Objective:To investigate the correlation between food-specific IgG (sIgG) antibodies and phenotypes of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) .Methods:Serum samples were collected from outpatients with active CSU, symptomatic dermographism (SD) , or acute urticaria (AU) , and healthy controls from 5 third-grade class-A hospitals such as the First Hospital of China Medical University between April 2014 and March 2015. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was conducted to detect serum levels of 90 food-sIgG antibodies and total IgE, Western blot analysis to detect levels of 20 allergen-specific IgE antibodies, and chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay to detect levels of anti-thyroid peroxidase IgG antibodies and anti-thyroglobulin IgG antibodies. Comparisons of normally distributed quantitative data between two groups and among several groups were performed by t test and one-way analysis of variance, respectively; comparisons of non-normally distributed quantitative data between two groups were performed by Mann-Whitney U test; for comparisons of proportions, chi-square test and Fisher′s exact test were used. Results:A total of 248 patients with CSU, 22 with SD, 15 with AU and 13 healthy controls were recruited. The cut-off level for sIgG positivity was 100 U/ml (at least 2+) , and the positive rate of food-sIgG antibodies was slightly higher in the patients with CSU (176/248, 70.97%) , SD (15/22, 68.18%) and AU (11/15) than in the healthy controls (7/13; χ2 = 1.80, P = 0.615) . Among the 248 CSU patients, the proportion of patients with family history of allergic diseases was significantly higher in the sIgG-positive group (71/176, 40.34%) than in the sIgG-negative group (19/72, 26.39%; χ2 = 4.30, P = 0.042) , while no significant difference was observed in the 1-day urticaria activity score (UASday) between the two groups ( Z = 0.18, P = 0.859) . Totally, 177 CSU patients completed 12- to 40-week treatment; their condition could be completely controlled by second-generation H1-antihistamines, and there was no significant difference in the required dosage of second-generation H1-antihistamines between the sIgG-positive group (128 cases) and sIgG-negative group (49 cases; Z = -1.06, P = 0.298) . Conclusions:The prevalence of family history of allergic diseases was relatively high in food-sIgG-positive patients with CSU. However, food-sIgG could not be used as an indicator to reflect the disease activity of CSU and treatment response.

Objective To investigate clinical manifestations,morphological characteristics of skin lesions,and histopathological features of cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease (CRDD).Methods Basic information and clinical data were collected from 20 patients with CRDD.According to the morphological characteristics,the skin lesions were classified into different types,and then subjected to histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining.Results Of the 20 patients with CRDD,11 had multiple lesions,and 9 had solitary lesions.Skin lesions involved single anatomical site in 16 patients,multiple anatomical sites in 4 patients,and there were a total of 24 involved anatomical sites.Skin lesions on the 24 sites were divided into 3 main types,including papulonodular type (10/24,41.67％),infiltrating plaque type (12/24,50.00％) and tumor-like type (2/24,8.33％).Of the 20 patients,6 had mixed-type skin lesions,including 5 with papulonodular-type lesions complicated by infiltrating plaque-type lesions,and 1 with infiltrating plaque-type lesions complicated by tumor-like lesions.There were similar histopathological manifestations of skin lesions among the 24 involved anatomical sites.Concretely speaking,varying numbers of large histiocytes were scattered or distributed in sheets in the dermis and/or subcutaneous adipose tissue,with infiltration of plenty of inflammatory cells,mainly lymphocytes and plasma cells.Moreover,varying numbers of lymphocytes and neutrophils were observed in the cytoplasm of histiocytes.Immunohistochemically,these histiocytes were stained positive for S100 and CD68,but negative for CD1a.At 17 anatomical sites,lesions affected the full-thickness dermis,and the subcutaneous adipose tissues were involved at 13 of 17 sites.Of the 24 involved anatomical sites,lesions only affected the superficial to middle dermis at 6 sites,and affected the deep dermis and subcutaneous adipose tissue at 1 site.There were no obvious differences in the extent of lesion involvement and pattern of inflammatory infiltration among different morphological types of skin lesions.Conclusions CRDD mainly manifests as papulonodular-type and infiltrating plaque-type lesions,and tumor-like lesions are rare.Histopathologically,varying numbers of emperipoletic histiocytes can be observed in lesions of different types.

Objective To investigate the relationship between SFRP1 gene and clinicopathologic features of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), and to explore the possible mechanism of action of SFRP1 in the occurrence and development of CSCC.Methods CSCC and paracarcinomatous tissue specimens were obtained from 40 patients with CSCC, and normal skin tissue specimens from 40 healthy human controls.The EpiTYPER assay was conducted to evaluate the methylation status of SFRP1 gene promoter in all the specimens with a MassARRAY mass spectrometer.Results Totally, the methylation status of 1951 (86.52％, 1951/2255) CpG motifs were evaluated in 17 CpG loci in 2 fragments of the SFRP1 gene promoter.The methylation rate significantly differed in 10 (10/17, 58.82％) CpG loci between the CSCC and paracarcinomatous tissue specimens, and in 5 (5/17, 29.41％) CpG loci between the paracarcinomatous and normal tissue specimens (all P ＜ 0.05).Furthermore, significant differences were observed in the methylation rates of three CpG loci (CpG 1_5, CpG 1_7, CpG 2_8) in the SFRP1 gene promoter between tissue specimens from different pathological grades of CSCC (P ＜ 0.05), and their methylation rates sequentially decreased from grade Ⅲ to grade Ⅱ and Ⅰ.Conclusion The frequency of methylation is high in the SFRP1 gene promoter in patients with CSCC, and the SFRP1 gene may participate in the occurrence and development of CSCC.

Objective To measure the expressions of Kaposi′s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus type 8 associated-microRNAs k12-1 (kshv-miR-k12-1)and k12-12 (kshv-miR-k12-12)in Kaposi′s sarcoma tissue, and to assess their relationship with pathological stage and lesion area of Kaposi′s sarcoma, HIV infection, and human herpesvirus type 8 (HPV-8)infection. Methods Totally, 18 paired tissue specimens stored in liquid nitrogen from Kaposi′ s sarcoma lesions and paralesional skin were collected. Total RNAs were extracted from these specimens by using Trizol reagent, and reversely transcribed into cDNA. SYBR Green real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR was performed to measure the expressions of kshv-miR-k12-1 and kshv-miR-k12-12 in these specimens. The relationship of kshv-miR-k12-1 and kshv-miR-k12-12 expressions with the pathological stage and lesion area of Kaposi′s sarcoma, HIV and HPV-8 infections was analyzed. Results Compared with paralesional normal skin, Kaposi′s sarcoma lesions showed significantly increased expressions of kshv-miR-k12-1 (2-ΔΔCt: 1.016 ± 1.645 vs. 0.029 ± 0.019, t = 2.542, P = 0.016)and kshv-miR-k12-12 (2-ΔΔCt: 2.104 ± 1.973 vs. 0.102 ± 0.093, t = 4.301, P = 0.000). There were no significant differences in the expressions of kshv-miR-k12-1 or kshv-miR-k12-12 between patients with HIV or HPV-8 infection and those without, among patients with different pathological stages of Kaposi′s sarcoma, or among patients with different lesion areas (all P > 0.05). Conclusion Both kshv-miR-k12-1 and kshv-miR-k12-12 are highly expressed in Kaposi′s sarcoma, but neither of their expressions is related to HIV or HPV-8 infection, pathological stage or lesion area of Kaposi′s sarcoma.

Objective To survey the knowledge of the Urumqi population in Xinjiang on the awareness and the protection of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation.Methods Three hundred and twentyfour subjects from Urumqi were investigated with a questionnaire about the basic knowledge of UV,the UV protection methods,the awareness and application of sunscreens,and the channels through which they acquired the knowledge.Results A total of 324 subjects completed the questionnaire.Only 78.0％ knew the harmful effects of UV,62.0％ of them knew that UV could lead to skin photo-aging,and 54.9％ knew that UV irradiation could cause skin cancer.Sunscreens were the main choice for UV protection (58.0％).Regarding sunscreens,38.3％ subjects knew the meaning of SPF,and only a small percentage of subjects (17.3％) were aware of the meaning of PA.About 25.3％ of subjects applied sunscreens every day,43.2％ used sunscreens sometimes,and 18.5％ did not use it at all.The main factor of choosing sunscreens was brand popularity and the main information sources to get the knowledge of UV and UV protection were TV advertisements.Conclusions This study shows that the knowledge of UV and UV protection of the Urumqi population is acceptable,but the protections are insufficient,which should be strengthened and guided through dermatologists and multiple media.

Objective To analyze the clonality in Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) lesions by evaluating Xchromosome inactivation pattern in the human androgen receptor (HUMARA) gene.Methods Twenty-five paraffinembedded tissue specimens were collected from female patients with KS (n =15) or cutaneous hemangioma (n =10).DNA was extracted from these specimens,and digested with the methylation-sensitive restriction endonuclease Hpa Ⅱ.PCR was performed to amplify the HUMARA gene,and the amplicons were separated on a 10％ denaturing polyacrylamied gel and stained with ethidium bromide (EB).The loss of heterozygosity of the HUMARA gene was defined as the presence of two DNA fragments before and one fragment after the endonuclease digestion.The clonality in KS lesions was assessed based on the above results.Results Among the 15 patients with KS,13 (86.7％) were heterozygous for the HUMARA gene,of which,92.31％ (12/13) showed loss of heterozygosity of the HUMARA gene on X-chromosome,suggesting a monoclonal origin.Of the 10 patients with hemangioma,9 were heterozygous for the HUMARA gene,and only one lost heterozygosity of the HUMARA gene.The heterozygosity rate for HUMARA gene was significantly different between the patients with KS and hemangioma (P ＜ 0.01).No statistical difference was observed in the clonality status of KS between patients of different nationality,at different stages,or between patients with and without complicated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion KS is monoclonal in origin.

Objective To detect the expression of BRAF V600E mutant protein in cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM),and to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of immunohistochemistry (IHC) in detecting BRAF V600E mutation.Methods IHC with an anti-BRAF V600E monoclonal antibody was performed to detect the expression of BRAF V600E mutant protein in paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 103 patients with CMM and 40 patients with nevus.Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS software version 17.0,and the expression rate of BRAF V600E mutant protein was compared by chi-square test.Results The expression rate of BRAF V600E mutant protein in the CMM patients was 20.4％ (21/103),significantly higher than that in the nevus patients (5.0％ (2/40),x2 =5.06,P ＜ 0.05).Significant differences were observed in the expression rate of BRAF V600E mutant protein between CMM patients of different age groups (29.8％ (14/47) in patients aged ＜ 60 years vs.12.5％ (7/56) in those aged ≥ 60 years,P ＜ 0.05) and nationality (30.2％ (13/43) for Uygur nationality vs.13.3％ (8/60) for Han nationality,P ＜ 0.05),as well as among CMM lesions from different anatomical sites (13.6％ (6/42) in acral sites vs.11.8％ (4/29) in mucous membrane vs.45.8％ (11/32) in non-acral sites,P ＜ 0.05) and of different Clark levels (8.6％ (4/42) for grade Ⅰ-Ⅲ vs.12.4％ (17/61) for grade Ⅳ-Ⅴ,P＜ 0.05),but not between male and female CMM patients or between CMM patients with lymph node metastasis and those without (both P ＞ 0.05).IHC with the anti-BRAF V600E antibody showed a sensitivity of 100％ (15/15) and a specificity of 98.5％ (65/66) in detecting BRAF V600E mutation.Conclusions The expression of BRAF V600E mutant protein is up-regulated in CMM lesions,and CMM patients of Uygur nationality seems to have a higher expression rate than those of Han nationality.IHC appears to be an accurate and rapid method to detect V600E BRAF mutation.

Objective To observe the efficacy of Er ∶ YAG laser and pulsed dye laser (PDL) in treating facial acne scars.Methods A total of 78 cases with facial acne scars were divided into two groups.The test group included 40 patients that were treated by Er ∶ YAG laser (total three treatments,once three months)and irradiated by PDL (total four times,once per month),while the control group included 38 patients treated by Er ∶ YAG laser only.After three months of the last treatment,the effective rate and side effects were recorded and compared.Results The efficacy of the test group reached 92.5％ (37/40) and 77.5％ (31/40) for acne scars and post-acne erythema,respectively.However,the effective rate of the control group was 73.7％ (28/38) and 47.4％ (18/38).There were statistically significant differences between two groups (P＜0.05).Regarding reported adverse effects,there were four cases in the test group and two cases in the control group that appeared mild pigmentation.After symptomatic treatment,the skin color recovered.There was no other side effect in both two groups.Conclusions The effectiveness of Er ∶ YAG laser and PDL is better than Er ∶ YAG laser only in treating facial acne scars,and thus it is worthwhile for popularization and application in acne scars.

Objective To assess the relationship between BRAF gene mutations and clinical phenotype of malignant melanoma.Methods Tissue specimens were collected from the lesions of 80 patients with malignant melanoma,and from the normal skin of 30 patients with trauma in the Department of Plastic Surgery or General Surgery,and subjected to paraffin embedding and DNA extraction.PCR was performed to amplify the exon 11 and 15 of BRAF gene followed by DNA sequencing.Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were carried out to assess the relationship between BRAF gene mutations and clinical phenotypes of malignant melanoma.Results BRAF gene mutations were found in 19 (23.8％) of the 80 malignant melanoma specimens.Among the 19 mutationpositive specimens,17 (88.2％) carried mutations in exon 15 of BRAF gene with V600E as the most frequent (88.2％,15/17) mutation type,and 2 (10.5％) carried mutations in exon 11.No mutation was found in any of the normal skin tissue specimens.The average age at onset was 57.5 years in these patients.The frequency of BRAF gene mutation was significantly higher in patients younger than 60 years than in those older than 60 years (37.1％ vs.13.3％,x2=6.613,P ＜ 0.05).A significant difference was observed in the frequency of BRAF gene mutation among tissue specimens of mueosal,acral and non-aeral malignant melanoma (18.2％ (4/21) vs.14.7％(5/34) vs.41.7％ (10/24),x2=6.167,P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant association between BRAF gene mutation and gender,race or lymph node metastasis (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions BRAF gene is a hot spot for mutations in patients with malignant melanoma in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,with V600E point mutation in exon 15 as the most frequent mutation type.BRAF gene mutations appear to be closely correlated with the age at onset of and lesional sites in,but uncorrelated with gender and race of or lymph node metastasis in,patients with malignant melanoma.

Objective To detect the expression of 84 signaling molecules associated with nuclear factor-κB in lesions of Uygur patients with psoriasis.Methods Skin specimens were obtained from the lesional and paralesional skin of eight Uygur patients with psoriasis.Total RNA was extracted from the skin specimens and reversely transcribed into cDNA.PCR-array analysis was carried out to quantify the expressions of 84 signaling molecules related to nuclear factor-κB.Genes with a fold-change ＞ or =2 were defined as differentially expressed.Results Among the 84 tested genes,22 showed upregulated expression,7 downregulated expression,and the remaining 54 genes showed no significant changes in psoriatic lesions compared with the normal skin.The strongest upregulation was observed in the gene expressions of Caspase recruitment domain family 11 (CARD11) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor 2 (CSF2),and the most significant downregulation in the gene expression of interleukin 10 (IL-10),tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 5 (CD40) and nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cell inhibitor,epsilon (NFκBIE).Conclusion Multiple molecules involved in the NF-κB signaling pathway might be activated or inhibited in lesions of patients with psoriasis.