Purpose:To investigate genetically a diagnostic method of occult metastasis of lymph node in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.Methods:Using assays of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction technique (RT PCR), MUC1 gene mRNA in thirty negative and thirty positive control lymph nodes was detected to evaluate diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Eighty seven negative regional lymph nodes by conventional histologic examination (pN 0 ) from thirty patients with esophageal carcinoma were studied to detect MUC1 gene mRNA to diagnose lymph node occult metastasis.Results:MUC1 mRNA was not identified in any specimen of negative control group (specificity =100%); MUC1 mRNA was identified in twenty five of positive control specimen (sensitivity =83%). MUC1mRNA was identified in nine lymph nodes (10.3%) from eight patients with pN 0 esophageal carcinoma. Conclusions: Nodal occult metastasis could be diagnosed by the detection of expression of MUC1mRNA of lymph node in patients with pN 0 esophageal carcinoma.

Objective To investigate the correlation between level of Titin antibodies (Titin-Ab) and patient's condition and different thymic pathological patterns in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), and to assess its value in the diagnosis and prognosis of MG.Methods The levels of Titin-Ab in serum from 52 patients with MG (MG group), 18 cases with other neurologic diseases (NMG group) and 50 normal controls (NC group) were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay (ELISA). 10 cases with MG who received operation on thymus were tested again after therapy.Results The positive rate of Titin-Ab in MG group was 36.5%,but not present in MNG and NC groups.The MG group!was significantly higher than those in NMG group and NC group (all P

Objective To investigate the expression of MTA1 protein and its relationship to the prognosis in esophageal cancer after esophagectomy. Methods One hundred and sixty-five patients with middle third squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent operation in Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University between January 2002 and January 2004. The expression of MTA1 protein was detected by immunohistochemistry. All statistic analyses were performed with SPSS 10.0 statistical software. According to the clinicopathologic factors, the difference of MTA1 protein expression was compared by x2 test. Kaplan-meier method was performed to calculate the survival rate, Cox regression multivariate analysis was performed to determine independent prognostic factors. Results The 5-year survival rate in Ⅰ stage,Ⅱ stage and Ⅲstage was separately 100.0% 、38.3% and 22.4%, and the MTA1 protein expression rate in Ⅰ stage, Ⅱ stage and Ⅲ stage was separately 25.0% 、30.9% and 57.9%, the difference of MTA1 protein expression between Ⅱ stage and Ⅲ stage was statistically significant ( x2 = 11.6, P = 0. 00). The MTA1 protein expression rate in T1 stage, T2 stage and T3 stage was separately 42.9% 、13.3% and 50%. MTA1 protein expression rate in T2 stage patients and T3 stage patients was separately 13.3% and 50%, the difference of MTA1 protein expression between them was statistically significant (x2 = 13.2, P =0.00). The positive expression of MTA1 protein in patients with lymph node metastasis was significantly higher than those without metastasis ( x2 = 8.2, P = 0.04). The 5-year survival rate in patients with MTA1 protein positive expression was significantly lower than those without MTA1 protein positive expression (P =0.00 ), and the 5-year survival rate in T3 stage patients with MTA1 protein positive expression was significantly lower than those without MTA1 protein positive expression ( P =0.01 ), and the 5-year survival rate in N0 stage patients with MTA1 protein positive expression was significantly lower than those without MTA1 protein positive expression (P = 0.03 ), and the 5-year survival rate in N1 stage patients with MTA1 protein positive expression was significantly lower than those without MTA1 protein positive expression ( P =0.04). However, the 5-year survival rate in T2 stage patients with MTA1 protein positive expression was not significantly lower than those without MTA1 protein positive expression (P =0.20). The result of Cox analysis demonstrated that N stage and MTA1 protein positive expression were independent prognostic factors. Conclusion MTA1 protein overexpression was detected in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and was found to be significantly associated with T stage and lymph node metastasis. The patients with MTA1 protein overexpression was significantly lower the 5-year survival rate than without MTA1 protein expression. Lymph node metastasis and MTA1 protein overexpression were independent prognostic factors.

Objective To investigate the risk factors with lymph node metastatic recurrence in patients with N0 esophageal cancer after Ivor-Lewis Esophagectomy. Methods The subjects were 82 patients with pN0 esophageal cancer who underwent Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy from January 2001 to January 2005. By using RT-PCR, VEGF-C mRNA was detected in tumor issues, and Mucin l( MUC1 )mRNA was detected in lymph nodes. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate and lymph nodal metastatic rate. Log-rank test was performed to compare the recurrence rate, and Cox regression multivariate analysis was performed to determine independent prognostic factors. Results VEGF-C mRNA was identified in 42 patients (51.22%), and MUC1 mRNA was identified in 23 patients(28.05% )from at least 1 lymph node station . The diagnosis of lymph node micrometastasis (LNMM) was based on the detection of MUC1 mRNA. The first recurrence exhibiting lymph node metastasis was recognized in 37 patients (45.1%) at the first 3 years after operation and this was significantly associated with T status ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). Lymph node metastatic rate for patients with VEGF-C mRNA expression in tumor issues was significantly higher than that for patients without VEGF-C mRNA expression( P ＜0. 01 ). And lymph node metastatic rate for patients with LNMM was significantly higher than that for patients without LNMM ( P ＜0. 01 ). The results of multivariate analysis confirmed that T status, VEGF-C mRNA expression in tumor issues and LNMM were independent relevant factors. Conclusion Status,VEGF-C mRNA expression in tumor issues and LNMM in patients with N0 esophageal cancer were independent risk factors for 3-year lymph node metastatic recurrence after Ivor-Lewis Esophagectomy.

Objective: To explore the effect of radiotherapy on preventing the recurrence of lymph node metastasis of esophageal cancer after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy. Methods: Three hundred and sixty-six pa-tients with middle third squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus were enrolled in this study. All patients un-derwent Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy with two-field lymph node dissection in our hospital between June 1999 and June 2004. All statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 13.0 statistical software. Kaplan-Meier method was performed to calculate the relapse rate. Log-rank test was performed to compare the relapse rate. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify independent prognostic factors for postoperative lymph node metastasis. Results: Of the 366 cases, lymph node metastasis was found in 105 patients (28.5%)within 3 years after surgery, occupying 52.2% (105/201) of total recurrence. Of the 181 patients treated with postoperative radiotherapy, lymph node metastasis was found in 37 patients. The rate of lymph node metasta-sis was 20.4%, significantly lower than that in patients treated with chemotherapy alone and those without sys-temic adjuvant therapy (P<0.05). Chemotherapy was administered in 103 cases and lymph node metastasis was found in 33 patients. The rate of lymph node metastasis was 32.0%, lower than that in patients without systemic adjuvant therapy, but without statistical significance (P=0.17). The results of Cox analysis demon-strated that T stage, lymph node metastasis and postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy were independent prog-nostic factors. Conclusion: Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy for the middle third thoracic esophageal cancer was a safe surgical procedure. Postoperative radiotherapy is helpful for the control of local recurrence. T stage,lymph node metastasis and postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy are independent prognostic factors. Radio-therapy is helpful for preventing the recurrence of lymph node metastasis of esophageal cancer after Ivor-Lew-is esophagectomy.

Objective To investigate the expression of chemokine receptor CCR7 and its correlation with lymph node metastasis and prognosis in esophageal cancer after esophagectomy. Methods One hundred and eighty-four patients with middle third squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent operation in Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University between June, 2003 and June, 2005. The expression of CCR7 was detected by immunohistochemistry. All statistic analyses were performed with SPSS 13.0 statistical software. According to the clinico-patho-logic factors, the difference of CCR7 expression was compared by x2 test. Kaplan-meier method was performed to calculate the survival rate, Cox regression multivariate analysis was performed to determine independent prognostic factors. Results The expression rate of CCR7 in stage Ⅰ , stage Ⅱ and stage Ⅲ patients was 25.0 % , 70.3% and 85.5% , respectively. The difference of CCR7 expression between stage Ⅱ and stageⅢ was statistically significant (x2 =5.0, P =0.02). The CCR7 expression rate in T1, T2 and T3 patients was 33.3% , 64.9% and 80.9% , respectively. The difference of CCR7 expression between T2and T3 was statistically significant (x2 =5.4, P =0.01). The level of expression of CCR7 in patients with lymph node metastasis was significantly higher than those without metastasis (x2 =10.8, P = 0.00). The 5-year survival rate instage Ⅰ , stage Ⅱand stage Ⅲ patients was 100.0% , 38. 3% and 22.4% , respectively. The 5-year survival rate in patients with CCR7 overexpression was significantly lower than those without CCR7 overexpression (x2 = 23.7, P = 0.00). The 5-year survival rate in T2, T3, NO and N1 patients with CCR7 overexpression was significantly lower than those without CCR7 overexpression The result of Cox analysis demonstrated that T , N and CCR7 overexpression were independent prognostic factors. Conclusion CCR7 expression was detected in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and was found to be significantly associated with T stage,N stage and lymph node metastasis. The patients with CCR7 expression was significantly lower the 5-year survival rate than without CCR7 expression. T stage, lymph node metastasis and CCR7 expression were independent prognostic factors.

Purpose:To evaluate the significance of surgery for pulmonary metastases and investigate the adverse factors of prognosis.Methods:Forty six patients with pulmonary metastases were studied. Operation was performed through conventional thoracotomy ( in 30 patients) and video assisted thoracoscopic surgical techniques (in 16 patients). Patients were followed up. Survival rate was calculated with Kaplan Meier method. Logistic regressive analysis was done to identify adverse prognostic factors.Results:Three year and five year survival rates were 33.8% and 15.8% respectively. Logistic multivariate regressive analysis revealed that multiple lobes metastases and metastases with lymph nodal metastases were adverse factors for prognosis.Conclusions:Surgery might cure some selected patients with pulmonary metastases. Multiple lobes metastases and metastases with mediastinal lymph nodal metastases are indicators of poor prognosis.

Objective To assess the indications,effect and complications of plasma exchange(PE) application in children.Methods A total of 93 patients treated with PE were enrolled,and the clinical mani-festations before and after treatment were analyzed retrospectively.Results Ninety-three cases of children received PE treatment 2 to 1 1 times,an average of 5.5 times,53 cases with combination blood purification treatment.In 93 patients,there were 36 cases with hemolytic uremic syndrome,among them,22 cases (61.1 %)were healed,14 cases(38.9%)remained hematuria,and proteinuria and 5 of them(13.9%)with injured renal function.There were 9 cases with Guillain-Barre'syndrome and 8 of them got improved.Six in 8 cases with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptorencephalitis got better after treatment.All of the 3 cases with myasthenia gravis got recovery.There were 4 cases with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and 4 cases with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy respectively.The treatment effect rate was all 3 /4. Four in 9 patients with poisonous mushroom poisoning also got improved.The adverse reactions were ob-served in 12 cases(12.9%),including allergic in 9 cases and hypotension in 3 patients.No serious adverse reactions were found during treatment.Conclusion PE is an safe and effective blood purification method, with less adverse reaction,for treatment of the atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and some serious nervous system diseases,such as myasthenia gravis,Guillain-Barre syndrome,etc.

Objective:To retrospectively evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of two different surgical approaches, Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy and 2-incision esophagectomy via left thoracic-cervical pathway, in the treatment of middle thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods:One hundred and two patients from 167 patients with middle thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma received Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy and another 65 patients received 2-incision esophagectomy via left thoracic-cervical pathway. The local recurrence rate of tumor and survival rate were calculated by using Kaplan-Meier method. The difference in the survival rate between the two surgical methods was analyzed by using log-rank test. The prognostic risk factors were assessed by COX regression analysis. Results:Peri-operative complications occurred in 35 patients (21.0%), in which the incidences of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury and anastomotic leakage were higher in the left thoracic-cervical group (P<0.05), and the incidence of intrathoracic gastric retention was higher in the Ivor-Lewis group, but the difference was not significant. The 3-year local recurrence rate was 37.3% in the Ivor-Lewis group, and 40.0% in the left thoracic-cervical group. The difference was not significant (P>0.05). The overall 5-year survival rate of the 167 patients was 34.6%. It was 36.0% in the Ivor-Lewis group and 32.3% in the left thoracic-cervical group, respectively (P>0.05). COX regression analysis revealed that pTNM staging was the independent prognostic factor [P=0.000, HR(hazard ratio)=2.69]. Conclusion:Both Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy and 2-incision esophagectomy via left thoracic-cervical pathway are feasible alternatives in the treatment of middle thoracic esophageal squmamous cell carcinoma. We should choose the rational operative method based on the patients'individual condition.

Objective To explore the clinical features of invasive fungal infection in 27 children treated at nephrology department between 1999 and 2014.Methods Twenty-seven cases of invasive fungal infection at nephrology department were analyzed retrospectively.Results Candida urinary infection was found in 9 cases,pneumocystis carinii pneumonia were found in 8 cases,invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and urinary aspergillosis found in 4 cases and 1 case respectively,cryptococcus neoformans meningitis and pulmonary candidiasis found respectively in 2 cases,and pulmonary filamentous fungal disease was found in 1 case.These 27 cases showed different features of illness:10 primary nephrotic syndrome,7 secondary nephrotic syndrome,6 malformation of urinary development and 4 preterm birth ＜ 32 weeks gestational age with low birth weight.All of the cases had the history of taking antibiotics.Seventeen cases of them had used corticosteroid and cytotoxic drugs in a long-term.Sixteen cases had experienced invasive procedures.All children had fever in varying degrees,14 cases showed gasp,7 cases had progressive hypoxia and respiratory failure,and 5 cases developed into multiple organs failure.Chest computed tomographic (CT) imaging data showed diffuse ground-glass opacity with mosaic sign of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia(8 cases).The features of pulmonary aspergillosis included multiple nodules and cavity in bilateral lungs (4 cases).The radiologic findings showed patching lesions with indistinct edge and uncertained density of bilateral middle-lower lung fields with pulmonary candidiasis (2 cases).Full dose of antifungal drug was given to 23 cases of them,16 cases recovered completely,3 got better,4 cases died.Four cases gave up full dose antifungal therapy.Conclusions Long-term use of corticosteroid and cytotoxic drugs,use of broad-spectrum antibiotics,invasive therapies,such as indwelling centralvenous catheters,endotracheal intubation with mechanical ventilation,and preterm birth with low birth weight were risk factors in predicting invasive fungal infection.Chest CT findings were different among these cases.Even though not specific,the relatively differences were helpful to the differential diagnosis of these diseases.