Changzheng Huang

An outbreak of 268 cases of Paederus dermatitis in a toy‐building factory in central China

Objective  To evaluate the clinical features of and to identify the pathogen responsible for an outbreak of acute dermatitis in a toy‐building factory in Chibi city, central China.

Targeting Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1α With Tf–PEI–shRNA Complex via Transferrin Receptor–mediated Endocytosis Inhibits Melanoma Growth

Malignant melanoma (MM) is a major public health problem. The development of effective, systemic therapies for MM is highly desired. We showed here that the transferrin receptor (TfR) was a suitable surface marker for targeting of gene therapy in MM and that the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) was an attractive therapeutic molecular target in MM. We observed that inhibition of HIF-1α blocked cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in vitro. We then showed that a transferrin-polyethylenimine-HIF-1α-short-hairpin RNA (Tf-PEI-HIF-1α-shRNA) complex could target MM specifically and efficiently both in vivo and in vitro, exploiting the high expression of the TfR in MM. The systemic delivery of sequence-specific small-interfering RNA (siRNA) against HIF-1α by the Tf- PEI-HIF-1α-shRNA complex dramatically inhibited tumor growth in the A375 MM xenograft model. The underlying concept of transfecting a HIF-1α shRNA expression vector complexed with Tf-PEI to block HIF-1α holds promise as a clinical approach to gene therapy for MM.Malignant melanoma (MM) is a major public health problem. The development of effective, systemic therapies for MM is highly desired. We showed here that the transferrin receptor (TfR) was a suitable surface marker for targeting of gene therapy in MM and that the hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) was an attractive therapeutic molecular target in MM. We observed that inhibition of HIF-1alpha blocked cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in vitro. We then showed that a transferrin-polyethylenimine-HIF-1alpha-short-hairpin RNA (Tf-PEI-HIF-1alpha-shRNA) complex could target MM specifically and efficiently both in vivo and in vitro, exploiting the high expression of the TfR in MM. The systemic delivery of sequence-specific small-interfering RNA (siRNA) against HIF-1alpha by the Tf- PEI-HIF-1alpha-shRNA complex dramatically inhibited tumor growth in the A375 MM xenograft model. The underlying concept of transfecting a HIF-1alpha shRNA expression vector complexed with Tf-PEI to block HIF-1alpha holds promise as a clinical approach to gene therapy for MM.

Expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and vascular endothelial growth factor in human malignant melanoma and their relation to angiogenesis

Background.  Angiogenesis is the major and key factor for growth and invasion of tumours, including malignant melanoma (MM), but the factors that contribute to tumour angiogenesis are still unclear. 

Childhood psoriasis: a study of 137 cases from central China

BackgroundChildhood psoriasis is common, but it has not been adequately reported in China. This study was undertaken to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical findings in children with psoriasis treated in a 9-year period and to compare the data with those from other studies.MethodsThe data were from 137 children (≤14 years old) with psoriasis registered in two tertiary hospitals in Wuhan, China between January 2000 and December 2008. They were retrospectively studied.ResultsOf the 137 patients, aged between 3 and 14 years, 64 were males (46.7%) and 73 females (53.3%). Eleven patients (8%) had a family history of psoriasis. Infection was the most common precipitating factor (39, 28.5%). Seasonal influence was found in 57 patients (41.6%). Exacerbations in winter and spring were noted in 29 and 16 patients respectively. Plaque psoriasis was the most common type (72 patients, 52.6%), followed by guttate psoriasis (35, 25.5%), psoriasis pustulosa (15, 10.9%), and psoriasis erythroderma (7, 5.1%). The scalp was the most common initial site affected (69, 50.3%). Nail changes were found in 35 patients (25.5%), but no mucosal involvements were observed. Five patients had arthralgia and two showed abnormal X-ray appearance. Most of the affected children had pruritus. The co-morbidities of childhood psoriasis included allergic contact dermatitis (31, 22.6%), eczema (6, 4.3%), vitiligo (5, 3.6%), and alopecia areata (3, 2.2%). Psoriasis was sometimes misdiagnosed as dermatitis seborrheica (11, 8.0%), neurodermatitis (9, 6.6%) and balanitis (7, 5.1%). Some patients were treated with steroids, but there were obvious side-effects after longterm administration. Thiamphenicol was effective in the treatment of refractory psoriasis pustulosa in children.ConclusionsOur findings differ from those of previous studies, showing a lower rate of family history and a higher incidence of severe psoriasis. Differential diagnosis should be made especially when lesions occur at the scalp, elbow or balanus. Allergic contact dermatitis takes place more frequently in children with psoriasis than in normal children. Systemic corticosteroids should not be routinely used and other safer and more effective treatments are needed for severe cases.

Targeting hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha with Tf-PEI-shRNA complex via transferrin receptor-mediated endocytosis inhibits melanoma growth.

Malignant melanoma (MM) is a major public health problem. The development of effective, systemic therapies for MM is highly desired. We showed here that the transferrin receptor (TfR) was a suitable surface marker for targeting of gene therapy in MM and that the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) was an attractive therapeutic molecular target in MM. We observed that inhibition of HIF-1α blocked cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in vitro. We then showed that a transferrin-polyethylenimine-HIF-1α-short-hairpin RNA (Tf-PEI-HIF-1α-shRNA) complex could target MM specifically and efficiently both in vivo and in vitro, exploiting the high expression of the TfR in MM. The systemic delivery of sequence-specific small-interfering RNA (siRNA) against HIF-1α by the Tf- PEI-HIF-1α-shRNA complex dramatically inhibited tumor growth in the A375 MM xenograft model. The underlying concept of transfecting a HIF-1α shRNA expression vector complexed with Tf-PEI to block HIF-1α holds promise as a clinical approach to gene therapy for MM.Malignant melanoma (MM) is a major public health problem. The development of effective, systemic therapies for MM is highly desired. We showed here that the transferrin receptor (TfR) was a suitable surface marker for targeting of gene therapy in MM and that the hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) was an attractive therapeutic molecular target in MM. We observed that inhibition of HIF-1alpha blocked cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in vitro. We then showed that a transferrin-polyethylenimine-HIF-1alpha-short-hairpin RNA (Tf-PEI-HIF-1alpha-shRNA) complex could target MM specifically and efficiently both in vivo and in vitro, exploiting the high expression of the TfR in MM. The systemic delivery of sequence-specific small-interfering RNA (siRNA) against HIF-1alpha by the Tf- PEI-HIF-1alpha-shRNA complex dramatically inhibited tumor growth in the A375 MM xenograft model. The underlying concept of transfecting a HIF-1alpha shRNA expression vector complexed with Tf-PEI to block HIF-1alpha holds promise as a clinical approach to gene therapy for MM.

Olmsted syndrome: a case report and review of literature.

We report a case of an 18‐month‐old boy with slightly whitened fingernails and toenails since birth. At the age of 100 days, he progressively developed bilateral palmoplantar keratoderma which resulted in painful walking and disabled grasping. Perianal keratotic plaques and perioral hyperkeratotic erythema could also be observed. Both fingernails and toenails were dystrophic. Scalp hairs were sparse, but total alopecia was no present. The histopathologic changes of the biopsy from the inner side of the right foot showed nonspecific changes, which mainly showed highly hyperkeratosis and acanthosis with slight superficial perivascular inflammatory infiltration. A clinical diagnosis of Olmsted syndrome was established according to the typical feature of the lesions, which is the presence of symmetrical palmoplantar keratoderma with periorificial keratotic plaques. We review the literature and present a summary of all reported cases to date.

Endogenous production of nitric oxide contributes to proliferation effect of vascular endothelial growth factor‐induced malignant melanoma cell

The objectives of this study were to observe the effect of overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the proliferation of the malignant melanoma (MM) cell line A375, and to study the role of nitric oxide (NO) in this process and the mechanism of VEGF induced‐A375 cell proliferation. The VEGF165 cDNA was transfected into A375 cells by electroporation. VEGF mRNA and protein in A375 cells were detected by RT‐PCR and ELISA. The proliferation of A375 cells was assessed by cell counting and MTT assay. Protein expression of iNOS, eNOS and nNOS was detected by Western blotting. NO production in A375 cell supernatant was measured by the nitrate reductase method. VEGF mRNA in A375 cells was significantly increased 72 h and 96 h after transfection of VEGF165 cDNA, as were VEGF protein, NO and iNOS levels. However, protein expression of eNOS and nNOS was not detected in either transfected or untransfected cells. Proliferation of A375 cells transfected with VEGF165 cDNA was enhanced. The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor l‐NAME could dose‐dependently inhibit the proliferation of A375 cells evoked by VEGF. These results indicate that VEGF enhances the expression of iNOS in A375 cells and results in an increase in NO formation, which may be important in the process of VEGF‐induced proliferation of A375 cells.

Pilomatricoma with bullous appearance: a case report and review of literature

Pilomatricoma, also known as ‘‘benign calcifying epithelioma’’, ‘‘infundibulo-matrix tumor,’’ or ‘‘infundibulopilomatrix cyst’’, is an uncommon slow-growing benign adnexal skin tumor, which originates from primitive cells of the hair matrix and usually appears as a solitary, firm, and asymptomatic nodule beneath the skin. The appearance of the skin can be normal or bulla-shaped, which is very rare in clinical cases. In this study, we report a 16-year-old Chinese girl with pilomatricoma of bullous appearance and review the published cases of this rare condition.

Local expression of TAP‐1 and MHC‐I molecules and their relationship in condyloma acuminatum

Background.  Condyloma acuminatum (CA), caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), is characterized by a variable clinical course that can include significant morbidity, frequent disease recurrence and occasional oncogenicity. Effective CD8+ T‐cell‐mediated clearance of HPV‐infected cells may be defective in patients with CA, leading to recurrent disease and failure to suppress latent HPV reactivation. The pathogenesis responsible for CA and the persistence of latent HPV infection remain unknown.

Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma mimicking erythema multiforme

Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is an extremely rare and an aggressive lymphoma. We report an interesting case of extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma in a middle-aged woman which mimicked erythema multiforme. The skin lesions of this case looked like erythema multiforme due to the tagetoid lesions and mucosal erosions. The two biopsies from her chest and scalp lesions were different. One exhibited the characteristics of CD4+ CD56+ CD8-mycosis fungoides whereas the other biopsy from her scalp showed classical ENKTL histopathological manifestation with positive CD56, cytotoxic proteins and Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA (EBER).