Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）， as one of the three major causes of death， is a complex systemic disease with high prevalence， high mortality， high disability， frequent acute exacerbations， and a variety of pulmonary complications. The pathogenesis is complex. Western medicine has no effective specificity scheme for a complete cure. However， multiple-component and multiple-target characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） demonstrate significant advantages in COPD treatment through multi-link， multi-pathway， and multi-mechanism intervention. Therefore， exploring the essence of COPD pathogenesis and discovering effective TCM treatment drugs through the application of TCM principles and prescriptions is a key focus of modern research. Animal models are of paramount importance in medical research. It is the first consideration to select appropriate animals， adopt reasonable modeling methods to replicate stable animal models that closely resemble the clinical manifestations and pathophysiological characteristics of COPD， and use appropriate evaluation methods to determine the success of COPD animal models in experimental research. The core of experimental research lies in observing the intervention effect of TCM on COPD animal models， exploring the specific pathways and regulatory mechanisms of TCM on COPD disease， and finding TCM monomers， single herbs， and TCM formulas with definite curative effects. At present， animal model research on COPD mainly involves model establishment， model evaluation， efficacy observation， mechanism exploration， and other aspects. In recent years， there has been no systematic organization， update， and reflection on the relevant research on TCM intervention in COPD animal models. This study reviewed the selection of animals for the COPD model， methods for establishing COPD animal models， model evaluation methods， and the intervention effects of TCM on COPD animal models. It aims to grasp the current research status and identify existing problems for further improvement， in order to provide evidence and support for scientific research and clinical treatment of COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）， as one of the three major causes of death， is a complex systemic disease with high prevalence， high mortality， high disability， frequent acute exacerbations， and a variety of pulmonary complications. The pathogenesis is complex. Western medicine has no effective specificity scheme for a complete cure. However， multiple-component and multiple-target characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） demonstrate significant advantages in COPD treatment through multi-link， multi-pathway， and multi-mechanism intervention. Therefore， exploring the essence of COPD pathogenesis and discovering effective TCM treatment drugs through the application of TCM principles and prescriptions is a key focus of modern research. Animal models are of paramount importance in medical research. It is the first consideration to select appropriate animals， adopt reasonable modeling methods to replicate stable animal models that closely resemble the clinical manifestations and pathophysiological characteristics of COPD， and use appropriate evaluation methods to determine the success of COPD animal models in experimental research. The core of experimental research lies in observing the intervention effect of TCM on COPD animal models， exploring the specific pathways and regulatory mechanisms of TCM on COPD disease， and finding TCM monomers， single herbs， and TCM formulas with definite curative effects. At present， animal model research on COPD mainly involves model establishment， model evaluation， efficacy observation， mechanism exploration， and other aspects. In recent years， there has been no systematic organization， update， and reflection on the relevant research on TCM intervention in COPD animal models. This study reviewed the selection of animals for the COPD model， methods for establishing COPD animal models， model evaluation methods， and the intervention effects of TCM on COPD animal models. It aims to grasp the current research status and identify existing problems for further improvement， in order to provide evidence and support for scientific research and clinical treatment of COPD.

ObjectiveTo explore the dose-effect relationship and safety of high， medium， and low doses of raw Astragali Radix in the modified Huangqi Chifengtang （MHCD） for treating proteinuria in immunoglobulin A （IgA） nephropathy， and to provide scientific evidence for the clinical use of high-dose Astragali Radix in the treatment of proteinuria in IgA nephropathy. MethodsA total of 120 patients with IgA nephropathy， diagnosed with Qi deficiency and blood stasis combined with wind pathogen and heat toxicity， were randomly divided into a control group and three treatment groups. The control group received telmisartan combined with a Chinese medicine placebo， while the treatment groups were given telmisartan combined with MHCD containing different doses of raw Astragali Radix （60， 30， 15 g）. Each group contained 30 patients， and the treatment period was 12 weeks. Changes in 24-hour urinary protein （24 hUTP）， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores， effective rate， and renal function were observed before and after treatment. Safety was assessed by monitoring liver function and blood routine. ResultsAfter 12 weeks of treatment， 24 hUTP significantly decreased in the high， medium， and low-dose groups， as well as the control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The TCM syndrome scores in the high， medium， and low-dose groups also significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Comparisons between groups showed that the 24 hUTP in the high-dose group was significantly lower than in the medium， low-dose， and control groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the 24 hUTP in the medium-dose group was significantly lower than in the control group （P<0.05）. The TCM syndrome scores in the high and medium-dose groups were significantly lower than in the low-dose and control groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The total effective rates for proteinuria in the high， medium， low-dose， and control groups were 92.59% （25/27）， 85.19% （23/27）， 60.71% （17/28）， and 57.14% （16/28）， respectively. The effective rates in the high and medium-dose groups were significantly higher than in the low-dose and control groups （χ²=13.185， P<0.05， P<0.01）. The effective rates for TCM syndrome scores in the high， medium， low-dose， and control groups were 88.89% （24/27）， 81.48% （22/27）， 71.43% （20/28）， and 46.43% （13/28）， respectively. The efficacy of TCM syndrome scores in the high and medium-dose groups was significantly higher than in the control group （χ²=14.053， P<0.01）. Compared with pre-treatment values， there was no statistically significant difference in eGFR and serum creatinine in the high and medium-dose groups. However， eGFR significantly decreased in the low-dose and control groups after treatment （P<0.05）， and serum creatinine levels increased significantly in the control group （P<0.05）. No statistically significant differences were observed in urea nitrogen， uric acid， albumin， total cholesterol， triglycerides， liver function， and blood routine before and after treatment in any group. ConclusionThere is a dose-effect relationship in the treatment of IgA nephropathy with high， medium， and low doses of raw Astragali Radix in MHCD. The high-dose group exhibited the best therapeutic effect and good safety profile.

