Can the Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio Be Used to Determine Gastric Cancer Treatment Outcomes? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The prognostic role of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in gastric cancer remains controversial. We aimed to quantify the prognostic role of peripheral blood NLR in gastric cancer. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases.

Topical calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate for psoriasis vulgaris: A systematic review.

Topical calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment/gel has been commonly used for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. However, the efficacy of this combination needs to be consolidated. We aimed to assess the effects and safety profile of calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris, using evidence based approach.

Antioxidant tert-butylhydroquinone ameliorates arsenic-induced intracellular damages and apoptosis through induction of Nrf2-dependent antioxidant responses as well as stabilization of anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 in human keratinocytes.

Unlabelled: Human skin is a known target site of inorganic arsenic with effects ranging from hyperkeratosis to dermal malignancies. Tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ), approved food-grade phenolic antioxidant, is demonstrated to induce remarkable antioxidant activity in a variety of cells and tissues. The present study aimed at the protective effects of tBHQ on arsenic-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in human keratinocytes.

T Helper 1 and T Helper 2 Cytokines Differentially Modulate Expression of Filaggrin and its Processing Proteases in Human Keratinocytes.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by defective skin barrier and imbalance in T helper 1/T helper 2 (Th1/Th2) cytokine expression. Filaggrin (FLG) is the key protein to maintaining skin barrier function. Recent studies indicated that Th1/Th2 cytokines influence FLG expression in keratinocytes.

Chronic Arsenic Poisoning Probably Caused by Arsenic-Based Pesticides: Findings from an Investigation Study of a Household.

In addition to naturally occurring arsenic, man-made arsenic-based compounds are other sources of arsenic exposure. In 2013, our group identified 12 suspected arsenicosis patients in a household (32 living members). Of them, eight members were diagnosed with skin cancer.

Three Dimensional and Homogenous Single Cell Cyclic Stretch within a Magnetic Micropillar Array (mMPA) for a Cell Proliferation Study.

The physical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are a key aspect of the cell microenvironment. A biological system is a highly dynamic organization. In our study, we designed and prepared a large area of magnetic PDMS elastomer micropillar array (mMPA) with robust and tunable movement for cell mechanics study.

Quality of life in patients with vitiligo: an analysis of the dermatology life quality index outcome over the past two decades.

Vitiligo is one of the most important skin disorders that does not cause much physical impairment, but due to its disfiguring appearance, patients have disturbances in mental health and quality of life (QoL). The dermatology life quality index (DLQI), as one of the most specific QoL instruments, is now used widely for patients with vitiligo. The main objective of this review is to collect and present detailed information about issues and disturbances related to the QoL of patients with vitiligo by reviewing the DLQI studies worldwide in the past 20 years.

Triple-combination treatment with oral α-lipoic acid, betamethasone injection, and NB-UVB for non-segmental progressive vitiligo.

Background: Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting disease with uncertain etiopathogenesis and the treatment modalities need to be consistently updated.

Aim: To evaluate a triple-combination treatment with oral α-lipoic acid (ALA), betamethasone injection, and narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) on vitiligo.

Methods: Patients with non-segmental and progressive vitiligo lesions were randomly assigned to two groups.

Controlled HO release via long-lived electron-hole separation mediated to induce tumor cell apoptosis.

Flexible films of polytungstate (PT) as active ingredients were fabricated in PDMS as a "band-Aid" to achieve controllable HO release. In these different systems of an amorphous PT building block, the lengthened lifetime (bleaching process) of photo-electron-hole separation is attributed to the electron trapping of the PT network and the existence of hole scavengers. The hole scavengers further prevent recombination of electrons and holes, so that the long-lived photoelectron could provide sustainable reactive oxygen species (ROS) by trapped electrons.

Shikonin inhibits IFN-γ-induced K17 over-expression of HaCaT cells by interfering with STAT3 signaling.

Objectives: We hypothesized that interferon-γ (IFN-γ) induces K17 over-expression in HaCaT cells by activating STAT3 and that Sh might inhibit the over-expression through interference of STAT3 signaling.

Methods: In vitro culture of HaCaT cells treated with IFN-γ and measurement of K17 protein by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: The level of K17 protein (one kind of keratin protein) in the supernatant induced by IFN-γ was significantly reduced by Shikonin at various concentrations.

The Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Some Dermatologic Diseases: Part II--Autoimmune Bullous Disorders and Lichen Planus.

Over the centuries, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine have traveled along parallel lines with no opportunity for collaboration. In recent decades, while an interest in TCM has been growing among Western clinicians, progress has been made in the comprehension of pathogenic mechanisms of skin disorders, and the communication between Western and Eastern medicines has become more and more intensive. In this paper, the authors discuss TCM remedies used in the treatment of autoimmune bullous disorders (pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid) and lichen planus.

Functionalized PDMS with Versatile and Scalable Surface Roughness Gradients for Cell Culture.

This manuscript describes a simple and versatile approach to engineering surface roughness gradients via combination of microfluidics and photopolymerization. Through UV-mediated polymerization, N-isopropylacrylamide with concentration gradients are successfully grafted onto PDMS surface, leading to diverse roughness degrees on the obtained PDMS substrate. Furthermore, the extent of surface roughness can be controllably regulated via tuning the flow rate ratio between the monomer solution and deionized water.

The use of traditional Chinese medicine in some dermatologic diseases: Part I--Acne, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is increasingly being used in the Western world particularly in specialty areas such as gynecology, pediatrics, nutrition, and dermatology. TCM is an alternative method of therapy that proposes to treat symptoms that Western medicine is unable to manage by treating the underlying causes of disease. The authors provide a general overview of TCM remedies used in the treatment of various dermatologic disorders (acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis) for dermatologists interested in this unconventional therapeutic approach.

Novel analysis of maturation of murine bone-marrow-derived dendritic cells induced by Ginkgo Seed Polysaccharides.

Our understanding of the mechanisms of effect of Ginkgo Seed Polysaccharides (GSPs) on the immune system remains unclear. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of GSPs on the maturation and function of bone-marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). The results demonstrate that GSP could exert positive immune modulation on the maturation and functions of BMDCs.

Golgi phosphoprotein 3 expression predicts poor prognosis in patients with prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy.

Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3) has recently been implicated as an oncogene involved in the development of carcinoma in a number of organs. The expression of GOLPH3 in prostate cancer (PCa) tissues was investigated in the present study. Human PC-3 and LNCaP PCa cell lines were analyzed in order to assess whether silencing of GOLPH3 expression affects cell vitality, migration and invasion, in vitro.

Triple combination treatment with fractional CO2 laser plus topical betamethasone solution and narrowband ultraviolet B for refractory vitiligo: a prospective, randomized half-body, comparative study.

Vitiligo on extremities and/or bony prominences is very resistant to treatment. Twenty-five patients with symmetrical and stable vitiligo on extremities and/or bony prominences were enrolled. The treatment side received fractional carbon dioxide laser followed by topical compound betamethasone solution and narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy.