Ketogenic diet improves low temperature tolerance in mice by up-regulating PPARα in the liver and brown adipose tissue / 生理学报

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of short-term ketogenic diet on the low temperature tolerance of mice and the involvement of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα). C57BL/6J mice were divided into two groups: normal diet (WT+ND) group and ketogenic diet (WT+KD) group. After being fed with normal or ketogenic diet at room temperature for 2 d, the mice were exposed to 4 °C low temperature for 12 h. The changes in core temperature, blood glucose, blood pressure of mice under low temperature condition were detected, and the protein expression levels of PPARα and mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) were detected by Western blot. PPARα knockout mice were divided into normal diet (PPARα-/-+ND) group and ketogenic diet (PPARα-/-+KD) group. After being fed with the normal or ketogenic diet at room temperature for 2 d, the mice were exposed to 4 °C low temperature for 12 h. The above indicators were also detected. The results showed that, at room temperature, the protein expression levels of PPARα and UCP1 in liver and brown adipose tissue of WT+KD group were significantly up-regulated, compared with those of WT+ND group. Under low temperature condition, compared with WT+ND, the core temperature and blood glucose of WT+KD group were increased, while mean arterial pressure was decreased; The ketogenic diet up-regulated PPARα protein expression in brown adipose tissue, as well as UCP1 protein expression in liver and brown adipose tissue of WT+KD group. Under low temperature condition, compared to WT+ND group, PPARα-/-+ND group exhibited decreased core temperature and down-regulated PPARα and UCP1 protein expression levels in liver, skeletal muscle, white and brown adipose tissue. Compared to the PPARα-/-+ND group, the PPARα-/-+KD group exhibited decreased core temperature and did not show any difference in the protein expression of UCP1 in liver, skeletal muscle, white and brown adipose tissue. These results suggest that the ketogenic diet promotes UCP1 expression by up-regulating PPARα, thus improving low temperature tolerance of mice. Therefore, short-term ketogenic diet can be used as a potential intervention to improve the low temperature tolerance.

Comparison of Plasma Components between Frozen Plasma and Fresh Frozen Plasma / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the plasma components of frozen plasma (FP) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP).@*METHODS@#Twenty samples of FP and 20 samples of FFP from Beijing Red Cross Blood Center were randomly selected. Immediately after plasma melting, 12 plasma components including coagulation factor, fibrinolytic system and anticoagulation protein were detected, including activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), coagulation factor Ⅷ (FⅧ) activity, coagulation factor Ⅴ (FⅤ) activity, fibrinogen(FIB) level, ADAMTS-13 activity, von Willebrand factor(vWF) activity, D-dimer (D-dimer, DD), fibrin degradation products (FDP), antithrombin (AT), protein C (PC), and protein S (PS). All these coagulation components between the two types of plasma were compared and analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Compared with FFP, APTT in FP was significantly prolonged(t=3.428, P0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#FP can substitute FFP in the treatment of some diseases, although it is lack of some coagulation factors and anticoagulation protein.

Analysis of the Irregular Antibodies of the Patients and Its Clinical Significance / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To retrospectively analyze the identification results of irregular antibodies, to clarify the distribution features and to explore the relation of alloantibodies and autoantibodies with the immunized history of patients and disease kinds.@*METHODS@#49 820 patients who applied for red blood transfusion during Sep 1st 2017 to Sep 1st 2018 were selected. All the specimens were screened for the antibody by microcolumn gel antiglobulin technique, which then were identified for irregular antibody.@*RESULTS@#Antibodies were found in 861 (1.73%) of all 49 820 transfused samples. The alloimmunization history of the patients with antibodies was significantly different between male and female (χ=18.54，P＜0.01). The alloantibody was the most common, accounting for 59.50% in all of the antibodies. Warm autoantibody, anti-E, anti-M, anti-cE and anti-Ce accounted for 68.5% of the antibodies. The blood group of Rh, MNS and Lewis were responsible for 92.40% of alloantibody, especially anti-E accounted for the largest percentage(38.60%) of alloantibody. Patients with alloantiboies experienced much more the alloimmunization and transfusion history (χ=20.13，P＜0.01；χ=5.40，P＜0.05) . The distribution of auto and alloantibody was very significantly different among the ddifferent isease (χ=51.8，P＜0.01), Hematopathy, solid tumor and osteoarthropathy were often associated with alloantibody, otherwise, autoantibodies often occurred in hematopathy and autoimmune disease.@*CONCLUSION@#The most important factor that results in antibody-screening positive is alloantibody, in which anti-E antibody from Rh blood group system in most common.

Optimizing preparation of microcapsules of eucalyptus citriodora oil by bex-behnken design and response surface method / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the preparation process of microcapsules of eucalyptus citriodora oil, and to investigate its thermal stability. METHODS: Using gelatin as the capsule materials, the microcapsules were prepared by simple coacervation. Base on single factor experiments, three factors including the concentration of gelatin, the core-wall ratio and the reaction temperature were selected to study the preparation conditions by Box-Behnken design and response surface method with its encapsulation efficiency as index. The test results were analyzed by Design-Expert 8.0.6 software. RESULTS: The optimal preparation process was as follows: gelatin solution concentration 3.27%, core-wall ratio 2.5∶1, preparation temperature 50 ℃. Under the optimized preparation process, the encapsulation rate was 67.50%, which was different from the model prediction value (65.68%) by 2.77%. The particle size was about 75 μm and relatively uniform, and the surface was relatively smooth. Moreover, thermal analysis showed that microencapsulation of eucalyptus citriodora oil could significantly increase its thermal stability. CONCLUSION: Using Box-Behnken design and response surface method to optimize the preparation process of eucalyptus citriodora oil microcapsule is accurate, effective and feasible. Microencapsulation can improve the thermal stability of eucalyptus citriodora oil.

Genomics-based Biomarkers for Diseases:A Bibliometric Analysis Based on Web of Science / 中国医学科学院学报

To analyze the research hotspots and trends of biomarkers for diseases based on genomics and thus provide basis for the future studies in this field. Based on the Web of Science,we analyzed the genomics-based biomarkers for diseases in literature published between 2006 and 2018 in terms of country and institutions,knowledge base,research hotspots,and trends by using bibliometric methods and CiteSpace software. A total of 998 articles were retrieved.The total number of articles has shown an upward trend and reached a peak of 112 in 2017 and 2018.Most articles(=477)were from the United States,follwed by China(=93).,,,,and are core journals in this field.Keywords co-occurrence analysis identified four research hotspots:disease research,research method and technology,research level,and application purpose. Research in functional genomics,cancer immunotherapy,genome-wide association and multi-omics techniques,personalized medicine,and precision medicine are research hotspots and frontiers in this field.

miR-494-3p reduces insulin sensitivity in diabetic cardiomyocytes by down-regulation of insulin receptor substrate 1 / 生理学报

More and more evidence suggests that microRNA is widely involved in the regulation of cardiovascular function. Our preliminary experiment showed that miR-494-3p was increased in heart of diabetic rats, and miR-494-3p was reported to be related to metabolism such as obesity and exercise. Therefore, this study was aimed to explore the role of miR-494-3p in diabetic myocardial insulin sensitivity and the related mechanism. The diabetic rat model was induced by high fat diet (45 kcal% fat, 12 weeks) combined with streptozotocin (STZ, 30 mg/kg), and cardiac tissue RNA was extracted for qPCR. The results showed that the level of miR-494-3p was significantly up-regulated in the myocardium of diabetic rats compared with the control (P < 0.05). The level of miR-494-3p in H9c2 cells cultured in high glucose and high fat medium (HGHF) was significantly increased (P < 0.01) with the increase of sodium palmitate concentration, whereas down-regulation of miR-494-3p in HGHF treated cells led to an increase in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake (P < 0.01) and the ratio of p-Akt/Akt (P < 0.05). Over-expression of miR-494-3p in H9c2 cell line significantly inhibited insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and phosphorylation of Akt (P < 0.01). Bioinformatics combined with Western blotting experiments confirmed insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) as a target molecule of miR-494-3p. These results suggest that miR-494-3p reduces insulin sensitivity in diabetic cardiomyocytes by down-regulating IRS1.

A modified protocol for generating the simulated weightlessness rat model / 中国应用生理学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To introduce a modified protocol for generating the simulated weightlessness rat model by hindlimb unloading.@*METHODS@#Ninety male adult SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: the control group, classical suspension group and modified suspension group (n=30/group). In the classical suspension group, a strip of medical adhesive tape was attached to the tail, with horizontal filament tape wrapping. A piece of gauze was wrapped around the tail at the outermost layer and the tail was suspended for hindlimb unloading. In the modified suspension group, a layer of plastic net was added between the horizontal filament tape and the gauze to reduce the squeeze on the tail as a buffer zone and ensure proper circulation of the tail. After 4 weeks of suspension, damage to the tail and sheath detachment were observed. Meanwhile the body weight and right soleus wet weight of rats were measured.@*RESULTS@#The ratio of right soleus wet weight to body weight was decreased significantly in both the classical suspension group and the modified suspension group compared with the control group, while there was no difference in body weight among the three different groups. Importantly, the incidence of tail ischemia and necrosis (13.3% vs 40.0% in the classical suspension group) and the incidence of sheath detachment from tail (3.3% vs 26.7% in the classical suspension group) were significantly lower whereas the success rates of model (33.3% vs 83.3% in classical suspension group) was significantly higher in the modified suspension group.@*CONCLUSION@#The modified protocol decreases the incidence of tail necrosis and sheath detachment in the rat tail suspension and increases the success rate of the hindlimb unloading rat model, with improved simplicity and practicability.

Effect of HIF-1α on Angiogenesis-Related Factors in K562 Cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the mechanisms of angiogenesis in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) through detecting the levels of angiogenesis-related factors secreted from K562 cells after overexpression and interference of HIF-1α gene in K562 cells.@*METHODS@#The K562 cells were transfected by lentiviruses carried and interfered HIF-1α gene, then the transtected K562 cells with carried and interfered with HIF-1α gene were enrolled in overexpression and interference groups respectively, at the same time the K562 cells transfected by the empty virus were enrolled in control group. The cells were harvested after culture for 72 hours under normoxid condition. The transfection efficient in 3 groups was detected by fluorescence microscopy; the mRNA expression of HIF-1α gene and angiogenesis-related factors was detected by RT-PCR; the concentration of angiogenesis-related factors in the caltured supernatant was detected by ELISA.@*RESULTS@#The optimal MOI of K562 cells transfected with lentivirus was 10 and the transfection efficiency was about 50%. The positive rate of transfection after screening by puromycin was more than 90%. The mRNA expression of ANG-I, ANG-II, TGF-α and VEGF in the interference group was lower than that in the over-expression group, and the TGF-β1 mRNA expression in the interference group was higher than in the over-expression group. The mRNA expression of ANG-I and VEGF in the interference group was lower than that in the control group. TGF-αdid not could be detected, and the culture supernatant concentration of ANG-I and TNF-α in the interference group was lower than in the over-expression group, while the VEGF concentration in the interference group was higher than that in the over-expression group. All of the above-mentioned differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The positive K562 cells transfected with leutivirus have been harvested by screening with puromycin. The HIF-1α mRNA positively regulates the mRNA expression of ANG-1, ANG-2, TGF-α, VEGF in K562 cells, promotes the antocrine ability of ANG-1 and TNF-α, moreover not stimulates the autocrine of TGF-α, the up-regulation of HIF-1α expression can inhibit the expression TGF-β1 in K562 cells and the autocrine of TGF-β1.

Construction and identification of mouse Krüppel-like factor 4 recombinant lentiviral expression vector and its effect on proliferation of RAW264.7 cells / 天津医药

Objective To construct and identify a lentiviral vector carrying mouse Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) gene, and establish RAW264.7 cell line of peritoneal macrophages that over-expressed KLF4. Methods KLF4 gene was cloned using the measure of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Then the recombinant transfer vector pLVX-KLF4 (pLVX-KLF4-mCMV-ZsGreen-PGK-Puro) was constructed. The pLVX-KLF4 was confirmed through PCR, restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing. The correct recombinant transfer vector together with its two helper virus vectors (psPAX2 and pMD2.G) were cotransfected into the 293T cells by Lipofectamine? 3000. The supernatant of 293T was harvested to infect RAW264.7 cells. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to test the viral titer of the expression level of green fluorescent protein. The expression of KLF4 mRNA in RAW264.7 cells was measured by real-time PCR. Results The restriction enzyme digestion, PCR and sequencing confirmed that the transfer lentiviral vector pLVX-KLF4 was constructed successfully. KLF4 mRNA was over-expressed in Lenti-KLF4 transfected RAW264.7 cells than that of wild type RAW264.7 cells (P<0.05). In transfected RAW264.7 cells, KLF4 mRNA was over-expressed (P<0.05). The recombinant lentivirus of KLF4(Lenti-KLF4)titer was 2.05×108 TU/mL measured by FCM.The flow cytometry results showed that the S phase fraction was prolonged and G0/G1 was arrested in the over-expressed KLF4 of RAW264.7 cells. The EdU showed that the up-regulated expression of KLF4 gene stimulated the proliferation of RAW264.7 cells. Conclusion The recombinant lentiviral vector, which can effectively express KLF4 mRNA, has been successfully constructed. The up-regulated KLF4 gene may increase the proliferation of RAW264.7 cells.

Comparative Study on Different Sample Pre-enrichment Methods for Flow Cytometry Cell Sorting / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of different pre-enrichment methods on flow cytometry cell sorting of monocyte.Methods Peripheral blood of 15 volunteers were pre-enriched by three methods:erythrocyte lysis,hydroxyethyl starch sedimentation,density gradient centrifugation using Ficoll.Cell viability was detected by Trypan blue staining.The amount and the proportion of monocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry.Results The cell viability of the samples prepared by the 3 methods was above 95 ％.There was no significant difference between the absolute count and grouping of monocytes in erythrocytes lysis and without pre-enrichment samples.The cell subgroup was not obvious by hydroxyethyl starch sedimentation.The number of monocytes obtained by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation was significantly lower than that without pre-enrichment samples.Conclusion Erythrocyte lysis was a high efficient method for monocytes flow cytometry cell sor ting.

Preparation and Properties of Sulfadiazine Solid Dispersion / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To prepare sulfadiazine solid dispersion, determine its solubility and dissolution in vitro, and investigate its physical properties. METHODS: Using in vitro dissolution as an index, single factor test and orthogonal design were used to optimize the preparation process of sulfadiazine solid dispersion. The existing state of sulfadiazine was identified by DSC, IR spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction. RESULTS: The solubility and dissolution rate of sulfadiazine solid dispersion prepared by the optimized preparing process were increased by 17 times and 3 times respectively than crude sulfadiazine. Sulfadiazine existed in an amorphous state as shown by phase identification. CONCLUSION: The solid dispersion prepared by the solvent-molten method with PEG4000 as the carrier can significantly improve the solubility and the dissolution rate of sulfadiazine.

Application of Enhanced MR Multi-Phase Dynamic Scanning with 3D-VIBE Sequence in Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

[Objective]To investigate the value of multi-phase dynamic enhanced MR scanning with 3D-VIBE sequence in HCC by comparing with enhanced multiple slice computer tomography(MSCT)scanning.[Method]23 patients who were pathologi?cally proven of HCC,and underwent both abdominal enhanced 3.0T MR multi-phase dynamic scanning with 3D-VIBE sequence and enhanced MSCT scanning were enrolled. The enhancement features of HCC on enhanced MR multi-phase dynamic scanning and en?hanced CT scanning were compared.[Results]There were 23 lesions confirmed by pathology. All the 23 lesions were detected by en?hanced MR multi-phase dynamic scanning with 3D-VIBE sequence,and 21 lesions were detected by enhanced MSCT scanning. The enhanced features of"fast enhanced and fast washout"in HCC can be observed more frequently on enhanced MR multi-phase dynam?ic scanning with 3D-VIBE sequence than enhanced MSCT scanning (78.3% vs 54.5%). Obvious enhancement feature can be ob?served more frequently on the enhanced MR multi-phase dynamic scanning when the tumor diameter ≤ 3 cm(P=0.037).[Conclu?sion]The enhanced MR multi-phase dynamic scanning with 3D-VIBE sequence can greatly improve the sensitivity and accuracy of HCC diagnosis,especially for the small HCC(tumor diameter≤3 cm).

Discrimination between Metastatic and Non-metastatic Regional Lymph Nodes in Rectal Cancer Using Quantitative Dynamic Contrast-enhanced Parameters / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

[Objective]To investigate the diagnostic value of quantitative perfusion parameters of dynamic contrast-enhanced im?aging for discriminating metastatic from non-metastatic regional lymph nodes in rectal cancer.[Methods]122 patients of our depart?ment were collected from 2015.01 to 2016.08, and 203 lymph nodes, including metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs, n=95) and non-meta?static lymph nodes (NMLNs, n=108), were analyzed. The short-axis diameter (S), long-axis diameter (L), short-to long-axis diameter ratio (S/L), volume transfer constant (Ktrans), rate constant (Kep) and extravascular extracellular space (EES) fractional volume (Ve) were compared between two groups respectively. Then using S=5 mm as a cutoff value, these parameters were compared between subgroups. Receive operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to analyze the diagnostic efficiency and find the optimal cutoff values.[Re?sults]The metastatic group exhibited higher S and L, but lower S/L, Ktrans and Kep than the non-metastatic group (P<0.01). However, the Ve did not differ significantly between two groups (P=0.308). Optimal cutoff values [area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, speci?ficity] of Ktrans for discriminate metastatic lymph nodes from non-metastatic were 0.088 min-1 (0.69, 58.3%, 78.9%). When S>/=5 mm, subgroup analysis revealed that Ktrans and Kep of MLNs were significant higher than those of NMLNs (P<0.001), but Ve was lower (P=0.039). Optimal cutoff values (AUC, sensitivity, specificity) of Ktrans were 0.088 min-1 (0.675, 57.1%, 77.9%). However, when S<5 mm, MLNs showed lower Ktrans than NMLNs (P=0.001), but there were no significantly statistic differences of Kep and Ve between these two groups (P>0.1). Optimal cutoff values (AUC, sensitivity, specificity) of Ktrans were 0.087 min-1 (0.732, 60.5%, 81.5%).[Conclusion]Ktrans can be used to discriminate regional MLNs from NMLNs in rectal cancer, especially when the short-axis diameter is less than 5 millimeters.

Dl-PHPB inhibits platelet aggregation and affects the balance of PGI2/TXA2 and fibrinolytic system of rats / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of potassiam 2-(1-hydroxypentyl)-benzoae (dl/-PHPB) on platelet aggregation, the balance of PGI2/TXA, and fibrinolytic system of rats. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups; control group, low (1.3 mg·kg-1), middle (3.9 mg·kg-1) and high (12.9 mg·kg-1) dose of dl-PHPB groups and ticlopidine group. Blood was taken from the abdominal aorta 30 min after dl-PHPB administrated intravenously, and the rate of platelet aggregation was detected by platelet aggregometer. The expression of CD62p on the surface of platelet was determined by flow cytometry. The contents of 6-Keto-PGF1α, thromboxane B2 (TXB2), t-PA and PAT-1 in serum were measured by radio-immuno assay and FLISA kit, respectively. RESULTS: dl-PHPB inhibited rat platelet aggregation induced by A DP in dose-dependent manner more potently compared with AA, collagen and thrombin. dl-PHPB also decreased the expression of CD62p. It increased the level of 6-keto-PGF1α, the metabolite of prostaglandin I2 (PGL2) and reduced the content of PAI-1. But dl/-PHPB had no effect on the contents of TXB2 the metabolite of TXA2 and t-PA. CONCLUSION: dl-PHPB may significantly inhibit rat platelet aggregation induced by ADP, increase the ratio of PG12/TXA2 and enhance the activity of fibrinolytic system.

Preparation of ophthalmic thermosensitive in situ gel of moxifloxacin hydrochloride and its release be¬havior in vitro / 中国药学杂志

CONCLUSION: Uniform design method should be used to optimize the formulation of MH loaded ophthalmic thermosensitive gel. The optimized formulation containing 230 mg·mL-1 P407 and 80 mg·mL-1 PI88 covered the ophthalmic temperature, which can serve as a potential candidate for ophthalmic application.

Reconstruction of facial soft tissue defects with free flaps by microsurgery / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the method and indications for reconstruction of facial complicated soft tissue defects with free flaps by microsurgery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>37 patients (16 males and 21 females, aged from 1 to 54 years) with different size of facial soft tissue defects were reconstructed with free flaps, including 10 latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps, 3 thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps, 9 scapular flaps, forearm flaps and 9 postauricular flaps. The defects size ranged from 1 cm x 2 cm to 25 cm x 12 cm.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Venous obstruction happened in 3 postauricular flaps, resulting partial necrosis in 2 flaps. All the other flaps survived completely. The cosmetic and functional results were both satisfactory.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The facial complicated soft tissue defects can be treated successfully with free flaps by microsurgery. The wounds can be healed primarily with short recovery time and reliable cosmetic and functional result.</p>

Chinese medicine for menopausal syndrome: current status, problems and strategies / 中国结合医学杂志

The use of Chinese medicine (CM) for the management of: menopausal syndrome is considered effective both at home and abroad, and more and more clinical studies are confirming its efficacy. However, many problems still exit in current studies, such as the standard of CM syndrome differentiation, the design methodology and criteria to assess the quality of clinical trials and the efficacy of interventions. In this paper, the authors present the CM research and treatment strategies for menopausal syndrome with concepts explaining the CM understanding of the mechanism of the disorder. It is concluded that CM is effective for menopausal syndrome, but improvement in both study methodology and treatment strategy is needed. In detail, it is firstly necessary to conduct clinical studies to evaluate the difference of various CM treatments for menopausal syndrome manifesting different symptoms, so as to establish a comprehensive treatment protocol of CM. Secondly, an acknowledged evaluation system needs to be founded, which embodies the characteristics of CM, and covers appropriate endpoint indices and parameters to objectively evaluate the effect and study quality of CM. Finally, an epidemiological survey with large sample size should be implemented with robust statistical design and CM expertise to collect data for establishing diagnostic criteria for menopause in different stages and with different symptoms.

Pretest survey on the Chinese menopause rating scale / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To select the items from the Chinese menopause rating scale(CMRS)through pre-tcsting those people with menopausal syndromes.Methods 293 people were surveyed in Guangzhou in 2005.among which 196 people with menopausal syndromes and others without.Psychometrics methods were employed to develop the scale.The item pools were all round.Methods used would include:focus group discussion and interviews,subjective evaluation method and Delphi method,to preliminarily screen the items.Data on scales measured from 196 cases with and 97 subjects without menopausal syndromes during the menopausal period,were collected.Again,seven statistical methods were employed to select the items.Results The 40-items scale for menopausal syndrome was formed to include:a)three domains:somatic(18-items),psychological(14-items)and social(5-items);b)one general appraisaIitem:c)two lie-test iterns.Conclusion The Chinese menopausal syndrome scale we used seemed to possess good content validity.feasibility and intra-class reliability.

Deep inferior epigastric perforator flap for breast reconstruction: experience with 43 flaps / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>In the past decade, there has been increasing breast reconstructions after mastectomy. The ideal material for reconstruction of a breast is fat and skin. The transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap has been the gold standard for breast reconstruction until recently. Abdominal wall function is a major concern for plastic surgeons in breast reconstruction with TRAM flaps. The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) free flap spares the whole rectus abdominis muscle, includes skin and fat only, and therefore preserves adequate abdominal wall competence. The aim of this study was to summarize our experience in breast reconstruction with DIEP flap.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between March 2000 and August 2005, a total of 43 breast reconstructions were performed on 40 patients by our surgeons using DIEP flap (3 patients had bilateral procedures), 14 of them were immediate surgeries and 26 were delayed. Abdominal function, satisfaction with the donor site and reconstructed breast, and the sensation recovery was assessed respectively during follow-up.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean age of the patients was 38.6 years (range, 28 - 50). The size of the flaps was 11 cm x 26 cm in average (height 10 - 12 cm, width 15 - 33 cm). The mean length of the vascular pedicles was 9.3 cm (range, 7 - 12). The patients were followed up for a mean of 16 months (range, 6 - 30 months). During the follow-up, 2 (5%) patients had total flap loss, 2 (5%) had partial necrosis, 4 (9%) had wound edge necrosis in the abdomen, and 1 had axillary seroma. None of the patients had hernia, and all of them were able to resume their daily activities after the operation. Patient satisfaction with the reconstructed breast rated high, 95% of the patients achieved spontaneous return of sensation in the reconstructed breast, but none of them had a sensation equivalent or approximate to the normal.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The DIEP flap has the same benefits as the TRAM flap without destroying the continuity of the rectus muscle. It can reduce donor-site morbidity and provide an aesthetic refinement in breast reconstruction.</p>

cDNA microarray-based study of gene expression profile changes in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the differentially expressed genes between human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and normal esophageal mucosa and explore an effective method with high throughput for screening the molecular markers closely correlated with the development, invasion and metastasis of ESCC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With cDNA microarray and laser capture microdissection, T7-based amplification were used to detect the mRNA from both the primary carcinoma and the corresponding esophageal epithelium in 15 ESCC cases, and the results were analyzed by bioinformatics methods.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 886 target genes, 110 (12.42%) genes were differentially expressed commonly at least twice in all the 15 samples, including 56 (6.32%) up-regulated by at least 2 folds and 54 (6.09%) down-regulated by at least 0.5 folds.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Many ESCC-associated genes were screened by the high-throughput gene chip method, and functional study of these genes may help to identify the key genes or pathways involved in the pathogenesis and development of ESCC.</p>