Objective To investigate the ideal methods for correction of lower eyelid retraction by lateral canthal anchoring.Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of 126 patients(207 eyelids) operated on between June 1999 and 2005 by one senior surgeon.The age of the patients ranged from 28 to 72 years(mean,46 years).Transcanrhal canthopexy was used in 20 patients(33 eyes);The 3 mm tarsal strip procedure was used in 35 patients(57 eyes);Transcanrhal canthopexy combined with Hamra's lower blepharoplasty was used in 26 patients(45 eyes).The tarsal strip procedure combined with Hamra's procedure was used in 45 patients(72 eyes).75 patients(123 eyes) were followed up for 6～12 months.Mean follow-up time was 8 months. Results Of them,125 patients were uniformly satisfied with their cosmetic and functional outcome at last follow-up;one patient had undercorrection of retraction.There were no major complications and only one minor complications(corneal irritation from graft sutures),which resolved in the early follow-up period.Conclusions The lateral canthal anchoring is an effective,aesthetic,and functional treatment for moderate to severe lower eyelid retraction resulting from multiple causes.This procedure is associated with predictable results,a low morbidity rate,and high patient satisfaction.

Objective To observe the effects of IFNα-2b on keloid fibroblasts in cell prolifera-tion, apoptosis, expression of hTERT and bcl-2 mRNA and to explore its anti-keloid mechanism. Methods Primary cultures of dermal fibroblasts derived from 8 keloid and 8 normal skin samples were established, strains of fibroblasts at passages 3 to 4 were used in this study. Keloid and normal skin fibroblasts in culture medium in vitro were given IFNα-2b and were obsevered in different time. The proliferation of the fibroblasts was measured by MTT assay, the apoptosis was analysed by flow cytometry(FCM), and the expression of hTERT and bcl-2 mRNA were obsevered by semi-qnantitativere verse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The data were analyzed by statistical software (SPSS11. 5). Results IFNα-2b could inhibit the growth of keloid and nomal skin fibroblasts. The suppression of keloid and nomal skin fibroblasts was time-dependent. After the effect of 10 000 U/ml INFα-2b on cultured fibroblast of keloid and normal skin,the fibroblasts apoptosis was induced and the expression of hTERT and bcl-2 mRNA was lower than that of controlled group . The result was significantly different between control group and treatment group and was related with the treatment time of INFα-2b (P<0.01). Conclusions As a negative regulatory factor,interferon α-2b can suppress growth and proliferation of keloid fibroblasts and induce apoptosis. Decreasing the telomerase activity of keloid fibroblasts may be one of the most important mechamisms. That IFNa-2b inhibited telomerase activity in keloid fibroblasts is an important pathway that may play a key role in the anti- keloid therapy.

Objective To investigate the dynamic changes and its clinical significance of serum glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) content in patients with acute cerebral infarction.Methods We consecutively collected 47 cases of acute cerebral infarction. The serum specimens were gathered on admission, at 3rd and 5th day after onset. The serum levels of GFAP were compared according to Oxford community stroke project (OCSP) and CT classifications, and the relationships between serum GFAP levels and patient's condition and prognosis of disease were analyzed. Results Serum GFAP level in TACI group was significantly higher than those in control group and other 3 subtype groups within 48 h of onset, and continuously increased at 3rd day and 5th day. The GFAP level in PACI group reached peak at 3rd day and returned nearly to normal level at 5th day. There was no significant difference between POCI group and LACI group and control group. Serum levels of GFAP were significantly higher in large infarcts and in corticosubcortical infarcts. GFAP level was related with score of NIHSS (r=0.410, P

OBJECTIVEThis study aims to investigate the expression of connexin 43 (cx43) gene during early development in zebra fish and provide a foundation for further research of cx43 gene in tooth development.

METHODSTotal RNA was extracted within 72 h after fertilization of zebra fish embryos and then reversed transcribed to generate the cDNA library. The specific fragments of the cx43 gene were then cloned and connected to the PGEMT vector. After confirming the constructed plasmid, the corresponding RNA polymerase was chosen, and the digoxin-labeled anti-sense mRNA probe of cx43 was synthesized in vitro. The cx43 gene expression of zebra fish indifferent stages was carried out by in situ hybridization. The relationship of the cx43 gene expression and anatomy of the pharyngeal teeth were compared by alizarin red staining.

RESULTSThe mRNA antisense probe of cx43 was acquired. The positive signal of sepia was observed in the different stages of zebra fish pharyngeal teeth after fertilization. After fertilization for 9 days, the expression site of cx43 in situ hybridization was overlapped in accordance with the anatomical site of the pharyngeal teeth.

CONCLUSIONcx43 gene participates in tooth development and mineralization process and plays a crucial role in later mineralization.

Animals ; Connexin 43 ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; In Situ Hybridization ; Odontogenesis ; Plasmids ; RNA, Messenger ; Tooth ; Zebrafish

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of retinoic acid (RA) signal in dental evolution, RA is used to explore the influence of the mechanism on neural crest's migration during the early stage of zebra fish embryos.

METHODSWe divided embryos of wild type and transgenic line zebra fish into three groups. 1 x 10(-7) to 6 x 10(-7) mol x L(-1) RA and 1 x 10(-7) mo x L(-1) 4-diethylaminobenzaldehyde (DEAB) were added into egg water at 24 hpf for 9 h. Dimethyl sulfoxid (DMSO) with the concentration was used as control group. Then, antisense probes of dlx2a, dlx2b, and barxl were formulated to perform whole-mount in situ hybridization to check the expressions of the genes in 48 hpf to 72 hpf embryos. We observed fluorescence of transgenic line in 4 dpf embryos.

RESULTSWe obtained three mRNA probes successfully. Compared with DMSO control group, a low concentration (1 x 10(-7) mol x L(-1)) of RA could up-regulate the expression of mRNA (barx1, dlx2a) in neural crest. Obvious migration trend was observed toward the pharyngeal arch in which teeth adhered. Transgenic fish had spreading fluorescence tendency in pharyngeal arch. However, a high concentration (4 x 10(-7) mol x L(-1)) of RA malformed the embryos and killed them after treatment. One third of the embryos of middle concentration (3 x 10(-7) mo x L(-1)) exhibited delayed development. DEAB resulted in neural crest dysplasia. The expression of barxl and dlx2a were suppressed, and the appearance of dlx2b in tooth was delayed.

CONCLUSIONRA signal pathway can regulate the progenitors of tooth by controlling the growth of the neural crest and manipulating tooth development

Animals ; Branchial Region ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Embryo, Nonmammalian ; drug effects ; embryology ; metabolism ; In Situ Hybridization ; Neural Crest ; drug effects ; Odontogenesis ; Signal Transduction ; Tooth ; drug effects ; embryology ; metabolism ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology ; Zebrafish ; embryology ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the immunoregulatory effects of propofol on airway hyperresponsiveness,airway inflammation and Thl/Th2 ratio in the asthmatic mice.Methods One hundred female BALB/c mice,aged 6-8 weeks,weighing 18-20 g,were randomly divided into 5 groups (n =20,each):control group (normal saline i.p.,group C),asthma group (group A),low-dose propofol (50 mg/kg i.p.,group LP),medium-dose propofol (100 mg/kg i.p.,group MP) and high-dose propofol (150 mg/kg i.p.,group HP).Mice of groups A,LP,MP and HP were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA),mice of group C were sensitized with normal saline.24 h after the last challenge,animals were sacrificed by lethal dose of pentobarbital sodium.Blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected for determination of serum OVA-specific IgE and the levels of cytokines (IL-4,IL-5 and IFN-γ) in the BALF.Airway responsiveness was measured by the forced-oscillation technique and histological inflammation scores were measured by staining with hematoxylin and eosin.Results Propofol (group LP and group MP) attenuated airway hyperresposiveness to the muscarinic agonist methacholine in OVA-induced asthma.Different doses of propofol (group LP,group MP and group HP) decreased eosinoplils influx in lungs.In addition,propofol treatment reduced expression of IL-4,IL-5 and serum OVA-specific IgE and increased the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4.Conclusion The study demonstrates a potential protective value of propofol in alleviating airway inflammation,up-regulating Th1/Th2 ratio and attenuating airway hyperresposiveness in the asthmatic mice.

Objective:To investigate middle school students' parent-related fears of poor performance on im- portant examinations in the United Stated and China.Methods:The“Failure Outcome Expectancy (FOE)”inventory was used to measure students' perceptions of test anxiety in a sample of 1,215 public middle school students,ages 14and 15.Results:The findings indicated that students in different countries reported similar trends in the reasons for their parent-related test anxiety including student worries with respect to confidence about admission to higher institu- tions,and student contributions to parental annoyances in relation to academic achievement.However,cross-cultural differences revealed that Chinese students reported significantly expectations,or the potential for annoying their par- ents than American students.American students reported a significantly stronger preoccupation about their capacity to face challenges in life than Chinese students.Additionally,gender differences were more significant in the western culture of the United States than in China.American female students reported stronger perceptions on seven items of parent-related causes of their test anxiety than Chinese female students.Chinese male students reported stronger pre- occupation only on two items than their American counterpart.Conclusion:Chinese and American students have similar trends in the reasons for their parent-related test anxiety.There are also culture difference and gender differ- ence in this problem.

Objective To prepare the immunoconjugate composed of Adriamycin nanoparticles and VEGFR 2 monoclonal antibody(conjugate of ADM-NP and VEGFR 2-MAb) and study its pharmacokinetics property. Methods Adriamycin nanoparticles were prepared by using double emulsion method, with PLA and O-CMC as materials. Conjugate of ADM-NP and VEGFR 2-MAb was prepared by using molecule conjugate technology. Immunoreactivity of the conjugate with type IV collagenase and H 22 cell were analyzed by using ELISA. Pharmacokinetics parameters of the immunoconjugate were obtained by using SD rats as study objects. Results The prepared ADM-NP was sphere particles under SEM, which diameters were (160±34) nm. The drug loading rate and entrapment rate were (30.15±3.5)% and (80.56±4.24)% respectively. Conjugate of ADM-NP and VEGFR 2-MAb was successfully prepared, which had immunoreactivity with type IV collagenase and H 22 cell. The immunoconjugate showed good ADM control-release ability and could prolong the retention time of ADM in vivo. Conclusion Conjugate of ADM-NP and VEGFR 2-MAb keeps the immunoreactivity of VEGFR 2-MAb and shows good ADM control-release ability.

Objective To investigate the molecular characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Guizhou Province. Methods Using a convenience sampling strategy, 8 583 samples were collected in Guizhou and an investigation was conducted including face-to-face questionnaire interview and HIV testing. Results 1 511 cases failed in HIV suppression (viral load, VL>1 000 copies/ml). 1 410 cases (93.31%) were successfully genotyped with HIV pol gene, among which 51.42% were genotyped as CRF01_AE, 26.67% as CRF07_BC and 16.1% as CRF08_BC. Conclusion The subtype changes caused by HIV gene mutation should precede the changes of main transmission routes of HIV through the analysis in recent years. Timely monitoring the changes of HIV subtypes can be one of the main bases for the prevention and control of AIDS.

Artemisia lactiflora is an important medicinal plant in China. The antitumor and antioxidant activities of the extracts of 54 endophytic fungi from the plant were screened via MTT assay and DPPH scavenging radical assay, respectively. The bioactive strains were identified based on similarity of 5.8S gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. The results showed that extracts from ten (18.5%) isolates exhibited antitumor activity, and which from two (3.7%) isolates exhibited antioxidant activity. The Alternaria sp. GYBH47 strain was simultaneously having antagonistic activity against HL-60 leukemia, MCF-7 breast and COLO205 colon cell lines, and Phomopsis sp. GYBH42 strain having cytotoxic and antioxidant activities. The results indicated that endophytic fungi from Artemisia lactiflora are potential resources to find valuable bioactive components.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Artemisia ; microbiology ; Biphenyl Compounds ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Endophytes ; chemistry ; classification ; physiology ; Free Radical Scavengers ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Fungi ; classification ; physiology ; Humans ; Picrates ; metabolism