Search

The volatile components of three different colored rices were characterized by headspace-gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS). A total of 64 peaks were detected, and 44 volatile compounds were identified. White rice liberated a high concentration of 2-mhyl-2-propenal, 3-methylbutanal, heptanal monomer and four unknown components after cooking. Red rice liberated a high concentration of heptanal (monomer and dimer), pentanal, 2-butylfuran, amyl aldehyde, furan, (E)-2-heptenal (monomer and dimer), octanal (monomer and dimer), (E)-2-octenal, n-nonanal (monomer and dimer), isopentyl alcohol, decanal, ethyl acetate, 2,3-butanedione, 2-pentylfuran, and 10 unknown compounds. Black rice released a high concentration of 2-pentanone, 2-hexenal, 3-butenenitrile, 3-methyl-1-pentanol, 1-octene-3-one, furfuryl alcohol, 2-methyl-ethyl butyrate, benzaldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde, propanedioic acid, dietyl ester, and two unknown components. After cooking, the number of aroma compounds in the three colored rices increased. In conclusion, headspace-gas chromatography-ion migration spectrometry can well characterize the aroma of different colored rices before and after cooking, making it easier for consumers to choose rice.

The fretting wear behavior of micro-arc oxidation (MAO) treated ZK60 magnesium alloy under simulated bone plate-screw service condition was investigated. The MAO treatments on the surface of ZK60 magnesium alloy were conducted with different duty cycles of 20%, 30%, and 40%, respectively. Results show that the surface hardness and corrosion resistance of MAO-treated magnesium alloy specimens with different duty cycles are similar and are improved significantly in comparison with the bare magnesium alloy. Under the simulated bone plate-screw fretting condition, the worn surface of the bare magnesium alloy is characterized by ploughs and corrosion pits, accompanied with a high wear volume of 13.1×106μm3, while the wear is obviously decreased and mainly dominated by ploughs on the surface of the MAO-treated magnesium alloy. With the increase of duty cycle, the wear volume is 6.6×106,6.1×106μm3 and 6.5×106μm3, respectively. There is no obvious difference in the fretting wear behavior and the worn surface morphology among the MAO-treated ZK60 magnesium alloy specimens with different duty cycles. In sum, the anti-fretting wear performance of ZK60 magnesium alloy can be improved obviously after micro-arc oxidation treatment, and the duty cycle has little influence on the microstructure and fretting wear properties of the MAO layer on ZK60 magnesium alloy under the given experimental conditions.

In order to quantitatively test fuzz degree of carbon fiber (CF) tow, a measuring method for fuzz mass of CF tow was developed, and the testing device was built. Fuzz mass of two kinds of domestic T800-grade CF were tested using the established method. The effects of spreading width of CF tow, tension and fuzz-adsorption material on the fuzz mass of the two fibers were investigated. Several kinds of imported, domestic T700-grade CF and T800-grade CF were tested using optimized testing conditions. The experimental results show that the testing method is easy to operate and has wide applicability. Under 1-2N tension, 0.1-0.6mm pore size of sponge and 1-4N load applied on sponge, the measured values of T800-grade CF with 12K yield are reasonable. For CF tow with high fuzz mass, certain spreading width makes fuzz inside fiber bundle expose, which is needed to ensure the accuracy of testing result.

Five kinds of domestic basalt fibers were studied for the changes of chemical compositions, physical properties and tensile properties of these fibers before and after 200-800℃ treatment in air atmosphere and in nitrogen atmosphere. These works were done mainly by means of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and fiber monofilament tensile testing methods in order to understand the elevated temperature resistance of basalt fiber. The experimental results show that the surface of basalt fibers becomes smoother with slightly smaller in diameter and mass reduction at the same time, due to the removal of fiber surface treatment agent after elevated temperature treatment in air atmosphere. Mass fractions of SiO2 and Al2O3 decrease while mass fractions of FeO+Fe2O3, CaO and MgO increase, among which the mass fraction of FeO+Fe2O3 increase the most with the maximum increase of 21%. The monofilament tensile strength of basalt fiber is reduced after 200℃ treatment and the maximum strength retention percentage is 98.3%. The monofilament tensile strength reduces evidently after 400℃ treatment and the maximum strength retention percentage is 64.6%. Moreover, the strength retention percentages of five kinds of basalt fibers are all less than 20% after 800℃ treatment. In addition, the fiber elongation at break decreases with the increase of treating temperature and the elastic modulus increases. Compared with that in air atmosphere, strength retention rate of basalt fiber is higher and tensile properties are more stable in nitrogen atmosphere.

The poly (lactic acid) (PLA) hybrid composites consisted of ultra-fine barium sulfate (BaSO4) and light calcium carbonate (CaCO3) inorganic particles were fabricated via molten blending and compression molding. The effect of BaSO4 mass fraction on the morphologies, mechanical properties, and melt flow rate (MFR) as well as thermal stability of hybrid composites were investigated, under the condition of fixed content of CaCO3. Results show that adequate BaSO4 is dispersed homogenously in the matrix and the inorganic particle-PLA interfacial adhesion is well. PLA is synergistically toughened significantly by BaSO4. With 15% content of BaSO4, the impact toughness and breaking elongation of the PLA hybrid composites are increased by 60.38% and 151.90%, respectively, compared to PLA/CaCO3 sample. As BaSO4 increases, the tensile strength decreases monotonically, while the elastic modulus of samples increases. On the whole, the melt flow rate of the composites is decreased with the presence of BaSO4. However, little effect of BaSO4 on the thermal behavior of PLA is observed.

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics and trends of syphilis in the elderly in Guangzhou, and we provide scientific basis for formulating effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of syphilis. Methods The epidemiological analysis of the syphilis cases aged 60 years and over reported in Guangzhou from 2011 to 2020 was carried out by using descriptive epidemiological methods. Results From 2011 to 2020, a total of 22 700 elderly syphilis cases were reported in Guangzhou, and the incidence increased from 109.96/105 in 2011 to 129.13/105 in 2020, showing an upward trend overall (P<0.001). The incidence of primary and secondary syphilis decreased from 13.32/105 in 2011 to 2.60/105 in 2020, and the incidence of tertiary syphilis dropped from 4.29/105 in 2011 to 1.20/105 in 2020, both of them showing a downward trend (P<0.01). The latent syphilis cases reported increased year by year, with the proportion rising from 83.98% in 2011 to 97.06% in 2020. The male-to-female ratio was 1.76:1, with an average annual incidence of 193.85/105 in males and 101.56/105 in females, indicating a statistically significant difference (P<0.01). The occupation of patients was mainly composed of retirees (50.15%), household workers and the unemployed (20.07%) and farmers (15.70%). Among the patients, 74.02% had a junior high school education or below, 72.11% were infected through non-marital heterosexual contact and 27.34% were infected through their spouses or fixed partners. Conclusion The syphilis epidemic in the elderly in Guangzhou showed an upward trend, and the measures of education and intervention as well as screening and treatment should be strengthened for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article comprises an exposition of Karl Barth's Gottes Gnadenwahl (1936). The treatise represents a significant statement of the Swiss theologian's relocation of the centre of theological ontology and epistemology from a locus in temporal actuality to a locus in the actuality of Jesus Christ who is at once eternal and temporal. In this article I will unpack some important implications of this turn to Christocentrism by a close reading of the text, paying close attention to Barth's critical employment of German idealist vocabularies in his development of what might in a qualified sense be called an "actualistic ontology" as a corrective to the metaphysical doctrines formulated by his Latin predecessors. I will set forth the thesis that the Christocentric doctrine of election Barth developed in 1936 is a reflective after-thinking (Nachdenken) of God's unsublatable subjectivity in the framework of the actualistic dialectic: Golgotha is the outward basis of election, and election is the inward basis of the crucifixion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sparse code multiple access (SCMA) is a new non-orthogonal multiple access scheme for the fifth generation mobile communication system. The message passing algorithm (MPA) adopted by the receiver has redundant calculations during the iterative update process, so the complexity is too high. To solve this problem, the Monte Carlo method is first used to statistically analyze the conditional probability density function value of the received signal, and it is found that with the change of the sign! to noise ratio, the conditional probability density function value shows a certain statistical phenomenon. Then based on the statistical results, a conditional probability selection update MPA (CPSU-MPA) is proposed. The algorithm selects a conditional probability density function value with a certain proportion to update, and at the same time discards and compensates extern! information that does not participate in the update. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively reduce the decoding complexity, and the sacrifice of bit error rate performance is small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the non-orthogonal access coexistence problem of filtered multi-tone modulation (FMT) and filterbank-based multicarrier/offset quadrature amplitude modulation (FBMC/OQAM) waveforms, this paper proposes a fast convolution method to give numerical analysis. Fast convolution is applied to generate FMT and FBMC/OQAM signals simultaneously in adjacent frequency bands, and the changed frequency spectrum value of the FMT can be obtained by adjusting the guard band at the level of fast Fourier transform bins. Thus the interference matrix of the FBMC/OQAM to the FMT system is constructed accordingly, and a precoding scheme is proposed for transition band weights of the prototype filter to eliminate the interference. Simulation experiments show that the fast convolution method can achieve more accurate analysis of interference between waveforms, by using the proposed precoding scheme, FMT and FBMC/OQAM signals can coexist efficiently, and the interference between waveforms is effectively suppressed. The bit error rate characteristics influenced by interference is improved efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the cooling safety problem of the lamp in petrol-chemical field. The cooling properties of array high power LED lamp was analyzed systematically. Basing on basic theory of heat transfer, through numerical simulation and curve fitting, the temperature field model of the LED lamp was established in non- steady state, the quantitative relationship between chip temperature and light material, area of endothermic plate and shell heat sinks was calculated, and an optimization model which aimed to reduce chip temperature was set up, then optimized parameters of this LED lamp cooling structure was got. According to the dimensions of the cooling structure, the LED lamp sample was made, and working temperature of the sample was tested. The results indicate that the numerical simulation result is consistent with tested data, and the lamp junction temperature can be reduced significantly by array chips arrangement and optimized cooling structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An algorithm, considering Zhang-Shimizu method and Newmark method together, by which the singularity of the Riemann-Liouvilie fractional derivative with quadratic nonlinearity functional can be solved, was deduced. Dynamics properties of nonlinear fractional oscillator can be studied based on the algorithm that we have. Free vibration and forced vibration of the nonlinear fractional oscillator were discussed. Numerical computational results indicated that the algorithm for nonlinear fractional differential is of better convergence, preferable stability and higher computation precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sequence stratigraphic framework and coal accumulation in a barrier coast system were analyzed for the Permo-Carboniferous of Benxi-Taiyuan Formation in SW Shandong Province of China. A total of 5 types of key interface, i. e. regional unconformity, shifting surface of transgression, bottom of paleosol, flooding surfaces and surface of regional forced regression were recognized. Consequently, the studied coal measures were delineated into 17 parasequences (2 types of parasequences), and 2 third-order sequences. The sequence stratigraphic results suggest that coal accumulation is largely controlled by the high-frequent base level (relative sealevel) fluctuations, and the coals deposited are generally thin with multistoried pattern. The coal accumulation is mainly focused on the transitional zones between barrier island and tidal-fiat, then decreases towards lagoon. It is suggested that the peat deposition is dominantly controlled by the residual accommodation and the rate of the accommodation increase (rate of the base level rise). The accommodation change was analyzed considering various aspects such as absolute sea-level change, basin subsidence and diagenesis of underlying sequences. The coal accumulation model for the barrier coast under sequence stratigraphic framework was also proposed based on the residual accommodation changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To measure the prevalence of mental health symptoms and identify the associated factors among college students at the beginning of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)outbreak in China. Methods We carried out a multi-center cross-sectional study via snowball sampling and convenience sampling of the college students in different areas of China.The rates of self-reported depression,anxiety,and stress and post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)were assessed via the 21-item Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale(DASS-21)and the 6-item Impact of Event Scale-Revised(IES-6),respectively.Covariates included sociodemographic characteristics,health-related data,and information of the social environment.Data pertaining to mental health service seeking were also collected.Multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors. Results A total of 3641 valid questionnaires were collected from college students.At the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak,535(14.69%)students had negative emotions,among which 402(11.04%),381(10.49%),and 171(4.90%)students had the symptoms of depression,anxiety,and stress,respectively.Meanwhile,1245(34.19%)college students had PTSD.Among the risk factors identified,male gender was associated with a lower likelihood of reporting depression symptoms( AOR =0.755, P =0.037],and medical students were at higher risk of depression and stress symptoms than liberal arts students( AOR =1.497, P =0.003; AOR =1.494, P =0.045).Family support was associated with lower risks of negative emotions and PTSD in college students( AOR =0.918, P <0.001; AOR =0.913, P <0.001; AOR =0.899, P <0.001; AOR =0.971, P =0.021). Conclusions College students were more sensitive to public health emergencies,and the incidence of negative emotions and PTSD was significantly higher than that before the outbreak of COVID-19.More attention should be paid to female college students who were more likely to develop negative emotions.We should strengthen positive and proper propaganda via mass media and help college students understand the situation and impact of COVID-19.Furthermore,we should enhance family support for college students.The government and relevant agencies need to provide appropriate mental health services to the students under similar circumstances to avoid the deterioration of their mental well-being.

Mammalian oocytes within Graafian follicles are arrested at prophase I of meiosis. C-type natriuretic peptide (NPPC), secreted by mural granulosa cells (MGCs), maintains oocyte meiotic arrest via binding to its cognate receptor natriuretic peptide receptor 2 (NPR2) and producing cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). NPR2 is most concentrated in the cumulus cells. In addition, cAMP, gap junction, inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) and other important regulatory factors are also involved in meiotic arrest. Luteinizing hormone (LH) then rapidly decreases cGMP and induces oocyte meiotic resumption. In this paper, advances in the molecular mechanisms of meiotic arrest and LH-induced meiotic resumption were reviewed. This paper may provide new ideas for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of related reproductive diseases.

Objective: To explore the value of nerve trunk stimulation in the rehabilitation of lower limb function in the patients with cerebral apoplexy at convalescence stage., Methods: According the random number table, the patients with the lower limb dysfunction of cerebral apoplexy at convalescence stage were divided into a control group and a treatment group, 42 cases in each group. The drug therapy and the routine rehabilitation training were provided in the two groups. Additionally, in the treatment group, the nerve trunk stimulation therapy was adopted， in which, Chize (LU5，stimulating point of radial nerve), Neiguan (PC6, stimulating point of median nerve), Xiaohai (SI8, stimulating point of ulnar nerve) were selected. In the control group, acupuncture intervention was supplemented. Before and after treatment, the peak torque (PT) of the lower flexor-extensor muscle of the knee joint, gait parameters，the score of the modified Ashworth spasm scale (MAS), the score of Fugl-Meyer motor assessment (FMA) and the score of Fugl-Meyer balance scale (FBS) were recorded., Results: After the treatment, the PT of the lower flexor-extensor muscle of the knee joint，the scores of FMA and FBS，the step speed and frequency were all increased, the score of MAS and the difference in the stride between the left and the right were decreased as compared with those before treatment ( P <0.01). After the treatment, The PT of the lower flexor-extensor muscle of the knee joint，the scores of FMA and FBS，the step speed and frequency in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group ( P <0.01). The score of MAS and the difference in the stride between the left and the right in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group ( P <0.01)., Conclusion: Nerve trunk stimulation therapy quite effectively increases the muscle strength and relieves the muscle tension as well as improves the motor function, the balance and the walking pattern of the lower limbs. This therapy is significantly valuable in the rehabilitation of the lower limbs in the patients with cerebral apoplexy at convalescence stage.

Objective: To investigate the roles of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance (IR) and diabetes mellitus (DM) mice model., Methods: Eight-week-old C57BL/6 mice were allocated into control group, IR group, and DM group. Body mass was recorded. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test was performed to determine any abnormal glucose metabolism. The liver pathological changes were detected by biopsy. Changes in free blood glucose, free serum insulin, blood fat and tumor necrosis factor Α level were measured. Differences in miR-21 expression and peroxidase proliferator-activated receptor subtypes (PPAR-Γ and PPAR-Α) and adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (aP2) in the liver were detected both at the mRNA and protein levels., Results: After one 8-week high-fat diet, the body mass, free serum insulin, and homeostasis model IR index significantly increased in the IR group (P<0.01, P<0.05, compared with control group), while the free blood glucose increased and the free serum insulin decreased in DM group (P<0.05). Free serum insulin level were significantly increased in IR group (P<0.05). Serum tumor necrosis factor-Α levels exhibited an upward trend in control group, IR group, and DM group (P<0.05, P<0.01). With exacerbation in NAFLD, liver miR-21 expression level went further down in both IR and DM groups (P<0.05). The downregulated miR-21 expression level showed negative correlation with upregulated PPAR-Α, ΑP2, and PPAR-Γ genetic expression (r=-0.696, r=-0.664, and r=-0.766, respectively; P<0.05) in IR group and with upregulated PPAR-Α and PPAR-Γ genetic expression in DM group (r=-0.676 and r=-0.550, respectively; P<0.05). In terms of the changes in protein expression level,only on the protein expressions of aP2 and PPAR-Γ in IR group showed significant change (P<0.05, P<0.01, compared with control group)., Conclusions: The miR-21 expression is downregulated in both IR and DM-induced NAFLD mice. It may be involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD by regulating the expressions of PPAR subtypes.

Objective: To establish the solid phase extraction (SPE) with GC/MS technology for fish poisoning cases to determine five pesticides in fishpond., Methods: By three solid phase extraction column including Oasis HLB cartridge, Bond Elut C18 and SampliQ C18, the recovery rate was compared to extract and purify five pesticides in fishpond. The effects of different kinds and dosages of eluents on extract rate were also reviewed., Results: Using Bond Elut C18 as solid phase extraction column and 3 mL benzene as eluent, the linear range of mass concentration of five pesticides in fishpond was 1-50 μg/mL, and the correlation coefficient was 0.996 2-0.999 6. The limit of detection was 3.4-26 μg/L and the recovery was 61.49%-102.48%. The relative standard deviations was less than or equal to 3.01%. CONCLU-SION: With high sensitivity, good accuracy and precision, SPE-GC/MS has simple and quick operation and less solvent. It can be applied to determination of five pesticides in fishpond.

