Efficacy and safety of human chorionic gonadotropin combined with human menopausal gonadotropin and a gonadotropin-releasing hormone pump for male adolescents with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Compared to adult studies, studies which involve the treatment of pediatric congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) are limited and no universal treatment regimen is available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)/human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) therapy for treating male adolescents with CHH.@*METHODS@#Male adolescent CHH patients were treated with hCG/hMG (n = 20) or a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pump (n = 21). The treatment was divided into a study phase (0-3 months) and a follow-up phase (3-12 months). The testicular volume (TV), penile length (PL), penis diameter (PD), and sex hormone levels were compared between the two groups. The TV and other indicators between the groups were analyzed using a t-test (equal variance) or a rank sum test (unequal variance).@*RESULTS@#Before treatment, there was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of the biochemistry, hormones, and other demographic indicators. After 3 months of treatment, the TV of the hCG/hMG and GnRH groups increased to 5.1 ± 2.3 mL and 4.1 ± 1.8 mL, respectively; however, the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05, t = 1.394). The PL reached 6.9 ± 1.8 cm and 5.1 ± 1.6 cm (P  0.05, t = 0.314). After 9 to 12 months of treatment, the T level was higher in the hCG/hMG group. Other parameters did not exhibit a statistical difference.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The hCG/hMG regimen is feasible and effective for treating male adolescents with CHH. The initial 3 months of treatment may be a window to optimally observe the strongest effects of therapy. Furthermore, results from the extended time-period showed positive outcomes at the 1-year mark; however, the long-term effectiveness, strengths, and weaknesses of the hCG/hMG regimen require further research.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02880280; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02880280.

Effect of Reduction in Iodine Content of Edible Salt on the Iodine Status of the Chinese Population / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the revised Chinese National Standard GB26878-2011 'Iodine Content in Edible Salt' on the iodine status among the Chinese population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In 2011 and 2014, the probability proportionate to size sampling (PPS) was used in each Chinese province to obtain the representative data. In each sampling unit, school children aged 8-10 years and pregnant women were selected. Key indicators included urinary iodine concentration (UIC), thyroid volume (TV), and the iodine content in edible household salt.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The median urinary iodine concentration (MUIC) decreased between 2011 and 2014 from 238.6 to 197.9 µg/L in school-age children. The number of provinces with iodine excess decreased to zero. The proportion of children whose UIC was > 300 µg/L was 18.8% and decreased to 11% compared with 29.8% in 2011. There was no significant difference in UIC < 50 µg/L between 2014 (4.3%) and 2011 (3.7%) (P > 0.05). The MUIC among pregnant women in 2014 was more concentrated between 110 and 230 µg/L. The goiter rate among children aged 8-10 years was unchanged, both the goiter rate of 2011 and 2014 remaining below 5%, in view of the sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency disorders.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The National Standard GB26878-2011 'Iodine Content in Edible Salt' that was introduced in March 2012 resulted in an overall improvement in iodine status, reducing the risk of excessive iodine intake in the Chinese population.</p>

Characteristics of pulmonary ventilation volumes under different exercise intensity with time / 军事医学

Objective To observe the changes of the pulmonary ventilation(VE)volume under different exercise intensities along with time,and to explore the best time for measuring VE under different intensities of exercise.Methods Sixty-one young mals were selected as subjects,who engaged in exercise of different intensities on the cycle ergometer(20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160, and 180 W).The duration of exercise of each intensity was 6 minutes,the cardiopulmonary function was detected using a portable instrument,and real time monitoring of VE changes was enforced. Results (1)For exercise of intensity 20 W, VE initially increased fast with time, but after 1 min,it ceased to rise and remained stable.There was no significant difference at 1 min and afterwards(P>0.05).(2)The case was the same with exercise of the intensity 40 and 60 W.(3)For intensities of 80,100,120,140,and 160 W,VE became stable at 3 min. (4)For exercise of intensity 180 W,VE became stable at 4 min.Conclusion The time taken for VE to achieve stability under different intensities is different,which is positively correlated with the intensity of exercise.The greater the intensity of exercise,the longer it takes to achieve stability.

Serum Thyroglobulin-A Sensitive Biomarker of Iodine Nutrition Status and Affected by Thyroid Abnormalities and Disease in Adult Populations / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the usefulness of the thyroglobulin (Tg) level in adults as a nutritional biomarker of iodine status and to identify the factors related to the serum Tg level.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cross-sectional study was conducted in adult populations of areas differing in iodine nutrition from three provinces (Autonomous Region) in China. Serum levels of thyroid hormones and Tg as well as thyroid autoantibodies were measured. The thyroid volume and nodule were measured by ultrasound. A multivariate linear regression analysis was used to assess iodine intake and other indeterminate factors associated with the serum Tg level.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 573 adults were recruited for this study. The serum Tg levels differed significantly among the three groups (22.27 μg/L, 9.73 μg/L and 15.77 μg/L in the excess, more-than-adequate, and deficient groups, respectively). The results of multivariate linear regression analysis indicate that excess and deficient iodine intake, goiter, thyroid nodule, hypothyroidism are significantly related with higher Tg level, and TgAb positivity is significantly related with lower serum Tg.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The serum Tg level reflects abnormal thyroid function and is a sensitive functional biomarker of iodine nutrition status.</p>

