[Research value of 50 MHz high-frequency ultrasound on sonography of normal facial skin in adult].

Objective: To observe the differences in normal facial skin thickness and echo density by different ages and sites of healthy adults of the same sex using 50 MHz high-frequency ultrasound. Methods: From January to June 2019, 200 healthy adult volunteers with normal facial skin who were from Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, and Chongqing and met the inclusion criteria were recruited by the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University with simple random sampling method, and then were included in this cross-sectional investigation study. Then 50 MHz high-frequency ultrasound was used to obtain skin ultrasonogram of volunteers' forehead, canthus, eyelid, and cheek. According to the ages, 100 female volunteers were divided into 20-29 years old (30 females), 30-39 years old (25 females), 40-49 years old (20 females), and 50-70 years old (25 females) groups; 100 male volunteers were divided into 20-29 years old (30 males), 30-39 years old (25 males), 40-49 years old (20 males), and 50-70 years old (25 males) groups. The thickness of full-skin, the upper dermal echo density, and the lower dermal echo density of the female and male volunteers'forehead, canthus, eyelid, and cheek were recorded respectively. Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance, analysis of variance for repeated measurement, least significant difference test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: (1) The thickness of full-thickness skin in forehead, canthus, eyelid, and cheek of female and male volunteers in 20-29 years old group were (1.86±0.26), (1.36±0.11), (1.24±0.25), and (1.90±0.21) mm, (2.45±0.37), (1.64±0.19), (1.44±0.16), and (2.53±0.26) mm, respectively, in 30-39 years old group were (1.98±0.24), (1.43±0.13), (1.15±0.15), and (2.12±0.13) mm, (2.34±0.27), (1.63±0.27), (1.50±0.38), and (2.43±0.40) mm, respectively, in 40-49 years old group were (1.90±0.21), (1.43±0.18), (1.24±0.27), and (1.98±0.12) mm, (2.14±0.24), (1.54±0.25), (1.28±0.14), and (2.39±0.36) mm, respectively, in 50-70 years old group were (1.64±0.25), (1.36±0.19), (1.16±0.12), and (1.89±0.29) mm, (2.28±0.27), (1.73±0.25), (1.58±0.18), and (2.38±0.32) mm, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between female volunteers in the 4 groups and male volunteers in the 4 groups in thickness of full-thickness skin in canthus, eyelid, and cheek (F=0.677, 0.666, 0.136, 0.697, 0.294, 0.888, P>0.05). The thickness of full-thickness skin in forehead and cheek of the female volunteers in the 4 groups and male volunteers in the 4 groups was similar (P>0.05), and was significantly higher than that of canthus and eyelid (P<0.05). The thickness of full-thickness skin in canthus and eyelid of female volunteers in 20-29 years old, 40-49 years old, and 50-70 years old group was similar (P>0.05), while thickness of full-thickness skin in canthus and eyelid of male volunteers in the 4 groups was similar (P>0.05). (2) The upper dermal echo density of forehead, canthus, eyelid, and cheek of female volunteers in 50-70 years old group was significantly lower than that in 20-29 years old and 30-39 years old groups (P<0.05). The upper dermal echo density of forehead, canthus, eyelid, and cheek of male volunteers in 50-70 years old group was significantly lower than that in 20-29 years old group (P<0.05). The upper dermal echo density of forehead, canthus, eyelid, and cheek of female and male volunteers in 20-29 years old and 30-39 years old groups was similar (P>0.05). The upper dermal echo density of forehead and cheek of female volunteers in 20-29 years old, 40-49 years old, and 50-70 years old groups was significantly lower than that of canthus and eyelid (P<0.05). The echo density of upper dermis of cheek of male volunteers in the 4 groups was significantly lower than that of canthus and eyelid (P<0.05). The upper dermal echo density of canthus and eyelid of female volunteers in the 4 groups and male volunteers in the 4 groups was similar (P>0.05), the upper dermal echo density of forehead and cheek was similar (P>0.05). (3) The lower dermal echo density of forehead, canthus, eyelid, and cheek of female volunteers in 50-70 years old group was significantly higher than that in 20-29 years old and 30-39 years old groups (P<0.05). The lower dermal echo density of forehead, canthus, eyelid, and cheek of male volunteers in 50-70 years old group was significantly higher than that in 20-29 years old group (P<0.05). The echo density of the lower dermis of forehead, eyelid, and cheek of female and male volunteers in 20-29 years old, 30-39 years old, and 40-49 years old groups was similar (P>0.05). The lower dermal echo density of forehead and cheek of female volunteers in the 4 groups was significantly lower than that of canthus and eyelid (P<0.05). The lower dermal echo density of forehead and cheek of male volunteers in 30-39 years old, 40-49 years old, and 50-70 years old groups was significantly lower than that of canthus and eyelid (P<0.05). The lower dermal echo density between canthus and eyelid and between forehead and check of female volunteers in the 4 groups and male volunteers in the 4 groups was similar (P>0.05). Conclusions: The 50 MHz high-frequency ultrasonography shows that the thickness of full-thickness skin of canthus, eyelid, and cheek is similar in all age groups of female and male adult volunteers with normal facial skin. In the same age group, the thickness of full-thickness skin of forehead and cheek of male and female volunteers is significantly higher than that of canthus and eyelid. The upper dermal echo density of forehead, canthus, eyelid, and cheek of female and male volunteers shows a decreasing trend with age, while the lower dermal echo density shows an increasing trend with age. In addition, the echo density of upper and lower dermis of canthus and eyelid was significantly higher than that of cheek in all the four age groups.

[Clinical effectiveness of super pulsed carbon dioxide fractional laser debridement surgery in treating chronic wounds].

Objective: To investigate the clinical effectiveness of super pulsed carbon dioxide fractional laser debridement surgery on the treatment of chronic wounds. Methods: From December 2018 to May 2019, 37 patients with chronic wounds who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University for a prospective randomized controlled study. Using the random number table, the patients were divided into surgical debridement group (19 patients, 4 males and 15 females, aged (58±16) years, 25 wounds) and laser debridement group (18 patients, 9 males and 9 females, aged (58±10) years, 23 wounds). In patients of surgical debridement group, oedematous and aging granulation tissue was scraped from the wound by scalpel handle or curet, and the residual necrotic tissue was removed by sharp surgical instruments. In patients of laser debridement group, oedematous and aging granulation tissue and necrotic tissue was removed by super pulsed carbon dioxide fractional laser therapeutic machine, laser gasification debridement was performed repeatedly till fresh normal tissue layer observed. In patients of the two groups, according to the wound in the first 3 d after the first debridement, debridement dressing was performed twice at least as before, then wound debridement dressing was performed once every 1 to 4 days as before according to the wound conditions. The wound healing rates on 7, 14, 21, and 28 d after the first debridement were calculated. The positive rates of bacterial culture of wounds before and after the first debridement were calculated. The color and texture of the wound granulation tissue before the first debridement and on 7, 14, and 28 d after the first debridement were observed and scored. The pain scores before every debridement, during every debridement, and after every debridement dressing change were evaluated by visual analogue scale. The times of debridement dressing change were recorded. Data were statistically analyzed with two independent sample t test, analysis of variance for repeated measurement, Fisher's exact probability test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: (1) On 7, 14, 21, and 28 d after the first debridement, the wound healing rates of patients in laser debridement group (29.5% (24.1%, 36.0%), 47.1% (42.7%, 62.4%), 71.4% (62.2%, 76.8%), and 88.6% (79.2%, 96.3%) were significantly higher than those of surgical debridement group (1.6% (1.0%, 12.8%), 12.7% (2.0%, 16.6%), 24.5% (8.9%, 45.5%), 43.9% (23.2%, 70.8%), Z=3.477, 3.553, 2.721, 2.193, P<0.05 or P<0.01). (2) Before the first debridement, the positive rates of bacterial culture of wounds in patients of laser debridement group and surgical debridement group were 92% (23/25) and 91% (21/23), respectively, which were similar (P>0.05). After the first debridement, the positive rate of bacterial culture of wounds of patients in surgical debridement group was 64% (16/25), which was significantly higher than 13% (3/23) of laser debridement group (P<0.01). (3) On 7, 14, and 28 d after the first debridement, the scores of color and texture of wound granulation tissue of patients in laser debridement group were significantly higher than those of surgical debridement group (Z=3.420, 5.682, 6.142, 4.461, 5.337, 4.458, P<0.01). (4) The pain scores during every debridement and after every debridement dressing change in patients of laser debridement group were significantly lower than those of surgical debridement group (t=2.847, 5.046, P<0.05 or P<0.01). (5) The time of debridement dressing change in laser debridement group was 8.0 (7.0, 10.0) times, which was significantly less than 10.0 (9.5, 12.5) times in surgical debridement group (Z=2.261, P<0.05). Conclusions: Compared with traditional surgical debridement method, super pulsed carbon dioxide fractional laser debridement surgery is more effective in treating patients with chronic wounds. Laser debridement makes the wound healing more efficiently with reduced pain and better infection control; significantly reduces the number of dressing changes, and is especially suitable for the wound treatment in outpatients.

[Role of autophagy in acute liver failure induced by D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide in mice].

Objective: To investigate the expression and role of autophagy in the progression of acute liver failure (ALF) using the mouse model of ALF induced by D-galactosamine/LPS (D-GalN/LPS). Methods: The C57BL/6 mice were used, and intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine (D-GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was performed to establish the mouse model of ALF. The mice were divided into control group and 2-, 4-, and 6-hour D-GalN/LPS-induced ALF model groups. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured to assess liver function, and the pathological changes in liver tissue were observed to evaluate the status of liver injury. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the expression of autophagy-related genes, Western blot was used to measure the expression of autophagy-related proteins in liver tissue, and a fluorescence microscope was used to observe the expression of autophagosome in the progression of liver failure. A one-way ANOVA was used for comparison of means of multiple samples between any two groups (LSD-t test for data with homogeneity of variance and Games-Howell method for data with heterogeneity of variance).P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The ALF model groups showed gradual liver impairment over the time of D-GalN/LPS stimulation. There were significant increases in ALT and AST after 4 hours; the pathological injury of liver tissue gradually aggravated over the time of D-GalN/LPS stimulation and fulfilled the criteria for ALF at 6 hours. The mRNA and protein expression of autophagy-related genes (ATG-7, ATG-5, Beclin-1, Lamp-1, and LC3a) increased in the early and medium stages of ALF (2 and 4 hours) and decreased after ALF progressed to liver failure (6 hours). As was observed via the fluorescence microscope, the 4-hour D-GalN/LPS-induced ALF model group showed the highest expression of autophagosome. Conclusion: The expression of autophagy gradually increases in the early and medium stages of ALF and decreases when ALF progresses to liver failure. Therefore, autophagy plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ALF.

Compound C induces the ramification of murine microglia in an AMPK-independent and small rhogtpase-dependent manner.

Microglial cells are the pivotal immune cells of the central nervous system. Adult microglia cells under physiological conditions are in a ramification state with extensively branched processes. Upon disease stimulation, they retract their processes and become activated. Induction of ramification is an attracting strategy to terminate the excessive activation of microglia. Here, we investigated the influence of compound C (CC) on microglial shape. Results showed that CC reversibly induced a ramification of murine microglia in both basal and inflammatory conditions. These pro-ramification effects were independent of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibition as both AMPKα1 and AMPKα2 silence failed to induce microglial ramification. The ramification state of microglia induced by CC was associated with a decrease in pro-inflammatory factors and an increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) protein and phagocytic activity. Mechanistic studies confirmed that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (Akt) signal, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) or small RhoGTPase activation mediated the effect of CC on microglial shape change based on the following observations: (i) CC induced a significant activation of the small RhoGTPase Rac1 and Cdc42; (ii) CC promoted the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt; (iii) inhibition of Rac1, Cdc42, ERK1/2, or the PI3K-Akt signal abolished the effect of CC on microglial shape change. These signal mechanisms were also ascertained in primary microglia. Our results explore a potential agent that promotes microglial ramification, and provide an alternative explanation for the neuroprotective effects of CC in various disease models such as brain ischemia and subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Prophylactic thyroidectomy for MEN 2-related medullary thyroid carcinoma based on predictive testing for RET proto-oncogene mutation and basal serum calcitonin in China.

