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Recently, the 2019 novel coronavirus has rapidly spread throughout China. The medical staff at dermatology departments of some hospitals in Hubei province also participated in the fight against coronavirus disease 2019. However, many problems emerged during this period. Some medical staff at dermatology departments lacked abilities to deal with emergencies, self-protect, and to conduct surveys on skin diseases occurring in this period. In this article, the authors highlight common problems in and give advice on dermatology teaching about national public health emergencies to healthcare workers, undergraduate students, graduate students and senior residents, hoping that healthcare workers at dermatology departments will calmly deal with public health emergencies in the future.
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A 46-year-old male patient developed scatterred reddish-brown plaques and nodules on the back 6 years prior to the presentation. Then, the lesions gradually spread to the axillary fossa and protothorax, and became indurated with slight itching in winter. Laboratory examination revealed hypergammaglobulinemia. Computed tomography(CT)scan showed multiple nodular or patchy shadows in both lungs, lymphadenectasis in axillary, mediastinal and inguinal regions, and spleen enlargement. Histopathological examination of skin lesions showed granulomatous infiltrates with plenty of lymphocytes, histiocytes and mature plasma cells in the middle and lower dermis with the presence of lymphoid follicle-like structures, but no cell atypia was observed. Immunohistochemical study showed positive staining for CD38, CD138, CD79a, κ and λ light chains. According to clinical manifestations and laboratory examination results, the patient was diagnosed with cutaneous and systemic plasmacytosis.
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Objective To detect the expressions of nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptors tyrosine kinase A (TrkA) as well as p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) in the lesions of lichen planus.Methods Biopsy specimens were collected from the lesions of 32 patients with lichen planus and normal skin of 12 healthy human controls and subjected to paraffin embedding.Immunohistochemical avidin-biotin complex (ABC) method was used to detect the expressions of NGF,TrkA and p75NTR.Results NGF and TrkA,which were located in the cytoplasm of keratinocytes,were strongly or moderately expressed in the lesional skin specimens,but absent or weakly expressed in the normal skin specimens (both P ＜ 0.01).No significant differences were observed in the expression of p75NTR between the lesional and normal skin specimens,or in the expressions of NGF,TrkA or p75NTR among specimens from patients in different age groups,patients of different gender or lesions at different sites (all P ＞ 0.05).There was a positive correlation between the expression of NGF and TrkA in the lesions of lichen planus (R2 =0.535,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion NGF may play a certain role in the development of lichen planus via its highaffinity receptor TrkA.
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[Objective] To explore the role of endothelin-3 (ET-3) on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in a malignant melanoma cell line A375.[Methods] A375 cells were cultured in vitro and classified into 3 groups to be treated with ET-3 at 100 nmol/L (ET-3 group),co-cultured with ET-3 at 100 nmol/L and endothelin receptor B (ETRB) antagonist BQ788 at 100 μmo1/L (ETRB antagonist group),or to remain untreated (blank control group).After additional 24-hour culture,Transwell chamber assay was used to detect the invasive capability of A375 cells,real time-PCR to measure the mRNA expressions of Twist and Slug,and Western blot to determine the protein expression of E-cadherin,vimentin,Twist and Slug.The changes in the morphology of A375 cells were observed.Data were assessed by analysis of variance and Scheffe's method.[Results] In the Transwell assay,the number of A431 cells permeating through the basement membrane was 4.200 ± 0.837,9.400 ± 0.548 and 3.400 ± 0.894 respectively in the blank control group,ET-3 group and ETRB antagonist group (F =88.44,P ＜ 0.01 ),suggesting that ET-3 could promote the metastasis of A375 ceils,while BQ788 could block the promotive effect of ET-3.The epithelial-to-mesenehymal transition was obvious in cells treated with ET-3 alone,but was inapparent in cells treated with ET-3 and BQ788.The ET-3 at 100 nmol/Lsignificantly decreased the protein expression of E-cadhefin from 0.33 ± 0.002 (blank control group) to 0.28 ±0.007,but increased that of vimentin from 0.83 ± 0.014 (blank control group) to 1.16 ± 0.003,while BQ788upregulated the E-cadherin expression to 0.42 ± 0.008 and downregulated the vimentin expression to 0.75 ±0.030,and significant differences were observed in the E-cadherin expression and vimentin expression among the ET-3 group,ETRB antagonist group and blank control group (F =329.98,262.94,respectively,both P ＜ 0.01 ).A significant increase was observed in the mRNA and protein expression of Slug (F=376.94,288.87,both P＜ 0.01 )and Twist (F=215.62,156.96,P＜ 0.01 and 0.05) in A375 cells after treatment with ET-3.[Conclusion] ET3/ETRB axis may promote the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in A375 cells likely by regulating the expression of E-cadherin,vimentin and two important transcription factors Twist and Slug.
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An 18-year-old female presented with painful erythema and nodules on both legs for more than 2 years.Dermatological examination showed irregularly sized,mildly indurated,tender,deep subcutaneous nodules arising in diffused infiltrated dark erythematous patches in the inner and posterior region of the left leg.Histopathology showed no significant changes in the epidermis.There were perivascular lymphoid cell infiltrates in the dermis and subcutis.Multiple sites of necrosis of blood vessel walls with vascular occlusions were noted.The lumens of some blood vessels were filled with lymphocytes,among which were many atypical cells with hyperchromatic nuclei and pathologic mitotic figures.Immunohistochemistry showed that lymphocytes in the cavities of blood vessels were positive for CD3(+++),CD3ε(+++),CD2(+),CD56(+++),granzyme B(+++),perforin(+++),CD30(+),Ki67 (+++,100％ ),but negative for CD20,CD5,CD7,CD4,CD8,TdT,anaplastic lymphoma kinase,early membrane antigen (EMA) or pan cytokeratin (pCK).The endothelial cells lining the blood vessels stained positively for CD34.The intravascular lymphocytes were also positive for EBER1/2 by in situ hybridization.A diagnosis of cutaneous intravascular NK/T cell lymphoma was made.
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Objective To investigate the modulation of ET-3 on the nuclear factor (NF)-κB/Bfl-1 antiapoptotic pathway in a malignant melanoma cell line A375. Methods Flow cytometry was performed to detect the apoptosis in cultured A375 cells after treatment with ET-3 of 100 nmol/L for 24 hours. ET-3 of various concentrations (0, 1, 10, 100 nmol/L) was used to treat some A375 cells with or without the pretreatment with the ETRB antagonist BQ788; after another 24-hour culture, RT-PCR and Western blot were conducted to examine the mRNA expression of Bfl-1 and protein expressions of Bfl-1 and ETRB, respectively. Results The 24-hour treatment with ET-3 of 100 nmol/L significantly reduced the apoptosis rate of A375 cells (F = 10.68, P ＜0.05). The mRNA and protein expressions of Bfl-1 were up-regulated by ET-3 in a concentration dependent manner (both P ＜ 0.01 ), while BQ788 significantly blocked the ET-3-induced up-regulation (F = 420.38,229.49, both P ＜ 0.01 ). The protein expression of pNF-κB in A375 cells was also enhanced by ET-3 of different concentrations (all P ＜ 0.05), but the enhancement was suppressed by BQ788, and there was a significant difference in the protein expression of pNF-κB between cells treated with ET-3 of 100 nmol/L and those treated with the combination of ET-3 of 100 nmol/L and BQ788 (F = 255.46, P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusion ET-3/ETRB inhibits the apoptosis in A375 cells likely by activating the NF-κB/Bfl-1 anti-apoptotic pathway.
