Objective To study the ultrasonographic characteristics of Wilms′tumor (WT), aims at elevating the diagnostic level.Methods We retrospectively studied sonographic features in 30 cases of WT proved by operation and pathology.Results The tumors with heterogeneous pattern of solid and cystic tissue were shown in 22 cases.Seven cases demonstrate predominantly echogenic tumor. A huge cystic mass with numerous septas was shown in 1 case. The tumor extended into renal pelvis in 4, into renal vine in 1.The tumor metastasized to lymphnod in 1, to bilateral lungs in 1. Among 30 cases, the tumor was huge and grew beyond the renal profile in 26 cases, in 3 cases the tumors took up the renal sinus and made its structure turbulence, the renal shape was approximately normal.One case was extrarenal WT,the tumor located in retroperitonemu.Conclusions Sonographically, typical WT is a large heterogeneous mass within or without cystic areas, it also can be a pure cyst. It is easy to diagnose. When the tumor is limited to renal outline, it is easy to confusion with renal cancer. In addition, there are bilateral WT and extrarenal WT. The sonographic characteristics is similar among WT, clear cell sarcoma of kidney, malignant rhabdoid tumor and congenital mesoblastic nephroma. It is difficult to distinguish them from ultrasonography.

Objective To summarize the sonographic characteristics of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome in children and investigate the diagnostic value of ultrasound.Methods Retrospective analysis of sonographic characteristics of 19 cases with pathologically-confirmed Peutz-Jeghers syndrome were conducted.ResultsExcept for one child,other 18 patients all had more than one polyp with the maximum of sixteen.The polyp with the smallest size of 0.8 cm×0.5 cm×0.8 cm was found in left colic flexure,while the largest one was found in superior rectal with a measurement of 7.6 cm×2.7 cm×3.6 cm.The polyps showed radiatiform echotexture.And hypoechoic and hyperechoic components were present alternately.Blood flow was easily identified within these polyps by color Doppler sonography.Intussusceptions were observed in 11/19 patients.Among them,10 cases were located at small intestine.The sonographic finding was a concentric structure with a polyp at the top.Conclusions The sonographic appearence of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is characteristic.Before surgery,ultrasonographic examination could achieve a accurate diagnosis for Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.

Objective To describe the sonographic appearance of mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver(MHL)and to analyze the diagnostic value of ultrasound.Methods Eleven surgically and pathologically confirmed cases of MHL from January 2005 to May 2011 in the Beijing Children′s Hospital were retrospectively reviewed.Results Ultrasound examinations showed 9 cystic hamartomas,including 7 multiseptate cystic and 2 monocystic lesions.Of the 7 multiseptate cystic hamartomas,4 had a honeycomb appearance and 3 had irregularly-distributed multiple cysts with varied septations.Of the 2 monocystic hamartomas,1 had a large cystic portion while the other was mainly solid with approximately 4% cystic portion of the tumor.Two cases in this group were solid,presenting with a well-defined homogenous mass.Conclusions Ultrasonography is an effective imaging modality for the diagnosis for MHL.A mixed or a mainly-cystic liver mass found in a child less than 2 years old should be suspicious for MHL.

Objective To analyze the ultrasonographic appearance of thyroglossal duct cysts and thyroglossal duct ifstula, and disicuss the value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of thyroglossal duct cysts and thyroglossal duct ifstula. Methods Totally 142 cases of surgically and pathologically conifrmed thyroglossal duct cysts and thyroglossal duct ifstula cases in Beijing Children′s Hospital Afifliated to Capital Medical University from 2005 to 2012 were retrospectively reviewed and the ultrasonographic characteristics were analyzed. Results Among 142 cases, 128 cases of thyroglossal duct cyst were diagnosed by ultrasound. The ultrasonographic manifestation generally presented as anechoic and uneven medium echo cystic masses, with posteria wall echo enhancement. Most of the cyst walls were thin, and close to the thyoid, with or without deep ifstula. If the cysts were associated with infection, the wall would be thickening and echo enhancement of the surrounding soft tissue could be seen. Cysts ranged from the root of tongue to the suprasternal fossa, mostly in midline level of the neck. Of all the 128 cases, 95 cases were single cyst, round in shape; 33 cases had irregular shape with a fistula extended deeply, 13 cysts extended to the hyoid trailing edge, 20 cases extended to the mouth lfoor. Ultrasound examination revealed ifstulas in 10 cases, which presented as a hypoechoic thin strip-like echo inside the neck soft tissue, 6 cases extended to the hyoid bone direction, 2 cases extended to the mouthlfoor, 2 cases extended to the front thyroid. The other 4 cases showed anterior hypoechoic area, without cyst or ifstula structure. Conclusions Ultrasound is valuable in detcting the size, position, internal echo of the cyst and sinus, as well as showing their relationship with the hyoid. It is an optimal choice for the diagnosis of thyroglossal cyst and thyroglossal ifstula.

