Correlation of brain natriuretic peptide and microalbuminuria in patients with heart failure / Correlación del péptido natriurético cerebral y la microalbuminuria en pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes of plasma levels of N-terminal probrain natriuretic pepide (NT-proBNP) and microalbuminuria (MAU) in patients with heart failure and the correlation between them. METHODS: Ninety-one patients with heart failure were divided into different groups according to different stages of heart failure. Plasma levels of NT-proBNP were measured by microsome enzyme immuno-assay (MEIA). Plasma levels of MAU were determined by immune scattering turbidimetry (ICTM). Simultaneously, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD) were measured by Doppler echocardiography for all patients. The correlation of NT-proBNP and MAU was evaluated at different stages of heart failure. RESULTS: The plasma levels of NT-proBNP and MAU increased with the severity of heart failure. There was a high correlation between NT-proBNP and MAU (r = 0.885, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Both NT-proBNP and MAU levels were closely associated with the severity of heart failure.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar los cambios en los niveles de plasma de la fracción N-terminal del propéptido natriurético cerebral (NT-proBNP), y la microalbuminuria (MAU) en pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca y la correlación entre ambas. MÉTODOS: Noventa y un pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca fueron divididos en diferentes grupos de acuerdo con las diferentes etapas de insuficiencia cardíaca. Los niveles de plasma de NT-proBNP fueron medidos mediante inmunoensayo enzimático microsomal (MEIA). Los niveles plasmáticos de MAU se determinaron mediante turbidimetría inmune de difusión (ICTM). Simultáneamente, a todos los pacientes se les midió la fracción de eyección ventricular izquierda (FEVI) y el diámetro de fin de diástole del ventrículo izquierdo (DFDVI), mediante ecocardiografía Doppler. La correlación de NT-proBNP y MAU fue evaluada en diferentes etapas de la insuficiencia cardíaca. RESULTADOS: Los niveles de plasma de NT-proBNP y MAU aumentaron con la severidad de la insuficiencia cardíaca. Hubo una alta correlación entre NT-proBNP y MAU (r = 0.885, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIÓN: Tanto los niveles de NT-proBNP como los de MAU estuvieron estrechamente asociados con la severidad de la insuficiencia cardíaca.

The effect of down-regulation of Smad3 by RNAi on hepatic stellate cells and a carbon tetrachloride-induced rat model of hepatic fibrosis

Searching for effective Smad3 gene-based gene therapies for hepatic fibrosis, we constructed siRNA expression plasmids targeting the rat Smad3 gene and then delivered these plasmids into hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The effect of siRNAs on the mRNA levels of Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, and collagens I-α1, III-α1 and IV-α1 (Colα1, Col3α1, Col4α1, respectively) was determined by RT-PCR. Eighty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups. Twice a week for 8 weeks, the untreated hepatic fibrosis model (N = 30) and the treated group (N = 20) were injected subcutaneously with 40 percent (v/v) carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-olive oil (3 mL/kg), and the normal control group (N = 30) was injected with olive oil (3 mL/kg). In the 4th week, the treated rats were injected subcutaneously with liposome-encapsulated plasmids (150 µg/kg) into the right liver lobe under general anesthesia once every 2 weeks, and the untreated rats were injected with the same volume of buffer. At the end of the 6th and 8th weeks, liver tissue and sera were collected. Pathological changes were assessed by a semi-quantitative scoring system (SSS), and a radioimmunoassay was used to establish a serum liver fibrosis index (type III procollagen, type IV collagen, laminin, and hyaluronic acid). The mRNA expression levels of the above cited genes were reduced in the HSCs transfected with the siRNA expression plasmids. Moreover, in the treated group, fibrosis evaluated by the SSS was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) and the serum indices were greatly improved (P < 0.01). These results suggest that Smad3 siRNA expression plasmids have an anti-fibrotic effect.

Recurrent non-immune fetal hydrops: A case report

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Recurrent non-immune fetal hydrops (NIH) has been reported in the literature but is a rare entity, with fewer than 6 reported cases so far. It has been postulated to be related to a recessive gene.</p><p><b>CLINICAL PICTURE</b>We report a case of recurrent fetal hydrops in a multigravida with no medical history of note. She presented in her current pregnancy with a significant history of having 4 (out of 7) previous pregnancies affected by hydrops.</p><p><b>TREATMENT</b>All the affected pregnancies resulted in mid-trimester pregnancy termination (MTPT) following diagnosis in the second trimester. Previous investigations for hydrops did not yield any obvious cause.</p><p><b>OUTCOME</b>Her most recent pregnancy was unaffected. We discuss the possible differential diagnoses and the likelihood of autosomal recessive metabolic diseases being the aetiological factor.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Rare causes of fetal hydrops need to be excluded in cases of recurrent non-immune hydrops with no obvious aetiology following routine investigations.</p>

Studies on the use of cobalt-60 irradiation to control infectivity of Toxoplasma gondii cysts.

Mouse brains harboring the Chinese NT strain of Toxoplasma gondii cysts were homogenized with normal saline and irradiated with cobalt-60 gamma rays at various doses. The homogenate was introduced intraperitoneally into NIH mice or per os into kittens. Loss of infectivity was confirmed according to the following criteria: no cyst found in mouse brain impression smears on the 50th day after inoculation; no oocyst found in feces of kittens 3-15 days after inoculation; subinoculation in mice and a negative IHA test. All bioassays, parasitological examinations and serological tests in the control group gave positive results. Activity of radioactive source: 10 KCi; uniform dosage: 1238 rad/min; dose range of irradiation: 0.1-1.0 KGy. Minimal effective dose of gamma rays to control infectivity of T. gondii cysts was 0.55 KGy. Infectivity of bradyzoites irradiated with gamma rays at a dose of 0.45 KGy decreased by 10,000 times. Minimal effective dose of gamma rays to control infectivity of American ME-49 and Ts-2 strain, is slightly higher (0.6KGy) than that of NT strain. These studies present useful data for practical use of cobalt-60 to control infectivity of T. gondii in meat products.