OBJECTIVE: Selenium is an essential trace element and has a main role in cellular antioxidant defense system. In very preterm babies, low selenium is associated with an increased risk of complications such as chronic neonatal lung disease and retinopathy of prematurity. This study was designed to determine and compare maternal and umbilical cord blood selenium levels in term and preterm infants. METHODS: From February 2008 to April 2008, 30 term (gestational age >37 weeks) and 30 preterm infants (gestational age<34 weeks) and their mothers were enrolled. Selenium concentrations in umbilical cord and maternal venous blood were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. RESULTS: The mean selenium concentration in term infants was higher than in preterm infants (124.80±13.72 μg/L vs 100.30±11.72 μg/L, P=0.0001). The mean selenium concentration in mothers of term and preterm infants was not significantly different (117.03±17.15 μg/L vs 110.56±17.49 μg/L, P=0.15). Cord selenium concentrations were strongly correlated with gestational age and birth weight (r=0.66, P<0.0001 and r=0.59, P<0.0001, respectively) when the data of all infants were analyzed together. None of the 60 women had a serum selenium level below the laboratory lower limit of normal (70.0 μg/L). Maternal selenium levels were correlated with cord selenium levels in their infants (r=0.40, P<0.001) when data of all newborn infants and mothers were considered together. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers have a relatively good selenium status and serum selenium is not a significant predictor of preterm delivery in Isfahan. The cord selenium concentration in term infants is significantly higher than in preterm infants, but the cord selenium concentrations in both groups are in a suggested normal range.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (7):513-516］

Primary mediastinal choriocarcinoma is a very rare malignant tumor unrelated to pregnancy. Here a case of primary mediastinal choriocarcinoma was reported. The patient was a 13-year-old boy. He presented with shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, irritable cough and weight loss. The imaging examination showed a huge space-occupying lesion at the right edge of mediastinum. The autopsy results showed right lung and mediastinal choriocarcinoma cell carcinoma. After the introduction of the case, this paper reviewed the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of primary mediastinal choriocarcinoma.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (7):517-520］

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of pH value of umbilical artery blood in the diagnosis and the assessment of prognosis of neonatal asphyxia. METHODS: A total of 140 single term newborn infants who were found abnormal by the fetal electrocardiogram monitoring were enrolled. The pH value of umbilical artery blood was measured immediately after birth. The Apgar score was performed 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth. The infants with the Apgar score ≤ 7 (n=62) were transferred to the pediatric ward for further management after resuscitation. Serum CTnI content was determined 24 hrs after birth. RESULTS: pH value of umbilical artery blood was positively correlated to 1 min and 5 min Apgar scores (r=0.513 and 0.478 respectively; P<0.01). There were significant differences for the umbilical pH value in infants with different Apgar scores (P<0.01). Serum CTnI content was negatively correlated to 1 min and 5 min Apgar scores (r=-0.614 and -0.569 respectively; P<0.01). The infants with umbilical artery pH value of more than 7.2, 7.0-7.2 and less than 7.0 had serum CTnI contents of 31.82±8.63, 53.24±11.18 and 79.36±18.51 ng/L, respectively (P<0.01). There was a negative correlation between umbilical artery pH value and serum CTnI content (r=-0.578, P<0.01). The incidence of organ injuries increased significantly with decreasing Apgar scores (P<0.05) and showed a negative correlation with 1 min and 5 min Apgar scores (r=-0.548 and -0.496 respectively; P<0.01). The infants with umbilical artery pH value of more than 7.2, 7.0-7.2 and less than 7.0 had the incidence of organ injuries of 36.4%, 60.0% and 83.3%, respectively (P<0.05). There was a negative correlation between umbilical artery pH value and the incidence of organ injuries (r=-0.578, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Umbilical pH value correlates with Apgar score and may serve as sensitive indexes together with Apgar score for the diagnosis of neonatal asphyxia. Umbilical pH value is useful in the assessment of severity and prognosis of neonatal asphyxia.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (7):521-524］

OBJECTIVE: To study the characteristics and role of dynamic pressure-volume curve (P-V curve) in neonatal mechanical ventilation. METHODS: A dynamic P-V curve was automatically drawn by the Stephanie ventilator. The slope rate of dynamic P-V curve was measured in 25 neonates who received mechanical ventilation 1, 24, 48 and 72 hrs after ventilation and before weaning from ventilation. Minute-ventilation (MV), mean airway pressure (Pmean), and fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) were recorded. The patterns of dynamic P-V curve during abnormal ventilation (resistance to ventilator, part or complete airway obstruction, airway leaking and tracheal catheter exodus) were observed. RESULTS: With the improvement of pulmonary disease, the slope rate of P-V curve and MV increased, Pmean and FiO2 decreased, and the P-V curve shifted to the volume axle. The slope rate of curve 48 and 72 hrs after ventilation and before weaning from ventilation (1.05±0.48, 1.10±0.42 and 1.13±0.37 mL/cmH2O respectively) increased significantly compared with that 1 hr after ventilation (0.76±0.53 mL/cmH2O) (P<0.05 or 0.01). Abnormal ventilation led to abnormal appearance of dynamic P-V curve. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing slope rate of dynamic P-V curve and the curve shifting to volume axle in neonatal mechanical ventilation may be associated with the improvement of pulmonary disease. The appearance changes of the curve may be of value in the assessment of abnormal ventilation.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (7):525-528］

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the viral pathogens of acute respiratory infection (ARI) in hospitalized children from Suzhou of China. METHODS: The nasopharyngeal aspirate samples were obtained from 1 668 hospitalized children with ARI. Common respiratory viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza virus A and B, parainfluenza viruses 1, 2 and 3 and adenovirus, were detected using direct immunofluorescence. Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) gene fragments were detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Viral agents were identified in 597 cases (35.8%). RSV was the most frequent (17.6%). RSV infection is more common in children less than 1 year old. A highest detection rate of RSV was found during winter and spring. hMPV was detected in 10.6% of the cases, with a peak detection rate between March and May. Single viral infection was found in 561 cases (33.6%) and mixed viral infection in 36 cases (including 27 cases at age of less than 1 year). RSV and hMPV co-infection was common (n=22). CONCLUSIONS: RSV is common pathogen of ARI in children from Suzhou. RSV viral activity peaks during winter and spring. The children at age of less than 1 year are susceptible to RSV. hMPV is also an important pathogen of ARI, with a peak detection rate between March and May. Mixed viral infection is common in children less than 1 year old.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (7):529-531］

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficiency of lactose-free formula feeding as an adjunctive therapy in infants with acute diarrhea. METHODS: A rigorous double-blind, randomized, controlled equivalence trial was performed. One hundred and twenty infants with acute diarrhea were randomly divided into two groups: lactose-ree formula and conventional formula feeding. The two groups were given conventional medical treatment and oral rehydration therapy. The therapeutic effects were observed 1 week after treatment. RESULTS: The cure rate and the total effective rate were 58.3% and 96.7% respectively in the lactose-free formula group, and they were 8.3% and 85.0% respectively in the conventional formula group. There were significant differences in the therapeutic effect between the two groups (P<0.05). The duration of diarrhea remission (3.17±1.04 days) in the lactose-free formula group was significantly shorter than that in the conventional formula group (5.25±1.58 days) (P<0.05). After treatment the incidence of fecal flora disturbance was lower in the lactose-free formula group than that in the conventional formula group (P<0.05). No aderverse events were observed in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Lactose-free formula feeding together with conventional therapy can significantly shorten the disease course and improve the treatment outcome in infants with acute diarrhea.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (7):532-536］

OBJECTIVE: Children with Tourette's syndrome (TS) have a poor treatment compliance due to side effects and inconvenient administration of oral drugs. This study explored the efficacy and safety of clonidine transdermal patch for treating TS in children. METHODS: A total of 119 children with TS were randomly treated with the clonidine transdermal patch (n=65) or with oral haloperidol (n=54). The therapeutic efficacy was assessed based on the results of the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) 4 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: The clonidine transdermal patch group showed a higher reduction in the overall tic symptom scores (61.5±7.5%) than that in the haloperidol group (41.0±6.3%; P<0.05). Clonidine transdermal patch treatment was effective in 53 patients (81.5%) and 36 patients (67.5%) showed effective to oral haloperidol (P>0.05). Mild side effects (decrease of blood pressure and dizziness) were observed in 1 patient in the clonidine transdermal patch group. Mild hypermyotonia, drowsiness or lassitude as side effects occurred in 6 patients in the haloperidol group. CONCLUSIONS: Clonidine transdermal patch is effective for the treatment of TS in children and its side effects are mild and rare.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (7):537-539］

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the significance of CD11b expression in neutrophils and lymphocytes in children with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). METHODS: CD11b expression in neutrophils and lymphocytes was measured using flow cytometry in 36 children with SIRS (SIRS group) and 28 children with infectious disease but without SIRS (control group). The sensitivity and specificity of neutrophil CD11b for diagnosis of SIRS were evaluated. RESULTS: During the acute phase, an increased CD11b expression in neutrophils (96.7±8.1%) was observed in the SIRS group compared with the control group (85.1±5.1%) (P<0.05). Using neutrophil CD11b expression >92.2% as a cut-off value for diagnosis of SIRS, the sensitivity and the specificity were 97.2 % and 92.9% respectively. Lymphocytic CD11b expression in the SIRS group (13.4±8.6%) was lower than that in the control group (19.2±6.4%) in the acute phase (P<0.05). In the SIRS group, lymphocytic CD11b expression was remarkably suppressed in the severe sepsis subgroup (7.27±3.04%), showing significantly decreased expression compared with the non-infectious subgroup (19.3±2.9%) and the sepsis subgroup (15.9±12.5%) (P<0.01). In the convalescence stage lymphocytic CD11b expression in the SIRS group was similar to that in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: CD11b expression in neutrophils may serve as a reliable indicator for diagnosis of SIRS. The down-regulation of lymphocytic CD11b expression might be a signal of the condition aggravation in children with SIRS.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (7):540-542］

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of allergens in children with allergic disease in Changsha. METHODS: Total IgE and specific IgE against some allergens were examined by the AllergyScreen system in the sera of 437 children from Changsha with allergic disease. RESULTS: The positive rates of total IgE and special IgE were 68.9% and 69.1% respectively. Dermatophagoides farina, beef, mutton, milk and fur of cats and dogs were found as common allergens. The IgE positive rate against dermatophagoides farina was the highest in children with allergic rhinitis (86.0%), followed by in those with atopic dermatitis (41.2%), eczema (27.6%) and urticaria (20.0%). Serum IgE was positive against the fur of cats and dogs in 23.5% of children with atopic dermatitis and in 18.1% of children with eczema. The IgE positive rate was lower in children with urticaria and allergic rhinitis (10.0% and 8.7% respectively). IgE positive rates against milk, beef and mutton were high in the above four allergic diseases (range: 14.0%-24.0%), but no significant differences were observed for the IgE positive rate among the four allergic diseases. The IgE positive rate to inhalant allergens in children at ages of less than 3 years was markedly higher than that in children at ages of more than 3 years (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Allergic diseases are mainly mediated by allergens. Allergens, especially dermatophagoides farina, fur of cats and dogs, beef, mutton and milk, play an important role in childhood allergic diseases in Changsha.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (7):543-545］

OBJECTIVE: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is currently a unique curative therapy for beta-thalassemia major. However, only 30% of patients have HLA-identical siblings to serve as donors. This study investigated the feasibility of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from HLA mismatched related donors for beta-thalassemia major in children. METHODS: Between November 2001 and November 2007, 10 patients with beta-thalassemia major at median ages of 4.4 years (range:1.6-9.4 years) received 11 transplantations from their haploidentical donors, either HLA mismatched sibling umbilical cord bloods (n=6) or parents marrows (n=4) or sibling marrow (n=1). The conditioning regiment included fludarabine (100 mg/m2), busulfan (16 mg/kg), cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg) and antithymocyte globulin. RESULTS: Of the 10 patients, 6 (60%) had sustained engraftment and red blood cell transfusion independence; 2 patients showed transient engraftment but rejected the graft quickly; 1 patients had no evidence of engraftment and developed aplastic anemia; 1 patient who received two transplantations had no evidence of engraftment and developed persistent aplastic anemia. All eight engrafted patients showed grade I to III acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and only one developed limited skin chronic GVHD. The probability of overall and disease-free survival was 90% and 60%, respectively, with a median follow-up duration of 57.1 months (range:2.5 to 85.1 months). CONCLUSIONS: Haploidentical stem cell transplantation is an alternative option for children with beta-thalassemia major, particularly when a matched sibling donor is not available.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (7):546-548］

OBJECTIVE: The cytochrome P450 subfamily IIIA5 (CYP3A5) gene is responsible for the metabolism of many clinically used anticancer agents. So far the studies on CYP3A5 gene has only been focused on the leukemia cell lines. This study examined the polymorphism of CYP3A5 and tried to find the possible relationship between CYP3A5 gene expression and treatment outcome or prognosis in children with acute leukemia. METHODS: The genotype distribution of CYP3A5-6986A/G gene polymorphism was detected with the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in 66 children with newly diagnosed acute leukemia (AL) and 22 control individuals. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR was used to examine wt-CYP3A5 and SV1-CYP3A5 mRNA levels in the bone marrow. RESULTS: Three genotypes of CYP3A5-6986A/G polymorphisms were found: CYP3A5*1/*1, CYP3A5*1/*3 and CYP3A5*3/*3. There were significant differences in the wt-CYP3A5 mRNA expression among the AL patients with different genotypes (P<0.05). In patients with acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL), the complete remission (CR) rate in the group with a low expression of wt-CYP3A5 mRNA was significantly higher than that in the group with a high expression (P<0.05). A dynamic monitoring for wt-CYP3A5 mRNA expression was performed in two cases of ALL. The expression increased before ALL relapse compared with that in CR in a patient, while in the other patient, the expression was kept in a low level and the patient remained in CR CONCLUSIONS: wt-CYP3A5 mRNA expression was associated with the treatment outcome and prognosis in children with AL. Dynamic monitoring for wt-CYP3A5 mRNA expression in the bone marrow may be useful in the evaluation of the disease severity in childhood acute leukemia.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (7):549-554］

OBJECTIVE: Some research has shown that primary intestinal lymphoma with the same immunophenotype has different prognosis. It suggests that the prognosis of this disease is not determined by a single factor but may be related to genetic or chromosomal variations. The p53 gene is an important tumor suppressor gene, and 13q14 deletion is a common chromosomal abnormality of lymphocyte proliferation diseases. This study aimed to explore the role of the p53 gene and chromosome 13q14 variations in the assessment of prognosis in primary intestinal lymphoma. METHODS: p53 gene and chromosome 13q14 expression in paraffin sections of 30 cases of primary intestinal lymphoma and 10 cases of lymph node reactive hyperplasia were ascertained using an improved FISH technique. RESULTS: p53 gene deletion was found in 22.7% of patients with primary intestinal lymphoma at stage I-II and in 75.0% of patients at stage III-IV (χ2=6.903, P<0.01). The 30 patients with primary intestinal lymphoma were pathologically classified into-mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) (n=14) and non-MALT types (n=16). The MALT lymphoma group had significantly lower incidence of p53 gene deletion (14.3% vs 56.3%; χ2=5.662, P<0.05). Average survival time in patients with p53 gene deletion was 13.41 months, being shorter than the patients with normal p53 gene (36.1 months) (t=2.637, P<0.05). 13q14 deletion was found in 40.0% of patients with primary intestinal lymphoma, but none of patients with lymph node reactive hyperplasia showed 13q14 deletion. 13q14 deletion was not significantly related to the pathological type and the clinical stage of primary intestinal lymphoma as well as the survival time. There was no significant correlation between p53 gene and 13q14 deletions. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high incidence of p53 gene deletion in patients with non-MALT lymphoma or at stage III-IV. p53 gene deletion is related to a high tumor malignant degree and a poor prognosis, while-chromosome 13q14 variation is not associated with the prognosis in patients with primary intestinal lymphoma.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (7):555-558］

OBJECTIVE: To report the results of skin prick test in 908 children with asthma in order to provide references for treatment of asthma. METHODS: Skin prick test was performed using ALK-Abelló's inhaled prick reagents and the German Merck company's food prick reagents. Histamine was used for positive control, and normal saline, for negative control. RESULTS: Skin prick test showed positive in 703 cases (77.4%). The positive rates of inhaled and food allergens were 76.9% and 37.1%, respectively. Dermatophagoides culinae and house dust mite were two common inhaled allergens (72.4% and 74.7% respectively). Shrimp was the most common food allergen (22.9%), followed by tuna (7.3%) and mussels (6.7%). The strongest response of skin prick test was usually caused by dermatophagoides culinae (64.0%) and house dust mite (66.4%), followed by mould 1 (7.1%). The positive rate of inhaled and food allergens increased with increasing age (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The positive rate of skin prick test in the 908 children with asthma was higher. These results of this study may be useful in an epidemiological survey and specific immunotherapy of asthma..［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (7):559-561］

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of snoring in school age children from Changsha City, and study the correlation of snoring with attention deficit and hyperactivity-impulsivity. METHODS: A total of 1 736 children aged 6 to 12 years were randomly sampled from five districts in Changsha City. Their parents completed the questionnaires about children's sleep conditions and the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnostic Scale-Parent Version. RESULTS: The total incidence rate of frequent snoring was 5.7%. Boys had higher incidence of frequent snoring than girls (7.5% vs 3.8%; χ2＝18.782, P<0.01). The incidence of snoring in the 6-to 9-year-old group was higher than that of the 10-to 12-year-old group (χ2=9.666, P＜0.01). The incidence of daytime sleepiness in the snoring group was higher than that in the non-snoring group (31.5% vs 25.9%; χ2=6.678, P<0.01). The incidences of larynx choking, sleep apnea, mouth breathing, hyperhidrosis, and awaking for unknown reasons or awaking by choke in the frequent snoring group were significantly higher than in the occasional snoring and the non-snoring groups (χ2=37.035, 27.745, 51.341, 30.975, 45.972 respectively; all P＜0.01). The incidences of attention deficit (31.3%) and hyperactivity-impulsivity (18.2%) in the frequent snoring group were the highest, followed by the occasional snoring (16.2% and 9.9% respectively) and the non-snoring groups (13.9% and 8.8% respectively). There were significant differences in the incidence of both attention deficit (χ2=20.592, P<0.01) and hyperactivity-impulsivity (χ2=9.067, P<0.05) between groups. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high incidence of snoring in school age children from Changsha City. Snoring is correlated to attention deficit and hyperactivityimpulsivity. It is essential to pay attention to the mental growth and behavioral problems in children with sleep snoring.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (7):562-565］

OBJECTIVE: To study the potential effect of hypoxia on invasion and metastasis of leukemia cell line K562. METHODS: K562 cells were cultured with the conventional method in vitro and treated with 1%, 3% and 5% oxygen for 24 hrs. The normoxic cultured K562 cells were used as the control group. Cell adhesion assay, cell migration assay and cell invasion assay were used to detect the adhesion, migration and invasion abilities of K562 cells. RT-PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, MMP-2 and MMP-9. The protein level of HIF-1α was measured by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the 3% and 5% oxygen treatment groups significantly increased the adhesion, migration and invasion abilities of K562 cells (P<0.05 or <0.01), and up-regulated the protein level of HIF-1α and the mRNA levels of HIF-1α,VEGF, MMP-9 and MMP-2 (P<0.05 or 0.01). However, there were no significant differences in the above indexes between the 1% oxygen treatment and the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate hypoxia can enhance the abilities of invasion and metastasis of K562 cells, probably by an up-regulation of HIF-1α level and VEGF , MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expression.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (7):566-570］

OBJECTIVE: To examined serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and BNP expression of protein and mRNA in the right ventricular myocardium in juvenile rats with right heart failure (RHF) and the effects of β-adrenergic receptor blocker carvedilol on serum and myocardial BNP levels in order to investigate the role of BNP in the diagnosis and treatment of RHF. METHODS: Fifty-one four-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 5 groups: RHF 1, RHF 2, carvedilol-treated RHF, control 1 and control 2. RHF was developed 4 weeks after an intraperitoneal injection of monocrotaline in the RHF 1, RHF 2 and carvedilol-treated RHF groups. The rats in the RHF 1 and the control 1 groups were sacrificed after the RHF event for observing pathological changes in the myocardium. After the RHF event, the carvedilol-treated group was given intragastric administration of carvedilol (3.5 mg/kg/d) for 2 weeks. The RHF 2 and the control 2 groups were given distilled water of equal dose instead. The rats were sacrificed 2 weeks after carvedilol or distilled water administration. Serum BNP levels were measured using ELISA. BNP protein and mRNA expression in the right ventricular myocardium were measured by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively. Haemodynamics and some physiological indexes were measured. RESULTS: Serum BNP levels and BNP protein and mRNA expression in the right ventricular myocardium were significantly higher in the RHF 1 group than those in the control 1 group (P<0.01). Serum BNP levels and BNP protein and mRNA expression in the right ventricular myocardium increased more significantly in the RHF 2 group. There was a positive correlation between serum BNP levels and myocardial BNP protein expression in the RHF group (r=0.698, P<0.01). Serum BNP levels and BNP protein and mRNA expression in the carvedilol-treated RHF group were significantly reduced when compared with the RHF 2 group (P<0.05). Carvedilol treatment also resulted in improved hemodynamics and relieved right ventricular hypertrophy. CONCLUSIONS: BNP may serve an index for the diagnosis of RHF and the evaluation of severity in children with RHF. Carvedilol shows protections against RHF caused by pressure load.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (7):571-576］

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of human β-defensin-3 (hBD-3) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells, and explore the role of hBD-3 in respiratary infection. METHODS: HBE cells were stimulated with different concentrations of LPS (0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 μg/mL). hBD-3 mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR 2 hrs later. hBD-3 protein expression was detected by Western blot 4 hrs later. RESULTS: hBD-3 mRNA and protein was weakly expressed in normal HBE cells. LPS stimulation resulted in a significant increase of hBD-3 mRNA and protein expression (P<0.01). hBD-3 mRNA and protein expression increased with increasing LPS concentrations. There were significant differences in the hBD-3 mRNA and protein expression in cells stimulated by different concentrations of LPS (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LPS can induce hBD-3 expression in a dose-dependent manner. hBD-3 might play a role in initial defensive reaction against bacterial invasion.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (7):577-580］

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of melatonin, a potent antioxidant both in vitro and in vivo, on hyperoxia-induced oxidant/antioxidant imbalance in the lung of neonatal rats with chronic lung disease (CLD). METHODS: Ninety neonatal rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=30 each): air-exposed, hyperoxia-exposed, melatonin-treated (4 mg/kg melatonin was administered 30 minutes before hyperoxia exposure and once daily after exposure). CLD was induced by hyperoxia exposure (FiO2=0.85). Lung specimens were obtained 3, 7, and 14 days after exposure (n=10 each) for histopathologic examination. The levels of total antioxidase capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), myeloperoxidase (MPO), catalase (CAT), nitrite/nitrate, and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the lung were assayed by the spectrophotometer. RESULTS: The histopathologic examination showed that lung damage was obviously alleviated in the melatonin-treated group. The levels of T-AOC, GSH-Px, SOD and CAT in the lung were significantly higher in the melatonin-treated group than those in the other two groups at all time points (P<0.05). The levels of MPO, nitrite/nitrate and MDA in the lung increased significantly in the untreated hypoxia-exposed group compared with those in the air-exposed group at all time points (P<0.05 or 0.01), while the levels of MPO, nitrite/nitrate and MDA in the melatonin-treated group were significantly reduced as compared with the untreated hypoxia-exposed group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Melatonin may reverse oxidant/antioxidant imbalance in hyperoxia-induced lung disease, thus providing a protective effect against CLD in neonatal rats.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (7):581-584］

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical features, diagnosis and therapy of hydroa vacciniforme-like cutaneous T cell lymphoma. METHODS: The clinical presentations and the findings of laboratory examinations and skin biopsy of affected tissue in a child with hydroa vacciniforme-like cutaneous T cell lymphoma were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The child manifested as rash, fever and lymph node intumesce. Rash was pantomorphia, including edematous erythema, vesicles, crusts, necrosis and depressed scar, and it was mild in winter and severe in summer, mainly involving in the face and extremities. Epstein-Barre vivus (EBV)-IgM was positive. Histopathological findings revealed focal lymphocyte invasion in subcutaneous panniculus adiposus, mainly surrounding the blood vessels. Immunohistochemistory showed CD3 (+), CD43 (+), CD20 (-), pax-5 (-), TIA (+), CD5 (+), CD8 (+), Granmye (+) and CD4 (-). The clinical symptoms were improved after glucocorticoid treatment in this child. CONCLUSIONS: Hydroa vacciniforme-like cutaneous T cell lymphoma has special clinical manifestations. This disorder may be definitely diagnosed by skin biopsy of affected tissue and immunohistochemistry assay. Glucocorticoid treatment is effective. EBV infection may be related to the development of this disorder.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (7):596-598］