The Anatomy of the Temporal and Zygomatic Branches of the Facial Nerve: Application to Crow's Feet Wrinkles.

BACKGROUND: Advances in the understanding of wrinkling crow's feet while improving the safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin type A injection has pointed to drug dispersion in the lateral orbital wrinkles as a cause of adverse events of botulinum toxin type A injection. The purpose of this study is to identify the distribution of temporal and zygomatic branches of facial nerve in the orbicularis oculi muscles. METHODS: Anatomical dissection of cadavers was performed in 31 cadavers, 13 females and 18 males, with ages ranging from 20 to 60 years, which of all had been embalmed by 10% formalin solution. The facial nerve was identified within subcutaneous tissue close periorbital region and both traced proximal and distal. Its temporal branch, zygomatic branch, facial and muscular entrance were located and accurately measured relative to established surface landmarks. RESULTS: Dissection of the facial nerve revealed 2 to 6 entrances of the temporal branch into the orbicularis oculi and 1 to 5 entrances of the zygomatic branch into the orbicularis oculi. Concerning the measurements of neural entering points, distance and angle from orbicularis oculi muscle to lateral ocular angle, a distribution map of its muscular entrance and their patterns of distribution were constructed. According to the dense area of the coordinate map, there were 3 points determined as the muscular entrance points to established surface landmarks. CONCLUSIONS: An anatomical dissection of cadavers was performed to identify the distribution of temporal and zygomatic branches of the facial nerve in the orbicularis oculi. According to the dense area of the coordinate map, the surface landmarks of 3 points were established as the muscular entrance of the facial nerve (MEF).

Vasculature Characterization of a Multiterritory Perforator Flap: An Experimental Study.

Background Tip necrosis in the perforator flap is a significant problem in clinical practice. This study aimed to characterize the vasculature of a multiterritory perforator flap using a rat model and to investigate the impact of the vasculature on flap survival. Methods In total, 105 Sprague Dawley rats were divided into seven groups, including the control, 3 hours postoperative (PO), 12 hours PO, 1 day PO, 3 days PO, 5 days PO, and 7 days PO. A perforator flap with three territories based on the deep iliac circumflex artery was performed. Flaps with only skin incisions and vessel exposure were performed in the control group. The first choke zone (FCZ) was located between the anatomical and dynamic territories, and the second choke zone (SCZ) was located between the dynamic and potential territories. Sodium fluorescein and lead oxide-gelatin angiography and histological examination were performed in each group. Results Sodium fluorescein angiography revealed delayed staining in the perforator flap PO, particularly in the FCZ and SCZ. The delay phenomenon disappeared after 12 hours PO in the FCZ and after 1 day PO in the SCZ. Nonfluorescein-stained areas were found distal to the potential territory. In the FCZ PO, the choke vessels were dilated, while the number of microvessels was increased in the SCZ without choke vessel dilation. Conclusions The remodeling of choke vessels and increase in microvessel number represent arteriogenesis and angiogenesis, respectively. This neovascularization was responsible for flap survival in the entire dynamic territory and part of the potential territory.

The Effect of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase on Multiterritory Perforator Flap Survival in Rats.

Background Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) plays an important role in vasodilation, angiogenesis, and ischemia-reperfusion injury. We investigated the effects of iNOS on the survival and choke vessels of multiterritory perforator flaps in rats. Methods In this study, 84 rats were divided into two groups of 42 rats each and subjected to multiterritory perforator flap operations. Rats in group A received daily intraperitoneal doses of 100 mg per kg of aminoguanidine (AG) and rats in group B received daily intraperitoneal injections of the same volume of saline solution. On postoperative day 7, the surviving flap area was calculated as a percentage of the total flap dimensions using DP2-BSW software. The diameter and density of microvessels in the second choke zone of the flap were calculated from histology studies. The nitric oxide (NO) content was measured using NO concentration assay kits, and the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and iNOS were assessed using western blotting. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were measured using test kits. Laser Doppler imaging was used to evaluate flap perfusion in the second choke zone for 7 days after surgery. Results The flap survival area, diameter and density of microvessels, iNOS and VEGF levels, NO content, blood perfusion, and MDA content were significantly higher in the control group compared with the AG group, whereas SOD activity was significantly lower in the control group. Conclusions iNOS has a beneficial effect on the survival of multiterritory perforator flaps.

