Objective To refine the loss of heterozygosity(LOH) on chromosome 20q11-13 and identify the new tumor suppressor gene(s) in colorectal tumorigenesis. Methods From 1998 to 1999, 83 patients with colorectal cancer had been admitted to Shanghai First People's Hospital. Tumor tissues and adjacent normal mucosal tissues were collected. Ten polymorphic microsatellite markers were analyzed on chromosome 20 and another 10 markers were applied on chromosome 20q11-13 in 83 cases of colorectal and normal DNA by PCR. PCR products were eletrophoresed on an ABI 377 DNA sequencer. Genesean 3.1 and Genotyper 2.1 software were used for LOH scanning and analysis. Results We observed a distinct region of frequent allelic deletions on chromosome, another 10 polymorphric microsatellite markers were applied to 20q11-13 and 2 minimal regions of frequent LOH were established, that is to say 20q11.2, 20q12. Tumor suppressor genes E2F1, PMP24 and MAFB were found in the regions of 20q11.2 and 20q12. Conclusion Through our detailed deletion mapping studies, we have found 2 critical and precise regions, which must contain one or more unknown tumor suppressor gene (s) on colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The effect of the treatment of long tubular bone defect by free vascularized fibular graft, especially when combined with monitoring island skin flap is definitely reliable. However, there is still the possibility of broken fibular graft with single fibular graft for repairing the long loading tubular bone.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect on the treatment of long femoral bone defect by combinatorial fibular graft with monitoring island skin flap.DESIGN: Before and after self-controlled observation.SETTING: Department of Orthopaedic Spine Surgery, Guangzhou People's HospitalPARTICIPANTS: Totally 14 patients who wer treated for long femoral bone defect in the Department of Orthopaedic Spine Surgery were recruited between July 1995 and November 2003. Locus: distal part of the femur,5cases; middle part of the femur, 9cases.The length of bone defect was 6 to 28 cm.INTERVENTIONS: There were 7 cases of free vascularized bi-fibular graft transplantation with monitoring island skin flap. There were 7 cases of free vascularized fibular graft centralized with large segmental allograft.Monitoring island skin flap was 3 cm×5 cm, sectioned fibular was 16 to 32cm. Dry frozen bone of allograft was 12 to 28 cm. The wound and island skin were detected postoperatively.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The living condition of bi-fibular graft or binding composite allograft with skin flap, morphology change of transplanted bone and loaded walking ability in patients with bone defect after operation.RESULTS: Totally 14 patients entered the result analysis. Seven cases in bi- fibular group were followed up for 3 years and 7 patients in the centralized graft group were followed up for 1 year. Fourteen cases detected by monitoring island skin flap all survived. One case in the centralized graft group presented yellow exudates 3 months after operation, and then the graft bone was taken out. Follow-up of the rest 6 patients showed that transplanted fibular bone was closely connected with allograft. The thickness of the transplanted bone was increased, shaped and similar with the diameter of the femur at the receptor. Patients in the two groups could walk with loading without walking stick. Transplanted bone has no fracture.CONCLUSION: Transplantation of free vascularized bi-fibular graft transplant or free vascularized fibular graft monitoring island skin flap binding to large segmental allograft can increase its structural strength through hypertrophy, decrease or avoid fracture of the transplanted graft fibula.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of Moss Miami pedicle sc re w system in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures. Methods A total of 2 7 cases of thoracolumbar burst fractures were operated on with Moss Miami pedicl e screw system through posterior approach to provide spreading, reduction and fi xation. The bilateral posterolateral bone-graft spinal fusion was also done at the same time. Results The 27 patie nts were followed up for 6 to 30 months. The heights of compressed vertebral bod y and the cross spinal canal were significantly increased after treatment (P

Objective To investigate CT features of pediatric mediastinal neuroblastoma.Methods The CT performance of pediatric mediastinal neuroblastoma confirmed by clinical and pathology in 17 cases were retrospectively analyzed.The tumor growth pattern,size,density,degree of enhancement,invasion to the surrounding tissues and metastatic characteristics were observed,and the results were compared with pathological analysis.Results Among the 17 cases,2 were at the right posterior upper mediastinum,3 at posterior right middle and upper mediastinum,3 at the posterior right middle and lower mediastinum,1 at the posterior right lower mediastinum,3 at the posterior left middle mediastinum,3 at the posterior left middle and lower mediastinum,1 at the posterior left lower mediastinum,and 1 at bilateral posterior middle and lower mediastinum.The average tumor size was 6.3 ×4.3 cm,ranging from 2.3 ×2.0 cm ～ 12.6 ×4.0 cm.CT plain scan showed 8 cases with clear boundary and 9 case without clear boundary.13 cases were with inhomogeneous density and 4 cases with homogeneous density.8 calcification of grainy or strip was found in the tumor.10 cases were with pleural thickening and 5 cases with pleural effusion.6 cases were with tracheal or main bronchial compression,4 with cardiac compression,7 with pulmonary artery compression,and 1 with descending aorta compression were found.6 cases were with tumors crossing the midline,5 with intervertebral foramen growth,3 wrapped around the aorta,3 with rib attack damage,2 with rib compression deformation,2 with thoracic invasion,and 1 into the upper abdomen.10 cases were with mediastinal lymph nodes enlargement,10 with bone metastasis,4 with cervical lymph nodes enlargement,1 with liver metastasis,and 1 with cerebral metastasis.Enhanced CT scan was performed in 14 cases:11with inhomogeneous enhancement,and 3 with homogeneous enhancement.The average CT value of the 3 mild enhancement was 36 HU,ranging from 20 to 56 HU.The average CT value of the 8 moderate enhancement was 53 HU,ranging from 36 to74 HU.The average CT value of the 3 marked enhancement 72 HU,ranging from 56 to 88 HU.7 punctate vessels and 6 polycystic changes were found in the tumors.Conclusions Mediastinal neuroblastoma in children are with certain characteristics.CT findings with clinical manifestations can make a definite diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the effects of proprioceptive training on lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Methods 50 patients with LDH were divided into experimental group (n=25) and control group (n=25). Both groups received physiotherapy and core stability exercise, and the experimental group received proprioceptive training with BIODEX Balanced System in addition. They were assessed with the Visual Analogous Scale (VAS) of pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and posture stability and limits of stability of BIODEX Balanced System. The incidence of relapse was followed up in a year. Results The scores of VAS, ODI, posture stability and limits of stability improved in both groups after treatment (P<0.05), and the ODI, posture stability and limits of stability improved more in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.05). There were 5 cases relapsed in the control group, and 2 cases in the experimental group. Conclusion The proprioceptive training may further improve the function of lower back, and motor control in patients with LDH, and prevent the relapse.

[Objective] To observe the protective effect of acupuncture on ischemic cerebral damage. [Methods] SD rats were randomized into 2-week sham-operation (2W-SO) group (n=6) , 5-week sham-operation (5W-SO) group (n =6) , 2-week cerebral-ischemia (2W-CI) group (n-6) , 5-week cerebral-ischemia (5W-CI) group ( n = 6), 2W-CI + electroacupuncture (EA) group (n=6) and 5W-CI + EA group (n=6) . Except the sham-operation groups, cerebral ischemia was induced by heat-occlusion of middle cerebral artery in other groups. Changes of nerve growth factor (NGF) expression were monitored in ischemic cortex of rats with 2-week and 5-week ischemia by immunohistochemical method, and the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) was observed. [Results] Few NGF-positive cells were found in the ischemic cortex of sham-operation groups and the expression of NGF were obvious in cerebral ischemia groups as compared with the sham-operation groups ( P

To observe the effect of various doses of oil of Piper longum unsaponifiable matter (OPUM) to cholesterol gallstones in experimental mice. C57BL/6 mice (n = 60) were randomly divided into 6 groups: control group, model group, OPUM (15, 30 and 60 mg x kg(-1)) group and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA, 60 mg x kg(-1)) group, administered for 10 weeks. The level of serum lipid and liver function enzymes were tested. The gallbladder was removed and bile was obtained by centrifugation. Next, the levels of the bile total cholesterol (TC), phospholipid (PL) and bile acid (TBA) were measured. The indicators of lipid peroxidation were determined and cholesterol saturation index (CSI) was calculated. The liver histological changes were observed by HE staining. The results showed that serum TC, TG (triglycerides) and AST (aspartate transaminase) contents, gallbladder cholesterol crystallization and CSI increased significantly (P < 0.05). In addition, the activity of SOD decreased significantly and MDA content increased significantly in liver (P < 0.05). HE staining results showed that the hepatic cord disorder and intracellular lipid droplets increased significantly. All results indicate that lithogenic diet lead to the formation of cholesterol gallstones. In OPUM (30 and 60 mg x kg(-1)) group, serum TC, TG and AST content, gallbladder cholesterol crystallization and CSI decreased significantly, the activity of SOD increased significantly and MDA content decreased significantly. HE staining results showed that OPUM can improve the morphology of liver cell, reduce the degree of hepatic cord disorders and restore the cell morphology close to normal. The cause of OPUM prevents cholesterol gallstone formation maybe due to protect the integrity of the liver cells, lower CSI, and reduce cholesterol crystal formation and hence prevent cholesterol gallstone formation.

The metabolic profile of pseudolaric acid B (PB) was investigated by using in vivo and in vitro tests. Pseudolaric acid C2 (PC2) was identified as the specific metabolite of PB in plasma, urine, bile and feces using HPLC and HPLC-ESI/MS(n) after both oral and intravenous administration to rats, and almost no prototype was detected in all kinds of samples. The metabolic behaviors of PB orally administered in rats treated with antibiotics to eliminate intestinal microflora were identical with those in untreated rats, demonstrating that the metabolism of PB is independent of intestinal microflora. PB was stable in 48 h respective incubation with artificial gastric juice and artificial intestinal juice, suggesting that neither pepsin nor trypsin is in charge of metabolism of PB, and also demonstrating that PB is stable in both pH environments of gastric tract and intestinal tract. In vitro research on metabolism of PB in rat liver microsomes incubation revealed that little PB was metabolized and that the proposed metabolites were the demethoxy and demethoxydecarboxy products of the prototype. The amount of metabolites was extremely low compared with the prototype, indicating that liver microsomes are not responsible for the metabolism of PB either. PB was gradually metabolized into PC2 during 1 h in whole blood incubation in vitro, and the metabolic process showed dynamically dependent manner with incubation time. Once absorbed into blood, PB was quickly metabolized into PC2, accordingly, little prototype was detected in all kinds of samples. The metabolism was attributed to the rapid hydrolysis of C-19 ester bond by plasma esterase. These results clarified the metabolic pathway of PB for the first time, which was of great significance to identify the in vivo active form and interpret acting mechanism of the active compounds of P. kaempferi.

Objective To compare the surgical outcomes between microsurgery lumbar discectomy and microendoscopic discectomy for lumbar disc herniation. Methods A prospective study was conducted on the surgical procedures for lumbar disc herniation.The target of our study was a group of 33 patients who underwent surgery by microsurgery lumbar discectomy(MSLD group)and 36 patients who underwent surgery by microendoscopic discectomy(MED group).The items investigated were the operation time,amount of bleeding,duration of hospitalization,pre-and postoperative scores based on judgment criteria for treatment of lumbar spine disorders established by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score,visual analog scales (VAS,0 to 10) for lumbago and sciatica before surgery and at discharge,perioperative complications.Results The mean duration of follow-up was 2 years and 2 months (11 months to 4 years).There were no significant differences between the 2 surgical procedures in the frequency of the pre-and postoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores or postoperative VAS for lumbar pain and sciatica,operation time and duration of hospitalization. Statistically significant differences were observed in amount of bleeding and operation time,but the differences were not large, and may not have been clinically significant.Conclusion Both microsurgery lumbar discectomy and microendoscopic discectomy are appropriate for lumbar disc herniation.

Liver fibrosis occurs as compensatory responses to tis-sue repairing process in a wide range of chronic liver injures.It is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM)in liver tissues.The new discovery shows that suppres-sor of cytokine signaling (SOCS-3)is strictly associated with fi-brogenic progression of chronic liver diseases.Recent basic and clinical investigations also demonstrate that liver fibrogenesis is accompanied by SOCS-3,which critically determines the patho-
genesis and prognosis of liver fibrosis.This review summarizes current knowledge on SOCS-3 and the relationships between SOCS-3 and liver fibrosis.On the other hand,it also presents the different strategies that have been used in experimental mod-els to counteract excessive SOCS-3 and the role of SOCS-3 in the prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis.