Conservative Versus Radical Treatment of Ameloblastoma: A 14-Year Study in Kedah, Malaysia.

INTRODUCTION: Ameloblastoma is a slow-growing benign odontogenic tumor of the jaws. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the epidemiological data of ameloblastoma in Kedah, to identify the clinicopathological characteristics that predict the outcome of the treatment and recurrence rate. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective cohort study was conducted for patients who underwent treatment for ameloblastoma from 2007 to 2021. All patients with histopathologically proven ameloblastoma and underwent at least 2 years of follow-up were included in the study. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients met the study's inclusion criteria. The mean age was 39.8 +/- 18.8 years old, and the mean follow-up period was 80 +/- 51 months. A recurrence was observed in 10 patients out of 51 patients (19.6%). There was significant association between histologic pattern and tumor recurrence (P<0.05). Most of the recurrence cases showed mixed histologic subtypes with the predominant variant lead by acanthomatous-follicular subtypes. DISCUSSION: The recurrence rate in our study, 19.6% was in line with other studies. (17.2%-24.0%) Conventional ameloblastoma with mixed acanthomatous and follicular subtypes were the most common histologic variant in recurrence cases of our study. In our study, the recurrence rate for enucleation with peripheral ostectomy was 26.7% in conventional ameloblastoma, which was lower than the reported rates, 33.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that the conservative treatment can preserve the appearance and function well, at the same time keeping the risk of recurrence lower than currently published figures.

Multivariate Analysis on Orofacial Odontogenic Infection in Northern Peninsular Malaysia.

PURPOSE: This regional 2-center study was designed 1) to analyze the clinical features of all patients with odontogenic orofacial infection as per type of visit, 2) to analyze the clinical features of diabetic patients compared with nondiabetic patients, and 3) to identify potential variables that may associate with long length of stay (LOS) of patients admitted for orofacial odontogenic infection in Northern Peninsular Malaysia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All adult patients with orofacial odontogenic infections who attended the Oral and Maxillofacial Department of Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun and Hospital Sultan Abdul Halim from March 2015 to February 2019 were included. Data on patients' demography, medical history, smoking status, clinical presentation, and LOS were collected. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed using the dichotomous dependent variable, namely, short LOS (LOS <5 days) and long LOS (LOS ≥5 days). RESULTS: A total of 355 patients were reported with the mean age of 39.93 ± 15.95 years old. Multivariate analysis revealed that diabetes (adjusted odds ratio = 4.387, 95% confidence interval = 1.453 to 13.241, P value = .009) and multiple space involvement (adjusted odds ratio = 4.859, 95% confidence interval = 1.280, 18.454, P value = .020) were responsible for long LOS. CONCLUSIONS: Judicious treatment is recommended when treating patients of such infection that involves multiple spaces with underlying diabetes mellitus.

Unilateral Zygomatic Complex Fracture - A Comparison Between Nonsurgical Treatment and Surgical Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Medical advances have enabled zygomatic complex (ZMC) fractures to be treated by various approaches. This study aims to analyze the demographics and treatment outcomes of unilateral ZMC fractures, treated nonsurgically or surgically. METHODS: This 5-year nonrandomized prospective study had included 65 cases of unilateral ZMC fractures from October 2014 until December 2019. Patients were treated and divided into nonsurgical and surgically treated group. Treatment outcomes in terms of step deformities, malar depression, diplopia, infraorbital hypoaesthesia, and mouth opening were evaluated up to six months post-trauma/intervention. RESULTS: Road traffic accident (96.9%) was the main cause, with predominant male involvement (80%) and median age of 28 years. Significant improvements (P < 0.05) were observed for step deformities and malar depression among the surgically treated group at postoperative day 1 and week 1. Throughout the six months review, infraorbital hypoesthesia and diplopia showed no significant differences between both groups, (P > 0.05). Besides, all patients showed significant mouth opening improvement (P < 0.05) over six months period. CONCLUSION: The authors found that infraorbital hypoaesthesia and limited of mouth opening should not be the absolute indications for surgical treatment of ZMC fractures. Nonsurgical treatment that included early jaw exercise and symptomatic treatment had potential value for satisfactory functional gain.

Sample-Sample Correlation Asynchronous Spectroscopic Method Coupled with Multivariate Curve Resolution-Alternating Least Squares To Analyze Challenging Bilinear Data.

An approach to construct a secondary asynchronous spectrum via sample-sample correlation (SASS) is proposed to analyze bilinear data from hyphenated spectroscopic experiments. In SASS, bilinear data is used to construct a series of two-dimensional (2D) sample-sample correlation spectra. Then a vertical slice is extracted from each 2D sample-sample correlation spectrum so that a secondary 2D asynchronous spectrum is constructed via these slices. The advantage of SASS is demonstrated by a model system with the following challenging situations: (1) Temporal profiles of different components severely overlap, making spectra of pure components difficult to directly obtain from either original bilinear data or multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) with non-negativity and unimodality constraints. (2) Every peak in the spectra of the eluted samples contains contributions from at least two components. Hence, two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) and n-dimensional (nD) asynchronous spectroscopic method developed in our previous work, which previously worked so well, are now invalid. SASS managed to reveal different groups of systematic absences of cross peaks (SACPs) that reflect the lack of spectral contributions of different components at different regions in the second asynchronous spectrum. Spectra of different components can still be faithfully retrieved via MCR-ALS calculation using constraints revealed by different groups of SACPs. The results demonstrate that implicit but intrinsic information revealed by SASS is indispensable in solving challenging bilinear data as the model system. We applied SASS on two real-world examples from thermogravimetry-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG-FT-IR) experiments of mixtures (H2O/HOD/D2O and H2O/isopropanol/pyridine). FT-IR spectra of different components were successfully recovered. Moreover, FT-IR spectrum of HOD, which is difficult to obtain, was successfully extracted. SASS can be applied in the analysis of gaseous mixtures from TG-FT-IR experiment and a combination of quantum cascade lasers with substrate-integrated hollow waveguides in environmental monitoring and biomedical diagnosis. Furthermore, SASS is also useful in various advanced hyphenated spectroscopic experiments.

Analysis of Characteristic Parameters of the Surface Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra from Normal Human Breast.

A total of two hundred cases of surface Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra from normal female breast were obtained by scanning two hundred enrolled healthy volunteers' upper limit of the right breast outside the skin with two mid-infrared optical fibers and an attenuated total reflectance (ATR) probe. Twelve characteristic bands of the above FTIR spectra, related to deoxyribonucleic acid, ribonucleic acid, proteins, lipids and carbohydrate were analyzed. Thirty-six spectral parameters of these characteristic bands, including peak positions (P), intensities (I) and full width at half maximum (F) of FTIR spectrums, were statistically analyzed. Meantime, 90% normal reference value range, mean value, standard deviation of above characteristic parameters was obtained and calculated. In present study, we had establish the normal reference range of spectral parameters of characteristic bands in the surface Fourier transform infrared spectra scanned from normal female breast, for the first time. Meanwhile, for further implementation of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy technique in noninvasive, fast and efficient characteristic clinical diagnosis of breast benign and malignant diseases, these research results was of great importance. Eventually, this study also had made an attempt to explore the profound theoretical basis in the biomedical application of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy technique.

Characteristics Analysis of the Thyroid Gland Surface of Normal Human with Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectra.

In order to obtain 240 cases of the surface Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of normal human thyroid gland, 120 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study and scanned by using two mid-infrared optical fibers equipped with an attenuated total reflectance (ATR) to probe through the skin of two lobes of thyroid gland. Then whether there were differences between the surface FTIR spectra of the right lobe and that of the left part of the normal human thyroid gland was explored by comparing the 35 variables of 12 bands, including peak positions, relative intensity ratios and full width at half maximum of FTIR spectrums. Also the spectra characteristics of unique absorbent bands that represent changes of structure and quantity of variance biochemical substances such as nucleic acids, proteins and carbohydrates were illustrated. Results indicated that the surface FTIR spectra of the right part and that of the left part of the normal human thyroid gland were generally coincided, with statistically significant differences in four spectrum parameters, includingF1 640, P2 920, P1 040 and I2 920/I1 460. A series of data about the 90% normal reference range of the unique spectrum parameters in the surface FTIR spectra of normal human thyroid gland was gained, and a standard average infrared spectrogram which can fully represent the basic features of normal human thyroid gland was plotted. The conclusions above could be used as a reference for clinical diagnosis of thyroid diseases with FTIR spectroscopy.

[Influence of Concentration Sequence on the Signal-to-Noise Ratio of Cross Peaks of 2D Asynchronous Spectra Generated by Using the DAOSD Approach].

In the present work, computer simulation was performed on a model chemical system where two solutes (denoted as P and Q, respectively) are dissolved in the same solution. Under intermolecular interaction between P and Q, part of P undergoes subtle structural variation and converts into U while part of Q converts into V. The strength of intermolecular interaction can be characterized by the corresponding equilibrium constant K. Our preliminary studies indicate that the S/N ratio of cross peak increases considerably as n increases. Moreover, the S/N ratio of the cross peak from the asynchronous spectra can be improved significantly when the suitable concentrations of P and Q are adopted. This work is helpful for a selection of suitable concentration sequence to maximize S/N ratio of cross peaks in the 2D asynchronous spectra generated by using the DAOSD approach proposed in our previous study so that weak intermolecular interaction can be probed.

[Research on Application of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry in the Diagnosis of Lymph Node Metastasis in Gastric Cancer].

To explore the feasibility of quick intraoperative in situ and noninvasive diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry. FTIR spectra of surgically removed fresh lymph nodes were measured by FTIR via probe of attenuated total reflection (ATR). For each spectrum, 13 bands were indentified and assigned between 3 000 and 1 000 cm(-1). Peaks in the spectra were measured and relative intensity ratios were calculated and compared between the spectra of Metastatic lymph nodes (MLN) and Non-metastatic lymph nodes (NMLN). Standard statistic analysis was performed. 720 lymph nodes were measured in 38 gastric cancer patients. Results show that there were significant differences between the FTIR of 540 MLN and 180 NMLN. (1) For the band related to nucleic acid: The ratios of I1240/I1460 (p = 0.015) and I1080/I1460 (p = 0.034) increased in MLN, which shows that the relative quantity of nucleic acid was more in MLN than that in NMLN. (2) For the bands related to protein: The ratios of I1640 /I1460 (p = 0.001) and I146/I1460 (p = 0.027) increased in MLN, which shows that the relative quantity of protein was more in MLN. (3) For the bands related to lipid: The ratio of I2855/I460 and I1740/I1460 decreased in MLN FTIR spectrum, indicating the lower relative quantity of lipid in MLN. (4) For the bands related to carbohydrate: The ratio of I1160/I1460 (p = 0.023) decreased in MLN FTIR spectrum, indicating the lower relative quantity of carbohydrate in MLN. The results demonstrate that the FTIR spectroscopy technique maybe develop into a promising method for in situ and quick intraoperative differential diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer.

Donor-site morbidity of free fibula and DCIA flaps.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated and compared the long-term donor-site morbidity of the free fibula flap with the deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) flap in maxillofacial reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients (19 in the fibula group and 15 in the DCIA group) were evaluated for long-term morbidity. All clinical data were analyzed, including primary disease, type of defect, type of flap, length of bone harvested, total blood loss, operating time, length of hospitalization, and postoperative unaided gait. Subjective evaluation included cosmesis, function, and pain. Objective evaluation included physical examination, neurosensory assessment, Stony Brook Scar Evaluation, gait assessment, and goniometric measurement of range of movement. RESULTS: In the subjective evaluation, no significant differences in cosmetic outcome, functional loss, wound healing, or pain between the 2 groups were noted (P > .05). However, neurosensory deficit was worse in the DCIA group (P ≤ .05). In the objective evaluation, 4 patients (27%) in the DCIA group had neurosensory deficit in the lateral thigh region. The DCIA group had a better Stony Brook Scar score (median, 5) than the fibula group (median, 4; P ≤ .05). However, there was no difference in walking ability between the 2 groups (P > .05). Goniometric measurement showed a significant difference between the operated and unoperated sites in the 2 groups; however, it was not severe enough in either group to affect patients' function. In the fibula group, 7 patients (38.9%) had claw toe deformity and 2 patients (12.1%) had weakness of the great toe, and the mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society score was 96.89. In the DCIA group, 1 patient (8.3%) had a hernia and the mean Harris Hip score was 98.33. CONCLUSION: Given that these 2 options present donor-site concerns, the authors consider the fibula free flap the first choice for maxillofacial reconstruction in most cases and the DCIA free flap a reliable complementary flap in selected patients.

