1.Pseudolaric Acid B-linked Double-network Hydrogel Alleviates Pruritus by Inhibiting The Growth of Staphylococcus aureus
Ye YOU ; Yan YANG ; Tong-Yu LI ; Cheng-Long CAI ; Ting WANG ; Chan ZHU ; Zong-Xiang TANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1734-1745
ObjectiveThis study aimed to elucidate the mechanistic role of Staphylococcus aureus in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by pruritus and barrier dysfunction. A key focus was screening traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) active components with dual antibacterial and antipruritic efficacy, followed by systematic evaluation of their in vitro antibacterial activity. Additionally, a novel drug delivery system was constructed to enable localized efficient drug delivery, inhibiting S. aureus proliferation and alleviating its induced pruritus, thereby providing new strategies for targeted AD therapy. MethodsMale C57BL/6J mice aged 6-8 weeks (body weight 18-22 g) were used to establish an AD model via repeated oxazolone sensitization. On day 14, microbial samples were collected from the lesional area (1 cm²) using sterile cotton swabs, followed by vortex mixing, serial dilution, and plating on 5% sheep blood agar plates (incubated at 37°C for 24 h). Single colonies with complete transparent β-hemolytic zones were isolated and identified as vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) via 16S rRNA sequencing. An S. aureus mono-infection animal model was then established by applying gauze saturated with bacterial suspension (McFarland turbidity 0.1) to the nape and back skin of mice. The pruritic phenotype and inflammatory cell infiltration induced by S. aureus were evaluated using comprehensive approaches including behavioral assays (e.g., scratching frequency recording), hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and toluidine blue staining. The in vitro antibacterial efficacy of the TCM monomer pseudolaric acid B (PAB) and double network hydrogel (DN) was separately assessed by disk diffusion assay, while the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of PAB was determined via broth dilution method. Further validation of the pharmacodynamic characteristics of the composite system (PAB@DN, composed of PAB and DN) was conducted through behavioral assays, HE staining, and dermatitis scoring, with its drug release profile evaluated by mass spectrometry analysis. Based on scratching behavioral analysis and dermatitis scoring, the optimal ratio and concentration of PAB@DN were optimized. ResultsThe S. aureus load in AD lesional tissues was significantly higher than in normal skin ((5.3±0.33)×10⁶ CFU vs. (3.6±0.26)×10⁷ CFU, P<0.001). In the S. aureus mono-infection group, mice exhibited a 6.7-fold increase in scratching frequency compared to the control group. HE staining revealed marked epidermal thickening ((10.4±2.39) μm vs. (85.6±1.95) μm, P<0.000 1), and toluidine blue staining showed a 23-fold increase in mast cell degranulation. Pseudolaric acid B exhibited a significant concentration-dependent inhibitory effect onS. aureus growth, with its in vitro antibacterial effect being 57% that of the antibiotic cefepime (inhibition zone diameter: PAB (1.885±0.036) cm vs. cefepime (3.636±0.005) cm, P<0.000 1) and a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1 g/L. The carrier double network hydrogel (DN) itself lacked direct antibacterial activity (no significant difference in inhibition zone diameter compared to the control) but effectively ameliorated the dry symptoms of AD-like lesions. The PAB@DN composite system demonstrated a synergistic effect compared to individual components, resulting in a 50% reduction in scratching behavior, an 86% decrease in dermatitis score, and a 60% reduction in epidermal thickening. It also reduced the S. aureus load in mouse skin by approximately 34%, with the optimal effective formulation being PAB at 1 g/L loaded onto DN. ConclusionS. aureus colonization plays a critical driving role in the onset and progression of AD. Using an S. aureus infection model, this study confirmed that the pseudolaric acidB-hydrogel composite delivery system (PAB@DN) can effectively alleviate S. aureus-induced pruritus and skin damage, providing experimental evidence for microbiota-targeted therapy of AD.
2.Seasonal variation of adult mosquitoes in Yantai, Shandong Province, China: a study based on the circular distribution method
Chun-hui LI ; Cheng-juan LIU ; Ting WANG ; Xiao-ge ZHOU ; Pei-Jun GUO
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(2):108-113
Objective This study aimed to investigate the seasonal variation of mosquitoes in Yantai, Shandong Province, and provide a scientific basis for mosquito and mosquito-borne disease control. Methods From March to November for each of the years between 2020 and 2023, adult mosquitoes were collected from different habitats, including parks, hospitals, urban residential areas, rural households and livestock sheds, in 13 counties of Yantai City using a mosquito trap lamp method, among which, female mosquitoes were separated and identified, and the numbers were counted. We used the circular distribution method to analyze the temporal distribution characteristics of mosquito density. Results The γ values obtained for mosquitoes in Yantai from 2020 to 2023, the distribution of mosquitoes in different habitats, and dominant mosquito species in different months showed strong seasonality, with values ranging from 0.7461 to 0.8531(P < 0.05). The peak period of seasonal variation in mosquitoes occurred from June 28thto September 13th, with August 5thbeing identified as the peak day. The peak periods of seasonal variation in mosquitoes in residential areas, parks, hospitals, peasant households, and animals sheds were observed from June 24thto September 14th, June 25thto September 10th, June 22ndto September 12th, July 1stto September 9th, and July 2ndto September 17th, respectively, with corresponding peak days on August 4th,3rd, 2nd, 5th, and 9th, respectively. The peak periods of Culex pipiens pallens, Aedes albopictus, and Anopheles sinensis were from June 26thto September 11th, June 28thto September 17th, and July 12thto September 17th, respectively, with corresponding peak days on August 3rd,7th, and 14th, respectively. Conclusions Our findings in this study revealed that the peak of mosquito activity in Yantai was concentrated in early August, with a peak period extending from June 28thto September 13th, and there were differences between different habitats(with peak periods for rural households and livestock sheds occurring later than those in residential areas, parks, and hospitals). Moreover, with respect to the mosquito species, populations of Cx. pipiens pallens and Ae. albopictus peaked earlier than those of An. sinensis. Based on these findings, we recommend that city-wide mosquito control work should commence in late June, and include appropriate early prevention and control measures for key habitats, such as livestock sheds, and dominant mosquito species, such as Cx. pipiens pallens, to minimize the density of mosquito vectors and the risk of disease transmission.
3.The first record of Anopheles messeae (Diptera: Culicidae) parasitized by water mites in China
Xue-ru CHEN ; Wen-zhen YAO ; Yu-hao LI ; Gui-chang LI ; Tao MENG ; Qun-ling FENG ; Xin-hui LIU ; Li-hong QIAO ; Xiang-ting WU ; Xue-feng ZHANG ; Cheng-lin LI ; Xue-cheng DONG ; Da-wei WANG ; Xiao-yan SI ; Yu-hong GUO
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(1):53-57
Objective This study reports on the obligatory parasitism of water mites Arrenurus sp. on Anopheles messeae at the Manzhouli Port, Inner Mongolia, China. Methods Duing July 2024, a survey on the mosquito diversity was conducted at the Manzhouli Port. Captured mosquitoes and their ectoparasites were identified to species level. Results A total of 1840 adult mosquitoes were collected, representing species from three genera: Culex(Cx. modestus, Cx. pipiens pallens), Aedes(Ae. dorsalis, Ae. flavidorsalis, Ae. flavescens), and Anopheles (An. messeae). Among all the mosqutioes specimens,3 out of 150 captured An. messeae were found to carry ectoparasitic mites, with number of 2,4,27 mites separately. Morphological and molecular identification reached the same result as water mites(Hydrachnidiae, Hydracrina). COI gene sequence showed 94% similarity with the closest species Arrenurus truncatellus. Conlusions Literature review suggests water mites are host-specific parasitism of mosquito species and herein with the first record of Arrenurus sp. parasiting on An. Messeae in the most high-latitude region globally.
4.Development of a new paradigm for precision diagnosis and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine
Jingnian NI ; Mingqing WEI ; Ting LI ; Jing SHI ; Wei XIAO ; Jing CHENG ; Bin CONG ; Boli ZHANG ; Jinzhou TIAN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(1):43-47
The development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnosis and treatment has undergone multiple paradigms, evolving from sporadic experiential practices to systematic approaches in syndrome differentiation and treatment and further integration of disease and syndrome frameworks. TCM is a vital component of the medical system, valued alongside Western medicine. Treatment based on syndrome differentiation embodies both personalized treatment and holistic approaches; however, the inconsistency and lack of stability in syndrome differentiation limit clinical efficacy. The existing integration of diseases and syndromes primarily relies on patchwork and embedded systems, where the full advantages of synergy between Chinese and Western medicine are not fully realized. Recently, driven by the development of diagnosis and treatment concepts and advances in analytical technology, Western medicine has been rapidly transforming from a traditional biological model to a precision medicine model. TCM faces a similar need to progress beyond traditional syndrome differentiation and disease-syndrome integration toward a more precise diagnosis and treatment paradigm. Unlike the micro-level precision trend of Western medicine, precision diagnosis and treatment in TCM is primarily reflected in data-driven applications that incorporate information at various levels, including precise syndrome differentiation, medication, disease management, and efficacy evaluation. The current priority is to accelerate the development of TCM precision diagnosis and treatment technology platforms and advance discipline construction in this area.
5.Epidemiological and etiological characteristics of acute respiratory infections in Yangpu District,Shanghai
Ting XU ; Jia LI ; Liting WU ; Zien CHENG ; Aijuan JIANG ; Hongdan ZHAO ; Wenfang ZHUANG
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(6):733-737
Objective To analyze the epidemiological and pathogenic characteristics of acute respiratory in-fection in Yangpu District of Shanghai,and to provide scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of re-spiratory tract infection.Methods A total of 1 062 patients diagnosed with acute respiratory infection in the hospital from June 2023 to June 2024 were selected as the research objects.The nucleic acid of 13 pathogens in nasopharyngeal swabs of patients was detected and the positive rate was calculated.The positive rate of differ-ent age groups and seasons was analyzed.Results Among 1 062 patients,716 cases were detected positive,the total positive rate was 67.42%,of which 577 cases were single infection,the positive rate was 54.33%.The top five positive pathogens were Mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP,16.48%),human coronavirus(HCOV,9.42%),human rhinovirus(HRV,7.63%),human metapneumovirus(HMPV,5.46%)and parainfluenza vi-rus(HPIV,3.39%).A total of 139 cases were infected with multiple pathogens,with a positive rate of 13.09%.MP,HRV,and HCOV were the dominant pathogens,which were prone to multiple infections.A to-tal of 139 cases were infected with multiple pathogens,with a positive rate of 13.09%.MP,HRV,and HCOV were the dominant pathogens,which were prone to multiple infections.The total positive rate of respiratory pathogens in children was 86.38%,the positive rates of single infection and multiple infection were 65.12%and 21.26%,respectively,which were significantly higher than those in other age groups(P<0.05).Among the 577 children with single infection,MP and HRV were the main pathogens in children,MP and HCOV were the main pathogens in young and middle-aged patients,and HCOV and HRV were the main pathogens in the elderly patients.The total positive rate of pathogens was the highest in winter(69.88%),and the lowest in summer(49.54%).HRV had the highest positive rate in spring,HCOV had the highest positive rate in summer,MP had the highest positive rate in autumn,and influenza virus(including influenza A virus,influen-za A/H3N2 virus,influenza B virus)had the highest positive rate in winter(P<0.05).Conclusion MP,HCOV,HRV,HMPV and HPIV are the top five pathogens of acute respiratory tract infection in Yangpu dis-trict of Shanghai.The etiological characteristics were related to age and seasonality of patients.
