Objective To explore the mechanism of vitamin E on delaying skin aging by observ-ing the expression of hyaluronic acid synthetase-2 (HAS-2) in human dermal fibroblasts in vitro. Methods Human skin fibroblasts were cultured in vitro, and these fibroblast cells were then divided into 3 groups: different concentration of vitamin E (0, 0.1 × 10-10, 1 ×109mol/L) was added in the medium in the different group. 24 hours later, the fibroblasts were collected, RNAs extracted, and then amplified by RT-PCR. The PCR product was determined by agarose gel electrophoresis, to analyze the level of HAS-2 mRNA expression. Results RT-PCR showed the lever of HAS-2 mRNA was higher in the low-dose group than the control group, with significant difference (P<0.05) ; the lever of HAS-2 mRNA was higher in the high-dose group than control group, with significant difference (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the lever of HAS-2 mRNA between the low-dose group and the high-dose group. Conclusions Vitamin E can enhance the expression of hyaluronic acid synthetase-2 mRNA, may increase the synthesis of HAS in skin fibroblasts and increase water content in the skin, so that it might reverse or delay the skin aging.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of isotretinoin erythromycin gel in the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Methods A randomized,open,parallel,controlled clinical study was conducted.A total of 200 patients were enrolled in this study,in which 3 patients were excluded and 24 patients droped off during the study.Efficacy analysis was carried out in 197 patients and safety analysis in 173 patients.The patients were classified into trial group (n=87)and control group (n=86) to be treated with isotretinoin erythromycin gel or tretinoin cream once a night for 8 weeks,respectively.The clinical effects and adverse drug reactions were observed.Results The effective rates were 64.37 ％ (56/87) in trial group and 58.14 ％ (50/86) in control group with no statistical significance (P＞0.05).The rate of adverse reactions were 15.31％ in trial group and 14.14 ％ in control group with no statistical significance (P＞0.05).Conclusions Isotretinoin erythromycin gel is safe and effective in the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris.

We investigated the effects of γ-interferon and exogenous indole on the growth of domestic dominant standard strains and clinical straìns of Chlamydia trachomatis E-UW-5/Cx,and compared with the dominant strains of D-UW-5/Cx abroad.We used DMEM-10,DMEM-10 containing 5 ng/mL recombinant human interferon gamma (referred to as DMEM-10+IFN) and DMEM-10 containing 5 ng/mL recombinant human interferon gamma and 50 μM exogenous indole (referred to as DMEM-10+IFN+IND) to culture C.trachomatis,and then we fixed it with methanol to count inclusions after 48 hours,observing the influence of r-interferon and exogenous indole on the growth of C.trachomatis standard strains(E,D) and clinical strains.Results showed that the count of Chlamydia inclusion bodies in DMEM-10+IFN group was significantly lower than others (P＜0.05);no significant difference was found (P＞0.05) between the count of DMEM-10 group between DMEM-10+IFN+IND group.There were no significant difference between the E and D standard or clinical strains (P＞0.05).Under the effect of IFN-γ,the growth of domestic dominant strain E-UW-5/Cx C.trachomatis was significantly inhibited.After adding exogenous indole,C.trachomatis can escape the scavenging activity of IFN-γγto restore the infection vitality.

ObjectiveTo analyze the association of HLA-DQA1 gene polymorphism with persistent Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection.Methods Blood samples were collected from 80 patients with persistent genital Chlamydial infection,80 patients with common genital Chlamydial infection(who tested negative for Chlamydia trachomatis after one course of standard systemic treatment) and 80 normal human controls.HLA-DQA1 alleles were genotyped by PCR followed by gene sequencing.ResultsThe frequency of HLA-DQA1*0102 allele and HLA-DQA1*0501 allele was 22.5％ and 5.0％ respectively in patients with persistent genital Chlamydial infection,5％ and 20％ respectively in those with common genital Chlamydial infection,2.5％ and 17.5％ respectively in normal human controls.Compared with the patients with common genital Chlamydial infection and controls,the patients with persistent genital Chlamydial infection had a higher frequency of HLA-DQA1*0102(x2 =14.6286,P ＜ 0.001 ),but a lower frequency of DQA1*0501 (x2 =6.2598,P ＜ 0.05).ConclusionsHLA-DQA1*0102 allele may be a susceptible gene or closely linked with the susceptible genes of persistent genital Chlamydial infection.HLA-DQA1*0501 allele may have protective effects against persistent genital Chlamydial infection.

Objecfive To detect serum antibodies to Pmp in patients with urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis infection and to assess the relationship between Pmp and urogenital C.traehomatis infection.Methods Twenty healthy adults and 77 patients with urogenital C. trachomatis infection were recruited into this study.A 3-month foilow-up was carried out in 43 patients,who were classified into persistent infection group(n=19)and negative-conversion group(n=24).Western-blot was performed to detect serum antibodies to Pmp in all subjects.Results The positivity rate of anti-Pmp antibodies was 90.20% (71/77) in patients,significantly higher than that in the normal controls[20% (4/20),P<0.05].All the 9 types of anti-Pmp antibodies were detected in patients with a varying positivity rates,which were 61.04% (47/77),88.31% (68/77),63.63% (49/77),28.57% (22,77),63.63% (49/77),75.32% (58/77),62.34% (48/77),77.92% (60/77)and 70.13% (54/77) for antibodies against PmpA,PmpB,PmpC,PmpD,PmpE,PmpF,PmpG,PmpH and PmpI respectivelyThe prevalence was highest for anti-Pmp B antibodies and lowest for anti-Pmp D antibodies.There was no significant difference in the positivity rate of anti-Pmp antibodies between persistent infection group and negativeconversion group.Conclusions Anti-Pmp antibodies could be generated in patients infected with C. trachomatis.The immunogenicity of different Pmps is different,and the immunoprotective activity of Pmps is rather weak.Individual differences exist in serum anti-Pmp antibodies among patients.Nine types of Pmps are expressed in patients with urogenital C. trachomatis infection.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of a recombinant plasmid encoding mouse interleukin 2 (mlL-2) on the immunogenicity of DNA vaccine against Chlamydia trachomatis(Ct) serovar E.Methods BALB/c mice were divided into 4 groups to be intramuscularly inoculated with blank plasmid(negative control group),DNA vaccine against Ct serovar E(DNA vaccine group),DNA vaccine against Ct serovar E and a recombinant plasmid containing mIL-2(combination group),and inactivated Ct serovar E elementary bodies (positive control group),respectively.The immunological effects were evaluated by posterior foot pad thickness,proliferation level of spleen lymphocytes,serum level of IL-4 and interferon (IFN)-γ in mice,and the capability to clear Ct genital tract infection.ResultsThe proliferation index of spleen lymphocytes in the combination group and positive control group was similar(3.64 ± 0.41 vs.3.77 ± 0.34),but was significantly different from that in the blank control group and DNA vaccine group (1.37 ± 0.21 and 2.52 ± 0.30).The serum level of IL-4 was(38.49 ± 12.24) pg/ml in the positive control group,significantly higher than in the negative control group,DNA vaccine group and combination group ((25.37 ± 18.93),(24.75 ± 8.49),(21.74 ± 6.43) pg/ml,respectively).With respect to the serum level of IFN-γ,the combination group and positive control group were similar ((1923.3 ± 518.1) pg/ml vs.(2712.5 ± 887.2) pg/ml),but were significantly different from the negative control group and vaccine group((310.8 ± 160.7) pg/ml and(601.3 ± 357.9) pg/ml).Six days after Ct challenge,the exfoliated cells from genital tract were positive for Ct culture in the negative control group,but negative in the other 3 groups.ConclusionIL-2 genetic adjuvant can enhance the immune response,especially Th1 type response,induced by the DNA vaccine against Ct serovar E.

Objective To investigate the relationship between polymorphism of arylamine N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) and hair dye dermatitis in a Chinese population. Methods Polymorphism chain-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used and the wild-type allele (NAT2 * 4) and three mutant alleles (NAT2 * 5A, 6B and 7A) were determined in 60 patients with hair dye dermatitis and 73 age-matched control subjects in Tianjin region. Results In hair dye dermatitis cases, the frequency of NAT2 * 4, NAT2 * 5A, NAT2 * 6B, NAT2 * 7A was 52. 5 % , 5. 0 % ,26.7 % and 15. 8 %, respectively, and no statistically significant difference of the frequencies was found between the hair dye dermatitis patients and controls (P>0. 05). The frequency of rapid genotype, intermediate genotype and slow genotype was 26. 7 % , 51. 7 % and 21. 7 % in hair dye dermatitis cases, 30. 1 %, 50. 7 % and 19. 2 % in control subjects, respectively, and no statistically significant difference of the frequencies between the two groups (P>0. 05). Conclusions Our study suggests that there might be no relationship between polymorphism of NAT2 and genetic susceptibility to hair dye dermatitis in a Chinese population.

Objective To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of 1% benadryl and 3 % metronidazle cream in the treatment of topical corticosteroid dependent dermatitis. Methods The study was conducted in a single-blind way. The 86 patients were divided into 3 groups: 1% benadryl and 3 %metronidazle cream (group A), loratadine (group B) and gluco-corticoids (group C). All preparations were applied twice daily for 8 weeks. Study visits took place at baseline and weeks 2, 4 and 8. Results The clinical response rate in the groups A, B and C was 86.20%, 73.33%, and 66.67%, respectively; the clinical response rate in group A was significantly higher than that in groups B and C (P<0.05). Conclusions 1% benadryl and 3 % metronidazle cream are effective and safe in the treatment of topical torticosteroid dependent dermatitis.

Objective To detect point mutations of TAC1 gene in fluconazole-resistant Candida albi-cans isolates with rolling circle amplification (RCA), develop an accurate, rapid and specific assay to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and to estimate the relationship between mutations of TAC1 gene and resistance to fluconazole. Methods A total of 33 fluconazole-resistant Candida albicana isolates, including 8 strains from America and 25 from Australia, were collected. Four TAC1-specific padlock probes were designed according to previously reported mutations. DNA was extracted from these tested strains, subjected to amplification of three targeted fragments of TAC1 gene with PCR. Then, RCA was performed to detect point mutations of TAC1 gene in resistant Candida albicans strains. At the same time, the target fragments underwent sequencing analysis, and the results of RCA were compared with those of sequencing. Results Two types of resistance-associated mutations were found in 5 out of the 33 fluconazole-resistant strains. Among the 5 strains, 4 were from America, 1 harbored T225A mutation and 4 carried A736V mutation. No related mutation was found in TAC1 gene of 4 fluconazole-sensitive isolates. Conclusions RCA assay could accurately and rapidly detect point mutations of genes. Further studies are required to clarify the relationship between TAC1 point mutations and fluconazole resistance.

Objective To study cellular immune responses induced by DNA vaccine against Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) serotype E. Methods BALB/c mice were divided into three groups to be intramuscularly immunized by blank plasmid (negative control group), DNA vaccine against Ct serotype E (vaccine group), and inactivated Ct elementary body (positive control group), respectively. Two weeks after the last immunization,delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response was evaluated; MTT assay was performed to detect the proliferation of spleen lymphocytes, ELISA to measure the serum level of interferon-γin mice. Some immunized mice underwent a genital challenge with Ct elementary body followed by isolation of Ct from exfoliated epithelial cells in genital tract and pathological examination of cervical tissue from the challenged mice. Results Compared to negative control group, vaccine group and positive control group experienced a stronger DTH response.The lymphocyte stimulating index and serum level of IFN-γwere highest in the positive control group (3.81 ±0.30, 2891.7 ± 1048.8 μg/L), followed by vaccine group (2.35 ± 0.25, 593.3 ± 342.6 μg/L) and negative control group (1.48 ± 0.15, 309.2 ± 157.9 μg/L), and significant difference was observed between the three groups (P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01 ). After Ct challenge, Ct was isolated from exfoliated epithelial cells and cervical tissue was damaged in the negative control group, while in the other two groups, Ct was undetected and genital tract tissue was intact. Conclusions The DNA vaccine against Ct serotype E could induce Ct-specific cellular immune responses to some extent, and offer a protection against vaginal challenge with Ct.