Unbalanced Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Expression in Peripheral and Lesional T Cell Subsets of Atopic Dermatitis.

Background and Objective: The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor, which is involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD). In this study, we aimed to study the AhR-expressing cells in T helper 17 (Th17), T helper 22 (Th22), regulatory T cells (Treg) and B cells in peripheral blood and in AD skin lesions. Methods: Twenty AD patients defined according to the Chinese criteria of atopic dermatitis and eighteen healthy subjects were included in our study. The AhR-expressing Th17, Th22, Treg and total B cells in peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry. The AhR+ Th17 cells and AhR+ Th22 cells in AD skin lesions were measured by immunofluorescence. The mRNA of AhR, interleukin (IL)-22, IL-17A, IL-10, Foxp3, RORγT and TGF-ß in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: The expression of AhR in peripheral CD4+ T cells, Th22 cells, Treg cells and total B cells was significantly increased in AD. AhR+IL-17A+ and AhR+IL-22+ lymphocytes were also increased in AD skin lesions. The mRNA levels of AhR, IL-22 and IL-17A in PBMCs in AD patients were significantly higher. AhR mRNA levels in PBMCs positively correlated with peripheral basophil count, peripheral eosinophil count and mRNA levels of IL-22. Conclusion: AhR was highly expressed in subpopulations of CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood and skin lesions of AD, suggesting that AhR might contribute to the pathogenesis of AD.

Interaction mechanism of carotenoids and polyphenols in mango peels.

In this study, carotenoids and polyphenols were demonstrated to be the major active substances in the crude pigment extracts (CPE) of mango peels, accounting for 0.26 mg/g and 0.15 mg/g, respectively. The interactions between carotenoids and polyphenols in CPE was observed, as evidenced by that polyphenols significantly improved the antioxidant activity and storage stability of carotenoids in the CPE. Meanwhile, scanning electron microscopy showed that polyphenols are tightly bound to carotenoids. To further elucidate the interaction mechanism, the monomers of carotenoids and polyphenols were identified by HPLC and LC-MS analysis. Lutein (203.85 µg/g), ß-carotene (41.40 µg/g), zeaxanthin (4.20 µg/g) and α-carotene (1.50 µg/g) were authenticated as the primary monomers of carotenoids. Polyphenols were mainly consisted of gallic acid (95.10 µg/g), quercetin-3-ß-glucoside (29.10 µg/g), catechin (11.85 µg/g) and quercetin (11.55 µg/g). The interaction indexes between carotenoid and polyphenol monomer of CPE were calculated. The result indicated that lutein and gallic acid showed the greatest synergistic effect on the scavenging of DPPH and ABTS radical, suggesting the interaction between carotenoids and polyphenols in CPE was mainly caused by lutein and gallic acid. Molecular dynamics simulations and thermodynamic parameters analysis demonstrated that hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and van der Waals forces played dominant roles in the interaction between lutein and gallic acid, which was confirmed by Raman and X-ray diffraction. These results provided a new perspective on the interaction mechanism between carotenoids and polyphenols, which offered a novel strategy for the enhancement of the activities and stability of bioactive substances.

Congenital heart disease-associated pulmonary dysplasia and its underlying mechanisms.

Clinical observation indicates that exercise capacity, an important determinant of survival in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), is most decreased in children with reduced pulmonary blood flow (RPF). However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we obtained human RPF lung samples from children with tetralogy of Fallot as well as piglet and rat RPF lung samples from animals with pulmonary artery banding surgery. We observed impaired alveolarization and vascularization, the main characteristics of pulmonary dysplasia, in the lungs of RPF infants, piglets, and rats. RPF caused smaller lungs, cyanosis, and body weight loss in neonatal rats and reduced the number of alveolar type 2 cells. RNA sequencing demonstrated that RPF induced the downregulation of metabolism and migration, a key biological process of late alveolar development, and the upregulation of immune response, which was confirmed by flow cytometry and cytokine detection. In addition, the immunosuppressant cyclosporine A rescued pulmonary dysplasia and increased the expression of the Wnt signaling pathway, which is the driver of postnatal lung development. We concluded that RPF results in pulmonary dysplasia, which may account for the reduced exercise capacity of patients with CHD with RPF. The underlying mechanism is associated with immune response activation, and immunosuppressants have a therapeutic effect in CHD-associated pulmonary dysplasia.

A Comparison for Type 2 Cytokines and Lesional Inflammatory Infiltrations in Bullous Pemphigoid and Atopic Dermatitis.

Background: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) and atopic dermatitis (AD) are both type 2 inflammatory skin diseases with similar clinical features. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an epithelial-derived cytokine which is upregulated in AD. However, the expression of TSLP in BP and the correlation between TSLP and inflammatory infiltrations have not been fully studied. Objective: To characterize the serum Th2 cytokines level and Th2 inflammatory cell infiltrations in BP and AD. To study TSLP levels in serum, blister fluids and expression in lesional skin in patients with BP and AD. Methods: TSLP level in serum and blister fluids was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Inflammatory cells (CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, CD1a+ cells, eosinophils and mast cells) were stained immunohistochemically and quantified by image analysis. Results: TSLP level was significantly increased in blister fluids of BP and was highly expressed in lesional skin of BP and AD. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-4, IL-22, IFN-γ and thymic activation regulates chemokines (TARC) were significantly higher in patients with BP and AD than in healthy controls. CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and CD1a+ cells were significantly more in upper dermis of BP and AD lesions. Eosinophils were found more in BP lesions while mast cells were found more in AD lesions than in healthy controls. A distinct correlation was found between TSLP levels and the intensities of CD4+ T cells, CD1a+ cells infiltrations. Conclusion: TSLP was significantly higher in blister fluids and skin lesions of BP, suggesting that it might contribute to the pathogenesis of BP. BP exhibited a similar type 2 immune response and a slight difference in cells infiltrations with AD.

Ultrahigh Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Properties in BiFeO3-BaTiO3 Epitaxial Films Near Morphotropic Phase Boundary.

Ferroelectric solid solutions with composition near the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) have gained extensive attention recently due to their excellent ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties. Here, we have demonstrated a strategy to realize the controllable preparation of BiFeO3-BaTiO3 (BF-BT) epitaxial films near the MPB. A series of high-quality BF-BT films were fabricated by pulsed laser deposition via adjusting oxygen partial pressure (PO2) using a BF-BT ceramic target. A continuous transition from rhombohedral to tetragonal phase was observed upon increasing PO2. Particularly, the film with a pure tetragonal phase exhibited a large remnant polarization of ∼90.6 µC/cm2, while excellent piezoelectric performance with an ultrahigh strain (∼0.48%) was obtained in the film with coexisting rhombohedral and tetragonal phases. The excellent ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties endow the BF-BT system near the MPB with great application prospects in lead-free electronic devices.

New Onset of Severe Plaque Psoriasis Following COVID-19 Vaccination: A Case Report.

A case of new onset of severe plaque psoriasis following COVID-19 vaccination was reported. A 63-year-old woman presented with multiple plaques for 2 months after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccination. Dermatological examination revealed diffuse erythematous papules and plaques on trunk and limbs. Her lesions responded well to the treatment of secukinumab 150 mg per week. In this case, we presented the potential association between COVID-19 vaccination and the onset of psoriasis. It is essential to recognize the possible adverse events as vaccination against COVID-19 continues worldwide.

An Avascular Niche Created by Axitinib-Loaded PCL/Collagen Nanofibrous Membrane Stabilized Subcutaneous Chondrogenesis of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells.

Engineered cartilage derived from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) always fails to maintain the cartilaginous phenotype in the subcutaneous environment due to the ossification tendency. Vascular invasion is a prerequisite for endochondral ossification during the development of long bone. As an oral antitumor medicine, Inlyta (axitinib) possesses pronounced antiangiogenic activity, owing to the inactivation of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway. In this study, axitinib-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/collagen nanofibrous membranes are fabricated by electrospinning for the first time. Rabbit-derived MSCs-engineered cartilage is encapsulated in the axitinib-loaded nanofibrous membrane and subcutaneously implanted into nude mice. The sustained and localized release of axitinib successfully inhibits vascular invasion, stabilizes cartilaginous phenotype, and helps cartilage maturation. RNA sequence further reveals that axitinib creates an avascular, hypoxic, and low immune response niche. Timp1 is remarkably upregulated in this niche, which probably plays a functional role in inhibiting the activity of matrix metalloproteinases and stabilizing the engineered cartilage. This study provides a novel strategy for stable subcutaneous chondrogenesis of mesenchymal stromal cells, which is also suitable for other medical applications, such as arthritis treatment, local treatment of tumors, and regeneration of other avascular tissues (cornea and tendon).

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor expression in serum, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and skin lesions of patients with atopic dermatitis and its correlation with disease severity.

BACKGROUND: The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor, which is critically involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of skin diseases. The aim of this study was to detect AhR and its downstream regulators including cytochrome P450 (CYP1A1), AhR nuclear translocation (ARNT), and aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AhRR) in serum, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and skin lesions in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). METHODS: Twenty-nine AD patients defined according to the criteria of Hanifin and Rajka and Chinese criteria of AD were included. Subjects without allergic and chronic diseases were recruited as controls. Patients and controls were selected from the dermatology outpatient clinic of Peking University People's Hospital from August 1 to December 31 in 2018. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect serum AhR level. The mRNA of AhR, AhRR, ARNT, and CYP1A1 in PBMCs were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. AhR expression in skin lesions was measured by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: AhR was significantly higher expressed in serum (41.26 ±â€Š4.52 vs. 33.73 ±â€Š2.49 pmol/L, t = 6.507, P < 0.001) and skin lesions (0.191 ±â€Š0.041 vs. 0.087 ±â€Š0.017, t = 10.036, P < 0.001) of AD patients compared with those of controls. The mRNA levels of AhR (1.572 ±â€Š0.392 vs. 1.000 ±â€Š0.173, t = 6.819, P < 0.001), AhRR (2.402 ±â€Š1.716 vs. 1.000 ±â€Š0.788, t = 3.722, P < 0.001), CYP1A1 (2.258 ±â€Š1.598 vs. 1.000 ±â€Š0.796, t = 3.400, P = 0.002) in PBMCs of AD patients were higher compared with those of controls. The difference in mRNA levels of ARNT was not statistically significant between the patients and controls (1.383 ±â€Š0.842 vs. 1.000 ±â€Š0.586, t = 1.653, P = 0.105). AhR mRNA levels in PBMCs positively correlated with eczema area and severity index score and serum interleukin-6 levels. CONCLUSION: AhR and its downstream regulators were highly expressed in serum, PBMCs, and skin of AD patients, which might contribute to the pathogenesis of AD.

Penile pyoderma gangrenosum: Successful treatment with thalidomide.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare ulcerating inflammatory neutrophilic dermatosis. Different clinical manifestations have been described, including ulcerative, pustular and bullous, and vegetative variants. Classic PG usually occurs on the lower extremities (~70% of cases) but can also involve the hands, head, neck, and scrotum. Genital involvement of PG has rarely been reported. Treatment of the genital PG is usually difficult and resistance to conventional therapeutic regimens was frequently observed. The present authors reported a 16-year-old male patient who presented with progressive genital ulceration for 3 weeks. He was treated successfully low dose thalidomide (50 mg/d) and minocycline.

Effect of Femoral Resection on Coronal Overall Alignment after Conventional Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: A good postoperative alignment in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the key to achieving satisfactory results. We assessed the effect of femoral and tibial resection on the overall alignment after conventional TKA. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 212 primary TKAs in 188 patients. Intramedullary (IM)-guided resection was applied on the femoral side while extramedullary (EM)-guided resection was used on the tibial side. Using full-length X-ray, the preoperative femoral valgus angle and lower extremity alignment, as well as 2-week postoperative femoral and tibial prosthetic coronal alignment and overall lower extremity alignment, were measured. RESULTS: Postoperatively, good prosthetic alignment was achieved in 191 cases (90.1%) on the tibial side and in 144 cases (67.9%) on the femoral side (χ2 = 5.441, P = 0.02). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the effect of different alignment sides on the overall alignment in the coronal plane. Data were divided into five subgroups based on the valgus or varus status of the prostheses. The standardized regression coefficients of the femoral and tibial prosthetic alignment on the overall alignment were 0.666 and 0.414, respectively; in varus on both sides were 0.658 and 0.377, respectively; in valgus, 0.555 and 0.030; femoral side varus and tibial side valgus, 0.702 and 0.211; femoral side valgus and tibial side varus, -0.416 and 0.287. The study showed that the overall low extremity alignment was statistically influenced by the prosthetic alignment, except for the tibial prosthetic alignment when femoral prosthesis was in valgus (P = 0.153). CONCLUSIONS: In conventional TKA, tibial side EM-guided resection may offer satisfactory postoperative alignment, and femoral resection relying on IM guide may lead to more undesirable results. Postoperative coronal alignment is mainly affected by the femoral resection. Therefore, femoral side operation should receive adequate attention from the surgeons.

[Epidemiological characteristics and prevention strategies of viral hepatitis in Chongwen District of Beijing during 1997-2006].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the epidemiological features of viral hepatitis, and provide scientific evidence for developing strategies for prevention and control. METHODS: Through descriptive epidemiological methodology, the epidemiological characteristics of 1121 viral hepatitis cases in Chongwen District (1997-2006) were studied. chi2-test was used in ratio comparison. RESULTS: There were 1121 viral hepatitis cases occurring in the past decade, and the incidence rate was declining by year with the average of 27.10/ 100,000. Of which, the incidence rate of viral hepatitis B was the highest (13.90/ 100,000), viral hepatitis C (1.38/100,000) was the lowest. The proportion of viral hepatitis B was the highest (575, 51.29%) and viral hepatitis C (57, 5.08%) was the lowest. The incidence of viral hepatitis A, B and no-typing was declining year by year, while viral hepatitis C and E was climbing. Most viral hepatitis A and E cases occurred in Spring and Winter, and the difference of incidence rate between male and female was observed (chi2 = 188.39, P < 0.001). The findings also showed that viral hepatitis might occur in all kind of occupation, but most were workers (306, 27.3%) and officers (209, 18.64%). For the age distribution, 20 -49 years old group took the majority (749, 66.82%); and for the transmission route, blood transfusion (7.64/ 100,000) was significantly higher than fecal-oral route (3.02/ 100,000) (chi2 = 5.09, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: It is necessary to raise and increase the public awareness for viral hepatitis prevention and control, and enhance immunization. Moreover, effective measures should be taken to the safety of blood and blood products, and to prevent nosocomial infection.