Objective To analysis the clinical radiologic features of intrapulmonary lymph nodes,and to improve the diagnostic rate of intrapulmonary lymph nodes.Methods From May 2008 to September 2011,16 cases of pulmonary nodules were proved pathologically as intrapulmonary lymph nodes,including 9 males and 7 females,with an average age of 58.2 years (39-73 years).All patients accepted chest X-ray and HR CT scan prior to operation,identified of 11 solitary nodules,3 multiple nodules,and other 2 cases of multiple nodules with synchronous ipsilateral lung cancer.We retrospectively review the data as follows:the population and clinical characters,the subjective imaging diagnosis,the imaging characters of the nodule location,size,texture,shape,border,distance from the nearest pleural surface,and the appearance of the surrounding pulmonary parenchyma et al.Results Clinically,six of all the 16 patients are or were cigarette smokers or had an exposure history of inhaled particles,three patients else were all from a same oilfield area although they denied having the Aforementioned history of smoke or exposure.Lung cancer,metastatic tumor,lung cancer intrapulmonary metastasis were the common subjective imaging diagnosis,with a misdiagnosis rate of 56.3％.Radiologically,these intrapulmonary nodules could be seen in the chest X-ray in half of the 16 patients,with a discovery rate of 50％ in chest X- ray screening.The median size of the intrapulmonary lymph nodes was 7.1 mm (4 - 11 mm),all nodules located below the level of the carina,87.5％ ( 14/16 cases) were solid nodules,68.75％ ( 11/16 cases) were round or ovate in shape with a sharp border.87.5％ ( 14/16 cases) were attached to the pleura or within 1 cm from the nearest pleural surface,87.5％ ( 14/16 cases) appeared linear densities extending from the intrapulmonary lymph nodes.The linear denshy referred to the CT imaging feature that a linear soft-tissue density extended from the intrapulmonary lymph nodes,distinct from the normal lung marking like interlobular septa and bronchovascular bundles,with a diameter less than 5 mm; spiculation were detected in only 2 of the 16 patients ; no calcification and mediestinal lymphadenopathy was detect in all the nodules.Pathologically,All nodules contained anthracotic pigment,and follicular hyperplasia were seen in 8 cases.Conclusion Intrapulmonary lymph nodes are rare benign pulmonary nodules possessing certain clinical and radiologic features.Intrapulmonary lymph nodes should be suspected for small subpleural nodules below the level of the carina.

Objective To evaluate the value of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for CT-positive mediastinal lymph nodes. Methods From September 2009 to December 2009, 28 patients with confirmed or suspected non-small-cell lung cancer with CT scan demonstrating enlarged ( ≥ 1 cm) mediastinal lymph nodes underwent EBUS-TBNA. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were evaluated. Results 28 patients with 40 lymph nodes were studied. 27 patients had been performed successfully with enough specimens. No complications happened in the group. Mediastinal metastases were confirmed by EBUS-TBNA in 20 patients. 8 patients with benign mediastinal nodes as detected by EBUS-TBNA underwent surgery and mediastinal lymph node dissection, which confirmed N2 disease in 2 patients. Overall diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of EBUS-TBNA in the detection of mediastinal metastasis were 92.9%, 90.9%,100%, 100%, 75% respectively. Conclusion EBUS-TBNA is a safe and effective technique for CT-positive mediastinal lymph nodes on CT scan.

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signal is one of the important ways in eukaryotic cell,which adjusts and controls the structure and function of the cell. MAPKs in eukaryotes include p38, ERK, JNK and ERK5, etc. With the deepening research,we found that the activation of p38, ERK, JNK signal pathways were closely related with osteoarthritis (OA) cartilage injury. MAPKs are the key signaling systems involved in the production of matrix metalloproteinases and the regulation of cartilage cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation. Expecially the matrix metalloproteinases can accelerate the degradation of articular cartilage. So it has been the new spot in pathogenesis of osteoarthritis study.
Animals ; Cartilage, Articular ; pathology ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Osteoarthritis ; etiology ; pathology

Objective To evaluated the role of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in the diagnosis of mediastinal lesions around the trachea.MethodsThe study was retrospective, between September 2009 to July 2010, 34 consecutive patients with enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes or mediastinal masses of unknown origin underwent EBUS-TBNA.Patients in whom EBUS-TBNA was nondiagnostic subsequently underwent surgical biopsy or a minimum of 6 months clinical and radiologic follow-up.ResultsOf the 34 patients, EBUS-TBNA achieved definitive diagnosis in 28 patients (82.4％), 10 were diagnosed as malignancies, 18 were diagnosed as benign.The sensitivity, specificity,and accuracy of EBUS-TBNA in distinguishing benign from malignant mediastinal lesions were 90.9％, 100％, and 97.1％,respectively.EBUS was well tolerated by all of the patients with no complications.ConclusionEBUS-TBNA of mediastinal lesions around the trachea is a minimally invasive safe diagnostic technique with high yield.

Objective To review the experience d EBUS-TBNA for staging of lung cancer and the value in diagnosing thoracic diseases in our single center.Methods The data of 343 patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA from September 2009 to August 2011 in our institution were retrospectively reviewed.There were 219 males and 124 females with an average age of (59.4 ± 13.6 ) years.Based on their primary indication,patyients were divided into three categories:group A:with known or strongly suspected lung cancer and enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes on chest radiographic examination ( short axis ≥ 1.0cm) ; group B:with enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes or mediastinal masses of unknown origin; and group C:with pulmonary parenchymal mass located close to the central airways.Results The average short axis diameter of the thoracic lesions was ( 1.94 ± 1.01 ) cm ( range from 0.5 to 8.0cm),and 2.66 punctures were performed per lesion.In group A ( n =208 ),151 patients were confirmed to have mediestinal lymph nodes metastasis while 51 showed negative results.Four patients were diagnosed as tuberculosis and two were confirmed to be stage Ⅱ sarcoidosis.37 in the 51 patients with negative EBUS-TBNA underwent thoracoscopic or thoracotomy for pulmonary resection and mediastinal lymph node dissection.Postoperative pathology confirmed that 32 patients did not have lymph nodes metastases.The diagnostic sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive predictive and negative predictive of EBUS-TBNA for the mediastiral staging of lung cancer were 96.8％ (151/156),100.0％ (32/32),97.3％ ( 183/188 ),100％ ( 151/151 ) and 86.5％ (32/37),respectively.In group B ( n =94),22 patients had malignancy and 72 had benign diseases.Thirteen patients received operative validation in the 23 cases which were diagnosed as proliferative lymph nodes by EBUS-TBNA,and by further operation two and three patients were confirmed as malignancy and other benign diseases respectively.The sensitivity,negative predictive value ( NPV ) and accuracy of EBUS-TBNA in distinguishing malignant mediastinal diseases was 88.0％ (22/25)、100％ (73/73) 、95.9％ (70/73)and 97.9％ (92/94),respectively.In group C( n =41 ),malignant diagnosis was achieved in 33 patients,while 4 patients confirmed as malignancy by further operations in the other 8 negative cases.The diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy of EBUS-TBNA for the diagnosis of unknown pulmonary parenchymal mass were 89.2％ (33/37) and 90.2％ (37/41),respectively.All the procedures were uneventful and no complication occurred.Conclusion EBUS-TBNA is a highly effective and safe procedure in the diagnosis of thoracic diseases and staging.of lung cancer.

Objective To determine the value of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for staging of lung cancer. Methods The study was retrospective, a total of 52 patients underwent EBUSTBNA for known or suspected lung cancer. All patients were detected enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes on CT scan ( ≥ 1.0cm). Results Of the 52 patients, 41 patients were found with N2 or N3 disease on EBUS-TBNA. 11 patients with negative EBUS-TBNA underwent thoracoscopy or thoracotomy for pulmonary resection and mediastinal lymph node dissection, 9 patients were confirmed N0 by pathology, whereas 2 patients had metastatic lymph node. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of EBUS-TBNA for the mediastinal staging of lung cancer were 95.3%, 100%, 96.2%, 100%, and 81.8%, respectively. The procedure was uneventful, and there were no postoperative complications. Conclusion EBUS-TBNA is an effective and safe technique for mediastinal staging in lung cancer patients.

Objective To evaluate the value of autofluorescence bronchoscope (AFB) in airway examination in central type lung cancer. Methods From Sep 2009 to Mar 2010 ,29 patients ( 23 men , 6 women , median age 62.2 years , range from 34 to 81 years) underwent AFB procedure. There were 3 lesions located at trachea, 1 at right main bronchus, 9 at right upper lobe, 1 at right median bronchus, 1 at right middle lobe, 4 at right lower lobe, 1 at left main bronchus, 9 at left upper lobe.There were 21 preliminary diagnostic cases and 8 postoperative surveillance cases. All procedure was performed under combination of local anaesthesia and general anaesthesia. All patients underwent white light bronchoscopy followed by AFB procedure.All of the suspicious abnormal sites were recorded and biopsied for pathological examination. Results All procedures were safely performed without death or serious complications. 100 specimens were obtained for pathologic examination. Malignant lesion was diagnosed in 39 and non-malignancy in61. All malignant sites were detected by AFB, however WLB missed 12 sites.The sensitivity of AFB and WLB for malignancy were 100% and 69.2%, respectively. In 21 preliminary diagnostic cases,AFB detected all malignancy sites, but WLB missed 23 sites, in which 9 were malignant sites. In 8 rechecked patients, AFB detected all malignancy sites, but WLB missed 7 sites, in which 3 were malignant sites. Conclusion Autofluorescence bronchoscopy could be more accurate in judging the extent of the tumor invasion, more sensitive in finding multiple lesions in airway, more sensitive in detecting early cancer recurrence in postoperative surveillance patients.

Objective To optimize operative techniques of completely video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy by reviewing the experience of Peking University People's Hospital. Methods From September 2006 to August 2010, 408 patients (214 males,194 females) with median age of 58.6 years (range from 15 to 86 years) underwent completely thoracoscopic lobectomy. All procedures were conducted under general anesthesia with double lumen intubation. The thoracoscope was introduced through 7th or 8th intercostals space on the mid-axillaries line. The 4 cm long utility incision was made on the 4th or 5th intercostals space anterior axillary's line without rib-spreading. A third retraction incision located on the 7th or 8th intercostals space sub-scapular line. The surgeon stands on the ventral side of patient using an electrocautery hook and a suction device through the utility incision. Anatomic lobectomy was performed with systemic mediastinal lymph node dissection for lung cancer patients. Results All procedures were carried out smoothly with no case of serious complication. There was 1 case death because of respiratory failure of pulmonary fungal infection during the operative period. The average surgical duration was 195 minutes, and average blood loss was 249 ml with no blood transfusion required. There were 35 cases (8.6%) of conversion to open thoracotomy, including interference by lymph nodes, bleeding, inflammatory adhesion of Artery and large size tumors.The results of pathology show 322 cases of malignant disease and 86 cases of benign disease. Conclusion To grasp the core technique of completely thoracoscopic lobotomy may make the procedure undergone smoothly, and may shorten the learning curve.

Objective To evaluated the role of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in the diagnosis of thoracic sarcoidosis.Methods The study was retrospective,from September 2009 to June 2011,35 patients with suspected sarcoidosis,with enlarged hilar or mediastinal lymph nodes on computed tomography ( ≥1.0 cm),underwent EBUS-TBNA.Patients in whom EBUS-TBNA was nondiagnostic subsequently underwent surgical biopsy or a minimum of 6 months clinical and radiologic follow-up.Results EBUS-TBNA was performed on a total of 87 lymph node stations in 35 patients.Of the enlarged lymph nodes,64 (73.6％) were located in the mediastinal region and the remaining 23 ( 26.4％ ) around the hilar or interlobar area.A final diagnosis of sarcoidosis was made for 28 (80％) of the patients.In patients with a final diagnosis of sarcoidosis,EBUS-TBNA demonstrated noncaseating epithelioid cell granulomas in 25 ( 89.3％ ) of the patients.EBUS was well tolerated by all of the patients with no complications.Conclusion EBUS-TBNA is a safe procedure with a high yield for the diagnoses of thoracic sarcoidosis of stage Ⅰ or Ⅱ.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-tumor effect of Paeonol (Pae) on the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Bel-7404 and its molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Bel-7404 was treated by Pae in various concentrations and different time points respectively; and then the cell proliferation was assayed by light microscope, MTT method. DNA agarose gel electrophoresis and TUNEL were used to detect the apoptosis. The expression of PTEN and Akt were examined by RT-PCR and immunocytochemical ABC method. RESULTS: Compared with the control groups Pae obviously increased the inhibitory and apoptosis rate of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Bel-7404. It also showed a typical apoptotic morphology and DNA depicted a ladder pattern characteristic of the apoptosis, indicating the presence of DNA fragmentation. RT-PCR and immunocytochemical ABC assay showed that Pae could increase the expression of PTEN and decrease the expression of Akt. CONCLUSION Pae can increase the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effect, and its mechanism may be the increase of apoptosis-inducing effect which is regulated by phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase.
Acetophenones ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Tumor Cells, Cultured