ObjectiveTo identify the active constituents of Kaixuan Jiedu core prescription （KXJD） and investigate its effective components and therapeutic targets in the treatment of common psoriasis. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-TOF MS） was used to identify and analyze the chemical components of KXJD and its blood-entering chemical components. The chemical components of the single decoction were further identified to clarify the source of the chemical components in KXJD. Then， all identified blood-entering compounds were screened for effective active ingredients through the Swiss ADME database. The active ingredient targets of KXJD were searched on the Swiss Target Prediction platform. The targets of common psoriasis were searched in OMIM， GEO， GeneCards， and DISGNET databases to obtain drug-disease intersection targets. The protein-protein interaction network of intersection targets was constructed using STRING， and then the core blood-entering component-intersection target network of KXJD was constructed. The core target proteins in the network were selected for molecular docking with the core components of KXJD. Small molecules and proteins were pretreated， and appropriate docking sites were selected. AutoDock Vina software was used for continuous local search and repeated iterations to find molecular docking conformations. PyMOL software and LigPlot+ software were used for analysis and visualization. Subsequently， the verification was carried out through animal experiments. SPF-grade male C57 mice were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， a positive drug methotrexate group， and a KXJD group. In the model group， the methotrexate group， and the KXJD group， imiquimod was applied to the backs of the mice for modeling. The blank group and the model group were administered normal saline by gavage， while the methotrexate group and the KXJD group were respectively administered 1 mg·kg^-1 suspension and 30.42 g·kg^-1 decoction of traditional Chinese medicine by gavage. Five days after administration， the mice were sacrificed， and samples were collected. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the skin tissue samples of mice， and the effect of KXJD on the pathological manifestations of psoriasis mice was analyzed. The expression areas of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， cyclooxygenase 2 （PTGS2）， interleukin （IL）-1β， and IL-6 in the skin tissue of mice were detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. The mRNA expressions of TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， and PTGS2 in the skin tissue of mice were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsIn this study， 208 compounds in KXJD were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF MS， and 44 compounds were detected in serum， including 28 prototype components and 16 metabolites. 12 blood-entering active components were screened， and 1 153 active component targets and 1 076 psoriasis-related targets were identified. Eighty-five targets in the intersection set were drug-disease common targets. PPI network analysis showed that TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， PTGS2， and ALB were the key target proteins. The results of molecular docking showed that the binding ability of （+）-hexylphenylglycolic acid to key target proteins such as PTGS2 was stable， and PTGS2 showed high stability with a variety of core compounds. Compared with those in the blank group， the stratum corneum and epidermis in the model group mice were significantly thickened， and the pathological Baker score of the mice's skin in the model group was significantly higher than that of the blank group （P<0.01）. The expression areas of PTGS2， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 proteins in the skin tissue of the model group mice were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the expression levels of PTGS2， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 mRNA in the skin tissue of the model group mice were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the pathological Baker scores of the methotrexate group and the KXJD group were both decreased （P<0.01）， and the expression areas in the skin tissue of the methotrexate group and the KXJD group were significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expression levels of PTGS2， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 mRNA in the skin tissue of the methotrexate group and the KXJD group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionKXJD can effectively improve the skin lesions of psoriasis model mice and reduce the expression of TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， and PTGS2 in the skin tissue of psoriasis model mice. PTGS2 has a stable binding ability with a variety of compounds in the decoction， which may be a key target for the treatment of psoriasis. The compound （+）-hexylphenylglycolic acid may play a key role.

ObjectiveTo identify the active constituents of Kaixuan Jiedu core prescription （KXJD） and investigate its effective components and therapeutic targets in the treatment of common psoriasis. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-TOF MS） was used to identify and analyze the chemical components of KXJD and its blood-entering chemical components. The chemical components of the single decoction were further identified to clarify the source of the chemical components in KXJD. Then， all identified blood-entering compounds were screened for effective active ingredients through the Swiss ADME database. The active ingredient targets of KXJD were searched on the Swiss Target Prediction platform. The targets of common psoriasis were searched in OMIM， GEO， GeneCards， and DISGNET databases to obtain drug-disease intersection targets. The protein-protein interaction network of intersection targets was constructed using STRING， and then the core blood-entering component-intersection target network of KXJD was constructed. The core target proteins in the network were selected for molecular docking with the core components of KXJD. Small molecules and proteins were pretreated， and appropriate docking sites were selected. AutoDock Vina software was used for continuous local search and repeated iterations to find molecular docking conformations. PyMOL software and LigPlot+ software were used for analysis and visualization. Subsequently， the verification was carried out through animal experiments. SPF-grade male C57 mice were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， a positive drug methotrexate group， and a KXJD group. In the model group， the methotrexate group， and the KXJD group， imiquimod was applied to the backs of the mice for modeling. The blank group and the model group were administered normal saline by gavage， while the methotrexate group and the KXJD group were respectively administered 1 mg·kg^-1 suspension and 30.42 g·kg^-1 decoction of traditional Chinese medicine by gavage. Five days after administration， the mice were sacrificed， and samples were collected. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the skin tissue samples of mice， and the effect of KXJD on the pathological manifestations of psoriasis mice was analyzed. The expression areas of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， cyclooxygenase 2 （PTGS2）， interleukin （IL）-1β， and IL-6 in the skin tissue of mice were detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. The mRNA expressions of TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， and PTGS2 in the skin tissue of mice were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsIn this study， 208 compounds in KXJD were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF MS， and 44 compounds were detected in serum， including 28 prototype components and 16 metabolites. 12 blood-entering active components were screened， and 1 153 active component targets and 1 076 psoriasis-related targets were identified. Eighty-five targets in the intersection set were drug-disease common targets. PPI network analysis showed that TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， PTGS2， and ALB were the key target proteins. The results of molecular docking showed that the binding ability of （+）-hexylphenylglycolic acid to key target proteins such as PTGS2 was stable， and PTGS2 showed high stability with a variety of core compounds. Compared with those in the blank group， the stratum corneum and epidermis in the model group mice were significantly thickened， and the pathological Baker score of the mice's skin in the model group was significantly higher than that of the blank group （P<0.01）. The expression areas of PTGS2， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 proteins in the skin tissue of the model group mice were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the expression levels of PTGS2， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 mRNA in the skin tissue of the model group mice were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the pathological Baker scores of the methotrexate group and the KXJD group were both decreased （P<0.01）， and the expression areas in the skin tissue of the methotrexate group and the KXJD group were significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expression levels of PTGS2， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 mRNA in the skin tissue of the methotrexate group and the KXJD group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionKXJD can effectively improve the skin lesions of psoriasis model mice and reduce the expression of TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， and PTGS2 in the skin tissue of psoriasis model mice. PTGS2 has a stable binding ability with a variety of compounds in the decoction， which may be a key target for the treatment of psoriasis. The compound （+）-hexylphenylglycolic acid may play a key role.

As one of the chronic diseases with high incidence in contemporary society, cervical spondylosis has increasing patient groups who gradually present a low age, and it seriously affects social and public health. Although modern medicine has made great progress in the pathological research and clinical treatment of cervical spondylosis, patients still face gastrointestinal side effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs), neck pain, limited mobility, upper limb numbness, and other symptoms after conservative or surgical treatment. In the theory of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), cervical spondylosis belongs to the categories of "Bi syndrome" "stiff neck" "stiff Bi", etc. With the change of the times, the change of lifestyle, and the application of western medicine treatment, the etiology and pathogenesis of TCM in cervical spondylosis also show new characteristics. In terms of etiology and pathogenesis, it involves the invasion of wind, cold, and dampness, long-term strain, liver and kidney deficiency, Qi and blood stasis, which are associated with factors such as cervical degeneration, muscle tension and spasm, intervertebral disc herniation, and nerve root compression in modern medicine. In terms of the evolution of pathogenesis, in the early stage, wind, cold, and dampness, were more common in Xuanfu, resulting in unfavorable muscles and bones, poor flow of Qi and blood, and cervical spondylosis and radiculopathy. Medium-term phlegm stasis and internal knots, sluggish muscles and veins, and long-term weathering and fire are more likely to occur in the vertebral artery and sympathetic radiculopathy. In the later stage, the positive Qi is depleted; the true Yin is damaged, and the viscera Qi and blood are deficient, which is most common in cervical myelopathy. The strategy of treating cervical spondylosis with TCM classic formulas applies Gegen Decoction, Wutou Decoction, Qianghuo Shengshi Decoction, Mahuang Jiazhu Decoction to patients with wind, cold, and dampness. Patients with phlegm dampness and blood stasis are treated with Huoxue Xiaoling Dan, Jinlingzi Powder, Siwu Decoction, Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction, Shuanghe Decoction, etc. For those patients with liver, spleen, and kidney deficiency, Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction, Tianma Gouteng Decoction, Guishao Dihuang Pills, Shenling Baizhu Powder, and Lizhong Decoction are used to invigorate the spleen, nourish Qi and blood, and tonify liver and kidney. In clinical practice, the authors advocate a safe and effective treatment plan of classic formulas based on deficiency and excess, the integration of formulas and syndromes, and the combination of modern research results, so as to relieve symptoms, reduce recurrence, and reduce medical burden.
Humans ; Spondylosis/drug therapy* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Cervical Vertebrae/pathology*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory effects of two traditional mineral medicines (TMMs), Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao, GF) and Terra Flava Usta (Zaoxintu, TFU), on gut-beneficial bacteria in mice, and preliminarily explore their mechanisms of action. METHODS: Mice were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=10 per group): the control group (standard diet), the GF group (diet supplemented with 2% GF), and the TFU group (diet supplemented with 2% TFU). After 4-week intervention, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyze the changes in the gut microbiota (GM). Scanning electron microscopy, in combination with coumarin A tetramethyl rhodamine conjugate and Hoechst stainings, was used to observe the bacteria and biofilm formation. RESULTS: Principal coordinate analysis revealed that GF and TFU significantly altered the GM composition in mice. Further analysis revealed that GF and TFU affected different types of gut bacteria, suggesting that different TMMs may selectively modulate specific bacterial populations. For certain bacteria, such as Faecalibaculum and Ileibacterium, both GF and TFU exhibited growth-promoting effects, implying that they may be sensitive to TMMs and that different TMMs can increase their abundance through their respective mechanisms. Notably, Lactobacillus reuteri, a widely recognized and used probiotic, was significantly enriched in the GF group. Random forest analysis identified Ileibacterium valens as a potential indicator bacterium for TMMs' impact on GM. Further mechanistic studies showed that gut bacteria formed biofilm structures on the TFU surface. CONCLUSIONS This study provides new insights into the interaction between TMMs and GM. As safe and effective natural clays, GF and TFU hold promise as potential candidates for prebiotic development.
Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Bacteria/growth & development* ; Mice ; Biofilms/drug effects* ; Male ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics*

Gene regulation relies on the precise binding of transcription factors (TFs) at regulatory elements, but simultaneously detecting hundreds of TFs on chromatin is challenging. We developed cFOOT-seq, a cytosine deaminase-based TF footprinting assay, for high-resolution, quantitative genome-wide assessment of TF binding in both open and closed chromatin regions, even with small cell numbers. By utilizing the dsDNA deaminase SsdAtox, cFOOT-seq converts accessible cytosines to uracil while preserving genomic integrity, making it compatible with techniques like ATAC-seq for sensitive and cost-effective detection of TF occupancy at the single-molecule and single-cell level. Our approach enables the delineation of TF footprints, quantification of occupancy, and examination of chromatin influences on TF binding. Notably, cFOOT-seq, combined with FootTrack analysis, enables de novo prediction of TF binding sites and tracking of TF occupancy dynamics. We demonstrate its application in capturing cell type-specific TFs, analyzing TF dynamics during reprogramming, and revealing TF dependencies on chromatin remodelers. Overall, cFOOT-seq represents a robust approach for investigating the genome-wide dynamics of TF occupancy and elucidating the cis-regulatory architecture underlying gene regulation.
Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Humans ; Chromatin/genetics* ; Animals ; Binding Sites ; Mice ; DNA Footprinting/methods*

Ethanol (EtOH) is a common trigger for gastric mucosal diseases, and mitigating oxidative stress is essential for attenuating gastric mucosal damage. Capsaicin (CAP) has been identified as a potential agent to counteract oxidative damage in the gastric mucosa; however, its precise mechanism remains unclear. This study demonstrates that CAP alleviates EtOH-induced gastric mucosal injuries through two primary pathways: by suppressing the chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4)/Src/p47phox axis, thereby reducing oxidative stress, and by inhibiting the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB) p65, resulting in diminished inflammatory responses. These findings elucidate the mechanistic pathways of CAP and provide a theoretical foundation for its potential therapeutic application in the treatment of gastric mucosal injuries.
Ethanol/toxicity* ; Animals ; Gastric Mucosa/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Capsaicin/pharmacology* ; Male ; NADPH Oxidases/genetics* ; Mice ; Humans ; src-Family Kinases/genetics*

CD20 is a surface marker protein of B-cell lymphoma, and its extracellular region is the target of specific antibodies and drugs. To obtain a cheap and easily modified specific preparation targeting CD20, we optimized the gene of CD20 extracellular region according to codon degeneracy to facilitate its expression in Escherichia coli. The optimized gene was cloned into pGEX-4T-1 vector, and the recombinant vector was transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3) for expression. The purified protein was identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) was employed to screen the ssDNA aptamer that specifically binds to the fusion protein, and the affinity of the aptamer to CD20 was detected by flow cytometry. Then, the cytotoxicity test was carried out to examine the inhibitory effect of the aptamer on B lymphoma cells. In this study, we established the prokaryotic expression method of CD20 and obtained the aptamer specifically binding to the extracellular region of CD20, which laid a foundation for the development of therapeutic drugs targeting CD20.
Humans ; Escherichia coli/metabolism* ; SELEX Aptamer Technique/methods* ; Aptamers, Nucleotide/genetics* ; Antigens, CD20/metabolism* ; Ligands

Aim In this study, a mouse model of psoriasis-like lesions induced by 62. 5 mg imiquimod was used to explore the effect and mechanism of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae combination for the topical treatment of psoriasis. Methods Firstly, the topical administration of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae combination for treating psoriasis in progressive and recurrent stages was evaluated by psoriatic mouse model and HE staining. Secondly, immunohistochemistry was used to study the regulatory effects of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae combination on the pivotal pathological mechanism of psoriasis-the positive feedback loop between the abnormal proliferation of keratinocytes and skin immune microenvironment. Finally, metabolomics technology was used to explore whether Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae combination topically treat psoriasis by regulating inflammation-related metabolism and lipid metabolism pathways. Results The combination of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae alleviated psoriasis-like lesions in mice. It effectively relieved the recurrence after the cure of psoriatic lesions in mice, and the efficacy is comparable to that of benweimod. The combination of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae inhibited the proliferation of mouse epidermal keratinocytes and reduced the number of T cells in the skin. The potential molecular mechanism was that the combination of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae regulated arachidonic acid metabolism, sphin- golipid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism and phenylalanine metabolism. Conclusions The combination of Sophora Flavescens Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae can relieve psoriasis-like lesions in mice by inhibiting the proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes and reducing the number of T cells in the skin and regulating metabolism to intervene psoriasis recurrence. This study provides a potential topical drug of psoriasis for relieving psoriasis recurrence.

Objective To monitor the susceptibility of clinical isolates to antimicrobial agents in tertiary hospitals in major regions of China in 2022.Methods Clinical isolates from 58 hospitals in China were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using a unified protocol based on disc diffusion method or automated testing systems.Results were interpreted using the 2022 Clinical &Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)breakpoints.Results A total of 318 013 clinical isolates were collected from January 1,2022 to December 31,2022,of which 29.5％were gram-positive and 70.5％were gram-negative.The prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains in Staphylococcus aureus,Staphylococcus epidermidis and other coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species(excluding Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Staphylococcus schleiferi)was 28.3％,76.7％and 77.9％,respectively.Overall,94.0％of MRSA strains were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 90.8％of MRSE strains were susceptible to rifampicin.No vancomycin-resistant strains were found.Enterococcus faecalis showed significantly lower resistance rates to most antimicrobial agents tested than Enterococcus faecium.A few vancomycin-resistant strains were identified in both E.faecalis and E.faecium.The prevalence of penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae was 94.2％in the isolates from children and 95.7％in the isolates from adults.The resistance rate to carbapenems was lower than 13.1％in most Enterobacterales species except for Klebsiella,21.7％-23.1％of which were resistant to carbapenems.Most Enterobacterales isolates were highly susceptible to tigecycline,colistin and polymyxin B,with resistance rates ranging from 0.1％to 13.3％.The prevalence of meropenem-resistant strains decreased from 23.5％in 2019 to 18.0％in 2022 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and decreased from 79.0％in 2019 to 72.5％in 2022 in Acinetobacter baumannii.Conclusions The resistance of clinical isolates to the commonly used antimicrobial agents is still increasing in tertiary hospitals.However,the prevalence of important carbapenem-resistant organisms such as carbapenem-resistant K.pneumoniae,P.aeruginosa,and A.baumannii showed a downward trend in recent years.This finding suggests that the strategy of combining antimicrobial resistance surveillance with multidisciplinary concerted action works well in curbing the spread of resistant bacteria.