Objective To investigate the value of the levels of urinary NT-proBNP whether is similar with the levels of blood NT-proBNP for the diagnosis of chronic heart failure.Methods 79 patients with chronic heart failure (NYHA Ⅰ~Ⅳ)as a research group,and 53 healthy people as a control group,the levels of urinary and blood NT-proBNP on two groups were measured respectively by Roche cobas h 232 cardiac markers detector and compared the difference of the levels of urinary NT-proBNP and blood NT-proBNP between the two groups.Results The levels of urinary and blood NT-proBNP in pa-tients with chronic heart failure were much higher than those in healthy subjects,respectively (P <0.01).The concentration of urinary NT-proBNP increased gradually with more severe symptoms.The level of urinary NT-proBNP was positively cor-related with the levels of blood NT-proBNP.Conclusion The levels of urinary NT-proBNP is a new candidate marker for the diagnosis of chronic heart failures and it provides a similar accuracy with the levels of blood.

Background The signal pathway of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays an important role in the regulation of cell cycle.Rapamycin(RAPA) can inhibit the proliferation of cells by regulating of cell cycle.Objective This study was to investigate the effect of RAPA on the proliferation of Rhesus retinal vascular endothelial cells (RF/6A).Methods RF/6A cell strains were cultured in vitro,and PBS,10 μg/L RAPA or 5 μg/L RAPA was added into the medium respectively.The expression of cyclin D1 protein in the RF/6A cells (absorbancy) were detected by Western blot.The cell cycle distribution after RAPA action was analyzed by flow cytometry.Matrigel was used in endothelial-cell tube formation to evaluate the effect of RAPA on angiogenesis.Results Western blot assay showed that the expressions of cyclin D z protein were 0.92±0.04,0.58±0.02 and 0.73±0.02 in the PBS group,10 μg/L RAPA group and 5 μg/L RAPA group,showing a significant difference among the three groups (F =246.320,P =0.000),and the relative expressing level of cyclin D1 protein in the l0 μg/L RAPA group and 5 μg/L RAPA group was significantly lower than that of the PBS group (both at P＜0.05).The proportion of G0/G1 cells were (42.13±0.57)％,(65.15±0.64)％ and (54.09± 0.78)％ respectively in the PBS group,10 μg/L RAPA group and 5 μg/L RAPA group,which was significantly different among the three groups (F=887.815,P=0.000).The number of endothelial-cell tubes were (9.67 ± 1.53)/field,(4.33 ± 0.58)/field and (6.33 ±0.58)/field respectively in the PBS group,10 μg/L RAPA group and 5 μg/L RAPA group,and the number of endothelial-cell tubes in 10 μg/L RAPA group and 5 μg/L RAPA group was less than that in the PBS group,with a significant difference among the three groups (F =21.778,P =0.002).Conclusions RAPA can inhibit the proliferation of RF/6A cells in vitro by down-regulating the expression of cyclin D1.

AIM:To observe the effect of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens ( IOL ) implantation combined with goniosynechialysis on corneal endothelial cells for the treatment of primary angle closure glaucoma ( PACG ) combined cataract, and to analyze the relative factors.METHODS: Ninety-five eyes of 95 patients with PACG combined cataract were documented in this study. Twenty-two patients were male, and 73 were female. The age ranged from 46 to 85y old with a mean of(66±7) y. All patients were examined for endothelial cell count ( ECC ) , intraocular pressure ( IOP ) and best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA ) 1wk, 1, 2, 3 and 6mo after operation. Meanwhile, the range of anterior chamber closure and anterior chamber depth ( ACD ) were recorded before operation and postoperative 6mo.
RESULTS: The mean IOP was 36. 1±4. 3mmHg ( 28-42mmHg) preoperatively and 15. 8±3. 5mmHg ( 8-28 mmHg)(1mmHg=0. 133kPa) 6mo after operation. There was a decreasing trend in IOP after operation( t=17. 173, P<0. 01). There was an increased trend in BCVA after operation(Z=-8. 351, P<0. 01). The mean ACD was 1. 95±0. 34mm preoperatively and 3. 11±0. 33mm 6mo after operation. There was an increased trend in ACD after operation(t=11. 483, P<0. 01). There were 74 eyes in the range from 90o to 180o of anterior chamber and 21 eyes less than 90o before operation. There were 12 eyes in the range from 90o to 180o of anterior chamber and 83 eyes less than 90o postoperatively. The most of anterior chamber were open(Z=-9. 013, P<0. 01). ECC was 2304±135 cells/mm2 before operation and 2 243±152 cells/mm2 , 2 135±177 cells/mm2 , 2 028±172 cells/mm2 , 2 017±181 cells/mm2 , 2 006±143 cells/mm2 1wk, 1, 2, 3 and 6mo after operation respectively. ECC loss rates were 2. 6%, 7. 3%, 12. 0%, 12. 5% and 13. 0%. ECC had a decreased trend 2mo after operation(F=5. 568, P<0. 01) and then kept stable(P3mo=0. 067, P6mo=0. 073).
CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification and IOL -implantation combined with goniosynechialysis is an effective method to treat PACG combined cataract. It can increase BCVA and decrease IOP. ECC decreases after operation, but it is in the normal range. It is a safe and effective operation mode.

0.05). The corneal endothelium density significantly decreased postoperatively in C 3F 8 or silicone oil injection group with broken posterior capsule ( P

Objective To compare the effects of intravitreal tamponade of C3 F8 with silicon oil on postoperative vitreous hemorrhage and visual prognosis after vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).Methods The clinical data of 121 patients (127 eyes)who underwent primary vitrectomy due to PDR were analyzed retrospectively.All the patients were divided into two groups according to different intravitreal tamponade, including C3 F8 tamponade group (53 patients with 56 eyes ) and silicone oil tamponade group (68 patients with 71 eyes).There was no difference of gender (χ2 = 0.956 ),age (t =1.122),duratiion of diabetes (t=0.627),fasting blood glucose (t=1.049),systolic pressure (t=1.056), diastolic pressure (t = 0.5 1 7 ), history of hypertension (χ2 = 0.356 ), nephropathy (χ2 = 1.242 ), preoperative laser photocoagulation (χ2 = 1.225 )and All the patients underwent three port pars plana vitrectomy.The mean follow-up was 2 years ranging from 6 months to 4 years.And then the incidence and onset time of postoperative vitreous hemorrhage and postoperative BCVA of the two groups were compared. Results Postoperative vitreous hemorrhage occurred in 14 of 56 eyes (25.00%)in C3 F8 tamponade group. The average onset time of postoperative vitreous hemorrhage were (64.64 ± 59.09)days ranging from 7 -225 days and mostly were within 30-60 days (35.71%,5/14).Postoperative vitreous hemorrhage also occurred in 7 of 71 eyes (9.89%)of silicone oil tamponade group after silicone oil removal with an average onset time of (25.29±20.46)days ranging from 3-65 days and were mostly within 1 5-30 days (42.86%, 3/7).There was a significant difference in the incidence of postoperative vitreous hemorrhage between the two groups (χ2 = 5.200,P <0.05 ).BCVA of the two groups was improved significantly after operation (Z =2.472,3.1 14;P <0.05).Postoperative BCVA of silicone oil tamponade group was poorer than C3 F8 tamponade group (Z =1.968,P <0.05).Conclusion Both C3 F8 and silicone oil tamponade can improve the visual acuity after vitrectomy for PDR.Compared with C3 F8 ,silicone oil tamponade had lower incidence and late onset of postoperative vitreous hemorrhage after vitrectomy for PDR.

Objective To evaluate the effect of FTY720 on retinal leukocytes adhesion and vascular permeability in diabetic retinopathy (DR) model,and explore its mechanism.Methods Ninety male Wister rats were randomly divided into normal control group,diabetic group and FTY720 group,thirty rats in each group.Diabetes was induced by giving a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin.FTY720 group was administered with FTY720 at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg by oral gavage daily for 3 months after establishment of diabetes.All rats were used for experiments following intervention for 3 months in FTY720 group.Immunohistochemical staining was used to observe the expression and distribution of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1),and the positive cells were counted.Real-time reverse transcription PCR was used to measure mRNA expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1.Fluorescein isothiocyanate-Concanavalin A perfusion was used to detect retinal leukocytes adhesion.Evans blue (EB) perfusion was used to analyze retinal vascular permeability.Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect retinal inflammatory cells infiltration.Results In diabetic group,both ICAM-1(t =12.81) and VCAM-1 (t=11.75) positive cells as well as their mRNA expression (t=16.14,9.59) were increased compared with normal control group,with statistical significance (P＜ 0.05).In FTY720 group,both ICAM-1(t=-9.93) and VCAM-1 (t=-6.61) positive cells as well as their mRNA expression (t=-15.28,-6.10) were decreased compared with diabetic group,with statistical significance (P＜ 0.05).Retinal leukocytes adhesion (t=16.32) and EB permeability (t=17.83) were increased in diabetic group compared with normal control group,while they were decreased in FTY720 group compared with diabetic group(t=-9.93,-11.82),with statistical significance (P＜0.05).There were many CD45 positive leukocytes infiltration in retina of diabetic group,including CD11b positive macrophage/activated microglia,while both of them were little in FTY720 group.Conclusions FTY720 can decrease retinal leukocytes adhesion,reduce retinal vascular permeability and inflammatory cells infiltration,which is associated with down-regulation of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of Niacin on blood-retina barrier (BRB) in diabetic rats and related mechanism.Methods The male Wistar rats (60) were divided into control (CON) group,diabetes (DM) group and Niacin-treated (NA) group,20 rats in each group.Rats diabetes models were induced with streptozotocin injection.Niacin (40 mg/kg · d) was administrated orally everyday in Niacin-treated group until sacrificed after 3 months.Pathological outcomes,total cholesterol (TC) and highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) were evaluated at month 3.Optical microscopy was used to observe the retinal structure.The integrity of BRB and the vascular permeability was quantified by analyzing albumin leakage using Evans blue (EB) method.The relative expressions of Claudin-5,Occludin,zonula occluden (ZO)-1 and GPR109A mRNA in rat retinas were detected by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and relative expression of GPR109A,tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 by Western blot.Results Compared to CON group,the TC content was increased and HDL content was decreased in DM group (t=4.034,5.831;P＜0.05).Compared to DM group,the TC content was decreased and HDL content was increased in NA group (t=6.868,3.369;P＜0.05).The retinal structure of CON group was normal.Pathological changes were found in the DM group,such as tumescent nuclei and disorganized structures.The retinal structure of NA group was similar to the control group.Evans blue dye that the microvascular leakage in DM group was increased compared with CON group (t=24.712,P＜0.05),while in NA group was decreased compared with DM group (t =16.414,P＜ 0.05).The mRNA expression of Occludin,Claudin-5,ZO-1 in DM group were decreased compared with CON group (t=11.422,12.638,12.060;P＜ 0.05),while in NA group were increased compared with DM group (t=5.278,3.952,8.030;P＜0.05).The mRNA expression of GPR109A in NA group were increased compared with DM group (t=5.053,P＜ 0.05).The protein expression of GPR109A,IL-6,TNF-αin DM group were increased compared with CON group (t=4.915,11.106,6.582;P＜0.05).Compared to DM group,the protein expression of GPR109A was increased (t=5.806,P＜0.05),while the protein expression of IL-6 and TNF-α were decreased (t=10.131,5.017;P＜0.05).Conclusion Niacin has the protective effect for BRB by up-regulating GPR109A expression which may suppress inflammation.

Objective To investigate if apoptosis induced by arsenic trioxide(As_2O_3)on bladder cancer T24 cell line is related to the alteration of protein kinase C and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (PKC-cAMP)and its possible mechanism.Methods Apoptosis was studied by TUNEL method.Radio- immunoassay and enzyme immunoassay methods were used to detect the PKC-cAMP alteration in apoptotic process.The expressions and activation of caspase3 were observed by immunocytochemical method and Western blot.Results Atter 24-h drug treatment,the cell apoptosis induced by different concentrations of As_2O_3 was detected by TUNEL method.In control group,the apoptosis rate was 0.86%;PKC level was 2.55 pmol?min~(-1)??g~(-1);cAMP concentration was 22.56 pmol/ml;the expression rate of caspase3 was 8.01%.Compared with control group,the apoptosis rates of 5?mol/L and 10?mol/L As_2O_3 groups increased 8.51-fold and 13.33-fold,respectively;PKC Level decreased 59.22% and 64.71%,respectively;cAMP in- creased 5.34-fold and 4.23-fold,respectively;expression rates of caspase3 increased 3.96-fold and 6.76- fold,respectively.The differences were significant(P＜0.05).Compared with As_2O_3 groups,apoptosis rates of 5?mol/L and 10?mol/L As_2O_3+100nmol/L phorbol 12-myristate 13-aectate(PMA)groups decreased 40.22% and 45.58%,respectively;PKC increased 1.00-fold and 0.76-told,respectively;cAMP decreased 8.37% and 31.46%,respectively;expression rates of caspase3 decreased 51.09% and 65.03%,respective- ly.Activation of caspase3 was detected in As_2O_3-treated groups and As_2O_3+100 nmol/L PMA-treated groups;and activations of caspase3 in PMA-treated groups were weaker than those in As_2O_3-treated groups. Conclusions The antitumor mechanism of As_2O_3 may be the induction of bladder cancer T24 cell apopto- sis by decreasing PKC and increasing cAMP level.

Different types of neurons are regularly dispersed on re tina. For finding the mechanism of eye and retina formation, it is important to know how t his regular pattern is formed during embryonic stage. It was claimed that multip le genes regulate the development of eye and retina. These genes regulate the de velopment of tissues and differentiation of cells in different parts of the visu al system during embryo development. Also, it was found that different tissues a nd differentiated cells cohere with each other both temporally and spatially to form the eye.

Objective To observe the effect of diabetic retinopathy on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs)from peripheral blood.Methods Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into control group and diabetes group.The rats in diabetes group were induced with streptozotocin(STZ)injection for diabetic retinopathy model.Flow cytometry was used to identify and count the number of EPCs from peripheral blood at 1 week.1,3 and 6 months after injection.All eyeballs were examined by hematoxylin and eosin (HE)staining,periodic acid-Schiffs(PAS)staining of trypsin-digested retinal vessels flat preparation and transmission electron microscope.EPCs count,and the relationship between DR morphological changes and EPCs count were compared and analyzed.Results The quantity of EPCs from peripheral blood at 1 week,1,3 and 6 months after STZ injection were 25±7,28±8,39±7,43±7 cells per 200 000 monocytes respectively,which decreased compared with the control group 45±4 cells per 200 000 monocytes(F=8.933,P＜0.0 1).The quantity of EPCs was gradually increased at 1 week,1,3 and 6 months after STZ injection,accompanied with responsive pathological changes of retinal structure and vessels.The thickness of retina at 1 week and 1 month after injection were reduced slightly.The number of retinal ganglion cells reduced,with the time passing by.Endothelial cells were edema,mitochondrial was swollen,capillary basement membrane was thicken,lumen was significant stenosis,lumen occlusion and retinal artery aneurysm were observed at 6 months after STZ injection.Conclusion The number of EPCs increases gradually throughout the development of DR.