a serious problem in the cultivation of tropical fruit trees in temperate regions. The study investigated whether root zone heating treatments could improve cold injury tolerance in papaya. Leaf water potential was −2.22MPa and leaves wilted in the Control, where the root zone was not heated. However, where the root zone was heated to 20°C or only during the daytime, leaf water potentials were −1.31MPa and −1.41MPa, respectively, and no signs of leaf wilting were observed, suggesting that cold wind damage was suppressed unless temperatures fell below freezing. In contrast, where the root zone was heated, leaves wilted rapidly as temperature fell below the freezing point, and all trees had died by 12 January 2018 (72 days of experiment), suggesting that freezing injury could not be controlled by heating the root zone. It is therefore suggested that in addition to root zone heating, heating the greenhouse only on days when the temperature is below the freezing point would also prevent freezing injury. This has the potential to reduce the total greenhouse heating time by 97%. It also has the potential to reduce fuel costs for overwintering papaya, a tropical fruit tree cultivated in a temperate region.

Severe storm damage and short‐term weather stresses on corn: A review

AbstractAdverse weather conditions from acute events (e.g., storms causing lodging, flooding, or hail) or short‐duration weather patterns (i.e., periods of cold events; extended waterlogged field conditions) can result in yield losses, though management practices may play key roles in aiding with crop recovery or avoidance of these stress events. This review summarizes current knowledge (with emphasis placed on the US Midwest) related to corn response to short‐term weather stresses of (i) cold temperature, (ii) excess water, (iii) hail/defoliation damage, and (iv) wind damage. Each section presents summaries of how corn growth and yield are affected, provides context into past events experienced, identifies agronomic or production recommendations to correct or alleviate the stress condition, and proposes areas where future research is needed. This review also highlights challenges associated with controlled simulation work on these stressors, and also identifies key areas to expand future research efforts. In general, yield losses associated with strong storms and short‐term weather events often ranged from 5% to 35%, but extreme cases could result in up to 80%–100% yield loss. Much of the literature on these topics was published prior to 1995, though it still forms the basis for modern agronomic guidance, which is problematic given the changes in agriculture in the last 20 years in management practices, available genetics and technologies, and changing environmental conditions. Revisiting these foundational studies and expanding them to examine current and future weather conditions are critical for better informing agronomic recommendations, for devising mitigation strategies, and for determining accurate yield loss expectations following these stresses.

A Case Study on Wind Speed Oscillations Offshore the West Coast of Central Taiwan

Abstract This paper investigates a wind speed oscillation event that occurred near the coastline of central Taiwan in the afternoon of 17 February 2018, using data from observations and numerical simulations. The observed wind speeds at 100-m altitude displayed a fast-oscillating pattern of about 6 cycles between strong winds of approximately 21 m s−1 and weak winds of around 2 m s−1, with periods of about 10 min. The pressure anomalies fluctuated in antiphase with the wind speed anomalies. The synoptic analysis revealed the influence of a continental high pressure system, resulting in a cold-air outbreak over Taiwan. The cold north-northeasterly winds split into two branches upon encountering Taiwan’s topography, with ridging off the east coast and a lee trough off the west coast of Taiwan. Wind oscillations were detected in the low-level cold air offshore the west coast of Taiwan, depicted by wavelike structures in wind speeds, sea level pressure, and potential temperature. The perturbations were identified as Kelvin-Helmholtz billows characterized by regions of strong wind speeds, warm and dry air, sinking motions, and low pressure collocated with each other, while regions of weaker wind speeds, cooler and moister air, ascending motions, and high pressure were associated with each other. With terrain contributing to favorable conditions, the large vertical and horizontal wind shears resulted from the southward acceleration of low-level cold air and the northward movement of the lee trough played an important role in initiating the wind oscillations.

