Latest Research Progress in ctDNA Detection for Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer / 现代检验医学杂志

Non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)is a highly lethal malignant tumor that poses a serious threat to human health.Traditional methods for tumor diagnosis and treatment have many limitations.However,circulating tumor DNA(ctDNA)detection,a kind of liquid biopsy technology,has gained widespread attention in the field of NSCLC personalized therapy and monitoring due to its non-invasive,convenient,and comprehensive sensitivity.This article will review the latest research progress of ctDNA detection in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of NSCLC in recent years,including its applications in early screening,disease diagnosis,tumor mutation monitoring,treatment efficacy evaluation,and prognosis assessment.

Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction attenuates fibrosis in endometriosis through regulating PTEN/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway / 中国中药杂志

The present study aimed to investigate the protective role of Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction(SFZY) against endometriosis fibrosis in mice, and decipher the underlying mechanism through the phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten(PTEN)/protein kinase B(Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) pathway. Eighty-five BALB/c female mice were randomly assigned into a blank group, a model group, high-, medium, and low-dose SFZY(SFZY-H, SFZY-M, and SFZY-L, respectively) groups, and a gestrinone suspension(YT) group. The model of endometriosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of uterine fragments. The mice in different groups were administrated with corresponding groups by gavage 14 days after modeling, and the blank group and model group with equal volume of distilled water by gavage. The treatment lasted for 14 days. The body weight, paw withdrawal latency caused by heat stimuli, and total weight of dissected ectopic focus were compared between different groups. The pathological changes of the ectopic tissue were observed via hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and Masson staining. Real-time PCR was employed to measure the mRNA levels of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) and collagen type Ⅰ(collagen-Ⅰ) in the ectopic tissue. The protein levels of PTEN, Akt, mTOR, p-Akt, and p-mTOR in the ectopic tissue were determined by Western blot. Compared with the blank group, the modeling first decreased and then increased the body weight of mice, increased the total weight of ectopic focus, and shortened the paw withdrawal latency. Compared with the model group, SFZY and YT increased the body weight, prolonged the paw withdrawal latency, and decreased the weight of ectopic focus. Furthermore, the drug administration, especially SFZY-H and YT(P<0.01), recovered the pathological and reduced the area of collagen deposition. Compared with the blank group, the modeling up-regulated the mRNA levels of α-SMA and collagen-Ⅰ in the ectopic focus, and such up-regulation was attenuated after drug intervention, especially in the SFZY-H and YT groups(P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the modeling down-regulated the protein level of PTEN and up-regulated the protein levels of Akt, mTOR, p-Akt, and p-mTOR(P<0.01, P<0.001). Drug administration, especially SFZY-H and YT, restored such changes(P<0.01). SFZY may significantly attenuate the focal fibrosis in the mouse model of endometriosis by regulating the PTEN/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Mechanism of Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction in treatment of EMT induced dysmenorrhea based on network pharmacology and molecular docking / 中国中药杂志

Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP) and Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine(BATMAN-TCM) were searched for the effective components and targets of Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction. The relevant targets for endometriosis(EMT) and dysmenorrhea were retrieved from the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database(CTD), Therapeutic Target Database(TTD), GeneCards, and DisGeNET with the terms of "endometriosis" and "dysmenorrhea". Cytoscape 3.8.0 was employed to construct the drug-active component-therapeutic target network. A protein-protein interaction(PPI) network was established by STRING 11.0. Analyze Network, the plug-in in the Cytoscape 3.8.0, was used to calculate the topological parameters of the nodes and screen out the critical proteins in the network. The potential therapeutic targets were imported into RStudio and subjected to Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analyses with clusterProfiler package. Finally, the AutoDock Vina(Vina) platform was used for molecular docking to predict the binding degree of the main active components of Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction to key targets. As revealed by the screening results, 136 active components and 380 targets of Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction were obtained. Additionally, there were 1 627 targets related to EMT and 142 targets related to dysmenorrhea with 107 common targets, and 42 potential therapeutic targets of Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction for the treatment of EMT-induced dysmenorrhea. The targets such as interleukin 6(IL6) and prostaglandi-nendoperoxide synthase-2(PTGS2) were pivotal in the biological network of Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction intervention in EMT-induced dysmenorrhea, which involved multiple signaling pathways, including inflammation, hormones, and those promoted cell proliferation [e.g., mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase(PI3 K)-protein kinase B(AKT)]. The results of molecular docking showed that the active components of Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction had good binding capacities to key targets such as IL6 and PTGS2. The findings of this study demonstrated that Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction could treat EMT-induced dysmenorrhea through multiple targets and multiple pathways, which could provide new ideas for investigating the underlying mechanism of Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction in the treatment of EMT-induced dysmenorrhea.

