1.Effects of Electro-Acupuncture Based on the Midnight-Noon Ebb-Low Method with Hour-Prescription on BMAL1 Protein and NETs Markers in Lung Tissue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Model Rats with Lung-Qi Deficiency Syndrome
Changtian JIAO-LI ; Nise Pantaleo SHIO ; Lianqing CAI ; Qingyao JIANG ; Siyu TANG ; Qianqian WAN ; Mengchen WAN ; Yuqi YE ; Jie ZHU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(13):1422-1430
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism underlying electroacupuncture therapy with the midnight-noon ebb-low method with hour-prescription for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with lung-qi deficiency syndrome from the perspective of brain and muscle basic helix-loop-helix ARNT-like 1 (BMAL1) as well as neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). MethodsThe experiment was conducted in two phases. For the therapeutic effectiveness observation, 24 rats were randomly allocated into control group 1, model group 1, midnight-noon electro-acupuncture group 1 and conventional electro-acupuncture group, with 6 rats per group. Rat models of COPD with lung-qi deficiency syndrome were established via cigarette smoke exposure combined with intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After successful modelling, rats in midnight-noon electro-acupuncture group 1 received electro-acupuncture at acupoints "Taiyuan (LU 9)", "Feishu (BL 13)" and "Zusanli (ST 36)" during 05:00—07:00, 30 minutes per treatment once every other day for 14 consecutive days (7 sessions in total). Rats in the conventional electro-acupuncture group received identical electroacupuncture manipulation at random daytime hours (08:00—18:00). Pulmonary function parameters including forced expiratory volume in 0.3 second (FEV0.3), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV0.3/FVC ratio were detected. Pulmonary histopathological changes were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Plasma levels of pro-inflammatory factors interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as well as pulmonary reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, BMAL1 protein expression and the levels of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) biomarkers such as myeloperoxidase (MPO), neutrophil elastase (NE), and citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3) in lung tissue were determined. For the mechanistic verification phase, 36 rats were divided into control group 2, model group 2, midnight-noon electro-acupuncture group 2, overexpression empty group, overexpression BMAL1 group and overexpression with midnight-noon electro-acupuncture group, with 6 rats in each group. At the 5th week of model construction, rats in the overexpression BMAL1 group and overexpression with midnight-noon electro-acupuncture group received intratracheal instillation of 100 μl adenoviral suspension carrying overexpressed Bmal1 gene. Rats in the overexpression empty group were injected with an equal titer and equal volume of blank adenovirus without the Bmal1 coding sequence into the lung at the identical time point. Midnight-noon electro-acupuncture group 2 and overexpression with midnight-noon electro-acupuncture group were consistent with the aforementioned protocol. Finally, pulmonary levels of MPO, NE and CitH3 were measured in all groups. ResultsCompared with the control group 1, the model group 1 exhibited decreased FEV0.3, FVC and FEV0.3/FVC ratio, elevated plasma IL-1β, TNF-α and pulmonary ROS levels, downregulated lung BMAL1 protein expression, and increased contents of MPO, NE and CitH3 (all P<0.05); typical NETs-like structures with sparse granular substances attached to fibrous networks were observed under scanning electron microscopy; HE staining revealed damaged alveolar architecture accompanied by inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared with model group 1, both the midnight-noon electro-acupuncture group 1 and conventional electro-acupuncture group achieved obvious improvements in all above indicators, with superior therapeutic effects in midnight-noon electro-acupuncture group 1 (P<0.05). Consistently, midnight-noon electro-acupuncture group 1 showed more prominent alleviation of NETs-like structure formation and lung pathological injury compared to the conventional electro-acupuncture group. Mechanistic validation results demonstrated that compared with model group 2, the average optical density of MPO as well as the protein levels of MPO, NE and CitH3 were markedly reduced in midnight-noon electro-acupuncture group 2, overexpression BMAL1 group and overexpression with midnight-noon electro-acupuncture group (P<0.05); furthermore, these parameters were significantly lower in the overexpression with midnight-noon electro-acupuncture group than in midnight-noon electro-acupuncture group 2 (P<0.05). ConclusionElectro-acupuncture based on the midnight-noon ebb-low method with hour-prescription may alleviate pulmonary inflammation in COPD by upregulating the expression of clock protein BMAL1 and inhibiting excessive accumulation of NETs in lung tissue.
