Objective To explore the effects of aripiprazole on clinical symptoms and neurotrophic factor levels in patients with schizophrenia. Methods Forty patients with schizophrenia and 40 normal controls were included in the study. The clinical symptoms of patients receiving aripiprazole only for 12 weeks were evaluated by using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Stroop Color-Word Test (SCWT), Continuous Performance Test, Digit-Symbol Coding Test and Trail Making Test-A were used to evaluate the cognitive function both in patients and controls. Serum levels of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Neurotrophin 3 (NT-3) were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results The clinical scores, cognitive function and levels of neurotrophic factors were different before and after treatment (P<0.01). And those were significantly lower in patients than in control group (P<0.05). Before treatment, BDNF was negatively correlated with PANSS negative symptom score (r=-0.362, P=0.022);NGF was related to the total score of PANSS (r=0.332, P=0.037) and positive symptoms (r=0.401, P=0.010); NT-3 was associated with negative symptom scores (r=-0.376, P=0.017) and SCWT-color words (r=0.332, P=0.037) in patient group. After treatment, the increase in BDNF was correlated with the reduction in PANSS total score (r=0.371, P=0.018), negative symptom score (r=0.345, P=0.029) and general pathology score (r=0.342, P=0.031). There was a correlation of the increase of NGF with the decrease of PANSS total scores (r=0.437, P=0.005) and with positive symptom scores (r=0.357, P=0.024). Conclusion Treatment with Aripiprazole can improve the clinical symptoms and cognitive functiona impairments in patients with schizophrenia, which may be related to the increase in serum levels of BDNF, NGF and NT-3.

No abstract available.
Melanoma*

Objective To determine the serum levels of macrophage migration inhibition factor (MIF) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in patients with vitiligo,and to investigate their clinical significance.Methods The serum concentrations of MIF and TNF-α were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and radioimmunoassay respectively in 66 patients with vitiligo and 30 healthy controls.Results The patients with vitiligo vulgaris showed a significant higher serum level of MIF and TNF-α compared with the healthy controls ((9.56 ± 1.65) vs.(5.18 ± 0.81 ) μg/L,(2.38 ± 0.37) vs.(1.78 ± 0.21 ) μg/L,both P ＜ 0.01 ).There was a positive correlation between the serum level of MIF and TNF-α (r =0.89,P ＜ 0.05).No statistical difference was observed in the serum levels of MIF or TNF-α between the healthy controls and patients with segmental vitiligo (both P ＞ 0.05).The serum level of MIF was significantly higher in patients with progressive vitiligo than in those with stable vitiligo (P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions MIF and TNF-α might play a certain role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo,and MIF may be related to the activity of vitiligo vulgaris.

An 18-year-old female presented with painful erythema and nodules on both legs for more than 2 years.Dermatological examination showed irregularly sized,mildly indurated,tender,deep subcutaneous nodules arising in diffused infiltrated dark erythematous patches in the inner and posterior region of the left leg.Histopathology showed no significant changes in the epidermis.There were perivascular lymphoid cell infiltrates in the dermis and subcutis.Multiple sites of necrosis of blood vessel walls with vascular occlusions were noted.The lumens of some blood vessels were filled with lymphocytes,among which were many atypical cells with hyperchromatic nuclei and pathologic mitotic figures.Immunohistochemistry showed that lymphocytes in the cavities of blood vessels were positive for CD3(+++),CD3ε(+++),CD2(+),CD56(+++),granzyme B(+++),perforin(+++),CD30(+),Ki67 (+++,100％ ),but negative for CD20,CD5,CD7,CD4,CD8,TdT,anaplastic lymphoma kinase,early membrane antigen (EMA) or pan cytokeratin (pCK).The endothelial cells lining the blood vessels stained positively for CD34.The intravascular lymphocytes were also positive for EBER1/2 by in situ hybridization.A diagnosis of cutaneous intravascular NK/T cell lymphoma was made.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Q-switched Alexandrite laser at 752 nm in the treatment of nevus of Ota. Methods A total of 1985 cases of nevus of Ota were treated with the Q-switched Alexandrite laser PhotoGenica HT10, and then the ages, frequency of treatment and interval of treatment were analyzed. Results The excellent effective rate was 97.88 %, and the total effective rate was 100 % in 1985 cases. Most patients in all age group received the excellent effects, however, there was no significant difference between the groups. Most patients acheived the excellent effect after 4 to 5 treatments, and very few patients (0.8 %) needed over 10 treatments; the rate ofpatient who needed 1-3 treatments or 6-10 treatments was 18. 2 % and 25.8 %, respectively. The patients had the most excellent efficacy in the group that the interval of two treatments was 4 to 6months, however, there was no significant difference between the group of the interval of two treatments over 6 months. In our study, there were only a few cases (4.48 %) with slight side reaction,such as temporary pigmentation and hypopigmentation and scar. Conclusions 752 nm Q-switched Alexandrite laser is one of effective and safe treatments for nevus of Ota.

The present study evaluated the effect of non-thermal plasma on skin wound healing in BalB/c mice. Two 6-mm wounds along the both sides of the spine were created on the back of each mouse (n=80) by using a punch biopsy. The mice were assigned randomly into two groups, with 40 animals in each group: a non-thermal plasma group in which the mice were treated with the non-thermal plasma; a control group in which the mice were left to heal naturally. Wound healing was evaluated on postoperative days (POD) 4, 7, 10 and 14 (n=5 per group in each POD) by percentage of wound closure. The mice was euthanized on POD 1, 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28 and 35 (n=1 in each POD). The wounds were removed, routinely fixed, paraffin-embedded, sectioned and HE-stained. A modified scoring system was used to evaluate the wounds. The results showed that acute inflammation peaked on POD 4 in non-thermal plasma group, earlier than in control group in which acute inflammation reached a peak on POD 7, and the acute inflammation scores were much lower in non-thermal group than in control group on POD 7 (P<0.05). The amount of granular tissue was greater on POD 4 and 7 in non-thermal group than in control group (P<0.05). The re-epithelialization score and the neovasularization score were increased significantly in non-thermal group when compared with control group on POD 7 and 10 (P<0.05 for all). The count of bacterial colonies was 10(3) CFU/mL on POD 4 and <20 CFU/mL on POD 7, significantly lower than that in control group (10(9) CFU/mL on POD 4 and >10(12) CFU/mL on the POD 7) (P<0.05). It was suggested that the non-thermal plasma facilitates the wound healing by suppressing bacterial colonization.

The present study evaluated the effect of non-thermal plasma on skin wound healing in BalB/c mice.Two 6-mm wounds along the both sides of the spine were created on the back of each mouse (n=80) by using a punch biopsy.The mice were assigned randomly into two groups,with 40animals in each group:a non-thermal plasma group in which the mice were treated with the non-thermal plasma; a control group in which the mice were left to heal naturally.Wound healing was evaluated on postoperative days (POD) 4,7,10 and 14 (n=5 per group in each POD) by percentage of wound closure.The mice was euthanized on POD 1,4,7,10,14,21,28 and 35 (n=1 in each POD).The wounds were removed,routinely fixed,paraffin-embedded,sectioned and HE-stained.A modified scoring system was used to evaluate the wounds.The results showed that acute inflammation peaked on POD 4 in non-thermal plasma group,earlier than in control group in which acute inflammation reached a peak on POD 7,and the acute inflammation scores were much lower in non-thermal group than in control group on POD7 (P＜0.05).The amount of granular tissue was greater on POD 4 and 7 in non-thermal group than in control group (P＜0.05).The re-epithelialization score and the neovasularization score were increased significantly in non-thermal group when compared with control group on POD 7 and 10 (P＜0.05 for all).The count of bacterial colonies was 103 CFU/mL on POD 4 and ＜20 CFU/mL on POD 7,significantly lower than that in control group (109 CFU/mL on POD 4 and ＞1012 CFU/mL on the POD 7) (P＜0.05).It was suggested that the non-thermal plasma facilitates the wound healing by suppressing bacterial colonization.

