Amino acid analysis as a method of discovering biomarkers for diagnosis of diabetes and its complications.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a severe chronic diseases with a global prevalence of 9%, leading to poor health and high health care costs, and is a direct cause of millions of deaths each year. The rising epidemic of diabetes and its complications, such as retinal and peripheral nerve disease, is a huge burden globally. A better understanding of the molecular pathways involved in the development and progression of diabetes and its complications can facilitate individualized prevention and treatment.

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare, life-threatening malignant tumor. We present a report of a rare case of a 67-year-old male patient with MPM and severe abdominal pain, bloating, and bloody ascites as manifestations. The diagnosis was confirmed by cytology of ascites aspiration fluid and further verified by laparoscopic exploratory biopsy.

Myocardin suppression increases lipid retention and atherosclerosis via downregulation of ABCA1 in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Myocardin (MYOCD) plays an important role in cardiovascular disease. However, its underlying impact on atherosclerosis remains to be elucidated. ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), a key membrane-associated lipid transporter which maintains intracellular lipid homeostasis, has a protective function in atherosclerosis progress.

Knockdown of miR-660 protects nucleus pulposus cells from TNF-a-induced apoptosis by targeting serum amyloid A1.

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a well-known cause of lower back pain, which is induced by multiple factors including increased apoptosis and decreased survival of nucleus pulposus cells. In this study, we evaluate the effect and potential mechanism of miR-660 on the nucleus pulposus cells apoptosis induced by TNF-α.

Methods: First, we collected tissue of nucleus pulposus from IVDD and healthy controls.

Tripaddle Posterior Interosseous Artery Flap Design for 3-Finger Defects: An Evaluation of 3 Surgical Approaches.

Introduction: The tripaddle posterior interosseous artery (PIA) flap can be used for multifinger defect resurfacing, but interpatient variations in perforator distribution remain an ongoing challenge when using this approach. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of 3 different tripaddle PIA perforator flap designs according to the PIA perforator distribution for the repair of 3-finger defects.

Methods: In accordance with the size of the 3-finger defects and the position of the perforators, a tripaddle flap was designed on the multiple perforators of the descending branch of the PIA in the distal two thirds of the forearm.

Free multilobed posterior interosseous artery perforator flap for multi-finger skin defect reconstruction.

Background: The posterior interosseous artery (PIA) perforator flap can be used for reconstruction of soft-tissue defects of fingers. Based on the multiple perforators from the posterior interosseous artery, we describe a technique to reconstruct the multi-finger defect in the use of the free multilobed PIA perforator flap.

Methods: PIA perforators from different areas of the forearm were used to design a free multilobed skin paddle for multi-finger skin defect reconstruction.

[Microvascular anastomotic anterolateral thigh flaps for reconstruction of traumatic widespread defects of soft tissue in heel].

Objective: To explore the results of repairing widespread defects of traumatic soft tissue in heel by microvascular anastomotic anterolateral thigh flaps.

Methods: Twenty-six consecutive free anterolateral thigh flaps in 26 patients were transplanted for repairing widespread defects of traumatic soft tissue in heel from October 1997 to March 2005, suturing the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral vascular and posterior tibial vascular to reconstruct the blood supply of transplanted flaps, repairing lateral femoral cutaneous nerve to recover their sensation, fixing tensor fasciae in the calcaneum to add their stabilization.

Results: All flaps survived completely,the wounds healed in the initial treatment, follow up 3 to 48 months, twenty-six cases achieved partial sensation, good contour and stabilization.

[Transplantation of free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps for craniomaxillofacial reconstruction].

Objective: This clinical study was to improve the surgical treatment to craniomaxillofacial tissue defects.

Methods: Since 1997, eight cases with severe craniomaxillofacial defects were treated using free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps. In the operation, nerve anastomosis was performed.