ObjectiveTo explore the possible action mechanism of Qingshi Anti-itch Ointment （青石止痒软膏， QAO） in the treatment of psoriasis. MethodsForty mice were randomly divided into four groups， blank group， model group， calcipotriol group and QAO group， with 10 mice in each group. Except for the blank group， psoriasis was induced by applying imiquimod cream to the dorsal skin. After modeling for 6 hours daily， the calcipotriol group and QAO group were treated with 0.5 g of calcipotriol ointment or 0.5 g of QAO， respectively， applied to the treated dorsal skin. The blank group and the model group received no treatment. The skin lesions were observed， and the psoriasis area and severity index （PASI） score was assessed every other day. After 7 days， Hematoxylin and Eosin （HE） staining was performed on dorsal skin tissue to observe pathological changes. The levels of interleukin 1β （IL-1β） and interleukin 18 （IL-18） were determined by enzym-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The protein levels of Caspase-1，Pro-Caspase-1， gasdermin D （GSDMD） and gasdermin-D-N （GSDMD-N） were detected by Western Blot （WB）. The protein levels of GSDMD were observed by immunohistochemistry. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group mice showed redness， erythema， and white scales on their skin， with histological observations indicating epidermal thickening， elongated spines， and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The PASI scores of the skin tissue on days 1， 3， 5， and 7 were elevated； the IOD and AOD values of GSDMD protein increased； the protein levels of Caspase-1， Pro-Caspase-1，GSDMD， GSDMD-N， and IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly elevated （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， the QAO group and calcipotriol group showed lighter skin lesions； the PASI scores on day 5 and day 7 in the QAO group， and on day 3， 5， and 7 in the calcipotriol group， were reduced； the IOD and AOD values of GSDMD protein， and the protein level of Caspase-1， GSDMD， and GSDMD-N， as well as level of IL-18 and IL-1β decreased in both groups； in the calcipotriol group， Pro-Caspase-1 protein level also decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the calcipotriol group， the QAO group showed slightly redder skin， more obvious thickening of the stratum corneum， and less capillary dilation； the PASI scores on day 3 and day 7 increased， while the score on day 5 was reduced； the protein level of Pro-Caspase-1， GSDMD， GSDMD-N， and the level of IL-18 and IL-1β were increased in the QAO group （P＜0.05）. ConclusionQAO can effectively relieve psoriasis dermatitis in mice. Its potential mechanism may be related to the regulation of the Caspase-1/GSDMD protein pathway， down-regulation of IL-18 and IL-1β levels， and alleviation of pyroptosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Dingzhi Xiaowan （DZXW） in post-stroke cognitive impairment （PSCI） model mice. MethodsThe cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model of mice was established by using the middle cerebral artery occlusion method. Forty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into the sham operation group， model group， low-dose DZXW group （1.43 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose DZXW group （2.56 g·kg^-1）， with 10 mice in each group. Both the sham operation group and the model group were treated with equal amounts of normal saline by gavage， and the above four groups of mice were gavaged once a day for 30 consecutive days. Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the learning memory ability of mice. Serum levels of amyloid precursor protein （APP）， amyloid 42 （Aβ₄₂）， acetylcholinesterase （AChE）， and superoxide dismutase （SOD） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Deoxyribonucleotide end transferase-mediated nick end labelling （TUNEL） assay was applied to detect the degree of apoptosis in the mouse's hippocampal neurons. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of phosphoinositol-3 kinase （PI3K）， protein kinase B （Akt）， mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）， hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha （HIF-1α）， B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2） homologous structural domain protein （Beclin1）， sequestosome 1 （p62）， microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 （LC3）， Bcl-2， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） in hippocampal tissue. Prussian blue staining was used to detect iron deposition in hippocampal tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was taken to observe the ultrastructure of the mouse's hippocampal neurons. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group， the latency， APP， Aβ₄₂， AChE， TUNEL positivity， ferric ion deposition， HIF-1α， Beclin1， Bax， and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ were significantly increased in the model group （P<0.01）， while the number of crossing platforms， SOD， p-PI3K， p-Akt， p-mTOR， p62， and Bcl-2 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the latency， APP， Aβ₄₂， AChE， TUNEL positivity rate， ferric ion deposition， HIF-1α， Beclin1， Bax， and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ were significantly reduced in the DZXW groups （P<0.05）， while the number of crossing platforms， SOD， p-PI3K， p-Akt， p-mTOR， p62， and Bcl-2 were significantly higher （P<0.05）. ConclusionDZXW can alleviate cognitive impairment induced by oxidative stress-aggravated hippocampal neuronal damage in PSCI model mice by modulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR/HIF-1α autophagy signalling pathway.

