Objective Data on the leukapheresis from 26 pediatric patients with hematologic or solid malignancies was retrospectively evaluated to screen predictive factors affecting the efficacy of peripheral blood stem cell(PBSC) collection from donors,as well as hematopoietic recovery in recipients.Methods We present our experience with 49 apheresis from 26 granulocyte-colory Stimulating factor mobilized donors and analyzed the correlations between the mobilization,the leukocyte count in the donor peripheral blood and the MNC and CD_(34)~+ cell yields in collecting products and the neutrophil and platelet recovery of recipients.Results The process of mobilization and apheresis were well tolerated by our pediatric donors.The median numbers for harvested MNCs and CD_(34)~+ cells were 4.5?10~8/kg and 1.9?10~6/kg of recipient body weight,respectively.Mobilizing dose positively affected the number of mononuclear ceus(MNC) but not CD_(34)~+ cells in the apheresis products.The CD_(34)~+ cell number in the apheresis product was influenced significantly by donor circulating MNC on the day of harvest and correlated with recipient′s engraftment after PBSC was reinfused.Conclusions The MNC yield was stable and met with the demand for autologous stem cell transplantation while the CD_(34)~+ cell number varies obviously from each donor.Since a rapid engraftment was associated with a high number of CD_(34)~+ cells collected,which was in turn predicted by the level of the pre-apheresis CD_(34)~+ cells in the peripheral blood of donors,it is necessary to monitor the donors′ CD_(34)~+ cell during mobilization to determine the optimal time for apheresis.J Appl Clin Pediatr,2006,21(3):148-150

Objective: To investigate the long-term outcome of anterior decompression and bone graft fusion for cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM) and factors affecting the outcome. Methods: Two hundred and forty-five patients with CSM were treated with anterior cervical decompression and auto iliac bone graft fusion, of whom 31 had a second operation between 4 months and 2 years after operation. Follow-up studies were carried out within 5 to 15 years after operation, averaging 6.8 years. Results: Function evaluation: excellent in 118 cases (48.16%), good in 71 (28.98%), passable in 35 (14.29%) and poor in 21 (8.57%). According to the 40 points score method, there was an average of 8 point increase in all cases, of which 101 were between 36 to 40 points, 54 between 31 to 35 points. Conclusion: The long-term outcome of surgical treatment for CSM is definite. Significant factors affecting the outcome include timing of operation, degree of pathology and technique of surgery.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of pre-acupuncture and immediate acupuncture on kidney function and oxygen free radical metabolism in rats with simulated weightlessness.

METHODSTwenty male clean-grade Wister rats were randomly divided into a normal control group, a model group, a pre-acupuncture group and an immediate acupuncture group, 5 rats in each one. The rats in the normal control group did not receive any treatment but free activities for 4 weeks. The rats in the rest groups received 4-week tail suspension to establish the model of simulated weightlessness. One week before the tail suspension, the rats in the pre-acupuncture group were treated with electroacupuncture at "Shenshu" (BL 23), "Pishu" (BL 20) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) for 30 min per treatment, once a day for 7 days. The rats in the immediate acupuncture group received tail suspension and acupuncture at the same time; during the tail suspension, the electroacupuncture was applied at "Shenshu" (BL 23), "Pishu" (BL 20) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) for 30 min per treatment, once every other day for 14 days. The colorimetric method was used to measure the content of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in serum as well as activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and content of malonaldehyde (MDA) in renal tissue in each group.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the content of BUN in the model group was increased significantly (P<0.01), the activity of SOD and GSH-PX in nephridial tissue was significantly reduced (both P<0.01), and the content of MDA was increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the content of BUN in the pre-acupuncture group and immediate acupuncture group was significantly reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05), the activity of GSH-PX in the pre-acupuncture group was obviously increased (P<0.05) and the content of MDA in the immediate acupuncture group was increased significantly (P<0.01). Compared with the immediate acupuncture group, the content of MDA in the pre-acupuncture group was lower (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe pre-acupuncture and immediate acupuncture both have the capacity to improve the kidney function and anti-oxygen free radical injury in rats with simulated weightlessness, however, the capacity to increase the protection ability of the kidney and eliminate free radical in the pre-acupuncture group is superior to that in the immediate acupuncture group, which is likely to be related with improving antioxidant ability of kidney.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Humans ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Kidney Diseases ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Space Flight ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Weightlessness ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of K18, Ser-33 and Ser-52 phosphorylated K18 in HBV infected human liver disease and its significance.

METHODSThe expression and localization of K18 and Ser-33, Ser-52 phosphorylated K18 in healthy liver tissue, in liver tissues of patients with post-HBV infection cirrhosis and severe chronic hepatitis were detected by histochemistry.

RESULTSK18, Ser-33 and Ser-52 phosphorylated K18 were expressed in normal liver cells, in liver tissues of cirrhosis patients and severe chronic hepatitis cases. The expression of K18 in the liver cells from the 3 different sources had no significant difference in levels. Ser-33 and Ser-52 phosphorylated K18 were expressed in normal liver cells, in liver tissues of cirrhosis patients chronicity HBV hepatitis and severe chronic hepatitis cases. Ser-33 and Ser-52 located around cytoplasmic membrane, diffused into cytoplasm and expressed at a higher levels in cirrhosis and severe chronic hepatitis.

CONCLUSIONThe expression levels of Ser-33 and Ser-52 phosphorylated K18 increased along with the progression of HBV infected human liver disease. The phosphorylation of K18 could be a marker of progression of HBV infected human liver disease.

Hepatitis B ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratin-18 ; metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Liver Diseases ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Phosphorylation ; Serine ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the association between early menarche with anthropometry measurements among adolescent girls in China.

METHODSResearch material was selected from the data of 2010 Chinese National Surveys on Students Constitution and Health. Probability unit regression method was used to calculate the age of 10th percentile (P 10) at menarche and menarche age before the P 10 was defined as early menarche(9.0-11.6 years old). A total of 1072 girls with early menarche were screened. Each girl with early menarche was frequency matched with two girls who hadn't achieved menarche and with the age difference less than 0.1 yr and from the same urban or rural locations. A total of 2144 girls without menarche were screened. Participants' data of height, weight, sitting height, chest circumference, body mass index(BMI) and height and sitting height index were analyzed. t test and wilcoxon test were used to analyze the anthropometry measurements differences between the two groups, Chi square test was used to analyze the differences of overweight and obesity between the two groups. Multilevel model was used to explore the association between early menarche with anthropometry measurements and overweight and obesity.

RESULTSA total of 1072 girls with early menarche and 2144 girls without menarche. Early menarche girls' height, sitting height, chest circumference, weight and BMI were (151.42 ± 7.46) cm, (80.86 ± 4.21) cm, (73.88 ± 7.72) cm, (44.32 ± 9.35) kg, and (19.18 ± 3.03) kg/m(2), while they were (144.86 ± 7.55) cm, (76.96 ± 4.05) cm, (67.25 ± 6.94) cm, (36.07 ± 7.88) kg and (16.64 ± 2.48) kg/m(2) in girls without menarche. The difference between two groups were significant(Z values were -22.20, -23.69, -24.38, -23.12, -20.17, -6.33 respectively with all P values < 0.01). Multilevel analysis results showed that in 9.0-11.6 years old girls early menarche was associated with anthropometry measurements(all P values < 0.05). Compared with girls without menarche, girls with early menarche had a relative higher height, sitting height, weight, chest circumference, with increments of 5.28 cm, 3.37 cm, 5.53 cm, 6.37 kg, 1.79 kg/m(2). Within subgroup analysis, there were parabolic trends with age in the height, weight and sitting height differences and "U" trend in chest circumference difference between girls with early menarche and girls without menarche.In 9.0-10.8 years old, 10.9-11.0 years old and 11.1-11.2 years old groups, the risk of overweight and obesity among girls with early menarche were 2.98 (95%CI:1.92-4.63) times, 6.76 (95%CI:2.79-16.39) times, 2.99 (95%CI:1.40-6.40) times of girls without menarche.

CONCLUSIONThe early onset of menarche is related with height, sitting height, weight and chest circumference, and it is closely associated with overweight and obesity among adolescent girls in China.

Body Mass Index ; Child ; Child Development ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Menarche ; Overweight ; epidemiology ; Pediatric Obesity ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the association between early menarche and physical fitness among adolescent girls in China.

METHODSResearch material was selected from the data of "2010 National Physical Fitness and Health Survey". Probability unit regression method was used to calculate the age of 10th percentile at menarche and menarche age before the 10th percentile was defined as early menarche(9.0-11.6 years old). A total of 1072 girls with early menarche were selected. Each girl with early menarche was matched with one girl from the same urban or rural locations who hadn't achieved menarche with the age difference less than 0.1 years. A total of 1072 girls without menarche were selected. Indicators of physical fitness included 50 m running, standing broad jump, 50 m×8 shuttle running and sit-ups. Differences of physical fitness between early menarche and without menarche were analyzed using t test stratified by age and urban/rural area. The multilevel models of single dependent variable and multiple dependent variables were used to analyze association between early menarche and physical fitness.

RESULTSA total of 2144 students were put in this research. Among girls (11.0-11.6 years old) in urban areas, 50 m running, standing broad jump and sit-ups was (9.78 ± 0.85) s, (153.81 ± 18.59) cm, and 27.79 ± 10.25, respectively for those with early menarche, while in girls without menarche was (10.01 ± 0.90) s, (149.71 ± 18.72) cm and 26.28 ± 10.11, respectively. There were significant differences between two groups on all above variables (t values were 4.02, 3.43 and 2.31, respectively with all P values <0.01). Among girls in rural, 50 m×8 shuttle-running and sit-ups was (125.22 ± 15.57) s and 24.96 ± 8.97 for those with early menarche, while it was (120.92 ± 13.06) s and 22.96 ± 9.83 for those without menarche. There were significant differences between two groups on both variables(t values were 3.89 and 2.77 with both P values < 0.01). In addition, 50 m×8 shuttle-running in girls (10.0-10.9 years old) with early menarche was (128.52 ± 15.74) s and it was (123.89 ± 13.50) s in girls without menarche. The difference was significant (t = 2.14, P < 0.05). The multilevel analysis showed that 50 m running, standing broad jump and sit-ups in girls with early menarche was 0.12 s, 3.14 cm and 1.11 higher than girls without menarche (Waldχ(2) values were 4.00, 6.22 and 4.07, respectively with all P values < 0.05). But 50 m×8 shuttle-running in girls with early menarche was 1.95 s less than girls without menarche (Waldχ(2) = 3.96, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEarly menarche may be associated with higher speed fitness, leg power and muscle power and lower physical stamina.

Child ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Menarche ; physiology ; Models, Statistical ; Physical Fitness ; physiology ; Rural Population ; Students ; Urban Population

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical problems about posterior atlanto-axial internal-fixation and fusion for atlanto-axial instability or dislocation.

METHODSSurgical treatments of 138 cases with atlanto-axial instability or dislocation were reviewed. There were 62 cases of odentoid malformation, 54 cases of odentoid fracture or rupture of transverse ligament, 22 cases of subluxation and rotation. All cases were treated using Gallie's technique. Six cases were also fixed with transarticular screws, and protected with Philadelphia collar. Other patients were fixed with plaster paris brackets. The followed-up period was 1 to 12 years with an average of 3 year and 5 months.

RESULTSAccording to Sumi's criteria, excellent 70 cases (50.7%), good 40 cases (29.0%), fair 15 cases (10.9%), poor 13 cases (9.4%). 9 cases with bone graft postponed fusion were cured by enhance external-fixation. 2 cases with nonunion were treated with revision surgery. Complication of cord injury happened in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONGallie's fusion technique is an effective method to manage the atlanto-axial instability or dislocation. Skull distraction before operation and reliable external-fixation post operative are important assistant measures. Key points for successful operation are careful wiring or cable traversing, decortication of posterior arc of C1, and maintaining the physiological height between C1 and C2 posterior arc. Indications and objectives should be conformed before revision surgery for failure cases.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Atlanto-Axial Joint ; surgery ; Bone Transplantation ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; surgery ; Joint Instability ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; adverse effects ; methods ; Transplantation, Autologous

OBJECTIVE Cerebral ischemia or ischemic stroke is due to insufficient blood supply to the brain, which causes hypoxia or ischemia in some areas. This work aimed to quantify the minerals and heavy metals in Qishiwei Zhenzhu pill in vivo and in vitro, analyze its effect on the types and abundance of intestinal flora, and study its mechanism on inflammation and apoptosis pathways as a treatment for cerebral ischemia. METHODS Microwave digestion and induc?tively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were used to determine the minerals and heavy metals in 10 batches of Qishiwei Zhenzhu pill in vitro. With the use of the middle cerebral artery obstruction (MCAO) model, ICP-MS was applied to determine the content of minerals and heavy metals in hepatic portal vein blood, abdominal aortic blood, brain, liver, kidney, hair, urine and feces at different time periods. On this model, the ileum, cecum, and colon tissues were tested for intestinal pathology, and 16S rRNA was used for sequencing. Species taxonomy, α diversity, and spe?cies microbial composition and structure analysis were also performed. Polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were employed to determine the mRNA and protein expression of p38 MAPK, caspase-3, IL-1β and TNF-α in the isch?emic brain tissues of rats. RESULTS The average content of heavy metals in the 10 batches of Qishiwei Zhenzhu pill samples is in the descending order Hg>Cu>Pb. Significant differences in the metal elements are found among Qishiwei Zhenzhu pill from different manufacturers but not among the different batches of the same manufacturer. An extremely low content of heavy metals are absorbed into the blood or accumulated in the brain, liver, kidney, and other tissues. Stool is the main excretion route of minerals and heavy metals from Qishiwei Zhenzhu pill. This medicine helps repair the intestinal mucosa in MCAO rats. At the phylum level, it can regulate the abundance of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria in the intestinal flora of rats with cerebral ischemia. At the genus level, it can adjust the abundance of Escherichia Shigella. At the species level, it can adjust the abundance of Lactobacillus yoelii and Lactobacillus reuteri. Cluster classification results show that Qishiwei Zhenzhu pill can improve the intestinal flora of rats with cerebral ischemia, reduce the mRNA and protein expression of caspase-3 and IL-1βin rat brain tissues, and have a tendency to decrease the mRNA expres?sion of p38 MAPK and TNF-α. CONCLUSION Quantifying the minerals and heavy metals in Qishiwei Zhenzhu pill in vivo and in vitro will help improve their quality standards. Minerals and heavy metals are mainly excreted in feces, accumu?late in extremely low levels in various tissues, and do not damage the intestinal mucosa. The effective material basis of Qishiwei Zhenzhu pill in treating cerebral ischemia may be related to their Li, Cr, and Cd elements. These pills can improve the environment of intestinal flora, and their mechanism of treatment for cerebral ischemia may be related to the down-regulation of IL-1βinflammatory factor and inhibition of cell apoptosis.

OBJECTIVETo assess the prognostic value of both morphological persistent disease on day 19, on complete remission (CR) and minimal residual disease (MRD) in the bone marrow (BM) after multiagent remission induction therapy.

METHODSFrom January 1998 to May 2003, 193 patients with newly diagnosed ALL were enrolled on protocol of ALL-XH-99. BM blast counts on day 19 and on CR after induction therapy were examined. BM MRD at the end of induction therapy was detected by MP-FCM.

RESULTS(1) The probability of 5-year event-free survival (pEFS) was significantly worse for patients with > or = 0.050 BM lymphoblasts on day 19 than that with < 0.050 BM lymphoblasts [(42.59 +/- 14.28)% vs (74.24 +/- 6.67)%, P < 0.001]. (2) The 5-year pEFS was significantly worse for patients with a low percentage of lymphoblasts (< 0.050) in BM on CR as compared to those with no morphological persistent lymphoblasts [(63.47 +/- 9.23)% vs (76.41 +/- 6.09)%, P < 0.05]. (3) No significant difference was found in BM lymphoblasts between patients with MRD (> or = 10(-4) of nucleated bone marrow cells) and those without MRD (< 10(-4)) at the end of induction therapy (P > 0.05). The 22-month pEFS was significantly worse for patients with MRD as compared with those without MRD on CR [(23.81 +/- 20.26)% vs (94.44 +/- 5.40)%, P = 0.001].

CONCLUSIONSBM lymphoblast > or = 0.050 on day 19 after induction therapy is an independent prognostic factor for childhood ALL; low percentage of lymphoblasts and minimal residual disease in BM on remission also do it. Patients with > or = 0.050 lymphoblast in BM on day 19 or with MRD > or = 10(-4) at the end of induction therapy should receive altered and more intensive chemotherapy.

Adolescent ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Bone Marrow ; drug effects ; pathology ; Bone Marrow Examination ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Neoplasm, Residual ; diagnosis ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Remission Induction ; Survival Analysis

OBJECTIVETo assess the prognostic value of minimal residual disease (MRD) in childhood B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) after induction chemotherapy.

METHODSFrom September 2001 to October 2004, 102 patients with newly diagnosed B-ALL were enrolled in protocol ALL-XH-99. MRD after induction therapy, before high-dose methotrexate and early intensification as well as at 1 year and 2 year maintenance therapy was detected by multiparameter-flow-cytometry (MP-FCM).

RESULTS(1) The probability of 39-month event-free survival (EFS) for patients with a level of MRD < 10(-4), was significantly higher than for those with a higher MRD [(83.00 +/- 9.90)% vs 0.00%, P < 0.01]. (2) Univariate analysis indicated that the MRD level at achieving complete remission (CR) had no relationship with the biologic features at presentation (gender, age, white blood cells and cytogenetic abnormalities), but did with Philadelphia chromosome, the time reaching CR, ALL-XH-99 risk group and lymphoblasts in bone marrow on day 19 after induction therapy (P < 0.05). (3) Multivariate analysis suggested that MRD level after the first induction course was an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio, 5.381; 95% CI 0.004 to 0.624; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe MRD level at achieving CR is one of important prognostic factor in the treatment of childhood B-cell ALL, and might be used to assess the early treatment response.

Adolescent ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukemia, B-Cell ; drug therapy ; Male ; Neoplasm, Residual ; diagnosis ; Prognosis ; Remission Induction