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 investigate the differential expression of different types of Smads in keloids, normal scars and normal skins and its possible clinicopathological significance.

METHODSRT-PCR and Western blot methods were used to examine the expression of Smads mRNA and proteins level in 10 cases of keloid, in 10 cases of normal scar and in 10 cases of normal skin tissues and fibroblasts. Fibroblasts of keloid, normal scar and normal skin were cultured in vitro. The expression difference were compared and analyzed by t-test, there was statistical difference when P < 0.05.

RESULTSThe mRNA and protein expression of inhibitory Smad7 were significantly down regulated in keloid compared with normal scar (P < 0.05) and normal skin (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference of the mRNA and protein expression of Smad2, 3 and the protein expression of phosphorylation of Smad2, 3 in keloid, normal scar, normal skin tissues and fibroblasts.

CONCLUSIONSThe decreased expression of Smad7 in keloid might play a significant role in the increased TGF-beta1/Smads signal transduction, which can not be terminated by autologous negative feedback cycle.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Keloid ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Signal Transduction ; Smad Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the related factors of neck recurrence and regularity of cervical lymph nodes metastasis of pathologically node positive (pN+) tongue squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) and explore the neck treatment strategy for pN+ tongue SCC.

METHODSClinical and follow-up data of 138 patients with pN+ oral tongue SCC from Jan. 1991 to Dec. 2008 were reviewed. Distribution of neck metastatic and recurrent lymph nodes were analyzed. The influencing factors of neck recurrence of pN+ tongue SCC were analyzed.

RESULTSAll patients were followed over two years or until death. Using Kaplan-Meier method, the 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates were 46.4% and 36.2% respectively. Two hundred and three levels of 138 patients had metastasis and the involvement frequency of ipsilateral I, II, III reached to 94.6%. Sixty-six levels of 47 patients had neck recurrences and the involvement frequency of ipsilateral I, II, III reached to 77.3%. pT stage, pN stage, pTNM stage, extracapsular spread (ECS) of cervical lymph nodes were relevant to the neck recurrence of pN+ tongue SCC (all P < 0.05). When ECS of cervical lymph nodes was present, the neck recurrence rate of patients with postoperative radiation was lower than patients without postoperative radiation, but P value failed to demonstrate significant difference (P = 0.076). There were no significant difference of neck recurrence rates between different neck dissection methods (P > 0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that pTNM stage and ECS of cervical lymph nodes were the independent prognostic factors of pN+ oral tongue SCC.

CONCLUSIONSpT stage, pN stage, pTNM stage, ECS of cervical lymph nodes were the influencing factors of neck recurrence of pN+ tongue SCC. Postoperative radiation may reduce the neck recurrence rate when ECS was present. There was no difference of the neck recurrence rate between modified neck dissection (MRND) and radical neck dissection (RND) and when the non-lymphatic structures were not involved, MRND should attempted. Metastatic and recurrent lymph nodes of pN+ tongue SCC were mostly distributed in ipsilateral I, II, III level and selective neck dissection (SND) can be applied to pN+ tongue SCC.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVEApplicate autologous buccal mucosal graft pre-transplantation for urethral reconstruction of complicated hypospadias by staging.

METHODSFrom 1999 to 2003, 40 patients have been treated by method of autologous buccal mucosal graft pre-placing. There were two models: graft onlay and graft-tube for urethral reconstruction, and the 2rd operation was accomplished half year later.

RESULTSAll patients healed without urethral fistula.

CONCLUSIONThe method is valuable for treatment of complicated hypospadias.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Hypospadias ; surgery ; Male ; Mouth Mucosa ; transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Urethra ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of saturated hydrogen saline on the prevention of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) induced by calcium chloride in a rat model.

METHODSIn healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, AAA was induced by infiltration of abdominal arota with 0.5 mol/L calcium chloride. Saturated hydrogen saline (5 ml·kg(-1)·d(-1)) or saline was administred intraperitoneally once daily. Twenty-eight days later, the diameter of the aorta was measured, and the aortic tissue was exercised for histological examination. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), IL-1β) in AAA tissue were detected with ELISA. The protein expression and mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 in AAA tissue were observed by immunohistochemistry staining and real-time PCR.

RESULTThe aorta diameter of the experiment group and control group were (2.2 ± 0.3) mm and (3.4 ± 0.5) mm, the tissue IL-1β levels were (81 ± 29) ng/L and (165 ± 51) ng/L, the tissue TNF-α levels were (109 ± 46) ng/L and (360 ± 51) ng/L, the relative mRNA expressions were 2.4 ± 1.0 and 11.8 ± 2.9, the relative mRNA expressions were 2.9 ± 0.6 and 6.7 ± 1.0 (t = 4.055 to 10.406, P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the infiltration of inflammation, the injury of elastic fibers in the vessel wall, and the positive expression of MMP-2 and 9 protein of the experiment group were all reduced.

CONCLUSIONSSaturated hydrogen saline prevents the degradation of elastin in vessel wall and ameliorates the formation and development of AAA, which may be associated with its anti-inflammatory effects, thereby reduces the MMP-2 and 9 mRNA and protein expression.

Animals ; Aorta, Abdominal ; pathology ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; prevention & control ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hydrogen ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium Chloride ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopy-assisted combined radical resection for synchronous rectal and gastric cancer in elderly patients.

METHODSClinical data of two elderly patients undergoing laparoscopy-assisted combined radical resection for synchronous rectal and gastric cancer were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThe two cases were 78 and 75 years old respectively. Both were complicated with many medical conditions. One case suffered from stage II cancer in the gastric body and stage IB rectal cancer, and the other suffered from stage IIIA gastric cancer and stage IB rectal cancer. Both cases had received laparoscopy-assisted combined radical resection for synchronous rectal and gastric cancer, with 5 cm of incision. The operative time was 260 and 255 min and the intraoperative bleeding was 60 and 80 ml respectively. No complication occurred intraoperatively. Time to resume oral intake was 4 and 5 days and length of postoperative hospital stay was 13 and 14 days respectively. No postoperative complication occurred. The patients were followed up for 13 and 12 months and no postoperative recurrence or metastasis was noticed.

CONCLUSIONLaparoscopy-assisted combined radical resection for elderly synchronous rectal and gastric cancer is safe and feasible when performed by surgeons with plentiful experience in laparoscopic technology, and associated with less injury and faster recovery.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Rectal Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the anatomic features of mesoesophagus in combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy with three-fields lymphadenectomy.

METHODSClinical data of 67 patients undergoing thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy with three-fields lymphadenectomy from July 2011 to September 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. All the patients underwent three-fields lymphadenectomy. Proper surgical planes were selected according to anatomy of mesoesophagus. Thoracoscopic surgical space was bounded on azygotic vein and divided into upper and low esophageal triangle. Pancreas was the key anatomical mark for laparoscopic gastric dissection, and peripancreatic space was the natural laparoscopic surgical plane. Prevertebral fascia was bottom surface of neck dissection and carotid sheath was the boundary of two sides.

RESULTSThe median operative time was 251.6 min (range, 220 to 320 min). The median operative blood loss was 105.6 ml (range, 40 to 320 ml). The median number of lymph nodes dissected was 29.1 (range, 13 to 46, totally 1949). There was no perioperative death. Sixty-six patients were followed up with a mean follow-up time of 8.2 months (range, 2 to 14 months). Postoperative complications included reflux esophagitis in 10 and anastomotic stenosis in 3 cases.

CONCLUSIONIt is safe and more radical for minimally invasive esophagectomy that overall concept of minimally invasive anatomy of mesoesophagus is applied to identify the anatomic plane and landmark during operation.

Aged ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; Esophagus ; anatomy & histology ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To establish the cell model of human neuroblastoma cell( SH-SY5Y cell) exposed to1,2-dichloroethane( 1,2-DCE) in vitro and to explore the mechanism of 1,2-DCE-induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells.METHODS: SH-SY5Y cells were collected in their logarithmic growth phase and cultured in complete medium that had final concentrations of 1,2-DCE in 0,10,20,30,40,50,60,70 and 80 mmol / L for 24 hours. Cell morphology was observed and cell survival rate was examined by CCK-8 assay. Using chemical colorimetric method, the activity of lactic dehydrogenase( LDH) in the cell culture supernatant,and the intracellular level of malondialdehyde( MDA),the intracellular activities of superoxide dismutase( SOD) and adenosine triphosphate( ATP) enzymes were detected. RESULTS: With the increasing exposure concentrations of 1,2-DCE,the cell density of SH-SY5Y cells gradually decreased,the synapse became shorter,the membrane ruptured,cytoplasm condensed and cytoplasmic contents overflowed increased.With the increasing concentration of 1,2-DCE,the cell survival rate decreased( P < 0. 01),the activity of LDH in the cell culture supernatant increased( P < 0. 01). These changes had a dose-effect correlation. Intracellular MDA level,and activities of SOD,Na~+-K~+-ATP enzyme,Ca~(2+)-Mg~(2+)-ATP enzyme and total ATP enzyme increased at first and then decreased. The activity of LDH in the cell culture supernatant and cell survival rate was negatively correlated( the correlation coefficient is- 0. 907,P < 0. 01). CONCLUSION: 1,2-DCE could inhibit the proliferation of SH-SY5Y cells.The mechanism may be related to the permeability change of cell membrane,cellular damage from excessive free radicals,the decrease of free radical scavenging capacity,ATP enzyme activity and calcium overloading. SH-SY5Y cells can be used as a common cell line for 1,2-DCE cytotoxicity analysis.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the experience and characteristics of the modified laparoscopic splenectomy for massive splenomegaly in the treatment of children with hematologic disease.

METHODSThe clinical data of 30 cases of laparoscopic splenectomy for massive splenomegaly of children with hematologic disease from March 2007 to December 2011 was analyzed retrospectively. There were 18 male and 12 female patients, aging from 2 to 14 years. Primary disease included mediterranean anemia (17 cases), hereditary spherocytosis (4 cases) and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP, 9 cases). Dissection started with cutting off the gastrosplenic ligaments and lesser sac to fully reveal the splenic hilum, the splenic artery was clamped twice with 10 mm tiatanum clamp. When most of blood stored in the spleen back to heart through the veins and the splenic volume had already decreased, the splenic vein was ligated with 10 mm titanium clip and cut with ligsure and splenic pedicle separated. The Surgery and complication were recorded. For 1 week after surgery, the hemoglobin and platelet counts were reviewed.

RESULTSTwenty-six cases were performed successfully, and 4 cases were converted to open procedure. Of the 4 cases, 2 cases was obesity because of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, 1 case was β thalassaemia combined severe liver enlargement, and 1 case was after partial splenic embolization. In cases of laparoscopic splenectomy, operation time was 110 to 130 minutes, with an average of 120 minutes, and blood loss during operation was 35 to 180 ml, with an average of 45 ml. Compared with pre-operation, the hemoglobin of mediterranean anemia and hereditary spherocytosis patients were (92 ± 8) g/L, and blood platelet count of ITP patients was (127 ± 20)×10(9)/L, and they increased obviously at 1 week after operation (t = 4.175 and 8.253, both P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONThe modified surgical method make the laparoscopic splenectomy for massive splenomegaly in many children with hematologic diseases possible, which was thought to be impossible in the past.

Child ; Hematologic Diseases ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Splenectomy ; Splenomegaly ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of aquaporin 4( APQ4) in rat toxic brain edema induced by subacute 1,2-dichloroethane( 1,2-DCE) exposure. METHODS: Thirty-two specific pathogen free healthy adult female SD rats were randomly divided into control( 8 rats),low-dose( 12 rats) and high-dose( 12 rats) groups. The treatment groups were exposed to 1,2-DCE( low-dose: 600 mg / m3; high-dose: 1 800 mg/m3,nose-only) and the control group was exposed to fresh air by dynamic inhalation for 8 hours per day for consecutive 7 days. After exposure,histopathologic changes were examined in the cerebral cortex. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the mRNA relative expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2( MMP2),Na-K-Cl cotransporter-1( NKCC1) and AQP4. The Western blotting was used to detect the expression of AQP4 protein in the cerebral cortex. RESULTS: The pathological results showed that the cerebral cortex tissues were loose around the peripheral vessels and the vessels tissue space appeared widen in low-dose exposure group. The pathological change was more serious in high-dose group than low-dose group,with obvious loosen vessels and vacuole. Compared with those of the control group and the low-dose group,the relative expression level of MMP2 mRNA in the high-dose group increased significantly[( 1. 07 ± 0. 41) vs( 1. 56 ± 0. 55),( 1. 21 ± 0. 59) vs( 1. 56 ± 0. 55),P <0. 05],while the the relative expression level of AQP4 mRNA in the high-dose group significantly decreased [( 1. 03 ±0. 25) vs( 0. 81 ± 0. 12),( 1. 00 ± 0. 20) vs( 0. 81 ± 0. 12),P < 0. 05]. The relative expression levels of NKCC1 mRNA in all groups showed no statistical difference [( 1. 03 ± 0. 31) vs( 1. 14 ± 0. 43) vs( 1. 36 ± 0. 50),P > 0. 05]. The relative expression level of AQP4 protein in the high-dose group was lower than that of the control group [( 0. 80 ± 0. 25) vs( 1. 19 ± 0. 42),P < 0. 05]. CONCLUSION: The brain edema induced by subacute inhalation of 1,2-DCE is of mixed types with vasogenic edema as its main symptom. Its pathogenesis is related to the changes of AQP4 expression.