1.Mechanism of Sancao Anshen Prescription in Regulating cAMP/PKA Signaling Pathway to Improve Sleep and Depressive States in Zebrafish with SD Models
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):180-190
ObjectiveBy establishing a light sleep deprivation (SD) model and using the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound Sancao Anshen prescription for intervention, this study aims to observe one of the effects of Sancao Anshen prescription on the sleep and depressive states of zebrafish in the SD model and explore the mechanism of action of this drug in regulating the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway. MethodsA total of 240 six-month-old wild-type AB zebrafish were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Sancao Anshen prescription (0.28, 0.83, 2.48 g·L-1), and a melatonin group (0.2 g·L-1), with 40 fish in each group. Except for the blank group, all others were exposed to LED lights (150 lux) for three days to construct the sleep deprivation model, and were treated with the corresponding doses of Sancao Anshen decoction and melatonin solution for three days. 24 h movement behavior was used to detect diurnal movement trajectories. A T-shaped maze was employed to detect learning and memory functions, and a new tank experiment was conducted to detect depression-like behaviors in zebrafish. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the morphology of hypothalamic neurons, and transmission electron microscopy was utilized to observe the ultrastructure of hypothalamic cells. Immunohistochemical (IHC) was used to measure the positive expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the hypothalamus, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to determine the content of cAMP, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glutamic acid (Glu) in brain tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were used to measure the expression of PKA, cAMP response element-binding (CREB), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNAs and proteins and their phosphorylation levels (p-PKA, p-CREB) in brain tissue. ResultsCompared with those in the blank group, the resting time and resting count in the model group decreased significantly (P<0.01), while the gross motor time and gross motor count increased significantly (P<0.01). The latency time to enter the EC region in each administration group increased significantly (P<0.01). The exploration time towards the top and the number of times entering the top decreased significantly (P<0.01), and the incubation period of the first ascent increased significantly (P<0.01). The number of hypothalamic neurons decreased significantly, and the neurons exhibited irregular shapes, sparse arrangement, and nuclear condensation. Nuclear collapse, nuclear membrane rupture and dissolution, chromatin condensation, mitochondrial swelling and deformity, and plate-like cristae rupture or disappearance were observed. The positive expression of TNF-α and IL-1β in the hypothalamus was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The content of cAMP, GABA, and 5-HT in brain tissue was significantly downregulated, while the content of Glu was significantly upregulated (P<0.01). The mRNA of PKA, CREB, and BDNF was significantly downregulated (P<0.01), and the protein expression of p-PKA, p-PKA/PKA, p-CREB, p-CREB/CREB, and BDNF was significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, the resting time in the medium-dose and high-dose groups of Sancao Anshen prescription and the melatonin group increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the resting count in each administration group significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The gross motor time and gross motor count significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The latency time to enter the EC region decreased (P<0.01), and the exploration time towards the top increased (P<0.01). The time for the first ascent in the high-dose group of Sancao Anshen prescription and the melatonin group was shortened (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the number of times entering the top increased (P<0.01). The morphology of neurons in each administration group improved, with the gap decreased, the nuclear membrane relatively intact, and mitochondrial swelling improved. The positive expression of IL-1β in each administration group significantly decreased (P<0.01). The positive expression of TNF-α in the medium-dose and high-dose groups of Sancao Anshen prescription and the melatonin group significantly decreased (P<0.01). The Glu content in the low-dose group of Sancao Anshen prescription decreased, while cAMP and GABA levels increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in 5-HT content. The medium-dose and high-dose groups of Sancao Anshen prescription and the melatonin group all showed significant increases in cAMP, 5-HT, and GABA levels (P<0.01), and a significant decrease in Glu content (P<0.01). The mRNA of CREB in the low-dose group of Sancao Anshen prescription was significantly upregulated (P<0.01), while there was no statistically significant difference in the mRNA of PKA and BDNF. The mRNA of PKA, CREB, and BDNF in the medium-dose and high-dose groups of Sancao Anshen prescription and the melatonin group were all significantly upregulated (P<0.01). The protein expression of p-PKA, p-PKA/PKA, p-CREB, p-CREB/CREB, and BDNF in the high-dose group of Sancao Anshen prescription and the melatonin group increased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the protein expression of p-PKA, p-CREB, and BDNF in the medium-dose group of Sancao Anshen prescription increased (P<0.05). ConclusionThe improvement of sleep and depressive states in zebrafish with the SD model by Sancao Anshen prescription may be related to the inhibition of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α and IL-1β, the reduction in Glu, and the elevation in the content of neurotransmitters such as GABA and 5-HT via the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway.
