Exploring the mechanism of liver enzyme abnormalities in patients with novel coronavirus-infected pneumonia / 中华肝脏病杂志

To explore and analyze the possible mechanism of liver injury in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (novel coronavirus pneumonia, NCP). The correlation between ALT, AST and other liver enzyme changes condition and NCP patients' disease status reported in the literature was comprehensively analyzed. ACE2 expression in liver tissue for novel coronavirus was analyzed based on single cell sequencing (GSE115469) data. RNA-Seq method was used to analyze Ace2 expression and transcription factors related to its expression in liver tissues at various time-points after hepatectomy in mouse model of acute liver injury with partial hepatectomy. -test or Spearman rank correlation analysis was used for statistical analysis. ALT and AST were abnormally elevated in some patients with novel coronavirus infection, and the rate and extent of ALT and AST elevation in severe NCP patients were higher than those in non-severe patients. Liver tissue results of single cell sequencing and immunohistochemistry showed that ACE2 was only expressed in bile duct epithelial cells of normal liver tissues, and very low in hepatocytes. In a mouse model of acute liver injury with partial hepatectomy, Ace2 expression was down-regulated on the first day, but it was elevated up to twice of the normal level on the third day, and returned to normal level on seventh day when the liver recovered and hepatocyte proliferation stopped. Whether this phenomenon suggests that the bile duct epithelial cells with positive expression of Ace2 participate in the process of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy deserves further study. In RNA-Seq data, 77 transcription factors were positively correlated with the expression of ACE2 (r > 0.2, FDR < 0.05), which were mainly enriched in the development, differentiation, morphogenesis and cell proliferation of glandular epithelial cells. We assumed that in addition to the over activated inflammatory response in patients with NCP, the up-regulation of ACE2 expression in liver tissue caused by compensatory proliferation of hepatocytes derived from bile duct epithelial cells may also be the possible mechanism of liver tissue injury caused by 2019 novel coronavirus infection.

Medical legal dispute in hospitals of different grades: a retrospective study on 206 cases / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the characteristics of medical malpractice from different grades of hospitals and to explore forensic investigation strategies in assessing medical dispute.@*METHODS@#A total of 206 cases of medical dispute from 2009 to 2010 investigated by the Department of Forensic Medicine in Nanjing Medical University were selected and analyzed according to fault incidence, fault-prone part, and degree of causality in the treatment.@*RESULTS@#Among the 206 cases analyzed, tertiary hospitals, secondary hospitals and primary hospitals showed medium, high and low error rate, respectively. A majority of medical malpractice cases were distributed in the departments of surgery, medicine and gynecology.@*CONCLUSION@#The frequency and severity of medical malpractice in primary hospitals were high, which were gradually reduced in tertiary and secondary hospitals.

Polymorphisms of 21 short tandem repeat loci of Salar minority ethnic group in Qinghai Province / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the polymorphisms of 21 short tandem repeat (STR)loci of Salar minority ethnic group in Qinghai Province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Blood samples were collected from 120 unrelated healthy Salar individuals from Gandu town in Hualong county. DNA templates were screened by home-made AGCU21+1 kit. The findings were further compared with those of Hans in Zhejiang Province, Hans in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Tibetans in Tibet Autonomous Region, and Tujias in Hubei Province.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The allele frequencies of 21 STR loci ranged 0.0042-0.4917, the genotype frequencies ranged 0.0083-0.3750, the power of discrimination ranged 0.796-0.948, the heterozygosity ranged 0.650-0.817, the polymorphism information contents ranged 0.590-0.810, and the power of exclusion ranged 0.355-0.630. The cumulative coupling probability was 1.75×10(-20), and the cumulative power of exclusion was 0.9999999. Significant differences were found at 14, 12, 12, 13 of the 21 STR loci between Salar and Hans of Zhejiang Province, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Tibetans of Tibet Autonomous Region, and Tujias of Hubei Province (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The 21 STR loci used in this study are highly polymorphic in Salar minority ethnic group from Qinghai Province and therefore suitable for population genetics study, screening of disease-related genes, and forensic individual identification.</p>

Observation on therapeutic effect of peripheral facial paralysis treated by string puncture combined with electroacupuncture / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effective treatment of peripheral facial paralysis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-five cases of peripheral facial paralysis were randomly divided into an observation group (48 cases) and a control group (47 cases). In observation group, the acupoints located on paralyzed muscle, such as Yangbai (GB 14), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Tongziliao (GB 1), Jiache (ST 6) and Dicang (ST 4), etc. were selected; string puncture was applied and the body of needles went through the muscular layer at 40 degrees-60 degrees angle with the direction of muscle fiber; Yangbai (GB 14), Taiyang (EX-HN 5) etc. were selected for electroacupuncture. In control group, the same acupoints and routine manipulations were applied. The clinical therapeutic effects, courses and the House-Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve function grading of both groups were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate in observation group was 100.0% (47/47) which was superior to 93.6% (44/47) in control group (P < 0.01); the average effective, marked effective and cured durations of cured patients in observation group were much shorter than those in control group (all P < 0.01); the H-B facial nerve function grading of both groups were improved after treatment (all P < 0.01), and more significant in observation group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>By string puncture therapy, peripheral facial paralysis is treated more effective than that by routine puncture, and the curative courses are obviously shortened.</p>

A single institution experience using the LigaSure vessel sealing system in laparoscopic nephrectomy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Vascular control and tissue dissection are crucial steps in successful laparoscopic surgery. Recently, a new commercially available vessel sealing technology, the LigaSure vessel sealing system (Valleylab, Boulder, USA), has been introduced. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the benefits of the LigaSure in laparoscopic nephrectomy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2005 to March 2010, 170 laparoscopic nephrectomies were performed with the LigaSure vessel sealing system, including simple and radical nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy. In a retrospective study, the laparoscopic operating time, estimated intraoperative blood loss, duration of postoperative drainage, total amount of postoperative drainage, as well as postoperative hospital stay, were recorded and studied.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All 170 laparoscopic nephrectomies using LigaSure were accomplished successfully without conversion to open surgery. There was no severe vascular complication or other serious complications. The mean laparoscopic operating time was 124.2 minutes (range, 14 - 230 minutes); mean blood loss was 148.6 ml (range, 20 - 540 ml); mean time for postoperative drainage was 3.1 days (range, 1 - 7 days); mean amount of postoperative drainage was 206.5 ml (range, 27 - 435 ml) and mean postoperative hospital stay was 6.9 days (range, 3 - 18 days).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Laparoscopic nephrectomy using LigaSure appears technically feasible and easy, and produces satisfactory results. The LigaSure provides a safe and fast way to seal vessels and tissue bundles during nephrectomy.</p>

Comparison of four imaging examinations of shoulder joint injury in forensic expertise / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the value of four imaging examinations, including the X-ray, CT, MRI and gas-iodine double contrast CT analyses, in the forensic expertise of shoulder joint injury.@*METHODS@#Imaging data of shoulder joint injury, by the X-ray, CT, MRI and gas-iodine double contrast CT were retrieved and analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The correct diagnosis rates of fracture and soft tissue injury by X-ray, CT and MRI were 52.8%, 72.0% and 63.2%, as well as 0.0%, 32.9% and 82.5%, respectively. The correct diagnosis rate of soft tissue injury by gas-iodine double contrast CT was 100%.@*CONCLUSION@#X-ray is a useful screening method, CT is better for diagnosis of fracture, and MRI is fit for diagnosis of soft tissue injury. Gas-iodine double contrast CT can reflect not only the soft tissue injury but also its severity. Thus, combined application of X-ray, CT, MRI and gas-iodine double contrast CT can provide important imaging information for forensic expertise in shoulder joint injury.

Childhood rhabdomyosarcoma: a retrospective review of 23 cases / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 23 children with rhabdomyosarcoma from January, 1998 to October, 2008 were retrospectively reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 23 cases, 15 were male and 8 were female, with a mean age of 5 years old (7 months to 12 years old). Based on the American IRS staging system, 2 cases were in stage I, 4 cases in stage II, 8 cases in stage III, and 9 were in stage IV. The primary sites were found in head and neck (14 cases), extremities (4 cases), bladder (2 cases), kidney (1 case), post-peritoneum (1 case) and bile duct (1 case). All of the children were confirmed with rhabdomyosarcoma by biopsy and immunohistochemistry. The clinical manifestations were related to the tumor tissues-induced space occupying, compression and erosion and were aspecific. The patients in different IRS stages were given different treatment regimens. The chemotherapy regimens VDCA, VAC or VadrC were used before 2002. After 2002, the Children's Oncology Group (COG) protocol was employed. The two-year survival rate was 63% in 19 patients who received a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but none of 4 patients who received a surgery alone or a combination of surgery and chemotherapy or radiotherapy survived more than two years.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The clinical manifestations of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma are not specific. A combination therapy including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation is effective to the improvement of the survival rate in children with rhabdomyosarcoma.</p>

Signal transduction pathway mediated by thrombopoietin in the inflammation model of microglia / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the signal transduction pathway mediated by thrombopoietin (TPO) in the inflammation model of microglia induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The inflammation model of microglia BV2 cells was prepared by LPS of 0.5 and 1.0 μg/mL stimulation. The expression of TPO and ERK mRNA in BV2 cells was detected by real time quantitative PCR. Western blot was used to evaluate the expression of TPO and ERK protein in BV2 cells. TPO and IL-6 contents in the culture supernatant fluid were measured using ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>LPS stimulation increased significantly the mRNA and protein expression of TPO and ERK in BV2 cells, especially at the concentration of 1.0 μg/mL for 12 hrs stimulation. There was a significant positive correlation between the mRNA and protein expression of TPO and ERK.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Signal transduction pathway of ERK1/2 participates in the activation of TPO in inflammatory injury of BV2 cells.</p>

Evaluation of the renal replacement therapy on the liver transplant patients with acute renal failure / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the preoperative risk factors on liver transplant recipients with acute renal failure(ARF), and to evaluate renal replacement therapy (RRT) as a transitonary therapy before liver transplantation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Liver transplant recipients with acute renal failure treated with renal replacement therapy between January 1st, 2001 and January 1st, 2008 in our center were retrospected. Clinical characteristics, the kinds of RRT and prognosis were analyzed; Logistic regression was applied to analyze the parameters that can forecast the motality of the liver transplant recipients with acute renal failure.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the patients who received RRT, 30% survived to liver transplantation, 67.5% died while waiting for liver transplantation. The dead had a higher multiple organ dysfunction score (MODS), and lower mean arterial pressure than those survived to liver transplantation. There was no significant difference in the duration of RRT between continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) patients and hemodialysis patients. CRRT patients had a higher MODS, lower mean arterial pressure, lower serum creatinine than hemodialysis patients. Lower mean arterial pressure was statistically associated with higher risk of mortality.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Though mortality was high, RRT helps part (30%) of patients survive to liver transplantation. Therefore, considering the high mortality without transplantation, RRT is acceptable for liver transplant recipients with ARF.</p>

Curative effects of the protocol of CDV combined with CiE as pre-operative chemotherapy in high-risk childhood neuroblastoma / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effects and the toxicity of the protocol of CDV combined with CiE as pre-operative chemotherapy in childhood stage IV neuroblastoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 27 children aged from 1.2 to 8 years with neuroblastoma in stage IV was retrospectively studied. The primary sites of the diseases were abdomen (n = 21), posterior mediastinum (n = 4) and pelvic cavity (n = 2). Twenty three patients had bone marrow metastasis. Twelve patients had bone metastasis. All patients were treated with the CDV protocol (cyclophosphamide + doxorubicin + vincristine) for 3 cycles and the CiE protocol (cisplatin + etoposide) for 2 cycles. Neuroblastoma therapeutic response evaluation criterion and common terminology criteria for adverse events of National Cancer Institute were used to evaluate effects and chemotherapy related toxicity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients received the pre-operative chemotherapy. The overall response rate was 82%. After chemotherapy, 24 patients received operations. Total resection of primary tumor was found in 14 patients (58%) and part resection in 10 patients (42%). The most common chemotherapy related toxicity was bone marrow suppression: grade IV suppression of neutrophils (n = 27), reduction in hemoglobin (III grade, n = 7; IV grade, n = 20) and reduction in platelet (III grade, n = 2; IV grade, n = 25). Infection was found in all patients and was controlled with antibiotics. I or II grade lesions of digestive, liver and kidney were found and could be recovered after therapy. Grade I neurotoxicity occurred in 2 patients (7%). The heart function damage was not found in any of patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The protocol of CDV combined with CiE as pre-operative chemotherapy might be effective in children with stage IV neuroblastoma.</p>

Treatment of acute leukemia complicated by invasive aspergillosis in children / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the antifungal treatment and intensive chemotherapy in children with acute leukemia and invasive aspergillosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The diagnosis and treatment of 4 cases of childhood acute leukemia complicated by invasive aspergillosis between July 2007 and July 2008 were studied retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three children who underwent remission induction chemotherapy for ALL and one who underwent consolidation chemotherapy for AML developed invasive aspergillosis. One child with proven aspergillosis and 3 with possible aspergillosis all had halo sign on CT at diagnosis. Voriconazole or amphotericin B was given as primary therapy. Improvements of fungal lesions were shown by CT after two to four weeks of antifungal therapy. Complete radiologic remissions were achieved between 4 months and one year. The intensive chemotherapy schedule was continued in all of 4 cases. The median time from fungal infection to the continuation of chemotherapy was 35 days. None showed recurrence of fungal infection.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The halo sign on CT may be a reliable indicator for the early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis. The preemptive antifungal therapy on the basis of the identification of a halo sign and the reversal of immunosuppression may improve the outcome of invasive aspergillosis. Prolonged antifungal treatment during subsequent cycles of chemotherapy permits completion of scheduled intensive chemotherapy without fungal recurrence.</p>

Progressing study in treating discogenic low back pain / 中国骨伤

Lumbago is a general, frequently and complicated clinical symptom. 60% to 80% in adults suffer from back pain of varying degrees. The pain causing by various pathological changes stimulateing the ache receptor in intervertebral disc is call discogenic low back pain. Along with people knowing more and more about this disease, all kinds of treatment techniques are applied in clinic. But the indication and therapeutic effects are both evidently different. Below is a summary of the therapic method about discogenic low back pain based on international and domestic reference data of recent years and the author's clinical experiences.

Response to therapy of 13 children with rhabdomyosarcoma / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical response to comprehensive therapy in children with rhabdomyosarcoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 13 children (8 males and 5 females) with rhabdomyosarcoma from January 1998 through October 2005 were retrospectively studied. Their ages ranged from 7 months to 12 years. The 13 cases of rhabdomyosarcoma consisted of 2 cases in stage I, 2 cases in stage II, 3 cases in stage III, and 6 cases in stage IV. Rhabdomyosarcoma was confirmed by biopsy, 12 cases (92.3%) presenting as embryonal type and 1 as alveolar type in histology. One patient underwent surgery treatment alone, one patient received surgery plus local radiation treatment, one patient received surgery plus chemotherapy and 10 patients were administered with a combination of surgery, local radiation treatment and chemotherapy. The chemotherapy protocol before 2002 was VDCA, VAC or VadrC. After 2002, the COG protocol was employed, with CDV+IE for stage III, and CT+VAC or CT+VAC+VCT for stage IV patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 2-year overall survival was 60% in the 10 patients who received a combination of surgery, local radiation treatment and chemotherapy, but the three patients died without receiving combination therapy. The 2-year overall survival in the 13 patients was 46.2%. The 2-year overall survival of the patients after 2002 (60%, 3/5) was higher than that before 2002 (37.5%, 3/8).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma dominates the histology type in children, which is highly malignant. A combination therapy of surgery, local radiation and chemotherapy can result in a satisfactory therapeutic effect in children with rhabdomyosarcoma.</p>

Matrine inhibits the proliferation of neuroblastoma LA-N-5 cell and MYCN mRNA expression / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Neuroblastoma is the most common malignant solid tumor in children under 4 years. Amplification of MYCN oncogene is associated with advanced-stage disease, rapid tumor progression, resistance to treatment, and poor outcome. Matirne has the anti-tumor activity. This study was designed to investigate the effects of matrine on LA-N-5 cell line proliferation and MYCN gene mRNA expression.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Neuroblastoma LA-N-5 cells were treated by 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 or 1.00 mg/mL matrine. MTT was used to measure the levels of the proliferation of LA-N-5 cells cultured with different concentrations of matrine. MYCN gene mRNA expression in LA-N-5 cells was measured using real time RT-PCR with SYBR GREEN I fluorescence.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The proliferation of LA-N-5 cells was obviously inhibited by matrine in a dose- and time- dependent manner. Matrine of 1.00 mg/mL treatment for 72 hrs produced a best effect, with an inhibitory rate of LA-N-5 cell proliferation of 36.3% and an inhibitory rate of MYCN gene mRNA expression of 44.6%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Matrine may inhibit the growth of neuroblastoma cells and down-regulate MYCN mRNA expression. It may be promising as a new drug for treatment of neuroblastoma.</p>

Development of hand-wrist bones of 14 year-old adolescents. II. Standard of bony age for girls / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the current development of hand-wrist bones of adolescents in China, and establish special forensic bony age standard for estimating 14 years of criminal responsible age in female adolescents.@*METHODS@#One hundred and ten healthy girls aged from 13 years and 9 months to 14 years and 3 months in Lengshuijiang district of Hunan province were enrolled in this study. X-ray films of their left hand-wrists were taken dorsaventrally, and 15 sites on the wrist x-ray films were examined and measured under standard condition. The development grade was confirmed by maximal percentage to establish a method to estimate the bony age, which was then checked by single blind method.@*RESULTS@#Development grade of the radius, the middle third phalanx and the fourth phalanx was partially closed (> 2/3), and the rest was wholly-closed with existence of the epiphyseal line. The development grade of the middle third phalanx and fourth phalanx was different between the younger group (< 14 years, partially closed, > 2/3) and the older group (> 14 years, mostly closed with existence of only epiphyseal line). The cross diameter of the osteoepiphysises were wider than that of all the diaphysises. The confirmed accuracy (in 30 girls) was 83.3%.@*CONCLUSION@#Our study seemes to be feasible in establishing the estimation standard for bony age determination. The standard established by developmental metaphysis and authropometry may be particularly helpful in forensic practice for estimation of accurate criminal responsible age in adolescents.

Relevant low toxicities with rhG-CSF mobilized and cryopreserved autologous peripheral blood stem cell return infusions in children / 中国实验血液学杂志

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety of cryopreserved and thawed peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) fractionated return infusions in children. 35 children patients with malignant tumors (13 acute leukaemias, 15 neuroblastomas and 7 malignant lymphomas) received fractionated return infusions of cryopreserved stem cells after undergoing high-dose chemotherapy without or with total body irradiation. The toxicities of 70 return infusions were evaluated. All patients were mobilized by chemotherapy plus recombination human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF), and then PBSCs were collected by a separator CS-3000 plus or COBE spectra-4. The grafts were cryopreserved in 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSD) and stored in liquid nitrogen. There were totally 70 PBSC transfusions. The total volume of PBSCs transfused: 190 - 420 ml (265 +/- 73 ml or 13.7 +/- 4.2 ml/kg) with a mean of (4.43 +/- 1.91) x 10(8)/kg of PBSCs, and 0.94 +/- 0.18 g/kg of DMSO. The single dose: 90 - 300 ml (132 +/- 37 ml or 6.6 +/- 5.2 ml/kg) with a mean of 0.68 +/- 0.12 g/kg of DMSO. Symptoms occurring during the infusions were recorded. All patients were monitored for 24 hours after infusion. Pulse, blood pressure, body temperature, and respiratory rate were recorded every 15 minutes. At four hours before and 8 hours after infusion, urinalysis was performed. Serum potassium, sodium, creatinine, total bilirubin, aspartate amino transferase (AST), and alanine amino transferase (ALT) levels were examined within 24 hours before and after the first infusion. The results showed that the toxicities observed included hemoglobinuria in 54 return infusions (77.1%), headache in 28 (40.0%), nausea in 24 (34.3%), vomiting in 17 (24.3%), and abdominal pain in 8 (11.4%). Patients who received a graft > 200 ml tended to have a higher frequency of hemoglobinuria, headache, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain (P<0.01), and they disappeared quickly, too. Total bilirubin increased after the first return infusion (P<0.01), and there was a significant correlation between the volume of infusion and the degree of total bilirubin increase (r=0.8977, P<0.01). No renal failure or shock occurred. It is concluded that transient hemoglobinuria, headache, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain are common toxicities associated with PBSC autograft, and these toxicities are related with a single volume of PBSCs transfused. Total bilirubin increase is correlated with the volume of infusion. In a word, the toxicity is less frequent and lower severe in children with fractionated infusions of cryopreserved peripheral blood stem cell.

Ex vivo chemical modification of graft cells by methoxy polyethylene glycol alleviates graft versus host disease after haploidentical stem cell transplantation in mice / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to explore the effect of ex vivo chemical modification of graft cells with methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG) on graft versus host disease (GVHD) after haploidentical stem cell transplantation in neonatal mice and its influence on activity of the stem cells. The modified and non-modified spleen cells of adult CB6F1 mice were injected into the abdominal cavity of neonatal BALB/c mice with 5x10(6) spleen cells per mouse, and GVHD were measured by spleen index (SI). Furthermore, the modified and non-modified mixture of bone marrow and spleen cells (BMS) were transplanted to haploidentical lethally irradiated adult BALB/c mice via tail vein with 2x10(5) BMS per mouse, and the colony forming units of spleens (CFU-S) were counted on the eighth day after irradiation. The results indicated that SI1 in modification group were lower than that in non-modification group, and SI2 in modification group was <1.3, showing that GVHD in modification group were less severe. The numbers of CFU-S formed in both modification group and non-modification group were not significantly different (p>0.05), indicating that the activity of the stem cells were not affected by mPEG modification. In conclusion, the modification of graft cells with mPEG alleviates GVHD after haploidentical stem cell transplantation in neonatal mice, and do not influence the activity of the stem cells.

