Mutation characteristics of osteosarcoma: a single center study of 64 cases using next-generation sequencing / 中华病理学杂志

Objective: To investigate the distribution and characteristics of gene mutations in osteosarcoma, and to analyze the frequency and types of detectable mutations, and to identify potential targets for individualized treatment of osteosarcoma. Methods: The fresh tissue or paraffin-embedded tissue samples of 64 cases of osteosarcoma that were surgically resected or biopsied and then subject to next generation sequencing, were collected from Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, China from November 2018 to December 2021. The tumor DNA was extracted to detect the somatic and germline mutations using targeted sequencing technology. Results: Among the 64 patients, 41 were males and 23 were females. The patient age ranged from 6 to 65 years with a median age of 17 years, including 36 children (under 18 years old) and 28 adults. There were 52 cases of conventional osteosarcoma, 3 cases of telangiectatic osteosarcoma, 7 cases of secondary osteosarcoma, and 2 cases of parosteosarcoma. The detection rate of gene mutations was overall 84.4% (54/64). There were 324 variations in 180 mutated genes, including 125 genes with copy number variations, 109 single nucleotide variants, 83 insertions or deletions, and 7 gene fusions. The most common mutated genes were TP53, VEGFA, CCND3, ATRX, MYC, RB1, PTEN, GLI1, CDK4 and PTPRD. Among them, TP53 had the highest mutation rate (21/64, 32.8%), single nucleotide variant was the main mutation type (14/23, 60.9%), and 2 cases carried the TP53 germline mutation. VEGFA and CCND3 showed copy number amplification simultaneously in 7 cases. Conclusions: The high-frequency mutation of TP53 suggests that it plays an important role in the pathogenesis and development of osteosarcoma. VEGFA, CCND3 and ATRX are mutated genes in osteosarcoma and worthy of further studies. Combination of pathologic diagnosis and next generation sequencing with clinical practice can guide individualized treatment for patients with refractory, recurrent and metastatic osteosarcoma.

Central foveal distribution based on posterior scleral morphologies in high myopia / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To describe the distribution of the central fovea macula in different zones of the eye fundus and different posterior scleral morphologies in high myopia(HM).<p>METHODS: From May 2016 and February 2018, a total of 207 eyes(126 cases)with HM were selected and divided into three groups according to Curtin's posterior scleral staphyloma classifications: group A(Types Ⅰ and Ⅱ), group B(Type Ⅲ), and group C(Types Ⅶ, Ⅸ, and Ⅹ). The posterior zone of the fundus was divided into three zones: zones 1, 2 and 3. The horizontal distance between the central fovea and the vertical line pass of the optic nerve head(ONH)center(HDFCO), the vertical distance between the fovea and the horizontal line pass of the ONH center(VDFCO), and vision were tested. The fovea position in different posterior scleral morphologies groups were investigated.<p>RESULTS: In zone 1, 3 eyes were all from group A(1.5%). In zone 2, 117 eyes were from group A(56.5%), 15 eyes were from group B(7.2%), and 13 eyes were from group C(6.3%). The HDFCO was 5 037±507 μm, 4 771±509 μm, and 5 585±773 μm in groups A, B, and C, respectively(<i>F</i>=8.38, <i>P</i><0.01). The VDFCO values were 615±297 μm, 643±322 μm, and 504±363 μm(<i>F</i>=0.87, <i>P</i>=0.41). In zone 3, 43 eyes were from group A(20.7%), 7 eyes were from group B(3.4%), and 9 eyes were from group C(4.4%). The HDFCO was 5 048±683 μm, 4 444±540 μm, and 5 293±840 μm in groups A, B, and C, respectively(<i>F</i>=3.13, <i>P</i>=0.05). The VDFCO values were 1 385±484 μm, 1 225±201 μm, and 1 664±318 μm(<i>F</i>=2.18, <i>P</i>=0.12). The mean best corrected visual acuity of HM group was LogMAR 4.87±0.22 and 4.77±0.27 in zone 2 and zone 3, respectively(<i>t</i>=-1.55, <i>P</i>=0.12).<p>CONCLUSION: The position of the central fovea changes slightly with different posterior scleral morphologies in HM and has no effects on best corrected visual acuity.

Microarray Profiling and Co-Expression Analysis of Long Noncoding RNA and Apoptosis-Associated mRNA in Mouse Intestinal Mucosa Following IntestinalI schemia/Reperfusion Injury / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

@#【Objective】To investigate the lncRNA expression profile and potential roles in mouse intestinal mucosa after I/R treatment and explore the co-expression relationship between dysregulated lncRNA and apoptotic mRNA at the early stage of reperfusion. 【Methods】 The expression profiles of lncRNA were obtained using microarray and some lncRNA were further validated by quantitative real- time polymerase chain reaction （qRT- PCR）. Gene ontology（GO）analyses were performed to determine closely related biological functions，especially apoptosis-related functions. Finally， the known apoptosis- related mRNA with obviously changes were selected to construct the co-expression network of the dysregulated lncRNA and their correlated apoptotic mRNA， and were analyzed by CNC analysis to calculate the significant correlation of IncRNA-mRNA pairs.【Results】Compared with sham operation group，the expression profile of lncRNA in intestinal epithelium of mice after intestinal I/R was significantly changed ，including 1 503 up- regulated lncRNAs and 2 099 down- regulated lncRNA （Fold change≥2，P<0.05）. At the same time，1 528 mRNA were up- regulated in I/R group，while 1 630 mRNA were down- regulated（fold change≥2.0，P<0.05）. GO enrichment analysis showed that the main functions involved in regulation were lipid metabolism，redox reaction，stress reaction，apoptosis process，programmed cell death，cell cycle，inflammatory response，endothelial cell differentiation and proliferation， tissue remodeling，MAPK，Wnt，vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway and so on. Apoptosis-related subitems were enriched in the up- and down-regulated annotations of GO molecular function in different forms ，which were in the forefront. There was a significant co-expression relationship between apoptosis- related mRNA and dysregulated lncRNA. 【Conclusion】 In this study，we established and preliminarily validated the expression profiles of the differentially expressed lncRNA at the early stage of reperfusion in mouse intestinal ischemia injury. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the important biological function of dysregulated lncRNA was the regulation of apoptosis-related processes，and a large number of those lncRNA were indeed highly coexpressed with apoptotic genes ，which would provide a basis and direction for future research.

Diagnosis and Differential Diagnosis of Desmoplastic Fibroblastoma by Clinical, Radiological, and Histopathological Analyses / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Desmoplastic fibroblastoma (collagenous fibroma) is an uncommon benign soft-tissue tumor, rarely involving bone. It shares some overlapping features with other infiltrate tumors, such as desmoid-type fibromatosis, neurofibroma, and low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma. The misdiagnosis may cause unnecessary surgical overtreatment, especially for those involving bone. In order to deepen the understanding of the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of desmoplastic fibroblastoma, we planned to analyze the clinical, radiological, and histopathological features and the outcome of desmoplastic fibroblastoma on the basis of case analysis and literature review.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixteen cases were retrieved from the surgical pathology records from May 2011 to April 2016 in the Department of Pathology in Beijing Jishuitan Hospital. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of 16 cases of desmoplastic fibroblastoma were collected. Hematoxylin and eosin stain and immunohistochemistry were used to observe the histological features of desmoplastic fibroblastoma of soft tissue and bone. The images for diagnosis obtained from the ultrasonic examination, X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography were used to observe the radiological features. Related literatures were retrieved from the PubMed and CNKI databases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sixteen cases of desmoplastic fibroblastoma of soft tissue were located in the hand (n = 7), foot (n = 4), upper arm (n = 1), shoulder (n = 1), forearm (n = 2), and one case occurred in the proximal femur. Age ranged from 32 to 82 years (median age: 58 years). There were six females and ten males. Histologically, the lesions of soft tissue appeared as well-circumscribed masses with abundant collagenous matrix and low vascularity. Tumor cells were stellate- or spindle-shaped and uniformly distributed within the extracellular matrix. In five cases, the desmoplastic fibroblastoma were found to have infiltrated into the skeletal muscle tissue. In one case of desmoplastic fibroblastoma of bone, radiographs revealed osteolytically well-defined lesion. Immunohistochemistry stain showed that vimentin and smooth muscle actin were positive in all cases of desmoplastic fibroblastoma.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Desmoplastic fibroblastoma (collagenous fibroma) has prominent clinical, histopathological, and radiological features. Before the differential diagnosis from other tumors is obtained by thorough analysis and comparison of the similar and different characteristics, the appropriate surgical management and accurate prognosis evaluation could not be delivered to the patient.</p>

