Ptosis is one of the most common diseases in oculoplastics. Surgical treatment is the only way to correcting ptosis. Most of doctors paid special attention to surgical technique, rather than to some related issues of operation. Timing is crucial for ptosis surgery. Both cosmetic and function need to be considered for a success surgery, the evaluation of extraocular muscle disorder is impor- tant for surgical result and postoperative complications.

There have been very few studies on the effect of Gualou Xiebai Banxia decoction combined with Xuefu Zhuyu decoction in inhibiting apoptosis in myocardial ischemial injury caused by coronary heart disease. In this experiment, Gualou Xiebai Banxia decoction combined with-Xuefu Zhuyu decoction were used to intervene the miniature swine phlegm and blood stasis type coronary heart disease model, in order to observe the effect of the combined prescription on the myocardial apoptosis and the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-9 in the model. Totally 15 Chinese experimental miniature swine were adopted and randomly divided into the control group, the model group and the phlegm and stasis-treating group. The model group and the stasis-treating group were fed with high fat diets for two weeks, intervened with the coronary artery injury and then given drugs and high fat diets for eight weeks. The control group was fed with ordinary diets for 10 weeks, without the coronary artery injury. After the experiment, myocardia at the juncture of infracted areas were collected and made into formalin-fixed paraffin sections. The TDT-mediate dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was used to detect the myocardial apoptosis. The immunohistochemistry (IHC) technique was applied to detect Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-9 levels in myocardial tissues. According to the findings, the apoptosis indexes (AI) for the control group, the model group and the phlegm and stasis-treating group were 0.92%, 27.68%, 17.28%, respectively. The AI of the phlegm and stasis-treating group was significantly lower than that of the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the phlegm and stasis-treating group showed significantly higher Bcl-2 protein expression (P < 0.01) and lower Bax, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 protein expressions (P < 0.01). In conclusion, Gualou Xiebai Banxia decoction combined with Xuefu Zhuyu decoction have a significant protective effect against the myocardial apoptosis in miniature swine phlegm and blood stasis type coronary heart disease model.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspases ; metabolism ; Coronary Disease ; drug therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Phytotherapy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; analysis ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; analysis

Objective:To observe the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli (ST 36),Guanyuan (CV 4) and Ashi points on adjuvant arthritis rats,and explore the mechanism of EA treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods:Sixty male rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,a methotrexate group and an EA group,with 15 rats in each group.Rats in the normal group and the model group were routinely raised and did not receive treatment;rats in the methotrexate group received methotrexate at a dose of 0.35 mg/(kg·bw),twice a week for 3 weeks;rats in the EA group received acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36),Guanyuan (CV 4) and Ashi points,and the bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) and Ashi points were connected to EA apparatus,once a day for 3 weeks.The general status,the swelling degree of the toe,the arthritis index (AI) score,the pathological morphology of the ankle joint,and the mRNA expressions of cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein (c-IAP) 1 and c-IAP2 in joint synovial tissue cells of the rats in each group were observed.Results:The swelling degree of the toe,AI score and mRNA expressions of c-IAP1 and c-IAP2 in the model group were significantly higher than those in the normal group (all P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the swelling degree of the toe,AI score and mRNA expressions of c-IAP1 and c-IAP2 in the methotrexate group and the EA group improved (P＜0.01 or P＜0.05);the expressions of c-IAP1 mRNA and c-IAP2 mRNA in rat synovial tissues in the EA group were significantly higher than those in the methotrexate group (P＜0.01).Conclusion:EA alleviates joint swelling in rats with adjuvant arthritis.The mechanism may be related to suppressing mRNA expressions of c-IAP1 and c-IAP2,thus to induce apoptosis of synoviocytes.

