Danggui Sini decoction treatment of refractory allergic cutaneous vasculitis: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Allergic cutaneous vasculitis (ACV) is a difficult disease to treat. At present, there is no effective treatment for this condition. Traditionally, immunosuppressants and hormones have been primarily used in its management, but the treatment effect is suboptimal, and it has several side effects. CASE SUMMARY: We present the case of a 19-year-old woman who presented at our hospital with a four-year history of symmetric skin lesions mainly affecting her lower extremities. She had previously undergone treatment with prednisolone acetate, cetirizine hydrochloride, and loratadine tablets but had not experienced any relief in her condition. Thereafter, she was treated with oral traditional Chinese medicine. Her skin damage gradually improved within two months of treatment initiation. After six months, the skin ulcers had completely subsided. No evidence of skin ulcer recurrence was observed during the subsequent follow-up. This report presents the first case of a female patient who received oral Danggui Sini decoction for the treatment of ACV. CONCLUSION: Danggui Sini decoction may be a promising oral treatment for ACV patients.

[Study of the Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots as the phosphorescence probes to detect the micro-quantity Hg2+].

In the present paper, the Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots were synthesized in water, and the MPA was used as the stabilizer. Utilizing the strong quenching effect of Hg2+ to the phosphorescence of the ZnS: Mn quantum dots, the method to detect micro-quantity Hg2+ in water was established by using the quantum dots as the phosphorescence probes. Compared to the fluorescence methods, the phosphorescence has longer lifetime and higher selectivity, and avoids the interference of the fluorescence and the scattering light. The result showed that under the optimum conditions, the relationship between the deltaP/P and Hg2 concentration was linearity which was ruled by the Stern-Volmer equation while the Hg2+ concentration was between 1.0 x 10(-5) and 1.0 x 10(-3) mol x L(-1), and the linear correlation coefficient was 0.998 8. The recovery of the method was between 85.2% and 106.1%, the RSD was 3.46%, and the detection limit was 9.7 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1). The mechanism of quenching of phosphorescence was discussed. The interferences of some metal ions could be effectively eliminated by adding appropriate masking agents in the solution.

[Clinical and pathological features in children with progressive muscular dystrophy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and pathological features of progressive muscular dystrophy (PMD) in children and to provide help for the early and accurate diagnosis of PMD. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 99 hospitalized children with PMD, including clinical manifestations, age of onset, family history, creatase, electromyogram (EMG) and pathological changes of muscles. RESULTS: Of the 99 children with PMD, the age of onset was 0.5-14.5 (4.7 ± 3.1) years. Eleven cases (11%) had a family history of PMD. Twenty-six (26%) were misdiagnosed as other diseases. All patients presented with muscle weakness when seeing the doctor, and 66 (67%) of them had muscle atrophy and/or hypertrophy. All patients had elevated creatine kinase (CK) levels. The 2-7-year-old group (n=51) had a mean CK level of 9965 ± 8876 U/L, and the 7-15-year-old group (n=48) had a mean CK level of 5110 ± 4498 U/L, with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01). The EMG examination performed on 66 patients showed that 54 cases (82%) had myogenic damage and 10 cases (15%) had neurogenic damage. Light microscopy revealed coexistence of atrophy and hypertrophy of muscle fibers, hyaline degeneration and granular degeneration. Electron microscopy showed that muscle fibers were different in thickness, some atrophic or hypertrophic; muscle cell nuclei moved inwardly, myofilaments dissolved and disappeared mildly under the sarcolemma, there were scattered melting lesions within muscle fibers, the numbers of glycogen granules and mitochondria increased, mild hyperplasia and expansion of sarcoplasmic reticulum were seen, and a small number of muscle fibers had necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Weakness of both lower extremities remains the main reason for PMD patients seeing the doctor. CK is the main laboratory indicator for diagnosis of PMD. PMD is mainly manifested as myogenic damage in the early stage and may be accompanied by neurogenic damage in the late stage, according to the EMG examination. With a high misdiagnosis rate, PMD may be misdiagnosed as many other diseases. Pathological examination under light microscope and electron microscope is the main means for confirming a PMD diagnosis.

[Study of CdTe quantum dots as fluorescence probe to detect trace amount of Pb2+].

The surface modified quantum dots (QDs) as fluorescence probe to quantitatively detect the Pb2+ in water phase was studied in the paper. Using the mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) as the stabilizer, the CdTe quantum dots were synthesized in water phase. Based on the quenching effect of the Pb2+ on the QDs fluorescence, the method for detecting trace Pb2+ using QDs as probe was established. The results showed that the relationship between the Pb2+ concentration and the quenching intensity of the QDs (Delta F) while the Pb2+ concentration ranged from 1.0 x 10(-8) to 1.0 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1) was fairly linear, and the correlation coefficient was 0.997 2. The detection limit was 9.3 x 10(-10) mol x L(-1). The RSD was 5.9%, and the recovery rate was between 86% and 110%. The study of the interference of the metal ions showed that the method was highly selective.

[Clinical significance of skin prick test for inhalant allergens in 3085 children with allergic diseases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the main inhalant allergens and their distribution patterns in children with allergic diseases from Xi'an and the surrounding area and to provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases in children. METHODS: Skin prick test was performed using liquid with 13 standardized allergens (ALK-ABELL, Denmark) on 3085 children from Xi'an and the surrounding area who were treated for allergic diseases between July 2006 and July 2011, to detect inhalant allergens. RESULTS: Of the 3085 patients, 1368 (44.34%) had positive SPT results, with the most prevalent inhalant allergen being Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (804 cases, 26.06%), followed by Dermatophagoides farinae (793 cases, 25.71%), Blomia tropicalis (440 cases, 14.26%), mugwort (282 cases, 9.14%), and cat hair (204 cases, 6.61%). The positive rates were 28.66% in the <4 years group, 41.85% in the 4-6 years group, and 58.61% in the 7-15 years group (P<0.01). Males had a significantly higher SPT positive rate than females (47.78% vs 38.50%；P<0.05). The SPT positive rate was highest in children with allergic rhinitis (72.41%), followed by bronchial asthma (62-25%), allergic dermatosis (45.83%), and allergic purpura (36.28%). CONCLUSIONS: In children from Xi'an and the surrounding area, the main inhalant allergens for allergic diseases include Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, Blomia tropicalis, mugwort and cat hair. The SPT positive rate increases with age. Male children have a higher SPT positive rate than female children. The SPT positive rate is highest in children with allergic rhinitis.

[Fusion expression of human beta defensin 4 in Escherichia coli and preparation of its polyclonal antibody].

AIM: To construct the prokaryotic fusion expression vector of human beta defensin 4 (HBD4), and to express GST-HBD4 fusion protein in Escherichia coli (E.coli) and prepare polyclonal antibody of GST-HBD4. METHODS: The gene encoding mature peptide of HBD4 (mHBD4) was amplified by PCR from cloning vector PMD18-T/HBD4 which contained the full-length HBD4 cDNA and then cloned into prokaryotic expression vector PGEX-4T-2 to construct PGEX-4T-2/mHBD4. GST-HBD4 expression was induced by IPTG. The antiserum was prepared by immunizing rabbit with GST-HBD4.The titer and specificity of the antibody were detected by ELISA and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: The recombinant expression vector PGEX-4T-2/mHBD4 was successfully constructed. After being induced by IPTG, The fusion protein with relative molecular mass of 32 000 was successfully expressed in E.coli and partly expressed in the soluble form in supernatant. The rabbit antibody against GST-HBD4 was obtained. The ELISA titer of antiserum against GST-HBD4 was about 1:128 000. Western blot analysis showed that the antiserum could bind to the expressed GST-HBD4 specifically. CONCLUSION: The rabbit antibody against GST-HBD4 has been successfully prepared, which lays the foundation for further studying the structure and function of HBD4.

[Synthesis and characterization of octa-carboxylic phthalocyanine aluminum and its interaction with bovine serum albumin].

Octa-carboxylic phthalocyanine aluminium (AlPc(COOH)8) was used as fluorescent probe of infrared region. The interaction of octa-carboxylic phthalocyanine aluminium (AlPc(COOH)s) and bovine serum albumin(BSA) was studied by UV/ Vis and fluorescence spectra methods. The binding constant KA and n of phthalocyanine aluminium with BSA were determined. The results were K=5. 74 X 10(5) , n= 5. 7 and K= 3. 51 X 10(5) , for these two methods respectively. The same results by using two different analytical methods were obtained. Besides, hemin chloride(HE), ibuprofen(IB) and L-tryptophan(TRP) were used as probes, and the effects of these probes on the spectra of AlPc(COOH)8 )-BSA were studied by competitive binding method. The result indicated that, by adding HE into the AlPc(COOH)8)-BSA system, obvious spectral change of the system was observed, while adding TRP and IB caused no spectral changes. The binding site of octa-carboxylic phthalocyanine aluminium on the BSA was found to be at the I site by competitive binding method.

[The study on reversing mechanism of multidrug resistance of K562/A02 cell line by curcumin and erythromycin].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of curcumin (Cur) and erythromycin (EM) on multidrug resistance (MDR) reversal of K562/A02 cell line and their mechanism. METHODS: MTT assay was employed to determine the sensitivity of Cur, EM-treated K562/A02 cells to adriamycin (ADM). Flow cytometry was used to measure intracellular mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of daunorubicin (DNR). P-gp expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. RT-PCR technique was used to examine the mdr1 mRNA level. RESULTS: IC(50) of ADM in K562/A02 cells was decreased when treated with Cur or EM, and the reversal times (RvT) was 4.9, 3.7 respectively. The RvT reached to 11.3 when treated with Cur (2.5 microg/ml) combined with EM (120 microg/ml). The DNR MFI in K562/A02 cells was significantly lower than that in K562 cells (P < 0.01), and was increased significantly when treated with Cur (2.5 microg/ml) or EM (120 microg/ml) (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between DNR MFI of K562/A02 cells treated with Cur (2.5 microg/ml) or EM (120 microg/ml). Immunohistochemistry showed that P-gp expression was significantly higher in K562/A02 cells than in K562 cells (P < 0.01), and was reduced in K562/A02 cells treated with each (P < 0.01), though being still higher than that in K562 cells (P < 0.01). P-gp expression of K562/A02 cells treated with each drug for 5 days were lower than that for 3 days (P < 0.01), and lowered further when treated with Cur and EM together (P < 0.01). Mdr1 mRNA level in K562/A02 cells was higher than in K562 cells (P < 0.01), and was decreased when treated with each of the drugs (P < 0.01). The mdr1 mRNA level of K562/A02 cells treated with Cur (2.5 microg/ml) plus EM (120 microg/ml) was decreased most significantly than that treated with other group of drugs. After 5 day treatment the mdr1 mRNA level of K562/A02 cells with Cur (2.5 microg/ml) was lower than that with EM 120 microg/ml (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Either Cur or EM can partly reverse the multidrug resistance of K562/A02 cells and decrease the expression and function of P-gp in a time-dependent way. MDR reversing effect of Cur combined with EM is stronger than that of Cur or EM alone.

[Study of NMDAR expression in hippocampal CA(1) region in neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemia].

AIM: To study the expressions of NMDAR in hippocampal CA(1) region after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBD) in neonatal rats. METHODS: An neonatal rat model with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage was set up. The expression of NMDAR was detected in normal control and hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain damage group by immunohistochemical staining and in situs hybridization. RESULTS: The number of NR1(+) and NR1 mRNA(+) cells decreased slightly in hippocampal CA(1) region at 2 h after HI. The numbers increased from 24 h to 48 h after HI, and reached maximum at 72 h after HI. CONCLUSION: NR1 expressed in hippocampal CA(1) region of normal neonatal rats, and the expression is up-regulated after HI brain injury.

[Genetic diversity of human Parvovirus B19 VP1 unique region].

OBJECTIVE: Human Parvovirus B19 (HPV B19) is a small (23 nm), non-enveloped DNA virus found in 1974. It has been proved that HPV B19 is associated with a variety of childhood diseases, such as erythema infectious, transient aplastic crisis, aplastic anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and arthropathy, etc. There have been no any effective vaccines to prevent HPV B19 infection so far. The HPV B19 genome is composed of 5.6 kb single strand DNA. This genome encodes a nonstructural protein NS1, two structural proteins VP1 and VP2. Most neutralizing linear epitopes of HPV B19 cluster in the VP1 unique and VP1-VP2 junction regions. Only proteins encoded by genes of the VP1 unique and VP1-VP2 junction regions can stimulate bodies to produce protective antibodies. Aim of the present study was to get the VP1 unique region gene of HPV B19 and to analyze the genetic diversity so as to further study its function and application. METHODS: The VP1 unique region gene of HPV B19 was amplified from the serum of a child with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura by PCR. The purified PCR product was cloned into pGEM-T easy vector and transfected into the host strain E. coli (DH5 alpha). Positive clones were chosen and then the target gene was sequenced. RESULTS: The target gene sequence of HPV B19 VP1 unique region was amplified and cloned successfully. It had 705 nucleotides. Compared with the relevant sequences published in Genbank, the sequencing results were revealed with two nucleotides changes in the HPV B19 VP1 unique region, but their coding amino acid were not changed. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that genetic diversity exists in the VP1 unique region of HPV B19. Construction of the recombinant plasmid of HPV B19 VP1 unique region gene might benefit to further study.