Objective To report the outcome of emergency repair of severe complex defect in forearm by transplantation of free flap and simultaneous functional reconstruction.Methods From Mar.1994 to Aug.2003,4 cases with severe complex defect in forearm was repaired by transplantation of free skin flap, free skin flap combined with fibula flap,or fibula osteocutaneous flap in emergency.Simultaneously the flexion and extension function were repaired by muscle transfer and/or tendon grafting,tenonectomy.Results All the cases were successful.Follow-up period ranged from 1 to 3 years postoperatively.The blood-supply,tex- ture and elasticity of transferred flaps were excellent with good bone healing.Opposition of thumb with four fin- gers was good.Sensory recovery of the hand was satisfactory.Conclusion Transplantation of free flap com- bined with simultaneous functional reconstruction is an ideal method in emergency repair of severe complex de- fect in forearm.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effective therapeutic method in the treatment of idiopathic sudden hearing loss (ISHL).

METHODSOne hundred and eighty-eight cases of ISHL were randomized into a warming-promoting needling group (74 cases), a conventional acupuncture group (56 cases) and a medication group (58 cases). In the conventional acupuncture group, the conventional needling technique was applied to Baihui (GV 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Yifeng (TE 17), Tinggong (SI 19), Touqiaoyin (GB 11) and Zhigou (TE 6) on the affected side. The treatment was given 5 times each week. Totally, the treatment of 6 weeks was required. In the warming-promoting needling group, on the basic treatment as the conventional acupuncture group, the warming-promoting needling technique was applied to Fengchi (GB 20). In the medication group, the intravenous drop with salvia injectio and mecobalamin was prescribed, once per day, for 10 days totally. Meanwhile, Erlong Zuoci Wan was prescribed for oral administration, 8 pills each time, three times a day for 30 days continuously.

RESULTSAll of the three therapeutic methods achieved the effect on ISHL. The total effective rate was 89.2% (66/74) in the warming-promoting needling group, which was better than 62.5% (35/56) in the conventional acupuncture group and 53.4% (31/58) in the medication group (both P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe warming-promoting needling techinque achieves the significant efficacy on ISHL. The hearing improvement is superior to that treated with either the conventional needling technique or medication.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; Adult ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Needles ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo establish a mouse model of hypospadias induced by benzoate estradiol to further the studies on the molecular mechanisms of hypospadias.

METHODSA total of pregnant mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, Group A, B, C, D and E, and injected subcutaneously (sc) with estradiol benzoate at the dose of 0, 0.2, 1, 5 and 25 mg x kg(-1) d(-1) respectively from the 12th to the 16th gestational day. The mortality of the newborn mice was recorded and the male neonates of 2 pregnant mice from each group were anatomized to observe the testis position and prostate agenesis on the delivery day. Examinations were made for urethra and cryptorchidism on the 28th postnatal day.

RESULTSThe death rates of the neonates in Group A, B, C, D and E were 21.6%, 21.5%, 41.4%, 56. 6% and 75.0%, respectively. Hypospadias was detected in Group C (3.3%, 1/30), D (20.0%, 4/20) and E (23.0%, 3/13), with significant difference between Group D and A (P < 0.05) and E and A (P < 0.05), but not between Group D and E (P > 0.05). Cryptorchidism was found in Group C (6.6%, 2/30) , D (30.0%, 6/20) and E (61.6%, 8/13), with significant difference between Group D and A (P < 0.05) and E and A (P < 0.05) , but not between Group D and E (P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONExposure of pregnant mice to large dose of estradiol benzoate can induce hypospadias and cryptorchidism in their neonates. And the right dose of estradiol benzoate for the establishment of the mouse model of hypospadias should be 5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1).

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Estradiol ; analogs & derivatives ; toxicity ; Female ; Hypospadias ; chemically induced ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Pregnancy ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Shenqi Compound on diabetic angiopathy modeled rats.

