To investigate the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of Qin-Zhu-Liang-Xue decoction (QZLX) in atopic dermatitis (AD) and glucocorticoid resistance, we conducted a single-blinded, randomized controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this concoction. Network pharmacology analysis was performed and validated through clinical studies. The efficacy, safety, and mechanism of action of QZLX and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) α recombinant protein were assessed in AD mice induced by 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). Correlation analysis was performed to determine the clinical relevance of GRα. The trial demonstrated that patients who received QZLX showed considerable improvements in their Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores compared with those who received mizolastine at week 4. Network pharmacological analysis identified GRα as a key target for QZLX in AD treatment. QZLX administration increased the serum GRα expression in AD patients, alleviated AD symptoms in mice, decreased inflammatory cytokine expression, and increased GRα expression without affecting liver or kidney function. In addition, GRα recombinant protein improved AD-like skin lesions in DNFB-induced mice. A negative correlation was observed between GRα expression and clinical parameters, including SCORAD, DLQI, and serum IgE levels. QZLX alleviates AD symptoms through the upregulation of GRα and thus presents a novel therapeutic strategy for the prevention of glucocorticoid resistance in AD management.
Dermatitis, Atopic/drug therapy* ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Humans ; Mice ; Network Pharmacology ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Receptors, Glucocorticoid/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Single-Blind Method ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

This article aims to explore the effect and mechanism of Liujunzi Pills on the intestinal microbiota of rats with spleen Qi deficiency syndrome. The raw Rhei Radix et Rhizoma water extract(1 g·mL~(-1)) was used to prepare spleen Qi deficiency rat models. A total of 44 SD male rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, Liujunzi Pills groups at high(3.24 g·kg~(-1)), medium(1.62 g·kg~(-1)), low(0.81 g·kg~(-1)) doses, and Shenling Baizhu San(2.50 g·kg~(-1)) group. The drug effect was evaluated by observing the following aspects: spleen index, fecal water content, body weight, and intestinal propulsion index. Gut microbiota analysis and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were conducted on feces. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and UV spectrophotometry were used to detect interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and adenosine triphosphate(ATP) levels in small intestine tissues. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy were employed to observe changes in intestinal pathology and microstructure. The results show that, compared with the control group, fecal moisture content is significantly increased while spleen index, body weight, and intestinal propulsion index are significantly reduced in rats of the model group, indicating the successful establishment of the model. The above symptoms can be improved by both Shenling Baizhu San and Liujunzi Pills. Compared with the control group, in the model group, the gut microbiota abundance is changed with an unbalanced development: the abundance of beneficial bacteria within the Bacteroidetes phylum is reduced, accompanied by a significantly decreased Shannon index, and reduced signal levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH)-related enzymes relevant to mitochondria. However, Liujunzi Pills and Shenling Baizhu San can significantly improve the Bacteroidetes phylum abundance in gut microbiota, microbial diversity, and NADPH activity in the model group. Additionally, compared with the control group, the ATP level is decreased and the IL-1β level is increased in small intestinal tissues of the model group, with shorter small intestinal epithelial villi and decreased mitochondrial number. The above symptoms can be improved by Liujunzi Pills and Shenling Baizhu San. In conclusion, Liujunzi Pills can treat spleen Qi deficiency syndrome by enhancing mitochondrial function to regulate gut microbiota balance and diversity.
Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Qi ; Spleen/metabolism* ; Splenic Diseases/metabolism* ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta/genetics* ; Bacteria/drug effects* ; Feces/microbiology* ; Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism*

Schizophrenia(SZ)is a psychiatric disorder characterized by abnormalities in brain structures and function.Diffusion MRI,such as diffusion tensor imaging(DTI),diffusion kurtosis imaging(DKI),diffusion spectrum imaging(DSI),neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging(NODDI),as well as high angular resolution diffusion imaging(HARDI)can help reveal microstructural abnormalities of white matter in SZ patients.The research progresses of diffusion MRI for SZ were reviewed in this article.

Non-suicidal self-injury(NSSI)refers to a mental disorder characterized by deliberate self-harm behaviors without suicidal intent.The pathogenesis of NSSI remains unclear,but may be related to abnormalities in reward circuitry,pain processing,emotion regulation,impulse control and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.Task state functional MRI(fMRI)provides valuable insights into the intrinsic connections and neural circuits mechanisms underlying NSSI during various task states or behaviors.Research progresses of task state fMRI in pathogenesis of NSSI were reviewed in this article.

Objective:To investigate the effect of oleanolic acid(OA)on inflammatory injury of pancreatic acinar cells in-duced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)by regulating stromal cell-derived factor-1(SDF-1)/CXC chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4)signal axis.Methods:Rat pancreatic acinar cells AR42J were treated with 5,10,20 and 40 μmol/L OA,and the cell viability was detected using CCK-8 method to determine the optimal dosage for subsequent experimental OA treatment;AR42J cells were randomly divided into control group(NC),LPS group(10 mg/L LPS),OA low-dose group(OA-L group,10 mg/L LPS+5 μmol/L OA),OA medium dose group(OA-M group,10 mg/L LPS+10 μmol/L OA),OA high-dose group(OA-H group,10 mg/L LPS+20 μmol/L OA),Rr-SDF-1 activator(SDF-1)group(10 mg/L LPS+20 ng/ml Rr-SDF-1)and OA-H+Rr-SDF-1 group(10 mg/L LPS+20 μmol/L OA+20 ng/ml Rr-SDF-1).CCK-8 method and EdU staining were applied to detect proliferation of AR42J cells;flow cytometry was applied to detect apoptosis of AR42J cells;activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and content of malondialdehyde(MDA)in cell supernatant were detected by spectrophotometry;ELISA was applied to detect levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in cell supernatant;Western blot was applied to detect expressions of CyclinD1,Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax),SDF-1 and CXCR4 proteins in cells.Results:5,10 and 20 μmol/L OA were selected as the low,medium and high doses for subsequent treatment of AR42J cells;compared with NC group,A450 value,EdU positive cell rate,SOD activity,and CyclinD1 protein expression in LPS group decreased,while apoptosis rate,MDA content,IL-6,TNF-α levels,Bax,SDF-1 and CXCR4 protein expressions increased(P<0.05);compared with LPS group,A450 value,EdU positive cell rate,SOD activity,and CyclinD1 protein expression in OA-L group,OA-M group and OA-H group increased,while apoptosis rate,MDA content,IL-6,TNF-α levels,Bax,SDF-1 and CXCR4 protein expressions reduced,the change trends of corre-sponding indicators in Rr-SDF-1 group was opposite to the above(P<0.05);compared with OA-H group,A450 value,EdU positive cell rate,SOD activity,and CyclinD1 protein expression in OA-H+Rr-SDF-1 group decreased,while apoptosis rate,MDA content,IL-6,TNF-α levels,Bax,SDF-1 and CXCR4 protein expressions increased(P<0.05).Conclusion:OA may alleviate LPS induced inflam-matory damage to pancreatic acinar cells in rats by inhibiting the SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway.

Non-suicidal self-injury(NSSI)refers to a mental disorder characterized by deliberate self-harm behaviors without suicidal intent.The pathogenesis of NSSI remains unclear,but may be related to abnormalities in reward circuitry,pain processing,emotion regulation,impulse control and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.Task state functional MRI(fMRI)provides valuable insights into the intrinsic connections and neural circuits mechanisms underlying NSSI during various task states or behaviors.Research progresses of task state fMRI in pathogenesis of NSSI were reviewed in this article.

Objective:To investigate the effect of oleanolic acid(OA)on inflammatory injury of pancreatic acinar cells in-duced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)by regulating stromal cell-derived factor-1(SDF-1)/CXC chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4)signal axis.Methods:Rat pancreatic acinar cells AR42J were treated with 5,10,20 and 40 μmol/L OA,and the cell viability was detected using CCK-8 method to determine the optimal dosage for subsequent experimental OA treatment;AR42J cells were randomly divided into control group(NC),LPS group(10 mg/L LPS),OA low-dose group(OA-L group,10 mg/L LPS+5 μmol/L OA),OA medium dose group(OA-M group,10 mg/L LPS+10 μmol/L OA),OA high-dose group(OA-H group,10 mg/L LPS+20 μmol/L OA),Rr-SDF-1 activator(SDF-1)group(10 mg/L LPS+20 ng/ml Rr-SDF-1)and OA-H+Rr-SDF-1 group(10 mg/L LPS+20 μmol/L OA+20 ng/ml Rr-SDF-1).CCK-8 method and EdU staining were applied to detect proliferation of AR42J cells;flow cytometry was applied to detect apoptosis of AR42J cells;activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and content of malondialdehyde(MDA)in cell supernatant were detected by spectrophotometry;ELISA was applied to detect levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in cell supernatant;Western blot was applied to detect expressions of CyclinD1,Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax),SDF-1 and CXCR4 proteins in cells.Results:5,10 and 20 μmol/L OA were selected as the low,medium and high doses for subsequent treatment of AR42J cells;compared with NC group,A450 value,EdU positive cell rate,SOD activity,and CyclinD1 protein expression in LPS group decreased,while apoptosis rate,MDA content,IL-6,TNF-α levels,Bax,SDF-1 and CXCR4 protein expressions increased(P<0.05);compared with LPS group,A450 value,EdU positive cell rate,SOD activity,and CyclinD1 protein expression in OA-L group,OA-M group and OA-H group increased,while apoptosis rate,MDA content,IL-6,TNF-α levels,Bax,SDF-1 and CXCR4 protein expressions reduced,the change trends of corre-sponding indicators in Rr-SDF-1 group was opposite to the above(P<0.05);compared with OA-H group,A450 value,EdU positive cell rate,SOD activity,and CyclinD1 protein expression in OA-H+Rr-SDF-1 group decreased,while apoptosis rate,MDA content,IL-6,TNF-α levels,Bax,SDF-1 and CXCR4 protein expressions increased(P<0.05).Conclusion:OA may alleviate LPS induced inflam-matory damage to pancreatic acinar cells in rats by inhibiting the SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway.

Schizophrenia(SZ)is a psychiatric disorder characterized by abnormalities in brain structures and function.Diffusion MRI,such as diffusion tensor imaging(DTI),diffusion kurtosis imaging(DKI),diffusion spectrum imaging(DSI),neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging(NODDI),as well as high angular resolution diffusion imaging(HARDI)can help reveal microstructural abnormalities of white matter in SZ patients.The research progresses of diffusion MRI for SZ were reviewed in this article.

The comparison between traditional Chinese medicine Jinzhen oral liquid (JZOL) and Western medicine in treating children with acute bronchitis (AB) showed encouraging outcomes. This trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of the JZOL for improving cough and expectoration in children with AB. 480 children were randomly assigned to take JZOL or ambroxol hydrochloride and clenbuterol hydrochloride oral solution for 7 days. The primary outcome was time-to-cough resolution. The median time-to-cough resolution in both groups was 5.0 days and the antitussive onset median time was only 1 day. This randomized controlled trial showed that JZOL was not inferior to cough suppressant and phlegm resolving western medicine in treating cough and sputum and could comprehensively treat respiratory and systemic discomfort symptoms. Combined with clinical trials, the mechanism of JZOL against AB was uncovered by network target analysis, it was found that the pathways in TRP channels like IL-1β/IL1R/TRPV1/TRPA1, NGF/TrkA/TRPV1/TRPA1, and PGE2/EP/PKA/TRPV1/TRPA1 might play important roles. Animal experiments further confirmed that inflammation and the immune regulatory effect of JZOL in the treatment of AB were of vital importance and TRP channels were the key mechanism of action.

Objective To investigate the trends of major thyroid function indices in Chinese adolescent females at different ages and the differences from adult reference intervals.Methods A total of 791 female students from 4 junior high schools were enrolled in the study by selecting one junior high school in each of the following locations:Minhang District of Shanghai,Haimen City of Jiangsu Province,Yuhuan City of Zhejiang Province,and Deqing County of Zhejiang Province from Oct to Nov 2017 and from Jan to Mar 2019.The subjects were subjected to physical examination as well as thyroid hormone levels;and the Pubertal Developmental Events Self-Assessment Scale(PDS)was used to evaluate the staging of pubertal development.Follow-ups were conducted after 2 years,with the same survey content.Thyroid function levels were assessed in 5 age groups between 11 to 15 years old,95%CI were calculated,and mixed linear models were used to analyze the effects of age and pubertal developmental stage on hormone levels.Results The reference intervals for thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH),free triiodothyronine(FT3)and free thyroxine(FT4)in adolescent females differed significantly from those of adults,with misclassification rates ranging from 2.98%to 5.17%.Statistically significant differences were found for age,pubertal development staging,and the interaction of age and pubertal staging after correcting for BMI,waist circumference(all P<0.05).TSH levels were more affected by age before the completion of pubertal development,the level of the 12-year-old group was higher than that of the 11-year-old group(P=0.001 2)and the 13-year-old group(P<0.000 1);FT3 levels showed greater variability with age during late pubertal stage,with levels significantly higher at 13 years of age than at 11 and 12 years of age(P<0.0001),and gradually decreasing after 13 years of age(P<0.000 1).In contrast,FT4 levels were generally less affected by age between 11 and 15 years of age,with levels slightly higher at 13-15 years of age than at 11-12 years of age(P<0.000 1).Conclusion The levels of TSH,FT3,and FT4,as indicators of thyroid function in adolescent females,differ significantly from those of adults,and are differently affected by age and the stages of pubertal development;further refinement of the reference intervals for age-and pubertal-development-specific thyroid indicators is necessary.