beta-catenin expression pattern in primary oral squamous cell carcinoma / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Beta-catenin, a 92 kDa protein that binds to the cytoplasmic tail of E-cadherin, has an essential role in intercellular adhesion and signal transduction. Aberrant expression of beta-catenin has been associated with progression and metastasis of various human cancers. The aim of this study was to elucidate the expression pattern of beta-catenin in primary oral squamous cell carcinoma and examine the correlation between beta-catenin expression and tumor differentiation, histological grade and lymph node status as well as its clinical significances.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-six patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and sixteen metastatic lymph nodes were studied. The beta-catenin expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining. The correlation with clinical, histological data was analyzed statistically.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Normal oral epithelium showed strong beta-catenin expression at the cell membrane, but no cytoplasmic or nuclear expression. Different degrees of reduced expression of beta-catenin at the cell membrane were found in 54 cases with squamous cell carcinoma (71%). Cytoplasmic beta-catenin expression was found in 17 tumors (22.4%). Three cases were found with nuclear beta-catenin expression. In sixteen lymph nodes with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, negative beta-catenin expression at the cell membrane was seen in 13 tumors (81.2%) and weak expression in 3 tumors (18.8%). Statistical analysis showed that there was an inverse correlation between beta-catenin expression and lymph node status and histological grade of tumors.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Reduced beta-catenin expression at the cell membrane is clearly associated with lymph node metastasis. A reduced expression of beta-catenin may constitute a hallmark of aggressive biological behavior of squamous cell carcinoma.</p>

Clinical analysis of 182 cases with facial nerve injury / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the recovery patterns and the influencing factors of facial nerve injury in maxillofacial surgery by retrospective analysis of a serial clinical data.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 182 patients with facial nerve injury were reviewed. The cause of injury, the initial facial nerve function after trauma, the treatment, the initial recovery time of facial nerve function and the total recovery time were recorded. The factors that influenced the outcome of facial nerve function were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The facial nerve branch injury was common in maxillofacial injury. The injury pattern, location, age and reconstruction time all had effects on the function recovery of the facial nerve. Within 6 months, 45 of 49 (92%) anatomic injured patients completely recovered in 6 months; 53 of 59 patients (90%) began to recover when nerve had been ruptured. In 12 months, 33 of 35 patients (94%) after nerve anastomosed and 5 of 8 patients (62%) with nerve transplantation got complete recovery.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Preserving the facial nerve during surgery is very important. If the facial nerve is injured, reconstructive surgery should be applied as soon as possible.</p>