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.Risk prediction model for ischemic stroke in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis patients based on high-resolution MRI and arterial spin labeling
Ling LI ; Qianqian WANG ; Min TANG ; Na ZHANG ; Yu WEN ; Xiaoling ZHANG ; Xiaoyan LEI ; Xuejiao YAN
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(5):726-731
Objective To develop a risk prediction model for ischemic stroke in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis(ICAS)patients based on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging(HR-MRI)and arterial spin labeling(ASL)imaging.Methods A total of 142 patients were included and divided into acute ischemic stroke(AIS)and transient ischemic attack(TIA)groups based on stroke occurrence.Clinical risk factors,plaque characteristics,and arterial transit artifact(ATA)presence on ASL images were compared between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed,incorporating clinical risk factors,plaque characteristics,and double post labeling delay(PLD)ATA presence.The predictive value of different models was compared using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and DeLong tests.Results Hypertension,positive lumen remodeling,plaque enhance-ment rate,1.5 s-ATA presence,and 2.5 s-ATA presence were independent risk factors for AIS(P<0.05).The combination of HR-MRI and ASL imaging predicted AIS most effectively[area under the curve(AUC)=0.908;95% confidence interval(CI)0.862-0.954].No significant difference was found between the prediction performances of HR-MRI and ASL(95%CI-0.041-0.082,Z=0.659,P=0.509).Conclusion ASL is more convenient than HR-MRI for predicting ischemic stroke in ICAS patients.A model combining plaque characteristics and ATA presence effectively predicts AIS occurrence.
3.Risk prediction model for ischemic stroke in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis patients based on high-resolution MRI and arterial spin labeling
Ling LI ; Qianqian WANG ; Min TANG ; Na ZHANG ; Yu WEN ; Xiaoling ZHANG ; Xiaoyan LEI ; Xuejiao YAN
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(5):726-731
Objective To develop a risk prediction model for ischemic stroke in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis(ICAS)patients based on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging(HR-MRI)and arterial spin labeling(ASL)imaging.Methods A total of 142 patients were included and divided into acute ischemic stroke(AIS)and transient ischemic attack(TIA)groups based on stroke occurrence.Clinical risk factors,plaque characteristics,and arterial transit artifact(ATA)presence on ASL images were compared between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed,incorporating clinical risk factors,plaque characteristics,and double post labeling delay(PLD)ATA presence.The predictive value of different models was compared using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and DeLong tests.Results Hypertension,positive lumen remodeling,plaque enhance-ment rate,1.5 s-ATA presence,and 2.5 s-ATA presence were independent risk factors for AIS(P<0.05).The combination of HR-MRI and ASL imaging predicted AIS most effectively[area under the curve(AUC)=0.908;95% confidence interval(CI)0.862-0.954].No significant difference was found between the prediction performances of HR-MRI and ASL(95%CI-0.041-0.082,Z=0.659,P=0.509).Conclusion ASL is more convenient than HR-MRI for predicting ischemic stroke in ICAS patients.A model combining plaque characteristics and ATA presence effectively predicts AIS occurrence.
4.The correlation between functional level and the cost of stroke rehabilitation during hospitalization
Qianqian SUN ; Yulin SHI ; Hua TANG ; Rui LI ; Suchen ZHAO ; Luwen ZHANG ; Yumeng FENG ; Dengfeng WAN ; Tiebin YAN
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2025;47(4):325-330
Objective:To explore the significance of any correlation between the cost of the rehabilitation provided to stroke survivors during their hospitalization and the functional levels attained, and to analyze factors influencing that correlation.Methods:The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Rehabilitation Set (ICF-RS) was used to evaluate the functioning of 304 stroke survivors on their days of hospital admission and discharge, as well as on their 10th day in hospital. The cost of their rehabilitation was computed, and demographic and clinical data were collected. A generalized estimation equation was used to analyze the changes in dysfunction with time and its risk factors. The relationship between functional levels and rehabilitation cost and its influencing factors were analyzed.Results:Length of stay, age≥60 and hemorrhagic stroke were significant risk factors for greater dysfunction among the stroke survivors. On the 10th day in hospital and the day before discharge (the 18th day), the frequency of severe dysfunction had decreased. The significant predictors of increased cost were severe or moderate dysfunction, the stage of stroke (sub-acute stage), and non-first rehabilitation.Conclusion:Functional level is a useful predictor of rehabilitation cost. It is influenced by the stage of stroke and non-first rehabilitation.
5.Training path optimization strategy for health service and management talents based on the concept of outcome-based education
Guimin TANG ; Xinlei MIAO ; Qianqian WANG ; Xiangjun NIU ; Wan ZHAO ; Song LENG
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(8):1147-1152
As the "main force" for providing health services, there has been a constant increase in the number of health service and management graduates in recent years, but with a lack of satisfactory quality. The concept of outcome-based education (OBE) takes the needs of all parties as the starting point and foothold for practice, which can ensure the consistency between the goal of talent training and the learning achievements of students to the greatest extent. This article proposes to integrate the educational concept of OBE into the training path of health service and management talents, clarify talent training objectives by understanding the needs of all parties, optimize the curriculum system according to training objectives, and construct a diversified evaluation system with the organic combination of process evaluation and summative assessment, in order to continuously optimize the training path of health service and management talents and cultivate applied health management talents with knowledge, ability, and quality.
6.Research Progress on the Treatment of Corneal Neovascularization with Small Molecule Extracts of Tradi-tional Chinese Medicine
Wujing QIU ; Huayao RUAN ; Ziwei YANG ; Yihua CHEN ; Yuhan LV ; Pei TANG ; Qianqian ZHANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(19):3119-3128
Corneal neovascularization(CNV)is a pathological condition characterized by the invasion of new blood vessels into the normally avascular corneal area from the corneal periphery,leading to severe vision loss and potentially blindness.Currently,surgical,physical,and pharmacological therapies are the main clinical approaches for treating CNV.Surgical treatment aims to remove abnormal vascular tissue or perform corneal trans-plantation to inhibit angiogenesis;however,it carries a risk of postoperative rejection.Physical therapy involves the direct application of non-invasive modalities,such as laser treatment,to the neovascularized area to suppress vascular growth.Nevertheless,this approach may cause damage to surrounding healthy tissues.Pharmacotherapy has recently become a research hotspot in CNV treatment due to its convenient administration.Clinically,the drugs used for CNV treatment mainly include anti-inflammatory agents,anti-VEGF drugs,and immunosuppressants,which inhibit CNV progression by targeting angiogenesis-related signaling pathways.However,these drugs often lead to drug resistance and toxic side effects.Therefore,there is an urgent need to develop more effective and safer therapeutic agents for CNV.This article reviews the current clinical treatment status of CNV and highlights recent advances in the use of small molecule extracts from traditional Chinese medicine for CNV therapy,aiming to provide potential candidate drugs and a scientific theoretical basis for clinical management of CNV.
7.The correlation between functional level and the cost of stroke rehabilitation during hospitalization
Qianqian SUN ; Yulin SHI ; Hua TANG ; Rui LI ; Suchen ZHAO ; Luwen ZHANG ; Yumeng FENG ; Dengfeng WAN ; Tiebin YAN
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2025;47(4):325-330
Objective:To explore the significance of any correlation between the cost of the rehabilitation provided to stroke survivors during their hospitalization and the functional levels attained, and to analyze factors influencing that correlation.Methods:The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Rehabilitation Set (ICF-RS) was used to evaluate the functioning of 304 stroke survivors on their days of hospital admission and discharge, as well as on their 10th day in hospital. The cost of their rehabilitation was computed, and demographic and clinical data were collected. A generalized estimation equation was used to analyze the changes in dysfunction with time and its risk factors. The relationship between functional levels and rehabilitation cost and its influencing factors were analyzed.Results:Length of stay, age≥60 and hemorrhagic stroke were significant risk factors for greater dysfunction among the stroke survivors. On the 10th day in hospital and the day before discharge (the 18th day), the frequency of severe dysfunction had decreased. The significant predictors of increased cost were severe or moderate dysfunction, the stage of stroke (sub-acute stage), and non-first rehabilitation.Conclusion:Functional level is a useful predictor of rehabilitation cost. It is influenced by the stage of stroke and non-first rehabilitation.
8.Research Progress on the Treatment of Corneal Neovascularization with Small Molecule Extracts of Tradi-tional Chinese Medicine
Wujing QIU ; Huayao RUAN ; Ziwei YANG ; Yihua CHEN ; Yuhan LV ; Pei TANG ; Qianqian ZHANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(19):3119-3128
Corneal neovascularization(CNV)is a pathological condition characterized by the invasion of new blood vessels into the normally avascular corneal area from the corneal periphery,leading to severe vision loss and potentially blindness.Currently,surgical,physical,and pharmacological therapies are the main clinical approaches for treating CNV.Surgical treatment aims to remove abnormal vascular tissue or perform corneal trans-plantation to inhibit angiogenesis;however,it carries a risk of postoperative rejection.Physical therapy involves the direct application of non-invasive modalities,such as laser treatment,to the neovascularized area to suppress vascular growth.Nevertheless,this approach may cause damage to surrounding healthy tissues.Pharmacotherapy has recently become a research hotspot in CNV treatment due to its convenient administration.Clinically,the drugs used for CNV treatment mainly include anti-inflammatory agents,anti-VEGF drugs,and immunosuppressants,which inhibit CNV progression by targeting angiogenesis-related signaling pathways.However,these drugs often lead to drug resistance and toxic side effects.Therefore,there is an urgent need to develop more effective and safer therapeutic agents for CNV.This article reviews the current clinical treatment status of CNV and highlights recent advances in the use of small molecule extracts from traditional Chinese medicine for CNV therapy,aiming to provide potential candidate drugs and a scientific theoretical basis for clinical management of CNV.
9.TCMKD: From ancient wisdom to modern insights-A comprehensive platform for traditional Chinese medicine knowledge discovery.
Wenke XIAO ; Mengqing ZHANG ; Danni ZHAO ; Fanbo MENG ; Qiang TANG ; Lianjiang HU ; Hongguo CHEN ; Yixi XU ; Qianqian TIAN ; Mingrui LI ; Guiyang ZHANG ; Liang LENG ; Shilin CHEN ; Chi SONG ; Wei CHEN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(6):101297-101297
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) serves as a treasure trove of ancient knowledge, holding a crucial position in the medical field. However, the exploration of TCM's extensive information has been hindered by challenges related to data standardization, completeness, and accuracy, primarily due to the decentralized distribution of TCM resources. To address these issues, we developed a platform for TCM knowledge discovery (TCMKD, https://cbcb.cdutcm.edu.cn/TCMKD/). Seven types of data, including syndromes, formulas, Chinese patent drugs (CPDs), Chinese medicinal materials (CMMs), ingredients, targets, and diseases, were manually proofread and consolidated within TCMKD. To strengthen the integration of TCM with modern medicine, TCMKD employs analytical methods such as TCM data mining, enrichment analysis, and network localization and separation. These tools help elucidate the molecular-level commonalities between TCM and contemporary scientific insights. In addition to its analytical capabilities, a quick question and answer (Q&A) system is also embedded within TCMKD to query the database efficiently, thereby improving the interactivity of the platform. The platform also provides a TCM text annotation tool, offering a simple and efficient method for TCM text mining. Overall, TCMKD not only has the potential to become a pivotal repository for TCM, delving into the pharmacological foundations of TCM treatments, but its flexible embedded tools and algorithms can also be applied to the study of other traditional medical systems, extending beyond just TCM.
10.Improvement effects and mechanism of total flavonoids from Bidens pilosa on Alzheimer’s disease
Xiaojun PANG ; Fengman TANG ; Qianqian LI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(24):3066-3072
OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effects of total flavonoids from Bidens pilosa (TFB)against Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and elucidate its potential mechanism. METHODS The network pharmacology was adopted to explore active constituents and core targets of TFB for AD, followed by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Based on the results of network pharmacology, an AD model was induced in male BALB/c mice by D-galactose subcutaneous injection and aluminum chloride gavage. The effects of TFB on behavioral indicators (including escape latency, the number of platform crossings, and the proportion of dwell time spent in the original platform quadrant), as well as on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), acetylcholine (ACh), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), amyloid β-protein (Aβ), phosphorylated Tau protein (p-Tau), and inflammatory factors [interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] were investigated. Additionally, its effects on the pathological changes in hippocampal neurons, as well as the expressions of related proteins and mRNAs were evaluated. RESULTS Network pharmacology revealed 6 active components in TFB (e.g. luteolin, quercetin, kaempferol) and 165 overlapping targets with AD, including 29 core targets (Akt1, TP53, etc.). The common targets were primarily enriched in biological processes such as positive regulation of gene expression and negative regulation of apoptotic processes, molecular functions including enzyme binding and identical protein binding, cellular components like extracellular space, plasma membrane and receptor complex, as well as signaling pathways such as cancer pathways and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. The results of animal experiments showed that, compared with model group, the pathological changes such as disordered arrangement, degeneration, and necrosis of neurons in the hippocampal CA3 region of mice in administration groups were alleviated. The escape latency (except for the low-dose TFB group), the contents of AChE (except for the low-dose TFB group), Aβ40, Aβ42 (except for the low-dose TFB group), p-Tau (except for the low- and medium-dose TFB groups), IL-1β, IL-6 (except for the low-dose TFB group), and TNF- α in brain tissue, as well as the expressions of Bax and caspase-3 mRNA, were all significantly shortened/reduced/down-regulated. Conversely, the number of platform crossings, the proportion of dwell time spent in the original platform quadrant, the contents of ChAT and ACh, the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt, and the mRNA expressions of PI3K, Akt and Bcl-2 (except for PI3K mRNA and Akt mRNA in the low- and medium-dose TFB groups, and Bcl-2 mRNA in the low-dose TFB group) were all significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS TFB can exert anti-AD effect through multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways. Its underlying mechanisms may be related to the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, improvement of the cholinergic system, reduction of Aβ deposition and Tau protein hyperphosphorylation, as well as inhibition of neuroinflammatory responses and neuronal apoptosis.

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