Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective To develop a hypoxia endurance testing system for aviation physiological training of pilots.Methods The hypoxia endurance testing system comprised a low-oxygen mixed gas generator,a pressurization system for low-oxygen mixed gas and a personal breathing apparatus.The low-oxygen mixed gas generator consisted of a main unit composed of an air compressor,a filter,a buffer tank,polymer membrane,a control module,sensors and regulators,wire cables,supporting hoses,etc.;the pressurization system for low-oxygen mixed gas was made up of a protective box,a cooling fan,a motor and a driver,a control module,a solenoid valve,a convergence block,a pressure gauge,etc.;the personal breating apparatus was composed of a gas cylinder,a pressure reducer,an oxygen supply regulator,etc.Forty-eight subjects were selected for hypoxia exposure tests to verify the effectiveness of the system.Results The system developed had the functions of low-oxygen gas preparation,pressurized filling and hypoxia experiment,and the experimental results indicated the acute hypoxia exposure by the system significantly caused signs and symptoms of hypoxia and weakened physiological functions.Conclusion The system developed gains advantages in high accuracy of gas volume fraction control,safety and remarkable effect of simulated hypoxia,and can be an effective tool for acute high-altitude hypoxia testing and training of pilots.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(10):23-28]

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

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.

Objective To investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and viral pneumonia,as well as the underlying mechanisms,using two-sample and two-step Mendelian randomization(MR)approaches,thereby providing novel insights for the prevention and treatment of viral pneumonia.Methods All data were obtained from publicly available genome-wide association studies(GWAS)pooled datasets,including gut microbiota data from the MiBioGen Consortium and the Netherlands Microbiome Project,viral pneumonia data from the FinnGen R10 database,and plasma metabolome data from the publicly available GWAS Catalog.Instrumental variables(IVs)were extracted according to the predefined threshold values.MR analyses were conducted using inverse variance weighting(IVW),MR-Egger,weighted median(WME),weighted mode(WM),and Bayesian-weighted Mendelian randomization(BWMR)methods.Reverse MR analysis was performed to determine whether there was a reverse association.Two-step MR analysis was used to explore the potential mediating role of plasma metabolites,and a series of sensitivity analyses were performed to test the stability of the results.Results Among 196 gut microbiota taxa from the MiBioGen consortium GWAS,11 taxa were associated with viral pneumonia.An increase in the abundance of 4 taxa increased the risk of viral pneumonia,while an increase in the abundance of 7 taxa had a protective effect against viral pneumonia.Among the 207 gut microbiota taxa from the Dutch Microbiome Project GWAS data,10 taxa were associated with viral pneumonia,with 6 risk-increasing and 4 protective taxa identified.Mediation analysis results showed that the causal effect of Defluviitaleaceae on viral pneumonia(OR=0.708,95%CI 0.540-0.929,P=0.013)was mediated to some extent by the N6-acetyllysine levels,with a mediation ratio of 18.4%.Sensitivity analyses did not reveal significant heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy.Conclusions Specific gut microbiota are causally associated with viral pneumonia and show potential differences across different populations;the protective effect of Defluviitaleaceae against viral pneumonia may be mediated by the N6-acetyllysine levels.Targeting metabolites may become a potential therapeutic approach for viral pneumonia.

ObjectiveThis study explores the methods of lung tissue extraction and fixation required for pathological studies of fetal rats, based on the unique physiological structure of fetal rat lung tissue and existing lung tissue fixation techniques for adult rats. MethodsSix pregnant adult SD rats at 20.5 days of gestation were subjected to cesarean section to obtain fetal rats. Four healthy fetal rats with similar body weight, vital signs, and respiratory status were selected from each pregnant rat, and they were randomly divided into the following groups using a random number table: direct lung infiltration group, lung infiltration group after intratracheal infusion, whole-body infiltration group of fetal rats, and whole-body infiltration group after intratracheal infusion of fetal rats. To systematically compare and analyze the anatomical morphology under different fixation methods, lung tissues from four groups of fetal rats were harvested, perfused, and fixed, and the gross morphology of lung tissues in each group was observed. Paraffin sections were prepared and stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E). The histological morphology of the whole lung, alveoli, and bronchi was further examined under optical microscopy. ResultsIn the direct lung infiltration group, the hilar structures were unclear, lung lobation was indistinct, the shape was irregular, lung cavities were small, and alveoli and bronchi were shrunken. In the lung infiltration group after intratracheal infusion, the hilar structures were clear, lobation was pronounced, the shape was regular, lung cavities were large, and alveoli and bronchi were full. Both the whole-body infiltration group and whole-body infiltration group after intratracheal infusion of fetal rats exhibited visible lungs, hearts, skins, and other organs. The lung tissues of both groups showed obvious lobulation, irregular shape, and damage at the margins of lung lobes. In the whole-body infiltration group, the thoracic cavities of the fetus were flattened, lung cavities were small, and alveoli and bronchi were shrunken. In the whole-body infiltration group after intratracheal infusion of fetal rats, the fetal thoracic cavities were full, lung cavities were large, and alveoli and bronchi were relatively full. ConclusionThe lung infiltration after intratracheal infusion method for fetal rat lung tissue fixation outperforms direct lung infiltration, whole-body infiltration of fetal rats, and whole-body infiltration after intratracheal infusion of fetal rats in terms of preservation of the lung tissue's original morphology, paraffin sectioning, staining, and pathological observation and analysis. The embedding, sectioning, and staining processes are also simple and save consumables. Therefore, intratracheal infusion followed by lung infiltration method is recommended for fixation in histopathological observation of fetal rat lung tissue.

OBJECTIVE: Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is an adverse event that occurs during long-term peritoneal dialysis, significantly impairing treatment efficiency and adversely affecting patient outcomes. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), a principal active component derived from Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, has exhibited anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects in various settings. This study aims to investigate the potential therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of AS-IV in the treatment of PF. METHODS: The PF mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 4.25% peritoneal dialysis fluid (100 mL/kg). The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HMrSV5 cells was induced by the addition of 10 ng/mL transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). The differentially expressed genes in HMrSV5 cells treated with AS-IV were screened using transcriptome sequencing analysis. The potential targets of AS-IV were screened using network pharmacology and analyzed using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. RESULTS: Administration of AS-IV at doses of 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg effectively mitigated the increase in peritoneal thickness and the development of fibrosis in mice with PF. The expression of the fibrosis marker α-smooth muscle actin in the peritoneum was significantly decreased in AS-IV-treated mice. The treatment of AS-IV (10, 20, and 40 μmol/L) significantly delayed the EMT of HMrSV5 cells induced by TGF-β, as demonstrated by the decreased number of 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine-positive cells, reduced migrated area, and decreased expression of fibrosis markers. A total of 460 differentially expressed genes were detected in AS-IV-treated HMrSV5 cells through transcriptome sequencing, with notable enrichment in the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT) signaling pathway. The reduced levels of phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K) and p-AKT were detected in HMrSV5 cells with AS-IV treatment. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was predicted as a direct target of AS-IV, exhibiting strong hydrogen bond interactions. The activation of the PI3K-AKT pathway by the compound 740Y-P, and the activation of the EGFR pathway by NSC 228155 each partially counteracted the inhibitory effect of AS-IV on the EMT of HMrSV5 cells. CONCLUSION AS-IV delayed the EMT process in peritoneal mesothelial cells and slowed the progression of PF, potentially serving as a therapeutic agent for the early prevention and treatment of PF. Please cite this article as: Huang Y, Chu CL, Qiu WH, Chen JY, Cao LX, Ji SY, Zhu B, Wang GK, Shen QQ. Astragaloside IV delayed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in peritoneal fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of EGFR and PI3K-AKT pathways. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):694-705.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/drug effects* ; Animals ; Saponins/pharmacology* ; Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Peritoneal Fibrosis/pathology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; ErbB Receptors/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Male ; Humans ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Cell Line ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Objective To develop a hypoxia endurance testing system for aviation physiological training of pilots.Methods The hypoxia endurance testing system comprised a low-oxygen mixed gas generator,a pressurization system for low-oxygen mixed gas and a personal breathing apparatus.The low-oxygen mixed gas generator consisted of a main unit composed of an air compressor,a filter,a buffer tank,polymer membrane,a control module,sensors and regulators,wire cables,supporting hoses,etc.;the pressurization system for low-oxygen mixed gas was made up of a protective box,a cooling fan,a motor and a driver,a control module,a solenoid valve,a convergence block,a pressure gauge,etc.;the personal breating apparatus was composed of a gas cylinder,a pressure reducer,an oxygen supply regulator,etc.Forty-eight subjects were selected for hypoxia exposure tests to verify the effectiveness of the system.Results The system developed had the functions of low-oxygen gas preparation,pressurized filling and hypoxia experiment,and the experimental results indicated the acute hypoxia exposure by the system significantly caused signs and symptoms of hypoxia and weakened physiological functions.Conclusion The system developed gains advantages in high accuracy of gas volume fraction control,safety and remarkable effect of simulated hypoxia,and can be an effective tool for acute high-altitude hypoxia testing and training of pilots.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(10):23-28]

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.