Objective To observe the in vitro damage to hairs by Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy ( SEM ), and to compare the differences in the duration needed for the two fungi to damage hairs in different age groups. Methods We collected healthy hairs from different age groups, and performed hair perforation test in vitro. The damage to the hairs was observed by SEM and light microscopy. Results Both T. mentagrophytes and M. canis could damage the hairs. The duration needed for T. mentagrophytes to damage the hairs was significantly shorter than that for M. canis in all age groups ( P

Objective: To investigate the protective effects of matrine combined with glycyrrhizic acid on chronic liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride, and explore the protective mechanism from the points of energy metabolism and CYP enzyme.Methods: The chronic hepatic injury model of rats was induced by CCl4.The changes of activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum were measured to observe the protective effect of the two drugs and their combination.The contents of glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) in serum and adenine nucleoside three phosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenine monophosphate (AMP) in liver tissue were determined to evaluate the regulation effect on hepatic energy metabolism and mitochondrial function.The levels of CYP1A2, CYP2E1 mRNA and protein in liver tissue were detected by real-time PCR and Western Blot to evaluate the two drugs and their combination on the regulation function of liver CYP enzyme.Results: Matrine (72.8 mg×kg-1)and glycyrrhizic acid(43.4 mg·kg-1)could decrease the serum activities of ALT and ALT in chronic hepatic injury model, and the combination (matrine 36.4 mg·kg-1+glycyrrhizic acid 21.7 mg·kg-1) had the most significant protective effect (P＜0.05).Matrine (72.8 mg·kg-1)and glycyrrhizic acid(43.4 mg·kg-1)could decrease GLDH in serum,and restore the content of ATP in liver (P＜0.05).Matrine (72.8 mg·kg-1) had no effect on the expression of CYP1A2 and CYP2E1mRNA, and glycyrrhizin (43.4 mg·kg-1) could inhibit the expression of CYP1A2, CYP2E1mRNA and protein (P＜0.05).Conclusion: Matrine combined with glycyrrhizin has obvious regulation effect on mitochondrial function and liver protective effect in chronic hepatic injury model.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of tazarotene against active psoriasis vulgaris.

METHODSA randomized, controlled trial was conducted in 43 patients with active psoriasis vulgaris, who were divided into tazarotene and control groups. Promyelocytic leukemia (PML) mRNA in active psoriatic lesions before and 14 days after tazarotene treatment was detected by in situ hybridization.

RESULTSPML mRNA expression was detected not only in the basal layer (86.96%), but also in the suprabasal layers of the epidermis in the manner of focal expression (78.26%). After tazarotene treatment, virtually no PML mRNA expression could be detected in the psoriatic lesions (8.69% in the basal layer and 4.35% in the suprabasal layers). PML mRNA expression in the control group underwent no obvious changes during the observation.

CONCLUSIONSTazarotene may inhibit abnormal proliferation of keratinocytes through down-regulating PML gene expression in active psoriatic epidermis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Double-Blind Method ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; genetics ; Epidermis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Keratolytic Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Nicotinic Acids ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein ; Psoriasis ; drug therapy ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) on the apoptosis and P-glyco-protein (P-gp) expression of multidrug-resistant human leukemia K562/ADM cells, and the combined effects of As(2)O(3) with conventional chemotherapeutic agents.

METHODSMultidrug-resistant human leukemia cell line K562/ADM that overexpresses mdr-1 gene was used as the target cells. The cell proliferating activity was assessed with a MTT assay. Cell morphology was examined by light microscopy, confocal microscopy and electron-microscopy. P-gp expression, cell-cycle status were determined by flow cytometry.

RESULTSK562/ADM cells were highly resistant to adriamycin, and cross-resistant to daunorubicin and etoposide. As(2)O(3) at concentrations of 0.5 to 20 micromol/L inhibited the proliferation of K562/ADM cells, and K562/ADM cells were more sensitive to As(2)O(3) than their parent K562 cells did. As(2)O(3) induced marked apoptosis of K562/ADM cells showed by typical apoptotic morphological changes and the appearance of high sub-G(1) cell population. As(2)O(3) significantly inhibited the P-gp expression in K562/ADM cells, and exerted a synergistic effect on the enhancement of the cell sensitivity to adriamycin, daunorubicin and etoposide.

CONCLUSIONAs(2)O(3) induces growth-inhibition and apoptosis of multidrug-resistant K562/ADM cells, and augments synergistically the sensitivity of the cells to conventional chemotherapeutic agents via down-regulation of P-gp expression.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; biosynthesis ; drug effects ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Daunorubicin ; pharmacology ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Drug Synergism ; Etoposide ; pharmacology ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Oxides ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo determine the clinicopathologic characteristics and the relationship between related gene expression and pathobiologic behavior of pancreatic mucinous noncystic adenocarcinoma.

METHODSAmong the 249 pancreatic carcinoma cases from the department files, 6 tumors were identified to meet the pathologic criteria of colloid carcinoma. Envision immunohistochemical staining technique was used to detect expression of p21(ras), p21(WAF1), p16, p33(ING1), p53, ATM, MDM2, PCNA, Cyclins (D1, D3, A, B and E). Intra- and extra- cellular mucin production were determined by AB-PAS staining. Clinically, all of 6 cases were followed to June, 2003.

RESULTSIn all 6 cases, the tumors were located in the head of the pancreas and all displayed similar microscopic findings. Duodenal invasion was seen in 4 cases and perineural invasion was seen in 1 case. Tumor metastasis in the liver was seen in 2 cases and in the regional lymph nodes in 2 cases. Positive immunostaining was seen in 5 cases with p21(ras), 3 cases with p21(WAF1), 1 case with p16, 4 cases with p33(ING1), 2 cases with p53, 3 cases with ATM, 3 cases with MDM2, 6 cases with PCNA, 3 cases with cyclinA, 3 cases with cyclinD1, 4 cases with cyclinD3, 4 cases with cyclinB and 6 cases with cyclinE. Both extracellular and intracellular mucin was strongly positive for AB-PAS staining. Clinical follow-up found that 2 patients died of their tumors at 14 and 20 months. Three patients were alive after 28, 49 and 87 months of follow-up. One case were lost contact.

CONCLUSIONSPancreatic mucinous noncystic adenocarcinoma has distinct morphologic features and biologic behavior. Multiple gene products including many cyclins may be involved in the pathogenesis of pancreatic colloid carcinoma. The tumor has an aggressive behavior with a high frequency of invasion and metastases, though the prognosis could be better than that of ordinary ductal adenocarcinoma of pancreas.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; Aged ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; metabolism ; Duodenal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; secondary ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the way to induce mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons in vitro.

METHODSMSCs were obtained from rat bone marrow, cultured and passaged. MSCs used in this experiment had multipotency, which was indirectly proved by being induced to differentiate into chondrocytes and adipocytes. MSCs were cultured in medium containing 0.5 mmol/L IBMX for 2 days. Then the medium was replaced with induction medium, which contained GDNF, IL-1beta, mesencephalic glial-cell-conditioned medium and flash-frozen mesencephalic membrane fragments. The surface markers of the differentiated neurons, such as NSE, nestin, MAP-2a, b and TH were detected by immunocytochemistry and Western blot after MSCs were cultured in induction medium for 7 days and 15 days.

RESULTSMSCs differentiated into neural progenitors and expressed nestin after MSCs were incubated with medium containing IBMX for 2 d. After the medium was replaced with induction medium containing many inducing agents, MSCs differentiated into neuron-like cells and dopaminergic neuron-like cells and expressed NSE, MAP-2a, b and TH. The percentage of NSE-positive cells, MAP-2a, b-positive cells and TH-positive cells was 30.032 +/- 2.489%, 41.580 +/- 5.101% and 34.958 +/- 5.534%, respectively after MSCs were induced in medium containing GDNF, IL-1beta, mesencephalic glial-cell-conditioned medium and flash-frozen mesencephalic membrane fragments for 15 days.

CONCLUSIONMSCs can differentiate into dopaminergic neuron-like cells and are a new cell source for the treatment of neurodegeneration diseases and have a great potential for wide application.

Adipocytes ; cytology ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Carboxylesterase ; analysis ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; cytology ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Dopamine ; analysis ; Intermediate Filament Proteins ; analysis ; Mesencephalon ; cytology ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; analysis ; Nestin ; Neurons ; cytology ; metabolism ; Phosphoprotein Phosphatases ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Based on the electric field shielding and insulation technology, the single electrode dielectric barrier discharge ion source ( DBDI ) has the characteristics of uniform discharging, stability, and high ionization energy, and thus can be used to detect various samples with a large range of polarity. However, the ionization energy is too high to reduce the background signal noise, and thus affects the detection effectiveness to low polarity and low boiling point samples. To enhance the detection effectiveness to these samples, a method of eliminating electrons of single electrode DBDI by using external metal electrodes was developed in this study. Then, the single electrode DBDI was improved by an external needle electrode and an external metal net, respectively. The mechanism of those external metal electrodes was discussed, and the experimental studies were carried out. The results showed that the external metal net technology had an advantage in improving signal to noise ratio ( SNR ) , and the enhancement of SNR for the detection of isoprocarb, perfluorooctanoic acid and SudanⅢwas about 5-6 times. Based on the technology, a method for determination of Sudan Ⅲ in chili powder was developed. The recoveries, RSD and LOD were 83. 7%-94. 6% , 5. 6%-9. 0% and 23 mg/kg, respectively. The external metal electrode technique has broadened the detection range of single electrode DBDI to the field of low polarity, low boiling point and complex samples.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate efficacy and safety on steroid withdrawal at the seventh day after liver transplantation.

METHODSSeventy-six adult patients undergoing first cadaveric liver transplantation from October 2005 to October 2007 were randomly divided into 7 day (n = 40) and 3 month (n = 36) steroid withdrawal groups. All patients received FK506 3 mg and intravenous methylprednisolone 1000 mg during intra-operation and FK506 thereafter was adjusted to predefined 8 - 12 microg/L from day 1 to month 6. Patients in 7 day steroid withdrawal group received 500, 240, 200, 160, 80, 40 and 20 mg intravenous methylprednisolone tapered daily from postoperative day 1 to day 7. In 3 month steroid withdrawal group, patients received the same protocol as 7 day steroid withdrawal group for intravenous methylprednisolone tapered daily from postoperative day 1 to day 7 and thereafter received oral prednisone 48, 40, 32, 24, 16, 8, 4 mg tapered every 3 days and maintained 4 mg to the 3(rd) month. All patients were followed up for 6 months. The incidence of treated acute rejection and side effects were evaluated between two groups.

RESULTSA total of 69 cases were fully followed up, and 7 cases were discontinued including death (n = 2), server infection (n = 2), protocol violation (n = 2) and retransplantation (n = 1). There were no statistical difference between 2 groups concerning the incidence of acute rejection, hypertension, hyperlipemia and other adverse events (P > 0.05), but significant difference in incidence of diabetes (17.5% vs. 38.9%, P = 0.047).

CONCLUSIONSteroid withdrawal strategy at day 7 is same safety and efficacy as steroid withdrawal at 3 month.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucocorticoids ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Graft Rejection ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Care ; Tacrolimus ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use

Objective To study whether sevoflurane pretreatment inhibits the myocardial apoptosis caused by hypoxia reoxygenation through AMPK pathway. Methods H9c2 myocardial cell lines were cultured and divided into control group (C group), hypoxia reoxygenation group (H/R group), sevoflurane pretreatment + hypoxia reoxygenation group (SP group) and sevoflurane combined with Compound C pretreatment + hypoxia reoxygenation group (ComC group), and the cell proliferation activity and apoptosis rate, myocardial enzyme levels in culture medium as well as the expression of apoptosis genes and p-AMPK in cells were determined. Results p-AMPK expression in cells of H/R group was significantly lower than that of C group, SP group was significantly higher than that of H/R group; cell proliferation activity value and Bcl-2 expression in cells of H/R group were significantly lower than those of C group, SP group were significantly higher than those of H/R group, ComC group were significantly lower than those of SP group; apoptosis rate, LDH, CK and AST levels as well as the Bax and Caspase-3 expression in cells of H/R group were significantly higher than those of C group, SP group were significantly lower than those of H/R group, ComC group were significantly higher than those of SP group. Conclusions Sevoflurane pretreatment can activate AMPK signaling pathway to inhibit the myocardial apoptosis caused by hypoxia reoxygenation.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) based on the conventional treatment. METHODS: A total of 35 patients with COVID-19 of mild or ordinary type were involved (3 cases dropped off). Acupuncture was applied on the basis of western medicine and Chinese materia medica treatment. Dazhui (GV 14), Fengchi (GB 20), Kongzui (LU 6), Hegu (LI 4), etc. were selected as the main acupoints, the supplementary acupoints and the reinforcing and reducing manipulations were selected according to syndrome differentiation. Acupuncture treatment was given once a day, 5 times a week. On day 3 and day 7 of acupuncture, relief condition of the main symptoms was observed. Before acupuncture and on day 3 and day 7 of acupuncture, efficacy evaluation scale of TCM on COVID-19 (efficacy evaluation scale) score was recorded. The effects of different intervention time of acupuncture on patients' hospitalization time were compared, the understanding of acupuncture treatment of patients discharged from hospital was recorded, the clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture treatment were evaluated. RESULTS: On day 3 and day 7 of acupuncture, the symptoms of lung system and non lung system were both relieved; the scores of efficacy evaluation scale were both decreased compared before acupuncture (P<0.05), and the efficacy evaluation scale score of day 7 of acupuncture were lower than day 3 of acupuncture (P<0.05). The average hospitalization time of patients received early acupuncture was shorter than late acupuncture (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 84.4% (27/32) on day 7 of acupuncture, which was higher than 34.4% (11/32) on day 3 of acupuncture (P<0.05). During the acupuncture treatment, there were neither adverse reactions in patients nor occupational exposures in doctors. The patients generally believed that acupuncture could promote the recovery of COVID-19 and recommended acupuncture treatment. CONCLUSION On the basis of the conventional treatment, acupuncture can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms in patients with COVID-19, early intervention of acupuncture can accelerate the recovery process. Acupuncture has good safety, clinical compliance and recognition of patients.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; COVID-19/therapy* ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Humans ; Treatment Outcome