OBJECTIVE: To explore the early clinical efficacy of a three-stage external treatment with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of talar bone contusion caused by acute ankle sprain. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 360 patients with primary lateral ankle sprain admitted from September 2021 to July 2024. Patients with talar bone contusion were selected based on MRI examination, and 73 cases were finally included. According to different treatment methods, they were divided into the observation group and the control group. The observation group consisted of 35 cases, including 16 males and 19 females, aged 24 to 37 years old with an average of (30.34±2.68) years old, and received the three-stage external TCM treatment combined with the "POLICE" protocol. The control group included 38 cases, including 18 males and 20 females, aged 24 to 35 years old with an average of (29.87±2.57) years old, and was treated with the "POLICE" protocol alone. The volume of bone marrow edema (BME) area shown by MRI before treatment and 6 weeks after treatment was measured using 3D Slicer software, and the BME improvement rate was calculated. The "Figure of 8" measurement method was used to assess ankle swelling before treatment and at 1 and 3 weeks after treatment. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate ankle pain before treatment and at 1 and 6 weeks after treatment. At 6 weeks after treatment, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and Karlsson ankle function score system were used to evaluate the improvement of ankle function. RESULTS: A total of 73 patients with talar bone contusion caused by ankle sprain completed the 6-week follow-up. At 6 weeks after treatment, the BME improvement rate in the observation group was (39.18±0.06)%, which was higher than (26.75±0.03)% in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). After 1 week of treatment, the VAS score in the observation group was (2.89±0.72) points, lower than (3.37±0.79) points in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The ankle swelling degree in the observation group was (50.20±3.19) cm, lower than (52.00±3.60) cm in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). After 3 weeks of treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in ankle swelling between the two groups. At 6 weeks after treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups. At 6 weeks after treatment, the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score and Karlsson score in the observation group were (87.43±4.18) and (82.77±5.93) points, respectively, which were higher than (82.92±4.87) and (76.45±6.85) points in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). According to the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score, 8 cases were excellent and 27 cases were good in the observation group;2 cases were excellent, 33 cases were good, and 3 cases were fair in the control group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ²=7.089, P=0.029). CONCLUSION The three-stage external TCM treatment combined with the "POLICE" protocol has a significant early clinical efficacy. It can significantly reduce ankle pain and swelling in patients with bone contusion caused by acute lateral ankle sprain, promote the absorption of bone marrow edema, and accelerate the recovery of ankle function.
Ankle Injuries/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Talus/injuries* ; Retrospective Studies ; Administration, Cutaneous ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Contusions/etiology* ; Visual Analog Scale ; Musculoskeletal Pain/etiology* ; Recovery of Function/drug effects* ; Treatment Outcome ; Follow-Up Studies

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of one patient with primary cutaneous CD8⁺ aggressive epidermotropic cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma (CD8⁺ PCAECTL), and to strengthen the understanding of this extremely rare type of lymphoma. METHODS: The clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment course, and prognosis of one patient with CD8⁺ PCAECTL admitted to our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The patient is a 42-year-old female, with infiltrative skin rash on naso-facial and back as the main clinical manifestations. After pathological examination of the affected skin tissue, immunohistochemistry, molecular biology, and imaging, the diagnosis was confirmed as CD8⁺ PCAECTL, T3aN₀M₀ stage. Alternating chemotherapy with CHOP/HD-MTX (methotrexate, 6 g/m²) regimen was administered, and achieved complete remission (CR) after 4 cycles. After undergoing chemotherapy with DHAP regimen (cisplatin 100 mg/m², d 1 + cytarabine 2 g/m², q 12h, d 2 + dexamethasone 40 mg/d, d 1-4), the patient was mobilized for peripheral blood stem cells using recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and a sufficient number of CD34⁺ cells were successfully collected. Preconditioning was conducted with the BEAM regimen, followed by consolidation therapy with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT). The patient remained in a disease-free survival state after 20 months of follow-up post-AHSCT. CONCLUSION CD8⁺ PCAECTL is extremely rare in clinical practice, with insidious onset and difficult early diagnosis. It is mainly characterized by the proliferation of epidermotropic CD8⁺ cytotoxic T cells and aggressive clinical course. At present, there is still no unified standard for the optimal treatment regimen, and the prognosis is very poor. Consolidation therapy with AHSCT after achieving remission through induction chemotherapy can improve the survival and prognosis of the CD8⁺ PCAECTL patients.
Humans ; Female ; Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous/diagnosis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Prognosis ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; Skin Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic

Compared with conventional transdermal drug delivery systems, dissolving microneedles significantly enhance drug bioavailability by penetrating the stratum corneum barrier and achieving intradermal drug delivery. In order to improve the transdermal bioavailability of dexmedetomidine hydrochloride, in this study, a novel microneedle delivery system was developed for dexmedetomidine hydrochloride based on 3D printing combined with micro-molding. By systematically optimizing the microneedle geometrical parameters, array arrangement, and preparation process parameters, we determined the optimal ratio of drug-carrying matrix as 15% PVP (polyvinyl pyrrolidone) K90. The microneedles exhibited significant drug loading gradients, with mean content of (209.99±27.56) μg/patch, (405.31±30.31) μg/patch, and (621.61±34.43) μg/patch. They showed a regular pyramidal structure under SEM and handheld electron microscopy, and their mechanical strength allowed effective penetration into the stratum corneum. The surface contact angles were all < 90°, indicating excellent hydrophilicity. The microneedles dissolved completely within 10 min after skin insertion, achieving a cumulative release rate of 90% (Higuchi model, r=0.996) during 2 hours of in vitro transdermal permeation. The cytotoxicity test and hemolysis test verified good biocompatibility. Pharmacodynamic evaluation showed that the microneedle group demonstrated pain-relieving effect within 15 min, with the pain threshold at the time point of 60 min being 3 times that in the transdermal cream group. The microneedle system developed in this study not only offers an efficient drug delivery option for patients but also establishes an innovative platform for rapid percutaneous delivery of hydrophilic drugs, demonstrating significant potential in perioperative pain management.
Dexmedetomidine/pharmacokinetics* ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Needles ; Drug Delivery Systems/methods* ; Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Microinjections/instrumentation* ; Skin Absorption ; Skin/metabolism*

Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) is the most common form of chronic cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (LE). Characteristic lesions cause disfigurement impacting quality of life, with 5% of progress into systemic LE (SLE). Prompt diagnosis avoids sequelae such as scarring, recurrence, and malignancy. Local therapy includes sun protection, steroids, and calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs). Antimalarials and surgical or cosmetic interventions are other options.

Telangiectasia macularis eruptiva perstans (TMEP) represents a rare form of cutaneous mastocytosis, which is clinically characterized by reddish-brown telangiectatic macules symmetrically distributed over the trunk and extremities. Although in the majority of cases the disease is limited to the skin, systemic involvement may occur. Treatment is often challenging due to lack of an established first-line therapy and as such is primarily focused on symptomatic relief. This case describes a 45-year-old Filipino Female with chronic refractory TMEP.

For diagnosis of rare conditions, consistent follow-up on the part of the patient as well as a high index of suspicion on the part of the physician is needed. Evaluation of the management should be done in the event that patients do not respond to treatment.

This is a case of a 33 year old female who fifteen months prior, noticed erythematous scaly plaques on her cheeks with mild pruritus. She was treated for psoriasis with Halobetasol ointment and Petroleum Jelly, which had partial resolution. Twelve months prior, she was prescribed Methotrexate, again achieving partial resolution. Biopsy was done suggestive of Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides. Methotrexate was increased, and additional medications were prescribed, leading to lesion resolution. However, she was lost to follow-up and experienced worsening symptoms. One month prior, biopsy was repeated and again showed Diffuse Lymphocytic Dermatitis positive for CD3+, CD4+, CD5+, CD8-, CD20-, CD30-, and loss of staining for Pan-T cell markers, CD2- and CD7. She is currently managed with regular sessions of Narrowband UVB.

These rare cases are few but more often than not, they are easily missed and when caught are usually progressed and already difficult to treat. Physicians must be vigilant in treating patients, even if they initially diagnose it to be a commonly seen and easily managed disease. Skin Directed therapy is done with PUVA and NBUVB with complete response in 30-70%3. For prognosis, early stages are favorable with a 94% 5 year survival rate, decreasing to 69% after tumor development.

Objective:Compare the difference of Pharyngocutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy using thyroid gland flap and traditional strip muscle repair, find an effective way to reduce Pharyngocutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy. Methods:Sixty patients with locally advanced laryngeal malignancies were randomly divided into two groups with 30 cases in each group. After total laryngectomy, the experimental group was repaired with thyroid gland flap, and the control group was repaired with traditional strap muscle. Data of gender, age, intraoperative blood loss, operation time, neck lymph node dissection, combined diabetes mellitus, postoperative hypoproteinemia, tumor stage, repair mode and postoperative Pharyngocutaneous fistula were collected in the two groups. The incidence of Pharyngocutaneous fistula in the two groups was compared, and the independent risk factors of Pharyngocutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy were found by logistic regression analysis. Results:The incidence of Pharyngocutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy was 3.3%（1/30） in patients with thyroid gland flap repair and 26.7% （8/30） in patients with traditional strip muscle repair, with statistically significant difference（P<0.05）. There was no significant correlation between gender, age, maximum tumor diameter, blood loss, operation time and Pharyngocutaneous fistula. Hypoproteinemia and repair mode were correlated with pharyngocutaneous fistula. Repair mode is an independent risk factor for Pharyngocutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy. Conclusion:The occurrence of Pharyngocutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy was decreased significantly by using pedicle thyroid flap compare to traditional surgery.The Pedicle thyroid flap can be considered as an effective clinical repairment to reduce postoperative Pharyngocutaneous fistula.
Humans ; Laryngectomy/methods* ; Male ; Cutaneous Fistula/prevention & control* ; Female ; Postoperative Complications/etiology* ; Surgical Flaps ; Laryngeal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Middle Aged ; Thyroid Gland/surgery* ; Pharyngeal Diseases/prevention & control* ; Fistula/prevention & control* ; Risk Factors

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. Natural products have gained traction in AD treatment due to their accessibility, low toxicity, and favorable pharmacological properties. However, their application is primarily constrained by poor solubility, instability, and limited permeability. The transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) offers potential solutions for transdermal delivery, enhanced penetration, improved efficacy, and reduced toxicity of natural drugs, aligning with the requirements of modern AD treatment. This review examines the application of hydrogels, microneedles (MNs), liposomes, nanoemulsions, and other TDDS-carrying natural products in AD treatment, with a primary focus on their effects on penetration and accumulation in the skin. The aim is to provide valuable insights into the treatment of AD and other dermatological conditions.
Animals ; Humans ; Administration, Cutaneous ; Biological Products/pharmacokinetics* ; Dermatitis, Atopic/drug therapy* ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Hydrogels/chemistry* ; Skin/metabolism* ; Skin Absorption

Conventional administration methods have problems including low bioavailability, complex operation process, and discomfort of patients with fear of needles. Transdermal delivery can avoid these problems, whereas most drugs are difficult to directly penetrate the skin cuticle and reach the diseased site. Microneedling is an emerging method of local drug delivery, enabling the drug penetration through the stratum corneum of the skin in a minimally invasive manner and delivering the drug directly to the diseased site, thereby improving the treatment effect. Stimuli-responsive microneedles have attracted much attention because of the spatiotemporal controllability, high drug delivery efficiency, and mild potential side effects. This review introduced the commonly used materials and various types of stimuli-responsive microneedles and the drug release mechanisms. In addition, this paper expounded the biomedical applications of stimuli-responsive microneedles as drug delivery systems in response to different stimuli and discusses the challenges and potential solutions for stimuli-responsive microneedles.
Needles ; Drug Delivery Systems/instrumentation* ; Microinjections/instrumentation* ; Humans ; Administration, Cutaneous

Humans ; Melanoma/therapy* ; Skin Neoplasms/therapy* ; Methylation ; Prognosis ; Immunotherapy ; RNA ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Melanoma, Cutaneous Malignant