[Efficacy and Safety of Bortezomib or Thalidomide Combined with rhEPO in the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the efficacy and safety of bortezomib or thalidomide combined with recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODS

A total of 80 patients with MM who were treated in the Second People's Hospital of Wuhu from January 2013 to December 2018 were selected as the research subjects, and they were divided into bortezomib group (n=40) and thalidomide group (n=40) by the simple randomization method. The bortezomib group received bortezomib regimen combined with rhEPO therapy, and the thalidomide group was given thalidomide regimen combined with rhEPO therapy, and all patients were treated for 3 courses with every 3 weeks as a course of treatment. The clinical efficacy after 3 courses of treatment, and tumor-related biochemical indicators [lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), apoptosis inhibitory protein Survivin], bone marrow-related indicators [serum M-protein, bone marrow plasma cells, hemoglobin (Hb)] and coagulation function indicators [activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI), total circulating microparticles (TMPs)] before treatment and after 3 courses of treatment were compared between the two groups of patients. The occurrence of adverse reactions during the treatment in the two groups of patients was recorded.

RESULTS

After 3 courses of treatment, the ORR rate of 92.5% in bortezomib group was higher than 90.0% in thalidomide group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P >0.05). The levels of LDH, β2-MG, VEGF, Survivin, serum M-protein, bone marrow plasma cells, APTT, PT, PAI and TMPs in the two groups after 3 courses of treatment were significantly lower or shorter than those before treatment, and the above indicators in bortezomib group were significantly lower or shorter than those in thalidomide group (P <0.05). After 3 courses of treatment, the expression level of Hb in the two groups was significantly higher than that before treatment, and the Hb level in bortezomib group was significantly higher than that in thalidomide group (P <0.05). During the treatment process, the incidence rates of adverse reactions in bortezomib group were significantly lower than those in thalidomide group (P <0.05).

CONCLUSION

Thalidomide regimen or bortezomib regimen combined with rhEPO has similar clinical efficacy on MM, but bortezomib regimen combined with rhEPO is more prominent and safer on improving tumor-related biochemical indicators, bone marrow-related indicators and coagulation status in patients with MM.

Noise spectrum characteristics of marine pump units induced by different excitation sources

To study the noise spectrum characteristics of marine pump units induced by different excitation sources, a computational aeroacoustic (CAA) model of the internal and external field noise of a marine pump was established. The coupled acoustic-vibration method was used to obtain the spectrum characteristics of internal and external field noise. The accuracy and feasibility of the simulation method for noise prediction were confirmed through a noise test. Due to the different mediums in the internal and external fields of the marine pump, an external field acoustic model was established based on the automatically matched layer (AML) technology. The spectral characteristics of different excitation sources and the spatial distribution of the radiated sound field were analyzed, and the contribution of different sound source excitations to the internal and external sound field was revealed. The results show that the main frequency of the internal field noise generated by different excitations is at the blade passing frequency, and the internal field noise induced by the dipole acoustic excitations dominates at 180.6 dB. For the external field noise, the main frequency is still located at the blade passing frequency. The radiation noise induced by the fluid excitation (139.2 dB) is higher than that induced by the dipole excitations (surface dipole, 136.3 dB; rotating dipole, 137.3 dB).

Interleukin-35 suppresses antitumor activity of circulating CD8+ T cells in osteosarcoma patients

Purpose/Aim of the study: Interleukin (IL)-35 is a newly identified IL-12 cytokine family member and reveals immunosuppressive activity to CD8⁺ T cells in inflammation, infectious diseases, and cancers. However, little is known regarding IL-35 function in osteosarcoma. Thus, the aim of the current study was to investigate the regulatory function of IL-35 to CD8+ T cells in osteosarcoma. Materials and methods: Thirty-five osteosarcoma patients and 20 healthy individuals were enrolled. Serum CD4⁺CD25⁺CD127^dim/- regulatory T cells (Tregs) and CD8⁺ T cells were purified. IL-35 concentration in serum and cultured supernatants was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Osteosarcoma cell line MG-63 cells and CD8⁺ T cells were stimulated with recombinant IL-35 in vitro, and modulatory function of IL-35 on these cells was assessed by investigation of cellular proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and cytokine production. Results: Serum IL-35 and Treg-secreting IL-35 were significantly elevated in osteosarcoma patients. IL-35 stimulation did not affect proliferation, apoptosis, or cell cycle of MG-63 cells. Purified peripheral CD8⁺ T cells from osteosarcoma patients revealed dysfunctional property, which presented as decreased mRNA expressions for perforin, granzyme B, and granulysin, as well as reduced cytolytic (direct lysis of target MG-63 cells) and noncytolytic (interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α production) function in coculture systems. Moreover, IL-35 stimulation further diminished cytolytic and noncytolytic activity of CD8⁺ T cells from osteosarcoma patients. Conclusions: The current data indicated that IL-35 contributed to CD8⁺ T-cell dysfunction and limited antitumor immune response in osteosarcoma.

The use of cell culture for subchromosomal introgressions of barley yellow dwarf virus resistance from Thinopyrum intermedium to wheat

Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) resistance has been transferred to wheat from a group 7 chromosome of Thinopyrum (Agropyron) intermedium. The source of the resistance gene was the L1 disomic addition line, which carries the 7Ai-1 chromosome. The resistance locus is on the long arm of this chromosome. BYDV resistant recombinant lines were identified after three or more generations of selection against a group 7 Th. intermedium short arm marker (red coleoptile) and selection for the presence of BYDV resistance. One recombinant line produced by ph. mutant induced homoeologous pairing and 14 recombinant lines induced by cell culture have been identified. Resistance in seven of the cell culture induced recombinants has been inherited via pollen according to Mendelian segregation ratios for up to eight generations. Meiotic analysis of heterozygotes indicates that the alien chromatin in the cell culture induced recombinants is small enough to allow regular meiotic behaviour. The ph-induced recombinant was less regular in meiosis. A probe, pEleAcc2, originally isolated from Th. elongatum and that hybridizes to dispersed repeated DNA sequences, was utilised to detect Th. intermedium chromatin, which confers resistance to BYDV, in wheat backgrounds. Quantification of these hybridization signals indicated that the translocations involved a portion of alien chromatin that was smaller than the complete long arm of 7Ai-1. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis confirmed the loss of the short arm of 7Ai-1 and indicated the retention of segments of the long arm of 7Ai-1. Two 7Ai-1L DNA markers always assorted with the BYDV resistance. A third 7Ai-IL DNA marker was also present in seven of eight recombinants. In all recombinants except TC7, the 7Ai-1L markers replaced the 7DL markers. None of the wheat group 7 markers was missing from TC7. It is concluded that all the resistant lines are the result of recombination with wheat chromosome 7D, except line TC7, which is the result of recombination with an unidentified nongroup 7 chromosome.

[Research on the synthesis and luminescence characterization of deepen red emission novel polymer]

A deep red emission polymer (PPV-Q) was synthesized successfully. The photoluminescence, electroluminescence and absorption performance of this polymer were studied in detail. The experimental results show that the polymer has strong absorption in the ultraviolet and blue emission wavelength region. The effective excitation wavelength is about 463 nm. The organic emitting diodes based on the polymer as the active layer were prepared with the device structure: ITO/PPV-Q/Al. The electroluminescence of these devices was obtained and the peak emission wavelength is about 670 nm; the electroluminescence spectra have the full width at half maximum of about 90 nm. The CIE coordinate remains constant at (x = 0.67, y = 0.32) without change with the increase in driving voltage. The electroluminescence of this device (ITO/PPV-Q/Al) shows deep red emission. However, the current increases with the increase in driving voltage.

First Report of Hop stunt viroid in Apricot in China

Hop stunt viroid (HSVd), a member of the family Pospiviroidae, was first described as the causal agent of hop stunt disease in Japan. It has since been found in a wide range of hosts including herbaceous and woody hosts (e.g., hop, cucumber, grapevine, citrus, plum, peach, pear, apricot, almond, and pomegranate). It was also detected and characterized in apricot where infection appears to be latent (1). The viroid occurs frequently in apricot. In southeastern Spain, the presence of HSVd was found to infect 81% of apricot trees (2). Apricots originated in China and are extensively cultivated, but HSVd infection in this host has not been reported. In September 2005, a single symptomatic apricot tree, 'Yin Bai', one of the most popular and widely grown cultivars in China, was discovered at the Institute of Fruit Science in Changping District in Beijing, Peoples Republic of China. Observed symptoms included a number of yellow spots with an irregular border that scattered in an irregular manner over the leaf surface. Total RNA was extracted and used for return-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (4). Results of both assays were positive for HSVd. A 297-bp full-length DNA fragment was amplified by RT-PCR using primers R1 (5'-GCTGGATTCTGAGAAGAGTT-3') complementary to HSVd residues 87-106 for the RT reaction, followed by R2 (5'-AACCCGGGGCTCCTTTCTCA-3') complementary to HSVd residues 67-84 and forward primer F3 (5'-AACCCGGGGCAACTCTTCTC-3') residues 79-96 for PCR. The primers are located in the strictly conserved central region of the conserved HSVd group and contain the unique endonuclease restriction site SmaI. The amplified products were cloned into pGEM-T (Promega, Madison, WI) and selected for further analysis on the basis of the results of restriction digests. Six individual clones were sequenced and three different sequences were obtained. Nucleic acid sequence (GenBank Accession No. DQ362901) obtained from one clone was 99.3% (nucleotide changes T²⁰⁶→C, C²³³→T) identical to HSVd.apr8 (GenBank Accession No. Y09349) (3). Sequence (GenBank Accession No. DQ362904) obtained from three clones was 99.7% (nucleotide change C²³³→T) and a third sequence (GenBank Accession No. DQ362905) obtained from two clones was 99.3% (nucleotide changes G¹⁰⁷→A, C²³³→T) identical to HSVd.apr8. Further investigation is necessary to determine whether the symptoms observed are associated with the viroid infection. To our knowledge, this is the first report of HSVd isolated from apricot in China. References: (1) N. Astruc et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 102:837, 1996. (2) M. C. Cañzres et al. Acta Hortic. 472:581, 1998. (3) S. A. Kofalvi et al. J. Gen. Virol. 78:3177, 1997. (4) S. F. Li et al. Ann. Phytopathol. Soc. Jpn. 61:381, 1995.

[Pharmacological studies on the effects of huanglian decoction on experimental gastric lesions in rats and antiemetic in pigeons]

The results showed that Huanglion decoction has protective effect on ethanol-,HCl- and aspirin-induced gastric hemorrhagic lesions in rats and antemetic effect on CuSO4-induced vomiting in pigeons. A dose of 27g/(kg.d) po applied in mice showed no toxic action. This dose is 400 times that of clinical application.

[Experimental studies on Uncaria sinensis (Oliv.) Havil and Achyranthes bidentata Blume and their compacibility]

Pharmacological studies were conducted on Uncaria sinensis and Achyranthes bidentata both separately and combined. Comparison was made on the hypotensive effect on normal and renal-type hypertensive rats as well anti-spasmodic and sedative effects in mice. The results showed that Uncaria sinensis and Achyranthes bidentata have obvious synergic action in compatibility.

Shoot regeneration from petioles and leaves of Vitis X labruscana 'Catawba'

Shoot regeneration and normal plants were obtained from leaf and petiole explants derived from in vitro grown shoots of Vitis X labruscana 'Catawba'. Regeneration was induced in the presence of both 6-benzylaminopurine and indole-3-butyric acid; combinations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid or 2-naphthoxyacetic acid with 6-benzylaminopurine did not permit regeneration from leaf explants. Up to 15% of leaf and 70% of petiole explants regenerated shoots on media with 5.0-10.0 μM BA and 0.1-0.5 μM IBA. Incubation in the dark was required to obtain regeneration. About 50% of shoots developed normally following transfer to light. An average of one shoot regenerated from leaf explants and 3.3 shoots regenerated per petiole explant. Regeneration from petioles and leaves was always from the basipetal end. The interaction of 6-benzylaminopurine with indole-3-butyric acid was also examined.

[Pharmacognostic studies on the Chinese drug guanzhong produced in East China]

By on-the-spot investigation we have checked up on 8 kinds of botanical origin of the Chinese traditional drug Guanzhong produced in East China and have given keys for their identification. The major tissue features of basal petioles and the external characteristics of the crude drugs have also been given.

Low dose cytosine arabinoside: partial remission of acute myeloid leukaemia without evidence of differentiation induction

Thirteen patients with acute myeloid leukaemia aged from 19 to 81 were treated with low dose cytosine arabinoside (ARA-C) in a dose of 10-15 mg/m2 twice daily subcutaneously. Three complete remissions were obtained. Partial responses were observed in a further two patients. To analyse the action of low dose ARA-C freshly isolated leukaemic cells and cells from the cloned promyelocytic leukaemia cell line (HL60) were cultured in vitro in the presence of cytosine arabinoside. Minimal evidence of differentiation induction was observed when compared with the cytotoxic effects of the drug. These results suggest that ARA-C does not exert its anti-leukaemic effects by halting proliferation through differentiation induction. Rather, it appeared that the capacity of this agent to kill cells in S-phase produced a progressive depletion of the cycling leukaemic cells. This resulted in a corresponding steady decline in the total leukaemic cell population.

Mitoxantrone treatment in advanced breast cancer

Half of our patients presenting with breast cancer will eventually require cytotoxic chemotherapy. In searching for an effective drug with low toxicity, many new drugs have been investigated. Seventeen patients with advanced breast cancer were treated with mitoxantrone, an analogue of adriamycin. The response rate was 44% (CR 6% + PR 38%). Side effects were fewer than those normally anticipated for most cytotoxic chemotherapy in that only two patients suffered hair loss and three nausea and vomiting. There was, however, significant bone marrow depression with granulocytopenia and two patients died of septicaemia following treatment. Cardiac toxicity occurred in two patients: of these, both had prior treatment with adriamycin, and one had prior radiotherapy to the chest wall. Both of these patients died.

Lectin-binding affinities of human breast tumors

Paraffin-embedded sections from a variety of breast lesions were stained with a number of lectins labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate and examined by fluorescence microscopy: 95 non-neoplastic tissues and 69 malignant tumors were examined. Lectin binding was demonstrated in all malignant tumors, the fluorescence being confined to the plasma membrane of the tumor cells. Normal and hyperplastic tissues either failed to stain or showed a grossly diminished level of fluorescence. The significance of the staining reaction is discussed.