Search

IntroductionMany surgical techniques have been used to repair abdominal wall defects in the inguinal region based on the anatomic characteristics of this region and can be categorised as ‘tension’ repair or ‘tension-free’ repair. Tension-free repair is the preferred technique for inguinal hernia repair. Tension-free repair of inguinal hernia can be performed through either the anterior transversalis fascia approach or the preperitoneal space approach. There are few large sample, randomised controlled trials investigating the curative effects of the anterior transversalis fascia approach versus the preperitoneal space approach for inguinal hernia repair in patients in northern China.Methods and analysisThis will be a prospective, large sample, multicentre, randomised, controlled trial. Registration date is 1 December 2016. Actual study start date is 6 February 2017. Estimated study completion date is June 2020. A cohort of over 720 patients with inguinal hernias will be recruited from nine institutions in Liaoning Province, China. Patient randomisation will be stratified by centre to undergo inguinal hernia repair via the anterior transversalis fascia approach or the preperitoneal approach. Primary and secondary outcome assessments will be performed at baseline (prior to surgery), predischarge and at postoperative 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 1 year and 2 years. The primary outcome is the incidence of postoperative chronic inguinal pain. The secondary outcome is postoperative complications (including rates of wound infection, haematoma, seroma and hernia recurrence).Ethics and disseminationThis trial will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and supervised by the institutional review board of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University (approval number 2015–027). All patients will receive information about the trial in verbal and written forms and will give informed consent before enrolment. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals or disseminated through conference presentations.Trial registration numberNCT02984917; preresults.

Objective To investigate the effects of low ambient temperature on hemodynamics and oxygen dynamics in a porcine hemorrhagic shock model. Methods Thirty-two healthy adult Bama miniature pigs were randomly divided into four groups (8 each): control (group C), shock under room temperature (22℃, group R), shock under low ambient temperature (–10℃, group L) and shock under normal body temperature (keep pulmonary arterial temperature ranged from 38.5 to 39.5℃, group N). The hemorrhagic shock model was reproduced by venous bleeding (40% of total blood volume), and the core temperature (pulmonary arterial temperature and rectal temperature), heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (PAWP), central venous pressure (CVP), cardiac output (CO), hemoglobin (Hb), saturation of mixed venous blood (SvO2) and blood gas analysis were recorded before reproduction of shock and at different time points after hemorrhagic shock. The whole body oxygen delivery index (DO2I), oxygen uptake index (VO2I), and oxygen extraction ratio (O2ER) were calculated. Results Four pigs died in group N during the experiment, meanwhile, no pig died in other groups. The core temperature in group C, R and L decreased significantly compared with group N (P

We selected 42 early-stage primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) patients and 30 healthy controls (HC). Metagenomic sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was used to characterize the fecal microbiome. UPLC-MS/MS assaying of small molecules was used to characterize the metabolomes of the serum, urine and feces. Liquid chip assaying of serum cytokines was used to characterize the immune profiles. The gut of PBC patients were depleted of some potentially beneficial bacteria, such as Acidobacteria, Lachnobacterium sp., Bacteroides eggerthii and Ruminococcus bromii, but were enriched in some bacterial taxa containing opportunistic pathogens, such as γ-Proteobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Neisseriaceae, Spirochaetaceae, Veillonella, Streptococcus, Klebsiella, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Anaeroglobus geminatus, Enterobacter asburiae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Megasphaera micronuciformis and Paraprevotella clara. Several altered gut bacterial taxa exhibited potential interactions with PBC through their associations with altered metabolism, immunity and liver function indicators, such as those of Klebsiella with IL-2A and Neisseriaceae with urinary indoleacrylate. Many gut bacteria, such as some members of Bacteroides, were altered in their associations with the immunity and metabolism of PBC patients, although their relative abundances were unchanged. Consequently, the gut microbiome is altered and may be critical for the onset or development of PBC by interacting with metabolism and immunity.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a rare, specific lymphoma subtype. Though the morphologic and immunophenotypic features of MCL have been well described in recent literatures, it is still a diagnostic dilemma because of its frequent confusion with other small B cell lymphomas (SBCLs). In the present study, we primarily focus on establishing a sensitive and specific method for the diagnosis of MCL, which is efficient to distinguish this disease from other SBCLs. We carried out our investigation for MCL and other SBCLs (including SLL, FL, MZL, and MALT) on their feature of morphology, immunophenotype, and t(11;14)(q13;q32) translocation analysis based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and interphase nuclei micro-array fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The morphologic and immunologic analysis showed the positive rate of cyclin D1 was 76.47% in MCL, which was significantly higher than that in other SBCLs. The positive rate of t(11;14) translocation was 25.81% and 35.48%, respectively, tested by general and semi-nested PCR, while 93.10% positive rate was shown with low background and strong signals pattern when tested by Nuclei micro-array FISH. Our research shows that t(11;14) translocation is a special and useful diagnostic marker for MCL, and detection of the marker by nuclei micro-array FISH is convenient and economic, especially more sensitive and specific than other methods for the diagnosis of MCL.

Tissue microarrays are ordered arrays of hundreds to thousands of tissue cores in a single paraffin block. We invented a novel method to make a high-throughput microarray group. Conventional smaller tissue microarrays were made first and then sectioned. Separate paraffin films were arrayed orderly onto a regular-sized glass slide to form a larger microarray group. Sections were not floated in a water bath but, rather, were cut singly using conventional microtome, arrayed orderly onto the glass slide with forceps instead of using a tape-based tissue transfer system, and then unfolded with warm water (46 degrees C) using a micropipette. This not only lowers the difficulty in sectioning but the overall tissue disks can be included in the same section. A microarray group of 2,534 small disks (theoretically, 2,560 disks can be made; 26 fell off during the procedure), the most up to now, was successfully made and may be used in immunohistochemistry, mRNA in situ hybridization, and flourescent in situ hybridization.

We invented a new method to make microarrays using nuclei extracted from paraffin-embedded tissues or cultured cells. A blank recipient paraffin block with 10 x 10 cores was constructed and sectioned to make the mold for the cell arrays. The sections of paraffin were mounted on poly-L-lysine-coated slides. Prepared nuclei or cells were injected into the cores of the paraffin mold. The slides were dried and dewaxed and nuclei or cell arrays were made. Using this method, we successfully made microarrays of nuclei extracted from diffuse large B-cell lymphoma paraffin-embedded tissues, nasopharyngeal cancer and lymphoma cell lines. This technique resulted in a paraffin-embedded cell preparation that yielded a cell density of approximately 500 to 1000 or 800 cells on average per 0.6-mm-diameter core. The microarrays were successfully used in fluorescence in situ hybridization, mRNA in situ hybridization, and cytohistochemical staining.

To study the feasibility of hand-assisted laparoscopic radical resection of rectal carcinoma and compare the short-term outcomes of HALS versus traditional laparoscopy approach.Clinical data of 42 cases of rectal carcinoma between January 2010 and March 2011 were enrolled in this study. Nineteen cases underwent HALS total mesorectal excision and 23 cases underwent traditional laparoscopy approach.All the operations were successfully accomplished without conversions to open surgery. The mean operation time of the HALS group was shorter than that of the traditional laparoscopic group (152 min vs. 168 min, P=0.009). Incision length was significantly longer in the HALS group (5.6 cm vs. 4.5 cm, P=0.000). The median overall costs were lower in HALS group (26 000 RMB vs. 29 000 RMB, P=0.008). The number of lymph nodes in resected specimen, intra-operative blood loss, length of hospital stay, time to passage of flatus were comparable between the two groups.Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery has the advantages of laparoscopic surgery including minimal invasiveness, safety, and quicker postoperative recovery.

To explore correlation of seven apoptosis-related proteins (Hsp90a, p53, MDM2, Bcl-2, Bax, Cytochrome C, and Cleaved caspase3) with clinical outcomes of ALK+ anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL).Using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence double staining methods, the expressions of these seven apoptosis-associated proteins were studied to clarify their relationship with clinical outcomes of 36 ALK+ and 25 ALK-systemic ALCL patients enrolled between 1996 and 2006. The relationship of these apoptosis-regulating proteins with NPM-ALK status was also evaluated with the tyrosine inhibitor herbimycin A (HA) in vitro by immunocytochemistry, Western blotting and flow cytometric assays.The presence of Hsp90α-, MDM2-, Bax-, Cytochrome C, and Cleaved caspase3-positive tumor cells was found significantly different in ALK+ and ALK-ALCLs, which was correlated with highly favorable clinical outcome. The Bcl-2- and p53-positive tumor cells were found in groups of patients with unfavorable prognosis. Inhibition of NPM-ALK by HA could reactivate the p53 protein and subsequent apoptosis-related proteins and therefore induced apoptosis in ALK+ ALCL cells.Our results suggest that these seven proteins might be involved in apoptosis regulation and associated with clinical outcome of ALK+ systemic ALCLs. We also reveal a dynamic chain relation that NPM-ALK regulates p53 expression and subsequent apoptosis cascade in ALK+ ALCLs.

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) protein resulted from chromosome translocation in anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and its relationship with the age and prognosis of patients with ALCL. The tissue microarray including 30 cases of ALCL and 2 normal control tissues were established, the expression of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) protein was detected by immunohistochemistry, the statistical analysis of detected results was carried out by SPSS software. The results showed that the ALK protein was expressed negatively in 2 cases of primary skin ALCL, but in 20 out of 28 cases of systematic ALCL the ALK protein was expressed positively and mainly located in cytoplasm and/or nucleus (71.4%). Clinically, the patients with ALK expression were younger than those without ALK expression (p0.05). The prognosis of patients with ALK expression was better than those without ALK expression (p0.05). It is concluded that there is a high incidence of ALK expression in ALCL, especially in younger group. ALK expression may be an useful and independent marker for the differential diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of ALCL.

To compare the efficacy of nuclear microarray combined with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry in detecting ALK gene translocation and ALK fusion protein in anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL).ALK gene translocation and ALK fusion protein in 17 paraffin-embedded ALCL specimens were detected using nuclear microarray combined with FISH and immunohistochemical straining, respectively.The expression of ALK fusion protein was detected immunohistochemically with ALK antibody in 8 of the 17 specimens of systemic ALCL, including 4 with both nuclear and cytoplasmic positivity and 4 with only cytoplasmic positivity. Dual-color FISH identified 6 positive specimens, including the 4 specimens with both nuclear and cytoplasmic positivity as identified immunohistochemically, and 2 with immunohistochemical cytoplasmic positivity. FISH yielded negative results for the 2 specimens with immunohistochemical cytoplasmic positivity.Nuclear microarray combined with FISH eliminated the cytoplasmic interference of the results of conventional FISH and provides a high-throughput platform for clinical detection with greater specificity than immunohistochemistry.

To investigate the association of 3q27 chromosome rearrangement with bcl-6 gene amplification and the molecular classification, therapeutic efficacies, and clinical stages in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBC).The newly invented cell microarray was used to detect 3q27 chromosome rearrangement and bcl-6 gene amplification in 60 cases of DLBCL by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The molecular classification of germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) and non-germinal center B-cell-like (non-GCB) was investigated by analyzing the expression of CD20, CD10, bcl-6 and MUM1 simultaneously by immunohistochemical S-P method and tissue microarray. The information of therapeutic efficacies and clinical stages was obtained by analyzing clinical cases. The relationships among the factors were analyzed by statistics.In 60 cases of DLBCL, 48.3%(29/60) were GCB and 51.7%(31/60) were non-GCB. The 3q27 chromosome rearrangement and bcl-6 gene amplification were present in 15 and 22 cases respectively. In 15 cases with 3q27 rearrangement, bcl-6 protein expression was positive in 3(20.0%), which was significantly different from that in cases without 3q27 rearrangement (P=0.017). In 60 cases of DLBCL, bcl-6 gene amplification was present in 22 cases, in which 5(22.7%) were GCB and 17(77.3%) were non-GCB, which was significantly different from that in cases without bcl-6 gene amplification (P=0.003). In 36 cases undergoing the normal CHOP program treatment, bcl-6 gene amplification was present in 15 cases and the rates of the complete remission, partial remission and no change were 4(26.7%), 4(26.7%) and 7(46.7%) respectively, and again it was significantly different from that in cases without bcl-6 gene amplification (P=0.016). There were no statistical significances among bcl-6 gene, BCL-6 protein expression, and clinical stages. Cases with BCL-6 protein positive and negative expression were not correlated with therapeutic efficacies and clinical stages.There is lower expression of BCL-6 protein in cases with bcl-6 gene fragmentation. Cases with bcl-6 gene amplification are non-GCB with worse therapeutic results and later clinical stages. There may be other genes near chromosome 3q27 associated with DLBCL prognosis.

To establish an animal model visualizing orthotopic growth and metastasis of colorectal cancer.pEGFP-N1 plasmid was transfected into human colorectal carcinoma cell line SW480 so that the resultant SW480/EGFP cells emitted fluorescence that could be detected externally by fluorescence stereo microscope. SW480/EGFP cells were inoculated subcutaneously in nude mice, and the orthotopic tumor growth was evaluated in real time. Whole-body visualization models of orthotopically implanted colorectal carcinoma was established surgically, and the tumor growth and metastasis are evaluated by conventional pathological methods.SW480/EGFP cells stably expressed high-levels of enhanced green fluorescent protein. Subcutaneous injection of SW480/EGFP cells resulted in tumor growth in nude mice, and the emitted fluorescence could be quantitatively detected and imaged with fluorescence stereo microscope to visualize real-time tumor growth. Visualization animal model was established successfully with surgical orthotopic implantation (SOI) of the tumor, and all mice survived. After two weeks, all the mice developed colorectal carcinoma without metastasis, but 4 weeks later, 75%percnt; of the mice developed peritoneal tumor metastasis and 50% had liver metastasis. The whole-body visualization animal model was successfully validated by pathological detection.Whole-body visualization model of orthotopic and metastatic tumor growths provides a reliable means for observing the behavior of human colorectal carcinoma and can be helpful to study the growth and metastasis patterns of the cancer.

To investigate the role of t (14; 18) chromosomal translocation and bcl-2 amplification in classification, clinical staging and prognostic evaluation of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL).Sixty cases of DLBCL were included in this investigation. Microdissection of the lymphoma tissue was performed. Tissue microarray and in-situ fluorescence hybridization technique were used to detect t (14; 18) and bcl-2 amplification. The phenotypes of either germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) or non-germinal center B-cell-like (non-GCB) were determined by immunohistochemistry including CD20, CD10, bcl-6 and MUM1 (S-P method) using the tissue microarray format. Clinical staging and therapeutic response were obtained by medical record review. The relationships among different parameters were analyzed by appropriate statistical methods.Among 60 cases of DLBCL, bcl-2/IgH was positive in 10 cases and bcl-2 gene amplification was detected in 18 cases. Overall, 29 (48.3%) cases were GCB and 31 (51.7%) cases were non-GCB. The t (14; 18) was seen in 8 (80.0%) cases of GCB and 2 (20.0%) of non-GCB. The difference was statistical significance (P = 0.031). Over-expression of bcl-2 was seen in all cases having both t (14; 18) and bcl-2 gene amplification. Of thirty-six patients who underwent routine CHOP treatment, bcl-2 gene amplification was seen in 13 cases. In these cases, the rates of complete remission, partial remission and no change were 3 (23.1%), 4 (30.8%) and 6 (46.2%) respectively, and the clinical stages were stage I - II (1 case, 7.7%) and stage III - IV (12 cases, 92.3%). The clinical stages and therapeutic response were significantly different between the bcl-2 amplification cases and those without (P = 0.046 and P = 0.019, respectively).T (14; 18) and/or bcl-2 gene amplification can lead to an over-expression of bcl-2 protein. The bcl-2 gene amplification correlates with worse therapeutic efficacies and advanced clinical stages. The reason for the correlation between bcl-2 over-expression and the prognosis is unclear, although it may be explained by different mechanisms that lead to bcl-2 over-expression. Detection of t (14; 18) chromosome translocation by FISH can be helpful in the classification of DLBCL.

To construct tree models for classification of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL) by chromosome copy numbers, to compare them with cDNA microarray classification, and to explore models of multi-gene, multi-step and multi-pathway processes of DLBCL tumorigenesis.Maximum-weight branching and distance-based models were constructed based on the comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) data of 123 DLBCL samples using the established methods and software of Desper et al. A maximum likelihood tree model was also used to analyze the data. By comparing with the results reported in literature, values of tree models in the classification of DLBCL were elucidated.Both the branching and the distance-based trees classified DLBCL into three groups. We combined the classification methods of the two models and classified DLBCL into three categories according to their characteristics. The first group was marked by +Xq, +Xp, -17p and +13q; the second group by +3q, +18q and +18p; and the third group was marked by -6q and +6p. This chromosomal classification was consistent with cDNA classification. It indicated that -6q and +3q were two main events in the tumorigenesis of lymphoma.Tree models of lymphoma established from CGH data can be used in the classification of DLBCL. These models can suggest multi-gene, multi-step and multi-pathway processes of tumorigenesis. Two pathways, -6q preceding +6q and +3q preceding +18q, may be important in understanding tumorigenesis of DLBCL. The pathway, -6q preceding +6q, may have a close relationship with the tumorigenesis of non-GCB DLBCL.

Although the molecular etiology of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is still unknown, studies showed that there are NPC-associated tumor suppressor genes residing in chromosome 3p21-22. KIAA1173 gene, locates at 3p22.1, was characterized as a new carcinoma-related gene, while its correlation to tumorigenesis of NPC hasn't been reported yet. This study was to detect the expression of KIAA1173 gene in NPC tissues and cell lines, and investigate its involvement in NPC.KIAA1173 gene fragment (354 bp) was cloned, and the cDNA probe was prepared. The expression of KIAA1173 gene in 73 nasopharyngeal tissue samples (including 41 specimens of NPC, 18 atypical hyperplasia epithelia, and 14 normal nasopharyngeal mucosa epithelia) and 6 NPC cell lines (including CNE1, CNE2, HNE1, HNE2, 6-10B, and 5-8F) were examined using tissue microarray technique by in situ hybridization (ISH).The positive rates of KIAA1173 mRNA were 21.9% (9/41) in NPC, 83.3% (15/18) in atypical hyperplasia epithelia, 92.8% (13/14) in normal nasopharyngeal mucosa epithelia, and 0 in all NPC cell lines. Its strongly positive rate was significantly lower in NPC than in atypical hyperplasia epithelia and normal mucosa epithelia (0 vs. 38.9% and 64.3%, P0.001). In 38 specimens of NPC with infiltrated lymphocytes, the positive rate of KIAA1173 mRNA was significantly lower in cancer cells than in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (23.7% vs. 44.7%, P0.05); the expression of KIAA1173 in cancer cells was negatively related to that in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (kappa = -0.337, P0.05).KIAA1173 gene is strongly expressed in normal nasopharyngeal mucosa epithelia, but down-regulated in NPC. It may be associated with the tumorigenesis of NPC. Tissue microarray

To explore a sensitive and specific method for detection of bcl-2/IgH gene rearrangement in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and verify the credibility of the established method.bcl-2/IgH hemi-nested PCR primers were designed using the professional primer design software. Fifty-two samples of pathologically diagnosed DLBCL and 10 fresh tonsil tissues were amplified using hemi-nested touch down-PCR to detect bcl-2/IgH gene rearrangement. The PCR products were cloned and sequenced.bcl-2/IgH gene rearrangement was detected in 6 of 52 DLBCL samples and 2 of 10 fresh tonsil tissues using one-way method. By using the hemi-nested PCR for the second round amplification, 5 of DLBCL were positive, but all of the fresh tonsil tissues were negative. The positive PCR products were sequenced and analyzed on the Internet, 3 of 8 cases obtained by one-way method were false positive, 5 positive cases amplified using hemi-nested PCR were all bcl-2/IgH gene rearrangement. PCR products of 3 false positive cases were homologous to BAC331191 and LLNLR-245D11 in human chromosome 19 and RP11-498P10 in chromosome 1.There are false positive results using common primers for detecting bcl-2/IgH gene rearrangement. The mechanism may be that highly homologous sequences to human genome exist in commonly used primers. The specificity of the diagnosis could be improved by hemi-nested PCR using the combination of primers we designed and the traditional ones.

To detect and clone mCD99L2 gene from mouse B lymphoma cell line A20 and construct its eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1-mCD99L2.The expression of mCD99L2 mRNA in A20 cell line was detected by in situ hybridization. The total RNA of A20 cells was extracted to obtain the full-length cDNA of the coding region of mCD99L2 gene by RT-PCR, the product of which was ligated into pMD18-T vector and the DNA sequence of the insert was detected. The coding regions of mCD99L2 gene was amplified from pMD-mCD99L2 by PCR using primers containing EcoR I and Xho I sites and cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1/MycHis(+).In situ hybridization identified positive expression of mCD99L2 gene in the A20 cell line. The full-length cDNA of mCD99L2 coding region of A20 cell line was obtained by RT-PCR, which yielded a product of 712 bp as expected, and the DNA sequence was completely homologus to the mCD99L2 cDNA reported in GenBank. Restriction endonuclease digestion and DNA sequencing indicated that the eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(+)- mCD99L2 had been constructed successfully.mCD99L2 cDNA has been cloned from mouse B lymphoma cell line A20 and its eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(+)- mCD99L2 successfully constructed, which facilitates further functional study of mCD99L2 gene in mouse B lymphoma cell line A20.

To investigate the effects of p57(kip2), cyclinE protein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) on occurrence and progression of human pancreatic cancer.The expression of p57(kip2), cyclinE protein and PCNA in tumor tissues and adjacent tissues from 32 patients with pancreatic cancer was detected by SP immunohistochemical technique.The positive expression rate of p57(kip2) protein in tumor tissues was 46.9%, which was lower than that in adjacent pancreatic tissues (chi(2) = 5.317, P0.05). p57(kip2) protein positive expression remarkably correlated with tumor cell differentiation (P0.05), but not with lymph node metastasis (P0.05). The positive expression rate of cyclinE protein in tumor tissues was 68.8%, which was higher than that in adjacent pancreatic tissues (chi(2) = 4.063, P0.05). CyclinE protein positive expression significantly correlated with tumor cell differentiation and lymph node metastasis (P0.05). The positive expression rate of PCNA in the tumor tissues was 71.9%, which was higher than that in adjacent pancreatic tissues (chi(2) = 5.189, P0.05). PCNA positive expression remarkably correlated with tumor cell differentiation and lymph node metastasis (P0.05).The decreased expression of p57(kip2) and/or overexpression of cyclinE protein and PCNA may contribute to the occurrence and progression of pancreatic cancer. p57(kip2), cyclinE protein, and PCNA play an important role in occurrence and progression of pancreatic cancer.

To analyze the characterization of T-cell receptor-gamma (TCR-gamma) gene rearrangement in the gastrointestinal lymphomas and evaluate the value of PCR-SSCP analysis in gastrointestinal lymphomas investigation.TCR-gamma gene rearrangement segments of gastrointestinal lymphomas were cloned and sequenced. Single clone plasmid and mixed clone plasmids were subsequently submitted to PCR-SSCP analysis to investigate the relationship between the number of amplified clones and band patterns of the amplified products. The PCR products of TCR-gamma gene rearrangement of 40 gastrointestinal lymphomas were electrophoresed on agarose gels and the positive cases on agarose gels were studied by SSCP analysis.The sequencing showed that TCR-gamma gene rearrangement of the gastrointestinal lymphomas included functional gene and pseudogene with extensive variety in the junctional regions. In SSCP analysis, the number of the single-stranded bands was about two times of the number of amplified clones, and double-stranded band became broad with the increased number of the amplified clones. Thirteen of the 25 B-cell gastrointestinal lymphomas and 14 of the 15 gastrointestinal T-cell lymphomas were positive detected on agarose gel electrophoresis. Of the positive cases detected by SSCP analysis, 3 B-cell lymphomas and 13 T-cell lymphomas showed positive bands. The other cases showed only smears. The rearranged pattern included 13 monoallelic gene rearrangements and 3 biallelic or oligoclonal gene rearrangements.The pattern of TCR-gamma gene rearrangement in gastrointestinal lymphomas are similar to that of the nodular lymphomas. PCR-SSCP analysis for TCR-gamma gene rearrangement can be applied both for adjuvant diagnosis of gastrointestinal lymphomas and analysis of the gene rearrangement pattern. The ratio of TCR-gamma gene rearrangements occurred in T-cell gastrointestinal lymphomas is significantly higher than that in B-cell gastrointestinal lymphomas. The gene rearrangement pattern involves monoallelic and biallelic (or oligoclonal) gene rearrangement.

To compare the racial differences of anatomical distribution of colorectal cancer (CRC) and determine the association of age, gender and time with anatomical distribution between patients from America (white) and China (oriental).Data was collected from 690 consecutive patients in Cleveland Clinic Florida, U.S.A. and 870 consecutive patients in Nan Fang Hospital affiliated to the First Military Medical University, China over the past 11 years from 1990 to 2000. All patients had colorectal adenocarcinoma diagnosed by histology and underwent surgery.The anatomical subsite distribution of tumor, age and gender were significantly different between white and oriental patients. Lesions in the proximal colon (P0.001) were found in 36.3 % of white vs 26.0 % of oriental patients and cancers located in the distal colon and rectum in 63.7 % of white and 74 % of oriental patients (P0.001). There was a trend towards the redistribution from distal colon and rectum to proximal colon in white males over time, especially in older patients (80 years). No significant change of anatomical distribution occurred in white women and Oriental patients. The mean age at diagnosis was 69.0 years in white patients and 48.3 years in Oriental patients (P0.001).This is the first study comparing the anatomical distribution of colorectal cancers in whites and Chinese patients. White Americans have a higher risk of proximal CRC and this risk increased with time. The proportion of white males with CRC also increased with time. Chinese patients were more likely to have distal CRC and developed the disease at a significantly earlier age than white patients. These findings have enhanced our understanding of the disease process of colorectal cancer in these two races.

To construct a database using Access software in which clinical information of colorectal cancer cases can be loaded, to facilitate relevant large-sample clinical studies.A retrospective study was conducted in 1 374 cases of colorectal carcinoma with surgical treatment between 1975 to 1999 in Nanfang Hospital. According to the National Standards for Pathological Study of Colorectal Carcinoma, an Access2000 database consisting of 1 145 pathologically confirmed colorectal carcinoma cases was established, designated as The Specialized Access Database of Colorectal Carcinoma.The database system has been successfully constructed and operates smoothly, which possesses powerful capacity for information processing of colorectal cancer cases.