Objective To evaluate the long-term effects and safety of an intense pulsed light (IPL) in the treatment of epilation.Methods 159 patients received treatment with a non-coherent IPL because of unwanted facial and body hair.116 cases were followed up by means of phone call or letters.The average follow-up time was 38 months.Results Overall,36 (31.0％) patients were very satisfied,53 (45.7％) were satisfied and 27 (23.3％) remained unsatisfied with the outcome of lightassisted hair removal.The non-coherent intense pulsed light satisfactorily removed unwanted dark hair.Hair-free periods from weeks to years could be observed.Besides,the satisfaction was not related with the colour of the skin.Conclusions Hair removal by a non-coherent intense pulsed light is an effective and safe method for long-term epilation of unwanted hair.

Objective To investigate the expression level of endogenetic nitric oxide(NO) in the reproduction process of human anterior cruciate ligament cells. Methods Anterior cruciate ligament cells were isolated and subcultured from the human anterior cruciate ligament. LPS was used to induce the anterior cruciate ligament cell to express the inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS ), and N-monomethyl -L-Arginine (L-NMMA) was used as the interdiction of nitric oxide. They were alone or together added in the culture medium of anterior cruciate ligament cells in different groups. The level of NO was indirectly measured in the medium of HACL. Results LPS promoted significantly anterior cruciate ligament cells to produce endogenetic nitric oxide, compared with the control group(P

Objective To evaluate the growth inhibition and apoptosis of human monocytic leukemia THP-1 cell line by using 5,8-dimethyl-2-β-hydroxyisovalerylshikonin (SK36) and explore its preliminary mechanism. Methods CCK colorimetric assay and cell counting was used to examine the growth inhibition of shikonin on THP-1 cells. The apoptosis of THP-1 cells was detected by Annexin V/PI double labeling. The activation of Caspase-3 apoptosis pathway was determined by FCM. The apoptosis and the necrosis of THP-1 cells were detected by the laser scanning confocal microscopy. Results When the THP-1 cells were treated with SK36 at 1.02 μg/ml for 24 h and 48 h, the growth inhibition was dose-dependent. The cell apoptotic rate of THP-1 cells treated with 1.02 μg/ml evaluated by FCM with Annexin V/PI double labeling staining were (40.61 ±2.13) % and (67.40±9.15) % at 24 h and 48 h after treatment, respectively, which were significantly higher than that of the control group [(16.97±0.61) %] ([ = 18.444, t = 9.528, P <0.01). SK36 could induce THP-1 cells apoptosis involving the activation of Caspase-3 (F= 323.61, P<0.01). Conclusion SK36 can induce human THP-1 cells to undergo apoptosis, and its primary mechanism was to activate the Caspase-3.

BACKGROUND: Intra-articular injection of hormone has been applied in the treatment of arthritis because it can alleviate arthralgia rapidly, which is accompanied commonly by progressive cartilage impairments. It is not clear if supplement of growth factor like insulin effect can play a protective role in articular chondrocytes.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of insulin or hydrocortisone alone and the combination on the proliferation of chondrocytes.DESIGN: Grouping comparative study, the effect of one medicine was analyzed by using one-factor analysis of variance, while the combined effect was analyzed with multi-factor analysis of variance.SETTING: Guangdong Institute of Trauma Sugery.MATERIALS: Articular cartilage from the knees of New Zealand white rabbits of 4 - 6 weeks old.METHODS: This study was carried out at Guangzhou Traumatic Research Institute from Feberary 2000 to May 2001. Chondrocytes were isolated from the knee joints of New Zealand white rabbits, digested with hyaluronidase,pancreatin and type Ⅱ collagenase and exposed to insulin, hydrocortisone or the combination of insulin and hydrocortisone of different dosage. They were divided into four groups:Control group ( without adding insulin and hydrocortisone), insulin group (0. 035,0. 35,3.5,35 mg/L subgroups), hydrocortisone group(1,5,10,50,100 mg/L subgroups) and insulin(0. 35 mg/L) combined with hydrocortisone(50 mg/L) group. Their influence on chondrocytes proliferation was observed with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) method.sulin.at the concentration of 0. 035 mg/L( P ＜ 0.01 ), reaching the maximum at could inhibit the proliferation of chondrocytes ( P ＜ 0.05 ), which became significant with increasing concentration and no viable chondrocytes could be exposed to 0 . 35 mg/L insulin combined with 50 mg/L hydrocortisone, the promoting effect of insulin was inhibited due to negative cooperation.CONCLUSION: Insulin at low concentration could enhance the proliferation of chondrocytes, but hydrocortisone displayed inhibiting effect on the growth of chondrocytes. The function of insulin was antagonized when combined with hydrocortisone.

BACKGROUND: Type Ⅱ collagen has been used as the carrier for chondrocyte transplantation in animal models, but whether type Ⅱ collagen may cause arthritis or mediate cytotoxicity remains unknown.OBJECTIVE: To detect the cellular immune functions of the New Zealand rabbits immunized by porcine type Ⅱ collagen.DESIGN: An exploratory comparative study based on the observations.SETTING: An institute of trauma surgery of a municipal hospital.MATERIALS: The study was conducted in the Institute of Trauma Surgery,Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital from August 1999 to February 2000. Six New Zealand rabbits, whose body mass ranged from 2.0 kg to 3.0 kg, were chosen of either gender.METHODS: The rabbits were immunized by porcine type Ⅱ collagen for 60days, during which the plasma was regularly taken for detection of type Ⅱ collagen antibody. On the 60th day, the peripheral blood as well as the spleens and lymph nodes were taken to separate the lymphocytes, which were subjected to secondary stimulation with type Ⅱ collagen in vitro to observe the reactive cell proliferation. The lymphocytes were randomly divided into two groups, and the first group was treated with phytohemagglutinin(PHA) of different concentrations to serve as the positive control, in which non-specific immunity was examined; The second group was treated with type Ⅱ collagen of different concentrations for examining specific immunity.peripheral blood lymphocytes of normal and immunized rabbits.RESULTS: On the 21st day, the titer of the antibody presented the first peak, and 40 days after the re-injection of the antigen the second peak appeared, which maintained for 20 days and then gradually descended. The lymphocytes of the normal rabbits proliferated in response to PHA stimulation but not to the first stimulation with the type Ⅱ collagen. The lymphocytes of the immunized rabbits exhibited significant proliferation upon stimulations with both PHA and type Ⅱ collagen. At the concentration of 25 mg/L, type Ⅱ collagen stimulation was sufficient to induce lymphocyte proliferation, the peak of which occurred when the collagen concentration reached 50 mg/L.CONCLUSION: Xenogenic type Ⅱ collagen at an adequate concentration may induce the increase of the type Ⅱ collagen antibody in immunized rabbits and proliferation of lymphocytes of the spleens and peripheral blood to cause cellular immune reaction and even immunological arthritis in relation to the transplantation.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and adverse effects of CAG regimen in treatment of primary, refractory and relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and analyse the factors influencing long-term survival. Methods Sixty-one patients with AML ( primary, n = 27; refractory, n = 18; relapsed, n = 16) and 9 patients with MDS were treated with CAG regimen. Examinations on liver and renal function, electrocardiogram and bone marrow cytology were performed before and after treatment, and adverse effects of CAG were observed. Short-term efficacy was evaluated based on clinical manifestation, peripheral blood and bone marrow cytologic examinations. Patients were followed up, overall survival ( OS) and disease free survival ( DFS) were analysed, and long-term efficacy of CAG regimen was evaluated. The factors influencing long-term survival were analysed by Log-rank test of survival curve. Results After a course of treatment by CAG regimen, the total effective rate was 71% , and 34 patients (49%) experienced complete remission. The median time of follow up was 45 months, the median OS was 28 months, and the median DFS was 23 months. Age, level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), remission condition after a course of treatment by CAG regimen and adoption of HD-Ara-C regimen as consolidation treatment were influencing factors for OS and DFS. The dominant clinical adverse effects were bone marrow depression, with 13 d as the median duration of agranulocytosis ( neutrophil <0.5 ×10~9/L) and 9 d as the median duration of thrombocytopenia (platelet <20 ×10~9/L). Conclusion CAG regimen may lead to favourable therapeutic effects in treatment of primary, refractory and relapsed AML and high risk MDS, and may yield less adverse effects and better long-term therapeutic effects. Age, level of LDH, remission condition after a course of treatment and adoption of HD-Ara-C regimen as consolidation treatment are dominant influencing factors for survival.

BACKGROUND: Simple polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) has limited ability to cell adhesion. There are not generally accepted studies on improved effects of collagen protein modified polyvinyl alcohol on cell adhesion and proliferation.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of PVA/type Ⅰ college (COL-Ⅰ) as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) scaffolds in tissue engineering.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The controlled observation experiment was performed at the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Medical College. Ji'nan University, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Guangzhou Institute of Trauma Surgery from August 2006 to October 2007.MATERIALS: COL-Ⅰ gel was produced by Guangzhou Institute of Trauma Surgery.METHODS: PVA filature was used to weave fascicular scaffolds. NIH-3T3 cell line and human ACL cells were in vitro incubated, amplified, and then implanted on the PVA/COL scaffolds.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The growth of NIH-3T3 cell line and human ACL cells on the PVA/COL scaffolds and the secretion of extracellular matrix were observed using scanning electron microscope. Cell compatibility of PVA/COL scaffolds was assessed. Mechanics characteristic of PVA/COL scaffolds was measured by using the electric. tensile force apparatus. Mechanical property of PVA/COL scaffolds was analyzed using the SPSS 11.5 software package.RESULTS: NIH-3T3 cell line and human ACL cells on the PVA/COL scaffolds adhered, proliferated, and secreted extracellular matrix. NIH-3T3 cell line highly grew compared with human ACL cells on the PVA/COL scaffolds. The adhered number of NIH-3T3 cell line and human ACL cells was significantly increased on the PVA/COL scaffolds. NIH-3T3 cell line and human ACL cells presented well morphology on the PVA/COL scaffolds. COL-Ⅰ could promote the secretion of extracellular matrix from NIH-3T3 cells, but its effects on human ACL cells were not significant. Tensile force test showed that load-extension curve of the materials was identical to ACL of human and rabbits, and the scaffolds possessed strong flexibility. The maximal load, ultimate stress and elastic modulus were respectively 52.61 N, 14.96 MPa and 202.08 MPa.CONCLUSION: COL-Ⅰ accelerates the adhesion and proliferation of NIH-3T3 cell line and human ACL cells on the surface and in the pore of the PVA/COL scaffolds, promotes the secretion of extracellular matrix from NIH-3T3, and PVA filature material has mechanical property and good cell compatibility.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the safe approach to exposure of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) in thyroid second operation. METHOD: The data of 153 patients with thyroid second operation were analyzed retrospectively to compare the effectiveness of superior and inferior approach in the exposure of RLN. RESULT: A total of 177 RLNs were exposed in 153 cases. Among those 39 RLNs were exposed by superior approach, 34 by inferior approach after failure of superior approach, and 104 by inferior approach. CONCLUSION In thyroid second operation, inferior approach is a safe and efficient method to expose RLN. Trachea and esophagus are the most important anatomical landmarks to look for the left RLN. Innominate artery and common carotid artery are the most important anatomical landmarks to look for right RLN.
Carotid Artery, Common ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ; surgery ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland ; surgery ; Trachea

OBJECTIVETo screen human monoclonal Fab fragments against HIV-1 gp120 peptide binding chemokine receptor.

METHODSA synthesized polypeptide containing 23 amino acid residues of the gp120 antigen epitope binding chemokine receptor was coated as the solid-phase antigen. After biopanning from the HIV-1 phage Fab antibody library, the acquired positive clones were tested and sequenced.

RESULTSOne clone of human phage Fab monoclonal antibody against HIV-1 gp120 polypeptide was acquired. It has high affinity, specificity and inhibition rate and it belongs to IgG I subclass and kappa type. Its Vh H and V kappa were derived from Vh III and V kappa III.

CONCLUSIONSThe human phage Fab fragment against HIV-1 gp120 antigen site binding chemokine receptor was acquired.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; genetics ; Antibodies, Viral ; genetics ; Bacteriophages ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; HIV Envelope Protein gp120 ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments ; genetics ; In Vitro Techniques ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Peptide Library ; Receptors, Chemokine ; metabolism ; Receptors, HIV ; immunology

Objective To analysis long-term effects and safety of arsenic trioxide (ATO)-based induction and maintenance therapy in newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Methods Retrospective analysis induction remission and post-remission treatment of 62 newly diagnosed APL patients was performed. These cases were followed up for 5 and 7 years. Results The complete remission (CR) rate was similar in ATO/all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) induction group and ATRA/chemotherapy induction group.However, the former group has the shorter time to CR. The negative rate of PML-RARα fusion gene after induction without ATO was less than that of ATO group (86.2 % vs 56.3 %, P ＜0.05). After CR, the 5-year overall survival (OS) between ATO-base rotation maintenance group and chemotherapy-base rotation maintenance group showed that the former was (94.4±5.4) %, the latter is (45.5±10.2) %; 7-year OS was (52.5±23.7) % and (27.3±9.3) %; 5-year disease free survivals (DFS) was (94.7±5,5) % and (41.3±10.1) %; 7-year DFS was (52.6±23.7) % and (27.5±9.4) %. There was significant different in 5-year or 7-year OS and DFS between two groups (P ＜0.05). The relapse rates of the two groups in post-remission treatment were 14.7 % and 37.0 % (P ＜0.05). Conclusion ATO combined ATRA induction therapy increased the negative rate of PML-RARα fusion gene. ATO-base rotation maintenance improved long-term outcome and decreased the rate of relapse. Furthermore, ATO appeared to be generally safe and well tolerated.