Expanded activated autologous lymphocyte infusions improve outcomes of low- and intermediate-risk childhood acute myeloid leukemia with low level of minimal residual disease.

The presence of minimal residual disease (MRD) is a risk factor for relapse among children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and eliminating MRD can usually improve survival rates. To investigate the effect of expanded activated autologous lymphocytes (EAALs) combined with chemotherapy on eliminating MRD and improving survival rates of children with AML, we retrospectively analyzed the results of 115 children with low- or intermediate-risk AML with MRD treated at the Pediatric Hematological Center, Peking University People's Hospital, between January 2010 and January 2016. The patients were assigned to the chemotherapy plus EAAL (combined therapy) group (n = 61) and chemotherapy group (n = 54).

Identification of autotoxic compounds in fibrous roots of Rehmannia (Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch.).

Rehmannia is a medicinal plant in China. Autotoxicity has been reported to be one of the major problems hindering the consecutive monoculture of Rehmannia. However, potential autotoxins produced by the fibrous roots are less known.

[Study of lower extremity muscle function in stroke patients by velocity-encoded phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging].

Objective: To compare the difference of muscle dynamic characteristics for the ankle dorsiflexors and plantarflexors between stroke patients at the chronic stage and healthy controls so as to provide a new method of assessing the in vivo muscle function in patients with hemiplegia.

Methods: From May 2008 to May 2009, 26 stroke patients and 21 age-and gender-matched normal controls were recruited. All subjects were positioned on a scanner table and requested to perform the voluntary movement of ankle flexion-extension.

[Relationship between the changes of surface electromyographic signal of thigh muscle and balance function in stroke patients].

Objective: To explore the relationship between the changes of surface electromyography (sEMG) signal of thigh muscles and balance function in stroke patients during maximum isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC) of knee extension and flexion so as to provide rationales for rehabilitation.

Methods: Twenty-one stroke patients and 18 age- and sex-matched normal controls were recruited for this study. The surface electromyographic signals of of vastus medialis (VM), rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (RL) and biceps femoris (BF) were recorded during MIVC of knee extension and flexion.