Psoriasis vulgaris is notoriously difficult to treat and prone to recurrence. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， however， has shown considerable efficacy in mitigating or suppressing such recurrence. The underlying reason lies in the TCM concept of "latent pathogens"， which are prone to be reactivated by external pathogenic factors， thereby triggering relapse. At the early stage of recurrence， manifestations of "latent fire" often appear externally. If treatment is not thorough， the condition may shift into a state of "stalemate between healthy Qi and pathogenic factors"， in which the disease appears on the skin but is rooted in deeper pathological layers， remaining unresolved and accumulating internally. Over time， blood stasis arises from fire， and the fire further congeals due to stasis， leading ultimately to recurrent flare-ups. This aligns with the modern immunological concept of "immunological memory" mediated by tissue-resident memory T cells （T_RM） in the skin， which corroborates the TCM view of "latent fire inducing blood stasis". The interaction between T_RM and keratinocytes （KC） parallels the entanglement of latent fire and latent stasis， both of which are deeply entrenched and difficult to resolve. The core pathogenesis of recurrent psoriasis vulgaris lies in "latent fire causing blood stasis". The hallmark is the deep concealment and persistence of latent fire and stasis， which linger and await an opportunity to reemerge. Based on this understanding， Xijiao Dihuangtang is employed to cool the blood， resolve stasis， and eliminate latent pathogens， and treatment is tailored according to the disease stage through three-phase syndrome differentiation. In the progressive stage， both exterior and interior are treated， with emphasis on clearing latent fire. In the stationary stage， the focus shifts to dispelling latent stasis and simultaneously regulating the Zang-fu organs. In the regressive stage， efforts are made to prevent the retention of latent pathogens and to strengthen healthy Qi. Accordingly， drugs effective in dispersing wind and clearing heat， pungent-moistening and dredging the collaterals， and tonifying deficiency and moistening dryness are often employed to achieve optimal outcomes. The precise mechanisms by which Xijiao Dihuangtang treats recurrent psoriasis vulgaris remain to be fully elucidated. Current research suggests it may intervene in the recurrence process through inhibiting KC proliferation via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and glycolysis， regulating the Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg cell balances to restore immune homeostasis， suppressing inflammatory cytokine production to alleviate the inflammatory response， modulating angiogenesis-related factors， such as vascular endothelial growth factor A （VEGF-A） and matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9）， to control disease progression， and restructuring the gut microbiota to modulate systemic immunity and thereby influence the course of disease recurrence.

The aim of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effects and mechanism of three or-ganic acids,including formic acid(FA),butyric acid(BA)and lactic acid(LA),on the pathogenic-ity of Salmonella enteritidis(SE),Escherichia coli(EC)and Staphylococcus aureus(SA).The growth of pathogens was detected by Minimum Inhibitory Concentration(MIC)and Oxford Cup antimicrobial zone assays.The motility of pathogens was detected by soft agar plate method,and the biofilm of pathogens was detected by crystal violet staining.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)was used to measure the expression levels of genes related to the patho-genicity of SE.The results showed that FA and BA significantly inhibited the growth of SE,EC and SA,and FA had a superior inhibitory effect on EC(MIC:0.25 g/L;inhibition zone:20.0 mm)and SA(MIC:0.5 g/L;inhibition zone:25.0 mm).In addition,the three organic acids significantly inhibited the motility of SE,EC and SA as accessed by swimming and swarming assays,and FA showed the best inhibition effect.Besides,the three organic acids,especially FA,markedly inhibited the biofilm formation of SE,EC and SA.Finally,our results showed that the three organic acids in-hibited the expression of the main virulence genes encoded by SPI-1(InvA,InvF,SopE,SopB,SipB,HilA and SipA),SPI-2(SopD2),pili-related genes(FliF,LpfA,SefA and FimF)and flagellum-related genes(FlhD,FliC and FliD)of SE.This study demonstrates that FA,BA,and LA significantly inhibited the growth and pathogenicity of the four pathogens,among which FA showed the most obvious effect on inhibiting the growth,motility,biofilm formation and virulence gene expression.Our study provided a theoretical basis for the application of organic acids in the field of animal husbandry.

