Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by immunological imbalance and vasodilation. Many triggering factors for psoriasis initiate inflammation via the activation of NF‐κB. Narrow‐band ultraviolet B (NB‐UVB) irradiation can be used as a general treatment for psoriasis, although the molecular mechanism has not yet been determined. The aim of this study was to elucidate the potential molecular mechanism of NB‐UVB irradiation therapy on psoriasis. We collected serum samples from patients with psoriasis and healthy control, and detected the expression of inflammatory factors by ELISA. In addition, we established mouse model of psoriasis. After different doses of NB‐UVB irradiation, the proportion of CD4+, CD8+, and CD11c+ cells in mouse spleen was detected by flow cytometry. Meanwhile, the expression of inflammatory factors in the damaged skin of mice was detected by RT‐PCR and Western blot analysis, and mouse serum levels of inflammatory factors were detected by ELISA. Our results showed that NB‐UVB irradiation regulated the expression of inflammatory factors in psoriasis patients. In mice, high‐dose NB‐UVB irradiation effectively eliminated IMQ‐induced psoriasis‐like dermatitis and inhibited the expression of pro‐inflammatory factors. In conclusion, our results indicate that NB‐UVB irradiation could regulate the expression of inflammatory factors and attenuate psoriasis plaques.

Background. Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease with multifactor etiology, characterized by abnormal proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes. Huang-Lian Jie-Du decoction (HLJDD) is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription with good clinical curative effect on psoriasis. However, its therapeutic mechanisms are still unclear. Methods. The psoriasis model of SKH-1 nude mice was established by imiquimod-induced and HLJDD gavage was given. Hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to evaluate pathological morphologies, and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of Wnt1, β-catenin, and c-Myc in psoriasis mice. Western blot was used to examine the expressions of Frizzled-2, LRP5/6, GSK-3β, APC, Axin2, TCF4, LEF1, cyclin D1, TBX3, EPHB2, and NOTUM enzyme. Results. In this study, HLJDD reduced skin erythema and lesions, decreased the thickness of epidermal and downregulated the expressions of Wnt1, β-catenin, and c-Myc. Western blot results showed that HLJDD reduced the expressions of Wnt receptors Frizzled-2 and LRP5/6, and Wnt downstream target genes TCF4, LEF1, cyclin D1, TBX3, and EPHB2, while upregulated destruction complex proteins GSK-3β, APC, and Axin2. Conclusions. HLJDD can effectively treat psoriasis and inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway at multiple stages.

In order to better understand the interfacial fatigue behavior of concrete and fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP), bending fatigue tests were conducted on plain concrete beams strengthened with carbon FRP (CFRP) sheets under variable amplitude cyclic loading which deteriorates structural performance in actual projects more dramatically than constant amplitude loading. The test parameters were four types of loading modes including static loading, constant amplitude cyclic loading, alternating amplitude cyclic loading and incremental amplitude cyclic loading. Miner damage rule, modified Miner damage rule and Corten-Dolan cumulative damage rule were used to predict the fatigue life of specimens. The relationship between loads and deflections, the relationship between strains and cycle times and the crack propagation were analyzed. The results have shown that the fatigue life of specimens under variable amplitude cyclic loading, especially alternating one, is shorter than that of specimens under constant one, and the modified Miner damage rule is more suitable to predict fatigue life. The crack lengths on the lateral faces of beams recorded by digital image correlation (DIC) method developed more slowly than those at the bottom sides recorded by strain gauges. A proposed damage model describing the relationship between the crack lengths and fatigue life for specimens under alternating amplitude fatigue loading is consistent with the experimental results well. K E Y W O R D Scarbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), concrete reinforcement, crack length, interfacial properties, variable amplitude fatigue loading