Objective To study the tumorigenetic characteristics of side population (SP) cells and their exsistence in gastric cancer cell lines and tissues.Methods Flow cytometry and the DNA-binding dye Hoechst 33342 staining were used to analyze sorted SP cells in 3 gastric cancer cell lines(SGC-7901,BCIC-823 and MKN28).SP cells and non-SP cells(main population cells)isolated from SGC-7901 cell line weresubcutaneously injected into 36 nude mice with 500,5000 or 50 000 cells per mouse,respectively.Thetumorigenity was observed 8 weeks after injection.The expression of ATP-binding cassette sub-family Gmember 2(ABcG2)mRNA in three gastric cell lines and its level in gastric cancer tissues were detected by real-time PCR and immunostaining.respectively.Results The proportion of SP cells was accounted for 1.0%in SGC-7901 cells and 1.3%in BGc-823 cells.No SP cell was found in MKN28 cells.As low as 500 SP cells or 50 000 non-SP cells could initiate tumors in mice.The expression of ABcG2 mRNA was higher in SGC-7901(O.162)and BGC-823(O.096)cell lines than that in MKN28 cell line(0.005).The value of AtCG2 mRNA/beta-aetin mRNA and protein in gastric cancer tissues was different from those in gastritis tissues.Condasimm SP cells have strong ability of tumorigenesis compared with non-SP cells.The expression of ABCG2 is found in gastric cancer tissues and part gastritis tissues.The more the SP cells in gastric cell lines,the higher the expression of ABCG2.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between low tongue position (LTP) and the volume and dimensions of the nasopharyngeal, retropalatal, retroglossal, and hypopharyngeal segments of the upper airway. Methods: A total of 194 subjects, including 91 males and 103 females were divided into a resting tongue position (RTP) group and a LTP group according to their tongue position. Subjects in the LTP group were divided into four subgroups (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4) according to the intraoral space volume. The 3D slicer software was used to measure the volume and minimum and average cross-sectional areas of each group. Airway differences between the RTP and LTP groups were analyzed to explore the association between tongue position and the upper airway. Results: No significant differences were found in the airway dimensions between the RTP and LTP groups. For both retropalatal and retroglossal segments, the volume and average cross-sectional area were significantly greater in the patients with extremely low tongue position. Regression analysis showed that the retroglossal airway dimensions were positively correlated with the intraoral space volume and negatively correlated with A point-nasion-B point and palatal plane to mandibular plane. Males generally had larger retroglossal and hypopharyngeal airways than females. Conclusions Tongue position did not significantly influence upper airway volume or dimensions, except in the extremely LTP subgroup.

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of newly treated high-risk group neuroblastoma (NB) patients with bone marrow metastasis and to explore the prognostic factors. Methods: The clinical features (sex, age, stage, risk group, pathological type, metastatic site, etc.) of 203 newly treated high-risk NB patients with bone marrow metastasis admitted to Hematology Oncology Center, Beijing Children′s Hospital from January 2007 to December 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 118 males (58.1%) and 85 females (41.9%). Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis and Cox regression was used to analyze the prognostic factors. Results: The age at onset of the 203 patients was 41 months (9-147 months). The metastatic sites at diagnosis were as follows: bone in 195 cases (96.1%), distant lymph nodes in 104 cases (51.2%), skull and endomeninx in 61 cases (30.0%), orbit in 30 cases (14.8%), pleura in 16 cases (7.9%), liver in 13 cases(6.4%), canalis spinalis in 13 cases (6.4%), other sites in 11 cases (5.4%) and skin and soft tissue in 10 cases (4.9%). In all, 194 cases were enrolled for prognostic analysis. The follow-up time was 36 months (1 day-138 months) , and the 5-years event free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 36.1% and 39.7%, respectively. A total of 118 patients (60.8%) had events (first relapse or death) with the time to event occurrence was 15 months (1 day-72 months), whereas 112 patients (57.7%) died with the event occurrence to death time was 3 months (1 day-21 months). There was no significant difference in 5-years OS between radiotherapy group and non-radiotherapy group (42.3% vs. 38.3%, χ²=3.671, P=0.055). The 5-years OS in transplantation group was significantly better than the non-transplantation group (44.3% vs. 35.5%, χ²=8.878, P=0.003), and the radiotherapy combined transplantation group also had a better 5-years OS rate than the non-radiotherapy combined transplantation group (45.8% vs. 37.3%, χ²=5.945, P=0.015). Univariate survival analysis showed lactate dehydrogenase ≥ 1 500 U/L, the amplification of MYCN, the metastatic sites of orbit, canalis spinalis and pleura were associated with poor prognosis of newly diagnosed high-risk NB patients (χ²=21.064, 13.601, 3.998, 6.183, 15.307, all P<0.05). The amplification of MYCN and the metastatic sites of pleura were risk factors for prognosis of newly diagnosed high-risk NB patients by Cox regression models (HR=1.896,1.100, 95%CI: 1.113-3.231, 1.020-1.187, both P<0.05). Conclusions The prognosis is unfavorable in high-risk group NB patients with BM metastasis. Radiotherapy combined with transplantation can further improve the prognosis of these patients. The amplification of MYCN and the metastatic sites of pleura were the poor prognostic factors for high-risk NB patients with bone marrow metastasis.

