Disseminated nocardiosis caused by Nocardia elegans: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Disseminated nocardiosis is a rare disease mostly occurring in immunocompromised patients.

Methods: We report a case of disseminated nocardiosis in a diabetic patient with both pulmonary and cutaneous involvement. Nocardia elegans was isolated and identified using the 16s ribosomal RNA gene sequence data.

Downregulation of TNIP1 Expression Leads to Increased Proliferation of Human Keratinocytes and Severer Psoriasis-Like Conditions in an Imiquimod-Induced Mouse Model of Dermatitis.

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease involving both environmental and genetic factors. According to genome-wide association studies (GWAS), the TNIP1 gene, which encodes the TNF-α-induced protein 3-interacting protein 1 (TNIP1), is strongly linked to the susceptibility of psoriasis. TNIP1 is a widely expressed ubiquitin sensor that binds to the ubiquitin-editing protein A20 and restricts TNF- and TLR-induced signals.

Single-nucleotide polymorphism and haplotypes of TNIP1 associated with systemic lupus erythematosus in a Chinese Han population.

Objective: To determine the association of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the TNIP1 gene and compare the expression of this gene in cases and controls from a Chinese Han population in this replication study.

Methods: Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to genotype 19 SNP in TNIP1 in Chinese Han patients with SLE (n = 341) and controls (n = 356). Genotypes were analyzed by codominant, dominant, and recessive models.

Detection of invasive Candida albicans infection using a specific (99m)Tc-labeled monoclonal antibody for the C. albicans germ tube.

Accurate diagnosis is critical for effective treatment of the invasive infection by Candida albicans. Here, we investigated whether a (99m) technetium (Tc)-labeled Fab' fragment of the monoclonal antibody specific for the C. albicans germ tube could specifically identify an invasive C.

Study of the biological function and penetration pathways of the mouse epidermal growth factor ethosomal delivery system.

Biological agents are becoming increasingly popular for therapeutic applications in epidermal diseases. Ethosomes facilitate the transdermal/topical delivery of biological macromolecules. The mouse epidermal growth factor (mEGF) was selected as the model biological agent.

Bidirectional immunoregulation of calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus on FOXP3 transcription?

The imbalance between regulatory T cells (Treg) and effector T cells is important for maintaining of psoriasis vulgaris. FOXP3 is a master control transcription factor for the development and function of Tregs and is critical for transcriptional repression. Tacrolimus is effective in treatment of psoriasis vulgaris.

Neutrophil elastase promotes proliferation of HaCaT cell line and transwell psoriasis organ culture model.

Background: Neutrophil elastase (NE) plays an important role in psoriasis. In this study we observed the effect of NE on the proliferation of HaCaT cells and transwell psoriasis organ culture model and investigated the mechanism.

Methods: HaCaT cells were treated with various concentrations NE (0, 0.

Primary localized histoplasmosis with lesions restricted to the mouth in a Chinese HIV-negative patient.

Histoplasmosis is a deep mycosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, which is endemic in many areas of the world but is relatively rare in China. Although the majority of cases present as a mild to moderate flu-like disease requiring only supportive therapy, approximately 1% of patients experience more serious pulmonary and extrapulmonary disease, which can be life-threatening if diagnosis is delayed or the treatment is not initiated rapidly. Definitive diagnosis is usually made by a combination of culture, detection of the organism in tissues, measurement of antibodies, and detection of antigen.

Melanocortin receptor type 2 (MC2R, ACTH receptor) expression in patients with alopecia areata.

Human skin expresses elements of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis that function as a local stress response system. Because adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is an intermediate in the HPA axis from corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) signal to cortisol secretion, MC2R that binds only ACTH may be important in the stress response of skin. We investigated the local expression of MC2R by immunohistochemistry to identify the role of ACTH/MC2R in stress-associated alopecia areata (AA).

[Induction of oral immune tolerance in systemic lupus erythematosus-like murine model by recombinant nucleosomal universal Th cell epitope].

Objective: To explore the feasibility of oral immune tolerance of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-like model induced by nucleosomal Th cell epitope via the attenuated Salmonella typhimurium.

Methods: SLE-like murine model was established by immunization with apoptotic syngeneic lymphocytes. The recombinant strains were orally administrated to induce immune tolerance.

Phenotypic and molecular characterization of Madurella pseudomycetomatis sp. nov., a novel opportunistic fungus possibly causing black-grain mycetoma.

A case of black-grain mycetoma occurring on the lower jaw with an odontogenic origin, which to our knowledge is the first case reported in China, is presented here. The clinical manifestation, histopathological morphology, and microbiological features are described. The new species, Madurella pseudomycetomatis, isolated from the black grains discharged by this patient, was analyzed using sequence data of the multiloci of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and its ability to ferment carbohydrate as well as morphology.

HPV16E7 tumor antigen modified by KDEL sequence induce specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes-dependent antitumor immunity.

Background: Infection by high-risk HPV (human papillomavirus) is the primary cause of cervical cancer. Dendritic cell-based (DC-based) therapeutic vaccine represents a promising approach to the prevention and treatment of many cancers, including HPV-related cancers, but current strategies have met with only limited success in preclinical and clinical research. It is necessary to find a properly and effective antigen presenting system of DC-based vaccine.

[Effects of HS1-associated protein X-1 on the lupus activities: experiment with MRL/lpr lupus-like mice].

Objective: To investigate the effects of HS1-associated protein X-1 (HAX-1) on the lupus activity of MRL/lpr lupus-like mice.

Methods: Fifteen MRL/lpr mice were divided into 3 equal groups: Group A, injected with phosphate-buffered saline, Group B, injected intraperitoneally with control virus AdEGFP and Group C, injected intraperitoneally with recombinant AdHAX-1 twice a week for 4 weeks. Peripheral blood samples were collected before the injection, and 2 and 4 weeks after the injection to be detected the white blood cell count, antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-double strand-DNA antibodies, circulating immune complex (CIC), anti-histone antibodies, and interferon (IFN)-gamma.

[Inhibitory effect of short hairpin RNA on expression of Hax-1 gene in HeLa cells].

Aim: To construct the short hairpin RNA (shRNA) eukaryotic expression vector specific for HS1-associated protein X-1 (Hax-1) and investigate the inhibitory effect of it on Hax-1.

Methods: According to the design rules of shRNA, the specific sequence of 19 nucleotides were selected from Hax-1 cDNA sequence and designed as the cDNA template of siRNA. ShRNA vector pGenesil-Hax-1 was constructed by recombining the synthesized specific sequence with siRNA expression vector pGensil-1.

Hair follicle reformation induced by dermal papilla cells from human scalp skin.

To investigate the possibility of hair follicle reformation induced by dermal papilla cells in vivo and in vitro. Dermal papilla cells, dermal sheath cells obtained from human scalp skin by enzyme digestion were mixed with collagen to form mesenchymal cell-populated collagen gels. Superior and inferior epithelial cells and bulb matrical cells were then cultured on these gels by organotypic culture to recombine bilayer artificial skins.

[Clinical analysis of the infection with human papillomavirus in women].

Background: To determine the relationship between human papillomavirus infection, cervical carcinoma, pre-cancerous lesion and condyloma acuminatum.

Methods: From January 2004 to August 2005, 1086 inpatients in department of dermatology and department of gynaecology and obstetrics in Southwest Hospital and No. 302 Hospital with cervical lesions and condyloma were reviewed.

[Retrospective analysis of 1905 patients with skin cancer from two general hospitals in western China from 1981 to 2000].

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and changes in the incidence of skin cancer in two hospitals located in western China.

Methods: The patients diagnosed pathologically as skin cancer from 1981 to 2000 were retrospectively collected from the two hospitals. Clinical data of patients with skin cancer were collected and analyzed.

[Expressions of bFGF, ET-1 and SCF in dermal papilla cells and the relation to their biological properties].

Objective: To investigate the expression of bFGF, ET-1 and SCF in different passages of cultured dermal papilla cells (DPC), and their possible effect on biological behaviour of DPC.

Methods: The expression of bFGF, ET-1 and SCF in different passages of cultured DPC was detected by immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization.

Result: The expression of ET-1 and SCF in early passages of cultured DPC was stronger, but became negative in late passages (>6 passages).

Identification of differentially expressed genes in anagen dermal papilla by suppression subtractive hybridization.

Background: We constructed a cDNA subtractive library of dermal papilla cells (DPCs) in anagen with suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) technique and clone differentially expressed genes related to DPCs in anagen.

Methods: Total mRNA was isolated from DPCs of anagen and telogen follicles. Moreover, single-strand (ss) and double-strand (ds) cDNAs were synthesized in turn using SMART PCR cDNA synthesis technology.