Treatment of oral manifestations of toxic epidermal necrolysis with low‐level laser therapy in a pediatric patient

Drug‐induced reactions are complications associated with high mortality and significant morbidity. Stevens–Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are examples of these conditions, which are characterized by skin and mucous lesions. Here, we report a case of a 9‐year‐old girl who presented with blisters associated with an extensive vesicular rash and multiple ulcerations on the lips and oral cavity. A drug‐induced hypersensitivity reaction to antibiotics was suspected, and a diagnosis of TEN was made. The patient was managed with withdrawal of the suspected causative agent, and the oral lesions were treated with low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) and oral hygiene. This case highlights that TEN requires interdisciplinary intervention with dental assistance and follow‐up to improve symptoms, nutrition, systemic condition, and quality of life.     

Inactivated influenza vaccine formulated with single-stranded RNA-based adjuvant confers mucosal immunity and cross-protection against influenza virus infection

Influenza vaccination is considered the most valuable means to prevent and control seasonal influenza infections, which causes various clinical symptoms, ranging from mild cough and fever to even death. Among various influenza vaccine types, the inactivated subunit type is known to provide improved safety with reduced reactogenicity. However, there are some drawbacks associated with inactivated subunit type vaccines, with the main ones being its low immunogenicity and the induction of Th2-biased immune responses. In this study, we investigated the role of a single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) derived from the intergenic region in the internal ribosome entry site of the Cricket paralysis virus as an adjuvant rather than the universal vaccine for a seasonal inactivated subunit influenza vaccine. The ssRNA adjuvant stimulated not only well-balanced cellular (indicated by IgG2a, IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α) and humoral (indicated by IgG1 and IL-4) immune responses but also a mucosal immune response (indicated by IgA), a key protector against respiratory virus infections. It also increases the HI titer, the surrogate marker of influenza vaccine efficacy. Furthermore, ssRNA adjuvant confers cross-protective immune responses against heterologous influenza virus infection while promoting enhanced viral clearance. Moreover, ssRNA adjuvant increases the number of memory CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, which can be expected to induce long-term immune responses. Therefore, this ssRNA-adjuvanted seasonal inactivated subunit influenza vaccine might be the best influenza vaccine generating robust humoral and cellular immune responses and conferring cross-protective and long-term immunity.     

一氧化氮合酶在外阴慢性单纯性苔藓和外阴硬化性苔藓中的表达

目的：检测诱导型和内皮型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS 和eNOS）在外阴慢性单纯性苔藓和外阴硬化性苔藓中的表达。方法：采用免疫组织化学SABC法检测iNOS和eNOS在30例外阴慢性单纯性苔藓蜡块（LSC）、30例外阴硬化性苔藓蜡块（LS）和10例外阴正常皮肤中的表达，并以人原始造血细胞抗原（CD34）标记微血管内皮细胞，测量各组织的微血管密度（MVD）。结果：iNOS和eNOS在外阴正常皮肤中无表达；在LSC中iNOS和eNOS每视野平均阳性细胞数分别为14.83±3.79和17.86±4.82，高于LS的8.00±3.35和6.43±3.87，差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）；在LSC和正常皮肤中MVD分别为21.58±2.48和20.44±3.66，高于LS（10.34±2.83）。iNOS和eNOS的表达具有明显的正相关性（Kappa=0.811，P＜0.05）。结论：iNOS和eNOS可能与LSC炎症过程中的血管扩张有关；在LS皮损真皮中微血管减少，iNOS和eNOS可代偿性地改善LS的血液循环。     

胰腺导管癌中血管生成、细胞增殖指数、DNA倍性检测的临床意义

目的:探讨血管生成、细胞增殖指数、DNA倍性在胰腺导管癌发生、发展中的作用及临床意义。方法:对29例胰腺导管癌和7例慢性胰腺炎患者的石蜡包埋标本作苏木精鄄伊红(HE)染色,CD34、Ki67免疫组织化学染色,镜下计算微血管密度(MVD)及Ki67阳性细胞比例,同时用流式细胞仪(FCM)检测细胞核DNA倍性,计算异倍体出现率及S期比例,并结合临床病理资料对各项指标作相关分析。结果:胰腺导管癌和慢性胰腺炎都有较多的新生血管。MVD值在胰腺导管癌高、中、低分化3组之间差异无显著性。按肿瘤直径分为≤1.5cm、1.6～2.9cm、≥3cm3组,此3组间MVD值、Ki67阳性细胞百分率、DNA异倍体出现率及肿瘤周围有无浸润的差异都非常显著(P<0.01)。肿瘤越大,MVD值、Ki67阳性细胞百分率及DNA异倍体出现率越高。结论:胰腺导管癌的发生、发展伴血管生成和DNA合成增加,联合测定MVD、Ki67阳性细胞百分率、DNA倍型可能为胰腺导管癌临床预后预测提供辅助参考指标。     

带浅静脉干逆行皮瓣早期微血管构筑变化的体视学研究

目的 探讨带浅静脉干的逆行皮瓣早期微血管构筑变化的特点以供临床实践参考。方法 应用生物体视学技术测量带浅静脉干皮瓣微血管体积密度，结合组织学观察，与不带静脉干皮瓣作对照比较。结果 带浅静脉干皮瓣组微血管密度整体水平高于不带静脉干皮瓣组（P〈0．05）。结论 浅静脉干的存在有利于皮瓣的血管化进程，保留浅静脉干对皮瓣成活有利。     

Relationship between insulin-like growth factor I, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and proresorptive cytokines and bone density in cystic fibrosis

Introduction Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are known to be at risk for early osteoporosis, and the mechanisms that mediate bone loss are still being delineated. The aim of the present investigation was to investigate if a correlation exists in these patients between skeletal measurements by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and two anabolic factors, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and proresorptive factors such as the cytokines interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin-6. Methods We studied 32 outpatients (18 females; mean age: 26.2 ± 7.9 years) at a tertiary care medical center. The subjects had venous samples obtained, underwent anthropometric and bone mineral density (BMD) measurements, and completed a health survey. Serum IGF-I concentrations were below the age-adjusted mean in 78% of the participants, and DHEA sulfate (DHEAS) concentrations were low in 72%. Serum concentrations of all cytokines were on the low side of normal; nonetheless, there was a modest inverse correlation between IL-1β and BMD at all sites. Results In univariate analyses, IGF-I and DHEAS were significant correlates of BMD or bone mineral content. In final multivariate models controlling for anthropometric and other variables of relevance to bone density, only IGF-I was identified as a significant independent skeletal predictor. While alterations in DHEAS, IGF-I, and specific cytokines may contribute to skeletal deficits in patients with CF, of these factors a low IGF-I concentration appears to be most strongly correlated with BMD. Conclusions These findings may have therapeutic implications for enhancing bone density in these patients.     

Risedronate Reduces the Risk of First Vertebral Fracture in Osteoporotic Women

Risedronate treatment reduces the risk of vertebral fracture in women with existing vertebral fractures, but its efficacy in prevention of the first vertebral fracture in women with osteoporosis but without vertebral fractures has not been determined. We examined the risk of first vertebral fracture in postmenopausal women who were enrolled in four placebo-controlled clinical trials of risedronate and who had low lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) (mean T-score =–3.3) and no vertebral fractures at baseline. Subjects received risedronate 5 mg (n= 328) or placebo (n= 312) daily for up to 3 years; all subjects were given calcium (1000 mg daily), as well as vitamin D supplementation (up to 500 IU daily) if baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were low. The incidence of first vertebral fracture was 9.4% in the women treated with placebo and 2.6% in those treated with risedronate 5 mg (risk reduction of 75%, 95% confidence interval 37% to 90%; P= 0.002). The number of patients who would need to be treated to prevent one new vertebral fracture is 15. When subjects were stratified by age, similar significant reductions were observed in patients with a mean age of 64 years (risk reduction of 70%, 95% CI 8% to 90%; P= 0.030) and in those with a mean age of 76 years (risk reduction of 80%, 95% CI 7% to 96%; P= 0.024). Risedronate treatment therefore significantly reduces the risk of first vertebral fracture in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, with a similar magnitude of effect early and late after the menopause. Received: 12 September 2001 / Accepted: 11 December 2001     

New stand magnifiers do not meet rated levels of performance

A new range of stand magnifiers has been released by the COIL company in the United Kingdom. Examination of these magnifiers reveals that they fail to deliver the rated magnifications labelled prominently on the appliances, as a result of the manufacturer's conformance with the requirements of the German DIN standard and the use of back vertex power (F'_v) rather than equivalent dioptric power (F_m) of the magnifier. In this study we provide information on the optometric parameters of these new stand magnifiers that will assist the more accurate specification of improvements in vision expected from their use.