Objective:To enhance comprehension of undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver(UESL)in children by analyzing ultra-sound,CT,and MRI imaging features.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 11 cases of UESL in children,confirmed through surgery and pathology,at the Children's Hospital,Affiliated Capital Institute of Pediatrics from December 2009 to December 2021.We ana-lyzed the ultrasound,CT,and MRI imaging features of all patients and summarized their characteristics.Results:All 11 cases presented with solitary hepatic masses ranging from 11.5 to 19.8 cm in diameter.Imaging manifestations of UESL correlated with component proportion and distribution within the masses.Lesions displayed clear boundaries in all cases.CT scans revealed mixed low density in 11 cases,with ir-regular floc soft tissue density shadows observed at the edge of cystic density areas or around partitions in a few cases.Ultrasound images of all six cases showed solid space-occupying masses,with varying sizes of anechoic regions within the solid mass.MRI T1WI showed mixed low intensity signal in three cases and strip/large high intensity signal areas in the lesion.T2WI revealed mixed high intensity signal and strip low intensity signal areas in 3 lesions.In the arterial phase,lesions displayed slightly to moderately heterogeneous strip/patch enhancement,primarily marginal enhancement in nine cases and thickened,tortuous arterial shadows in eight cases.In the delayed phase,lesions showed continuous uneven enhancement,with enhancement at the edge and peripheral-to-central filling observed in eight cases.Additionally,the enhancement range continuously increased in eight cases,with the false capsule sign identified in eight cases in the delayed stage.Conclu-sions:Imaging features of UESL in children exhibit distinct characteristics.Understanding these features,in conjunction with clinical findings,may aid in early diagnosis.

Objective This study aims to develop a prognostic risk prediction model for gastric cancer based on m1A/m5C/m6A/m7G regulated genes and to investigate the relationship between this model and immunology.Methods The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)gastric cancer dataset was utilized to identify m1A/m5C/m6A/m7G regulated genes with significant expression differences.A prognostic risk score(RS)model was constructed using univariate Cox regression analysis and the LASSO algorithm.The RS model was validated using the Kaplan-Meier(K-M)statistic and cell lines for RT-qPCR biological validation.A nomogram model was created using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses.The CIBERSORT algorithm and ESTIMATE package were employed to conduct immune correlation analysis.Results A prognostic RS model based on eight methylation regulated genes was developed to classify patients with gastric cancer as high-risk or low-risk.These eight genes showed significant expression in gastric cancer cell lines(P＜0.05).The TCGA-gastric cancer training set and GSE62254-validation set showed a substantial connection(P＜0.001)between overall survival rate(OS)and grouping status.The nomogram survival models accurately predicted 1-year(C-index = 0.703),3-year(C-index = 0.729),and 5-year(C-index = 0.734)survival rates.Immune correlation analysis showed that compared to the low-risk group,the high-risk group had higher immune scores and higher expression of immune checkpoint-related genes(P＜0.05).Conclusion We created a reliable prognostic RS model based on m1A/m5C/m6A/m7G regulated genes that can predict gastric cancer prognosis and guide individualized immunotherapy decisions.

Objective To analyze the imaging features of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of pancreas (SPN) in children, and to improve the awareness of the disease. Methods From January 2007 to December 2016, 12 patients with SPN proven pathologically were enrolled in the study,of whom 12 cases underwent CT scanning and 3 cases underwent MRI scanning. The imaging data of SPN were analyzed retrospectively. The tumor parameters included the location, size, shape, margin, capsule, form, inhancement degree, and presence of calcification, biliary obstruction, surrounding, ascites, lymph node metastasis, as well as distant metastasis, which were comparative analyzed with that of pathology. Results CT showed that 3 cases were located in the head of pancreas,7 cases were located in the body/tail of pancreas, and 2 cases were ectopic. Twelve cases were circular tumors, the diameter of which ranged from 28—76 mm (median diameter 48 mm). Capsules were showed in 10 cases, calcification was seen in 4 cases and hemorrhage was seen in 1 case. Three cases were solid, 8 cases were solid and cystic mixed,and 1 case was cystic. The tumors were heterogeneous, and the solid portion of SPN was moderately to obviously enhanced gradually whereas the cystic part remained unenhanced. Nine cases showed that the tumors growed to the outside of pancreas,in which 4 cases covered by the normal pancreas tissue, 1 case located inside of the pancreas. One case caused biliary obstruction and the collateral circulation of splenic arteriovenous was established in 2 cases due to tumor compressed. Ascites was seen in 2 cases. MRI showed that the cystic components of tumor in 3 cases showed low signal in T1WI and high signal in T2WI, with no enhancement. The solid components of the tumor showed equal signal in T1WI and slightly higher signal in T2WI, with obvious enhancement. Capsules were showed in 3 cases with low signal in T1WI and T2WI, which were obviously enhanced in 2 cases and without enhancement in 1 case;hemorrhage was showed high signal in T1WI in 1 case. No lymph node metastasis and distance metastasis were observed in 12 cases. Conclusions The characteristic imaging findings of SPN in children are boundary clear, capsules, calcification, circular pancreas tumors, which grow to the outside of pancreas, with varied degrees of hemorrhage and necrosis. The solid portion of SPN is moderately or obviously enhanced gradually.

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.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the high-resolution computed tomographic (HRCT) features of infants with diffuse lung disease (DLD) for improving the diagnostic accuracy clinically.

METHODTotally 75 infants under 2 years of age with DLD (2010-2013) were involved in this study. Among them, 56 were males and 19 females, aged from 2 days to 24 months (mean age was 10.9 months). According to the clinical or pathological data, the cases were enrolled into three groups, including systemic diseases-associated infantile DLD (30 cases), alveolar structure disorders-associated infantile DLD (23 cases), and infantile DLD specific to infancy (22 cases). Retrospectively, HRCT images, from the three groups respectively, were analyzed and compared. HRCT presentations including airway disorders, interstitial disorders and air space disorders were reviewed. Inter-reviewers consistency check was performed, the consistency between reviewers was good (K = 0.64;P = 0.03, < 0.05), as well as χ(2) test.

RESULTAmong the three groups, some of the HRCT sings (bronchiectasis, thickened bronchiolar wall, mosaic sign, reticular, intralobular nodules and consolidations) had significant differences (χ(2) = 24.52, 6.08, 18.00, 12.56, 9.11 and 11.50, P < 0.05) .

CONCLUSIONThe HRCT features of infantile pulmonary DLD/interstitial LD with different causes were as follows, compared to the other two groups, intralobular nodules was the main feature of the systemic diseases-associated infantile DLD, thickened bronchiolar wall, mosaic sign and consolidations were rare as well. Meanwhile, bronchiectasis was more common in alveolar structural disorders-associated infantile DLD, and reticular opacity was rarely seen. Associated clinical data, the HRCT presentations would help clinicians to make accurate diagnosis.

Bronchial Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Pulmonary Alveoli ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

Objective To evaluate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen on the expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) in the formation of hyperplastic scar in rabbit ears.Methods The ears of 20 New Zealand rabbits were used to construct an animal model for hyperplastic scar by operation.After the establishment of scar models,the rabbits were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups and one control group with 4 mice (48 wound surfaces) in each group.The mice in the 4 experimental groups were treated with hyperbaric oxygen for 7,14,21 and 28 days,respectively,and those in the control group remained in normoxic environment after operation.Scar tissues were resected from all the rabbit ears on day 29 after operation.Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was conducted for the observation of morphological changes and calculation of scar elevation index,and immunohistochemistry to measure the expressions of HIF-1α and IGF-1R.Statistical analysis was carried out by one-way analysis of variance followed by least significant difference t-test.Results HE staining showed that both the number of fibroblasts and amount of collagen fibers were significantly reduced in the experimental groups compared with the control group.Scar elevation index was 4.28 ± 0.22 in the control group,3.64 ± 0.29,3.46 ± 0.21,3.29 ± 0.21,3.16 ± 0.15 in the 7-,14-,21-and 28-day experimental groups respectively,with significant differences among these groups (F =77.70,P ＜ 0.05).The expressions of HIF-1α and IGF-1R were significantly lower in these experimental groups than in the control group (all P ＜ 0.01),lower in the 14-day group than in the 7-day group (P ＜ 0.05),and lower in the 21-day group than in the 14-day group (P ＜ 0.05),with no significant differences between the 28-day group and 21-day group (both P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Hyperbaric oxygen can effectively down-regulate the expressions of HIF-1α and IGF-1R in scar tissue,and significantly inhibit the formation of hyperplastic scar in rabbit ears.

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.

BACKGROUNDTo express recombinant non-structural protein 3 of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in E. coli.

METHODSThe non-structural 3 (NS3) region DNA fragment of HCV was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and inserted into inducible proeukaryotic expressive vector pET 30C(+)at Bam H1/EcoR1 sites. The competent BL21 (DE3) E.coli was transformed, and then cultured and induced with IPTG. The expressed HCV NS3 protein was confirmed with ELISA and dot blot hybridization using HCV NS3-specific single chain Fv (ScFv) antibody.

RESULTS1 893 bp DNA fragment of HCV NS3 coding region was amplified by PCR technique. HCV NS3 expressive vector pET-NS3 was constructed. After transformation with pET-NS3 and induction with IPTG, recombinant HCV NS3 protein was expressed and confirmed by specific ELISA and dot blot hybridization.

CONCLUSIONSThe recombinant HCV NS3 can be expressed in E. coli.

Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Hepatitis C Antibodies ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo develop a bacteria expression system to produce the fusion protein of humanized anti-HBsAg scFV and interferon-alpha.

METHODSThe expression vector was constructed after cleaving the plasmids harboring the humanized anti-HBsAg scFv and interferon alpha respectively and ligating to linearized pET22b subsequence. The expression of fusion protein in E.coli was analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The binding activity and antiviral activity of the fusion protein was characterized by competing inhibition test and cytopathic effect reduction.

RESULTSThe plasmid harboring the in frame arranged fusion gene was constructed and identified. After induction for 12h, a new band close to 4.5 10(4) was observed using SDS-PAGE. Results of competing ELISA and cytopathic effect reduction showed the fusion protein retained its specific binding activity and antiviral activities.

CONCLUSIONSThe construction and expression of the fusion gene of humanized anti-HBsAg scFv and interferon in E.coli are successful.

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Fragments ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Interferon-alpha ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo clone the unknown gene of hepatocyte protein interacting with hepatitis C virus core protein.

METHODSUsing the yeast dual hybrid system 3, bait plasmids of hepatitis C virus core were constructed. After identifying hepatitis C virus core protein that could stably expressed in AH109 yeast strains, we performed yeast two hybrid by mating AH109 with Y187 that transformed with liver cDNA library plasmids pACT2 and then plated on quadrople dropout (QDO) medium and assayed for alpha-gal activity. The genes of yeast colonies that could grow on QDO and had alpha-gal activity were sequenced.

RESULTSAmong the 30 positive colonies, we blasted the gene of the sixth colony; we coined human hepatitis C virus binding protein 6(Hu Hcbp6) with Genbank, realized that the Hu Hcbp6 shares as much as 98% homology with two cDNA without knowing functions. We have proved that Hu Hcbp6 could interact with hepatitis C virus core protein.

CONCLUSIONSHepatitis C virus core binding protein (Hu Hcbp 6 Genbank number: AY032594) was successfully cloned and identified. The study partly paved the way for investigating physiological function of the Hu Hcbp6.

Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Hepacivirus ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Plasmids ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Transfection ; Two-Hybrid System Techniques ; Viral Core Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Yeasts ; genetics