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The placenta contains multiple biologically active substances, which exert antioxidation, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and delayed aging effects. Its extract can improve hepatic morphology and function: on the one hand, it can reduce liver interstitial collagen deposition, lipogenesis, and inflammatory cell infiltration and improve fibrosis; on the other hand, it can prevent hepatocellular degeneration by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibiting inflammatory cytokine production, further improve hepatocyte apoptosis and necrosis, and promote hepatocyte regeneration, making it a promising liver-protective agent. Current research on placenta extract (PE) mainly focuses on treating a specific type of liver injury, and there are no systematic reports. Therefore, this review comprehensively summarizes the treatment reports of PE on liver injury and analyzes its mechanism of action.

Intramuscular injection of anemoside B4 (AB4) has a superior therapeutic effect on clinical mastitis in lactating cows. Here, we explored AB4's effect on milk whey in clinical mastitis-affected cows using proteomics. Among fifty clinical mastitis cows received AB4 administration (0.05 ml/kg/day, for 7 days), twelve healed cows were selected and marked as group T. Twelve clinically heathy cows received the same dose of saline for 7 days, marked as group C. Collected milk whey of group T before and after AB4 administration marked as T1 and T2, respectively. The milk whey of group C after saline injection marked as C1. Milk whey protein changes were detected using tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomic. We identified 872 quantifiable proteins in the samples. Among them, 511 proteins between T1 and C1, and 361 proteins between T2 and T1 were significantly altered. T1 than C1 had significantly more proteins associated with inflammatory damage and trans-endothelial migration of leukocytes, whereas these proteins were reduced in T2 treated with AB4. Compared with C, proteins associated with fibrin clot degradation and complement system activation were downregulated in T1 but upregulated in T2. In summary, AB4 can exert its therapeutic effect on clinical mastitis in cows mainly by reducing inflammatory damage, activating the complement system, inhibiting trans-endothelial migration of leukocytes, and promoting degradation of milk fibrin clots., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Placental extract has been used for skin care and delaying skin aging. Cow placenta is an abundant resource with a large mass, which has not been harnessed effectively. Cow placenta extract (CPE) has the functions of antioxidation, anti-inflammatory, promoting growth and development, and promoting hair growth. However, little is known about the effect of oral administration of cow placenta extract on skin conditions. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant capacity of CPE in vitro and in vivo and its protective effect on d-galactose (D-gal) induced skin aging in mice. The results showed that CPE had strong free radical scavenging, reducing and metal chelating activities. CPE can increase the activity of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the content of glutathione (GSH), decrease the content of malondialdehyde (MDA). Moreover, CPE can decrease the gene and protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1a (MMP-1a) and matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3) and increase the expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) of mouse skin. Histopathological analysis showed CPE reduced the collagen damage caused by D-gal, increased collagen synthesis and reduced its degradation to delay skin aging.

Background: FGFR2 (fibroblast growth factor receptor 2) mutations are implicated in the etiopathogenesis of syndromic craniosynostosis, and C278F- or C342Y-FGFR2 mutations can lead to Crouzon syndrome. The dura mater exerts crucial effects in the regulation of cranial suture development. However, the underlying mechanisms of these biological processes are rarely studied. This research explored and analyzed the biological function of FGFR2 overexpressed by dura cells on cranial osteoblasts., Methods: Dura cells and cranial osteoblasts from C57BL/6 mice aged 6 days were obtained and cultured respectively. Lentivirus-FGFR2 constructs were engineered with C278F- and C342Y-FGFR2 mutations. The dura cells were infected with the constructs and co-cultured with osteoblasts in a trans-well system. Four experimental groups were established, namely the Oste group, the Oste+Dura-vector group, the Oste+Dura-C278F group, and the Oste+Dura-C342Y group. FACS, CCK8, and EdU assays were used to evaluate the osteoblast proliferation levels. Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to measure the expressions of the factors related to proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Furthermore, the expression levels of the key factors in the Hippo/YAP-PI3K-AKT proliferation pathway were measured and analyzed. Finally, rescue experiments were performed with an RNA interfering assay., Results: The proliferation and differentiation levels of the osteoblasts in the Oste+Dura-C278F and Oste+Dura-C342Y groups were significantly up-regulated, but the apoptosis levels in the four groups were not significantly different. The YAP, TEADs1-4, p-PI3K, and p-AKT1 expressions in the mutant FGFR2 groups were higher than the corresponding expressions in the control groups, and the results of the rescue experiments showed a reverse expression tendency, which further confirmed the effects of the FGFR2 mutations in the dura cells on the proliferation of the osteoblasts and the underlying possible mechanisms., Conclusion: Our studies suggest that the Crouzon mutations (C278F- and C342Y-) of FGFR2 in dura cells can enhance osteoblast proliferation and differentiation and might influence the pathogenesis of craniosynostosis by affecting the Hippo/YAP-PI3K-AKT proliferation signaling pathway., Competing Interests: None., (AJTR Copyright © 2021.)

Resibufogenin (RB) has been used for cancer treatment, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of RB treatment on colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, and to determine the underlying mechanisms. The cell counting kit-8 assay was used to determine cell viability. Cell morphology was observed under light microscopy, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay was employed to detect cell apoptosis. Intracellular ferrous iron (Fe 2+ ), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and reactive oxygen species levels were detected by using commercial iron assay kit, MDA assay kit, GSH assay kit, and 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate probes, respectively. The protein expressions were determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. RB inhibited cell viability in the CRC cell lines (HT29 and SW480) in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and caused cytotoxicity to the normal colonic epithelial cell line (NCM460) at high dose. Similarly, RB induced morphological changes in CRC cells from normal to round shape, and promoted cell death. Of note, RB triggered oxidative stress and ferroptotic cell death in CRC cells, and only ferroptosis inhibitors (deferoxamine and ferrostatin-1), instead of inhibitors for other types of cell death (apoptosis, autophagy, and necroptosis), reversed the inhibitory effects of RB on CRC cell proliferation. Furthermore, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) was inactivated by RB treatment, and overexpression of GPX4 alleviated RB-induced oxidative cell death in CRC cells. Consistently, the in vivo experiments validated that RB also triggered oxidative stress, and inhibited CRC cells growth and tumorigenicity in mice models. RB can inhibit CRC cells growth and tumorigenesis by triggering ferroptotic cell death in a GPX4 inactivation-dependent manner., (© 2020 American Association for Anatomy.)

Aim: To evaluate surgical outcomes of modified Z-epicanthoplasty with blepharoplasty that we previously reported from the patient's perspective using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and patient satisfaction scores., Methods: A total of patients ( n =180) who underwent the surgery between January 2013 and June 2016 were randomly selected. Standardized patient satisfaction forms (total score, 40) and validated PROMs questionnaires (total score, 12) were sent to patients for completion. PROMs assesses the severity of scarring, pain and asymmetry, as well as functional and appearance issues., Results: All patients were female, ranging from 18 to 35 years old (mean=24). The response rate was 73.3% ( n =132). The majority of patients reported good or excellent outcomes based on PROM analysis. Patients reported minimum or non-visible scarring at both the double eyelid surgical scar (85.6%) and the inner canthus (80.3%). Issues concerning function and appearance were minimal as 80.3% reported satisfaction with both domains. Notably, the majority of patients reported either a high or very high satisfaction rate to yield a mean score of 104 out of 120 ( P <0.05)., Conclusion: Integration of our modified Z-epicanthoplasty with blepharoplasty produces good outcomes based on PROM results, which shows a positive linear relationship with patient satisfaction scores.

Background: We investigated the superiority of the 8th edition of the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) system for patients in China with gastric cancer., Methods: The survival outcomes of 1663 patients with gastric cancer undergoing radical resection were analyzed., Results: In the 8th edition system, homogeneous 5-year survival rates among different pathological TNM (pTNM) categories belonging to the same stage were observed. However, in the 7th edition system, the differences of 5-year survival rate among pTNM categories belonging to the same stage were observed in stages IIB (P = 0.010), IIIB (P = 0.004), and IIIC (P < 0.001). For patients in the pT1-3 (P < 0.001) and pT4a (P < 0.001) categories, there were significant differences in survival between patients in the pN3a and pN3b categories. Furthermore, partial cases (pT4bN0M0/T4aN2M0) of stage IIIB were downstaged to stage IIIA in the 8th edition system, and the 5-year survival rate of these patients was significantly better than that of patients in stage IIIB in the 8th edition system. Similarly, the 5-year survival rate of patients in p4bN2M0/T4aN3aM0 downstaged from stage IIIC to IIIB was significantly better than that of patients in stage IIIC. Compared with the 7th edition system, the 8th edition system had a higher likelihood ratio and linear trend chi-squared score and a smaller Akaike information criteria value., Conclusions: The 8th edition system is superior to the 7th edition system in terms of homogeneity, discriminatory ability, and monotonicity of gradients for Chinese patients with gastric cancer.

Background: The relationship between the number of harvested lymph nodes (HLNs) and prognosis of gastric cancer patients without an involvement of lymph nodes has not been well-evaluated. The objective of this study is to further explore this issue., Methods: We collected data from 399 gastric cancer patients between November 2006 and October 2011. All of them were without metastatic lymph nodes., Results: Survival analyses showed that statistically significant differences existed in the survival outcomes between the two groups allocated by the total number of HLNs ranging from 16 to 22. Therefore, we adopted 22 as the cut-off value of the total number of HLNs for grouping (group A: HLNs <22; group B: HLNs≥22). The intraoperative and postoperative characteristics, including operative blood loss (P=0.096), operation time (P=0.430), postoperative hospital stay (P=0.142), complications (P=0.552), rate of reoperation (P=0.966) and postoperative mortality (P=1.000), were comparable between the two groups. T-stage-stratified Kaplan-Meier analyses revealed that the 5-year survival rate of patients at the T4 stage was better in group B than in group A (76.9% vs. 58.5%; P=0.004). An analysis of multiple factors elucidated that the total number of HLNs, T stage, operation time and age were independently correlated factors of prognosis., Conclusions: Regarding gastric cancer patients without the involvement of lymph nodes, an HLN number ≥22 would be helpful in prolonging their overall survival, especially for those at T4 stage. The total number of HLNs was an independent prognostic factor for this population of patients.

Background: The optimal extent of gastrectomy for middle-third gastric cancer remains controversial. In our study, the short-term effects and longer-term survival outcomes of distal subtotal gastrectomy and total gastrectomy are analysed to determine the optimal extent of gastrectomy for middle-third gastric cancer., Methods: We retrospectively collect and analyse clinicopathologic data and follow-up outcomes from a prospectively collected database at the Peking University Cancer Hospital. Patients with middle-third gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent curative resection are enrolled in our study., Results: We collect data of 339 patients between January 2005 and October 2011. A total of 144 patients underwent distal subtotal gastrectomy, and 195 patients underwent total gastrectomy. Patients in the total gastrectomy group have longer operative duration (P < 0.001) and postoperative hospital stay (P = 0.001) than those in the distal subtotal gastrectomy group. In the total gastrectomy group, more lymph nodes are harvested (P < 0.001). Meanwhile, the rate of postoperative complications is lower in the distal subtotal gastrectomy group than in the total gastrectomy group (8% vs 15%, P = 0.047). Further analysis demonstrates that the rate of anastomosis leakage is lower in the distal subtotal gastrectomy group than in the total gastrectomy group (0% vs 4%, P = 0.023). Kaplan-Meier (log rank test) analysis shows a significant difference in overall survival between the two groups. The 5-year overall survival rates in the distal subtotal gastrectomy and total gastrectomy groups are 65% and 47%, respectively (P < 0.001). Further stage-stratified analysis reveals that no statistical significance exists in 5-year survival rate between the distal subtotal gastrectomy and total gastrectomy groups at the same stage. Multivariate analysis shows that age (P = 0.046), operation duration (P < 0.001), complications (P = 0.037), usage of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P < 0.001), tumor size (P = 0.012), presence of lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.043) and N stage (P < 0.001) are independent prognostic factors for survival., Conclusions: For patients with middle-third gastric cancer, distal subtotal gastrectomy shortens the operation duration and postoperative hospital stay and reduces postoperative complications. Meanwhile, the long-term survival of patients with distal subtotal gastrectomy is similar to that of those with total gastrectomy at the same stage. The extent of gastrectomy for middle-third gastric cancer is not an independent prognostic factor for survival.

Background: Surgery for advanced gastric cancer (AGC) often includes dissection of splenic hilar lymph nodes (SHLNs). This study compared the safety and effectiveness of different approaches to SHLN dissection for upper- and/or middle-third AGC., Methods: We retrospectively compared and analyzed clinicopathologic and follow-up data from a prospectively collected database at the Peking University Cancer Hospital. Patients were divided into three groups: in situ spleen-preserved, ex situ spleen-preserved and splenectomy., Results: We analyzed 217 patients with upper- and/or middle-third AGC who underwent R0 total or proximal gastrectomy with splenic hilar lymphadenectomy from January 2006 to December 2011, of whom 15.2 % (33/217) had metastatic SHLNs, and from whom 11.4 % (53/466) of the dissected SHLNs were metastatic. The number of harvested SHLNs per patient was higher in the ex situ group than in the in situ group (P = 0.017). Length of postoperative hospital stay was longer in the splenectomy group than in the in situ group (P = 0.002) or the ex situ group (P < 0.001). The splenectomy group also lost more blood volume (P = 0.007) and had a higher postoperative complication rate (P = 0.005) than the ex situ group. Kaplan-Meier (log rank test) analysis showed significant survival differences among the three groups (P = 0.018). Multivariate analysis showed operation duration (P = 0.043), blood loss volume (P = 0.046), neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.005), and N stage (P < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for survival., Conclusions: The ex situ procedure was more effective for SHLN dissection than the in situ procedure without sacrificing safety, whereas splenectomy was not more effective, and was less safe. The SHLN dissection method was not an independent risk factor for survival in this study.

It is well known that the fair-sampling loophole in Bell test opened by the selection of the state to be measured can lead to post-quantum correlations. In this paper, we make the selection of the results after measurement, which opens the fair- sampling loophole too, and thus can lead to post-quantum correlations. This kind of result-selection loophole can be realized by pre- and post-selection processes within the "two-state vector formalism", and a physical simulation of Popescu-Rohrlich (PR) box is designed in linear optical system. The probability distribution of the PR has a maximal CHSH value 4, i.e. it can maximally violate CHSH inequality. Because the "two-state vector formalism" violates the information causality, it opens the locality loophole too, which means that this kind of results selection within "two-state vector formalism" leads to both fair- sampling loophole and locality loophole, so we call it a comprehensive loophole in Bell test. The comprehensive loophole opened by the results selection within "two-state vector formalism" may be another possible explanation of why post-quantum correlations are incompatible with quantum mechanics and seem not to exist in nature.

Background: Gastric cancer is one of most common malignancies in the world. Currently the prognostic prediction is entirely based on the TNM staging system. In this study, we evaluated whether metastatic lymph node ratio (rN) at the time of surgery would improve the prognostic prediction in conjunction with the TNM staging system., Methods: This retrospective study includes 745 patients, who had been referred for surgery due to gastric cancer between 1995 and 2007 and had at least 15 lymph nodes examined at the time of surgery without preoperative treatment. Clinicopathologic features and overall survival were analyzed using univariate and multivariate modes to identify the risk factors for overall survival., Results: Median overall survival of all patients analyzed is 57.8 months and 5-year overall survival is 49.5%. Tumor site, macroscopic type, pTNM stage, and rN stage are identified as independent prognostic factors. Increased positive lymph node ratio correlates with shorter survival in all patients and in each T and N stage. In stage III gastric cancer patients, rN stage shows additional prognostic value on overall survival (p < 0.001)., Conclusions: rN stage is a simple and promising prognostic factor of gastric cancer after surgery in addition to the TNM stage system especially in stage III patients. But the independent prognostic value of rN stage in stage I, II and IV gastric cancer is yet to be determined., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Gastric cancer is the fourth most common cancer worldwide and the leading cause of tumor-related death in China. Gastric cancer is a heterogeneous disease and therefore requires different treatments based on the subtype. We describe a patient who had gastric cancer with liver metastases. Biopsy and tumor analysis using the HercepTest revealed a human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive adenocarcinoma as confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The patient was treated with a regimen of trastuzumab, oxaliplatin, and S-1 (six cycles). When positron emission tomography findings suggested that the metastases had resolved, the patient underwent surgery. Histopathologically, no cancer cells were observed in the resected hepatic tissue. The patient underwent tumor resection surgery, during which the tumor and gastric lymph nodes with lesions were removed. The patient has remained disease-free for 3 months. Therefore, trastuzumab may be an effective agent in the chemotherapeutic treatment of liver metastases in patients with HER2-positive gastric adenocarcinoma.

Objective: To detect the expression of S100A6 in gastric cancer, and to investigate the regulation mechanism of S100A6 in invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer., Methods: Expression of S100A6 protein in gastric cancer specimens, tissue adjacent to cancer, liver and lymph node metastasis tissue specimens was detected by immunohistochemical staining in 166 patients with gastric cancer from January 1995 to December 2001. Their association with clinicopathological factors was analyzed. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation-chip was used to detect the downstream factors potentially regulated by S100A6 in gastric cancer cell lines KATO3. S100A6 gene was transfected into gastric cancer cell line AGS, and cell invasion experiment and real time Q-polymerase chain reaction(RT Q-PCR) were used to detect the cell invasive ability and the mRNA expression of invasion-related factors (CDK5 and FLJ12438) in transfection group, negative control group and blank control group, respectively., Results: Low expression of S100A6 protein was found in cytoplasm of peritumoral tissues. In gastric cancer, liver and lymph node metastasis tissues, S100A6 protein expression was up-regulated in cytoplasm and (or) nuclei, especially in the tumor cells of invasive edge. The expression rates of gastric cancer, liver and lymph node metastasis tissues were 67.5%(112/166), 92.9%(26/28) and 100% (30/30) respectively. The high expression of S100A6 was associated with tumor local invasion, lymph node metastasis, cancer embolus, distant metastasis and TNM stages(all P<0.05). The transmembrane cell number was 31.3±5.5 in the S100A6 transfection group, significantly higher than that in negative control group (7.7±1.5) and blank control group (9.3±2.1)(both P<0.05), indicating an increase of cell invasion after S100A6 transfection. In transfection group, CDK5 mRNA expression was significantly higher than that in negative control group and blank control group(P<0.05). While FLJ1243 mRNA expression was similar among the three groups(P<0.05)., Conclusion: S100A6 may affect the malignant biological behavior of gastric cancer cells by regulating the expressions of down-stream invasion-associated factors, such as CDK5.

