Collection, cryopreservation and thawing of stem cells for children weighing less than 25 Kg with high-risk neuroblastoma: A single center results in Morocco

ABSTRACT Introduction: An important component of the advances made in neuroblastoma treatment has been the use of peripheral blood stem cells to support high-dose chemotherapy. In this study, we report our experience on a series of small children who have undergone standard and large volume leukaphersis (LVL) procedures, provide an update on a single institution's experience with cryopreservation of autologous peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs), using 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and applying post-thaw DMSO depletion and analyze a number of variables that may affect viability. Methods: A total of 36 aphereses were performed on 29 children weighing less than 25 kg between July 2016 and October 2019 at the Ibn Sina university hospital. Results: Seven females and twenty-two males, median bodyweight 14 kg (9 - 22). A single apheresis was sufficient to obtain at least 3 × 106/kg body weight (BW) of CD34+ cells in 82.8% of the cases. The LVL was performed in 22 aphereses. A median number of 5.9 × 106/ kg CD34 cells were collected per apheresis. A total of 60 PBSC samples were cryopreserved and 46 samples were infused. The mean cell viability percentage decreased from 94.75 ± 1.14% before freezing to 70.84 ± 8.6% after thawing (p < 0.001). No correlation was found between post-thaw viability and storage time (r = -0.233; p = 0.234) or number of total nucleated cells (r = 0.344; p = 0.073). Conclusion: Leukapheresis is safe and feasible in small pediatric patients if the appropriate measures are used. Cryopreservation poses numerous challenges, especially a decrease in cell viability after thawing.

Simultaneous quantification of pyrethroid metabolites in urine of non-toilet-trained children in Japan

BACKGROUND@#Pyrethroid (PYR) insecticides are widely used for controlling various pests. There are two types that differ in terms of usage: agricultural-purpose PYR (agriculture-PYR) and hygiene purpose PYR (hygiene-PYRs). Few studies exist on the exposure to these chemicals in small children. In this study, we conducted biomonitoring of urinary pyrethroid metabolites in 1.5-year-old children throughout the year.@*METHODS@#Study subjects were 1075 children participating in an Aichi regional sub-cohort of the Japan Environment and Children's Study as of 18-month health check-up. The concentrations of four specific hygiene-PYR metabolites including 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-1,4-benzenedimethanol (HOCH2-FB-Al), and five common metabolites of hygiene- and agriculture-PYRs including 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3PBA) and cis- and trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (DCCA), were measured in urine samples extracted from soiled diapers using a triple quadrupole gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer.@*RESULTS@#The highest detection frequencies were for 3PBA, followed by DCCA, 1R-trans-chrysanthemum dicarboxylic acid, and HOCH2-FB-Al. Among the six metabolites, urinary concentrations were seasonally varied. However, this variation was not observed in the most studied PYR metabolite, 3PBA. Spearman's correlation analysis demonstrated a significant positive correlation between FB-Al and DCCA (r = 0.56) and HOCH2-FB-Al and 4-methoxymethyl-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl alcohol (r = 0.60).@*CONCLUSIONS@#This biomonitoring survey found widespread and seasonally specific exposure to multiple hygiene- and agriculture-PYRs in 1.5-year-old Japanese children.

Evaluación nutricional de niños de 10 a 14 meses de edad / Nutrition assessment related to children aged 10 to 14 months

El objetivo de la investigación fue realizar la evaluación nutricional de un grupo de niños con edades entre 10 y 14 meses, residentes en Ciudad de La Habana. MÉTODOS. Las variables analizadas fueron la edad decimal, peso, longitud supina e ingestión de energía y macronutrientes. Los índices antropométricos peso para la edad, talla para la edad y peso para la talla se compararon con los valores nacionales e internacionales de referencia. Las encuestas dietéticas fueron analizadas en el programa CERES. RESULTADOS. La mayoría de los individuos fueron normales para los tres índices antropométricos, y aunque las niñas presentaron una ligera tendencia a la obesidad, no existieron diferencias significativas entre hembras y varones. El 87,5 por ciento presentó ingestión excesiva de proteínas y la contribución de los macronutrientes a la energía fue desequilibrada. CONCLUSIONES. Se comprobó que la mayoría de los niños son normales desde el punto de vista antropométrico y que existe un patrón dietético inadecuado.

The aim of this research was the carrying out of a nutrition assessment of a group of children aged from 10 to 14 months, in Ciudad de la Habana. METHODS: Variables analyzed included decimal age, weight, supine length and energy and macronutrients consumption. Anthropometric rates for age-weight, age-height and height-weight were compared with reference national and international values. Dietetic surveys were analyzed in CERES program. RESULTS: Most of subjects were normal for the three anthropometric rates, and although girls had a slight trend to obesity, there were not significant differences between both sexes. The 87,5 percent showed an excessive consumption of proteins and contribution of macronutrients to energy was unstable. CONCLUSIONS: Was proved that most of children are normal from the anthropometric point of view, and that there is an inappropriate dietetic pattern.