Thermal Comfort Model Established by Using Machine Learning Strategies Based on Physiological Parameters in Hot and Cold Environments

The air-conditioning systems have become an indispensable part of our daily life for keeping the quality of life. However, to improve the thermal comfort and reduce energy consumption is crucial to use the air conditioners effectively with rapid development of artificial intelligence technology. This study explored the correlation between the response of human physiological parameters and thermal sensation voting (TSV) to evaluate the comfort level among various cold and hot stimulations. The variations of the three physiological parameters, which were body surface temperature, skin blood flow (SBF), and sweat area on the skin surface, and TSV values were all positively correlated with the stimulation amount under the stimulation of cold wind, hot wind, and heat radiation, but the relationship was not completely linear. Among the three physiological parameters, the forehead skin temperature has the closest relationship with TSV, followed by the SBF and sweat. Among three stimulations, the cold wind stimulation causes the closest relationship between TSV and forehead temperature, followed by the radiation and hot wind stimulations. Through three different machine learning models, namely, random forest (RF) model, support vector machine (SVM) model, and neural network (NN) model, the stimulation of cold wind, hot wind, and heat radiation was applied to investigate the variation of the three physiological parameters as the input of the models. Moreover, the models were evaluated and verified by TSV. The results revealed that among the three different machine learning methods, RF had the best accuracy. The established thermal comfort models can predict the real-time user’s thermal comfort feeling, so that air-conditioning equipment’s performance can be optimized to create a healthy and energy-saving comfortable environment.

Canalplasty using osteotome in a unilateral ear auditory exostoses (EAE) without cold water exposure: a case report

Background: Ear auditory exostoses (EAE) or surfer’s ear is a slow benign bony growth within the external auditory canal (EAC). The exact etiology of EAE remains unclear but it is commonly associated with chronic exposure to cold water or wind. The technique of surgery can be transcanal, endaural, or postauricular approach, based on the surgeon's experience. To our knowledge, this is the first documented report of a patient with recurrent EAE without cold water exposure. The purpose of this study is to present a rare case report about a woman with unilateral EAE without cold water exposure with transcanal osteotome surgical approach. Case presentation: A 29-years-old woman was referred to the Ear, Nose, and Throat Department, West Nusa Tenggara General Hospital, Mataram, Indonesia with left ear fullness since one week ago. The patient was told that she had a lump within the ear canal since 2013 but she had no symptoms. There was no history of recurrent ear infection or participating in water activities. Otoscopy of the left ear revealed a lump rising from EAC that covers 90% of EAC. We could not visualize the left tympanic membrane. The CT scan of her temporal bone demonstrated a hard density mass in the left EAC. The patient was done surgically with a transcanal approach. Indication for this patient was the occlusion of more than 80% of EAC. Transcanal with osteotome was chosen because of its less complication than others. Conclusion: It is unusual that our patient developed EAE without the usual precipitating factor. The surgery was done with a transcanal approach with an osteotome to prevent complications postoperative. Future experimental studies should be performed.

A systematic review on the morphology structure, propagation characteristics, resistance physiology and exploitation and utilization of Nitraria tangutorum Bobrov.

Nitraria tangutorum Bobrov., belonging to the family Nitrariaceae, is a drought-tolerant and salt-loving plant and has drawn attention for its good economic and ecological value. As one of the main group species and dominant species in China's desert and semi-desert regions, N. tangutorum possesses superior tolerance to drought, high temperature, cold, barren, high salinity and alkalinity and wind and sand. Its root system is well developed, with many branches and a strong germination capacity. Once buried in sandy soil, N. tangutorum can quickly produce a large number of adventitious roots, forming new plants and continuously expanding the shrubs, forming fixed and semi-fixed shrub sand dunes. Sand dune shrubs can trap and fix a large amounts of quicksand, prevent desert expansion and erosion, and play an important role in maintaining regional ecosystem balance and improving ecological environmental quality. In addition, the phytochemical screening studies report that N. tangutorum contains an abundance of various compounds including flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolic acids and polysaccharides. These compounds confer a range of beneficial bioactivities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-fatigue, liver protection, neuroprotection, cardiovascular protection, lowering blood lipid, regulating blood sugar level and immunoregulation. The fruits of N.tangutorum also contain vitamin C, amino acids, minerals and microelements. It has been traditionally used as a nutritional food source and in folk medicine to treat diseases of the spleen and stomach, abnormal menstruation, indigestion, and hyperlipidemia. N. tangutorum, as a wild plant with medicinal and edible homology, possesses remarkable economic and medicinal values. This detailed, comprehensive review gathers and presents all the information related to the morphological structure, propagation characteristics, resistance physiology and exploitation and utilization of N.tangutorum, providing a theoretical basis for the researchers to conduct future in-depth research on N.tangutorum.

Employee perception of precision technology use at the dairy farm.

The adoption of precision technologies on dairy farms has increased significantly in recent decades, leading to the challenge of providing employees with resources to maximize the efficient use of these tools. The objective of this study was to explore how dairy farm employees perceive the available precision technologies and to identify possible challenges they face when adapting to their use at the farm. An online survey consisting of four sections (employee demographics, precision technologies in use, perception of these technologies, and opportunities for adapting to technology use) was completed from September to December 2022 by 266 farm employees from three dairies operated under similar management. Most of the respondents were identified as male (72.2%), Hispanic or Latino (92.5%), aged between 21 and 30 (39.1%) or 31 and 40 yr (36.8%), with a bachelor's degree (34.6%) or completion of middle school (29.3%) and having basic or no English proficiency (74%). Overall, the respondents indicated being comfortable (95.6%) with and understanding (91.8%) the technology they use. Employees recognized precision technology as a tool that helps them to be more efficient (93.7%), identifying the technologies' benefits (92.1%). However, challenges for adapting to these technologies included personal limitations, such as not knowing the language of the technology (31%), visual impairments (24%), light sensitivity (14%), and not being able to read (7%). Environmental limitations were also recognized and included cold weather (64.3%), wind (46%), and surroundings that were too dark (31%) or too bright (21%). Significant associations between perception of the technology and age, level of education, and English proficiency were identified. Respondents indicated their desire to learn more about precision technologies implemented at work, which could eventually lead to improved efficiency at the dairy operation through innovations in the way users interact with these technologies, increasing employees' motivation. This study provides insights that could assist the dairy industry in addressing challenges and enhancing opportunities for a more efficient use of precision technologies at dairy farms.

Simulation of Air Flow Field and Temperature Distribution in the Ward of a Newly-Built Hospital of Post-COVID-19

In order to solve the problem of uneven distribution of air conditioning temperature and air velocity in the ward, it is easy to produce the uncomfortable feeling of cold and hot and wind blowing. Taking the standard double room general ward of a newly built hospital as the research object, a mathematical model was established, and CFD software was used to numerically simulate the temperature field and velocity field of the air in the ward, optimize the location of the air outlet, and put forward the suggestion of the optimal installation location of the hospital bed. The results show that when the fan coiler air supply outlet is close to the west wall and the fresh air outlet is far away from the west wall, the inhomogeneity of the distribution of the temperature field and velocity field in the ward is reduced, and at this time, the temperature and velocity distribution of the air in the ward is more uniform, so that the patients’ overall feeling in the ward is more comfortable, and at this time, the installation position of the air outlet is more reasonable; and it is determined that the optimal placement of the beds in the room is at the locations of [Formula: see text] = 2 m, [Formula: see text] = 2.5 m and [Formula: see text] = 2 m, [Formula: see text] = 4.5 m, and at this time the two beds are at the same time, which is more reasonable. When [Formula: see text] = 4.5 m, the temperature difference between the two beds is less than 0.5 K, the wind speed difference is not more than 0.08 m/s, and the velocity gradient direction is the same.

RESISTANCE OF THE NEPTUNE APRICOT VARIETY TO LATE FROSTS

The Dobrogea region is a favorable area for apricot culture, this species ensuring relatively uniform production over the years. However, the temperature variations in the long and cold springs influence the production of certain apricot varieties in operation. The Neptun apricot variety studied in recent years showed and proved a uniformity in the given productions even though the late frosts were more and more frequent. Low temperatures affect apricot plantations, causing irregularities in the regularity of fruit production and their quality, gummy leaks and awareness of trees to the attack of apricot-specific pathogens. The research was conducted in a orchard of apricot aged 9 years, located at 18 km away from Constanta. Trees planted at a distance of 4x4m were studied during the vegetation season paying particular attention to resistance to low temperature. In the winter of 2019, temperatures in winter decreased to -14 degree C and produced losses of flower buds. In the spring of 2020, the ‘Neptun’ variety bloomed well, 80% of flower buds being resistant to negative temperatures from winter. In 2021 was a warm winter but the temperature decreased in January to -14 degree C and the trees suffered a thermal shock. Following, resistance to frost decreased and the percentage of flower buds affected was 84,8%. In 2022 ‘Neptun’ variety was not affected. In February of 2023 were, recorded temperatures of -10 degrees C associated with very cold wind, the flower buds were affected in 80,6%.