Double-plate fixation via combined approaches for the treatment of old tibial plateau fractures of Schatzker type IV / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the clinical efficacy of double-plate fixation for the treatment of old tibial plateau fractures with Schatzker type IV through anterior midline and posteromedial approaches.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From July 2013 to July 2015, 15 patients with old tibial plateau fractures were treated with internal fixation using locking reconstructive plate for the posteromedial fragment and anatomical locking plate for anteromedial fragment through antero midline and posteromedial approaches. There were 9 males and 6 females, with an average age of 49.2 years old (ranged, 21 to 61 years old). Eight patients had injured in the left side and 7 in the right side. According to Schatzker classification, all patients were type IV. The mean interval from injury to operation was 26.5 days (ranged, 21 to 65 days). The main clinical symptoms before operation were knee joint swelling, pain, deformity and limitation of motion. The X-ray and CT confirmed the fracture type. The indexes such as tibial plateau tibial shaft angle (TPA), femoral tibial angle (FTA) and posterior slope angle (PSA) were compared between immediate postoperation and final follow-up using postoperative X-ray film. The knee functions were evaluated using the HSS (Hospital for Special Surgery) knee score system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Two patients had incision complications which healed by correct treatment, 1 patient had traumatic arthritis. All patients were followed up for mean 16.6 months (ranged, 13 to 24 months). No infections, deep venous thrombosis, implant loosening and breakage, fragment displacement, plateau surface collapse and bone nonunion found. The bone union time ranged from 3 to 8 months (mean 6.07 months) after operation. The average immediate postoperative value of TPA, FTA and PSA were(86.81±1.67)°, (168.00±3.29)° and(10.20±1.47)° respectively; and(86.47±1.67)°, (168.53±3.03)° and (10.54±1.21)° respectively at the final follow-up evaluation, showing no statistical differences(>0.05). According to the HSS score system, 26.33±3.86 in pain, 20.00±1.79 in function, 16.00±1.55 in range of motion, 8.67±0.94 in muscle strength, 8.53±1.67 in flexion deformity, 9.33±0.94 in joint stability, and the total mean score was 88.86±8.92. The outcomes were excellent in 10 cases, good in 4, and fair in 1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Double-plate fixation via combined anterior midline and posteromedial approaches is an ideal surgical method for old tibial plateau fractures with Schatzker IV type, showing satisfactory exposure, reliable reduction and fixation, and benefiting for early functional exercise. The short-term clinical results was satisfactory.</p>

Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Assessment of Long Bone Tumors / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Wide resection margins of osseous tumors are associated with a low incidence of local recurrence, making accurate measurement of the intraosseous extent of primary malignant long bone tumors is crucial. We compared the intraosseous tumor extent assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the gross specimen to evaluate the accuracy of MRI.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 255 patients with primary malignant tumors in the long bones were included. Using MRI, we defined the length of tumor as the distance from the articular surface to the boundary between abnormal and normal marrow signal. The extent of the abnormal intraosseous signal was measured on unenhanced T1-weighted (T1WI) magnetic resonance images after chemotherapy. All gross surgical specimens were sectioned, and tumor extent was measured. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to test the differences between MRI and gross specimen findings. Spearman's correlation analysis was used to test the correlation between groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Median tumor length by gross specimen (112 mm; range, 45-300 mm) was longer than that by MRI (108 mm; range, 45-304 mm; Z = -6.916, P < 0.001). Of 255 images, tumor length was accurately represented on 27 T1WI magnetic resonance images, overestimated on 79 images, and underestimated on 149 images. The median difference between imaging and gross specimen measurements was 2.0 mm (range: 1.0-15.0 mm) for the 79 cases where tumor length was overestimated, and 5.0 mm (range: 1.0-18.0 mm) for the 149 cases where tumor length was underestimated. The Spearman correlation demonstrated a high correlation of tumor length on gross specimen with the tumor length on MRI (R = 0.99, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>We conclude that preoperative MRI could be a useful method in determining intramedullary malignant bone tumor boundaries and may serve as an accepted assessment method of long bone tumors before limb-sparing surgery.</p>

Comparison of stroke volume variation with pulse pressure variation as a diagnostic indicator of fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients

To compare the diagnostic accuracy of stroke volume variation [SVV] and pulse pressure variation [PPV] in studies that examined both parameters in the same patient population. Literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Receiver operator characteristic [ROC] curves were examined, and summary ROC curves were plotted. The study was conducted from January to July 2013 in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China. The meta-analysis of 19 studies published during the years 2005 and 2013 revealed a high degree of diagnostic accuracy of both SVV and PPV in predicting fluid responsiveness. The sensitivity and specificity of both the parameters were observed above 80% in a heterogeneous group of over 850 patients of which 55% responded to fluid challenge. The following values along with 95% confidence interval were noticed: SVV - sensitivity 82 [59-93%] and specificity 84 [62-95%], PPV - sensitivity 84 [62-95%] and specificity 83 [58-94%]. Area under the curve values obtained in the pooled analysis were 0.84 [0.79-0.89] for SVV, and 0.88 [0.84-0.92] for PPV. Both SVV and PPV exhibit a high degree of diagnostic accuracy in predicting the success or failure of a fluid challenge in hemodynamically unstable critically ill patients under controlled mechanical ventilation

Small cell malignant tumors of bone: comparison between diagnosis using core needle biopsies and surgical specimens / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the pathologic diagnosis and immunohistochemistry of small cell malignant tumors (SCMT) of bone using both core needle biopsy and surgical specimen.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-seven cases of SCMT with core needle biopsies and surgical specimens available were respectively analyzed by histologic examination and immunohistochemical study, with literature review.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The male-to-female ratio was 48:29. The age of the patients ranged from 6 to 73 years. The tumors studied included Ewing sarcoma/PNET (n = 38), myeloma (n = 23), lymphoma (n = 10), small cell osteosarcoma (n = 2), small cell carcinoma (n = 2) and mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (n = 2). The tumors involved limbs, axial skeleton and flat bones. Microscopically, the tumors shared similar histology, with small round cells and spindly cells arranged in diffuse sheets. The pathologic diagnosis by core needle biopsies correlated with that by surgical specimens in 84.4% (65/77) of the cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>SCMT represents a heterogeneous group of malignancy. Correlations with clinicoradiologic findings and application of ancillary investigations including immunohistochemistry and molecular study are important for definitive diagnosis. Pathologic diagnosis using core needle biopsies shows good results and provides useful information for surgical planning.</p>

Computer navigation-guided excision of osteoid osteomas / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To report the experience for the precision osteoid osteoma resection using computer navigation system.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between January 2008 and December 2009, 26 surgical resections were performed for 26 patients who had osteoid osteoma with computer navigation system. There were 23 males and 3 females with an average age of 18 years (7 to 35). Tumors were located at femoral shaft 9, femoral trochanter 4, femoral neck 2, tibial shaft 5, metaphysic of proximal tibia 1, acetabulum 2, pubis 1, vertebral appendix 1 and radial shaft 1. Pre-operative X-ray and CT of each patient was performed to confirm the diagnosis. It was carried out intraoperatively the process of CT-based navigation in 4 cases and intraoperative Iso-C three-dimensional navigation in 22 cases. The Navigation System software was Spine Navigation 1.2 in all cases. The Pointer was helpful to localize the lesion and precisely resected the lesion without removal of any excess bone.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the navigation operations were finished successfully with curettage for 12 and En Bloc resection for 14. Bone grafting was made in 21 cases and none in 3 cases. The completely clearance of nidus by intraoperative visual inspection and Pointer confirmation, postoperative X-ray and(or) CT scan was performed in all cases. All cases had histopathology diagnosis of osteoid osteoma and immediate pain relief after surgery. All cases were followed up for 20.6 months averaged (12 to 35 months). No local recurrence and pain relapse occurred.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The navigation system is very helpful for the precision tumor resection of nidus. Especially for the patients with osteoid osteoma located at diaphysis, Intraoperative Iso-C three-dimensional navigation is more useful.</p>

The surgical treatment of primary malignant bone tumors of pelvis / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the surgical treatment effect of primary malignant pelvic bone tumors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Retrospective study was carried out in 79 patients with primary malignant pelvic bone tumors treated surgically and followed up regularly between October 1992 and July 2007. In this cohort, 23 tumors were low-grade malignant of I B, and 56 tumors were high-grade malignant of II B. According to the preoperative diagnosis and the effect of chemotherapy, different methods of tumor resection and reconstruction were applied respectively. Surgical specimens were evaluated postoperatively for the surgical margins in accordance with Enneking's criteria. Functional results were assessed by MSTS system during follow-up. The mean time of follow-up was 28.6 months (range, 0-183 months). The minimum follow-up time in survival patients was 4 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Seventy limb-salvage surgeries including 28 reconstructions, and 9 hemipelvectomy were carried out. In limb-salvage group, the mean MSTS functional scores both were 15 points for patients with (range, 5-29 points) or without (range, 2-30 points) reconstructions. The overall local recurrence rate was 31.6% (25/79). Statistical difference (P = 0.023) of local recurrence rate was seen between low-grade (13.0%) and high-grade (39.3%) groups. While, there was no difference (P = 0.620) between limb-salvage group (30.0%) and hemipelvectomy group (44.4%). Significant difference (P = 0.014) in local recurrence rate was found between inadequate surgical margin (intralesional and marginal margin) group (38.1%) and adequate surgical margin (wide margin) group (6.3%). In 14 patients developed postoperative distant metastasis, 12 in local recurrence group which incidence was 48.0%, compared to 2 in no-recurrence group which incidence was 3.7%, and the difference was significant (P = 0.000). The overall survival rate was 70.9%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Wide surgical margin is essential for successful resection of primary malignant pelvic bone tumors. How to choose and improve functional reconstruction is the focus of work in the future.</p>

NF-kappaB tumorigenesis and drug developement / 生物工程学报

NF-kappaB, a collective name of dimeric transcription factors, is composed of members of the Rel family proteins that recognize and bind a specific DNA sequence. It is normally sequestered in the cytoplasm of non-stimulated cells by associating with a family of inhibitor proteins called IkappaBs. Exposure of cells to a variety of extra-and intra-cellular stimuli leads to the rapid proteolytic degradation of IkappaBs, which frees NF-kappaBs allowing them to translocate to the nucleus where it regulates gene transcription. NF-kappaB is involved in a lot of physiological processes such as immunity, inflammation, cell proliferation, apoptosis and even tumorigenesis by regulating the transcription of a larger number of genes. This review introduces the various mechanisms of NF-kappaB activation including a recently reported alternative activation pathway mediated by lymphotoxin alpha/beta, B cell activating factor and CD40 ligand. The signal transduction pathway leading to NF-kappaB activation via IKK in response to proinflammatory factors like TNF-alpha and IL-1 is addressed in more detail concerning the regulation of IKK activity, mechanism of IkappaB degradation and regulation of transactivation activity of NF-kappaB on different levels. Considering the important role of NF-kappaB in cell proliferation and regulation of various genes participating in apoptosis, the involvement of NF-kappaB in tumorigenesis and drug screening is also discussed.

Expression, purification and enzymatic characterization of Bacillus polymyxa beta-glucosidase gene( bglA ) in Escherichia coli / 生物工程学报

The beta-glucosidase encoding gene bglA was cloned from Bacillus polymyxa 1.794. The bglA gene was inserted in expression vector pET28a(+) and transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), finally the recombinant strain BL1979 was obtained. Induced by IPTG, the expression P-glucosidase activity reached to 24.7 IU/mL. The optimum temperature and optimum pH of the recombinant expression P-glucosidase in BL1979 were 37 degrees C and 7.0 respectively,the purity can reach to 92.7%. Analysis of the fusion protein by nondenaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, we found the fusion protein exists in dimmer, tetramer,hexamer and octamer, they all have hydrolase activity.

The PKS/NRPS hetero-gene cluster of epothilones / 生物工程学报

Novel macrolides epothilones, produced by cellulolytic myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum, have the activity to promote microtubule assembly, and are considered to be a potential successor to the famous antitumor drug taxol. The biosynthetic genes leading to the epothilones are clustered into a large operon. The multi-enzyme complex is a hetero-gene cluster of polyketide synthase (PKS) and non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS) and contains several functional modules, i.e. a loading module, one NRPS module, eight PKS modules, and a P450 epoxidase. The former ten modules biosynthesize desoxyepothilone (epothilones C and D), which is then epoxidized at C12 and C13 and converted into epothilones (epothilones A and B) by the P450 epoxidase. The NRPS module is responsible for the formation of the thiazole side chain from cysteine. The biosynthesis procedure of epothilones can be divided into 5 stages, i.e. formation of holo-ACP/PCP, chain initiation and thiazole ring formation, chain elongation, termination and epoxidation, and post-modification. The analysis of the gene cluster and the biosynthetic pathway reveals that novel epothilone analogs could not only be produced by chemical synthesis/modification, tranditional microbial technologies, but also can be genetically manipulated through combinatiorial biosynthesis approaches.

Characterization of Aggregation-induced Toxicity by ?-synuclein in Yeast / 微生物学通报

Parkinson's disease(PD) is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder and ?-synuclein plays an important role in its development.Using the genetically tractable Saccharomyces cere-visiae as a model system,the phenotypic repercussions and potential mechanisms of ?-synuclein-induced cytotoxicity are characterized through modulating its expression level and other cellular factors.Aggrega-tion-induced toxicity is more dramatic upon elevated expression of ?-synuclein than that induced at moder-ate levels of expression.The induced toxicity is also enhanced by reagents such as dimethyl sulfoxide,which increase intracellular levels of phospholipid and membrane,as well as ferrous ions and hydrogen peroxide,both of which cause oxidative stresses in yeast cells.In contrast,over-expression of yeast homologue of hu-man chaperone DJ-1,YDR533C,markedly alleviate the inhibition of growth afflicted by exogenous expres-sion of ?-synuclein.Taken together,the data presented suggest a role for protein folding machinery together with quality control system in dealing with the aggregation of ?-synuclein.

COMPARING CHARACTERISTICS OF ETHANOL PRODUCTION BY RESPIRATORY DEFICIENT MUTANTS AND WILD STRAIN IN SACCHROMYCES CEREVISIAE / 微生物学通报

In order to compare the characteristics of ethano l production, a serie s respiratory deficient mutants (rho -) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the ir wil d parent strain (rho +) were assayed for ethanol yield, ethanol fermentation ki netics, ethanol tolerance, and activities of ethanol-dehydrogenase. The data i nd icated that: Though the average amount of ethanol produced by mutants rho - a nd by wild rho + strains were similar, some mutants produced a little more amount of ethanol than wild type. The kinetics curve of ethanol fermentation suggested t h at rho - mutants had a little higher ethanol fermenting speeds than wild type . Th e activity of ethanol-dehydrogenase per unit weight of protein of rho - mutan ts c ells were higher than that of wild strain rho +; the activity of ethanol-dehyd rogenase per unit volume of fermentation medium of rho + were higher than that rho - mutants,mainly due to the higher biomass of rho + were higher than that of rho - mutan ts. Some rho - mutants could tolerate higher ethanol concentration than wild rh o + stra in, but some not. If higher ethanol tolerance and higher ethanol yield rho - mu tants were used in fermenting process,higher ethanol yield would be expected,but some problems such as that rho - mutants grew slowly should be considered.