Academic Dissertations as Topic ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Humans

Objective: To explore the impact of renal function injury on diagnostic value of NT-proBNP in patients with heart failure (HF).
Methods: A total of 420 patients with cardiovascular disease at (50-75) years of age were divided into 2 groups based on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF): Control group, the patients with normal cardiac function, LVEF≥40%,n=232 and HF group, LVEF<40%,n=188. According to estimated glomerular ifltration rate (eGFR), each group contained 4 subgroups by Normal renal function (eGFR≥90 ml/min·1.73m2), Mild renal injury (90>eGFR≥60 ml/min·1.73m2), Moderate renal injury (60>eGFR≥30 ml/min·1.73m2) and Severe renal injury (eGFR<30 ml/min·1.73m2). The changes of NT-proBNP level at different subgroups were observed and the optimal cut-off values of NT-proBNP for HF diagnosis were measured.
Results: Compared with Control group, HF group had increased blood level of NT-proBNP,P<0.05; NT-proBNP level was negatively related to eGFR (in all patients:r=-0.664, in Control group:r=-0.686 and in HF group:r=-0.721,P<0.05). Within Control group, NT-proBNP level was similar between Normal renal function and Mild renal injury subgroups,P>0.05, while it was much higher in Moderate and Severe renal injury subgroups than Normal renal function subgroup,P<0.05. Within HF group, Severe renal injury subgroup had increased NT-proBNP level than other subgroups,P<0.05. The best cut-off value of NT-proBNP for HF diagnosis in patients with normal or mild renal injury was 1070 pg/mL (sensitivity: 91.8% and speciifcity 72.6%); with moderate renal injury was 7121 pg/mL (sensitivity: 80.2% and speciifcity: 89.7%); with severe renal injury was 33344 pg/mL (sensitivity: 83.3% and speciifcity: 80%).
Conclusion: Moderate to severe renal function injury could increase circulating level of NT-proBNP and therefore, the cut-off value of NT-proBNP for HF diagnosis should be elevated accordingly in patients of HF combing renal injury.

Effect of p-nitrophenol shock on microbial populations and sludge activity in UASB reactor was studied by DGGE-PCR of 16S rDNA fragments and detection of COD removing and biogas yield.The results showed that p-nitrophenol seriously inhibited the sludge activity,resulting in the drop of biogas and COD removing rate.The 40mg/L p-nitrophenol had more inhibition than 20mg/L p-nitrophenol.It would take 27 and 16 days respectively for reactor to recover after 40mg/L and 20mg/L p-nitrophenol shock.The diversity of eubacteria and methanogens were also effected by the p-nitrophenol shock.The variation of eubacteria was more than that of methanogens after p-nitrophenol shock.The drop of biogas was mainly related to the variation of Methanosaeta sp.and Methanomicrobia sp.after p-nitrophenol shock.Among the eubacteria the population of Chloroflexi sp.、Bacteroide sp.and Anaerovibrio sp.decreased greatly after p-nitrophenol shock.And more,the Rheinheimera sp disappeared after 40mg/L p-NP treatment.But the Flavobacteria sp.appeared after p-nitrophenol shock,which was probably related to the degradation of p-NP.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of sodium butyrate (SB) on growth, apoptosis and telomerase activity in Hep-2 cells.

METHODSGrowth inhibition effect of SB on Hep-2 cells was assessed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Morphological alterations were observed by electronic microscope. Cell apoptosis was confirmed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end-labeling (TUNEL) method, DNA fragmentation and flow cytometry (FCM). Cell cycle was analyzed by FCM. Telomerase activity was examined by telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP)-silver staining. The expression status of telomerase subunits was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSA time-and dose-dependent inhibition was detected in cells treated with SB. Typical morphological changes of apoptotic cells were observed under electronic microscopy. The characteristic DNA fragmentation of apoptotic cells was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. Apoptosis and the changes of cell cycle were confirmed by TUNEL method and FCM. The apoptosis indexes of the cells before treatment and at 72 h after SB (2.5 mmol/L) treatment were 2.27 +/- 1.18 and 33.50 +/- 2.75 respectively, the apoptosis rates were 2. 86% and 31. 28% respectively, the proportion of the cells at G0/G1 stage were 50.38% and 70.88% respectively, the proportion of the cells at S stage were 27.40% and 8.20% respectively, and the proliferation indexes of the cells were 49.62% and 29.12% respectively. Telomerase activity and expression level of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), the key subunit of telomerase, decreased after SB treatment. No significant changes were observed in the expression of human telomerase RNA (hTR) and human telomerase associated protein (hTP1), the other two subunit of telomerase.

CONCLUSIONSB could inhibit growth of Hep-2 cells and induce apoptosis in the cells, and inhibit telomerase activity by decrease expression level of hTERT.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Butyrates ; pharmacology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Sodium ; pharmacology ; Telomerase ; metabolism

Animals ; Coxsackievirus Infections ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Enterovirus B, Human ; Female ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Myocarditis ; virology ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Selenium ; pharmacology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the intra-vaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) of varicocele patients, the influence of spermatic vein ligation on IELT, and the relationship of Visual Analogue Score (VAS) with IELT.

METHODSWe selected 112 males who had regular sexual life after spermatic vein ligation and conducted follow-up visits for 6 months. According to preoperative IELT, we divided the patients into an IELT < or = 2 min group and an IELT > 2 min group, and compared their IELT, VAS and Chinese Index of Sexual Function for Premature Ejaculation-5 (CIPE-5) scores before and 6 months after operation.

RESULTSFollow-up was accomplished in 81 of the patients, 18 in the IELT < or = 2 min group and 63 in the IELT >2 min group. Compared with the baseline, IELT was significantly prolonged postoperatively in both the IELT < or = 2 min group ([1.26 +/- 0.37] vs [4.53 +/- 1.69] min, P < 0.01) and the IELT >2 min group ([5.14 +/- 2.03] vs [7.69 +/- 4.51] min, P < 0.05); the postoperative CIPE-5 scores were remarkably improved in the former (11.27 +/- 3.52 vs 15.64 +/- 2.37, P < 0.05) but insignificantly in the latter group (20.42 +/- 4.65 vs 21.83 +/- 5.49, P > 0.05); the postoperative grades of the CIPE-5 scores showed significant differences in both groups (chi2 = 6.353, P = 0.042 and chi2 = 3.910, P = 0.048); the postoperative VAS was markedly increased (3.18 +/- 0.92 vs 1.56 +/- 0.83 and 3.24 +/- 0.95 vs 1.74 +/- 0.79, P < 0.05), with significant differences in the grades of VAS in both groups (chi2 = 4.433, P = 0.035 and chi2 = 10.088, P = 0.001). The variation of VAS was negatively correlated with that of IELT in both groups (r = -0.572, P < 0.01 and r = -0.465, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONVaricocele may be one of the causes of premature ejaculation, and some of the varicocele patients with IELT < or = 2 min may benefit from spermatic vein ligation. Improved VAS is negatively correlated with prolonged IELT. The relationship between varicocele and premature ejaculation deserves further studies.

Adult ; Ejaculation ; physiology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ligation ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Varicocele ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) and its correlation with clinicopathological features and prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSThe expression of FOXM1 in 68 cases of NSCLC was detected by immunohistochemistry. The FOXM1 expression in 6 tumor tissues (3 cases with negative and 3 cases with positive expression of FOXM1) was analyzed by Western blotting to confirm the immunohistochemical results. The correlation of the expression of FOXM1 with clinicopathalogical features and overall survival of the NSCLC patients was analyzed.

RESULTSThe expression of FOXM1 protein was detected in the nuclei or cytoplasms of the tumor cells. The positive expression rate of FOXM1 was 36.8% (25/68). Western blotting confirmed the immunohistochemical results. The expression level of FOXM1 in advanced stage cancer was significantly higher than that in early stage NSCLC (P = 0.001). The median OS was 23.0 months in patients with negative expression of FOXM1 and 13.0 months in those with positive expression (P = 0.001). Univariate analysis revealed that histological grade, lymph nodes status, TNM stage and FOXM1 expression were significantly associated with prognosis in the NSCLC patients (P < 0.05). The Cox multivariate analysis demonstrated that lymph nodes status, TNM stage and FOXM1 expression were independent poor prognostic factors (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expression status of FOXM1 in NSCLC is an independent prognostic factor and negatively correlated with prognosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Forkhead Box Protein M1 ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Grading ; Neoplasm Staging ; Proportional Hazards Models

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of a new anticoagulant, annexin V derivative (AND) on anticoagulation and antithrombosis.

METHODSHigh and low doses of AND were given to rabbits (groups 1 and 2 respectively) by intravenous (iv) bolus injections followed by half the respective AND doses by iv infusion over 2 hours. Control groups were iv given heparin (group 3) and saline (group 4) of the same volume and procedure as that in group 1 and 2. Blood cell count, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT) and fibrinogen level were examined before and 15, 30 and 60 min after iv bolus and 2 hours after the end of iv infusion. A 3.0 mm x 15 mm balloon was put into femoral artery to induce endothelial denudation 15 min after IV bolus and the blood pressure of femoral artery was monitored until the pulse pressure recorded 0 mm Hg when the vessel was occluded completely by a thrombus. The femoral arteries were collected and the thrombi were stripped off for measuring their lengths, wet and dry weights.

RESULTSAnticoagulation parameters: APTT at 15 min after iv bolus in AND group was significantly longer than that in group 4 (P < 0.05) but shorter than that in group 3 (P < 0.05); APTT and TT in group 3 were significantly longer than those in groups 1, 2 and 4. Fibrinogen: 0.70 mg/kg AND may decrease fibrinogen. Antithrombosis values: the wet and dry weights in AND groups were significantly lighter than those in group 3 and 4 (P < 0.05). The dry weight in high-dose AND group was remarkably lighter than that in low-dose group (P = 0.029). The length of thrombus in low-dose AND group was remarkably shorter than that in group 4 (P = 0.013), but not for group 3 (P > 0.05). It was remarkably shorter in high-dose AND group than in both group 3 (P < 0.001) and 4 (P = 0.015). The time when pulse pressure equaled to 0 was longer in AND group than in group 4 (P < 0.05), but not in 3.

CONCLUSIONAND is an effective anticoagulant and antithrombosis agent, the highest anticoagulation effect occurs at 15 min after IV bolus. Its anticoagulation effect is not more potent than that of standard heparin, while antithrombosis capacity is more effective. AND in treating thrombosis clinically might be promising.

Animals ; Annexin A5 ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Anticoagulants ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Blood Coagulation ; drug effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fibrinogen ; analysis ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Male ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Prothrombin Time ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Thrombin Time ; Thrombosis ; prevention & control

Diagnostic Errors ; Female ; Humans ; Hymen ; abnormalities ; Infant, Newborn

Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Muramidase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Peptides, Cyclic ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Pichia ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification