Objective To isolate pathogenic bacteria from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs, and perform bacterial identification, traceability analysis, and pathogenicity studies to provide a new approach for the diagnosis of pathogens in nude mice with squamous skin scurfs. MethodsSkin swab samples were collected from a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs for nucleic acid testing, bacterial isolation and culture, biochemical identification, 16S rDNA gene amplification and sequencing, and whole genome sequencing to construct a phylogenetic tree. Fifteen BALB/c nude mice were randomized into a saline-treated control group, a high-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁸ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension, and a low-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁷ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension. Pathogenicity was assessed by animal infection experiments and observation of histopathological changes in skin tissue using HE staining. Results The nucleic acid test for Corynebacterium bovis was negative, excluding infection by this organism. The pathogen isolated on mannitol salt agar and blood agar, combined with Gram staining, suggested a Gram-positive Staphylococcus species. The isolated strain was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and a fully automated microbial identification system as Staphylococcus xylosus. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on whole genome sequencing showed that the strain was most closely related to an isolate from leafy vegetables in South Korea (GenBank GCA_00207825.1). In the high-concentration group, squamous skin scurfs appeared on the head, neck, and back of nude mice on the 17th day post-infection, while in the low concentration group, similar symptoms appeared on the 20th day post-infection and gradually spread to other areas. The scaling symptoms were transient, lasting for 7 days in the high-concentration group and 3 days in the low-concentration group, after which the skin returned to normal. The infection rate was 33.33% in both the high- and low-concentration groups. No significant pathological changes were observed in the skin tissues of infected mice compared to the control group, indicating marked individual differences in the pathogenicity of the strain in nude mice. Conclusion A strain of Staphylococcus xylosus was isolated from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs. The strain is an opportunistic pathogen that causes transient squamous skin scurfs without significant histopathological changes, and there are individual differences in the sensitivity of nude mice to this strain. These findings can provide valuable data for pathogen identification in immunodeficient or gene knockout mice.

Objective To isolate pathogenic bacteria from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs, and perform bacterial identification, traceability analysis, and pathogenicity studies to provide a new approach for the diagnosis of pathogens in nude mice with squamous skin scurfs. MethodsSkin swab samples were collected from a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs for nucleic acid testing, bacterial isolation and culture, biochemical identification, 16S rDNA gene amplification and sequencing, and whole genome sequencing to construct a phylogenetic tree. Fifteen BALB/c nude mice were randomized into a saline-treated control group, a high-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁸ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension, and a low-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁷ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension. Pathogenicity was assessed by animal infection experiments and observation of histopathological changes in skin tissue using HE staining. Results The nucleic acid test for Corynebacterium bovis was negative, excluding infection by this organism. The pathogen isolated on mannitol salt agar and blood agar, combined with Gram staining, suggested a Gram-positive Staphylococcus species. The isolated strain was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and a fully automated microbial identification system as Staphylococcus xylosus. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on whole genome sequencing showed that the strain was most closely related to an isolate from leafy vegetables in South Korea (GenBank GCA_00207825.1). In the high-concentration group, squamous skin scurfs appeared on the head, neck, and back of nude mice on the 17th day post-infection, while in the low concentration group, similar symptoms appeared on the 20th day post-infection and gradually spread to other areas. The scaling symptoms were transient, lasting for 7 days in the high-concentration group and 3 days in the low-concentration group, after which the skin returned to normal. The infection rate was 33.33% in both the high- and low-concentration groups. No significant pathological changes were observed in the skin tissues of infected mice compared to the control group, indicating marked individual differences in the pathogenicity of the strain in nude mice. Conclusion A strain of Staphylococcus xylosus was isolated from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs. The strain is an opportunistic pathogen that causes transient squamous skin scurfs without significant histopathological changes, and there are individual differences in the sensitivity of nude mice to this strain. These findings can provide valuable data for pathogen identification in immunodeficient or gene knockout mice.

ObjectiveBased on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), we investigated the brain activity characteristics of gross motor tasks in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and motor dysfunctions (MDs) to provide a theoretical basis for further understanding the mechanism of MDs in children with ASD and designing targeted intervention programs from a central perspective. MethodsAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 48 children with ASD accompanied by MDs were recruited into the ASD group and 40 children with typically developing (TD) into the TD group. The fNIRS device was used to collect the information of blood oxygen changes in the cortical motor-related brain regions during single-handed bag throwing and tiptoe walking, and the differences in brain activation and functional connectivity between the two groups of children were analyzed from the perspective of brain activation and functional connectivity. ResultsCompared to the TD group, in the object manipulative motor task (one-handed bag throwing), the ASD group showed significantly reduced activation in both left sensorimotor cortex (SMC) and right secondary visual cortex (V2) (P<0.05), whereas the right pre-motor and supplementary motor cortex (PMC&SMA) had significantly higher activation (P<0.01) and showed bilateral brain region activity; in terms of brain functional integration, there was a significant decrease in the strength of brain functional connectivity (P<0.05) and was mainly associated with dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and V2. In the body stability motor task (tiptoe walking), the ASD group had significantly higher activation in motor-related brain regions such as the DLPFC, SMC, and PMC&SMA (P<0.05) and showed bilateral brain region activity; in terms of brain functional integration, the ASD group had lower strength of brain functional connectivity (P<0.05) and was mainly associated with PMC&SMA and V2. ConclusionChildren with ASD exhibit abnormal brain functional activity characteristics specific to different gross motor tasks in object manipulative and body stability, reflecting insufficient or excessive compensatory activation of local brain regions and impaired cross-regions integration, which may be a potential reason for the poorer gross motor performance of children with ASD, and meanwhile provides data support for further unraveling the mechanisms underlying the occurrence of MDs in the context of ASD and designing targeted intervention programs from a central perspective.

To explore the role of the "Clinical Practice Guidelines" column and others in the Medical Joumnal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital (Med J PUMCH) in promoting diseiplinary development.

Cardiovascular diseases （CVD），a group of common diseases in clinical practice，are witnessing a steady rise in both incidence and mortality rates，posing a challenge to public health. Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang，originating from Synopsis of the Golden Chamber （《金匮要略》），was initially used to treat severe cases of chest impediment. The formula consists of Trichosanthis Fructus，Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus，Pinelliae Rhizoma，and Baijiu. It has a wide range of clinical applications，with therapeutic effects including moving Qi to relieve depression，activating Yang to dissipate mass，and expelling phlegm to alleviate chest congestion. In recent years，clinical research has confirmed that Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang，with or without modification，used alone or in combination with Western medicine，has definite effects in the treatment of CVD such as hyperlipidemia，coronary atherosclerotic heart disease，hypertension，heart failure，and arrhythmia. It can alleviate disease symptoms and reduce the risk of re-hospitalization. Basic research indicates that the mechanisms of Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang include improving endothelial functions，exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties，countering oxidative stress，preventing apoptosis，inhibiting ventricular remodeling，regulating mitochondrial functions，improving hemorheology，and modulating autophagy and neurotransmitters. This article reviews relevant articles in recent years with focuses on the compatibility，clinical application，and mechanism of Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang. This review is expected to provide a theoretical basis for the mechanism research and clinical application of this formula in treating CVD and to offer ideas and reference for in-depth research.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which modified Shaofu Zhuyutang inhibits angiogenesis in endometriosis via the vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS）-nitric oxide （NO） signaling pathway. MethodsEighty-four female SD rats were randomly assigned into blank， sham operation， model， positive control （gestrinone， 0.25 mg·kg^-1）， high-， medium-， and low-dose （30， 15， 7.5 g·kg^-1， respectively） traditional Chinese medicine （TCM， modified Shaofu Zhuyutang） groups. A rat model of endometriosis was established by the autotransplantation method. After successful modeling， rats in the drug intervention groups were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage， and those in the blank， sham operation， and model groups received an equal volume of distilled water. After 28 days of gavage， rats were administrated with oxytocin， and the number and latency period of writhing responses were observed. Serum samples from each group， ectopic lesions from modeling groups， and uteri from blank and sham operation groups were collected. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of endometriotic lesions. Immunohistochemistry was employed to observe the expression of angiogenesis-specific markers cluster of differentiation 34 antigen （CD34） and friend leukemia virus integration-1 （FLI-1）. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the nitrate reductase method were employed to determine the serum levels of VEGF and NO， respectively. Western blot was employed to measure the protein levels of VEGF， PI3K， phosphorylated PI3K （p-PI3K）， Akt， phosphorylated Akt （p-Akt）， eNOS， and phosphorylated eNOS （p-eNOS）. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was conducted to determine the mRNA levels of VEGF， PI3K， Akt， and eNOS. ResultsThe blank group and the sham operation group had no significant changes in the number and latency period of writhing responses， serum VEGF and NO levels， protein levels of VEGF， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-eNOS/eNOS， and mRNA levels of VEGF， PI3K， Akt， and eNOS. The model group showed an increase in the number and a reduction in the latency period of writhing responses， enlargement of ectopic endometrial tissue in the abdominal wall， with stromal hyperplasia， glandular dilation， and increased vasculature. In addition， the modeling led to increased positive expression of CD34 and FLI-1， elevated serum VEGF and NO levels， and up-regulated protein levels of VEGF， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-eNOS/eNOS and mRNA levels of VEGF， PI3K， Akt， and eNOS （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the gestrinone and high-， medium-， and low-dose TCM groups showed a significant reduction in the number of writhing responses， a significant prolongation of the latency period， reduced ectopic endometrial tissue in the abdominal wall， alleviated pathological damage， and reduced positive expression of CD34 and FLI-1. The gestrinone group and the high- and medium-dose TCM groups showed lowered serum VEGF and NO levels as well as down-regulated protein levels of VEGF， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-eNOS/eNOS and mRNA levels of VEGF， PI3K， Akt， and eNOS. Moreover， the low-dose TCM group showed reductions in the serum VEGF level， the protein levels of VEGF， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-eNOS/eNOS， and the mRNA levels of VEGF and eNOS （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionModified SShaofu Zhuyutang can inhibit angiogenesis in endometriosis by antagonizing the abnormal activation of the VEGF/PI3K/Akt/eNOS-NO signaling pathway， thereby preventing the occurrence， development， and deterioration of endometriosis.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which modified Shaofu Zhuyutang inhibits angiogenesis in endometriosis via the vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS）-nitric oxide （NO） signaling pathway. MethodsEighty-four female SD rats were randomly assigned into blank， sham operation， model， positive control （gestrinone， 0.25 mg·kg^-1）， high-， medium-， and low-dose （30， 15， 7.5 g·kg^-1， respectively） traditional Chinese medicine （TCM， modified Shaofu Zhuyutang） groups. A rat model of endometriosis was established by the autotransplantation method. After successful modeling， rats in the drug intervention groups were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage， and those in the blank， sham operation， and model groups received an equal volume of distilled water. After 28 days of gavage， rats were administrated with oxytocin， and the number and latency period of writhing responses were observed. Serum samples from each group， ectopic lesions from modeling groups， and uteri from blank and sham operation groups were collected. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of endometriotic lesions. Immunohistochemistry was employed to observe the expression of angiogenesis-specific markers cluster of differentiation 34 antigen （CD34） and friend leukemia virus integration-1 （FLI-1）. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the nitrate reductase method were employed to determine the serum levels of VEGF and NO， respectively. Western blot was employed to measure the protein levels of VEGF， PI3K， phosphorylated PI3K （p-PI3K）， Akt， phosphorylated Akt （p-Akt）， eNOS， and phosphorylated eNOS （p-eNOS）. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was conducted to determine the mRNA levels of VEGF， PI3K， Akt， and eNOS. ResultsThe blank group and the sham operation group had no significant changes in the number and latency period of writhing responses， serum VEGF and NO levels， protein levels of VEGF， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-eNOS/eNOS， and mRNA levels of VEGF， PI3K， Akt， and eNOS. The model group showed an increase in the number and a reduction in the latency period of writhing responses， enlargement of ectopic endometrial tissue in the abdominal wall， with stromal hyperplasia， glandular dilation， and increased vasculature. In addition， the modeling led to increased positive expression of CD34 and FLI-1， elevated serum VEGF and NO levels， and up-regulated protein levels of VEGF， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-eNOS/eNOS and mRNA levels of VEGF， PI3K， Akt， and eNOS （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the gestrinone and high-， medium-， and low-dose TCM groups showed a significant reduction in the number of writhing responses， a significant prolongation of the latency period， reduced ectopic endometrial tissue in the abdominal wall， alleviated pathological damage， and reduced positive expression of CD34 and FLI-1. The gestrinone group and the high- and medium-dose TCM groups showed lowered serum VEGF and NO levels as well as down-regulated protein levels of VEGF， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-eNOS/eNOS and mRNA levels of VEGF， PI3K， Akt， and eNOS. Moreover， the low-dose TCM group showed reductions in the serum VEGF level， the protein levels of VEGF， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-eNOS/eNOS， and the mRNA levels of VEGF and eNOS （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionModified SShaofu Zhuyutang can inhibit angiogenesis in endometriosis by antagonizing the abnormal activation of the VEGF/PI3K/Akt/eNOS-NO signaling pathway， thereby preventing the occurrence， development， and deterioration of endometriosis.

Eight compounds were isolated and purified from the ethyl acetate part of 70% acetone extract of Rehmannia glutinosa by various chromatographic techniques such as silica gel, MCI gel CHP-20, ODS, Toyopearl HW-40C, combined with TLC and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by modern spectroscopy techniques (NMR, MS, UV, IR), and identified as neomartynoside A (1), osmanthuside B₆ (2), martynoside (3), isomartynoside (4), (E)-p-hydroxycinnamic acid (5), caffeic acid (6), ferulic acid (7), and methyl caffeate (8). Compound 1 is a new phenylethanol glycoside, which was identified as neomartynoside A. Compound 2 was isolated from Rehmannia glutinosa for the first time. In addition, compounds 2, 6 and 7 significantly increased relative glucose consumption, showing potential hypoglycemic activity.

Background Multiple studies have shown a close relationship between changes in gut microbiota composition and obesity, and research results are influenced by factors such as race and geographical location, but there are few studies on children. Objective To analyze the diversity of gut microbiota related to obesity in a population of 2-6 years old, observe the distribution characteristics and species differences of gut microbiota between obese/overweight and normal weight groups, and explore the association betweenobese/overweight and gut microbiota diversity. Methods Fecal samples were collected from 74 children aged 2-6 years in Shanghai, including 18 obese/overweight individuals, 6 males and 12 females (male to female ratio of 1∶2), and 56 normal weight individuals, 18 males and 38 females (male to female ratio is nearly 1∶2). The 16S rDNA was extracted from bacteria in fecal samples, followed by PCR amplification, cDNA construction, and high-throughput sequencing. Naive Bayes algorithm was used to perform taxonomic analysis (phylum, class, order, family, genus, species) and community diversity analysis (Sobs index, Shannon index, Shannoneven index, Coverage index, PD index, and principal co-ordinates analysis) on representative sequences and abundance of amplicon sequence variants (ASV). Wilcoxon rank sum test, P-value multiple test correction, and analysis of similarities were used to test differences between the two groups to obtain information on the distribution characteristics and species differences of intestinal microbiota in children. Results Seventy-four fecal samples were sequenced, and the sequencing results were subjected to quality control and filtering. A total of 4905306 optimized sequences were obtained, resulting in 1860 ASVs. The diversity data analysis of ASVs generated 889 species annotation results at 8 taxonomic levels. The alpha diversity analysis showed that the richness (Sobs index), diversity (Shannon index), evenness (Shannoneven index), and phylogenetic diversity (PD index) of fecal community of the obese/overweight children were increased compared to those of the normal weight children, but there were no statistical differences between the two groups (P>0.05). The beta diversity analysis showed that there was little difference in the composition of microbial species between the two groups, and no significant clustering separation was observed. The results of species composition analysis at phylum, order, family, and genus levels of 74 samples showed a consistent core microbiota structure in the two groups of gut microbiota, but there were differences in microbiota composition. The differences in microbial community composition between the two groups were manifested at the taxonomic levels of order, family, and genus, among which phylum Firmicutes, order Erysipelotrichales, family Erysipelatocyclostridiaceae, genus Erysipelotrichaceae_ UCG-003 and genus Catenibacterium were significantly enriched in the obese/overweight group and contributed significantly to the phenotypic difference of obese/overweight [linear discriminant analysis (LDA)=3.72, P<0.01; LDA=3.29, P<0.05). Phylum Proteobacteria, order Enterobacterales, family Enterobacteriaceae, genus unclassified was significantly enriched in the normal weight group and contributed significantly to the phenotypic difference of normal body weight (LDA=3.93, P<0.05). Conclusion The richness and diversity of gut microbiota in obese/overweight children aged 2-6 years in Shanghai are increased, but there is no difference compared to normal weight children. There is a difference in the composition of gut microbiota between the obese/overweight group and the normal weight group.

Six compounds were isolated from the roots of Ephedra sinica Stapf using various chromatographic techniques such as silica gel column chromatography, thin layer chromatography and semi-preparative HPLC. Their chemical structures were identified by analysis of physicochemical properties and spectral data, and determined as (Z)-docosanylferulate (1), (E)-docosanylferulate (2), bis (2-ethylheptyl) phythalate (3), 2,2′-oxybis (1,4-di-tert-butylbenzene) (4), diisobutyl phthalate (5), bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (6). Among them, compound 1 is a new compound, compounds 2-4 were first isolated from Ephedra. A corticosterone-induced PC-12 cell injury model was used for compound activity screening. The results showed that compounds 1 and 5 significantly improved corticosterone-induced PC-12 cell injury and significantly increased 5-HT₇ receptor protein expression in the cells, indicating potential antidepressant activity.