ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of herbal cake-separated moxibustion using the classical formula Xiaoyaosan in alleviating neuroimmune inflammatory responses in chronic fatigue syndrome （CFS） rats， based on the regulation of the toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）/nuclear transcription factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway. MethodsFifty SPF-grade SD rats aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into five groups： Normal group， model group， sham herbal cake moxibustion group， Chinese medicine intragastric administration group， and herbal cake-separated moxibustion group， with 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal group， all other groups underwent a 21-day modeling process， followed by behavioral testing. The herbal cake-separated moxibustion and sham herbal cake moxibustion groups received interventions at the Shenque （CV8）， Guanyuan （CV4）， Zusanli （ST36）， and Qimen （LR14） acupoints. The Chinese medicine intragastric administration group was treated with a Xiaoyaosan suspension via gavage. Behavioral tests were conducted after 10 days of continuous intervention. Serum levels of interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-6， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， as well as hippocampal levels of IL-1β， IL-6， TNF-α， and NF-κB， were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Morphological changes in the hippocampus were observed using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect mRNA expression levels of TLR4， MyD88， and NF-κB in the hippocampus. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the relative expression levels of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， and p65 proteins in the hippocampus. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed a significant decrease in upright times during the open field test （P<0.01）， as well as significant reductions in total movement distance， resting time， and center region duration （P<0.01）. In the tail suspension test， immobility time increased （P<0.01）， and struggle times decreased （P<0.01）. Serum and hippocampal levels of IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α， as well as hippocampal NF-κB levels and TLR4， MyD88， and NF-κB mRNA expression， were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. After treatment， compared with the model group， the total movement distance and upright times in the open field test were significantly increased in all treatment groups （P<0.01）， while resting time and center region duration were notably prolonged （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Immobility time in the tail suspension test was significantly shortened （P<0.01）， and struggle times significantly increased （P<0.05）. Serum and hippocampal levels of IL-1β， IL-6， TNF-α， hippocampal NF-κB levels， and TLR4 and NF-κB mRNA expression were significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the sham herbal cake moxibustion group， the herbal cake-separated moxibustion group showed a significant extension in center region duration during the open field test （P<0.05） and a significant increase in upright times （P<0.01）. In the tail suspension test， immobility time was reduced （P<0.01）， and struggle times increased （P<0.01）. Serum TNF-α levels in the Chinese medicine intragastric administration group were significantly reduced （P<0.01）， while serum IL-6 levels， as well as hippocampal levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， NF-κB， and TLR4， MyD88， and NF-κB mRNA expression， were significantly decreased in both the Chinese medicine intragastric administration group and the herbal cake-separated moxibustion group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the Chinese medicine intragastric administration group， the herbal cake-separated moxibustion group exhibited significantly increased upright times in the open field test （P<0.01）. In the tail suspension test， immobility time was reduced （P<0.01）， and struggle times increased （P<0.01）. Serum IL-1β， hippocampal TNF-α levels， and TLR4， MyD88， and NF-κB mRNA expression were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionHerbal cake-separated moxibustion effectively improves fatigue and memory function in CFS rats， regulates neuroimmune inflammatory responses， and its mechanism may be related to the modulation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of moxibustion with the classical prescription Xiaoyaosan as the herbal cake in improving cognitive function in the rat model of chronic fatigue syndrome （CFS） by regulating autophagy via phosphatidylinosiol 3-kinase （PI3K）/autophagy key molecule yeast Atg6 homologue 1 （Beclin1） signaling pathway. MethodsFifty SPF-grade SD rats aged 6-8 weeks were randomly grouped as follows： control， model， sham cake-separated moxibustion， intragastric administration with Chinese herbs， and herbal cake-separated moxibustion， each with 10 rats. The other groups except the control group were subjected to modeling by exhaustive swimming and chronic restraint stress for 21 days， and the behavioral test was performed after modeling. Herbal cake-separated moxibustion and sham cake-separated moxibustion were carried out at Shenque （CV8）， Guanyuan （CV4）， Zusanli （ST36）， and Qimen （LR14）. The rats in the intragastric administration with Chinese herbs group were treated with Xiaoyaosan suspension by gavage. After continuous intervention for 10 days， rat behaviors were observed and the levels of interleukin （IL）-4， IL-10， blood urine nitrogen （BUN）， and malondiadehyde （MDA） in the serum and hippocampal tissue of rats in each group were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The morphological changes of the hippocampal tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The relative mRNA and protein levels of PI3K and Beclin1 in the hippocampal tissue were determined by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed reduced crossings， shortened residence time in the target quadrant， and prolonged average escape latency on days 1， 2， 3， and 4 （P<0.01） in the Morris water maze test. In the new object recognition test， the model group showed decreased recognition index of exploration time and recognition index of exploration times （P<0.01）， lowered levels of IL-4 and IL-10 and elevated levels of BUN and MDA in the serum and hippocampus （P<0.01）， and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PI3K and Beclin1 （P<0.01）. After treatment， compared with the model group， each treatment group showed increased crossings， prolonged residence time in the target quadrant， and shortened average escape latency on days 1， 2， 3， and 4 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， the treatment elevated the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 and lowered the levels of BUN and MDA in the serum and hippocampus （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of PI3K and Beclin1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the sham cake-separated moxibustion group， the herbal cake-separated moxibustion group and the intragastric administration with Chinese herbs group showed increased crossings， prolonged residence time in the target quadrant （P<0.05）， elevated level of IL-4， lowered level of MDA， and up-regulated relative mRNA and protein levels of PI3K and Beclin1 in the hippocampus （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The serum levels of MDA and BUN in the intragastric administration with Chinese herbs group were significantly decreased. The average escape latency of the herbal cake-separated moxibustion group was significantly shortened on days 2 and 3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， this group showed elevated serum level of IL-4， lowered serum level of MDA， and declined BUN level in the hippocampus （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the intragastric administration with Chinese herbs group， the herbal cake-separated moxibustion group presented risen serum level of IL-4 and up-regulated mRNA level of Beclin1 （P<0.05） and relative protein levels of PI3K and Beclin1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionHerbal cake-separated moxibustion can effectively alleviate fatigue and improve the memory， reduce inflammatory response and oxidative stress， and decrease autophagy of hippocampal neurons in CFS rats by regulating the PI3K/Beclin1 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of moxibustion with the classical prescription Xiaoyaosan as the herbal cake in improving cognitive function in the rat model of chronic fatigue syndrome （CFS） by regulating autophagy via phosphatidylinosiol 3-kinase （PI3K）/autophagy key molecule yeast Atg6 homologue 1 （Beclin1） signaling pathway. MethodsFifty SPF-grade SD rats aged 6-8 weeks were randomly grouped as follows： control， model， sham cake-separated moxibustion， intragastric administration with Chinese herbs， and herbal cake-separated moxibustion， each with 10 rats. The other groups except the control group were subjected to modeling by exhaustive swimming and chronic restraint stress for 21 days， and the behavioral test was performed after modeling. Herbal cake-separated moxibustion and sham cake-separated moxibustion were carried out at Shenque （CV8）， Guanyuan （CV4）， Zusanli （ST36）， and Qimen （LR14）. The rats in the intragastric administration with Chinese herbs group were treated with Xiaoyaosan suspension by gavage. After continuous intervention for 10 days， rat behaviors were observed and the levels of interleukin （IL）-4， IL-10， blood urine nitrogen （BUN）， and malondiadehyde （MDA） in the serum and hippocampal tissue of rats in each group were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The morphological changes of the hippocampal tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The relative mRNA and protein levels of PI3K and Beclin1 in the hippocampal tissue were determined by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed reduced crossings， shortened residence time in the target quadrant， and prolonged average escape latency on days 1， 2， 3， and 4 （P<0.01） in the Morris water maze test. In the new object recognition test， the model group showed decreased recognition index of exploration time and recognition index of exploration times （P<0.01）， lowered levels of IL-4 and IL-10 and elevated levels of BUN and MDA in the serum and hippocampus （P<0.01）， and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PI3K and Beclin1 （P<0.01）. After treatment， compared with the model group， each treatment group showed increased crossings， prolonged residence time in the target quadrant， and shortened average escape latency on days 1， 2， 3， and 4 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， the treatment elevated the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 and lowered the levels of BUN and MDA in the serum and hippocampus （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of PI3K and Beclin1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the sham cake-separated moxibustion group， the herbal cake-separated moxibustion group and the intragastric administration with Chinese herbs group showed increased crossings， prolonged residence time in the target quadrant （P<0.05）， elevated level of IL-4， lowered level of MDA， and up-regulated relative mRNA and protein levels of PI3K and Beclin1 in the hippocampus （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The serum levels of MDA and BUN in the intragastric administration with Chinese herbs group were significantly decreased. The average escape latency of the herbal cake-separated moxibustion group was significantly shortened on days 2 and 3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， this group showed elevated serum level of IL-4， lowered serum level of MDA， and declined BUN level in the hippocampus （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the intragastric administration with Chinese herbs group， the herbal cake-separated moxibustion group presented risen serum level of IL-4 and up-regulated mRNA level of Beclin1 （P<0.05） and relative protein levels of PI3K and Beclin1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionHerbal cake-separated moxibustion can effectively alleviate fatigue and improve the memory， reduce inflammatory response and oxidative stress， and decrease autophagy of hippocampal neurons in CFS rats by regulating the PI3K/Beclin1 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVES: As early as the Apollo 11 mission, astronauts experienced ocular, skin, and upper airway irritation after lunar dust (LD) was brought into the return cabin, drawing attention to its potential biological toxicity. However, the biological effects of LD exposure through the digestive system remain poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of digestive exposure to lunar dust simulant (LDS) on gut microbiota and on the intestine, liver, kidney, lung, and bone in mice. METHODS: Eight-week-old female C57BL/6J mice were used. LDS was used as a substitute for lunar dust, and Shaanxi loess was used as Earth dust (ED). Mice were randomly divided into a phosphate buffered saline (PBS) group, an ED group (500 mg/kg), and a LDS group (500 mg/kg), with assessments at days 7, 14, and 28. Mice were gavaged once every 3 days, with body weight recorded before each gavage. At sacrifice, fecal samples were analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing; inflammatory cytokine expression [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)] in intestinal, liver, and lung tissues was measured by real-time reverse transcription PCR (real-time RT-PCR); hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed on lung, liver, and intestinal tissues; Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining was used to assess the integrity of the intestinal mucus barrier, and immunohistochemical staining was performed to evaluate the expression of mucin-2 (MUC2). Serum biochemical tests assessed hepatic and renal function. Femoral bone mass was analyzed by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT); osteoblasts and osteoclasts were assessed by osteocalcin (OCN) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. Bone marrow immune cell subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: At day 10, weight gain was slowed in ED and LDS groups. At days 22 and 28, body weight in both ED and LDS groups was significantly lower than controls (both P<0.05). LDS exposure increased microbial species richness and diversity at day 7. Compared with the PBS and ED groups, mice in the LDS group showed increased relative abundance of Deferribacterota, Desulfobacterota, and Campylobacterota, and decreased Firmicutes, with increased Helicobacter typhlonius and reduced Lactobacillus johnsonii and Lactobacillusmurinus. HE and PAS staining of the colon showed that mucosal structural disruption and goblet cell loss were more severe in the LDS group. In addition, immunohistochemistry revealed a significant downregulation of MUC2 expression in this group (P<0.05). No obvious pathological alterations were observed in liver HE staining among the 3 groups, and none of the groups exhibited notable hepatic or renal dysfunction. HE staining of the lungs in the ED and LDS groups showed increased perivascular inflammatory cell infiltration (both P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS LDS exposure via the digestive route induces gut dysbiosis, intestinal barrier disruption, pulmonary inflammation, bone loss, and bone marrow immune imbalance. These findings indicate that LD exposure poses potential health risks during future lunar missions. Targeted restoration of beneficial gut microbiota may represent a promising strategy to mitigate LD-related health hazards.
Animals ; Dust ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Dysbiosis/etiology* ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Moon ; Liver/metabolism* ; Digestive System/microbiology* ; Lung/metabolism* ; Kidney

OBJECTIVES: Due to prolonged exposure to cosmic radiation and meteorite impacts, lunar surface dust forms nanoscale angular particles with strong electrostatic adsorption properties. These dust particles pose potential inhalation risks, yet their pulmonary toxicological mechanisms remain unclear. Given the need for dust exposure protection in future lunar base construction and resource development, this study established an acute exposure model using lunar soil simulant (LSS) and used Earth soil (ES; Loess from Shaanxi, China) as a comparison to investigate lung injury mechanisms. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to 3 groups: Phosphate buffered saline (PBS), LSS, and ES, with 5 to 7 mice per group. Mice in the LSS and ES groups received a single intratracheal instillation to induce acute inhalation exposure. Body weight was monitored for 28 days. Mice were euthanized at days 3, 7, 14, and 28 post-exposure, and peripheral blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and lung tissues were collected. Immune cell subsets in BALF were analyzed using flow cytometry. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining assessed lung structure and inflammation; periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining evaluated airway mucus secretion; Masson staining examined collagen deposition. Real-time reverse transcription PCR (real-time RT-PCR) was used to measure the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and epithelial barrier genes (Occludin, Cadherin-1, and Zo-1). Lung tissues at day 7 were subjected to transcriptomic sequencing, followed by immune infiltration and pathway enrichment analyses to determine immunoregulatory mechanisms. RESULTS: Body weight in the ES group progressively declined after day 18 (all P<0.05), while the LSS group showed no significant changes compared with the control group. HE staining showed both LSS and ES induced inflammatory cell infiltration around airways and vasculature, which persisted for 28 days but gradually lessened over time. PAS staining revealed marked mucus hypersecretion in the LSS group at day 3, followed by gradual recovery; no significant mucus changes were observed in the ES group. Masson staining indicated no obvious pulmonary fibrosis in either group within 28 days. Real-time RT-PCR demonstrated significant upregulation of IL-1β and TNF-α in both LSS and ES groups, peaking on day 7, accompanied by downregulation of epithelial barrier genes (Occludin, Cadherin-1, and Zo-1)(all P<0.05). Transcriptomic analysis showed that both LSS and ES activated chemokine-related pathways and enriched leukocyte migration and neutrophil recruitment pathways. Further validation revealed upregulation of CXCL2 and MMP12 in the LSS group, whereas CXCL3 and MMP12 were predominantly elevated in the ES group. CONCLUSIONS Both LSS and ES can induce sustained lung injury and neutrophil infiltration in mice, though the underlying molecular mechanisms differ. Compared with ES, exposure to LSS additionally triggers a transient eosinophilic response, suggesting that lunar dust particles possess stronger immunostimulatory potential and higher biological toxicity.
Animals ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Soil ; Lung Injury/etiology* ; Dust ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Moon ; Lung/pathology* ; Inhalation Exposure/adverse effects* ; Male

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Dayuanyin on acute lung injury induced by H1N1 infection and decipher the potential mechanism. MethodThe constituents in Dayuanyin were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-exactive orbitrap mass spectrometry （UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS）. Forty-eight female BALB/c mice were randomized into normal， model， oseltamivir （19.5 mg·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （2.73， 5.46， 10.92 g·kg^-1） Dayuanyin groups. The normal and model groups were administrated with deionized water by gavage， and the other groups were administrated with the corresponding drugs by gavage. On day 3 of drug administration， the normal group received nasal inhalation of normal saline， and the other groups were inoculated intranasally with A/RP/8/34 （H1N1） for the modeling of influenza virus infection. Mice were administrated with drugs continuously for 7 days and weighed daily. Sampling was performed 12 h after the last administration， and the lung tissue was weighed to calculate the lung index. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe the pathological and morphological changes of the lung tissue and bronchi. The cytometric bead array （CBA） was used to measure the serum levels of interferon-gamma （IFN-γ）， C-X-C motif ligand 1 （CXCL1）， tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）， chemokine ligand 2 （CCL2）， interleukin-12p70 （IL-12p70）， chemokine ligand 5 （CCL5）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， chemokine （C-X-C motif） ligand 10 （CXCL10）， granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor （GM-CSF）， interleukin-10 （IL-10）， interferon-beta （IFN-β）， interferon-alpha （IFN-α）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6）. According to the results of mass spectrometry and network pharmacology， we analyzed the mechanism of Dayuanyin in treating acute lung injury caused by H1N1. The protein levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 （ERK1/2）， p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK）， nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB）， and their phosphorylated forms were determined by Western blot. The mRNA levels of myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）， Toll-like receptor 3 （TLR3）， Toll-like receptor 7 （TLR7）， and Toll-like receptor 8 （TLR8） in the lung tissue were measured by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultA total of 57 compounds， including paeoniflorin and baicalein， were detected in Dayuanyin. Compared with the normal group， the model group showed decreased body weight （P<0.01）， lung edema and hemorrhage， increased lung index （P<0.01）， and elevated levels of IFN-γ， IL-12p70， CCL5， IL-1β， CXCL10， GM-CSF， IFN-β， and IL-6 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， Dayuanyin attenuated alveolar wall thickening， capillary congestion， and immune cell infiltration， reduced the alterations in body weight and lung index （P<0.01）， and down-regulated the protein levels of IFN-γ， IL-12p70， CCL5， IL-1β， CXCL10， GM-CSF， IFN-β， and IL-6 （P<0.01）. A total of 57 key genes were predicted by network pharmacological analysis， of which the MAPK signaling pathway was the main target signaling pathway. Compared with the normal group， the model group showed up-regulation in the protein levels of phosphorylation （p）-ERK1/2， p-p38 MAPK， and p-NF-κB （P<0.01） and the mRNA levels of TLR7， TLR8， MyD88， and TLR3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， Dayuanyin lowered the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2， p38 MAPK， and NF-κB p65 in a dose-dependent manner （P<0.01） and down-regulated the mRNA levels of TLR3， TLR7， TLR8， and MyD88 （P<0.01）. ConclusionDayuanyin can prevent and control H1N1 infection-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting the TLR/MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative neurological disorder characterized primarily by cognitive impairment.Acupuncture is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine therapy for treating Alzheimer's disease,but its mechanism is not yet clear. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of electroacupuncture with"Zhi San Zhen"on the Notch signaling pathway,β-amyloid protein(Aβ)and synaptic plasticity in 5xFAD mice. METHODS:Sixteen male,6-month-old 5xFAD mice,SPF-grade,were randomly divided into the electroacupuncture with"Zhi San Zhen"group(electroacupuncture group)and the model group,with eight mice in each group.Eight SPF-grade,male,6-month-old C57BL/6 mice were used as the wild control(wild)group.The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture with"Zhi San Zhen"intervention,5 times a week for 4 consecutive weeks.The model group and the wild group did not receive electroacupuncture intervention.The Morris water maze was used to preliminarily assess their learning and memory abilities.Thioflavin S staining was performed to detect Aβ plaque deposition.Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)were used to measure the expression levels of transmembrane receptor protein Notch-1,Notch 1 intracellular domain(NICD),hairy and enhancer of split 1(Hes 1),hairy and enhancer of split 5(Hes 5),synaptophysin(SYN),postsynaptic density protein-95(PSD-95),and Aβ. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the model group,the wild group and the electroacupuncture group showed shortened escape latency,increased platform crossing times,and longer target quadrant dwell time(P<0.05).Compared with the wild group,the model group had significantly increased deposition of Aβ plaques,while electroacupuncture with"Zhi San Zhen"inhibited the deposition of Aβ plaques in the hippocampus of 5xFAD mice(P<0.05).Compared with the wild group,the model group had decreased mRNA levels of SYN,PSD-95,Notch 1,NICD,Hes 1,and Hes 5 in the hippocampal tissue of mice,and increased mRNA levels of Aβ(P<0.05).Electroacupuncture with"Zhi San Zhen"increased the mRNA levels of SYN,PSD-95,Notch 1,NICD,Hes 1,and Hes 5 in the hippocampal tissue,and decreased the mRNA level of Aβ(P<0.05).Compared with the Wild group,the model group had decreased protein expression levels of SYN,PSD-95,Notch 1,NICD,Hes 1,and Hes 5 in the hippocampal tissue of mice,and increased protein expression levels of Aβ(P<0.05).Electroacupuncture with"Zhi San Zhen"upregulated the protein expression levels of SYN,PSD-95,Notch 1,NICD,Hes 1,and Hes 5,and inhibited the protein expression of Aβ(P<0.05).To conclude,electroacupuncture with"Zhi San Zhen"can improve the learning and memory abilities of 5xFAD mice,possibly by inhibiting the deposition of Aβ protein and activating the Notch signaling pathway in the hippocampus to enhance synaptic plasticity.

Objective:To explore the effects of acupuncture combined with Buyang Huanwu Decoction on intestinal flora in cerebral blood flow hypo perfusion model rats with carotid artery stenosis.Methods:Totally 40 rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group, model group, TCM treatment group and acupuncture and drug combination treatment group, with 10 rats in each group. Except the sham-operation group, the other groups were prepared cerebral ischemia model by needle control and thread embolism method. TCM treatment group received Buyang Huanwu Decoction 100 mg/kg for gavage, once a day, and the intervention lasted for 2 weeks. In the acupuncture and drug combination group, based on the TCM treatment group, Baihui and its left and right sides of 2 mm were selected for acupuncture, once a day, and continuous intervention was performed for 2 weeks. Neurological function evaluation and behavioral function score were performed 7 and 14 days after administration, respectively. 16S rRNA sequencing was used to comprehensively characterize the structure and composition of fecal microflora of rats in each group. Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) was used to analyze the difference of intestinal bacteria among groups.Result:On the 7th and 14th day after administration, compared with the model group, the neurological function score in the TCM treatment group and the acupuncture and drug combination group decreased ( P<0.05), and the behavioral function score increased ( P<0.05). Compared with model group, the Shannon index of TCM treatment group and acupuncture and drug combination group increased ( P<0.05). The abundance of Firmicutes increased ( P<0.05), and the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria decreased ( P<0.05); the abundance of Clostridia increased ( P<0.05), and the abundance of Gammaproteobacteria decreased ( P<0.05). The abundance of Escherichia-Shigella and Bacteroides decreased ( P<0.05); the abundance of lactobacillus significantly increased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Acupuncture combined with Buyang Huanwu Decoction can improve the symptoms of cerebral hypoperfusion model rats with carotid artery stenosis, and the mechanism may be to increase the abundance of probiotics.

Objective To evaluate the testing capabilities of laboratories,analyze existing issues,and improve testing quality,through carrying out the external quality assessment(EQA)of clinical laboratories for human papillomavirus(HPV)type 6 and 11 nucleic acid detection.Methods EQA plan was carried out twice a year.Each panel contains 4 positive samples,including one strong positive sample and one weak positive sample of HPV6 and HPV11,made from cervical secretions from patients with clinical manifestations of condyloma acuminata(CA)and positive for HPV6 or HPV11(from Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital).One negative sample was cultured from the C-33A cell line(from Chinese Academy of Sciences).Samples were sent to participating laboratories by cold chain,and laboratories were required to detect test samples and upload their results within the specified time.Shanghai Center for Clinical Laboratory(SCCL)calculated the scores of each laboratory based on the return results.Results A total of 163 sample panels were sent out in the 6 rounds of EQA plan and 140 valid reports were received.The laboratory qualification rate was 96.43%(135/140)and the sample compliance rate was 97.86%(685/700).There were 13 false negative results and 2 false positive results,with weakly positive samples accounting for 76.92%(10/13)of the false negative results.Conclusion The detection accuracy of HPV6/11 nucleic acid in each laboratory was relatively high,and the detection ability of weak positive samples in individual laboratories may need to be improved.The laboratory could discover problems and improve its quality management by participating in EQA.

Regulated cell death (RCD) is a critical physiological process essential in maintaining skin homeostasis. Among the various forms of RCD, ferroptosis stands out due to its distinct features of iron accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and involvement of various inhibitory antioxidant systems. In recent years, an expanding body of research has solidly linked ferroptosis to the emergence of skin disorders. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms underlying ferroptosis in skin diseases is crucial for advancing therapy and prevention strategies. This review commences with a succinct elucidation of the mechanisms that underpin ferroptosis, embarks on a thorough exploration of ferroptosis’s role across a spectrum of skin conditions, encompassing melanoma, psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), vitiligo, and dermatological ailments precipitated by ultraviolet (UV) exposure, and scrutinizes the potential therapeutic benefits of pharmacological interventions aimed at modulating ferroptosis for the amelioration of skin diseases.