[Objective] To investigate the molecular prevalence and genotype of human parvovirus B19(B19) among blood donors in Lanzhou, and provide data support for monitoring the positive rate of B19 DNA in local blood donors. [Methods] A total of 7 644 blood donor samples collected from January to September 2022 were randomly screened using real-time fluorescent PCR, resulting in 23 samples testing positive for B19 DNA. The characteristics of the B19 DNA reactive donors including gender, age, blood donation recruitment and promotion mode, and donation frequency were analyzed using SPSS 22.0. Additionally, the VP1 gene fragment of B19 DNA reactive samples was sequenced and an evolutionary tree was constructed by the N-J method. [Results] The results showed that the positive rate of B19 DNA in Lanzhou was 0.30%, and the positive population mainly consisted of female individuals aged 18-30 years old who were first-time blood donors; furthermore, genotype 1a was identified as predominant. [Conclusion] The positive rate of B19 DNA is low among blood donors in Lanzhou, with genotype 1a being predominant. It is recommended to periodically monitor the B19 prevalence in blood donors and enhance prevention and control measures, thus improving blood quality and safety.

Xiaoji Yinzi is one of the classic prescriptions for treating urinary diseases， originated from the Yan's Prescriptions to Aid the Living （Yan Shi Ji Sheng Fang） written by YAN Yonghe in the Song dynasty. Xiaoji Yinzi is composed of Rehmanniae Radix， Cirsii Herba， Talcum， Akebiae Caulis， Typhae Pollen， Nelumbinis Rhizomatis Nodus， Lophatheri Herba， Angelicae Sinensis Radix， Gardeniae Fructus， and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and has the effects of cooling blood and stopping bleeding， draining water and relieving stranguria. The medical experts of later generations have inherited the original prescription recorded in the Yan's Prescriptions to Aid the Living， while dispute has emerged during the inheritance of this prescription. In this study， the method of bibliometrics was employed to review and analyze the ancient documents and modern clinical studies involving Xiaoji Yinzi. The results showed that Xiaoji Yinzi has two dosage forms： powder and decoction. According to the measurement system in the Song Dynasty， the modern doses of hers in Xiaoji Yinzi were transformed. In the prepration of Xiaoji Yinzi powder， 149.2 g of Rehmanniae Radix and 20.65 g each of Cirsii Herba， Talcum， Akebiae Caulis， stir-fried Typhae Pollen， Nelumbinis Rhizomatis Nodus， Lophatheri Herba， wine-processed Angelicae Sinensis Radix， stir-fried Gardeniae Fructus， and stir-fried Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma are grounded into fine powder with the particle size of 4-10 meshes and a decocted with 450 mL water to reach a volume of 240 mL. After removal of the residue， the decoction was taken warm before meals， 3 times a day （i.e.， 7.77 g Rehmanniae Radix and 0.97 g each of the other herbs each time）. In the preparation of Xiaoji Yinzi decoction， 20.65 g each of the above 10 herbs are used， with stir-fried Typhae Pollen， wine-processed Angelica Sinensis Radix， stir-fired Gardeniae Fructus， stir-fired Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， and raw materials of other herbs. Xiaoji Yinzi is specialized in treating hematuresis and blood stranguria due to heat accumulation in lower energizer， which causes injury of the blood collaterals of gallbladder and dysfunction of Qi transformation. In modern clinical practice， Xiaoji Yinzi is specifically used for treating urinary diseases and can be expanded to treat diseases of the cardiovascular system and other systems according to pathogenesis. The comprehensive research on the key information could provide a scientific reference for the future development of Xiaoji Yinzi.

ObjectiveTo observe the prevention and control effect of processed Polygonatum cyrtonema on depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS） in female rats. MethodsForty rats were assigned into control， model， and low-， medium-， and high-dose processed P. cyrtonema groups according to the random number table method， with 8 rats in each group. The rat model of depression was established with the CUMS method. The body mass， open field test， forced swimming test， Morris water maze test， levels of neurotransmitters ［dopamine （DA）， 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-TH）， and acetylcholine （ACh）］， serum levels of sex hormones ［gonadotropin-releasing hormone（GnRH）， testosterone （T）， and estradiol （E₂）］ and inflammatory factors ［tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin （IL）-6， and IL-10］， and mRNA and protein levels of factors in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）/tyrosine kinase receptor B （TRKB）/cAMP-response element binding protein （CREB） pathway were employed to evaluate the effect of processed P. cyrtonema on the CUMS-induced depression in female rats. ResultsThe body mass， open field test results， and forced swimming test results showed that the rat model of depression was successfully established. The comparison of behaviors， neurotransmitters， sex hormones， inflammatory factors， and neural pathways among groups showed that processed P. cyrtonema had different effects of preventing the development of depression in female rats. SPSS 25 was used for statistical analysis of error and significance. T test was conducted between groups. Each treatment group showed significant therapeutic effect compared with the model group （P<0.05）. Processed P. cyrtonema elevated the level of 5-TH （P<0.01） and lowered the levels of DA and ACh （P<0.01） in the brain tissue of female rats. In addition， it reduced the serum levels of GnRH， T， E₂， TNF-α， and IL-6 （P<0.05） and up-regulated the mRNA levels of BDNF and TRKB in the rat brain. ConclusionProcessed P. cyrtonema has a non-hyperactive preventive effect on CUMS-induced depression in rats， which provides a theoretical basis for the development of processed P. cyrtonema as a functional food product.

BackgroundPatients with depressive disorder often exhibit impaired decision-making functions. However， the relationship between decision-making abilities and depressive and anxiety symptoms in these patients remains unclear. ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics of decision-making behavior in patients with depressive disorder， and to analyze its relationship with clinical symptoms. MethodsA total of 48 patients diagnosed with depressive disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders， fourth edition （DSM-IV） were recruited from the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine of the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from October 2020 to May 2023. Concurrently， 52 healthy individuals matched for age and gender were recruited from Luzhou as the control group. Beck Depression Inventory （BDI） and Beck Anxiety Inventory （BAI） were used for assessment， and decision-making behavior was evaluated using Probabilistic Reversal Learning （PRL） task. Indicators assessed included the number of trials to criterion， perseverative errors， win-stay rate and lose-shift rate. Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between BDI and BAI scores and PRL task indicators. ResultsThe depression group showed a significantly higher lose-shift rate compared with the control group （t=3.684， P<0.01）. There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in trials to criterion， perseverative errors and win-stay rate （t=0.329， 0.132， 0.609， P>0.05）. In depression group， BDI and BAI scores were positively correlated with the win-stay rate（r=0.450， 0.398， P<0.01）. ConclusionPatients with depressive disorder are more likely to change their decision-making strategies following negative outcomes. Furthermore， the severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms is associated with a greater propensity to maintain existing decisions after receiving positive feedback. ［Funded by 2019 Joint Project of Luzhou Science and Technology Bureau-Southwest Medical University （number， 2019LZXNYDJ39］

ObjectiveTo observe the prevention and control effect of processed Polygonatum cyrtonema on depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS） in female rats. MethodsForty rats were assigned into control， model， and low-， medium-， and high-dose processed P. cyrtonema groups according to the random number table method， with 8 rats in each group. The rat model of depression was established with the CUMS method. The body mass， open field test， forced swimming test， Morris water maze test， levels of neurotransmitters ［dopamine （DA）， 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-TH）， and acetylcholine （ACh）］， serum levels of sex hormones ［gonadotropin-releasing hormone（GnRH）， testosterone （T）， and estradiol （E₂）］ and inflammatory factors ［tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin （IL）-6， and IL-10］， and mRNA and protein levels of factors in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）/tyrosine kinase receptor B （TRKB）/cAMP-response element binding protein （CREB） pathway were employed to evaluate the effect of processed P. cyrtonema on the CUMS-induced depression in female rats. ResultsThe body