Does excessive body mass affect the rhGH therapy outcomes in GHD children?

Introduction: For 35 years, recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) has been successfully used worldwide to treat children with short stature related to growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Growth hormone therapy requires an individual approach to the patient due to varying responses to the treatment. Excessive body weight is one of the factors influencing the response.

Primary response in GHD children treatment as a predictor for long-term therapy effectiveness therapy effectiveness.

Introduction: Short stature in growth hormone deficiency (GHD) can be treated with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), which is proven to be both safe and effective. However, a considerable number of patients does not achieve satisfying therapy outcomes.

Aim Of The Study: To evaluate the predictive effect of height increase in the first year of rhGH treatment on long-term therapy outcomes.

The Effects of Heavy Metals and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons on Soil Bacterial Activity and Functional Diversity in the Upper Silesia Industrial Region (Poland).

Various inorganic and organic pollutants in industrial soils may adversely affect soil microorganisms and terrestrial ecosystem functioning. The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between the microbial activity, microbial biomass, and functional diversity of soil bacteria and the metals and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) in the Upper Silesian Industrial Region (Poland). We collected soil samples in pine-dominated forest stands and analyzed them according to a range of soil physicochemical properties, including metal content (cadmium, lead, and zinc) and TPH content.

Can laccases catalyze bond cleavage in lignin?

Modification of lignin is recognized as an important aspect of the successful refining of lignocellulosic biomass, and enzyme-assisted processing and upcycling of lignin is receiving significant attention in the literature. Laccases (EC 1.10.

Triclosan induces Fas receptor-dependent apoptosis in mouse neocortical neurons in vitro.

Triclosan (TCS) is a commonly used antimicrobial agent in personal care and sanitizing products, as well as in household items. Numerous studies have demonstrated the presence of TCS in various human tissues. Several studies have reported the accumulation of TCS in fish and human brain tissue.

Structure, functionality and tuning up of laccases for lignocellulose and other industrial applications.

Laccases (EC 1.10.3.

Identification of a laccase from Ganoderma lucidum CBS 229.93 having potential for enhancing cellulase catalyzed lignocellulose degradation.

Based on a differential pre-screening of 44 white-rot fungi on a lignocellulose-supplemented minimal medium, four basidiomycetes were selected for further study: Ganoderma lucidum, Polyporus brumalis, Polyporus ciliatus and Trametes versicolor. Only G. lucidum was able to grow vividly on malt extract or minimal media supplemented with alkali lignin.

The spectrum of apoptotic defects and clinical manifestations, including systemic lupus erythematosus, in humans with CD95 (Fas/APO-1) mutations.

Objective: To determine the clinical spectrum of disease in humans with mutations in the CD95 (Fas/ APO-1) receptor and to obtain mechanistic insight into the different clinical phenotypes observed.

Methods: Clinical information for each of the index cases, first-degree relatives, and any family members reported to have Canale-Smith syndrome (or another autoimmune disease) was gathered by direct interview, chart review, and verification of data by the physician or pathologist concerned. Apoptosis of activated T or B lymphocytes was induced by agonistic anti-CD95 antibodies and quantified by a cell death assay (propidium iodide staining in the subdiploid peak) or cell viability assay (alamar blue or 3H-thymidine incorporation).

Benign adenomatous kidney neoplasms in children with polycythemia: imaging findings.

Purpose: To correlate pathologic, computed tomographic (CT), and ultrasound (US) characteristics of nephrogenic adenofibromas and embryonal adenomas (uncommon pediatric renal tumors) in children.

Materials And Methods: Medical records and imaging and pathologic findings were reviewed in three children (aged 6 1/2, 7, and 11 years) with adenomatous renal tumors and polycythemia. Specimens were reviewed at the National Wilms Tumor Study Pathology Center (Loma Linda, Calif).

The CCSG prospective study of venous access devices: an analysis of insertions and causes for removal.

This is an interval analysis of the 2-year prospective multicenter Childrens Cancer Study Group study of 1,141 chronic venous access devices in 1,019 children with cancer. Device type was external catheter (EC) 72%, totally implantable (TID) 28%, and did not differ for diagnosis or age except more double-lumen devices in bone marrow transplant protocols (77%) and more TIDs in children less than 1 year old (17.7%).

Acquired coarctation of the aorta.

Coarctation of the aorta is usually caused by a congenital narrowing of the aorta. This report describes two children who developed hypertension secondary to an acquired coarctation of the aorta. In one patient the coarctation was temporally related to umbilical artery catheterization and was associated with thrombosis and aneurysmal dilatation of the aorta.

13-cis-retinoic acid (NSC 122758) in the treatment of children with metastatic neuroblastoma unresponsive to conventional chemotherapy: report from the Childrens Cancer Study Group.

