Objective To assess the biophysical characteristics of normal skin and inflammatory skin lesions in mild and moderate acne. Methods Seventy-five mild and moderate acne vulgaris patients were included in the study. One inflammatory lesion measuring 2.0 to 5.0 mm in diameter which occurred within 48 hours prior to the measurement was selected as the target lesion. Trans-epidermis water loss (TEWL), capacitance and a* value were measured in target lesions and lesion-adjacent normal skin. Sebum content immediately,1 and 4 (saturated) hours after face washing was also determined on target lesions and central forehead between the eyebrows. Sebum secretion rate (SSR) was calculated. Results The TEWL and SSR significantly increased in the lesion-adjacent normal skin with the increment of inflammatory lesion number (both P < 0.05), and increased in target lesions with the elevation of a* value (both P < 0.05). The target lesions exhibited a significantly higher TEWL but a lower saturated sebum content and SSR than the adjacent normal skin did (all P <0.05). Conclusions The severity of inflammatory lesions is correlated with the impaired barrier function and increased SSR in facial skin. Compared with the adjacent normal skin, inflammatory skin lesions have a reduced skin barrier function and SSR.

Objective To observe the alteration of skin complexion after UVA and UVB exposure.Methods The back skin of ten females with skin type Ⅲ was subjected to single exposure to solar-simulated UVA of double minimal persistent pigment darkening (MPPD) or UVB of double minimal erythema dose (MED). Skin reflectance was assessed with clinical grading, spectcolometer and Mexameter MX 18 before irra-diation, 6 hours, 1, 7 and 14 days after the irradiation. Results After UVB irradiation, a~* value and erythema index (EI) abruptly increased at 6 hours and peaked on day 2; L~* value sharply declined on day 1; ITA° markedly decreased on day 7; melanin index (MI) declined within the first 2 days, but notably increased on day 7. After UVA irradiation, a~* and El value experienced no apparent changes; L~* value obviously declined at 6 hours; ITA° reached its lowest value on day 14; MI increased only on day 1. Conclusions There is a significant difference in the kinetics and extent of skin complexion changes after UVA and UVB irradiation. EI and a~* value are sensitive and accurate indices for evaluating sunburn, and MI and ITA ° for analyzing tanning.

Objective To explore the relationship between skin photo reactions and structural pa-rameters. Methods Benzophenone-1, Benzophenone-2 and Benzophenone-3 were assessed by phototoxici-ty test and photoallergic test on guinea pig. And the phototoxicity index and photoallergic index were cal-culated after clinical assessment. Structural parameters of the three sunscreens like total energy, binding energy, electronic energy, heat of formation, dipole and sum of the net charges were also calculated by the soft of HyperChem7.0, respectively. Results The phototoxicity index rised with total energy, elec-tronic energy and sum of net charges increasing. And the photoallergy index rised only with binding ener-gy increasing. So there was some correlation between phototoxicity index and total energy, electronic en-ergy and sum of net charges (P<0.01). Significant relationship was only between the photoallergy index and binding energy (P<0.01). Conclusions The phototoxicity is correlated with total energy and e-lectronic energy, while photoallergy is related to binding energy. It is possible to establish a model evalua-ting the safety and structural parameters of benzophenone ramifications.

Objective To understand how about the female consumers know the skin conditions of themselves and which they concern by a comprehensive questionnaire. Methods Three hundred and twenty-eight healthy volunteers in Shanghai were involved in this study. They were divided into 5 age groups equally. The questionnaire included the skin conditions, i.e. skin moisture, sebum, whiteness, redness, xanthochromia, homogeneity, spots, fine line, wrinkle, elasticity, angiotelectasis,pore, sagging, smoothness, gloss, roughness, scales and sensitivity. Each condition was divided into 10 grades to assess the skin conditions of the face (exposed site), upper arm (non-exposed site) and the perfect skin status. SPSS11.5 software was used to analyze the correlations of the skin conditions with ages. Results The skin concerns were difference in the 5 groups. Skin aging of sagging, wrinkle, spots and fine line became prominent from group C (35 to 40 years old). The correlations between the skin concerns of facial moisture, sebum, whiteness, homogeneity, spots, wrinkle, fine line, elasticity, sagging, sensitivity, upper arm sebum, spots, elasticity, angiotelectasis, sagging and roughness with ages were very significant (P＜0.01). Conclusion The changes of the volunteers'concerns about sebum, pore, sagging, elasticity, fine line and wrinkle with age in different age group are consistent with the quantitative measurement results from the oversea studies.

Objective To investigate the expressions of RhoB and E-cadherin in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and their clinical significances thereof. Methods Immunohistochemical staining was applied to detect expres-sions of RhoB and E-cadherin in 116 samples of NSCLC (NSCLC group) and 116 samples of normal lung tissues (control group). Correlations of expressions of RhoB and E-cadherin to clinical pathological parameters and prognosis were analyzed in two groups. Results The expression intensities of RhoB and E-cadherin were significantly lower in NSCLC group than those in control group (57.76%vs 87.07%,54.31%vs 85.34%,P＜0.01). There were significant differences in the expres-sion of RhoB between different pathological types, differentiation and lymph node metastasis in NSCLC group. There were significant differences in the expression of E-cadherin between different TNM stages, differentiation and lymph node metas-tasis in NSCLC group. The expression of RhoB was positively correlated with the expression of E-cadherin ( r=0.503,P＜0.01). The 3-year survival rates were significantly higher in patients with high expression of RhoB (83.93%) than those in pa-tients with low expression of RhoB (40.00%, Log-rank χ2=18.992,P＜0.01). The 3-year survival rates were significantly higher in patients with high expression of E-cadherin (85.11%) than those in patients with low expression of E-cadherin (44.93%, Log-rankχ2=16.680,P＜0.01). Further multivariate analysis suggested that both lower expressions of RhoB and E-cadherin and lymph node metastasis were prognostic indicators for NSCLC (P＜0.001). Conclusion The expressions of RhoB and E-cadherin showed a good correlation in NSCLC. Detecting the expression of RhoB combined with E-cadherin may give a clue on clinicopathological features and prognosis in patients with NSCLC.

Objective To explore the evaluation methods of deodorants for patients with axillary odor. Methods Four trained judges used a blind method to evaluate 60 subjects directly or indirectly before and 6 hours and 24 hours after using deodorants. New T-shirts were provided for the subjects each time after grading. Then the judges evaluated the odor from the T-shirt as indirect axillary evaluation method. Then statistic analysis was used to compare the odor changes of axillary odor. Results The odors of axillary area were all decreased by two evaluation methods after using 3 different deodorants. But the efficacy of 3 deodorants were not completely same. Conclusion Direct axillary odor evaluation is a good method to evaluate the efficacy of deodorants.

Objective To investigate the significance of sequential continuous sonography approach (SCSA) in diagnosing fetal deformity during prenatal stage. Methods Compared with postpartum data, the sequential continuous sonography of 16685 fetuses during gestational age 14 to 40~(+3) weeks. 1 were ana-lyzed retrospectively. Results 498 abnormal cases in 514 abnormal fetuses were scanned out with sequen-tial continuous sonography approach, and 16 cases were not successfully diagnosed by SCSA during prenatal stage. The rate of final diagnosis on deformity fetuses by SCSA was 96. 89%, the rate of misdiagnosis was 3. 1%. Conclusion Sequential continuous sonngraphy approach is a useful tool for diagnosing fetal de-formity during prenatal stage, h should be widely applied into the clinical inspection for prenatal diagnosis.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic significance oftransepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin capacitance (CAP) and skin surface pH in subclinical irritant dermatitis. Methods Thirty healthy females took part in the 8-day study. Four areas were delineated on the flexor side of both forearms of each subject: one area received no irritation and served as the control, one was challenged by 1% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), one by repeated tape stripping, and one by irradiation with 0.75 MED UVB. Irritations were continuously given for 5 days. Clinical evaluation was performed everyday before irritation. TEWL, CAP and skin surface pH were measured at baseline, on day 6, 7 and 8 after the first irritation. Results Clinical score maintained at 0 for all subjects through the 8-day study. After SLS irritation, TEWL was 3.17 ± 3.07 g/m2h on day 6, 3.32 ± 2.84 g/m2h on day 7 and 3.22 ± 2.36 g/m,Zh on day 8, and all were significantly higher than that on day 0 (0.40 ± 1.35 g/m2h, P < 0.01). Similarly, increased skin surface pH was observed on day 6, 7 and 8 after SLS irritation compared with that at baseline (all P < 0.05). On the contrast, CAP decreased on day 6, 7 and 8 after SLS irritation (all P < 0.05). After tape-stripping, a significant increase was observed in TEWL on day 6, 7 and 8 compared with that at baseline (2.54 ± 1.85 g/m2h, 2.40 ± 2.16 g/m2h and 2.17 ± 1.99 g/m2h vs 0.11 ± 1.10 g/m2h, all P < 0.01); significant increase of pH was noted only on day 8; meanwhile, there was no any significant change in CAP. UVB irradiation induced no obvious changes in any of these physiological parameters. Conclusions These three physiological parameters can be applied m the diagnosis of subclinical irritant contact dermatitis, and their diagnostic value varies with the pattern of irritation.