Objective: To explore the clinical classification method of keloids and providing a thread for the treatment of keloids., Methods: To summarize the 600 cases of keloid patients we accepted and diagnosed from November 2004 to October 2012, and filling in keloid patients information sheet, recording the keloids form by photographs, analyzing the treatment, putting forward the classification method of keloids in clinic., Results: According to the position and quantity that keloids grow, the keloid patients are divided into four major categories:one in single site, one in each site, more than one in single site and more than one in each site; According to the area and thickness of keloids, the keloid single lesion is divided into four subclasses: type of small area and thin, type of small area and thick, type of large areas and thin,type of large areas and thick; According to the number of lesions, keloid multiple lesions is divided into two subgenera: isolated multiple and dispersion multiple, different kinds of keloids suit different methods of treatment., Conclusion: The clinical classification method of keloids can be used to provide thought for the treatment of keloids, and have a good application value.

Objective: The objective of this study was to find keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) mimic peptides by a phage display library screening and to analyze their effects on proliferation of human oral mucosal epithelial cells (HOMECs)., Study Design: A phage display library was screened by anti-KGF antibody. ELISA was performed to select monoclonal phages with higher binding activity. The promotion of the phage model peptides on HOMEC proliferation were analyzed by MTT and their cell affinities were confirmed by immunofluorescence assay. Their effect on KGFR, human beta-defensin 3, c-Fos, and c-Jun in HOMEC were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR., Results: Two model peptides with higher affinity with HOMEC were found to have promotive activity on cell proliferation, similar to that of KGF. These 2 model peptides have no KGF-like promotion effect on the expression of c-Fos and c-Jun., Conclusions: The 2 phage model peptides can promote the proliferation of HOMEC in vitro without tumorigenic effects, which suggests their possible usages in oral mucosal wound healing., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To construct and display the keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) phage active peptides so as to detect the promoting effects of epidermal cell., Methods: KGF sequences were chosen and their primers were designed. The selected genes of P1, P2 and P4 were obtained by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. P3 was obtained by direct synthesis. And the KGF genes were subcloned into pComb3 vector. The technique of phage display was employed to display the genes on phage surface. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to evaluate the promoting effects of KGF phage active peptides on the proliferation of epidermal cell. Optical density (A) was determined at 570 nm. Immunofluorescent assay was employed to evaluate the cell affinity of KGF phage active peptides., Results: The four KGF genes were obtained and subcloned into pComb3 vector. The proteins of the KGF genes were expressed on the surface of the pComb3 vector. The MTT data of optical density (A) showed that significant differences existed between the negative control and KGF control (0.293 ± 0.017 vs 0.520 ± 0.043) and KGF phage active peptide groups (0.293 ± 0.017 vs 0.469 ± 0.057, 0.441 ± 0.048, 0.438 ± 0.035, 0.446 ± 0.037) (all P < 0.01). The results of immunofluorescent assay indicated that KGF and KGF phage active peptides had excellent cell affinity., Conclusion: KGF phage active peptides are successfully constructed and displayed and they may promote the proliferation of epidermal cell.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of perioperative imatinib mesylate (IM) therapy for patients with initial resectable primary local advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) at intermediate or high risk on R0 resection rate and the prognosis., Methods: Forty-eight above GIST patients between December 2001 and February 2012 were divided into 2 groups: neoadjuvant group (15 cases, pre- and post-operation IM therapy) and adjuvant group (33 cases, post-operative IM therapy). R0 resection rate, complication rate, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed and compared between the two groups., Results: The maximal tumor diameter and average tumor diameter were larger in neoadjuvant group as compared to adjuvant group (11.2 cm vs. 7.7 cm, P=0.005; 9.1 cm vs. 6.2 cm, P=0.014). The response rate of preoperative IM therapy was 93.3% (14/15). The R0 resection rate was 86.7% and 84.8% (P=1.000), and the complication rate was 13.3% and 9.1% (P=0.642) in neoadjuvant and adjuvant group respectively. The 3-year DFS was 55% and 41% (P=0.935), and 5-year OS was 83% and 75% (P=0.766) in neoadjuvant and adjuvant group respectively., Conclusions: Resectable primary local advanced GIST at intermediate or high risk with larger tumor diameter receiving perioperative IM therapy can achieve the same R0 resection rate, complication rate, DFS and OS as the GIST with smaller diameter receiving operation first. Perioperative IM therapy has potential advantage.

The prognosis for ovarian metastasis of gastric cancer is poor. There is no currently available treatment for this disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) in female gastric cancer patients with metachronous ovarian metastasis. From January 2000 to December 2010, 62 patients developed ovarian metastasis after undergoing gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy. Thirty-two patients underwent CRS plus HIPEC, and 30 patients underwent CRS alone. The median age of all 62 patients was 44 years (range 19-71 years). Metastatic carcinoma involving bilateral ovaries was observed in 50 patients (80.6 %). The median survival time in the CRS + HIPEC group was 15.5 months (95 % confidence interval [CI] 12.1-18.9 months) but was only 10.4 months (95 % CI 8.5-12.2 months) in the CRS group (P = 0.018). Among the 32 patients with pelvic peritoneal metastasis, a stratified analysis revealed that the median survival period for the 15 patients treated with CRS + HIPEC was significantly higher than that for the patients treated with CRS alone (P = 0.046). Among the 30 patients who suffered from ovarian metastasis alone, the median survival times were similar in both groups (P = 0.141). A multivariate analysis revealed that CRS + HIPEC and a low Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) were independent predictors for improved survival. In conclusion, our study indicates that employing the HIPEC procedure after CRS could improve the survival time of patients with ovarian metastasis with few complications; however, we do not recommend HIPEC treatment for ovarian metastasis alone.

Background: Although the role of peri-operative chemotherapy is established in the treatment of locally advanced gastric cancer, the optimal regime remains to be determined. FOLFOX has been used in palliative setting with good response rates but its role in a neoadjuvant setting is not well established., Methods: This is a prospective non-randomized study comparing peri-operative FOLFOX versus adjuvant FOLFOX in patients with resectable locally advanced gastric cancer. Response to chemotherapy was assessed according to WHO criteria and pathological changes. Kaplan-Meier log rank test was used to calculate and compare survival differences., Results: There were 73 patients (neoadjuvant = 36). Complete and partial response was observed in 2 (6%) and 21 (64%) patients, respectively. Four-year overall survival (OS) in the neoadjuvant arm was 78% versus 51% in the adjuvant arm (P = 0.031). Subgroup analysis found R0 resection (86% vs. 55%, P = 0.011) and patients with proximal cancers (87% vs. 14%, P < 0.001) to have improved OS. The most common side effect was grade 1-2 leukopenia. There were no grade 3 neuropathies, grade 4 cytopaenias, or treatment related deaths., Conclusion: Peri-operative treatment with FOLFOX shows promise in patients with resectable locally advanced gastric cancer. It warrants further evaluation and should be considered an alternative to peri-operative ECF., (Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objective: To evaluate the effect of importing triamcinolone acetonide into hypertrophic scars with skin roller needles., Methods: Thirty-two cases with burn hypertrophic scar were treated. The skin roller needles were moved back and forth on the hypertrophic scars with triamcinolone acetonide dropping on the scar surface at the same time. So the triamcinolone acetonide could be imported into the scar through needles and needle holes. The effect was evaluated as cured, effective, and no effect. The Vancouver scaring criteria and visual analogue scale was used to assess the scar color, thickness, texture and feeling before and after treatment, as well as at the untreated scar area (control)., Results: Thirty-two cases were treated 1-3 times, including 28 cases with cured result and 4 cases with effective result. The total effective rate was 100%. The scar color, thickness, texture and feeling was significantly different between the scar before and after treatment, or between the treated and untreated scar (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: Importing triamcinolone acetonide into hypertrophic scars with skin roller needles is effective. It is a new method for the treatment of large hypertrophic scar with medicine.

Objective: To isolate the transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) phage model peptides from phage 12-mer display peptide library to inhibit the proliferation of keloid fibroblasts., Methods: The phage display 12-mer peptide library was screened for 4 rounds with monoclonal anti-human TGF-β1 as the target to yield the specific phage model peptides. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used for the quantitative determination of cellular proliferation. Apoptosis was detected by the Annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis detection kit and the cells were analyzed with flow cytometry. Immunofluorescent assay was employed to show the binding affinity of model peptides for keloid fibroblasts. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect the expressions of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)., Results: Ten phage model peptides were obtained and they were similar to TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β receptor II (TβRII), TGF-β-induced factor, NF-κB or mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). The results of MTT showed that four phage model peptides (No. 7 - 10) could inhibit the proliferation of keloid fibroblasts (P < 0.05). The results of apoptotic assessment showed that phage model peptides (No. 7 - 10) could slightly trigger the late apoptotic stage of keloid fibroblasts. The data of immunofluorescence assay revealed that the model peptides on phages rather than phages could bind to keloid fibroblasts. The findings of quantitative real-time PCR analysis suggested that the relative expression of NF-κB decreased in phage model peptides groups (No. 7 - 10). The quantitative expression was 0.28, 0.26, 0.46 and 0.30 respectively versus the negative control group. The relative expression of CTGF decreased in phage model peptides groups (No. 7 - 10). The quantitative expression was 0.26, 0.60, 0.34 and 0.17 respectively versus the negative control group., Conclusion: Four phage model peptides (No. 7 - 10) isolated from phage display 12-mer peptide library can inhibit the proliferation of keloid fibroblasts via regulating the expressions of NF-κB and CTGF.

Background: This study assessed the postoperative morbidity and mortality occurring in the first 30 days after radical gastrectomy by comparing gastric cancer patients who did or did not receive the FOLFOX7 regimen of neoadjuvant chemotherapy., Methods: We completed a retrospective analysis of 377 patients after their radical gastrectomies were performed in our department between 2005 and 2009. Two groups of patients were studied: the SURG group received surgical treatment immediately after diagnosis; the NACT underwent surgery after 2-6 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy., Results: There were 267 patients in the SURG group and 110 patients in the NACT group. The NACT group had more proximal tumours (P = 0.000), more total/proximal gastrectomies (P = 0.000) and longer operative time (P = 0.005) than the SURG group. Morbidity was 10.0% in the NACT patients and 17.2% in the SURG patients (P = 0.075). There were two cases of postoperative death, both in the SURG group (P = 1.000). No changes in complications or mortality rate were observed between the SURG and NACT groups., Conclusion: The FOLFOX7 neoadjuvant chemotherapy is not associated with increased postoperative morbidity, indicating that the FOLFOX7 neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a safe choice for the treatment of local advanced gastric cancer.

Objective: To observe the clinicopathological characteristics of gastric cancer with pathological complete response(pCR) following neoadjuvant chemotherapy., Methods: Data of gastric cancer patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy from 2002 to 2008 in the Beijing Cancer Hospital were reviewed. Five cases were found to have pCR. The slides were reviewed by two experienced pathologists independently. Histological structure, morphology of tumor cells, morphology and quantity of stromal cells were evaluated., Results: Structure of the gastric wall was distinguishable in all the 5 cases, while distortion and rupture of muscular layer were found in 2 cases. Exudative inflammatory reaction was present in the whole gastric wall including the serosa layer. Three patients had ulcerative lesions with epithelial layer shedding, and atypical hyperplasia was found around the border of the ulcer, and vascular endothelial cells were swollen. Residual distorted necrotic tumor cells resided in 1 case only and no residual tumor cells was present in the other 4 patients. Significant hyperplasia of fibroblasts was present in 4 cases, large amount of lymphocytes infiltration in 3 cases including concurrent plasma cell infiltration in 1 case, multinucleated giant cell reaction in the muscular layer of 1 case, and foam cells aggregation in 1 case with mucinous adenocarcinoma. In addition, there were 2 cases with pCR had lymph node metastasis., Conclusions: For cases with pCR following neoadjuvant chemotherapy, heterogeneity of stromal cells reaction is found in previous tumor site. Furthermore, the response of primary tumor does not necessarily parallel to that of lymph nodes.

Objective: To study the status of splenic hilar lymph nodes(No.4sa, No.10 or No.11d lymph nodes) metastasis and to investigate the proper dissection technique in patients with advanced gastric cancer., Methods: A retrospective study was performed to investigate 590 patients who underwent D2 curative proximal or total gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma from January 2006 to December 2009. Clinicopathological factors such as sex, age, location of the primary tumor, tumor sizes, gross type, depth of invasion, microscopic classification, neoadjuvant chemotherapy and the metastasis of adjacent lymph node were analyzed with univariate and multivariate analysis. Influence of combined splenectomy or pancreatectomy on lymph node dissection was also investigated., Results: The overall ratio of metastatic lymph node(positive lymph nodes/lymph nodes harvested) in the splenic hilum was 17.5%(99/565). The positive rates of No.4sa, No.10, No.11d lymph nodes were 17.8% (41/230), 13.9%(29/209), and 22.8%(29/127), respectively. A total of 7.1%(42/590) of the patients had lymph node metastasis in the splenic hilum. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that age, tumor size, depth of tumor invasion, positive metastasis of No.4sb lymph node were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis in the splenic hilum region. When comparing patients undergoing combined splenectomy or pancreatectomy(n=23) and those who did not undergo combined organ resection (n=553), the ratios of metastatic lymph node in the splenic hilum were 14.8%(4/27) and 17.2%(91/527), respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05). The postoperative complication rates were 26.1%(6/23) and 5.4%(30/553), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The operative mortality rates were 4.3% and 0.9%, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05)., Conclusions: Metastasis to lymph nodes in the splenic hilum region in patients with gastric cancer possesses a certain pattern, and it is associated with tumor location, size, depth of invasion, and metastasis in No.4sb. Combined resection of the spleen or pancreas does not result in increased number of harvested lymph nodes or positive lymph nodes, yet is associated with higher complication rate. Therefore, combined organ resection should be meticulous.

Background: Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is known to have a role in keloid formation through the activation of fibroblasts and the acceleration of collagen deposition. The objective of this current study was to isolate TGF-β1 phage model peptides from a phage display 7-mer peptide library to evaluate their therapeutic effect on inhibiting the activity of keloid fibroblasts., Methods: A phage display 7-mer peptide library was screened using monoclonal anti-human TGF-β1 as the target to obtain specific phages containing ectogenous model peptides similar to TGF-β1. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to select monoclonal phages with good binding activity, which underwent DNA sequencing. MTT assay and apoptosis assessment were used to evaluate the biological effects of the phage model peptides on keloid fibroblasts. Immunofluorescence assay was employed to show the binding affinity of the model peptides on phages causing keloid fibroblasts. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis was carried out to detect the expressions of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) mRNA, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA and TGF-β receptor II (TβRII) mRNA in keloid fibroblasts., Results: Specific phages with good results of ELISA were beneficiated. Four phage model peptides were obtained. The data of MTT showed that TGF-β1 and one phage model peptide (No. 4) could promote keloid fibroblasts proliferation, however, three phage model peptides (No. 1 - 3) could inhibit keloid fibroblasts proliferation. The results of apoptosis assessment showed that the three phage model peptides could slightly induce the apoptosis in keloid fibroblasts. The data of immunofluorescence assay revealed that the model peptides on phages rather than phages could bind to keloid fibroblasts. The findings of quantitative real-time PCR analysis suggested that the expressions of NF-κB mRNA and CTGF mRNA in the three phage model peptide groups decreased, while the expression of TβRII mRNA slightly increased., Conclusions: Three phage model peptides isolated from a phage display 7-mer peptide library can inhibit keloid fibroblasts proliferation and induce the apoptosis in keloid fibroblasts. They can inhibit the activity of keloid fibroblasts by blocking TGF-β1 binding to its receptor and then regulating the expressions of NF-κB, CTGF and TβRII.

This pilot study was undertaken to assess the effect of weekly docetaxel, cisplatin and fluorouracil (DCF) as a preoperative treatment for gastric cancer with multiple synchronous hepatic metastases. Gastric cancer patients with synchronous multiple liver metastasis were first given preoperative chemotherapy consisting of two courses (each course consisted of 6-week administration and 2-week withdrawal) of weekly DCF regimen. Following the operation, postoperative chemotherapy and hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) treatment were performed as required. Eight patients completed two courses of preoperative chemotherapy with weekly DCF regimen. No toxicity of grade 3 or more was observed during the course of chemotherapy. The response rate was 100% according to the RECIST criteria. Seven of the patients have survived for over 1 year, and six of them are still alive after more than 1 year. Because of the unexpected high response to weekly DCF, we consider that it should be verified through phase II and III trials as an important part of the comprehensive treatment for gastric cancer with liver metastasis.

Objective: To clarify the important clinicopathological and therapeutical factors affecting the prognosis of patients with gastroesophageal junction carcinoma., Methods: Data of 514 cases with gastroesophageal junction carcinoma who underwent surgical treatment from September 1995 to January 2007 was retrospectively analyzed. Relevant prognostic factors were studied with univariate and multivariate analysis., Results: For all 514 cases (424 men and 90 women), the median age was 63 years. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates of this group were 74.8%, 42.1% and 29.1%, respectively. Gross type, TNM classification, histological type, vascular invasion and extent of surgical resection affected patients' survival remarkably. There was no significant difference in survival between operative approaches (via laparotomy or left thoracotomy) (P > 0.05). Long-term survival was similar between proximal subtotal gastrectomy and total gastrectomy in advanced cases (P > 0.05). For stage II and III tumors, patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy had better prognosis than those without (P < 0.05). Cox multivariate regression analysis revealed TNM classification and vascular invasion were independent prognostic factors., Conclusions: TNM classification and vascular invasion are independent prognostic factors for gastroesophageal junction carcinoma. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy may improve prognosis of the patients with stage II and III tumors. Radical resection should be achieved with rational surgical procedures tailored by tumor position, size, staging and so on.

