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AIMTo investigate protective effects and molecular mechanisms of green tea polyphenols (GTP) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Zucker fatty (ZF) rats.METHODSMale ZF rats were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 2 wk then treated with GTP (200 mg/kg) or saline (5 mL/kg) for 8 wk, with Zucker lean rat as their control. At the end of experiment, serum and liver tissue were collected for measurement of metabolic parameters, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), inflammatory cytokines and hepatic triglyceride and liver histology. Immunoblotting was used to detect phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP1c).RESULTSGenetically obese ZF rats on a HFD presented with metabolic features of hepatic pathological changes comparable to human with NAFLD. GTP intervention decreased weight gain (10.1%, P = 0.052) and significantly lowered visceral fat (31.0%, P < 0.01). Compared with ZF-controls, GTP treatment significantly reduced fasting serum insulin, glucose and lipids levels. Reduction in serum ALT and AST levels (both P < 0.01) were observed in GTP-treated ZF rats. GTP treatment also attenuated the elevated TNFα and IL-6 in the circulation. The increased hepatic TG accumulation and cytoplasmic lipid droplet were attenuated by GTP treatment, associated with significantly increased expression of AMPK-Thr172 (P < 0.05) and phosphorylated ACC and SREBP1c (both P < 0.05), indicating diminished hepatic lipogenesis and triglycerides out flux from liver in GTP treated rats.CONCLUSIONThe protective effects of GTP against HFD-induced NAFLD in genetically obese ZF rats are positively correlated to reduction in hepatic lipogenesis through upregulating the AMPK pathway.

The clinical, histological and immunopathological characteristics of Chinese patients with DH are similar to those seen in Caucasian populations. The positive rates of anti-EMA and anti-tTG antibodies were lower compared with those seen in Western countries. DH is not extremely rare in China and should be actively investigated.

RCM in vivo analysis shows complete coherence with histopathology results, which could be an alternative for the classification of melasma, and based on the results of RCM imaging, melasma is classified into two major types: the epidermal type and mixed type.

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OBJECTIVEThe authors retrospectively analyzed the follow-up data in 130 patients with intracranial benign meningiomas after Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS), evaluated the tumor progression-free survival (PFS) rate and neurological function preservation rate, and determined the predictors by univariate and multivariate survival analysis.METHODSThis cohort of 130 patients with intracranial benign meningiomas underwent GKRS between May 2012 and May 2015 at the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University. The median age was 54.5 years (range 25–81 years), and women outnumbered men at a ratio of 4.65:1. All clinical and radiological data were obtained for analysis. No patient had undergone prior traditional radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The median tumor volume was 3.68 cm3 (range 0.23–45.78 cm3). A median margin dose of 12.0 Gy (range 10.0–16.0 Gy) was delivered to the tumor with a median isodose line of 50% (range 50%–60%).RESULTSDuring a median follow-up of 36.5 months (range 12–80 months), tumor volume regressed in 37 patients (28.5%), was unchanged in 86 patients (66.2%), and increased in 7 patients (5.4%). The actuarial tumor progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 98%, 94%, and 87% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively, after GKRS. Tumor recurred in 7 patients at a median follow-up of 32 months (range 12–56 months). Tumor volume ≥ 10 cm3 (p = 0.012, hazard ratio [HR] 8.25, 95% CI 1.60–42.65) and pre-GKRS Karnofsky Performance Scale score < 90 (p = 0.006, HR 9.31, 95% CI 1.88–46.22) were independent unfavorable predictors of PFS rate after GKRS. Of the 130 patients, 101 (77.7%) presented with one or more neurological symptoms or signs before GKRS. Neurological symptoms or signs improved in 40 (30.8%) patients, remained stable in 83 (63.8%), and deteriorated in 7 (5.4%) after GKRS. Two (1.5%) patients developed new cranial nerve (CN) deficit. Tumor volume ≥ 10 cm3 (p = 0.042, HR = 4.73, 95% CI 1.06–21.17) and pre-GKRS CN deficit (p = 0.045, HR = 4.35, 95% CI 0.84–22.48) were independent unfavorable predictors for improvement in neurological symptoms or signs. Six (4.6%) patients developed new or worsening peritumoral edema with a median follow-up of 4.5 months (range 2–7 months).CONCLUSIONSGKRS provided good local tumor control and high neurological function preservation in patients with intracranial benign meningiomas. Patients with tumor volume < 10 cm3, pre-GKRS Karnofsky Performance Scale score ≥ 90, and no pre-GKRS CN deficit (I–VIII) can benefit from stereotactic radiosurgery. It can be considered as the primary or adjuvant management of intracranial benign meningiomas.

308-nm excimer laser appears to be an effective and safe treatment in Chinese vitiligo patients. The clinical response and treatment efficacy was affected by many factors such as age, affected anatomical area, shape of the lesion, disease duration and treatment frequencies.

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