Extensive studies have identified potential adverse effects on semen quality of obesity, based on body mass index, but the association between body fat distribution, a more relevant indicator for obesity, and semen quality remains less clear. We conducted a longitudinal study of 4304 sperm donors from the Guangdong Provincial Human Sperm Bank (Guangzhou, China) during 2017-2021. A body composition analyzer was used to measure total and local body fat percentage for each participant. Generalized estimating equations were employed to assess the association between body fat percentage and sperm count, motility, and morphology. We estimated that each 10% increase in total body fat percentage (estimated change [95% confidence interval, 95% CI]) was significantly associated with a 0.18 × 10 6 (0.09 × 10 6 -0.27 × 10 6 ) ml and 12.21 × 10 6 (4.52 × 10 6 -19.91 × 10 6 ) reduction in semen volume and total sperm count, respectively. Categorical analyses and exposure-response curves showed that the association of body fat distribution with semen volume and total sperm count was stronger at higher body fat percentages. In addition, the association still held among normal weight and overweight participants. We observed similar associations for upper limb, trunk, and lower limb body fact distributions. In conclusion, we found that a higher body fat distribution was significantly associated with lower semen quality (especially semen volume) even in men with a normal weight. These findings provide useful clues in exploring body fat as a risk factor for semen quality decline and add to evidence for improving semen quality for those who are expected to conceive.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Semen Analysis ; China ; Body Fat Distribution ; Longitudinal Studies ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Body Mass Index ; Tissue Donors ; Obesity/complications* ; Spermatozoa ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; East Asian People

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of molecular targeted agents in children with progressive pediatric low-grade gliomas (pLGG). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on pLGG patients treated with oral targeted therapies at the Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, from July 2021. Treatment responses and safety profiles were assessed. RESULTS: Among the 20 enrolled patients, the trametinib group (n=12, including 11 cases with BRAF fusions and 1 case with BRAF V600E mutation) demonstrated 4 partial responses (33%) and 2 minor responses (17%), with a median time to response of 3.0 months. In the vemurafenib group (n=6, all with BRAF V600E mutation), 5 patients achieved partial responses (83%), showing a median time to response of 1.0 month. Comparative analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in progression-free survival rates between the two treatment groups (P>0.05). The median duration of clinical benefit (defined as partial response + minor response + stable disease) was 11.0 months for vemurafenib and 18.0 months for trametinib. Two additional cases, one with ATM mutation treated with olaparib for 24 months and one with NF1 mutation receiving everolimus for 21 months, discontinued treatment due to sustained disease stability. No severe adverse events were observed in any treatment group. CONCLUSIONS Molecular targeted therapy demonstrates clinical efficacy with favorable tolerability in pLGG. Vemurafenib achieves high response rates and induces early tumor shrinkage in patients with BRAF V600E mutations, supporting its utility as a first-line therapy.
Humans ; Glioma/genetics* ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Retrospective Studies ; Brain Neoplasms/genetics* ; Molecular Targeted Therapy/adverse effects* ; Adolescent ; Infant ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf/genetics* ; Pyrimidinones/therapeutic use* ; Mutation

OBJECTIVE: To explore a predictive model that can better predict the prognosis of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and validate its clinical value. METHODS: Clinical data of 134 newly treated DLBCL patients were collected from Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2015 to January 2020. Several risk factors of the patients were screened and analyzed, a novel prognostic model were then established based on this, and its clinical application potential was validated. RESULTS: In the novel model, predicting progression-free survival (PFS) based on the age at initial treatment, albumin level, Hans classification, Ann Arbor stage, and BCL2 expression showed better predictive performance than International Prognostic Index (IPI) score (AUC: 0.788 vs 0.620，P <0.001). Predicting overall survival (OS) based on the age at initial treatment, albumin level, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, and expressions of BCL2 and MUM1 proteins also showed better predictive performance for mortality risk than IPI score (AUC: 0.817 vs 0.624，P <0.001). CONCLUSION This novel prognostic model can better predict the survival prognosis of DLBCL patients compared to the IPI scoring system.
Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/diagnosis* ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; Risk Factors ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged

Objective: To explore the changes of mechanosensitive channels Piezos (Piezo 1 and Piezo 2) in neurogenic bladder (NB) of young rats and their effects，so as to provide reference for clinical search of new therapeutic targets. Methods: A total of 30 female young SD rats were divided into 5 groups based on random number table method：sham operation group (sham)，2-week nerve transection group (NB-2W)，6-week nerve transection group (NB-6W)，2-week nerve transection + Piezos inhibitor group (NB-P-2W) and 6-week nerve transection + Piezos inhibitor group (NB-P-6W)，with 6 rats in each group.The NB models were constructed by transecting the L6 and S1 spinal nerves of young rats.The NB-2W and NB-6W groups were not intervened after modeling，while the NB-P-2W and NB-P-6W groups were intraperitoneally injected with Piezos inhibitor GsMTx4 (10 mg/kg) every 2 days after modeling.Bladder cystometry and ultrasound were performed after 2 and 6 weeks of transection.The expressions of Piezos and fibrosis-related indexes (Collagen Ⅰ and α-smooth muscle actin) were detected in bladder tissues. Results: The results of bladder cystometry showed that the basal bladder pressure in NB-2W group was significantly increased，while it was slightly decreased but was still higher in NB-6W group than in the sham group (P<0.05).Basal bladder pressure was lower in NB-P-2W group than in NB-2W group，but was higher than that in the sham group; basal bladder pressure was lower in NB-P-6W group than in NB-6W group，but higher than that in the sham group (P<0.05).Compared with the sham group，the NB-2W and NB-6W groups had firstly increased and then decreased maximum cystometric capacity (MCC) (P<0.05).Compared with NB-2W group，NB-P-2W group had lower bladder leakage point pressure (BLPP)，but higher MCC and bladder compliance (BC) (P<0.05).Compared with NB-6W group，NB-P-6W group had significantly lower BLPP but higher MCC and BC (P<0.05).HE and MASSON staining and ultrasound results showed that，with the extension of nerve transection time，bladder fibrosis gradually worsened，the bladder wall became rough and thickened，calculi were visible inside，and hydronephrosis gradually appeared; the degree of fibrosis in NB-P-2W and NB-P-6W groups was less than that in NB-2W and NB-6W groups，and no hydronephrosis was observed in the upper urinary tract.In addition，Western blotting and immunohistochemical results showed that NB-2W and NB-6W groups had significantly higher relative expression levels of Piezos，Collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA than the sham group (P<0.01)，while NB-P-2W and NB-P-6W groups had lower relative expression levels of Piezos,Collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA than NB-2W and NB-6W groups (P<0.01). Conclusion: The increased expressions of mechanosensitive channels Piezos in NB young rats may be involved in the progression of bladder fibrosis，but its mechanism needs further study.

Objective To investigate the effect of programmed death-1(PD-1)on cell infiltration in muscle tissue and immune response types in mice infected with Trichinella spiralis.Methods C57BL/6J wild-type(WT)and PD-1 deficient(PD-1-/-)mice were infected with T.spiralis(400 muscle larvae per mouse),and samples were collected on day 35 after infection.The proportions of infiltrating inflammatory cells and fibroblasts around encapsulated larvae were assessed by immunohistochemistry.The expression levels of interferon-γ(IFN-γ),interleukin(IL)-4,IL-5,IL-13,and eotaxin in muscle tissue were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Peripheral blood and spleen were collected at different time points after infection.The percentages of CD4+IFN-γ+Th1 and CD4+IL-4+Th2 within CD4+T cells population in peripheral blood and spleen of mice were analyzed using flow cytometry.Results The proportions of eosinophils and fibroblasts among total infiltrating cells around the encapsulated larvae in the muscle of PD-1-/-mice were significantly lower than those in WT mice after T.spiralis infection(P＜0.01).The infected PD-1-/-mice exhibited higher proportions of macrophages,T cells and B cells in total infiltrating cells than the infected WT mice(P＜0.01).The levels of IL-4,IL-5,IL-13,and eotaxin in the muscle tissue of infected PD-1-/-mice were significantly lower than those in infected WT mice(P＜0.05).However,IFN-γ levels were not significantly different between the infected WT and PD-1-/-mice.The proportions of Th2 cells in CD4+T cells from peripheral blood and spleen of infected PD-1-/-mice were significantly lower than those in infected WT mice,whereas the proportion of Th1 cells showed no difference among the infected groups.Conclusions PD-1 deletion results in decreased expression of key chemokines of eosinophils and key cytokines of fibroblast formation,and a corresponding decrease in inflammatory cells in muscle in T.spiralis-infected mice.This effect may be associated with a diminished Th2 immune response caused by PD-1 deletion.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the rules of acupoint selection and compatibility of acupuncture and moxibustion in treatment of chronic cough using data mining. METHODS: The ancient and modern medical record cloud platform, and the databases, i.e. CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, EMbase, Web of Science and PubMed, were searched to screen the ancient and modern literature on acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of chronic cough. The prescription database was established for acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of chronic cough, and the analysis conducted on the frequency and use percentage in the aspects of intervention measures, acupoint selection, acupoint distribution, meridian tropism, special points and acupoint combination, as well as the association rules and clustering rules of acupoint selection. The subgroup analysis was performed in accordance with the etiology of chronic cough and intervention measures. RESULTS: A total of 106 articles were included and 158 prescriptions were extracted. The intervention measures were acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medication and the combination of several measures. The high-frequency acupoints included Feishu (BL13), Zusanli (ST36), Dazhui (GV14), Pishu (BL20), Danzhong (CV17), Shenshu (BL23), Lieque (LU7), Dingchuan (EX-B1), Tiantu (CV22), and Fenglong (ST40). These acupoints are mainly distributed on the back, lumbar region, chest and abdomen. The involved meridians were bladder meridian of foot-taiyang, conception vessel, and lung meridian of hand-taiyin. The special points covered back-shu points, crossing points and five-shu point. Regarding the compatibility of acupoints, the combination of upper and lower points, and the combination of front and back points were predominant in treatment. The analysis of association rules found that the support of Feishu (BL13)→Zusanli (ST36) was the highest; the cluster analysis obtained 8 clusters of acupoints. The acupoint compatibility and overall rules were similar when cough variant asthma (CVA) or the mixed reasons were involved, and the local treatment approach was adopted if the etiology of disease was related to upper airway cough syndrome (UACS) and gastroesophageal reflux cough (GERC). The acupoint selection was similar among different intervention measures. When two kinds of measures were combined in treatment, Feishu (BL13), Pishu (BL20) and Zusanli (ST36) were the most common. CONCLUSION In treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion for chronic cough, the acupoints are selected on the affected local area, depending on syndrome differentiation, and focusing on back-shu points. The main acupoints are Feishu (BL13), Zusanli (ST36), Dazhui (GV14), Pishu (BL20), Danzhong (CV17) and Shenshu (BL23). The combined therapy is dominant with acupuncture, moxibustion and herbal medicine involved.
Acupuncture Points ; Moxibustion/history* ; Humans ; Cough/history* ; Acupuncture Therapy/history* ; Chronic Disease/therapy* ; Data Mining ; History, Ancient ; Meridians ; Chronic Cough

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major global health issue, with glycated hemoglobin levels serving as the gold standard for evaluating glucose level control in DM patients. However, it has limitations in reflecting glucose oscillations (i.e. glycemic variability, GV). Increasing evidence suggests that GV is closely related to the progression of diabetes complications and patient prognosis. As people realize the importance of avoiding hypoglycemia while achieving target glycated hemoglobin levels in treatment, the clinical significance of GV becomes more obvious. This article systematically reviewed the concept and connotation of GV, summarized the latest research on its role in the complications of diabetes, and revealed the biochemical and pathophysiological abnormalities caused by excessive glycemic oscillation, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the risk warning and early intervention of DM patients.
Humans ; Blood Glucose/metabolism* ; Diabetes Complications/physiopathology* ; Glycated Hemoglobin/metabolism* ; Hypoglycemia ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications*