Objective To investigate the effects of recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) therapy on pulmonary hypertension,and its influence on number and functions of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in rats.Methods Eight week old Sprague-Dawlay rats were randomized into model group,treatment group and control group (8 rats in each group).The rats in model group and treatment group were treated with single subcutaneous injection of 1％ monocrotaline (50 mg/kg) to induce pulmonary hypertension models,while the control group was treated with phosphate buffered saline.Five days later,the rats in treatment group were administrated with 50 μg/(kg· d) rhG-CSF for 3 days.On day 21,peripheral blood was collected from caudal vein in all groups,and the percentage of EPCs in 100 000 mononuclear cells was evaluated by flow cytometry.Right ventricular systolic pressure was assessed,and the pathological changes of lung tissue and pneumoangiogram were observed by HE staining.Meanwhile,peripheral mononuclear cells collected from caudal vein were separated and cultured in vitro for EPCs.The cell ffunctions as proliferation,adhesion and migration ability were assessed.ANOVA and LSD test were applied as statistical analysis methods.Results (1) The right ventricular systolic pressure of rats in model group was higher than that in the controls [(48.13 ± 2.85) mm Hg vs (27.88 ± 3.04) mm Hg,t=2.016,P＜0.01],the lesion of endothelial cells in pulmonary arteriolar was evident,and the vessel wall was thickened.The pulmonary artery pressure of rats in the treatment group [(30.38 ± 2.83) mm Hg] was lower than that in the model group and close to the level of control group (t=0.376,P＞0.05) with mild pulmonary pathological changes.(2) The percentage off peripheral blood EPCs in mononuclear cells in the model group was decreased as compared to the control group [(0.016±0.007) ％ vs (0.031±0.011) ％,t=2.617,P＜0.01].After administration ofrhG-CSF,the EPCs in treatment group [(0.042±0.013) ％] was increased evidently as compared to the model group (t=4.325,P＜0.01) and the control group (t =1.942,P＜0.05).(3) The proliferation,adhesive and migrated cells of EPCs in model group were 0.49 ± 0.04,(6.93 ± 1.47) cells/HPF and (7.22±1.53) cells/HPF,lower than those in control group [0.68±0.07,(11.05±1.73) cells/HPF and (12.58±2.15) cells/HPF] and treatment group [0.63±0.06,(12.35±1.82) cells/HPF and (12.97±2.84) cells/HPF],the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusions rhG-CSF may be effective in treating pulmonary hypertension through up-regulating the number and function of circulating EPCs in rat model of pulmonary hypertension.

Objective To determinate whether the first post-operative day serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) is more effective than serum calcium in predicting hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy.Methods According to PTH level on the first post-operative day,104 patients after total thyroidectomy were divided into different groups.Patient's serum calcium was measured,the number of patients who developed hypocalcemia and the time for calcium supplement were recored.Results Serum PTH was more accurate in predicting hypocalcemia than serum calcium.There were 26 patients whose PTH value was ＜ 5 pg/ml,among whom 7 patients had transient hypocalcemia and symptoms,while 5 of them developed hypocalcemia for long time and needed long-term calcium supplement.The positive predictive value of group PTH value ＜ 5 pg/ml was 28％,and the accurate rate was 46％,higher than other groups.Besides,the positive predictive value and the accurate rate of PTH value ＜ 5 pg/ml was higher than serum calcium.Conclusion Serum PTH is more effective in determining hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy than serum calcium,and PTH value ＜ 5 pg/ml on the first post-operative day is a reliable marker in predicting hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy.

Objective To research the relation of early growth response gene-1(EGR-1) and NF-κB in human T-cell leukemia virus type 1(HTLV-1) Tax protein positive cells. Methods RT-PCR was used to amplify the aimed segments EGR-1 cDNA which was then inserted into an eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.0 to construct pcDNA3.0-EGR-1. The constructed plasmid was transfected into TaxN and TaxP cells by Tfx-50-mediated transfer method, the expression levels of EGR-1, p65 and Tax mRNA in transfected cells were assay by RT-PCR after 48 h post-transfection, the proteins of EGR-1 and p65 were detected by Western blot after 48 h post-transfection too. The constructed plasmid and pNF-κB-luc reporter gene plasmid was co-transfected into TaxN and TaxP cells by Tfx-50-mediated transfer method, and the activity of luciferase was assay after 48 h post-transfection. Results The results showed that the eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.0-EGR-1 was successfully constructed. The mRNA and protein expression of EGR-1 could be promoted significantly by Tax. EGR-1 can promote the mRNA and protein expressions of p65 in TaxP cells, the activity of NF-κB was up-regulated by EGR-1 too. Conclusion EGR-1 maybe involve in adult T-cell leukemia(ATL) by increasing the activation of NF-κB.