Association of microbiota with hair and scalp diseases / 中华皮肤科杂志

Skin microbiota is associated with various skin diseases. Scalp hair follicles penetrate deeply into the skin, and carry complex microbial communities distinct from those on the skin surface. Local imbalance of microbial communities may impair the skin barrier function, leading to a variety of hair and scalp diseases. This review discusses changes in microbial diversity and colonization by specific microorganisms in various hair diseases, including dandruff, folliculitis decalvans, etc., and provides new ideas for exploring the pathogenesis of and therapeutic strategies for various hair and scalp diseases.

Hair Growth Promoting Effects of 650 nm Red Light Stimulation on Human Hair Follicles and Study of Its Mechanisms via RNA Sequencing Transcriptome Analysis

Background@#Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) leads to thinning of scalp hair and affects 60%~70% of the adult population worldwide. Developing more effective treatments and studying its mechanism are of great significance. Previous clinical studies have revealed that hair growth is stimulated by 650-nm red light. @*Objective@#This study aimed to explore the effect and mechanism of 650-nm red light on the treatment of AGA by using ex vivo hair follicle culture. @*Methods@#Human hair follicles were obtained from hair transplant patients with AGA. Hair follicles were cultured in Williams E medium and treated with or without 650-nm red light.Real-time RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect the expression level of genes and proteins in hair follicles, respectively. RNA-sequencing analysis was carried out to reveal the distinct gene signatures upon 650 nm treatment. @*Results@#Low-level 650 nm red light promoted the proliferation of human hair follicles in the experimental cultured-tissue model. Consistently, 650 nm red light significantly delayed the transition of hair cycle from anagen to catagen in vitro. RNA-seq analysis and gene clustering for the differentially expressed genes suggests that leukocyte transendothelial migration, metabolism, adherens junction and other biological process maybe involved in stimulation of hair follicles by 650-nm red light treatment. @*Conclusion@#The effect of 650-nm red light on ex vivo hair follicles and the transcriptome set which implicates the role of red light in promoting hair growth and reversing of miniaturization process of AGA were identified.

Expression of pituitary tumor-transforming gene-1 and its pathogenic role in systemic sclerosis / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the expression of tumor-transforming gene-1 (PTTG1) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and its role in fibrosis.@*METHODS@#Skin biopsy samples were collected from 21 patients with SSc and 22 patients with healthy skin for detecting the mRNA and protein expressions of PTTG1 using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry, respectively. In cultured primary human dermal fibroblasts, PTTG1 expression was knocked down via RNA interference (siRNA), and the mRNA expression levels of PTTG1 and the fibrosis-related genes @*RESULTS@#Compared with those in normal skin samples, the mRNA and protein expressions of PTTG1 increased significantly in the skin tissue of patients with SSc (@*CONCLUSIONS@#PTTG1 is highly expressed in skin tissues of patients with SSc, and PTTG1 knockdown can reduce the activity of the dermal fibroblasts, suggesting a close correlation of PTTG1 with fibrosis in SSc.

Expression of calponin-1 and its pathogenic role in systemic sclerosis / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the expression of calponin-1 (CNN1) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and its pathogenic role in fibrosis.@*METHODS@#Skin biopsy samples were collected from 19 patients with SSc and 21 healthy subjects. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of and mRNAs in the samples, and the protein expression of CNN1 was detected using immunohistochemistry. In cultured primary human dermal fibroblasts, expression was knocked down RNA interference, and the mRNA expression levels of and the fibrosis-related genes , , , , and were detected using real-time PCR; the proliferation of the cells was assessed using a real-time cell proliferation detection system.@*RESULTS@#Compared with that in samples from normal subjects, the expression of mRNA was significantly increased in the skin tissue of patients with SSc ( < 0.05) with a positive correlation with α-SMA (=0.7219, < 0.0001); the protein expression of CNN1 was also significantly increased in the skin tissue of patients with SSc. In cultured primary skin fibroblasts, the expression of CNN1 mRNA was positively correlated with and mRNA expressions (=0.6547, < 0.05; =0.6438, < 0.05). knockdown in the fibroblasts significantly inhibited the cell proliferation, obviously lowered the expressions of fibrosis-related genes, and reduced the protein expression of collagen.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The expression of is increased in the skin tissues of patients with SSc, and knockdown can reduce the activity of dermal fibroblasts, suggesting the close correlation of CNN1 with fibrosis in SSc.

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in malignant tumor patients with bone metastases: clinical analysis of six cases / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective@#To analyze the clinical manifestation, imaging characteristics and prevention of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) after intravenous bisphosphonate (BP) for cancer patients with bone metastases.@*Methods@#The clinical data and radiographic findings of 6 primary breast cancer patients with bone metastases diagnosed as MRONJ from January 2014 to April 2018 in Shanxi Dayi Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.@*Results@#All 6 patients were female, with the median age of 65.5 years old. All patients had no history of systemic application of hormone therapy, no history of diabetes, no history of radiation therapy, no history of metastasis of the jaw, and no history of infection. The average usage time of BP was 28 months. MRONJ occurred in 2 cases on maxilla and 4 cases on mandible. There were 2 patients with tooth extractions history in BP treatment. Clinical symptoms included maxillofacial pain, loosened teeth, fistula suppuration, and exposed sequestrum. Radiographic findings included osteolysis and bone sclerosis or the mixed manifestation of both, with or without periosteal reaction. In addition, nonhealing tooth sockets and sequestrum separation imaging were also included.@*Conclusions@#Tooth extraction is considered as an increased risk for MRONJ in patients with malignant bone metastases after BP therapy. MRONJ is more likely to appear in the mandible, but it can also appear in the maxilla. Early screening and initiation of appropriate dental care are necessary for the patients before using BP therapy.

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in malignant tumor patients with bone metastases:clinical analysis of six cases / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective To analyze the clinical manifestation, imaging characteristics and prevention of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) after intravenous bisphosphonate (BP) for cancer patients with bone metastases. Methods The clinical data and radiographic findings of 6 primary breast cancer patients with bone metastases diagnosed as MRONJ from January 2014 to April 2018 in Shanxi Dayi Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Results All 6 patients were female, with the median age of 65.5 years old. All patients had no history of systemic application of hormone therapy, no history of diabetes, no history of radiation therapy, no history of metastasis of the jaw, and no history of infection. The average usage time of BP was 28 months. MRONJ occurred in 2 cases on maxilla and 4 cases on mandible. There were 2 patients with tooth extractions history in BP treatment. Clinical symptoms included maxillofacial pain, loosened teeth, fistula suppuration, and exposed sequestrum. Radiographic findings included osteolysis and bone sclerosis or the mixed manifestation of both, with or without periosteal reaction. In addition, nonhealing tooth sockets and sequestrum separation imaging were also included. Conclusions Tooth extraction is considered as an increased risk for MRONJ in patients with malignant bone metastases after BP therapy. MRONJ is more likely to appear in the mandible, but it can also appear in the maxilla. Early screening and initiation of appropriate dental care are necessary for the patients before using BP therapy.

Progress of antitumor mechanisms of humic acids / 肿瘤研究与临床

Humic acids, a complex macromolecular organic carbon resources, contain different functional groups such as quinones, phenols, carboxylic acids, hydroxyl, and aromatic structures. The various functions and pharmacological activities are mainly attributable to the different functional groups of humic acids. In recent years, studies show that antitumor effect of humic acids can be analyzed from activation of immune system, induction of cell injury and apoptosis, photothermal reaction, or binding with other materials. This paper reviews the progress of antitumor mechanisms of humic acids.

Involvement of collagen-binding heat shock protein 47 in scleroderma-associated fibrosis

Uncontrolled fibrosis of skin and internal organs is the main characteristic of scleroderma, and collagen is a major extracellular matrix protein that deposits in the fibrotic organs. As the chaperone of collagen, heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) is closely related with the development of fibrosis. To explore the potential function of HSP47 in the pathogenesis of scleroderma, the clinical, in vivo and in vitro studies were performed. In clinical, the increased mRNA level of HSP47 was observed in the skin fibroblasts and PBMC from scleroderma patients, and the enhanced protein level of HSP47 was also detected in the skin biopsy and plasma of the above patients. Unexpectedly, the enhanced levels of HSP47 were positively correlated with the presence of anti-centromere antibody in scleroderma patients. Moreover, a high expression of HSP47 was found in the skin lesion of BLM-induced scleroderma mouse model. Further in vitro studies demonstrated that HSP47 knockdown could block the intracellular and extracellular collagen over-productions induced by exogenous TGF-β. Therefore, the results in this study provide direct evidence that HSP47 is involved in the pathogenesis of scleroderma. The high expression of HSP47 can be detected in the circulatory system of scleroderma patients, indicating that HSP47 may become a pathological marker to assess the progression of scleroderma, and also explain the systemic fibrosis of scleroderma. Meanwhile, collagen over-expression is blocked by HSP47 knockdown, suggesting the possibility that HSP47 can be a potential therapeutic target for scleroderma.

Differentiation and osteoprotegerin secretion of human osteoblasts:R-spondin 1 effect via Wnt/beta-catenin signal pathway / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Studies have funded that reduced Wnt/β-catenin signaling is involved in the onset and/or progression of bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis. It can lead to potential new treatment approaches of bone erosion by enhancing Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. R-spondin 1 may act as a Wnt agonist, but there is no study in human osteoblasts. OBJECTIVE:To verify the effect of R-spondin 1 on promoting differentiation and maturation of human osteoblasts by inhibiting DKK1. METHODS:S40-transfected human osteoblast lines, hFOB1.19, were treated with R-spondin 1, Wnt-3a and DKK1 to detecting the proliferation, alkaline phoshpatase activity and osteoprotegerin concentration. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:R-spondin 1 had no effects on hFOB1.19 cel s. Wnt-3a upregulated the activity of alkaline phoshpatase, which could be enhanced by addition of R-spondin 1. R-spondin 1 could reduce the DKK1-mediated inhibition of alkaline phoshpatase activity in hFOB1.19 cel s. R-spondin 1 increased the concentration of osteoprotegerin, and moreover, the promotion of osteoprotegerin by R-spondin 1 alone was stronger than the inhibition by DKK1. These findings suggest that R-spondin 1 can inhibit DKK1 by Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway to promote the differential and maturation of human osteoblasts to excrete osteoprotegerin.

Effects of Community-based Comprehensive Intervention on Social Function and Quality of Life of Bipolar Disorder / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective To explore the effects of community-based comprehensive intervention on social function and quality of life of patients with bipolar disorder. Methods 244 bipolar disorder patients were assigned into control group (n=119) and intervention group (n=125). The control group accepted antipsychotics only, and the intervention group accepted community-based comprehensive intervention in addition. They were assessed with Social Disability Screening Schedule (SDSS) and Generic Quality of Life Inventory-74 (GQOLI-74) before and 6, 12 months after treatment. Results The SDSS score was lower (P<0.05) and the GQOLI-74 score was higher (P<0.05) in the intervention group than in the control group. Conclusion Community-based comprehensive intervention can improve the social function and quality of life of patients with bipolar disorder.

Microorganisms of special herb-glycosidases and their fermentation, enzyme properties / 生物工程学报

Herb-glycosides are main active elements of Zhongcaoyao (Chinese traditional medicines, Chinese medical herbs). However, the herb-glycoside structures are not optimal active structure for the human bodies. After orally taken up, the herb-glycosides of Zhongcaoyao could be changed into other more active structures by the digestive system such as enzymes and intestinal microorganisms; then degraded and absorbed in the human body and play the real role of pharmic effect; but only a small amount could be changed and controlled by circadian state of the human body. If this biochange of herb-glycosides to more active structures in vivo was finished in vitro, it is very useful for the development of the Chinese traditional medicines, new plant medicines, health food, and function cosmetics. To biotransformate herb-glycosides to more active structure, this paper introduced the studies of author's team on the new microorganism isolation of the special herb-glycosidases and enzyme fermentation, the special enzyme purification and characterization.

Effects of enriched environment on the capacity of learning and memory and expression of BDNF expression of CA1 hippocampus in rats / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To study the effects of enriched environment on the capacity of learning and memory and expression of brain derived neurotrophie factor(BDNF) expression of CA1 hippocampus in Wistar rats. Methods 20 male Wistar rats were raised from weaning(21 days old) to young adulthoed(50 -60 days old) in either an enriched or normal environment. The ability of learning and memory was measured with the Morris water maze test,and the expression of BDNF of CA1 hippocampus neuron was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results During Morris water maze test, the mean latency in enriched environment group was significantly shorter than that in the normal control group(24.37±5.45)s Vs (31.28±5.39)s;the time taken to cross the target in enriched environment group was significantly more than that in the normal control group(3.38±0.79)Vs (2.21± 0.49);the swimming distance of platform quadrant increased in the enriched environment group, and the decreased gray intensity of BDNF expression in CA1 hippoeampus was found in the enriched environment group. Conclusions Enriched environment can improve the capacity of learning and memory of the rats, which were realized may be through BDNF pathway.