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ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of cinobufagin tablets combined with thalidomide/dexamethasone (TD) regimen in the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) with phlegm and stasis obstruction. MethodsThe clinical data of 50 patients with NDMM of phlegm and stasis obstruction who were hospitalized at the Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine from June 1st, 2015 to July 31th, 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, and they were divided into a control group (bortezomib/dexamethasone-containing regimen, 27 cases) and an observation group (cinobufagin tablets combined with TD regimen, 23 cases). The clinical efficacy and safety were compared between the two groups after two or three courses of treatment. The primary outcomes were clinical remission rate including overall response rate and deep remission rate, one-year and two-year overall survival rate, and adverse effects. The secondary outcomes were the proportion of plasma cells in bone marrow, hemoglobin, β2-microglobulin, lactate dehydrogenase, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, bone pain score, and KPS functional status score (KPS score) before and after treatment. ResultsIn terms of clinical efficacy, there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in the overall response rate [the observation group 69.57%(16/23) vs the control group 70.37% (19/27)] and deep remission rate [the observation group 56.52% (13/23) vs the control group 55.56% (15/27)] between groups after the treatment. The one-year overall survival rates of the observation group and the control group were 90.9% and 92.4%, and the two-year overall survival rates were 81.8% and 80.9% respectively, with no statistically significant differences between groups (P>0.05). During the treatment, no renal function injury occurred in both groups. The incidence of peripheral nerve injury in the observation group was 8.70%, which was lower than 48.15% in the control group (P<0.01). After the treatment, the proportion of myeloma plasma cells, β2-microglobulin, serum creatinine level, and bone pain score decreased, while the hemoglobin level and KPS score increased in both groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared between groups after treatment, the bone pain score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group, while the KPS score was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionThe clinical efficacy of cinobufagin tablets combined with TD in the treatment of NDMM is equivalent to bortezomib/dexamethasone-containing regimen, but the former is more helpful in relieving the pain and improving the quality of life, and has better safety.
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Objective:To analyze the occurrence of and risk factors for skin and mucosal infections after primary tumor resection in patients with paraneoplastic pemphigus, and to summarize relevant nursing experience.Methods:Clinical characteristics and postoperative skin and mucosal infections were retrospectively analyzed in patients with confirmed paraneoplastic pemphigus, who underwent primary tumor resection in Department of Dermatology, Peking University First Hospital between January 1999 and January 2021. Common infectious agents were analyzed, and infection-related risk factors were identified by logistic regression analysis.Results:A total of 44 patients with paraneoplastic pemphigus were included in this study, including 25 (56.8%) males and 19 (43.2%) females, and their age were 33.8 ± 15.4 years. Postoperatively, 21 (47.73%) patients developed skin and mucosal infections, and their postoperative hospital stay (median [ Q1, Q3]) was 38 (25, 60) days, which was significantly longer than that in patients without skin and mucosal infections (21 [12, 23] days, Z = -4.08, P < 0.001) . The most common pathogen was methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (15 cases, 34.09%) . High glucocorticoid dosage per kilogram of body weight ( OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.00 - 1.46, P = 0.047) and receiving assisted ventilation therapy ( OR = 9.20, 95% CI: 2.01 - 42.13, P = 0.004) were independent risk factors for postoperative skin and mucosal infections. After active treatment and care, 37 (84.1%) patients recovered well at discharge. Conclusion:Skin and mucosal infections are a common postoperative complication in patients with paraneoplastic pemphigus, and the pathogens are mostly drug-resistant bacteria, which can lead to prolonged hospital stay, so attention should be paid to postoperative skin care; high postoperative glucocorticoid dosage per body weight and respiratory support may be associated with postoperative skin and mucosal infections.
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Objective:To retrospectively analyze the efficacy and safety of dupilumab in the treatment of bullous pemphigoid (BP) .Methods:Clinical data were collected from BP patients who received injections of dupilumab at an initial dose of 600 mg followed by an every-2-week regimen at a dose of 300 mg (the frequency of injections could be increased if necessary) in Department of Dermatology, Peking University First Hospital from October 2020 to October 2021, and their clinical manifestations and changes in laboratory indices were analyzed.Results:A total of 21 BP patients treated with dupilumab were included in this study. Nineteen (90.5%) patients achieved complete or marked disease control after 2-week treatment with dupilumab; 12 patients were followed up for 16 weeks, and all maintained complete disease control at 16 weeks. All patients had a bullous pemphigoid disease area index (BPDAI) score of 122.5 ± 51.1 points at baseline, which decreased to 30.6 ± 27.4 points after 2-week treatment with dupilumab ( t = 8.53, P < 0.001) , and continued to decrease to 12.7 ± 9.1 points after 4-week treatment ( t = 9.73, P < 0.001) . Pruritus was markedly relieved in all the 21 patients within 4-week treatment with dupilumab. Among 10 patients with elevated eosinophil counts at baseline, the eosinophil counts markedly decreased in 9 after treatment. The serum IgE level was elevated in 7 patients at baseline, which markedly decreased in 6 after treatment. Viral conjunctivitis occurred in 1 (4.8%) patient, and no adverse reactions were observed in other patients. Conclusion:Dupilumab is effective in the control of BP and relief of pruritus, with a favorable safety profile.
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Objective:To assess the long-term effectiveness and safety of rituximab (RTX) for the treatment of pemphigus, and to evaluate the effect of RTX on immune indices.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted, and patients with pemphigus who received monotherapy or combination therapy with RTX (375 mg/m 2 body surface area, once a week for 4 consecutive weeks) were collected from the Department of Dermatology, Peking University First Hospital from February 2008 to July 2017. Levels of autoantibodies and proportion of B cells in patients were determined at baseline and different follow-up time points, and their changes and relationship with therapeutic effect were analyzed. Time-to-event outcomes (disease control, complete remission and relapse) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The median ( M) as well as 25th ( P25) and 75th ( P75) percentile values were calculated for repeatedly measured immune indices (autoantibodies and B cells) , and the median level of immune indice-time curve was drawn. Results:A total of 53 patients of Han nationality with pemphigus were included, including 40 with pemphigus vulgaris and 13 with pemphigus foliaceus. The male to female ratio was 0.96∶1, the median age was 37.4 years, and the median duration of disease was 13.4 months at baseline. The median follow-up duration ( P25, P75) was 37.5 (25.0, 54.7) months. Forty-eight (90.6%) patients achieved disease control, and the time to disease control was 1.7 (1.1, 3.2) months. Thirty-eight (71.7%) patients achieved complete remission, and the time to complete remission was 13.1 (9.6, 27.5) months. During the follow up, 12 of the 38 (31.6%) patients who had complete remission experienced recurrence, with the time to recurrence being 12.4 (4.8, 19.8) months. The median immune indice level-time curve showed that anti-Dsg1 and Dsg3 autoantibody levels decreased when skin lesions resolved, but increased when skin lesions relapsed. The most common severe adverse reaction was pulmonary infection, with a mortality rate of 3.8% (2/53) . Conclusions:RTX shows marked long-term effectiveness for the treatment of pemphigus. Pulmonary infection during treatment is worthy of the highest attention. The autoantibody levels can serve as an index for evaluating the effectiveness of RTX in the treatment of pemphigus.
