OBJECTIVETo measure the male anterior hairline (AH) and provide data for hair transplantation.

METHODS205 males were randomly involved and divided into different age groups, as the young group( age 18-29), the middle-aged group (age 30-49) and the old group (age 50+). Their AH shape and height were measured. The data was then analyzed.

RESULTSAccording to the morphological classification of AH, the linear type was most common in the young and middle-aged groups (48.40% and 37.33%), the anterior protrusion type was most common in the old group (34.80%). The mean height of AH was 6.42 cm (5.00-8.50 cm)for the median line, and there was no statistical difference between groups (P > 0.05); the mean ratio of median line AH height to facial length was 0.30 (0.22-0.37), there were significant differences between the old group against the young, or the middle-aged group (P < 0.05), and no difference between the young group and the middle-aged group (P > 0.05); the mean height of AH was 5.83 cm (3.5-8.0 cm) for the paramedian line, and there was no statistical difference between groups (P > 0.05); the mean height of AH was 8.34 cm (5.5-10.5 cm) for the lateral line, there were significant differences between the young group against the middle-aged, or the old group (P < 0.05), and no difference between the middle-aged group and the old group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe shape and height of AH were age-associated. The linear type is most common in the young and middle-aged groups, the anterior protrusion type is most common in the old group. The change first occurs on the lateral lines since the age of 30, and the central portion is involved since the age of 50. The older the age gets, the higher the hairline is.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aging ; Face ; anatomy & histology ; Forehead ; anatomy & histology ; Hair ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To study interleukin-1 receptor(IL-1R) and connexin(Cx36) gene expression following Mg 2+-free-induced seizures in cultured developing neuron. Methods Rat embryo cortical neurons cultured for 6 and 17 days were exposed to Mg 2+-free media to induce seizure. At different time after Mg 2+-free treatment, real-time RT-PCR was used to detect IL-1R and Cx36 mRNA expression. Results 1. IL-1R mRNA expression transiently decreased after Mg 2+-free treatment in neurons cultured for 6 and 17 days in vitro. Then the levels of IL-1R mRNA expression recovered in neurons cultured for 6 days, but IL-1R mRNA expression were increased in neurons cultured for 17 days compared with control group and the peak was at 24 hours. 2. In neurons cultured for 6 days in vitro, Cx36 mRNA expression increased after Mg 2+-free treatment compared with control group, the peak was at 24 hours. But in neurons cultured for 17 days in vitro, Cx36 mRNA expression decreased at 6 hours after Mg 2+-free treatment compared with control group, the peak was at 24 hours. Conclusions IL-1R mRNA and Cx36 mRNA expression following Mg 2+-free-induced seizures are different between the neurons cultured for 6 and 17 days in vitro. This is possibly related to the different neuron injury between 6 and 17 days in vitro following seizures.

OBJECTIVETo study cortical neuron injury following recurrent epileptiform discharges induced by magnesium-free treatment in vitro.

METHODSCultured embryo cortical neurons were exposed to magnesium-free media for 3 h, then they were returned to regular media containing normal level magnesium. At different time after Mg(2+)-free treatment, trypan blue staining and determination of LDH activity were used to determine the cell viability, flow cytometry was applied to measure neuronal apoptosis, and MTT assay to study metabolic rate.

RESULTS(1) Neuronal morphology on light microscopy following Mg(2+)-free treatment showed that there were no prominent alterations. (2) At different time (6, 12, 72 h) after Mg(2+)-free treatment, neuronal viability by trypan blue staining and LDH activity showed modest changes compared with time-matched control in different culture days (6, 12, 17 d) (P > 0.05). (3) Cell apoptosis increased mildly at different time after Mg(2+)-free treatment in neurons cultured for different days, but the increase was not significant (P > 0.05). (4) Metabolic rate decreased at 6 h after Mg(2+)-free treatment (P < 0.05) in neurons cultured for 6 d, and was 86.4% of that of the control; while the rate at 24 h in neurons cultured for 12 d and 17 d also decreased (P < 0.05), being 78.7% and 70.9%, respectively, of that of the control.

CONCLUSIONSThese findings demonstrated that the injury occurred on cultured cortical neurons caused by magnesium-free-treatment-induced recurrent epileptiform discharges was mainly functional and relatively mature neurons displayed more severe and much later mitochondrial function impairment than immature neurons.

Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; embryology ; Culture Media ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Culture Techniques ; Magnesium ; pharmacology ; Neurons ; drug effects ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Seizures ; physiopathology

Objective To investigate the quality of life in outpatients after liver transplantation. Methods A quality of life scale for patients of liver cancer developed by Wan Chonghua was used to evaluate the quality of life in outpatients after liver transplantation according to age, postoperative time, education background and family incomes. Results There was significant difference in social function and total score of quality of life between patients older than 60s and patients younger than 60s. There was statistical difference in education background and family incomes. Conclusions The qulity of life in outpatients after liver transplantation was affected by age, education background and family incomes.

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of gene JWA involved in oxidative stress under hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) exposure.

METHODSBoth MCF-7 (human breast cancer cell line) and WI-38 (human embryo lung fibroblast cell line) cells were treated with 1 mmol/L of H(2)O(2) with or without pre-incubation of taurine (tau). Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) contents in supernatant of cell culture were measured; RT-PCR and Western blotting were carried out for evaluation of the expressions of JWA mRNA and protein respectively. Heat shock proteins (HSP27, HSP70 and HSP90) were also analyzed.

RESULTSThe contents of MDA before and after H(2)O(2) treatment in MCF-7 cells were (0.531 +/- 0.038), (0.674 +/- 0.410) mmol/L respectively, (P < 0.01), while those in WI-38 cells were (0.572 +/- 0.035), (0.683 +/- 0.028) mmol/L respectively, (P < 0.01). The contents of GSH before and after H(2)O(2) treatment in MCF-7 cells were (0.053 +/- 0.002), (0.044 +/- 0.002) g/L respectively, (P < 0.01), while those in WI-38 cells were (0.058 +/- 0.002), (0.050 +/- 0.002) g/L respectively, (P < 0.01). The expression of JWA mRNA was down regulated, at 6 h it decreased by 68.4%, while in WI-38 cells no obvious change found. JWA protein and HSP27 showed markedly increased after H(2)O(2) treatment in both cells but not in similar extent.

CONCLUSIONOxidative stress signal pathways of JWA gene varied between cancer and non-cancer cell lines; JWA protein may have a similar function as HSP27 and act as an important signal molecule in H(2)O(2) induced cell injury.

Blotting, Northern ; Cell Line ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; administration & dosage ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; RNA, Messenger ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDPancreatic beta-cell apoptosis induced by lipotoxicity, to a large extent, contributes to the progression of type 2 diabetes. To investigate the mechanism of free fatty acid induced apoptosis, we aimed to study the effects of palmitic acid (PA) on the apoptosis and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) expression in βTC3 cells as well as the possible role of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in this process.

METHODSHoechst 33258 was used to detect βTC3 cell apoptosis, which was induced by PA stimulation for 12 hours. PGC-1α expression was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, IκB kinase β (IKKβ), IκBα, NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) and Rel-B expressions were analyzed by Western blotting. MG132 was employed to block the endogenous IκBα degradation before PA administration, and then its effect on PA-inducing cell apoptosis and PGC-1α mRNA expression was analyzed.

RESULTSSignificant increased cell apoptosis was found at the concentration of 0.5 mmol/L and 1.0 mmol/L PA administration. PA (0.5 mmol/L) could extensively reduced the expression of PGC-1α mRNA. After exposing βTC3 cells to 0.5 mmol/L PA for different time periods (0, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 hours), IKKβ protein expression increased while IκBα, NIK and Rel-B protein expression declined in a time-dependent manner. Pretreatment with MG132 to inhibit the degradation of IκBα, partially prevented the down-regulation of PGC-1α mRNA expression after 12-hour PA treatment in accordance with the decrease of PA induced apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONSNF-κB canonical pathway was activated in PA-mediated βTC3 cell apoptosis, whereas non-canonical pathway was inhibited. Reduced PGC-1α expression by PA in βTC3 cells could involve the activation of canonical NF-κB pathway, so as to deteriorate the PA induced apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Leupeptins ; pharmacology ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; Palmitic Acid ; pharmacology ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of cross-linked hyaluronic acid Revanesse Ultra for treatment of nasolabial folds in Chinese population .Methods A total of 120 participants were enrolled in this prospective , randomized , positive controlled , non-inferiority clinical trial in accordance to inclusion and ex-clusion criteria , and signed informed consents were obtained .The participants were numbered in the order of en-rollment and randomized into Restylane group and Revanesse group , receiving hyaluronic acid injection to correct bilateral nasolabial folds .Each person received 1 or 2 times of injection ( a touch-up injection could be adminis-tered 4 weeks post the first injection ) .According to the original depth of the wrinkles , no more than 2 ml hyalu-ronic acid was injected into each side .All the participants were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the last injection and standardized photographs were taken at each visit .All the participants were asked to fill the form of local adverse events within the first 15 days after injection.Investigators and the participants both evalu-ated wrinkles based on Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale ( WSRS) .The WSRS score according to the pictures of 6 months post-injection were compared with the pictures which were taken before the injection ( baseline) by in-dependent staff at the end of the trial .One or more grades of WSRS improvement compared with the baseline was considered as effective .Laboratory tests including blood and urine routine , liver and renal function tests were carried out at screening visit and 6 months after injection.Results The baseline features between the two groups were comparable (all P>0.05).There was no significant difference in the WSRS 6 months after injec-tion between the two groups ( P>0.05 ) .There was no significant difference in the WSRS improvement com-pared with baseline between the two groups ( P=0.105 ) .There was no significant difference in the rate of ef-fectiveness between the two groups ( 93.0% vs.96.7%, P=0.431 ) .Two participants reported minor ad-verse events, although both of which might not be associated with the product or procedure .No laboratory test change was found during the trial .Conclusions No severe adverse event associated with the injection material was observed during this clinical trial .According to the result , Revanesse Ultra may have good histocompati-bility and tolerance .It could provide obvious improvement in the nasolabial folds , with effectiveness comparable to that of Restylane .

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of distraction osteogenesis on correction of craniofacial dysostosis.

METHODSLe Fort III osteotomy was applied through coronal route on patients with craniofacial dysostosis such as Crouzon and Apert syndrome. The procedures included disconnecting the skeletal midface from base of cranium, setting up a RED II distraction device, and directing the device bars. The distraction was started 5 days after the surgery, with a rate of 1 mm forward per day. When midface approaching the right position, i.e. a slightly over correction of occlusion was reached, stopped distraction and kept the device for 2 - 4 months.

RESULTSEight cases completed all the therapy. The average blood lose was 300 ml and the average operation time was 3.5 hours. The midface had been moved averagely 9 mm forwardly and 1.5 mm downwards. The features had been improved obviously and the occlusion reached nearly normal. No serious complications occurred except for 1 case of seroma and 1 case of infection around pin on scalp. No recurrence was found in the 5 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSMidface distraction osteogenesis is propitious to teenage or severe cases of craniofacial dysostosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Craniofacial Dysostosis ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; methods ; Osteotomy, Le Fort ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

Objective The aim of the present study was not only to assess the retrograde degenerative changes in the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra (SN) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) after injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the striatum, but also to use this 6-OHDA model of Parkinson's disease to explore the possible neuroprotective effect of R-apomorphine (R-APO). Methods The partial lesion was obtained by intrastriatal administration of 6-OHDA. R-APO administration (10 mg/kg, s.c.) started 15 min prior to lesioning and continued daily for another 22 days post surgery. Testing was carried out 5 weeks after lesioning. We investigated the histology and associated behavior and neurochemical changes. Structural and functional deficits were quantified by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) / Nissl-staining cell number counting, striatal dopamine (DA) content determination and amphetamine-induced rotation analysis. Results R-APO-treatment attenuated the amphetamine-induced ipsiversive rotation 5 weeks after the lesion induction. R-APO administration for 22 days significantly reduced the size of the lesion at the level of the SN from 50% (control group) to 69%. Moreover, the cell shape resembled that observed in the intact animals. R-APO treatment significantly increased the number of cells in both the lesion and the intact sides of VTA by 60%, suggesting selective neurotrophic effect of R-APO in this area. Finally, R-APO-treatment significantly attenuated the 6-OHDA-induced striatal DA depletion and normalized dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC)/DA ratios. Conclusion We conclude that R-APO has neuroprotective and possible neurotrophic effect on a striatal lesion with 6-OHDA, suggesting that this drug may have rescuing properties in patients with early stage Parkinson's disease. These effects are more pronounced in VTA and enhance with duration of treatment.

Ankle Fractures ; Femoral Fractures ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Patella/surgery* ; Patellar Dislocation/surgery*