Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of crisaborole 2% ointment in the treatment of childhood atopic dermatitis (AD) at the early stage, and to compare the efficacy of every-other-day (Qod) regimen versus twice-a-week (Biw) regimen against recurrence in the remission stage of AD.Methods:A multicenter, randomized, open-label clinical trial was conducted. Totally, 150 children with mild to moderate AD aged 2 - < 18 years were enrolled from 6 hospitals (including Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University, etc), and randomly divided into the Qod group (76 cases) and the Biw group (74 cases). In the acute stage of AD, both groups were treated with topical crisaborole 2% ointment on skin lesions twice a day for 2 - 4 weeks, as well as with emollients throughout the whole body. The improvement of early clinical symptoms was evaluated, and the occurrence of adverse reactions was recorded in the follow up. Once the investigator′s static global assessment (ISGA) scores decreased to 1 point or less, the patient would be enrolled into the remission stage. In the remission stage of AD, patients in the Qod group and Biw group were treated with crisaborole ointment every other day and twice a week respectively; the recurrence rate of AD in the remission stage was evaluated, as well as the severity of skin lesions, itching, life quality, and the occurrence of adverse reactions at weeks 4, 8, and 12. Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS 23.0 software by using t test for comparisons of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, Mann-Whitney U test for non-normally distributed data, chi-square test for enumeration data, and Kaplan-Meier method for analysis of survival rates. Results:A total of 142 patients were enrolled in the modified intention-to-treat population, including 71 in the Qod group and 71 in the Biw group. In the acute stage of AD, the improvement of itching and skin lesions self-reported by the children or their family members occurred on days 1.9 (1.0, 3.0) and 2.0 (1.0, 4.1) after the application of crisaborole ointment, respectively. At the end of treatment in the acute stage, 89 children (62.7%) achieved ISGA 0/1 and successfully transferred into the remission stage. The follow-up in the remission stage was completed in 83 patients (44 in the Qod group and 39 in the Biw group). In addition, recurrence occurred in 19 (43.2%) and 12 (30.8%) patients in the Qod group and Biw group respectively, and there was no significant difference in the recurrence rate between the two groups ( χ2 = 1.36, P = 0.243) ; the average time to recurrence was 64.25 (95% CI: 53.33 - 75.17) days and 75.78 (95% CI: 65.46 - 86.10) days in the Qod group and Biw group respectively. Among the patients who were in the remission stage and had not yet experienced relapse at weeks 4, 8, and 12, there were no significant differences in the eczema area and severity index (EASI) scores, ISGA scores, pruritus numerical rating scale (NRS) scores, or quality-of-life scores between the two groups (all P > 0.05) at any time points, except for the ISGA scores at week 12 (Biw group: 0 [0, 1] point vs. Qod group: 1 [0, 1] point; Z = -2.31, P = 0.021). A total of 146 patients were enrolled in the safety set. During the study period, 70 adverse events occurred in 65 patients, with an incidence rate of 44.5%, and all were mild or moderate adverse events; 55 (37.7%) patients experienced discomfort at the medication site, which mainly referred to pain (45 cases, 30.8%) and mostly occurred in the tender and skinfold areas. Conclusions:Crisaborole 2% ointment could effectively relieve clinical symptoms in children with mild to moderate AD in the early stage, and intermittent treatment could continuously relieve clinical symptoms in the remission stage. The common adverse reaction was discomfort at the application site in the early stage of AD. There was no significant difference in the impact on AD recurrence in the remission stage between the Qod regimen and Biw regimen.

[Absract] Objective This paper was designed to reveal the new mechanism on ASI Ⅱ triggered CD4+T cells activation via regulating CD45 molecular and provide a basis for the theoretical foundation of antitumor immunotherapy of Astragalus.Methods The CD4+T cells were randomly divided into negative group,stimulated control group,ASI Ⅱ group,CD45 inhibitor group,and the combination of ASI Ⅱ and CD45 inhibitor group.Besides negative group,the cells from other groups were activated by anti-CD3/CD28 antibody.ASI Ⅱ group was treated with 10 nmol/L ASI Ⅱ,CD45 inhibitor group was treated with 0.8 μmol/L CD45 inhibitor,and the combination group were treated with 10 nmol/L ASI Ⅱ and 0.8 iμmol/L CD45 inhibitor.After 36h culture,the proliferation of CD4+T cells was detected by Ki-67 intracellular staining assay.Cytokine production of Th1 and Th2 were examined ELISA method.The proportion of surface marker (CD44 and CD25)and Th1 intracellular cytokines (IFN-γ) were detected by flow cytometry.Results Compared with stimulated group,Astragaloside Ⅱ group in CD4+Ki67+T positive proportion (5.37％ ± 0.92％ vs.1.19％ ± 0.23％),in CD4+CD25+ positive proportion (50.23％ ± 4.65 ％ vs.15.89％ ± 1.13％),in CD4+CD44+ positive proportion (33.16％ ± 6.08％ vs.15.36％ 4 1.45％),in CD4+IFN-γ+ positive proportion (1.42％ ± 0.44 ％ vs.0.38％ ± 0.06％) were significntly increased.And the secretion of IFN-γ,IL-4 and IL-2 in ASI Ⅱ group were higher than stimulated group.The anti-mouse CD45 Ab treatment markedly blocked the proliferation and Th1 cytokines production which induced by ASI Ⅱ.Furthermore,the anti-mouse CD45 Ab treatment significantly decreased the expression of surface marker (CD44 and CD25).Conclusions Activating CD45 protein tyrosine phosphatase may be involved in ASI Ⅱ triggered CD4+T cells activation.This study will provide a basis for antitumor immunotherapy of Astragalus.

To study the mechanisms whereby cisplatin suppresses survival of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells.The cytotoxicity of cisplatin in cisplatin-resistant cell line EC109 /CDDP and its parental cell line EC109 was measured by cell viability assay.Western blotting was used to investigate the protein expression of to-tal p53 and phosphorylated p53 at Ser15.Colony formation assay was employed to evaluate the ability of cells to recover from treatments and form colonies.The results indicated that EC109 /CDDP cells were more resistant to cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity than EC109 cells,with the IC50 values of (20.4 ±4.4)μmol /L and (5.7 ±0.1 )μmol /L,respectively.Although cisplatin did not alter the total protein level of p53,it obviously increased the phosphorylation of p53 at Ser15.Cisplatin inhibited survival of both EC109 /CDDP and EC109.Notably,inhibition of p53 by Pifithrin-αsignificantly promoted recovery of cisplatin-treated EC109 and EC109 /CDDP cells to differ-ent degrees.In this respect,p53 protein was found to be activated in response to cisplatin treatment in both EC109 /CDDP and EC109,which may contribute to the cytotoxic effect of cisplatin.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of oncogenic Ras overexpression on autophagic activity in human fibroblast cells in vitro.

METHODSBJ cells were transfected with H-RasV12 or control vector and treated with chloroquine, small interfering RNA (siRNA) for ATG7, or rapamycin. The cellular responses were analyzed by monitoring the parameters and biomarkers for cell growth, senescence and cell death.

RESULTSIn BJ cells overexpressing H-RasV12, chloroquine treatment resulted in more prominent cell senescence and a significantly increased cell death rate. Suppression of ATG7 mediated by siRNA also promoted cell senescence. Rapamycin treatment also caused an increased cell death rate but attenuated senescence in surviving cells. In control BJ cells, the cellular response to chloroquine included senescence and cell death, which occurred slowly. Rapamycin treatment and siRNA suppression of ATG7 had no obvious effect on control BJ cells.

CONCLUSIONStable cellular overexpression of oncogenic Ras causes tightly controlled suppression of the autophagic activity of human fibroblast cells, and such changes produce significant effect on cell senescence and survival.

Autophagy ; Autophagy-Related Protein 7 ; Cell Death ; Cells, Cultured ; Cellular Senescence ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; Genes, ras ; Humans ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Ubiquitin-Activating Enzymes ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the antagonizing effect of celecoxib against the cytotoxicity of carboplatin in human esophageal cancer cells.

METHODSThe cell viability of cisplatin-resistant cell line EC109/CDDP and its parental cell line EC109 exposed to carboplatin alone or carboplatin plus celecoxib was determined by MTT assay. The expression of CTR1, caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage in the exposed cells were examined by Western blotting. Caspase-3 activity and cell apoptosis after the exposure were detected with Caspase-3/7 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The effect of celecoxib on carboplatin accumulation in the cells was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

RESULTSCelecoxib treatment significantly increased the IC50 of carboplatin, suppressed carboplatin-induced caspase-3 and PARP cleavage and caspase-3 activity in EC109 and EC109/CDDP cells. Celecoxib also inhibited carboplatin-induced apoptosis and suppressed intracellular carboplatin accumulation in both cell lines. A combined exposure to celecoxib and carboplatin did not cause significant changes in the protein expression of CTR1.

CONCLUSIONCelecoxib antagonizes the cytotoxic effect of carboplatin and inhibits carboplatin-induced apoptosis in human esophageal cancer cells by reducing intracellular carboplatin accumulation.

Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Carboplatin ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Celecoxib ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; Drug Interactions ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Pyrazoles ; pharmacology ; Sulfonamides ; pharmacology

Objective To explore the roles of serum TLR-4, TNF-αand IL-6 in neonates with preterm birth. Methods A total of 120 neonates from neonatology department in the Xingtai People's Hospital were selected and divided into full-term group (n=40), premature rupture of fetal membranes (n=40) and idiopathic preterm group (n=40) based on the gestational age. The peripheral venous blood was collected within 30 minutes when the infants were born, and the supernatant was reserved after centrifuged. The levels of serum TLR-4, TNF-αand IL-6 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The levels of TLR-4, TNF-αand IL-6 in idiopathic preterm and premature rupture of fetal membranes were signiifcantly higher than that in full-term group and showed positive correlation. Conclusion Cytokines TLR-4, TNF-αand IL-6 maybe closely related to the preterm birth.

Objective To explore the antagonizing effect of celecoxib against the cytotoxicity of carboplatin in human esophageal cancer cells. Methods The cell viability of cisplatin-resistant cell line EC109/CDDP and its parental cell line EC109 exposed to carboplatin alone or carboplatin plus celecoxib was determined by MTT assay. The expression of CTR1, caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage in the exposed cells were examined by Western blotting. Caspase-3 activity and cell apoptosis after the exposure were detected with Caspase-3/7 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The effect of celecoxib on carboplatin accumulation in the cells was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results Celecoxib treatment significantly increased the IC50 of carboplatin, suppressed carboplatin-induced caspase-3 and PARP cleavage and caspase-3 activity in EC109 and EC109/CDDP cells. Celecoxib also inhibited carboplatin-induced apoptosis and suppressed intracellular carboplatin accumulation in both cell lines. A combined exposure to celecoxib and carboplatin did not cause significant changes in the protein expression of CTR1. Conclusion Celecoxib antagonizes the cytotoxic effect of carboplatin and inhibits carboplatin-induced apoptosis in human esophageal cancer cells by reducing intracellular carboplatin accumulation.

Objective To study the effect of oncogenic Ras overexpression on autophagic activity in human fibroblast cells in vitro. Methods BJ cells were transfected with H-RasV12 or control vector and treated with chloroquine, small interfering RNA (siRNA) for ATG7, or rapamycin. The cellular responses were analyzed by monitoring the parameters and biomarkers for cell growth, senescence and cell death. Results In BJ cells overexpressing H-RasV12, chloroquine treatment resulted in more prominent cell senescence and a significantly increased cell death rate. Suppression of ATG7 mediated by siRNA also promoted cell senescence. Rapamycin treatment also caused an increased cell death rate but attenuated senescence in surviving cells. In control BJ cells, the cellular response to chloroquine included senescence and cell death, which occurred slowly. Rapamycin treatment and siRNA suppression of ATG7 had no obvious effect on control BJ cells. Conclussion Stable cellular overexpression of oncogenic Ras causes tightly controlled suppression of the autophagic activity of human fibroblast cells, and such changes produce significant effect on cell senescence and survival.

Objective To explore the antagonizing effect of celecoxib against the cytotoxicity of carboplatin in human esophageal cancer cells. Methods The cell viability of cisplatin-resistant cell line EC109/CDDP and its parental cell line EC109 exposed to carboplatin alone or carboplatin plus celecoxib was determined by MTT assay. The expression of CTR1, caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage in the exposed cells were examined by Western blotting. Caspase-3 activity and cell apoptosis after the exposure were detected with Caspase-3/7 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The effect of celecoxib on carboplatin accumulation in the cells was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results Celecoxib treatment significantly increased the IC50 of carboplatin, suppressed carboplatin-induced caspase-3 and PARP cleavage and caspase-3 activity in EC109 and EC109/CDDP cells. Celecoxib also inhibited carboplatin-induced apoptosis and suppressed intracellular carboplatin accumulation in both cell lines. A combined exposure to celecoxib and carboplatin did not cause significant changes in the protein expression of CTR1. Conclusion Celecoxib antagonizes the cytotoxic effect of carboplatin and inhibits carboplatin-induced apoptosis in human esophageal cancer cells by reducing intracellular carboplatin accumulation.

Objective To study the effect of oncogenic Ras overexpression on autophagic activity in human fibroblast cells in vitro. Methods BJ cells were transfected with H-RasV12 or control vector and treated with chloroquine, small interfering RNA (siRNA) for ATG7, or rapamycin. The cellular responses were analyzed by monitoring the parameters and biomarkers for cell growth, senescence and cell death. Results In BJ cells overexpressing H-RasV12, chloroquine treatment resulted in more prominent cell senescence and a significantly increased cell death rate. Suppression of ATG7 mediated by siRNA also promoted cell senescence. Rapamycin treatment also caused an increased cell death rate but attenuated senescence in surviving cells. In control BJ cells, the cellular response to chloroquine included senescence and cell death, which occurred slowly. Rapamycin treatment and siRNA suppression of ATG7 had no obvious effect on control BJ cells. Conclussion Stable cellular overexpression of oncogenic Ras causes tightly controlled suppression of the autophagic activity of human fibroblast cells, and such changes produce significant effect on cell senescence and survival.