Effectiveness of single-dose 6 mg pegfilgrastim in mobilizing peripheral blood stem cells in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation donors.

A single injection of 12 mg pegfilgrastim was used to mobilize peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) from healthy donors in some studies. The purpose of this study was to determine if 6 mg of pegfilgrastim was effective and safe for mobilizing CD34+ cells in donors for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We conducted a retrospective case-matched design. A single dosage of 6 mg pegfilgrastim was used to mobilize PBPCs from 60 healthy donors. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF, 10 µg/kg) was administered daily to the matched donors. Leukapheresis was scheduled to commence on day 4 of the mobilization regimen. The median yielded CD34+ cell in the pegfilgrastim group was higher than those in the G-CSF group, at 5.06 × 106/kg recipient weight. The 73.3% of donors mobilized with pegfilgrastim yielded >4 × 106 cells/kg CD34+ cells in a single apheresis procedure when compared to the 33.3% of donors mobilized with G-CSF (P < 0.001). The myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) proportion in the pegfilgrastim group was significantly higher than that in the G-CSF group (P < 0.001). The cumulative incidence of grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) was higher in the G-CSF group than that in the pegfilgrastim group (26.7% vs. 11.7%), without statistical difference. In comparison to the G-CSF group, the pegfilgrastim group had a reduced median pain intensity numerical rating scale score (1 vs. 2). A single 6 mg dosage of pegfilgrastim is effective and safe for allogeneic PBPCs collection from healthy donors. Pegfilgrastim may decrease the incidence of aGVHD by boosting MDSCs, which need further investigation.

Association between hyperglycemia in middle and late pregnancy and maternal-fetal outcomes: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The purposes of this study were to explore whether the maternal-fetal outcomes differed among various types of hyperglycemia during pregnancy and whether the values of glycemic screening in the middle phase of pregnancy could predict maternal-fetal outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to study the incidence of maternal-fetal outcomes in 383 singleton pregnant women with diabetes or gestational diabetes admitted to our hospital from November 2007 to March 2013. Patients were divided into three groups: DM (Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus) group, mGDM (mild gestational diabetes mellitus) group and sGDM (severe gestational diabetes mellitus) group. Maternal basic characteristics, results of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), antenatal random glycemia and maternal-fetal outcomes were collected. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate the association of blood glucose with the maternal-fetal outcomes. Predictive accuracy was assessed by calculating the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: The maternal basic characteristics, maternal complications and neonatal complications did not differ significantly between DM group and sGDM group, except neonatal intensive care units admission (NICU). Incidences of preterm, NICU and preeclampsia were significantly lower in the mGDM group than in the DM and sGDM groups (P < 0.05). After adjusted by confounding factors, the value of OGTT 0 h could predict pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) (OR = 1.24, 95% CI [1.04 to 1.46], P = 0.015), preterm birth (OR = 1.23, 95% CI [1.03 to 1.47], P = 0.025) and stillbirth (OR = 1.55, 95% CI [1.14 to 2.10], P = 0.005); antenatal random glycemia could predict preterm birth (OR = 1.19, 95% CI [1.08 to 1.31], P < 0.001) and stillbirth (OR = 1.41, 95% CI [1.17 to 1.71], P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women in the mGDM group have better outcomes than those in the DM and sGDM groups. The values of OGTT in the middle phase of pregnancy and antenatal random glycemia could predict PIH, preterm birth or stillbirth to some extent.

Crystal structure of [(2S)-1-[(3S)-3-carboxy-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetra-hydroisoquinolin-2-yl]-1-oxopropan-2-yl][(2S)-1-ethoxy-1-oxo-4-phenylbutan-2-yl]azanium chloride acetonitrile monosolvate.

The title compound (trivial name moexipril hydro-chloride) crystallizes as the aceto-nitrile monosolvate, C27H35N2O7 (+)·Cl(-)·C2H3N, with the salt comprising a U-shaped cation and a chloride anion. The conformation of the cation is stabilized by a weak intra-molecular N(+)-H⋯O hydrogen bond and the tetra-hydro-pyridine ring adopts a boat conformation. The dihedral angle between the planes of the benzene rings is 85.6 (1)°. In the crystal, the cations and anions form tight ionic pairs by strong inter-molecular O-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds. C-H⋯Cl and C-H⋯N hydrogen bonds link these ionic pairs and the aceto-nitrile solvate mol-ecules into puckered layers parallel to (100).

Assessment of the number and function of macrophages in the placenta of gestational diabetes mellitus patients.

In order to assess the number and function of macrophages in the placenta of pregnancy complicated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) as well as those of normal pregnancies, placenta samples were collected from 15 GDM patients (GDM group) and 10 normal pregnant women (control group). The expression levels of macrophage markers (CD68/CD14) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6/TNF-α) in placenta were detected using immunohistochemistry and PCR. The results showed that the number of CD68+ or CD14+ cells in the GMD group was remarkably higher than that in the control group (P<0.05), indicating that the number of macrophages in the GDM group was significantly greater than that in the control group. The mRNA expression levels of CD68+, IL-6 and TNF-α were higher in the GMD group than in the control group. In conclusion, more macrophages accumulate in placenta of pregnancy complicated with GDM, and the expression levels of pro-inflammation factors are also increased in GDM pregnancies, suggesting that macrophages and inflammatory mediators (IL-6 and TNF-α) may play an important role in GDM.

Clinical Characteristics and Gene Mutations of Two Families with MODY 3 in Inner Mongolia.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics and gene mutations of two families with maturity-onset diabetes of the young 3 (MODY 3) in Inner Mongolia. Methods: Fifty-three patients in Inner Mongolia suspected of having MODY 3 were enrolled in this study according to clinical manifestations. Blood samples were collected, and all exons of the HNF1α gene were analyzed; the second-generation DNA of the splicing regions of the gene was determined by direct sequencing. Results: In Family 1, the proband, mother, and uncle all carried the missense heterozygous mutation on exon 2 of the HNF1α gene (c.512G>A, p.Arg171Gln), and both the proband and uncle had MODY 3. In Family 2, the proband, grandfather, father, uncle I, and uncle II all carried a missense mutation on exon 2 (c.391C>t, p.Arg131Trp), and all had MODY 3. The blood glucose control in these patients was stable while they were being treated with oral sulfonylurea hypoglycemic drugs alone or with insulin. Uncle II had serious macrovascular and microvascular complications. Conclusion: Maturity-onset diabetes of the young 3 gene mutations (c.512G>A, p.Arg171Gln) and (c.391C>T, p.Arg131Trp) may be the main pathogenic genes of the two families with MODY 3. The two gene mutations found in this study have not been reported previously in China.

Enhancement of flowering and branching phenotype in chrysanthemum by expression of ipt under the control of a 0.821 kb fragment of the LEACO1 gene promoter.

The cytokinin biosynthesis gene, isopentenyl transferase (ipt), under the control of an 821 bp fragment of the LEACO1 gene promoter (from Lycopersicon esculentum) was introduced into Dendranthema x grandiflorium 'Iridon' (chrysanthemum). LEACO1(0.821kb)-ipt transgenic lines grown in the vegetative state, exhibited a range of phenotypic changes including increased branching and reduced internode lengths. LEACO1(0.821kb)-ipt transgenic lines grown in the generative state, exhibited increased flower bud count that ranged from 3.8- to 6.7-times the number produced by wild-type plants. Dramatic increases in flower number were associated with a delay of flower bud development and a decrease in flower bud diameter. RT-PCR analysis indicated differences in ipt gene expression between individual transgenic lines that exhibited a range of phenotypes. Within an individual transgenic line, RT-PCR analysis revealed changes in ipt gene expression at different stages of generative shoot development. Expression of ipt in transgenic lines correlated well with high concentrations of the sum total to bioactive cytokinins plus the glucosides and phosphate derivatives of these species, under both vegetative and generative growth conditions. In general, transgenic lines accumulated higher concentrations of both storage-form cytokinins (O-glucosides) and deactivated-form cytokinins (N-glucosides) in generative shoots of than in vegetative shoots. Based on the range of phenotypes observed in various transgenic chrysanthemum lines, we conclude that the LEACO1 (0.821kb) -ipt gene appears to have great potential for use in ornamental crop improvement.

[Determination of galanthamine in bulb of Lycoris radiata by RP-HPLC].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method for determination of galanthamine in Lycoris radiata. METHOD: HPLC separation was carried on a column of ODS (4.6 mm x 150 mm, 5 microm), with the mobile phase of phosphate buffer (pH = 3-4)-methanol (93:7) at the flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1), and the detection wavelength was set at 289 nm. RESULT: Galanthamine revealed linearity within the range of 3-30 microg x mL(-1) (r = 0.9997), the detection limit was 0.3 ng. The average recovery was 99.5% (RSD = 0.5%). CONCLUSION: The method is easy to operate and the results of the determination are accurate, it can be used to evaluate the quality of L. radiata.

Risk factors for intrauterine infection with hepatitis B virus.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate risk factors for hepatitis B virus (HBV) intrauterine infection. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples and clinical data were collected from 174 pregnant women who were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Their 176 neonates received an active-passive immunization schedule at 0, 1, and 6 months. Blood samples from the infants, collected before immune prophylaxis administration, were tested for HBV markers and HBV DNA. RESULTS: The intrauterine infection rate at 6 months after birth was 5.1%. Maternal HBV DNA positivity (OR 11.362; 95% CI, 1.389-92.931), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positivity (OR 7.278; 95% CI, 1.734-30.538), and thalassemia minor (OR 15.619; 95% CI, 2.239-108.964) were associated with intrauterine infection. The intrauterine infection rate for mothers with 10(5) copies/mL of serum HBV DNA or more was 18.2%, compared with 0.8% for mothers with less than 10(5) copies/mL. CONCLUSION: A positive HBsAg test at 24 hours and/or 1 month of age followed by a positive test at 6 months is an objective and comprehensive criterion for the diagnosis of HBV intrauterine infection. Maternal HBV DNA positivity (especially 10(5) copies/mL of HBV DNA or more), HBeAg positivity, and thalassemia minor are risk factors for HBV intrauterine infection.

Comprehensive two-dimensional separations based on capillary high-performance liquid chromatography and microchip electrophoresis.

A novel comprehensive two-dimensional (2-D) separation system coupling capillary high-performance liquid chromatography (cHPLC) with microchip electrophoresis (chip CE) is demonstrated. Reversed-phase cHPLC was used as the first dimension, and chip CE acted as the second dimension to perform fast sample transfers and separations. A valve-free gating interface was devised simply by inserting the outlet-end of LC column into the cross-channel on a specially designed chip. A home-made confocal laser-induced fluorescence detector was used to perform on-chip high-sensitive detection. The cHPLC effluents were continuously delivered to the chip and pinched injections of the effluents every 20 seconds were employed for chip CE separation. Gradient elution of cHPLC was carried out to obtain the high-efficiency separation. Free-zone electrophoresis was performed with triethylamine buffer to achieve high-speed separation and prevent sample adsorption. Such a simple-made comprehensive system was proved to be effective. The relative standard deviations for migration time and peak height of rhodamine B in 150 sample transfers were 3.2% and 9.8%, respectively. Peptides of the fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled tryptic digests of bovine serum albumin were fairly resolved and detected with this comprehensive 2-D system.