Effect of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide on serum inflammatory factors, neuroendocrine hormones and cardiac function in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated with heart failure

Objective:To investigate the effect of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) on inflammatory factors, neuroendocrine hormones and cardiac function indexes in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated with heart failure.Methods:A total of91 cases of acute myocardial infarction with heart failure patients were divided into the control group (n=44) and observation group (n=47) according to the random data table, two groups of patients were given conventional treatment, based on this, the control group was given intravenous infusion of Nitroglycerin Injection treatment, the observation group received intravenous injection of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide treatment, compared serum inflammatory factors, neuroendocrine hormone and cardiac function and other indexes of two groups before and after treatment.Results: there was no significant difference between the two groups before treatment. After treatment, the levels of TNF-α, hs-CRP, IL-6, MCP-1, LVESD and LVEDD in the two groups were significantly lower than those within the group before treatment, and the observation group was significantly lower than the control group;The two groups after treatment LVEF levels were significantly higher than those in the group before treatment, and the observation group was significantly higher than that of control group;the observation group after treatment PRA, Ang II and ALD and NE levels were significantly lower than those before treatment, and was significantly lower than the control group after treatment, the difference was significant, PRA, Ang, ALD and NE levels of control group before and after the treatment was no significant difference.Conclusion:recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction with heart failure can effectively reduce the serum inflammatory factors and neuroendocrine hormone levels, improve heart function, and have a certain clinical value.

Gastric motor effects of ghrelin and growth hormone releasing peptide 6 in diabetic mice with gastroparesis

AIM:To investigate the potential therapeutic significance of ghrelin and growth hormone releasing peptide 6 (GHRP-6) in diabetic mice with gastric motility disorders. METHODS: A diabetic mouse model was established by intraperitoneal (ip) injection of alloxan. Diabetic mice were injected ip with ghrelin or GHRP-6 (20-200 μg/kg), and the effects on gastric emptying were measured after intragastric application of phenol red. The effect of atropine, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) or D-Lys3-GHRP-6 (a growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) antagonist) on the gastroprokinetic effect of ghrelin or GHRP-6 (100 μg/kg) was also investigated. The effects of ghrelin or GHRP-6 (0.01-10 μmol/L) on spontaneous or carbachol-induced contractile amplitude were also investigated in vitro, in gastric fundic circular strips taken from diabetic mice. The presence of growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a transcripts in the fundic strips of diabetic mice was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: We established a diabetic mouse model with delayed gastric emptying. Ghrelin and GHRP-6 accelerated gastric emptying in diabetic mice with gastroparesis. In the presence of atropine or L-NAME, which delayed gastric emptying, ghrelin and GHRP-6 (100 μg/kg) failed to accelerate gastric emptying. D-Lys3-GHRP-6 also delayed gastric emptying induced by the GHS-R agonist. Ghrelin and GHRP-6 increased the carbachol-induced contractile amplitude in gastric fundicstrips taken from diabetic mice. RT-PCR confirmed the presence of GHS-R mRNA in the strip preparations. CONCLUSION: Ghrelin and GHRP-6 increase gastric emptying in diabetic mice with gastroparesis, perhaps by activating peripheral cholinergic pathways in the enteric nervous system.

The effect of the ratio of standardized ileal digestible lysine to metabolizable energy on growth performance,blood metabolites and hormones of lactating sows

A total of 335 lactating sows （Landrace x Large White） were used in two experiments to determine the optimum ratio of standardized ileal digestible lysine （SID-Lys） to metabolizable energy （ME） for mixed parity sows during lactation. In Exp. 1, 185 sows （weighing an average of 256.2 ± 6.5 kg and having an average parity of 3.4 ± 0.3） were allocated to one of six experimental diets in a completely randomized block design within parity groups （1, 2, and 3＋）. The experimental diets were formulated to contain 3.06, 3.16, 3.20, 3.25, 3.30 or 3.40 Mcal/kg of ME and each diet was fed to the sows throughout a 28 day lactation. All diets provided a similar SID-lysine level （0.86%）. As a result, the diets provided a SID-Lys：ME ratio of 2.81, 2.72, 2.69, 2.65, 2.61 or 2.53 g/Mcal ME. Sow feed intake was significantly （P 〈 0.01） affected by the energy content of the diet as well as by sow parity. Using regression analysis, feed intake was shown to be maximized at 3.25, 3.21, 3.21 and 3.21 Mcal/kg of ME for parity 1, 2, 3＋ sows and the entire cohort of sows respectively （quadratic; P 〈 0.01）. In addition, the result of feed intake can be expressed as 2.65, 2.69, 2.69 and 2.68 g/Mcal based on analysis of SID-Lys：ME ratio. Litter weight gain was affected by dietary treatment for parity 3＋ sows and the entire cohort （P 〈 0.01）. Based on regression analysis, litter weight gain was maximized at 3.25 and 3.24 Mcal/kg of ME for parity 3＋ （quadratic; P 〈 0.01） and the entire cohort （quadratic; P 〈 0.01）. Similarly, the result of litter weight gain could be expressed as 2.65 and 2.66 g/Mcal of SID- Lys：ME ratio. Therefore, 3.25 Mcal/kg of ME was selected for Exp. 2 in which 150 sows （weighing 254.6 ± 7.3 kg and having an average parity of 3.4 ± 0.4） were allocated to one of five treatments in a completely randomized block design within parity （1, 2, and 3＋）. The experimental diets were formulated to contain 2.1, 2.4, 2.7, 3.0 or 3.3 g/Mcal of SID-Lys：ME ratio with all diets providing 3.25 Mcal/kg of ME. The diets were fed to the sows throughout a 28 day lactation. Sow body weight loss was affected by dietary treatment （parity 3＋ sows, P = 0.02; entire cohort, P 〈 0.01） and by sow parity （P 〈 0.01）. Litter weight at weaning and litter weight gain were affected by dietary treatment for parity 1, 2, 3＋ sows and the entire cohort （P 〈 0.01） as well as by sow parity （P 〈 0.01）. Plasma urea nitrogen （P 〈 0.01）, creatinine （P 〈 0.01） and non-esterifide fatty acids （P = 0.04） were decreased as the SID-Lys：ME ratio of the diet increased. Insulin-like growth factor-1 （P = 0.02）, estradiol （P 〈 0.01） and luteinizing hormone （P = 0.02） were increased as the SID-Lys：ME ratio in diet increased. Based on a broken-line model, the estimated SID-Lys： ME ratio to maximize litter weight gain was estimated to be 3.05 g/Mcal.

Identification and Characterization of Peptide Mimics of Blood Group A Antigen

In order to investigate peptide mimics of carbohydrate blood group A antigen, a phage display 12-mer peptide library was screened with a monoclonal antibody against blood group A antigen, NaM87-1F6. The antibody-binding properties of the selected phage peptides were evaluated by phage ELISA and phage capture assay. The peptides were co-expressed as glutathione S-transferase （GST） fusion proteins. RBC agglutination inhibition assay was performed to assess the natural blood group A antigen-mimicking ability of the fusion proteins. The results showed that seven phage clones selected bound to NaM87-1F6 specifically, among which, 6 clones bore the same peptide sequence, EYWYCGMNRTGC and another harbored a different one QIWYERTLPFTF. The two peptides were successfully expressed at the N terminal of GST protein. Both of the fusion proteins inhibited the RBC agglutination mediated by anti-A serum in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggested that the fusion proteins based on the selected peptides could mimic the blood group A antigen and might be used as anti-A antibody-adsorbing materials when immunoabsorption was applied in ABO incompatible transplantation.

