Screening and validation for core genes in osteoarthritic cartilage based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Osteoarthritis (OA) has the highest disability rate among chronic diseases. The burden on patients and public health care resources is increasingly evident due to increasing obesity rates and aging populations. So, there is still a lack of early diagnosis and treatment for OA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of three OA cartilage tissue datasets (GSE1919, GSE32317, and GSE5235) were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Screening of differentially expressed genes and WGCNA of overlapping genes were performed using the R language package. Functional and immune infiltration analyses of overlapping genes were also carried out while hub genes were screened through LASSO regression analysis method and ROC curve. Finally, experimental validation was carried out through PCR and Western Blot analysis of rat cartilage. RESULTS: A total of 149 differentially expressed genes were screened, and they were mainly enriched in the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, rheumatoid arthritis, and interleukin (IL-17) signaling pathways. Four co-expression modules were obtained, of which the blue module was the most substantial morbidity associated with OA. Thirteen overlapping genes were identified based on significant module network topology analysis and differential genes, upon which their validation through LASSO regression analysis method and ROC curve was performed. From these, five signature genes were determined, before three potential core genes were finally identified after confirmation using the validation set. CONCLUSIONS: ATF3, FOSL2, and GADD45B may be hub genes to the osteochondropathy, and they are expected to be new biomarkers and drug targets in OA research.

[Advances in the study of the role of adenosine 2A receptor in liver injury].

Adenosine, as an endogenous purine nucleoside, is widely distributed in various tissues and organs of the body. It binds to adenosine receptors to regulate a variety of important biological processes. Adenosine 2A receptors have a close relationship with the occurrence and development of various clinical diseases. This article reviews the research progress of adenosine 2A receptors in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, acute immune hepatitis, liver ischemia-reperfusion injury, liver fibrosis, etc., in order to provide new research strategies for the prevention and treatment of these diseases.

[Characteristics of lymph node metastasis and evaluating the efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection in early gastric cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between clinicopathological features and lymph node metastasis, and to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in early gastric cancer (EGC) by comparing with surgery treatment. METHODS: The clinicopathological data of 320 patients with EGC who were treated in Peking University First Hospital between January 2010 and December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed, in which there were 198 cases of surgical procedure and 122 cases of ESD. Characteristics of lymph node metastasis in EGC were analyzed, and lymph node metastasis of EGC with ESD absolute and expanded indications were summarized. The long-term efficacy of ESD and surgical treatment of EGC were compared to evaluate the rationality of absolute and expanded indications of ESD. RESULTS: Lymph node metastasis was detected in 22 (11.1%) of 198 patients. Univariate analysis showed a positive relationship between tumor size (χ2=5.525, P=0.019), depth of invasion(χ2=8.235, P=0.004), histological type (χ2=6.323, P=0.012), lymphovascular invasion (χ2=12.273, P < 0.001) and lymph node metastasis in EGC. Multivariate analysis revealed that depth of invasion(Wald=7.575, P=0.006) and histological type (Wald=6.317, P=0.012) were independent relative factors of lymph node metastasis in EGC. The lymph node metastasis rates of the patients with absolute and expanded ESD indications were both 0%. The 5-year survival rates of the patients who met ESD absolute indication receiving surgery treatment and ESD were 97.6% and 97.9% respectively, and the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant(χ2=0.014, P=0.907).The 5-year survival rates of the patients who met ESD expanded indication receiving surgery treatment and ESD were 96.5% and 91.7% respectively, the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant(χ2=1.061, P=0.303). CONCLUSION: Lymph node metastasis in EGC is mainly correlated with depth of invasion and histological type. Our data indicate that ESD procedure for EGC is comparable to surgery in terms of long-term efficacy in both absolute and expanded indications. However, some studies of a large sample size are still needed for more confirmation.

MiR-647 promotes proliferation and migration of ox-LDL-treated vascular smooth muscle cells through regulating PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Aberrant microRNAs (miRNAs) play vital roles in various human diseases, including atherosclerosis (AS). MiR-647 expression was highly elevated in AS samples. Therefore, this study aimed at exploring the role and mechanism of miR-647 on AS progression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Human aorta vascular smooth muscle cells (HA-VSMCs) were treated with oxidized modified low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) to establish the AS model in vitro. The qRT-PCR assay was used to detect the expression of miR-647 and PTEN mRNA. The levels of PTEN protein, PI3K, AKT, p-PI3K, and p-AKT were measured using Western blot. Cell proliferation and migration were determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and transwell assay, respectively. The target of miR-647 was verified using the dual-luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: Our data supported that miR-647 was upregulated and PTEN was downregulated in the serum of AS patients and ox-LDL-treated HA-VSMCs. The proliferation and migration of ox-LDL-treated HA-VSMCs were promoted by miR-647 overexpression or PTEN knockdown, while they were suppressed following miR-647 depletion or high PTEN expression. Moreover, PTEN was a direct target of miR-647. PTEN antagonized miR-647-mediated regulatory effects on cell proliferation and migration. Additionally, the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was involved in miR-647/PTEN-mediated regulation in ox-LDL-treated HA-VSMCs. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-647 promoted the proliferation and migration of ox-LDL-treated HA-VSMCs at least partly by targeting the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway. Targeting miR-647 may be a promising method for AS treatment.

[Clinical short-term and long-term efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection in the treatment of early low rectal cancer and precancerous lesions].

Objective: To evaluate the short-term and long-term efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in the treatment of early low rectal cancer and precancerous lesions. Methods: Inclusion criteria: (1) Distance from the lower margin of tumor to the anal was ≤ 5 cm. (2) Early low rectal cancers were any size rectal epithelial tumors with infiltration depth limited to the mucosa and submucosa, which were diagnosed by postoperative pathology as high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia or adenocarcinoma of the rectum with infiltration depth of intramucosal or submucosal cancer (M or SM stage). (3) Precancerous lesions included adenoma and low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia of the rectum. (4) Patients received ESD treatment. Patients with tumor invasion depth over submucosa by pathology were excluded. From January 2008 to January 2018, 63 patients meeting the above criteria in Peking University First Hospital were enrolled in this descriptive cohort study. The disease characteristics, clinical manifestations, pathological types, treatment time, hospitalization time, en bloc resection rate (resection of the whole lesion), complete resection rate (both the horizontal and vertical incision margins were negative), postoperative complications and follow-up results were analyzed. Cummulative survival rate was calculated by Kaplan-Meier. Results: The diameter of the lesion was (29.0±23.4) mm and the distance from the lesion to the anus was (2.7±1.8) cm. The median operation time was 45.0 (range, 10.0 to 360.0) minutes, the median hospitalization time was 3.0 (range, 2.0 to 12.0) days, en bloc resection rate was 100%, complete resection rate was 96.8% (61/63), and 1 case (1.6%) had postoperative bleeding. The follow-up rate was 87.3% (55/63) and the median follow-up time was 57.9 (range, 15.6 to 121.1) months. No local recurrence was found during the follow-up period and the 5-year survival rate was 100%. Conclusion: Short- and long-term efficacy of ESD are quite good in the treatment of patients with early low rectal cancer and precancerous lesions.

LncRNA SNHG8 promotes the development and chemo-resistance of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of small nucleolar RNA host gene 8 (SNHG8) in the pathogenesis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and to explore the possible underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: SNHG8 expression in 40 pairs of pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissues and para-cancerous tissues, as well as 10 normal pancreas tissues was detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Survival analysis was conducted to explore the correlation between SNHG8 expression and the prognosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients. After the transfection of SNHG8 siRNA into pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells, the proliferation and cell cycle were detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Meanwhile, cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and Western blot. The regulatory effect of SNHG8 on the chemo-sensitivity of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells was assessed by CCK-8 assay. RESULTS: The expression of SNHG8 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissues was significantly higher than that of para-cancerous tissues and normal pancreatic tissues. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients with higher expression of SHNG8 presented shorter overall survival than those with lower expression. Meanwhile, SNHG8 expression was correlated with tumor stage and differentiation level, whereas not correlated with age, sex, tumor location and lymph node metastasis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients. In vitro results showed that SNHG8 knockdown significantly decreased the proliferative ability, prolonged G0/G1 phase and increased the apoptosis of Hs766T and PANC-1 cells. Western blot results elucidated that SNHG8 knockdown remarkably downregulated the protein expression levels of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP in Hs766T and PANC-1 cells. In addition, SNHG8 significantly decreased the chemo-sensitivity of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells. CONCLUSIONS: SNHG8 is highly expressed in pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissues and is negatively correlated with its prognosis. Moreover, SNHG8 promotes cell proliferation and cell cycle, whereas inhibits cell apoptosis and reduces the chemo-sensitivity of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells.

Investigation for TGF-ß1 expression in type 2 diabetes and protective effects of TGF-ß1 on osteoblasts under high glucose environment.

OBJECTIVE: The occurrence rate of delayed fracture healing in diabetes mellitus patients is high. Transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) is an important regulatory factor in bone tissue repair and regeneration. However, TGF-ß1 expression and its function in diabetic patient fracture have not been fully elucidated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Type 2 diabetes fracture patients (T2DM group), fracture patients without diabetes (non-T2DM group), and healthy volunteers (Control group) were selected for the research. TGF-ß1 expression in peripheral blood was detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Osteoblast cell line, MG-63 cells, were randomly divided into Control, high glucose group, and TGF-ß1 group. TGF-ß1 expression was evaluated by using Real Time-PCR (RT-PCR). Cell proliferation was evaluated by using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell apoptosis activity was determined with caspase-3 activity and flow cytometry assay. The effect of TGF-ß1 on NF-κB was detected by using Western blot. RESULTS: TGF-ß1 was significantly reduced in patients of T2DM and non-T2DM groups compared with Control (p<0.05), while it was lower in T2DM group (p<0.05). TGF-ß1 expression was declined, cell proliferation was inhibited, caspase-3 activity was enhanced, cell apoptosis was elevated, and NF-κB expression was reduced in MG-63 cells of high glucose group compared to Control group (p<0.05). TGF-ß1 significantly promoted cell proliferation, suppressed caspase-3 activity, alleviated cell apoptosis, and elevated NF-κB expression in MG-63 cells compared with high glucose group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TGF-ß1 decreased in diabetes fracture patients. Up-regulation of TGF-ß1 regulates cell apoptosis and caspase-3 activity, and it facilitates osteoblasts proliferation.

[Development of Markov models for economics evaluation of strategies on hepatitis B vaccination and population-based antiviral treatment in China].

Objective: To construct the Markov models to reflect the reality of prevention and treatment interventions against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, simulate the natural history of HBV infection in different age groups and provide evidence for the economics evaluations of hepatitis B vaccination and population-based antiviral treatment in China. Methods: According to the theory and techniques of Markov chain, the Markov models of Chinese HBV epidemic were developed based on the national data and related literature both at home and abroad, including the settings of Markov model states, allowable transitions and initial and transition probabilities. The model construction, operation and verification were conducted by using software TreeAge Pro 2015. Results: Several types of Markov models were constructed to describe the disease progression of HBV infection in neonatal period, perinatal period or adulthood, the progression of chronic hepatitis B after antiviral therapy, hepatitis B prevention and control in adults, chronic hepatitis B antiviral treatment and the natural progression of chronic hepatitis B in general population. The model for the newborn was fundamental which included ten states, i.e. susceptiblity to HBV, HBsAg clearance, immune tolerance, immune clearance, low replication, HBeAg negative CHB, compensated cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and death. The susceptible state to HBV was excluded in the perinatal period model, and the immune tolerance state was excluded in the adulthood model. The model for general population only included two states, survive and death. Among the 5 types of models, there were 9 initial states assigned with initial probabilities, and 27 states for transition probabilities. The results of model verifications showed that the probability curves were basically consistent with the situation of HBV epidemic in China. Conclusion: The Markov models developed can be used in economics evaluation of hepatitis B vaccination and treatment for the elimination of HBV infection in China though the structures and parameters in the model have uncertainty with dynamic natures.

[Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor type â ¡-IgG Fc fusion protein for treatment of occupational medicamentosa-like dermatitis induced by trichloroethylene].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of the recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor Ⅱ-IgG Fc fusion protein (rhTNFR: Fc, etanercept) for the treatment of occupational medicamentosa-like dermatitis induced by trichloroethylene (OMLDT) . Methods: In September 2011 to February 2016, 12 patients with OMLDT were treated with etanercept 25 mg, subcutaneous injection, twice per week, doubling of first dose. The course of treatment was 6 weeks. The drug eruption area and severity index (DASI) score, the proportion of patients achieving a 50%, 75% and 90% reduction in DASI (DASI50, DASI75, DASI90) and the serum level of TNF-α were used to assess the efficacy at different times. Adverse reactions were also recorded and evaluated. The results were statistically analyzed by nonparametric Friedman test and repetitive measurement ANOVA using the software SPSS19.0. Results: After 4 weeks treatment, the DASI score decreased form 56.33±7.02 to 0.50±0.91 (P<0.01) . The DASI50, DASI75 and DASI90 were all increased to 12 (100%) . The serum level of TNF-α decreased form (43.74±41.62) pg/ml to (3.03±0.47) pg/ml (P<0.01) . Statistically significant difference was observed from the above indexes. There were no adverse reactions in clinical application. Conclusion: Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor Ⅱ-IgG Fc fusion protein may be a safe and effective drug in the treatment of OMLDT.

The expression and significance of IL-6, IFN-γ, SM22α, and MMP-2 in rat model of aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), smooth muscle 22α (SM22α), and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and their possible roles in aortic dissections (AD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male SD rats (3 weeks) were induced for AD using 0.25% ß-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) treatment for 6 weeks and were subsequently divided into the model I (with AD) and model II (no AD). Aorta was separated and observed, while TUNEL staining observed apoptosis of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining measured the positive expression of IL-6, IFN-γ and MMP-2 in aorta tissues, followed by Western blotting for protein expressions of IL-6, IFN-γ, SM22α, MMP-2, and signal transduction factors phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK) and p-c-Jun. RESULTS: Under an 80% rate of AD formation in model rats, those with AD had significantly higher aorta diameter and apoptosis of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells compared to those without AD or control rats (p<0.05). Elastic fiber gap of model I group was increased, accompanied with elastin fiber breakage and disarrangement. Model rats had significantly higher IL-6, IFN-γ, MMP-2, p-JNK, and p-c-Jun expression than control ones, and lower SM22α expression. No significant difference has been found for these parameters between model I and model II subgroups (p>0.05). There were significantly positive correlations between IL-6 versus MMP-2, IL-6 versus p-JNK, IFN-γ versus MMP-2, IFN-γ versus p-c-Jun in the model I group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: IL-6, IFN-γ, and MMP-2 expressed highly in AD. During AD formation, IL-6 and IFN-γ may enhance MMP-2 expression and increase extracellular matrix degradation of aorta vascular wall via JNK signal pathway. The apoptosis and phenotype transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells is likewise correlated with AD formation.

Environmental exposure and risk of uterine leiomyoma: an epidemiologic survey.

AIM: The present study was undertaken to explore the relationship between environmental exposure and risk of uterine leiomyoma in women using an epidemiologic survey. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We conducted a case-control survey of premenopausal Han women aged 30-50 years in Nanjing. The subjects included 600 patients with uterine leiomyoma confirmed at the Affiliated Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University between February 2010 and June 2012 and 600 patients with non-uterine leiomyoma or healthy volunteers who presented to the above mentioned hospital for physical examination during the same period. We entered the results into a database and explored the relationship between risk factors and prevalence of uterine leiomyoma using univariate or multivariate non-conditional logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that patients aged 40-45 years had a high prevalence of uterine leiomyoma. The prevalence of uterine leiomyoma in subjects with an education beyond high school was higher than in those with a high school education or less. Exposure to plastic products (odds ratio [OR]: 1.481; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.046-2.097); exposure to cosmetics and other chemicals (OR: 1.954; 95% CI: 1.479-2.582); and consumption of soybean milk (OR: 2.518; 95% CI: 1.894-3.347), food additives, sweeteners, and preserved food (OR: 3.166, 95% CI: 2.247-4.461) had a significant effect on the occurrence of uterine leiomyoma (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to plastic products, cosmetics, and other chemicals as well as intake of soybean milk, food additives, sweetener, and preserved foods may be risk factors for uterine leiomyoma.

Octreotide is the favorable alternative for cisplatin resistance reversal of ovarian cancer in vitro and in nude mice in vivo.

This study aimed to observe the effects of octreotide (OCT) on cisplatin resistance reversal of cancer cells in vitro and in nude mice in vivo. MTT method and flow cytometry were used to investigate the effect of cisplatin, OCT or the combination of these two compounds on the proliferation and apoptosis of SKOV3-DDP cells. The size and weight of xenograft tumors from the nude mice model were measured. Real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of SSTR2, MDR1, MRP2, GST-pi and EGFR in SKOV3/DDP cells following the different treatment. At the concentration of 2.5-20 g/ml, OCT significantly reduced IC50 (p < 0.05) and promoted apoptosis (p < 0.05) of SKOV3-DDP cells' response to cisplatin. Unchanged expression was found in SSTR2 on the SKOV3/DDP cell in vitro after OCT treatment, but increased expression in vivo (p < 0.05). OCT increased GST-pi expression (p < 0.05) and reduced MRP2 and EGFR expression (p < 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. The similar results were obtained in mice in vivo experiment, except the reduced expression of GST-pi. It is suggested that OCT could inhibit ovarian cancer proliferation and promote apoptosis, via the cell surface SSTR2, and reverse cisplatin resistance through inhibition of MRP2, EGFR, and even GST-pi expressions.

Astragaloside IV protects against ischemia reperfusion in a murine model of orthotopic liver transplantation.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine whether Astragaloside IV (AST-IV) inhibited the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), attenuating liver transplant ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). METHODS: Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: donors given AST-IV (1.5 mL; 100 µg/mL, intravenous [IV]) 1 hour before surgery (n = 32), versus controls treated with 1.5 mL physiological saline (n = 32). Orthotropic liver transplantation was performed according to the Kamada technique. Eight animals in each group were followed for seven days after surgery to assess survival. The remaining hosts in each group were divided into 3 subgroups (n = 8) to be examined at 3, 6, and 24 hours after portal vein reperfusion. We analyzed levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and NF-κB transcriptional activity and performed a morphological study of liver tissues, NF-κB, and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression in Kupffer cells (KCs). RESULTS: Pretreatment with AST-IV significantly improved survival rates and liver function, attenuating liver parenchymal cell damage by down-regulating TNF-α levels and NF-κB expressions, inhibiting NF-κB transcriptional activity, up-regulating GR expression. CONCLUSION: AST-IV attenuated hepatic IRI by inhibiting NF-κB transcriptional activity. The mechanism may relate to up-regulation of GR expression.

Ent-16ß,17-dihydroxy-kauran-19-oic acid, a kaurane diterpene acid from Siegesbeckia pubescens, presents antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects in rats.

The antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects of ent-16ß,17-dihydroxy-kauran-19-oic acid (DDKA) isolated from Siegesbeckia pubescens were investigated with different methods both in vitro and in vivo. We tested the antithrombotic activity of DDKA in arterio-venous shunt model. The effects of DDKA on adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-, Thrombin-, Arachidonic acid-induced rat platelets aggregation were tested in vitro. We also assessed its bleeding side effect by measuring coagulation parameters after intravenous administration for 5 days and investigated the potential mechanisms underlying such activities. In vivo, DDKA significantly reduced thrombus weight in the model of arterio-venous shunt. Meanwhile, DDKA increased plasma cAMP level determined by radioimmunoassay in the same model. Notably, DDKA prolonged PT and APTT in rats after intravenous administration DDKA for successive 5 days. In vitro, pretreatment with DDKA on washed rat platelets significantly inhibited various agonists stimulated platelet aggregation and caused an increase in cAMP level in platelets activated by ADP. These findings support our hypothesis that DDKA possesses antiplatelet and antithrombotic activities. The mechanisms underlying such activities may involve the anticoagulatory effect and cAMP induction.

In vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of Macrothelypteris torresiana and its acute/subacute oral toxicity.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antitumor potential of Macrothelypteris torresiana by studying in vitro antitumor activity of the protoapigenone, as well as in vivo antitumor activity and acute/subacute oral toxicity of the total flavonoid fraction from the roots of M. torresiana. Considering that the protoapigenone is a main constituent of the total flavonoid fraction and it might play a key role in the antitumor activity of M. torresiana, the MTT assay was used to investigate the in vitro antitumor activity of the protoapigenone. Our study revealed that the protoapigenone of M. torresiana showed significant antitumor activity towards Hep G2, Tca-8113, MCF-7, M5 and K562 with IC(50) values of 2.3, 0.6, 0.8, 0.3 and 0.9 µg/ml, respectively. The antitumor potential of the total flavonoid fraction was evaluated using preparations 1, 2 and 3, which were prepared by total flavonoid fraction directly diluted with sterile saline, dissolved using sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na) and included by hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin, respectively. These were investigated in vivo using mouse sarcoma S-180 in BALB/c mice after completing tumor inoculation for 24h. Pronounced antitumor activity was observed in the treated groups for preparations 2 and 3, and the high and medium doses in particular showed very high inhibition ratio of tumor growth (>50%). No significant difference was observed when compared to the positive control group (5-fluorouracil). The acute/subacute oral toxicity test was performed, and the results of acute oral toxicity showed that the LD(50) values of preparations 2 and 3 were 2.76 and 0.87 g/kg body wt., respectively. According to the results of the subacute oral toxicity study, the total flavonoid fraction had low toxicity. The overall results of this study suggest that the total flavonoid fraction from the roots of M. torresiana shows significant antitumor activity and represents a potential source of medicine for the treatment of cancer.

[Clinical analysis of 40 cases of malignant tumor of the floor of the mouth]

This is a retrospective review for 40 patients with malignant tumour of the floor of mouth.In the group,squamous carinoma is 62.5%.adenoid cystic carcinoma is 22.5%.Both of them are the major type,stage III.IV were 72.5%,Generally ipsilateral;radical mandibular and neck dissection was performed sellectively.65% of patient were given preoprative chemotherapy.Total 5 years survival rate was 50%,for stage I-III were 78.6%.Although preoperative chemotherapy was given that the group of lower pathological differetiation was still in lower survival rate,higher recurrence and mortality than those given surgery alone. Survival rate for squamous carcinoma was higher than that for adenoid cystic carcinoma.

[Acute side effect of postoperative radiotherapy in malignant head and neck neoplasm]

From August 1989 to May 1991,160 patients with malignancies of the head and neck region were treated by surgery and postoperative radiotherapy.Seventy seven patiens underwent resection of the primary lesion combined with neck dissection and 83 patients had resecton of the primary lesion only before radiotherapy.After irradiation 33.8% (54/160) patients developed edema in face and neck,13.1%(21/160) patients developed headache.The style of neck dissection (unilateral,bilateral or no neck dessection) did significantly influence the rates of the acute side effect(P<0.01).The interval between surgery and radiotherapy and radiation dose were not important influential factors(P>0.05).The clinical manifestations,possible mechanism and prevention of the acuter side effect is presented.