Objective The female nipple hypertrophy and mammary hypotrophy can be corrected by simultaneous operation to get more beautiful mammary profile. This study is to explore the new methods for mammary augmentation and nipple reduction. Methods The modified Regnault method was used to correct nipple hypertrophy. The procedures included removing a peripheral portion of the nipple and collapsing the distal portion of it. Other surgical technique was also applied for reduction of nipple height and diameter without affecting the central lactiferous ducts. Mammary augmentation was performed by putting a prosthesis in pectoralis major muscle through an endoscopy on transaxillary incision. Results The procedures were undertaken in 9 cases since 1998, in which 8 cases had been followed up for 3 to 12 months. The results of mammary augmentation and reduction of nipple were satisfactory. The appearance was fine with inconspicous scars, and there were no complications related to surgery. Conclusion The procedures for simultaneous plasty of the nipple hypertrophy and mammary hypotrophy are safe, simple and effective. [

Objective To attempt to achieve a more satisfactory results in correcting the unilateral cleft lip nasal deformities caused by deficiency of the maxilla and collapse of the alar cartilage, using onlay implantation and stable fixation for implants. Methods Since 1996, the authors had implanted rib cartilage (12 cases), rib bone and cartilage (4 cases), silicon rubber (8 cases), skull bone and ePTFE (one case each) in total 26 patients with moderate to severe nasal deformities of unilateral cleft lip to elevate the retro-position alar base in hypoplastic maxillar area and to augment the buckled lateral alar cartilage in effected side. All implants were fixed by absorbable sutures on alar cartilage, and titanic screw and/or plate on maxilla under alar base. Results All wounds recovered without any complication. During 3 to 18 months follow-up postoperatively in 19 cases, the nasal appearences were significantly improved. The implants still provided support for the depressed alar base and the collapsed alar cartilage without obvious displacement, absorption and rejection. Conclusion The onlay implantation and stable fixation using suture and rigid fixation of titanic screw and/or plate for implants is reasonably good in nasal deformity correction of unilateral cleft lip advocated. The definitive effects and well-maintenance of the implant dimension and position have been documented.

Objective To evaluate the role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in ventilator-induced lung injury in rats.Methods Thirty healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 3.0-3.5 months,weighing 300-350 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =10 each) using a random number table:traditional tidal volume group (group T,VT =8 ml/kg),large tidal volume group (group L,VT =40 ml/kg) and NS398 (selective COX-2 inhibitor,VT =40 ml/kg) group (group N).In group N,8 mg/kg NS398 (in 2 ml of 10％ dimethyl sulfoxide) was injected intraperitoneally at 1 h before ventilation,while dimethyl sulfoxide 2 ml was administrated instead of NS398 in T and L groups.After 4 h of mechanical ventilation,arterial blood samples were obtained for blood gas analysis and PaO2 was recorded.The animals were sacrificed and lungs removed for microscopic examination and for determination of wet/dry lung weight ratio (W/D ratio) and concentrations of total protein,intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1),tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α),NO and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha (6-keto-PGF1 α) in bronchoaveolar lavage fluid (BALF).Pulmonary permeability index (PPI) and TXB2/6-keto-PGF1 α ratio were calculated.Results Compared with group T,PaO2 was significantly decreased,W/D ratio and PPI were increased,the total protein,ICAM-1,TNF-α and NO levels and TXB2/6-keto-PGF1 α ratio in BALF were increased in group L(P ＜ 0.05).PaO2 was significantly higher,W/D ratio and PPI were lower,and total protein,ICAM-1,TNF-α and NO levels and TXB2/6-keto-PGF1 α ratio in BALF were lower in group NS than in group L (P ＜ 0.05).The damage to lung tissues was severe in group L,and obviously alleviated in group N.Conclusion COX-2 is involved in ventilator-induced lung injury in rats.

Objective: To investigate the effect of icariin on the proliferation, differentiation, and the mRNA expressions of Cbfαl, BMP2, BMP4 of rat osteoblasts. Methods: Primary rat osteoblastic cells were obtained by sequentia collagenase/trypsin enzyme digestion from calvarial bones of new born ( within 24 h) SD rats and were identified by Alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red staining. The passage 3-5cells were treated with icariin at the concentration of 0 mol/L, 10~(-8)mol/L, 10~(-7)mol/L, 10~(-6)mol/L,10~(-5)mol/L, 10~(-4)mol/L for 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and the proliferation of the cells was measured by CCK-8assay. The proliferation index was detected by Flow Cytometry and the activity of alkaline phosphatase was determined by p-Nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) method after being treated with icariin at the concentration mentioned above for 48 h. The total cellular RNA was extracted 48 h after being treated with icariin at the concentration of 10~(-6)mol/L, and the expressions of Cbfα1, BMP2, BMP4 mRNA were examined by real-time PCR. Results: Icariin showed no effect on the proliferation of osteoblasts, but improved ALP activity. The Cbfα1, BMP2, BMP4 mRNA were significantly upregulated after icariin treatment. Conclusion: Icariin could promote the differentiation ability of rat osteoblasts through upregulating the Cbfα1, BMP2, BMP4 mRNA expressions.

The stability of virus-like particles (VLPs) is currently the main factor affecting the quality of foot-and-mouth disease VLPs vaccines. In order to further improve the quality of the VLPs vaccine of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), three amino acid modification sites were designed and screened through kinetic analysis software, based on the three-dimensional structure of FMDV. The three mutant recombinant plasmids were successfully prepared by the point mutation kit, transformed into Escherichia coli strain BL21 and expressed in vitro. After purification by Ni ion chromatography column, SDS-PAGE proved that the three amino acid mutations did not affect the expression of the target protein. The results of the stability study of three FMD mutant VLPs obtained by in vitro assembly show that the introduction of internal hydrophobic side chain amino acids made the morphology of VLPs more uniform (N4017W), and their stability was significantly improved compared to the other two VLPs. The internal hydrophobic force of the capsid contributes to the formation of VLPs and helps to maintain the stability of the capsid, providing new experimental ideas for improving the quality of VLPs vaccines, and helping to promote the development of VLPs vaccines.
Amino Acids ; Animals ; Capsid Proteins/genetics* ; Foot-and-Mouth Disease/prevention & control* ; Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus/genetics* ; Kinetics ; Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle/genetics* ; Viral Vaccines/genetics*

COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread across the globe, posing an enormous threat to public health and safety. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), in combination with Western medicine (WM), has made important and lasting contributions in the battle against COVID-19. In this review, updated clinical effects and potential mechanisms of TCM, presented in newly recognized three distinct phases of the disease, are summarized and discussed. By integrating the available clinical and preclinical evidence, the efficacies and underlying mechanisms of TCM on COVID-19, including the highly recommended three Chinese patent medicines and three Chinese medicine formulas, are described in a panorama. We hope that this comprehensive review not only provides a reference for health care professionals and the public to recognize the significant contributions of TCM for COVID-19, but also serves as an evidence-based in-depth summary and analysis to facilitate understanding the true scientific value of TCM.

Oxidative stress injury and mitochondrial dysfunction are major obstacles to neurological functional recovery after ischemic stroke. The development of new approaches to simultaneously diminish oxidative stress and resist mitochondrial dysfunction is urgently needed. Inspired by the overproduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) at ischemic neuron mitochondria, multifunctional nanoparticles with ROS-responsiveness and mitochondrial-targeted (SPNPs) were engineered, achieving specific targeting delivery and controllable drug release at ischemic penumbra. Due to the nose-to-brain pathway, SPNPs which were encapsulated in a thermo-sensitive gel by intranasal administration were directly delivered to the ischemic penumbra bypassing the blood‒brain barrier (BBB) and enhancing delivery efficiency. The potential of SPNPs for ischemic stroke treatment was systematically evaluated in vitro and in rat models of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Results demonstrated the mitochondrial-targeted and protective effects of SPNPs on H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage in SH-SY5Y cells. In vivo distribution analyzed by fluorescence imaging proved the rapid and enhanced active targeting of SPNPs to the ischemic area in MCAO rats. SPNPs by intranasal administration exhibited superior therapeutic efficacy by alleviating oxidative stress, diminishing inflammation, repairing mitochondrial function, and decreasing apoptosis. This strategy provided a multifunctional delivery system for the effective treatment of ischemic injury, which also implies a potential application prospect for other central nervous diseases.