Resin screening and process optimization for erythritol mother liquor chromatographic separation.

In order to improve the utilization value of the erythritol mother liquor, the separation and purification of the erythritol mother liquor was selected in this study. The selected chromatographic separation programme for erythritol crystallizing mother liquor is as follows: Firstly, erythritol is resolved from mannitol and arabitol with DTF-01Ca (Suqing Group) resin and then mannitol is resolved from arabitol with 99Ca/320 (Dowex) resin. At the same time, the chromatographic conditions of the DTF-01Ca (Suqing Group) and 99Ca/320 (Dowex) resins were optimized, resulting in an optimal separation temperature and mobile phase flow rate of 70 °C, 10 ml/min. On this basis, a single-column chromatographic model was used to calculate the TD model parameter (N) and the mass transfer coefficient (km ) of the separation of erythritol mother liquor by DTF-01Ca (Suqing Group) and 99Ca/320 (Dowex) resins. The adsorption isotherms, TD model parameter (N) and the mass transfer coefficient (km ) provides data references for the design and operation of the simulated moving beds (SMB) separation system for the industrial-scale separation of erythritol crystallizing mother liquor.

Novel evidence that testosterone promotes cell proliferation and differentiation via G protein-coupled receptors in the rat L6 skeletal muscle myoblast cell line.

Androgens are known to modulate the skeletal muscle proliferation and differentiation processes. Recent in vitro studies have shown that dihydrotestosterone and anabolic steroids have functions in promoting the proliferation and differentiation of the mouse skeletal muscle myoblast C2C12 cell line through the classical androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway. But there are contradictory reports that androgen plays its roles through the membrane signaling pathways. In the present study, we show that there is no expression of the classical AR in L6 cells both at gene and protein levels. We then investigated the effects of testosterone (T) on L6 cell proliferation and differentiation. The results show that T promotes L6 cell proliferation after a 24 h treatment, which followed by enhancing L6 cell differentiation, but these effects are not inhibited by flutamide (F), an antagonist of intracellular AR. Further, we tested the effect of testosterone covalently bounding to albumin (T-BSA), which does not cross the plasma membrane. The results demonstrate that T-BSA and free T have similar effects on L6 cell proliferation and differentiation, and that these effects involve G protein-coupled receptors and different downstream pathways. The L6 cell proliferation induced by T involves PKC and ERK1/2 signaling pathways and cell differentiation happens via the PKA signaling pathway. These results suggest that T promotes cell proliferation and differentiation via G protein-coupled receptors and different downstream pathways in the L6 cell line, although the related molecular mechanisms need to be elucidated in future studies.

Cell-specific distributions of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and androgen receptor (AR) in anterior pituitary glands from adult cockerels as revealed by immunohistochemistry.

Estrogens and androgens play important roles in regulating the hormone-secreting functions of the pituitary gland by binding to their corresponding receptors. However, the expression of estrogen receptors (ERs) and the androgen receptor (AR) and the cell types containing ERs and AR in the anterior pituitary gland of adult chickens have not been well-studied. In this study, the distribution of ERα, AR and their corresponding cell types in the anterior pituitary gland of adult cockerels was detected by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that ERα was expressed in 68.63 % of luteinizing hormone (LH) producing cells but was not found in thyrotropes, lactotropes, somatotropes, corticotropes and folliculo-stellate (FS) cells. Pituitary hormone and AR double labeling results showed that about 37 % of LH cells and 50 % of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) producing cells expressed AR, respectively. In contrast, less than 1 % of the somatotropes had an AR positive signal and AR signals were not detected in lactotropes, corticotropes or FS cells. In addition, there were only a few AR and ERα dual-labeled cells observed. These novel results provide evidence for a cell-specific distribution of ERα and AR in the anterior pituitary from adult cockerels by immunohistochemistry. The different distributions of ERα and AR in the LH cells suggest that the feedback-regulating mechanisms of estrogen and androgen on the pituitary hormones secretion are different. The functions and related mechanisms still need to be elucidated further.

Distributed Cooperative Quantum Learning for Discrete-Time Multiagent Source Exploration With Information Prompts.

In light of optimization theory and swarm evolutionary schemes, under multiple single-integrator mobile agents equipped with sensors and prompters, this article addresses a discrete-time multiagent source exploration problem with information prompts. Regarding information prompts as constraints on the unknown target, by virtue of penalty function skills (PFSs) and sequential unconstrained minimization techniques (SUMTs), the agents are driven toward the source under the guidance of the control strategy. In two cases of available and unavailable gradient information, a quantum potential well, an average optimal position estimator (AOPE), and a global optimal position estimator (GOPE) are introduced into swarm evolutionary schemes with a periodically oscillating weight, such that distributed cooperative quantum learning (DCQL) policy is proposed as a control strategy under communication restrictions, where AOPE and GOPE are developed relying on distributed consensus theory. In particular, when the gradient is unavailable, we put forth an adaptive generalized Bernstein neural network (AGBNN) to replace it based on excellent properties of Bernstein polynomials and adaptive approaches. Further, a performance analysis for the proposed policy is executed on the convergence and computational complexity, which ensures the accuracy and efficiency of the source exploration in theory. Ultimately, a simulation test is carried out, and the results validate the practicability and effectiveness of the offered method.

Synthesis With Guaranteed Cost and Less Human Intervention for Human-in-the-Loop Control Systems.

This article studies the problem of synthesis with guaranteed cost and less human intervention for linear human-in-the-loop (HiTL) control systems. Initially, the human behaviors are modeled via a hidden controlled Markov process, which not only considers the inference's stochasticity and observation's uncertainty of the human internal state but also takes the control input to human into account. Then, to integrate both models of human and machine as well as their interaction, a hidden controlled Markov jump system (HCMJS) is constructed. With the aid of the stochastic Lyapunov functional together with the bilinear matrix inequality technique, a sufficient condition for the existence of human-assistance controllers is derived on the basis of the HCMJS model, which not only guarantees the stochastic stability of the closed-loop HiTL system but also provides a prescribed upper bound for the quadratic cost function. Moreover, to achieve less human intervention while meeting the desired cost level, an algorithm that mixes the particle swarm optimization and linear matrix inequality technique is proposed to seek a suitable feedback control law to the human and a human-assistance control law to the machine. Finally, the proposed method is applied to a driver-assistance system to verify its effectiveness.

Dietary supplementation of hemp oil in teddy dogs: Effect on apparent nutrient digestibility, blood biochemistry and metabolomics.

Present study aimed to evaluate the influence of distinct concentration of dietary supplements hemp oil on apparent nutrient digestibility, blood biochemical parameters and metabolomics of teddy dogs. A total of 25 healthy teddy dogs were selected and divided into five treatments according to diet supplements hemp oil at a rate of 0% (A), 0.5% (B), 1% (C), 2% (D), and 4% (E). Appropriate added hemp oil improved apparent nutrient digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and crude fat (86.32-88.08%, 86.87-88.87% and 96.76-97.43%). The hemp oil significantly increased blood biochemical of utilization related total protein, albumin and globulin (61.33-69.54, 35.08-40.38 and 26.53-31.63 g/L), immunity capacity related immunoglobulin E and γ-interferon (203-347kU/L and 23.04-25.78ng/L), energy-related thyroxine and triiodothyronine (27.11-36.75 and 0.94-1.67 nmol/L). In addition, hemp oil improved superoxide dismutation (26.47-33.02 U/ml) and reduced malondialdehyde (5.30-3.28 nmol/ml). The differential metabolites mainly included nucleotides and metabolites of oxidized lipids, bile and other fatty acids, coenzymes and vitamins. The main metabolic pathways included purine and arachidonic acid metabolism, bile and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, cell oxidative phosphorylation and rheumatoid arthritis. Overall, appropriate dietary supplements hemp oil positively to nutrient digestibility and blood metabolism, immunity and antioxidant capacity, 1% to 2% hemp oil supplements was recommended for teddy dog diet.

Second dorsal metacarpal artery-based index finger dorsal island flap for the management of thumb defects.

Index finger dorsal island flaps were frequently utilized by hand surgeons to reconstruct thumb defects. However, the blood supply of the traditional index finger dorsal island flap comes from the first dorsal metacarpal artery, which has a smaller diameter, more anatomical variation, and can be injured in conjunction with thumb injuries. Therefore, we design an alternative index finger dorsal island flap based on the second dorsal metacarpal artery to treat thumb skin defects. From August 2015 to October 2018, we used the index finger dorsal island flaps with the second dorsal metacarpal artery to treat 11 patients with thumb skin defects. All the flaps and skin grafts survived completely without complications. At the last follow-up, the mean 2PD of the flap was 6.4 mm (45.5% for excellent, 54.5% for good), the mean ROM of the injured thumbs was 115.9° (72.7% for excellent, 27.3% for good), and the mean cosmetics score was 8.6. Our results demonstrate that the index finger dorsal island flap with the second dorsal metacarpal artery is suitable for the reconstruction of thumb skin defects. The flap has an excellent survival rate and good coverage with satisfactory results and represents a promising treatment for the selected patients. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic, level IV.

[Hollow screw in treatment of basilar part fracture of hamate hook].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of hollow screw for the treatment of basilar part fracture of hamate hook. METHODS: Five patients with basilar part fracture of hamate hook, aged 24-47 years (mean, 31 years) were treated with open reduction and hollow screw fixation between June 2015 and February 2019. There were 4 males and 1 female. The causes of injury were athletic injury in 3 cases, falling injury in 1 case, and crushing injury in 1 case. Among them, 1 case was combined with sensory disturbance of one and a half fingers on the ulnar side of the palm. The grip strength of the affected side was significantly decreased when compared with that of the healthy side in all patients. The intervals between injury and surgery were 3-8 days (mean, 4.2 days). Postoperative follow-up was conducted regularly to measure the grip strength of the affected and healthy fingers and the total motion of ring and little fingers of the affected side. Darrow criteria was used to evaluate the effectiveness. RESULTS: All the incisions healed by primary intention. All the patients were followed up 6-32 months (mean, 16 months). X-ray films showed that the basilar part fracture of hamate hook reached bony union, and the healing time was 2.0-3.5 months (mean, 2.2 months). At last follow-up, the grip strength of the affected side was (35.80±3.76) kg, showing no significant difference when compared with healthy side [(36.00±4.94) kg] ( t=0.094, P=0.930); and the total motion of ring and little fingers of the affected side was (529.0±8.9)°, which was significantly different from that before operation [(232.0±34.7)°] ( t=18.108, P=0.000). In 1 patient with ulnar nerve injury, the two-point discrimination of the innervation area was 4 mm, and the pain sensation and temperature sensation returned to normal. Assessed by Darrow criteria, the results were excellent in 4 cases and good in 1 case. CONCLUSION: For the basilar part fracture of hamate hook, hollow screw fixation can obtain secure reduction and fixation and provide sustained compression and counter-rotation for the broken end of fracture, thus allowing early joint motion and promoting fracture healing and recovery of wrist function. It is a relatively good method for the treatment of basilar part fracture of hamate hook.

Adaptive synchronization control with optimization policy for fractional-order chaotic systems between 0 and 1 and its application in secret communication.

For fractional-order chaotic systems with unequal orders between 0 and 1, a synchronization based on them and its application in secret communication are investigated in the presence of parameter uncertainty and unknown external disturbance. Firstly, through using fractional calculus theory and adaptive control method, we design a feedback controller to achieve the synchronization between the systems. Next, in order to make the controller better apply to secret communication, an optimization policy is provided for it by some performance indicator about state variables in the error system. Meanwhile, to further enhance the performance of the controller, we introduce an interval estimation (IE) strategy into quantum particle swarm optimization (QPSO) algorithm to improve it, and then this algorithm is used to optimize the controller parameters. In addition, for the security of signal transmission, a feedback mechanism with encrypted signal is offered in secret communication. Finally, by comparison, simulation experiments verify the validity and applicability of the proposed method.

[Effectiveness of wrist tube inside and outside releasing for treating median nerve double entrapment at wrist].

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of wrist tube inside and outside releasing for treating median nerve double entrapment at wrist. Methods: Thirty-one patients of median nerve double entrapment at wrist were treated between April 2011 and May 2014. There were 8 males and 23 females with an age of 33-69 years (mean, 56.4 years). In palm lateral three and a half finger, the two-point discrimination was 7-14 mm (mean, 9.5 mm), in which 24 cases were 4-10 mm and 7 cases were more than 10 mm. Carpal tunnel median nerve Tinel sign was positive; there was weak and acid swollen felling when press big thenar muscle on median nerve return branch palm surface projection points. Electromyography examination showed that median nerve endings movement incubation period was 4.5-10 ms in 22 cases, more than 10 ms in 9 cases; fibrillation potentials and positive phase voltage happened in 6 cases; the median nerve sensory conduction velocity of all patients was slow, and the motor conduction velocity also slowed down; the motor amplitude was 5-10 mV in 19 cases, less than 5 mV in 12 cases. The disease duration was 3-8 months (mean, 5.5 months). Surgical exploration of wrist median nerve in carpal tunnel and median nerve return branch outside carpal tunnel were performed in patients, especially completely released the variety entrapment factors such as thickening bow at starting point of short hallux flexor tendon, fiber bundles at ulnar side of short hallux flexor tendon, deep layer fiber of the palmar aponeurosis, and variant shallow head of short hallux flexor. Results: All the wounds healed by first intention without wound scar pain. The patients were followed up 24-59 months (mean, 33 months). Night numbness and pain disappeared, and weak and acid swollen feeling in big thenar muscle on median nerve return branch points also disappeared. The sensation recovered to S 4 in 28 patients in palm lateral three and a half finger, the index and middle fingertip sensation recovered to S3+ in 3 cases. In the median nerve innervation area, the two points discrimination was 4-6 mm (mean, 4.8 mm). The thumb opposition function returned to normal in 29 cases and mild confinement in 2 cases. The grip strength of all the 31 cases recovered, and 1 of them increased significantly. In preoperative big thenar muscle atrophy cases, muscle strength recovered to S 5 in 4 cases, S 4 in 2 cases. At 2 years after operation, according to the functional assessment of carpal tunnel syndrome recommend by GU Yudong, the results were excellent in 29 cases and good in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 100%. Conclusion: When treating the nerve double entrapment in wrist using wrist tube inside and outside releasing method, the variety entrapment factors of return branch of median nerve should be completely released, so the effectiveness can be improved.

Statistical Optimization of the Content Composition Precursors Using Response Surface Methodology to Enhance Agaricoglyceride A Production from the Shaggy Ink Cap Medicinal Mushroom, Coprinus comatus (Higher Basidiomycetes) Mycelia.

Coprinus comatus, a novel cultivated edible mushroom, has a various of pharmacological effects due to its many active components. In this study, agaricoglycerides, a new class of fungal secondary metabolites that have strong activity against neurolysin, were isolated from C. comatus mycelia. Simultaneously, a 3-level Box-Behnken factorial design was used, combined with response surface methodology, to optimize the precursor composition of agaricoglycerides for the production of agaricoglyceride A. The model estimated that a maximal yield of agaricoglyceride A (20.105 mg/L) could be obtained when the concentrations of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, glycerol, and methanol (MeOH) were set at 75 mg/L, 0.75 mL/L, and 0.75 mL/L, respectively. The verified experiments showed that the model was significantly consistent with the model prediction. These results showed that appropriately adding the precursors could increase the production of agaricoglyceride A.

[REPAIR OF THUMB PULP DEFECTS WITH SIDE ISLAND FLAP COINCIDING DORSAL BRANCH OF DIGITAL NERVE].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of the side island flap coinciding dorsal branch of the digital. nerve for repairing thumb pulp defects. METHODS: Between May 2008 and July 2012, 36 cases of thumb pulp defects were treated with the side island flap coinciding dorsal branch of the digital nerve. There were 26 males and 10 females, aged 21-51 years (mean, 32.4 years). The injury causes included electric saw injury in 14 cases, punchpress injury in 8 cases, machine twist injury in 5 cases, door crushing injury in 5 cases, and glass cutting injury in 4 cases. The left hand was involved in 12 cases and the right hand in 24 cases. Combined injuries included tendon and bone exposure in all cases, fracture of the distal phalanx in 3 cases, and nail bed lacerations in 2 cases. The defect size ranged from 1.4 cm x 1.2 cm to 2.5 cm x 2.1 cm; and the flap size ranged from 1.8 cm x 1.4 cm to 3.0 cm x 2.5 cm. RESULTS: Two flaps with distal skin flap tension blisters and skin scabbing, which were cured after dressing changes; the wound healed by first intension in the other 34 cases. The skin grafts at donor site survived, and primary healing of incision was obtained. The patients were followed up 3-15 months (mean, 8 months). The appearance and function restored well. Two-point discrimination of the flap was 5.2 mm on average (range, 4-8 mm) at last follow-up. The finger joint had no stiff. According to the upper extremity function evaluation criteria issued by the Hand Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association, the sensation was S4 in 33 and S3+ in 3 cases. No ectopic feeling was observed. The extension and flexion activity of fingers at donor site was normal, the sensation reached S4 with no atrophy of the finger. CONCLUSION: With constant anatomy, reliable blood supply, and safe operation, the anastomoses of the finger side island flap with dorsal branch of digital nerve is a better method to repair thumb pulp defects because it also effectively overcome the ectopic feeling with traditional methods and protect feel function of the fingers at donor site.

[Clinical research of ulnar styloid fracture complicated with wrist dorsal branch of ulnar nerve injury].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the therapy and effectiveness of ulnar styloid fracture complicated with wrist dorsal branch of ulnar nerve injury. METHODS: Between October 2005 and October 2012, 16 cases of ulnar styloid fracture complicated with wrist dorsal branch of ulnar nerve injury were treated. There were 14 males and 2 females with an average age of 42 years (range, 22-58 years). Fracture was caused by traffic accident in 8 cases, by mechanical crush in 5 cases, and by falling in 3 cases. According to the anatomical features of the ulnar styloid and imaging findings, ulnar styloid fractures were classified as type I (ulnar styloid tip fracture) in 1 case and type II (ulnar styloid base fracture) in 15 cases. The skin sensation of ulnar wrist was S0 in 5 cases, S1 in 1 case, S2 in 7 cases, and S3 in 3 cases according to the criteria of the British Medical Research Council in 1954 for the sensory functions of the ulnar wrist. The time from injury to operation was 6-72 hours (mean, 18 hours). Fracture was treated by operative fixation, and nerve was repaired by epineurium neurolysis in 13 cases of nerve contusion and by sural nerve graft in 3 cases of complete nerve rupture. RESULTS: All incisions healed by first intention. Sixteen patients were followed up for an average time of 14 months (range, 6-24 months). The X-ray films showed that all of them achieved bone union at 4-10 weeks after operation (mean, 6 weeks). No patient had complications such as ulnar wrist chronic pain and an inability to rotate. According to Green-O'Brien wrist scoring system, the results were excellent in 13 cases and good in 3 cases; according to the criteria of the British Medical Research Council in 1954 for the sensory functions of the ulnar wrist, the results were excellent in all cases, including 11 cases of S4 and 5 cases of S3+. Two-point discrimination of the ulnar wrist was 5-9 mm (mean, 6.6 mm). CONCLUSION: For patients with ulnar styloid fracture complicated with wrist dorsal branch of ulnar nerve injury, internal fixation and nerve repair should be performed. It can prevent ulnar wrist pain and promote sensory recovery.

Simultaneous determination of 16 sulfonamides in animal feeds by UHPLC-MS-MS.

A fast and sensitive method was developed for the simutaneous quantitative determination of 16 sulfonamides in animal feeds using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS-MS). With the developed method, a feed sample can be analyzed in less than 2 h. A solid phase extraction method using acetonitrile and basic alumina column was developed to extract and purify sulfonamides from animal feeds. The analysis time can be greatly reduced with this method compared with previous reports. A linear range of 0.2 approximately 40 ng/mL (R(2) > 0.996) were obtianed for most of the compounds. The limits of quantification for all sulfonamides were in the range of 0.5 approximately 20 µg/kg. The high precision and accuracy of this method were represented by average recoveries ranging from 80% to 120% and coefficients of variation of less than 10% for spiked animal feed samples. The method is suitable for fast determination of sulfonamides in concentrates, premixes, and complete feeds.

Cimetidine augments Th1/Th2 dual polarized immune responses to recombinant HBV antigens.

Cimetidine (CIM) is a histamine H2 receptor inverse agonist used primarily as an anti-stomach acids drug, but recent studies showed that it may also modulate immune responses. To evaluate its potential usefulness as an adjuvant, we determined its immune modulating effects on subunit immunization using an HBV-derived recombinant protein antigen rHBsAg. CIM activated the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in DCs. As an adjuvant, it activated immunogenic DCs, deactivated tolerogenic T cells (nTreg), and augmented both Th1- and Th2-polarlized immune responses to rHBsAg. As a result, it enhanced both antibody- and cytotoxic T cell-mediated immune responses. Importantly, in comparison with the FDA-approved human adjuvant alum, CIM is superior in its ability to block IL-10 up-regulation and potentiate Th1/Th2 dual polarization. These results suggest that CIM may be a better adjuvant for therapeutic vaccines against chronic viral infection, such as the HBV infection, where dual polarization should allow more effective elimination of infected host cells.

mamO and mamE genes are essential for magnetosome crystal biomineralization in Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense MSR-1.

Four non-magnetic mutants of Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense strain MSR-1 were isolated by transposon mutagenesis and found to contain interruption of either the mamO or mamE gene within the mamAB operon. Studies indicated that mamO and mamE genes are essential for magnetosome crystal biomineralization in MSR-1. This is the first report of a single gene (mamO or mamE) whose mutation affects crystal biomineralization in MSR-1.

Salidroside protects human fibroblast cells from premature senescence induced by H(2)O(2) partly through modulating oxidative status.

Although salidroside and salidroside-like compounds are considered as most critical constitutes needed and responsible for multiple therapeutic benefits of Rhodiola rosea L., including anti-aging, direct demonstration regarding the role of salidroside in anti-aging process is still deficient. In this study, we selected the H(2)O(2)-induced premature senescence model in human fetal lung diploid fibroblasts to investigate the protection of salidroside against aging in vitro and associated molecular mechanisms. We found that salidroside considerably reversed senescence-like phenotypes in the oxidant challenged model, including alterations of morphology, cell cycle, SA-ß-gal staining, DNA damage, as well as related molecules expression such as p53, p21 and p16. The protection occurred in a dose-dependent manner, with 5µM offering best efficacy. The proposed antioxidant property of the compound was confirmed in this cellular system, and thus at least partially accounted for the protection of the compound against premature senescence. Similar protection of salidroside against replicative senescence was observed as well. Interestingly, the regulation of senescence-related molecules by salidroside involved ROS-irrelevant mechanisms in both models. This finding presents salidroside as an attractive agent with potential to retard aging and attenuate age-related diseases in humans.

Cardiac glycosides inhibit p53 synthesis by a mechanism relieved by Src or MAPK inhibition.

p53 is regulated at multiple levels. We report here that p53, in multiple lines of human cancer cells, is down-regulated by cardiac glycoside drugs digoxin and ouabain, potent inhibitors of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase. These drugs reduced the basal levels of p53 protein at nanomolar concentrations in a dose-, time-, and cancer cell line-dependent manner, but independent of p53 status of wild-type or mutant. The drugs also reduced the levels of p53 induced by its activators as well as p53 transfected into human cancer cells, regardless of its status. Interestingly, the drugs had no effect on endogenous p53 in two immortalized human cell lines. Mechanistically, p53 reduction occurred not at the mRNA levels but at the protein levels, as a result of reduced protein synthesis rather than enhanced degradation. The cellular sensitivity to drug-induced p53 reduction was not associated with the levels of alphasubunits of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase in different cell lines. Although lowering extracellular K(+) did not reduce p53 as did ouabain and digoxin, it did potentiate both digoxin- and ouabain-induced p53 reduction in sensitive lines. Finally, p53 reduction seems to be triggered by activation of Src/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways upon drug binding to the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and can be completely blocked by the inhibitors of Src or MAP/ERK kinase. This is the first report that cardiac glycoside drugs, by initiating the Src/MAPK signaling pathways, reduce the p53 levels via inhibition of p53 protein synthesis. The drugs may be useful in the treatment of human cancers with a gain-of-function p53 mutation.

[Application of Doppler in the skin flap of vastus lateralis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate a method of improving design of the skin flap pedicled with descending branch of lateral femoral circumflex artery, in order to increase the accuracy of preoperative Doppler location. METHODS: Firstly, the interspace between rectus femoris and vastus lateralis was regarded as line A, and the point of intersection between line A and the vertical line through the midpoint of the line between anterior superior iliac spine and lateral margin of patella was point A. And then the line between the midpoint of groin and point A was regarded as line B. Based on this , the perforating point of cutaneous branch could be located by Doppler along the line B. From November 2001 to October 2004, this method was used in 38 skin flaps of 37 cases, being all males and 16-48 years old. The area of the flap ranged from 7 cm x 6 cm to 24 cm x 16 cm. RESULTS: All the perforating point of cutaneous branch were located outward the line A. The rate that the preoperative Doppler location was consistent with the utility point of formatting skin flap was 97.4%. All the cases were followed up postoperatively 1-20 months. Among the cases, 36 skin flaps of 35 cases was successful and only 2 skin flaps partially necrosed, which healed after changing dressings or skin graft. Out of 35 cases, the sensation restoration of the skin flap was S2-S3 in 6 cases owing to the anastomosis of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve and a skin nerve of the recipient site, while that of the other cases was S0-S1. CONCLUSION: Preoperative Doppler location and improving design of line B can be a useful instruction for the design of skin flap pedicled with descending branch of lateral femoral circumflex artery.

[Different types of tissue transplantation in repairing tissue defects and function reconstruction].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical effect of different types of free tissue transplantation on repairing tissue defects and reconstructing functions. METHODS: From November 2001 to September 2004, 14 types of free tissue transplantation and 78 free tissue flaps were applied to repairing tissue defects and reconstructing functions in extremities and maxillofacial region in 69 cases. Of the 69 cases, there were 53 males and 16 females (their ages ranged from 18 to 56, 31 on average). Five cases were repaired because of skin defects in foot, 22 cases were repaired because of skin defects in leg, 36 cases were repaired as the result of skin defects in hand or forearm and finger reconstruction, 3 cases were restored by virtue of ulna or radius defects, and 3 cases were repaired in maxillofacial region. There were 55 cases of open wound, in which 16 cases were infectious wound, 6 cases were osteomyelitis or pyogenic arthritis. There were 14 cases of non-infectious wound. The area of these tissue flaps ranged from 2.0 cm x 1.5 cm to 43.0 cm x 12.0 cm. The length of bone transplantation ranged from 10 cm to 15 cm. RESULTS: Arterial crisis occurred in 2 cases, venous crisis occurred in 2 cases. Seventy-six flaps survived completely and 2 flaps survived partially which were later healed. Fifty-two cases were healed at stage I, 13 cases were healed at stage I (healing time ranged from 20 to 30 days), purulent infection occurred to 4 cases(healing time ranged from 3 to 11 months). Bone healing time ranged from 6 to 8 weeks in finger reconstruction. Bone healing time ranged from 4 to 6 months in fibula transplantation. The function reconstruction and appearance were satisfying. The functions of all regions, where free tissues were supplied, were not disturbed. CONCLUSION: Tissue transplantation and composite tissue transplantation are effective in repairing tissue defects and reconstructing functions.