mass， open field test results， and forced swimming test results showed that the rat model of depression was successfully established. The comparison of behaviors， neurotransmitters， sex hormones， inflammatory factors， and neural pathways among groups showed that processed P. cyrtonema had different effects of preventing the development of depression in female rats. SPSS 25 was used for statistical analysis of error and significance. T test was conducted between groups. Each treatment group showed significant therapeutic effect compared with the model group （P<0.05）. Processed P. cyrtonema elevated the level of 5-TH （P<0.01） and lowered the levels of DA and ACh （P<0.01） in the brain tissue of female rats. In addition， it reduced the serum levels of GnRH， T， E₂， TNF-α， and IL-6 （P<0.05） and up-regulated the mRNA levels of BDNF and TRKB in the rat brain. ConclusionProcessed P. cyrtonema has a non-hyperactive preventive effect on CUMS-induced depression in rats， which provides a theoretical basis for the development of processed P. cyrtonema as a functional food product.

BACKGROUND:U937 cells can be used as a cell model for studying the biological characteristics,signaling pathways,and therapeutic targets of acute myeloid leukemia.Although it has been reported that long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 is highly expressed in acute myeloid leukemia,its biological function in U937 cells remains unclear,and its mechanism of action in the occurrence and development of acute myeloid leukemia needs to be further clarified. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the expression level of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 in peripheral blood of patients with acute myeloid leukemia and its effect on the proliferation and apoptosis of U937 cells. METHODS:RNA-sequencing was used to analyze the bone marrow monocyte samples from acute myeloid leukemia patients,and the differentially expressed gene long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 was screened.The expression of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 in peripheral blood of patients with acute myeloid leukemia was detected by qRT-PCR.The relationship between long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 mRNA expression and prognosis in bone marrow cells of 173 acute myeloid leukemia patients and 70 healthy people was statistically analyzed by GEPIA database.Subsequently,recombinant lentivirus technology and CRISPR/Cas9-SAM technology were used to construct U937 cell lines with knockdown/overexpression of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125.qRT-PCR was used to detect the knockdown/overexpression efficiency of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125.Next,CCK-8 assay,flow cytometry,and western blot assay were used to detect the effects of knockdown/overexpression of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 on the proliferation and apoptosis of U937 cells.Finally,western blot assay was used to detect the effect of knockdown/overexpressed long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 on Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related proteins. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of qRT-PCR showed that long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 was highly expressed in peripheral blood of acute myeloid leukemia patients.The results of GEPIA database showed that long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 was highly expressed in bone marrow cells of acute myeloid leukemia patients,and the high expression group had worse overall survival.(2)The knockdown efficiency of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 in knockdown group was 70%,and the U937 cells that stably down-regulated long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 expression were successfully constructed.The expression of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 in overexpression group was four times that of vector group,and stable U937 cells were successfully constructed.(3)Knockdown of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 inhibited the proliferation of U937 cells and promoted their apoptosis.Overexpression of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 promoted the proliferation of U937 cells but had no significant effect on the apoptosis of U937 cells.(4)Knockdown of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 inhibited the activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,while overexpression of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.These results confirm that long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 is highly expressed in acute myeloid leukemia peripheral blood.Long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 may affect the proliferation and apoptosis of U937 cells by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,and may be a potential prognostic marker for acute myeloid leukemia.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of ertugliflozin on pharmacokinetic of sorafenib and donafenib in rats and explore the mechanism. METHODS Twenty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups， with 6 rats in each group. Groups A and B were respectively gavaged with 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution and ertugliflozin （1.5 mg/kg） for 7 consecutive days， and both were given sorafenib （100 mg/kg） on the 7th day. Groups C and D were administered intragastrically in the same way as those in Groups A and B， respectively， for the first 7 days； after the drug administration on the 7th day， all rats in Groups C and D were further gavaged with donafenib （40 mg/kg）. Blood samples were collected at different time points before and after administration of sorafenib or donafenib， the concentrations of sorafenib in plasma of rats in groups A and B and donafenib in groups C and D were determined by UPLC-MS/MS method. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by DAS 2.1.1 software. Six additional rats were randomly divided into blank control group and ertugliflozin group， with three rats in each group. Blank control group was given 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose intragastrically， while rats in ertugliflozin group were given ertugliflozin （1.5 mg/kg） once a day for 7 consecutive days. After the last administration， the mRNA expression levels of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase 1A7 （UGT1A7）， breast cancer resistance protein （BCRP）， and P-glycoprotein （P-gp） in the liver and small intestine tissues of the rats were detected. RESULTS Compared with group A， the AUC0-t， AUC0-∞， cmax， tmax， MRT0-t and MRT0-∞ of sorafenib in group B were decreased significantly， while CL and V were increased significantly. Compared with group C， the AUC0-t， AUC0-∞ ， tmax， cmax and MRT0-t of Δ donafenib in group D were decreased significantly， while V and CL were increased significantly （P＜0.05）. mRNA expression of UGT1A7， P-gp and BCRP in the liver tissue and small intestine of rats were not significantly affected after intragastric administration of ertugliflozin for 7 consecutive days. CONCLUSIONS Ertugliflozin can affect the pharmacokinetics of sorafenib and donafenib in rats and decrease the plasma exposure of them significantly. However， its mechanism of action may not be through the regulation of related metabolic enzymes and transporters. When using drugs in combination clinically， one should be vigilant about the potential for disease progression due to poor therapeutic effects.

ObjectiveIn the realm of forensic science, dust is a valuable type of trace evidence with immense potential for intricate investigations. With the development of DNA sequencing technologies, there is a heightened interest among researchers in unraveling the complex tapestry of microbial communities found within dust samples. Furthermore, striking disparities in the microbial community composition have been noted among dust samples from diverse geographical regions, heralding new possibilities for geographical inference based on microbial DNA analysis. The pivotal role of microbial community data from dust in geographical inference is significant, underscoring its critical importance within the field of forensic science. This study aims to delve deeply into the nuances of fungal community composition across the urban landscapes of Beijing, Fuzhou, Kunming, and Urumqi in China. It evaluates the accuracy of biogeographic inference facilitated by the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) fungal sequencing while concurrently laying a robust foundation for the operational integration of environmental DNA into geographical inference mechanisms. MethodsITS2 region of the fungal genomes was amplified using universal primers known as 5.8S-Fun/ITS4-Fun, and the resulting DNA fragments were sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq FGx platform. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis (NMDS) was employed to visually represent the differences between samples, while analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) and permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) were utilized to statistically evaluate the dissimilarities in community composition across samples. Furthermore, using Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) analysis to identify and filter out species that exhibit significant differences between various cities. In addition, we leveraged SourceTracker to predict the geographic origins of the dust samples. ResultsAmong the four cities of Beijing, Fuzhou, Kunming and Urumqi, Beijing has the highest species richness. The results of species annotation showed that there were significant differences in the species composition and relative abundance of fungal communities in the four cities. NMDS analysis revealed distinct clustering patterns of samples based on their biogeographic origins in multidimensional space. Samples from the same city exhibited clear clustering, while samples from different cities showed separation along the first axis. The results from ANOSIM and PERMANOVA confirmed the significant differences in fungal community composition between the four cities, with the most pronounced distinctions observed between Fuzhou and Urumqi. Notably, the biogeographic origins of all known dust samples were successfully predicted. ConclusionSignificant differences are observed in the fungal species composition and relative abundance among the cities of Beijing, Fuzhou, Kunming, and Urumqi. Employing fungal ITS2 sequencing on dust samples from these urban areas enables accurate inference of biogeographical locations. The high feasibility of utilizing fungal community data in dust for biogeographical inferences holds particular promise in the field of forensic science.