1.Comparisons of clinical and pathological characteristics of urticarial vasculitis versus chronic spontaneous urticaria with pigmentation
Xuewei HUANG ; Qiquan CHEN ; Xianjie YANG ; Anqi CHEN ; Huan WANG ; Sisi DENG ; Zhifang ZHAI ; Juan WANG ; Zhiqiang SONG
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(6):508-514
Objective:To compare and analyze the similarities and differences in clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, pathological characteristics, and prognosis between urticarial vasculitis (UV) and chronic spontaneous urticaria with pigmentation (CSUwp) .Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data and follow-up results from 35 UV patients and 54 CSUwp patients who attended the Department of Dermatology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University from 2014 to 2024. The clinical characteristics (duration of rash, pigmentation, petechiae and ecchymosis, itching, burning sensation, fever, fatigue, skin lesion characteristics, etc.) , laboratory test results, pathological features, and prognosis were compared between the two groups. Statistical analysis was carried out by t test, chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Results:There were no significant differences in gender, age, or age of onset between the UV group and CSUwp group (all P < 0.05) . The proportions of patients with petechiae/purpura (68.57% [24/35] vs. 11.11% [6/54]) , and those with burning sensation (22.86% [8/35] vs. 3.70% [2/54]) were significantly higher in the UV group than in the CSUwp group (both P < 0.05) . Compared with the CSUwp patients, the UV patients presented with a greater number of lesions, larger lesion areas, and more frequent involvement of the lower limbs (all P < 0.05) , also showed significantly higher incidence rates of peripheral blood complement reduction, perivascular neutrophil infiltration, nuclear dust, fibrinoid necrosis of the vessel wall, and erythrocyte extravasation (all P < 0.05) , as well as more extensive dermal perivascular inflammation ( Z = -4.506, P < 0.001) . Among patients who achieved remission, the natural disease course was significantly longer in the CSUwp patients than in the UV patients (6.00 [2.5, 24] months vs. 2.00 [0.5, 24] months; Z = -2.618, P = 0.009]. However, the survival analysis showed no significant difference in the natural disease course or clinical outcomes between the two groups ( χ2 = 2.771, P = 0.096) . There were also no significant differences in rash duration or in the incidence rates of itching, angioedema, or joint pain between the two groups (all P > 0.05) . Conclusions:UV patients exhibited certain differences from CSUwp patients in clinical characteristics, laboratory test results, histopathological features, and prognosis. However, whether their natural disease courses differ requires further follow-up studies to confirm.
2.Evaluation of the therapeutic effect of dupilumab combined with 2% cleboride ointment in the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis
Baojun ZHANG ; Shuangxing FU ; Xiaobo FANG ; Yinhua PENG ; Yaguang WU ; Zhifang ZHAI
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(10):2309-2312
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of dupilumab combined with 2%cleboride ointment in the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis,as well as its impact on serological indica-tors.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 67 patients with moderate to se-vere atopic dermatitis(AD)admitted to the Department of Dermatology of Shaoxing University Affiliated Hospital from March 2021 to December 2024.The study subjects were divided into an experimental group(n=35)and a control group(n=32)according to the treatment method.The experimental group was treated with Dupilumab injection and 2%Cleboride ointment,while the control group was treated with ebastine tab-lets and 2%cleboride ointment.Clinical and related serological indicators of patients after 16 weeks of treat-ment were collected,and the itch digital scale score,eczema area and severity(EASI)score,IL-4,IL-13 levels,and incidence of local skin adverse reactions were analyzed before and after treatment in both groups.Results The total effective rate of the experimental group after treatment was 94.29%(33/35),which was higher than the control group[53.13%(17/32)],and the difference was statistically significant(x2=12.862,P<0.001).There was no statistically significant difference in symptom scores,IL-4,and IL-13 levels between the two groups before treatment(P>0.05).After treatment,the symptom scores of the experimental group were lower than those of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The lev-els of IL-4 and IL-13 in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions in the experimental group was 2.86%(1/35),significantly lower than the 34.38%(11/32)in the control group,and the difference was sta-tistically significant(x2=9.252,P=0.002).Conclusion The combination of dupilumab injection and 2%cleboride ointment is effective in relieving skin symptoms,regulating cellular immune function,reducing in-flammatory reactions,and minimizing local skin adverse reactions in patients with moderate to severe AD.It is worthy of clinical promotion and use.
3.Screening of key genes related to angiogenesis in rosacea based on bioinformatics analysis
Lu SUN ; Xiang LI ; Jinqiu WANG ; Lian ZHANG ; Hongzhi GU ; Qin CHEN ; Lan GE ; Zhifang ZHAI
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(7):701-707
Objective To investigate the differential expression genes(DEGs)related to angiogenesis in rosacea(RA)by utilizing bioinformatics analysis in order to screen the key genes and verify their mRNA expression levels.Methods The gene microarray dataset GSE65914 was retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)repository.Analyzed by R programming,the dataset was refined to identify DEGs related to RA,and then cross-referenced with angiogenesis-related genes from the GeneCards database to get a subset specific to RA angiogenesis.The process of identifying key genes was augmented by employing protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis and Cytoscape-based computational algorithms.The mRNA expression levels of the aforementioned pivotal genes were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription PCR(RT-qPCR).Results A total of 947 RA-associated DEGs were identified from GEO dataset,and then 202 genes related to RA angiogenesis were further delineated.PPI network analysis and Cytoscape algorithm finally identified 3 key genes,that is,CXCL8,IL-1B,and STAT1.The results of RT-qPCR showed that the mRNA expression levels of MIP-2,GCP-2,IL-1B and STAT1 in RA lesions were significantly higher than those in normal controls(P<0.05).Conclusion With aid of bioinformatics analysis,our study has screened and validated key genes associated with angiogenesis in RA,namely CXCL8,IL-1B,and STAT1,which providing a theoretical basis for elucidating the potential mechanisms underlying RA-induced angiogenesis and developing targeted therapeutic strategies.
4.Comparisons of clinical and pathological characteristics of urticarial vasculitis versus chronic spontaneous urticaria with pigmentation
Xuewei HUANG ; Qiquan CHEN ; Xianjie YANG ; Anqi CHEN ; Huan WANG ; Sisi DENG ; Zhifang ZHAI ; Juan WANG ; Zhiqiang SONG
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(6):508-514
Objective:To compare and analyze the similarities and differences in clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, pathological characteristics, and prognosis between urticarial vasculitis (UV) and chronic spontaneous urticaria with pigmentation (CSUwp) .Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data and follow-up results from 35 UV patients and 54 CSUwp patients who attended the Department of Dermatology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University from 2014 to 2024. The clinical characteristics (duration of rash, pigmentation, petechiae and ecchymosis, itching, burning sensation, fever, fatigue, skin lesion characteristics, etc.) , laboratory test results, pathological features, and prognosis were compared between the two groups. Statistical analysis was carried out by t test, chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Results:There were no significant differences in gender, age, or age of onset between the UV group and CSUwp group (all P < 0.05) . The proportions of patients with petechiae/purpura (68.57% [24/35] vs. 11.11% [6/54]) , and those with burning sensation (22.86% [8/35] vs. 3.70% [2/54]) were significantly higher in the UV group than in the CSUwp group (both P < 0.05) . Compared with the CSUwp patients, the UV patients presented with a greater number of lesions, larger lesion areas, and more frequent involvement of the lower limbs (all P < 0.05) , also showed significantly higher incidence rates of peripheral blood complement reduction, perivascular neutrophil infiltration, nuclear dust, fibrinoid necrosis of the vessel wall, and erythrocyte extravasation (all P < 0.05) , as well as more extensive dermal perivascular inflammation ( Z = -4.506, P < 0.001) . Among patients who achieved remission, the natural disease course was significantly longer in the CSUwp patients than in the UV patients (6.00 [2.5, 24] months vs. 2.00 [0.5, 24] months; Z = -2.618, P = 0.009]. However, the survival analysis showed no significant difference in the natural disease course or clinical outcomes between the two groups ( χ2 = 2.771, P = 0.096) . There were also no significant differences in rash duration or in the incidence rates of itching, angioedema, or joint pain between the two groups (all P > 0.05) . Conclusions:UV patients exhibited certain differences from CSUwp patients in clinical characteristics, laboratory test results, histopathological features, and prognosis. However, whether their natural disease courses differ requires further follow-up studies to confirm.
5.Application of artificial intelligence in histopathologic diagnosis and differentiation of extramammary Paget's disease
Yiwei ZHU ; Zhe WU ; Xingcai CHEN ; Yongjian NIAN ; Na LUO ; Lian ZHANG ; Yi WU ; Zhifang ZHAI
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(16):1897-1905
Objective To establish an artificial intelligence(AI)diagnostic model for the histopathologic diagnosis of extramammary Paget's disease(EMPD)and to evaluate its efficiency for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of EMPD.Methods All non-tumor skin disease patients who underwent skin tissue biopsy in Department of Dermatology of First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from September 2003 to February 2023 were recruited,and their pathological data were collected,including EMPD,Bowen's disease(BD),squamous cell carcinoma(SCC),and epidermal hyperplasia and hypertrophy.With EMPD as the main research subject,the histopathological images of BD,SCC,and non-tumor skin diseases were included in the study.The histopathological data of 4 types of diseases was classified and diagnosed by ResNet101 and DenseNet121 deep learning neural networks,and the performance of these models was evaluated.Results The AUC values of the ResNet101 diagnostic model for the diagnosis of EMPD,BD,SCC and non-tumor skin diseases on the images at x20 magnification were 0.97,0.98,1.00 and 0.96,respectively,with an accuracy of 0.925±0.011,while the AUC values on the images at x40 magnification were 1.00,0.99,1.00 and 0.97,respectively,with an accuracy of 0.943±0.017.The AUC values of the DenseNet121 diagnostic model for the diagnosis of 4 diseases on the images at x20 magnification were 0.98,0.95,0.99 and 1.00,respectively,with an accuracy of 0.912±0.034,while the AUC values on the images at x40 magnification were 0.99,0.96,1.00 and 1.00,respectively,with an accuracy of 0.971±0.012.Our results indicated that the histopathologic diagnostic model could effectively differentiate EMPD from BD,SCC and non-tumor skin diseases at low power magnification.The FLPOs of ResNet101 was 786.6 M,and the parameter was 4.5 M;The FLPOs of DensNet121 was 289.7 M,and the parameter was 0.8M.Conclusion Our AI diagnostic model is of good effectiveness in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of EMPD.DenseNet121 is recommended as the dermatopathological diagnostic model of this study.
6.Screening and analysis of ferroptosis related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Kang TAO ; Yuan TIAN ; Shifei LI ; Bing NI ; Xiaoqiang CHEN ; Zhifang ZHAI
Chinese Journal of Rheumatology 2024;28(2):93-98
Objective:To analyze the differentially expressed genes in PBMCs of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by bioinformatics methods screening and analyzing the key genes related to ferroptosis, and explore the possible mechanism of ferroptosis involved in the pathogenesis of SLE at the transcription level.Methods:The data sets and samples of healthy people (HC) and SLE patients who met the screening criteria were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), a sub-database of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). The differentially expressed genes, GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were analyzed by GEO2R, R language and related software packages. The protein interaction network (PPI) of differential genes was analyzed by STRING, Cytoscape and other tools to explore the key genes and pathways. In addition, real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to verify the expression of key genes. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the expression of key genes in PBMCs between the two groups. Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between SLE disease activity and the level of key genes. Results:Six data sets were included in this study. A total of 166 genes related to ferroptosis were differentially expressed between SLE and HC groups. The differential genes were specifically expressed in alveolar macrophages, neutrophils, CD49 + cells and CD31 + cells. GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in multiple signaling pathways closely related to SLE, such as oxidative stress response, infection and TNF signaling pathway. Hub genes screened by different algorithms all suggested RELA as a key gene, and RT-qPCR confirmed that compared with the RELA gene expression level in the HC group [0.75(0.37,1.13)], the expression level in SLE group [2.02 (1.19,4.06)] was increased, the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-3.08, P=0.002), and was positively correlated with the corresponding SLEDAI score of SLE samples ( r=0.52, P=0.019). Conclusion:The ferroptosis of many immune cells, including alveolar macrophages and CD49 + NK cells, is involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. RELA may be involved in the ferroptosis of PBMCs in SLE through the NF-κB pathway.
7.Advances in Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2023;2(2):313-318
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum(PXE) is a rare, genetic, metabolic disease characterized by ectopic calcification of connective tissue that primarily affects the skin, retina and cardiovascular system, which characteristic histopathology is calcification and fragmentation of elastic fibers in dermis.PXE is mainly caused by ABCC6 gene mutation, which is one of the important regulators of the serum inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) homoeostasis, a main inhibitor of ectopic calcification and the deficiency of PPi can lead to ectopic calcification. The clinical features are highly heterogeneous.Typical skin lesions of PXE are yellowish flat papules and plaques, and the symptoms of skin relaxation and shrinkage can be manifested in the later stage.Retina, cardiovascular and other complications seriously affect the health and quality of life of patients. The current therapy of PXE include symptom improvement, systemic anti-ectopic calcification medicine, gene therapy and so on.We review the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of PXE.
8.Olopatadine hydrochloride for the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria:a multicentre, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, controlled clinical trial
Zhifang ZHAI ; Yingbo WEI ; Tiechi LEI ; Xingping CHEN ; Ping HU ; Lan CHEN ; Ping WEI ; Kaocong TIAN ; Bin PENG ; Fei HAO
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2015;(12):831-834
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of olopatadine hydrochloride for the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). Methods A multicentre, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 144 patients with CIU from 3 research centers were enrolled into this study, and randomly and equally divided into a test group and a control group. The test group administrated olopatadine hydrochloride 5 mg twice a day for 28 consecutive days, while the control group administrated levocetirizine hydrochloride 5 mg in the forenoon and a placebo tablet of olopatadine hydrochloride 5 mg in the afternoon for 28 consecutive days. The symptom score reducing index(SSRI)served as the primary outcome, and global assessment score for efficacy and total response rates as the secondary outcome. Results Totally, 137 patients completed the trial, including 70 in the test group and 67 in the control group. As intention-to-treat analysis showed, there were no significant differences in the total response rate between the test group and control group on day 7 (64.29% (45/70)vs. 56.72%(38/67), P > 0.05), 14(82.86%(58/70)vs. 74.63%(50/67), P > 0.05), or 28(87.14%(61/70)vs. 77.61%(52/67), P >0.05)after start of treatment. The SSRI was significantly higher in the test group than in the control group after 4 weeks of treatment(82.67% ± 22.70% vs. 70.51% ± 32.07%, P < 0.05). In addition, no significant difference was observed in the incidence of adverse reactions between the test group and control group(33.80%(24/71)vs. 27.94%(19/68), P > 0.05), and adverse reactions mainly included lethargy, dry mouth, fatigue, etc. Conclusion Olopatadine hydrochloride is effective and safe for the treatment of CIU.
9.Association study of ZNF804A gene polymorphism rs7597593 with schizophrenia and working memory
Xiongying CHEN ; Feng JI ; Jinguo ZHAI ; Min CHEN ; Qiumei ZHANG ; Li GAO ; Xiaochen SUN ; Zhen LIU ; Zhifang ZHANG ; Ping YU ; Jun LI
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2014;23(10):893-896
Objective To assess the association between rs7597593 polymorphism of ZNF804A gene and schizophrenia,and to assess the relationship between rs7597593 polymorphism and working memory.Methods Schizophrenia patients and healthy controls were diagnosed in accordance with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition (DSM-Ⅳ) ; 767 schizophrenia patients and 690 healthy controls were involved.Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was carried out to genotype rs7597593 polymorphism.The cognitive function of working memory was assessed by the N-back task.Statistical analyses were carried out with SPSS19.0 software.Results The study found no significantly different genotype frequencies (x2=1.519,P=0.468) and allele frequencies(x2=1.263,P=0.261) of rs7597593 polymorphism between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls,however in the subgroup of higher IQ (IQ ≥ 110),there were significant different distributions of both genotype and allele (x2 =9.411 and 6.529; P=0.009 and 0.011 respectively).It was also found in this subgroup that risk T allele was associated with more error at 1-back task (F=6.854,P=0.009).Conclusion These results indicated that rs7597593 polymorphism was associated with individuals having spared cognitive function; carriers of T allele had worse cognitive function,which maybe a pathway that it contributes to schizophrenia.
10.Autologous whole blood injections to patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria and positive autologous serum skin test: an efficacy evaluation
Shuguang CHEN ; Zhifang ZHAI ; Zhiqiang SONG ; Lin FENG ; Xiuying HUANG ; Xiaofang ZHOU ; Yi YOU ; Hua ZHONG ; Huan WANG ; Liangjin CHENG ; Mingming XIANG ; Fei HAO
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2012;45(7):470-473
[Objective] To evaluate the efficacy of autologous whole blood injections in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria and positive autologous serum skin test (ASST).[[Methods]] After assessment of clinical history,patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria underwent skin prick test (SPT) and ASST.Then,100 patients with positive ASST but negative SPT for common allergens were randomly classified into treatment group (n =60) and control group (n =40).Oral loratadine was given to all the patients with a gradual tapering to the least maintenance dose.Patients in the treatment group were also injected with autologous whole blood once a week for 12 times.Patients were evaluated by urticaria activity score (UAS) and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) at the baseline,the end of the 3rd and 6th month after the initial treatment.The total amount of antihistamines required for the control of urticaria every month was calculated.The UAS,DLQI,accumulative amount of administrated antihistamines,and the diameter of wheal/flush induced by autologous serum were compared by t test before and after the treatment,and the efficacy was compared by rank sum test between the two groups.[Results] No significant difference was observed between the control and treatment group in UAS at the baseline (5.73 ± 0.51 vs.5.32 ± 0.79,P> 0.05).The UAS reached 1.57 ± 1.42 and 0.69± 0.92 with a decrease rate of 69% and 81% in the treatment group,and 3.65 ± 1.53 and 2.65 ± 1.61 with a decrease rate of 35% and 53% in the control group,respectively at the end of the 3rd and 6th month,and statistical difference was observed for the decrease in both groups at the two time points (all P < 0.05).The total amount of antihistamines required for the control of urticaria per month averaged 8.63 pills and 3.83 pills respectively in the treatment group after 3 and 6 months of treatment,significantly less than that in the control group (16.85 and 15.27 pills,respectively).[Conclusion]s The combination of oral antihistamine and autologous whole blood injections can not only reduce disease activity and improve patients' quality of life,but also decrease the total amount of antihistamines required for the control of urticaria.

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