Objective:To investigate the distribution of CGG repeat numbers in the FMR1 gene among reproductive-age women in China, providing data reference for carrier screening and genetic counseling of Fragile X syndrome. Methods:This cross-sectional study recruited 16 610 reproductive-age women from 12 medical institutions between July 2022 and October 2023. Peripheral venous blood samples (3 mL) were collected, and genomic DNA was extracted. The number of CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene was determined using the triplet-primed polymerase chain reaction (TP-PCR) combined with capillary electrophoresis technology. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the prevalence and distribution of CGG repeat expansions. Results:Among 16 610 women of childbearing age, 5 684 (34.220%) women had the same number of CGG repeats in the two alleles of FMR1 gene, and 10 926 (65.780%) women had different numbers of repeats in the two alleles. Among the 33 220 FMR1 alleles in 16 610 women of reproductive age, the most common CGG repeat numbers were 29 [48.645% (16 160/33 220)] and 30 [26.276% (8 729/33 220)], while the most frequent CGG genotype was CGG 29/29 [24.726% (4 107/16 610)]. The CGG repeat numbers of FMR1 gene were normal in 16 498 women (99.326%). Among the 112 women (0.674%) with CGG repeat abnormities, 96 (0.578%) women were classified as intermediate carriers, 15 (0.090%) as premutation carriers, and 1 (0.006%) as a full mutation carrier, whose CGG genotype was (36, >200). Conclusion:In the general reproductive-age female population in China, the normal CGG repeat numbers of the FMR1 gene account for 99.326%, while the intermediate carrier rate is 0.578%, and the combined carrier rate of the premutation and full mutation types is 0.096%.

Objective:To analyze the morphology and molecular biology of Rhodococcus erythropolis isolated from blood culture, and clarify its microbiological characteristics, clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods:Strain F1069 was isolated and cultured. Then, it was analyzed by morphology, physiological tests, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF MS), 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and whole-genome sequencing analysis.Results:The colonies of Rhodococcus erythropolis were light yellow, moist, round, and raised, and had neatly-edged margins after being cultured for 48 h. They could turn orange-red after a prolonged cultivation time. The strain was gram-positive bacillus without spores and was negative in acid-fast staining. The strain was identified as Rhodococcus erythropolis by MALDI-TOF MS, and the result was confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The F1069 strain contained the RbpA resistance gene and multiple virulence genes. Conclusions:Cases of Rhodococcus erythropolis infection are rare. The diagnosis of such cases depends on the pathogen detection results, especially molecular biology methods. A definitive diagnosis enables rapid guidance for clinical anti-infection treatment.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of crisaborole ointment 2% versus pimecrolimus cream 1% in the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children aged 2 years or older.Methods:A multicenter, randomized, open-label, controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 120 pediatric patients aged 2 - 17 years with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis were enrolled from departments of dermatology of 8 hospitals in China between March 2022 and February 2023. The participants were randomly assigned in a 1∶1 ratio to the crisaborole group and the pimecrolimus group, and received the treatment with crisaborole ointment 2% and pimecrolimus cream 1% respectively, twice a day for 4 weeks. Visits were scheduled at baseline/on day 1, as well as on days 8, 15, and 29. The primary efficacy outcome was the percentage of patients achieving the Investigator's Static Global Assessment (ISGA) success (defined as clear [0] or almost clear [1] on the ISGA scale, combined with ≥ 2‐grade improvement from baseline) on day 29. The secondary efficacy outcomes included changes in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) total scores from baseline to day 29, percentages of patients achieving ISGA improvement (defined as clear [0] or almost clear [1] on the ISGA scale), as well as changes in the Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) /Infants' Dermatology Life Quality Index (IDLQI) /Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) scores, and in the Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) scores. Drug safety was evaluated according to the incidence of adverse events. Categorical data were compared using the chi-square test. Since measurement data did not follow a normal distribution, the rank sum test was used for comparisons of measurement data between groups.Results:A total of 106 children with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis were included in the per-protocol analysis set, with 52 in the crisaborole group (26 males and 26 females) and 54 in the pimecrolimus group (27 males and 27 females). There were no significant differences in age, disease duration, ISGA and EASI scores at baseline between the two groups (all P > 0.05). On day 29, 22 patients (42.31%) in the crisaborole group and 25 (46.30%) in the pimecrolimus group achieved ISGA success, with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 0.17, P = 0.68) ; 35 patients (67.31%) in the crisaborole group and 45 (83.33%) in the pimecrolimus group achieved ISGA improvement, also with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 3.68, P = 0.06) ; additionally, there were no significant differences in the EASI, pruritus NRS, DLQI/IDLQI/CDLQI, or DFI scores between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Adverse reactions to the two topical agents were mainly local reactions such as mild to moderate pain, itching, or worsening of itching, and no obvious systemic adverse reactions occurred. The incidence of drug-related adverse reactions was 46.15% (24 cases) in the crisaborole group and 37.04% (20 cases) in the pimecrolimus group, with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 0.91, P = 0.34) . Conclusion:The efficacy of crisaborole ointment 2% was comparable to that of pimecrolimus cream 1% in the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children aged ≥ 2 years, and it yielded early and rapid improvement in the quality of life of patients and their families, with good safety and tolerability profiles.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of modified Si Junzitang and Shashen Maidong Tang ［Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu prescription （YQYYJD）］ in enhancing the sensitivity of cisplatin in epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor （EGFR-TKI）-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cells based on aerobic glycolysis. MethodsThe effects of different concentrations of YQYYJD （0， 2， 3， 4， 5， 6， 7， 8 g·L^-1） and cisplatin （0， 3， 6， 9， 12， 15， 18， 21， 24， 27 mg·L^-1） on the proliferation and activity of PC9/GR cells were detected by the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay after 24 hours of intervention. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration （IC₅₀） for PC9/GR cells was calculated to determine the concentrations used in subsequent experiments. PC9/GR cells were divided into blank group （complete medium）， YQYYJD group （5 g·L^-1）， cisplatin group （12 mg·L^-1）， and combined group （YQYYJD 5 g·L^-1 + cisplatin 12 mg·L^-1）. After 24 hours of intervention， cell viability was measured using CCK-8 assay. Cell proliferation was assessed by colony formation assay， and cell migration was evaluated by scratch and Transwell assays. Glucose consumption， lactate production， and adenosine triphosphate （ATP） levels were measured by colorimetric assays. The expression levels of glycolysis-related proteins， including hexokinase 2 （HK2）， phosphofructokinase P （PFKP）， pyruvate kinase M2 （PKM2）， lactate dehydrogenase A （LDHA）， glucose transporter 1 （GLUT1）， and monocarboxylate transporter 4 （MCT4）， were determined by Western blot. ResultsBoth YQYYJD and cisplatin inhibited the viability of PC9/GR cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC₅₀ of PC9/GR cells for YQYYJD and cisplatin were 5.15 g·L^-1 and 12.91 mg·L^-1， respectively. In terms of cell proliferation， compared with the blank group， the cell survival rate and the number of colonies formed in the YQYYJD group， cisplatin group， and combined group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups， the combined group showed a further significant reduction in cell survival rate and colony formation （P<0.01）. In terms of cell migration， compared with the blank group， the cell migration rate and the number of cells passing through the Transwell membrane in the YQYYJD group， cisplatin group， and combined group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups， the combined group exhibited a further significant reduction in cell migration rate and the number of cells passing through the Transwell membrane （P<0.01）. In terms of glycolysis， compared with the blank group， glucose consumption， lactate production， and ATP levels in the YQYYJD group， cisplatin group， and combined group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups， the combined group showed a further significant reduction in glucose consumption， lactate production， and ATP levels （P<0.05）. Compared with the blank group， the protein expression levels of HK2， PFKP， PKM2， and LDHA in the YQYYJD， cisplatin， and combined groups were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The combined group showed a further significant reduction in the expression levels of these proteins compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups （P<0.01）. No significant differences were observed in the protein expression levels of GLUT1 and MCT4 among the groups. ConclusionYQYYJD can synergistically inhibit the proliferation and migration of PC9/GR cells and enhance their sensitivity to cisplatin. The mechanism may be related to the downregulation of the expression of glycolysis-related rate-limiting enzymes， including HK2， PFKP， PKM2， and LDHA， thereby inhibiting glycolysis.