Objective To investigate the effect of recombinant murine interleukin-23(rIL-23)on systemic candidiasis in a murine model.Methods A cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed murine model of systemic candidiasis was established.The mice were divided into control group and rIL-23 treatment group.Colony forming units(CFU)of the kidney and spleen were determined by using plating dilution method.The histopathological changes and degree of infection of the kidney and spleen were graded.Meanwhile,the levels of interferon gamma(IFN-γ)in the spleen were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results On the 2nd,3rd and 7th day after Candida albicans infection the number of CFU of the fungi in the kidney in the control group was significantly greater than that in rIL-23 treatment group(P＜0.01).The number of CFU of the fungi on the 2nd,3rd and 7th day after Candida albicans infection in the spleen in control group was also greater than that in rIL-23 treatment group,but without statistically significant difference(P＞0.05).The scores of histopathological changes in the kidney in rIL-23 treatment group were lower than those in control group(P＜0.01),and the degree of infection was milder in rIL-23 treatment group.The scores of histopathological changes in the spleen in rIL-23 treatment group were also lower than those in control group,but without statistically significant difference(P＞0.05).The levels of IFN-γ in the spleen on the 2nd,3rd and 7th day after infection in rIL-23 treatment group were significantly higher than those in control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion rIL-23 has protective effect on murine systemic candidiasis.

Objective: To construct the insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) expression plasmid (pEGFC1-IGFBP7) and to investigate the effect of IGFBP7 on the apoptosis of SK-MEL-28 (human malignant melanoma cell line) cells. Methods: The pEGFC1-IGFBP7 plasmid was constructed; pEGFC1-IGFBP7 and empty plasmids were transfected into SK-MEL-28 cells separately. The transfection efficiency was observed under fluorescence microscope. Apoptosis of SK-MEL-28 cells after transfection was detected by Annexin-FITC/PI staining. Results: The pEGFC1-IGFBP7 plasmid was successfully constructed and was effectively transfected into SK-MEL-28 cells by Effectene reagent, with the transfection rate being 61%. The results of flow cytometry showed that pEGFC1-IGFBP7 significantly induced apoptosis of SK-MEL-28 cells, with the apoptotic rates of pEGFC1-IGFBP7, empty vector, and non-transfected plasmid groups being (28.4±2.57)%, (5.8±0.44)%, and (6.4±0.71)% 24 h after transfection, respectively (F=406.138, P<0.05). Conclusion: pEGFC1-IGFBP7 can effectively induce apoptosis of malignant melanoma SK-MEL-28 cells, which provides an experimental basis for IGFBP7 gene-based therapy of malignant melanoma.

Objective To evaluate the effects of progesterone on polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN)-mediated inflammatory responses to gonococcal infection. Methods Peripheral neutrophils were isolated from heparinized peripheral blood obtained from normal individuals, then divided into 4 groups: progesterone group (pretreated with progesterone only), gonococcus group (stimulated with gonococcal suspension), intervention group (pretreated with progesterone followed by stimuation with gonococcal suspension), and control group (receiving no pretreatment or stimulation). Real-time RT-PCR was conducted to detect the mRNA expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)in neutrophils from all groups at 0, 3, 8, 12 and 24 hours after the last treatment, and iNOS protein levels were measured by Western-blot in gonococcus group and intervention group. Results Real-time RT-PCR indicated that the expression levels of iNOS, TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA increased in gonococcus group and intervention group, and reached their peak at 8 hours in gonococcus group, while no significant changes were noted in the above parameters in progesterone group or control group. Also, the level of iNOS, TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA was lower in intervention group than that in the gonococcus group (P ＜ 0.05). Western blot showed an elevation in iNOS protein expression in both gonococcus group and intervention group, and the former group was higher than the latter group in the parameter (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions Progesterone can downregulate the expressions of iNOS, TNF-α and IL-1 β by PMNs, inhibit the PMN-induced inflammatory responses induced by gonococcal infection, which is likely to be associated with the asymptomatic gonococcal infection in women.