Mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET), whereby mesenchymal cells become more epithelial like in phenotype, was observed to occur during normal development and in cancers. Numerous investigations have been conducted on MET in carcino-mas. In addition, accumulating evidence also suggests the critical function of MET in sarcomas. Integrated analyses reveal that MET may be an important biological and clinical process in sarcomas, and transcription factors such as Slug may also perform central func-tions in epithelial differentiation in several sarcomas such as leiomyo-sarcoma and synovial sarcoma. Given the scarcity of investiga-tions and evidence, several important issues about MET, such as its molecular markers, signaling mechanisms, micro RNA regulations, and clinical significance, need to be clarified. In this article, we review several important questions about MET in sarcomas, including molecular markers, signaling mechanisms, regulation by miRNAs, and therapeutic implications.

Objective To study the expression of tansforming growth factor(TGF)-?1 and mRNA in the renal tubules of Streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy rats.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into two groups: normal control and diabetic nephropathy.Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ.And the diabetic rats were randomly divided into four groups: model group,irbesartan treatment group,Haikunshenxi low and high dose group.Twenty-four-hour urine volume and urinary protein excretion were examined at week 4,8,and 12 respectively.All the rats were sacrificed at week 12,and body weight,kidney weight,and serum excretion,serum creatinine,blood urea nitrogen were examined.The expression of TGF-?1and mRNA in rat renal tissue were detected respectively by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.The graphic analysis system and SPSS 11.5 statistics software were used to treat the results.Results The expression of TGF-?1and mRNA in the Haikunshenxi group was depressed greatly(P

Objective To study the expressions of SKP2 and p27 in gastric carcinoma and pericancerous tissues and to detect the relationship between their expressions and clinicopathological features. Methods Forty-nine cases of gastric carcinoma spicemen and 20 cases of tissue adjacent to the carcinoma were cut and made into paraffin-embedded slices. The expressions of SKP2 and p27 were then detected by SP immunohistochemical method. Results The positive expression rate and score of SKP2 were both significantly higher in the gastric carcinoma tissues than those in pericancerous tissues (P

By comparing with the molecule weights, retention times and product ion spectra of the standards, the cholic acid, deoxycholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid were identified in the traditional Chinese compound medicine——“Qingkailing” injection by high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry. Two other isomers of cholic acid and deoxycholic acid were also found, but tieir detail structure was still unknown due to the absence of standards. A quantitative method to determine cholic acid in the medicine was established and studied. An internal standard was used in quantitative analysis. When the concentration of cholic acid is from 875 ng/L to 140 μg/L, the chromatographic peak area and concentration are of good linear relation. The linear correlation coefficient was determined to be 0.9999 and the RSD is 2.04%. This method is simple, selective and highly sensitive, which is helpful for the quality control of traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective To performed microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) detection and carried out pathway analysis to gain a systemic view on the pathway alterations of the genetically altered genes in human osteosarcoma.Methods aCGH experiments were carried on 10 fresh osteosarcoma samples to obtain recurrent copy number change pattern,then the samples were further subjected to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis to identify the altered pathways in the osteosarcoma.To validate the aberrations of these key pathways,the alterations of VEGF pathway were selected to confirm by the methods of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) osteosarcoma archival tissues.Results The KEEG analysis of aCGH data identified 33 genetically altered pathways in osteosarcomas.Among them 20 pathways were identified genetic amplifications,such as VEGF and mTOR signaling pathways.Thirteen pathways were genetic deletions,such as Wnt and Hedgehog signaling pathways.The genetic aberrations of cell-cell-matrix pathway such as CAMs,Adherens junction and Tight junction pathways implied the genetically alterations of these pathways which are associated with the tumor invasion and metastasis.Validation the aberrations of VEGF pathway showed that VEGFA gene was significantly amplified.The positive protein expression of VEGFA had a significant association with microvessel density (MVD).Conclusion There are genetic aberrations which involved the component genes of VEGF,mTOR,CAMs,Adherens junction,Wnt,Hedgehog and other 26 signaling pathways.The alterations of these pathways which are significantly associated with tumor invasion,metastasis and progression suggest that the genetic aberrations of these key pathways might contribute to the tumorigenesis and progression in human osteosarcoma,and provide molecular genetic evidence for targeted therapy.

ObjectiveTo investigate the safety and efficacy of combined treatment with subtotal corpectomy and radiofrequency ablation(RFA) for spinal metastases. MethodsFrom April 2009 to March 2010, 29 patients with spinal metastases who received subtotal corpectomy were analyzed. Sixteen patients (7 men and 9 women) with an average of 57.8 years having received subtotal corpectomy alone were selected for comparison (the subtotal corpectomy group). Thirteen patients (7 men and 6 women) with an average of 58.3 years having received subtotal corpectomy combined with RFA were chosen as subjects of this study (the RFA combination group). There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to the patient's age, gender, and Tomita type. Pain levels pre-and post-procedure were assessed by the visual analogue scale(VAS), and neurologic deficit were evaluated by the Frankel scale. ResultsThe VAS in RFA combination group were 8.88±0.36, 3.76±0.33, 3.35±0.38 in preoperation, 1 month, and 6 months postoperatively, respectively. The VAS in subtotal corpectomy group were 8.96±0.39, 3.81 ±0.48, 3.41 ±0.42 in preoperation, 1 month, and 6 months postoperatively, respectively. The VAS in both groups showed statistical significance at each time point, there was no statistically difference between the two groups. The operate time in RFA combination group and subtotal corpectomy group were(216.54±113.77) min and(302.50±80.44)min, respectively. The blood loss of the two groups were (1084.62±539.82)ml and (1625.00±724.34)ml, respectively. The recurrent rate of the two groups were 30.8％ and 75.0％, respectively. The RFA combination group were lower in operate time, blood loss and recurrent rates than subtotal corpectomy group. Conclusion Compared with the subtotal corpectomy, the RFA combination can reduce the blood loss, operation time, and the recurrent rates.

Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of laminectomy combined with vertebroplasty in spinal metastases from rapid-growth tumors. Methods:Clinical data of 23 patients with spinal metastases of lung cancer, who were admitted to the Cancer Hospital from July 2008 to May 2012, were retrospectively analyzed. Thirteen male and ten female patients, with an age range from 40 years to 65 years and a mean age of 51.5, were examined. All patients received posterior laminectomy to relieve spinal cord compression. Afterward, vertebroplasty combined with radiofrequency ablation was conducted, followed by the internal fixation of vertebrae (instrumental fixation). Operation time, blood loss, and bone cement leakage rate were analyzed. One month before and after the operation, pain measurement was conducted using visual analog scale (VAS) and neurologic deficit (spinal cord injury) by Frankel Grade. Functional impairment was classified by Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score. Quality of life was assessed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Results:The mean operation time was 163±87.36 min. Blood boss was 430±130.35 mL. Bone cement leakage rate was 21.7%. One month before and after surgery, the VAS showed statistical significance (t=25.6, P<0.01). After surgery, 78.3%of all patients exhibited functionally satisfactory Frankel Grade D or E, compared with 43.5%of patients before the operation. KPS score (80 to 100) percentage was 69.6%after surgery compared with 34.8%before surgery. One month after the operation, remission of various degrees was seen in 10 of 18 patients who had sphincteric dysfunction before surgery (55.6%). The EORTC QLQ-C30 score was 85.39±8.99 before and 52.78±15.17 after operation. The quality of life improved significantly (t=11.6, P<0.01). Conclusion:Posterior laminectomy and vertebroplasty combined with radiofrequency ablation for spinal metastases from lung cancer is safe and effective. The treatment can improve pain, function, and life quality of patients with lung cancer spinal metastases.

OBJECTIVETo compare the thin anterolateral flap with forearm flap in tongue defect repairing, and to introduce our methods and experiences in the tongue reconstruction with the thin anterolateral flap.

METHODSThe clinicopathologic data of 46 cases with tongue carcinoma were obtained from School of Stomatology, Nanjing University Medical Center, Nanjing University from December 2009 to December 2011. To compare two methods of incidence of vascular crisis, tongue shape, language and swallowing functional recovery.

RESULTS46 patients with tongue carcinoma were performed the tongue reconstruction in 12 month, which 12 cases were used the thin anterolateral flap and 34 cases were used the forearm flap. In the thin anterolateral flap group, All cases were succeeded. 1 case occurs vascular crisis. In the forearm flap group, 33 cases were succeeded, and 1 case occurs necrosis. 3 cases occurs vascular crisis. The results of comparing two methods showed that: no obvious differences in the tongue shape, and no obvious differences in the function of language and swallowing.

CONCLUSIONSThere no obvious differences in the reconstruction of tongue defect between the thin anterolateral flap and the forearm flap. The thin anterolateral flap have some advantages: little influence is on the donor site, the flap extent is abundant, the donor site is not spectacular. The thin anterolateral flap should be piror method for the tongue defect repairing.

Aged ; Female ; Forearm ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surgical Flaps ; Tongue ; surgery ; Tongue Neoplasms ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To study CT-guided localization of additional pulmonary nodules with microcoils prior to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) resection in patients with suspected lung cancer.Methods Eleven patients suspected lung cancer underwent preoperative microcoils localization towards additional small pulmonary nodules.The head of microcoil was pinpointed adjacent to the target nodule while its end tail remained above the visceral pleura.VATS were performed within 24 hours, and comprehensive assessments were conducted according to surgical and pathological outcomes of primary and additional lesions, and suitable surgical processes were followed.Results All 11 localizing pulmonary nodules (4-15 mm in diameter) were successfully removed after VATS, 9 microcoils'' end tails of which were placed above visceral pleural surface.There were no serious complications related with localizing procedure.Other 16 lesions including 11 primary ones were resected.The surgical and pathological outcomes for lung lesions were utterly assessed.Conclusion Microcoil preoperative localization provides helpful orientation for complete resection and assessment of multiple pulmonary lesions in patients with suspected lung cancer.

Objective To assess the clinical features and therapeutic efficacy of extensive full thickness cheek defects reconstruction with free anterolateral thigh flap.Methods From December,2008 to June,2014,a total of 17 patients underwent simultaneous tumor radical resection and full thickness cheek defects reconstruction with free anterolateral thigh flap.In these 17 patients,12 patients had undergone the reconstruction of full thickness cheek defects with the folded anterolateral thigh flap (two skin islands and an intervening de-epithelialized zone); 5 patients had undergone the reconstruction of full thickness cheek defects with the two separate skin paddles anterolateral thigh flap in one single pedicle.Results All of 17 free anterolateral thigh flaps survived,besides 1 case resulted in partial loss of flap adge due to diabetes.After 3 to 12 months' follow-up,all cases of free anterolateral thigh flap were good in color,shape and texture,and patients were satisfied with oral morphological and functional reconstruction.Conclusion The free anterolateral thigh flap is one of versatile soft tissue flaps in the extensive full thickness cheek defects reconstruction.