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Developing low-loading Pt-based catalysts possessing glorious catalytic performance can accelerate oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and hence significantly advance the commercialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. In this report, we propose a hybrid catalyst that consists of low-loading sub-3 nm PtCo intermetallic nanoparticles carried on Co-N-C (PtCo/Co-N-C) via the microwave-assisted polyol procedure and subsequent heat treatment. Atomically dispersed Co atoms embedded in the Co-N-C carriers diffuse into the lattice of Pt, thus forming ultrasmall PtCo intermetallic nanoparticles. Owing to the dual effect of the enhanced metal-support interaction and alloy effect, as-fabricated PtCo/Co-N-C catalysts deliver an extraordinary performance, achieving a half-wave potential of 0.921 V, a mass activity of 0.700 A mg

Severe hemorrhage-induced acute lung injury (ALI) remains the major contributor to critical patient mortality and is associated with posthemorrhagic shock mesenteric lymph (PHSML) return. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) play overall protection on acute hemorrhage, but a reliable mechanism needs to be identified. The aims of this study were to investigate the role of ω-3 PUFAs in alleviating ALI and whether is related to the endotoxin contained in PHSML. Mesenteric lymph was harvested from rats subjected to hemorrhagic shock (hemorrhage-induced hypotension of 40 ± 2 mmHg for 90 min plus by resuscitation) or sham shock. The effect of ω-3 PUFAs on pulmonary function, water content, morphology, and LBP, CD14, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels were observed in rats subjected to hemorrhagic shock, while the effect of PHSML intravenous infusion on the beneficial effect of ω-3 PUFAs also was investigated. In addition, the effect of ω-3 PUFAs on the endotoxin contents in mesenteric lymph were detected. Hemorrhagic shock-induced ALI was characterized by increased functional residual capacity (FRC), lung resistance (RI), inspiratory capacity (IC), respiratory frequency, water contents and structural damage, along with increases in LBP, IL-6, and TNF-α. ω-3 PUFAs treatment reduced FRC, RI, IC, frequency, water contents, LBP, IL-6, TNF-α, and alleviated morphological damage. In contrast, PHSML infusion abolished the advantageous effects of ω-3 PUFAs on the above indices and CD14. Furthermore, the endotoxin level of PHSML was significantly enhanced, but declined following ω-3 PUFAs administration. These findings together suggested that treatment with ω-3 PUFAs ameliorates hemorrhagic shock-induced ALI, which is associated with reduced endotoxin contained in PHSML.

This study was aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of flap transplantation combined with vacuum sealing drainage and methylprednisolone and cyclosporine in the treatment of ulcer wound of patients with pyoderma gangrenosum (PG). From August 2014 to February 2022, 30 patients with pyoderma gangrenosum ulcer wounds were selected as the research objects and randomly divided into the observation group (n = 12) and the control group (n = 18) in this retrospective study. The patients in observation group were treated with VSD combined with flap transplantation and immunosuppressive agent treatment, while the control group was treated with normal dressing change combined with hormone and cyclosporine. The ulcer wound healing time and dressing change times were compared between the two groups. All the 30 cases of two groups healed after corresponding treatment. The wound healing time of ulcer in the observation group was 35-40 days, with an average healing time of (35.83 ± 1.95) days, and the wound healing time of the control group was 60-200 days, with an average healing time of (44.14 ± 9.67) days. The healing time of observation groups was significantly shorter than that in the control group (t = 4.652, P .05). The frequency of dressing change in the observation group was seven-eight times, with an average of (7.17 ± 0.39) times, and the frequency of dressing change in the control group was 75-86 times, with an average of (79.22 ± 3.62) times. The difference between the two groups was significant (t = 6.214, P .05). The treatment of VSD combined with flap transplantation and immunosuppressive agent treatment promote ulcer wound healing of pyoderma gangrenosum.

Although skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is a relatively immunotherapy-sensitive tumor type, there is still a certain fraction that benefits less from treatment. Ferroptosis has been demonstrated to modulate tumor progression in many cancer types. This study focused on ferroptosis-related genes to construct a prognostic model for SKCM patients.Gene expression profiles of SKCM samples were obtained from public databases. Unsupervised consensus clustering was used to determine molecular subtypes related to ferroptosis. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and stepwise Akaike information criterion (stepAIC) were applied to construct a prognostic model based on differentially expressed genes between two molecular subtypes.C1 and C2 subtypes were identified with differential prognosis and immune infiltration. A 7-gene prognostic model was constructed to classify samples into high-FPRS and low-FPRS groups. Low-FPRS group with favorable prognosis had higher immune infiltration and more enriched immune-related pathways than the high-FPRS group. The two groups showed distinct sensitivity to immunotherapy, with the low-FPRS group predicted to have more positive response to immunotherapy than the high-FPRS group. A nomogram based on the FPRS score and clinical features was built for more convenient use.The critical role of ferroptosis involved in SKCM development was further validated in this study. The prognostic model was efficient and stable to be applied in clinical conditions to support clinicians in determining personalized therapy for SKCM patients especially those with metastasis.

We mainly study the conversion efficiency of Erbium/Ytterbium (Er/Yb) co-doped silicate glass fiber (Nufern PM-EYDF-12/130-HE) under different pump wavelengths, pump methods, gain fiber length and input signal power. Through a series of experimental studies, it is found that the hybrid pump mode of multi-mode pump diodes at 976 nm and 915 nm/940 nm are more efficient than that of single-wavelength pumping. When the input signal power is 85 mW, the fiber length is 3.9 m, the hybrid pump power of 976 nm and 940 nm is 10 W respectively, the output optical power can reach 6.41 W, and the optical-to-optical conversion efficiency is 33.7 %, and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is more than 45 dB. When the hybrid pump power of 976 nm and 915 nm is 10 W respectively, the output power can reach 6.31 W, and the PPCE is 33 %. Under the condition of 20 W reverse pump power, the optical-to-optical efficiency of 976 nm, 915 nm and 940 nm single-wavelength pump is 30.7 %, 25.2 % and 21.7 % respectively.

Background and objectiveSevere hemorrhagic shock leads to excessive inflammation and immune dysfunction, which resulted in high mortality related to mesenteric lymph return. Recent study showed that stellate ganglion block (SGB) increased survival rate in rats suffered hemorrhagic shock. However, whether SGB ameliorates immune dysfunction induced by hemorrhagic shock, it remains unknown. The aim of present study is therefore to verify the favorable effect of SGB on the proliferation and function of splenic CD4 + T cells isolated from rats underwent hemorrhagic shock, and investigate its mechanism focusing autophagy and PHSML.Materials and methodsMale rats underwent SGB or sham SGB pretreatment and conscious acute hemorrhage followed by resuscitation and multiple treatments. After three hours of resuscitation, splenic CD4 + T cells were isolated for the measurements of proliferation and cytokine production following stimulation with ConA in vitro. Furthermore, the CD4 + T cells isolated from normal rats were treated with post-hemorrhagic shock mesenteric lymph (PHSML) drained from rats treated with SGB or not. And the proliferation, cytokine production and autophagy biomarkers were detected.ResultsHemorrhagic shock reduced CD4 + T cells proliferation and function to produce interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4 and tumor necrosis factor-α-induced protein 8 like 2 (TIPE2). SGB pretreatment or administration of autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) significantly normalized these indicators. In contrast, administration of autophagy agonist rapamycin (RAPA) or intravenous injection of PHSML inhibited the beneficial effect of SGB on CD4 + T cells obtained from hemorrhagic shocked rats. Furthermore, PHSML incubation decreased the proliferation and cytokine production, increased LC3 II/I and Beclin-1 expressions, and reduced p-PI3K and p-Akt expressions of normal CD4 + T cells. More critically, these adverse effects of PHSML were abolished by 3-MA administration, as well as incubation with PHSML obtained from SGB treated rats.ConclusionsSGB improves splenic CD4 + T cells function following hemorrhagic shock, which is related to the inhibition of PHSML-mediated autophagy.

Lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) type E is a recently described variant characterized by the occurrence of large necrotic eschar-like lesions displaying microscopically angioinvasive and angiodestructive infiltrates of CD30+ lymphocytes, frequently coexpressing CD8. Rare cases of LyP type E with a CD56+ immunophenotype have been described. Herein, we describe a 36-year-old woman with LyP type E, characterized by purpura-like lesions on her left ankle. Initially, she presented with left ankle swelling, petechiae and ecchymosis, and rapidly developing necrotic papules, all of which resolved spontaneously over a period of a few months without intentional therapy. Biopsy revealed CD30 and CD56 positive atypical cell infiltrates with marked angiocentricity and angiodestruction. Awareness of this rare LyP variant and its correct recognition, even if the clinical presentation is unusual, is important to avoid aggressive treatment.

Objective We retrospectively studied the efficacy of personalized therapy with surgical resection plus prophylactic management of postsurgical auricular keloids by intralesional injection of betamethasone and local pressure therapy using magnets in patients with auricular keloids. Methods Surgical excision was performed in all patients, and surgical techniques including fusiform excision of the keloid scar, core excision of the keloid scar followed by flap repair, and scar graft were chosen. Results A total of 85 patients with 98 auricular keloids were eligible. Seventy-two (74%) patients had primary auricular keloids, and 13 patients had recurrent keloids after surgical excision. Keloids, were located in the helix in 28 (32.9%) cases, in the earlobe in 45 (52.9%) cases, and in the entire auricle in 12 (14.1%) cases. The size of auricular keloids ranged from 10 to 35 mm. Surgical resection was uneventful in all cases. Twenty-one (21.4%) patients received fusiform excision, 47 (47.9%) patients underwent core excision and flap repair, and 30 (30.6%) patients received skin grafts. The patients were followed up for median duration of 1 year (range: 12-24 months). The cure rate was 87.2%, and the recurrence rate was 12.8%. Conclusion A personalized surgical approach based on the characteristics of auricular keloids in each patient and a multimodal therapeutic regimen including surgical excision, glucocorticoid blockade, and intralesional injection of glucocorticoids and pressure therapy improve the cure rate and reduce the recurrence rate of auricular keloids.

Background Intestinal barrier dysfunction is the critical link of distant organ injury caused by hemorrhagic shock. The role of autophagy in ischemic intestinal injury has been paid more and more attention. Prophylactic treatment of stellate ganglion block (SGB) reduces intestinal barrier dysfunction induced by haemorrhagic shock. This study investigated the role of SGB post-processing on improved bowel barrier function and autophagy-related mechanisms of action after haemorrhagic shock. Methods The model of hemorrhagic shock in conscious rats was established, and the rats were treated with SGB, autophagy inhibitor 3- methyladenine (3-MA) at the time of fluid resuscitation. We detected the survival rate, intestinal loop blood flow, intestinal barrier permeability, intestinal morphology, wet/dry ratio (W/D), the intestinal barrier and autophagy marker proteins. Simultaneously, we also observed the effect of autophagy activator rapamycin (RAPA) on SGB. Results SGB postconditioning significantly prolonged the overall survival and enhanced survival rate of 72 hours in rats after hemorrhagic shock. SGB post-processing and 3-MA administration improved the intestinal morphology and intestinal permeability, increased the intestinal loop blood flow and expression of ZO1, Occludin and Claudin-1, and decreased the intestinal W/D and LC3 and Beclin-1 expressions, expected for increased P62. Meanwhile, RAPA partially inhibited the effect of SGB on above indices in haemorrhagic shock rats. Conclusion SGB postconditioning alleviates the intestinal barrier dysfunction caused by haemorrhagic shock, which is related to the inhibition of excessive autophagy.

Candida albicans is an important fungal pathogen that causes a wide variety of human infections, ranging from mucocutaneous infections to life-threatening systemic infections. Phospholipase B1 (PLB1) has been reported to be directly responsible for C. albicans pathogenicity and is likely to be involved in the early steps of host invasion. Therefore, PLB1 could be a potential marker for diagnosis of C. albicans infection. In this study, PLB1 was expressed using an Escherichia coli expression system. Recombinant PLB1 is found in inclusion bodies and constitutes up to 38.4% of total insoluble protein. After refolding in a GSH/GSSG redox system, GST-tagged PLB1 was purified by GST-sepharose 4B affinity chromatography and then cleaved with thrombin to remove the GST-tag. The recombinant PLB1 was further purified by anion-exchange chromatography and reverse phase HPLC. The final yield of purified PLB1 was approximately 15.6 mg from 100 mL of bacterial cell culture, and its concentration was 784 μg/μL. The recombinant PLB1 could form a white precipitation zone on egg yolk agar plate, suggesting its phospholipase activity. Moreover, the maximum activity of PLB1 was 68 IU/mg at pH 6.0, 37 °C. Therefore, recombinant PLB1 has potential application in structural analytical studies, or diagnosis of C. albicans infection.