Chemical Reactivity Properties, Drug-Likeness Features and Bioactivity Scores of the Cholecystokinin Peptide Hormone

Five density functionals, CAM-B3LYP, LC-ωPBE, MN12SX, N12SX and ωB97XD, in connection with the Def2TZVP basis set were assessed together with the SMD solvation model for the calculation of the molecular and chemical reactivity properties of the Cholecystokinin peptide hormone (CCK-8) in the presence of water. All the chemical reactivity descriptors for the systems were calculated via Conceptual Density Functional Theory (CDFT). The potential bioavailability and druggability as well as the bioactivity scoresfor CCK-8 were predicted through different methodologies already reported in the literature which have been previously validated during the study of different peptidic systems. The conclusion was that the CCK-8 peptide will be moderately bioactive regarding all the interactions.

The effects of consumption of raw garlic on serum lipid level, blood sugar and a number of effective hormones on lipid and sugar metabolism in hyperglycemic and/or hyperlipidemic individuals ——Benefit of raw garlic consumption

Diabetes mellitus is one of the worldwide largest growing metabolic diseases. In this study the effects of consumption of raw garlic on serum lipid level, blood sugar and a number of effective hormones on lipid and sugar metabolism (thyroid hormones and insulin) in individuals either with high level of blood sugar or lipid were investigated. Eighty five volunteers having following clinical history enrolled in the study: Group 1: having blood sugar more than 126 mg/dl (30 vo-lunteers);Group 2: having cholesterol higher than 245 mg/dl (30 volunteers);Group 3: having blood sugar over 126 mg/dl and cholesterol more than 245 mg/dl (25 volunteers). In group 1, there wasn’t a sig-nificant differences between biochemical factors be-fore and after garlic consumption, whereas, in the second group after 6 weeks of garlic consumption a decline in cholesterol (P < 0.001), FBS and TG (P < 0.01) was observed but HDL-C (P < 0.001) was in-creased. Six weeks after termination of garlic con-sumption, cholesterol (P < 0.001), FBS and TG (P < 0.05) were in- creased and HDL-C (P < 0.01) was de-creased. In the third group, total cholesterol (P < 0.001), FBS (P < 0.01) and HbA1c decreased while HDL-C was in- creased. Other factors, including thy-roid hormones (T3, T4), TSH and insulin showed no significant alte- ration. In conclusion our results shown that raw garlic consumption can reduce the FBS and Lipid in hyperglycemic and/or hyperlipidemic individuals.

Preclinical therapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia with neuropeptide hormone antagonists

Benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)is a pathologic condition of the prostate described as a substantial increase in its number of epithelial and stromal cells.BPH may significantly reduce the quality of life due to the initiation of bladder outlet obstruction and lower urinary tract syndromes.Current medical therapies mostly consist of inhibitors of 5α-reductase orα1-adrenergic blockers;their efficacy is often insufficient.Antagonistic analogs of neuropeptide hormones are novel candidates for the management of BPH.At first,antagonists of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone(LHRH)have been introduced to the therapy aimed to reduce serum testosterone levels.However,they have also been found to produce an inhibitory activity on local LHRH receptors in the prostate as well as impotence and other related side effects.Since then,several preclinical and clinical studies reported the favorable effects of LHRH antagonists in BPH.In contrast,antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone(GHRH)and gastrin-releasing peptide(GRP)have been tested only in preclinical settings and produce significant reduction in prostate size in experimental models of BPH.They act at least in part,by blocking the action of respective ligands produced locally on prostates through their respective receptors in the prostate,and by inhibition of autocrine insulin-like growth factors-Ⅰ/Ⅱand epidermal growth factor production.GHRH and LHRH antagonists were also tested in combination resulting in a cumulative effect that was greater than that of each alone.This article will review the numerous studies that demonstrate the beneficial effects of antagonistic analogs of LHRH,GHRH and GRP in BPH,as well as suggesting a potential role for somatostatin analogs in experimental therapies.

