The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is important for generating multiple tissues during organismal development.This process is particularly essential for the gastrulation of metazoans and neural crest delamination of vertebrates.EMT could be induced by multiple environmental factors,identifing the underlying mechanisms of important EMT factors is essential for indicating a precise role for EMT in embryonic stem cells,and characterizing the relationship between EMT and ESCs,Which might contribute in the pathogenesis of the genetic diseases and congenital malformations.

Objective To retrospectively evaluate different methods (laboratory tests,liver / gallbladder ultrasound and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography)in differentiating biliary atresia from infant hepatitis syndrome.Methods Seventy infants with cholestatic jaundice,50 cases of biliary atresia and 20 cases of infant hepatitis syndrome were studied prospectively from January 2010 to December 2012.All cases underwent abdominal ultrasound and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.The accuracy,sensitivity,specificity and predictive values of these various methods were compared.Also the laboratory parameters were statistically analyzed and compared between groups.Results Patients with BA had significantly higher GGT values at presentation [(743.5 ± 564) IU/L] compared with infants with IHS [(198.8 ± 197.8) IU/L],showing statistically significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).The sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of the ultrasound in diagnosis of BA were 84.0％ 、100.0％ 、88.6％ respectively(P ＜ 0.05).The values for magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography were 82.0％ 、80.0％ 、81.4％ (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Currently,the method of ultrasound is more reliable than MRCP for differentiating biliary atresia from infant hepatitis syndrome.

Objective To explore the short to long term surgical outcomes and treatment experiences of esophageal atresia（EA）.Methods The clinical data of EA inpatients in our hospital from 2006 to 2009 were reviewed retrospectively.The birth weight,main associated anomalies,details of management,complications and outcomes were discussed.Main risk factors were evaluated with major prognostic classification systems.Results Totally 48 consecutive infants with EA were identified from 2006 to 2009,male 33（69%）,female 15（31%）.Mean birth weight was 2 668 g（range 1 700 g to 3 800 g）.All received primary operation.Complications included pneumonia,anastomotic leakage（16%）,tracheoesophageal fistula,incision sepsis（11%）,delayed tracheoesophageal fistula（7%）,stricture（10%）,and gastroesophageal reflux（GER）（67%）.Mortality was 12.5%,mainly due to severe pneumonia and complex cardiac anomalies.Conclusion Most patients with esophageal atresia could be cured after primary operation with excellent outcomes.The main factors for mortality were complex cardiac anomalies,aspiration and pneumonia.The main mid-term complications were GER and stricture.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of twin premature infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).Methods:The clinical data of twin preterm infants with NEC treated in Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from January 2009 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed and compared with singleton preterm infants, thus clarifying clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of twin preterm infants with NEC.Results:The incidence of NEC in twin premature infants was significantly higher than that in singleton premature infants [8.1% (124 /1 539 cases) vs.3.8% (497/13 198 cases), χ2=62.887, P<0.001]. The number of small twins in natural delivery group was more than that of large twins [(23 cases vs.5 cases), χ2=8.09, P<0.05]. Compared with singleton NEC preterm infants, twin NEC preterm infants had significantly lower birth weight [(1 424±439) g vs.(1 761 ± 596) g, t=-15.07, P<0.001], higher rate of mechanical ventilation after birth [37.1% (46/124 cases) vs.17.9%(89 / 497 cases), χ2=15.539, P<0.001], and higher mortality [13.7%(17/124 cases) vs.7.0%(35/497 cases), χ2=5.401, P<0.05]. Compared with singleton preterm infants with NEC, twin preterm infants with NEC had significantly higher surgical treatment rate [54.8%(68/124 cases) vs.43.9%(218/497 cases), χ2=27.885], younger operation age [(20.6 ± 17.5) d vs.(29.4 ± 24.4) d, t =-5.673], higher degrees of anemia [(118.284 ± 22.429) g/L vs.(127.460±28.352) g/L , t=-3.398], thrombocytopenia [(213.57 ± 150.548)×10 9/L vs.(220.25 ± 169.610)×10 9/L, t =-3.238], metabolic acidosis(7.215 ± 0.211 vs.7.355±0.418, t=-4.207), rate of shock [(52.9%(36/68 cases) vs.36.7%(80/218 cases), χ2= 5.673], and the rate of mechanical ventilation[54.4% (37/68 cases) vs.35.8%(78/218 cases), χ2=7.484](all P<0.05). Extensive intestinal necrosis was the main cause of death in either singleton or twin preterm infants with NEC.After 1 year of follow-up, there was no significant difference in the proportion of growth retardation, the proportion of serious neurodevelopmental problems and mortality between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Twin preterm infants born with poor physical fitness, and they have a high incidence of NEC with a rapid progression that require the early intervention.The operation rate of twin preterm infants with NEC is high and the postoperative complications are serious.Close observation, reasonable analysis, early prevention and intervention are needed to reduce the incidence and mortality of twin preterm infants with NEC and improve the prognosis.

Objective To investigate the fetal management of prenatally diagnosed fetal mediastinal masses and the initial experience of neonatal thoracoscopic minimally invasive treatment. Methods We per-formed a retrospective study from November 2015 to November 2016 of all newborns affected by mediastinal masses and treated by thoracoscopic surgery. This group of cases were found with mediastinal masses by pre-natal ultrasound. The earliest detection of abnormal time was 16 to 31 weeks of pregnancy,with an average of 25 weeks. In the fetal period,the patients were treated with multidisciplinary consultation and individual man-agement. Prenatal examinations helped us except for chromosomal abnormalities and other organ abnormali-ties. After birth,the patients underwent CT and MRI examination. The diameter of the tumor was 1. 7 to 5. 7 cm,with an average of 3. 2 cm. The operative age was 4 to 29 days,with an average of 12. 4 days. This group of newborns were performed thoracoscopic mass resection and confirmed by intraoperative pathological exam-ination. Results After individualized precise prenatal management,all children were born successfully and confirmed that prenatal diagnosis was accurate. All mediastinal masses were completely excised in the neo-natal period. Five mediastinal masses were completely excised. One posterior mediastinum immature teratoma was converted to open thoracotomy. The mean operative duration was 112 min(100 to 150 min). There was no operative complication with a minimal amount of blood loss. With a smooth recovery,the hospital stay was 11-17 days. Pathological results included:1 esophageal duplication,2 bronchogenic cysts,1 lymphangioma, 1 cystic teratoma of anterior mediastinum,1 immature teratoma of posterior mediastinum. During a mean fol-low-up period of 8-14 months,neither complication nor recurrence occurred. Conclusion These are the pre-conditions for early treatment of neonatal patients with mediastinal masses,including definite prenatal diagno-sis,multidisciplinary consultation system and individualized and accurate fetal management. Throcoscopic ex-cision of mediastinal masses is both feasible and safe in neonates. Proper preoperative case selection may pre-vent a conversion into thoracotomy due to huge solid mass.