Objective: To explore the characteristics of B cell-activating factor (BAFF) secreted by peripheral blood monocyte-derived dendritic cell (MoDC) in chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (cITP) and the function of MoDC on B cell proliferation., Methods: Ten cITP patients were studied dynamically before and after treatment. The BAFF levels in serum and the supernatant of LPS stimulated MoDC were tested with ELISA. The BAFF gene expression in LPS stimulated MoDC was tested with RQ-PCR, the B cell proliferation co-cultured with the supernatant of LPS stimulated MoDC for 5 days was tested with flow cytometry for CFSE and (3)H thymidine incorporation., Results: The BAFF level in serum (serum BAFF) \[(2461 ± 483) ng/L\], and supernatant of LPS stimulated MoDC (supernatant BAFF) \[(1113 ± 113) ng/L\] and BAFF mRNA in LPS stimulated MoDC (BAFF mRNA) (1.70 ± 0.23) before treatment were higher than that after treatment \[(621 ± 53) ng/L, (490 ± 49) ng/L and 0.37 ± 0.12\] and normal group \[(742 ± 77) ng/L, (582 ± 63) ng/L and 0.52 ± 0.08\]. There was a positive correlation among serum BAFF, supernatant BAFF and BAFF mRNA, and a negative correlation among serum BAFF, supernatant BAFF and BAFF mRNA and blood platelet count (BPC) in all ITP patients. The supernatant of LPS-stimulated MoDC from untreated patients enhanced B cell proliferation as compared with the supernatant of LPS-stimulated MoDC from treated patients and normal group., Conclusion: BAFF might contribute to disease development in cITP. MoDC may directly increase B cell proliferation by secreting BAFF without T cell help, playing an important role in the antibody production in cITP.

Objective: To investigate the changes in the expression of beta-catenin in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in different phases, and explore the relationship between beta-catenin and the cytogenetic response to imatinib mesylate., Methods: Beta-catenin mRNA and protein expressions were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting in the bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) from 99 CML patients. The expressions of BCR-ABL fusion gene at both the mRNA and protein levels were detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in 94 patients before and during the one-year treatment with imatinib mesylate at the interval of 3 months, and the relationship between beta-catenin and cytogenetic response to imatinib mesylate was analyzed., Results: The expression of beta-catenin increased significantly in patients with blast crisis and accelerated phase (P<0.001), but showed no significant difference between normal subjects and CML patients in the chronic phase (P>0.05). The main cytogenetic remission rate was significantly higher in patients who were consistently negative for beta-catenin than in those consistently positive for beta-catenin or those with a positive transformation (P<0.001)., Conclusion: Beta-catenin overexpression in the progression of CML, consistent high level of beta-catenin or a positive transformation may indicate a poor response to imatinib, and early measures should be taken to increase the remission rate.

This study was aimed to investigate the signaling pathways regulating osteoclast (OC) differentiation by receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa (RANK) under physiological condition so as to provide some theoretical basis for clarifying mechanism of bone destruction in multiple myeloma. A mutant TNFR(1)/RANK(2) (named RANK-Mu) chimera consisting of tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR(1)) and RANK intramembrane domain was constructed by using deletion mutation for deleting IVVY amino acids in RANK intramembrane domain in accordance with (535-)IVVY(-538) as specific domain regulating OC differentiation by RANK. The RANK-Mu and TNFR(1)/RANK chimera without mutation (RANK-WT) were packaged by using plat E cell line to produce the retrovirus, which were transfected into bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) of TNFR(1)/TNFR(2) double knockout mice. After stimulation of these transfected BMMs with TNF-alpha, the differentiation of BMMs into OCs were observed, meanwhile the phosphorylation of NF-kappab, JNK, p38 and ERK was detected by Western blot after stimulation of these BMMs with TNF-alpha. The results showed that BMMs transfected with RANK-WT could be differentiated into OCs and phosphorylation of NF-kappaB, JNK, P38 and ERK were activated at 5 - 10 minutes after being stimulated by TNFalpha. BMMs transfected with RANK-Mu could not be differentiated into OCs, but phosphorylation of NF-kappaB, JNK, P38 and ERK were activated also. It is concluded that RANK regulates osteoclast differentiation probably not through 4 typical signaling pathways, named as NF-kappaB, JNK, P38 and ERK, in this process other new signaling pathways maybe participate.

Objective: To explore the proportion, clinical and laboratory features, chemotherapy responses and long term survival of different kinds of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) in China., Methods: The clinical data of 223 cases of newly diagnosed MM patients were gathered in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from Jan, 2000 to Seb, 2007 were retrospectively analyzed., Results: The proportions of each kind of MM including IgG, IgA, light chain, IgD, IgM and biclonal MM were 48.0%, 20.6%, 25.6%, 4.0%, 0.9% and 0.9% respectively. No IgE and nonsecretory myeloma was found. The median age of onset was 58 years, of which that of the IgA type was the oldest one and the light chain type was the youngest (P = 0.004). Bone pain, renal insufficiency, and anemia were the most common symptoms which accounted for 67.7%, 61.0% and 45.3% respectively. The incidences of renal inadequacy, hypercalcemia and pathological fracture in light chain type were higher than those in IgG and IgA types. Besides, no M protein were found in serum protein electrophoresis and no elevation of total globulin. The clinical features of IgD type were similar to that of the light-chain type. The total chemotherapy efficacy rate of 89 patients who were treated with more than 3 cycles in our hospital is 61.8%, which has no difference in all types. Median overall survival of the 89 patients was 33.0 months., Conclusion: IgG is the most common type in MM. Bone pain, anemia, hypercalcemia and renal insufficiency are common symptoms. Immunofixation electrophoresis should be performed routinely to avoid missed diagnosis of light-chain and IgD types of MM.

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of imatinib on chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in different phases and analyze the factors that may affect the effects., Methods: Eighty-five patients with CML in chronic phase, 24 in accelerated phase and 19 in blastic phase patients were treated with imitinib. The hematologic response, cytogenetic response, molecular response, overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and adverse events were analyzed in these groups., Results: The rates of complete hematologic response (CHR), complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) and complete molecular response (CMoR) of the patients in chronic phase were 100%, 82.4% and 21.2%, respectively, and the 5-year OS and PFS of these patients were 92.1% and 84.7%. All these rates were significantly higher than those in patients in accelerated and blastic phases (P<0.0001). The CCyR, CMoR, 5-year OS and PFS in the 42 newly diagnosed patients in chronic phase were 92.9%, 26.3%, 100% and 95.2%, respectively, all significantly higher than those in patients with interferon therapy failure (P<0.001). Severe leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia occurred at greater frequencey in AP and BP patients than in chronic phase patients (P<0.0001). Non-hematologic toxicity was rarer and milder in patients in chronic phase. Multivariate analysis showed that interferon therapy prior to imitinib treatment and prolonged drug cessation were the independent factors that affected the achievement of cytogenetic response and PFS., Conclusion: Early imitinib therapy can be effective and safe, and should be used as the first line drug for CML.

