Differentiated epithelial cells could be transformed into mesenchymal cells through the epithelial-mesenchymal transi-tion (EMT), which is important for tumorigenesis and metastasis. Recent studies suggest that EMT is closely correlated to the resistance to chemotherapy of tumors. This chemoresistance could enhance tumor malignancy, which includes the induction of the EMT pheno-type. The paper reviews the research progress on EMT and its association with drug resistance of tumors.

Objective To observe clinical efficacy of laparoscopy combined with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a ) in the treatment of endometriosis (EMs).Methods 158 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery and were diagnosed endometriosis in our hospital during Sep.2010 to Dec.2010 were chosen and divided into three groups:control group were treated with pure laparoscopic surgery,group A were treated with laparoscopic surgery and follow-up GnRH-a medication,and group B were treated with laparoscopic surgery,follow-up GnTH-a medication and add-back therapy.The total effective rates,recurrence rates,the changes of hormone levels before and after the treatment and adverse reaction rates after treatment were compared and analyzed to evaluate the efficacy of different treatments.Results The total effective rates of group A and group B (84.6%,86.2%) were significantly higher than that of control group (58.3%),and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.032,P=0.032).The recurrence rates of group A and group B (15.4%,13.8%)were significantly reduced compared with that of control group (41.6%)(P=0.012,P=0.012).The hormone levels decreased dramatically after treatment in three groups.The adverse reaction rate of group B was apparently reduced compared with that of group A,and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.001 ).Conclusion Laparoscopy combined with GnRH-a medication was a safe and effective treatment for endometriosis.The application of GnRH-a after laparoscopy can significantly increase the total effective rate of the operation and reduce the postoperative recurrence rate.For the patients who need to take long-term GnRH-a treatment,add-back therapy need to be given to decrease its adverse reaction and recurrence rate,or to delay its recurrence,thus could improve patients' living qualities significantly.

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a hereditary cerebral small vessel disease caused by NOTCH3 gene mutations. At present, the pathogenesis and the effective treatments of CADASIL is unclear. This review summarizes the existing pathogenesis of CADASIL, including the dysfunction of cerebral small arteries, the abnormalities of vascular smooth muscle cells, and the possible destruction of blood-brain barrier.

Objective To report the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)features of 5 eases with idiopathic orbital myositis.Methods Four females and one male,aged 27 to 57 years,presented department of neurology in the First Hospital of Peking University in October 2008 to September 2009.The duration of disease Was between 3 months and 4 years.Recurrent course appeared in 3 of them.0rbital MRI Was performed in all of them.After diagnosis they underwent long.term corticosteroid treatment.Results All patients presented ocular pain,asymmetrical and incomplete ophthalmoplegia and mild proptosis.EMG revealed no significant decline in repetitive stimulation.Muscle biopsies of limb muscle were unremarkable.Creatine kinase and thyroid function test were in normal limits.MRI revealed unilateral.focal or difluse enlargement and enhancement of extraocular muscles,involving 1 extraocular muscle in 2 cases,2extraocular muscles in 2 cases,more extraocular muscles in 1 case.No evidence indicated bone destruction or cavernous sinus abnormalities.Five Cases showed improvement and remission after long-term administration of steroids.Conclusion Persistent and asymmetrical ophthalmoplegia is connnon in orbital myositis.Extraocular muscle swelling characterized the MRI changes.

Objective To report the spectrum of electron transfer flavoprotein dehydrogenase (ETFDH)gene mutations in 20 Chinese RR-LsM families.Methods Twenty-four RR-LSM patients in the First Hospital of Peking University from January 2003 to May 2010 were collected and the clinical characteristics were analyzed.These patients came from 20 families in North Mainland China.Sixteen families had 1 patient each.and the other 4 families had 2 patients.ETFDH gene analysis was performed in all patients,11 family members and 100 healthy controls.Results The mean onset age was(27.9±9.9)years.The main symptoms were limb weakness(21,87.5%),dysmasesia(15,62.5%),neck weakness (14,58.3%)and myalgia(14,58.3%).Eighteen patients had high level of acyleamitine.Fifteen of 17patients had glutaric aciduria.Seventeen ETFDH mutations,including 13 missense mutations,2 splice mutations,and 2 nonsense mutations,were identified in 19 families:c.998A>G,c.1450T>C,c.1703T>C,c.1717C>T,c.821G>A,c.643G>A,c.251C>T,c.1763A>T,c.IVS7+2T>C and c.IVS6+1G>A were Hovel mutations which were not found in 100 healthy controls.Nine families had the mutation of c.770A>G(P.Y257C)and 5 families had the mutation of c.1227A>C(P.L409F).Conclusions The numerous novel mutations in ETFDH gene indicate that Chinese RR-LSM might have special mutation pattern.c.770A>G(P.Y257C)and c.1227A>C(p.L409F)may be hot spot mutations in North Mainland China.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of 0.1% tacrolimus ointment and 0.1% mometasone furoate cream in the treatment of chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD). Methods Forty male patients with CAD were recruited and divided into two groups randomly.Twenty cases were treated with 0.1%tacrolimus ointment (Group A), and the other 20 cases were treated with 0.1% mometasone furoate cream (Group B) . The medications mentioned were applied topically to the lesions on the face twice a day and mizolastine tablet 10 mg per day given orally for 4 weeks. The therapeutic efficacy and side effects of medications were observed. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to measure the serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-2 and IL12 in CAD patients before and after treatment with topical tacrolimus ointment and mometasone furoate cream. Results (1) Both groups had overall response rates of 100%, with no statistically significant difference ( > 0.05) . (2) Serum levels of IFN-γ,IL-2 and IL-12 were down-regulated after treatment in both treatment groups respectively ( < 0.01) . No statistically significant difference was found between the two treatment groups ( > 0.05) . Conclusion 0.1%tacrolimus ointment is effective in the treatment of CAD. Its therapeutic efficacy is equivalent to that of 0.1%mometasone furoate cream. It can be used as a possible steroid sparing equivalent.