OBJECTIVETo improve a better method to achieve the upper arm's circumferential harmony by using adjacent aesthetic unit combined upper arm liposuction.

METHODSLiposuction of upper arm, axilla and part of the scapula area was performed on 88 cases at one stage from January 2007 to March 2013.

RESULTSAll the cases achieve satisfactory results. The circumferential curve is smooth and elegant. No severe complication happened.

CONCLUSIONSThis method proved to be safe and effective and can be accomplished in one stage.

Adult ; Arm ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Axilla ; Esthetics ; Female ; Humans ; Lipectomy ; methods

Objective To investigate the possible pathogenic mechanisms of narrow pharynx in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) induced by neurogenic inflammation Methods The levels of nitric oxide (NO) and calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) in fasting plasma and pharyngeal soft tissue homogenate from mild, moderate, and severe OSAS patients, the normal controls, and patients undergoing uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) were detected by immunoradioassay and enzyme reduction Results Plasma NO level in serious OSAS patients was the lowest in the five groups and that in the control group was the highest [severe OSAS=(53 33?7 83) mmol/L, controls=(74 30?6 40) mmol/L, UPPP group=(68 12?7 46) mmol/L, moderate OSAS=(60 45?7 51) mmol/L, mild OSAS=(69 24?6 32) mmol/L, P 0 05) [severe OSAS =(44 18?5 80) mmol/L, moderate OSAS=(48 04?6 66), mild OSAS=(50 72?5 33) mmol/L, controls =(54 37?4 43) mmol/L, UPPP group =(54 10?3 70) mmol/L] NO level in pharyngeal tissue of OSAS increased significantly [OSAS =(0 748?0 053) ?mol/g, controls=(0 382?0 031) ?mol/g, P

In order to explore the dormancy physiological and biochemical mechanism of Paris seeds, the seed embryo growth courses, and the dynamic change of 5 enzymes, include SOD, POD, CAT, MDH, G-6-PDH were measured during variable temperature stratification. The results indicated that Paris seeds embryo grew quickly after 40 d in warm-stratification (18 ± 1) °C, at the meantime the metabolic activity was significantly strengthened. These facts showed that Paris seeds turned into physiological after-ripening process. After 60-80 d, the morphological embryo after-ripping process basically completed, and the following cold-stratification (4 ± 1) °C furthered Paris seed to finish physiological after-ripening. After 40 d, the activity of MDH decreased while G-6-PDH increased significantly. This showed that the main respiratory pathway of seed changed from TCA to PPP, which benifited breaking seed dormancy. In the whole period of stratification process, the activity variation of SOD and CAT was insignificantly and the activity of POD was enhanced significantly after shifting the seed in cold stratification process. This showed that SOD, CAT had no direct effects on breaking Paris seed dormancy but keeping the seed vigor, while the POD might involve in the process of Paris seed dormancy breaking.
Germination ; Liliaceae ; chemistry ; embryology ; enzymology ; Plant Proteins ; metabolism ; Seeds ; chemistry ; enzymology ; growth & development ; Temperature

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of acupuncture on the immune function of sepsis patients.

METHODSNinety sepsis patients were assigned to the control group, the thymosin a1 group, and the acupuncture treatment group according to random digit table, 30 patients in each group. Patients in the control group were treated according to the guideline of Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC). Patients in the control group received routine treatment. Those in the thymosin alpha1 group additionally received subdermal injection of thymosin alpha1 (1.6 mg), once per day for 6 successive days. Needling at related points such as Zusanli (ST36), Yanglingquan (GB34), Neiguan (PC6), Guanyuan (RN4), and so on, was performed in patients of the acupuncture treatment group, once per day for 6 successive days. T cell subgroups (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+ /CD8+) and immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgA, IgM) were detected. The length of ICU hospital stay, hospital readmission rate, and 28-day mortality were compared among the three groups.

RESULTSAfter six days of treatment, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, IgG, IgA, IgM, and CD4+ /CD8+ ratio of three groups were all significantly increased (P < 0.01). Of them, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, IgG, IgA, and IgM increased more significantly in the thymosin alpha1 group and the acupuncture treatment group (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the ICU hospitalization length was significantly shortened, the hospital readmission rate and the 28-day mortality were lower in the thymosin alpha1 group and the acupuncture treatment group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in each index between the thymosin alpha1 group and the acupuncture treatment group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture could adjust the immune function of sepsis patients, improve their immunological indicators and prognoses.

Acupuncture Therapy ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Prognosis ; Sepsis ; diagnosis ; immunology ; therapy ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; Thymosin ; analogs & derivatives

Objective To choose proper proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy(~1XH-MRS) parameters to fit for practical femoral marrow cavity and to produce short-timed,well-repeated and excellent ~1H-MRS images.Methods The tentative study of ~1H-MRS on the normal femoral bone marrow in 26 volunteers was performed with a 1.5 T MR after the informed consent.The single-voxel spectroscopy and stimulated echo acquisition mode were used for ~1H-MRS collection.~1H-MRS parameters for 12 volunteers were 128 acquisitions,1 cm?1 cm?1 cm volume of interest(VOI)size and repeatedly 2—3 times within the same location.~1H-MRS parameters for another:14 volunteers were different numbers of acquisition (128 and 256 times,respectively)and different VOI sizes(2 cm?2 cm?2 cm and 1 cm?1 cm?1 cm, respectively).Results For ~1H-MRS with 1 cm?1 cm?1 cm size of VOI and 128 times of acquisition with the full width haft max of water≤8—12 Hz,the base-line was steady and the signal-noise ratio was high up to 11.31.~1H-MRS was different in the different femoral locations showing the maximum peak sites at near 0.90 ppm(?10~(-6))or 1.65 ppm,but~1H-MRS within the same location was always same or similar with different VOI sizes(1 cm?1 cm?1 cm or 2 cm?2 cm?2 cm)or different numbers of acquisition(128 or 256 times).~1H-MRS acquisition time was not related with the size of VOI but with the numbers of acquisition.128 and 256 times of acquisition cost 199 s and 391 s,respectively.Conclusion With the technique of small size of VOI(1 cm?1 cm?1 cm)and decreased numbers of acquisition(128 times),it is propable to get well-repeated and excellent ~1H-MRS within less time.It is also more practical for clinics to achieve ~1H-MRS of the femoral marrow with the proper technique.

Objective To innovate an early, rapid and efficient approach to the pmgnestic evaluation of sep-sis in order to lower the mortality. Method Forty-five septic rats, induced by cecal ligation and puncture, were divided into surviving group (n=23) and non-survival group (n=22) on six days after onset of sepsis. Serum samples were taken from septic and sham-operated rats (n=25) at 12 hours after surgery. HPLC/MS assays were performed to acquire the serum metabolic profiles, and radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) was em-ployed to build predictive model for prognostic evaluation of sepsis. Results The principal component analysis al-lows differentiating the rots of survive,non-survive and sham-operated from one another in respect of the pathologic characteristics. Six metabolites, linolenic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and do-cosapentaenoic acid, related to the outcomes of septic rats were then structurally identified. A RBFNN model for outcome predication was built based upon the metabolic profile data from rat sera with the sensitivity of (96.1 ±3.6)% (n=10) and specificity of (91.0±4.3)% (n=10). Condusions HPLC/MS-based metabonomic approach combined with pattern recognition permits accurate outcome prediction of septic rats in the early stage. The proposed approach has advantages of rapid, low-cost and efficiency, and is isph-ing to be applied in clinical prognostic evaluation of septic patients.

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of acupuncture on acute heart failure (AHF) patients.

METHODSTotally 60 patients who were diagnosed as AHF were assigned to the acupuncture group and the control group, 30 in each group. Those in the control group received inotropic agents, preload and afterload reducing therapy, anti-infection and so on. Besides, those in the acupuncture group received needling at relative points, once daily for 5 consecutive days. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), cardiac index (CI), stroke volume index (SI), left ventricle working index (LCWI) were monitored by thermodilution pulse-indicated continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) technique. Changes of the aforesaid data were compared between before and after treatment. The ICU length of stay, readmission rate,and the 28-day mortality were also compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAfter 5 days of the treatment, CI, SI, and LCWI increased more obviously (P < 0.01), HR and MAP decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Of them, CI, SI, and LCWI increased more obviously in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05).There was no obvious difference in HR or MAP between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the first day of admission in the same group, CI, SI, and LCWI obviously increased in the acupuncture group from the second day (P < 0.05). HR started to decrease since the fourth day (P < 0.05), and MAP began to decrease until the fifth day (P < 0.05). CI, SI, and LCWI started to increase in the control group from the third day (P < 0.05); HR and MAP both began to decrease since the fifth day (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the ICU length of stay was obviously shortened in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05). The readmission rate and the 28-day mortality rate were lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe combination of acupuncture and Western medical therapy might strengthen acute heart failure patients' heart functions, elevate the therapeutic effect, and improve the prognosis.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Heart Failure ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke Volume

OBJECTIVE: To establish regression model between craniofacial lines and body height by measuring craniofacial lines in Southwest Han males using CT and to accumulate data for the study of forensic anthropology. METHODS: Head CT data of 273 Han males in Southwest were collected and 7 craniofacial lines were determined. Multiplanar reconstruction and volume rendering were performed by image post-processing software and the selected lines were measured. The relationship between each measuring indicator and body height was analyzed using SPSS 21.0 software. The regression equation of body height estimation was established and 50 samples were selected again and put into the mathematics models to verify its accuracy. RESULTS: The linear regression equations of 7 lines were established (P < 0.05). The correlation coefficients of the unary linear regression equations were 0.190-0.439 and the standard errors of the estimate (SEE) were 4.597-5.023 cm. The correlation coefficients of the multiple linear regression equation were 0.494-0.524 and the SEE were 4.418-4.458 cm. The return tests showed that the highest ± 1SEE accuracy of the multiple regression equation: y = 83.959+3.589 x6+2.573 x2, were 30%; and the highest ± 2SEE accuracy of the multiple regression equation: y = 72.646+3.316 x6+1.586 x2+1.553 x4+2.211 x3, were 92%. CONCLUSION There is significant linear correlation between 7 selected lines and the stature in this study, and the plural linear regression equation established could be applied for estimating the stature of Southwest Han males.
Asian People ; Body Height ; Face/anatomy & histology* ; Forensic Anthropology ; Head/anatomy & histology* ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Linear Models ; Male ; Software ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To investigate the children's body environmental Se and T-2 toxin level in their staple food in Kaschin-Beck disease(KBD)relative active regions in Aba state of Sichuan province in 2008.Methods We took X-ray photograph of the right hand on children aged 7-13 years in 48 villages from 11 counties in Aba state.The relative active regions of KBD were chosen according to the X-ray result and historical status of KBD.The children's urine and hair,drinking water and their staple food werr sampled.Selenium contents in urine,hair,water and food samples were determined by naphthalene fluorescence,and T-2 toxin in staple food samples were detected by ELISA kits.Results In 2145 X-ray films,66 films were positive,and the children's KBD positive rate was 3.08%(66/2145).The KBD positive rate was respectively 10.98%(29/264)and 8.52%(19/223)in Maerkang county,Jinchuan county and it was 0.75%(3/400)in Rangtang county,historically serious endemic area.The selenium content in urine of children aged 7-13 years in Maerkang county,Jinchuan county and Rangtang county was (10.41±4.67), (10.11±3.65), (8.42±2.68)μg/g Cr, respectively, there was no statistical difference among three counties(F=0.901, P>0.05). The selenium content in hair of children aged 7-13 years in Maerkang county[(0.18±0.04)mg/kg] was lower than that in Jinchuan county[(0.21±0.04)mg/kg, P<0.05].The selenium content in water in Jinchuan county [(0.225±0.124 )μg/L ] was lower than that in Maerkang county and Rangtang county[(0.320±0.092), (0.339±0.105)μg/L, all P<0.05]. The selenium content in staple food in Jinchuan county(0.0033 mg/kg) was lower than that in Maerkang county and Rangtang county(0.0258,0.0137mg/kg, Z=-6.146,-3.042, all P<0.017). The T-2 toxin level in flour in three counties was 19.60,17.95,26.25 ng/g,respectively,there was no statistical difference among three counties(X2=5.623, P>0.05).The T-2 toxin level in grain Maerkang county (10.72 ng/g) was higher than that in Jinchuan county and Rangtang county (3.74,3.30 ng/g, Z=-6.315,-4.407,all P<0.017). T-2 toxin contamination in flour was more severe than that in grain (Z=-6.690,-5.493,-3.676, all P<0.05). Conclusions In 3 relative active KBD regions of Aba state,the children's selenium nutritional status and the T-2 toxin contamination level in their staple food is consistent with the distribution of KBD.

OBJECTIVETo observe targeted expression of recombinant lentivirus-mediated (Lv)-hTERTp-TK and Lv-hTERTp-tumstatin in HepG2 cells, and explore the inhibitory effect of their combination on HepG2 cells both in vitro and in vivo.

METHODSLv-hTERTp-TK and Lv-hTERTptumstatin were used to infect HepG2 and L02 cells at different MOIs. Transfection efficiency was observed by fluorescence microscopy. Expression of TK and tumstatin mRNA was detected by reverse-transcriptase PCR. Proliferation and apoptosis were detected by MTT and flow cytometry, respectively. The HepG2 cells were examined by real time-PCR and western blotting to determine expression level of bcl-2 and VEGF mRNA and protein.A murine hepatocellular carcinoma model was established by injecting 1 * 10(7) HepG2 cells into 30 BALB/c nude mice. The modeled mice were randomly divided into a control group, mock group, Lv-hTERTp-tumstatin group, Lv-hTERTp-TK group, and combination group for four weeks of injections at regular intervals of PBS, Lv-hTERTp-null, Lv-hTERTp-tumstatin, Lv-hTERTp-TK, and Lv-hTERTp-tumstatin plus Lv-hTERTp-TK, respectively.Changes in tumor volume and weight, and cell morphology of tumor and major organs, were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.Microvascular density of tumor tissue and cell apoptosis were assessed by immunohistochemical and TUNEL staining, respectively.

RESULTSThe Lv-infected HepG2 cells, and not the Lv-infected L02 cells, expressed TK and tumstatin. Lv-hTERTp-TK and Lv-hTERTp-tumstatin, alone or in combination, inhibited proliferation and increased apoptosis of the HepG2 cells, but the combination was more effective than either alone (P less than 0.05). None of the treatments affected proliferation or apoptosis of the L02 cells (P more than 0.05). The combination also led to a greater reduction of bcl-2 and VEGF than either alone (all, P less than 0.05). Tumor growth was significantly inhibited by the combination (P less than 0.05). In vivo, the combination treatment induced the greatest amount of apoptosis of the HepG2 cells. Cell morphology of major organs such as liver, spleen and kidney were similar to the control group. The combination also produced the most significant effect on tumor microvascular density (P less than 0.05) and the highest apoptosis index (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe HTERT promoter can induce targeted expression of TK and tumstatin in HepG2 cells. Lv-hTERTp-TK combined with Lv-hTERTp-tumstatin can significantly inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of human HepG2 cells in vitro and in vivo, which may be related to down-regulation ofbcl-2 and VEGF.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Autoantigens ; genetics ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; therapy ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Collagen Type IV ; genetics ; Down-Regulation ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; Liver Neoplasms ; therapy ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Telomerase ; genetics ; Transfection ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism