Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fibroma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Vimentin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study an intervention model of "schools without infected students with schistosoma japonica", to control and prevent students from schistosoma infection.

METHODSTwelve primary schools of four heavy endemic counties (districts) with schistosomiasis in the Poyang Lake areas were selected as the study fields, of which, ten schools were the experimental groups, and the other two schools were the control groups by cluster random sampling. All enrolment students were the target population. The baseline survey was carried out in 2005, and an intervention model, "information dissemination + behavior participation + behavior encouragement", was applied in the experiment groups in 2006 - 2008, then the effect of intervention was assessed.

RESULTSBefore intervention (2005), the anti-schistosomiasis knowledge awareness rate of experimental and control groups were 14.75% (324/2196) and 16.58% (91/549), and the different was not significant (χ(2) = 1.14, P > 0.05); the rate of accurate attitude of anti-schistosomiasis were 14.71% (323/2196) and 11.84% (65/549) in experimental and control groups, and the difference was not significant (χ(2) = 2.98, P > 0.05); the rate of contacting infected water were 15.44% (18 988/122 976) and 15.03% (4622/30 744) in experimental and control group and the difference was not significant (χ(2) = 3.13, P > 0.05); and the infection rate of schistosomiasis of experiment control groups were 9.65% (212/2196) and 10.56% (58/549), the difference was not significant (χ(2) = 0.41, P > 0.05). After one year intervention (2006), the anti-schistosomiasis knowledge awareness rate of experimental and control groups were 97.79% (2032/2078) and 18.11% (98/541), and the different was significant (χ(2) = 1794.31, P < 0.01); the rate of accurate attitude of anti-schistosomiasis were 99.09% (2059/2078) and 13.49% (73/541) in experimental and control group, and the difference was significant (χ(2) = 2077.45, P < 0.01). After 1 - 3 years intervention (2006 - 2008), there were no any contactors with infected water and infectors with schistosome in students of the experiment group in successive 3 years. While in the control group of the same period, the rate contacting infected water were 16.12% (4884/30 296), 11.11% (3079/27 720) and 12.25% (3451/28 168); the infection rate of schistosomiasis were 8.87% (48/541), 7.47% (37/495) and 7.95% (40/503), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe intervention model of health promotion, "information dissemination + behavior participation + behavior encouragement", can effectively control and prevent students from infecting schistosoma japonica in heavy endemic areas with schistosomiasis.

Animals ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Schistosomiasis ; prevention & control ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; School Health Services ; Schools ; Students

BACKGROUNDAll-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) can influence the tumor cell proliferation cycle, and some chemotherapeutic drugs are cycle specific. In this study, we hypothesize that ATRA can enhance chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity by affecting the cell cycle of tumor cells.

METHODSThe cell cycle of LoVo cells was evaluated using flow cytometry (FCM). Cell viability was analyzed using the MTT assay. The morphologic changes in the treated LoVo cells were measured with acridine orange (AO)/ethidium bromide (EB) staining. Expression of survivin in LoVo cells was analyzed by immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTSAfter LoVo cells were treated with ATRA, the G0/G1 ratio of the tumor cells increased and the cell ratio of S- and G2/M-phase decreased. Viability of the cells decreased significantly after combined treatment with ATRA and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or mitomycin c (MMC) and was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy. Expression level of survivin in the tumor cells decreased after ATRA combination treatment.

CONCLUSIONSATRA enhances drug sensitivity of the LoVo cell line to cell cycle-specific agents and inhibits the expression of survivin in LoVo cells. The combination of ATRA and 5-FU or MMC promoted cell apoptosis, and the mechanism involved in apoptosis may be related to inhibition of survivin gene expression.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Colonic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression and its significance of retinoic acid receptor-beta (RAR-beta) in colorectal cancer.

METHODSRAR-beta was detected by immunohistochemistry methods and carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) was tested by chemiluminescence immunoassay methods in normal tissues, paracancerous tissues and colorectal cancer tissues of 60 patients with colorectal cancer treated from January 2006 to January 2007. Above-mentioned data, together with the clinicopathological data of these 60 patients, were analyzed to figure out the expression and its significance of RAR-beta in colorectal cancer.

