Chronic urticaria (CU) is a persistent immune-mediated skin disease with an incompletely understood pathogenesis. As the largest micro-ecosystem in the human body, the gut microbiota participates in complex metabolic processes and produces a wide range of metabolites. The gut microbiota-metabolism axis plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of CU. Patients with CU commonly exhibit gut dysbiosis, characterized by a reduction in beneficial bacteria and an increase in opportunistic pathogens, accompanied by alterations in key metabolites. These changes may disrupt the intestinal barrier and modulate the function of immune cells such as mast cells and T cells, thereby triggering or aggravating distal cutaneous inflammation and contributing to CU pathophysiology. Certain bacterial taxa and metabolites hold promise as potential biomarkers for CU diagnosis, therapeutic response, and prognosis, while interventions targeting gut microbiota have demonstrated potential in ameliorating CU symptoms. Elucidating the characteristics and mechanistic roles of gut microbiota and metabolism in CU could provide a theoretical basis for developing novel individualized diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology* ; Chronic Urticaria/etiology* ; Dysbiosis/complications* ; Mast Cells

The focus of green analytical chemistry (GAC) is to minimize the negative impacts of analytical procedures on human safety, human health, and the environment. Several factors, such as the reagents used, sample collection, sample processing, instruments, energy consumed, and the quantities of hazardous materials and waste generated during analytical procedures, need to be considered in the evaluation of the greenness of analytical assays. In this study, we propose a greenness evaluation metric for analytical methods (GEMAM). The new greenness metric is simple, flexible, and comprehensive. The evaluation criteria are based on both the 12 principles of GAC (SIGNIFICANCE) and the 10 factors of sample preparation, and the results are presented on a 0-10 scale. The GEMAM calculation process is easy to perform, and its results are easy to interpret. The output of GEMAM is a pictogram that can provide both qualitative and quantitative information based on color and number.

Objective To observe the value of ultrashort echo time(UTE)-MRI for evaluating pulmonary nodules.Methods Totally 58 patients with pulmonary nodules detected with CT were prospectively enrolled,and UTE-MRI was performed.Taken CT as the referent standard,the value of UTE-MRI for evaluating the diameter,composition,lung imaging reporting and data system(Lung-RADS)type and radiographic signs of pulmonary nodules was analyzed.Results CT detected 66 pulmonary nodules with a diameter of(11.60±5.20)mm in 58 patients,including 29 solid nodules,24 partially solid nodules and 13 ground-glass nodules.There were 14 Lung-RADS type 2,12 type 3,12 type 4A,11 type 4B and 17 type 4X lung nodules,among which 12 were found with lobulated sign,and 14 were found with spiculated sign.UTE-MRI detected 63 nodules with a diameter of(11.34±4.82)mm,including 25 solid nodules,28 partially solid nodules and 10 ground-glass nodules.There were 12 Lung-RADS type 2,12 type 3,12 type 4A,11 type 4B and 16 type 4X lung nodules.Among which 10 nodules were found with lobulated sign and 11 were found with spiculated sign.No significant difference of the measured diameters of lung nodules was found between UTE-MRI and CT(P=0.803),and the results of UTE-MRI and CT had good correlation and consistency(rs=0.953,ICC=0.946),which also had good consistency for assessing nodule composition and Lung-RADS type(Kappa=0.871,0.960).Meanwhile,no significant difference of the display rates of lobulated nor spiculated signs was noticed between UTE-MRI and CT(both P＞0.05).Conclusion UTE-MRI was helpful for evaluating pulmonary nodules,with efficacy comparable to CT.

