Treatment options for refractory/relapsed multiple myeloma: an updated evidence synthesis by network meta-analysis.

Background: The refractory/relapsed multiple myeloma (RRMM) remains a big clinical challenge, due to its biological and clinical complexity. Leading hematologists have performed many randomized controlled trials (RCTs) worldwide, and their findings were summarized in a recently published network meta-analysis (NMA) but with certain limitations.

Materials And Methods: We performed an updated NMA of RCTs related to RRMM treatment, focusing on efficacy measures including the nonresponse rate (NRR), time to progression (TTP), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

Long-Term Efficacy of Maintenance Therapy for Multiple Myeloma: A Quantitative Synthesis of 22 Randomized Controlled Trials.

We aimed to quantitatively synthesize data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning maintenance for multiple myeloma (MM). We searched electronic literature databases and conference proceedings to identify relevant RCTs. We selected eligible RCTs using predefined selection criteria.

The Clinical Significance of O-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase Promoter Methylation Status in Adult Patients With Glioblastoma: A Meta-analysis.

Background And Objective: Promoter status of O-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase () has been widely established as a clinically relevant factor in glioblastoma (GBM) patients. However, in addition to varied therapy schedule, the prognosis of GBM patients is also affected by variations of age, race, primary or recurrent tumor. This study comprehensively investigated the association between promoter status and prognosis in overall GBM patients and in different GBM subtype including new diagnosed patients, recurrent patients and elderly patients.

[Formulation and process optimization of doxorubicin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles and its in vitro release].

Doxorubicin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (DOX-PLGA NPs) was prepared by double emulsion (W/O/W) solvent evaporation method with the biodegradable materials-poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) used as carrier materials. Single-factor test was used to investigate the influence of the type and ratio of the organic phase, the amount of surfactant, PLGA concentration, the ratio of external water phase and oil phase (W/O), the ratio of doxorubicin and PLGA, ultrasonic time and stirring time on the preparation of nanoparticles. The best formulation and preparation conditions were optimized by orthogonal test based on single-factor test, evaluation indicator as particle size and entrapment efficiency, and the results were analyzed by overall desirability.

Multiple signaling pathways involved in stimulation of osteoblast differentiation by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors activation in vitro.

Aim: Glutamate receptors are expressed in osteoblastic cells. The present study was undertaken to investigate the mechanisms underlying the stimulation of osteoblast differentiation by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation in vitro.

Methods: Primary culture of osteoblasts was prepared from SD rats.

PTH inhibition rate is useful in the detection of early-stage primary hyperparathyroidism.

Objective: This study was to establish biochemical thresholds for the intravenous calcium suppression test in the early diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).

Design And Methods: One hundred and thirty-three patients were divided into three groups: Group 1: surgically proven hypercalcemic PHPT, Group 2 surgically proven mild PHPT, and Group 3: normocalcemia with elevated serum PTH levels. Intravenous calcium suppression tests were performed in Groups 2 and 3 as well as in 20 controls with normal serum calcium and PTH concentrations.

Flow-injection chemiluminescence method for the determination of chloramphenicol based on luminol-sodium periodate order-transform second-chemiluminescence reaction.

A new chemiluminescence (CL) reaction was observed when chloramphenicol solution was injected into the mixture after the end of the reaction of alkaline luminol and sodium periodate or sodium periodate was injected into the reaction mixture of chloramphenicol and alkaline luminol. This reaction is described as an order-transform second-chemiluminescence (OTSCL) reaction. The OTSCL method combined with a flow-injection technique was applied to the determination of chloramphenicol.

NMDA enhances stretching-induced differentiation of osteoblasts through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Activation of the excitatory neurotransmitter N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and stretching both increase Ca(2+) influx in osteoblastic cells. We postulated that NMDA would enhance the osteoblastic cell's response to stretching. The goal of this study was to investigate, in the presence of the neurotransmitter NMDA, the effect of mechanical loading on osteoblast's stage of differentiation and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway associated with it.