Objective To explore the change of plasma orexin A concentration and the correlation between plasma orexin A concentration and energy intake in obese children.Methods Fasting plasma orexin A concentrations,boaly mass index(BMI) and energy intake were measured in 48 obese children(obese group) and 48 healthy children(healthy control group),and these indexes were compared,the correlation between plasma orexin A concentration and BMI,energy intake were analyzed.Results 1.The plasma orexin A concentration in obese group was significantly lower than that in healthy control group(F=5.632 P=0.008).2.In obsess group,there were negative correlation between plasma orexin A concentration and BMI(r=-0.478 P=0.012),positive correlation between plasma orexin A concentration and total energy intake(r=0.503 P=0.007),fat intake(r=0.659 P=0.006) and protein intake(r=0.381 P=0.026),and there was negative correlation between plasma orexin A concentration and carbohydrate(r=-0.316 P=0.022).3.In healthy control group,there were negative correlation between plasma orexin A concentration and BMI(r=-0.491 P=0.018),positive correlation between plasma orexin A concentration and total energy intake(r=0.512 P=0.009),fat intake(r=0.406 P=0.005),protein intake(r=0.313 P=0.020),and carbohydrate(r=0.432 P=0.025).Conclusions Orexin A may be involved in regulation of energy metabolism in obese children,and the interaction between plasma orexin A and energy intake might be different in different nutritional status in children.

Fourteen compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of 90% EtOH extracts of the dried fruits of Alpinia oxyphylla by silica gel, MCI, RP-18, Sephadex LH-20, TLC and semi-preparative HPLC column chromatography. Their structures were identified by HR-ESI-MS, UV, IR, NMR, ECD and X ray single crystal diffraction spectroscopic data as: (2R,5R,7R,10S)-2,7-dihydroxyl-eudesmane-3(4),11(12)-diene (1), α-rotunol (2), diketone I (3), (1S,4S,5R,7S)-1-hydroxyl-eremophilane-9(10),11(12)-diene-8-one (4), cyperusol A₁ (5), (6R,9S,10S)-10-hydroxyl-11,12,13-trinor-cadinane-4(5)-ene-3-one (6), (2E,4E)-6-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylhepta-2,4-dienal (7), oxyphyllacinol (8), yakuchinone A (9), (5R)-5-hydroxy-1,7-diphenylhept-3-heptanone (10), (5S)-5-hydroxy-7-(4″-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylhept-3-heptanone (11), (5S)-5-hydroxy-7-(4″-hydroxyl-3″-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-3-heptanone (12), 7-(4″-hydroxy-3″-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-3,5-heptadione (13), bis-(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (14). Compounds 1-6 were sesquiterpenoids in which compound 1 is a new eudesmane sesquiterpenoid and compound 7 was a monoterpenoid. Compounds 8-13 were diarylheptanoids, and compounds 2-6 and 14 were isolated from A.oxyphylla for the first time. The experiments on H₂O₂ induced SH-SY5Y cells showed that compounds 2, 6, 7, 12 and 13 had neuroprotective effects at low and medium concentrations. In particular, compound 6 showed obvious neuroprotective effect at low, medium and high concentrations whose cell viability was higher than that of the positive control.

OBJECTIVETo establish a three-dimensional image of the penile suspensory ligament, and explore a stereoscopic and multi angle observation method of patient' s penile suspensory ligament.

METHODSThis study selected the patients with small penis from our hospital as subjects. The participants were conducted on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination before operation. Afterwards, the results of MRI were imported into 3D reconstruction software (MIMICS 10.0), and the suspensory ligament of penis, the pubic symphysis and other related structures were reconstructed for observation.

RESULTSThe pubic symphysis, penis and corpus spongiosum can be quite clearly displayed in the thin-section MRI images. In addition, penile suspensory with patchy distribution can be visible between lower part of ligament pubic symphysis and corpus cavernosum. Finally, we can reconstruct the three-dimensional structures through MIMICS 10.0, and then precisely describe the suspensory ligament's start-stop point, the angle with cavernous body of penis and the attached area in the corpus cavernosum penis.

CONCLUSIONBased on the MRI 3D reconstruction of deep penile suspensory ligament and adjacent structures, we can carry out dynamic, three-dimensional multi angle observation of patients deep penile suspensory ligament, and can use the reconstructed image to provide certain theory basis for the judgement of the corpus cavernosum penis extension length and penile suspensory ligament depth before penis extension operation.

Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Ligaments ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Penis ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Software ; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male ; methods

Objective To report the clinical effect of free transplanting for soft tissue defects pedieled with high site cutaneous branches of the transverse branch of lateral cirumflex femoral artery.Methods Cu- taneous branches of the descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery were found small or abscent in 7 patients.The anterolateral femoral skin flap was pedicled with high site cutaneous branches of the transverse branch to repair the soft tissue defects of the arm,hand,leg and foot,rather than with the descending ones. The size of the flap ranged from 15 cm?6 cm to 28 cm?13 cm,with part muscle valve,iliotibal tract and lat- eral femoral cutaneous nerve.The fractures were performed with internal or external fixation.Results All of the anterolateral femoral skin flap survived well postoperatively in the 7 cases and had good appearance and sensation at one stage.The function of the repaired extremities recovered well.Conclusion The anterolat- eral femoral skin flap pedicled with high site cutaneous branches of the transuvrse branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery has many advantages of good blood supply and large size.The flap was secluding,and can be taken with some muscle and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.When cutaneous branches of the descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery is small or abscent,the anterolateral femoral skin flap with high site cutaneous branches of the transverse branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery is an optimal alternative.

OBJECTIVEHepatic stellate cells (HSC) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) transdifferentiate into extracellular matrix-producing myofibroblasts. Activated HSC can promote invasion and metastasis of HCC. To understand the differences of HSC in normal liver and HCC, we compared the gene expression patterns in HCC cell induction-activated and culture-activated rat HSC.

METHODSHSC were isolated by density centrifugation and exposed to conditioned medium from rat HCC cell line C5F. Expression of 22 012 genes in quiescent HSC, culture-activated HSC and HCC induction-activated HSC was analyzed by cDNA microarray and confirmed by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTS1672 genes were differentially expressed in culture-activated HSC, including proinflammatory factors, cell adhesion molecules, cell surface receptors, signaling transduction molecules and immune factors. 711 genes were differentially expressed in HCC induction-activated HSC. Some of them were identical to those in culture-activated HSC. HCC Induction-activated HSC showed specific gene expression patterns, including Raf1, Rac2, Adam17, Wnt6, MMP-9 and TNF, suggesting that HCC cells can specifically induce HSC activation.

CONCLUSIONThe gene expression patterns in HCC induction-activated HSC are different from those in culture-activated HSC. HCC induction-activated HSC may play a major role in the invasion and metastasis of HCC. In vivo activation should be considered as the standard for the study of HSC biology. HCC induction-activated HSC should be considered as the standard for HSC biology studies.

Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cells, Cultured ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred F344

To study immunophenotype and cytotoxicity of the immunocytes in bone marrow and peripheral blood after activation by combined cytokines, mononuclear cells (MNC) of bone marrow and peripheral blood were activated by IFN-gamma, IL-1, IL-2 and McAb-CD3 in vitro. The cell amount and morphology during culture were observed. Cytochemical staining and immunophenotype analysis were done before and after culture in two groups of MNC. Cytotoxicity was tested by MTT method. The results showed that the cell number of two groups increased obviously in culture (P < 0.05), while the peripheral blood mononuclear cells increased more markedly (P < 0.05). The cytochemical staining showed POX decrease, but PAS increase in two groups. The positive ratios of CD3(+), CD56(+) and CD38(+) cells in two groups increased obviously after culture (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between those two groups. CD3(+) CD56(+) cells increased obviously in peripheral blood mononuclear cells activated by cytokines (P < 0.05), but CD3(+) CD56(+) cells did not increase in bone marrow mononuclear cells. There was no significant difference between two groups' cytotoxicity. It was concluded that IFN-gamma, IL-1, IL-2 and McAb-C D3 increased cell number and cytotoxicity of both bone marrow and peripheral blood mononuclear cells that can be used in cell immunotherapy.
ADP-ribosyl Cyclase ; immunology ; ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacology ; Antigens, CD ; immunology ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; CD3 Complex ; immunology ; CD56 Antigen ; immunology ; Cell Count ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Coculture Techniques ; Cytokines ; pharmacology ; Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; drug effects ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Interferon-gamma ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-1 ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-2 ; pharmacology ; K562 Cells ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the advantages, disadvantages and their indications of total nasal reconstruction with different techniques.

METHODSA series of total nasal reconstruction were treated with four methods from 1975 to 2003. These methods were tubed flap of arm,midline forehead flap with skin graft, midline forehead flap with bilateral frontotemporal flaps for repairing the donor site, and expanded forehead flap.

RESULTSAll of the patients were treated successfully. The shape and function of the reconstructed noses were satisfactory. However, the traditional forehead flap with skin graft may leave a unsightly big and black scar on the forehead. The technique of the tubed flap of arm could provide enough tissue without remaining forehead scar and be easily shaped, but it required long period, multiple procedures and body fixation for three weeks.

CONCLUSIONSMidline forehead flap with bilateral frontotemporal flaps for repairing the donor site may be good for small nose reconstruction while expanded forehead flap could reconstruct a big nose. Tubed flap of arm may be used to the patients who do not wish to leave any scar on the forehead. Forehead flap with skin graft to repair the donor sit- should generally be avoided for nose reconstruction.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nose ; surgery ; transplantation ; Nose Deformities, Acquired ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Reproducibility of Results ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical value of sequential intraoperative peritoneal lavage in reducing the positive rate of peritoneal exfoliated tumor cells.

METHODSSix sequential intraoperative peritoneal lavages were performed in each of the 63 patients with rectal cancer, with three before resection and three post resection, which were then compared by using cytological smear examination.

RESULTSExfoliated tumor cells were positive in the first three intraoperative peritoneal lavages of all the 63 patients before resection. The cytological smear examination of the three peritoneal lavage fluids after excision revealed that 40 cases were positive at the first lavage, 33 at the second and 13 at the third. The positive rate between the first and the second post-resection peritoneal lavages showed no significant difference (P>0.05), while the positive rate of the third lavage was significantly lower than the second after resection (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSequential intraoperative peritoneal lavages is a useful method in reducing the positive rate of peritoneal exfoliated tumor cells in patients with rectal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Cytological Techniques ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Intraoperative Period ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Peritoneal Lavage ; Rectal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery

Animals ; History, 20th Century ; Hong Kong ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; history ; virology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny

OBJECTIVETo investigate the status of job burnout in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctors and explore the effect of occupational commitment on job burnout.

METHODSA test of occupational commitment and job burnout was carried out in 507 TCM doctors with occupational commitment questionnaire and Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS).

RESULTSThe age group of < 30 years scored lowest (2.352 +/- 0.660) in personal accomplishment compared with 30 years old group and 40 years old group [(2.136 +/- 0.704) and (2.127 +/- 0.628) respectively] (P < 0.01). The score of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization increased with educational levels. There was significantly negative correlation between job burnout and occupational commitment (P < 0.01). Occupational commitment had significant effect on job burnout (P < 0.01). Occupational trouble commitment was a major predictor for emotional exhaustion (P < 0.01). Professional self-efficacy commitment was a major predictor for depersonalization (P < 0.01). Affective commitment was a major predictor for personal accomplishment (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONOccupational commitment is a good predictor for job burnout. Improving occupational commitment is an important measure to prevent job burnout.

Adult ; Burnout, Professional ; psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Physicians ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult