Objective:To explore the clinical effect of non-expansion whole framework ear reconstruction for microtia (referred to as the NEWF ear reconstruction).Methods:The clinical data of congenital microtia patients underwent NEWF ear reconstruction at Department of Ear Reconstruction, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were retrospectively analyzed. This advanced method used a tissue non-expansion approach, employing a double flap consisting of preauricular skin flap and fascia flaps, to fabricate and elevate the ear framework in the first stage concurrently. In the subsequent stage, residual ear tissues were utilized to reconstruct key elements such as the tragus, crus of the helix, cavum concha, and so on. At 6 months follow-up, the effectiveness of the reconstructed ear was assessed based on its aesthetic outcomes and complications. Aesthetic outcomes evaluation included 4 items: skin color (front of ear, back of ear and skin graft area were evaluated respectively), appearance of reconstructed ear substructure, scar of incision and hair condition. The individual score was 0-2 points, total scores from 0 to 10, with scores of 9-10 signifying excellent, 6-8 good, 3-5 moderate, and 0-2 poor. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics.Results:Ear reconstruction was performed on 49 unilateral microtia cases, aged 6-33 years, including 37 males and 12 females, 34 right ears and 15 left ears. According to the Nagata classification: 30 cases were lobule-type, 5 cases were conchal-type, and 14 cases were small conchal-type. The follow-up period averaged 10.63 months, ranging from 6 to 13 months. One patient experienced exposure of the framework 1 month after the first stage surgery, then recovered well after surgery. The skin color of the front side of the reconstructed ear was close to normal, the substructure was clear, the skin graft area behind the ear recovered well, and the reconstructed ear was basically symmetrical with the healthy side. 9 cases (18.4%) had scar hyperplasia in the mastoid area behind the ear. 9 cases (18.4%) had hair growth on the front of the reconstructed ears. Aesthetic outcomes showed that excellent in 8 cases (16.3%), good in 36 cases (73.5%), moderate in 4 cases (8.2%), poor in 1 case (2.0%).Conclusion:The NEWF ear reconstruction enhances the stability of the ear framework, reduces the overall duration of treatment, making it a viable option for ear reconstruction for microtia.

The nomenclature of congenital auricular malformations is complex and confusing, which brings great inconvenience to clinical work and scientific research. This study comprehensively summarized and sorted out the existing Chinese and English names of congenital auricular malformations, providing reference basis for the scientific classification and clinical treatment of congenital auricular malformations. Sixty-seven papers on the topic of congenital auricle malformations were collected from databases such as CNKI, Wanfang Database, VIP Database, PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect by using the PRISMA method. The two core issues of morphological and anatomical naming and classification of congenital auricle malformations were sorted and summarized based on these articles. In this study, the existing Chinese and English names of congenital auricular malformations were summarized, and a preliminary classification was made at the morphological and anatomical levels, and the embryological origin of the external auricle and its substructures was elaborated. Based on the result of this study, a comprehensive analysis can be conducted on the malformations of the ear structures and their embryological origins in order to explore the etiology of congenital ear malformations. It is expected that scientific and standardized naming and classification method can be developed, and reasonable and effective standardized treatment can be formulated for congenital auricular malformations based on this study.

The nomenclature of congenital auricular malformations is complex and confusing, which brings great inconvenience to clinical work and scientific research. This study comprehensively summarized and sorted out the existing Chinese and English names of congenital auricular malformations, providing reference basis for the scientific classification and clinical treatment of congenital auricular malformations. Sixty-seven papers on the topic of congenital auricle malformations were collected from databases such as CNKI, Wanfang Database, VIP Database, PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect by using the PRISMA method. The two core issues of morphological and anatomical naming and classification of congenital auricle malformations were sorted and summarized based on these articles. In this study, the existing Chinese and English names of congenital auricular malformations were summarized, and a preliminary classification was made at the morphological and anatomical levels, and the embryological origin of the external auricle and its substructures was elaborated. Based on the result of this study, a comprehensive analysis can be conducted on the malformations of the ear structures and their embryological origins in order to explore the etiology of congenital ear malformations. It is expected that scientific and standardized naming and classification method can be developed, and reasonable and effective standardized treatment can be formulated for congenital auricular malformations based on this study.

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of non-expansion whole framework ear reconstruction for microtia (referred to as the NEWF ear reconstruction).Methods:The clinical data of congenital microtia patients underwent NEWF ear reconstruction at Department of Ear Reconstruction, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were retrospectively analyzed. This advanced method used a tissue non-expansion approach, employing a double flap consisting of preauricular skin flap and fascia flaps, to fabricate and elevate the ear framework in the first stage concurrently. In the subsequent stage, residual ear tissues were utilized to reconstruct key elements such as the tragus, crus of the helix, cavum concha, and so on. At 6 months follow-up, the effectiveness of the reconstructed ear was assessed based on its aesthetic outcomes and complications. Aesthetic outcomes evaluation included 4 items: skin color (front of ear, back of ear and skin graft area were evaluated respectively), appearance of reconstructed ear substructure, scar of incision and hair condition. The individual score was 0-2 points, total scores from 0 to 10, with scores of 9-10 signifying excellent, 6-8 good, 3-5 moderate, and 0-2 poor. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics.Results:Ear reconstruction was performed on 49 unilateral microtia cases, aged 6-33 years, including 37 males and 12 females, 34 right ears and 15 left ears. According to the Nagata classification: 30 cases were lobule-type, 5 cases were conchal-type, and 14 cases were small conchal-type. The follow-up period averaged 10.63 months, ranging from 6 to 13 months. One patient experienced exposure of the framework 1 month after the first stage surgery, then recovered well after surgery. The skin color of the front side of the reconstructed ear was close to normal, the substructure was clear, the skin graft area behind the ear recovered well, and the reconstructed ear was basically symmetrical with the healthy side. 9 cases (18.4%) had scar hyperplasia in the mastoid area behind the ear. 9 cases (18.4%) had hair growth on the front of the reconstructed ears. Aesthetic outcomes showed that excellent in 8 cases (16.3%), good in 36 cases (73.5%), moderate in 4 cases (8.2%), poor in 1 case (2.0%).Conclusion:The NEWF ear reconstruction enhances the stability of the ear framework, reduces the overall duration of treatment, making it a viable option for ear reconstruction for microtia.

Objective:To investigate the role and mechanism of metformin in algesia of rats with type 2 diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP).Methods:Eighty sprague-dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group ( n=15) and high-fat and high-glucose group ( n=65); normal diet and high-fat and high-sugar diet were given, respectively; before and 8 weeks after feeding, the body mass of rats and fasting blood glucose level were recorded, fasting insulin level was detected by ELISA, and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) was calculated. Mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) 8 weeks after feeding (baseline values) were measured in the high-fat and high-glucose group; after 12 h of fasting, intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 35 mg/kg) was performed; 3 d after fasting, blood glucose was measured; 14 d after STZ injection, body mass was recorded and MWT and TWL were measured again: when MWT and TWL were ≤85% baseline values, it was defined that DNP model was successfully established ( n=45); and the left were into the diabetic painless group ( n=15). The rats with successful DNP were randomly divided into DNP group, DNP+vehicle group and DNP+metformin group ( n=15); 14 d after STZ injection, rats in the DNP+metformin group were given intraperitoneal injection of metformin (200 mg/kg) once daily for 14 consecutive d; DNP group did not accept any treatment, and rats in DNP+vehicle group were intraperitoneally injected with same amount of normal saline. MWT and TWL of all rats were measured 14 d after STZ injection, and 3, 7, 14 and 21 d after metformin injection. The expression levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were detected by ELISA 7, 14 and 21 d after metformin injection. The fluorescence intensity of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule-1 (Iba-1) in the spinal cord was detected by immunofluorescence staining, and the expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear transcription factor (NF)-κB, phosphorylated (p)-NF-κB, adenylate activated protein kinase (AMPK), p-AMPK, and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ coactivator (PGC)-1α in the spinal cord were detected by Western blotting 21 d after metformin injection. Results:(1) After 8 weeks of feeding, the body mass of rats in the high-fat and high-glucose group was significantly higher than that in the normal control group ( P<0.05); and the body mass of rats in the high-fat and high-glucose group was statistically lower than that in the normal control group 14 d after STZ injection ( P<0.05). Three d after STZ injection, the blood glucose level in high-fat and high-glucose group was significantly higher than that in normal control group ( P<0.05). After 8 weeks of feeding, the insulin level of high-fat and high-glucose group was statistically higher than that of normal control group, and the ISI in the high-fat and high-glucose group was significantly decreased as compared with that in the normal control group ( P<0.05). (2) As compared with those in the normal control group and diabetic painless group, MWT and TWL of DNP group and DNP+vehicle group were significantly decreased at each time point ( P<0.05). Three, 7, 14 and 21 d after metformin injection, MWT and TWL in DNP+metformin group were significantly increased as compared with those in DNP group and DNP+vehicle group ( P<0.05). (3) Seven, 14, and 21 d after metformin injection, the levels of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in the spinal cord of rats in the DNP group and DNP+vehicle group were significantly increased as compared with those in the normal control group and diabetic painless group ( P<0.05); as compared with those in the DNP group and DNP+vehicle group, the levels of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in the spinal cord of DNP+metformin group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). (4) As compared with normal control group and diabetic painless group, the fluorescence intensity of Iba-1 and number of Iba-1 positive cells in the spinal cord tissues of DNP group and DNP+vehicle group were significantly increased ( P<0.05); while the fluorescence intensity of Iba-1 and number of Iba-1 positive cells in spinal cord tissues of DNP+metformin group were significantly decreased as compared with those in the DNP group and DNP+ vehicle group ( P<0.05). (5) As compared with those in the normal control group and diabetic painless group, the TLR4 and p-NF-κB protein expressions and p-NF-κB/NF-κB values in the spinal cord tissues of DNP group and DNP+vehicle group were significantly increased ( P<0.05); while those in the spinal cord tissues of DNP+metformin group were significantly decreased as compared with those in the DNP group and DNP+vehicle group ( P<0.05). As compared with those in the normal control group and diabetic painless group, the PGC-1α protein expression and p-AMPK/AMPK values in the spinal cord tissues of DNP group and DNP+vehicle group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05); while those in the spinal cord tissues of DNP+metformin group were significantly increased as compared with those in the DNP group and DNP+vehicle group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Metformin, by activating AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway, may inhibit the TLR4/NF-κB expression, reduce the activation of microglia and the expressions of pro-inflammatory factors, and thus alleviate DNP.

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor (PPAR) in human glioma tissue and its influence on tumor growth.

METHODSExpression of PPAR mRNA in glioma tissue was determined by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Subsequently, MTT (3-(4, 5)-dimethylthiahiazo(-z-y1)-3, 5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide) assay, flow cytometry, reactive oxygen species assay kit and Western blotting were used to assay U87 cells with agonist activity of PPAR.

RESULTSThe data demonstrated that the expression of PPAR in glioma was low and negatively correlated with its pathological grade. Activation of PPAR suppresses tumor cell proliferation, delays the cell cycle at G1 phrase, and induces apoptosis and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in U87 cells.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of PPAR mRNA in human glioma was low. PPAR protein plays a critical role in the progression of glioma via the PPAR signal pathway.

Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression ; Glioma ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Humans ; PPAR alpha ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction