血清OPN、Wip1、HSP90α与晚期非小细胞肺癌患者一线化疗敏感性和预后的关系

摘要 目的：探讨血清骨桥蛋白（OPN）、野生型p53诱导的磷酸酶1（Wip1）、热休克蛋白90α（HSP90α）与晚期非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）患者一线化疗敏感性和预后的关系。方法：选取2018年1月～2020年1月在河北医科大学附属第一医院接受一线化疗方案治疗的晚期NSCLC患者137例，根据化疗疗效分为化疗不敏感组（38例）和化疗敏感组（99例）。采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清OPN、HSP90α水平，实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应检测血清Wip1 mRNA水平。多因素Logistic回归分析影响晚期NSCLC患者一线化疗敏感性的因素。随访3年，Kaplan-Meier法分析高/低血清OPN、Wip1 mRNA、HSP90α水平晚期NSCLC患者一线化疗后的预后情况。结果：与化疗敏感组比较，化疗不敏感组血清OPN、Wip1 mRNA、HSP90α水平升高（P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示，低分化、TNM分期Ⅳ期和血清OPN、Wip1 mRNA、HSP90α水平升高为影响晚期NSCLC患者一线化疗敏感性的独立危险因素（P＜0.05）。随访3年，137例晚期NSCLC患者总生存率为15.33%（21/137）。Kaplan-Meier生存曲线显示，血清OPN、Wip1 mRNA、HSP90α高水平组3年总生存率低于血清OPN、Wip1 mRNA、HSP90α低水平组（P＜0.05）。结论：血清OPN、Wip1、HSP90α水平升高与晚期NSCLC患者一线化疗敏感性下降和预后不良有关。     

血清cfDNA、VEGFA与晚期胃癌患者化疗疗效和预后的关系研究

摘要 目的：研究血清循环游离脱氧核糖核酸（cfDNA）、血管内皮生长因子A（VEGFA）与晚期胃癌患者化疗疗效和预后的关系。方法：选取2018年6月~2020年6月在空军第九八六医院接受含奥沙利铂方案化疗的晚期胃癌患者108例,所有患者均接受含奥沙利铂方案化疗,化疗2个周期后,根据实体瘤疗效评价标准（RECIST）1.1版评估疗效分为敏感组和不敏感组,比较两组血清cfDNA、VEGFA水平;随访24个月,Kaplan-Meier生存曲线分析血清cfDNA、VEGFA高表达和低表达组的总生存期（OS）,采用Cox风险比例模型进行预后多因素分析。结果：不敏感组血清cfDNA、VEGFA水平显著高于敏感组（P＜0.05）。cfDNA、VEGFA高表达组患者中位OS均明显短于cfDNA、VEGFA低表达组（P＜0.05）。Cox回归模型单因素分析显示,性别、年龄、部位与晚期胃癌预后无关（P＞0.05）,而TNM分期Ⅳ期、分化程度低分化、有淋巴结转移、化疗疗效不敏感、cfDNA高水平、VEGFA高水平与晚期胃癌预后差显著相关（P＜0.05）。Cox回归模型多因素分析显示,淋巴结转移、化疗疗效不敏感及cfDNA、VEGFA水平高是晚期胃癌患者预后的危险因素（P＜0.05）。结论：血清cfDNA、VEGFA水平检测有助于晚期胃癌患者化疗疗效监测和预后评估。     

卡瑞利珠单抗联合标准二线化疗对晚期食管鳞癌患者肿瘤标志物和外周血NLR、LMR的影响及其预后的影响因素分析

摘要 目的：探讨卡瑞利珠单抗联合标准二线化疗对晚期食管鳞癌患者肿瘤标志物和外周血中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值（NLR）、淋巴细胞/单核细胞比值（LMR）的影响,并分析影响晚期食管鳞癌预后的因素。方法：选择2019年8月至2021年8月安徽医科大学附属巢湖医院收治的80例晚期食管鳞癌患者,根据治疗方法将其分为对照组（40例）采用标准二线化疗治疗,观察组（40例）采用卡瑞利珠单抗联合标准二线化疗治疗。比较两组疗效、血清肿瘤标志物以及外周血NLR、LMR水平以及安全性差异。绘制Kaplan-Meier曲线,分析不同治疗方案晚期食管鳞癌患者总生存期（OS）期差异,多因素Cox回归分析影响晚期食管鳞癌患者预后的因素。结果：观察组客观缓解率（ORR）、疾病控制率（DCR）高于对照组（P＜0.05）;两组治疗后血清糖类抗原125（CA125）、糖类抗原199（CA199）、癌胚抗原（CEA）、糖类抗原724（CA724）以及外周血NLR水平均较治疗前降低（P＜0.05）,外周血LMR较治疗前增高（P＜0.05）,观察组治疗后血清CA125、CA199、CEA、CA724水平以及外周血NLR低于对照组（P＜0.05）,外周血LMR水平高于对照组（P＜0.05）;两组不良反应发生率比较无差异（P＞0.05）。观察组中位无进展生存期（PFS）、OS生存期长于对照组（P＜0.05）。多因素Cox回归分析结果显示TNM分期Ⅳ期、远处转移、高NLR是影响晚期食管鳞癌患者预后的危险因素（P＜0.05）,高LMR、卡瑞利珠单抗联合标准二线化疗是保护因素（P＜0.05）。结论：卡瑞利珠单抗联合标准二线化疗可提高晚期食管磷癌临床疗效,降低血清肿瘤标志物以及外周血NLR水平,提高外周血LMR水平,TNM分期Ⅳ期、远处转移、高NLR是影响晚期食管鳞癌患者预后的危险因素,高LMR、卡瑞利珠单抗联合标准二线化疗是其保护因素。     

血清载脂蛋白AI、鳞状细胞癌抗原与子宫内膜癌病理特征的关系及对淋巴结转移的预测研究

摘要 目的：分析血清载脂蛋白AI、鳞状细胞癌抗原与子宫内膜癌病理特征的关系及对淋巴结转移的预测价值。方法：选择我院自2020年7月至2022年7月收治的156例行手术治疗的子宫内膜癌患者作为研究对象,检测血清载脂蛋白AI、鳞状细胞癌抗原表达水平,分析不同临床分期、病理分级、子宫肌层浸润程度的子宫内膜癌血清载脂蛋白AI、鳞状细胞癌抗原表达水平的差异性,比较淋巴结转移组与非淋巴结转移组血清载脂蛋白AI、鳞状细胞癌抗原表达水平,通过受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）下面积（AUC）评价血清载脂蛋白AI联合鳞状细胞癌抗原对子宫内膜癌患者发生淋巴结转移的预测价值。结果：Ⅲ～Ⅳ期组血清载脂蛋白AI低于Ⅰ～Ⅱ期组,鳞状细胞癌抗原表达水平高于Ⅰ～Ⅱ期组（P＜0.05）;中低分化组血清载脂蛋白AI水平低于高分化组,鳞状细胞癌抗原表达水平高于高分化组（P＜0.05）;子宫肌层浸润≥1/2组血清载脂蛋白AI水平低于子宫肌层浸润＜1/2组,鳞状细胞癌抗原表达水平高于子宫肌层浸润＜1/2组（P＜0.05）;在120例子宫内膜癌患者中,发生淋巴结转移28例;淋巴结转移组血清载脂蛋白AI低于非淋巴结转移组,鳞状细胞癌抗原表达水平高于非淋巴结转移组（P＜0.05）;经ROC曲线分析,血清载脂蛋白AI联合鳞状细胞癌抗原预测子宫内膜癌患者发生淋巴结转移的AUC为0.910。结论：血清载脂蛋白AI、鳞状细胞癌抗原与子宫内膜癌的不同临床分期、病理分级、子宫肌层浸润程度有关,术前检测两者表达水平有助于淋巴结转移的预测,对于指导临床治疗具有积极作用。     

