Objective To explore the relationship between polymorphism of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene valine (Val) 158 methionine (Met) (G to A transition)and the distribution in population and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in Yili prefecture of Xinjiang.Methods A hospital based case-control study was adopted, a total of 622 subjects, which including 214 ESCC patients and 408 age, gender and ethnicity-matched normal control individuals.The polymorphism of COMT gene G to A transition was analyzed with PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism approaches.Results The COMT genotype frequencies in 622 subjects in Yili prefecture were GG genotype accounted for 47.3%, GA type for 42.3% and AA type for 10.4%, G allele was 68.4% and A allele was 31.6%.There was no statistical difference in the COMT genotype and frequencies of allele distribution between ESCC group and control group.Furthermore, stratified analysis indicated that there was statistical difference between ESCC group and control group in subjects less than 60 years old.There was statistical difference in the allele distribution among Kazak,Uygur and Han ESCC groups.The COMT genotype and frequency of allele distribution among normal control groups of the three ethnic groups were statistically different.After corrected age and gender,there was no statistical difference in COMT Val158Met polymorphisms among Kazakh, Uygur and Han ethnic groups in both ESCC and control groups in Yili Prefecture of Xinjiang.Conclusion COMT gene Val158Met single nucleotide polymorphism may not be the genetic markers of ESCC risk in Yili Prefecture of Xinjiang.

Objective To explore Annexin A2 expression in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and investigate the correlation of Annexin A2 expression with invasion and metastasis of human ESCC. Methods From 2000 to 2008, specimens of Xinjiang medical University First Affiliated Hospital were collected. Pathologically confirmed ESCC surgical specimens were set as experimental group, and the corresponding tumor adjacent tissues located more than 5 cm far from ESCC center were set as control group. 22 fresh and 175 paraffin-embeded ESCC specimens with corresponding adjacent tissues were randomly collected as study samples. With qRT-PCR, Western-blot and immunohistochemistry, the expression of Annexin A2 were detected at the mRNA and protein level. The correlation between Annexin A2 expression and clinicopathological parameters was analyzed. Results In 22 pairs of fresh ESCC and corresponding tumor adjacent tissues, the expression of Annexin A2 at mRNA level was significantly higher in tumor adjacent tissues (0. 06 ± 0. 06) than that in ESCC (0. 02 ±0. 02) (P＜0.05 ). Annexin A2 expression at protein level was also significantly higher in tumor adjacent tissues (0.95±0. 42) than ESCC (0.81±0. 36) (P＜0.05). In 175 paraffin-embeded ESCC specimens and corresponding adjacent tissues, the positive rate of Annexin A2 protein expression was 82. 3% (144/175) of the ESCC samples, which was lower than corresponding tumor adjacent tissues 92. 0% (161/175)(P＜0. 05). In addition, Annexin A2 expression was correlated with lymphoid node metastasis (P＜0.05) and pathological differentiation in patients with ESCC (P＜0.05). However, there was no apparent correlation with gross type (P＞0. 05). Conclusion The low expression of Annexin A2 in ESCC maybe played a potential role in the carcinogenesis, invasion and metastasis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of the intratympanic methylprednisolone perfusion for patients of intractable Meniere's disease (MD). METHOD: Ten cases (10 ears), collected from Janu 2008 to Janu 2010, of intractable MD were studied retrospectively. The micro-catheter was placed into the tympanum of the affected ear, then methylprednisolone was imported into the tympanum once a day for 10 days. The average followed-up duration was (15. 4 +/- 5. 4) months after the perfusion. The treatment effect of vertigo, hearing loss and activity capacity was evaluated with Diagnostic Criteria for MD set by the Guiyang Meeting in 2006. The efficacy of tinnitus was analyzed by comparing the score of tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) before and after treatment. RESULT: The vertigo was absolutely controlled in 7 patients (grade A), partially controlled in 2 patients (grade B) and no efficiency in 1 patient (grade C). The 2 patients in grade B had a vertigo again in 9 months and 11 months after intratympanic perfusion, respectively, while the frequency, severity and duration of their vertigo softened obviously. Puretone threshold average (PTA) at the affected frequencies was decreased to within the level of 20 dB in one patient and was improved more than 30 dB in another one (grade A), improved 15 dB to 30 dB in 4 patients (grade B), and improved less than 15 dB in the other 4 patients. The average score of THI was 48.80 +/- 7.25 and 41.9 +/- 7.78 before and after perfusion respectively. The ability capacity of all the 10 patients after treatment was as normal (grade A), i. e. All of them could lead an independent life. There was no irreversible tympanic perforation in the operated ear and there was no other complications left. CONCLUSION Intratympanic methylprednisolone perfusion through the micro-catheter is a safe and effective method for the intractable Meniere's disease.
Ear, Middle ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meniere Disease ; drug therapy ; Methylprednisolone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To diagnose the mycotic otitis media correctly and to explore the most adequate treatment for the disease. METHOD: Thirty-six inpatients (39 ears) with mycotic otitis media in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from Jan. 2003 to Dec. 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. Morphous of the fungi, the methods and efficacies of the treatment were analyzed respectively. RESULT: According to the fungal cultures, 27 ears were induced by mold fungus and 12 ears were induced by budding fungus. Among these 36 patients (39 ears), myringoplasty accompanied local antifungal cream were applied in one ear, mastoidectomy with canal wall down and/or tympanoplasty accompanied with oral antifungal medication were administrated in 35 ears, only oral antifungal drugs were used in 3 ears (the control ears of the bilateral mycotic otitis media, which was not treated by surgery). All of the patients were followed up for 3 to 36 months, otorrhea occurred in the patients who refused to oral antifungal medication for 3 weeks after the myringoplasty, then dry again by local antifungal cream, but otorrhea recurred 3 times within 2 years. Thirty-five patients (38 ears) acquired dry ear after surgery and/or oral antifungal drugs, but 2 of the 38 ears recurred separately at the fourth and sixth month after their surgeries, then dry again by irrigation with hydrogen peroxide and by administrating local antifungal cream for 3 weeks. CONCLUSION Otologists should elevate suspicion of mycotic otitis media when they meet patients with continuous otorrhea and patients who did not respond to the antibacterial treatment. The diagnosis based on microbiological findings, such as direct microscopy or fungal cultures should be done as soon as possible. If the otomycosis is decided, we suggest that topical treatment should be selected firstly, although most patients in present study were treated by surgery accompanied with oral antifungal medications. If there is obvious bone erosion, surgery is necessary to excise the pathological tissues, minificate the mastoid cavity and close the middle cavity in order to improve the hearing and prevent the infection from the outer ear.
Adult ; Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mycoses ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Otitis Media ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult