MicroRNA-200b regulates cyclin D1 expression and promotes S-phase entry by targeting RND3 in HeLa cells.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous non-coding small RNAs that inhibit gene expression post-transcriptionally. By regulating their target genes, miRNAs play important roles in tumor generation and development. Recently, the mir-200 family was revealed to inhibit the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which is viewed as an essential step in early tumor metastasis.

All-trans retinoic acid is capable of inducing folate receptor β expression in KG-1 cells.

The high expression of folate receptor (FR) on cancer cells might be a potential target for cancer therapy. In this study, the FR-β expression and the modulation effect of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in a number of cancer cell lines were analyzed. The gateway of ATRA activity on FR-β expression was further studied by a panel of retinoid activators and inhibitors.

[Clinical features and changes of 5-hydroxytryptamine in children with vasovagal syncope].

Objective: To investigate clinical features of childhood vasovagal syncope (VVS) and the possible relationship between changes of plasma and platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and childhood VVS.

Method: Forty-one children who were diagnosed as VVS because of positive head-up tilt test (HUTT) in Capital Institute of Pediatrics were enrolled as HUT-positive group, while 36 healthy children as control group. Clinical features of all children were analyzed, and blood samples of all children were obtained.

[Long-term results of esophageal motor dysmotility after Heller's myotomy for achalasia].

Objective: To investigate the long-term characteristics of both clinical manifestation and esophageal motor disturbance in achalasia patients after Heller's myotomy.

Methods: After 3 to 10 years' follow-up, clinical manifestation, esophageal motor function and 24-hour continuous esophageal pH monitoring in 72 post-operative cases of achalasia were recorded.

Results: The mean LES pressure decreased from 44 + or - 12 mm Hg to 10 + or - 5 mm Hg, and the rate of L ES relaxation rised from 49% + or - 20% to 84% + or - 15% (paired t test, P < 0.

Low-dose amiodarone for the prevention of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients older than 70 years.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common arrhythmia after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), which not only increases the suffering of the patients, but also prolongs hospital stay and enhances cost of care, especially for patients older than 70 years. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose amiodarone in the prevention of AF after CABG, especially for the elderly.

Methods: Two hundred and ten senile patients undergoing off-pump CABG were included in this prospective, randomized, double-blind and placebo controlled study.

[Clinical and genetic characteristics of a patient with dyskeratosis congenita].

Objective: To analyze the clinical features and gene mutation of a patient with dyskeratosis congenita, who was admitted in our hospital for thrombocytopenia.

Method: The clinical and laboratory data of a 4 years and 10 months old boy were summarized. DKC1 gene was analyzed using PCR amplification and DNA sequencing.

A novel ligation technique facilitating minithoracotomy.

Purpose: We describe a simple knot tying technique that facilitates minithoracotomy, can be rapidly executed, and is easy to learn.

Description: The technique is described in detail as a stepwise approach with photographs.

Evaluation: A total of 117 consecutive patients underwent elective minithoracotomy in which this novel deep ligation technique was used during the past 16 months.

Procaine and procainamide inhibit the Wnt canonical pathway by promoter demethylation of WIF-1 in lung cancer cells.

Secreted Wingless type (Wnt) ligands have previously been shown to be involved in tumor developmental processes and oncogenesis. Aberrant promoter methylation of Wnt inhibitory factor-1 (WIF-1) is a fundamental mechanism of epigenetic silencing in human cancers. Procaine, a local anesthetic drug, and procainamide, a drug for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, have been reported as inhibitors of DNA methylation, causing demethylation and reactivation of methylation-silenced genes such as RARbeta and GSTP1.

SLP-2 overexpression is associated with tumour distant metastasis and poor prognosis in pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: To investigate the role of stomatin-like protein 2 (SLP-2), a novel cancer-related gene, in pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) and its implications.

Methods: Immunohistochemical detection of SLP-2 was performed on 96 cases of PSCC with a tissue microarray.

Results: SLP-2 was overexpressed in lung cancer compared with normal lung tissue (p <0.

[Effect of topotecan on MAGE gene expression of HPB-AM cells].

Objective: To investigate whether topotecan, a novel anti-tumor agent, down-regulates gene expression of melanoma antigen-encoding (MAGE) in HPB-AM cells.

Methods: MAGE mRNA expression of HPB-AM cells was detected by RT-PCR 4, 8, 12 and 16 hrs after different concentrations (0.05, 0.

[Survival and prognostic factors in resected satellite-nodule T4 non-small cell lung cancer].

Objective: To study the survival and prognostic implication in surgically resected satellite-nodule T4 (T4 satellite) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: From January 1995 to March 2005, the complete resection was performed to 42 patients with NSCLC who were postoperatively identified as pathologic-stage T4 satellite. Survival and associations between clinicopathological parameters and prognosis were analyzed.

Promoter demethylation of WIF-1 by epigallocatechin-3-gallate in lung cancer cells.

Background: Aberrant promoter methylation of Wnt inhibitory factor-1 (WIF-1) is a fundamental mechanism of epigenetic silencing in human cancers. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has been reported to directly reactivate several methylation-silenced genes. The promoter demethylation and reactivation of WIF-1 has not previously been reported.

Expression and significance of FRA-1 in non-small-cell lung cancer.

Fra-1 is thought to play an important role in tumorigenesis and progression. This study aimed to investigate the expression and significance of Fra-1 in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). By analyzing with Western blot and immunohistochemistry, we found that Fra-1 is downregulated in NSCLC, compared with normal bronchial epithelium.

[Intraoperative esophageal manometry employed in the course of Heller's cardia-myotomies].

Objective: To study the changes of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) high-pressure zone, and to determine the accurate length of myotomy on the esophageal and gastric sides.

Methods: There were 15 patients undergoing the Heller's cardia-myotomies and Toupet fundoplications from May 2006 to December 2007. Among them, 9 patients were female and 6 was male.

[Application of frontal drill in revision endoscopic frontal sinus surgery].

Objective: To discuss the application of frontal drill in revision endoscopic frontal sinus surgery.

Method: The clinical data of 11 adult patients (18 sides) suffering from chronic recurrent frontal sinusitis were analyzed retrospectively. The patients received revision endoscopic frontal sinus surgery with frontal drill because of difficulty in confirming ostia under endoscope.

[Effect of blood pressure status changes from childhood to adulthood on hypertension related cardiac-renal function in adulthood].

Objective: To assess the effect of blood pressure (BP) changes from childhood to adulthood on hypertension related cardiac and renal function in adulthood.

Methods: The "Beijing children and adolescents BP study cohort" consists of 2505 subjects 6-18 years of age who were enrolled in the baseline BP investigation in 1987. Among them, 412 individuals aged 23-37 years were successfully followed up in 2005.

[Video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy for myasthenia gravis].

Objective: To investigate the outcome of video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy (VATET) for myasthenia gravis.

Methods: From January 2005 to February 2006, VATET had been performed for 41 patients of myasthenia gravis. Among them, 23 patients were female and 18 were male.

Clinical study of inflammatory factors in sputum induced early after lung volume reduction surgery.

Background: The aim of this study was to prospectively study the changes in neutrophil elastase (NE), fibroblast growth factor 9 (Fgf9), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) in sputum induced during the early period after lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS).

Methods: From April to October 2005, ten consecutive patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) underwent LVRS. Ten non-small cell lung cancer patients (stage II - IIIa) received lobectomy as a control group.

Production of allogenic cartilage in a tube lined with epithelium and a novel scaffold.

Objective: To study the feasibility of engineering cartilage tissue in a tube lined with epithelium and implanting allogenic chondrocytes in a novel scaffold that is made of chitosan nonwoven cloth coated with poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide).

Design: Laboratory research.

Subjects: Allogenic chondrocytes were obtained from the auricles of 1-month-old New Zealand white rabbits.

[Impact of different mediastinal lymphadenectomy on clinical-stage IA non-small cell lung cancer].

Objective: To study the role of different lymphadenectomy in the treatment of selected clinical-stage IA non-small cell lung cancer.

Methods: All 115 postoperative patients admitted from January 1997 to May 2002 with pathologic-stage T1 who had been preoperatively diagnosed as clinical-stage I A non-small cell lung cancer were divided into a radical systematic mediastinal lymphadenectomy (LA) group and a mediastinal lymph node sampling (LS) group. Impacts on morbidity, N staging, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were evaluated in each group respectively.

Combined transcervical and unilateral-thoracoscopic thymectomy for myasthenia gravis: 2 years of follow-up.

Background: To investigate the efficacy of combined transcervical and unilateral-thoracoscopic thymectomy for myasthenia gravis.

Methods: There were 36 patients with nonthymomatous myasthenia gravis, undergoing combined transcervical and unilateral-thoracoscopic thymectomy and who have been followed-up for more than 2 years. To achieve maximal benefit, a transverse cervical incision was performed to give access to remove fat in the neck, which may contain residual or ectopic thymus after all thymic tissue and mediastinal fat were completely removed by thoracoscopic thymectomy.

Radical systematic mediastinal lymphadenectomy versus mediastinal lymph node sampling in patients with clinical stage IA and pathological stage T1 non-small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: To explore the appropriate method of mediastinal lymph node dissection for selected clinical stage IA (cIA) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: From 1998 through 2002, the curative-intent surgery was performed to 105 patients with cIA NSCLC who had been postoperatively identified as pathologic-stage T1. According to the method of intraoperative medistinal lymph node dissection, they were divided into radical systematic mediastinal lymphadenectomy (LA) group (n = 42) and mediastinal lymph-node sampling (LS) group (n = 63).