Objective To investigate the impact of synthetic urine (synurine solution) at differentpH values on skin surface.Methods Sixty-four healthy volunteers were enrolled into this study.Based on the results of lactic acid test and questionaires,these subjects were enrolled as sensitive skin group and normalskin group.The 4-,20-,and 24-hour occlusive patch tests were successively performed with synthetic urine at various pH values (2.0,3.5,5.0,6.5,8.0 and 10.0)on the two groups of volunteers.The distilled waterand 0.25%sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)served as control.The skin surface pH values were measured bypotable pH meter before,and at 24 h,48 h,72 h after the first patch.Half an hour after the latter three detections of pH values,the skin response was evaluated clinically,as well as by transepidermal water loss (TEWL)and pH values,which were measured by pH-900 pH Meter.Results The responses to these solutions were similar between sensitive and normal skin groups.The order of skin surface pH values measured by the two pH meters was consistent with that of the original solutions.The skin surface pH value was altered by the synthetic urine,and this change was still present at 24 hours after the patches were removed.The TEWL values of skin challenged by synthetic urine were not higher than those by distilled water.The skin responses at 72 hours were more intense to the synthetic urines with pH values of.5,8.0,10.0than to distilled water.CondusionsSynthetic urines with different pH values can alter skin surface pH values,and skin responses to synthetic urines with a pH range 2.0-10.0 are similar to those to distilled water.

Objective To investigate reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) features of irritant cutaneous reactions to sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) in healthy persons aged from 18 to 60 years,to analyze effects of age and gender on cutaneous reactions,and to estimate the value of RCM in objective evaluation of cutaneous reactions.Methods An occlusive patch test was performed on the back of 120 healthy testees with 0.1％ and 0.5％ SLS solution (0.1％ and 0.5％ SLS groups) and distilled water (negative control group) for 48 hours.At different time points after the patch removal,clinical evaluation and RCM were performed.Results RCM imaging in the 0.1％ and 0.5％ SLS groups showed parakeratosis,indistinct structure of the stratum corneum,spongiosis and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the epidermis,and telangiectasia in the papillary dermis.The incidence of RCM features reached the peak until 24 hours after the removal of 0.1％ and 0.5％ SLS patches,and the incidence of telangiectasia in the dermis was up to 66.7％ and 95.0％ in the 0.1％ and 0.5％ SLS groups respectively.At 24 hours after the removal of 0.5％ SLS patch,the incidence of spongiosis was significantly lower in the males than in the females (68.9％ [42/61] vs.84.7％ [50/59],x2 =4.24,P ＜ 0.05).However,the incidence of spongiosis was significantly higher in testees aged 18-40 years than in those aged 41-60 years at 24 hours after the removal of 0.1％ SLS patch (53.3％[32/60] vs.35.0％[21/60],x2 =4.09,P ＜ 0.05).For the other RCM features,there were no significant differences in their incidence between different genders or age groups after the removal of 0.1％ and 0.5％ SLS patches (all P ＞ 0.05).Clinical evaluation showed that after the removal of 0.1％ and 0.5％ SLS patches,no significant difference in the incidence of irritant cutaneous reactions was observed between the males and the females or between the testees aged 18-40 years and those aged 41-60 years (all P ＞ 0.05).There were good correlations between the clinical evaluation results and RCM features.At 24 hours after the removal of 0.1％ SLS patch,the correlation coefficient between spongiosis and clinical evaluation results was up to 0.77,so was that between telangiectasia in the dermis and clinical evaluation results (both P ＜ 0.001).However,at 0.5 hour after the removal of SLS patches,clinical evaluation showed that the positive reaction rates were 2.5％ (3/120) and 12.5％ (15/120) in the 0.1％ and 0.5％ SLS groups respectively.In the meantime,there were 17.5 ％ (21 / 120) and 51.7％ (62/120) of testees manifesting more than 2 RCM features in the 0.1％ and 0.5％ SLS groups respectively,which were more similar to the clinical evaluation results at 24 hours after the removal of SLS patches (34.2％ [41/120] and 85.0％ [102/120] in the 0.1％ and 0.5％ SLS groups respectively) compared with the clinical evaluation results at 0.5 hour after the removal of SLS patches.Conclusions Neither gender nor age affects irritant cutaneous reactions to 0.1％ and 0.5％ SLS.Compared with clinical evaluation,RCM can evaluate cutaneous reactions more objectively and accurately in the early stage of irritant reactions.