ObjectiveTo assess the microscopic features of alopecia areata(AA) by using in vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy(CLSM).MethodsBetween January 2010 and May 2011,26 male and 20 female patients diagnosed with AA were enrolled in this study.AA lesions and perilesional normal skin were examined by means of in vivo CLSM.Tissue specimens were obtained from the lesions and perilesional normal skin of 10 out of the 46 patients and subjected to routine histopathologic examination.ResultsThe number of hair follicles per unit area(cm2) was decreased in lesions of progressive AA and resting AA compared with normal perilesional skin(134.856 ± 18.301 and 147.159 ± 17.536 vs.301.613 ± 35.317,both P ＜ 0.05).Although the quantity of hair follicles increased in lesions of recovery AA((227.778 ± 16.861 )/cm2),but was still less than that in the normal perilesional skin (P ＜ 0.05).There was a lack of hair shaft in follicles,as well as an inflammatory infiltration in hair follicles,around hair follicles and capillaries in superficial dermis in lesions of progressive AA.The inflammatory infiltration was attenuated in lesions of resting AA.In lesions of recovery AA,the infiltration was further attenuated with an apparent growth of lanugos and terminal hairs.ConclusionsAs far as AA lesions are concerned,CLSM images are consistent with histopathological findings.CLSM may serve as a promising tool for monitoring efficacy and predicting prognosis based on hair growth cycle,hair follicle number,and inflammatory infiltration degree.

Objective To study the expression of interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the influence of prolactin (PRL) upon it. Methods The level of serum PRL in quiescent condition was examined by electrochemiluminescence-meter in 30 patients with SLE and 20 healthy controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were separated from all the subjects by gradient centrifugation density, and cultured with or without the presence of recombinant human PRL (rhPRL) for 24 hours. The expression of IRF-1 gene in cultured PBMC was detected by reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) with gel image scanning. Results The relative value of IRF-1 gene expression was significantly higher in SLE patients than in normal controls (0.89±0.21 vs 0.78±0.18, P=0.026), and in SLE patients with high PRL than in those with normal PRL (1.06±0.26 vs 0.82±0.21, P=0.005). However, there was no significant difference between SLE patients with normal PRL and healthy controls in regard to the expression of IRF-1 gene (P=0.514). The stimulation with rhRPL significantly elevated the relative expression of IRF-1 gene in SLE patients with normal PRL (0.99±0.22 vs 0.82±0.21, P=0.036), but had no obvious effect on that in the normal controls. Conclusion The study reveals a high expression of IRF-1 gene in SLE patients, which may be related to the high level of PRL.

BACKGROUND: Alendronate has been recently used for treating osteoporosis by inhibiting the activity of osteoclasts, but further clinical observation is necessary to compare its therapeutic effect with exclusive use of calcium supplement.OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of oral alendronate (tianke tablet) on the clinical symptoms and bone mineral density (BMD) of middle-aged and elderly patients for comparison with calcium gluconate.DESIGN: A self-controlled study and controlled trial with concurrent patients.SETTING: Department of Orthopedics, Shenzhen Hospital, Peking UniversityPARTICIPANTS: Sixty-eight middle-aged and elderly patients with osteoporosis were admitted in the Department of Orthopedics, Shenzhen Hospital of Peking University between July 1999 and July 2000. From these patients 62 at the age over 45 years without secondary osteoporosis were selected for this study, who were randomly divided into oral alendronate group (n=32) and oral calcium gluconate group (n=30).INTERVENTIONS: On the basis of comprehensive therapies, the patients in the alendronate group were given 10 mg alendronate daily and those in calcium gluconate group had 20 mL oral calcium gluconate solution (containing 100 mg calcium gluconate, equivalent to 9 mg calcium in every 10 mL) three times daily for three months. According to bodily pain relief, occurrence of new fracture and improvement in BMD, the therapeutic effect was assessed in three grades.RESULTS: Thirty patients in the alendronate group and 26 in the calcium gluconate group completed the study. Alendronate treatment for 3months significantly increased BMD of the patients [(0.716±0.082) g/cm2in comparison with that before treatment [(0.667±0.083) g/cm2, t= 2.473,P ＜ 0.01], whereas the BMD underwent no obvious changes after treatment with calcium gluconate [(0.671±0.081) g/cm2 before vs (0.680±0.073) g/cm2after treatment, t=1.812, P ＞ 0.05]. Significant difference in BMD after treatment was noted between the two groups (t=2.384, P ＜ 0.01). The effective rate was significantly higher in alendronate group than in calcium gluconate group (X2=14.9, P=0.005), but 7 patients complained of abdominal discomfort in the former group and the patients in calcium gluconate group reported no adverse effects.CONCLUSION: Alendronate can inhibit bone absorption, promote the recovery of bone matrix, and increase the bone mass, producing better effect than exclusive use of calcium gluconate oral solution in treatment of the osteoporosis in the middle-aged and the elderly.

Objective To explore the best formula of the 0 5% liposome podophyllotoxin chitosan film. Methods Chitosan,acetic acid and gelatin were selected as three factors to prepare film, each factor including three levels, and 0 5% liposome podophyllotoxin served as blank factor. The films of different formula were prepared according to orthogonal design. The evaluation was made on the basis of the characteristics of conglutination and dissolution, then the best formula was determined finally. Results The results showed that the conglutination and dissolution of the film which was made of 2% chitosan, 1%acetic acid, 2% gelatin and 0 5% liposome podophyllotoxin chitosan was the most perfect. Conclusion The film designed according to orthogonal experiment was coincidenced with the requirements in aspect of conglutination and dissolution, and its appearance was perfect.

Objective To study the effects of podophyllotoxin solid lipid nanoparticles (POD-SLN) on the proliferation of human epidermal cells in vitro. Methods POD-SLN was prepared by using microemulsion technique, the morphology of POD-SLN was examined by transmission electron microscope (TEM), and its particle size and Zeta potential were studied by Zetasizer analyzer. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to determine the entrapment efficiency of podophyllotoxin (POD) in the nanoparticles, and its stability was observed. Human epidermal cells were treated with different concentrations (0.1-1 000 ?g/L) of POD-SLN, and the proliferation of human epidermal cells was studied at different time points after exposure (6h, 12h, 24h, 48h). The cytotoxic effects of POD-SLN, POD liposome, free POD, blank solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and control groups on human epidermal cells were assessed using a colorimetric MTT cell viability assay. Results POD-SLN displayed spherical or elliptical in shape, and it was stable. The average particle size of POD-SLN was 87.2?10.3nm, Zeta potential was 25.3?0.8mv and the entrapment efficiency of POD in the nanoparticles was 83.2%?2.5%. POD-SLN inhibited the proliferation of human epidermal cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. At the same concentration, the effect of PDP-SLN on anti-proliferation was stronger than that of POD liposome and POD. The inhibition of human epidermal cells after 48h exposure to PDP-SLN, POD liposome, and POD reached 91.05%, 77.02% and 68.46% respectively, at the highest concentration of 1000?g/L, and the IC50 were 2.11?g/L, 16.65?g/L and 101.42?g/L, respectively. Blank SLN had no effect on the proliferation of human epidermal cells. Conclusion This formulation and technology are stable and practical. POD-SLN can significantly inhibit the proliferation of human epidermal cells in vitro and the inhibitory effect was better than that of POD liposome and POD.

Objective To evaluate feasibility, effectiveness , safety, and complications of superselective bronchial artery embolization with coaxial microcatheter system for hemoptysis. Methods 32 times of superselective bronchial artery embolization were performed for 29 cases with hemoptysis resulted from a variety of causes, age grade from 35 to 71(mean 54) year old. The causes of hemoptysis included bronchiectasis (9 cases), tuberculosis (12 cases), and pulmonary carcinoma (8 cases). All studies were performed with standard percutaneous transfemoral catheterization. Results The success rate of superselective catheterization was 96 9% (32/33). Hemoptysis control was achieved in 96 9% (31/32), with complete control rate of 65.6% (21/32) and partial control rate of 31.3% (10 /32),inefficacy case:only one.One patient with bronchiectasis, 6 patients with pulmonary carcinoma and 3 patients with chronic fibrosis tuberculosis were included in the partial control group. Rebleeding occurred in 7 patients (4 patients with pulmonary carcinoma and 3 patients with chronic fibrosis tuberculosis) during 2 months to 32 months followed-up period. No severe complications occurred in the procedure. Conclusions Superselective bronchial artery embolization for hemoptysis with coaxial microcatheter is a safe, effective way to control hemoptysis, has excellent long term efficacy, and without severe complications.

Objective To search the clinical manifestations,data of laboratory examination, features of CT and MRI, therapy, prognosis in order to evaluate the progress in therapy of patients with crypotococcus meningitis(CM).Methods The findings of clinical features were analyzed and summarized for therapy of 43 CM cases identified with India-ink capsule staining.Results Primary positive rates of India-ink capsule staining were 58 1%(25/43), secondary positive rates were 30 2%(13/43),7 0%(3/43),patients diagnosed with cultivate positive. Clinical cure was achieved in 22 of 32 patients (68 7%) treated with amphotericin B, 4 patients of without efficacy using amphotericin B were cured by liposomal amphotericin B treatment.6 patients was died from cerebral hernia.Conclusions It is indicated that amphotericin B and fluconazole are effective and well tolerated in treatment of crypotococcus meningitis. If amphotericin B should inefficiency therapy of CM,liposomal amphotericin B would be consider.

The study aims to investigate the incidence of bacterial vaginitis(BV) in female patients with condyloma acuminatum. In eighty-seven female patients with condyloma acuminatum, the incidence of BV was 37.93%. The incidence of relapse of condyloma acuminatum was markedly higher in patients with complication of BV compared with those without BV. The results suggested that vaginal infection may contribute to relapse of condyloma acuminatum.

Objective To detect NRAS gene mutations in patients with acral melanoma, and to analyze their relationship with the prognosis of acral melanoma. Methods Clinical and pathological data were collected from 55 patients with pathologically diagnosed acral melanoma. DNA was extracted from paraffin?embedded specimens from lesions of the 55 patients and 15 patients with nevus. PCR and direct DNA sequencing were performed to detect NRAS gene mutations. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the Cox′s proportional hazards regression model. Results Of the 55 patients, 6(10.9%)carried the Q61R mutation in codon 61 of the NRAS gene. No mutations were found in exon 1 or 2 of the NRAS gene in any of these paraffin?embedded specimens, and none of the pigmented nevus specimens harbored NRAS gene mutations. Of the 6 patients carrying NRAS gene mutations, 4 had lymph node metastasis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that independent factors of poor prognosis included advanced clinical stage(RR = 2.54, 95% CI: 1.062- 6.066, P < 0.05), not receiving surgical resection(RR = 2.98, 95% CI:1.316- 3.525, P < 0.05), and carrying NRAS gene mutations (RR = 2.73, 95% CI: 0.932- 3.257, P < 0.05). Conclusions NRAS gene mutations may be associated with lymph node metastasis in patients with acral melanoma. The prognosis of acral melanoma may be associated with clinical staging, treatment strategies and NRAS gene mutations. Additionally, NRAS gene mutations may serve as a new index for predicting prognosis of acral melanoma.

BACKGROUND:Cartilage injury is stil one of the clinical problems difficult to be treated completely so far. Recently, the discovery of synovial mesenchymal stem cells (SMSCs) has brought about the new hope to cartilage repair.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the process concerning SMSCs-based therapy for cartilage repair in the past few years, such as the characteristics of SMSCs, culture conditions, preclinical and clinical studies, and then to summarize the literatures published in recent years.
METHODS:A computed-based online search of PubMed and SpringerLink databases was performed using the key words of“synovial mesenchymal stem cells, cartilage repair”for literatures published from January 1993 to May 2013.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Final y, 37 articles were included. SMSCs have a greater proliferative capability, colony-forming potential and chondrogenic potential than other mesenchymal stem cells. The diseases such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can influence the characteristics of SMSCs. Numerous articles have aimed at the studies of cellculture in vitro and celltransplantation in vivo. However, the process of SMSCs therapy is mostly at its preliminary stage. Reports on its unique characteristics, optimal culture conditions and the high-quality clinical studies are stil largely lacking. In a word, though further studies are needed, SMSCs appear to be a promising cellsource for cartilage repair in the future.