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 investigate and analyze the wounded's state of ear, nose, throat, neck and head injury in Wenchuan earthquake.

METHODSThe 206 wounded cases, who was treated in No. 452 Hospital of People's Liberation Army, were investigated specially with emphasis on injury cause, severity and treatment.

RESULTSThe injured 165 cases among the 206 were in hospital, while the cases who related to the injury of ear, nose and throat were 37 cases (22.4%). Among the inpatients, the trauma of otorhinolaryngology and head and neck included: ear injuries totally 13 cases (including hemotympanum 2 cases), extraneous matter 4 cases, haemorrhagic 4 cases, nasalis and the fracture of nasal bone and nasal sinuses 7 cases (including cerebrospinal rhinorrhea 1 case), zygomatic abscess 1 case, fracture of mandible 4 cases, lip injuries 2 cases and hoarse 2 cases. The inpatients were wounded mostly because of falling and stepping. All the inpatients recovered well after properly management by ENT doctors.

CONCLUSIONSMaxillofacial injury of the wounded those were medical evacuation in the earthquake area, was ignored more readily comparing to the injury of other spots, so specialist should examine early and treat properly the people as soon as possible.

Adolescent ; China ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; therapy ; Disasters ; Ear, External ; injuries ; Ear, Middle ; injuries ; Earthquakes ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Maxillofacial Injuries ; therapy ; Neck Injuries ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether progesterone receptor B (PRB) can be sumoylated by SUMO-2/3 and the effect of sumoylation on PRB transcriptional activity.

METHODSSUMO-2/3 cDNA was amplified from MCF-7 cDNA and cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3-FLAG. The plasmid pXJ40-myc-PRB was cotransfected with pcDNA3FLAG-SUMO2, pcDNA3FLAG-SUMO3 or the mock control into 293T cells, and PRB sumoylation was detected by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting. The effect of PRB sumoylation on its transcriptional activity was determined using reporter luciferase assay.

RESULTSpcDNA3FLAG-SUMO2 and pcDNA3FLAG-SUMO3 vectors were successfully constructed. SUMO-2/3 could bind covalently to PRB and increase its transcriptional dependent on the presence of progesterone.

CONCLUSIONPRB can be sumoylated by SUMO-2/3 and its function is regulated by this modification.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Humans ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Receptors, Progesterone ; genetics ; metabolism ; Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transcription, Genetic ; Transfection ; Ubiquitination ; Ubiquitins ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevention and rescuing measures of postoperative fatal bleeding induced by carotid blowout in head and neck tumors.

METHODSSeven cases with postoperative carotid bleeding treated from October 2003 to August 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. Of the patients, 6 were with common carotid blowout and one with internal carotid artery blowout. All patients underwent pre- or post-operative radiotherapy for primary head and neck tumours and 3 patients had neck defect repair with deltopectoral skin flap, frontal flap or free radial arm flap respectively. After carotid blowout bleeding, the patients were treated in time with X ray transcatheter intervention including transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) and self-expanding covered stent implantation, followed by repairing the carotid region with appropriate myocutaneous flaps.

RESULTSOf 7 patients with carotid blowout, 5 patients were successfully rescued with X ray transcatheter intervention, of them 2 with self-expanding covered stent implantation and 2 with TAE respectively, and other 2 patients died due to rapid bleeding. Of the successfully rescued patients, 2 patients were with the repair of carotid area by pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, one by submental flap and one by local flap, but another one not with flap repair. Follow-up showed the 3 patients rescued with self-expanding covered stent implantation were survival for 6, 12, and 20 months, respectively, and the 2 patients rescued with TAE died of repeated carotid blowout in 2 and 13 months later, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe planned and timely X ray transcatheter intervention is an effective method to treat carotid blowout bleeding in the patients underwent head and neck tumour surgeries. Compared with TAE, self-expanding covered stent implantation may be more reliable for restoring the blood supply of head and neck region, with less complications. One-stage repair of carotid region with myocutaneous flap is of great importance to protect the carotid and to promote the wound healing.

Adult ; Aged ; Carotid Artery Injuries ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture, Spontaneous ; Vascular Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between T lymphoma invasion and metastasis 1 (Tiam1) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human colorectal carcinomas.

METHODSTiam1, E-cadherin, CK, and vimentin expressions in normal colorectal epithelium, colorectal carcinomas (CRC) and CRC with lymphatic metastasis were determined by immunohistochemistry using a two-step method.

RESULTSTiam1 expression was significantly higher in CRC than in normal colorectal epithelium (P<0.01) in close correlation to the degree of tumor differentiation (P<0.05). Higher Tiam1 expression was detected in CRC with lymphatic metastasis than in primary CRC (P<0.05). The expressions of E-cadherin and CK in CRC tissues were significantly lowered in comparison with those in normal colorectal epithelium (P<0.01), showing a correlation to tumor differentiation (P<0.01) but not to lymphatic metastasis. Vimentin was significantly overexpressed in CRC (P<0.01) and correlated to tumor differentiation (P<0.01) but not to lymphatic metastasis. Tiam1 expression was inversely correlated to E-cadherin and CK, but positively to vimentin.

CONCLUSIONTiam1 is related to the metastasis of colorectal carcinoma, and may induce EMT to promote CRC metastasis.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cadherins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Movement ; physiology ; Cell Transdifferentiation ; genetics ; physiology ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Epithelial Cells ; pathology ; Female ; Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Keratins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; T-Lymphoma Invasion and Metastasis-inducing Protein 1 ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo determine the efficacy and safety of combined L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine therapy in infertile males with oligoasthenozoospermia.

METHODSOne hundred fifty patients with oligoasthenozoospermia were randomized selected into treatment and control groups. The treatment group with 90 patients were given L-carnitine (2 g/d) and acetyl-L-carnitine (1 g/d) orally, twice a day. The patients in control group were given Vitamin E 100 mg plus Vitamin C 100 mg, tid. The oral therapy lasted three months and patients accepted sperm analysis every one month. The L-carnitine level in seminal plasma was examined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPC). Side effects as well as pregnant rate were observed.

RESULTSIn the treatment group, 85 patients out of 90 finished the three month treatment. Female spouses of 10 patients (11.6%) achieved pregnancy. Moreover, their forward motile sperm per ejaculation, total motile sperm, as well as the concentration of L-carnitine in seminal plasma were increased significantly (P < 0.01). In control group, 53 patients out of 60 completed three months therapy. Two pregnancy (3.7%) was observed. Though some increase was seen in number of forward motile sperm and total motile sperm per ejaculation, the changes were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The difference of the pregnant rate between two groups was statistically significant. No side effects were found.

CONCLUSIONCombined treatment with L-carnitine and acetyl-L-calmitine can be an effective and safe option for treating oligoasthenozoospermia by means of significantly improving forward motile sperm and total motile sperm per ejaculation, as well as increasing pregnant rates.

Acetylcarnitine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Administration, Oral ; Adult ; Carnitine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Double-Blind Method ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oligospermia ; drug therapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the chromium (Cr) levels in blood and urine among general population in China between 2009 and 2010, and thereby to analyze its prevalent features.

METHODSFrom year 2009 to 2010, a total of 11 983 subjects of general population aged between 6 and 60 year-old were recruited from 24 districts in 8 provinces in eastern, central and western China mainland, by cluster random sampling method. The information about their living environment and health status were collected by questionnaire, and 11 983 blood samples and 11 853 urine samples were also collected. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was applied to test the Cr level both in blood and urine; and the Cr distribution in blood and urine among groups of population in different ages, genders and districts, were then analyzed.

RESULTSAmong general population in China, the geometric mean (GM) of Cr concentration in blood was 1.19 µg/L, with median at 1.74 µg /L and 95% percentile at 5.59 µg/L. The Cr concentration in blood among males and females were separately 1.18 µg/L and 1.20 µg/L(P > 0.05); while its GM in the groups of population aged 6 - 12, 12 - 16, 16 - 20, 20 - 30, 30 - 45 and 45 - 60 years old were 1.00, 1.22, 1.01, 1.40, 1.27 and 1.30 µg/L (P < 0.01), respectively; and the figures in populations from eastern, central and western China were 1.00, 1.70 and 1.98 µg/L (P < 0.01), respectively. Among general population, the GM of Cr concentration in urine was 0.53 µg/L, with median was lower than 0.42 µg/L and 95% percentile at 3.53 µg/L. The Cr concentration in urine among males and females were separately 0.52 µg/L and 0.53 µg/L (P > 0.05);while its GM in the groups of population aged 6 - 12, 12 - 16, 16 - 20, 20 - 30, 30 - 45 and 45 - 60 years old were 0.56, 0.60, 0.52, 0.50, 0.52 and 0.46 µg/L (P < 0.01), respectively;and the figures in populations from eastern, central and western China were 0.58, < 0.42 and 0.60 µg/L (P < 0.01), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe study reported the Cr levels in blood and urine among general population in China, and thereby provided basic data evidence for the following Cr biological monitoring studies in near future.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; China ; Chromium ; blood ; urine ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Population Surveillance ; Young Adult

The present study developed an ultra-fast liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole-linear ion trap composite mass spectrometry(UHPLC-QTRAP-MS) to simultaneously determine the content of potential active components in Scutellariae Barbatae Herba and also to provide a reference approach for screening out the differential quality control components among different batches of Scutellariae Barbatae Herba. Chromatographic separations were conducted on a Thermo Acclaim~(TM) RSLC 120 C_(18) column(3.0 mm×100 mm, 2.2 μm) in a gradient program. The mobile phase consisted of 0.1% aqueous formic acid and acetonitrile, and the column temperature was maintained at 40 ℃. The flow rate was 0.4 mL·min~(-1) and the injection volume was 2 μL. The targeted compounds were monitored in the multiple reaction monitoring(MRM) mode. The acquired data were processed by hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA) and partial least square discriminant analysis(PLS-DA). Sixteen compounds all showed good linear relationship within the corresponding linear ranges and the R~2 values were all higher than 0.993 2. The RSDs of precision, repeatability, and stability were less than or equal to 3.7%. Mean recovery rates were in the range of 95.67% and 104.8% with RSDs≤3.2%. According to HCA and PLS-DA, all samples were clustered into four categories. Scutellarin, acteoside, scutellarein, and scutebarbatine X(VIP>1) were considered as differential chemical markers in the four categories. In conclusion, the developed method can be used for the simulta-neous determination of the multiple components and quality control of Scutellariae Barbatae Herba.
Chemometrics ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Scutellaria ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods*

Objective: To study on the antitumor mechanism of artesunate in the treatment of liver cancer based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Method: CellTiter-Glo^® Luminescent Cell Viability Assay was used to detect activity of artesunate with different concentrations (0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100 μmol·L^-1) on human liver cancer Huh7, SMMC-7721 cells for 24, 48, 72 h. GC-MS was employed to analyze the changes of metabolites of artesunate in two kinds of hepatoma cells (Huh7, SMMC-7721) for 24 h. The data was preprocessed by Postrun Analysis 4.41 workstation. Partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to analyze two sets of differential metabolites and to analyze metabolic pathways of differential metabolites based on MetaboAnalyst 3.0 software. Result: Compared with the normal group, after two kinds of liver cancer cells was treated by artesunate, a total of 39 identical metabolites in the cells have undergone significant changes, which were mainly related to five metabolic pathways,including biosynthesis of aminoacyl-transfer RNA (tRNA), metabolism of alanine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid, metabolism of glycine, serine and threonine, metabolism of arginine and proline, metabolism of glutathione. Conclusion: Artesunate (12.5-100 μmol·L^-1) can inhibit the growth of liver cancer cells (Huh7, SMMC-7721), it mainly involves five metabolic pathways, which may be the pathway of artesunate against liver cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and short-term efficacy of robotic lateral neck dissection via combined axillary-retroauricular approach for N1b papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: Thirty patients with cT1-2N1bM0 PTC who received robotic lateral neck dissection via combined axillary-retroauricular approach were included in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital from December 2016 to December 2020. There were 10 males and 20 females, with a median age of 34.5 years and a median body mass index of 25.55 kg/m². The clinical, surgical, complications, pathology and follow-up data were analysed with SPSS 25.0 software package. Results: The median operative time of 30 patients was 255.50 min, the median operative blood loss was 69.00 ml, and the median postoperative hospital stay was 6.00 days. The incidence of postoperative temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis was 3.33% (1/30), temporary hypoparathyroidism was 16.67%(5/30), temporary accessory nerve injury was 3.33% (1/30), hematoma was 3.33% (1/30) and chylous leakage was 3.33% (1/30). The median visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 8.00, and the follow-up time was 13-38 months, with a median of 25.5 months. One case showed cervical lymph node recurrence 14 months after surgery. The most recent dynamic recurrence risk stratification showed 21 patients (70.00%) had excellent responses. Conclusions: Robotic lateral neck dissection via combined axillary-retroauricular approach for unilateral cN1b PTC is safe, feasible and aesthetic. The short-term efficacy and dynamic recurrence risk stratification results of short-term follow-up are satisfactory. It can provide a surgical option for cN1b PTC patients.
Adult ; Carcinoma, Papillary/surgery* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neck Dissection/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Robotic Surgical Procedures ; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/surgery* ; Thyroid Neoplasms/surgery* ; Thyroidectomy/methods*