Objective: To determine if human papillomavirus (HPV) infection could be associated with the development of adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG)., Methods: A total of 106 consecutive AEG patients and 59 consecutive gastric carcinoma patients who accepted surgery at our department between January 2004 and December 2006 were selected. Specimens from tumors and uninvolved mucosa were obtained intra-operatively. Genomic DNA was extracted by the phenol-chloroform-isoamyl alcohol extraction protocol. The HPV infection was determined by PCR using primer set SPF1 and GP6+. Specificity of the amplified products was confirmed by sequencing., Results: The HPV infection rates in AEG and gastric cancer were 10.4% (11/106) and 10.2% (6/59) separately (P = 0.966)., Conclusion: HPV is not a major factor in the carcinogenesis of AEG type II, AEG type III or stomach.

Background: Pseudo-epitheliomatous granuloma (PEG) can occur in some small skin wounds with secondary infections resulting from improper treatments. It is difficult to heal and can easily relapse., Objectives: This study explores the clinical and pathological characteristics of PEG and effective treatments., Patients and Methods: Tissue specimens of PEG obtained from 11 patients (age range: 2-67 years) were sent for microbial examination and histological observation. The local lesions were treated by focal injection of vancomycin combined with surgical debridement-dermatoplasty., Results: The diagnosis of PEG was based on histological examination, which revealed long epithelial peduncle encapsulated granulation tissue-like honeycomb in which more vessels, macrophages, lymphocytes and mast cells and less extracellular matrix were distributed. Bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus pyocyaneus, ethylene-type Streptococcus, stool Streptococcus and F-citric acid Bacillus were found in the microbial culture of the specimens. They were tolerant to celbenin but sensitive to vancomycin. PEG could be cured by focal application of vancomycin combined with free skin or skin flap after thorough debridement. The relapse of PEG could be prevented by the therapy., Conclusion: Focal injection of vancomycin combined with surgical debridement-dermatoplasty is an effective therapy for PEG., ((c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.)

Background: Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) significantly influences epithelial wound healing. The aim of this study was to isolate KGF phage model peptides from a phage display 7-mer peptide library to evaluate their effect on promoting epidermal cell proliferation., Methods: A phage display 7-mer peptide library was screened using monoclonal anti-human KGF antibody as the target. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to select monoclonal phages with good binding activity. DNA sequencing was done to find the similarities of model peptides. Three-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, immunofluorescence assay and quantitative real-time PCR analysis were employed to evaluate the effect of the phage model peptides on epidermal cells., Results: Thirty-three out of fifty-eight (56.9%) of the isolated monoclonal phages exhibited high binding activity by ELISA. Ten of fifteen obtained phage model peptides were similar to KGF or epidermal growth factor (EGF). MTT assay data showed that four (No. 1 - 4) of the ten phage model peptides could promote epidermal cell proliferation. The expression of keratinocyte growth factor receptor (KGFR) mRNA in the KGF control group and the two phage model peptide groups (No. 1 and No. 2) increased. Expression of c-Fos mRNA and c-Jun mRNA in the KGF control group increased, but did not increase in the four phage model peptide groups (No.1 - 4)., Conclusion: Four phage model peptides isolated from the phage display 7-mer peptide library can safely promote epidermal cell proliferation without tumorigenic effect.

Titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) thin film was deposited on the surface of the light addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) to modify the sensor surface for the non-labeled detection of DNA molecules. To evaluate the effect of ultraviolet (UV) treatment on the silanization level of TiO(2) thin film by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS), fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) was used to label the amine group on the end of APTS immobilized onto the TiO(2) thin film. We found that, with UV irradiation, the silanization level of the irradiated area of the TiO(2) film was improved compared with the non-irradiated area under well-controlled conditions. This result indicates that TiO(2) can act as a coating material on the biosensor surface to improve the effect and efficiency of the covalent immobilization of biomolecules on the sensor surface. The artificially synthesized probe DNA molecules were covalently linked onto the surface of TiO(2) film. The hybridization of probe DNA and target DNA was monitored by the recording of I-V curves that shift along the voltage axis during the process of reaction. A significant LAPS signal can be detected at 10 micromol/L of target DNA sample.

Objective: To investigate the changing regular of specific cytokeratin (CK) markers expressing in human pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia (PEH), keloids (Ke) and hypertrophic scar (HS) lesion, and to explore the correlation between such changes and the different outcomes of wound repair., Methods: Histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC) double staining methods were used in samples of human PEH, Ke, HS and NS to determine the distribution characteristics and changing regularity of CKs in epidermal tissues., Results: No CK8&18 and CK17 expressed in epidermis of NS group, while CK8&18(+) cells and CK17(+) cells were detected in epidermis of active-stage Ke, HS and PEH. The quantities of CK8&18(+) cells and CK17(+) cells ranked as follows: PEH > Ke > HS and HS > Ke > PEH (P < 0.05). CK19(+) cells and CK5&6(+) cells expressed similar changing trend, while reverse trend of CK10(+) cells was detected in epidermal cells, with local epidermal hyperplasia, cells morphological changes and sub-epidermal inflammatory reaction., Conclusion: Different degree of de-differentiation and terminal differentiation imbalance are found in epidermal cells of active-stage PEH, Ke and HS, which hint the correlation between the abnormal proliferation and differentiation of epidermal cells and the different outcomes of wound repair.

