Objective To investigate the clinical value of serum cystatin C in the early renal function impairment in elderly patients wtih chronic congestive heart failure (CHF). Methods Serum cystafin Cwas measured in 60 cases with chronic CHF (CHF group), 40 cases with cardiovascular diseases and compensated heart function (compensated heart function group), and other 20 elderly normal volunteers(controlgroup). The correlation between cystafin C, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and LVEF was evaluated. Results The levels of eystatin C in CHF group [(1.86±0.37)mg/L]was higher than that in compensated heart function group [(1.32±0.56) mg/L]and control group [(1.05±0.43) mg/L], P < 0.01. Cystatin C was positively correlated with BNP (r = 0.528,P< 0.01)and negatively correlated with LVEF (r=-0.463, P<0.01). In CHF group, the level of cystatin C and the incidence rate of renal failure was higher in the patients with BNP≥500 ng/L than those with BNP < 500 ng/L. Conclusions Cystatin C is a marker dearly impairment of renal function in elderly patients with chronic CHF. The more severe the heart failure, the more obvious the glomorular filtration function impairment shows.

Baculovirus has many advantages as vectors for gene transfer. We demonstrated that recombinant baculovirus vectors expressing p35 (Ac-CMV-p35) and eGFP (Ac-CMV-GFP) could be transduced into human kidney 293 cells efficiently. The level of transgene expression was viral dose dependent and high-level expression of the target gene could be achieved under the heterogonous promoter. MTT assay suggested that both Ac-CMV-p35 and Ac-CMV-GFP did not have cytotoxic effect on human embryo kidney 293 cells. Cell growth curve showed the Ac-CMV-p35 and Ac- CMV-GFP transduced and non-transduced cells had similar proliferation rate, so baculovirus-mediated p35expression had no adverse effect on cell proliferation. In addition, baculovirus-mediated p35 gene expression protected human embryo kidney 293 cells against apoptosis induced by various apoptosis inducers such as Actinomycin D, UV or serum-free media. These results suggested that the baculovirus vector mediated p35 gene expression was functional and it could be widely used in molecular research and even gene therapy.

Objective To investigate the method and effect of free autogenous palmaris longus tendon transplantation in the treatment of moderate and severe cicatricial ectropion.Methods The autogenous palmaris longus tendon was obtained through a small lateral proximal wrist band incision (lengths from 4 cm to 6 cm).The graft was properly sutured to the exposed tarsus and the attachments of inner and outer canthus.Local skin flap was rotated to cover the tendon and to repair the wound.Results Six man (8 eyes) with moderate and severe cicatricial ectropion were treated in our department,all case of ectropion were rectified after operation.The eyeballs were well contacted with lower eyelid and no recurrence of eetropion,epiphora and corneal exposure during 6 to 18 months' follow-up.The tension of the lower eyelid was abiding with satisfied effects.Conclusions The palmaris longus tendon is easy to obtain and there is no harm to the donor site.The cicatricial ectropion could be repaired with self-palmaris longus tendon transplantation with lasting effect and the recurrence rate is lower,which is well worthy popularizing.

The exploration of drug toxicity and mechanisms is a vital component in ensuring the safe use of drugs in clinical practice, as this topic has attracted widespread concern. The intestinal flora holds great significance for drug metabolism, efficacy and mechanism, and is an instrumental metabolic organ that facilitates material information transfer and biotransformation. However, an increasing number of studies have shown that intestinal bacteria are closely related to the toxicity of specific drugs. On the one hand, drugs are transformed into toxic metabolites under the influence of intestinal bacteria, thus inducing direct drug toxicity. On the other hand, the composition and function of the intestinal flora are altered under drug influence, resulting in disruption of endogenous metabolic pathways. Consequently, this disruption compromises the intestinal barrier and affects other organs, leading to indirect drug toxicity. This review meticulously compiles recent examples of drug toxicity attributed to intestinal bacteria, explores in depth the contention that metabolic enzymes of gut microbiota may be of great influence on oral drug toxicity, and outlines prospective avenues for future research on gut microbiota and drug toxicity and mechanisms. This not only provides novel perspectives for the judicious clinical utilization of drugs but also offers insights for the safety assessment of innovative pharmaceuticals.

The role of flavonoids of Echinps latifolius (FELT) in Wnt signaling was investigated in adjuvant arthritis (AA) rats. The therapeutic effects of FELT on AA rats were detected by rat arthritis score and MTT. The effect of FELT gavage treatment on the Wnt signaling key gene β-catenin, C-myc and cyclin D1 in synovium from AA rats was detected by Real-time qPCR, and the effects of FELT gavage treatment on the upstream negative regulation gene SFRP 1,2,4,5 in synovium from AA rats were detected by Real-time qPCR. The results showed that FELT gavage treatment significantly inhibited arthritis score and MTT values in AA rats, significantly inhibited the expression of the Wnt signaling gene β-catenin, C-myc and cyclin D1, significantly up-regulated the expression of the up- stream negative regulation gene SFRP 1,2,4. FELT has a better therapeutic effect for AA rats.
Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Asteraceae ; chemistry ; Disease Models, Animal ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Flavonoids ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Synovial Membrane ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; drug effects ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo improve the outcome of the face-lift with a craniofacial contouring procedure.

METHODSThirty-seven patients aged 29-53 years (31 in female, 6 in male) were treated through a bicoronal incision. The facial tissue was lifted through a subperiosteal procedure and the facial skeleton was remodeled in three dimensions by osteotomies.

