ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of topical treatment of allergic contact dermatitis （ACD） mice with Portulacae Herba based on the nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway. MethodsA total of 70 6-week-old specific pathogen free （SPF） female Kunming mice were adaptively fed for 1 week and randomly divided into blank group， model group， compound dexamethasone acetate cream group （2.075×10^-2 g·g^-1）， blank matrix cream group， low-dose Portulacae Herba cream group （0.1 g·g^-1）， high-dose Portulacae Herba cream group （0.2 g·g^-1）， and Portulacae Herba + inhibitor group （0.2 g·g^-1 + 30 mg·kg^-1 ML385）， with 10 mice in each group. One day before the experiment， the mice were shaved on the neck and back. Except for the blank group， the mice in the other groups were treated with 2，4-dinitrochlorobenzene （DNCB） to establish an ACD model. After respective administration， the skin lesion of the mice was scored， and the histopathological changes of the skin were stained with hematoxylin-eosin （HE）. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， reactive oxygen species （ROS）， superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity， and malondialdehyde （MDA） in serum of mice. The expression of Nrf2/HO-1/NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins in mouse skin tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）， Western blot， and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the mice in the model group had an increased skin lesion score （P<0.01）， severe pathological damage to skin tissue， increased content of IL-1β， IL-6， ROS， and MDA in their serum （P<0.01）， and decreased content of SOD （P<0.01）. In addition， the mRNA and protein expression levels of Nrf2， HO-1， and nuclear factor-κB inhibitor α （IκBα） in skin tissue were up-regulated （P<0.01）， while the protein expression levels of phosphorylated （p）-IκBα and p-NF-κB p65 and the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65 were down-regulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group and the blank matrix cream group， the mice treated with Portulacae Herba had a decreased skin lesion score （P<0.01）， reduced pathological damage to skin tissue， decreased content of IL-1β， IL-6， ROS， and MDA in their serum （P<0.01）， and increased content of SOD （P<0.01）. Additionally， the mRNA and protein expression levels of Nrf2， HO-1， and IκBα in skin tissue were down-regulated （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and the protein expression levels of p-IκBα and p-NF-κB p65 and the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65 were up-regulated （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Compared with the Portulacae Herba + inhibitor group， the high-dose Portulacae Herba cream group had a decreased skin lesion score （P<0.01）， alleviated pathological damage to skin tissue， decreased content of IL-1β， IL-6， ROS， and MDA in the serum of mice （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and increased content of SOD （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of Nrf2， HO-1， and IκBα and the mRNA expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in skin tissue were up-regulated （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and the protein expression levels of p-IκBα and p-NF-κB p65 and the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65 were down-regulated （P<0.05）. ConclusionPortulacae Herba can improve DNCB-induced ACD skin damage in mice by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1/NF-κB signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To study the effects and mechanism of Portulaca oleracea cream on skin pruritus and barrier function in allergic contact dermatitis （ACD） mice. METHODS Low-concentration and high-concentration P. oleracea creams were prepared， with the P. oleracea extract solution （1 g/mL， calculated by crude drug） concentrations of 10% and 20%. Sixty BALB/c mice were randomly allocated into blank group， model group， Mometasone furoate cream group （positive control）， blank matrix cream group， P. oleracea low-concentration and high-concentration cream groups. Except for blank group， ACD model was induced in each group using 2，4-dinitrochlorobenzene solution. The blank group and model groups received normal saline， while the remaining groups were treated with their respective creams， once a day， at a dose of approximately 0.5 g per application， continuously for 14 days. At 24 h post-final administration， skin lesions of mice were observed and scored； pathological changes of skin tissue were observed； serum levels of immunoglobulin E（IgE） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） were quantified. mRNA expression of MAS-related G protein-coupled receptors （including MrgprA3， MrgprC11， and MrgprD） in dorsal root ganglion （DRG） was assessed； while protein expressions of skin barrier function-related proteins Claudin-1 and Occludin in skin tissues were determined. RESULTS Compared with blank group， mice in the model group exhibited severe skin damage， characterized by loss of epidermal architecture， hyperkeratosis of the skin tissue， and the infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells. The skin injury scores， as well as the serum levels of IgE and TNF-α， and the mRNA expression levels of MrgprA3， MrgprC11， and MrgprD in DRG， were all significantly elevated compared to the blank group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； in contrast， the protein expression levels of Claudin-1 and Occludin in the skin tissue were markedly reduced （P＜0.05）. Compared with model group， mice in P. oleracea low-concentration and high- concentration cream groups demonstrated significant alleviation of skin damage， as evidenced by reduced epidermal hyperplasia， mitigated spongiosis in the dermis， and decreased infiltration of inflammatory cells； these quantitative indicators were almost significantly reversed （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. No significant differences were observed in the aforementioned skin injuries， pathological alterations， or quantitative indicators between the blank matrix cream group and the model group. CONCLUSIONS P. oleracea may ameliorate skin lesions and restore skin barrier function of ACD mice， the mechanism of which may be associated with downregulating mRNA expressions of MrgprA3， MrgprC11 and MrgprD in DRG， and up-regulating the protein expressions of Claudin-1 and Occludin in skin tissue.

This study aims to develop an improved cell screening system for farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonists based on a dual luciferase reporter gene system. FXR response element (FXRE) fragments from FXR target genes were cloned and inserted into upstream of firefly luciferase (Luc) gene in the plasmid pGL4-luc2P-Hygro. In combination with the internal reference plasmid containing renilla luciferase, a dual luciferase reporter gene system was developed and used for high throughput screening of FXR agonists. After studying the effects of over-expression of RXR, mouse or human FXR, various FXRE fragments, and different ratio of FXR plasmid amount to reporter gene plasmid, induction efficiency of the screening system was optimized by the known FXR agonist GW4064, and Z factor for the system reached 0.83 under optimized conditions. In summary, an improved cell screening system based on double luciferase reporter gene detection system was developed to facilitate the discovery of FXR agonists, where a new enhanced FXRE element was formed by a superposition of multiple FXRE fragments from FXR target genes, instead of a superposition of traditional IR-1 (inverted repeats-1) fragments.
Humans ; Mice ; Animals ; Transcription Factors/genetics* ; DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/genetics* ; Genes, Reporter ; Luciferases/genetics*

This paper focused on the research progress of the assessment methods of carers′ fall concern for the elderly. The content of this review included the definition of carers′ fall concern, and the advantages and disadvantages of various assessment method of carers′ fall concern for the caregivers to the elderly, such as qualitative interviews, questionnaires, and scales. Through this review, the authors hoped to provide a reference for selecting or developing a localized carers′ fall concern assessment tool.

Objective:To observe the effect of wrist-ankle acupuncture combined with electroacupuncture on neurological function and limb motor function in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods:A total of 106 eligible subjects were divided into a treatment group and a control group according to the random number table method,with 53 cases in each group.Patients in the control group were treated with conventional rehabilitation.The treatment group was treated with wrist-ankle acupuncture and electroacupuncture in addition to the treatment used in the control group.The National Institute of Heath stroke scale(NIHSS)score,Fugl-Meyer assessment scale score,Berg balance scale score,lower limb main nerve conduction velocity,and total response rate were compared between the two groups. Results:The total response rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the NIHSS score,Fugl-Meyer assessment scale score,and Berg balance scale score of the two groups were improved compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the treatment group was significantly better than the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,only the conduction velocity of femoral nerve in the control group was better than that before treatment(P<0.05),and the conduction velocity of femoral nerve,tibial nerve,sural nerve,and common peroneal nerve in the treatment group was better than that before treatment(P<0.05),and was better than that in the control group(P<0.05). Conclusion:Wrist-ankle acupuncture and electroacupuncture combined with conventional rehabilitation therapy can significantly improve nerve and muscle function and the motor and living ability of patients with ischemic stroke,and its therapeutic effect is superior to that of conventional rehabilitation therapy alone.

Objective:To explore the effects of the γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA) neurons and melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) neurons of the nucleus accumbens (NAc)-lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) neural pathway on the rewarding feeding(palatable food sweat condensed milk) in the obesity rats.Methods:Total 142 male Wistar rats of SPF grade were divided into normal diet (ND) group ( n=68) and high-fat diet induced obesity (DIO) group ( n=74) according to the principle of body mass matching. The rats in the two groups were given normal diet and high-fat diet for 8 weeks. Eight weeks later, 6 DIO rats were randomly selected to observe the nerve projection from GABA neurons in NAc to MCH neurons in LHA by fluorogold retrograde tracing combined fluorescence immunohistochemistry. And the expressions of c-Fos and MCH in LHA after ingestion of sweet condensed milk(rewarding feeding) were observed by fluorescence immunohistochemistry (6 rats in each group). GABA receptor agonist Musimol or GABA receptor antagonist Bicuculine was microinjected into the nucleus of LHA to observe the effect of GABA on rewarding food intake in ND and DIO rats ( n=8 in each group), and the changes of rewarding food intake after blocking MCH signal ( n=8 in each group). SPSS 17.0 was used for statistical analysis, two-way ANOVA and post hoc Bonferroni test were used for comparison among multiple groups, and t-test was used for comparison between two groups. Results:After 8 weeks of high-fat diet modeling, the intake of delicious food in DIO rats was significantly higher than that in ND rats((12.52±2.29) mL, (7.45±1.23) mL, t=4.778, P<0.01) after satiety.The results of fluorogold retrograde tracing combined with fluorescence immunohistochemistry showed that GABA neurons in NAc projected nerve fibers to neurons in LHA, and GABA A receptors in some neurons in LHA coexisted with MCH.The results of NAc-LHA pathway on delicious food intake showed that the interaction between rat group and drug intervention was significant( F=9.869, P<0.01). Simple effect analysis showed that the intake of delicious food after microinjection of Musimol into LHA nucleus of ND rats was significantly lower than that of microinjection normal saline ((4.25±1.38) mL, (7.29±1.49) mL, P<0.01), while the intake of delicious food after injection of Bicuculine was significantly higher than that of microinjection normal saline((10.72±2.11) mL, (7.29±1.49) mL, P<0.05). The intake of delicious food after microinjection of Musimol into LHA nucleus in DIO group was significantly lower than that of microinjection normal saline((3.51±1.77)mL, (13.68±2.95) mL, P<0.01), but there was no significant difference between microinjection Bicuculine and microinjection normal saline ((14.83±3.44) mL, (13.68±2.95) mL, P>0.05). The results of blocking MCH signal on delicious food intake showed that the interaction effect between SNAP-94847 and Bicuculine intervention was not significant ( F=1.468, P>0.05). The main effect of SNAP-94847 intervention was significant ( F=15.880, P<0.01)and the main effect of Bicuculine intervention was significant ( F=6.930, P<0.05). After intracerebroventricular injection of MCH receptor blocker SNAP-94847, the delicious food intake of ND rats was significantly less than that of injection normal saline((4.78±1.72) mL, (7.63±2.77) mL, P<0.05), and it was not affected by pre injection of Bicuculine in LHA ((6.24±2.18) mL, (4.78±1.72) mL, P>0.05). In the DIO rats, the interaction effect between SNAP-94847 and Bicuculine intervention was not significant( F=0.006, P>0.05). The main effect of SNAP-94847 intervention was significant ( F=18.46, P<0.01) and the main effect of Bicuculine intervention was not significant ( F=2.059, P>0.05). After intracerebroventricular injection of MCH receptor blocker SNAP-94847, the delicious food intake of DIO rats was significantly lower than that of injection normal saline((6.89±2.11) mL, (12.19±4.36) mL, P<0.05), and it was not affected by pre injection of Bicuculine in LHA ((8.72±2.26) mL, (6.89±2.11) mL, P>0.05). Conclusion:GABAergic signal in NAc can regulate the expression of MCH in neurons of LHA. In the DIO rats, the sensitivity of MCH neurons in LHA to satiety signal decreases and the hedonic feeding increases.

Objective:Reporting research is as important a part of a study as its design or analysis.Reporting guidelines(RGs)provide structured advice on how to report research studies clearly and adequately.This study aimed to review the development of RGs of Chinese medicine(CM)and to provide recommen-dations for improvement.Methods:Through a systematic search of the Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research(EQUATOR)Network and electronic databases up to January 1,2022,we identified a total of 15 RGs of CM,and further summarized their characteristics and applications.In addition,we reviewed the development of international RGs and analyzed its impact for CM.Results:Compared with the generic RGs,the reporting standards of CM have been rapidly developed over the last 10 years,of which 57％were issued in recent 3 years(2019-2021).Currently,the system of RGs of CM has been established,especially for clinical trials,including various CM interventions and covering the guidelines from trial registration,protocol,results publication to the evidence synthesis and clinical practice guideline.However,the application of RGs of CM is suboptimal.Conclusion:It is necessary to take further measures to promote practical application,improve journals'endorsement,and establish quality monitoring procedures for RGs of CM in the future.