METHODSTotally 18 SD rats were randomized into 3 groups, i.e., the normal control group, the diabetic mellitus (DM) group, and Shenqi Compound group, 6 in each group. The DM rat model was established by feeding high-fat diet (to induce hyperlipidemia) +intraperitoneal injection of small dose streptozotocin (STZ). Shenqi Compound was given to rats in the Shenqi Compound group at the daily dose of 2 g/kg. Equal volume of normal saline was given to rats in the model group and the normal control group by gastrogavage. All treatment was lasted for 12 weeks. Then 2-D and ultrasonic integrated backscatter technique were used to evaluate structural and functional changes of abdominal aorta in the progression of diabetic macroangiopathy. The fibrosis degree of the aorta vessel and myocardium capillaries were observed by using HE and Masson trichrome staining. The tension of the aortic vascular ring was determined. The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) mRNA expression was detected by real time PCR (RT-PCR). The protein expression of TGF-beta, collagen I, collagen III, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and phosphorylation P38 MAPK were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, abdominal aortic systolic inner diameter, diastolic inner diameter, Peterson elastic modulus, stiffness index, and backscatter integral significantly increased; the rangeability of integral backscatter and the extension coefficient of cross section significantly decreased in the DM group (all P < 0.05). After 12 weeks aforesaid indices were obviously improved in the Shenqi Compound group (P < 0.05). Results of HE and Masson staining showed that the fibrosis degree of the aorta vessel and myocardium capillaries was obviously alleviated in rats of the Shenqi Compound group (P < 0.05). Results of the aortic vascular ring tension showed that acetylcholine induced vasodilatation and maximum diastolic percent were obviously elevated in the Shenqi Compound group (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group, the mRNA expression of TGF-beta, and the protein expression of TGF-beta, collagen I, and collagen III, and phosphorylation of P38 MAPK all significantly increased in the DM group (P < 0.05). Compared with the DM group, the mRNA expression of TGF-beta, and the protein expression of TGF-beta, collagen I, and collagen III, and phosphorylation of P38 MAPK all decreased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSShenqi Compound could effectively improve the arterial function in diabetic marcoangiopathy and microvascular dysfunction. The mechanism might be due to the down-regulating the expression of TGF-beta, and further suppressing the phosphorylation of P38 MAPK, reducing the synthesis of collagen I and collagen III, therefore, ameliorating arterial and myocardial interstitial fibrosis.

Animals ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Collagen Type III ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Diabetic Angiopathies ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in different prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines and its role in the acquisition of invasive and metastatic potentials of PCa.

METHODSWe detected the expressions of COX-2 in prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP, C4-2, IF11, IA8 and PC-3 with different metastatic potentials by Western blotting and RT-PCR, and analyzed their roles in the invasion and metastasis of different PCa cell lines.

RESULTSWestern blotting and RT-PCR showed that the expression of the COX-2 protein was high in PC-3, but absent in IF11, IA8, LNCaP and C4-2 (P < 0.05), and it was consistent with the expression of COX-2 mRNA.

CONCLUSIONCOX-2 expresses differently in PCa cell lines with different metastatic potentials. The overexpression of COX-2 may be associated with the high invasion and metastasis of PC-3, but not with the metastasis of other cell lines.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

Objective To study effective treatment for deep burn on the face caused by coal-dust burning and blasting to prevent severe disfigurement.Methods Early conservative eschar-scraping, delayed skin graft,early strain-diminution for the eyelids in both sides,and wound expansion with skin graft were used to treat 12 patients with deep burn on their faces caused by coal-dust burning and blasting. Results Facial wound of all the 12 patients healed within three weeks after burn.No significant cicatricial hyperplasia and deformity were found on their faces during three-month follow-up,with natural facial expression and abundant emotion.Conclusions Early eschar-scraping and delayed skin graft for deep facial burn can promote fast repair of burn-wound,diminish cicatricial hyperplasia and prevent deformity on the face.

Objective To describe the survival state and to investigate the risk factors of death on patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Methods Age, past history, number of encephalic region suffering SAH, laboratory examination indexes, therapeutic measures, complications and prognosis of 174 patients with SAH were followed-up and investigated. The survival states and risk factors of death of the patients with SAH were identified by both Kaplan-Meicr survival analysis and Cox proportional risk model. Results There were 10 patients (5.75%) losing follow-up investigation and 164 patients with SAH completed the follow-up investigation. 66 patients died and the longest follow-up invcstigation time was 5.64 years. The survival rates of 28 days, 1 year and 3-5 years were 70.60%,63.40% and 57.20% respectively. The treatment of nimotop, aneurysm occlusion treatment and aneurysm embolotherapy could decrease the death of SAH. At the same time, advanced age, the long time smoking, hyponatremia, the rising of leucocyte in acute stage, repeated hemorrhage and cerebral angio spasm were the independent risk factors to the death of patients. Conclusion Prognosis of patients with advanced age, the rising of leucocyte in acute stage, gastrointestinal blooding, hyponatremia, repeated hemorrhage and cerebral angio spasm were unfavorable. When giving patients with aneurysm, the aneurysm occlusion and embolotherapy and nimotop treatment, the death risk could be reduced.