外泌体lncRNA-MIR100HG/miR-100表达变化与胃癌临床病理特征、无疾病进展生存率的相关性

摘要 目的：探究胃癌患者血清外泌体长链非编码RNA-MIR100HG（lncRNA-MIR100HG）及微小核糖核酸-100（miR-100）表达情况,并分析其与患者临床病理特征和无疾病进展生存率之间的相关性。方法：收集60例胃癌患者和60例良性疾病患者,提取外泌体,检测lncRNA-MIR100HG/miR-100的表达情况并进行组间比较。采用Pearson相关分析lncRNA-MIR100HG与miR-100表达水平的相关性,应用单因素卡方检验分析与胃癌患者临床病理特征相关性,采用Kaplan-Meier生存分析lncRNA-MIR100HG/miR-100表达情况与无疾病进展生存率。结果：（1）胃癌组患者血清lncRNA-MIR100HG显著高于,miR-100相对表达水平显著低于胃良性疾病组（P<0.05）;（2）Pearson相关分析结果显示血清lncRNA-MIR100HG和miR-100存在显著负相关关系（r=-0.483,P<0.05）;（3）单因素卡方检验分析结果显示：胃癌患者血清lncRNA-MIR100HG相对表达水平与肿瘤大小、分化程度、肿瘤浸润深度、临床分期、淋巴结转移和远处转移相关,血清miR-100相对表达水平与肿瘤大小、分化程度、临床分期和淋巴结转移相关（P<0.05）;（4）血清lncRNA-MIR100HG、miR-100低水平表达胃癌患者PFS显著长于高水平患者（χ²=37.371,P＜0.05）,miR-100高水平表达胃癌患者PFS显著长于低水平患者（χ²=28.631,P＜0.05）。结论：胃癌患者血清外泌体lncRNA-MIR100HG/miR-100表达水平与肿瘤大小、肿瘤浸润深度、临床分期等病理特征相关,lncRNA-MIR100HG高表达与miR-100低表达可能提示胃癌患者预后越差。     

血清Lipocalin-2、Periostin及AGAP2-AS1在非小细胞肺癌中的表达及与病理特征的相关性

摘要 目的：探究血清脂质运载蛋白-2（Lipocalin-2）、成骨细胞特异性因子2（periostin）及长链非编码RNA NR_027032（AGAP2-AS1）表达与非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）患者临床特征及预后的相关性。方法：选取2015年12月-2017年12月到我院确诊的84例NSCLC患者为研究组,选取同时期在我院健康体检的健康人群为健康对照组,采用ELISA法检测血清Lipocalin-2、periostin水平、采用荧光定量PCR定量检测血清外泌体AGAP2-AS1的表达水平,并分析其表达差异性;分析血清Lipocalin-2、Periostin及AGAP2-AS1水平与NSCLC患者各临床病理特征及预后的相关性。结果：NSCLC组患者血清Lipocalin-2、Periostin及AGAP2-AS1表达水平显著高于健康对照组（P<0.05）,且与淋巴结转移、TNM分期及分化程度具有相关性（P<0.05）,血清Lipocalin-2与Periostin及AGAP2-AS1在NSCLC血液中呈正相关（P<0.01或<0.05）,血清Lipocalin-2、Periostin及AGAP2-AS1高表达组NSCLC患者中位OS分别显著低于低表达（P<0.05）。结论：血清Lipocalin-2、Periostin及AGAP2-AS1在NSCLC患者血液中的表达升高,NSCLC患者血清Lipocalin-2、Periostin及AGAP2-AS1表达水平与分化程度、TNM分期、淋巴结转移及预后具有相关性;有望成为评估NSCLC患者预后的生物标志物。     

血清嗜酸性粒细胞表达水平与鼻腔鼻窦内翻性乳头状瘤病理的相关性分析

摘要 目的：探讨血清嗜酸性粒细胞（EOS）表达水平与鼻腔鼻窦内翻性乳头状瘤（SNIP）病理的相关性。方法：选取我院2016年1月至2020年1月收治的63例SNIP患者作为研究对象,依照所有患者EOS水平将其分为低EOS组、中EOS组、高EOS组,对比三组患者的临床病理特征,并分析EOS表达水平与SNIP病理的相关性。行手术治疗后将63例患者分为预后不良组与预后良好组,对比两组患者的临床相关指标,并分析EOS表达水平对SNIP的预后预测价值。结果：三组患者临床分期、病理诊断对比差异显著（P＜0.05）;以EOS表达水平进行分级：高水平：＞300个/μL,中水平：100-300个/μL,低水平：＜100个/μL。Spearman相关分析结果显示：性别、年龄、病灶位置与EOS表达水平无明显相关性（P＞0.05）,临床分期、病理诊断与EOS水平呈负相关（P＜0.05）;预后良好组与预后不良组患者PLT水平对比无明显差异（P＞0.05）,预后两组患者L、EOS水平明显高于预后不良组,N、PLR、NLR低于预后不良组（P＜0.05）;logistic回归分析结果表明：NLR、EOS为SNIP的预后独立预测因素（P＜0.05）。结论：SNIP患者的临床分期、病理诊断与EOS表达水平呈负相关,且应用NLR和EOS可对SNIP术后复发情况进行预测,因此,可以考虑应用EOS表达水平对SNIP进行诊断与治疗效果判定。     

肝细胞肝癌组织NTS、SPNS2、Mortalin表达与上皮间质转化标志物、临床病理特征和预后的关系

摘要 目的：探讨肝细胞癌（HCC）癌组织神经降压素（NTS）、鞘氨醇-1-磷酸转运体2（SPNS2）、热休克蛋白75（Mortalin）表达与上皮间质转化（EMT）标志物、临床病理特征和预后的关系。方法：选取2010年1月～2017年1月联勤保障部队第九〇〇医院仓山院区收治的90例HCC患者,采用免疫组化法检测患者癌组织和对应癌旁组织中NTS、SPNS2、Mortalin及EMT标志物N-钙粘蛋白（N-Cad）、E-钙粘蛋白（E-Cad）表达情况。分析NTS、SPNS2、Mortalin表达与HCC患者EMT标志物、临床病理特征和预后的关系。结果：HCC癌组织中NTS、SPNS2、Mortalin、N-Cad阳性表达率高于癌旁组织,E-Cad阳性表达率低于癌旁组织（P＜0.05）。Pearson相关性分析显示,HCC癌组织中NTS、SPNS2、Mortalin表达水平与N-Cad表达水平呈正相关,与E-Cad表达水平呈负相关（P＜0.05）。 HCC癌组织中NTS、SPNS2、Mortalin表达与Child-Pugh分级、血管侵犯、巴塞罗那临床肝癌（BCLC）分期、淋巴结转移、远处转移有关（P＜0.05）。90例HCC患者术后5年总生存率为48.89％（44/90）。Kaplan-Meier生存曲线分析显示,NTS、SPNS2、Mortalin阳性组总生存率分别低于NTS、SPNS2、Mortalin阴性组（P＜0.05）。结论：HCC癌组织中NTS、SPNS2、Mortalin表达上调,与EMT、Child-Pugh分级、血管侵犯、BCLC分期、淋巴结转移、远处转移和预后有关,可作为HCC病情及预后的辅助评估指标。     

lncRNA DGCR5在非小细胞肺癌组织中的表达及其与临床病理特征的相关性分析

摘要 目的：探究lncRNA DGCR5在非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)组织中的表达及其与临床病理特征的相关性。方法：选取2020年1月至2021年12月在我院肿瘤科收治的进行手术治疗的NSCLC患者86例,在手术期间从患者获得肿瘤和非肿瘤的肺癌旁组织样本。采用qRT-PCR测定肿瘤组织及癌旁组织中lncRNA DGCR5表达水平。分析lncRNA DGCR5表达水平与NSCLC患者性别、年龄、临床分期、T分期、N分期等临床病理参数的关系,lncRNA DGCR5表达水平与患者预后总生存期（OS）和无进展生存期（PFS）的关系。结果：与癌旁组织相比,lncRNA DGCR5在NSCLC肿瘤组织中的表达水平相对较低,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.01）。lncRNA DGCR5表达与肿瘤分化程度、TNM分期、肿瘤体积、淋巴转移和远处转移之间存在明显相关性,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。采用Kaplan-Meier法进行生存分析,研究发现lncRNA DGCR5高表达组中位OS及中位DFS分别显著高于lncRNA DGCR5低表达组（P<0.05）。低分化程度、II+ IIIa临床分期、N1-N3淋巴转移、远处转移、及lncRNA DGCR5 低表达均与NSCLC患者总生存率和无进展生存率相关。结论：LncRNA DGCR5在NSCLC患者肿瘤组织中的表达量降低,NSCLC患者血LncRNA DGCR5表达水平与分化程度、TNM分期、淋巴转移、远处转移及预后具有相关性。LncRNA DGCR5可作为早期诊断和治疗NSCLC的新型生物标志物。     

非小细胞肺癌患者血浆miR-17和miR-204水平表达的临床意义及其预测价值分析

摘要 目的：检测非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）患者血浆miR-17和miR-204表达,分析其表达与临床病理参数的关系及其对NSCLC预后的预测价值。方法：选择我院2015年6月至2017年6月期间收治的117例NSCLC患者（观察组）和同期于我院进行体检的100例健康者（对照组）作为研究对象,采用实时荧光定量PCR (qRT-PCR)检测血浆中miR-17和miR-204表达,分析血浆miR-17、 miR-204表达与NSCLC患者临床病理参数的关系。采用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析血浆miR-17、 miR-204对NSCLC患者预后的预测价值。结果：观察组患者血浆miR-17表达高于对照组（P＜0.05）、miR-204表达低于对照组（P＜0.05）,miR-17表达与淋巴结转移、远处转移有关（P＜0.05）,miR-204表达与TNM分期、远处转移有关（P＜0.05）。ROC曲线分析结果显示miR-17、 miR-204预测 NSCLC患者预后的曲线下面积（AUC）分别为0.821、0.836。miR-17、miR-204两指标的联合检测对NSCLC患者预后的预测价值更高：敏感度和特异度分别为89.36%(42/47)、92.86%（65/70)。结论：NSCLC患者血浆miR-17、miR-204均存在异常表达,且与患者临床病理参数有关,可能作为NSCLC患者预后预测的潜在生物学指标。     

白蚁与动物及微生物的共生类型及其机制

综述了白蚁螱客的主要种类、共生关系及相关机制的研究进展。白蚁螱客中,已报道的动物种类达170种。在与动物的共生关系中存在偏利共生（宾主共栖和异种共栖）、互利共生和无关共生三种;在与微生物的共生关系中,存在与内生菌（原生动物、细菌、真菌和放线菌）和外生菌（蚁巢伞菌等）间的互利关系。指出了白蚁与螱客研究中存在的问题,给出了解决方案,并提出了今后可能的研究热点或方向,为白蚁的综合利用（如纤维素酶）及今后研究物种间的协同进化提供了基础资料。     

Relative and combined effects of ethanol and protein deficiency on strontium and barium bone content and fecal and urinary excretion

To elucidate accumulation of minerals in human iliac arteries with aging, the content of minerals was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Bilateral common, internal, and external iliac arteries of 16 men and 8 women, ranging ages from 65 to 93 yr, were examined. It was found that an extremely high accumulation of calcium and phosphorus occurred in the common iliac artery at old age, being higher than that of the internal and external iliac arteries. It should be noted that the accumulation of calcium and phosphorus is the highest in the common iliac artery among the human arteries examined to date. Regarding sexual differences, the content of calcium and phosphorus in the common and internal iliac arteries was higher in women than in men, whereas their content in the external iliac artery was lower in women than in men.     

New amino-dithiaphospholanes and phosphoramidodithioites and their rhodium and iridium complexes

New sulfur derivatives of phosphoramidite ligands were synthesized and the impact of the sulfur unit on the spectroscopic properties of their rhodium and iridium complexes was investigated. The new ligands Bn₂NPSCH₂CH₂S^a(P-S^a) (Bn = benzyl, 4), Bn₂NPSCHCHS^a(CH₂)₃C^aH₂(P-S^a)(C^a-S^a) (6) and Bn₂NP(4-XC₆H₄OMe)₂ (X = S, 7a; X = O, 7b) were converted to the rhodium and iridium complexes trans-[Rh(CO)Cl(L)₂] (L = 4, 6, 7), [RhCl(COD)(L)] (L = 4, 6, 7), [IrCl(COD)(7a)] and [IrCl₂Cp∗(6)]. For comparison, some phosphoramidite complexes of these formulations also were synthesized. The new metal complexes were spectroscopically analyzed. For the carbonyl complexes, the ν_CO IR stretching frequencies were lower than for the corresponding phosphite and phosphoramidite ligands. The ¹J_PRh coupling constants for the rhodium complexes with the new ligands were also smaller than for the respective phosphoramidite and phosphite complexes. Finally, the ¹J_PSe coupling constants of the selenides of the new ligands were lower than those of the phosphoramidite ligands but higher than for PPh₃. The spectroscopic data reveal that the new thio ligands 4, 6 and 7a are more electron donating than phosphites and phosphoramidites but less electron donating than PPh₃.     

Astrocytes and Synaptosomes Transport and Metabolize Lactate and Acetate Differently

Astrocytes transport the monocarboxylate acetate, but synaptosomes do not. The reason for this is unknown, because both preparations express monocarboxylate transporters (MCT). The transport and metabolism of lactate, another monocarboxylate, was examined in these two preparations, and the results were compared to those for acetate. Lactate transport is more rapid in astrocytes than in synaptosomes, but of lower affinity (Kms of 17 and 4 mM, respectively). Lactate (0.2 mM) is metabolized to CO2 more rapidly in synaptosomes than in astrocytes (rates of 0.37 and 0.07 nmol x mg protein(-1) x min(-1), respectively). The reason for this is unclear, but cellular differences in lactate dehydrogenase isotype expression may be involved. Acetate is metabolized to CO2 more rapidly in astrocytes than in synaptosomes (rates of 0.43 and 0.02 nmol x mg protein(-1) x min(-1), respectively). This is likely due to cellular differences in the expression of monocarboxylate transporter subtypes.     

Rapporteur report: Basics and technology and metrology and standards

The first and second sessions of the Workshop focussed on the basics of ultrasound and infrasound, their applications in both industry and medicine, and metrology and protection standards for ultrasound applications.     

Prostaglandin and thromboxane production by human and guinea-pig macrophages and leucocytes

The ability of partially purified human and guinea-pig haematogenous cell populations, when cultured in vitro, to metabolise arachidonic acid (AA) has been studied. Supernatants from 24 hour cell culture have been subjected to analysis for products of AA metabolism by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection.The cell types studied were human peripheral blood monocytes (both glass adherent and non-adherent), neutrophils, eosinophils and leukemic leucocytes; thoracic duct lymphocytes and lung alveolar macrophages. From the guinea-pig, induced and non-induced macrophage or neutrophil enriched peritoneal exudate populations, lymph node cells, peritoneal eosinophils and peripheral blood platelets were examined. Supernatants were assayed for the presence of PGE₂, PGD₂, PGF_2α, TXB₂ and 6-keto-PGF_1α. In all types studied PGE₂ and TXB₂ were the major products formed. The identification of PGE₂ and TXB₂ was confirmed by GC/MS with multiple ion monitoring.The results have been compared with other reports and their possible significance discussed in relation to the proposed role of prostaglandins as mediators and modulators in immunopathology.     

人血管能抑素基因的克隆、表达及其表达产物的纯化和生物活性测定

以人胎盘脐带组织为材料,提取组织总RNA,用netRTPCR方法合成人血管能抑素cDNA基因,将该cDNA克隆进pSP72载体获得重组质粒pSP72C, DNA序列分析结果与预期序列一致。用BamHⅠ和NdeⅠ双酶切,切下pSP72C上的血管能抑素cDNA,插入pET3c载体的相应位点获得重组表达质粒pETC, 转化E. coli BL21(DE3), SDSPAGE分析显示：在IPTG诱导下,血管能抑素基因获得了高效表达,表达量约占菌体总蛋白的 27.9 %,主要以包涵体形式存在。包涵体经过洗涤、裂解、蛋白复性以及Sephadex G75凝胶过滤层析等步骤后,获得了纯度达91.4 %的人血管能抑素。CAM实验证明10 μg纯化蛋白就能显著抑制鸡胚新生血管生成。     

Vascular volumes and hematology in male and female runners and cyclists

To examine the hypothesis that foot-strike hemolysis alters vascular volumes and selected hematological properties is trained athletes, we have measured total blood volume (TBV), red cell volume (RCV) and plasma volume (PV) in cyclists (n = 21) and runners (n = 17) and compared them to those of untrained controls (n = 20). TBV (ml x kg(-1)) was calculated as the sum of RCV (ml x kg(-1)) and PV (ml x kg(-1)) obtained using 51Cr and 125I-labelled albumin, respectively. Hematological assessment was carried out using a Coulter counter. Peak aerobic power (VO2peak) was measured during progressive exercise to fatigue using both cycle and treadmill ergometry. RCV was 15% higher (P < 0.05) in male cyclists [35.4 (1.0), mean (SE); n = 12] and runners [35.3 (0.98); n = 9] compared to the controls [30.7 (0.92); n = 12]. Similar differences existed between the female cyclists [28.2 (2.1); n = 9] and runners [28.4 (1.0); n = 8] compared to the untrained controls [24.9 (1.4); n = 8]. For the male athletes, PV was between 19% (cyclists) and 28% (runners) higher (P < 0.05) in the trained athletes compared to the untrained controls. The differences in PV between the female groups were not significant. Although the males had a higher (P < 0.05) TBV, RCV and PV than the females, no differences between cyclists and runners were found for either gender. Mean cell volume was not different between the athletic groups. VO2peak (ml x kg(-1) x min(-1)) was higher (P < 0.05) in both male [68.4 (1.5)] and female [54.8 (2.1)] runners when compared to the untrained males [47.1 (1.0)] and females [40.5 (2.1)]. Although differences existed between the genders in VO2peak for both cyclists and runners, no differences were found between the athletic groups within a gender. Since the vascular volumes were not different between cyclists and runners for either the males or females, foot-strike hemolysis would not appear to have an effect on that parameter. The significant correlations (P < 0.05) found between VO2peak and RCV (r = 0.64 and 0.64) and TBV (r = 0.82 and 0.63) for the males and females, respectively, suggests a role for the vascular system in realizing a high aerobic power.