[ZEB2 Regulates the Migration and Invasion of PANC-1 Pancreatic Cancer Cells: An Experimental Study].

Objective: To investigate the effects and mechanisms of zinc finger E-box binding homeobox transcription factor-2 ( ZEB2) on the proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion abilities and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of PANC-1 cells, a human pancreatic cancer cell line. Methods: Data on the expression of ZEB2 in pancreatic cancer tissues and paracancerous tissues from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were analyzed. PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells were divided into si-NC group, si- ZEB2 group, pcDNA3.1 group, and pcDNA3.1- ZEB2 group. qRT-PCR and Western blot were conducted to confirm the effectiveness of ZEB2 knockdown or overexpression. CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing, and Transwell assays were conducted to examine the effects of ZEB2 on the proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion of PANC-1 cells. qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence assays were performed to examine the expression of E-cadherin and vimentin, the EMT markers, in the cells. Prediction of proteins interacting with ZEB2 was made through the STRING database. Results: TCGA database analysis showed that the expression level of ZEB2 in pancreatic cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues ( P<0.05). Compared with those of cells in the control group, the proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion of cells in the si- ZEB2 group were decreased ( P<0.05). Compared with those of cells in the pcDNA3.1 group, the proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion of cells in the pcDNA3.1- ZEB2 group were increased (all P<0.05). According to the results of qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence assays, compared with those of the si-NC group, the expression of E-cadherin mRNA, an epithelial marker, in the si- ZEB2 group increased, while the expression of vimentin mRNA, an mesenchymal marker, and the protein decreased. Compared with those of the pcDNA3.1 group, the expression of E-cadherin mRNA in the PANC-1 cells of the pcDNA3.1- ZEB2 group decreased, while the expression of vimentin mRNA and the protein increased (all P<0.05). Analysis with the STRING database predicted that 10 proteins had close interaction with ZEB2. Conclusion: Overexpression of ZEB2 promotes the migration, invasion, and the EMT process of PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells.

The value of ultrasound guided laser ablation in papillary thyroid recurrence carcinoma: A retrospective, single center study from China.

Objective: The efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous laser ablation (PLA) for treating recurrent papillary thyroid cancer nodules (RPTCNs). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in 43 patients with single recurrent thyroid cancer which was diagnosed by fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). The extent of ablation was assessed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) 24h after PLA. At baseline (before ablation), 6, and 12 months, and every 6 months thereafter, the following were recorded: nodule maximum diameter, volume reduction rate (VRR), complications, and side effects. Result: All 43 patients were successfully treated with PLA without serious complications. All patients underwent CEUS 24 hours after PLA treatment, and all achieved complete ablation. The success rate of single ablation was 100%. The average follow-up time was 23.47 ± 6.50 months, 12 ~ 36 months. At the last follow-up, 32 (74.4%) ablation lesions disappeared completely and 11 (25.6%) ablation lesions showed scar-like changes. No lymph node metastasis was found during follow-up. The maximum diameter and volume of nodules decreased from 5.1 ± 1.4 mm, 86.22 ± 20.46 mm3 before operation to 0.73 ± 1.1 mm, 1.02 ± 1.92 mm3 at the end of observation (P < 0.01). The average volume reduction rates (VRR) at 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months after ablation were 11.92%, 60.64%, 82.26%, 90.96%, 93.7% and 97.79% respectively. No regrowth of treated nodule and distant metastases were detected. One patient (2.3%) had local recurrence and was treated with PLA again. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided PLA appears to be effective and safe for treating unifocal RPTCNs in selected patients who are ineligible for surgery, which is suitable for clinical application and promotion.

microRNA-10a-5p overexpression suppresses malignancy of colon cancer by regulating human liver cancer fibroblasts.

The crosstalk between tumor and stroma plays a critical role in cancer metastasis. However, the function of miR-10a-5p on liver fibroblasts in the metastatic microenvironment of colon cancer (CC) and the effect of activated fibroblasts on CC cells are still unclear. In our study, miR-10a-5p overexpression inhibited the proliferation, migration, and IL-6/IL-8 level of LX-2 cells and human liver cancer fibroblasts (HLCFs). Moreover, miR-10a-5p had lower expression in HLCFs than in human liver normal fibroblasts (HLNFs). The conditioned medium (CM) from LX-2 cells with miR-10a-5p overexpression or HLNFs could inhibit the invasion, migration, and stemness of CC SW480 cells, whereas HLCFs CM could promote these malignant phenotypes of SW480 cells. The present study illustrates the effect of miR-10a-5p on the liver fibroblasts and the altered liver fibroblasts in the microenvironment on CC cells induced by miR-10a-5p, which may aid the understanding of the mechanisms underlying CC liver metastasis.

Circ-sirt1 inhibits growth and invasion of gastric cancer by sponging miR-132-3p/miR-212-3p and upregulating sirt1 expression.

circRNAs have been considered as a rising factor in cancers. However, the roles and mechanisms of circ-sirt1 in gastric cancer (GC) remain largely unknown. In this study, we found that the expressions of sirt1 and circ-sirt1 are decreased in tissues or serums of GC patients by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The expressions of miR-132-3p/miR-212-3p showed an opposite tendency in these samples. The co-transfection of miR-132-3p/miR-212-3p mimics counteracted the enhancement of sirt1 expression induced by circ-sirt1. The results of cell colony-formation assay and transwell assays demonstrated that the proliferation, migration, and invasion activities of BGC-823 cells were inhibited by circ-sirt1 overexpression or miR-132-3p/miR-212-3p knockdown, respectively. The xenograft tumor model result indicated that the circ-sirt1 overexpression suppressed the tumor growth of BGC-823 cells. The regulation of miR-132-3p/miR-212-3p between circ-sirt1 and sirt1 was verified in the mice tumor tissues. Thus, circ-sirt1 inhibited tumor growth and invasion probably by sponging miR-132-3p/miR-212-3p and upregulating sirt1 expression in GC. These findings may provide a theoretical basis for the classification of GC and a novel therapeutic target for GC patients.

[Modeling of Abdominal Wall-Cecum Injury Adhesion and the Anti-adhesion Mechanism of mXG].

OBJECTIVE: To construct the adhesion model of abdominal wall-cecum injury and explore the prevention and treatment effect of modified xyloglucan (mXG) thermosensitive hydrogel on abdominal wall-cecal injury adhesion. METHODS: SD rats were used to construct the abdominal wall-cecal injury adhesion model. Model mice were randomly divided into blank control group (Control), commercial chitosan membrane Control group (Film) and mXG thermosensitive hydrogel group (Hydrogel), each group contained 16 rats.In the Hydrogel group, 1 mL 4% (m/V) mXG solution was smeared on the wound surface of abdominal wall and the cecum, then closed the abdomen after gel was formed (3 min).In the Film group, 2 cm×3 cm chitosan anti-adhesion Film was applied onto the wound surface of the abdominal wall before abdominal closure.In the Control group, 1 mL normal saline was applied onto the wound surface of abdominal wall and the cecum before abdominal closure.On 7 and 14 d after the operation, rats'abdominal cavity was opened by surgery to examine and score the adhesion grade between the abdominal wall and the cecum, with double-blind design.Meanwhile, the adhesion tissue or wound tissue was taken and stained by HE, Masson and Van Gieson to histological evaluate the anti-adhesion effect.The expression of transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) was determined by immunohistochemical staining as well. Another group of 12 SD rat models were subjected to mXG thermosensitive hydrogel intervention.At the 1 and 6 weeks postoperation, rats main organs such as heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney were taken for histological examination with HE staining for the purpose of evaluation the toxicity of mXG in vivo. RESULTS: Adhesion grade evaluation results showed that Film group rats occurred mild adhesion, Control group rats occurred severe adhesion, while in Hydrogel group hardly rats occured adhesion, and the differences were statistically significant(P < 0.05). Histological results showed that the Hydrogel group rats recovered well at 7 d after surgery.In healing wound tissue, no mutated tissue was observed, but a certain degree of inflammatory cell infiltration was still existed. At 14 d after surgery, the inflammation cells in the wound were significantly reduced, and the healing tissue containing only a small amount of collagen fibers under the neonatal mesothelial layer.But the other two groups showed different degrees of adhesion at the 7 and 14 d post surgery.Immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression of TGF-ß1 and CTGF in the Hydrogel group were both weaker than those in the other groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In vivo toxicity tests did not show significant changes in the structure of the organs of mXG gel intervention rats at different time points. CONCLUSION: mXG thermosensitive hydrogel plays a good role in physical isolation during the key period of adhesion formation and effectively prevent the occurrence of cecum-abdominal adhesion.

Association between abdominal obesity and blood pressure among 7 to 10 years old Chinese children / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the association between abdominal obesity and blood pressure among 7-10 years old Chinese children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 40 495 children aged 7-10 years with complete height, weight, waist circumference and blood pressure data were chosen from the data of 2010 Chinese National Survey on Students Constitution and Health. Based on the "Reference Norms for Screening Overweight and Obesity in Chinese Children and Adolescents" developed by Working Group Obesity in China (WGOC) and the waist to height ratio reference value for children (WHtR ≤ 0.46) , the children were divided into 4 body types (normal weight, simple abdominal obesity, combined obesity and other types). High blood pressure was defined as the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) higher than the P 95 blood pressure value of 2010 national student of the same gender and age. The prevalence of simple abdominal obesity, combined obesity and high blood pressure were described. Three groups (with 2165 children in each) of children with normal weight, simple abdominal obesity, combined obesity respectively were selected from the chosen ones matched by gender, age (within ± 0.5 years old) and height (within ± 0.3 cm) at the ratio of 1: 1: 1. The value of blood pressure and prevalence of high blood pressure were described.χ(2) test, analysis of variance and multilevel models were used to analyze the relationship between obesity and blood pressure.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 40 475 children were selected from the database, including 20 175 boys and 20 320 girls. The prevalence of simple abdominal obesity was 6.36% (2576/40 495), the prevalence of boys and girls was 7.41% (1494/20 175) and 5.32% (1082/20 320) respectively. The prevalence of combined obesity was 16.33% (6611/40 495), the prevalence of boys and girls was 21.30% (4298/20 175) and 11.38% (2313/20 320) respectively. There were statistical differences in the body type distribution of both boys and girls (χ(2) = 869.01, P < 0.01). The prevalence of high blood pressure was 9.62% (3896/40 495), the prevalence of boys (10.05% (2028/20 175)) was higher than girls (9.19% (1868/20 320)) (χ(2) = 8.59, P < 0.01). The value of SBP and DBP among combined obesity group (boys: (103.8 ± 11.3), (64.7 ± 10.1) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa); girls: (102.9 ± 12.1), (64.5 ± 10.0) mm Hg) > simple abdominal obesity group (boys: (99.5 ± 11.2), (61.6 ± 9.9) mm Hg; girls: (99.6 ± 11.4), (62.6 ± 9.3) mm Hg)> normal weight group (boys: (97.4 ± 10.8), (60.5 ± 9.4) mm Hg; girls: (97.2 ± 10.8), (60.8 ± 9.4) mm Hg), and the differences were statistical significant (Fboys: 113.22, 62.05; Fgirls: 54.19, 32.31, P < 0.01). According to the results of multilevel model, among boys, compared with the normal weight group, the SBP of combined obesity group and simple abdominal obesity group was 6.0 and 1.8 mm Hg higher respectively (Wald χ(2): 17.55, 204.94, P < 0.01); the DBP was 4.0 and 0.9 mm Hg higher respectively (Wald χ(2): 6.37, 114.05, P < 0.05). Among girls, the SBP was 5.0 and 2.1 mm Hg higher respectively (Wald χ(2):16.47, 92.52, P < 0.01); the DBP was 3.5 and 1.6 mm Hg higher respectively (Wald χ(2): 12.29, 57.52, P < 0.01). Comparing with normal group, the risk of high SBP among boys with simple abdominal obesity was higher (OR = 1.48; 95%CI: 1.06-2.06), and both the boys (SBP: OR = 3.06; 95%CI: 2.28-4.11) ; DBP: OR = 2.72; 95%CI: 1.99-3.72) and girls (SBP: OR = 2.48; 95%CI: 1.75-3.53; DBP: OR = 2.64; 95%CI: 1.82-3.93) in combined obesity group had a higher risk of high SBP and high DBP.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Simple abdominal obesity is associated with the increasing of blood pressure in children, and combined obesity has a closer ties than simple abdominal obesity.</p>

Analysis of influencing factors on physical endurance of Chinese primary and middle school students aged 10 to 17 / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the influencing factors on physical endurance among Chinese primary and middle school students aged 10-17.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data was used from "2010 National Physical Fitness and Health Surveillance", from which 68 458 primary and middle school students with complete information were selected. Good physical endurance was defined as endurance running time ≤ P 25 of same gender and age, poor physical endurance as ≥ P 75 of same gender and age. Difference of endurance running time in different physical endurance groups was compared; chi-square test, logistic regression and multiple level model were used to analyze influence of region, BMI, diet, exercise and exercise willingness on physical endurance.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 34 293 (50.0%) students of good physical endurance and 34 219 (50.0%) ones of poor physical endurance in 68 458 subjects. Percentage of good physical endurance was 53.8% (18 285/33 996) in rural students, higher than urban ones (46.3% (15 954/34 462)) (χ(2) = 384.16, P < 0.01). Percentage of good physical endurance was 12.2% (448/3660) in obese students, lower than normal (55.2% (28 183/51 028)), overweight (29.3% (2012/6874)) and emaciated ones (52.1% (3596/6896)) (χ(2) = 3840.08, P < 0.01). Percentage of good physical endurance was 52.5% (25 534/48 679) in students having breakfast everyday, higher than ones never having breakfast or 1-2 times per week (41.3% (3209/7768))(χ(2) = 438.31, P < 0.01). Percentage of good physical endurance was 51.7% (11 580/22 379) in students having milk everyday, slightly higher than ones never or sometimes having milk (49.2% (22 659/46 079)) (χ(2) = 39.84, P < 0.01). Percentage of good physical endurance was 55.3% (18 961/34 314) in students with adequate physical education class, higher than ones with inadequate class (44.7% (15 278/34 144)) (χ(2) = 756.41, P < 0.01). Percentage of good physical endurance was 58.6% (9484/16 195) in students with one hour exercise or more per day, higher than ones with less than one hour exercise (47.4% (24 755/52 263)) (χ(2) = 619.82, P < 0.01). Percentage of good physical endurance was 60.1% (19 287/32 118) in students who were "very willing" to take part in endurance running, higher than "generally willing" ones (45.4% (10 569/23 272)) and "not willing" ones (33.5% (4383/13 068)) (χ(2) = 2909.61, P < 0.01). Multiple level analysis revealed that risk of poor physical endurance was lower in rural students (OR = 0.80, 95%CI: 0.77-0.82) than urban ones. Risk in emaciated students (OR = 1.11, 95%CI: 1.05-1.17), overweight students (OR = 2.69, 95%CI: 2.55-2.85) and obese students (OR = 7.71, 95%CI: 6.97-8.52) was higher than normal ones. Concerning diet, risk of poor physical endurance in students never having breakfast or once to twice per week was highest (OR = 1.20, 95%CI: 1.13-1.26), followed by students having breakfast three to five times per week (OR = 1.13, 95%CI: 1.08-1.18); risk in students having one bag of milk per day was higher (OR = 1.09, 95%CI: 1.02-1.17) than ones having two bags. Concerning exercise, risk of poor physical endurance in students with inadequate physical education class (OR = 1.20, 95%CI: 1.13-1.26) and less than one hour exercise per day (OR = 1.34, 95%CI: 1.29-1.40) was higher than ones with adequate physical education class and one hour exercise or more respectively. Risk of poor physical endurance in students who were "generally willing" (OR = 1.67, 95%CI: 1.61-1.73) and "not willing" (OR = 2.72, 95%CI: 2.60-2.85) to take part in endurance running was higher than "very willing" ones.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Urban and rural residence, BMI, breakfast, milk, physical education class, exercise time and exercise willingness were related to primary and middle school students'physical endurance.</p>

Association between early menarche and physical fitness among adolescent girls in China / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the association between early menarche and physical fitness among adolescent girls in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Research material was selected from the data of "2010 National Physical Fitness and Health Survey". Probability unit regression method was used to calculate the age of 10th percentile at menarche and menarche age before the 10th percentile was defined as early menarche(9.0-11.6 years old). A total of 1072 girls with early menarche were selected. Each girl with early menarche was matched with one girl from the same urban or rural locations who hadn't achieved menarche with the age difference less than 0.1 years. A total of 1072 girls without menarche were selected. Indicators of physical fitness included 50 m running, standing broad jump, 50 m×8 shuttle running and sit-ups. Differences of physical fitness between early menarche and without menarche were analyzed using t test stratified by age and urban/rural area. The multilevel models of single dependent variable and multiple dependent variables were used to analyze association between early menarche and physical fitness.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 2144 students were put in this research. Among girls (11.0-11.6 years old) in urban areas, 50 m running, standing broad jump and sit-ups was (9.78 ± 0.85) s, (153.81 ± 18.59) cm, and 27.79 ± 10.25, respectively for those with early menarche, while in girls without menarche was (10.01 ± 0.90) s, (149.71 ± 18.72) cm and 26.28 ± 10.11, respectively. There were significant differences between two groups on all above variables (t values were 4.02, 3.43 and 2.31, respectively with all P values <0.01). Among girls in rural, 50 m×8 shuttle-running and sit-ups was (125.22 ± 15.57) s and 24.96 ± 8.97 for those with early menarche, while it was (120.92 ± 13.06) s and 22.96 ± 9.83 for those without menarche. There were significant differences between two groups on both variables(t values were 3.89 and 2.77 with both P values < 0.01). In addition, 50 m×8 shuttle-running in girls (10.0-10.9 years old) with early menarche was (128.52 ± 15.74) s and it was (123.89 ± 13.50) s in girls without menarche. The difference was significant (t = 2.14, P < 0.05). The multilevel analysis showed that 50 m running, standing broad jump and sit-ups in girls with early menarche was 0.12 s, 3.14 cm and 1.11 higher than girls without menarche (Waldχ(2) values were 4.00, 6.22 and 4.07, respectively with all P values < 0.05). But 50 m×8 shuttle-running in girls with early menarche was 1.95 s less than girls without menarche (Waldχ(2) = 3.96, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Early menarche may be associated with higher speed fitness, leg power and muscle power and lower physical stamina.</p>

Interference of octamer-binding transcription factor 4A and its effect on the proliferation and multiple differentiation of human dental pulp cells / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of octamer-binding transcription factor 4A(Oct4A) in human dental pulp cells(DPC)and the effect of Oct4A on the proliferation and multiple differentiation ability of DPC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Expression of Oct4A in DPC was detected by realtime quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR). siRNA-Oct4A was constructed and transfected (50 nmol/L) into DPC with Lipofectamine(TM) RNAiMAX for 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h. The proliferation rate of DPC was examined using cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay. The alizarin red staining was used to observe the formation of calcification nodules in DPC with 14 d of osteogenic induction, and oil red O staining to observe the formation of lipid droplet in DPC with 14 d of adipogenic induction. The expression of osteogenesis-related genes dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and adipogenesis-related genes lipoprotein lipase (LPL) was detected using RT-qPCR and Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of Oct4A reached the peak in P3 DPC (2.10 ± 0.10), which was 2.10 times as much as that in P1 (P = 0.000 vs. P1 and P7), and decreased along passages. The interference efficiency of DPC transfection peaked at 72 h (69.7%). Compared with control group and negative control group (IR-siRNA), the proliferation rate and multiple differentiation ability of DPC in interference group (Oct4A-siRNA) were downregulated (P = 0.000), and DSPP and LPL in DPC from interference group significantly decreased (P = 0.000).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The interference of Oct4A significantly downregulated the cell proliferation rate and multilineage differentiation capability of DPC.</p>

[Change in E-cadherin, alpha-, beta- and gamma-catenin expression after hyperthermia of a human colon carcinoma cell line in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate changes in E-cadherin, alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenin expression after hyperthermia of a human colon cancer cell line in vitro. METHODS: E-cadherin and alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenin expression on a human colon carcinoma cell line HT29 at 7 successive times after hyperthermia at 43 degrees C for 60 min were investigated in vitro by RT-PCR and immunochemistry. RESULTS: In vitro studies revealed that E-cadherin expression had increased significantly on HT29 cells at 24 hours after hyperthermia at 43 degrees C for 60 min. In a time-course analysis, the expression of E-cadherin had major increase at 24 to 72 hours after hyperthermia compared with an unheated control cell. gamma-catenin expression had increased significantly at 8 to 72 hours. After hyperthermia at 43 degrees C for 60 min, beta-catenin expression had decreased gradually at 4 hours to 72 hours. alpha-catenin expression kept unchanged after hyperthermia. CONCLUSION: Hyperthermia at 43C for 60 min upregulated E-cadherin and gamma-catenin expressions but downregulated beta-catenin expression on colon carcinoma cells in vitro. alpha-catenin expression was not regulated by hyperthermia.

[Analysis of prognostic factors of rectal cancer in the elderly].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The relation between patient age and outcomes from colorectal cancer surgery is complex. It is generally believed that age should not be a determinant in consideration of prognosis for colorectal cancer patient. But there were few studies on the prognostic factors of rectal cancer in the elderly. We therefore performed a retrospective analysis of clinicopathologic characteristics of rectal cancer in 343 old patients with rectal cancer by univariate and multivariate analysis. METHODS: A total of 343 patients (older than 60 years) with rectal cancer were treated surgically during a period of 10 years. R0, R1, and R2 operations were carried out in 261 patients (76.09%), 29 patients (8.45%), and 53 patients (15.45%), respectively. Low anterior resection was performed in 116 patients; 169 patients underwent Miles operation; 58 patients underwent the other operations. RESULTS: The operation mortality was 0.87%; 149 patients died of occurrence or metastases of the tumor within 108 months postoperatively. Liver, lung, and bone metastases were occurred in 17, 18, and 1 patients, respectively. The mean survival time for all patients was 72.12+/-2.60 months and the overall 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 69.62%, 55.73%, and 34.23%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the predictors of survival were type of operations, radical resection, histological type, diameter of the tumors, depth of tumor invasion, lymphatic invasion, distance metastases, liver and lung metastases. Multivariate analysis showed that only radical resection, lymphatic invasion, liver and lung metastases were independent factors. CONCLUSION: The follow prognostic factors can influence the survival of rectal cancer in the elderly: type of operations, nature of operation, histological type, diameter of the tumors, depth of tumor invasion, lymphatic invasion, distance metastases, liver and lung metastases. The independent factors were nature of operation, lymphatic invasion, liver and lung metastases.

[Multivariate Cox analysis on prognostic factors after surgery for rectal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze a large cohort of patients with rectal cancer within a cancer center to determine the prognostic factors by univariate and multivariate analyses. METHODS: A total of 952 patients with rectal cancer were treated surgically during a period of 10 years. R0, R1 and R2 operations were carried out in 741 patients (77.8%), 75 patients (7.9%) and 136 patients (14.3%), respectively. There were more Miles operation (53.5%) than lower abdominal resection (LAR, 33.7%). RESULTS: The operation mortality was 0.3%, 418 patients were dead within 108 months postoperatively due to recurrence or metastases to liver, lung and bone in 53, 39 and 12 patients. The overall mean survival time for all patients was 73.52 +/- 1.70 months and the overall 3-, 5-and 10-year survival rates were 67.6%, 55.4% and 38.2%. The overall 3-, 5- and 10-year survival rates for patients treated by radical operation were 81.4%, 70.3%, 48.8%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier estimate showed that patient gender, age, radicality of resection, histological type, liver and pulmonary metastasis and TNM stage were the predictors of survival. Multivariate analysis showed statistically significant correlation with radicality of operation, histological type, depth of tumor invasion, lymphatic invasion, TNM stage, liver and pulmonary metastasis. CONCLUSION: For survival, statistically significant differences among prognostic factors in relation to radicality of resection, lymphatic invasion, TNM stage, depth of tumor invasion, histological type, liver and pulmonary metastasis are found.