1.Exploration on Mechanism of Topical Treatment of Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Mice with Portulacae Herba Based on Nrf2/HO-1/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Xiaoxue WANG ; Guanwei FAN ; Xiang PU ; Zhongzhao ZHANG ; Xia CHEN ; Ying TANG ; Nana WU ; Jiangli LUO ; Xiangyan KONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):115-123
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.
2.Structural and Spatial Analysis of The Recognition Relationship Between Influenza A Virus Neuraminidase Antigenic Epitopes and Antibodies
Zheng ZHU ; Zheng-Shan CHEN ; Guan-Ying ZHANG ; Ting FANG ; Pu FAN ; Lei BI ; Yue CUI ; Ze-Ya LI ; Chun-Yi SU ; Xiang-Yang CHI ; Chang-Ming YU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):957-969
ObjectiveThis study leverages structural data from antigen-antibody complexes of the influenza A virus neuraminidase (NA) protein to investigate the spatial recognition relationship between the antigenic epitopes and antibody paratopes. MethodsStructural data on NA protein antigen-antibody complexes were comprehensively collected from the SAbDab database, and processed to obtain the amino acid sequences and spatial distribution information on antigenic epitopes and corresponding antibody paratopes. Statistical analysis was conducted on the antibody sequences, frequency of use of genes, amino acid preferences, and the lengths of complementarity determining regions (CDR). Epitope hotspots for antibody binding were analyzed, and the spatial structural similarity of antibody paratopes was calculated and subjected to clustering, which allowed for a comprehensively exploration of the spatial recognition relationship between antigenic epitopes and antibodies. The specificity of antibodies targeting different antigenic epitope clusters was further validated through bio-layer interferometry (BLI) experiments. ResultsThe collected data revealed that the antigen-antibody complex structure data of influenza A virus NA protein in SAbDab database were mainly from H3N2, H7N9 and H1N1 subtypes. The hotspot regions of antigen epitopes were primarily located around the catalytic active site. The antibodies used for structural analysis were primarily derived from human and murine sources. Among murine antibodies, the most frequently used V-J gene combination was IGHV1-12*01/IGHJ2*01, while for human antibodies, the most common combination was IGHV1-69*01/IGHJ6*01. There were significant differences in the lengths and usage preferences of heavy chain CDR amino acids between antibodies that bind within the catalytic active site and those that bind to regions outside the catalytic active site. The results revealed that structurally similar antibodies could recognize the same epitopes, indicating a specific spatial recognition between antibody and antigen epitopes. Structural overlap in the binding regions was observed for antibodies with similar paratope structures, and the competitive binding of these antibodies to the epitope was confirmed through BLI experiments. ConclusionThe antigen epitopes of NA protein mainly ditributed around the catalytic active site and its surrounding loops. Spatial complementarity and electrostatic interactions play crucial roles in the recognition and binding of antibodies to antigenic epitopes in the catalytic region. There existed a spatial recognition relationship between antigens and antibodies that was independent of the uniqueness of antibody sequences, which means that antibodies with different sequences could potentially form similar local spatial structures and recognize the same epitopes.
3.Effects of Portulaca oleracea cream on skin pruritus and barrier function in allergic contact dermatitis mice
Xiaoxue WANG ; Xia CHEN ; Xiang PU ; Guanwei FAN ; Xiangyan KONG ; Ying TANG ; Nana WU ; Jiangli LUO
China Pharmacy 2025;36(11):1352-1357
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.
4.Molecular characteristics of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with high expression of MYC:analysis of 45 cases
Nian LIU ; Dongshen MA ; Ying GU ; Dan LUO ; Meiting FAN ; Yubo WANG ; Chenxi XIANG ; Hui LIU
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2024;40(1):60-65
Purpose To explore the molecular features of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL)with high expression of MYC.Methods The clinical data of 45 cases of DLBCL were collected.Immunohistochemical EnVision method was used to classify the patients into the group with high expression of MYC and the group with low expression of MYC.All samples were subjected to DNA targeted sequencing and molecular typing was performed using the LymphGen online tool.Cellular origin was determined by using the Lymph2Cx method.The correlation be-tween MYC overexpression and clinicopathological parameters was analyzed by the x2 test and Fisher precise test.Survival curves were drawn and survival-related factors were analyzed u-sing Cox univariate and multivariate regression.ResultsCases were classified into DLBCL with high expression of MYC(n=17)and DLBCL with low expression of MYC(n=28).Com-pared to the group with low expression of MYC,the group with high expression of MYC had more PIM1,MYD88,CD79B,CD58 and PRDM1 mutations(76.5%vs 28.6%,70.6%vs 32.1%,58.8%vs28.6%,29.4%vs3.6%,29.4%vs 3.6%,P<0.05),MCD were more frequently found(58.8%vs 10.7%,P=0.001),GCB were rarely found(17.6%vs 50.0%,P=0.030).Overall survival was significantly shorter in DLBCL with high expression of MYC(P<0.05).Cox multi-factorial analysis showed that age was an independent prognostic factor for DLBCL(P<0.05).Conclusion Patients with high expression of MYC were frequently characterized as MCD and ABC,and PIM1,MYD88,CD79B,CD58 and PRDM1 muta-tions were common.Patients with high expression of MYC had a poorer prognosis.