RESULTSThe expression rate of RAR-beta in tumor tissues (48%) was significantly lower than those in both normal tissues (87%) and paracancerous tissues (87%) (P < 0.05). And its expression was also significant lower in patients with lymph node metastasis (32%) and patients with advanced cancer (TNM stage III and IV) (29%) than in those without lymph nodes metastasis (60%) and those with early stage cancer (stage I and II) (69%). There was no significant differences among well, mildly and poorly differentiated cancer tissues. The CEA level rose in 20 patients, and its rising rate was remarkably higher in patients with lymph node metastasis (48%) and in patients with advanced cancer (52%) than those without lymph node metastasis (23%) and in early stage(14%).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of RAR-beta decreases significantly in cancer tissues in patients with colorectal cancer, which may be related to the carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer; and its decreasing degree is correlated negatively with the lymph node metastasis and advanced clinicopathological stage. The expression level of RAR-beta may be a new prognostic indication of patients with colorectal cancer.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Retinoic Acid ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possibility and efficacy of allograft transplantation in treating patient with huge tissue defect after radical giant malignant melanoma resection.

METHODSA male person received blood type matching was chosen as donor. Immediately after the donor's brain death, allograft was excised with the depth to the layer intervenient between periosteum and epicranial fascia in calvaria, the superficial layer of deep temporal fascia in both sides of temporal regions, close to zygomatic bones and mandibles including masseter and auricles upon in face, and cervical soft tissues including sternocleidomastoid muscles, cervical and external jugular vessels of both sides were excised simultaneously. After being perfused with 4 degrees C UW solution through both common carotid arteries, the homograft was sheared and radiated with X-ray before being preserved in UW solution for further use. During the operation, both sides of external auditory meatus were anastomosed with ears firstly, and vessels were anastomosed end-to-end sequently, at last, the border of skin flap was sutured intermittently. Combined use of MMF, FK506, Prednisone and Zenopax was performed as post-operation immunosuppressive treatment. Clinical observations were made on the signs and symptoms of graft survival or rejection as well as blood FK506 concentrations and immunological indexes were tested in laboratory. Biopsies of graft were also made at 1 h, 4 h, 8 h, 7 d, 14 d and 30 d after operation.

RESULTSThe circulation of the graft was satisfactory, and the temperature and color of skin were normal. Primary healing of suture and hair growth about 0.8 cm in a month were observed. Skin Biopsies of every time had no found of hyperacute or acute rejection. The concentration of FK506 was maintained 20 mg/ml 1 month after the operation.

CONCLUSIONAllograft transplantation with compound tissue of head skin flap and ears is a kind of effective and safe treatment in repairing huge tissue defect. Good tissue matching and combined use of currently available immunosuppressants can prevent hyperacute and acute rejection efficiently.

Aged ; Ear ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Melanoma ; surgery ; Neck ; Surgical Flaps ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo study the expression and pathological implication of transforming growth factor-1 (TGF-1) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in intraacinar pulmonary arterioles of children with congenital heart disease and pulmonary hypertension (HP).

METHODSForty-one children with left-to-right shunt congenital heart disease were studied including 25 cases of HP (group A), 16 cases without HP (group B) and 10 children without congenital heart disease as the contols (group C). Expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA and ET-1 mRNA in intraacinar pulmonary arteriolar (IAPA) was studied using in-situ hybridization and image pattern analysis of their absorption values (A value). Changes of the intraacinar arterioles and lung tissue were studied by elastic fiber staining and electronic microscopy respectively.

RESULTS(1) There was a significant difference in the amount of intraacinar pulmonary arterioles (partial-muscular and muscular) counted in either group A or B in comparing with that of group C (F values 149.96 and 142.01 respectively, P < 0.01); (2) Electronic microscopy demonstrated endothelial proliferation of the small arteries, thickening of arteriolar wall, increased density of collagen fibers at adventitia and increased thickness of the capillary basal membrane; (3) The A value of TGF-beta1 mRNA expressed in the pulmonary arterioles of groups A and B by in-situ hybridization were 0.1988 +/- 0.0498 and 0.1098 +/- 0.0428 respectively, however, the expression was weak in group C (A value: 0.0578 +/- 0.0096). There were all significant between each two groups (F = 45.95, P < 0.01). The expression of ET-1 mRNA was markedly increased as well in the endothelial cells of pulmonary arterioles in both groups A and B, with A values of 0.1692 +/- 0.0205 and 0.1004 +/- 0.0140 respectively, whereas the expression was weak in group C (A value of 0.0746 +/- 0.0119). There were all significant between each two groups (F = 139.996, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe number of intraacinar pulmonary partial-muscular and muscular arterioles in patients with left-to-right shunt congenital heart defect is drastically increased, along with marked restructuring of the pulmonary vasculatures. In addition, there seems a correlation present between the overexpression of TGF-beta1 mRNA and ET-1 mRNA in intraacinar pulmonary arterioles and the occurrence of pulmonary hypertension in patients with congenital heart disease.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Endothelin-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; Infant ; Lung ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Pulmonary Artery ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the curative effect of curved cutter stapler (Contour, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc) in the ultra low anterior resection for low rectal cancer.

METHODSClinic data of 56 patients with low rectal cancer from Dec. 2005 to Sep. 2006 were reviewed retrospectively. After total mesorectal excision (TME) and lateral lymph node dissection (LLD) in 56 cases, the rectal (anal) remnant was cut and closed with curved cutter stapler (Contour), and preserved for ultra low colo-rectal (anal) anastomoses with 33 mm straight intraluminal stapler.

RESULTSThere was no operational death and the mean hospitalization time was (11.2+/-3.2) days. The incidence rate of postoperative complications in 1 month was 3.57% (2/65). Both of the cases were anastomotic leakage. One was cured by surgical drainage, the other combining with rectal vaginal fistula was cured by transverse colostomy.

CONCLUSIONCurved cutter stapler has the advantages of complete cutting, safe closure and low anastomotic leakage rate in the process of ultra low anterior resection for low rectal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; instrumentation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Rectal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Rectum ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Equipment

OBJECTIVETo research the efficacy,security and necessity of combined therapy for preventing postsurgery stiffness after elbow fracture.

METHODSFrom May 2009 to April 2010, 60 patients with elbow fractures treated by operation were randomly divided into two groups: combined therapy group and past procedure group. Thirty patients in the combined therapy group,including 12 males and 18 females, ranging in age from 23 to 63 years, averaged (43.53 +/- 7.74) years old; 15 patients had two parts fractures, including humeral intercondylar fractures combined with olecroanon and (or) ulna coronoid process fractures in 8 cases, fractures of exterior and interior humeral condyle combined with capitulum radius in 3 cases, fractures of olecroanon and ulna coronoid process in 3 cases, fractures of olecroanon and capitulum radius in 1 case; other 15 patients had one part fractures, including fractures of exterior or interior humeral condyle in 8 cases,fractures of olecroanon or ulna coronoid process in 6 cases, fractures of capitulum radius in 1 patient. Thirty patients in the past procedure group,including 11 males and 19 females, ranging in age from 24 to 67 years, averaged (46.13 +/- 6.22) years; 15 patients had two parts fractures, including fractures of humeral intercondylar fracture combined with olecroanon and(or) ulna coronoid process in 7 cases, fractures of exterior and interior humeral condyle combined with capitulum radius in 2 cases,fractures of olecroanon and ulna coronoid process in 5 cases,fractures of humeral intercondylar fracture combined with capitulum radius in 1 patient; 15 pa- tients had one part fracture, including fractures of exterior or interior humeral condyle in 6 cases, fractures of olecroanon or ulna coronoid process in 8 cases, fractures of capitulum radius in 1 patient; the patients in the past procedure group were treated with past procedure methods. Mayo Elbow Performance Score (including gmotion of elbow joint) and security (using X-ray to recheck displacement fracture, internal fixation failure and heterotopic ossification) were evaluated at postoperative 6 months. From 2002 to 2006, 30 patients were reviewed as historical control group, including 17 males and 13 females, ranging in age from 27 to 62 years, averaged (47.17 +/- 7.83) years; 15 patients had two parts fractures, including fractures of humeral intercondylar combined with olecroanon and(or) ulna coronoid process in 7 cases, fractures of exterior and interior humeral condyle combined with capitulum radius in 1 case, fractures of olecroanon and ulna coronoid process in 6 cases, fractures of ulna coronoid process and capitulum radius in 1 case; 15 patients had one part fractures,including fractures of exterior or interior humeral condyle in 9 cases, fractures of olecroanon or ulna coronoid process in 5 cases,fractures of capitulum radius in 1 case. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score of the patients in historical control group was evaluated retrospectively at postoperative 6 months and the results were compared with that of past procedure group.

RESULTSMayo score of combined therapy group was (91.00 +/- 7.81)surpassed to (76.83 +/- 10.71) of the past procedure group and (73.17 +/- 1.99) of historical control group (F = 24.98, P < 0.05). The range of motion of elbow was (102.40 +/- 9.16) degrees of combined therapy group surpassed to (83.57 +/- 6.21) degrees of the past procedure group (t = 9.325, P < 0.05). There were no internal fixation loose,obvious fracture displacement and heterotopic ossification in each X-ray examination of patients in the combined therapy group. The Mayo score of historical control group was (73.17 +/- 11.99), showing no significant differences when compared with (76.83 +/- 10.71) of the past procedure group (LSD, P = 0.172).

CONCLUSIONCombined therapy including different stage, different method combination and different subject to practice to prevent postsurgery stiffness after elbow fracture is effect, security and necessity.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Elbow Joint ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Joint Diseases ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of short-term forest bathing on human health.

METHODSTwenty healthy male university students participated as subjects and were randomly divided into two groups of 10. One group was sent on a two-night trip to a broad-leaved evergreen forest, and the other was sent to a city area. Serum cytokine levels reflecting inflammatory and stress response, indicators reflecting oxidative stress, the distribution of leukocyte subsets, and plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentrations were measured before and after the experiment to evaluate the positive health effects of forest environments. A profile of mood states (POMS) evaluation was used to assess changes in mood states.

RESULTSNo significant differences in the baseline values of the indicators were observed between the two groups before the experiment. Subjects exposed to the forest environment showed reduced oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory level, as evidenced by decreased malondialdehyde, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor a levels compared with the urban group. Serum cortisol levels were also lower than in the urban group. Notably, the concentration of plasma ET-1 was much lower in subjects exposed to the forest environment. The POMS evaluation showed that after exposure to the forest environment, subjects had lower scores in the negative subscales, and the score for vigor was increased.

CONCLUSIONForest bathing is beneficial to human health, perhaps through preventive effects related to several pathological factors.

Baths ; China ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; blood ; Life Style ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; Male ; Nature ; Recreation ; Stress, Physiological ; Testosterone ; blood ; Trees ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility, safety and short-term outcomes of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer.

METHODSFrom January 2007 to June 2008, 135 patients with advanced gastric cancer in the lower or middle stomach were operated, of whom 66 underwent laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy(LADG) with D2 dissection of lymph nodes and 69 received conventional open D2 distal gastrectomy(ODG). Clinical data were recorded and compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in age, gender, and TNM staging between LADG and ODG(all P>0.05). All the patients in the LADG group underwent gastrectomy and lymph nodes dissection successfully without conversion to open surgery and no operative deaths occurred. The operative time was significantly longer for the LADG group than for the ODG group[(266.1±55.1) min vs. (223.8±26.8) min)]. The patients in the laparoscopic surgery group had less blood loss[(131.9±88.7) ml vs.(342.3±178.7) ml], earlier recovery of bowel activity[(3.18±1.22) d vs.(4.50±1.59) d], and shorter hospitalization time[(9.20±3.39) d vs. (11.35±4.61) d]. No significant differences were found in the total number of retrieved lymph nodes(25.81±12.53 vs. 27.47±10.28). The morbidity of complications was comparable between two groups(6.1% vs. 15.94%). No mortality and recurrence were observed during a follow-up period of 1-19 months.

CONCLUSIONSLADG with D2 lymph node dissection is a safe and feasible procedure with adequate lymphadenectomy for advanced gastric cancer.

Female ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Laparotomy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome