AlM:To investigate the effects of pirfenidone ( PFD) on the proliferation and transfomring growth factor-β1 ( TGF-β1 ) expression in vitro culture rat corneal stromal cells.METHODS: Corneal stromal cells from 8 to 10wk SD rats were isolated, cultured and treated with different concentrations of PFD 0mg/mL (control group), 0. 15mg/mL (experimental group▏), 0. 3mg/mL (experimental group‖), 1mg/mL (experimental group Ⅲ) for 48h. CCK-8 assay was performed to assess cell proliferation, while immunocytochemistry and Western Blot were used to detect the expression of ki-67 and TGF-β1 expression, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with control group, PFD significantly inhibited the proliferation in a dose -dependent manner ( all P < 0. 05 ), so was protein expression of ki-67. PFD significantly down-regulated the expression of TGF-β1 in a dose-dependent manner (P<0. 05).CONCLUSlON: Pirfenidone can significantly inhibit the proliferation of rat corneal stromal cell by down regulating TGF-β1 expression, therefore, it has potential prospect in lightening the corneal wound healing reaction.

Adult ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Laser-Doppler Flowmetry ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surgical Flaps

OBJECTIVETo summarize clinical application result of the thoracodorsal artery perforator pedicled flap for repair of soft tissue defects on the ipsilateral upper limb.

METHODSFrom September 2003 to May 2007, 8 patients (6 males and 2 females) with soft tissue defects on the ipsilateral upper limb underwent reconstruction with the thoracodorsal artery perforator pedicled flap. The age of patients was from 16- to 45-years-old with an average of 32 years. Of them, the recipient sites of 5 cases were located on the arm region, 3 cases on the forearm.

RESULTSThe minor superficial infection of 1 case occurred on the recipient site after operation and the wound gradually healed by daily change dressings. All the flaps had survived completely and the postoperative course was uneventful with satisfactory clinical results. Follow-up period ranged for 9-38 months after operation (mean, 19 months). There was no remarkable donor site morbidity. All cases had good appearance on recipient site.

CONCLUSIONThe thoracodorsal artery perforator pedicled flap is thin and suitable for repair of soft tissue defect on the ipsilateral upper limb.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Thoracic Arteries ; surgery ; Upper Extremity ; blood supply ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore whether cancer cells abide by the mechanism of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the process of invasion and metastasis by comparing histology and protein expression of E-cadherin and vimentin among primary, metastatic carcinomas and their emboli.

METHODSA total of 68 tissue specimens in 59 cases of primary adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma and their lymphatic metastasis were collected, of which there were 13 well differentiated, 11 moderately differentiated, 30 poorly differentiated tumors and 14 lymphatic metastases. The morphology and the expression of E-cadherin and vimentin proteins were assessed by H-E stain and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe overall morphology of the primary cancers and their tumor emboli was similar. Among 54 primary cancers, 50 cases were positive for E-cadherin and 22 cases were positive for vimentin. Fifty-one cases were positive for E-cadherin and 22 cases were positive for vimentin in the tumor emboli, with no statistical difference (P = 0.804, P = 0.842). Among 14 cases of lymphatic metastasis, 12 cases were positive for E-cadherin and 6 cases were positive for vimentin, and the tumor emboli in 12 cases were positive for E-cadherin and 7 cases were positive for vimentin, with statistical difference (P = 0.084, P = 0.878). There were no significant difference of E-cadherin and vimentin protein expression between the cancer tissue and its emboli (P = 0.410, P = 0.824). A subset of tumor cells in cancer emboli expressed E-cadherin at a high level without vimentin expression, whereas other cells in tumor emboli showed an opposite expression pattern.

CONCLUSIONSThere is no significant difference of EMT characteristics among primary cancer, lymphatic metastases and their cancer emboli. Cancer thrombus contains both EMT and non-EMT cells. Further studies are required to elucidate the role of EMT in the processes of tumor invasion and metastasis.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vimentin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of an intracavitary convex array probe in detecting internal carotid artery (ICA) disease.

METHODSEighty-six carotid arteries in 43 cases were examined with intracavitary convex array probe, low-frequency convex array probe and high-frequency linear probe to collect the data including the ICA visible length, peak systolic velocity (PSV), internal diameter, blood vessel shape; common carotid artery (CCA) intimae-medial thickness (IMT), PSV, and internal diameter.

RESULTSSignificant differences were noted in the visible length, PSV of ICA, and internal diameter detected by different frequency ultrasound probes. Intracavitary probe and high-frequency probe produced significantly different findings of the blood vessel shape.

CONCLUSIONIntracavitary convex array probe has important clinical value in detecting of ICA disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography ; instrumentation ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of mitofusin-2 gene (mfn2) in apoptosis in human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7 cells after in vitro transfection.

METHODSpEGFP mfn2 was transfected by sofast in vitro. Expression of GFP was observed by Western blot, and the MCF-7 cell proliferation was measured by MTT and cell counting. Apoptosis in MCF-7 cells was observed in annexin-V/PI and chondrosome transmembrane potential of MCF-7 marked in JC-1 by FCM. The Ultrastructure of cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSThe stable expression of GFP in MCF-7 cells was confirmed by Western blot. Mfn2 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, revealed by MTT, and decrease chondrosome transmembrane potential. Exogenous mfn2 gene significantly induced apoptosis. The apoptotic rate was increased from 3.6% to 16.0% (P < 0.05). Mfn2 gene induced break down and loss of mitochondrial cristae, and rarefaction of mitochondrial ground substance. Swollen mitochondria intensely aggregated around the cell nuclei.

CONCLUSIONMfn2 can strongly induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, which may be associated with decrease of mitochondrial transmembrane potential.

Apoptosis ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; GTP Phosphohydrolases ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mitochondria ; ultrastructure ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo summarize clinical application of one-stage toenail lengthening in free second toe transfer for reconstruction of the thumb (finger).

METHODSNine patients (male 7, female 2) underwent thumb (finger) reconstruction with second toe transfer were treated by one-stage toenail lengthening technique. Eight were the thumb and 1 was the index finger. Patients aged from 18 to 46 years,with an average of 25 years. A rectangle skin was resected at 0.5 cm away from the eponychium, which was 0.2 cm high and as wide as the toenail. Then stripped U shape flap gently towards proximal end and sutured it. During the operation, the injury of the subcutaneous vascular network should be avoided.

RESULTSSuperficial infection at donor area happened in 1 case and was healed by changing dressings. All the reconstruction thumbs (fingers) had survived completely. 2 to 3 mm extending of toenail length was obtained and the appearance of thumb (finger) was improved. There was no growth deformation of toenail. After 7 to 24 months follow up (the average time 13 months), the appearance of the nail was good.

CONCLUSIONSOne-stage toenail lengthening in free second toe transfer for reconstruction of the thumb (finger), which can obtain a satisfactory appearance of the nail and have no influence on the motion of the reconstruction thumb (finger), is a simple and an effective operative procedure.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nails ; transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Thumb ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the diagnosis and treatment of Müllerian duct cysts and their involvement with malignancy.

METHODSA 44-year-old male patient with papillary cystadenocarcinoma involving a Müllerian duct cyst was presented. The presentation treatment, and pathological and radiological appearances were retrospectively analysed and discussed with literature review. The main manifestation was intermittent episode of hemospermia accompanying terminal hematuria and infertility for 15 years. Final diagnosis was determined by the findings of transrectal ultrasound scan, CT scan, MRI imaging, cystoscopic examination and biopsy.

RESULTSExploratory laparotomy was performed through a suprapubic retrovesical approach. The finding that a duct-like wedge of tumor tissue passed through the prostate near cyst neck to the posterior urethra without affecting the adjacent prostatic tissue during tylectomy confirmed that it arises from Müllerian duct system. Pathohistologic examination disclosed a papillary cystadenocarcinoma and it infiltrated the wall of the cyst. Both seminal vesicles and ejaculatory duct had no carcinoma invasion.

CONCLUSIONMüllerian duct cyst involving with malignancy is exceedingly rare, the diagnosis is based on the findings of transrectal ultrasound scan, CT scan, MRI imaging, cystoscopic examination. The final diagnosis depends on the pathohistologic examination. Lumpectomy is effective and have a good outcome.

Adult ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Papillary ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Cysts ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Genital Neoplasms, Male ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Mullerian Ducts