AIM: To study the effect of chronic hypoxia on L-Arginine/NO pathway in rat pulmonary artery. METHODS: Changes in pulmonary artery L-Arginine(L-Arg) transport, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, plasma nitrite level and L-Arg level in HPH rats were investigated. RESULTS: (1) The mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) and weight ratio of right ventricle to left ventricle and septum (RV/LV+S) of HPH group were higher than those in control group (P

Herb Genome Program (HerbGP) includes a series of projects on whole genome sequencing (WGS) and post-genomics research of medicinal plants with unique secondary metabolism pathways or/and those of great medical and pharmaceutical importance. In this paper, we systematically discussed the strategy of HerbGP, from species selection, whole-genome sequencing, assembly and bioinformatics analysis, to postgenomics research. HerbGP will push study on Chinese traditional medicines into the front field of life science, by selecting a series of plants with unique secondary metabolism pathways as models and introducing "omics" methods into the research of these medicinal plants. HerbGP will provide great opportunities for China to be the leader in the basic research field of traditional Chinese medicine. HerbGP shall also have significant impacts on the R&D of natural medicines and the development of medicinal farming by analysis of secondary metabolic pathways and selection of cultivars with good agricultural traits.

The Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway is essential for cellular proliferation and differentiation during embryonic development.Gain and loss of function of Hh signalling are known to result in an array of craniofacial malformations.To determine the critical period for Hh pathway antagonist-induced frontal bone hypoplasia,we examined patterns of dysmorphology caused by Hh signalling inhibition.Pregnant mice received a single oral administration of Hh signalling inhibitor GDC-0449 at 100 or 150 mg·kg-1 body weight at preselected time points between embryonic days (E)8.5 and 12.5.The optimal teratogenic concentration of GDC-0449 was determined to be 150 mg·kg-1.Exposure between E9.5 and E10.5 induced frontal bone dysplasia,micrognathia and limb defects,with administration at E10.5 producing the most pronounced effects.This model showed decreased ossification of the frontal bone with downregulation of Hh signalling.The osteoid thickness of the frontal bone was significantly reduced.The amount of neural crest-derived frontal bone primordium was reduced after GDC-0449 exposure owing to a decreased rate of cell proliferation and increased cell death.

BACKGROUNDTo observe the protective effect of hepatitis E virus (HEV) ORF2 recombinant protein expressed in prokaryote cell cynomolgus macaques (cynos) against challenging with wild-type HEV.

METHODSCynos were immunized with HEV ORF2 recombinant protein and then challenged with wild-type HEV, the unimmunized cynos were used as control. Blood samples were collected and tested to see if there were dynamic changes of ALT and antibody to HEV before and after challenge with wild-type HEV.

RESULTSAll the five unimmunized cynos re-presented hepatitis 3 weeks after challenging with wild-type HEV. However, all the five immunized cynos showed no hepatitis and pathological changes.

CONCLUSIONSCynos can be efficiently protected by immunization with HEV ORF2 recombinant protein against wild-type HEV. This protein can be a promising candidate for HEV vaccine.

Animals ; Female ; Hepatitis Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis E ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis E virus ; immunology ; Macaca mulatta ; Male ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology ; Viral Proteins ; immunology

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the allergens in patients with allergic rhinitis, to find common allergens of Changsha and to provide statistic basis for a reasonable prevention and treatment. METHOD: The allergens in 1437 patients with allergic rhinitis in Changsha were detected by skin prick test. RESULT: Eight hundred and ninety-eight (62.49%)of 1437 cases presented positive reaction. Among positive cases in inhalation group, the most common allergen was flour mite (98.33%), then were house dust mite (94.54%), mycetes II (19.27%) and weed (18.37%). Shrimp (35.41%) was the most common allergens in food group. And in childhood, adolescence and adulthood prick-positive cases, the ratio of more than 2 positive allergens were about 8.57%,18.04%, 19.15%. CONCLUSION The study shows that the flour mite and house dust mite are the most common allergens in Changsha.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Allergens ; analysis ; Animals ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mites ; Prevalence ; Pyroglyphidae ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; epidemiology ; Skin Tests ; Young Adult

Objective: To analyze the clinical features and diagnostic and therapeutic procedure of microtia in Klippel-Feil syndrome(KFS), and to summarize the experiences on diagnosis and treatment of this kind of rare disease to avoid misdiagnosing. Methods: Between May 2014 and July 2015, six patients with microtia were diagnosed with suspected cervical vertebral malformation through physical examination and X-ray. Then they underwent additional examinations to evaluate the degree of deformities and relative risks: pure tone test, chest CT, cervical spine CT, temporal CT, echocardiography and ultrasonic on kidney and ureters. Ear reconstruction was performed with soft tissue skin expander and autogenous rib cartilage framework. Results: The six patients were diagnosed as KFS with microtia, which had different degree of cervical fusion and thoracic vertebral fusion. Some of them had rib deformity, scoliosis, congenital renal malformation and so on. Of 6 patients, scar formation occurred in 1 case after ear reconstruction, whose new ears had good position and appearance at 1 month after stage II. After operation, 6 cases were followed up for 8-20 months (median, 12 months), none of them had nerve injury. Five cases had completed the third stage. All of them were well-healed after one month. Three cases were followed up for 3-11 months, the reconstructed ears had a three-dimensional configuration, and the cranioauricular angle of the reconstructed ears were similar to the opposite ears. Conclusions The primary step of comprehensive therapy in microtia with KFS is to diagnose definitely. Enhancing perioperative management can reduce surgery-related risks. It is ought to pay attention to nerve injury in a long-term follow-up.

Objective: To discuss the strategy for dealing with the failed reconstructed ears. Methods: From January 2010 to January 2015, 14 cases (14 ears) were admitted to our department because of failed reconstructed ears. It was impossible to improve their appearance greatly just by adjusting the original structures. We had to take out the framework and re-reconstruct the ear with autologous costal cartilages. Depending on the conditions of soft tissue, we divided them into three groups: Group 1, 8 ears(57.1%), the soft tissue could be reused simultaneously after being dealt with appropriately although the original frameworks were distorted badly. We took out the original frameworks, harvested cartilages again, fabricated the new frameworks and wrapped them with the original soft tissue. Group 2, 4 ears(28.6%), the structures were damaged completely, just with the constricted scars and skin graft clinging on the mastoid bone. We wrapped the new framework with axial temporal superficial fascia flap and then covered the wound with skin graft; Group 3, 2 ears(14.3%), the structures were distorted seriously. The skin flap covering the framework constricted badly while the post-auricular fascia flap was unspent. We took out the framework, implanted the skin expander under the spread skin flap, and then re-reconstructed the ear with expansion method. Results: 13 of 14 cases( 92.9%)were rebuilt successfully. The new ears maintained the landmark subunits 1 month after surgery. In 1 case (7.1%) from group 3, the creased skin had a rupture during skin expansion period. The expander had been taken out, and then a new one was replaced 3 months later. Follow-up period was 3-12 months. The structures of all the 14 rebuilt ears were stable and much better than before. Conclusions Good results could be achieved when appropriate method was selected for failed reconstructed ear. The condition of soft tissue of distorted reconstructed ear should be considered.

Objective: To seek an accurate and objective method to locate reconstructed auricles and design frameworks with digital technology for microtia patients with craniomaxillofacial asymmetry, improving the symmetry of the postoperative ears. Methods: From September 2014 to February 2016, 50 unilateral microtia patients with craniomaxillofacial asymmetry who were scheduled for auricular reconstruction were included in the study. The digital models of the patients′ ears and heads were based on the scan data preoperatively, which were collected by the three dimensional(3D) photogrammetric scanning technique. The reconstructed auricle was positioned by the mirror image of the contralateral side on the digital models. Based on the location, the morphological parameters and the corrective parameters of the autogenous cartilage frameworks could be obtained. With the guidance of the above information, ear reconstruction with tissue expander could be carried out. Results: Auricular and craniofacial morphology could be reflected vividly by the digital models. Meanwhile, the location and parameters of the reconstructed ear could be acquired. And the outcomes of the 50 reconstructed ears were satisfactory with symmetrical appearance. With 1 to 8 months (average 6.8 months) of follow-up, both the doctors and the patients were satisfied with the postoperative result. Conclusions Utilizing the location and parameters which were obtained from the digital models based on 3D photogrammetric scanning is an accurate and objective way to gain more symmetrical result in clinical ear reconstruction for microtia patients with craniomaxillofacial asymmetry.

Objective To introduce our experiences in ear reconstruction with Ba Da Chu Method during the past 10 years, and to summarize the operative skills and key points .Methods Generally, Ba Da Chu Method for ear reconstruction includes 3 stages:Stage 1, skin expansion in mastoid region .Stage 2, auricular reconstruction), consisting of tissue expander removal, earlobe transposition, expanded skin flap and temporal fascia flap formation , autologous costal cartilage harvest , framework fabrication and transplantation , and the wound closure .Stage 3: tragus formation , conchoplasty , and refinement of the reconstructed ear.Results From January, 2006 to December, 2015, we performed 5628 reconstructed ears for 5267 patients with congenital microtia .Follow-up period ranged from 1 to 10 years.Complications in stage 1 included hematoma , infection and expander exposure sporadically arising , which were treated properly and stage2 operations were carried out on time or delayed .5202 (92.4％) reconstructed ears were demonstrated with fine substructure landmarks .236(4.2％) reconstructed ears with poor blood circulation at the margin of skin flap , were cured completely and ended up with acceptable outcomes;108 ( 1.9％) reconstructed ears , manifestedwith mild cartilage framework exposure due to partial necrosis of skin graft , were repaired in stage 3.61 (1.1％) of them with severe exposure , needed additional operations to cover the framework with axial fascial flap immediately .21 ( 0.3％) reconstructed ears lost the normal contour because of cartilage infection , which a secondary operation was needed to repair .The complications of stage 3 occurred rarely , which could be cured in the end .Conclusions Ba Da Chu Method is well adapted to treat congenital microtia , and it is flexible to adjust surgical skills when microtia was combined with other complicated soft tissue deformities or craniofacial bone defects;Satisfactory result were achieved in 92.4％reconstructed ears in this study with fine substructures;During approximate 2-month skin expansion , great attention must be paid to ensure successful expansion , which is based on extensive clinical experiences from doctors, appropriate nursing management from nurses , and careful observation from patients or their families.

Objective To introduce our experiences in ear reconstruction with Ba Da Chu Method during the past 10 years, and to summarize the operative skills and key points .Methods Generally, Ba Da Chu Method for ear reconstruction includes 3 stages:Stage 1, skin expansion in mastoid region .Stage 2, auricular reconstruction), consisting of tissue expander removal, earlobe transposition, expanded skin flap and temporal fascia flap formation , autologous costal cartilage harvest , framework fabrication and transplantation , and the wound closure .Stage 3: tragus formation , conchoplasty , and refinement of the reconstructed ear.Results From January, 2006 to December, 2015, we performed 5628 reconstructed ears for 5267 patients with congenital microtia .Follow-up period ranged from 1 to 10 years.Complications in stage 1 included hematoma , infection and expander exposure sporadically arising , which were treated properly and stage2 operations were carried out on time or delayed .5202 (92.4％) reconstructed ears were demonstrated with fine substructure landmarks .236(4.2％) reconstructed ears with poor blood circulation at the margin of skin flap , were cured completely and ended up with acceptable outcomes;108 ( 1.9％) reconstructed ears , manifestedwith mild cartilage framework exposure due to partial necrosis of skin graft , were repaired in stage 3.61 (1.1％) of them with severe exposure , needed additional operations to cover the framework with axial fascial flap immediately .21 ( 0.3％) reconstructed ears lost the normal contour because of cartilage infection , which a secondary operation was needed to repair .The complications of stage 3 occurred rarely , which could be cured in the end .Conclusions Ba Da Chu Method is well adapted to treat congenital microtia , and it is flexible to adjust surgical skills when microtia was combined with other complicated soft tissue deformities or craniofacial bone defects;Satisfactory result were achieved in 92.4％reconstructed ears in this study with fine substructures;During approximate 2-month skin expansion , great attention must be paid to ensure successful expansion , which is based on extensive clinical experiences from doctors, appropriate nursing management from nurses , and careful observation from patients or their families.