One of the most common and significant symptoms for skin disorders is pruritus.Additionally,it serves as a significant catalyst for the exacerbation or reoccurrence of skin diseases.Pruritus seriously affects patients'physical and mental health,and even the quality of life.It brings a heavy burden to the patients,the families,even the whole society.The pathogenesis and regulation mechanisms for pruritus are complicated and have not yet been elucidated.Previous clinical studies have shown that itch worsens at night in scabies,chronic pruritus,atopic dermatitis,and psoriasis,suggesting that skin pruritus may change with circadian rhythm.Cortisol,melatonin,core temperature,cytokines,and prostaglandins are the main regulatory factors of the circadian rhythm of pruritus.Recent studies have shown that some CLOCK genes,such as BMAL1,CLOCK,PER,and CRY,play an important role in the regulation of the circadian rhythm of pruritus by regulating the Janus tyrosine kinase(JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT)and nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)signaling pathways.However,the mechanisms for circadian clock genes in regulation of circadian rhythm of pruritus have not been fully elucidated.Further studies on the mechanism of circadian clock genes in the regulation of circadian rhythm of pruritus will lay a foundation for elucidating the regulatory mechanisms for pruritus,and also provide new ideas for the control of pruritus and the alleviation of skin diseases.

OBJECTIVES: Ozone is widely applied to treat allergic skin diseases such as eczema, atopic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis. However, the specific mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of ozonated oil on treating 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and the underling mechanisms. METHODS: Besides the blank control (Ctrl) group, all other mice were treated with DNCB to establish an ACD-like mouse model and were randomized into following groups: a model group, a basal oil group, an ozonated oil group, a FcεRI-overexpressed plasmid (FcεRI-OE) group, and a FcεRI empty plasmid (FcεRI-NC) group. The basal oil group and the ozonated oil group were treated with basal oil and ozonated oil, respectively. The FcεRI-OE group and the FcεRI-NC group were intradermally injected 25 µg FcεRI overexpression plasmid and 25 µg FcεRI empty plasmid when treating with ozonated oil, respectively. We recorded skin lesions daily and used reflectance confocal microscope (RCM) to evaluate thickness and inflammatory changes of skin lesions. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, real-time PCR, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq), and immunohistochemistry were performed to detct and analyze the skin lesions. RESULTS: Ozonated oil significantly alleviated DNCB-induced ACD-like dermatitis and reduced the expressions of IFN-γ, IL-17A, IL-1β, TNF-α, and other related inflammatory factors (all P<0.05). RNA-seq analysis revealed that ozonated oil significantly inhibited the activation of the DNCB-induced FcεRI/Syk signaling pathway, confirmed by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry (all P<0.05). Compared with the ozonated oil group and the FcεRI-NC group, the mRNA expression levels of IFN-γ, IL-17A, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and other inflammatory genes in the FcεRI-OE group were significantly increased (all P<0.05), and the mRNA and protein expression levels of FcεRI and Syk were significantly elevated in the FcεRI-OE group as well (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Ozonated oil significantly improves ACD-like dermatitis and alleviated DNCB-induced ACD-like dermatitis via inhibiting the FcεRI/Syk signaling pathway.
Animals ; Mice ; Dinitrochlorobenzene/metabolism* ; Skin/metabolism* ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Interleukin-17/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact/pathology* ; Dermatitis, Atopic/chemically induced* ; Signal Transduction ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of acidified aliphatic ester in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) in mouse models, and to preliminarily explore its mechanisms of action.Methods:Twenty female BALB/c mice aged 6 to 8 weeks were randomly divided into 2 groups: 5 mice in the blank control group were topically treated with absolute ethanol on both ears (14.3 μl per ear) every day, and 15 mice in the model group were topically treated with calcipotriol liniment (14.3 μl per ear) and 20 g/L ovalbumin (25 μl per ear) on both ears every day for 10 consecutive days to establish AD-like mouse models. From day 11, 15 mice in the model group were randomly divided into 3 groups (5 mice in each group), including AD model group, aliphatic ester group, and acidified aliphatic ester group; in the forenoon, all the 3 groups continued to be topically treated with calcipotriol liniment and ovalbumin to maintain AD-like models; in the afternoon, the aliphatic ester group and acidified aliphatic ester group were topically treated with aliphatic ester and acidified aliphatic ester respectively (10 μl per ear), and no treatment was given to the AD model group. Changes in body weight, ear thickness, ear skin lesion scores, and scratching frequency were observed. Ear skin swabs were obtained from the mice on days 10 and 14 for 16S rRNA gene - based microbial diversity tests. On day 14, mice were sacrificed after reflectance confocal microscopy examinations of the ear skin, ear tissues were resected for hematoxylin and eosin staining, mast cell staining, and real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and blood samples were collected for detection of serum IgE levels. One-way analysis of variance was used for analysis of data that met homogeneity of variance criteria, and least significant difference- t test for multiple comparisons. Results:On day 14, the severity of mouse ear lesions was the highest in the AD model group, followed in turn by the aliphatic ester group, acidified aliphatic ester group, and blank control group; compared with the AD model group, the acidified aliphatic ester group showed significantly decreased mouse ear thickness ( F = 897.50, P < 0.001), skin lesion scores ( F = 268.80, P < 0.001), scratching frequency ( F = 64.36, P < 0.001), and epidermal thickness ( F = 256.20, P < 0.001). In addition, RT-qPCR indicated that the expression of inflammatory factors such as interleukin (IL) -33, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, IL-4, and tumor necrosis factor-α in lesional areas, and the degree of mast-cell infiltration were all significantly lower in the acidified aliphatic ester group than in the AD model group ( F = 3.38, 8.70, 41.73, 44.30, 134.30, P = 0.049, = 0.001, < 0.001, < 0.001, <0.001, respectively). Microbial diversity tests showed that the acidified aliphatic ester treatment could inhibit the colonization of Staphylococcus spp. in the ears of AD-like mouse models, and the Shannon index and Simpson index significantly differed among the 4 groups ( F = 9.00, 7.92, P = 0.001, 0.002, respectively) . Conclusion:Acidified aliphatic ester could improve skin lesions of AD-like mouse models, possibly by regulating immunity, suppressing inflammation, and restoring skin microecological diversity.

Objective To investigate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of 135 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Tianjin. Methods The clinical and epidemiological data of 135 cases of COVID-19 in Tianjin were collected, and the data were analyzed with descriptive method. The factors influencing the severity of the illness were analyzed. Results Among the 135 COVID-19 cases, 72 were males and 63 were females, the age of the cases was (48.62±16.83) years, and the case fatality rate was 2.22%. Local transmission caused 74.81% of the cases. A total of 33 clusters occurred, involving 85.92% of all COVID-19 cases. The median of the incubation period of COVID-19 was 6.50 days, the average generation interval was 5 days, and the household secondary transmission rate was 20.46%. Fever was the main symptom (78.63%), followed by cough (56.48%). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that age ( OR =1.038, 95% CI : 1.010-1.167) and the number of chronic underlying diseases ( OR =1.709, 95% CI : 1.052-2.777) were the risk factors of severe illness. Conclusions Fever was the main symptom at the early phase of COVID-19 in Tianjin, and the local cluster cases accounted for high proportion in confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in Tianjin. Severe illness was prone to occur in people with old age and multi underlying diseases. Strict isolation of close contacts and intensive care of high-risk groups are the main measures to reduce the morbidity and case fatality of COVID-19.

The epidemiological history and clinical characteristics of 7 cases of COVID-19 and 1 case of close contact in the first family aggregation epidemic of COVID-19 in Gansu Province were analyzed. The first patient A developed on January 22, 2020, with a history of residence in Wuhan, and confirmed severe cases of NCP on January 24, 2020; patient B, on January 23, 2020, diagnosed on January 31, severe cases; patient C, asymptomatic, diagnosed on January 27; patient D, asymptomatic, diagnosed on January 27; patient E, on January 24, diagnosed on January 28; patient F, asymptomatic, diagnosed on January 31; Patient G was asymptomatic and was diagnosed on January 31. In close contact, H was asymptomatic, PCR test was negative and asymptomatic, and he was discharged early. Among the 7 patients, 1 case died of (B) aggravation, and the other patients' condition was effectively controlled after active treatment. Except for the discharged cases, 5 cases were positive for COVID-19 specific IgM antibody and 1 case was negative. In this clustering outbreak, 4 patients remained asymptomatic, but PCR and IgM antibodies were positive, indicating that asymptomatic patients may be the key point to control the epidemic. Specific IgM antibody screening for patients whose pharyngeal swab nucleic acid test is negative but with ground glass-like lung lesions is very important for early detection and early isolation.

The epidemiological history and clinical characteristics of 7 cases of COVID-19 and 1 case of close contact in the first family aggregation epidemic of COVID-19 in Gansu Province were analyzed. The first patient A developed on January 22, 2020, with a history of residence in Wuhan, and confirmed severe cases of NCP on January 24, 2020; patient B, on January 23, 2020, diagnosed on January 31, severe cases; patient C, asymptomatic, diagnosed on January 27; patient D, asymptomatic, diagnosed on January 27; patient E, on January 24, diagnosed on January 28; patient F, asymptomatic, diagnosed on January 31; Patient G was asymptomatic and was diagnosed on January 31. In close contact, H was asymptomatic, PCR test was negative and asymptomatic, and he was discharged early. Among the 7 patients, 1 case died of (B) aggravation, and the other patients' condition was effectively controlled after active treatment. Except for the discharged cases, 5 cases were positive for COVID-19 specific IgM antibody and 1 case was negative. In this clustering outbreak, 4 patients remained asymptomatic, but PCR and IgM antibodies were positive, indicating that asymptomatic patients may be the key point to control the epidemic. Specific IgM antibody screening for patients whose pharyngeal swab nucleic acid test is negative but with ground glass-like lung lesions is very important for early detection and early isolation.

Objective: To investigation on the occupational hazardous factors exposed to the female workers, from 14 prefectures and municipalities in Gansu province. Methods: The survey was conducted from June to October 2015. A total of 8 538 female employees from 30 enterprises in 14 prefectures and cities of the province were selected by cluster sampling method. The occupational hazard factors were investigated and analyzed statistically. Results: The survey found that the proportion of female workers in Gansu province who are exposed to chemical and physical harmful factors at the same time is relatively large. Most female workers are exposed to 2-4 occupational hazards, and women who are exposed to 3 and 4 chemical harmful factors account for 28.8 % and 38.0 %, respectively. Women workers who were exposed to two or three physical factors at the same time accounted for 59.44 per cent, while 61.5% were exposed to two biological factors at the same time. The number of female workers exposed to two or three physical factors at the same time and the number of four and five physical factors at the same time after being tested by χ². The difference is statistically significant (χ²= 8.17, P<0.05) . The difference in the number of female workers who simultaneously exposed 3 and 4 chemical factors and simultaneously exposed 2 and 5 or more chemical factors is statistically significant (χ²=11.26, P<0.05) . There was no significant difference in the exposure of female workers to biological factors. Conclusion This survey shows that the exposure of female workers in Gansu Province to occupational hazards is not optimistic. We should strengthen enterprise supervision and improve the working environment and conditions of female workers.

Objective:To investigate associations of interleukin-31 (IL-31) and pruritus in atopic dermatitis (AD) with Meta-analysis.Methods:Materials were extracted from the citations listed in the following databases:PubMed,Science Direct,Web of Science and Cochrane.Key search terms included:atopic dermatitis,pruritus,and IL-31.The Meta-analysis was used to analyze the correlation between pruritws in AD and IL-31 expression level.Results:The Meta-analysis showed that serum IL-31 levels were higher in AD patients than those in the healthy controls.The levels of IL-31 were higher in severe AD patients than those in the mild and moderate AD patients.Moreover,a positive correlation between serum IL-31 levels and severity of pruritus was identified.Conclusion:Increased serum levels of IL-31 generally exist in the AD patients,and it may accelerate the pruritus in the AD patients.

Objective:To evaluate skin irritation,acute toxicity,and allergy of medical ozone oil for clinical application.Methods:In contrast to their left and right side irritation,one or more skin irritation tests were performed on the intact and damaged skins of guinea pigs.With the maximum concentration,acute skin toxicity test was applied on the intact and damaged skins of rats.Active cutaneous anaphylaxis was applied to the guinea pigs.Results:High concentration (ozone consumption:150 g/L) of medical ozone oil showed a slight irritation on the broken skin of guinea pigs,while low concentrations did not show skin irritation.Medical ozone oil had no obvious acute toxicity to rats.The medical ozone oil and base oil showed mildallergy for the skin of guinea pig.Conclusion:The irritation of medical ozone oil is related to its concentration.With appropriateconcentration and duration of treatment,medical ozone oil is safe.

Objective:To explore a new method for detecting the bactericidal effect of oiling agent in vitro,and to determine the disinfectant effecacy ofozonated camellia oil on Staphylococcus aureus.Methods:Suspension of Staphylococcus aureus was prepared and innoculated on the LB plate by plate scribing method.After culture overnight,21 bacterial monoclones with the same diameter were selected and divided into 3 groups:A negative control group,a baseoil (camellia oil) group and an ozonated camellia oil group.We used a ring to isolate the single clone and added oil inside the ring,cultured the whole plate over night,picked out each single clone (with gel) to 5 mL LB medium and cultured it for 12 h.The final concentration of the LB medium was detected by plate count method and turbidimetry.Results:According to the plate count method and turbidimetry,the bacterial concentration in the ozonated camellia oil group was lower than that in the negative control group and base oil group Conclusion:Bacterial monoclone culture method shows that ozonated camellia oil can significantly kill Staphylococcus aureus,and this method is an effective method for evaluating the bactericidal function of the oiling agent in vitro.