6.Research progress on the roles and mechanisms of peripheral immune cells in Alzheimer's disease:focus on the gut microbiota
Ya-Ting CHEN ; Qing-Cheng CHEN ; Li HU ; Zhou LIU
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(10):1338-1346
Alzheimer's disease(AD)is a common neurodegenerative disease in the elderly.Increasing evidence shows that peripheral immune cells are involved in the occurrence and development of AD.Both gut microbiota dysbiosis and abnormalities of peripheral immune cells occur in the early stage of AD.The gut microbiota can influence the central nervous system through mechanisms such as the gut-brain axis and the regulatory effects on peripheral immune cells.AD treatment methods targeting the gut microbiota and immune cells have been receiving increasing attention.This review summarizes the regulatory effects and mechanisms of the gut microbiota on peripheral immune cells,as well as the research progress on the gut microbiota's roles in the occurrence and development of AD,aiming to provide new ideas for relevant research on the prevention,diagnosis,and treatment of AD.
7.CURRENT DISTRIBUTION OF AEDES AEGYPTI IN LEIZHOU PENINSULA,ZHANJIANG CITY,GUANGDONG PROVINCE
Rui-Peng LU ; Jin-Hua DUAN ; Yu-Wen ZHONG ; Hui DENG ; Jun WU ; Li-Ping LIU ; Wei-Xiong YIN ; Feng XING ; Hui HUANG ; Chang-Jie FU ; Zong-Jing CHEN ; Ming-Ji CHENG ; Sheng-Jun HU ; Ya-Ting CHEN ; Wen-Ting GUO ; Li-Feng LIN
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2025;32(1):16-21
Objective To investigate the status of population dynamics and distribution changes of Aedes aegypti in Guangdong Province.Methods Continuous monitoring was conducted from May 2018 to July 2024 in Wushi Town and Qishui Town,Leizhou City,Zhanjiang City,Guangdong Province.Additionally,a survey of the distribution of Ae.aegypti along the Leizhou Peninsula coast was carried out.Results The density of Ae.aegypti in Zhanjiang showed a gradual decline from 2018 to 2024.The last detection of adult Ae.aegypti in Wushi Town was in September 2021,and the last larva was found in October 2023.No Ae.aegypti was detected in Qishui Town during surveys from 2021 to 2024.A survey of 18 coastal villages in the Leizhou Peninsula revealed no detections of Ae.aegypti.Conclusions This study provides a basis for understanding the distribution and population density fluctuations of Ae.aegypti,assessing its invasion risk,and scientifically conducting relevant prevention and control efforts.
8.Trends of Brain Tumor Incidence and Onset Age in Can-cer Registration Areas of Jiangsu Province from 2009 to 2019
De LIU ; Pan ZHANG ; Cheng QIAO ; Ting LI ; Peipei CHEN ; Zongmei DONG ; Jinyi ZHOU ; Ran TAO ; Weigang MIAO ; Renqiang HAN
China Cancer 2025;34(2):116-124
[Purpose]To analyze the trends of brain tumor incidence and age of onset in cancer registration areas of Jiangsu Province from 2009 to 2019.[Methods]The incidence data of brain tumors from 2009 to 2019 were obtained from 16 national cancer registration areas of Jiangsu Province.The crude incidence rate,age-standardized incidence rate by Chinese standard popula-tion(ASIRC),average age of onset,standardized age-specific incidence rate,and annual average percentage change(AAPC)by sexes and regions were calculated.[Results]The incidence rate of brain tumor in Jiangsu Province from 2009 to 2019 showed an increasing trend(AAPC=4.12%,95%CI:3.31%~4.95%),and the increase in female(AAPC=5.79%,95%CI:4.44%~7.15%)was higher than that in male(AAPC=2.31%,95%CI:1.66%~2.97%);and the increase in urban areas(AAPC=4.84%,95%CI:3.52%~6.18%)was higher than that in rural areas(AAPC=3.04%,95%CI:2.12%~3.98%).The ASIRC also showed an increasing trend(AAPC=2.14%,95%CI:1.27%~3.02%).Birth cohort analysis showed that within the same age group,the incidence rate of brain tumors increased with increasing birth years.The average age of onset for crude incidence showed a delaying trend of 0.43 years old per year(t=7.09,P<0.001);that for ASIRC was 0.20 years old per year(t=3.33,P=0.009).The proportion of patients in the age group of 60 years old and above increased from 35.79%in 2009 to 44.18%in 2019.[Conclusion]The incidence of brain tumor in cancer registration areas of Jiangsu Province showed an increasing trend from 2009 to 2019 with a delaying trend of average age of onset.
