Objective To explore the effect of preoperative chemotherapy for children with malignant extragonadial germinoma. Methods Twenty patients with malignant extrogonadal germinoma had been treated with preoperative chemotherapy from Mar.2003 to Mar.2007.Protocol 1 of chemotherapy was to improve PEB:(cisplatin plus etoposide plus bleomycin A5);Protocol 2 was VAC(vincristine plus actinomycin D plus cyclophosphamide) the average time span of the chemotherapy was 16 weeks.Upon completion of chemotherapy,tumor resection was performed.The content of alpha fetoprotein(AFP) was determined before operation and compared with the content before chemotherapy.Re-gular follow-up procedure was taken after operation. Results All 20 patients received chemotherapy and underwent operation.The removal rate of resection operation was 100%,the process of operation was smooth.The volume of tumors in 14 patients decreased over 50% compared with those before chemotherapy.The response rate was 70%.The content of AFP decreased significantly in 15 patients(75%).Fifteen patients had been living without tumor for up to 2 years,for 5 cases the survival time went beyond 5 years. Conclusions Malignant extrogonadal ger-minoma in children grow infiltratively,bring detrimental effects to neighboring organs,and bring obstacles to resection operation.Chemotherapy for children with malignant extragonadal germinoma before operation can reduce volume of tumor and bleeding during operation,raise the resectability rate and lower the content of AFP.It will enhance the effectiveness of operation and improve prognosis.Therefore,it can be used as a conventional clinical method.

Hydrolytic amino acids were extracted by acid hydrolysis method, then derivatized with phenyl isothiocyanate (PITC). And the samples were analysed by HPLC on an Ultimate Prime C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) column with gradient elution of 0.1 mol x L(-1) sodium acetate buffer solution (adjusted to pH 6. 5)-acetonitrile (93:7) (A) and acetonitrile-water (8:2) (B) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). Column temperature was 40 degrees C and the detected wavelength was 254 nm. Amino acids derivative solution remained stable in 36 hours. The response was linear for 16 amino acids with a correlation coefficient r > 0.999 5. The average recoveries were 98.01% -101.8%. The method is reliable with good accuracy and repeatability, which is useful for the determination of amino acids in Galli Gigerii Endothelium Corneum.
Amino Acids ; analysis ; Animals ; Chickens ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Reverse-Phase ; Endothelium ; chemistry ; Gizzard, Avian ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical validity in improving quality of life (QOL) of patients and alleviating adverse reaction of chemotherapy in treating children with solid tumors by Chinese herbal medicine for supporting healthy energy and strengthening Pi.

METHODSA prospective cohort study was conducted in 60 children with solid tumor in stage II-IV, who were assigned to two groups, 30 in each group. All children received chemotherapy and those in the observed group were given Chinese herbs according to syndrome differentiation additionally. The conditions of the two groups were compared after 6-month treatment.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment, the white blood cells (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), and platelet (PLT) all increased in the observed group after treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05), while in the control group, the WBC and Hb have no significant difference (P > 0.05) and PLT decreased (P < 0.05) after treatment. Comparison between the two groups, the clinical symptom score in the observed group has significant difference after treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONChinese herbal medicine for supporting healthy energy, strengthening Pi and supplementing qi-blood is good for alleviating the adverse reaction and improving patients' peripheral blood picture in children with solid tumor undergoing chemotherapy.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cohort Studies ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Neuroblastoma ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome ; Wilms Tumor ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Fuzheng Jianpi Decoction (FJD) combined chemotherapy on the quality of life (QOL) and the survival time of children with solid tumor.

METHODSRecruited were 167 solid tumor children patients at Department of Tumor, Beijing Children's Hospital from Jan. 2005 to Jan. 2008. They were randomly assigned to the treatment group (83 cases) and the control group (84 cases) according to the random digit table. All had chemotherapy. Those in the treatment group additionally took FJD, 50 -100 mL each time, twice daily. After chemotherapy those in the treatment group took modified FJD. The WBC, Hb, and PLT were detected in all patients before treatment, 6 months after treatment, and 1 year after treatment. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year QOL, 3-year survival rate, and the survival life of dead children patients were observed.

RESULTSCompared with the control group of the same period, the 6-month and 1-year WBC and Hb increased, the 1-year PLT increased in the treatment group, showing statistical difference (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with 1-year treatment in the treatment group, the 2-and 3-year psychological functions and the general symptoms scores decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the control group of the same period, the 2-and 3-year somatic functions, psychological functions, and the general symptoms scores decreased in the treatment group; the 2-year somatic functions and psychological functions decreased in the treatment group; the 3-year psychological functions and the general symptoms scores decreased in the treatment group, all with statistical difference (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the death number decreased, the survival rate increased, the life span of dead children was prolonged in the treatment group, showing statistical difference (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONFJD combined chemotherapy could effectively improve the QOL of solid tumor children patients, elevate their survival rate, and prolong their life spans.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Integrative Medicine ; Male ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Phytotherapy ; Quality of Life ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

In this study the chemical constituents of the higher polar sustances from Desmodium caudatum were investigated.The compounds were isolated by using column chromatographies over silicagel, polyamide, ODS, Sephadex LH-20, and preparative HPLC. The structures of these compounds were identified on the basis of NMR and MS spectra. Thirteen compounds were obtained and their structures were identified as vanillin(1), loliolide(2), indole-3-carboxaldehyde(3), salicylic acid(4), swertisin(5), saccharumoside C(6), isosinensin (7), kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (8), isovitexin (9), vitexin (10), nothofagin(11), resveratroloside (12), and 2"-α-rhamnopyranosyl-7-O-methylvitexin (13). Except for compound 5, the remaining compounds were isolated from D. caudatum for the first time. Compounds 2, 3, 6-8, 11-13 were separated from the genus Desmodium for the first time.
Apigenin ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Fabaceae ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Saponins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

OBJECTIVETo study and compare the effect of neutrophil elastase inhibitors (GW311616A and sivelestat) on the proliferation and apoptosis of U937 cells.

METHODSInhibitory effects of GW311616A and sivelestat on the proliferation of U937 cells were assayed by MTT assay. The morphologic changes of U937 cells were detected by transmission electron microscope, and apoptosis was observed by AnnexinV-FITC/PI staining. The changes of cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. The expression of NE in U937 cells was observed by indirect immunofluorescence, the variations of content and activity of NE in U937 cells were measured through ELISA assay and colorimetric method.

RESULTSMTT showed that both NE inhibitors could inhibit the proliferation of U937 cells in a dose dependent manner. The IC50 of GW311616A and sivelestat were 150 and 214 μmol/L respectively. The inhibition effect of GW311616A was significantly higher than of sivelestat (P<0.01). Typical apoptosis morphological changes of U937 cells was observed through electron microscope. AnnexinV-FITC/PI staining showed that U937 cells could be induced to undergo apoptosis by the two inhibitors, the apoptosis ratio of 150μmol/L GW311616A group (13.60%) was significantly higher than that of 150μmol/L sivelestat group (3.69%)(P<0.01). The result of flow cytometry indicated that the apoptosis ratio of 150 μmol/L GW311616A group was 14.61%, U937 cell cycle was mainly blocked in G2/M phase; meanwhile 150 μmol/L sivelestat group as 4.25% with cell cycle in S phase. The fluorescence intensity of GW311616A group obviously decreased than of sivelestat group. And the two inhibitors could reduce the content and activity of NE in U937 cells, but the effect of GW311616A was significantly higher than of sivelestat (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONGW311616A and sivelestat could inhibit the proliferation and cause apoptosis of U937 cells. Furthermore, GW311616A was more effective and harmful to cells than sivelestat.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Glycine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Leukocyte Elastase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Piperidines ; pharmacology ; Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory ; pharmacology ; Sulfonamides ; pharmacology ; U937 Cells

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic efficacy of Hewei Zhiou Recipe (HZR) combined ondansetron hydrochloride (OH) in treating vomiting in children patients with solid tumor.

METHODSEighty children patients with solid tumor at the Department of Tumor, Beijing Children's Hospital from January 2007 to January 2010 were randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group by the random digit table method, 40 in each group. OH 4 mg was intravenously dripped to patients in the control group. Those in the treatment group took HZR on the basis of the same treatment as for the control group. The vomiting score and degree of the two groups were collected and compared by the end of the 1st to the 6th therapeutic course.

RESULTSThere was no statistical difference in the vomiting degree between the two groups by the end of the 1st therapeutic course (Z = -0.470, P>0.05). The vomiting degree was lessened in the treatment group by the end of the 2nd to the 6th therapeutic course, showing statistical difference when compared with the control group (Z = - 2.966, -3.256, -3.453, -4.870, -3.627, respectively, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONHZR combined OH could effectively relieve the vomiting of children patients with solid tumor during chemotherapy.

Antiemetics ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Ondansetron ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Vomiting ; chemically induced ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo establish a highly sensitive and specific dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (D-FISH) method used for chromosomal localization of foreign genes in double transgenic mice.

METHODSTwo strains of double transgenic mice were used in this experiment, one was integrated with the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) and the enhanced green fluorescence protein (eGFP), the other was with the short hairpin RNA interference(RNAi) and beta(654). Splenic cells cultured in vitro were arrested in metaphase by colchicine and hybridized with digoxigenin-labeled and biotinylated DNA probes, then detected by rhodamine-conjugated avidin and FITC-conjugated anti-digoxigenin.

RESULTSDual-color fluorescence signals were detected on the same metaphase in both transgenic mice strains. In HSV-tk/eGFP double transgenic mice, strong green fluorescence for HSV-tk and red for eGFP were observed and localized at 2E5-G3 and 8A2-A4 respectively. In beta(654)/RNAi mice, beta(654) was detected as red fluorescence on chromosome 7D3-E2, and RNAi showed random integration on chromosomes. It was detected as green fluorescence on chromosome 12B1 in one mouse, while on 1E2.3-1F and 3A3 in the other.

CONCLUSIONHighly sensitive and specific D-FISH method was established using the self-prepared DNA probes, and chromosomal localization of the foreign genes was also performed in combination with G-banding in double transgenic mice. This technology will facilitate the researches in transgenic animals and gene therapy models.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Color ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; methods ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Physical Chromosome Mapping ; methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Simplexvirus ; enzymology ; Thymidine Kinase ; genetics ; Transgenes

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical significance of ATP based bioluminescence in vitro tumor chemosensitivity assay (ATP-TCA) in the chemotherapy of pediatric solid tumor.

METHODSThe cell culture technique and ATP-TCA were used to study chemosensitivity assay in specimens from 50 cases who underwent resection surgery for solid tumor (15 malignant neurogenic tumor, 8 malignant germ cell tumors, 10 Wilms' tumors, 10 hepatoblastomas, 6 rhabdomyosarcomas, 1 adrenocortical carcinoma), 8 chemotherapeutic drugs and 8 drug combination schedules were applied in every specimen.

RESULTS(1) Specimens of 46 of 50 pediatric patients with solid tumors were suitable for evaluation and were evaluated, the overall evaluation rate was 92% (46/50). (2) There was the heterogeneity in the chemosensitivity of the solid tumors in vitro. (3) The drug combination schedules of high sensitivity rate of every kind of pediatric solid tumor are as follows: the malignant neurogenic tumor: CBP + EPI + IFO (12/15, 80.0%), VCR + CTX + DDP + DTIC (11/15, 73.3%); malignant germ cell tumor: DDP + VCR + BLM(8/8, 100%), TPTN + ACTD + IFO(8/8, 100%), As2O3 (7/8, 87.5%); Wilms' tumor: VCR + ACTD(6/7, 85.7%), CBP + VP16 (6/8, 75.0%); hepatoblastoma: VCR + CTX + DDP + VP16 (8/9, 88.9%), CBP +IFO + VM26 (7/9, 77.8%), DDP + VP16 + TPTN(7/9, 77.8%); rhabdomyosarcoma: VCR + CTX + DDP + VP16 (5/5, 100%); adrenocortical carcinoma: VCR + CTX + ADM. (4) As2O3 reached a high in vitro sensitive rate of 87.5% (7/8) and 46.7% (7/15) in malignant germ cell tumor and the malignant neurogenic tumor respectively, PTX was sensitive to the malignant neurogenic tumor and rhabdomyosarcoma (40.0% (6/15), 60.0% (3/5)), GEM was sensitive to pediatric malignant germ cell tumor and rhabdomyosarcoma (50.0% (4/8), 60.0% (3/5)).

CONCLUSIONSATP-TCA is a sensitive method for the chemotherapeutic agents screening of pediatric malignant solid tumor, and ATP-TCA assay results correlated well with clinical response. It appears to be useful in screening new drugs for pediatric solid tumor, exploring the possible combination plots and principles, evaluating the efficacy of existing chemotherapy, and optimize chemotherapy on an individual basis.

Adolescent ; Antineoplastic Agents ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Infant ; Male

OBJECTIVETo observe clinical efficacy of plum-blossom needle for follicular maldevelopment (FM).

METHODSFifty cases of FM were randomly divided into a plum-blossom needle group and a medication group, 25 cases in each one. In the plum-blossom needle group, the plum-blossom needle was applied along Thoroughfare, Conception, Governor and Belt Vessel as well as at Pishu (BL 20), Weishu (BL 21), Shenshu (BL 23), Luanchao (Extra), Zigong (EX-CA 1) during the follicular growth phase, once every other day. In the medication group, clomifene (CC) was prescribed for oral administration and human choriogonadotropin (HCG) was given by intramuscular injection, once each day. For both groups, one menstrual cycle constituted one course. After two courses of treatment, follicular development condition, the changes of endometrial thickness and morphology, ovarian resistent index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI), rate of ovulation and pregnancy were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAfter the treatment, the average diameters of the biggest follicle increased in both groups, while the endometrial thickness and morphology in the plum-blossom needle group were superior to those in the medication group (all P < 0.05). Ovarian RI and PI during mature follicular phase in the plum-blossom needle group were inferior to those in the medication group (both P < 0.05). The differences in ovulation and pregnancy rate were not significant statistically between the two groups (both P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe plum-blossom needle therapy based on regulating Thoroughfare, Conception, Governor and Belt Vessel could improve the ovarian blood perfusion, promote the follicular growth, increase the ovulation rate of mature follicle and avoid the out-of-sync between growth of follicle and endometrium during the treatment of western medication.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Clomiphene ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Needles ; Ovarian Diseases ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Ovarian Follicle ; growth & development ; Young Adult