Objective To investigate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) in the angiogenesis of condyloma acuminatum (CA). Methods Tissue specimens were obtained from the lesions of 30 patients with CA and foreskin of 15 normal human controls. Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and immunohistochemical method were utilized to measure the protein and mRNA expressions of VEGF and TGF-α in the specimens. Microvessel density (MVD) was determined by staining with anti-CD34 polyclonal antibodies. Results A statistical elevation was observed in the expression of VEGF and TGF-α mRNA as well as MVD in CA specimens compared with the normal control specimens (P < 0.001, 0.001, 0.01). The expressions of VEGF and TGF-α protein were observed in 90% and 86.7% of the CA specimens, and in 40% and 26.7% of the control specimens (both P < 0.01). MVD was positively correlated with the expression of VEGF and TGF-α protein in CA tissues (both P < 0.01). Conclusion The overexpression of VEGF and TGF-α in CA tissue may accelerate angiogenesis in, and participate in the development and progression of, CA.

Objective To observe the effects of substance P (SP), NK1 receptor antagonist and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors on the secretion of nitric oxide (NO) and expression of inducible NOS (iNOS) by immortalized human keratinocyte line HaCaT. Methods The NO level in supernatant of cultured HaCaT cells was measured by nitrate reductase assay after treatment with different concentrations (10-9 to 10-6 mol/L) of SP, or the combination of SP (10-8 mol/L) and spantide (3×10-7 mol/L), aminoguanidine (10-7 mol/L), 7-nitroindazole (10-6 mol/L) or L-NAME (10-5 mol/L) for various durations. Reverse transcription-PCR was performed to measure the expression of iNOS mRNA in HaCaT cells incubated with SP of 10-8 mol/L for 1, 24 and 48 hours. Results The SP of 10-9 to 10-6 mol/L significantly induced the production of NO by HaCaT cells, and the highest level of NO was observed in HaCaT cells treated with SP of 10-8 mol/L. The synthesis of NO by HaCaT cells induced by SP was inhibited by Spantide of 3 × 10~7 mol/L at all time points (30 minutes, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 hours, all P< 0.01), by L-NAME of 10-5 mol/L at 3 time points (30 minutes, 1, 24 hours) and by 7-nitroin-dazole of 10-6 mol/L at 2 time points (30 minutes, 1 hour, both P< 0.05), but not by aminoguanidine of 10-7 mol/L at any time point (all P > 0.05). After treatment with SP of 10-8 mol/L, the relative mRNA expression of iNOS was 0.199 ± 0.018 and 0.516 ± 0.030 at 24 and 48 hours, respectively, and there was a statistical difference between the two time points (P < 0.01). Conclusions SP can reinforce the secretion of NO by HaCaT cells via NK1 receptor activation, but iNOS is unlikely to be the primary origin of NO secreted by HaCaT cells induced by SP.

Objective To investigate the relationship between apoptosis of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLCs) and impaired immunity by assessing the apoptosis and expression of Fas and Bcl-2 in PBLCs of patients with secondary syphilis. Methods Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detect PBLC apoptosis as well as Fas and Bcl-2 expression in 33 patients with secondary syphilis and 30 normal controls. Results The Fas expression on PBLCs and CD4+ cells was significantly higher in patients than that in controls (P 0.05). The apoptosis levels were significantly higher in PBLCs and CD4+ cells in patients than those in controls (P 0.05). In patients group, the apoptosis levels of both PBLCs and CD4+ cells had a positive correlation with the Fas expression (r = 0.68, P

Objective To prepare complex material—hydroxyapatite/silicone rubber (HA/SR) used in filling parenchyma and to measure and analyse its mechanical properties, looking for proper proportion of material. Methods The complex material was mixed based on different proportion (the HA/SR mass ratio of 23%, 33.3% and 41%), and its respective properties were tested according to national standard and performed statistical analysis. Results With the increasing proportion of hydroxyapatite in complex material, the rigidity of complex material enhanced gradually, but the mechanical property decreased. Conclusion If the HA/SR mass ratio was 23% to 33.3%, the mechanical properties of complex material are equal to that of pure SR. If the HA/SR mass ratio was over 41%, the mechanical properties of complex material decrease so that the complex material can not be used in filling.

Objective To establish standard liver volume formula of healthy Chinese and to explore if there is a correlation between changes of hepatic volume and hepatic functional reserve.Methods Two hundred and eighty healthy volunteers and 85 cirrhotics undergone serial abdominal H-CT scanning. The relation between normal liver volume measured by CT and body surface area(BSA) was studied by linear regression and correlation method, the standard liver volume formula was deduced. For cirrhotic patients, the change rate of liver volume was calculated and was compared with their Child class and postoperative complications.Results The mean normal hepatic volume for Chinese adults was (1?250?141)?cm 3. There is a positive correlation between estimated liver volume in vivo and body surface area[r=0.96, LV(cm 3)=613?BSA(cm 3)+162.8]. The mean liver volume (SD) for Child class A cirrhotics was (1?092?276)?cm 3, (868?163)?cm 3 for class B, and (652?76)?cm 3 for class C. Differences were observed among the three classes (P

The objective of this study is to fully investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanisms of action of Gegen Qinlian decoction (GD) on type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM). A rat model of type 2 DM was established with the combination of high-fat diet and multiple low doses of streptozotocin (STZ). Biochemical indicators related to glucose metabolism disorders, insulin resistance, oxidative stress were observed. The type 2 DM rats were administrated with GD for 80 days, the above-mentioned indexes were detected. The results indicated that the hepatic glycogen synthesis level was promoted, fasting blood glucose level and fasting blood insulin level were significantly reduced, insulin sensitivity index was significantly improved; the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was increased and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was reduced; pathologic morphology of pancreas and kidney was ameliorated in the GD group. It was indicated that the therapeutic mechanisms of action of GD on type 2 DM might be related to its effect of ameliorating glucose metabolism disorders, relieving insulin resistance, increasing the tissues' sensitivity to insulin, improving the antioxidative ability of living system, GD has therapeutic effect on type 2 DM and protective effects against damaged pancreatic function.

Objective To determine the prevalence of latex glove(LG)-induced type Ⅳ hypersensitivity in clinical nurses. Methods 100 clinical nurses were selected,among whom 69 nurses were set as the latex glove hypersensitivity group,and the other 31 nurses did not show hypersensitivity to latex glove (the control group).The two groupe underwent a patch testing with a modified European standard series of allergens supplied by Chemotechnique Diagnostics.The positive allergens were compared between the two groups. Results The positive rate of patch testing in patients of the latex glove hypersensitivity group was superior to that in the control group (73.9％ vs 25.8％).Cobalt chloride and potassium dichromate were the most common allergens in both groups,while only formaldehyde and para-phenylenediamine were more susceptible in the latex glove hypersensitivity group compared with that in the control group.26.1％ of the latex glove hypersensitivity group was responsive to rubber additives,but in the control group the results were negative.Conclusions The hand dermatitis of female nurses with LG allergy is mainly caused by exposure to daily necessities.The prevalence of LG-induced type Ⅳ hypenensitivity is relatively high in clinical murses.

Objective To report a case of cutaneous infection due to Trichosporon dermatis. Methods Lesional discharge and tissue were obtained and subjected to microscopic examination, fungal culture and histopathology, respectively. The fungal isolate was then identified with DNA sequence analysis, API 20C AUX system, gelatin liquefaction test, thermal tolerance test. Antifungal susceptibility test was also performed for the fungus. Results A 70-year-old male presented with a 9-month history of ulcerated swelling of the right medial malleolus after plant puncture. Direct microscopic examination of lesional discharge showed no fungal elements, but histopathological biopsy revealed hyphae and spores in the dermis. Yellowish white yeast-like colony grew on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). Slide culture showed pseudohyphae, true hyphae, arthroconidia and blastoconidia. The isolate was identified as Candida humicola by API 20C AUX system, but as T. dermatis by DNA sequence analysis. The strain was unable to liquefy gelatin, could grow at 25 ℃ to 40 ℃, and was sensitive to amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole and nystatin. The skin lesion completely subsided after 4-month treatment with oral itraconazole. Conclusions The isolate is identified as T. dermatis according to morphological features and DNA sequence, which is sensitive to itraconazole.

Objective To investigate the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on the scratching behavior evoked by substance P (SP) in mice. Methods Forty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups to receive intradermal injection of different doses of SP (0, 20, 40, 80, 160 nmol/site) into the rostral part of the back to establish the acute itch model. Another 40 mice were randomly allocated to model, spantide, L-arginine,L-NAME and aminognanidine groups injected intracutaneously with normal saline (NS), spantide, L-arginine,L-NAME and aminoguanidine, respectively, 10 minutes before SP (80 nmol/site) injection. Subsequently,the scratching behavior was observed, iNOS expression and NO level in the injected skin were detected by immunohistochemical staining and nitrate reductase assay, respectively. Results The scratching bouts per hour induced by intradermal NS and SP of 20, 40, 80 and 160 nmol/site were 4.38±4.07, 5.38±3.78,12.75±6.52, 23.50±7.84 and 42.38±15.84, respectively, and only SP at higher doses (40 - 160 nmol/site)elicited a dose-dependent scratching response in mice (P < 0.01 or 0.05) compared with NS. The scratches over 1 hour in SP, L-arginine, spantide, L-NAME and aminognanidine group were 67.13±32.79, 70.75±34.80, 10.75±8.14, 29.00±21.19 and 35.38±22.83, respectively; of them, pretreatment with spantide,L-NAME and aminognanidine significantly inhibited SP-induced scratching (P < 0.01 or 0.05), but L-arginine showed no inhibitory effect (P > 0.05). Compared with SP, the pretreatment with spantide, L-NAME and aminoguanidine significantly downregulated the iNOS expression and NO content (P < 0.01 or 0.05) in the injected skin other than L-arginine (P > 0.05 ). Conclusion Intradermal SP could increase NO synthesis by neurokinin 1 receptor activation, resulting in the scratching behavior in BALB/c mice.

Objective To report a case of superficial white onychomycosis caused by Nigrospora sphaerica. Methods Natl specimens were obtained from the patient and examined by direct microscopy, fungal culture and histopathology. Subsequently, the isolate was subjected to DNA sequencing analysis, gelatin liquefaction test, antifungal susceptibility test and nail-plate invasion test. Results A 21-year-old male presented with a 5-month history of whitening of the right hallux. Direct microscopy of nail scrapings showed spores, hyphae and lobiform conidiophores, and histopathology of decalcifying nail clippings revealed the presence of fungal elements including numerous spores and hyphae. A black woolly colony was formed in Sabouraud's dextrose agar (SDA). DNA sequencing analysis showed that the isolate was highly consis-tent with genus Nigrospora. Also, the isolate possessed the ability to liquefy gelatin and to invade normal nail plate. Antifungal susceptibility test showed that the isolate was highly susceptible to itraconazole, clotrimazole, amphotericin B and nystatin. The onychomycosis was cured after 5-month treatment with oral itra-conazole pulse therapy. Conclusions The isolate is identified as Nigrospora sphaerica by morphological features and DNA sequencing analysis. It is the first reported case of superficial white onychomycosis caused by N. Sphaerica in China, and it was effectively treated by itraeonazolc.