Evaluation of combination chemotherapy with S-1 and docetaxel for patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and adverse events of combination chemotherapy with S-1 and docetaxel (DOC) as neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas. Fifteen patients were enrolled in this study (11 men and 4 women, with a mean age of 65.9 years). All patients given S-1 80 mg/body per day for 14 days and following were administered a dose of DOC 60 mg/m(2) by drip infusion for 120 minutes. The locoregional response was evaluated 3 weeks after the administration. As a result, the locoregional response rate was 60.0%, including 46.7% complete response. According to Oboshi and Shimosato's classification, histological evaluation of surgical specimens revealed that 3 cases were Grade I , 3 cases Grade IIa, 4 cases Grade IIb, 1 case Grade III, 3 cases Grade IVb, and 1 case Grade IVc. The severe side effect was neutropenia. The present study suggests that combination chemotherapy with S-1 and DOC is an effective and safe regimen in NAC for oral squamous cell carcinomas.     

IL-12、IL-2、PHA协同诱导狼疮肾炎患者PBMC增殖和合成Ig的研究

应用细胞培养技术 ,采用MTT和ELISA等方法 ,观察IL 12、IL 2、PHA体外协同诱导狼疮肾炎 (LN )活动期、静止期外周血单个核淋巴细胞 (PBMC )增殖和产生Ig自身抗体。结果表明 :与正常对照相比 ,IL 12与IL 2、PHA可明显刺激活动期、静止期PBMC增殖和产生大量IgG、IgM ,IgA无明显变化 ,且活动期强于静止期。单独应用IL 12对活动期PBMC作用最明显。提示 :IL 12可通过促进PBMC增殖产生大量自身抗体参与狼疮肾炎的发病。     

宫颈癌中细胞增殖和细胞凋亡的关系研究

Objective To study the relationship between cell proliferation and apoptosis in cervical carcinoma and its clinical significance.Methods The cell proliferation and apoptosis of cervical epithelial cells in archival formalin-fixed,paraffin-embedded tissue sections of normal cervix ,cervical intraepithelial neoplasms(CN) and cervical squamous carcinoma were tested by using immunohistochemistry assay and DNA nick end-labeling technigue.The proliferation index(PI) and apoptosis index(AI) were calculated and their correlation with clinical and pathological data was analyzed. Results PI was gradually increased,but the AI and AI/PI ratio decreased from normal cervical epithelium,CIN to cervical carcinoma. There was no significant relationship among cell proliferation,apoptosis,clinical stages and pathological grades.High AI was always asso-ciated with a poor prognosis of the patients. Conclusion Cell proliferation and apoptosis allow to distinguish among normal epithelium,CIN and cervical carcinoma and are useful for the assessment of the malignant potential of tumor tissues.     

A case of ectopic ureterocele in a male adult found during examination of a traumatic injury

We report a case of ectopic ureterocele in a male adult found during examination of a traumatic injury. A 26-year-old man sustained a blow to his left back during a football game and was admitted to the hospital with a complaint of abdominal pain. The computed tomographic scan showed a huge cystic mass in the retroperitoneum. A cystoscope revealed a large bulge from the left ureteral orifice to the bladder neck and another ureteral orifice distal to the bulge. Retrograde pyelography revealed an ectopic ureterocele showing a complete duplication, a lateral deviation of the left ureter and a bladder deviation to the right. An ectopic ureteral orifice was opening in the posterior urethra. An ureteral catheter inserted into this orifice revealed a dilated left ureter from the upper half of the kidney. Because the function of left upper of kidney was maintained, a transurethral incision was performed. Vesicoureteral reflux remained, but the postoperative course was uneventful. We discuss 11 cases of ectopic ureterocele in male adults including this case.     

Anti-allergic action effect of Pseudolarix amabilis Rehd. extract and its efficacy on atopic dermatitis

Pseudolarix amabilis Rehd. extract was examined in vitro for antibacterial effects, anti-inflammatory effects, and inhibitory effects on histamine release. Pseudolarix amabilis Rehd. extract was also examined for efficacy on dermatitis in atopic dermatitis model mice (NC mice) and effects on keratinous moisture level and transepidermal water loss in miniature pigs. Pseudolarix amabilis Rehd. extract had antibacterial effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and Streptococcus pyogenes; however this antibacterial effect varied with the temperature at which and conditions under which Pseudolarix amabilis Rehd. was extracted. Pseudolarix amabilis Rehd. extract at the final concentration of 2 mg/mL significantly inhibited the hyaluronidase activity; and at 0.005, 0.05, and 0.5 mg/mL, it also significantly inhibited the histamine release. In the mice in which atopic dermatitis had been induced, 28-day administration of Pseudolarix amabilis Rehd. extract at 4 and 400 mg/mL significantly inhibited aggravation of dermatitis without having effects on body weight. In the dorsal skin of miniature pigs, Pseudolarix amabilis Rehd. extract at 4 and 400 mg/mL significantly increased keratinous moisture level with the increase in the number of dosing days, and caused no changes in transepidermal water loss. From the above results, it is clear that Pseudolarix amabilis Rehd. extract inhibits both proliferation of bacteria and inflammation caused by antigens. Furthermore, it is suggested that Pseudolarix amabilis Rehd. extract will serve as a medicinal drug which effectively moistens the skin and prevents and heals dermatitis.     

The median approach to transsacral epidural block

Transsacral epidural block may be useful for surgery or cancer pain affecting the rectal, anal, or urethral region. The procedure through the dorsal sacral foramen is difficult because of the long insertion route. We investigated whether the transsacral epidural block could be simplified by using a median approach instead of a lateral approach through the foramen. Thirty patients for transurethral resection of bladder tumor had a catheter placed 5 cm cephalad at S2-3 (15 patients) or caudal (15 patients) epidural space using a 19-gauge Tuohy needle by the median approach. Lidocaine 2% 15 mL was administered for anesthesia. Anesthesia level (sensory block to cold), hemodynamics, and side effects were compared between the two approaches. The success rate of anesthesia was 87% for transurethral resection of bladder tumor (proximal anesthesia level higher than T10) and 100% for the sacral region (S1-5) in both groups. The highest level of anesthesia (median, T8 in the S2-3 group and T9 in the caudal group) was obtained in 20 min in both groups. No side effects were observed. We conclude that the median transsacral epidural approach is technically feasible in adults and presents an alternative to caudal block. IMPLICATIONS: The median approach to transsacral epidural block has been described in children. We found that it is technically feasible in adults and presents an alternative to caudal block for procedures on the rectal, anal, or urethral region.     

Sulindac derivative- induced apoptosis in a human umbilical vein endothelial cell line ECV304

Objective To investigate the effects of sulindac metabolites on proliferation and apoptosis in the human umbilical vein endothelial cell line ECV304 in vitro.Methods The proliferation profile of ECV304 was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method. Cell cycle distribution, apoptosis and the ultrastructure of ECV304 were detected by flow cytometry (FCM) and electron microscopy, respectively.Results MTT assay showed that the sulfide inhibited the proliferation of ECV304 and its effect was dose- dependent; the IC50 was 200 μmol/L. FCM showed that the sulfide changed cell cycle distribution. The cell cycle distribution was as follows: G1 phase (control group 77. 74%±1. 58%; sulfone group 75. 63%±2. 12%; sulfide group 46. 12%±1. 60%); S phase (control group 13. 64%±1. 22%; sulfone group 16. 40±2. 30%; sulfide group 27. 26%±2. 08%); G2- M phase (control group 8. 61%±0. 67%; sulfone group 7. 98%±0. 49%; sulfide group 26. 62%±3. 54%). The apoptosis rates in the control group, sulfone group and sulfide group were 6. 08%±3. 39%, 4. 81%±2. 14% and 51. 90%±5. 67%, respectively. Sulfide reduced the proportion of G1 phase, increased the proportion of S phase, G2- M phase and the apoptosis rate significantly (P<0. 01, vs control). In the sulfide- treated cells, there were nuclear fragmentation and chromosomal condensation, shrinkage of the cell and loss of contact with neighboring cells. Apoptotic bodies were observed. Sulfone showed no effect on cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution or cell morphology.Conclusions Sulfide can significantly reduce the proliferation of ECV304, change the cell cycle distribution and arrest cells in G2- M phase where apoptosis may be induced. Sulfone has no such effects on this cell line.