AIM: To evaluate the effect of mizolastine in patients with ch ronic urticaria and to explore the role of IL-4 in the process of chronic urtic aria. METHODS: 32 cases of chronic urticaria were treated with m izolastine, and the therapeutic effects and the side-effect were evaluated. The serum IL-4 levels were tested by ELISA. RESULTS: The total ef fective rates were 62.5 % and 84.4 % (P 0.05 ), and before treatment were significantly higher than tho se after treatment (P

Objective To investigate the predisposing factors and clinical features of disseminated herpes zoster, and to explore factors influencing postherpetic neuralgia. Methods Clinical data were collected from 53 patients with disseminated herpes zoster and 809 patients with common herpes zoster between 2012 and 2015, and analyzed retrospectively. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors influencing the occurrence of and pain intensity in disseminated herpes zoster, as well as the occurrence of postherpetic neuralgia. Results No significant difference in patients′age was observed between the disseminated and common herpes zoster groups(56.66 ± 17.24 vs. 56.50 ± 15.51 years, t=0.071, P>0.05), but there was a significant difference in the gender ratio between the two groups(χ2 = 8.16, P = 0.004). The incidence rates of bullae, pustules and fever were all significantly higher in the disseminated herpes zoster group than in the common herpes zoster group(15.09%vs. 3.58%,χ2=16.04, P<0.01;47.17%vs. 26.82%,χ2=10.20, P<0.01;30.19%vs. 8.03%,χ2=28.68, P<0.01). The disseminated herpes zoster group also showed significantly higher pain scores at admission compared with the common herpes zoster group (Median[P25- P75]: 6[4- 7.5] vs. 5[3- 7], Z =-3.460, P = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that gender, age, fatigue and HIV infection were significantly associated with the occurrence of disseminated herpes zoster (all P<0.05). Additionally, HIV infection(OR=5.570, 95%CI:1.196-25.939, P=0.029), gender(OR=0.166, 95%CI:0.029-0.945, P=0.043), age(OR=1.064, 95%CI:1.010-1.119, P=0.019)and the number of days that antiviral therapy lasted(OR=0.669, 95%CI:0.505-0.885, P=0.005)were all factors influencing the occurrence of postherpetic neuralgia. Conclusion Male, old age, fatigue and especially HIV infection are risk factors for the occurrence of disseminated herpes zoster, and male, old age and antiviral therapy duration may be associated with the occurrence of postherpetic neuralgia.

OBJECTIVETo study the feasibility of spermatogonial stem cell allotransplantation.

METHODSThe spermatogonial stem cell allotransplantation was performed, without the use of immune inhibitor, in KM mice of similar gene types, and the spermatogenesis in recipients' testes was evaluated. The right testes were pierced for transplantation while the left ones were taken as control.

RESULTSAllotransplant germ cells in KM mice can recover normal function of spermatogenesis in the transplanted testis without any immune suppression.

CONCLUSIONAllospermatogonial stem cells can be transplanted successfully among KM mice.

Animals ; Male ; Mice ; Models, Animal ; Spermatogonia ; cytology ; transplantation ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Testis ; cytology ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect and related mechanisms of aldosterone (ALD) on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity and nitric oxide (NO) production in aortic adventitia.

METHODSAortic adventitias from SD rats were incubated for 6 hours with various protocols: buffer alone (control), ALD (10(-8) mol/L - 10(-6) mol/L), ALD + spironolactone (10(-5) mol/L, ALD + SP), ALD + RU486 (10(-5) mol/L), LPS 10 ng/ml (LPS), ALD + LPS (10 ng/ml), ALD + LPS + SP (10(-5) mol/L), and ALD + LPS + RU486. Nitrate/nitrite (NOx), an index of NO production, was measured by Greiss Reaction. iNOS activity was determined by isotope-labeled L-arginine convertion rate.

RESULTS(1) NOx production and iNOS activity were similar between ALD and control groups (P > 0.05). NOx production was significantly reduced while iNOS activity remained unchanged in the ALD (10(-6) mol/L) + SP group compared to ALD (10(-6) mol/L) group. NOx production by 10(-7) mol/L and 10(-6) mol/L ALD increased by 50.0% and 58.7% respectively (P < 0.01) and iNOS activity was also significantly increased (P < 0.01) in ALD + RU486 group than that in ALD group. (2) LPS significantly increased the NOx production and iNOS activity (P < 0.01) and these effects were not augmented by adding ALD to LPS (P > 0.05) and SP significantly blocked and RU486 significantly enhanced the effects by LSP and ALD on NOx production and iNOS activity (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAldosterone has a dual effect on iNOS/NO through mineralocorticoid receptor and glucocorticoid receptor pathway.

Aldosterone ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Connective Tissue ; metabolism ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo detect mutation of ADAR1 gene in a family affected with dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria.

METHODSClinical data and blood samples of the family were collected. Potential mutation of the ADAR1 gene were scanned in 3 patients and 3 unaffected members by PCR amplification and direct sequencing. The coding sequences of the ADAR1 were also screened in 50 normal controls.

RESULTSA frameshift mutation (c.2252insG) of the ADAR1 gene was identified in all of the 3 patients. The same mutation was not found in the 3 unaffected members and 50 normal cases.

CONCLUSIONThe frameshift mutation of ADAR1 gene (c.2252insG) is probably responsible for the disease in this family.

Adenosine Deaminase ; genetics ; Adult ; Base Sequence ; Child ; China ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; Female ; Frameshift Mutation ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Pedigree ; Pigmentation Disorders ; congenital ; enzymology ; genetics ; Point Mutation ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics

Objective:To explore the application effect of online and offline BOPPPS teaching mode based on rain-classroom in ideological and political teaching of Dermatovenerology.Methods:A total of 242 undergraduates from Class 1 to Class 8 majoring in Medical Imaging in grade 2019 were selected.They were randomly divided into the control group(class 5 to class 8)and the experimental group(class 1 to class 4).The control group received the mixed online and offline teaching mode based on rain-classroom.The experimental group received the online and offline BOPPPS teaching mode based on rain-classroom.The ideological and political elements were integrated into the teaching of Dermatovenerology.After the course,the score of curriculum theory,the questionnaire survey of ideological and political teaching and the questionnaire survey of the satisfaction of teaching in the two groups were compared.Results:After the course,the score of curriculum theory in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group(P＜0.01).The approval rate of each question in the questionnaire on ideological and political teaching effect of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group(P＜0.05).The teaching satisfaction of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion:In the ideological and political teaching of Dermatovenerology,the online and offline BOPPPS teaching mode based on the rain-classroom has a certain effect on improving the course performance,ideological and political education effect and students'satisfaction.

Mucosal pemphigoid is a rare subepidermal immune bullous disease, mainly involving the oral cavity, eyes and other mucous membranes, with the risk of scarring, which can be life-threatening in severe cases. For patients with mucosal pemphigoid, early diagnosis and early treatment can avoid serious complications. For mild patients, dapsone or topical glucocorticoids can be used; for severe patients, combination of immunosup-pressants helps to improve clinical efficacy and reduce the dosage of glucocorticoid, including cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, methotrexate, and mycophenolic acid esters. For some refractory cases without any response to the treatments of dapsone, glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants, biological agents (including rituximab, etanercept, infliximab, and braziltinib), intravenous immune globulin and other therapies can be selected. For some patients with mucosal scarring, surgery or laser therapy can be considered to improve symptoms. However, it is necessary to further demonstrate the clinical efficacy of some immunosuppressants and biologic agents on mucosal pemphigoid in a lot of larger clinical trials.

