1.Exploration on Mechanism of Topical Treatment of Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Mice with Portulacae Herba Based on Nrf2/HO-1/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Xiaoxue WANG ; Guanwei FAN ; Xiang PU ; Zhongzhao ZHANG ; Xia CHEN ; Ying TANG ; Nana WU ; Jiangli LUO ; Xiangyan KONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):115-123
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of topical treatment of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) mice with Portulacae Herba based on the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. MethodsA total of 70 6-week-old specific pathogen free (SPF) female Kunming mice were adaptively fed for 1 week and randomly divided into blank group, model group, compound dexamethasone acetate cream group (2.075×10-2 g·g-1), blank matrix cream group, low-dose Portulacae Herba cream group (0.1 g·g-1), high-dose Portulacae Herba cream group (0.2 g·g-1), and Portulacae Herba + inhibitor group (0.2 g·g-1 + 30 mg·kg-1 ML385), with 10 mice in each group. One day before the experiment, the mice were shaved on the neck and back. Except for the blank group, the mice in the other groups were treated with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) to establish an ACD model. After respective administration, the skin lesion of the mice was scored, and the histopathological changes of the skin were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum of mice. The expression of Nrf2/HO-1/NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins in mouse skin tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blot, and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsCompared with the blank group, the mice in the model group had an increased skin lesion score (P<0.01), severe pathological damage to skin tissue, increased content of IL-1β, IL-6, ROS, and MDA in their serum (P<0.01), and decreased content of SOD (P<0.01). In addition, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and nuclear factor-κB inhibitor α (IκBα) in skin tissue were up-regulated (P<0.01), while the protein expression levels of phosphorylated (p)-IκBα and p-NF-κB p65 and the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65 were down-regulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group and the blank matrix cream group, the mice treated with Portulacae Herba had a decreased skin lesion score (P<0.01), reduced pathological damage to skin tissue, decreased content of IL-1β, IL-6, ROS, and MDA in their serum (P<0.01), and increased content of SOD (P<0.01). Additionally, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and IκBα in skin tissue were down-regulated (P<0.05,P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of p-IκBα and p-NF-κB p65 and the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65 were up-regulated (P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with the Portulacae Herba + inhibitor group, the high-dose Portulacae Herba cream group had a decreased skin lesion score (P<0.01), alleviated pathological damage to skin tissue, decreased content of IL-1β, IL-6, ROS, and MDA in the serum of mice (P<0.05,P<0.01), and increased content of SOD (P<0.01). The protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and IκBα and the mRNA expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in skin tissue were up-regulated (P<0.05,P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of p-IκBα and p-NF-κB p65 and the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65 were down-regulated (P<0.05). ConclusionPortulacae Herba can improve DNCB-induced ACD skin damage in mice by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1/NF-κB signaling pathway.
2.Effects of Portulaca oleracea cream on skin pruritus and barrier function in allergic contact dermatitis mice
Xiaoxue WANG ; Xia CHEN ; Xiang PU ; Guanwei FAN ; Xiangyan KONG ; Ying TANG ; Nana WU ; Jiangli LUO
China Pharmacy 2025;36(11):1352-1357
OBJECTIVE To study the effects and mechanism of Portulaca oleracea cream on skin pruritus and barrier function in allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) mice. METHODS Low-concentration and high-concentration P. oleracea creams were prepared, with the P. oleracea extract solution (1 g/mL, calculated by crude drug) concentrations of 10% and 20%. Sixty BALB/c mice were randomly allocated into blank group, model group, Mometasone furoate cream group (positive control), blank matrix cream group, P. oleracea low-concentration and high-concentration cream groups. Except for blank group, ACD model was induced in each group using 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene solution. The blank group and model groups received normal saline, while the remaining groups were treated with their respective creams, once a day, at a dose of approximately 0.5 g per application, continuously for 14 days. At 24 h post-final administration, skin lesions of mice were observed and scored; pathological changes of skin tissue were observed; serum levels of immunoglobulin E(IgE) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were quantified. mRNA expression of MAS-related G protein-coupled receptors (including MrgprA3, MrgprC11, and MrgprD) in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) was assessed; while protein expressions of skin barrier function-related proteins Claudin-1 and Occludin in skin tissues were determined. RESULTS Compared with blank group, mice in the model group exhibited severe skin damage, characterized by loss of epidermal architecture, hyperkeratosis of the skin tissue, and the infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells. The skin injury scores, as well as the serum levels of IgE and TNF-α, and the mRNA expression levels of MrgprA3, MrgprC11, and MrgprD in DRG, were all significantly elevated compared to the blank group (P<0.05 or P<0.01); in contrast, the protein expression levels of Claudin-1 and Occludin in the skin tissue were markedly reduced (P<0.05). Compared with model group, mice in P. oleracea low-concentration and high- concentration cream groups demonstrated significant alleviation of skin damage, as evidenced by reduced epidermal hyperplasia, mitigated spongiosis in the dermis, and decreased infiltration of inflammatory cells; these quantitative indicators were almost significantly reversed (P<0.05 or P<0.01). No significant differences were observed in the aforementioned skin injuries, pathological alterations, or quantitative indicators between the blank matrix cream group and the model group. CONCLUSIONS P. oleracea may ameliorate skin lesions and restore skin barrier function of ACD mice, the mechanism of which may be associated with downregulating mRNA expressions of MrgprA3, MrgprC11 and MrgprD in DRG, and up-regulating the protein expressions of Claudin-1 and Occludin in skin tissue.
3.Adolescent anxiety and non-suicidal self-injury behavior: the mediating role of depression and the moderating role of social support
Juexi LI ; Liyuan LI ; Yuxuan GUO ; Xiaoqiang XIAO ; Peiqi TANG ; Ting PU ; Haixi ZUO ; Ting YANG ; Xiaoxia FAN ; Bo ZHOU
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(4):357-363
BackgroundNon-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behavior among adolescents has become a global public health concern. Anxiety and depression are considered key factors influencing NSSI behavior, while social support may play a protective role in alleviating emotional and behavioral issues. However, existing research has primarily focused on the direct impact of individual factors on NSSI behavior, with insufficient exploration of the combined effects of anxiety, depression and social support. ObjectiveTo investigate the direct effect of anxiety on NSSI, the mediating role of depression and the moderating role of social support in relationship between anxiety and NSSI behavior, thus to provide references for the prevention and intervention of NSSI behavior among adolescents. MethodsIn February 2022, a total of 40 820 students in grades 7 to 12 across 10 middle schools in a district of Chengdu were selected as participants, and they were assessed using Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 item (GAD-7), Patient's Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-9 item (PHQ-9), Social Support Scale for Urban Students (SSSUS) and Adolescent Self-Harm Scale (ASHS). Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the correlations between scale scores among adolescents with NSSI behaviors. Mediation and moderation analyses were performed using Process 3.5 in SPSS, and the significance was tested with bootstrapping. The interaction was visualized by using simple slope analysis. ResultsAmong 34 534 (84.60%) valid respondents, 542 adolescents (1.57%) reported engaging in NSSI behavior. Significant differences in gender, GAD-7 scores, PHQ-9 scores, and SSSUS scores were observed between NSSI behavior group and non-NSSI group (χ²/t=62.889, 71.120, 94.365, -41.464, P<0.01).Adolesents with NSSI showed positive correlations between GAD-7 scores and both ASHS and PHQ-9 scores (r=0.158, 0.166, P<0.01). PHQ-9 scores were positively correlated with ASHS scores (r=0.364, P<0.01), but negatively correlated with SSSUS scores (r=-0.290, P<0.01). SSSUS scores were negatively correlated with ASHS scores (r=-0.247, P<0.01). Depression partially mediated the relationship between anxiety and NSSI behavior, with an effect size of 0.544 (95% CI: 0.162~0.944), accounting for 35.79% of the total effect. Social support moderated the relationship between depression and NSSI bahavior, with an effect value of -0.082 (95% CI: -0.135~-0.029). ConclusionAnxiety not only directly influences NSSI bahavior among adolescents, also indirectly exacerbates it through depression, while social support mitigates the impact of depression on NSSI behavior. [Funded by Youth Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China (number, 82401812); Project of Health Commission of Sichuan Province (number, 24LCYJPT18)]
5.Longitudinal Associations between Vitamin D Status and Systemic Inflammation Markers among Early Adolescents.
Ting TANG ; Xin Hui WANG ; Xue WEN ; Min LI ; Meng Yuan YUAN ; Yong Han LI ; Xiao Qin ZHONG ; Fang Biao TAO ; Pu Yu SU ; Xi Hua YU ; Geng Fu WANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(1):94-99
6.Relationship between negative parenting styles and adolescent depressive symptoms: a structural equation modeling approach to multiple mediation pathways
Peiqi TANG ; Liyuan LI ; Yuxuan GUO ; Juexi LI ; Ting YANG ; Ting PU ; Haixi ZUO ; Bo ZHOU
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(5):442-449
BackgroundThe distressingly high prevalence of depressive symptoms among adolescents exerts profound impacts on their physical and psychological development, urgently necessitating effective preventive interventions. Existing studies, however, have predominantly focused on isolated risk factors, neglecting to construct an integrated model that systematically disentangles the intricate relationships linking parenting styles, learning burnout, and childhood trauma to adolescent depressive symptoms. Moreover, the potential protective roles of social support and psychological resilience in this context remain insufficiently elucidated. ObjectiveTo construct a structural equation model encompassing multiple pathways to unravel the comprehensive mechanisms through which negative parenting styles, childhood trauma, learning burnout, psychological resilience, and social support collectively influence adolescent depressive symptoms, thereby providing evidence-based intervention strategies. MethodsA stratified sampling technique was utilized to recruit 5 865 students from 12 middle schools in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province from March to May 2022. Participants were assessed using the following validated instruments: the Short-form Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran (s-EMBU), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), the Adolescent Student Burnout Inventory, the Patients' Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-9 item (PHQ-9), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS),and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). A partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach was employed to construct a predictive framework examining the complex network of pathways through which negative parenting styles, childhood trauma, learning burnout, psychological resilience,and social support collectively influence depressive symptoms in adolescents. ResultsThe PHQ-9 scores demonstrated significant positive correlations with the scores on s-EMBU overprotection subscale (r=0.272, P<0.01), s-EMBU rejection subscale (r=0.368, P<0.01), CTQ-SF (r=0.288, P<0.01) and Adolescent Student Burnout Inventory (r=0.587, P<0.01). Conversely, significant negative correlations were observed between PHQ-9 scores and both SSRS (r=-0.532, P<0.01) and CD-RISC scores (r=-0.418, P<0.01). Negative parenting styles (β=0.113, 95% CI: 0.087-0.138) and learning burnout (β=0.339, 95% CI: 0.315-0.364) emerged as significant positive predictors of depressive symptoms, with childhood trauma mediating the relationship between negative parenting styles and depressive symptoms (effect size=0.018, 95% CI: 0.013-0.024). Social support servesed as a mediating pathway between negative parenting styles and depressive symptoms (β=0.080, 95% CI: 0.069-0.092), as well as between negative parenting styles and childhood trauma (β=0.041, 95% CI: 0.032-0.050). It also functioned as an intermediary pathway linking learning burnout to depressive symptoms (β=0.092, 95% CI: 0.081-0.104) and connecting learning burnout with childhood trauma (β=0.048, 95% CI: 0.037-0.058). Additionally, psychological resilience serveed as a mediating pathway between negative parenting styles and depressive symptoms (β=0.004, 95% CI: 0.002-0.007), between learning burnout and depressive symptoms (β=0.037, 95% CI: 0.023-0.052), and between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms (β=0.003, 95% CI: 0.001-0.006). ConclusionLearning burnout exerts a direct effect on adolescent depressive symptoms. Negative parenting styles influence depressive symptoms both directly and indirectly through childhood trauma. Furthermore, social support and psychological resilience serve as mediator linking negative parenting styles and learning burnout to depressive symptoms in adolescents. [Funded by Science and Technology Project of the Health Commission of Sichuan Province (number, 24LCYJPT18)]
7.The primary experience of the robotic assisted left hemicolectomy and Soave procedure for Hirschsprung's disease in children
Ling TANG ; Yongzhong MAO ; Ling JIANG ; Jiarui PU ; Dehua YANG ; Shaotao TANG
Journal of Clinical Surgery 2024;32(5):537-540
Objective To introduce the robotic-assisted left hemicolectomy and Soave procedure and its clinical outcome for Hirschsprung's allied disease.Methods From June 2015 to November 2022,19 cases diagnosed with Hirschsprung's allied disease underwent left colectomy and Soave pull-through by using the da Vinci surgical system,and the clinical data of 19 children were summarized and analyzed.A four trocar technique was used.The left colon was firstly mobilized by laparoscopy from splenic flexure of colon to the level of peritoneal reflection,then the rectum was mobilized by Robotic system to the level of dentate line.A circumferential incision was made in the mucosa at 0.5 cm proximal to the dentate line.The upward submucosal dissection was carried out for approximately 1-2 cm.The left colon was pulled through the anal canal and resected.The coloanal anastomosis was fashioned manually 0.5 cm above the dentate line.21 cases underwent conventional laparoscopic-assisted Soave surgery were used as control group.Results All patients were successfully operated.Compared with conventional laparoscopic-assisted Soave surgery,the operation time was significantly prolonged(P<0.01),the intraoperative blood loss was significantly reduced(P<0.01),and the overall postoperative complication rate was significantly reduced(11%VS.43%,P<0.05).There were no serious complications such as major bleeding and death.Conclusion Robotic-assisted left hemicolectomy and Soave procedure are safe and feasible in the treatment of Hirschsprung's allied disease,with few postoperative complications and satisfactory clinical outcome.
8.Prognosis and risk factors of IgA vasculitis nephritis in children
Xueqing MA ; Yonghua HE ; Jinyun PU ; Wenpei LIANG ; Panpan SHAO ; Jianhua ZHOU ; Yu ZHANG ; Jinhui TANG ; Tonglin LIU ; Huiqing YUAN ; Liru QIU
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2024;62(12):1184-1190
Objective:To investigate the prognosis and risk factors of IgA vasculitis nephritis (IgAVN) in children.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data were collected from 264 children who were pathologically diagnosed with IgAVN at Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, affiliated with Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, between January 2011 and December 2017. All patients had a follow-up period of more than 3 years. Clinical characteristics, renal pathology, 3-year and 5-year prognosis were analyzed. The patients were grouped based on gender, age of onset (≤6 years, >6-9 years, and >9 years), pathological classification (≤Ⅲ and>Ⅲ),whether the prognosis was complete remission at 3 and 5 years. Independent sample t-tests, ANOVA or chi-squared test were used for intergroup comparisons. Spearman correlation analysis was applied for ordinal data, and multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze factors affecting the prognosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was utilized to evaluate the predictive value of these factors. Results:Of the 264 children with IgAVN, 153 were male and 111 were female, the age of onset was 8.3 (6.7, 10.3) years, 118 patients (45%) with onset age >6-9 years accounted for the highest proportion. All patients presented with skin purpura and renal involvement, primarily manifesting as hematuria and/or proteinuria. Microscopic hematuria was observed in 253 patients (95.8%), while 246 patients (93.2%) showed proteinuria. In 256 patients (97.0%), hematuria or proteinuria urinalysis was detected within 6 months of skin purpura onset, and 243 patients (92.0%) underwent renal biopsy within 6 months of renal involvement. The most common clinical subtype in 264 IgAVN children was hematuria and proteinuria (204 cases, 77.3%), with grade Ⅲ being the predominant pathological classification (181 cases, 68.6%). Among children ≤6 years old, the 3-year complete remission rate was higher in males than in females (83.9% (26/31) vs. 7/16, χ2=8.12, P=0.012). Factors independently associated with poor 5-year prognosis included time from hematuria or proteinuria urinalysis to renal biopsy >6 months, elevated serum cholesterol levels, and incomplete remission 3 years post-biopsy ( OR=5.41, 1.39, 6.02, 95% CI 1.40-20.86, 1.04-1.84, 2.61-13.88, all P<0.05). The serum cholesterol has a predictive value for 5-year prognosis ( P=0.020, AUC=0.62, 95% CI 0.52-0.71, Youden index=0.27, cutoff=4.37). Conclusions:For children with IgAVN aged≤6 years, the 3-year prognosis is better in males than in females. Time from hematuria or proteinuria urinalysis to renal biopsy >6 months, elevated serum cholesterol levels, and incomplete remission at 3 years post-biopsy may be independent risk factors for poor 5-year prognosis in children with IgAVN.
9.Feasibility study on integrated imaging of portal vein and hepatic vein with"three low-contrast agents"combined with energy spectrum CT technology
Jingjing WU ; Lunqing PU ; Guihua LI ; Zhengyang GAO ; Taisong TANG ; Junhong BI ; Yali PENG ; Xi YANG ; Haoran XU
Journal of Practical Radiology 2024;40(7):1175-1178
Objective To explore the feasibility of integrated imaging of portal vein and hepatic vein with"three low-contrast agents"combined with energy spectrum CT technology.Methods A total of 100 patients with enhanced abdominal CT scans were selected.The patients were randomly divided into two groups.The patients of experimental group(n=50)were injected with the isotonic con-trast agent iodixanol(320 mg I/mL)at a flow rate of 3 mL/s and a total volume of 1.2 mL/kg,and underwent energy spectrum CT scan in the portal venous phase.The patients of control group(n=50)were injected with the sub-hypertonic contrast agent iohexol(350 mg I/mL)at a flow rate of 5 mL/s and a total volume of 1.5 mL/kg,and underwent conventional multi-phase spiral CT enhancement scan.The image quality and radiation dose of portal vein and hepatic vein were compared between the two groups.Results The CT value of main portal vein in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically sig-nificant(P<0.05).There was no statistical significance in main portal vein contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR),main portal vein signal-to-noise ratio(SNR),hepatic vein CT value,and hepatic vein CNR between the two groups(P>0.05).The SNR and image standard deviation(SD)of the hepatic vein in the control group were better than those in the experimental group(P<0.05).There was no statistical significance in the subjective scores of portal vein and hepatic vein between the two groups(P>0.05).The volume CT dose index(CTDIvol),dose length product(DLP),and effective dose(ED)of the portal venous phase spectrum CT scan in the experimental group were lower than those of the conventional single-phase spiral CT scan in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion"Three low-contrast agents"combined with energy spectrum CT technology can realize integrated imaging of portal vein and hepatic vein in late portal vein,and can reduce radiation dose.
10.Preliminary biomechanical analysis and histological evaluation of fusion capacity after the implantation of interspinous distraction fusion device
Li BAO ; Mengmeng CHEN ; Hao CHEN ; Pu JIA ; Fei FENG ; Guan SHI ; Hai TANG
International Journal of Surgery 2024;51(7):476-481
Objective:To explore interspinous fusion capacity after interspinous distraction fusion (ISDF) device implantation, a preliminary biomechanical analysis and histological evaluation were performed.Methods:The experimental animals were procured from the Science and Research Laboratory Animal Center of Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University. The animals were 8-9 weeks old and with an average weight of 25 kg. 15 mini-pigs were randomly divided into three groups, the sham operation group, the decompression group and the ISDF fixed decompression group, 5 animals per group. The sham operation group was treated with simple incision and exposed lamina suture. The decompression group received unilateral decompression and the ISDF fixed decompression group experienced unilateral hemilaminectomy decompression and ISDF fixation. The graft-bed site was filled with purified bone graft material without any autograft bone. After 6 months feeding, all experimental animals were sacrificed and the corresponding lumbar vertebrae was obtained. The samples were fixed on the spinal test system and the range of motion of flexion-extension, lateral bending and rotation were tested through a multiaxial robotic system. The ISDF device samples were embedded for hard tissue sections and stained with hematoxylin-eosin and toluidine blue to assess new bone formation. Normally distributed measurement data were expressed as mean±standard deviation( ± s), and independent samples t-test were used for comparisons between groups. Results:In comparison to the sham operation group, the decompression group exhibited a statistically significant increase in intervertebral mobility, with an average of 61.6% in anterior flexion, 44.7% in posterior extension, 65.0% in left lateral flexion, 49.6% in right lateral flexion, 83.8% in left rotation, and 64.2% in right rotation ( P<0.05). In comparison to the decompression group, the ISDF fixed decompression group exhibited a statistically significant decrease in intervertebral mobility, with an average of 40.0% in anterior flexion, 21.3% in posterior extension, 31.7% in left lateral flexion, 22.3% in right lateral flexion, 28.7% in left rotation, and 35.3% in right rotation ( P<0.05). Well-defined bone tissue can be observed in the histological images of ISDF fixed decompression group samples after 6 months. In the histological part, toluidine blue staining showed extensive new bone formation. The hyperchromatic osteoblasts cells and density bone tissue can be observed in hematoxylin-eosin staining slides. Conclusions:The implantation of ISDF provide the necessary stabilization for promoting fusion. The osteogenesis that occurs within graft-bed site of the ISDF device offers the possibility of interspinous fusion.

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