A prospective study on the safety and effectiveness of using lauromacrogol for ablation of pancreatic cystic neoplasms with the aid of EUS.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: With the development of imaging techniques, the detection rate of pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs) has increased. The surgical morbidity and mortality rates of PCNs are quite high. This study is intended to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a minimally invasive treatment, EUS-guided PCN ablation with lauromacrogol. METHODS: From April 2015 to May 2016, 120 patients with PCNs were enrolled to undergo EUS. We prospectively studied 29 of the 120 patients who underwent EUS-guided ablation with lauromacrogol. The follow-up contrast-enhanced CT or magnetic resonance image was conducted at 3 months and then 6 months after ablation. We determined the effectiveness of ablation by the changes in the volume of the cysts. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were enrolled in the study, and 7 of them underwent a second ablation; therefore, there were 36 treatments. The mean tumor diameter was 28.6 ± 14.5 mm preoperation, whereas the diameter postoperation was 13.4 ± 10.5 mm. Mild pancreatitis occurred in 2 patients and moderate fever in 1; they occurred in the cysts located in the head/uncinate. Among the 29 treatments with complete follow-up of 9 months (range, 3-15), 11 had complete response and 9 had partial response. The resolution rate was 37.9% (11/29) with 36.4% (8/22) in the cysts of the head/uncinate and 42.9% (3/7) in the body/tail (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: EUS-guided PCN ablation with lauromacrogol is safe and efficient. Adverse event rates seem to be higher in the head/uncinate than in the body/tail, but their resolution rates are similar. Further studies involving larger populations and longer follow-ups are warranted.

Excluded volume effects in compressed polymer brushes: A density functional theory.

A classical density functional theory (DFT) is applied to investigate the behavior of compressed polymer brushes composed of hard-sphere chains. The excluded volume interactions among the chain segments are explicitly treated. Two compression systems are used to study the behavior of brush-wall and brush-brush interactions. For the brush-brush systems, an obvious interpenetration zone has been observed. The extent of the interpenetration depends strongly on the grafting density. Furthermore, the repulsive force between the brush and wall or between the two brushes has been obtained as a function of the compression distance. Compared to the prediction of the analytic self-consistent field theory, such force increases more rapidly in the brush-wall compression with high polymer grafting densities or at higher compressions. In the brush-brush compression system, the interpenetration between the two compressed brushes creates a "softer" interaction. The influence of hard-sphere solvents on the behavior of compressed brushes is also discussed.

Bacterial cellulose/multi-walled carbon nanotube composite films for moist-electric energy harvesting.

Generation of renewable and clean electricity energy from ubiquitous moisture for the power supply of portable electronic devices has become one of the most promising energy collection methods. However, the modest electrical output and transient power supply characteristics of existing moist-electric generator (MEG) severely limit its commercial application, leading to an urgent demand of developing a MEG with high electrical output and continuous power generation capacity. In this work, it is demonstrated that a flexible bacterial cellulose (BC)/Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) double-layer (BM-dl) film prepared by vacuum filtration can maintain the moisture concentration difference in the film MEG. Unlike previous studies on cellulose based MEG, BM-dl film has a heterogeneous structure, resulting in a maximum output power density of 0.163 µW/cm2, an extreme voltage of 0.84 V, and current of 2.21 µA at RH = 90 %. BM-dl MEG can generate a voltage of 0.55 V continuously for 45 h in a natural environment (RH = 63-77 %, T = 26-27 °C), which is in a leading level among existing reported cellulose-based MEGs. In summary, this study provides new ideas for innovative design of MEG, which is highly competitive in terms of energy supply for the Internet of Things and wearable devices.

Highly sensitive humidity sensor based on composite film of partially reduced graphene oxide and bacterial cellulose.

Breathing is an important physiological activity of human body, which not only reflects the state of human movement, but also is one of the important health indicators. Breathing can change the concentration of water molecules, so monitoring humidity has gradually become a hot topic in modern research. In this study, a humidity sensing composite film with high sensitivity and short response time was made by using the mixture of graphene oxide (GO) and bacterial cellulose (BC) with simple dry film-forming method. L-ascorbic acid was used as reducing agent to reduce GO and improve the conductivity of GO/BC composite film (BG). The influence of different BC contents and the different reduction degree on the resistance change rate of composite film was investigated in details. The maximum resistance change rate of partially reduced BG humidity sensitive composite film reached up to 94%, and the response and recovery time were 13 s and 47 s respectively. Furthermore, the sensor shows obvious resistance change in noncontact sensing test and different breathing states. This kind of humidity sensitive film with fast response and high sensitivity has great potential in human health monitoring and noncontact sensing, and is of great significance in promoting health detection and intelligent life.