Objective:To investigate the prognosis of robotic pancreatoduodenectomy after the learning curve and open pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer.Methods:The propensity score matching and retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 396 patients who underwent curative pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic duct adenocar-cinoma in Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from January 2017 to December 2018 were collected. There were 244 males and 152 females, aged 64(range, 36?92)years. Of 396 patients, 86 cases undergoing robotic pancreatoduodenectomy were divided into robotic group, 310 cases undergoing open pancreatoduodenectomy were divided into open group. Observa-tion indicators: (1) propensity score matching and comparison of general data between the two groups after matching; (2) follow-up and survival analysis. Follow-up was conducted by telephone interview or outpatient examinations including tumor markers and abdominal imaging examina-tions to detect survival of patients up to March 2022. Overall survival was defined as the time from the surgery date to death or the last follow-up. Disease-free survival was defined as the time from the surgery date to tumor recurrence or the last follow-up. The propensity score matching was conducted by 1∶1 matching using the nearest neighbor method. Normality of measurement data was examined using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were described as M(range), and comparison between groups was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney rank-sum test. Count data were represented as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rates and draw survival curves, and Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. An intent-to-treat analysis was performed in this study, patients who were converted to laparotomy from robotic surgery were still divided into the robotic group. Results:(1) Propensity score matching and comparison of general data between the two groups after matching: 164 of 396 patients had successful matching, including 82 cases in robotic group and open group, respectively. Before propensity score matching, the body mass index, cases in stage T1, T2, T3, T4, cases in N0, N1, N2 were 23.4(range, 21.4?25.3)kg/m 2,24, 41, 10, 11, 52, 27, 7 for the robotic group, versus 22.4(range,20.3?23.9)kg/m 2,57, 144, 22, 87, 131, 132, 47 for the open group, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( Z=3.01, 2.63, 3.03, P<0.05). After propensity score matching, cases of males, age, body mass index, cases with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score as 1, 2, 3, CA19-9, cases with preoperative biliary drainage, cases with portal vein resection, cases with pancreatic resection margin <1 mm, cases in stage T1, T2, T3, T4, cases in stage N0, N1, N2, cases with nerve invasion, cases with tumor differentiation as high-medium differentiation, medium-low differentiation, low differentiation, cases with adjuvant chemotherapy were 51, 65(range, 59?69)years, 23.0(range, 21.0?25.2)kg/m 2, 32, 41, 9, 160.4(range, 46.7?377.2)U/mL, 21, 9, 8, 21, 40, 10, 11, 48, 27, 7, 76, 26, 47, 9, 53 for the robotic group, versus 58, 65(range, 58?69)years, 23.3(range, 21.4?25.3)kg/m 2, 35, 39, 8, 172.0(range, 69.7?402.9)U/mL, 26, 9, 10, 24, 40, 7, 11, 49, 28, 5, 76, 22, 49, 11, 57 for the open group, showing no significant difference in the above indicators between the two groups ( χ2=1.34, Z=0.18, 0.34, 0.49, 0.51, χ2=0.75, 0.00,0.25, Z=0.59, 0.27, χ2=0.00, Z=0.76, χ2=0.44, P>0.05). (2) Follow-up and survival analysis: after propensity score matching, 164 patients were followed up for 54(range, 1?67)months. The follow-up time of patients was 55(range, 51?59)months for the robotic group, versus 54(range, 50?58)months for the open group, respectively, showing no significant difference between the two groups ( Z=0.48, P>0.05). During the follow-up, the 1-year overall survival rate, 3-year overall survival rate, the median survival time, 1-year disease-free survival rate, 3-year disease-free survival rate, the median disease-free survival time, tumor recurrence rate, cases with recurrence pattern as local recurrence, liver recurrence, other distant recurrence, local and distant recurrence were 81.7%, 39.0%, 27 months(95% confidence interval as 19?33 months), 61.0%, 34.2%, 15 months(95% confidence interval as 12?18 months), 54.9%(45/82), 12, 16, 9, 8 for the robotic group. The above indicators were 79.3%, 36.0%, 24 months(95% confidence interval as 19?31 months), 59.8%, 27.5%, 15 months(95% confidence interval as 10?20 months), 58.5% (48/82), 10, 22, 6, 10 for the open group. There was no significant difference in overall survival or disease-free survival between the two groups ( χ2=0.39, 0.47, P>0.05). There was no significant difference in tumor recurrence rate or tumor recurrence site between the two groups either ( χ2=0.22, 1.86, P>0.05). Conclusion:After the learning curve, robotic pancreato-duodenectomy has non-inferior prognosis compared with open pancreatoduodenectomy.

Objective·To compare the prognostic effects of radical resection of esophageal cancer,concurrent chemoradiotherapy and simple follow-up observation on the prognosis of patients with T1b invasion of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD).Methods·From May 2016 to May 2021,the clinical data of 67 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who were pathologically confirmed as pT1b after ESD and treated in Shanghai Chest Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.According to the additional treatment after ESD,the patients were divided into additional surgery group(S group),chemoradio-therapy group(CRT group)and observation group(O group).χ2 test was used to compare the clinical baseline data and pathological information of the three groups of patients.The Kaplan-Meier survival curve and log-rank test were used to compare the disease free survival(DFS)and recurrence free survival(RFS)of the three groups of patients,and the Cox proportional hazards regression model was used on DFS and RFS by univariate and multivariate analysis.Results·Among all 67 patients,there were 23 cases in the S group,19 cases in the CRT group,and 25 cases in the O group.There was no significant difference in age(P=0.080),gender(P=0.078),tumor length(P=0.485),tumor location(P=0.655),lesion circumferential ratio(P= 0.310),histological grading(P=0.084),depth of tumor invasion(P=0.066)and lymphovascular invasion(P=0.279)among the three groups.During(42.6±16.7)months of follow-up,tumor recurrence was observed in 10 cases(14.9%),including 6 patients(60%)with local recurrence,2 patients(20%)with regional lymph recurrence and 2 patients(20%)with distant metastasis.The median recurrence time of group S,group CRT,and group O was 40.1,36.6,and 22.1 months,and the 3-year DFSs were 100%,89.5%,and 74.5%(P-trend=0.040).Multivariate Cox analysis showed that additional esophagectomy was the key to improving independent protective factors of RFS(HR=0.097,95%CI 0.010?0.956,P=0.046).Conclusion·For patients with superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma confirmed as pT1b after ESD,additional surgery can significantly reduce the possibility of long-term recurrence.

Objective To retrospectively analyze the clinical efficacy,safety and influencing factors of radiotherapy in children with stage Ⅳ high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NB).Methods A total of 120 children with HR-NB who were diagnosed and treated with local radiotherapy according to the BCH-HR-NB-2007 protocol in the Oncology Department of Beijing Children's Hospital from January 2014 to December 2017 were enrolled.Among them,56 children were male and 64 female with a median age of 43 months (9 -148 months).The treatment protocol consisted of 4 cycles of CAV chemotherapy,3 cycles of CVP chemotherapy,surgical resection after 4 cycles,autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after 7 cycles,local radiotherapy at a dose of 15.0-30.6 Gy for 82 cases of primary tumors and 38 cases of primary and metastatic tumors,followed by 13 cis-retinoic acid as maintenance therapy.The entire treatment protocol endured for approximately 18 months.Results The median follow-up time was 21 months.The 3-year local control rate was 84.4％.Before radiotherapy,the 3-year event-free survival rate was 78.4％ in children without metastases,significantly higher compared with 30.4％ in the residual group (P=0.003).The 3-year event-free survival rate was 66.1％ in patients who underwent radiotherapy within 6 months after surgery,significantly higher than 50.6％ in their counterparts receiving radiotherapy at 6 months or more after surgery (P=0.018).Among the children with residual metastases before radiotherapy,the progression rate in children who did not receive radiotherapy was 66.6％,significantly higher compared with 20.0％ in those receiving radiotherapy (P=0.001).All patients had no radiation-related adverse reactions in the liver,kidney and heart,etc.The incidence rate of grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ myelosupression was 24.5％ at 1 week post-radiotherapy,and 8％ at 2 weeks after radiotherapy.Conclusions Radiotherapy yields definite clinical efficacy in the local control of children with stage Ⅳ HR-NB.Early radiotherapy after surgery and radiotherapy for the metastatic lesions can improve the clinical prognosis.No vital organ injuries are observed during the short-term follow-up.At 2 weeks after radiotherapy,the myelosupression is gradually restored.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NB) patients with skeletal metastasis.Methods:The clinical features of 336 newly treated HR-NB patients with skeletal metastases admitted to the Department of Medical Oncology of Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2007 to December 2018 were analyzed retrospectively.Kaplan-Meier method was used for the survival analysis, and Log- Rank test was used for univariate prognosis analysis.The Cox model was used to analyze the multifactorial prognostic analysis. Results:A total of 336 HR-NB patients were recruited, involving 188 males and 148 females with the median age of onset of at 43 (4-148) months.Skeletal metastases affected the viscerocranium (89 cases, 26.5%), neurocranium (193 cases, 57.4%), vertebrae (298 cases, 88.7%), sternum and ribs (183 cases, 54.5%), pelvis (270 cases, 80.4%), upper limbs (182 cases, 54.2%) and lower limbs (240 cases, 71.4%). The 5-year event-free survival (EFS) rate and overall survival (OS) rate were (30.4±2.7)% and (41.3±2.9)%, respectively.Univariate analysis showed a significantly lower 5-year OS rate in skeletal metastatic HR-NB patients with poor prognostic classification, the morphology of neuroblastoma (stroma-poor) and ganglioneuroblastoma (intermixed), high index of mitosis-karyorrhexis index, lactate dehydrogenase≥587 U/L, serum ferritin≥92 μg/L, MYCN amplification and 1p loss of heterozygosity, and metastases in the viscerocranium, neurocranium, vertebrae, sternum and ribs, pelvis, upper limbs and lower limbs (all P<0.05). The 5-year OS rate of HR-NB patients with all 7 regions of skeletal metastases was only (14.2±5.9)%, which was significantly lower than that in patients with a single region metastasis or multi-region metastases[(66.0±10.2)% vs.(43.6±3.4)%, χ2=45.722, P<0.05]. Cox multifactorial analysis showed that MYCN amplification ( HR=4.165, 95% CI: 2.356-7.363) and the viscerocranium metastasis ( HR=2.560, 95% CI: 1.519-4.315) were the independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of HR-NB patients with skeletal metastases (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The prognosis is extremely poor in HR-NB patients with multiple skeletal metastases at the initial diagnosis.The amplification of MYCN and the viscerocranium metastasis are the poor prognostic factors for HR-NB patients with skeletal metastases.

【Objective】 To investigate dynamic regional homogeneity (dReHo) abnormality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients by using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). 【Methods】 A total of 26 ESRD patients and 26 healthy controls (HC) matched in gender, education level and age were included. Rs-fMRI scanning was performed in all subjects. All the subjects were tested by using auditory verbal learning test Huashan version (AVLT-H) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) to assess cognitive function before collection of MRI data. T-test was used to observe the difference in dReHo at global level between the two groups. Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses were made to estimate the correlation between abnormal brain regions and clinical scales. 【Results】 Compared with HC group, the dReHo value in ESRD patients reduced on the bilateral superior margin gyrus, left insula, left posterior central gyrus, and left putamen (P<0.05, replacement test correction). The dReHo values of left superior margin gyrus (r=-0.534, P=0.005) and left insula in ESRD patients (r=-0.422, P=0.032) were negatively correlated with the LR-S score, and the dReHo value of the left margin was negatively correlated with the SR-S score (r=-0.468, P=0.016). 【Conclusion】 There are abnormal dReHo values in several brain regions in ESRD patients during resting state, which is related to the patients’ cognitive function. The variation of dReHo value provides a new objective imaging basis for evaluating the cognitive function of ESRD patients.

【Objective】 To explore the correlation between abnormal thalamic functional connectivity (FC) and memory loss in maintenance hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). 【Methods】 An auditory verbal learning test (AVLT-H) was conducted on 22 patients with ESRD and 28 age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy controls (HC) to evaluate memory function. After that, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data were gathered, and a whole-brain FC analysis centered on the thalamus was executed to discern variations in thalamic FC between the two groups. Finally, Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses were carried out. 【Results】 Compared to the HC group, the ESRD group exhibited notably lower scores in IR-S (P=0.002), SR-S (P<0.001), and LR-S (P=0.005). Concurrently, the ESRD group demonstrated diminished FC of the right thalamus with the left superior frontal gyrus, the left parietal lobule, the right suproccipital gyrus, the right anterior cuneus, and the right middle frontal gyrus (P<0.05, TFCE correction). Additionally, reduced FC were observed between the left thalamus and the left gyrus rectus, the left parietal lobule, and the right parietal lobule in the ESRD group (P<0.05, TFCE correction). Moreover, the FC values between the left thalamus and the left gyrus rectus in the ESRD group displayed significant negative correlations with IR-S (r=-0.499), SR-S (r=-0.458), and LR-S (r=-0.455) (all P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 Memory impairment is evident in ESRD patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis, and it appears to be intricately linked to anomalous FC within the left thalamus and the left gyrus rectus. These findings offer potential imaging markers for monitoring memory dysfunction in individuals with ESRD.