To explore the possibility of using tumor antigen encoded by MAGE-3 gene as the target for immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, the expression of MAGE-3 mRNA in 3 human lung cancer cell lines and 56 NSCLC samples together with the adjacent normal lung samples was determined by RT-PCR. The results showed that all 3 human lung cancer cell lines expressed MAGE-3 mRNA; of the 56 NSCLC samples, 30 expressed MAGE-3 mRNA. The expression rate in squamous cell carcinoma was significantly higher than in adenocarcinoma, whereas none of the adjacent normal lung samples expressed MAGE-3 mRNA. This study suggests that MAGE-3 mRNA is expressed in a high percentage in NSCLC specimens, and its encoding tumor antigen may be the target for immunotherapy for NSCLC patients.

A cuff technique was applied to anastomose pulmonary vein,pulmonary arery andbronchus in rat receiving lung transplantation.In 6 consecutive cases,the average graft ischemictime was 17±3 rain,and the time for operation was 61±4 min.The time for ischemia was 1essthan one third of previous reports and the time for operation one forth of previous reports.Theoperation successful rate was 75%,and the survival rate was 100%on the postoperative day 7.After contralateral pneumonectomy,the blood gas analysis was normal,showing excellent graftfunction of the oxygenaration of the animals.

To explore the causes and treatment of arrhythmia during the peri-operative period of thoracic surgery, 566 patients undergoing pulmonary surgery were included for a retrospective analysis. Among them, 121 patients were complicated by arrhythmia. With timely treatment, the arrhythmia was controlled in all patients. The causes of arrhythmia after pulmonary surgery were old age, heart and lung diseases, abnormal ECG before operation, and long operation time.

Objective To summarize and discuss the therapeutic strategies of mechanical ventilation for severe thoracic trauma complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Methods Ninely-four patients with severe thoracic trauma complicated by ARDS, in whom mechanical ventilation were instituted and multiple methods in addition to routine treatment, were analysed. Results Eight of them died, with a total mortality of 8.5%. After Jan. 1995, by using small tidal volume mechanical ventilation, the use of mechanical ventilation was maintained for 6.8?2.2 days(P

Objective: To replace esophageal defects with artificially composed biodegradable materials and non-biodegradable materials. Met hods: A two-layered tube consisting of a collagen-chitosan sponge and an inner polyurethane stent was used to replace 5 cm esophageal segmental defect s in 15 dogs. The inner polyurethane stent was removed endoscopically at weekly intervals from 2 or 4 weeks. Results: Partial regeneration of es ophageal epithelia was observed in 5 dogs at week 2, and progressing constricti on occurred and the dogs became unable to swallow within 1 month. In the 10 dog s that the polyurethane stent was removed at week 4, regenerated esophageal tiss ue successfully replaced the defects, and complete epithelization was observed 1 month after surgery. Complete regeneration of esophageal mucosa structures, inc luding mucosal smooth muscle and mucosal glands were observed 3 months after surgery, and partial regeneration of esophageal muscle tissue was also observed 6 months after surgery. Conclusion: Our artificial prosthesis i n reconstruction of the cervical esophagus segment in dogs is feasible. Through temporary polyurethane tube, collagen-chitosan sponge provides a three-dimensi onal structure suitable for the regeneration and sufficient degradation time for the complete regeneration of esophagus.

BACKGROUNDTo investigate the relationship between the size of primary tumor, pathologic classification, cell differentiation or location of tumor and lymph node metastasis in lung cancer.

METHODSThree hundred and thirty-two patients with lung cancer underwent pulmonectomy plus extensive dissection of hilar and mediastinal nodes. The law of lymph node metastasis was analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 3 280 lymph nodes were removed. Metastatic rates of N1 and N2 were 29.9% and 22.4% respectively. The total lymph node metastatic rates of T1, T2, and T3 diseases were 8.5%, 27.4% and 61.2% respectively ( P < 0.005). No lymphatic metastasis was observed in well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, however, the lymph node metastatic rates in moderate- and poor-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma were 16.8% and 19.6% respectively. The lymph node metastatic rates were 27.5% and 71.6% in moderate- and poor-differentiated adenocarcinoma respectively ( P < 0.005). The total lymph node metastatic rates in central and peripheral squamous cell carcinoma were 19.6% and 11.7% respectively ( P < 0.005), while in adenocarcinoma, the rates were 57.9% and 24.0% respectively ( P < 0.005). The N2 metastatic rates in central and peripheral squamous cell carcinoma were 10.9% and 2.9% respectively ( P < 0.005), while in adenocarcinoma, the rates were 47.5% and 17.8% respectively ( P < 0.005 ). Under the same T status, cell differentiation or location of tumor, the metastatic rate of adenocarcinoma was much higher than that of squamous cell carcinoma ( P < 0.005 ).

CONCLUSIONSThe frequency of lymph node metastasis significantly correlate with size of primary tumor, pathological classification, cell differentiation and location of tumor.