BACKGROUND:Compared with normal physiological flap,main advantage of venous skin flap is that it throws off the limitation of arterial vascular territory on donor site and recipient site of traditional axial skin flap.However,its survival rate is unstable.OBJECTIVE:To explore effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-[poly(lactic-co-glycolic-acid)] (PLGA)-sustained release microspheres on the survival of rabbit venous flaps.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:A randomized controlled animal study was performed at the University of South China from May to October 2008.MATERIALS:A total of 24 healthy New Zealand rabbits were equally randomly assigned to bFGF-PLGA sustained release microsphere,blank microsphere and blank control groups.METHODS:The formulation of bFGF microspheres was optimized by orthogonal design.bFGF-PLGA microspheres were prepared by optimized method.Lateral abdominal wall skin flap was created in rabbits from 3 groups.Five days before operation,28.85 g/L bFGF-PLGA microspheres 3 mL (containing bFGF 20 ?g) was intradermally injected into rabbits from the bFGF-PLGA sustained release microsphere group.An equal volume of blank microsphere + bFGF was injected in the rabbits of the blank microsphere group.Rabbits from the blank control group were infused with the same volume of saline.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Morphology and particle distribution of bFGF-PLGA microspheres,drug loading volume,encapsulation efficiency,in vitro drug release characteristics were measured.After seven days,the survival area of skin was determined.Rabbit skin samples received CD34+ immunohistochemical staining to detect the expression of CD34+ and average number of blood vessels.RESULTS:The bFGF microsphere prepared based on optimized formulation exhibited well-defined properties,with the even and uniform sphere in appearance,regular particles without adhesion,about 98% of particles with a size distribution between 12.50 to 43.49 ?m,with a mean particle size of 26.93 ?m and size span of (0.611 ? 6.60).The drug loading volume and encapsulation efficiency of bFGF microsphere reached [(23.11?0.44)?10-3]% and (86.51?0.83)%,respectively.In the burst release phase,the rate of in vitro drug release amounted to 27.78%,but rose to 81.56% accumulatively 30 days later.The in vitro drug release of bFGF microsphere corresponded with Higuichi equation (r=0.997).The sustained-release microspheres,blank microspheres and normal saline group,the average survival of the flap and the average number of blood vessels were similar (P=0.597,P=0.336),but still significantly lower than the bFGF-PLGA sustained release microsphere group (P=0.000).Results of immunohistochemical staining revealed that bFGF-PLGA promoted blood supple between flap and surroundings,improved flap survival and abundant CD34+ expression.CONCLUSION:bFGF microsphere with good morphology,high drug loading volume and encapsulation efficiency can be obtained using W/O/W multiple emulsion evaporation method.The bFGF microsphere can promote the survival of rabbit venous flaps through a long period due to sustained release of bFGF.

BACKGROUND: The soft tissues would shrink with nasal framework collapse following surgical trauma, which cause aseptic inflammation, lead to parts of cartilage resorption. Accordingly, long-term saddle nose deformity usually accompanied by short nasal columella. Complications such as skin perforation or ulceration would appear if corrected the deformity using medical silicone rubber with large tension.OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of repairing post-traumatic saddle nose deformity with autologous costal cartilage transplantation.METHODS: A total of 21 cases with post-traumatic saddle nose deformity accompanied by short nasal columella were selected, including 6 males and 15 females, aged 16 45 years. All of the cases had trauma history and agreed with the treatment. The costal cartilage was obtained from the seventh rib and formed to babylon weeping willow leaf shape and columella nasi stent to repair post-traumatic saddle nose deformity. The "V-Y" progradation suture was used in the philtrum introcession and the botton of nasal columella to extend the nasal columella. The recovery of saddle nose deformity after transplantation, discharge of transplanted cartilage, as well as the incision scar status was observed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The results were satisfactory and there were no complications after transplantation. All the cases were followed up from 6 months to 2 years. No case suffered costal cartilage grafts discharge or chondral deformation. The scar was little at the bottom of nasal columella. It is an ideal method for repairing post-traumatic saddle nose deformity using transplantation of autologous costal cartilage with "V-Y" progradation suture.

BACKGROUND: Compared with normal physiological flap, main advantage of venous skin flap is that it throws off the limitation of arterial vascular territory on donor site and recipient site of traditional axial skin flap. However, its survival rate is unstable. OBJECTIVE: To explore effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-poly(lactic-co-glycolic-acid)] (PLGA)-sustained release microspheres on the survival of rabbit venous flaps.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized controlled animal study was performed at the University of South China from May to October 2008.MATERIALS: A total of 24 healthy New Zealand rabbits were equally randomly assigned to bFGF-PLGA sustained release microsphere, blank microsphere and blank control groups.METHODS: The formulation of bFGF microspheres was optimized by orthogonal design. bFGF-PLGA microspheres were prepared by optimized method. Lateral abdominal wall skin flap was created in rabbits from 3 groups. Five days before operation, 28.85 g/L bFGF-PLGA microspheres 3 mL (containing bFGF 20 μg) was intradermally injected into rabbits from the bFGF-PLGA sustained release microsphere group. An equal volume of blank microsphere + bFGF was injected in the rabbits of the blank microsphere group. Rabbits from the blank control group were infused with the same volume of saline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morphology and particle distribution of bFGF-PLGA microspheres, drug loading volume, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug release characteristics were measured. After seven days, the survival area of skin was determined. Rabbit skin samples received CD34~+ immunohistochemical staining to detect the expression of CD34~+ and average number of blood vessels. RESULTS: The bFGF microsphere prepared based on optimized formulation exhibited well-defined properties, with the even and uniform sphere in appearance, regular particles without adhesion, about 98% of particles with a size distribution between 12.50 to 43.49 μm, with a mean particle size of 26.93μm and size span of (0.611 ± 6.60). The drug loading volume and encapsulation efficiency of bFGF microsphere reached [(23.11 ±0.44 )x10~3]% and (86.51±0.83)%, respectively. In the burst release phase, the rate of in vitro drug release amounted to 27.78%, but rose to 81.56% accumulatively 30 days later. The in vitro drug release of bFGF microsphere corresponded with Higuichi equation (r= 0.997). The sustained-release microspheres, blank microspheres and normal saline group, the average survival of the flap and the average number of blood vessels were similar (P=0.597, P=0.336), but still significantly lower than the bFGF-PLGA sustained release microsphere group (P=0.000). Results of immunohistochemical staining revealed that bFGF-PLGA promoted blood supple between flap and surroundings, improved flap survival and abundant CD34~+ expression. CONCLUSION: bFGF microsphere with good morphology, high drug loading volume and encapsulation efficiency can be obtained using W/O/W multiple emulsion evaporation method. The bFGF microsphere can promote the survival of rabbit venous flaps through a long period due to sustained release of bFGF.

Objective:To explore effects of trehalose as a cryopreserve agent on survival rate of fatty tissue after cryopreservation.Methods:The liposuction was used on the abdomen of adult female.After centrifugation and purification,adipose was randomized into the following three groups,the trehalose group,the fetal bovine serum (FBS)+ 10％DMSO group and the physiological saline group.The specimens were cryopreserved at-196 ℃ for 3 months and then the HE staining,glucose transfer method and CK method were used to detect the cell survival rate in each group.Results:The activity of adipose in the trehalose group and FBS+10％DMSO group adipose was higher than that in the physiological saline group (P＜0.05);while there was no significant difference between the trehalose group and FBS+10％DMSO group (P＞0.05).Conclusion:As cryoprotectant,trehalose could keep fat cell viability,and adipose tissue can be used for clinical transplantation after 3 months' freezing.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the gene polymorphism of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A, B, DRB1 loci in the population of Beijing region, and research on the application feasibility of polymerase chain reaction sequence-based typing (PCR-SBT) method.

METHODSPCR-SBT method was applied to determine HLA- A, B, DRB1 genotypes of 618 unrelated healthy individuals of Beijing region.

RESULTSA total of 84 different alleles and 199 genotypes of HLA-A, 143 alleles and 366 genotypes of HLA-B, 122 alleles and 286 genotypes of HLA-DRB1 were detected.

CONCLUSIONThe results showed the characteristics of HLA-A, B, DRB1 distributions, and provided more comprehensive and accurate gene data that may serve as normal reference values for all of Beijing people.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; ethnology ; Female ; Genetics, Population ; HLA-A Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-B Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DR Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DRB1 Chains ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Population

This study is purposed to investigate the effects of praeruptorin A (PA) and praeruptorin C (PC) on UGT1A1 in HepG2 cells through hCAR pathway. PA and PC were incubated with HepG2 cells for 24 h and 48 h, mRNA and protein expressions of UGT1A1 were determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting assays. Additionally, effects of PA and PC on UGT1A1 mRNA and protein expressions were also measured after transient transfection of a specific CAR siRNA for 72 h in HepG2 cells. UGT1A1 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased by PA and PC after incubation for 48 h. Moreover, the mRNA and protein up-regulations of UGT1A1 were attenuated by transient transfection of a specific CAR siRNA, suggesting the induction was mediated by CAR. The results suggest that PA and PC can significantly up-regulate UGT1A1 expression partially via the CAR-mediated pathway.
Apiaceae ; chemistry ; Coumarins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Glucuronosyltransferase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the frequencies distribution of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 subtypes in unrelated healthy Chinese.

METHODPolymerase chain reaction sequence-based typing (PCRSBT) was used to determine HLA high-resolution genotypes of 825 unrelated healthy Chinese.

RESULTSA total of 25 HLA-B27-positive individuals and 8 HLA-B27 subtypes were detected. These subtypes and their corresponding frequencies were B * 2704 (30.77%) , B * 2705 (23.08%), B * 2707 (19.23%), B * 2711 (7.69%), B * 2712 (7.69%), B * 2701 (3.85%), B * 2713 (3.85%) and B * 2721 (3.85%).

CONCLUSIONThe data obtained through PCR-SBT method may serve as important reference for the research of relationship between HLA-B27 subtypes and some diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; HLA-B27 Antigen ; classification ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; genetics

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEThe primary submucous type of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) or the recurrent NPC in the parapharyngeal space is difficult to be diagnosed histologically by conventional biopsy because of the obstruction of the surrounding structures. This study was performed to evaluate the needle biopsy approach through the madibular area into the parapharyngeal space under the guidance of computed tomography (CT) for NPC.

METHODSBetween July 6, 2005 and October 23, 2009, a total of 6 patients were enrolled into the study. Two patients with cervical lymph node metastasis were clinically suspicious of NPC according to their clinical manifestations. However, no cancer cell could be found by repeated nasopharyngeal biopsies followed by histologic examinations. The other 4 patients were diagnosed with recurrent NPCs by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or/and positron emission tomography (PET)-CT scan, showing tumors in the parapharyngeal spaces in 3 patients and enlarged retropharyngeal lymph node in 1 patient. The CT-guided puncture was performed through the mandibular skin and the cutting needle biopsy was taken at the parapharyngeal space focus.

RESULTSAll the cutting needle biopsies of projected locations have been performed safely. Finally, all the 7 specimens met the requirement of pathologic diagnosis and the cases were all confirmed histologically to be NPCs. The main complication was mild ache at the puncture point. No blood vessel or nerve was injured and no patient needed special treatment.

CONCLUSIONSThe CT-guided puncture biopsy of the parapharyngeal space through the mandibular area is simple and feasible. It can be an additional option for routine nasopharyngeal biopsy.

Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy, Needle ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Mandible ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Pharynx ; pathology ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility, toxicity and tumor control of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

METHODSFourty-nine patients (Karnofsky performance status (KPS) >or= 80) with local-regional recurrence in the nasopharynx were treated with full course IMRT. Three patients with cervical lymph node metastasis (N1 2 and N3 1) were further supplemented with 5 to 6 courses of chemotherapy (Cisplatin + 5-Fu) after IMRT.

RESULTSThe results of treatment plan showed that the mean dose of covering gross tumor volume (GTV) (D(95)) in the nasopharynx was 68.09 Gy and the mean volume of GTV (V(95)) receiving the 95% dose was 98.46%. The mean dose of GTV, clinical target volume CTV1 and CTV2 in the targets were 71.40 Gy, 63.63 Gy and 59.81 Gy. The median follow-up time was 9 months (range 3 to 16 months). The local-regional progression-free survival was 100% with local-regional residual disease in 3 (6.1%) cases but was complicated with nasopharyngeal mucosa necrosis in 14 (28.6%) cases after IMRT.

CONCLUSIONIntensity modulated radiation therapy, as a re-treatment option for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma, is able to improve the tumor target coverage and spare the adjacent critical structures. As high dose IMRT can result in radio-necrosis of nasopharyngeal mucosa, the prescription dose of GTV should be suitably decreased to 60 - 65 Gy.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; radiotherapy ; Neoplasm Staging ; Radiation Injuries ; pathology ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; methods

Epigenomic imbalance drives abnormal transcriptional processes,promoting the onset and progression of cancer.Although defective gene regulation generally affects carcinogenesis and tumor suppression networks,tumor immunogenicity and immune cells involved in antitumor responses may also be affected by epigenomic changes,which may have significant implications for the development and application of epigenetic therapy,cancer immunotherapy,and their combinations.Herein,we focus on the impact of epigenetic regulation on tumor immune cell function and the role of key abnormal epigenetic processes,DNA methylation,histone post-translational modification,and chromatin structure in tumor immunogenicity,and introduce these epigenetic research methods.We emphasize the value of small-molecule inhibitors of epigenetic modulators in enhancing antitumor immune responses and discuss the challenges of developing treatment plans that combine epigenetic therapy and immuno-therapy through the complex interaction between cancer epigenetics and cancer immunology.