Primary intramedullary melanoma of lumbar spinal cord: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Primary intramedullary melanoma is a very rare tumor, most frequently occurring in the cervical and thoracic spinal cord. CASE SUMMARY: We present a rare case in which the primary intramedullary melanoma was located in the lumbar spine. A 56-year-old man complained of progressive intermittent pain in the lumbar area. Thoracic magnetic resonance imaging showed a spinal intramedullary tumor between the L3 and S1 levels. The tumor was resected entirely, and the diagnosis of malignant melanoma was confirmed by histopathology. CONCLUSION: Primary melanoma of the spinal cord, particularly intramedullary localization, has rarely been reported in the previous literature. We describe a primary malignant melanoma of the lumbar spinal cord and discuss the challenges associated with the diagnosis.

MiR-200a expression in CD4+ T cells correlates with the expression of Th17/Treg cells and relevant cytokines in psoriasis vulgaris: A case control study.

The main aim of this study is to investigate the underlying relationship shared between microRNA-200a (miR-200a) and its link to concentrations of Th17 and Treg cells, mRNA expressions of their specific transcription factors retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) and head box protein 3 (FOXP3) and relevant cytokines in patients with psoriasis vulgaris (PV). A total of 189 patients previously diagnosed with PV were selected as the experimental group, whilst 109 healthy individuals as the control group. According to the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), subjects in the experimental group were assigned into the severe group (95 cases) and the moderate group (94 cases). CD4+ T and Th17/Treg cells were extracted. MiR-200a expression and RORγt and FoxP3 mRNA expressions were detected by qRT-PCR. Concentrations of Th17 and Treg cells were measured via flow cytometry. ELISA was conducted for serum IL-17, IL-23 and TGF-ß levels. Correlation analysis was completed in accordance with the Pearson method. Compared with the moderate group, higher miR-200a expression, RORγt mRNA expression, percentage of Th17, Th17/Treg ratio and levels of IL-17 and IL-23 exhibited in the severe group, whilst FoxP3 mRNA expression and, percentage of Treg as well as TGF-ß were lower. A same trend displayed when comparing the moderate group to the control group. We found that miR-200a expression, percentage of Th17, Th17/Treg ratio, IL-17 and IL-23 levels and RORγt mRNA expression are positively correlated with PASI grade, while the percentage of Treg, TGF-ß level and FoxP3 mRNA expression are negatively correlated with PASI grade. The results also displayed that the percentage of Th17, Th17/Treg ratio, IL-17 and IL-23 levels and RORγt mRNA expression are positively correlated with miR-200a expression, while the percentage seen in Treg and TGF-ßand FoxP3 mRNA expression are negatively correlated with miR-200a expression. Our results provided a strong evidence that up-regulation of microRNA-200a in CD4+ T cells may induce immune dysfunction through Th17/Treg cells and relevant cytokines in PV patients.

[Multiplex fluorescent quantitative PCR for detecting deep fungal infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a rapid, sensitive and specific method based on multiplex fluorescent quantitative PCR for detection of deep infections with Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Two pairs of primers and Taqman probes were designed according to the gene sequences of Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus available in American Type Culture Collection. The positivity rate, sensitivity and specificity of the multiplex fluorescent quantitative PCR-based method for detecting the fungal infection was tested in 20 specimens from SLE patients with Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus infections, 20 specimens from SLE patients with suspected deep fungal infections, and 20 microbial samples other than Candida albicans or Aspergillus flavus. RESULTS: The multiple fluorescence quantitative PCR-based method showed a positivity rate and specificity of both 100% for detecting Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus infections in the SLE patients. This method resulted in a detection sensitivity of 75%, significantly higher than that of fugal culture method (40%, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The multiplex fluorescent real-time PCR-based method allows rapid, quantitative and simultaneous detection of deep Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus infections with high sensitivity and specificity in SLE patients.

[Effects of podophyllotoxin solid lipid nanoparticles on proliferation and apoptosis of cervical carcinoma cells].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing effect of podophyllotoxin solid lipid nanoparticles (PDP-SLN) in human cervical carcinoma cells in vitro. METHODS: Hela cells were treated with PDP and PDP-SLN at different concentrations (0.0005-5 micromol/L), and the proliferation of the cells was assessed using MTT assay and the apoptotic index was determined by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Both PDP and PDP-SLN showed obvious inhibitory effect on the cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. At the same concentration, PDP-SLN produced stronger inhibitory effect on the cells than PDP, with IC50 24, 48, and 72 h after the cell exposure to PDP-SLN and PDP of 4.10, 0.65, 0.20 micromol/L and 9.2, 4.0, 1.3 micromol/L, respectively. Both PDP and PDP-SLN significantly induced the apoptosis of the Hela cell, and the apoptosis rates of the cells incubated in the presence of 0.5 micromol/L PDP-SLN reached 90.8% at 24 h and 94.2% at 72 h, significantly higher than the rate of cells incubated with PDP (64.1% at 24 h and 68.4% at 72 h, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: PDP-SLN can effectively suppress the proliferation and induce apoptosis of Hela cells in vitro.

[Treatment of recurrent condyloma acuminatum with solid lipid nanoparticle gel containing podophyllotoxin: a randomized double-blinded, controlled clinical trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of podophyllotoxin delivered via solid lipid nanoparticle gel for topic treatment of recurrent condyloma acuminatum. METHODS: In a randomized double-blinded study, podophyllotoxin solid lipid nanoparticles gel and routine podophyllotoxin gel preparation was applied respectively for treatment of 97 volunteer patients with recurrent condyloma acuminatum. The therapeutic effect, condyloma acuminatum relapse following the treatment and adverse effect were evaluated. RESULTS: The wart clearance rate in the condyloma acuminatum patients in the first treatment course with podophyllotoxin solid lipid nanoparticle gel reached 97.1%, close to that with the routine preparation of 90.6%, but the nanoparticle preparation significantly reduced the recurrence rate and adverse effect (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Podophyllotoxin delivered via solid lipid nanoparticle gel can effectively clear condyloma acuminatum and reduce its recurrence rate with only mild, tolerable adverse effect.

[Analysis of 34 cases of systemic lupus erythematosus with decreased platelet count].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical and laboratory examination features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with decreased platelet count. METHODS: Thirty-four SLE patients with decreased platelet count were analyzed for their initial symptoms, clinical manifestations, involvement of the organs and laboratory findings in comparison with 40 randomly selected SLE patients with normal platelet count. RESULTS: The SLE patients with decreased platelet count were more likely to develop kidney involvement than those with normal platelet, but the incidence of butterfly erythema was significantly lower in the former patients (PP<0.05). Some indices of laboratory examinations, such as CH(50), white blood cell reduction, rate of urine protein, thrombocytocrit and platelet distribution width were significantly higher in SLE patients with decreased platelet count than those with normal platelet count. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical manifestations and laboratory findings in SLE patients with decreased platelet count may differ from those of SLE patients with normal platelet.

[Preparation of stearic acid solid lipid nanoparticles containing podophyllotoxin].

OBJECTIVE: To improve the therapeutic efficacy and reduce the adverse effect of podophyllotoxin (PPT) by wrapping it in stearic acid solid lipid nanoparticles. METHODS: Stearic acid solid lipid nanoparticles containing podophyllotoxin was prepared using modified microemulsion technique, whose morphology was examined by transmission electron microscope. High-performance of liquid chromatography was employed to determine the entrapment efficiency of PPT in the nanoparticles. RESULT: The entrapment efficiency of PPT in the nanoparticles was 85.6% and the mean diameter of the particles was 56.5+/-25.8 nm. CONCLUSION: The stearic acid solid lipid nanoparticles has high entrapment efficiency for PPT and is homogeneous in size, which can be a promising targeted preparation for epidermal delivery.

[Effect of liposome on permeability and drug retention of sodium fluorescein in rat skin: an experimental study].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of liposome on the permeability and drug retention of sodium fluorescein(NaFl) in rat skin. METHODS: With an improved Franz diffusion cell and 0.125% NaFl liposome suspension as the model drug, in vitro measurement of percutaneous absorption and skin reservoir capacity for NaF1 was conducted using a fluorescence spectrophotometry at 4 and 12 h respectively after the diffusion experiment had started, and distribution of the fluorescence in rat skin was observed under fluorescence microscope at 4 h penetration experiment. NaFl solution of the same concentration as the model drugs served as the control for this experiment. RESULTS: In comparison with NaFl solution, liposomal NaFl suspension resulted in larger amount of NaFl retention in rat skin but smaller amount in the receiver cell in a four-hour Franz diffusion test, with also higher fluorescence intensity in the skin, especially the skin around the hair follicles. CONCLUSION: Local high drug concentrations can be achieved in the skin by liposomal suspension of water soluble drug for more effective treatment of skin diseases.

Experimental study of podophyllotoxin dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine liposome for topical skin application.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the drug release of podophyllotoxin liposome and the drug retention in the skin. METHODS: Two liposome suspensions containing respectively podophyllotoxin dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and soya bean lecithin were prepared ultrasonically. Podophyllotoxin anhydride and the liposome suspensions were applied onto the skin of young pigs to observe the drug retention in the skin at different time points in the following 2 days, with exclusive liposome or anhydride serving as control. RESULTS: One hour after application of podophyllotoxin anhydride, a peak of the drug concentration in the skin occurred followed by immediate declination, a process not observed after the application of bean lecithin liposome due to gradual drug release that produced drug concentration constantly much higher than that of podophyllotoxin anhydride. A peak concentration was also observed 4 h after application of podophyllotoxin DPPC liposome, which then declined slowly to and stabilized at a higher level than that of bean lecithin liposome of anhydride within 48 h. CONCLUSION: DPPC liposome-embedded podophyllotoxin better targets the drug to the skin after application, and is a suitable preparation for topical skin application.

Clinical analysis of 12 cases of pyoderma gangrenosum.

Twelve cases of pyoderma gangrenosum is reported in light of the clinical data including the patients' gender, age, complications, laboratory examinations, treatment and outcome, in an attempt to explore the pathogenesis, treatment and prognosis of the disease.