1.Effect and mechanism of Wnt5a knockdown on the efficacy of M1 bone marrow-derived macrophage in treatment of liver cirrhosis
Feifei XING ; Danyang WANG ; Xinrui ZHENG ; Yannan XU ; Shihao ZHANG ; Junyi ZHAN ; Wei LIU ; Gaofeng CHEN ; Jiamei CHEN ; Ping LIU ; Yongping MU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):618-628
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of M1 bone marrow-derived macrophages (M1-BMDM) with Wnt5a knockdown on liver fibrosis and regeneration in a rat model of liver cirrhosis, and to investigate its gain-of-function effect compared with unmodified M1-BMDM. MethodsPrimary bone marrow-derived macrophages were isolated from rats and were polarized to M1 phenotype to construct M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD cells. A rat model of liver cirrhosis induced by CCl4/2-AAF was established, and at the end of week 8, rats were randomly divided into model group, M1-BMDM group, M1-BMDM Wnt5a-knockdown empty vector group (M1-BMDMKD-EV group), and M1-BMDM Wnt5a-knockdown group (M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group), with 6 rats in each group. On the first day of week 9, the rats in each group were given a single injection of the corresponding cells via the caudal vein, along with an intraperitoneal injection of a CCR2 inhibitor. Six rats without any treatment were used as normal control group. Samples were collected at the end of week 12 to assess liver histopathology, serum liver function parameters, hepatic stellate cell activation, and the expression levels of mature hepatocyte markers. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had significant alleviation of liver inflammatory response and significant reductions in the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum (all P<0.01), and the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significantly lower serum level of AST than the M1-BMDM group (P<0.05). The semi-quantitative analysis based on immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had a significant reduction in the percentage of CD68-positive area (all P<0.05), and compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significant reduction in the percentage of CD68-positive area and a significant increase in the percentage of CD163-positive area (both P<0.05). Compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of CD68 and tumor necrosis factor-α (all P<0.05) and the protein expression level of CD68 (all P<0.01); compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significant increases in the protein and mRNA expression levels of CD163 (both P<0.05), significant reductions in the protein and mRNA expression levels of CD68 (both P<0.05), and a significant reduction in the protein expression level of tumor necrosis factor-α (P<0.01). Sirius Red collagen staining and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had significant alleviation of liver collagen deposition and α-SMA-positive area, with the most significant changes in the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group, and compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significantly smaller Sirius Red-positive area and α-SMA-positive area and a significantly lower content of hydroxyproline in liver tissue (all P<0.05). Compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significant reductions in the protein and mRNA expression levels of α-SMA and the mRNA expression level of COL-I and TGF-β (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had a significant increase in the protein expression level of HNF-4α in liver tissue (all P<0.05), and the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significantly higher protein and mRNA expression levels of HNF-4α and hepatocyte specific antigen than the M1-BMDMKD-EV group (both P<0.05). The M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significantly higher serum level of albumin than the M1-BMDMKD-EV group (P<0.01). Immunofluorescence co-staining showed that compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had a significant increase in the number of cells stained positive for HNF and HNF-4α and Ki67 (all P<0.01), and the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significantly higher number of such cells than the M1-BMDMKD-EV group (P<0.05). ConclusionInhibition of Wnt5a expression enhances the therapeutic effect of M1-BMDM on rats with liver cirrhosis induced by CCl4/2-AAF, which provides new ideas for enhancing the anti-cirrhotic effect of M1-BMDM through genetic modification.
2.Mechanism of Shenling baizhu san in ameliorating ulcerative colitis via regulating flora metabolism-related proteins and TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammatory axis
Jiajia XU ; Yu YOU ; Jiaoman WANG ; Yuhui LIU ; Shiyao CHANG ; Zhixian HE ; Ping LI ; Ziyan WANG ; Wei XIONG ; Fei HAN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(15):1992-1997
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of Shenling baizhu san (SLBZS) in ameliorating ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS Mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group, and low-, medium-, high-dose SLBZS groups (3, 6, 12 g/kg), with 10 mice in each group. Except for the normal group, mice in other groups were given free access to 3% dextran sulfate sodium solution for 7 days to establish UC models. Simultaneously, mice in each group were intragastrically administered corresponding medicinal liquid or double-distilled water once a day for consecutive 7 days. After the last administration, the histopathological morphology of colon tissues was observed; the serum levels of inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 were detected; the total bile acid contents in liver, gallbladder and colon tissues were determined; the expression level of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) in colon tissues was tested. The expression levels of flora metabolism-related proteins [G protein-coupled receptor 41(GPR41),GPR43,farnesoid X receptor (FXR), G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 (TGR5), flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3), cytochrome P450 family 27 subfamily A member 1 (CYP27A1), CYP7A1] in liver or colon tissues, as well as the proteins related to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/NLRP3 inflammatory axis [TLR4, NF-κB, phosphorylated NF-κB (p-NF-κB), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), caspase-1] in colon tissues were measured. RESULTS Compared with the model group, the colon tissue injury and inflammatory cell infiltration were alleviated in medium- and high-dose SLBZS groups. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-18, total bile acid contents in liver and colon tissues, as well as the protein expression levels of FMO3 and CYP7A1 in liver tissues, TLR4, p-NF-κB, NF-κB, MyD88, NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 in colon tissues were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the total bile acid content in gallbladder, the protein expression levels of GPR41 and GPR43 in colon tissues, along with CYP27A1, FXR and TGR5 in liver tissues were significantly increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS SLBZS may relieve colonic inflammatory injury and ameliorate UC by regulating the expression of flora metabolism-related proteins and inhibiting the abnormal activation of TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammatory axis.
3.Identification and functional analysis of β-amyrin synthase gene in Dipsacus asper.
Huan LEI ; Hua HE ; Jiao XU ; Chang-Gui YANG ; Wei-Ke JIANG ; Tao ZHOU ; Lan-Ping GUO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(4):1043-1050
Dipsaci Radix is a commonly used Chinese herbal medicine in China, with triterpenoid saponins as the main active components. β-Amyrin synthase, a member of the oxidosqualene cyclase superfamily, plays a crucial role in the biosynthesis of oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins. Asperosaponin Ⅵ is an oleanane-type triterpenoid saponin. To explore the β-amyrin synthase genes involved in the biosynthesis of asperosaponin Ⅵ in Dipsacus asper, this study screened the candidate genes from the transcriptome data of D. asper. Two β-amyrin synthase genes, Da OSC1 and Da OSC2, were identified by phylogenetic analysis and correlation analysis. The coding sequences of Da OSC1 and Da OSC2 were 2 286 bp and 2 295 bp in length, encoding 761 and 764 amino acids,respectively. Multiple sequence alignments showed that Da OSC1 and Da OSC2 had three conserved motifs( DCTAE, QW, and MWCYCR) unique to the oxidosqualene cyclase family. Real-time quantitative PCR results showed that Da OSC1 and Da OSC2 had the highest expression levels in the roots. Compared with normal growth conditions, the low-temperature treatment significantly upregulated the expression of Da OSC1 and Da OSC2. Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression of Da OSC1 and Da OSC2 in Nicotiana benthamiana resulted in the production of β-amyrin, which suggested that Da OSC1 and Da OSC2 were able to catalyze the synthesis of β-amyrin. This study clarified the catalytic functions of two β-amyrin synthases in D. asper, analyzed their expression patterns in different tissue and at low temperatures. The findings provide a foundation for further studying the biosynthetic pathway and regulatory mechanism of asperosaponin Ⅵ in D. asper.
Intramolecular Transferases/chemistry*
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Phylogeny
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Plant Proteins/chemistry*
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Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
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Dipsacaceae/classification*
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Saponins/metabolism*
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Oleanolic Acid/metabolism*
4.Influence of iron metabolism on osteoporosis and modulating effect of traditional Chinese medicine.
