Objective To explore the mechanism of the cumulative biological effect of acupoint laser radiation and investigate its analgesic effect by comparing the therapeutic effects of semiconductor laser radiation versus acupuncture at point Zusanli(ST36) in acute adjuvant arthritis rats and to provide the experiment-based theoretical foundation and basis for the course of treatment of acute arthritis pain by clinical use of semiconductor laser. Method A rat model of AA was made by subcutaneous injection of complete Freund's adjuvant into rat toe. Eighty rats were randomly allocated to eight groups:model, blank, three-day laser radiation, five-day laser radiation, seven-day laser radiation, three-day acupuncture, five-day acupuncture and seven-day acupuncture treatment groups, 10 rats each. The three laser groups separately received 650 nm semiconductor laser radiation. The three acupuncture groups separately received acupuncture with a filiform needle at point Zusanli(ST36) on the inflammation-affected side. Rat general condition, body weight, pain threshold value and ankle swelling degree were observed. Serum inflammatory factors IL-1、TNF-αand IFN-γcontents were measured by ELISA. Result There were statistically significant posttreatment differences in body weight, joint swelling degree and pain threshold between the laser treatment and acupuncture treatment groups of rats (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in joint swelling degree between three-day laser, five-day laser and seven-day laser treatment groups (P<0.05). Pain threshold was lowest at five days after treatment and increased somewhat at seven days after treatment in both the three-day laser and three-day acupuncture treatment groups. The IL-1 content tended to decrease on the whole and had a decreasing tendency at three and five days after treatment in both laser and acupuncture treatment groups. At seven days after treatment, it reached the lowest value in the laser treatment group but had a marked increasing tendency in the acupuncture treatment group. The IFN-γcontent had an increasing tendency at three and five days after treatment in both laser and acupuncture treatment groups. The IFN-γcontent tended to change gently in the laser treatment group from day five to seven after treatment. It tended to decrease from day five to seven after acupuncture treatment but was still higher than in the three-day acupuncture treatment group. The TNF-αcontent tended to decrease from day three to five after treatment in both laser and acupuncture treatment groups. From day five to seven after treatment, it tended to decrease gently in the laser treatment group but tended to increase slightly in the acupuncture treatment group. Conclusion Both semiconductor laser radiation and acupuncture at point Zusanli have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect and can relieve the general symptoms in AA rats, but semiconductor laser radiation is significantly superior to acupuncture treatment in eliminating inflammation and easing pain and produces a more timely and better therapeutic effect. After semiconductor laser radiation at acupoints, the related serum cytokines tended to increase or decrease slowly in AA rats after the turning point appeared during the treatment, which embodies the parabola feature of laser radiation treatment. It is showed that with an increase in laser radiation length, the biological effect of laser accumulates, suggesting that attention should be paid to the cumulative effect during laser treatment.

Objective To investigate changes of thyroid function indices and their correlation with blood routine examination results, high-sensitivity c-reactive protein(hsCRP)levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR)in 30 inpatients with acute urticaria. Methods Thyroid function indices were retrospectively analyzed in 30 inpatients with acute urticaria (patient group)and 30 healthy controls (control group), including total triiodothyronine (TT3), total thyroxine (TT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), anti-thyroglobulin antibody(TG-Ab)and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPO-Ab). A correlation analysis was done between thyroid function indices and blood routine examination results (white blood cell [WBC]count, neutrophil count, hemoglobin), hsCRP levels and ESR. Results Abnormal thyroid function indices were observed in 23 (23/30, 76.7%) patients with acute urticaria. Compared with the control group, the patient group showed significantly decreased levels of FT3, TT3, TT4 and hemoglobin(t = 6.39, 5.55, 3.57, 3.70, all P < 0.01), but significantly increased positive rates of thyroid autoantibodies (χ2 = 7.68, P < 0.01)as well as WBC counts, neutrophil counts, hsCRP levels and ESR (t = 3.96, 8.73, 2.51, 2.35, all P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between hemoglobin level and FT3, TT3, TT4 levels(r = 0.63, 0.59, 0.37, all P < 0.05), but a negative correlation between neutrophil count and FT3, TT3, TSH levels(r = -0.45,-0.50, -0.37, all P < 0.05), as well as between TT3 and hsCRP levels (r = -0.39, P < 0.05)in the patient group. Conclusion Patients with severe acute urticaria usually show abnormal thyroid function during attacks, which mainly manifests as low T3 syndrome and high positive rates of thyroid autoantibodies, and may be associated with decreased hemoglobin levels and infection.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the infusion solutions which are compatible with Compound kushen injection. METHODS:The insoluble particles of kushen injection in four kinds of infusion solutions were detected respectively by light blockage method.RESULTS:Insoluble particles of different size and number were noted for Compound kushen injection when mixed respectively with four kinds of infusion solutions,but the insoluble particles in all kinds of infusion solutions except 10% glucose injection were all within the range specified in China Pharmacopeia(2005 edition).CONCLUSION: 0.9% sodium ch-loride injection is the optimal compatible infusion solution for Compound kushen injection.

ObjectiveTo observe clinical features and identify causative genes of reticulate pigmented anomaly of the flexures in a pedigree.Methods A survey was conducted in a pedigree with reticulate pigmented anomaly of the flexures.Clinical manifestations were recorded in details for each patient in this pedigree.Tissue specimen was obtained from the proband for histopathological examination and ultrastructural observation.Mutation scanning was carried out by PCR and direct sequencing in 3 patients in the family.ResultsAll the patients in this pedigree presented with reticular pigmentation of the flexures and idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis on the abdomen and back.Histopathological and ultrastructural study revealed epidermal hyperpigmentation with an increase in melanin content in epidermal keratinocytes but no changes in the number of melanocytes.No mutation was found in the KRT5 gene in this family.ConclusionsThis is the first case report of reticulate pigmented anomaly of the flexures associated with idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis.No mutation is identified in the KRT5 gene of patients with reticulate pigmented anomaly of the flexures in this family,indicating the existence of other causative genes.

Objective To compare the short-term efficacy of high-intensity ultraviolet B (UVB) versus 308-nm excimer laser for the treatment of vitiligo.Methods Eighty patients with vitiligo were equally divided into two groups to be treated with high-intensity UVB twice a week or 308-nm excimer laser once a week for eight weeks.Repigmentation was evaluated at the end of the treatment.Results After eight weeks of treatment,repigmentation of different degrees was observed in 83.6％ and 86.1％,and marked repigmentation in 42.1％ and 50％,of the UVB-and excimer laser-treated lesions,respectively.The response rate was significantly lower in facial lesions receiving high-intensity UVB radiation than in those receiving excimer laser radiation (49.1％ vs.68.4％,x2 =4.32,P ＜ 0.05),but similar at the other body sites between the two treatment (all P ＞ 0.05).The cumulative dosage required for initial repigmentation was similar between high-intensity UVB and 308-nm excimer laser (t =0.89,P ＞ 0.05),while the treatment sessions and cumulative dosage required for marked or better repigmentation were significantly increased in UVB-compared with excimer laser-treated lesions (both P ＜ 0.01).In addition,both high-intensity UVB and 308-nm excimer laser were suitable for childhood and active vitiligo.Conclusions Both high-intensity UVB and 308-nm excimer laser are safe and effective in the treatment of vitiligo with rapid onset of action,and the latter appears to be superior to the former in efficacy.

0.5).IgG、IgA and IgM of controlgroup and observation group in 10～13 years old are similar to that in 5～9 years old group. The IgG_1of control group and observation group in 5～9 years old are 5.501?0.976 and 9.715?3.746g/L respe-etively (t=5.046, P0.05),IgG_3 are0.517?0.167 and 0.828?0.578g/L respectively (t=2.132, P0.05).The IgG_2 Levels of observation groupis higher than that of control group in 10～13 years old(P

Objective To analyse the mutation of K17 gene in a pedigree with steatocystoma multi-plex. Methods Blood samples were obtained from 3 affected and 3 normal individuals in a family with steatocystoma multiplex, as well as from 50 unrelated healthy individuals. Mutation scanning was carried out by PCR and direct sequencing. Results A heterozygous nucleotide transition (C→T) at position 428 in exon 1 of KI7 gene, which leads to the substitution of CGC (arginine) by TGC (histidine) at codon 94, was detected in the affected individuals, but not in normal family members or the 50 unrelated individuals. Conclusion A missense mutation (428C→T) in KI7 gene has been detected in affected individuals of this family, which seems to be a molecular basis of pathogenesis of steatocystoma multiplex.

Objective To investigate the clinical, histopathological and immunopathological charac teristics of erythema annulare centrifugum (EAC). Methods A retrospective study was performed on 54 cases of EAC collected from 2001 to 2005. Information was gathered about patients' sex, age, disease course, distribution and morphology of eruptions, symptoms, complications. Also, the findings of histopathology and direct immunofluorescence examination in some patients were evaluated. Remits EAC most commonly occurred on the lower limb, and was usually complicated by various diseases among which mycosis predominated. Histological examination revealed compact lymphocyte infiltration in dermal vessels in 32 of these 54 patients. Direct immunofluorescence showed the deposition of IgG, lgM, or C3 on the walls of small vessels in 6 of 12 tissue samples tested. Conclusions EAC is a multifactorial disease, and it seems that the infiltration of lymphocytes and deposition of circulatory immune complex on small blood vessels in dermis may play important roles in its pathogenesis.

Objective To compare respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)infection and inflammatory responses between immunocompetent BALB/c mice and immanodeficient nude mice.Methods At various time points after BSV infection of BALB/c mice and nude mice,pulmonary viral titers were assayed.Leukocvtes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)and pulmonary histology were identified.F4/80+cells and CD49b+cells in lung tissue were examined by immunohistochemistry,and the cytokines of TNF-α,IL-12,IFN-r and IL-10 in BALF were assayed by ELISA.Results RSV titers in infected BALB/c mice and nude mice peaked on the 3rd day postinoculation,and nude mice had higher-level and more durative viral replication than BALB/c mice.RSV infection induced more severe pulmonary histopathology and larger number of leukocytes in airway in nude mice than in BALB/c mice.RSV infection enhanced more pulmonary F4/80+macrophages,CD49b+ NK cells in both mice.Furthermore infected nude mice had larger amount of pulmonary macrophages and NK cells than infected BALB/c mice.RSV infected BALB/c mice secreted more TNF-α,IL-12,IFN-r and IL-10 as compared with control BALB/c mice,and infected nude mice had hisher level of TNF-α.IL-12 and IL-10 than infected BALB/c mice.Conclusion Nude mice are good model for severe and pemistent RSV infection in immunocomprised hosts.The inflammation induced by RSV infection is not parallel with the immune response of T cells,and macrophages and NK cells are potent immunocytes and inflammatory cells in RSV infection especially when T lymphocytes are absent.