OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential mechanism by which electroacupuncture (EA) induces macrophage polarization to promote muscle satellite cell proliferation and differentiation, accelerating the repair of acute skeletal muscle injury. METHODS: Forty-two SPF-grade SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: a blank group (n=6), a model group (n=18), and an EA group (n=18). The model and EA groups established acute blunt contusion model of the right gastrocnemius muscle using a self-made striking device. From day 1 after modeling, rats in the EA group received EA at "Chengshan" (BL57) and "Yanglingquan" (GB34) on the right side, using disperse-dense wave with a frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz and a current of approximately 2 mA. The EA treatment was administered once daily for 30 minutes for 3, 7, or 14 days based on the designated sampling time points. Gait analysis was performed using the Cat Walk XT^TM system. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the morphological changes in the gastrocnemius muscle. Masson staining was applied to evaluate collagen fiber content. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in muscle satellite cells. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression levels of CD68 and CD206, markers of macrophages. Serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-13) were detected using ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, the model group showed a significant reduction in average movement speed on days 3 and 7 after modeling (P<0.05), and a decrease in the right hind limb stride length on day 3 (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the EA group showed increased average movement speed and right hind limb stride length on day 7 (P<0.05). In the blank group, the gastrocnemius muscle on the right side showed uniform and consistent inter-fiber spacing, with neatly and regularly arranged muscle cells. In contrast, the model group exhibited enlarged inter-fiber spacing, edema, and significant infiltration of red blood cells and inflammatory cells, with progressively increasing fibrosis over time. By day 14 after modeling, the EA group showed a return to baseline levels of inflammatory cell infiltration, and the degree of fibrosis was significantly lower than that observed in the model group. Compared with the blank group, the ratio of collagen fibers in the gastrocnemius muscle of the model group increased significantly on days 3, 7, and 14 after modeling (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the EA group exhibited a lower collagen fiber ratio on days 3, 7, and 14 (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, PCNA positive expression in the gastrocnemius muscle of the model group was significantly increased on days 3, 7, and 14 after modeling (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the EA group exhibited significantly higher PCNA positive expression on days 3 and 7 (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the model group showed a significant increase in CD68-positive macrophage expression in the gastrocnemius muscle on day 3 after modeling (P<0.05), while CD206-positive macrophage expression increased on days 3, 7, and 14 (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, CD68 expression was significantly lower in the EA group on day 3 (P<0.05), whereas CD206 expression was significantly higher on days 3 and 7 (P<0.05), peaking on day 7 with CD206 expression. Compared with the blank group, serum TNF-α levels were significantly elevated in the model group on days 3 and 7 after modeling (P<0.05), while serum IL-1β levels were increased on days 3, 7, and 14 (P<0.05). Serum IL-10 and IL-13 levels were significantly higher on day 7 after modeling (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the EA group exhibited lower serum TNF-α level on day 3 (P<0.05) and reduced serum IL-1β levels on days 3 and 7 (P<0.05), while serum IL-10 and IL-13 levels were significantly increased on day 7 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION EA could promote the repair of acute blunt contusion-induced gastrocnemius muscle injury by regulating the proliferation and differentiation of muscle satellite cells. This process is closely related to macrophage polarization.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Muscle, Skeletal/immunology* ; Male ; Humans ; Female ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunology* ; Cell Proliferation

In recent years,a growing body of research has demonstrated that acupuncture can be used to effectively treat a diverse range of diseases,including functional gastrointestinal disorders,cardiovascular diseases,as well as anxiety and depression,through the modulation of the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus(PVN).Acupuncture may exert its therapeutic effect either by modulating specific neurons within the PVN,such as corticotropin releasing hormone(CRH)neurons,or by regulating the release of hormones,such as oxytocin(OXT)and vasopressin(VP),and the activity of neural circuits associated with the PVN.This review summarizes the mechanisms by which PVN is involved in acupuncture treatment,including its regulatory mechanisms in gastrointestinal diseases,cardiovascular diseases,and negative emotions and pain.Future research should be conducted to further explore the precise mechanisms by which acupuncture regulates PVN to treat diseases,focusing on clarifying the specific processes of signaling pathway transduction,and exploring the specific effects of acupunture of different acupoint combinations and stimulation frequencies and intensity on PVN.

Background::Bladder cancer, characterized by a high potential of tumor recurrence, has high lifelong monitoring and treatment costs. To date, tumor cells with intrinsic softness have been identified to function as cancer stem cells in several cancer types. Nonetheless, the existence of soft tumor cells in bladder tumors remains elusive. Thus, our study aimed to develop a microbarrier microfluidic chip to efficiently isolate deformable tumor cells from distinct types of bladder cancer cells.Methods::The stiffness of bladder cancer cells was determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The modified microfluidic chip was utilized to separate soft cells, and the 3D Matrigel culture system was to maintain the softness of tumor cells. Expression patterns of integrin β8 (ITGB8), protein kinase B (AKT), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were determined by Western blotting. Double immunostaining was conducted to examine the interaction between F-actin and tripartite motif containing 59 (TRIM59). The stem-cell-like characteristics of soft cells were explored by colony formation assay and in vivo studies upon xenografted tumor models. Results::Using our newly designed microfluidic approach, we identified a small fraction of soft tumor cells in bladder cancer cells. More importantly, the existence of soft tumor cells was confirmed in clinical human bladder cancer specimens, in which the number of soft tumor cells was associated with tumor relapse. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the biomechanical stimuli arising from 3D Matrigel activated the F-actin/ITGB8/TRIM59/AKT/mTOR/glycolysis pathways to enhance the softness and tumorigenic capacity of tumor cells. Simultaneously, we detected a remarkable up-regulation in ITGB8, TRIM59, and phospho-AKT in clinical bladder recurrent tumors compared with their non-recurrent counterparts.Conclusions::The ITGB8/TRIM59/AKT/mTOR/glycolysis axis plays a crucial role in modulating tumor softness and stemness. Meanwhile, the soft tumor cells become more sensitive to chemotherapy after stiffening, that offers new insights for hampering tumor progression and recurrence.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of inducing macrophage polarization induced by acupoint effect of electroacupuncture to promote the repair of acute skeletal muscle injury.Methods 45 SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,electroacupuncture group(EA group),sodium chrominate group (DSCG group) and electroacupuncture+sodium chrominate group (hereinafter referred to as EA+DSCG group),with 9 rats in each group. The rats in the EA group and the EA+DSCG group were subjected to EA intervention at the right "Chengshan" (BL57) and "Yanglingquan"(GB34),with a frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz. The gait changes of rats were recorded by animal gait analyzer. The morphological changes of the right gastrocnemius were observed by HE staining. The changes of mast cell aggregation and degranulation in local skin muscles of "chengshan" point were observed by toluidine blue staining. The expressions of Pax7,MyoD and skin mast cells and 5-HT in the right gastrocnemius were detected by immunofluorescence method. The positive expressions of CD68 and CD206 in right gastrocnemius macrophage was observed by immunohistochemical staining.Results Compared with blank group,the wiggle time of the right hind leg in model group and DSCG group increased,stride length decreased,HE staining showed inflammatory cell infiltration,myocyte enlargement,degeneration and necrosis. The degranulation rate of local skin mast cells in "Chengshan" (BL57) area increased,and the expressions of mast cell tryptase,5-HT,Pax7,MyoD,CD68 and CD206 increased (P<0.05). Compared with model group,the wiggle time of the right hind leg in EA group and EA+DSCG group decreased,stride length increased,HE staining showed that inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced,muscle cells were uniform in size and arranged neatly. Mast cell degranulation rate increased significantly in EA group,and the expressions of mast cell tryptase,5-HT,Pax7,MyoD and CD206 increased (P<0.05),while CD68 expression decreased (P<0.05). Compared with EA+DSCG group,the degranulation rate of mast cells and the expressions of mast cell tryptase,5-HT,Pax7,MyoD and CD206 increased (P<0.05),while CD68 expression decreased in EA group (P<0.05). Conclusion EA "Chengshan" (BL57) and "Yanglingquan" (GB34) can stimulate acupuncture points to locally induce mast cell degranulation,promote the polarization of macrophages,and then activate muscle satellite cells to play the regulatory process of repairing skeletal muscle injury.

Objective:To investigate the prognosis and influencing factors in critically ill surgical patients of different feeding intolerance trajectories.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinical data of 354 critically ill surgical patients who were admitted to 69 medical centers in the Chinese Critical Care Nutrition Trials Group -NEED database from March 2018 to July 2019 were selected. There were 247 males and 107 females, aged 58(46,68)years. According to the trajectory model of feeding intolerance change, 354 patients were divided into 3 categories as feeding intolerance, decreased feeding intolerance, continuous feeding intolerance, including 164, 49, 141 cases respectively. Observation indicators: (1) general situations of patients of different feeding intolerance trajectories; (2) treatment of patients of different feeding intolerance trajectories; (3) survival of patients of different feeding intolerance trajectories; (4) analysis of pro-gnostic factors in critically ill surgical patients. Measurement data of normal distribution were expressed as Mean± SD, and one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between groups. Measurement data of skewed distribution were expressed as M( Q1, Q3), and Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test was used for comparison between groups. Count data were expressed as absolute numbers or percentages, and chi-square test was used for comparison between groups. Ordinal data were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test. Bonferroni correction was used for pairwise comparison. Group-based trajectory model was constructed according to Traj plug-in in Stata17.0 statistical software, and the optimal trajectory model was evaluated by Bayesian information criterion and average posterior probability parameter. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the survival curve and calculate the survival rate, and Log-Rank test was used for survival analyses. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using the COX proportional hazard regression model. Results:(1) General situations of patients of different feeding intolerance trajectories. Of 354 critically ill surgical patients, 257 cases underwent enteral nutrition and 97 cases underwent enteral plus parenteral nutrition. The acute physiological and chronic health score (APACHEII) was 17(13,21), and the sequential organ failure score (SOFA) was 6(5,8). The modified Critical Illness Nutritional risk score (mNUTRIC) was 4 (2,5), the number of complications was 2(1,3). There were 293, 55 and 6 patients with grade Ⅰ, grade Ⅱ and grade Ⅲ acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI), and there were 224, 17 and 61 patients who were treated with mechanical ventilation, continuous renal replacement therapy and vasoactive drugs, respectively. The incidence of feeding intolerance in 354 patients increased first and then decreased, reaching a peak of 25.42%(90/354) on the third day and 53.67%(190/354) within 7 days. Of 354 critically ill surgical patients, cases with no feeding intolerance, decreased feeding intolerance, continuous feeding intolerance had the APACHE Ⅱ as 16(12,20), 17(14,25), 18(13,22), mNUTRIC as 3(2,5), 4(3,6), 4(3,5), the number of complications as 2(1,2), 2(2,3), 2(2,3). There were 152, 27, 114 cases with grade Ⅰ AGI, 12, 22, 27 cases with grade Ⅱ-Ⅲ AGI, 95, 39, 90 cases with mechanical ventilation. There were significant differences in the above indicators among the three groups ( H=6.14, 13.11, 28.05, χ2=37.96, 7.65, P< 0.05). Further analysis showed that compared with patients with no feeding intolerance, patients with decreased feeding intolerance and continuous feeding intolerance had the higher number of complications and grade of AGI ( Z=60.32, 54.69, χ2=39.72, 9.52, P<0.05), patients with decreased feeding intolerance had the higher mNUTRIC scores and ratio of mechanical ventilation ( Z=53.41, χ2=7.59, P<0.05). (2) Treatment of patients of different feeding intolerance trajectories. Cases with prokinetic drugs use and post-pyloric feeding were 36, 13 of patients with no feeding intolerance, 25 and 10 of patients with decreased feeding intolerance, 46 and 19 of patients with continuous feeding intolerance, respectively, showing significant differences in the above indicators among the three groups ( χ2=15.76, 6.20, P<0.05). Further analysis showed that compared with patients with no feeding intolerance, patients with decreased feeding intolerance had higher ratio of prokinetic drugs use and ratio of post-pyloric feeding ( χ2=15.60, 6.10, P<0.05). (3) Survival of patients of different feeding intolerance trajectories. The 28-day overall survival rates of patients with no feeding intolerance, decreased feeding intolerance, and continued feeding intolerance were 96.96%, 95.92%, and 87.94%, respectively, showing a significant difference ( χ2=10.39, P<0.05). Further analysis showed a significant difference between patents with no feeding intolerance and patients with continuous feeding intolerance ( χ2=9.19, P<0.05). (4) Analysis of prognostic factors in critically ill surgical patients. Multivariate analysis showed that continuous feeding intolerance was an independent risk factor for 28-day death in critically ill surgical patients ( hazard ratio=3.92, 95% confidence interval as 1.43-10.79, P<0.05). Conclusion:For surgical critically ill patients, patients with continuous feeding intolerance have a higher 28-day mortality than patients with no feeding intolerance, and the continuous feeding intolerance is an independent risk factor for 28-day death in critically ill surgical patients.

Objective:To explore the efficiency of "short time sampling" for noninvasive preimplantation genetic testing (ni-PGT).Methods:A prospective study was conducted. The blastocysts of patients who were treated by preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) in the Reproductive Center of Xiangtan Central Hospital from March 2021 to June 2022 were biopsied, meanwhile the spent culture medium (SCM) were collected. According to the different sampling methods for SCM, they were divided into two groups, direct sampling method and "short time sampling". The coincidence rate between ni-PGT and PGT-A was analyzed and compared statistically.Results:Totally 108 blastocysts from 36 couples were biopsied and SCMs were collected, including 59 cases of direct collection and 49 cases of "short time sampling". The area under curve (AUC) of direct collection method for diagnosing embryo ploidy was lower than that of "short time sampling" (0.628 vs. 0.785). Conclusion:The efficiency of "short time sampling" in diagnosing embryo ploidy is better than that of direct collection method.

Objective:To explore the efficiency of "short time sampling" for noninvasive preimplantation genetic testing (ni-PGT).Methods:A prospective study was conducted. The blastocysts of patients who were treated by preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) in the Reproductive Center of Xiangtan Central Hospital from March 2021 to June 2022 were biopsied, meanwhile the spent culture medium (SCM) were collected. According to the different sampling methods for SCM, they were divided into two groups, direct sampling method and "short time sampling". The coincidence rate between ni-PGT and PGT-A was analyzed and compared statistically.Results:Totally 108 blastocysts from 36 couples were biopsied and SCMs were collected, including 59 cases of direct collection and 49 cases of "short time sampling". The area under curve (AUC) of direct collection method for diagnosing embryo ploidy was lower than that of "short time sampling" (0.628 vs. 0.785). Conclusion:The efficiency of "short time sampling" in diagnosing embryo ploidy is better than that of direct collection method.

Objective:To explore the construction and effect of biobank in biological research in nursing field.Methods:Through the establishment of a biological research plan for nursing in Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, the biobank in biological research for nursing was constructed from aspects of biological samples, instruments and equipment, operating software, biobanking team formation, personnel training and standardized process formulation.Results:In August 2020, the Nursing Department and Central Laboratory of Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine established a biobank for biological research in the nursing field, formed a biobank team, conducted personnel training and formulated standardized procedures. From December 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021, biological samples were collected from 264 gastric cancer patients and 56 healthy controls, mainly including whole blood, serum and urine.Conclusions:The construction of biobank for biological research in nursing field can collect abundant biological samples, which lays a foundation for subsequent independent biological research in nursing field.

Objective:To investigate the role of cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in the regulation of peptide transporter 1 (PepT1) expression in small intestinal epithelium of septic rats by Ghrelin.Methods:One hundred adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, sepsis group, sepsis+vagotomy group, sepsis+Ghrelin group, and sepsis+vagotomy+Ghrelin group, with 20 rats in each group. In the sham operation group, the cecum was separated after laparotomy, without ligation and perforation. In the sepsis group, the rats received cecal ligation puncture (CLP). In the sepsis+vagotomy group, the rats received CLP and vagotomy after laparotomy. In the sepsis+Ghrelin group, 100 μmol/L Ghrelin was intravenously injected after CLP immediately. The rats in the sepsis+vagotomy+Ghrelin group received CLP and vagotomy at the same time, then the Ghrelin was intravenously injected immediately with the same dose as the sepsis+Ghrelin group. Ten rats in each group were taken to observe their survival within 7 days. The remaining 10 rats were sacrificed 20 hours after the operation to obtain venous blood and small intestinal tissue. The condition of the abdominal intestine was observed. The injury of intestinal epithelial cells was observed with transmission electron microscopy. The contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in serum and small intestinal tissue were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The brush border membrane vesicle (BBMV) was prepared, the levels of mRNA and protein expression of PepT1 in the small intestinal epithelium were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting.Results:All rats in the sham operation group survived at 7 days after operation. The 7-day cumulative survival rate of rats in the sepsis group was significantly lower than that in the sham operation group (20% vs. 100%, P < 0.05). The cumulative survival rate of rats after Ghrelin intervention was improved (compared with sepsis group: 40% vs. 20%, P < 0.05), but the protective effect of Ghrelin was weakened after vagotomy (compared with sepsis+Ghrelin group: 10% vs. 40%, P < 0.05). Compared with the sham operation group, in the sepsis group, the small intestine and cecum were dull red, the intestinal tubules were swollen and filled with gas, the intestinal epithelial cells were seriously injured under transmission electron microscopy, the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in serum and small