Calcitonin ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Medullary ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; metabolism ; pathology ; Chromogranin A ; metabolism ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary ; metabolism ; pathology ; Synaptophysin ; metabolism ; Thyroglobulin ; metabolism ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transcription Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correction of secondary nasal deformity of cleft lip with autogenous costal cartilage framework.

METHODS237 cases with secondary nasal deformity of unilateral cleft lip were treated. The rib cartilage was harvested through a mini-invasive incision, and was fabricated as a C-shaped framework, as well as some cartilage fragments. Through transcolumella incision, the C-shaped framework was implanted to support the depressed alar and the cartilage fragments were used to augment the nasal base.

RESULTSSatisfactory cosmetic and functional results were achieved in all the patients with primary healing. 93 patients were followed up one year after operation with good cosmetic results.

CONCLUSIONSAutogenous costal cartilage framework can be used for the correction of secondary nasal deformity of cleft lip with satisfactory results.

Cleft Lip ; surgery ; Costal Cartilage ; transplantation ; Humans ; Nose Deformities, Acquired ; surgery ; Rhinoplasty ; methods

BACKGROUNDRecent studies have suggested that susceptibility to major depressive disorder (MDD) might be related to the serotonin 1A receptor (5-HTR1A) C (-1019) G polymorphism. In this study, we aimed to assess the association between 5-HTR1A C (-1019) G polymorphism and MDD in the Northern Han ethnic group of China.

METHODSThe C (-1019) G of 5-HTR1A was detected with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 400 patients with MDD and 400 unrelated age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. Association between the C (-1019) G and MDD was statistically analyzed.

RESULTSThere was a statistically significant difference between MDD patients and controls in both the genotype distribution (Chi(2) = 10.913, df = 2, P = 0.004) and the allele frequency (Chi(2) = 10.379, df = 1, P = 0.001), and a significant difference in the genotype distribution and the allele frequency was found both in the female subjects (Genotype distribution: Chi(2) = 15.406, df = 2, P = 0.000; allele frequency: Chi(2) = 15.552, df = 1, P = 0.000) and the late-onset subjects (Genotype distribution: Chi(2) = 7.771, df = 2, P = 0.021; allele frequency: Chi(2) = 8.007, df = 1, P = 0.005) in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that 5-HTR1A C (-1019) G polymorphism is probably associated with MDD and it is likely to be the susceptible gene locus for the female and late-onset MDD.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; ethnology ; genetics ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A ; genetics

BACKGROUNDTo evaluate the effects and toxicities of combination therapy of chemotherapy with hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT)+5-fluorouracil (5-FU)+cisplatin (DDP) and concurrent radiotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSFrom September 1999 to May 2001, 31 patients with advanced NSCLC were enrolled in this study. They were given chemotherapy with HCPT 6mg/m² on days 1-5, 5-FU 300mg/m² on days 1-5, DDP 30mg/m² on days 1-3 and concurrent radiotherapy. The chemotherapy was repeated every 28 days as a cycle. Each patient should receive at least two cycles. The total dose of primary tumors varied up to DT 50-70 Gy/25-35f, and that of metastatic tumors up to DT 30-60 Gy/10-30f .

RESULTSAmong the 31 patients, 6 got complete response, 18 got partial response, 5 had stable disease and 2 had progressive disease, with an overall response rate of 77.4% (24/31). The median survival duration was 16.7 months. The 1- and 2- year survival rates were 54.7% and 30.2%, and 1- and 2- year local control rates were 61% and 40%, respectively. The main toxicities were marrow suppression and gastrointestinal symptoms.

CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest that HCPT-based chemotherapy combined with concurrent radiotherapy is effective for NSCLC and can improve the survival rate and life quality of the patients with lung cancer.

Objective To evaluate the creditability of warning message of white differential count (WDF) and white precursor cell (WPC) channels in Sysmex XN-3000 hematology analyzer,and verify its optimal threshold and adjust the alarm threshold.Methods A total of 61 EDTA-K2 anticoagulated blood samples without abnormal warning and 521 EDTA-K2 anticoagulated blood samples with abnormal warning were simultaneously detected in WDF and WPC channels.After the smear specimens of blood sample were automatically prepared by the instrument,microscopic examinations were performed manually.The results of microscopic examination were considered as the gold standard to determine the reliability of the warning message from the instrument and verify the reasonability of initial warning threshold value provided by the manufacture.Consequently,the threshold values were adjusted based on the requirements in practical work.Results The warning messages of atypical lymphocytes and blasts/abnormal lymphocytes in WDF channel were higher sensitive (95.8％ and 100％ respectively),but lower specific (34.7％ and 23.5％ respectively) compared with microscopic examination.The warning messages of atypical lymphocyte,blasts and abnormal lymphocytes in WPC channel were lower sensitive (81.3％,66.7％,and 76.5％ respectively) but higher specific (61.9％,55.5％ and 88.3 ％ respectively) compared with microscopic examination.According to the ROC curve analysis,the prognostic values of warning message of microscopic examination were of medium level,except the warning message for abnormal lymphocytes was poor compared with WPC channel.Combining the practical retest rules,the optimal critical threshold values of atypical lymphocytes and blasts/Abn lymph in WDF channel were adjusted as 120,and they were adjusted as 140 in WPC channel.Conclusion The high sensitive WDF channel should first be used for screening,and the detectable warning message could be retested by using high specific WPC channel to shorten the turnaround time of the test results and improve the working efficiency.The initial critical warning threshold provided by the manufacture should be verified and adjusted to the optimum critical threshold in order to ensure the accuracy of test results.

To analyze the impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on liver function of patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the transplantation outcome of 48 patients infected with HBV prior to transplantation among 185 patients received HSCT was investigated retrospectively. The results showed that during a follow-up for 6 months after HSCT, the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) peak average values of the patients with HBsAg(+), HBsAb(+) and control groups were (281.6 ± 414.6), (95.4 ± 79.9) and (65.1 ± 44.2) U/L, respectively. The incidences of abnormal liver function of the patients with HBsAg(+), HBsAb(+) and control groups were 61.54%, 40.00% and 30.23% respectively. There were no significant differences between any two groups (P > 0.05). The lethality of those patients at late period after transplantation was not related to HBV infection. The hepatocirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma caused by HBV infection have not become major problems in long-term survivors. It is concluded that in HBsAg(+) patients received HSCT, the damage of liver function is more severe than control group, possibly increasing the development of abnormal liver function. The measures against the liver function damage should be taken. The prophylactic administration of ganciclovir for virus may be effective to prevent the activation of HBV.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B ; physiopathology ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Liver ; physiopathology ; virology ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical effect of subcutaneous undermining dissection with continuous negative pressure drainage for the closure of cystic cavity-type bedsore.

METHODS12 patients with cystic cavity-type bedsore underwent surgical debridement and the wounds were closed after subcutaneous undermining dissection. The negative pressure drainage was put in the deep space. The healing process was observed.

RESULTSCompleted healing was achieved in all the 12 cases. The skin wounds healed after 17-20 days and the deep spaces closed after 36-43 days. 12 cases were followed up for 1 year with no occurrence.

CONCLUSIONSIt is an easy and effective method to treat cystic cavity -type bedsore by subcutaneous undermining dissection with continuous negative pressure drainage.

Debridement ; methods ; Drainage ; methods ; Humans ; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy ; Pressure Ulcer ; surgery ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo investigate a new technique for nasal reconstruction with total rib cartilage framework.

METHODSThe expanded frontal flap was fabricated by skin expansion and flap delay to cover the reconstructed nose. The dorsal flap was reversed as the lining of reconstructed nose. The whole framework was made by rib cartilage. Secondary revision operation was also performed to make the reconstructed nose more natural.

RESULTSTotal nasal reconstruction was performed successfully in 37 cases. Each patient underwent 4-7 operation during a period of 6-8 months. 32 patients were followed up for 12-24 months. The reconstructed nose had a natural skin color and symmetric appearance with good ventilation and less scar. Both doctors and patients were satisfied with the results.

CONCLUSIONSatisfactory cosmetic result and ventilation function can be achieved by nasal reconstruction with total rib cartilage framework.

Adult ; Braces ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nose ; surgery ; Rhinoplasty ; methods ; Ribs ; transplantation ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory activity of HIF-1 by triptolide and manasaantin A, two cell-based models with luciferase report gene assay were established.

METHODTwo cell-based models of HIF-1 were used to evaluate HIF-1 inhibition activity of triptolide and manasaantin A. Secreted VEGF expression induced by hypoxia was detected by ELISA with two compounds. The growth inhibition of different solid tumor cell lines was measured by the MTT assay.

RESULTThe expression of firefly luciferase was induced by hypoxia in U251-HRE and T47D-HRE cells. U251-HRE model was suitable for the detection of HIF-1 inhibition activity of triptolide. The IC50 of triptolide on HIF-1 activity was (3.4 +/- 0.5) x 10(-8) mol x L(-1). The report gene assay using T47D cells co-transfected with pGL2-TK-HRE and pRL-CMV showed more sensitive inhibition activity of HIF-1 on manassantin A than that of detected by U251-HRE model. The IC50 of manassantin A on HIF-1 activity was (2.4 +/- 0.6) x 10(-8) mol x L(-1). HIF-1 target gene VEGF was also inhibited by test compounds on protein level in T47D cells. Manasaantin A showed selective inhibition on the growth of human solid cancer cell lines, especially on breast cancer and pancreatic cancer cells. Meanwhile, triplotide showed strong proliferation inhibition activity on all tested cell lines.

CONCLUSIONIt is very important to select a suitable cell-based report gene assay of HIF-1 for screening of different kinds of inhibitor.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; methods ; Epoxy Compounds ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Lignans ; pharmacology ; Luciferases ; genetics ; Models, Biological ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology

AIMTo compare the results of bladder tumor associated antigen (BTA TRAK), nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP 22) and voided urine cytology (VUC) in detecting bladder cancer.

METHODSA total of 135 elderly male and 50 healthy volunteers enrolled in this study were classified into three groups: (i) 93 patients with bladder cancer; (ii) 42 patients with urinary benign conditions; and (iii) 50 healthy volunteers. BTA TRAK and NMP 22 kits were used to detect bladder cancer. Voided urine cytology was used to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the screening tests.

RESULTSThe sensitivity and specificity of cytology, BTA TRAK and NMP 22 were 24% and 97%, 51% and 73%, 78% and 73%, respectively. The level of NMP 22 increased with tumor grading. The BTA TRAK kit has the lowest sensitivity among the screening tests. The NMP 22 with the best sensitivity can be an adjunct to cytology for evaluating bladder cancer.

CONCLUSIONThe NMP 22 test has a better correlation with the grading of the bladder cancer than BTA TRAK. As cytology units are typically not available in hospitals or in outpatient clinics, NMP 22 might be a promising tool for screening bladder cancer.

Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Nuclear Proteins ; urine ; Taiwan ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; urine ; Urine ; cytology