Simultaneous Determination of Four Alkaloid Components in Xiangbin Decoction by UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To establish a quantitative method for the simultaneous determination of arecaine,arecoline,norisoboldine and boldine in Xiangbin decoction by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS), and compare the variation of their contents between single and mixed decoctions. Method: The separation was carried on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH Shield RP18(2.1 mm×150 mm,1.7 μm)column, with 0.1%formic acid solution-acetonitrile as mobile phase for gradient elution. The flow rate was 0.2 mL·min-1, and the column temperature was 30℃. The quantitative MRM transitions of the four components were m/z 142.10/44.11 for arecaine,m/z 156.20/44.07 for arecoline,m/z 314.29/265.12 for norisoboldine and m/z 328.13/265.10 for boldine. The determination was performed in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode by mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (ESI) source under positive mode. Result: The linear ranges of arecaine,arecoline,norisoboldine and boldine were 0.479 0-57.48,0.976 0-78.08,0.812 0-64.96, 0.091 2-18.24 μg·L-1,respectively. The average recoveries of the above compounds ranged from 93.73%to 104.34%, with RSD (n=6) of less than 5%. The contents of arecoline,arecoline,norbibeldine and boltinine in Xiangbin decoction were (90.07±1.26),(445.27±12.39),(742.35±38.39),(38.50±3.33) μg·g-1,which were significantly lower than the contents in Linderae Radix and Arecae Semen. Conclusion: The method is rapid,sensitive,accurate and reproducible,and suitable for the simultaneous determination of multiple components in Xiangbin decoction,so as to provide a basis for the quality control of Xiangbin decoction. The compatibility of Xiangbin decoction has a significant effect on the dissolution contents of arecaine,arecoline,norisoboldine and boldine.

Norepinephrine attenuates injury of vascular endothelial cells induced by LPS / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To investigate the effects of norepinephrine(NE)on vascular endothelial cell damage in-duced by lipopolysaccharides(LPS).METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC-12)were cultured with LPS at 100 mg/L to establish the cell damage model.Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to determine the ex-pressions of VE-cadherin at mRNA and protein levels.The levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-2 and IL-10 in culture supernatant were measured by ELISA.The reactive oxygen species(ROS)production in the endothelial cells was detected by ROS as-say kit.RESULTS: LPS decreased both mRNA and protein levels of VE-cadherin accompanied by increased levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-2 and intracellular ROS,and decreased level of IL-10 in the endothelial cells.NE reversed the expres-sion of VE-cadherin at mRNA and protein levels under the condition of LPS treatment in a dose -dependent manner,and al-so alleviated the intracellular oxidative stress.CONCLUSION: NE reverses the endothelial damage induced by LPS, which may be related to the up-regulation of VE-cadherin level and the decreases in oxidative stress and inflamatory media-tors.

Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment on Event-Related Potentials in Schizophrenia / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and event-related potentials (ERPs) are a noninvasive technique that widely used in neurophysiological field. Although rTMS has shown clinical utility for a number of neurological conditions, Recently,there was little understanding of the the efficacy of rTMS on Schizophrenia(SZ) and the change of ERP between before and after rTMS treatment. The objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics of N400, mismatch negativity (MMN), and P300 before and after treatment with rTMS in SZ.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty-seven SZ patients hospitalized in Shanghai Mental Health Center from March 2015 to July 2017, divided into two groups (85 patients were recruited as rTMS group and 42 were recruited as sham rTMS [ShrTMS] group) and 76 normal controls (NCs) who were the staff and refresher staff in our hospital were recruited at the same time. A Chinese-made rTMS and a Runjie WJ-1 ERPs instrument were used in the present experiment. N400 was elicited by congruent and noncongruent Chinese idioms. After rTMS treatment, N400, P300, and MMN characteristics were compared with those before treatment and NC group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with NC, the SZ patients exhibited delays in N400, P300, and MMN latency and decreased N400, P300, and MMN amplitudes in their frontal area (P < 0.05). After 25 rTMS treatments, N400 amplitudes in the frontal area (elicited by idioms with same phonic and different shape and meaning and with different phonic, shape, and meaning) were increased in the SZ patients (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant change in N400 before and after treatment with ShrTMS in SZ patients (P > 0.05). Amplitudes for MMN and target P300 also increased in SZ patients after rTMS treatment (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Based on our preliminary findings, we believe that the combined usage of N400, MMN, and P300 could be a valuable index and an electrophysiological reference in evaluating the effects of rTMS treatment in SZ patients.</p>

Effect of Dermabrasion and ReCellon Large Superficial Facial Scars Caused by Burn, Trauma and Acnes / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Objective To explore the effects of dermabrasion combined with ReCellon large superficial facial scars caused by burn, trauma and acnes.Methods Nineteen patients with large superficial facial scars were treated by the same surgeon with dermabrasion combined with ReCell. According to the etiology, patients were classified into post-burning group (n=5), post-traumatic group (n=7) and post-acne group (n=7). Fifteen patients completed the follow-ups, 5 patients in each group. Healing time, complication rate, the preoperative and 18-month-post-operative assessments using Patient Satisfaction Score (PSS), Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) of each group were analyzed to compare the effect of the combined therapy on outcomes.Results The healing time of post-burning group (19.6±4.0 days), post-traumatic group (15.8±2.6 days), and post-acne group (11.4±3.1 days) varied remarkably (F=7.701, P=0.007). The complication rates were 60%, 20%, and 0 respectively. The post-operative POSAS improved significantly in all groups (P<0.05), where the most significant improvement was shown in the post-acne group (P<0.05). The post-operative PSS and VSS improved only in the post-traumatic group and post-acne group (all P<0.05), where the more significant improvement was also shown in the post-acne group (P<0.05).Conclusions The combined treatment of dermabrasion and ReCellhas remarkable effect on acne scars, moderate effect on traumatic scars and is not suggested for burn scars. POSAS should be applied to assess the therapeutic effects of treatments for large irregular scars.

Effect of Dermabrasion and ReCellon Large Superficial Facial Scars Caused by Burn, Trauma and Acnes / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<strong>Objective</strong> To explore the effects of dermabrasion combined with ReCellon large superficial facial scars caused by burn, trauma and acnes.<strong>Methods</strong> Nineteen patients with large superficial facial scars were treated by the same surgeon with dermabrasion combined with ReCell. According to the etiology, patients were classified into post-burning group (n=5), post-traumatic group (n=7) and post-acne group (n=7). Fifteen patients completed the follow-ups, 5 patients in each group. Healing time, complication rate, the preoperative and 18-month-post-operative assessments using Patient Satisfaction Score (PSS), Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) of each group were analyzed to compare the effect of the combined therapy on outcomes.<strong>Results</strong> The healing time of post-burning group (19.6±4.0 days), post-traumatic group (15.8±2.6 days), and post-acne group (11.4±3.1 days) varied remarkably (F=7.701, P=0.007). The complication rates were 60%, 20%, and 0 respectively. The post-operative POSAS improved significantly in all groups (P<0.05), where the most significant improvement was shown in the post-acne group (P<0.05). The post-operative PSS and VSS improved only in the post-traumatic group and post-acne group (all P<0.05), where the more significant improvement was also shown in the post-acne group (P<0.05).<strong>Conclusions</strong> The combined treatment of dermabrasion and ReCellhas remarkable effect on acne scars, moderate effect on traumatic scars and is not suggested for burn scars. POSAS should be applied to assess the therapeutic effects of treatments for large irregular scars.

MiR-124 suppresses the proliferation of human prostate cancer PC3 cells by targeting PKM2 / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism of miR-124 inhibiting the proliferative activity of prostate cancer PC3 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Luciferase reporter gene assay was used to examine the specific binding ability of miR-124 to PKM2 mRNA 3'-UTR. After miR-124 was transfected mimic to PC3 cells, the expression levels of PKM2 mRNA and protein were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot, respectively. The effects of miR-124 mimic and PKM2 siRNA on the proliferative activity of the PC3 cells were determined by MTT assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expressions of PKM2 mRNA and protein were upregulated (5.12 +/- 0.35) times and (4.05 +/- 0.20) times respectively in the PC3 cells as compared with those in the RWPE-1 cells (P < 0.05). Luciferase reporter gene assay demonstrated that miR-124 targeted PKM2 3'-UTR. At 24 hours after transfection with miR-124 mimic, the PKM2 protein expression in the PC3 cells was downregulated (0.16 +/- 0.04) times (P < 0.05), while the PKM2 mRNA level was not changed significantly (P > 0.05), as compared with the control group. MTT assay showed that both miRNA-124 mimic and PKM2 siRNA could inhibit the proliferation of the PC3 cells, but the former exhibited a greater inhibitory effect than the latter. After transfection with miR-124 mimic and PKM2 siRNA, the cell growth rates were (66.20 +/- 5.10)% vs (82.10 +/- 6.35)% at 24 hours (P < 0.05) and (49.34 +/- 2.37)% vs (70.10 +/- 5.80)% at 48 hours (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>miR-124 can suppress the proliferation of PC3 cells by regulating the PKM2 gene.</p>

Laparoscopic versus open intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer: a clinical comparative study / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the clinical and oncological outcomes between laparoscopic and open intersphincteric resection in patients with low rectal cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2007 to January 2010, patients with low rectal cancer treated by laparoscopic or open intersphincteric resection were included in a retrospective comparative study. Patients were classified into laparoscopy group (n=27) and open group (n=41). The operative procedures, postoperative complications, anal function and clinicopathological data were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to the open group, the laparoscopic group had longer operative time [(242.2±42.5) min vs. (199.1±44.3) min, P=0.000], less blood loss [(150.5±102.2) ml vs. (258.4±149.2) ml, P=0.002], faster recovery of bowel function [(2.9±1.1) d vs. (3.6±1.5) d, P=0.032] and resumption of regular diet [(6.6±1.2) d vs. [(7.5±1.7) d, P=0.012], and shorter postoperative hospital stay [(7.7±1.4) d vs. (9.1±2.4) d, P=0.006]. The postoperative complication rate between the laparoscopic and open groups was not significantly different [18.5% (5/27) vs. 19.5% (8/41), P=0.464]. Oncological parameters were comparable between the two groups including lymph node harvested [(14.1±4.1) vs. (16.4±6.8), P=0.113], distal resection margin [(1.4±0.7) cm vs. (1.6±0.8) cm, P=0.311], and circumferential margin [7.4% (2/27) vs. 2.4% (1/41), P=0.709]. Local recurrence rates in laparoscopic and open groups were 7.4% (2/27) and 2.4% (1/41), and distant metastasis rates were 0 and 4.9% (2/41) respectively, and the differences were not significant (both P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Laparoscopic intersphincteric resection possesses same efficacy of open intersphincteric resection with less blood loss, shorter recovery time and hospital stay, and similar oncological outcomes, and no increased postoperative morbidity and mortality.</p>