2.Influence of juxtapapillary duodenal diverticula on bile microecology in patients with primary common bile duct stones
Mengying WANG ; Hongtao HOU ; Wei SANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(9):1868-1876
ObjectiveTo investigate the microbiological characteristics of bile in patients with common bile duct stones alone or comorbid with juxtapapillary duodenal diverticula (JPDD). MethodsA prospective study was conducted among 30 patients with common bile duct stones who were admitted to Department of Gastroenterology, Hebei General Hospital, from January to May 2024, and according to the presence or absence of JPDD, they were divided into JPDD group and simple common bile duct stones group (CBD group), with 15 patients in each group. Bile samples were collected during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and 16S rRNA microbial sequencing was performed to compare the differences in microbial composition, diversity, and metabolic pathways between the two groups. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U rank sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. Pearson correlation analysis or Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between clinical indicators and microbial species abundance. ResultsClinical data showed that compared with the CBD group, the JPDD group had significantly greater maximum diameter of stones (10.87±3.42 mm vs 6.80±2.08 mm, t=3.94, P0.01) and common bile duct diameter (14.73±3.95 mm vs 9.67±2.64 mm, t=4.13, P0.01). The microbiological analysis of the bile showed that Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria were the most common phyla in both groups, and Proteobacteria was the dominate phylum in the JPDD group. At the genus and species levels, the JPDD group had higher relative abundances of Escherichia-Shigella, Enterococcus, and Escherichia coli. Alpha diversity was similar between the two groups, and there was a significant difference in beta diversity between the two groups (Adonis test, P0.05). The LEfSe analysis identified 25 differentially expressed species (LDA2) between the two groups, and the JPDD group had enrichment of 7 flora such as Enterobacter, Enterococcaceae, and Klebsiella, while the CBD group had significant enrichment of 18 flora such as Peptococcaceae, Roseburia, and Alistipes (P0.05). The correlation analysis showed that Enterococcaceae and Enterococcus significantly enriched in the JPDD group were positively correlated with the diameter of the common bile duct and the maximum diameter of stones (P0.01), whereas Peptococcaceae, Acinetobacter, and Alistipes with reductions in expression were negatively correlated with the diameter of the common bile duct and the maximum diameter of stones (P0.05). The enrichment analysis of biliary microbial metabolic pathways showed that there were significant differences between the two groups in 10 metabolic pathways such as cell growth and death, transportation and decomposition, nervous system, biosynthesis of valine, leucine, and isoleucine, and histidine metabolism (P0.05). ConclusionThe presence of JPDD may lead to alterations in bile microbiota, such as an increase in Enterococcus and a reduction in Roseburia, and specific flora and metabolism can promote the formation of common bile duct stones.
3.Regulation of autophagy on diabetic cataract under the interaction of glycation and oxidative stress
Rong WANG ; Pengfei LI ; Jiawei LIU ; Yuxin DAI ; Mengying ZHOU ; Xiaoxi QIAN ; Wei CHEN ; Min JI
International Eye Science 2025;25(12):1932-1937
Diabetic cataract, a prevalent ocular complication of diabetes mellitus, arises from a complex interplay of pathological mechanisms, with oxidative stress and glycation stress playing central roles. Autophagy, a critical cellular self-protection mechanism, sustains intracellular homeostasis by selectively degrading damaged organelles and misfolded proteins, thereby counteracting the detrimental effects of oxidative and glycation stress under hyperglycemic conditions. Emerging evidence indicates a synergistic interaction between glycation stress and oxidative stress, which may exacerbate autophagic dysfunction and accelerate the onset and progression of diabetic cataract. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying this relationship remain incompletely understood. This review systematically examines the regulatory role of autophagy inthe pathogenesis of diabetic cataract, with a particular focus on how autophagic impairment influences disease progression under the combined effects of glycation and oxidative stress. By elucidating these mechanisms, the paper aims to provide novel insights into molecular diagnostic approaches and targeted therapeutic strategies for diabetic cataract.
4.Application Value of Neoadjuvant Targeted Therapy in Patients with EGFR-mutant Resectable Lung Adenocarcinoma.
Shijie HUANG ; Mengying FAN ; Kaiming PENG ; Wanpu YAN ; Boyang CHEN ; Wu WANG ; Tianbao YANG ; Keneng CHEN ; Mingqiang KANG ; Jinbiao XIE
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2025;28(7):487-496
BACKGROUND:
The proportion of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations is relatively high in China. However, these patients currently lack significant benefits from available neoadjuvant treatment options. This study aims to explore the potential application value of neoadjuvant targeted therapy by evaluating its efficacy and safety in patients with EGFR-mutant resectable lung adenocarcinoma.
METHODS:
A multicenter retrospective study was used to analyze the treatment effect of patients with stage IIA-IIIB EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma who underwent surgical resection after receiving neoadjuvant targeted therapy from July 2019 to October 2024.
RESULTS:
A total of 24 patients with EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma from three centers were included in this study. All patients successfully underwent surgery and achieved R0 resection of 100.0%. The objective response rate (ORR) was 83.3% (20/24) . The major pathologic response (MPR) rate was 37.5% (9/24), with 2 patients (8.3%) achieving pathological complete response (pCR). During neoadjuvant therapy, 13 out of 24 patients (54.2%) experienced adverse events of grade 1-2, with no occurrences of ≥ grade 3. The most common treatment-related adverse events were rash (n=4, 16.7%), mouth sores (n=2, 8.3%), and diarrhea (n=2, 8.3%). The median follow-up time was 33.0 months, no deaths occurred in all patients, and the overall survival (OS) rate was 100.0%. The 1-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 91.1%, and the 2-year DFS rate remained at 86.2%.
CONCLUSIONS
The application of neoadjuvant targeted therapy in patients with EGFR-mutant resectable lung adenocarcinoma is safe and feasible, and is expected to become a highly promising neoadjuvant treatment option for the patients with EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma.
Humans
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ErbB Receptors/metabolism*
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Male
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Female
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Middle Aged
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Adenocarcinoma of Lung/surgery*
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Neoadjuvant Therapy
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Lung Neoplasms/surgery*
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Aged
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Retrospective Studies
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Mutation
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Adult
5.SAE1 promotes tumor cell malignancy via SUMOylation and liquid-liquid phase separation facilitated nuclear export of p27.
Ling WANG ; Jie MIN ; Jinjun QIAN ; Xiaofang HUANG ; Xichao YU ; Yuhao CAO ; Shanliang SUN ; Mengying KE ; Xinyu LV ; Wenfeng SU ; Mengjie GUO ; Nianguang LI ; Shiqian QI ; Hongming HUANG ; Chunyan GU ; Ye YANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(4):1991-2007
Most cancers are currently incurable, partly due to abnormal post-translational modifications (PTMs). In this study, we initially used multiple myeloma (MM) as a working model and found that SUMOylation activating enzyme subunit 1 (SAE1) promotes the malignancy of MM. Through proteome microarray analysis, SAE1 was identified as a potential target for bioactive colcemid or its derivative colchicine. Elevated levels of SAE1 were associated with poor clinical survival and increased MM proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, SAE1 directly SUMOylated and upregulated the total protein expression of p27, leading to LLPS-mediated nuclear export of p27. Our study also demonstrated the involvement of SAE1 in other types of cancer cells, and provided the first monomer crystal structure of SAE1 and its key binding model with colchicine. Colchicine also showed promising results in the Patient-Derived Tumor Xenograft (PDX) model. Furthermore, a controlled clinical trial with 56 MM patients demonstrated the clinical efficacy of colchicine. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism by which tumor cells evade p27-induced cellular growth arrest through p27 SUMOylation-mediated nuclear export. SAE1 may serve as a promising therapeutic target, and colchicine may be a potential treatment option for multiple types of cancer in clinical settings.