Курган бронзового века Калиновский II. Археологические и антропологические аспекты исследования

The Paper presents publication and analysis of the burial materials from excavations of a detached kurgan Kalinovsky II located in the central part of the Volga-Don interfluve near the eastern outskirts of the Kalinovsky farm of the Frolovsky district of the Volgograd region. The kurgan under consideration is located on the southern Archeda steppe riverside terrace of the left confluent of the Medveditsa River belonging to the Don River basin. The excavations were carried out in 2022 by the expedition of the Volgograd State University. In the course of the excavations, it was found that the archeological site was a kurgan-cemetery which had functioned for a long time. It contained 20 burials of an extended chronological period from the Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age. This study examines burial complexes of the Bronze Age from archaeological and anthropological perspectives and is based on the materials from 12 burials. The main burial No. 14 can be attributed to the late stage of the Early Bronze Age within the boundaries of the first half of the 3rd millennium BC. The Middle Bronze Age is represented by 9 inlet burials belonging to the Middle Don Catacomb culture. Two burials No. 2 and 19, located in the lateral part of the kurgan mound, were made in the Late Bronze Age in 19th-18th centuries BC. The paleoanthropological study data have shown that this kurgan is to be considered as a family cemetery for a group of individuals (mainly children) belonging to the Middle Don Catacomb culture. The signs of deliberate artificial deformation in most of the children may indicate selectivity and belonging of this complex to a particular group with a special social status. In all probability, most of the children buried in the kurgan died as a result of stress caused by a long period of hunger, possibly in winter or early spring seasons. For adults, regardless of cultural affiliation, the typical diet was based on viscous food rich in proteins, as indicated by a specific pathological complex (absence of caries and abscesses, presence of tartar, periodontal disease and interproximal grooves). Exostosis of the external auditory canal was identified in a Pokrovsk time individual from burial 19 which might have been caused by his professional activity associated with a long stay in a cold wind or water environment.

Research on the efficiency of treatment of knee osteoarthritis by eclectro-acupunture and san-bi-tang remedy combined with herbal steam

Background: Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease, the second leading cause of disability for the elderly after cardiovascular disease. Treatment with traditional medicine is highly effective, has safety in the long run and has few side effects. Beside, herbal steaming is a simple, easy-to-implement treatment method that works quickly and can be widely applied in the community. Objectves: To evaluate treatment effects of electro-acupuncture and San-bi-tang remedy combined with herbal steam in patients of primary knee osteoarthritis. Subjects and Methods: Clinical trial with comparison before and after treatment, from August 2019 to May 2020, on 58 patients diagnosed with primary knee OA according to the standards of the American Society of Rheumatology (ACR), X -ray phase I, II according to Kellgren & Lawrence, Wind Cold Damp clinical forms or Wind Cold Damp together with Liver and kidney damage clinical forms according to traditional medicine. Patients were assessed clinically, subclinical, and VAS scale, Lequesne index, WOMAC index, heel-buttock index, Rank of Motion (ROM) at baseline and after 9 days (D9), 18 days (D18). Results: Mean VAS score decreased to 1.60 ± 1.32 points (compared with 6.26 ± 1.00 points at D0; 3.98 ± 1.36 points at D9), the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Lequesne index decreased significantly at the time D18, D9 compared with the time D0, at the time of D18 Lequesne average point was 5.01 ± 2.10 (p < 0.05). WOMAC index: After 18 days of treatment, there was no patient with severe or moderate dysfunction. Patients distributed at non-dysfunctional levels 53.45% and mild dysfunction 46.55% (p < 0.05). The range of movement of the knee joint after treatment increased significantly, the average range of movement of the joint at the time of D18 was 129.410 ± 6.470 (p < 0.05). The heel-buttock index decreased significantly: before treatment, the average heel-buttock index was 18.24 ± 6.07 (cm), and after treatment was 8.95 ± 5.33 (cm). There was an improvement in the color, tongue shape, thinness of tongue moss, nocturia symptoms, back pain after treatment (p < 0.05). Overall results: 53.45% good; 44.83% fair; 1.72% average and no poor level (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The electro-acupuncture and San-bi-tang remedy combined with herbal steam in patients of primary knee osteoarthritis is a safe treatment, effectively reducing pain and improving motor function significantly. Key words: Knee Osteoarthritis, electro-acupuncture, San-bi-tang remedy, herbal steam.