Study of the volatile constituents in radix flemingiae macrophyllae and a substitute by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and chemometric methods.

A combined approach of subwindow factor analysis and spectral correlative chromatography was used to analyze the volatile components in Radix Flemingiae Macrophyllae and Flemingiae Latifolia Benth, one of its substitutes. After extraction by a water distillation method, the volatile components in Radix Flemingiae Macrophyllae and Flemingiae Latifolia Benth were detected by GC-MS. Then the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the volatile components in Radix Flemingiae Macrophyllae was completed with the help of subwindow factor analysis resolving two-dimensional original data into mass spectra and chromatograms. Sixty five of 82 separated constituents in the total ion chromatogram of the volatile components in Radix Flemingiae Macrophyllae were identified and quantified, accounting for about 88.79% of the total content. Then, spectral correlative chromatography was used to extract correlative constituents in Flemingiae Latifolia Benth. Fifty one correlative components were recognized in essential oil of Flemingiae Latifolia Benth. The result proves the combined approach is powerful in the analysis of complex herbal samples. The developed method can be used to compare the sameness and differences of Radix Flemingiae Macrophyllae and its substitutes and it can also be used for quality control of Radix Flemingiae Macrophyllae.

CYP17 gene polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk: a meta-analysis based on 38 independent studies.

BACKGROUND: The results of recent published studies focusing on CYP17 polymorphisms in prostate cancer (PCa) susceptibility are often conflicting. We performed a meta-analysis based on 38 independent studies to evaluate the association. METHODS: Data were collected from the following electronic databases: PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, with the last report up to September 2010. Meta-analysis was conducted in a fixed/random effect model. RESULTS: Thirty-eight independent studies including 34,782 cases and 38,626 controls on the association of CYP17 gene polymorphisms with PCa risk in different ethnic groups were identified. The meta-analysis was performed for five polymorphisms: rs743572 (A1/A2, 38 studies), rs6162 (C/T, 3 studies), rs619824 (C/A, 4 studies), rs2486758 (T/C, 4 studies), and rs10883782 (A/G, 4 studies). When all groups were pooled, we did not detect the association of rs743572 polymorphism with PCa risk. In the subgroup analysis, a significant association of rs743572 polymorphism and PCa was found in Black population (A2/A2 vs. A1/A1 + A2/A1: OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.08-2.69, P = 0.02), but not in Caucasian or Asian population. For other polymorphisms, we found that rs619824 polymorphism was associated with a significant decreased risk of PCa (A vs. C: OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.92-0.99, P = 0.01), and rs2486758 polymorphism was associated with a significant increased risk of PCa (C vs. T: OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.03-1.12, P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that rs743572 polymorphism is associated with PCa risk in Black population, but not in Caucasian or Asian population. Moreover, our study suggests that rs619824 and rs2486758 polymorphisms are associated with PCa risk.

Association between NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism and cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

The aim of our meta-analysis was to assess the association between NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism and cancer risk. Eleven studies that included data from 2,743 cases and 2,195 controls were identified. When all groups were pooled, we did not detect the association between NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism and cancer risk. In the subgroup analysis, we detected the association of NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism with cancer in Caucasian population. The association also was found in Asian population. This meta-analysis demonstrates the association of NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism with cancer in Caucasian and Asian populations, and this association is ethno-specific.

Association of the NFKBIA gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively summarize the association of NFKBIA gene polymorphisms with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. METHODS: We surveyed studies on the association of NFKBIA gene polymorphisms with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases in PubMed. Meta-analysis was performed in a fixed/random effect model. RESULTS: We identified 14 studies using a PubMed search. Meta-analysis was performed for NFKBIA gene polymorphisms at positions 2758 (A/G, 5 studies), -881 (A/G, 3 studies), -826 (C/T, 3 studies), and -297 (C/T, 3 studies). We did not detect associations of NFKBIA gene polymorphisms at positions 2758, -881, -297 with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. An association of NFKBIA gene -826C/T polymorphism with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases was found (C vs. T: OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 0.97-3.36, P = 0.06; CT + TT vs. CC: OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.07-4.19, P = 0.03; TT vs. CC + CT: OR = 2.20, 95% CI = 0.78-6.21, P = 0.06; TT vs. CC: OR = 2.87, 95% CI = 0.78-10.62, P = 0.11; CT vs. CC: OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.22-3.36, P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis demonstrates that autoimmune and inflammatory diseases are associated with NFKBIA gene -826C/T polymorphism, but not with 2758A/G, -881A/G, and -279C/T.

Meta-analysis of TYK2 gene polymorphisms association with susceptibility to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

The aim of our meta-analysis was to quantitatively summarize the association of TYK2 gene polymorphisms with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. 11 studies that included data from 21497 cases and 22647 controls were identified. OR was used as a measure of the effect of the association in a fixed/random effect model. Meta-analysis was performed for six TYK2 gene polymorphisms (rs34536443, rs2304256, rs280523, rs280519, rs12720270 and rs12720356). Significant association was found in rs34536443 (C versus G: OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.69-0.84, P < 0.00001; GC + CC versus GG: OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.68-0.90, P = 0.0005; CC versus GG + GC: OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.28-2.05, P = 0.58; CC versus GG: OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.27-2.02, P = 0.56; GC versus GG: OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.68-0.90, P = 0.0006) and rs2304256 (A versus C: OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.70-0.87, P < 0.0001; CA + AA versus CC: OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.59-0.81, P < 0.0001; AA versus CC + CA: OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.66-1.00, P = 0.05; AA versus CC: OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.47-0.86, P = 0.003; CA versus CC: OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.60-0.83, P < 0.0001) in TYK2 gene, but not for the other polymorphisms (rs280523, rs280519, rs12720270, and rs12720356). This meta-analysis demonstrates that autoimmune and inflammatory diseases is associated with TYK2 gene rs34536443 and rs2304256 polymorphisms, but not rs280523, rs280519, rs12720270 and rs12720356.

The association of genetic polymorphisms with cerebral palsy: a meta-analysis.

AIM: The aim of our meta-analysis was to summarize quantitatively the association of genetic polymorphisms with cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: We identified 16 studies on the association of genetic polymorphisms with CP in Pubmed, Elsevier Science Direct, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang. Eleven of these studies (involving a total of 2533 cases and 4432 controls) were used in the current meta-analysis. A study was included if (1) it was published up to September 2010 and (2) it was a case-control study. We excluded one study of family members because the analysis was based on linkage considerations. Meta odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals based on fixed-effects models or random-effects models were dependent on Cochran's Q statistic. We examined the relationship between alleles, as well as genotypes and susceptibility to CP. RESULTS: Meta-analysis was performed for 17 genetic polymorphisms: apolipoprotein E (ε2,ε3,ε4), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) (rs1801133), coagulation factor II (rs1799963]), coagulation factor V (rs6025), coagulation factor VII (rs5742910/rs6046), interleukin-6 (IL-6) (rs1800795), endothelial nitric oxide (rs1800779/rs1799983/rs3918226), fibrinogen ß-polypeptide (rs1800790), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (rs1799768/rs7242), TNF-ß lymphotoxin α precursor (rs1041981), adducin 1 (α) (rs4961), ADRB2 (rs1042714), and tumour necrosis factor α (rs1800629). We found a significant association between CP and IL-6 (rs1800795) [C vs G: odds ratio (OR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.44-2.22, p<0.001; CC+GC vs GG: OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.29-2.29, p=0.002; CC vs GG+GC: OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.52-3.09, p<0.001], but no other genetic polymorphisms. INTERPRETATION: This meta-analysis demonstrated that CP is associated with the genetic polymorphism IL-6 (rs1800795).

