Retrospective analysis of 67 cases of neurosyphilis with abnormal mental behaviors as the initial symptom / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To analyze clinical characteristics of neurosyphilis patients with abnormal mental behaviors as the initial symptom, and to provide a reference for clinical classification of, as well as outcome prediction and efficacy monitoring in neurosyphilis.Methods:Clinical data were collected from 67 HIV-negative neurosyphilis patients with abnormal mental behaviors as the initial symptom in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from November 2012 to November 2019, and retrospectively analyzed. Statistical analysis was carried out by using t test. Results:Among the 67 patients, 52 (77.6%) were males, and 15 (22.4%) were females; there were 63 (94.0%) middle-aged and elderly patients and 4 (6.0%) adolescent patients; 38 (56.7%) patients were diagnosed with progressive general paresis, 21 (31.3%) with meningovascular neurosyphilis, 1 (1.5%) with meningeal neurosyphilis, 3 (4.5%) with tabes dorsalis, and 4 (6.0%) with mixed-type neurosyphilis. As laboratory examination showed, 67 patients all presented with positive serum rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test, serum Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) test, and cerebrospinal fluid TPPA test, 55 (82.1%) had positive cerebrospinal fluid RPR test, 47 (70.1%) had elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein levels of > 0.45 g/L, 50 (74.6%) had increased white blood cell counts of > 8 ×10 6/L in cerebrospinal fluids, and 28 (41.8%) had elevated IgG levels in cerebrospinal fluids. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed multiple ischemic foci in 21 (31.3%) cases, multiple leukodystrophy in 17 (25.4%) , cerebral atrophy in 15 (22.4%) , infarction in 8 (11.9%) , and encephalitis-like changes in 2 (3.0%) . Of the 67 patients, 48 were treated with penicillin in aqueous solutions, 15 with ceftriaxone, and 4 with doxycycline. Six months later, the follow-up showed that 46 (68.7%) patients responded to the treatment, and the early course of disease was significantly shorter in the highly responsive group than in the poorly responsive group ( P < 0.05) . Conclusion:The middle-aged and elderly males were predominant in the neurosyphilis patients with abnormal mental behaviors as the initial symptom, magnetic resonance imaging is helpful for clinical classification and prognosis prediction of neurosyphilis, and early and standardized antisyphilitic treatment can markedly improve the prognosis of patients.

Expression of serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in children with psoriasis and its pathogenic mechanisms / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective@#To explore the relationships of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) with severity of skin lesions in children with psoriasis and peripheral neutrophil count, and to evaluate in vitro effect of NGAL on expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-22 (IL-22) by a human immortalized keratinocyte cell line HaCaT.@*Methods@#From January 1st 2017 to December 31st 2018, 98 children who newly developed psoriasis were enrolled from Department of Dermatology of 6 hospitals in China, including 51 males and 47 females. Their age was 7.00 ± 2.99 years (range: 3-14 years) , and their course of disease was 7.4 ± 5.85 days (range: 3-28 days) . The serum level of NGAL was detected in all the patients before and two weeks after treatment, and the relationships of NGAL with psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores and peripheral neutrophil count were evaluated. Western blot analysis and reverse-transcription (RT) -PCR were performed to determine the protein and mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-22 in HaCaT cells, respectively, after 12-hour treatment with NGAL at concentrations of 0 (control group) , 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1 mg/L. Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS 16 software. by using t test and one-way analysis of variance.@*Results@#After 2-week treatment, the PASI score, neutrophil count and NGAL level in children with psoriasis significantly decreased (1.80 ± 1.19, [6.16 ± 0.76] × 109/L, 90.86 ± 0.75 μg/L, respectively) compared with those before the treatment (10.38 ± 3.42, [11.01 ± 2.85] × 109/L, 113.48 ± 21.26 μg/L, respectively; t = 31.42, 18.34, 16.37 respectively, all P < 0.001) . Before the treatment, the serum level of NGAL in the patients was positively correlated with the PASI score and peripheral neutrophil count (r = 0.918, 0.799 respectively, both P < 0.05) . The mRNA and protein expression of IL-22 in HaCaT cells significantly differed among these groups treated with different concentrations of NGAL (F = 176.31, 296.96 respectively, both P < 0.001) , so did the mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α (F = 193.28, 318.80 respectively, both P < 0.001) . Additionally, the protein and mRNA expression of IL-22 and TNF-α in HaCaT cells was significantly higher in the 0.125-, 0.25-, 0.5- and 1-mg/L NGAL group than in the control group (all P < 0.05) . The NGAL level was positively correlated with the protein and mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-22 in HaCaT cells (all P < 0.05) .@*Conclusions@#The serum level of NGAL was high in children with psoriasis, and positively correlated with severity of skin lesions and peripheral neutrophil count. NGAL can upregulate the expression of TNF-α and IL-22 in HaCaT cells in vitro.

Expression of serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in children with psoriasis and its pathogenic mechanisms / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To explore the relationships of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) with severity of skin lesions in children with psoriasis and peripheral neutrophil count,and to evaluate in vitro effect of NGAL on expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-22 (IL-22) by a human immortalized keratinocyte cell line HaCaT.Methods From January 1st 2017 to December 31st 2018,98 children who newly developed psoriasis were enrolled from Department of Dermatology of 6 hospitals in China,including 51 males and 47 females.Their age was 7.00 ± 2.99 years (range:3-14 years),and their course of disease was 7.4 ± 5.85 days (range:3-28 days).The serum level of NGAL was detected in all the patients before and two weeks after treatment,and the relationships of NGAL with psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores and peripheral neutrophil count were evaluated.Western blot analysis and reverse-transcription (RT)-PCR were performed to determine the protein and mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-22 in HaCaT cells,respectively,after 12-hour treatment with NGAL at concentrations of 0 (control group),0.125,0.25,0.5,1 mg/L.Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS 16 software.by using t test and one-way analysis of variance.Results After 2-week treatment,the PASI score,neutrophil count and NGAL level in children with psoriasis significantly decreased (1.80 ± 1.19,[6.16 ± 0.76] × 109/L,90.86 ± 0.75 μ g/L,respectively) compared with those before the treatment (10.38 ± 3.42,[11.01 ± 2.85] × 109/L,113.48 ± 21.26 μ g/L,respectively;t =31.42,18.34,16.37 respectively,all P ＜ 0.001).Before the treatment,the serum level of NGAL in the patients was positively correlated with the PASI score and peripheral neutrophil count (r =0.918,0.799 respectively,both P ＜ 0.05).The mRNA and protein expression of IL-22 in HaCaT cells significantly differed among these groups treated with different concentrations of NGAL (F =176.31,296.96 respectively,both P ＜ 0.001),so did the mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α (F =193.28,318.80 respectively,both P ＜ 0.001).Additionally,the protein and mRNA expression of IL-22 and TNF-α in HaCaT cells was significantly higher in the 0.125-,0.25-,0.5-and 1-mg/L NGAL group than in the control group (all P ＜ 0.05).The NGAL level was positively correlated with the protein and mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-22 in HaCaT cells (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The serum level of NGAL was high in children with psoriasis,and positively correlated with severity of skin lesions and peripheral neutrophil count.NGAL can upregnlate the expression of TNF-α and IL-22 in HaCaT cells in vitro.

A clinical and pathological analysis of 54 cases of erythema annulare centrifugum / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical, histopathological and immunopathological charac teristics of erythema annulare centrifugum (EAC). Methods A retrospective study was performed on 54 cases of EAC collected from 2001 to 2005. Information was gathered about patients' sex, age, disease course, distribution and morphology of eruptions, symptoms, complications. Also, the findings of histopathology and direct immunofluorescence examination in some patients were evaluated. Remits EAC most commonly occurred on the lower limb, and was usually complicated by various diseases among which mycosis predominated. Histological examination revealed compact lymphocyte infiltration in dermal vessels in 32 of these 54 patients. Direct immunofluorescence showed the deposition of IgG, lgM, or C3 on the walls of small vessels in 6 of 12 tissue samples tested. Conclusions EAC is a multifactorial disease, and it seems that the infiltration of lymphocytes and deposition of circulatory immune complex on small blood vessels in dermis may play important roles in its pathogenesis.

In vitro Effects of the Traditional Chinese Medicine,Berberine,Matrine and Baicalin,on the Proliferation and Lipid Synthesis of Immortalized Human Sebocyte SZ95 / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To determine the in vitro effects of the traditional Chinese medicines, berberine, matrine and baicalin, on the proliferation and lipid synthesis of human immortalized sebocyte SZ95, and to investigate their possible mechanisms of action on sebaceous glands at the cellular level. Methods Inverted microscopy was used to observe cell morphology and determine toxic concentrations of the compounds. The MTT method was adopted to examine the effects of different concentrations of berberine, matrine and baicalin on SZ95 cell proliferation after 24 h, 48 h and 72 h of incubation. Lipid contents in the SZ95 cells were labeled with Nile red and analyzed by flow cytometry. Results The toxic concentrations were 1?10-3 mol/L, 1?10-4 mol/L, 1?10-3 mol/L for baicalin, berberine and matrine, respectively. Berberine reduced sebocyte proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with an inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) of 2.9?10-5 mol/L and 1.4?10-5 mol/L after 48 h and 72 h of incubation, respectively. When the concentration of matrine was 0.05). Lipogenesis of SZ95 cells showed a 26.9% increase with 1?10-3 mol/L matrine. Conclusions Our results indicate that berberine and baicalin can inhibit proliferation and lipid synthesis of SZ95 sebocytes in vitro, which suggests a possible clinical role in treating acne.

Levels of sTNFR、 TNF? in Serum and PBMC Culture Medium Supernatants of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To study the levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor (sTNFR)、 tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF? ) in systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) patients and its clinical significance. Methods Double antibody sandwich ELISA was used to determine soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor typeⅠ (sTNFRⅠ )、 soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor typeⅡ (sTNFRⅡ ) and TNF? levels in patient serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cell(PBMC) culture supernatants. Other immunological tests were carried out simultaneously. Results① The serum sTNFRⅠ、 sTNFRⅡ、 TNF? sTNFRⅠ /TNF? and sTNFRⅡ /TNF? ratios were significantly higher in SLE patients than those in normal control group(P

The changes of hair growth with aging / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate the changes of hair growth with the increase of age and to develop a new practical method to evaluate the extent of aging. Methods After the approval of the ethnic committee, 96 healthy volunteers (44 males, 52 females, aged 30 ~ 78 years) were recruited into the study and divided into 4 groups based on the age: 30-group, 40-group, 50-group and 60-group. Macrophotographs were taken from the vertex. Hair density and percentages of black hairs were counted using Photoshop7.0 software. Ten hairs were randomly plucked from the specified scalp area,and the diameters of hair shaft and hair bulb were examined by a micrometer. The percentages of the follicles, based on their morphology, at different phases of the hair cycle, were counted. Results With the increase of age, the hair density, diameters of hair shaft as well as hair bulb, the percentages of anagen follicles and grey hairs all decreased, while the percentages of telogen follicles and white hairs increased, and significant difference was found between the 60-group and other 3 groups. In each group, the difference between males and females was found only in some parameters. The diameter of hair bulb positively correlated with that of hair shaft. Conclusion This study suggests that the parameters of hair growth could be used to help rating the extent of aging.

Effects of Cryptotanshinone and Tanshinone ? on Proliferation, Lipid Synthesis and Expression of Androgen Receptor mRNA in Human Sebocytes in vitro / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To study the effects of tanshinone on the cultured immortalized human sebocytes and explore the mechanism of action of tanshinone in the treatment of acne. Methods MTT assay was applied to determine the effects of cryptotanshinone and tanshinone Ⅱ? at different concentrations on the proliferation of SZ95 sebocytes in 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after incubation. Lipid contents labeled with Nile red in SZ95 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry technique, and the expression of androgen receptor (AR) mRNA of SZ95 cells were detected by RT-PCR. Results Both cryptotanshinone and tanshinoneⅡ? inhibited the proliferation of SZ95 cells in a dose- and time-dependent mode, with the 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) of 7.473 ?mol/L (in 48 h) and 2.146?mol/L (in 72 h) for cryptotanshinone and 6.021 ?mol/L (in 48 h) and 2.25 ?mol/L (in 72 h) for tanshinone Ⅱ?. Additionally, as compared with the control group, the lipid content of SZ95 cells exposed to tanshinone Ⅱ? at 0.125?mol/L was decreased in 48h (P

Berberine-induced Changes of Mitochondria Membrane Potential and Free Intracellular Calcium of HaCaT Cells / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To study the effects on berberine hydrochloride on the mitochondria membrane potential and free intracellular calcium of HaCaT cells, and elucidate the mechanism of action of berberine on keratinocytes. Methods Rhodamine-123 fluorescence (very sensitive to mitochondria membrane potential) and Fluo-3/AM fluorescence (suitabe to detect free intracellular calcium in single HaCaT cell) were measured by laser scanning confocal technique. Results Fluo-3/AM fluorescence intensity of HaCaT cells was persistently increased after treating with berberine at concentrations of 5 ? 10-5M, 2.5 ? 10-5M and 1.25 ? 10-5M, and significant differences were observed as compared with the PBS control. The intensity of rhodamine-123 fluorescence in HaCaT cells was decreased immediately when exposed to berberine, with significant difference from that of the PBS control. Conclusions It is suggested that berberine could increase free intracellular calcium and decrease mitochondria membrane potential of HaCaT cells, induce overload of intracellular calcium, influence energy metabolism, and then inhibit the proliferation of keratinocytes.