The plants of the genus Caragana Fabr. are desert plants of the Leguminosae family, which are widely used in traditional ethnomedicine, with the effects of nourishing Yin and nourishing blood, dispelling wind and removing dampness, clearing heat and detoxifying toxins. The anti-inflammatory effect of Caragana Fabr. has attracted much attention, the research on the related mechanism has made some progress, but it lacks systematic collation. By summarising the anti-inflammatory effects of the active ingredients of Caragana Fabr., the authors found that they have good anti-inflammatory activities on different inflammatory cell models in vitro, and have good improvement effects on rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, complex nephritis, and acute lung injury and other disease models. The anti-inflammatory effects of the active components of this genus mainly include the reduction of the levels of a variety of pro-inflammatory factors, and the signalling pathways involved mainly include TLR4/NF-κB, TLR4/MAPK, TLR4/NF-κB/IRF3, JAK/STAT-1, ERK/STAT-1 and so on. Therefore, the paper mainly reviews the research progress on the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of the Caragana Fabr. plants and their active components according to disease types, with a view to providing reference for the in-depth study of their anti-inflammatory activities and the development of new products with related functions.

Aim In this study, a mouse model of psoriasis-like lesions induced by 62. 5 mg imiquimod was used to explore the effect and mechanism of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae combination for the topical treatment of psoriasis. Methods Firstly, the topical administration of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae combination for treating psoriasis in progressive and recurrent stages was evaluated by psoriatic mouse model and HE staining. Secondly, immunohistochemistry was used to study the regulatory effects of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae combination on the pivotal pathological mechanism of psoriasis-the positive feedback loop between the abnormal proliferation of keratinocytes and skin immune microenvironment. Finally, metabolomics technology was used to explore whether Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae combination topically treat psoriasis by regulating inflammation-related metabolism and lipid metabolism pathways. Results The combination of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae alleviated psoriasis-like lesions in mice. It effectively relieved the recurrence after the cure of psoriatic lesions in mice, and the efficacy is comparable to that of benweimod. The combination of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae inhibited the proliferation of mouse epidermal keratinocytes and reduced the number of T cells in the skin. The potential molecular mechanism was that the combination of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae regulated arachidonic acid metabolism, sphin- golipid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism and phenylalanine metabolism. Conclusions The combination of Sophora Flavescens Radix and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae can relieve psoriasis-like lesions in mice by inhibiting the proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes and reducing the number of T cells in the skin and regulating metabolism to intervene psoriasis recurrence. This study provides a potential topical drug of psoriasis for relieving psoriasis recurrence.

Aim To explore the effects of Lycium berry seed oil on Nrf2/ARE pathway and oxidative damage in testis of subacute aging rats. Methods Fifty out of 60 male SD rats, aged 8 weeks, were subcutaneously injected with 125 mg • kg"D-galactosidase in the neck for 8 weeks to establish a subacute senescent rat model. The presence of senescent cells was observed using P-galactosidase ((3-gal), while testicular morphology was examined using HE staining. Serum levels of testosterone (testosterone, T), follicle-stimulating hormone ( follicle stimulating hormone, FSH ) , luteinizing hormone ( luteinizing hormone, LH ) , superoxide dis-mutase ( superoxide dismutase, SOD ) , glutathione ( glutathione, GSH) and malondialdehyde ( malondial-dehyde, MDA) were measured through ELISA, and the expressions of factors related to aging, oxidative damage, and the Nrf2/ARE pathway were assessed via immunohistochemical analysis and Western blotting. Results After successfully identifying the model, the morphology of the testis was improved and the intervention of Lycium seed oil led to a down-regulation in the expression of [3-gal and -yH2AX. The serum levels of SOD, GSH, T, and FSH increased while MDA and LH decreased (P 0. 05) . Additionally, there was an up-regulated expression of Nrf2, GCLC, NQOl, and SOD2 proteins in testicular tissue ( P 0. 05 ) and nuclear expression of Nrf2 in sertoli cells. Conclusion Lycium barbarum seed oil may reduce oxidative damage in testes of subacute senescent rats by activating the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of acellular nerve allografts(ANA)combined with electroacupuncture on spinal ganglia in rats with sciatic nerve injury(SNI).Methods Totally 50 male adult SD rats were randomly selected for this experiment.Ten rats were prepared for the ANA.Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,ANA group and combinational group,with 10 rats in each group.The SNI model was established by cutting off the nerves 10 mm at the 5 mm on the inferior border of piriformis after separating the right sciatic nerves.The rats in the ANA group were bridged with ANA to the two broken ends of injured nerves.The rats in the combinational group were treated with electroacupuncture 2 days after ANA bridging,Huantiao(GB30)and Yanglingquan(GB34)were performed as the acupuncture points,each electroacupuncture lasted 15 minutes and 7 days as a course of treatment,4 courses in all.Sciatic nerve conduction velocity was measured by electrophysiology to evaluate the regeneration of damaged axons.Morphology of spinal ganglia was observed by Nissl staining.The expression of nerve growth factor(NGF)and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)were detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining.Results Compared with the normal group,the sciatic nerve conduction velocity in model group decreased significantly(P<0.01),Nissl bodies in neurons of spinal ganglia were swollen and dissolved,with incomplete structure and the number decreased dramatically(P<0.01),while the level of NGF and BDNF also decreased significantly(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the sciatic nerve conduction velocity in ANA and combinational groups strongly increased(P<0.01),the damage of Nissl bodies in neurons of spinal ganglia reduced and the number obviously increased(P<0.01),the level of NGF and BDNF increased considerably(P<0.01).Compared with the ANA group,the sciatic nerve conduction velocity in combinational group increased significantly(P<0.01),the morphology of Nissl bodies in neurons of spinal ganglia were more regular and the number increased(P<0.01),moreover,the level of NGF also increased significantly(P<0.01).Conclusion ANA combined with electroacupuncture can enhance the sciatic nerve conduction velocity,improve the morphology of neurons in spinal ganglia and play a protective effect on spinal ganglia.The mechanism can be related to the higher expression of NGF and BDNF proteins,especially the expression of NGF protein.

Objective This study aimed to compare the current Essen rabies post-exposure immunization schedule(0-3-7-14-28)in China and the simple 4-dose schedule(0-3-7-14)newly recommended by the World Health Organization in terms of their safety,efficacy,and protection. Methods Mice were vaccinated according to different immunization schedules,and blood was collected for detection of rabies virus neutralizing antibodies(RVNAs)on days 14,21,28,35,and 120 after the first immunization.Additionally,different groups of mice were injected with lethal doses of the CVS-11 virus on day 0,subjected to different rabies immunization schedules,and assessed for morbidity and death status.In a clinical trial,185 rabies-exposed individuals were selected for post-exposure vaccination according to the Essen schedule,and blood was collected for RVNAs detection on days 28 and 42 after the first immunization. Results A statistically significant difference in RVNAs between mice in the Essen and 0-3-7-14 schedule groups was observed on the 35th day(P<0.05).The groups 0-3-7-14,0-3-7-21,and 0-3-7-28 showed no statistically significant difference(P>0.05)in RVNAs levels at any time point.The post-exposure immune protective test showed that the survival rate of mice in the control group was 20%,whereas that in the immunization groups was 40%.In the clinical trial,the RVNAs positive conversion rates on days 28(14 days after 4 doses)and 42(14 days after 5 doses)were both 100%,and no significant difference in RVNAs levels was observed(P>0.05). Conclusion The simple 4-dose schedule can produce sufficient RVNAs levels,with no significant effect of a delayed fourth vaccine dose(14-28 d)on the immunization potential.

This study design of specific identification primers for the ITS2 sequence of F. ussuriensis. The reaction system and conditions were optimized, and PCR-nucleic acid test strips were constructed to realize the visual detection of F. ussuriensis Bark. Through molecular cloning and sequencing technology, we constructed a positive control for F. ussuriensis DNA and formulated quality standards. The established method was evaluated for sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility, and the authenticity of the commercially available samples was identified. Results demonstrated that based on the ITS2 sequences, F. ussuriensis and its mixed forgeries could be distinguished. The PCR products of the authentic F. ussuriensis on test strips showed two bands in the T and C lines, while the pseudo products and negative control showed only one band in the C line, which was consistent with the results of agarose gel electrophoresis. The specificity was 100%, and the sensitivity of the PCR-nucleic acid test strip was up to 0.1 ng·μL^-1, which was 10 times higher than that of the gel electrophoresis assay. 11 out of 16 commercially available samples of F. ussuriensis were qualified, and 5 were unqualified. Collectively, the PCR-nucleic acid test strip method established in this study is specific, rapid, accurate and visualized, which can provide a new technical idea for the detection of F. ussuriensis.

The objective of this study was to observe the effect of Astragalus membranaceus on high sugar-induced Caenorhabditis elegans, and to explore its mechanism of action. UPLC-MS method was used to identify the components of Astragalus membranaceus. A high glucose model was established by using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism, and the effects of Astragalus membranaceus on body length, body bending, swallowing frequency, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) of the nematode were determined; the effects of Astragalus membranaceus on the expression of mRNA of genes related to the protein skinhead-1 (SKN-1) signaling pathway were examined by using the real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results showed that compared with the normal group, the nematode body length, body bending, and swallowing frequency expression were significantly reduced and the ROS content in the body was significantly increased in the high glucose state; after the administration of Astragalus membranaceus, the body length, body bending, and swallowing frequency expression were significantly increased, and the ROS content was significantly reduced (P < 0.01). Compared with the normal group, SKN-1, superoxide dismutas-3 (SOD-3), glutathione S-transferase 4 (GST-4), and glutathione S-transferase 7 (GST-7) expression were significantly decreased in Caenorhabditis elegans in the high glucose condition; SKN-1, SOD-3, GST-4, and GST-7 expression were significantly increased after administration of Astragalus membranaceus (P < 0.01). In the present study, we demonstrated that Astragalus membranaceus has an effect on high glucose-induced Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes, and its mechanism of action may be through the modulation of the SKN-1 signaling pathwaym in order to ameliorate the oxidative stress response induced by high glucose.

Objective:To explore a simplified and efficient early prediction model for severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, and to construct both logistic regression and decision tree models. The aim is to identify high-risk individuals, guide clinical treatment, and improve patient outcomes.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 412 patients with acute pancreatitis admitted to the Emergency and Gastroenterology Departments of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University and its High-tech Branch from November 2020 to September 2023. LASSO regression was employed to identify factors significantly associated with SAP, followed by the construction of a multivariate logistic regression model and a decision tree model. The predictive performance of these models was evaluated and compared to the bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP).Results:Among the 412 patients, the incidence of SAP was 12.14% ( n=50). Seven variables significantly associated with SAP severity were identified by LASSO regression, including respiratory rate at admission, pain score at admission, pleural effusion, fibrin degradation products, C-reactive protein, serum creatinine, and serum albumin. The logistic regression model incorporated four variables: pleural effusion, pain score at admission, serum creatinine, and serum albumin. In the training set, the model demonstrated a sensitivity of 0.528, specificity of 0.984, accuracy (95% CI) of 0.928 (0.892-0.955), Kappa value of 0.606, and AUC (95% CI) of 0.920 (0.862-0.979). In the testing set, the model showed a sensitivity of 0.643, specificity of 0.925, accuracy (95% CI) of 0.891 (0.822-0.941), Kappa value of 0.519, and AUC (95% CI) of 0.923 (0.861-0.985). The decision tree model comprised three branches and four terminal nodes, indicating that serum creatinine, serum albumin, and pleural effusion could effectively predict SAP occurrence. In the training set, the decision tree model had a sensitivity of 0.500, specificity of 0.973, accuracy (95% CI) of 0.914 (0.876-0.944), Kappa value of 0.544, and AUC (95% CI) of 0.812 (0.731-0.894). In the testing set, the model exhibited a sensitivity of 0.500, specificity of 0.925, accuracy (95% CI) of 0.875 (0.802-0.928), Kappa value of 0.412, and AUC (95% CI) of 0.709 (0.565-0.853). The DeLong test revealed that in the training set, the AUC of the logistic regression model was significantly greater than that of the decision tree model ( P<0.01) and the BISAP score ( P<0.001), while the AUC difference between the decision tree model and the BISAP score was not statistically significant ( P=0.762). In the testing set, the AUC of the logistic regression model was again greater than that of the decision tree model ( P<0.01) and the BISAP score ( P=0.018), whereas the AUC of the decision tree model was lower than that of the BISAP score ( P=0.017). Conclusions:Both the logistic regression and decision tree models demonstrate good predictive value for SAP, and their combined use may provide valuable guidance for clinical practice.

Objective:To study the effect of a modified behavioral treatment(MBT)on functional anejaculation and analyze the factors influencing the therapeutic efficacy.Methods:We enrolled in this study 59 men aged 24-45 years visiting the Andrology Clinic of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital from August 2019 to May 2021 and complaining of aejaculation in sexual inter-course but normally ejaculating during masturbation.Thirty-nine of the patients underwent conventional behavioral treatment(the CBT group)and the other 20 received MBT,namely,changing the masturbation method combined with audiovisual stimulation during sexual intercourse(the MBT group).We compared the therapeutic effects between the two groups of patients,and analyzed the correlation of the outcomes of MBT with age,abstinence duration,use of audiovisual stimulation,change of the sexual position,mean bilateral testis volume and sex hormone levels.Results:After treatment,22(37.29％)of the patients achieved successful ejaculation at least once in sexual intercourse,11(55.00％)in the MBT group,and the other 11(28.21)in the CBT group,with a significantly higher effec-tiveness rate in the former than in the latter(P＜0.05).The effectiveness rate was significantly correlated to the method of standing-position masturbation plus sexual intercourse and reduction in the frequency of masturbation among various strategies of behavioral treat-ment(P＜0.05).Conclusion:MBT has a certain effect on functional anejaculation,and targeting the previous events of the patient is the key to the therapeutic efficacy.Further exploration of more effective strategies of behavioral treatment will become the trend of de-velopment in the management of functional anejaculation.

Objective To investigate the effect of microplastic(MPs)exposure on learning and memory in mice,and its mechanism by observing the protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)/tyrosine receptor kinase B(TrkB)/N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subtype 2B(NR2B)signaling pathway and neurogenesis.Methods Forty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group(Ctrl)and microplastics exposure group(MPs).Mice in MPs group were treated with 0.3 mg/(kg·d)microplastics,administered by gavage at a volume of 200 μl for 30 consecutive days.Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the spatial learning and memory ability of mice.Western blotting was used to detect the protein levels of BDNF,TrkB and NR2B in hippocampus of mice.Immunofluorescent staining was used to observe the number of doublecortin(DCX)and neuronal nuclei antigen(NeuN)positive cells in the hippocampus of mice to evaluate hippocampal neurogenesis.Results Compared with the control group,the ability of learning and memory decreased significantly in MPs group mice(P＜0.01).The expression levels of BDNF,TrkB and NR2B in the hippocampus of MPs group mice were significantly lower than those of control group(P＜0.05).The number of DCX and NeuN positive cells in the hippocampus of MPs group was significantly lower than that of control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion MPs exposure induces learning and memory impairment which may be related to inhibiting BDNF/TrkB/NR2B signaling pathway and reducing hippocampal neurogenesis.