Thin-section computed tomography detects long-term pulmonary sequelae 3 years after novel influenza A virus-associated pneumonia / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The aim of this research was to evaluate long-term pulmonary sequelae on paired inspiration-expiration thin-section computed tomography (CT) scans 3 years after influenza A (H1N1) virus-associated pneumonia, and to analyze the affecting factors on pulmonary fibrosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four patients hospitalized with H1N1 virus-associated pneumonia at our hospital between September 2009 and January 2010 were included. The patients underwent thin-section CT 3 years after recovery. Abnormal pulmonary lesion patterns (ground-glass opacity, consolidation, parenchymal bands, air trapping, and reticulation) and evidence of fibrosis (architectural distortion, traction bronchiectasis, or honeycombing) were evaluated on follow-up thin-section CT. Patients were assigned to Group 1 (with CT evidence of fibrosis) and Group 2 (without CT evidence of fibrosis). Demographics, rate of mechanical ventilation therapy, rate of intensive care unit admission, cumulative prednisolone-equivalent dose, laboratory tests results (maximum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase [AST], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], and creatine kinase [CK]), and peak radiographic opacification of 24 patients during the course of their illness in the hospital were compared between two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Parenchymal abnormality was present in 17 of 24 (70.8%) patients and fibrosis occurred in 10 of 24 (41.7%) patients. Patients in Group 1 (10/24; 41.7%) had a higher rate of mechanical ventilation therapy (Z = -2.340, P = 0.019), higher number of doses of cumulative prednisolone-equivalent (Z = -2.579, P = 0.010), higher maximum level of laboratory tests results (AST [Z = -2.140, P = 0.032], LDH [Z = -3.227, P = 0.001], and CK [Z = -3.345, P = 0.019]), and higher peak opacification on chest radiographs (Z = -2.743, P = 0.006) than patients in group 2 (14/24; 58.3%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>H1N1 virus-associated pneumonia frequently is followed by long-term pulmonary sequelae, including fibrotic changes, in lung parenchyma. Patients who need more steroid therapy, need more mechanical ventilation therapy, had higher laboratory tests results (maximum levels of AST, LDH, and CK), and had higher peak opacification on chest radiographs during treatment are more likely to develop lung fibrosis.</p>

Effects of traditional Chinese herbs on growth of mouse hair follicles and hair bulb cells in vitro / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of water soluble extracts of traditional Chinese herbs on growth of mouse hair follicles and hair bulb cells in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mouse hair follicles and hair bulb cells were cultured in Williams E medium with (experimental groups) or without (control group) water soluble extracts of Chinese herbs; the experimental group was further divided into mixture and single herb groups. Hair growth was observed by microscopy and growth activity of hair bulb cells was detected by MTT colorimetric assay.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>On day 7 of culture, the hair growth in the mixture groups was faster than that in the control group (P<0.05). On day 3 and 5 of culture, the cell growth activity in the mixture groups was greater than that in the control group (P<0.05). While the hair growth and the cell growth activity between the single herb groups and the control group were not significantly different.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The water soluble extracts of mixed traditional Chinese medicines can promote the growth of mouse hair in vitro and stimulate the proliferation of hair bulb cells; while those of the single traditional Chinese herb have no effect.</p>

Skin-like structure generated from implantation of hair follicle bulb cells into collagen/chitosan porous scaffolds in vitro / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the skin regeneration after hair follicle bulb cells were implanted into collagen/chitosan porous scaffolds in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The cultured dorsal hair follicle bulb cells of 4d-old C57BL/6J mice were implanted into collagen/chitosan porous scaffolds in vitro. The skin regeneration was observed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The skin-like structure was formed on the collagen/chitosan porous scaffolds where were cultured the hair follicle bulb cells before 4th passages.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The skin-like structure is generated in vitro when early passages of cultured hair bulb cells are implanted into collagen/chitosan porous scaffolds.</p>

Protective effects of minocycline against hair follicle damage induced by cytosine arabinoside in vitro / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effects of minocycline against hair follicle damage induced by cytosine arabinoside (Ara-c).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>An in vitro organ culture of mouse vibrissa follicles was used and different concentrations of Ara-c and minocycline were added in the culture media. The total growth length, growth speed and growth period of hair were observed with invert microscopy and the survival of hair bulb cells was measured by MTT method.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Minocycline (0.3 x 10(-6) approximately 10(-5) mol/L) improved hair follicle total growth length, growth speed and hair growth period and also improved survival of hair bulb cells in vitro organ culture, which were inhibited by Ara-c.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Minocycline can protect hair follicle directly from damage induced by Ara-c.</p>