Characterization of Gh SERK2 and its expression associated with somatic embryogenesis and hormones level in Upland cotton

Somatic embryogenesis （SE） is one of the most important steps during regeneration of cotton, but the molecular mechanism of SE remains unclear. SOMATIC EMBRYOGENSIS RECEPTOR KINASE （SERK） gene is known to function in SE. A homolog GhSERK2 （accession number： JF430801） was cloned from Upland cotton and characterized for its functions in SE. GhSERK2 expressed in different tissues and showed higher expression level in floral organs than vegetative ones with the highest levels in ovule and anther. GhSERK2 expressed during SE with a high level at globular embryos stage. Upon treatment with indole-3-butytic acid （IBA）, the transcription level of GhSERK2 was induced and promoted SE subsequently. A 2-day treatment of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid （2,4-D） induced the expression of GhSERK2, but treatments of 2,4-D for longer periods sharply inhibited the GhSERK2 transcription level of embryogenic callus （EC）. The levels of hormones, including 3-indoleacetic acid （IAA）, abscisic acid （ABA）, and brassinosteroid （BR）, were increased in the initial calli induced from the over-expression of GhSERK2 cotton. Our results indicated that GhSERK2 expression was associated with induction of SE and closely related to hormone levels during tissue culture in Upland cotton, and the gene might play an important role in regeneration of cotton.

Effect of TSH Suppression Therapy on Sex Hormone Levels after Thyroid Cancer Surgery

Objective:To analyze the effect of thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH)suppression therapy on sex hormone levels in patients undergoing postoperative treatment for thyroid cancer.Methods:A total of 40 patients undergoing postoperative thyroid cancer treatment were selected for data analysis.TSH suppression therapy was implemented during the postoperative period.Patients were grouped according to the TSH level:TSH<0.1,0.1≤TSH<0.5,and TSH≥0.5.Results:Among male patients,there were no significant differences in sex hormone levels at different dosing times and TSH levels(P>0.05).For female patients,testosterone levels at different dosing times showed no significant differences under the same circumstances(P>0.05).The comparison of testosterone levels at different TSH levels over 5 years of TSH suppression therapy did not yield significant differences(P>0.05).However,the comparison of testosterone levels within 5 years of TSH suppression therapy yielded significant differences(P<0.05),with the lowest levels observed at 0.1≤TSH<0.5.Conclusion:The use of TSH suppression therapy in postoperative thyroid cancer treatment minimally affects sex hormone levels in male patients.However,it has a significant impact on female patients.Therefore,preoperative sex hormone testing is recommended,and postoperative monitoring should include regular sex hormone testing.

Clinical Application of Sex Hormone in Different Physiological Periods in the Diagnosis of Infertility Patients

Background: Infertility is characterized by the inability to conceive after a year of regular unprotected intercourse. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of sex hormone levels during different physiological periods in the diagnosis of infertility patients. Methods: From December 2019 to May 2021, a total of 93 infertility patients were admitted and selected as the observation group. Among them, 31 cases were in the follicular stage, 31 cases in the ovulation stage, and 31 cases in the luteal stage. Ninety-three healthy women for fertility evaluation due to male infertility were selected as the control group. The control group included 31 women in the follicular phase, 31 women in the ovulatory phase, and 31 women in the luteal phase. The levels of sex hormones (prolactin (PRL), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), and progesterone (P)) during different physiological phases were compared between the observation and control groups. Results: The follicular phase showed no significant difference in LH levels between the observation group and the control group. The observation group showed higher levels of PRL and P compared to the control group, while the levels of FSH, E2, and T were lower in the observation group compared to the control group. The ovulation phase showed no significant difference in PRL levels between the two groups. The observation group showed lower levels of LH, FSH, E2, T, and P compared to the control group. The luteal phase showed no statistical difference in E2 levels between the two groups. The observation group showed higher levels of PRL, LH, and FSH compared to the control group, while the levels of T and P were lower in the observation group compared to the control group. Conclusion: Infertile women show variations in hormone levels compared to the normal levels during the follicular phase, ovulatory phase, and luteal phase.

Association of severity and sex with vasoactive substance and sexual hormone level in patients with vascular dementia in the type of kidney asthenia and blood stasis syndrome

BACKGROUND: Kidney asthenia is the basic cause of the development of vascular dementia (VD). Kidney asthenia lasting for a long time will result in blood stasis. Also, the cause of VD may have relationships with endothelin (ET), nitric oxide (NO), homocysteine (HCY), estrogen (E2), and testosterone (T). OBJECTIVE: To observed clinical curative effect of the kidney tonic, pancreas tonic, and blood tonic with promoting blood circulation components in treating kidney asthenia with blood stasis syndrome of VD. DESIGN: Case controlled study. SETTING: Geriatric Institute of Integrated Medicine, Fujian College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 70 patients, including 39 males and 31 females aged 60-80 years, were selected from Department of Neurology, Pingshan Hospital from May 2000 to September 2002. Diagnostic criteria were used for probable VD of the American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical of Manual of Mental Disorder, 4th ed (DSM-Ⅳ), 1994 revised, mini-mental state examination (MMSE), and criteria of kidney asthenia with blood stasis with mixed weak and sthenia syndrome of Guidelines of Clinical Research of New Chinese Medicine in Treating Dementia. According to score of kidney asthenia with blood stasis syndrome, they were classified to three groups: mild (n =22), moderate (n =33) and severe (n =15). All of them with complete chest X-Ray, ECG, blood chemistry and other related examinations, exclusive of cardiovascular, liver, kidney diseases, homeopathy and psychiatry diseases. And hereby we also select 30 normal people as the comparing group, having no substantial diseases in heart, brain, kidney, liver, lung and other main organic systems after medical examination. Of this group, 11 were males and 19 were females, ranging from 62 years old to 78 years old. There were no obvious differences between the above two groups in sex, age, and education level after statistical analysis. All patients observed in Pingxi Hospital, Fuzhou, from May 2000 to September 2002. METHODS: ① According to the diagnoses standard of blood stasis syndrome: 0-89: The increase in score indicated that blood stasis syndrome was getting serious. ② According to MMSE: All the test samples were evaluated, those with scores of 0-30, in which the non-educated ≤ 17, primary school ≤ 20, above middle school ≤ 24 were categorized. ③ Testing all sample's ET, E2 and T by using radioimmunoassay, the RIA kits were provided by Scientific and Technological Development Center of General Hospital of PLA. ④ Testing the level of NO by using colorimetic method. ⑤ Testing the level of HCY by using Enzyme-linked Immunoassay. ⑥ Meanwhile, analyzing the blood stasis score by comparing with every standard. The differences of data were compared by using t test and F test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Blood plasma ET, blood serum NO, HCY, E2 and T. ② The analyzing results obtained from comparing score of blood stasis with every indicators. RESULTS: The result analysis was including of both the 70 patients of VD with kidney asthenia and blood stasis and compared group consist of 30 healthy people. ① ET, NO, HCY and ET/NO: The levels of ET, HCY and ET/NO were increasing with pathography, while the levels of ET, NO, HCY and ET/NO were decreasing with the pathography, and the difference in statistics was significant (P < 0.01). ② The level of E2 and T: The levels of both E2, T and E2/T for male VD patients were (67.72±12.18) pg/L and (351.58±155.02) ng/L, 0.24±0.12 respectively, which were higher than the compared group [(53.96±16.13) pg/L, (471.83±143.99) ng/L, 0.12±0.00, P < 0.05]. The level of E2 in the female VD patients was lower than the compared group [(34.23±10.99), (44.81±14.65) pg/L, P < 0.05]. ③ The relationship between the score of blood stasis and each indicators: The levels of ET, ET/NO and HCY had significant positive relationship with blood stasis mark (r = 0.352, 0.754, 0.347, P < 0.05-0.01), obvious negative relationship with NO (r =-0.528, P < 0.01) and no clear relationship with female E2/T and male E2/T (r = -0.210, 0.04, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: ① The levels of ET, HCY and ET/NO are increasing with pathography, while the level of NO is decreasing, which may be the evidence that the possibility of VD pathography may have relationship with the indicators above. ② The level of E2 increase in male's VD patients, and decrease in male's. And the decrease of the female may have relationship with the VD.

Effects of topiramate and carbamazepine on thyroid hormone level in adults with epilepsy

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that traditional antiepileptics, such as phenytoin, carbamazepine (CBZ), phenobarbital, etc., can result in the decrease of thyroid hormone of epileptic patients. However, there is still no sufficient evidence for the studies about the effect of new-type antiepileptics, such as topiramate (TPM), on thyroid hormones. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of TPM and CBZ on the level of thyroid hormones in serum of adults with epilepsy. DESIGN: A comparative observation. SETTING: Department of Neurology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Totally 100 outpatients or inpatients newly diagnosed to have epilepsy were selected from the Department of Neurology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from July 2003 to August 2005, including 60 males and 40 females, aged 18-70 years. All the patients were accorded with the standard for the classification of epilepsy set by International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) in 1981; Had been Informed and agreed with the detection; Had no history of thyroid gland disease; Had not taken any drugs could affect the thyroid function. Meanwhile, 40 adult healthy examinees were selected from our hospital as the control group, including 24 males and 16 females, aged 18-65 years. METHODS: ① The 100 epileptic patients were randomly divided into TPM group (n =50) and CBZ group (n =50), and they were treated with TPM (Xian-Janssen Pharmaceutical, Ltd.; Batch number: 03AS032, Norm: 25 mg/tablet) and CBZ (Shanghai Sunve Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Batch number: 030201, Norm: 100 mg/tablet) respectively. The initial dosage of TPM was 25 mg per day, increased by 25 mg every week, the objective dosage of 100-200 mg per day was maintained when the symptoms were satisfactorily controlled. The dosage of CBZ was 6-8 mg/kg per day. All the patients were administrated for 1 year. ② The serum levels of total thyroxine (TT4), free thyroxine (FT4), total triiodothyronine (TT3), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in the epileptic patients were detected by means of chemiluminescence before treatment and at 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment respectively. ③Standards for judging curative effects: Controlled by without seizure, the frequency of seizure reduced by ≥ 75% was taken as significant effect, reduced by 50%-74% as effect, and reduced by < 49% as invalid, whereas increased by more than 20% was taken as aggravation. ④ The intergroup and intragroup differences of the measurement data were compared by the analysis of variance and paired t test respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum levels of thyroid hormones before treatment and at different time points after treatment of TPM and CBZ. RESULTS: All the 100 epileptic patients and 40 healthy subjects were involved in the analysis of results. ① Changes of serum levels of thyroid hormones: The serum levels of TT3, TT4, FT3, FT4 and TSH were close between the epileptic patients and normal subjects before treatment (P > 0.05). In the CBZ group, the serum levels of FT4 at 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment [(16.87±3.77), (16.34±3.98) , (16.97±3.95) pmol/L] were significantly decreased as compared with those before treatment [(18.00±3.54) pmol/L, t =2.74, 3.50, 2.26, P < 0.05]; The levels of TT3 at 3, 6 and 12 months [(2.09±0.54), (1.99±0.49), (1.84±0.47) nmol/L] were significantly decreased as compared with those before treatment [(2.22±0.63) nmol/L, t =2.73, 2.78, 5.18, P < 0.05]. The levels of TT3 at 6 and 12 months [(109.65±23.98), (107.72±23.90) nmol/L] were significantly decreased as compared with those before treatment [(118.98±28.48) nmol/L, t =3.11, 3.30, P < 0.05]. TT4 level in serum at 3 months and the levels of FT3 and TSH at each time point after CBZ treatment had no obvious changes as compared with those before treatment (P > 0.05). In the TPM group, the levels of thyroid hormones at each time point had no obvious changes as compared with those before treatment (P > 0.05). ② Curative effects: Of the 100 epileptic patients, it was controlled in 12 cases, significantly effective in 30 cases, effective in 39 cases and invalid in 19 cases, the total effective rate was 81% (81/100). CONCLUSION: CBZ treatment can lead to the decreases of thyroid hormones in adult epileptic patients. Epilepsy itself and TPM treatment cannot change the thyroid hormones in adult epileptic patients, which suggests that TPM treatment is safer for the thyroid function of adult epileptic patients.

Biofeedback therapy combined with Baduanjin on quality of life and gastrointestinal hormone level in patients with colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND With the change in people’s lifestyles,the incidence of colorectal cancer(CRC)is increasing.It is essential to study the efficacy of various treatment methods for CRC patients to prevent and treat CRC.AIM To investigate the efficacy of biofeedback therapy combined with Baduanjin in improving the quality of life and gastrointestinal hormone levels of patients with CRC.METHODS A total of 120 patients with CRC who were admitted to our hospital from June 2020 to June 2021 were included in the study.They were randomly divided into four groups(n=30):the control group(group A),the biofeedback therapy intervention group(group B),the Baduanjin exercise intervention group(group C),and the combination group(group D).Patients in group A adopted the standard nursing mode and necessary health education.Patients in group B were treated with biofeedback therapy based on routine nursing care.Patients in group C were given Baduanjin intervention for 12 wk based on conventional drug treatment and care.Patients in group D were treated with biofeedback therapy and Baduanjin exercise.In this study,patients’quality of life,gastrointestinal hormone levels,and clinical efficacy in the four groups were observed at baseline and 12 wk after intervention.Meanwhile,the correlation between gastrointestinal hormone levels and various functional areas of quality of life was analyzed.By comparing the observed indicators of patients in the four groups,the efficacy of biofeedback therapy combined with Baduanjin in improving the quality of life and gastrointestinal hormone levels of patients with CRC was explored.RESULTS At baseline,there were no significant differences in quality of life,gastrointestinal hormone levels,or clinical efficacy among the four groups(P>0.05).Twelve weeks after the intervention,the combination group’s quality of life,gastrointestinal hormone levels,and clinical effectiveness were better than those of the three other groups.CONCLUSION On the basis of routine nursing care,patients with CRC combined with biofeedback therapy and Baduanjin exercise can improve the quality of life of patients with CRC and the efficacy of gastrointestinal hormone levels.

Mechanism of sex hormone level in biological clock disorder induced acne and analysis of TCM Pathogenesis

Acne vulgaris is a common chronic inflammatory disease of pilosebaceous units. And sex hormone level disorder has became a hot research topic in the pathogenesis of acne. Studies show that the biological clock disorder can result in the disorder of sex hormone levels which causes or aggravates acne. Biological clock disorder coincides naturally with "sleep rhythm disorder" in Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM). In this paper, we will discuss the modern medical mechanism of the biological clock disorder resulting in acne from the angle of sex hormones, and analyze the TCM pathogenesis of the disease caused by the disorder of the biological clock.

Auricular acupoint application combined with Fujing prescription treatment for patients with premature ovarian failure

Background:To study the efficacy of Fujing prescription combined with auricular acupoint application in premature ovarian failure and its effect on hormone levels.Methods:From March 2018 to March 2020,100 patients with premature ovarian failure treated in our outpatient clinic were selected and randomly divided into a control group of 50 cases and a treatment group of 50 cases.The control group was treated with Femoston for 28 consecutive days,and the treatment group was treated with not only Femoston,but also Fujing prescription and auricular acupoint application.The patients in the two groups were treated with a 3-month course of treatment.The clinical efficacy,traditional Chinese medicine integral,serum hormone level,immune index and the occurrence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results:After treatment,the indexes of IgG,IgM and IgA in the treatment group were all increased(P<0.05 for all);compared with the control group,the incidence of adverse reactions in the treatment group was lower(P<0.05).Conclusion:The combination of Fujing prescription and auricular acupoint application in the treatment of premature ovarian failure can improve patients'clinical symptoms significantly,resulting in a decrease in follicle-stimulating hormone levels and an increase in estrogen levels.The combination of Fujing prescription and acupoint application has provided a clinical basis for the TCM treatment of premature ovarian failure.

Suicide attempt of an overt hypothyroid patient with levothyroxine:A case report

Rationale: Levothyroxine is the most commonly used agent in thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Although there are many hypothyroid patients who use levothyroxine as a treatment, high level of thyroid stimulating hormone is found in a limited number of levothyroxine overdose cases worldwide.Patient concern: A 34-year-old male patient taking 4.5 mg levothyroxine for suicide. Diagnosis: Overdose of levothyroxine. Interventions: The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit for follow-up treatment. Cardiac rithym and vital parameters of patient were closely monitored. Outcomes: The patient discharged without any life-threatening complications. Lessons: Patient with initial high thyroid stimulating hormone levels may not be in hyperthyroidism crisis by levothyroxine poisoning.

DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF SERUM INSULIN- LIKE GROWTH FACTOR BINDING PROTEIN- 3 IN CHILDREN WITH OR WITHOUT GROWTH HORMONE DEFICIENCY

OBJECTIVE: To study the value of serum insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels in differential diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency (GHD). METHODS: To measure serum IGFBP-3 levels by RIA in normal children and adolescents, GHD children and short-stature children without GHD. RESULTS: Serum level of IGFBP-3 in 129 children with untreated GHD and with no pubertal development was 1.6 +/- 0.9 mg/L, which was less than that in normal group of the same age, but overlapped with the normal children in Tanner stage I. After six-month treatment with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), serum level of IGFBP-3 in 59 GHD significantly increased from 1.3 +/- 0.7 mg/L to 2.7 +/- 0.9 mg/L, accompanied by an increase of body heights, growth velocities and serum level of IGF-1. Serum level of IGFBP-3 in 55 short-stature children without GHD was 3.3 +/- 2.2 mg/L, which was not significantly different from that in normal group. CONCLUSION: Serum IGFBP-3 level can reflect the status of GH secretion in children with GHD and is a useful marker for differential diagnosis of GHD.

Clinical Observation on the Treatment of Early Pre-Eclampsia Abortion with the Combination of Enhanced “Shou Tai Wan” Soup and Progesterone

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of the combination of enhanced“Shou Tai Wan”soup and progesterone in the treatment of early pre-eclampsia miscarriage.Methods:86 patients with early pre-eclampsia miscarriage in our hospital from July 2021 to July 2022 were selected and randomly divided into two groups of 43 cases each.The control group was treated with progesterone,while the study group was treated with an addition of enhanced“Shou Tai Wan”soup.The treatment effects of the two groups and the changes in the inflammatory factor levels and sex hormone levels before and after the treatment were observed.Results:INF-γand Il-2 were lower and IL-4 was higher in the study group than in the control group after treatment(p-value<0.05);the total effective rate of treatment was higher in the study group(95.35%)than in the control group(74.42%),(p-value<0.05);the levels of P,E2 andβ-hCG were higher in the study group than in the control group after treatment(p-value<0.05).Conclusion:The combined application of enhanced“Shou Tai Wan”soup and progesterone in patients with early preterm abortion is more effective by improving the patients’sex hormone levels and reducing the level of inflammatory factors,which is conducive to the improvement of the treatment effect and worthy of promotion.

Natural variation of hormone levels in Arabidopsis roots and correlations with complex root architecture

Studies on natural variation are an important tool to unravel the genetic basis of quantitative traits in plants. Despite the significant roles of phytohormones in plant development, including root architecture, hardly any studies have been done to investigate natural variation in endogenous hormone levels in plants. Therefore, in the present study a range of hormones were quantified in root extracts of thirteen Arabidopsis thaliana accessions using a ultra performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Root system architecture of the set of accessions was quantified, using a new parameter （mature root unit） for complex root systems, and correlated with the phytohormone data. Significant variations in phytohormone levels among the accessions were detected, but were remarkably small, namely less than three-fold difference between extremes. For cytokinins, relatively larger variations were found for ribosides and glucosides, as compared to the free bases. For root phenotyping, length-related traits--lateral root length and total root length--showed larger variations than lateral root number-related ones. For root architecture, antagonistic interactions between hormones, for example, indole-3-acetic acid to trans-zeatin were detected in correlation analysis. These findings provide conclusive evidence for the presence of natural variation in phytohormone levels in Arabidopsis roots, suggesting that quantitative genetic analyses are feasible.

Alterations and clinical significance of serum thyroid hormone levels in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective To observe the alterations of serum thyroid hormone levels in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)patients without thyroid disease and therefore to investigate the association between serum thyroid hormone levels and the severity and prognosis of AECOPD.Methods Serum thyroid hormone levels including TT4,TT3,TSH,FT4 and

A short note on how tied fights affect cortisol levels

Previous work exploring the interrelationships between sex steroids(e.g.androgens,testosterones and 11-ketotestosterones)and social behavior in teleosts suggest that mirror-elicited aggression in cichlid fish may not trigger a hormonal response.Using the Mozambique tilapia(Oreochromis mossambicus)to analyze immune responses as a result of social stress,we measured levels of cortisol and melatonin using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay(ELISA)assays.In this work,we demonstrated that cortisol concentrations are significantly lower yet the levels of melatonin remain unchanged in tilapia that are fighting their mirror image.Our results suggested that in tied fights,certain hormone levels remain unchanged(e.g.androgens)due to the lack of melatonin induction.

A pilot study on the relationship between thyroid status and neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with Alzheimer disease

Background Growing evidence links alternation of the thyroid function to the pathogenesis and progression of Alzheimer disease （AD）. However, only a few studies evaluate the association between thyroid hormone levels and neuropsychiatric manifestations in patients with AD. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of thyroid hormone levels and neuropsychiatric symptoms in euthyroid patients with AD. Methods Forty patients with AD （26 women and 14 men）, with no prior AD treatment within 4 weeks before study entry, were evaluated on their thyroid status （total triiodothyronine （TT3）,total thyroxine （TT4）, and thyroid-stimulating hormone （TSH）, cognition （Mini-Mental State Examination （MMSE） and Alzheimer＇s disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale （ADAS-cog）, neuropsychiatric symptoms （Neuropsychiatric Inventory （NPI） and depression （Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression （HAMD17）. The unique relationship between thyroid hormones and cognitive function and mood was examined with multivariate linear regression analyses. The thyroid status between the neuropsychiatric symptoms group and the non-neuropsychiatric symptoms group was examined with independent-samples t-test. Results In euthyroid AD patients with agitation and irritability has lower TSH serum level than those without these symptoms （t=-2.130, P 〈0.05; t=-2.657, P 〈0.05）; and core score of HAMD is significantly associated with the serum level of TSH （β=0.395, P 〈0.01）. There is no significant association between thyroid hormone levels and cognition （MMSE, ADAS-cog and its subscale score）.

The inhibitory activities of Urtica fissa to BPH

In the present study, the BPH inhibitory activities of Urtica fissa were systematically investigated. Firstly, inhibitory activities of 5α reductase of the alcoholic extracts from different parts(root, stem, leaf, flower and fruit) were evaluated. The results indicated that the root possessed the most significant action. Subsequently, U. fissa root(UFR) was subjected to further pharmacological evaluation using the benign prostate hyperplasia(BPH) model rats induced by testosterone propionate. The results revealed that UFR could significantly decrease the prostate index, alter the hyperplasia tissue morphology, suppress the prostatic growth factors of VEGF, EGF, bF GF and KGF, decrease the inflammation factor levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, improve the activities of GSH-Px, CAT and SOD and decrease the MDA level in the prostate of the model rats. Moreover, UFR also significantly suppressed the hormone levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. These results indicated that the possible BPH inhibitory mechanisms of UFR were growth factor suppression, hormone level modulation, anti-inflammation, and anti-oxidative stress.