Production of the Blood Pressure Lowing Peptides from Brown Alga(Undaria pinnatifida)

Brown alga (Undaria pinnatifida) was treated with alginate lyase and hydrolyzed using 17 kinds of proteases andthe inhibitory activity of the hydrolysates for the angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) was measured. Four hydrolysateswith potent ACE-inhibitory activity were administered singly and orally to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). The sys-tolic blood pressure of SHRs decreases significantly after single oral administration of the brown alga hydrolysates by pro-tease S ’Amano’ (from Bacillus stearothermophilus) at the concentration of 10 (mg protein) (kg body weight)-1. In the 17weeks of feeding experiment, 7-week-old SHRs were fed standard diet supplemented with the brown alga hydrolysates for 10weeks. In SHRs fed 1.0 and 0.1% brown alga hydrolysates, elevating of systolic bloodpressure was significantly suppressedfor 7 weeks. To elucidate the active components, the brown alga hydrolysates were fractionated by 1-butanol extraction andHPLC on a reverse-phase column. Seven kinds of ACE-inhibitory peptides were isolated and identified by amino acid compo-sition analysis, sequence analysis, and LC-MS with the results Val-Tyr, Ile-Tyr, Ala-Trp, Phe-Tyr, Val-Trp, Ile-Trp, andLeu-Trp. Each peptide was determined to have an antihypertensive effect after a single oral administration in SHRs. Thebrown alga hydrolysates were also confirmed to decrease the blood pressure in humans.

Effect of growth hormone-releasing peptide on cardiac cholinergic nerve fiber density distribution in a rat model of heart failure

BACKGROUND： Changes in the cardiac autonomic nerve are considered to be important factors in the mechanisms of heart failure. It is possible to reduce or slow down nerve degeneration and necrosis, provided that patients take effective neuroprotectants during the early stages of heart failure. Moreover, it is possible to relieve the pathological process and reduce the risk of death. OBJECTIVE： To study the effect of growth hormone releasing peptide （GHRP） on cardiac cholinergic nerve fiber density distribution in a rat model of heart failure, and verify whether GHRP can ameliorate denervation. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized controlled study was performed at the Key Laboratory of Anatomy, Harbin Medical University, between June and October 2009. MATERIALS： Fifty adult, healthy, female, Wistar rats, weighing （200± 20） g, were randomly divided into GHRP （n = 30）, model （n = 10）, and sham operation （n = 10） groups. GHRP-2 was made in Shanghai, China （batch No. z071212-03）. METHODS： Acute myocardial infarction was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in the GHRP and model groups. Five weeks later, myocardial function was detected using color ultrasound electrocardiograph a successful marker of chronic heart failure models Ejection fraction 〈 60% was considered to be However, the left anterior descending coronary artery was not ligated in the sham operation group. The GHRP group was injected with 100 μ g/kg GHRP-2, and the other two groups were injected with the same volume of physiological saline, once per day. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： After 4 weeks, pathological changes in cardiac cholinergic nerve fibers were detected under optic microscopy following hematoxylin/eosin staining. In addition, density distribution was measured using a multi-function color pathological image system. RESULTS： In the sham operation group, myocardial cells were regular, uniformly stained, and no inflammatory cells were present. In the model group, myocardial cells were unevenly stained, exhibited nuclear atrophy, degeneration, dissolution, or disappearance. In the GHRP group, myocardial damage was less than in the model group; cardiac muscle fibers exhibited slight degeneration. The myocardium in the sham operation group was serried, spreading the cholinergic innervations along the cardiac fiber. In the model group, there was a decreased number of cholinergic nerve fibers decreased, which also became shorter and smaller, compared with the sham operation group （P 〈 0.01）. In the GHRP group, cholinergic positive nerve fibers were significantly increased compared with the model group （P 〈 0.01）, but still less than the sham surgery group （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： GHRP delayed denervation and reduced nerve reconstitution following heart failure in rats.

Alteration of Sex and Non-Sex Hormones and Distribution Features of Blood ABO System Groups among the Women with Uterine Body Tumors

Objectives: The aim of the investigation was to study the hormonal status (sex hormones: estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), testosterone (T);non-sex gonadotropic hormones-luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)) of women with benign and malignant tumors of uterine body in the reproductive, menopause and postmenopause periods. Also the distribution features of the blood ABO system phenotype groups and their link to the development of uterine body tumors have been studied. Methods: The determination of hormones was made by the enzyme analysis method (ELAIZA), provided by the proper ELAIZA kits. For the study of blood ABO system antigens, internationally recognized immunoserology methods were used. Results: Investigations revealed the increased level of E2 and T on the background of the reduced P in the blood of the women with uterine tumors in the reproductive, menopause and post-menopause period. As for gonadotropic hormones, the decreased levels of LH and FSH have also been detected. From the ABO system phenotype groups A(II) group had the highest frequency between the women with malignant uterine tumor in the reproductive age. O (I) phenotype group was the most frequent in case of menopause and post-menopause women with uterine malignant tumors. Conclusions: Hormonal imbalance creates good conditions for the proliferation of uterine tissues and hence causes the development of benign and malignant uterine tumors. The imbalance of the sex steroid and gonadotropic hormones in the blood of post-menopause women indicates on the genotoxic mechanism of cancer development on the background of age-related changes. A(II) group had the highest frequency between the reproductive age women with uterine malignant tumor, while O (I) group was the most frequent in case of menopause and post-menopause patients.

The Effect of Glucose Added to the Dialysis Fluid on Blood Pressure, Vasoactive Hormones and Energy Transfer during Hemodialysis in Chronic Renal Failure

Background: Previous studies showed that blood pressure was reduced in patients with chronic renal failure during hemodialysis with glucose added to the dialysis fluid. We wanted to test the hypotheses that blood pressure is reduced in non-diabetic and diabetic dialysis patients, when glucose is added to the dialysis fluid, and that blood pressure changes are caused by changes in plasma concentrations of vasoactive hormones or to vasodilation secondary to an increase in body temperature. Methods: The effect of dialysis with glucose added to the dialysis fluid was measured in three randomized, placebo-controlled, un-blinded and cross-over studies with periods of one week duration. In non-diabetic nephropathy (Study 1, n = 19) and diabetic nephropathy (Study 2, n = 15), we measured blood pressure (BP) and pulse rate (PR), plasma concentrations of glucose (p-Glucose), renin (PRC), angiotensin II (p-AngII), endothelin (p-Endot), insulin (p-Ins), glucagon (p-Glu), and human growth hormone (p-hGH). In non-diabetic nephropathy (Study 3, n = 24), we measured the effect of dialysis with glucose added to the dialysis fluid on energy transport from form the body using body temperature control. Results: Study 1 and 2 showed that BP, PRC, p-AngII, and p-Ins were unchanged, whereas P-Endot increased and P-hGH decreased, in dialysis patients with or without glucose added to the dialysis fluid. In diabetics, a marginal increase in p-Glu was measured during dialysis with glucose, but not without glucose. Study 3 showed that SBP increased significantly using dialysis with temperature control of dialysis fluid compared with no temperature control (145 versus 138 mm Hg). In parallel with the increase in SBP, the energy flux from the patients was significantly higher with temperature control than without. Conclusion: In non-diabetics and diabetics, blood pressure was unchanged during dialysis with glucose added to the dialysis fluid in a short-term study. Vasoactive hormones in plasma were changed in the same way independently of glucose in the dialysis fluid. Systolic blood pressure increased using dialysis with temperature control of dialysis fluid, presumably due to vasoconstriction to prevent or antagonize a fall in body temperature.

Effects of Antimicrobial Peptides on Production,Slaughter Performance and Blood Routine of Tan Sheep

[Objectives]This study was conducted to analyze effects of antimicrobial peptides added to the diet of Tan sheep on their production, slaughter performance and blood composition. [Methods] Ninety two four-month-old Tan sheep were randomly divided into two treatment groups according to their body weight, 46 in each group. The control check group(CK) was feed with conventional diet, and the experimental group was fed with the addition of antimicrobial peptide on the basis of the conventional diet, with the added amount of 2.5 g/sheep per day. The experimental period was 60 d. [Results] The incidence rate was 75.06% lower in the experimental group than in the CK. The average daily weight gain per sheep was 11.27% higher in the experimental group than in the CK(P<0.05). The feed conversion ratio was 8.45% lower in the experimental group than in the CK(P<0.05). The average daily gross profit per sheep was 12.12% higher in the experimental group than in the CK. For slaughter performance, the data difference of each item was not significant. The PH at 45 min and 24 h after slaughter was within the normal range of fresh mutton. The cooked meat percentage and water loss rate showed no significant differences(P>0.05). The marbling ranged from 2.45 to 2.50, indicating that the fat content was moderate, and the difference between groups was not significant(P>0.05). The flesh color ranged from 3.00 to 3.15, between light red and bright red, belonging to the normal color of mutton, and the difference between groups was not significant(P>0.05). The shear force was between 2.50 and 2.65, without a significant difference between groups(P>0.05). The white blood cells, lymphocytes and platelets in the experimental group were lower than those in the CK(P<0.01). The erythrocytes and hemoglobin in the erythrocyte group were higher than those in the CK(P<0.05). The neutrophils and monocytes in the experimental group were lower than those in the CK(P<0.05). [Conclusions] This study provides a technical basis for the rational use of antimicrobial peptides and their application in ruminants.

Effects of compound danshen dripping pills on the levels of serum inflammatory factors, brain natriuretic peptide and blood lipid in CABG postoperative patients

Objective:To explore the effects of compound danshen dripping pills on the levels of serum inflammatory factors,brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)and blood lipid in CABG postoperative patients.Methods:156 cases of patients who were given CABG from January 2015 to January 2018 in Baogang Hospital were chosen and randomly divided into the observation group(n=78)and the control group(n=78).Both groups were given conventional drugs,simultaneously,the observation group was given compound danshen dripping pills.The treatment lasted 3 months.The clinical efficacy was compared between two groups of patients,and the levels of serum inflammatory factors,plasma BNP and blood lipid before and after treatment in two groups of patients were detected in order to make a comparison in the incidence of adverse cardiac events between two groups of patients.Results:After treatment,the total effective rate of treatment in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group;in the two groups,the levels of serum interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-8(IL-8),C-reactive protein and plasma BNP after treatment were obviously lower than those before treatment,and these indicators in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(p<.05);the levels of TG,TC and LDL-C in two groups were obviously lower(p<.05)with the level of HDL-C significantly higher(all p<.05),and the descending or ascending range of each indicator in the observation group was obviously larger than that in the control group(p<.05);in the follow-up visit,the incidence of adverse cardiac events in the observation group of patients was significantly lower than that in the control group of patients(p<.05).Conclusions:Compound danshen dripping pills can effectively reduce the levels of serum inflammatory factors and BNP,regulate blood lipid metabolism and reduce the incidence of adverse cardiac events in CABG postoperative patients.

Rare Case of a Patient Presenting with Parathyroid Hormone-Related Peptide Mediated Hypercalcemia and IgG Heavy Chain Disease: Case Report and Review of Literature

IgG Heavy Chain Disease (γHCD) is a rare plasma cell disorder. Hypercalcemia related to plasma cell dyscrasias is related to non-PTHrP related mechanisms. Here we describe the first case of a patient with γHCD and PTHrP related hypercalcemia. Methods: Patient case derived from chart review from 2011 to 2015. Literature review performed searching PubMed 1968-current. Results: The patient was diagnosed with hypercalcemia with elevated PTHrP and exclusion of other etiologies of hypercalcemia. She was diagnosed with (γHCD) by M-spike 0.64 g/dL, IFE showing a broad band of IgG heavy chain, without associated light chains and severe depression of the non-mono-clonal IgG. Serum immunoglobulins demonstrated elevated IgG (2110 mg/dL), normal IgA (46 mg/dL) and decreased IgM (<21 mg/dL). Bone marrow biopsy showed 5% PCs, non-clonal by kappa/lambda, but exclusive for IgG by IHC, without any staining for IgA or IgM. The patient was started on therapy with improved hypercalcemia and PTHrP levels. Conclusions: This is the first reported case of γHCD presenting with PTHrP related hypercalcemia. Given that skeletal involvement is uncommon in γHCD, hypercalcemia secondary to γHCD may at times be a PTHrP driven phenomenon and we recommend that this test be ordered in such cases.

Effects of Environmental Lead Pollution on Blood Lead and Sex Hormone Levels among Occupationally Exposed Group in An E-waste Dismantling Area

Objective To study the effects of environmental multi-media lead pollution on blood lead and sex hormone levels among lead exposed males engaged in E-waste dismantling, and the correlation between confounding factors and sex hormone levels. Methods An E-waste dismantling area in Taizhou of Zhejiang Province was selected as the research site. One hundred and fifty two samples were collected from the groundwater, soil, rice, corn, chicken, and pork in the dismantling area. The effects of the multi-media lead pollution on the male blood lead and sex hormone levels of FSH, LH, and T, as well as the correlation with confounding factors, were studied. Results The blood lead concentrations in the males aged under 31, from 31 to 45 and from 46 to 60 were 98.55, 100.23, and 101.45 I~/L, respectively. Of all the environmental media lead exposures, the groundwater, rice and soil were main contributing factors to the lead accumulation in humans. FSH and LH levels increased with the age while the T levels decreased with the age instead. There was a significant correlation between the FSH and LH levels and wearing masks. Conclusion There was correlation between the FSH, LH, and T levels, and the mean values of lead concentrations in environmental media, and the sex hormone levels were correlated with the confounding factor of wearing masks.

Gastric emptying and plasma levels of gastrointestinal hormones in patients with peptic ulcer

IM To study the plasma level of gastrointestinal hormones and gastric emptying in patients with peptic ulcer. METHODS Thirty patients with gastric ulcer (GU), and 29 duodenal ulcer (DU) and 12 controls were studied. Plasma levels of SS, VIP and SP were measured by radioimmunoassay, and gastric emptying half time (GET1/2) was determined with TC99mresin solid meal method. RESULTS GET1/2(min) was significantly longer in GU than that in controls (659±148 vs 533±43, P<001) and plasma VIP levels (ng/L) were significantly higher than in controls (375±107 vs 184±59, P<005). There was a significant positive correlation between GET1/2 and plasma VIP levels (r=055,P<001). No significant changes were found in SS and SP in GU compared with controls (P>005). GET1/2 in DU was markedly shorter than the control group (417±102 vs 533±43, P<001), and plasma SS levels (ng/L) significantly lower than those in controls (64±25 vs 119±34,P<001), there was a significant positive correlation between GET1/2 and SS levels (r=056,P<001). Plasma SP levels (ng/L) in DU were significantly higher than the controls (544±127 vs 416±58,P<001),there was a significant negative correlation between GET1/2 and SP levels (r=-068,P<001). No significant difference was found in the plasma VIP levels between DU and controls (P>005).CONCLUSION VIP elevation may contribute to the GET1/2 delay and the occurrence of GU. The increased SP and lowered SS may play important roles in the GET1/2 acceleration and the pathogensis of DU.

Environmental mercury exposure, semen quality and reproductive hormones in Greenlandic Inuit and European men： a cross-sectional study

Several animal studies indicate that mercury is a male reproductive toxicant, but human studies are few and contradictory. We examined semen characteristics and serum levels of reproductive hormones in relation to environmental exposure to mercury. Blood and semen samples were collected from 529 male partners of pregnant women living in Greenland, Poland and Ukraine between May 2002 and February 2004. The median concentration of the total content of mercury in whole blood was 9.2 ng ml-1 in Greenland （0.2- 385.8 ng ml-1）, 1.0 ng m1-1 in Poland （0.2-6.4 ng ml-z） and 1.0 ng ml-I in Ukraine （0.2-4.9 ng ml-1）. We found a significantly positive association between the blood levels of mercury and serum concentration of inhibin B in men from Greenland （p=0.074, 95% confidence interval （CI）=0.021 to 0.126） and in an analysis including men from all three regions （p=0.067, 95% C1=0.024 to O. 110）. The association may be due to beneficial effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids （PUFAs）, which are contained in seafood and fish. No significant association （P〉O.05） was found between blood concentrations of mercury and any of the other measured semen characteristics （semen volume, total sperm count, sperm concentration, morphology and motility） and reproductive hormones （free androgen index {FAI）, follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）, luteinizing hormone （LH）, testosterone and LH xtestosterone） in any region. In conclusion, the findings do not provide evidence that environmental mercury exposure in Greenlandic and European men with median whole blood concentration up to 10 ng m1^-1 has adverse effects on biomarkers of male reproductive health.

Genome-wide identification and functional characterization of the MdCLE peptide family in apple(Malus×domestica)

The CLAVATA3/EMBRYO SURROUNDING REGION-related(CLE)peptides are critical for stem cell homeostasis in plant shoot and root apical meristem.Although CLE genes have been reported in numerous plants,there is limited information for apple.Here,twenty-five MdCLE genes were identified fromapple genome(Apple Genome V1.0 predicted peptides).Analysis of chromosomal location showed that the 25 MdCLE genes were located on 12 of 17 apple chromosomes.Genetic structure analysis showed that 21 of 25 the MdCLE genes were intron-free.Expression patterns showed thatmost of the MdCLE genes showed higher expression levels in leaves and root compared with the other tissues.In addition,expression analysis demonstrated that MdCLE genes had different gene expression patterns for abiotic stress treatment,suggesting their potential roles in acclimation of apple to adverse environments.The 25 MdCLE genes encoded 19 different CLE peptides,and they were divided into two groups depending on their effects on the inhibition of Arabidopsis root growth.Our results suggest that MdCLE genesmay have an important but redundant function in regulating plant growth and development,and this work provides valuable references for further investigation of the biological functions of MdCLE genes.

Radioimmunoassay of Antiarrhythmic Peptide and Its application

To establish a specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) for antiarrhythmic peptide (AAP) and study serum AAP levels in normal Sprague-Dawley rats (NR) and spontaneous hypertension rats (SHR), AAP-bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugate was prepared by ammonium bicarbonate method. The New Zealand rabbits were immunized by administering intradermally the conjugate. Then the rabbit anti-AAP serum was produced and iodinated AAP was made by Bolton-Hunter method. The RIA for serum AAP was set up and serum AAP levels in NR and SHR were determined. The minimal detectable range of the AAP RIA was (0.45±0.06) μg/L. The affinity constant for antiserum was 1.05×10 9 L/mol, and the rate of cross-reactivity with atrial peptide (AP) and human growth hormone (hGH) were 0.12 % and 0.20 %, respectively. The mean recovery rate of high, medium and low doses was 97.6 %, and the mean coefficients of variation for intra- and interbath-assay were (6.43±0.85) % and (9.62±1.04) %, respectively. The mean levels of AAP in NR with different age (3 months, 8-10 months and 18-20 months) were (1.75±0.13) μg/L, (1.74±0.11) μg/L and (1.79±0.15) μg/L, respectively, while those in SHR with different age (3 months, 8-10 months and 18-20 months) were (2.38±0.35) μg/L, (2.54±0.25) μg/L and (2.83±0.21) μg/L, respectively. The levels of serum AAP showed a positive correlation with blood pressure (r=0.8667, P<0.05). It was indicated that this AAP RIA had high specificity, high accuracy and good reproducibility. The levels of serum AAP had a close relation with blood pressure.

Experimental study on vasoactive intestinal peptide—like immunoreactivity in plasma and brain in high—velocity missile injuries of extremity

Experimental high-velocity missile injuries were produced on both hind legs of 15 dogs.It was found that the concentration of vasoactive intestinal peptide-like immunoreactivity(VIP-LI)significantly elevated in both plasma and brain at the early stage after injuries.However,thechanges of VIP-LI concentration in the plasma and brain did not coincide with each other.The re-sults suggest that VIP-LI may participate in the post-traumatic general reaction.The significanceand machanism of the elevation of cerebral VIP-LI level after a severe non-cerebral trauma remainto be clarified.