The GeO2 modified high-concentration Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped phosphate glasses with composition 64P2O5–2ZnO–13BaCO3–13K2CO3–8Al2O3–0.5Er2O3–12Yb2O3–xGeO2 mol% (PEYG, x=0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10) were successfully prepared by the melt-quenching method. The structure and spectroscopic properties were revealed by analyzing refractive index, expansion coefficient, glass transition temperature, absorption and emission spectra, and laser properties. We studied the relationship between GeO2 doping content and spectroscopic properties, finding that GeO2 could enhance 1535 nm emission of the PEYG glasses. The PEYG modified with 5 mol% GeO2 showed the best spectroscopic properties. The study provided a good guidance for the design of high gain laser glasses and fibers.

The Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped phosphate glasses with GeO2 modification (PGs) were successfully prepared by melt-quenching method. Their physical parameters were investigated such as density, refractive index, glass transition temperature and coefficients of thermal expansion. The phenomenological intensity parameters Ω t (t = 2, 4, 6) of the PGs have been calculated by the Judd-Ofelt theory. The relationship between optical properties and GeO2 concentration was discussed in this work. The laser experiment using PG10 (GeO2 10 mol% modified phosphate glass with Er3+/Yb3+ ratio of 0.5/2) was carried out. The research results indicate that the introduction of GeO2 results in a large absorption and emission cross-section, a long lifetime, a high quantum efficiency, and an excellent laser performance. All these advantages could also portend an optimized method for improving spectroscopic properties in other constituent Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped phosphate glass by introducing GeO2.

Background Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease with a strong genetic component. Interleukin (IL)-12 is one of the key cytokines in immune regulation and is overexpressed in psoriasis. The aim of this study was to update the meta-analysis for the association between IL-12 p40 gene ( IL-12B ) rs3212227 polymorphism and risk of psoriasis. Methods We performed a literature search from inception to December 2014. Review Manger 5.2 was used for meta-analysis. Odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated under five genotype models: C versus A, CC + AC versus AA, CC versus AA + AC, CC versus AA, and CC versus AC. In addition, subgroup analyses were performed by ethnicity. Results Nine studies involving 6520 psoriasis patients and 11,150 healthy controls were included. Two included studies were newly published studies, which were not analyzed in previous meta-analyses. The overall meta-analysis showed the significant association between psoriasis and IL-12B rs3212227 in all the genotype models, indicating that carriers of genotype CC or allele C had a less risk of psoriasis. Meanwhile, subgroup analyses showed this association existed in not only European, but also Asian populations. Conclusion This meta-analysis demonstrated that IL-12B rs3212227 was associated with the risk of psoriasis in European and Asian populations.

The intrinsic optoelectronic properties of heteroleptic bipyridyl Cu(I) complexes bearing functionalized acceptor subunits have been investigated by density functional theory and time-dependent DFT. The Cu(I) complexes exhibit distorted trigonal-pyramidal geometries and typical metal-to-ligand electron transfer characteristics at the long wavelength region. Replacing carboxylic acid with cyanoacrylic acid in acceptor subunits stabilizes the LUMO levels, thus lowering the HOMOLUMO energy gaps and facilitating favorable donor-to-acceptor intramolecular electron transfer and charge separation. Introduction of heteroaromatic groups and cyanoacrylic acid significantly improves the light-harvesting capability of the complexes. Our results highlight the effect of functionalized acceptors on the optoelectronic properties of bipyridyl Cu(I) complexes and provide a fresh perspective on screening of efficient sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells.

A series of heteroleptic Cu(I)-based dyes were investigated by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT). Results showed that Cu(I)-based dyes were inclined to form distorted pseudo-trigonal pyramidal configurations with four-coordinated geometry index τ4 ranging from 0.905 to 0.914. The absorption spectra of Cu(I)-based dyes covered ∼300.0–600.0 nm region, and the lowest excitation states were crucial for efficient electron excitation and separation. Suitable energy levels of Cu(I)-based dyes rendered them thermodynamically favorable for efficient electron injection into semiconductor and regeneration from electrolyte. Relative to π-conjugation, heteroaromatic groups introduced into ancillary ligands could significantly improve the property of Cu(I)-based dyes by decreasing HOMO-LUMO gaps, red-shifting spectral range, strengthening absorption intensity, boosting light-harvesting efficiency, and promoting interfacial electron injection. Specifically, Cu(I)-based dye with dithiole-functionalized group exhibited outstanding optoelectronic property.

Psoriasis is one of the most common inflammatory skin conditions affecting both children and adults. Growing evidence indicates that T-helper 17 (Th17) cells and CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T (Treg) cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. However, the relationship between Th17 and Treg cells and their dynamic variations in paediatric psoriasis remain unclear. In this study, we found that both Th17 and FoxP3(+) Treg cells and the ratio of Th17 to Treg cell frequency in the peripheral circulation were increased in patients with paediatric psoriasis and were positively correlated with the disease severity. The function of Treg to suppress CD4(+) CD25(-) T cell proliferation and IFN-γ secretion was impaired during the onset of psoriasis. After disease remission, both the Th17 and Treg cell frequencies were decreased, and the suppressive function of the Treg cells was obviously restored. However, neither Treg cells from the disease onset nor those after remission can regulate IL-17 secretion by CD4(+) T cells. These findings will further our understanding of the associations between Th17 and Treg cells in paediatric psoriasis and their influence on disease severity.

A series of heteroleptic Cu(I) complexes integrating dicarboxylic acid dimethyl bipyridine/phenanthroline with functionalized chromophores have been investigated by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT). The molecular geometry, electronic structure, electronic excitation and absorption spectrum, light-harvesting efficiency (LHE), and intramolecular electron transfer (IET) are analyzed in dichloromethane solution. The four-coordinated heteroleptic Cu(I) complexes exhibit distorted trigonal-pyramidal geometries. Introducing the functionalized chromophores does not only disperse the electron distribution of HOMOs over the Cu(I) center and π-conjugated donors, but also downshift the HOMO levels and reduce the HOMO-LUMO gaps, and thus improve the light-harvesting efficiency significantly. The electronic excitations of all Cu(I) complexes at 300.0–375.0 and 475.0–575.0 nm are more favorable for the direct electron injection into semiconductor than those at 400.0–450.0 nm. The structural optimizations along the transverse direction of the Cu(I) complexes result in more transferred electrons, longer electron transfer distances, smaller IET rates, and less orbital overlaps than those along the longitudinal direction. Our results elucidate the detailed photon-to-electron conversion mechanisms of heteroleptic Cu(I) complexes, and provide a fresh insight into the design and screening of novel sensitizers for DSSCs.

The crystal configuration, electronic structure, charge-carrier transport, and optical properties of Ge-based MAGeX3 perovskites (MA = CH3NH3+; X = Cl−, Br−, and I−) and AGeI3 (A = Cs+, MA, FA (HC(NH2)2+), MO (CH3C(NH2)2+), and GA (C(NH2)3+)) were investigated using first-principles theory. The results showed that the increase in Ge–X bonds (from Cl− to I−) in MAGeX3 increased the volumes, weakened the covalent coupling of Ge–X, lowered the bandgaps, reduced the electron and hole effective masses, and red shifted the absorption spectra. Different A cations in the AGeI3 systems altered the package of perovskite crystals and thus significantly influenced the electronic and optical properties of those perovskites. Electronic property analyses revealed that the valence band maxima (VBM) of AGeI3 perovskites were mainly contributed by the I 5p and Ge 4s orbitals, whereas the conduction band minima (CBM) were dominated by Ge 4p orbitals. In AGeI3 perovskites, the bandgap increased and the absorption spectrum blue shifted in the sequence of Cs+ → MA → FA → MO → GA. Our results highlighted the effects of A and X on the photoelectronic properties of Ge-based perovskites.

High-concentration erbium-ytterbium (Er3+/Yb3+) co-doped phosphate glasses were manufactured by the melt-quenching method. The phosphate glass matrix was 58.5P2O5–11K2CO3–11BaCO3–7Al2O3–2ZnO-0.5Er2O3-xYb2O3 (x = 10, 11, 12, and 13 mol%). Various spectroscopic parameters of glasses were measured as a function of the matrix composition, temperature control, dehydration and the Er3+/Yb3+ concentration to evaluate the potential of these glasses to act as a laser material for the eye-safe laser emission (1.53 μm). The density, refractive index, glass-transition temperature, and softening temperature increase gradually with the increase of Yb3+ concentration. The glass sample with 12 mol% Yb2O3 did not show devitrification even when the temperature reached 850 °C. The optimized Er3+/Yb3+ ratio of 0.5/12, gives the highest luminescence intensity at 1535 nm under 980 nm excitation. The luminescence lifetime for 4I13/2 of Er3+ ions is 7.85 ms. The emission cross section at 1535 nm was calculated to be 7.11 × 10−21 cm2 by using the McCumber theory.

The authors conducted this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in the treatment of androgenic alopecia (AA). RCTs published in Pubmed, Web of Science, and Embase were systematically reviewed to identify the effects of PBMT in AA patients. The outcome measures included hair density and hair growth. Results were expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI) and a risk ratio (RR) of 95%CI. A fixed-effects model or a randomized-effects model was performed according to the heterogeneity among the included studies. Nine RCTs met the inclusion criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. The mean change from baseline in hair density was 36.78 ± 23.84/cm2 in the PBMT group as compared with 8.88 ± 19.56/cm2 in the control group. Patients who received PBMT had a greater increase in hair density than those treated with a sham device (WMD = 18.56/cm2, 95%CI: 13.22, 23.89; P

In this study, the hands and feet of 15,384 undergraduate and postgraduate students in 3 colleges in Beijing were examined for the presence of cutaneous warts at college-entry, and those diagnosed with warts were followed up 2–3 years later. We identified totally 215 (1.4%; 95% CI, 1.2–1.6%) students with warts. The prevalence was significantly higher in male than in female students (2.0% vs. 0.9%, P

The histopathological characteristics of lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) vary. Currently, 6 subtypes have been reported, including a new subtype with perifollicular infiltration and different degrees of folliculotropism of CD30+ atypical lymphocytes, known as follicular LyP. However, LyP pathologically manifesting with folliculotropism, eccrinotropism and neurotropism has been rarely reported. We present a case of LyP showing CD30+ atypical lymphocytes around the hair follicle, eccrine gland and nerve fiber, with varying degrees of infiltrates. The pathological characteristics of folliculotropism and eccrinotropism are often associated with mycosis fungoides (MF). This case suggests that differential diagnosis is necessary when atypical lymphocytes infiltrate the follicle and eccrine gland. As folliculotropism and eccrinotropism can occur in both MF and LyP, it may represent a conceptual intersection between the 2 disease processes.

Background: Acne vulgaris is a prevalent skin disorder impairing both physical and psychosocial health. This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with minocycline in moderate to severe facial acne and influence on quality of life (QOL). Methods: Ninety-five patients with moderate to severe facial acne (Investigator Global Assessment [IGA] score 3–4) were randomly treated with PDT and minocycline (n = 48) or minocycline alone (n = 47). All patients took minocycline hydrochloride 100 mg/d for 4 weeks, whereas patients in the minocycline plus PDT group also received 4 times PDT treatment 1 week apart. IGA score, lesion counts, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and safety evaluation were performed before treatment and at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after enrolment. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in characteristics between 2 treatment groups at baseline. Minocycline plus PDT treatment led to a greater mean percentage reduction from baseline in lesion counts versus minocycline alone at 8 weeks for both inflammatory (−74.4% vs −53.3%; P

Photo-induced intramolecular electron transfer (IET) of a series of heterodinuclear Ru(II)–Co(III) complexes has been theoretically investigated by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT). The Ru(II)–Co(III) complexes display Ru → Co metal-to-metal electron transfer (MMET) in the visible region. The photosensitivity involving spectral response range and absorption intensity, and IET rate, are improved by introducing (Z)-N-(1H-isoindol-1-ylidene)-2H-isoindol-1-amine as donor ligands. The Ru → Co IET rate in the newly designed complexes shows at least one order of magnitude larger than that in [(bpy)2-Ru(pytp)Co(tren)]5+. These superior performances indicate that heterodinuclear Ru(II)–Co(III) complexes could be promising as the effective ligand release carriers for the selective cancer treatment.

