Objective To measure the level of platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) in maintenance hemodialysis patients and investigate the significance of carotid atherosclerosis.Methods Thirty-six maintenance hemodialysis patients (test group) and 20 healthy controls (normal control group) were enrolled in this study.The level of PDGF-BB was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in two groups.Intima-media thickness (IMT) and atherosclerotic plaques of the extracranial common carotid artery were measured by echocardiography.Results The level of IMT and the positive rate of carotid atherosclerosis in test group were significantly higher than those in normal control group [(1991.8 ± 228.6) μ mol/L vs.(71.2± 15.9) μmol/L,(36.78 ±3.40) g/Lvs.(41.96±2.07) g/L,(4.97 ±0.57) mmol/Lvs.(4.48 ±0.84) mmol/L][(1.01 ±0.23) mm vs.(0.72 ±0.15) mm,69.4％(25/36) vs.10.0％(2/20)](P＜ 0.01).The level of plasma creatinine,albumin and total cholesterol in test group were significantly higher than those in normal control group (P ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05).The level of PDGF-BB in test group was significantly higher than that in normal control group[(93.27 ± 31.58) ng/L vs.(31.71 ± 15.78) ng/L,P ＜ 0.01].In test group,age and the level of PDGF-BB and triacylglycerol in carotid atherosclerosis patients were significantly higher than those in non-carotid atherosclerosis patients [(48.04 ± 9.97) years vs.(34.54 ± 10.35) years,(102.60 ± 32.87) ng/L vs.(72.06 ± 13.67) ng/L,(1.51 ± 0.59) mmol/L vs.(1.01 ± 0.27) mmol/L] (P ＜ 0.01).Regression analysis showed that age (β =0.346,P ＜ 0.01) and PDGF-BB (β =0.594,P＜ 0.01) were the important impacting factors for IMT.Conclusion The level of PDGF-BB is increased in maintenance hemodialysis patients,and it may play an important role in carotid atherosclerosis.

AIM: To study the effect of proliferating cell nucler antigen antisense oligonucleotide on ex vivo expansion of cord blood CD34~+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells.METHODS: CD34~+ cells were purified from fresh cord blood by immunomagnetic beads.CD34~+ cells were incubated in liquid culture system with different concentrations of(PCNA-ASODN).Using flow cytometry,the number of different kinds of stem/progenitor cells and PCNA expression were measured after CD34~+ cell incubation.RESULTS: PCNA was lowly expressed in low experiential group,with a positive rate of(27.2?3.6)% and(19.0?1.5)%,the positive rate of control group was(53.8?8.3)%(P