Objective To investigate effects of different doses of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in fetal mouse osteoblasts.Methods Calvaria osteoblasts of fetal mice of 19 days were cultured.The effects of rhBMP-2 at different doses and different action times on VEGF expression patterns in fetal mouse osteoblasts were observed with reverse transcrip- tion-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot staining.Results In the present study,RT-PCR detected a steady expression of VEGF mRNA in the control fetal mouse osteoblasts.The levels of VEGF mRNA increased in an apparent biphasic manner with a maximum stimulation (about 2-fold above the control,P＜0.05 ) in both VEGF mRNA species observed at 300 ng/mL of rbBMP-2.After 48 h of rhBMP-2 treatment,the VEGF mRNA levels approached those in the control.The VEGF mRNA levels appeared to be biphasic in rhBMP-2-treated cultures,showing peak induction at 3 and 24 h and remaining elevated at 48 b.Compared with the individual control value at each time point,an apparent maximum increase (about 2.5-fold above the control,P＜0.05) occurred at 6 h.The second peak induction,about 2-fold above that in the control,occurred at about 36 h.Conclusions The expression of VEGF mRNA is steady in the control fetal mouse osteoblasts.RhBMP-2 can promote the expression of VEGF in dose-dependent and time-dependent manners.

In hyperthyroid,hypothyroid and subclinical hypothyroid patients,the positive rate and level of the thyroid autoantibodies were all remarkably higher than those in the control group.The positive rate of thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) was higher than those of thyroglobulin antibody and thyroid microsome antibody in each group.In the group with restored thyroid function,the average level of TPOAb was significantly decreased, suggesting that TPOAb could be taken as an important indicator in evaluating the treatment and prognosis of autoimmune thyroid diseases.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neuroma, Acoustic ; pathology ; surgery

Objective To observe the levels of serum leptin in Gaves disease(GD)and thyroiditis(HT)Datients and to discuss the immunological role of leptin in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease(AITD).Methods 102 newly diagnosed female AITD patients were divided into 3 groups:GD hyperthyroid group,HT hypothyroid group and subclinical hypothyroid group.Age,sex and BMI-matched 27 euthyroid,healthy subjects served as controis.The levels of FT3,FT4 and sTSH were determined by immunofluorometrie assay.ELISA kit was aDplied to measure the levels of serum leptin.Results Serum FT3 and FT4[(19.74±15.39),(78.25±58.68)pmol/L]levels of GD hyperthyroid patients were obviously higher than those of the controls[(4.87±0.25),(15.96±3.15)pmol/L,P＜0.01],but serum sTSH and leptin levels[(0.15±0.08)mU/L,(8.73±1.92)μg/L]were obviously lower than those of the controls[(3.81±0.19)mU/L,(12.38±3.51)μg/L,P＜0.01or＜0.05].Serum FT3 and FT4[(3.36±0.26),(6.95±3.29)pmol/L]levels of HT hypothyroid patients were obviously lower than those of the controls(P＜0.05),but serum sTSH and leptin levels[(45.48±35.83)mU/L,(17.17±3.82)μg/L]were obviously higher than those of the controls(P＜0.01 or＜0.05).Serum FT3 and FT4[(4.67±0.60),(14.87±2.14)pmol/L]levels of subclinical hypothyroid patients had not statistical difference comparing with those of the controls(P＞0.05),but serum sTSH and leptin levels[(13.67±8.66)mU/L,(16.25±3.67)μg/L]were obviously higher than those of the controls(P＜0.01 or＜0.05).Conclusions Leptin might have an immuoregulation role in the pathogenesis of AITD.In addition,serum levels of leptin in AITD is also influenced by many other related hormones.

Objective The present study has been designed to investigate the impact of dietary iodine/sodium intake on blood lipid metabolism in mice. Methods According to body weight and gender, two hundred and sixty Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 2 groups including normal sodium group(Na) and low sodium group(LNa), with 130 animals per group. Each group were then randomly further divided into 5 sub-groups according to the amount of iodine intake: ① severe iodine deficiency(SID); ② mild iodine deficiency(MID); (③normal iodine (NI); ④ 10-fold high iodine ( 10HI ); (⑤ 50-fold high iodine (50HI), 10 groups in total, 26 per group.Eight months later, the body weight and the levels of urinary iodine, thyroid hormones and total cholesterol (TC),Results In Na group, the levels of TG and TC in male mice of SID group[ (1.64 ± 0.35), (3.88 ± 0.35 )mmol/L]and MID group[ ( 1.67 ± 0.31 ), (3.41 ± 0.66)mmol/L] were significantly higher than that of NI group[ ( 1.49 ± 0.42), (3.25 ± 0.47)mmol/L] and the levels of TG in female mice of SID group[(1.52 ± 0.22)mmol/L] were significantly higher than that of NI group[ (1.23 ± 0.22)mmol/L]. In addition, the levels of TG in male mice of 10HI and 50HI groups [ ( 1.16 ± 0.23 ), ( 1.21 ± 0.27 ) mmol/L ] were significantly lower than that of NI group [ ( 1.49 ± 0.42)mmol/L, all P ＜ 0.05], the levels of TC in female mice of 10HI and 50HI groups[(2.37 ± 0.49), (2.48 ± 0.37)mmol/L] were significantly lower than that of NI group[ (2.84 ± 0.37) mmol/L, all P ＜ 0.05 ]. In LNa group,the levels of TG and TC in male mice of SID group[ (1.39 ± 0.40), (3.33 ± 0.46 )mmol/L] were significantly lower than that of NI group [(1.30 ± 0.28), (3.00 ± 0.53) mmol/L, all P ＜ 0.05], the levels of TG, TC and LDL in female mice of SID group[ (1.48 ± 0.26), (2.76 ± 0.43), (0.62 ± 0.22)mmol/L], the levels of LDL in female mice of MID group[ (0.60 ± 0.17 )mmol/L] were significantly lower than that of NI group[(l.22 ± 0.36), (2.51 ± 0.38),(0.48 ± 0.08), (0.48 ± 0.08)mmol/L, all P ＜ 0.05], the levels of TG in male mice of 10HI and 50HI group [ (1.12 ± 0.22), (0.90 ± 0.11 )mmol/L] were significantly lower than that of NI group (all P ＜ 0.05 ), the levels of TC in female mice of 10HI and 50HI groups[ (2.35 ± 0.34), (2.37 ± 0.37)mmol/L], the levels of LDL in female mice of 50HI group[(0.65 ± 0.18)mmol/L], were significantly lower than that of NI group(all P ＜ 0.05). In Na group, the levels of thyroid hormones were distinctively decreased in SID group[TT4(0.00 ± 0.00)nmol/L, FT4 (0.93 ± 0.42)pmol/L, TT3(0.49 ± 0.07)nmol/L, FT3(2.86 ± 0.37)pmol/L] and MID group [TT4 (17.15 ± 15.26)nmol/L, FT4( 18.46 ± 4.31 )pmol/L, TT3(0.67 ± 0. 10)nmol/L, FT3(3.18 ± 0.24)pmol/L] compared with that of the NI group [TT4 (37.15 ± 15.26)nmol/L, FT4(28.46 ± 4.31)pmol/L, TT3(0.85 ± 0.10)pmol/L, FT3(3.87 ± 0.24)pmol/L, all P ＜ 0.05 ]. In LNa group, the levels of thyroid hormones were distinctively decreased in SID group [TT4 (0.00 ± 0.00) nmol/L,FT4(1.03 ± 0.78)pmol/L, TT3(0.51 ± 0.05)nmol/L, FT3(3.01 ± 0.17)pmol/L] and MID group[TT4(19.76 ± 12.22)nmol/L, FT4(21.46 ± 5.37)pmol/L, TT3(0.71 ± 0.21)nmol/L, FT3(3.56 ± 0.23)pmol/L] compared with that of the NI group[TT4(36.23 ± 14.72)nmol/L, FT4(30.96 ± 6.33)pmol/L, TT3(0.89 ± 0.20)nmol/L, FT3(4.05 ± 0.24)pmol/L, all P ＜ 0.05]. Conclusions Dietary iodine intake plays an important role in the blood lipid metabolism. Iodine deficiency could increase while iodine excess could decrease the levels of serum TG, TC or LDL in mice. Monitoring the amount of iodine intake during sodium restriction should have an important role in effective prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Objective To observe the effects of iodine deficiency and iodine excess on the lipid metabolism in an experimental hypothyroid model of mice and to explore the roles of iodine independent of its role in thyroid hormones. Methods Female Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 6 groups: control, severe iodine deficiency (SID), mild iodine deficiency(MID), normal iodine (NI), 10-fold high iodine (10HI) and 50-fold high iodine(50HI), 10 in each group. The mice in control group were fed with low iodine forage, other mice were fed with low iodine forage containing 0.2% methylthiouracilum. All mice drank deionic water containing different concentrations of potassium iodide(KI). The iodine content in water was 326.79, 0, 196.08,326.79, 385621, 19 542.50 μg/L, respectively. After three months, thyroid hormones in the serum were determined by radioimmunoassay.Also, the blood samples were analyzed for total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesteiol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and measured enzymatically by automatic analyzer. Results①The levels of Tr4 in SID[(21.27 ± 9.63)μg/L], MID[(23.41 ± 3.93)μg/L], NI[(22.57 ±4.66)μg/L], 10HI [(21.07 ± 5.03) μg/L] and 50HI groups [(21.46 ± 5.90) μg/L] were distinctively decreased compared with control group[(42.15 ± 8.26)μg/L, all P ＜ 0.01]. There were no statistical significant differences of TT3 between different groups (F = 0.99, P > 0.05 ). ②The level of TG in 10HI group [ ( 1.17 ± 0.16)mmol/L ] was obviously decreased compared with control [(1.39 ± 0.22 )mmol/L] and NI groups[(151 ± 0.22)mmol/L, all P＜ 0.05].Both TG and TC in 50HI group[(1.18 ± 0.22), (1.78 ± 0.15)mmol/L] were significantly decreased compared with control [( 1.39 ± 0.22), (2.14 ± 0.37)mmol/L] and NI groups [(1.51 ± 0.22), (2.00 ± 0.15)mmol/L, all P ＜ 0.05].The difference of serum HDL-C and LDL-C between the groups was not significant(F = 0.55,0.54, all P ＞ 0.05 ).Conclusions Dietary iodine plays a role in the metabolism of serum lipids independent of thyroid hormones.Thus, monitoring the amount of iodine intake during sodium restriction should also be taken extremely important for effectively prevention and cure of cardiovascular disease.

To understand Lophatherum gracile plant community's structural characteristics, a survey of community structure and species diversity was conducted through quadrat sampling in Yongchuan district of Chongqing. The results showed that there were 386 species vascular plants, belonging to 117 families and 229 genera. Based on habitat, community structure and species composition, L. gracile were found in three community types: Pinus massoniana community, banboo community, shurb community. Vertical structure was composed of three layers, including tree layer, shrub layer and herb layer. Species in shrub layer was the richness. P. massoniana is the only dominant species of the community, it can not regenerate naturally, the shrub layer has a greater effect on the community of L. gracile in the future. In addition, the banboo community and shurb community is not stable because of human's activity. Therefore, the community characters of L. gracile should be taken care of conservation when the resources are utilized.
China ; Ecosystem ; Pinus ; physiology ; Plants ; Poaceae ; physiology

Objective To study the biological activities of Synechococcus sp.PCC7942 with trans-mutated hCu,Zn-SOD-gene.Methods Synechococcus sp.PCC7942 with trans-mutated hCu,Zn-SOD were administered orally for 20d to mice,then the activities of glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),catalase(CAT),superoxide dismutase(SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde(MDA) were determined.Results The activities of GSHPx in serum and the activities of CAT in blood increased obviously;the activity of SOD in serum and liver increased markedly;the content of MDA in serum and liver decreased obviously.Conclusion Synechococcus sp.PCC7942 with trans-mutated hCu,Zn-SOD-gene had obvious antioxidant effect in vivo.

This article introduces an overview of management system for conflict of interest of the European Pharmacopoeia Commission (EPC) and the United States Pharmacopoeia Convention (USP). The EPC and USP have standardized the management system for conflict of interest in drug standard work in multiple management documents, such as the Guide for the Work, Code of Practice for the Work, Form for Declaration of Interests and Confidentiality Undertaking of the EPC, bylaws, Rules and Procedures of the Council of Experts, Code of Ethics, Standards of Conduct of the USP, in order to ensure the transparency and fairness of drug standard development, improve the credibility and rigor of drug standards. This article introduces the management system for conflict of interest of the EPC and USP, providing reference for the improvement of relevant management systems of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of iodine on the level of CD4/CD8 cells and the production of thyroglobulin autoantibody (TGAb) and thyroid peroxidase autoantibody (TPOAb) in Wistar rats and to investigate the role of iodine in thyroid autoimmunity.

METHODSRat models with different iodine intakes including low iodine (LI,), normal iodine (NI,), 5 times normal iodine (5HI), 10 times normal iodine (10HI), 50 times normal iodine (50HI) and 100 times normal iodine (100HI) were established. The amount of iodine intake per rat per day in every group was about < 1, 6.15, 30.75, 61.50, 307.50, 615.00 microg separately. The levels of CD4 and CD8 immune cells in peripheral blood were measured by using flow cytometry. Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to determine the titers of TGAb and TPOAb in the serum.

RESULTSIn peripheral blood, the level of CD4 cells in LI group was (57.9 +/- 4.3)%, being much higher than in NI group (51.2 +/- 4.9)%. When the level of CD8 cells in 100HI group was (18.4 +/- 3.1)% showing significantly lower than in NI group (26.5 +/- 4.1)%, thus making the ratio of CD4/CD8 cells in the above two groups (LI: 2.4 +/- 0.40 and 100 HI: 2.7 +/- 0.4) higher than in NI group (1.9 +/- 0.3). As comparing with NI group (2099 +/- 220) CPM, the level of TGAb in LI group (1510 +/- 221) CPM was significantly decreased; while in 50HI group (3986 +/- 286) and 100HI group (3550 +/- 378) CPM, the levels of TGAb were both increased, and the levels of TPOAb in 10HI group (2066 +/- 184) CPM and in 50HI group (2141 +/- 163) CPM were both distinctly lower than in NI group (2372 +/- 245) CPM.

CONCLUSIONSIodine might exert influence on the level of CD4/CD8, and thus the production of thyroid antibodies might directly or indirectly take part in the process of thyroid autoimmunity. Both low iodine and 100 times normal iodine intakes might activate the immune state on some degrees. The effects of iodine on immune responses of TG and TPO antigen in thyroid autoimmunity might not be completely the same.

Animals ; Autoantibodies ; immunology ; Autoimmunity ; drug effects ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Drug Overdose ; Iodine ; adverse effects ; deficiency ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Thyroid Gland ; drug effects ; immunology