Meta-analysis of TNF-α promoter -308A/G polymorphism and SLE susceptibility in Asian populations.

The aim of this study was to summarize results on the association of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) promoter -308A/G polymorphism with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility in Asian populations by using the meta-analysis. We searched all the publications about the association between TNF-α promoter -308A/G polymorphism and SLE in Asian populations from PubMed, Elsevier Science Direct, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang (Chinese). Meta-analysis was performed for genotypes AA versus GG, GA versus GG, AA versus GG + GA, GA + AA versus GG, and A allele versus G allele in a fixed/random effect model. A total of 12 studies (1017 cases and 1086 controls) were included in the current meta-analysis (Chinese, Japanese, and Thai). When all groups were pooled, a significant association of A allele and increased SLE risk was found (OR = 1.44, 95%CI = 1.04-2.01, P = 0.03). When analyses were restricted to more ethnically homogeneous populations, similar result was found in Chinese population (OR = 1.59, 95%CI = 1.12-2.26, P = 0.009). But the association between TNF-α promoter -308 polymorphism and SLE was not observed when examining the contrast of G/A + A/A versus G/G, A/A versus A/G + G/G, A/A versus G/G, and G/A versus G/G. This meta-analysis demonstrates the association between TNF-α promoter -308A/G polymorphism and SLE in Asian populations, especially in Chinese population.

Meta-analysis of ACE gene I/D polymorphism and bipolar disorder susceptibility.

BACKGROUND: A number of studies have been conducted to explore the association between ACE gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and bipolar disorder (BPD). However, the reported results were conflicting. AIMS: The aim of our study was to find evidence on whether ACE gene I/D polymorphism is associated with BPD using a meta-analysis. METHODS: Data were collected from the following electronic databases: Pubmed, Elsevier Science Direct, Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI and Wanfang. Meta-analysis was performed for genotypes ID vs. II, DD vs. II, DD vs. ID + II, ID + DD vs. II, and D allele vs. I allele in a fixed/random effect model. RESULTS: Seven studies that included data from 605 cases and 1541 controls were identified. When all groups were pooled, we did not detect the association of ACE gene I/D polymorphism with BPD (P > 0.05). In the subgroup analysis, we did not detect the association of ACE gene I/D polymorphism with BPD in Caucasians (P > 0.05). An association of ACE gene I/D polymorphism with BPD was found in Asians for the contrast of DD vs. ID + II (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.08-3.74, P = 0.03), but not for other contrasts (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that there may be an association of ACE gene I/D polymorphism with BPD in Asians. Further studies are still needed in Asians.

Association of brain-derived neurotrophic factor genetic Val66Met polymorphism with severity of depression, efficacy of fluoxetine and its side effects in Chinese major depressive patients.

BACKGROUND: Preclinical studies have shown that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may be involved in antidepressant action, and the BDNF gene has been suggested to be involved in the pharmacological treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). In this study, the relationship between BDNF Val66Met polymorphism (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Database ID: rs6265) and severity of depression, efficacy of fluoxetine and its side effects was tested in Chinese patients with MDD. METHODS: Patients with MDD took the oral selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine (20 mg/day) for 6 weeks. Its clinical efficacy and side effects were measured by the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Treatment-Emergent Symptoms Scale (TESS), respectively. The patients were genotyped for Val66Met polymorphism of the BDNF gene. RESULTS: In the multivariate regression analysis, there was no significant association between severity of depression and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism. There was no association between efficacy of fluoxetine and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, but there was a marginal positive suggestion that heterozygous patients tended to have a better remission with fluoxetine in comparison with homozygous analogs. Insomnia and decreased sexual desire, side effects of fluoxetine, may have an association with the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, and Met allele carriers showed a lower incidence of these side effects. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that there was a lack of association between severity of depression and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism in Chinese patients with MDD. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism may play a major role in the efficacy and side effects of SSRI (fluoxetine) in Chinese patients with MDD.

