Objective To evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic significance of serum free light chain (sFLC) in primary systemic(AL) amyloidosis. Methods Twenty-five patients with AL amyloidosis,including 18 men and 7 women with a mean age of 54(47-77) years old, were enrolled from October, 2005to May, 2010. sFLC was measured by immunoturbidimetric assay. The type of monoclonal light chain was judged upon sFLC κ/λ and its sensibility was compared with serum immunofixation and immunohistochemical analysis. Four patients were treated with M (T)D (melphalan/thalidomideand, dexamethasone), one with VD (velcade and dexamethasone) and four with high-dose melphalan followed by autologous stem cell support. The changes of sFLC were serially determined before and after treatment. Results Among the 25 patients with AL amyloidosis, two were κ light chains of precursor protein and 23 were λ light chains. Mean plasma cell in bone marrow was 3.5% (0-15%). Nineteen (76%) patients had abnormal elevated sFLC and abnormal κ/λ ratios, and 17(68% ) patients with immunofixation positive. The sFLC test had similar sensitivity as serum immunofixation (P = 0. 727 ). Twenty-one (84%) patients were shown to have either κor λ immunoreactive amyloid deposits on biopsied tissues. The sFLC test combined with serum immunofixation allowed the M protein to be detected in 22 (88%) patients. The positive rates of immunohistochemical analysis combined with sFLC test and/or serum immunofixation were 96%. Four patients with hematologic response showed obvious improvement in visceral organ involvement, but illness of 5 patients without hematologic response kept stable or progressed. Conclusions sFLC test is a sensitive qualitative and quantitative method to detect M protein. Preliminary data show the patients with obvious sFLC level decrease and/or κ/λ recovery to normal may have a high percentage of improved organs function. sFLC is critical index in diagnosing AL amyloidosis, which might help efficacy assessment.

Objective To analyze the effects of different therapies on patient survival,to explore the related prognostic factors in elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer,and to provide recommendations for the treatment of such patients.Methods Retrospective analysis was conducted on 146 elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer hospitalized from January 2009 to October 2013 in Yixing People's Hospital of Jiangsu Province.Detailed clinical data were recorded,and patients were followed up during the total survival time.Univariate analysis with the Log rank test and multivariate analysis with the COX proportional hazard model were utilized to examine the related prognostic factors in elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer.Results The 1-,2,3-year survival rates of t46 elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer were 33.6 ％,11.0 ％,and 2.1 ％,respectively,and the median survival time was 10.3 months.The Log-rank test showed that Karnofsky (KPS) score,differentiation degree,number of metastatic sites,malignant serous effusion,chemotherapy,and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) were associated with the prognosis of elderly patients with advanced GC (all P＜0.05).Multivariate analysis by the COX proportional hazard model showed that KPS score (HR=1.575,95％ CI:1.094 2.267,P=0.015),differentiation degree (HR=0.499,95％CI:0.340-0.732,P＜0.001),malignant serous effusion (HR=0.516,95％ CI:0.356-0.748,P＜ 0.001),chemotherapy (HR=1.669,95％ CI:1.185 2.351,P=0.003),and TCM (HR=1.793,95％ CI:1.237-2.600,P=0.002) were independent factors related to the prognosis of elderly patients with advanced GC.Conclusions The prognosis of elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer is poor,especially for patients with a low KPS score,a poor differentiation degree,or malignant serous effusion.Chemotherapy and TCM can improve the prognosis.

Blended teaching can promote the learning engagement of students and enhance their experience by combining online independent learning and offline class learning. We applied blended teaching in the course of Histology and Embryology in the large class of 147 nursing undergraduates in Chongqing Medical University. First, the teaching method was designed by a pre-course survey, and online resources were constructed. Second, students' online learning activities and group discussions were guided by a learning map. Then, flipped classes were carried out in offline class hours. Finally, an end-of-course survey and final exam scores were used evaluate the effectiveness of blended teaching. A total of 142 valid questionnaires were returned; 123 students (86.6%) approved of the effectiveness of blended teaching, 133 students (93.7%) showed improved abilities in various aspects, and 79 students (55.6%) were able to complete their online learning tasks in fewer hours than required for face-to-face lectures. The final exam results showed that the average score of blended teaching class increased by 3.5 points compared with that of the traditional face-to-face lecture class. In conclusion, blended teaching in Histology and Embryology in the large class can achieve good learning and teaching effects and thus holds promise for application.