Objective To investigate the clinical values of NT-proBNP in left ventricular enlargement(LVE) and left ventricular dysfunction(LVD) of the patients with essential hypertension(EH) to provide a diagnostic basis for their diagnosis .Methods Plas-ma NT-proBNP concentrations in 120 patients with EH and in 29 normal controls were measured ,then the echocardiography exami-nation was performed to determine the left ventricular ejection fraction ( LVEF) ,left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD) , left atrium(LA) and left ventricular systolic diameter(LVSDD) .The correlation between plasma NT-proBNP with LVE and LVD was analyzed .The diagnostic accuracy of NT-proBNP was analyzed by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve .Results There were no statistically significant differences in the aspects of age ,sex and serum creatinine between the EH group and con-trol group ,but plasma NT-proBNP level of the former was significantly higher than that of the latter .The NT-proBNP level in the patients with LVE was significantly higher than that in the patients with normal left ventricle (P<0 .05) .The NT-proBNP level in the LVD patients was significantly higher than that in the patients with normal left ventricular function (P<0 .05) .The plasma NT-p roBNP level was positively correlated with LA ,LVEDD and LVSDD(r=0 .518 ,0 .58 ,0 .48 ,P<0 .01) while negatively crrelated with LVEF(r= -0 .61 ,P<0 .01) .The ROC curve showed that when the NT-proBNP was set at 380 pg/mL ,the sensitivity and specificity of NT-proBNP for diagnosing LVE were 80 .6% and 72 .4% ;which for diagnosing LVD were 80 .8% and 77 .4% ,re-spectively .Conclusion NT-proBNP is closely correlated with multiple ultrasonic indicators reflecting the left ventricular function and its level can reliably reflect the left ventricular contraction function ,which can serve as the marker for screening LVE and LVD in the patients with EH .

Objective To investigate the effects of the leflunomide active metabolite (A771726) on the expression of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) -induced CD147, matrix metallo-proteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 on THP-1 cells. Methods THP-1 cells were cultured in RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with 10％ fetal bovine serum. For all experiments, THP-1 cells were cultured at an initial density of 5×105/ml. Before A771726 treatment, cells were cultured with serum-free RPMI-1640 medium for 12 h, THP-1cells were co-cultured with PMA at three different concentrations of A771726 (5, 15 , 45 μg/ml) for 24 h.The mRNA expression of CD147, MMP-2 and MMP-9 was measured by real-time PCR. CD147 expression on the cells were evaluated by flow cytometric analysis. The activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were evaluated by gelatin zymography. Statistical differences among the groups were tested by one-way ANOVA or KruskalWallis test. Results The expression of CD147, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were upgraded by the PMA. The expression of CD147 on THP-1 cells was inhibited significantly by A771726 in a dose-dependent pattern (P＜0.01). The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CD147 in positive control group was 109.5±3.8, the MFI in A771726 (5, 15, 45 μg/ml) group were 73.3±2.5, 64.5±2.3, 40.9±2.7, respectively. The expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 mRNA and the activity of MMP-2, MMP-9 in the supernatant was inhibited significantly by A771726 (P＜0.01). The expression of CD147 mRNA was not inhibited significantly by A771726 (P＞0.05).Conclusion Leflunomide active metabolite (A771726) can inhibit the expression of PMA-induced CD147,MMP-2 and MMP-9 on THP-1 Cells.

Objective To investigate the brain metabolic changes and evaluate their spatial distributions after traumatic axonal injury (TAI)in rats by using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy(1H-MRS).Methods The TAI model was made by subjecting the head of the rats to the linear and angular accelerations.The multi-voxel MRS was employed to detect the tissue metabolic state at the levels of hippocampus-caudate and pons prior to injury and at 24 hours after injury.The alterations of NAA/Cr,NAA/Cho and Cho/Cr values as well as the spatial distribution of NAA/Cr reduction were accessed. Immunohistochemical staining for β-APP was used to observe the injured axons. Results A siguificantdecrease in NAA/Cr and NAA/Cho(P<0.05)and subtle increase in Cho/Cr(P>0.05)were observed in rats at 24 hours after TAI in comparison to the pre-injury levels.Notable decrease in NAA/Cr value was observed in the areas including the brain stem,hippocampus,internal capsule,corpus callosum and thalamus,where axonal injuries were confirmed by the histological examination. Conclusion Metabolic imbalances Occur in the brains of rats with TAI.with notable changes in the brain stem and the hippocampus.

Objective To investigate Smoothened (Smo) expression in endothelial cells of synovial tissues in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA),and the expression of Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathwayassociated factors after TNF-α treatment in EA.hy926 cells,and the effects of specific inhibitor of Smo (cyclopamine) on the apoptosis of EA.hy926 cells.Methods The Smo expression in endothelial cells in synovial tissue from 4 RA patients and 4 patients with traumatic or meniscal injury (with no arthritis,act as control group) were detected by immunohistochemistry assay.EA.hy926 cells were treated with different concentrations of TNF-α or TNF-α together with different concentrations of cyclopamine,and Shh,Ptch1,Smo,Gli1 mRNA expression levels were detected by real time-PCR.EA.hy926 cells were co-cultured with three different concentrations of cyclopamine for 24 hours before the addition of TNF-α and ActinomycinD (ActD).The cell survival rate was detected using CCK-8,and the population of apoptotic cells was detected using a flow cytometry.T-test and one-way ANOVA were used for statistical analysis.Results The positive expression rate of Smo in endothelial cells of synovial tissue in RA group was (81±23)％,which was higher than that in the control group (20±17)％ (P＜0.05).After being treated with TNF-α,the expressions of Shh and Smo mRNA in EA.hy926 cells increased,while the expression of Gli1 mRNA decreased (P＜0.05),and the expression of Ptch1 mRNA did not change significantly (P＞0.05).The expressions of Shh,Smo and Gli1 mRNA were down-regulated (P＜0.05).EA.hy926 cells treated with different concentrations of cyclopamine (2,4 and 8 μmol/L) showed a significant decrease in cell viability,in cell survival rates (57±6)％,(44±8)％ and (32±5)％ compared with that of TNF-α/ActD group (64±6)％ (P＜0.05),and cell apoptosis rates [(12.4±3.3)％,(14.5±2.7)％ (15.7±2.4)％] compared with that of TNF-α/ActD group (7.1±1.3)％ (P＜0.05).Conclusion Shh pathway is activated in endothelial cells of synovial tissue in active RA.The apoptosis in endothelial cells is promoted after cyclopamine treatment.Shh pathway may play an important role in the antiapoptotic regulatory mechanism of endothelial cells.

Objective: To observe the effect of amlodipine on bone marrow endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) mobilization, neo-vascularization and cardiac function in diabetic rats after myocardial infarction (MI) with the possible mechanisms.
Methods: A total of 60 male SD rats were divided into 2 groups. Normal group, n=20. Diabetic group, n=40, the rats were fed with high fat diet (HFD) for 4 weeks and then received streptozotocin followed by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation to establish MI model, those rats were further divided into 2 sub-groups:Control group, the rats received sodium carboxymethylcellulose 1 ml/day with HFD and Treatment group, the rats received amlodipine 2 mg/kg/day with HFD, n=20 in each sub-group, all animals were treated for 4 weeks. The EPC level in peripheral blood CD45-/low+/CD133+/KDR+ at before and 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 28 days after operation were examined by lfow cytometry, plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level was measured by ELISA, capillary density in MI area was determined by CD31 staining, EPC related protein expressions were detected by western blot analysis and the cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography.
Results: EPC in CD45-/low+/CD133+/KDR+in Treatment group at 7 days after operation was increased than Control group at 5 days after operation (112 ± 30/106) vs (55 ± 10/106), plasma VEGF in Treatment group was higher than Control group (5.63 ± 1.33) ng/L vs (3.68 ± 0.98) ng/L; Treatment group presented increased expressions of protein kinase B, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and matrix metallopeptidase-9, increased capillary density in MI area, higher LVEF and left ventricular fractional shorting, all P<0.05-0.01.
Conclusion: Amlodipine improves EPC mobilization, neo-vascularization and cardiac function in diabetic-MI rats, it may be related to VEGF/eNOS cascade activation.

OBJECTIVETo establish mouse models that mimic the postoperative carcinoma metastasis in human, and observe the difference in the biological characteristics between the models for different human carcinomas.

METHODSGBC, HCT-116, NCI-H460 and SMMC-7721 cells were inoculated subcutaneously in nude mice, respectively, and when the diameter of the resulting tumors reached 1.5 cm, tumor-reductive surgery (TRS) was performed, and the survival and tumor metastasis in the mice were observed.

RESULTSTumor metastasis in the lungs occurred in 6 nude mice (75%) in GBC group at 10 weeks postoperatively, while no tumor metastasis was found in the control group at 8 weeks, and the survival time of post-TRS mice was 2 weeks longer than that in mice without TRS. In HCT-116 group, the number of nude mice with metastasis in the lungs, spleen, and lymph nodes was 15 (100%), 5 (33.3%), and 15 (100%) 17 weeks after TRS, respectively, while only 3 (23.1%) mice in the control group developed lung metastasis at 9 weeks, and the survival time of the mice showed a 8-week prolongation after TRS. In NCI-H460 group, lung metastasis occurred in 5 nude mice (100%) 14 weeks after TRS, while no metastasis was found in the control group at 10 weeks, and TRS resulted in a 4-week prolongation of the survival time of the mice. In SMMC-7721 group, no metastasis occurred in IRS or control group in spite of the presence of organ failure, and the survival time of the mice was prolonged by 6 weeks after TRS.

CONCLUSIONSResection of subcutaneously implanted tumor allows greater chances for postoperative metastasis but prolongs the survival of the tumor-bearing nude mice. The likeliness of postoperative metastasis is related to the biological characteristics of the original tumor implanted.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Male ; Mice ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; pathology ; Postoperative Complications ; pathology ; Survival Rate

Objective To discuss the predictive effect and influencing factors of serum albumin and hemoglobin level in patients with pressure ulcer.Methods Totally 8967 adult patients aging from 18 to101 years old of eight tertiary hospitals in China were selected into the survey on January 29 and April 9, 2015. European and American research instruments about pressure ulcer rate were used to collect and analyze the data of the patients who meet the requirements. Results Among 8967 cases of hospitalized patients that involved in the research, the prevalence rate of pressure ulcer was 1.68% (151/8 967);the incidence rate of hospital acquired pressure ulcer was 0.89% (80/8 967). Logistic regression analysis showed that when the albumin or hemoglobin was much lower, the risk of pressure ulcers was much higher. The risk ratio were 1.679(1.223-2.306)and 1.372 (1.191-1.931). Patients with low protein and anemia in high age group (≥61) accounted for 41.5% and 40. 4%;and in high risk group of pressure ulcers ( Braden <12 points) , patients with low protein and anemia accounted for 89.3% and 50.4%.Conclusions The serum albumin and hemoglobin level are closely related to the occurrence of pressure ulcer, and can be considered as an index of pressure ulcer risk forecast.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of dyslipidemia in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Beijing urban communities.Methods Total 3316 subjects with type 2 diabetes (age 20-80 years) were recruited from 15 urban community health centers in Beijing using a multi-stage random sampling approach.Dyslipidemia was diagnosed according to Chinese Guidelines on Prevention and Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults:2007 version.Results Among 3316 diabetic subjects (1329 malesand 1987 females),75.6％ (2506/3316) had dyslipidemia,the prevalence was 72.5％ (964/1329)in men and 77.6％ (1542/1987) in women.The prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia was 41.9％ (1388/3316) and 48.1％ (1595/3316),respectively.31.5％ (1043/3316) subjects had high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and 21.2％ (703/3316) had low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).Among all subjects with dyslipidemia only 22.9％ (575/2506) took hypolipid agents.The overall blood lipid control rates of triglyceride (TG),total cholesterol (TC),LDL-C and HDL-C in 1393 subjects with dyslipidemia history were 48.0％ (669/1393),17.4％ (242/1393),30.9％ (430/1393) and 75.8％ (1056/1393),respectively.Diabetics with dyslipidemia had higher body mass index,waist circumference,blood pressure,plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c.The prevalence of dyslipidemia in the overweight and uncontrolled-glucose group were 79.0％ (1678/2125),78.9％ (1756/2227),respectively.Logistic regression analysis showed that gender,age,body mass index and hemoglobin A1c were associated with dyslipidemia.Conclusions The prevalence of dyslipidemia in diabetic subjects in Beijing urban communities is high and less than one quarter patients take hypolipid agents.Age,body mass index and hemoglobin A1c are the risk factors of dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetic patients.

Objective To study clinical characteristics of type 2 diabetic(T2D)patients with metabolic syndrome(MS)and its components in Beijing urban communities.Methods Totally,3295 T2D patients involved in a combined prospective diabetic management study from 15 urban communities in Beijing were classified as four groups, according to 2004 Chinese Diabetes Society's definition of MS, i. e, isolated T2D, T2D with one component of MS, T2D with two components of MS and T2D with three components of MS. Their clinical characteristics were analyzed. Results ( 1 ) Among 3295 T2D patients, 155 (4. 7% )were isolated T2D, 107 (32.6%) T2D with one component of MS, 1386 (42.1%) T2D with two components of MS and 679 (20.6%) T2D with three components of MS, with an overall 62.7% (2065/3295) of T2D patients complicated with MS. (2) In these T2D patients, the more components of MS they had, the higher body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist to hip circumference ratio (WHR),systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting serum levels of insulin and triglyceride (TG) and the lower level of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL) were presented (P <0. 01 ). (3) Percentage of isolated T2D in women increased from 49. 0% (76/155) to 61.9% (420/679)of those with three components of MS ( P < 0 01 ), with increasing of components of MS. (4) Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that BMI, history of hypertension, decreased HDL, increased TG,increased blood pressure, all were risk factors for T2D patients complicated with MS. Conclusions Among T2D patients in urban communities of Beijing, 95.3% (3140/3295) of them complicated with one or more components of MS, and 61.9% (420/679) of them complicated with MS. So, community diabetic management must be implemented in an all-round way, including control of blood pressure, blood lipids,body weight and so on, in addition to control of blood sugar.

Background and objective 50%-70%of patients with advanced lung cancer will develop bone metas-tases. hTe aim of this study is to establish the nude mice bone metastasis model of lung adenocarcinoma using A549, H1299, SPC-A-1 and XL-2, all of which own different invasion and migration abilities in vitro and supervise the bone metastases by MicroCT. Methods iftfy BALB/C-nu/nu nude mice were grouped into ifve groups on average randomly. Cells of the four cell lines were injected into the letf cardiac ventricle of mice in the four experimental groups (0.2 mL/mouse) respectively;meanwhile, mice in the control group were injected with normal saline (0.2 mL/mouse) in the same manner. Periodical radio-logical examination was carried out to supervise the variation of the mice since the second week atfer injection. When mice in each group became thin obviously, end the experiment of this group. Before the end, pathological sections of bone tissues were made. We classiifed the bone metastatic sites into axial skeleton and limb bone, in order to compare the metastatic rates of these two different parts. hTe bone metastatic abilities of the four cell lines was statistically analyzed by comparing the average time cost in the appearance of bone metastases and the percentage of bone metastases among the experimental groups. Results Different metastatic sites which had been identiifed both by MicroCT and pathological sections appeared in each group of the four experimental groups. By contrast, no metastasis was observed in the control group. hTe percentage of cancer metastasiz-ing to axial skeleton was remarkably higher than the percentage of tumor metastasizing to the limb bone in each experimental group, which was consistent with the clinical regularity and characteristics of skeletal metastases with lung cancer. hTus, the model has been established triumphantly. However, there were no statistical differences in the average time consumed and skeletal metastatic rate among the four experimental groups. Conclusion hTe disruption in the bone can be clearly detected by MicroCT, which is beneift to supervise the osseous metastasis. We successfully developed the nude mice bone metastasis model of lung adenocarcinoma, which will pave the way for exploring novel prevention and therapy strategies clinically. hTe four cell lines varied in invasion and migration abilities in vitro, but there was no statistical difference in the metastatic ability in vivo, and the reason need to be explored further in future.