Objective To investigate the value of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI parameters in the diagnosis of cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Methods A retrospective analysis of dynamic contrast enhanced MRI in 55 patients with pathologically diagnosed cervical squamous cell carcinoma without prior treatment. They were divided into three groups based on grade of differentiation: well differentiated ( 6 patients),moderately differentiated(28 patients)and poorly differentiated group(21 patients). Capacity volume transfer constant (Ktrans),exchange rate constant(Kep) and extravascular extracellular volume fraction (Ve) were measured in each group of patients, and comparing the correlation with ANOVA, DCE-MRI parameters and grading of squamous differentiation using Spearman rank correlation analysis. Results Ktrans of the poorly, moderately and well differentiated cervical squamous cell carcinoma were (2.42±0.58),(1.71± 0.78),(1.27±0.78)/min respectively, Kep were (4.17±1.23),(3.08±1.58),(2.55±0.87)/min respectively, Ve were 0.60 ± 0.12,0.60 ± 0.19,0.43 ± 0.17 respectively. Statistical difference of Ktransand Kep were found among the subgroups of different pathological grading.(F values were 7.518 and 4.234,P all<0.05), Ve difference was not statistically significant (F=2.382, P>0.05). Statistical difference of Ktransand Kep were seen in multiple comparisons, between the groups of poorly and moderately differentiated groups poorly and well differentiated groups (P all<0.05),difference was not statistically significant of Ktransand Kep were seen in the groups of moderately and well differentiated groups(P> 0.05). There were moderate negative correlation between Ktrans,Kep and the pathological degree (r=-0.531 and -0.446, P=0.001 and 0.002), Ve had no correlation between pathological grade (r= -0.220, P = 0.141).Conclusion DCE-MRI parameters Ktrans and Kep reveal perfusion characteristics in different pathological grades of cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: The current study was designed to examine whether Sijunzi decoction could induce apoptosis in human gastric cancer xenografts in nude mice. Methods: A human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line SGC-7901 was grafted into 30 nude mice. The animals in two experimental groups received either Sijunzi decoction for 40 days or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for 6 days beginning 2 days after grafting. The control animals received saline according to an identical schedule. The animals were sacrified 41 days after grafting. The therapeutic effect was determined by measuring of tumor size and tumor weight. Apoptotic indices were examined with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate fluorescence nick end labeling (TUNEL) method and flow cytometry analysis. Morphological changes were observed by electron microscopy. Results: Comparing with controls, tumor growth was significantly inhibited by Sijunzi decoction ( 34.33％ ， P<0.05) or 5 FU( 50.00％ ， P< 0.05) . Apoptotic index(AI) was significantly higher(16.24％ ± 3.21％ as determined by TUNEL and 11.38％ ± 6.46％ by FACScan) in Sijunzi decoction treatment group than that in the control group (TUNEL:2.63％ ± 1.03％ ,P< 0.01; FACScan:7.15％ ± 1.32％ ,P< 0.05); while there was no significant increase of AI in 5 FU treatment group. Cell shrinkage, nuclear chromatin condensation, formation of membrane blebs and apoptotic bodies were frequently observed on tumor sections in Sijunzi decoction group, while only few apoptotic cells/bodies and necrotic cells were found in the 5-FU treatment group, and in control group cancer cells were in proliferation. Conclusions: The data demonstrated enhanced apoptosis in human gastric cancer xenografts in nude mice after treatment with Sijunzi decoction, suggesting that Sijunzi decoction may be a potential anticancer agent for gastric cancer treatment.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical application of flow-through deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps for reconstruction of large defects at the extremities.

METHODSThe deep inferior and superior epigastric arteries were designed as the axial vessel and the arterial supply to the flap was the paraumbilical perforator artery. Free deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps were harvested in flow- through manners to reconstruct associated arterial defect in the wound. The sensation assessment,Enneking score,and questionnaire of the flap aesthetic were all performed during follow-up period.

RESULTSFrom December 2011 to September 2012, 5 patients with large defects at extremities were treated. The deep inferior and superior epigastric arteries were designed as the axial vessel and the arterial supply to the flap was the paraumbilical perforator artery. The wound defects ranged form 11 cm x 5 cm to 30 cm x 11 cm. And the flap size ranged from 13 cm x7 cm to 33 cm x 13 cm. All flaps survived completely. The recipient arteries were all bypassed well documented by color Doppler examinations. All cases had 12-24 months' follow-up period. The flaps had good appearance and high aesthetic satisfactory(100%). 12 months after operations, sensation assessment were all S3+, and the Enneking score ratios were 82%-95% ,with 87.2% in average.

CONCLUSIONSFlow-through deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps are reliable and effective for reconstruction of large defects at the extremities with maintenance of the vascular status of the extremities. The flaps can also be designed in transverse or oblique mode for clinical application.

Aged ; Arteries ; Epigastric Arteries ; Esthetics ; Extremities ; blood supply ; surgery ; Humans ; Leg Injuries ; surgery ; Perforator Flap ; blood supply ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures

OBJECTIVETo establish and evaluate a BA-ELISA method for the quantitative detection of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein.

METHODSWe deliberately selected three tables of CFTR and made the synthetic peptide be expressed in E. coli, then used the antigen to immunize rabbits to obtain the anti-CFTR polyclonal serum. After that, 96 well plates were coated with the purified antibody against CFTR. The antigen CFTR which was extracted from human sperm was detected by anti-CFTR antibody labeled with biotin, horseradish peroxidase conjugated avidin, and the substrate. The concentrations of two kinds of antibodies and the experiment parameters were optimized. Thereby, the double antibody sandwich BA-ELISA method for the quantitative detection of CFTR protein was established. Furthermore, the reproducibility, specificity and so on were evaluated by clinical specimens of sperm.

RESULTSThe optimal concentration of coated anti-CFTR IgG was 4 µg/ml, while the biotin labeled anti-CFTR IgG was 10 µg/ml; the optimal blocking buffer was 1% BSA-PBST, the optimal time of the reaction between antigen and antibody was 60 min, the optimal chromogenic time was 15 min, the intra-assay and inter-assay coefficient were 2.16%-9.23% and 2.29%-11.71% respectively; The lowest detectable limit was 0.15 ng/ml; the standard curve had a good linear correlation of R2 = 0.962.

CONCLUSIONThe BA-ELISA method for the quantitative detection of CTFR protein is successfully established, and it is demonstrated that the method has strong specificity, high sensitivity and good reproducibility. It provides the basis and evidence of the further application of the method.

Animals ; Antibodies ; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator ; analysis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Escherichia coli ; Humans ; Peptides ; Rabbits ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUND:Spinal cord injuries induced by sacral segment and lumbar lesions can damage the primary sacral micturition center or its surrounding nerves (parasympathetic and somatic nerve) to cause detrusor areflexia, thereby leading to urinary retention and further pathological changes in bladder tissue morphology.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of electroacupuncture at the Ciliao (BL32), Zhongji (RN3), Sanyinjiao (SP6) acupoints on bladder capacity and bladder tissue morphology of rats with urinary retention after sacral spinal cord injury.
METHODS:Ten of 40 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly selected as blank group, and other 30 rats were randomly divided into model group, acupoint group and non-acupoint group. In the model group, the rats received no electroacupuncture. In the non-acupoint group, acupuncture and electroacupuncture at non-acupoint points were performed, respectively, for 20 minutes. In the acupoint group, acupuncture and electroacupuncture were performed at the Ciliao, Zhongji, and Sanyinjiao acupoints. Bladder capacity was measured at days 14 and 22 after treatment. After treatment, bladder tissues were extracted for morphological observation with hematoxylin-eosin staining.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The maximum bladder capacity in the acupoint group was obviously reduced after treatment (P<0.01);the curative effect in the acupoint group was more obvious than the non-acupoint group (P<0.05);the difference between preoperative and postoperative bladder capacity (d value) was more significant in the acupoint group than the non-acupoint group (P<0.05). (2) Compared with the model and non-acupoint groups, morphological changes in the bladder tissue were improved more significantly in the acupoint group. These findings indicate that electroacupuncture at the Ciliao, Zhongji, and Sanyinjiao acupoints can effectively reduce the maximum bladder capacity and repair the damaged bladder tissue after sacral spinal cord injury.

Objective To observe the dynamic changes of neuron-specific enolase(NSE)mRNA and protein in offspring rats brain tissue with bilirubin encephalopathy and explore the pathological mechanism and its diagnostic value on bilirubin encephalopathy.Methods Seven-day postnatal Wistar rats were used for study.One hundred and twenty rats were divided into 2 groups randomly(control group and experimental group),which were respectively subdivided into 6 groups(6,12,24,48,72,96 h).The rats in control group were intraperitoneally administered physiological saline 0.5 mL,the rats in experimental groups were intraperitoneally administered bilirubin(200 mg/kg).Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the dynamic changes of NSE mRNA expression at 6,12,24,48,72 and 96 h in brain tissue of rats with bilirubin encephalopathy.Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate NSE protein expression in hippo-campi,cerebral cortex,thalamic and pallidus at different times.Results The expression of NSE mRNA significantly decreased in brain tissue of rats with bilirubin encephalopathy from 6 h to 96 h compared with the control groups.The expression of NSE protein in hippocampi decreased in offspring rats with bilirubin encephalopathy from 6 h to 96 h,but there were no differences compared with the control groups.The expression of NSE protein in cerebral cortex was significantly decreased in rats with bilirubin encephalopathy from 6 h to 96 h,there were significant differences compared with the control group.The expression of NSE protein in thalamic significantly decreased in rats with bilirubin encephalopathy from 6 h to 96 h,but there were significant differences between experimental groups and the control groups at 24 h and 72 h.The expression of NSE protein in pallidus significantly decreased in offspring rats with bilirubin encephalopathy from 6 h to 96 h,and there were significant differences compared with control groups.Conclusions The changing trends of expression of NSE mRNA were identical to those of NSE protein.NSE may reflect the degree of injury of neurogliocyte.It can serve as reliable index to determine bilirubin encephalopathy.

Objective To explore the effect of electrical acupuncture on the cytokines in adjuvant arthritis rats. Methods 60 rats were divided into 5 groups randomly, each with 12 rats. The blank control group and the model group were only bundled; while the Zusanli group, the Guanyuan group, and the Weizhong group were electroacupunctured each single point after bundled, once per 2 d. 32 d later, the swelling of voix pedis was measured and the level of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in plasma was determined in each group. Results After being modeled, the voix pedis of rats were swelling (P<0.05), while the swelling of voix pedis in the Zusanli, Guanyuan and Weizhong groups significantly reduced (P<0.05). The plasma IL-1, IL-2 and TNF-α was significantly higher in the model group than in the blank group (P<0.01), and reduced in Zusanli, Guanyuan and Weizhong groups (P<0.05). Compared with Zusanli and Guanyuan groups, there was a significant difference in the Weizhong group (P<0.01). The plasma IL-10 was significantly lower in the model group than in the blank control group (P<0.05), and increased in the Zusanli, Guanyuan and Weizhong groups (P<0.05). Compared with Zusanli and Guanyuan groups, there was a significant difference in the Weizhong group (P<0.01). The swelling of voix pedis was positively correlated with the level of IL-1, IL-2, and TNF-α (r=0.881~0.912, P<0.01). There was positive correlation among the IL-1, IL-2, and TNF-α (P<0.01). IL-10 was negatively correlated with the swelling, IL-1, IL-2, and TNF-α (r=-0.293~-0.519, P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture can significantly reduce the swelling of voix pedis in adjuvant arthritis rats, and it may be related with improving immune function by increasing the level of IL-10 and decreasing the level of IL-1, IL-2 and TNF-α in plasma.