1.Polypeptide-based Nanocarriers for Oral Targeted Delivery of CAR Genes to Pancreatic Cancer
Feng XIN ; Jian REN ; Zhao-Zhen LI ; Quan FANG ; Rui-Jing LIANG ; Lan-Lan LIU ; Lin-Tao CAI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):431-441
ObjectivePancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits a limited response to current treatments due to its dense fibrotic stroma and highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In recent years, advancements in cellular immunotherapy, particularly chimeric antigen receptor macrophage (CAR-M) therapy, have offered new hope for pancreatic cancer treatment. Although CAR-M therapy demonstrates dual potential in directly killing tumor cells and remodeling the immune microenvironment, it still faces challenges such as complex in vitro preparation processes and low in vivo targeting and delivery efficiency. Therefore, developing strategies for efficient and targeted in vivo delivery of CAR genes has become crucial for overcoming current therapeutic limitations. This study aims to develop an orally administrable nano-gene delivery system for the targeted delivery of CAR genes to pancreatic tumor sites. MethodsCore nano-gene particles (PNP/pCAR) were constructed by loading plasmid DNA encoding CAR (pCAR) with cationic polypeptides (PNP). Subsequently, PNP/pCAR was surface-modified with β-glucan to prepare the targeted nanoparticles (βGlus-PNP/pCAR). The loading efficiency of PNP for pCAR was quantitatively assessed by gel retardation assay. The particle size, Zeta potential, morphology, and storage stability of PNP/pCAR were characterized using a Malvern particle size analyzer and transmission electron microscopy. At the cellular level, RAW 264.7 macrophages were selected. The cytotoxicity of PNP/pCAR was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. The cellular uptake efficiency and lysosomal escape ability of the nanoparticles were assessed via flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Transfection efficiency was quantitatively evaluated by detecting the expression of the reporter gene GFP using flow cytometry. At the in vivo level, an orthotopic pancreatic cancer mouse model was established. Cy7-labeled βGlus-PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were administered orally, and the fluorescence distribution in mice was dynamically monitored at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 h post-administration using a small animal in vivo imaging system. Forty-eight hours after oral gavage, the mice were euthanized, and pancreatic tumor tissues were collected for further analysis of intratumoral fluorescence signals using the imaging system. Additionally, βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP nanoparticles loaded with the reporter gene (GFP) were administered orally. Forty-eight hours post-administration, pancreatic tumor tissues were harvested to prepare frozen sections, and GFP expression was observed and analyzed under a fluorescence microscope. ResultsThe PNP carrier exhibited a high loading capacity for pCAR. The successfully prepared PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were regular spheres with a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately (120±10) nm and a Zeta potential of about +(6±1) mV. They maintained good structural stability after incubation in PBS buffer for 7 d. Cell experiments demonstrated that PNP/pCAR exhibited no significant cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells while being efficiently internalized and effectively escaping lysosomal degradation. The transfection positive rate of PNP/pCAR-GFP in RAW 264.7 cells reached (25±3)%, surpassing that of Lipofectamine 2000-loaded pCAR-GFP (Lipo/pCAR-GFP), which was (20±1)%.In vivo experiments revealed that, compared to unmodified PNP/pCAR, βGlus-PNP/pCAR exhibited strongerin situ pancreatic tumor targeting ability after oral administration. Furthermore, oral administration of βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP resulted in significant GFP protein expression detectable within pancreatic tumor tissues. ConclusionThis study successfully constructed and validated an orally administrable, pancreatic cancer-targeting polypeptide-based nano-gene delivery system. It provides an important technological foundation in delivery systems and experimental basis for the subsequent development of in situ CAR-M-based therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer.