Objective To study the changes of flow parameters of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) in children with abdominal type Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) using color Doppler ultrasound.Methods Ten children with abdominal type HSP and 17 controls were included in present study.The blood flow parameters of SMA[including peak velocity(PV),end-diastole velocity(EDV),resistant index(RI)]were measured at acute and recovery stage separately.Statistical analysis was conducted among groups.Results PV were (41.57±8.02)cm/s,(33.38±7.44)cm/s and (35.34±9.73)cm/s in acute stage,recovery stage and control group,respectively.There was no statistically significant difference among groups(F=2.471,P=0.10).EDV were(7.63±4.28)cm/s,(4.23±2.57)cm/s and (3.77±0.87) cm/s in acute stage,recovery stage and control group,respectively.There was significantly significant differences between acute stage group and other two groups(t=0.066,P=0.025;t=0.059,P=0.003).RI were (0.85±0.17),(1.00±0.15) and (1.04±0.13) in acute stage,recovery stage and control group,respectively.Also there was significantly significant differences between acute stage group and other two groups(t=1.391,P=0.020;t=1.239,P=0.026).Conclusion For abdominal type HSP in children,the changes of PV,EDV and RI of SMA were significant,which may help us determine the stage of disease.

The expressions of StAR (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein) mRNA in testes from 7,14,23 and 37 day-old piglets were studied by tissue in situ hybridization. The results indicated that in the testes of piglets, StARmRNA was expressed in Leydig cells of pig testes. The expression level of StARmRNA was lower in 7 days piglets but higher in 14,23,37 days. The results indicated that StAR gene played an important role in steroid biosynthesis.

Objective To evaluate the role of protein kinase Cα (PKCα)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway in endotoxin-induced damage to alveolar macrophages and the relationship with mitofusin-1 (Mfn1) in rats.Methods Rat alveolar macrophages NR8383 cells cultured in vitro were seeded in 96-well plates at a density of 1 × 104 cells/ml.NR8383 cells were divided into 5 groups (n =15 each)using a random number table:control group (group C),endotoxin challenge model group (group E),PKCα inhibitor Go6976 group (group G),PKCα agonist PMA group (group P) and dimethyl sulfoxide group (group D).NR8383 cells were stimulated with 10 μg/ml lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to establish the model of endotoxin challenge in alveolar macrophages.In G,P and D groups,cells were pretreated with 5 μmol/L Go6976,100 nmol/L PMA and 0.1％ dimethyl sulfoxide,respectively,for 30 min starting from 30 min before stimulation with LPS,and 10 μg/ml LPS was then given.The cells were collected after 24 h of incubation for measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) contents,superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and expression of PKCα,HO-1 and Mfn1 protein and mRNA (by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction or Western blot).Results Compared with group C,MDA and ROS contents were significantly increased,the SOD activity was decreased,the expression of PKCα and HO-1 protein and mRNA was up-regulated,and the expression of Mfn1 protein and mRNA was downregulated in E,G,P and D groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group E,MDA and ROS contents were significantly increased,the SOD activity was decreased,and the expression of PKCα,HO-1 and Mfn1 protein and mRNA was down-regulated in group G,MDA and ROS contents were significantly decreased,the SOD activity was increased,and the expression of PKCα,HO-1 and Mfn1 protein and mRNA was upregulated in group P (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group D (P＞0.05).Conclusion Promotion of Mfn1 expression following PKCα/HO-1 signaling pathway activation is the endogenous protective mechanism of endotoxin-induced damage to alveolar macrophages of rats.

Objective To assess the diagnostic value of magnetic source imaging(MSI) in the preoperative localization of focal cortical dysplasia(FCD). Methods Eighty-two patients with intractable epilepsy resulting from FCD undergone preoperative assessment including MSI, video electroencephalography(VEEG) and electrocorticography(ECoG)from February 2006 to June 2012.The consistency between pre- and intra-surgical assessment was evaluated. For patients who had consistent results,postoperative curative effect was also recorded. The accuracy and predictive values of noninvasive preoperative tests were compared by χ2 test. Results For MSI and ECoG, their results were consistent in 57 cases, partially consistent in 14 cases, and inconsistent in 11 cases. In the postoperative follow-up of 57 patients with consistent results, there were 46 cases with Engel class Ⅰ, 3 cases with Engel class Ⅱ, 4 cases with Engel class Ⅲ, and 4 cases with Engel class IV. For VEEG and ECoG, the results were consistent in 43 cases, partially consistent in 33 cases, inconsistent in 6 cases.The postoperative follow-up showed that 27 cases were graded as Engel classⅠ, 5 cases as Engel classⅡ,7 cases as Engel classⅢ, and 4 cases as Engel class IV. There were statistically significant differences(χ2=5.023,P=0.025)of the concordance rate with ECoG between MSI(69.51%,57/82)and VEEG(52.44%,43/82). In the postoperative follow-up of patients with consistent results, the curative effect was better in group MSI than in group VEEG (χ2=3.989,P=0.046). Conclusions Preoperativelocalization by MSI shows advantage over VEEG, which meanswhen it achieves an agreement with ECoG, patients with FCD may get better prognosis from the surgical process.

0.05).The adverse effect of treatment group was significantly less than control group(P

Objective To investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) on nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression in the renal tissues of rabbits with endotoxic shock-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) and the relationship with p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) signaling pathway.Methods Seventy male New Zealand white rabbits,weighing 1.5-2.0 kg,aged 2 months,were randomized into 7 groups (n =10 each) using a random number table:normal control group (C group),endotoxic shock-induced AKI group (AKI group),EA + endotoxic shock-induced AKI group (EA group),non-acupoints + endotoxic shock-induced AKI group (SA group),EA + endotoxic shock-induced AKI + specific p38MAPK blocker SB203580 group (EAS group),SB203580 group (S group),and ethanol group (A group).EA (intensity 1-2 mA,frequency 2/100 Hz,wave length 0.2-0.6 ms) of Zusanli and Shenyu lasting for 15 min was performed once a day for 5 consecutive days in EA and EAS groups.In SA group,EA was performed at the points 0.5 cm lateral to the acupoints of bilateral Zusanli and Shenyu using the parameters of EA mentioned above.At 24 h after the last EA,endotoxic shock-induced AKI was induced by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 5 mg/kg (in 2 ml normal saline) in AKI,EA,SA and EAS groups,while the equal volume of normal saline was given in the other groups.At 30 min before the model was established,5/μmol/kg SB203580 (in 0.5 ml ethanol) was injected intravenously in EAS and S groups,while ethanol 0.5 ml was given in A group and the equal volume of normal saline was given in the other groups.Blood samples were obtained at 6 h after administration of LPS or normal saline for determination of serum urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) concentrations.The animals were sacrificed and kidney specimens were obtained for microscopic examination of pathological changes which were scored and for measurement of Nrf2 protein expression and phosphorylation of p38MAPK (by Western blot) and Nrf2 mRNA expression (using fluorescent quantitative PCR).Results Compared with C group,the pathological score and serum BUN and Cr concentrations were significantly increased,and Nrf2 mRNA and protein expression was up-regulated in AKI,EA,SA and EAS groups,the phosphorylation of p38MAPK was increased in AKI,EA and SA groups,and no significant changes were found in the parameters mentioned above in S and A groups.Compared with AKI group,the pathological score and serum BUN and Cr concentrations were significantly decreased,and Nrf2 mRNA and protein expression was up-regulated in EA and EAS groups,the phosphorylation of p38MAPK was increased in EA group,the phosphorylation of p38MAPK was decreased in EAS group,and no significant changes were found in the parameters mentioned above in SA group.Compared with EA group,the pathological score and serum BUN and Cr concentrations were significantly increased,Nrf2 mRNA and protein expression was down-regulated,and the phosphorylation of p38MAPK was decreased in EAS group.Conclusion The mechanism by which EA mitigates endotoxic shock-induced AKI may be related to activation of p38MAPK signaling pathway and up-regulation of Nrf2 expression in renal tissues of rabbits.