Odontogenic Carcinosarcoma: An Updated Literature Review and Report of a Case.

BACKGROUND: Odontogenic carcinosarcoma (OCS) is an exceptionally rare malignant mixed odontogenic neoplasm, which mostly arises from recurrent benign odontogenic tumour that undergoes malignant transformation. METHODS: A literature review was conducted using the keyword of "Odontogenic carcinosarcoma" and all relevant articles were screened. The data collected include demographic profile (age, gender), clinical information (symptoms, location, size), radiologic features, histopathological examination, management, recurrence, metastases, and survival status. RESULTS: A total of 17 OCS cases including a new case from our hospital. The incidence of OCS was highest in the third decades of life with predilection for male and posterior region of mandible. Clinically, patients may present with swelling and neurological symptoms. Radiographic examination often showed radiolucency with ill-defined border. This tumour demonstrates an aggressive behaviour with reported cases of distant metastases to the lung, lymph nodes, rib, and pelvis. Here, we report an interesting case of OCS in a 38-year-old man with a previous diagnosis of ameloblastoma. The patient was diagnosed with ameloblastoma but refused surgical intervention and returned after 10 years with rapidly enlarging mass on the right side of mandible. Microscopically, the lesion appears as biphasic odontogenic tumour with malignant cytological features seen in both epithelium and mesenchymal components. The spindle to round mesenchymal tumour cells were only positive for vimentin. Ki67 proliferation index was high in both epithelium and mesenchymal components. CONCLUSION: This case showed the tendency of untreated ameloblastoma to undergo malignant changes in the long term.

[Treatment of hepatolithiasis by multiple operative methods with hepatico-subcutaneous stoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the mid-term and long-term outcomes of patients with hepatolithiasis after receiving multiple operative methods with hepatico-subcutaneous stoma. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed based on 156 patients with hepatolithiasis who underwent multiple operative methods with hepatico-subcutaneous stoma from Apr. 1993 to Mar. 2010 in Peking University Third Hospital. Thirty-seven of them had stone in the left lobe (23.7%), 22 in the right lobe (14.1%), and 97 in bilateral lobes (62.2%). Ninety-nine patients had hepatolithiasis combined with biliary stricture (63.5%). RESULTS: All of the patients underwent successful operations and recovered well with no death in perioperative period. The rate of operative complications was 35.9%. A total of 146 patients were followed up with a median time of 7 years. The rate of patients with cholangitis, recurrent stone, and biliary stricture newly detected was 13.0% (19/146), 21.9% (32/146) and 8.2% (12/146), respectively. Draining inflammatory bile and taking out recurrent stones by hepatico-subcutaneous stoma were carried out in 35 patients (24.0%). CONCLUSION: Treatment of hepatolithiasis with biliary stricture and its recurrence by multiple operative methods with hepatico-subcutaneous stoma is safe, effective, minimally invasive, and easy to perform.

Role of osteopontin in diet-induced brown gallstone formation in rats.

BACKGROUND: Although osteopontin (OPN) is expressed in the liver and pigment gallstones of patients with hepatolithiasis, its role in pigment gallstone formation remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the function of OPN in pigment gallstone formation. METHODS: Rats were fed a chow diet (CD) or lithogenic diet (LD) for 10 consecutive weeks; blocking tests were then performed using an OPN antibody (OPN-Ab). Incidence of gallstones and levels of several bile components, OPN, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) were analyzed. To determine TNF-α expression in hepatic macrophages and both CYP7A1 and bile acid (BA) expression in liver cells, recombinant rat OPN and recombinant rat TNF-α were used to treat rat hepatic macrophages and rat liver cells, respectively. Chi-square or Fisher exact tests were used to analyze qualitative data, Student t-test or one-way analysis of variance were used to analyze qualitative data. RESULTS: Incidence of gallstones was higher in LD-fed rats than in CD-fed rats (80% vs. 10%, P < 0.05). BA content significantly decreased in bile (t = -36.08, P < 0.01) and liver tissue (t = -16.16, P < 0.01) of LD-fed rats. Both hepatic OPN protein expression (t = 9.78, P < 0.01) and TNF-α level (t = 8.83, P < 0.01) distinctly increased in the LD group; what's more, CYP7A1 mRNA and protein levels (t = -12.35, P < 0.01) were markedly down-regulated in the LD group. Following OPN-Ab pretreatment, gallstone formation decreased (85% vs. 25%, χ2 = 14.55, P < 0.01), liver TNF-α expression (F = 20.36, P < 0.01) was down-regulated in the LD group, and CYP7A1 expression (F = 17.51, P < 0.01) was up-regulated. Through CD44 and integrin receptors, OPN promoted TNF-α production in macrophage (F = 1041, P < 0.01), which suppressed CYP7A1 expression (F = 48.08, P < 0.01) and reduced liver BA synthesis (F = 119.4, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We provide novel evidence of OPN involvement in pigmented gallstone pathogenesis in rats.

[The application of Fourier transform infrared technology in biomedical sphere].

The authors systemically reviewed the development of FTIR technology and its innovative advances during the past fifty years. FTIR technique was once abandoned after initial exploration in biomedical fields, which could not confirm its reliability and credibility. After technological innovation and refined numerical analysis methods, FTIR technique has been applied to a wide range of fields, from single cellular to the complex biomedical tissue components. Nowadays, mature and advanced FTIR technology, such as FTIR microspectrometer and FTIR imaging system, with the aid of pattern recognition and tissue microarray, greatly facilitated the large parallel scale investigation of molecular structure. The recent development of FTIR spectroscopic imaging has enhanced our capability to examine, on a microscopic scale, the spatial distribution of vibrational spectroscopic signatures of materials spanning the physical and biomedical disciplines. The integration of instrumentation development, theoretical analyses to provide guidelines for imaging practice, novel data processing algorithms, and the introduction of the technique to new fields. FTIR technique has helped analyze the complex components of bile stones, which persisted to be a vexing problem and causing high death rate in China. Besides, FTIR technology could provide reliable information in discriminating benign and malignancy. It has been used in detecting thyroid nodules, mammary gland, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular and prostate diseases, and parotid gland tissue in combination with ATR detecting device, and has broad clinical application prospects. Till now, FTIR technology has achieved the fast and accurate diagnosis for freshly dissected tissues such as discriminating thyroid carcinoma from nodular goiter intraoperatively. However, further investigations need to be done in this sphere to achieve greater accomplishments.

[Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic study on gallbladder carcinoma].

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy with an attenuated total reflection(ATR) probe was used to study the benign and malignant tissues of gallbladder. FTIR spectra of 18 tissues of gallbladder carcinoma and 139 benign tissues were collected and analyzed. The results demonstrated that bands related to lipid, carbohydrate, and nucleic acid from malignant samples were significantly different from those of benign ones: (1) The peak positions of 1 167 and 1 123 cm(-1) shifted toward lower wave number (P < 0.05) but that of 1 309 cm(-1)' to the higher one (P < 0.05); (2) The relative intensity ratios of I2 856/I1 461, I1 167/ I1 461, I1 123/I1 461, I1 082/I1 461, increased significantly (P < 0.05) (3) The half-widths of 1 167 and 1 082 cm(-1) increased significantly (P < 0.05), whereas the half-width of 1 461 cm(-1) decreased significantly (P < 0.05). (4) The probability of 1 750 cm(-1) band of gallbladder carcinoma tissues increased significantly (P < 0.05).

Distribution and diversity of endophytic fungi in Gentiana rigescens and cytotoxic activities.

Objective: In the present study, Gentiana rigescens was screened for fungi communities to clarify their diversity and community assemblage in hosts. Meanwhile, the identification and activity assays of the strains were also conducted. Methods: By culture-dependent (endophytic fungi isolations from plant sections) and culture-independent (metagenomic library and cloning from plant sections) techniques, fungi communities were studied. The metagenomic library was generated using direct DNA isolation of whole plants, plant radixes, plant stems, plant leaves, plant flowers and soils around the plant. Meanwhile, endophytes were isolated from all parts of G. rigescens plants. After fermentation of the fungi isolations, all the isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against four kinds of human cancer cell lines (HCT116, BEL7404, A549, MDA-MB-231). Results: Eventually, 200 strains were isolated and 103 strains were further identified through the internal transcribed spacer (ITS, ITS1 and ITS2 regions) sequence by using the universal primers ITS5 and ITS4. A total of 59,106 fungal sequences corresponding to 374 putative operational taxonomic units (OTU) were identified by 454 pyrosequencing. Through 454 pyrosequencing, the main fungal genera were Sebacina, Botrytis, Mycosphaerella, Boletus and Gibberella, and the major fungal genera which were directly isolated were Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium and Alternaria. Activity assays showed strains 5-26 (Aspergillus sp.) and 6-2 (Fusarium avenaceum) had the outstanding cytotoxicity to all the tested cell lines with IC50 values <5 µg/mL. Conclusion: This study revealed the abundance of endogenetic fungal resources and a variety of genetic information in G. rigescens by high-throughput 454 sequencing technology and fungi isolation methods. Activity assays indicated that endophytes were a promising natural source of potential anticancer agents.

[Surface detection of thyroid cancer by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore a novel non-invasive method in detection of thyroid cancer by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. METHODS: Surface FTIR spectra of 15 cases of thyroid cancer and 51 cases of normal subjects were collected. 22 variables of 11 bands including peak positions and relative intensities were measured and all data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: In the cancer group: (1) the peak position of 1743 cm(-1) was shifted toward higher wave number (P < 0.05), and that of 1250 cm(-1) to the lower (P < 0.05), when compared to those of normal ones. (2) The relative intensity ratios of I(1546)/I(1460), I(1250)/I(1460), I(1120)/I(1460), I(1080)/I(1460) were significantly increased (P < 0.05). (3) The presence rate of band of 1340 cm(-1) was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: FTIR surface spectra may become a novel powerful non-invasive approach of detecting thyroid cancer in regular routine check-up.

[Investigation on Fourier transform infrared spectrum of metastatic lymph node in thyroid cancer].

The aim of the study is to explore the possibility of detecting metastatic lymph nodes by FTIR spectra during the surgery of thyroid cancer. The FTIR spectra of 20 metastatic lymph nodes and 69 non-metastatic ones were collected via an ATR (attenuated total reflectance) probe. For each spectrum, 28 variables of 13 bands including peak positions and relative intensities were measured. The variables of metastatic lymph node were compared to those of non-metastatic ones using standard statistic methods. The results indicated that the FTIR spectra of metastatic lymph nodes were significantly different from non-metastatic ones in the bands related to protein, lipid, nucleic acid and carbohydrate. (1) Variations of bands related to protein: The relative intensity ratios of I3 280 /I1 460, I1 640 /I1 460 and I1 546/I1 460 increased significantly (P < 0.05); (2) Variations of bands related to lipid: The relative intensity ratios of I1 743 /I1 460 decreased significantly (P < 0.05). On the contrary, I 400 /I1 460 increased significantly (P < 0.05); (3) The peak positions of 1 165 and 1 120 cm(-1) which were all assigned to carbohydrate shifted toward higher wave number (P < 0.05). The relative intensity ratio of I1 165 /I1 460 decreased significantly (P < 0.05); (4) The peak positions of 1 085 cm(-1) related to nucleic acid shifted to the lower wave number (P < 0.05); (5) Other undetermined bands: The relative intensity ratios of I1 303 /I1 460 and I1 303 /I1 240 increased significantly (P < 0.05). FTIR spectroscopy could be a reliable and practicable method for metastatic lymph nodes diagnosis in the operation of thyroid cancer. It could be applied in detecting metastatic lymph nodes which can not be determined by palpation in surgery.

[Investigation on Fourier transform infrared spectrum of freshly resected cholangiocarcinoma tissue].

To explore the feasibility of quick intraoperative in situ and noninvasive diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, 26 samples of freshly resected cholangiocarcinoma tissues and 43 samples of benign bile duct tissue were collected during surgery. And all fresh samples were measured by FTIR spectroscopy via probe of attenuated total reflection (ATR) without pretreatment immediately after resection. For each spectrum, 12 bands were identified and assigned between 3 800 and 1 000 cm(-1). The peak position was found, and the intensity and area of the bands were measured; The ratios of the intensity and area were calculated. Standard statistic analysis was performed. The results illustrated that the FTIR spectra of malignant tissue were significantly different from those of benign tissue: 1. The bands related to lipid: The peak of 2 925 cm(-1) shifted to lower wave number significantly (P = 0.033); 2. The bands related to nucleic acid and lipids: the ratios of I1 083/ I1 460 (P = 0.005), S1 083 /S1 460 (P = 0.001) and S1 240/S1 460 (P = 0.025) raised significantly, indicating that the relative quantity of nucleic acid to lipids had evidently increased in malignancy. 3. The bands related to protein: The ratios of I1 550/I1 083 (P = 0.000) and S1 550/S1 083 (P = 0.000) reduced significantly, implying that the relative quantity of protein to nucleic acid in malignancy decreased significantly and the secondary structure of protein changed probably. Our primary result illustrated that the FTIR spectroscopy technique maybe a promising method for in situ and quick intraoperative diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma and has great value for clinical application.

Can pigment gallstones be induced by biliary stricture and prevented by medicine in Guinea pigs?

AIM: To determine the relationship between biliary stricture and pigment gallstone formation, and the prevention of pigment gallstones with medicine. METHODS: One hundred and eighteen male guinea pigs were randomly divided into four groups: stricture group (S, n = 30) underwent partial ligation of common bile duct, and fed on regular chow; S plus medicine group (S+M, n = 27) underwent the same operation but fed on medicinal chow (0.3 g chenodeoxycholic acid, 0.5 g glucurolactone, and 0.5 g aspirin were mixed up in 1.2 kg regular chow); medicinal control group (C+M, n = 30) was free of operation, and fed on medicinal chow; and control group (C, n = 31) was free of operation and fed on regular chow. One week later, laparotomy was performed, and the bile of gallbladder was collected, measured, and cultured. RESULTS: Gallstones were identified. Pigment gallstones were induced by biliary stricture in 95% (22/23) of S group. In the S+M group, the incidence of gallstone was reduced to 55% (11/20, vs S group, P < 0.01). The changes of indirect bilirubin and ionized calcium in the bile were consistent with gallstone incidences. CONCLUSION: Biliary stricture can cause pigment gallstone formation in guinea pigs, and the medicines used can lower the incidence of gallstones. The bilirubin and ionized calcium play important roles in pigment gallstone formation.

[FTIR spectroscopic explorations of freshly resected thyroid malignant tissues].

In the present paper, 17 cases of freshly resected malignant thyroid tissue samples and 23 cases of benign thyroid tissue samples were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy with an ATR probe. Statistic analysis indicated that the FTIR spectra of cancerous tissue were significantly different from those of benign tissue. In comparison with normal tissues, the FTIR spectra of malignant thyroid tissues possess the following features: (1) Variation of bands related to protein: Amide I band shifted to lower wave number significantly (P<0.01), while amide II band shifted to higher wave number(P<0.05), and the ratios of I1640/I1460 and I1640/I1550 were raised (P<0.01). The authors can conclude that the amounts and the secondary structure of protein in malignant tissue changed. (2) The peaks at 2955, 2920, 2870, 2850 and 1740 cm(-1) appeared less frequently suggesting that the relative quantity of lipid in malignant tissue decreased significantly; (3) Variation of bands related to nucleic acid: The band of 1241 cm(-1) shifted to (1238.29+/-2.87)cm(-1), and the ratios of I1080/I1460 were raised significantly(P<0.05). The most possible reason for the changes was that the mutation of DNA and the amounts of nucleic acid had increased in malignant neoplasms. Experimental results show that the malignant thyroid tissues can be distinguished from the benign tissues by their infrared spectra. This approach proves that FTIR spectroscopy is a reliable and practicable method for thyroid cancer diagnosis in operations. The authors have expanded their research on detecting the thyroid cancer FTIR spectra via percutaneous and in vivo, and have achieved a positive result which is going to be reported in another paper.