Objective:To introduce a method combining thread-burying in eyebrow and construction of double eyelid for treatment of upper eyelid cutis laxa in the middle-aged and young.Methods: We used 3-0 non-invasive thread for intradermal suture and fixed the eyebrow to the superciliary periost,then double eyelid construction was performed to remove the superfluous skin of upper eyelid in 23 patients with upper eyelid cutis laxa.Results: All the 23 cases obtained satisfactory clinical outcomes, with the upper eyelid cutis laxa obviously improved.Conclusion: Thread-burying in eyebrow combined with double eyelid construction is a simple and effective strategy for treatment of middle-aged and young patients with upper eyelid cutis laxa.

Objective To evaluate the use of the kite flap (als o known as subcutaneous pedicled V-Y advancement flap)for the repair of moderate -sized anterior lamellar skin defects of eyelid. Methods Since 1994, kite flaps have been used to repair anterior lamellar skin defects of eyelids in 14 patients. Six patients were male and eight female, with a mean age of 43 years (range 15-64 years). The diameter of the largest defect reache d 1/3 length of the eyelid. The flaps were designed adjacent to the defects and the incision line corresponding to natural winkle lines on the eyelid. We underm ined the flap under the orbicular muscle, and advanced the flap to cover the def ect. The incisions were closed with 7-0 suture. Results After operation, all flaps survived with primary healing. Follow-up for 3 to 12 months showed that all cases had achieved satisfactory cosmetic effects without secondary deformity. Conclusions It is a simple, safe, an d reliable method to use kite flap for the repair of moderate-sized anterior la mellar eyelid skin defects that are too large to achieve primary approximation. Because kite-flap covers the defect through a direct advancement way without ro tation and twist, there are no dog-ear deformitys present at the pedical area a nd the repaired area looks smoothly. Because of its widely based muscle pedicle which incorporates venous and lymphatic drainage over most of its length, the un desirable pigment deposition is avoided.

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 relationship between truncating mutations of APC gene and sporadic colorectal cancer,and analyze the feasibility of non-radioactive protein truncation test (PTT) in the detection of mutations of APC gene.Methods Ninety-six samples of sporadic colorectal cancer tissues ( including 44 patients with colonic cancer and 52 patients with rectal cancer) were obtained from the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from September 2008 to September 2010.The mutation cluster region of the APC gene was screened using digital PTT labeled with fluorescent Lys-t-RNA,with a polymerase chain reaction fragment amplified from genomic DNA serving as a tenplate for in vitro translation.The occurrence of gene mutation was determined according to the emergence of truncated peptides.The mutation cluster region of the APC gene in 46 samples of colorectal cancer tissues was analyzed by direct sequencing.The detection rates of the 2 methods were compared by chi-square test.Results Thirteen (26％) truncated peptides were detected in the 50 samples of colorectal cancer tissues.The mutation type of 4 samples is nonsense mutation,which resulted in emergence of truncated gene products.Eleven (24％) truncated peptides were detected in the 46 samples of colorectal cancer tissues.There was no significant difference in the detection rates between PTT and direct sequencing ( x2 =0.033,P ＞ 0.05 ).Conclusions Truncating mutations of APC gene are common alterations in sporadic colorectal cancer in the Chinese.Digital PTT labeled with fluorescent Lys-t-RNA is rapid and high-sensitive in screening gene mutations.

Objective To study the mechanism of tear trough deformity and palabromalar groove deformity.Methods Four old cadavers (2 male,2 female,an average age of 67.2 years) with obvious tear trough deformity and palpbromalar groove deformity and 4 young cadavers (2 male,2 female,an average age of 23.5 years) without tear trough deformity and palpbromalar groove deformity were selected and dissected and histological observation were performed on lower eyelid and periorbital region.Results Compared to young specimens,the skin and orbicularis oculi muscle of old specimens were atrophy and relaxed.Tear trough deformity and palabromalar groove deformity overlaid the junction of thinner eyelid skin and thicker cheek skin.The superior border of the malar fat pad covered the junction of the palpebral and orbital portions of the orbicularis muscle,and correlated with the tear trough and palpbromalar groove,but the superior border of the malar fat pad in young cadavers was found above the tear trough and palpbromalar groove line.The orbicularis retaining ligament arose from the orbital rim and caudal to the junction of the palpebral and orbital portions of the orbicularis muscle,and it was relaxed in old group than that in young group.Conclusions Tear trough deformity and palabromalar groove deformity result from combination of age-related relaxation,atrophy and descent of layers of tissues.The orbital septal and the orbicularis retaining ligament prevent tissues from descending,which makes tear trough deformity and palabromalar groove deformity more visible.

ZnO nanoparticle-containing carbon composite nanofiber ( ZnO-CNF ) was prepared by the electrospinning of the ZnCl2-PAN precursor, followed by preoxidation and carbonization. The ZnO nanoparticles were uniformly distributed on the surface of the carbon nanofiber with the size of 20-30 nm, confirmed by scanning electron microscopy ( SEM ) . The wettability of the ZnO-CNF was studied by water contact angle test. With Nafion as an additive, the ZnO-CNF modified electrode was successfully constructed by dip-coating. The surface morphology and electrochemical properties of the modified electrode were investigated by SEM and cyclic voltammetry. There was a sensitive response of the ZnO-CNF modified electrode on Pb ions in solution, demonstrated by square wave stripping voltammetry. Under the optimized conditions, a good linear relationship between peak current and Pb2+concentration was obtained in the range of 2. 4×10-10-2. 4×10-7 mol/L (R=0. 998) by 10 min preconcentration at -1. 0 V in 0. 1 mol/L NaAc buffer solution (pH=4. 6). The detection limit was 4. 8×10-11 mol/L. The practical analytical application of the ZnO-CNF modified electrode was assessed by the measurement of the actual water sample and the result was consistent with that obtained by ICP-MS.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of oligochitosan in promoting intestinal absorption of protoberberine alkaloids in extracts from Corydalis saxicola total alkaloids.

METHODThe in vitro single-pass intestinal perfusion model in rats was established to study the changes in absorption kinetic parameters of dehydrocavidine, berberine hydrochloride and palmatine chloride in C. saxicola total alkaloids after the addition of different concentrations oligochitosan and evaluate the effect of oligochitosan in promoting intestinal absorption of the drugs.

RESULTThe concentration of oligochitosan had different effects on the absorption rate constant (Ka) and apparent permeability coefficient (Peff) of the three active component in rat intestines. Ka and Peff in 0.5% oligochitosan group significantly increased, indicating a stronger effect in promoting the absorption.

CONCLUSIONOligochitosan has a certain effect in promoting the intestinal absorptions of protoberberine alkaloids in C. saxicola total alkaloids.

Animals ; Berberine Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Chitin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Corydalis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Intestinal Absorption ; drug effects ; Intestines ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To study the effects of exogenous melatonin on plasma corticosterone(CS)and adrenal glucocorticoid receptor(GR)mRNA in neonatal rats after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBD). Methods One hundred and forteen 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups:model group(K group),sham operation group(H group),melatonin-treated group(T group),and normal control group(S group). Blood was obtained in different time points after HIBD. Plasma CS levels were measured by radioimmunoassay(RIA). The expression of GR mRNA was detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Results Plasma level of CS increased and the expression of GR mRNA decreased significantly after HIBD,however,these changes were markedly reversed by exogenous melatonin. Conclusions Plasma CS and adrenal gland GR were involved in the pathological process of HIBD. Exogenous melatonin could up-regulate the expression of GR by decreasing the level of endogenous CS,so it may alleviate the excess stress injury after HIBD.

BACKGROUND:Due to the importance of pedicle adjacent structures, once the screw replacement appears a deviation, adjacent structures may be damaged, leading to extremely serious consequences. Although the security of screw placement in thoracic vertebral pedicle-rib complex is significantly greater than that of pedicle screws, the mechanics of the pedicle-rib complex at different cross-sectional areas of the screw are rarely reported.
OBJECTIVE:To observe mechanical property of different cross-sectional area screws in the middle and upper thoracic vertebral pedicle-rib complex.
METHODS:Five specimens of adult cadaveric thoracic spine (T 1-T 10 ) and adjacent rib segment (50-60 mm long) were used. The bone density of specimens was measured using difunctional bone density testing machine, and osteoporotic vertebral body was excluded. The position of the screws was detected with CT images. The maximal withdrawal force of the pedicle screw was measured with biomechanical force test machine.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Thirty-eight specimens at normal bone density were implanted with 25 screws (5.5 mm), 25 screws (6.0 mm) and 26 screws (6.5 mm). Because the pedicle screws destroyed the pedicle-rib complex and perforated the vertebral body, we final y obtained the withdrawal force of 68 screws. The axial withdrawal force of pedicle screws at different diameters was (812.36±147.22) N, (868.64±160.48) N and (946.48±157.58) N, respectively. There were significant differences between the 5.5 mm screws and the 6.5 mm screws (P<0.05). Experimental findings indicate that, the pedicle screws (diameter>5.5 mm) are suitable in the middle and upper thoracic vertebral pedicle-rib complex due to strong internal fixation and clinical requirement.