Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of the serum β2-microglobulin (β 2-MG) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in multiple myeloma (MM) patients.Methods The serum levels of β2-MG and LDH in 63 MM patients (MM group) and 20 healthy person (control group) were measured by biochemical assay.Results The serum levels of β 2-MG and LDH in MM group were higher than those in control group[(3.81 ± 0.62) mg/L vs.(2.43 ± 0.91) mg/L and (296.4 ± 34.7) U/L vs.(145.5 ±17.8) U/L,P ＜ 0.05].Furthermore,the serum levels of β 2-MG and LDH increased gradually with MM clinical staging (P ＜0.05).After VAD chemotherapy,the serum levels of β 2-MG and LDH in clinical response MM patients(54 cases) were significantly decreased [(2.51 ± 1.36) mg/L vs.(3.57 ± 0.82) mg/L and (159.1 ± 35.2) U/L vs.(285.3 ± 87.6) U/L,P ＜ 0.05],while those in no response patients (9 cases)were unchanged (P＞ 0.05).Conclusion The serum levels of β 2-MG and LDH can be taken as a clinical index to classify the clinical phase,prognosis and effectiveness of chemotherapy in MM patients.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Weixuening granule combined with prednisone for treatment of patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and its impact on platelet-associated antibodies(PAIgG, PAIgM, PAIgA). Methods Sixty patients with ITP were randomly divided into a observation group (30 cases, Weixuening granule combined with prednisone) and a control group (30 cases, prednisone therapy alone), 3 months constituting a therapeutic course. The clinical effects, platelet count (PLT) and PAIgG, PAIgM, PAIgA of two groups were observed after two courses of treatment. The time of withdrawing prednisone, relapse rate in 1 year and adverse reactions were also monitored. Results The total effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group [90.00%(27/30) vs. 73.33%(22/30), P<0.05]. The time of withdrawing prednisone was significantly shorter in the observation group than that in the control group(days:39.8±7.8 vs. 55.3±6.5, P<0.05). The relapse rate in 1 year in the observation group was obviously lower than that of the control group [23.3%(7/30) vs. 50.0%(15/30), P < 0.05]. The PLT levels were markedly increased after treatment in the two groups, the levels of platelet-associated antibodies PAIgM and PAIgA after treatment in the two groups were lower than those before treatment, and the degree of improvement in observation group was superior to that of the control group [PLT (×109/L):113.25±15.47 vs. 84.79±20.37, PAIgM:(28.91±10.42)%vs. (30.75±9.37)%, PAIgA:(19.32±11.54)%vs. (21.15±15.16)%]. The level of PAIgG in the observation group was decreased obviously after treatment, while in the control group, it did not have significant change before and after treatment, and in the comparison of the level of PAIgG after treatment between the two groups, there was statistical significant difference [(15.29±9.02)%vs (32.41±9.34)%, P<0.05]. There were adverse reactions in the two groups, including centrality obesity, polytrichosis, acne, and hyperglycemia;the incidence of the above side effects in observation group was lower than that of the control group [73.3%(22/30) vs. 86.7%(26/30)], but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusions The combined use of Weixuening granule and prednisone for treatment of patients with primary ITP is more effective than administration of prednisone alone;the adverse reactions are less in combined therapy group. Possibly, the better therapeutic effect of combined therapy is related to the decrease of platelet-associated antibodies and increase of the platelet generation.

Objective: This work aimed to investigate the relationships of the serum levels of IL-17 and TGF-β with the carcinogenesis and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC), as well as the clinical significance of these serum levels. Methods: Data of 30 healthy subjects, 59 patients with simple CRC and 44 CRC patients with postoperative (post-op) metastasis were recruited in this study. The patients were respectively divided into group A (30 healthy subjects as the control group), group B (59 CRC patients without distant metastasis after surgery), and group C (44 CRC patients with post-op metastasis). The patients in each group had a mean age of 53.8 ± 20.8, 62.0 ± 11.8, and 64.0 ± 15.7 years, respectively. All patients were confirmed by pathological diagnosis. The serum levels of IL-17 and TGF-β were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS 13.0. Results: The IL-17 serum level was significantly higher in groups B and C than in group A. The preoperative (pre-op) serum level of IL-17 was significantly higher than the post-op serum level in group B (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in the TGF-β serum levels between groups A and B, as well as between the pre-op and post-op serum levels in group B (P>0.05). However, the TGF-β serum level in group C was significantly higher than that in groups A and B (P<0.05). No significant correlation was observed in the serum level IL-17 or TGF-β between colon and rectum cancers in groups B and C. Conclusion: The serum level of IL-17 is significantly correlated with that of CRC. The serum level IL-17 increases with the aggravation of CRC and increased tumor burden. A strong correlation exists between the serum level of TGF-β and metastasis of CRC. Cytokine IL-17 and TGF-β may play an important role in the progression and metastasis of CRC.

OBJECTIVE:To provide evidence for strengthening education and training before clinical practice and employment guidance among pharmacy junior students of our university. METHODS:Anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted for our university. Questionnaire survey included student employment intention and internship units,relationship of internships with employ-ment,the tendency of employment after graduation,personal attitude about pharmaceutical professional development prospect,ex-pected monthly income in the first year of their career,etc. RESULTS:Totally 71 questionnaires were sent out,71 were effectively received. Among all respondents,74.3%(52 students)believed employment intention had great relationship with internship units;24.3%(17 students)thought employment intention had not great relationship with internship units;moreover,one student thought employment intention had no any relationship with internship units. Most students(94.3%,66 students)with good attitude on in-ternships believed it could accumulate work experience;32.9%(23 students) thought they could stay in the internship unit after practice;moreover,17.1%(12 students) believed practice had little effect on employment. Among them,94.0%(63 students) tended to be employed after graduation,and only 6.0% chose a graduate school to continue their studies. Among the students who chose employment after graduation,76.1%(51 students)tended to engage in pharmaceutical related work,while 17.9%(12 stu-dents) tended to be engaged in work nothing to do with pharmacy or self-employed. The majority (69.6%,48 students) believed that pharmaceutical major prospect was general and pharmaceutical major development varied from person to person;17.4%(12 students)thought pharmaceutical major had good prospect and was promising;13.0%(9 students)believed that pharmaceutical ma-jor had no good prospect and didn't know its prospect. Most of the students(78.2%,54 students)expected a monthly income of 2500-5000 yuan in the first year of their career;18.9%expected a monthly income more than 5000 yuan(13 students);the minor-ity expected a monthly income of 1500-2500 yuan or more than 8000 yuan. CONCLUSIONS:The view of students on internship and employment have a certain gap with the social situation. Related departments of colleges and universities need to adjust the thought of students and strengthen guidance.

OBJECTIVETo sequence the whole genome and to analyze the molecular and evolutionary of Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus (SFTSV) isolated from Zhejiang province.

METHODSViral RNA was extracted from the specimens and detected by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. SFTSV strain was isolated. A total of 17 overlapping fragments covering the whole genome were amplified by RT-PCR. And the entire genomes were formed by sequencing and assembly the fragments. The SFTSV sequence of Zhejiang strain was compared with the sequences of SFTSV that have been published to generate the phylogenetic tree. And the SFTSV sequence of Zhejiang strain was compared with the sequences of strains of the genus phlebovirus in the Bunyaviridae family and analysis of homology.

RESULTSSFTSV strain was isolated from SFTSV infection positive serum successfully. The genomic fragments were amplified by RT-PCR. A total of 3 cDNA sections were formed by sequencing and assembly the fragments. The S segment contained 1 745 nucleotides. The M fragment contained 3 378 nucleotides, and the L segment contained 6 368 nucleotides. Molecular phylogenetic analysis result showed SFTSV Zhejiang strain had the highest similarity with Japan/SPL004A/2013 strain. The similarity of the S segment was 98%. The similarity of the M fragment was 97%. And it was 98% that of the L fragment. Meanwhile, the comparison results also confirmed the Zhejiang strain belonged to the genus phlebovirus.

CONCLUSIONSFTSV Zhejiang strain of isolated from SFTSV infection positive serum successfully. And the genome sequencing was complete molecular evolution analysis shows SFTSV Zhejiang strain has the maximum similarity with SFTSV Japan strain.

