ObjectiveTo compare the CT features of retroperitoneal ganglioneuroblastoma (GNB) and neuroblastoma (NB) in children,and summarize the differentiations between them.Methods From November 2007 to November 2011,19 patients with GNB and 21 patients with NB proven pathologically were enrolled in the study.The CT data of GNB and NB were analyzed retrospectively.These tumor parameters in CT included lesion location,size,shape,margin,calcification,across central line,style of contrast enhancement,degree of contrast enhancement,presence of small vessels in or around the tumor arranged in clumps or in line,tumor embolus,adjacent organs invasion or metastasis,lymph node metastasis,and relationship between tumor and surrounding great vessels.These parameters of both groups were compared by x2 and t test.ResultsIn GNB group,11 patients were located in adrenal gland and 8 patients in the retroperitoneal sympathetic chain; however,in NB group,18 patients were located in adrenal gland and 3 patients in the retroperitoneal sympathetic chain. The difference were statistical significances in the incidence rate of regular morphology,clear border,vessel encased by tumor,vessels displaced,presence of small vessels in /around the tumor arranged in clumps or in line,adjacent organs invasion or viscera metastasis,lymph node metastasis between NB (6/21,7/21,14/21,7/21,11/21,10/21,and 11/21,respectively) and GNB ( 12/19,13/19,6/19,13/19,4/19,3/19 and 4/19,respectively) ( P ＜ 0.05 ).However,there was no statistical significance in size,calcification,across central line,contrast enhancement type,contrast enhancement degree between them ( P ＞ 0.05 ).ConclusionsNB are more likely located at adrenal gland and presented a higher incidence rate of presence of small vessels in or around the tumor which arranged in clumps or in line,vessel encased by tumor,adjacent organs invasion or metastasis and lymph node metastasis.Regular morphology,clear border and vessels displaced are more frequently observed in GNB.

Objective:This study aims to investigate the correlation between the number of resected lymph nodes (LNs) and the prognosis of patients with node-negative non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods:A retrospective review of 305 patients with NSCLC, who received curative resection between January 2004 and December 2009, was conducted. All patients were proved without lymph node involvement histopathologically. The prognostic impact of the number of negative LNs and the clinicopathologic factors were analyzed. Results:The overall median survival time and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 60.0 months, 76.1%, 59.3%, and 47.1%, respectively. Survival analysis confirmed that the number of negative LNs, T staging and the stations of the mediasti-nal lymph nodes dissected were showed to be independent prognostic factors. Patients with a high number of negative LNs had better overall survival than patients with a low number of negative LNs (P<0.05). The patients with dissected LNs counts of more than 11 for cases with pTl~2 tumor (P<0.05) and more than 16 for cases with pT3 tumor (P<0.05) had better long-term survival outcomes. The post-operative complication rate was 12.1%, which was not significantly correlated with the number of dissected lymph nodes (P>0.05). Conclusion:The number of negative lymph nodes is an independent prognostic predicting factor for node-negative NSCLC. Sufficient dissection of LNs is recommended to improve the survival of the patients with node-negative NSCLC.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the number of resected lymph nodes(LNs) and the prognosis of patients with node-negative esophageal carcinoma.Methods A retrospective review of 429 patients receiving esophagectomy with morden two-field lymphadenectomy for cancer between January 1998 and December 2008 was performed.All patients were proved without lymph node involvement histopathologically.The prognostic impact of the number of negative LNs and the clinicopathologic factors were analyzed.Results The overall median survival time was 63.0 months,and the 1-,3-,and 5-year overall survival rates were 78.5％,64.0％ and 51.2％,respectively.Survival analysis confirmed that the number of negative LNs and the depth of tumor invasion were showed to be independent prognostic factors.Patients with a high number of negative LNs had better overall survival than patients with a low number of negative LNs(P ＜ 0.05).The patients had better long-term survival outcomes with dissected LNs counts of more than 15 for cases with pT1 tumor(P ＜ 0.05),and more than 20 for cases with pT2-3 tumor(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The number of negative lymph nodes is an independent prognostic predicting factor for node-negative esophageal carcinoma.Sufficient dissection of LNs is recommended to improve the survival of patients with node-negative esophageal carcinoma.

Objective To investigate the effects of sirolimus and 3-methyladenine (3-MA) on the autophagy in,as well as matrix matalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-3 secretion by,human skin fibroblasts (HSFs).Methods HSFs were isolated from the circumcised foreskin of a healthy male,and subjected to primary culture.After 3 to 10 passages,HSFs were incubated with sirolimus of 20,50,100,250 nmol/L and 3-MA of 0.5,2.0,5.0,10.0 mmol/L respectively for 4 hours followed by the observation of autophagy and detection of MMP-1 and MMP-3 levels in the supernatant by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Those HSFs remaining untreated or treated with dimethyl sulfoxide served as the control.Results The percentage of autophagy-positive cells was 59.075％ ± 6.884％,76.350％ ± 5.226％,85.063％ ± 6.002％,86.288％ ± 5.558％ and 96.825％ ± 1.500％ respectively in HSFs treated with sirolimus of 0,20,50,100 and 250 nmol/L; significant differences were observed between the 5 groups (P ＜ 0.01 ) but not between the cells treated with sirolimus of 50 and 100 nmol/L (P ＞ 0.05).After being treated with 3-MA of 0,0.5,2.0,5.0 and 10.0 mmol/L,the percentage of autophagy-positive cells in HSFs was 63.037％ ± 5.876％,34.425％ ± 5.183％,19.700％ ± 3.028％,12.900％ ± 3.334％ and 7.775％ ± 2.293％ respectively with a significant difference between these groups (all P ＜ 0.01 ).Elevated levels of MMP-1 and MMP-3 were observed in the supernatant of HSFs treated with sirolimus of 250 nmol/L and 3-MA of 10.0 mmol/L (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The autophagy in HSFs can be upregulated by sirolimus,but downregulated by 3-MA.For the secretion of MMPs by HSFs,3-MA and high concentrations of sirolimus exert a promotive effect,and the effect of 3-MA is in a concentration-related manner,but the influences of sirolimus at lower concentrations remain unclear.

Objective To investigate the CT features of hepatic mesenchymal hamartoma (HMH)in children.Methods Nine patients with HMH confirmed by postoperative pathology were enrolled,including 4 were males and 5 were females.Their age ranged from 3 days to 9 years 5 months (the median age was 7 months).All patients admitted due to palpable abdominal mass without jaundice.All patients were examed by contrast-enhanced CT before the operation.Results All the 9 cases showed solitary hepatic mass,among which 6 were in the right lobe,2 were in the left lobe and 1 involved in both lobes.The tumor size ranged from 7.0 to 22.5 cm (mean size was 13.5 cm) in diameter.The CT manifestations of HMH was related to the proportion and distribution of component in the masses.The masses were cystic (n =1),cystic-solid mixed (n =6) and solid (n =3).After contrast administration,the solid component and the septa of the mass showed enhancement while cystic component was not enhanced.Calcification was seen inside the tumor in one case.Conclusions The CT features of HMH in children are multitudinous which are related to postoperative pathological findings.With the clinical history,it is easy to distinguish HMH from the other hepatic tumors.

Objective To compare the results and safety between video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery ( VATS ) and conventional radical operation in patients with stage Ⅰ , Ⅱ esophageal cancer. Methods Retrospectively reviewed 43 patients with stage Ⅰ , Ⅱ esophageal cancer,underwent either VATS radical operation (VATS group,16 cases) or conventional radical operation (control group,27 cases ) from September 2007 to September 2009. Patient's operative characteristics and postoperative courses were compared between two groups. Results In VATS group the operation time was ( 115.6 ± 48.0) min,the peri-operative blood loss was ( 131 ± 71 ) ml,the first postoperative day chest lead quantity was (331 ± 170)ml, the time of postoperative chest tube was (7.25 ± 2.35) d,the postoperative 36 h visual analogue scale (VAS) was (3.4 ± 1.2) scores,the postoperative drainage of chest was ( 1281 ± 534) ml,the 72 h postoperative locomotor activity of right upper extremity was (5.1 ± 1.5) cm. While in control group was ( 145.6 ± 20.6)min, (292 ± 111 ) ml, (494 ± 194) ml, ( 10.00 ± 2.79 )d, (7.3 ± 1.4) scores, ( 1780 ± 731 ) ml, ( 15.6 ± 3.1 )cm respectively (P ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05 ). The lymph node dissection number,the total cost of hospital between were no statistically significant differences in two groups (P ＞0.05). Conclusion Comparing with conventional radical operation, VATS radical operation for patients with stage Ⅰ , Ⅱ esophageal cancer appears to be as effective but less morbid.

Objective To observe the changes of autophagy in human skin fibroblast (HSF) model for photoaging. Methods HSF model for photoaging was established through repeated exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB). Those HSFs receiving no irradiation served as the control. The degree of aging was evaluated by p-galactosidase assay, and autophagy level was detected. Results After repeated exposure to UVB, most pho-toaged HSFs were deformed and distorted, and some of them even died. The percentage of P-galactosidase-positive cells was 50.60% ± 5.04% and 14.58% ± 2.69%, respectively in photoaged and control HSFs (P< 0.01). Significant difference was also observed in the proportion of cytophagosome-positive cells between photoaged and control HSFs (14.91% ± 4.59% vs 68.45% ± 8.25%, P < 0.01). Conclusion The HSF model for photoaging shows obviously abnormal appearance and stagnant growth with increased degree of senescence and decreased autophagy compared with normal control HSFs.

Objective To investigate the phenotypes and percentages of B 10 cells in different tis-sues from wild-type mice and to identify their biological functions .Methods The percentages of B10 cells derived from different tissues of mice and their responses to lipopolysaccharide ( LPS) stimulation were ana-lyzed by flow cytometry .Magnetic-activated cell sorting ( MACS ) and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) were used to purify B10 cells, CD4+CD25-T cells and Treg cells.CD4+CD25-T cells and Treg cells labeled by CFSE were co-cultured with or without B10 cells, and then their proliferation were evaluated after 72 h.Results (1) A subset of CD19+CD5+CD1dhigh regulatory B cells was identified in spleen , pe-ripheral blood and lymph nodes from wild-type mice , of which the highest frequency was detected in spleen (3.95%±0.79%, P<0.05).The isolated B cells from different tissues were stimulated by LPS , PMA, ionomycin and monensin (L+PIM) in vitro to express IL-10.Among them, splenic CD19+IL-10+B cells showed the highest expression of IL-10 (P<0.05).(2) Prolonged LPS stimulation (48 h) to CD5+CD1dhigh B cells enhanced the expressions of IL-10 (P<0.01).(3) CD19+CD5+CD1dhigh B cells inhibited the prolif-eration of CD4+CD25-T cells in vitro in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01), but increased the secretion of IL-10 by CD4+T cells (P<0.01) and the proliferation of Treg cells in vitro (P<0.01).Conclusion Com-pared with other tissues , the percentage of B10 cell subset in spleen is the highest in wild-type mouse , and B10 cells subset can be activated through Toll-like receptor ( TLR ) signaling pathway .The responses of CD4+CD25-T cells and Treg cells in co-culture with B10 cells are regulated by B 10 cell subset through an increased IL-10 production .B10 cells might be a useful cell population for the treatment of inflammatory au-toimmune diseases.

Objective To evaluate the locating effects of a portable ultrasound for leg perforator flaps,and the clinical effects of leg perforator flaps for the wounds of the extremities.Methods Since December 2009 to March 2011,thirty-one cases of soft tissue defects of the extremities were treated with free vascularized leg perforator flaps in our center.A portable ultrasound were used for the locating of the perforator arteries of the leg before the operations.These flaps include 24 cases of the fibular artery perforator flaps (4 with simultaneous fibula transfer),three cases of the posterior tibia artery perforator flap,two cases of the medial gastrocnemius artery perforator flap,and 2 cases of the lateral gastrocnemius artery perforator flap.The flap size ranged from 15.0 cm × 8.0 cm to 1.0 cm × 1.5 cm.The caliber diameter of the perforator artery ranged from 0.2 mm to 1.8 mm.The wounds included 21 cases of the hand,five cases of the forearm,and 5 cases of the leg.Results The coincidence rate intraoperatively of the portable ultrasound was 96.8％.All the flaps survived and the wounds healed uneventfully.The donor site of the flaps were either closed directly or closed with partial split-thickness skin graft.Conclusion The portable ultrasound is an effective,reliable and accurate instrument for locating the leg perforator flaps.The leg perforator flaps have the advantages of convenient harvest,satisfactory thickness,less donor site morbidity,and high survival rate.

Objective To investigate the CT features of hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) in children.Methods Thirteen patients with FNH,which was confirmed by postoperative pathology,were enrolled retrospectively.Plain and contrast CT were performed on all patients before operation.The CT imaging features of FNH including size,shape,density,style of contrast were analyzed retrospectively and compared with pathology.Results There were 13 patients with 16 lesions,8 lesions were found in the right lobe,5 lesions in the left lobe and 3 lesions involving both lobes.The tumor size ranged from 5.5 cm to 11.5 cm (media size 7.5 cm) in diameter.Histologically,2 cases were typical type,11 cases were atypical type.The lesions were regular morphology in 12 cases and 1 case with capsule.On plain CT,the lesions were isodensity (n=1) or slightly low-density (n=12).In 2 typical type lesions,there were slit-like,stellate-shaped low density central scars.Arterial phase demonstrated that 12 cases were significantly enhanced and 1 case showed mild enhancement.The central scar was not enhanced.In 12 cases,thickened and torturous arteries were seen.The enhancement was reduced at the portal venous phase in all the lesions,with 10 cases showing slightly higher density,2cases isodensity and 1 case low-density.Two cases showed mild enhancement of the central scar.The enhancement of the solid portion in all lesions decreased at the delay phase,with 12 cases showing isodensity and 1 case slightly low density.Two cases with central scar showed delayed enhancement with slightly higher density.Conclusion The CT features of FNH in children are diversified but distinctive which are related with postoperative pathological findings.Combining with clinical symptoms and CT features can be helpful for the early diagnosis of FNH in children.