Objective:To analyze the causes of skin necrosis after penis lengthening surgery and corresponding treatment meas-ures,and observe the clinical effect of free skin graft repair in the treatment of penile skin defects.Methods:We retrospectively an-alyzed the clinical data on 12 cases of extensive penile skin necrosis and defect after penis lengthening surgery performed in our depart-ment from January 2017 to January 2022.The patients underwent free skin graft repair with medium-or full-thickness skin grafts from the thigh after wound preparation.Results:The skin grafts survived well in all the 12 patients and the incisions healed in the first stage without any complications.At 6 months after surgery,skin sensation was mostly recovered in the area of penis skin grafting,no obvious skin ulceration or edema was observed,and the appearance of the penis was satisfactory.The IIEF-5 scores,Erectile Hardness Scale(EHS)scores,and the results of penile hardness tests of the patients all indicated normal erectile function.Conclusion:Free skin graft repair with autologous medium-or full-thickness skin grafts is a safe and effective surgical option for extensive penile skin necrosis after penis lengthening surgery.

Objective: To explore the molecular mechanism of cleft palate in mice induced by 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Methods: The pregnant mice were randomly divided into TCDD-treated group (n=42) and control group (n=42). TCDD-treated group was given by gavage a single dose of TCDD (64 μg/kg) at 8: 00 AM on gestation day 10 (GD10) and the control group was given by gavage the isopyknic corn oil. At GD13-GD15, the fetal mice palate development was observed by HE staining. The mouse embryonic palatal mesenchymal cell proliferation was detected by 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunofluorescence. The localization and expression of maternally expressed gene3 (MEG3) in mouse embryonic palatal mesenchymal cells was detected by situ hybridization and real-time PCR (RT-PCR). The key protein expressions of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad signaling pathway in mouse embryonic palatal mesenchyme were analyzed by Western blotting. The interaction of MEG3 and TGF-β receptor Ⅰ (TGF-βRⅠ) was examined by RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP). Results: At GD13 and GD14, compared with the control group, the ratio of BrdU-positive cells in the palatal mesenchyme of TCDD-treated fetuses decreased significantly (GD13, t=6.66, P=0.003; GD14, t=6.56, P=0.003). However, at GD15, the ratio of BrdU-positive cells was significantly increased (t=-5.98, P=0.004). MEG3 was mainly expressed in the nuclei of fetal mouse palatal mesenchymal cells, and the expression of MEG3 in TCDD group was significantly increased at GD13, GD14 and GD15(GD13, t=39.28, P=0.012; GD14, t=18.75, P=0.042; GD15, t=28.36, P=0.045). At GD14, TCDD decreased the levels of p-Smad2 and Smad4 in embryonic palate mesenchymal cells (p-Smad2, t=9.48, P=0.001;Smad4, t=63.10, P=0.001), whereas the expression of Smad7 was significantly increased at GD14 (t=30.77, P<0.001). The results of the RIP experiment showed that the amount of TGF-βRⅠ-bound MEG3 in mouse embryonic palatal mesenchymal cells in the TCDD group (23.940±1.301) was higher than that in the control group (8.537±1.523)(t=24.55, P<0.001). Conclusions: MEG3 is involved in the suppression of mouse embryonic palatal mesenchymal cell proliferation, functioning at least in part via interacting with the TGF-βRⅠ protein and thereby suppressing Smad signaling in the context of TCDD induced cleft palate.
Animals ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; Cleft Palate/genetics* ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Palate/metabolism* ; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins/toxicity* ; Pregnancy

Objective: To compare the efficacy of different treatment protocols in treating transient synovitis of the hip (TSH) in children and to optimize the clinical treatment strategy for this condition. Methods: Ninety kids with TSH were divided into a control group, a chiropractic group and a chiropractic plus foot bath group using the random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. The control group was treated with conventional traction; the chiropractic group was given chiropractic treatment based on the control group; the chiropractic plus foot bath group was given Chinese medicine foot bath based on the chiropractic group. Traction and foot bath were conducted once daily while chiropractic was done once every other day, all with 14 d as a treatment course for a total of two courses. Changes in the visual analog scale (VAS) score and range of motion (ROM) of the hip joint in the three groups were observed, and the efficacy was compared. Results: The total effective rate was 93.3％ in the chiropractic plus foot bath group, versus 76.7％ in the chiropractic group and 66.7％ in the control group, and the total effective rate was notably higher in the chiropractic plus foot bath group than in the other two groups (both P<0.05). Respectively after the first and second treatment course, the VAS score decreased significantly in each of the three groups compared with that before treatment (all P<0.01), and the ROM of the hip joint in flexion increased significantly (all P<0.01). After two treatment courses, the VAS score was lower in the chiropractic plus foot bath group than in the other two groups (both P<0.05), and its ROM of the hip joint in flexion was larger than that in the other two groups (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on traction, chiropractic plus Chinese medicine foot bath can effectively reduce pain and improve motor function of the hip joint in treating TSH.

Objective:To study the effects of Banxia Baizhu Tianmatang （BBTT） on atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein-E knockout （ApoE^-/-） mice induced by high fat diet. Method:The atherosclerosis model of ApoE^-/- mice was established with high-fat diet， and BBTT was used for intervention. The pathological changes of aorta after atherosclerosis were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE）， oil red O and Masson staining. The changes of serum total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， high density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） and low density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer. The expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6） and oxidized low density lipoprotein （ox-LDL） were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Total tissue proteins were extracted， quantified by protein quantification （BCA） method， and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9） protein was detected by Western blot. Thiobarbituric acid （TBA） method was used to detect the change of malondialdehyde （MDA） content. The change of superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity was detected by 2-（2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl）-3-（4-nitrophenyl）-5-（2，4-disulfobenzene）-2H tetrazole monosodium salt （WST-8） method. Result:Compared with the control group， there was a large amount of lipid accumulation in the blood vessels of the model group， the serum levels of TG， TC， HDL-C and LDL-C significantly increased （P<0.05）， the expression of MMP-9 protein in the blood vessels significantly increased （P<0.01）， the expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the serum increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， the SOD activity was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and the levels of MDA and ox-LDL expression increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the treatment with BBTT could inhibit the accumulation of lipids in blood vessels， the TG levels were reduced in the high and medium dose groups of BBTT （P<0.05）， high， medium and low dose groups significantly reduced the levels of LDL-C in serum （P<0.01）， the expression of MMP-9 protein in blood vessels （P<0.05） and IL-6 in serum （P<0.01）， the high-dose group down-regulated the expression of TNF-α in serum （P<0.01） and ox-LDL （P<0.01）， both the high and medium-dose groups increased the level of MDA （P<0.05， P<0.01） and the activity of SOD （P<0.05）. Conclusion:BBTT has a certain intervention effect on the formation of atherosclerosis aortic plaque in ApoE^-/- mice， and its mechanism may be associated with reducing the TG and LDL-C levels， lowering blood lipid， down-regulating MMP-9 protein， protecting blood vessels from inflammatory damage， reducing ox-LDL and MDA levels， and improving SOD activity to play an antioxidant role.

Objective: To analyze the features and patterns of acupoint selection in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) by data mining technique. Methods:Relevant clinical studies published before 25 June, 2017 were searched in databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database (Wanfang). Results:A total of 122 papers were included, involving 69 points. It was found that the top three points on the frequency list were Zusanli (ST 36), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Weishu (BL 21). The points selected were distributed in 11 meridians, in which the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming, Conception Vessel, and Bladder Meridian of Foot Taiyang ranked the top and accounted for 74.0％ of the total frequency. Of the involved specific points, Five Shu-Transmitting points, crossing points and Back-Shu points ranked the top, accounting for 47.1％. The analysis of association pattern has shown that Zusanli (ST 36) and Zhongwan (CV 12) won the highest support rate in the paired groups; Zusanli (ST 36), Weishu (BL 21) and Zhongwan (CV 12) had the highest support rate among the point groups. The Five Shu-Transmitting points and the Lower He-Sea points had the highest support rate among the specific point groups. Conclusion: The data mining results of the studies on acupuncture-moxibustion for CAG are substantially in line with the acupuncture-moxibustion treatment theories in traditional Chinese medicine. The results can reflect the acupoint selection patterns in treatment of CAG and provide reference for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of CAG in clinic.

The present study was conducted to explores the effects of short-term addition of 17β-E2 on the growth,gonad development and internal quality of overwintering Whitmania pigra. Before overwintering,0. 0,1. 0,10. 0,25. 0,50. 0,100. 0 μg·L~(-1) of 17β-E2 were added to the aquaculture water for 6 weeks and then hibernated for 60 days. The changes of growth performance,gonad index,morphological structure of spermary( ovary),endogenous steroid hormones level and internal quality were measured. The results showed that the body weight,weight gain rate,specific growth rate,female gonad index,oocyte development and endogenous estrogen level of the leech increased first and then decreased with the increase of the concentration of exogenous 17β-E2,which were higher than those of the control group. The body weight,weight gain rate and specific growth rate of the leech at the concentration of 25 μg·L~(-1)17β-E2 were significantly higher than those of the other groups( P<0. 05),oocyte development and endogenous estrogen levels were significantly higher than those of other groups at the concentration of 50 μg·L~(-1)( P<0. 05). When the concentration of exogenous 17β-E2 was higher than 50 μg·L~(-1),the levels of male gonad index,spermatocyte development,endogenous androgen and progesterone were significantly inhibited( P< 0. 05). There was no significant difference in endogenous corticosteroid levels among the groups. In conclusion,short-term addition of exogenous 17β-E2 of 10-25 μg·L~(-1) could promote the growth of overwintering leeches,oocyte development and antithrombin activity without inhibiting the development of male gonads.
Androgens ; analysis ; Animals ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Estrogens ; analysis ; Female ; Gonads ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Hibernation ; Leeches ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Male ; Progesterone ; analysis

The objectives of study were to explore the effects of exogenous methyltestosterone( MT) on the growth and gonadal development of overwintering Whitmania pigra. Before overwintering,0. 1,1. 0,10. 0,100. 0,150. 0 μg·L^-1 of MT were added to the aquaculture water for 6 weeks. The changes of growth performance,gonad index,endogenous steroid hormones level and internal quality were measured after hibernate for 60 days. Then the tissue slice technique was used to observe the spermary( ovary) of Wh. pigra.The results showed that the body weight,survival rate and gonadal index increased first and then decreased with the increase of exogenous MT concentration; the male gland index was found the highest at the concentration of MT 10. 0 μg·L^-1 and the female gland index was the highest at the concentration of MT 1. 0 μg·L^-1. The survival rate of Wh. pigra peaked at the concentration of MT 10. 0 μg·L^-1.The weight reaches a peak at a concentration of MT 100. 0 μg·L^-1( P<0. 05). The number of primary spermatocytes in the testis was negatively correlated with the concentration of exogenous MT. The number of secondary spermatocytes and sperm cells increased first and then decreased. The concentration of secondary spermatocytes was the highest when the concentration of MT was 100. 0 μg·L^-1.The number and volume of oocytes in the ovary and the yolk granules increased first and then decreased with the increase of exogenous MT concentration,and the highest was observed at the MT concentration of 100. 0 μg·L^-1. The endogenous steroid hormone of Wh.pigra increased first and then decreased with the increase of exogenous MT concentration. The concentration of androgen and progesterone was the highest in MT 100. 0 μg·L^-1 treatment( P<0. 05),and the concentration of estrogen was found the highest in MT 10. 0 μg·L^-1 treatment( P<0. 05). After adding exogenous MT,Wh. pigra moisture content,acid-insoluble ash content,p H and anti-thrombin activity met the quality criterion of medicinal Wh. pigra in Chinese Pharmacopoeia( 2015 edition). In conclusion,the short-term addition of 1. 0-100. 0 μg·L^-1 exogenous MT before hibernation can promote the growth,the development of sperm cells and the antithrombin activity of Wh. pigra.
Animals ; Estrogens ; Female ; Gonads ; Leeches/physiology* ; Male ; Methyltestosterone ; Ovary ; Progesterone

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of SMU.2055 gene on acid resistance of Streptococcus mutans.

METHODSA SMU.2055-dificient mutant strain of S. mutans was constructed using homologous recombination technique. The growth of the wild-type and mutant strains was monitored in both normal and acidic conditions. The lethal pH level, glycolysis, proton permeability, cell permeability and biofilm formation of the two strains were compared.

