Oncologic outcomes of nephron-sparing surgery in patients with T1 multifocal renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: This study is performed to explore the pathological characteristics and oncologic outcomes of T1 multifocal renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS: The clinical data of 600 patients (442 males and 158 females) between the age of 29 and 73 years, diagnosed with T1 RCC were collected from three hospitals in China, out of which 421 cases had undergone nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) and 179 cases had undergone radical nephrectomy (RN) between December 2010 and January 2015. RESULTS: Tumor was identified with multifocality in 32 patients (5.33%), out of which 21 were set to receive NSS, and 11 to receive RN, respectively; 21 cases of clear cell tumor, 8 cases of papillary tumor, 1 case of chromophobe tumor and 2 cases of Xp.11.2 translocation RCC. Among 568 cases of monofocal tumors, 400 patients underwent NSS, and the remaining 168 patients underwent RN, respectively. After a median follow-up of 5 years, 13 patients were found with recurrent tumors out of those who had undergone NSS, 11 with monofocal tumors and 2 with multifocal tumors containing satellite tumor nodules (p = 0.13). Out of the 32 individuals with multifocal RCC, 4 cases were reported to have died of cancer, 2 of NSS and 2 of RN. From these findings, the cancer-specific survival for NSS and RN was estimated to be 90.48% and 81.82%, respectively (p = 0.48). CONCLUSION: The findings from the study suggested that there were pathological differences in multifocal renal tumors, and that papillary carcinoma may be more common than clear cell carcinoma. The recurrence rate and survival rate of multifocal RCC were similar to monofocal tumors. Tumor recurrence may be related to satellite tumor nodules, which can only be detected once surgery is performed.

Analysis of the 19 Y-STR and 16 X-STR loci system in the Han population of Shandong province, China.

The sex-linked short tandem repeats (STR), Y-STR and X-STR, are important for autosomal STRs in forensic paternity testing. We evaluated the forensic parameters of 19 Y-STRs and 16 X-STRs in the Han population of Shandong province, China. A Goldeneye 20Y kit (DYS391, DYS389I, DYS390, DYS389II, DYS348, DYS456, Y-GATA-H4, DYS447, DYS19, DYS392, DYS393, DYS388, DYS439, DYS635, DYS448, DYS460, DYS458, DYS437, DYS385 a/b) was used to analyze the forensic parameters of 534 unrelated males. A Goldeneye17X system (DXS6795, DXS9902, DXS8378, HPRTB, GATA165B12, DXS7132, DXS7424, DXS6807, DXS6803, GATA172D05, DXS6800, DXS10134, GATA31E08, DXS10159, DXS6789, DXS6810, amelogenin) was used to analyze 97 unrelated males and 214 females. In addition, we used the kits to examine 5 cases with abnormal amelogenin test results, as well as a male child with agenosomia typed by autosomal STR. We found 203 Y-STR haplotypes with allele frequencies ranging from 0.0019 to 0.7959, and GD ranging from 0.3429 to 0.9667. Expect in DXS6803, the allele frequencies of the other 15 X-STR loci showed no differences between females and males. PDF ranged from 0.5504 to 0.9638, while PDM ranged from 0.3176 to 0.8377. With the exception of DXS6803 and DXS6810, the allele frequencies of other X-STR loci were in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in females. One amelogenin negative case was characterized as a deletion of Y-DYS458. This paper provided data regarding the genetic polymorphism of Y-STRs and X-STRs in the Han population, and demonstrated the importance of Y-STR and X-STR in forensic autosomal STR analysis.

Models of logistic regression analysis, support vector machine, and back-propagation neural network based on serum tumor markers in colorectal cancer diagnosis.

We evaluated the application of three machine learning algorithms, including logistic regression, support vector machine and back-propagation neural network, for diagnosing congenital heart disease and colorectal cancer. By inspecting related serum tumor marker levels in colorectal cancer patients and healthy subjects, early diagnosis models for colorectal cancer were built using three machine learning algorithms to assess their corresponding diagnostic values. Except for serum alpha-fetoprotein, the levels of 11 other serum markers of patients in the colorectal cancer group were higher than those in the benign colorectal cancer group (P < 0.05). The results of logistic regression analysis indicted that individual detection of serum carcinoembryonic antigens, CA199, CA242, CA125, and CA153 and their combined detection was effective for diagnosing colorectal cancer. Combined detection had a better diagnostic effect with a sensitivity of 94.2% and specificity of 97.7%; combining serum carcinoembryonic antigens, CA199, CA242, CA125, and CA153, with the support vector machine diagnosis model and back-propagation, a neural network diagnosis model was built with diagnostic accuracies of 82 and 75%, sensitivities of 85 and 80%, and specificities of 80 and 70%, respectively. Colorectal cancer diagnosis models based on the three machine learning algorithms showed high diagnostic value and can help obtain evidence for the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

A single nucleotide polymorphism in GABAA receptor isoforms is potentially responsible for isoflurane sensitivity in mice.

GABAA receptors are chloride channels in the brain that are activated by binding with g-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The cDNA sequences of GABAA receptor subunits from two strains of mice with different sensitivities to isoflurane were compared to identify nucleotide mutations. Included 80 mice from two strains with different sensitivities to isoflurane on C57BL/6 background. Forty mice were from an isoflurane-sensitive strain (S group) and 40 mice were from a resistant strain (R group). RNA was extracted from brains of the mice, and cDNA were reverse transcribed using AMV reverse transcriptase. The amplified products were processed, sequenced, and analyzed for differences between the two strains. Chi-square analysis was performed to compare differences in nucleotide mutation frequencies between the two strains. No differences were identified in the α1-6, ß2, ß3, or γ1-3 nucleotide sequences and no single nucleotide polymorphisms were found in the comparison with the GenBank sequence for the GABAA receptor subunit. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at the nucleotide position 462 (C/G) in the ß1 sequence was found. This SNP was observed in 5 mice from the sensitive strain and in 36 mice from the resistant strain. The Fischer exact test (P < 0.01) was used to compare two strains of mice for SNP in the cDNA sequence of the ß1 subunit. Additional studies are required to understand whether the GABAA receptor is a specific target of inhaled anesthetic action or whether the identified SNP affects the action of the volatile anesthetic.

Correlation among RKIP expression, NF-κB p65 levels, and T-lymphocyte subsets in gastric cardia adenocarcinoma.

The aim of this study was to characterize variations in Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) expression and related signaling molecules in gastric cardia adenocarcinoma. Cancerous and precancerous tissues were collected from patients with gastric cardia adenocarcinoma and normal tissue was collected from healthy controls. RKIP expression was detected in these tissues and the serum levels of NF-κB p65 and T-lymphocyte subsets were measured. Positive RKIP expression was higher in gastric cardia adenocarcinoma tissues than in precancerous tissues. The serum level of total NF-κB p65 was higher in patients with gastric cardia adenocarcinoma than in healthy controls. Levels of NF-κB p65 did not correlate with positive and negative expression of RKIP, but were higher in patients with lymph node metastasis than in those without it. The cellular immune function of the gastric cardia adenocarcinoma group was lower than in normal controls, particularly in cases with negative RKIP expression. RKIP is downregulated in gastric cardia adenocarcinoma tissues, which is related to the occurrence, progression, invasion, and metastasis of tumors. The possible mechanism for this may be the inhibition of NF-κB activity and cellular immune function, which allows for the escape of tumor cells from immune surveillance.

Construction and characterization of a bacterial artificial chromosome library for the allotetraploid Gossypium tomentosum.

Gossypium tomentosum is a wild allotetraploid species with the (AD)5 genome. It is characterized by many useful traits including finer fiber fineness, drought tolerance, and Fusarium and Verticillium resistance. We constructed the first bacterial artificial chromosome library for Gossypium tomentosum. With high quality and broad coverage, this library includes 200,832 clones, with an average insert size of about 122 kb and fewer than 3% empty clones. Our library is approximately 10-fold the size of the (AD)5-genome (2400 Mb) and provides a 99.7% probability of isolating genes of interest or their sequences. Seven of eight simple sequence repeats markers that are located on five different chromosomes and linked with resistance to Verticillium wilt could amplify the 50 superpools and obtained one to five hits. This high capacity library will be an important genomic resource for classifying and analyzing the evolution of allotetraploid cotton species as well as for isolating disease-resistance and drought-tolerance genes.

Physical localization of molecular markers and assignment of the 15th linkage group to chromosome 11 of the karyotype in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) by primed in situ labeling.

Physical localization of molecular markers and assignment of the 15th linkage group to chromosome 11 of the karyotype in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) were achieved using primed in situ labeling. Amplified signals for both the EST507-1 and SSRY13-5 markers were consistently observed in different stages of cell division. A comparison of the length, arm ratio, and other morphological characteristics of somatic metaphase chromosomes in karyotype analysis indicated that the EST507-1 and SSRY13-5 markers were localized on the short and long arm of cassava chromosome 11 with the relative map positions of 41.67 and 23.07, respectively. The physical localization of the 2 markers on chromosome 11 of the karyotype corresponds to their positions on the 15th linkage group in cassava.

Investigation of TG gene variants and their effects on growth, carcass composition, and meat quality traits in Chinese steers.

Thyroid hormones play an important role in regulating metabolism and can affect metabolism-related traits such as fat deposition. The thyroglobulin (TG) gene produces the precursor of thyroid hormones and has been proposed as a candidate gene for a quantitative trait locus with an effect on fat deposition. In this study, we identified 4 novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 5' flanking region of the TG gene using a DNA sequencing method. The SNP marker association analysis indicated that the T1355C SNPs were significantly associated with meat percentage (P < 0.05). A significant association between the G1356A polymorphism and live weight and loin muscle area was also detected (P < 0.05). However, no significant association was found between 4 SNPs and the other growth, carcass composition, and meat quality traits including intramuscular fat. The results of this study suggest that TG gene-specific SNPs may be a useful marker for growth traits in marker-assisted selection programs in beef cattle.

Immunomodulatory and clinical effects of the "tiaomian III decoction" in patients with blood blocking antibody deficiency and recurrent spontaneous abortion.

We studied the immunomodulatory and clinical effects of the empirical formula "tiaomian III decoction" on maternal blood blocking antibody deficiency and recurrent spontaneous abortion. Sixty-one patients with blocking antibody deficiency were divided in the experimental group (N = 31), who took tiaomian III decoction, and the control group (N = 30), who received active immunotherapy with paternal lymphocytes; both treatments lasted 3 months. Blocking antibodies, anti-idiotypic antibodies, interleukin, T-lymphocyte subsets, and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) were tested. After treatment, the positive conversion rate reached 87.1 and 86.7% in the experimental and control groups, respectively. After treatment, CD4 levels decreased while CD8 levels increased in both groups. The CD4/CD8 ratio was higher than normal and increased significantly from pre-treatment (P < 0.05). IL-10 and M-CSF levels increased significantly in both groups (P < 0.05). The 1-year conception rates of the experimental and control groups were 58.1 and 46.7%, respectively (P < 0.05). The results show the tiaomian III decoction can increase the positive conversion rate of maternal blocking antibodies and promote the production of IL-10 and M-CSF. Thus, it strengthens the maternal body's protection of the fetus and maintenance of conception. The higher conception rate of the experimental group demonstrates the positive clinic efficacy of the tiaomian III decoction on maternal blood blocking antibody deficiency and recurrent spontaneous abortion.

Effect of nimodipine on rat spinal cord injury.

We evaluated the potentially protective effect of nimodipine on rat spinal cord injury. Sprague-Dawley rats received spinal cord injury, and were separated into nimodipine (N = 12) and saline groups (N = 12). Within 1 h of the injury, rats were treated intraperitoneally with nimodipine (1.0 mg/kg) or an equal amount of saline. Treatment was performed 3 times a day for 1 week. Operation BBB score and track experiment were used to measure the physical function of the hind legs 1 and 2 weeks after injury. Two weeks after the injury, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and spinal cord myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity of the injured part were determined, and the glial scar and dead room were studied using the immune tissue chemical test. ED1 was used to observe active gitter cell and macrophages. The physical function of the nimodipine group improved significantly (P < 0.01). Two weeks after injury, spinal cord MDA content in the spinal cord in the nimodipine group (nmol/g, 25.6 ± 9.7 vs 68.5 ± 16.7) and MPO activity (U/g, 252.2 ± 63.9 vs 382.8 ± 108.2) decreased significantly (P < 0.01); nimodipine whole dead space (mm2, 4.45 ± 1.28 vs 6.16 ± 2.65) and ED1 antibody immunity colored positive room (mm2, 1.87 ± 0.42 vs 2.86 ± 1.01) reduced significantly (P < 0.01). Nimodipine treatment could reduce oxidative injury after spinal cord injury, reduce the whole dead space and inflammation, and repair spinal cord injury.

Analysis of drug-resistant gene detection of blaOXA-like genes from Acinetobacter baumannii.

Our study determines the resistance gene profile of a set of Acinetobacter baumannii hospital isolates. A. baumannii is responsible for nosocomial outbreaks and sporadic infections. We extracted and PCR amplified bacterial DNA isolated from patients with ages below 60 years (23.36%) and above 60 years (76.64%). Most of the patients were admitted in the ICU (36.13%) and pneumology departments (28.47%). Of 164 isolated strains, 16 (9.75%) contained OXA-51, 8 (4.88%) contained OXA-58, and 140 (85.37%) contained both OXA-51 and OXA-23. Additionally, 8 (7.41%) strains containing OXA-58 and 100 (92.59%) strains containing both OXA-51 and OXA-23 showed multidrug-resistance. Drug resistance rates of A. baumannii to amikacin, tobramycin-levofloxacin, and cotrimoxazole were above 90%, while drug resistance rates to ampicillin, cefotetan, cefazolin, cefoperazone, and nitrofurantoin were 100%. In conclusion, we found that isolated strains containing OXA-51 and OXA-23 were more likely to be resistant or have decreased sensitivity to carbapenems.

Long-term survival of non-small-cell lung cancer patients with EGFR inhibitor treatment.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors gefitinib and erlotinib are effective in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the median survival of patients is short. Here, we describe 2 patients with NSCLC receiving conventional chemotherapy and alternative treatment with gefitinib or erlotinib as second-line therapy. The first patient was alive at 8 years with alternative conventional chemotherapy and gefitinib, and the second patient was alive at long-term follow-up with conventional chemotherapy and gefitinib or erlotinib. Gefitinib, erlotinib, and conventional chemotherapy can be combined for satisfactory therapy for NSCLC.

Effect of ERCC1 polymorphism on the response to chemotherapy and clinical outcome of non-small cell lung cancer.

We conducted a cohort study to investigate the role of 3 single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) gene on the response to chemotherapy and clinical outcomes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A total of 163 patients with newly diagnosed and histopathologically confirmed primary NSCLC were examined in our study and were followed up until December 2012. ERCC1 rs11615, rs3212986, and rs2298881 were selected and genotyped. Of the 163 patients, 86 patients showed a complete response and partial response to chemotherapy (52.76%), while 91 patients (55.83%) died from NSCLC during the follow-up period with a median survival time of 19.3 months (range, 2-60 months). Multivariate regression analysis showed that individuals carrying the rs11615 TT genotype and T allele had a significantly lower response rate to chemotherapy using the rs11615 CC genotype as the reference. For rs3212986, carriers of the rs3212986 AA genotype and A allele had a significantly lower response rate to chemotherapy when compared with the CC genotype. In the Cox proportional hazards model, patients carrying the rs11615 TT genotype and T allele and the rs3212986 AA genotype and A allele were significantly associated with increased risk of death from NSCLC. We found that polymorphisms in ERCC1 rs11615 and rs3212986 were associated with poor response to chemotherapy and shorter survival time of advanced NSCLC.

Risk analysis of duo parentage testing with limited STR loci.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the Goldeneye 20A system (containing 19 short tandem repeats) can avert the shortage of duo parentage tests. Among routine cases typed by the Identifiler system, we identified 42 motherless cases, 2 fatherless cases, and 34 trio cases containing 1 locus mismatch and 4 motherless cases with 2 locus mismatches. One true trio case was rejected by fatherhood testing because of the omission of the mother's genotype and because the genotype of the putative father matched that of the child. All of the cases were retyped by the Goldeneye 20A system with the mother's or father's sample. In total, 39 motherless cases were verified by one mutation, 3 motherless cases were rejected for paternity, and 4 motherless cases with 2 locus mismatches were ruled out by fatherhood testing. After adding the father's genotype, 1 motherless case was confirmed by a single-locus mutation, whereas another case was rejected by motherhood testing. The mutation and exclusion rates detected with the Goldeneye 20A system accorded with the corresponding rates identified in the Identifiler system. The trio case also rejected fatherhood without the mother's genotype, and we found only 2 locus mismatches. Neither the Identifiler system nor the Goldeneye 20A system compensates for the absence of genetic information from the mother or father.

Stress-related hormone norepinephrine induces interleukin-6 expression in GES-1 cells.

In the current literature, there is evidence that psychological factors can affect the incidence and progression of some cancers. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is known to be elevated in individuals experiencing chronic stress and is also involved in oncogenesis and cancer progression. However, the precise mechanism of IL-6 induction by the stress-related hormone norepinephrine (NE) is not clear, and, furthermore, there are no reports about the effect of NE on IL-6 expression in gastric epithelial cells. In this study, we examined the effect of NE on IL-6 expression in immortalized human gastric epithelial cells (GES-1 cells). Using real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunoassay, we demonstrated that NE can induce IL-6 mRNA and protein expression in GES-1 cells. The induction is through the ß-adrenergic receptor-cAMP-protein kinase A pathway and mainly at the transcriptional level. Progressive 5'-deletions and site-directed mutagenesis of the parental construct show that, although activating-protein-1 (AP-1), cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB), CCAAT-enhancer binding protein-ß (C/EBP-ß), and nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) binding sites are all required in the basal transcription of IL-6, only AP-1 and CREB binding sites in the IL-6 promoter are required in NE-induced IL-6 expression. The results suggest that chronic stress may increase IL-6 secretion of human gastric epithelial cells, at least in part, by the stress-associated hormone norepinephrine, and provides basic data on stress and gastric cancer progression.

Stress-related hormone norepinephrine induces interleukin-6 expression in GES-1 cells

In the current literature, there is evidence that psychological factors can affect the incidence and progression of some cancers. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is known to be elevated in individuals experiencing chronic stress and is also involved in oncogenesis and cancer progression. However, the precise mechanism of IL-6 induction by the stress-related hormone norepinephrine (NE) is not clear, and, furthermore, there are no reports about the effect of NE on IL-6 expression in gastric epithelial cells. In this study, we examined the effect of NE on IL-6 expression in immortalized human gastric epithelial cells (GES-1 cells). Using real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunoassay, we demonstrated that NE can induce IL-6 mRNA and protein expression in GES-1 cells. The induction is through the β-adrenergic receptor-cAMP-protein kinase A pathway and mainly at the transcriptional level. Progressive 5′-deletions and site-directed mutagenesis of the parental construct show that, although activating-protein-1 (AP-1), cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB), CCAAT-enhancer binding protein-β (C/EBP-β), and nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) binding sites are all required in the basal transcription of IL-6, only AP-1 and CREB binding sites in the IL-6 promoter are required in NE-induced IL-6 expression. The results suggest that chronic stress may increase IL-6 secretion of human gastric epithelial cells, at least in part, by the stress-associated hormone norepinephrine, and provides basic data on stress and gastric cancer progression.

Polymorphism of SREBP1 is associated with beef fatty acid composition in Simmental bulls.

The sterol regulatory element binding factor 1 gene (SREBP1) plays an important role in the biosynthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol, and in lipid metabolism. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of genetic polymorphisms of SREBP1 on the fatty acid composition of muscle and carcass traits in Simmental bulls and Snow Dragon black cattle. The 84-bp insertion/deletion (indel) in intron 5 of the bovine SREBP1 gene was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction to investigate its associations with traits. The results showed that the 84-bp indel in intron 5 was significantly associated with palmitoleic acid (C16:1), stearic acid (C18:0), saturated fatty acids (SFA), triglycerides (TAG), and the C16 index in Simmental bulls (P < 0.05). Cattle with the LL genotype had higher palmitic acid (C16:1), triglycerides, and C16 index but lower stearic acid (C18:0) and SFA compared to those with the LS genotype (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the 84-bp indel of SREBP1 could be used as a genetic marker for selecting Simmental breeding stock for healthier fatty acid composition.

Polymorphism of MyoD1 and Myf6 genes and associations with carcass and meat quality traits in beef cattle.

Myogenic determination factor 1 (MyoD1) and myogenic factor 6 (Myf6) genes belong to the myogenic differentiation (MyoD) gene family, which play key roles in growth and muscle development. The study aimed to investigate the effects of variants in cattle MyoD1 and Myf6 on carcass and meat traits. We screened single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of both genes in 8 cattle populations, including Simmental, Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Limousin, Qinchuan, Luxi, and Jinnan by sequencing. The G782A locus was identified in exon 1 of MyoD1 (MyoD1-BglI) as well as the T186C locus in exon 1 of Myf6 (Myf6-ApaLI). For the two SNPs, the A allele was significantly more frequent than the B allele in the populations tested. The χ(2) test showed that the MyoD1-BglI locus conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the 8 populations, as did the Myf6-ApaLI locus, with the exception of the Simmental population (P > 0.05). Association analysis revealed that the MyoD1-BglI locus was significantly associated with loin muscle area (LMA) (P < 0.05), and the Myf6-ApaLI locus was significantly associated with carcass length (CL) (P < 0.05). Animals with BB and AB genotypes for the MyoD1-BglI locus had larger LMAs compared to animals with AA genotype. Individuals with BB genotype had longer CLs compared to those with AA and AB genotypes. We conclude that the two SNPs might provide useful genetic markers, opening up new possibilities for cattle breeding and improvements in gene-assisted selection.

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.

Correlation of brain natriuretic peptide and microalbuminuria in patients with heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes of plasma levels of N-terminal pro-brain 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 immunoassay (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.