6.Application of portable ultrasound in patients with traumatic shock
Mengying WANG ; Bing XU ; Mingcheng ZHANG
Journal of Navy Medicine 2025;46(10):1032-1035
Objective To evaluate the clinical value of portable ultrasound in the management of traumatic shock patients.Methods From September 2020 to October 2021,52 patients with traumatic shock were admitted to Department of Emergency of The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University and underwent abdominal ultrasound and CT plain scan.The accuracy of ultrasound was compared with surgical or CT results which were taken as the gold standard.The time taken before,during,and after ultrasound and CT examinations were recorded.Working years of the sonographers were also recorded.Results In traumatic shock patients,the coincidence rates of ultrasound diagnosis of effusion and abdominal organ injuries were 85%and 82%,respectively.Ultrasound had shorter time interval from admission to first examination,shorter time to obtain test results,shorter total time,and longer testing time than CT(P<0.05).The average time of examination by sonographers with 3 and more working years was significantly shorter than that by sonographers with less than 3 working years([5.06±1.20]min vs.[6.14±1.29]min,P<0.05).Conclusion Portable ultrasound can provide rapid and accurate diagnosis of abdominal organ injuries and thoracic/abdominal effusions in traumatic shock patients,with significantly shorter total evaluation time compared with CT.Proficiency-gained sonographers can further optimize examination efficiency,proving particularly valuable for time-critical resuscitation.
7.The value of echocardiographic indicators combined with serum ARG1 and G6PD in the prognosis evaluation of children with sepsis
Xingkun LYU ; Yuehui HOU ; Yunfei YANG ; Mengying WANG
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;45(6):706-710
Objective To investigate the prognostic value of echocardiography indicators combined with se-rum recombinant human arginase 1(ARG1)and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase(G6PD)in children with sepsis.Methods A total of 116 children with sepsis admitted to the hospital from May 2022 to June 2023 were enrolled in the study as the sepsis group.According to the severity of sepsis,the children were further divided into general sepsis group(52 cases),severe sepsis group(38 cases)and septic shock group(26 cases).Ac-cording to the prognosis of the children,the children with sepsis were divided into good prognosis group(84 cases)and poor prognosis group(32 cases).A total of 116 healthy children who underwent physical examina-tion in the hospital during the same period were enrolled as the control group.The left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LV-EDV)and early diastolic mitral flow peak velocity(E)were detected by using color Doppler ultrasound.Ser-um ARG1 and G6PD levels were detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The echo-cardiographic indexes and serum ARG1 and G6PD levels were compared between the sepsis group and the con-trol group,and among sepsis children with different disease severity and different prognosis.The receiver op-erating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the predictive value of echocardiographic indexes com-bined with serum ARG1 and G6PD for poor prognosis in children with sepsis.Results Compared with the control group,the sepsis group had significant reductions in LVEF,E,and G6PD(P<0.05)and significant increases in LVEDD,LVEDV,and ARG1(P<0.05).With the aggravation of sepsis,the levels of LVEF,E,and G6PD in children with sepsis gradually decreased(P<0.05),while the levels of LVEDD,LVEDV,and ARG1 gradually increased(P<0.05).Compared with the good prognosis group,the poor prognosis group had significantly lower levels of LVEF,E,and G6PD(P<0.05)and significantly higher levels of LVEDD,LV-EDV,and ARG1(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of echocardiographic indexes com-bined with serum ARG1 and G6PD in predicting poor prognosis of children with sepsis was 0.971,and the sensitivity and specificity were 84.4%and 83.2%,respectively.Conclusion The levels of LVEF,E,and G6PD in children with sepsis significantly decreases,and the levels of LVEDD,LVEDV,and ARG1 signifi-cantly increases.Echocardiographic parameters combined with serum ARG1 and G6PD have high predictive value for poor prognosis in children with sepsis.
8.Angelicae Sinensis Radix in Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Review
Weining SONG ; Shumin LIU ; Mengying WANG ; Wei TIAN ; Shuxiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(14):279-287
Neurodegenerative diseases are a group of diseases caused by degeneration and dysfunction of the cells and tissues of the central nervous system, mainly including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and epilepsy. A common clinical manifestation of these diseases is cognitive decline. Neurodegenerative diseases are more common in the elderly. As population aging is aggravating, neurodegenerative diseases have aroused increasing concern since they seriously affect human health and quality of life. The pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases is complex, mainly related to mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, neurotoxin, neurotransmitter abnormalities, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Although western drugs on the market can attenuate the symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases, they may induce severe adverse reactions and are thus not conducive to long-term use by the patients. The Chinese herbal medicine Angelicae Sinensis Radix was first recorded in the Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica (Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing). It has the functions of activating blood, tonifying blood, modulating the immune system, regulating menstruation, and relieving pain. This paper summarizes the research progress in the effects of Angelicae Sinensis Radix and the prescriptions containing this medicine on neurodegenerative diseases in recent 10 years, aiming to provide a reference for the future application and research of Angelicae Sinensis Radix in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
9.Effect of propofol on parvalbumin neurons in medical prefrontal cortex of rats with social behavior disorders induced by chronic sleep deprivation
Yue CAO ; Jinpiao ZHU ; Ting CHEN ; Mengying HE ; Jiahui SUN ; Yuanyuan FANG ; Jie WANG ; Chang CHEN ; Zongze ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2024;44(1):76-79
Objective:To evaluate the effect of propofol on parvalbumin (PV) neurons in the medical prefrontal cortex(mPFC)of rats with social behavior disorders induced by chronic sleep deprivation.Methods:Forty-two SPF male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 8 weeks, weighing 200-250 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=14 each) using a random number table method: control group (group Con), chronic sleep deprivation plus natural sleep group (group CSD+ NS), and chronic sleep deprivation plus propofol group (group CSD+ Pro). Sleep deprivation model was established by the modified multiple platform method, the rats were placed in the sleep-deprivation tank for 20 h a day (14: 00-10: 00), and allowed to sleep naturally for 4 h (10: 00-14: 00) a day for 28 consecutive days. Propofol 40 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected for 28 consecutive days after sleep deprivation in CSD+ Pro group. While the equal volume of 10% fat emulsion was given in Con and CSD+ NS groups. After the end of sleep deprivation, a three-box social experiment was used to detect the social behavior of rats, and the number of the PV positive cells and density of the perineuronal network (PNN) in the mPFC area were measured by immunofluorescence. Results:Compared with group Con, the pertentage of rapid eye movement sleep and sniffing time preference coefficients for the strange rat 1 in the first stage and for the strange rat 2 in the second stage were significantly decreased, and the number of the PV positive cells and density of PNN in the mPFC area were decreased in group CSD+ NS ( P<0.05). Compared with group CSD+ NS, the sniffing time preference coefficients for the strange rat 1 in the first stage and for the strange rat 2 in the second stage were significantly increased, the number of the PV positive cells and density of PNN in the mPFC area were increased( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the percentage of the rapid eye movement sleep in group CSD+ Pro. Conclusions:Propofol probably increases the number and function of PV neurons in the mPFC and ameliorates sleep deprivation-induced social behavior disorders in sleep-deprived rats.
10.Application of bilateral V-Y advancement island flaps on buttocks in repair of postoperative defects in patients with perianal Paget′s disease
Chao YUE ; Tao WANG ; Mengying DUAN ; Yeqin DAI ; Jianzhong PENG ; Zhong SHEN ; Xiuzu SONG
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2024;57(1):58-61
Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of bilateral V-Y advancement island flaps on buttocks in repairing postoperative defects in patients with perianal Paget′s disease.Methods:From January 2009 to January 2021, a retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data collected from 13 patients with perianal Paget′s disease, whose perianal defects resulting from the tumor resection were reconstructed with bilateral V-Y advancement island flaps on the buttocks in the Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People′s Hospital. The postoperative recovery of the buttocks and the effects on the defecation function were evaluated.Results:The areas of perianal defects in 13 cases ranged from 4.8 cm × 5.6 cm to 12.2 cm × 6.4 cm. All defects were successfully repaired by using the bilateral V-Y advancement island flaps, and all surgical wounds healed primarily. One case first received temporary ileostomy, and then received ileostomy closure 3 months later, resulting in the recovery of defecation function; in another 1 case of perianal Paget′s disease comorbid with rectal cancer, the permanent sigmoid colostomy was performed to divert feces, and the defecation function was lost. After the follow-up for 1 - 6 years, the buttocks were symmetrical in shape in all the 13 patients, and 12 with preserved anus had normal defecation function. No tumor recurrence was observed in 12 patients without other malignant tumors after the operation, while 3 patients experienced mild anal stenosis without anal mucosa eversion or wound dehiscence; 1 patient with perianal Paget′s disease complicated by anal canal adenocarcinoma developed bilateral inguinal lymph node and internal iliac lymph node metastasis 1 year after the operation, and died 6 months later.Conclusion:The bilateral V-Y advancement island flaps on the buttocks have the advantages of reliable blood supply and sufficient advancement mobility, and can be used to repair large skin defects around the anus.

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