Objective To discuss characteristics of height growth such as Peak Height Velocity (PHV) and Age at Peak Height Velocity (PHA) during adolescence,and to compare the results with other research findings.Methods Primary and middle school students' annual physical examination data of Zhongshan in 2005-2010 was used.The height velocity by age,PHV,PHA,height velocity by PHA were calculated.Results The average peak height velocity boys was ( 10.03 ± 1.67 ) cm/yr.and that of the girls was ( 8.39 ± 1.05 ) cm/yr.Both findings were close to the results from previous similar findings.The average age at which peak height velocity reached 12.28± 1.30 years for boys and 10.78 ± 1.04 years for girls,both lower than the previous findings.The correlation coefficients,between height level and PHA were -0.357 (P＜0.001) for boys and -0.338 (P＜0.001) for girls.Conclusion The height levels were positively related to the height velocity before PHA.The Zhongshan students' PHA was lower than the Beijing,Shanghai and Shenyang students,also lower than American and Britain students',but their PHVs were similar.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of vasohibin-1 and MACC1 in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and their associations with the clinicopathological characteristics of the patients.

METHODSThe expressions of vasohibin-1 and MACC1 proteins were examined with immunohistochemistry in 160 LSCC tissues and 80 normal lung tissues.

RESULTSThe positivity rates of vasohibin-1 and MACC1 proteins were 59.4% and 11.3% in LSCC tissues, respectively, which were significantly higher than the rates in normal lung tissues (57.5% and 8.8%, respectively; P<0.05). The expressions of vasohibin-1 and MACC1 proteins were significantly correlated with the tumor grades, lymph node metastasis, and TNM stages (all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between vasohibin-1 expression and MACC1 expressions (P<0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that LSCC patients with a positive expression of vasohibin-1 had significantly shorter overall survival time than those negative for vasohibin-1; the overall survival time was also significantly shorter in patients positive for MACC1 than in those negative for MACC1 (both P<0.05). Multivariate COX regression analysis indicated that positive expressions of vasohibin-1 and MACC1 protein and TNM stage were independent prognostic factors of LSCC.

CONCLUSIONAberrant expressions of vasohibin-1 and MACC1 may participate in the development and promote invasion and metastasis of LSCC. The combined detection of vasohibin-1 and MACC1 expression may provide important evidence for predicting the progression and prognosis of LSCC.

Ex vivo maintainance of human stem cells is crucial for many clinical applications. Current culture conditions provide some level support but cytokines induce most quiescent stem cells to proliferate and differentiate. Better control of primitive cells is needed to extend the time and range of manipulation of such cells. A recently identified plant lectin Flt3 receptor-interacting lectin (FRIL) present may a special ability to preserve primitive CB progenitors for extended periods in culture without exogenous cytokines. But the mechanisms of FRIL preserving quiescent primitive cells are still unknown. Recently a novel protein HTm4 and its alternatively spliced variant HTm4S, which serve as hematopoietic cell cycle regulators, have been identified. In this report we studied the effect of FRIL on the in vitro maintenance of quiescent human cord blood stem cells and the expression of the novel hematopoietic cell cycle regulator HTm4 and HTm4S in progenitor cells cultured in FRIL. We analyzed the proliferation and the HPP-CFC proportion of CD34(+) cells treated with FRIL. The human HTm4 and HTm4S mRNA expression was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and the cell cycle status of CB CD34(+) cells was analyzed by FACS. The results showed that incubation of CD34(+) cells in FRIL resulted in a low proliferation of progenitor cells and fewer cycling cells, but FRIL selectively maintained a higher number of primitive cells with proliferative potential in suspension culture. CB CD34(+) cells cultured in FRIL showed significant diversity in the expression of HTm4 and HTm4S during 0~14 d. On d 0, HTm4 was detected at high level, downregulated on d 1, but upregulated during d 3 to d 14, and reaching the highest level on d 7. But the expression levels of HTm4S changed little in the cells cultured in FRIL except the obviously increased expression on d 7. Exogenous expression showed that HTm4 was localized around the karyon while HTm4S scatted in the cytoplasm, respectively, which may be responsible for their difference in function. Thus, FRIL can preserve quiescent primitive CD34(+), and FRIL's ability to preserve quiescent primitive cells in a reversible manner may significantly expand the time and range of ex vivo manipulations of human stem cells for clinical applications. In other words, HTm4 and HTm4S may play a crucial role in the cell cycle modulation of CD34(+) progenitor cells maintained with FRIL in vitro.
Antigens, CD20 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cell Separation ; Cells, Cultured ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Mannose-Binding Lectins ; pharmacology ; Membrane Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Plant Lectins ; pharmacology