TGF-β1 is considered a key mediator in the formation of hepatic fibrosis and mainly acts by activating the downstream Smad signaling pathway.Smad2 and Smad3 are two major downstream regulators that promote TGF-β1-mediated tissue fibrosis,while Smad7 is a negative-feedback regulator of the TGF-β1/Smad pathway and inhibits TGF-β1-mediated hepatic fibrosis.A growing number of studies are showing that natural products can delay the progression of hepatic fibrosis by regulating the TGF-β1/Smad pathway,inhibiting HSC activation,and reducing ECM deposition.This article reviews the molecular mechanism of the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway in hepatic fibrosis,and summarizes the natural products that target the regulation of this pathway,providing a reference for research into the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.

Objective:To observe and summarise the clinical effect of free groin flap in repairing of soft tissue defects in extremities, and to explore the selection of main vessel in a flap.Methods:From January 2018 to January 2021, 146 patients with soft tissue defects in extremities were treated with free groin flaps in the Department of Hand and Microsurgery, Guangxi Guilin Xing'an Jieshou Orthopaedic Hospital. There were 126 patients with traumatic wound and 20 with chronic ulcer. In addition, 86 of the patients with bone fracture and exposure of internal fixator, 18 with tendon, nerve or artery injuries or defects. There were 6 patients with severe infection and other 3 with deep dead space. The sizes of wound ranged from 2.0 cm×3.0 cm to 25.0 cm×6.0 cm. The flap was the same size as the wound and not enlarged. Firstly, the superficial branch of superficial iliac circumflex artery was explored as the axial artery for all the flaps, then the blood supply vessels of the flap were selected according to the availability of the axial artery. The size, course, adjacent and possible length to be freed of the axial artery and the accompanying veins of a flap were recorded. The donor sites were directly sutured and closed. All patients were included in the postoperative follow-up at outpatient clinic.Results:Free groin flap were used to repair the wounds in all patients. However, the main blood supply vessel of the flap was not constant, and it was often required to adjust the way of flap harvesting. Superficial circumflex iliac artery was taken as the axial vessels in 141 patients (96.6%), among them, 133 cases(94.3%) had the superficial branch as the axis and 5 cases (3.6%) had deep branch as the axis. Three patients (2.1%) had the bone and soft tissue defects reconstructed with vascularised iliac mosaic osteocutaneous flap with superficial circumflex iliac artery as axial vessel and 5 cases(3.4%) had the superficial epigastric artery as axial vessel. The axial arteries were measured as follow: the superficial branch of the superficial circumflex iliac artery was 0.5-0.9 mm in diameter and 7.0-9.0 cm in length, the outer diameter of the deep branch was 1.2-1.4 mm and 9.0-11.0 cm in length, and the outer diameter of superficial epigastric artery was 1.0-1.6 mm and 8.0-11.3 cm in length. All the flaps survived smoothly after surgery and the follow-up period ranged 6-40 (mean 26) months. The texture of the flaps was soft with good function.Conclusion:Free groin flap can be used to repair soft tissue defects in extremities. The main axial vessel is the superficial branch of the superficial circumflex iliac artery, followed by the deep branch or the trunk. The superficial abdominal artery can also be used as an axial vessel. Under the circumstances, the flap design needs to be adjusted without changing the supply area

Objective To analyze the differences in the treatment patterns,clinical characteristics,treatment outcomes and prognostic factors between breast cancer patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion (DCIS-MI).Methods Clinical data of 866 female patients including 631 DCIS cases and 235 DCIS-MI cases treated in our institution between 1999 and 2013 were retrospectively analyzed.The local control (LC),disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were calculated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.The prognostic factors were identified by Log-rank test.Results Similar LC,DFS and OS rates were obtained between two groups (all P＞ O.05).The univariate analysis demonstrated that Her-2-positive patients had worse OS and DFS than Her-2-negative counterparts.Patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery without radiotherapy had lower LC and DFS rates compared with those receiving radical mastectomy.Conclusions DCIS and DCIS-MI patients have similar clinical prognosis in terms of OS,LC and DFS.Her-2 positive is an unfavorable prognostic factor for DFS and OS.The LC and DFS rates in the breast-conserving surgery alone group are worse than those in the mastectomy group.