Accuracy of endorectal ultrasonography in preoperative staging of rectal cancer / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the accuracy of endorectal ultrasonography in preoperative staging of rectal carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The 319 patients with rectal adenocarcinoma underwent endorectal ultrasonography evaluation from January 2007 to March 2010. There were 175 males and 144 females, and the age of patients were 22-82 year old (median 59 years). According their visiting time, 319 patients were divided into 3 groups (period A: January to December 2007; period B: January to December 2008; and period C: January 2009 to March 2010). All patients underwent endorectal ultrasonography, and the 3 doctors had finished evaluations with 272 cases (Doctor 1, 2, 3 had finished evaluations with 162, 64 and 46 cases respectively). The endorectal ultrasonography staging was compared with the pathology findings based on the surgical specimens in 319 patients who had surgery.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Overall accuracy in assessing the level of rectal wall invasion was 67%. The accuracy of uT2 and uT3 were 43% and 81% respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (χ(2) = 30.54, P < 0.01), and the accuracy of uT4a was 59%, which was lower than uT3 (81%,χ(2) = 13.77, P < 0.01). Overall accuracy in assessing nodal involvement in the 311 patients treated with radical surgery was 66%. Staging accuracy tends to improve with experience, the accuracy with Doctor 1 in period C(staging accuracy of T and N were 84% and 81% respectively) were higher than period A(staging accuracy of T and N were 55% and 41% respectively) (χ(2) = 6.65 and 13.27, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Transrectal ultrasound for preoperative staging of rectal has higher accuracy with mastered ultrasound doctor.</p>

Zygomatic reduction with midface L-shaped osteotomy and its effect on the maxillary sinus / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the result of zygomatic reduction with midface L-shaped osteotomy through intraoral approach.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From June 2006 to Aug. 2009, 67 cases received zygomatic reduction with midface L-shaped osteotomy through intraoral approach. 52 cases underwent CT scan before operation and 12 months after operation. The images were analyzed by software GE AW 4.1 for evaluation of clinical effect, maxillary sinus change and complication. SAS 6.12 software was applied for one-way ANOVA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Satisfactory results were achieved in all the patients. The volume of maxillary sinus at left and right side was (21233.96 +/- 4455.04) mm3, and (22020.64 +/- 3663.82) mm3, respectively before operation: (17840.91 +/- 4381.03) mm3 and (18511.85 +/- 3466.24) mm3 respectively 12 months after operation, showing a significant difference between them (P<0.05). No infection or dental pulp necrosis happened.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Good results can be achieved with intraoral L-shaped osteotomy for zygomatic reduction. Exposure of maxillary sinus would not cause any complication.</p>

The morphological study on masseter muscle following mandibular angle osteotomy / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the morphological change of masseter after the mandibular angle osteotomy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Computerized tomography (CT) examination was performed on 120 patients treated by mandibular angle osteotomy before operation and at 3, 6, 12 months after operation, respectively. The pre- and postoperative masseter muscle thickness and cross-sectional area were evaluated using 3D CT images observed from 3 selected slice planes, which were paralleled with Frankfurt horizontal plane. These CT images were stored and three-dimensional reconstruction were made for calculation of masseter muscle volume through software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After operation, the reduction of the masseter muscle volume and cross-sectional area was seen. The volume of the masseter at 3, 6, 12 months postoperatively decreased to 82.02%, 77.00% and 80.43% (P < 0.05). The cross-sectional area at 3, 6,12 months postoperatively decreased to 85.81%, 78.86% and 81.56% at A plane, 80.94%, 75.03% and 77.04% at B plane, and reached to 13.46%, 11.48% and 13.89% at C plane (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The masseter thickness after operation was significantly different from that before operation during the follow-up period, but not at 12 months after operation at A plane.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The masseter atrophy happens spontaneously after mandibular angle osteotomy, especially at the region of mandibular angle. It should be considered during surgical design.</p>

Expression of survivin, Bcl-2 and p53 during 4-nitro-quinoline 1-oxide-induced rat tongue carcinogenesis / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of survivin during oral carcinogenesis and its relationship with the expression of Bcl-2 and p53.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two-step immunohistochemical method was employed to detect the expression of survivin, Bcl-2 and p53 in 60 rat tongue carcinogenesis specimens induced by 4-nitro-quinoline 1-oxide (4NQO).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Survivin was present in 1/36 cases of normal mucosa, 6/11 cases of oral epithelial dysplasia and 10/11 cases of oral carcinoma. There were significant difference in the expression of survivin among normal mucosa, oral epithelial dysplasia and carcinoma (P < 0.001). While in the 17 cases of positive expression of survivin, Bcl-2 was present in 12 cases and p53 was present in 8 cases. The expression of survivin in oral epithelial dysplasia and carcinoma were significantly higher than that in normal oral mucosa (P < 0.01). The expression of survivin was positively correlated to the expression of Bcl-2 and p53 in rat tongue (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The expression of survivin may play an important role in oral carcinogenesis. Survivin, Bcl-2 and p53 may be synergetic in the carcinogenesis of oral cancer.</p>

Significance of cell immunoreactions and cell apoptosis in oral lichen planus / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the expression of CD4+, CD8+ T cells and cell apoptosis in oral lichen planus (OLP) and investigate the role and the relationship of immunological reaction and cell apoptosis in the pathogenesis of OLP2.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunohistochemical technique was used to study the expression of CD4+, CD8+ T cells in 27 OLP cases. TUNEL was used for detecting the cell apoptotic index (AI) in 17 OLP2 cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of CD4+, CD8+ T cells were obviously elevated in lamina propria of OLP group compared with control group (P<0.05). There was a strong significance when compared the ration of CD4/CD8 in both group. AI was remarkably increased in epithelia cells and significantly decreased in lymphocytes in lamina propria in OLP cases compared with its expression in the control group respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The increased amount of CD4+, CD8+ T cells in lamina propria of OLP and the change ration of CD4/CD8 suggest that immune response is involved in the pathogenesis of OLP. The abnormal cell apoptosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of OLP.</p>

Expression of TGF-beta1, Smad7 and cell apoptosis in epithelium of oral lichen planus / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the expression of TGF-beta1, Smad7 and cell apoptosis in oral lichen planus (OLP) and to evaluate the possible pathogenesis of oral lichen planus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunohistochemical technique was used to study the expression of TGF-beta1 and Smad7 in the epithelia cells of 17 OLP cases and 7 normal oral mucosa (NOM). TUNEL was used for detecting the cell apoptosis in 17 OLP cases and 7 NOM.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TGF-beta1 was moderately positive in the epithelia cells of OLP. All the epithelia cells in OLP showed strong cytoplasmic staining. The expression of TGF-beta1 and Smad7 were significantly increased in OLP compared with that in NOM (P < 0.05). Cell apoptotic index (AI) was remarkably increased in epithelia cells in OLP cases, and the cell apoptosis was localized in basal and suprabasal epithelial layers. There was a positive correlation between TGF-beta1 expression and cell apoptosis in the epithelia of OLP (r = 0.69, P <0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>High expression of TGF-beta1 and Smad7 in the epithelia of OLP suggests that TGF-beta1-Smad7 signal pathway was disturbed in oral lichen planus. The imbalance of TGF-beta1-Smad7 pathway may contribute to the mechanisms of cell apoptosis of epithelial cells in OLP.</p>

Application of adipose-derived cells in reconstruction of tissue engineered cartilage in vitro / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the feasibility of application of adipose-derived cells (ADCs) in reconstruction of tissue engineered cartilage in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Adipose tissue were obtained from human liposuction aspirate (19 cases, 31.5 +/- 5.8 years old). ADCs were isolated by collagenase digestion from liposuction aspirates. 3rd passage cells were seeded into PLGA scaffolds. The copolymer constructs were cultured in conditioned or non-conditioned medium in vitro for 4 weeks. The constructs were evaluated though gross morphology, histology, and immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cell-polymer constructs kept its original shape in the induced group, but lost its original shape in the non-induced group. The scaffold group were collapsed. Histologically, the induced groups showed dense cellularity and lacunae-containing cells embedded in a basophilic matrix, while non-induced groups showed connective tissue-like morphology. Collagen and proteoglycan deposition was revealed by Massons's trichome and Safranin' O staining, and minor collagen II expression in the matrix was detected by immunohistochemistry staining in the induced group. They were all negative in the non-induced groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Although ADCs included many kinds of cells, it is feasible to use ADCs as seeds cells for reconstruction of tissue engineered cartilage.</p>

Research and clinical application of computer-aided design of craniofacial prosthesis using mirror technique / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the feasibility of creating a 3D-CAD model of craniofacial prostheses through mirror technique to repair the unilateral craniofacial defects and restore craniofacial symmetry.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Patients with unilateral craniofacial defects underwent spiral CT scanning. CAD3-D image was reconstructed ad 3-D CAD model of craniofacial prosthesis was created with mirror technique, Boolean operation and rapid prototyping technique. Then the prosthesis made of bioactive artificial bone was made through plaster cavity block.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>15 cases were treated with no complications. Good symmetry was achieved after operation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Designing the craniofacial prosthesis with mirror technique guarantees excellent functional and cosmetic results for repairing the unilateral craniofacial defects.</p>

Monobloc distraction osteogenesis and cranial vault remodeling in a pediatric patient with severe Crouzon's syndrome / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To report the treatment of a case of severe Crouzon's syndrome using monobloc distraction osteogenesis and cranial vault remodeling.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Through intra-and extra-cranial approach, monobloc osteotomy was performed and external distractor was placed. Distraction began on the 7th postoperative day at a rate of 1 mm a day, two times a day. The distractor removed after consolidation for 4 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The distraction distance attained 20 mm. The exophthalmos and cross bite were corrected completely. The severe obstructive apnea improved markedly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Monbloc distraction osteogenesis and cranial vault remodeling are effective and safe procedure for Crouzon's syndrome.</p>

Impact of different extents of lymph node dissection on the survival in stage III esophageal cancer patients / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the safety, feasibility and the impact of different extents of lymph node dissection on the survival in the patients with locally advanced thoracic esophageal carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2001 to December 2006, 122 patients with locally advanced thoracic esophageal carcinoma underwent radical resection through cervical, thoracic, and abdominal incisions, and were randomly divided into two-field lymph node dissection group (Two-FD) and three-field lymph node dissection group (Three-FD). Life-table method was used to compare the difference of survival rates between the two groups. Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare the cumulative survival time and median survival time between the two groups. Multivariate analysis was performed using Cox model to identify the prognostic factors affecting the survival (alpha = 0.05).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no significant difference between the two groups in age, sex, and disease stage. Postoperative complication rate and perioperative mortality rate were 14.5% and 1.6% in the two-FD group versus 15.0% and 1.7% in the three-FD group, statistically without a significant difference (P > 0.05). The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 78.2%, 39.6% and 14.5% in the two-FD group, and 83.7%, 42.4% and 18.1% in the three-FD group, respectively. The median survival time was 24.0 months in the two-FD group and 31.0 months in the three-FD group. Log-rank analysis showed that in the patients without preoperative weight loss, in T3N1M0 stage, only single regional lymph node metastasis but < 3 in total, the three field lymph node dissection achieved a better prognosis (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis using Cox model showed that T and N stages and lymph node dissection extent were still risk factors in patients with stage III locally advanced thoracic esophageal carcinoma.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compared with the two field lymph node dissection, the three field lymph node dissection is safe and feasible, and can improve the survival for a part of stage III esophageal cancer patients without increase in operative mortality and complications.</p>