An open-access microfluidic chip which enabled automatic cell distribution and complex multi-step operations was developed.The microfluidic chip featured a key structure in which a nanoporous membrane was sandwiched by a cell culture chamber array layer and a corresponding media reservoir array layer.The microfluidic approach took advantage of the characteristics of the nanoporous membrane.On one side, this membrane permitted the flow of air but not liquid, thus acting as a flow-stop valve to enable automatic cell distribution.On the other side, it allowed diffusion-based media exchange and thus, mimicked the endothelial layer.In synergy with a liquid transferring platform, the open-access microfluidic system enabled complex multi-step operations involving medium exchange, drug treatment, and cell viability testing.By using this microfluidic protocol, a 10 × 10 tissue arrays was constructed in 90 s, followed by schedule-dependent drug testing.Morphological and immunohistochemical assays results indicated that the resultant tumor tissue was faithful to that in vivo.Drug testing assays showed that the microfluidic tissue array promised multi-step cell assays under biomimetic microenvironment, thus providing an advantageous tool for cell research.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-PBHSCT) on patients with multiple myeloma( MM) after Sequential different chemotherapy. METHODS: Seven cases of patients with MM were included in the A group, and 14 cases of patients received 4-6 courses of chemotherapy with VAD and MP before transplantation were included in the B group and received 4-6 courses of chemotherapy with VTD and VD before transplantation. Auto-peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell were mobilized by G-CSF. Condition regimen were melphalan(A group) or bortezomib combined melphalan(B group). IFN-α(A group) or Thalidomide(B group) was used as maintenance treatment after auto-PBHSCT. RESULTS: Two cases of patients reached to complete remission (CR)(2/7,28.6%),1 case got very good partial remission (VGPR) (1/7,14.3%), 4 cases got partial remission(PR) (4/7,57.1%) in A group, and 9 cases got CR (9/14,64.3%), 3 cases got VGPR(3/14,21.4%), and 2 cases got PR(2/14,14.3%) in the B group before auto-PBHSCT. The CR and VGPR were significant difference between 2 groups (P<0.05). All the patients got hematopoietic recovery. In 2 groups, the median time of ANC recovery≥0.5×10/L was 13 (11-16) and 14（11-18）days, that of WBC recovery ≥4.0×10/L were 16(15-19) and 18(16-20)days, Plt recovery ≥ 50 ×10/L was 21 (18-25) and 21(17-25) days. Bone marrow showed CR in 21 to 28 days after transplantation. All of 7 cases of patients remised in 6 to 47 months after transplantation, and 4 cases died lastly and 3 cases failed to be followed up in A group. The median time of progression-free survival(PFS) was 36(6-47) months, and that of overall survival(OS) was 37(7-50) months. In B group, 2 cases of patients remissed in 5 and 17 months after transplantation, and did lastly, 1 case relieved in 12 months after transplantation and failed to be followed up. 1 case of patient relived in 46 months after transplantation, and then received the second auto-PBHSCT, and got CR for 105 months. Other 10 cases got CR, their median time of PFS was 45.5(4-105) months, the median time of overall survival(OS) was 45.5(4-105) months. The PFS and OS were very significant different between 2 groups (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Bortezomib-based chemotherapy, Auto-PBHSCT and maintenance treatment with thalidomide were favorable to the patients of MM for survival prolongation.
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Disease-Free Survival ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; therapy ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDDrug resistance to targeted therapies occurs in lung cancer, and resistance mechanisms related to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are continuously being discovered. We aimed to establish a novel method for highly parallel multiplexed detection of genetic mutations related to EGFR TKI-resistant lung cancer using Agena iPLEX chemistry and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight analysis on the MassARRAY mass spectrometry platform.

METHODSA review of the literature revealed 60 mutation hotspots in seven target genes (EGFR, KRAS, PIK3CA, BRAF, ERBB2, NRAS, and BIM) that are closely related to EGFR TKI resistance to lung cancer. A total of 183 primers comprised 61 paired forward and reverse amplification primers, and 61 matched extension primers were designed using Assay Design Software. The detection method was established by analyzing nine cell lines, and by comparison with LungCarta™ kit in ten lung cancer specimens. EGFR, KRAS, and BIM genes in all cell lines and clinical samples were subjected to Sanger sequencing for confirming reproducibility.

RESULTSOur data showed that designed panel was a high-throughput and robust tool, allowing genotyping for sixty hotspots in the same run. Moreover, it made efficient use of patient diagnostic samples for a more accurate EGFR TKIs resistance analysis. The proposed method could accurately detect mutations in lung cancer cell lines and clinical specimens, consistent with those obtained by the LungCarta™ kit and Sanger sequencing. We also established a method for detection of large-fragment deletions based on single-base extension technology of MassARRAY platform.

CONCLUSIONSWe established an effective method for high-throughput detection of genetic mutations related to EGFR TKI resistance based on the MassARRAY platform, which could provide more accurate information for overcoming cancers with de novo or acquired resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(auto-PBHSCT) combined with adoptive immunotherapy for patients with B lymphocyte malignant lymphoma(ML).

METHODSA total of 110 cases of ML treated with adoptive immunotherapy after auto-PBHSCT from January 2000 to December 2009 were enrolled in adoptive immunotherapy group (treated group), while 74 cases of ML treated without adoptive immunotherapy after auto-PBHSCT from January 1995 to December 1999 were used as control group. The efficacy of 2 groups were analyzed and compared, 110 case of ML in treated group included 78 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL), 32 cases of Hodgkin's lymphoma(HL),74 cases of ML in control group included 52 NHL and 22 HL. All of the patients were treated sequentially with chemotherapy regimens for 6 courses. After that, all the patients received auto-PBHSCT. After hematopoietic reconstruction, the patients in treated group were given 6 courses of adoptive immunotherapy(rhIL-2 100 WU/day for 10 days monthly for each course), while the patients in control group were not given immunotherapy. All the patients were followed-up for more than 5 years.

RESULTSThere was one patient in each group, who died of liver failure and cerebral hemorrhage respectively within 3 and 2 months, and all the other patients achieved hematopoietic reconstruction. Following-up for 1, 3, 5 years, the disease-free survival (DFS) rate in treated group was 97.3%,93.6%,87.3% while 91.9%, 73.0%, 64.9% in control group. Following-up for 3 and 5 years, there was very significant difference in DFS between 2 groups(P<0.01). The 1,3 and 5 year DFS rate of patients in stage I/II and III/IV in the treated group were 100%,100%,91.7% and 96.5%,91.9%,86.0% respectively while DFS of control group was 100%, 93.3%, 86.7% and 89.8%, 67.8%, 59.3%, there was a significant difference in 3 and 5 years DFS of III/IV stage patients between 2 groups (P<0.01). The 1,3 and 5 year DFS rate of HL patients were 100%, 93.8%,84.4% in treated group and 100%,72.7%,59.1% in control group respectively. There was significant difference in 3 and 5 years DFS of HL between 2 groups (P<0.05). The 1,3 and 5 year DFS rate of stage I/II HL patients were 100%,100%,88.9% in treated group and 100%,100%,80.0% in control group. The 1,3 and 5 year DFS of HL patients in stage III/IV was 100%,91.3%,82.6% and 94.1%,64.7%,52.9% respectively. There was significant difference in 3 and 5 years DFS of III/IV stage of HL patients between 2 groups (P<0.05). The 1,3 and 5 year DFS rate of NHL patients is 96.2%, 93.6%,88.5% in treated group and 90.4%,73.1%,65.4% in control group respectively. There was a significant difference in 3 and 5 years DFS of NHL between 2 groups(P<0.01). The 1,3 and 5 year DFS rate of stage I/II NHL patients was 100%, 100%, 93.3.9% in treated group and 100%, 90%, 90.0% in control group, respectively. The 1,3 and 5 year DFS of NHL patients in stage III/IV is 95.2%, 92.1%,87.3% and 88.1%,69.0%, 59.5% respectively. There was significant difference in 3 and 5 years DFS of III/IV stage NHL patients between 2 groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONTherapeutic efficacy is satisfactory for the patients of B lymphocyte ML treated with adoptive immunotherapy after auto-PBHSCT, especially benefited the patients of stage III/IV significantly.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the gene prevalence and spectrum of alpha- and beta-thalassemia in Fujian province.

METHODSA total of 11 234 of neonatal cord blood samples were collected for a prevalence study of alpha- and beta-thalassemia. All subjects included in this study were registered in 9 cities of Fujian province. A complete blood count and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were performed in all samples, with microcytosis (MCV≤ 79 f1 and MCH≤ 27 pg) or HPLC positive cases further studied by DNA analysis. alpha- and beta-thalassemia were determined by using gap-PCR and reverse dot blot (RDB) assays. Unknown positive samples were analyzed directly with DNA sequencing.

RESULTSOf all 11 234 cord blood samples, 356 were identified as from alpha-thalassemia gene carriers, 7 deletion genotypes were identified including 236 (--SEA/ α α) cases, 67 (α 3.7/ α α) cases, 24 (alpha 4.2/alpha alpha) cases, 3 (alpha 3.7/ SEA) cases, 1 (alpha 4.2/ SEA) cases, 1 (alpha 3.7/ alpha 3.7) cases, 1 (alpha 3.7/ alpha 4.2) cases; 3 non-deletion genotypes were detected, including 7 (alpha alpha QS/ alpha alpha) cases, 3 (α α CS/α α) cases, 2 (α α WS/ α α) cases, the most common mutation was SEA/α α, which accounted for 66.29%, 148 individuals were found to have beta-hemoglobin gene mutations. 12 different mutations were identified, namely 65 IVS-2 654 (C>T) cases, 40 CD41-42(-TCTT, 12 CD17(A>T) cases, 10 -28(A>G) cases,7 CD27-28(+C) cases, 5 start codon ATG>AGG cases, 2 CD26(G>A) cases, 1 CD71-72(+A) cases, 1 IVS-1-1(G>T) cases, 1 CD43(G>T) cases, 2 -29(A>G) cases, 2 Codon 36 (-C) cases, the most common mutation was IVS-2 654(C>T) and CD41-42(-TCTT), which accounted for 70.95%. A novel beta-globin gene mutation CD36 (-C) allele was also detected. The carrier rate of thalassemia in Fujian population is 4.41%. In addition, 9 beta-thalassemia carriers were found with alpha-thalassemia mutation.

CONCLUSIONThe research has revealed the type of gene mutations in alpha- and beta-talassemia in Fujian province. The beta-thalassemia mutations in Fujian province are complex, which were also obviously heterogeneous. This will significant value for screening the incidence, provide the valuable information for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Young Adult ; alpha-Thalassemia ; epidemiology ; genetics ; beta-Globins ; genetics ; beta-Thalassemia ; epidemiology ; genetics

The purpose of this study was to explore the curative efficacy for nasal type extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT) after sequencing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. A total 65 cases diagnosed as nasal type extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma by pathology and immuno-histochemistry were treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy in our hospital from January of 2000 to December of 2009. They were divided into observation group (34 cases) and transplantation group (31 cases). The 34 cases of observation group were ceased from treatment, the 31 cases in transplantation group received APBSCT after conditioning regimen with TBI combined VEMAC. Autologous peripheral blood stem cells were mobilized with chemotherapy combined rhG-CSF. The patients were followed up for 3-5 years. The results showed that some side-effects such as bone marrow suppression and injure of oral cavity mucosa were found in patients after sequencing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. All patients in transplantation group obtained hematopoietic reconstruction, and there were no any special side effect such as VOD. In transplantation group, the median time of ANC ≥ 0.5×10(9)/L was 14 (11-17) days, median time of WBC count ≥ 4.0×10(9)/L was 17 (16-20) days, median time of Plt count ≥ 50×10(8)/L were 25 (23-28) days. After chemotherapy and radiotherapy, effective rate of treatment was 91.2% in observation group, whereas was 90.3% in transplantation group, there were no obvious difference between two groups (P > 0.05). After following up about 1 year, effective rate of treatment was 76.5% in observation group, whereas was 96.8% in transplantation group, there were obvious difference between two groups (P < 0.05). After following up about 3 years and 5 years the disease-free survival (DFS) was 61.3%, 43.5% and 87.1%, 81.5% in observation group and transplantation group, there was significant difference between two groups (P < 0.05). It is concluded that treatment with APBSCT after sequencing chemotherapy and radiotherapy for nasal type extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma may increase DFS efficiently.
Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Transplantation Conditioning ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Young Adult

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of treatment with haploidentical donor's lymphocyte infusion(hiDLI) combined with interleukin-2 (IL-2) after transplantation of autologous peripheral blood stem cells mixed with haploidentical allogeneic bone marrow (mix-HSCT) for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). 49 patients diagnosed as AML were enrolled in this study. After preconditioning with TBI plus VEMAC regimen, all patients received mix-HSCT. Autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells were mobilized with chemotherapy-combined G-CSF, and haploidentical allogeneic bone marrow cells were not mobilized with G-CSF. 33 patients in test group were treated with hiDLI plus IL-2 for 1-8 times after hematopoietic reconstruction, 16 patients in control group received mix-HSCT only. All the patients were followed-up for more than 3 years. The results showed that all the patients obtained hematopoietic reconstruction, and no graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was found. In two groups, the median time of absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 0.5×10(9)/L was 14 (12 - 18) and 14 (11 - 16) days, and WBC count ≥ 4.0×10(9)/L was 17 (16 - 22) and 18(17 - 20) days, Plt count ≥ 50×10(8)/L were 25 (24 - 29) and 25 (23 - 26) days. 9 patients in test group formed mixed chimerism (46XX/46XY) and sustained about 3 - 12 months; disease-free survival (DFS) was 63.6%, 3 patients in control group formed mixed chimerism (46XX/46XY), persistent about 3-6 months; DFS was 50.0%. It is concluded that treatment with hiDLI plus IL-2 after mix-HSCT for AML patients may increase DFS efficiently.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Immunotherapy, Adoptive ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; therapy ; Male ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Young Adult

ObjectiveTo explore the prevalence and spectrum of β-thalassemia mutations in Fujian province,and to provide a reference for prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling in this population.Methods Two thousand three hundred and one blood samples were randomly selected from 9 different areas of Fujian province from May 2008 to December 2010.PCR and reverse dot blot hybridization (RDB) were adopted for detection of the 17 common types of mutation,and the frequency of each genotype of β-thalassemia mutations was calculated.The β-globin gene of unknown positive samples were analyzed directly with DNA sequencing.Results Three hundred and fifty-nine cases were detected with β-thalassemia mutations of the 2301 copy blood samples submitted,and the detection rate was 15.60％ (359/2301).Of the mutated genes,12 different mutations were identified,namely IVS-2-654(C→T),CD41-42(-TCTT),CD17(A→T),-28(A→G),CD27-28(+C),CD26(G→A),CD71-72(+A),IVS-1-1(G→T),CD43(G→T),-29(A→G),initiation codon ATG→AGG and CD36(-C).Mutation frequencies were 46.54％ (175/376),33.24％ (125/376),9.31％ (35/376),5.05％ (19/376),2.13％(8/376),1.33％(5/376),0.80％(3/376),0.27％(1/376),0.27％(1/376),0.27％(1/376),0.53％(2/376),and 0.27％(1/376),respectively.The most common mutations were IVS-2-654 (C→T) and CD41-42 (-TCTT),which accounted for 79.78％(300/376) of total genetic mutations.In addition,a novel β-globin gene mutation CD36 (-C) allele was detected for the first time,the deletion of a nucleotide C at code 36 within exon 2 lead to a frameshift mutation that could result in a premature termination at code 60.Conclusions β-thalassemia mutations in Fujian province are complex with significant genetic heterogeneity.We present for the first time the detection of a new β-thalassemia mutation in the population:CD36(-C),which provides valuable information for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis in Fujian province.

A multiplex RT-PCR assay based on GeXP system was developed in order to detect simultaneously human enterovirus 71 (EV71) and coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) and other coxsackieviruses (CVA4, 5, 9 and 10, CVB1, 3 and 5). Enterovirus detection was performed with a mixture of 12 pairs of oligonucleotide primers including one pair of published primers for amplifying all known pan-enterovirus genomes and eleven primer pairs specific for detection of the VP1 genes of EV71, C A16, CVA4, CVA5, CVA9, CVA10, CVB1, CVB3 and CVB5, respectively. The specificity of multiplex RT-PCR system was examined using enterovirus cell cultures and positive strains identified previously from hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) patients. Serial dilution of titrated EV71 and C A16 cell cultures and in vitro transcripted RNA of enterovirus VP1 regions were used to detect the sensitivity of the multiplex RT-PCR system. The limit of detection for this multiplex RT-PCR system was 10(0.5) TCID50/microL for EV71 and C A16 cell cultures and 1000 copies for in vitro transcripted RNA of nine viruses per assay. This multiplex RT-PCR assay is a rapid, sensitive and specific assay for the diagnosis of common enterovirus infection in cases of HFMD outbreak and is also potentially useful for molecular epidemiological investigation.
DNA Primers ; genetics ; Enterovirus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; diagnosis ; virology ; Humans ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Double Outlet Right Ventricle ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male