OBJECTIVETo study the combination of Mandibular distraction and orthognathic techniques for the reconstruction of adult hemifacial microsomia.

METHODSThe three-dimensional CT reconstruction data was used with Mimics for preoperation design. The osteotomy location, distraction vector, distraction distance were decided before operation with a surgical guider. At the first stage, internal distractor was implanted after ostetomy through an extra-oral approach. The distraction begun 5-7 days after operation with a frequency of 1 mm/day. After distraction, the distractor was maintained for 3-6 months. At the second stage, the distractor was removed. Le Fort I osteotomy was performed in order to correct the cross-bite and improve the facial contour. Usually, bone graft was inserted into the gap after Le Fort I osteotomy. The genioplasty was also performed if necessary.

RESULTS9 cases of adult hemifacial microsomia with severe mandibular deviation were treated. The facial asymmetry were improved greatly. 1 patient suffered an wound infection in the maxillary region after Le Fort I osteotomy and healed uneventfully with wound irrigation.

CONCLUSIONSMandibular distraction combined with orthognathic surgery is an effective procedure for adult hemifacial microsomia with complicated mandibular hypoplasia.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Transplantation ; Facial Asymmetry ; surgery ; Goldenhar Syndrome ; surgery ; Humans ; Mandible ; surgery ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; methods ; Osteotomy, Le Fort ; methods

Objective To study the influence and dose effect of ultrasound on the contraction of uterine smooth muscle in rats.Methods Estradiol benzoate was injected into rats three days before conducting an in-vitro experiment.Their uteri were resected and irradiated with ultrasound(0.8 MHz,3 W/cm~2,0-40 rain).The contrac- tion frequency and amplitude were recorded using an MS-302 biological experiment system.Results It could be seen that the contraction frequency and amplitude,and general contractile activity were significantly increased during ultrasonic irradiation(P＜0.01).The increased contraction frequency and amplitude lasted for ten minutes,and then the normal contraction pattern resumed.The contraction frequency as well as the percentage change in eontraction fre- quency were highest during the first 15 minutes of ultrasonic irradiation;the contraction amplitude as well as the per- centage change in amplitude were highest during 40 minutes of ultrasonic irradiation.Contraction activity was at its highest for 30 minutes,but the percentage change in activity was highest for 20 minutes.Conclusions Ultrasound can induce uterine smooth muscle contraction in rats.This biological effect is related to the irradiation time.

Objective:To investigate the effects of mycophenolate mofetil ( MMF) on the differentiation and connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)and fibronectin(FN)expression of lung fibroblasts(LF)through interfering the transdifferentiation of LF into MF in vitro.Methods:LF of neonatal rat were cultured in vitro ,induced into MF by transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),and treated with different concentrations of MMF ,which was 0μmol/L(control group),0.1μmol/L(low dose group),1μmol/L(middle dose group)or 10 μmol/L( high dose group ) .Morphology of LF and MF were observed by inverted phase contrast microscope , the expressions of vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were identified by immunofluorescence staining ,and then analyzed the effect of MMF on the transdifferentiation of fibroblasts .ELISA was used to detect the levels of connective tissue growth factor ( CTGF ) and fibronectin ( FN) .Results: LF was induced into MF by TGF-β196 hours later.The immune fluorescence performance of α-SMA in the lung fibroblasts revealed MMF could suppress the expression of α-SMA,but had no effect on the phenotype of myofibroblasts .The results of ELISA showed that the levels of CTGF and FN were significantly decreased compar with that of control group and was concentration -de-pendent ( P<0.05 ) .Conclusion: MMF can prevent lung fibroblasts from transdifferentiating into myofibroblasts and inhibit the expressions of CTGF and FN ,suggesting that MMF has anti-fibrosis effect and one of the mechanisms is by suppressing the expressions of CTGF and FN.

BACKGROUNDCancer of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction remains a virulent malignancy with poor prognosis. Rapid progresses were made in chemotherapeutic agents and the development of molecular markers allowed better identification of candidates for targeted therapy. This study aimed to identify the candidate peptides used for anti-angiogenic therapy of esophageal cancer by in vivo screening C7C peptide library for peptides binding specifically to blood vessels of human esophageal cancer.

METHODSThe phage displayed C7C peptide library was injected intravenously into mice bearing human esophageal tumor xenografts under renal capsule. After 5 rounds of screening, 13 clones were picked up individually and sequenced. During each round of screening, titers of phage recovery were calculated from tumor xenograft and control tissues. Homing of these 9 peptides to tumor vessel was detected by calculating phage titers in the tumor xenograft and control tissues (lung and spleen) after each phage was injected into mice model, and compared with the distribution of phage M13 and VIII-related antigen in tumor xenograft by immunohistochemical staining. Comparisons among groups of data were made using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Bonferroni multiple comparisons test.

RESULTSThe number of phage recovered from tumor tissue of each round increased gradually in tumor group while decreased in control groups (P < 0.01 in tumor and spleen, P < 0.05 in lung). Immunohistochemical staining showed similar staining pattern with M13 antibody or VIII-related antigen antibody, suggesting that phages displaying the selected peptides could home to blood vessel of human esophageal cancer. According to their DNA, 9 corresponding peptide sequences were deduced. And the homing ability to blood vessel of phages displaying the selected peptides was confirmed by comparing with their recovery in tumor and control tissues. Two motifs, YSXNXW and PXNXXN, were also obtained by analyzing the homology of these peptide sequences. The staining distribution of phage with the sequence of PNPNNST was similar to that of the blood vessel marker factor VIII-related antigen staining. After sequencing, each phage with the selected peptide of PNPNNST with 1.0 × 10(11) pfu/ml was injected intravenously into mice. The homing ability to tumor vessel of these 9 kinds of peptides in the xenograft was higher than control tissues (lung and spleen).

CONCLUSIONNine peptides obtained from in vivo screening homed to the blood vessel of human esophageal cancer, and the two motifs of YSXNXW and PXNXXN are the possible biochemical recognition units binding to vascular endothelial cells of esophageal cancer.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; blood supply ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Peptide Library ; Peptides ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo study the adaptive alteration in bilaminar zone of rabbits' temporomandibular joint following disc displacement.

METHODSTwenty-six Japanese white rabbits were used in this study. Among these rabbits,6 were used as controls. The right discs of other 20 rabbits were displaced anteriorly by operation. Four of these rabbits were killedatn 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks respectively after surgery. The TMJS were studied by HE staining, Alcin bluen staining and in situ detection of type II collagen mRNA expression.

RESULTSThere appeared cartilage metaplasia after one week following disc displacement. Typical chondrocytes could be found in the bilaminar zone. The new chondrocytes expressed type II collagen.

CONCLUSIONSThe bilaminar zone of TMJ will be remodeled following disc displacement and become a disc-like tissue to function as a disc.

Animals ; Collagen Type II ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Female ; Joint Dislocations ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Rabbits ; Temporomandibular Joint Disc ; metabolism ; pathology ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the treatment for traumatic intervertebrae disk herniation in cervical thoracic junction.

METHODSFrom 2003 to 2008, there were 10 patients with trautimatic intervertebral disk herniation in cervical thoracic junction, which included 6 males and 4 females, aged from 23 to 66 years (means 41.5 years). All of them were performed through the transforminal approach combined with internal fixation. After operation all patient underwent hyperbaric oxygen treatment. The function of spine was evaluated by JOA score system.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 8 to 16 months(means 13 months). All patients got recovery of spine function to some extent except one case with complete spine damaged. The JOA scores was improved from (8 +/- 3) before operation to (15 +/- 2) after operation.

CONCLUSIONEarly and effective treatment by transforminal operation could be helpful for the recovery of spine function.

Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery

BACKGROUNDThe urokinase plasminogen activator system is believed to play an important role in degradation of the extracellular matrix associated with cartilage and bone destruction; however its precise roles in temporomandibular disorders have not yet been clarified. The aims of this study were to investigate the gene expression of fibrinolytic factors urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in the articular cartilage of rabbit temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with disc displacement (DD) and to probe the relationship between fibrinolytic activity and cartilage remodeling.

METHODSDisc displacement of right joints was performed in 36 of 78 rabbits under investigation. The animals were sacrificed at 4 days and 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after surgery, respectively. The right joints of these animals were harvested and processed for the examination of mRNA expression of uPA and PAI-1 in articular cartilage using in situ hybridization techniques.

RESULTSThe expression of uPA and PAI-1 was co-expressed weakly in the chondrocytes from transitive zone to hypertrophic zone and mineralized zone, while no hybridizing signals were shown in proliferative zone and superficial zone in control rabbits. The most striking was the up-regulation of uPA and PAI-1 mRNA in 4-day rabbits postoperatively at the onset of cartilage degeneration. The strongest hybridizing signals for uPA and PAI-1 were seen in 2-week rabbits postoperatively. After 2 weeks, the expression of uPA and PAI-1 began to decrease and reached nearly normal level at 12 weeks.

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of the uPA/PAI-1 system coincides with the pathological changes in condylar cartilage after DD. The uPA/PAI-1 system may be one of the essential mediators in articular cartilage remodeling.

Animals ; Cartilage, Articular ; metabolism ; Female ; Joint Dislocations ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mandibular Condyle ; metabolism ; pathology ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rabbits ; Temporomandibular Joint ; metabolism ; Temporomandibular Joint Disc ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of anterior disc displacement on the expression of urokinase plasminogen activator and its inhibitor-1 (uPA/PAI-1) in synovial tissues.

METHODSForty Japanese white rabbits were used in this study. The animals were killed at 4 days, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks postoperatively, respectively. In situ hybridization technology was applied to detect the expression of uPA/PAI-1 mRNA in synovial membrane.

RESULTSIn normal synovial tissues, synovial lining cells and a few fibrosblasts with mild positive staining were occasionally seen. More synovial lining cells and fibrosblasts with moderate postive signals were found 1 week after operation. Since then, the degree of staining for uPA/PAI-1 increased gradually. By the end of 12 weeks postoperatively, strong signals of uPA/PAI-1 mRNA were detected.

CONCLUSIONThere is a harmonized uPA/PAI-1 system existing in synovial tissues. The high expression of uPA and PAI-1 mRNA in synovial tissues indicates that the uPA/PAI-1 system may play an important role in the process of synovitis resulted from anterior disc displacement.

Animals ; In Situ Hybridization ; Plasminogen ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; RNA, Messenger ; Rabbits ; Synovial Membrane ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator

OBJECTIVETo construct hu-PBL/SCID chimeras and to investigate the development of lymphoma and oncogenicity of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

METHODSHuman peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) were isolated from healthy adult donors and transplanted intraperitoneally into severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Mice with hu-PBL engraftment from healthy EBV seronegative donors were injected intraperitoneally with EBV-containing supernatant from suspension culture of B95-8 cell line (active infection), whereas mice receiving lymphocytes from healthy EBV seropositive donors were not re-infected with B95-8 derived EBV (latent infection). Pathological examination and molecular analysis were performed on experimental animals and induced neoplasms.

RESULTSIn the early stage of this experiment, 12 mice died of acute graft-versus-host disease, mortality was 34.3% (12/35 mice) with an average life span of 17.5 days. In 19 survival hu-PBL/SCID chimeric recipients from 12 healthy donors, tumor incidence was 84.2% (16/19 mice). The average survival time of tumor-bearing mice was 65.5 days. EBV-related neoplasms in SCID mice were nodular tumors with aggressive and fatal features. Histological morphology of tumors exhibited diffuse large cell lymphomas. Immunohistochemistry revealed that LCA (CD45) and L26 (CD20) were positive, but both PS1 (CD3) and UCHL-1 (CD45RO) were negative, and EBV products ZEBRA, LMP1, and EBNA2 were expressed in a small number of tumor cells. EB virus particles were seen in the nuclei of some tumor cells by electron microscopy, and EBV DNA could be amplified in the tumor tissues by PCR. In situ hybridization indicated that the nuclei of tumor cells contained human-specific Alu sequence.

CONCLUSIONSEBV-induced tumors were human B-cell malignant lymphomas. We obtained direct causative evidence dealing with EBV-associated tumor deriving from normal human cells.

Adult ; Animals ; Antigens, CD20 ; metabolism ; Chimera ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; immunology ; virology ; Graft vs Host Disease ; prevention & control ; virology ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; physiology ; Humans ; Leukocyte Common Antigens ; metabolism ; Leukocyte Transfusion ; methods ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; immunology ; virology ; Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein 1 ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, SCID