In this editorial preface, I briefly review cancer bioinformatics and introduce the four articles in this special issue highlighting important applications of the field: detection of chromatin states; detection of SNP-containing motifs and association with transcription factor-binding sites; improvements in functional enrichment modules; and gene association studies on aging and cancer. We expect this issue to provide bioinformatics scientists, cancer biologists, and clinical doctors with a better understanding of how cancer bioinformatics can be used to identify candidate biomarkers and targets and to conduct functional analysis.
Binding Sites ; Chromatin ; genetics ; Computational Biology ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Transcription Factors ; genetics

The prognosis of gastric cancer is significantly associated with the disease stage,early diagnosis of gastric cancer is the key to extend the survival time of patients. Nowadays,gastroscopy combined with gastric mucosa biopsy is the most important method to detect early gastric cancer in clinical practice. However,the detection rate is low and requiring the endoscopists to learn the endoscopic morphological characteristics of early gastric cancer,which will help them to find out suspicious cancerous lesions and perform effective biopsy. This article reviewed the morphological risk factors of early gastric cancer under white light endoscopy,so as to provide endoscopists with the capability for diagnosis of early gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the protection and delaying effects of rosiglitazone on the onset and progression of type2diabetic nephropathy of senile patients.METHODS:23senile patients with type2diabetic nephropathy were random-ized to A and B groups.Group A were treated with rosiglitazone4mg/d and group B were administered orally with dimethyl biguanide1750mg/d(in3times),the course of treatment for both groups were4months.RESULTS:The post-meal blood sugar in both groups showed significant differences after treatment as against pretherapy(P0.05).CONCLUSON:Rosiglitazone has significant curative effect on diabetes,it can also delay the occurrence of albu-minuria and significantly lighten pathological changes of renal glomerulus.

Objective To discuss the indication, surgical technique and curative effect of humeral head replacement in treatment of complex proximal humerus fracture in old patients. Methods From 2000 to 2006, 23 patients with complex proximal humerus fractures were treated with humeral head replacement and fixated with bone cement in old patients. Rehabilitation training was performed after operation.Results Of all, 19 patients were followed up for average 1.8 years, which showed no infection, nerve injury or periprosthetic fracture except for one patient with semiluxation. NEER score system was used to evaluate the function joint prosthesis. Mean NEER score was 82.1 points, including 80-89 points ( satisfactory) in 17 patients and 70-79 points (unsatisfactory) in 2, with satisfaction rate of 89%. No patient needed revision. Conclusion With strict indication, active reconstruction of rotating cuff and stable structure of the joint, planned postoperative rehabilitation training, the humeral head replacement is a good method for treating complex proximal humerus fractures in the old patients.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of two-port laparoscopy-assisted resection of the Meckel’s diverticulum in children. Methods Resection of the Meckel’s diverticulum was performed under a laparoscope in 13 children in our hospital from July 2002 to March 2006. Two 5-mm trocars were introduced at the infraumbilical ring and the right lower abdomen, respectively. When the Meckel’s diverticulum was found, the incision was prolonged to 2 cm long along the inferior border of the umbilicus, the diverticulum was removed externally and the intestine was anastomosed. Results The operation was completed successfully without conversion to open surgery. The mean operation time was 50 min (range, 40-70). The intestinal function of the patients recovered 24 hours after the operation, and then liquid food was given at 3 days postoperatively, and the patients was discharged from hospital within 5-7 days after the operation. The patients were followed up for 6-48 months (mean, 13), during which no one had recurrence, intestinal adhesion, or intestinal obstruction. Conclusions Two-port laparoscopy-assisted resection of Meckel’s diverticulum is safe and feasible for children. The recovery time and hospital stay are short after the procedure.

Objective To determine the effect of Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 ( Nrf2 ) on acute hephrotoxicity induced by CCl4 in male rat.Methods 20 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group and CCl4 group, 10 rats in each group, another 10 male Wistar rats were transgenic rats microinjection through the carrier, obtained the Nrf2-tk gene integration and specific transgenic rats, as the CCl4 +Nrf2 integration group.The groups was given 1%polysorbate 80 for 4 days,Then the CCl4 and CCl4 +Nrf2 integration group were intraperitoneally injected with a single dose of CCl47.5 mg· kg-1 and were killed 24 h after CCl4 injection.The serum chemical parameters including asparate aminotransferase ( AST) ,alanine aminotransferase ( ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase ( LDH) were measured.Also malonaldehyde ( MDA) ,glutathione ( GSH) ,oxidized glutathione ( GSSG) levels in the liver as well as glutathione ( GSH)/oxidized glutathione ( GSSG ) ratios were detected. Histopathologic changes in the liver were examined. Results F1generation TK transgenic rats in liver and testis and other tissues and organs were not detected the transcription of Nrf2-tk, indicating that Nrf2-tk expression in tissues is specific good.Nrf2 significantly reduced serum AST, ALT and LDH levels in a dose-dependent manner.The results of MDA levels and GSH/GSSG ratios in liver and kidney showed that Nrf2 reduced CCl4-induced hepatic lipid peroxidation,and ameliorated glutathione depletion.The histopathologic results showed that Nrf2 restrained liver and kidney damage induced by CCl4 .Conclusion Nrf2 can effectively protect male rat from acute hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity induced by CCl4 .

Objective Through detect the expression of DLC1 and RhoA protein in breast cancer tissues ,investigate the effect of DLC1 and RhoA in lymphatic metastasis of breast cancer .Methods Totally 25 breast cancer specimens that had occurred lymph node metastasis and 30 breast cancer specimens that had not occurred lymph node metastasis were collected ,the expression of DLC1 and RhoA were tested by immunochemistry ,and the experimental data were analyzed by statistical methods .Results The positive rate of DLC1 in the breast cancer specimens that had occurred lymph node metastasis was 44 .00% ,that had not occurred lymph node metastasis was 73 .33% (χ2 =4 .889 ,P=0 .027) ,and the positive rates of RhoA in the two specimens were 92 .00%and 50 .00% (χ2 =11 .264 ,P=0 .001) .Spearman rank correlation analysis showed the expression of DLC 1 and RhoA had a nega‐tive correlation in breast cancer tissues (r= -0 .454 ,P=0 .000) .Conclusion The breast cancer lymphatic metastasis and is closely related to the low expression of DLC1 and the high expression of RhoA .

[Objective]To report the treatment and outcome of treatment of discoid lateral meniscal tear by arthroscopic surgery.[Method]During the period between Jan.1999 and Jun.2005,77 patients suffered from discoid lateral meniscal tear have been treated by arthroscopic surgery in Xijing Hospital. The standard arthroscopic portals (anteromedial and anterolateral)were used.Lateral menisci were totally removed in the 21 patients (29.2%) of total 77 cases,whereas lateral menisci of 13 patients (18.1%) were removed partially and meniscus-plasty was applied in 38 patients (52.8%).Thirty-nine (54.2%) of 77 patients were males,and 33 (45.8%) females.Their average age was 29.4?10.9 years (range 8~51 year).Five patients were lost in follow-up.The mean follow-up period of the rest 72 patients was 26.2 ?9.3 months (range 12~44 months).The patients were assessed pre-operationally and post-operationally by the Lysholm score.Moreover,the results of Lysholm score were analyzed by student-t test.[Result]All patients had progress in pain,swelling,range of motion and knee function. No complication,which included intraarticular infection,iatrogenic injury,fibroarthritis or loss of range of motion,was found.Lysholm score was 66.8?5.2 in average (range from 50 to 78) before operation,whereas it improved to 96.4?3.6 in average (range from 85 to 100) after operation.According to student-t analysis,very significant statistical difference was found between the pre-operative and post-operative results (t=34.7,P

Objective To summarize the value of laparoscopic operation using an ultrasonic scalpel for the radical treatment of Hischsprung’s disease (HD) in infants and children. Methods Laparoscopic operation was performed in 20 infants and children with HD under general anesthesia from February 2003 to January 2006. The CO_2 pressure of pneumoperitoneum was set at 10~12 mm Hg. By way of three abdominal ports, the diseased colon and rectum were mobilized by dissecting the supplying vessels and severing the peritoneal reflection in the pelvic floor. The modified Soave pull-through procedure was employed to incise and mobilize the rectal mucosa at 0.5 cm above the dentate line. The lateral ligament of rectum was severed and the intraabdominal cavity was reached through the peritoneal reflection. The diseased colon was pulled through the anus passing the level of the transition zone for resection. Then coloanal anastomosis was made between the proximal colon and the cutting edge of the anal canal above the dentate line. Results All the procedures were completed smoothly. The operation time was 120~210 min (mean, 132 min). The length of resected colon was 20~55 cm (mean, 35 cm). The intraoperative blood loss was 5~20 ml (mean, 14 ml), with no need of blood transfusion. Enterocolitis happened in 2 cases postoperatively. Follow-up observations in the 20 cases for 3~36 months (mean, 12.5 months) found no complications. The patients had 1~2 times of fecal discharge per day during follow-up. Conclusions Laparoscopic pull-through procedure using an ultrasonic surgical scalpel has advantages of minimal invasion, little hemorrhage, simple performance, quick recovery, and low complication rate.

Objective To determine the effects of lensspecific overexpression of OSM on the eye development. Methods A truncated mouse OSM cDNA (661 bp) was linked to the ?A-crystallin promoter. Transgenic mice were characterized by routine histological and immunohistochemical techiniques. TUNEL assays were used to detect cell death. The mRNA expression of caspase-3 was detected by in situ hybridization, Rabbit anti-cleavage caspase-3 antibody was used to detect active capase-3. Results At embryonic day (E) 14.5 and 17.5, expression of the OSM transgenic protein was detected specifically in lens fiber cells. The onset of retinal degeneration in the mid portion of the transgenic retinae was observed started from E17.5. By the time of birth 50% or more of the retinal cells were missing. The OSM transgenic retinal cells underwent apoptosis indicated by TUNEL assays. Most strikingly, activation of caspase-3 protein were observed throughout the transgenic retinas. Conclusions Lens-specific overexpression of OSM activate caspase-3, leading to abnormal eye development, apoptosis and widespread retinal degeneration.