Base Sequence ; Bunyaviridae ; Bunyaviridae Infections ; Evolution, Molecular ; Genome ; Phlebovirus ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Viral ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVE: To separate and isolate total flavonoids from Dendrobium nobile leaves, and to investigate its anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) activity in vitro. METHODS: Total flavonoids were obtained by ultrasonic extraction method and extracted by chloroform, ethyl acetate and butyl alcohol after the obtained extract was dispersed with water. Qualitative analysis was carried out with color reaction and TLC. The content of total flavonoids in extracts was analyzed quantitatively by Aluminum nitrate-sodium nitrite method. Antioxidant activity of extract was investigated by DPPH radical scavenging assay; the inhibitory effect of each extract on Aβ42 protein aggregation was investigated by Thioflavin T assay. Metals (Cu2+, Fe3+, Zn2+) chelating property was studied by UV-vis spectrum scanning to investigate the anti-AD activity in vitro. RESULTS: The flavonoids were found in ethyl acetate, butyl alcohol and aqueous extracts, and their flavonoids contents were 0. 03, 0. 12, 0. 05 mg/mL, respectively. IC50 of three extracts to DPPH free radicals were 0. 021, 0. 011, 0. 013 mg/mL. Inhibitory rates of them to Aβ42 protein aggregation were 43. 77％, 52. 28％, 38. 42％, respectively. Three extracts exerted metal chelating ability which was best in Cu2+. CONCLUSIONS: The total flavonoids from D. nobile leaves have good antioxidant activities, Aβ42 aggregation inhibitory activities and metal chelating activity, show certain anti-AD activity in vitro especially in butyl alcohol extract.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the biological characteristics and genetic features of human placenta mesenchymal stem cells (hPA-MSCs) cultured in vitro in order to assess its safety for clinical use.

METHODSThe shapes of the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 13th, 17th and 20th generation hPA-MSCs cultured in vitro using serum-free culture medium were observed. Their cell cycle, cell surface markers, and karyotype were analyzed, and relevant genes and cytokines were measured.

RESULTSThe shape of hPA-MSCs has remained as fusiform or short fusiform, and there was no significant change. About 93% of hPA-MSCs cells were in G0/G1 phase and remained stable. No obvious chromosomal translocation, loss or inversion was noted by karyotyping analysis. Cytokines expression level remained stable. Related gene expression level as a whole was on the decline, but the gene expression level of the first five generations showed very slight variations, with genetic characteristics remaining stable.

CONCLUSIONThe hPA-MSCs cultured in vitro with serum-free medium has retained stable in the first five generations.

Cells, Cultured ; Cytokines ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; physiology ; Placenta ; cytology ; Pregnancy

Objective: To investigate the current status and real performance of the detection of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion transcript levels and WT1 transcript levels in China through interlaboratory comparison. Methods: Peking University People’s Hospital (PKUPH) prepared the samples for comparison. That is, the fresh RUNX1-RUNX1T1 positive (+) bone morrow nucleated cells were serially diluted with RUNX1-RUNX1T1 negative (-) nucleated cells from different patients. Totally 23 sets with 14 different samples per set were prepared. TRIzol reagent was added in each tube and thoroughly mixed with cells for homogenization. Each laboratory simultaneously tested RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and WT1 transcript levels of one set of samples by real-time quantitative PCR method. All transcript levels were reported as the percentage of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 or WT1 transcript copies/ABL copies. Spearman correlation coefficient between the reported transcript levels of each participated laboratory and those of PKUPH was calculated. Results: ①RUNX1-RUNX1T1 comparison: 9 samples were (+) and 5 were (-) , the false negative and positive rates of the 20 participated laboratories were 0 (0/180) and 5% (5/100) , respectively. The reported transcript levels of all 9 positive samples were different among laboratories. The median reported transcript levels of 9 positive samples were from 0.060% to 176.7%, which covered 3.5-log. The ratios of each sample’s highest to the lowest reported transcript levels were from 5.5 to 12.3 (one result which obviously deviated from other laboratories’ results was not included) , 85% (17/20) of the laboratories had correlation coefficient ≥0.98. ②WT1 comparison: The median reported transcript levels of all 14 samples were from 0.17% to 67.6%, which covered 2.6-log. The ratios of each sample’s highest to the lowest reported transcript levels were from 5.3-13.7, 62% (13/21) of the laboratories had correlation coefficient ≥0.98. ③ The relative relationship of the reported RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels between the participants and PKUPH was not always consistent with that of WT1 transcript levels. Both RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and WT1 transcript levels from 2 and 7 laboratories were individually lower than and higher than those of PKUPH, whereas for the rest 11 laboratories, one transcript level was higher than and the other was lower than that of PKUPH. Conclusion The reported RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and WT1 transcript levels were different among laboratories for the same sample. Most of the participated laboratories reported highly consistent result with that of PKUPH. The relationship between laboratories of the different transcript levels may not be the same.