Kinetics of peripheral blood mononuclear cell mobilization with chemotherapy and/or granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor: implications for yield of hematopoietic progenitor cell collections

BACKGROUND: Peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) are commonly collected and used to reconstitute hematopoiesis after high-dose chemotherapy. However, strategies for optimal collection and assessment of leukapheresis components are not standardized. STUDY DESIGN and METHODS: Hematopoietic progenitor cell assays were performed on 369 leukapheresis components collected from 95 patients who had received doxorubicin-based chemotherapy and/or granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Precollection patient hematologic values, leukapheresis collection values, component hematopoietic progenitor cell assays, and patient outcome measures were summarized. The kinetics of mononuclear cell (MNC) and PBPC mobilization were assessed among four patient groups. RESULTS: Patient group was a significant predictor of the peripheral blood MNC count on the day of collection (p<0.0001), and that value was a significant predictor of granulocyte-macrophage– colony-forming unit (CFU-GM) yield (p<0.0001). This relationship between the peripheral blood MNC count on the day of collection and CFU- GM yield differed according to patient group (p<0.0001). CFU-GM made up a larger fraction of peripheral blood MNCs collected from patients who received chemotherapy plus G-CSF than collected from those who received G-CSF alone. Moreover, the peripheral blood MNC count and the corresponding CFU-GM yield increased significantly on consecutive days of collection in patient groups receiving chemotherapy and G-CSF but were unchanged or decreased in patients receiving G-CSF alone. CONCLUSION: The relationship between peripheral blood MNC count and leukapheresis component CFU-GM yield differed significantly between patients who received chemotherapy and G-CSF and those who received G- CSF alone for the mobilization of PBPCs. Patient peripheral blood MNC count and component CFU-GM yield are useful for both assessing and suggesting revisions to PBPC mobilization and collection strategies.     

Cytomegalovirus-seronegative blood components for the prevention of primary cytomegalovirus infection after marrow transplantation. Considerations for blood banks

The authors report 2.5 years' experience with the use of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-seronegative blood components for the prevention of primary CMV infection after allogeneic marrow transplantation from seronegative marrow donors to 104 CMV-seronegative patients. Patients and blood donors were screened for CMV-seronegativity by a combination of passive latex agglutination, complement fixation, and indirect hemagglutination CMV antibody screening methods. Changes in blood banking procedures necessary to provide CMV-seronegative components are detailed. Providing CMV-seronegative components was a considerable undertaking; a mean, per patient, of 19 units of red cells and 105 units of platelets was required. Twenty percent of the platelet support was provided by family members and 80 percent by volunteer donors. CMV-infection was eliminated in all but one patient not considered infected at the time of transplantation. The capability to provide CMV-seronegative components depends on an adequate supply of seronegative donors, a sensitive and practical screening method for CMV antibody, a major commitment by the blood bank, and close communication between the blood bank and the patients' physicians.     

音乐疗法对门诊输液患者心理的影响

目的探讨中医五行音乐疗法对门诊输液患者心理安抚的作用与效果。方法2006年3月-2007年3月，按四时节气的不同，依据中医的五行相克理论，对治疗组的408例门诊输液患者进行音乐干预，而同期对照组396例门诊输液患者不接受音乐疗法。采用自制的调查表，获取他们对环境和服务的满意程度。结果治疗组患者，对门诊输液的满意度较对照组高，差异有统计学意义，P〈0.01。治疗组患者，对医院和本部的投诉率较对照组低，差异有统计学意义，P〈0.01。结论音乐疗法对门诊输液患者的心理有一定的安抚作用。     

组胺支气管激发试验在咳嗽变异性哮喘中的应用

目的探讨咳嗽变异性哮喘患者（CVA）组胺支气管激发试验的结果。方法对244例拟诊CVA用肺功能仪测定基础肺功能及吸入不同剂量组胺后的肺功能，对照激发前后结果。结果244例患者支气管激发试验阳性160例（65．57％），阴性77例（31．56％），可疑阳性7例（2．87％）。160例支气管激发试验阳性患者按支气管哮喘予吸入糖皮质激素及支气管舒张剂治疗，症状缓解。结论组胺支气管激发试验对咳嗽变异性哮喘的诊断具有临床意义，此方法安全适用。     

Total radical trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP) and exercise

The relationship between physical activity, physical fitness and total radical trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP) was examined in the Northern Ireland Health and Activity Survey. This was a cross-sectional population study (n = 1600) using a two-stage probability sample of the population. TRAP was calculated using the sum of the individual serum antioxidant concentrations (urate, protein thiols, ascorbate, alpha tocopherol and bilirubin) multiplied by their respective stoichiometric values. Physical fitness was determined by estimation of VO2max by extrapolation from submaximal oxygen uptake, and physical activity was recorded by computer-assisted interview. Mean serum TRAP concentrations were significantly higher in males (653 +/- 8.2 mumol/l, mean +/- SEM) compared to females (564 +/- 8.0 mumol/l) (p < 0.0001). Both male and female smokers had significantly lower TRAP values than non-smokers (males p < 0.0001, females p = 0.02). In females, there was a positive relationship of TRAP with age (p < 0.001) and body mass index (p < 0.001) but a negative relationship with physical fitness (p < 0.05). The known beneficial effects of exercise and activity do not appear to be directly mediated through increased antioxidant status.      

Deep phenotyping of patients with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex and no mutation identified in TSC1 and TSC2

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a multisystemic condition caused by mutations in TSC1 or TSC2, but a pathogenic variant is not identified in up to 10% of the patients. The aim of this study was to delineate the phenotype of pediatric and adult patients with a definite clinical diagnosis of TSC and no mutation identified in TSC1 or TSC2.We collected molecular and clinical data of 240 patients with TSC, assessing over 50 variables. We compared the phenotype of the homogeneous group of individuals with No Mutation Identified (NMI) with that of TSC patients with a TSC1 and TSC2 pathogenic variant.9.17% of individuals were classified as NMI. They were diagnosed at an older age (p?=?0.001), had more frequent normal cognition (p <?0.001) and less frequent epilepsy (p =?0.010), subependymal nodules (p?=?0.022) and giant cell astrocytomas (p?=?0.008) than patients with TSC2 pathogenic variants. NMI individuals showed more frequent bilateral and larger renal angiomyolipomas (p?=?0.001; p?=?0.003) and pulmonary involvement (trend) than patients with TSC1 pathogenic variants. Only one NMI individual had intellectual disability. None presented with a subependymal giant cell astrocytoma. Other medical problems not typical of TSC were found in 42.86%, without a recurrent pattern of abnormalities. Other TSC-associated neuropsychiatric disorders and drug-resistance in epilepsy were equally frequent in the three groups.This study provides a systematic clinical characterization of patients with TSC and facilitates the delineation of a distinctive phenotype indicative of NMI patients, with important implications for surveillance.     

Stability and Predictive Validity of the Parent–Child Sleep Interactions Scale: A Longitudinal Study Among Preschoolers

Little research has examined the processes underlying children’s persistent sleep problems and links with later psychopathology. The current study examined the stability of parent–child sleep interactions as assessed with the parent-reported Parent–Child Sleep Interactions Scale (PSIS) and examined whether sleep interactions in preschool-age children predict sleep problems and psychiatric symptoms later in childhood. Participants included 108 preschool-age children (50% female) and their parents. Parents completed the PSIS when children were 3–5 years (T1) and again when they were 6–9 years (T2). The PSIS includes three subscales—Sleep Reinforcement (reassurance of child sleep behaviors), Sleep Conflict (parent–child conflict at bedtime), Sleep Dependence (difficulty going to sleep without parent)—and a total score. Higher scores indicate more problematic bedtime interactions. Children’s sleep problems and psychiatric symptoms at T1 and T2 were assessed with a clinical interview. PSIS scores were moderately stable from T1 to T2, and the factor structure of the PSIS remained relatively consistent over time. Higher total PSIS scores at T1 predicted increases in children’s sleep problems at T2. Higher PSIS Sleep Conflict scores at T1 predicted increases in oppositional defiant disorder symptoms at T2. Children with more sleep problems and higher PSIS Sleep Reinforcement scores at T1 showed increases in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depressive, and anxiety symptoms at T2. These findings provide evidence for the predictive validity of the PSIS and highlight the importance of early parent–child sleep interactions in the development of sleep and psychiatric symptoms in childhood. Parent–child sleep interactions may serve as a useful target for interventions.     

A common T/C polymorphism in the promoter region of the beta T-cell receptor gene

Polymorphisms in the T-cell receptor genes can provide important information for the study of the immune response system, particularly for autoimmune diseases. This report characterizes a common T to C polymorphism in the promoter of the beta 2 constant chain of the T-cell receptor, which abolishes a recognition site for BglII restriction endonuclease.     

sHLA-G1重链分子、β_2m的体外表达及纯化研究

目的获得sHLA-G1重链分子及轻链β2微球蛋白(β2m)基因体外表达并纯化的相关蛋白质。方法RT-PCR扩增可溶性HLA-G1重链分子及人β2m轻链的cDNA序列,构建表达载体pET28a(+)/sHLA-G1及pET28a(+)/β2m,导入大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),IPTG诱导sHLA-G1及β2m蛋白表达,并以Ni-NTA亲和层析和CM-FF弱阳离子柱分别纯化,透析后浓缩保存。SDS-PAGE,Western-Blot鉴定目的蛋白的表达和纯化。结果成功克隆了sHLA-G1及2βm基因并构建了pET28a(+)-sHLA-G1、pET28a(+)-β2m原核高效表达载体;表达产物以可溶性形式存在,表达量>30%,纯化后产物纯度达到95%。结论成功表达并纯化出的sHLA-G1重链分子及轻链β2m有助于阐明可溶性HLA-G1的功能。