The Childrens Cancer Study Group evaluated daily oral 13-cis-retinoic acid to determine its therapeutic efficacy in 28 children with advanced neuroblastoma refractory to conventional therapy. Cheilitis and fissured lips were the most common side effects; however, fewer than 50% of the patients experienced any toxicity. Two of twenty-two evaluable children demonstrated positive response to therapy.

Intellectual function in long-term survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: protective effect of pre-irradiation methotrexate? A Childrens Cancer Study Group study.

Having demonstrated in a laboratory model that the neurotoxicity of CNS irradiation can be ameliorated with pre-irradiation methotrexate, we retrospectively compared two methods of CNS prophylaxis in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia which differed only in the timing of intrathecal methotrexate and radiotherapy. The results of standard IQ tests conducted 2-11 years after 24 Gy of cranial radiotherapy were obtained in 72 patients, of whom 27 had pre-irradiation methotrexate and 45 did not (control group). The two groups were otherwise comparable.

Marrow hypoplasia associated with congenital neurologic anomalies in two siblings.

Two siblings with congenital neurologic structural anomalies and delayed-onset selective bone marrow hypoplasia in a previously undescribed constellation of symptoms are presented. Differences between these cases and other well known syndromes are discussed. The importance of this association is the implication that children with congenital neurologic abnormalities may be at increased risk for the development of hypoplastic hematopoietic conditions.

Influence of age, sex, and concurrent intrathecal methotrexate therapy on intellectual function after cranial irradiation during childhood: a report from the Children's Cancer Study Group.

Standard IQ tests were performed in 70 children and adolescents 3.5-10 years (median 5 yrs) after 24 Gy cranial irradiation, with or without concurrent intrathecal methotrexate, for central nervous system prophylaxis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Lower IQ scores correlated with younger age, female gender, and concomitant intrathecal methotrexate therapy.

Prediction of intellectual deficits in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Possible predictors of reported lower cognitive functioning in irradiated children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were investigated. Thirty-four subjects, 5-14 years old, with ALL in continuous complete remission and without evidence of current or past central nervous system disease, were examined 9-110 months after diagnosis, using standard measures of intelligence and academic achievement. Subjects with a history of post-irradiation somnolence syndrome were significantly older at diagnosis than nonsomnolent subjects.

A syndrome of thrombosis and hemorrhage complicating L-asparaginase therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

L-Asparaginase therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia causes deficiencies of plasma hemostatic proteins, especially antithrombin, plasminogen, and fibrinogen. Severe thromboses and hemorrhages occurred in 18 children receiving vincristine, prednisone, and asparaginase therapy for ALL. Thirteen children had intracranial thrombosis or hemorrhage, four had extremity thrombosis, and one had both an intracranial hemorrhage and an extremity thrombosis.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia masquerading as acute osteomyelitis. A report of two cases.

Two children each developed a focal destructive bone lesion accompanied by intermittent fever, swelling, tenderness and elevated ESR. Blood counts were normal; bone marrow aspiration showed acute leukemia. The bone lesions healed in both patients after anti-leukemic therapy.

Group therapy with parents of children with leukemia.

This paper deals with a six-year experience of group therapy for parents of leukemic children. The group, which includes the hospital staff, strengthens the role of parents, doctors, and nurses. Group therapy is seen as a preventive measure in the sense of working with and partially resolving family stresses.

Management of isoimmune neonatal thrombocytopenia.

Two infants, who presented at birth with isoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, are the basis for this report. The problems confronting the physician in treating an affected infant, as well as in the management of subsequent pregnancies after an infant with isoimmunization has been delivered, are discussed. In view of the small but serious risk of intracranial hemorrhage during the birth process in these infants, delivery by cesarean section is advocated for all pregnancies known to be at risk i.

Cyclophosphamide (NSC-26271) maintenance therapy after a second remission of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: comparative clinical trial (standard dose versus intermittent high dose versus cyclophosphamide plus cytosine arabinoside (NSC-63878)).

Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who had experienced only one relapse were reinduced into remission using a 6-week induction course of prednisone and vincristine. One hundred fifty-one children who achieved a second complete marrow remission were randomly assigned to one of three cyclophosphamide treatment groups for maintanence. Forty-one children received standard-dose cyclophosphamide (3 mg/kg/day), 55 received intermittent high-dose cyclophosphamide (10 mg/kg/day for 4 days out of 14), and 55 received a combination of oral cyclophosphamide (3 mg/kg/day) plus cytosine arabinoside (3 mg/kg/week im).

Dibromodulcitol (NSC-104800) compared with cyclophosphamide (NSC-26271) as remission maintenance therapy in previously treated children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or acute undifferentiated leukemia: possible effectiveness in reducing the incidence of central nervous system leukemia.

Dibromodulcitol and cyclophosphamide are both alkylating agents. In this study, these two drugs were compared for their effectiveness as remission maintenance therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia or acute undifferentiated leukemia. Toxic effects were similar in both groups of patients although cystitis did not occur with the dibromodulcitol treatment.