Objective:To elucidate the correlation between peripheral blood levels of pentraxin 3 (PTX3) and fibroblast growth factors 2 (FGF2) and clinical manifestations, immunological indexes and disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.Methods:The correlation between peripheral blood levels of PTX3 and FGF2 and clinical manifestations, immunological indexes and disease activity of SLE pa-tients was determined. T test, Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient were analyzed statistically. Results:Plasma PTX3 levels were significantly higher in SLE patients than in healthy controls (3 191±2 423) pg/ml vs (755±432) pg/ml, t=5.595, P<0.01) . The titer of PTX3 in patients with hematologic in-volvement was higher than that in the patients without [(3 810±2 840) pg/ml vs (2 493±1 830) pg/ml, t=2.008, P=0.049). Plasma PTX3 concentration in SLE patients was positively correlated not only with the level of 24 h urine protein ( r=0.498 6, P=0.005 9), but also with ESR ( r= 0.376, P=0.007) and systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) scores ( r=0.405, P=0.003). On the contrast, plasma PTX3 concentration in SLE patients was negatively correlated with complement 3 ( r=-0.405, P=0.005). Increased serum PTX3 levels accompanied by increased serum FGF2 levels was observed. Plasma FGF2 concentration in SLE patients was positively correlated with SLEDAI scores ( r=0.326, P=0.019), but negatively correlated with level of comple-ment 3 ( r=-0.414, P=0.004) and complement 4 ( r=-0.451, P=0.007). Levels of FGF2 were higher in patients with positive anti-NuA antibody [(138±91) pg/ml vs (59±68) pg/ml, t=2.996, P=0.004 2), anti-dsDNA antibody [(120±96) pg/ml vs (56±58) pg/ml, t=3.583, P=0.000 7] and anti-rRNP antibody (151±109) pg/ml vs (63±61) pg/ml, t=3.757, P=0.000 4) than in patients with negative of these antibodies. Conclusion:The levels of PTX3 and FGF2 in peripheral blood may play a role in determining the disease activity and clinical phenotype of SLE, and can help doctors to make diagnosis and treatment decisions.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of AlumaTM functional aspiration controlled electrothermal stimulation (FACES) radiofrequency in the treatment of skin wrinkles and laxity on the face and neck. Methods A total of 30 volunteers with aging skin were recruited in the study. All volunteers were treated with AlumaTM FACES radiofrequency for 6 times at 2-week interval. Photographs were taken for volunteers before every treatment and 1 month after the last treatment. Improvement in lesions was objectively assessed by two separate physicians based on the photographs of volunteers taken before the first,fourth and sixth treatment, and 1 month after the last treatment. Patient satisfaction was measured by ques-tionnaire. Adverse effects were recorded. Results Totally, 24 volunteers completed the treatment. Improve-ment of lesions was achieved in 66.7% of the volunteers after 3 treatments, 90.5% after 5 treatments, and 94.4% one month after the last treatment. About 50% of the volunteers were satisfied with the effect after 3 treatments, 90.5% after 5 treatments, and 100% one month after the last treatment. Slight purpura was the most common side effect. Conehusion Radiofrequency therapy is effective for skin wrinkles and laxity on the face and neck, without obvious side effect.

BACKGROUND: Angiostatin(AS) can effectively inhibit proliferation and migration of vascular endothelial cells and also inhibit tumor angiogenesis.OBJECTIVE: To observe the inhibitory action of angiostatin, 131I and 131 I labeled angiostatin(131I-AS) on proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cell ECV304 and on mass and volume of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) in mice.DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial with human umbilical vein endothelial cell ECV304 and Lewis lung carcinoma tumors growing in C57BL/6 mice as subjects of research.SETTING: A radiological lab and a nuclear medicine department in a military university.MATERIALS: Totally 28 LLC carrying male C57BL/6 mice, weighing(20± 2) g, 5 - 7 weeks old.METHODS: 131I-AS solutions of four concentrations were made: solution A(131I 0. 74 GBq/L, AS 0. 5 mg/L); solution B(131I 0.74 GBq/L, AS 16 mg/L); solution C(131I 1.48 GBq/L, AS 0.5 mg/L); solution D(131I 1.48 GBq/L, AS 16 mg/L). The effect of 131I-AS, AS alone and 131I alone on proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cell ECV304 was observed with MTT method. The 28 tumor carrying mice were randomly assigned into 4 groups, in each of which was injected 0.3 mL of 131I AS(131I 11.1 MBq and AS 2.5 mg/kg), AS(2.5 mg/kg), 131I(11.1MBq) and saline respectively for twice with 7 days interval. Then the change in tumor mass and volume was observed.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① The inhibition rate on cell proliferation with MTT method; ② Change in tumor mass and volume.RESULTS: ① The inhibition rate of AS alone(0. 5 -64 mg/L) on ECV304 was (7.3 ± 3.5) % - (41.9 ± 4. 3 )% ( P = 0. 003 vs AS of 0). The inhibition rate of the 4 concentrations of 131I-AS on ECV304 was(23.9±2.8)% ,(58.2±3.9)%, (39. 1 ±4. 1)% and(78.4 ±5.4)%, which were much higher than AS alone or 131I alone( P =0. 000 3) . ② The mean volume of LLC in the four groups were (3 943 ± 236), (5 219 ± 351 ), ( 1 963 ± 126),(7 353 ±350) mm3 respectively. Compared with saline group, the tumor inhibiton rate in the other 3 groups were 46.4% , 29.0% , 73.3% respectively( P =0. 000 1 ).CONCLUSION: 131I-AS inhibits proliferation of endothelial cells in vitro and inhibits LLC growth in vivo and it outdoes AS or 131I alone.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and adverse effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) versus pulsed dye laser(PDL)for the treatment of port wine stains(PWS). Methods Forty?five patients with PWS were enrolled in this study. The PWS lesions in each patient were randomly divided into PDT and PDL areas. Hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether of 5 mg/kg was injected intravenously into the PDT area protected from light, followed by 20?minute irradiation with a 532?nm, solid?state, continuous?wave laser(power density:80-100 mw/cm2;spot diameter: 7 cm)10 minutes later. The PDL area was treated with a single session of 595?nm pulsed dye laser radiation(spot diameter:7 mm;pulse width:10 ms;energy density:10-12 J/cm2). The interval between PDT and PDL treatment was no shorter than two months. Follow up visits were scheduled on day 4 and week 8 after each treatment. Adverse reactions were recorded, and photographs were taken before and 8 weeks after the treatment for evaluation of lesion regression. Results In the case of PDT area, 10 cases(22.22%)were nearly cured, 22(48.89%)achieved marked improvement, 9(20.00%)improvement, 4(8.89%)no improvement. As far as the PDL area is concerned, 6 cases(13.33%)were nearly cured, 16(35.56%)achieved marked improvement, 18(40.00%)improvement, and 5 (11.11%)no improvement. The response rate was significantly higher in the PDT area than in the PDL area(Z=2.48, P<0.05). Hyperpigmentation, which spontaneously subsided within 3 to 6 months, was the main adverse reaction. No significant difference was found in the incidence rate of adverse reactions between the PDL and PDT areas(24.44%vs. 15.56%, Z=1.26, P>0.05). Conclusion For the treatment of PWS, both PDT and PDL are effective and safe, and single?session PDT appears to be superior to single?session PDL.

OBJECTIVE To study the effect of frequency difference and intensity difference on mismatch negativity (MMN) change in normal persons. Emphatically to observe the effect on the latency and amplitude of normal people's MMN, as well as the threshold of the acoustic difference which may induce the MMN. METHODS Twenty-four adults were included in this study. Their thresholds of pure tone audiometry were within 20dBHL. The MMN were measured by using the Smart EP ( ear potentiometer provided by the company of Intelligent Hearing) and the rule of the change by the difference of frequency and intensity to the latency and amplitude of normal people’s MMN were studied. RESULTS Along with the decreasing of the difference of the frequency, the MMN latency prolonged gradually. The amplitude of the MMN decreased gradually as the decreasing of the intensity difference. CONCLUSION A stable MMN graph is an important indicator of objective physiological test with hearing distinguish.

[ABSTRACT]AIM:ToinvestigatethedifferenteffectsofERK1/2/PPARα/SCAD(short-chainacyl-CoAdehy-drogenase) signal pathways on the cardiac hypertrophy induced by insulin-like growth factors 1 ( IGF-1) or phenylephrine ( PE) .METHODS:The neonatal rat cardiomyocytes induced by IGF-1 were used as the model of physiological cardiac hypertrophy , and those induced by PE were used as the model of pathological cardiac hypertrophy .The surface area of the cardiomyocytes, the expression of p-ERK1/2, PPARαand SCAD, the activity of SCAD and the content of free fatty acid in the cardiomyocytes were measured .RESULTS:Compared with the control cells , the surface area of the cardiomyocytes in-duced by IGF-1 and PE were both increased .Compared with the controls , the expression of SCAD and PPARα, and the activity of SCAD in the cardiomyocytes induced by IGF-1 were increased , while the expression of p-ERK1/2 was de-creased.However, the cardiomyocytes treated with PE showed decreased expression of SCAD and PPARα, decreased activ-ity of SCAD and increased expression of p-ERK1/2.Meanwhile, the decrease in free fatty acid in IGF-1-induced cardio-myocytes and the increase in PE-induced cardiomyocytes indicated that the fatty acid utilization was increased in the cardio -myocytes induced by IGF-1, but decreased in the cardiomyocytes induced by PE .CONCLUSION: The changes of p-ERK1/2, PPARαand SCAD in the cardiac hypertrophy induced by IGF-1 or PE indicate that the effects of ERK 1/2/PPARα/SCAD signal pathways are different between physiological cardiac hypertrophy and pathological cardiac hypertro -phy , and that SCAD may be a molecular marker of these 2 different cardiac hypertrophies and a potential therapeutic target for pathological cardiac hypertrophy .

Objective To evaluate the long-term effects and safety of diode laser in hair removal.Methods A retrospective study was conducted.In this study,350 patients with hypertrichosis were treated by an 800-nm diode laser with a pulse duration of 30 ms for various sessions.Two groups were divided based on the treatment sessions:group A receiving 6(≥4 for axillae)or more treatments,group B less than 6(＜4 for axillae)treatments.Patients were followed up for 8 months to 3 years(mean 22.5 months)by return visit or telephone.Evaluation of efficacy and side effects were performed.Results Follow-up and evaluation were completed in 235 patients,and a total of 375 sites treated.After 2-18 treatments,a total effective rate of 80.53%(302/375)was achieved.Significant higher effective rates were observed in group B compared with group A at all sites 86.84%(33/38)vs 35.00%(7/20)on the lips,68.42%(26/38)vs 30.77%(4/13)on the face and neck,92.00%(46/50)vs 55.56%(5/9)in lower extremities,86.96%(20/23)vs 50.00%(4/5)on the trunk.93.81%(91/97)vs 55.56%(5/9)at the axillae,92.16%(47/51)vs 73.68%(14/19)in the upper extremities(all P＜0.05),Side effects were noted in only 6 cases,including hyperpigmentation,itching,and development of follicular papules,blisters and white hair.Neither hypopigmentation nor scarring was observed.Conclusions Diode laser system is effective and safe for hair removal.The effect varies with lesional sites and treatment sessions.

[ ABSTRACT] AIM: To investigate the differential expression of human leukocyte antigen-G ( HLA-G) isoforms and its receptors in human monocyte line THP-1 after human cytomegalovirus ( HCMV) infection for exploring the role of HLA-G in HCMV escaping the immune response of the organism .METHODS: THP-1 cells were infected with HCMV Towne strain.The expression of HLA-G isoforms at mRNA and protein levels was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.The surface expression of HLA-G and its receptors ILT2/ILT4 and the cell viability were analyzed by flow cytometry.The levels of soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) and IL-10 were measured by ELISA.RESULTS:After infection of the THP-1 cells with HCMV , no obvious apoptosis in the cells was observed , and the viability of the cells was high .A significant up-regulation of HLA-G1,-G3,-G4 and-G5 at mRNA expression level 1 d after infection was found , while the protein expression of HLA-G1 and HLA-G5 isoforms was mainly detected .The expression of HLA-G/ILT2/ILT4 was evi-dently up-regulated 1 d after infection .The level of sHLA-G was significantly increased 1 d after infection as compared with control group (P<0.01).The expression of IL-10 was obviously up-regulated 1 d post-infection as compared with control group.CONCLUSION:The differential expression of HLA-G isoforms and secretion of the receptors ILT 2/ILT4 and IL-10 in the THP-1 cells are induced after HCMV infection .This study provides experimental evidence for evaluating the immune mechanism of HCMV infection .

AIM:To investigate the change of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (SCAD) expression during cardiomyocyte apoptosis and to explore the relationship between SCAD and cardiomyocyte apoptosis .METHODS: The neonatal rat cardiomyocytes treated by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP) were used as the model of cardiomyocyte apoptosis . The cell viability , the expression of SCAD at mRNA and protein levels , the activity of SCAD and the content of free fatty acids were determined .RESULTS:The mRNA and protein expression of SCAD decreased in the cardiomyocyte apoptosis model.Compared with negative control group , SCAD expression and activity were both significantly decreased in siRNA-1186 group, but the content of free fatty acids were obviously increased in the cardiomyocytes .Meanwhile, SCAD siRNA treatment triggered the same apoptosis as cardiomyocytes treated with tBHP .CONCLUSION: Down-regulation of SCAD may play an important role in primary cardiomyocyte apoptosis .Increase in the expression of SCAD may become an impor-tant part in intervening cardiomyocyte apoptosis .

Objective To study the mechanism of oxidative stress involved in the pathogenesis and relapse of acute monocytic leukemia (M5 ).Methods We detected reactive oxide species (ROS)levels,conducted plasma analysis obtained from 76 M5 patients at diagnosis and at relapse,and observed the ultrastructure of mitochondria of mononuclear cells in peripheral blood by transmission electron microscope.Results Compared with that in the control group,the average fluorescence intensity of intracellular ROS was significantly increased in M5 groups, especially in the relapse patients (P < 0.05 ).Low total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC)and antioxidant enzyme activity were characteristic of M5 at both diagnosis and relapse. However, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH ), malondialdehyde (MDA)and 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanine (8-OHdG)increased significantly at both diagnosis and relapse (P < 0.05 ).Prominent ultrastructural abnormalities (mitochondrial swelling,outer membrane blebs,and aberrant cristae disorder)were present in patients with primary M5,and they were obviously abnormal in relapsing M5 patients.Conclusion Oxidative stress is the initiating factor of M5.Mitochondria are the main intracellular location for ROS generation.To maintain the dynamic balance between ROS and antioxidant defence may be the critical factor for preventing relapse.