[Study the involvement of Langerin in mediating epicutaneous sensitization of atopic dermatitis-like mouse model]

Objective: To explore the role of Langerin in mediating epicutaneous sensitization of atopic dermatitis (AD) in mouse model. Methods: Mice were topically treated with calcipotriol (MC903) plus ovalbumin (OVA) on the ears to establish AD mouse models, and mice were divided into wild-type control group, wild-type AD group, Langerin knockout control group, and Langerin knockout AD group. Changes of lesion were daily observed. Infiltration of inflammatory cells, mRNA expression of Tslp, Il4, Il13, Il17a, and Il22, levels of serum total IgE, OVA-specific IgE (sIgE), OVA sIgG1 and OVA sIgG2a, proportion of regulatory T (Treg) cells in cervical draining lymph nodes were evaluated at the end of model preparation. Results: Skin tumidness and thickness, dermal inflammatory cells infiltration, the mRNA expression levels of Tslp, Il4, Il13, Il17a and Il22 in wild-type AD groups were higher than those in wild-type control groups, with (1.80±0.66, 1.64±0.25, 1.71±0.54, 2.41±0.23, 2.49±0.32) and (0.53±0.45, 0.85±0.29, 0.73±0.50, 0.72±0.25, 0.56±0.29), respectively (all P<0.05). In addition, the levels of serum total IgE, OVA sIgE and OVA sIgG1 in wild-type AD groups were higher than those in wild-type control groups, with [(1 216.00±572.70) ng/ml, (597.00±538.30) ng/ml, 1.59±0.09] and [(24.22±35.04) ng/ml, (20.01±41.71) ng/ml, 1.16±0.03], respectively (all P<0.05). In Langerin knockout mice, compared to wild-type mice, skin erythema, skin tumidness, epidermal thickening, inflammatory cell infiltration were more obvious; the mRNA expression levels of Tslp, Il4, Il13, Il17a and Il22 were upregulated with (8.19±6.44, 2.53±0.69, 2.82±0.73, 3.94±1.32, 3.80±1.43) (all P<0.05); the levels of serum total IgE, OVA sIgE and OVA sIgG1 were significantly increased with (2 508.00±657.10) ng/ml, (1 808.00±470.70) ng/ml, (1.73±0.09) (all P<0.05); the number of CD4+CD25+CD127-Treg cells were decreased significantly with (13.25±0.96)% and (15.31±1.47)%, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: Langerin is involved in mediating epicutaneous sensitization of the AD mouse model and plays a negative immunoregulatory role.

Plasma Exosome-Derived microRNAs Profiles in Patients with Serofast Status: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum), which can lead to chronic morbidity and adverse complications. In clinical practice, serofast status (SF) patients present with clinical symptoms that are very similar to those of healthy individuals or syphilis-cured patients, and often require prolonged follow-up for diagnosis. Currently, there is increasing interest in the potential of plasma exosome-derived miRNA as a biomarker for the detection of infectious diseases. In this study, we aimed to explore the diagnostic potential of miRNA in SF and its possible biological implications.

Patients and Methods

Exosome-derived miRNAs were isolated from peripheral plasma samples obtained from 20 patients with secondary syphilis (SS), SF, serologically cured syphilis (SC), and healthy controls (HC), and differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) were identified by microarray analysis. Prediction of potential target genes, functional annotation, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were then performed. The expression of selected miRNAs was confirmed in 37 patients by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of these miRNAs in differentiating syphilis from HC or SC.

Results

The expression profile of plasma exosome-derived miRNA was discovered in individuals with SF through microarray analysis. The targeted genes of DEmiRNAs were found to be involved in diverse biological processes according to GO and KEGG analysis, such as regulation of transcription, mitochondria, Golgi, immune system, apoptosis, Ras signaling pathway, etc. Using RT-qPCR validation, miR-1273g-3p, miR-4485-5p, miR-197-3p, and miR-1908-3p showed significant upregulation in patients with SF. These miRNAs exhibited a superior diagnostic ability, either individually or combined, to distinguish SF from SC or HC.

Conclusion

The DEmiRNAs in plasma exosomes may play a role in the pathogenesis of SF and have the potential to become a noble and effective diagnostic method.

The Predictive Value of Midscalp Hair Density and Terminal Hair Percentage in the Severity Evaluation of FPHL Assessed by Trichoscan in a Sample of Chinese Population

BACKGROUND

Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is the most common hair loss disorder in women, which may impair patient's self-identity. It presents as a diffuse reduction in hair density at the mid and frontal regions of the scalp with preservation of the frontal hairline. TrichoScan can be used as a diagnostic tool and for monitoring patients in male pattern hair loss, but little is known in FPHL with Chinese population.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the predictive value of various TrichoScan characteristics at different areas of the scalp in the diagnosis and evaluation of FPHL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 261 FPHL subjects were divided into three groups according to Ludwig classification. Together with 108 healthy controls, they were evaluated by computer-assisted TrichoScan. Various hair parameters were analyzed in the frontal, midscalp, vertex, parietal, and occipital areas of the scalp.

RESULTS

Declining hair densities, terminal hair percentage, hair follicular unit density, mean hair diameter, and average hair/unit combined with increased intermediate hair percentage, and vellus hair percentage were observed across all areas of the scalp for FPHL subjects. Hair density and terminal hair percentage in the midscalp area were the factors most affecting Ludwig classification. The two parameters combined achieved 85.12% correct classification rate and an area under the ROC curve of 0.88 in the diagnosis of FPHL. Additionally, we reported a unique type of FPHL which mostly affected the parietal area, occurring with or without traditional midline changes.

CONCLUSION

FPHL in a Chinese population presented characteristics of reduced hair density and miniaturization of hair follicles in the midline scalp and to a lesser extent in the parietal area. Hair density and terminal hair percentage in the midscalp exhibited the greatest predictive value of Ludwig classification. Our results may further provide the basis for quantitative classification of FPHL.

Diagnosis of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae by Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococci) is the pathogen of gonorrhea. At present, there is no robust statistical analysis targeting the detection accuracy for N.gonorrhoeae of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). We performed a full search of five databases for studies using the LAMP method to detect N.gonorrhoeae in this study. Nine datasets derived from eight studies satisfying the inclusion requirement were collected for this study. The pooled sensitivity rate and specificity were calculated as 98.53 and 99.49%. The pooled positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR) and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were 66.0, 0.04 and 1863.8. After plotting the summary receiver operating characteristic (sROC), the area under the curve (AUC) and Q* index was calculated as 0.99 and 0.9774. Subgroup analyses based on the type of samples, location, and gold standard did not find sources of significant heterogeneity. In conclusion, the LAMP method could be an effective and convenient method with high accuracy for the clinical detection of N.gonorrhoeae. Moreover, the confirmation of this finding needs more high-quality studies with regional data and large samples.

Eliminating Mother-to-Child Transmission of Syphilis: Chinese Practice before and during COVID-19 Pandemics

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of syphilis remains a leading cause of stillbirth and death among neonates in many developing countries. In 2007, WHO launched the global elimination of MTCT (EMTCT) of syphilis. Given the high burden of congenital syphilis, China subsequently released the specific national EMTCT policies and programs to reduce MTCT of syphilis. The congenital syphilis incidence rate per 100 000 live births in China has markedly decreased from 69.9 in 2013 to 11.9 in 2019. However, due to the global pandemic of COVID-19, the current measures for eliminating MTCT of syphilis are great challenged. In this article, we summarize the strategies and measures for the EMTCT of syphilis in China in the past 20 years, point out that we have made remarkable achievements due to the national health policy support and strong leadership of the government. In the context of COVID-19 pandemics, strengthening emergency response to the regional outbreaks of COVID-19 and adopting safe, rapid, early and high-quality clinical care to ensure that 100% of pregnant women receive prenatal syphilis testing services, ensuring the availability of Benzathine penicillin for the treatment, and strengthening the closed-loop management of pregnant women and newborns infected with syphilis are key measures to determine the effect of MTCT of syphilis. Lessons from China may be valuable for other countries that are planning to eliminate MTCT of syphilis.

Novel education-based intervention to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for treatment of gonorrhoea in China: protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Inappropriate use of antibiotics to treat gonorrhoea can lead to antibiotic resistance. Education programmes may be helpful for improving physician prescribing behaviours in accordance with treatment guidelines. As traditional education based on printed materials may have limited effect on guideline-based treatment, innovative education strategies are needed. The current trial aims to assess the effectiveness of a novel education intervention to increase guideline-based treatment of gonorrhoea in China.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will conduct a two-arm cluster randomised control trial at 144 hospitals (clusters) in eight Chinese provinces. The intervention will include an online training video developed on the WenJuanXing platform that covers workflows and requirements for managing a patient with uncomplicated gonorrhoea. Outpatient physicians in dermatology (dermatovenerology), urology, andrology and gynaecology will be given access to the video via a quick response code. In hospitals allocated to the control arm, physicians will continue to participate in their standard of care training programme. The primary outcome is the proportion of gonorrhoea antibiotic prescriptions adherent to Chinese national guidelines at the cluster level. In addition, to understand the reasons of physician's non-adherence to the intervention by conducting a questionnaire survey will be considered as the secondary outcome of the study.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval was obtained from the Medical Ethics Committee of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Dermatology (2020-LS-004). All physicians will provide an informed consent prior to participating in the study. Findings of the trial will be disseminated through conferences and peer-reviewed journals, and will be used to develop training programmes for physicians.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR2000029591.