AIM: To examine the microsatellite instability (MSI) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). METHODS: 36 cases of HNSCC were analyzed with 15 microsatellite markers from chromosome 3,5,6,8,9,13,17 and 18. RESULTS: Among the 36 cases of HNSCC, 27.8%(10/36)of samples showed MSI in one to eight microsatellite markers. High frequent MSI occurred at D17S520(22.9%), D6S105(16 7%)and D8S264(13 9%). LOH was detected on the site of 9p21-p22 and 3p14. No correlations were found between allelic instability and grade or stage of the tumor. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that MSI is a common genetic change in HNSCC. Tumor suppressor genes related to HNSCC may harbor at chromosome 9p21-p22 and 3p14 regions. [

Objective To evaluate the validity of botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) injections for the treatment of scar contracture.Methods 26 patients with scar contracture were randomly assigned into BTXA group and triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) group.Pinpoint tattooing was performed on each side of each scar in the plane of its longest axis.A template was used to ensure consistent length.These two tattoo points were measured to assess scar contraction at baseline,at every month for a total of 6 months.Histological analysis was conducted to study the physiological environment and immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of α-SMA and myosin-Ⅱ at different groups.Results Scar contraction was more relaxed in BTXA group than that in TAC group after 1 month (P＜0.05),especially in the 6th month (the D value in BTXA group and TAC group was (1.23±0.42) cm,and (0.56±0.33) cm respectively).For immunohistochemistry,the expression of α-SMA and myosin-Ⅱ also decreased in BTXA group (P＜0.05).Conclusions The treatment of scar contracture by suitable BTXA injections is safe and effective.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) on the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin(alpha-SMA) and myosin-II of fibroblasts in scars. Methods Fibroblasts were isolated from tissue specimens of scars contracture. Cells from passages 3-5 were randomly divided into 3 groups (control group, low BTXA group (1 U/10(6) Cells), and high BTXA group (2.5 U/ 10(6)Cells)). Growth condition of fibroblasts was observed at 1 , 4, 7 day after BTXA treated. Changes of alpha-SMA and myosin-II in fibroblasts were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSFibroblasts grew well in control group. The proliferation was decreased 4 days later in BTXA groups. Lots of apoptotic cells were seen in high BTXA group at 7th day. Proteins of alpha-SMA and myosin-II in fibroblasts were statistically different between BTXA group and control groups at 4th day (P < 0.05). The expression of alpha-SMA and myosin-II in low BTXA group was higher than that in high BTXA group at 7th day (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBTXA could induce the apoptosis of fibroblasts and decrease the expression of alpha-SMA and myosin-II in fibroblasts. The inhibitory effect was strengthened with BTXA concentration increase within a certain range.

Actins ; metabolism ; Botulinum Toxins, Type A ; pharmacology ; Cicatrix ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Muscle, Smooth ; metabolism ; Myosin Type II ; metabolism ; Random Allocation

Objective To explore the influence of 30 day feeding test of health food containing caffeine on the physiological state of SD rat.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into five groups according weight :three health food containing caffeine(1.64,3.28,6.57 g/kg),one health food containing reduced caffeine (6.48 g/kg)and the control group. Haematological and biochemical parameters were measured at the end of experiment,and main organ tissue analysis was also performed.Results Weight at the end of 4 week,weight after absolute diet,total weight increased,and total food consumption and food consumption at the end of 4 week in 6.57 g/kg groups of male rats were decreased compared with the control group (P <0.05 ).Conclusion In comparison with 6.48 g/kg group,all those changes may be caused by overhigh caffeine in 6.48 g/kg group.

Objective To investigate the dietary pattern in college freshmen students and to analyze the influencing factors on their dietary patterns. Methods A questionnaire survey on situation of dietary pattern and influencing factors was conducted among 1319 freshmen students.Results Four major dietary patterns were noticed and they were: Ⅰ , high consumption in hamburger,fried food, nuts, biscuit, chocolate, cola, coffee, sugars, Ⅱ, high consumption in pork, mutton, beef,poultry meat, animal liver, Ⅲ, high consumption in fresh fruits, eggs, fish and shrimps, kelp laver and sea fish, milk and dairy products, beans and bean products, Ⅳ, high consumption in rice and grain,fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, pork. Risk factors on dietary pattern were presented as follows: ( 1 )boys: having the food pattern Ⅰ and Ⅱ showed a strong positive association with the place where they live (OR= 1.67, 95％CI: 0.87-3.19; OR= 1.51,95％CI: 0.79-2.88), eating place (OR=1.63,95％CI: 1.O3-2.59; OR= 1.83, 95％CI: 1.04-3.23), level of mother' s education (OR=2.52,95％CI: 1.07-5.95; OR=3.38, 95％CI: 1.50-7.63), family income (OR=2.24, 95％CI: 1.30-3.88;OR=3.06, 95％ CI: 1.77-5.29) and the status of passive smoking (OR= 1.80, 95％CI: 0.70-4.59;OR=1.83, 95％CI: 0.75-4.45). Inverse correlations was found on the level of mother's education (OR=0.56,95％CI: 0.17-1.79). The food pattern Ⅳ showed a strong positive association with place of eating(OR= 1.83,95％CI: 1.04-3.23) but having an inverse correlation with the level of mother's education (OR=0.56, 95％CI: 0.17-1.79). (2)girls when compared with boys, the food pattern Ⅰ showed minor association with the places of living and eating; while the food pattern Ⅱ and Ⅲ had minor association with the status of passive smoking. Conclusion Socio-demographic factors and lifestyle had influenced on the dietary patterns among college freshmen students who should be guided to have a reasonable, balanced diet in the college.

OBJECTIVETo explore mechanism of S100A8 in the oncogenesis and development of laryngeal cancer.

METHODSProteins interacting with S100A8 were isolated from laryngeal cancer cell lines Hep-2 by immunoprecipitation assay with anti-S100A8 antibody. The target bands were cut out and identified by maxtrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF). The peptide mass fingerprinting data of the proteins identified were analyzed based on the Mascot database. The NF-kappa B binding sites of the proteins were predicted by P-Match software. The binding ability of one of the proteins to S100A8 was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and immunocytochemistry methods.

RESULTSFour proteins interacting with S100A8 were obtained, which were hypothetical protein LOC80154, MHC class I HLA-B, similar to T-box 1 isoform C and sarcolemmal associated protein 1. The four genes were predicted to have NF-kappa B binding sites. MHC class I HLA-B, which is one of targets in NF-kappa B pathway, was first confirmed to have the binding ability to S100A8.

CONCLUSIONThe novel partners of S100A8 identified in the study might be involved in NF-kappa B pathway. The binding ability of MHC class I HLA-B to S100A8 implies that S100A8 might function as a new member with other proteins including HLA-B in NF-kappa B pathway. These findings provide a new clue to further study on the molecular mechanism of S100A8 in the genesis of laryngeal carcinomas.

Animals ; Binding Sites ; Calgranulin A ; genetics ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; HLA-B Antigens ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the role of buccal-fat-pad flap in the lined coverage of the maxillary bone graft for the maxillary reconstruction after the tumor excision.

METHODSBased on the cadaver anatomical observation of the buccal-fat-pad, 38 patients with the maxillary tumors were undertaking the treatment in this paper. Under general anesthesia, the buccal-fat-pad flap was elevated and transferred to the anterior or nasal cavities as a line of the sinus after the tumor was immediately excised through an intro-oral or external approach. The bone from the ribs was then grafted in the place for the maxillary support.

RESULTSAfter the anatomical evaluation, 38 patients were carried out the operation successfully. All of the grafted bones were well covered without bone exposure. The aesthetic appearance was achieved.

CONCLUSIONBone graft lined by the pedicled buccal fat pad flap may be a safe and good method for reconstruction of the maxilla with a lower rate of re-absorption and sequestration.

Adipose Tissue ; transplantation ; Aged ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Cheek ; Humans ; Maxilla ; surgery ; Maxillary Neoplasms ; surgery ; Oral Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Ribs ; transplantation ; Surgical Flaps

OBJECTIVETo investigate the natural history and clinical outcomes in a cohort of transfusion-related hepatitis C in northern areas of China. Methods The authors studied 283 patients (137 males, 146 females, mean age 45.79+/-9.92 age) who became infected with HCV while donating plasma 12.25 years ago. These cases were subjected to ultrasonography and liver biochemical tests and serologic anti-HCV assays. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software.

RESULTSUltrasonographic findings suggestive of liver cirrhosis were 8.3% of cases. No decompensated cirrhosis or HCC was detected. The value of ALT was higher in severe chronic hepatitis (mean 62.07+/-50.87 IU/L) and cirrhosis (mean 115.50+/-108.41 IU/L) patients than in the other groups (mean 32.30+/-29.10 IU/L). The abnormal rate of ALT was 53.3% in severe group, 100% in cirrhosis group.

CONCLUSIONThe natural history of transfusion-related hepatitis C in the areas seemed to be relatively mild when compared with previous data. Our cases showed relatively low rate of positive findings in ultrasonography. None of this cohort had the decompensated cirrhosis or HCC. The factor of sex but not the age at time of infection was found being related to the outcomes. In the absence of liver biopsy, ultrasonography was a suitable and sensitive method for the diagnosis of the progressive hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; diagnostic imaging ; epidemiology ; transmission ; Humans ; Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Transfusion Reaction ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo study mechanism of the apoptosis of rat pancreas islet β cell strain (INS-1 cells) induced by sodium arsenite.

METHODSINS-1 cells were exposed to sodium arsenite at the different concentrations. MTT assay was used to detect the viability of INS-1 cells. The potentials on mitochondrial membrane and lysosome membrane of INS-1 cells were determined with the fluorescence spectrophotometer. The apoptotic levels of INS-1 cells exposed to sodium arsenite were observed by a fluorescence microscope and flow cytometry.

RESULTSAfter exposure to sodium arsenite, the viability of INS-1 cells significantly decreased with the doses of sodium arsenite. At 24 h after exposure, the OD values of the mitochondrial membrane potentials declined observably with the doses of sodium arsenite (P < 0.01). At 48 h after exposure, the OD values of the lysosome membrane potentials significantly increased with the doses of sodium arsenite (P < 0.01). At 72 h after exposure, the apoptotic cells were observed under a fluorescence microscope and enhanced with the doses of sodium arsenite. The apoptosis cells with light blue, karyopyknosis, karyorrhexis, apoptotic body and chromatin concentration appeared. The results detected with flow cytometry indicated that after exposure, the apoptotic INS-1E cells significantly increased with the doses of sodium arsenite.

CONCLUSIONSThe sodium arsenite can induce the apoptosis of INS-1 cells through the mitochondria-lysosome pathway.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arsenites ; toxicity ; Cells, Cultured ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; drug effects ; Lysosomes ; metabolism ; Membrane Potentials ; drug effects ; Mitochondria ; metabolism ; Rats ; Sodium Compounds ; toxicity

BACKGROUNDLaryngeal carcinoma is a common malignant tumor of the upper respiratory tract, and in 95% of cases the tumor is laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). The abnormity of SH3-domain GRB2-like 2 (SH3GL2) gene was found in LSCC. In order to clarify the relationship between SH3GL2 gene and LSCC, we evaluated the expression of the SH3GL2 gene in LSCC.

METHODReal-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression and find the various rules of SH3GL2 gene in LSCC.

RESULTSThe result of real-time PCR showed that the expression level of SH3GL2 mRNA in LSCC tissue was apparently down-regulated; immunohistochemical analysis showed that SH3GL2 protein was mainly located in cytoplasm, the rate of positive cells and SH3GL2 protein expression level were fluctuated with the pathological classification of LSCC; the result of Western blotting showed that SH3GL2 protein was down-regulated significantly in LSCC samples, especially in metastatic lymph nodes.

CONCLUSIONSThese results suggest that SH3GL2 is a LSCC related gene and its expression level is fluctuated with the pathological classification which indicate that SH3GL2 participates in the development and progression of LSCC. And it may be considered as a novel tumor marker to find both a new anti-oncogene and relative factors of invasion and metastasis of laryngeal carcinoma.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; analysis ; genetics ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; chemistry ; genetics ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; chemistry ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; src Homology Domains