[Relationship between expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and proliferative potency of endothelium in hemangioma in infants].

Objective: To investigate relationship between expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and proliferative potency of endothelium in hemangioma (HM).

Methods: Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect expression of iNOS and Ki-67 protein in 49 cases of HM and 29 cases of vascular malformation (VM).

Results: Expressive rate of iNOS and Ki-67 protein of 49 cases of HM was 38% and (10.

[Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in tongue hyperplasia and tongue squamous cell carcinoma].

Background & Objective: Recently, it has been recognized that both cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) produce important endogenous factors of human tumor progression. However, the biological significance of the adnormal expression of COX-2 and iNOS in tongue squamous cell carcinoma remains unclear. This study was to investigate the expression of COX-2 and iNOS in tongue squamous cell carcinoma and precancerous lesions, and analyze their interrelation.

A novel heterozygous missense mutation 377T > C (V126A) of TGIF gene in a family segregated with holoprosencephaly and moyamoya disease.

Objectives: To identify whether any mutations of candidate genes including SHH, ZIC2, SIX3, and TGIF exist in a Taiwanese family segregated with holoprosencephaly (HPE) and moyamoya disease.

Methods: Genotypes of the candidate genes SHH, ZIC2, SIX3, and TGIF were determined in the family members who were available for analysis by sequencing. In addition, genomic regions of another 50 unrelated Taiwanese (100 chromosomes) were studied to verify whether the nucleotide changes we found were mutations or polymorphisms.

[Plastic surgical treatment of extensive hemangiomas in the oral and maxillofacial regions in children].

Objective: To evaluate plastic surgical procedures for the extensive soft tissue hemangiomas in the oral and maxillofacial regions in children and to explore prevention methods from surgical complications.

Methods: 134 patients with hemangiomas were surgically treated. The defects of soft tissue were repaired with pedicle flaps or skin grafts.

[Outcome of treatment 46 patients with Bell's palsy with aciclovir and prednisone].

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of treatment with an antiviral drug in combination with corticosteroids in patients with Bell's palsy.

Methods: 46 patients with Bell's palsy were randomly divided into two groups, aciclovir and prednisone group (A+P group, n=23) and prednisone group (P group, n=23). The patients in A+P group were treated with 0.

Anti-inflammatory mechanisms of phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids.

The molecular mechanisms for the anti-inflammatory activity of phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids were examined in an in vitro system mimicking acute inflammation by studying the suppression of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon-gamma (IFNgamma)-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 cells. Two of the phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids, NSTP0G01 (tylophorine) and NSTP0G07 (ficuseptine-A), exhibited potent suppression of nitric oxide production and did not show significant cytotoxicity to the LPS/IFNgamma-stimulated RAW264.

Identification of anrF gene, a homology of admM of andrimid biosynthetic gene cluster related to the antagonistic activity of Enterobacter cloacae B8.

Aim: To identify the gene (s) related to the antagonistic activity of Enterobacter cloacae B8 and to elucidate its antagonistic mechanism.

Methods: Transposon-mediated mutagenesis and tagging method and cassette PCR-based chromosomal walking method were adopted to isolate the mutant strain(s) of B8 that lost the antagonistic activity and to clone DNA fragments around Tn5 insertion site. Sequence compiling and open reading frame (ORF) finding were done with DNAStar program and homologous sequence and conserved domain searches were performed with BlastN or BlastP programs at www.

Cellular toxic effects of combination of low dose of cisplatin and interstitial injection of 32P glass microspheres on mouse solid tumor S180.

Background: Although 32P-glass microspheres (32P-GMS) have been used in internal radiotherapy for malignant tumors, it has been one of the key obstacles to improve the effect of radiotherapy. We investigated the cellular and hypersensitive effect of combined use of low dose of cisplatin and interstitial injection of 32P-GMS on mouse solid tumor S180.

Methods: The mice with solid tumor S180 were randomly divided into four groups (controls, cisplatin therapy, 32P-GMS therapy and combination therapy).

Solid breast masses: classification with computer-aided analysis of continuous US images obtained with probe compression.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the accuracy of continuous ultrasonographic (US) images obtained during probe compression and computer-aided analysis for classification of biopsy-proved (reference standard) benign and malignant breast tumors.

Materials And Methods: This study was approved by the local ethics committee, and informed consent was obtained from all included patients. Serial US images of 100 solid breast masses (60 benign and 40 malignant tumors) were obtained with US probe compression in 86 patients (mean age, 45 years; range, 20-67 years).

[An island pectoralis major myocutaneous flap for the reconstruction of tongue and floor of mouth].

Objective: To evaluate an island pectoralis major myocutaneous flap for immediate reconstruction of the total tongue body and the floor of the mouth after radical resection of bilateral tongue carcinoma involved.

Methods: Form October 2000 to December 2002, seven patients with bilateral tongue carcinoma were selected to treat with salvage surgery, and an island pectoralis major myocutaneous flap were applied for immediate reconstruction of total body of tongue and floor of mouth.

Results: Six flaps survived well.

Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging manifestations of Holmes tremor.

Holmes tremor is a rare symptomatic slow tremor in the proximal parts of the limbs. It may be present at rest or maintenance of a posture, or during the movement of the affected limb. We describe herein three patients of Holmes tremor with possible etiologies of brainstem infarction and head injury.

[Intervention effect of an inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor on carcinogenesis of hamster cheek pouch carcinoma].

Objective: To observe the expression changes of VEGF, iNOS and the level of MVD and NO during the evolution of Golden hamster cheek pouch carcinogenesis. To study the effect of NO in carcinogenesis in the pouch of hamster, and to investigate the effect of NOS inhibitor L-NAME in interfering with carcinogenesis.

Methods: 90 golden hamsters were divided into three groups: 40 in experiment group, 40 in control group and 10 in blank group.

[Effect of salvage surgery for patients with recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma].

Objective: To examine the benefit of restaging recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma (R-OSCC) and the effect on salvage surgery.

Methods: An analysis was performed on 30 patients with local only first failure (n = 13) or loca-regional only first failure (n = 9) or first recurrence in the neck (n = 8) after surgery and/or radiation treatment given for oral squamous cell carcinoma. All the 30 patients were restaged and treated with salvage surgery.

[One-stage reconstruction of bilateral mandibular with free fibula flap].

Objective: To explore the method of clinical application and the efficacy of free fibula osteomyocutaneous flap in one-stage reconstruction of transmidline bilateral mandibular defect caused by giant neoplasms.

Methods: From july 2000 to october 2002, transmidline bilateral mandibular defects caused by ameloblastoma (4 cases) and gingival carcinoma (2 cases), according to the character of defects, were reconstructed with free fibula osteomyocutaneous flaps. Peroneal artery and vein were used as vascular pedicle, the fibula was reshaped, and micro-titanium plates were used in rigid fixation between fibula and residue of bilateral mandible.

Magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion-weighted images of cystic meningioma: correlating with histopathology.

Background And Purpose: Cystic meningiomas are quite rare, accounting for between 2% and 4% of all intracranial meningiomas. To better understand all the types of cystic meningiomas with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and histopathology, we attempted to correlate the MRI and DWI features of cystic meningiomas with the histopathological findings.

Methods: We collected 15 cases of cystic meningiomas diagnosed between 1993 and 2000 (5 men and 10 women, 41-80 years old).

[Modification for primary tongue reconstruction with free forearm flap after radical operation of tongue carcinoma].

Background & Objective: Radical operation of tongue carcinoma causes hemi-tongue defective, which seriously affected the quality of life in these patients. The primary tongue reconstruction guaranteed the healing of the surgical incision at early stage. This may help to recover swallowing and speaking of the patients.

Kyphosis correction and height restoration effects of percutaneous vertebroplasty.

Background And Purpose: Percutaneous vertebroplasty is known for its pain-relieving effect. Our purpose was to evaluate its effect on the kyphosis angle, wedge angle, and height of the fractured vertebral body.

Methods: We reviewed digital radiographs of 73 vertebral bodies in 53 patients before and after vertebroplasty.

The biological activity of antibacterial substance produced by Enterobacter cloacae B8.

An antibacterial substance was extracted and purified from the culture of Enterobacter cloacae B8 and the antagonistic activities of the extract to 229 clinical pathogen strains was tested by the K-B paper-dish method. The extract of Enterobacter cloacae B8 showed strongly antagonistic activity to all 146 tested stains of Staphylococcus spp.; the antagonistic diameter was about 18-32 mm, averaging about 26.

Metallic stenting for treatment of central venous obstruction in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Central venous obstruction is a serious and common complication in hemodialysis patients. The recurrence rate is high after balloon dilation, while surgical repair is hazardous in these chronically ill patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of primary Wallstent placement for treatment of hemodialysis-related central venous obstructions.

[Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA in squamous cell carcinoma of tongue].

Background & Objective: Recently, most of studies have indicated that nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) has been found at significantly higher expression levels in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCCA) specimens as compared with that in normal tissue. Furthermore, these data provided strong evidance for the role of iNOS generating NO in HNSCCA progression.

Diffusion-weighted MRI features of brain abscess and cystic or necrotic brain tumors: comparison with conventional MRI.

Background And Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) can be used to distinguish brain abscesses from cystic or necrotic brain tumors, which are difficult to distinguish by conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques.

Methods: Eleven consecutive patients with brain abscesses [10 pyogenic and 1 toxoplasmosis (in an AIDS patient)] and 15 with cystic or necrotic brain gliomas or metastases were enrolled in this study. None of these lesions had apparent hemorrhage based on T1-weighted image (T1WI).