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.Study of Single-cell Adhesion Kinetics by Fluidic Force Microscopy
Si-Ying QIN ; Tian-Qi YOU ; Tao XU ; Yan LUO ; Xi HU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):2000-2014
ObjectiveCell adhesion is a critical process that regulates cellular physiological functions. Quantitative characterization of adhesion dynamics is essential for elucidating the intrinsic mechanical mechanisms underlying cellular activities. Although atomic force microscopy-based single-cell force spectroscopy is widely used for single-cell adhesion measurements, it requires complex chemical modifications for preparation of live-cell probes, leading to limitations such as cumbersome operation, low throughput, and potential impacts on cell viability. Fluidic force microscopy, which combines atomic force microscopy with microfluidic probes, is a technique allowing the operation of force-controlled nanopipettes in aqueous environments. By applying negative or positive pressure via a pressure controller, a single living cell can be captured onto or released from the cantilever under physiological conditions. This procedure offers a simple workflow and high assay throughput for single-cell adhesion measurements without the need for chemical functionalization. In this study, fluidic force microscopy-based single-cell force spectroscopy was adopted to achieve long-term quantitative characterization of single-cell adhesion dynamics in a simpler and more efficient manner, comparing the dynamic differences in adhesion establishment between two cell lines with different differentiation levels. MethodsHEK 293T and hTERT RPE-1 cells were non-invasively captured on the cantilever of a fluidic force microscope via its integrated microfluidic system during 40 h of adhesion culture. Cell-substrate detachment assays were performed, and force-distance curves were recorded to extract key mechanical adhesion parameters, including adhesion force, adhesion energy, and maximum detachment distance. These measurements were combined with real-time monitoring of cell spreading area to systematically characterize the dynamic evolution of single-cell adhesion. ResultshTERT RPE-1 cells rapidly entered a stable adhesion phase within 1 h after seeding, with both area-normalized adhesion force and area-normalized adhesion energy reaching peak values. In contrast, HEK 293T cells required 4 h to achieve stable adhesion. Subsequently, the adhesion force, adhesion energy and maximum detachment distance of hTERT RPE-1 and HEK 293T cells stabilized at approximately 240 nN vs. 30 nN, 2.2 pJ vs. 0.12 pJ and 6 μm vs. 4 μm, respectively. hTERT RPE-1 cells reached the peak of area-normalized adhesion parameters earlier than HEK 293T cells, with their peak area-normalized adhesion force and area-normalized adhesion energy being substantially elevated relative to HEK 293T cells. HEK 293T cells presented stronger linear correlations among adhesion energy, maximum detachment distance and adhesion force compared with hTERT RPE-1 cells. For both cell lines, cell spreading area exhibited a weak correlation with adhesion force. Whereas the area-normalized adhesion parameters of HEK 293T cells remained relatively constant throughout the adhesion process, hTERT RPE-1 cells exhibited elevated values in the early phase, followed by a gradual decline. These results indicated distinct dynamic adhesion patterns between the two cell types, with hTERT RPE-1 cells exhibiting stronger adhesion strength and higher adhesion efficiency. ConclusionIn this study, fluidic force microscopy-based single-cell force spectroscopy was successfully applied to perform long-term in situ quantitative measurement of the adhesion dynamics in single adherent cells. The approach revealed divergent adhesion patterns between HEK 293T and hTERT RPE-1 cells, suggesting a close association between cell differentiation and adhesion behaviors. These findings provide quantitative mechanical evidence for further understanding the underlying mechanisms of cell adhesion.
3.Research on trust enhancement pathway of essential public health services from the perspective of health risk governance
Yu ZHANG ; Rui-ke YOU ; Yang ZHAO ; Hai-ming FAN ; Yan-qing MIAO
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2025;18(11):25-30
The essential public health services is an important component of China's health risk governance system.It possesses both institutional and emotional attributes and addresses potential risk factors in health risk governance by forming a rational pathway and an emotional pathway:essential public health services guide-trust in government enhancement-improve health risk governance capacity.The rational pathway strengthens calculative trust through institutional reinforcement mechanisms,fostering the public's cognitive trust in government departments.The emotional pathway follows the principle of satisfaction,strengthening non-calculative trust through emotional communication and cultivating the public's emotional trust in government departments.By reinforcing both cognitive and emotional trust among the public,essential public health services improved the level of health information reserves and the guidance of medical service order,thereby improving health risk governance capacity.
4.The modified triangular dermal gland composite flap effectively corrects moderate to severe inverted nipples
Chuanhua YOU ; Jingjing LI ; Yihe WANG ; Hao QIN ; Hongjie YAN
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2025;41(8):840-846
Objective:To investigate the surgical efficacy of the modified areolar triangular dermal-glandular composite flap in correcting moderate to severe congenital nipple inversion.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data collected from patients with moderate to severe congenital nipple inversion treated at the Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, between August 2018 and January 2023. Patients were divided into two groups based on the month of admission: the control group, treated with conventional areolar triangular flap, and the observation group, treated with the modified areolar triangular dermal-glandular composite flap. Postoperatively, nipple appearance, maintenance of nipple height, and incidence of complications were assessed in both groups. At six months after surgery, surgeons evaluated the therapeutic efficacy as good, fair, or poor; the total effective rate was calculated as (number of good + fair cases) / total number of cases ×100%. Patient satisfaction was rated as very satisfied, satisfied, fair, or dissatisfied; the satisfaction rate was calculated as (number of very satisfied + satisfied cases) / total number of cases ×100%. Nipple height (measured as the distance from the areolar plane to the apex of the nipple) was recorded before and after surgery. Measurement data were analyzed using the t-test, and categorical data were analyzed using the χ2 test. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 60 female patients (94 sides) were included in the study. In the control group (28 patients), the mean age was 28.5±5.2 years; 11 cases were unilateral, and 17 cases were bilateral; 22 sides were classified as moderate, and 23 sides as severe. In the observation group (32 patients), the mean age was 29.1±4.8 years; 15 cases were unilateral, and 17 cases were bilateral; 23 sides were moderate, and 26 sides were severe. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding age, severity of nipple inversion, or the ratio of unilateral to bilateral nipple inversion (all P>0.05). Postoperative follow-up lasted 6 to 15 months, with 28 patients (43 sides) in the observation group and 24 patients (39 sides) in the control group completing follow-up. No severe complications, such as nipple necrosis, occurred in either group, and nipple morphology and appearance were generally normal. The total effective rates based on surgeons' efficacy evaluations were 94.87% (37/39) in the control group and 100.00% (43/43) in the observation group, with no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05). Patient satisfaction rates were 76.92% (30/39) in the control group and 93.02% (40/43) in the observation group, showing a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in preoperative nipple height between the two groups [-3.2±1.1 mm vs. -3.5±0.9 mm, P>0.05]. At 6 months post-surgery, nipple height in the observation group was significantly greater than in the control group [10.9±2.0 mm vs. 9.5±1.9 mm, P < 0.05]. Conclusion:The modified triangular dermal-glandular composite flap technique for correcting nipple inversion is relatively simple, demonstrates low long-term recurrence rates, and provides stable maintenance of nipple height. It is one of the preferred methods for treating moderate to severe congenital nipple inversion.
5.Development and reliability and validity test of the Ego Depletion Scale for Type 2 Diabetes Patients
Jiaxin YOU ; Rong XU ; Tian XIA ; Haishan HUANG ; Xiao LU ; Hong LIU ; Yan HUANG ; Qinghua LIU ; Xuna BIAN
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(19):2371-2377
Objective To develop the Ego Depletion Scale for Type 2 Diabetes Patients and evaluate its reliability and validity,and to provide a specific assessment tool for evaluating ego-depletion in self-management.Methods Guided by the self-control strength model,the initial scale was constructed through literature review,semi-structured interviews,2 rounds of expert consultation,and a pilot survey.A convenience sampling method was employed to recruit 460 patients with Type 2 Diabetes from the endocrinology department of a tertiary hospital in Wuhan,Hubei Province,between April and July 2024.They were randomly divided into 2 subsets for exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.Results A total of 451 valid questionnaires were collected.Exploratory factor analysis extracted 6 common factors,with a cumulative variance contribution of 73.231%.In confirmatory factor analysis,an item was deleted due to failing to meet the standardized loading value criterion.The revised Ego Depletion Scale for Type 2 Diabetes Patients comprised 6 dimensions and 22 items.The total Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.911;split-half reliability was 0.744;the content validity index was 0.860.Correlation coefficients between the total score and scores of each dimension of the scale and the total score of the Self-Regulatory Fatigue Scale ranged from 0.558 to 0.946(P<0.001).Conclusion The scale exhibits robust reliability and validity,serving as a scientifically instrument for assessing ego depletion in patients with Type 2 Diabetes.
6.The analysis of effect of serum containing Gegen Qinlian Decoction on regulating hypoxia-induced glucose metabolism in L02 Cells and related metabolic mechanisms
Yan YOU ; Hongjing CUI ; Chengcheng PENG ; Li JIANG ; Qiyun ZHANG ; Bingtao LI ; Guoliang XU
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(7):936-943
Objective The study aimedto investigate the effects and metabolic mechanisms of Gegen Qinlian Decoction(GQD)containing serum on hypoxia-induced glucose metabolism in L02 cells.Methods The effects of five hypoxia durations(6,12,18,24,and 48 hours)on glucose consumption and cell viability of L02 cells were examined under hypoxic conditions to determine the optimal hypoxia time.Normal hepatocytes served as the normal control group.L02 cells with hypoxia-induced reduction in glucose consumption were divided into several groups:hypoxia group,metformin 2 mmol/L group,and 25 g/kg GQD groups treated with 5%,10%,and 15%GQD contain-ing serum.Glucose consumption was used as an indicator of drug efficacy.High-resolution liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS)was employed to collect metabolite signals from each group.Data were analyzed by using Progenesis QI software,and potential biomarkers were identified through online databases such as HMDB.Finally,metabolic pathways of potential biomarkers were analyzed via the Metabo Analyst 5.0 website.Results An 18 hour hypoxia period was identified as the optimal duration for the replication of the hypoxia-induced L02 cell model.GQD containing serums at 5%and 10%significantly increased glucose consumption in hypoxia-induced L02 cells after 18 hours.14 biomarkers of hypoxia-induced L02 cells were identified,with the levels of 13 biomarkers significantly increased and 1 biomarker significantly decreased.GQD containing serum notably regulated the levels of 3 biomarkers.Conclusion GQD containing serum might improve hypoxia-induced abnormal glucose metabolism in L02 cells and enhance glucose consumption by modulating glycero-phospholipid metabolism,glycosylphosphatidylinositol biosynthesis,and sphingolipid metabolism.
7.A study on the development trend and related factors of medical institution bed allocation scale in OECD countries under the background of population aging
Xin-yan LI ; Yi-tong QIU ; You-li HAN
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2025;18(2):39-46
Objective:To analyze the development trend of medical institution bed allocation in OECD countries and provide insights for optimizing bed resources allocation in China.Methods:Data on indicators of bed allocation and related factors from 1991 to 2022 were collected from the OECD online database.Bed allocation impact dimensions were identified based on health needs and demand theories.The random effect model and correlation analysis were used to explore influencing pathways of bed allocation.Results:The number of beds per 1 000 population and average life expectancy showed a significant positive correlation in countries below the average bed level,while an inverse trend was observed in countries above the average level.The number of long-term care beds per 1000 population showed positive correlation with average life expectancy.Multidimensional factors such as the disease spectrum and bed utilization efficiency were significant correlated with the bed allocation levels.The greater the gap in inpatient and outpatient reimbursement rations,the higher the demand for hospitalization among patients with chronic disease.Conclusions:An optimal number of beds is essential for achieving higher health outcomes.The bed classification planning system should be designed to adapt to demographic changes and strengthen the medical security support system.
8.Leptin promotes breast cancer cell MCF-7 migration and invasion through inhibiting ACSL5
Tao ZENG ; Lan WEI ; Yong-zhu XU ; Shi-yu YANG ; Hao-li SUN ; Ting-ting DANG ; Yi-qing YOU ; Jia-feng TANG ; Yan ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(4):654-660
Aim To explore the possible regulatory effect of leptin on acyl-CoA synthetase long chain fami-ly member ACSL5 and their effect on migration and in-vasion of breast cancer cell,and to explore the underly-ing mechanism.Methods The expression of leptin receptor was detected by immunofluorescence assay.The migration and invasion ability of MCF-7 cells were detected by wound healing assay and Transwell assay respectively.The downstream target gene of leptin was analyzed by PCR microarray data.The expression of ACSL5 in breast cancer and its correlation with the staging and prognosis of breast cancer patients were as-sessed uing bioinformatics methods.The expression of ACSL5 in MCF-7 cells treated with different concentra-tions of leptin was detected using real time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR).Overexpressing ACSL5 was constructed by lentiviral transfection;the expressions of EMT related proteins,AMPK-α and p-AMPK-α were detected by Western blot.Results Leptin promoted breast cancer cell mi-gration and invasion and EMT.ACSL5 was significant-ly low expressed in breast cancer and related to progno-sis.Leptin downregulated the expression of ACSL5 through OBR.Leptin activated AMPK pathway to downregulate ACSL5 and promote migration,invasion and EMT of breast cancer cells.Conclusions Leptin may promote the migration,invasion and EMT of breast cancer by downregulating ACSL5 through activating AMPK pathway.
9.Chemical contituents from Dictamni Cortex
Yan LIU ; Tian-tian WEN ; Ye SUN ; Qing-shan CHEN ; Li-li ZHANG ; Hai-xue KUANG ; Bing-you YANG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(3):812-821
AIM To study the chemical constituents from Dictamni Cortex.METHODS The 70%ethanol extract from Dictamni Cortex was isolated and purified by HP-20 macroporous resin,silica gel,MCI,ODS and preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.RESULTS Thirty-three compounds were isolated and identified as rutin(1),apigenin(2),catechin(3),hesperetin(4),leonuriside A(5),androsin(6),2-methoxy-4-acetylphenol-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl-(1"-6')-β-glucopyranoside(7),vanillic acid(8),gallic acid(9),4-hydroxybenzoic acid(10),benzoic acid(11),involcranoside B(12),benzyl β-D-glucopyranoside(13),bphenylethyl-rutinoside(14),1-bromonaphthalene(15),cimifugin(16),9(S),12(S),13(S)-trihydroxyoctadeca-10(E),15(Z)-dienoic acid(17),methyl-9,12,13-trihydroxyoctadeca-10,15-dienoate(18),7,8-dihydroxy-9,12(Z,Z)-octadecadienoic acid(19),vernolic acid(20),9,10(erythro)-dihydroxy-11 E-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester(21),(7Z,9E,13Z)-11-hydroxyhexadeca-7,9,13-trienoic acid(22),(7Z,10Z,14E,16Z,19Z)-13-hydroxydocosa-7,10,14,16,19-pentaenoic acid(23),(9E)-8,11,12-trihydroxyoctadecenoic acid methyl ester(24),n-hexanol-O-rutinoside(25),hexyl β-sophoroside(26),3-pentyl 6'-(3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl)-β-D-glucopyranoside(27),3-methylbut-3-enyl-6-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside(28),3-methyl-but-2-en-1-yl β-D-glucopyranoside(29),3-methylbutan-1-ol-β-D-glucopyranoside(30),pregnenolone(31),2-butoxytetrahydrofuran(32),psydrin(33).CONCLUSION Compounds 2-4,8-13,15-16,25-28 and 32-33 are isolated from Rutaceae family for the first time.
10.Optimization of MRI appointment scheduling based on multiple-population differential evolution algorithm
Xiao-yan LU ; Cheng-you LIU ; Jia XU ; Wen SU
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(6):88-92
Objective To optimize the appointment scheduling for MRI examinations to provide new ideas for solving the problems of MRI examinations in resource optimization.Methods A simulation model of time-sharing MRI examination appointment rules was established by conducting a field survey on the MRI examination process in the hospital imaging department.The appointment scheduling rule for MRI examination slots was optimized with the empirical distributions of MRI examination time and patient tardiness time as the input parameters and the weighted averages of patient waiting time,doctor overtime time and equipment idle time as the objective functions.The optimal time slot length and the number of examination sites for each time slot were determined based on the multiple-population differential evolution algorithm,and the response of the appointment scheduling rule to parameter variations was investigated by sensitivity analysis.Results Simulation results showed that the optimal time slot length was 15 min,and that the optimized rule significantly gained advantages over the existing rule in terms of interference resistance when the patient tardiness rate and the number of devices varied.Conclusion The optimized appointment scheduling for MRI examinations based on the multiple-population differential evolution algorithm contributes to enhancing the patient experience and the efficiency of MRI examinations.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(6):88-92]

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