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Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a skin disease that carries a major health burden, but the exact mechanism of the disease is not yet known., Aim: To identify the key genes and micro (mi)RNAs in AD, and to explore their potential molecular mechanisms., Methods: From the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, we downloaded microarray data for GSE32924 (mRNA profile) and GSE31408 (miRNA profile), which were analysed using GEO2R. Functional and pathway enrichment analyses were performed using the DAVID database, and the protein-protein interaction network was constructed with Cytoscape software. In addition, targets of differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were predicted by the online resource miRDB., Results: In total, 328 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including 121 upregulated and 207 downregulated genes. Gene Ontology analyses showed that upregulated genes were significantly enriched in immune responses, while downregulated genes were mainly involved in epidermis development. In addition, we identified three DEMs, all of which were downregulated. Hsa-let-7a-5p may target CCR7, and hsa-miR-26a-5p probably targets HAS3., Conclusions: We identified lists of DEGs and DEMs in AD. Bioinformatics and interaction analysis may provide new clues for further studies of AD., (© 2018 British Association of Dermatologists.)

Vitiligo is an intriguing depigmentary disorder and is notoriously difficult to be treated. The ultimate goal of vitiligo treatment is to replenish the lost melanocytes by immigration from hair follicle and to restore the normal function of melanogenesis by residual melanocytes. There are two types of topical calcineurin inhibitors called tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, and are recommended as the first-line treatments in vitiligo. Although pimecrolimus is efficacious for the repigmentation of vitiligo, its intrinsic mechanisms have never been investigated in vitro. This research aimed to study the ability of pimecrolimus on stimulating melanogenesis, melanocyte migration and MITF (microphthalmia associated transcription factor) protein expression. Results showed that pimecrolimus at the dosages of 1, 10, 10 2 nM were neither mitogenic nor cytotoxic to melanocytes. The addition of pimecrolimus at 10, 10 2 and 10 3 nM significantly increased intracellular tyrosinase activity, which was consistent with the elevated content of melanin content at the same concentrations. The peak effect was seen at 72 h in response to 10 2 nM pimecrolimus. Results of the wound scratch assay and Transwell assays indicate that pimecrolimus is effective in facilitating melanocyte migration on a collagen IV-coated surface. In addition, MITF protein yield reached the highest by pimecrolimus at 10 2 nM. In brief, pimecrolimus enhances melanin synthesis as well as promotes migration of melanocytes directly, possibly via their effects on MITF protein expression., Competing Interests: CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Polygoni multiflori radix praeparata (PMRP), Ecliptae herba (EH) and Rehmanniae radix praeparata (RRP) are the most frequently-used herbs by Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners for the treatment of vitiligo. Their abilities to stimulate melanogenesis, melanocyte migration and MITF (microphthalmia associated transcription factor) protein expression were evaluated in this study., Materials and Methods: The effects of aqueous extracts of PMRP, EH and RRP on human melanocytes in vitro were examined by MTT assay, tyrosinase activity, melanin synthesis, migration assay and Western blot., Results: Treatment with EH (at 100μg/ml and 400μg/ml) significantly increased intracellular tyrosinase activity in accordance with the elevation of melanin content at the same concentrations. Treatment with RRP (at 100μg/ml and 400μg/ml) promoted melanin production but had no stimulatory effect on tyrosinase activity. Treatment with PMRP and EH (at 100μg/ml) promoted the migration of human melanocytes in a type IV collagen-coated transwell migration assay. Western blot analysis showed MITF protein expression was elevated by PMRP, EH and RRP (at 100μg/ml)., Conclusion: An aqueous extract of EH has a synergistic effect on melanocytes by up-regulating tyrosinase activity, enhancing melanin synthesis and promoting melanocyte migration as well as elevating MITF protein expression. RRP exhibits a significant stimulating effect on melanogenesis and MITF protein expression. These results suggest that EH and RRP contain substances with direct enhancing effects on melanogenesis and migration, possibly via their effects on MITF protein expression., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To improve the procedures used to treat prolapse and hemorrhoids, novel magnetic rings were invented to use in circumferential mucosectomies to avoid the disadvantages of stapling techniques., Methods: Thirty adult pigs were randomly divided into three groups: Group A (n = 10), which underwent circumferential mucosectomy with novel magnetic rings; Group B (n = 10), which underwent circumferential mucosectomy with conventional magnetic rings and Group C (n = 10), which underwent circumferential mucosectomy with a stapling technique., Results: All pigs underwent the operation successfully, and the mean length of the procedure was similar among the three groups (p > 0.05). There was no bleeding in Group A or Group B, while there was a mean blood loss of 78.32 ± 26.03 ml in Group C (p < 0.01). Three cases of anastomotic stenosis were found in Group C (3/10); two cases were found in Group B (2/10) and no anastomotic stenosis was found in Group A (0/10). The difference between groups A and C was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The cost for the magnetic rings in groups A and B was noticeably lower than that of the stapling techniques in Group C (20.12 ± 3.35 vs. 15.76 ± 2.92 vs. 550.16 ± 29.71 US dollars, p < 0.001). The magnetic rings in groups A and B were spontaneously discharged from the body with the necrotic tissues within 1-2 weeks (8.20 ± 2.73 vs. 9.31 ± 3.62 days, p > 0.05), avoiding the permanent implantation of staples in Group C. The anastomosis site in Group A showed a smoother and more rapid healing process than that in Group B or C., Conclusions: The innovative magnetic rings we developed for circumferential mucosectomies provide a simple and novel surgical procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids.

Background: Pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue (PFPT) is a disorder in which the fungiform papillae of the tongue have abnormal coloration. However, Chinese-specific clinical data for PFPT are lacking., Objective: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of PFPT among the Chinese population., Methods: A survey was carried out using a clinical examination and a questionnaire on 14,346 first-time outpatients in our dermatology department, and 58 cases of PFPT were subsequently diagnosed., Results: The prevalence of PFPT was 0.4% among dermatological outpatients. All patients had pin-sized, brownish fungiform papillae on the tip, lateral or dorsal parts of the tongue. Of the three subtypes, type I was the most common (87.93%). PFPT generally coexisted with Hori's nevus (48.28%), melasma (20.69%), hysteromyoma (24.14%) and breast cystic hyperplasia (20.69%)., Conclusion: Our study confirms that PFPT is a relatively common disorder among Chinese outpatients, and it was presumed to be closely coupled with Hori's nevus, melasma and other disorders., (© 2012 The Authors. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology © 2012 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.)

Background: Dermoscopy has been shown to be a promising method to facilitate the diagnosis of lichen planus (LP) outside of China., Objective: To investigate the spectrum of dermoscopic patterns in Chinese LP patients., Methods: The clinical data and dermoscopic patterns of nine LP cases with a total of 43 lesions were evaluated., Results: To the naked eye, 20.97% of the lesions exhibited graying Wickham striae (WS); however, 37.5% presented with white streaks of annular, reticular, or leaf venation patterns under dermoscopy. Blue-white veils were occasionally observed in the center. Pigment patterns varied from dots, globules, and peppered pigment to pigmented lines, which were unrelated to the pigment network of the skin. At the periphery of the WS, red fine lines ran parallel to the delicate white streaming lines., Conclusions: WS exhibits five morphological patterns (leaf venation, reticular, white dots, circular and radial streaming) and three color patterns (homogeneous crystalline white, blue-white veil and yellowish-white). The pigment patterns consisted of dots/globules, peppered pigments and pigment. streaming lines.

Objective: To investigate the influence of patella tracking and thickness for muscle strength after patellar resurfacing in total knee arthroplasty (TKA)., Methods: Quadriceps muscle strength of 100 cases 134 knees with osteoarthritis were analysed with isokinetic testing and extension lag after patellar resurfacing in TKA. Result was analyzed statistically through T test., Results: Significant decreasing of quadriceps muscle strength and endurance were detected on mal-patellofemoral tracking (61 +/- 24, P <0.01) and improper position of patella prosthesis (56 +/- 33, P < 0.01). Anterior knee pain with patella resurfacing was mainly associated with mal-patellofemoral tracking., Conclusion: Asymptomatic weakness of quadriceps muscle was mainly associated with improper patella thickness.

A rapidly convergent series for computation of the interaction between two similar plane-parallel double layers is derived by expanding the interaction energy in power series of omega(0)(omega(0)