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Chemoresistance is the most significant reason for the failure of cancer treatment following radical cystectomy. The response rate to the first-line chemotherapy of cisplatin and gemcitabine does not exceed 50%. In our previous research, elevated BMI1 (B-cell specific Moloney murine leukemia virus integration region 1) expression in bladder cancer conferred poor survival and was associated with chemoresistance. Herein, via analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas database and validation of clinical samples, BMI1 was elevated in patients with bladder cancer resistant to cisplatin and gemcitabine, which conferred tumor relapse and progression. Consistently, BMI1 was markedly increased in the established cisplatin- and gemcitabine-resistant T24 cells (T24/DDP&GEM). Functionally, BMI1 overexpression dramatically promoted drug efflux, enhanced viability and decreased apoptosis of bladder cancer cells upon treatment with cisplatin or gemcitabine, whereas BMI1 downregulation reversed this effect. Mechanically, upon interaction with p53, BMI1 was recruited on the promoter of miR-3682-3p gene concomitant with an increase in the mono-ubiquitination of histone H2A lysine 119, leading to transcription repression of miR-3682-3p gene followed by derepression of ABCB1 (ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1) gene. Moreover, suppression of P-glycoprotein by miR-3682-3p mimics or its inhibitor XR-9576, could significantly reverse chemoresistance of T24/DDP&GEM cells. These results provided a novel insight into a portion of the mechanism underlying BMI1-mediated chemoresistance in bladder cancer.

Our preliminary results show that huperzine A, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients in China, exhibits different pharmacokinetic features in elderly and young healthy subjects. However, its pharmacokinetic data in elderly subjects remains unavailable to date. Thus, we developed a population pharmacokinetic (PPK) model of huperzine A in elderly Chinese people, and identified the covariate affecting its pharmacokinetics for optimal individual administration.A total of 341 serum huperzine A concentration records was obtained from 2 completed clinical trials (14 elderly healthy subjects in a phase I pharmacokinetic study; 35 elderly AD patients in a phase II study). Population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using the non-linear mixed-effect modeling software Phoenix NLME1.1.1. The effects of age, gender, body weight, height, creatinine, endogenous creatinine clearance rate as well as drugs administered concomitantly were analyzed. Bootstrap and visual predictive checks were used simultaneously to validate the final population pharmacokinetics models.The plasma concentration-time profile of huperzine A was best described by a one-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination. Age was identified as the covariate having significant influence on huperzine A clearance. The final PPK model of huperzine A was: CL (L/h)=2.4649(*)(age/86)((-3.3856)), Ka=0.6750 h(-1), V (L)=104.216. The final PPK model was demonstrated to be suitable and effective by the bootstrap and visual predictive checks.A PPK model of huperzine A in elderly Chinese subjects is established, which can be used to predict PPK parameters of huperzine A in the treatment of elderly AD patients.

Purpose The present study aimed to confirm the efficacy and safety of topical and intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA) compared with that of topical placebo and to assess the noninferiority between the two application methods of TXA in patients undergoing unilateral primary total hip arthroplasty. Methods Our randomized controlled trial investigated 170 patients with 1:1:1 allocation to two doses of 10-mg/kg intravenous TXA, 3-g topical TXA, and topical placebo of 60-ml physiological saline groups. The primary outcome, total blood loss, was calculated with Nadler and Gross formula. The secondary outcomes included allogeneic blood transfusion requirement, drain blood loss, decreased hemoglobin level. Noninferiority would be established when the upper limit 95% CI is lower than 250 ml of the noninferiority margin for the mean difference of total blood loss between topical and intravenous TXA. Thromboembolic complication incidence was considered as a safety outcome. Results The total blood loss of patients administered intravenous (mean±standard deviation, 1125±514 ml) and topical TXA (1211±425 ml) was significantly reduced compared with that of those administered topical placebo (1464±556 ml) (p = 0.0012). Drain blood loss and hemoglobin level reduction in patients administered with TXA were also significantly lower than those in patients administered topical placebo. The mean difference of total blood loss between topical and intravenous TXA is 86 ml (95% CI, -88 to 260 ml). The complications were comparable between patients managed with TXA and patients with topical placebo. Conclusion The noninferiority of topical TXA to intravenous TXA can not be concluded. Considering no significant difference was found in all efficacy outcomes between the two administration methods. Any of the two TXA administration methods can be adopted for blood loss prevention in total hip arthroplasty.

Objectives. To understand the current risk of HIV infection and transmission and further elucidate the underlying risk factors among men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) in China.Methods. Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of searching through Chinese and English available literature databases between January 2000 and June 2014 to identify articles.Results. Thirty-six articles (including 19,730 MSMW and 53,536 MSMO) met the selection criteria and the aggregated results found that MSMW have significantly higher HIV prevalence than MSMO (6.6% versus 5.4%, OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.01–1.58). A higher proportion of MSMW had commercial male partners in the past 6 months (18.3% versus 12.2%, OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.01–2.42). Additionally, substance use in the past 6 months was significantly more frequent among MSMW than MSMO (alcohol use: 27.1% versus 13.1%, OR = 2.53, 95% CI = 2.14–2.99; illicit drug use: 5.3% versus 2.5%, OR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.48–2.95).Conclusion. A higher proportion of commercial sex and substance use among MSMW may be a potentially indicative factor for significantly higher HIV prevalence compared to MSMO. Targeted interventions should aim at increasing the frequency of HIV/STIs screening and preventing high risk commercial sex and substance use among MSMW to decrease their HIV transmission to the general population.

With this study we have demonstrated that in vitro transduction of normal human CD4(+) T lymphocytes with NPM-ALK results in their malignant transformation. The transformed cells become immortalized and display morphology and immunophenotype characteristic of patient-derived anaplastic large-cell lymphomas. These unique features, which are strictly dependent on NPM-ALK activity and expression, include perpetual cell growth, proliferation, and survival; activation of the key signal transduction pathways STAT3 and mTORC1; and expression of CD30 (the hallmark of anaplastic large-cell lymphoma) and of immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10 and cell-surface protein PD-L1/CD274. Implantation of NPM-ALK-transformed CD4(+) T lymphocytes into immunodeficient mice resulted in formation of tumors indistinguishable from patients' anaplastic large-cell lymphomas. Our findings demonstrate that the key aspects of human carcinogenesis closely recapitulating the features of the native tumors can be faithfully reproduced in vitro when an appropriate oncogene is used to transform its natural target cells; this in turn points to the fundamental role in malignant cell transformation of potent oncogenes expressed in the relevant target cells. Such transformed cells should permit study of the early stages of carcinogenesis, and in particular the initial oncogene-host cell interactions. This experimental design could also be useful for studies of the effects of early therapeutic intervention and likely also the mechanisms of malignant progression.

To explore the effects of different antihypertensive strategies on blood pressure and urinary albumin excretion in patients with hypertension and microalbuminuria.For this multi-center, randomized, positively controlled clinical trial, a total of 531 patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension and microalbuminuria were enrolled. They were divided randomly into calcium channel blocker (CCB), angiotensin II receptor antagonist (ARB) and CCB+ARB groups. The whole treatment period was 6 months.According to ANOVA analysis, the post-therapeutic urinary albumin level decreased 20.6, 27.6 and 30.9 mg/L in CCB, ARB and CCB+ARB groups respectively (P = 0.067). And the extents of urinary albumin reduction were 31.1 and 6.6 mg/L in patients with controlled and uncontrolled blood pressure respectively (P0.001).Effective antihypertensive therapy is a key for decreasing urinary albumin excretion in hypertensive patients. As compared with calcium antagonists, ARB-containing regimens appear to be better in reducing urinary albumin.

The management of patients with refractory immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is challenging, as there is no standard treatment option. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) in combination with cyclosporin A (CsA) for the management of patients with corticosteroid-resistant primary ITP.Thirty-six patients with corticosteroid-resistant ITP were randomly divided into an observation group and control group. In the observation group, 19 patients received subcutaneous injection of rhTPO at a dose of 1 µg/kg (300 U/kg) once daily up to day 14. Simultaneously they also received oral CsA at a dose of 1.5-2.0 mg/kg twice daily for three months. In the control group, rhTPO alone was administered subcutaneously at 1 µg/kg once daily in the other 17 ITP patients for 14 consecutive days and then the treatment was withdrawn.There was no significant difference in the response rate at the end of the first week after treatment initiation between the observation group and the control group (63.2% vs. 58.8%, P0.05), neither was there at the end of the second week (89.5% vs. 94.1%, P0.05). However, the relapse rate in the observation group was significantly lower than that in control group at the end of the first (17.7% vs. 50.0%, P0.05), second (29.4% vs. 68.8%, P0.05) and the third month (29.4% vs. 87.5%, P0.01). In addition, rhTPO plus CsA were well tolerated and adverse events recorded were mild.Combination therapy with rhTPO and CsA was effective in the management of patients with corticosteroidresistant ITP, with a relatively short time to response and low recurrence rate. It might be considered as a potential secondline treatment regimen for ITP.

To investigate blood pressure control the glucose metabolism, cardiovascular risk factors of patients who were regularly followed up at professional hypertension clinics in China.A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 32 004 patients from 127 professional hypertension clinics across China. The questionnaires included case history and related treatment physical examination and laboratory biochemical tests were also taken at the same time.The mean blood pressure of overall population was (151 ± 13)/(92 ± 10) mm Hg(1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa). Totally 3424 patients (10.7%) had never taken any anti-hypertension medicine. Among patients treated with anti-hypertension drugs, 19 818 were of mono-therapy (69.3%) and 8762 were of combination therapy. The most frequently used drug was renin-angiotensin system inhibitor, followed by calcium-channel blocker. Fixed compound preparations accounted for 15.6%. The overall blood pressure control rate (140/90 mm Hg ) was 26.8%, among them, 27.7%, 30.0%, 25.4% and 21.3% patients were complicated with coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, kidney diseases and cerebral stroke respectively. About 70.3% hypertensive patients had abnormal glucose metabolism whose mean glycosylated hemoglobin (GHbA1c) was 7.84%, which was significantly higher than 7.0% , the target value defined by ADA.Even among them, 20.2% patients have never received any anti-diabetic drugs.Low-risk and medium-risk patients accounted for 16.0%. Totally 48.0% patients were classified in high-risk group and 36.0% in very high risk group. About half of all patients had different target organ dysfunction. About 49.0% patients had associated comorbidities.Co-existence of hypertension and abnormal glucose metabolism is common in Chinese population. Among these patients, target organ dysfunction and comorbidities are prevalent, but blood pressure is only effectively controlled in less than 30% patients. Low proportion of combination therapy is one of the reasons for unsatisfied control of blood pressure.It indicates that effective management of hypertension is urgent.

To investigate glucose metabolism status and its relationship with blood pressure, obesity, renal function and cardio-cerebral vascular events in Chinese essential hypertensive patients.Essential hypertensive patients without diabetic history were enrolled in this cross-sectional survey. All patients filled in questionnaires and received physical examination and laboratory tests. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT, fasting and 2 hours glucose level after drinking the 75 g glucose solution) was performed in patients who signed the informed consent.(1) The control rate of systolic BP was lower in patients with dysglycemia than in patients without dysglycemia (41.0% vs. 46.4%, P = 0.000). (2) The albuminuria detection rate and the abnormal rate of estimated glumerular filtration rate (eGFR) increased significantly with the deterioration of glucose metabolism. (3) Multifactor-analysis showed that abnormal waist circumference, decreased eGFR and presence of albuminuria were independent risk factors for abnormal glucose metabolism. Cardiovascular events was significantly higher in patients with abnormal glucose metabolism than patients with normal glucose metabolism.Abnormal glucose metabolism is common in Chinese essential hypertensive patients. When complicated with abnormal glucose metabolism, essential hypertensive patients had poor blood pressure control rate and were related to higher cardiovascular risk.

To explore the characteristics and related risk factors of arterial elasticity in persons with prehypertension, high-normal blood lipid and(or) impaired glucose regulation(impaired fasting glucose and(or) impaired glucose tolerance).After receiving physical and biochemical examinations, a total of 1238 persons were enrolled. Among them, the etiologies were prehypertension (n = 65), high-normal blood lipid (n = 156), impaired glucose regulation (n = 159), prehypertension and high-normal blood lipid (n = 85), prehypertension and impaired glucose regulation (n = 77), high-normal blood lipid and impaired glucose regulation (n = 55) and prehypertension, high-normal blood lipid and impaired glucose regulation (n = 9). Also 332 healthy subjects, 113 hypertensive patients, 150 hyperlipidemics and 37 diabetics were enrolled as controls. Systemic vascular compliance (SVC), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), brachial artery distensibility (BAD) were measured with Dynapulse 200 M (Pulse Metric, Inc., USA).In persons with prehypertension, SVC was lower than healty group ((1.14 ± 0.20) ml vs (1.26 ± 0.23) ml, P0.01)and higher than hypertensive group ((1.11 ± 0.18) ml, P = 0.011), SVR higher than healty group (157 ± 29) kPa×s×L(-1) vs (148 ± 25) kPa×s×L(-1), P = 0.012) and lower than hypertensive group ((166 ± 36) kPa×s×L(-1), P0.01)and BAD lower than healty group(5.93% ± 1.14% vs 6.50% ± 1.30%, P0.01). Among different groups with prehypertension, high-normal blood lipid and(or) impaired glucose regulation, SVC, SVR and BAD had significant differences. As indicated by multiple linear regression analysis, blood pressure was an independent risk factor of arterial elasticity.Vascular function becomes damaged in prehypertensive stage. As an independent risk factor, blood pressure had more potent effect than lipid and blood glucose. Multiple cardiovascular risk factors with high-normal value may affect vascular function more strongly.

Aliskiren is a novel blood pressure-lowering agent acting as an oral direct renin inhibitor. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of aliskiren on arterial stiffness, compared with that of ramipril in mild to moderate essential hypertensive patients.Following a two week placebo run-in period, patients with a mean sitting diastolic blood pressure (ms-DBP) ≥ 95 and110 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa), and a mean sitting systolic blood pressure (ms-SBP)180 mmHg were randomly allocated to treatment with aliskiren (150 mg/d, n = 20) or ramipril (5 mg/d, n = 20) for eight weeks. Blood pressure, plasma renin activity, and the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) were measured before and after eight weeks of treatment.Eight weeks of treatment significantly decreased systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in both the aliskiren group and ramipril group. The hypotensive effect did not differ between the two groups. Plasma renin activity decreased after aliskiren treatment and increased after ramipril treatment. There was no significant difference in baseline ba-PWV between the aliskiren and ramipril groups (P = 0.892). The ba-PWV was significantly reduced in both the aliskiren group (1535 (1405 - 1666) vs. 1464 (1360 - 1506) cm/s) (P0.01) and the ramipril group (1544 (1433 - 1673) vs. 1447 (1327 - 1549) cm/s) (P0.01). No statistically significant difference was found in the decline of ba-PWV between the two groups (P = 0.766).The current study revealed that aliskiren (150 mg/d) could ameliorate arterial stiffness and its effect was similar to ramipril (5 mg/d) in mild to moderate hypertensive patients, indicating that in addition to lowering blood pressure, aliskiren had beneficial effect on vascular protection.

This study was aimed to investigate the changes of the platelet particle membrane protein (GMP-140), platelet activating factor (PAF) and platelet parametes in the patients with hyperuricemia (HUA), ELISA was used to detect the levels of GMP-140 and PAF in 55 patients with HUA and 30 healthy individuals. Platelet parameters were measured with automatic blood cell analyzer, and the biochemical indexes were detected at the same time. The results showed that the levels of serum uric acid, triglycerides (TG) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in HUA patients were higher than that in the normal group (P0.01). Serum uric acid level of HUA group was higher in men than that in women. The levels of GMP-140 and PAF in HUA patients were much higher than that in the normal group (P0.01), the indexes of platelet distribution width (PDW) and platelet-large cell ratio (P-LCR) in HUA patients were higher than that in the normal group (P0.01), there was no statistically significant difference in platelet count, plateletcrit (PCT), mean platelet volume (MPV) between the two groups. There was positive correlation between serum uric acid and levels of GMP-140, PAF, P-LCR and PDW, respectively (r = 0.667, 0.879, 0.310, 0.460, P0.01 or P0.05). Multivariate stepwise regression analysis revealed that serum uric acid, creatinine, P-LCR, urea nitrogen contributed to GMP-140 level (adjusted R(2) = 0.822). Serum uric acid and LDL-C also contributed to PAF level (adjusted R(2) = 0.451). It is concluded that a close relationship exists between HUA and the change of platelet function, and HUA plays a certain role in cardiovascular disease thrombosis complications.

To investigate the efficacy and safety of a schedule of 2 cycles' high-dose dexamethasone (HD-DXM) as an initial therapy in adults immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), and compare with conventional dose prednisone therapy.A total of 59 newly diagnosed ITP patients were divided into 2 groups randomly. In 30 patients (Dexamethasone group), oral HD-DXM was administered at 40 mg/d for 4 consecutive days, repeated one week later, and then failed to maintain. In the remaining 29 patients (Prednisone group), prednisone was administered orally at 1.0 - 1.5 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) for 4 weeks, and then gradually tapered.For short-term efficacy, after 1 and 2 weeks of treatment, the response rate in Dexamethasone group was significantly higher than that in Prednisone group (50.0% vs 24.1%, P0.01; 73.3% vs 55.2%, P0.05), while 3 weeks later, there was no remarkable difference between the two groups (83.3% vs 68.9%, P0.05), though the response rate in Dexamethasone group remained higher. For long-term effect, at the end of the 2nd and 3rd months of follow-up, the relapse rate in Dexamethasone group was significantly lower than that in Prednisone group (24.0% vs 40.0%, P0.05; 32.0% vs 65.0%, P0.01), while at the end of the 1(st) month of follow-up, there was no significant difference (16.0% vs 20.0%, P0.05). In addition, it's well tolerated and no complications such as severe infection or Cushing syndrome were complained in Dexamethasone group.HD-DXM possesses an advantage over conventional dose prednisone therapy in efficacy and safety.

To investigate whether S100A14 and S100A4 expression correlates with metastatic potential and prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC), we firstly used RT-PCR analysis to detect mRNA expression of S100A14 and S100A4 in 40 pairs of fresh tumor samples matched with adjacent normal tissues. We then evaluated the clinical significance of our findings with immunohistochemistry on 115 samples of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tumors on tissue microarrays. Typically, we identified decreased S100A14 mRNA levels (52.5%, 21/40), and increased S100A4 mRNA levels (70.0%, 28/40) in primary CRC samples. In addition, down-regulated or absent S100A14 expression was detected in 56.5% of samples (65/115) and was correlated with poor differentiation (P=0.010). In contrast, overexpressed S100A4 was detected in 57.4% of samples (66/115) and was associated with lymph node metastasis (P=0.001). Simultaneous S100A14 low-expression and S100A4 high-expression was correlated with high CRC metastatic potential (P0.001). Taken together, the signature derived from the combined expression status of S100A14 and S100A4 could be a valuable prognostic indicator in CRC.

To investigate the changes of plasma suPAR level in patients with multiple myeloma, ELISA was used to detect plasma suPAR level, and routine examination was performed for other clinical indexes in 26 multiple myeloma patients. The results showed that plasma suPAR level in patients was 4.31+/-1.67 ng/ml, which was obviously higher than that in control group (1.87+/-0.27 ng/ml) (p0.01). Plasma suPAR level in IgM subtype patients was 6.18+/-3.61 ng/ml, which was highest among all the subtypes; the plasma suPAR levels in non-secretion subtype, IgG and IgA subtype were 4.43+/-1.55 ng/ml, 4.00+/-0.95 ng/ml and 3.50+/-1.60 ng/ml respectively. The plasma suPAR levels in all subtypes were higher than that in control group, but there was no differences between these subtypes. SuPAR level was correlated with the blood sedimentation rate, creatinine level and hemoglobin level, plasma cell ratio and M protein level. It is concluded that the change of plasma suPAR level in multiple myeloma contributes to predict the development and prognosis of the disease.

To assess the correlation between micrometastasis in mesorectum and pathological factors after total mesorectal excision(TME) in lower rectal cancer.All lymph nodes were obtained by fat clearance from 31 lower rectal cancer patients with TME. The lymph nodes which had previously been considered negative of metastasis by conventional examination were submitted to immunohistochemical examination to identify the micrometastases using anti-cytokeratin antibody. The correlation between micrometastasis and pathological factors were analyzed.One thousand and seven LNs were collected from 31 patients. One hundred and five LNs were found positive by conventional examination, and the mean diameter was (5.5 +/- 3.1) mm. The mean diameter of conventional negative LNS was (2.8 +/- 1.5) mm. The diameter differed significantly between conventional positive and negative LNS (P0.05). In 902 conventional negative LNs, 26 contained micrometastasis (209%) and the mean diameter was (3.3 +/- 1.2) mm. The diameter of LNs with micrometastasis was significantly smaller than that of conventional positive LNs (P0.05). The diameter of most of the micrometastatic LNs(88.5%) was less than 5 mm. Fourteen patients (38.7%) contained micrometastasis. The pathological stage, serum carcinoembryonic antigen level and tumor differentiation were related to micrometastasis (P0.05).With the detection of micrometastasis after fat clearance, we can estimate the LN metastasis status more accurately. It can be useful in clinical staging and individual treatment of rectal cancer.

To obtain the glucose metabolic profile of patients with essential hypertension in China.This is an epidemiologic cross-sectional survey and screening study, 5 sites in China participated in. Patients with essential hypertension and without known diabetes mellitus(DM) answered the questionnaire and received in-site fasting blood glucose (FBG) determination and simple oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).A total of 1,421 patients had the data of FBG and OGTT 2-hour glucose. Among them, The prevalence rates of newly diagnosed DM and impaired glucose regulation (IGR) were 22.9% and 64.4% respectively. Patients with newly diagnosed DM have higher systolic blood pressure, waistline, waist-to-hip ratio and plasma triglyceride.Newly diagnosed disturbed glucose metabolic status is common among patients with essential hypertension without DM history, which had very low diagnose rate in routine work. We must pay more attention to the glucose metabolic status of patients with hypertension, especially the one with metabolic syndrome, OGTT should be as a routine procedure in the diagnosis of such patients.

To evaluate the clinical characteristics and therapy conditions in hospitalized patients with essential hypertension in Beijing.Patients with essential hypertension hospitalized in 20 Beijing hospitals in recent 2 years were included in this epidemiologic retrospective survey. Data on age, blood pressure level, risk factors and complicated diseases, antihypertensive medication and heart structural and functional characteristics measured by echocardiography were collected.Total 5106 hospitalized patients (mean age 63.78 years) with essential hypertension were recorded. Mean blood pressure was 145.97/84.23 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa). Among them, 75.5% complicated with at least one risk factor, 30% suffered from heart failure. The atria enlargement and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction were the two most common echocardiographic pathological changes. Left ventricular hypertrophy is positively correlated with blood pressure. Logistic regression analysis showed that increased systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and plasma creatinine, old age and decreased HDL-cholesterol were risk factors of left ventricular hypertrophy. Only 32.1% patients achieved the goal blood pressure level (140/90 mm Hg) and 38.1% patients were treated with monotherapy. The most commonly used antihypertensive drugs were calcium channel blockers and diuretics.It is of importance to strictly follow the therapy guidelines on hypertension treatment and use combined drug therapy to increase the rate of patients reaching goal blood pressure level and reduce hypertensive complications.

To assess the efficacy and safety of valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 80/12.5 mg once daily (o.d.) in Chinese patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension who was not adequately controlled by valsartan 80 mg o.d. monotherapy.In this multi-center, double-blind, randomized, active controlled, parallel group trial, 1051 out of 1175 Chinese patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension [DBPor= 95 mm Hg and110 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa)] completed single-blind run-in period (valsartan 80 mg o.d. therapy for 4 weeks) after 2 week's wash-out period. At the end of the single-blind run-in period, those patients with DBPor= 95 mm Hg (n = 864) were randomized in 1:1 ratio to Valsartan and Valsartan 80 mg (n = 429)/HCTZ80/12.5 mg (n = 435) treatment o.d. for 8 weeks. Safety and efficacy was assessed every 4 weeks during double blind phase.At the end of study, valsartan/HCTZ 80/12.5 mg combination treatment further reduced systolic (-3.5 mm Hg) and diastolic (-2.2 mm Hg) pressures and increased the rate of patients reaching goal BP level (53.9% vs. 40.9%) compared to valsartan 80 mg o.d. monotherapy. Incidence of side effects was similar between the combination therapy and monotherapy groups (8.9% vs. 5.1%, P0.05).Efficacy of Valsartan 80 mg/HCTZ 12.5 mg compound was superior to valsartan 80 mg on BP reduction and goal BP control rate in Chinese patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. The combination of Valsartan 80 mg/hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 12.5 mg provides a suitable treatment for Chinese patients who are not adequately controlled by valsartan 80 mg o.d. monotherapy.

To explore the relationship between the expression of CD133 and pathogenesis of leukemia and MDS, immunocytochemistry method was used to examine the expression of CD133 in bone marrow cells of patients with leukemia and MDS. The results showed that the positive rate of CD133 in 41 acute leukemia patients was 51.2%. The expression of CD133 in AML patients (16/29, 55.2%) was significantly higher than that in control group (2/15, 13.3%). There was no significant difference in CD133 expression between CML and control group. The positive rate of CD133 in 9 patients with MDS was 55.56% (5/9). There was no significant difference between MDS and normal control. The expression of CD133 in all leukemia cells with CD34(+) was higher than that in leukemia cells with CD34(-), and there was significant difference in expression of CD133 between them (P0.05). The expression of CD133 had no relationship with the clinical prognostic factors such as sex, age, the percentage of leukemic cells in peripheral blood and in bone marrow, WBC counts, hemoglobin concentration, platelet counts and LDH level. It is concluded that the expression of CD133 in bone marrow cells of patients with AML is higher than that in control group. The expression of CD133 is significantly correlated with the expression of CD34. The high expression of CD133 may be an adverse prognostic factor in acute leukemia.

To investigate the expression of pituitary tumor-transforming gene (PTTG) and basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) in acute leukemia, as well as the relationship of their expression with prognosis in acute leukemia, expressions of PTTG and b-FGF in acute leukemia (AL) specimens were detected by immunocytochemical technique. The results showed that the expressions of PTTG and b-FGF in AL group were higher than that in the control group significantly (P0.01). In AL group, after chemotherapy, the expression of PTTG and b-FGF in de novo patients group was higher than in the complete remission patient group significantly (P0.01). The expressions of PTTG and b-FGF showed positive correlation (r = 0.61, P0.01). It is concluded that Up-regulation of PTTG and b-FGF expression may be involved in the progression of acute leukemia and correlated closely with therapeutic effect. Associated detection of PTTG and b-FGF may help to judge the malignancy degree and prognosis of acute leukemia.

To understand the epidemiological characteristics of essential hypertension in the northern and western areas of China.A community-based sampling survey.Rates of awareness, treatment and control were 78.6%, 59.7% and 5.9%, respectively. About half of the diagnosed and treated patients took antihypertensive medicine irregularly before the survey was carried out.It is necessary to carry out education, prevention and control on hypertension and to establish a series of standards for the management and treatment on cases of hypertension.