OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical experience for the reconstruction of upper lip defects in different degrees.

METHODSDifferent treatment methods were selected to reconstruct the upper lip defects according to the subunit, size or location of defects on the upper lip. The therapeutic results were analyzed and compared.

RESULTSFrom Jan. 1998 to Apr. 2012, 243 cases with upper lip defects were treated, including 85 cases of traumatic defects, 110 cases of defects secondary to lip cleft and 48 cases of defects after tumor resection. 48 cases were treated with direct closure, 69 cases with cross-lip flaps, 5 Cases with orbicularis oris muscle flaps, 53 cases with unilateral labial flaps, 42 cases with bilateral labial flaps, 22 cases with lower lip flaps, and 1 case with forehead flap, 1 case with forearm flap and 2 with nasolabial fold flaps. The patients were followed up for 3-18 months with satisfactory results.

CONCLUSIONSSatisfactory results could be achieved for upper lip defects with appropriate treatment methods according to the defects degree and characters.

Cleft Lip ; surgery ; Cosmetic Techniques ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Humans ; Lip ; injuries ; surgery ; Mouth Mucosa ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome

Adipocytes ; pathology ; Angiomyoma ; pathology ; Humans ; Nasal Cavity ; Nose Neoplasms ; pathology

Objective TALE-TFs were adopted to provide a new way in detection of the expression result ofβ-ca-sein gene promoter-interesting gene expression cassettes in mouse fibroblasts.Methods TALE-TFs of eukaryotic expres-sion plasmid and expression cassette withβ-casein gene promoter and red fluorescent protein reporter gene were co-nucleo-fected into mouse fibroblasts by Amaxa nucleofector.Results and Conclusion β-casein gene promoter was activated by artificial TALE-TFs in the mouse fibroblasts.The way is a new expression verification system instead of mammary epithelial cells with fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVETo study the role of Bcl-2 and Bax protein contents and their gene expression in Al-induced neurons apoptosis.

METHODSNeurons from 0 - 3 day rats were cultured and treated with different concentrations of AlCl(3 x 6) H2O. The cell apoptosis was observed by the TUNEL method and under the scan electron microscope. Bcl-2 and Bax protein contents were detected by the immunochemistry method while their gene expressions were measured by the RT-PCR method.

RESULTS(1) DNA fractions in the TUNEL method increased with the rising aluminum concentration. Blebbings and apoptosis bodies on the surface of the neurons were clearly observed under the scan electron microscope. (2) Bcl-2 protein contents and their gene expression decreased with the rising aluminum concentration (P < 0.01, r = -0.695; P < 0.05, r = -0.647), while Bax increased at the same time (P < 0.01, r = 0.676; P < 0.01, r = 0.794), the value of Bcl-2/Bax was related with the aluminum concentration (P < 0.01, r = -0.655; P < 0.01, r = -0.777).

CONCLUSIONThe aluminum may induce neurons apoptosis. Bcl-2 and Bax protein contents and their gene expression may play an important role in Al-induced apoptosis.

Aluminum ; toxicity ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Neurons ; cytology ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo summarize methods for repair of claw hand deformity after burn.

METHODSNinety-seven patients with 136 claw hands after burn hospitalized from May 1992 to May 2007 were repaired with skin grafting (104 hands) and transposition of skin flap (32 hands), among which 21 hands were minor-grade, 92 hands moderate, 23 hands severe. The metacarpophalangeal joint was repaired after scar release in dorsum of hand with manual extraction reduction, release of collateral ligament and joint capsula, separation of adhesion in joint, tendon lengthening for obvious contracture. Restitution of finger flexion deformity, lysis of adhesion and grafting among first web and finger webs, repair of central slip extensor tendon or phalangeal arthrodesis were performed according to the abnormal condition after lysis of dorsal scar of hand. The metacarpophalangeal joint from 31 patients were not repaired with above methods for severe finger flexion deformity, their palmar scar were loosened and transplanted firstly, then scar in dorsum of hand were loosened, metacarpophalangeal joint were repaired, flap or skin were transferred or transplanted. General rehabilitation were performed routinely after operation.

