Increasing evidence suggests that stress may induce changes in hair color, with the underlying mechanism incompletely understood. In this study, female C57BL/6 mice subjected to electric foot shock combined with restraint stress were used to build chronic stress mouse model. The melanin contents and tyrosinase activity were measured in mouse skin and B16F10 melanoma cells. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the content of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin- 1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the mouse skin. The content of nuclear factor κB (NFκB)/p65 subunit in mouse skins was valued by immunofluorescence staining. The results demonstrated that under chronic stress, the fur color turned from dark to brown in C57BL/6 mice due to the decrease of follicle melanocytes and tyrosinase activity in C57BL/6 mouse skin. Simultaneously, inflammatory responses in skins were detected as shown by increased NFκB activity and TNF-α expression in stressed mouse skin. In cultured B16F10 melanoma cells, TNF-α reduced the melanogenesis and tyrosinase activity in a dose-dependent manner. These findings indicate that chronic stress induces fur color change by decreasing follicle melanocytes and tyrosinase activity in female C57BL/6 mice, and TNF-α may play an important role in stress-induced hair color change.
Animal Fur ; Animals ; Color ; Female ; Melanins ; Melanocytes ; enzymology ; Melanoma, Experimental ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Monophenol Monooxygenase ; metabolism ; Pigmentation ; Skin ; physiopathology ; Stress, Physiological

Alopecia ; chemically induced ; diagnosis ; Antirheumatic Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; Biopsy ; methods ; Cyclosporine ; administration & dosage ; Dermatologic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome ; diagnosis ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prednisolone ; administration & dosage ; Skin ; pathology ; Sulfasalazine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Symptom Flare Up ; Treatment Outcome ; Vitiligo ; chemically induced ; diagnosis

The nerve electrophysiological tests may differentiate the treatment of primary premature ejaculation (PPE) in our previous studies. However, no study verifies if the results will be affected by abstinence time. From January to December in 2016, fifty PPE patients ejaculated within 2 min and 28 control subjects were enrolled. The nerve electrophysiological tests, including dorsal nerve somatosensory evoked potential (DNSEP), glans penis somatosensory evoked potential (GPSEP), and penile sympathetic skin response (PSSR), were recorded before and immediately after ejaculation. The abstinence day was not correlated with the latencies of SEPs or PSSR neither in PE group (P = 0.170, 0.064, and 0.122, respectively) nor in control group (P = 0.996, 0.475, and 0.904, respectively). No statistically differences were found in the latencies of SEPs and PSSR before and after ejaculation in PE patients (P = 0.439, 0.537, and 0.576, respectively) or control subjects (P = 0.102, 0.198, and 0.363, respectively). Thus, abstinence time does not interfere with the nerve electrophysiological test, which is stable in determining the nerve function of PPE patients.
Adult ; Ejaculation ; Electric Stimulation ; Electrophysiological Phenomena ; Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penis/physiopathology* ; Premature Ejaculation/physiopathology* ; Prospective Studies ; Sexual Abstinence ; Skin/innervation* ; Sympathetic Nervous System/physiopathology* ; Young Adult

Wheat dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA) is a rare but potentially severe food allergy caused by the combination of wheat ingestion and physical exercise. The impact of WDEIA on quality of life (QOL) is unclear. This study characterized the clinical and laboratory features and investigated the QOL in WDEIA patients from Central China. Twenty-eight WDEIA patients were analyzed, and QOL was measured by validated Chinese version Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Adult Form (FAQLQ-AF) and Food Allergy Independent Measure (FAIM) after obtaining the diagnosis. The results showed that half of the patients were females. The median onset age was 37 years old. The symptoms occurred within 1 h after wheat ingestion (26/28). Symptoms of anaphylaxis included cutaneous (26/28), respiratory (11/28), gastro-intestinal (5/28) and cardiovascular manifestations (27/28). Skin prick tests were positive to salt soluble (89.3%) and salt insoluble wheat allergen extracts (100%). Positive rate to wheat, gluten and omega-5 gliadin specific IgE was 64.3%, 92.9% and 92.9% respectively. Specific IgE to omega-5 gliadin with a cut-off value 0.83 KU/L offered highly efficient diagnostic criterion for WDEIA (sensitivity: 89.3%; and specificity: 88.9%). The mean scores of FAQLQ-AF and FAIM were 4.70 and 4.98 respectively and level of anti-omega-5 gliadin IgE had positive correlations with FAQLQ scores. Thereby, WDEIA is commonly found in mid-age adults. In most cases, multi-organs especially skin and cardiovascular systems are involved. Salt insoluble wheat allergen skin test and serum specific IgE to gluten and omega-5 gliadin help to diagnose WDEIA. QOL in WDEIA patients is severely impaired.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Allergens ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; immunology ; Anaphylaxis ; diagnosis ; immunology ; physiopathology ; psychology ; China ; Exercise ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Gliadin ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; immunology ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Lung ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Skin ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Skin Tests ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Triticum ; chemistry ; immunology ; Wheat Hypersensitivity ; diagnosis ; immunology ; physiopathology ; psychology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) at Zhongwan(CV 12) on the energy metabolism along the conception vessel(CV) in volunteers with yang-deficiency constitution,and to explore the relationship of electroacupuncture regulation and body constitution.

METHODSEighteen volunteers with mild constitution and 18 volunteers with yang-deficiency constitution were collected out of 200 students of Fujian University of TCM by body constitution questionnaire. Skin microcirculatory blood perfusion units (MBPU) at Danzhong (CV 17), Xiawan(CV 10) and Qihai(CV 6) of CV were measured by a laser Doppler flowmetry in the normal condition and after EA stimulation at Zhongwan(CV 12) for 20 min.

RESULTS(1)Before treatment, (1)MBPU values at Danzhong(CV 17), Xiawan(CV 10) and Qihai(CV 6) in the yang-deficiency constitution group were lower than those in the mild constitution group,but there was no statistical significance (both P>0. 05) except Danzhong(CV 17) (P<0. 01). (Z)As for the three acupoints in the mild constitution group, MBPU level of Danzhong(CV 17) was higher than that of Xiawan(CV 10) without statistical significance(P->0. 05),and MBPU values of Danzhong(CV 17) and Xiawan(CV 10) were higher than that of Qihai(CV 6) (both P<0. 01). (3About the three acupoints in the yang-deficiency constitution group, MBPU result of Danzhong(CV 17) was lower than the value of Xiawan(CV 10), but higher compared with Qihai(CV 6)(P<0. 05, P<0. 01). MBPU of Xiawan(CV 10) was higher than Qihai (CV 6) as well(P<0. 01). (2) MBPU values of Danzhong(CV 17), Xiawan(CV 10) and Qihai(CV 6) were increased apparently compared with those before treatment after EA stimulation at Zhongwan(CV 12) for 20 min in the two groups(all P<0. 01). (3) The rise rates of MBPU level about Danzhong(CV 17) and Qihai(CV 6) in the yang-deficiency constitution group were higher than those in the mild constitution group without statistical significance after EA at Zhongwan(CV 12) for 20 min(both P>0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe energy metabolism in CV of volunteers with yang-deficiency constitution is declined, especially Danzhong(CV 17). EA can rise energy metabolism in CV of mild or yang-deficiency constitution volunteers through regulating MBPU along meridian.

Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Electroacupuncture ; Energy Metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Microcirculation ; Skin ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Volunteers ; Yang Deficiency ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Young Adult

By studying the relationship between fingertip temperature changes and arterial function during vascular reactivity test, we established a new non-invasive method for detecting vascular function, in order to provide an assistance for early diagnosis and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. We customized three modules respectively for blood occlusion, measurement of finger temperature and blood oxygen acquisition, and then we established the hardware of data acquisition system. And the software was programmed with Labview. Healthy subjects [group A, n = 24, (44.6 ± 9.0) years] and subjects with cardiovascular diseases [group B, n = 33, (57.2 ± 9.9) years)] were chosen for the study. Subject's finger temperature, blood oxygen and occlusion pressure of block side during and after unilateral arm brachial artery occlusion were recorded, as well as some other regular physiological indexes. By time-domain analysis, we extracted 12 parameters from fingertip temperature signal, including the initial temperature (Ti), temperature rebound (TR), the time of the temperature recovering to initial status (RIt) and other parameters from the finger temperature signal. We in the experiment also measured other regular physiological body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastiolic blood pressure (DBP) and so on. Results showed that 8 parameters difference between the two group of data were significant. based on the statistical results. A discriminant function of vascular function status was established afterwards. We found in the study that the changes of finger temperature during unilateral arms brachial artery occlusion and open were closely related to vascular function. We hope that the method presented in this article could lay a foundation of early detection of vascular function.
Adult ; Aged ; Arteries ; physiopathology ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; diagnosis ; Fingers ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Skin Temperature

This pictorial review aims to illustrate the various manifestations of the diabetic foot on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The utility of MR imaging and its imaging features in the diagnosis of pedal osteomyelitis are illustrated. There is often difficulty encountered in distinguishing osteomyelitis from neuroarthropathy, both clinically and on imaging. By providing an accurate diagnosis based on imaging, the radiologist plays a significant role in the management of patients with complications of diabetic foot.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cellulitis ; diagnosis ; Diabetic Foot ; complications ; diagnosis ; Female ; Gangrene ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteomyelitis ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Risk Factors ; Skin Diseases ; diagnosis ; Ulcer ; diagnosis

This article briefly summarizes the techniques for repair of skin and soft tissue defects around the knee joints as reported in 5 papers in this issue, including how to choose the skin flap, muscle flap, myocutaneous flap, and vascular anastomosis in recipient site. It is found that the anterolateral femoral flap, latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, and gastrocnemius flap are widely used in clinic with high survival rates, and they can be used for the repair of large soft tissue defects as well as the reconstruction of the knee joint function.
Humans ; Knee Injuries ; surgery ; Knee Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Myocutaneous Flap ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing

Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disease characterized by alterations in microvascular structure and function. In these patients, numerous studies have demonstrated a relationship between capillary morphology and peripheral blood perfusion. Nailfold videocapillaroscopy reveals the peripheral microvascular morphology and thus allows classification and scoring of capillary abnormalities with respect to different microangiopathy patterns (early, active, and late). Laser Doppler flowmetry and laser speckle contrast analysis can be used to estimate cutaneous blood flow through microvessels and to assess and quantify blood perfusion at peripheral sites. These two methods are also used to identify changes in digital blood perfusion after the infusion of vasodilators.
Blood Flow Velocity ; Humans ; *Laser-Doppler Flowmetry ; *Microcirculation ; Microscopic Angioscopy/*methods ; Microvessels/*pathology/*physiopathology ; Nails ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Regional Blood Flow ; Scleroderma, Systemic/*diagnosis/pathology/physiopathology ; Skin/*blood supply ; Vasodilator Agents/diagnostic use ; *Video Recording

OBJECTIVE: Observe the changes of small airway function in patients with rhinitis but without asthma and/or lower airway symptoms. METHOD: Between June 2008 and December 2012, we recruited 903 subjects, including 377 with allergic rhinitis (AR), 262 with non-allergic rhinitis (NAR) and 264 healthy subjects. All subjects underwent meticulous history taking, nasal examination, allergen skin prick test, blood routine test, serum total immunoglobin E assay, pulmonary ventilation function test and bronchial challenge test. RESULT: The indices of FEV1/FVC%, MEF25pred% and MMEFpred% were lower in AR group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The indices of FEV1/FVC, MMEFpred%, MEF25pred% and MEF50pred% were also lower in NAR group than in the control group (P < 0.05). According to the FVCpred% and FEV1pred%, there were no differences between rhinitis group and the control group (P > 0.05). The positive rate of airway hyperresponsiveness(AHR) in AR group and in NAR group was 12.2%, 6.1% respectively. Indices of small airway function were all lower in the AHR group than NAHR group in rhinitis. CONCLUSION Compared with healthy controls, small airway function in patients with rhinitis has apparent changes, part of rhinitis patients has AHR, and is associated with small airway function changes.
Asthma ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Respiratory System ; physiopathology ; Rhinitis ; physiopathology ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; physiopathology ; Skin Tests