Local IL-23 expression in murine vaginal candidiasis and its relationship with infection and immune status.

To investigate the expression of vaginal IL-23 and its role in experimental murine vaginal candidiasis and its relationship with infection and immune status, immuno-competent (group A) and immuno-suppressed (group B) murine models of vaginal candidiasis were established in estrogen-treated mice. Non-estrogen-treated mice were used as controls (group C). The level of IL-23 p19 mRNA in murine vaginal tissue was determined by RT-PCR.

Susceptibility to vaginal candidiasis under different conditions in mice.

In order to study the susceptibility of murine vaginal mucosa to Candida albicans under different conditions, vaginal lavage fluid and vaginal tissue of mice were observed and compared between murine models with normal immune system (estrogen-treated mice) and immunosuppressed murine model, and between primary infection model of vaginal candidiasis and secondary infection one. The average level of colony forming unit (CFU) from the immuosuppressed group was higher than that from estrogen-treated group at each time point and the peak time was delayed. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.

Detection of ATP2C1 gene mutation in familial benign chronic pemphigus.

The ATP2C1 gene mutation in one case of familial benign chronic pemphigus was investigated. One patient was diagnosed as familial benign chronic pemphigus by pathology, ultrastructral examination and clinical features. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples.

Micro lens fabrication by means of femtosecond two photon photopolymerization.

We report the fabrication of micro lens using an alternative annular scanning mode with continuous variable layer thickness by two-photon polymerization after multi-parameter optimization. Laser scanning mode and scanning pace parameter are optimized to achieve good appearance. As examples of the results, a 2 x 2 micro spherical lens array with diameter of 15 microm and a micro Fresnel lens with diameter of 17 microm are fabricated.

Association of HLA-DRB1, DQB1 alleles with chronic urticaria.

In order to investigate the association of genotypes of HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles with the genetic susceptibility of chronic urticaria (CU), genotypes of HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 genes were detected by polymerase chain reactions with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) in 42 patients with CU (19 men and 23 women, mean age 30.67+/-12.45 y old as well as 193 racially matched healthy persons in ethnic Han from Hubei provinece.

Identification of common species of dermatophytes by PCR-RFLP.

To establish a simple, sensitive and effective technique for the identification of six common dermatophytes, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) targeting Topoisomerase II gene were used. The DNA of 6 common dermatophytes was amplified by primer dPsD1 and then primers dPsD2. The products generated by dPsD2 were digested with restriction enzyme Hinc II and Hinf I separately.

Relationship between host survival and the type of immune response in different organs during disseminated candidiasis.

To examine the relationship between host survival and the type of immune response in different organs during disseminated candidiasis, the murine model of disseminated candidiasis was established by injection with Candida albicans via tail vein. The survival time was observed for up to 60 days. And the expression levels of cytokines in the spleen and kidney, including IFN-gamma and IL-4, were determined with RT-PCR.

Clinical identification of common species of dermatophytes by PCR and PCR-RFLP.

To find a fast and efficient way of identifying seven common dermatophytes in clinical practice, we used the techniques of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) targeting Topoisomerase II gene. The DNA of 7 dermatophytes, along with Candida albicans, Aspergillus terreus and Aspergillus flavus were amplified by consensus primer dPsD1. They were then subjected to a second PCR with primers dPsD2 and species-specific primers PsT and PsME separately.

The expression of toll-like receptor 2 and 4 mRNA in local tissues of model of oropharyngeal candidiasis in mice.

To investigate the expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and 4 mRNA in local tissues of model of oropharyngeal candidiasis in mice and to explore the potential role of TLR2 and TLR4 in earlier period of immune response, a murine model of oropharyngeal candidiasis inoculated by cotton wool balls saturated with Candida albicans was established. Mice were sacrificed at the indicated time points and the oropharyngeal tissues were excised. The expression of TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.

Expression of LL-37, human beta defensin-2, and CCR6 mRNA in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

To investigate whether LL-37 and human beta defensin-2 (hBD-2) is related to the patients with psoriasis seldom having skin infections and explore the role of the two peptides and CCR6 (the receptor of hBD-2) in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, the expression levels of mRNA of LL-37, hBD-2, and CCR6 in skin lesions of patients with psoriasis vulgaris were detected by using RT-PCR. The results showed that the mRNA expression levels of the two peptides and CCR6 in psoriatic lesions all increased compared with the normal skin (P<0.001).

Expression of CC chemokine ligand 20 and CC chemokine receptor 6 mRNA in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

In order to explore the possible role of CC chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) and its receptor CC chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6) in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, the expression levels of mRNA of them in psoriatic lesions were investigated. The skin biopsies were collected from skin lesions in 35 cases of psoriasis vulgaris and 18 normal controls. RT-PCR was used to semi-quantitatively analyze the mRNA expression of CCL20 and CCR6 in the psoriatic lesions and the normal skin tissues.

The expression of interleukin-17, interferon-gamma, and macrophage inflammatory protein-3 alpha mRNA in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

To investigate the role of Interleukin-17 (IL-17), Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and macrophage inflammatory protein-3 alpha (MIP-3alpha) in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to semi-quantitatively analyze the mRNA expression of IL-17, IFN-gamma, and MIP-3alpha in 31 psoriatic lesions and 16 normal skin tissues. The results showed that the mRNA of the three cytokines was present in all specimens. And the expression level of IL-17 mRNA in skin lesions was 1.

Expression of CD80/CD86 and CTLA-4 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The role of CD80/CD86 and CTLA-4 in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus and their clinical significance was investigated. By using RT-PCR technique, the expression of CD80/CD86 and CTLA-4 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were semiquantitatively detected in 32 patients with active SLE. The results showed that the percentage of positive CD86 expression in active SLE was increased significantly as compared with normal controls (90.

Susceptibility of mixed infection of Ureaplasma Urealyticum and Mycoplasma Hominis to seven antimicrobial agents and comparison with that of Ureaplasma Urealyticum infection.

In order to investigate the susceptibility of mixed infection of Ureaplasma Urealyticum (UU) and Mycoplasma Hominis (MH) to 7 kinds of antimicrobial agents and comparison with that of UU infection in NGU patients, the in vitro susceptibility was determined by using microdilution method. The positive results were analyzed. The results showed that the sequence of susceptibility to 7 kinds of antimicrobial agents for both UU infection group and UU-MH mixed infection group was almost the same from the highest susceptibility to the lowest accordingly: Josamycin, Doxycycline, Minocycline, Sparfloxacin, Roxithromycin, Ofloxacin and Azithromycin.