intestinal were significantly increased, and the expression levels of PepT1 mRNA and protein in the small intestinal epithelium were significantly decreased. It indicated that the sepsis rat model was successfully prepared. After vagotomy, the intestinal swelling and gas accumulation became worse in septic rats, leading to the death of all rats. Compared with the sepsis group, the abdominal situation in the sepsis+Ghrelin group was improved, the injury of intestinal epithelial cells was alleviated, the serum and small intestinal TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly decreased [serum TNF-α (ng/L): 253.27±23.32 vs. 287.90±19.48, small intestinal TNF-α (ng/L): 95.27±11.47 vs. 153.89±18.15, serum IL-1β (ng/L): 39.16±4.47 vs. 54.26±7.27, small intestinal IL-1β (ng/L): 28.47±4.13 vs. 42.26±2.59, all P < 0.05], and the expressions of PepT1 mRNA and protein in the small intestinal epithelium were significantly increased [PepT1 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCt): 0.66±0.05 vs. 0.53±0.06, PepT1 protein (PepT1/GAPDH): 0.80±0.04 vs. 0.60±0.05, both P < 0.05]. Compared with the sepsis+Ghrelin group, after vagotomy in the sepsis+vagotomy+Ghrelin group, the effect of Ghrelin on reducing the release of inflammatory factors in sepsis rats was significantly reduced [serum TNF-α (ng/L): 276.58±19.88 vs. 253.27±23.32, small intestinal TNF-α (ng/L): 144.28±12.99 vs. 95.27±11.47, serum IL-1β (ng/L): 48.15±3.21 vs. 39.16±4.47, small intestinal IL-1β (ng/L): 38.75±4.49 vs. 28.47±4.13, all P < 0.05], the up-regulated effect on the expression of PepT1 in small intestinal epithelium was lost [PepT1 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCt): 0.58±0.03 vs. 0.66±0.05, PepT1 protein (PepT1/GAPDH): 0.70±0.02 vs. 0.80±0.04, both P < 0.05], and the injury of small intestinal epithelial cells was worse. Conclusion:Ghrelin plays a protective role in sepsis by promoting cholinergic neurons to inhibit the release of inflammatory factors, thereby promoting the transcription and translation of PepT1.

Objective:To investigate the role of LncRNA-TUG1 in the injury of intestinal epithelial cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).Methods:LPS was used to treat HIEC-6 human intestinal epithelial cells for 24 h to construct a sepsis injury model. Whole transcriptome RNA sequencing was used to analyze the expression changes of mRNA, microRNA and lncRNA in HIEC-6 cells after LPS treatment. Real-time fluorescence quantitative (qRT-PCR) and Western blot was performed to detect the expression changes of lncRNA-TUG1, microRNA-132-3p (miR-132-3p), SIRT1 mRNA and SIRT1 protein in HIEC-6 cells after LPS treatment. The expression levels of LncRNA-TUG1, miR-132-3p and SIRT1 were artificially changed by in vitro transfection. qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to confirm the regulatory effect of lncRNA-TUG1 on microRNA-132-3p and SIRT1. CCK-8 and flow cytometry were used to analyze the effects of LncRNA-TUG1, miR-132-3p and SIRT1 on the proliferation and apoptosis of HIEC-6 cells. The dual luciferase report analysis was used to verify the targeting relationship between LncRNA-TUG1, miR-132-3p and SIRT1. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0, and differences between the two groups were compared using independent sample t test. Results:RNA sequencing results showed that the expressions of lncRNA-TUG1 and SIRT1 were decreased in HIEC-6 cells after LPS treatment ( t=3.26, P<0.05 and t=2.55, P<0.05), but the expression of miR-132-3p was increased ( t=4.12, P<0.05). In vitro cell experiments, the expression of lncRNA-TUG1 and SIRT1 were decreased in HIEC-6 cells treated with LPS ( t=5.69, P<0.05 and t=5.712, P<0.05), while the expression of miR-132-3p was increased ( t=3.88, P<0.05). Overexpression of lncRNA-TUG1 increased the proliferation rate ( t=6.55, P<0.05) and decreased the apoptosis rate ( t=3.94, P<0.05) of LPS-treated cells. Upregulation of lncRNA-TUG1 decreased the expression of miR-132-3p ( t=4.66, P<0.05), and increased the mRNA and protein levels of SIRT1 ( t=3.91, P<0.05). Transfection of miR-132-3P mimic could inhibit the mRNA ( t=4.08, P<0.05) and protein levels of SIRT1. In LPS-treated cells, the cells co-transfected with miR-132-3pmimic and siRNA-SIRT1 had a lower proliferation rate ( t=4.55, P<0.05 and t=5.67, P<0.05) and a higher apoptosis rate ( t=3.90, P<0.05 and t=4.22, P<0.05) than those transfected with only pcDNA3.1-lncRNA-TUG. Conclusions:lncRNA-TUG1 may act as a ceRNA to regulate miR-132-3p/SIRT1, therefore alleviating HIEC-6 cell injury caused by LPS. Intervention of lncRNA-TUG1/miR-132-3p/SIRT1 regulatory pathway may become a potential strategy to prevent sepsis-induced intestinal mucosal damage.