Objective To investigate the relationship between plasma N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) level and left ventricular(LV) diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive patients without systolic dysfunction.Methods Forty-four cases of primary hypertensive patients with left ventricular ejection fraction more than 50％ were enrolled,14 cases in normal diastolic function group,30 cases in diastolic dysfunction group(18 cases in delayed relaxation group and 12 cases in pseudo normalization filling group).LV diastolic function was assessed with conventional Doppler by means of mitral inflow and with tissue Doppler echocardiography by means of mitral annulus.The ratio of early diastolic transmitral E wave velocities to tissue Doppler mitral annulus early diastolic E' wave velocities (E/E') was used to detect LV filling pressures.Patients were divided into three groups according to E/E' ratios.Plasma concentrations of NT-proBNP were also measured.All related data were statistically analyzed.Results The levels of NT-proBNP were (115.2 ± 78.9)ng/L in LV diastolic dysfunction group,(34.7 ± 17.5) ng/L in normal filling group and (206.6 ± 75.8) ng/L in pseudonormal filling group.The level of NT-proBNP significantly elevated (F =85.263,P =0.000) along with the severity of lefi ventricular diastolic dysfunction.There was significant difference between each of the two groups among the three groups(all P ＜0.01).According to E/E' ratios,the patients were divided into three groups:E/E' ＜10(n =16),10 ＜ E/E ＜ 15(n =18),E/E' ＞ 15(n =10).The level of NT-proBNP were (39.5 ± 20.1) ng/L,(71.2 ± 26.4) ng/L and (203.7 ± 75.2) ng/L respectively in the three groups.The NT-proBNP blood level was positively correlated significantly with E/E' ratio (r =0.80,P ＜ 0.01).The sensitivity was 87％ and the specificity was 100％ for diagnosis of left ventricular filling pressure (E/E' ＞ 15)according to a NT-proBNP value of 119 ng/L.Conclusion Combining of plasma NT-proBNP and Doppler E/E'have potential value for identification of those patients with hypertension to detect early cardiovascular changes,especially LV diastolic dysfunction.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and side effects of new combination of high-dose methotrexate (MTX),cisplatin (DDP),pirarubicin (THP),and ifosfamide (IFO) in the treatment of extremity osteosarcoma patients.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted for 125 osteosarcoma patients treated with the optimized neo-adjuvant chemotherapy combined with the four drugs mentioned above (MTX 200 mg/kg iv 6 h d1,CF 9 mg at one time,12 times; DDP 100 mg/m2,THP 30 mg iv,d8-10;IFO 3.0 g/m2 iv d16-18,mesna after IFO for 0,3,6,9 h).The efficacy and side effects of the therapeutic scheme were evaluated.Results The effective salvage rates of Ⅱ a and Ⅱb schemes were 36.4％ (8/22) and 79.6％ (82/103) with a statistical significance (P ＜ 0.05).The 2-year survival rate of schemes was 62.4％,and the survival time was(17.7 ± 8.3)months.The main side effects were myelo-suppression,nausea,and vomiting,etc.The incidence rate of myelo-suppression,nausea,and vomiting with grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ accounted for 71.2％,37.6％,and 13.6％,respectively.Conclusions The optimized neo-adjuvant therapy strategy based on high-dose MTX,DDP,THP,and IFO is effective in the treatment of osteosarcoma.

Objective To compare the different expression patterns of survivin and caspase-3 between the larger part and the smaller part of the dissymmetric enlarged prostates in BPH patients, and to clarify the role of apoptosis in BPH etiology. Methods BPH tissues from 25 patients were embedded in paraffin. The specimens constituted of two prostate parts from each patient. One part was from the larger enlarged gland and the other was from the smaller enlarged counterpart. 50 paraf-fin blocks were cut into sections and stained with survivin and caspase-3 polyclonal antibodies against human. All the data was analyzed by SPSS13.0 software. Results Survivin immunoreactivity was localized in prostatic cell nuclei. Survivin expression in larger enlarged parts (22.08±16. 33)0% was significantly higher than the smaller parts (7. 645±5. 45)%(P<0.01). Positive nuclear or cytoplasm staining was also observed in the Caspase-3 immunoreactivity. Caspase-3 expression was higher in smaller enlarged parts (51. 525±27. 27%) than in larger enlarged parts (33. 125±21.01%) (P< 0.01). Survivin expression in larger part of the enlarged prostates was inversely correlated with caspase-3 expression (r=-0. 474, P<0. 05). However, in smaller part of the enlarged prostates, the expression of the two factors had no relation (r=-0. 313,P>0. 05). Conclusions Survivin and caspase-3 expression patterns are different in the two parts of the dissymmetric enlarged prostates. These different patterns indicate apoptosis playing an important role in BPH development.

s:Objective To study the effective ingredients of Shuangshenningxin Fang (SSNX). Methods Based on analyzing the HPLC fingerprints of rat samples obtained after orally taking SSNX, the ingredients absorbed into blood were identified. The cultured cells were subject to hypoxia and reoxygenation. The leakage of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) from cardiomyocytes was measured. Results Fifteen ingredients were detected after oral administration of SSNX. Dl-tetarhydropalmatine (Dl-THP), salvianolic acid B (Sal B), ginsenosides (Rg1) and dehydeocorydaline (DHC) were identified. Rg1 and DHC reduced the LDH leakage (P

BACKGROUND:Calcium sulfate has good biocompatibility and biodegradability, which is a safe and effective bone graft substitute.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the osteogenesis ability of calcium sulfate combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.
METHODS:After L4/5 posterior lumbar discectomy, 36 rabbits were randomized into three groups:rabbits in autologous bone group were implanted with autologous iliac bone via the intervertebral space;animals in al ogenic bone group were implanted with decalcified bovine bone;rabbits in tissue-engineered bone group were implanted with calcium sulfate combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Bone formation and molding were observed by gross observation, anteroposterior and lateral X-ray, histology and biomechanics at 4, 8 and 16 weeks. Cal us specimens were employed for histological observation of interbody fusion. Biomechanical analysis of spinal fusion site was conducted at 16 weeks.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Sixteen weeks later, interbody fusion was complete in the autologous bone group, the trabecular bone bridged continuously and a large amount of woven bone was merged into pieces;in the al ogenic bone group, incomplete bony fusion was found between the intervertebral space, most of cartilage tissues differentiated into bone, but fibrous tissue was also ful of the central part;in the tissue-engineered bone group, interbody fusion was complete, and a large amount of woven bone was fused into pieces, while the artificial bone was absorbed and ossified with smal residual. Failure strength and stiffness in the autologous bone and tissue-engineered bone groups were superior to those in the al ogenic bone group. These findings indicate that the calcium sulfate/bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells tissue-engineered bone has excellent osteogenic and osteoinductive capacity that can exert a good function of promoting spinal interbody fusion.

MicroRNA (miRNA) is a family of endogenous single-stranded RNA about 22 nucleotides in length. Through targeting 3' UTR of message RNA (mRNA), they play important roles in post-transcriptional regulatory functions. For further research of miRNA function, the identification of more miRNA positive targets is needed urgently. Aiming at the high-dimensional small sample data sets in miRNA target prediction, an algorithm of eliminating redundant features is proposed based on v-SVM in this paper, and classification and features selection are also fused. The algorithm of eliminating redundant features optimizes the combination of features, and then constructs the best features combination which can represent miRNA and targets interaction model. The prior parameter v (0 < u < or = 1) controls the compression proportion of data set and selects more distinguishing support vectors. Finally, the classifier model of miRNA target prediction is built. The unbiased assessment of the classifier is achieved with a completely independent test dataset. Experiment results indicated that in both classification recognition and generalization performance of miRNA targets predicition, this model was superior to the present machine learning algorithms such as miTarget, NBmiRTar and TargetMiner, etc.
MicroRNAs ; Models, Theoretical ; Support Vector Machine

Objective To evaluate the effects of Xuefurong capsules,the traditional Chinese medicine for invigorating the kidney,on sexual function and expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase(nNOS) in paraventricular nucleus(PVN) in adult castrated SD rats.Methods The male castrated rat model was made and three days after operation the liquid of Xuefurong capsules(5 mg/kg) was given by intragastric administration once a day for 28 days.The sexual function was observed and the nNOS expression in PVN was detected by using ABC immunohistochemical method.The number,area and gray degree of nNOS were counted and analyzed with semi-quantitative method.Results ①Compared with that in the castrated group,the serum testosterone level increased obviously in Xuefurong group(P0.05).Conclusion Xuefurong capsules can increase the level of testosterone,enhance the sexual function of castrated rats and nNOS expression in PVN.

Objective:To apply two dimensional gel electrophoresis(2-DE) to initially analyze the protein expression in hippocampus of rats with spleen yin deficiency syndrome and to get the theory foundation for investigating the molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer's Disease and spleen yin deficiency syndrome.Methods:Rats model of spleen yin deficiency were set up by combination of improper diet,overstrain and consumption of body fluid.Qualitative changes of the proteome expression in hippocampus were compared between the model group and control group by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.Results:The model group of spleen yin deficiency had the appearance of spleen yin deficiency,for example,irritability,increment in biting frequency,increase of rectal temperature and drinking water(P

Objective: To investigate the effects of mouse recombinant Periostin on the attachment and proliferation of PDL cells on root surfaces. Methods: Normal (N) and periodontitis (P) root slices were treated with Periostin (Pe) and fibronectin (FN), respectively. Untreated root slices (Co) served as negative controls. PDL cells were seeded on the root slices, the attachment in 24h and the proliferation in 72h of the cells were determined with cell counting. The morphology of the cells was observed under SEM. Results: After 24h cultured, the cells on each mm3 on the root slices of PeN, FNN, CoN, PeP, FNP and CoP were 498. 00?31. 75, 513. 04?27. 52, 432. 88?20. 57, 336. 51 ? 27. 66, 348. 44?30. 23 and 237. 87?32. 54 respectively ; after 72h those were 683. 33? 28. 05, 774. 62?42. 25. 603. 21 ? 19. 76, 510. 52? 28. 31, 579. 19 ? 31. 58 and 445. 92?26. 30 respectively. Conclusion: Periostin can promote the attachment and proliferation of PDL cells on both diseased and healthy root surfaces.