SUMMARY Salivary gland tumors are a group of the most common tumors in the oral and maxillofacial region with obvious characteristics of clinical , histopathologic , and therapeutic aspects .During the past 50 years, our research group performed a systemic study on salivary gland tumors including imaging diag-nosis, fine needle aspiration cytology , FT-mid-IR fiber optics spectroscopy , histopathologic features and biological behaviour of the tumors , functional parotid surgery , and 125 I seed implant branchytherapy . More reasonable principles of management for various types of the tumors were put forward based on the histopathologic features of the tumors .The surgical techniques were modified and the postoperative com-plications were reduced obviously .Thus, the quality of life of the patients was improved greatly .

Human Embryonic Stem Cells ; Humans ; Safety

Subjective: To observe apoptosis of the cells in oral sq uamous cell carcinoma(SCC) induced by cerulenin. Methods: SCC TCA-83 cells and fresh tissue of SCC of tongue from 5 patients were expos ed to cerulenin (10 mg/ml) for 24 hours, then the genosome DNA of the cells was extracted and electrophoresed; the fresh tissue of SCC was assessed by TUNEL labeling. Results: DNA gel electrophoresis showed typical apoptic DNA ladders from TCA-83 cells. The rate (%) of TUNEL-positive cells in cerulenin treated tissue of SCC was 29.0?2.6～40.6?16.2,that in the control 2 . 0?1.7～14.7?0.6 (P

SUMMARY Tonguesquamouscellcarcinoma(TSCC)isthemostcommontypeoforalcancerandis well known for its high rate of proliferation and lymph nodal metastasis.Exploring the underlying path-ways regulating TSCC could provide novel ideas for diagnosis and prognosis of TSCC patients,as well as molecular targets for treatment of TSCC.MicroRNAs (miRNAs)are small noncoding RNAs that inhibit gene expression through the 3′untranslated regions (3′UTRs)of their target messenger RNAs.They play crucial roles in numerous biological processes,including cancer progression.Although great efforts have been made,what role miRNAs may play in the early detection and diagnosis of TSCC is not fully under-stood .Recently,our team has performed a series of basic and clinical researches in an attempt to investi-gate the relationships between miRNA expressions and prognosis of patients with TSCC and the mecha-nisms under regulation of TSCC.The results showed that miR-1 95,miR-34a,miR-29b,miR-375 and miR-26a could inhibit TSCC cells progression and development via a sophisticated network of genes.Spe-cifically,the anti-tumor effects of miR-1 95 in TSCC may be partially mediated by its inhibition of Cy-clinD1 and Bcl-2 expression.The expression of miR-34a could inhibit migration and invasion of TSCC cell lines via targeting MMP9 and MMP1 4.The function of miR-29b may be through the miR-29b/Sp1 /PTEN/AKT axis.Overexpression of miR-375 inhibited Sp1 expression by targeting the 3′untranslated re-gion of the Sp1 transcript.MEG3 and miR-26a inhibited TSCC cell proliferation,cycle progression and promoted cell apoptosis and miR-26a could increase the MEG3 expression through reduction of the ex-pression of DNMT3B in TSCC.In light of the role of those miRNAs in diagnosis and prognosis of TSCC, we reported that decreased miR-1 95 and miR-375 expression was associated with poor overall survival rate of the TSCC patients,while miR-34a expression was negatively correlated with cervical lymph node me-tastases.Furthermore,combined low expression levels of miR-26a and MEG3 emerged as an independent prognostic factor for poor clinical outcomes in TSCC patients,suggesting that combined miR-26a and MEG3 expression might prove useful as an independent biomarker of clinical prognosis among TSCC pa-tients.

Objective: To measure the distances among anatomic points of bony orbit of Chinese Han-nationality adults. Methods: Bony orbits were measured with the special measuring tools in 86 Chinese adults (62 males and 24 famales), and the results were statistically analysed. Results: Difference between the left and right obits was observed in orbital width, medial distance of superior orbital foramen a and inferior foramen a and c in males. Difference between bilateral orbits was also observed in orbital width and anterior distance of superior orbital fissure in females. Normal values of the distances of anatomic points of adult orbits were then calculated. Conclusion: Normal values of the distances of anatomic points of orbit of male and female adults are concluded.

OBJECTIVEThe paper reviewed the effectiveness and reliability of skin paddles of free fibula flaps in the reconstruction of maxillofacial defects.

METHODSFifty-five consecutive free fibula osteocutaneous flap transfers performed from June 21, 1999 to October 31, 2000 were reviewed. The skin paddles of each flap were analyzed in terms of surgical design, blood supply, size, reconstruction location, and survival.

RESULTSFifty-seven skin paddles were used for the 55 free fibula flaps (double skin paddles for 2 flaps), 37 were nurtured by one perforator, 18 by two and two by 3 perforators. Twenty-eight skin paddles were used for intraoral reconstruction, 7 for extraoral reconstruction, 1 for both intraoral and extraoral reconstruction, 2 for soft tissue augmentation, and the remaining 19 were simply used as window for monitoring the blood flow of fibula flap. One free fibula flap with one skin paddle was lost because of venous thrombosis, and the other 54 flaps survived completely, with 100% survival of 56 skin paddles.

CONCLUSIONThe skin paddle of free fibula flap is safe and reliable. It can be used for all kinds of soft tissue reconstruction, as well as window for monitoring the blood flow of fibula flap after operation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Fibula ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; surgery ; Mandibular Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Microsurgery ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Oral Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Postoperative Complications ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Reoperation ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Tissue and Organ Harvesting ; methods

Objective: To compare trophic effects of soluble substances derived from Schwann cells (SC) of neonatal and Wallerian degenerating segments of rats on facial motoneuron (FMN) cultures. Methods: Serum-free conditioned media of Schwann cell cultures (SC-CM) from facial and sciatic nerves of neonatal and Wallerian degenerating segments in adult rats were individually collected and concentrated by ultra-filtration with molecular weight cut-off at 30 000 and 10 000. The growth activities of FMNs in vitro were determined by means of MTT assay under the condition of serum-free medium added with different components of concentrated SC-CMs (SC-CMCs). The absorbance values were then statistically analyzed. Results: Survival and growth rate of FMN cultures in four kinds of SC-CMCs were significantly higher than that in media both with serum and non-serum and the difference between SC-CMCs was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Neurotrophic molecules were predominantly protein or peptide components with relative molecular weight larger than 30 000 and their trophic activity was positively related to total protein concentration in SC-CMCs. Conclusion: There were soluble trophic molecules with relative molecular weight larger than 30 000 for survival and neurite growth of FMN cultures in media with SC-CMCs derived from facial and sciatic nerves of neonatal rats and with SC-CMCs derived from Wallerian degenerating facial and sciatic nerves of adult rats. It might be reasonable to choose SC from sciatic nerves of rats on account of the findings from SC cultures on facial motoneurons.

Objective To establish mouse poisoning model by inhaling benzene, and to investigate the induction effect of benzene on the apoptosis of mouse bone marrow cells and its mechanism, and to provide an experimental basis for study on bone marrow toxicity mechanism.Methods 24 male mice were randomly divided into four groups (n=6).The mice in one group were exposed to ambient air (control group)and the mice in the other three groups were exposed to different doses (400,800,1 600 mg·m-3 )of benzene (low,middle and high doses of benzene groups)for 1 5 d in the respective inhalation chambers. At the end of the experiment, the mice were killed. The bone marrow of the mice was obtained. The pathological changes of the bone marrow cells of the mice in various groups were observed under light microscope with HE staining.The apoptotic rates and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP ) of the mice in various groups were detected by flow cytometry, and the expressions of mitochondrial-deperdent apoptosis related gene proteins were determined with immunohistochemistry method. Results The number of distal and central cells in different doses of benzene groups were significantly reduced,and accompanied by blood sinus expansion in high dose of benzene group.The apoptotic rates of the cells in middle and high doses of benzene groups were obviously higher than that in control group (Ρ<0.01),and there were also significant differences between high dose group and low,middle doses of benzene groups (Ρ<0.05).The MMP was significantly decreased with the increasing of benzene doses, and there were significant differences between middle,high doses of benzene groups and control group (Ρ<0.05).The number of Bax,CytC positive cells in different doses of benzene groups and the number of Caspase-9,Caspase-3 positive cells in middle and high doses of benzene groups were significantly increased compared with control group(Ρ<0.05);the number of Bcl-2 positive cells in different doses of benzene groups was decreased(Ρ<0.05),and number of Bcl-2 positive cells in middle and high doses of benzene groups was decreased compared with low dose of benzene group (P<0.05). Conclusion Benzene with certain dose can induce the apoptosis of mouse bone marrow cells, and promote the expressions of mitochondrial apoptosis related gene proteins. Benzene-induced apoptosis through mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis pathway may be an important mechanism of bone marrow toxicity induced by benzene.

SUMMARY Our work focused on the studies on the expression and function of transient receptor poten -tial vanilloid subtype 1 ( TRPV1) in the submandibular gland .By using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction ( RT-PCR ) , Western blotting , and immunofluorescence , our data demonstrated the expression and distribution characteristics of TRPV 1 in rabbit and human submandibular glands , as well as rat submandibular gland cell line SMG-C6.Furthermore, the possible intracellular signal molecules involved in the TRPV1-modulated saliva secretion were explored .Activation of TRPV1 increased the intracellular Ca2+concentration, upregulated the expression of aquaporin 5 (AQP5), the main transpor-ter that mediate water secretion through transcellular pathway , and led to AQP5 redistribution .Extracel-lular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 ( ERK1/2 ) was involved in the TRPV1-regulated AQP5 content. Besides, TRPV1 activation also modulated the expression , distribution, and function of tight junction protein, and increased paracellular permeability .ERK1/2 and myosin light chain 2 ( MLC2 ) were responsible for the regulation of TRPV1on tight junction properties.Taken together, our work suggested that TRPV1 was a potential target to promote saliva secretion , and activation of TRPV1 might provide a new and safe therapeutic strategy to ameliorate submandibular gland hypofunction .

Objective:To investigate the possibility of predicting facial nerve involvement in the pa-tients with parotid tumors using facial electroneurography (ENoG).Methods:In the study, 53 patients with primary parotid tumors were included in the study , 28 were benign tumors and 25 were malignant . There was no significant difference of tumor locations and sizes between the two groups . House-Brackmann facial nerve function evaluation was gradeⅠin all the patients who received examination of fa-cial electroneurography , including stimulation strength , amplitude , and latent time bilaterally .The facial electroneurography results in the affected side were compared with the results of contralateral normal side , intraoperative appearance and postoperative histopathological diagnosis .The facial electroneurography results were analyzed by Wilcoxon signed rank test and receiver operator characteristic ( ROC) curve. Results:During the facial electroneurography examination , the mean stimulation strength in the patients with benign parotid tumor was 20.0 mA.There was significant decrease in the amplitude at the affected side compared with the normal side upon posterior auricular stimulation ( P<0 .05 ) .But there was no significant difference in the latent time between the bilateral sides (P>0.05).However, in the patients with malignant parotid tumor , the mean stimulation strength was higher at 24.5 mA.There was signifi-cant decrease in the amplitude or even no response at the affected side compared to the normal side upon posterior auricular stimulation ( P<0 .05 ) .No response was detected in the multiple branches of facial nerve of affected sides in 36 .0%patients upon posterior auricular stimulation .The amplitude of branchesⅢand Ⅳwas significantly lower at the affected side than that at the normal side upon anterior auricular stimulation (P<0.05).The area under the ROC curve for ENoG was 0.884.Conclusion: When the facial nerve was involved by the parotid tumors , the stimulation strength in the electroneurography was larger .There was significant difference in the amplitude and the latent time of the facial nerve between the affected side and the normal side upon the posterior auricular stimulation .The rate of absence of reac-tion wave was higher in the patients with malignant tumors .It was feasible to predict the facial nerve in-volvement by ENoG for the parotid gland tumor patients without clinical appearances of facial paralysis .