RESULTSThe ending of flaps (4 hands) due to the scar were necrosis after transposition and healed through dressing change, other skins or flaps all survived. Most articular deformities were corrected completely or basically. Functions including palmar opposition, grasp were also recovered with satisfactory results.

CONCLUSIONSkin transplantation and transferring of skin flap with overall planning and individual isatin are the key points for repair of claw hand after burn.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Burns ; complications ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cicatrix ; etiology ; surgery ; Female ; Hand Deformities, Acquired ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of succinic acid on the apoptosis of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) in human peripheral blood, and to explore its role in infection.

METHODSPMNs were incubated in vitro, and its concentration was adjusted to 5 x 10(6)/mL. Then the cells were divided into normal control group and 5,10, 20, 30 mmol/L succinic acid groups according to different concentrations of succinic acid added into the medium. The supernatant of the cultures in each groups were collected to determine the superoxide content. 1 mL cell suspension was collected from 5, 20 mmol/L succinic acid groups before treatment and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 post-treatment hours (PTH) for the determination of caspase-3 activity and the apoptosis rate.

RESULTSThe content of superoxide in 5, 10, 20, 30 mmol/L succinic acid groups (0.437 +/- 0.056, 0.432 +/- 0.024, 0.395 +/- 0.049, 0.386 +/- 0.010) was significantly lower than that in control group (0.505 +/- 0.028, P < 0.05). The caspase-3 activity in each group increased along with the incubation time, but was in lower concentration in 5 mmol/L succinic acid group and in higher concentration in 20 mmol/L succinic acid group when compared with that in control group (P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate of PMN in control group was (6.1 +/- 1.1)% before incubation, and it reached (13.2 +/- 2.0)% at 2 PTH, and (27.7 +/- 3.7)% at 10 PTH. The apoptosis rate of PMN in 5 mmol/L succinic acid group was lower than that in control group except that at 4 PTH (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the apoptosis rate in 20 mmol/L succinic acid group (during 4-10 PTH) were obviously higher at each time points compared with the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLow concentration of succinic acid can suppress the apoptosis of PMN, while high concentration of succinic acid has an opposite effect. It is known that bacteria can produce succinic acid.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Neutrophil Activation ; Neutrophils ; cytology ; drug effects ; Succinic Acid ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the proteomic change in lymphocytes of rabbits with scald injury and Staphylococcus aureus (SA) invasion.

METHODSTwenty-four rabbits were divided into four groups as follows: control group, scald group, scald with SA invasion 2 hs group, and scald with SA invasion 6 hs group, according to random number table, with 6 rabbits in each group. Except for rabbits in control group (sham scald at 37 degrees C), rabbits in the other 3 groups were subjected to 30% TBSA full-thickness scald. Rabbits in SA invasion 2 and 6 hs groups were injected with 2 mL (1.0 x 10(8) CFU/mL) SA suspension, which was in the log growth phase, via auricle vein 18 hs and 22 hs after injury. Whole blood samples were collected from carotid artery of rabbits in 4 groups 24 hs after scald. Lymphocytes were isolated and its extracted proteins were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled with mass spectroscopy.

RESULTSAbout 1030 protein spots of lymphocytes were detected in each group. Compared with that of control group, 19 protein spots were found to be differentially expressed in the other 3 groups, and 11 spots (10 proteins) were identified. Expression levels of cofilin, cyclophilin A, ubiquitin, nucleoside diphosphate kinase, glutamate dehydrogenase and annexin 1 were down-regulated, but expression level of peroxiredoxin was up-regulated obviously.

CONCLUSIONSThere is obvious proteomic change in lymphocytes of scalded rabbits or of scalded rabbits invaded by SA, and it may relate to immune suppression and sepsis after injury.

Animals ; Burns ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Proteome ; Rabbits ; Staphylococcal Infections ; etiology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the repair and reconstruction of penial defect in patients inflicted by high-voltage electrical injury.

METHODSAmong one hundred and fifty three patients inflicted with high-voltage electrical injury, 6 suffered from penial injury (including 3 with necrosis of whole penis, 1 with partial necrosis of penis, 1 with partial necrosis of penial shin and 1 with necrosis of entire skin of penis) were enrolled in the study. The penis was repaired by direct suture of the residual skin following excision of necrotic skin in one case, by skin grafting in two case, by scrotum skin flap transplantation in 3 cases.

RESULTSThe appearance and function of the penis in three cases were satisfactory, and the result was also satisfactory in one patient who underwent reconstructive operation at late post injury stage. The penis was totally lost in 2 patients.

CONCLUSIONThe skin necrosis of penis after high-voltage injury could be repaired with scrotum skin flap. Total necrosis of the penis could be reconstructed with abdominal skin flap.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Burns, Electric ; surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penis ; injuries ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Scrotum ; surgery ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the course of branches of the superficial temporal artery (BSTA) and the accompanying pattern of their veins in order to provide anatomic basis for flap design.

METHODSHead and facial part of ten adult corpses (19 sides) were dissected and photographed. The coordinate system was set up with external auditory foramen as the point of origin, aided by the graph analysis software Digimizer. The course of the frontal branch and parietal branch of the superficial temporal artery (STA), and the accompanying pattern between the BSTA and the veins were measured and analyzed. The STA and its branches were located by Ultrasonic Doppler, and the corresponding branches of the superficial temporal vein (BSTV) were disclosed by bowing patient's head with breath holding or cerclaging the basement of the patient's skull. And then 10 sides of transposition (fascia) flaps with axis at the angular bisector between BSTA and BSTV were devised to repair wounds of 9 patients that hospitalized from February 2008 to December 2009. Data were processed with test of variance homogeneity.

RESULTSFrontal BSTV absence was found in 6 head sides, and the maximum distance between artery and vein was (2.1 ± 1.2) cm. Parietal BSTV absence was found in 3 head sides, and the maximum distance was (1.4 ± 0.7) cm. The distance between frontal BSTA and BSTV was larger than that between parietal BSTA and BSTV, and the dispersion degree of the former was higher than that of the latter (F = 0.0404, P = 0.0475). All the (fascia) flaps survived without congestion or necrosis.

CONCLUSIONSWhen branch of the superficial temporal vessel was selected as the axial vessel of flap, the flap design shall depend on the accompanying pattern of BSTV to avoid the flap necrosis due to poor venous return after surgery. The superficial temporal vein and its branches can be well disclosed by bowing head or cerclaging skull. The approach is simple, useful, safe, and reliable.

Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Temporal Arteries ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Veins ; anatomy & histology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of dexamethasone on spontaneously apoptosis, bcl-2, and neuclear facor kappa (NFkappaB) expressions of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) from postburn rabbits.

METHODSPMN were isolated from 8 rabbits on 24 postburn hours and cultured with normal serum (NS), burn serum (BS), normal serum plus dexamethasone (ND), and burn serum plus dexamethasone (BD) for 24 hours, respectively. The quantification of apoptosis was analyzed by acridine orange + ethidium bromide fluorescent staining and flow cytometry , and the contents of bcl-2 and NFkappaB protein detected by immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSIn the BS group, the percentage of apoptotic PMN decreased (compared with NS group, 6.18 +/- 0.96 vs. 21.77 +/- 2.32, P<0.05), and the contents of bcl-2 and NFkappaB protein increased (compared with NS group, 83.27 +/- 5.45 vs. 49.95 +/- 2.67, P<0.05). When compared with BS group, the apoptotic percentage of BD group increased (12.67 +/- 0.71 vs. 6.18 +/- 0.96, P<0.05), and the content of NFkappaB protein reduced (0. 1031 +/- 0.0154 vs. 0.1802 +/- 0.0130, P<0.05), but no significant difference between ND and NS group was found.

CONCLUSIONDexamethasone decreases the inhibition of PMN apoptosis by bumn serum, which may be associated with the down-regulation of NFKB expression.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Burns ; blood ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; NF-kappa B ; biosynthesis ; blood ; Neutrophils ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; biosynthesis ; blood ; Rabbits