5.A new strategy for quality evaluation of Panax notoginseng based on the correlation between macroscopic characteristics and chemical profiling
Zi-ying WANG ; Wen-xiang FAN ; Long-chan LIU ; Mei-long LU ; Li-hua GU ; Lin-nan LI ; Li YANG ; Zheng-tao WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(8):2326-2336
The traditional commodity specifications of Chinese medicinal materials are mainly divided into different grades based on macroscopic characteristics. As the basis for high quality and good price, there is still a lack of systematic evaluation on whether they are consistent with the current standards and whether they can reflect the internal quality of medicinal material.
6.Advances in Quantification and Site Stoichiometry Analysis Methods for Phosphorylated Proteins
Yuan LIU ; Rui ZHAI ; Fan WU ; Zhan-Ying CHU ; Yang ZHAO ; Xin-Hua DAI ; Xiang FANG ; Xiao-Ping YU
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2024;52(5):609-623
The post-translational modification of proteins is a key mechanism that imparts physiological functions to proteins,among which reversible phosphorylation modifications play a pivotal role in many biological processes.Aberrant changes in phosphorylation are often closely associated with various major disease processes.In recent years,with the aid of proteomic technologies and methods,high-throughput,high-precision qualitative and quantitative approaches for phosphorylated proteins have rapidly advanced.This article reviews the research progress of phosphorylated protein quantification and chemical proteomics analysis methods based on the"bottom-up"strategy,including phosphopeptide enrichment methods,mass spectrometry fragmentation methods,quantification analysis methods and phosphorylation site stoichiometry,and discusses the development trend of quantification and stoichiometric analysis methods for phosphorylated proteins.
7.Design of portable collection device for exhaled breath condensate
An XIANG ; Lei ZHOU ; Qi-Feng JI ; Yuan-Zhe LI ; Qin WANG ; Shi-Man ZHU ; Jie PENG ; Xiao-Ying LEI ; Wei-Na LI ; Li WANG ; Yan-Hai GUO ; Zi-Fan LU
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2024;45(8):32-37
Objective To develop a portable collection device of human exhaled breath condensate(EBC)based on natural breathing to meet the needs for rapid screening of human respiratory tract(especially lower respiratory tract)infections.Methods The device consisted of a refrigeration unit,a heat dissipation unit and a condensation unit.The refrigeration unit adopted a TES1-7102 thermoelectric Peltier cooler semiconductor as the refrigeration element;the heat dissipation unit was composed of a high thermal conductivity aluminum heat sink and a high-speed brushless cooling fan;the condensation unit was made up of a cold guide plate and a condenser,in which the cold guide plate was made of thin sheet of aluminum alloy,and the condenser was prepared by 3D printing technology and made of hydrophobic polylactic acid,with primary and secondary 2-stage guide grooves and an ultra-thin condensing surface.The performance of the device was verified in terms of cooling,thermal conductivity,condensation and human EBC collection and content analysis.Results Performance analysis showed that after refrigeration began the temperature difference between the condenser surface and the exhaled gas met the requirements of the condenser,and no obvious thermal resistance was found on the condensing surface so that large droplets could be formed rapidly and then be collected after the gas-liquid phase change of the exhaled gas on the condensing surface.Human EBC collection and content analysis indicated the device realized home self-collection of EBCs from people of all ages,and the concentrations of interleukins,C-reactive protein and other inflammation-related indexes and the pH value of the collected EBC samples were all correlated with respiratory infections in the subjects.Conclusion The device developed with easy operation avoids the discomfort of blowing collection and the risk of saliva contamination,and is worthy promoting for rapid diagnosis and dynamic monitoring of respiratory tract infection and other related diseases.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(8):32-37]
8.Research on the impact of supply side policy coordination of medical insurance on cost control under DIP payment method
Kun-He LIN ; Ye-Sheng SHANGGUAN ; Ya-Qi RAO ; Jing PENG ; Yi CHEN ; Yi-Fan YAO ; Ying-Bei XIONG ; Li XIANG
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2024;17(5):17-24
Objective:This study aims to explore the synergistic effects of DIP and other medical insurance supply-side policies.Method:City A that has piloted DIP reform was set as the treatment group,and City B without reform was set as the control group.A total of 1 120 public medical institution samples from 2019 to 2022 were collected.The total medical expenses during hospitalization and some structural expenses were analyzed using DID method.Result:DIP had a significant inhibitory effect on the medical expenses,and the expenses of checkups and examinations during hospitalization in city A,but had no impact on the drug and the material expenses during hospitalization.Conclusion:DIP played a significant cost control role and effectively controlled the total medical expenses during hospitalization.The synergistic effects of price adjustment of medical services policy and national centralized drug/material procurement policy on cost control were insufficient.DIP synergized with other supply-side policies to promote rational medical cost structure.It is suggested that medical insurance departments should focus on the synergistic effects of medical insurance supply-side policies to jointly improve the efficiency of medical insurance fund utilization.
9.Analysis of medical reimbursement rate and influencing factors under the DIP payment method
Meng-Yuan ZHAO ; Kun-He LIN ; Ying-Bei XIONG ; Yi-Fan YAO ; Zhi-He CHEN ; Yu-Meng ZHANG ; Li XIANG
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2024;17(6):40-46
Objective:Analyze the medical reimbursement rate and influencing factors under the DIP payment method to refine the DIP payment policy,promote the optimization of internal operations in medical institutions,and ensure reasonable compensation.Methods:Based on the 2022 DIP fund settlement data from 196 medical institutions in City A,the study used multiple linear regression to analyze the factors affecting medical reimbursement rate and conducted a heterogeneity analysis for medical institutions of different levels.Results:The medical reimbursement rate for medical institutions in City A in 2022 was 103.32%.Medical institutions with lower CMI standardized inpatient costs,lower rates of deviation cases,tertiary care institutions,lower proportion of level-four surgeries,and lower ratios of resident to employee medical insurance cases have higher medical reimbursement rate(P<0.05).Heterogeneity analysis reveals that therates of deviation cases,the proportion of primary care diseases,the ratio of resident to employee medical insurance cases,and the low-standard admission rate have different impacts on medical institutions of different levels.Conclusion:Medical insurance departments should improve policies for primary care diseases,dynamically adjust disease catalogs and payment standards,optimize funding levels and institutional coefficients,and increase penalties for violations to ensure effective use of funds.Medical institutions need to strengthen their understanding of policies,focus on refined internal management,promote standardized and rational diagnosis and treatment through performance assessment transformation,and leverage their own advantages in medical services to reasonably increase the medical reimbursement rate.
10.Manganese Dioxide Coated Nanoplatform for Dual-Mode Imaging and Chemo Dynamic Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer:in Vitro Experimental
Fan LIU ; Qinyanqiu XIANG ; Ying LUO ; Yang SUN
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2024;32(8):753-760
Purpose To prepare multifunctional SiO2@MnO2 nanoplatforms(SiO2@MnO2 NPs)with chemo dynamic therapy(CDT)efficacy and observe their effects on in vitro MRI and ultrasound imaging.Materials and Methods SiO2 nanoparticles(SiO2 NPs)were firstly prepared by dehydration-condensation reaction of ethyl orthosilicate in alcohol phase,and then SiO2@MnO2 NPs were prepared by reduction reaction of polyethylene glyco with KMnO4.The morphology of the two nanoparticles was observed,and the particle size and surface potential were detected.Methylene blue degradation verified the ability of SiO2@MnO2 NPs to produce toxic hydroxyl radicals,one of the reactive oxygen species.Simulation of different conditions to evaluate the effect of nanoparticles for in vitro MRI imaging.To observe the cellular uptake and the intracellular production of reactive oxygen species by SiO2@MnO2 NPs.CDT efficacy of nanoparticles was assessed on human pancreatic cancer cell PANC-1 cells.Results The SiO2@MnO2 NPs was successfully prepared,and the shell of fragmented MnO2 was observed to be encapsulated around the surface of spherical SiO2 NPs under transmission electron microscopy.The average size was(115.9±2.0)nm and the average zeta potential was(-32.51±0.30)mV.Methylene blue was gradually degraded with the increased concentration of SiO2@MnO2 NPs,suggesting the generation of toxic hydroxyl radicals.In vitro simulated tumor microenvironment,SiO2@MnO2 NPs could enhance the MRI and ultrasound imaging effect.Large amount of reactive oxygen species production was detected in PANC-1 cells and exerted CDT effect to kill tumor cells.Conclusion The successfully prepared multifunctional SiO2@MnO2 NPs possess favorable CDT effect and dual-mode imaging effect,which can also kill PANC-1 cells,laying a foundation for synergistic CDT and the construction of multifunctional nanoplatform.

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