Objective To explore predictive value of baseline red cell distribution width (RDW) determined in a routine blood count for severity of chronic heart failure (CHF) and mortality during hospitalization.Methods The study group comprised 135 patients hospitalized in the our hospital with CHF in the Ⅱ ～ Ⅳ class according to New York Heart Association (NYHA).The control group included 44 patients in class Ⅰ.Hematological and biochemical parameters were obtained and compared among groups.Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were used for assessing predictive values.Results RDW increased significantly in class Ⅲ and Ⅳ compared to class Ⅰ [(14.3 ±2.3)％ and (14.3 ± 1.7)％ vs (12.9 ±0.8)％,P ＜0.01].Areas under ROCs (AUCs) of RDW,N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) for class Ⅳ HF was 0.817 and 0.840,respectively.RDW was significantly elevated in mortality group compared to survival group [(15.8 ± 1.8)％ vs (13.7 ± 1.7) ％,P ＜ 0.01],predictive value of RDW was lower than that of NT-proBNP but was comparable to white blood cell (WBC),neutrophil (NEU),lymphocyte (L),and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (N/L) for mortality during hospitalization with AUCs (0.837,0.939,0.858,0.891,0.885,and 0.885,respectively).RDW and NT-proBNP showed low predictive values for repeated admission (≥3).RDW was an independent risk factor for mortality (OR =2.531,95％ CI:1.371 ～4.671).Conclusions RDW increased significantly in class Ⅲ and Ⅳ patients and death group.The predictive value of RDW is comparable to NT-proBNP for class Ⅳ and lower than that of NT-proBNP for mortality.Elevated RDW is an independent risk factor for mortality.

Objective To study effect of the components in serum of Banxia Xiexin Prescription and different herbal formula on the apoptosis of cell BGC-823 and apoptosis-related gene expression. Methods The genic expression of bcl-2 and bax was tested by S-P immunohistochemistry technique. Results The apoptotic index of the groups of Xinku in Banxia Xiexin Prescription was significantly higer than that in the groups of Xingan, Kugan, Ganbu and the intact prescription (P

Objective:To prepare anti-human PSA(Prostate Specific Antigen)monoclonal antibodys(McAb)and identify their distinct biological function.Methods:Prostate Specific Antigen(PSA)was purified by salting out,ion exchange and gel filtration method from human sperm.The purity and contents of the objective protein was detected by SPS-PAGE and f-PSA EiAsy.BALB/c mice were immunized with the purified PSA purified.Then the immunized splenocytes were isolated and fused with a hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine-sensitive mouse myeloma cell line SP2/0.Positive clones were screened by limiting dilution method.After acquisition of the hybidomas secreting anti-PSA monoclonal antibody,investigation of their sub-class isotype,binding affinity and specificity were followed.Results:Fifteen hybridoma cell lines that could continuously secret anti-PSA monoclonal antibody were obtained.An Ig subclass was classified as IgG2a and the other were IgG1.Conclusion:This McAb is propitious to establish PSA-ELISA diagnose reagent.

Objective To investigate the role of endogenous Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) in airway inflammation and responsiveness in a rat model of chronic passive-smoking.Methods Male SD rats were randomly divided into a control group (breathing fresh air) and a passive smoking group [cigarette smoking (CS) passively] ,with 18 rats in each group.Six rats in each group were randomly intraporitoneally injected with normal saline, sodium hydrosulfide (NailS) or propargylglycine (PPG, an irreversible inhibitor of cystathionine-γ-lyase).The animals were divided into six subgroups,ie.Con group, Naris group, and PPG group, CS group, CS + Naris group, and CS + PPG group.After 4 months,lung histological change and airway tension were measured.The H2 S levels of plasma and lung tissue were analyzed by the sensitive sulphur electrode assay.The expression of cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) was measured by western blot.Results Compared with the Con group, CSE protein expression in lung tissues was increased in CS group(P < 0.05) ; the H2S levels of plasma were significantly higher in GS group,NariS group and CS + Naris group,and much lower in PPG group (P < 0.05, respectively).Compared with CS group, the H2 S levels of plasma were significantly higher in CS + Naris group, and much lower in CS + PPG group (P < 0.05, respectively).The H2S level of lung tissue in each group had no significant difference (P > 0.05).Compared with Con group, score of lung pathology was significant elevated, and the responsiveness of airway smooth muscles to Ach and KCI was significant augmented in CS group.Compared with CS group, the score of lung pathology was decreased, and the responsiveness of airway smooth muscles was decreased in CS + NariS group(P < 0.05), and vise versa in CS + PPG group (P < 0.01).Conclusion H2 S can alleviate airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness induced by CS, and administration of H2S might be of clinical benefit in airway inflammation and airway responsiveness.

AIM: To investigate the effect of endothelin (ET), angiotensin II (AngII) and homocysteine (Hcy) on C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) synthesis and release. METHODS: Human endothelial cell was cultured; CNP was measured by radioimmunoassay method. RESULTS: ET and AngII could augment CNP synthesis in human endothelial cells. Compared with control group, 10-9,10-8,10-7 mol/L ET and Ang II increased CNP content of endothelial cells by 1%(P＞0.05), 49%(P＜0.05),117%(P＜0.01) and 137% (P＜0.01),165%(P＜0.01),201%(P＜0.01),respectively. A great dose of ET and Ang II also stimulated CNP release from cultured human endothelial cells. Hcy had no effect on CNP synthesis, but 10-9，10-8,10-7 mol/L Hcy enhanced CNP release from cultured human endothelial cells by 17%(P＞0.05),84%(P＜0.01) and 555%(P＜0.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: ET, AngII and Hcy might be involved in the synthesis and release of human endothelial cell CNP.

AIM:To study alterations of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function in vitamin D 3-induced calcium overload rats. METHODS: The Ca-overload rat models were prepared by vitamin D 3 plus nicotine. Cardiac SR was seperated by centrifuging. The measurement of SR Ca 2+ uptake and Ca 2+ release activities were preformed by the Millimore filtration technique. Specific SR [ 3H]-ryanodine binding capacity was measured by radioligand method. RESULTS: Compared with control,myocardial calcium content in calcium overload rats increased by 78%( P

AIM: To observe the changes of cystathionine-lyase/hydrogen sulfide(CSE/H_2S) in vivo in vascular calcification and to explore the role of CSE/H_2S in vascular calcification.METHODS: Vascular calcification model in rats was induced by administration of vitamin D_3 plus nicotine.The extent of calcification was estimated by assaying calcium content.[~(45)Ca~(2+)] deposition and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity were detected.CSE mRNA amount was determined by using competitive quantitative RT-PCR.The content of H_2S and activity of CSE in the plasma and cardiovascular tissues were also determined with biochemical methods.RESULTS: Calcium content in myocardium increased by 3.8 folds in a calcification model.Compared to control,calcium content,[~(45)Ca~(2+)] accumulation and ALP activity in calcified arteries increased by 6.8,1.4,and 1.9 folds,respectively(P

Objective To examine the effects of exogenously administered intermedin (IMD,adrenomedullin-2) on arterial blood pressure,cardiac function and the cardiovascular IMD receptor system in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) as well as to investigate the associated mechanisms.Methods Thirteen week-old male rats were divided in Wistar Kyoto (WKY) group (n =12),SHR group (n =12),IMD group (SHRs infused with IMD 1-47 500 ng/kg per hour,n =12),and ADM group (SHRs infused with adrenomedullin 500 ng/kg per hour,n =12).Results A two-week continuous administration of low dose IMD 1-47 via mini-osmotic pumps markedly reduced blood pressure,the maximal rates of increase and decrease of left-ventricle pressure development (LV ± dp/dtmax),left ventricular systolic pressure and heart rate in SHRs.Furthermore,IMD also inhibited protein over-expression of cardiovascular IMD receptors,myocardial Receptor Activity-Modifying Proteins (RAMP1 and RAMP2),aortic RAMP1,RAMP2,RAMP3,and calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR);suppressed up-regulation of aortic RAMP1,RAMP2,RAMP3 and CRLR gene expression; and markedly elevated the mRNA abundance of myocardial atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and myocardial brain natriuretic peptide (BNP).Additionally,IMD 1-47 administration in SHRs increased aortic cAMP concentration and reduced myocardial cAMP concentration.Conclusion These findings support the speculation that IMD,as a cardiovascular active peptide,is involved in blood pressure reduction and cardiac function amelioration during hypertension.The mechanism underlying this effect may involve IMD binding of a receptor complex formed by RAMPs and CRLR,and consequential regulation of cAMP levels and other cardiovascular active factors,such as ANP and BNP.

AIM: To investigate the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) production, release and mRNA expression. METHODS: Human endothelial cell cultured; CNP was measured by radioimmunoassay method;CNP mRNA expression was determined by RT-PCR technique. RESULTS: bFGF could augment CNP synthesis in human endothelial cells. Compared with control group,25 ng, 50 ng, 100 ng bFGF increased CNP contents in endothelial cells by 88% (P

Objective To study the early diagnostic predictors and key follow-up parameters for girls with rapidly progressive central precocious puberty (RP-CPP). Methods A total of 260 girls with CPP participated in a prospective, nonrandomized, multi-center, nested case control study. After follow-up six months without any therapy, 114 girls were divided into RP-CPP (n=70) and slowly progressive CPP (SP-CPP) (n=44) groups. Results The basal serum LH and insulin-like growth factor Ⅰstandard deviation score (IGF-ⅠSDS) were the important risk factors of RP-CPP (OR 4.04, 1.578), especially the former. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve revealed that the areas under the ROC curve of basal LH and IGF-ⅠSDS were 0.83 and 0.807, respectively. The levels of basal LH and IGF-ⅠSDS were at 0.52 mIU/ml and 0.35 respectively for the accuracy diagnosis of RP-CPP with the maximum Youden indexs. After follow-up for six months, the change levels of height, breast stages, bone age/chronological age ratio, serum LH, uterine and ovarian volume in RP-CPP group were significantly higher than those in SP-CPP group (all P<0.05). Conclusions The level of basal serum LH and IGF-ⅠSDS may be used as the risk predictors for early diagnosis for girls with RP-CPP. The change levels of basal LH, progress rates of gonad and sex character, height, and impaired growth potential seem to be the key follow-up parameters for CPP progress.