Tumor-Associated Macrophages Correlate With Prognosis in Medulloblastoma.

Purpose: Macrophage polarization plays an essential role in the tumor microenvironment of brain tumors. However, the role of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in medulloblastoma still remains controversial. Thus, we investigated the distribution of macrophages in medulloblastoma tissues and analyzed the association of TAM recruitment and medulloblastoma patients' outcomes.

Role of hydrogen sulfide in sulfur dioxide production and vascular regulation.

Both hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) are produced endogenously from the mammalian metabolic pathway of sulfur-containing amino acids and play important roles in several vascular diseases. However, their interaction during the control of vascular function has not been fully clear. Here, we investigated the potential role of H2S in SO2 production and vascular regulation in vivo and in vitro.

Exploring genetic alterations in circulating tumor DNA from cerebrospinal fluid of pediatric medulloblastoma.

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common type of brain malignancy in children. Molecular profiling has become an important component to select patients for therapeutic approaches, allowing for personalized therapy. In this study, we successfully identified detectable levels of tumor-derived cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of patients with MB.

[Survival of children with recurrent medulloblastoma undergoing sequential therapy: an analysis of 101 cases].

Objective: To study the clinical features of children with recurrent medulloblastoma (MB) and treatment regimens.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 101 children with recurrent MB who were admitted to the hospital from August 1, 2011 to July 31, 2017. The children were followed up to July 31, 2020.

[Clinical effect of surgery combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy in children with central primitive neuroectodermal tumor and prognostic analysis].

Objctive: To study the clinical effect of surgery combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy in children with central primitive neuroectodermal tumor (cPNET), as well as the risks factors for poor prognosis.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 42 children who were diagnosed with cPNET from June 2012 to September 2018.

Results: The 42 children had a median overall survival (OS) time of 2.

[Effect of bevacizumab in treatment of children with optic pathway glioma].

Objective: To investigate the effect of bevacizumab in the treatment of children with optic pathway glioma (OPG).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 30 children with OPG who underwent chemotherapy. According to whether bevacizumab was used, they were divided into conventional chemotherapy (carboplatin, vincristine and etoposide) group with 12 children and combined chemotherapy (bevacizumab, carboplatin, vincristine and etoposide) group with 18 children.

[Risk factors for recurrence within 2 years in children with medulloblastoma].

Objective: To investigate the risk factors for recurrence of medulloblastoma (MB) within 2 years and their influence on progression-free survival (PFS).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 123 children with MB who were admitted from January to December, 2017. According to the presence or absence of recurrence, they were divided into recurrence group with 30 children and non-recurrence group with 93 children.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of Children With Relapsed Medulloblastoma: A Retrospective Study at a Single Center in China.

Relapsed medulloblastoma (MB) has a dire prognosis, and chemotherapy remains the main therapeutic option. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics and survival rates of 60 Chinese children with relapsed MB. The patients received 11 cycles of chemotherapy in sequence, followed by 12 cycles of oral temozolomide and etoposide.

Protective Mechanism of Hydrogen Sulfide against Chemotherapy-Induced Cardiotoxicity.

Over the past few decades, the number of long term survivors of childhood cancers has been increased exponentially. However, among these survivors, treatment-related toxicity, especially cardiotoxicity, is becoming the essential cause of morbidity and mortality. Thus, preventing the treatment-related adverse effects is important to increase the event free survival during the treatment of cancer in children and adolescents.

The protective effects of Bacillus licheniformis preparation on gastrointestinal disorders and inflammation induced by radiotherapy in pediatric patients with central nervous system tumor.

Purpose: we studied the effect of Bacillus licheniformis preparation (ZCS) on CNST (central nervous system tumor) patients undergoing the gastrointestinal symptoms and inflammation induced by radiotherapy.

Materials And Methods: 160 CNST patients with craniospinal irradiation (CSI) treatment were divided into experiment and control group. The experiment group patients took one capsule per time of ZCS and three times a day until the end of radiotherapy, starting one day before radiotherapy.

Efficacy and tolerability of chemotherapy in Chinese patients with AIDS-related Burkitt lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: An observational study.

We evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of chemotherapy in HIV-infected patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) receiving CHOP ± R (n = 17) or Burkitt lymphoma (BL) receiving CODOX-M/IVAC ± R (n = 15). The study was conducted in Beijing Ditan Hospital from January 2009 to August 2015. The following grade 4 adverse effects were observed in BL and DLBCL patients, respectively: neutropenia (80% versus 47.

Sulfur Dioxide Protects Against Collagen Accumulation in Pulmonary Artery in Association With Downregulation of the Transforming Growth Factor β1/Smad Pathway in Pulmonary Hypertensive Rats.

Background: We aimed to explore the role of endogenous sulfur dioxide (SO) in pulmonary vascular collagen remodeling induced by monocrotaline and its mechanisms.

Methods And Results: A rat model of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary vascular collagen remodeling was developed and administered with l-aspartate-β-hydroxamate or SO donor. The morphology of small pulmonary arteries and collagen metabolism were examined.

The vasodilatory effect of sulfur dioxide via SGC/cGMP/PKG pathway in association with sulfhydryl-dependent dimerization.

The present study was designed to explore the role of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)/PKG pathway in sulfur dioxide (SO2)-induced vasodilation. We showed that SO2 induced a concentration-dependent relaxation of phenylephrine (PE)-precontracted rat aortic rings in association with an increase in cGMP concentration, whereas l-aspartic acid β-hydroxamate (HDX), an inhibitor of SO2 synthase, contracted rings in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment of aortic rings with the sGC inhibitor ODQ (30 μM) attenuated the vasodilatory effects of SO2, suggesting the involvement of cGMP pathway in SO2-induced vasodilation.

Causes of Death Among Patients Infected with HIV at a Tertiary Care Hospital in China: An Observational Cohort Study.

The objective of this study was to elucidate the causes of death and mortality in a cohort of inpatients infected with HIV. The causes of death and mortality were evaluated by using the clinical data of 1,076 patients admitted to the Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, between January 1, 2009, and November 30, 2012, and who were followed for 6 months after discharge. During the 4-year study period, 216 patients had died by the 6-month follow-up (mortality rate, 20.

Endogenous sulfur dioxide alleviates collagen remodeling via inhibiting TGF-β/Smad pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells.

The study was designed to investigate the role of endogenous sulfur dioxide (SO2) in collagen remodeling and its mechanisms in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Overexpression of endogenous SO2 synthase aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) 1 or 2 increased SO2 levels and inhibited collagen I and III expressions induced by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in VSMCs. In contrast, AAT1 or AAT2 knockdown induced a severe collagen deposition in TGF-β1-treated VSMCs.

A cross-sectional study on upright heart rate and BP changing characteristics: basic data for establishing diagnosis of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and orthostatic hypertension.

Objective: We aimed to determine upright heart rate and blood pressure (BP) changes to suggest diagnostic criteria for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and orthostatic hypertension (OHT) in Chinese children.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1449 children and adolescents aged 6-18 years were randomly recruited from two cities in China, Kaifeng in Henan province and Anguo in Hebei province. They were divided into two groups: 844 children aged 6-12 years (group I) and 605 adolescents aged 13-18 years (group II).

Erythrocytic hydrogen sulfide production is increased in children with vasovagal syncope.

Objectives: To explore the differences in erythrocyte hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production in children with vasovagal syncope (VVS).

Study Design: A total of 54 children including 27 with VVS, aged 6-16 years (mean age 11.3 ± 3.

Changes of sulfur dioxide, nuclear factor-κB, and interleukin-8 levels in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia with bacterial inflammation.

Background: Bacterial inflammation is a common complication in patients with leukemia, and sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a bioactive molecule in modulating Gram-negative bacilli infection. This study aimed to examine the changes in SO2, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with Gram-negative bacterial inflammation.

Methods: Fifty-five ALL children were enrolled in this study, including 30 males and 25 females, aged 3-13 years, and the median age was 7.

Immune regulation of hydrogen sulfide in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and chemotherapy can cause immune imbalance, and gaseous molecule hydrogen sulfide (H2S) can participate in the process of immune response. This study aimed to investigate the immune regulation of H2S in pediatric ALL.

Methods: Children (n = 78) with ALL admitted during 2010-2013 were included in this study.

Usefulness of plasma copeptin as a biomarker to predict the therapeutic effectiveness of metoprolol for postural tachycardia syndrome in children.

Metoprolol is clinically used to treat postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) in children, but its effectiveness is unsatisfactory. Biomarkers to predict therapeutic efficacy are needed. We aimed to explore changes in the plasma copeptin level for assessing the therapeutic efficacy of metoprolol for POTS in children.

Changes of atrial natriuretic peptide and antidiuretic hormone in children with postural tachycardia syndrome and orthostatic hypertension: a case control study.

Background: The abnormal blood volume regulation is one of the most important pathogenesis in postural tachycardia syndrome in children. This study was designed to investigate the plasma atrial natriuretic peptide and antidiuretic hormone levels in postural tachycardia syndrome children, and their associations with the changes in heart rate and blood pressure in head-up test.

Methods: Twenty-one postural tachycardia syndrome patients ((12 ± 2) years) and 26 healthy children ((12 ± 1) years) were included.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome with increased erythrocytic hydrogen sulfide and response to midodrine hydrochloride.

Objectives: To evaluate the use of erythrocytic hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in predicting the therapeutic efficacy of midodrine hydrochloride for children with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

Study Design: Fifty-five children were included in this study, involving 28 children with POTS (POTS group) and 27 healthy children (control group). Children in the POTS group received midodrine hydrochloride treatment.

Predictive role of cerebrospinal fluid hydrogen sulfide in central nervous system leukemia.

Background: Central nervous system leukemia (CNSL) is an important relapse in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We investigated the possible role of endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in predicting CNSL.

Methods: From August 2008 to December 2010, 380 children were enrolled in this study at Shijitan Hospital, China.

Effects of endogenous sulfur dioxide on monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats.

Aim: The present study aimed to explore the protective effect of endogenous sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the development of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH) in rats.

Methods: Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into the MCT group receiving MCT treatment, the MCT+L-aspartate-beta- hydroxamate (HDX) group receiving MCT plus HDX treatment, the MCT+SO2 group receiving MCT plus SO2 donor treatment, and the control group. Mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and structural changes in pulmonary arteries were evaluated.

Endogenously generated sulfur dioxide and its vasorelaxant effect in rats.

Aim: The present study was designed to explore the endogenous production and localization of the sulfur dioxide (SO2)/aspartate aminotransferase pathway in vascular tissues of rats and to examine its vasorelaxant effect on isolated aortic rings,as well as the possible mechanisms.

Methods: The content of SO2 in the samples was determined by using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Aspartate aminotransferase activity and its gene expression were measured by an enzymatic method and quantitative RT-PCR, respectively.