9.Clinicopathological features of early gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma
Wang GENGFANG ; Li TING ; He CHONGFANG ; Zhuang SHAOHUA ; Chen YINGTING ; Cheng YUQING
Chinese Journal of Clinical Oncology 2025;52(11):557-564
Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with early gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma(EGCLS).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 27 consecutive patients with EGCLS who underwent radical surgery at The Second People's Hospital of Changzhou between January 2007 and December 2023.Sixty-nine cases of conventional early gastric carcinoma with matched T stages were randomly selected as controls.Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expression of P53,mismatch repair(MMR)proteins,programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1),E-cadherin,and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)in the study cohort.FISH analysis was conducted on HER2 2+cases,and in situ hybridization was used to detect Epstein-Barr virus(EBV).Res-ults:No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of patient sex,age,tumor location,size,ulceration,lymph-ovascular or perineural invasion,tumor budding grade,P53 expression,or MMR protein deficiency.The EGCLS group showed significantly higher proportions of SM2 invasion(88.9%),poor tumor differentiation(70.4%),pushing tumor border(48.1%),PD-L1 positivity(59.3%),Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA(EBER)positivity(55.6%),and abnormal E-cadherin expression(48.1%)compared to the control group(59.4%,46.4%,18.8%,24.6%,1.4%,and 23.2%,respectively;P<0.05).The frequency of lymph node metastasis(7.4%)and the pro-portion of elevated macroscopic type(14.8%)in the EGCLS group were significantly lower than in the control group(30.4%and 40.6%,re-spectively;P<0.05).Lymphovascular invasion,tumor budding grade,and non-EGCLS status were identified as risk factors for lymph node metastasis,with lymphovascular invasion being the only independent risk factor.Conclusions:EGCLS is a rare subtype of early gastric car-cinoma characterized by a low frequency of lymph node metastasis and a high proportion of EBER positivity or MMR protein deficiency.En-doscopic resection or immunotherapy may be preferred treatment options for patients who are not suitable candidates for surgery.
10.Advancements in Exosomal Protein Detection Methods and Their Applications in Tumor Diagnosis
Hao-Cheng CHANG ; Ting-Hui WEN ; Hui-Xia DI ; Xiao-Chun LI
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(7):1037-1049
Early screening of tumors is crucial for prevention and treatment of cancer,thus identifying effective biomarkers is of great importance for early diagnosis of tumors.In recent years,tumor-secreted exosomes(Exos)have attracted widespread attention as a novel biomarker for tumor liquid biopsy.Especially,some specific proteins contained in Exos play important roles in the occurrence,development,metastasis and microenvironment regulation of tumors,indicating their enormous potential as potential diagnostic biomarkers for tumors.Compared to traditional biopsy sample testing,exosome-based protein detection methods exhibit significant advantages in liquid biopsy,including rapid sampling,easy operation,non-invasiveness,and feasibility for early detection,holding important application value for clinical diagnosis of tumors.This review aimed to comprehensively summarize and discuss various detection strategies for exosomal proteins in liquid biopsy for tumors,while comprehensively evaluating the analytical performance of these methods.Meanwhile,new perspectives and strategies for early diagnosis and treatment of tumors were discussed.Additionally,the unique advantages of exosomal proteins as a new generation of non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers and insights into their promising prospects for future clinical applications were emphasized.


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