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.

Aim To investigate the function of fenofi-brate on PAN ( puromycin aminonucleoside )-induced podocyte injury. Methods SD female rats of 18-week-old were randomly assigned into 3 groups ( n =6 ) . Mice in PAN group and fenofibrate treated group received a single intravenous injection of PAN ( 65 mg ·kg-1 ) , while those in control group received equal volume of saline. Mice in fenofibrate treated group re-ceived 40 mg · kg-1 · d-1 of fenofibrate ( intragastric administration ) on day 1 after PAN injection , while those in PAN group and control group received equal volume of vehicle. 24 hours urine samples from all group were collected on day 0(1 day before PAN injec-tion), day 6, day 10. The 24 hours urine protein was detected by Bradford assay. All the rats were sacrificed 10 days after the induction of podocyte injury, and glo-merulus sample were collected. The expression of podocyte injury marker and transcription level in apop-tosis, podocyte cytoskeleton protein, slit diaphragm protein were evaluated by Western blot and real-time PCR. Results Compared with the control group, 10 days after injection of PAN, 24 hours urine protein was obviously increased, and the expression and transcrip-tion level of podocyte injury marker desmin, apoptosis, podocyte cytoskeleton protein, slit diaphragm protein were upregulated greatly, however, those were signifi-cantly lower in fenofibrate treated group as compared with those in PAN group. Conclusions PPAR-α ago-nist fenofibrate can ameliorate PAN-induced glomerulus podocyte injury, and the mechanism involved may be associated with inhibition of the mitochondria apopto-sis, TGF-β/Smad pathway and p38 pathway.

Objective To investigate the effect and clinical significance of HBV replication on the serum levels of IL-12 and IL-18 in patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis.Methods The levels of HBV-DNA and IL-12 and IL-18 in peripheral blood from 136 patients with different clinic types chronic hepatic diseases(102 patients with chronic hepatitis B,34 patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis ),95 HBV carriers and 20 healthy people (as control group) were respectively detected with ELISA and real time PCR.Results The levels of IL-12 and IL-18 in chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis B-related cirrhosis groups were significantly increased compared with control group(P0.05); and there was positive relationship between prevalence of HBV replication and IL-12,IL-18 levels in different chronic hepatic disease groups(r=0.74,P

OBJECTIVE To investigate and analyze the risk factors,clinical characteristics and prevention countermeasures of hospital fungal incfection in old patients with malignant tumors.METHODS To adopt investigation way to review and analyze the clinical data of hospital fungal infection in 165 cases from the old patients with malignant tumors.RESULTS Among 165 cases the infection occurred predominantly in lower respiratory tract(47.2%),and with urological tract being second(19.0%).Of 165 strains of fungi from 165 patients,the first was Candida albicans(55.8%),and the second was C.tropicalis(23.0%).CONCLUSIONS The causes of hospital fungal infection in old patients with malignant tumors are highly associated with the risk factors such as primary tumor,age,radiotherapy,chemotherapy,antibiotics,hormone,invasive operation,and so on.

Objective To observe the effect of fluvastatin on urinary albumin excretion rate(UAER)of microalbuminuria in type 2 diabetes patients.Methods Type 2 diabetes patients with mieroalbuminuria were randomly divided into fluvastatin goup(n=126)and control group(n=129).Fluvastatin group was given fluvastatin 40 mg each night.Follow up was conducted for 1.5 years.The UAER and glomerular filtration rate(GFR)as well as blood lipid level before and after therapy were compared.Results UAER in fluvastatin group was significantly lower than that in control group[(59.6±10.5)vs(87.5±12.3)mg/min,P＜0.05]before therapy[(104.4±25.2)vs(110.6±19.7)mg/min,P＜0.05],which was independent of its lowering-lipid effect.But GFR had no signifimicroalbuminuria which is independent of lowering-lipid effect in type 2 diabetic nephropathy patients and delay the progress of diabetic nephropathy.

Objective To explore relationship between resistin'adipenectin and insulin resistance(IR) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Methods Based on polysomnography (PSG) and disease history ,68 patients were divided into three groups: mild ( L, n = 24 ), moderate ( M, n = 13 ), severe ( S, n = 31 ) OSAHS, and normal control ( n = 20 ). Fasting serum glucose, insulin, lipoids, resistin and adipanectin were measured. HOMA-IR was calculated, the correlation between HOMA-IR and resistin, adiponectin, lipoids, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, apnea-hypopnea index ( AHI), the lowest saturation of blood oxygen ( LSaO2) and the per-centage of total sleep time spent with an oxygen saturation less than 90% (T90) were analysed. Results The levels of serum resistins in each OSAHS group were (8.04 ±2. 14), ( 10.85±4.89 ), ( 13.34±3.52 )mg/L, and were sig-nificantly higher than those in control group ( 9.49 ± 2.40) mg/L ( P < 0.05 ), S were significantly higher than L (P<0.05) ;The levels of serum adiponectin of OSAHS groups were(6. 21 ± 1.74), (4. 19±1.80), (2.26± 1.17 ) mg/L, and were significantly lower than those in control group(9.49±2.40) mg/L (P < 0.05 ), and the inter-group differences were statistically significant (P <0. 05). HOMA-IR of M and S were(4.07±0.97), (5.61± 2.26) significantly higher than those of L and control group( 1.57 ±0. 58 ), (2.47 ±1.52 ) ( P < 0.05 ), and inter-group differences between M and S were statistical significant( P < 0.05 ). Spearman correlation analysis showed that HOMA-IR was significantly positive correlated with resistin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, body mass index,waist-hip rafio,AHI,T90( r =0. 794,0.438,0. 430,0. 351,0. 456,0.775,0.624 ,P <0.01 ) ,negative with adiponectin, LSaO2 (r=-0.563, -0.623 ,P <0.01 ). Partial correlation analysis showed that after the effect of adiponeetin and resis-tin were controlled,HOMA-IR was significant positive correlation with T90 and AHI(r =0.231,0.358 ,P <0.05 ). Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that, to HOMA-IR, resistin and AHI were the most significant impact factors (R2 =0.613,F=69.810,P<0.01). Conclusions HOMA-IR is significantly positively correlated with the severity of OSAHS,independent of the blood lipids, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, resistin, adiponectin and other factors;the effects of blood lipids,body mass index,waist-hip ratio and other factors on HOMA-IR probably depend on resistin and adiponectin;AHI and plasma resistin level may determine the level of insulin resistance in patients with OSAHS.