OBJECTIVETo detect plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in acute Kawasaki disease (KD) and analyze the relationship between NT-proBNP and other bio-markers in order to evaluate if NT-proBNP could be as a useful diagnostic marker to predict the risk of coronary arterial lesions in acute KD.

METHODTotally 106 patients with KD were recruited from January 2012 to April 2014 at Department of Pediatrics of Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology,64 were boys and 42 were girls, their age ranged from 2 months to 8 years and 4 months. Of the 106 cases, 48 had typical KD(TKD) and 58 incomplete KD(IKD). They were divided into two groups according to echocardiography results: coronary arterial lesions (KD-CAL, n = 33) and non coronary arterial lesions (KD-nCAL, n = 73). Forty children whose age and gender matched with respiratory tract infection were selected as control group, 22 were boys and 18 were girls, age range from 7 months to 7 years and 11 months. Plasma NT-proBNP levels were measured by using the enzyme-linked fluorescence analysis (ELFA) at the day of admission, meanwhile blood routine tests, liver function tests, determination of C-reactive protein (CEP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), electrolytes were performed in these patients. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to evaluate the association. The ROC curve analysis was done to identify the threshold of coronary 'arterial lesions.

RESULTThe levels of NT-proBNP were (1 037 271) ng/L in TKD group and (1,325 ± 264) ng/L in IKD group. The levels of NT-proBNP in control group was (125 ± 22) ng/L. Both the levels of NT-proBNP in TKD and IKD group were significantly higher than that of control group (t = 3.360, 3.590; P < 0.05). The level of NT-proBNP in KD-CAL group was (2,775 ± 842) ng/L and that of KD-nCAL group was (830 ± 145) ng/L, NT-proBNP levels of KD-nCAL group was significantly higher than that of control group (t = 3.660, P = 0.007) ; moreover the level of NT-proBNP of KD-CAL group was also significantly higher than that of KD-nCAL group ( t = 3.860, P = 0.005). The levels of total white blood cell count, neutrophil percentage, platelet count, CRP and ESR of KD-CAL group were significantly higher than those of the control group, however there was no significant difference between KD-CAL group and KD-nCAL group. The levels of albumin and Na of KD-nCAL group were significantly lower than those of the control group. Plasma NT-proBNP level in KD group was positively correlated with white blood cell count, neutrophil percentage, and CRP (r = 0.239, P = 0.025; r = 0.359, P = 0.001; r = 0.474, P = 0.001), there was a negative correlation between albumin and Na (r = -0.303, P = 0.015; r = -0.338, P = 0.002). When the level of NT-proBNP was higher than 950 ng/L, the sensitivity for diagnosis of coronary arterial lesions in the KD was 88.1% and the specificity was 89.0%.

CONCLUSIONThe plasma NT-proBNP can be used as a useful parameter in early diagnosis of KD. Plasma NT-proBNP could be used to predict the risk of coronary arterial lesions in KD.

Biomarkers ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; complications ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Peptide Fragments ; blood ; Predictive Value of Tests ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Objective To investigate the mechanism of high phosphate - stimulated calcification in vascular smooth muscle cell. Methods The cell culture of bovine aortic smooth muscle was performed. Osteocalcin (OC) mRNA expression and calcium deposition in different phosphate concentrations [normal phosphate (Pi 1. 5mmol/L), high phosphate (2.0mmol/L)] were determined by radioimmunoassay, RT-PCR, and 0-cresolphthalein complexone method respectively. Results After 72 hours,high phosphate treatment of smooth muscle cells(SMC) enhanced the expression of osteocalcin protein [Pi 2. 0 mmol/L versus Pi 1. 5 mmol/L: (15. 03?2. 60) pg/u-g protein versus (2. 98 ?0.84) pg/ug protein, P

AIM To observe the effect of phosphonoformic acid (PFA) in different concentration on vascular calcification induced by elevated phosphate. METHODS The cell culture of bovine aortic smooth muscle were performed. Calcium deposition in different phosphate and PFA concentrations were determined by O cresolphthalein complexone method, and osteocalcin expression by radioimmunity and RT PCR. RESULTS Compared to Pi 1 5 mmol?L -1 group,bovine smooth muscle cells (BSMC) cultured in medium containing Pi 2 0 mmol?L -1 phosphate level increased calcium deposition 〔On day 6, (77 187?11 692) mg?g -1 Pro versus (25 768?1 750) mg?g -1 Pro, P

Objective To evaluate the effects of an intervention programme of health education and life style modification on postmenopausal osteoporosis women. Methods A total of 120 postmenopausal osteoporosis women were enrolled in this one-year randomized controlled follow-up study and assigned to the intervention group ( Group A, n = 60) or the control group ( Group B, n = 60). Both groups were treated with alendronate sodium. In Group A, education program was performed once a season in the form of face-to-face consultation or group session. In Group B, no additional intervention was used. The primary outcome was patients' compliance in follow-up. The secondary outcomes were change in bone mineral density (BMD).BMD was measured by dual-X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) on lumbar spine and hip at baseline and 12 months after the intervention. Results After one-year intervention,51 subjects in Group A and 38 in Group B completed the follow-up. Groups A showed better compliance. BMD on lumbar spine and hip was significantly increased in both groups when compared with baseline. The changes of BMD on lumbar (0.042+0.067 vs 0.026±0.070,P=0. O29) or Words region (0.029 +0. 129 vs 0.023±0. 143,P=0. 041 ) showed statistical significance between the two groups. Conclusion For alendronate sodium treatment, health management ensures the effectiveness of the therapy and improves the compliance of the patients.

AIM: To evaluate the potential acylation stimulating protein (ASP) resistance in both adipocytes and preadipocytes under the conditions by which insulin resistance is produced by the stimulation of free fatty acids (FFA), and to explore the mechanism of ASP resistance on post-receptor level. METHODS: 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were induced to differentiate. Then the cells were treated with oleate or palmitate at concentration of 0 mmol/L (FFA-free DMEM/F12), 0.125 mmol/L, 0.5 mmol/L or 1.0 mmol/L overnight. Glucose transport was assessed by [~3H] 2-deoxyglucose uptake to evaluate insulin resistance and ASP resistance. Both non-FFA treated and FFA treated 3T3-L1 cells were cultured with ASP at concentration of 5.0 μmol/L for 4 h, then the cell proteins were extracted, and the expressions of guanine nucleotide binding protein beta (Gβ), guanine nucleotide-binding protein alpha-q/11(Gαq/11), phosphorylated-protein kinase Cα (p-PKCα) and phosphorylated-protein kinase Cζ (p-PKCζ) were measured by Western blotting. RESULTS: Both adipocytes and preadipocytes were responsive to ASP. ASP stimulation increased glucose transport by 198% in adipocytes and by 287% in preadipocytes (P<0.01 vs PBS). FFA at concentration of 0.125 mmol/L did not change ASP-stimulated glucose transport significantly, but high dose of oleate or palmitate effectively reduced the ASP response with a significant reduction by 47% (P<0.05 for oleate) and 34% (P<0.05 for palmitate) at 1 mmol/L FFA in adipocytes. Similarly in preadipocytes, glucose uptake rates were decreased by 43% (P<0.05 for oleate) and 62% (P<0.01 for palmitate) at 1 mmol/L FFA. Effects were comparable to those obtained with insulin. After overnight incubation with oleate or palmitate in adipocytes and preadipocytes, Gβ, Gαq/11, p-PKCα and p-PKCζ were downregulated both in the absence of ASP treatment and in the presence of ASP treatment in adipocytes. At concentration of 1.0 mmol/L, oleate inhibited the expressions of ASP-induced Gβ, Gαq/11, p-PKCα and p-PKCζ in adipocytes by 47%, 44%, 39% (P<0.05, P<0.01) and 20% (P>0.05), respectively. Palmitate also effectively blocked the expressions of ASP (at concentration of 1.0 mmol/L)-induced Gβ, Gαq/11, p-PKCα and p-PKCζ by 50%, 43%, 44% and 43% (P<0.05, P<0.01) in adipocytes. In preadipocytes, oleate only inhibited ASP-induced p-PKCα and p-PKCζ significantly by 39% and 19%, respectively (P<0.05). However, overnight exposure of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes to 1 mmol/L palmitate leaded to 45%, 50%, 52% and 21% (P<0.05, P<0.01) inhibition of ASP-induced expressions of Gβ, Gαq/11, p-PKCα and p-PKCζ, respectively. CONCLUSION: Oleate and palmitate inhibit ASP-mediated stimulation of glucose transport both in adipocytes and preadipocytes. The study provides direct evidence of ASP resistance under the condition of insulin resistance induced by FFA in a cellular model. The mechanism of action involves both changes in expression of C5L2 as well as signaling parameters. Fatty acid-induced ASP resistance may contribute to the physiological abnormalities associated with insulin resistance and obesity phenotype.

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of insulin and different kinds of free fatty acid (FFA) on glucose transport in cultured 3T3-L1 preadipocytes or adipocytes. METHODS: Following the exposure of preadipocytes to insulin at different concentrations and treated times, glucose transport was assessed as [3H]2-deoxy glucose uptake. Furthermore, 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes with either the monounsaturated FFA oleate (C18:1) or the saturated FFA palmitate (C16:0)were used and glucose transport was examined as above. RESULTS: Insulin increased specific membrane glucose transport in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes at the time of 15 min to 1 h stimulation. However, after 6 h exposure to insulin, downregulation of glucose transport was observed. Dose response studies demonstrated that 2-DG transport increased by 336% at 50 nmol/L of insulin (P

The non-neuronal cholinergic system, widely exists in prokaryotic, eukarytic, and even plant cells, however, it has not been investigated in preadipocytes and adipocytes. To search for evidence its existence in preadipocytes and adipocytes, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) α7 subunit, acetyicholinesterase (ACHE) and choline acetyltransferase (CHAT) in 3T3-L1 cells were examined using immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting. The choline-regulated visfatin expression in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was also tested by reverse transcriptase-PCR. Incubation with methyilycaconitine (10-6 to 10-4mol/L) for 12, 24 and 36 hours dose-dependently increased visfatin expression from 1.3- to 1.55-folds (P <0.01) with maximal induction at 24 hours with 10-4mol/L methyllycaconitine. Nicotine treatments (10-6 to 10-4 mol/L) for 12, 24 and 36 hours decreased visfatin expression; choline chloride (10-4 mol/L))suppressed visfatin expression in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes at 36 hours by 1.64 to 2.03 fold (P < 0.05) which was more effective as compared with nicotine. It was concluded that α7 nAChR was expressed in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and involved in visfatin expression.

Objective To investigate safety and efficiency of anti-coagulation therapy in patients with high-risk of bleeding and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) during continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH). Meth-ods Forty patients with high-risk bleeding MODS during CVVH in our hospital were divided into heparin-free group (A group) and low-dose heparin group (B group). Blood coagulation function, platelets counts, blood urea nitrogen, serum creati-nine, PaO2/FIO2 and Apache Ⅱ scores in two groups were tracked before treatment and 24 h, 48 h after treatment. Filter lifespan, median ventilation time, ICU admission time and bleeding complications were observed. Results (1)There was significant difference in levels of blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, PaO2/FIO2 and ApacheⅡscores at 24 h, 48 h after treatment between in low-dose heparin group and those in heparin-free group (P＜0.05). (2)Levels of activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT), thrombin time (TT) were prolonged. Platelets count were significantly lower at 24 h after treat-ment than that before treatment in low-dose heparin group. Levels of APTT, TT and platelets count had no changes with pro-longed time of CVVH therapy.(3)Average ventilation time, ICU admission time were obviously shorter in low-dose heparin group than that in heparin-free group. Filter lifespan was significant longer in low-dose heparin group than that in heparin-free group, (P＜0.05).(4)Bleeding in skin and mucosa was observed in 1 case in low-dose heparin group without other se-vere bleeding complications. Conclusion The results of monocentric study show that low dose of heparin ensure smooth op-eration of CVVH in patients with MODS and high-risk bleeding. The clinical application is safe and efficient.

Objective: Our aim was to study the role of telomerase activation in the course of cervical carcinogenesis and progression.Methods:Telomeric repeat amplification protocol(TRAP) assay was used to measure telomerase activity in tissue samples with various cervical conditions:40 with cervical cancer, 50 with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia(CIN), 20 with normal cervice. Results:The positive rate of telomerase activity was 95.0%,44.0%, and 10.0% in cervical cancer, CIN, and normal cervices, respectively, which was significantly higher in cervical cancer than that in CIN and normal cervices, so was that in CIN than that in normal cervices (P<0.01) . The positive rate was 22.2%, 37.5%, and 75.0% in CINⅠ,Ⅱ, and Ⅲ, respectively, which was significantly higher in CINⅢ than that in CIN Ⅱand CINⅠ (P<0.01).Conclusion:Telomerase activation may relate to cervical carcinogenesis, which correlates well with the grade of cervical lesions.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of caleitriol,training on balance and lower extremity muscle strength on fall risk of postmenopausal women with osleoporosis or osteopenia.Methods A total of 200 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia,whose balance test confirmed higher fall risk,were randondy assigned to group A or B.Those of group A received the following intervention:( 1 ) 0.25 μg calcitriol,QD; (2) general information on fall and osteoporosis; (3) balance training; (4) lower extremity muscle strength exercises.Those of group B were only treated with 0.25 μg calcitriol.All the participants were supplemented with 600 mg/d calcium and 125 IU/d vitamin D.Fall index,bone mineral density,serum levels of calcium and phosphorus,and adverse reactions were record.Results After 3 months' intervention,the fall index of both groups was significantly decreased ( group A:t =2.16,P＜0.05 ; group B:t =2.08,P＜0.05 ).After 6 months' intervention,the fall index of both groups went on decreasing,and significant difference of fall index between 6 month and baseline of group A and between group A and group B at 6 months was found.After 1-year intervention,the fall index of group A was further decreased in comparison with group B ( t =2.66,P＜0.05 ).No hypercalcemia occurred during the study period.Conclusion The fall risk of the patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis or osteopenia was reduced after 3 months' intervention.Twelve months' active vitamin D intervention could either reduce the risk of fall or improve bone mineral density.Patient education,balance training and muscle exercise may be effective intervention to reduce fall risk.