OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience in the clinical manifestation and treatment of malignant tumors of the external and middle ear. METHOD: The study reviewed 39 patients between 1994-2011 in our hospital, including 15 pinna tumors, 18 external canal tumors and 6 middle ear tumors. 23 males and 16 females were enrolled in this study. The mean age of patients at the time of surgery was 59. Radiotherapy or radiotherapy and chemotherapy were the only possible treatment in 6 cases. Thirty-three patients were treated surgically, and 9 patients also received radiotherapy after surgery. RESULT: All of the patients had been followed up over 3 years, except for 1 case of external canal and 1 case of middle ear tumor. The 3-year survival of pinna, external canal and middle ear tumors were 86.7%, 82.4% and 60.0% respectively. At the last follow up, the pinna tumors showed that the survival rate was 100% in T1, T2 and Tx stage, and 0% in T4 stage; the external canal tumors showed that the survival rate was 90% in T1 stage, and 66.7% in T2, T3 stage; the middle ear tumors showed that the survival rate was 100% in T1 and T2 stage, 0% in T3 stage. CONCLUSION The T staging system is for an important prognostic factor, and it is important for an early diagnosis and radical surgery to achieve a better therapeutical result.
Ear Auricle ; pathology ; Ear Canal ; pathology ; Ear Neoplasms ; pathology ; Ear, Middle ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

The in situ gel systems can form gel in situ after administration to achieve sustained release, thus provides a promising strategy for drug delivery systems. The aim of this study was to design and prepare in situ gel systems for the oral delivery of ibuprofen (IBU-ISG) and study its pharmacokinetics in Beagle dogs. The characteristics of the basic material of gellan gum (Kelcogel, Kel) and sodium alginate (Manugel, M) were studied through investigating the complex viscosity of the Kel or M solution with or without different concentrations of calcium ion or sodium citrate to ascertain the amount range of the excipients. The measurement of complex viscosity of the solution (0. 5% Kel and 1% M) with different concentrations of sodium citrate and calcium ion was carried out to select the suitable proportion of calcium ion and sodium citrate. The formulation of binary IBU-ISG was optimized by monitoring the complex viscosity before gelling in vitro release property. The optimized formulation contains 1.0% sodium alginate, 0.5% gellan gum, 0. 21% sodium citrate and 0.056% calcium chloride. A single oral dose of IBU-ISG and reference formulation (IBU suspension) were given to each of the 6 healthy Beagle dogs, ibuprofen in plasma at different sampling times was determined by RP-HPLC. The pharmacokinetics parameters in 6 Beagle dogs were calculated. The Tmax of IBU-ISG and reference formulation were (1.8 +/- 0.6) and (0.4 +/- 0. 1) h. The Cmax values were (29.2 +/- 7.6) and (37.8 +/- 2.2) microg x mL(-1). The T(1/2) were (2.3 +/- 0.5) and (2.0 +/- 0.9) h, and the AUC(0-t) were (131.0 +/- 38.6) and (117.3 +/- 23.1) microg x mL(-1) x h, respectively. The binary IBU-ISG was successfully prepared.
Administration, Oral ; Alginates ; chemistry ; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Calcium Chloride ; chemistry ; Citrates ; chemistry ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Dogs ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Excipients ; Female ; Glucuronic Acid ; chemistry ; Hexuronic Acids ; chemistry ; Ibuprofen ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Polysaccharides, Bacterial ; chemistry ; Viscosity

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; Middle Aged ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

Vegetables, rice, eggs and drinking water samples were collected from e-waste dismantling area of Qingyuan City, Guangdong Province. Nickel (Ni) was analyzed in each sample, and the non-carcinogenic health [the daily intake (DI) and hazard quotient (HQ)] of each sample was evaluated. In this e-waste dismantling area, the contents of Ni in rice and eggs were (0.46±0.24) and (0.16±0.13) μg/g, which were higher than those in the control area [the contents of Ni in rice and eggs were (0.17±0.03) and (0.02±0.02) μg/g, respectively] (both P values<0.05). The DI values of rice, vegetable, eggs, and drinking water were (3.61-5.86), (1.75-2.99), (0.11-0.24), and (0.08-0.12) μg·kg^-1·day^-1, respectively. The HQ values were 0.180-0.290, 0.090-0.150, 0.005-0.010, 0.005-0.006, respectively. Although the HQ values of rice, vegetable, eggs, and drinking water were all lower than 1, which was an acceptable level. However, considering the possibility of combined exposure of heavy metals, the non-carcinogenic health risks of Ni in the e-waste dismantling area should still be concerned.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the changes in the expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and the alterations of nitric oxide (NO) concentration in atrial endocardium in atrial fibrillation (AF) in order to investigate the mechanisms that contribute to thrombosis.

METHODSIn canine AF was produced with rapid atrial pacing at 400 bpm for 6 weeks, whereas the controls had no atrial pacing. NO production was measured by NO-specific microelectrode. The expression of endocardial eNOS and PAI-1 protein were determined by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical Staining. Plasma levels of PAI-1 were analysed by Enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay.

RESULTSLeft atrial NO concentration was decreased in AF than that in controls [(23.4 +/- 5.8)nmol/L vs (63.8 +/- 16.1)nmol/L, P < 0.01]. Endocardial eNOS expression was also significantly decreased (855 +/- 217 vs 2320 +/- 694, P < 0.05), whereas the expression of the PAI-1 was increased (3164 +/- 827 vs 1371 +/- 352, P < 0.01). Neither NO concentration, nor PAI-1, eNOS expression were altered in the right atria at the same time. A significant increase for plasma levels of PAI-1 was also detected in AF group. No correlation was found between eNOS and PAI-1 protein expression (r = 0.217, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn the canine model AF was associated with a marked decrease in endocardial NOS expression and NO concentration and with an increase in PAI-1 expression in the left atrium, which may contribute to the thrombosis in AF.

Animals ; Atrial Fibrillation ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Female ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; metabolism ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; metabolism ; Thrombosis ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo establish an improved method for stereotactic location of the supraoptic nucleus in rats.

METHODSTwenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into experimental group (12 rats) and control group (12 rats) for oblique (20° to the left) stereotactic puncture (OSP group) and vertical stereotactic puncture (VSP group), respectively, both targeting the supraoptic nucleus (SON). The surgical data and postoperative (within 24) mortality of the rats were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe nucleus locating time was longer in OSP group than in VSP group (59.55∓3.64s vs 27.44∓2.18 s, P=0.000), and the postoperative mortality rate of the rats did not differ significantly between the groups (0 vs 44.4%, P=0.082). In OSP group, compared with VSP group, the procedure was associated with a lowered rupture rate of the superior sagittal sinus (11.1% vs 88.9%, P=0.003), a shortened hemostatic time after craniotomy (52.89∓24.05 s vs 157.445 ime a s, P=0.000) and after puncture (24.33 reas 45 s vs 133.89∓28.81 s, P=0.000), and also a shortened operation time (178.89 on tims vs 362.44 timees, P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONThe improved method for locating supraoptic nucleus in rats is convenient, stable and reproducible, and helps to avoid important blood vessels and specific nuclei according to the needs of different experiments and allows the operators to choose different surgical paths.

OBJECTIVEConflicting results exist on the therapeutic effects of percutaneous myocardial laser revascularization (PMR) in patients with refractory angina pectoris. This study assessed the effects of PMR on myocardial innervation and perfusion in patients with refractory angina pectoris.

METHODSPatients with refractory angina unsuitable for standard revascularization treatment (PTI and CABG) were randomly divided into medication plus PMR (PMR, n = 17) and medication group (M, n = 13). Coronary sinus noradrenaline (NE) and epinephrine (E) levels, heart rate variability (HRV), total ischemic burden (TIB), and ischemic ST segmental events (STI), myocardial perfusion were evaluated at pre-, immediately post and 12 months post treatment (mean followed up time = 11.6 +/- 4.9 months).

RESULTSIn PMR group, one patient developed non-persistent ventricular tachycardia, 2 developed pericardial tamponade and another one patient developed heart failure at 24 h after operation. Coronary sinus NE and E were significantly lower 60 min post PMR compared to pre-PMR and HRV was significantly increased 24 h post PMR. One year post treatments, angina grade was significantly decreased in PMR (1.7 +/- 0.3) than that in M group (0.4 +/- 0.2, P < 0.05) while other parameters were similar between the groups.

CONCLUSIONSPMR induced an early transient denervation and decreased angina grade one year post treatment in patients with refractory angina.

Aged ; Angina Pectoris ; therapy ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Laser-Assisted ; Autonomic Denervation ; Female ; Heart ; innervation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Ischemia ; therapy ; Myocardial Revascularization ; methods

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

Objective To understand the incidence and characteristics of nonfatal drowning among primary and middle school students in rural area and to provide basic information for intervention.Methods A rural town was selected and all students from 3th-8th grades,10th grade and 11th grade were studied.All data were collected,using a self-administrated questionnaires which was guided by investigator.Results The overall incidence rate of nonfatal drowning was 5.65%(549/9732)and were 7.69%,5.80%,2.39%for primary,secondary and high school students,respectively.Male students had a higher rate(7.14%)than that of females(4.03%).The incidence rates of non-treated,treated in emergency and under hospitalization were 4.52%,0.77% and 0.35%.The major reasons of drowning were swimming (46.88%),falling into waters(15.67%),diving(13.79%)and rescuing others(6.24%).The proportion of drowning occurred in the afternoon,evening,at noon or in the morning were 59.94%,15.64%,14.77%and 9.65%respectively.The common sites of drowning were river/lake(42.48%),swimming pool(19.56%),reservoir(11.39%)and pond(4.38%).66.76%of the drowning cases were witnessed by other person,and 17.86%were conscious when being removed from waters.Conclusion The incidence of nonfatal drowning among students in rural areas was high,and the natural body of waters was the most common site causing drowning while swimming was the major reason of drowning.Intervention targeting on primary and middle sehool students in rural should be carried out to reduce the incidence.

OBJECTIVETo detect differentially expressed proteins in serum of patient with osteosarcoma.

METHODS8 serum protein samples were recruited (4 cases of osteosarcoma and 4 cases of normal adults), cross-labeled with variant CyDye, followed by two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE), image analysis, and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS).

RESULTS24 protein spot-features were significantly increased, and 34 were significantly decreased in the serum from patients with osteosarcoma relative to the controls. The mass spectrometry analysis revealed 18 unique proteins that were increased, and 25 unique proteins decreased in the serum of patients with osteosarcoma. Gelsolin was down-regulated in osteosarcoma, and Western blotting also confirmed a decreased level of gelsolin in the serum of patients with osteosarcoma.

CONCLUSIONOur results indicate that gelsolin may have great potential as a biomarker of osteosarcoma and as a potential target for therapy. These preliminary data suggest that incorporation of more samples and new datasets will permit the identification of serum biomarkers for osteosarcoma.

Adolescent ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Bone Neoplasms ; blood ; Child ; Down-Regulation ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Female ; Gelsolin ; blood ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Male ; Osteosarcoma ; blood ; Protein Array Analysis ; methods ; Proteomics ; methods ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; Young Adult