Objective To explore the significance of designing with monitoring-flap in massive com- pound bone grafts for repairing massive bone defects in extremities.Methods From January 2001 to De- cember 2004,large bone defects in 19 patients(11 men and 8 women,age:6 to 35 years,mean age:18.6 years)were repaired by vascularized free fibular transplant with a monitoring-flap combining with massive deep frozen bone allografts.Average length of the bone defects was 16.6 cm(range,12 to 25 cm).A 7 days' con- tinuously clinical examination including observing the color,turgor,temperature,capillary refill,and bleeding after a needle sticking of the monitoring-falps were used postoperatively,if any one of these were abnormal,the circulation of the compound bone grafts must be in danger and some measures such as re-operation should be taken immediately.Dynamic image analysis was used for evaluating the bone union.Results One monito- ring-flap was vascular artieulo,and the articulo was relieved after exploration and resection of vein thrombus; another one was marginal part necrosis;the remains were normal.All of monitoring-flaps healed normally after 23.2 months(range,6 to 54 months)follow-up.15 patients had the radiographic evidence of bone unions 3 months after surgery.11 patients had been removed intermal fixation,complete bone unios were found one year postoperatively.Conclusion Designing with monitoring-flap in massive compound bone grafts for repairing massive bone defects,and can clearly understand the circulatory statue of compound bone grafts and early pre- dict the final results of massive bone allografts.

The E2 envelope glycoprotein of virulent Shimen strain and avirulent C-strain of Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) has 5 and 6 potential glycosylation sites, respectively, and the potential glycosylation site 986N is unique to C-strain. To study the differences in glycosylation between the virus pair, the E2 genes (removing signal sequence and transmembrane anchor regions) of the two strains fused with the melittin signal sequence were expressed in the Sf9 insect cells. The recombinant E2 proteins were secreted into the medium of Sf9 cells in dimer form with different molecular weight (MW). Deglycosylation of the recombinant E2 proteins by endo H and PNGase F showed that the deglycosalated Shimen-E2 and HCLV-E2 have the same MW, indicating that the different MW between Shimen-E2 and HCLV-E2 proteins came from different glycosylation. Site-directed mutagenesis in the potential glycosylation site at 986N demonstrated that the mutated Shimen-E2 protein had the same MW as the wild-type HCLV-E2 protein, while the mutated HCLV-E2 had the same MW as the wild-type Shimen-E2 protein. We suggest that the different MW between Shimen-E2 and HCLV-E2 is resulted from the different glycosylation on 986 N glycosylation site.
Baculoviridae ; genetics ; Blotting, Western ; Classical swine fever virus ; chemistry ; classification ; Glycosylation ; Molecular Weight ; Mutation ; Recombinant Proteins ; chemistry ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; chemistry ; Virulence

OBJECTIVETo observe the expression of Coxsackie B virus-adenovirus receptor (CAR) in two prostate cancer cell lines with different metastatic potentials.

METHODSThe expressions of CAR in two prostate cancer cell lines (Du145 and LNCaP) with different metastatic potentials were detected by Western blotting. The Transwell polycarbonate filter was used to analyze the invasive potency.

RESULTSAs one of the adhesion associated proteins, CAR highly expressed in the LNCaP cell line, which is well known with a low metastatic potential, and lowly expressed in Du145 with a high metastatic potential (P < 0.01). The invasive potency of Du145 was significantly higher than that of LNCaP (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere was a difference in the metastatic phenotypes of CAR among cell lines with different metastatic potentials. The expressions of CAR proteins may play an important role in repressing the metastasis of prostate cancer.

Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Coxsackie and Adenovirus Receptor-Like Membrane Protein ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Receptors, Virus ; metabolism