Objective: To investigate the rules of proliferation of epithelial cells of sweat glands in deep partial-thickness burn wound and its transdifferentiation towards epidermal cells during healing process to explore its mechanisms., Methods: Twenty-eight patients with limbs and trunk burn hospitalized in the Fourth People's Hospital of Taizhou City of Jiangsu Province and the Second Hospital of Shandong University from January 2004 to December 2007 were enrolled in the study. Tissue samples of deep partial-thickness burn wound (DPBW, n = 37), superficial partial-thickness burn wound (SPBW, n = 21), and normal skin (NS, n = 10) were harvested. Expressions of cytokeratin 10 (CK10), bcl-2, P63, CK14 and CK19 of epithelial cells in glandular secretory portion (GSP) in DPBW, SPBW and NS were detected with immunohistochemical double staining method., Results: In NS, CK19, CK14 and CK10 expressed in medium intensity in GSP epithelial cells, P63 and CK14 weakly expressed in basal myoepithelial cells, while no expression of bcl-2 or P63 was observed in all CK10 positive terminally differentiated cells. In SPBW, no change of the construction of GSP and above-mentioned proteins during healing process was observed. In DPBW, as examined on 7(th) post burn day (PBD), expression of P63 and bcl-2 in GSP epithelial cells was enhanced. In DPBW on 8 - 10 PBD, bcl-2, P63, CK19 and CK14 strongly positive solid island-like epithelial structure was formed by proliferation, migration and squamous epithelization of basal cells. Such structure, along with granulation tissue, migrated towards the superficial layer of wounds. The hyperplasia of squamous epithelium resulted in complete reepithelialization. In DPBW, bcl-2, CK14, CK19 and P63 still strongly expressed in hyper-proliferative epidermal basal and suprabasal layers on 13 - 30 day after healing., Conclusions: During the natural healing process of DPBW, monolayer epithelium (CK19 and CK10 positive) of GSP slowly develops into stratified squamous epithelium (bcl-2, P63, CK19, and CK14 positive), suggesting that the epithelial-epidermal transdifferentiation of GSP undergoes slow retrodifferentiation process of stem cells and transient amplifying cells, resulting in the imbalance between lagged growth of epithelium and the hyperplasia of granulation tissue, constituting one of the important mechanisms of disturbance in DPBW repair.

Objective: To explore the pattern of lymph node metastasis and its influence on the prognosis of early gastric cancer(EGC)., Methods: The pattern of lymph node metastasis and the 3-,5-year survival rates in 157 EGC patients undergone surgery from October 1995 to October 2005 were analyzed retrospectively. The SPSS 11.5 statistics software was used to perform univariate and multivariate analysis., Results: Twenty-two cases had lymph node metastasis among 157 EGC patients(14%). Two mucous cancers(2.4%) and 20 submucosal tumors(27.0%) had lymph node metastases (P<0.01). Lymph node metastasis was not seen in minute gastric cancer(diameter < or =0.5 cm). Lymph node metastasis rates were 6.4% in the cancers with diameter 1.1-2.0 cm and 21.5% in the cancers with the diameter >2.0 cm(P<0.01). Besides, lymph node metastasis rate of well-differentiated EGC was 0, of moderate differentiated EGC 11.1%, and poor-differentiated EGC 0.9%(P<0.01). Of 9 cases with vascular cancer embolus, 4 had lymph node metastases. Logistic regression analysis showed that tumor size, vascular cancer embolus, histopathological type and depth of invasion were independent factors of lymph node metastasis in EGC. The 3- and 5-year survival rates of EGC patients with lymph node metastasis were 81.6 % and 79.5% respectively, which were much lower than those without lymph node metastasis(95.7% and 93.2%, P<0.01)., Conclusions: Lymph node metastasis in EGC is mainly correlated with depth of infiltration, tumor size, vascular cancer embolus and differentiation. For EGC treatment, choice should be made reasonably based on the risk of lymph node metastasis.

Objective: To detect the effects of the recombinant adenovirus-mediated double suicide genes constructed by Escherichia coli cytosine deaminase (CD)/5-fluorocytosine (5-Fc) and herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase (HSV-TK)/ganciclovir (GCV)-CDglyTK on implanted human keloids and mechanisms thereof., Methods: Twenty nude mice were implanted with human keloid obtained during operation so as to establish mouse keloid models and then were randomly divided into 4 equal groups: Group A, injected with normal saline (NS) into the keloid once per 3 days for 18 days totally, Group B injected with NS into the keloid and injected intraperitoneally with 5-Fc and GCV; Group C injected with CDglyTK into the keloid, and Group D injected with CDglyTK into the keloid and 5-Fc and GCV injected intraperitoneally. The volume of the implanted keloid tissue was measured 2, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days after operation. On day 42 the keloid tissues were removed to undergo morphological examination, TUNEL method was used to examine the apoptosis of the fibroblasts, and the expression of Bcl-2 and BAX, products of apoptosis-related genes, were detected by immunohistochemistry., Results: Compared to those before treatment the volume of the implanted keloid of Group D began to decrease since 14 days after treatment time-dependently (all P < 0.05), and the volumes of the other 3 groups continued to increase and peaked on days 21, 14, or 7 respectively (all P < 0.05). Microscopy showed infiltration of a larger quantity of histiocyte in the keloid tissue, and more obvious collagen disorganization and apoptosis of fibroblasts in Group D than in the other 3 groups. The protein expression of Bcl-2 was more remarkable and the protein expression of BAX was less remarkable in Group D than in the other 3 groups., Conclusions: The recombinant adenovirus-mediated double suicide gene therapy is effective on the implanted keloid tissue. The main mechanism may be induction of apoptosis in the keloid fibroblasts.

Objective: To examine the utility of the Ligasure vessel-sealing system in D(2) lymphadenectomy of gastric cancer, and compare with conventional hand tie method., Methods: One hundred and twenty-four consecutive patients undergone D(2) lymphadenectomy of gastric cancer from Jan. to Oct. 2005 were enrolled in this study. Operations of 62 patients were performed with Ligasure, whereas the other 62 patients with hand tie method. Operative duration, volume of intraoperative hemorrhage and postoperative course were analyzed., Results: There was significant difference in operative duration (187.3 min vs 210.5 min, P< 0.05) and no significant differences in volume of intraoperative hemorrhage, postoperative course, or duration of postoperative drainage between Ligasure group and conventional method group. No significant difference was observed in the frequency of postoperative complications between the two groups., Conclusion: D(2) lymphadenectomy of gastric cancer using Ligasure instead of conventional hand tie method appears to be technically feasible and easy.