Cardiovascular disease （CVD） is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The primary prevention of CVD is dependent upon the ability to identify high-risk individuals long before the development of overt...Cardiovascular disease （CVD） is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The primary prevention of CVD is dependent upon the ability to identify high-risk individuals long before the development of overt events. This highlights the need for accurate risk strati- fication. An increasing number of novel biomarkers have been identified to predict cardiovascular events. Biomarkers play a critical role in the definition, prognostication, and decision-making regarding the management of cardiovascular events. This review focuses on a variety of promising biomarkers that provide diagnostic and prognostic information. The myocardial tissue-specific biomarker cardiac troponin, high- sensitivity assays for cardiac troponin, and heart-type fatty acid binding proteinall help diagnose myocardial infarction （MI） in the early hours following symptoms. Inflammatory markers such as growth differentiation factor-15, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and uric acid predict MI and death. Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A, myeloperoxidase, and matrix metalloproteinases predict the risk of acute cor- onary syndrome. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 and secretory phospholipase A2 predict incident and recurrent cardiovascular events. Finally, elevated natriuretic peptides, ST2, endothelin-1, mid-regional-pro-adrenomedullin, copeptin, and galectin-3 have all been well validated to predict death and heart failure following a MI and provide risk stratification information for heart failure. Rapidly develop- ing new areas, such as assessment ofmicro-RNA, are also explored. All the biomarkers reflect different aspects of the development ofather- osclerosis.展开更多
AIM:Overexpression of mucosal metalloproteinases(MMP) has been demonstrated recently in inflammatory bowel disease.Their activity can be counterbalanced by the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases(TIMP).The aim of t...AIM:Overexpression of mucosal metalloproteinases(MMP) has been demonstrated recently in inflammatory bowel disease.Their activity can be counterbalanced by the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases(TIMP).The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ulcerative colitis(UC)on MMP- 1 and TIMP-1 plasma concentrations,as two possible biomarkers of the disease activity. METHODS:MMP-1 and TIMP-1 plasma concentrations were measured with an enzyme immunoassay in 16 patients with endoscopically confirmed active UC. RESULTS:Plasma concentrations of both MMP-1(13.7±0.2 ng/ml)and TIMP-1(799±140 ng/ml)were significantly elevated in UC patients in comparison to healthy controls (11.9±0.9 ng/ml and 220±7 ng/ml respectively).There was no correlation between TIMP-1 and MMP-1 concentrations (r=0.02).TIMP-1 levels revealed significant positive correlations with scored endoscopic degree of mucosal injury, disease activity index and clinical activity index values as well as C-reactive protein concentration.There was no correlation between MMP-1 and laboratory,clinical or endoscopic indices of the disease activity.CONCLUSION: These results confirm the role of both MMP- 1 and TIMP-1 in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. However only TIMP-1 can be useful as a biomarker of the disease activity, demonstrating association with clinical and endoscopic pictures.展开更多
The monoterpene d limonene inhibit the plasma membrane associated P21 ras expression and the posttranslational isoprenylation of P21 ras , a mechanism that may contribute to its efficacy in the chemoprevent...The monoterpene d limonene inhibit the plasma membrane associated P21 ras expression and the posttranslational isoprenylation of P21 ras , a mechanism that may contribute to its efficacy in the chemoprevention and therapy of chemically induced rodent cancers and some human solid tumor cells. In the present study,the relative abilities of d limonene to inhibit membrane associated P21 ras expression in pancreas tumor cell(PaCa) was carried out with Western blotting, and the inhibition of farnesyl protein transferase (FTPase) activity during the Ras protein isoprenylation and cell proliferation were determined.Concomitantly,the effects of d limonene on P21 ras localization by immunohistochemistry and H ras oncogene expression in PaCa tumor cell line by Northern blotting were observed. The results showed that d limonene inhibited FPTase activity, thus to reduce P21H ras isoprenylation. d limonene could decrease P21 ras membrane association and increase cytosolic accumulation of P21 ras . This phenomenon was also noted when d limonene treated PaCa cells were stained immunohistochemically with anti P21 ras antibody. It is suggested that the inhibition of FPTase activity was closely related with the inhibiton of P21 ras membrane association and the alteration of P21 ras localization. Inhibition of farnesylation of P21 ras altered their intracellular localization and, hence, disrupted their biological activity,but no relationship with H ras oncogene expression was found.展开更多
Objective： To explore the changes of coagulation activity and the characters of anticoagulation early after mechanical heart valve replacement. Methods： All patients only took warfarin orally for anticoagulation. Th...Objective： To explore the changes of coagulation activity and the characters of anticoagulation early after mechanical heart valve replacement. Methods： All patients only took warfarin orally for anticoagulation. The predicted international normalized ratio （INR） was 1.5 to 2.0. Several coagulation markers were monitored early after valve replacement. Complications associated with anticoagulation were recorded and analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups based on the number and position of mechanical valve prothesis, including group M （mitral valve replacement）, group A （aortic valve replacement） and group D （mitral and aortic valve replacement）.Comparison was made between the three groups. Results： Three events of mild cerebral embolism and five events of mild bleeding occurred during the early postoperative period. One patient suffered from mild cerebral embolism on the 4th day after operation, accompanied by large volume of pericardial drainage. Two patients with bleeding had lower INRs than predicted range. However, INR in one patient with mild cerebral embolism was in the predicted range. There was no significant difference in thrombo time （TT）, activated partial thromboplastin time （APTT） and 1NR on the 3rd day after operation compared to those before operation; meanwhile, plasma fibrinogen （FIB） concentration was higher than that before operation （P〈0.05）. 1NR had no significant changes on the 2nd day after the beginning of anticoagulation compared to that before operation; however, 1NR was significantly elevated on the 4th day （P〈0.05）. Warfarin doses and INRs were similar among the three groups, but FIB concentrations in plasma were higher in groups M and D than in group A （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Hypercoagulabale state exists early after mechanical heart valve replacement. When anticoagulation begins is determined by the change of coagulation markers, not by the volume of chest or pericardial drainage. INR can not accurately reflect the coagulation state sometimes, especially during the first 3 days after anticoagulation. The number and position of mechanical valve prothesis could affect coagulation state. Therefore, anticoagulation therapy should be regulated accordingly.展开更多
文摘Cardiovascular disease （CVD） is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The primary prevention of CVD is dependent upon the ability to identify high-risk individuals long before the development of overt events. This highlights the need for accurate risk strati- fication. An increasing number of novel biomarkers have been identified to predict cardiovascular events. Biomarkers play a critical role in the definition, prognostication, and decision-making regarding the management of cardiovascular events. This review focuses on a variety of promising biomarkers that provide diagnostic and prognostic information. The myocardial tissue-specific biomarker cardiac troponin, high- sensitivity assays for cardiac troponin, and heart-type fatty acid binding proteinall help diagnose myocardial infarction （MI） in the early hours following symptoms. Inflammatory markers such as growth differentiation factor-15, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and uric acid predict MI and death. Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A, myeloperoxidase, and matrix metalloproteinases predict the risk of acute cor- onary syndrome. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 and secretory phospholipase A2 predict incident and recurrent cardiovascular events. Finally, elevated natriuretic peptides, ST2, endothelin-1, mid-regional-pro-adrenomedullin, copeptin, and galectin-3 have all been well validated to predict death and heart failure following a MI and provide risk stratification information for heart failure. Rapidly develop- ing new areas, such as assessment ofmicro-RNA, are also explored. All the biomarkers reflect different aspects of the development ofather- osclerosis.
文摘AIM:Overexpression of mucosal metalloproteinases(MMP) has been demonstrated recently in inflammatory bowel disease.Their activity can be counterbalanced by the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases(TIMP).The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ulcerative colitis(UC)on MMP- 1 and TIMP-1 plasma concentrations,as two possible biomarkers of the disease activity. METHODS:MMP-1 and TIMP-1 plasma concentrations were measured with an enzyme immunoassay in 16 patients with endoscopically confirmed active UC. RESULTS:Plasma concentrations of both MMP-1(13.7±0.2 ng/ml)and TIMP-1(799±140 ng/ml)were significantly elevated in UC patients in comparison to healthy controls (11.9±0.9 ng/ml and 220±7 ng/ml respectively).There was no correlation between TIMP-1 and MMP-1 concentrations (r=0.02).TIMP-1 levels revealed significant positive correlations with scored endoscopic degree of mucosal injury, disease activity index and clinical activity index values as well as C-reactive protein concentration.There was no correlation between MMP-1 and laboratory,clinical or endoscopic indices of the disease activity.CONCLUSION: These results confirm the role of both MMP- 1 and TIMP-1 in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. However only TIMP-1 can be useful as a biomarker of the disease activity, demonstrating association with clinical and endoscopic pictures.
文摘The monoterpene d limonene inhibit the plasma membrane associated P21 ras expression and the posttranslational isoprenylation of P21 ras , a mechanism that may contribute to its efficacy in the chemoprevention and therapy of chemically induced rodent cancers and some human solid tumor cells. In the present study,the relative abilities of d limonene to inhibit membrane associated P21 ras expression in pancreas tumor cell(PaCa) was carried out with Western blotting, and the inhibition of farnesyl protein transferase (FTPase) activity during the Ras protein isoprenylation and cell proliferation were determined.Concomitantly,the effects of d limonene on P21 ras localization by immunohistochemistry and H ras oncogene expression in PaCa tumor cell line by Northern blotting were observed. The results showed that d limonene inhibited FPTase activity, thus to reduce P21H ras isoprenylation. d limonene could decrease P21 ras membrane association and increase cytosolic accumulation of P21 ras . This phenomenon was also noted when d limonene treated PaCa cells were stained immunohistochemically with anti P21 ras antibody. It is suggested that the inhibition of FPTase activity was closely related with the inhibiton of P21 ras membrane association and the alteration of P21 ras localization. Inhibition of farnesylation of P21 ras altered their intracellular localization and, hence, disrupted their biological activity,but no relationship with H ras oncogene expression was found.
文摘Objective： To explore the changes of coagulation activity and the characters of anticoagulation early after mechanical heart valve replacement. Methods： All patients only took warfarin orally for anticoagulation. The predicted international normalized ratio （INR） was 1.5 to 2.0. Several coagulation markers were monitored early after valve replacement. Complications associated with anticoagulation were recorded and analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups based on the number and position of mechanical valve prothesis, including group M （mitral valve replacement）, group A （aortic valve replacement） and group D （mitral and aortic valve replacement）.Comparison was made between the three groups. Results： Three events of mild cerebral embolism and five events of mild bleeding occurred during the early postoperative period. One patient suffered from mild cerebral embolism on the 4th day after operation, accompanied by large volume of pericardial drainage. Two patients with bleeding had lower INRs than predicted range. However, INR in one patient with mild cerebral embolism was in the predicted range. There was no significant difference in thrombo time （TT）, activated partial thromboplastin time （APTT） and 1NR on the 3rd day after operation compared to those before operation; meanwhile, plasma fibrinogen （FIB） concentration was higher than that before operation （P〈0.05）. 1NR had no significant changes on the 2nd day after the beginning of anticoagulation compared to that before operation; however, 1NR was significantly elevated on the 4th day （P〈0.05）. Warfarin doses and INRs were similar among the three groups, but FIB concentrations in plasma were higher in groups M and D than in group A （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Hypercoagulabale state exists early after mechanical heart valve replacement. When anticoagulation begins is determined by the change of coagulation markers, not by the volume of chest or pericardial drainage. INR can not accurately reflect the coagulation state sometimes, especially during the first 3 days after anticoagulation. The number and position of mechanical valve prothesis could affect coagulation state. Therefore, anticoagulation therapy should be regulated accordingly.