Yi-Li ZHANG ; Bao-Yu QI ; Chuan-Rui SUN ; Xiang-Yun GUO ; Shuang-Jie YANG ; Ping LIU ; Xu WEI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):575-582
Recent studies have shown that an imbalance in iron metabolism can affect the composition and microstructural changes of bone, disrupting bone homeostasis and leading to osteoporosis(OP). The imbalance in iron metabolism, along with its induced local abnormal microenvironment and cellular iron death, has become a new focal point in OP research, drawing increasing attention from the academic community regarding the regulation of iron metabolism to prevent and manage OP. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), iron metabolism imbalance has potential connections to TCM theories regarding internal organs, as well as treatments aimed at tonifying the kidney, strengthening the spleen, and activating blood circulation. Evidence is continually emerging that TCMs and effective components that tonify the kidney, strengthen the spleen, and activate blood circulation can prevent and manage OP by regulating iron metabolism. This article analyzes the relationship between iron and bone, as well as the effects of TCM formulations on improving iron metabolism and influencing bone metabolism, from the perspectives of iron metabolism mechanisms and TCM interventions, aiming to broaden existing clinical strategies for prevention and treatment and inject new momentum into the field of OP as it moves into a new era.
Osteoporosis/drug therapy*
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Humans
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Iron/metabolism*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
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Animals
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
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Bone and Bones/drug effects*
5.Current status and suggestions on regulation of traditional Chinese medicine raw materials and preparations under regulatory system of drugs.
Li-Ping QU ; Yong-Dan XU ; Wei-Jing HE ; Ding-Kun ZHANG ; Nan YANG ; Min-Xian SONG ; Zhi-Qiang MIN ; Ting-Mo ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):824-832
At present, the cause of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in China has entered a new period of high-quality development. How to strengthen the foundation for the TCM industry from the source is an important issue that deserves the attention of the authorities, industry, and academia. This study systematically analyzed the regulatory system of TCM raw materials and preparations. The study took the TCM industry chain and the product life cycle as a clue and focused on the dimensions of TCM resource protection and plant cultivation(farming), production and quality supervision of TCM raw materials and preparations, and their market access and distribution. It analyzed the current situation of the regulation of TCM raw materials and preparations under the regulatory system of drugs, discussed the main problems, and put forward corresponding suggestions. The results can provide an important reference value for the subsequent improvement of the regulatory system of drugs and the construction of a prominent regulatory system of drugs in accordance with TCM characteristics.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/economics*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards*
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China
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Quality Control
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Humans
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Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*
6.Processing technology of calcined Magnetitum based on concept of QbD and its XRD characteristic spectra.
De-Wen ZENG ; Jing-Wei ZHOU ; Tian-Xing HE ; Yu-Mei CHEN ; Huan-Huan XU ; Jian FENG ; Yue YANG ; Xin CHEN ; Jia-Liang ZOU ; Lin CHEN ; Hong-Ping CHEN ; Shi-Lin CHEN ; Yuan HU ; You-Ping LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(9):2391-2403
Guided by the concept of quality by design(QbD), this study optimizes the calcination and quenching process of calcined Magnetitum and establishes the XRD characteristic spectra of calcined Magnetitum, providing a scientific basis for the formulation of quality standards. Based on the processing methods and quality requirements of Magnetitum in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the critical process parameters(CPPs) identified were calcination temperature, calcination time, particle size, laying thickness, and the number of vinegar quenching cycles. The critical quality attributes(CQAs) included Fe mass fraction, Fe~(2+) dissolution, and surface color. The weight coefficients were determined by combining Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP) and the criteria importance though intercrieria correlation(CRITIC) method, and the calcination process was optimized using orthogonal experimentation. Surface color was selected as a CQA, and based on the principle of color value, the surface color of calcined Magnetitum was objectively quantified. The vinegar quenching process was then optimized to determine the best processing conditions. X-ray diffraction(XRD) was used to establish the characteristic spectra of calcined Magnetitum, and methods such as similarity evaluation, cluster analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) were used to evaluate the quality of the spectra. The optimized calcined Magnetitum preparation process was found to be calcination at 750 ℃ for 1 h, with a laying thickness of 4 cm, a particle size of 0.4-0.8 cm, and one vinegar quenching cycle(Magnetitum-vinegar ratio 10∶3), which was stable and feasible. The XRD characteristic spectra analysis method, featuring 9 common peaks as fingerprint information, was established. The average correlation coefficient ranged from 0.839 5-0.988 1, and the average angle cosine ranged from 0.914 4 to 0.995 6, indicating good similarity. Cluster analysis results showed that Magnetitum and calcined Magnetitum could be grouped together, with similar compositions. OPLS-DA discriminant analysis identified three key characteristic peaks, with Fe_2O_3 being the distinguishing component between the two. The final optimized processing method is stable and feasible, and the XRD characteristic spectra of calcined Magnetitum was initially established, providing a reference for subsequent quality control and the formulation of quality standards for calcined Magnetitum.
X-Ray Diffraction/methods*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Quality Control
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Particle Size
7.Differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into cardiomyocytes induced by rehmannia glutinosa polysaccharide combined with basic fibroblast growth factor
Wei-Hong LIANG ; Hui-Ying YANG ; Xin-Ru XU ; Hao-Dan SUN ; Yang LÜ ; Hai-Ping WANG
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(6):681-687
Objective To explore the effects of pretreatment with rehmannia glutinosa polysaccharide(RGP)and basic fibroblast growth factor(FGF-2)alone or in combination on the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)into cardiomyoid cells and the related mechanisms.Methods BMSCs pretreated with FGF-2 and RGP alone or in combination were cultured for 1,2,and 4 weeks.The expression levels of NKx2.5 and GATA-4 were detected by Real-time PCR.BMSCs pretreated with FGF-2 or RGP alone and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway inhibitor LY294002 were used to detect the expression levels of myocardial specific proteins and related pathway proteins by Western blotting.Results Compared with the blank control group,pretreatment with FGF-2 or RGP alone increased the expression rate of myocardial specific markers,and the effect of combined pretreatment with FGF-2 and RGP was more obvious(P<0.05).Compared with pretreatment with FGF-2 or RGP alone,pretreatment with LY294002 combined with FGF-2 or RGP significantly down-regulated the expression of cardiac-specific proteins in BMSCs and inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt(P<0.05).Conclusion Both FGF-2 and RGP can induce BMSCs to differentiate into cardiomyocyte-like cells by regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,and the combination of FGF-2 and RGP has a better inductive effect.
8.Effect of nursing intervention based on Kano model on surgical outcomes and negative emotions in patients with diabetic retinopathy
Ping ZHANG ; Jincui WEI ; Bei XU ; Yuan WANG ; Xue CHEN
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(11):124-129
Objective To investigate the effect of nursing intervention based on Kano model on surgical outcomes and negative emotions in patients with diabetic retinopathy(DR).Methods A to-tal of 262 DR patients who underwent vitrectomy were randomly divided into control group(n=131)and observation group(n=131)using the random number table method.The control group received routine nursing intervention,while the observation group received nursing intervention based on the Kano model.The surgical outcomes[visual acuity level and improvement in visual function],nursing needs[Perioperative Nursing Needs Questionnaire for DR Surgical Patients],negative emotions[Self-Rat-ing Anxiety Scale(SAS)and Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS)],and quality of life[Chinese Version of Low Vision Quality of Life Scale(CLVQOL)]were compared between the two groups.The incidence of complications during the intervention period was also recorded in both groups.Results After interven-tion,the visual acuity levels in both groups increased compared to those before intervention,and the rates of low vision decreased(P<0.001).The visual acuity level in the observation group was high-er,and the rate of low vision was lower than that in the control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.001).After intervention,the scores for peripheral visual field,sensory adaptation,and limitations in daily activities decreased in both groups compared to those before intervention,and the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).After intervention,the SAS and SDS scores in both groups decreased compared to those before interven-tion,and the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.001).After intervention,the CLVQOL scores in both groups increased compared to those before the intervention,and the score in the observation group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.001).The incidence of complications in the control group was higher than that in the obser-vation group(12.22%versus 4.58%,P<0.05).Conclusion Nursing intervention based on the Kano model can improve visual acuity level,visual function,and negative emotions,enhance the quality of life,and further reduce the incidence of complications in DR patients undergoing vitrectomy.
9.Study on the influencing factors and the relationship between public risk perception and evacuation behavior decision in typhoon disaster
Ping WEI ; Zhenyu ZHAO ; Yajuan ZHAO ; Na ZHANG ; Baichao XU ; Fang BAI ; Hua ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2025;34(11):1538-1545
Objective:This study aims to determine the risk perception, evacuation decision-making, and influencing factors related to typhoon disasters among public.Methods:A cross-sectional study will be conducted in residents of Hainan from September 2024 to January 2025. The study will employ chi-square tests, t-tests, and binary logistic regression analysis to examine factors influencing evacuation behavior decisions. Furthermore, structural equation modeling based on ordered choice model will be constructed to validate the mechanisms through which risk perception affects evacuation decision-making processes.Results:Among 517 respondents from 11 administrative districts (counties) in Hainan Province, 62.09% of the residents were willing to evacuate. The decision of public evacuation behavior was significantly related to disaster knowledge, official trust, risk perception, source of warning information and some demographic characteristics. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that warning information sources positively correlated with disaster knowledge and official trust (path coefficients: 0.363, 0.315, both P < 0.001). Both disaster knowledge and official trust showed positive correlations with risk perception (path coefficients: 0.157, 0.165, both P < 0.001), while risk perception positively influenced evacuation decisions (path coefficient: 0.137, P = 0.003). Moreover, source of warning information, disaster knowledge and official trust further positively affect evacuation behavior decision through risk perception, a key mediating variable. Conclusions:Disaster knowledge, official trust, risk perception and other factors can directly or indirectly affect the evacuation behavior of the public following the typhoon disaster. In typhoon-prone areas, it is recommended to enhance public risk perception through strategies such as authoritative training, diversified early warning channels, and improving government credibility, thereby promoting disaster preparedness and evacuation behaviors.
10.Press needle exercise therapy for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized controlled trial.
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(8):1042-1046
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the clinical efficacy of press needle exercise therapy for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
METHODS:
Sixty patients with stable COPD were randomly assigned to an observation group (30 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a control group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped out). Basic treatment was applied to the two groups. The control group received pulmonary rehabilitation training, while the observation group received press needle exercise therapy. Press needle was applied at Dazhui (GV14), Danzhong (CV17), Qihai (CV6), Guanyuan (CV4), Zhiyang (GV9) and bilateral Feishu (BL13), Gaohuang (BL43), Jueyinshu (BL14), Xinshu (BL15), Geshu (BL17), Pishu (BL20), Shenshu (BL23). During the press needle intervention, patients also underwent pulmonary rehabilitation training. Treatments were administered once every other day, three times a week, for 8 weeks. Pulmonary function indexes including forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), FEV1 to forced vital capacity ratio (FEV1/FVC), and percentage of predicted FEV1 (FEV1%) were measured before and after treatment in the two groups. Additional assessments included the 6-minute walk test (6 MWT) and COPD assessment test (CAT) score. Clinical efficacy was also compared between the two groups.
RESULTS:
After treatment, both groups showed improvements in FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEV1%, and 6 MWT (P<0.05), and reductions in CAT scores (P<0.05); the observation group showed higher FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEV1%, and 6 MWT values, and lower CAT scores compared to those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 86.2% (25/29), higher than 60.7% (17/28) in the control group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Press needle exercise therapy could effectively alleviate clinical symptoms, improve pulmonary function and exercise tolerance, and enhance quality of life in patients with stable COPD.
Humans
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Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/physiopathology*
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Male
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Female
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Middle Aged
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Aged
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Exercise Therapy/instrumentation*
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Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation*
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Acupuncture Points
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Treatment Outcome
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Forced Expiratory Volume
;
Quality of Life

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