Associations of demographic and perinatal factors with childhood neuroblastoma in Texas, 1995–2011

BackgroundNeuroblastoma, the most common extracranial solid tumor in children, contributes disproportionately to childhood cancer mortality and few risk factors have been identified. Our objective was to evaluate associations between parental and infant characteristics and neuroblastoma incidence.MethodsChildren born in Texas between January 1995 and December 2011 were eligible for the present study. Cases (N = 637) were diagnosed with neuroblastoma in Texas during the same period; controls (N = 6370) matched on year of birth were randomly selected from birth certificates that did not link to a record in the Texas Cancer Registry. We obtained data on birth and parental demographic/reproductive characteristics from birth certificates, and estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for neuroblastoma using logistic regression.ResultsGestational age 34–36 weeks at birth was associated with neuroblastoma (OR 1.45, CI 1.09–1.90), whereas female sex was inversely associated (OR 0.68, CI 0.58–0.81). Relative to children of non-Hispanic White women, children of Hispanic (OR 0.53, CI 0.43–0.64) or non-Hispanic Black (OR 0.52, CI 0.38–0.71) women were at reduced odds of neuroblastoma. When maternal and paternal race/ethnicity were evaluated jointly, similar patterns were observed (two non-Hispanic Black parents: OR 0.55, 95%CI 0.36–0.79; two Hispanic parents: OR 0.53, 95%CI 0.41–0.67). Older maternal age was also positively associated with neuroblastoma (OR 1.41, CI 1.04–1.90 for 35–39 years; OR 1.62, CI 0.87–2.81 for ≥40 years, relative to 25–29 years).ConclusionsFindings provide further evidence of racial/ethnic disparities in neuroblastoma incidence, determinants of which are unknown. In contrast to most published studies, we observed an association between maternal age and neuroblastoma. Further studies with more robust control for confounding are warranted.     

Exposure to p-phenylendiamine in hairdressing parlours

Summary The purpose of this study is to verify and assess, in working conditions, the respiratory exposure to PPD of hairdressing parlour personnel. Several air samples collected in a hairdressing parlour during the time required for 8 applications of dyeing products containing PPD 2.52% have been analyzed. Tests are also carried out by extracting air immediately above the bowls containing the dyeing products, both at room temperature and at 37°C. PPD was assessed by means of HPLC. Only air sampled directly on bowls at 37°C has shown a level of 1 g, corresponding to an environmental release of PPD equivalent to 8 applications of dyeing products. On the basis of these experimental data, the PPD concentration in the air according to the parlour volume and to the supposed air exchanges has been calculated. Our results show a substantial insignificance of the concentration of PPD released in the environmental air during normal operations of hair dyeing: authors are of the opinion that hairdressers can't be truly considered as a PPD-asthmatic risk category like other workers exposed to PPD dust dispersed in the air of their working environment.     

肺力咳合剂辅助布地奈德和复方异丙托溴铵对支气管哮喘患儿肺功能、炎症介质和免疫功能的影响

摘要 目的：探讨肺力咳合剂辅助布地奈德和复方异丙托溴铵对支气管哮喘患儿肺功能、炎症介质和免疫功能的影响。方法：选择2021年2月~2022年3月期间我院小儿内科接收的76例支气管哮喘患儿。根据信封抽签法将患儿分为对照组（n=38,布地奈德和复方异丙托溴铵治疗）和研究组（n=38,肺力咳合剂辅助布地奈德和复方异丙托溴铵治疗）。对比两组患儿疗效、肺功能、炎症介质和免疫功能,同时记录两组治疗期间的用药安全性状况。结果：研究组的临床总有效率较对照组明显升高（P<0.05）。治疗2周后,研究组第1秒用力呼气容积（FEV₁）、用力呼气流量（PEF）、用力肺活量（FVC）高于对照组同期（P<0.05）。治疗2周后,研究组白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、C反应蛋白（CRP）低于对照组,干扰素-γ（IFN-γ）高于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗2周后,研究组CD8⁺低于对照组,CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺较对照组高（P<0.05）。不良反应发生率组间对比无差异（P>0.05）。结论：肺力咳合剂辅助布地奈德和复方异丙托溴铵治疗支气管哮喘患儿,可有效改善患儿的肺功能和免疫功能,降低炎症介质水平,疗效可靠。     

淋巴细胞及其亚群、NK细胞与儿童原发性免疫性血小板减少症复发的相关性研究

摘要 目的：为探讨淋巴细胞及其亚群、NK细胞与儿童原发性免疫性血小板减少症（ITP）复发的关系,评估其预测价值,为临床评估患者预后提供理论支持。方法：回顾性分析2017年12月-2021年12月于新疆医科大学第一附属医院儿科中心初发首诊为原发性免疫性血小板减少症的165例患儿,根据是否复发分为复发组与无复发组,评估ITP复发的影响因素,利用ROC曲线评估淋巴细胞计数绝对值对儿童ITP复发的预测价值,运用Kaplan-Meier法绘制与淋巴细胞计数绝对值相关的儿童ITP无复发生存曲线。结果：共纳入165名ITP患儿,复发率24.8%。淋巴细胞计数绝对值对儿童ITP无复发的ROC曲线下面积为0.704,95%CI为0.613-0.795（P＜0.05）,最佳截断值为3.21×10⁹/L。儿童ITP是否复发与年龄、淋巴细胞计数、出血评分、ESR有关,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。儿童ITP是否复发与CD3⁺CD19^-细胞计数、CD3⁺CD4⁺细胞计数、CD3⁺CD8⁺细胞计数、CD4⁺/CD8⁺细胞比例、NK细胞计数有关,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论：淋巴细胞计数绝对值可作为评估儿童ITP复发的预测指标,儿童ITP复发与初始T淋巴细胞亚群、NK细胞计数具有一定相关性。     

血清PGRN、SFRP1、CCL26与支气管哮喘急性发作期患者肺功能和气道炎症的相关性研究

摘要 目的：探讨支气管哮喘（BA）急性发作期患者血清颗粒蛋白前体（PGRN）、分泌型卷曲相关蛋白1（SFRP1）、C-C基序趋化因子配体26（CCL26）与肺功能和气道炎症的相关性。方法：选取2021年1月～2022年6月我院收治的118例BA急性发作期患者作为急性发作期组,根据病情分级将BA急性发作期患者分为轻度亚组55例、中度亚组43例、重度亚组20例,另选取同期77例BA临床控制期患者（临床控制期组）和60例体检健康志愿者（对照组）分别作为对照。采用Pearson相关性分析BA急性发作期患者血清PGRN、SFRP1、CCL26水平与肺功能和气道炎症指标的相关性。结果：对照组、临床控制期组、急性发作期组血清PGRN水平和第1秒用力呼气容积占预计值百分比（FEV₁%pred）、峰值呼气流速（PEF）依次降低,SFRP1、CCL26水平和呼出气一氧化氮（FeNO）、外周血嗜酸性粒细胞（EOS）计数依次升高（P＜0.05）。轻度亚组、中度亚组、重度亚组血清PGRN水平和FEV₁%pred、PEF依次降低,SFRP1、CCL26水平和FeNO、外周血EOS计数依次升高（P＜0.05）。Pearson相关性分析显示,BA急性发作期患者血清PGRN水平与FEV₁%pred、PEF呈正相关,与FeNO、外周血EOS计数呈负相关（P＜0.05）,SFRP1、CCL26与FEV₁%pred、PEF呈负相关,与FeNO、外周血EOS计数呈正相关（P＜0.05）。结论：BA急性发作期患者血清PGRN水平降低,SFRP1、CCL26水平升高,与病情严重程度、肺功能和气道炎症有关,可能成为BA急性发作期患者新的治疗靶点。     

合并慢性气道疾病的ARDS临床特征及预后影响因素研究

目的:探讨急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)合并慢性气道疾病患者的临床特征及影响预后的因素。方法:167例ARDS患者根据并发症发生情况分为对照组(单纯性ARDS组,A组,n=39)及观察组(ARDS合并慢性气道疾,B组,n=49,C组,n=41,D组,n=38),比较各组患者一般情况、临床特征、生化指标、治疗方式及预后状况,通过logistic回归分析ARDS合并慢性气道疾病患者预后的影响因素。结果:观察组(B、C、D组)年龄、中性粒细胞、IL-6、IL-8、TNF-α、白蛋白、pro-BNP、乳酸、氧合指数、住院时间、住院费用与对照组(A组)比较差异有统计学意义,P0.05;128例ARDS合并慢性气道疾病患者中死亡76例,好转52例,病死率59.38%;单因素分析结果显示,观察组(B、C、D组)患者中临床结局好转患者与死亡患者比较,白细胞、淋巴细胞、CRP、TNF-α、IL-8、降钙素、肌酐、pro-BNP、氧合指数、住院费用、机械通气时间、抗生素数量差异有统计学意义,P0.05;通过多因素logistic回归分析发现肌酐是影响ARDS合并慢性气道疾病的潜在危险因素,氧合指数为保护因素,P0.05。结论:ARDS合并慢性气道疾病的能量代谢紊乱程度可能较单纯ARDS加重,且两者炎性特征不同。肌酐、氧合指数是影响ARDS合并慢性气道疾病的重要影响因素。     

布地奈德福莫特罗粉吸入剂联合孟鲁斯特对支气管哮喘急性发作期患者肺功能及血清细胞因子水平的影响

目的:研究布地奈德福莫特罗粉吸入剂(ST)联合孟鲁斯特对支气管哮喘急性发作期(ASBA)患者肺功能及血清细胞因子水平的影响。方法:选择2015年2月到2017年8月在我院治疗的86例ASBA患者作为研究对象,根据随机数字表法将患者分成观察组(n=43)以及对照组(n=43),对照组予以ST治疗,观察组则在此基础上联合孟鲁司特治疗,两组均治疗3个月,对比两组患者治疗前及治疗3个月后的肺功能、细胞因子水平、咳嗽评分、St·George's呼吸疾病问卷(SGRQ)以及用药安全性。结果:治疗后两组患者的第1秒的用力呼气容积(FEV1)、用力肺活量(FVC)及FEV1/FVC均较治疗前升高,且观察组高于对照组(P0.05)。治疗后两组患者的白细胞介素-4(IL-4)、白细胞介素-5(IL-5)、γ-干扰素(INF-γ)及肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)水平均较治疗前降低,且观察组低于对照组(P0.05)。治疗后两组患者的咳嗽评分较治疗前升高,且观察组高于对照组(P0.05),而治疗后两组患者的SGRQ评分均较治疗前降低,且观察组低于对照组(P0.05)。观察组不良反应的总发生率为20.93%,与对照组的16.28%相比无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:ASBA给予ST联合孟鲁司特治疗能够有效改善患者的症状,缓解机体炎症反映的同时还可有效改善患者肺功能和生活质量,其用药安全性较好。     

Iron homeostasis and methionine-centred redox cycle in nasal polyposis

Abstract

Nasal polyposis is a multifactorial disease with a strong inflammatory component. Its pathogenesis is often associated with ROS production catalysed by redox-active iron. This study aimed to characterize the roles of iron homeostasis and redox status in the pathogenesis of polyposis. Nasal polyps (NP) from asthmatics and non-asthmatics and turbinates from controls and NP-patients were analysed for ferritin, ferritin-bound iron (FBI) and levels of methionine-centred redox cycle proteins. The ferritin content in both NPs was significantly higher than in adjacent turbinates. No differences in FBI were observed between both NP groups and both turbinates groups, while in NPs it was significantly higher. In NP-turbinates the highest levels of redox proteins were observed. In conclusion, re-distribution of iron occurs upon the development of NP. While FBI is elevated in NPs, the adjacent turbinate remain iron-poor and low-inflammatory, suggesting the formation of virtual boundary between these tissues.