Detection of MYCN mRNA in neuroblastoma cell lines by quantitative RT-PCR / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the feasibility and practicability of quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with SYBR GREEN I fluorescence for detecting the MYCN mRNA expression in neuroblastoma cell line LA-N-5.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MYCN mRNA expression in LA-N-5 cells was measured using real time RT-PCR with SYBR GREEN I. Glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was used as internal control. The level of the MYCN mRNA was calculated as MYCN copies/GAPDH copies.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Standard curves were linear and showed high correlations (R2>0.99). The ratio of MYCN mRNA copies to GAPDH mRNA copies was calculated based on specific PCR products. The MYCN mRNA level in LA-N-5 cells was obtained (17.4 +/- 1.2).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Quantitative RT-PCR with SYBR GREEN I fluorescence may be a sensitive and reliable method for detecting the MYCN mRNA expression. It may also be potential applicable for detecting the MYCN mRNA expression in the small amount neuroblastoma tissues.</p>

Study on development of hand-wrist bone in 14 year-old adolescents I: bone age standard for boys / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the bone development in adolescents in China, and establish forensic skeletal age standard for estimation of the criminal responsible age in 14 years old male adolescents.@*METHODS@#One hundred and three healthy boys aged from 13 years and 9 months to 14 years and 3 months in Lengshuijiang, Hunan, China were enrolled in this study. X-ray films of their left hand-wrist were taken dorsaventrally, and 15 selected sites on the wrist X-ray films were examined and measured under standard condition. The development grade was confirmed by maximum percentage to establish a method to estimate the bone age, which was then checked by single blind method.@*RESULTS@#Development grade of the first metacarpal bone and the first phalanx IV was partially closed (less than 1/3), but the rest was non-closed. The cross diameters of all the osteoepiphysis were wider than that of all the diaphysis. The development grade of the fourth metacarpal bone and the fifth metacarpal bone as well as the adjacent third phalanx were different in both younger age group (<14 years, mostly non-closed) and the older age group (>14 years, mostly closed). The confirmed accuracy (in 30 boys) was 80%.@*CONCLUSION@#Our study seems to be feasible in establishing the estimation standard for skeletal age determination using developmental metaphysis and anthropometry. The standard may be particularly helpful in forensic practice for estimation of accurate criminal responsible age in adolescents.

Therapeutic effect of antithymocyte/antilymphocyte globulin on severe aplastic anemia and therapy-related complications / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Immunsuppressive therapy is a major therapy for severe aplastic anemia, and antithymocyte /antilymphocyte globulin (ATG/ALG) is usually used. This study investigated the therapeutic effect of ATG/ALG on severe aplastic anemia and explored the management of therapy-related complications.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 28 children with severe aplastic anemia who received ATG/ALG treatment from December, 1994 through to September, 2005 were analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 28 patients, 2 were nearly cured (7.1%), 4 were relieved (14.3%) and 12 were improved (42.9%) based on a hemoglobin/white blood cell/platelet count. These results represented an overall effective rate of 64.3%. Clinical evidence of serum sickness developed in 19 patients, manifesting as fever (n = 9), cutaneous eruptions (n = 12), arthralgias (n = 7), myalgia (n = 7) and arthrocele (n = 3). Serum sickness occurred 5-17 days after ATG/ALG administration and lasted for 1-15 days (mean 4.4 days). Three children with mild serum sickness symptoms recovered without any treatment. The symptoms of the other 16 patients disappeared after 3-5 days of methylprednisolone treatment (10 mg/kg daily). However, 3 patients had relapses at 2-4 days after termination of methylprednisolone therapy. Another course of methylprednisolone therapy was administered to the 3 patients until the symptoms disappeared. The patients with no serum sickness or with mild serum sickness had a better response to ATG/ALG therapy than those who had severe serum sickness (100% vs 60%; P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>ATG/ALG therapy for severe aplastic anemia is effective. Serum sickness is a common complication in children with severe aplastic anemia following ATG/ALG therapy, but can be improved by methylprednisolone application.</p>