AIM: To investigate the role of mild heat stress towards the immunological function of splenic macrophages and significance of BiP protein expression. METHODS: Primary cultured splenic macrophages were prepared and placed in 41 ℃ thermostat for thermal stress and restored to 37 ℃ after an hour. Heat stressed macrophages were separated into groups at time points of 0 min, 30 min, 60 min, 120 min and 180 min, and their BiP mRNA and BiP protein expressions were detected. At the same time, the phagocytic function, cytotoxicity and chemotaxis of the macrophages were detected. RESULTS: After heat stress, the expressions of BiP mRNA and BiP protein in splenic macrophages remarkably increased, and reached to peak after 30-60 min, still remained higher than control group after 120 min and restored to normal level after 180 min. At the same time, mild heat stress enhanced the phagocytotic, cytotoxicity and chemotactic activities of splenic macrophages, and reached to peak after 60 min then gradually decreased. CONCLUSION: The expression of BiP protein is enhanced after mild heat stress, synchronous changes happen both in BiP protein expression and cellular function. There is close relation between BiP protein expression and increased functions of splenic macrophages induced by mild heat stress.

Objective To establish an HPLC method to determine the contents of dauricine in Menispermi Rhizoma from different producing areas. Methods C18 was set as chromatographic column filler, with acetonitrile-water-triethylamine (45:55:0.1) as the mobile phase, 284 nm as the ultraviolet wavelength detection, 1 mL/min as the flow rate, 30 ℃ as the column temperature. HPLC chromatograms of eight different batches of Menispermi Rhizoma were established. Results HPLC testing conditions of Menispermi Rhizoma was established. Within 20-100 μg/mL, there was a good linear relationship between the injection volume of the reference substance and the peak area (r=0.9995). The average recovery of dauricine was 100.30%, RSD=1.000%. The contents of dauricine in Menispermi Rhizoma from different producing areas were different. Conclusion The HPLC method is with sensitivity, accuracy, precision, good reproducibility and simple operation, which can be used as detection method to determine the content of dauricine in Menispermi Rhizoma.

Objective To analyze the treatment efficacy and safety of a modified GMALL protocol for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Methods Data of 37 patients with newly diagnosed adult ALL treated with a modified GMALL protocol from January 2005 to December 2009 were retrospectively analyzed,and compared with that of 44 patients treated with an in-house conventional protocol at the same period.Results The complete remission (CR) rate was 89.2 %(33/37) treated with modified GMALL protocol. The cumulative overall survival (OS) rates at 1 year, 2 years, 3 years and 4 years were 77.5 %, 48.0 %, 40.0 %and 40.0 %, respectively. The main adverse events were grade 3 or grade 4 hematological toxicities and infections which were easily managed, and the treatment-related mortality rate was low. The OS of modified GMALL protocol was superior to that of the conventional protocol. Conclusion The modified GMALL protocol has a satisfying effect and the adverse events can be tolerated for adult ALL, so its clinical application can be encouraged.

ObjectiveTo explore the genetic abnormalities of multiple myeloma (MM)patients by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).MethodsWith the application of FISH,sequence specific DNA probes (IGH,DI3S319/p53 and 1q21/RB1) were applied to detect 14q32 rearrangement,del(13q14),del (17p13)and gain of lq21.Forty-four MM patients were enrolled in this study.ResultsThirty-two cases (72.7 ％) detected by FISH had genetic abnormality in 44 cases,lq21 amplification was observed in 11 cases (25.0 ％),while RB1 deletion in 17 cases (38.6 ％),D13S319 deletion in 16 cases (36.4 ％),p53 deletion in 6 cases(13.6 ％)and 14q32 translocation in 19 cases(43.2 ％).The patients with one abnormality was detected in 10 cases(22.7 ％),two abnormalities in 11 cases(25.0 ％),three abnormalities in 8 cases (18.2 ％),4 abnormalities in 3 cases(6.8 ％).28 were found to undergo split-phase by conventional cytogenetic in 44 patients.The patients with genetic abnormalities detected by conventional G-banding was 2 cases (7.14 ％),the difference with that in FISH was significant (P ＜0.05).Genetic abnormalities compared with clinical parameters showed that β2-MG in IGH gene abnormal patients were significantly higher than those without such abnormalities (P ＜0.05).Patients with bone marrow plasma cells of lq21 amplification were higher than those with normal karotypes(P ＜0.05),CRE was significantly higher among lq21 amplification and p53 deletion patients (P ＜0.05),CRP was significantly higher among p53 deletion patients (P ＜0.05).No significant difference was oberserved in relationship of the chromosome aberration and age,the chromosome aberration and stage.ConclusionThe most common genetic abnormalities in MM is IGH rearrangement and absence of RB1 and D13S319,followed by lq21 amplification,the least is p53 deletion.FISH is a rapid and sensitive technique to refine chromosome aberrations in MM.The specific detection for genomic features of MM is proved to be correlative with its clinicopathologic characteristics and the prognosis.

Objective To explore the anatomical features and the dissection technique of thyrothymic ligament (TTL),and to explore the clinical significance of protecting the inferior parathyroid gland (IPTG) with this structure.Methods Patients who received the initial thyroid surgery in the Department of Thyroid Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University from May.2017 to Dec.2017 were prospectively analyzed.We dissected TTL,identified and located the IPTG,described the structural features of TTL,and investigated the position relationship of TTL and IPTG to evaluate the possibility and value of protecting IPTG in situ.Results About 121 patients underwent the dissection,totally 194 sides dissected that included 96 left sides and 98 right sides.TTL was found in 143 sides (73.7％),78 left sides (81.3％) and 65 right sides (66.3％).Nearly 70.6％ IPTG can be proactively identify and located by the TTL during the operation.TTL was a kind of adipose connective tissue that was wide at the bottom and narrow at the top,accompanying with the inferior thyroid vein,from the thymus to the thyroid.76.2％ TTL were attached to the lower pole and the lower 1/3 dorsal of thyroid,containing fat and vessels.33.5％ IPTGs were located in the area surrounding around the ends of the TTL.25.3％ IPTGs were located in the TTL.4.6％ IPTGs were located in the thymus and 7.2％ IPTGs surrounding around the TTL.The incidence rate of post-operation hypoparathyroidism was 14.9％.Conclusions TTL commonly exists and has significant relationship with IPTG.TTL connects thymus and IPTG,which would be considered a complex (thymus-thyrothymic ligament-IPTG complex,TLIC).The meticulous TTL dissection technique will help proactively identify,locate and protect IPTG during operation,and reduce the incidence rate of post-operation hypoparathyroidism.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of maintenance therapy with reduced dose of rhTPO in the patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who attained stable platelet (PLT) counts after daily administration of rhTPO. Methods: Treatment was started with a daily administration of rhTPO (300 U/kg) for 2 consecutive weeks. Patients who attained stable PLT≥50×10⁹/L were enrolled to maintenance therapy starting with every other day administration of rhTPO, then adjusted dose interval to maintain platelet count (30-100) ×10⁹/L. Results: A total of 91 eligible patients were enrolled. Fourteen patients discontinued the study due to noncompliance (12/14) and investigator decision (2/14) . Among 77 patients who completed the study, 38 patients with the administration of rhTPO at every other day or less could maintain PLT≥30×10⁹/L for 12 weeks. The percentage of patients with a platelet response (PLT≥30×10⁹/L) at 4^th week, 8^th week and 12^th week of maintain therapy was 92.6% (63/68) , 82.7% (43/52) and 85.0% (34/40) , respectively. Median platelet counts remained in the range of (70-124) ×10⁹/L. The overall incidence of rhTPO-related adverse events was 7.7%. All the adverse events were generally mild. Conclusion Extending the dose interval of rhTPO is feasible to maintain stable platelet count in the patients with ITP, but the optimal dose interval is uncertain and might vary with individuals.