INTRODUCTION: Early and normative surgery is the only curative method for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2)-related medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). AIMS: To study the timing of prophylactic total thyroidectomy (TT) for MEN 2-related MTC with different RET mutations in a Chinese population, and to compare the sensitivity and accuracy of fully-automated chemiluminescence immunoassay (FACLIA) and radioimmunoassay (RIA) for serum calcitonin (Ct). METHODS: We collected 24 asymptomatic individuals from 8 unrelated Chinese families with MEN 2, and analyzed RET mutation and Ct levels. Then we performed TT on 17 of the 24 individuals, including TT (2/17), TT with bilateral level VI lymph-node dissection (B-LND(VI); 12/17) and TT with B-LND(VI) + modified unilateral/bilateral/local neck dissection (3/17). RESULTS: Histopathology revealed bilateral/unilateral MTC in 15/17 (88.2%; median diameter, 1.0 cm) and bilateral C-cell hyperplasia in 2/17 (11.8%; p.V292M/R67H/R982C and p.C618Y). Lymph-node metastasis/fibro-adipose tissue invasion (p.C634R) or solely fibro-adipose tissue invasion (p.C634Y) were found in 2/17 (11.8%). Elevated pre-surgical Ct (pre-Ct) was identified by FACLIA in 17/17 (median age, 24.0), while pre-Ct by RIA was found in only 6/15 (P < 0.001). The median follow-up was 22.0 months, during which 16/17 had no abnormality (one p.C634R individual had elevated Ct), and another 7 carriers still had consistently undetectable Ct by FACLIA. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the importance and feasibility of individualized prophylactic TT for MEN 2-related MTC, based on predictive integrated screening of RET and pre-Ct levels. Besides, we recommend FACLIA to measure Ct for earlier diagnosis, treatment and follow-up monitoring of MTC.

Studies on treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia with arsenic trioxide: remission induction, follow-up, and molecular monitoring in 11 newly diagnosed and 47 relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia patients.

Fifty-eight acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients (11 newly diagnosed and 47 relapsed) were studied for arsenic trioxide (As2O3) treatment. Clinical complete remission (CR) was obtained in 8 of 11 (72.7%) newly diagnosed cases. However, As2O3 treatment resulted in hepatic toxicity in 7 cases including 2 deaths, in contrast to the mild liver dysfunction in one third of the relapsed patients. Forty of forty-seven (85.1%) relapsed patients achieved CR. Two of three nonresponders showed clonal evolution at relapse, with disappearance of t(15;17) and PML-RARalpha fusion gene in 1 and shift to a dominant AML-1-ETO population in another, suggesting a correlation between PML-RARalpha expression and therapeutic response. In a follow-up of 33 relapsed cases over 7 to 48 months, the estimated disease-free survival (DFS) rates for 1 and 2 years were 63.6% and 41.6%, respectively, and the actual median DFS was 17 months. Patients with white blood cell (WBC) count below 10 x 10(9)/L at relapse had better survival than those with WBC count over 10 x 10(9)/L (P =.038). The duration of As2O3-induced CR was related to postremission therapy, because there was only 2 of 11 relapses in patients treated with As2O3 combined with chemotherapy, compared with 12 of 18 relapses with As2O3 alone (P =.01). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis in both newly diagnosed and relapsed groups showed long-term use of As2O3 could lead to a molecular remission in some patients. We thus recommend that ATRA be used as first choice for remission induction in newly diagnosed APL cases, whereas As2O3 can be either used as a rescue for relapsed cases or included into multidrug consolidation/maintenance clinical trials.

[The effect of glutamine on cholestasis caused by total parenteral nutrition].

Glutamine is a tissue specific nutrient but not contained in standard TPN solution. To evaluate the effect of L-glutamine on TPN-induced cholestasis, 40 female Wistar rats were divided randomly into control or experimental groups. The rats were further subgrouped according to the days of observation and all received isocaloric (1008kJ.kg-1 x d-1) and isonitrogenous (1.22g.kg-1 x d-1) TPN support. 1% L-glutamine was given to the experimental group. Serum total bilirubin, albumin, lipoprotein X, r-GT, AKP and TG were determined on the day before study and 6th or 10th day after TPN. Before sacrifice, liver biopsies were taken for both light and electronic microscopic examinations, and the specimen of small intestine token for histologic evaluation. The results showed that the addition of glutamine to TPN solution can remarkably decrease the incidence, or ameliorate TPN induced cholestasis, and prevent small intestinal mucosal atrophy.