Objective:To investigate the clinical features and prognosis of testicular relapse in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).Methods:Clinical data including the age, time from initial diagnosis to recurrence, relapse site, and therapeutic effect of 37 pediatric ALL with testicular relapse and treated in Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between November 2011 and December 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were grouped according to different clinical data. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate the overall survival (OS) rate and event free survival (EFS) rate for univariate analysis, and Cox proportional-hazards regression model was used to evaluate the influencing factors of OS rate and EFS rate for multivariate analysis.Results:The age at initial diagnosis of 37 pediatric testicular relapse patients was (5±3) years and the time from initial diagnosis to testicular recurrence was (37±15) months. The follow-up time was 43 (22, 56) months. Twenty-three patients (62%) were isolated testis relapse. The 5-year OS rate and EFS rate of the 37 relapsed children were (60±9) % and (50±9) % respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the 2-year EFS rate in the group of patients with time from initial diagnosis to testicular recurrence >28 months was significantly higher than those ≤28 months ((69±10)% vs. (11±11)%, P<0.05), 2-year EFS rate of the isolated testicular relapse group was significantly higher than combined relapse group ((66±11)% vs. (20±13) %, P<0.05), 2-year EFS rate of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell treatment after relapse group was significantly higher than without CAR-T cell treatment after relapse group ((78±10)% vs. (15±10)%, P<0.05). ETV6-RUNX1 was the most common genetic aberration in testicular relapsed ALL (38%, 14/37). The 4-year OS and EFS rate of patients with ETV6-RUNX1 positive were (80±13) % and (64±15) %, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified relapse occurred≤28 months after first diagnosis ( HR=3.09, 95% CI 1.10-8.72), combined relapse ( HR=4.26, 95% CI 1.34-13.52) and CAR-T cell therapy after relapse ( HR=0.15,95% CI 0.05-0.51) were independent prognostic factors for 2-year EFS rate (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The outcome of testicular relapse in pediatric ALL was poor. They mainly occurred 3 years after initial diagnosis. ETV6-RUNX1 is the most common abnormal gene.Patients with ETV6-RUNX1 positive often have a favorable outcome. Early relapse and combined relapse indicate unfavorable prognosis, while CAR-T cell therapy could significantly improve the survival rate of children with testicular recurrence.

Children and adults differ significantly in physiology,biochemistry and immune function,which leads to sig-nificant differences in blood transfusion strategies between children and adults.To guide the clinical transfusion practice of pediatric patients and improve the prognosis of children,the National Health Commission organized the formulation and re-lease of the health industry standard Guideline for Pediatric Transfusion(WS/T 795-2022).This paper will briefly introduce some concepts that help understand of the Standard and the preparation process of the Standard,and explain and interpret the preparation of the"scope","general provisions"and"factors to consider"of the Standard,hoping to contribute to the understanding and implementation of the Standard.

