OBJECTIVETo study the influence of nasolabial angle alteration on facial profile attractiveness and investigate the perception differences in profile attractiveness among laypeople.

METHODSA young Chinese female with normal hard and soft tissue cephalometric values was chosen as a research object. Profile photograph was taken in a natural head position. Photoshop software was chosen to rotate the nose tip and upper lip, thus changing the degree and direction of nasolabial angle. A total of 33 different profile pictures were achieved. Thirty-three professional orthodontists and 64 non-professionals were chosen to score these 33 pictures.

RESULTSWhen the upper lip position was fixed, the profile was considerably attractive because the angle of nasal tip was not changed or altered. When the nasal tip rotation angle was fixed, profiles with a retroclined upper lip were considered significantly attractive by the layperson and professional groups. Regardless of the direction of the nasal tip rotation, the respondents considered the profile with a retroclined upper lip highly attractive.

CONCLUSIONThe soft tissue profile with a retroclined upper lip looks considerably attractive in Chinese female populations. Therefore, during an orthodontic treatment, appropriate retraction of the incisor is recommended to improve soft tissue profile attractiveness.

Cephalometry ; Esthetics ; Face ; anatomy & histology ; Female ; Humans ; Incisor ; Lip ; Nose

OBJECTIVETo optimize the methods for genetic detection and prenatal diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

METHODSDenaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC), multiplex PCR (mPCR), sequencing and other molecular techniques were used in combination for molecular diagnosis of 8 cases diagnosed as DMD.

RESULTSAmong the 8 cases, 4 have carried large deletions, 3 have point mutations, among which 6 were of de novo type. Prenatal diagnosis were offered for 5 families, the results showed that none of the fetuses had carried large deletions or point mutations. The pregnancies had continued and healthy babies were born.

CONCLUSIONCombined use of short tandem repeat, DHPLC, mPCR and sequencing can improve the detection of DMD gene mutations. By establishing and optimizing genetic and prenatal diagnostic methods, accurate genetic counseling can be provided for families affected with DMD.

Adult ; Base Sequence ; Female ; Fetal Diseases ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne ; diagnosis ; embryology ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Sequence Deletion ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression pattern of CD133 and ALDH1 in colorectal cancer cells line Colo205 cultured in serum-free medium (SFM) containing recombinant human epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).

METHODSColo205 cells were cultured in serum-free medium (SFM) containing human recombinant EGF and bFGF or in serum-supplemented medium (SSM). The expression of CD133 was analyzed in both groups, and CD133(+) and CD133(-) cells sorted from the SFM group using flow cytometry and observed microscopically for their growth status. The expression of CD133 and ALDH1 in CD133(+) cells and CD133(-) cells was detected by immunofluorescence assay. CD133(+) cells and CD133(-) cells were then injected subcutaneously into NOD/SCID mice and the expression of ALDH1 in the tumor tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe cells in SFM group showed a significantly higher percentage of CD133(+) cells than those in SSM group (P<0.05). In SFM, CD133(+) cells were capable of forming tumor spheres while CD133(-) cells could not; CD133(+)cells strongly expressed CD133 and ALDH1 and CD133(-) cells did not. In mice, tumors generated by CD133(+) cells, but not by CD133(-) cells, positively expressed ALDH1.

CONCLUSIONSCD133(+) Colo205 colorectal cancer cells in SFM containing human recombinant EGF and bFGF can form tumor spheres and strongly express ALDH1. ALDH1 may be one of the candidate markers of colorectal cancer stem cells.

AC133 Antigen ; Animals ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Culture Media, Serum-Free ; Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Isoenzymes ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Mice, SCID ; Peptides ; metabolism ; Retinal Dehydrogenase ; metabolism