Pelvic infection caused by periodontitis: A case report.

Oral bacteria in patients with periodontitis can disseminate into the bloodstream via broken oral epithelial cells, causing odontogenic maxillofacial infections, brain abscesses and endocarditis. However, pelvic infection caused by periodontitis is rare. The case of a 48-year-old woman with a long history of recurrent periodontal infections, who complained of abdominal distention and pain for 14 days after dental implantation, is reported here. Pelvic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging signaled multiple inflammatory encapsulated effusions in the posterior uterus, which were removed by laparoscopic surgery and tested with metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). Through mNGS, numerous oral pathogens, including Filifactor alocis, were identified in the pelvic effusions. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with a pelvic infection originating from periodontitis, and recovered after undergoing surgery and targeted antibacterial treatment. Thus, the possibility of extrabuccal complications in patients with a history of periodontitis or invasive oral procedures merits closer attention.

Self-healing and anti-freezing graphene-hydrogel-graphene sandwich strain sensor with ultrahigh sensitivity.

Hydrogels with specially designed structures and adjustable properties have been considered as smart materials with multi-purpose application prospects, especially in the field of flexible sensors. However, most hydrogel-based sensors have low sensitivity, which inevitably affects their promotion in the market. Herein, a strain sensor comprising a poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(acrylic acid) (PVA/PAA) hybrid hydrogel sandwiched between two graphene layers was successfully constructed in a facile way, and it exhibited many excellent properties including extremely high sensitivity. The incorporation of glycerol ensured the good flexibility and anti-freezing performance of the hydrogel-based sensor even at -15 °C. The dynamic coordination bonds in the hydrogel-based sensor endowed it with excellent self-healing properties. In particular, the sandwich-structured hydrogel sensor showed a very high gauge factor (GF) value of 39 at the strain of 50%, which is much higher than those of most ordinary hydrogel-based strain sensors. A super stable signal value after 5000 strain cycles and a very short response time of 274 ms guaranteed the long-term usability and sensitivity of the hydrogel-based sandwich sensor. More importantly, the hydrogel-based sandwich sensor could detect both large and tiny human motions accurately and instantly in a series of real-time monitoring experiments, showing great potential for intelligent wearable electronic devices.

An agar gel membrane-PDMS hybrid microfluidic device for long term single cell dynamic study.

Significance of single cell measurements stems from the substantial temporal fluctuations and cell-cell variability possessed by individual cells. A major difficulty in monitoring surface non-adherent cells such as bacteria and yeast is that these cells tend to aggregate into clumps during growth, obstructing the tracking or identification of single-cells over long time periods. Here, we developed a microfluidic platform for long term single-cell tracking and cultivation with continuous media refreshing and dynamic chemical perturbation capability. The design highlights a simple device-assembly process between PDMS microchannel and agar membrane through conformal contact, and can be easily adapted by microbiologists for their routine laboratory use. The device confines cell growth in monolayer between an agar membrane and a glass surface. Efficient nutrient diffusion through the membrane and reliable temperature maintenance provide optimal growth condition for the cells, which exhibited fast exponential growth and constant distribution of cell sizes. More than 24 h of single-cell tracking was demonstrated on a transcription-metabolism integrated synthetic biological model, the gene-metabolic oscillator. Single cell morphology study under alcohol toxicity allowed us to discover and characterize cell filamentation exhibited by different E. coli isobutanol tolerant strains. We believe this novel device will bring new capabilities to quantitative microbiology, providing a versatile platform for single cell dynamic studies.

Degradation of trichloroethylene in aqueous solution by sodium percarbonate activated with Fe(II)-citric acid complex in the presence of surfactant Tween-80.

The degradation performance of trichloroethylene (TCE) by sodium percarbonate (SPC) activated with citric acid (CA) chelated Fe(II) in the presence of nonionic surfactant Tween-80 was investigated. The addition of CA successfully prevented the precipitation of iron and facilitated TCE degradation. However, Tween-80 had an inhibitory effect on TCE degradation mainly due to the competition of ∗OH between Tween-80 and TCE. The effect of SPC and Fe(II) dosage on TCE degradation was also explored and the results displayed that 87.2% of TCE could be degraded in 15 min at the SPC/Fe(II)/CA/TCE molar ratio of 3/4/2/1. Free radical probe tests confirmed that both O2-∗ and ∗OH were generated in the SPC/Fe(II)/CA system. Free radical scavenging tests implied that the degradation of TCE in the SPC/Fe(II)/CA system was mainly attributed to ∗OH, while O2-∗ was only partially involved in the degradation of TCE. In addition, TCE removal was suppressed with the raising of the initial solution pH from 3.0 to 9.0. The actual groundwater (containing Tween-80) tests confirmed that 93.2% of TCE degradation could be achieved at the SPC/Fe(II)/CA/TCE molar ratio of 30/40/10/1 and strongly demonstrated that the SPC/Fe(II)/CA process has potential for the in situ treatment of TCE contaminated groundwater in the presence of surfactant Tween-80. In conclusion, TCE degradation by Fe(II) activated SPC system in the presence of Tween-80 can be significantly enhanced with the addition of CA, and this finding offers an innovative direction for removing chlorinated organic contaminants from groundwater in contaminated site after surfactant solubilization treatment.

Glycosylation end products mediate damage and apoptosis of periodontal ligament stem cells induced by the JNK-mitochondrial pathway.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have confirmed the bidirectional relationship between the two and the exacerbation of periodontitis by type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the pathogenic mechanism has not yet been clarified, AGEs has been linked to the pathogenesis of both periodontitis and T2DM, JNK signaling pathway might play a important role to explain the inner mechanism. OBJECTIVES: To study advanced glycation end products (AGEs) activate the innate immune system of the host by activating oxidative stress and affecting cellular signal transduction in periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs);Results: TNF-α and/or AGEs can induce the formation of endogenous ROS in PDLSCs, thereby activating the downstream JNK signalling pathway, leading to the initiation of the mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway and the induction of PDLSC apoptosis. CONCLUSION: we hypothesized that the JNK pathway is a key link in the apoptosis of PDLSCs mediated by TNF-α and/or AGEs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PDLSCs from healthy volunteers were extracted, cultured and stimulated with TNF-a and/or AGEs, Flow cytometry, CCK-8, multidifferential assay, RT-PCR, apoptosis assay, Transmission electron microscopy and Western blotting were recruit to detect the internal relations between AGEs and PDLSCs.

Oxidation of gaseous elemental mercury in a high voltage discharge reactor.

Effects of the voltage waveform, discharge tooth wheel number and CO2/NO/SO2 concentration in the simulated flue gas on Hgo oxidation were investigated using a link tooth wheel-cylinder reactor energized by different high voltage power supplies. Negative DC discharge induced more ozone production and a higher Hg0 oxidation efficiency than positive DC discharge and 12 kHz AC discharge. The discharge tooth wheel number had almost no effect on the maximum Hg0 oxidation efficiency. The allowable supplied voltage decreased with the increase of discharge tooth wheel number. CO2 could stabilize the discharge process and increase the maximum voltage for a stable discharge. It has also been found that NO consumed O3 induced by high voltage discharge, thereby decreased Hg0 oxidation efficiency; while SO2 had a slight promoting effect on Hg0 oxidation.

Encapsulation of chloroquine and doxorubicin by MPEG-PLA to enhance anticancer effects by lysosomes inhibition in ovarian cancer.

PURPOSE: As the deadliest gynecological malignancy, ovarian cancer ranks as a major cause of disease-related deaths to women worldwide and is treated with transurethral resection or systemic chemotherapy. However, traditional chemotherapeutic drug in antitumor therapy has shown unavoidable limitations, such as poor curative effects, systemic toxicity and development of drug resistance, leading to failure of tumor inhibition and recurrence. This study aims to explore an innovative method to enhance the clinical efficiency of ovarian cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using MTT assay, the cell viability was detected under different culture systems. Western blot was used to examine the expression of P-gp in doxorubicin-resistant and wild-type A2780/SKOV3 cells. We used confocal to examine the drug concentration under different culture conditions. Also, flow cytometry was used to detect the drug absorption at the determined time points under different culture systems. Using nude mice model, we evaluated the killing efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs with or without nanoparticle encapsulation. ELISA was used to examine the levels of creatinine, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in plasma. RESULTS: We found that pretreatment of chloroquine (CQ) as chemosensitizer markedly enhanced the anticancer effects in ovarian cancer. We also provided evidence that CQ efficiently increase the pH value of lysosomes in tumor cells, leading to the reverse of drug sequestration induced by lysosomes. To further improve the pharmacokinetics profiles and avoid the systemic toxicity caused by chemotherapeutic agents, we encapsulated CQ and chemotherapeutic drugs by polymeric nanoparticles methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(l-lactic acid). Codelivery of CQ and chemotherapeutic agents by nanocarrier revealed enhanced anticancer effects compared with the free drug delivery by tail vein injection. More importantly, accumulated drugs, prolonged drug circulation and reduced organic damages were observed in nanoparticles delivery. CONCLUSION: Codelivery of CQ and chemotherapeutic drugs by methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(l-lactic acid) could significantly improve the anticancer effects and might have important potency in clinical applications for ovarian cancer therapy.

Self-assembly of amphiphilic ABC star triblock copolymers and their blends with AB diblock copolymers in solution: self-consistent field theory simulations.

The self-assembled morphologies of amphiphilic ABC star triblock copolymers consisting of hydrophilic A blocks and hydrophobic B and C blocks and the blends with their counterpart linear AB diblock copolymers in solution are investigated by 2D real-space implementation of self-consistent field theory (SCFT) simulation. The star triblock copolymers self-assemble in solution to form various micellar structures from hamburger, to segmented wormlike, to toroidal segmented micelles, and finally to vesicles with simultaneously increasing hydrophobic lengths of blocks B and C. When the length of hydrophobic blocks B and C is asymmetric, specific bead-on-string worm micelles are found. Particularly, when the star ABC triblock copolymer is in a strong segregation regime and both B and C blocks are strongly hydrophobic, quite long segmented wormlike micelles are obtained, which had not been found in previously investigated diblock and linear ABC triblock copolymers solution. Additionally, raspberry micelles with beads dispersed on the core also occur in the strong segregation regime of bulk star ABC triblock copolymers. Furthermore, the aggregate morphology of ABC star triblock copolymers is strongly influenced by the addition of linear AB diblock copolymers. The most significant feature is that the long segmented worms will become shorter, to form hamburger micelles with the addition of AB diblock copolymers. These simulations are in good agreement with the experimental findings by Lodge's group.

[Diagnosis, treatment and prognostic factors of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the palate].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the palate. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted in 42 patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the palate treated in our hospital from 1967 to 1998. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Prognostic factors were analyzed by Log Rank test. RESULTS: The overall 5-, 10-, 15-year accumulative survival rates were 85.0%, 61.8% and 28.1%, and the 5-, 10-, 15-year accumulative disease-free survival rates were 52.4%, 32.7% and 22.4%, respectively. The 5-, 10-, 15-year accumulative local recurrence rates were 25.2%, 50.9% and 73.1%, and the 5-, 10-, 15-year accumulative distant metastasis rates were 28.5%, 50.4% and 66.0% respectively. T stage, bone invasion, extent of tumor, local recurrence and distant metastasis were significant prognostic factors. Treatment method, dose and area covered by radiotherapy were related to the prognosis. CONCLUSION: Surgery alone can be done for early lesions, and combination of surgery with radiotherapy should be adopted for advanced lesions in adenoid cystic carcinoma of the palate. Radiotherapic salvage could prolong the survival of the locally recurrent patients.

[Clinical analysis of 318 cases of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathological features, treatment outcomes and prognosis of patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS: Retrospective review of 318 consecutive cases with OSCC treated from January 1999 to December 2011. Survival rates and prognostic factors were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox model survival analysis respectively. There were 281 males and 37 females, with a median age of 56 years. Of the 318 cases, 163 carcinomas were from tonsil, 108 from tongue base and 47 from soft palate-uvula. The presenting symptoms were pharyngalgia (128 cases, 40.3%), neck masses (71 cases, 22.3%), foreign body sensation in the pharynx (63 cases, 19.8%) and dental ulcer (44 cases, 13.8%). The median time from onset of the first symptoms until diagnosis of OSCC was 3 months. Of the 318 OSCC, 75 were with high grade, 110 with intermediate grade and 133 with low grade, including 10 patients at stageI, 39 at stage II, 68 at stage III and 201 at stage IV. RESULTS: The rates of lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and second primary carcinoma were 72.3%, 13.2% and 7.9%, respectively. Of 318 patients, 117 received radiotherapy alone, 66 underwent surgery plus postoperative radiotherapy, 59 underwent preoperative radiotherapy plus surgery, 33 received concomitant chemotherapy and radiotherapy, 20 received concomitant molecular targeted therapy and radiotherapy, 16 underwent surgery alone and 7 received induction chemotherapy plus radiotherapy. The 3-, 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 58.4%, 50.7%, respectively, and the median overall survival time was 60.1 months. Ages (P = 0.034), gender(P = 0.024), smoking and alcohol consumptions(P = 0.008), doses of radiotherapy(P = 0.046) and clinic stages(P = 0.001) were independent factors for OS. CONCLUSIONS: OSCC is poor in prognosis, with a high incidence of cervical lymph node metastasis. Radiotherapy and salvage surgery are the main treatments for OSCC.

[Effects of sorafenib and liposome doxorubicin on human poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma xenografts in nude mice].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of sorafenib and liposome doxorubicin on poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) xenografts in nude mice. METHODS: Sorafenib and liposome doxorubicin were applied to PDTC xenografts in nude mice. The mice were randomized into seven groups: blank control (A), vehicle control (B), single liposome doxorubicin (C), single sorafenib group (D), liposome doxorubicin combined with low dose sorafenib group (E), combined group with medium dosage of sorafenib (F), combined group with high-dose of sorafenib(G). The volume, weight and growth inhibition rate of tumours were measured to evaluate the therapeutic effects of drugs. RESULTS: Sorafenib and liposome doxorubicin showed significant antitumor activity in the PDTC xenografts. The mean tumor volumes of seven groups were (1274.13 ± 393.76) mm(3), (1060.00 ± 469.05) mm(3), (726.76 ± 488.22) mm(3), (451.54 ± 97.75) mm(3), (518.37 ± 164.44) mm(3), (310.51 ± 210.53) mm(3), and (228.44 ± 129.21) mm(3), respectively. The mean tumor weights of the seven groups were (1.13 ± 0.42)g, (0.91 ± 0.39)g, (0.78 ± 0.45)g, (0.55 ± 0.17) g, (0.52 ± 0.19) g, (0.34 ± 0.21) g, and (0.19 ± 0.09) g separately. The tumor inhibition rates of group C to G were 30.8%, 40.8%, 42.3%, 62.9%, 72.6% separately. CONCLUSIONS: Sorafenib and liposome doxorubicin, no matter for single agent or in combination, showed significant antitumor activity in the PDTC PDTC xenografts in vivo. The tumour-inhibited effect of single sorafenib is better than that of single liposome doxorubicin. Liposome doxorubicin combined with medium dosage of sorafenib had a better therapeutic effect and less side effects.

Assessment of skin exposure to N,N-dimethylformamide and methyl ethylketone through chemical protective gloves and decontamination of gloves for reuse purposes.

N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and methyl ethylketone (MEK) are the hazardous chemicals commonly used in the synthetic leather industries. Although chemical protective gloves provide adequate skin exposure protection to workers in these industries, there is currently no clear guideline or understanding with regard to the use duration of these gloves. In this study, the permeation of DMF/MEK mixture through neoprene gloves and the desorption of chemicals from contaminated gloves were conducted using the ASTM F739 cell. The acceptable use duration time of the gloves against DMF/MEK permeation was estimated by assuming a critical body burden of chemical exposure as a result of dermal absorption. In a re-exposure cycle of 5 days, decontamination of the gloves by aeration at 25°C was found to be inadequate in a reduction of breakthrough time as compared to a new unexposed glove. However, decontamination of the gloves by heating at 70 or 100°C showed that the protective coefficient of the exposed gloves had similar levels of resistance to DMF/MEK as that of new gloves. Implications of this study include an understanding of the use duration of neoprene gloves and proper decontamination of chemical protective gloves for reuse.

[Microvascular free flap reconstructive options in patients with different types of maxillectomy defects].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of the distinct free flaps in reconstruction of different types of maxillectomy defects. METHODS: A retrospective reviews was performed of in 66 consecutive cases of reconstructions with free flaps for maxillary tumor ablation defects from October 1997 to June 2010. There were 43 patients who had recurrences after previous operations and 46 patients had accepted radiation therapy before. According to the classification of Brown's maxilla defect:10 cases were in class I, 13 in class II, 23 in class III and 20 in class IV. The reconstructive free flaps included 26 fibula flaps, 10 radial forearm flaps, 7 latissimus dorsi flaps, 7 rectus abdominis flaps, 7 anterolateral thigh perforator flaps, 5 deep inferior epigastric artery perforators, 2 latissimus dorsi/rib flaps and 2 iliac crest flaps. Postoperative features and functions were assessed in 29 patients. RESULTS: The overall free flap success rate was 93.9% (62/66). Three rectus abdominis flaps and one fibula flap failed. There were 29 patients who received postoperative function assessment. Sixty-two percent of the patients restored to taking regular diets, 24 (82.8%) patients had normal language communication ability, and 25 (86.2%) patients were satisfied with their feature. CONCLUSIONS: Radial forearm flap was recommended to reconstruct the class 1 defect, fibula flap to class 2 or class 3 and preformatted flap to class 4.

[Functional reconstruction after total or near total glossectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional outcomes of patients who underwent total or near total glossectomy with pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF) or free flap (FF) reconstruction. METHODS: Retrospective study of 38 consecutive patients undergoing total or near total glossectomy with PMMF or FF reconstruction. The outcomes of decannulation, feeding and speech function recovery were compared. RESULTS: Near total glossectomy was performed in 33 patients and total glossectomy was performed in 5 patients. Twenty five patients underwent reconstruction with PMMF including 2 salvage reconstructions after free flaps failure. All PMMFs survived except one complete necrosis. The success rate of PMMF was 96.0% (24/25). Fifteen patients underwent reconstruction with FF. Two flaps developed complete necrosis and the success rate of FF was 86.7% (13/15). The difference in the rates between the two groups was not significant (P=0.545). In the PMMF and FF groups, the renewal of oral feeding were 65.2% (15/23) and 100% (13/13), P<0.05, and the tracheostomy decannulation were 52.2% (12/23) and 100% (12/12), P<0.05, respectively. Postoperative feeding function recovery was better in FF group than that in PMMF group (P=0.011). Single factor analysis showed that using FF and maintaining the continuity of the mandible were related to successful rate of renewal of oral feeding. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the continuity of the mandible was the only independent predictor for renewal of oral feeding. There was no significant difference in the postoperative speech functions between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The continuity of the mandible is the major factor to restore the functional outcomes in feeding after total or near total glossectomy. Compared with PMMF, using FF is more beneficial to retain or rebuild the continuity of the mandible.

[Effects of gas compositions on the oxidation of gas phase elementary mercury by non-thermal plasma].

The effects of flue gas compositions such as NO, SO2, CO, H2O on elementary mercury oxidation by non-thermal plasma induced by positive streamer discharge were experimentally investigated by using a link tooth wheel-cylinder reactor. The results showed that the oxidation of elementary mercury decreased in the presence of CO2 and NO, which was attributed to the reduction of number of the active radicals reacted with elementary mercury. Adding 670 mg/m3 NO, only 37% elementary mercury was oxidized when the voltage was 9.5 kV. And CO was produced because of the reaction between CO2 and active radicals. The presence of SO2 resulted in an increase of elementary mercury oxidation, and white HgSO4 and Hg2SO4 were formed, little elementary mercury was detected at the outlet of the reactor when the voltage was 10 kV. Similarly, H2O and HCI promoted the oxidation of elementary mercury, which may be due to the formation of oxidative *OH and the presence of Cl- ions. The total mercury concentration dramatically decreased after the discharge reactor because the charging mercury was collected.

[Application of maxillary swing approach in operation of para-pharynx and cranial base].

OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of the maxillary swing approach to the nasopharynx and its vicinity was evaluated. METHODS: Using maxillary swing approach, the tumors in the nasopharyngeal region and infratemporal fossa in 60 patients were removed at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences during the period 1995 to 2005. Among them, 51 suffered from primary nasopharyngeal and cranial base tumor, and 9 had tumor of primary infratemporal fossa. Thirteen patients had benign and 47 patients had malignant tumor. Twenty eight cases were received preoperative radiotherapy. RESULTS: The facial wounds in all 60 patients healed primarily with no evidence of necrosis of the maxilla Twelve patients developed palatal fistula, six of them subsequently healed, two patients did not request surgical closure, whereas two patients required to wear a dental plate. Patients were followed up from 5 to 85 months (median interval, 38 months). Fourteen patients had local recurrence after treatment and five of them died. Three patients developed pulmonary metastasis. Five year survival and free tumor survival of malignant tumor were 76.4% and 36.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The maxillary swing approach is a proven method for access to the nasopharynx, middle cranial base and infratemporal fossa. The tumors in these regions can be adequately exposure and safely resected. The associated morbidity is low and there is no postoperative disturbance of cosmetic appearance using this approach.