A series of porphyrin sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been systematically investigated by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution. The effects of π-bridge length, heteroaromatic unit, longitudinal conjugation, and relative position of functionalized groups on the optical and electrical properties are elucidated by analyzing the geometry, electronic structure, electron excitation, spectrum, photo-induced intramolecular electron transfer (IET), and light-harvesting efficiency (LHE). Our results show that the increase in π-bridge length by the addition of phenyl groups distances the electron distribution of LUMO away from the anchoring group and sharply decreases the effective electron excitation at the long wavelength region. The introduction of heteroaromatics in the π-bridge, especially electron-deficient units, stabilizes LUMO levels and improves the light-harvesting capability and donor-to-acceptor IET characteristics significantly. The extension of longitudinal π-conjugation in the π-bridge broadens the B band and slightly strengthens and redshifts the Q band but results in undesired orbital overlap. Repositioning the phenyl/thiophene group away from carboxylic acid increases the energy gap but leads to more effective long-range IET processes with more electrons, longer distance, lower orbital overlap, and moderate transfer rate. Our results highlight the significant effect of the functionalized π-bridge on porphyrin sensitizers, and provide a new insight into the design and screening of sensitizers for DSSCs.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin for which an effective treatment strategy remains to be developed. Characteristics of psoriasis include an altered differentiation of keratinocytes and hyperplasia of the skin. The present study aimed to investigate the role served by miR-520a in psoriasis. The results demonstrated that miR-520a inhibited the proliferation of HaCaT cells. miR-520a directly regulated the mRNA and protein expression of its target gene, protein kinase B (AKT). The siRNA silencing of AKT expression in these cells was also evaluated. miRNA-520a repressed the proliferation and mitotic entry of HaCaT cells, and promoted cell apoptosis. AKT silencing suppressed the proliferation of HaCaT cells. These results suggest that miRNA-520a regulates the survival of HaCaT cells by inhibiting AKT expression. miRNA-520a and AKT may therefore be novel targets for the treatment of patients with psoriasis.

Etanercept has been shown to be effective for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Since most clinical trials examined etanercept in combination with other drugs, the efficacy and safety of etanercept monotherapy for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis have not been well established. This prospective study enrolled 61 Chinese patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis to explore the efficacy and safety of etanercept monotherapy. These patients were treated with etanercept at a subcutaneous dose of 25 mg, twice a week, for 12 weeks. All the 61 patients completed the treatment and showed significant improvement in psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores. At 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment, the response rates (PASI75) were 0%, 21.31%, and 40.98%, respectively. It was concluded that etanercept monotherapy is efficacious and safe for patients with moderate- to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Squamous cell skin carcinoma remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality with a huge cost of treatment, necessitating discovery and validation of potent therapeutic targets. Poly r(C) binding protein 1 (PCBP1) has been previously shown to function as a tumor suppressor. Previous work has shown that PCBP1 expression is inversely correlated to maintenance of cancer stem cells in squamous cell skin carcinoma and prostate cancer, respectively. However, the precise mechanism that regulates PCBP1 expression has not been elucidated. Here, we show that loss of PCBP1 protein expression observed in CD34+ COLO-16 cells is orchestrated by translational silencing. Translational silencing is caused by targeting of PCBP1 mRNA by miR-490-3p. Exogenous manipulation of miR-490-3p levels can accordingly modulate PCBP1 protein expression, thus suggesting that miR-490-3p as a potential biomarker in squamous cell skin cancer with therapeutic benefits.

Aims: To investigate the expression of CB 2 in normal skin, pigmented nevus, and malignant melanoma; analyze its relation with genesis; and development of malignant melanoma. Materials and Methods: In our study, we detected the expression of CB 2 in 20 cases of melanoma, nevus tissue, and normal skin tissues, respectively, by using immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and RT-PCR. Moreover, we investigated the localization and expression of CB 2 in human melanoma cell line A375 and human immortalized keratinocyte cell line HaCaT by using immunofluorescence and western blotting. Results: Our data revealed that CB 2 is unregulated in melanoma. Conclusions: CB 2 plays a role in the development of melanoma.

Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome is characterized by various dermatological manifestations and osteoarthropathy frequently localized to the anterior chest wall. Dermatologists should be familiar with this syndrome. Its early diagnosis is important to avoid prolonged antibiotic treatments and unnecessary invasive procedures. We report a new case of this syndrome with review of the relevant published work.