ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate dermoscopic features of childhood vulvar lichen sclerosus.Methods:From January 2019 to May 2021, 79 female children with vulvar lichen sclerosus were collected from Kunming Children′s Hospital, and their dermoscopic features at first and return visits were analyzed retrospectively.Results:Among the 79 female children with vulvar lichen sclerosus, their age ranged from 2.4 to 12 years, the age at onset was 5.6 ± 2.12 years, the course of disease was 14.23 ± 12.36 months, and 30 children received regular follow-up and treatment. Among 329 skin lesions at the first visit, characteristic vascular shapes were observed in 149 (45.3%) , including linear vessels in 129, punctate vessels in 25, coiled vessels in 19, and hairpin-like vessels in 12; degenerative structures and pigment abnormalities were seen in 207 (62.92%) , including bluish-gray pigmented structures in 136, brown pigmented structures in 51, pepper-like patterns in 15, etc.; yellowish-white structureless areas were found in 280 (85.1%) , follicular keratotic plugs in 97 (29.5%) , and reddish-violet globules and patches in 66 (20%) . Among 238 skin lesions at the return visit, characteristic vascular shapes were observed in 100 (42%) , including linear vessels in 87, dendritic vessels in 21 and punctate vessels in 4, and no hairpin-like vessels were observed; degenerative structures and pigment abnormalities were seen in 154 (64.70%) , including brown pigmented structures in 93, bluish-gray pigmented structures in 57, and pepper-like patterns in 4; yellowish-white structureless areas were found in 165 (69.3%) , follicular keratotic plugs in 62 (26.1%) , and reddish-violet globules and patches in 8 (3.4%) . The prevalence rates of bluish-gray pigmented structures, yellowish-white structureless areas, reddish-violet globules and patches, punctate vessels, hairpin-like vessels, and coiled vessels in the skin lesions were all significantly lower at the return visit than at the first visit (all P < 0.05) , while the prevalence rate of the brown pigmented structure was significantly higher at the return visit than at the first visit ( P < 0.05) . Conclusion:Under a dermoscope, yellowish-white structureless areas are a highly specific characteristic of childhood vulvar lichen sclerosus, and therapeutic effect can be monitored by observing changes in dermoscopic features, including brown pigmented structures, bluish-gray pigmented structures, yellowish-white structureless areas, reddish-violet globules and patches, and vascular structures. Dermoscopy shows favorable application value in auxiliary diagnosis and follow-up observation of childhood vulvar lichen sclerosus.
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Objective To study the effects of semaphorin 5A (SEMA5A) gene silencing by lentivirus?mediated short hairpin RNA(shRNA)on biological activity of malignant melanoma cell line A375. Methods Two pairs of interference sequences for SEMA5A gene(shRNA1 and A375?shRNA2)and a pair of control interference sequences were designed to build lentiviral vectors, which were then transfected into HEK293T cells to gain lentivirus. A375 cells were divided into three groups:experimental group(A375?shRNA1 and A375?shRNA2 cells)transfected with the lentivirus containing shRNA1 or shRNA2, negative control group (A375?con cells) transfected with that containing the control shRNA, and blank control group(A375 cells)receiving no transfection. The A375 cells with stable knockdown of SEMA5A gene expression were screened by puromycin. Subsequently, reverse transcription?PCR and Western?blot analysis were performed to detect mRNA and protein expressions of Semaphorin 5A in these cells, and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)assay was applied to evaluate the growth of cells. The scratch assay and invasion assay were conducted to estimate migration and invasion ability of cells. Results The lentivirus containing the SEMA5A?targeting shRNAs or control shRNA was successfully transfected into A375 cells, and stably transfected cells were gained after puromycin selection. The expressions of semaphorin 5A mRNA and protein in the A375?shRNA2 cells were significantly reduced compared with those in the A375?con and A375 cells(all P 0.05). The scratch assay showed that there was no obvious cell migration into the scratch in the experiment group, whereas the scratch was almost covered by cells in the negative control group and blank control group. The invasion assay showed that the number of A375?shRNA2 cells passing through the Transwell chamber was significantly smaller than that of A375 and A375?con cells(both P 0.05). Conclusion The silencing of SEMA5A gene by lentivirus?mediated shRNA could effectively down?regulate the expression of semaphorin 5A, and inhibit the growth, invasion and migration of A375 cells.
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Objective To estabhsh a rat portacaval shunt model of portal vein arterialization (PVA)by using right renal artery,andtoinvestigateitsinfluence on portal velnpressure,liver funciton and hepatic pathology.Method Forty-three Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to PVA group(33 rats)and control group(10 rats).Portal pressure,liver function and pathological changes were evaluated at day 2,2 weeks and 2 months after surgery,respectively.Results The experimental model was successfully established in 30 out of 33(91%)rats.At day 2,2 weeks and 2 months after the operation,the portal pressure increased significanfly(P<0.05)compared with the control group,but no significant differences were found in the senrum level of alanine amlnotransferase,total bilirubin,total bile acid and creatinine.There were no patholgiccal changes from day 2 to 2 weeks after surgery,only postoperative expanslon of the sinusoidal snace was found on 2 months after surgery.Conclusion The rat model of PVA by renal artery was successfully established with the hand-suture mierosurgical techniques.The portal vein pressure maintained at a high level after PVA,meanwhile,no negative effect was found on the liver function and hepatic histological structure changes.