OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effect of plantar medial perforator artery based reverse island medial dorsal pedal neurocutaneous vascular flaps.

METHODS12 cases with soft tissue defects of forefeet were treated by plantar medial perforator artery based reverse island medial dorsal pedal neurocutaneous vascular flaps. The flap size ranged from 3.0 cm x 3.5 cm to 5.5 cm x 8.5 cm.

RESULTAll flaps survived completely. The patients were followed up for 6 - 24 months. The texture and flexibility of the flaps were normal with no ulcer. The sensation improved with the two-point discrimination of 7 - 10 mm. The cosmetic and functional results were satisfactory. The wounds at donor site healed primarily.

CONCLUSIONSThe flaps have expanded size for large defects with good flexibility, thickness and texture. It is easily performed with less morbidity to main artery.

Adult ; Female ; Foot Injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Skin Transplantation ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; innervation ; Tibial Arteries ; surgery ; Young Adult

Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; Caspases ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Isotretinoin ; pharmacology ; Melanoma ; pathology ; Receptors, Retinoic Acid ; physiology ; Retinoid X Receptors ; physiology ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology

AIM To prepare nanosuspensions of flavonoids from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and to determine the in vitro dissolution rate.METHODS Precipitation-high pressure homogenization method was adopted in the preparation of nanosuspensions.With mean particle size and polydispersity index (PDI) as evaluation indices,concentrations of flavonoids,povidone K30 (PVP K30) and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400) as influencing factors,central composite design-response surface method was applied to optimizing the preparation.For the freedried powder prepared by freeze-drying method,the optimal kind and ratio of lyoprotectant were screened.Then the in vitro dissolution rates of freeze-dried powder and physical mixture were compared.RESULTS The optimal conditions were determined to be 10.00 mg/mL for flavonoids' concentration,and 2.30 mg/mL for both PVP K30 and PEG 400 concentrations,the mean particle size and PDI were (172.3 ± 1.2) nm and 0.175 ± 0.004,respectively.The optimal lyoprotectant was 5％ mannitol-lactose (3 ∶ 2),the mean particle size and PDI after redissolution were (239.7 ±2.1) nm and 0.193 ±0.032,respectively.The in vitro dissolution rate of lyoprotectant reached 87.7％ within 60 min,which was much higher than that of physical mixture (less than 30％).CONCLUSION Nanosuspension can effectively improve the in vitro dissolution rate of flavonoids from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma.

Background Little information is available regarding the effect of angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ) on the bumetanide-sensitive sodium-potassium-2 chloride cotransporter (NKCC2), the thiazide-sensitive sodium-chloride cotransporter (NCC), and the Cl- channel (CLC)-K2 at both mRNA and protein expression level in Ang Ⅱ-induced hypertensive rats. This study was conducted to investigate the influence of Ang Ⅱ with chronic subpressor infusion on nephron-specific gene expression of NKCC2, NCC and CLC-K2. Results Ang Ⅱ significantly increased blood pressure and up-regulated NKCC2 mRNA and protein expression in the kidney. Expression of CLC-K2 mRNA in the kidney increased 1.6 fold (P<0.05).There were no changes in NCC mRNA or protein expression in AngII-treated rats versus control. Conclusions Chronic subpressor Ang Ⅱ infusion can significantly alter NKCC2 and CLC-K2 mRNA expression in the kidney, and protein abundance of NKCC2 in kidney is positively regulated by Ang Ⅱ. These effects may contribute to enhanced renal Na+ and Cl- reabsorption in response to Ang Ⅱ.

Objective: To investigate the effect of poly ( ADP-ribose ) polymerase ( PARP) inhibitor ABT888 combined with carbo on apoptosis of human breast cancer cells.Methods:MTT was used to detect the cell viability of MDA-MB-435s cells after treatment of carbo and ABT 888 with different concentration .FACS and Western-blotting were used to detect the cell apoptosis rate and apoptosis-related protein expression , respectively . Results: Combined application of carbo and ABT 888 significantly inhibited the proliferation of MDA-MB-435 s cells, and the inhibition rates were significantly higher than that of carbo or ABT 888 alone .The combination of carbo and ABT888 markedly induced cell apoptosis (26.3%±1.5%) more than carbo (18.6%± 1.6%, P<0.01) and ABT888 (14.7%±2.3%, P<0.01) alone.Combination of carbo and ABT888 significantly down-regulated the expression of anti-apoptosis factors Bcl-2 and up-regulated the pro-apoptosis proteins Bax and cleaved caspase-3. Conclusion:The combination of carbo and ABT 888 can suppress the proliferation and induce apoptosis of human breast cancer DA-MB-435s cells.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in peripheral blood bone marrow stem cells and tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene expression in the ischemic myocardium in rabbit models of hibernating myocardium.

METHODSTwenty-four male Japanese white rabbits were randomized into 4 groups, including a sham-operated group and 3 model groups with hibernating myocardium induced by partial ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The percentage of CD34-positive cells in the peripheral blood was evaluated by flow cytometry, and TNF-alpha mRNA expression in the ischemic myocardium was determined by real-time RT-PCR in the 3 model groups (at 3, 7, or 28 days after the operation) and in the sham-operated group.

RESULTSIn rabbits with partial ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery, the percentage of CD34-positive cells in the peripheral blood and myocardial TNF-alpha mRNA expression were significantly increased at 3 and 7 days after the operation in comparison with those in the sham-operated group and those at 28 days postoperatively (P<0.01). No significant differences were found in the percentage of CD34 positive cells or myocardial TNF-alpha mRNA expression between the sham-operated group and the rabbits 28 days after the coronary artery ligation (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONBone marrow stem cell can be mobilized into the peripheral blood in rabbit hibernating myocardium model possibly by increasing TNF-alpha gene expression in the ischemic myocardium.

Animals ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Coronary Vessels ; surgery ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization ; Hibernation ; Ligation ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics

BACKGROUNDLittle information is available regarding the effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) on the bumetanide-sensitive sodium-potassium-2 chloride cotransporter (NKCC2), the thiazide-sensitive sodium-chloride cotransporter (NCC), and the Cl- channel (CLC)-K2 at both mRNA and protein expression level in Ang II-induced hypertensive rats. This study was conducted to investigate the influence of Ang II with chronic subpressor infusion on nephron-specific gene expression of NKCC2, NCC and CLC-K2.

METHODSSprague Dawleys rats were treated subcutaneously with either Ang II (100 ng.kg-1.min-1) or vehicle for 14 days. Expression of NKCC2, NCC and CLC-K2 mRNA in kidneys was determined by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Western blotting analysis was used to measure NKCC2 and NCC protein expression.

RESULTSAng II significantly increased blood pressure and up-regulated NKCC2 mRNA and protein expression in the kidney. Expression of CLC-K2 mRNA in the kidney increased 1.6 fold (P < 0.05). There were no changes in NCC mRNA or protein expression in AngII-treated rats versus control.

CONCLUSIONSChronic subpressor Ang II infusion can significantly alter NKCC2 and CLC-K2 mRNA expression in the kidney, and protein abundance of NKCC2 in kidney is positively regulated by Ang II. These effects may contribute to enhanced renal Na+ and Cl- reabsorption in response to Ang II.

Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Hypertension ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium-Potassium-Chloride Symporters ; genetics ; Solute Carrier Family 12, Member 1

OBJECTIVETo preliminarily investigate the relationship between serum apelin level and pulmonary artery pressure in children with congenital heart disease.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-six children with congenital heart disease undergoing surgical treatment were enrolled as subjects. The serum level of apelin was determined before surgery and at 7 days after surgery. The ratio of pulmonary artery systolic pressure to aortic systolic pressure (Pp/Ps) was calculated before extracorporeal circulation. According to the Pp/Ps value, patients were classified into non-pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) group, mild PAH group, moderate PAH group, and severe PAH group. Pulmonary artery mean pressure was estimated by echocardiography at 7 days after surgery.

RESULTSThe non-PAH group had the highest serum level of apelin before and after surgery, followed by the mild PAH group, moderate PAH group, and severe PAH group (P<0.05). All groups had significantly increased serum levels of apelin at 7 days after surgery (P<0.05). The serum level of apelin was negatively correlated with pulmonary artery pressure before surgery (r=-0.51, P<0.05) and at 7 days after surgery (r=-0.54, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe decrease in serum apelin level is associated with the development of pulmonary hypertension in children with congenital heart disease. The significance of serum apelin in predicting the development and degree of pulmonary hypertension in children with congenital heart disease deserves further studies.

Apelin ; Blood Pressure ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; blood ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; blood ; Infant ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; blood ; Male ; Pulmonary Artery ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of short-term intensive treatment with insulin pump on beta cell function and the mechanism of oxidative stress in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients.

METHODSTotally 120 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients were treated with insulin pump for 2 weeks. The levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2hPG), homeostatic model assessment of the insulin secretion index and insulin resistance index (HOMA-beta and HOMAIR, respectively), blood malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured before and after insulin pump treatment.

RESULTSAfter insulin pump treatment, FPG, 2hPG, HOMAIR and blood MDA were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while HOMA-beta and blood SOD were significantly increased (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONShort-term intensive treatment with insulin pump can effectively improve beta cell function probably by decreasing oxidative stress in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients.

Adult ; Blood Glucose ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin ; blood ; Insulin Infusion Systems ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; physiology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Oxidative Stress ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

Objective To eliminate the problems due to manual operation in the central medical laboratory.Methods Management of the central medical laboratory was enhanced by ideas of informatization and standardization,informatized website,standardized transaction management as well as cooperation of laboratory staffs.Results Informatized website gained advantages over the traditional management mode in electronic record,information capacity,conciseness,timely feedback and etc.Conclusion Standardized management of central medical laboratory based on informatized website contributes to enhancing scientific research environment and application efficiency of large devices.