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.

BACKGROUND:Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 activity-induced inflammations and infection have been extensively accepted. However, there was no report concerning its effects on flap ischemia-reperfusion injury. OBJECTIVE:To explore the significance of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 activity in flap ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS:A total of 36 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into sham-operated group (n=12), ischemia-reperfusion group (n=12) and interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 group (n=12). The models of right lower abdominal island flap ischemia-reperfusion injury were set up. Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 group was intraperitoneal y injected with 1 mL of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (100μmol/L) before reperfusion. The flaps were col ected at 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours after ischemia-reperfusion injury for histopathhological observation. At 1 hour after ischemia-reperfusion, protein expression of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 was detected in flaps. The proportion of flap survival was calculated at 7 days after surgery.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Histopathological observation demonstrated that compared with the ischemia-reperfusion injury group, neutrophil infiltration and edema was evidently improved, and the protein expression of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 was gradual y reduced in the interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 group. Flap survival proportions were respectively (51.70 ±7.62)%and (86.56±12.23)%in the ischemia-reperfusion injury group and interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 group at 7 days after surgery. There were significant differences in the flap survival proportion between the two groups (P<0.01). These results showed that after flap ischemia-reperfusion injury, the inhibition of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 activities could elevate the survival rate of transplanted flap.

BACKGROUND:Many studies have demonstrated that restoration of femoral offset in revision total hip arthroplasty would contribute to the recovery of joint function.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the importance of restoration of femoral offset in revision total hip arthreplasty on the recovery of joint function.METHODS:An observational study was performed at the Department of Orthopedics,Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between February 2004 and May 2007.A total of 15 patients with the revision total hip arthroplasty,including 12 males and 3 females,aging 62 75 years,averaging 67 years old,were recruited into this study.Harris evaluation system was used to evaluate joint function.The femoral neck anteversion and the femoral offset were measured by the method of Sakai.The vertical distance from the teardrop line to the most prominent point of the lesser trochanter was measured from each radiograph.References were combined to investigate the effect of restoration of femoral offset in revision total hip arthroplasty on joint function.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:All the 15 patients were recruited into this study.The duration of follow-up ranged from 24 months to 5 years.We measured the femoral offset on pre- and post-operative radiographs,and the results indicated that the femoral offset of 4 patients were above 4 mm.The femoral offset of 11 patients was restored.The femoral offset were 22-48 (32.21±0.64) mm pre- and 22-57 (36.13±0.82) mm post-operative radiographs,respectively.The mean difference in femoral offset post-operatively was significant (t=0.424,P=0.01 ).Harris scores were good in 4 cases,passable in 2 cases,and poor in 9 cases pre-operatively,and the scores were excellent in 8 cases,good in 4 cases,passable in 2 cases,and poor in 1 case post-operatively.The score of Harris evaluation system in the patient of restoration group and failed restoration group were 88.72±5.3 (80%) and 72.32±6.5 (27%) post-operative at 1 month respectively.The mean difference of the score was significant (χ~2=1.245,P<0.05).The 3 patients had complication,one was the dislocation of hip,and two had the pain of hip.All the patients with complication were in failed restoration of femoral offset,which was above 4 mm.The restoration of femoral offset contributes to the recovery of joint function and reduce complication occurrence after total hip arthroplasty revision.

Objective To investigate the renal angiographic manifestations of severe hemorrhage following minimally invasive pereutaneous nephrostolithotomy (MPCNL), and to evaluate the technique of super-selective renal arterial embolization in treating the condition. Methods Forty-eight cases of severe hemorrhage following MPCNL treated with super selective renal arterial embolization in our department were retrospectively reviewed. The angiographic findings, results and complications of embolization procedures were analyzed. Results Two cases were of acute hemorrhage immediately after MPCNL, and the other 46 cases were of delayed hemorrhage 2 to 7 days after MPCNL. Of these 48 cases, 25 (52.1%) showed simple pseudo-aneurysms, 6 (12.5%) pseudo-aneurysms accompanied with arterial-venous shunts, 1 (2.1%) pseudo-aneurysm with extravasated contrast medium, 11 (22.9%) arterial-venous fistulas, 2 (4.2%) extravasated contrast medium from arterial branches, 1 (2.1%) renal capsular branches varix, 2 (4.2%) no lesion detected. Successful super-selective embolization was achieved in all 46 positive cases, and renal hemorrhage was stanched consequently. Polyvinyl alcohol foam embolization particles (PVA), gelfoam and coils were used in the procedures (PVA in 18 procedures, PVA +coil in 5, gelfoam in 10, geffoam + coil in 11, PVA + gelfoam + coil in 2). Post-embolization syndrome of various degrees were seen in all treated patients. A slight rise in blood creatinine levels was observed in 12 cases. Conclusion Super selective renal arterial angiography and embolization is the treatment of choice in patients who suffered severe hemorrhage due to MPCNL.

The clinical therapeutic effect of acupoint catgut-embedding for simple obesity was systemically analyzed to provide reference and assistance for its clinical treatment and research. By searching in the CBM, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, Pubmed, Springer and Medline databases, clinical randomized controlled trials (RCT) of acupoint catgut-embedding for simple obesity published from Jan, 2009 to July, 2013 were collected while Revman 5. 2 software was applied to perform the Meta-analysis. Totally 19 articles were acquired with 1 658 cases involved. The effective rate was selected as primary outcome measure in 19 articles. The Meta-analysis was performed among homogeneous researches. The results indicated that compared with other therapies, pooled OR of acupoint catgut-embedding was 2.45 with 95% CI [1.81, 3.32]; in the test for overall effect, Z = 5.81, implying the efficacy difference of two therapies was significant in the treatment of simple obesity (P < 0.01). In subgroups analysis, in the event of treatment session with more than 3 months, compared with other therapies, pooled OR of acupoint catgut-embedding was 2.61 with 95% CI [1.53, 4.46]; in test for overall effect, Z = 3.51, implying the efficacy difference of two therapies was significant in the treatment of simple obesity (P < 0.01); in the event of treatment session with less than 3 months, compared with other therapies, pooled OR of acupoint catgut-embedding was 2.38 with 95% CI [1.65, 3.44]; in test for overall effect, Z = 4.46, implying in the treatment of simple obesity the efficacy difference of two therapies was significant (P < 0.01). Compared with electroacupuncture, OR of acupoint catgut-embedding was 1.79, 95% CI [1.08, 2.95] (P = 0.02). Compared with acupuncture, OR of acupoint catgut-embedding was 1.89, 95% CI [1.16, 3.09] (P = 0.01), which explained that compared with electroacupuncture and acupuncture, the efficacy of acupoint catgut-embedding was significantly different. In a word, the clinical efficacy of acupoint catgut-embedding is superior to other therapies in the treatment of simple obesity.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Catgut ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Obesity ; therapy ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic