The stomatogastric ganglion (STG) of shellfish includes 30 neurons and produces pyloric rhythms. It is the common model to study central pattern generator (CPG). Regulation of pyloric rhythms not only is related to the property of single neurons in STG but also depends on the connections and property of the whole neuronal network. It has been found that transient potassium current (I(A)) and hyperpolarization-activated cation current (I(h)) exist in certain types of neurons of STG. However, roles played by these two currents in maintaining and regulating the pyloric rhythms are unknown. In the present study, in vitro electrophysiological recordings were performed on crayfish STG to examine the role played by I(A) and I(h) in regulation of pyloric rhythm. 4AP (2 mmol/L), a specific inhibitor of I(A), caused a decrease in pyloric cycle (P < 0.01), an increase in PD (pyloric dilator) ratio, a decrease in PY (pyloric) ratio (P < 0.01) and delay of phases of LP and PY firing. ZD7288 (100 μmol/L), a specific inhibitor of I(h), caused a decrease in pyloric cycle (P < 0.01), an increase in PD ratio (P < 0.01), an increase in LP (lateral pyloric) ratio (P < 0.01), a decrease in PY ratio (P < 0.01) and delay of phases of LP and PY firing. These results indicate that I(A) and I(h) play important roles in regulating pyloric rhythms in crayfish STG.
Animals ; Astacoidea ; cytology ; Ganglia, Invertebrate ; physiology ; Neurons ; cytology ; Pylorus ; innervation

Objective To identify Isatidis Radix in different areas by SDS-PAGE;To provide the basis for the identification and quality evaluation of Isatidis Radix. Methods By using SDS-PAGE technology, the protein profiles of Isatidis Radix in Heilongjiang and Hebei regions were established. Results Isatidis Radix protein in Heilongjiang contained about 13 protein subunits, and the major subunits were 10.5 kD, 23.0 kD, 24.9 kD, and 44.1 kD. Isatidis Radix protein in Hebei contained about 12 subunits, and the major subunits were 55.6 kD, 45.9 kD, 34.3 kD, 18.9 kD, 12.4 kD, and 10.5 kD. Conclusion SDS-PAGE technology can be used as one of the references to identify Isatidis Radix in different areas.

OBJECTIVETo introduce the experience in the treatment of lower eyelid pouches orbital rim.

METHODSAn incision was made along the margin of lower eyelid and dissection was performed under the orbicularis muscle to expose the orbital septum and periosteum of lower orbital rim. The fat released from orbital septum was transposed just below the lower orbital rim and fixed on the periosteum. If lacrimal groove deformity was not corrected completely, the musculocutaneous flap, which may be excised beside the incision, was kept to correct the deformities further with only the muscle portion.

RESULTS72 cases with lower eyelid pouches complicated with lacrimal groove deformities were treated with transposition of orbital fat and orbicularis muscular flaps. Satisfactory results were achieved in all the patients after a follow-up period of 3-6 months.

CONCLUSIONIt is an effective and feasible technique to correct lacrimal groove deformities with transposition of orbital fat and orbicularis muscular flaps.

Adipose Tissue ; transplantation ; Aged ; Blepharoplasty ; methods ; Eyelids ; surgery ; Humans ; Orbit ; Periosteum ; surgery

OBJECTIVEWe aim to describe the environment iodine concentration in salt, water and soil along Zhejiang Province coast in the China foreland. It will be helpful for us to judge whether this area is insufficient in iodine and universal iodized salt is necessary or not.

METHODSWe collected iodized salt samples, drinking water samples (tap water in the towns, and well water or spring water in the villages), water samples from different sources (ditches, lakes, rivers) and soil samples through random sampling in June, 2005. Salt, water and soil iodine was detected by arsenic-cerium redox method. Statistical analysis was expressed as mean+/-SEM by Windows SPSS 13.0.

RESULTS(1) The iodine concentration in salt was 27.9+/-4.33 mg/kg (n=108). (2) Seventy-five water samples were collected. The water iodine value was 0.6-84.8 microg/L (mean of 11.66 mug/L). The watershed along the Qiantang River has significantly higher iodine content than the water in Lin'an in mountain area (P<0.01). The iodine content and mean iodine content of tap water, well or spring water and natural water sources were 4.30+/-2.43 microg/L (n=34), 23.59+/-27.74 microg/L (n=19) and 12.72+/-10.72 microg/L (n=22) respectively. This indicated that among environmental water sources, the ditch iodine content was the highest with river water iodine being the lowest (P<0.01). (3) Soil iodine value was 0.11-2.93 mg/kg (mean of 1.32 mg/kg). Though there was no statistical difference of soil iodine in different districts (P=0.131), soil iodine content correlated positively with water iodine content.

CONCLUSIONIodine concentration in salt accords with national policy of adding iodine in salt. Foreland has more iodine in water than mountain area. The data reflected that water and soil iodine in foreland area was not high, which suggests universal iodized salt should be necessary. Environment iodine has relatively close association with pollution.

China ; Iodine ; analysis ; Rivers ; chemistry ; Sodium Chloride ; analysis ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary ; analysis ; Soil ; analysis ; Water ; analysis ; Water Supply ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo explore the association between the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and the risk of lung cancer.

METHODSOne hundred and three patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer and 85 homochronous hospitalized patients with chronic respiratory diseases (including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, bronchiectasis and pulmonary fibrosis) were included in this study. ESR, serum levels of CRP, CEA, CA19-9 and CA125 were analyzed in the two groups before the initiation of any therapy after hospitalization. The association with clinicopathological characteristics of lung cancer and the risk of lung cancer were estimated by logistic regression.

RESULTSBoth the ESR and CRP levels were significantly higher in the lung cancer group, as compared with that in the chronic respiratory diseases group (P < 0.001). There was no significant association of ESR and CRP with lung cancer stage and type. Spearman correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between ESR and CRP (r = 0.56, P < 0.001), ESR and CA125 (r = 0.33, P < 0.001), and CRP and CA125 (r = 0.32, P < 0.001). The results of multivariate logistic analysis showed that the level of CRP was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. Adjusting the confounding factors such as age, gender and smoking condition, the risk increased along with the elevation of CRP. Compared with the first quantile patients, the risk of the second quantile patients increased twice (OR: 2.46, 95%CI: 1.16 - 5.20), the risk of the third quantile patients increased ten-fold (OR: 10.52, 95%CI: 4.40 - 25.18).

CONCLUSIONThe level of CRP is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. The results of this study suggest that early detection of CRP may have a potential predicting value for high risk group of lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma ; blood ; metabolism ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; CA-125 Antigen ; metabolism ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; blood ; metabolism ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Lung Diseases ; blood ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; blood ; metabolism ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Risk Factors ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ; blood ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of tumescent infiltration solution temperature on core body temperature after liposuction.

METHODS15 healthy female subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups to receive tumescent infiltration solution at 25 degrees C as group A, or at 37 degrees C as group B. All subjects were under epidural anesthesia. Vital signs, including core temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure, were monitored immediately, 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours and 8 hours after operation.

RESULTSThe core body temperature immediately, 1 hour, 2 hours and 3 hours after operation were (35.8 +/- 0.5) degrees C, (35.8 +/- 0.5) degrees C, (36.0 +/- 0.5) degrees C, (36.1 +/- 0.5) degrees C in group A, and (36.5 +/- 0.4) degrees C, (36.5 +/- 0.3) degrees C, (36.5 +/- 0.3) degrees C, (36.6 +/- 0.4) degrees C in group B, showing a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.008, P = 0.008, P = 0.03, P = 0.033, respectively). There was no difference in body temperature 4 hours and 8 hours after operation and in heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure between the two groups (P > 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONSThe tumescent infiltration solutions at room temperature (25 degrees C) can decrease the core body temperature and increase surgical risk. It might not be good for rehabilitation. It is recommended to use tumescent infiltration solution at body temperature (37 degrees C) in liposuction.

Adult ; Body Temperature ; Female ; Humans ; Lipectomy ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Solutions ; Temperature ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo establish a new staging system based on analysis of several presently used clinical staging systems for carcinoma of nasal cavity.

METHODSThe data of 122 patients treated from 1985 to 1997 in the cancer center of Sun Yat-sen University were analyzed, and a new clinical staging system was established using computer optimizing and screening combined with the clinical results. The survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier estimates, and the multivariate analysis was achieved by Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTSThe flaws in the presently used clinical staging systems proposed by Zhuang, Qiu, Department of Head and Neck of Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University and University of Florida and the AJCC'2002, were as follows: insufficient consideration of the modern tomography resulting in indefinite location of the tumor in clinical practice, the uneven distribution of patients in different stages, being unable to separate survival curves of different stages, and not containing of all necessary clinical staging information in some staging systems. However, based on our new staging system, the cases distributed in T1, T2, T3 and T4 was 16, 32, 42 and 32, and the 5-year survival rate was 78.8%, 64.6%, 49.9% and 30.0%, respectively. The cases distributed in stage I, II, III and IV was 16, 26, 45 and 35, and the 5-year survival rate was 78.8%, 68.4%, 51.3% and 29.0%, respectively. The overall 5-year survival rate was 61.6%.

CONCLUSIONCompared to the presently used clinical staging systems, the new staging system may have more advantages in various parameters for the clinical staging in the carcinoma of nasal cavity, and may be worth to be widely and clinical used.

Adenocarcinoma ; mortality ; pathology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; mortality ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Cavity ; Neoplasm Staging ; standards ; Nose Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Reference Standards ; Survival Analysis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the design principles, clinical results and significance of hatchet skin flaps for repairing tissue defects in different parts of cheek.

METHODSThe area of cheek was divided into three parts, P(I), P(II) and P(III), with vertical lines through the medial canthus and lateral canthus. Different kinds of hatchet skin flaps were designed to repair tissue defects in different part of cheek. The hatchet skin flaps were performed in 29 cases with tissue defects in different part of cheek from August 2005 to August 2009. There were 17 male and 12 female, aged from 19 to 81 years, with a mean age of (45 ± 16) years. The size of tissue defect ranged from 1.5 cm × 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm × 3.5 cm. Patients' satisfactions were evaluated with a questionnaire in 5 aspects:color and texture match, scar, morbidity, and function after 6 months operatively.

RESULTSAll the flaps survived completely with good color and tissue match. The facial contour was not altered obviously. Six to eighteen months later, all scars were almost invisible. All 29 patients were satisfied with their results.

CONCLUSIONSThe hatchet skin flap is one of the versatile reconstructive methods for repairing of medium and small defects in the three parts of cheek. Defects in different part of cheek should be repaired individually with hatchet flap based on characters of natural lines.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cheek ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Skin Transplantation ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression and functional role of the small conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels in human atrial myocytes.

METHODSWe collected the right atrial appendage tissues from 8 patients with congenital heart defect with sinus rhythm undergoing open-heart surgery. Immunohistochemistry was performed to identify the expression of 3 isoforms of SK channel (SK1, SK2 and SK3). Using the classical two-step enzymatic isolation method, perforated patch clamp and conventional voltage-clamp techniques were performed to record the action potentials (APs) and the whole-cell Ca(2+)-activated K(+) current (I(K, Ca)) in the single atrial myocyte. We compared the changes in action potential duration (APD) before and after the application of a specific SK channels blocker apamin (100 nmol/L).

RESULTSHuman atrial myocytes showed positivity for all the SK1, SK2 and SK3 isoform channels. Patch-clamp recording confirmed the presence of I(K,Ca), and apamin significantly prolonged APD at 90% repolarization (APD(90)), but produced no obvious effect on APD(50).

CONCLUSIONThe three isoforms of SK channels are all expressed in human atrial myocytes. SK channels play a prominent role in the late phase of repolarization in human atrial myocytes, which is distinct from their functional roles in neurons where they mediate the process of afterhyperpolarization following APs.

Action Potentials ; physiology ; Adolescent ; Atrial Appendage ; cytology ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Protein Isoforms ; metabolism ; physiology ; Small-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo explore significance of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) testing in atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H).

METHODSPresence of HR-HPV DNA was examined in 45 patients with ASC-H using hybrid capture II (HC-II) test. Colposcopic examination and biopsy were taken all results were evaluated.

RESULTSOverall, 33 of 45 (73.3%) ASC-H cases were biopsy proven cervical intraepithelial lesion (CIN). 36 of 45 ASC-H cases were HPV-DNA positive, including 19 cases of HSIL and over lesion; whereas no HSIL or over was found in 9 HR-HPV negative cases. Sensitivity and negativity predictive value of HR-HPV in ASC-H with HSIL and over lesion were both 100%.

CONCLUSIONSASC-H strongly predicts the presence of HSIL, HR-HPV may serve as a predict select whether a patient with ASC-H should take colposcopic examination immediately, patients with positive HR-HPV should undergo immediate colposcopic examination, while negative HR-HPV is an excellent predictor of the absence of HSIL.

Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; virology ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; pathology ; virology ; Colposcopy ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Papillomaviridae ; isolation & purification ; Papillomavirus Infections ; Precancerous Conditions ; pathology ; virology ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; pathology ; virology ; Uterine Cervicitis ; pathology ; virology ; Vaginal Smears ; Young Adult