RESULTSThe results were satisfactory after the 3-12 months of the follow-ups.

CONCLUSIONSThe Face-lift combined with the facial aesthetic sculpturing may be more effective for the aging-face rejuvenating.

Objective To explore the distribution rule of metastatic lymph node in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Methods 315 histopathologically proved NPC patients were studied retrospectively.All patients had had their nasopharynx scanned by MRI with plain and contrast enhanced sequences.The distribution of lymph node was divided into six cervical levels plus retro- pharyngeal nodes(RN) according to RTOG guidelines proposed in 2003.Results 254 out of 315 patients (80.6%) had lymph node involvement,with 81 in the right neck alone,72 left neck alone,and 101 both necks;73 in RN alone,21 neck node alone,and 160 both necks and RN node.Skip metastasis was found in only 4 patients (1.6%).There was significant difference in BN metastasis between the primary tumor be- ing located merely on the superior/posterior wall and lateral wall (78% vs 49%,P＜0.01).The incidence of lymph node metastasis in T1,T2,T3 and T4 patients was 73.5%,91.2%,71.9%,73.5% (P＞0.05), respectively,without significant difference between early or advanced T stage in node distribution (P＞0.05).Conclusions The incidence of lymph node metastasis is high in nasopharyngeal carcinoma,with retropharyngeal node being the most commonly involved,but the incidence of skip metastasis is very low. There is no significant difference between T stage and the incidence of lymph node metastasis.So is the dis- tribution of metastatic node.

BackgroundPterygia is a clinical common disease.A lot of surgical methods are developed to decrease the recurrence rate.Resent years,the application of fibrin glue is receiving more and more attention.Objective This study was to explore the effects of fibrin glue in decreasing inflammatory irritation and its mechanism. Methods Pterygia models were created in 12 clean rabbits by exsection of limbal tissue and topical administration of 1.25％ diluted hydrochloric acid,and then the conjunctival autograft surgery was performed in the experimental rabbits.The conjunctival flap was sutured in the left eyes,and the conjunctival wound was closed using fibrin glue in the right eyes.The operation duration for each group was documented and compared.The irritation sign was examined under the slit lamp in all the rabbits 1 week and 4 weeks respectively.The expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VFGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) proteins in the conjunctiva tissue were detected by immunochemistry,and the expressions of VFGF mRNA and bFGF mRNA in the conjunctival tissue were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results The operative duration was (21.3±0.2) minutes in suture group and( 10.1 ±0.1 )minutes in the fibrin glue group with a significant difference between two groups( t =102.242,P＜0.05 ).From 1 week through 4 weeks,the hyperemiain degree was obviously slight in fibrin glue group compared with suture group.Immunochemistry showed that VEGF and bFGF proteins were expressed mainly in the cytoplasm of conjunctival epithelium layer.The positive response intensity was weaker in the fibrin glue group than in suture group 1 week and 4 weeks after operation.RT-PCR revealed that the expression level of VEGF mRNA was significantly lower in fibrin glue group than in suture group,and the VEGF mRNA was gradually decreased with the time lapse ( Fgroup =174.443,P =0.000 ; Ftime =231.459,P =0.000 ).The similar outcomes were found in the expression of bFGF mRNA(Fgroup=41.727,P=0.000;Ftime=55.417,P=0.000). ConclusionsThe use of fibringluecanshortentheoperationdurationandreducepostoperationinflammatoryreaction.The downregulation of VEGF and bFGF in tissue is the possible mechanism of remitting irritation sign,which allows a reduce of the recurrence rate of pterygia.

The average life expectancy in Macau is ranking the second in the world, the consumption of fresh medicinal plants is a profound culture in Macau. The paper focus on the distribution of the antioxidant herbs, a comprehensive investigation and analysis the amount of the plant resources was carried out. The antioxidant activity of alcohol extracts was determined by using the DPPH method, and six kinds fresh herbs with high antioxidant free radical activity were screened out. Reference to adult daily dose of vitamin C, it is calculated that the daily dose amount of fresh herbs is less than 200 g. For the expected shortage of resources and the ecological status of Macau, we give some suggestions of herbal introduction in population ecology reconstruction.
Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Ecosystem ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Macau ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology

Objective: To summarize the methods of preventing and managing the complications in thoracoscopic lobectomy. Methods:The participants of this study included 317 patients undergoing lobectomy with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the Department of Thoracic Surgery between January 2007 and December 2012. Intra-operative complications were observed, and countermeasures were summarized. Results: Complications occurred 28 times (8.8%), including bleeding in 16 cases because of accidental vascular injury (5.0%), accidental injury/break of bronchus in two cases (0.6%), vascular stump errhysis from cutting stapler in four cases (1.3%), lung stump air leakage in three cases (0.9%), lung injury in two cases (0.6%), and diaphragmatic injury in one case (0.3%). Conversion to thoracotomy was conducted in 17 cases, with a conversion rate of 5.4%. Thoracoscopic repair operation was performed in 14 cases that exhibited bleeding, with a success rate of 70% (14/20). No mortality was reported during the operation. Conclusion:Thoracoscopic lobectomy is a highly difficult method in thoracic surgeries. The procedure requires substantial attention on the timely prevention and correct management of intra-operative complications, particularly the injury and bleeding of major vessels, to reduce the rate of conversion to thoracotomy and the incidence of post-operative complications, as well as to promote the surgery in clinics.