Comparison of endoscope-assisted versus conventional resection of parotid tumors.

Endoscopically-assisted partial parotidectomy for benign tumours has been reported, but we have evaluated its feasibility through different concealed incisions compared with conventional parotidectomy. A total of 124 patients with parotid tumours were enrolled in this retrospective study: an endoscopically-assisted group (n=37) compared with a group operated on conventionally (n=87). The incision for endoscopically-assisted partial, total parotidectomy and selective neck dissection was based on location and pathological characters of the parotid tumour. The sex and age of the patients, diameter of the tumour, and histopathological features were comparable between the two groups. The mean length of the incision in the endoscopic group was significantly shorter than that in the conventional group. However, intraoperative blood loss, operating time, and duration of hospital stay were significantly reduced, and postoperative secretion of saliva was significantly improved in the endoscopic group, among whom there were no recurrences of tumour. More importantly, all patients who had endoscopically-assisted operations were satisfied with the cosmetic result. Endoscopically-assisted parotidectomy is superior to conventional resection as judged by postoperative cosmetic and functional outcomes. It is noteworthy that the site of incision depends mainly on location, and on the suspected low grade of malignancy of the parotid tumour seen on preoperative computed tomography and magnetic resonance images.

[Functional and supraomohyoid neck dissection in stage cN0/N1 oral squamous cell carcinoma].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effects of functional neck dissection (FND) and supraomohyoid neck dissection (SOND) in patients with cN0/N1 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods: A total of 210 patients with stage cN0/N1 OSCC underwent FND and SOND between January 2012 and May 2015 were retrospectively reviewed, among which, 147 patients were male and 63 were female, with an age range of 23-82 years and mean age of (62.2±10.2) years. There were 112 and 98 patients in FND and SOND groups, respectively. The follow-up data included cervical lymph node metastasis, movement of shoulder joint, great auricular nerve function, recurrence rate of cervical lymph nodes. Results: There was no significant difference in gender, age, tumor location, T stage, N stage, histological grades between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared to patients in FND group, the activities of shoulder joint and earlobe numbness improved significantly in SOND group. Of the 210 patients, 17 patients (8.1%) had cervical recurrence, with 9 patients (8.0%) in FND group and 8 patients (8.2%) in SOND group. No significant difference was observed for neck recurrence between the two groups (P=0.973). Conclusion: SOND can be safely performed in cN0 or cN1 OSCC patients, which avoids major complications of FND, and improves postoperative quality of life in those patients.

MiR-4513 mediates the proliferation and apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells via targeting CXCL17.

OBJECTIVE: Emerging evidence has indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in regulating cancer carcinogenesis; however, its role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains largely unknown. Our work was aimed to investigate the role of miR-4513 in regulating OSCC cells behaviors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MiR-4513 expression in OSCC cells was analyzed by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were analyzed by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, wound-healing assay, transwell invasion assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. The connections of miR-4513 and CXC ligand 17 (CXCL17) were analyzed by luciferase reporter assay and Western blot assay. RESULTS: MiR-4513 expression was found elevated in the OSCC cell lines. The downregulation of miR-4513 expression inhibits cell proliferation, migration, invasion and, at the same time, promotes apoptosis. Furthermore, we validated CXCL17 as a direct target of miR-4513. Knocking down the expression of CXCL17, inhibited the effects of miR-4513 on OSCC cell behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested the oncogenic role of miR-4513 in OSCC, and therefore it might be used as a target for the OSCC treatment.