2.Research progress on the relationship between bacterial composition in bile and the forma-tion of cholelithiasis
Donghui AN ; Wenhui LIU ; Mengchen ZHU ; Yanzong ZHAO ; Jianfeng MA ; Ping YUE
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2025;24(8):1075-1080
As a common biliary disease, cholelithiasis has high incidence and recurrence rates, with negative impact on patients′ health and quality of life. The causes of cholelithiasis are complex, and recent studies have shown that microorganisms may be associated with the formation and recurrence of cholelithiasis, but the specific relationship between the two has not been fully elucidated. Bile microbiota may be related to the increase of incidence rate of gallstones. Different types of cholelithiasis have different microbial composition. Microorganisms may participate in the formation and recurrence of gallstones by influencing bile composition, promoting the formation of stone cores and other ways. The authors provide a review on the etiology and pathogenesis of cholelithiasis, classification of cholelithiasis, microenvironment of biliary microbiota, and the relationship between biliary microbiota and stone formation, aiming to provide new ideas and theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of cholelithiasis.
3.Comparative study on the efficacy and postoperative infection of combined external fixator and Ilizarov in the treatment of open tibia-fibula fractures
Xinggui SONG ; Bo ZHU ; Mengchen ZHANG ; Yulin LI
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2025;48(12):1096-1102
Objective:To comparatively the efficacy of the combined external fixator and the Ilizarov in the treatment of open tibia-fibula fractures and their influence on postoperative infection.Methods:A total of 215 patients with open tibio-fibula fractures diagnosed and treated at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital Airport Site from January 2021 to January 2024 were retrospectively selected as the research subjects. They were divided into the observation group (110 cases, using the combined external frame) and the control group (105 cases, using theIlizarov) according to the types of external fixators adopted. The clinical efficacy, bone healing condition, X-ray callus score, and serological indicators, including the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), osteocalcin (OC), C-reactive protein (CRP) in the two groups were compared. The America Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society(AOFAS) score, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, and Health Survey Scale (SF-36) score were applied to evaluate the recovery of patients, and the postoperative infection conditions in the two groups were compared.Results:At 12 months after the operation, the excellent and good rate of clinical efficacy in the observation group was higher than that in the control group:90.00%(99/110) vs. 80.00%(84/105), there was statistical difference ( χ2 = 4.24, P<0.05). The complete weight-bearing time, swelling elimination time, bone healing time and postoperative hospital stay in the observation group were shorter than those in the control group:(144.73 ± 15.48) d vs. (152.12 ± 15.55) d, (11.25 ± 1.34) d vs. (13.18 ± 1.37) d, (123.01 ± 12.53) d vs. (136.38 ± 13.45) d, (30.15 ± 3.24) d vs. (31.47 ± 3.48) d, there were statistical differences ( P<0.01). The X-ray callus scores in the observation group at 1 week and 1, 3 and 6 months after the operation were higher than those in the control group: (1.37 ± 0.15) scores vs. (1.28 ± 0.14) scores, (7.65 ± 0.83) scores vs. (5.64 ± 0.75) scores,(12.34 ± 1.25) scores vs. (10.78 ± 1.16) scores,(14.52 ± 1.56) scores vs.(12.11 ± 1.35) scores, there were statistical differences ( P<0.01). Six months after the operation, the levels of BMP-2, VEGF and OC in the observation group were higher than those in the control group: (84.23 ± 8.51) ng/L vs. (76.79 ± 7.82) ng/L, (17.26 ± 1.83) ng/L vs. (15.34 ± 1.67) ng/L, (18.34 ± 1.92) μg/L vs. (6.48 ± 1.75) μg/L; while CRP was lower than that in the control group: (6.49 ± 0.76) mg/L vs. (7.13 ± 0.78) mg/L; there were statistical differences ( P<0.01). The scores of AOFAS, HSS and SF-36 in the observation group at 6 months after the operation were higher than those in the control group: (76.34 ± 7.85) scores vs. (70.11 ± 7.49) scores,(70.12 ± 7.63) scores vs. (67.77 ± 6.68) scores, (93.57 ± 10.34) scores vs. (85.73 ± 8.65) scores, there were statistical differences ( P<0.01 or <0.05). The patients were followed up for 12 months after the operation. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with the Ilizarov, the combined external fixator has a better therapeutic effect in the treatment of open tibia-fibula fractures. It can promote the healing of bone wounds, improve joint function and quality of life, and has good safety.
4.Research progress on the relationship between bacterial composition in bile and the forma-tion of cholelithiasis
Donghui AN ; Wenhui LIU ; Mengchen ZHU ; Yanzong ZHAO ; Jianfeng MA ; Ping YUE
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2025;24(8):1075-1080
As a common biliary disease, cholelithiasis has high incidence and recurrence rates, with negative impact on patients′ health and quality of life. The causes of cholelithiasis are complex, and recent studies have shown that microorganisms may be associated with the formation and recurrence of cholelithiasis, but the specific relationship between the two has not been fully elucidated. Bile microbiota may be related to the increase of incidence rate of gallstones. Different types of cholelithiasis have different microbial composition. Microorganisms may participate in the formation and recurrence of gallstones by influencing bile composition, promoting the formation of stone cores and other ways. The authors provide a review on the etiology and pathogenesis of cholelithiasis, classification of cholelithiasis, microenvironment of biliary microbiota, and the relationship between biliary microbiota and stone formation, aiming to provide new ideas and theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of cholelithiasis.
5.Comparative study on the efficacy and postoperative infection of combined external fixator and Ilizarov in the treatment of open tibia-fibula fractures
Xinggui SONG ; Bo ZHU ; Mengchen ZHANG ; Yulin LI
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2025;48(12):1096-1102
Objective:To comparatively the efficacy of the combined external fixator and the Ilizarov in the treatment of open tibia-fibula fractures and their influence on postoperative infection.Methods:A total of 215 patients with open tibio-fibula fractures diagnosed and treated at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital Airport Site from January 2021 to January 2024 were retrospectively selected as the research subjects. They were divided into the observation group (110 cases, using the combined external frame) and the control group (105 cases, using theIlizarov) according to the types of external fixators adopted. The clinical efficacy, bone healing condition, X-ray callus score, and serological indicators, including the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), osteocalcin (OC), C-reactive protein (CRP) in the two groups were compared. The America Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society(AOFAS) score, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, and Health Survey Scale (SF-36) score were applied to evaluate the recovery of patients, and the postoperative infection conditions in the two groups were compared.Results:At 12 months after the operation, the excellent and good rate of clinical efficacy in the observation group was higher than that in the control group:90.00%(99/110) vs. 80.00%(84/105), there was statistical difference ( χ2 = 4.24, P<0.05). The complete weight-bearing time, swelling elimination time, bone healing time and postoperative hospital stay in the observation group were shorter than those in the control group:(144.73 ± 15.48) d vs. (152.12 ± 15.55) d, (11.25 ± 1.34) d vs. (13.18 ± 1.37) d, (123.01 ± 12.53) d vs. (136.38 ± 13.45) d, (30.15 ± 3.24) d vs. (31.47 ± 3.48) d, there were statistical differences ( P<0.01). The X-ray callus scores in the observation group at 1 week and 1, 3 and 6 months after the operation were higher than those in the control group: (1.37 ± 0.15) scores vs. (1.28 ± 0.14) scores, (7.65 ± 0.83) scores vs. (5.64 ± 0.75) scores,(12.34 ± 1.25) scores vs. (10.78 ± 1.16) scores,(14.52 ± 1.56) scores vs.(12.11 ± 1.35) scores, there were statistical differences ( P<0.01). Six months after the operation, the levels of BMP-2, VEGF and OC in the observation group were higher than those in the control group: (84.23 ± 8.51) ng/L vs. (76.79 ± 7.82) ng/L, (17.26 ± 1.83) ng/L vs. (15.34 ± 1.67) ng/L, (18.34 ± 1.92) μg/L vs. (6.48 ± 1.75) μg/L; while CRP was lower than that in the control group: (6.49 ± 0.76) mg/L vs. (7.13 ± 0.78) mg/L; there were statistical differences ( P<0.01). The scores of AOFAS, HSS and SF-36 in the observation group at 6 months after the operation were higher than those in the control group: (76.34 ± 7.85) scores vs. (70.11 ± 7.49) scores,(70.12 ± 7.63) scores vs. (67.77 ± 6.68) scores, (93.57 ± 10.34) scores vs. (85.73 ± 8.65) scores, there were statistical differences ( P<0.01 or <0.05). The patients were followed up for 12 months after the operation. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with the Ilizarov, the combined external fixator has a better therapeutic effect in the treatment of open tibia-fibula fractures. It can promote the healing of bone wounds, improve joint function and quality of life, and has good safety.
6.Exploring mechanism and experimental validation of Gubiao Fanggan Modified Formula in preventing influenza virus in immunosuppressive mice based on network pharmacology
Xinyue MA ; Jiawang HUANG ; Mengchen ZHU ; Zhuolin LIU ; Ziye XU ; Fangguo LU ; Ling LI
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(7):1447-1453,中插2-中插5
Objective:To invastigate the targets and signaling pathways of Gubiao Fanggan Modified Formula in regulating the defense against influenza A virus in immunosuppressed mice by network pharmacology,and the key targets were verified by immuno-suppressive mice model.Methods:TCMSP database was used to search the active ingredients of Gubiao Fanggan Modified Formula,and GeneCard,OMIM,PharmGkb databases were used to obtain the potential targets of the active ingredients to prevent influenza,and take their intersection targets were taken;STRING11.5 database was used to make protein-protein interaction network analyzed and finded the core targets;Cytoscape3.8.1 was used to build a traditional Chinese medicine-ingredient-disease target network,and GO enrichment analysis and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed.Intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide was used to construct a mouse model of immune function suppression,normal group,model control group,Gubiao Fanggan Modified Formula group and oseltamivir group were set up,followed by prophylactic administration,and influenza virus intervention was performed on the fourth day.After 7 days of intragastric administration,the key targets were verified by mouse spleen index,HE staining,RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry.Results:There were 82 active ingredients in five traditional Chinese medicines in Gubiao Fanggan Modi-fied Formula,and 72 common targets of drugs and diseases such as IL-6,TNF-α,IL-2,etc,mainly involving IL-17,TNF and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway.Gubiao Fanggan Modified Formula could increase spleen index and significantly reduce mRNA and protein expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α in spleen tissue of mice(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:Gubiao Fanggan Modified Formula may regulate body's immune function through targets such as IL-6 and TNF-α,thereby preventing influenza virus infection.
7.Research progress of CD4+T cells in influenza virus infection-induced cytokine storm and acute lung injury
Jiawang HUANG ; Xinyue MA ; Mengchen ZHU ; Weirong LIU ; Yulu CHEN ; Ling LI
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2023;39(12):2666-2671
As the main weapon of cellular immunity,CD4+ T cells play a vital role in controlling and eliminating infections,and are an important barrier for the body to resist infections.Respiratory tract infectious diseases caused by influenza virus infection have extremely high infectivity,morbidity and mortality.The infection mechanism is relatively complicated and has not been fully ex-plained.The exuberant immune response induced by the body after influenza virus infection is described as a"cytokine storm"which is related to pro-inflammatory cytokines and tissue damage,which may eventually lead to acute lung injury.Therefore,this article sum-marizes the current research progress,focusing on the mechanism of CD4+T cells in the cytokine storm induced by influenza virus in-fection and the impact of acute lung injury,providing relevant ideas and theoretical guidance for follow-up research,with a view to the disease caused by influenza virus bring new and effective methods of diagnosis and treatment.
8.Effects of hypoalbuminemia and human albumin supplementation on patients with acute kidney injury after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting
Shuijing QIU ; Zhansong HU ; Ying TU ; Yu LIU ; Yao ZHANG ; Mengchen ZHU ; Lijuan CHEN
China Pharmacy 2022;33(14):1759-1763
OBJECTIVE To investigate the eff ects of hypoalbuminemia and human albumin supplementation on patients with acute kidney injury (AKI)after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG). METHODS From December 2018 to January 2020,clinical information of 484 patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease who underwent selective OPCABG in Tianjin Chest Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The basic data ,American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)grading,the number of coronary artery bypass grafting ,amount of intraoperative bleeding ,use of artificial colloid ,minimum value of hemoglobin within 7 days after operation ,hypoalbuminemia occurred after operation ,monitoring time in postoperative intensive care unit ,drainage volume of thoracic catheterization ,perioperative blood transfusion ,amount of human albumin after operation were summarized. All patients were divided into non-AKI group (414 cases)and AKI group (70 cases)according to the occurrence of AKI. The differences of the above indexes between the two groups were compared. Multiple Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the risk factor of AKI when selecting the indexes with P<0.1. According to whether hypoalbuminemia occurred after operation ,all patients were divided into normal protein group (347 cases)and hypoalbuminemia group (137 cases). Hierarchical analysis was carried out to explore the correlation between human albumin supplementation and AKI. RESULTS The results of multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that there was no significant effect on AKI in postoperative hypoalbuminemia (P>0.05),but there were significant effect in body mass index and the dosage of postoperative human serum albumin (P<0.05). The risk of AKI would increase by 12.7% every time the body mass index increases by 1 unit;the risk of AKI increased by 17.3% for every 10 g increase in the dosage of human albumin. Stratified analysis showed that the risk of AKI would increased by 26.9% for every 10 g increase in postoperative human albumin supplementation in normal protein group and 14.0% for every 10 g increase in postoperative human albumin supplementation in hypoalbuminemia group. CONCLUSIONS Hypoalbuminemia is not a risk factor fo r the development of AKI after OPCABG ,but human albumin supplementation is a risk factor for AKI after OPCABG.

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