Background & Objective: Bortezomib, a potent and reversible proteasome inhibitor, induces apoptosis of myeloma cells, resulting in durable responses in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). This study was to explore the medical effects and side effects of bortezomib combined dexamethasone in treating newly diagnosed and relapsed or refractory MM, and evaluate the safety of this regimen in the patients with renal impairment., Methods: Twenty-four MM patients were treated with bortezomib and dexamethasone in a 21-day cycle. The patients received a median of 3 cycles (range, 1-8 cycles) of the treatment. Response to bortezomib was evaluated according to the criteria of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT); adverse events were graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria., Results: During the follow-up with a median of 4 months, 19 (79.2%) patients responded to the treatment. The complete remission (CR) rate was significantly higher in the patients of light-chain type than in those of non-light-chain type (57.1% vs. 5.9%, P=0.014). The response rates of the patients with and without renal impairment were similar (100% vs. 70.6%, P=0.272), and the renal functions were ameliorated in the patients with renal impairment during chemotherapy. Grade III-IV adverse events, including leucocytopenia (8.3%), thrombocytopenia (33.3%), diarrhea (8.3%) and debility (4.2%), could be relieved by symptomatic treatment or delayed chemotherapy., Conclusions: The combination of bortezomib and dexamethasone shows obvious effects on MM, especially in the patients with light-chain type. The adverse events can be tolerant in most patients, and this regimen is also safe in the patients with renal impairment.

Objective: To explore the influence of Imatinib on multiple myeloma cells expressing c-kit in vitro and its mechanism., Methods: KM3 cells were treated with Imatinib at different concentrations, and cell growth index were evaluated by XTT assay, cell cycle by flow cytometry, apoptosis by Annexin V/ PI and DNA ladder, and change in protein level by Western blot., Results: Imatinib inhibited proliferation of KM3 cells at concentrations more than 0.25 micromol/L in a dose-dependent manner, and the 48 h IC50 was 0.33 micromol/L (P < 0.01). Imatinib arrested cell in C0/G1 phase. Annexin V/PI staining and DNA ladder indicated that Imatinib had a substantial effect on inducing apoptosis of KM3 cells in a dose-dependent manner and induced pro-caspase-3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) cleaved. Imatinib inhibited expression of c-kit and provoked a decrease of IL-6 induced c-kit phosphorylation in vitro., Conclusion: Imatinib inhibits KM3 cells proliferation and induces the cells apoptosis by inhibiting c-kit signalling transduction.

Background & Objective: beta-catenin is the pivotal regulator in Wnt pathway and in charge of cellular adhesion and signal conduction. Overexpression of beta-catenin has been observed in various human tumors. This study was to investigate the expression and clinical significance of beta-catenin in multiple myeloma (MM)., Methods: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were used to detect mRNA and protein expression of beta-catenin in bone marrow samples from 12 newly diagnosed MM patients, 14 relapsed/refractory MM patients, and 11 healthy donors. The clinical data and treatment outcomes of the MM patient were also analyzed., Results: The positive rate and the expression level of beta-catenin mRNA were significantly lower in healthy donors than in newly diagnosed patients and relapsed/refractory patients (27.3% vs. 75.0% and 100%, P=5.01e(-4); 0.35+/-0.17 vs. 0.72+/-0.11 and 0.85+/-0.16, P=5.88e(-5)); the mRNA level of beta-catenin was significantly lower in newly diagnosed patients than in relapsed/refractory patients (P=0.045). beta-catenin protein was not detected in healthy donors; while the positive rate and the expression level of beta-catenin protein were significantly lower in newly diagnosed patients than in relapsed/refractory patients (50.0% vs. 85.7%, 0.32+/-0.11 vs. 0.21+/-0.08, P=0.039). In the 10 newly diagnosed MM patients with evaluable treatment outcomes, the positive rate of beta-catenin protein was significant lower in the 7 patients without response than in the 3 patients showed response (14.3% vs. 100%, P=0.033). The positive rate of beta-catenin protein was significant higher in the 16 Durie/Salmon stage III patients than in the 10 stage II patients (87.5% vs. 40.0%, P=0.026), and significant higher in ISS stage III patients than in stage I and II patients (100% vs. 45.5% and 33.3%, P=0.006, P=0.032). The protein level of beta-catenin was positively correlated to serum levels of beta2-MG (r=0.688, P=0.002) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (r=0.502, P=0.034)., Conclusion: The expression of beta-catenin is related with treatment outcome, Durin-Salmon stage and ISS stage of MM, and is positively correlated to serum levels of LDH and beta2-MG.

Background & Objective: Busulfan (Bu) is commonly used as a component of conditioning regimens for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Erratic gastrointestinal absorption as a result of oral administration of Bu not only affects the efficacy, but also increases the risk of toxicity. This study was to analyze the efficacy and toxicity of intravenous Bu and cyclophosphamide (Cy) conditioning before allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (allo-PBSCT) for leukemia., Methods: Fifteen leukemia patients received intravenous Bu/Cy conditioning before allo-PBSCT, while 20 patients received oral Bu/Cy conditioning. The responses and adverse events of the 2 groups were assessed., Results: All 15 patients in intravenous Bu/Cy group had hematopoietic engraftment. The median time of engraftment was 12 (9-15) days for neutrophils and 15 (11-24) days for platelets. Of the 15 patients, 6 (40.0%) developed acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), including 4 cases of grade I-II aGVHD and 2 cases of grade III-IV aGVHD; during conditioning, 7 (46.6%) had vomiting, 1 (6.7%) had oral mucositis, 1 (6.7%) had hemorrhagic cystitis, 2 (13.3%) had hepatic damage, none developed seizure. With a median follow-up of 180 days (range, 35-420 days), 14 (93.3%) patients were alive, 1 died of severe aGVHD accompanied fungal infection of the lung and central nerve system. The occurrence rates of hepatic damage and oral mucositis were significantly lower in intravenous Bu/Cy group than in oral Bu/Cy group (13.3% vs. 60.0%, 6.7% vs. 80.0%, P<0.01). There were no significant differences in hematopoietic reconstruction, aGVHD, stomatitis, gastrointestinal reaction, and hemorrhagic cystitis between the 2 groups (P>0.05)., Conclusion: The intravenous Bu/Cy conditioning before allo-PBSCT for leukemia has clear efficacy with low extramedullary toxicity.

Background & Objective: Bone marrow angiogenesis plays an important role in the development and prognosis of multiple myeloma (MM). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the most potent stimulatory factor in angiogenesis. This study was to examine the expression of VEGF and its receptors in MM, and analyze their correlations to the tumorigenesis and development of MM., Methods: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect mRNA expression of VEGF, Flt-1, and KDR in bone marrow samples from 12 newly diagnosed MM patients, 23 relapsed/refractory MM patients, 16 control people, and in KM3 cells., Results: The positive rates of VEGF and Flt-1 were significantly higher in MM patients than in control people (62.9% vs. 18.8%, P<0.01; 80% vs. 31.3%, P<0.01). The mRNA levels of VEGF and Flt-1 were significantly higher in MM patients than in control people (0.41+/-0.19 vs. 0.06+/-0.01, P<0.05; 0.60+/-0.33 vs. 0.08+/-0.03, P<0.01). The positive rates of VEGF and Flt-1 mRNA were not significantly different between newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory MM patients (66.7% vs. 60.9%, P>0.05; 83.3% vs. 78.3%, P>0.05), and between stage II MM and stage III MM (50% vs. 73.7%, P>0.05; 81.3% vs. 78.9%, P>0.05). The mRNA levels of VEGF and Flt-1 were significantly higher in relapsed/refractory MM patients than in newly diagnosed MM patients (0.49+/-0.20 vs. 0.28+/-0.04, P<0.05; 0.70+/-0.38 vs. 0.41+/-0.06, P<0.05), and were significantly higher in stage III MM than that in stage II MM (0.48+/-0.19 vs. 0.28+/-0.09, P<0.05; 0.75+/-0.35 vs. 0.41+/-0.21, P<0.05). KDR was detected only in 3 MM patients and was not detected in control group., Conclusion: High expression of VEGF and Flt-1 mRNA is associated with the development of MM.

Background & Objective: Survivin, a member of the inhibitors of apoptosis protein family (IAPs), is overexpressed in many cancers, but not in normally differentiated adult tissues. It is known to be involved in poor prognosis and resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy in many cancers. This study was designed to use RNA interference technique to down-regulate the expression of survivin gene in human myeloma cell line KM3, observe its effects on apoptosis of KM3 cells and sensitivity of KM3 cells to adriamycin (ADM)., Methods: Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting survivin mRNA was designed and in vitro chemosynthesized, and transfected into KM3 cells. Survivin mRNA and protein levels in KM3 cells were detected using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot 24, 48, and 72 h after transfection. The apoptosis of KM3 cells was observed under fluorescent microscope before and after transfection. The sensitivity of KM3 cells to ADM before and after transfection was assessed., Results: The mRNA level of survivin was down-regulated by (47.0+/-4.3)%, (81.4+/-6.2)%, and (49.1+/-7.9)% of control at 24, 48, and 72 h after siRNA transfection, respectively; while the protein level of survivin was down-regulated by (39.6+/-3.8)%, (56.4+/-6.7)%, and (68.2+/-5.1)% of control, respectively. Under fluorescent microscope, the apoptosis rate of KM3 cells was (28+/-7)% at 48 h after transfection of survivin siRNA, which was significantly higher than that of control cells after transfection of negative siRNA (P<0.05). The 50% inhibition concentration (IC(50)) of ADM to KM3 cells was decreased from (1.12+/-0.14) micromol/L to (0.31+/-0.03) micromol/L., Conclusion: Down-regulation of survivin expression in KM3 cells by siRNA could effectively induce apoptosis of KM3 cells and increase their sensitivity to ADM.

Objective: To retrospectively analyze the curative effects and prognostic factors of HLA-matched sibling donor allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for chronic myelogenous leukemia patients (CML)., Methods: Of the 35 CML patients, 26 were males and 9 were females, with a median age of 32 (12 - 50) years. 30 patients were in chronic phase of CML, 5 patients were in accelerated phase. Allo-HSCT from HLA identical siblings was performed for 35 patients, of whom 11 received bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and 24 peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). Conditioning regimens was TBI (total-body irradiation) + CY (CTX) protocol in 8 patients and BU/CY protocol in 27 patients. The average follow-up was 48 months (range 7 - 108 months)., Results: 34 (97.1%) patients were successfully engrafted. Among them, 21 patients (60.0%) had three years disease-free (DFS) survival. The overall 5-year survival (OS) was 57.1%. Two patients (5.7%) relapsed. Transplant-related mortality occurred in 12 patients. Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) occurred in 5 patients and HVOD was observed in 1 patient. Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) occurred in 18 patients (51.4%), among them 7 patients (20.0%) were of grade III-IV. Chronic GVHD was in 17 patients (48.5%). There was no significant difference in 3-years DFS between BMT group and PBSCT group (54.5% vs. 62.5%, P > 0.05). The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 42.9% in TBI/CY group and 55.6% in BU/CY group (P > 0.05). In univariate prognostic analysis model, the DFS at 3 years is 75% and 47.4% for < or =30 years patients and >30 years patients, respectively, P < 0.05. The 3-year DFS of patients with first chronic phase is higher than patients with advanced diseases (61.3% vs. 40%, P < 0. 05). The 3-year DFS in patients of grade I - II GVHD was higher than that in patients of grade III-IV GVHD (81.8% vs. 14.3%, P < 0.05)., Conclusion: The patients who had transplantation done within 1 year after diagnosis during their first chronic phase of disease and who had low-grade GVHD have better prognosis. Those patients who had III-IV acute GVHD are prone to incorporate severe infection, which was a worse prognostic factor of allo-HSCT for chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Background & Objective: Multiple myeloma has low complete remission rate and high recurrence rate. Recurrence or relapse of the disease is almost inevitable for most of the patients after several cycles of combined chemotherapy. This study was designed to compare efficacy of fludarabine-based regimen (fludarabine, mitoxantrone and dexamethasone) with that of pirarubicin, vincristine and dexamethasone (VAD) on refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma, and analyze their toxicities., Methods: Twenty-two patients who had received VAD regimen were taken as a historical control group. A total of 11 patients received FND regimen. The differences between FND group and VAD group were observed and compared. The following indexes were assessed before, during, and after treatment: the partial remission (PR) rate, total response rate, time to achieve PR, the number of patients and time of serum M-component drop to more than 50% of the pre-treatment value, the ratio of myeloma cells in bone marrow drop to less than 5% or more than 80% of pre-treatment level, and the hemoglobin level increase to more than 20 g/Lû the white blood cell and platelet count of the peripheral blood, serum calcium, creatinine, beta2-microglobin and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GPT) level, adverse events were also analyzed., Results: The PR rate was significantly higher in FND group than in VAD group (45.5% vs. 22.7%, P<0.05). The median time to achieve PR was significantly longer in FND group than in VAD group (76 days vs. 68 days, P<0.05). The occurrence rates of M-component decrease and hemoglobin elevation were significantly higher in FND group than in VAD group [45.5% vs. 22.7%, and 54.5% vs. 18.2%, P<0.05]. There were no significant differences in serum calcium, creatinine and GPT level pre- and post-treatment between the 2 groups. The level of serum beta2-microglobin after treatment was significantly lower than that before treatment in FND group [(1 042.8+/-72.3) microg/L vs. (2 350.2+/-184.0) microg/L, P<0.05]. The nadir white blood cell count was significantly lower in FND group than in VAD group [(0.9+/-0.46)x10(9)/L vs. (2.09+/-0.6)x10(9)/L, P<0.05], and the occurrence rates of fever and cough was significantly higher in FND group than in VAD group (36.4% vs. 4.5%, 45.5% vs. 9.0%, P<0.05)., Conclusions: Compare with VAD regimen, FND regimen may enhance the PR rate of refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma patients, but it takes longer time to achieve PR, and shows obvious bone marrow inhibition, with no significant renal or hepatic toxicity. FND regimen is effective and safe in treating refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma.

