Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transdermal delivery of compound glycyrrhizin injection as an adjunctive treatment for erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR).Methods:This was a randomized controlled trial conducted from March to October 2024. At Sichuan Provincial People′s Hospital, 60 patients with newly diagnosed ETR were prospectively enrolled and randomized by a random number table into study group [ n=30; 6 male and 24 female; aged 18-60 (38.9±9.8) years] and control group [ n=30; 4 male and 26 female; aged 18-60 (35.7±10.1) years]. The study group received transdermal delivery of compound glycyrrhizin injection by a medium-frequency drug-delivery therapeutic apparatus together with oral azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine sulfate, whereas the control group received oral azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine sulfate. The efficacy evaluations were conducted at baseline and at weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8 post-treatment. Outcome measures included percentage of erythema area, stratum corneum hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), clinician′s erythema assessment (CEA), erythema and telangiectasia scores, dermatology life quality index (DLQI), and efficacy rate. Adverse reactions during treatment were also recorded. Results:Compared with baseline, both groups exhibited significant reductions in percentage of erythema area, TEWL, CEA, erythema and telangiectasia score, and DLQI, and significant increases in stratum corneum hydration at each post-treatment time point (all P<0.05). After 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of treatment, the percentage of erythema area, erythema and telangiectasia scores in the study group were all lower than those in the control group, while the stratum corneum hydration level in the study group was higher than that in the control group (all P<0.05). After 4, 6, and 8 weeks of treatment, TEWL, CEA, and DLQI in the study group were all lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the efficacy rate in the study group was 56.7% (17/30), which was higher than that of the control group at 23.3% (7/30, P=0.046). After 6 weeks of treatment, the efficacy rate in the study group was 83.3% (25/30), higher than that of the control group at 50.0% (15/30, P=0.020). After 8 weeks of treatment, the efficacy rate in the study group was 86.7% (26/30), higher than that of the control group at 66.7% (20/30, P<0.001). No severe adverse reactions were observed in either group. Conclusion:Transdermal delivery of compound glycyrrhizin injection as an adjunctive treatment for ETR demonstrates favorable efficacy and good safety.

Objective:To analyze the composition and diversity characteristics of facial microbial communities in patients with moderate acne.Methods:This prospective study enrolled 30 patients with moderate acne [12 males, 18 females; aged 21-30 (25.4±2.5) years] from the Department of Dermatology, Sichuan Provincial People′s Hospital from March to July 2021. Thirty healthy controls [13 males, 17 females; aged 24-29 (25.2±1.4) years] were included during the same period. Facial skin swabs were collected from both groups. Total DNA was extracted, followed by PCR amplification, library preparation, and PE250 sequencing. After splicing, filtering, denoising, and chimera removal, amplicon sequence variants (ASV) feature tables and representative sequences were generated to compare microbial community differences between the two groups.Results:A total of 60 samples were sequenced, yielding 2 021 342 valid sequences. The 16S rRNA gene sequences were clustered into 8 379 ASV, with 589 ASV shared between the two groups, while 6 445 ASV were uniquely identified in healthy controls. At the phylum level, both groups showed similar dominant phyla: Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. At the genus level, the acne group was predominantly colonized by Ralstonia (relative abundance 31.85%) and Staphylococcus (28.04%), while healthy controls exhibited more balanced distributions, primarily Staphylococcus (9.18%) and Enhydrobacter (7.37%). Alpha diversity analysis, Beta diversity analysis, and LefSe analysis revealed statistically significant differences in microbial communities between groups ( R2=0.157, P<0.001). The acne group showed lower microbial richness and evenness compared to healthy controls (both P<0.001). Conclusion:Patients with moderate acne exhibit microecological imbalance in facial microbial communities, characterized by reduced microbial richness and evenness.

Objective:To investigate the effect of the embryo cryopreservation duration on pregnancy and obstetric outcome.Methods:A retrospective cohort study of 2 662 frozen-thawed embyro tranfer (FET) cycles was conducted in the Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from January 2016 to December 2020. According to embryo cryopreservation duration, the patients were divided into group A (≤1 year, n=2 115), group B (>1 years and ≤3 years, n=319), group C (>3 years and ≤6 years, n=174), and group D (>6 years, n=54). We used the propensity score matching (PSM) to match the baseline data of oocyte retrieval age of the other three groups according to group D at a ratio of 1∶3. Clinical and obstetric outcomes were compared among the four groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of oocyte retrieval age, embryo transfer age, the duration of embryo cryopreservation, endometrial preparation scheme, endometrial thickness, the number of transferred embryos and the number of high-quality embryos on pregnancy and live birth outcome. Results:1) Before PSM, there were significant differences in the maternal age at oocyte retrieval and embryo transfer and duration of embryo cryopreservation among the four groups(all P<0.001). 2) After PSM, the baseline characteristics of oocyte retrieval age reached a balance among the four groups. There were no statistical differences in the number of embryos transfer, the number of high-quality embryos, the transferred embryo stage, the endometrial regimen among the groups (all P>0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate [37.04% (20/54)] and the live birth rate [33.33% (18/54)] in group D were lower than those in group A [51.57% (82/159), 40.88% (65/159)], group B [50.00% (65/130), 40.77% (53/130)] and group C [49.59% (61/123), 39.02% (48/123)], but the difference was not statistically significant between the four groups ( P=0.310, P=0.781). There were no statistical differences among the four groups in the ratio of male to female newborns, gestational age, birth weight, preterm delivery rate, low birth weight rate, macrosomia rate, birth defects, and premature repture of membranes (all P>0.05). 3) Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the number of high-quality embryos transferred affected the clinical pregnancy outcome (before PSM, OR=2.614, 95% CI: 2.168-3.151, P<0.001; after PSM, OR=1.984, 95% CI: 1.406-2.800, P<0.001) and live birth (before PSM, OR=2.708, 95% CI: 2.198-3.336, P<0.001; after PSM, OR=2.122, 95% CI: 1.474-3.053, P<0.001). The duration of embryo cryopreservation does not affect the clinical outcome and live birth (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The duration of embryo cryopreservation does not affect the clinical outcome and live birth, but large sample data are still needed to support this conclusion in the future.

Objective:To investigate the effect of the embryo cryopreservation duration on pregnancy and obstetric outcome.Methods:A retrospective cohort study of 2 662 frozen-thawed embyro tranfer (FET) cycles was conducted in the Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from January 2016 to December 2020. According to embryo cryopreservation duration, the patients were divided into group A (≤1 year, n=2 115), group B (>1 years and ≤3 years, n=319), group C (>3 years and ≤6 years, n=174), and group D (>6 years, n=54). We used the propensity score matching (PSM) to match the baseline data of oocyte retrieval age of the other three groups according to group D at a ratio of 1∶3. Clinical and obstetric outcomes were compared among the four groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of oocyte retrieval age, embryo transfer age, the duration of embryo cryopreservation, endometrial preparation scheme, endometrial thickness, the number of transferred embryos and the number of high-quality embryos on pregnancy and live birth outcome. Results:1) Before PSM, there were significant differences in the maternal age at oocyte retrieval and embryo transfer and duration of embryo cryopreservation among the four groups(all P<0.001). 2) After PSM, the baseline characteristics of oocyte retrieval age reached a balance among the four groups. There were no statistical differences in the number of embryos transfer, the number of high-quality embryos, the transferred embryo stage, the endometrial regimen among the groups (all P>0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate [37.04% (20/54)] and the live birth rate [33.33% (18/54)] in group D were lower than those in group A [51.57% (82/159), 40.88% (65/159)], group B [50.00% (65/130), 40.77% (53/130)] and group C [49.59% (61/123), 39.02% (48/123)], but the difference was not statistically significant between the four groups ( P=0.310, P=0.781). There were no statistical differences among the four groups in the ratio of male to female newborns, gestational age, birth weight, preterm delivery rate, low birth weight rate, macrosomia rate, birth defects, and premature repture of membranes (all P>0.05). 3) Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the number of high-quality embryos transferred affected the clinical pregnancy outcome (before PSM, OR=2.614, 95% CI: 2.168-3.151, P<0.001; after PSM, OR=1.984, 95% CI: 1.406-2.800, P<0.001) and live birth (before PSM, OR=2.708, 95% CI: 2.198-3.336, P<0.001; after PSM, OR=2.122, 95% CI: 1.474-3.053, P<0.001). The duration of embryo cryopreservation does not affect the clinical outcome and live birth (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The duration of embryo cryopreservation does not affect the clinical outcome and live birth, but large sample data are still needed to support this conclusion in the future.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transdermal delivery of compound glycyrrhizin injection as an adjunctive treatment for erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR).Methods:This was a randomized controlled trial conducted from March to October 2024. At Sichuan Provincial People′s Hospital, 60 patients with newly diagnosed ETR were prospectively enrolled and randomized by a random number table into study group [ n=30; 6 male and 24 female; aged 18-60 (38.9±9.8) years] and control group [ n=30; 4 male and 26 female; aged 18-60 (35.7±10.1) years]. The study group received transdermal delivery of compound glycyrrhizin injection by a medium-frequency drug-delivery therapeutic apparatus together with oral azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine sulfate, whereas the control group received oral azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine sulfate. The efficacy evaluations were conducted at baseline and at weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8 post-treatment. Outcome measures included percentage of erythema area, stratum corneum hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), clinician′s erythema assessment (CEA), erythema and telangiectasia scores, dermatology life quality index (DLQI), and efficacy rate. Adverse reactions during treatment were also recorded. Results:Compared with baseline, both groups exhibited significant reductions in percentage of erythema area, TEWL, CEA, erythema and telangiectasia score, and DLQI, and significant increases in stratum corneum hydration at each post-treatment time point (all P<0.05). After 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of treatment, the percentage of erythema area, erythema and telangiectasia scores in the study group were all lower than those in the control group, while the stratum corneum hydration level in the study group was higher than that in the control group (all P<0.05). After 4, 6, and 8 weeks of treatment, TEWL, CEA, and DLQI in the study group were all lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the efficacy rate in the study group was 56.7% (17/30), which was higher than that of the control group at 23.3% (7/30, P=0.046). After 6 weeks of treatment, the efficacy rate in the study group was 83.3% (25/30), higher than that of the control group at 50.0% (15/30, P=0.020). After 8 weeks of treatment, the efficacy rate in the study group was 86.7% (26/30), higher than that of the control group at 66.7% (20/30, P<0.001). No severe adverse reactions were observed in either group. Conclusion:Transdermal delivery of compound glycyrrhizin injection as an adjunctive treatment for ETR demonstrates favorable efficacy and good safety.

Objective:To analyze the composition and diversity characteristics of facial microbial communities in patients with moderate acne.Methods:This prospective study enrolled 30 patients with moderate acne [12 males, 18 females; aged 21-30 (25.4±2.5) years] from the Department of Dermatology, Sichuan Provincial People′s Hospital from March to July 2021. Thirty healthy controls [13 males, 17 females; aged 24-29 (25.2±1.4) years] were included during the same period. Facial skin swabs were collected from both groups. Total DNA was extracted, followed by PCR amplification, library preparation, and PE250 sequencing. After splicing, filtering, denoising, and chimera removal, amplicon sequence variants (ASV) feature tables and representative sequences were generated to compare microbial community differences between the two groups.Results:A total of 60 samples were sequenced, yielding 2 021 342 valid sequences. The 16S rRNA gene sequences were clustered into 8 379 ASV, with 589 ASV shared between the two groups, while 6 445 ASV were uniquely identified in healthy controls. At the phylum level, both groups showed similar dominant phyla: Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. At the genus level, the acne group was predominantly colonized by Ralstonia (relative abundance 31.85%) and Staphylococcus (28.04%), while healthy controls exhibited more balanced distributions, primarily Staphylococcus (9.18%) and Enhydrobacter (7.37%). Alpha diversity analysis, Beta diversity analysis, and LefSe analysis revealed statistically significant differences in microbial communities between groups ( R2=0.157, P<0.001). The acne group showed lower microbial richness and evenness compared to healthy controls (both P<0.001). Conclusion:Patients with moderate acne exhibit microecological imbalance in facial microbial communities, characterized by reduced microbial richness and evenness.

Objective:To investigate the expression levels of serum KLK5, IL-17 and IL-18 in patients with rosacea and their clinical significance.Methods:A prospective study included 65 patients with rosacea from the Department of Dermatology, Sichuan Provincial People＇s Hospital, from May to October 2022. There were 8 males and 57 females with an average age of (30.9±9.8) years, including 47 cases of erythematotelangiectatic type and 18 cases of papulopustular type. Twenty healthy individuals from the same hospital＇s physical examination during the same period were included as control group, consisting of 3 males and 17 females with an average age of (33.8±10.0) years. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the expression levels of serum KLK5, IL-17, and IL-18. Investigator＇s global assessment (IGA) score was used to assess the severity of papules and pustules, and clinical erythema assessment (CEA) score was used to assess the severity of persistent erythema. The expression levels of serum KLK5, IL-17, and IL-18 were compared between the two groups, and the correlation between the severity of the disease and the expression levels of KLK5, IL-17, and IL-18 was analyzed. Additionally, the expression levels of KLK5, IL-17, and IL-18 in different subtypes of rosacea were compared.Results:The expression levels of serum KLK5, IL-17, and IL-18 in the rosacea group were (3134.01±448.82), (154.78±37.64), (236.24±38.81) pg/ml, respectively, all of which were higher than those in the healthy control group (2421.54±340.07), (95.36±24.94), (181.61±23.88) pg/ml, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The levels of serum KLK5, IL-17, and IL-18 in patients with rosacea were positively correlated with IGA scores ( r=0.534, 0.767, 0.417) and CEA scores ( r=0.852, 0.459, 0.309) (all P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the expression levels of serum KLK5, IL-17, and IL-18 between the erythematotelangiectatic and papulopustular subtypes of rosacea (all P>0.05). Conclusions:The expression levels of serum KLK5, IL-17 and IL-18 in patients with rosacea are higher than those in the healthy control group and are positively correlated with the severity of rosacea.

Objective:To investigate the changes of regulatory B cells (Bregs) and lymphocyte subsets in children with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), and to analyze their relationship with ITP duration and remission time.Methods:Proportion of different immune cell subsets were detected in the peripheral blood of 88 ITP children before treatmen, 84 ITP children after treatmen and 45 normal controls by flow cytometry. The treatments included glucocorticoids, intravenous IgG as first-line treatment. The changes of lymphocyte subsets in ITP children with different remission time after treatment were compared.Results:The Th, natural killer (NK), Breg cell counts and Th/Tc ratio in all children with ITP were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05), while the Tc and CD19 + B cells were significantly higher than those in the control group ( P<0.05). The Breg cell count in the persistent and chronic ITP groups was significantly lower than that in the newly diagnosed ITP ( P<0.05). A total of 84 children with ITP were relieved after treatment: 58 cases (69.1%) achieved long-term remission, and 26 cases (30.9%) had short-term remission. The Breg and lymphocyte subsets in the short-term remission ITP group after treatment were not significantly different from those before treatment, but there were still significant differences from the control group ( P<0.05); The Breg and lymphocyte subpopulations in the long-term remission ITP group after treatment were not significantly different from those in the control group, but compared with those before treatment, other cell subpopulations except Tc were significantly increased ( P<0.05); The NK cells and Breg cells in the long-term remission ITP group were significantly higher than those in the short-term remission ITP group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The Bregs in peripheral blood of long-duration ITP children significantly decrease. After treatment, the Bregs in ITP children with long-term remission increase significantly, indicating that the restoration of the immune mechanism of Bregs may be related to the long-term remission of children with ITP.

The thyroid function test is universally used for the evaluation of thyroid function. However, there are factors other than endocrine diseases, such as special physiological conditions, interference in laboratory measurement, or disorders in other systems that should be taken into consideration. When encountering thyroid function test results that are not in line with clinical manifestation, a comprehensive evaluation is essential for a correct and timely diagnosis. We presented a case of a significant rise in serum total triiodothyronine(TT 3) secondary to multiple myeloma. Through case studies and literature review, we intended to provide clinicians with experience for better interpretation of abnormal thyroid function test results.