Preexpanded distant “super-thin” intercostal perforator flaps for facial reconstruction without the need for microsurgery

BACKGROUND

Concept of the 'super-thin perforator flap' was introduced in 1994 by authors. Since then, various types of 'super-thin perforator flaps' were applied successfully especially for contour sensitive reconstruction such as face and neck.

METHODS

Eleven patients requiring large flaps who presented with extensive disfiguring facial scar (male: seven cases, female: four cases). On the consideration of flaps' colour, texture and thickness requirements, the authors selected 'super-thin' anterior intercostal perforator flaps (AICP, range from 4 x 14 cm to 25 cm x 9 cm) for reconstruction purpose. First, tissue expanders (volume range from 800 cc to 1200 cc) were carefully inserted under the AICP. After the flaps were expanded for 2 months, distant scars were removed and the covering super-thinned flaps were transferred into recipient site. Two weeks later, pedicles in the anterior chest were cut down and flaps were transferred to replace all the left scars.

RESULTS

Flap were survived without any complications. The colour, texture and thickness of the transferred flap were satisfactory, shrink of flaps were not observed after long term follow-up. The authors present a method of facial reconstruction that has the advantages of creating a large amount of thin tissue of both good colour and texture, without the need of microsurgery and few disadvantages of donor-site morbidity. The disadvantages are three-staged procedures, complications of tissue expansion and uncomfortable compulsory posture for patients. In our opinion, this is an alternative method of choice for reconstructing all large defects in the lower two-thirds of the face.

Observation of a broad 1-- resonant structure around 1.5 GeV/c2 in the K+K- mass spectrum in J/psi-->K+K-pi0

A broad peak is observed at low K+K- invariant mass in J/psi-->K+K-pi(0) decays found in a sample of 5.8x10(7) J/psi events collected with the BESII detector. The statistical significance of the broad resonance is much larger than 5sigma. A partial wave analysis shows that the J;{PC} of this structure is 1--. Its pole position is determined to be [1576(-55)(+49)(stat)-91+98(syst)] MeV/c(2)-i/2[818(-23)(+22)(stat)-133+64(syst)] MeV/c(2). These parameters are not compatible with any known meson resonances.

Measurements of the branching fractions for psi(3770)-->D(0)D[over ](0), D+D-, DD[over ], and the resonance parameters of psi(3770) and psi(2S)

We measure the branching fractions for psi(3770)-->D(0)D[over ](0), D+D-, DD[over ], and non-DD[over ] to be (46.7+/-4.7+/-2.3)%, (36.9+/-3.7+/-2.8)%, (83.6+/-7.3+/-4.2)%, and (16.4+/-7.3+/-4.2)%, respectively. The resonance parameters of psi(3770) and psi(2S) are measured to be M_(psi(3770))=3772.2+/-0.7+/-0.3 MeV, Gamma_(psi(3770))(tot)=26.9+/-2.4+/-0.3 MeV, and Gamma_(psi(3770))(ee)=251+/-26+/-11 eV; M_(psi(2S))=3685.5+/-0.0+/-0.3 MeV, Gamma_(psi(2S))(tot)=331+/-58+/-2 keV, and Gamma_(psi(2S))(ee)=2.330+/-0.036+/-0.110 keV. We also measure the light hadron R value to be R(uds)=2.262+/-0.054+/-0.109 in the energy region from 3.660 to 3.872 GeV.

Observation of two new N* peaks in J/psi-->ppi-n and ppi+n decays

The decay J/psi-->NNpi provides an effective isospin 1/2 filter for the piN system due to isospin conservation. Using 58x10(6) J/psi decays collected with the Beijing Electromagnetic Spectrometer at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider, more than 100 thousand J/psi-->ppi-n+c.c. events are obtained. Besides the two well-known N* peaks at around 1500 MeV/c2 and 1670 MeV/c2, there are two new, clear N* peaks in the ppi invariant mass spectrum around 1360 MeV/c2 and 2030 MeV/c2 with statistical significance of 11sigma and 13sigma, respectively. We identify these as the first direct observation of the N*(1440) peak and a long-sought missing N* peak above 2 GeV/c2 in the piN invariant mass spectrum.

Estimating the number of people at risk for and living with HIV in China in 2005: methods and results

BACKGROUND

No new estimates of HIV infection have been available for China since 2003. However, since then, data availability has increased dramatically.

OBJECTIVES

To use internationally recommended methods to make new estimates of the number of people exposed to HIV in China, the number living with HIV, and the number of new HIV infections and deaths in 2005.

METHODS

The UNAIDS Workbook method was adapted to meet the needs of China. Local data were used to estimate the size of each risk population and HIV prevalence by risk group for every prefecture. These estimates were combined into provincial and national estimates. The UNAIDS Estimates and Projections Package and Spectrum were used to derive estimates of incidence and mortality from prevalence data, taking into account treatment.

RESULTS

It was estimated that 650,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS in China (range 540,000-760,000), of whom 70,000 were newly infected in 2005 (range 60,000-80,000). Between 20,000 and 30,000 people are estimated to have died of HIV in 2005. The new estimate compares with an estimate of 840,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in 2003 (range 650,000-1,020,000). The estimated number of infected former plasma donors fell from 199,000 to 55,000. Infections remain concentrated among drug injectors, those buying and selling sex, and men who have sex with men.

CONCLUSION

The new estimates are based on a much wider range of surveillance data as well as mass screening of former plasma donors, and are made at the prefecture level. More limited data from high prevalence provincial surveillance sites led to past estimates that now seem too high. New infections outpace death, and the HIV epidemic in China is still growing.

Nuclear ING2 expression is reduced in human cutaneous melanomas

Cutaneous malignant melanoma is a severe and sometimes life-threatening cancer. The molecular mechanism of melanomagenesis is incompletely understood. Deregulation of apoptosis is probably one of the key factors contributing to the progression of melanoma. The inhibitor of growth (ING) family proteins are candidate tumour suppressors which play important roles in apoptosis. Downregulated expression of ING proteins have been reported in several tumour types, including the loss of nuclear expression of p33ING1b in melanoma. As ING2 exhibits 58.9% homology with p33ING1b, we hypothesized that the aberrant expression of ING2 may be involved in melanomagenesis. Here, we used tissue microarray technology and immunohistochemistry to examine ING2 expression in human nevi and melanoma biopsies. Our data showed that nuclear ING2 expression was significantly reduced in radial growth phase (RGP), vertical growth phase (VGP), and metastatic melanomas compared with dysplastic nevi (P < 0.05). Our data also revealed that nuclear ING2 expression was not associated with patient's gender, age or tumour thickness, ulceration, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage, tumour subtype, location and 5-year survival (P > 0.05). Taken together, our results suggest that nuclear ING2 expression is significantly reduced in human melanomas and that reduced ING2 may be an important molecular event in the initiation of melanoma development.

Identification of mutations that disrupt phosphorylation-dependent nuclear export of cyclin D1

Although cyclin D1 is overexpressed in a significant number of human cancers, overexpression alone is insufficient to promote tumorigenesis. In vitro studies have revealed that inhibition of cyclin D1 nuclear export unmasks its neoplastic potential. Cyclin D1 nuclear export depends upon phosphorylation of a C-terminal residue, threonine 286, (Thr-286) which in turn promotes association with the nuclear exportin, CRM1. Mutation of Thr-286 to a non-phosphorylatable residue results in a constitutively nuclear cyclin D1 protein with significantly increased oncogenic potential. To determine whether cyclin D1 is subject to mutations that inhibit its nuclear export in human cancer, we have sequenced exon 5 of cyclin D1 in primary esophageal carcinoma samples and in cell lines derived from esophageal cancer. Our work reveals that cyclin D1 is subject to mutations in primary human cancer. The mutations identified specifically disrupt phosphorylation of cyclin D1 at Thr-286, thereby enforcing nuclear accumulation of cyclin D1. Through characterization of these mutants, we also define an acidic residue within the C-terminus of cyclin D1 that is necessary for recognition and phosphorylation of cyclin D1 by glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta. Finally, through construction of compound mutants, we demonstrate that cell transformation by the cancer-derived cyclin D1 alleles correlates with their ability to associate with and activate CDK4. Our data reveal that cyclin D1 is subject to mutations in primary human cancer that specifically disrupt phosphorylation-dependent nuclear export of cyclin D1 and suggest that such mutations contribute to the genesis and progression of neoplastic growth.

Effects of selective brain cooling in patients with severe traumatic brain injury: a preliminary study

We prospectively investigated non-invasive selective brain cooling (SBC) in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Sixty-six in-patients were randomized into three groups. In one group, brain temperature was maintained at 33 - 35 degrees C by cooling the head and neck (SBC); in a second group, mild systemic hypothermia (MSH; rectal temperature 33 - 35 degrees C) was produced with a cooling blanket; and a control group was not exposed to hypothermia. Natural rewarming began after 3 days. Mean intracranial pressure 24, 48 or 72 h after injury was significantly lower in the SBC group than in the control group. Mean serum superoxide dismutase levels on Days 3 and 7 after injury in the SBC and MSH groups were significantly higher than in the control group. The percentage of patients with a good neurological outcome 2 years after injury was 72.7%, 57.1% and 34.8% in the SBC, MSH and control groups, respectively. Complications were managed without severe sequelae. Non-invasive SBC was safe and effective.

Observation of a near-threshold enhancement in the omega(phi) mass spectrum from the doubly OZI-suppressed decay J/psi-->gamma(omega)phi

An enhancement near threshold is observed in the omega(phi) invariant mass spectrum from the doubly Okubo-Zweig-Iizuka-suppressed decays of J/psi-->gamma(omega)phi, based on a sample of 5.8 x 10(7) J/psi events collected with the BESII detector. A partial wave analysis shows that this enhancement favors JP=0+, and its mass and width are M=1812(+19)(-26)(stat)+/-18(syst) MeV/c2 and Gamma=105+/-20(stat)+/-28(syst) MeV/c2. The product branching fraction is determined to be B(J/psi-->gammaX)B(X-->omega(phi))=[2.61+/-0.27(stat)+/-0.65(syst)]x10(-4).

Observation of a resonance in Chi(1835) in J/psi --> gammapi+ pi- eta-

The decay channel J/psi --> gamma(pi)(+)pi(-)eta is analyzed using a sample of 5.8 x 10(7) J/psi events collected with the BESII detector. A resonance, the Chi(1835), is observed in the pi(+)pi(-)eta invariant-mass spectrum with a statistical significance of 7.7 sigma. A fit with a Breit-Wigner function yields a mass M = 1833.7 +/- 6.1(stat) +/- 2.7(syst) MeV/c(2), a width Tau = 67.7 +/- 20.3(stat) +/- 7.7(syst) MeV/c(2), and a product branching fraction B(J/psi --> gammaChi) . B(Chi --> pi(+)pi(-)eta) = [2.2 +/- 0.4(stat) +/- 0.4(syst)] x 10(-4). The mass and width of the Chi(1835) are not compatible with any known meson resonance. Its properties are consistent with expectations for the state that produces the strong pp mass threshold enhancement observed in the J/psi --> gammapp process at BESII.

Statistics on cancer in China: cancer registration in 2002

The objective of this study was to determine how many population-based cancer registries exist in China, what methods are being used, and the statistical data that are available from them, and to identify future needs with respect to technical support. A two-stage survey was conducted in 2002 at provincial and cancer registry level. Based on the questionnaire used in these two stages, the basic distribution and descriptive information on population-based cancer registry practices in China are addressed. There are 48 cancer registries in China, covering 73 million people (5.7% of the total population of China in 2000). The oldest three registries are LinZhou, ShangHai and QiDong. There are marked variations in practice between registries, with respect to data collection, data management and coding. Differences are also found in administrative aspects and sources of financial support. In conclusion, this first national survey of Chinese cancer registry practice provides a benchmark against which development and standardization can be evaluated in the future. The survey suggests that lack of qualified personnel, insufficient funding support and lack of stability of the population are major problems in carrying out registration work in China. It also indicates several ways in which registry practice, and hence availability and quality of incidence and survival data can be improved.

Activation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 induces Alzheimer-like tau hyperphosphorylation in rat hippocampus slices in culture

Formation of neurofibrillary tangle from hyperphosphorylated tau is one of the hallmark lesions seen in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain, and neuronal deregulation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) activity plays key role in tau hyperphosphorylation. In the present study, the role of GSK-3 on tau phosphorylation in hippocampus slice culture was examined by incubating the slice with wortmannin (WT), an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and GF-109203X (GFX), an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC). It was found that treatment of the slices with GFX or WT separately induced tau hyperphosphorylation both at Ser396/Ser404 (PHF-1) and Ser199/Ser202 (Tau-1) sites. The phosphorylation rate of tau at PHF-1 and Tau-1 epitopes was further increased when GFX and WT were used in combination, and at this condition, AD-like tau accumulation was observed. GSK-3 activity was significantly increased with a concurrently decreased level of inactivated form of GSK-3. Lithium chloride (LiCl), a GSK-3 inhibitor, prevented tau from WT- and GFX-induced hyperphosphorylation. It suggests that GSK-3 is regulated through PI3K and PKC pathway, and activation of GSK-3 not only induces hyperphosphorylation of tau but also leads to accumulation of tau in cultured rat brain slice.

Vector soliton fission

We investigate the vectorial nature of soliton fission in an isotropic nonlinear medium both theoretically and experimentally. As a specific example, we show that supercontinuum generation in a tapered fiber is extremely sensitive to the input state of polarization. Multiple vector solitons generated through soliton fission exhibit different states of elliptical polarization while emitting nonsolitonic radiation with complicated polarization features. Experiments performed with a tapered fiber agree with our theoretical description.

Observation of a threshold enhancement in the plambda invariant-mass spectrum

An enhancement near the m(p)+M(Lambda) mass threshold is observed in the combined pLambda and pLambda invariant-mass spectrum from J/psi-->pK(-)Lambda;+c.c. decays. It can be fit with an S-wave Breit-Wigner resonance with a mass m=2075+/-12(stat)+/-5(syst) MeV and a width of Gamma=90+/-35(stat)+/-9(syst) MeV; it can also be fit with a P-wave Breit-Wigner resonance. Evidence for a similar enhancement is also observed in psi(')-->pK(-)Lambda;+c.c. decays. The analysis is based on samples of 5.8x10(7)J/psi and 1.4x10(7)psi(') decays accumulated in the BES II detector at the Beijing Electron-Positron Collider.

Colliding-pulse passive harmonic mode-locking in a femtosecond Yb-doped fiber laser with a semiconductor saturable absorber

We demonstrate a passive harmonic mode-locked femtosecond Yb-doped fiber laser employing a semiconductor saturable absorber in a colliding-pulse configuration. 380-fs pulses at 605 MHz repetition rate with >60 dB supermode suppression is achieved.

Observation of the decay psi(2S)-->K0SK0L

The decay psi(2S)-->K(0)(S)K(0)(L) is observed using psi(2S) data collected with the Beijing Spectrometer at the Beijing Electron-Positron Collider; the branching fraction is determined to be B(psi(2S)-->K(0)(S)K(0)(L))=(5.24+/-0.47+/-0.48)x10(-5). Compared with J/psi-->K(0)(S)K(0)(L), the psi(2S) branching fraction is enhanced relative to the prediction of the perturbative QCD "12%" rule. The result, together with the branching fractions of psi(2S) decays to other pseudoscalar meson pairs (pi(+)pi(-) and K+K-), is used to investigate the relative phase between the three-gluon and the one-photon annihilation amplitudes of psi(2S) decays.

A new method for characterizing denitrifying phosphorus removal bacteria by using three different types of electron acceptors

This study investigated the characteristics of denitrifying phosphorus removal bacteria by using three different types of electron acceptors as well as the positive role of nitrite in phosphorus removal process. Denitrifying phosphorous removal bacteria was enriched under anaerobic-anoxic (A/A) condition. To understand A/A sludge better, sludge from two other sources were also studied. These include sludges obtained from a lab-scale anaerobic-anoxic-aerobic (A/A/O) system and a local sewage treatment plant. Three types of possible electron acceptors (oxygen, nitrate and nitrite) were examined for their roles in phosphorus uptake. The results obtained indicated that oxygen, nitrate and nitrite were able to act as electron acceptors successfully. This observation suggested that in addition to the two well-accepted groups of phosphorus removal bacteria (one can only utilize oxygen to take up phosphorus, P(O), while the other can use both oxygen and nitrate, P(ON)), a new group of phosphorus removal bacteria, P(ON(n)), which could use oxygen, nitrate or nitrite to take up phosphorus was identified. The relative population of these three types of bacteria could be calculated from results obtainable from phosphorus uptake batch experiments with either oxygen or nitrate or nitrite as electron acceptor. The results obtained in this study showed that A/A sludge had similar phosphorus removal performance as the A/A/O sludge. However, it has better denitrifying phosphorus removal capability, which was demonstrated by the relative population of the three groups of bacteria. The results also suggested that nitrite was not an inhibitor to phosphorus removal process. Instead, it is an alternative electron acceptor to oxygen or nitrate.

Observation of a near-threshold enhancement in the pp mass spectrum from radiative J/psi-->gammapp decays

We observe a narrow enhancement near 2m(p) in the invariant mass spectrum of pp pairs from radiative J/psi-->gammapp decays. No similar structure is seen in J/psi-->pi(0)pp decays. The results are based on an analysis of a 58 x 10(6) event sample of J/psi decays accumulated with the BESII detector at the Beijing electron-positron collider. The enhancement can be fit with either an S- or P-wave Breit-Wigner resonance function. In the case of the S-wave fit, the peak mass is below 2m(p) at M=1859(+3)(-10) (stat)+5-25(syst) MeV/c(2) and the total width is Gamma<30 MeV/c(2) at the 90% confidence level. These mass and width values are not consistent with the properties of any known particle.

[Immune responses in mice vaccinated with recombinant plasmid pcDNA3 containing ROP1 gene from Toxoplasma gondii]

AIM

To observe the immune responses in BALB/c mice vaccinated with the constructed recombinant plasmid, pcDNA3, containing ROP1 gene from Toxoplasma gondii.

METHODS

The plasmid DNA obtained by alkaline lysis were injected into the left leg of each mouse at a dosage of 100 micrograms. A booster vaccine was given using the same dosage two weeks later. Control groups were injected with the pcDNA3 blank plasmid and normal saline, respectively. 30, 50 and 70 days after the booster injection, the proliferation activity of T lymphocytes and the NK cell activity were determined using MTT assay, the number of CD4+/CD8+ T cells with indirect immunofluorescence assay and the titer of IgG antibody by ELISA.

RESULTS

The spleens of mice enlarged obviously after immunization with pcDNA3-ROP1. The activity of proliferation of spleen T lymphocytes was higher in the immunization group than in the control groups; The NK cell activity in the immunization group was higher than those of control ones. The number of CD4+ T cells showed no obvious increase but CD8+ T cells obviously increased. The titer of IgG antibody in the immunization group showed no significant increase until 90 days later.

CONCLUSION

Vaccination of mice with the recombinant plasmid, pcDNA3-ROP1, could elicit cellular and humoral immune response in mice.