Objective To observe the changes of β-catenin expression in human skin fibroblasts (HSFs) after induced by oxidative stress, and to explore its possible roles in oxidative stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS) of HSFs. Methods Fibroblasts were isolated from the foreskin of a child and subjected to a primary culture. The fibroblasts of second to fourth passage were treated with various concentrations of H2O2 for 2 hours to establish an optimized model of stress-induced premature senescence, β-galactosidase assay kit was used to detect the activity of β-galactosidase in H2O2rinduced HSFs, RT-PCR and Western blot to measure the mRNA and protein expressions of β-catenin in control and senescent HSFs. Results Premature senescence of HSFs could be induced by the treatment with H2O2 of 150 μmol/L for 2 hours. The proportion of β-galactosidase-positive cells was (2.97 ± 0.25)% in control HSFs and (37.67 ± 1.53)% in senescent HSFs (P< 0.01). A significant increase was observed in the β-catenin/GAPDH protein ratio and β-catenin/GAPDH mRNA ratio in control HSFs compared with the senescent HSFs (0.62 ± 0.03 vs. 0.31 ± 0.01, t = 14.97, P < 0.01; 0.59 ± 0.04 vs. 0.29 ± 0.30, t = 10.06, P < 0.01). Conclusions The two-hour treatment with H2O2 of 150 μmol/L could induce the premature senescence of HSFs, and there is a notable decrease in the expression of β-catenin in prematurely senescent HSFs induced by oxidative stress, implying that β-catenin is an important target gene for the regulation of skin aging.

In this case-control study, the relationship between M196R (676 T-->G) variant in exon 6 of tumor necrosis factor receptor type 2 ( TNFR2 ) gene and genetic susceptibility of acne vulgaris in Han Chinese was investigated. A total of 93 acne vulgaris patients and 90 healthy subjects from Han Chinese ethnic group were enrolled in this study. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique was adopted to analyze the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TNFR2 M196R gene, and to examine the association between acne vulgaris and the polymorphisms in TNFR2 M196R gene. The relationship between different genotypes and the susceptibility of acne vulgaris was analyzed. The results showed that there was significant difference in the frequency of the genotype M/R+R/R in the TNFR2 M196R genetic polymorphisms between acne vulgaris patients and healthy controls (chi(2)=4.343; P=0.037; OR=1.899; 95% CI: 1.036-3.445); and there was significant difference in the allele (R) frequency between acne vulgaris patients and healthy controls (chi(2)=5.588; P=0.018; OR=1.838; 95% CI: 1.105-3.057). It was concluded that the high frequency of 196R allele in the functional M196R polymorphism of TNFR2 is a risk factor for acne vulgaris in Han Chinese.

This investigation was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of hypertension in 35 to 70 years old adults living in Xicheng District of Beijing. Cluster sampling was conducted in 2230 adults, and only 1958 individuals agreed to enter into the study. Written informed consents were obtained before questionnaire and physical examination. A total of 1889 data were used for analysis. The prevalence rate of hypertension was 47.8% (n=902). The age-standardized prevalence rate was 40. 1%. Hypertension was seen in 368 men (53.0%) and 534 women (44.7%) (P=0.0005). The rates of disease awareness, treatment, and control were 47.5%, 38.5%, and 24.1%, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension increased with age (P<0.0001). Linear trend was found between body mass index (BMI) and systolic blood pressure (P<0.0001). In multiple logistic model analysis, the hypertension risk for men was 1.33 times that of women (95% CI, 1.08-1.64), for participants with obesity was 2.81 times that of those with normal weight (95%CI, 2.00-3.97). Hypertension has become one of the most concerned public health problems in the district. Middle-aged people should pay attention to changed blood pressure, especial for overweight men. Health promotion should be needed for hypertension prevention. More attention should be paid to substantial increase in hypertension.

In this case-control study,the relationship between M196R(676 T→G)variant in exon6 of tumor necrosis factor receptor type 2(TNFR2)gene and genetic susceptibility of ache vulgaris in Han Chinese was investigated.A total of 93 acne vulgaris patients and 90 healthy subjects from Han Chinese ethnic group were enrolled in this study.Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP)technique was adopted to analyze the single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)of TNFR2 M 196R gene,and to examine the association between ache vulgaris and the polymorphisms in TNFR2 M196R gene.The relationship between different genotypcs and the susceptibility of acne vulgaris was analyzed.The results showed that there was significant differencein the frequency of the genotype M/R+R/R in the TNFR2 M196R genetic polymorphisms between acne vulgaris patients and healthy controls(X2=4.343; P=0.037; OR=1.899; 95% CI: 1.036-3.445);and there was significant difference in the allele(R)frequency between acne vulgaris patients and healthy controls(X2=5.588; P=0.018; OR=1.838; 95% CI: 1.105-3.057).It was concluded that the high frequency of 196R allele in the functional M196R polymorphism of TNFR2 is a risk factor for acne vulgaris in Han Chinese.

Objective: To explore the relationship between glycemic control and visceral adiposity index (VAI) among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.Methods: A community-based epidemiological field study for patients with T2DM aged ≥ 40 years was conducted in China.Every participant underwent physical examinations, biochemical tests of fasting glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and so on, and a questionnaire, including anthropometric characteristics, lifestyle, disease history, family history, and medication use.Those participants with HbA1c ≥7.0% were classified as the poorly controlled in our analysis of relationship between glycemic control and VAI.Anthropometric characteristics, lifestyle, and biochemical indexes of the participants were compared among the groups of different VAI levels.Logistic models were applied in multiple analysis adjusting for possible confounders.Results: A total of 1 607 patients with T2DM were recruited in our analysis with a mean age of (59.4±8.1) years and an average T2DM duration of (7.0±6.4) years.Among them, 78.3% were on hypoglycemic therapy.The cutoff points of quartiles of VAI were calculated for the males and females, respectively.According to the ascending order of the quartiles of VAI, the participants were divided into four groups, i.e.Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4.The poor glycemic control rate for these groups were 60.6%, 65.7%, 70.1%, and 71.0%, respectively (Trend χ2=12.20, P<0.001).After adjustment for age, gender, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), LDL-C, smoking, cardio-cerebral vascular disease (CVD) history, hypoglycemic therapy, T2DM duration, and family history of diabetes, the Logistic regression models showed that the glycemic control rate was significantly associated with VAI levels among the patients with T2DM.Compared with the participants in group Q1, the ORs of poor glycemic control for those in groups Q2, Q3, and Q4 were 1.239 (95%CI 0.918 to 1.672), 1.513 (95%CI 1.117 to 2.050), and 1.535 (95%CI 1.128to 2.088), respectively (trend P=0.003).With each quartile increase in VAI, the OR of poor glycemic control was 1.162 (95%CI 1.054 to 1.282).Conclusion: The glycemic control among the patients with T2DM is significantly associated with VAI.High level of VAI is an indicator of poor glycemic control.

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of free anterolateral thigh flap in repairing large annular soft tissue defect of lower leg after burn. Methods: From January 2014 to December 2018, 9 patients with large annular soft tissue defects of lower legs after burns were hospitalized in Zhengzhou First People′s Hospital, including 1 case with wounds on both legs. After debridement, area of wounds was 16 cm×11 cm-38 cm×21 cm, and the burn wounds were repaired with free anterolateral thigh flaps in the area of 18 cm×12 cm-32 cm×24 cm. End-to-end anastomosis of posterior tibial vessels or anterior tibial vessels with lateral circumflex femoral vessels was performed in manual way or by microvascular stapler. For the affected legs without condition for anastomosis, the sound medial lower leg flaps with areas of 10 cm×8 cm-15 cm×10 cm were excised and made into skin tubes, the posterior tibial vessels of the flaps were anastomosed with the vessels of free anterolateral femoral flaps, and the wounds of the injured lower legs were repaired by bridge-type cross-over free transplantation of anterolateral thigh flaps. The pedicles were broken 4 to 5 weeks later. The donor site was transplanted with autologous intermediate split-thickness skin graft from thigh. The outcome of the treatment, the number of perforators included in the flaps, and the anastomotic vessel in the recipient area of patients were recorded. The anastomosis time between manual way and microvascular staplers was recorded and compared. The patency of blood vessels, methods of free transplantation, and follow-up condition were recorded. Data were processed with Wilcoxon rank sum test for two independent samples. Results: All the 10 free flaps and skin grafts of 9 patients survived, and all the wounds were closed by primary operation. Seven flaps contained two perforators each, and three flaps contained three perforators each. The anastomotic vessels were posterior tibial vessels in 6 recipient areas and anterior tibial vessels in 4 recipient areas. Microvascular stapler was used to anastomose 12 veins, while 8 veins and 10 arteries were anstomosed manually. The time consumed by the former method was 4.00 (3.55, 4.38) min, significantly shorter than 12.80 (12.13, 13.40) min of the latter (W=78.00, P<0.01). The patency rates of veins and arteries were 100%. There was no vascular crisis due to vascular anastomosis. Three patients underwent bridge-type cross-over free transplantation, while the others underwent conventional free transplantation. Follow-up for 3 to 30 months showed that the donor site of the thigh had good motor function, without numbness or pain, but hypertrophy of scar could be seen. Four patients had slightly overstaffed flaps transplanted in the recipient area of the lower legs, while the other patients were satisfied with their appearance, and the walking function of the affected limbs gradually recovered. Conclusions Free anterolateral thigh flap transplantation is a safe and reliable clinical limb salvage method for the repair of large annular soft tissue defect of lower leg after burn. Intraoperative application of microvascular stapler for venous anastomosis can shorten the time of vascular anastomosis and has great clinical application value.

Objective: To explore the effects of free anterolateral femoral or medial calf flaps in the repair of severe facial burns. Methods: From January 2014 to October 2017, 18 patients with severe facial burns were admitted to Zhengzhou First People′s Hospital, including 12 males and 6 females, aged 15-78 years. Autologous intermediate split-thickness skin grafts were transplanted to replace oral mucosa in 4 patients with perforating cheek defects, and 8 patients underwent early vacuum sealing drainage and autologous intermediate split-thickness skin grafting to reduce the wound area to 14 cm×6 cm-22 cm×14 cm before flap transplantation. The wounds of 15 patients were repaired with free anterolateral femoral flaps, and the wounds of the other 3 patients were repaired with free medial calf flaps. The area of flaps ranged from 16 cm×7 cm to 24 cm×17 cm. The facial artery or superficial temporal artery was anastomosed end-to-end with lateral femoral circumflex artery or posterior tibial artery under microscope routinely and manually, and the two accompanying veins were anastomosed end-to-end by Coupler microvascular anastomat. The donor site was sutured or transplanted with autologous intermediate split-thickness skin graft. The anastomosis time of veins was recorded. The patency rate of vascular was calculated. The survival status of flaps were observed. The recovery of recipient area was observed during follow-up. Results: The anastomosis time of two veins in this group was 6-10 minutes, with an average of 8.5 minutes. The patency rates of veins and arteries were 100%. There was no vascular crisis due to the anastomosis problem. The free flaps survived well in 16 patients; one patient had hemorrhage under the flap 6 hours after operation, and the blood circulation of flaps turned well after hemostasis by surgical exploration; the other patient had 3 cm necrosis at the distal end of flap after operation, and the wound was closed after dressing change and autologous intermediate split-thickness skin grafting. The patients were followed up for 2 to 24 months after discharge. Most of the five senses function recovered. The color and texture of the flaps were not consistent with those of the normal facial skin. Some flaps were slightly swollen. Oral integrity was restored in 4 patients with perforating cheek defect with mouth opening of 2.2-3.5 cm. Conclusions Free anterolateral thigh flaps or medial calf flaps can repair severe facial burn wounds. It takes less time to anastomose venous vessels by microvascular anastomat during operation and can ensure the quality of venous anastomosis.

Objective    To evaluate the effect of smoking and drinking status on the prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods    The clinical data of 483 patients with ESCC who underwent surgical treatment in Shannxi Provincial People's Hospital from 2007 to 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 352 patients were male and 131 were female, with a median age of 64 (37-80) years. There were 311 smokers and 172 drinkers. The relationship between preoperative drinking or smoking status and the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with ESCC was analyzed. Log-rank method and Cox risk regression were used to conduct univariate and multivariate survival analysis, respectively. Results    The preoperative smoking status was related to the patient's tumor location (P=0.030). Drinking status was associated with tumor location (P=0.001), degree of differentiation (P=0.030), pathological T stage (P=0.024) and pathological N stage (P=0.029). Univariate survival analysis showed that smoking status did not affect the disease-free survival (DFS) (P=0.188) and overall survival (OS) (P=0.127) of patients with ESCC. However, patients who drank alcohol had worse PFS than non-drinking patients (29.37 months vs. 42.87 months, P=0.009). It was further proved that alcohol consumption was an independent risk factor affecting patients' recurrence and metastasis by using multivariate analysis (RR=1.28, P=0.040). Alcohol consumption also reduced the OS of patients by 21.47 months (P=0.014), however, multivariate analysis did not yield significant results. Conclusion    Preoperative drinking status is related to the stage and differentiation of patients with ESCC. It is an independent risk factor affecting the recurrence and metastasis of ESCC.