Objective To study the therapeutic effect and safety of recombinant human growth hormone in short children born small for gestational age (SGA).Methods Twenty-two short children born SGA were randomly divided into 2 groups and were exposed to different doses of recombinant human growth hormone,which were low dose group [0.1 IU/(kg · d)] and high dose group [0.2 IU/(kg · d)].Treatment was carried out for 2 years.Before and after treatment,height,weight,bone age,insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1),insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3),growth rate (GV),height standard deviation scores (HtSDS),predicted adult lifetime height (PAH),fasting and postprandial blood glucose,insulin,thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH),T3,T4,and glycosylated hemoglobin were measured.Results Basic value of growth hormone in SGA infant was (2.94 ± 3.27) μg/L.Two years after treatment of growth hormone in high dose group,growth rate [(8.11 ± 1.31) cm/year vs (4.21 ± 0.99) cm/ year],HtSDS(-1.16 ±0.83 vs-3.00 ±0.71),and PAH[(163.68 ±6.76) cm vs (156.54 ±7.39) cm] were significantly higher than those before treatment (F =110.3,30.47,26.20,all P ＜ 0.01).Similar changes were observed in low dose group except for PAH.In high dose group after 2 years of treatment,IGF-1,IGFBP-3 were significantly higher than those before the treatment and the difference was statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05).Although the plasma levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in low dose group in 2 years of treatment were significantly higher than those before the treatment,the difference was not statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with that before treatment,the added value of IGF-1 had a positive correlation with the added values of growth rate,HtSDS and PAH(r =0.567 4,0.652 4,0.584 3,0.499 8,all P ＜ 0.05).Similar observations were found in low dose group (r =0.437 1,0.405 6 and 0.501 1,all P ＜ 0.05).However,the added value of IGF-1 in low dose group had no correlation with PAH (r =0.200 8,P ＞ 0.05).Compared with that before treatment,2 groups had no differences in fasting and postprandial blood glucose,insulin,TSH,T3,T4 and glycosylated hemoglobin (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Recombinant human growth hormone [0.20 IU/(kg · d)] may significantly increase the growth rate and PAH of short children born SGA,which is a safe and effective strategy for the treatment of short SGA.

Toad venom is the Bufo bufo gargarizans or B. melanostictus after the ears of the gland secretion, used in the treatment of various cancers in recent years. Research shows that the main anti-tumor components in bufadienolide. Bufadienolide have free type structure and conjunct type structure. To identify and clarify the difference between bufogenin and bufotoxin contained in Bufonis Venenum, which was from B. bufo gargarizans, an UPLC-TQ-MS method has been established. UPLC-TQ-MS method was used to identify and quantify the major bufadienolides in Bufonis Venenum. UPLC-TQ-MS assay with positive ion mode was performed on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C, (2.1 mm x 100 mm, 1.7 µm) with the mobile phase consisting of 0. 1% aqueous formic and acidacetonitrile in gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.4 mL · min⁻¹ and the column temperature was set at 35 °C. By comparing their retention time and high resolution mass data of Bufonis Venenum extracts, 37 effective components were primarily identified by MS/MS analysis in positive ion mode. Twenty-six of them were free-type bufadienolides (bufogenin), 11 of them were conjugated bufadienolides. There were significant differences in the main composition between fresh and processed Bufonis Venenum. The study found that the chemical composition of toad venom through great changes after processing, conjunct type content is much less, free type content as well change.
Amphibian Venoms ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bufonidae ; classification ; metabolism ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Molecular Structure ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of feeding initiation with different formulas on the growth, development, and feeding tolerance in very low birth weight infants. METHODS: A total of 86 preterm infants with a gestational age of <34 weeks and a birth weight of <1 500 g were divided into three groups according to their feeding initiation formulas: standard preterm formula feeding group (SPF group; n=31), extensively hydrolyzed protein formula feeding group (eHF group; n=27), and breastfeeding group (control group; n=28). Comparisons were made between the groups in terms of growth indices, feeding condition, blood biochemistry, length of hospital stay, and incidence rates of feeding intolerance, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR). RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the above three groups in body weight, head circumference, and rate of increase in body length measured during hospitalization, as well as length of hospital stay and EUGR incidence rate at discharge (P>0.05). The SPF and eHF groups had a significantly shorter transition time from meconium to yellow stool than the control group (P<0.01). The SPF group had a significantly shorter time to standard enteral feeding than the eHF and control groups (P<0.01), with no significant difference observed between the latter two groups. The SPF group had a significantly lower serum prealbumin level than the eHF and control groups (P<0.01). The SPF and eHF groups had a significantly higher hemoglobin level at discharge than the control group (P<0.01). The percentage of eosinophils at discharge was significantly lower in the eHF group than in the SPF group (P<0.01). No significant differences were found among the three groups regarding the incidence rates of feeding intolerance, sepsis, and NEC (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Both eHF and SPF can be used for feeding initiation for very low birth weight preterm infants with a gestational age of <34 weeks without increasing the incidence rate of EUGR.
Breast Feeding ; Enteral Nutrition ; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight

Objective To explore the potential neurotrophic effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on the proliferation and differentiation of ventral mesencephalic precursors (VMPs).Methods VMPs from E 11 inbred rat embryos and BMSCs from adult rats were cultured in 2 separate groups.Moreover,a co-cultured group was also established.Afterwards,the 3 different differentiation mediums obtained from these 3 defined groups were used to influence the differentiation procedures of normal VMPs that had amplification in vitro for 7 d.The growth of cells was observed;immunocytochemical staining was performed on these cells at the late differentiation phase.Relative yields of TH+ cells were calculated and compared.Results Seven d after the inducing differentiation,the total cell numbers multiplied about 44.13±4.75,60.63±5.25 and 64.00±7.63 folds in the VMP control group,the BMSCs group and the VMP+BMSCs co-cultured group,respectively,as compared with those before the differentiation.Correspondingly, the ratios of TH+ cells in the total cell population were (18.76±5.20)%, (23.49±4.10)% and (28.08±5.42)% in the VMP control group,the BMSCs group and the VMP+BMSCs co-cultured group,respectively; significant differences betwwen each 2 groups were found (P<0.05).Conclusion BMSCs can secret nutritional factors to promote the proliferation and committed differentiation of VMPs into dopaminergic neurons.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory effects of an antisense PC cell derived growth factor (PCDGF) vector on proliferation and invasion of highly malignant ovarian cancer cell lines Sw626 and A2780 cells, and preliminarily explore the related mechanisms.

METHODSMTT assay and Boyden chamber in vitro invasion assay were employed to detect the changes of proliferation and invasion ability in the Sw626 and A2780 cells transfected with anti-sense PCDGF. The expression levels of cyclin D1 and CDK4 proteins before and after transfection were detected by Western blotting. The effects on the expression and activity of MMP-2 were evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR and zymography, respectively.

RESULTSComparing with the blank group, the proliferation inhibition rate of the Sw626 and A2780 cells transfected with anti-sense PCDGF was 72.9% and 70.9%, respectively, and the invasion ability was inhibited by 62.9% and 59.0%, respectively. The levels of cyclin D1 and CDK4 protein expression in antisense PCDGF transfected cells were 0.38 +/- 0.08 and 0.37 +/- 0.13, respectively, all significantly lower than 0.84 +/- 0.11 and 0.64 +/- 0.11, respectively, in the blank group (P < 0.01). The MMP-2 mRNA expression level in antisense PCDGF transfected cell group was 0.66 +/- 0.11, not significantly decreased in comparison with 0.89 +/- 0.09 in the blank group (P > 0.05), but the activity of MMP-2 was inhibited significantly.

CONCLUSIONThe antisense PCDGF vector may inhibit markedly the proliferation and invasion of highly malignant ovarian cancer cells, and partially reverses their malignant phenotype. It seems to be related with down-regulating the expression of cyclin D1 and CDK4 and inhibiting the activity of MMP-2. Our findings indicate that PCDGF may become a new target for antisense gene therapy of ovarian cancer.

Cell Adhesion ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 ; metabolism ; DNA, Antisense ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features of 66 cases of primary systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), with emphasis on the differences between ALK-positive and ALK-negative cases.

METHODSThe clinical data of 66 cases of ALCL was analyzed. The histologic features were reviewed. Immunohistochemical study for CD30, ALK protein, epithelial membrane antigen, CD2, CD3, granzyme B and TIA-1 was carried out. In-situ hybridization for small mRNA of Epstein-Barr virus (EBER) was also performed. The chromosomal abnormalities were studied by fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH). The differences between ALK-positive and ALK-negative cases were statistically analyzed.

RESULTSThere were 48 cases of ALK-positive ALCL and 18 cases of ALK-negative ALCL. The patients with ALK-positive ALCL were younger than those with ALK-negative ALCL (P < 0.05), with the median age being 18 years and 36 years, respectively. Fever, especially hyperpyrexia, was more commonly observed in ALK-positive ALCL patients than in ALK-negative ALCL patients (33 cases versus 4 cases, P < 0.05). The overall survival rate and median duration of survival in patients with ALK-positive ALCL were higher and longer than those in patients with ALK-negative ALCL (80% versus 71%; 21 months versus 12.5 months, P > 0.05). There were however no significant differences in histology between ALK-positive ALCL and ALK-negative ALCL. Histologically, most cases showed diffuse growth pattern. Nodular pattern was demonstrated in a minority of cases. "Hallmark" cells were seen in most of the ALCL cases. Focal necrosis and myxomatous stroma were identified in a few cases. Most ALK-positive cases belonged to the common variant (35 cases). A small number represented lymphohistiocytic variant (8 cases). Small cell variant and sarcomatoid subtype were found only in few cases (3 cases and 2 cases, respectively).On the other hand, common variant (17 cases) constituted the majority of ALK-negative ALCL. Lymphohistiocytic variant was seen in only 1 case. Immunohistochemical study showed that ALK-positive ALCL always expressed CD30 and epithelial membrane antigen. ALK-positive ALCL more often expressed epithelial membrane antigen (100% versus 72%; P < 0.05) but less so for T-cell markers (including CD2, CD3, CD43 and CD45RO). Cytotoxic molecules were more commonly expressed in ALK-positive ALCL (P > 0.05). EBER was negative in all cases studied. FISH showed that in ALK-positive ALCL, 1 case had normal ALK gene, 1 had deletion and multicopy and 2 had deletion. On the other hand, 1 case of ALK-negative ALCL had normal ALK gene.

CONCLUSIONSWhile there are no significant morphologic differences between ALK-positive ALCL and ALK-negative ALCL, the clinical features, immunophenotypes and genetic features of both groups vary. These differences are helpful in guiding the differential diagnosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gene Deletion ; Humans ; Ki-1 Antigen ; metabolism ; Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic ; complications ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Malignant Hyperthermia ; etiology ; Middle Aged ; Mucin-1 ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETrace and toxic elements have great influences on the fetus growth during the pregnancy. The status of Pb, As, Cd, Mn and Zn in maternal and umbilical cord blood and influence factors were analyzed.

METHODSFrom September 2006 to April 2007, 130 pairs of maternal blood and cord blood in total were collected at the time of spontaneous delivery or cesarean section. At the same time, the development of newborn was measured immediately. The concentrations of elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, the relationship of these elements between maternal and cord blood were also analyzed.

RESULTSThe median (microg/L) concentration of blood Pb, As, Cd, Mn and Zn in maternal blood were 64.32, 3.81, 0.84, 54.26 and 6312.50. And the median (microg/L) of those elements in cord blood were 35.72, 2.84, 0.32, 78.99 and 2250. The levels of Cd (r=0.341, P=0.000) and As (r=0.552, P=0.000) in maternal blood were positively correlated with the elements in the cord blood. From the questionnaire we conclude that the occupational hazardous factors and room decorated were the risk factors for the blood As and Zn levels. After multilinear regression analysis we also found mother weight, occupational hazardous factors and mother systolic pressure might affect the levels of blood Mn, Zn, As and Cd.

CONCLUSIONSThe levels of these elements were affected by environmental and maternal factors. In this study, although the levels of all heavy metals in pregnant women were below those considered hazardous, however, they were still higher than those in the developed countries. The effects of heavy metals of maternal exposure on developing fetuses should deserve attention further.

Adult ; Arsenic ; blood ; Cadmium ; blood ; Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; chemistry ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Lead ; blood ; Male ; Manganese ; blood ; Maternal Exposure ; Pregnancy ; Zinc ; blood

This study was aimed to investigate the characteristics of RHCE genotyping of Xinjiang Uygur nationality population in China. Primers for detecting RHCE genes were designed according to the references, 89 Uygur nationality RhD-negative samples, 233 Han nationality RhD-negative samples and 109 Han nationality RhD-positive samples were detected by sequence-specific primer-polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR) for RHCE genotyping. All above-mentioned samples were unrelated. The results indicated that RHE/e genotyping results were consistent with the serological test results in the samples of Uygur and Han nationality, regardless of the RhD-negative samples or the RhD-positive samples. The RHC/c genotyping results from 89 RhD-negative samples of Uygur nationality were consistent with serological test results. However, total error of RHC/c genotyping from 233 RhD-negative and 109 RhD-positive samples of Han nationality was 5.05%. In conclusion, this method of RHCE genotyping is suitable for the analysis of the RHE/e genotyping of Uygur nationality, no erroneous RHC/c genotyping of Uygur nationality was found in this study, but this method needs to be further studied.
Blood Grouping and Crossmatching ; China ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Rh-Hr Blood-Group System ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the surgical strategy for ectopic kidney and evaluate the clinical outcomes.

METHODSFrom January 2000 to October 2009, 35 cases of ectopic kidney were treated surgically in our hospital. Definite diagnoses were established in all the cases by ultrasound, intravenous urography (IVU), cystoscope, CT, magnetic resonance urography (MRU) and radionuclide imaging before the surgery. In these patients, 26 had ipsilateral ectopic ureteral orifice (including 5 with bilateral duplicated kidneys and ureter), 9 had moderate or severe hydronephrosis (including 3 with ectopic kidney calculi), and 24 had dysplastic kidney (24/35). All the patients underwent operations, including 26 with ectopic nephrectomy, 7 with ectopic ureterovesical reimplantation, and 3 with ectopic renal pelvis incision.

RESULTSThe clinical effect was satisfactory in all the cases during the follow up of 7 to 29 months.

CONCLUSIONAppropriate surgical approaches according to the concurrent deformities and complications can achieve good clinical results in patients with ectopic kidneys.

Abnormalities, Multiple ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Nephrectomy ; methods ; Ureter ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Young Adult

This study was aimed to investigate the clinical value of quantification of AML1/ETO fusion transcripts using real-time reverse transcription PCR. Fourteen AML1/ETO positive children out of 52 AML children were selected. A serial dilution of AML1/ETO plasmid was used as a template for the AML1/ETO real-time PCR. AML1/ETO was quantified according to the expression of the GAPDH housekeeping gene at new diagnosis and during/after chemotherapy and transplantation. SPSS statistics was used to analyze the data. The results showed that the ratio of AML1/ETO: GAPDH expression level at new diagnosis varied in the range 0.219-2.080 (median 0.648) among the patients, without relevance with percentage of blasts. The detection sensitivity was up to the dilution of 1:10(5). Six patients showed a slight decline of AML1/ETO (higher than 5 x 10(-2)) at 1 month, three of whom relapsed in the early stage and one later. Five patients had a higher level than 5 x 10(-3) at 3 months, three of whom relapsed. Four patients with always a higher level than 5 x 10(-3) all relapsed in early stage. After six months, four out of them with constant low-level expression (10(-4) - 10(-6)) were in continuous complete hematological remission (CCR). In another patient, a rapid rise of AML1/ETO transcripts could be detected at CR stage and he relapsed 5 months later. The AML1/ETO gene expression leveling off by 10(-5) - 10(-6) could be detected in 3 patients at their complete remission after 9 months. It is concluded that real-time RT-PCR is a suitable approach for quantifying AML1/ETO transcripts in monitoring of AML patients with t(8;21) during/after chemotherapy and provides data of diagnostic relevance.
Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid ; diagnosis ; genetics ; therapy ; Male ; Neoplasm, Residual ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein ; Reproducibility of Results ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Transcription, Genetic