OBJECTIVE To evaluate the short-term efficacy of ear molding in the treatment of congenital auricular deformation. METHODS Twenty-four infants(twenty-eight ears) were treated with ear molding devices(EarWell Infant Ear Correction System). Doctors and parents were surveyed 1 months after treatment. RESULTS All cases were treated successfully without severe complications. 25 ears(89％) and 26(92％) were rated as very satisfied or satisfied by doctors and parents, respectively. CONCLUSION Ear molding is a noninvasive treatment, and effectively corrects congenital auricular deformation.

Objective To investigate the effect of interleukin-6 (IL-6) on the growth of human lung cancer in vivo as well as in vitro.Methods To examine the mRNA level of IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) in high-metastatic human lung giant cell carcinoma cell line PG by means of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). To assess the existence of IL-6 receptor complex (including IL-6R and gp130) with the treatment of PG cells by use of recombinant human IL-6 (rhIL-6), recombinant human oncostatin M (rhOSM), and recombinant human leukemia inhibitory factor (rhLIF), respectively. To detect the expression of IL-6 by Northern blotting hybridization and bioactive assay. To identify the effect of IL-6 secreted by PG cells by use of IL-6 and IL-6R antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs), and specific neutralizing antibody to IL-6. To document the influence of IL-6 on PG cells growth in vivo through the strategy of the transfection of expression vector inserted antisense IL-6 cDNA.Results RT-PCR analysis revealed that PG cells expressed IL-6R mRNA. Any one of the recombinant cytokine IL-6, OSM and LIF stimulated the growth of PG cells in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. These results demonstrated IL-6 receptor complex exist in PG cells. At the same time, PG cells expressed IL-6 mRNA and secreted bioactive IL-6. Both IL-6 antisense ODNs and IL-6R ODNs inhibited PG cells proliferation. Treatment of PG cells with IL-6 antibodies reduced the growth of PG cells in vitro. PG cells transfected with IL-6 antisense expression vector showed a decreased growth in nude mice.Conclusion IL-6 functions as an autocrine growth stimulator for PG cells in vivo as well as in vitro.