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 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

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.

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.

The current treatments of metastatic malignant melanoma include chemotherapy,targeted therapy,immune therapy and radiation therapy,but the treatment outcome is far from optimism.In order to im-prove the treatment efficiency,it is urgent to improve early diagnosis,and develop more effective treatment drugs and delivery systems.The application of nanotechnology in the diagnosis and therapy of melanoma can re-duce the resistance to the drugs,increase efficacy and reduce side effects.

Objective To evaluate effects of acitretin on HaCaT cells cultured in hypoxic condition,and to preliminarily explore the possible therapeutic mechanisms of acitretin in psoriasis.Methods HaCaT cells were divided into several groups to be cultured in hypoxic condition with the presence of acitretin at concentrations of 10-5,10-6,10-7 and 10 8 mol/L respectively,with cells treated with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as DMSO control group and those receiving no treatment as blank control group.Cellular proliferative activity was evaluated by CCK-8 assay after 12-,24-and 36-hour hypoxic culture in vitro.The mRNA and protein expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were determined by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and Western-blot analysis,respectively,after 24-hour hypoxic culture.Results After 24-hour hypoxic culture,the cellular proliferation rate was inhibited by 13.31％ ± 1.15％,21.86％ ± 5.31％,32.05％ ± 2.99％ and 37.28％ ± 3.21％ in the 10 8-,10-7-,10-6-and 10-5-mol/L acitretin groups respectively.With the increase of culture duration and acitretin concentrations,the degree of inhibition on cellular proliferation increased gradually.Compared with the blank control group,the 10-5-mol/L acitretin group showed significantly decreased protein expression of HIF-1α (0.319 ± 0.180 vs.1.196 ± 0.088,P ＜0.05),as well as decreased mRNA and protein expressions of VEGF (mRNA:0.442 ± 0.090 vs.1.108 ± 0.073;protein:0.216 ± 0.066 vs.1.174 ± 0.186;both P ＜ 0.05).However,no significant difference was found in the mRNA expression of HIF-lα between the 10-5-mol/L acitretin group and blank control group.Conclusion Acitretin can suppress the in vitro proliferation of HaCaT cells cultured in hypoxic condition,and down-regulate the expressions of HIF-1α and VEGF proteins as well as VEGF mRNA.

Objective To study the morphological changes of external eyes before and after epicanthoplasty combined with blepharoplasty and to explore a simple and efficient method to correct epicanthus. Methods A total of 120 eyes in 60 patients were operated on with the inverted L-sharp epicanthoplasty combined with double-eyelid blepharoplasty and the follow-up began 2 months after the surgery. The height and physiognomic length of the eyelid and the length and angle of the eyelash were measured and compared with preoperative meansurements, as well as the distance of the inner canthus. The ratios between the inner-canthus distance and the physiognomic eyelid breadth and the diameter of eyebrow and eye were also described. Results The contours of the eyelid fissure and the double-eyelid were natural and the surgical scare was seen unconspicuous 3 months after the operation. Changes in the palpebral fissure , the angel and length of the exposed eyelash were all significantly different by paired-sample t test (P < 0.01). The vertical and horizontal lines through the entocanthion and the vertical line through the gnomic ectocanthion combined with the horizontal line through the brow ridge formed a square structure. Conclusions This inverted L-shape epicanthoplasty combined with blepharoplasty may be effective in reconstructing the contours of the entocanthions as well as the shape of the double eyelids. It can also achieve better cosmetic effects in the proportional relation between the eyes and eyebrows. Therefore, it deserves clinical promotion.

Objective To explore the efficacy of dermatophagoides farinae drops for treating allergic rhinitis in children and its influence on serum IL‐4 and IL‐35 levels .Methods A total of 80 children with mite sensitized allergic rhinitis in the Central Hospital of Nanyang city from January 2012 to October 2013 were selected as the research subjects and randomly divided into the control group and the observation group according to random number table method ,40 cases in each group .The control group was given the symptomatic treatment ,while the observation group was given sublingual dermatophagoides farinae drops .The treatment lasted for 18 months .The efficacy ,symptom score and eosinophil count value (Eos) were observed .ELISA was used to detect ser‐um IL‐4 ,IL‐35 levels .Results The total effective rate after treatment in the observation group was 97 .50% ,which was higher than 92 .50% in the control group ,but without statistically significant difference between them(χ2 =1 .052 6 ,P=0 .305) .After treat‐ment ,the symptom scores ,medication scores and Eos count had statistical differences in the two groups were significantly lower than before(P<0 .05) ,but which had statistical differences between the two groups after treatment(P<0 .05);serum IL‐4 level af‐ter treatment in the two groups were significantly lower than before(P<0 .05) ,while the IL‐35 level was significantly higher than before(P<0 .05) ,the serum IL‐4 and IL‐35 levels after treatment had statistically significant differences between the two groups (P<0 .05) .The incidence rate of adverse reactions showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (χ2 =0 .213 3 ,P=0 .644) .Conclusion Sublingual specific immunotherapy of dermatophagoides farinae drops can effectively improve the symptoms of mite sensitized allergic rhinitis in children ,reduces proinflammatory cytokine IL‐4 level and increases suppressing in‐flammatory cytokine IL‐35 level .

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.