Comparison of endothelial differentiation capacity of adipose-derived stem cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from rats / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compared the differentiation capacity of rat adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into endothelial cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat BMSCs and ASCs were isolated, cultured and identified for cell surface markers using flow cytometry. The cell growth curves were drawn by CCK-8 assay, and the cells in active growth were induced for endothelial differentiation following standard protocols. On day 21 of induction, the cells were examined for mRNA expressions of endothelial cell specific markers CD31, KDR, and vWF using qPCR. Immunostaining was performed to observe the expression of CD31 on the cells. The induced cells were also tested for Dil-labeled acetylated low-density lipoprotein (ac-LDL) uptake ability. The tube-forming ability of the induced cells was verified on Matrigel.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We successfully isolated rat ASCs and BMSCs. Morphologically, ASCs were similar with BMSCs, both having long spindle-shaped and fibroblast-like morphology. Flow cytometry showed that both BMSCs and ASCs had high expressions of mesenchymal markers CD29 and CD90 and a low expression of hematopoietic cell surface markers CD45. CCK-8 assay showed that ASCs proliferated more quickly than BMSCs. The cells with induced endothelial differentiation exhibited increased levels of CD31, KDR, and vWF mRNA expressions and immunofluorescent staining identified CD31 antigen expression on the cell membrane. Fluorescence microscopy revealed red fluorescence in the induced cells suggesting uptake of Dil-Ac-LDL by the cells. The induced cells were capable of forming tube on Matrigel, confirming their identity of endothelial cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both rat BMSCs and ASCs can be induced to differentiate into endothelial cells, but ASCs differentiate more quickly into endothelial cells and possess a stronger proliferation ability, suggesting its greater potential than BMSCs in future applications.</p>

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and its risk factors in subjects with different glucose metabolism status / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in subjects with different glucose metabolism status.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between January, 2015 and October, 2015, a total of 934 subjects without a previous diagnosis of diabetes visiting the Department of Endocrinology or Health Examination Center underwent oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), which identified 266 subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT group), 243 pre-diabetic subjects, and 425 patients with diabetes mellitus group. The baseline characteristics and laboratory test data of the subjects were collected. The diagnosis of CKD was established for an eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) or a ACR≥30 mg/g, and the prevalence of CKD were compared among the 3 groups. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the OR value of the risk factors of CKD.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalences of CKD in NGT, pre-diabetic and diabetic groups were 10.2%, 26.3% and 32.5%, respectively. Pairwise comparisons showed that the prevalence of CKD was significantly higher in pre-diabetic group (P<0.001, OR=3.17, 95% CI 1.94-5.17) and diabetic group (P<0.001, OR=4.27, 95% CI 2.72-6.65) than in NGT group, and was comparable between the pre-diabetic and diabetic groups (P=0.115, OR=1.35, 95% CI 0.95-1.91). Logistic regression analysis, after adjustment for age, gender, blood pressure, hypertension, blood lipids and uric acid, showed that pre-diabetes (OR=2.03, P=0.044) and diabetes mellitus (OR=2.22, P=0.016) were independently associated with CKD.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Glucose metabolism status has a significant independent impact on the incidence of CKD, suggesting the importance of early detection of pre-diabetes and timely interventions in pre-diabetic subjects in prevention CKD.</p>

Application value of high-frequency ultrasound on the diagnosis of rotator cuff tears / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the diagnostic value of high frequency ultrasound in diagnosing rotator cuff tears.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Total 37 patients (37 shoulders) with rotator cuff tears were detected by ultrasound, MRI examination and arthroscopy retrospectively. Among the patients,21 patients were male and 16 patients were female. The average age was 64 years old (ranged, 51 to 75 years old). High frequency ultrasonography and MRI were applied to exam the shoulder under the standardizeds to point types and compare with arthroscopy results.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Thirty-two shoulders were diagnosed as rotator cuff injury by ultrasound, and 5 shoulders were detected as normal rotator cuff by ultrasound. Twenty-nine shoulders were diagnosed as rotator cuff injury by MRI, and 8 shoulders were detected as normal rotator cuff by MRI. Thirty-three shoulders were diagnosed as rotator cuff injury during the operation, and 4 shoulders were regarded as rotator cuff during the operation. The sensitivity of ultrasound diagnosis was 93.4% (31/33), and specific degree was 75.0%(3/4). The sensitivity of MRI diagnosis was 87.5% (28/32), and specific degree was 80.0% (4/5).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High frequency ultrasound in the diagnosis of rotator cuff tears injuries has a high sensitivity and specificity. High frequency ultrasound can be used as a routine method to diagnose rotator cuff tears injuries.</p>