Objective:To analyze the morphology and molecular biology of Rhodococcus erythropolis isolated from blood culture, and clarify its microbiological characteristics, clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods:Strain F1069 was isolated and cultured. Then, it was analyzed by morphology, physiological tests, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF MS), 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and whole-genome sequencing analysis.Results:The colonies of Rhodococcus erythropolis were light yellow, moist, round, and raised, and had neatly-edged margins after being cultured for 48 h. They could turn orange-red after a prolonged cultivation time. The strain was gram-positive bacillus without spores and was negative in acid-fast staining. The strain was identified as Rhodococcus erythropolis by MALDI-TOF MS, and the result was confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The F1069 strain contained the RbpA resistance gene and multiple virulence genes. Conclusions:Cases of Rhodococcus erythropolis infection are rare. The diagnosis of such cases depends on the pathogen detection results, especially molecular biology methods. A definitive diagnosis enables rapid guidance for clinical anti-infection treatment.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of meropenem exposure and degradation levels on clinical efficacy in patients with purulent meningitis （PM）. METHODS A total of 131 PM patients treated with meropenem at the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2022 to June 2025 were prospectively included. Relevant data were collected and divided into a cured group （91 cases） and a non-cured group （40 cases） based on the efficacy. High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine the concentration of meropenem and its open-loop metabolites. Risk factors that affect efficacy were screened， and their predictive power and correlation were evaluated by univariate analysis， and multivariate Logistic regression analysis， receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curves， and correlation analysis. RESULTS Univariate analysis showed that serum creatinine， creatinine clearance rate， minimum inhibitory concentration of meropenem ≥16 μg/mL， cerebrospinal fluid red blood cell count， cerebrospinal fluid white blood cell count， cerebrospinal fluid glucose content， blood trough concentration， blood open-loop metabolite concentration/trough concentration ratio， and intrathecal injection were all correlated with efficacy （P＜0.05）. The results of multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that serum creatinine blood open-loop metabolite concentration/trough concentration ratio， intrathecal injection， and cerebrospinal fluid glucose content were influencing factors for suboptimal anti-infective ltt efficacy （P＜0.05）. ROC curve analysis showed that when the blood open-loop metabolite concentration/trough concentration ratio was greater than 2.854 （AUC＝0.647）， serum creatinine was less than 59.5 μmol/L （AUC＝0.647）， and cerebrospinal fluid glucose content was less than 3.37 mmol/L （AUC＝0.709）， the risk of treatment failure significantly increased （P＜0.05）. Correlation analysis showed that the blood trough concentration of meropenem was positively correlated with the concentration of its open-loop metabolites （R 2＝0.134 5， P＜0.000 1）. CONCLUSIONS Insufficient exposure level and rapid degradation of meropenem are key mechanisms affecting the anti-infective efficacy of PM. Elevated blood open-loop metabolite concentration/ trough concentration ratio， low serum creatinine level， lack of intrathecal injection， and low cerebrospinal fluid glucose content are independent risk factors for poor efficacy.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of crisaborole ointment 2% versus pimecrolimus cream 1% in the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children aged 2 years or older.Methods:A multicenter, randomized, open-label, controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 120 pediatric patients aged 2 - 17 years with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis were enrolled from departments of dermatology of 8 hospitals in China between March 2022 and February 2023. The participants were randomly assigned in a 1∶1 ratio to the crisaborole group and the pimecrolimus group, and received the treatment with crisaborole ointment 2% and pimecrolimus cream 1% respectively, twice a day for 4 weeks. Visits were scheduled at baseline/on day 1, as well as on