Application of esophageal irradiation stents coated with 125I particles in advanced esophageal cancer.

PURPOSE: The current study was designed to investigate the primary efficacy of esophageal irradiation stents coated with 125I particles in the treatment of elderly patients with advanced esophageal cancer. METHODS: Forty-three elderly patients with advanced esophageal cancer were treated with esophageal stents in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University between September 2009 and December 2010. Patients were randomly divided into group A (N=18), treated with irradiation stents, and group B (N=25), treated with ordinary stents. There were no significant intergroup differences in age, lesion length, degree of stenosis, or cancer stage. The stent implantation success rate, relief of dysphagia and complication rate, and survival were assessed. RESULTS: The stent implantation success and short-term dysphagia relief rates were 100.0% in both groups. The mean survival time was 9.8 months and 4.8 months in groups A and B, respectively (p<0.01). However, no significant difference in pain (5/18) or esophageal restenosis (7/25) was found (both p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Dysphagia was relieved and survival was prolonged in advanced esophageal cancer cases treated with 125I particle-coated esophageal stents. This method may be superior to the traditional stents method.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Bos taurus coreanae (Korean native cattle).

Korean native cattle is one of the famous native breeds in Korean. In the present work, we report the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Korean native cattle for the first time. The total length of the mitogenome was 16,339 bp with the base composition of 33.4% for A, 27.2% for T, 26.0% for C, and 13.4% for G, and an A-T (60.6%)-rich feature was detected. It harbored 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and 1 non-coding control region (D-loop region). The arrangement of all genes was identical to the typical mitochondrial genomes of cattle. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Korean native cattle would serve as an important data set of the germplasm resources for further study.

RNA interference targeting adrenomedullin induces apoptosis and reduces the growth of human bladder urothelial cell carcinoma.

Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a potent, long-lasting angiogenic peptide that was originally isolated from human pheochromocytoma. ADM signaling is of particular significance in endothelial cell biology because the peptide protects cells from apoptosis, and ADM has been shown to be pro-tumorigenic in that it stimulates tumor cell growth and angiogenesis. ADM may be involved in micro-vessel proliferation and partially in the release of hypoxia in solid tumors, contributing to the proliferation of tumor cells as well as local tumor invasion and metastasis. However, the effect of hypoxia-induced ADM expression in bladder cancer remains unclear. Here, we found that the levels of ADM protein in tumor tissue from patients with bladder urothelial cell carcinoma were significantly increased compared to the adjacent non-tumor bladder tissues (p < 0.01). Under hypoxic conditions, the expression of ADM was significantly elevated in a time-dependent manner in human bladder cancer cell lines. Furthermore, the knockdown of ADM by shRNA in T24 cells showed obvious apoptosis compared to untransfected controls (p < 0.0001). In addition, the combination of cisplatin and ADM-shRNA significantly reduces the tumor growth in vivo compared to treatment with cisplatin (p = 0.0046) or ADM-shRNA alone (p < 0.0001). These data suggest that ADM plays an important role in promoting bladder cancer cell growth under hypoxia and that the inhibition of ADM may provide a target for bladder cancer therapy.

[Application of the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in Le Fort I osteotomy].

OBJECTIVE: To improve the accuracy and safety of the Le Fort I osteotomy. METHODS: Eighty-four patients underwent CBCT scan before maxillary orthognathic surgery. The anatomic structures of maxilla were marked and measured. RESULTS: In 84 cases, there were 3 cases with severe hypoplasia of maxillary sinus, 11 cases with impacted third molar, 8 cases with separation in maxillary sinus, 4 cases with the deviation of nasal septum, and 3 cases with cysts in maxillary sinus. Form CBCT images, the position of the pterygopalatine canal, the thickness of maxillary wall, hidden lesion of maxillary sinus, the location of Impacted molar, the deviation of nasal septum, and other anatomic structure could be accurately localized. CBCT could provide sufficient and valuable information in diagnosis and design for Le Fort I osteotomy. CONCLUSIONS: CBCT imaging technology could provide precise anatomic images for Le Fort I osteotomy. It improves the accuracy and safety of the Le Fort I osteotomy.

[Three-dimensional finite element analysis for external midface distraction after different osteotomy in patients with cleft lip and palate].

OBJECTIVE: To study three-dimensional finite element analysis for external midface distraction after different osteotomy in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP). METHODS: Three-dimensional FEM models of Le Fort I, II and III osteotomy in CLP patients were established. External midface distraction were simulated. An anteriorly and inferiorly directed 900 g force was applied to bilateral maxillary arch in directions 30 degrees to the occlusal plane. Biomechanical changes for the maxillary complex were investigated by means of finite element analysis. RESULTS: Maxillary complex was advanced after different osteotomy. Constriction of alveolar crest and palate occurred in Le Fort I osteotomy, but not in Le Fort II and III osteotomy. Clockwise rotation occurred in Le Fort I osteotomy complex. Counterclockwise rotation occurred in Le Fort II and III osteotomy complex. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional finite element research on external midface distraction could provide reference for the preoperative design.

[Biomechanical study of internal midface distraction after different types of maxillary osteotomy in patients with cleft lip and palate].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biomechanical changes of internal midface distraction after different types of maxillary osteotomy in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP). METHODS: 3-D finite element (FEM) analysis was used. 3-D models of Le Fort I, II, III osteotomy and soft tissue were established. Based on the new pattern of internal midface distractor, the distraction of maxillary complex was simulated to advance 10 mm anteriorly. The mechanical change was studied. RESULTS: The maxillary complex in CLP were advanced after distraction. Constriction of alveolar crest and palate occurred in Le Fort I osteotomy, but not in Le Fort II and III osteotomy. The maxillary complex was moved anteriorly en bloc after Le Fort III osteotomy, but some degree of rotation of maxillary complex was observed during the distraction after Le Fort I and II osteotomy. In vertical direction, the maxillary complex had more counterclockwise rotation after Le Fort II osteotomy. CONCLUSION: 3-D FEM analysis can be used for the study of internal distraction. It can reflect the maxillary movement and provide the theory basis for preoperative design.