BACKGROUND:MXene nanoparticles,due to their unique hydrophilicity,biocompatibility,and antibacterial properties,are widely used in wound,tumor,nerve repair,and cardiovascular treatments.However,it is still unclear what effect MXene nanoparticles have on diabetic wound healing.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the in vitro antioxidant,anti-inflammatory and photothermal antibacterial properties of MXene nanoparticles Ti3C2Tx as well as their effect on wound repair in diabetic mice.METHODS:(1)In vitro experiments:The cytotoxicity of Ti3C2Tx nanoparticles on mouse fibroblasts(NIH-3T3)at various concentrations was evaluated using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)assay.NIH-3T3 cells were exposed to H2O2,and the MTT assay was used to detect the protective effects of different mass concentrations of Ti3C2Tx on NIH-3T3 cells.NIH-3T3 cells were exposed to H2O2,and the effect of Ti3C2Tx(20 μg/mL)on the generation of reactive oxygen species in NIH-3T3 cells was analyzed under illumination(or no illumination)treatment.RAW264.7 macrophages were divided into three groups:control group,lipopolysaccharide group,and lipopolysaccharide+Ti3C2Tx group.Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of specific genes(CD86,interleukin 6,CD206,arginase 1)in the cells.Escherichia coli(or Staphylococcus aureus)were divided into three groups:control group,Ti3C2Tx group,and Ti3C2Tx illumination group.The bacterial survival rate was calculated by plate colony counting method.(2)In vivo experiments:Streptozotocin was administered intraperitoneally to ICR mice to induce a diabetic condition.After successful modeling,a full-thickness skin defect wound was created on the back of the mice using a circular punch.The experiment was divided into three groups:control group(n=6),Ti3C2Tx group(n=6),and Ti3C2Tx illumination group(n=6).The wound healing was observed,and CD31 and CD206 immunohistochemical staining of wound tissue was performed on day 7 after intervention.Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining of wound tissue were performed on days 7 and 14 after intervention.Ti3C2Tx solution was injected subcutaneously into ICR mice.After illumination(or non-illumination)exposure,the toxic effects of Ti3C2Tx on mice were analyzed by blood biochemical detection.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In vitro experiments:Ti3C2Tx showed no cytotoxicity on NIH-3T3 cells at mass concentrations ranging from 5-160 μg/mL.It increased the survival rate of NIH-3T3 cells at a mass concentration of 20 μg/mL.Ti3C2Tx at 10-80 μg/mL significantly improved the survival rate of NIH-3T3 cells under H2O2 intervention.Ti3C2Tx significantly inhibited the generation of reactive oxygen species in NIH-3T3 cells under the intervention of H2O2,and illumination treatment further enhanced the effect of Ti3C2Tx on inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species.Ti3C2Tx effectively inhibited macrophage inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide and promoted the transformation of cells into M2 macrophages with anti-inflammatory properties.Both Ti3C2Tx and Ti3C2Tx illumination significantly inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus,and the inhibitory effect of Ti3C2Tx illumination was more significant.(2)In vivo experiments:Gross and histological analyses of the wound surface showed that both Ti3C2Tx and Ti3C2Tx illumination promoted wound healing in diabetic mice,and the promotion effect of Ti3C2Tx irradiation was more significant.Immunohistochemical staining results showed that both Ti3C2Tx and Ti3C2Tx illumination inhibited the inflammatory response in diabetic wounds and promoted angiogenesis,and the effect of Ti3C2Tx illumination was more significant.Blood biochemical test results showed that Ti3C2Tx and illumination had no obvious toxic effects on mice.(3)These results indicate that Ti3C2Tx nanoparticles efficiently promote the healing of skin wounds in a diabetic mouse model through antioxidation,anti-inflammation,and antibacterial actions via photothermal effects.

The focus of green analytical chemistry(GAC)is to minimize the negative impacts of analytical pro-cedures on human safety,human health,and the environment.Several factors,such as the reagents used,sample collection,sample processing,instruments,energy consumed,and the quantities of hazardous materials and waste generated during analytical procedures,need to be considered in the evaluation of the greenness of analytical assays.In this study,we propose a greenness evaluation metric for analytical methods(GEMAM).The new greenness metric is simple,flexible,and comprehensive.The evaluation criteria are based on both the 12 principles of GAC(SIGNIFICANCE)and the 10 factors of sample prep-aration,and the results are presented on a 0-10 scale.The GEMAM calculation process is easy to perform,and its results are easy to interpret.The output of GEMAM is a pictogram that can provide both qualitative and quantitative information based on color and number.

Objective:To investigate the effect of aucubin(AU)on mitochondrial autophagy in the hippocampus of ischemic stroke(IS)rats by regulating the pten-induced kinase protein 1(PINK1)/cytoplasmic E3-ubiquitin ligase(Parkin)signaling pathway.Methods:The IS rat model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO),and was randomly divided into IS group,low-dose AU group(AU-L),medium-dose AU group(AU-M),high-dose AU group(AU-H),and high-dose AU combined with 3-MA group(AU-H+3-MA).The rats without liga-tion were used as the Sham surgery group.Zea Longa score was used to evaluate the neurological function of rats.TTC staining was used to detect the percentage of cerebral infarction volume.The microstructures of mitochondria were observed by transmission electron microscopy,and the changes of autophagy protein-microtubule associated protein light chain 3B(LC3B)and p62 were detected by immunohistochemistry.Hippocampal apoptosis was detected by TUNEL.PINK1/Parkin-related protein expression in hippocampus was detected by Western blot.Results:Neurological function score of IS rats was increased(P＜0.05),cerebral infarction was observed by TTC staining,the expression of mito-chondrial autophagy protein p62 in hippocampus was up-regulated(P＜0.05),the expression of LC3B was down-regu-lated(P＜0.05),the number of autophagosomes was decreased(P＜0.05),and apoptosis in hippocampus was in-creased(P＜0.05),the expression of PINK1 and ARKIN protein in hippocampus was down-regulated(P＜0.05).After AU intervention,the neural function score of rats was decreased,the percentage of cerebral infarction volume was reduced,the positive expression of p62 in hippocampus was down-regulated(P＜0.05),the positive expression of LC3B was up-regulated(P＜0.05),and the number of autophagosomes was increased(P＜0.05),the apoptosis of hippocampus was decreased(P＜0.05),and the expression of PINK1 and ARKIN protein in hippocampus was in-creased(P＜0.05).3-MA blocked the therapeutic effect of AU and aggravated the nerve injury in rats.Conclusion:AU promotes hippocampal mitochondrial autophagy and improves neurological damage in IS rats by activating the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway.

Purpose To investigate the value of intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics features based on multi-parametric MRI for preoperative prediction of lymphovascular invasion(LVI)in clinical lymph node-negative(cN0)breast cancer.Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 280 patients with pathologically confirmed breast cancer who underwent preoperative MRI at Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2017 to May 2021.Patients were randomly divided into a training cohort and a testing cohort.After Z-score normalization,feature selection was performed using Select K Best and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression.Random forest algorithms were used to construct intratumoral,peritumoral,and combined intratumoral-peritumoral radiomics models for LVI prediction.Model performance and clinical utility were evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC),calibration curves and decision curve analysis.Results High Ki-67 expression(≥20%),axillary lymph node metastasis and positive diffusion weighted imaging(DWI)margin sign were more common in the LVI-positive group(χ2=5.959,18.316,20.554,all P<0.05).In the testing cohort,the AUC values of the dynamic contrast-enhanced(DCE)-Intra and DCE-Com models for predicting LVI status were higher than those of the DWI sequence,whereas the AUC value of the DWI-Peri model was higher than that of the DCE sequence.The DWI-DCE-Com model achieved AUCs of 0.836 and 0.818 in the training and testing cohorts,respectively,which surpassed the predictive performance of single-sequence intratumoral-peritumoral radiomics models(DWI-Com,DCE-Com).Decision curve analysis showed that the DWI-DCE-Com model provided greater net clinical benefit across a reasonable range of threshold probabilities.Conclusion Radiomics models based on multiparametric MRI features from intratumoral and peritumoral regions can effectively predict LVI status in cN0 breast cancer,offering valuable support for preoperative individualized treatment decision-making.

Purpose To investigate the value of intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics features based on multi-parametric MRI for preoperative prediction of lymphovascular invasion(LVI)in clinical lymph node-negative(cN0)breast cancer.Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 280 patients with pathologically confirmed breast cancer who underwent preoperative MRI at Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2017 to May 2021.Patients were randomly divided into a training cohort and a testing cohort.After Z-score normalization,feature selection was performed using Select K Best and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression.Random forest algorithms were used to construct intratumoral,peritumoral,and combined intratumoral-peritumoral radiomics models for LVI prediction.Model performance and clinical utility were evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC),calibration curves and decision curve analysis.Results High Ki-67 expression(≥20%),axillary lymph node metastasis and positive diffusion weighted imaging(DWI)margin sign were more common in the LVI-positive group(χ2=5.959,18.316,20.554,all P<0.05).In the testing cohort,the AUC values of the dynamic contrast-enhanced(DCE)-Intra and DCE-Com models for predicting LVI status were higher than those of the DWI sequence,whereas the AUC value of the DWI-Peri model was higher than that of the DCE sequence.The DWI-DCE-Com model achieved AUCs of 0.836 and 0.818 in the training and testing cohorts,respectively,which surpassed the predictive performance of single-sequence intratumoral-peritumoral radiomics models(DWI-Com,DCE-Com).Decision curve analysis showed that the DWI-DCE-Com model provided greater net clinical benefit across a reasonable range of threshold probabilities.Conclusion Radiomics models based on multiparametric MRI features from intratumoral and peritumoral regions can effectively predict LVI status in cN0 breast cancer,offering valuable support for preoperative individualized treatment decision-making.

Objective To observe the value of ultrashort echo time(UTE)-MRI for evaluating pulmonary nodules.Methods Totally 58 patients with pulmonary nodules detected with CT were prospectively enrolled,and UTE-MRI was performed.Taken CT as the referent standard,the value of UTE-MRI for evaluating the diameter,composition,lung imaging reporting and data system(Lung-RADS)type and radiographic signs of pulmonary nodules was analyzed.Results CT detected 66 pulmonary nodules with a diameter of(11.60±5.20)mm in 58 patients,including 29 solid nodules,24 partially solid nodules and 13 ground-glass nodules.There were 14 Lung-RADS type 2,12 type 3,12 type 4A,11 type 4B and 17 type 4X lung nodules,among which 12 were found with lobulated sign,and 14 were found with spiculated sign.UTE-MRI detected 63 nodules with a diameter of(11.34±4.82)mm,including 25 solid nodules,28 partially solid nodules and 10 ground-glass nodules.There were 12 Lung-RADS type 2,12 type 3,12 type 4A,11 type 4B and 16 type 4X lung nodules.Among which 10 nodules were found with lobulated sign and 11 were found with spiculated sign.No significant difference of the measured diameters of lung nodules was found between UTE-MRI and CT(P=0.803),and the results of UTE-MRI and CT had good correlation and consistency(rs=0.953,ICC=0.946),which also had good consistency for assessing nodule composition and Lung-RADS type(Kappa=0.871,0.960).Meanwhile,no significant difference of the display rates of lobulated nor spiculated signs was noticed between UTE-MRI and CT(both P＞0.05).Conclusion UTE-MRI was helpful for evaluating pulmonary nodules,with efficacy comparable to CT.

Objective:To investigate the effect of aucubin(AU)on mitochondrial autophagy in the hippocampus of ischemic stroke(IS)rats by regulating the pten-induced kinase protein 1(PINK1)/cytoplasmic E3-ubiquitin ligase(Parkin)signaling pathway.Methods:The IS rat model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO),and was randomly divided into IS group,low-dose AU group(AU-L),medium-dose AU group(AU-M),high-dose AU group(AU-H),and high-dose AU combined with 3-MA group(AU-H+3-MA).The rats without liga-tion were used as the Sham surgery group.Zea Longa score was used to evaluate the neurological function of rats.TTC staining was used to detect the percentage of cerebral infarction volume.The microstructures of mitochondria were observed by transmission electron microscopy,and the changes of autophagy protein-microtubule associated protein light chain 3B(LC3B)and p62 were detected by immunohistochemistry.Hippocampal apoptosis was detected by TUNEL.PINK1/Parkin-related protein expression in hippocampus was detected by Western blot.Results:Neurological function score of IS rats was increased(P＜0.05),cerebral infarction was observed by TTC staining,the expression of mito-chondrial autophagy protein p62 in hippocampus was up-regulated(P＜0.05),the expression of LC3B was down-regu-lated(P＜0.05),the number of autophagosomes was decreased(P＜0.05),and apoptosis in hippocampus was in-creased(P＜0.05),the expression of PINK1 and ARKIN protein in hippocampus was down-regulated(P＜0.05).After AU intervention,the neural function score of rats was decreased,the percentage of cerebral infarction volume was reduced,the positive expression of p62 in hippocampus was down-regulated(P＜0.05),the positive expression of LC3B was up-regulated(P＜0.05),and the number of autophagosomes was increased(P＜0.05),the apoptosis of hippocampus was decreased(P＜0.05),and the expression of PINK1 and ARKIN protein in hippocampus was in-creased(P＜0.05).3-MA blocked the therapeutic effect of AU and aggravated the nerve injury in rats.Conclusion:AU promotes hippocampal mitochondrial autophagy and improves neurological damage in IS rats by activating the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway.