Acupuncture-moxibustion therapy has been known to ameliorate the symptoms of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), although its mechanism remains unclear. The paper reviews the articles on acupuncture-moxibustion therapy for FGIDs in recent 5 years, and it is revealed that acupuncture-moxibustion therapy can alleviate FGIDs symptoms through regulating gastrointestinal motility, modulating visceral hypersensitivity, improving the impaired gastric-duodenal mucosal barrier and inflammation, balancing intestinal microbiota, and adjusting the gut-brain axis. Currently, the molecular mechanism of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy remains unknown for FGIDs, the specific disease target is not identified, and the interaction among various molecules is not elucidated adequately. The researches in the future should employ advanced technologies and methodologies to comprehensively and deeply explore and clarify the mechanism of acupuncture- moxibustion therapy for FGIDs.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Gastrointestinal Diseases/microbiology* ; Animals

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxibustion on small intestinal mucosal immune barrier in rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) and explore its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Of 38 newborn rats from 4 healthy SPF pregnant rats, 12 neonatal rats were randomly selected in a normal group. IBS-D model was prepared by the combined measures for the rest rats, including neonatal maternal separation, acetic acid enema and chronic restraint stress. Twenty-four successfully-modeled rats were randomized into a model group and a moxibustion group, 12 rats in each one. In the moxibustion group, suspending moxibustion was delivered at bilateral "Tianshu" (ST25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST37), 20 min each time, once daily and for 7 consecutive days. Separately, before acetic acid enema (aged 35 days), after modeling (aged 45 days) and after intervention (aged 53 days), the body mass, loose stool rate (LSR) and and the minimum volume threshold when abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scored 3 were observed in the rats of each group. After intervention (aged 53 days), using HE and PAS staining, the morphology of duodenum was observed, the length of villus and the depth of crypt were measured, the ratio of the length of villus to the depth of crypt was calculated; and the numbers of mucosal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) and goblet cells were counted. With ELISA adopted, the contents of γ-interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in duodenal mucosa of rats were detected. The proportion of T cell subsets in duodenal mucosa was detected using flow cytometry. The microvilli and tight junctions of duodenal mucosal epithelial cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy, and the integrity of duodenal mucosa observed by scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, for the rats in the model group, the body mass, the minimum volume threshold when AWR scored 3, the length of duodenal villus and the the ratio of the length of villus to the depth of crypt, as well as the proportion of CD₈⁺ T subset were all reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05), the counts of goblet cells in duodenal mucosa decreased (P<0.01); LRS, the proportion of CD₄⁺ T subset and CD₄⁺/CD₈⁺, as well as the contents of IFN-γ, IL-4 and sIgA in duodenal mucosa and IFN-γ/IL-4 were all elevated (P<0.01); and the numbers of IELs rose (P<0.01). The morphology of duodenal mucosa was irregular, the villi got shorter, sparse and scattered, with uneven density. The morphology of epithelial cells was destroyed and the tight junctions damaged, with larger spaces. When compared with the model group, in the moxibustion group, the body mass, the minimum volume threshold when AWR scored 3, the length of duodenal villus and the ratio of the length of villus to the depth of crypt, as well as the counts of goblet cells in duodenal mucosa increased (P<0.01); LRS, the proportion of CD₄⁺ T subset, and CD₄⁺/CD₈⁺, as well as the contents of IFN-γ, IL-4 and sIgA in duodenal mucosa and IFN-γ/IL-4 were reduced (P<0.01); and the numbers of IELs was dropped (P<0.01). The morphology of duodenal mucosa was more regular, the villi were grew, got longer and arranged regularly, with even density. The morphology of epithelial cells was slightly destroyed, and the tight junctions partially damaged. CONCLUSION Moxibustion at "Tianshu" (ST25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST37) can reduce visceral hypersensitivity in IBS-D rats and relieve abdominal pain, diarrhea and other symptoms. Its effect mechanism may be related to the repair of small intestinal mucosal immune barrier and the improvement in the immune function in IBS-D.
Animals ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome/immunology* ; Rats ; Moxibustion ; Intestinal Mucosa/immunology* ; Female ; Diarrhea/therapy* ; Intestine, Small/immunology* ; Male ; Humans ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Disease Models, Animal

[Objective]To summarize Professor CHU Haoran's understanding and treatment experience on diarrhea type irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-D).[Methods]Through clinical study with teachers,consulting ancient books and combining modern literature research,summarize the understanding and treatment ideas of Professor CHU for IBS-D,clarify the basic diagnosis and treatment rules of the disease,and provide a clinical medical case as evidence.[Results]Professor CHU believes that disordered movement of Qi in the middle-Jiao is the core pathomechanism of IBS-D.He advocates for the treatment principle of"ascending Qi mechanism,regulating the middle-Jiao,and nourishing vital energy".The acupoint Tianshu(ST25)is considered the focal point,complemented by Zhongwan(CV12),Zhangmen(LR13),Shangjuxu(ST37),Dachangshu(BL25),and Zusanli(ST36)to regulating the middle-Jiao.This is paired with the needling technique of"Dragon and Tiger battle"to assist in facilitating the flow of Qi in the middle-Jiao.A key selection is"Baihui(DU20)-Neiguan(PC6)"to regulate the clear Qi,comb the mind and spirit located in the head,and elevate the overall movement of Qi.Additionally,"Guanyuan(RN4)-Zusanli(ST36)"are used to firm the foundation and cultivate the primal Qi,supplementing the innate vital energy.In a case study,the patient was diagnosed with syndrome differentiation of spleen and stomach deficiency,with concurrent restlessness of the heart spirit and signs of deficient Yang Qi.Professor CHU treated the patient by using the method of raising the clear Qi,managing the middle-Jiao,and nourishing vital energy,supplementing the postnatal to nourish the prenatal while calming the spirit,resulting in significant effects.[Conclusion]In clinical practice,Professor CHU modifies acupoints according to syndrome differentiation.By integrating groups of acupoints,he facilitates the beneficial ascent and descent of Qi within the middle-Jiao,creating a distinctive"regulating the middle and restoring the vital energy"diagnostic and treatment system for IBS-D,which provides a new approach to the clinical treatment of IBS-D.

Objective:To investigate short-term safety, efficacy and the learning curve of this self-developed novel transcatheter valve repair system (Neonova?) in patients with mitral regurgitation, and explore the role of perioperative echocardiography.Methods:Ten patients who visited the Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from June 2021 to March 2022 and met the inclusive criteria were prospectively enrolled. All the patients were at high risk of surgery with moderate to severe or severe mitral regurgitation (MR). Clamps of Neonova? were implanted under guidance of transesophageal echocardiography and digital subtraction angiography. Clinical outcomes, echocardiography indexes and learning curves of this technique were evaluated immediately after intervention, 7 d, 1 month and 3 months post-intervention.Results:The technical success rate was 100% with MR relieved in all patients immediately after intervention. The device and procedural success rates were both 90.0% with 1 patient received surgical replacement at 37 days post-intervention while the others′ reduced to mild (8/9) and moderate (1/9) MR. New York Heart Association class and the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire improved significantly (all P<0.001). Mean mitral valve pressure gradient didn′t increase significantly after intervention when compared with that before intervention( P=0.324), and no mitral stenosis was observed. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter decreased significantly ( P=0.008) during follow up.Procedure duration ranged from 60 to 300 (175.8±75.2)minutes. The simple linear regression model between procedure volume and duration showed that procedure duration decreased significantly with the increase of procedure volume ( F=15.857, P=0.004). Conclusions:Neonova? implantation can improve MR severity and clinical symptoms safely and effectively. Transthoracic echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography are essential for perioperative management of transcatheter mitral valve repair.

Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） most often develops in patients with liver disease characterized by chronic non-resolving inflammation. The inflammatory response is mainly derived from innate immune cells， and tumor-associated macrophages （TAMs） play an important role in the development of tumors．It is usually chemotactic from mononuclear progenitor cells in the blood to tumor tissue， then is induced by the tumor microenvironment and further develops into TAMs. They play an important role in promoting tumor growth，angiogenesis and tumor invasion and inducing tumor tissues to form an environment without inhibition mechanisms. As the relationship between TAMs and malignant tumors becomes clearer， TAMs are beginning to be seen as therapeutic targets. The heterogeneity of TAM subtypes and their origin and dynamic phenotype during the initiation and progression of HCC has been partially unraveled. It further forms the base for developing therapeutic agents by decreasing the population of TAMs via blocking recruitment of bone marrow-derived monocytes and functionally reprograms TAMs to anti-tumoral behavior. This review focuses on the preclinical evolution and hitherto clinical trials for TAM-targeted therapy in HCC.

【Objective】 To prepare positron emission computed tomography (PET) molecular probes targeting macrophages using Nb119 and BCⅡ10 labeled with ⁶⁸Ga nuclide. 【Methods】 To explore the labeling conditions of nanobodies with ⁶⁸Ga nuclides, first, the anti-Vsig4 nanobody Nb119 and isotype control antibody BCⅡ10 were incubated with NOTA and then purified to obtain the chelating agent-modified NOTA-Nb119 and NOTA-BCⅡ10. The NOTA-Nb119 and NOTA-BCⅡ10 were further incubated with ⁶⁸Ga. Finally, NOTA-Nb119 was identified by SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF methods, and the radiochemical purity was detected by radio-HPLC. 【Results】 The results of SDS-PAGE showed that the lanes of the successfully labeled NOTA-Nb119 had apparent hysteresis than the unlabeled nanobody band, which proved that the molecular weight of the labeled product was increased and NOTA successfully modified the nanobody. Subsequently, ⁶⁸Ga nuclides could successfully label Nb119 and BCⅡ10. According to radio-HPLC detection, the radiochemical purity of NOTA-Nb119 and NOTA-BCⅡ10 labeled with ⁶⁸Ga was greater than 90% and remained stable. 【Conclusion】 ⁶⁸Ga-labeled nanobodies have high radiochemical purity and high stability, indicating that this study can be applied to other nanobodies for modification and labeling and provides a practical and feasible method for the preparation of PET using nanobodies.

Objective:To explore CT and MRI features of the endolymphatic sac tumor (ELST).Methods:The CT and MRI morphology confirmed by surgical pathology for 19 patients with ELST were retrospectively analyzed from June 2011 to May 2019 in Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University. The features of CT and MRI included location, size, adjacent structures invasion, CT values, bone destruction, features of T 1WI and T 2WI, enhancement distribution characteristics, dynamic enhancement curve morphology, DWI signal characteristics. The ADC values of the lesions and ipsilateral medial pterygoid muscles were compared using a paired t test. Results:Nineteen ELST patients (one with bilateral diseases) were included. Totally 20 ears (right 9 and left 11) of 13 females and 6 males were studied. The masses with slightly high-density and obscure boundary were located around the vestibular aqueduct at the posterior edge of the petrosal bone. Bone destruction involved mastoid process of the middle ear (16 ears), jugular foramen (11 ears), semicircular canal (10 ears), facial nerve canal (7 ears) and internal auditory canal (9 ears). A large amount of residual bone could be found in the interior of nineteen masses. The CT value was (78.6±21.9) HU. The lesion showed central iso-intensity and peripheral hyperintensity on T 1WI and T 2WI in 16 ears, while no obvious hyperintensity on T 1WI in the other 4 ears. The hyperintensity on T 1WI was around the margin of the lesion in 10 ears, situated at lateral side in 5 ears and all over the lesion in 1 ear. Flow voids signals could be seen in 9 ears as well. Liquid-liquid plane was seen on T 2WI in 2 ears. The solid mass portion which showed iso-intensity on both T 1WI and T 2WI presented marked enhancement on contrast-enhanced T 1WI, while other part of the mass no enhancement. DWI of 14 ears illustrates no evidence of restricted diffusion, and the ADC value [(1.25±0.08)×10 -3 mm 2/s] was slightly higher than that of the medial pterygoid muscles ( t=4.437, P=0.001). The style of time-signal intensity curves of the dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI was rapidly ascending followed by descending curves in 2 ears. Conclusion:Imaging findings of ELST have some characteristics, including located around the vestibular aqueduct at the posterior edge of the petrosal bone, bone destruction, peripheral hyperintensity on T 1WI and no restricted diffusion, which is helpful for its diagnosis.

With the increasing cost of drug development and clinical trials, it is of great value to make full use of all kinds of data to improve the efficiency of drug development and to provide valid information for medication guidelines. Model-based meta-analysis (MBMA) combines mathematical models with meta-analysis to integrate information from multiple sources (preclinical and clinical data, etc.) and multiple dimensions (targets/mechanisms, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, diseases/indications, populations, regimens, biomarkers/efficacy/safety, etc.), which not only provides decision-making for all key points of drug development, but also provides effective information for rational drug use and cost-effectiveness analysis. The classical meta-analysis requires high homogeneity of the data, while MBMA can combine and analyze the heterogeneous data of different doses, different time courses, and different populations through modeling, so as to quantify the dose-effect relationship, time-effect relationship, and the relevant impact factors, and thus the efficacy or safety features at the level of dose, time and covariable that have not been involved in previous studies. Although the modeling and simulation methods of MBMA are similar to population pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (Pop PK/PD), compared with Pop PK/PD, the advantage of MBMA is that it can make full use of literature data, which not only improves the strength of evidence, but also can answer the questions that have not been proved or can not be answered by a single study. At present, MBMA has become one of the important methods in the strategy of model-informed drug development (MIDD). This paper will focus on the application value, data analysis plan, data acquisition and processing, data analysis and reporting of MBMA, in order to provide reference for the application of MBMA in drug development and clinical practice.

Objective:To observe the effects of T-2 toxin on expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and HGF receptor (C-Met) in articular cartilage and epiphyseal cartilage of rats under low selenium condition.Methods:Twenty-four healthy male SD rats weighted 60-80 g were randomly divided into conventional diet group (selenium content of 101.5 μg/kg) and low-selenium diet group (selenium content of 1.1 μg/kg), with 12 rats in each group. After 30 days of feeding, the conventional diet group was further divided into conventional group and T-2 toxin group (100 μg·kg -1·d -1), and the low-selenium diet group was further divided into low-selenium group and low-selenium+T-2 toxin group (100 μg·kg -1·d -1), with 6 rats in each group. After 30 days of feeding, the rats were sacrificed and the cartilage of knee joint was taken, the morphological changes of knee articular cartilage and epiphyseal cartilage were observed by HE staining under light microscope. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of HGF and C-Met in knee articular cartilage and epiphyseal cartilage, and positive expression rates of HGF and C-Met were calculated. Results:Under light microscope, chondrocytes of articular cartilage and epiphyseal cartilage in low-selenium+T-2 toxin group were sparse, and the necrosis and structural area were found in the deep layer, and the extracellular matrix of chondrocytes in the region was degraded and light stained, and proliferating granulation tissue was visible nearby. The positive expression rates of HGF in articular cartilage [(21.97 ± 6.90)%, (49.41 ± 8.24)%, (76.39 ± 5.88)%] and epiphyseal cartilage [(23.36 ± 12.49)%, (58.43 ± 14.48)%, (66.59 ± 10.83)%] of rats in low-selenium, T-2 toxin and low-selenium+T-2 toxin groups were higher than those in conventional group [(9.13 ± 6.01)%, (11.14 ± 4.67)%, P < 0.05]. The positive expression rates of C-Met in articular cartilage [(25.34 ± 7.53)%, (58.21 ± 12.54)%, (81.46 ± 7.89)%] and epiphyseal cartilage [(35.21 ± 4.71)%, (40.84 ± 2.03)%, (49.41 ± 6.29)%] of rats in low-selenium, T-2 toxin and low-selenium+T-2 toxin groups were higher than those in conventional group [(11.21 ± 5.11)%, (12.12 ± 4.71)%, P < 0.05]. Conclusion:T-2 toxin may affect the expression of HGF and C-Met in articular cartilage and epiphyseal cartilage of rats under low selenium condition.