Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication following acute varicella zoster virus infection. PHN is associated with chronic severe pain and is resistant to conservative management treatments. The pur...Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication following acute varicella zoster virus infection. PHN is associated with chronic severe pain and is resistant to conservative management treatments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of 0.3-millisecond multi-pulsed 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser treatment on PHN. Five subjects were treated with 2 - 3 sessions at 2-week interval. After the treatments, reduced visual analog scale (VAS) scores were noted in all patients. Treatments showed no adverse or intolerant effects and all patients felt warmth and comfort during the therapy. We first reported treating PHN patients using 0.3-millisecond multi-pulsed 1064-nm laser Nd:YAG. The results showed remarkable improvements in pain. This laser treatment could be an alternative choice for PHN patients with intractable neuralgia.展开更多
Metallothionein (MT) has many functions that are modulated by several factors, including ultraviolet (UV) radiation and cytokines. We thought that these diverse functions of MT might reflect the specific regulatory me...Metallothionein (MT) has many functions that are modulated by several factors, including ultraviolet (UV) radiation and cytokines. We thought that these diverse functions of MT might reflect the specific regulatory mechanisms of its expression. To understand some of the molecular mechanisms underlying MT expression, we examined the effects of several cytokines and UVB on the promoter activity of the MT gene. First, we introduced the MT promoter construct into the HaCaT keratinocytes and treated them with various concentrations of interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and IL-6. The addition of IL-1α and IL-6 led to an increase in the promoter activity of the MT gene. UVB is known to induce MT expression in epidermal keratinocytes, and IL-6 is a possible mediator of MT induction by UV radiation. Therefore, we investigated whether UVB could induce MT promoter activity. Our results showed, interestingly, that UVB radiation has no or little effect on the promoter activity. This suggested a complex molecular regulation of the MT gene.展开更多
文摘Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication following acute varicella zoster virus infection. PHN is associated with chronic severe pain and is resistant to conservative management treatments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of 0.3-millisecond multi-pulsed 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser treatment on PHN. Five subjects were treated with 2 - 3 sessions at 2-week interval. After the treatments, reduced visual analog scale (VAS) scores were noted in all patients. Treatments showed no adverse or intolerant effects and all patients felt warmth and comfort during the therapy. We first reported treating PHN patients using 0.3-millisecond multi-pulsed 1064-nm laser Nd:YAG. The results showed remarkable improvements in pain. This laser treatment could be an alternative choice for PHN patients with intractable neuralgia.
文摘Metallothionein (MT) has many functions that are modulated by several factors, including ultraviolet (UV) radiation and cytokines. We thought that these diverse functions of MT might reflect the specific regulatory mechanisms of its expression. To understand some of the molecular mechanisms underlying MT expression, we examined the effects of several cytokines and UVB on the promoter activity of the MT gene. First, we introduced the MT promoter construct into the HaCaT keratinocytes and treated them with various concentrations of interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and IL-6. The addition of IL-1α and IL-6 led to an increase in the promoter activity of the MT gene. UVB is known to induce MT expression in epidermal keratinocytes, and IL-6 is a possible mediator of MT induction by UV radiation. Therefore, we investigated whether UVB could induce MT promoter activity. Our results showed, interestingly, that UVB radiation has no or little effect on the promoter activity. This suggested a complex molecular regulation of the MT gene.