Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Anabaena flos-aquae Akinetes in Bottom Sediments of a Small Siberian Reservoir

Spatial distribution of akinetes of Anabaena flos-aquae (cyanobacteria) in littoral bottom sediments of a small Siberian reservoir was studied. Akinete abundance in bottom sediments is found to be related with type of sediments and presence of higher water plants. The highest abundance of akinetes was observed in silty sediments at stations located in higher plants bed (mainly emerged plants Typha latifolia L. and Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.). These results demonstrate that macrophyte beds could increase the size of the potential cyanobacterial inoculum by accumulation of akinetes in shallow bottom sediments and, as a result, favour cyanobacterial bloom development. In addition, seasonal dynamics of Anabaena flos-aquae, including vegetative cells and akinetes, in bottom sediments and water column in open water and littoral of the reservoir was studied. Dynamics of Anabaena abundance in the water column at the central station and littoral stations were very similar, but the number of cells in the littoral achieved higher year maximum than that at the central station. The highest seasonal peak of vegetative cells and akinetes in the water column was observed at the littoral station, located in emerged higher plants bed. However, at this part of the reservoir lowest intensity of akinete production was recorded. Deposition of akinetes to bottom sediments occurred both in open water and littoral. Nevertheless, seasonal dynamics of akinetes in bottom sediments differed between these sites. At the central station accumulation of akinetes in bottom sediments occurred throughout the summer, but in the littoral abundance of akinetes decreased just after their sedimentation. Hence, abundance of akinetes in the littoral sediments of the reservoir is markedly lower than that in the deeper central part

Frequency of obesity and metabolic syndrome in childhood leukemia and lymphoma survivors

Objectives In this study, it was aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical features of obesity and metabolic syndrome, which are long-term effects of survivors after treatment in children with leukemia and lymphoma. Patients and Methods Patients with leukemia and lymphoma, who were diagnosed between 2000 and 2012 (at least 2 two years after remission) were included. Data obtained through reviewing the family history, demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory parameters (blood glucose, lipid, and insulin levels) were analyzed and compared at the time of diagnosis, after the treatment and at time of the study. Results Eighty nine patients (45 boys, 44 girls) were included (mean age: 14.7 +/- 4.3 years): 77.5% had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 11.2% had acute myeloid leukemia, and 11.2% had lymphoma. Overall, 46% patients had received radiotherapy, 7% had undergone surgery, and 2.2% had received stem cell transplantation in addition to chemotherapy. The mean duration of treatment was 2.4 years, and the time elapsed after treatment was 4.9 years. While only one had obesity at the diagnosis, a significant increase in obesity (20%), hypertension (15.7%), hyperglycemia (15%), insulin resistance (35%) were observed at the time of study, and family history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases were significantly higher in this subgroup. Conclusion The prevalence of metabolic syndorme is higher in children with leukemia and lymphoma after treatment, and begins to increase with the initiation of treatment and continues to increase over time. These children should be followed-up for late-effects including metabolic syndrome through life-long period

Prognostic factors and a new prognostic index model for children and adolescents with Hodgkin’s lymphoma who underwent autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A multicenter study of the turkish pediatric bone marrow transplantation study group

Objective: The prognostic factors and a new childhood prognostic index after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) in patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) were evaluated. Materials and Methods: The prognostic factors of 61 patients who underwent AHSCT between January 1990 and December 2014 were evaluated. In addition, the Age-Adjusted International Prognostic Index and the Childhood International Prognostic Index (CIPI) were evaluated for their impact on prognosis. Results: The median age of the 61 patients was 14.8 years (minimummaximum: 5-20 years) at the time of AHSCT. There were single relapses in 28 patients, ≥2 relapses in eight patients, and refractory disease in 25 patients. The chemosensitivity/chemorefractory ratio was 36/25. No pretransplant radiotherapy, no remission at the time of transplantation, posttransplant white blood cell count over 10x103/ μL, posttransplant positron emission tomography positivity at day 100, and serum albumin of <2.5 g/dL at diagnosis were correlated with progression-free survival. No remission at the time of transplantation, bone marrow positivity at diagnosis, and relapse after AHSCT were significant parameters for overall survival. Conclusion: The major factors affecting the progression-free and overall survival were clearly demonstrated. A CIPI that uses a lactate dehydrogenase level of 500 IU/L worked well for estimating the prognosis. We recommend AHSCT at first complete remission for relapsed cases, and it should also be taken into consideration for patients with high prognostic scores at diagnosis