Objective To evaluate the effect of a combined cervicalexpanded skin flap in repairing cervical scar contracture deformity after burn injury. Methods From April 2001 to May 2003, 16 cases （10 males and 6 females）of scar contracture deformity in the cervix were treated withexpanded clavipectoral axis skin flap combined with reverse axis skin flap．The tissue expanders were embedded under the part containing cutaneous branches of transverse cervical artery in cervical segments and the second and/or the third perforating branch of internal thoracic artery for the first operation. Normal saline was injected regularly. The expanded clavipectoral skin flap and reverse axis skin flap with perforating branch of internal thoracic artery were designed,the scar in the cevix was loosed or dissected according to the size of the skinflaps, the skin flaps were transferred to cover the wound, and the contracture deformity in the cervix was corrected. The size of the flaps were 9 cm×5 cm-15 cm×7 cm. Results All skin flap survived. The function and appearance of the cervix was improved significantly after 6-30 months follow-up. However, venous return dysfunction in reverse perforating branch of internal thoracic artery occurred in 1 case, andblood circulation was improved after treatment. Conclusion Expanded clavipectoral axis skin flap combined with reverse axis skin flap can be used to repair scar contracture deformity in cervix, which lessen scar and abatethe chance to contract again.
Objectives To investigate the effects of cryptotanshinone (CTS) on cigarette smoke (CS) -induced airway inflammation and oxidative stress in mice and the possible mechanisms. Methods BALB/c mice were exposed to CS for 4 weeks to establish airway inflammation model. CTS was given by intraperitoneal injection before CS exposure at a dosage of 30 mg·kg−1·d−1 or 15 mg﹒kg−1·d−1. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was acquired for cell counting and detection of pro-inflammatory cytokine [interleukine (IL)-17, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α] levels. Lung tissue was collected for histological examination, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction for Muc5ac detection, and western blot for lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein-1 receptor (LOX-1) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB. Results CTS administration attenuated CS exposure induced thickening of the airway epithelium, peribronchial inflammatory cell infiltration, and lumen obstruction, increased numbers of total cells, macrophages, and neutrophils, and decreased the releases of IL-17, MCP-1, TNF-α in BALF of mice. CS exposure could induce the elevation in MDA levels and decrease in SOD activities, markers of oxidative stress. CTS could attenuate these changes. CTS also attenuated CS induced up-regulation of the protein levels of LOX-1 and phosphorylated p65, down-regulation of the levels of NF-κB inhibitor α. Conclusion CTS alleviates the airway inflammation, oxidative stress and mucus hypersecretion induced by CS, which may be through the regulation of LOX-1 and NF-κB signaling pathway.