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Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of the long-term intermittent maintenance treatment with tacrolimus 0.03% ointment versus traditional treatment in reducing relapses and prolonging the recurrence interval in children with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD).Methods A two-phase randomized,open-labelled,controlled clinical trial was conducted from September 2012 to November 2013.In the first phase,a total of 171 children aged 2-15 years with moderate to severe AD were enrolled from 7 hospitals in China,and received conventional treatment with tacrolimus 0.03% ointment twice a day for 2-6 weeks.At the end of the treatment,the patients who achieved an investigator's global assessment (IGA) score ≤ 2 (n =125) were randomly classified into 2 groups to receive the second-phase treatment:test group (n =62) receiving intermittent maintenance treatment with tacrolimus 0.03% ointment twice a week (Monday and Thursday),and control group (n =63) receiving no treatment.If the patients in the 2 groups experienced relapse,they received conventional treatment with tacrolimus 0.03% ointment twice a day.The overall observation period was 6 months.The primary endpoint was the time to the first relapse,which was defined as the number of days from the end of the first-phase treatment to the first relapse.The secondary endpoints included the number of relapses at the second-phase trial,the disease severity at the time of relapse,the duration of relapse,the pruritus score at the time of relapse,the total amount of tacrolimus ointment used,the total response rate at the second-phase trial,and the incidence of adverse events.Results A total of 125 children with AD were enrolled into the second-phase trial,and 121 of them completed the follow-up.Among the 121 patients,the recurrence rate was significantly lower in the test group (25/60,41.7%) than in the control group (46/61,75.4%;x2 =14.20,P < 0.001).The time to the first relapse was significantly longer in the test group (46.9 ± 37.7 d) than in the control group (28.8 ± 32.3 d;Z =1 093.50,P =0.020).The total number of recurrence was 31 and 86 in the test group and control group respectively,and the mean number of recurrence in each patient was significantly lower in the test group (0.52 ± 0.68) than in the control group (1.41 ± 1.23,t =4.96,P < 0.001).There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding disease severity during relapse (eczema area and severity index:Z =971.50,P =0.39),duration of relapse (Z =747.00,P =0.07),and pruritus score during relapse (Z =894.00,P =0.95).The therapeutic drug was tolerated well in all the children,and no tacrolimus-related serious adverse events occurred.Conclusion The intermittent maintenance treatment with tacrolimus 0.03% ointment twice a week for 6 months can effectively and safely prevent and reduce relapses,and prolong the recurrence interval in children with moderate to severe AD.
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Patient-derived tumor xenograft(PDTX)models are based on the transfer of primary tumor tissue directly from the patient into immunodeficient mice.PDTX models retain many of the key characteristics of the original cancers,including heterogeneity,histo-logical characteristics,molecular diversities,and host microenvironments.These models do not only serve as platforms for co-clinical trials to determine precisely targeted therapies,but can also be applied to the development of biomarkers and action targets for drug responsiveness and personalized drug selection.PDTX models combined with clinical,genomic,and pharmacodynamic data and ap-plied to the individualized treatment of cancer patients could increase the specificity of drug use,improve clinical treatment success, and promote the development of individualized treatment and precise medical regimes.This review summarizes the historical back-ground,influential modeling factors,clinical applications,and limitations of PDTX mouse models.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study differential expression of microRNA (miRNA) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) from patients with different types of aplastic anemia (AA) and explore the role of miRNA in the pathogenesis of AA.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>miRNA microarray were used to determine the differential expression profile of miRNA in PBMNC from patients with AA. Real-time quantitative polymerase china reaction (RQ-PCR) was used to verify the differential expression of miRNA. Candidate miRNA were analyzed with bioinformatics tools.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal controls, 6 miRNAs were up-regulated and 10 were down-regulated in patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA), while 24 miRNAs were up-regulated and 12 were down-regulated in patients with chronic non-severe aplastic anemia (CAA). Compared with CAA patients, 4 miRNAs were up-regulated and 11 were down-regulated in SAA patients. Compared with normal controls, 3 miRNAs were up-regulated and 4 were down-regulated in both SAA and CAA patients. As verified by RQ-PCR, expression of miR-155-5p and miR-1260b were increased in both CAA and SAA patients compared with the normal controls (P<0.01). The expression of miR-155-5p and miR-1260b of CAA patients were higher than that of SAA patients (P<0.01). Bioinformatics analysis showed that target genes of miR-155-5p and miR-1260b may be involved in regulation of cell metabolism, gene expression and transcription, TNF signaling pathway, B cell receptor signaling pathway, Fc gamma R-mediated phagocytosis and other signaling process.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There are characteristic differential expression profiles of miRNA in PBMNC from CAA and SAA patients, in which miRNA-155-5p and miRNA-1260b are both up-regulated. The common target gene predicted for miRNA-155-5p and miRNA-1260b is ETS1. miRNA-155-5p and miRNA-1260b may act synergistically to inhibit the expression of ETS1 and promote differentiation of Th17, therefore play an important role in the pathogenesis of AA.</p>
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinicopathologic features, immunophenotype and gene rearrangement of primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type (PCLBCL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seven cases of PCLBCL were enrolled into the study. Clinicopathologic analysis, immunohistochemical staining and gene rearrangement for IgH and Igκ were undertaken in the study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the seven cases were male, and the median age was 72 years. Patients usually presented with multiple purple tumors, nodules, papules and infiltrative plaques. Two patients had a history of leg injury before onset, and one had mosquito bites. Histologically, the tumor involved the dermis and subcutis with dense and diffuse infiltrative pattern composing of centroblasts and/or immunoblasts. Immunohistochemical staining showed that seven cases (7/7) expressed CD20, six (6/6) expressed bcl-2, four (4/4) expressed MUM-1, four (4/5) expressed CD79a, four (4/5) expressed PAX-5 and four (4/6) expressed bcl-6, respectively. All cases did not express CD3ε, CD45RO, CD10 and CD30. IgH gene rearranged bands were detected in three (3/6) cases and Igκ was detected in one (1/5) case. Six of the seven cases died and the remaining patient, who was 44-year-old, was alive after 22 months of follow-up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>PCLBCL is rare, predominantly affects elderly male patients. PCLBCL has poor prognosis and high mortality, but younger patients seem to have better prognosis. Some cases had a history of trauma or mosquito bites. The relationship between the history and the onset of PCLBCL needs further evaluation.</p>
Subject(s)
Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Animals , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Antigens, CD , Culicidae , Gene Rearrangement , Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains , Genetics , Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains , Genetics , Immunophenotyping , Insect Bites and Stings , Leg , Leg Injuries , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse , Genetics , Metabolism , Pathology , Prognosis , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6 , Metabolism , Skin Neoplasms , Genetics , PathologyABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) on pregnancy,childbirth and neonates.Methods Clinical data were collected from 8 pregnant patients with PV who visited the Peking University First Hospital and received follow up.Results Of these patients one developed PV in the third trimester of pregnancy,and the other 7 received treatment for PV and achieved complete subsidence of mucocutaneous lesions before pregnancy.Among the 7 cases,6 were treated with prednisone < 10 mg/d,and 1 was treated with prednisone 22.5 mg/d.Finally,1 patient was lost to follow-up,1 patient underwent artificial abortion on about day 40 of pregnancy with no fluctuation in disease activity.Six patients delivered a normal birth weight baby at term,of whom,1 experienced fluctuation in disease activity in mid-pregnancy,1 suffered from recurrence of PV as a result of drug withdrawal at 2 months after delivery,and the other 4 showed no changes in disease activity.Four out of six neonates were healthy,while two were born with neonatal PV and healed after topical treatment.Conclusions Safe pregnancy and delivery can be achieved in patients with PV whose condition is completely under control with lowdose glucocorticoids after withdrawal of immunosuppressive agents.Although there is a risk of PV in neonates,the prognosis is optimistic.
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Objective To analyze the clinical features and treatment of 68 cases of mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP).Methods Clinical data were collected from 68 patients with MMP at the Department of Dermatology,Peking University First Hospital,between August 1987 and October 2012.Skin manifestations,histopathological and immunological findings were studied,with an emphasis on treatment regimens.Results The two most frequently involved sites were oral (67/68,98.5%) and conjunctival (23/68,33.8%) mucosa in patients with MMP.Immunological examinations included direct immunofluorescence test,indirect immunofluorescence test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,with a positivity rate of 50% (8/16),20.5% (8/39) and 53.7% (22/41) respectively.According to lesion distribution and disease severity,patients were given local therapy (n =5) or low to moderate dose of glucocorticoids (n =55,0.4-0.5 mg/kg or 30 mg per day).The condition was controlled until the dose of glucocorticoids reached 50 mg/d in three patients with cutaneous,oral,ocular,and other mucosal involvement.The time to onset of action of glucocorticoids at the controlling dose was (11.80 ± 5.88) days,and the duration of administration of glucocorticoids at this dose varied from 0.23 to 12 months (average,3.06 ± 2.84 months).Fifteen patients were almost cured,and four patients completely cured.Of the 15 patients almost cured,the time required for a 50% reduction in the dose of glucocorticoids was (13.29 ± 5.76) months,and that required for the control of MMP was (17.33 ± 7.71) months.The dose of glucocorticoids was decreased to 76.5% of the controling dose at 6 months after the control of MMP,and 58.1% of that at 12 months.Oral candidiasis occurred in three patients during the treatment.Conclusions The diagnosis of MMP is mainly based on typical clinical and histopathological findings,and current immunological examinations are insufficiently sensitive.Usually,low to moderate dose of systemic corticosteroids combined with topical therapy can lead to satisfactory treatment outcomes.
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Objective To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of BP180NC16a-ELISA in the diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid (BP). Methods A multi-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled study was conducted. Sera were collected from 106 patients with clinically confirmed active BP and 106 control subjects including patients with non-BP bullous diseases, scleroderma, psoriasis or systemic lupus erythematosus,late pregnant women and healthy blood donors. BP180NC16a-ELISA was performed on these sera. The IgG antibody levels measured by ELISA kit were compared with those measured by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) test. Results Of the 106 BP sera, 81 were positive for BP180NC16a-ELISA with a sensitivity of 76.4%,83 for ⅡF test with a sensitivity of 78.3%. Among the 106 control serum samples, 95 were negative for BP180NC16A-ELISA with a specificity of 89.6%, and 102 for ⅡF test with a specificity of 96.2%. There was no significant difference between the two tests in dignostic sensitivity and specificity for BP (both P > 0.05).Conclusion BP180NC16A-ELISA may serve as an adjuvant tool for the diagnosis of BP.
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Objective To assess the CT characteristics of thoracoabdominal localized Castleman disease (LCD) in 55 cases and correlate with histopathologic features. Methods Fifty-five patients with LCD proved histopathologically in thorax ( n = 25 ) and abdomen ( n = 30 ) were collected during past 20 years. The unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CT were performed in all patients. Two radiologists reviewed CT images and the CT findings were analyzed simultaneously. Results In 54 patients with hyaline-vascular type ( n = 50 ) and mixed type ( n = 4 ) localized CD, the lesion typically presented as solitary mass (90. 7% , 49 cases), with irregular or lobular or infiltrative margin ( 83.3% , 45 cases),central calcification (38. 9%, 21 cases), marked enhancement (100% , 54 cases), focal non-necrosis low attenuation areas (72. 2%, 39 cases), lymphadenopathy (70.4%, 38 cases) and dilated feeding vessels adjacent to the mass (96.3%, 52 cases). One lesion with plasma cell type localized CD presented as a mass with irregular margin, mild enhancement and central necrosis. Four morphologic patterns wereclassified on CT, including solitary mass with well-circumscribed margin (n =4), irregular or lobular margin ( n = 30), infiltrative or halo-like margin ( n = 16 ), and multiple coalescent maasses ( n = 5 ). Conclusion CT features of thoracoabdominal localized CD are closely related to the location and pathological type. LCD with hyaline-vascular and mixed type has typical CT characteristics, while LCD with plasma cell type has no typical CT findings.
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Objective To evaluate the performance of desmoglein (Dsg)1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the detection of serum antibodies in patients with pemphigus foliaceus (PF). Methods Sera were obtained from 80 patients with PF and 132 human controls including 33 patients with bullous pemphigoid, 3 patients with linear IgA bullous dermatosis, 2 patients with acquired bullous epidermolysis, 20 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), etc, and subjected to a random and blind test by Dsg1 ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on monkey oesophagus. Results The Dsg1 ELISA was positive in 75 (93.8%) patients with PF and 5 (3.8%) human controls (including 1 case of bullous pemphigoid, 1 case of SLE, 1 case of dermatomyositis, 1 case of eczema and 1 normal human control with indeterminate value), and IIF was positive in 71 (88.8%) patients with PF, but in none of the controls. The sensitivity and specificity was 93.8% (95% CI: 0.85 - 0.98) and 96.2% (95% CI: 0.91 - 0.99) respectively for Dsg1 ELISA in the serodiagnosis of PF, 88.8% (95% CI: 0.82 - 0.96) and 100% (95% CI: 0.96 - 1.00) respectively for IIF. There was no statistical difference in the sensitivities (P= 0.289) or specificities (P= 1.000) between the two test methods.Conclusions Dsg1 ELISA is a simple, sensitive and specific serological detection method, and can serve as an adjunct in the diagnosis of PF.
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Objective:To investigate the effect of gemcitabine on myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) in the spleen of B lymphoma cell-bearing mice, and the therapeutic effect of gemcitabine combined with intratumoral injection of dendritic cells (DCs) in treatment of large B lymphoma. Methods: BALB/c mice were inoculated subcutaneously with B lymphoma A20 cells; large tumors were formed 30 d after inoculation. Gr-1~+ CD11b~+ MDSC proportion in the spleen was analyzed by flow cytometry before and after gemcitabine treatment. Splenic MDSC sorted by immunomagnetic beads was further treated with gemcitabine, and then the apoptosis of MDSC was examined by Annexin-V/PI staining. Tumor growth and survival time of A20 tumor-bearing mice were observed after treatment with gemcitabine and intratumoral injection of DCs. Results: Splenic Gr-1~+ CD11b~+ MDSC ratio in A20 cell-bearing mice was 10 times higher than that in the normal mice. Gemcitabine induced apoptosis and necrosis of purified MDSC in vitro in a time-dependent manner. The percentage of MDSC in the spleen of A20 tumor-bearing mice was decreased after injection of a single dose of gemcitabine. Gemcit-abine or intratumoral injection of DCs alone inhibited growth of tumor to a certain degree, with the mean survival periods of mice in the gemcitabine, DCs, and untreated groups being (48.8±3.6) d, (47.2±7.4) d, and (38.8±2.2) d, respectively. Gemcitabine chemotherapy combined with intratumoral DC injection resulted in continuous shrink of the tumors, and 60% of the mice survived for more than 90 d. Conclusion: Gemcitabine can effectively eliminate splenic MDSC in tumor-bearing mice. Gemcitabine chemotherapy and DCs immunotherapy can work synergistically in the treat-ment of huge lymphoma. These results provide an experimental basis for the comprehensive chemotherapy and immunotber-apy of relapsed or refractory lymphoma.
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Due to therapeutic regimens for patients with malignant lymphoma (ML) is currently unsatisfactory, it is important to develop new complementary therapies for longer disease-free survival. Dendritic cells (DC) are specialized antigen-presenting cells of immune system and vaccination with tumor antigen-pulsed DC has been applied to treat patients for ML. In this review, we summarize various types of ML-associated antigens and clinical trials on DC-based immunotherapy in ML, and discuss the development of DC immunotherapy for ML patients in future.
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Objective To study the role of cutaneous nerve and protease activated receptor 2 (PAR2)in the development of pruritus in atopic dermatitis(AD).Methods Dermal sheets were prepared from chronically pruritic skin lesions of 7 patients with AD,as well as from the normal skin of 7 healthy human controls.Double labeled immunofluorescence was performed using mouse anti-protein gene product 9.5(PGP9.5)monoclonal antibody and rabbit anti-substance P(SP)polyclonal antibody to observe the morphological changes in cutaneous nerve fibers,and Image-Pro Plus 6 software was used to semiquantitively assess the length,diameter of nerve fibers,integral optimal density of PAR2 and SP in dermal sheets.Results Immunofluoresence double staining showed that PAR2 co-expressed with PGP9.5 or SP in cutaneous nerve fibers.Compared with the normal control skin,both the total length and average diameter of PGP 9.5-expressing nerve fibers were increased(11051.8±1900.9 μm vs 7264.0±2659.9 μm,4.23±0.15 μm vs 3.95±0.15 μm,both P<0.01)in pruritic lesions,while only the average diameter of SP-expressing nerve fibers was up-regulated(3.99±0.20 μm vs 3.80±0.07 μm,P<0.05),and the total length of them remained unchanged(4304.7±1455.0 μm vs 3380.0±1735.4 μm,P>0.05).Also,increased integral optimal density was observed for SP and PAR in pruritic lesions in comparison with the normal control skin (27.71±16.52 vs 12.63±4.31.35.99±8.63 vs 22.69±9.56.both P<0.05).Conclusion Our results indicate a hyper-plasia of cutaneous nerve fibers in chronic itchv skin lesions of AD and an increase in the expression of PAR2 and SP in the cutaneous nerve fibers,suggesting that the signal enhancement in PAR2 pathway may be related to the mechanism of pruritus in patients with AD.
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A 57-year-old man was admitted to the hospital for a 7-year progressively spreading plaques involving the entire body surface, and multiple irregularly sized red nodules and infiltrated patches on the face, trunk and limbs. Histopathological examination showed pleomorphic tumor cells diffusely dis-persed throughout the dennis, giving an appearance of low proliferation. Some cells with cytoplasmic pro-cesses appeared multiangular in shape, lmmunohistochemically, tumor cells were negative for CDla or S-100, but positive for CD45, FXIIIa, CDl4, MHC- Ⅱ, CD68 and lysozyme with extracellular interstitial expression. Ultrastructurally, the cells exhibited cytoplasmic processes and irregularly sized nuclei; no Birbeck granules were observed. Vesicules of low electron-density were seen diffusely in cytoplasm and extracellular matrix. The case is herein diagnosed as cutaneous non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis, which presents with a chronically invasive clinical course. These cells may develop from immature dermal dendritic cells.
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Objective To analyze a population of cells on the right lower lateral of monocyte population in forward scatter/side scatter(FSC/SSC)(X-axis/Y-axis)scatterplot of peripheral blood leucocyte by flow cytometry(FCM)and its influencing factors.Methods The type of cells were identified based on cluster of differentiation antigen(CD)by FCM.The impact of temperature,hemolysin concentration,and incubation time was evaluated.Blood lipid tests were performed to observe the relation between them by statistical methods.Results (1) Phenotypo of this population of cells on the right lower lateral of monocytes in FSc/SSC scatterplot is CD+45 CD+13 CD+14 CD3- CD-19 ,which was the same as monocyte cells:(2)The monocytes in FSC/SSC scatterplot shifted to left side after using haemolysin;(3)The monocytes showed less resistance to antihemolysin in 37℃ than that in 220C:There were more monocytes shifting to left side with the increase of haemolysis time:(4)The swarming ratio of monocytes in patients (31.5%,40/126) Was higher than it in normal controls (5.1%,5/98)(x2=22.74,P<0.01);(5)The levels of total serum cholesterol(TC),triglyeride(TG),low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), apoprotein B100(Apo B100) in patients with swarming monocytes were lower than that in the patients without swarming monocytes,(P<0.05).There was no statistical significance between the two groups with respect to levels of total bilirubin(TBIL),albumin(Alb),hish density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),apoprotein A I(Apo A I),lipoprotein(Lpa).Conclusions Peripheral blood monocytes can be divided in two groups in FSC/SSC scatterplot when analyzed with FCM.The presence of this population of cell Was related to resistance to hemolysin.It can be influenced by haemolysis time and incubation temperature.Therefore,the effect of swarming monocytes and abnormal cell membrane should be taken into consideration when the markers and function of monocytes are detected by FCM.
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Objective To study the status of continued heroin/amphetamine abuse among MMT outpatients and related factors.Method Urine analysis was conducted for randomly sampled MMT outpatients,and the results were recorded and analyzed by considering the basic conditions of the tested subjects.Results Of the 179 sampled MMT outpatients,39.1%(70/179) admitted continuing to use drugs,of whom 16.2%(29/179) used heroin,18.4%(33/179) used ice,and 4.5%(8/179) used heroin and methamphetamine in combination;gender difference and regular methadone administration were two factors which were related to the continued drug abuse among them.There were no obvious differences between the outpatients who abused heroin and those who abused ice.Conclusion Serious attention should be given to multiple drug abuse among MMT outpatients and to the risk of new emerging drugs.
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Objective: To investgate the role of Toll-like receptor(TLR) 2 and TLR4 in pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis(AD) and the effect of topical tacrolimus ointment on expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in lesional AD skin.Methods: Immunohistochemistry was employed to study the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in normal skin and lesional AD skin before and after using topical tacrolimus ointment.Results: The basal keratinocytes in normal skin constitutively expressed TLR2 and TLR4. In contrast,lesional epidermis from 9 patients with acute AD overexpressed TLR2 and TLR4 on the whole epidermis keratinocytes with membranous and cytoplasmic staining pattern.After using topical tacrolimus ointment for three weeks,TLR2 and TLR4 were expressed on basal and suprabasal keratinocytes with membranous and cytoplasmic staining pattern.Conclusion: These data suggest that TLR2 and TLR4 expressed by epidermal keratinocytes constitute part of the innate immune system of the skin,and increased TLR2 and TLR4 expression may be related to the skin innate immuno-inflammatory response in atopic dermatitis.Topical tacrolimus may directly or indirectly inhibit or downregulate TLR2 and TLR4 expression in KC and inhibit skin innate immuno-inflammatory response related to TLR-NF?B signal transduction and regulation in atopic dermatitis.