Objective To delineate the epidermal calcium ions distribution in normal and acetone-treated nude mouse skin. Methods acetone was applied on the nude mouse skin for 20*!min with cotton balls. The ion capture cytochemistry, i.e., the potassium oxalate-pyroantimonate method was employed to localize calcium ions in nude mouse epidermis for ultrastructural examination. Results Ultrastructural examinations demonstrate that abundant calcium ions displayed within the epidermis, with a low content of calcium in the basal and spinous layers, followed by a progressive increase with calcium content and reaching its maximal density within the outer stratum granulosum. Whereas, application of acetone to the nude mouse skin caused the loss of the epidermal calcium gradient.Conclusion The present results suggest that a calcium gradient exists within normal murine epidermis. Moreover, the ion capture cytochemistry is a potentially powerful investigative tool for the demonstration of epidermal ionic environment.

BACKGROUND: Stratum corneum lipids are arranged as intercellular membrane bilayers presumed to mediate the epidermal permeability barrier. Acute disruption in barrier function will initiate epidermal lipid synthesis, which can be prevented by occlusive membrane. Whereas, occlusion of the skin is known to cause an increased transepidermal water loss(TEWL) and enhanced percutaneous absorption of a variety of compounds. OBJECTIVE: Previous reports with electron microscopy showed varying sizes of lacunae and disorganized intercorneocyte lipids after tape stripping and occlusion with a water impermeable membrane on the murine skin. Hence we studied the effects on stratum corneum lipids and changes in barrier function after occlusion with a water-impermeable membrane. METHODS: Male hairless mice were occluded with one finger of a Latex glove for 24, 48 and 60 hours. After occlusion, TEWL was measured and biopsy specimens were taken from skin. For electron microscopic examination the samples were treated with osmium tetroxide, ruthenitum tetroxide, and tracer (lanthanum) and infrared spectroscopy were also applied. RESULTS: Occlusion with a water-impermeable membrane on the skin induced higher TEWL Values and greater penetration of the tracer than normal. Alterations of the lipid bilayer membrane and lacunae forwation in the stratum corneum interstices were also induced after 24 hours of occlusion. However, the orderness of the lipid alkyl chain in the stratum corneum was not changed until 60 hours of occlusion. CONCLUSION: These studies indicate that the increased epidermal permeability after occlusion may be due to the abnormal lipid membrane structures and volume expansion of existing lacunar domains in the stratum corneum interstices.
Animals ; Biopsy ; Fingers ; Humans ; Lanthanum ; Latex ; Lipid Bilayers ; Male ; Membranes ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless* ; Microscopy, Electron ; Osmium Tetroxide ; Permeability ; Skin ; Skin Absorption ; Spectrum Analysis ; Water

Stratum corneum,the outermost layer of the mammalian skin, has its unique structural,biophysical and biochemical characteristics.The form of stratum corneum is a continuous sheath of protein-enriched corneocytes embedded in an intercellular matrix enriched in nonpolar specialized lipids.It provides an impermeable barrier from exogenous noxious substances and prevents the body from transdermal water loss.Recent researches suggest that its morphological and functional abnormalities can be induced by various environmental effects such as ultraviolet radiation,mechanical friction,organic solvents,etc.However,the mechanism of the injury-repair process remains unclear.Several cytokines and ceramide may be involved in the regulation.

50%) in the objective findings and/or subjective symptoms in both patients.In case 1 and case 2,the frequency of daily urination decreased by 7.3% and 34.3%,the volume of urination increased by 118.2% and 65.7%,the degree of urgent urination declined by 72.0% and 68.1%,respectively.Then they received permanent electrode and neurostimulator implantation and the improvement remained significant.They were followed up for 26 and 17 months,respectively,and no significant complications were found. Conclusions SNN is a micro-invasive,effective,and safe therapy for chronic voiding dysfunction.It may also be effective for some neurogenic dysfunctions of the bladder and urethra.

Objective To investigate the effect of all-trans retinoic acid on the change in intracellular glycogen in ovarian epithelioma cell line in vitro and ovarian epithelial carcinoma in nude mice in vivo. Methods COC2 cells were treated with all-trans retinoic acid in 1, 5, 10 and 30?mol/L drug concentrations for different length of time, and then intracellular glycogen and LDH were determined by biochemistry assay. Morphologic changes were observed with light and electron microscopy. CAOV3 tumor-bearing nude mice were treated with intragastric injection of the same drug in a dose of 2mg/(kg?d) for four weeks. The tumor samples were harvested thereafter for pathological study with histochemical and immunohistochemical staining, and also with electron microscopy. Results Intracellular glycogen was significantly increased, while LDH level was lowered after the cell line was treated with 5~10?mol/L of all-trans retinoic acid, and apoptosis of cancer cell occurred after using 30?mol/L of the drug. These changes were also observed in CAOV3 cells of tumor-bearing nude mice. Conclusion Our results suggest that treatment with all-trans retinoic acid resultin an increase in intracellular glycogen and decrease in LDH level both in COC2 cells in vitro and in CAOV3 tumor-bearing nude mice in vivo, and the suppression of tumor cell proliferation may be attributed to retarded intracellular metabolism.

Objective To compare the treatment effectiveness of AO/ASIF proximal femoral nail (PFN) and proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) in treatment of intertrochanterie fractures. Methods A retrospective study was done on 233 patients with intertroehanteric fractures treated from August 2004 to December 2006. The patients were divided into PFN group (188 patients) and PFNA group (45 patients) for comparing operative procedures and postoperative functional recovery. Results There was statistical difference in aspects of incision length, blood loss and operation time between two groups. The follow-up for 22.8 months showed excellence rate of 89.9% in PFN group and 91.1% in PFNA group, with statistical difference (X2 = 0.06, P > 0.05). There occurred hip varus in one patient and antirotation nail cutting-out in two in PFN group, which was not found in PFNA group. Conclusion PFN and PFNA are both good choices for treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. Compared with PFN, PFNA has more advantages in reducing operation time and blood loss especially for the eider patients with osteoporosis.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and clinical efficacy of intraperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for T1a peripheral renal neoplasms. Methods Intraperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy was performed without renal artery occlusion for T1a peripheral peripheral renal neoplasms. The operative time, bleeding volume and complications were observed and the clinical experience was summarized. Results From October 2014 to January 2017 ,there were 10 patients:7 males and 3 females. All patients had T1a peripheral renal tumors. 10 patients underwent operation successfully ,of which 1 case developed temporarily blocked renal artery in the surgery due to hemorrhage. There was no referral during surgeries. The operative duration was 108 to 210 min,with a median of 135 min. The estimated blood loss was 100 to 750 mL,with a median of 320 mL. Followed up duration was 2 to 24 months (median 12 months),there were not postoperative renal secondary bleeding , leakage and other complications. No recurrence of tumor was found. Conclusion It is feasible and safe to exercise intraperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy without renal artery occlusion in the treatment of T 1a peripheral renal tumors,which can protect renal function to the greatest extent.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the clinical characteristics and gene polymorphism of oxcarbazepine (OXC)- induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). METHODS:Retrieved from CNKI,Wanfang,VIP, PubMed,EMBase,SpringerLink and other databases,case reports about OXC-induced severe ADR were summarized and ana-lyzed. RESULTS:Twelve literatures were collected,and 13 case reports about OXC-induced SJS/TEN were obtained. Male had more OXC-induced severe skin ADR than female. ADR mostly occurred during 1-14 d after medication. All patients were cured with treatment of glucocorticoid and antiallergy,without death case. Genotyping for 8 patients were performed and 6 of them showed the presence of HLA-B*1502 allele. While HLA-B alleles of 2 patients were HLA-B*1518/B*4001,which was the variation of HLA-B*1502. CONCLUSIONS:OXC-induced ADR should be monitored closely. Great importance should be attached to patient education and follow-up program. HLA-B*1502 gene detection should be performed to guide rational use of OXC and optimize clini-cal drug use plan.

Objective To investigate the relationship of expressions of cylooxygenase-2(COX-2) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1?(HIF-1?) in hepatocelluar carcinoma(HCC) and the possible antineoplastic mechanism of selective COX-2 inhibitor.Methods The expressions of COX-2 and HIF-1? in 53 cases of HCC tissues were detected immunohistochemically.Western blot was employed to evaluate the effects of variant concentration of COX-2 inhibitor meloxicam on expression of HIF-1? in Cobaltchloride-stimulated SMMC-7721 cell.Results Of 53 tumor tissues,the expression of COX-2 was 22/53(41.5%) strongly positive stained,11/53(20.8%) positive stained,and 20/53(37.7%) negative stained.Meanwhile the expression of HIF-1? was 18/53(34.0%) strongly positive stained,18/53(34.0%)positive stained,17/53((32.1%)) negative stained.The expression of COX-2 was correlated positively with HIF-1? in HCC(r=0.440,P

Objectives: To reveal the morphological features of the stratum corneum lipids in hairless mouse epidermis. Methods: Ruthenium tetroxide and osmium tetroxide were compared as post fixative in the preparation of hairless epidermis for transmission electron microscopic examination. Results: Both reagents reveled characteristic membrane coating granules within the granular layer. Whereas, the transformation of the membrane coating granule contents into multiple lamellae at the interface between the granular and cornified layers and the persistence of these lamellae through all levels of the stratum corneum were demonstrated only by ruthenium tetroxide fixation. Conclusions: The distinctive patterning of the intercellular lamellae reflects the nonrandom organization of the stratum corneum lipids. In addition, the ruthenium tetroxide postfixation technique is a useful method in the investigation of the morphological features of the stratum corneum lipids.