OBJECTIVETo discuss the expression and clinical significance of VEGF-C and nm23-H1 in stage II and III colorectal carcinomas.

METHODSSP immunohistochemical staining was employed to determine the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and nm23-H1 in the tumor tissues of 110 cases of stage II and III colorectal carcinomas and in the adjacent mucosal tissues of 53 cases as control, and analyze their correlation with cliniopathological features and prognosis.

RESULTSThe positive expression of VEGF-C in the carcinoma tissues was 71.8%, significantly higher than that in the adjacent mucosal tissues (22.6%, P < 0.001). The positive expression of nm23-H1 in the carcinoma tissues was 57.3%, significantly lower than that in the adjacent mucosal tissues (90.6%, P < 0.001). The expression of VEGF-C was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05), and the nm23-H1 expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis and pathological type (P < 0.05). The expression of VEGF-C and nm23-H1 did not show a significant correlation with age, gender, primary tumor site, tumor size and depth of invasion (P > 0.05). The VEGF-C expression was negatively related with nm23-H1 expression in colorectal carcinoma (r = -0.361, P < 0.001). The median overall survival (MOS) and median disease free survival (MDFS) of 110 patients with colorectal carcinoma were 55 and 48 months, respectively. The colorectal patients with different VEGF-C and nm23-H1 expression showed significant differences in the 5-year OS rate and 5-year DFS rate (P < 0.001). The patients with negative VEGF-C expression and positive nm23-H1 expression had a better prognosis.

CONCLUSIONSThe joint detection of VEGF-C and nm23-H1 expression is very promising in prediction of the prognosis of patients with stage II and III colorectal carcinoma. However, whether it can be used as a marker in prognosis judgment needs further investigation.

Colorectal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; diagnosis ; NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo assess the clinical features and therapeutic effect of free thin anterolateral thigh flap for the reconstruction of intraoral defects.

METHODSThe clinicopathologic data of 34 cases with oral carcinoma were obtained from Institute and Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing University Medical School, from December 2008 to December 2011. These 34 patients underwent the simultaneous tumor resection and intraoral defects reconstruction with free thin anterolateral thigh flaps. The defects were located at tongue, buccal, mouth floor, and so on. The subcutaneous fat thickness of the flap at the site of the perforator is usually measured by ultrasound before the operation. If the thickness of the subcutaneous fat at the site of the perforator exceeded 1.5 cm, the patient was excluded from the study.

RESULTSThere were 16 male and 18 female patients. The mean age was 55.4 years. Among the 34 patients, 26 flaps with musculocutaneous perforators and 8 flaps with septo-cutaneous perforators were used. Partial flap necrosis occurred in 2 patients.

CONCLUSIONSThe free thin anterolateral thigh flap is the ideal soft tissue flap for the intraoral defects reconstruction. Satisfactory functional results can he achieved at recipient area with minimal morbidity at the donor site area.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Neoplasms ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; etiology ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; Thigh

OBJECTIVETo research the correlation between surgical treatment for atlantoaxial dislocation and dredging Governor vessel.

METHODSFrom June 2004 to June 2010,113 patients were reviewed, including 65 males and 48 females, with the mean age of 42.6 years (ranged, 8 to 64 years). All the patients were classified and treated by TOI clinical classification which included traction and decompression and reduction, and inter fixation fusion by surgery. The SAC (space available for the cord), Governor vessel Yuzu score, JOA score, NDI score (cervical spine dysfunction index) before treatment were compared with those of after treatment.

RESULTSThe SAC in each group before treatment were (13.34 +/- 3.21), (10.43 +/- 2.42), (7.89 +/- 3.14), (10.50 +/- 0.71) mm respectively, the last follow-up of (16.02 +/- 1.42), (15.34 +/- 1.87), (14.49 +/- 1.58), (12.50 +/- 0.71) mm; Governor vessel Yuzu score before treatment were (8.37 +/- 1.87), (6.87 +/- 1.35), (5.17 +/- 1.13), (7.50 +/- 0.71) respectively, the last follow-up of (10.59 +/- 0.94), (10.25 +/- 1.01), (8.41 +/- 1.31), (9.0 +/- 0); JOA, NDI score significantly improved compared with that of before treatment.

CONCLUSIONAtlantoaxial dislocation confirmed and treated by TOI clinical classification can effectively relieve the nerve function and Governor vessel Yuzu syndrome, and show that surgical treatment is closely related with dredging the Governor vessel.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Atlanto-Axial Joint ; surgery ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo assess the clinical features and therapeutic efficacy of anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps for the intraoral defects reconstruction.

METHODSThe clinicopathologic data of 67 cases with oral tumors were obtained from School of Stomatology, Nanjing University Medical Center from Dec. 2008 to Dec. 2010. All the patients underwent the simultaneous tumor resection and intraoral defects reconstruction with free anterolateral thigh flaps. The defects included the tongue, buccal, gingival, mouth floor, and so on. The descending branch of lateral femoral circumflex artery was anastomosed to the external maxillary artery or superior thyroid artery; the vein was anastomosed to the common facial vein or external jugular vein. The flaps were divided into three types: musculocutaneous ALT flap, fasciocutaneous ALT flap and thinned ALT flap.

RESULTSThere were 38 male patients and 29 female. The anterolateral thigh flaps included 35 musculocutaneous flaps, 17 fasciocutaneous flaps and 15 thinned flaps. The success rate was 98.5% (66/67). Partial necrosis happened in one case with diabetes, which healed after debridement and dressing. 1 flap was totally necrosis. Double venous anastomosis was performed in 41 flaps, and one venous anastomosis was performed in 26 flaps. 8 patients required operative exploration in the perioperative period including 6 flaps with thrombotic events (5 flaps were complete survival after the salvages, and 1 flap was failure) , 1 flap with hematoma, and 1 flap with twisting of perforator. The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 24 months( mean, 8.7 months). The result was satisfied. The donor sites were closed directly in all patients, and the wounds healed uneventfully.

CONCLUSIONSThe free anterolateral thigh flap is an ideal soft tissue flap for the intraoral defects reconstruction with good functional result at recipient area and less morbidity at the donor site.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Neoplasms ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Thigh ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the spectrum of bacteria and fungi in different sites in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

METHODSThe prospective study was performed in 205 patients with SAP treated from January 2000 to December 2008. The Infection rate of bacteria and fungi was observed prospectively in pancreatic necrosis and(or) pus form abdomen, body fluids and deep vein catheter in SAP. Body fluids and pancreatic necrosis were cultured twice a week. Central venous catheter was cultured when it had been placed for two weeks. Blood was cultured for bacteria and fungi when body temperature was more than 39 degrees C. Constituent ratio of bacteria and fungi was observed in different sites and in all sites within 28 days after onset of SAP.

RESULTSThere were 937 pathogens, among which infection rates of gram-negative bacteria was higher than gram-positive bacteria and fungi (P < 0.05), the infection rates of gam-positive bacteria and fungi were similar. Infection rates of gram-negative bacteria in pancreatic necrosis (55.2%), bile (55.4%), blood (68.1%) and central venous catheter (44.4%) were increased significantly (P < 0.05) compared with gram-positive bacteria and (30.2%, 33.9%, 23.4%, 38.9%) and fungi (14.6%, 10.7%, 8.5%, 16.7%); however, infection rate of fungi (59.6%) was increased significantly (P < 0.05) compared with gram-negative bacteria (24.0%) and gram-positive bacteria (16.3%) in urine; infection rate of gram-negative bacteria (53.2%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of fungi (27.1%) and gram-positive bacteria (19.7%) in sputum. Infection rate of non-zymogenic bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia) in gram-negative bacteria in pancreatic necrosis, bile, blood, central venous catheter and sputum was significantly higher than that of zymogenic bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Enterobacter cloacae) (P < 0.01); infection rate of zymogenic bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli) was higher significantly (P < 0.01) than that of non-zymogenic bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii). Infection rate of staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium in pancreatic necrosis and sputum;but infection rate of Enterococcus faecium in bile and urine was significantly higher than other gram-positive bacteria (P < 0.05). There was not difference among gram-positive bacteria;however, infection rate of Staphylococcus epidermidis in central venous catheter was increased significantly (P < 0.05). Infection rate of candida mycoderma in pancreatic necrosis, bile, urine and sputum was significantly higher than that of tricho bacteria (P < 0.05). The peak of infection rate of microbes in body fluid was within 2 to 3 weeks.

CONCLUSIONSConstituent ratio in gram-negative, gram-positive bacteria and fungi as well as their species in different sites is diverse. The peak of infection rate of microbes is 2 to 3 weeks after onset of the disease.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bacteria ; isolation & purification ; Female ; Fungi ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis ; microbiology ; Prospective Studies ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDHemoconcentration may be an important factor that determines the progression of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). In addition, it has been proposed that biomarkers may be useful in predicting subsequent necrosis in SAP. However, it is still uncertain whether hemodilution in a short term can improve outcome. We aimed to investigate the effect of rapid hemodilution on the outcome of patients with SAP.

METHODSOne hundred and fifteen patients were admitted prospectively according to the criteria within 24 hours of SAP onset. Patients were randomly assigned to either rapid hemodilution (hematocrit (HCT) < 35%, n = 56) or slow hemodilution (HCT > or = 35%, n = 59) within 48 hours of onset. Balthazar CT scores were calculated on admission, day 7, and day 14, after onset of the disease. Time interval for sepsis presented, incidence of sepsis within 28 days and in-hospital survival rate were determined.

RESULTSThe amount of fluid used in rapid hemodilution was significantly more than that used in slow hemodilution (P < 0.05) on the admission day, the first day, and the second day. There were significant differences between the rapid and slow hemodilution group in terms of hematocrit, oxygenation index, pH values, APACHE II scores and organ dysfunction at different time during the first week. There were significant differences in the time interval to sepsis in rapid hemodilution ((7.4 +/- 1.9) days) compared with the slow hemodilution group ((10.2 +/- 2.3) days), and the incidence of sepsis (78.6%) was higher in the rapid group compared to the slow (57.6%) in the first 28 days. The survival rate of the slow hemodilution group (84.7%) was better than the rapid hemodilution (66.1%. P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSRapid hemodilution can increase the incidence of sepsis within 28 days and in-hospital mortality. Hematocrit should be maintained between 30%-40% in the acute response stage.

Acute Disease ; mortality ; therapy ; Adult ; Female ; Hemodilution ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis ; mortality ; therapy ; Sepsis ; etiology ; mortality ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To explore the distribution of water with high level arsenic and prevalence of arsenism along Huai'he River and the surrounding area of Hong'ze lake in Huai'an of Jiangsu. Methods Wate rsamples were collected and tested in 2008 from 18 villages of 6 towns according to history data in 3 counties like Xuyi,Jinhu and Hongze. Samples having arsenic level higher than 0.05 mg/L were investigated by epidemiological method and the patients were diagnosed by Standard of Diagnosis for Endemic Arsenism. Results All 5199 water samples were determined,and 260 water samples were exceeding the national drinking water quality level (0.05 mg/L) in 3 counties,the rates of exceeding diagnosis were 5.6%(247/4454),0.7%(4/597),6.0%(9/148) respectively. Total detected rate of endemic arsenic disease was 5.94%(128/2155). The detected rates of age group of 0 ～ ,20 ～,30 ～ ,40 ～ ,50 ～ ,60 ～ ,70 ～ ,80 ～ were 2.86%(1/35),2.11%(2/95),1.26%(3/239),3.10%(16/516),5.53% (32/579),10.07%(41/407),11.84%(27/228),10.71%(6/56) respectively. The detected rate of male (9.10%,78/857) was higher than that of female(3.85%,50/1298,χ~2 = 25.46,P < 0.01). Conclusions Huai'he River and the surrounding areas of Hong'ze lake like Xuyi,Jinhu and Hongze are identified existing endemic arsenic disease area. The prevention of arsenism should be strengthened in these areas.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the application of titanium mesh and free forearm flap for reconstruction of maxillary defect resulted from tumor resection.

METHODSFrom 2004 to 2008, 19 cases with maxillary tumor underwent tumor resection. The defects were reconstructed immediately with titanium mesh for bony defects and free forearm flap for oral mucosa defects.

RESULTS16 cases achieved satisfactory functional and cosmetic results. The speech assessment was good without oronasal reflux. The titanium mesh was exposed and infected in 3 cases. Then the meshes were taken out and the defects were covered with the forearm flap to close the oronasal fistula. The midface was slightly depressed with no functional morbidity.

CONCLUSIONSIt is simple and practical to reconstruct maxillary defect with titanium mesh and free forearm flap. Both the functional and cosmetic results are satisfactory.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Forearm ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Maxillary Neoplasms ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Surgical Mesh ; Titanium ; Young Adult