Objective To investigate the impacts of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and on operation procedure and the significance of prognosis. Methods The expression of IGF-1R in 40 patients with breast cancer before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy was measured by immunohistochemistry. The diagnosis was proved by core biopsy. All the patients took the TAC chemotherapy regimen. Modified radical operation was performed after two chemotherapy cycles and the IGF-1R expression was measured again. The clinical effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy was assessed according to WHO criterion by measuring the size of tumor by physical examination and B type ultrasound. Results After neoadjuvant chemotherapy the tumor size shrank in 29 patients, there was no CR (complete response) or PD (progressed disease) to be documented. IGF-1R expression could be downregulated in 25 patients. Conclusion Neoadjuvant chemotherapy can inhibit the tumor growth by downregulation of the expression of IGF-1R.
Laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy had developed considerably in recent years, but some complex sites of anatomical hepatectomy, such as anatomical resection of the right posterior lobe of the liver, still presented some technical difficulties. Combining the specific perspective of laparoscope and the particular anatomical structure of the right posterior lobe of the liver, we had proposed a strategy of anatomical right posterior lobe resection via cranial-dorsal approach. The right posterior lobe resection plane was defined by point (right hepatic vein root)—by line (ischemic line/right hepatic vein)—by plane (hepatic surface ischemic line and right hepatic vein composition) to achieve precise anatomical resection of the right posterior lobe of the liver, and could reduce intraoperative complications and comply with the principle of tumour-free. Thus, a strategy of anatomical right posterior lobe resection via cranial-dorsal approach might provide a feasible and effective option for right posterior lobectomy of the liver.
Objective To explore the ultrastructure characteristics of pulmonary arteries in smokers with normal lung function and with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD) . Methods 33 patients who undertook surgery for peripheral lung cancer were collected. According to smoking history and pulmonary function, the patients were divided into three groups, ie. non-smokers with normal pulmonary function ( group A, n = 10) , smokers with normal pulmonary function ( group B, n = 13) , and smokers in stable phase of COPD ( group C, n = 10) . Normal lung tissues without cancer were sampled and observed under light and electric microscope. Results ①Compared with group A, the thickness of intimal layer of intra-acinar pulmonary muscular arteries of group B and C were significantly higher, the area of their lumenwas lower, and the proportion of their muscular arteries was higher( P lt; 0. 01) . ②Ultrastructure of small pulmonary arteries of group A showed that intimal layer was normal, so as to endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. Collagen fiber was not increased. Ultrastructure observation of group B showed that endothelialcells were distorted, basal membrane was thick, and collagen fiber increased in vessels. Ultrastructure observation of group C showed that endothelial cells degenerated, vascular intima thickness increased, andsynthetic phenotype smooth muscle cells increased. ③ Smoking index was positively correlated with the proportion of muscular arteries and the proportion of intimal area( r =0. 464,0. 635, P lt;0. 05, respectively) ,and negatively correlated with the proportion of lumen area( r= - 0. 603, P lt;0. 05) . Conclusions Smokers with normal lung fuction and with COPD show the similar ultrastructural characterizations in endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and pulmonary arterial remodeling, which related closely to smoking.