OBJECTIVETo investigate the appropriate distal resection margin in rectal cancer patients.

METHODSThirty specimens of rectal carcinoma with total mesorectal excision(TME) were studied by flow cytometry and pathological examination. The differences of DNA ploidy status, DNA index (DI), proliferative index (PI), S-phase fraction (SPF) among rectal cancer, 3 cm and 5 cm below the tumor, normal rectum, distal mesorectum 3 cm and 5 cm below the tumor, and normal colon mesentery were analysed by flow cytometry, and were compared with the data of pathological examination.

RESULTSPathological examination showed that there was no tumor invasion 3 cm and 5 cm below the tumor,but the metastasis rates of distal mesorectum 3 cm and 5 cm below the tumor were 26.7% and 6.7% respectively. The DI, PI and SPF of rectal cancer by flow cytometric examination were significantly higher than those of distal rectum 3 cm and 5 cm below the tumor, and normal rectum (P<0.05). The DI, PI and SPF of distal rectum 3 cm below the tumor were also significantly higher than those of distal rectum 5 cm below the tumor, and normal rectum (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences between DI, PI and SPF of distal rectum 5 cm below the tumor and those of normal rectum (P>0.05). The rate of DNA aneuploid of tumor was significantly higher than those of normal rectum and distal rectum 5 cm below the tumor,but there was no significant difference between the rate of DNA aneuploid of tumor and that of distal rectum 3 cm below the tumor. The DI and DNA aneuploid of rectal cancer and distal mesorectum 3 cm and 5 cm below the tumor were significantly higher than those of normal mesorectum,but there were no significant differences between DI and DNA aneuploid of rectal cancer and those of distal mesorectum 3 cm and 5 cm below the tumor. The PI and SPF of rectal cancer were significantly higher than those of normal mesorectum and distal mesorectum 3 cm and 5 cm below the tumor.

CONCLUSIONSRectal cancer is able to invade distal rectum 3 cm below the tumor and distal mesorectum 5 cm below the tumor, and radical resection of rectal cancer should beyond that range.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Rectal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Rectum ; pathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

Retinoid resistance has limited clinical activity of retinoids as differentiation-inducing and apoptosis-inducing drugs. The present study was designed to investigate whether celecoxib (selective COX-2 inhibitor) has effects on cellular retinoid sensitivity of human colon cancer cell lines and its possible mechanism. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis was detected by Annexin-V/PI staining and flow cytometry assay. PGE2 production was measured by ELISA assay. Expression of RARbeta was assayed by Western blotting. The results showed that celecoxib enhanced the inhibitory effect of ATRA in both COX-2 high-expressing HT-29 and COX-2 low-expressing SW480 cell lines. Further study showed the ATRA and celecoxib combination induced greater apoptosis, and the addition of PGE2 did not affect the number of apoptotic cells induced by the combination. Moreover, NS398 (another selective COX-2 inhibitor) did not affect the inhibitory effects of ATRA on both cell lines. Western blotting showed that the expression of RARbeta in HT-29 cell lines increased in celecoxib group and combination group. And the addition of PGE2 did not affect the expression of RARbeta induced by celecoxib either. In conclusion, celecoxib increased expression of RARbeta and cellular ATRA sensitivity through COX-2-independent mechanisms, which may provide a potential strategy for combination therapy.
Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Celecoxib ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Colonic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Dinoprostone ; metabolism ; Drug Synergism ; HT29 Cells ; Humans ; Nitrobenzenes ; pharmacology ; Pyrazoles ; pharmacology ; Receptors, Retinoic Acid ; metabolism ; Sulfonamides ; pharmacology ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the rational digestive reconstruction after total gastrectomy for gastric malignancy.

METHODSThree types of digestive reconstruction were performed after total gastrectomy in 189 cases with gastric carcinoma. The operating time, morbidity and mortality, food intake, digestive tract symptoms, nutritional status at 1 and 3 years after surgery and 1-, 3-, 5-year cumulative survival were compared.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences among the three procedures in operative morbidity and mortality, postoperative food intake, nutritional status (Hemoglobin, total protein and labium), and incidences of diarrhea and dumping syndrome (P > 0.05). The overall 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates were 75.3%, 38.2% and 20.5% respectively, and there were no significant differences among the three groups (P > 0.05). Orr-type and P-type esophagojejunostomy had an advantage of anti-esophageal reflux, and were obviously superior to Moynihan-type anastomosis (P< 0.01). Compared with P-type reconstruction, Orr-type reconstruction was simpler with shorter operating time, and less complications.

CONCLUSIONSOrr-type Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy can be recommended as an adaptable method of digestive reconstruction after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer because of its avoiding reflux esophagitis, maintaining better nutritional status and quality of life, and simpler procedure.

Adult ; Aged ; Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y ; methods ; Esophagus ; surgery ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Jejunum ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression and its significance of retinoic acid receptor-beta (RAR-beta) in colorectal cancer.

METHODSRAR-beta was detected by immunohistochemistry methods and carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) was tested by chemiluminescence immunoassay methods in normal tissues, paracancerous tissues and colorectal cancer tissues of 60 patients with colorectal cancer treated from January 2006 to January 2007. Above-mentioned data, together with the clinicopathological data of these 60 patients, were analyzed to figure out the expression and its significance of RAR-beta in colorectal cancer.

RESULTSThe expression rate of RAR-beta in tumor tissues (48%) was significantly lower than those in both normal tissues (87%) and paracancerous tissues (87%) (P < 0.05). And its expression was also significant lower in patients with lymph node metastasis (32%) and patients with advanced cancer (TNM stage III and IV) (29%) than in those without lymph nodes metastasis (60%) and those with early stage cancer (stage I and II) (69%). There was no significant differences among well, mildly and poorly differentiated cancer tissues. The CEA level rose in 20 patients, and its rising rate was remarkably higher in patients with lymph node metastasis (48%) and in patients with advanced cancer (52%) than those without lymph node metastasis (23%) and in early stage(14%).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of RAR-beta decreases significantly in cancer tissues in patients with colorectal cancer, which may be related to the carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer; and its decreasing degree is correlated negatively with the lymph node metastasis and advanced clinicopathological stage. The expression level of RAR-beta may be a new prognostic indication of patients with colorectal cancer.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Retinoic Acid ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility, safety and short-term outcomes of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer.

METHODSFrom January 2007 to June 2008, 135 patients with advanced gastric cancer in the lower or middle stomach were operated, of whom 66 underwent laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy(LADG) with D2 dissection of lymph nodes and 69 received conventional open D2 distal gastrectomy(ODG). Clinical data were recorded and compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in age, gender, and TNM staging between LADG and ODG(all P>0.05). All the patients in the LADG group underwent gastrectomy and lymph nodes dissection successfully without conversion to open surgery and no operative deaths occurred. The operative time was significantly longer for the LADG group than for the ODG group[(266.1±55.1) min vs. (223.8±26.8) min)]. The patients in the laparoscopic surgery group had less blood loss[(131.9±88.7) ml vs.(342.3±178.7) ml], earlier recovery of bowel activity[(3.18±1.22) d vs.(4.50±1.59) d], and shorter hospitalization time[(9.20±3.39) d vs. (11.35±4.61) d]. No significant differences were found in the total number of retrieved lymph nodes(25.81±12.53 vs. 27.47±10.28). The morbidity of complications was comparable between two groups(6.1% vs. 15.94%). No mortality and recurrence were observed during a follow-up period of 1-19 months.

CONCLUSIONSLADG with D2 lymph node dissection is a safe and feasible procedure with adequate lymphadenectomy for advanced gastric cancer.

Female ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Laparotomy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDAll-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) can influence the tumor cell proliferation cycle, and some chemotherapeutic drugs are cycle specific. In this study, we hypothesize that ATRA can enhance chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity by affecting the cell cycle of tumor cells.

METHODSThe cell cycle of LoVo cells was evaluated using flow cytometry (FCM). Cell viability was analyzed using the MTT assay. The morphologic changes in the treated LoVo cells were measured with acridine orange (AO)/ethidium bromide (EB) staining. Expression of survivin in LoVo cells was analyzed by immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTSAfter LoVo cells were treated with ATRA, the G0/G1 ratio of the tumor cells increased and the cell ratio of S- and G2/M-phase decreased. Viability of the cells decreased significantly after combined treatment with ATRA and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or mitomycin c (MMC) and was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy. Expression level of survivin in the tumor cells decreased after ATRA combination treatment.

CONCLUSIONSATRA enhances drug sensitivity of the LoVo cell line to cell cycle-specific agents and inhibits the expression of survivin in LoVo cells. The combination of ATRA and 5-FU or MMC promoted cell apoptosis, and the mechanism involved in apoptosis may be related to inhibition of survivin gene expression.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Colonic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopy-assisted combined radical resection for synchronous rectal and gastric cancer in elderly patients.

METHODSClinical data of two elderly patients undergoing laparoscopy-assisted combined radical resection for synchronous rectal and gastric cancer were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThe two cases were 78 and 75 years old respectively. Both were complicated with many medical conditions. One case suffered from stage II cancer in the gastric body and stage IB rectal cancer, and the other suffered from stage IIIA gastric cancer and stage IB rectal cancer. Both cases had received laparoscopy-assisted combined radical resection for synchronous rectal and gastric cancer, with 5 cm of incision. The operative time was 260 and 255 min and the intraoperative bleeding was 60 and 80 ml respectively. No complication occurred intraoperatively. Time to resume oral intake was 4 and 5 days and length of postoperative hospital stay was 13 and 14 days respectively. No postoperative complication occurred. The patients were followed up for 13 and 12 months and no postoperative recurrence or metastasis was noticed.

CONCLUSIONLaparoscopy-assisted combined radical resection for elderly synchronous rectal and gastric cancer is safe and feasible when performed by surgeons with plentiful experience in laparoscopic technology, and associated with less injury and faster recovery.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Rectal Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the difference of gene expression profile among colorectal cancer tissue, pericancerous mucosa and normal mucosa, and to screen associated novel genes in colorectal carcinogenesis by DNA microarray.

METHODScDNA chip containing approximate 8000 genes was used to detect differentially expressed genes in colorectal cancer tissues, pericancerous mucosa and normal mucosa, and to screen associated novel genes in colorectal carcinogenesis by DNA microarray.

RESULTSAs compared with normal mucosa, 769 genes differentially expressed in cancerous tissue were identified, which included 363 up-regulated and 406 down-regulated genes. In pericancerous mucosa 3 cm away from cancerous tissues, 155 genes differentially expressed were identified, of whom 52 genes were up-regulated and 103 were down-regulated. In pericancerous mucosa 5 cm away from cancerous tissues, 230 genes differentially expressed were identified, of whom 46 genes were up-regulated and 184 genes were down-regulated. The genes expressed differentially were associated with several functional types. According to the primary results, the differentially expressed genes with prominent functions included tumor-related genes, genes regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis, transcriptional control genes, and construction and degradation of extracellular matrix-associated genes. The cancerous mucosa was obviously different from the normal mucosa(about 20%, 769/3944). The differences between the normal mucosa and pericancerous mucosa were relatively small (3.9%,5.8%).

CONCLUSIONSDifferent tissues have their own biological property. Several genes play roles in the development of colorectal carcinogenesis. Genes in adjacent non-cancerous tissues are also expressed differentially, leading to a malignant change.

Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; methods

Objective This study was to investigate the association between serum Bisphenol-A (BPA) and unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA).Methods A hospitalbased 1 ∶ 2 matched case-control study was conducted.Sixty-two patients with unexplained recurrent abortion were included and matched with 2 normal controls by factors as age ( ± 2 years),living in the same district and the same gestational age.The levels of BPA in serum for 62 cases and 108 controls were detected under high performance liquid chromatography after fluorescent derivatization.Levels of serum BPA in each case was compared with that in control of age,BMI,education levels,occupation,exposure for passive smoking.Results The values of serum BPA in cases and controls were ( 0.009 ± 0.002 ) and (0.004 ± 0.012) μg/ml,respectively.The levels of serum BPA in cases was significantly higher than in controls (Z=3.506,P=0.0005).After adjusted by age,BMI,education levels,occupation,passive smoking history and other factors,when compared to BPA below 0.004 μg/ml.The adjusted ORs were 4.39 (1.15-16.71)for BPA levels between 0.004 μg/ml and 0.012 μg/ml,and 4.95 (1.77-13.82) for BPA over 0.012 μg/ml.The risk of unexplained recurrentspontaneous abortion increased progressively with the growth of serum BPA levels (x2 =9.179,trend test P=0.0024).There were significant differences on BPA among controls that with histories of two,three or more abortions (the levels were 0.004,0.008,0.018 μ g/ml,respectively,F=8.92,P=0.0002).Conclusion High BPA level might be associated with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion.

BACKGROUND:A new-type nano-bionic anti-adhesion hernia mesh was developed in our previous research.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the mechanical properties and cytocompatibility of the new-type nano-bionic anti-adhesion hernia mesh.METHODS:The tensile strength of the compound hernia mesh was detected using a textile detector.Mouse fibroblasts (L929) were cultured with the compound hernia mesh,and cell structures on the mesh surface were observed under electron microscope at 1,3,5 days after culture.In addition,L929 cells were co-cultured with compound hernia mesh,polypropylene patch,and polyester patch,respectively.Cells cultured alone were used as negative controls.After 1,3,5 days of culture,MTS array was used to detect cell proliferation and evaluate cytotoxicity;after 3 days of culture,western blot was used to detect the content of type Ⅰ and Ⅲ collagens.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The average tensile strength of the compound hernia mesh was 31.2 N The number of fibroblasts on the nanofibrous layer of the compound hernia mesh increased as long as cultured.The cells spread along the nanofibers and pseudopodia extended from the cells formed polygon and fusiform structures,with a good cross-linking with the mesh.A complete cell layer covered all pores of the nanofibers at 5 days.The cytotoxicity of the nanofibrous layer of the compound hernia mesh was graded 0,and the cytotoxicity was graded 1 of polypropylene and polyester patches.All the three kinds of patches fulfilled the implantation requirements,and the compound hernia mesh had better biological properties.No significant differences were found among groups in the contents of type Ⅰ and Ⅲ collagens at 3 days of culture.To conclude,the new-type nano-bionic anti-adhesion hernia mesh has good mechanical properties and cytocompatibility.