Association of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism with both baseline HRQOL scores and improvement in HRQOL scores in Chinese major depressive patients treated with fluoxetine.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association of brain-derived neurotrophic-factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism with both baseline health related quality of life (HRQOL) scores and improvement in HRQOL scores in Chinese major depressive patients treated with fluoxetine. METHODS: Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) took fluoxetine (20 mg/day) for 6 weeks. The HRQOL was measured with the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) at baseline and at 6th week. Patients were genotyped for Val66Met polymorphism of BDNF gene. RESULTS: There was a significant association between social function (SF) and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, and patients with Met/Met genotype had better SF (compared with Val/Val P = 0.004; compared with Val/Met P = 0.005). A significant association was found between improvement in SF and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, and patients with Met/Met genotype had poorer improvement in SF (compared with Val/Val P = 0.010; compared with Val/Met P = 0.001). Similar association was found between improvement in mental component summary (MCS) and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, and patients with Met/Met genotype had poorer improvement in MCS (compared with Val/Val P = 0.066; compared with Val/Met P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that there may be association between BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and both baseline HRQOL (SF) scores and improvement in HRQOL (SF, MCS) scores in Chinese major depressive patients treated with fluoxetine.

[Study on the inhibitory effect of Reduqing Oral Liquid on respiratory syncytial virus in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the antiviral effect of Reduqing Oral Liquid on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). METHODS: The anti-RSV effect of Reduqing Oral Liquid in Hep-2 cell culture was investigated by the cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibition assay and MTT assay, with ribavirin as the positive control drug. RESULTS: Reduqing Oral Liquid was effectively antiviral agent for RSV in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro. The median toxic concentration (TC50) was 9182.4 mg/L, the median effective concentration (EC50) was 559.8 mg/L and the treatment index (TI) was 16.4. CONCLUSION: Reduqing Oral Liquid has obvious inhibitory effect on RSV in vitro.

[Antiviral effects of an effective section of a prescription of traditional Chinese medicine on influenza virus A in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To study the inhibitive effects of an effective section of a prescription of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM-ES) on influenza virus A FM1 strain in vitro. METHODS: The experiments were performed by microcytopathic-inhibiting-assay, Neutral Red stain and inhibiting plaque-forming units (PFU) test on MDCK cell strain. By means of observing the cytopathic effects (CPE), measuring the absorbance [D(lambda)] and counting the PFU, according to Reed-Muench assay, the TCM-ES's effective dosage of 50 percentage (EC50) and treatment index (TI) to FM1 were calculated. The inhibiting dose of 50 percentage of PFU (IC50) was also figured up. RESULTS: By CPE assay, TCM-ES'S EC50, MTC and TI to 100TCID50 FM1 strain infection were (300 +/- 18.3) mg/L, (75 +/- 6.8) mg/L and (7.1 +/- 0.7), respectively; Whereas, ribavirin's EC50, MTC and TI was (52.3 +/- 10.1) mg/L, (25 +/- 4.1) mg/L and (20.8 +/- 5.1), respectively. By Neutral Red stain assay,TCM-ES's IC50 and TI was (285.0 +/- 19.2) mg/L and (7.2 +/- 0.6), respectively; whereas ribavirin's IC50 and TI was (45.3 +/- 4. 9) mg/L and (21.2 +/- 3.1), respectively. By reducing PFU assay, the IC50 of TCM-ES and ribavirin was 300 mg/L and 50 mg/L, respectively. All the results above were almost consistent with each other (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TCM-ES assumes antiviral action on IFV-FM1 strain in a certain degree in vitro and can rebel intracellular virus. But it is worse than the positive control medicine of ribavirin and is worthy of further study.