OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the specific mechanisms by which electroacupuncture (EA) alleviates anxiety and fear behaviors associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), focusing on the role of lipocalin-2 (Lcn2). METHODS: The PTSD mouse model was subjected to single prolonged stress and shock (SPS&S), and the animals received 15 min sessions of EA at Shenmen acupoint (HT7). Behavioral tests were used to investigate the effects of EA at HT7 on anxiety and fear. Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to quantify Lcn2 and inflammatory cytokine levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Additionally, the activity of PFC neurons was evaluated by immunofluorescence and in vivo electrophysiology. RESULTS: Mice subjected to SPS&S presented increased anxiety- and fear-like behaviors. Lcn2 expression in the PFC was significantly upregulated following SPS&S, leading to increased expression of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 and suppression of PFC neuronal activity. However, EA at HT7 inhibited Lcn2 release, reducing neuroinflammation and hypoexcitability in the PFC. Lcn2 overexpression mitigated the effects of EA at HT7, resulting in anxiety- and fear-like behaviors. CONCLUSION EA at HT7 can ameliorate PTSD-associated anxiety and fear, and its mechanism of action appears to involve the inhibition of Lcn2-mediated neural activity and inflammation in the PFC. Please cite this article as: Yang YD, Zhong W, Chen M, Tang QC, Li Y, Yao LL, et al. Electroacupuncture alleviates behaviors associated with posttraumatic stress disorder by modulating lipocalin-2-mediated neuroinflammation and neuronal activity in the prefrontal cortex. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):537-547.
Electroacupuncture ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/metabolism* ; Animals ; Lipocalin-2/metabolism* ; Prefrontal Cortex/physiopathology* ; Male ; Mice ; Neurons/physiology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fear ; Behavior, Animal ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases/metabolism* ; Anxiety/therapy* ; Acupuncture Points

With the increasing demand for dynamic,real-time and rapid qualitative analysis of chemical composition in areas such as emergency response and space exploration,chip-scale mass spectrometers have attracted significant attention.These devices are expected to drive the integration of mass spectrometry with micro/nano-fabrication and intelligent sensing technologies,fostering profound innovation and breakthroughs in analytical chemistry.As an excellent mass analyzer,the ion trap exhibits numerous advantages,and its miniaturization creates favorable conditions for the high-density integration of miniature mass spectrometers.However,the reduction in ion storage capacity may compromise its sensitivity and dynamic range,rendering the study of ion unidirectional ejection in highly miniaturized ion traps of significant practical importance.In this work,a research was conducted on achieving efficient ion unidirectional ejection while maintaining high mass resolution in the extremely miniature hyperbolic linear ion trap(M-HLIT)with a field radius of 1 mm,and an electric field compensation method was proposed,which combined asymmetric electrode stretching and unbalanced RF voltage to achieve high-precision optimization of the electric field composition.Simulations showed that in an ideal structure,this method achieved 100％unidirectional ejection efficiency with the mass resolution of 518,significantly outperforming traditional asymmetric structure method(365)and unbalanced voltage method(321).Following the introduction of ion ejection slots,further optimization through bidirectional stretching and electrical parameters improved the resolution to 790 while maintaining a unidirectional ejection efficiency of 93％.This method eliminated the requirement for additional excitation voltage,offering an ideal solution for the miniature mass analyzer with high detection performance of chip-level mass spectrometers.

Objective The morphological and data characteristics of premature ventricular contraction(PVC)were obtained through dynamic electrocardiogram(DCG),and its correlation with new-onset major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)was analyzed.Methods A total of 115 patients with PVC admitted to Huzhou First People's Hospital from January 2022 to January 2024 were retrospectively selected and divided into MACE group(n=31)and non-MACE group(n=84)according to the new-onset MACE.Collect the baseline data of patients,as well as DCG data such as the morphological and data characteristics of PVC.Collect the baseline data of patients,as well as DCG data such as the morphological and data characteristics of PVC.Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of new-onset MACE in patients with PVC.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to analyze the predictive value of influencing factors for the risk of new-onset MACE in patients with PVC.Results There were statistically significant differences in gender,disease duration,QRS wave duration,PVC origin,PVC load,and Lown classification between two groups of patients(P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that QRS wave duration(OR=1.070),PVC origin(OR=6.840)and PVC load(OR=2.583)were independent risk factors for new-onset MACE in PVC patients(P＜0.05).The ROC curve showed that the area under the curve for predicting new-onset MACE in PVC patients with QRS wave duration,PVC origin,and PVC load were 0.791,0.750,and 0.917 respectively.The predictive value of PVC load was the highest.Conclusion QRS wave duration,PVC origin and PVC load are related to new-onset MACE in PVC patients,and PVC load has a good predictive effect on the risk of new-onset MACE in PVC patients.

Objective The morphological and data characteristics of premature ventricular contraction(PVC)were obtained through dynamic electrocardiogram(DCG),and its correlation with new-onset major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)was analyzed.Methods A total of 115 patients with PVC admitted to Huzhou First People's Hospital from January 2022 to January 2024 were retrospectively selected and divided into MACE group(n=31)and non-MACE group(n=84)according to the new-onset MACE.Collect the baseline data of patients,as well as DCG data such as the morphological and data characteristics of PVC.Collect the baseline data of patients,as well as DCG data such as the morphological and data characteristics of PVC.Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of new-onset MACE in patients with PVC.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to analyze the predictive value of influencing factors for the risk of new-onset MACE in patients with PVC.Results There were statistically significant differences in gender,disease duration,QRS wave duration,PVC origin,PVC load,and Lown classification between two groups of patients(P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that QRS wave duration(OR=1.070),PVC origin(OR=6.840)and PVC load(OR=2.583)were independent risk factors for new-onset MACE in PVC patients(P＜0.05).The ROC curve showed that the area under the curve for predicting new-onset MACE in PVC patients with QRS wave duration,PVC origin,and PVC load were 0.791,0.750,and 0.917 respectively.The predictive value of PVC load was the highest.Conclusion QRS wave duration,PVC origin and PVC load are related to new-onset MACE in PVC patients,and PVC load has a good predictive effect on the risk of new-onset MACE in PVC patients.

To promote the development of the prescription-based processing of Chinese herbal pieces,the China Association of Chinese Medicine published the social organization standard of the Standard for Prescription-based Processing of Chinese Herbal Pieces(T/CACM 1367-2021)in June 2021.The standard was led by the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine and Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine.It was jointly drafted by 28 Traditional Chinese medical institutions across the country.This paper introduced the standards in detail to promote the implementation and propel the inheritance and innovation of the processing of Chinese herbal pieces.

Objective To evaluate the differences in chemical composition and pharmacological effects between Angelica-Astragalus medicine pair decoction(DGD)and traditional decotion,and to provide a reference for the rational clinical application of Danggui Buxue decoction.Methods With the two comparison methods of unified and non-uniform raw material source batches,we set up different sample groups,established characteristic maps by HPLC,and evaluated the chemical components based on the similarity of characteristic maps,component types,index component content,common peak area,and other factors.The efficacy of the drug was evaluated in the hemorrhagic blood deficiency model mice.Results ①The similarity of the feature map between the DGD and TD was high(similarity was greater than 0.87).②The number of chromatographic peaks was inconsistent.Traditional decoction from self-purchased decoction pieces,or traditional decoction-Factory A decoction pieces had a total of 12 chromatographic peaks each.The DGD of Factory A had a total of 15 chromatographic peaks.There were 10 chromatographic peaks in the DGD of Factory B.③The contents of ferulic acid and calycosin 7-O-glucoside(CG)in DGD of Factory A were higher than those in traditional decoction(P<0.05,n=3).There was no significant difference between DGD and TD ferulic acid content in Factory B,but the content of CG was lower than that in traditional decoction(P<0.05).④The total area of common peaks in DGD was different from that in TD.The relative total ratios of the contents of the components in the self-purchased traditional decoction pieces,the traditional decoction pieces of Factory A,the formula granules of Factory A,and the formula granules of Factory B were 1.00,0.96,2.14,0.60,respectively.⑤Both DGD and traditional decoction could significantly promote the recovery of hemoglobin and red blood cells in hemorrhagic anemia model mice(P<0.01);Compared with the model control group,there was a significantly difference(P<0.05)except for the DGD group of Plant B.There was no significant difference between DGD and TD of Plant A,but there was a very significant difference between DGD and TD of Plant B(P<0.01).Conclusion Whether the raw material source batch is consistent or not,DGD and TD have certain differences in chemical composition.In terms of pharmacological effect,DGD,prepared from a unified batch of decoction pieces,has similar efficacy to traditional decoction in alleviating hemorrhagic anemia.There are certain differences in the pharmacological effects between DGD prepared from different batches of decoction pieces and traditional decoctions.The differences caused by the different preparation processes of the same source batch of prepared slices were compared,and the quality differences of the formula granules from different manufacturers were caused by the different source batches of prepared slices and different preparation processes,indicating the necessity and urgency of the country to formulate a unified quality standard for formula granules and related process specifications.

Patients with severe trauma require an extremely timely treatment and transfusion plays an irreplaceable role in the emergency treatment of such patients. An increasing number of evidence-based medicinal evidences and clinical practices suggest that patients with severe traumatic bleeding benefit from early transfusion of low-titer group O whole blood or hemostatic resuscitation with red blood cells, plasma and platelet of a balanced ratio. However, the current domestic mode of blood supply cannot fully meet the requirements of timely and effective blood transfusion for emergency treatment of patients with severe trauma in clinical practice. In order to solve the key problems in blood supply and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma, Branch of Clinical Transfusion Medicine of Chinese Medical Association, Group for Trauma Emergency Care and Multiple Injuries of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Young Scholar Group of Disaster Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized domestic experts of blood transfusion medicine and trauma treatment to jointly formulate Chinese expert consensus on blood support mode and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma patients ( version 2024). Based on the evidence-based medical evidence and Delphi method of expert consultation and voting, 10 recommendations were put forward from two aspects of blood support mode and transfusion strategies, aiming to provide a reference for transfusion resuscitation in the emergency treatment of severe trauma and further improve the success rate of treatment of patients with severe trauma.

This study aimed to identify the direct pharmacological targets of Jingfang Granules in treating infectious pneumonia via "target fishing" strategy. Moreover, the molecular mechanism of Jingfang Granules in treating infectious pneumonia was also investigated based on target-related pharmacological signaling pathways. First, the Jingfang Granules extract-bound magnetic nanoparticles were prepared, which were incubated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced mouse pneumonia tissue lysates. The captured proteins were analyzed by high-resolution mass spectrometry(HRMS), and the target groups with specific binding to the Jingfang Granules extract were screened out. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analysis was used to identify the target protein-associated signaling pathways. On this basis, the LPS-induced mouse model of infectious pneumonia was established. The possible biological functions of target proteins were verified by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and immunohistochemical assay. A total of 186 Jingfang Granules-specific binding proteins were identified from lung tissues. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the target protein-associated signaling pathways mainly included Salmonella infection, vascular and pulmonary epithelial adherens junction, ribosomal viral replication, viral endocytosis, and fatty acid degradation. The target functions of Jingfang Granules were related to pulmonary inflammation and immunity, pulmonary energy metabolism, pulmonary microcirculation, and viral infection. Based on the in vivo inflammation model, Jingfang Granules significantly improved the alveolar structure of the LPS-induced mouse model of infectious pneumonia and down-regulated the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-6(IL-6). Meanwhile, Jingfang Gra-nules significantly up-regulated the expressions of key proteins of mitochondrial function COX Ⅳ and ATP, microcirculation-related proteins CD31 and Occludin, and proteins associated with viral infection DDX21 and DDX3. These results suggest that Jingfang Gra-nules can inhibit lung inflammation, improve lung energy metabolism and pulmonary microcirculation, resist virus infection, thus playing a protective role in the lung. This study systematically explains the molecular mechanism of Jingfang Granules in the treatment of respiratory inflammation from the perspective of target-signaling pathway-pharmacological efficacy, thereby providing key information for clinical rational use of Jingfang Granules and expanding potential pharmacological application.
Animals ; Mice ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Pneumonia ; Inflammation ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Biological Assay ; Disease Models, Animal ; Interleukin-6

Diabetic retinopathy(DR)is a prevalent microvascular complication of diabetes and the leading cause of blindness and severe visual impairment in adults.The high levels of glucose trigger multiple intracellular oxidative stress pathways,such as POLDIP2,resulting in excessive reactive oxygen species(ROS)pro-duction and increased expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1),hypoxia-inducible factor 1α(HIF-1α),and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),causing microvascular dysfunction.Dihydromyricetin(DMY)is a natural flavonoid small molecule antioxidant.However,it exhibits poor solubility in physiological environments,has a short half-life in vivo,and has low oral bioavailability.In this study,we present,for the first time,the synthesis of ultra-small Fe-DMY nano-coordinated polymer particles(Fe-DMY NCPs),formed by combining DMY with low-toxicity iron ions.In vitro and in vivo experiments confirm that Fe-DMY NCPs alleviate oxidative stress-induced damage to vascular endo-thelial cells by high glucose,scavenge excess ROS,and improve pathological features of DR,such as retinal vascular leakage and neovascularization.Mechanistic validation indicates that Fe-DMY NCPs can inhibit the activation of the Poldip2-Nox4-H2O2 signaling pathway and downregulate vital vascular function indicators such as VCAM-1,HIF-1α,and VEGF.These findings suggest that Fe-DMY NCPs could serve as a safe and effective antioxidant and microangio-protective agent,with the potential as a novel multimeric drug for DR therapy.

Humans ; Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia ; Prospective Studies