Identification of psoriasis vulgaris biomarkers in human plasma by non-targeted metabolomics based on UPLC-Q-TOF/MS.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the endogenous metabolites of patients with psoriasis vulgaris which will be helpful for the diagnosis of the disease and to provide the evidence of pathogenesis and the formulation for the individualized dosage regimen. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study investigated the plasma metabolomic profiling between the psoriasis vulgaris patients (N=12) and the healthy volunteers (N=12) using ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF MS) metabolomic techniques. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to identify and visualize the metabolic data clusters. RESULTS: A total of 22 differential metabolites contributing to the clusters were identified, among which the levels of threonine (p<0.001), leucine (p<0.001), phenylalanine (p<0.001), tryptophan (p=0.018), palmitamide (p<0.001), Linoleic amide (p<0.001), oleamide (p<0.001), stearamide (p<0.001), cis-11- eicosenamide (p< 0.001), trans-13-Docosenamide (p<0.001), uric acid (p=0.034), LysoPC (16:0) (p<0.001), LysoPC (18:3) (p<0.001), LysoPC (18:2) (p=0.024), LysoPC (18:1) (P=0.012) and LysoPC (18:0) (p=0.002) were significantly higher in the plasma of psoriasis vulgaris patients compared with the healthy controls, whereas oleic acid (p<0.001), arachidonic acid (p<0.001) and N-linoleoyl taurine (p<0.001) were significantly lower. These biomarkers are related to glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, nucleic acid metabolism and so on. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that psoriasis vulgaris patients may have disrupted lipid and amino acid metabolism, as well as inflammation and functional lesions in the liver and kidney. This study deepens the understanding of psoriasis vulgaris pathogenesis and proposes novel ideas and methods for auxiliary diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

[Virtual planning and 3D printing modeling for mandibular reconstruction with fibula free flap].

Objective: To evaluate the use of virtual planning and 3D printing modeling in mandibular reconstruction and compare the operation time and surgical outcome of this technique with conventional method. Methods: Between June 2013 and June 2017, A total of 18 patients underwent the mandibular reconstruction with fibula free flap in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University.Among 18 patients, there were 11 males and 7 females with an average age of 36.5 years (21-73 years). Nine patients underwent vascularized fibula flap mandibular reconstruction using virtual planning and 3D printing modeling.Titanium plates were pre-bent using the models and cutting guides which were used for osteotomies.Another 9 patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction using fibula flap without aid of virtual planning and 3D printing models were selected as control group. The operation time was recorded and compared in two groups. Accuracy of reconstruction was measured by superimposing the preoperative image onto the postoperative image of mandible. The selected bony landmark, distance and angle were measured. Results: The mean total operation time were 4.7-6.2(5.5±0.5) h in computer-assisted group and 5.6-7.5(6.6±0.7) h in conventional group, respectively. The operation time was shorter in computer-assisted group. The difference between the preoperative and postoperative intercondylar distances, intergonial angle distances, anteroposterior distances were(2.6±1.4)vs(4.4±1.6)mm, (2.9±1.2)vs(4.7±1.7)mm, (4.2±1.4) vs(5.9±1.8)mm in the computer-assisted and conventional group, respectively. The differences between the preoperative and postoperative mandible were smaller in the computer-assisted group. Conclusions: Virtual planning and 3D printing modeling have the potential to increase mandibular reconstruction accuracy and reduce operation time. We believe that this technology for mandibular reconstruction in selected patients can significantly improve the quality of reconstruction.

𝒫𝒯 symmetric phase transition and photonic transmission in an optical trimer system.

Parity-time (𝒫𝒯) symmetric structures have exhibited potential applications in developing various robust quantum devices. In an optical trimer with balanced loss and gain, we analytically study the 𝒫𝒯 symmetric phase transition by investigating the spontaneous symmetric breaking. We also illustrate the asymmetric photonic transmission behaviors in both of the 𝒫𝒯 symmetric and 𝒫𝒯 symmetry broken phases. We find (i) the non-periodical dynamics of photonic transmission in the 𝒫𝒯 symmetry broken phase instead of 𝒫𝒯 symmetric phase can be regarded as a signature of phase transition; and (ii) it shows asymmetric photonic transmission behavior in both of the phases but comes from different underlying physical mechanisms. The obtained results may be useful to implement the photonic devices based on coupled-cavity system.

Osteogenesis effect of guided bone regeneration combined with alveolar cleft grafting: assessment by cone beam computed tomography.

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) allows for a significantly lower radiation dose than conventional computed tomography (CT) scans and provides accurate images of the alveolar cleft area. The osteogenic effect of guided bone regeneration (GBR) vs. conventional alveolar bone grafting alone for alveolar cleft defects was evaluated in this study. Sixty alveolar cleft patients were divided randomly into two groups. One group underwent GBR using acellular dermal matrix film combined with alveolar bone grafting using iliac crest bone grafts (GBR group), while the other group underwent alveolar bone grafting only (non-GBR group). CBCT images were obtained at 1 week and at 3 months following the procedure. Using Simplant 11.04 software, the bone resorption rate was calculated and compared between the two groups. The bone resorption rate from 1 week to 3 months following bone grafting without the GBR technique was 36.50±5.04%, whereas the bone resorption rate using the GBR technique was 31.69±5.50% (P=0.017). The application of autogenous iliac bone combined with the GBR technique for alveolar bone grafting of alveolar cleft patients can reduce bone resorption and result in better osteogenesis.

[Influences of open thoracoscopy on human body: experience in 65 cases].

The influence of open thoracoscopy with fiber-bronchoscope on human body was studied in 65 patients with pleural disease. The items observed included blood pressure, Pulse rate, respiration rate, blood gas analysis and clinical manifestations. It was found that open thoracoscopy has little influence on human body and the patients tolerated it well. No severe complication was found and operative procedures might be avoided popularization of this technique is therefore suggested.

[Diagnosis of pleural metastatic carcinoma with fibrous bronchoscope in thoracoscopy].

45 cases suspected pleural tumors were performed thoracoscopy with fibrous bronchoscope. The diagnoses were as follows: metastatic carcinoma 23 cases, pleural mesothelioma 3 cases, pleural tuberculosis 10 cases, non-specific inflammation 4 cases, lymphoma 1 case, Hamman-Rich syndrome 1 case, and unknown cause 3 cases. 93.3 percent of the patients (42/45) were diagnosed clearly. Hence it gives the feasibility of reasonable treatment in the patients. The method of examination and the sight in fibrous bronchoscope have been described in detail.

[Histamine and lung cancer. II. Human lung cancer cell line and histamine].

Using tissue culture and biochemical technique, the effects of autacoid-histamine and histamine H-2 receptor's antagonist-cimetidine on human lung cancer cell line were studied. It was shown that histamine at the concentration of 1.8 x 10(-7) M stimulated proliferation of the lung cancer cells, but histamine at the concentration of 1.8 x 10(-4) M or cimetidine at 1.76 x 10(-7) M inhibited growth of the lung cancer cells. Relation between histamine, histidine decarboxylase, histamine formation capacity and tumor proliferation is discussed.

[Fetal liver cell transfusion in chemotherapy of malignant tumors and blood diseases].

From Feb. to Dec. 1985, 15 patients were treated with fetal liver cell transfusion (FLT). They were 10 cases with malignant tumors treated by chemotherapy (tumor group) and 5 with blood diseases (blood group). Under strict aseptic technique, 3 1/2-6 month old fetus was selected for preparing suspension of the fetal liver cells on the superclean table. The speed of FLT should be increased gradually from slow to rapid. There are 1.8 X 10(8)-4 X 10(12) fetal liver cells in a fetus of more than 5 months old, in which most are CFU-C. In the tumor group, after FLT, white blood cell, platelet and hemoglobin increased by 700-3,900/mm3, 5,000-116,000/mm3 and 0.5-2.0 gm/mm3 respectively. But in the blood group, they increased by 800-1,300/mm3, 14,000-84,000/mm3 and 0.4-11.0 gm/mm3. In most of the cases, these hematological indexes reached up to the highest in 2 weeks after FLT. It suggests that FLT can improve the peripheral blood picture obviously and stimulate bone marrow. Experiment confirms that there are considerable hematopoietic stem cells in the fetal liver, by which the functions of hematopoiesis and immunity are able to recover. It is more marked in the tumor group than in the blood group. FLT provides a favourable condition for high dose chemotherapy.