days 8, 15, and 29. The primary efficacy outcome was the percentage of patients achieving the Investigator's Static Global Assessment (ISGA) success (defined as clear [0] or almost clear [1] on the ISGA scale, combined with ≥ 2‐grade improvement from baseline) on day 29. The secondary efficacy outcomes included changes in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) total scores from baseline to day 29, percentages of patients achieving ISGA improvement (defined as clear [0] or almost clear [1] on the ISGA scale), as well as changes in the Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) /Infants' Dermatology Life Quality Index (IDLQI) /Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) scores, and in the Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) scores. Drug safety was evaluated according to the incidence of adverse events. Categorical data were compared using the chi-square test. Since measurement data did not follow a normal distribution, the rank sum test was used for comparisons of measurement data between groups.Results:A total of 106 children with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis were included in the per-protocol analysis set, with 52 in the crisaborole group (26 males and 26 females) and 54 in the pimecrolimus group (27 males and 27 females). There were no significant differences in age, disease duration, ISGA and EASI scores at baseline between the two groups (all P > 0.05). On day 29, 22 patients (42.31%) in the crisaborole group and 25 (46.30%) in the pimecrolimus group achieved ISGA success, with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 0.17, P = 0.68) ; 35 patients (67.31%) in the crisaborole group and 45 (83.33%) in the pimecrolimus group achieved ISGA improvement, also with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 3.68, P = 0.06) ; additionally, there were no significant differences in the EASI, pruritus NRS, DLQI/IDLQI/CDLQI, or DFI scores between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Adverse reactions to the two topical agents were mainly local reactions such as mild to moderate pain, itching, or worsening of itching, and no obvious systemic adverse reactions occurred. The incidence of drug-related adverse reactions was 46.15% (24 cases) in the crisaborole group and 37.04% (20 cases) in the pimecrolimus group, with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 0.91, P = 0.34) . Conclusion:The efficacy of crisaborole ointment 2% was comparable to that of pimecrolimus cream 1% in the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children aged ≥ 2 years, and it yielded early and rapid improvement in the quality of life of patients and their families, with good safety and tolerability profiles.

The aim of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effects and mechanism of three or-ganic acids,including formic acid(FA),butyric acid(BA)and lactic acid(LA),on the pathogenic-ity of Salmonella enteritidis(SE),Escherichia coli(EC)and Staphylococcus aureus(SA).The growth of pathogens was detected by Minimum Inhibitory Concentration(MIC)and Oxford Cup antimicrobial zone assays.The motility of pathogens was detected by soft agar plate method,and the biofilm of pathogens was detected by crystal violet staining.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)was used to measure the expression levels of genes related to the patho-genicity of SE.The results showed that FA and BA significantly inhibited the growth of SE,EC and SA,and FA had a superior inhibitory effect on EC(MIC:0.25 g/L;inhibition zone:20.0 mm)and SA(MIC:0.5 g/L;inhibition zone:25.0 mm).In addition,the three organic acids significantly inhibited the motility of SE,EC and SA as accessed by swimming and swarming assays,and FA showed the best inhibition effect.Besides,the three organic acids,especially FA,markedly inhibited the biofilm formation of SE,EC and SA.Finally,our results showed that the three organic acids in-hibited the expression of the main virulence genes encoded by SPI-1(InvA,InvF,SopE,SopB,SipB,HilA and SipA),SPI-2(SopD2),pili-related genes(FliF,LpfA,SefA and FimF)and flagellum-related genes(FlhD,FliC and FliD)of SE.This study demonstrates that FA,BA,and LA significantly inhibited the growth and pathogenicity of the four pathogens,among which FA showed the most obvious effect on inhibiting the growth,motility,biofilm formation and virulence gene expression.Our study provided a theoretical basis for the application of organic acids in the field of animal husbandry.