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A 20-year-old male patient presented with myalgia of upper limbs and myasthenia of extremities for more than 1 month. Physical examination showed diffuse erythema on the cheeks, upper eyelids, upper chest, neck and dorsa of the hands. The myodynamia of the proximal and distal muscles of upper and lower extremities was grade Ⅳ, Ⅴ, Ⅲ and Ⅴ respectively. Laboratory examinations revealed that the serum levels of creatine kinase, CK-MB and lactate dehydrogenase were 2103 U/L, 83 U/L and 489 U/L respectively, which were all above the normal range. Electromyogram revealed myopathic abnormality and normal nerve conduction velocity. Histopathology of gastrocnemius muscle showed hypertrophy and swelling of muscle fibers, disappearance or fuzziness of transverse striation, and intermuscular lymphoid cell infiltration. A biopsy of the skin lesion from the upper chest showed liquefaction degeneration of and colloid bodies in basal cell layer, perivascular lymphoid cell infiltration in the dermis. A diagnosis of dermatomyositis was established based on the clinical and laboratory findings. After management with intravenous prednisolone 80 mg once daily and symptomatic treatment for 4 weeks, the myodynamia of upper limbs was improved, serum levels of creatine kinase,CK-MB and lactate dehydrogenase reached the normal ranges. However, the myodynamia of lower limbs progressively deteriorated with the emergence of paresthesia. Enhanced MRI scan showed a tumor in the vertebral canal at the level of thoracic vertebra 11 to 12. A spherical encapsulated tumor measuring 3 cm in diameter was surgically removed. The tumor was diagnosed as paraganglioma in vertebral canal according to pathological and immunohistochemical findings. The patient was finally diagnosed with paraganglioma in vertebral canal superimposed on dermatomyositis.
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Objective To investigate the effects ofendothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin-3 (ET-3) on the expression of transformation growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) and phosphorylation of Smad 3 in malignant melanoma cell line, A375. Methods Cultured A375 cells were classified into 5 groups, i.e. control group (no stimulation), ET-1 group (stimulated with ET-1), ET-1+BQ123 group (treated with ET-1 and BQ123),ET-1 + BQ788 group (treated with ET-1 and BQ788), ET-3 group (stimulated with ET-3), to receive different stimulation. The working concentrations were 0, 0.1, 1, 10, 100 nmol/L for ET-1 and ET-3, 10 μmol/L for BQ123 and BQ788. After another 12- and 24-hour culture, ELISA, RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of TGF-β1 protein and mRNA as well as phosphorylated Smad 3 (P-Smad 3). Results The expression of TGF-β1 in A375 cells was up-regulated by ET-1, but down-regulated by ET-3, and both of the effects were in a concentration-dependent manner. Under the stimulation with ET-1 and ET-3 of 100 nmol/L, the level of TGF-β1 reached 1289.38 ± 89.42 ng/L per 105 cells and 85.09 ± 9.37 ng/L per 105 cells, respectively, significantly different from that in unstimulated cells (both P < 0.05). BQ123 signifi-cantly blocked the up-regnlatory effect of ET-1 on the expression TGF-β1 protein(P < 0.05), but BQ788 had no significant influence on the effect, so was the case with TGF-β1 mRNA. Western blot revealed that ET-1significantly elevated the expression of P-Smad 3 in A375 cells (P <0.05), and the elevation was significantly inhibited by BQ123, but not by BQ788. The expression of P-Smad 3 was statistically decreased by ET-3 in A375 cells (P <0.05). Conclusions The expression of TGF-β1 could be enhanced by ET-1, but suppressed by ET-3. It is likely that endothelin receptor A mediates the phosphorylation of Smad 3 induced by ET-1.
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In order to compare the clinical characteristics of familial and non-familial bullous lichen planus (BLP), the archival data of 36 BLP patients with positive family history and 21 BLP patients with negative family history diagnosed according to the clinical features and histopathology were collected in our department from 1956 to 2003. The clinical features were analyzed and compared. There were significant differences between familial and non-familial BLP in age of onset, duration of disease and extension of eruption (P＜0.01). It was concluded that familial BLP appeared to differ from the non-familial form in its earlier age of onset, longer duration of the disease, more extensive eruption and more tendency to involve nails. Hereditary factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of familial BLP.
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A site-directed mutant DNA fragment was synthesized and transfected into clinical Neisseria Gonorrhoeae (NG) stains to construct the transformants that contained the corresponding mutagenesis of regulation region of mtrR gene. According to the technique of gene splicing by over-lap extension (SOEing), a DNA segment with specific mutagenesis was constructed by two-step po-lymerase chain reaction (PCR). The mutation fragments EF could be used for the next experiment in which the mutation NG strains were induced. By comparing the recombinant EF fragments to the corresponding DNA fragments of clinical NG strains, 2 of these were not compatible completely. The results of sequencing revealed that there was a 9 bp deletion between the 45 to 54 inverted repeat se-quence localized within the mtrR promoter. It can be confirmed that the fragments EF are the specifi-cally designed mutant fragments.
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In order to investigate the expression of endothelin receptor B (ETR-B) in human ma-lignant melanoma (MM) cells A375 and SK-mel-1 and the proliferative effects of endothelin 3 (ET3) on A375 cells, RT-PCR was applied to detect the expression of ETR-B gene in human MM cells A375 and SK-mel-1. MTT method was used to evaluate the growth enhancing effects of ET3 on A375 cell line in vitro. The results showed that ETR-B gene was expressed in both MM A375 and SK-mel-1 cells. ET3 had stronger ability to enhance the proliferation of A375 cells in vitro in a con- centration-dependent manner. It was suggested that ET3/ETR-B might play an important proliferative role in MM.
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In order to investigate the expression of endothelin receptor B (ETR-B) in human malignant melanoma (MM) cells A375 and SK-mel-1 and the proliferative effects of endothelin 3 (ET3) on A375 cells, RT-PCR was applied to detect the expression of ETR-B gene in human MM cells A375 and SK-mel-1. MTT method was used to evaluate the growth enhancing effects of ET3 on A375 cell line in vitro. The results showed that ETR-B gene was expressed in both MM A375 and SK-mel-1 cells. ET3 had stronger ability to enhance the proliferation of A375 cells in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. It was suggested that ET3/ETR-B might play an important proliferative role in MM.
Subject(s)
Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Endothelin-3/pharmacology , Melanoma/metabolism , Melanoma/pathology , Receptor, Endothelin B/metabolism , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
A site-directed mutant DNA fragment was synthesized and transfected into clinical Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) stains to construct the transformants that contained the corresponding mutagenesis of regulation region of mtrR gene. According to the technique of gene splicing by overlap extension (SOEing), a DNA segment with specific mutagenesis was constructed by two-step polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The mutation fragments EF could be used for the next experiment in which the mutation NG strains were induced. By comparing the recombinant EF fragments to the corresponding DNA fragments of clinical NG strains, 2 of these were not compatible completely. The results of sequencing revealed that there was a 9 bp deletion between the 45 to 54 inverted repeat sequence localized within the mtrR promoter. It can be confirmed that the fragments EF are the specifically designed mutant fragments.
Subject(s)
Bacterial Proteins/genetics , DNA Fragmentation , DNA, Bacterial/genetics , Mutagenesis, Site-Directed , Neisseria gonorrhoeae/genetics , Neisseria gonorrhoeae/metabolism , Recombination, Genetic , Repressor Proteins/genetics , Sequence Deletion , Transfection , Transformation, BacterialABSTRACT
In order to compare the clinical characteristics of familial and non-familial bullous lichen planus (BLP), the archival data of 36 BLP patients with positive family history and 21 BLP patients with negative family history diagnosed according to the clinical features and histopathology were collected in our department from 1956 to 2003. The clinical features were analyzed and compared. There were significant differences between familial and non-familial BLP in age of onset, duration of disease and extension of eruption (P<0.01). It was concluded that familial BLP appeared to differ from the non-familial form in its earlier age of onset, longer duration of the disease, more extensive eruption and more tendency to involve nails. Hereditary factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of familial BLP.
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To study the relationship between mutation of the inverted repeat sequence (IR) in the multiple transferable resistant system (mtr) of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and its multiple antibiotic resistance, minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for the clinically isolated strains were tested by agar-dilution-method. The mtr system's IR gene of NG was sequenced after amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Either two susceptive or five penicillin-resistant strains had no base mutation in IR gene, while all of the 13 strains with multiple-antibiotic-resistance had a single-base deletion (A/T). The result suggests that a single-base deletion of the thirteen-base IR sequence in mtr system of NG might result in multiple antibiotic resistance but is not associated with single antibiotic resistance.
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To study the relationship between mutation of the inverted repeat sequence (IR) in the multiple transferable resistant system (mtr) of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and itsmultiple antibiotic resistance, minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for the clinically isolated strains were tested by agar-dilution-method. The mtr system's IR gene of NG was sequenced after amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Either two susce ptive or five penicillin-resistant strains had no base mutation in IR gene, while all of the 13 strains with multiple-antibiotic-resistance had a singlebase deletion (A/T). The result suggests that a single-base deletion of the thirteen-base IR sequence in mtr system of NG might result in multiple antibiotic resistance but is not associated with single antibiotic resistance.
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In order to provide a rational research basis for detection of resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to antimicrobial hydrophobic agents and study on the resistant mechanism of multiple transferable resistance (mtr) efflux system, plasmid pET-28a(+) encoding mtrC gene was constructed and the related target protein was expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) DE3. The fragments of mtrC gene of Neisseria gonorrhoeae from the standard strains were amplified and cloned into prokaryotic expression plasmid pET-28a(+) with restriction endonuclease to construct recombinant pET-mtrC which was verified by restriction endonuclease and DNA sequencing. The recombinant was transformed into E. coli DE3 to express the protein mtrC induced by IPTG. The results showed mtrC DNA fragment was proved correct through restriction endonuclease and DNA sequencing. Its sequence was 99.5 % homologus to that published on GeneBank (U14993). A 48.5 kD fusion protein which was induced by IPTG was detected by SDS-PAGE. It was concluded that the construction of prokaryotic expression plasmid of mtrC protein of Neisseria gonorrhoeae was correct and the fusion protein was successively expressed in E. coli.
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The ATP2C1 gene mutation in one case of familial benign chronic pemphigus was investigated.One patient was diagnosed as familial benign chronic pemphigus by pathology, ultrastructral examination and clinical features. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples. Mutation of ATP2C1 gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing. The results showed that deletion mutation was detected in ATP2C1 gene in this patient, which was 2374delTTTG. No mutation was found in the family members and normal individuals. It was concluded that the 2374delTTTG mutation in ATP2C1 gene was the specific mutation for the clinical phenotype for this patient and was a de novo mutation.
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The ATP2C1 gene mutation in one case of familial benign chronic pemphigus was investigated. One patient was diagnosed as familial benign chronic pemphigus by pathology, ultrastructral examination and clinical features. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples. Mutation of ATP2C1 gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing. The results showed that deletion mutation was detected in ATP2C1 gene in this patient, which was 2374delTTTG. No mutation was found in the family members and normal individuals. It was concluded that the 2374delTTTG mutation in ATP2C1 gene was the specific mutation for the clinical phenotype for this patient and was a de novo mutation.
Subject(s)
Calcium-Transporting ATPases/genetics , DNA Mutational Analysis , Pemphigus, Benign Familial/genetics , Sequence DeletionABSTRACT
In order to investigate the correlation between the expression of the apoptotic regulatory proteins (Fas, Bcl-2) in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLC) and the level of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in serum of the patients with condyloma acuminata (CA) in the immune pathogenesis of CA, indirect immunofluorescence labeling method of flow cytometer and solid sandwich ELISA method were performed for detecting the expression of Fas, Bcl-2 in PBLC and the level of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in serum of 60 cases of CA. The results showed the expression level of Fas in PBLC of CA was significantly higher than in the normal control group, but the expression level of Bcl-2 was significantly lower (both P<0.01). The level of IFN-gamma in serum of CA was significantly lower than in the normal control group (P<0.01), but IL-4 was significantly lower (both P<0.01). The expression of Fas in PBLC had a negative correlation with the level of IFN-gamma in serum of patients with CA, but had a positive correlation with the level of IL-4; The expression of Bcl-2 had a positive correlation with the level of IFN-gamma, but had a negative correlation with the level of IL-4. All the correlation coefficients had significant difference by t test (P<0.01). It was suggested abnormal apoptosis in PBLC, the suppressed secretion of the TH1-associated cytokines (eg: IFN-gamma) and the increased secretion of the TH2-associated cytokines (eg: IL-4) existed in the patients with CA and might play an important role in the immune pathogenesis of CA.