Nuclear factor kappa B(NF-?B) is an important transcription factor in the expression of many inflammatory media. With the recent progress of molecular biological technique, the modulated mechanism of NF-?B in immunity, stress, inflammatory responses, and the differentiation and growth of lymphocyte has been the focus. This review presents the role of NF-?B in ischemia-reperfusion and cardiopulmonary bypass, and the research progression of intervention therapy in inhibition of the activation of NF-?B is also introduced herein after.

Objective To introduce a method of dorsal augmentation rhinoplasty using autogenous septal cartilage. Methods Autogenous septal cartilage was obtained through a standard septoplasty approach. Graft was cut into single oval, or divided into two or three parts, then the cartilage was sutured by means of a mattress suture; or graft was made into an inverted V frame, depending on size and shape of dorsal depression, and finally graft was inserted for augmentation of dorsum. Results Since May 1989 to Dec. 2001, this technique was performed in 43 patients, 6 men and 37 women, with a range of 17-35 years and a mean age of 24 years. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 5 years. The authors asserted the sustained satisfactory outcomes. Conclusion Autogenous septal graft is technically simple and relatively free of complication. Long-term evaluations show no absorption of grafts and preservation of desired shape.

Objective To introduce a new method of recombinative repair for the old malunion of the fracture of nasal bone. Methods Since 1996.5 to 2001.12, this technique was performed in 28 patients, 23 men and 5 women, with a range of 18～45 years, a mean age of 29 years. The nasal skin was protected with a rubber pad, and malformed nasal bones were beat out with a small hammer, so as to create a new refracture, then manual reduction was performed with finger and the septal periosted elevator. Results Follow-up ranged from 3 months to 5 years. Of all the patients, 23 cases were cured, 5 cases improved, and the overall effective rate was 100 %. Most of them were satisfied with the successful operation. Conclusion The operative procedure of recombinative repair is technically simple and easy, and the patients suffer little. It is an update and efficacious therapeutic method.

0 05) The maternal plasma CGRP level was significantly higher(P

Objective: To seek the direct evidence of myocardial inflammatory activation in a cohort of patient undergoing surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods: Twenty patients undergoing surgery on CPB had plasma samples obtained for tumor necrosis factor-? (TNF-?), perioperatively. Myocardial tissue samples were obtained intraoperatively, both pre-and post-CPB. Myocardial nuclear factor ?B (NF-?B) nuclear translocation and plasma TNF-? concentrations were analyzed by standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cross clamp times, CPB times and the time to extubation were recorded. The change of myocardial NF-?B nuclear translocation and plasma TNF-? concentrations was assessed by analysis of variance (ANOVA). The regression analysis was utilized to define the correlations among the optical densities of NF-?B, concentrations of plasma TNF-?, influencing factors and heart function. Results: (1) Seventeen patients had NF-?B nuclear translocation before initiation of CPB, the optical density (OD) of myocardial NF-?B was significantly increased at the end of CPB in nineteen patients. (2) The correlation between the activity of NF-?B and concentration of TNF-? was signi ficant. (3) The correlation between the activity of NF-?B and clinic outcomes and other influencing factors was not significant. Conclusion: Myocardial inflammatory activation may be present in the patients before CPB. CPB could increase the activity of myocardial NF-?B.

Objective To investigate motor patterns in the upper limbs of C_5 to C_6 spinal cord injury (SCI) patients during elbow extension. Methods Fifteen C_5 and C_6 SCI patients and fifteen healthy subjects formed an SCI group and a control group respectively. A three-dimensional kinematic analysis was performed on videos of the subjects performing four elbow extension activities: grasping a cup, reaching for a light switch, propelling a wheelchair, and upper limb weight bearing. A Peak Motus motion analysis system was employed. Results Compared with controls, the movement time of the SCI group was significantly longer during grasping, reaching for a light switch and wheelchair ambulation. Their angular velocity was significantly slower during reaching for a light switch and during wheelchair ambulation. The patients with spinal cord injury performed the motor tasks primarily by relying on increasing or decreasing the angular displacement of the shoulder. But they compensated for their functional deficiency by changing the movement direction of the shoulder and elbow in sagittal projection during upper limb weight bearing activities. Conclusion C_ 5-6 SCI patients use motor patterns and strategies different from those of control subjects in completing elbow extension activities.

Objective To study upper limb motor strategies during elbow extension activities in C5-6 spinal cord injury (SCI) patients and compare them with the strategies of normal individuals. Methods A Peak Motus motion analysis system was used to measure the angular displacement and the angular velocity of the shoulder, elbow and wrist of fifteen C5-6 SCI patients and fifteen healthy subjects during four elbow extension activities including grasping a cup, reaching for a light switch, wheelchair ambulation and upper limb weight-bearing. Results Compared with normal individuals, the movement time of the SCI patients was significantly longer during the grasping, reaching and wheelchair ambulation activities. The angular velocity was significantly slower during reaching for a light switch and wheelchair ambulation. The patients with spinal cord injury performed the motor tasks primarily relying on increasing or decreasing the angular displacement of the shoulder during the former three elbow extension activities. They compensated for any functional deficiency by changing the movement direction of the shoulder and elbow in sagittal projection during upper limb weight-bearing activities. Conclusion C5-6 SCI patients utilize different motor patterns and strategies from healthy subjects to complete elbow extension activities.

Objective To investigate the mechanism involved in the brain protection afforded by prenatal hypoxic adaptation by determining the quantitative variation in bcl-2 and bax mRNA expression.Methods Twenty-four Wistar pregnant (22d pregnant) rat were randomly divided into two groups: group I (hypoxia group) and group *** ( control group) . In group Ⅰ the pregnant rats were placed in an airtight cabin specially designed for hypoxic adaptation. When O2 % in the cabin decreased to 15%, the animals were taken out breathing fresh air for 5min and then placed back in the cabin and underwent another episode of hypoxia. In group Ⅱ the animals were placed in the cabin which was not tightly closed and underwent no hypoxia. 7 fetal or newborn rats were taken at 1st, 3rd, 24th, 48th, 72nd, 120th, and 168th h after prenatal hypoxic adaptation from each group and their brains removed for determination of bcl-2 mRNA and bax mRNA. Results In control group the expression of bcl-2 and bax were observed in the brain tissue of normal fetal or newborn rats from the 22nd day in the uterus to the 7th day postpartum during which there were no significant changes in bcl-2 gene expression while bax gene expression gradually decreased with time ( the decrease was of no statistical significance) . In hypoxia group bax gene expression decreased at 8th h after hypoxic adaptation and reached the bottom at 24th h which persisted until 120th h; while bcl-2 gene expression started increasing at 24th h after hypoxic adaptation and persisted until 72nd h. The bcl-2/bax ratio also started increasing at 8th h after hypoxic adaptation and peaked at 24th h and persisted until 72nd h. Conclusions In the brain tissue of fetal and newborn rats which have undergone prenatal hypoxic adaptation, bcl-2 gene expression is elevated, bax gene expression decreases and bcl-2/bax ratio increases. These changes are time -dependent.

Objective To study the effects of intrathecally administered morphine and ketamine on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and nitric oxide content in the spinal cord.Methods Thirty-two male Wistar rats weighing 220-260 g were anesthetized with intraperitoneal chloral hydrate 300 mg?kg-1 . A catheter was implanted in subarachnoid space at lumbal region. Sciatic constriction injury (SCI) was produced by loose ligation of right sciatic nerve trunk with 4-0 cutgut. On the 4th postoperative day the animals were randomly divided into four groups of 8 animals :(1) control group (C); (2) morphine group (M);(3) ketamine group (K) and morphine-ketamine group (KM) . Morphine 20 ?g / ketamine 20 ?g / morphine 10 ?g + ketamine 10 ?g were injected intrathecally every day for 7 consecutive days in group M, K and KM. In control group normal saline was injected intrathecally instead of morphine and / or ketamine. The withdrawal latenvies to radiant heat focused on plantar surface were measured as radiant heat threshold before intrathecal administration of the analgesic (baseline) and 30 min after intrathecal administration of ketamine and / or morphine every day for 7consecutive days. The percentage of maximal possible effect ( MPE % ) was calculated : MPE % = (latency after intrathecal administration-baseline latency) / (radiant heat cut-off time-baseline latency) X 100% . After 7 days of intrathecal administration the animals were decapitated and the spinal cord was immediately removed and the lumbal spinal cord was dissected on ice. NOS activity and nitric oxide ( NO) content were measured by spectrophotometry. Results MPE % was significantly higher in group M and KM than in group C and K ( P

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) with no biological activity is the best cardiac marker in the diagnosis,risk stratification,prognosis and therapeutic monitoring of the patients with cardiac dysfunction,and is one of the natriuretic peptides.In this review,we aim to the latest progress of NT-proBNP study on its change during peri-cardiopulmonary bypass,and its applications in the diagnosis of preoperative cardiac function and in the guidance of heart failure therapy.