Objective To describe epidemiological characteristics of scalp psoriasis in China,and to determine its influencing factors through a hospital-based,multicenter and large-scale survey.Methods An epidemiological survey was conducted on patients with scalp psoriasis in 42 hospitals in 11 provinces and 4 municipalities.A questionnaire was designed to collect general and clinical information of patients,including clinical type,lesion distribution,psoriasis scalp severity index (PSSI),aggravating factors,influence on quality of life,treatment course,degree of satisfaction with treatment,etc.Participants were asked to fill out the questionnaire with the help of well-trained dermatologists.Data were processed with the EpiData software.The WPS system and Epi Info 5.0 statistics software were used for descriptive analysis of the data.Results Totally,3 901 patients participated this study,and 3 586 valid questionaires were obtained.The mean age at onset of scalp lesions was (27.40 ± 13.34) years,and the male to female ratio was 1.6∶1 with a mean PSSI score of 13.61 ± 12.31.The hairline of the forehead was the most frequently affected area with the constituent ratio of forehead psoriasis being 74.3％ (2 663/3 586).The duration of scalp psoriasis reached 3 to 6 months every year in 1 136 (31.7％) patients,and the area affected by scalp psoriasis was less than 25％ of the total surface area of the scalp in 1 649 (46％) patients.The most frequent clinical presentation was scaling (92.1％),followed by erythema (80.6％),itching(76.7％),bunchy hairs (39.9％) and hair loss(18.0％).Disease aggravation was most frequently associated with seasons (76.7％),emotions (47.4％),stress (47.1％) and fatigue (46.6％).The quality of life (especially social,outdoor and entertainment activities) was reported to be negatively influenced by this entity to different degrees in 2 529 (70.5％) patients.Of these patients,583 (17.8％) received combination therapy (topical and systemic),with glucocorticoid ointment (27.5％),calcipotriol scalp solution (22.7％) and glucocorticoid-containing solution (11.9％) being the most commonly used topical drugs; only 38.6％ complied with medication requirements and doctors' advice for 3 to 5 weeks,and 35.2％ believed that the primary reason for poor compliance was unsatisfactory response to drugs.It was considered that an ideal drug for the treatment of scalp psoriasis should be highly effective (50.3％),safe (17.8％) and easy to apply (11％) with a rapid onset of action(11.9％).Conclusions Scalp psoriasis has a predilection for the hairline of the forehead with scaling as the main clinical presentation.Winter and spring seasons appear to be the most common aggravating factor of scalp psoriasis.The quality of life is negatively influenced to different degrees in many patients with scalp psoriasis.Topical corticosteroids plus non-hormonal drugs should be the first choice for the treatment of scalp psoriasis.Patients consider that the ideal drugs for the treatment of scalp psoriasis should be effective,safe,and easy to apply.

This paper has reported the effect of preservation myceh'al fungus by the methods of slant and rubber plug. The mycelial fungus preserved include 29 genera, 69 species, 128 strains. The preservation time is from 2 years to 17 years. By slant inoculation, their survival conditions are still good keep their original charaters. The result shows that it is simple and effective preserving some mycelial fungus by the methods of slant and rubber plug.

Objective To discuss the effect of Montelukast (Mont) on MDA,SOD,W/D,TNF-α,IL-10 and NF-κBp65 in lung tissue of Wistar rats poisoned by paraquat (PQ) and also to observe the pathological changes of the lung tissue.Methods A total of 104 Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups in random (random number),namely PQ group (n =40),Mont group (n =40) and control group (n =24).PQ (20 mg/kg) was administered by intra-peritoneal route to rats of PQ group and Mont group and narcotics were used for 2 hours.Mont in dose of 50 mg/kg was administered intra-gastrically to rats of Mont group per day and saline instead were administered to PQ group and control group per day until they were sacrificed for experiment.Of both PQ group and Mont group,10 rats were sacrificed at each interval of 1,3,5 and 7 days respectively after modeling,whereas 6 rats of control group were sacrificed at each interval.The levels of MDA and SOD in lung tissue and W/D of lung tissue,the levels of serum TNF-α and IL-10 and the level of NF-κBp65 in lung tissue were determined.Further,the specimen of lung tissue was prepared for electron microscopy observation.Results The level of MDA in lung tissue of PQ group was (8.19 ± 0.53) nmol/mg prot,which was significantly higher than that of control group on the 7th day.The level of SOD in lung tissue of PQ group was (128.76 ± 10.18) U/mg prot,which was significantly lower than that of control group.In PQ group,the W/D of lung tissue (6.62 ±0.42),level of serum TNF-α (156.16 ± 11.13) pg/ml,level of IL-10 (43.63 ±4.44) pg/ml and level of NF-κBp65 in lung tissue (0.23 ±0.02) were significantly higher than those in control group (P ＜0.01).In Mont group on the 7th day,the level of serum TNF-α (129.99 ±13.13) pg/ml,level of serum IL-10 (34.28 ± 3.80) pg/ml and level of NF-κBp65 in lung tissue (0.20 ±0.02) were significantly lower than those in PQ group (P ＜ 0.01).In the PQ group,pathological changes of lung tissue under the light and electron microscopes were acute diffused lung injury manifested itself in hemorrhage,effusion and infiltration of inflammatory cells inside the alveolar space,and the necrosis and defluxion of Ⅰ type and Ⅱ type epithelia cells.The pathological changes in Mont group were localized with infiltration of scanty inflammatory cells,and Ⅰ type epithelia cells were intact and there was no obvious necrosis of Ⅱ type epithelia cells.Conclusions Mont has protective effects on acute lung injury caused by PQ poisoning in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of salvianolate on rats with postoperative intestinal adhesion and to explore the prevention mechanism. METHODS: Forty SD male rats with intestinal adhesion were randomly divided into four groups: untreated group, low-dose salvianolate-treated group (12 mg/kg), medium-dose salvianolate-treated group (24 mg/kg) and high-dose salvianolate-treated group (48 mg/kg), with another ten SD male rats as normal control. Intraperitoneal injection of glucose was administered to the rats in the normal control group and the untreated group, and intraperitoneal injection of salvianolate was administered to the rats in the low-, medium- and high-dose salvianolate-treated groups. They were all treated for 8 days and once a day. On the eighth day after surgery the blood samples of each group were collected. Grades of intestinal adhesion were ranked by macroscopic observation. The adhesive tissues between viscera and belly wall were taken for pathological observation. The levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Salvianolate can significantly reduce the extent of postoperative intestinal adhesion, obviously decrease the levels of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and inhibit the hyperplasy of fibrous connective tissue. However, there was no significant impact on the level of IL-4. CONCLUSION: Salvianolate can reduce the extent of postoperative intestinal adhesion, decrease the expression of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha and inhibit the hyperplasy of fibrous connective tissue. This may be the mechanism of salvianolate in preventing intestinal adhesion.

We describe a case of solitary myeloma showing cystic change filled with massive crystalline structures in a 54-year-old woman. A bone X-ray showed a solitary cystic osteolytic lesion in the right iliac bone. Serum and urine protein electrophoresis showed no demonstrable M-protein, and bone-marrow aspirates did not show any myeloma cells. Histologic examination of the tumor revealed aggregation of plasma cells with massive extracellular infiltration of the rhomboid-shaped crystalline structures. In immunoperoxidase staining, both these crystalline structures and the cytoplasms of the myeloma cells demonstrated a positive reaction for lambda light chain. By electron microscope, the large extracellular crystalline structures were observed, and we found unique rhomboid or rectangular-shaped crystalline structures in the cytoplasms of the myeloma cells.
Bone Neoplasms/immunology/*ultrastructure ; Crystallization ; Extracellular Space/immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains/ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron ; Middle Aged ; Plasmacytoma/immunology/*ultrastructure

BACKGROUNDWe investigated the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in diabetes, and detected the expression of scavenger receptor CD36 in monocytes in patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODSAccording to the criteria by WHO, diabetic patients were classified into two groups: well controlled diabetic patients (WCP) and poorly controlled diabetic patients (PCP). The expression of CD36 protein and mRNA were evaluated by flow cytometry and reversal transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Plasma levels of accumulation of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) were directly measured by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.

RESULTSFlow cytometry and RT-PCR showed that the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CD36 in monocyte and CD36 mRNA were significantly higher in the PCP and WCP in comparison with healthy controls (P<0.01). CD36 MFI and mRNA in the PCP were increased by 78% and 36% compared to the WCP. In both groups, CD36 MFI and mRNA were significantly higher in patients with diabetic atherosclerosis in comparison with those without diabetic atherosclerosis (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in CD14 expression between the groups (P>0.05). The concentrations of plasma oxLDL were higher in the PCP group compared to WCP and control group (P<0.05), whereas oxLDL average values did not differ significantly between WCP and control groups (P>0.05). In the WCP and PCP groups, oxLDL levels were higher in patients with diabetic atherosclerosis than those without diabetic atherosclerosis (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe increased expression of scavenger receptor CD36 may be one of the mechanism of accelerated atherosclerosis in diabetic. The poorly controlled diabetes patients are at higher risk for the vascular complications than the well controlled diabetic patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Atherosclerosis ; etiology ; CD36 Antigens ; genetics ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Humans ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; analysis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monocytes ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Regression Analysis

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of using an endovascular metal stent as a highly efficient and site-specific gene delivery system.

METHODSStents were formulated with a collagen coating. Anti-DNA monoclonal antibodies were covalently bound to the collagen surface by a cross linking reagent of N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate (SPDP). Binding capacity and stability of antibody and plasmid DNA on stents were quantified by radioactive labeling. The gene transduction efficiency was evaluated in cell culture and in rabbits.

RESULTSThe amount of antibodies binding on collagen matrix through SPDP reaction was 15 times higher than that of through physical absorption (P < 0.005). The binding stability of plasmid was significantly better than the control groups (P < 0.01). There was no harmful effect on cell growth with the anti-DNA antibody modified stents. The stents retrieved from cell culture after 72 hours of incubation in A10 cells showed numerous transducted cells only infiltrating the surface coating indicating a highly localized and efficient gene delivery pattern. Results of in vivo gene transfer by this modified stent revealed (2.8 +/- 0.7)% of total cells transduction and the higher transduction location was neointimal layer (about 7%). No distal spread of vector was detectable in the anti-DNA antibody modified stent implantation animals.

CONCLUSIONSAnti-DNA antibody modified stents represent a novel highly efficient and site-specific gene delivery system which can deliver various kinds of plasmid vectors. The release of plasmid DNA tethered on the stents could be controlled in some conditions. This novel system provided a novel platform for cardiovascular site-specific gene therapy.

Animals ; Antibodies, Antinuclear ; immunology ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; immunology ; Cells, Cultured ; Coated Materials, Biocompatible ; Collagen ; DNA ; genetics ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Vectors ; Male ; Mice ; Plasmids ; Rabbits ; Stainless Steel ; Stents

The COVID-19 outbreak may have some impact on the use of biologics in psoriatic patients because immunosuppressive effects of biologics may potentially alter the susceptibility of patients to the virus, deteriorate the condition of infected patients or even change the prognosis of infection. According to currently available recommendations from international psoriasis academic organizations and specialists, as well as specific situation in China, the authors provide some guidance on the use of biologics for psoriatic patients undergoing or planning to undergo treatment with biologics, those with low or high risk of infection, and for those with or without COVID-19 infection, so as to provide references for clinical practice.

Previously, we reported that high glucose enhanced cytokine-induced nitric oxide (NO) production by rat mesangial cells (MCs), and that the enhanced expression of the iNOS pathway may promote extracellular matrix accumulation by MCs. The present study was designed to examine whether the iNOS pathway is pathologically altered in experimental diabetic nephropathy, and whether therapy with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (imidapril: I) or angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1) blocker (L-158,809: L), ameliorates these changes. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with diluent (control: C) or streptozotocin. At sacrifice after 4, 8 and 12 weeks, rats underwent either a 4 hour placebo or an intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 2 mg/kg) challenge. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and urinary protein excretion (UPE) increased significantly in diabetic (D) rats compared with C. The basal expression of glomerular iNOS mRNA was increased in D rats compared with that of C rats, by reverse- transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), whereas there was no significant difference in the level of protein by Western blot analysis. Upon LPS stimulation, the iNOS mRNA and protein expression was significantly elevated in D rats. In D rats, this up-regulation, of LPS-stimulated iNOS expression, was equally ameliorated both by I and L in mRNA and protein levels. From immunohistochemistry (IHC), there was a negative staining for the iNOS within the glomeruli of five C rats without LPS treatment, but one of four rats, with LPS treatment, showed minimal iNOS staining in the glomeruli. In D rats, the glomerular mesangium and podocytes were positive for iNOS in each of three out of five rats with, and without, LPS treatment. In conclusion, LPS-stimulated glomerular iNOS expression was enhanced in diabetic pnephropathy, and the activation of angiotensin II may play a role in this enhancement.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology ; Animal ; Kidney Glomerulus/*drug effects/*enzymology ; Lipopolysaccharides/*pharmacology ; Male ; Nitric-Oxide Synthase/*metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Angiotensin/antagonists & inhibitors

BACKGROUNDIbutilide has been commonly used for pharmacologic cardioversion of atrial fibrillation and flutter in clinical settings. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of ibutilide on the defibrillation threshold (DFT), restitution properties, dispersion of refractoriness and activation patterns during ventricular fibrillation (VF).

METHODSIbutilide was administrated intravenously in six open-chest beagles. Before and after the drug administration, 20-second episodes of VF were electrically induced and recorded with a 10×10 unipolar electrode plaque sutured on the lateral epicardium of the left ventricle. DFT and VF activation patterns, including type of epicardial activation maps, VF cycle length (VF-CL), conduction velocity, wavelength (WL) and reentry incidence, were measured. Restitution properties and dispersion of refractoriness were estimated from activation recovery intervals (ARI) during pacing.

RESULTSCompared to baseline, ibutilide markedly decreased the DFT by 31% ((491 ± 14) V vs. (337 ± 59) V, P < 0.01). The drug significantly reduced the maximal slope of the restitution curve (1.34 ± 0.08 vs. 0.76 ± 0.06, P < 0.01) and its epicardial dispersion (0.36 ± 0.09 vs. 0.21 ± 0.06, coefficient of variation, P = 0.03). The dispersion of refractoriness was enhanced at the pacing cycle length of 300 ms to 160 ms by ibutilide. The drug significantly increased the VF-CL ((96 ± 19) ms vs. (112 ± 20) ms, P < 0.01) and the WL ((41 ± 9) mm vs. (52 ± 14) mm, P = 0.02) during VF, and reduced the reentry incidence by 25% (0.08 ± 0.02 vs. 0.06 ± 0.02, P < 0.01). In the epicardial activation maps, ibutilide significantly reduced the percentage of more complex activation maps during VF.

CONCLUSIONSIntravenous ibutilide significantly decreased the DFT. It might be due to reduction of activation pattern complexity during VF.

Animals ; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; therapeutic use ; Dogs ; Pericardium ; drug effects ; Sulfonamides ; therapeutic use ; Ventricular Fibrillation ; drug therapy ; physiopathology