Synthetic microbial communities: Novel strategies to enhance the quality of traditional fermented foods.

Consumers are attracted to traditional fermented foods due to their unique flavor and nutritional value. However, the traditional fermentation technique can no longer accommodate the requirements of the food industry. Traditional fermented foods produce hazardous compounds, off-odor, and anti-nutritional factors, reducing product stability. The microbial system complexity of traditional fermented foods resulting from the open fermentation process has made it challenging to regulate these problems by modifying microbial behaviors. Synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) have been shown to simplify complex microbial communities and allow for the targeted design of microbial communities, which has been applied in processing traditional fermented foods. Herein, we describe the theoretical information of SynComs, particularly microbial physiological processes and their interactions. This paper discusses current approaches to creating SynComs, including designing, building, testing, and learning, with typical applications and fundamental techniques. Based on various traditional fermented food innovation demands, the potential and application of SynComs in enhancing the quality of traditional fermented foods are highlighted. SynComs showed superior performance in regulating the quality of traditional fermented foods using the interaction of core microorganisms to reduce the hazardous compounds of traditional fermented foods and improve flavor. Additionally, we presented the current status and future perspectives of SynComs for improving the quality of traditional fermented foods.

Monthly runoff prediction based on variational modal decomposition combined with the dung beetle optimization algorithm for gated recurrent unit model.

Highly accurate monthly runoff forecasts play a pivotal role in water resource management and utilization. This article proposes a coupling of variational modal decomposition (VMD) and the dung beetle optimization algorithm (DBO) with the gated recurrent unit (GRU) to establish a new monthly runoff forecasting model: the VMD-DBO-GRU. Initially, historical runoff data are decomposed via VMD. Subsequently, the parameters of the GRU are optimized using the DBO, and the decomposed monthly runoff components are inputted into the GRU neural network. Finally, the predictions for each component are consolidated to provide monthly runoff predictions. The model is then validated using monthly runoff data from the Ansha reservoir in Fujian, collected from 1980 to 2020. The results demonstrate a higher prediction accuracy of the VMD-DBO-GRU model compared to BP, SVM, GRU, VMD-GRU, DBO-GRU, and EMD-GRU models, providing a new alternative for conducting monthly runoff prediction.

Advances of microfluidic intestine-on-a-chip for analyzing anti-inflammation of food.

Microfluidic intestine-on-a-chip enables novel means of emulating human intestinal pathophysiology in vitro, which can potentially reduce animal testing and substitute simple 2D culture system. Though a great deal of work has been done in the development of microfluidic platforms for intestinal disease modeling and drug screening, potential investigation of the effect of bioactive food compounds on intestinal inflammation remains largely unexplored. In this review, different biomaterials and chip designs have been explored in the fabrication of intestine-on-a-chip. Other key parameters must be carefully controlled and selected, including shear stress, cell type and cell co-culture spatial configuration, etc. Appropriate techniques to quantify the barrier integrity including trans-epithelial electric resistance, specific tight junction markers and permeability measurements should be standardized and compared with in vivo data. Integration of the gut microbiome and the provision of intestinal-specific environment are the key parameters to realize the in vivo intestinal model simulation and accelerate the screening efficiency of bioactive food compounds.

The characteristics of the frequent exacerbator with chronic bronchitis phenotype and non-exacerbator phenotype in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis and system review.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with different phenotypes show different clinical characteristics. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to explore the clinical characteristics between the non-exacerbator (NE) phenotype and the frequent exacerbator with chronic bronchitis (FE-CB) phenotype among patients with COPD. METHODS: CNKI, Wan fang, Chongqing VIP, China Biology Medicine disc, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases were searched from the times of their inception to April 30, 2019. All studies that reported the clinical characteristics of the COPD phenotypes and which met the inclusion criteria were included. The quality assessment was analyzed by Cross-Sectional/Prevalence Study Quality recommendations. The meta-analysis was carried out using RevMan5.3. RESULTS: Ten cross-sectional observation studies (n = 8848) were included. Compared with the NE phenotype, patients with the FE-CB phenotype showed significantly lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s percent predicted (FEV1%pred) (mean difference (MD) -8.50, 95% CI -11.36--5.65, P < 0.001, I2 = 91%), forced vital capacity percent predicted (FVC%pred) [MD - 6.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) -7.73--5.65, P < 0.001, I2 = 5%], and forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) (MD -3.76, 95% CI -4.58--2.95,P < 0.001, I2 = 0%); in contrast, Charlson comorbidity index (MD 0.47, 95% CI 0.37-0.58, P < 0.001, I2 = 0], COPD assessment test (CAT) score (MD 5.61, 95% CI 4.62-6.60, P < 0.001, I2 = 80%), the quantity of cigarettes smoked (pack-years) (MD 3.09, 95% CI 1.60-4.58, P < 0.001, I2 = 41%), exacerbations in previous year (2.65, 95% CI 2.32-2.97, P < 0.001, I2 = 91%), modified Medical British Research Council (mMRC) score (MD 0.72, 95% CI 0.63-0.82, P < 0.001, I2 = 57%), and body mass index (BMI), obstruction, dyspnea, exacerbations (BODEx) (MD 1.78, 95% CI 1.28-2.28, P < 0.001, I2 = 91%), I2 = 34%) were significantly higher in patients with FE-CB phenotype. No significant between-group difference was observed with respect to BMI (MD-0.14, 95% CI -0.70-0.42, P = 0.62, I2 = 75%). CONCLUSION: COPD patients with the FE-CB phenotype had worse pulmonary function and higher CAT score, mMRC scores, frequency of acute exacerbations, and the quantity of cigarettes smoked (pack-years) than those with the NE phenotype.

[Analysis of clinical characteristics of traditional Chinese and Western medicine in Professor Jiang Liangduo's theory of "sanjiao meridian stasis"].

In the clinical practice, Professor Jiang Liangduo, a national senior Chinese medicine doctor, has created the theory of "sanjiao meridian stasis" from the theory of meridian dialectics and from the overall state. In this paper, the traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine clinical characteristics of sanjiao meridian stasis theory which is often used by Professor Jiang Liangduo in the treatment of out-patient syndrome differentiation, were first studied and summarized to investigate its inherent regularity. First, the source of data and research methods were introduced, and then the Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance Support System was used with the method of data mining to retrospectively analyze the disease characteristics of Chinese and Western medicine in 279 patients with sanjiao meridian stasis diagnosed by Professor Jiang in 2014. Then the following main conclusions were made after research: sanjiao meridian stasis was more common in women as well as young and middle-aged population. Often manifested by prolonged treatment course, red tongue with yellowishfur, with good correlation between modern Western medicine diagnosis and TCM differentiation syndrome. The symptoms of sanjiao meridian stasis syndrome are mostly of heat syndromes, and middle-aged patients are the most common patients with stasis and stasis of sanjiao. Related information of Western medicine diagnosis can help to diagnose the "sanjiao meridian stasis".

[Mechanism of tonifying Qi traditional Chinese medicines contained in Yiqi Qingwen Jiedu mixture against influenza immune inflammatory injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the impact of tonifying Qi traditional Chinese medicines contained in Yiqi Qingwen Jiedu mixture on mRNA expression of lung inflammatory cytokines and pulmonary pathological injury of mice infected by influenza virus, in order to discuss the mechanism of tonifying Qi traditional Chinese medicines against pulmonary immune inflammatory injury of infected mice. METHOD: In different time phases after mice were infected with influenza virus FM1, the RT-PCR method was adopted to observe the impact of tonifying Qi traditional Chinese medicines contained in Yiqi Qingwen Jiedu mixture on five inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, IL-10 and IFN-γ, and the changes in pulmonary pathological injury of mice with viral pneumonia after intervention with tonifying qi traditional Chinese medicines. RESULT: (1) Tonifying Qi traditional Chinese medicines significantly reduced the mRNA expression of TNF-α at 1-5 d and IL-1 mRNA expression at 7 d, may increase IL-1 mRNA expression in mouse lung at 3 d, significantly reduced IL-6 mRNA expression in mouse lung and increased IL-10 mRNA expression at 3-7 d, and significantly increased IFN-γ mRNA expression at 1 d. (2) Tonifying Qi traditional Chinese medicines could significantly inhibited and repaired pulmonary immune inflammatory injury of mice infected by FM1, which was most remarkable at 3-7 d after the infection with influenza virus FM1. CONCLUSION: Tonifying Qi traditional Chinese medicines contained in Yiqi Qingwen Jiedu mixture could resist pulmonary immune inflammatory injury and repair inflammatory injury by regulating the mRNA expression of imbalance inflammatory cytokines of organisms infected with influenza virus.

Analysis of Key Genes and miRNA-mRNA Networks Associated with Glucocorticoids Treatment in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Some patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) benefit from glucocorticoid (GC) treatment, but its mechanism is unclear. Objective: With the help of the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, the key genes and miRNA-mRNA related to the treatment of COPD by GCs were discussed, and the potential mechanism was explained. Methods: The miRNA microarray dataset (GSE76774) and mRNA microarray dataset (GSE36221) were downloaded, and differential expression analysis were performed. Gene Ontology (GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed on the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The protein interaction network of the DEGs in the regulatory network was constructed with the STRING database, and the key genes were screened through Cytoscape. Potential downstream target genes regulated by differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were predicted by the miRWalk3.0 database, and miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks were constructed. Finally, some research results were validated. Results: ① Four DEMs and 83 DEGs were screened; ② GO and KEGG enrichment analysis mainly focused on the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway, ECM receptor interaction, etc.; ③ CD2, SLAMF7, etc. may be the key targets of GC in the treatment of COPD; ④ 18 intersection genes were predicted by the mirwalk 3.0 database, and 9 pairs of miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks were identified; ⑤ The expression of miR-320d-2 and TFCP2L1 were upregulated by dexamethasone in the COPD cell model, while the expression of miR-181a-2-3p and SLAMF7 were downregulated. Conclusion: In COPD, GC may mediate the expression of the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway through miR-181a-2-3p, miR-320d-2, miR-650, and miR-155-5p, targeting its downstream signal factors. The research results provide new ideas for RNA therapy strategies of COPD, and also lay a foundation for further research.

In vivo anti-obesity efficacy of fucoxanthin/HP-ß-CD nanofibers in high-fat diet induced obese mice.

Fucoxanthin (Fx) has poor water solubility and bioavailability, which limits its application in the food industry. To improve the physicochemical properties of Fx, hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HP-ß-CD) encapsulated Fx nanofibers (Fx/HP-ß-CD nanofibers) were fabricated via electrospinning without using polymer. Molecular docking analysis showed the Fx/HP-ß-CD nanofibers contained Fx and HP-ß-CD at 1:2. Morphological analysis revealed the nanofibers were homogeneous without beads, having a diameter around 499 nm. The thermostability of Fx was significantly improved after encapsulationg by HP-ß-CD. Animal studies showed that there was a 14% decrease of body weight, 11% white adipose tissue reduction and 9% lower of liver triglyceride for the mice treated with Fx/HP-ß-CD nanofibers as compared with that of Fx treated mice. The total cholesterol was reduced by 23% in mice serum after treatment with Fx/HP-ß-CD as compared with that of Fx. Interestingly, the Fx/HP-ß-CD in this study could attenuate the testicular histopathology in obese mice.

Engineering probiotics-derived membrane vesicles for encapsulating fucoxanthin: evaluation of stability, bioavailability, and biosafety.

Due to the multiplex absorption barrier in the gastrointestinal tract, the low oral bioavailability of many lipophilic chemicals limits their range of applications. Biomimetic nanovesicles offered unique advantages in overcoming multiple barriers to oral absorption and improving the oral bioavailability of encapsulated water-insoluble compounds. Here, we report an engineering preparation strategy of synthetic probiotic membrane vesicles for encapsulating fucoxanthin. Fucoxanthin-loaded synthetic membrane vesicles (FX-MVs) were spherical with a particle size of 412 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy results revealed that fucoxanthin was successfully doped into the membrane vesicles. Moreover, FX-MVs improved the stability of fucoxanthin under heating and UV irradiation conditions. In vitro experiments indicated that FX-MVs could effectively promote the cell uptake, and the mechanism mainly involved endocytosis. Simultaneously, ex vivo experiments confirmed that FX-MVs enhanced intestinal retention. Finally, the oral biosafety of FX-MVs was evaluated. The mice fed FX-MVs did not show toxicity signs and adverse effects, based on the results of clinical observation, body weight, hematology, clinical biochemistry, and organ pathology. Altogether, these results suggest that synthetic probiotic membrane vesicles can be used as safe delivery carriers to improve the stability and bioavailability of hydrophobic food bioactive ingredients.

Engineering fucoxanthin-loaded probiotics' membrane vesicles for the dietary intervention of colitis.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are very attractive as carriers of active components due to their good immunological and their ability to penetrate the physiological barrier that synthetic delivery carriers cannot penetrate. However, the low secretion capacity of EVs limited its widespread adoption, let alone the lower yield of EVs loaded with active components. Here, we report a large-scale engineering preparation strategy of synthetic probiotic membrane vesicles for encapsulating fucoxanthin (FX-MVs), an intervention for colitis. Compared with the EVs naturally secreted by probiotics, the engineering membrane vesicles showed a 150-fold yield and richer protein. Moreover, FX-MVs improved the gastrointestinal stability of fucoxanthin and inhibited H2O2-induced oxidative damage by scavenging free radicals effectively (p < 0.05). The in vivo results showed that FX-MVs could promote the polarization of macrophages to M2 type, prevent the injury and shortening of colon tissue (p < 0.05), and improve the colonic inflammatory response. Consistently, proinflammatory cytokines were effectively suppressed after FX-MVs treatment (p < 0.05). Unexpectedly, such engineering FX-MVs could also reshape the gut microbiota communities and improve the abundance of short-chain fatty acids in the colon. This study lays a foundation for developing dietary interventions using natural foods to treat intestinal-related diseases.

Oseltamivir compared with the Chinese traditional therapy maxingshigan-yinqiaosan in the treatment of H1N1 influenza: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Observational studies from Asia suggest that maxingshigan-yinqiaosan may be effective in the treatment of acute H1N1 influenza. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of oseltamivir and maxingshigan-yinqiaosan in treating uncomplicated H1N1 influenza. DESIGN: Prospective, nonblinded, randomized, controlled trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT00935194) SETTING: Eleven hospitals from 4 provinces in China. PATIENTS: 410 persons [corrected] aged 15 to 69 [corrected] years with laboratory-confirmed H1N1 influenza. INTERVENTION: Oseltamivir, 75 mg twice daily; maxingshigan-yinqiaosan decoction (composed of 12 Chinese herbal medicines, including honey-fried Herba Ephedrae), 200 mL 4 times daily; oseltamivir plus maxingshigan-yinqiaosan; or no intervention (control). Interventions and control were given for 5 days. MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome was time to fever resolution. Secondary outcomes included symptom scores and viral shedding determined by using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Significant reductions in the estimated median time to fever resolution compared with the control group (26.0 hours [95% CI, 24.0 to 33.0 hours]) were seen with oseltamivir (34% [95% CI, 20% to 46%]; P < 0.001), maxingshigan-yinqiaosan (37% [CI, 23% to 49%]; P < 0.001), and oseltamivir plus maxingshigan-yinqiaosan (47% [CI, 35% to 56%]; P < 0.001). Time to fever resolution was reduced by 19% (CI, 0.3% to 34%; P = 0.05) with oseltamivir plus maxingshigan-yinqiaosan compared with oseltamivir. The interventions and control did not differ in terms of decrease in symptom scores (P = 0.38). Two patients who received maxingshigan-yinqiaosan reported nausea and vomiting. LIMITATIONS: Participants were young and had mild H1N1 influenza virus infection. Missing viral data precluded definitive conclusions about viral shedding. CONCLUSION: Oseltamivir and maxingshigan-yinqiaosan, alone and in combination, reduced time to fever resolution in patients with H1N1 influenza virus infection. These data suggest that maxingshigan-yinqiaosan may be used as an alternative treatment of H1N1 influenza virus infection. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Beijing Science and Technology Project and Beijing Nova Program.

Microfluidic Fabrication of pH-Responsive Nanoparticles for Encapsulation and Colon-Target Release of Fucoxanthin.

Improving the stability of fucoxanthin in the gastrointestinal tract is an important approach to enhance its oral bioavailability. The study proposed a new microfluidic device allowing for the synthesis of a structurally well-defined nanoscale delivery system with a uniform size for encapsulation and colon-target release of fucoxanthin. The rapid mixing in the microfluidic channel ensured that the mixing time was shorter than the aggregation time, thus realizing the controllable control of the coprecipitation of fucoxanthin and shellac polymer. In vitro digestion tests showed that a pH stimulus-responsive release of fucoxanthin from FX/SH NPs was observed under alkaline pH conditions. The fluorescence colocalization imaging indicated that FX/SH NPs did not affect the intestine function and had a protective effect on Caco-2 cells damaged by H2O2 by enhancing their antioxidant capacity. Overall, this work illustrated the promise of using a microfluidic approach to fabricate the biomimetic nanodelivery system for better biocompatibility and targeting efficacy.

[Effect of triangle drugs as ginseng, Trichosanthes kirilowii maxim and rhubarb on the level of blood lipids and related pro-inflammatory cytokines during the process of treating atherosclerosis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of triangle drugs as ginseng, Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim, and rhubarb on the levels of blood lipids as [total cholesterol (TC), triglyeride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)] and pro-inflammatory cytokines as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and high sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) during the process of treating atherosclerosis. METHODS: Twenty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups after one-week adaptive feeding, i.e., the normal control group (n=6), the model group (n=6), and the triangle drugs group (n=8). High fat diet was fed to rabbits in the triangle drugs group and the model group at the daily dose of 100 g for six weeks. Iliac artery was injured in the model group and the triangle drugs group at the seventh week using balloon injury. High fat diet was successively fed to those after surgery for six weeks. At the same time of modeling, preventive medication (at the daily dose of dry ginseng 0.64 g/kg, Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim 2.14 g/kg, and prepared Radix et Rhizoma Rhei with wine 0.43 g/kg, with the volume of 2 mL/kg) was administered by gastrogavage to rabbits in the triangle drugs group. Changes of blood lipids levels and related pro-inflammatory cytokines were dynamically observed. RESULTS: On the 7th week (before surgery), the levels of TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C in the model group, TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C in the triangle drugs group significantly increased, showing significant difference when compared with those of the normal control group (P < 0.05). The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the model group and the triangle drugs group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group (P < 0.05). Levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C were lower in the triangle drugs group than in the model group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). After the 8th week the levels of blood lipids and ICAM-1 in the model group, and levels of TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and ICAM-1 in the triangle drugs group were significantly higher than those of the normal control group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). After the 12th week levels of blood lipids in the model group, LDL-C and HDL-C in the triangle drugs group were significantly higher than those of the normal control group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The LDL-C level was lower in the triangle drugs group than in the model group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The levels of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and hs-CRP in the model group were obviously higher than those in the triangle drugs group and the normal control group, showing statistical significance (P < 0.05). The hs-CRP level was higher in the triangle drugs group than in the normal control group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The triangle drugs may postpone the process of atherosclerosis by lowering blood lipids levels, especially by lowering the elevating levels of TC and LDL-C. Its roles in decreasing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines might be associated with lipids lowering and anti-inflammation. Its roles may also be associated with improvement of the endothelial function and inhibition of the smooth muscle proliferation.

The Bactericidal Efficacy and the Mechanism of Action of Slightly Acidic Electrolyzed Water on Listeria monocytogenes' Survival.

In the present work, the bactericidal efficacy and mechanism of slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) on L. monocytogenes were evaluated. The results showed that the strains of L. monocytogenes were killed completely within 30 s by SAEW whose available chlorine concentration (ACC) was higher than 12 mg/L, and it was confirmed that ACC is the main factor affecting the disinfection efficacy of SAEW. Moreover, our results demonstrated that SAEW could destroy the cell membrane of L. monocytogenes, which was observed by SEM and FT-IR, thus resulting in the leakage of intracellular substances including electrolyte, protein and nucleic acid, and DNA damage. On the other hand, the results found that SAEW could disrupt the intracellular ROS balance of L. monocytogenes by inhibiting the antioxidant enzyme activity, thus promoting the death of L. monocytogenes. In conclusion, the bactericidal mechanism of SAEW on L. monocytogenes was explained from two aspects including the damage of the cell membrane and the breaking of ROS balance.

Effect of acupoint application on T lymphocyte subsets in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is related to the T lymphocyte mediated inflammatory immune response and immune imbalance. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of acupoint application on T lymphocyte subsets in patients with COPD. METHODS: We searched CNKI, Wan fang, Chongqing VIP, China Biology Medicine disc, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE for studies published as of Oct. 31, 2019. All randomized controlled trials of acupoint application on COPD patients that met the inclusion criteria were included. The Cochrane bias risk assessment tool was used for literature evaluation. RevMan5.3 software was used for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Eight studies (combined n = 524) qualified based on the inclusion criteria. Compared with routine treatment alone, acupoint application combined with routine treatment can significantly increase the T lymphocyte CD4/CD8 ratio (MD 0.12, 95% CI 0.03-0.21, P < .01, I = 49%), reduce CD8 T-cells (MD-0.99, 95% CI-1.70-0.28, P < .001, I = 37%), reduce the times of acute exacerbations (MD-0.28, 95% CI-0.35-0.21, P < .001, I = 0), and improve the clinical efficacy (MD 1.30, 95% CI 1.14-1.48, P < .001, I = 39%). CONCLUSION: Acupoint application can improve the CD4/CD8 ratio and CD8 T-cells in patients with COPD and has an auxiliary effect in reducing the times of acute exacerbations and improving clinical efficacy.

[Effects of tetramethylpyrazine on angiotensin II -induced proliferation and type I collagen synthesis of rat cardiac fibroblasts].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on the proliferation and type I collagen synthesis of rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFBs) induced by angiotensin II (Ang II), and to explore the mechanism of TMP in treating myocardial fibrosis. METHODS: CFBs were isolated from neonatal rats, and the fourth-passage CFBs were used in the entire test and were stimulated by 0.1 micromol/L Ang II in vivo. The CFB proliferation was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Type I collagen in the cell culture supernatant was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of mRNA of type I collagen was semi-quantitatively measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: (1) In MTT assay, the optical density of CFBs cultured with 0.1 micromol/L Ang II was higher than that of the blank control cultured with 2% fetal bovine serum-Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (FBS-DMEM). The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Both optical densities of CFBs cultured with 0.1 micromol/L Ang II plus 800 microg/mL TMP and 0.1 micromol/L Ang II plus 600 microg/mL TMP were lower than that of CFBs cultured with 0.1 micromol/L Ang II, but only the difference between 0.1 micromol/L AngII plus 800 microg/mL TMP group and 0.1 micromol/L Ang II group was significant (P < 0.05). (2) The content of type I collagen secreted by CFBs cultured with 0.1 micromol/L Ang II was higher than that with 2% FBS-DMEM (P < 0.01). The content of type I collagen secreted by CFBs cultured with 0.1 micromol/L Ang II plus 800 microg/mL TMP was lower than that with 0.1 micromol/L Ang II (P < 0.05). (3) The level of type I collagen mRNA in 0.1 micromol/L Ang II group was higher than that in blank control group, and lower than that in 0.1 micromol/L Ang II plus 800 microg/mL TMP group. Both the differences between 0.1 micromol/L Ang II group and the blank control group and between 0.1 micromol/L Ang II group and 0.1 micromol/L Ang II plus 800 microg/mL TMP group were statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TMP can not only inhibit the proliferation of CFBs, but also decrease the secretion and the mRNA expression level of collagen I in cultured CFBs of rat which are increased by Ang II.

The characteristics of the frequent exacerbators with chronic bronchitis phenotype and the asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome phenotype in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: A meta-analysis and system review.

To investigate the difference of clinical characteristics between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with the frequent exacerbators with chronic bronchitis (FE-CB) phenotype and those with the asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACO) phenotype.We searched CNKI, Wan Fang, Chongqing VIP, China Biology Medicine disc, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases for studies published as of April 30, 2019. All studies that investigated COPD patients with the FE-CB and ACO phenotypes and which qualified the inclusion criteria were included. Cross-sectional/prevalence study quality recommendations were used to measure methodological quality. RevMan5.3 software was used for meta-analysis.Ten studies (combined n = 4568) qualified the inclusion criteria. The FE-CB phenotype of COPD was associated with significantly lower forced vital capacity percent predicted (mean difference [MD] -9.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-12.00, -6.10], P < .001, I = 66%), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (MD -407.18, 95% CI [-438.63, -375.72], P < .001, I = 33%), forced expiratory volume in 1 second percent predicted (MD -9.71, 95% CI [-12.79, -6.63], P < .001, I = 87%), FEV1/forced vital capacity (MD -5.4, 95% CI [-6.49, -4.30], P < .001, I = 0%), and body mass index (BMI) (MD -0.81, 95% CI [-1.18, -0.45], P < .001, I = 44%) as compared to the ACO phenotype. However, FE-CB phenotype was associated with higher quantity of cigarettes smoked (pack-years) (MD 6.45, 95% CI [1.82, 11.09], P < .001, I = 73%), COPD assessment test score (CAT) (MD 4.04, 95% CI [3.46, 4.61], P < .001, I = 0%), mMRC score (MD 0.54, 95% CI [0.46, 0.62], P < .001, I = 34%), exacerbations in previous year (1.34, 95% CI [0.98, 1.71], P < .001, I = 68%), and BMI, obstruction, dyspnea, exacerbations (BODEx) (MD 1.59, 95% CI [1.00, 2.18], P < .001, I = 86%) as compared to the ACO phenotype.Compared with the ACO phenotype, COPD patients with the FE-CB phenotype had poorer pulmonary function, lower BMI, and higher CAT score, quantity of cigarettes smoked (pack-years), exacerbations in previous year, mMRC score, and BODEx.This study is an analysis of published literature, which belongs to the second study. Therefore, this study does not require the approval of the ethics committee. The findings will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal publication or conference presentation.

Effect of Qigong on self-rating depression and anxiety scale scores of COPD patients: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of Qigong in reducing the self-rating depression scale (SDS) and self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) scores of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: We searched CNKI, Wan fang, Chongqing VIP, China Biology Medicine disc, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE for studies published as of Dec 31, 2018. All randomized controlled trials of Qigong in COPD patients, which met the inclusion criteria were included. The Cochrane bias risk assessment tool was used for literature evaluation. RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Six studies (combined n = 415 patients) met the inclusion criteria. Compared with conventional therapy alone, Qigong in combination with conventional therapy significantly improved the following outcome measures: SDS score [mean difference (MD) -3.99, 95% CI (-6.17, -1.82), P < .001, I = 69%]; SAS score[MD -4.57, 95% CI (-5.67, -3.48), P < .001, I = 15%]; forced expiratory volume in one second/prediction (FEV1% pred) [MD 3.77, 95% CI (0.97,6.58), P < .01, I = 0]; forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) [MD 0.21, 95% CI (0.13, 0.30), P < .001, I = 0%]; forced vital capacity (FVC) [MD 0.28, 95% CI (0.16, 0.40), P < .001, I = 0]; 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance [MD 39.31, 95% CI (18.27, 60.34), P < .001, I = 32%]; and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score [MD -11.42, 95% CI (-21.80, -1.03), P < .05, I = 72%]. CONCLUSION: Qigong can improve the SDS and SAS scores of COPD patients, and has auxiliary effects on improving lung function, 6MWT distance, and SGRQ score.

[A rat model of pulmonary fibrosis induced by infusing bleomycin quickly through tracheal intubation].

OBJECTIVE: To study the approach for developing a rat model of pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin (BLM). METHOD: Different doses (7, 6, 5, 3.4, 2, 1 mg/kg) of bleomycin A5-saline were infused into the rats' lung in bleomycin-treated group through tracheal intubation, and rats in sham-operated group were infused with same volume of saline. The living state and lung pathology of the rats were observed. The author deeply studied the condition of the rats in 1 mg/kg bleomycin-treated group, and the changes of body weight and lung pathology were observed. Lung quotient, the content of transforming growth factor beta1(TGF-beta1) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in serum were measured on the 14th, 28th and 45th day of the experiment. RESULTS: The study demonstrated that infusing large doses of bleomycin A5 quickly through tracheal intubation had a high mortality, and infusing 1 mg/kg quickly could successfully develop an animal model of pulmonary fibrosis. Compared with the sham-operated group, fibrosis was appeared obviously in the rats' lung in 1 mg/kg bleomycin A5-treated group after 14 days of experiment, diffuse fibrosis was appeared after 28 days of experiment, and the fibrosis became more severe after 45 days of experiment. The body weight of the rats in bleomycin-treated group was declined after 3, 7 and 14 days of experiment as compared with the sham-operated group (P<0.01). Twenty-one days after the experiment, the body weight was declined too, but there was no significant difference between the bleomycin-treated group and the sham-operated group (P>0.05). Lung quotient was increased 14, 28 and 45 days after the experiment (P<0.01), the level of serum TGF-beta1 began to increase since 28 days after the experiment (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the level of serum PDGF also increased gradually 45 days after the experiment (P<0.05). And the mortality rate of 1 mg/kg bleomycin A5-treated group was lower than those of the other doses of bleomycin A5-treated groups. CONCLUSION: A rat model of pulmonary fibrosis can be duplicated successfully by infusing 1 mg/kg bleomycin A5 quickly through tracheal intubation.