The height of rice is one of the important agricultural traits, which affects on the rice architecture and production directly. The investigation of the length of the uppermost internode showed that the elongation mutation of the first internode is controlled by a recessive nuclear locus. The gene is localized between the STS marker of E30531 and the CAPS marker of C903 on the long arm of chromosome 5, apart from 6.7 cM and 2.8 cM respectively. The fine localization maps the gene between 0.3 cM flanks, which will help clone this gene and study the mechanism of the gene function.

Objective: Bence Jones protein (BJP) plays an important role in multiple myeloma (MM) renal lesion, we try to study the relation between the characteristics of BJP variable gene and the function of renal tubular-epithelial cell (TEC)., Methods: MM patients whose function of TEC was abnormal at diagnosis constituted a group damage and patients whose function of TEC was normal for a long period a group normal. We also collected MM patients and divided them into a group BJPkappa and a group BJPlambda. Total RNAs were isolated from the mononuclear cells of bone marrow and reverse transcription was carried out with an oligo dT18 primer; these cDNAs were then amplified with PCR, cloned and sequenced, the comparison and analysis of the sequences were made according to current ESBC/Gen Bank sequence directories., Results: 3/5 cases of BJPlambda use V3-4 gene in the group damage, the replacement R mutation ratio of CDRS in the group damage (7.57 +/- 3.40) was higher than that in the group normal (4.25 +/- 1.90) and higher than that of FWRS in the group damage (3.29 +/- 1.25); R mutation ratio of CDRS region in the group BJPlambda (6.64 +/- 2.38) was higher than that in the group BJPkappa (4.10 +/- 2.13) and higher than that of FWRS in the group BJPlambda (2.91 +/- 0.94), R mutation ratio of CDRS both in the group BJPkappa or BJPlambda was higher than that of FWRS respectively., Conclusions: The higher ratio of renal lesion in some MM patients and BJPlambda patients is correlated with the high ratio of their variable gene R mutation which result in changing organization and physicochemical activity of BJP. BJP translated by some subtype genes may incline to injure the function of TEC.

Objective: To study the differential expression of four TRAIL receptors on bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) from multiple myeloma (MM) patients and myeloma cell line KM3 cells, to compare their altered expressions after chemotherapy and to explore the mechanisms by which TRAIL selectively kills tumor cells., Methods: Semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and flow cytometry were used to investigate the expression of four TRAIL receptors on BMMNCs in 23 MM patients, KM3 cells and 15 controls, and the changes of their expression pattern after chemotherapy and after incubation of KM3 cells with sub-clinical concentration of doxorubicin., Results: DR4 and DR5 were highly expressed on KM3 cells with no expression of DcR1 and DcR2. Expressions of DR4 and DR5 on BMMNCs from MM patients were higher and expression of DcR1 and DcR2 were lower than that of controls (P < 0.05). The expression of DR5 on MM and KM3 cells was up-regulated after chemotherapy and exposure to doxorubicin (P < 0. 05)., Conclusions: The expressions of four TRAIL receptors on myeloma cells and normal controls were different, which might account for the selective killing effect of TRAIL on MM cells. Up-regulated DR5 on KM3 cells after incubating with doxorubicin and after chemotherapy suggests the cytotoxic agents might enhance the apoptosis of MM cells.

Objective: To study the feasibility of treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) with umbilical cord stem cell transplantation., Methods: HLA matching was conducted for a 11-year-old DMD boy with family history was underwent umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantation and a sample of umbilical cord stem cells with 5 matched HLA sites was found in the cord blood bank with 27.32 x 10(8) nucleated cells, about 2.6 times that of the treatment dosage for him. After pretreatment with busulfan 14 mg/kg.d, cyclophosphamide 50 mg/kg.d, and rabbit anti-human thymocyte globulin 10 mg/kg.d, the allogeneic cord blood stem cells were transplanted intravenously. Cyclosporin A, methylprednisolone and MMF were used after the transplantation so as to prevent graft versus host reaction. Prostaglandin E1 was used to prevent Budd-Chiari syndrome, and ganciclovir was used to prevent cytomegalovirus infection. At the same time, Gran, granulocytic cell stimulating factor, and gammaglobulin were also used. Biochemistry test, including serum creatine kinase (CK), was conducted. Evidence of reconstruction of blood making, including conversion of blood type, was observed. PCR-STR analysis was used to observe the status of implantation of the donor umbilical cord blood stem cells., Results: (1) 12 days after transplantation, the white blood cells (WBC) of peripheral blood were 0.5 x 10(9)/L, 14 days after, the numbers of WBC and neutrophils were 1.0 x 10(9)/L and 0.6 x 10(9)/L respectively. In 37 days, granulocytic cell stimulating factor was no more used, the peripheral blood WBC fluctuated around 3.34 approximately 12.2 x 10(9)/L. In the 27th day, the number of blood platelets was more than 20 x 10(9)/L and hemoglobin rose to 88 g/L. On the 24th day red blood cells transfusion was stopped. (2) In the 42nd day, the blood type of the patient transformed from type A before transplantation to type AB (the blood type of transplanted stem cells is type B). (3) PCR-STR test of the peripheral blood made 17, 26, and 42 days after transplantation showed that the gene type of the patient was mixed mosaic: The ratio of donor gradually increased from 40% approximately 45% to 55% approximately 65%. (4) In the 38th day I degrees GVHD appeared. (5) serum CK level declined from 6000 U/L to 600 approximately 2200 U/L. (6) In the 42nd day, physical examination revealed obviously improvement in walking, turning the body over, and standing up., Conclusion: This is first case of prospective clinical transplantation on DMD by allogeneic cord blood stem cell. Umbilical cord stem cell transplantation helps re-build blood-making function, and improve locomotive function with a mild GVHD reaction. The genotype of rebuilt blood is mosaic but the ratio of gene mosaic gradually turn from recipient gene type > donor gene type to recipient gene type < donor gene type. The serum CK level decreases significantly after transplantation, which may slow down the necrosis of muscle cell. DMD patient will be benefited by stem cell transplantation.

Background & Objective: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in blast phase is refractory with a poor prognosis. This study was to evaluate efficacy of imatinib mesylate, a specific inhibitor of BCR/ABL tyrosine kinase, on CML in blast phase., Methods: Nineteen patients with CML in blast phase (imatinib treatment group) received induction of cytarabine-based standard chemotherapy for 2 cycles, and 400 mg/d of imatinib mesylate for 4 weeks. Patients with no remission received 600 mg/d of imatinib mesylate for another 8 weeks. Treatment of 600 mg/d of imatinib mesylate was maintained if it showed effects after 8 weeks, otherwise it would be stopped. Twenty-two patients with CML in blast phase (historical control group) received inducement of cytarabine-based chemotherapy for 2 cycles, and other regimens of consolidation or continuous induction., Results: Sixteen patients of imatinib treatment group achieved no hematologic remission after induction. After treated with imatinib mesylate, 6 of 16 (38%) achieved hematologic complete remission (CHR), and major cytogenetic response; 2 of 16(13%) achieved hematologic partial remission (PHR); 1 of 16 (6%) returned to chronic phase with minor cytogenetic response. Total hematologic response rate of imatinib treatment group was 57%; 1-year survival rate was 38% (6/16). Eighteen patients of historical control group achieved no hematologic remission after inducement. After treated with other regimens, 2 (11%) achieved CHR, and 1 (6%) achieved PHR. Total hematologic response rate of historical control group was 17%; 1-year survival rate was 6%(1/18), significantly lower than that of imatinib treatment group (P< 0.05)., Conclusions: Imatinib mesylate may have anti-leukemic activity, and prolong survival time of patients with CML in blast phase. But problems of tumor relapse, and drug resistance are still present.

Background & Objective: Leukocyte differentiation antigen CD117 is one of the targets that tyrosine kinase selective inhibitors work on. Whether CD117 is expressed on the cell surface, and the expression level are highly correlated with tyrosine kinase selective inhibitors. This study was designed to investigate the expression of CD117 on multiple myeloma (MM) cells, which may provide a theoretical evidence for the use of tyrosine kinase selective inhibitors in MM,meanwhile,the importance of CD117 expression on MM cells was estimated., Methods: CD117, CD56, and CD54 were measured by three-color flow cytometry with CD45/SSC gating strategy., Results: Of 48 patients with MM, 17 (35.5%) had positive CD117 expression on myeloma cells, 39 (81.2%) had positive CD56 expression, and 48 (100.0%) had positive CD54 expression. CD117 expression on myeloma cells was lower than CD56, and CD54. CD117 positive expression was positive correlated with the percentage of myeloma cells in bone marrow. CD117 positive in IgG type of MM was 64%, higher than other types such as light chain or IgA. CD117 positivity showed no significant difference in different stages (P >0.05), and in patients haven't been pretreated, or relapsed after pretreated (P >0.01). In MM patients haven't been pretreated, the reaction rate of VAD chemotherapy in CD117 positive cases was 71.4%, and showed no significant difference (P >0.05) compared with the reaction rate of 66.7% in CD117 negative cases., Conclusion: CD117 can be regard as the related tumor antigen of MM, and may be a valuable marker in the use of tyrosine kinase selective inhibitors, which inhibit the signal conduct to the target.

Background & Objective: The mechanism of effect of arsenic trioxide on promyelocytic leukemia is different from that of all-trans retinoic acid. Arsenic trioxide exerts its action by accelerating cell apoptosis, while all-trans retinoic acid by inducing cell differentiation. However, both drugs can inhibit the transcription of tissue factor (TF) mRNA in acute promyelocytic leukemia, and decrease TF level and coagulative activity to normalize coagulopathy. The objective of the study was to observe whether combination of the two drugs could improve efficacy or in contrary accentuate adverse reactions., Methods: Two groups of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia were included. Twenty-two patients (17 untreated cases and 5 relapsed cases) from January 2000 to October 2001 in group I were treated only with oral retinoic acid [25 mg/(m(2)x d) in two divided doses] for less than 50 days. Nineteen cases (15 untreated cases and 4 relapsed cases) from November 2001 to June 2003) in Group II were treated with combination of arsenic trioxide and all-trans retinoic acid. 0.1% AS2O3 10 ml in 500 ml 5% glucose solution was given intravenously for 4 to 6 hours per day for 28 days. The dosage of retinoic acid in group II was the same as that in group I., Results: Nineteen of 22 cases in retinoic acid-treated group (group I)(16 untreated cases and 3 relapsed cases) achieved complete remission (CR). The CR rate was 86.4%. Seventeen of 19 cases in combination therapy group (group II)(15 untreated cases and 2 relapsed cases) achieved CR. The CR rate was 89.5%. The death rates were 13.6% (3/22, 1 untreated case, 2 relapsed cases) in group I and 10.5% (2/19, 2 relapsed cases) in group II, respectively. The median time to CR was 23 days in group I and 26 days in group II, and the median time to normalization of coagulopathy was 7 days in group I and 4 days in group II. Significant differences were found between the two groups. No significant adverse reaction was observed in both groups., Conclusion: The CR rate and death rate were not different between the two groups. The combination therapy with AS2O3 and all-trans retinoic acid can shorten the time to CR and normalization of coagulopathy.