OBJECTIVETo compare craniofacial structural characteristic of syndromic and non-syndromic patients with cleft palate and to probe into the reason of their maxillary hypoplasia and to lay a foundation for better treatment protocol for syndromic patients with cleft palate.

METHODSThe sample consisted of 8 individuals with Treacher Collin syndrome, 9 patients with Pierre Robin syndrome, and 40 patients with non-syndromic cleft palate which met certain criterions. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were obtained from each study subject. A total of 18 variables, comprising 9 angular, 7 linear, and 2 ratio measurements, were studied. SPSS 12.0 software was used to describe the statistics data, consisting of means, SD, and t test.

RESULTSThe tendency for smaller value in SNB and larger value in ANB indicate a severer anteroposterior mandibular hypoplasia in the syndromic type cleft. There was no difference between syndromic and non-syndromic cleft palate patients with regards to maxillary anteroposterior development. No significant difference on the development in cranial base area was found either.

CONCLUSIONThis interplay of cranio-facial bones is very important in the development of this complex, which will not only affect the growth but also the defect development. In this study, the patients with the two syndromes showed the similar growth potential of maxilla with the non-syndromic cleft patients.

Cephalometry ; Cleft Lip ; Cleft Palate ; Humans ; Male ; Malocclusion ; Maxilla

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of lutein on apoptosis and its mechanism.

METHODThe cells of human esophageal carcinoma EC9706 were grown in RPMI medium containing 10% bovine serum and were treated with lutein at 100 microg x mL(-1) concentration. Flow cytometry was employed to investigate the effects of lutein on cell apoptosis of EC9706 cells. Histochemistry was performed to determine apoptosis-related protein expresion.

RESULTFlow cytometry analyses revealed that lutein increased EC9706 cell apoptosis ratio when treated with lutein 100 microg x mL(-1) at 96 h. Lutein decreased the expression of Bcl-2 protein and increased the expression of Bax protein in EC9706 cells.

CONCLUSIONLutein could inhibit mitosis and stimulate apoptosis of EC9706 cells. The apoptotic effect may result from the down-regulation of expression of Bcl-2 and up-regulation expression of Bax.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Lutein ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression and its significance of retinoic acid receptor-beta (RAR-beta) in colorectal cancer.

METHODSRAR-beta was detected by immunohistochemistry methods and carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) was tested by chemiluminescence immunoassay methods in normal tissues, paracancerous tissues and colorectal cancer tissues of 60 patients with colorectal cancer treated from January 2006 to January 2007. Above-mentioned data, together with the clinicopathological data of these 60 patients, were analyzed to figure out the expression and its significance of RAR-beta in colorectal cancer.

RESULTSThe expression rate of RAR-beta in tumor tissues (48%) was significantly lower than those in both normal tissues (87%) and paracancerous tissues (87%) (P < 0.05). And its expression was also significant lower in patients with lymph node metastasis (32%) and patients with advanced cancer (TNM stage III and IV) (29%) than in those without lymph nodes metastasis (60%) and those with early stage cancer (stage I and II) (69%). There was no significant differences among well, mildly and poorly differentiated cancer tissues. The CEA level rose in 20 patients, and its rising rate was remarkably higher in patients with lymph node metastasis (48%) and in patients with advanced cancer (52%) than those without lymph node metastasis (23%) and in early stage(14%).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of RAR-beta decreases significantly in cancer tissues in patients with colorectal cancer, which may be related to the carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer; and its decreasing degree is correlated negatively with the lymph node metastasis and advanced clinicopathological stage. The expression level of RAR-beta may be a new prognostic indication of patients with colorectal cancer.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Retinoic Acid ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study endovascular treatment of DeBakey type I aortic dissecting aneurysm.

METHODSSeven patients with DeBakey I aortic dissecting aneurysms were treated. Diagnoses were confirmed by MRA, CT and angiography. The intimal tear entry was in the ascending aorta, 2.5 approximately 6.0 cm from the ostia of the coronary arteries, and 0.5 approximately 4.0 cm from the brachiocephalic trunk opening. Endovascular stent-grafts were deployed via a left common carotid artery (LCCA) approach in 2 cases and right femoral artery (RFA) approach in 5 cases. Prior to treatment, a left subclavicular artery (LSA)-LCCA shunt was established to ensure blood supply to the LCCA during surgery in 2 cases via LCCA approach, and a LSA-LCCA-right common carotid artery (RCCA) synthetic bypass was established to ensure blood supply to the brain in 2 cases in RFA approach.

RESULTSThe operative success rate was 100%. In 3 cases, endoleak persisted after the first stent was placed, but this was eliminated by placement of a second stent. All patients survived except one who died of acute massive hemorrhage from the upper gastrointestinal tract one month postoperatively. The false lumen in all 6 cases became thrombosed and no endoleak or new aortic dissecting aneurysms developed.

CONCLUSIONSEndovascular treatment of DeBakey type I aortic dissecting aneurysm is feasible, minimally invasive, and effective. Case selection depends on the distance of the coronary artery ostia from the tear entry.

Adult ; Aged ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDThe endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has improved greatly in the last 15 years. The present study aimed to evaluate the endografting experience for the treatment of unfavorable abdominal aortic aneurysm (uAAA).

METHODSDuring December 2001 and December 2007, 41 patients with uAAA were treated with endografting using concomitant techniques. Patients were followed up for 1 to 48 months (mean 20.5 months).

RESULTSTechnical success rate was 97.6% (40/41) with 1 failure converted to open surgery for an unaccessed iliac stenosis. Nine (22.5%) type I endoleaks (5 proximal and 4 distal) were observed on the completion angiograms and successfully corrected with aortic cuffs and iliac extensions during the procedure. Twenty-two of the planed adjunctive procedures were concomitantly performed just before endograft-implantation. There were 2 (5.0%) type I endoleaks at 30 days; one type I patient was treated by open conversion, another type I patient died from a rupture before treatment in the ward, causing a 2.5% of initial mortality. The two type II endoleaks were observed without aneurismal expansion. No buttock or leg claudication or ischemic colitis occured. During late follow-up, one additional death occurred from stroke. One new type I endoleak was encountered from thrombocytopenia, which caused a 2.6% secondary endoleak that converted to an open surgery in the third month after a failed transabdominal banding of the aortic neck in the second month. All type II endoleaks had disappeared in the third and sixth month. The Endografts did not present signs of material fatigue and no other type of endoleak formed. One patient presented with left limb ischemia, which underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. There was no additional aneurysm rupture or any endograft imgration.

CONCLUSIONThe endografting with concomitant procedures is a feasible and efficient alternative for managing unfavorable AAAs, achieving low morbidity and mortality rates and has a good clinical outcome.

Aged ; Angiography ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Survival Analysis ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDAll-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) can influence the tumor cell proliferation cycle, and some chemotherapeutic drugs are cycle specific. In this study, we hypothesize that ATRA can enhance chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity by affecting the cell cycle of tumor cells.

METHODSThe cell cycle of LoVo cells was evaluated using flow cytometry (FCM). Cell viability was analyzed using the MTT assay. The morphologic changes in the treated LoVo cells were measured with acridine orange (AO)/ethidium bromide (EB) staining. Expression of survivin in LoVo cells was analyzed by immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTSAfter LoVo cells were treated with ATRA, the G0/G1 ratio of the tumor cells increased and the cell ratio of S- and G2/M-phase decreased. Viability of the cells decreased significantly after combined treatment with ATRA and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or mitomycin c (MMC) and was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy. Expression level of survivin in the tumor cells decreased after ATRA combination treatment.

CONCLUSIONSATRA enhances drug sensitivity of the LoVo cell line to cell cycle-specific agents and inhibits the expression of survivin in LoVo cells. The combination of ATRA and 5-FU or MMC promoted cell apoptosis, and the mechanism involved in apoptosis may be related to inhibition of survivin gene expression.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Colonic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the single or staged endovascular stent-graft repair for aortic dissection with multi-tears.

METHODSThe stent-grafts were inserted through the femoral artery to seal the tears of dissection.

RESULTSBetween January 2001 and June 2004, 8 patients with aortic dissection underwent stent-graft placement. There were 5 tears in one patient, 4 tears in two patients, 3 tears in two patients and 2 tears in three patients. There were 11 tears located at descending thoracic aorta, 11 at abdominal aorta and 4 at iliac artery. Six patients underwent operation in single stage, and 2 in staged maneuver. Total 23 stent-grafts were used, including 20 straight type grafts and 3 bifurcated grafts. Placement of the stent-graft was technically successful in all patients. Follow-up with CT or MRA examination after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively showed the dissection disappeared with thrombosis in the false lumen, no endoleak occurred. All patients survived to present.

CONCLUSIONSingle or staged endovascular stent-graft repair is a promising, safe and effective procedure for aortic dissection with multi-tears.

Adult ; Aged ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; surgery ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Aortic Aneurysm ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility, safety and short-term outcomes of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer.

METHODSFrom January 2007 to June 2008, 135 patients with advanced gastric cancer in the lower or middle stomach were operated, of whom 66 underwent laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy(LADG) with D2 dissection of lymph nodes and 69 received conventional open D2 distal gastrectomy(ODG). Clinical data were recorded and compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in age, gender, and TNM staging between LADG and ODG(all P>0.05). All the patients in the LADG group underwent gastrectomy and lymph nodes dissection successfully without conversion to open surgery and no operative deaths occurred. The operative time was significantly longer for the LADG group than for the ODG group[(266.1±55.1) min vs. (223.8±26.8) min)]. The patients in the laparoscopic surgery group had less blood loss[(131.9±88.7) ml vs.(342.3±178.7) ml], earlier recovery of bowel activity[(3.18±1.22) d vs.(4.50±1.59) d], and shorter hospitalization time[(9.20±3.39) d vs. (11.35±4.61) d]. No significant differences were found in the total number of retrieved lymph nodes(25.81±12.53 vs. 27.47±10.28). The morbidity of complications was comparable between two groups(6.1% vs. 15.94%). No mortality and recurrence were observed during a follow-up period of 1-19 months.

CONCLUSIONSLADG with D2 lymph node dissection is a safe and feasible procedure with adequate lymphadenectomy for advanced gastric cancer.

Female ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Laparotomy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

AIMTo investigate the inhibitory effect of recombinant human endostatin (rhEndostatin) on endothelia cell proliferation and tumor growth.

METHODSMTT assay was applied to examine the anti-proliferation of rhEndostatin on human embryo umbilical cord vascular endothelial cell ECV304 and human cancer cell HCT-8, BGC803 and EJ. Xenotrasplanted nude mice models with human cancer and experimental implanted tumor mice model were used to evaluate rhEndostatin's antitumor activity.

RESULTSrhEndostatin was shown to inhibit the proliferation of ECV304 cells and the IC50 is about 7 x 10(-6) g.L-1. No inhibition was observed in HCT-8, BGC803 and EJ cells at 1 x 10(-4) g.L-1 rhEndostatin. rhEndostatin was shown to inhibit human xenograft in nude mice with human gastric cancer BGC803 and breast cancer B37 when administered subcutaneously at 5, 10, 20 mg.kg-1.d-1 for 24 days in a dose-dependent manner. Mouse hepatoma H22 was also suppressed when given rhEndostatin subcutaneously 20 mg.kg-1.d-1 for 9 days, but it showed no inhibitory effect on Lewis lung carcinoma and B16 melanoma.

CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that rhEndostatin can inhibit the growth of xenotransplanted human tumors in nude mice and certain murine tumor. The action mechanisms may be that it can inhibit endothelial cell proliferation, thereby inhibiting the formation of new blood vessel in tumor, leading the tumor to stop grow.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Disease Models, Animal ; Endostatins ; therapeutic use ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neoplasms, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; drug effects ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

OBJECTIVETo study the difference of gene expression profile among colorectal cancer tissue, pericancerous mucosa and normal mucosa, and to screen associated novel genes in colorectal carcinogenesis by DNA microarray.

METHODScDNA chip containing approximate 8000 genes was used to detect differentially expressed genes in colorectal cancer tissues, pericancerous mucosa and normal mucosa, and to screen associated novel genes in colorectal carcinogenesis by DNA microarray.

RESULTSAs compared with normal mucosa, 769 genes differentially expressed in cancerous tissue were identified, which included 363 up-regulated and 406 down-regulated genes. In pericancerous mucosa 3 cm away from cancerous tissues, 155 genes differentially expressed were identified, of whom 52 genes were up-regulated and 103 were down-regulated. In pericancerous mucosa 5 cm away from cancerous tissues, 230 genes differentially expressed were identified, of whom 46 genes were up-regulated and 184 genes were down-regulated. The genes expressed differentially were associated with several functional types. According to the primary results, the differentially expressed genes with prominent functions included tumor-related genes, genes regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis, transcriptional control genes, and construction and degradation of extracellular matrix-associated genes. The cancerous mucosa was obviously different from the normal mucosa(about 20%, 769/3944). The differences between the normal mucosa and pericancerous mucosa were relatively small (3.9%,5.8%).

CONCLUSIONSDifferent tissues have their own biological property. Several genes play roles in the development of colorectal carcinogenesis. Genes in adjacent non-cancerous tissues are also expressed differentially, leading to a malignant change.

Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; methods