2.Polypeptide-based Nanocarriers for Oral Targeted Delivery of CAR Genes to Pancreatic Cancer
Feng XIN ; Jian REN ; Zhao-Zhen LI ; Quan FANG ; Rui-Jing LIANG ; Lan-Lan LIU ; Lin-Tao CAI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):431-441
ObjectivePancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits a limited response to current treatments due to its dense fibrotic stroma and highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In recent years, advancements in cellular immunotherapy, particularly chimeric antigen receptor macrophage (CAR-M) therapy, have offered new hope for pancreatic cancer treatment. Although CAR-M therapy demonstrates dual potential in directly killing tumor cells and remodeling the immune microenvironment, it still faces challenges such as complex in vitro preparation processes and low in vivo targeting and delivery efficiency. Therefore, developing strategies for efficient and targeted in vivo delivery of CAR genes has become crucial for overcoming current therapeutic limitations. This study aims to develop an orally administrable nano-gene delivery system for the targeted delivery of CAR genes to pancreatic tumor sites. MethodsCore nano-gene particles (PNP/pCAR) were constructed by loading plasmid DNA encoding CAR (pCAR) with cationic polypeptides (PNP). Subsequently, PNP/pCAR was surface-modified with β-glucan to prepare the targeted nanoparticles (βGlus-PNP/pCAR). The loading efficiency of PNP for pCAR was quantitatively assessed by gel retardation assay. The particle size, Zeta potential, morphology, and storage stability of PNP/pCAR were characterized using a Malvern particle size analyzer and transmission electron microscopy. At the cellular level, RAW 264.7 macrophages were selected. The cytotoxicity of PNP/pCAR was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. The cellular uptake efficiency and lysosomal escape ability of the nanoparticles were assessed via flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Transfection efficiency was quantitatively evaluated by detecting the expression of the reporter gene GFP using flow cytometry. At the in vivo level, an orthotopic pancreatic cancer mouse model was established. Cy7-labeled βGlus-PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were administered orally, and the fluorescence distribution in mice was dynamically monitored at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 h post-administration using a small animal in vivo imaging system. Forty-eight hours after oral gavage, the mice were euthanized, and pancreatic tumor tissues were collected for further analysis of intratumoral fluorescence signals using the imaging system. Additionally, βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP nanoparticles loaded with the reporter gene (GFP) were administered orally. Forty-eight hours post-administration, pancreatic tumor tissues were harvested to prepare frozen sections, and GFP expression was observed and analyzed under a fluorescence microscope. ResultsThe PNP carrier exhibited a high loading capacity for pCAR. The successfully prepared PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were regular spheres with a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately (120±10) nm and a Zeta potential of about +(6±1) mV. They maintained good structural stability after incubation in PBS buffer for 7 d. Cell experiments demonstrated that PNP/pCAR exhibited no significant cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells while being efficiently internalized and effectively escaping lysosomal degradation. The transfection positive rate of PNP/pCAR-GFP in RAW 264.7 cells reached (25±3)%, surpassing that of Lipofectamine 2000-loaded pCAR-GFP (Lipo/pCAR-GFP), which was (20±1)%.In vivo experiments revealed that, compared to unmodified PNP/pCAR, βGlus-PNP/pCAR exhibited strongerin situ pancreatic tumor targeting ability after oral administration. Furthermore, oral administration of βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP resulted in significant GFP protein expression detectable within pancreatic tumor tissues. ConclusionThis study successfully constructed and validated an orally administrable, pancreatic cancer-targeting polypeptide-based nano-gene delivery system. It provides an important technological foundation in delivery systems and experimental basis for the subsequent development of in situ CAR-M-based therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer.
3.Effect of early warning mechanisms based on nosocomial infection surveillance system on precise prevention and control of spread of multidrug-resistant organisms in neurosurgery department of a hospital
Xiaoyue SHEN ; Xin SU ; Rongjun SHI ; Lu CHEN ; Ziyao QUAN ; Xiufang YANG ; Hongmei FANG
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(9):1406-1411
OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of early warning mechanisms based on nosocomial infection surveil-lance system on precise prevention and control of spread of multidrug-resistant organisms(MDROs)infections in intensive care unit of neurosurgery department.METHODS The dynamic monitoring was performed in the ICU of neurosurgery department of a three-A general hospital by using real-time surveillance system of nosocomial infec-tion from Jan.2023 to Dec.2023.The warning information was sent to the doctor' station immediately once the MDROs infections were detected,the detection of drug-resistant bacteria was carried out for the relevant personnel and their surroundings,and the precise prevention and control measures were implemented.The impact on the iso-lation rate of MDROs,isolation rate of MDROs from the relevant personnel and surroundings,incidence of noso-comial MDROs infections and incidence of surgical site infection was observed after the measures were taken.RESULTS The carrying rate of MDROs was decreased from 21.80%to 5.74%among the relevant personnel after the precise prevention and control measures were taken(P<0.05),which was improved remarkably among the doctors(decreasing from 21.43%to 6.07%),nurses(decreasing from 23.68%to 3.98%),nursing workers(decreasing from 25.15%to 8.65%),and cleaning staff(decreasing from 25.49%to 5.05%)(P<0.001).The isolation rate of MDROs was decreased from 20.77%to 7.12%among the surroundings(P<0.05),which was decreased most remarkably among head cushions(decreasing from 32.28%to 12.13%),bed rails(decreasing from 16.70%to 3.27%),ventilator panels(decreasing from 23.00%to 6.95%)and bedside floors(decreasing from 31.99%to 9.96%)(P<0.001).The incidence of nosocomial MDROs infections declined from 3.84%to 1.71%(P<0.05),with incidence of incision infections decreasing from 4.00%to 1.45%(P<0.05),the inci-dence of intracranial infections decreasing from 2.38%to 0.56%(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The detection of drug-resistant bacteria is carried out immediately and precisely for the patients with MDROs infection,relevant personnel and their surroundings by using the real-time surveillance system of nosocomial infection,which achieve remarkable effect on prevention of transmission of MDROs and reduction of incidence of hospital-associated infec-tions and surgical site infections.
4.Clinical features of hepatitisassociatedaplastic anemia in children
Bingjie QUAN ; Yijing LIU ; Xiaoqin LI ; Fang ZHOU
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(1):84-89
Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia(HAAA)in pediatric patients.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 212 children with aplastic anemia(AA)who were hospitalized at Henan Children's Hospital from September 2014 to February 2023.The patients were categorized into two groups based on etiology:the HAAA group and the non-HAAA group.The study group consisted of 23 patients in the HAAA group,while a control group of 115 children without HAAA was matched in a 1∶5 ratio based on age,sex,and severity of aplastic anemia.The clinical characteristics,treatment regimens,and outcomes of the 23 patients with HAAA were analyzed and compared with those of the control group comprising 115 patients.Results Among the 23 children with HAAA,there were 11 males and 12 females,with a median age of 6 years and 3 months(ranging from 1 year and 4 months to 12 years old).The onset of aplastic anemia in all HAAA children occurred after the initial presentation of acute hepatitis.Following gradual improvement in liver function,peripheral blood images showed a progressive decline by two or three lines,including platelets.Among these cases,very severe aplastic anemia was observed in 14 patients(60.9%),severe aplastic anemia in 7 patients(30.4%),and non-severe aplastic anemia in 2 patients(8.7%).The median interval between hepatitis onset and diagnosis of aplastic anemia was found to be 56 days(range:10~157 days).All 23 pediatric patients with HAAA presented with acute icteric hepatitis,accounting for 100%of the cohort.One patient(4.3%)was genetically diagnosed with X-linked lymphoproliferative disease type 2,while liver biopsy revealed drug-induced hepatitis/chemical liver injury in five patients(21.7%).Compared to the control group,HAAA patients exhibited significantly lower levels of CD4+cells[(1.2±0.3)vs.(1.5±0.1)]and CD4+/CD8+ratios[(-0.2±0.4)vs.(0.1±0.2)](P<0.05).Three patients received immunosuppressive therapy(IST),18 underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT),and two non-severe cases were treated with methylprednisolone sodium succinate and compound Zapoan pill;all patients survived.Conclusions Children with HAAA present a critical condition and exhibit a poor prognosis,predominantly manifesting as severe or extremely severe aplastic anemia during the recovery phase of hepatitis.Reduction in CD4+cell count and inversion of CD4+/CD8+ratio may serve as early warning indicators for HAAA.Effective improvement in prognosis can be achieved through immunosuppressive therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
5.Application and Progress of Organs-on-chips Technology in Chinese Materia Medica Research
Wei CHEN ; Weidong ZHANG ; Quan ZHAO ; Fang WANG ; Wei HUANG ; Chanming LIU ; Yueqin ZHU ; Jing ZHANG ; Feng HUA
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(11):187-192
In recent years,organs-on-chips(OOCs)technology has gradually matured and been recognized by regulatory agencies,playing a key role in the construction of pathophysiological models,pharmacodynamic screening,toxicological evaluation and other fields,providing guidance for the research and development of innovative drugs of Chinese materia medica and the clinical application of classic prescriptions.This article reviewed the application progress of OOCs technology in the research of Chinese materia medica from four dimensions:pharmacodynamic and toxicological evaluation,quality control,active component analysis and innovative drug research and development,in order to provide a reference for the precise application of this technology in the field of Chinese materia medica.
6.Relationship between serum GPER1,CFH levels and pregnancy outcomes in patients with gestational diabetes
Haijuan DENG ; Yongjuan QUAN ; Fang LI
Tianjin Medical Journal 2025;53(4):369-373
Objective To investigate the relationship between serum G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1(GPER1),complement factor H(CFH)levels and pregnancy outcomes in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM).Methods A total of 120 patients with GDM(GDM group)and 60 healthy pregnant women(control group)were included in this study.According to the pregnancy outcome,GDM patients were divided into the adverse pregnancy outcome(APO)group(50 cases)and the non-APO group(70 cases).The basic data of GDM patients were collected.Fasting blood glucose,fasting insulin and blood lipids were measured,and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR)was calculated.The serum levels of GPER1 and CFH were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between serum levels of GPER1,CFH and HOMA-IR in GDM patients.Multivariate unconditional Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve were used to analyze the relationship between serum GPER1 and CFH levels and APO in GDM patients and to predict energy efficiency.Results Compared with the control group,serum levels of GPER1 and CFH were increased in the GDM group(P<0.05).Serum GPER1 and CFH levels were positively correlated with HOMA-IR in GDM patients(r=0.722 and 0.714,respectively,P<0.001).Compared with the non-APO group,serum levels of GPER1 and CFH were increased in the APO group(P<0.05).Elevated levels of HOMA-IR,GPER1 and CFH were independent risk factors for APO in GDM patients(P<0.05).The combined prediction of serum GPER1 and CFH[AUC=0.887(95%CI:0.816-0.937)]was superior to serum GPER1[AUC=0.789(95%CI:0.705-0.858)]and CFH[AUC=0.786(95%CI:0.701-0.856)]alone in predicting APO in GDM patients.Conclusion Serum levels of GPER1 and CFH in GDM patients are increased,which are closely related to the enhancement of insulin resistance and APO.The combination of the two has a higher predictive efficiency for APO.
7.Effect of early warning mechanisms based on nosocomial infection surveillance system on precise prevention and control of spread of multidrug-resistant organisms in neurosurgery department of a hospital
Xiaoyue SHEN ; Xin SU ; Rongjun SHI ; Lu CHEN ; Ziyao QUAN ; Xiufang YANG ; Hongmei FANG
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(9):1406-1411
OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of early warning mechanisms based on nosocomial infection surveil-lance system on precise prevention and control of spread of multidrug-resistant organisms(MDROs)infections in intensive care unit of neurosurgery department.METHODS The dynamic monitoring was performed in the ICU of neurosurgery department of a three-A general hospital by using real-time surveillance system of nosocomial infec-tion from Jan.2023 to Dec.2023.The warning information was sent to the doctor' station immediately once the MDROs infections were detected,the detection of drug-resistant bacteria was carried out for the relevant personnel and their surroundings,and the precise prevention and control measures were implemented.The impact on the iso-lation rate of MDROs,isolation rate of MDROs from the relevant personnel and surroundings,incidence of noso-comial MDROs infections and incidence of surgical site infection was observed after the measures were taken.RESULTS The carrying rate of MDROs was decreased from 21.80%to 5.74%among the relevant personnel after the precise prevention and control measures were taken(P<0.05),which was improved remarkably among the doctors(decreasing from 21.43%to 6.07%),nurses(decreasing from 23.68%to 3.98%),nursing workers(decreasing from 25.15%to 8.65%),and cleaning staff(decreasing from 25.49%to 5.05%)(P<0.001).The isolation rate of MDROs was decreased from 20.77%to 7.12%among the surroundings(P<0.05),which was decreased most remarkably among head cushions(decreasing from 32.28%to 12.13%),bed rails(decreasing from 16.70%to 3.27%),ventilator panels(decreasing from 23.00%to 6.95%)and bedside floors(decreasing from 31.99%to 9.96%)(P<0.001).The incidence of nosocomial MDROs infections declined from 3.84%to 1.71%(P<0.05),with incidence of incision infections decreasing from 4.00%to 1.45%(P<0.05),the inci-dence of intracranial infections decreasing from 2.38%to 0.56%(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The detection of drug-resistant bacteria is carried out immediately and precisely for the patients with MDROs infection,relevant personnel and their surroundings by using the real-time surveillance system of nosocomial infection,which achieve remarkable effect on prevention of transmission of MDROs and reduction of incidence of hospital-associated infec-tions and surgical site infections.
8.Clinical features of hepatitisassociatedaplastic anemia in children
Bingjie QUAN ; Yijing LIU ; Xiaoqin LI ; Fang ZHOU
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(1):84-89
Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia(HAAA)in pediatric patients.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 212 children with aplastic anemia(AA)who were hospitalized at Henan Children's Hospital from September 2014 to February 2023.The patients were categorized into two groups based on etiology:the HAAA group and the non-HAAA group.The study group consisted of 23 patients in the HAAA group,while a control group of 115 children without HAAA was matched in a 1∶5 ratio based on age,sex,and severity of aplastic anemia.The clinical characteristics,treatment regimens,and outcomes of the 23 patients with HAAA were analyzed and compared with those of the control group comprising 115 patients.Results Among the 23 children with HAAA,there were 11 males and 12 females,with a median age of 6 years and 3 months(ranging from 1 year and 4 months to 12 years old).The onset of aplastic anemia in all HAAA children occurred after the initial presentation of acute hepatitis.Following gradual improvement in liver function,peripheral blood images showed a progressive decline by two or three lines,including platelets.Among these cases,very severe aplastic anemia was observed in 14 patients(60.9%),severe aplastic anemia in 7 patients(30.4%),and non-severe aplastic anemia in 2 patients(8.7%).The median interval between hepatitis onset and diagnosis of aplastic anemia was found to be 56 days(range:10~157 days).All 23 pediatric patients with HAAA presented with acute icteric hepatitis,accounting for 100%of the cohort.One patient(4.3%)was genetically diagnosed with X-linked lymphoproliferative disease type 2,while liver biopsy revealed drug-induced hepatitis/chemical liver injury in five patients(21.7%).Compared to the control group,HAAA patients exhibited significantly lower levels of CD4+cells[(1.2±0.3)vs.(1.5±0.1)]and CD4+/CD8+ratios[(-0.2±0.4)vs.(0.1±0.2)](P<0.05).Three patients received immunosuppressive therapy(IST),18 underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT),and two non-severe cases were treated with methylprednisolone sodium succinate and compound Zapoan pill;all patients survived.Conclusions Children with HAAA present a critical condition and exhibit a poor prognosis,predominantly manifesting as severe or extremely severe aplastic anemia during the recovery phase of hepatitis.Reduction in CD4+cell count and inversion of CD4+/CD8+ratio may serve as early warning indicators for HAAA.Effective improvement in prognosis can be achieved through immunosuppressive therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
9.The effect of salidroside derivative pOBz on angiogenesis after ischemic stroke by regulating Notch signaling pathway
Jing-quan CHEN ; Yu-ting JIANG ; Xue-rui ZHENG ; Hui-ling WU ; Qing-qing WU ; Zheng-shuang YU ; Wen-fang LAI ; Gui-zhu HONG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2253-2259
Aim To study the effect of p-benzoyl sali-droside(pOBz)on angiogenesis after ischemic stroke and to explore the underlying mechanism.Methods The MCAO model was prepared by suture method.Rats were divided into four groups:sham,MCAO,pOBz administration,and edaravone positive control,treated for seven days.The mNSS was used to assess the neurological impairment.Western blotting was em-ployed to detect CD31,NICD,and Hes-1 protein ex-pression,while immunofluorescence staining was ap-plies to quantify CD31-positive cells in ischemic brain tissue.In vitro an OGD/R model was established in HUVECs.Following treatment with varying pOBz con-centrations(0.01,0.1,1 μmol·L-1),the CCK-8 as-say was uses to measure cell viability,and in vitro tube formation assay was utilized to evaluate angiogenesis.Western blotting was employed again to assess CD31,NICD and Hes-1 protein levels.To further elucidate the mechanism,HUVEC were treated with the Notch inhibitor DAPT prior to grouping and pOBz administra-tion,and the same parameters were evaluated.Results pOBz significantly reduced the mNSS score of MCAO rats,increased CD31-positive cell counts,and upregu-lated CD31,NICD,and Hes-1 protein expression(P<0.01).In vitro results further showed that pOBz could dose-dependently increase the survival rate and angio-genesis ability of HUVEC induced by OGD/R,and promote CD31,NICD and Hes-1 proteins(P<0.01),and Notch inhibitor DAPT could reverse the above effects of pOBz.Conclusion pOBz promotes angio-genesis in HUVEC,and its mechanism involves activa-tion of the Notch signaling pathway.
10.Comparison of electroacupuncture and dexamethasone on lung development impairment in offspring rats induced by prenatal nicotine exposure
Tingting GUO ; Bo JI ; Yang FANG ; Yitian LIU ; Hewen LI ; Xiaoxuan LIU ; Liyu LIU ; Ling ZHANG ; Wenxuan LIU ; Ye QUAN ; Bohan MA ; Sakurai REIKO ; Virender Kumar REHAN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(8):1167-1175
Objective To investigate and compare the effects of electroacupuncture and dexamethasone on lung function and histomorphology and behavior in the offspring of perinatal nicotine exposure(PNE)rats.Methods Twenty-four pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control,model,electroacupuncture shallow needling,and dexamethasone groups using the random number table method(n=6 rats per group).A pulmonary dysplasia model in offspring rats with PNE was prepared by cervicodorsal subcutaneous injection with nicotine,and successful establishment of the model was confirmed by demonstrating statistically significant differences in growth parameters,lung function,and lung morphology compared to the control group.From the sixth day of maternal conception,the control group received cervicodorsal subcutaneous injection with 0.9%sodium chloride solution(1 mg/kg once per day),and the remaining groups were similarly injected with nicotine(1 mg/kg once per day).Concurrent with the nicotine injections,the electroacupuncture shallow needling group received electroacupuncture interventions at the"Zusanli"(ST 36)acupoint on both sides once a day for 20 min.In contrast,the offspring rats in the dexamethasone group received intraperitoneal dexamethasone injections from postnatal day 8(1.5 mg/kg once per day for 3 days),with a later dose of 0.75 mg/kg once per day for 4 days.Following successful model establishment,four offspring per rat were retained in each group using the random number table method.Until the 21st day after the birth of the offspring,using the random number table method,one offspring randomly selected from the four retained offspring per rat in each group was assigned to growth parameter assessment including body weight,lung weight,and lung index;simultaneously,one offspring was randomly selected for pulmonary function which was detected by a small animal pulmonary function machine,with the parameters of forced vital capacity(FVC),functional residual capacity(FRC),dynamic lung compliance(Cdyn),peak expiratory flow(PEF),peak inspiratory flow(PIF),and airway resistance(RL);concurrently,one offspring was randomly selected for hematoxylin and eosin staining to observe the histomorphology of the lung tissue,alveolar numbers,and mean alveolar septal thickness;additionally,one offspring was randomly selected for Morris water maze testing to evaluate the effects of the two intervention methods on learning and memory capabilities in offspring rats with PNE.Results Compared with the control group,the body weight,lung weight,lung index,FVC,PEF,FRC,Cdyn,alveolar number,platform crossing times,target quadrant time percentage,and target quadrant path percentage in the Morris water maze experiment were significantly decreased in the offspring rats of the model group(P<0.01).In contrast,PIF,RL,average thickness of alveolar septa,and latency of the Morris water maze experiment were significantly increased in the offspring rats of the model group(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,both electroacupuncture shallow needling group and dexamethasone group exhibited significant increases in body weight,lung weight,lung index,FVC,PEF,FRC,Cdyn,and alveolar numbers(P<0.05,P<0.01),along with significant decreases in PIF,RL values,and mean alveolar septal thickness(P<0.01).However,in the Morris water maze experiment,compared with the model group,the electroacupuncture shallow needling group demonstrated significantly more platform crossing times and a higher target quadrant time percentage and target quadrant path percentage(P<0.01),coupled with reduced latency period(P<0.01),whereas the dexamethasone group showed no significant differences compared to the model group.Compared to the electroacupuncture shallow needling group,the dexamethasone group showed significantly less platform crossing times and a lower target quadrant time percentage and target quadrant path percentage,coupled with increased latency period(P<0.01).Conclusion Both electroacupuncture and dexamethasone demonstrated protective effects on lung development in PNE offspring rats by ameliorating lung histomorphology and pulmonary function.However,offspring receiving late,small-dose,short-course dexamethasone exhibited inferior learning and memory capabilities,whereas the electroacupuncture group showed significantly superior cognitive performance compared to the dexamethasone group.

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