Objective: To investigate the clinical and prognostic differences between primary nasopharyngeal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma (NP NKTCL) and extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma of the nasal cavity with nasopharynx extension (N-NP NKTCL). Methods: A total of 89 patients with NP NKTCL and 113 patients with N-NP NKTCL from January 2000 to June 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical and pathological features, treatment responses and prognosis were compared between the two groups. Results: NP NKTCL patients showed similar clinicopathological features with those with N-NP NKTCL, except that the former had a relative low proportion of elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels (28.1% vs. 41.6%; P=0.001). Both of two groups presented with high proportion of cervical lymph node involvement (55.1% and 42.5%; P=0.076). The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates in these two groups were 63.2% and 54.6%, respectively, whereas 5-year progress-free survival (PFS) rates were 50.7% and 45.6%, respectively. For the patients with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ, the 5-year OS and PFS rates in these two groups were 68.8% and 55.7% as well as 55.6% and 47.2%, respectively. These were no statistically significant differences between two groups (all P>0.05). The complete response (CR) rate after initial chemotherapy in NP NKTCL group was 43.8%, which was significant higher than that of 19.6% in N-NP NKTCL group (P=0.006). Additionally, the CR rate after primary radiotherapy was 63.4% and 62.7%, respectively (P=0.629). The NP NKTCL patients with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ who accepted radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy had similar survival times with chemotherapy alone, showing the 5-year OS rates of 70.5% and 33.3% (P=0.238), as well as the 5-year PFS rates of 56.7% and 33.3%, respectively (P=0.431). Similar results were found in N-NP NKTCL group, the 5-year OS rates for patients with radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy and chemotherapy alone were 57.4% and 33.3% (P=0.246), while the 5-year PFS rates were 49.3% and 16.7% (P=0.177), respectively. Besides, the relapse pattern of NP NKTCL and N-NP NKTCL groups was also similar, mainly involving the distant extra-nodal organs followed by lymph nodes. Conclusion The patients with N-NP NKTCL and NP NKTCL showed similar clinical and prognostic features, however, the initial response to chemotherapy was different.

Objective To analyze the changes in treatment patterns,clinical characteristics,treatment outcomes and prognostic factors of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).Methods Clinical data of 617 female patients admitted to our institution between 2000 and 2013 were retrospectively analyzed.KaplanMeier survival analysis was adopted to calculate the local control (LC),disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates.Log-rank test was utilized to identify the prognostic factors.Results Along the number of DCIS patients was gradually increased year by year,the proportion of breast conservative surgery was also elevated.However,mastectomy remained the primary surgical method.A total of 374 patients underwent mastectomy,160 cases received breast conservative surgery plus radiotherapy and 83 underwent breast conservative surgery alone.Postoperatively,366 patients (83.6％) with positive hormone receptor received hormone therapy and 45 patients (7.3％) underwent chemotherapy.The median follow-up time was 47 months.The 5-year LC,DFS and OS rates were 98.4％,97.5％ and 98.9％,respectively.Univariate analysis demonstrated that Her-2-positive patients obtained worse OS (P=0.019).Although mastectomy group had more adverse factors compared with breast conservative surgery with or without radiotherapy groups,similar survival results were obtained among three groups.Mastectomy yielded better LC and DFS compared with breast conservative surgery alone.Conclusions DCIS patients obtain favorable clinical prognosis between the breast conservative surgery and mastectomy groups.The LC rate in the mastectomy group is better than that in the breast conservative surgery group.

Objective To investigate the clinical and prognostic differences between primary nasopharyngeal natural killer (NK)／T?cell lymphoma (NP NKTCL) and extranodal NK／T?cell lymphoma of the nasal cavity with nasopharynx extension ( N?NP NKTCL). Methods A total of 89 patients with NP NKTCL and 113 patients with N?NP NKTCL from January 2000 to June 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical and pathological features, treatment responses and prognosis were compared between the two groups. Results NP NKTCL patients showed similar clinicopathological features with those with N?NP NKTCL, except that the former had a relative low proportion of elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels (28.1% vs. 41.6%; P ＝ 0.001 ). Both of two groups presented with high proportion of cervical lymph node involvement (55.1% and 42.5%; P＝0.076). The 5?year overall survival (OS) rates in these two groups were 63.2% and 54.6%, respectively, whereas 5?year progress?free survival ( PFS) rates were 50.7% and 45.6%, respectively. For the patients with stageⅠandⅡ, the 5?year OS and PFS rates in these two groups were 68.8% and 55.7% as well as 55.6% and 47.2%, respectively. These were no statistically significant differences between two groups (all P＞0.05).The complete response (CR) rate after initial chemotherapy in NP NKTCL group was 43.8%, which was significant higher than that of 19.6% in N?NP NKTCL group (P＝0.006). Additionally, the CR rate after primary radiotherapy was 63.4% and 62.7%, respectively ( P＝0.629). The NP NKTCL patients with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ who accepted radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy had similar survival times with chemotherapy alone, showing the 5?year OS rates of 70.5% and 33.3%(P＝0.238), as well as the 5?year PFS rates of 56.7% and 33.3%, respectively (P＝0.431). Similar results were found in N?NP NKTCL group, the 5?year OS rates for patients with radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy and chemotherapy alone were 57.4% and 33.3%( P＝0.246), while the 5?year PFS rates were 49.3% and 16.7%(P＝0.177), respectively. Besides, the relapse pattern of NP NKTCL and N?NP NKTCL groups was also similar, mainly involving the distant extra?nodal organs followed by lymph nodes. Conclusion The patients with N?NP NKTCL and NP NKTCL showed similar clinical and prognostic features, however, the initial response to chemotherapy was different.

Objective To investigate the clinical and prognostic differences between primary nasopharyngeal natural killer (NK)／T?cell lymphoma (NP NKTCL) and extranodal NK／T?cell lymphoma of the nasal cavity with nasopharynx extension ( N?NP NKTCL). Methods A total of 89 patients with NP NKTCL and 113 patients with N?NP NKTCL from January 2000 to June 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical and pathological features, treatment responses and prognosis were compared between the two groups. Results NP NKTCL patients showed similar clinicopathological features with those with N?NP NKTCL, except that the former had a relative low proportion of elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels (28.1% vs. 41.6%; P ＝ 0.001 ). Both of two groups presented with high proportion of cervical lymph node involvement (55.1% and 42.5%; P＝0.076). The 5?year overall survival (OS) rates in these two groups were 63.2% and 54.6%, respectively, whereas 5?year progress?free survival ( PFS) rates were 50.7% and 45.6%, respectively. For the patients with stageⅠandⅡ, the 5?year OS and PFS rates in these two groups were 68.8% and 55.7% as well as 55.6% and 47.2%, respectively. These were no statistically significant differences between two groups (all P＞0.05).The complete response (CR) rate after initial chemotherapy in NP NKTCL group was 43.8%, which was significant higher than that of 19.6% in N?NP NKTCL group (P＝0.006). Additionally, the CR rate after primary radiotherapy was 63.4% and 62.7%, respectively ( P＝0.629). The NP NKTCL patients with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ who accepted radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy had similar survival times with chemotherapy alone, showing the 5?year OS rates of 70.5% and 33.3%(P＝0.238), as well as the 5?year PFS rates of 56.7% and 33.3%, respectively (P＝0.431). Similar results were found in N?NP NKTCL group, the 5?year OS rates for patients with radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy and chemotherapy alone were 57.4% and 33.3%( P＝0.246), while the 5?year PFS rates were 49.3% and 16.7%(P＝0.177), respectively. Besides, the relapse pattern of NP NKTCL and N?NP NKTCL groups was also similar, mainly involving the distant extra?nodal organs followed by lymph nodes. Conclusion The patients with N?NP NKTCL and NP NKTCL showed similar clinical and prognostic features, however, the initial response to chemotherapy was different.

Objective: To explore the blood supply of expanded lateral neck flap combined with posterior auricular flap pedicled on anterior neck and the feasibility of this kind of flap for facial vulnus′resurfacing. Methods: At the first stage of the treatment, one rectangular expander was implanted in lateral neck in the subcutaneous pockets, overlying the platysma, the volume of the expander is about 200-600 ml. After 2-3 months inflation, the pre-expanded lateral neck flap combined with posterior auricular flap was advanced at the second stage of the operation, the flap was rotated to lateral face to resurface the vulnus defects located on anterior auricle. Results: Twelve cases of facial wounds were included in this research from January 2009 to November 2016. The size of the expanded flaps were ranged from 6 cm×12 cm to 7 cm×15 cm. According to 2 to 24 months follow-up postoperatively, 10 months in average, two flaps showed venous retardation at distal part of expanded flaps, which were recorvered with one-week dress changing after excoriation. The other ten flaps survived with good appearance and function. The flaps matched well to the recipient defects in terms of color, character and elasticity. The appearance and function of face and neck were ideally adjusted after treatment. Conclusions By expanding lateral neck skin overlying platysma, the expanded lateral neck flap combined with posterior auricular flap pedicled on anterior neck was obtained with high quality and maximum use of blood supply in the anterior neck, which guaranteed appearance and function of the donor area and the recipient area at the same time.

Objective: To sum up the clinical manifestations and the method for repairing of secondary deformities of postoperation of hypospadias. Methods: Applying balanus tissue flaps and urethral meatus plastic could correct the flat balanus and prevent urethral meatus from falling back. Resecting scar completely in penis and rebuilding urethral tissues could treat secondary curved penis. Applying modified penile augmentation which involved girth enhancement by a free dermal-fat graft and penile elongation (suprapubic skin advancement-ligamentolysis) could correct shorter and much smaller penis. Results: Among January 1st 2007 to December 31st 2016, 62 cases were treated.All of them were male. Their ages were from 14 to 34 years old.55 cases were followed up from 6 months to 9 years after operations, but 7 cases could not be followed up because of the change of addresses and phone numbers.All patients achieved excellent cosmetic result. None of them had complications like urethral fistula. Conclusions After operations of hypospadias, the secondary deformities may happen when the children grow up.And these deformities always need to be corrected with operations. Balanoplasty, correction of penis and the penile augmentation are good methods for secondary deformities.Consequently, a good penis appearance and function can be acquired.

Objective To get the knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of acute pulmonary embolism (APE)in primary hospital.Methods The clinical data of the patients diagnosed with APE were retrospectively reviewed.The patients were clarified into different risk-group by revised Geneva score and Wells score according to the clinical records.Results 17 patients were diagnosed with APE in this time slot,in which male 10 cases and female 7 cases,average age was (51.8 ±18.4)years old,and among them,4 cases with 4 scores of revised Geneva score,9 cases with 4 to 10 scores,4 cases with more than 11,6 cases with less than 4 Wells score,11 cases with more than 4,2 cases with low risk and 15 cases with intermediate risk.The length of hospital stay was (10.9 ±5.4)days in average.In this group,one patient was dead,seven cases improved,six cases remarkably improved and three cases were recued.Fourteen patients received anticoagulation agents and three cases without any.Eleven patients were given thrombolystic therapy,one case was operated and six cases were given interventional treatment.Conclusion Clinicians know APE and keep alert gradually.However,it should be improved in respects of treating and following the APE patients.