Mechanisms of repigmentation induced by photobiomodulation therapy in vitiligo

Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy is based on the exposure of biological tissues to low‐level laser light (coherent light) or light‐emitting diodes (LEDs; noncoherent light), leading to the modulation of cellular functions, such as proliferation and migration, which result in tissue regeneration. PBM therapy has important clinical applications in regenerative medicine. Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentary disorder resulting from disappearance of functional melanocytes in the involved skin. Vitiligo repigmentation depends on available melanocytes derived from (a) melanocyte stem cells located in the bulge area of hair follicles and (b) the epidermis at the lesional borders, which contains a pool of functional melanocytes. Since follicular melanoblasts (MBs) are derived from the melanocyte stem cells residing at the bulge area of hair follicle, the process of vitiligo repigmentation presents a research model for studying the regenerative effect of PBM therapy. Previous reports have shown favourable response for treatment of vitiligo with a low‐energy helium‐neon (He‐Ne) laser. This review focuses on the molecular events that took place during the repigmentation process of vitiligo triggered by He‐Ne laser (632.8 nm, red light). Monochromatic radiation in the visible and infrared A (IRA) range sustains matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), improves mitochondrial function, and increases adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis and O₂ consumption, which lead to cellular regenerative pathways. Cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondria was reported to be the photoacceptor upon which He‐Ne laser exerts its effects. Mitochondrial retrograde signalling is responsible for the cellular events by red light. This review shows that He‐Ne laser initiated mitochondrial retrograde signalling via a Ca²⁺‐dependent cascade. The impact on cytochrome c oxidase within the mitochondria, an event that results in activation of CREB (cyclic‐AMP response element binding protein)‐related cascade, is responsible for the He‐Ne laser promoting functional development at different stages of MBs and boosting functional melanocytes. He‐Ne laser irradiation induced (a) melanocyte stem cell differentiation; (b) immature outer root sheath MB migration; (c) differentiated outer root sheath MB melanogenesis and migration; and (d) perilesional melanocyte migration and proliferation. These photobiomodulation effects result in perifollocular and marginal repigmentation in vitiligo.     

Computed tomography imaging features for amyloid dacryolith in the nasolacrimal excretory system: A case report

BACKGROUNDNasolacrimal duct obstruction leading to epiphora is a common ophthalmologic complaint, and it may derive from amyloidosis in rare cases. There are a few reports about localized amyloidosis, and amyloidosis with involvement and obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct is exceedingly rare. CASE SUMMARYA 54-year-old male presented with a 2-year history of a lump overlying the left lacrimal sac that had grown rapidly for nearly half a year. Physical examination touched a firm lump in the left lacrimal sac. Nasal endoscopy discovered lesions in appearance of sediments with easy bleeding at the entry of the nasolacrimal duct of the left inferior nasal meatus. Computerized tomography scan revealed speckle high density in the left lacrimal sac and the dilated nasolacrimal duct. During an endoscopic exploration and excision, a large number of dacryoliths were exposed. Pathology indicated amorphous pink material and multinucleated giant cell reaction in the fibrous tissue.CONCLUSIONThis case showed amyloidosis in localized form mimicking dacryolith with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. In clinical practice, we should be aware of the possibility of localized amyloidosis in the nasolacrimal excretory system.     

严重脓毒症及脓毒性休克儿科管理指南(2008年版)解读

欧洲198家监护病房的资料显示,严重脓毒症患者约占30%,这些患者中有一半被诊断为感染性休克(脓毒性休克)[1].严重脓毒症及感染性休克也是引起危重患儿死亡的重要原因[2].如何改进治疗及提高抢救成功率一直是医学界关注的热点.大量相关研究工作,特别是多项随机、对照、多中心临床研究的进行,使新的、更可靠的资料不断涌现,为不断完善严重脓毒症及感染性休克治疗方案提供了科学依据.     

Clinical significance of quantitative studies of cell nucleus in lymphocytes of the cerebrospinal fluid in leukemia]

The nuclear content, area and perimeter of the nucleus of lymphocytes in the C.S.F. were determined quantitatively by means of image analysis technique. 26 cases of central nervous system lymphocytic leukemia (CNLL), and 8 suspected cases were studied, other 56 cases who did not have leukemic and neoplastic diseases and had normal C.S.F. lymphocytes were taken as a control. Our data showed that all the mean nuclear content (MNC), mean nuclear area (MNA), mean nuclear perimeter (MNP), and the maximum and minimum nuclear contents of the 2 groups of former patients were obviously higher than those of the contral (P less than 0.01). These results presented suggestion that the image analysis technique can be used for differentiating the leukemic lymphocyte from normal one especially in suspected cases, and thus the diagnosis of CNLL might be improved.     

Immigrants et tuberculose : données épidémiologiques récentes

Immigrants, and especially those recently arrived in host countries, are a high-risk group for tuberculosis. In 2006 in France, nearly half of the new cases of tuberculosis were reported in this group. The incidence rate among people born abroad was about seven times higher than that observed in people born in France (38.9/10⁵ vs 5.2/10⁵). The incidence was also the highest in districts with a high proportion of socioeconomically vulnerable population, such as Paris and greater Paris area. The characteristics of French born and non-French born cases differed. Patients born abroad were less likely to have pulmonary tuberculosis (68.2% vs 78.2; p < 0.001) and were more likely to live in institutions (such as migrant shelters) and to harbor multiresistant tuberculosis strains. A national tuberculosis control program was launched in France in 2007, to decrease the prevalence of tuberculosis in targeted populations.     

输尿管镜弹道碎石术治疗输尿管石街并发急性肾功能衰竭(附5例报告)

目的 探讨应用输尿管镜弹道碎石术治疗输尿管石街并发急性肾功能衰竭的临床效果.方法 对5例输尿管石街并发急性肾功能衰竭采用急诊输尿管镜弹道碎石术治疗的患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析.结果 5例均临床痊愈,疗效满意.结论 认为输尿管镜弹道碎石术是治疗输尿管石街并发急性肾功能衰竭的一种安全有效的方法 .     

不同微生物诱导家蝇幼虫表达抗菌肽的特性

研究不同微生物诱导家蝇幼虫表达的抗菌肽特性.用3种不同的病源菌通过针刺感染的方法诱导家蝇幼虫表达抗菌肽,通过Sephadex G25分离,用Hult mark改进法和抑菌圈测定法作抑菌试验,用毛细管电泳（CE）分析不同微生物诱导得到的抗菌肽样品差异,检测抗菌肽的热稳定性和酸碱耐受性.发现不同微生物诱导产生的家蝇抗菌肽具有广谱抑菌性,但不同样品对不同病源菌抑菌活性有差异,不同测定抑菌效果的方法对抑菌结果有影响,各种抗菌肽样品CE蛋白谱具有明显不同.抗菌肽样品都具有热稳定性和酸碱耐受性.说明不同微生物诱导产生的家蝇抗菌肽类型以及抗菌肽含量与诱导源有关,抗菌肽为家蝇幼虫体内固有成分,诱导增加了抗菌肽的表达量同时刺激新抗菌肽的产生.用志贺氏菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、鼠伤寒沙门氏菌诱导家蝇幼虫可产生较多含量高活性好的抗菌肽.     

高频及彩色多普勒血流显像对急慢性附睾炎的诊断价值

目的 :探讨应用高频及彩色多普勒血流显像 (CDFI)对急慢性附睾炎的诊断价值。方法 :采用直接检查法观测A组 :急性附睾炎 1 4例 ,B组 :慢性附睾炎 36例。观察附睾及精索静脉的二维超声图像特征 ,检测附睾血流动力学变化。结果 :A组附睾血流丰富 ,可呈现花环状血流或树枝状血流 ,B组附睾周围呈弧状不完整的线状血流。A组血流速度明显高于B组 (P <0 .0 1 ) ,阻力指数前者低于后者 ,有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 1 )。A、B两组患侧均有精索静脉曲张 (P <0 0 1 ) ,二者之间扩张程度无显著性差异 (P >0 .0 5)。结论 :高频及彩色多普勒血流显像对二者的鉴别诊断能够提供可靠依据 ,可作为急慢性附睾炎的首选检查方法 ,患侧精索静脉曲张可作为附睾炎诊断依据之一