RESULTSPCR and sequence analyses verified the successful construction of the SMU.2055-dificient mutant strain. The growth and biofilm formation capacity of the mutant strain were obviously lowered in both normal and acidic conditions. The mutant strain also showed increased lethal pH level, proton permeability, and cell permeability with impaired H-ATPase activity in acidic conditions, but its minimum glycolytic pH remained unaffected.

CONCLUSIONThe SMU.2055-deficient S. mutans mutant exhibits a lowered acid resistance, which affects the growth, lethal pH, proton permeability, H-ATPase activity, cell permeability and biofilm formation but not the minimum glycolytic pH of the mutant strain.

Objective To assess the impact of postnatal exposure to antibiotics on intestinal microbiome in preterm infants with 16S rDNA sequencing technology.Methods This study was conducted on 19 preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Tongji Hospital immediately after birth from September 2015 to February 2016.Two groups were set up according to the duration of antibiotic exposure (＜3 d,n=10;＞7 d,n=9).Fecal samples were collected from each infant within the first day and 2 or 3 weeks after bitrth.High-throughput sequencer (Hiseq 2500) was used for sequencing,from which information on composition and abundance of species,phylogenetic evolution and bacterial community diversity was obtained.Intergroup differences was analyzed with independent samples t-test or Fisher's exact test.Results (1) No statistically significant difference was found in general information about the infants between the two groups.(2) The intestinal flora in preterm infants was mainly composed of Lactococcus,Enterococcus and Bacillus for both groups before antibiotic treatment (36.41％,23.40％ and 14.98％).The proportions of Lactococcus and Bacillus were decreased significantly (1.73％ and 1.25％,P＜0.01) with Enterococcus becoming the predomiant genus (16.73％) after antibiotic treatment,while the relative proportions of Staphylococcus,Clostridium and Bifidobacterium were raised.(3) The Shannon index was decreased after antibiotic exposure [(2.34±0.84) vs (1.06±0.96) in ＜3 d group,and (2.64± 1.04) vs (0.35±0.36) in ＞7 d group,both P＜0.05],and the other three Alpha diversity indexes,including observed species,Chaol and PD whole tree indexes,were also decreased within each group (all P＜0.05).(4) Bacterial assemblages showed high beta diversity in both groups before the usage of antibiotics,but antibiotic therapy reduced the diversity.(5) Anoism analysis showed significant differences in the composition of intestinal flora within each group before and after antibiotic exposure (R=0.555and 0.733,both P=0.001),but no difference was found between the two groups after antibiotic exposure (R=0.060,P=0.138).Conclusions Antibiotic exposure,even short-term (＜3 d) administration,may significantly change the distribution of intestinal microbiota in preterm infants.Prolonged usage of antibiotics could have detrimental influence on intestinal flora.Therefore,for preterm babies,prescription of antibiotics should be cautious,even short-term empirical usage.

The present study explored the effects of Cu²⁺enrichment and release on the growth and internal quality of Whitmania pigra, and the regularity of enrichment and release in different tissues of Wh. pigra. In the range of safe concentration(SC), a certain concentration of Cu²⁺ was added to the Wh. pigra for 50 days, and stopped adding for another 50 days. The growth index of Wh. pigra, Cu²⁺ content in different tissues, and the internal quality were determined. The results showed that the average body weight of Wh. pigra in 0.014 mg·L⁻¹ of Cu²⁺ group was significantly higher than that in control group during the experimental period (<0.05), and the mortality rate was lower than that in the control group. The specific growth rate, digestive enzyme activity, growth and digestive enzyme related gene expression of Wh. pigra in Cu²⁺ group were significantly higher than that in the control group (<0.05) during the early 40 days of enrichment, and there was no significant difference in the release period. In Cu²⁺ group, the expression of immune enzyme and immune enzyme related gene of Wh. pigra increased first and then decreased compared with control group (<0.05). The ability of enriched Cu²⁺ in different tissues of Wh. pigra was digestive tract>muscle>skin. The ability of release Cu²⁺ was muscle>digestive tract>skin. There was no significant difference in the internal quality and hirudin gene expression between Cu²⁺ group and control group. In conclusion, Cu²⁺ can improve the expression of digestive enzymes, immune enzyme and related genes of Wh. pigra, promote the growth of Wh. pigra and enhance their immunity, but it doesn't affect the internal quality of Wh. pigra. The Wh. pigra can completely release Cu²⁺ within 30 days.