Objective::To investigate the correlation between maternal serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels and gestational duration in pregnant women with pulmonary hypertension (PH).Methods::The study included pregnant individuals with PH stemming from mitral valve stenosis and mitral valve regurgitation (post-capillary PH) or pulmonary arterial hypertension (pre-capillary PH) who were admitted to Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2020. In this retrospective cohort study, maternal serum NT-proBNP levels during pregnancy, along with other clinical data, were obtained from structured electronic medical records. These data included gestational age at delivery, echocardiographic parameters, laboratory findings, gestational duration, delivery mode, and other relevant clinical variables. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between NT-proBNP levels and gestational duration. Adjustments were made for potential confounding factors, and curve fitting and threshold effect analysis were employed to identify tangent points. Furthermore, stratified analyses were performed based on tricuspid regurgitation velocity, maternal age, and parity.Results::A total of 64 patients with post-capillary PH and 74 patients with pre-capillary PH were included in this study. Among patients with post-capillary PH, the results of multivariate regression analysis indicated a significant association between maternal NT-proBNP levels and gestational duration (β = -0.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.05 to 0.00, P = 0.02). The fitted curve demonstrated a negative correlation between maternal NT-proBNP levels and gestational duration, with a significant break point at 379.9 ng/L ( P < 0.05). In the post-capillary PH group, the stratified analysis revealed a regression coefficient of -0.05 (95% CI:-0.06 to -0.04, P = 0.001) in patients with a tricuspid regurgitation velocity >340 mm/s. For patients >35 years old, the regression coefficient was -0.03 (95% CI -0.06 to -0.01, P = 0.02). In multiparous women, the regression coefficient was -0.03 (95% CI-0.06 to 0.00, P = 0.03). Conclusion::In pregnant women with pulmonary hypertension, maternal NT-proBNP levels are associated with gestational duration, particularly with an increased risk of preterm labor.

Objective::To investigate the correlation between maternal serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels and gestational duration in pregnant women with pulmonary hypertension (PH).Methods::The study included pregnant individuals with PH stemming from mitral valve stenosis and mitral valve regurgitation (post-capillary PH) or pulmonary arterial hypertension (pre-capillary PH) who were admitted to Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2020. In this retrospective cohort study, maternal serum NT-proBNP levels during pregnancy, along with other clinical data, were obtained from structured electronic medical records. These data included gestational age at delivery, echocardiographic parameters, laboratory findings, gestational duration, delivery mode, and other relevant clinical variables. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between NT-proBNP levels and gestational duration. Adjustments were made for potential confounding factors, and curve fitting and threshold effect analysis were employed to identify tangent points. Furthermore, stratified analyses were performed based on tricuspid regurgitation velocity, maternal age, and parity.Results::A total of 64 patients with post-capillary PH and 74 patients with pre-capillary PH were included in this study. Among patients with post-capillary PH, the results of multivariate regression analysis indicated a significant association between maternal NT-proBNP levels and gestational duration (β = -0.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.05 to 0.00, P = 0.02). The fitted curve demonstrated a negative correlation between maternal NT-proBNP levels and gestational duration, with a significant break point at 379.9 ng/L ( P < 0.05). In the post-capillary PH group, the stratified analysis revealed a regression coefficient of -0.05 (95% CI:-0.06 to -0.04, P = 0.001) in patients with a tricuspid regurgitation velocity >340 mm/s. For patients >35 years old, the regression coefficient was -0.03 (95% CI -0.06 to -0.01, P = 0.02). In multiparous women, the regression coefficient was -0.03 (95% CI-0.06 to 0.00, P = 0.03). Conclusion::In pregnant women with pulmonary hypertension, maternal NT-proBNP levels are associated with gestational duration, particularly with an increased risk of preterm labor.

Objective To investigate the effects of recombinant human granulocyte colonystimulating factor(G-CSF) on central and peripheral lymphocyte subset reconstitution after a sublethal dose of irradiation. Methods Sixty female BALB/c mice were given a 6.0 Gy γ-ray total body irradiation (TBI) and randomly divided into 2 equal groups. The mice in G-CSF + TBI group were injected subcutaneously with recombinant human G-CSF 100 μg·kg-1·d-1 for 14 d and the mice in TBI group were injected subcutaneously with the same volume of phosphate buffered solution (PBS) once daily for 14 d. 7,14,21, and 28 d later the mice were killed and their thymus were taken out to prepare of the mononuclear cell suspension to analysis the percentage of thymic CD4 + CD8 + double positive, CD4 +CD8 - single positive, CD4 - CD8 + single positive and CD4 - CD8 - double negtive cells by flow cytometry. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the caudal vein twice a week, and the white blood cell(WBC) counts and absolute number of lymphocytes were assessed by automatic hemocyte analyzer. 14,28, and 60 d later blood samples were collected from angular vein to examine the peripheral lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry. Cell counting kit-8 was used to detect lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or concanavalin A (ConA) stimulated splenic lymphocyte proliferation. Results The percentage of thymic CD4 + CD8 +double positive cells decreased 7 d after irradiation, rebounded at 14 d, decreased again at 21 d, and then got a permanent recovery. 28 d after irradiation the percentage of thymic CD4 + CD8 + double positive cells in the G-CSF + TBI group recovered to normal and was significantly higher than that of the TBI group (t =12. 22, P < 0. 05). 21d after irradiation the percentage of thymic CD4-CD8 + single positive cells of the G-CSF + TBI group was significantly higher than that of the TBI group (t = 3.77, P < 0. 05). The peripheral WBCs and lymphocytes decreased to the lowest levels 7 d after irradiation and then gradually increased, however, WBCs and lymphoeytes of the G-CSF + TBI group began to recover earlier and faster than the TBI group. The proportion of CD3 + CD8 + T cells of the G-CSF + TBI group was significantly higher than that of the TBI group 14 and 60 d after irradiation (t =4. 31,5.78, P <0.05). But there was no significant difference in the proportion of CD3 + CD4 + T cells between the two groups. The proportion of B lymphoeytes of the G-CSF + TBI group was significantly lower than that of the TBI group 14 d after irradiation(t =7.30, P <0.05), but it recovered quickly, and there were no significant differences in the proportion of B lymphoeytes between the two groups 28 and 60 d after irradiation. The proliferation indexes of splenic lymphocytes in response to LPS and ConA in the G-CSF + TBI group were 4. 37 and 2.98 times higher than those in the TBI group 14 d after irradiation. Conclusions G-CSF could accelerate the recovery of central and peripheral lymphocyte subsets, raise the absolute number of lymphocytes, and enhance their proliferative function, which contributes to the central and peripheral immune reconstitution after acute irradiation.

Objective The patients with lethal irradiation after sucessful hematopoietic stem cells transplan-tation had blood recovery, but did not avoid to died of multiple organ failure(MOF). To overcome the block, the article investigated mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) protecting lethal radiated mice from multiple organ failure after haploid bone marrow cells transplantation. Method BALB/c mice irradiated with 8Gy60COγ-rays were randomly divided into two groups: MSCs group, infused MSCs labeled with cm-DiI and bone marrow monocytes of CB6F1 mice; Control group, only infused bone marrow monocytes; normal group, mice were infused cm-DiI marked MSCs without irradiation. The distribution of MSCs and the serous densities of Il-2, Il-10 and TNF-α in the recipients were observed after transplantation. Results MSCs collected in the bone marrow and the intes-tine in normal group at 15 d,in MSCs group MSCs enriched the different organs at 3,15 and 30 d. MSCs regulated down the secretion of IL-2 and TNF-α,and up the IL-10 density. Conclusions MSCs protected mice from multiple organ failure through above effects and may be open a new treatment strategy on acute radiation syndrome by stem cells.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of mesenchymal stem cells in enhancing the effects of haploid matched bone marrow cells transplantation in mice with acute radiation syndrome(ARS).Methods The survival of mice infused with difierent levels of MSCs and bone marrow cells after 8 Gy TBl were examined.BALB/c female mice irradiated with 8 Gy of 60Co γ-rays were randomly divided into two groups,MSCs group,infused with MSCs of female CB6F1 mice labeled with cm-DiI and bone marrow monocytes of male CB6F1,Control group,only infused with bone marrow monocytes.Peripheral blood counts,T-lymphocyte subpopulation of peripheral blood cells,the sry-gene chimerism of bone marrow of the receiptors,the distribution of MSCs in the receiptors,the occurrence time of cGVHD,pathologic variety of medulla were observed.Resuits MSCs improved the survival of mice after 8 TBI,but 1.5×108/kg of MSCs increased the mortality of irradiated mice.In comparison with the control group,leukocytes and plastocytes recovered rapidly in MSCs group.Megacaryocytes in sternum marrows grew fastly in MSC group.The percent of CD3 and CD4 positive cells in the MSCs group were hisher than those in control post-transplantation.The sry-gene chimerism of bone marrow of the receiptors was higher in the MSCs group than that in the control at 30 d.The MSCs were distributed in intestine,thymus,bone marrow,liver,heart of the receiptors at 30 d.The cGVHD occurrence was 30 d later in MSCs group than that of the control.Conclusions MSCs could improve stem cell engraftment,enhance T-lymphocyte and plastocytes recevery,delay occurrence of cGVHD,repair injured organs and increase survivals.It is indicated that MSCs can enhance the treatment effects of haploid hematopoietic stem cells transplant for ARS.