Background::Total human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) DNA and integrated HIV DNA are widely used markers of HIV persistence. Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) can be used for absolute quantification without needing a standard curve. Here, we developed duplex ddPCR assays to detect and quantify total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA.Methods::The limit of detection, dynamic ranges, sensitivity, and reproducibility were evaluated by plasmid constructs containing both the HIV long terminal repeat (LTR) and human CD3 gene (for total HIV DNA) and ACH-2 cells (for integrated HIV DNA). Forty-two cases on stable suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) were assayed in total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA. Correlation coefficient analysis was performed on the data related to DNA copies and cluster of differentiation 4 positive (CD4 +) T-cell counts, CD8 + T-cell counts and CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio, respectively. The assay linear dynamic range and lower limit of detection (LLOD) were also assessed. Results::The assay could detect the presence of HIV-1 copies 100% at concentrations of 6.3 copies/reaction, and the estimated LLOD of the ddPCR assay was 4.4 HIV DNA copies/reaction (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 3.6-6.5 copies/reaction) with linearity over a 5-log 10-unit range in total HIV DNA assay. For the integrated HIV DNA assay, the LLOD was 8.0 copies/reaction (95% CI: 5.8-16.6 copies/reaction) with linearity over a 3-log 10-unit range. Total HIV DNA in CD4 + T cells was positively associated with integrated HIV DNA ( r = 0.76, P <0.0001). Meanwhile, both total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA in CD4 + T cells were inversely correlated with the ratio of CD4/CD8 but positively correlated with the CD8 + T-cell counts. Conclusions::This ddPCR assay can quantify total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA efficiently with robustness and sensitivity. It can be readily adapted for measuring HIV DNA with non-B clades, and it could be beneficial for testing in clinical trials.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and long-term prognostic factors of relapsed pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).Methods:Clinical data including the age, time from initial diagnosis to relapse, relapse site, and molecular biological features of 217 relapsed ALL children primarily treated by the Chinese Children's Leukemia Group (CCLG)-ALL 2008 protocol in Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between April 2008 and April 2015 were collected and analyzed in this retrospective cohort study. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate the overall survival (OS) rate and event free survival (EFS) rate for univariate analysis, and Cox proportional-hazards regression model was used to evaluate the influencing factors of OS rate and EFS rate for multivariate analysis.Results:The age at initial diagnosis of 217 relapsed patients was 5 (3, 7) years. There were 135 males and 82 females. The time from initial diagnosis to relapse of 217 children was 22 (10, 39) months. After relapse, 136 out of 217 children (62.7%) received treatment and the follow-up time was 65 (47, 90) months. The 5-year OS rate and EFS rate of the 136 relapsed children were (37±4) % and (26±4) %, respectively. The predicted 10-year OS rate and EFS rate were (35±5) % and (20±4) %, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the 5-year OS rate in the group of patients with late relapse (43 cases) was significantly higher than those with very early (54 cases) and early relapse (39 cases) ((72±7)% vs. (16±5)%, (28±8)%, χ2=35.91, P<0.05), 5-year OS rate of the isolated extramedullary relapse group (20 cases) was significantly higher than isolated bone marrow relapse group (102 cases) and combined relapse group (14 cases) ((69±11)% vs. (31±5)%, (29±12)%, χ2=9.14, P<0.05), 5-year OS rate of high-risk group (80 cases) was significantly lower than standard-risk group (10 cases) and intermediate-risk group (46 cases) ((20±5)% vs. (90±10)%, (54±8)%, χ2=32.88, P<0.05). ETV6::RUNX1 was the most common fusion gene (13.2%, 18/136). The predicted 10-year OS rate of relapsed children with positive ETV6::RUNX1 was significantly higher than those without ETV6::RUNX1 (118 cases) ((83±9)% vs. (26±5)%, χ2=14.04, P<0.05). The 5-year OS for those accepted hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) after relapse (42 cases) was higher than those without HSCT (94 cases) ((56±8)% vs. (27±5)%, χ2=15.18, P<0.05). Multivariate analysis identified very early/early relapse ( HR=3.91, 95% CI 1.96-7.79; HR=4.15, 95% CI 1.99-8.67), bone marrow relapse including isolated bone marrow relapse and combined relapse ( HR=6.50, 95% CI 2.58-16.34; HR=5.19, 95% CI 1.78-15.16), with ETV6::RUNX1 ( HR=0.23, 95% CI 0.07-0.74) and HSCT after relapse ( HR=0.24, 95% CI 0.14-0.43) as independent prognostic factors for OS (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Relapsed pediatric ALL mainly occurs very early and often affects bone marrow, which confer poor outcome. ETV6::RUNX1 is the most common genetic aberration with a favorable outcome. HSCT could rescue the outcome of relapsed children, though the survival rate is still poor.

Objective To expore the effect of fibroblast exosomes from diabetic rats on wound healing.Methods Male SD rats were randomly divided into diabetes mellitus group(DM group,n=12)and normal control group(NC group,n=15).Fibroblast exosomes were extracted and identified.After digestion of human epidermal keratinocyte line(HEK-a)and human epidermal microvascular endothelial cell line(HMEC-1),the cells were divided into diabetes exosomes group(DM-EOXa group),normal exosomes group(N-EXOa group)and normal control group(NCa group).CCK8 was used todetect the proliferation of fibroblast.fifteen male SD rats were randomly divided into diabetes exosomes group(DM-EXOb group),normal exosomes group(N-EXOb group)and normal control group(NCb group),with 5 rats in each group.Full-thickness wounds were created on rats back,and fibroblast exosomes were used to intervene wound healing.The wound healing was compared on 3th,7th,10th,and 14th day in each group.Results The proliferation of HEK-a and HMEC-1 was higher in N-EXOa and DM-EXOa groups than in NCa group(P<0.05).On the 7th,10th and 14th day,the average wound rate was lower in N-EXOb group than in NCb and DM-EXOb groups(P<0.05 or P<0.01).On the 10th day,the average wound rate was lower in NCb group than in DM-EXOb group(P<0.05).Conclusions Normal fibroblast exosomes can promote wound healing,while diabetic fibroblast exosomes from diabetic rats have no effect on wound healing,and even inhibit wound healing.

Objective:To analyze the relationship between FAB morphological classification and World Health Organization (WHO) 2016 classification in children with acute erythroid leukemia(AEL), and to summarize the clinical features and prognosis.Methods:Clinical data of de nova childhood AEL patients from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2019, in Pediatric Blood Disease Center, Institute of Hematology & Blood Disease Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.All of them were re-evaluated according to the WHO 2016 classification.Results:(1) A total of 20 patients were diagnosed as AEL by FAB classification.According to the criteria of WHO 2016, they were re-diagnosed as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)- refractory anemia with excess of blasts (11 cases), acute myeloid leukemia with MDS-related changes (3 cases), acute monocytic leukemia (1 case), and pure red leukemia (PEL, 5 cases). (2) Pathological hematopoiesis was frequently detected in bone marrow smears.Auer bodies were seen occasionally in some blasts.The most common antigen expressing were CD 117, CD 13, CD 33, CD 34, CD7, and CD 38.Karyotype analysis was performed in 18 cases successfully, involving 6 cases with abnormal karyotypes, including + 8, -7, 22p+ , t (3; 5: ? ), + 3q-, 15q-, and del (9)(q13). (3) Thirteen cases were treated by chemotherapy, and the one-course complete remission rate was 38.5%.By July 1, 2020, only 2 cases were alive without disease.The overall survival was 49 months and 11 months, respectively. Conclusions:Childhood AEL is susceptible to pathological hematopoiesis, poor response to early chemotherapy and poor prognosis.After re-evaluation according to WHO 2016 classification, most of them were diagnosed as MDS-related.Therefore, adjusting the suitable induction regimen with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may improve the prognosis.

Objective:To study the predictive value of total serum bilirubin (TSB) and the ratio of bilirubin to albumin (B/A) in neonatal acute bilirubin encephalopathy (ABE).Methods:Neonates with extremely severe hyperbilirubinemia (TSB≥425 μmol/L) treated in the Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Maternity and Child Health Care of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Northwest Women and Children's Hospital, Yinchuan Maternal and Child Health Hospital and Liaocheng People's Hospital from March 2018 to August 2019 were selected as prospective subjects for this study. According to the score of brain injury induced by bilirubin, the subjects were divided into ABE group and non-ABE group, and the predictive value of TSB peak and B/A for neonatal ABE were analyzed.Results:A total of 194 infants with extremely severe hyperbilirubinemia were recruited in this study, including 20 in ABE group and 174 in non-ABE group. The peak value of bilirubin ranged from 427 to 979 μmol/L. The optimal critical values of TSB peak value and B/A for ABE prediction were 530 μmol/L and 9.48, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of ABE prediction were 85.0% and 92.8% when combined with TSB peak and B/A values.Conclusions:TSB peak combined with B/A value can effectively identify neonatal ABE. When the TSB peak value was greater than 530 μmol/L and the B/A value was greater than 9.48, the neonates had a higher risk of neonatal ABE.

Objective:To study the amplification / overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in patients with gallbladder cancer, and to analyze the correlation between amplification/overexpression of HER2 with clinicopathological features and survival in patients after R 0 resection. Methods:There were 14 males and 26 females, aged (60.3±8.7) years old and treated at the Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2011 to December 2016 who met the inclusion criteria of the study. Immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization were used to detect amplification / expression of HER2 in resected tumor tissues. Patients were divided into two groups according to the HER2 gene expression: the HER2-negative group ( n=40) and the HER2-positive group ( n=10). The Chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between amplification/expression of HER2 and clinicopathological parameters. Patients were followed up by telephone for prognosis. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to explore factors affecting prognosis of gallbladder cancer patients. Results:HER2 amplification/overexpression was found in 10 patients with gallbladder cancer, with a positive rate of HER2 being 20.0% (10/50). There was a significant difference in the proportion of patients with vascular tumor thrombus between the HER2 negative group and the HER2 positive group [7.5%(3/40) vs. 30.0%(3/10), P<0.05]. On follow-up, data of 46 patients was available. There were 36 patients in the HER2-negative group and 10 patients in the HER2-positive group. Compared with the HER2-negative group, the median recurrence-free survival (10.10 vs. 75.07 months) and the median overall survival (16.77 vs. 83.07 months) of the HER2-positive group were both significantly lower (both P<0.05) than the HER2-negative group. Univariate analysis showed HER2 positivity to be a risk factor for recurrence-free and overall survival in patients with gallbladder cancer after radical resection. Cox multivariable analysis revealed that lymph node metastasis was an independent risk factor for both recurrence-free ( HR=4.31, 95% CI: 1.92-9.68, P<0.001) and overall survival ( HR=3.44, 95% CI: 1.08-11.00, P=0.037). Conclusion:Amplification / overexpression of HER2 was associated with venous invasion and worse prognosis in patients with gallbladder cancer.

Objective:To explore the clinical features of bloodstream infections (BSI) in children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) during the first induction chemotherapy.Methods:The clinical data, pathogen of BSI, antibiotic susceptibility in vitro, complications and prognosis of 204 newly diagnosed AML children admitted to Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from August 2009 to December 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. χ 2 test was used for the comparison between groups and Logistic regression was used for BSI risk factor analysis. Results:Among 204 patients, 116 were males and 88 were females. The age was 8 (ranged from 1 to 14) years. Among them, 170 patients received MAE chemotherapies (etoposide, mitoxantrone and cytarabine) and 25 received IAE chemotherapies (etoposide, idarubicin and cytarabine). The other 9 patients used granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)-priming regimen (aclacinomycin or homoharringtonine, cytarabine and G-CSF) for induction treatments. A total of 28 patients experienced BSI and the incidence rate was 13.7% (28/204), 26 of them developed BSI once and 2 patients developed twice. Gram-positive bacteria were predominant pathogens accounting for 53.3% (16/30) while gram-negative bacteria accounting for 40.0% (12/30) and fungal accounted for 6.7% (2/30). The most common detected pathogens were Coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CoNS, 26.7% (8/30)), followed by Streptococcus spp. (13.3% (4/30)) and Escherichia coli (13.3% (4/30)). Among Gram-negative bacteria (GNB), 3 cases showed carbapenem resistance and 2 cases were Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. BSI-related mortality was 28.6% (8/28). Infections caused by drug-resistant GNB or fungi resulted in 6 fatal cases. The incidence rate of BSI in group with severe neutropenia was higher than in group without it (16.6% (25/151) vs. 5.7% (3/53), χ2=3.933, P=0.047). Multivariable analysis showed severe neutropenia at the onset of fever was independent risk factor of BSI ( OR=4.258,95% CI 1.097-16.524, P=0.036). Conclusions:During the first induction chemotherapy courses, Gram-positive bacteria cause most of the BSI. Drug-resistant bacteria related infection often result in fatal outcomes. Severe neutropenia is a significant risk factor.

Objective:To explore the laboratory characteristics and diagnostic methods for therapy-related acute megakaryocytic leukemia (t-AMKL).Methods:The data of one child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the Blood Disease Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College in September 2014 was retrospectively analyzed. After inducing remission for more than 43 months, the child was diagnosed as t-AMKL.Results:After the diagnosis of ALL, the child was given chemotherapy with standard childhood ALL regimen. After 43 months, t-AMKL was diagnosed by comprehensive morphology, cytogenetics, and molecular biology. Bone marrow morphology showed that the proportion of primitive cells was 0.44; flow cytometry showed the phenotype was abnormal myeloid primitive cells; the pathology result showed that the abnormal cells weakly expressed CD42b and CD61; the electron microscopy showed platelet peroxidase (PPO)-positive and myeloperoxidase (MPO)-negative; the bone marrow immunohistochemistry showed the positive rate of CD41 was 34%; the child had a complex karyotype. After reviewing his medical history, he was diagnosed as t-AMKL.Conclusion:The t-AMKL is relatively rare, and it is helpful to improve the prognosis of patients by completing the relevant examinations for early diagnosis.