Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using topical photosensitizers has been widely used worldwide as a therapeutic modality for acne. However, there are no published reports on photodithazine PDT for acne treatment. Objective: We investigated the effectiveness of PDT with photodithazine and micro-LED treatment for acne bacteria-induced inflammation. Methods: We established an acne bacteria-induced inflammation model by injecting of Cutibacterium acnes into the backs of HR-1 mice. The mouse models were divided into seven groups for control and comparison. Topical photosensitizer (photodithazine) was administered to the mice, and then their acne lesions were exposed to a micro–light-emitting diode (micro-LED) source.The effectiveness of the treatment on acne lesions was evaluated through clinical findings and measurements of acne inflammation biomarkers using semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot. Additionally, hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining were employed to evaluate the changes in inflammatory cells and biomarkers in skin tissues. Results: Compared with the control groups treated with either LED or photosensitizer alone, the acne lesions were significantly reduced in severity and number after PDT. The mRNA and protein levels of biomarkers (interleukin [IL]-1α, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, Toll-like receptor 2, matrix metalloproteinase-2, and IL-8) exhibited variable decreases in the PDT group relative to the others. Moreover, there was a decline in inflammatory cells and biomarkers in skin specimens after PDT. Conclusion This in vivo study demonstrated that PDT using photodithazine and micro-LED technology is effective against inflammation induced by acne bacteria.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate high-risk (HR) HPV DNA test to predict recurrence/residual disease in patients treated for CIN (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia). METHODS: Four hundred and fifty-two patients treated with LLETZ (large loop excision of the transformation zone) were followed by HR HPV DNA test, cytology and colposcopy. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratios in predicting recurrence/residual disease were compared to those of cytology and HPV DNA test. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (3.1 %) developed recurrent/residual disease, during follow up. Of these women, 7 were diagnosed at the time of recurrence with a CIN 1 lesion, 5 with a CIN 2 lesion, and 2 with a CIN 3 lesion. The sensitivity and specificity of the HPV DNA test were 92.9% (CI 68.5%, 98.7%) and 75.3% (71.1%, 79.1%). The sensitivity and specificity of the cytology were 71.4% (45.4%, 88.3%) and 92.5% (89.6%, 94.6%), respectively. The likelihood ratio of a positive and negative HPV DNA test were 3.77 (3.03, 4.69) and 0.09 (0.01, 0.63). And the likelihood ratio of a positive and negative cytology were 9.48 (5.95, 15.11) and 0.31 (0.13, 0.71). The accuracy of cytology and HPV DNA test were 94.7% and 78.3%. The sensitivity and specificity of the combination test (PAP and/or HPV DNA test) were 92.9% (68.5%, 98.7%) and 73.1% (68.7%, 77.0%). The likelihood ratio of a positive and negative combination test were 3.45 (2.79, 4.26) and 0.10 (0.01, 0.65). CONCLUSION: Cytology remains the base in the follow up after of CIN. HPV DNA test increase the sensitivity of cytology. Negative HPV test can rule out recurrent/residual disease.
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; Colposcopy ; DNA ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Human Papillomavirus DNA Tests ; Humans ; Odds Ratio ; Recurrence ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVE: Conization is the popular procedure to diagnose or treat in most cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and some cases of early cervical cancer. Many reports show the conservative management of positive margin is reasonable. Nevertheless, it is generally accepted the positive margin of conization is the major cause of being received additional operation such as hysterectomy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk factors of positive margin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 283 CIN or early cervical cancer women who underwent conization were enrolled this study. We evaluated many possible risk factors for positive margin, including age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), gravity, parity, abortion, severity of disease, glandular involvement, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. RESULTS: Of the 283 patients, 80 (28.2%) had positive margin in their conization specimens. Statistical significant risk factors of positive margin included older age (P(trend) < 0.001), higher BMI (P(trend) = 0.036), more severity of disease (P(trend) < 0.001), and involvement of endocervical gland (OR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.5-4.2). Parity (P(trend) = 0.054) showed statistically marginal significance. Weight (P(trend) = 0.154), height (P(trend) = 0.456), gravity (P(trend) = 0.194), abortion (P(trend) = 0.813), and HPV infection (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 0.5-2.5) were not statistically significant risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The data of present study demonstrated that older age, high BMI, and higher pathologic diagnosis are statistical risk factors of positive margin we can know preoperatively.
Body Height ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; Conization* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Gravitation ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Parity ; Risk Factors* ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

OBJECTIVE: Spondylodiscitis has been diagnosed by clinical, radiological and laboratory methods. MR imaging is well known as an excellent diagnostic tool for spondylodiscitis. However, the changes in MR images throughout the treatment process has not been studied. Thus we have analyzed the serial changes of MR images throughout the stages of infection. METHODS: Ten patients were selected for retrospective reviewed who had been treated at our institute for infectious spondylodiscitis between 2000 and 2005. These patients had been followed-up at least six months and had taken more than a couple of series of MR scans. We classified the MR images into four groups according to the stages of treatment for the infection and compared them to the clinical and laboratory findings. RESULTS: MR image signals changed minimally or appeared to be normal in the early stages. The progression of spondylodiscitis was characterized by a low T1 WI signal and a high T2 WI signal in disc and vertebral body. The signal changes of the MR images were then propagated and the endplate was destructed. During the treatment, the destructed endplate became stabilized and the signal intensity of both T1 and T2 WI were fixed to low-or iso-intensity. CONCLUSION: We can determine the serial signal changes based on MR images according to the treatment of spondylodiscitis. We can therefore determine the status of the infection and the stage of treatment, as well as the diagnosis of spondylodiscitis using serial MR images.
C-Reactive Protein ; Diagnosis ; Discitis* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retrospective Studies

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) arising from the vagina is a very rare benign stromal tumor, which has a well-demarcated margin and proliferation of spindle cells with the absence of any atypical features. Immunohistochemically, the cells are strongly positive for CD34. Surgical resection of the tumor is recommended as a definite treatment. Clinical courses of SFT are almost benign but long-term follow-up of SFT of the vagina have not been reported yet. We have experienced a case of solitary fibrous tumor arising from the vagina and report this case with a brief of literature.
Solitary Fibrous Tumors* ; Vagina*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It is critical to distinguish benign from malignant thyroid nodule and to select a patient for surgery. Fine needle aspiration cytology(FNAC) and various radiologic techniques are used in the evaluation of thyroid nodule. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of preoperative FNAC, ultrasonography(US) and computed tomography(CT) in thyroid nodule, and to identify the reliable factors of radiologic imaging in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodule. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Retrospectively, we reviewed 34 patients among 50 patients with thyroid nodule who were evaluated by FNAC, US and CT and operated on at our Department from June 1995 to December 1998. By comparing the preoperative FNAC results, US and CT findings with postoperative pathologic diagnosis, the results were as followed. RESULTS: Overall diagnostic accuracy of FNAC, US, and CT was 84.4%, 88.2%, 79.4%. Solid nature, ill defined margin, calcification, lymphadenopathy on US imaging indicated the possibility of malignancy. Solid nature, ill defined margin, lymphadenopathy on CT imaging indicated the possibility of malignancy. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that FNAC has a high sensitivity(75.0%) and specificity(93.8%) rate and it is therefore a valuable initial diagnostic procedure. US has higher diagnostic accuracy than computued tomography.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Diagnosis* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Nodule* ; Ultrasonography*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There are many controversies about the extent of thyroidectomy and neck dissection in cases of thyroid cancer. Hypocalcemia is one of serious complications after total thyroidectomy. The on-set of hypocalcemia depends on many factors and different literature cites variable incidence. This study was performed to evaluate the incidence of postoperative hypocalcemia and the safety of total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection in thyroid cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 17 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for thyroid malignancies from June 1995 to December 1998. Routine central neck dissection was performed and modified radical neck dissection was done in cases with positive neck node. We analyzed the onset-time of hypocalcemia, serum albumin level, hypocalcemic incidence according to the number of identified and autotransplanted parathyroid glands, lowest calcium level, clinical features and duration of calcium replacement in hypocalcemic patients. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative hypocalcemia was 76.5% (13/17)and most cases (58.9%)occurred on the first postoperative day. The serum albumin level was lower on the first postoperative day than on the third postoperative day. The average number of identified parathyroid glands was three, and the more parathyroid glands there are, the less hypocalcemia we found. Parathyroid gland autotransplantation were performed in 12 cases. Symptomatic transient hypocalcemia occurred in 6 cases (35.2%). Asymptomatic transient hypocalcemia occurred in 6 cases (35.2%). Permanent hypocalcemia occurred in 1 case (5.9%). CONCLUSION: The incidence of postoperative hypocalcemia was relatively high but half of them were asymptomatic. There are no need for thyroid hormone replacement in asymptomatic transient hypocalcemic patients and that we found total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection is a safe procedure in most of thyroid malignancies.
Autografts ; Calcium ; Humans ; Hypocalcemia* ; Incidence ; Neck Dissection* ; Neck* ; Parathyroid Glands ; Retrospective Studies ; Serum Albumin ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroidectomy*

No abstract available.
Panax*

No abstract available.
Lead Poisoning*

As a series of studies on the suitability as a second intermediate host of Clonorchis sinensis, the wormicidal effects of mucus from epidermis of Cyprinus carpio nudus were observed. The results obtained were summarized as follows: On the silica gel thin layer chromatography with the greenish yellow supernatant in acetone:benzene/10:90 as carrier, seven spots were observed in iodine chamber. The spot of Rf. 0.225 value among them disclosed the strongest wormicidal effect on the cercaria, the excysted metacercaria, and the adult of C. sinensis. Meanwhile, no seasonal variations were found in Rf. values and effect of the wormicidal fractions. The wormicidal materials in epidermal mucus of C. carpio nudus and Carassius carassius were compared in their effect, and the former was more effective killing substance than the latter. It seemed that C. carpio nudus could not be proper intermediate host of C. sinensis according to results of the present study, in addition to our previous observation results.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; Clonorchis sinensis ; Cyprinus carpio nudus ; toxicology ; mucous substance