Lung cancer has the highest morbidity and mortality rate among malignant tumors. Early diagnosis and effective treat-ment are the keys to improving the survival of lung cancer patients. A type of endogenous, highly conserved, non-coding small mole-cule RNA (i.e., miRNA) was found to play an important role in the occurrence and development of this disease. Research on this molec-ular marker miRNA for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of lung cancer has rapidly progressed. This paper reviews the research work on miRNA as a molecular marker in the early diagnosis, treatment efficacy, and prognosis of lung cancer and explores some ques-tions related to this disease.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and results of the application of both expanded cutaneous flap and temporoparietal fascia flap in total ear reconstruction with Medpor framework.Methods The main procedures consisted of three stages:stage Ⅰ-skin expansion,stage Ⅱ auricle formation that consisted of orientation of Medpor implant and creation of coverage for the implant by both expaned skin flap and temporoparietal fascia flap,and stage Ⅲ-treatment of residual ear and recontruction of auricular lobule. Results Twenty-two ears in 22 unilateral microtia patients were constructed using Medpor implants covered with both expanded cutaneous flap and temporoparietal fascia flap over the last three years,and they were accepted as pleasing by the patients.Conclusions Application of both expanded cutaneous flap and temporoparietal fascia flap can assure no extrusion of Medpor implant in ear reconstruction.Further more,the two layers of transferred tissues will not affect the profile details of the reconstructed ear.And because the skin covering the framework and fascia is derived from frommastoid region,the appearance and profile of the reconstructed auricle is true to nature and close to that of the opposite one.

Objectives: The incidence of cervical carcinoma is increasing in young females.More and more clinical researches focus on the choice of therapeutic methods and improvement of the patients' survival.This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative concurrent chemoradiation for stage Ⅰb-Ⅱb high-risk cervical carcinoma in young females.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 118 female patients(≤35 years) with stage Ⅰb-Ⅱb high-risk cervical carcinoma,bulky,low-differentiation or non-squamous.According to preoperative treatments,the patients were divided into three groups,Group 1 preoperatively treated by concurrent chemoradiation,Group 2 by neoadjuvant chemotherapy and Group 3 by radiotherapy(intracavitary irradiation),all followed by radical hysterectomy.And those with pathologically reported pelvic lymph node metastasis,deep cervical stromal invasion,vascular tumor thrombosis,or surgical margin positivity received postoperative chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.Results: The disappearance rate of cancer cells and the rate of superficial myometrial invasion were significantly higher in Group 1 than in the other two groups(P

Objective To update the knowledge of contact allergy to topical corticosteroids.Methods A total Of 1,822 patients,who Sufiered from inflammatory skin disorders but did not respond well to topical corticosteroids,were enrolled into this study.Patch test was performed on these subjects with corticosteroid allergens,following the standardized rocedures ecommended by the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group(ICDRG).Results Of all patients,78(4.28%)had positive patch test.Among the 78 patients,33 were males,45 females,and most were young or middle-aged.During 96-168 hours after the removal of patches,positive results Were observed in 42.31%(33/78)of the patients.Twenty eight patients had anaphy lactic reaction induced by hydrocortisone butyrate,25 by dexamethasone sodium phosphate,and 17 by triam cinolone acetonide.A correlation Between sensitizing glucocorticoids detected by patch testing and adminis trated drugs in clinic was found in 74 cases.ConclusionsContact allergy caused by topical corticosteroids is not rare,and more attention should be paid to this issue in the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders.

Objective To study the expression of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) gene in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder celt lines, carcinoma tissues and normal bladder tis-sues and to evaluate the roles of EZH2 in the development and progression of bladder carcinoma. Methods RT-PCR, Western-blot and immunocytochemistry were used to analyze the expression of EZH2 of the bladder cell lines (T24, EJ, MGH-U1, BIU-87). The prostate cancer cell line PC-3M was used as an EZH2-positive cell line. EZH2 gene expressions in 45 cases of bladder carcinoma and 12 cases of normal bladder mueosa were detected by RT-PCR. Of cancer cases, 31 were superficial tumors and 14 were invasive tumors; 13 were G1, 21 were G2 and 11 were G3. Results EZH2 was detected in the 4 TCC cell lines. The EZH2 expression rate of TCC (82.2%) was significantly higher than that of normal bladder tissues (8.3%, P<0.05). The expression rate in superficial tumors was 74.2% and in invasive tumors was 100.0%, but there was no significant difference (P>0.05). The expression rates increased with tumor cell grade increase, but there was no significant difference (P> 0.05). Conclusions EZH2 could play an important role in the development and progression of blad-der carcinoma. It could be used as a potential gene therapy target of bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Metal implants have been extensively applied in joint arthoplasty, but the stress shielding effect caused by its high elastic modulus results in a series of complications, such as bone resorption, bone atrophy and prosthesis loosening. Carbon fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (CF-PEEK) composites are anisotropic and exhibit more advantages used for prosthesis due to its low elastic modulus and high intensity.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the blood compatibility of CF-PEEK composites, and compare the biomechanical properties after arthroplasty between CF-PEEK composites and Co-Cr-Mo used for femoral head prosthesis. METHODS: (1) The blood compatibility of CF-PEEK composites was evaluated through hemolysis test. (2) Femoral samples from eight fresh cadavers were collected and randomly divided into two groups, followed by subjected to CF-PEEK and Co-Cr-Mo prosthesis replacement, respectively. The displacement between the prosthesis and bone was measured under loading 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 N, and the torsional strength after arthroplasty was detected.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The hemolysis rate of the CF-PEEK composites was 3.23% < 5%, which was in line with the national standards for biological evaluation of medical devices. (2) The micromovement in distal prosthesis was significantly less than that of proximal prosthesis under different loads in both two groups (P < 0.05). (3) The torsion angle under different loads in the CF-PEEK group was significantly less than that in the Co-Cr-Mo group (P < 0.05), and the torsion stiffness in the CF-PEEK group was significantly higher than that in the Co-Cr-Mo group (P < 0.05). (4) To conclude,the CF-PEEK composites possess good blood compatibility and stability, which can be used as a prosthesis material.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Kiss-1 gene suppression on the metastatic capacity of HCT116 human colorectal carcinoma cells in vitro and the involvement of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway.

METHODSA recombinant lentiviral vector of Kiss-1 gene pGC-LV-Kiss-1-EGFP or the empty vector was transfected in HCT116 cells. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) and Transwell chamber assay were used to detect the changes in cell proliferation, invasion and migration ability after the transfection. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of I-κB, the inhibitive protein of NF-κB signal pathway, and the expression of the downstream effector MMP-9 before and after transfection.

RESULTSIn cells over-expressing Kiss-1, I-κB expression increased and MMP-9 expression decreased significantly compared to those in the blank control and vector-transfected cells (P<0.05). Kiss-1 gene over-expression resulted in significant inhibition of HCT116 cell proliferation, invasion, and migration as compared to the control cells (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONLentivirus-mediated Kiss-1 gene over-expression can inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration of HCT116 cells via the NF-B signaling pathway.

Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Genetic Vectors ; HCT116 Cells ; Humans ; I-kappa B Kinase ; metabolism ; Kisspeptins ; genetics ; Lentivirus ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection

Objective To investigate the morphologic characteristics of gonococcal inflammation of paraurethral glands in males. Methods Eleven male patients with gonococcal inflammation of paraurethral glands were examined by both real-time ultrasound imaging (Siemens Acuson X300) and 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, Philips Achieva). Results High-frequency ultrasound imaging revealed tubular echoic areas with well-defined borders and smooth margins in all the patients. The inside of these tubular areas was weak-echoic. These tubular echoic areas were blind in one end, but open in the other end, and ran in parallel with the urethra. The mean lumen diameter was 1.1 ± 0.2 mm (range, 0.7 - 1.3 mm) , and the mean lumen length was 8.4 ± 0.6 mm (range, 7.0 - 12.0 mm). Anechoic liquid-filled areas were seen in the tubular echoic areas in two patients. Paraurethral ducts were not detected by 3.0 T MRI in these patients. Conclusions High-frequency ultrasound imaging can clearly show the morphologic characteristics of gonococcal inflammation of paraurethral glands in males, and provide valuable ultrasound images for surgery.

Objective To observe the effect of platelet rich plasma(PRP)combined with core decompression on the steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head(SANFH)and on MMP/TIM in rabbits.Methods A total of 42 New Zealand white rabbits were used in this study,and were randomly divided into 3 groups(decompression,combination and control groups,each n=14). The rabbit model of SANFH was established by i.m. injecting prednisolone acetate in the decompression group and combination group. The improved Landesberg method was used to make the platelet rich plasma. The decompression group received core decompression treatment while the combination group received PRP combined with core decompression for bone repair. X-ray photography of the hip joint of the two groups were taken at 2,6 and 10 weeks after the surgery,and the Lane-Sandhu X-ray scores and new bone area ratio were compared. Venous blood samples of the 3 groups were collected and the bilateral femoral heads were taken for further examination. The left femoral heads were used for histopathological observation and the right ones were used to determine the expression of the mRNA of MMP-2,MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2. Results The levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the decompression group were higher than that in the combination group and control group after surgery. The levels of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in the decompression group were significantly lower than the combination group and control group(P < 0.05). The IL-6 level and the rate of empty bone lacunae in the decompression group were significantly higher than the combination group and control group(P < 0.05), and that of the combination group was higher than the control group(P < 0.05). The combination group had a better joint imaging and histopathological evaluation than the decompression group after surgery. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that PRP combined with core decompression can exert a positive effect on the MMP/TIMP and bone tissue repair in the treatment of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head in rabbits.

Objective To investigate the genetic carrier rate of thalassemia and its gene mutation types as well as the distribution characteristics among couples of reproductive age in Dongfang City of Hainan Province,and to provide a basis for making prevention and control strategies against thalassemia.Methods Samples were collected from 1 000 couples undergoing premarital and pregestational screenings for thalassemia in Dongfang City of Hainan Province from September 2012 to March 2013,in which the positive ones in preliminary screening were further tested by genetic diagnoses and the genotypes were retrospectively analyzed.Results Among 1 000 couples,322 spouses were diagnosed with thalassemia gene mutation and the carrying rate was 16.10％ (322/2 000).In those carriers,246 spouses were α-thalassemia and the carrying rate was 12.30％ (246/2 000),accounting for 76.40％(246/322) of all thalassemia carriers,among them,there were 197 cases of α-deficiency genotype,accounting for 61.18％ (197/322),32 carried mutated α-gene,accounting for 9.94％ (32/322),17 carried both deleted and mutated α-gene,accounting for 5.28％ (17/322);43 spouse were β-thalassemia and the carrying rate was 2.15％(43/2 000);33 spouse were both α-and β-thalassemia and the carrying rate was 1.65％ (33/2 000).In spouses diagnosed with α-thalassemia,the major genotype was-α37/αα,accounting for 19.25％ (62/322);the second ranked was-α4.2/αα,accounting for 17.70％ (57/322),and the third ranked was--SEA/αα,accounting for 8.70％ (28/322).In spouses diagnosed with β-thalassemia,the major genotype was CD41-42/N,accounting for 9.63％ (31/322).Conclusions The population carrying rate of thalassemia in Dongfang City of Hainan Province is high,and its major type is α-thalassemia.For the purpose of decreasing the birth rate of thalassemia,major,local public health department should attach great importance to thalassemia prevention,and strengthen premarital and pregestational screening for thalassemia.