Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of intralesional betamethasone versus triamcinolone acetonide acetate in the treatment of active alopecia areata. Methods A total of 160 patients with active alopecia areata were divided into two groups, test group (n = 100) treated with intralesional betamethasone, and control group (n = 60) treated with intralesional triamcinolone acetonide. Both injections were given once every 3 weeks for 12 consecutive weeks. Results After 12-week treatment, the cure rate, response rate, and total response rate were 60.0%, 32.0% and 92.0% in the test group, respectively, compared to 41.7%, 31.67% and 73.3% in the control group, respectively. A significant increase was observed in the cure rate and response rate in the test group compared with the control group (χ2 = 10.25, 5.06, P < 0.01 and 0.05). During the treatment course, 8 (8%) patients in the test group and 9 (15%) patients in the control group developed localized atrophy of the scalp; 8 (8%) patients in the test group and 3 (5%) patients in the control group developed localized folliculitis; no significant difference was observed between the two groups in the occurrence of adverse reactions (P> 0.05). Conclusion Intralesional use of compound betamethasone injection has a notable therapeutic effect on alopecia areata.

Objective To observe the effects of lung stromal cells on differentiation of mature dendritic cells (mDCs) deriving from mouse bone marrow. Methods The mDCs were cultured by complete medium, half of which was from the lung stromal cell cultures. One week later, the mDCs were induced into regulatory dendritic cells (rDCs). The morphological characteristics of rDCs were observed by Giemasa-Wright stain. The content of cytokines (IL-10 and IL-12p70) in the co-culture supernatants was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression level of cellular phenotype was tested with fluorescence-activated cell sorting, compared with mDCs. The difference of rDCs and mDCs was observed. Results Compared with mDCs, rDCs secreted higher level of IL-10 (P＜0.01), and lower level of IL-12p70 (P＜0. 01). In cellular phenotype, the expression of CD11b on rDCs increased (P＜0.01), while the expression of CDllc, Ⅰa and CD86 declined (P＜0.01).Conclusions Lung stromal cells microenvironment may induce the mDCs differentiate into a kind of DC with different biological characteristics.

Objective To explore the effect of glucose regulated protein (GRP)78 on the neuronal apoptosis after cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in rats. Methods Middle cerebral artery ischemia reperfusion rat's models were used with the modified filament method. The expression of GRP78 in the ischemic penumbra tissue was detected by RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry at different time points. Primary cultured rat's neurons were exposed to hypoxia and subsequently reoxygenation. Western blot was used to investigate the expression of GRP78. The changes of the neuronal apoptosis after overexpression of GRP78 induced by 2-deoxyglucose were detected. Results The expression of GRP78 in the ischemic penumbra tissue in model group was significantly increased (mRNA : 0.7367±0.0651, F= 477.160, P < 0.01 ; Protein : 0. 8129±0. 0748, F=39.857, P < 0.01). The neuronal survival status was increased after overpression of GRP78 (increased by 39.22% ± 0. 44%, t=46.374, P < 0.01) while the neuronal apoptosis was decreased (decreased by 16.60±1.02, t=7.530, P <0.01). Conclusion Focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion can induce endoplasmic reticulum stress which plays a role in the neuronal apoptosis. The increased expression of GRP78 may protect the ischemic tissue from neuronal apoptosis.

A new phenethanol, (2'R)-4-(2', 3'-dihydroxy-3'-methyl-butanoxy)-phenethanol (1), along with other eleven known benzene derivatives (2-12) were isolated from the roots, stems and leaves of Clausena excavata (Rutaceae). Compounds 3 and 4 are new natural products, and compounds 5-8, 10-12 were isolated from C. excavata for the first time. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses including HSQC, COSY and HMBC experiments. 1 was tested for its cytotoxicities against A549, HeLa and BGC-823 cancer cell lines, and antimicrobial activities against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus. The results showed that 1 did not exhibit cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities.

Objective To discuss the clinical and pathological features of malignant rhabdoid tumor of the ureter (MRTU).Methods One case of MRTU was reported, a six-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital on May 29, 2014, and presented left loin pain 2 weeks, ultrasound showed gradually progressing hydronephrosis and hydroureter.During a physical examination, she felt tenderness in the left kidney area and no mass was palpable in abdomen.The ultrasound showed left sided gross hydroureteronephrosis and a round hyperechogenic mass in the inferior pole of the left ureter (In front of the left iliac vessel), with no obvious borders.Contrast-enhanced CT suggested a gross dilatation of the left kidney and ureter with a solidappearing lesion in the lower ureter;neither additional abdominal abnormalities nor enlarged lymph nodes were seen in both examinations.The surgery began with incision of left lower abdomen.The partial ureter of neoplasm was excised along with invaded psoas and posterior peritoneum by gross inspection, then ureteroureterostomy was performed.The severed ureter was completely blocked with the ill-defined neoplasm and was 3.3 cm in length and 2.1 cm in width.Results The ureteral neoplasm was excised,along with the invaded psoas and posterior peritoneum,after that ureteroureterostomy was performed.HE showed the diffuse large round nuclei, vesicular chromatin, prominent nucleoli cells, and moderate amounts of eccentrically placed eosinophilic cytoplasm.Immunohistochemical studies were positive for cytokeratin, epithelial membrance antigen and vimentin, negative for INI1, METU hereby was confirmed.She underwent a chemotherapy regimen consisting of ICE, alternating with VDC.Four courses chemotherapy (3 months) later,CT scan suggested hematogenous metastasis of lung.The family refused further treatment and the patient died of systemic metastasis eight months after surgery.Conclusion MRTU was a rare and highly aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis.

Objective To investigate the expression and clinical significance of leptin receptor (OBR) and phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (p-STAT3) in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).Methods Immunohistochemical analysis was used to detect the expression of OBR and p-STAT3 in 80 patients with DLBCL and 10 patients with reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (RLH).Using a panel of immunohistochemical markers (CD10,bcl-6 and Mum-1),all cases of DLBCL were further divided into two groups,GCB (germinal center B-cell-like) or non-GCB.Results Immunohistochemistry revealed high expression of OBR and p-STAT3 in 45.0 ％ (36/80) and 28.8 ％ (23/80) cases of DLBCL,respectively,and minimal straining in 100.0 ％ (10/10) cases of RLH (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with GCB group (8.7 ％,2/23),non-GCB group had higher p-STAT3 high expression rate (36.8 ％,21/57) (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the expression of OBR between these two groups.Compared with clinical stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ [46.2 ％ (18/39) and 25.6 ％ (10/39)],stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ had higher OBR and p-STAT3 high expression rate [61.9 ％ (13/21) and 38.1％ (8/21)] (P ＞ 0.05).The expression of OBR and p-STAT3 were not correlated with age,gender,extranodal infiltrations,LDH level,B-symptoms and IPI(international prognostic index)(P ＞ 0.05).The expression of OBR was positively related with that of p-STAT3 in DLBCL patients (r =0.232,P =0.039).Conclusion OBR could stimulate the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and induces the phosphorylation of STAT3.This may be involved in carcinogenesis and prognosis of DLBCL.

Objective To improve the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) of the urinary tract in pediatric.Methods The retrospective study of 12 IMT was based on information retrieved from Beijing Children's Hospital from January 2006 to July 2015.The literatures of urinary IMT were reviewed.There were 12 cases of urinary IMT, with 8 cases in bladder, 2 in kidney, 1 in ureter and 1 in prostate.Mean age at surgery was 6.4 years old (range 2months-13 years), 6 cases males and 6 females.Tumor resection were performed in 11 patients, biopsy was performed only in 1 patient.Results HE staining revealed diffuse appearing spindle myofibroblastic cells admixed with inflammatory cells.Immunohistochemistry showed positive ration for following markers as ALK (8/12), CK18 (6/12), Desmin (7/12), SMA (8/12), Actin (1/2), Vimentin (9/12).Negative staining were seen for Myoglobin, S-100 and Ki-67 ＜ 20％.Patients were followed up in 10 cases, lost to follow-up in 2;the mean follow-up time was 14.4 months (range 3-31 months).All patients recovered well without relapse or metastasis.Condusions Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors of the urinary tract in pediatric were rare, without specific characteristic in clinical features and imaging.The main treatment of IMT is complete surgical excision.

Objective To investigate the experience of diagnosis and management of coexisting ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) and nonreflux megaureter (NRM).Methods The retrospective study of UPJO with NRM was based on 10 years information retrieved from January 2005 to December 2015.The data of 13 patients (8 males and 5 females) were available and recorded.Mean age at surgery was 3.7 years old (range 1.8 to 14 years).The diagnosis and mangement were summarized.Coexisting ureterovesical junction obstruction (UVJO) and vesicoureteral reflux,iatrogenic stricture and vesicoureteral reflux were excluded.Intravenous pyelography,voiding cystourethrography,ultrasound and CT reconstruction were performed before operation.Only six patients had an accurate diagnosis as UPJO with UVJO before surgery.Pyeloplasty was the initial surgical management choice for 10 patients,and ureteroneocystostomy in 3 patients.Results UVJO were diagnosed with pyelography techniques in 3 patients after pyeloplasty,while 4 were diagnosed as nonreflux and nonobstruction megaureter.Of the 10 patients who underwent initial pyeloplasty,additional ureteroneocystostomy was required in 3 and the prognosis was good.Additional pyeloplasty was required in 2 of the 3 patients who initially underwent ureteroneoeystostomy.Mean follow-up time from last operation was 23.3 months (6-53 months),the overall prognosis was good.Conclusions It is often difficult to correctly diagnose coexisting UPJO and NRM.In patients with UPJO,it is highly recommended nephrostomy radiography after pyeloplasty to evaluate the distal ureterovesical junction.Initial pyeloplasty is always recommended as first-line therapy.Additional ureteroneocystostomy was required when hydroureteropelvic was aggravated.

Objective To explore the effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUC?MSCs) on podocytic apoptosis and injury induced by high glucose (HG) and the underlying mechanisms. Methods Podocytes were divided into six groups according to treatment: ⑴ normal glucose group (NG);⑵high glucose group (HG);⑶mannitol control group (NG+Ma);⑷HUC?MSC co?culture group (HUC?MSCs); ⑸ recombinant human hepatocyte growth factor treatment group (rhHGF);⑹ neutralizing antibody group(HGF?NtAb). Cytometry and Hoechst staining were used to detect the apoptosis rates. Western blot was used to measure the ratio of active PARP to total PARP and the level of Bcl?2. Immunofluorescence was used to study podocytic apoptosis and injury. Neutralizing antibody (NtAb) was used to block its function and the recombinant cytokine was added to induce its function. Results High glucose induced podocytic apoptosis in a time?dependent manner, HUC?MSCs co?culture decreased the podocytic apoptosis rate and the expression of PARP (all P﹤0.05), increased the expression of Bcl?2, prevented the reduced expression and maintained the normal arrangement of podocytic podoplanin. The rhHGF prevented podocytic apoptosis and injury similarly to HUC?MSCs, the beneficial effect of HUC?MSC decreased when blockade of HGF. Conclusions HUC?MSCs co?culture ameliorates podocytic apoptosis and injure induced by HG, probably through secreting soluble HGF.

AIM:Toinvestigatetheeffectsofcalcitoningene-relatedpeptide(CGRP)onmyocardinexpres-sion and phenotypic switch in vascular smooth muscle cells ( VSMCs) .METHODS:VSMCs were obtained by aortic tissue adherent culture and treated with angiotensin Ⅱ( AngⅡ) , AngⅡ+CGRP or AngⅡ+CGRP +CGRP8-37 .The protein expression of myocardin and the phenotypic proteins of the VSMCs was detected by Western blot .RESULTS:The expres-sion of myocardin in cultured VSMCs showed downregulation along with time expansion .The protein level of myocardin was higher at 48 h and 72 h than that at baseline in the cultured VSMCs (P<0.05).However, the myocardin was lower at 48 h and 72 h than that at baseline after treatment with CGRP in cultured VSMCs (P<0.05).Furthermore, at 48 h in cul-tured VSMCs, the myocardin decreased along with α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) (P<0.05), and osteopontin (OPN) increased (P<0.05) in AngⅡ group compared with control group .After treatment with CGRP, the levels of myocardin andα-SMA become higher ( P <0.05 ) but OPN was lower ( P <0.05 ) in CGRP group than those in AngⅡ group. CGRP8-37 abrogated CGRP-induced increase in myocardin and α-SMA and decrease in OPN in CGRP 8-37 group compared with CGRP group .CONCLUSION: CGRP may regulate the phenotypic switch of the VSMCs and maintain the cells in contractile phenotype through the upregulation of myocardin protein , which may be accomplished by the combination of CGRP and its receptor .